What a boring day I had today.

Ok, so that's one of the biggest lies EVER. Today was AWESOME. At 7am Charlyn & I hit the road bound for Lompoc, CA (north of Santa Barbara) with a brief stop to see Adam (Char's BF) in Camarillo for breakfast and a pit stop at Best Busy (so Char could buy a camera since I had forgotten mine after promising I'd remember :-( ...she was planning to buy one anyway!). We reached Lompoc just after noon, changed our clothes, signed our waivers promising not to sue should we be maimed or killed, watched a video (explaining again how we were signing away our right to sue should we be maimed or killed), and got our "lesson" ("Grab the harness on both sides, arch back and kick your Jump Master in the butt with your heals. When he taps you on the shoulder or gives you a thumps up, throw out your arms. You're skydiving!").

With that extensive training we hopped into the airplane (6-8 seater) and climbed to 13,000 feet.

What a beautiful view it was!

Because this was all in honor of Char's birthday (she had a list of things she wanted to accomplish before she turned 30 (in 2 weeks) and this was the last item on her list), she got to jump first. Though neither of us were ever actually nervous about going, as I watched her jump and freefall out of the plane, I thought to myself, "Charlyn just FREAKING JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE!" Before that thought could continue I too was jumping out of that plane.

CRAZY! AWESOME! EXCITING!

My Jump Master Mauro was great and taught me how to steer the parachute and do spins (which I promptly stopped when I realized that was going to make me throw up all over him if I were to continue). The free falling sensation is almost indescribable and in some ways, I don't even remember it; just that it was a lot harder than I expected to smile (for the camera) and control my facial expressions while falling 120mph. Once the ripcord was pulled it suddenly felt like I was just sitting in a lawn chair (thousands of feet above the earth), looking down at the ocean and local farmland.

As Char & I waited for our turn to go up in the airplane, we saw several groups go and come back, proving that it was indeed very safe. (Ok, maybe I can't say "very" but it was safe enough!) I never once felt as though my life were in danger or that this was risky. In many ways it just felt like I was on a ride at Magic Mountain. A ride I HIGHLY recommend.

You can come along for the ride HERE.

Two of my favorite comments from friends/family regarding this experience are:
"You're F'ING CRAZY."
"Mad Props to You!"

I agree. With both statements. :-)

Thanks to Mauro (jump master), Josh (video/photographer), Skydive SantaBarbara & most of all Charlyn, for an experience I am not likely to forget! (Lots of pictures help to remember too.)

TGIF!

This is me.

This is me tomorrow.

Any Questions?

8 months, 19 days, 1 hour, 7 minutes

What a long road it has been. Almost there!

Go cougars!

Curves are GREAT!

I'm referring to grading on a curve. In one of my current classes, the professor grades on a curve. I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand I don't understand how the class performance requirements can be virtually disregarded if the entire class performs low. That is either an indication of poor student behavior or poor teaching skills by the professor, all of which should be accurately noted...shouldn't it? On the other hand, grading curves can work in my favor...

Case in point:
On a recent exam, I scored 77 out of 100. Not my shining moment (though I have lots of valid excuses if you care to hear them). On a standard scale this would likely have yielded a grade of C. However, on this professor's grading scale/curve, my 77 became a 93, which means I rocked an A.

Go me!

Thanks Dr. N! You made my day.

First comes love...

...Then comes marriage!

Matt & Denise are officially Mr. & Mrs. McCormick! What an honor it was to witness their committment and be a part of this very special occasion. From the beautiful flowers to the radiant bride and proud groom, it was indeed a wonderful day.

I am fortunate to have several fantastic women to call dear friends. Along with these women come some really great men, whom I respect and am glad to call my friends as well. Matt is truly a prince among princes and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect match for my friend.

The bride before.........................The croquembouche.

The bride & groom..................................With my parents.

The sisters.........................................The bridesmaids.

An artistic centerpiece shot...............One last kiss before heading to Tahiti.

* As always, visit my photos link (to the left) for more of "D & Matt's Wedding Weekend"

Can I just say...

...HOW EXCITED I am for my dear friend Denise to marry Matthew (whom I adore) this Saturday?!

So excited to be a part of their special day. :-)

Trying to take pictures of kids

Trying to take pictures of 3 of the 4 kiddos yesterday was cracking me up as each showed their little personalities. Only Bailey was (more or less) willing to cooperate.

I did manage to snap this one though, which is now my latest favorite pic of these 3.
I just wish I could get one of all 4 of them though. For some reason that just never happens/works-out.

Boys & their toys

Dad got a new toy!

My dad swears he never had the desire to have a motorcycle growing up. That has, however, changed in his mid-older adult years. The latest addition is pretty bad-ass, complete with flames and everything. Apparantly this is the bike you cruise around on, showing it off and making people envious. It's a Victory Jackpot designed by Cory Ness (Arlen Ness' son, for those of you in the motorcyle-know).

* Sorry for the poor camera-phone quality; it's all I had at the time.

the color black

I don't recall if I wore a lot of black clothes before I went to Denmark, but I certainly do now. And its not cause I'm trying to be goth or anything; it's just usually a sleek, classic look, not to mention it often makes one appear slimmer (a great side benefit!) and is practical in any wardrobe.

Even though I like black, I was still surprised to find that Play-Doh now comes in black.

But with all the new fangled Play-Doh sets, I'm sure it finds many uses and is just as classic and practical as my black clothing.

I know, random post.

Are you there God? It's me, Kelly.

I'm a bit of a control freak. I'll admit it. "My name is Kelly, and I like to be in control and have things neat, organized, planned and directed." This in no way means that I don't like spontaneity; actually I do. I love a spontaneous roadtrip or other vacation, last-minute fun activities or special romantic dates, etc. All that is fun and makes me feel like I'm living in a movie (in a good way, of course). But when it comes to planning future stuff like school, career, etc, ESPECIALLY if I'm already on an education/career path, I really appreciate it when things don't go all haywire and change on me.

However, that is not the story of my life.

As has been pretty much the case each school term for the past year and a half since my return to school to complete my BS and begin working toward my Psy.D., I have had a plan; an intended class schedule for the upcoming school terms. I spend hours pour over the various institution's (APU, Citrus, PCC, Cal Poly, CVC) class schedules, taking into consideration class times, prerequisites and more. And at the beginning of each term I have a plan to complete certain classes and move on to other classes at certain institutions the following term. Everything is (was) all planned out through the end of the year when I will graduate from APU and have completed all my pre-reqs so I can apply for the PSY.D. program in Feb 08.

Much to my dismay, however, about mid-way through each term I check the latest class schedules, school websites and such only to find that the classes I'd been informed would be offered the following term are a.) no longer offered or b.) offered at a time that doesn't work for me.

Can I just say what a PAIN IN THE BUTT this is?! Then I have to scramble and figure out what, if anything, can be done. This usually results in a reorganization/revamping of THE MASTER PLAN. Now, the good thing is that up to this point, it has all worked out, though not without A LOT of scrambling and frustration and reworking and frustration and compromise and understanding/patience by my boss (thanks, Dad!)

I semi-serious/semi-joking asked a friend if God was trying to teach me something since this has literally happened EVERY SINGLE TERM. Was this just the crazy/ridiculous education system or was God speaking to me and I'm not listening? She votes that God's trying to teach me to not have MY timeline.

Sigh.

I find that really hard.

Are you my Nuppy?

I have 2 nephews, 2 nieces and 1 nuppy. Translation: niece puppy.

My friend Lauren has a gorgeous puppy. Well, Fontana (NOT named after that city in the '909'!) isn't really so much a "puppy." After all, she's almost 9 years old. But she is as sweet as a puppy with all the majesty of an older dog. And she's huge. Not fat, just a big dog. When we take her on walks or to the dog park, she's one of those dogs that people always stop to admire and pet and ask what breed she is (a Leonberger, a cross between a St. Bernard & a Newfoundland. Yeah, big).

Fontana has been a sick this past week. After several days at the doggie hospital, she's home now. I saw her last night and was happy to see that she enthusiastically greeted me at the door. They still don't know what's wrong with her (they think she may have a tumor they can't find, which is causing fluid to gather around her heart), but for now she's doing better. And for that I'm thrilled.

Lauren + Fontana = L-U-V. I can't imagine L without F. I hope F never goes away. I realize that's not likely to happen, but I wish it all the same. And while I sometimes want a dog of my own, for now I'm glad to have my nuppy.

Ugly Days

You know those days where you think, "Gosh, I look ugly!" ?

Today isn't one of those for me.

I actually think I'm having a fabulous hair/make-up/outfit day. And I LOVE my cute little black flats. Or maybe it's just the airbrush tan giving me that healthy glow. Either way, I wish I looked this cute every day.

So Hell-ay

I live in Southern California but I've often felt I should have been raised on the east coast (preferably Boston. I HEART Boston!). Sure, the LA lifestyle has certain amenities and is conveniently located to the mountains, beaches & desert, but deep down, it's not really my scene. However, in preparation for big events (like weddings), I must confess I am a true Angelino.

Countdown to D's big day: T-minus 18 days
Days since teeth bleaching commenced: 2
Spray-on tan test date: Tonight (must make sure I'm not orange!)
Misc. grooming appts: Tomorrow, next Wednesday and the Wednesday, Thursday & Friday after that.

I'm fulfilling the "Look Famous" part of my blog quote.

(I know, I know. Starving orphans in Africa. :-P)

Weekend with Audrey

My little girl is just so sweet. She's taking quite well to real food, especially Bran's "Indian Guacamole" (pureed peas, avocado & curry powder), and drinks like a fish (water, that is). She's just learned to roll over, from stomach to back, and is thrilled with herself when she makes her jumpy-exersaucer-seat-thingy bounce up and down. Ah, to be 7 months old and so easily pleased! And she's got little teeth coming in (much to her discomfort and pain).

Thanks Audrey, Bran & Mike for my little weekend away, the freedom to study and some tasty enchiladas & oat bran pancakes. :-)

PS. More pics to the left at "Photos of me & others" (album: Weekend with Audrey)

Young Love

I had the biggest crush on David Hassellhoff in Knight Rider. I'm sure you can see why.


Not so much anymore...

(I wanted to show you a pic of his fabulous new billboard (on Huntington near Irwindale Ave.) advertising him in the Las Vegas production of The Producers but I can't find that pic online and no others do his current state of not-so-hot-ness justice. I think I'll have to take a pic of it myself...Stay tuned...)