What Being a Role Model Means to Me...

Let me introduce you to my other half, my little sister, Alicia :)

She lives with my mom and stepdad in Utah, and sometimes it's REALLY hard to be away from her.

I've taken her on field trips, and even filled in for "Mom" at school when she couldn't make it to a class party.

She's even come to stay with us in Arizona a couple times.

As her big sister, I like to think I'm someone to look up to for her. So what does being a role model mean?

According to dictionary.com a Role Model is:

A person whose behavior, example, or success is or

can be emulated by others, especially by young people.

That seems like a fair definition, but I feel like a lot of people expect a "role model" to be perfect, and never make mistakes. And let me tell you, that definitely isn't me. I've made my fair share of mistakes in life.

"If you never fall down, you'll never know what getting back up feels like"

To me, being a role model, means being honest.

I've always been an open book to my sister. Anything she asks me, I'm honest with her. I don't pretend I never did the wrong thing, However, I do tell her what I learned from it.

But she's going to make mistakes, she's human.We all do it.

My mom and sister have a wonderful relationship, but sometimes, I think it's easier to have a sister to talk to, than a Mom. As my sister gets older, I hope she knows how much I love her. I hope she knows I'll always be right by her side. And most of all, I hope she knows how proud I am of the amazing young woman she's turning into.

Ling & Louie's!

Sunday night Tanner, my dad, and I went to Ling & Louie's for dinner.

Check out their facebook page here!

I am a pretty picky eater, so Asian cuisine is not usually my favorite.

But the Mongolian Beef here was AMAZING.

I absolutely loved it :)

Please note, usually when we go out to dinner, I don't take a camera.

I just have my iphone and picplz/instagram. :)

I've only used chopsticks once in my life... I was about 9 and it was a restaurant in Las Vegas.

And I cheated because the waiter put rubber bands around them and I used two hands to pull each side apart haha...

Other than that, I haven't used them.

And let me say... its HARD!

I practiced with lettuce before dinner even came.. and I really couldn't get it.

But I was determined to learn how to do it.

(I even took home extra chopsticks to practice :P )

When our dinner came, I was the last one to finish.

I refused to take a bite with my fork, so I used my chopsticks and got through my entire meal!

Well, I only took a couple bites of rice haha... that was crazy but I did it :P

How about you? Do you eat with chopsticks or do you stick with the fork??

The food was just wonderful :)

And when the Manager, John, heard it was our first time

he sent over a complementary dessert!

How awesome is that?!

It's the flour less chocolate cake and it was DELICIOUS!

He also gave us a card for a free appetizer next time we were in.

Our waitresses name was Jenna and she was wonderful :)

We went to the Scottsdale, AZ location, but according to their website ,

they have locations in Chandler, AZ, Denver, CO, Meridian, ID, and Reno, NV.

If there is one by you, I would definitely recommend it!

Let me know if you go to one :)

Dreaming of a car...

 I am so in love with this jeep hahaha... it's not even funny.

But with rising gas prices, and a love for road trips, it just doesn't make sense to spend

all that money on a car that gets around 15 mpg...

So sadly, I'm parting with my jeep dream (for now)  and dreaming of something new..

{via}

My new, more sensible dream is....

a JETTA! :)

Here are the things I love about the Jetta...

Sunroof

this is the ONE thing I wanted in my first car,

and sadly didn't get it, but I'm not complaining,

I loved my little Nissan Maxima, it kept me safe, and I am forever grateful.

Definitely excited to be able to get a car with a sunroof :)

Safety Ratings

"I know you're a good driver, but it's everyone else"

I like to think of myself as a good driver,

yes I make mistakes, when I'm driving too fast or not fully paying attention,

(I'm working on that, and I never text and drive)

but most of the time, it really is other people,

texting, talking on the phone, brushing their teeth, putting makeup on, eating cereal..

Yes, I've seen people do more than that hahah.

I don't count on getting into an accident, but Jettas have always had high safety ratings,

so it's definitely a plus :)

I have yet to test drive a jetta, but I am sure I will love it.  I always told myself I'd never buy a brand new car, but with help from the Husband's Dad and Stepmom it's a possibility now :) (Living my dad certainly helps free up the money for a car payment... haha) We also plan on keeping this car for as many years as we can get out of it, hopefully if we take good care of it, it'll keep running until we move..

I guess I should mention that the Husband and I share a car, so it's important to have one that is working... Sadly my little Maxima left my hands a few months ago, (to a good cause though, a guy bought it to fix it up for a friend who was having a baby and couldn't afford a new car... so sweet!), and now we're down to the Chrysler 300 that we currently have.  I love this car, but as it gets closer to that 200,000 miles mark, it's bound to break down sooner or later, and it will be a money pit to put money into it.. I should also mention it looks like a golf ball because... there was a hail storm (worst storm in 30 years I might add) that trashed the car.. But it was certainly a blessing in disguise.  We paid off the car with the money and didn't have to finish paying my Dad off for the car.  It's been making some weird noises, but I just need it to get me through about a month.. and then we'll be ready for a new adventure :)

dreamy right???

I cannot hide my excitement :)

It's just beautiful!

*Pictures of the jetta are found {here}*