Home for the Holidays... FINALLY

SANDY, UT -- My route home for Christmas this year took a few twists and turns.
First, this happened:...Followed by a day of chaos and angry travelers at the airport. Here's the scene about mid-way through one of the longest lines I've ever waited in at any airport ever:
After three hours of waiting in line, my departure time rapidly approaching, and no where near the ticket agents, I finally called Delta's 1-800#... only to be told, that for some reason I had been bumped from my seat and put on stand-by. WHAT?! Can they even do that?! And I wasn't alone. Several people from my church were on the same flight, and they too got bumped... and rescheduled for another day, most on Christmas Eve or later... even though our original flight was scheduled to leave without a hitch. I was livid. I demanded an earlier departure time. The closest and earliest one they could find: 6:45 a.m. out of Richmond. So, I hitched a ride on my very own Polar Express (aka Amtrak) that just happened to be delayed 3 hours. Fun fact: The conductor really yells, "All aboard!" as you board the train. I am such a naive train rider.
And here is the silver lining in all of it. Because I got rerouted to Richmond, I got to hang out with this cute, little guy:


It was hard saying goodbye, but now I am home... safe and sound. Finally. Only three days late. And it is snowing here. I was hoping to have left that nasty white stuff behind in DC.

Whew...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Thank goodness my roommates and I were not home late Friday night when the furnace blew a fuse* and decided to leak CO (Carbon Monoxide) throughout our entire four story house... when on any other Friday night someone would have likely been home, and likely sound asleep.

Thank goodness for good neighbors who alerted us of eerily colored smoke plummeting from our basement.

Thanks goodness emergency responders really do come in an instant when someone dials 911.

And thank goodness for good friends, who you can laugh about all this with later.**

*This is not correct terminology. In actuality, the furnace went awry in some other manner.

**And while it's happening.

Welcome to the World!

RICHMOND, VA-- Our little buddy finally made his entrance into the world! Born at 6:34 p.m. EDT, weighing a whopping 8 lbs and measuring 20 inches long, he is all legs, (just like a Candrian). His mom and dad couldn't be happier! Moral of today's lengthy labor: It doesn't really matter how you come into the world, as long as you get here safe and sound.

Here are some cute pictures of the nameless little guy, and his happy parents, Britt and Brian:

Still Waiting... and by the way, "Say 8!"

RICHMOND, VA-- Yes, I am still in Richmond. I've been at the hospital all day long. Poor Britt and Brian. Mostly poor Britt who has had a really rough day, and for the little guy (still nameless) who will have a very rude awakening to the world as he gets yanked out of Britt just moments from now. Yep, she's having a c-section. Going the old fashioned route just didn't work this time around.

To pass part of our time today, we enjoyed a little bit of one of our favorite comedians: Brian Regan. I'm sure many of you have heard of the man. He is FUNNY! We even played this particular routine for one of the nurses today, who found it equally as entertaining.



Hopefully in my next post I will have some pictures to share of the newest member of our world. As they say in the news biz... "Don't go away, we'll have more on this incredible developing story moments from now!"

Very Thankful

RICHMOND, VA-- Since November is not quite over yet, I figured it is not too late for an "I am thankful..." blog post. So, here we go.... drum roll please...

I am thankful for so many things, but just to name a few...

• My health. I got the "mother of all colds" a few weeks ago and actually missed a few days of work because it was so bad. However, despite all that it was only my 2nd and 3rd "sick days" I've used all year. (Trust me, I would have much rather been at work). So, generally, you could say I've had a pretty "healthy" year. Knock on wood.
  
• My family. I am sitting in Brittany's living room as I type this. I am the only one here. Kind of weird... I know. Amy and I spent the entire Thanksgiving weekend down here (or over here... up here... whatever direction you're reading this from) in Richmond. It's been a lot of fun sister-bonding time. Brittany and Brian just left for the hospital a few hours ago. No, Britt is not in labor yet (I know, what is taking this little guy so long)! Britt's due date came and went on Friday... so she is going to be induced tomorrow morning! I will most certainly keep you all posted. I'm acting as Brian's backup, so I'll be here until the little guy arrives (name still not determined). Stay tuned.
  
• Good Friends. You know who you are.
• BYU Football. Thanks for beating the U last night! (I can't wait to rub it in at work this week). You made my whole football season!
• And last but not least... Missionaries. Today, Amy and I decided we'd hit up a 9 a.m. ward... it was a few minutes away... but worth it to see one of our favorite missionaries! Elder Jeppesen... you're doing great! (I know, I know, it's probably not legit to just "drop in" to see missionaries that you know (even if he is your cousin, and even if he is serving in your area), but we just felt like we should, and were so glad we did!) I feel like he is one of my little brothers, I just love the kid... (who is clearly not a kid anymore... and taller than me!) His twin brother is serving in Ghana. Amy is trying to conjure up a way to just "drop by" to see him too. My guess... she'll figure out a way.
  

I hope everyone had a happy, healthy, and peaceful Thanksgiving. If you're reading this, it's likely that I am thankful for you in my life... even in just a small, simple way.

Fall in the District

You have to admit that my view leaving work every night isn't too shabby this time of year...  

And my view out the metro window, going over the Potomac River and heading into Arlington isn't so bad either...

And my view of all the vibrant leaves, headed down the street to do a little shopping at the outlet stores...

...where I happened to find these on sale for $1.99 (regular price: $19.95).

I love fall in D.C.! 

Like Father, Like Son

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The excitement has not yet worn off of me being an aunt, so I am once again going to blog about my new nephew, Michael.  In my last blog post, I asked for your help in deciding who he looks most like, Rob or Lorena.  I got mixed reviews. However, this morning the answer was pretty clear...  I spent a few minutes chatting with Rob and baby Michael on our webcams (God bless macs). I snapped a few photos while we were chatting, so you could see for yourself... there is no denying Michael's resemblance to his dear, old dad.   

Side by side shot. Same haircut, same dumbfounded look on their faces. :)

Only three weeks old, and the poor kid already has no sympathy from his father.

 Both highly entertaining and cute kids. True Candrians. 

HEY BABY!

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- I've been an aunt now for almost a week! (thank you, feels great!) And I can't get over how cute this little guy is... although he's far away Rob has been doing a good job at sending little email updates, included with pictures (although we'd all like to see more). At first I was pretty convinced baby Michael looks just like a mini Rob... Here he is just a day old:

But after seeing this more recent picture (5 days old), I'm not so sure... He looks much more like Lorena in this one!

Is it possible for a baby to change looks that quickly? I'm not so sure. So, let's take a very unscientific poll. Who does he look most like? Rob or Lorena? I'd love to hear your opinion! Either way, he's still a cute kid! Can't wait to meet him!

If you'd like to see more pictures of the parents to better determine who he looks like, click here.

WiFi in the Wild Blue Yonder

SOMEWHERE IN THE AIR -- I have spent the last two weeks all over the state of Utah for work and this past weekend in San Francisco hanging out with my parents, seeing Wicked, and cheering on our San Francisco Giants. Right now I'm on my non-stop (thank goodness, I hate layovers) flight back to Washington, D.C. It's always tough heading back to reality.

As I walked onto the plane today, I noticed there was a "WiFi" sign. Wow... I had heard of airlines getting WiFI, but haven't actually been on a plane that had it. And since I'm not online nearly enough I thought I'd try it out. So, I used the free pass that first-timers (meaning first time WiFi users) get on Delta, and decided to hope online and get some work done. Of course, work always turns into checking my email... so I logged onto gmail and noticed my brother online... he's currently living in Sweden working for the State Department, for those of you who don't know. Anyway, gmail has a cool "video chat" feature for users who have a camera on their computers. And since Rob and I both have Macs with built-in cameras, I decided to video chat with Rob... of course, I was courteous and put my headphones in so no one else could hear him, and I mostly just did head nods as Rob gave me a video tour of his new place in Sweden. One of the flight attendants noticed, and thought it was so cool that she got the other flight attendants to gather around and say hello to Rob all the way over in Sweden. So here he is waving to all the folks aboard Delta flight 1158.

It's pretty cool the things technology can do these days... connect a person on a plane, flying somewhere in the skies over Colorado with someone on the other side of the world. And I can even blog about all of it... with hours to go before I reach my final destination.

AMAZING

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Some people say laughter is the best medicine, others resort to "retail
therapy" when they need a good boost... both can be effective at times, and I've resorted to both as neccessary. But for me, a cure-all, anytime (or at least for a little while), is a good dessert.

Today, as I often do, I headed to the Senate Cafeteria for lunch. Their food is subpar, but their desserts have yet to disappoint. On today's menu: banana pudding. It's a dessert I came to love while living in Florida. It's even topped off with a Nilla Wafer... a cookie I grew up snacking on.

The calories might not do much for my not especially large behind :) , but it sure tasteed good! I even ate it before I ate my real lunch, which consisted of leftovers (not so amazing). The dessert was so amazing tasting that I even recruited a co-worker to go down and get one! Homemade vanilla pudding, mixed with slices of banana, topped with a dollop of whipped cream, and a Nilla Wafer on top. Take my word for it, this really was amazing!

Summer BBQs

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- It's summer time, hot, humid, bugs everywhere, and I'm longing for all the things that remind me of summer growing up: a pool and a barbeque.  The pool part is a little out of my hands, but I've made up my mind that before this summer is over I'm going to buy my own BBQ.  I think I've watched my dad enough times to know how to successfully grill a piece of marinated meat.  We always had a charcoal grill, so I'm pretty sure I could buy one of those and BBQ with the best of them!  But everyone else I know has a gas grill.  So the question of the day is...  Which do you prefer?  Gas or charcoal?              

This topic, coincidentally, reminds me of one of my favorite news bloopers.

And while we're on this topic...  second favorite news blooper...

Alright, back to the topic in point... give me all your BBQ suggestions!  I'm open!

Take Me out to the Ball Game!

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- I went to the Giants vs. Nationals game on Thursday.  I was there for Randy Johnson's 300th win. It was a double header and it rained the whole game!  

I caught this ball.

...thrown to me by this guy, left fielder Willy Harris of the Nats.

He probably wouldn't have thrown it to me had he of known I was a Giants fan!

Oh, and Giants won both games. 

FREE DONUT DAY

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A friend of mine showed me this article today:

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/restaurants/bestbites/12555.html



You have no idea how excited this made me, because I LOVE donuts! I used to eat one every day at BYU when I walked through the Wilkinson Center on the way to class. It may or may not have contributed to a few extra pounds during my college days... but nonetheless, donuts remain my favorite treat.


Now I just need to find a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts nearby so I can get one for free! (Although I think Krispy Kreme gives out free donuts everyday?)

New Missionary Procedures

I have a cousin going to the MTC in a few weeks... so this article makes me sad. Anyone else think swine flu is overly hyped just a tad?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/705307847/MTC-changes-missionary-drop-off-procedures.html

Tourist Attractions

Ft. Myers, FL -- Instead of going here for Memorial Day this year, I went to Florida. I have this thing where I have to have something to look forward to, to make my every day living/job/monotony, etc. a little more tolerable. And for months I have been looking forward to going to Florida for these two fine people's wedding in Orlando, followed by their reception in Tallahassee the next day. The wedding trip turned into a beach excursion with my mom. After all the wedding festivities she flew down for a few days to hang out with me on the beach. Isn't it so pretty there?!
She enjoyed her beach time collecting shells and building creations out of sand.

You know how every hotel has one of those racks filled with brochures... Apparently the Florida tourism industry is trying to get all it can out of the poor economy. Among the Florida attractions advertised for... the zoo, parasailing, cruises, swimming with dolphins... was a brochure for "Free Daily Tours" of FORECLOSED homes. I didn't know if I should be shocked or just laugh. I did both, although I'm not sure if turning others misfortunes into a sales pitch by saying, "Free Daily Tours of the HOTTEST bank owned homes!" is too tactful.

Now I have to come up with another "looking forward to" p0int. Any trip suggestions are welcome.

Happy Mother's Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!!  No matter where I am in the world I can always depend on one person to make me feel like I'm not so far from home.  It just takes one phone call, or a goofy email, and my mom makes me feel like she's just around the corner, and not so far away after all.  She's made many long road trips with me, from Utah to Washington state, and all the way to Florida.  What a trooper!  Even though I know it's the last thing she ever wants to do, she always takes me shopping when I come home, even though she knows I do not need any more clothes.  She's also the world's best chef... and isn't afraid to try out new recipes on us, (much to my dad's dismay).  She's one of the most creative, artistic, and giving people I have ever known.  I still have a lot to learn from her.  I'm afraid I'll never reach the level of greatness that she has set for each one of her kids.  I'm afraid of disappointing her, so I always try harder to succeed at whatever I do.  She's a good motivator!  I am so thankful God knew what he was doing when he decided she could be my mom. 

She's also really good at coming to visit on a consistent basis with my dad.  This picture is from their most recent visit during the inauguration.  Isn't she so cute?!

Thankfully she and I are headed on a week long excursion through Florida in a few weeks, where scarves, hats, and cold weather can be left far behind.  I can't wait to hang out on the Florida coast enjoying my mom's company for a few days where I will have her undivided attention...  so please, no one call her that week with any pressing problems.  

  

I also can't help but think of this lady on Mother's Day...

This is my Grandma Candrian.  (For some reason I only have old pictures of her on my computer). I guess redheads seem to have a strong motherly influence in my life.  My Grandma was one of my favorite people in the world.  Just like a true red head she was firey and sassy, and no thanks to her several people in my family have inherited those traits (geez, thanks Grams)!  

My siblings and I spent a lot of time at her house growing up.  Grandma's pool was the place to be when it got hot outside.  And every Christmas Amy, Brittany, Kent and I would help her make gingerbread cookies.  Boy do we have some fun memories of putting gingerbread dough in random places outside, and then watching it bake throughout summer.  (really, who does that?) When I grew up and went off to college, I still talked to her on a weekly basis.  In fact, one of my most fond college memories (and I have a lot) was during my last semester at BYU.  I had an internship up in Salt Lake City at KSL every weekend, and every Friday night when my work was done she would take me out to dinner.  I will never forget the fun we had!  I miss her a ton!  So... to two of my favorite red heads... Happy Mother's Day!!!  

Free Dinner

WASHINGTON, D.C. - I can't remember the last time I ate at KFC, but I have eaten there the last two nights in a row. I know what you're thinking... "Don't you have better options than that in D.C?" Yes, we sure do. (this is one of my favorites: http://www.mobysonline.com/) But, thanks to this little coupon... dinner was on KFC! And you don't really get much better than that!

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-coupon-download

KFC is doing a big promotion for its new grilled chicken. It comes with two pieces of chicken, two sides (mashed potatoes are my favorite) and a biscuit. Apparently everyone else has caught on to the deal as well, because both times I've been the line has been nearly out the door. Who doesn't love a free meal? And during these challening economic times, the cheaper, the better. So, click on the above link, head to KFC and enjoy a free dinner... or as many as you want until the deal ends on May 19th. I'm sure I'll be going there a few more times before the promotion is through.

Tools and Personality

I watched the following news story on MSNBC while at work a few weeks ago and couldn't stop thinking about how adorable this kid is during the interview.  It's obvious the anchor is just as smitten with him.  It took me awhile to find the clip online to show everyone... but here it is...  I finally found it!  If only we all had so much "tools and personality" to offer the workplace... and let's not forget about Steve...  Please, watch this.  It's darling!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Everything is amazing...

My sister, Brittany, showed me this clip.  I watched it, laughed, and thought, "how true."  Everything really is "amazing" in this world, yet no one is happy.  People complain about things that they really shouldn't.

Watch this clip and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about...

A Little under/over the Weather...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- I think it's really annoying when people whine and complain about petty personal things on their blogs... as if everyone needs to know about their problems. Please, save it for your journal. (I know, I'm not very sympathetic). I'm kind of going to do a little whining of my own today though... but only because I woke up to this... View from my bedroom window

Yes, I'm aware that it doesn't look like very much snow... but snow is snow... and I hate it in any form or quantity. But even worse than snow, I hate being sick, and I've been sick all weekend. Where is Spring?! Okay, I'm done. I'll spare further detail of my ailings and save the rest for my journal.

Happy Birthday

While February 14th is Valentine's Day to the rest of the world, it's really just my birthday... and Brittany's. So, happy birthday to us! I love that girl...

This is our first birthday. I'm pretty sure I'm the one on the right. We lived in Pacifica, CA. Weren't we so cute?! Still are...


Now we're 28... and all grown up... kind of... and living on the opposite side of the country. Amy, Rob, Lorena and I drove down to Richmond to surprise Brittany this morning. It was so great being with all my siblings! I don't remember the last time we actually were in the same state on our birthdays. Amy got us our favorite ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins! Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes!

Inauguration

I know this topic is a few weeks overdue, but I decided to spend more time than was necessary to adequately describe my experience at the 56th Presidential Inauguration. My whole family, minus Rob and Brian, had tickets in the yellow section. They were great seats. It was a lot of long lines, packed crowds, and bitterly cold weather and moments that we will not soon forget.

I'll let the video I made describe the rest. Enjoy.

We've Got Obama in the Back...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tonight is what I'm going to call, "Inauguration Eve." It's the last night of the George W. Bush administration. And despite the hatred and bitterness toward our 43rd president that has seemed to evolve over the last few years, I can't help but be slightly reminiscent of the opportunities his presidency has provided me, thanks to some really wonderful connections. So, tonight I'd like to say "Thank you, President Bush for the memories. I will never forget them." I appreciate his hard work, patriotism and determination.

This picture is of Brittany and I, with Laura and George W. Bush, at the White House Christmas Party in 2006. It was AMAZING! And President Bush was so nice and personable.

Despite being slightly emotional about Bush leaving office, I am excited to welcome a new POTUS tomorrow. My family and I have tickets to the inauguration. It will be very cold, but we're all hoping it will be another great memory to add to our list. We'll be surrounded by a sea of Obama's faithful followers. But hopefully not this bunch... (please press play)

This outrageous group was a bunch of "Obama rappers." Apparently they followed Obama's campaign trail rapping to get the crowd riled up. Wow. Classy. I caught them when Obama was in town in Tallahassee. I was assigned to cover his visit and get reaction from the large crowd gathering outside the Challenger Center at Kleman Plaza. Obama was not scheduled to speak to the crowd waiting for him outside, but I remember I was impressed that he stopped and took a few minutes to address the cheering crowd (I guess that's what campaigning is all about). He grabbed a megaphone, stood on a park bench and said some motivational things about uniting the country. As we bid Bush farewell, I wish Obama the best. Our country needs it.

BFF's

Friends are like Purses
They're handy to have around,
You can never have too many,
You don't want to lose them,
And you can't live without them.

While I was at home for Christmas, several of my favorite people stopped in to say hello. Tiffanie, a best friend since we were kids, who lived down the street; Jill, who I've known since grade school and was in my ward growing up; and Sommer, a high school buddy and college roommate, who I talk to on a weekly basis. Thanks for stopping by!!!

I am extremely grateful for these friends, and many others. I've made a lot of wonderful friends over the years, who I will be forever grateful for. Friends help make being at home memorable, and become your family when you're far away from home.

Thanks friends for all you do!