The follow up to the Plus Sizing World of Me

Can that sound any more narcissistic? I don't think so . . .

So for those of you wondering what a gal that is somewhere in between 5'11 and 6'0 wearing a size 12 pants looks like, LOOK WORLD: (although I am awful at self portraits - see the pout and the phone camera? - yeah these are the pictures we all love to hate! I do better at someone taking a picture of me then me attempting to do this . . . some of you are great at self portraits, me, well as you can tell not the most flattering picture, but we all get the idea)

And this is what the average woman looks like and in the fashion industry I'm called Plus Size.  So eat your heart out folks.  I'm tall, a size 12 and I feel fine - the world is not going to end.  In high school I actually ranged from a size 10 to a size 14 (depending on the store) and I never felt big either. 

So, on with the plus sizing folks . . . got my email confirmation for the trip, along with pick up information and transportation and who is who . . . going to what is called a "look and see". They will be choosing the gals for their Summer 2010 catalog, web and print out ads. Should be all so interesting. It is a National Campaign . . . well let's say International just to make it sound more appealing since Canada gets some of their stuff as well, and we certainly can't put boundaries on the cyber world.

Due to some of my health issues, my body has gone through a few surgeries here and there (I've actually lost count of scars) and in the fashion industry that is something that had to be discussed - but thank goodness for technology and the ability to 'hide' my marks of courage and battles (as I like to call them) throughout my body.

On another note completely unrelated to this, looks like some trips are coming up again . . . going off to the dry land in the West to be with family during Thanksgiving - gotta love good ol' Utah. Also will be off to Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington to see some clients of ours.

After that trip I will be off to Asia again. I'll ring in the New Year back in Utah though. Although there could be another potential trip in between these somehow . . . Super S is such a trooper through it all - I'll tell ya, she is a travel loving gal. :) Love that girl!

Super S~ is her super self as always. It is still warm here in sunny Orlando, so we ended up at Aquatica of all places on Saturday before hitting our friends house and going Trick or Treating.  Super S~ loves the water!  And she is so daring, that she goes on every ride possible.

The new ward seems to be spunky and fresh and we are loving it! Getting adjusted to a new ward family is coming along smoothly and although Super S~ missed her Primary program (church program where children talk about the Savior, the gospel and fill your heart with music that make you feel all warm inside) in our old ward, she gets to participate in the program in our new ward and we couldn't be more excited. :)

We had some close friends stay the week with us from Penn State and we hit up Disney with them at Animal Kingdom (they did every single Disney Park while here, they are troopers). In regards to Animal Kingdom - I'm a sucker for the Nemo Show and the Lion King Show - I even had tears in my eyes at some point during the Nemo Musical . . . yeah I know.  Meg and I used our tickets with fast passes to ride Everest and John treated us by watching the kiddos while she and I had a few minutes of thrilling fun.  It was great to ride that ride with her and be reminded of some simple pleasures we used to partake in during our High School days . . . They will be posting about their adventure, so be sure to check out their fun pictures HERE. Meg and I go way back.  She is one of my closest friends and someone that knows me fairly well, the past, the present and has a pretty good idea of my future as well. We can talk about practically anything and I'm sure her husband John can testify of this, although he ends up taking part in our long talks as well.  We are a happy talking bunch. She has met the many men of my life and has been there throughout many major life events that have happened with me.  What can I say? She is also super.  I cooked for them some food and was glad to see that they were fed, slept and rested for their fun adventure while here.

I'll post some pics of the Halloween adventures soon.  Super S~ was a cowgirl . . . but not just any cowgirl . . . a pink cowgirl of course!

Plus size ME

Plus size. 
We've  all heard it. 
In the world of fashion any woman who is a size 6 and above is considered a plus size. 
Did you hear that right folks? (well read it I suppose).
In the real world any woman who is considered a size above 14 is considered a bit plumpier than the average.  But a real woman is up to a size 14 in the real world. Crazy how that works, huh?!

Let's think about that . . . more than double the size of pants of what the fashion industry considers to be 'modelesque' is actually in fact a real woman.

So with that said - I have been approached to be a plus size model.  That's right folks. Little tall me, is actually been seriously approached to do this thing.

Yes, a back hand compliment perhaps?  Well, not necessarily.  If you look at what has happened in the fashion world as of late, the words PLUS SIZE MODEL although comes with a negative attachment to it, really is in fact breaking the mold of modeling.

I've thought about what does this mean for me?  Well, for those of you that know me, know that I will never look like a size 6. EVER.  I have a behind, I have curves up in the front and down in the back, I am taller than any average woman and to some men, too tall as well (but that is a whole other post right?!), I have a bulkier built, played sports, have genes that hold up body instead of a swinging in the wind.

I am a size 12 folks.  A healthy size 12. Do I think I'm huge?  No.  Do I think I'm big?  As a matter of fact, I think I look just fine thank you.  Although I don't always get the 'right' attention that I want from men, I do get it, so it goes to show that the way I look and showcase myself to the world is somewhat appealing right?!  So with that said, I am liberated to the plus size industry.  I am a size 12 and I'm being pursued for being a size 12 and for being extra tall.  Two of the factors for which I used to be shunned from in this industry a while back.

So my friends, I will fly out to NY City for a day, do a shoot and come back bouncing with excitement to see how and where and when it will all look and feel.  Do I think this industry is for me?  Nope.  But I also don't want to turn down this opportunity either. 

The longer I thought about this, the more I realized I not only need to do it for me, but Super S~ who is already super tall (her father is an immense 6'7ish) will have this to look back on and see that Mom as a tall size 12 woman is considered fashionable and picturesque (hey the photographer used that word, not I, but I do like how it sounds) in the middle of this crazy media in your face world and redefining the true meaning of beauty.

So here is to a day of vulnerability and liberation the world of fashion.

Plus size me!  I'm ready!  Here is to all of us real women in the world!

Feeling Full

We are in our new place, sans some furniture as I got rid of some.  With new furniture as well, with new sheets (shh, its 600 thread count and we all know how easy I am to please) . . .

We have friends staying with us while they do the "Disney" thing.

I got chocolate fudge with chipotle chili peppers from Pennsylvania as a special treat while friends are here.

Super S~ in the middle of the day, while in the car today decided to let me know that life is just good the way it is.

Halloween is on its way and we are going to enjoy and bask in the spookiness and the fun of picking out which candy is a yes, and which candy is a no (Super S~ is not so much a picky eater, but a picky candy taster).

Had a good friend break me out a bit today and guess what?  I got my nails done.  My feet thanked me.  And I thanked Tina.  Tina is the Vietnamese gal that did my nails in a superb way.  She made me feel all delicate and pretty as I looked down at my fiery red nails.  Friend, thanks for meeting me at the nail place and for your wonderful idea. Heidi rocks my socks off. :) Literally. ;)

I feel full.

In every way.

I'm full.

But tomorrow, I can refill again.

I dare you. Nope I double dog-dare you.

To read a book.  It's not just any book.  Yep, call me preachy, but I tell ya . . . this book has changed my life.  I still remember in High School sitting in Seminary in good ol' Provo High School being asked to read this book and to sincerely pray and ask if it was true.

I did.  And it has forever changed me and defined me into a better person (or at least I'd like to think so ahem . . . )

Sitting and listening this weekend with the masses of other Latter Day Saints, I listened with both ears all day Saturday and all day Sunday.  You see we have this thing called General Conference - a semi annual event when all the members are asked to listen to our leaders speak and to feel enlightened, nourised, inspired, and all the wonderful words you can think of into one place.

One of the talks given inspired me to write this little itty bitty post.  It was about this book.  This book that has been ridiculed, made fun of and yet for those of you that simply have not read it, completely 'miss the boat' so to speak.  This book canot be denied and yet so many people are quick to say something about it without ever reading it at all.

So folks, there you have it.  Read it.  I challenge you to. I encourage you to.  I ask you to.  Your life will never be the same.  And once you are done, pray about it.  Sincerely ask if it is true or not and you will know.  You will get your answer.

Call me crazy, call me tall, call me silly, call me cranky at times.  I know it to be true.  You should too.

The dating saga

Argh.

I'm so sick of men who act like boys and they are not boys anymore.

But on the other hand, I'm so sick of men who don't act like boys from time to time and take everything so seriously and have no ounce or bounce of fun left in them.

Yes, an enigma you say? Contradicting thought? Well for what it is worth, it all makes perfect sense in my little head.

Go out with man #1 and he acts more like a boy than a man. Has no future plans, no goals, just wants to 'play' and goof off all the time and yet still expects me to think he is just 'prince charming' and to waste my precious time on his 'calls' and 'visits'. As if . . . I've got better things to do then watch you pick your boogers, even if you have a drop dead gorgeous body that I could just sit there and watch for hours and drool while I'm at it.

Go out with man #2 and he acts more like a man who is twice his age and has no spunk (sorry for those of you men that are reading this who are twice my age - don't take this personally, it's just a silly stereotype that is bound to get lost amidst my madness anyway) left to play with. He is so serious about 'things' that has lost some of that sparkle in spontaneity and joking that brings tears and laughter at the same time. What ever happened to good ol' fun?

If you are finding yourself a bit lost right about now, no worries people, it all makes sense in this little head of mine . . . promise.

I mean come on . . . I have a routine life one would say, after all I have a daughter, a demanding job, I serve in my church, etc . . . but one has got to be a little 'loose' and take it 'easy' every now and then.

Yes I do want a serious talker, but without the serious hissing that goes with it . . . so can a girl have her cake and eat it too? Absolutely folks, absolutely.

Life is to be enjoyed. I don't care if I look like a dork at times (well I do most of the time, but then again . . . that is a whole other topic of coversation in which we discuss what made me look like the dork right?!), it really is okay to not take offense so easily to so much stuff out there - really is it worth it to be that upset over something so ... ridiculous as someone not saying hello to you? (I can add other examples but will save you all the waste of time)

It's okay to laugh. Seriously. I promise. It's okay to not take yourself seriously at times . . . If we do, what good does it do to us anyway?

I have a lovely "lady hump" (or as I like to call it my 'money maker' or my mothers wonderful genes) you see . . . it's big and round and I know I can shake it like nobodies business, but I also found myself braking a chair the other day as I sat down on it. Now, sure that the chair was old and falling apart and on it's last leg (seriously it was because one of the legs was already bent from previous usage), but then again I happened to sit on it and it smashed to the ground along with my 'hump' and rest of my glory.  All were there to witness and laugh.

So what could possibly be done then? Well, a round of laughs had to be paroused. And I mean laugh hard and outloud.

Do I care? Absolutely not. Does my behind fear for any chairs in the future? (maybe . . . ) But the point. I can't possibly take my embarassing moments seriously.

So going back to full circle: boys . . . laugh. It's ok. I will laugh with you or just laugh outloud regardless. And no worries, even though I 'might' be laughing at you, I most likely am laughing at myself.

Laughter it does a body good.  Yes, even your  behind.

Live your passion - in Rio

So if it wasn't enough that Brazil is hosting the World Cup in 2014 we now have the pleasure of having the Olympics there in 2016.

Folks, this is big.  The only country to host the Olympic games in South America.

This will boost Brazil on soooo many levels.

And for those of you that were not aware . . . o Rio de Janeiro continua lindo!



And then for another opportunity to see this city from my perspective:



The songs are wonderful.  The lyrics, the core of what makes Rio what it is.

If you don't speak Portuguese, it's okay, I won't hold it against you that you don't speak this 'celestial' language . . . ;).

Although I claim I'm a Paulistana, meaning I'm from Sao Paulo, I also claim Rio as my hometown in many ways . . . my mother is from there. I lived there for a while as well. Went to school there. My grandparents lived there.  Going to Rio for me was like a second home or my home away from home so to speak.  I will always remember flying from Sao Paulo to Rio with my sister back and forth as we visited family.  Our many road trips to Rio and our traditions that went with it for those trips.

Rio is a lively city.  A lively bunch of people who are always smiling, laughing amidst chaos.  It's beautiful - the people, the place the atmosphere!

But I strongly encourage you to pack your bags and find your way to Brazil during that time.

As the theme for the Olympics in 2016 goes: LIVE YOUR PASSION!

The life of the party

Remember the infamous SEVEN?  Well, lo and behold I have the pictures of the fancy feast.

It was great having friends from all over, even if I did loose my bet that my dear BYU would win over FSU (hey a girl can dream).

Life is good.  Bring on the next seven years, I am in.

It includes Brazilian appetizers (what is a Brazilian gal to do without her Brazilian snacks?), my parents and an AWESOME Magician who had kids gasping and begging for more, a party crasher which in return I was saved by my own personal body guard . . . ;). Friends from church, from old school and new school.

Nothing like some good food, friends and water to splash in.

We had shrimp, beef, chicken 'salgadinhos' to bask in . . . . we had chocolate and coconut, 'brigadeiros and beiijinhos to smother in . . .

Oh and ps:  My dad is just cool like that.  Or as Super S~ would say:  " My vovo is the coolest  because he can do magic."  So take note folks - if you can do magic you are the coolest!

And let us not forget the  massice chocolate of a cake.

And of course there is a whole lot more of the festivities to enjoy . . . more coming later.

The women in our lives

We are blessed.

DUBAI came and went and the pictures didn't show up until now

So without further delay (as if a few months is not enough . . . ) Okay fine, let's take it all the way back to July.  Yes folks, July was when I visited this place and I am only posting pictures now . . .

So, drumroll please: Dubai, aka THE BIG SAND BOX.

Let's start at the glorious airport and the wonderful airline - Emirates Airlines . . . it is very nice to travel with them (and I mean very nice). To fly with Emirates is to fly in a new experience ;).  Being the airport nerd that I am, I of course had to take a snap shot of the airport.  Lovely is what comes to mind.  Their lounges, even lovelier.  The picture below is of the terminal gate area of where I was arriving from.

bai was very very very very very hot when I was there.  It was hot and very humid believe it or not.  I was expecting it to be a very dry heat, but it was piping hot and very humid.  I simply did not want to be outside nor did anybody else.  I was very blessed to have a friend there who took me around one night to show me some of the sights of the city.  Aijaz was a great tour guide. 

We saw a wonderful water show in which it wsa literally at the base of the tallest building in the world . . . and by scale it literally blows it out of the water.  IT was so hot and muggy though that we couldn't even see the tip of the buildings. 

Here is one of the many man made infamous islands: Jumeira.  This one had as its end epicenter the Atlantis Resort.  I got a picture at the edge of the island but the heat was so engulping that you literally felt like you were stepping into a sauna everytime you went outside of the car or anywhere else for that matter.

I know its not a flattering picture of me at all, but hey I can say I was at the edge of it all . . . regardless of how my shirt and hair were blowing against the wind.

Now we move on to sights left to be seen.  Dubai Mall is a ridiculous shopping area.  Bigger than any other mall I've had the pleasure of walking into.  I was however more captured in how people were dressed and well I was attracting a bit of attention being tall and not wearing a Burqaa or Abaya although Dubai has quite a bit of expats there as well.  It was great to observe.  On a side note, Arabs know how to smell well.  Everytime we passed them - they would leave a wonderful new perfume/cologne sent behind . . . sooooooo good.

The diver statues are inside the mall, and much  bigger than it appears as well.

Out of the all the places in that area, I would have to say hands down Dubai is very open minded of the west and you can always find an expat/foreigner somewhere/anywhere you go. 

You know you want to

So I got a few emails asking why in the world did I remove the comment section on my blog.

What? Why not folks? I mean for the dozen of you readers out there . . . (ok fine I'll add another hand full if I MUST) I know I could track you down in some other means of communication if I had to . . . okay not all of you but it was a good attempt at justifying my actions right?!

And may I first say, wow you beloved people out there. I really did not think that my half dozen few would be so intrigued by my wonderful, glamorous, sophisticated life.  I know I can't share all of me, but I'm touched by the thought of how wondrous and just awesome of a life you all think I have.  As a matter of fact, not everyone can be as lucky as I to have to drag herself out of bed when in the middle of a migraine to realize that the laundry is not done, her back is aching and no one to rub it for her, get Super S~ into her school germ infested super school and then off to conquer the world one airline at a time. Seriously, you shold all be so lucky my dears.  ;)

I mean come on now, I know you are just aching to leave me a comment, so as Utahn's would say (disclaimer to UT citizen: especially because I am not a Utahn but happen to think that people that do live in Utah are pretty funny in their choices of words and just 'peachy' in so many ways - Hi Mom! Hi Dad!) HECK, DARN, HOlY MOLASSES, leave me a comment why don't ya and we will see if this is going to work out and I will come out of the wood works again.

I know you do. I can see your fingers just turning the corner . . .

Thanks for the love y'all.

Well, thanks for the love my dozen few . . . ;)

You know we just had to take our relationship up a notch again . . .

Meanwhile I will work on some much needed 'health conscious' issues going at the moment and will update the masses as always later than sooner . . .