Something to Think About

I saw this today and my first thought was "thats terrifying". Strange because its wonderful and crazy that each person is completely different regardless of certain similarities. Also, its crazy that I have control of who I am...I feel like a confused teenager again. Not really but still, kind of interesting to think about!

M.I.A.

I understand that I have been very....gone as of late. I have been crazy busy with work and being trained and working full hours so yes, I have done a crappy job with my blog. SO today I am going to try and make up for it. Are you ready for this?

When arriving at work yesterday, I saw on the news the "Royal Wedding" situation (we have large TVs in our office). I was instantly enthralled! Just seeing how happy Prince Henry and Kate looked was so delightful. Plus, her dress was BREATH TAKING. So classy and absolutely gorgeous (excellent choice on her behalf).

It was very bizarre because I was very disinterested in the Royal Wedding INFACT, I was rather annoyed by all the hub bub of the situation. I have never been one of those teenage girls who found Prince William attractive and never really understood the current purpose of the Royal Family. I believe that the main thing that caught my attention was the British people themselves. They were in gigantic crowds (would "mob" be appropriate?) and they were so happy, excited, and most of all PROUD. It was SO inspiring (odd, I know). It was like they were watching their Country's sweethearts finally tie the not (William and Kate are like celebrities but because they are Royal, it makes it more acceptable to be excited where as Brad and Angelina seems weird and inappropriate). It made me wish I was British...again (I have wished that I was British many times).

It could have also been the whole "Cinderella" idea. Kate was not a princess but was apparently "ordinary" but she and the Prince fell in love and lived "Happily Ever After". It would be lovely to see these two succeed (unlike Prince William's Mother and Father) but I am skeptical. They did appear very in love on screen but I think that people can act that way especially with all the excitement. I hope they defy the odds!

Did anyone else get completely submersed in the Royal Wedding? Were you all as skeptical as I was but then got excited when you saw the pretty dress and happy people?

ALSO! Here are my shoes for the day. They are some new sandals that I got on sale from UrbanOutfitters.com and I quite like them.

They kind of look like an ankle braces from above but I like them none-the-less.

Happy Saturday!

Hil

Picture Perfect

This is the image of our Easter Sunday morning. It was one of those days where I woke up at a normal time but cozied in bed most of the day. Chad read his book while I watched "Chopped" on hulu. It was such an amazing morning and incredibly relaxing.

Monday, I took both my finals (SCHOOL IS DONE for the Summer). Then Chad and I went to work in our new department. It was very nerve racking, being trained for something new is kind of stressful (to say the least). It was great though! The culture is very up beat and busy and the training is very detailed. I am learning a ton about web building and its very interesting. We are SO grateful for this opportunity. We feel extremely blessed.

Just wanted to give you a quick post and let you know all is well. I am busy with training so I will try and post as much as possible this week but it may be skimpy.

Happy Tuesday!

Hil

Not Dead...Yet.

I fear that some may have construed my vague stresses (that I wrote about last week) as pregnancy, not so. But do you know what is worse than losing your job? Both you and your spouse losing your jobs in the same day. Yes yes, last week we started to see hints of our department closing at work. I was training people for my job, etc. It was, lets just say, very stressful. I kept thinking "what are we going to do?" Which, I believe is a very normal question regarding our situation. So, this Friday, our department officially closed with several people losing their jobs including the Spouse and I.

Now, this is not all bad news. We are incredibly fortunate to already have another position lined up for BOTH of us in a different department (an absolute miracle and we are so grateful for the good people who fought for us). I can't explain to you the relief of that. But I must say that the stress has stained me a bit. Especially with both Chad and I working on finals the last two weeks, it has really taken a toll. I can't sleep as well because I am thinking about the new job, insurance coverage, and school. I can tell I am just more tense and its been tough.

Its unfortunate because I really struggle with not having a plan for everything. I believe I have explained this in previous posts but I make plans for my life. And when I lose my job, it really stinks up my plans. However, I am incredibly grateful that we have somewhere to work. Its all about optimism and getting through the hard parts. I am so grateful for Chad though, he has such a positive and pleasant personality (those who know him well will understand that this is even an understatement). Life goes on and I just can't wait for this next week to be over.

On a lighter note, our pup got a haircut. She was getting a little too shaggy dog for us so we took her into get buzzed. Its very strange when she gets a haircut because we realize how skinny her legs are. I always feel like they will snap. I love it though because now she is clean for a while. I love cuddling up to a clean pup!

Lastly, its Easter. Strange with all the bizarre things going on in our lives, I completely forgot about Easter. We are doing some family stuff which will be nice but I didn't make baskets for us or anything. Poor Easter is kind of getting the shaft this year. But we love Jesus!

Happy Sunday!

Hil

Such A Good Eater!

Look at me go! For my snack today at work I had carrots, applesauce (100% natural), and some cheese. Yes, this is probably the same food that my two year old niece is having for lunch today but still!

Okay, don't be too proud. The real reason I am eating this is because my spouse was teasing me because I always bring these healthy snacks to work and never eat them. So as of right now, I have 5 applesauces and 3 cheeses in our fridge at work. My intentions are good but I struggle to follow through. Ha!

Happy Thursday, again!

Hil

Pretty Toes

Quick Post today! I feel like I am getting a little bit sick, unfortunately. Or it could just be allergies. Anyway! I just wanted to show off my pretty toenails. I hate having naked toes, it makes me feel weird. Check it out!

I love the color, great for Spring, yet again.

Happy Thursday!

Hil

All Things Lovely

Hello all! Just a quick post of some lovely things. First off, I have the best Spouse ever. On Saturday he did the grocery shopping for me AND he brought home some pretty flowers. I love flowers a lot, not only because they are a thoughtful gesture but because I really love how they brighten up a room. I have always dreamed of having a beautiful flower garden in my backyard, forget vegetables, I only need flowers.

They are the most amazing Pink/Purple color!

Also, here is a shoe of the day. I found these little guys at Target for only $12. Gotta love that.

I have been strangely drawn to this nude color in shoes lately. I feel like the last few pairs of flats that I have purchased are in this color but I am just loving them for Spring. I feel like the color is very lady like and I adore it.

Happy Tuesday!

Hil

Do You Like Wings?

Of course, this weekend involved food. We try to make Friday nights our date night. Even though we see each other all day, its still nice to have a time set aside where its specifically "date night".

This week I had a wild craving for wings, thats right, I usually hate them but lately I have been loving them. So, we went to Wingers and got some wings. Wingers wings are really the only wings that I have liked (I haven't eaten a wide variety but theirs take the cake).

Here we are patiently waiting for Wings!

For dessert, we went to the the Malt Shop in Provo and I got the most amazing Oreo Shake. I actually requested double the oreos because I hate when they are skimpy with the goods but this young man really put a ton in there! So much so that it made the shake rather dark. Very delicious.

Happy Sunday!

Hil

Thoughts, Themes, and Weekend

Well, I feel as if things are beginning to settle a bit. School is close to being done and I am absolutely elated! This semester, as I have said many times on this space, has been tough. Thats all I will say this time, promise.

As I have been looking back at my posts I have realized that I have created a bit of a theme on many of my posts. Whats the theme? "Nerd-ism?" Although true, not really what I was thinking of. I was referring to SHOES. I am quite pleased with the fact that I end many of my posts with a shoe blurb where I show you the shoes I am wearing that day. So much in fact that I want to make it a real theme for many of my posts (I say many rather than all because I do wear shoes more than once. I will try to never do repeats on posts). So, here I state it, you will frequently see bits about my shoes. This may be more pleasant to females over males but...

deal with it.

So, for today's shoes I wore this lovely pair-

They are a pair of Gladiator sandals that I got last summer and have truly loved them. I am really not a flip flop person (unless at the beach or pool), often times I don't consider them shoes but I do appreciate a good sandal. I wore them the other day and someone at work asked me "how do you put those on?" This proved to me that these shoes are truly awesome. Are you wondering the same thing? Well, there is a nifty little zipper up the back :)

I can't believe it is already the weekend (but am grateful considering the eventful week I had). Anyone have fun plans?

Happy Friday!

Hil

P.S. This made me chuckle-

Ha!

Summer Time Shine

So, yesterday the Spouse and I had the day off and he knew I was feeling mega stressed. He also knows that one of my all time favorite things to do is eat (haha) and go on a walk up in the canyon with this little lady-

(One of my all time favorite pics of the pup. She looks ticked, even more so than most Schnauzers)

So, he suggested we take a long family walk up Provo Canyon. I was immensely therapeutic with the sun shining but the temperature was not too hot (I become a monster diva when I get overheated, not joking, its scary). Though my stresses didn't necessarily go away, I was able to "deal" with them better.

Its also one of the best things to watch my little Terrier out on a long walk, she is SO happy with her ears pinned back and her stub of a tail quivering excitedly. Plus, we saw some other dogs on our walk, one of which was a young Mini Schnauzer. He was very happy and excited and our Pup was rather pleased to see a fellow breed (she prefers dogs her size because she likes to feel in control of her social situations, just like her Mama). All in all, it made me grateful for my little family (yes, my dog is totally considered family).

Happy Thursday!

Hil

Oh Boy.

Sorry for the absence here, I have been really busy and so stressed. There is a lot going on right now with school coming to an end, craziness, and such. I am just trying to rap my head around a lot of it. I know that everything will work out well and I just have to keep my chin up and carry on but I struggle with not having a plan for EVERYTHING. Apologies for being so vague but know that both the Spouse and I are doing well but are just kind of stressed with life stuff (I am so grateful for Chad, he is the absolute best). I promise more will be explained later, just keep us in your thoughts, prayers, energies, or whatever :)

I know I have shown this before but my sarcastic side gets the best of me and I want to show it again. Oh, how it makes me laugh!

Happy Wednesday!

Hil

Hello Monday

Its been a really good Monday. I had such a refreshing weekend and I have been staying up so late these days! Thats right, the spouse and I stayed up until Midnight three nights in a row (this is impressive because we usually hit the hay at 10:30pm, we are like old people). It feels good to be living on the edge!

Today was also great because I am still loving my new "do" AND I am wearing new shoes. I love target because they provide "kicks" that are cheap but impressively cute!

They were only $22.99 and I adore them.

Happy Monday!

Hil

Blissfully Nothing

It snowed all day today. And I surprisingly welcomed it. I love cloudy weather and am okay with snow (if I am able to stay home all day). On many weekends, the spouse and I have plans that come up and consume a lot of our time but this week was dedicated to cleaning, homework, and staying home which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Friday after work, Chad and I went to a little Thai place in Lehi called Thai House and it was so delicious. I love eating Thai food, it leaves me feeling full but not sick.

Saturday, Chad was awesome and let me sleep in while he walked the pup. Best man alive! I feel like I got a bit of a late start today but got my grocery shopping done, vacuumed, and tidied up a bit. I have been very distracted lately because I am enjoying Buffy the Vampire Slayer again. I got all the season for Christmas and am watching them again. So good. I also have a little buddy who enjoys the show as well. Got to love her!

Well, I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend!

Happy Saturday!

Hil

The New Do

Well, I got my hair "did" last night and it was such a relief. I have been stuck in a bit of a hair rut for quite some time. Those who have known me throughout my life recognize that I don't keep my hair the same for long. My hair has been super short with a pixie cut and platinum blond and then really long in high school. I have always loved changing my hair, I am not someone who would ever cry over a hair cut. I tend to have the motto of "oh well, it will grow out" which is good because I have taken many leaps when it comes to my hair (even in 8th grade when I got a horrendous perm). Here is a peak of the change!

Before

After

I really love how it turned out, there is something about going darker that I just adore. I am incredibly fair skinned but for some reason I love having dark hair. The stylist also cut some really choppy layers that I am crazy about, its just a refreshing change. I will admit that the bangs are going to take some getting used to, I haven't had bangs for about 2 years so it may take some adjusting (I will have to fight with my stubborn cowlick).

Hope you are all ready for the weekend! Mine will consist of cleaning and homework but I am oddly looking forward to it....strange.

Happy Friday!

Hil

I Know How to Read

My mouth feels so thirsty. Can a mouth feel thirsty or is it the brain or body that is thirsty?Perplexing. Anyway, I feel like I have been sucking on a salt lick so I enjoy a bottle of water as I blog.

School is coming to a close soon, so very soon. And I welcome that closing with open arms. Its been a tough semester for both Chad and I. We are both excited for a break this summer. Something I am really excited for.....READING. I am obviously an English major, ha. I am not able to read Novels when I am in school because my brain is too fried. I have enjoyed many comics and won't stop reading those but I am ready to delve into a delicious Novel. I have so many books to read on my list that it feels overwhelming sometimes but I like that feeling (when it comes to reading). Oddly enough, I am always looking for more books to add to my "Need To Read" list, that way I always have something to look in to.

Speaking of good books, what have you enjoyed recently?

Also, another shoe segment tooday. I love these shoes because they make me think "Jazzercise". I feel like an old sassy lady would wear them or something. And yes, they really are that shiny.

Happy Thursday!

Hil

Whats in a Name?

Some may ask "what is a level 20 wife" or "do I qualify as a level 20 wife?" and these are both great questions and I hope to answer your curiosity. The title Level 20 Wife is more than an spiffy blog title (it is pretty clever, I think) but it describes who I am and even more so, what I am. I may have hinted (or shouted) the fact that I am a nerd.

"A nerd? so you like to play video games?"

Yes, I love a good video game but its deeper than that.

"Oh, so you enjoy comics and watching Buffy?"

Yes, yes, I love both of those but lets dig deeper.

"Deeper?" (you ask in a frightened voice). Yes. Deeper. Have you ever heard of Dungeons and Dragons?

"Dungeons and what?" OR "Yeah, I think my older brothers used to play that"

Well, your brothers are not the only one who played or play Dungeon and Dragons. There are many of us! (thunder rolls as you quiver in your boots)

Alright, I will stop with the dialogue but I play Dungeons and Dragons aka DND. A good session of DND is a time where friends come together, eat horrible food, and vomit creativity on each other. Haha, that sounds awful but when you are stuck in a room with a bunch of men, it may start to smell like vomit a little bit. To state it simply, DND allows an adult (or anyone who plays) to pretend to be something heroic and fantastic. You may think that this is a delusional episode but its really enjoyable. I bet that anyone who really played (and didn't hold back for fear of being considered a nerd) would enjoy a good DND session. You get to fight bad guys, play out an awesome story, and feel bad a-.... I mean hardcore.

My first DND character was an Elvin Ranger named Ario and she had a twin brother named Lucian who was a Druid (and was always dying, bless his heart). I think I ended up getting to level 25 with Ario (any level after 20 is considered Heroic, aka super hardcore) while also falling in love with the Dungeon Master and eventually marrying him (in real life). Thats right folks, DND has not only been a beloved past time but also quite a love story.

So you ask what DND has to do with my blog title? Well, level 20 is the max you can receive in a class (with out going into heroic) which therefore means you have become the best. So, when my husband dubbed me the title of Level 20 Wife, it pretty much means I am a tip top wifey that others wish to be. I am like a "Black Belt" in Wifery.

After explaining all of this you may then ask "so, are you one of those people I saw Thursday night in the park fighting with foam swords?"

Haha, no, those are LARPers (Live Action Role Playing) which could possibly be considered a weird cousin to DND players. I choose to keep my nerdome in the basement of my in-laws house.

To conclude, this just goes to show that I am one complex person. I loved nerdy things but also love fashion and shopping while enjoying an awesome book and music. Thats right people, I have layers! (thunder rolls again as you quiver in your boots)

Also, here are some of my FAVORITE sandals ever. I was so excited to invite them back into my wardrobe this season. The Spouse says that they are "Sandals of Charisma +2". So awesome.

Happy Tuesday!

Hil

Over the Weekend

Quick post about my weekend! Friday night we went and got some food at my favorite Italian place in Provo called La Dolce Vita. Its run by a sassy little Italian woman and the grub is killer.

The Spinach Manicotti (my favorite)

Spinach Calzone

I apologize for the pictures being so dark, I only had my phone with me and the lighting wasn't great where I was sitting.

On Saturday, I went to my Mother's house while the Husbands went to Priesthood. Its difficult because I am so busy with school and work which makes it a challenge to visit my parents (even though they live 15 minutes away). I feel like an awful daughter because I am not there very often. It was really wonderful to see some of my family and Mama and just be able to catch up with everyone. Sunday Chad and I went to my parent's house again and ate dinner with them (twice in one week, unheard of). It was really wonderful because we sat around and told stories of when we were little. I am the youngest of 8 so I love hearing the funny stories about my brothers when they were teenagers. Such funny guys. I hope your weekend was fantastic. More to come later this week!

Happy Monday!

Hil