the adventure of the negotiation

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to San Francisco to participate in the ABA Regional Law School Negotiation Competition. Spence and I just went to San Francisco two months ago but I was super excited to go again because I absolutely LOVE this city!

My partner Jessica and I figured out a way to stay there cheaply since BYU only paid for our plane ticket. We called the bishop of the Santa Clara ward and a host family volunteered to house us. The family we stayed with was extremely nice but let's just say it was an interesting experience. She picked us up in her ten person white van fully furnished with cow print seats. We were shown to our room which was painted purple and pink with unicorn decorations. All weekend, we were told how homeschooling was pretty much the only way to go and that children should crawl for 15 min a day to increase brain development (even as 15 years old!) Wow, we just happily enjoyed our free stay and nodded and listened to all these thoughts!

We got to spend the first day we were there is San Fran. I pretty much took Jessica on the exact same route as Spencer and I took because I knew it worked and was a great overview of the city. We once again ate delicious waffles, saw the funny sea lions, ate at Boudin's (this time I got a crab cake sandwich-highly recommended!) and saw Chinatown. The biggest difference between the two trips is that we could both SHOP to our hearts content. Spence would have never have lasted that long and it was sure nice being able to shop till we dropped.

The competition the next day went well. We both felt good about our negotiations and got good feedback from our judges but only 4 of 28 teams moved on to the next day and we didn't make the cut.  During our break between the two negotiations I got a call from Spence and found out we had to choose a dining set we were getting for Christmas, right then, over the phone! I was super excited about this but it was sure interested figuring out a way to decide states away! We picked one (hopefully my little iPhone picture did it justice) but I am really looking forward to it since our current set already is starting to break!

The last day we pretty much spent traveling and were able to sleep in. The whirlwind weekend really wiped us out. It was so fun traveling with Jess and we really had a fantastic weekend together. However, I was so happy to see Spence's cute face at the airport! (Apparently all weekend we both kept worrying one of us would die!) What a great weekend to give us a small break before the crush of final study begins!

the adventure of the sea slope

As promised...

 California Dreamin'

all thanks to the amazing Julie!

the adventure of the UTE!

1 Pac 12 Team

1 Independent Team

7 turnovers

6 lost fumbles

2 numbers....54-10

1 sad husband

1 happy wife

Let the rivalry continue! 

And of course GO UTES!!!!!!!!

the adventure of the not so sunshine state

Well I know its been a while since I've posted, but with school starting, life has been pretty crazy! Last month we went on our first road trip together to California. It was sure an adventure!

First we went to San Francisco and much to our surprise it was freezing (well like fifty degrees)!! Middle of August and we needed pants, and jackets, and of course, I was STILL freezing!! The night we got there, we drove over to the San Francisco Bridge...and almost got blown away!

My hair in this pic is fantastic!

We then drove over to Sausalito this charming little hillside town. We got there around 7 and literally EVERYTHING was closed!! All the darling little shops and cafes all closed...and of COURSE we were STARVING! So we ended up eating and this strange restaurant  with a bar and ice cream parlor in the front and a fake tree-filled restaurant in the back. Our waitress and the owner were eating ice cream in the table RIGHT next to us...totally awkward! All of the sea food was super expensive so we ordered the cheapest thing on the menu...burgers! And they were actually delicious!

We walked over to the marina and thought about how awesome it would be if we were actually members of the yacht club.

The next day we woke up early and took the train into San Francisco. Right after we got off, I spotted two guys with delicious looking waffles. I had to go ask them where they got them, because as we all know, I am in love with waffles!  They told us they were in the Ferry building and to just look for the line. And let me tell ya, they were DELICIOUS! We also got hot chocolate with a leaf design poured in with the cream...pretty dang awesome!

We spent the rest of the day walking around the city...Pier 39, Fisherman's wharf, Ghiradelli square, Boudin's, Russian Hill, China town, Union Square and an old fashioned cable car ride! Quite the day and filled with fun! I think Spencer's favorite part was the seals at fisherman's wharf. He started to narrate what they were doing as they tried to wrestle for space on the docks! It was pretty hilarious!

The next morning we took off for Carlsbad...just another 8 hour drive...no biggie :) The next week was spent chillaxing on the beach (good thing too because I had a terrible cold and was in need of serious relaxation.)

(Awesome video to come which sums up our week perfectly! Get excited...)

the adventure of the big 2-3

Last Tuesday was Spencer's birthday. He is finally my same age again! Those two months where I am "older" will always be filled with cougar and old lady jokes I am sure. The best part about being married is that birthdays become celebrations that span over several days because both sides of our families want to celebrate!

They are also fantastic because they mean free food if you are smart about it! Where did we get this free food you may ask, well...Spence got free burgers and Fuddruckers and Red Robin, free ice cream at Cold Stone, free sushi at Happy Sumo, and free breakfast at IHOP. The best part about all of these freebies is they are completely free, no requirement to purchase something of equal value! Let's just say, we've eaten out quite a few times over the past two weeks but it has been delicious! 

Not only did we get free food from signing up for birthday clubs, but Spencer's parents took us to Rodizio grill and my mom made us her famous homemade BBQ chicken pizza. We obviously haven't gone hungry over the past few weeks and will be working it all off over the next few weeks, thank heavens we have Jillian Michaels to kick us into gear!

I'm so grateful to me married to such an amazing man and am so dang lucky to have him in my life. Happy Birthday Spence! 

Spence studying ALL day on his birthday...so much fun (sarcasm)

New shirt, new putter, new practice green....love your wife 

Votive "birthday" heart candle... totally normal huh...

the adventure of the road trip

Tomorrow morning Spence and I will be leaving to go on our first road trip as a married couple! We are going to San Francisco and then Carlsbad/San Diego. Spencer has never been to San Fran or San Diego so I am super excited to take him around both of these cities.  I am in love with both of these cities so this will sure be an adventure.Originally we wanted to do a whole "west coast tour" where we started in Seattle and made our way down to San Diego. I've always wanted to make that trip, but we only have a week and want to make the best of our time! We are actually excited to drive all the way there because we just got two free audiobooks for our drive (thanks to a free trial membership at Audible.com), Ender's Shadow and Ender in Exile, two books that are a part of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game Series. We will keep you posted on whether or not we would recommend them. We both love Ender's Game though and are excited to listen to these two books!

Of course, I had to wake up with a HORRIBLE cold yesterday so getting everything done before the trip has not been fun. Spence has been studying like a crazy person in order to take his finals today. This trip couldn't come at a better time for us and will give us a much needed rest before our crazy school starts up again. We will be sure to post pictures of our "adventure in the golden state."

the adventure of bert and bessie the cow

If there is anything I just can't pass up, it is a good deal. I can't resist even more when that deal is something FREE. The other week Chick-Fil-A had their "Cow Appreciation Day." All you had to do is dress up like a cow and your meal was on the house. Speaking of dressing up like a cow, I was once bet $300 by a Utah Symphony member to wear a cow costume to a music competition, but I chickened out. However, this time, I would wear that cow costume! It took a little bit of convincing, but Spence and I dressed up and got our free meal! We felt so silly but it was definitely worth it!

                                                   
                  All of that food was completely free, now tell me you wouldn't dress up too for that!

the adventure of the possessed phone

Isn’t it amazing how attached we get to our phones? This past week I forgot my charger at the in-laws and was without it for 4 whole entire days! Sometimes during this past week I would even feel phantom buzzing and hear vibrations that weren’t there. I felt completely cut off from the humanity.

Finally, Thursday night came and I was going to get my charger. I was ecstatic as I plugged it in, waiting for that Verizon symbol to show its happy face. Much to my dismay, a water-logged cell phone screen greeted my anxious face.

Not only was it water-logged but the phone was possessed! As much as I tried, the phone would not obey. It was dialing random numbers, making its own voice recordings and refusing all of my attempts to power it off. To make matters worse, I could see those 9 text messages waiting for me like little presents on Christmas morning. Sadly, they will probably forever remain unwrapped. Mrs. Free Phone is no more. Thankfully, my mother in-law just happened to have a phone I can use, so soon, very soon, I shall once again reunite with the world!

the adventure of the dish network boy

Mary: Sitting at home, working

[Knock on the door]

Mary: Answers door and sees a young boy with a Dish Network clipboard

Dish Network Boy: Hi, do you have Dish Network

Mary: No, we just have basic t.v.- you know the free kind and that is all we are really interested in

Dish Network Boy: What? Free t.v.? I don’t understand?

Mary: You know, the free basic channels, like 2, 4, 5

Dish Network Boy: Sorry I have no idea what you are talking about- but when will your parents be home?

Mary: My parents?

Dish Network Boy: Ya, like 5 or 6?

Mary: Ya, they should be home around then

Door closes…awkwardness remains on both sides of the door

the adventure of the pranking husband

I’m sitting and reading on my bed and all of a sudden I hear the door slam shut! Fear ripples through my body as I think to myself that Spencer isn’t supposed to be home for another hour! I yell out, Spence?? No answer. What do I do? I just sit in my bed, trying to figure out how I am going to get out of the house or who to call for help  (is it just 9-1-1- or do I have to dial 801 first…yes a very blonde moment but hey, I was fearing for my life!)

A few minutes later, one of my shoes is thrown from an unknown source and crashes into my door. I let out a tiny scream! Ok..He knows I’m here so I yell, “Who’s there?!” I repeat this for about a minute straight. No one answers and I think to myself I better get out of the house asap! I hold my phone in my hand with 911 dialed, thumb on the send key. Then I run into the study searching frantically for some kind of protection. I find the best thing I see…a Swiffer… So here I am, a twenty three year-old with a Swiffer in one had and a cell phone in the other, ready for flight or fight. I’m hoping the flight aspect of my plan works because I’m not sure a Swiffer will really be that much help in a fight. I use my best CIA skills to check around the doors for the intruder, see it is free and make a run for it.

I get to the street and decide to call Spence. When lo and behold..SPENCER comes walking out the door, laughing.

I can look back and laugh now, but let’s just say, the adventures of the pranking husband will be somewhat limited in the future.

the adventure of marriage

Here's to matrimony, the high sea for which no compass has been has yet been invented!

~Heinrich Heine

the adventure begins

Well after much persuasion….here it is. I’ve been so very against the whole idea of “blogging.” I’ve seen way too many blogs that give details and insights I never want to know into people’s lives who I barely know. So our blog is going to be simple, short and sweet. Just little tidbits into the Bevan home for anyone who is interested in our busy.fun.goofy.slightly hectic newlywed lives.