The Quarantine Diaries

I feel that we have not even been living reality. It’s like a movie, an event in history, or what you watch on the news. 
It’s so hard to wrap my mind around it all. 

As everyone in the world knows, we have been living in quarantine because of corona. 
This is something I never expected to happen in my entire life! 

School has been crazy. We had just a few days to put material online for our kids. There were many days were
I have been up till 4:00 in the morning trying to get it all put together.

Then Utah had an earthquake soon after the quarantine was put in place. It scored a 5.7! I didn't feel it because I
was up till 4:00, so I was dead asleep, but how does this all happen all at once? 

Andrew & I started working from home.

We've been going on a lot of walks. 

This is how our faces look in public now.

We started refinishing an old piece of furniture of my grandparents.

Krispy Kream gave all graduates of 2020 a dozen box of donuts.
Since Andrew and I both had our graduations cancelled due to Covid we each got a box. And we did share those. 

A lot of places have been offering free drive in movies and we have been taking full advantage. 

We sure do love our CRV. 

We have been spending a lot of time grilling.

And upping our tennis game. 

The elementary school I work at did a drive by parade. The teachers stood on the curb and the students were in
their cars and drove by. It was a lot of fun to see people again!

And look at Andrew's hair! Since everything has been closed, including hair salons and barber shops, there was
no way to cut his hair (and I don't have the skill level to even attempt).
This was the day before he finally got it it cut. 

I miss going to work and seeing my students and coworkers. I miss going to the gym (we were able to get a
stationary exercise bike which has been super helpful). I miss friends and family. I miss not worrying about getting
too close to people! We've had events cancelled (like both of our graduations, and Andrew had two international
trips) but quarantine life has also been pretty good to us. 

I love having meals together. In all seriousness, we had more meals in the first two weeks of quarantine
than we have had in the past two years- not exaggerating.

Andrew has gotten me hooked on the show, "Last Ship." It's so good. On a few occasions we have watched
4 episodes in a row. It's on Hulu and it's a MUST WATCH!

We have been doing outdoor workouts and having game nights with each other. 

We have been working on projects that never seem to get done like organizing photos and videos
and updating my journal. 

When life returns to normal, I hope we get to keep some things from our quarantined life. 

Chalk the Block 2019

One annual event that Andrew and I love to attend is Chalk the Block. Local artists draw amazing art work with chalk all 

over the parking lot and every year I am blown away with the talent and creativity these people have, especially when 

I struggle at drawing basic stick figures. If you have never been and you are in the area during the time,

 you need to put it on your list to go!

 ^This one was Andrew's favorites because it's basketball^

The theme this year was based on Hollywood, so there were a lot of different movies as part of the display. 

^Look how magical this set up was!^ 

 ^Love this artwork so much and the quote!^ 

Isn't all that artwork astounding?! We really love going and every year we hope it doesn't rain 

(because that has happened before). And one thing that I think would have been really cool was if an  artist did

a Mary Poppins chalk drawing from when they went into the chalk drawing with Bert. It would have been 

practically perfect in every way! But we didn't see one. If only I had some level of artistic ability and I would have done it. haha. Personally, I just love the idea I had. 

It's a fun way to start wrapping up the summer and it's so much fun to spend time together. 

The First Saturday of Summer

Friday night my friend Alyse texted me and asked if Andrew and I wanted to go to Lagoon on Saturday. 

She had extra tickets from her work and she wanted to give them to us. 

So Andrew and I went up for a day at Lagoon. Honestly I am blessed with some of the best of friends.

So glad we were freshman year roomies and we actually liked each other!  

Also glad she moved so close vs. being in Seattle. That was way too far. I'm pretty happy we get to see each 

other as often as we do. She is one amazing person! 

(and not just because of the Lagoon tickets, she really is as best as they come)

Later that night Andrew and I went to the Parachute concert with Amy and her roommate.

Andrew loves live music. He is singing and dancing to the music and loving every minute!

I'm so excited that summer is here! Can't wait for all the summer events to come!

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, to the Mine We Go!

Over Memorial Weekend Andrew and I had a once in a life time opportunity- to go to Star Wars Land at Disneyland before it opened!

Um.... YES! We were so close to going but we had circumstances beyond our control and we could not go. 

Someday, we will make it there! And Andrew will be in his own little heaven. 

Since we were unable to go to Disneyland we still wanted to make the long weekend memorable.

We went to the Kennecott Copper Mine up in the Salt Lake area. 

I had never been there before (shocker because it's totally something my parents would do) and Andrew hasn't been

there since high school. It also had a landslide a few years back and has been redone since he's been there.

It's no Disneyland but it was still pretty cool. I really love exploring our state and the amazing place Utah is.

^One of these tires cost $60,000 and each truck has six! AND they need to replaced every 6 months!^

We learned that Kennecott supplied 1/3 of the copper during WWII and that the mine supplied the medals for 

2002 Winter Olympics when they were held in Salt Lake.

We later went to Cabelas and explored and paid a dollar to shoot at targets. 

Once again, it's a good thing we do not rely on my shooting capabilities for food because we would be dead.

Andrew did pretty well though! 

And look at this! The one on the right is a typical bear skull but the one on the left is another bear skull that is huge!

I thought it was so cool. 

We did enjoy our time together in Utah. We do miss our California and all our friends there. We will make it back 

soon because we can't stay away for too long! In the meantime, Utah is a pretty wonderful place to be. 

Don't Take Your Friends Ice Skating

Holy cow, what a weekend we had! We were booked solid but it was so good!

Our friend Dennis planned a very last minute trip to Utah so we got to hang out with him! :) 

We started off our weekend with ice skating. It went really well until the very end...

We were doing only one lap more lap around because they were closing and the next thing I know Dennis 

is on the ground covered in ice. He makes it off the rink and when we get back to our apartment his ankle is swelling and 

he's hobbling around. We had a doctor look do a quick examination at the house and after he poked and 

prodded his conclusion was a really bad sprain. Ooops! Sorry Dennis!

Come to find out when Dennis went back to Connecticut he fractured his foot in 3 places and his hand! 

Next time Dennis comes to town, I think we'll skip the ice skating. 

The next morning we woke up and took pictures. Dennis wrote a book called,

"Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ"

and he wanted Andrew to take some pictures for his social media account and other purposes.

It's a wonder he got his shoe on and he was hobbling around as we dragged him everywhere. 

But I think they got some good shots even with the circumstances. 

One thing special that we were able to do was to go to the Provo City Center Temple. 

Dennis had a brother who died around 15 years ago and Dennis went to the temple for his brother on Saturday 

(to learn a little more you can click here). So grateful for temples and so blessed to live so close. 

I mean this one is walking distance from our apartment

(of course we didn't walk with Dennis' foot and all) but so happy to live where we do. 

This gospel is true and I feel so much peace inside the temple. 

I love knowing that God loves all of His children and He wants them all to have a chance to receive His gospel. 

I love knowing that there is more to life than just this life- that there is life after death made 

possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. 

I love learning more about my Savior. I love becoming closer to Him.

And I love the countless blessings the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to my life on a daily basis #blessed.

^And of course, brides are everywhere, so we needed one in our picture, haha^

We continued our downtown Provo tour at Hruskas Kolache which I highly recommend. 

It's the perfect place for breakfast! 

In the evening we went to Comedy Sportz which is one of the best outings there is. 

Dennis is someone who loves to laugh and is constantly upbeat with a smile on his face.

He loved it! If you're looking for clean comedy, this is the place! This was Andrew and mine's 3rd time this year alone!

On Sunday we headed up north to see one of the many sister missionaries who served in Dennis 

home ward give her homecoming talk. 

^Look at all the missionaries Dennis has worked with + more not even here.^

And don't you love his footware? He couldn't wear his shoes so Andrew lent him sandals to wear. 

We had such a good weekend with Dennis and we found out that he is my 8th cousin twice removed.

So we're related which is pretty cool no matter how distant we are. 

He tried funeral potatoes for the first time and I don't think I've ever seen someone more excited to try a new food.

It was crazy busy all weekend long but we enjoyed it just the same. 

Sorry we broke your foot Dennis, but thanks for partying with us anyways!

Oh, and Dennis' book is coming out August 13 THIS YEAR! 

He is having a book launch party that day and anyone is welcome to come!

It's happening in Provo and the tickets are F R E E! 

Yep. Free.

If you would like to come tickets are being "sold" here. 

Come, enjoy, and celebrate! 

In the Christmas Mood

I've always been a big believer in no Christmas until after Thanksgiving. 

But this year I'm ditching that belief and have hopped on the Christmas train early.

Every year I'm so swamped with school that it's hard to enjoy Christmas and then when school is 

 finally out, Christmas is only one week away. 

So I'm changing things this year so I can get my fill of all things Christmas for as long as possible! 

This weekend we definitely started the celebration and I'm not regretting my decision one bit.

Andrew and I somewhat, kinda have a small obsession with the Bath and Body Works wallflowers.

They are always plugged in so when we come home, it's a little bit of heaven. 

And in our new apartment we can't have candles so we really, really love the wallflowers. 

They are the best.

Promise.

And I love how Andrew loves them just as much as me. 

They were having a sale which happens only once a year where all wallflowers were only $2.50!!! 

We stocked up for the year. And we're quiet content 

(and thank you gift cards. one being from an ex boyfriend's family, haha). 

Currently loving the Cinnamon Caramel Swirl.

Every time I walk into the room I squeal like a little girl on Christmas morning.

It's that good. 

Also we have Costco to thank for these. We are so ready for Christmas with all the smells and treats. 

We're trying to apply the serving size to we can keep them for a longer amount of time.

So far so good, but we'll see how long that lasts... I might cave.

And can I talk about one of my new favorite things? 

Andrew and I stopped by Hobby Lobby 

to just look around. 

I don't know if it's even possible to do at that store. 

Anyways, by completely embracing the Christmas season we looked down the isles and I found this;

my heart stopped.

One of the most beautiful statements that I haven't thought twice about. 

Cannot wait to hang this when we decorate for Christmas! 

But first we need to decorate and hang up everything that is our all year home decor.

Haven't got to that yet. haha. 

We've been watching Christmas movies to welcome in the season.

Boyfriend for Christmas... haha probably one of the cheesiest movies.

We were laughing through the entire thing! But get this.

Andrew had it on DVD before we were even married! Oh and parts of the movie were definitely filmed in Utah. 

It's hard to miss when the Salt Lake Temple is in the middle of the shot.

Oh Hallmark. You are something else. 

And something to remind us all to be more careful and grateful.

While Andrew and I were out driving we were stopped at a red light and we heard this loud noise

 and a trash bag flying high through the air.

Which was confusing because it was not windy outside.

But our brains then registered what we really saw. 

What we thought was a trash bag was not that at all, but a person.

It was so scary realizing what we saw and what had just happened. 

He was on a motorcycle trying to get through the light before it turned. 

Another car was making a left turn and didn't see the motorcycle. 

The guy on the bike flipped high in the air. Literally. It just isn't a sight you want to see. 

I'm writing this to remind me when I look back on my blog and anyone who reads, that life is precious.

Andrew went to see what he could do to help. The guy obviously had a concision and by the looks

of it,  a compound fracture on one of his legs but seemed ok. Overall, so lucky! He could have been so much worse. 

I mean, that guy flipped and landed hard on the pavement. 

His life changed so fast in less than 30 seconds. 

A reminder to be careful and aware of surroundings. 

To take life at a slower pace. 

Figuratively and literally. 

Thinking and praying for both of the individuals- the one turning left and the one on motorcycle.

Life is special. Life can change so quickly. 

So grateful that Andrew and I  are safe at home together and our families are alive and well. 

We are blessed. 

Nants Ingonyama Bagithi Baba

This past Saturday we went to The Lion King and it brought back the childhood memories. 

In the Broadway version there are new songs which I fell in love with.

Rafiki had one of the most amazing voices. 

The costumes were elaborate, intricate, and detailed.

It was beautiful. 

^The Earl Family^ (minus Ryan- he's mission serving)

^Curtain Call- those giraffes on the right are people on stilts^ 

The Lion King has so many powerful moments such as the song "He Lives in You" or when Simba takes his place on Pride Rock. And it's a good thing I had allergies to blame when Mufasa died or when Simba sang "Endless Night". I love this story and I think the Broadway play brought such a deeper and richer meaning to the original movie. I think that Disney is doing an new "live" movie and that makes me so excited! Oh and if anyone can please explain to me why Timon's puppeteer is green I would appreciate it. That threw me.