Settlers of Catan

So, my family and I only play one game together... and only when we get together on Sundays or on special occasions. It is SETTLERS OF CATAN. If you don't know this game, it is like a cross between Monopoly and Risk. It is completely addictive as well! We are fierce competitors at this game. The first game tonight was won by my brother, Randy.... everyone gets lucky from time to time. :) However, the second game was all mine!!

By nature, we Halls are competitive, but the best moments of the game had to be when Randy would buy a D card... every time he would buy one, he would pick it up in a manner that I could see what it was every time. For some reason, this was hilarious to me... I think it just been a long week... :)

If you are in for a good, competitive time... buy this game and enjoy the fun that ensues.

The Parking Spot

So, I hesitate to share this little bit of "good fortune" or karma with everyone out there in cyberspace... but here goes. I am a bit of a Parking Spot Phenom. Yes, yes, you read correctly. I always get good parking spots. Just tonight, I was pulling into Walmart... and you know there is never a parking spot to be found there... and right as I went down the left aisle... a car pulled out from the second spot and in my little Sentra went, happy as a lark!

As I say, I am leery to put this out to cyber space since it might jinx my good parking spot luck, but I had to share, because it makes my day.... EVERYDAY!! :)

Dan in Real Life... is kind of like Michael Scott

I went with some of my friends (Kristen, Don and Jeremy) to see "Dan in Real Life" this weekend. It was FABULOUS!! It had it all. As my friend Sara Wait was telling me about it, all she could do was sigh, and now I know why... It has everything... heartache and heartbreak, love, comedy, tragedy, bratty teenagers, a hilarious shower scene and an even more hilarious dancing scene in a bar. I know, I won't say anymore... just see it. That is all I can tell you. :) You will enjoy it and even shed a tear or two... or as Don said, "I didn't cry, I just got choked up."

Even better than the movie was going to the Mayan afterwards and watching the cliff divers.... Hmmm... guys in loin cloths climbing rocks right next to your table... What isn't there to like?? :) (that last part was just for my friend Don!!) ha ha ha

Sheri Dew... Just DEW it!!

After a rough Saturday night and an even harder Sunday, my cute as pie roommate, April, invited me to a fireside this evening. The guest speaker was Sheri Dew. I just love Sheri Dew. She just gets it. She is real and even though she does not hold back, she makes you feel like you can do it... you can accomplish what you were sent here to do.

She spoke about fulfilling our divine missions and roles. It was great! She definitely gave me some things to think about and it made me want to make those necessary changes in my life. I am excited to do what is right and to make those good decisions. She is truly an inspiration.

The highlight of her talk was when she reprimanded us for texting during firesides and in sacrament meeting... and lo and behold... the person right next to me was texting as she spoke! Ha! Talk about irony! :)

Thriller!!

My roommate, April and I went on a date this week. We went and saw Odyssey Dance Theater's THRILLER!! It was awesome! It just makes me realize how much I miss dancing! Yes, I was reliving those glory days of high school drill team (Fillies to the G-vine folks) and it was great! My favorite dances were the opening "thriller", the Salem Witch Trials and the Lost Boys. It was awesome! I highly recommend it to anyone who likes dance theater and is in the SLC area during Halloween. So fun! TWO THUMBS way up!! :)

CAUSE I'M A WOMAN.... W..O..M..A..N!!

I taught Relief Society for the first time today! My lesson was about women in the church, and I have to say that there are so many women in my life that are such a great example to me and I just want to say thank you. Thank you for your service, love, friendship, example, smiles, helping hands and warm hearts. I know, I know, this sounds like a Hallmark commercial, but it's true. I love ya gals!! PROPS!! :)

So, okay. Disneyland...

I am okay. I have to apologize for the intensity of that last blog. :) I had a few comments made to me about it, and although I decided to share a lot of personal information, it was good to get it out. I have been doing a lot better since the post and things are good!

I just went to Disneyland with my family this weekend. It was a great time and we all went to the place where a kid can be a kid! (Wait, is that Chuck E. Cheese??) Anyway, we rode the rides, ate greasy food and watched from the side lines as my little nephew was transformed into a Jedi. It was great fun! I guess I forgot how scary those rides you are only 5 years old. It was hilarious to see my nephew, Ben's face on Space Mountain. I love my family and it was so much fun to spend time with them this weekend!!

My life right now

My life right now is a little....confusing, I guess is the best word. I feel that I am at a major crossroads in my life. I ended a very long relationship with someone that I loved enough to marry about 6 months ago. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Learning when to let go is hard and if you are anything like me, it makes you doubt. It makes you doubt that you made the right decision, that you really cared for that person and it makes you doubt whether or not you will ever feel whole enough to love someone with that kind of passion and strength again.

We broke up 6 months ago, but it wasn't until a week ago that I finally cut him out of my life... for good. I have been lost without him and his friendship, even though he wasn't even that much of a part of my life anymore. Why is it so hard to let go of those we love? Even when we know it's the best thing for us?

Well, I know that this is a pretty personal entry, but I feel like I need to get it out there and let others know that its okay to be sad sometimes. As long as it doesn't take over our life and turn us into a bitter, upset, cynical person (note to self :) ) then it's okay to be sad for awhile...

The other part of my life that is confusing right now is my career. Do I stay where I am, go somewhere new or further my education? These are the types of decisions that will determine my path and my future, and I guess that is why they are so hard to make, because they effect me in a big way. But, maybe it's not that hard. Maybe its not that decisive. Maybe it doesn't really matter what direction we take or what path we follow, as long as we have the right attitude and are living true and correct principals. This seems to be where I lose it.

I know what I have been taught. I have a testimony. I love the gospel, I love the church, I love my family. I know that my Savior lives and that he loves me. I know that He paid for my sins out of love. He is my advocate with the Father. I know my Father in Heaven is aware of my situation and that He loves me for who I am because he created me. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know that he saw the Father and the Son. I know that they spoke to him and called him by name. I know that President Hinckley is the Lord's mouthpiece and prophet on the earth today. I know that I am unique and wonderful in my own way.

So, if I know all of this... why do I have such a hard time following it? Why is it so hard to make the right decisions? Especially when I know that they are going to bring me happiness? Maybe it is just Satan trying to confuse me. I am sure it is. I just need to remember that when the going gets tough.

Not sure why I chose to post something so personal tonight, but it does feel better to get it out there in the open. Maybe some of you have been through the same things or had the same feelings. I just needed to get some things off my chest. Write again soon...

Gleaming the cube... or something like that

So, I spent my Saturday night at the Dew Tour here in SLC. (that is a perk that comes with a brother that deals with this stuff on a regular basis). It was basically like a mini X Games. It was pretty hilarious to see all of the "skaters" with their tight girl jeans that are low riding and hanging in the balance between their crack and their skull and bones boxers. Then at the bottom of these ridiculously skinny pants are the big shoes.. Vans, Globes, whatever. It is pretty hilarious! I also got a kick out of the crazy hair-dos and assorted piercings. It is just hilarious to me that most of these kids, and I say kids, because that is what they are, are making ridiculous amounts of money and look like total slackers!! I tell you! :)

The best part of the Dew Tour was watching the little teenage girls yell for Ryan Sheckler. Apparantly he is in a new show, Life of Ryan, on MTv. I guess he is the hot new thing and here is a video of his skills in SLC. I guess I am going to have to check this kid out myself!

http://video.astdewtour.com/player/?id=145530

If you like teenage romance and vampires... this is for you!!

Well, I am a little obsessed with the new books that I am reading.... it is Stephanie Meyer's Triolgy about Teenage Love and Vampires. Yes, you read that correctly. I am a little crazy over a vampire book.

Now, it is a lot creepier than Harry Potter, but not quite Stephen King. It is actually really good! The author graduated from BYU and I guess she is doing well now! I highly recommend this triolgy and you can get the books at Costco for $10 each! YEAH!! Read and enjoy!

Summer is over... BACK TO WORK!!

The new season of The Office is starting this week and I am SOOO excited... I just can't hide it! I was dying with the 'summer vacation' stories at the end of last week's episode. This season will finally bring about a little Pam-Jim love story... or so we can all hope! I am heading to an "Office" party at my friend, Mary's house on Thursday. Can't wait!! Dwight, Michael, Jim and Pam!! HECK YEAH!!! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDXIyRdwG0

Puppies and kids aren't all that different...

So, I just got back from my family dinner. My family tries to get together at least once a month, and usually at my brother, Randy's house. Well, we added a new member to our family this week. It is a new little beagle puppy. She is SOOOO cute!! The proud parents are my brother, Geoff and my sister in law, Molly.

The big question of the evening was what do we name this puppy?? All sorts of names were thrown around, but I think that Copper finally won out, although I still like Chloe. :) She is so cute and playful and the kids had a great time chasing her around and playing with her. The highlight of the night was when "puppy" had an accident by the front door and the kids all had to go and check it out and report back. It was pretty hilarious! It was also cute to watch Geoff and Molly finally become parents... even if it has four legs and not two. I guess it will just get them ready for that next adventure! :)

The perfect date... with my mom!

I went on a date with my mom tonight and it was so fun! We went for some take out Mexican and Jazz music, and ended up watching Hairspray on the big screen! I LOVED it!! I CAN'T stop the beat! I love this movie and I was dancing and laughing the entire time... I know Mandy and Jenny know what I'm talking about... :) I highly recommend this one. If you love spontaneous singing (aka singing Turrets), infectious dancing and costumes dripping with rhinestones and sparkles, this movie is for YOU!!! Plus, John Travolta (Yes, yes, our own Danny Zuko) dressed in drag and shakin his caboose!! How can you NOT love that one? Go see it the first chance you get! Two thumbs WAY up!!

Some of the places I have traveled this year.... Enjoy!! :)

LONDON... how come everytime you come around me London London bridge....

In front of St. Paul's Cathedral **In Notting Hill ** Laralee and I on the train ** In a phone booth

Lake Powell- My First Trip EVER!!

Me wakeboarding!! YEAH! Dave, Me and Erin Laying out Me, Dave and Erin hanging on the boat

NEW YORK new york NEW YORK new york NEW YORK new york

Sara and I on the Brooklyn Bridge**Me and the girls in a NY elevator.

Don, Sara and I watching the Simpson's Movie

in Times Square.... DOH!!!

MAUI, HAWAII

My mom and I went on a helicopter ride over the entire island of Maui... it was amazing!

One of my favorite flowers!! Hibiscus!

Mom and me at the top of Mt. Haleakala

My 10 Year High School Reunion!

I just got back from my 10 year reunion in Grapevine, TX. It was pretty interesting to say the least...

I saw my best guy friend, RJ Flowers and we hung out and caught up and it was so fun! I also saw all of my church friends. I just love these girls, I mean women! They are amazing!

They are happy, have children, love their families and serve the Lord. I look up to each and every one of them and I am happy to call them my friends. I posted two pictures from the reunion... one of me and RJ and the other with the girls. I went to breakfast with the girls and it was so fun to catch up that we ended up talking for 4 hours! It was great fun to see them!

I also did a little shopping in Texas and I have to say I now love Sarah Jessica Parker's new "Bitten" clothing line! Mandy told me about it and she was right!! Everything is under $20 and it was FABULOUS!! I miss my little Grapevine Mills Mall... the ultimate outlet mall! I got three dresses, a pair of pants, a jacket, a shirt and two pairs of shoes for $300.00!! I was so excited! I can't wait to go back!

Well, I am home now for a while... I have been traveling like crazy and now I am taking a break for now, but look to my Travel Log for more info! :)

Welcome to my Blog!!

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog... A Work in Progress.

I feel like this is the best way to describe my life right now. I am moving towards my end goal, but it is going to take some time for me to reach my full potential.

First of all, I just want to say thanks to my friends for getting me on here in the first place (Laralee, Sara, Courtney & Don). :) Per their advice, I am going to treat this as an online journal... which I guess is the purpose, right? I hope you enjoy my posts and enjoy my travel log and Ode to the Office. I will also have a crush of the week, which should be fun and if you want more information about my dating life, or lack their of, you can check out the link to He said, she said... the good, the bad and the ugly of the blind dating world.
Well, that is all for now. ENJOY!! Luv- Meg