You know that part in Tangled where Flynn Rider goes, "Guys, I want a castle"?

Well, just imagine that tone of voice, when I say,

"Groupies, I'm going to grad school."

Things that made me laugh this Christmas...

This conversation:

Context: I stuffed mini-stockings for my friends' Christmas presents. Each one had a plastic party favor medal that said "Winner!" on it.

"You gave us each one! We can't all be winners!"

"If only this said 'Chessie's friend' on it--I would never take it off."

"I'd tattoo 'Chessie's friend' on my chest."

"I will die wearing this."

These text messages (from a boy):

"Merry Christmas! I hope you got the Polly Pocket you asked for."

"You left a flower ring here, by the way. I'd give it back, but I can't stop wearing it."

These movie quotes:

"Please bless this highly nutritious microwaveable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen."

"Buzz! Your girlfriend! Woof."

"When what's left of you gets around to what's left to be gotten, what's left to be gotten won't be worth getting whatever you've got left."

"When I've figured what that means, I'll come up with a crushing reply."

How was your Christmas??!!

Sometimes I say things I shouldn't...

just because I know how disgusted my friends will be with me. It's how I know they love me.

"Chess, what are you listening to these days?"

"Justin Bieber's Christmas album."

(It's true though. I'm listening to it. Like right now.)

Haha.

I like happy orange juice...

It's easier to drink if it's smiling at you.

(Which is why this is the only kind I buy.)

Guys, there's another one.

YSB 2.0

How do I know this? Sat next to him in the movie theater watching a stupid movie.

Ah, deja vu.

(Did I mention he's a cook at the restaurant? That started working after I had that dream...)

What do I do?! (Haha.)

My contacts got recalled...

So I wonder if I returned faulty contacts...

OR

I gave up top-secret super powers that I was not supposed to have.

Somehow, all my issues lead back to the Power Rangers.

Like my nerd bone.

I have a nerd bone, guys. It's like a funny bone, but way more sensitive.

Sometimes I get crushes on boys. Mostly because they're cute. So I grin goofily at them because they don't know I think they're cute, and one day, they'll show up wearing glasses cos they lost their contacts, or it's allergy season, or they woke up late and their hair is all messy, and my nerd bone will go ping! Suddenly, they look all cute AND smart, which makes me go numb from head to toe on my left side.

Or is that a heart attack?

Maybe my heart IS my nerd bone.

I can only conclude that it is all Billy the Blue Power Ranger's fault.

Do you have an "[insert noun/adjective]" bone?

Next up: my issues with the color pink, playing an Asian, and long hair on boys.

I have achieved the impossible....TWICE.

Remember how I woke up with perfect hair this summer?

I did it again this morning!!! I am better than a movie star, for I am a real human being who woke up with perfect hair.

(It's pretty much the only thing I could put on a resume at this point in my life.)

And the WINNER of the TrendyXchange gift card is...

I would like you to know that the system I used to select the winner was highly sophisticated.

 Step One: Write each of your names on my blank Golden Corral cards.

Step Two: Fold them in little airplanes.

 

Step Three: Take off my glasses so I can't tell which plane is whose and chuck them at Maggie Gyllenhaal's "Got Milk" poster that I found while looking for recipes in a Family Circle magazine.

Step Four: See which plane made it the closest.

 

Step Five: Put glasses back on to see who won!

Congratulations, Nina!! Maggie and I are so happy for you!! :) 

You have until Tuesday morning (Nov 22) to email me at chessbess{at}gmail{dot}com to claim your prize. Otherwise, a new winner will be picked!

TrendyXchange GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

So guess what??!!

I have another giveaway--of a prize that is ready to go. I want to explain to the winners of the last giveaway that they can blame THIS GIRL for not having their prizes yet. I have gotten after her time and again, but she is just so busy busy. I haven't even gotten my cool t-shirt yet. Trust me, I haven't forgotten about you.

Anyway, about this giveaway. A few weeks after I moved back home, I was meeting my friends for a birthday dinner in Provo at a pizza place I had never been to previously.

I got there early, so I  decided I would kill time and browse "that cute clothing store over there." When I got inside, unfortunately, the store was not open for selling, they were only buying clothes to build up their inventory. I talked to the manager and owner, Kalie, who explained the concept of the store to me--they buy your new or gently used brand name clothing (women's and men's) and give you 30-40% of their selling price, with the options of cash on the spot or in-store credit.

Even though I was bummed I couldn't buy yet, I was blown away by the adorable, welcoming design, the bright colors, and the nice clothes--they have a great selection of new items along with the used.

But then I got a brilliant idea, mostly because I was very poor. I said coyly, "So, your grand opening's not for a month...are you hiring?" One week later, I was behind the counter. And I love it. So even though I work there, my opinion of this store is completely honest and mine. It's a great concept, a wonderful store, and the staff is fantastic. We try our best.

So this week, Kalie has generously contributed a $25 Gift Card for one of you to use at the store!!! Hers is the first and (currently) only location, so the winner should live somewhere between Spanish Fork and Point of the Mountain! (Or at least be a frequent visitor.) Word, Utah County-ers, this one's for you!

All you have to do is "like" trendyXchange's Facebook page and tell them that Chester the Best-er sent you! Come back here and leave me a comment telling me you did so. This is required.

You have the chance for three extra entries for a total of four entries and you MUST leave a separate comment for each:

• Become a follower of this blog or subscribe by email (see handy widgets at top right)
• "Like" Chester the Best-er on Facebook (or see handy widget at top right)
• Link to this blog post on Facebook so your friends (male or female) can enter too. 

Contest is open to those in Utah County or those who visit often! Spread it like wildfire! You can enter until 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Winner will be announced Monday morning! 

I made out with one of the cooks

in my dream last night.

Is it because I hate no-shave November? Because he had some scruff. But that's the least of the problems with this dream.

First, I've never made out with anyone. How do I know I was doing it right? More importantly, am I even cute enough to be worth making out with? (Yeesh, how many prepositions did I just dangle?)

Second. He was no cook I've ever seen at work. I know this because he was good-lookin'.

Third. If he was a cook, then why didn't he bring me a takeout box?!!!

Last night was Military Appreciation Day at Golden Corral.

I was eating before my shift, before all the veterans and soldiers came in with their families to enjoy a meal on the house (just the veterans and the soldiers--cos we don't care if the families eat or not--jokes!), and I noticed that the orange chicken was pleasantly non-spicy, unlike before, when it was so encrusted with crushed red pepper that it was almost impossible to swallow.

I pointed this out to my manager, saying, "Can I just say this is so much better than it used to be?"

And he said, "Of course you can say that, it's a free country!"

I exclaimed loudly, "It IS. All of these people have fought for my right to say that the pseudo Chinese orange chicken is now palatable! I APPRECIATE them."

Aren't I just so patriotic? :)

So I talked to my chin this morning,

And I said,

"Why the [bleeeeeeeep] are you breaking out like it's 2002 and you're drinking a frozen CapriSun after PE?!!!!!!!!!"

Dear Mr. Chester,

It's 11/11/11. I kind of wish I were marrying you today.

Because at 11:11 pm, I would tell you that, despite it being the most powerful wish day ever, I wouldn't need to make a wish tonight, because I already had you.

Love,
Chess

The Life Story -- Fred and Trudy: Part III (1/2)

The Life Story -- Fred and Trudy: Part III

So Fred and Trudy finally got their act together and were married on March 22, 1985 in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. Family and friends were present, including Julie, the woman who served a mission and taught Trudy the Gospel.

But the ceremony didn't happen right away. No one knew why there was a wait, but then a temple worker came in and said, "We're sorry for the delay. The temple president, Elder Hanks, has requested to do this sealing, and he will be a few more minutes. Do you mind waiting?" But of course not!!

The mystery, though! The questions! Why would Marion D. Hanks of the Seventy specifically request to perform their sealing? (Among the workers: Who are Fred and Trudy, anyway?) Like most mysteries, there was an explanation. When Trudy joined the Church, the mission president was Doug Powelson and Elder Hanks was president of the Asia Area. At the time, President Powelson had told Elder Hanks about the American who had joined the Church in Taiwan (which, if you haven't figured it out, is quite unusual--then again this family never did anything the usual way, as you'll soon discover).

Today, however, Pres. Powelson said to Pres. Hanks, "Remember that girl I told you about who joined the Church in Taiwan? She's getting married here," and Pres. Hanks replied, "Well then, I want to perform the sealing."

Done and done.

Trudy was very proud when all was said and done and she hadn't shed a tear. She was pretty caught up in the dress, all the attention, and the general commotion, but then she saw Julie, her missionary. She saw all the changes that had happened, and the different path she had been led to because Julie had decided to serve a mission and teach Trudy the gospel, and well, there was much tearing up.

But they were tears of joy, and then it was time to party!

Mercy me, where have I been?

Well, I'll tell you where I've been.

I've been here three, sometimes four, days a week:

This is the actual one I work at. Thanks Google Image Search.
One day I'll take one myself.

I've been here three, sometimes four, days a week:

Those of you in the Orem/Provo/SLC/Wasatch area, you really need to come by.
Cute store and great deals on new and used clothing. Plus we buy yours.
Look at that free advertising, boss. You're welcome trendyXchange.

Playing with this little monster:

I'm an awesome photographer. I capture movement so well.

And I've been doing a ton of this:

Because I was crazy and signed up for this:

No. Not the 5k. Not the Tuff Kids Race (even though I am tuff). No. This girl is running the whole 13.1. She ran 11 a week and a half ago.

And there you go. I'm not missing. Or dead. 

Just very, very tired. 

How are you?!!

Thoughts on Wedding Luncheons.

It's like, way cool, or something, if you are close enough to the bride or groom to be considered "family" enough to get to go to the wedding luncheon that actually has the decent food. No offense to you, dinky little reception goodies.

But if the only person you know is the bride and/or the groom, well, then it's exactly like being the new kid in the cafeteria who has no friends to sit next to for lunch.

The Date. (Or was it?) aka "You want I should blog, Breelyn?"

This post is dedicated to Breelyn, who is my faithful stalker of blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Really, what we need to do is exchange phone numbers so we can text all the time too! 

So remember how I was gonna go out with this kid on Saturday? Didn't happen. I was running and he was roasting a pig at the BYU tailgate party. (He's Tongan and outweighs me by 200 pounds). It got too late and he couldn't get away, so we just talked on the phone for a few minutes, and I said, "Maybe on Sunday."

Sunday came around. Turned off my phone for church and forgot to turn it back on and ended up taking a three hour nap. Then he called me and I was like, "I'm sorry, but I really just want to spend time with my family." We watched Oklahoma and it was wonderful.

So we finally made it happen last night. I went to work, got home, went for a run, and told him to pick me up at 8. He calls me at 8:15 and says his wallet is in his backpack, which is in his brother's car, which is currently in Salt Lake. I crack up hysterically on the inside and say, "That's okay, I can treat." After which he says, "Oh, and I won't be eating with you because we football players aren't allowed to eat after four." (Please bear in mind that his dialect is much worse, and I'm paraphrasing and cleaning up the grammar for maximum comprehension.) Then I realized I would be eating by myself and paying for it.

But I was starving after those miles and didn't care, so I was like, "Okay, be here at 8." He shows up at ten minutes too. I'm not even dressed, so he waits in the car because he doesn't want to come to the door. So I finally get out the door and I get in the car, which he doesn't get out of to open my door, we head to the International House of Pancakes (where he does open the doors--I think he has just not been raised on the etiquette I expect) where I know they have an omelette of exactly 420 calories which is what I have left for the day anyway. So it's not all bad when someone tells you that they can't eat cos they're on an eating plan and you have to pay. All it means is that YOU get to pick AND you don't have to feel silly when you order off the healthy menu.

The waitress was perplexed at my solitary menu, and asked, "Why is she eating alone?" When he explained that he was on the BYU football team, she gave a little cheer and high-fived him. She then turns to me, and I said, "Uh-uh. Nope. I'm an Aggie. I like you both as people, but there will be no high-fives or love from me shown for that team." They were very kind and obliging, which I appreciated. It would've gone against everything I believed to do other than I did.

We talked for about an hour about our families and growing up. He has had a HARD life. Harder than most. Terrible things have happened. He told me bluntly that he thought I was cute and he was surprised that I actually gave him my number and asked me why I did. I told him I like meeting new people and making new friends. I guess people aren't very trusting and friendly outside of Utah. Haha. Or they're just smarter than I am. Probably the latter.

He asked me what sorts of guys I go for and I decided to be blunt as well. Honesty is the best policy, right? I said, "I'm a nerdy girl. I'm a homebody. I read books and I write sometimes, and I like movies and TV shows. Guys like me are the sorts of people I usually like to go out with." (Not that I go out that much.) I think that took the wind out of his sails a bit, "Oh man, I'm not that guy!" but he might as well know the truth. He told me I didn't LOOK like a geek. 

"Well, what do you think I look like?"

"A normal person." Dear confused people of the world and the interwebs, nerds are normal people who just tend to get excited about things that most others would find boring. And you heard it from a cool, Cali Polynesian--I make nerdy look "cute" and "bomb."

Around this point, it had been an conversation was winding down and I was getting bored (he's very nice, but he's not an intellectual), so as to end the night on as high a point as possible, I decided to use my emergency get-out free card: my sick sister. I told him I needed to get home and help take care of my niece, so we headed out. Frankly, I think first hangouts/dates/whatevers shouldn't last longer than that anyway. Fourteen hour torture sessions should be reserved for those who really, really like each other already.

Just before we turned at my house, he said, "I know you go for guys that are a lot like you, but I really do like you and want to get to know you better. It doesn't have to be anything big, and it's cool if you just want to be friends, but I do want to get to know you better."

And there it was!! An out! Relief! A chance to be nice without hurting anybody's feelings!

So I told him that I was fine with that--that we can give it a couple tries and see how it goes (even though I already know that it won't go anywhere)--but at least now, I can honestly be friendly without worrying about it giving him the wrong idea, and I know he won't be offended when I tell him I just want to be friends. HURRAY.

A successful night. Except for the fact that I had to pay and eat myself, open my own doors, and walk myself to and from my house. HAHAHA.

Moral of the story: This wasn't a date. Or was it?

He's picking me up in an hour....

and I'm afraaaaaaaaaid.

Hahahaha.

(I ran an hour and a half today, I don't know how far, but I'm guessing around nine miles or so. Neat, huh?!!)

So I know having a fake boyfriend never works in the movies...

but sometimes I wish I were at least good at occasionally lying about having one.

I'm very slow on the uptake, oblivious really, and incredibly sweet and polite, so sometimes, I get myself into dangerous situations without even realizing it until it's too late, and my phone number has been wheedled out of me.

I guess my polyester restaurant apron and non-slip clunky shoes are just too alluring, and now I'm going out with a very large, very Polynesian, BYU football player FRESHMAN on Saturday. There are so many things wrong with the last part of that sentence. I'm gonna go into anaphylactic shock.

Crap.

I forgot how hard it is to work.

Guys. Working is hard.

It's hard remembering what job to go to at what time. It's hard remembering what tasks you're supposed to do at the right time. It's hard being on your feet all the time. My bones hurt.

It's hard working and seeing all your money going towards bills and somehow nothing is getting saved for school. Sigh.

But the worst thing is being so tired that you don't want to do the things you really want to do. Because you forgot.

Like, I found in my purse three letters I was supposed to mail two weeks ago. I feel terrible. Everything I wrote is probably all irrelevant and stupid now. I gotta go find a stamp and then I'm putting them in the mailbox. Sorry people that I wrote. And to those sweet people who wrote me...I am getting there! I promise! I haven't forgotten.

But!!! I think I will have exciting news for you in a couple days! I just have to talk myself into something. :)

I realize that I consistently announce that I'm going to die, but it's different this time!

I really am going to perish.

Or, at least, my lower limbs will need to be amputated.

I don't know what I was thinking. I run almost every morning anywhere from half an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Then I go to work at the clothing shop every other day for five to seven hours. On the off days from that job, I will now be working at the restaurant again for hours on end.

All of this requires me to be on my feet.

My body hurts.

The end.

Things I am better at doing than Mulan is:

(Compiled while running yesterday morning. Also known as a list of things that I'm mostly proud of, but probably shouldn't be.)

1. Spitting
2. Burping (Did she try to burp in the movie? I don't care. I'm still better.)
3. Talking to boys
4. Being on time
5. Hating insects and reptiles (I am way better at this.)
6. Slightly more graceful
7. Waking up early

Things I need to improve at, because Mulan is better than I am:

1. Climbing tall tree trunks
2. Hand-to-hand combat
3. Riding horses
4. Shooting cannons and archery
5. Fighting huge men
6. Making friends with insects and reptiles, or if I can't do that, learning to throw shoes with deadly force and accuracy, so as to destroy unbefriendable insects and reptiles
7. Eating with chopsticks

Things Mulan and I are both good at:

1. Being Asian
2. Singing to ourselves
3. Spilling hot liquids
4. Sleeping in
5. Having brains and speaking our minds
6. Breaking and burning things
7. Endearing grouchy old men to us

Conclusion: Why don't I have my own movie?

Healthapalooza + a sob story.

Lately, I've been making up lots of words. They all mean something to me. I won't list them because if everyone starts using them (they're THAT good), then I'll no longer have my own weird language. Sorry, but some precious things must not be scattered to the wind. Make up your own language!!

So, remember how I told you I was going on a running adventure? Before I tell you that it ended so nicely (because it did), I should probably tell you some backstory which is kind of humiliating for me, but I guess these demons must be faced.

(Also, this is very, very long. Probably the longest post I'll ever write, so.... feel free not to read it or just read the highlighted phrases. Haha!)

I've been chubby since I was eleven. That was the year we moved back to the States from Venezuela and fresh fruit in the backyard and walking everywhere was no more. Instead, there were cars and McDonald's and television. So you can imagine what happened to a little girl who loved food, but was incredibly shy and hated sports. I started gaining weight. Mom didn't know what to do or how to help me (and still admits that she didn't know how to talk to me), so she pretended it wasn't happening. My dad was just very critical and pointed out every moment that he could that I was getting fat. I think he thought that would motivate me to lose weight.

I was fourteen. I didn't know how. I only understood that my mom didn't care and my father thought I was ugly. So I ate more.

By the time I was in ninth grade, my five two frame was packing a total of 145 pounds, and by the time I reached my junior year of high school I was somewhere between 160 and 170. There are hardly any pictures of me during junior high and high school, because I couldn't stand to be in them. Unfortunately, while I could avoid pictures all these years, I couldn't avoid PE.

Running the timed mile was the bane of my existence. As far as I recall, in sixth grade, or maybe it was in junior high (I guess I don't remember), to pass running the mile, you had to run it under fifteen minutes. I couldn't do it. In high school, I was a little better, but you had to run it under ten minutes. I could only manage twelve or thirteen. I HATED it. I hated running. I hated PE. I hated me.

Finally, I'd had enough. My parents weren't going to help me, and I was too embarrassed to ask, so I did what any self-respecting bookworm would do. I read. I read everything about health and fitness I could get my hands on. I made some changes and I dropped fifteen pounds in the last two months of my junior year. Everyone was amazed. I was amazed. But the amazement didn't last too long.

Senior year was uneventful. I went to college. I probably gained the Freshman 15, but I didn't keep track. I went to the gym with my roommates a few times, but mostly I think I forgot how good it had felt to be healthy. The last half of college, I decided to get back into shape, and I've fought with myself the last three or so years to just stay where I am right now, which is about thirty-five pounds lighter than I was at my heaviest. Last summer, I was inspired by my best friend, Kelli, who is the most determined person I know, and who hated running almost as much as I did, but picked up the sport and has since run a couple marathons and a few relays (I think).

I don't tell her enough, but I always want to be like her, so last summer I decided I would cross off a New Year's goal by learning to like running. By the end of last summer, I was burning through about twenty-five miles a week. And I was hooked. I went back to school, of course, and didn't do as well, but, still, I'd go out on a jog every now and then, and I'd enjoy every second.

I graduated last December. I got lazy during spring semester, sprained my ankle at graduation, and was a bum on the couch except for the occasional jog or hike. When I moved home a little over a month ago, my friend Marie and I decided to sweat ourselves beautiful, once and for all! I run almost every morning and then we burn through Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred in the afternoons. Do NOT knock that workout until you've tried it. It's so killer.

Anyway, I was feeling pretty good about myself last week, but then I realized I didn't have a single milestone really to gauge myself against (other than that I actually liked to run). I haven't run a race, or really tracked much of anything. I just go. So just this last Saturday, I asked Marie to time me while I ran a mile around the same damn track that I had to run in high school.

I ran that stupid, STUPID mile that defined half my life in nine minutes and forty-one seconds. Twenty seconds faster than what I was hoping for. I almost cried.

And before, you say, "Well, that wasn't that fast," let me assure you that I didn't think so either, because I felt like I was pushing pretty hard. Then I remembered, my short legs have to go a lot longer and harder to cover the same distance that a tall runner at an easy jog can cover. Hahaha. So I am owning my nine minutes and forty-one seconds! And I also am gonna run a 5k by my house, because it's one of the New Year's Goals to run some sort of a race. After that, a half-marathon, and then the WORLD.

I say the world, because I can't be bothered to run a marathon. :)


PS. I'm sorry this was so long.

Happy Sunday!

Here is a video of the happiest person we know:

PS. In case you didn't know, babies are very resilient. :)

Say hello to my new friends!!

(and my shaved legs)

I'm going on a special running adventure today!

I'm gonna try something I haven't done since high school. 

And then when I'm finished, I'll tell you all about it! 

This is what Cho would look like if....

She got knocked up and joined the Dark Side with Luna. (I'm mixing up my movies, aren't I?)

Well, all allegories of good and evil always lead back to Star Wars (original only--the others don't exist).

Photo taken by Melanie Parry. It be hers.

It's 11:46 PM...

And my pageviews counter says 29999 views.

Holy moley!! I'm amazed, thrilled and so grateful. I'll be even more grateful when that last person clicks and it says 30,000.

I'll be so thankful that I'll go out and run for 45 minutes tomorrow morning!

(I was planning on doing that anyway, especially since I have brand new running shoes--on sale-!-and will have shaved my legs. Did you know that it's lots easier to run when you know your legs are nice and smooth? I haven't proved this scientifically, but my heart tells me that it's so.)

What has your heart told you lately?

Hiiii Daniel!!

Daniel is my friend. We go way back. We worked together for two and half years at the middle school together. In that time, we have broken many pizzas together, downed Wendy's fries and frosties, and guzzled hot chocolate from the 7-Eleven. He is super funny and nice. Everybody say, "Hiiiiii Dan!!!"

On Sunday, I went to Logan, and Kate and I had some friends over for lunch, including him. Which happened to be a delicious meal, if I do say so myself: Homemade chili con carne, made-from-scratch cornbread, and homemade zucchini bread with zucchini from our garden.

Dan announced at the dinner table that he secretly stalks my blog, which sent me into a fit of laughter. Mostly because he announced it in front of a group of people who know YSB really well, and so anytime they are in earshot of someone talking about my blog, I go into internal hysterics. (Even though they all know I have a blog--though they don't read it). So I laughed really hard to cover it all up. Because I'm an awkward, uncomfortable person.

I'm sorta like an ostrich. If we don't talk about it, it technically doesn't exist. So, in my mind, if we don't talk about my having a blog, it's as though they don't know about it. But then someone mentions it, my illusion is shattered, and my fear of somebody finding out about my crush is multiplied by like a thousand. Guys, it's really bad.

Hi Daniel. Keep your mouth shut.

PS. Welcome to the blog!

Crafts and Cooking.

Well, earlier this week I played with Mod Podge, cardboard, and magazines.

Last night I played with lard, flour, and molasses. And later today, I will play with pumpkin cake and cream cheese, because tonight, we're having a Harry Potter Dessert Party. (More on that later).

So let's just see what I've made this week (all pics taken with Photo Booth so excuse the quality):

CapriSun box, cardboard, recipes and pictures cut from magazines, 

and an oatmeal container...

And I've got a place to put extra long utensils and to put all my letter-writing supplies!

Here is a treacle tartlet for Harry Potter night.

(Yes. It's on a Chinese plate, on my purple bed. Whatcha gonna do 'bout it?)

You can find the recipe HERE at Bakingdom. I ate one. It's delish.

PS. Project Pen Pal is a great success folks! I got lots of requests for letters, and it's been wonderful. It's kind of amazing therapy. :) I'm sorry if it's a bit slow. I write a letter every other day or so, so as not to get burned out, but it's also really important to me to write something personal and with a lot of thought. I will get to everybody, I promise. So if anybody new wants to join the fun, shoot me your street address in an email, and you will get a letter from me! 

PPS. What do you think of my new header? I was bored, haha. I enjoy it, but I will admit, it's way stupid. :)

Jumble-laya

First.

I would like to clarify that my leaning in to sniff a boy is always consciously done.

Just sayin'.

Second.

My first day of work was yesterday! Hurray!

You can click HERE to learn more about my job.

It's dorky, but I'm enjoying it so far. 

I anticipate the acquirement of some cute clothes in the near future. :)

(Also, I met my friend Clark's dad, which is kind of a funny story. But not really.)

Third.

A list of things I love but shouldn't:

YSB

Corn dogs

Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber

Selena Gomez dating Justin Bieber

Infomercials

Fried foods

The Millionaire Matchmaker

Fourth.

I'm way crafty, guys!!

(My mom has a HUGE bottle of Mod Podge.)

I'll tell you about what I made tomorrow. 

Breaking News!!

I am no longer pre-employed, guys!!! I have a dorky little retail job in a clothing exchange store in the next town over, and I forgot to ask how much I'm earning or if I get a discount (because I haven't had to apply for a job in years), but I took it anyway. It's a cute shop and I basically just walked in there and the owner gave it to me.

It'll pay the cell phone bill and the credit card payment and maybe a little extra, so that's all that matters at the moment, since I'm babysitting part-time anyway. But maybe I'll go back to the restaurant. Who knows?

I'm just happy to finally have something to do. I start my training on Wednesday morning. Yay me!!

Fresh Prince Friday

I bet you know aaaaaaaall the words to the theme song, if you're like me. :)

My favorite wasn't Will Smith though. No, it was Carlton. He slayed me. Which is why this post is dedicated to Alfonso Ribeiro (as well as his work pre-Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). Enjoy!! It's a lot of vids, but they're short and oh-so-hilarious!

Learn to Break and Pop with a young Alfonso Ribeiro!!

 It's Not Unusual

Before the Carlton Dance... There was the Pepsi Generation:

You gotta see Carlton on the Soul Train (embedding has been disabled, so click the link to watch it on YouTube)

For all you fellow Mormons:


And, oh who are we kidding? We gotta have some Will and Carlton action to finish it all up! Watch The Last Dance on YouTube.

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Bold Fringe Giveaway!

My friend, Julie, is having another giveaway on her blog, Bold Fringe--which offers great tips, tutorials, and information about hair and hair products! This time she is hosting a giveaway for her friend who makes some of the cutest handsewn headbands I've ever seen and other fun things. The prize is a $20 gift card to the see kate sew etsy shop!

Click HERE to read the rules and to enter.

Blogger Idol Finale!!!

I know I'm not in it, but I've met some cool bloggers because of it, and that's why I want you to vote for Lisa aka Mama Spaghetti! She has been incredibly kind and supportive to me, and I would like her to win, so please, please.... help her out.

She had to write two assignments so make sure to vote in both polls!

Click HERE to read their posts 

and to vote (in BOTH polls).

PS. Check for the results tomorrow at 12:00 pm CST. I got to contribute a little something something to the finale video that may amuse you all! Hehe. :)

The Life Story -- Fred and Trudy: Part II (1/2)

Epiphany about dancing of the exotic variety:

I'm Asian. 

I don't need to learn to be an exotic dancer. 

Every time I bust a move, I ALREADY AM!!

We Like it Loud!

Remember how I love country dancing, but I don't listen to country music?

Well, I used to know this line dance six months ago, but I didn't get practice it much, plus I didn't know what to do without Clark to tell me.

And this weekend, for whatever reason, I really, really wanted to do it...but I didn't have a clue how to start.... and THEN, I remembered that Clark learned it on YouTube. Haha. And now, considering the way I learned it from him the first time, I now can do it better. Teehee.

You can learn it too, if you want. It's way dorky, but don't knock it until you try it. Line dances are good cardio workouts, plus they're fun!

(the song is "Loud" by Big & Rich)

28,000 Views on the Dot!

Guys, I'm so grateful. Thanks for being wonderful and reading this silly little blog. You have helped me more than you can ever know with all of your kindness and support!

Heaps of love,
Chess

PS. Fun stuff coming up this week. I have a good feeling, so stay tuned! :)

I'm just an uncomfortable person sometimes,

Seriously. Sometimes, I think about myself, and I just cringe. Mostly I'm amused, but there's that ten percent of total embarrassment. And just remembering something brings it all back, even if it happened a year ago. A year and a half ago. Five years ago.

It's like, usually, I think I'm a pretty decent, even-tempered person with normal social skills and behavior, plus a good conversationalist, and then BAM!--just when I think I'm doing extra well, I say something, or I do something that just ruins everything. And I'll play it off, but a year, year and a half, five years later, I'm still dying inside about it.

The reason I bring this up is because today marks my 18-monthiversary of telling my lit professor, Professor McCuskey, that I have blue hands and then running away from him into the ladies' room to hide. I made the mistake of telling my friends (who also had him) about it, and they will never let me live it down.

So you might as well relieve the moment and laugh awkwardly with me.

Read the original post right HERE.

McCuskey, if you ever Google yourself, and somehow come across this post--know that I tried to come talk to you about every paper I wrote, and I couldn't: first, because I was too scared, and second, I was too embarrassed. 

Like, seriously? Go away.

Groupies.

I've started being creepy in my dreams!! Man, I thought I was supposed to be safe there. Or not...clearly.

For the past two nights, guess who has popped up in my subconscious after not being around for a VERY LONG TIME?

Yummy-smelling Boy. (And perhaps you are asking--"Seriously, it's been ages, we thought?" Yes, it's been ages. I can't help it. I'm still madly in love with him. Or is it his smell?)

Good gravy. Why won't the universe just leave me alooooone?

Since I can't win Blogger Idol, do me a favor and...

Vote for Mama Spaghetti instead, right HERE! She certainly deserves it!

Thanks darlings!

PS. Also, lots of people joined my new pen-pal project! I'm way excited, guys! Truly.

TMI. Way sorry. Not really.

So, sometimes I forget to take my towel to the bathroom when I shower. Also, there are lots of people that live in this house. Both genders. Not all are related to me.

Do I let this stop me from running topless down the hall to my bedroom to retrieve my towel? Or bottomless, for that matter?

No.

I do not.

Because it is just not worth it to put all your clothes back on, just to get a measly piece of terrycloth.

(It's worth it to lock the door behind you though, I'll tell you that, because having a male renter walk in on you while you're sittin' on the can is kinda embarrassing, but that's another story.)

This doesn't usually happen...

but I had crazy bad insomnia last night. And for the last couple of days too. It's because I have an unfamiliar room (even though it was mine in high school), a totally different bed, the lighting outside is too bright sometimes, I'm trying to get on a decent sleeping schedule, and according to Wikipedia, if I drink too much during the day or right before bed, that doesn't help either.

Well, sheesh. Trying to drink more and sleep better means worse sleep or none at all.

No sleep doesn't work when I have to babysit for three and a half hours starting at seven-thirty in the morning. And this is a very energetic baby who has just learned to crawl, I might add. I'm just the aunt. I don't have the mom muscles or energy.  Also, I have quasi-panic attacks when drool and poop enter the scene.

But she's asleep in her morning nap now. And I am thinking in a whisper. Typing in a whisper. Tip-toeing in a whisper.

Also, I'm going to die. Of a headache. And a stomachache. And general exhaustion.

Please say nice things at my funeral.

On the plus side--I wrote two long letters yesterday, and am planning to write a couple more today. Only if I don't die, of course. Which I'm going to.

Today is a letter-writing day!

It's the kind of slow, aimless, hot day where I pull out my personalized stationary and pens and stickers and envelopes and I write letters. And it's kind of great, because we use my grandpa's old stamps--stern-looking men in long grumpy mustaches--and so to get the correct postage, you pretty much have to cover the entire envelope because each stamp doesn't add up to much. (Don't worry, we're using the worthless ones!)

So maybe you will be one to get a letter in a few days! A letter whose stern, mustachioed exterior will be undercut by the cheerful words within. I love using the word "undercut." Makes me feel all English-majory, you know? Especially since I'm all nostalgic now that my friends are going back to school. Sigh.

Anywayz. All I wanted to ask was if you want to be on my letter-writing list for future letter-writing days? If you do, feel free to email me your street address. Only if you trust me and are comfortable doing that, though!!

Have a lovely Tuesday and first week of school to everybody!

Cheese Lover

Cheesy things I love:

found via Google image search

• Painting my nails -- latest love is Shatter or Crackle nail polish (see pic for example)
• Glee
• Glee 3D Concert movie
• DCOMs (Disney Channel Original Movies) -- latest love is Lemonade Mouth
• Lemonade Mouth soundtrack
• Disney movies
• Chick flicks
• 80s movies -- latest loves are Girls Just Wanna Fun and Can't Buy Me Love
• Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo

Yep. No shame here!

Sad Things

I know it's Friday and that it should be a happy day, but lots of sad things have happened--

I left Logan in tears. I left my dear roommate and friends behind.  I got eliminated from Blogger Idol this morning. My ankle is bothering me. And now I have to unpack everything. Which is the worst cut of all.

So... I don't know what to say.

Um...  Good luck on the new school year for all you students!!! I wish I were joining you.

Blogger Idol!!

Guys, I am in the Top Four. This is so close to being over. I promise. I just need you for the next three weeks. Please, please stay with me. You are so awesome!

This week, I'm writing about a little family tradition.

To find out what it is and to watch me demonstrate it (this marks my online singing debut--which is way embarrassing for me), head on over to Blogger Idol, read my post, and vote for me into the Top Three!!!

WINNNNNERZZZZ!!!

Woot, woot!!! This giveaway is now closed and I am here to announce the winners! As for those who didn't win, thank you, thank you for entering and hopefully, there will be more giveaways in the future.

Let me remind you again of the prizes:

• First place will get a calendar, a t-shirt, and some bookmarks
• Second place will get a t-shirt
• Third place will get a calendar
• Fourth and fifth place will both get an assortment of bookmarks

Without any further delay...

First place and the grand prize goes to my darling former roomie, Erin!

Second place with a T-shirt belongs to my AZ soulmate, Amy! (Haha.)

Kayce, making being an English bearable for me and others, is in third! 

Back from her mission in fourth place is my buddy, Sarah,

And last, but certainly not least, 

the coolest Relief Society President I ever had in Orem,

Lindsaaaaaay!!

Congratulations to the winners! Please email me at chessbess{at}gmail{dot}com to claim your prizes and to give me your mailing addresses (do NOT leave them in a comment). Erin and Amy, please confirm what phrase you would like on your T-shirts. 

Things you should know...

In case you didn't know them already. I don't think you do, which is why I'm telling you:

• I watched the last fifteen minutes of a really stupid movie called Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus the other night. I'm still embarrassed about it.
• I made a birthday cake and candle out of construction paper and I'm going to record myself singing a birthday song for somebody. I'm embarrassed in advance. More on that later. 
• I just woke up from a two hour nap. What am I, a teenager?
• I am avoiding packing up my stuff to go home. 
• There are a lot of clothes I just need to get rid of. 
• I wore leopard print high heels to church yesterday.
• I finished watching the last episode of Arrested Development on Saturday night. My friend and I rewatched the entire series this summer. Which means we stretched it out a lot, considering I watched the entire series last summer in less than two weeks. 
• My ringtone is now "It's Not Easy Bein' White." If you know, you understand. I will not explain myself on this one.  
• I have a black graduation cap and gown (for short people) that I would be happy to sell at a discounted price. Interested? Email me.
• You have the rest of today and tomorrow to enter my GIVEAWAYYYYYY! Do it, you have a pretty good chance of winning something, as not a huge number of people have entered. :)

Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus

Yes. That is a real movie. It's on the SyFy channel.

I'm so embarrassed. But in my defense, I'm surfing the channels and it's the end of it and....

WAIT FOR IT...

Steve Urkel is in it. 

"My God. I think they're hatching."

There's no turning back now.

I'm so sad. Like a sad little panda.

I'm leaving Kate and Logan this week. Probably for good. My family needs me, my friends are nearly non-existent, and I haven't been able to find a job up here, so I am conceding defeat.

This has been my home for the last five years. Such a big part of my heart belongs to this sweet little place. I have cried at least five times a day the last four days. It is not what I want to do. But it's the right thing to do. I can't wait for the day when the right thing to do matches with what I want to do.

Ugh. I'm heartbroken.

So Audrey Hepburn was WRONG.

At least in Wait Until Dark she was.

Even if you think you know your house well enough to navigate it in the dark, 

you probably don't.

If, in the future, for whatever reason, I happen to intercept a creepy doll that is the smuggling container for highly illegal drugs, and the drug lord comes to claim it as his own, and it's the dead of night, and I have to run away with all the lights off, I probably won't get away. Because I will overshoot the doorway that's on my left, and run straight into the doorjamb, and hit my head, and fall against the kitchen counter.

At least, that's what happens when I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I don't see how it could be any different if a drug lord came to claim a creepy doll with drugs sewed into her stomach.

That being said, go vote for me at Blogger Idol!!!! 

Aiming for the Top Four!

(Voting begins right now and goes for 36 hours until midnight on Thursday CST)

Or you can enter my giveaway HERE.

Don't judge me

When I logged into my Blogger Dashboard this morning, Google told me, "It looks like your blog is popular and many popular blogs make money with AdSense. Try it now!'

And I think I will. I'm gonna try selling out for a little while!  Like I said, don't judge me.

I've been stretching a pan of brownies over the last WEEK because I can't afford to buy groceries. And you guys don't even know, I'm soooo hungry. And I'm getting fat because the only thing I have to eat in the cupboard is sugar.

If it doesn't work and is, like totally lame, I shall take them down immediately. If it means I get to buy some fruit and vegetables, well, righteous! (Because I refuse to steal food and then get locked up for nineteen years.)

So I hiked Squaw Peak...

Kate and I hung out with the boizzzz two Saturdays ago. We went to my hometown because our friends invited us to go on the annual Squaw Peak hike. I'm really glad she came with me, because if she hadn't, true to fashion, I would've been the one female swimming in a sea of snarky testosterone. And worse than that, the sole person at the back of the line. 

We may have been horribly out of shape for that four mile plus a 3100+ foot gain hike. We may have been behind those boys by fifteen minutes. And they may or may not have thought that we'd never make it, but baby, we prevailed.

Despite that victory, mostly, I just wanted to say that I was wearing a t-shirt that said "True Aggies Bleed Blue" and one doofwad BYU hiker coming down shouted at me, "I bleed blue too, but it's the right blue." 

Don't you worry. I put that jerk in his place with an extremely rude gesture.

That's right, folks. I blew a raspberry at him over my shoulder.

(Don't forget to enter my giveaway HERE. 

Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry option.)

500 Posts and a Giveaway!!!

(This giveaway is now closed.)

Come one, come all!!!

This marks my 500th post on my dear little blog. Chester the Best-er also celebrated its third birthday in May. Yay!!!

Thanks to all of you wonderful readers--those of you who comment, those of you who email, those of you who lurk, those of you who have voted for me on Blogger Idol (I'm in the Top 5 now!)--you are they who make this little corner of mine in cyberspace so special. 

And that is why I want to do something special for you. 

My very first giveaway!! I've wanted to do one for a long time, but I'm dorky and I can't think of how to do things like that, but my dear friend Marie is helping me. She likes photography and graphic design, so she is designing some cool beans things for YOU, featuring some of Chester the Best-er's more memorable moments.

Like some bookmarks, calendars, and T-shirts (tentative examples of WIP designs below):

 

The calendar will be the size of a CD jewel case.

Five winners will be drawn: 

• First place will get a calendar, a t-shirt, and a bookmark
• Second place will get a t-shirt
• Third place will get a calendar
• Fourth and fifth place will both get bookmarks
• All winners will get to choose the designs on their prizes. 

How to win:

Required entry: Leave a comment on this blog telling me which design you like best or your favorite quote from this blog.

Extra entries:

Each additional item will increase your chances of winning. You can do any or all of these for up to six entries. If you already do these, they count, but you MUST leave a separate comment for each item, or they will only count as one entry.

1. Visit Marie's travel blog Rie Around the World. Come back here and leave a comment suggesting where she should go next.
2. Join Marie Teemant Photography on Facebook.
3. Join Chester the Best-er on Facebook (or see right sidebar).
4. Follow my blog OR subscribe to its email updates (see right sidebar). Once you subscribe, you will receive an email confirming your subscription.
5. Follow @chessthebess on Twitter and tweet the following statement, then come back to this post telling me you tweeted. 

I just entered to win a #giveaway from @chessthebess! Enter here: goo.gl/fb/cM00Y

Important:
- This giveaway is open to all and will run until Tuesday, August 23rd at 11:59 pm MST.
- Winners will be generated randomly via Random.Org and will be announced on this blog on Wednesday, August 24th at 9:00 am MST.
- Winners will have until Friday, August 26th at 11:59 pm MST to claim their prizes or new winners will be chosen.

Good luck!!
(Personally, I'd really want a tee that says "I ♥ Yummy Smelling Boys")

Top 6 Voting!!!

My darlings, I have made the Top 6 of Blogger Idol!! This means that no matter where I place after this, I gets me a prize. I am aiming for that gosh darn grand prize, and I desperately need your help to do climb the rankings and take it home! This week's entry is fun as Chess got to do what Chess does best--which is tell a good story. So, it's honestly in your best interest if you....

Click HERE and vote for me!

(Voting starts right now and will remain open until midnight CST on Thursday)

Also, my next post will be my 500th entry on this dear little blog, and in celebration of that fact (and to thank you for all the support over the last few years, and especially over the last few weeks)--I am going to find a way to do my first giveaway, and it will be good. So, stay tuned for details on how to enter! (Because I haven't figured that out--and also, I am poor.)