Y sigue la vida...

I have a feeling this is going to be a pretty long post, just FYI. I always think I just have a few things to write but it turns out I'm pretty long winded. Feels like there is so much going on constantly. Life really doesn’t slow down does it? Another busy crazy week has come and gone, it’s pretty intense. We went to North Carolina this week! The flight was a little hard on me but not as bad as I expected. We flew out Tuesday night and got back into town on Friday. Jason was going out to visit the sales offices in Raleigh and Charlotte so I gladly accepted the invitation to go too.

On Wednesday morning Jason had a meeting so he dropped me off at the mall there in Charlotte and I promptly ran to get a much needed mani and pedi. It was wonderful- super relaxing. (My toes had been looking rather stank lately because it’s just not as easy to reach them these days and for some reason I can’t get my husband to paint me the french tip).
Can I just say I absolutely love that part of the country? It’s so beautiful! I’d live there if I could. And the people are so peachy! I had an interesting epiphany while there. I had a multiple of people stop me at the airport, at the mall, wherever we were, asking me when I was due and giving me that look; you know the one… the hallmark smile, nodding head and twinkling eyes. People were so unbelievably warm and genuine. I had a fabulous time cruising the mall by myself, chit chatting with random women in the restroom or in stores about babies and names and all that jazz. I really felt a few times like any minute I was going to be hoisted up on their shoulders and they would start singing songs all around me about the beauty and awe of child bearing and about me being a sacred vessel of life. My point is, it was just nice. It just doesn’t seem like strangers treat you like that here, especially in Provo where being pregnant actually includes you in the majority of the women who live here, not the minority. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to be a wanny, I have had plenty of TLC from my girlfriends and sisters, but I’m talking about the love of perfect strangers.

For example, I was going to get in the dreaded check-out line here at Costco the other day, and had one single solitary item I was purchasing. (I know, you don’t go to Costco and buy one thing- my mistake.) I’m walking up there, well waddling, with no cart, just carrying my one item, a fairly good sized box. I’m already irritated because they don’t have the other things I was looking for and I’m in a huge rush. I’m sweating as well, which makes every situation more irritating. Well, this lady probably in her late 20’s or so completely cuts me off in line. We get there at about the same time, and I know she TOTALLY sees me because she actually hustles up so she can beat me there! I’m not joking! And she had not one, but TWO carts overloaded with crap. Honestly I was boiling. I’m no saint, but I know for a fact that if the situation would have been reversed, I would have been more than happy to let her go first, no matter who it was or what physical condition they were in. But the fact that I’m pregnant just made it all the more pathetic. Needless to say, I had a good cry once I got in the car and felt a little better (gee... think I really am pregnant?), but telling the story kinda ruffles my feathers again.

Anyway, while I was out there I just found myself wishing that strangers treated each other that way in Utah County, or maybe it extends to the west in general. I don’t know. I do know that that southern hospitality just butters me up every time we go out there, not to mention those southern drawls when they talk. So, come on everybody! Let's try to reach out just a little more to others, let's be just a little warmer and more pleasant! We can make the difference!! haha. Seriously though, let's do. Maybe I’m just extra sensitive to it because I’m a really touchy feely person, grew up in a really warm, touchy feely family. When I got home off my mission I went to dinner with my parents and some of their friends who I had not met before, and cried all the way home afterward to my parents complaining about white people because they shook my hand when they met me. All I wanted was a little squench (hug) like they would have done in Paraguay where I had just come from. Was that too much to ask?

Now for an ACS (abrupt change of subject). Have any of you seen or heard of the movie Troll 2? Oh my GOODNESS it was made in 1990 and has been officially dubbed as the “best worst movie ever made”. Suddenly nearly 20 years later it has turned into a total cult classic with a huge following around the world… it was filmed in little Morgan Utah and they had a big screening of it last night up there and Jason, me, Becky and Brandon went up to it. One of my husband’s really good friends from forever ago is a pretty main actor in it, so we had to see it. It was made to be a horror flick, but seriously we laughed so hard. Everybody did. It is the most ridiculous movie I have ever seen, so completely “80’s” and SOOOO BAD that it’s SOOOO GOOD!! The premise of the story is a group of vegetarian goblins (side note- that’s right: goblins. Not trolls… the word “troll” is never even mentioned in the film, no not once. Yet the title of the film remains) who turn people into plants so they can then eat them! Ohhh the acting is so horrendous and the writing and special effects worse… Here are some pics of us with a couple of the “goblins”. Dave, wish you were here. I can pretty much guarentee that this will be your new favorite movie.

Just want to make sure you get a good hard look at that goblin face... cuz these costumes are exact replicas of the ones used in the actual movie.

Seriously, check it out sometime. There are a bunch of ridiculous trailors on youtube to give you a taste. If you ever get the chance, watch the movie. Preferribly, late at night when everything is hilarious, and with a big group of people who appreciate the hidden art in absolute absurdity. You will NOT be disappointed!