Summer Nicole

New Blog!!

2009-03-06T19:24:00.001-08:00

Ok...this better be the last blog I start and hopefully this time I'll have some people actually read it. I posted my version of us eloping...and Tyler used to be an avid blogger so I hope he can contribute!

Here it is!

www.summerandtyler.blogspot.com

Cash Money

2009-02-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

Such a snuggle bug... Cash really is a perfect mix between Rocky & Olane! Rocky from the eyes up and Olane from the nose down. Such a big,strong boy for only being 3 months old...
Can you tell I am loving all these babies???

Some help...

2009-02-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

...so you can make an educated vote. :)

Close up no freckles.
Freckles!

Freckles?

2009-02-23T17:27:00.000-08:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

TWINS!!!

2009-02-21T12:04:00.000-08:00

My friends Sara & Joel were finally able to bring their precious twins home after being in the hospital for 18 days. Incredibly this amazing woman was able to have a regular delivery (not a c-section) with 2 breeched (feet first) twins! Aren't they the cutest?? I am already in love with them!

Isaac looks just like his daddy. ...& Scarlett looks just like her mommy.

Happy Family.

Evidence

2009-02-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm officially a Board Bunnie...Check out the Board Bunnies website HERE.

So as it turns out, I don't suck at snowboarding as much as I thought! My first snowboarding experience this year (after 3...possibly 4 empty seasons) was in Colorado with my childhood best friend (Casey Ritchie), her boyfriend, and her family right after Christmas in California. I ended up renting a board and boots, after pouting about my perfectly good board and boots at home. I didn't want to spend the $75 each way on my 3 leg flight just for one day of fun. Good thing for me because I had the best snow experience of my life and saved a ton of money!

Anyways...Second snowboarding experience was the very next week on New Year's Day with Tyler, his parents, and his sister Natalie. I have NEVER been so embarrassed in all my life...doning my very own board/boots I proceeded to :

*Collide with a skier in front of my boyfriend's mother

*Get yelled at by the skier's husband in front of boyfriend's mother

*Fall every few yards so boyfriend's family had to wait after every run for me

*Get stuck on a straight away

*Have family wait for me after trying to change stance 3 times on board with no improvement after each one

*Get so frustrated that I don't want to talk to anyone and am silent Joe on lift with Boyfriend's mother

*Get separated from boyfriend and family for much too long because taking incorrect lift and getting lost. Note: left cell phone in car

*FALL, FALL, FALL

*catch an, EDGE, EDGE, EDGE

My body ached and groaned at me for a good two and a half weeks...So after that experience I was convinced that it was not me it was my board. My friend Heather Bird (Sundance instructor and stunningly hot board bunnie) took me to Board of Provo to get me set up with new gear...board, bindings, and sexy new goggles. Safe to say it changed my life...I went to Brighton a few weeks ago with my friend Jennie from work and had a fabulous time. Proud to also say I went off a baby jump and stuck it! This post is dedicated to the Bruford family...I apologize... can't wait for Natalie to come back for Spring Break to see the new me. :)

My cute new Tech 9 board
Board Bunnies sticker on the left...RampLove on the right in blue

My proof...slow but steady -I'm the one in the very, very back...trying to get used to the new board.

Draper LDS Temple

2009-02-11T15:41:00.001-08:00

As the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in my family, I thought it would be neat to post some pictures and the article below for everyone and friends that aren't "Mormon." The pictures below are of the new Draper Temple-only a few minutes from home. All new temples like this one have open houses before they are dedicated, so the public can appreciate the site for themselves. Most of the temples are very similar in style inside....they are the most beautiful and peaceful places, a real heaven on earth. Going to the temple is the best way to step away from reality, worldly things, and give you the opportunity to focus on the more important and spiritual things in life. I am so grateful to be a member of the church and for the chance I have to live in driving distance to over 6 temples here in Utah.

For more information on the LDS church you can go to www.lds.org or www.mormon.org.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 20-22 March 2009, the Draper Utah Temple will be formally dedicated. Latter-day Saints in the area served by the new temple will attend 12 dedicatory sessions.

After its dedication, the temple will serve approximately 60,000 members of the Church in Draper and surrounding communities. It will become the 129th Latter-day Saint temple worldwide.

Temples are considered "houses of the Lord" where Christ's teachings are reaffirmed through sacred ordinances such as marriage that unite families for eternity. In the temple, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants with God to serve Him and their fellow man.

Temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, former worldwide leader of the Church, announced the construction of the new temple at the Church’s October 2004 general conference.
Now, with the mountains of Corner Canyon as a backdrop, the Draper Utah Temple rises more than 168 feet to the top of its angel Moroni statue. Its exterior is made of white granite from China, and its interior includes limestone from France and Makore wood from Central Africa. Art-glass and murals were created by local artists.

The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Draper — an area once known to Native Americans as Sivogah, meaning willows — goes back to 1847, when Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. By 1852, it had grown to a community of 20 families whose livelihood was farming and raising cattle and sheep. The first Latter-day Saint congregation in the area was organized in September 1852, with William Draper Jr. as its local ecclesiastical leader and in whose honor the community was later renamed.

More about Temples

The sacredness of the temple anciently can be seen in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Moses had the children of Israel carry with them the Tabernacle (a large, portable temple) as they wandered in the wilderness. King Solomon built and dedicated the great temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. It was rebuilt and later substantially expanded, but again destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. The great Western Wall can still be seen in Jerusalem today, and even after millennia, remains a sacred site for Jews. The New Testament gives an account of Jesus Christ clearing the temples when its sacredness was violated by people using its courts as a common market.

Latter-day Saint temples are considered houses of God, a place of holiness and peace separate from the preoccupations of the world. They provide a place where Church members make formal promises and commitments to God. They are also the place where the highest sacraments of the faith occur — the marriage of couples and the “sealing” of families for eternity.
Temples serve as the only place where ceremonies such as baptism and eternal marriage can be performed in behalf of those who have died —a practice that Latter-day Saints believe was followed in New Testament times but that later was lost.

Temples point Latter-day Saints to Jesus Christ and their eventual life with Him, their Heavenly Father and their family members on the condition of faithfulness to Christ’s teachings.
In a modern-day revelation, Joseph Smith received direction to build a temple in Kirtland, Ohio (dedicated in 1836). Later he was instructed to build a temple in Nauvoo, Illinois (1846). So important were temples to early Church members that within days after arriving in Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young selected the site of the Salt Lake Temple.

There are 145 temples throughout the world either in operation, under construction or announced. (See temple list.)
On most temples there is a golden statue of a man in flowing robes, with a long horn pressed to his lips. The statue depicts the angel Moroni, an ancient prophet and a central figure in the Book of Mormon. The statue is symbolic of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Tyler

2009-01-31T16:11:00.000-08:00

Even if it happens sooner than we may expect, I really think people come into our lives for a reason...I am so grateful to have Tyler in my life and am excited for what the future holds for us. He is such an amazing guy and hope he knows how much I appreciate his humor, wit, patience, kindness, wisdom, and affection. He is selfless in every way and every guy should take lessons from him on how to be a true gentleman. Thank you *Wendell for taking a chance on me and making me excited about life! :)

*My only sibling's name is Tyler and (yes it is a little weird), so I like to tease him and call him by his middle name. It may stick..we'll see. Haha...

Poker Party...

2009-01-31T14:27:00.000-08:00

for John Bether's Birthday

@Branden & Spike's

Heather-John's girlfriend.

Branden & Spike's cute kitty. Watch out though because she loves to drink your water when you aren't looking.

Happy Birthday John!!

Branden & Tyler

I did pretty decently for my only second time playing! We had to cash out a bit early but I won my $5 back, Tyler's $5, and walked away with another dollar in my pocket. Not bad for a few hours of Poker!!!

I'm the NEW....

2009-01-29T19:16:00.000-08:00

Account Executive For GPS Corporate Foreign Exchange.

My Office Building

GPS is the leader in personalized corporate foreign exchange services to middle market corporations.

Leveraging a senior management team rich in international banking experience from the world's largest financial institutions, GPS combines the most competitive of exchange rates with a host of tailored international financial solutions.

Email sent from one of the partners to my office on January 20th:

"While it might not be quite on the same scale as what is going on in D.C. today, we are excited to share with you that Summer will be transitioning to our Commercial Sales group this quarter.
We are excited for Summer and grateful for all the support she has given us in her prior role.
As I mentioned, we feel like this transition will probably take us a couple of months. So until further notification, Summer will continue to manage our Investigations efforts."

We had discussed this move a few months back, but with all the personal chaos in my life I didn't feel the timing was quite right. Now that it is the new year and the dust has settled a bit, I feel as though I am ready to take on a little more stress and responsibility in exchange for moving up in the world. I am especially excited because I will have the opportunity to travel and see different parts of the country, meet new people, and build some lasting business relationships.

A little bit about our company...

www.gpsfx.com

So to celebrate I went shopping for some new clothes/shoes...

I am very excited...wish me luck!!!

25 Random Things

2009-01-29T12:17:00.001-08:00

1.) I sprained my ankles about half a dozen times in elementary school because I was so klutzy.

2.) I considered myself a tomboy because I always wanted to be included in the boy's basketball and football games. I jammed every finger in the process.

3.) I have a weird fetish for bounce dryer sheets...sometimes I keep one under my pillow because the smell helps me fall asleep. (weird I know)

4.) I don't travel anywhere without my pillow.

5.) An ambulance had to take me away siren and all after an unsuccessful cherry drop attempt from the bars.

6.) I was Miss SuperDancer USA and have been dancing since the age of two.

7.) I am half Japanese, half Irish/English/German.

8.) I have my advanced open water diver certification.

9.) Lights (the big lamp posts) always turn off or on when I drive by...does that happen to anyone else??

10.) Everyone calls me Grandma Tanaka. I'm getting better aren't I??

11.) I used to read 5 books a day when I was younger and had more time.

12.) Egypt is my favorite travel destination by far.

13.) My cats are my babies-If you don't like animals..we may have a problem.

14.) I was deaf until I was two-my mom tells me I learned how to read lips pretty well

15.) I am really shy by nature

16.) I begged for a tarantula or snake for my 5th birthday. Never got one of course. My next door neighbor had a boa constrictor that would get out of its cage and eat the neighborhood cats and dogs. My parents thought I was a weird child because nothing scared me.

17.) My brother is allergic to alcohol and gets severely flushed in the face. I've never had much to drink to know if that happens to me. (before joining the church of course :)

18.) I hate to run

19.) I have this really cool rash on my chest to go with my influenza virus right now.

20.) I had Mononucleosis and was bedridden for the whole summer before sophomore year.

21.) I am planning a trip to Laos/Thailand next year with some friends and am learning Japanese to make a Japan trip a little easier.

22.) I have a white birthmark on my left ankle in the shape of a butterfly

23.) I had my belly button pierced for a few months in high school

24.) I love getting flowers but think the money could be better spent on things that don't die in a few days anyway.

25.) I'm embarrassed to even say how old I was when I learned how to ride a bike.

26.) Bonus...I failed my driver's test the first time--but it wasn't my fault I swear!

Microderm Party!

2009-01-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night Melissa hosted a little get together at our house that included lip and eyebrow waxing/shaping for $5 & $8, and microdermabrasion for $20! That is a procedure that is typically $75-$120, so it is a steal to have a licensed aesthetician come to our home, eat good food, and socialize with friends. We are planning on having these about every month or so...so if interested let me know...below is a description of what exactly Micro is for those like me who didn't know how it worked. My face broke out a few days after but it feels amazing...it even minimizes freckles too. :)

Whether done with a product at home or in a professional setting with a specialized tool, the principle of microdermabrasion is the same. The idea is that if you remove or break up the stratum corneum, the body interprets that as a mild injury and rushes to replace the lost skin cells with new and healthy ones. In the first hour after treatment, this causes mild edema (swelling) and erythema (redness). Depending on the individual, these side effects can last anywhere from an hour to two days. You use a specialized tool for the procedure. The tool shoots a stream of tiny crystals, like aluminum oxide, sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, and collects the leftover dead skin cells and used crystals.

The vacuum action of the machine has four main functions:
It pulls and raises a small section of skin to work on.
It creates mild swelling and brings some of the impurities to the surface.
It shoots a stream of crystals across the targeted skin patch.
It collects the used crystals and dead skin for disposal.

This process has a few beneficial effects. With the stratum corneum gone, the skin's surface is improved. The healing process brings with it newer skin cells that look and feel smoother. Some of the skin's visible imperfections, like sun damage, blemishes and fine lines, are removed. Also, without the stratum corneum acting as a barrier, medicinal creams and lotions are more effective because more of their active ingredients and moisture can find their way down to the lower layers of skin. As microdermabrasion temporarily removes some moisture from the skin, it is always followed by the application of moisturizing creams.

McCall doing her thing

Jennie getting primped

Melissa and her cute sister

Jackson...my other "roomie"

Me and Jennie...my co-worker & snowboarding buddy

Roomies

2009-01-22T11:06:00.001-08:00

************************************Tyler & Melissa***********

Most of you know I have never had a roommate in my entire life or have lived in an apartment/townhome until now. I'm not sure if I feel blessed or sheltered to have never been in a small living space with another person other than my ex-husband or parents. I don't think I could have gotten luckier than to have met Melissa through Tyler. He knew that I had been contemplating finding a roomate for a while and coincidentally she and her 2 year old son Jackson were already planning to move out to Utah right around the time I needed to make a decision. Tyler said we were perfect for each other...but WOW...it really is scary how much we have in common. She dances, models, teaches pilates/yoga, really into fitness, divorcee, loves kids, very social and outgoing, fab cook, great style, cleans up after herself!!...list goes on..but you get the gist. It's been great and I couldn't be happier with such wonderful roomie. I love that I don't come home to an empty, depressing house, and that I have a new girlfriend that I can chat with morning or night!

(Sorry Melissa that I'm never home!!) I've been trying to stay busy and trying to catch up on years of not been as social as I should have been. It never feels like there are enough hours in the day or days in the week to spend time with friends. This whole new life has been great because I am realizing how many friends I do have and how wonderful it is to have them in my life. I am extremely blessed!

Death by running...

2009-01-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

The dreaded training program...

This program is designed to build endurance and develop strength through hill training. Keep the recovery miles very easy and place the emphasis of your training on the hills and long runs, i.e. make the easy days easier and the hard days harder.

Date Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Feb 4 3M 4M 3M 4M 3M 5M Rest
Feb 11 3M 4M 3M 4M 3M 6M Rest
Feb 18 4M 5M 4M 5M 4M 6M Rest
Feb 25 4M 5M 4M 5M 4M 7M Rest
Mar 3 5M 6M 5M 5M 5M 8M Rest
Mar 10 5M 6M 5M 6M 5M 10M Rest
Mar 17 5M 7M 5M 6M 5M 8M Rest
Mar 24 5M 7M 5M 7M 5M 12M Rest
Mar 31 5M 8M 5M 7M 5M 10M Rest
Apr 7 5M 8M 5M 8M 5M 13M Rest
Apr 14 5M 6M-H 5M 8M 5M 12M Rest
Apr 21 5M 7M-H 5M 3M/3M 5M 14M Rest
Apr 28 5M 8M-H 5M 9M 5M 5M/5M/3M Rest
May 5 5M 8M-H 5M 4M/4M 5M 16M Rest
May 12 5M 8M-H 5M 9M 5M 6M/4M/4M Rest
May 19 5M 8M-H 5M 5M-5M 5M 18M Rest
May 26 5M 8M-H 5M 9M 5M 5M/5M/5M Rest
Jun 2 5M 8M-H 5M 3M/3M 5M 14M Rest
Jun 9 5M 6M-H 4M 8M 4M 7M Rest
Jun 16 5M 4M 3M 2M Race Race Sleep!

Schedule Key
H = Hills - start and finish hill workouts with 10 min of easy running
/ = Multiple Runs - two to three runs within 24 hours
M = Miles

Expectations

2009-01-12T22:03:00.000-08:00

A few goals I have for myself for the year of 2009…

Learn Japanese:

Tyler (Bruf) (will be introduced in a post at a later time and date :) downloaded the Pimsleur’s lessons onto my ipod..and I am addicted already, loving every car ride, and thoroughly enjoying my heritage. Currently I'm on lesson 13 of Unit 1..with 2 more units to go. My accent is hideous...but can now understand basic conversations, invite someone to dinner, and ask for the time and am slowly learning my numbers. Eek...if I'm even one bit tired, the lessons go through one ear and out the other, and I usually have to listen to the 30 minute lessons twice or more to get it down perfect.

The reason behind it: Tyler taught himself with this program and traveled to Japan in 2002 on his own. After this little fact came out when we were first talking, I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I've been feeling like I need to do something important with myself...and what better way to expand my knowledge than learning a new language? If I get really motivated, French and Spanish will be next. Bruf went to Montreal on his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and his French is absolutely beautiful...

Travel:

Save for my trip to Laos/Thailand in early ‘10 with Rocky, Olane, Olane's sisters,their families, & parents…hopefully to some of the surrounding countries-China, Vietnam, Burma, & Cambodia. Olane & her sisters have not been back to Laos since their sponsor family moved them here to Utah, and am so excited be able to go with them. (Fingers crossed) I have not traveled for 5 years (I know-such a long time!) and am dying to go on a trip.

My friend Marisa and her husband Ben currently live in Japan teaching English. I've talked to her briefly about it when I was in California for Christmas...and am super intrigued at the idea of living in Japan for a year. I still need to get additional info on what their contract involves and how much I could potentially be making/saving...but if I were making the same as my current job..then why not?? & another great reason why I need to learn Japanese. You can check out her fantabulous blog here... http://www.marisachan.blogspot.com/

Train:

Last summer my work-GPS Corporate Foreign Exchange (Global Positioning Solutions) put a team together to participate in the Wasatch Back Relay http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php, which starts in Logan and ends in Park City. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it last year because I would have missed Rocky and Olane's sealing in the Montana Temple and trip to Yellowstone. Something I wouldn't have missed for anything. I also didn't train as much as I should have so I am getting pumped to get in shape for it now. I absolutely loathe running-especially long distances so hopefully my 16 or so miles that I need to work up to will get me over that. To get an idea...my co-worker Colton threw up 2 out of his 3 legs. Although he had one of the toughest routes I heard, I am praying that does not happen to me, so we'll see...

My work is amazing-we have free gym memberships to Lifetime-one of the nicest gyms I've seen. It's so close that I can run at lunch during the Winter and lay out by the pool and nap in the Summer. :) So great-No excuses for Summer that "she doesn't have time to work out." Ohh...as you can tell, Summer noticed that Facebook wants to make her talk in third person at all times... :)

Season of Change

2009-01-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

So where to begin...? The last year has been a whirlwind of chaos and upset. I have wanted to start a journal/blog of my journey through this adaptation of my newly found freedom for awhile, but never quite knew how to begin or how much to spit out for the world to see. My new roommate Melissa has been through almost the exact situation as I have with my divorce and has an amazing blog that documents her journey and progress. It has really inspired me to use this as a way for my friends and family to have a look see into my personal life, as well as giving me an outlet and a means to track my emotional, physical, and spiritual development. I have never been good at getting my thoughts out on paper….so hopefully this blog with help me in that process. These changes have been much overdue and I am excited at starting over and becoming the person I know I can be. At this moment I have almost too many things I want to accomplish, so I am trying to remember to keep one foot on the ground and my head not too high up in the clouds. A huge thank you to everyone who has been so supportive...I have no idea where I would be without you all.