What makes you cry in a fetal position?

Well...the answer to that question, for me, is losing my flash drive...twice!!! I decided that this was "blog worthy" pretty much the same minute I lost my second flash drive in 1 week. My little story goes like this...

Background: I am an interior design major. This means that I spend hours and hours on a project (AutoCAD, Photoshop etc.), then I save ALL this work on a flash drive. I truly mean ALL of my work (3 years of work). I usually try to back all of this work up on a second flash drive, but you never really know what you backed up, or at what point in the project.

Crisis: I lost my primary or "favorite" flash drive last week. It is usually attached to a lanyard but, when I went to get it out of my bag I only found the lanyard, no flash drive. Of course at this point I did not freak out. I checked the lost and found at school etc. I did not find it.

Breakdown: So, after searching everywhere and everything, what did I do next? I went home and cried like a little baby in a fetal position for about 20 minutes. I would compare the this feeling to losing a family member or friend that you aren't extremely close to, but you are going to miss...a lot!

Recovery: After a few hours I realized that my fate was not that bad, I had saved most of my important stuff on the back-up flash drive!!!

Prevention: I decided to back-up all of my stuff on my work computer, as to avert a future break-down. However, I wanted to scope out the market first and compare prices for a new back-up flash drive.

Crisis: Yes, it did in fact happen again. Message to everyone with a flash drive, "If you lose a flash drive once, you can in fact lose another one in the same week" (I did not realize this was possible).

Breakdown: Yes, I cried in a fetal position again. I know it's embarrassing just typing it.

Prevention #2: Luckily my mom realized that I needed help, my "flash drive system" was clearly not working. Her solution is seen below (my new flash drives are now attached to my bag with little cords...lets just hope I don't loose my bag :)

NEW YEAR OF LIFE, NEW GOALS

Well, I'm a year older now and it has made me reflect on what I want to accomplish at this point in my life. So I made a little list (and I have it laminated inside my agenda), and I thought I would share it. Perhaps, one of you might be able help me with a goal, or two (said with a sarcastic british accent).

1. Learn how to rock climb (real mountains)
2. Go to Boston, MA
3. Paintball
4. Tour Europe ("back packing style")2-3 weeks
5. Read a book for fun
6. Become a good wake boarder
7. Go to the temple twice a month
8. Ski three times this winter
9. Buy a new surfboard and surf more
10. Paint something (a picture etc.)

*(goal making inspired by friend Jamie...see "Jamie and Steve")

8-8-07.....EXTRAORDINARY!

Well, it was my 22nd Birthday, and it was fabulous! I mean who doesn't love having everybody tell them happy birthday, all day long. It just makes everything great. I went to work for 6 hours, and school (to do homework) for 3 hours, but it was still great, because it was MY Birthday! (Flowers and e-cards didn't hurt either).

To end my "special day" some friends and I went to Extraordinary Desserts. Which, is always extraordinary. I got a little piece of heaven called "Apple Tart Cheesecake" (It was not my first choice, but after yelling "How Dare They on MY Birthday", I sucked it up and made another choice, which ended up being a blessing in disguise).

Thanks to everyone who made 8-8-07 one of my best birthday's yet!

Krystle Camped in Mexico?...YES She Did!!

This past weekend I went with the Kaiizen group to an Orphanage in Mexico (I can't pronounce or spell it very well). It was a blast! This was my second trip, and I felt a lot more prepared this time. Here is a list of things I would strongly suggest if you camp/go to an orphanage in Mexico: 1. Tylenol pm 2. Hand sanitizer 3. Eye mask 4. Ear plugs 5. Compact/inflatable mattress (these will pretty much save your life if you wouldn't classify yourself as a "camper").

The kids were of course great, and you could tell loved having us there. It is such an amazing experience that you don't even notice that you haven't showered. Its awesome to see the people that just get right in there and play with the kids like they've been best friends forever.

Of course this post would not be complete without mentioning some of the good times us volunteers had, whilst serving. Here are a few:
-Pina Coladas in Ensenada (virgin of course...but, heaven)
-the guy who insisted on calling most of the girl volunteers "baby girl"
-Peter driving with his "nacho libre mask"
-Greg "all I need is a hat and some orphans"
-mimicking each others ugliest faces...so fun
-and me personally sanitizing Everything