Three Years Ago

Well, three years ago today, I broke my mom's heart and left for my mission. It was a highly emotional day and Mama Sue was a total wreck. I was doing just fine until I had to say goodbye to my parents and they couldn't keep it together. The sisters did much better; the nieces had no idea what was happening.

Well, that day I also met my MTC companion, Hermana Sarah Ligget and my life has been that much better since meeting her. She is a great person, friend and companion. We had so much fun together at the MTC and I wouldn't trade our experience there for anything in the world. The day she left for Ecuador was a very sad day for me and I pretty much cried the entire day. I loved being reunited with her 15 months later.

My mission was such a blessing to my life and I grew so much in those 15 months in Argentina. I miss it daily and the people that I associated with there. Luckily I had 10 companions and 5 of those are Americans. I get to see them occasionally and I love to see them and reminisce about the mission. It was good times!

Oh Blessed Sleep

Last night I went to bed at 9:40pm. Yes, you read that right...9:40 pm. I was so tired. These allergies are kicking my trash!!

October Happenings

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (Oct 8-11, 2009)

Erin decided to do something fun for her birthday this year, so we headed to sunny SoCal and made a weekend of it. We basically went to eat our way through California and go to Disneyland. We made a stop in Las Vegas (no gambling was involved) to see Tracey. We ate at a shady sushi place for dinner, but it was still pretty good. I mean I've had better, but Tracey paid for it. The next day we went to Town Square for some shopping. Erin was really excited to go there and I must say that it was a magical place. H&M is where it's at! I can see why all are fans of this store.

After shopping Ewee and I headed to Newport Beach, CA to the Crab Cooker. After only two U-turns we arrived and Erin had her coveted King Crab legs ($30!) and I my beloved salmon. We headed out to the pier after dinner to see a beautiful sunset and all the fishermen. We got a nice whiff of marijuana and saw the culprit (see random sighting 2). It was a little windy and chilly but the ocean looked amazing and the sunset was quite pretty. It worked out perfectly so we could have this model-esque picture with our wind-whipped hair.

Random sighting 1: this guy was running around on the beach chasing the seagulls (we weren't sure what was happening)

Random sighting 2: a fisherman was totally laced out on marijuana and was smiling at us at we walked by and nodding his head. He was completely wasted!

We got back in our car and headed south to San Diego. We drove around the Gas Light District to see if we could hook up with someone (JK!) and then found a Motel 6, which "left the light on" for us! We woke up the next morning and made our second restaurant destination--Kono's. Well, it was a little tricky getting there for us (my fault) and we ended up at the gate to some naval base. Erin pulls up to the gatekeeper and says "We're lost! We just want to turn around." So, we backtracked and found our way to Kono's which had a line as usual. Breakfast was supposed to be on me, but I had no cash on me and Erin ended up paying. Idiot! But breakfast was Awesome with a capital A! Lots of food and worth the wait.

From there we drove to the Magic Kingdom that is known as Disneyland! First ride: Peter Pan! The wait was huge, but isn't it always? D-Land was jam packed with people, but Erin and I went on pretty much every ride we wanted except Space Mountain (105 minute wait!! Out of fast passes by 2pm!! Insert double bird here!) and Splash Mountain because it was a little chilly. Our Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride was interesting. There had to be at least a ton and a half of weight in that boat! (That's 3,000 lbs people!) Erin and I were placed in the very back and then all the rather large people were put on. I have never gotten wet on that ride, nor got up to that speed...until this encounter. It was a labor to push our boat along through the ride. I've never had other boats follow that closely. Was it because we weren't moving or that the other boats could manuever much faster? I don't know.

We fast-passed The Haunted Mansion and it's a good thing we did, because that line was ridiculous! We got the fast pass at like 3pm and it said to come back between 8 and 9pm! So we had lots of time to kill. We were sure to hit the Teacups (which are one of my favorite rides, see my picture). Erin was sufficiently sick on those (see picture)

The Matsumoris were there for a big family trip and we met up with Jean and went on It's a Small World (Dad's favorite). So fun. But the Magic Kingdom does not disappoint. Of course Melissa was checking in with us to see where we were and what we were doing. She had a few requests that we were sure to pick up on the way out--a snow globe pirate ship from Peter Pan among them. :)

THIS IS IT! and Thriller

It has been a month filled with MJ -- Thriller by Odessey Dance Theatre last weekend and then last night we saw This Is It! I think most people in the theater didn't realize that it was a movie and not a live concert. You better believe they clapped after every number and were cheering as if MJ could actually hear them. Yeah, not so.

Sidenote: A trend I've noticed in Utah - standing ovations are for anything horrible to mediocre to outstanding. It doesn't matter--if it's on a stage (or screen), it's worthy of a standing ovation.

I must say that these two events have reaffirmed that I am a Michael Jackson fan. I wouldn't say that I love him as much as say...Katie G, or Jenny G, but a fan nonetheless. He's got the moves, he's got the voice and he's got the love! "God bless you!" he said to all who were rehearsing with him for his would-be tour starting in London this year.

It was a good show and I do love his music. RIP Michael!

FELIZ CUMPLE EWEE!!

TODAY is Erin's Birthday! On October 2, a great person came into the world. For those who know her, you know that she is Grrrrr-eat!!! I am very impressed how Erin is a friend to everyone she meets. She truly is one of a kind!

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN! May you have a great day and many more to come!!

Much love, Dallin

SO EMBARRASSING!

There is a reason that ass ends the word Embarrass! That's what you feel like when something humiliating happens: like an ASS! So, I was headed down the stairs in my building today and was getting out a dollar bill to get a Snickers (mmm...Snickers). So, I am fumbling around with the money and am almost down the stairs successfully, when...the back heels of my Docs hit the last stair and I land on my knees! OUCH! I sat there for a moment realizing that people had seen! HOW EMBARRASSING! I sat there for a minute, thinking to myself, "Oh man, peoople just saw that!" Oh great!!

So, I collect myself with all the dignity I can muster, get up and start walking toward three boys standing in line at Financial Aid. Quickly I say to them, "Yeah, I fell." They were all staring at me kind of wearing a smile of "it's not funny, but it is!" on their faces. One boy says to me, "Are you okay?" To which I reply with my head held high, "Yeah, thanks."

I guess I have to quit giving Erin such a hard time about falling all the time. It must run in our family, but I am trying to decide from whom we inherited this falling gene. Papa Jim seems to be pretty stable (minus one fall involving a Christmas tree :) He claims he was pushed) and Mama Sue is fairly stable as well, but it could be from her :) Maybe it is from the Grand Parents or Great-grand Parents. Who knows?

Anyway, my shoes are all scuffed up, my pride has been sufficiently bruised and my knees, too. I haven't had a fall like this (exactly like this) since my mission! Hopefully no more mishaps today!

Damn You Google Maps!!!

This weekend was the 24th of July. Everyone in Utah knows that means a few things: rodeos, a day off, parades, and CAMPING!! Darby and I made the annual trek up to Hoop Lake in the Uintas to camp with Melissa, Eric (AKA: Ornery Camp Director) and the munchkins Haylie and Mikaela. Well, Hoop Lake isn't that hard to find...or is it? Let's go with the latter. So, I like maps and most of the time I am fairly good at following them. To ensure that Darby and I arrived at Hoop Lake without any hang ups, I decided to Google Map Hoop Lake, UT.

Well, it gave me the directions which seemed idiot proof. Yeah, the directions were correct until Mountain View, Wyoming and then they were pretty useless. We were supposed to head to the left and it told us to head to the right. So, we are in the Wasatch National Forest going along and not getting anywhere near Hoop Lake. We eventually reach a sign that states "Leaving Wasatch National Forest." Not a good sign. We turn around and head back to the road, when Eric calls us and proceeds to tell us where we are, when he himself has no idea where he is. Darby told him that we were leaving Wasatch National Forest, to which he replied, "I don't know what that is." Darby told him, "You're in it!" So, Eric is not Mr. GPS. Well, after about an hour of driving all over the forest, we turned back and finally made it to Mountain View, WY and met Eric and Todd at the Maverick. Needless to say we were a little peeved! We then followed Eric the other way to Hoop Lake. We ended getting to our campsite around 12:40 am. I think we freaked Melissa out. We put up our tent, got in our sleeping bags and began cursing Google Maps! "Damn you Google maps!" Word to the Wise: Google Maps will lead you astray!!

So, I have learned my lesson: have an atlas in the car.

But camping was fun. Todd and Monica and their girls joined the fun this year. We had plenty of four-wheeler rides, fishing, cooking, and fires. There were only about four Mikaela Meltdowns (which is pretty good) and the Banana Boats were divine! Thanks Melissa and Eric for a fun weekend!! See you next year!

I love the Snuggie...and HP

Last night, we were at Lacey's watching "The Bachelorette". Lacey's basement is the bomb.com, but according to some people is "too cold." However, I love it! It is the perfect temperature to me. I think I got an extra gene that makes me super hot! My body temperature has got to be about 100.6 rather than the standard 98.6. I am always hot, so I don't mind the cold basement one bit. Well, as we all settled in to watch Jillian be super dramatic again this week with the three guys left, everyone grabbed a blanket. Well, when I looked at what was left, it was...a Snuggie. Please tell me you have seen the infomercial! Basically I looked like I belonged at Hogwarts, and in Gryffindor for that matter with the scarlet robes! All I was missing was my pointed witch hat and wand and the ensemble would have been complete!

Speaking of Harry Potter, tonight is the midnight showing of the movie (I've lost track which one...HP and the Half Blood Prince?). Well, today at work, I was down in the vault (or rather the dungeon) reviewing some documents. A girl that works down there is super pumped for the movie. Her shirt had a lightning bolt on the front with HP in the middle. On the back it read: "No one is HOTTER than POTTER!" OH MY CRAP! I wanted to burst out laughing! However, I understand her loyalty to the HP Fan club. I have picked up the books once again, and am thoroughly enjoying them. Hermana Blackburn asked if I had read them, I said up to the third one and she told me she was reading before the movie comes out. I have forgotten how much I enjoy those books! That JK Rowling sure knows what she is doing. So to all you Potter fans, I hope you enjoy the movie tonight.

I've got rhythm! I've got music!

Yesterday was my mission companion Hermana Bonnie Blackburn's birthday. As such, it was a time of celebration. Darby and I made the drive down to Provo (our favorite place in Utah! Yeah right) for the party.

Well, I have been out of college for about 3 1/2 years now, and I forgot how college parties can work sometimes. I am used to going to parties with some music and food and everyone making conversation with the occasional Rock Band auditions. However, they must do things differently in P-town, for we were placed into a circle and had our first encounter with "Big Booty". I wasn't sure what to expect from this game by the title, but it was not what I thought it would be. Darby and I pretty much realized (or rather reaffirmed) that Melissa and Erin got all the rhythm and beat in their genes while we got athleticism. Big Booty rolls on a beat that Darb and I just could not find! Needless to say we moved down to the final spot of the circle just about every round. But at least we played. We made total fools of ourselves, but we did participate.

It was a fun party and Hna Blackburn was pretty happy that it was her Happy Birthday! I guess I need to find me some rhythm!

Monday, Monday. Can't trust that day.

Oh man, I am so bored. Sometimes, I wonder why I come to work. My job entails using an internet site to process transcripts. If the site is down, I too am down. I can do absolutely nothing...kind of like government workers ;) So, I have been sitting here since 800 am with nothing to do. Thankfully I did have a meeting about commencement which took a whole 40 minutes. After that, back to my desk. BORING!! Oh well, what do you do? I guess I have had some lady from KROLL call me like 5 times since the day began. So annoying, but something to do.

Whatever happened to the college days? I miss those!

Arizona Spring Break

For the past week I have been in sunny Phoenix, Arizona with two mission companions. Hermana Recinos and Hermana Blackburn...what happens when we three get together? MAYHEM! I don't think there are three people who are more different from each other, yet seem to get along so well. Our common denominator is the mission and we all share at least one area. Let's set it up for you.

Cowles (me): I am chill as can be with these two. I am quiet, pensive, observant and listen to each of them and laugh at their witty random comments.

Blackburn: in her own words, she is "a firecracker" and if you don't know her "you are missing out!" What you see with Blackburn is what you get...she is random, hilarious, and vivacious! Sporadic outbursts from car windows and downing at least three Diet Pepsis a day is totally normal for her and sleeping for ridiculous amounts of time.

Recinos: she is super high-strung and stresses over things. "Chill Babe!" She is always going a mile-a-minute.

So, a week in AZ with these two and a mission friend and his cousin....yeah that was interesting.

HIGHLIGHTS from the Trip

~Blackburn climbing behind the stove to find a lighter

~Seeing two sister missionaries at the Visitors Center - one was ginormous (the newbie) and the other itty-bitty (the trainer). So funny!

~Blackburn's and Recinos' rendition of "500 Miles" in the parking lot at Fry's

~Making not one, but two U-turns to get to Fry's

~Blackburn almost stealing bunny ears at Fry's.

~Hollister shirts and hook ups :)

~Awesome seats at the Angels/Diamondbacks baseball game (Thank you Hermana Cowles!)

~The drunk guys next to us at the baseball game that wanted to go to counseling with Blackburn since their relationship was already to that stage...fast mover!

~Sunburns (I guess this is a low-light, but worth mentioning since we got some sun!)

~POOL DAY on Thursday!

~Blackburn's shake/smoothie thing at Jack in the Box being taken over.

~Blackburn climbing into the fountain (there was a sign that specifically stated: "Stay out of Fountain")

~Blackburn: "There is a difference between having fun and being stupid."

~Cuddling with Blackburn and Recinos. I broke down and laid down by them, they spooned and I almost fell off the side of the bed.

~Watching "Scarlett Takes a Tumble" on YouTube with the roomies the first night.

~Playing the color game at the pool. Blackburn totally kicked me in the chest! Ow! Flying over Blackburn to get to Recinos.

~MATE'! That stuff is nasty! But Blackburn and Recinos became addicted to it just like the Argentines.


What a fun trip! I love my companions and can't wait to have many more adventures with them!

Introducing...

Well, it's been a few weeks since we began our journey together, and I thought it was high time I introduced the new face in my life. Rigo Suave, the Toyota Rav4 is my new car and I love it! It has a stick shift, CD player, cruise control, AWD, fold down/reclining back seats and a wicked-awesome Utah State decal in the back window!

Soon it will be sportin' Aggie plates and I will love even more to drive it to Provo with said plates :) We have had a wonderful beginning together as it is my first "real, adult purchase." Growing up is so much fun!

So here's to Rigo and to the many adventures we shall have together.

STUFFED!

Okay, so I "play" basketball, and I use that term loosely. Last night we all met up at the church for some ballin'. We three girls, Allison, Brynley and I held our own against the boys. However, Allison and Brynley are much taller than I and have sweet post moves that I lack. The picture to the left is a good indication of my playing last night.

I found myself with the ball under the basket not once but twice with large boys in front of me. The first incident: Matt puts his hand up and the ball goes from in front of me to about three feet behind me. Turnover! The second incident: Abe puts his hand up and the ball goes from in front of me to about three feet behind me. Turnover!

So, two stuffs in one game. OUCH! I'm not going to lie when I say that my pride was wounded a little...okay, A LOT! Especially when all I hear from everyone is "OOOOHHHH!!!" But, in the world of post-high school basketball, I laughed it off realizing that it was not the end of the world. It's not like we are really that good. We are playing in a church gym for crying out loud. I guess I need to work on my 'C' game in the hopes of it becoming an 'A' game! "Bring your 'A' game to Camp Force not your 'C' game!" Cynthia Cooper could not have said it better! That's it! I'm committed to no more stuffs! I will work on pump fakes to get the defender on his feet. That will show him!

I'm just not that into this movie....

So, this past weekend, we ventured to the Gateway and saw the much-anticipated He's Just Not That Into You. One word: Disappointing. Great cast, except for the guy that played Connor--he's just annoying and I utterly hated Scarlett Johansson's part. Another character Gigi (first of all, her name is Gigi; second of all, she's obnoxious) drove me nuts the entire movie. I was sad that Drew Barrymore's part was so scarce. This movie promotes things that are tearing our society apart. I must say that I did not like it and would be just fine if I never saw it again.

However, it was fun to see it with the likes of Ewee, Lacey, Courtney, Val, Darbara, Angie and friends.

Time to make the donuts

Beautiful Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Shalece, Benj, Darby and I made the early morning trek on snowshoes. Thanks for the photo Benj!