Series 65

I finally passed the Series 65 test! I failed it last time and learned that you actually have to study for tests. The series 65 is the investment advisor test. Up until this point I have been a normal, run of the mill, stock broker. Now I'm a licensed investment advisor. (I don't think its the route of finance I'm going to take but at least I get to keep my job for now!) To me this license is more of a gimcrack than anything.

Parenting

Jack has been sick over the past couple days. During that time we wouldn't let him go outside. He picked up on a new life skill. Yes, his reading and understanding became so advanced he is now reading Parenting magazines in preparation for when we attempt to raise him! Just watch the video and be amazed.

Okay, so the reading part was a little far fetched but how cool is it that he can blow his own nose now?

Jazz Vs Rockets Game 3 & 4

I didn't dare write anything about game 3 because of the embarrassing shooting the Jazz portrayed. The Jazz lost by a nail biter. Scola (Rockets) has really made this playoff experience intense.Game 4; big win and should have been a blow out. We were up by 9 with less than a minute when Houston hit 2 three's back to back. This series, though we are 3-1, has been very intense and down to the wire.

Hiking in Ogden

Just off of 30th street in Ogden is a trail head with many great hikes. We (Sarah, Sean, Jack) met Amber, RD, and Rylee Miller to go hiking on one of the many. We packed up the kiddies and started making our way up one of the trails. It was a cool day and being out in nature is always fun. On the way back Jack decided he was big enough to hike down himself. He grabbed our hands and had the time of his life walking himself down the mountain.

My New Do

So yesterday I went in to get my hair cut and colored. Sheree (the girl who does my hair) sat me down and asked the question - "how much are we cutting off?" I didn't reply. I had been having an internal struggle the whole day as to whether I should just trim my hair or go completely different. I was sick of feeling frumpy and wanted something new, but I couldn't decide if that meant going short. Well as you can see I went short...kind of a tribute back to my high school days. Hope you like it. But if you don't it doesn't matter because it is done!!

Grandma's Birthday Party

Here are some pictures from my Grandma Christensen's 85 Birthday Party!! We had a delicious dinner at The Lion House with a fun party afterward. It was great to see so many of the cousins!!

My Rides

I HATE traffic. I feel like it's such a waste of time and energy. Traffic is so bad here in Davis County the media has given it an official name. Davis County Bogdown. When I say bad, I'm not talking about LA where it takes 4 hours to go 30 miles, even at midnight. I'm talking an hour to an hour and a half both ways to Salt Lake City, which is 20 miles. I started riding mass transit when I started going to the University of Utah back in 2001. This was my ride to school and back.
I was able to get my homework done and take a nap on the way home. After graduating in 2003 I started my first real job working for Fidelity which is also downtown. We bought our first townhouse in Draper so I was able to start riding Trax into work.
I love Trax because no matter how bad the freeway was the rail always was the same pace everyday. I could study for the Series 7 stock broker license or read the newspaper. Then came a new job. I started at Zions Bank in 2005, which is also downtown but we moved back to Davis County. Farmington is where we built the new townhouse. Trax doesn't go to Davis County, but now I was able to take the express bus into work. A nice travel bus that hops right on the freeway, very comfortable.
Now, I know you are probably bored out of your mind or probably thinking does this have a point. Yes it does. You see, when I tell people I take mass transit most every place I go they think I'm a tree-hugger. Really, it's because I'm too tight with my money and my car hasn't had A/C for close to 5 years now (the new compressor and installation would cost close to $2k to fix). Most schools and places of employment give you free UTA transit passes. I figure I'm saving about $300 plus dollars a month plus my sanity riding the transit. I have been socking that away for when my 1994 Acura Vigor decides to die. I don't believe it's ready to go anytime soon. I do believe it is one of those cars that becomes annoyingly old and won't ever just quit. It never has had any big cost repairs needed. I've had to replace the tires and the windshield and the oil every now and then. When it does die I'm ready, Ferrari F360 here I come! UTA has now built an actual train called the Front Runner that opens tomorrow 04/26/2008 to the public. Luckily the train station is about a mile away from my house. Looks like I'll have a new ride.
Yes, I am excited that I am helping save the earth, it's an added bonus!