Narcissistic Recap of 2014

I sacrificed a lot of fun during college to get into dental school. I recall declining invitations for weekend outings because there was always an organic chemistry, a physiology, or a microbiology exam. The first year of dental school was more time consuming with studying... now it's more relaxed and I can just make up for lost time and have some FUN.

I finally made it down to the Orpheum Theater for a wonderful performance with the Phoenix Symphony.

Sedona for a hike and some prickly pear ice cream. 

I had my first date with Tina to the Grand Canyon. This marked the beginning of our friendship. She can make me laugh like no other. The Grand Canyon took my breath away. I have rarely been in the presence of something so gorgeous. 

Every Sunday was spent in the best company of Jen and Mike for "Once Upon a Time." dinner, and an intense game of Qwirkle. 

Dentistry brought joy as well: 

Those are some snazzy lookin' dentures right there. 

Singing some meat with a laser.

Phoenix

Gilbert

TWO temples were dedicated in the area: Gilbert and Phoenix. The Phoenix temple is 10 minutes away  from home!

I went on a phenomenal ladies trip to Charleston, SC and the beach house in North Carolina. So much good food, beautiful lakes and trees, and laughter.

Then we packed our bags again for a spontaneous 3-day weekend trip to Los Angeles and San Diego.

Ladies and I enjoyed a lovely stroll along Malibu beach, dropped by an art museum, and had a fabulous Moroccan meal in downtown L.A.. 

I got the news that my best friend from college was moving to Arizona.

Past-times: I completed two more oil paintings to add to my home, a third is almost complete. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Inferno, The Jungle, Sense and Sensibility, and The Work and the Glory. 

At the end of the year, I can proudly say I turned one of my weaknesses into a strength. I was FINALLY able to read my scripture every day. On December 31, 2013 I got fed up with my inability to consistently read. It was time grow up and put some action where my words have been. Once I made the cognitive commitment to read everyday it became second nature and I have fallen in love with the scriptures. The goal for 2015 is to not only continue with daily readings, but increase quality. This means no more bedtime readings for me... if I don't study dental material when I'm tired, why am I studying God's word when I'm exhausted? Scripture reading has now been moved to the afternoon.

Now, let's be honest here on social media. I became really tight with Netflix this year. And I enjoyed every minute of it. 

YOU ALL: I have received so many handwritten notes, phone calls, flowers, hugs, and emails from my dear friends when I have needed love and wisdom. I have cherished every thoughtful outreach from friends near and fear. Thank you!

Last thoughts of 2014:

- Things that bother us often have no weight in the following weeks. 

- A smile is powerful. Give everyone who crosses your path this gift.

- Everyone around you has at some point felt inadequate. Take the time to write a note of appreciation, to even the person whom you deem as the happiest person in the world. And don't read this and think, "Aww. That's nice." Go do it!

- God's love for you can be found in every moment of every day.

Happy New Year!

Life Lessons from 'Taken 2'

It's important to learn from movies. There's even something to be learned from the hustle and bustle of action movies. Let us take a look at Taken Deux, where the awesome that was found in Taken was replaced with the following valuable life lessons:

1.  You can make an afternoon S.O.S. call from Istanbul to your CIA buddies who are golfing in the afternoon in Los Angeles because Turkey and California are in the same time zone.

2. When you have marital problems, the best way to work on issues is to take a trip to China

3. Liam Neeson uses the same elven magic Legolas uses to have endless ammunition

4. Nine bad guys cannot shoot one Liam Neeson who stands before them. Liam Neeson can shoot all nine.

5. Failing your driving test twice means you can drive like a NASCAR pro throughout unfamiliar, busy streets in Turkey without hitting pedestrians and dodging bullets

6. Diameter and circumference both mean radius

7. Bad guys won't strip search you for a phone

8. Bad guys let you make phone calls before they take you

9. Answer your father's phone calls. Always.

10. It's okay to hide behind a shirt in a closet. No one will move the hanging clothes to look for you.

11. It's possible to be kidnapped twice in your lifetime and be saved both times

12. You can easily return to the United States after killing dozens and enjoy ice cream days after being kept hostage

13. The best way to enter the U.S. Embassy is to crash through the security booth

14. Albanians conduct funerals in their home country in English

15. Albanians speak English to each other in Russian accents

16. Voldemort lived in Albania

17. If you were kidnapped in Paris and sold as a sex slave, you won't have PTSD and will be excited at the thought of traveling to Turkey.

18. Liam Neeson is very awkward amongst guy friends

19. The leading cause of death for Albanian men between the ages of 25-65 is Liam Neeson

20. Turkish taxis will not sustain a scratch after they're rammed into gates, other cars, and buildings.

21. All Turkish taxis are Mercedes

22. It's smart to leave your phone on vibrate

23. It is unnecessary to pay attention to your barking guard dog

24. An iPhone can reliably make calls in Turkey, despite having "No Service"

25. Liam Neeson has apparently shot his daughter's previous boyfriends????

26. When crossing the border into Turkey, your packed caravan of cars only requires one passport check.

27. A teenage girl will not immediately check her cell phone after getting out of the pool

28. Ex-CIA agents travel with grenades when they are doing bodyguard work

29. Liam Neeson can use an iPod NANO as a telephone

30. Turkish GPS systems are in English

31. Speed of sound is different on Planet Taken 2

32. The U.S. Embassy suddenly relocates from Ankara to Istanbul when Liam Neeson needs it to be where he is

33. Liam Neeson is getting tired of all this

I'm really looking forward to Taken Tois. Coming in 2015.

34. Liam Neeson is reckless with his family

Once Upon a Time....

I got sucked into a fairytale show and these became my biggest life problems as I enter mid-season 2.

(If you have never seen this show, try it. I thought it sounded stupid when a friend recommended it to me last year.... it is awesome. Just make sure you have enough money in the bank and solid grades because you won't be able to go to work or study once you start watching. You're welcome.)


SPOILER WARNING FOR 'ONCE UPON A TIME' FANS:

Haven't heard from Pinocchio in a while. The curse is broken. Why aren't you real again?!

The problem with good people is that they never kill the bad guy. Take Harry Potter for example. Because he won't use Avada kedavra, he loses friends and a godfather. Why is Hook only knocked out and locked in a storage container? THIS IS NOT PRODUCTIVE! He is going to come back and kill every one of you. It is better that one man die than an entire nation, no?

This character captivates me. Rumplestiltskin is fascinating. Maybe a little too fascinating to my subconscious as he appeared at my bedside after I watched an episode right before falling asleep. Rather terrifying. Nonetheless, Rumple is by far my favorite character and I've heard whispers that he dies in season 3 (so I already despise Peter Pan). If he's really dead, I'm done. I can handle mostly dead, because mostly dead is slightly alive (The Princess Bride taught me well). The seer said the boy would be his undoing - let us pray it's just the Dark One's undoing and Rumple and Belle can have their Happily Ever After. 

I might need to book a therapy session with Dr. Hopper to keep sane during this.