I is for Idol...

... This year, as with every year before, I swore off American Idol before the season started.

"Why won't they just let the show die?" I asked. It's obvious America is no longer interested in another made-for-tv mediocre singer. Eight seasons is seven seasons too many, I said.

When I heard they were bringing on another a judge, I was slightly tempted. And then I reminded myself that I was so over American Idol.

The singers are never that great, I said, and the wrong person always gets kicked off too soon (think Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Johns). What's the point of watching? Besides, American Idol is totally second-rate compared to So You Think You Can Dance.

But sometimes, a show is a phenomenon because it really is that good.

And I am loving American Idol this season.

C is for Choir...

... Alma and I got a special calling last Sunday.

As it was explained to us by the bishopric member, our married student ward has a high turnover. And there are a lot of members, but not so many callings. So there are some callings in our ward one doesn't normally find in a family ward.

Like ours: Ward Choir Members. Just think of us like this:

And yes, we were even sustained and set apart for it.

We'll now be attending church for four hours every Sunday. Yay.

V is for Vote...

... Do you want to see your favorite newlywed couple on the cover of this magazine?

(The pic's a bit fuzzy, it the Utah Bride and Groom Magazine.)

If so, here's what you need to do:

1. Go to the magazine's photo contest website.

2. Find this picture (#1072) of me and Alma:

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and enter your name, email address, and our picture's number (1072). Click enter.

4. (Optional) Repeat with as many different email addresses as you have.

If we get the most votes, not only will we be on the cover of the magazine (yay!) but we'll also get a free canvas print from our photographer, Brody Dezember (double yay!).

Thanks for your help everyone!

S is for Snowboarding...

... Alma and I went snowboarding on Saturday. It's one of the few activities we both enjoy doing. At least, that's what Alma thought.

I may have been a bit dishonest about my actual feelings toward snowboarding while we were dating. I may have gone snowboarding a few times last year with Alma and never complained once. I may have said that I really enjoy snowboarding. I may have actually gone so far as to buy snowboarding equipment.

Taking all that into consideration, it may have come as a bit of a shock to Alma on Saturday when, mid-way through our first run down the mountain, after falling for like the kajillionth time, I starting crying and yelling about how much I hate snowboarding and that I never want to go again.

Eventually I did make it down the mountain, and surprisingly, I even went down a few more times. But needless to say, that's probably the last time Alma and I will go snowboarding together.

Anyone in the market for some almost brand-new snowboarding equipment?

M is for March...

... March has definitely come in like a lion.

After a week of relatively warm (60 degrees) and sunny days at the end of February, March has brought with it wind, rain, clouds, and snow. Miserable.

(There is a teeny, tiny, unselfish part of me that is slightly happy for the snow, because it means that Alma will have fresh powder on the mountain when he goes snowboarding. But that part of me is getting drowned out by the loud, selfish, complaining part.)

Here's hoping that March will go out like a lamb, but you never can know with this crazy Utah weather!

W is for Wednesday...

... Wednesday is our favorite day of the week. Some reasons why Wednesday is so great:

At the end of the day, you're closer to Friday than Monday.

Lost is on.

We get to see Jared, Jeannie, and Jace.

Alma plays basketball.

I get to spend some girl-time with my sister.

... We always go to my sister's house to watch Lost, but this week they're out of town.

We're a little lost (haha, no pun intended) without our Wednesday routine. We miss you guys. Come home soon.

B is for the Bachelor ...

... I don't know if all ya'll watch ABC's show The Bachelor, but last night's show was craaaazy.

I was at the gym last night, and because there was nothing better on the TV's, I watched the last two episodes of The Bachelor. Or maybe I should say the last episode, and then the follow-up to the last episode episode. I haven't seen any of this season, but last night's episodes sucked me right in. Too bad it's over with now. Or is it? Apparently, you never know with The Bachelor.

As I'm sure everyone knows, the last episode is the one where the bachelor picks one of two girls to propose to. So he dumped one, and proposed to the other, and they were so happy and cute together. I got a little emotional myself thinking of how happy Alma and I were when we got engaged. It was heartwarming. Exactly the kind of emotional response ABC wants you to have to the show.

AND THEN, not thirty seconds after the end of that episode, when you still have warm-fuzzy feelings, the "After the Final Rose" episode comes on. And guess what?

The bachelor has changed his mind. He made a mistake. He's actually in love with the other girl - you know, the one he dumped. He then proceeds to dump his current fiancee, and then ask the other girl for a second chance. By the end of the show, he's repeating all the things he said to the first girl when he proposed to her, except this time it's to the one he dumped in the last episode. How ridiculous is that? It was like a slap in the face to all of us who we're feeling so happy during the previous episode.

Reality shows are crazy, ya'll. They should be called: "A Distorted Reflection of Reality" shows. They sure make for some entertaining shows, though.

I is for Indian ...

... Sunday night, Alma and I had an Indian food night in.

I've recently developed quite the addiction to Indian food. I don't know why, but I love it. I think the blend of spices in Indian food is delicious. Unfortunately, Indian restaurants in Provo aren't the cheapest thing around, and since we're trying to save our pennies right now, we don't go out much. Which means that I've had a serious unfulfilled craving for some chicken tikka masala.

So I've been trying my hand at making some Indian food. I've made chicken tikka masala, naan bread, red kidney bean curry, indian spiced cauliflower and potatoes, raita, and homemade hummus. Most of it was delish, but the tikka masala was a bit too spicy for me, and I am still jonesing for the restaurant kind. Alma liked it a lot though. I think next time, I'll halve the amount of red pepper called for in the chicken marinade. The kidney bean curry was my favorite. Alma, of course, thought it would be better with meat.

Below are links to the recipes I used. They were a lot easier than I thought they would be. Give them a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Indian Spiced Cauliflower & Potatoes and Raita
Red Kidney Bean Curry
Chicken Tikka Masala
Naan Bread
Hummus

R is for Rejected...

... Sometimes in life, you get rejected.

Rejection hurts and it can derail you from your future plans.

But, as the trite saying goes, for every door that closes, another door opens.

Here's to new doors opening and the adventures that await beyond them.

A is for APX...

... For anyone who has driven on the Utah County side of I-15, you'll have noticed some particularly obnoxious billboards of preppily-dressed/groomed young adults with the saying "I am APX." I've always detested those signs.

I've recently had a change of heart. Turns out, Alma and I are APX too.

That's right folks. Starting today, Alma will be providing "Security for the ones you love." That is, of course, if you're willing to buy the security systems he'll be peddling over the phone.

PS - A big thanks to Kaulana and Nicole for their help with this. We'll forever be in your debt.