Good Food and Good Friends (we hope)

I just wanted to tell you about what is perhaps my favorite past time in the world. I love to invite people over to my house for dinner. I love laughing around the dinner table, sharinng good food, and getting to know new people. Pretty much anyone! If I see someone who I think is interesting I will just invite them over on the spot. Sometimes that includes saying something like "you don't know me, but I do want to get to know you. do you want to come over for dinner? There have been times when I have set up three "dinner appointments" for my husband and I by the time our church meetings are over. It is not my fault we have such talented, interesting people in our midst! I behave mostly normal if I extend these dinner invitations in person. If I am calling over the phone, the message sounds something like this:

"Hi Jenni, this is Rachael Rose from the ward...My husband and I wanted to invite you and Lassie...is that how you pronounce his name?...I think it is somewhere between Lassie and Lasso...but I am leaning more toward Lassie (in fact it is pronounced Lassa!)...so anyway, we wanted to have you and your husband over for dinner, because, dadgumit (yes, I ACTUALLY said this word), you guys look really fun and I want to get to know you better...so its kind of like I am asking you out on a date...."

That is a direct quote! Would you be surprised to know that this couple still talks to me? They were just as awesome as I thought they would be, and the dinner was great (probably because almost a whole jar of peanut butter went into that stirfry). In addition to the Ljungs (husband is from Denmark-- I know-- cool!), we also had the REimers over. I don't know if I have ever met a more complementary couple...very Yin and Yang, and SO funny!

Who you gonna call?

GHOSTBUSTERS!!!! Rachael was a Ghostbuster and Richard was none other than the Stay Puft marshmallow man (aka Gozar the Gozarian). We were voted best costume at the party, helped by an impromptu show of Richard pitching a marshmallow across the room at Rachael, and Rachael hitting it back to Richard with her dustbuster.

This is actually how Rachael dresses for work every day ... we just added the Ghostbuster insignia.

uuuhhhh....impression no. 5

I have some confessions to make. Here they are in no particular order of obsessiveness.
1) I hate talking on the telephone. It paralyzes me. I feel trapped and usually I end up either writing down what I want to say first and collapsing in relief after the phone call is made, or if I don't write down what I want to say first, I end up saying something really stupid and hitting my head afterwards because I can't erase the awkwardness.
2) Technology and I don't mix. I walked into the grocery store the other day and realized my purse was dripping. As I looked into my purse, I found my camera and ipod floating in the lake of rachael. Apparently, I had NOT closed my water bottle. Luckily, I don't believe in having Gucci, Prada, or anything expensive hanging on my shoulder. This is the second camera I have ruined. The first one made it through both the washer and dryer cycle in richard's pants pockets.
3) I am a poser from way back. I love to have my picture taken, and that is why I live as if there were a photographer around any corner. Even when I was 12 I would sometimes lean dramatically against a light pole in the hopes that someone would "discover" me. So anyway, I hired a friend of mine to take pictures of Richard and me for Christmas cards. Really, it was just an excuse to get more pictures taken.
4) I watch the Food Network every day!

Rachael Rose, Esquire

Congratulations to me...I passed the Washington state bar exam. Yeah, it feels good! It has been nearly three months since I took that test and I can finally call myself a real lawyer and start timing my conversations with others in 6 minute increments (otherwise known as tenths of an hour). Actually, the longer I work at the courthouse, the more convinced I am that my path in the law will be nontraditional. From what I observe, lawyers are often nothing more than large children fighting in the school yard. Only, instead of throwing fists, they file legal memoranda that stops just short at sticking their tongue out at the opposing party. I did not enter law school to become overweight, cynical, arrogant, or condescending. It is a good thing I work for someone as angelic as Judge Lynn Davis. The other day one of the attorneys asked if Judge Davis would give his permision for the use of force to be used to compel a prisoner's attendance at court, and Judge Davis said "use what you think is reasonable, but be gentle and kind."
As a side note, Richard asked me (rhetorically I think) "what kind of man does it make me that I want to see Wicked again." And I can only respond-- "My kind of man!"

New York, New York

Rachael finally got to see WICKED on broadway! It exceeded all expectations. We both loved every minute, and agree that Kerry Ellis and Kendra Kassebaum were just as good as the original cast.


I have been changed for good.


The "Guh" is silent.

The MESA GRILL. Bobby Flay's first restaurant. Words can't describe the euphoria evoked by our pilgrimage to this fount of culinary inspiration. It may sound like an oxymoron, but what I felt was solemn giddiness. For so long we have watched the master grill, but seeing and tasting are two very different sensations.


The best meal I've ever eaten.

Richard ordered the pressed roasted pork sandwich with grilled red onion, arugula, and ancho mayo, served with southwestern fries.


Rachael ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi with roasted pineapple-cascabel chile sauce and caramelized pineapple-green onion salsa.




The view from the top of the Rock.


The happiest place on earth... ("pick one")


We didn't confer about happy / serious faces before taking this one.


Someone stole Harry's glasses.


Three of the toughest guys in the galaxy.


The happiest place on earth ... the 7% drop in the DJIA that day had nothing to do with out visit.

Rachael's take on the NYSE.

We are standing where George Washington stood when he was sworn in as the first president of the United States.
It was on the steps of the federal hall (seen here) where traders went to grieve after the stock market crash of 1929. (It was also pretty busy when we were there).


Rachael with the Big Apple and the Little Apple.


The best part about Ellis Island was not having our eyelid pulled back with a button for a medical exam.
I told Rachael to pack light...
Land that I love.
The start of a perfect day.

A lover or a fighter?

Tonight I had baton training. And no, I am talking about marching band, baton twirling training. I am talking about police academy, Rodney King, "can't we all get along" training! So, after nearly falling asleep in the classroom learning the technical aspects of the process, they took us to a classroom, dressed an instructor up as a large red marshmallow and give us a baton and told us to survive in the ring for two minutes. Those were the longest two minutes in my life. I would rather get sprayed with pepper spray than ever be in a fight. Luckily, I am pretty quick on my feet, and if I ever need to, I can just run away. Call me a coward, or call me smart!
Oh, and yesterday, I actually ran into the glass door at Maceys.

Alpine Loop

I have to say that I would love autumn so much more if it weren't followed by Winter! It is a good thing so many awesome holidays are coming up or I would have to drown my "approaching winter" sorrows with a half gallon of ben and jerrys ice cream

As a graduated adult, I finally get to participate in some of the more ritualistic aspects of of student-dom, i.e, wearing blue, going to football games, and singing "popcorn popping on the apricot tree" as a form of sports intimidation

Just like the Holy Spirit, the Freemont troll watches over us all

Stream of Consciousness

"Welcome to the 21st century" I say to myself as I start this Blog. I have a feeling akin to when I started my facebook account. That feeling that says "I succumbed to a trend and I feel a little guilty but I have no other choice." Oh well.
Richard and I watched general conference this weekend and I loved it as always. I get so excited about conference. There is always something that makes me feel that God is speaking directly to me. There were a number of talks that gave me hope and courage and inspiration, but I especially loved Elder Wirthlin's talk "Come What May and Love It!" I think I would like to take that as my motto this week. I like Mottos!
I was supposed to do my first official triathlon yesterday but it was raining. "Why should rain inhibit you from competing?" you ask. Well, it is because on a bike in normal weather I am still a little shaky, but combined with rain and other people who happen to be riding bikes on the same small strips of street-- well, that could be fatal. So my brother in law and I just did our triathlon at Gold's Gym. You should have seen me-- I was all over that stationary bike!