2 Legit 2 Quit/ Ice Ice Baby

Friday I went to the best. concert. ever! Vanilla Ice & MC Hammer - one night only and in Orem, UT of all places! From the moment I heard about this concert, I knew I HAD to go!!! In fact just minutes after I heard the concert announcement on the radio, I sent a text to Rebbecca & Teeno to make sure they were going with me. We do all kinds of random things together and this was definitely something they would be in on. I believe my text said something like this - " 7 words: Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer in concert, Orem. You in?" They were.

Yes, I understand that I was only 10 years old "back in the day" when MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice were "big" but whenever I hear their music, which isn't often, but still, it makes me happy and takes me back to a happier place and time. For whatever reason the senior class of my high school had "Ice Ice Baby" as their "theme" during my Junior year of HS. It was played at every football game, basketball game and assembly we had that year. Everytime I hear "Ice Ice Baby" I flash back to HS and it makes me happy. Plus there is just something about billowing pants with tapered ankles that brings a smile to my face.
Anyway I had a great time at the concert, despite the crowds (personal space=not existent) and HORRIBLE event planning. (Who just has people crush in @ the "will call" window and only 3 security guards/ticket takers for the entrance? Seriously, my 11 year old sister could have done a better job organizing the event than the yahoos who were running it.) Too be honest Vanilla Ice kind of sucked. He kept playing "new material" but none of us where there for that. We wanted the old school stuff. He did finally pull out "Ninja Rap" "Funky Music" and last, but certainly not least, "Ice Ice Baby." Sadly "Ice Ice Baby" was a big letdown live. Sigh.

UnlikeVanilla, MC Hammer was AWESOME!!! That guys still has moves even though he did pop a button on his vest, (bless his heart!) and he had to take minute break after every song. All of that dancing apparently made him winded. He had a bunch of dancers with him and while he did do one "new" song (apparently he has an upcoming album - why don't they just give up?) he stuck to the old school stuff including "Pray" "Can't Touch This" and "Too Legit." I can't describe the nastalgia and entertainment this provided. Loved it!!

Opportunity of a Lifetime

About a month ago I got an email informing me of an upcoming opportunity to go and meet Mr. Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha", investor extraordinaire. Typically I try to steer clear of all things finance as I am more of a qualitative person, but this was simply an opportunity not to be missed. How many times in life do you get the chance to ask one of the most (arguably THE most)successful business men in the world any question you want? I quickly responded to the email for additional information, filled out the application and crossed my fingers that I would be selected as only 27 students from BYU were invited including both MBA and undergraduate students. Lucky for me I was chosen and so I forked out the money for a plane ticket to Omaha (never thought I would go to Omaha)for the opportunity of a lifetime. Seriously you don't pass on an opportunity like this!

Thursday afternoon I flew to Omaha. Unfortunately it seems that no one flies directly to Omaha from SLC, so I spent ~ 7 hours traveling. Can I just say that I don't love the Denver airport? I had a 3 hour layover where part of my time was spent trying, unsuccessfully, to ditch the creepy guy hitting on me... the joys of travel. Anyway...I finally got to my hotel at around 11:30pm and we were checked in and settled by midnight. Then Chloe, Julianne, Michelle and I all stayed up talking until 1:30 or so.

Friday morning came around and we were up by 6:30. We had supposedly had a pre-meeting meeting at 7:30. So after an awful night's sleep (I don't sleep well when sharing a room with people. I am always paranoid that I might make some noise that will disturb them. I don't even sleep walk or talk in my sleep. I am crazy and think that rolling over or shifting positions might wake someone who is in another bed up. Ridiculous, I know) we were ready to go. Apparently the pre-meeting meeting was canceled and we didn't to be anywhere until 9:15. I was somewhat annoyed.

We left our hotel and headed to the Berkshire Hathaway office building. Unfortunately the street signs were down due to construction and we ended up driving the wrong way down a one way street for several blocks. It was pretty hilarious. Our meeting with Mr. Buffett didn't start until 10am, but we went early to get the front seats, and get them we did. I was on the 3rd row, which was the furthest back any of the BYU students sat. A few of the guys were so close that Warren Buffett actually spit on them, which makes me glad I wasn't on the front row with them... I had a two row spit shield. :)

Mr. Buffett wasn't at all what I expected him to be. I expected him to be somewhat pretentious and overbearing; instead he was like an adorable grandpa giving great advice. I expected him to be very career and business oriented, but instead he talked a great deal on the importance of family, how being a parent is the most important job we will ever have and how important it is to marry someone who makes you want to be better. Instead of speaking about how awesome he is, he spoke of how blessed and lucky he has been and how bless we are and how we need to remember that we are in the luckiest 1% of the world population. He did not, however, disappoint on his famous one- liners.

Some of the gems included to following:
• "Wall Street had to cancel their Christmas pageant. They couldn't find three wise men. They also had a hard time finding a virgin, but they always have that problem."
• "Look for businesses that an idiot can run because eventually one will."
• "The key to a lasting marriage: marry someone with low expectations"
• "Everything that comes out of Washington is going to have problems."
And my favorite: A complete collapse of the banking industry is about a likely as "Ben Bernanke running off to South American with Paris Hilton."
After our 2.5 hour Q&A session, Mr. Buffett treated us all to lunch at Piccolo's a restaurant that reminded me of a place that my grandpa would go. It had a little bit of a diner feel and the world's biggest disco ball - seriously it was ginormous! Lunch was our choice of Chicken Parmesan, Cod Fillets, NY Strip Steak or a Veggie Burger. I was in Omaha and Omaha is famous for their steak, so I, along with pretty much everyone else, went with the steak. It was delicious! We finished lunch off with a root beer float, at Mr. Buffett's request. (Such a cute grandpa thing to do!!)

After pictures, we all went outside to have our picture taken with Warren. He was SO fun! He was such a great sport to take group and individual photos with everyone. He was also hilarious. He would go along with whatever you wanted him to do. He even got down on one knee like he was proposing for one of the girls from NYU, traded glasses and coats with people along with several GQ/sport coat over the shoulder posses. He stayed as late as was needed so that everyone got their photo with him.

I have to admit that for a guy who has a lot of money, he sure doesn't dress like it. His suit had a stain on the lapel and his tie was crooked for most of the photos. Chloe and I did our photo with him and then before I did my personal photo with him I asked if I could "help him out" and I straightened his tie. After I fixed his tie, he made some joke along the lines of, "You are kind of picky about who you take a photo with aren't you." To which those of you who know me know the only correct response is, "You have no idea!" All in all it was a great trip and truly an opportunity of a lifetime!

Why is it....

Yesterday I had my haircut and it looked really great. Today when I did my hair using the very same products and styling tools my hair does not look nearly so great. Why does my hair always looks fabulous when my stylist does it, but less so when I do it?

Also why is it that winter, particularly January and February, makes me so grumpy? Honestly, I typically am in a perpetually bad mood in January, which is typically winter blues. However this year I have been in a really bad mood, hating (or at least strongly disliking) everyone and everything. What is wrong with me!? I am trying to find things that make me happy, even if it is for 5 minutes, and it has been sort of successful. I have found good things each day, but I am seriously struggling this winter. Exercising makes me happy, because "exercising releases endorphins and endorphins make (me) happy." (name the movie...) I have also found that talking to family members also makes me happy. I love my family. They are great! Eating brownies made in skillets with my dear friend Kara also makes me happy. Friends are awesome. I even stumbled upon a great quote by Proust. It says “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Thanks to all of you who make my soul bloom when I am feeling down, sad or lonely. I really do have amazing friends! I have also found that a great haircut (see previous paragraph)make me happy as well as the movie "He's Just Not That Into You." I loved that movie. It made me laugh and it also made me think. I enjoyed it although some of my friends that I saw it with did not enjoy it.

Amongst my search for happiness, I have found that looking for internships does not equal good moods, and are very counter to my being in a good mood. The more time I spend on that the grumpier I get. But at the same time, I really need to find an internship. Such a vicious cycle! Maybe it would help if I actually knew what I wanted to be when I grow up. I need so much help it is ridiculous.

Photo Tag

My adorable friend Colleen tagged me....so below is my 4th picture from my 4th folder.



This picture is from my trip to San Diego last week with Rebbecca. I had a 5 day weekend so I took advantage of it and spent a little time out in the sun. This picture is of the "Brig" aboard the USS Midway (Retired Aircraft carrier). I love that I am wearing flip flops in January. I think I want to move to Southern California! More pictures and stories from last week coming soon.

I now tag Ann & Abe (they are new to blogging), Rebbecca (because she is in serious need of a new post) and Andrea.

Gimme a Break....

As is evident from my frequent comments about needing to be studying when I am distracting myself with blogging or other activities, I am pretty much always up for a diversion when it comes to school work. So as you might imagine I was SUPER excited last week when I got an email from a classmate about a Slinky competition. That is right, my classmate(s) decided that we should have a contest racing Slinkys down the stairs of the Tanner Building atrium. The idea was genius and the event turned out to be just what was needed to start our week out on a good note.

It was quite possibly THE best activity of the year!



For more event details including video, you can check out our blog @ http://mbawomen.blogspot.com

Skillet Brownies Anyone?

No, I have not gone crazy. I realize that brownies are not typically cooked using a skillet. However, sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. Several years ago when I was living in Ohio with my good friend Kara, our apartment that was furnished using donated goods. Everything was donated - from the couches to the silverware. Unfortunately the only pan we had for cooking was a humongous skillet. One day Kara and I were craving brownies but we didn't have a cake pan. As necessity is the mother of all invention, we decided to use the skillet. We had a really good time making those brownies. We hoped it would work and that we wouldn't burn the apartment building to the ground. The brownies actually turned out and were some of the best brownies I have ever eaten. Wow, the laughs that we had. I wish I had those pictures in a digital format so that you could enjoy them. Those were some good times. And everyone once in a while I kind of want to bust out the skillet brownies for old times sake, but the pans that I have now have aren't really cut out for that sort of thing. (While I like having nice stuff, sometimes I miss the days when I had crappy stuff and it didn't matter if it got ruined.)

This Christmas Kara was particularly excited about giving me my Christmas gift. Unfortunately our crazy schedules didn't allow for us to meet up until after the holiday break. She was so excited about her gift to me. I was REALLY curious what could be such an amazing gift. She said she found the gift months ago and wanted to give it to me then, but had restrained. When I opened the gift, this is what I found.That is right folks, I got my very own set of cast iron skillets (complete with the handy-dandy skillet hot pads), designed especially for baking brownies and cookies! I took one look at my gift and said to Kara, "Shut Up! Where did you find this?" amongst my laughter. Apparently Kara found it while wondering through BB&B one day. Seriously who thinks of this stuff? If only Kara and I had thought to sell our idea, we could have been rich!

I love this gift for several reasons:

1. It is funny. It is probably funnier to me than to everyone else.
2. It makes brownies - one of the seven wonders of the world I am quite sure.
3. The cute little hot pads makes it seem like I am eating out.
4. Because it reminds me of the great times that Kara and I had (and still have) together. She has been a great friend to me for the last 7 1/2 years (has it really been that long?) If I can be just like her when I grow up, I will have accomplished a whole lot

Thanks for the great gift Kara!

Oh yeah, if you have a craving for skillet brownies, come on over!

January is for....redecorating?

For months, perhaps even a year, I have REALLY wanted a new duvet for my room, but since a new duvet typically runs in the neighborhood of $200-$300, I have resigned myself to what I have. Not that the duvet that I have is bad, I just wanted something different. Perhaps it is the ADD in me or my propensity to get bored with things really quickly. Well, Saturday (when I should have been doing homework - like right now) I went to Bed Bath & Beyond with Julina. She needed to get something to help her be organized and since she LOVES a bargin we wandered through the clearance section of the store. I decided to look and see if they had anything that I could afford on my stupid student budget (Can I just say once more how much I dislike living on nothing? It is REALLY cramping my style!) Much to my surprise and happiness I found a new duvet that cost $25! I could definitely afford that, so I made the purchase and now all I want to do is spend time in my room. My new decor makes me so happy. It has made the typically miserable month of January much more bareable.