An Update... Finally

So, I recognize that it's been over 7 months since I've contributed to the world of blogging, but here I am, letting you all know that I'm still alive and kicking.

Since March, so much has happened that I can't be bothered to write about anything in very much detail, so glance over the bulleted list below and just e-mail me or call me if you actually want details. (Disclaimer: These are not in any specified order, because I also can't be bothered to put them in chronological order or rank them by importance).

• I did two new paintings that I love and I'm currently working on 6 more. If you read Jessica's blog, I think she posted pics of the 2 that are already done.
• I went to Europe with my family for two weeks. I decided that one day I must live in France, and that Italy is going to be revisited some time in the near future (meaning in the next few years of my life--I'm too poor to go anywhere right now).
• I found out that one of my dear, dear mission companions passed away while I was gone on vacation. She would have been 63 or 64, I think.
• I got two raises at work. Wahoo! (That still doesn't change the being poor issue, though).
• I went on my first business trip to Phoenix. It was supposed to last two days and ended up being a week long. I will never live in Arizona unless I become suddenly allergic to everything except the sun and dirt.
• My siblings and I established 'Ticket to Ride Night,' and we now play every Sunday.
• I went on a road trip to Boise for the funeral of a good friend. The funeral was beautiful.
• The drive to Boise was horrible, though. What boring terrain. I thought only the midwest was supposed to be that flat and uninteresting.
• I finally got my Bachelor's Degree in French with a minor in English. Useless? It's debatable.
• I decided that I should probably go to grad school. That won't be for a while, though.
• Went to see Hairspray in the movie theater. Three times. I'm addicted to the soundtrack, and I hope people on the road enjoy watching me sing to my steering wheel on my way to and from work.
• I tried tofu for the first time ever and absolutely loved it.
• I still can't do sushi.
• Heather pointed out to me how often I say the word "awesome," so now every time I say it I smile to myself and the people around me think I'm nutso.
• I discovered how much I love Baroque music like Watermusic, Xerxes, and Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I don't like the harpsichord that much, though, so that limits the options for listening.
• I realized that life really is fragile, and I need to be better at keeping in touch with the people I love. So here's the first in a series of attempts.