Pixar, wet shoes, and a canole {from ScarJo}

It all started out with a really wet, really unnecessary drive to Berkeley to look at a holistic-based culinary school. (I've been stalking this idea for a LONG time now and decided to take some necessary steps to give it a try).

Of course I picked the wettest day of the year. And wore mary janes for the occasion. Genius.

Anyway, after parking, walking (with a toddler in my arms) for 6 blocks in a driving deluge of rain with my inverted umbrella (which blew up because of the hurricane-like winds); I arrived for my "interest" meeting looking like a chihuahua who had been hosed down with high-powered sprinkler head, and a blue-lipped, shivering child on my hip.

The meeting was supposed to last an hour, but because my toddler wouldn't stop yelling and pulling glass items off the metal industrial shelving hanging around, the counselor I spoke to said, "You know what? I'm a little distracted. I think we should reschedule for a phone interview."

This, after the lady told me that she was a grandma and great with kids.

Hmmm. Wish I would have known that a phone interview was a possibility BEFORE I drove over an hour and braved the highway water slide to "check out the campus" during nap time. Love that.

The day wasn't a total bust. My friend from the BYU dance days has been working as an animator for Pixar (because he's amazing like that) for the last few years and, in spite of my swamp-thing appearance--he invited us to Pixar for lunch.
I think Pixar is maybe the next best place to Disneyland because they have all these life-sized statues and really cool sketches from all the great movies they make. Plus they have a really amazing food court with all compostable utensils and gourmet health food. Landon's happy and so was Mom.
Cute little pic of Emron and Landon. We ate lunch at said food court and in the middle of our deliciousness, one of Emron's coworkers came by and said, "Here's a Scarlett Johansson canole for the baby." I figured it was some inside joke that they had. Emron told me that Scarlett Johansson had been into to meet with casting (this delightful canole-giver was apparently in charge of casting) so we figured he was just making reference to the previous day.

Don't worry, Landon wolfed that canole down and even did the double "more"--saying it and the "more" in sign language--which I equate with something like, "More! Damn it!"
Me and Landon with the Incredibles.
Don't worry, the shark wasn't real.
He didn't quite know what to make of these.
Why is this so hilarious?
Landon was going crazy with the toy packaging.

After our little tour of Pixar and nice visit with Emron, he texts me to say that the canole actually was FROM Scarlett Johansson. She apparently sent it to casting as a "thank you" after the meeting. It was fun to have a little Hollywood experience even though I have been out of Hollywood for a few years now. If I had only known that canole's secured roles...

Jesus at Best Buy

We've been working with Landon on understanding who the Savior is on the most basic level. We read him stories, show him pictures, and he seems to like it. He has gotten in the habit of seeing pictures of Christ at church and he always gets excited, jumps around, points and yells (usually during the sacrament or when everyone is really quiet) "Jeejus!" He will see pictures and images that look kind of like Christ, but aren't, and still scream, "Jeejus!!!! Jeejus!" I can tell he's proud of himself. Probably because Mommy gets REALLY excited that he is picking up on not only objects and colors but also church stuff;)

As most things are with kids, his vocab words ebb and flow. Some weeks it's all about dogs, some weeks it's trains, and some weeks it's Jesus.

Well, I hadn't heard about "Jeejus" in a while and I was having a particularly difficult "toddler day" trying to entertain/distract him to avoid a tantrum while running errands. I had gone into Best Buy to look at a camera (to replace my phone cam...) and of course it was just one hazard after another with him. Escalators, TVs, cameras...never a good idea to take a toddler to an electronics store without back-up.

I had gone through all the animal crackers and 2 different sales people, who were noticeably flustered with how rambunctious he was being while they were delivering their sermon on the Canon dlsr'--and mid-sentence--would pawn me off on another person to take over. Finally the third sales person showed up about the time I had gotten Landon sitting down, reading a book in the middle of the aisle.

The sales guy was really helpful and I was just about to purchase the camera when I hear a piercing yell, "JEEEEejus!!! JEEJUS!" The sales person, of course, couldn't really understand what he was saying, but was surprised by the sudden hysteria. Landon didn't stop. "JEEE-jus!!!! JEEEJUUUUUS!" Pointing and jumping! (He has an astoundingly LOUD voice).

Clearly he wanted my acknowldgement. The usual round of applause he gets when he gets something right.

You see, the sales guy looked EXACTLY like Jesus. 6 feet tall, long, slightly wavy, brown hair flowing loosely to about 3 inches below the shoulders, olive skin, long nose, subtle facial hair, and a kind demeanor. Landon was dead on (except for the blue Best Buy shirt). No wonder he was so excited. In his mind, he was actually seeing Jesus--THE JESUS that mommy won't shut up about--in person.

The sales guy kept looking at me funny, like, "Lady, what is is this kid saying?"

Of course, I'm a little worried now...what is the politically correct thing to say? We are in the Bay area, after all, I don't want to be disrespectful. While the inner dialogue continues there is the ever-present toddler screaming at the top of his lungs "JEEJUSS!"

Hilary: "Yes, honey, he looks just like Jesus, huh?"

Landon: Huge grin. Clapping.

Sales Guy: Laughing (Hilary--thankfully) "I haven't heard that one before," as he does the Catholic Cross thing.

Luckily we all had a good chuckle. My biggest regret is that I didn't ask to take a picture with the guy, as tacky as it would have been to do so. I did take a pic when we went back later with Rod of Landon on the escalator.

I realized this was a momentous occasion not just for Landon getting to meet the Savior at Best Buy in the same way he could meet Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, but also it signified the first time that my child successfully embarrassed me because of something he said. This, I'm sure, will not be the last.

I am very happy that he thinks about the Savior. For all the things I am no-doubt doing wrong, at least I am doing something right...maybe.

Welcome to the Jungle

It's always a little difficult and exciting to to move to a new place for somewhat the same reasons: making new friends, finding your way around, and creating a new schedule so that your days aren't spent in sweats with no make-up. (I might be speaking from experience on that last one, despite the MADE teachings...)
Luckily, I knew a few nice people when I moved here (one being my cousin and another a girl I went to HIGH SCHOOL with...this is really crazy because I went to a teensy-tiny high school in Kamas, UT). Anyway, Megan (girl from high school), was very nice to invite us to this beyond WONDERFUL place called "The Jungle" where for $3 on Tuesday all of my dreams come true. Landon plays in what I am sure is a disgusting, germ infested, but oh-so-fun sea of balls, while I can talk to adults for an hour.
Little buddy thought he had died an gone to heaven. I love the little blondie competing for playtime surrounded by Asian babies. Welcome to Cupertino. :) He better get used to competing with Asians if we stay here, apparently they are the reason "the schools are so amazing" here. (which makes me happy--another reason I like the Bay area--diversity) That's all anyone talks about in the Bay area...I didn't realize how competitive PUBLIC SCHOOL was until I moved here.

Where I grew up, you just went to the closest, super pimped-out school building and received your sub-par education from 20% of teachers who cared and 80% of teachers who were just there to coach sports and ride horses. 80% of the students got between a 3.75-4.0 GPA, were involved in 25 extra-curricular activities, and never did homework--which was awesome--until the ACT came around and everyone got a 19. In California, these schools look like run-down, dilapidated bomb shelters but apparently everyone in attendance is going to Harvard someday. Or so I hear.
How cute are all those little babies!?! I digress.
Aside from the "ball-pit" we found a little snoopy truck. He's totally obsessed with driving anything, so this was especially fun for him. I couldn't get any big smiles because when he is around trucks and cars its more of a "Get out of the way Mom! I've got a job to do," mentality, rather than a "whee! this is fun," kind of a thing.
We will be returning to this place for sure...maybe after pre-school prep class. (wink, wink).

Dirt.

I knew this post would eventually happen, I was just kind of hoping it would be closer to age 2. Landon has discovered the joys of the backyard. Especially the joy of emptying all the planters of their top soil and throwing it in the grass or on the concrete.
I figure it must be good for the little ones' development to explore all the different textures of the back yard. And look how happy it makes him.
Those teeth kill me. :) This is the part that gets annoying...but that's what little boys are for, right? Getting dirty, and having to give multiple baths.
He's NEVER excited when dirt playing is over.
Look at that precious little evil eye. Thanks little boy for making life so much fun (and sometimes so much work) but mostly fun. :)
And this is a pic Rod took of Landon after he finished eating a fair share of topsoil. Yum.

Deleted scene from MADE.

MADE - MTV Shows

I have to say, this was a fun part of the show. :)

My Dad sent me this picutre of him yesterday...

My dad is a unique guy. I call him a Buddhist-Mormon because he has Nepalese Buddhist prayer flags all over the deck at his house, and he's always trying to find his Zen. Looks like he found it. Go Dad!

ANNOYING REMINDER

Okay, this is the last time (well...maybe second to last time) that I will do a MADE post. It airs TODAY (had a little problem with my FB status mixing up days of the week) but for reals this time guys, Today, 4:00pm est (that's 1:00pm for you CA people) on MTV. Only shameless HealthGirl promotion from here on out. :)
Photos by Brian Ramsay modbee.com

I'm kind of obsessed with red lipstick right now...

It's a little ridiculous and I'm wondering if its even age-appropriate. Something about being 30 makes me think about stuff like that a lot more. BUT I am in love with this retro red lipstick. I also like how i just got rid of my nose completely, ever want to do that ladies? I guess I was having a bad nose day.

RZ totally HATES it. LOATHES it. He's that CA guy through and through. He always says things like "I love it when you don't wear ANY make-up." But don't buy it for one second. I promise you, when I put on the "full face" he's always like "You look so pretty! yadda yadda." He doesn't say that when I don't wear make up.

Moral of the story: Guys like make up. They love it. They just want it to look natural. In the meantime, I will be wearing my red lipstick to the grocery store and getting strange looks for it. That's fine with me.

Lipstick is NARS Jungle Red.

My two cents on {The Bachelor}

Couple of thoughts:

• Oh how I wish we could have gone to Costa Rica this year with my parents. How gorgeous is that place?
  
• That resort looks amazing but I would be nervous to be that close to a live volcano.
• Chantal O is a Looney Tune but boy is she a beauty. "I'm totally in love," on the second date...sounds like a few other Mormons I know. ;)
• Brad's "seriousness"is starting to get annoying. He would be kind of boring to be married to, I think.
  
• Brads attitude toward Michelle is just "shut up and lets get it on."
• Emily is still my fav
• Brad and Alli on two asses. Hilarious.
• Why does every girl on The Bachelor have fake boobs?
• How amazing are the car scene's? They can't just walk away and compose themselves, they have to talk to the camera all the way to the airport.
  
• You gotta hand it to Michelle, she knows how to make herself the star of the show. Even though she is just gross.
• Brad's mental capacity can't handle Michelle's level of manipulation. How awesome would it be if he sent her home?
• I'm bummed he sent Jackie home. She looks like Sandra Bullock meets a Kardashian.
  
• How about those promos?! Cant wait til next week.
  

I guess there was a big game on today...

I didn't really notice. I was too busy watching commercials and feeling super awkward during a really silly, out-of-tune, half-time show with a bunch of 40 year-olds jumping around in robot costumes. (Just sayin) And that is all the negative blither I will spout. (I did make the required "super bowl" chili, fyi).

We did do a quick drive to Santa Cruz because the day was BEYOND gorgeous. One of those days where you wake up, look outside, and thank your lucky stars that you are living in a ridiculously rent-inflated place. It's freaking February and look at this place.
Landon was pumped for puppies and boats. As usual.
I was happy he tolerated the stroller.
The only pic we took of the ocean. (back lit pic...someday we will find our regular camera but in the meantime we are very thankful for cellphone cams)Aw, these two.

MADE people.

MADE - MTV Shows

Oh my gosh! GAHHH! I'm already having an aneurysm. It is slightly masochistic to watch yourself, seriously.

It will air next Wednesday, 4pm est Feb 9th on MTV.

Egypt

Rod and I at Giza.
Almost exactly two years ago, RZ and I were just two terrified tourists roaming around Cairo. Well...at least one terrified tourist (me). I'm not your typical fearful tourist (In the word's of Brad Womack, "I promise you, " I'm not bragging). I grew up in an airline family with my mom working for the better part of my childhood as a flight attendant and my step-dad as a pilot. I had been to several Latin American and European countries and thought I was pretty savvy about international travel.

I have never been so unsettled in a place--perhaps it was because we were with a large, loud, touristy bunch and clearly stuck out, or maybe it was the aggressive cab drivers mobbing us to get in their taxi. Either way, it was a far cry from a whimsical frolic through Vatican City. Egypt felt very foreign in every sense of the word and volatile. I'm not trying to speak as an Egypt expert, rather a red-headed American tourist who didn't spend a lot of time there, just enough to see the Pyramids, the Cairo Museum with all the ancient Egyptian artifacts, and buy a few beetle rings.RZ and I with Indiana Bob (my step dad)
Fast-forward 2 years:
photo credit
Seeing the political unrest and violence in Egypt is sickening and for some reason, a lot more haunting after having been there. Watching the TV footage of what is going on and reading the cnn articles makes me feel so sad and helpless for these families and individuals suffering. How lucky to have seen the beauty and people of this area when I did, even for only a few days. The attacks on reporters, violence, lack of food and general pandemonium happening in Egypt is so awful.

In the midst of all the violence, there was one story from a few days ago that was inspiring.

I'm so grateful we live in a place where Democracy is paramount. Say what you will about our problems, but in my lifetime, we haven't had to deal with an evil dictatorship, royals, and overall oppression. I have never had to see or experience what these people are experiencing. I was just an American whisked into the country to marvel at the mountain-like Pyramids, touch all the sarcophagus's (because almost nothing at the museum is behind glass) and call it a day. Kind of a sobering realization considering what is going on there...

I hope that a resolution is made quickly and before too many people suffer.