Miss you.

It's Robi's birthday :)

I still think of him nearly everyday.

I think of how thankful I am to have had the chance to become so close with him.  How blessed I have been because of the people he has put into my life.  I learned a lot from Robi.  How to wear footie pajamas. That I should call him for a tow, a tent, sleeping bag, etc. How to throw an amazing party.  How to be friends with just about everyone and anyone. How a boy should treat a girl.  How to have fun.  That it doesn't matter what people think as long as I am loving what I do.  How to try new things.  That I am terrible at making pancakes (or I was, I am better now) because we just expected him to make them for us.  How to pull off a pink robe and pink fluffy slippers.  How wonderful life is.  How to cuddle.  How to love.  How to laugh.

I remember running into him at Liberty Square one night.  All of the sudden the only thing he had on was a speedo. (I am seriously laughing to the point of a stomach ache remembering this)  I ran.  Robi chased me.  I ran really fast. haha I would give anything for that to happen again, to see him in his little speedo. :)

I also went on a "mini-date" with Robi.  It was for a marriage prep class I was taking at BYU.  We were to ask someone to spend some time with us and just ask them a few questions.  I didn't know what I was doing, fresh from the dorms, and with no boyfriend experience so I was just hoping that some boy would stand out and I could ask him on my mini date.  My roommates and I were throwing a party and passing out invitations to apartments.  Robi answered his door and informed us that he wouldn't be going to the party because he liked to spend his weekends with pretty ladies on dates. I pounced on that opportunity and the next day we were having a mini-date.

The following is my Q&A with Robi:

Me: Should women initiate dates?

Robi: It's a wonderful idea for a girl to initiate the second date, to let her suitor know she is interested.

Me:  What do you consider to be a good date?

Robi: You can take three different girls to the same place and the girl will make or break it.  The girl will make a good date good.

Me: How do you choose a good dating partner?

Robi: Anyone who will say yes.  (Then he chuckles) Anyone I can have a good chat with.

Me:  Is there any significance in a third date?

Robi:  Definitely.  I have taken a crazy amount of girls on first dates, but only a save few have agreed on second .

Me:  How can a girl show interest in a boy without appearing desperate?

Robi:  A girl could never appear desperate to me!  Constantly calling me is flattering.

Oh Robi.  I wish I could be constantly calling you these days!  Miss you.  Love you.  You've made me a better person.

Driving...

I have two pet peeves when I am driving.

1.  When drivers don't use their blinkers!

     - Ok, Utah seems to have  a serious problem with blinkers.  It's like they never learned that you can actually be pulled over if you don't use it.  Maybe it's the cops fault for not enforcing it?  But really, I use my blinker all of the time.  Even if I am somewhere between Vegas and Baker, middle of nowhere, middle of the night, I still use my blinker.  If everyone used their blinker, then we would all be prepared for your next move.  It's simple and there is a reason.

2.  When drivers feel the need to go under the speed limit...by a LOT.

     -  This is so frustrating.  If you go the speed limit, I have to respect that.  But when the speed limit is 50 and you are going 40?!  Or 35 and you are going 27?  Seriously.  Not allowed.  It's bad when it is a one lane road and you are stuck, but it's the worst when there are two lanes and two cars going 8 below the speed limit, right next to each other, leaving you stuck...

That's all.  I cannot stand bad drivers and you are the worst if you can't drive the speed limit and use your blinkers.

Thanks for listening.

A happy Monday

I am SO addicted to Pinterest.  It's bad.  But today, I found a true gem.

For me, this represents my life!

Last week was hard and the weekend was even hardER.  I made a choice that changed my life.  I missed my Provo friends.  And on top of it all the Cougars lost.  It was rough and I was emotional.

Somehow I got lucky enough to be asked to be a guest teacher in Young Women's last Sunday.  The lesson was on sacrifice and consecration. I tried to think of what I sacrificed in high school and for the most part, it was time and service.  I told them that one sacrifice I made in high school became everything to me. The kids I met while doing Best Buddies changed my life.  Because of the time I spent with them, I discovered who I could be.  Of course, after explaining why I teach, I started talking about my classroom.  Before I knew it, I was telling these young women that the best me is who I am in my classroom.  It is SO true.

Today I couldn't stop smiling.  My kids are so great. They make me love.  They make me happy.  They make me funny (or at least they laugh at me!).  They make me patient.  They make me work hard.  They make me want to be the best that I can be.

One of my best friends, Robi, passed away during my internship.  I wanted to be at work the next day more than anything.  My first break up - I HAD to be at work the next day.  All summer I just miss work, hence doing summer school this last summer.  I miss my kids every minute I am not with them.  I crave being in my classroom when life gets rough.

So (as if I haven't said it 12856395112 times before, I am saying it now for the 12856395113rd time.

What I LOVE is what I DO! 

Sad day in cougartown.

I am sitting on my best friend's driveway, waiting to get in our car and leave.

Tonight we played Utah (one of the greatest football rivalries) and we are losing worst than we have ever lost to them, EVER. Yes. That we are still playing and I am sitting in a driveway means that I left early. Me. Someone who would give her life to BYU football, left.

My dad just said, "I am disgusted Tati. That is all it is. Disgusted."

Melanie, my partner in crime who has been going to games since she was a kid, left early for the first time tonight too.

Worst part is, for some reason I never ever even thought we would lose tonight!

I got to Provo at 4:00ish. Oh how I love Provo pre game. I hung out with Alyse and dad BBQed for lunch. Dad and I went to the press conference and then found our seats, in good spirits and completely happy.

(Let me tell you how much I don't like sitting on the west stands. No one stands up. No one dances. We went to visit Rosie and Josh at our old seats at halftime. I had a sudden reburst of energy. I was dancing. And at the time, we had a chance of comeback, but I am getting ahead of myself.)

Things quickly changed. We start the game with the ball and they push us back and on the third down, the snap goes wrong, Heaps jumps for the ball and this all seems like a nightmare. He fumbles in in the end zone. ESPN says "1st quarter (13:58) Heaps, -8 yd run." What a way to start the game.  They are up because of us and we are only 1 minute and 2 seconds into the game...

It just goes down hill from there and I honestly don't want to talk about it anymore.

I am listing to my dad and uncle talk. Dad said, "That first series set the tone for the entire game. I have never been this upset with BYU."

I am the most depressed I have ever been post BYU game.

Sent from my iPhone


**** It is now Sunday morning.  I just wanted to give some updating thoughts, because even though I did say I didn't want to talk about it anymore, it is ALL I am thinking about.

No matter what though, I need everyone who knows me to understand that nothing can take me away from BYU.  I will always support them.  Blue will always be my favorite.  I will always smile when I see my team run onto the field.  I will always sing the fight song.   I will always stand up when I sing my fight song.  I will always come to every single home game and travel for a few away games in a season.  I will always be proud to be a cougar...

but sometimes my pride gets hurt.

I could not sleep last night.  All I could think about is what I will be hearing at church now that we live in Salt Lake County and the things my work buddies will be saying!  Please no.  Can't I just say:

Ute fans, you guys killed us.  Dominated us.  Tore us apart.  Congratulations.  Now, let's move on.

Melanie has been my favorite person to talk to.  Boys, if you want a girl who really knows her football, she is single and a total babe.

 Last night, after I told her I was writing a depressing football post for my blog she said, "I wouldn't even know what to say.  It'd be too graphic for facebook I'm afraid. No joke!"  I just love her.  The two of us let BYU sports determine our moods.  I love loving football, but sometimes life wouldn't be so hard if I could care a little less.

So this morning I texted her in my lack of sleep and fear of confronting Ute fans.  The response I get from Mel is priceless.  Here are some of my favorite parts:

"I have a headache too!!! Ugh.  I am so glad I didn't stay.  They scored two more times!!...Man, what a way to wake up!  It's like a bad hangover!!!"

All exclamations and not the happy kind, but more a this-is-me-shouting-via-text exclamation.

Another friend, Andy, said, "If that game were a tree...I would cut it down."  When I told that to Mel, she just told me she would have burned the tree and then burned it again.

Aubrey informed me that in New York, her and fellow Cougar alumni were throwing things at the TV.

To end I have a few things to say to Cougar Football.

Dear Cougars,

I always have and always will support you, but last night you let me down.  I keep thinking of things that maybe I could have done differently that might have helped us (like dance, stand, or sit in my seats that you have all become so accustom to me being in), but times have changed and you have to accept it.

May I just remind you too, that I spent a good amount of money to watch you guys play in Texas last week.  I am truly dedicated to our team.  I thought losing by one point was rough, but seriously, being dominated by the Utes KILLED me.

I hate leaving games early, but you guys pushed us to it.  There is nothing like being a helpless fan and watching your team be destroyed.  I will be hearing about this game from every Ute fan I know for at least a year, until we can really show them that we can win.  I know you guys are feeling it bad...so I hope that this week Bronco really lays it on you, makes you work like you've never worked before.  Because if we lose ONE more game, who knows how long it will take me to recover.

           Love,

                    Tati
(Your #1 fan who might be just a little too emotionally invested in BYU football.)

Texas bound

Why I am soooo excited for this Texas trip:

- BYU football!!!
- Being able to rub a win in Phil's face. Maybe he will learn to be loyal to his Alma mater.
- AUBREY!! it's a reunion. Me, Mel and Aubrey. I hope Texas is ready for the 24 hours it gets from the trio!
- BBQ. I hear it's amazing. Any suggestions on places to go in Austin?
- I keep hearing about this blue bell ice cream...

I leave Saturday morning! Ahhh.

Sent from my iPhone

My family is better than your family

So I moved home (for those of you have not heard this little bit of news) and home is no longer San Diego, but Draper, Utah.

I love my family.

- My dad made waffles, eggs, and bacon for dinner while the rest of us took naps.
- Mom showed me where her little stash of goodies were!
- Porter decided to show me and Syd his favorite song.  Viva la Vida.  Definitely his favorite song when it came out a while back.  He said that it faded out from being his favorite and then he just heard it again and it hit him!  haha He then serenaded me as I walked from room to room.
- He also just walked into my room.  Sat on my bed and said, "Ah, why is your bed more comfortable than mine!" put his headphones on and is just laying here singing Bottoms Up by Keke? hahahaha this is really happening...
And that's just today.  Friday night we watched football, got dinner, then frozen yogurt, and then watched more football.

It doesn't get much better.

I absolutely love what comes with a new school year.

The weather starts to cool down so that I can pull all of my cute jackets out for evening wear.  The leaves begin to change colors.  It's a time to meet new people.  BUT MOST OF ALL...it's FOOTBALL TIME!

BYU had their first game tonight at Ole Miss.  Next week we play Texas and, yes, I am going!  So exciting.  Mel and I fly down and meet Aubrey there.  

Basically, I love looking forward to Saturdays packed with football.  I will miss my favorite front row seats and cougar fanatic buddies, but at least I am still going to games.  I cannot stop looking at football pictures.  Those are some wonderful memories.

 2006 season.  Freshman year.

 2007 

 2008

 2009

2010 Season