Birthday Wish List

I cannot believe it is here AGAIN! Only the best day ever… My BIRTHDAY! Ok, so it's exactly a month away, but you know I tend to make September more of a birthday month anyway. Also, if I give people one month to shop for my birthday wishes, hopefully I'll get some of them! You know that this following list has some RIDICULOUS items, but hello that is why it is called a WISH LIST! Mostly I want my bills to be paid, but that's not going to happen so I will put some other delightful things on my list. Hooray for my birthday (I still haven't even planned my party yet? What's up with that?)

• Gift cards to the following places:
  • iTunes (Thank you iPhone for getting me addicted)
    
  • Old Navy, Maurices, Macy's, Downeast, Target (ok you get the point, a gift card for any sort of clothing store makes me happy, heck I would love Wal-Mart)
    
• iPhone cover
  
• Anything with a BSU logo!
  
• Nail Polish (you know how I love my colors)
  
• Measuring cups & spoons
  
• Shoes – size 10 (ok so I want brown riding boots mostly, but I'll take any kind of shoe)
  
• Mani/Pedi
  
• Jewelry
  
• Any type of workout clothes, you can never have too many.
  
• Plane tickets
  
• $$$
  
• iPad
  
• Laptop
  

You can also look here:

http://re.pn/b/B9Yt

I've started collecting some ideas in case you get stuck J.

Six Flags - Magic Mountain

Day two of California was well just as crazy, but we at least got to sleep some. It took us a while to get going, but finally we made it to SIX FLAGS Magic Mountain. I didn't take any pictures this day only Anthony did (and I haven't gotten them from him yet). This park isn't as backpack friendly as Disneyland so I didn't even carry my phone. It was pretty hot by the time we finally got there, and there were a LOT of people there. Since we got a late start we figured we only had time for 4 rides (because well the lines are close to two hours long). So our first stop was the Goliath:

Super fun. Anthony had never really ridden on a death defying ride before, so this was a great start. It was so fun, Riana, Me, Brycen, and Anthony laughed and screamed our way through this awesome coaster. Then we went on the Superman ride, which goes from 0-100 mph in close to 5 seconds. I screamed a lot on that ride too. B and Anthony just laughed at me. Since the wait for that ride was also a bazillion hours I went off to get us some food and beverages. Come to find out EVERYONE in the park is cranky and hot, case in point, when I'm standing in line to get a drink a girl and her boyfriend tried to pick a fight with me. All I said was, oh sorry but the end of the line is WAY back there. I guess they had enough of waiting in lines because all they wanted to do was scream at me. I was not in the mood for such ridiculousness so I just said, well if you are going to cut at least get behind me. HA! Seriously I'm not going to fight you. Chalk it up to another part of my crazy vacation. We then went on the Viper which has like 7 loops or something crazy like that. I rode with Anthony and he just made me laugh because he's like a little girl. Everyone was hungry and tired by then, but B and I were still itching for more rides. I was DETERMINED to ride the X2, because well I heard its' the scariest thing you can go on. So the rest of the crew went ahead to eat and we decided to go stand in line for another 2 hours to ride this fantastic ride. We met some "wannabe" actors in line, and they kept us entertained. Finally we got to the ride, and they put us into the front. I was really nervous for this ride, as anyone should, just look at it:

So a straight down drop, plus your seat moves, so you really have no idea where you are going. Plus it's dark.  I even got B to scream on this ride. I screamed so loud and so much I lost my voice (for an entire week I might add). You seriously can never see the track. My picture was epic. I wish now I would have bought it, pure terror is all I can do to describe it. Since we still hadn't heard from the gang I convinced B to run across the park to see what other rides we could jump on. This was seriously the best part of the day we rode probably 3 more rides. We walked onto 3 roller coasters! We so didn't want to leave. We promised each other next time we come back we are getting there when the park opens and we aren't leaving until they kick us out. What a great day. Minus the waiting in 2 hour line.

Late Night “Burglar”

I know, I know. I'm not done with my California trip yet, but I had to document what happened to me last night because well, I always want to remember it. I don't like living by myself, anyone who really knows me knows that. I've been doing it for about 2 months and at times, yes, I do love sometimes. I can do whatever I want, but I'm a social person, and really I just miss a roommate to come home to and talk to about life and my problems. ANYWAY, last night was so hot in my apartment. Rexburg doesn't get too hot in the summer except for 2 weeks out of the year being this week and next. I was exhausted, so I put my pajamas on and laid down on the couch to catch up on my Bachelor Pad, of course I left the door open because it was HOT! I must have dozed off because when I woke up there was a man standing in my doorway. Ok, so two things went through my mind:

1. Where am I?

2. Holy crap I'm at my house on my couch with the door wide open at who knows what time in the morning. There is a stranger just staring at me, probably a predator, he wants to take everything I own including my virtue (I know, too much Law &Order SVU).

So of course I screamed, not like a scream on the roller coaster, but a scream that would hopefully wake the guy (who I pretend to think protects me) who lives below me. You know, I always wondered what I would do if I felt like my life was being threatened, would I be able to scream? The answer is YES. Next instinct, protect myself, throw the intruder off guard enough to escape through the back door. Since I had gone running my tennis shoes were right by the couch. They were heavy they could at least impair said intruder. So I reached down and threw my shoe as hard as I possibly could. I'm pretty sure I yelled something at the man, but I can't remember, all I remember was "haha, lucky me, I'm a darn good softball player, I can hit anything dead on!" When the intruder moved his head just as quickly as I had thrown the shoe I knew I was in trouble. Next thought "where's my iPhone?" I had been texting when I fell asleep so it had to be close. By that time I could hear the intruder talking to me, something about a police officer and just making sure I'm OK, and then I realized, this man wasn't trying to assault me, he was trying to help me. Then that feeling came after you've had a scare and I have to tell my heart to stop thumping so loudly. The conversation then went as follows:

Officer: "Miss are you OK?"

Me: "Well I was until you scared the CRAP out of me…"

Officer: "Well I was alarmed with the door open and it being so early in the morning. Just because you live in this town of Rexburg doesn't mean you shouldn't lock your doors at night, or ever for that matter. There are a lot of things that can still happen."

Me: "I usually do, but I must have dozed off. I can assure you I will never fall asleep with the door open again."

Officer: "Good to know, you can go back to bed now. Pretty good aim too."

Me: "Uh, thanks…"

Then he left, and I dead bolted the door behind him. I mean, I can see why he stopped by BUT why didn't he knock? OK so maybe he did knock, that's probably what woke me up. Why didn't he have a flashlight or something, rapists and burglars don't carry flashlights. I appreciate the hard working law enforcement of Rexburg, but please next time make as much noise as possible before entering my house so I don't throw a shoe at your head and then get arrested for assault. Pretty sure I'll tell this story for a long time to come because it is FUNNY, but I was SO scared in those brief 10 seconds that I was quite proud of myself for at least TRYING to defend myself a little.

Moral of the story: Maybe Rexburg should have a little more drama going on, so police officers don't have to go around looking for open doors.

Our Adventure Begins - Disneyland

So my roommate Monica decided to move back to California, and Anthony decided to help her drive back. Since both Monica and Anthony were already going to be in Cali, Riana and I decided to join them. I have to make a yearly trip to Disneyland after all! When I mean this was a quick trip, I really mean it. We left Friday at like 9:00 at night, and arrived at Brycen's close to 1:00 in the morning (yes, B decided to come on the trip Tuesday before we left). Riana and I realized we were matching with our BYU shirts and navy shorts. So of course picture!

Since we had to be at the airport at 5:00 in the morning Riana and I really didn't go to sleep. On the other hand this sleepy head did:

I woke him up around 4:00 and he got up and looked at me, and then went to the fridge and stood here like this for a good 5 minutes. By this time I knew he was sleep walking, or in between sleep and awake. Riana and I were laughing so hard. He was even calling me rude for laughing so hard at him. I ordered him into the shower in which he stood in the dark bathroom for another 5 minutes.  If this is how our trip was going to start out I knew it would be a whirlwind adventure. We were still late getting to the airport and we had to check luggage too, so B used his "con artist" skills to get us to the front of the security line. We seriously walked right onto the airplane (no Cinn-a-bon for us).

Since B decided to fly last minute with us he was on stand by which equals upgraded seats which then equals leverage to a stranger so he could sit by us on the airplane. Luckily we all got to ride together, and it was fun.

Brycen, Me, and Riana in the back seat of the Cadillac. Good times were had, and we laughed A LOT.

As soon as we stepped off the plane (at 7:00 a.m.) it was time to go to Disneyland. First we stopped at McDonald's to get food, then to the most magical spot on earth. Last time I went Monica and I found this guy who sells discounted Disney tickets (rents out tickets at a discounted price). Is the neighborhood a little shady? Yes. Did he give Brycen this ENTIRE box of chocolates? Yes.

The boys had never been so I was SO excited for them to enjoy the magic. We got started a little late but it was still so exciting. Word to the wise, never go on a Saturday to Disneyland in the MIDDLE of the summer. The park was JAM packed full of people. I guess I've just spoiled myself in years past with little to no wait on anything.

This was our first ride at Disneyland, Toy Story. It was a lot of fun, and of course Brycen beat us all. Typical.

I mostly love this picture because this is what Riana and I did most of our vacation. Laugh. Brycen was talking this picture and someone walked right in front of before he took it. He made some face and then it took us 5 minutes to calm down to take the dumb picture. Oh Riana how I love you, and how you make me laugh!

 These boys are so funny. Best friends since like 7th grade they are always gossiping about something. I just so happened to capture this picture of them. Who knows what they are talking about, knowing them something ridiculous.

Here we are in front of Disneyland (our only group photo). Pretty exciting (and super hot I might add), it's a good thing we didn't go to Splash Mountain until midnight (more on that later)

Here are the first timers by the castle. 28 years it took them to get there! I'm sure glad I was there to experience it with them though.

So here is the picture of us on Tower of Terror. I love this ride, evidence with my mouth wide open and screaming. So fun though. This is when I discovered that Brycen loved seeing my reaction and screaming my head off then the ride itself.

Here we are almost getting on Space Mountain, we waited an hour for this ride. The longest wait of the day, little did we know the next day we would be waiting 2 hours for rides at Six Flags. Still though, it was fun. You have to invent games in lines, make friends with those around you, and try not to fall asleep because you haven't slept in 2 days.

Of course you have to ride the Teacups. I don't know what I was thinking going with Anthony and B on these things. They spun me so fast I screamed most the time. We were a little dizzy after this! B way to be creative with the camera, looks like you really are holding the teacup. HA!

We went on a Small World too, because well you have to have the full expeirence, and we laughed a lot. Between Anthony and Brycen, and the three big fellows in the boat with us, they almost captsized us when rocking back and forth, so I got wet on that ride. So since we were already getting wet, we made our way to Splash Mountain. The wait for this ride has been 2 hours all day, until 11:00 at night. So of course, we went on TWICE. The boys really loved this ride, they screamed and laughed the entire time. We all got SOAKED!

All of us in the boat!

Seriously one of the best Disney trips I have expeirenced. I laughed so hard the entire day, and who doesn't love going with your BFF's? We didn't get to see EVERYTHING, but I'm sure we will go back. I did however get to eat my Dole Whip, and watch the magical fireworks. I think the boys loved their experience, they loved Soarin' Over California the most. By the time we left the park it was close to 1:30 a.m. We were exhausted, wet, and hungry. We stopped by an In-N-Out which has crappy service, and horrible milk shakes. Oh well. As soon as we arrived at the house we crashed because the next day was going to be Magic Mountain Six Flags!

Pauly D

Ok so I sort of wish that we were best friends, and I would give him standards (and a new hair cut), but seriously he's got some of the most amazing pearly whites and I LOVE his personality. Haha!

;

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M-E from A-Z!

I've had a rough week, no doubt, one of the hardest I've had in a REALLY long time. Taken the wind right out of my sails a little you know? Then the BFF Jenn said something to me yesterday that made me think of something along the lines of "do something for yourself, empowerment... fist pump"... OK so it was probably nothing like that, but that is really ALL I remember. Then another friend said "who is the real Savanna, I want to know"... so I decided that I can empower myself and answer the following questions in a form from A-Z!

A - I sort of love Awkward situations. I love the word Awesome. I think Antlers displayed in houses are ridiculous. I absolutely love being an Aunt, best job ever.

B- Blaylock is the last name. That's pretty cool, unique I like to call it. I also love all types of Berries, and I don't think I Blush very often. I love my Birthday.

C - Confident. Something my mother always taught me to be, and for that I will always love her. Granted sometimes I have to fake it, but deep down I just know. I also love anything Coach. I love the show Cops and I love to Cook. I am obsessed with Clothes.

D - I hate doing the Dishes. I can't live without my DVR. I have a Degree and consider it one of my greatest accomplishments. I love to Dance. I love Diet Dr. Pepper.

E - I love to Eat (I've had to change some habits, but still I love it). Eggplant is one of my most favorite colors. My alter ego's name is Eunice. I can't hide my Emotions well, you pretty much know how I feel.

F - I have an obsession with college Football, if there is a BSU game on, I'm watching it. Most Saturday's during the fall I am watching football. I also love my Family very much, and I have some amazing Friends.

G - I always have Goosebumps. I love a Good book. I love to give Gifts. I want to someday be on a Game show (preferably Price is Right or Wheel of Fortune).

H - The Holidays are my favorite time of year. Sometimes I wish I could be more like a Hippie, and go with the flow. I love History, anything and everything about it.

I - I am obsessed with my iPhone, don't know how I lived without it. I live in the Icy tundra of Rexburg. I love sharing an Inside jokes.

J - I love Jumping on trampolines. I have many memories on that beloved thing. I love Jewelry. I also love a good Joke. My middle name is Jade. I love Jersey Shore.

K - I want to Kiss under fireworks someday and Kiss a complete stranger. I hate wearing Khaki pants. I really don't like the expression "they are a Kick in the pants". I crack my Knuckles when I am stressed or anxious.

L - Love, a word I use often. I Love quickly and deeply. One of my favorite sayings is "oh Laws". I once had a boy Lick my teeth when trying to kiss me (best story ever). I love to Laugh, and it's not hard to make me laugh either.

M - Mother, I love mine and someday I want to be called one too. Music usually makes me emotional. I love Musicals, always have and always will. I love good Memories ones that make you smile or laugh.

N - I love being called by a Nickname I also love creating a Nickname and it actually sticks with that person. In most cases I really hate being told No. I love my Nails and awesome Nail polish.

O - I love Oprah. I love Olives and I have to put them on my fingers before I eat them. I am the Oldest child of 5 and it's a huge part of who I am.

P - I play the Piano. I love Purses. My car's name is Pearl, and I love her! I love when people use Punctuation text messages. I grew up in a town called Parma, it shaped and defined my life in many ways, I hope my children will be as lucky as I was to grow up in a community like mine.

Q -  I wish I could be Queen for a day (mostly for the clothes). Qi is my secret weapon word I use when playing Words with Friends (I love that game). I rarely Question my decisions, I just make it and go with it.

R - I can be pretty Rowdy when I'm around certain people. My Religion plays a significant part in my life and shapes who I am as a person. I used the word Rude a lot. Working at Rocky Mountain was one of the best jobs I ever had, probably because I worked with Jenn everyday.

S - My favorite letter is S. I love my name Savanna, and get super bothered when people Spell it wrong. I had a dog named Sassy, I cried for two weeks when she died.

T - I want to be a Teacher someday. People who have no Tact irritate me. I love to Travel.

U - I secretly wish I could ride a Unicycle. In high school I would play Uno with my friends all the time. I admire people who can be Unique and don't care what others say or think about them.

V - I enjoy playing Volleyball. I Vent my feelings often. My goal is to Vacation as much as possible. Someday I want to Visit the Vatican.

W - I've lost a lot of Weight this past year, sort of a crazy emotional ride. I love to play in the Water. I only like Winter before Christmas (I know I live in the wrong place).

X - I have never had an X-ray. I get eXcited easily. I want one of my children to have a name that starts with X, I just haven't found one that I like yet.

Y- I associate Yellow with sunshine, oh how I love it. I would much rather Yell than whisper, yelling is much more fun. One day I will learn how to Yodel. One day I will own a teacup Yorkie.

Z - I love Zack Morris, just saying. I think it's super embarrassing when someone's Zipper is down.

So there you have it. That was really quite a healing moment just then, because really I am pretty cool. Just plain ol' M-E from A-Z.

Zion's National Park and Bryce Canyon

We woke up pretty early to get to our next stop of the adventure is Zion's National Park and Bryce Canyon. I know had to break down and buy a pair of tennis shoes, and since it was early I didn't have a lot to choose from. I didn't want to waste my money on a pair that I wouldn't ever wear again, so I found some pretty cute Adidas ones. Anyway, we headed out to Zion's and I was also excited to see this beautiful park, mostly intrigued becuase I really didn't know what to expect. We rode the bus into the park and first stopped at Weeping Rock, it was a short hike but the view was awesome. We then went to another trail which leads to the Narrows. A pretty easy hike, with a lot of people around. But still fantastic. Then all of the sudden downpour. So funny. I mean I am drentched, and my hair was curly that day so I was starting to get slimy too. Thank goodness Dad let me where his uber cool hat. I wasn't cold though, so that's always a plus. OK so back to the tennis shoes, I'm super weird about dirty shoes, and they were BRAND new, so mostly I was annoyed that they were getting red rock all over them. I'm so dumb. HA! Anyway, we went on one more hike and that one was super slick but it was also beautiful. By then we were SUPER hot and hungry. So packed up our stuff and decided to go get some food. WE stopped at this cafe that had amazing food. I loved it. The most amazing thing about Zion's is the drive out of the park. I mean the whole thing is beautiful, but the rocks and formations and color, OH the colors, it was spectacular. A must see. No wonder they call Utah Zion? HA!

 

 At Weeping Rock

Bus riding... 

 

 Ok so this is not only a post rain picture so that's why I have a hat on, but next time I come I am bringing sandals, you ford that river and can walk WAY back in there. Someday...

 Where my shoes got all gross... HAHA!

 

 Leaving Zion's...

 Leaving Zion's... isn't it awesome?

 Starting the hike to the Narrows.

 Look at my cute shoes! HA!

 Driving out of Zion's

 Of course, have to get a picture by the sign!

 Weeping Rock

This was at our restaurant where we ate lunch, it is a t-shirt for a beer company. So funny.

So our next stop was Bryce Canyon. I know I keep saying that everything is a must see, but honestly, I was speechless when I was here. Almost emotional. Just because there is nothing in the world like this place. We got there sort of late, well just enough time to hike to the bottom of the canyon. My mom really wanted to hike it because she hasn't done it since she was little. This hike was intense I mean straight down and straight up, but the colors and the formations were breathtaking. We were worried about rain and flash flooding, but all part of the adventure right? (Sorry there are so many pictures, I just couldn't stop myself)

 The hike down 

 Isn't it so cool looking?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is from the highest point in the Canyon. It just looks so different!

 Before the hike, see those rain clouds...eek!

 At the bottom of the canyon looking up

 I tried not to get too claustrophobic. HA!

 Dad and me!

 This is also at the bottom of the canyon, you wouldn't believe we just climbed down a mountain.

 I am just so silly! HAHA! The best part about this photo, every foreigner after me did the same thing. HA!

 I love the contrasting colors.

 The hike back up!

 Back at the top!

There's Utah!

It seriously was so awesome. I wish my whole family could have been there for this adventure. At one point my mom and dad were yelling at kids to stay on the path and screaming children in the caves. Oh good times. This was the last National Park of our adventure. Boo, my trip is almost done!