How to be an Awesome Co-Worker

I had to work late a few nights ago, and I was feeling a little flustered. I was tired, hungry, and struggling to focus. I just wanted to get out of the office and into my nice, warm bed, but I had to finish some things that were taking me longer than I wanted.

My co-worker Jimmy was heading out the door, and I jokingly said, "Come back, and bring me a cheeseburger!" And 15 minutes later... He did! He actually came back... with a CHEESEBURGER for me! And not just ANY cheeseburger; a Shackburger!

I was blown away! He completely made my night and made the rest of the evening go so much better! To him it might have seemed like something small, but it meant so much to me that he would serve me in that way. That Shackburger even gave me the strength to drop off my car to a friend who's helping me fix it after I got home from work (ie- around 10pm).


You never know the impact a small act of service will have on someone, but remember to look for opportunities to serve those around you as you go about your day. What may, to you, seem a small act, can mean the world, or even the answer to a prayer, to elseone.*

This is not the Shackburger Jimmy brought me; I scarfed that one up in a minute. But it looks just like it!
I borrowed this one from here.

* I know elseone isn't technically a word, but it should be.

Lazy Sundays

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I started this post LAST Sunday night but never finished it.

I spent last Sunday at home after church with my roommate Kathryn (our other roommate had a friend in town and was out for most of the evening). We didn't do much of anything, but it was just such a lovely day! We cooked (A lot... I was in a cooking mood to begin with, and then Kathryn discovered she had some things that were about to go bad, so we cooked it all up and froze some of it for later!), we chatted, we chilled. It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was lovely and relaxing and perfect, and it occurred to me that that's probably what being married will be like sometimes.

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And how nice does that sound? The thought of spending a comfortable, relaxed, happy Sunday (or any day really) with someone you love, where you don't really have to do much of anything, but you still feel lovely and content? And you enjoy the other's company and know they enjoy your company, too?, and you're both content to just... be?? It sounds like the best!

Where do I sign up?? ;)

Happy Birthday, BFF!!

picture of us when we were roomates in college

Today is my best friend's 30th birthday!!! Hurray!!!

The story of Lupita and me goes back allll the way to my first year as an RA in college. I remember meeting her, this sassy Latina with her wild hair + teensy shorts and basketball player boyfriend. (Ha!) She was my floor president, and we could not have been more different. But somehow, we just really clicked! It wasn't a "right away" kind of click, though to be honest, I'm not really sure when it even happened. All I know is I'm glad it did, because I can't imagine my life without her!

She knows me better than almost anyone (which means she has more dirt on me than almost anyone...), and she's been with me through all the hardest trials of my life. She was even one of my most faithful mission correspondents! I really loved that we got to serve at the same time, albeit in totally different parts of the world (she served in Lisbon, Portugal; I served in Oakland, California). We've shared laughter, love, even a few disagreements, and of course, everything in between. Through all the years and all the miles (she lives in Utah. :( sniff...), I know our friendship will always be one I can count on.

Happy birthday to the greatest friend a girl could ask for! I love you so much!!! xoxoxo

I hope y'all enjoy this little photo gallery! Sadly, some of the best gems of us together are NOT digital and are in hard copies in Utah, but here are a few favorite shots from over the years.

our first Broadway show (2011)

when Daniel Radcliffe signed our playbill after the show!!! (2011)

once a Ute, always a Ute (2009)

Reunited, & it feels so good! Meeting me at the airport when I came home from my mission (2009)

the time I threw her the world's greatest bridal shower/bachelorette party of ALL TIME! (2012)

when she came to DC for my GW commencement! (here we are feeding our faces between festivities) (2013)

Temple

Oh, gosh. It's been a little while now since I was released as a temple ordinance worker (which, in layman's terms, means I used to volunteer twice a month to help out with the work done at the Mormon Temple in DC, but I stopped doing it a few months ago), and today was actually my second time in the DC temple since my release. (I know... Only my second time... I'm so ashamed...)

The reason I was there today was to support my beautiful friend, Erika, as she received her temple endowment. (Or... To break it down, today was the first time Erika was able to go into the temple to make special covenants with God. It's a beautiful ceremony, and today was just a really special day.)

Erika's fan club

But holy, moly, as soon as I was settled, I felt like my heart and my spirit were doing backflips and somersaults! I was SO excited to be there, and both kept screaming, "We're home! We're home! We. are. home!!" Because that's what going to the temple feels like to me... It feels like coming home.

I'm grateful to live SO CLOSE to a temple. I feel connected to the temple and know that it's meant to be a big part of my life. The veil is thin at the temple, and you know, I just really hate that you can't take a notepad or take notes inside! :-/ The endowment session hadn't even started, and already, I had all sorts of wisdom pearls and spiritual insights racing through my mind! First, that no matter how long it's been, the temple will always be home. Second, that thought led me to reflect on the fact that no matter how far you've removed yourself from God, He will always be happy to hear from you and have you back. Third... OK, my mind was racing, so I'll just leave it at two insights.

Also, I apologize in advance to anyone reading this who may be confused by the Mormon lingo... I guess the bottom line is that the Temple is a little piece of heaven on earth, and I know I will always feel peace and God's love when I'm there, because it is His house. :)

*photos courtesy of Erika and Leslie

A Night Out With Tory & Camille

Camille and I went to the Tory Burch Fashion Week preview at the W hotel this week. (Love that hotel, btw. Gorgeous venue.)

Weeee weren't quite sure what to expect, but we enjoyed ourselves most thoroughly! It was fun to people watch, to people-clothes watch, and to critique each model's outfit as if we had any idea what we were talking about. :)

So excited to be here! 

For example, did you know the "Sarah Palin" is apparently back? (See below left.) Also, slingbacks (Much to my distress. I just... can't stand the sound they make. It's like you're wearing flip flops...).

Annnnd on the right, we have my favorite outfit of the night; an outfit we both decided we'd wear in a heartbeat (minus the slingbacks for me *shudder*). I wish you could see them, but the sleeves on that darling coat and the neckline of the dress were bejeweled in the prettiest way!

Annnnd then we learned life lessons from our hot chocolate cups:

Caribou SERIOUSLY makes the best dark chocolate hot chocolate in DC. Unless you like it REALLY dark and REALLY rich. In which case, go to Pitango.

We rounded out the night with a rousing game of DC 2nd men's basketball.

And the players even came and chatted with us! We felt like such celebs. ;)

Such a fun night with my little Camillionaire. :) Can't wait for more next week!

PS See Camille's account of Tory here.