I'm still here

I love sun flares.This was taken at a park in Redmond one lazy Saturday afternoon. I really like it, and I am working on putting together a little portfolio or book to have for my records from snapfish or whatever. I love taking pictures!!

ps- I'm alive just been super busy with EFY this summer and a family reunion and finishing up my online abnormal psychology class so I can actually start grad school this fall! I only have two quizzes and the midterm and final to go... so we'll see how this works!

Music: Favorite Songs/Artists

http://www.playlist.com/playlist/22218138123

Elevator love letter-Stars

            Heels so high, hopes so low

Airplanes-Local Natives

            Encyclopedia!

Lost in my mind-The head and the heart

Mango Tree- Angus and Julia Stone

            I LOVE MANGOS sweet sound

The Blower’s Daughter-Damien Rice

            Hauntingly beautiful, can’t take my eyes off of you heath leger 10 things I hate about you

Blindsided-Bon Iver

Mercy-Duffy

            Catchy

Rumour Has It-Adele

            Makes me want to dance

A Little Love-Meaghan Smith

            50s sound with electronic background… love her from 500days of summer

Sweet Disposition-Temper Trap

            500 days of summer

Haunting-Anberlin

            LOVE anberlin,

Most Of Me-Mandy Moore

            Everblue is a favorite…

Darling buds of May-Brother

            Her birthday is in May

New Low-Middle Class Rut

I only see you-Benton Paul

            Paris is more a favorite, but his voice is great

We Can Try-Between The Trees

            Spain or Darlin or She is

We Used to Wait-Arcade Fire

            Love this group, so unexpected…

Breathe In-Frou Frou

            Dumbing down of love sold me on frou frou… this is a great song that isn’t as serious

Crash Into Me-dave Matthews Band

           

Girls-Beastie Boys

            CLASSIC

Pin Your Wings-Copeland

Lazy Eye-Silversun pickups

           

Fever-Meiko

            Love this version…

Iris-Goo Goo Dolls

            Amazing..

Stay-Lisa Loeb

            Fall 2008. heartbroken… amazing

Stare-Marjorie Fair

           

Black Sheep-“The clash at demonhead” really brie larson’s cover of metric.

            Loved scott pilgrim vs the world.

Misty eyes-ohbijou

            Canadastalker… the one good thing that came from the date that would never end.

Ruby Blue-Roisin Murphy

            Genious…

Staplegunned-Spill Canvas

           

Bennie and the Jets-Elton John

LOVE

I’d Rather Dance with you-kings of convience

            Great band

Turn to stone-Ingrid Michaelson

            Sytycd

Midnight Highway-Daphne Loves Derby

            Went to efy with bass player… great high school romance song

Edge of the Ocean-Ivy

            Underwater sound, love

Anything-Mae

            LOVE MAE. No arguments… I just love them.

Here with Me-Dido

            Roswell…

The Way you make me feel-Michael Jackson

            WCS FAVORITE

Saints and Sailors-Dashboard Confessionals

            Classic..

Salt Sweat Sugar-Jimmy Eat World

            Prefer believe in what you want

You Make My Dreams-Hall and Oats

            500 days of summer

Clap your hands-Sia

            Good feel

It’s Oh So Quiet-Bjork

            Don’t turn your speakers up too loud… great music video…

Tightrope-Janelle Monae

            Clever

When You Say Nothing At All-Alison Krauss

            A little country is good for the soul

Such Great Heights-Iron and Wine

            Probably one of the first indie songs I had heard…

Human-The Killers

            Not a huge killers fan, but are we human or are we dancer? Well, dance alliance 2008-2009 Russia tour is dancer. Dance mission!

The Scientist-Coldplay

            Also Yellow. Just classic.

*Oh My Love-John Lennon

            AMAZING

Edinburgh 2

Did I mention the weather was PERFECT? Always sunny, always beautiful. I was nervous that all of the pictures would be dark and rainy... but instead, sunny!!

I took some silly pictures during our little tour at the Edinburgh Castle, I just felt it was right! haha

Edinburgh

I wanted to talk about my trip to the United Kingdom!
We flew in to Iceland, then over to Manchester. We then were picked up and driven an hour west to Chester. We all spent that day together and then Katie and I took a very early train from Chester to Manchester then to Edinburgh! I was still jet lagged, so I slept on the train. While we waited for that first train at five in the morning... we met this crazy kid! He was wearing a plaid shirt, and his name was James Cameron. and he sang to us. He actually had quite a nice voice! But was also super drunk.

On the train ride we saw a ton of sheep and green rolling countryside... It was pretty. When we finally pulled into Edinburgh... oh it was gorgeous! The train puts you right into the city and our hotel was RIGHT there! It was perfect. We put our bags in the coat check and set off to explore the city. We looked to the left and saw the Castle!! We walked through this crazy big cemetery and up to the castle. Then down along the Royal Mile passing a ton of buildings I wish I had studied about and known what they were. And that statue. We went back to our room to take a nap and then walked back to the castle at night!

Finally A Title!

Okay guys. Turns out this whole time I have had title turned off. But I figured it out and I have a title! WOO!

I was looking through my pictures and trying to add a little logo to some of them, going back and forth with JWO Photo or Photography and Photographs when I stumbled upon this gem! I added the JWO... so maybe I should go with JWO Photographs eh? hahahaha

Photo tag?

I realize I have been slacking off on getting my pictures up from my trip, which is important to me... cause I really enjoy my photographs and want everyone to think they are amazing too!
I took this one in color, but edited it in picasa by saturating it and then putting it in black and white... I don't know why but I really like it!!

And I was reading my friend who is a real and really amazing photographer, and she was talking about her logo and I have been considering a logo for my stuff, maybe just so that it is connected to my pictures so people know it is mine more than my trying to promote myself, and I don't know what is a good tag to have. Right now I am waffeling between JWO Photography or Photographs, and I don't even know if I like using JWO or not... thoughts?

And thoughts on my picture?

Thanks!

PS- I see that I am getting a lot of traffic... but I don't know who you are! I'd like to... :D

Can't You Just Adore Her?

She likes her chocolate in the morning, she drinks her caffiene late at night...

I am awkward. I knew this in the past, but let me tell you... it is definately triggered by boys.

I can't decide if it is an awkwardness brought on by me trying to get a boy to like me or strictly because I like a boy and am unsure how to navigate this situation because I don't date often.

But the other day this boy called me out on it as I was leaving his house, I wasn't sure how long we wanted to be talking outside and so I said, Welp...See ya later (as in Big Gulps style) and as I was turning to walk away he said, Don't be awkward. And I said, it's what I do best...

then we proceeded to quote Arrested Development and Scott Pilgrim VS the World via texts for the next two days, danced a few times on Tuesday where he invited me to watch a hockey game with him the next day, yesterday, which I did. And it was normal and fine mostly... until I had to leave again (which I never know how long to stay... bah) anywho... another awkward exit and it is so frusterating!

Why can't I just be me?
Is it because I don't understand why he isn't in love with me yet? Do I want him to like me so I have the upperhand and can deny him?
Am I just this into him that I don't know what to do??

I don't know! But I do know that my mind is betraying me and I can't stop thinking about him and thats kind of infuriating.

Canadian Stalker part 2

somehow the story does not end with us leaving. A few days later I was on a plane to Texas to be in my dear friends wedding, Go Maria!
As I am waiting and dillydallying on my phone, who texts me? Of course, Dane.
He wants to know if I want to go to a concert and I am like, you live in Canada, I don't and no...
and he was like, oh I was planning on going down to --
and I was like. Nope, Im out of town. Plane is taking off gtg.

So then it is a little while later and my bestie (amazing hair) asks me about Dane. And I tell her and then say, wait... how do you even know about him, I never mentioned him?

Turns out he went on facebook and sent Rachel a note because he wanted to come down and surprise me with a visit.


STALKER!!!

fast forward: a week after that he is engaged. Turns out instead of visiting me he went somewhere else and met a gal as desperate as he was and they got engaged and married shortly after. Good for them! he thanked me sometime after this--not that I did anything, but he was all like, if i had gone to visit you I wouldn't have ever met her! And yikes. he was like, I do still love you too though. WHAT? You LOVE me??

...oy.

The Canadian

I was reading through some old posts and realized some of my disasterous dating posts are quite funny... and then I realized I never told you about my Canadian stalker.

The year was 2009. I had just gotten back from my three weeks in Russia and my two weeks or how ever long my jet lag and dilly-dally-ing took coming back to Washington from Utah... then my mom wanted to go to Canada to visit my grandmother and I was still on a Passport high, so I said yes! I knew that shortly after that trip I would be going to Texas for my friends wedding--I was her maid of honor. :) Which would not be my first time in the wedding party...

Anyway, We go up to Canada. We usually stay at my mom's best friend's house which is nice, they have kids my age that are sometimes fun to hang out with. We go shopping and this was the trip that I found THE Perfect Little Black Dress. It just is so perfect.

Well, my mom's friends have an extra room in their house that they rent out to local college kids and this guy, lets call him "Dane" was living with them. So whatever. I pay no mind to him cause I am there to see family and I am still a little jet lagged.

I don't remember how it all happened, but I think my mom was going to go out with her friends and I didn't really want to and somehow I ended up going to the county fair with Dane. It was fun enough, I haven't really ever done rides at a fair before and he was excited to show me how fun they were and whatever. So we are trying to make some conversations and I am thinking, this kid is kind of strange. But whatever, we are having an alright time. So after that hour or two passes he askes if I want to go see a movie. I like movies so I think, eh sure. Harmless right? And that after the movie we would just end up going home and it would be over.

Wrong. After the movie he says, lets grab something to eat. And I think, well I am kind of hungry. So okay. But I made a mistake. I had mentioned that I bought the best dress earlier that day so he says, lets go get dressed up for a fancy dinner! And I am thinking... eh no? And I say, oh I don't know I kind of and he says YEAH! Somehow I am trapped.

So we go back and get changed and I have to dry shave my legs cause its been awhile and I don't have time to shower. But it is like 8 or 9 by this time. so I am thinking, okay dinner and then we come back.

As we leave I shoot my mom this stare that says, I am trapped and you are doing nothing to save me from this.

For whatever reason we drive around and he can't find the Keg where he wanted to take me and instead we go to the beach and walk out to the lighthouse. I am kind of irritated by now cause I didn't bring a jacket, I didn't think we would be outside and it is cold... and he is making me climb down these rocks in a dress I just bought and I don't want to be doing this anymore! I think the salt water ended up irritating my dry shaven legs...

Anywho, finally we go back to the car and he takes me to a poolhouse. So we shoot some pool. He is trying to be all flirty and I am thinking, I can put up with this for another half hour and then go home. No biggie. But he is dancing all weird and I a getting fed up. But I can be nice for a little longer.

Do you think I got to go home and go to bed after this?

Nope. We then are driving and he says, oh I want to show you one more thing! And I am like, well I am kind of tired...

He ignores that. So we drive to a beach lookout and I am like, no way am I kissing him. So we sit in his car just in silence. I make some comment cause it is soooo awkward. I comment about the CD that is playing, the music was really cool so I talk about it. (the bank is Obijou, pretty good, and he ended up giving me the cd, so that was cool) Then it is back to awkward silence.

Finally I say, man I am so tired... I think we should go back. I have to wake up early in the morning so my mom and I can drive home.

and then maybe twenty minutes later he drives us back. I have no idea what was going through his head... he isn't trying to make any moves so I have no idea.

anyway, We get home late like at 1:30 or something so everyone is asleep. He goes to his room and I make my bed on the couch.

He may have tried to tuck me in. I can't remember.

What I do remember is waking up to someone nudging me and telling me to scoot over. I am vaguely aware that it is Dane. He is trying to cuddle with me. I pretend to be asleep and won't budge.

He is very persistent. I can't remember everything but I am grumpy by this point because he is disturbing my sleep and it is like 6 am! No way am I cuddling with you! I felt NO connection yesterday on our date that WOULD NOT END! And no you will NOT get any action. He then says, lets go to breakfast! And I am like, no I am sleeping. After a few more attempts to cuddle and lure me to breakfast the annoyance goes away. This may have been where he tucked me in. I have no idea anymore.

But then I am being woken up again and I want to slap him. Turns out it is my mom. She let me know that Dane went and got us doughnuts and I am like, mom we have to leave before he comes back!!

So we leave.

My Birthday is in May.
It is what it is.




LOVE this song right now!!

My Nephew Owen turned three on May 5th and he had his party on Saturday, it was Ghostbuster Themed after his favorite movie! My sister had made the boys matching jumpsuits and this amazing cake.


I had to make cupcakes and knew they had to be special... so I made strawberry cupcakes filled with sLIME!


A picture of me as Janine with Owen wearing my glasses, what a cutie!!

This is a beautiful little town next to the Denbigh Castle in Wales. We didn't get to experience this city at all, but it is so cute and I love all the colors.

I had a GREAT weekend! I read on facebook that one of my old college friends who lives in California was coming up for a dance conference this weekend, so I decided I needed to go and visit her.
It was the Seattle Easter Swing so I went on Thursday night for social dancing.
It was fantastic! But, I use to think I was a great dance, and a good dancer in West Coast. But... turns out I don't know anything about West Coast Swing! It is totally different than ballroom west coast, and both are great but true West Coast is super fun and swanky. So I have been working on that.
I couldn't get into any other of the events because the whole thing was booked, so I decided to volunteer.
I went on Sunday to check wristbands for the award ceremony and right before that was the professional jack and jill competition which BENJI SCHWIMMER WAS IN! I hadn't even realized or thought that he might be there... but I have loved him since SYTYCD and I voted for him for HOURS!! My roommate Tiffany and I would sit on the couch with our cell phone and the apartment phone and vote and vote and vote...

http://youtu.be/2hHOClvXmf8

http://youtu.be/SyebouKagQQ

So after that was over everyone cleared out of the ballroom to clean up before the social dance started and I got up the guts to go over and ask Benji for a picture with him.
And I did and he was super polite and was talking to someone before me and noticed I was waiting and then we started chatting and he noticed my BYU-I dance shoe bag and we talked about being LDS and going to church and easter and teaching/choreographing for BYU and I told him if I was ever asked to choreograph for BYU that I would call him up and invite him. We had a good laugh and he is a really nice guy and I still love him! haha
So, here's our engagement photo, no big deal....

http://urlybits.com/2011/03/the-aurora-aurora-borealis-like-you%E2%80%99ve-never-seen-it-before/

Thank you Julie F of http://howcouldyounott.blogspot.com/ for posting this... I almost was tearing up because it is so gorgeous. It has been one of my life goals to see the Aurora Borealis for a long time now, and once in Canada my Grandfather and I tried to find a good view of it on a beach but had no luck. While watching this video I decided I will know I have found the right guy when it is his goal to get me to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory. :) Happy Friday err'buddy.

To do list: (a post in parenthesis)

Listen to Damien Rice's Blowers Daughter five more times ( within the time it took to write this post, I listened to it at least three times) (one reason I LOVE it is cause it makes me think of Heath Ledger from 10 Things I Hate About You)
Laundry (check... for one load)
Clean room/unpack
upload photos (check)
edit photos (not even close to having a check)
read more (books to read include the trylle series, a cutesy trilogy about trolls... i know right? Happy Potter... MAYBE.. don't get too excited. books to look into reading, never let me go and the last letter from your lover. Need to read, the newer Nicholas Sparks novel. and tons more books, I want to read more. also, scriptures daily.)
And read my Grandfather's autobio in our family book called Oh Joy.. so, I might as well read the whole thing yeah? Maybe.
Go to Seattle/Tacoma and drink in the culture like I did in the United Kingdom
Make my T-Shirt quilt... or start, more so than having the shirts piled up in a corner of my room. (check! Well, I have them folded in a box...)
Listen to a CD a day, and give a description of it or post about my feelings from it.
Apply to Utah State University
Study for an take MAT instead of retaking GRE if lady from USU ever gets back to me on how my GRE scores rank within their program...
clean room. (I am anticipating that by the time I have done some of these things my room will again need to be cleaned. haha)
Go through my clothes and get rid of a ton. (living out of a suitcase for basically the past month I have realized I really don't need much... so why am I am set of having so many clothes?)
Read more Psychology books. (heh heh psycho analysis of myself, here I come!!)
Learn more about History and those who where here before me.
Appreciate more the things I do have. (which would be easier to do if I took out the excess)


I could keep coming up with more, but really I am just procrastinating cleaning my room... haha

Give and Get is Here!

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from March 17-20 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

Not Exactly A Bucket List...

Going on Holiday go the United Kingdom was amazing. Some words I have decided to bring back are, holiday for vacation, lift for elevator, and allan out for exit. Haha..
I also had decided to try to live my life a little bit differently, and in that has sparked a semi bucket list kind of list.

Before my holiday I would go to work from 6 am til 1 or so, come home and nap.

In Europe I walked about 5 miles a day and did 3000 stairs. I went to museums and learned about history, I appreciated art and nature and enjoyed my food.

So, instead of coming home from work to a nap, I want to go to a museum or go to an art gallery. I want to discover what my city has to offer.

In other things that more similarly go to a bucket list kind of thing... I really want to go in a Hot Air Balloon.

I also must check out the Salsa scene here... I promised a Brit that I would! (He was the kindest, cutest, bestest salsa dancer who smelled AMAZING. Curse his French girlfriend... at least he did kiss my cheeks good bye! seriously though, he smelled great and was such a fantastic dancer and lead...his lead was a very fluid and soft lead, not at all harsh and difficult to follow, and I really liked him. I really do want him and me to be pen pals of sorts and remain friends and share dance stories and whatever.)

The way of life over there seemed less hectic and more calm and happy. Maybe that was just because I didn't have any responsibilities and wasn't going to work... who knows. But they all seemed to be living better than we do and living more simply and appreciating things more.

Just a preview while I start to go through and edit pictures from my trip! This is Stonehenge and no edits were done because I think it is already stellar. I have become a little more motivated to submit some of my photographs into some contests or county fairs!

What I have packed so far:
Dark bootcut jeans
lighter colored skinny jeans
floral top--white and grey tanks
grey cardigan
polka dot top --black tank
red cardigan
black shirt
green houndstooth tank
long sleeve blue t --black tank
black sweater vest
white t-shirt --black tank
tan boots
purple sneakers
black flats
gray sweater hat
black sparkle scarf
black belt
brown belt
purple peacoat
black sweater coat
long plaid sweater coat
sunglasses


Toiletries:
Febreeze
hot hands
eyemask

IMPORTANT:
Passport
Paperwork for hotels, trains, stonehenge, driving directions etc
Ashes and crematory letter

Need to pack:
black skinny pants
skirt?
dress
more shirts?
tights
another pair of shoes?
sweatshirt for lounging
pjs/workout clothes

Umbrella
Hair dryer
round brush
straightener
deodorant
toothbrush
toothpaste
moleskin
neosporin
bandaids
safety pins
advil
cough drops
handiwipes and sanitizer
makeup...
body butter
skin care products
another scarf or two



EEKS! 4 days!

What am I forgetting?