It's Friday, I'm in Love

I know, it's been two weeks since I've done a Friday Five. With all the ideas for this post swirling in my head, I decided to simplify a bit and go back to basics. The first purpose of this blog is to document my life and the second purpose is to make Jacqui laugh. The second is often done by admitting the silly things I do that make me cringe and ultimately laugh at myself. So today's Friday Five is why I make myself laugh (otherwise known as self tickling*), and what I've been up to lately, told in Friends episode form. Here's the list:

Right after I packed up my computer and about to head up north.

1. The one where I delude myself into thinking I will have a slight reprieve from stress. I finished in Denver the beginning of March. I thought there would be a feeling of release, like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Not so much. The pile of work waiting for me at my old office banished that feeling pretty quick. Why does this make me laugh? It's the rude awakening my 15-year old inside gets -- she's still holding onto the idea that 'adults have it easy'.

The group that went together: Jacqui, me, Heidi, Brit, and Terra.

2. The one where I say embarrassing things when I'm nervous. I went to the Denver Time Out For Women with some friends and my sister and was able to volunteer and participate in the program. I read an essay I wrote about a truth that gives me a sweet assurance. Before I read my essay, I told the 1700 ladies (and the few men) in the audience that I was nervous and that I was sweating. So not only do I sweat when I'm nervous, I like to announce the problem to a room full of people. And then cheer for the ladies who get to sit next to me. At least I got to meet Chieko Okazaki. Well, not quite.

Me on stage after the sweating confession.

Me and Sister Okazaki. Jacqui and I got to the line a little late.

Jacqui and I with cousin Karen

3. The one where I pack too much, eat too much, laugh too much, cheer too much, and still end up in a car. The Mountain West Conference games were exciting, for the most part, but I think the real reason I go to Vegas every year is to play with friends.

On the way down with Jason and Tonya.

The shoes I packed -- six pairs total, I think...

Watching basketball

Cheering -- Jason, Josh, Darren and Doug.

Enjoying being together --Tonya, Becca, me, and Erica ...and Darren

Going to the temple (who has the group picture?)

Getting a pedicure... and then getting mad at Darren for not ordering me anything from In and Out.

Playing at the arcade --Darren and Josh show their dancing skills. I told you he had rhythm.

4. The one where I realize it takes MANY pictures to make me look slightly photogenic. Just take a look at these photo rejects and you'll know why I make myself laugh. My new camera's flash is tricky. Very tricky.

An accident, but funny. What exactly am I doing?

Me talking while I snap the picture

The flash went off later than I anticipated, but totally cute of Heidi and Terra.

Me making the mistake of having the picture taken right by Darren

I'm sitting so you can REALLY see my rolls, but I also thought this one of Tonya modeling the wrist band she won was classic.

Darren's favorite picture pose. If you only knew how many of these I have...

Once again, I'm talking while having the picture taken, but look how cute Becca is. She is totally photogenic.

5. The one where I become obsessed with personalized license plates. I'm giggling just thinking of the gems I found in Vegas. I'll share those soon -- just wait...

Yay! for the weekend. I am planning on sleeping in and watching as much basketball as I can stomach. Have a good weekend. I hope your teams win...

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

*Self tickling is Becca's word for the funny thoughts in our heads that make us laugh, but that no one else would find funny.