My chance to change the world.

So I've always had a secret inkling to change the world. And it was always something big. Like maybe discover the cure for cancer. Or solve the problem of world peace. Or AIDS. Or make poverty history. And I realized that I can't do it. At least, I can't really do it. But I can do part of it!

David and I got a gift certificate to KIVA as one of the gifts from our wedding. I was delighted!

KIVA, if you have not heard about it, is all about giving people in poverty

microloans to jumpstart their businesses and elevate them out of poverty. It is fantastic! You should go read

about it. I know the Church did a whole segment on microloans after General Conference one year. Basically, you lend them $25 (or whatever amount you want to lend), along with other people lending $25. Then, they take this money and use it to build up their business. Then, they pay you back your $25. And you have the option of doing it all over again, or just taking you $25 and pocketing it. Really, it is fantastic. You should go here to read all about it. And to lend!

So, now I am just trying to decide which special person benefits from our well-given gift. Also, I feel as if I'm doing my part to change the world. It counts, right?

Speaking of doing my part, and again change the world (I guess I'm just obsessed with that phrase. It actually was my password for facebook awhile back after I saw this inspiring commercial about it freshman year. Oh man, oh the reminiscing. I've now moved on to adverb passwords): I love the story about the girls that make these shoes - girls that make shoes so they can pay their tuition to go to university.

I actually have been wanting a pair for about 2 years, but I decided I would be practical and wait until I could actually afford to buy them. I'm craving the starboard and the black ones (and the red! and the teal!). Good thing they have the option to just buy additional ties! Okay, so maybe I'm secretly holding off on buying them until I can get a pedicure and feel like my feet are un-ugly enough to go out in public in cute sandals again. Plus, I'd really like the chance to help another girl get an education and do my part in changing the world.

(I don't know why the picture is so huge, nor is Blogger letting me change it. Oh the woes of having bad internet. It does not come in handy when trying to race through online courses in a matter of days. Speaking of, I should be doing those now, so I will get off. BUT, I will be back to change the world when they are done. P.S. having working air conditioning is so blissful. It's a familiar feeling when your feet are cold. Oh, how I've missed it!)

Okay, I know I shouldn't be on here.

But I needed a break from writing papers.

SO, I was taking this break and scanning the worldwideweb for the latest and greatest of random stuff. And when I was looking at the "fashion" updates, I noticed something intriguing.

This is my dress on May 8th:

These are some dresses worn by celebrities about 2 weeks later:

Similar, no?

I'd like to think I started a trend but these ladies probably had their dresses picked out way before that week. And here I was thinking I was oh-so-unique. But hey! CLEARLY, I picked a dress that is in style.

AND I got to wear my dress more than once. Which apparently is a no-no in the celebrity world. But if they are that pretty, why would you NOT wear it again? And not because I'm biased or anything, I think mine is prettier with sleeves.

Here's one more for good measure. It's one of my favorites!

for jenny lynn

It has been a busy month and we just barely got home from an almost 2 week vacation. But Jenny, because you asked, this is for you. :)

First off: Nathan's graduation. And of course, I forgot my camera so no pictures of that. But it was a fun weekend and we are so happy for Nathan and we are excited that he will be coming down to BYU to hang out with us next year!! Here is his picture (from his "senior trip" with us to NY) at some museum.

Next: Real Salt Lake game, in which A) they beat the LA Galaxy (we are the only team to beat them so far this year!) and B) I caught one of the soccer balls AND I got to keep it! Also, David Cook performed afterwards and he was so close I could almost spit on him. Of course I didn't. He was pretty good though. It was hilarious to see the rush of the crowd running onto the field up to the stage (we were in the seats behind the stage). The fastest people running? Definitely the MOTHERS who brought their kids to the game just so they could see the show. SO funny!!

Next: We flew to New York, New York and had our open house! Oh how I love being home!! It was so fun to be with my family again and I was so happy to have BOTH of my families there!! And I loved getting to wear my dress again. And Emma got baptized! It was fun to share her special day with her. We didn't actually get any pictures of that day, but it was so sweet and we were glad to be there. We spent the rest of the week splitting our time between being in the city and being at home with my family.

Activities of the week: the Guggenheim museum, visiting the United Nations buildings, Chinatown, being IN Little Italy while Italy played in the World Cup, the Metropolitan Museum, Central Park, the Manhattan Temple, Yankees game, seeing Phantom of the Opera, Times Square, Grand Central, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, Grimaldi's(so, so good!), getting delicious ice cream, seeing Wicked, NY pizza, the International train, many many subway rides, train ride, food off the streets, getting more wonderful scarves and much much more.

Sadly, we didn't take very many pictures there. I'm awful at it. Here's one of the only ones:

We were sad to leave. it is always hard for me to leave NY. I hate not being able to see my family for so long. I've been very very spoiled for the past 6 months because I've been able to see my family FOUR times, compared to the one time for 8 months. I love being home so much. We were able to watch the US/Slovenia game while we were on the plane ride home. It was so fun to hear the whole plane break out in cheers when we scored. It was an amazing game, regardless of how it should have ended.

Next: Bryce and Kristen's wedding! We are so so so happy for them! They looked ridiculously happy (of course) and the reception was fun. Being at the kids table was great. It was a wonderful fun day. Especially having to go back to the hotel to help Bryce and Kristen out with their car and with some stuff they forgot! haha! We are so excited for them! I swear I took pictures of them coming out of the temple and everything, but they are not on my camera. So you get to see another picture of us, sorry! And we thought Bryce's cake was sah-weet so here is a picture of that!

Then: we finished up the weekend at the Bean residence for Father's Day. Stephen joined us too. I love spending the days with the people I love.

SO, basically, we are finally home and back to real life. And unfortunately, I have exactly ONE month to finish exactly ONE AND A HALF classes. So I might maybe not be posting again for awhile. Unless of course, Jenny, you request it again! ;)