AZ Getaway

I just got back from a fun-filled trip to Arizona to spend time with my college buddy, Amanda. Can I just say when you get together with old friends it's like stepping into a time machine. We laughed our heads off as we snapped right back into our crazy ways (I think her kids probably laughed even harder at how loco we were).


Anyway, as soon as I took one step from the plane, we were off & running.

First stop: Last Chance!

I love this place! When we were going to BYU, all my pals from AZ were always going on & on about all the wonderful deals to be had there (I'm serious, people! Even my guy friends were talkin' about it...you know who you are, Steve & your shoe tree...). Anyway, we had so much fun getting our fair share of shopping in. I have to laugh at some of the stuff that is there. I could not help but think to myself again & again, "Seriously? No, SERIOUSLY!?! Nordstrom honestly put THIS on a rack & tried to sell THIS for THAT MUCH! Holy Crap!"...as per usual, I was being my sarcastic self & making fun of a...um..."designer" (and I use the term loosely) neon yellow purse for some obscene amount. THEN a woman walked up, and asked me for it as she was seriously considering purchasing it. YIKES! It was then & there that I discovered the true meaning of the phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure"...or was it maybe "to each his own"...hmm, perhaps, " different strokes for different folks"....regardless, I almost offended a rather large African-American woman, so I decided to go another route...Project Runway style. Amanda & I decided to find some of the truly sweet "treasures" & display them ourselves. We were literally entertained for hours. I guess you had to be there to get the full-effect OR you can have a look see at the little fashion show Amanda & I had. Keep in mind, this task is not something that takes place in the privacy of a dressing room (are you kidding me? If you've been to this place then you know that the lines can be pretty ridiculous). No, we decided it was best to peruse the larger sizes & just put these things on over our clothes:) Dang! I'm laughing just thinking about it. "Shy" is definitely not a word one could ever use to describe Amanda and I LOVE IT!!! Another thing you have to know about Amanda (and love) is that she is not just a beautiful face (as much as Steve Young would try to tell you...we'll just say, EVEN Steve gets his calls screened), she is talented beyond belief. Although undoubtedly a veritable virtuoso on the piano, her true talents lie in her impromptu lyrical skills. She can take the most mundane activity (ie. sifting through loads & loads of fashion castoffs for a DEAL) & turn it into a musical production (if you've heard her voicemail recording you know EXACTLY what I am talkin' about...trust me, you'd be laughing too). I think you would be hard pressed to find someone that could rival her improvisational aptitude...especially when it comes to breaking out into song. She also pairs all of this talent with dance moves (again, the perm-a-grin is back on my face just thinking about it). Some of the pics are a bit blurry 'cause the girl could not stop moving. I sincerely wish I had some recordings, but alas the pics will have to do. Enjoy!

LUNCH & A MOVIE:
Afterwards, we decided to hit a fantastic little Italian place for lunch. This is literally just a hole in the wall in an industrial area, but the food was SOOO good. If you ever make it to Mesa, you need to go to Spinatos...mmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Amanda knows how much I LOVE movies, so we went & saw "The Rocker". I don't know what I was expecting (well..actually I was expecting something along the lines of "Nacho Libre" meets "Joe Dirt"...which is alright, but typically best left to be a rental), but THIS was some funny stuff. Initially, Amanda & I were the only ones in the theater which gave her free reign to cheer, shout, & sing along with the movie (it's about a band, so it wasn't too out of line). Anyway, some people came in & put a damper on some of the singing, but she cracked me up as she cheered like she was actually at the concert...did I mention she is a NUT? :) Once again we found ourselves laughing 'til our sides hurt.

GIRL'S NIGHT OUT:
Her hubby & the boys were headed out to the ASU game, so we decided to have a GIRL'S NIGHT OUT with her daughters, Lily & Roxy. Initially, we contemplated manis & pedis & a slumber party, but settled on dinner @ Rosa's (yeah...I don't know how we fit all that food in our bellies either...).

Later we drove around Amanda's old stomping ground with the windows down & the stereo blaring. The girls were lovin' how we were singin' & dancin to the 80's (you know what I'm talkin' 'bout...the ones that brought back all the memories from church dances...ha ha)...did I mention the whole "stepping back in time" thing we had going on?:)

We ended the evening watching "Step Up 2: The Streets" (not to be confused with "Step Up" an equally entertaining dance movie). Albeit a total chick flick, and yeah, yeah, the chick has her belly showing for practically the ENTIRE movie, the choreography is phenomenal...especially the final dance in the rain. WOW!!! I love this movie!

How can you not want to get up & move your bootie...Shawty had them Apple Bottom Jeans Boots with the fur, The whole club was lookin at her, She hit the flo, Next thing you know Shawty got low low low low low low low low...

SUNDAY, SUNDAY:

So I thought my ward met early, Amanda's meets at 8:30 am. No worries, with the time change (UT is an hour ahead) I still felt like I got an extra 1/2 hour to get ready. Also, to keep in line with the whole "memory lane" feel of this post, I remembered how much I loved going to church with Amanda. As crazy & spontaneous as she is, Amanda is pretty much a spiritual giant. This woman does not have a mean word or remark for anyone. She is an excellent listener & will never judge you. Even when you might berate yourself for foolish actions, she is quick to stop you & remind you how you are still a child of God. Talk about a Christ-like example. I loved seeing this same sentiment felt by her ward when she was released from her Presidency calling. Member after member came up tearfully to say how much they would miss her. She & her family are moving into a new home (YIPPEE! For you guys! Sadly, it's just to a different part of AZ & not UT...Hey, Manda, why don't you jump on the UT train & come live closer to your parents & Anna? A girl can try...). She is AWESOME.

After the meetings, the family was good to pose for pics for me. Keep in mind, that although it was only 11:30 we were already in the 100's...YIKES!

That explains this next pic...



What!?! This is what all the rich people in Arizona wear to water their yards. :)

With football playing what seemed like 24-7 on the TV (What!?! Todd likes football. Football is cool! Btw, anyone catch the Utah game...I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin, the media wasn't buzzing about a squeak-by win for the Utes because of some LAME " unsportsmanlike conduct" call...it was a BLOW OUT, BABY!!! Um...sorry, that taunt was mainly directed at Temparoo),

Amanda whipped up some yummy desserts & dinner with the kids for us to take to her sister's home. Sadly, I didn't get any pics of the family get together. However, the food was delicious & the company was fantastic. We listened to the hilarious CD Amanda & her sisters made for their youngest sister, Anna...they ALL possess humorous musical talent. Another fun moment of the night was when the rest of the family connected from UT via Skype (web cams are pretty cool). It is always fun to see how much people's lives have changed since school...um, hello! Last time I saw Amanda's sister, Angela, she had 3 kids & was teaching piano in her spare time. NOW she has 8 kids & is designing jewelry for big name celebrities (um...is "Madonna" big enough). By the way, Amy & Angela you look great! Thanks again for inviting me.

FOXY ROXY:

Seriously, this has got to be one of the cutest little girls alive. I had so much fun playing with her. She is only 4, but man can this one hold her own. Initially, I was worried about this petite little girl when she got in the fracas of sword fighting with her siblings. However, it was all for naught, as I watched her beat back not only her sister, but her older brothers as well...brutally, I might add. ha ha...Anyway, we were instantly best friends & had so much fun taking pictures, listening to music, reading stories, dancing, & just hangin out. She made me laugh at how she was so girlie-girl AND tomboy all at same time...please note the cute pink puma shorts paired with the beautiful designer necklace...an Angela original. What a cutie!




AZ TEMPLE & BRUNCH:

Like the Primary song goes, Amanda & I love to see the temple, so we decided to go there one day...yeah, lame attempt I know. Anyway, there was an amazing art exhibit at the Mesa Temple called "Reflections of Christ" that Amanda wanted me to see. Apparently, the art was in a quiet, darkened gallery on the side of the Visitor's Center where members of the public could experience these beautifully crafted photographs from a massive project aimed at helping us to better grasp the reality of Jesus Christ. There are about 25 photos in this exhibit, composed during a four-month effort by Mark Mabry with the help of many others. They are accompanied by a special soundtrack of sacred music prepared by local artists specifically for these photos. The story of the making of this exhibit and its music is told in a beautiful 30-minute film that plays continuously in a side room next to the gallery....needless to say, I was very excited to see these pictures. However, a sweet little "Hermana" missionary (the temple is in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood) informed us that the exhibit had been moved to SLC. What luck for me! I just happen to live very close to said city. Alas, she said the photographs are not on display currently. Unfortunately, they are being stored until their new home is determined...psst! Word on the street is the big wigs are thinking the D.C. Temple. Anyone up for a trip? :) Oh well, until then you can check out these spiritually moving pics at http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org/ . They truly are amazing & the music is absolutely beautiful. Good thing a book & a cd are coming out this fall:)







This beautiful piece of petrified wood, as well as another one displayed on the temple grounds, was donated by Amanda's grandfather...it's not the best pic of Amanda, but you're really suppose to be focusing on the wood:)




Our final destination was the Mesa Country Club for a delicious lunch. Honestly, I would have LOVED to have been able to play some tennis or at least 9-holes; but sadly, there just wasn't enough time. Oh well, now we already have something on the docket for our next trip! :)


Thank you again, Amanda, Todd, Sam, Lily, Hank, & Roxy for letting me come stay in your home. I had so much fun with all of you.