Spring Break in Phoenix...

I got new glasses a couple weeks ago--new red glasses, which you can view in my profile picture to the right, newly uploaded. I have wanted new glasses for years, but I haven't found a solid reason to pay 300 or more dollars to get a pair until recently, when I stepped on my purple glasses and broke them in half. You may be wondering how I could have been so careless. I am also still trying to figure that out. I certainly was not planning on breaking them, obviously. I guess you could say that's what going to Vegas and not really sleeping the night before you leave could do to you?! I simply forgot that I had even worn them on the plane when I got up to leave. I had FORGOTTEN that I had even worn them, clearly indicative of the sleepless state I was in when I put them on or the groggy state I was in when the plane landed. Either way, I nearly left the plane without them altogether, until someone behind me said something about glasses, and I thought to myself: "Huh, I think I was wearing my glasses. I wonder where they are." As I was slowly realizing this, I looked down at my feet and saw my glasses, broken in two solid pieces--each lens attached to its own arm. Shit, shit, shit. Those were the words that came to my mind (and maybe out of my mouth) as I picked up the two pieces that used to fit on my face as one pair of glasses. Now, I HAD to get new glasses, which was not exactly factored into my tight budget for the month of April. Oh, well. I guess you can't plan for everything, right?! They are nice, and I do like them. I have been wanting a pair of RED plastic glasses, so I guess I should be excited I finally had a reason to splurge and get them! Ha. :)

Spring Break was just about a month ago now. I haven't had much time to write or post since I've been back because I have worked the past two weekends. This being my first complete weekend free, I spent the entire day yesterday reading the first book in the Twilight series -- yes, that's right, a teenage drama about vampires. I have been resisting reading it since it came out and instantly became so popular. However, a couple weeks ago I watched the movie with Meg and Loren when I was at their house for "dinner and a movie" night. The movie was pretty good, but I know the books are always better so I finally broke down and read it. I actually borrowed it from one of my students--funny, right?! I read the entire book Friday night and yesterday. It felt great to finish a whole book so quickly and spend the whole day doing something completely relaxing! Anyway, I'm clearly off topic, which is to say that today is the first day I have felt like I've had the time to update my blog.

I have some pictures from the first part of my trip in Phoenix, visiting my brother and his wonderful girlfriend Natalie, and then the last two and a half days of my trip were spent in Vegas with Alison and Chris (et al). The pictures below are from the first 6 days of my Spring Break in Phoenix.

Spending Sunday afternoon bike riding and eating yogurt in Tempe with Natalie and Josh was a ton of fun! It was beautiful outside, the temperature was amazing, and it was overall just a great day!




Aren't they a cute couple?? I just LOVE Natalie (and of course I LOVE my brother too!)!!








One night, Josh and I went to this AMAZING vegan restaurant, which we have been to before, and Josh had a "soynami," which is the delicious dessert below! I tried some of it; it was MAGNIFICENT!


One morning I spent a good couple of hours outside of Starbucks drawing, taking pictures, and writing while Josh got his taxes done. It was nice out, so I didn't mind. Plus I had time to practice my picture composition, and Josh tells me I need to work on it so I'm trying.


The night before I left, Josh, Natalie, and I went to visit the cousins: Derek, Jaime, Aunt Marti, and cute little Ella! Ella was the star of the night, of course, and she was pretty adamant about wearing sunglasses (particularly these black ones--the Tom Cruise pair) all night long.




Then, Ella wanted Jaime and I to join her in the "sunglasses wearing" party.


Josh joined in the fun as well, with his sunglasses on for a bit.


The "Ella and Josh" series of photos...#1


#2


#3 (Ella saying something really funny, but I can't remember what it was now.)


#4 (check out Josh's expression)


#5 (The "tickle monster")


Ella and Jaime--so cute!






Hey there movie star!


Josh and Natalie, are you guys ready to have a cute little kid like Ella? ;)


Josh: "Ella look at the camera; it's that way."


CHEEEESE!


me and Ella


Ella taking pics on Jaime's camera. Get 'em started early! She'll be a pro soon. :)


I loooooved spending time with Derek, Jaime, Ella, Aunt Marti, Josh, and Natalie on my last night in Phoenix!! It was a blast!