Remember how Paula likes attention? She usually gets her share of it when making new friends. However, sometimes she likes to introduce herself at... interesting times.

At church today, the speakers were members of the new bishopric. Brother Hardin spoke first. I think I may have shaken his hand once, but haven't spent a great deal of time with him at all yet. Despite being on the back row while he was speaking, Paula decided to introduce herself. He stopped speaking for a moment, looking around. After a while, he said, "ok..." and continued with his lesson.

No one else had much of a reaction. They have all been around Paula for several months or even years. I did get a fist bump from the guy sitting next to me. Richard gave me points for pausing the sermon. Not everyone has that kind of talent, you know.

Paula introduced herself to Brother Collier as well. He, on the other hand, had the chance to chat with me before hand, and in our discussion, my book and blog and Paula came up. He knew what was going on, so he just kept speaking. I did catch a glimpse of Brother Hardin on the stand still wondering what was going on though.

After the meeting, Brother Hardin came up and gave me a hug, and apologized, saying he just learned about my condition. We had a nice little laugh over it. He had thought there was a baby in the audience. Which wouldn't make much sense, considering my congregation are all young single adults. I would have been confused if I were him as well!

Milestone!

So I just wanted to let it be known that while Paula's comedic timing may be awesome, this is something that is not controlled. If I made this kind of stuff up, I would have had an awesome blog post this morning about the milestone I hit last night in my book and she just got so excited. However, milestone moment hit and there was no Paula. What a slacker, it was such a disappointment. Especially after all her hype about wanting to be the author!

My milestone is still exciting, Paula appearance or no. I finally finished my first edit of my book! It has now been sent to my second editor, and I get some time to focus on polishing up my title, bio, cover, and all the other fun jazz that comes with writing a book! Yay me! The end is in sight!!!

I"m thinking this should be the pic I use for my official bio.
It's fitting after the editing process. What do you think?

Well that was new...

Paula still surprises me all the time. She is constantly growing and changing. At this point, I would probably refer to her as a bratty teenager. Sure, I've posted before how polite she was... but apparently that didn't stick. My roommate was sharing a story the other day and Paula interrupted her quite rudely. But I digress.

The other day, she did something new. Melanie and Brittany were exchanging stories at work. They were quite entertaining and there was much laughter involved. So much in fact, that even Paula decided to laugh. I confess, I have never heard her do that before. It encouraged a round of laughter from the rest of the team. She has also done it a few times since as well.

Paula now laughs, and apparently thinks she is quite funny. She once sang along to a song at home. No one else was around, but it made her chuckle again. It's been quite an interesting development, to say the least!

Minute to Win It Competition!

So I got together with a group of friends from church and we decided to play a few Minute to Win It games. I (yet again) won the fastest time for getting an Oreo from my forehead to my mouth without using my hands. Don't get in the way of me and my Oreos!

Paula, of course, had to get in on the fun as well. Two players on two teams were picking up M&M's with straws. Only about twenty seconds into the game, Paula got a little excited and squealed. Being the brat that I am, I interpreted for her, "Time's up!"

Keep in mind, these people are my friends. They all know about Paula. They know she does not work on any particular time frame. Yet all four of them dropped their straws, thinking time was up! As several others and I started laughing hysterically, others were yelling that they still had time and to keep going!

The next crew played a cup stacking game. Right before they started, Paula jumped out again. "She's cheering for you!" Although, the person timing was quick to point out, "She cheers, but she does not keep time. Don't listen to her!"

She kept it to cheering after that.

Paula and the Puppy

So yesterday I met a beautiful and energetic puppy. Her name is Carmen. She is a pitbull/lab mix. It's a great combination, really. I have always been an animal lover. The more animals I am around as Paula intensifies, the more entertained I am by the reactions of the animal world.

This is a pitbull mixed with a lab. Pretty, huh?

Carmen is a very active puppy. She isn't even a full year old. The second I walked into the apartment the first time I met her, so jumped up wanting attention and loves, which I was happy to give. As she ran back and forth between the four adults in the apartment, Paula decided to make an appearance.

For all her running around, it took Carmen a second to skid to a stop, and then she stared... Her head was tilted to the side, similar to the photo. She never could quite get used to it, either. Paula was incredibly active this particular day, and the same event happened every time. Skidding and staring, then the continuous running.

She was still affectionate the whole evening, just confused every once in a while. Like most young creatures (humans and animals alike), her attention span was rather short, so she continued to run and play in between and still seemed to like me just fine, despite Paula's screams.

Paula Probably Doesn't Need Acoustics...

So once upon a time, a few friends of mine attended General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City. This was before I moved to Salt Lake, it was an arranged rendezvous between me and a few friends from Hawaii. One of the sessions we attended we went into the historic Tabernacle. This is an amazing building.

It was built during 1864-1867 and for it's time, the architecture is truly remarkable. And the acoustics!! It was designed so that any one of the 7,000 seats in the tabernacle would be able to hear the speaker. Rumor has it the acoustics are so good, you can hear a pin drop from 250 feet away! So you can only imagine what Paula would do in a building like this.

Of course, she had to show up! She was subtle at first, so only a few heads turned, but there was one nice and loud one. Pretty sure I saw every head turning in every direction to try to find where the sound came from. Also pretty sure Paula loved the attention. Sounds about like her, doesn't it?

Popular Paula

I have talked a lot lately about how much Paula loves my co workers. I think it is all the strong and varying personalities there. I've already shared the special bond between Paula and Adelana. We sit next to each other and get the most interaction.

However, not everyone acts the same way around Paula. Take for example my friend Jackson. He and Paula have a unique relationship. Jackson has a strong personality and a strong mind and will. yet I find him often apologizing to Paula after she sasses him. She always tends to get the last word. He has started apologizing right off the bat anytime she shows up in his general direction. Paula tends to pick on Jackson a lot, but he takes it very well, letting her think she is the one in charge.

Between Adelana's attitude and Jackson's apologies, as well as the rest of the work crew, she gets quite a bit of attention. Paula is quite popular. She might have more friends than I do! And she helps me make more all the time. Maybe one day she will learn how to be a good wing-man when I go out...

Paula Gets Upset

I had to call in to work today. The cough I had last week apparently turned into Brochitis. So in between naps, I still gotta take it easy, but I think a blog post will be simple enough, right?

Remember how much Paula loves my co workers? Sitting at home today, I haven't heard her once. She might protest a little bit later today, but so far, nothing.

 

I think she might be a little upset at me for having to stay home to take care of myself. She really loves my co workers. So do I, but sick is sick. I'm fairly certain she disappeared in protest and is giving me the silent treatment. 

I'm certain it's not because she is being sympathetic. She was on one yesterday and I have lots of great stories just from yesterday. Like when Adelana tried to imitate Paula's noises. She tried twice before Paula yelled, "Hey!" Addy quickly apologized. 

Paula just likes the attention. She's upset she won't have any fun at home. Sorry, Paula. We can go back to work tomorrow hopefully.

Paula is Honest

I'm starting to realize that most of my Paula stories are coming from work. I must need more of a social life or something! I just can't help where most of her antics happen! She is just so loved at work. She also gets picked on a bit, but in a good way. I guess they know her sense of humor and know she can handle a few laughs.

I don't always know the context of what is going on before Paula jumps into conversations. All I know is that the other day, a co worker exclaimed, "Paula did it!" I don't know what he was claiming Paula did, for all I know she might have been guilty. However, judging from the laughter that followed her "Nuh uh!" I think it's safe to say that she was telling the truth and defending herself against some form of blame.

Most of the time though, I'm pretty sure she is the instigator of the shenanigans that happen at work.

Sickie Paula

For the past week, I have not felt up to full speed. I haven't fully been sick -knock on wood- but I have had a cough and for a day or so even had a sore throat. This isn't something I experience often, but when I do, I appreciate that Paula will lay low. At least she does most of the time. 

She is still always there. She doesn't pop up near as often, but she is still there. Sometimes just as a shoulder tic, but she is there. This past week, despite not feeling well, I was still able to go to work. As described in my previous posts, Paula happens to love my co-workers, and loves the attention she gets. 

So despite the sore throat, she popped up anyways. At least she tried. My mouth opened and what would normally be a loud declaration from Paula turned into a very pitful, barely audible, painful squeak. Funny, she didn't try much the rest of the day. Poor Paula.