Monday, March 31, 2008

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Don't worry everyone. Its NOT MINE! My little sister is Jacki is pregnant! She's at 10 weeks now and is finally proclaiming the glad tidings to fellow bloggers everywhere so I thought I would help spread the news. As you can see in the ultrasound the baby looks more like a circus peanut than a human being, but I still think he/she is beautiful. The baby is due October 25th. I can't wait to be Auntie Aubrey!

PS- New York pictures are on the way . . .

Thursday, March 27, 2008

NEW YORK CITY

THE BIG APPLE BABY!
See you when I get back!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Who's the hottie?

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you!!!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

All I want for my birthday is . . .


. . . to be on CASH CAB! Does anyone else but me and my family watch this show? I am obsessed! Its a hit tv game show that takes place in this guys taxi cab in New York City. As unsuspecting tourists hop in the cab, suddenly they are surrounded with flashing lights and casino like music. Once you accept the rules of the game, all you have to do is answer the questions right and you can win hundreds, even thousands of dollars on the way to your destination. When I get to New York on Friday, my plan is to ONLY ride in the mini-van cabs in hopes that I'll find the Cash Cab and win back all the dough I blew! Wouldn't that be a "Happy Birthday to me!"

Monday, March 24, 2008

The Crown Plaza Hotel

New York City, here we come! After weeks of looking for the best deal, we finally found a hotel for our vacation to New York this week. (Talk about last minute!!!) Thanks to Hotwire we found a great 3.5 star hotel in Times Square at a great price. I'd like to take this minute to say a personal thank you to my brother-in-law Mark for introducing me to this great site. I'll definitely be using it to book my future vacations and weekend getaways.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Easter.

I still remember those Easter mornings, years ago, when I couldn't wait to run downstairs and see what the Easter bunny had brought me.

Some of the eggs he hid were real eggs, some were plastic ones filled with candy, but the best ones were always filled with nickels and dimes!

Sometimes that sneaky bunny would hide them in really hard places, but I was always too smart for him.

After we found all the eggs at our house, we would go to Grandma and Grandpa's house to see what the Easter bunny left us there.

One year he brought my cousin Chad and me these giant bunnies.

And another year he brought me a real bunny. His name was Vanilla.

Oh what I wouldn't give to enjoy those years of being a kid all over again.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Easter Dinner at El Adobe

This year the Messick family did Easter a little different. Ever since Grandpa Messick retired, Grandma Messick took the liberty to retire from her job too...in the kitchen. So, this year for Easter, instead of going to Grandma & Grandpa's for a honey baked ham, potatoes, jello salads, and everything else that goes along with the Easter feast, the Grandparents took everyone out to for some delicious mexican food at EL Adobe de Capistrano Restaurant in old town San Juan. Now, I've always liked the traditional homestyle Easter meal, but what a treat to mix it up with an authentic mexi-meal. In the words of Miss Allie Hobbins "I could eat mexican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner." Yes, I LOVE mexican food!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Peter & Jason!!!

Dinner at Rip Tide


Petey Ord the Man!


Peter asked that we go somewhere where he could "hoot and holler!"


Birthday boy Jason in the green.


Clinton came all the way from Utah for the occasion.  Ok, not really,  but he was in town.


My girlies.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

First day of Spring.

Someone on my mission once told me that "Spring is God's apology for winter." Now, every time I see a tulip, I feel God's love. I think that's why the tulip is my favorite flower. Happy Spring!

Kauai . . . check!


Pretty soon I can check this destination off my list. I bought my plane ticket for Kauai! I've never been but always wanted to go. I've actually been to every island but this one. I've kind of been saving it for my honeymoon. But, since I'm not going on one of those anytime soon, I've decided to just go!

My girlfriend Emily invited us (me, Tory, and Kristin) to stay with her for a week in June at this great time share at the Hanalei Bay Resort . . . for FREE! And get this, we found a flight for $129 from San Diego to Kauai. What a deal! Kauai here we come!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

So, do you wanna know what happened?

What does this picture have to do with anything?  Read on....


First of all, let me just say that it was so fun for me to see all of your different opinions as to how I should proceed with my little dilemma.  I hope you all don't think I'm a drama queen because all of this was just in good fun.  So, that being said...I decided to finally text him back...a day later.  Here's how it went (and don't forget, the name has been changed): 

Aubrey:  "Hey Matt.  Sill working for Fari.  What's up?"
Matt: "Can you talk for about 2 minutes?"
Aubrey: "Sure."

Okay, so right about now I'm thinking in my head..."2 minutes.  All he needs is 2 minutes.  Its definitely a favor.  Well, whatever, I'll just answer the phone and see what he needs.  Make it short and sweet and be done!"

...the phone starts ringing..."Oh crap!"

So I answer the phone and he doesn't waste any time.  He pretty much starts off by telling me he has a favor to ask of me and that Fari, the company I work for, was the first name to come to mind (notice how he didn't say that my name was the first name to come to his mind).  Anyway, I totally called it!  He then starts telling me about this fountain project he's working 0n and how he needs the number of a high end stone mason to help with his job (hence the elaborate fountain picture.)  So basically I tell him I'll have to get back to him at work tomorrow when I have more resources in front of me.  

Then, he tries real hard to make small talk..."So what have you been up to?  How's work?  You been staying busy?"  Of course I'm polite and ask him the same, and then brag for a second about my upcoming trips to New York, Vegas, and Kauai.  Then, its so funny that I even analyze these things, but he says "Hey, can I get your work e-mail?"  For real? He probably wanted to make sure he wasn't sending any type of signal by asking for my personal email, right?  Well I say good for him for keeping it all business.  I mean, you gotta give the kid some props for having the guts to call up a girl who he took out and never called again.  Who knows, maybe this is the start of another business/platonic/guy/girl relationship.  (Like I really need one more of those in my life.)

But after all said and done, I'm glad I text him back.  No need for this kid to think I'm some self-righteous punk who won't acknowledge his text because of some stupid little incident (that really wasn't even an incident) over a year ago.

The End.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

What would you do?

A little over a year ago I met this guy…we’ll call him Matt for the sake of anonymity. So, Matt and I met at a friends house one night and we really hit it off. We started talked about what we did for work and realized we were in a similar industry. There was some definite flirting going on and from what I could gather, a mutual interest. Long story short, he got my number, asked me out for lunch, met me for sushi, enjoyed each other’s company, said our good-byes, and then…well…as usually goes with my dates, never heard from him again.

So, today at work, over a year later, I get this text message from this guy that says: “Hey its Matt. Do you still work for Fari? Have a question for you if you do.”

Ok, so my first thought was “Wow, random. I haven’t heard from him in forever. I wonder what he wants? I should text him back.”

Second thought, “Wait. Should I text him back? I mean, I haven’t heard from this guy in forever and then suddenly he’s gonna’ ask me for some kind of favor or something?”

Third thought, “I’m not texting that (insert your choice of evil man bashing word). He burned me! Now I’m gonna’ burn him.”

Fourth thought, “I better blog about this and see what you guys think before I make any rash decisions.”

So, what would you do?

Monday, March 17, 2008

The First Impression Rose

Last night as I watched episode one of this season's The Bachelor, Tristen posed an interesting question. "What would you do to get the first impression rose?" For those of you that watched the ridiculousness that went down on the show last night, know that this is a difficult question. I guess to answer the question fully, I might have to cross off all the things I wouldn't do to get the first impression rose.

I would never. . .

. . . get out of the limo and dangle the hideously large ring on my ring finger while saying to the bachelor "See this ring here, this is just a place holder 'til you give me the real thing." (Yes, this was acutally said last night.)

. . . bring my clarinet with me and whip it out during a one on one sesh and suck on the reed while telling him "I have to suck on this to make it nice and wet so it will vibrate as I play." (Gross! I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.)

. . . get down on my knees and arm wrestle a 6'5" Enlgish man in hopes of winning over his admiration and affection. (Who are these women?)

And finallay, I would never. . .

. . . no, not ever . . . get so plastered that I'd stuff my lacy white undrewear in his pants pocket with the thought that maybe, just maybe, he would be turned on enough to see past my psychotic brain malfunction and give me a rose. (What the???)

What would you do to get the first impression rose?

The Four Leaf Clover

Years ago when I was serving my mission in the northern city of Warroad, Minnesota I knocked on the door of an Irish woman by the name of Pam Swan. Pam was an interesting character. The kind of woman that made you smile inside everytime you heard her name. She was known around town (everybody knew everybody in this little town) as the flower lady. Not only was Pam Irish, but Pam had a green thumb! Her garden was unbelievable. When standing in her front yard you felt as if you'd been transported to the garden scence in the movie Alice in Wonderland. She had daisy bushes that were 6 feet in diameter and sunflowers the size of your head. It was a sight to see. One day after a gospel lesson, Pam told us she had a present for my companion and me. She walked us out back to where there was a little patch of clovers hidden among a forrest of shrubbery. As she bent down and wrestled with the little spot of green I heard her whisper "Ah-ha. There we go." As Pam stood up she had in her hand two green four-leaf clovers. I was so excited and so was Pam. With her cute quirkiness she said "Sisters, these four-leaf clovers are for you. May they always bring you good luck!" All these years later I've still held on to that special little clover and it continues to bring me luck. The luck of the Irish!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

And who says nothing good ever happens after midnight...

Saturday night after a great BBQ in Huntington, a little group of us grabbed our longboards and headed to an empty parking structure at the University of California Irvine for a fun night of longboarding.


Taking a break on our boards.

Taylor, Kristin, Peter, me

Lookin' good kids.

Watch yo back Taylor, I'm gaining on you!

Trying for a few extra style points.


Tristen and Peter using a less conventional way to reach the bottom. Hey, it worked.

The elevator ride back up to the top floor.

I've been riding old faithful here since my days at BYU-H. She's sure been good to me.

There are so many other blog worthy pictures (and videos) that I hope to post a little later...like Peter and Taylor actually longboarding and spooning down all 5 floors, as well as a sick video of Taylor's wipeout! Until then, hope you enjoyed these.

Friday, March 14, 2008

DHHS Lacrosse

My brother Scotty is on the first ever Dana Hills High School Lacrosse team.
He's #16...and he's really good!






Thursday, March 13, 2008

Crazy Sign Lady!


Of all the memories I have of my trainer, Sister Erin Cox, this is by far my favorite! Here's the brief history...Sister Cox and I served for 4-1/2 long months together (you agree right sister...they were long) in Regina, Saskatchewan and for the first few months it was cold, frigid, and well, cold. But as things began to warm up and the spring flowers began to come out, so did the loons! This loon was our absolute favorite! Her name was, well, I don't think we ever got her name. She was just known to us as "crazy sign lady." For weeks, maybe months, as we would tract the streets of Regina we would pass by this wonderfully crazy lady, give a smile, and wave to her as she went on with her nonsensical ramblings. Every time we walked past "crazy sign lady" Sister Cox would say to me "I need a picture with that crazy lady before I get transferred." So, long story short, here it is. The famous picture with the "crazy sign lady." Oh, and it was just our luck that she happened to be wearing our all-time favorite, red-leafed, Canadian sweater. Isn't that sweet!

So why share this? Well, its just one of the many random memories that passed through my mind tonight as I reunited with my wonderful sister, now Sister Erin Wall, at the Newport Beach temple, with her sweetheart Brad, and their little bun in the oven. As I sat in the temple with Erin I couldn't help but be reminded of all the wonderful early morning Endowment sessions (5:30am every P-day) that we attended together at the Regina Saskatchewan Temple. For a moment in the session I closed my eyes and my mind was flooded with all the wonderful times she and I shared together teaching the people of Canada.

I am so incredibly grateful for Erin (even though at times on the mish I thought I was sent a Nazi, not a trainer...love you Erin). But she really pushed me to be a great missionary and taught me how to work hard and WALK FAST! Thanks for all the memories Erin. Here's to many more!!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

FREE TIME? What free time?

This week I started our new Book Club book. Its called "The Late Bloomer's Revolution" by Amy Cohen, and I'm finding that I relate to this mid-thirties, single and cynical woman, a lot more than I ever thought I would.

Here's Amy's hillarious take on what its like to have so much free time as a single woman:

"It wasn't that I had so much free time; it was just that unlike my married friends with children I had very little to show for it. In fact, if I added up all the time I spent setting up the first date, choosing what to wear, meeting for drinks or dinner or cofee or brunch, coming home not sure I was into him, but wanting him to call anyway, getting the call, anticipating the second date, choosing what to wear again, going on the second date, deciding I kind of liked him, going on a third date, deciding I really liked him, going out a few more times, fantasizing about our bike trip to Italy, getting more serious, feeling happy to be alive, wondering if things were getting weird or whether it was just my imagination, obsessing over why things didn't work out, chastising myself for not trusting my instincts in the first place, loosing a week or four to mild then extreme depression, slowly feeling better, vowing to forge ahead and not getting jaded, starting the whole process over again, I could have gotten my M.D. Read all of Proust. And written an opera. In German. Twice. Thats what I wanted to say when these women asked me what it was like to have so much free time."

Monday, March 10, 2008

The New Jaguar XF Supercharged

There's a new car around town...too bad its not mine! Today at 4:30 the first new Jaguar XF Supercharged luxury sports car to hit Southern California pulled into our parking lot at work. Meet my boss' new baby (his last baby was his new I-phone). As he watched the car pull up, in his authentic South African accent he said "Dang, that is one HOTTTT car!" Oh, and it is!

I think it kind of resembles the new Aston Martin. (The body style, not the sticker price!)

Just wait til you seee it driving down the road. You'll drool.

The interior is what sold me on it. I sat in the passenger seat as my boss pressed the start button and the engine just started purrrrrring. It was like a lullaby. Ugh! So hot!

And then, as the car was starting, the drive control you see above popped up out of the center console as the air vents simultaneously opened on the dash. One of the girls watching exclaimed "Its like Inspector Gadget." I think all cars should come fully equipped with these little toys.

So be on the look-out cuz these babies are sure to be popping up all over southern California. Mmmm! I love it!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Long Beach Art Walk

P O R T F O L I O
Photographic Works of Art from the Members of PADA

I've always been a lover of the arts. So, Saturday night I went out with one of my good friends Briana from work, along with her roommate Sabrina, to see an Art Exhibit in Long Beach. The exhibit featured the photography of one of our co-workers, Mark Tanner, who did a showcase on form and space. His work was amazing! If you have a minute you can view some of his work HERE or by going to www.marktannerphotography.com.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Faraday's Law Live @ Starbuck's

Friday night a group of us went to the Starbuck's in Laguna Niguel to enjoy some swooning from Justin and Mike. You boys make beautiful music!




Later that night Charity, Kristin, Peter, and I crashed the "unofficial" San Clemente 5th ward campout down at the San Mateo campgrounds in San Clemente. I opted out of staying the night. Partly because I knew I had to be on my way to a funeral the next morning at 8am. And partly because I don't really love camping. Blame it on the bad back.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Manhattan Temple


I honestly couldn't be more excited. Today on my lunch break I confirmed my appointment to do an Endowment session at the Manhattan temple on my birthday. I'm already counting down the days!

TAGGED

I've been tagged by Charity...along with the rest of our Book Club...

2 NAMES YOU GO BY: Aubrey, Aubs

2 THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW: A white linen skirt from Anthro and a pair of old khaki loafers that match the khaki lining on my navy blue top perfectly!

2 OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO: Take a nap at the beach. Read a book under a blanket with my puppy curled up at my feet.

2 THINGS YOU WANT VERY BADLY AT THE MOMENT: A place of my own and a car wash!

2 FAVORITE PETS YOU EVER HAD: My last puppy, Teak. He was the most precious little teacup poodle ever. And definitely the puppy we have now. Her name is Kasey, but we call her Pooh cuz shes all fat and snuggly like a Pooh Bear.

2 THINGS YOU ATE LAST: A homemade spinach salad with Catalina dressing and a bowl of Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup. Mmmm!

2 PEOPLE YOU LAST TALKED TO: My boss Errol and my co-worker/girlfriend Jason Maughan (sorry J, its kind of an on-going joke at the office.)

2 THINGS YOU ARE DOING TOMORROW: Attending the funeral of a close family friend in Hemet and then an Art Walk in Long Beach with one of my co-workers.

2 LONGEST CAR RIDES: Probably CA to UT and the Road to Hanna on Maui....a beautiful drive but waaaay to much confinement in a slow moving vehicle!

I now tag all the friends I knew in High School. You all know who you are...I'll be checking blogs.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Happy Birthday Bacca...

My Grandpa is such a stud!!!