Throwback Thursday #2 - Hike Around Cully, Suisse

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~ St. Augustine

So I have realized I have so many great pictures, I'm going to have to split Swiss National Day into two blogs. This first one will show you highlights from our hike around the village of Cully and up into the vineyards above the city. Next Thursday will be really great---our pictures of the village boat cruise, including real yodeling and those big horns like you see in the Ricola commercials. So stay tuned for next Thursday!

So we began our hike in the village of Cully. There are about 400 people who live in this beautiful village right on the shore of Lake Geneva. All of the buildings are super old, but well-built and well taken care of. As you can see, the flags were out for Swiss National Day!

As we walked around town, we saw some really amazing things. First, there was a tree that is older than our whole country!! It's been there since 1796. That really put things in perspective!

This was the Fountina de la Justice. It was right by Cousin Swiss Mister's apartment. I felt this was a good omen, beings that I had just taken the bar exam about 48 hours earlier. Turns out it was!

We then made our way down by the water---and saw what I think was the most beautiful view I've ever seen. No, not Cousin Whitney and I after flying all night....although we were pretty cute...

But I was talking about Lake Geneva, surrounded by the Swiss Alps. I am telling you guys, the pictures just do not do it justice. It was amazing! You will see I kept taking pictures of this throughout the trip at different angles/times/etc. I fell in love!

So then we started our hike up the hills surrounding Cully. There were great views of the vineyards and houses along the way.

When we figured we got high enough above the village (or at least our legs had decided we were high enough) we stopped to enjoy the view! This is the village of Cully below.

And here is another of the lake and the Alps with the vineyards included.

Then Cousin Swiss Mister decided to show off. In picture 1, he thought he was Shannon Miller. In picture 2, Pat Day.

I cannot let this opporunity pass without telling the "Cousin Swiss Mister on a horse" story. My dear cousin is SO not a country kid. He would come to visit and we always loved it because we would end up with the best stories about him! When he was a kid, he came to NM and my dad decided he should ride a horse. Luckily, we had an old nag named Pet. The name alone should tell you the caliber of this horse. He was like 20 years old or something crazy. Anyway, Cousin Swiss Mister still refers to him as the killer horse and tells some ridiculous story of near-death involving warp speeds on this horse. (I'm going to try my best to work in the "Cousin Swiss Mister saw a snake" story in a future blog...).

So the hike around Cully was beautiful and a lot of fun! I can't wait for next Thursday--I am telling you guys, the pictures from the boat cruise are some of the best! Stay tuned!

I'm That Small Town Kid.....

"Everybody knows me and I know them and I believe that's the way we were supposed to live." ~Justin Moore, "Small Town USA"

I recently went to dinner with two friends who I went to high school with. We hadn't seen each other in about eight years, and were talking about how about how most people do not understand small town friendships. People thought it was wierd that we hadn't seen each other in eight years, but called each other out of the blue and went to dinner. For us, it didn't seem wierd at all! I am so glad to have grown up in a small town, and the friendships that I made there are a huge reason why!

When you are from a small town, all the people (okay....most of the people) really do become your friends. And even when you haven't seen them for years, you still have that bond. I've had friends who I had not seen in years open up their homes for me without blinking when I've been somewhere on vacation and needed a place to crash. I've had them call me out of the blue because they were in town and wanted to grab lunch. When we get together, it's not wierd at all....it's like we just pick up where we left off and go right on with our relationships.

I am not talking about just the people I went to high school with, although this is certainly true with them. But I'm talking about people who went to other small schools all over the state. We played basketball against each other, showed against each other, went to FFA Convention together....these opportunities to make life-long friends are what makes growing up in a small town so great.

More than once my "city friends" have asked me how I can know so many people, being that I'm from such a tiny place. They dont' understand, because they didn't have these experiences. Yes, they might have grown up in a place with a mall, and a Wal-Mart and chain restaurants, but you know what? I wouldn't trade my friendships for any of that!

So thank you, to all my fellow small town friends, for being so fantastic! And the next time you're in town, give me a call. You've always got an air matress with your name on it at my house!

Southern Football!

"A southern girl is a girl who knows full and well that she can open a door for herself, but prefers for the gentleman to do it because it demonstrates a sense of respect. After all, every girl wants to be treated like a princess. We know how to make sweet tea and grits while telling you everything about any football team in the SEC. We pick our battles and fight with the heart of pit bull while still maintaining grace and elegance. Our mistique is that of a soft-spoken, mild-mannered southern belle who could direct an army, loves her mama, and will always be daddy's little girl."

I can assure you that at least 95% of these are true and I have seen/done them during my college days. I swear this is why Stillwater is the happiest place on earth!! (Pardon the language on a couple.....but it's too funny!)

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different from up North. For those who are planning a football trip in the South, here are some helpful hints.

Women's Accessories: NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket. SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara, and a fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's what dates are for.

Stadium Size: NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people. SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

Campus Decor: NORTH: Statues of founding fathers. SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

Homecoming Queen: NORTH: Also a physics major. SOUTH: Also Miss America.

Heroes: NORTH: Rudy Guliani SOUTH: Archie & Peyton Manning

Getting Tickets: NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus andpurchase tickets. SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campusand put name on waiting list for tickets.

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game: NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because they have classes on Friday. SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few hung over students that might actually make it to class.

Parking: NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for gameparking. SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

Game Day: NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV. SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera and wave to the idiots up north who wonder why "Game Day Live" is never broadcast from their campus.

Tailgating: NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radio station with truck tailgate down. SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking accompanied by live performance by "Dave Matthews Band," who come overduring breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

Getting to the Stadium: NORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in. SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it becomes the state's third largest city.

Concessions: NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda. SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on it, filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

When National Anthem is Played: NORTH: Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up. SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

The Smell in the Air After the First Score: NORTH: No change. SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

Commentary (Male): NORTH: "Nice play." SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs."

Commentary (Female): NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport." SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs."

Announcers: NORTH: Neutral and paid. SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in his eye because he is so proud of his team.

After the Game: NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends. SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker. While somebody goes to the nearest package store for more bourbon, planning begins for next week's game.

Ladies....Just Do Your Thing.....

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." ~ Mother Theresa

I know I have talked before about how I feel like people are judgmental of me because I am single and have no little ones running around. I think a lot of us single twenty-somethings feel that way. Like we are somehow failures, no matter what else we are doing in our lives.

But recently, I've had a couple different friends talk to me about how they feel judged for having kids. One felt like she might be looked down on for having a baby before establishing a career. Another was worried about fitting in because she hadn't gone to college. Someone else mentioned that her life was so boring as compared to her single friends.

I think that everyone feels judged and inferior...and you know what? That's crazy! I hope that I never make anyone feel like I would ever think less of them because their life went in a different direction or timeline than my own. That being said, I'd appreciate the same in return. If I have ever done that, I'm truly sorry and that was never my intention!

Some women are meant to have kiddos right away and be great moms. Some are meant to have successful careers and make tons of money. Some are meant to balance both. But you know what....whatever you decide to do is great.

So don't ever let anyone make you feel like your decisions about your life aren't good enough. We all walk different paths. I'm so glad to have women in my life who are all doing such different things---I feel that these different experiences and viewpoints only enrich my life! I love being able to go buy baby clothes for my friends, or getting to be a bridesmaid (yes...again!) or going on a girls weekend trip with my single friends.

Thank you all for being in my life......and thank you for making different decisions! Keep being you, because the world needs women who are strong and happy, whatever road they decide to go down!

Cards for Noah

"I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses." ~Taylor Caldwell







This is Noah. He is a 5 year-old little boy in Michigan, who is dying of cancer and probably will not live until Christmas. His parents are having an early Christmas for him. Apparently he really likes Christmas cards, and his mother has made a plea for people to send him Christmas cards now, so he will have them in time for his Christmas. Here are links to a video and an article telling his story.

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/11/thousands_send_early_christmas.html

His address is:

Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon, MI 48178

Having watched someone I loved die in my own life this year, I'm very sympathetic to people seeking to do whatever they can to help make someone happy, and to give him his last wish. So please, send a card. And keep his family in your prayers.

As we come to the holiday season, let us remember the true spirit of Christmas....that of love and giving, of faith and peace.

Don't sit by me.....GUEST BLOG by Connie J!

"Common sense is not so common." ~Voltaire

I'm super excited about this week's guest blogger....Connie J! She is one of the funniest ladies you'll ever meet. She was one of the office ladies at my high school and let me tell you, she ran that school! Everyone loves her and I think we would all read her blog if she started one! When she said she'd do a guest blog, I was super excited to see what she'd have to rant about. She didn't let me down.

So......here's Connie!

Tiffany stole my thunder by already talking about cell phones…but I’m going ahead with it anyway…

Is everybody who goes to church, the movies, a wedding, a funeral, school….so important that they can’t leave their cell phones off for ONE hour? Are we all heart surgeons on call, the governor, the president, etc….that we can’t be out of touch with everyone for just a little while?

I have been highly disturbed recently at a funeral when the same guy’s phone rang not once, but twice during the service. I’ve paid actual money to go to a movie and I want to slap the lady whose phone rings five times. I’ve been at bingo for goodness sake, when you know the people in there are not lawyers and doctors and prison wardens waiting for the reprieve from the governor (some may be future prisoners however) and they have their Bluetooth headset on and they just receive all the phone calls….oh my gosh!


I remember the time when we would drive miles across the country, heck sometimes I even went by myself, and never thought about not being able to contact my friends, co-workers or family until I got to the next town where there was a pay phone. I remember going to church and never worried about not getting a message from my mother about the dog’s appointment at the groomer or how she is out of beans, could I please bring her some on my way home.

I remember going to school for 12 years (and that was a long time ago!) and not once did I feel the need, or even know of the existence of, a cell phone. If I needed to call my mom I went to the office and asked to use the phone, AND it better be pretty dang important or I could just march myself right back to class, and why did my teacher let me out in the first place!!!??? I remember going to school meetings in Albuquerque where they didn’t feel the need to ask “professional” people to please turn off their cell phones during the meeting—they shouldn’t have to ask!

When you go to Allsups or McDonalds and the brain surgeon behind the counter can’t stop texting or talking to take your money, tell me you don’t have the same issues… Technology is indeed a wonderful thing, but there are limits to my patience about it. I do not have an answering machine, and don’t have voice mail on my cell phone. Yes, I do have a cell phone and am as bad as most people about carrying it. I do, however, turn it off when the occasion calls for it to be off.

So don’t sit next to me at the movies or the funeral or the wedding…..because if your cell phone rings I will slap you.

Happy Birthday, Boys!!

"It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that really matter."

So the first couple weeks of November are apparently a great time for birthdays. Not only are there a lot of them, but there are some pretty awesome people celebrate during this time! :)

Anyway, several of my boys are having birthdays and I figured instead of doing a blog each day, I'd do one big one and give them all a shout out.

So....Happy Birthday, boys!! You guys are the best!

High School Buddy - one of my best friends from high school. He's seriously one of the funniest, sweetest guys you will ever meet. Everyone loves him! He's also got an awesome drum set so if you're ever in Lubbock, hit him up and have him play for you! And ladies---he's single. But fair warning, you've got to meet my stamp of approval and it will take alot to be good enough for him!

Basketball Star is the tall guy (as if the other's aren't...) in the black jacket. He is a coach in Oklahoma....and he and his wife, just announced they are expecting their first baby! Basketball Star was probably the one person who helped me get through my year of junior college that was pretty much a disaster! He was always there to keep me sane!

KT - Well I always knew that KT was awesome, but when I was looking for a picture of him for the blog, I realized he was famous! He's got his own band, and he's made cd's...which I knew. BUT....he has kids that actually have recorded them doing covers of his music on You tube!! I think that's when you know you've made it big! :) Here's a video of the REAL KT doing his thing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MAz_eiPMwg I stil remember being at his house one night when he was just learning guitar chords. Now he's a rock star!



Flintstone -- So I griped about junior college, but I must say I'd do it all over again because I made some FABULOUS friends there, and Flintstone is one of them! He's the one looking goofy in the green jacket and yellow tie. :) He's always there for me and tells it to me just like it is no matter what! He lives in Kansas and has a beautiful baby girl!

NM Animal House Boy---- He and I have been friends forever it seems like...he's one of the greatest guys I know! He was one of the group of guys in college who made my 3 years at OSU absolutely great! He's married to an awesome girl, who fits right in with our crazy friends and puts up with me calling and yacking to her husband for an hour when I'm mad about something!

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

"Children make you want to start life over." ~ Muhammad Ali


As I mentioned yesterday, my friends and I worked at the Arby's booth at the OSU/Texas game this weekend, helping people make signs. Some of the kids completely cracked me up with what they wrote. I took few pictures and wanted to share.





In case you were wondering, the most popular signs were "Free Dez" and "RIP Texas" neither of which apprently happened!

One sigh I loved but didn't get a picture of was a little girl's that said, "Zac....Marry Me!" She has good taste! :)

And my two all-time favorites:

We had a great time getting to hang out with all these kiddos before the game. You really never know what's going to come out of their mouth next!

Best Birthday Weekend Ever!!

"I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for the handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun." ~ Chrles Swindoll Even though I wrote this a while back, I'm linking up today to "You Say It's Your Birthday!" Be sure you go check out everyone else's birthday posts!

Wait a minute, you're WHERE on your birthday??

So it was Friday morning about 9:00 and I get a text from the Blonde Oklahoma Girl. She says something along the lines of, "You should be in Oklahoma...we have a game ticket for you!" I thought, man, I wish! Then I looked at the paycheck sitting on my desk, realized it was my birthday, and thought, why not?? So I bought my plane tickets and texted BFF something along the lines of "Got game tickets. Meet me in Stillwater." He said, "See you there!" So my lovely girlfriends picked me up at the airport and we headed to Stillwater, the happiest place on earth!! So the reason we had the tickets was because the Loud Oklahoma GIrl (lovely lady in the middle below) works for Arby's in marketing. Ironic that I'd get a free ticket from Arby's since I refuse to eat there after almost dying of food poisoning once. Anyway, we had to work the booth--it was awesome because it was a sign making booth. Kids came by for HOURS and made signs---forthcoming blog with some pictures soon! :) Here are our signs! Then it was gametime! This is a picture of the coin toss---Colt McCoy and Zac Robinson hugging at the 50 yard-line. I was wrong...THAT was what I wanted for my birthday--a Tiffany sandwich! ;) So this is all I have to say about the game. Even though the score was terrible, there's nothing like the excitement and energy of a gameday in Stillwater! Then it was off for a little fun at the Penny. Got to see some old friends and made some new friends and had a great time! After that, it was time for a little breakfast at Ihop...where everyone in the restaurant sang me happy birthday and I got free ice cream. This is me waiving to everyone saying thank you! Notice our waitress dressed in a Perkins costume and the bride behind her. Then the night ended at our friend's house when we all laid around talking until way, way too late/early!

Then the next day (although there is no picture) I got to see my SoulMate Friend and her little pregnant belly!! She's due in February and Mr. Eli Green, future Notre Dame or OSU linebacker, has his nursary furniture all set up!

Thank you guys for making this birthday the best ever!! And thanks everyone who called, texted, facebooked or emailed me on my birthday. It's so amazing to know how many people I have in my life who care about me! I'm a lucky, lucky girl!

26 on my 26th!

"Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs." ~Anonymous

In honor of my 26th birthday (which I prefer to call my box moving party....since I'm no longer in the 20-25 range)...I've decided to share 26 things about me. Enjoy.

(Me drinking from a fountain in Switzerland--get it, fountain of youth!)

1. My favorite smell is a mixture of sawdust and revive. It gives me butterflies in my stomach. Only former showers will understand.

2. I have a serious feet phobia--can't stand to be touched by them!

3. I have to sit on an aisle seat on a plane.....I feel that if we crash my chances of survival are much higher that way. Logical, I know.

4. I was the 4th Place chicken judger in America when I was in high school.

5. I hate it when highlighters run out....it has seriously made me cry before.

6. I laugh at really in appropriate times. Like when something sad happens or someone gets hurt, I break out laughing. I think that's a problem.

7. I was convinced I would be fired from my Summer Associate job the first week because the first four restaurants I went to, I had no idea what anything was on the menu. (I solved this by ordering the thing that looked closest to "grilled chicken.")

8. I am obsessed with pajama pants. My drawer is overflowing.

9. I get horrible motion sickness and have basically puked my way across America, including Beverly Hills, San Francisco, the skies over Arizona, a freeway in Dallas, Washington, DC.....and I can now proudly add a European incident on the streets of Rome!

10. I was my high school homecoming queen, but was definitely not a cheerleader!

11. I am planning to run the San Francisco Half Marathon within the next two years.

12. I am 5'3 despite the fact that both of my grandfathers were over 6'2 and one of my grand mothers was 5'10.

13. I believe from personal experience that a person must do something really, really bad to get kicked out of an IHOP. We're talking felony level bad here.

14. I truly believe STILLWATER is the happiest place on Earth.

15. I do not trust the dentist.

16. One of my best friends used to think I was stuck up. (Thanks, College Roomie)

17. I think that the book "Better Single Than Sorry" should be curriculum in small town schools.

18. I love college football. And by love I mean I have a completely obsession. I will watch any game, any time, don't care who is playing. And I can name the last 8 Heisman winners. In order.

19. I am fiercely loyal to the people I care about. I am overly-protective and hold grudges against people who hurt my friends/family long after the friends/family have let it go.

20. I have a 45 item bucket list. Last year I crossed off 6 items. This year it's looking like another 8 will be done.

21. One of my friends recently helped me discover I have rather low self-esteem. His remedy is me telling myself how cute I am in the mirror every morning. I think he's kind of crazy.

22. Apparently I am a little bit loud. Some say indimidating. Others say brash. I think it's becuase I'm a little person and I feel the need to be sure my voice is heard.

23. I went to 7 proms in high school. Other than proms, I went on less than 7 dates in high school. Go figure.

24. I have a secret goal in life of having 10 bridesmaid dresses. Like 27 dresses--I just want to make double digits. Right now it is sadly looking like I will probably be one or two short.

25. I love taking jumping pictures. My friends/family who have to be the photographers don't like them nearly as well.

26. My Gran was probably my favorite person in the world. She was a tiny little grandma who weighed like 95 pounds, but she was tough as nails, fiercely independent, and everyone knew not to mess with her.