Getty Musuem

My friend, Lisa, who's my old roommate from college, came to visit me for the weekend and for a fun, chill activity we decided to go to the Getty Center. I love that place. Its this huge museum that overlooks the city and is so peaceful. Its free, and I recommend it to anyone who comes to visit Los Angeles. There is a smaller one in Malibu that I really want to go to as well.

Anyhow, Lisa and I just missed sunset- bummer- but we got some hot chocolate and walked outside in the gardens and then decided to go in and look at some art. As we looked at some of the paintings and sculptures from the 1600 - 1800's it was interesting to see that back then the "pooch" that all of us women try to lose on a daily basis is what was idolized back in those times. To have meat on your bones was beautiful. It was desired. Curves were feminine and sexy. I wonder why it changed. I would have been a goddess back in those days!! Too bad- so sad. I would post pictures, but most of the paintings show boobies.

I also noticed that most women back then were super ugly. Hate to say it, but they almost look like men. Still, I think it would have been awesome to live in those times. Wearing cool dresses, having someone do my hair each morning, wondering "What shall I do today?" or "What shall I wear to the Ball this evening?" I know... It might be a little boring, but for some reason it seems enchanting to me. I have alway thought I was born in the wrong era.

One other thing that I learned at the museum was concerning the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. I learned that the cross was built many different ways before they actually came across the form of the Cross that we know today. They basically found a way to keep a person alive for the longest period of time while torturing them as much as possible. The precise way the legs are bent, where they actually put the nails in his wrists and feet, and the process of the whipping of the back and the purpose it had while on the cross was all purposely done. I always thought that it was just one torturous thing after another, but in fact it was all linked together to create the most possible torture on the cross over and over again. I could be a lot more graphic and go in a little bit more detail, but I think you get the point. I am so grateful that Christ was willing to go through that for me and for everyone even when he himself was perfect. Saddens me.

San Fran Nike Marathon

So I was supposed to be running the Nike Half-Marathon in San Francisco this upcoming weekend with my besties, but of course 2 events come up that exact weekend to where I can't go. Don't worry. I don't work any other weekend, but of course that weekend I had to work the ENTIRE time. So frustrating. I was so excited to do it with all my girls. Hopefully next year.

Sorry BFFs for reals!! Guess we'll just have to plan a girls trip sooner than later because I am PINK LADY deprived.

Tire... You can't be mad at us anymore :)

THINGS I MISS...

MY DOGS :)

LADDY AND IRENE...AND BEAR LAKE

MY FAMILY- SEE YA IN A MONTH

FALL- LEAVES CHANGING :)

DEXTER

My Latest Addiction...

SEPTEMBER MADNESS

September has been a little crazy for the Hammonds. We have gone on a few trips and September is a super special month because it's our Anniversary. Damon and I got married 2 years ago on Sept. 15th. These past 2 years have been so much fun and needless to say a little crazy on so many levels.

Not sure how many people know the story of us meeting. Kind of funny. I had become really good friends with Damon's sister, Cassie, before he moved to Cali. The first day we met I was speaking in church, and I remember that day watching him and being very intrigued by him. I remember after I was done talking we kept looking and smiling at each other, but then I soon realized he had a crush on my roommate Shalisse, Blonde and Beautiful!! He denies it, but I know its true. So I hung out with the Hammond family pretty much everyday and realized that I really liked Damon, but I didn't think he was interested. I would talk to my roommates about it and then a few months later Shalisse decided to try and be tricky. She called our friend DJ who wanted to take Cassie out, Damon's sister, and talked him into calling Damon and telling him he should go on a double with them and that he should take me. And guess what Damon's response was..."I think I'll pass"... OUCH!!! Talk about hurting a girls ego. And to make things worse, Cassie calls me laughing hysterically because she thought it was such a coincidence. I had to put my best acting skills forward and pretend that it was hilarious as well. So I knew at that time that Damon didn't like me that way and played it cool from then on.

Any how Damon ended up spending labor day with me and my friend Krista in San Diego and needless to say we hit it off. We had a great time and at that point I could tell he might like me. The day after we got back Damon texted me, "I want to see you!" I had a date that night, but ended up canceling it and made dinner for Damon. I can pretty much say we never spent a day apart after that. We were married almost exactly a year after that. So fun to remember that time. Seems like yesterday, but also seems like forever ago.

Here is a little collage of some of the fun times that we've had these past 2 years. It was awesome to put this together because it reminded me of how much fun we have had and remember all of the things that we have been through together.

A few other fun activities this month that Damon and I was able to do are Lake Powell, Las Vegas, Dodgers game, and Universal these past couple of weeks. We've had a blast. Here are some photos.

Lake Powell!!

Las Vegas with my Cuz!

Dodgers and Universal Studios with our besties.

A Few Random Thoughts and Feelings...

There have been some random thoughts and feelings as of late that I thought I would share.

1. I am amazed how taste buds change.  I used to hate hawaiian pizza because I have been a strong believer that fruit is not meant to be hot, but I have turned into a hawaiian pizza addict. I tried it one day because it was the only kind ordered and ended up really liking it. Now it is one of my favorites.  Damon is very pleased.
2. I hate getting my hair done.  Every time I tell them I only want a trim they end up cutting it so short.  It is so annoying. It makes me angry.  It is so hard for me to grow my hair. Just one trip to the salon and all that hard work is cut to the ground...literally.
3. There is nothing better than running on the northern coast of California during sunset and listening to your ipod on shuffle.  I was currently in Pebble Beach and after work I would go run a couple miles on the coast.  Its not like a boardwalk because you aren't on a beach, but you're on cliffs looking down into the water.  I saw seals and all sorts of wildlife in their natural habitat.  It is so exhilarating.  I would run to this secret bench I found that overlooks the ocean, sit and think about life and listen to good music, and then I would run home.   I can't explain how amazing it was. 
4. I finally got Damon to go country dancing.  He said he would go because he knew how bad I wanted to.  He is so funny. He wore his cowboy boots and belt buckle and thought he looked SOOO country, but really he looked even more metro.  It was so cute.  When we got there he was like I want to get a cowboy hat.  I just had to laugh at him.  We had so much fun.  He was right there with me learning the line dances, and we even tried a little two steppin.  I seriously had SOOOOO much fun and so did he.  I think I might be able to get him to like country after all.
5. I am so grateful for my calling right now. I am in charge of the Young Women activities.  I love it so much.  Damon is in the Young Men Presidency too, and so we do a lot of stuff together.  The girls are really quiet and into a lot of different things than I am used to, but it has really pushed me and I love them to death. We have met a lot of great friends from being a part of it all as well.  Its amazing to watch these girl's testimonies grow and how they are so fragile right now.  Its so hard here in LA. There are so many outside influences, but in the same breathe those same influences make you stronger. I think stronger than if they were consistently surrounded by LDS girls. They have to work at it every day.  So awesome.
6. I want a dog.  I miss the love they give and just having them around.  I know right now isn't a good time so I just have to be patient.  One day.
7. Isn't it funny how much we want to go grow up when we're younger so that we can have money and careers and "freedom" but then we grow up, have careers, money, and in the end less freedom.  Craziness.

PInk Ladies '09

Girls TRIP!!

I had so much fun on our girls trip. It was too short, but I loved every second of it. 

I am obsessed with doing videos lately so I am sorry if you guys get sick of them. Sorry.

Here is a little recap:

Love you Pink Ladies!