Amberly Dawn Rupp

Today is Amber's birthday. She would have been 28.

First memory of you that came to my mind today...When I came down to BYU for EFY. We came down a couple days early and you took my friend and I to float the Provo River, out to eat, and I don't remember exactly what else, but I just remember having the time of my life. You let us tag around with you and all your friends. In fact, I think this trip with you was a major factor in my decision to attend BYU. The last day of EFY you had Krispy Kreme donuts delivered to my dorm room. So delish! So thoughtful of you and completely made my day.

Thank you for the wonderful example and influence you were and continue to be in my life. I can't forget your contagious laughter, your love for reading and history and anything outdoors, your love for singing (especially Disney songs) despite the fact you could hardly carry a note, your incredible bread-making/baking skills, your willingness to try new things (including ballet) when you were so uncoordinated, your determination to be the first to learn to slalom and win 50 bucks, your endless selfless service, your determination and desire (since you were 12 yrs old) to serve a mission, your unwaivering faith, your vast knowledge of the gospel--particularly the scriptures--you could rattle off any scripture.

Thank you Amber. You have left a great legacy. You are the kind of person I want to become. It only took you 20 years, but it will take me an entire lifetime. I miss you and can't wait for our reunion. I love you.

(Amber giving me a piggy-back)

De-bugging

(I wish I knew how to blur the license plate)

I hate washing my car. I find it so pointless. Why? Because I think I can safely say every time I have washed my car, it rained later that day or the day after.

Case in point. Take a good look at my car (you don't have to look too hard). Can hardly see the paint due to the millions of bugs taking over. A mattified mess of bugs plastered to the front of my car--sick I know. Actually, I think this was mainly the result of one road trip to Bear Lake. After I got back, the kids I nanny were disgusted by it so I figured I better take care of it. I took a trip to the car wash. Washed it. I can't remember if it rained later that day or the next day, but it RAINED! Come on, we don't get rain in August. $2 wasted.

Why do people wash their cars ? Is it just for looks...to show off their ride? Or do bugs and dirt and grime ruin the paint? I say just let mother nature take care of it.

(Clean and rain/spot-free for a few hours)

*Looking at the pic, I just noticed my car has a face. Big eyes widespread with a big cheesy grin--I like it. Guess it's true...all cars have face.

What I really do...

So as much as I would love to keep living in my fantasy world of vacationing almost every other week/wknd, summer has come to an end. Sighhhhh. But at least the summer weather is still around. And I can look forward to Hawaii in December and possibly another cruise in the near future. Oh and of course a few short road trips here and there.

Back to reality.

Work work and MORE work. I am still nannying full-time while finishing up my internship. Actually who am I kidding...I haven't even completed half my hours. Had good intentions to complete my internship by end of summer term but that obviously didn't happen. Too much play I guess...oops.

Let's start with nannying. I do love my job. But honestly I'm kinda getting tired of watching other people's kids. Is that terrible? No. I love kids don't get me wrong. It's just hard to do things their (parents) way when I believe differently and would do otherwise. Let's just say I've learned plenty 'what not to dos'. I also hate working at 7AM. Too early. Thought I would get used to it, but it's not getting any easier (probably due to my lack of discipline in getting to bed at a decent time). But I do love working 4-10s...I love love my 3-day wknds.

Now my internship. I'm interning at Dynova Laboratories--a nutraceutical company back east. Don't worry people, I'm stil in Utah...that's right, STILL in Utah. I do research and various projects. Currently researching case studies for capsaicin, which is derived from cayenne pepper. Specifically, using a capsaicin nasal spray to treat headaches, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. Interesting huh.

I am also training for a marathon. When I say training, there is NO consistency involved. Ideally, I would run 3-4 times a week. But that doesn't always happen. In fact, it's rare. And the marathon is in two weeks. Ahhh! But I'm still determined to do it. To finish it. That's it. No time goal or anything. I successfully ran an estimated 19 miler a couple weeks ago. I figure 7 miles on top of that is nothing, right? I hope. I'll let you know how it goes...if I survive.

Welcome to my life. It's good. Or at least I keep telling myself that!