Just an Update

So Nels and I went to Las Vegas last week for four days. We were tired from being around all the Mormons in Provo, so we went all out in Sin City. We rode some crazy rides at the top of the Stratosphere and we went to a show... a magic show. We also ate at a buffet, and thus completed the ultimate Vegas experience. Four days in Vegas is just enough time to do everything.
We even had time to get mocked by a mob of Chinese tourists. But that was kind of on the fly. Nels and I were the only two people on a ride that hangs off the top of the Stratosphere. It wasn't all that scary, but I got Nels to yell his lungs out anyway. It made it a bit more exciting, especially for the large group of people watching us and taking our picture from the observation deck. When we got off the ride and back inside the building, we were greeted by no less than 20 Chinese tourists that didn't speak a lick of English. They just stood in front of us and laughed their heads off while pointing. No explanation, just loud, boisterous laughter. I wasn't in good enough humor to take a bow; I was actually a little distraught by it. Looking back it though, it was pretty hilarious.
We got back more or less refreshed. I could face campus and the Daily Universe without grimacing once again. I even picked up my guitar, and I am trying to learn how to play "Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon. My friend Anna and I used to sing the song together, and I fell in love the Simon and Garfunkel team. So that's good news. I, in my twenties, am finally figuring out what music I love. Luckily, it's the Beatles and 60's rock and all that jazz (or rock, really). I'm quite relieved to find that out, especially since a lot of it can sound good on just a guitar.
Other than that, not a lot to report. We had a couple over for dinner, the Koelings from our ward. Dinner didn't even taste bad. Bonus!

The New Broberg

Meet the van. This is our car for the summer. A family in our ward is going out of town for the summer and they asked us to baby-sit this car for them: quite generous. Nels and I were so excited we jumped in and took it all the way to the grocery store in North Provo (which is way too far for walking).
We had so much fun filling up our own car full of groceries that we actually went to another store in the same evening. It was practically the most romantic thing that's ever happened to me.
It didn't quite sink in until this morning that this car was our new baby (granted, a big and unfancy baby) and was sticking around for awhile.
To celebrate today, we gave rides to a couple in our ward and picked up Jenn and Lisa for our cousin dinner. It made us feel a little uncomfortable riding around in a large vehicle, just the two of us.
This is our latest family portrait, minus Nels.
On a serious note: living without a car has not been as terrible as most might think, in fact, I'm going to miss it a lot! I think we actually save a lot more trouble than we caused by not having a car. The money factor alone is a good reason to go without. Most of all, I'll just miss doing things the adventurous way and planning tons of details out.
Friday nights are a blast because we have to figure out the best possible way to catch a bus to a certain location with the least amount of walking distance, and fit all of our excitement in a certain time frame because we can't miss our bus to get home. It's really living on the edge. (Maybe I can convince Nels to do it every once in a while, for old time's sake.) I also feel like a have an altered perspective on my definition of "bare necessities".
WARNING! ROBIN SOAPBOX SUBJECT: When we decided to put off having a car, it wasn't a huge deal, but I've talked to people who say things like, "I could never live without a car," "I would never ride the bus," or "I'm too lazy to walk." First of all, you do what you've gotta do. Second, why waste so many resources that come free... like your legs, for instance. Third, you miss most of life by cutting out experiences without any thought. Maybe riding the bus isn't much of a thrill, but it's still an experience (those who have tried it know what I'm talking about). My philosophy is to try a variety of things, be around a variety of people, and have a good attitude about it. Living is fun, especially when you live adventurously. Okay, I'm done.
With all that said, it's been fun, but I'm glad to have a car.
This is just a random car parked in our driveway. It's owned by an old guy that rents out a garage space. I just thought you'd like to see it. It's a VW bug with a crazy hood.
What a beaut.