To any women out there who are holding out for the best man in the world ... it's too late. I've got him! I can't even begin to describe how much I love my husband and how grateful I am that I married him! I love him more and more every day. It just feels so normal to be married and to wake up next to Ben every day--it seems like I've been doing it since I can remember. I love it!
Well, enough gushy stuff.
The wedding was wonderful. I'm pretty sure I was floating on a cloud all day long. Ben stayed with his parents in Rochester the night before we got married so he came separately to the temple. He had been sick for the two weeks previous and started new medication the night before. He arrived at the temple looking a little green. We got to wait in the celestial room for a little while which was really nice. Everything was really peaceful. Ben was able to collect himself and by the time they took us to the sealing room he was smiling and holding himself up pretty well. All of Ben's brothers and sisters were able to come to Palmyra which was absolutely fantastic. For a while we didn't think they would all make it, but in the end, they made the trip and I think they were all glad they did. What a blessing it must have been for Ben's parents to see all their children in the temple on the same day. The sealer gave us some wise words and had us look in the mirrors which are hung on the opposite walls in the sealing room. He pointed out that we probably couldn't see ourselves very well, but that we could see many multiples of our chosen companion. As long as we always focused on seeing our companion and serving them, we would be much happier in marriage. After we were sealed I went and put my wedding dress on and we went out of the temple to take pictures. It was so hot and sunny that I think we were squinting in most of the pictures! Poor Ben didn't do too well out in the heat and so by the time we got to the reception he was feeling a little nauseous. We had a very nice reception across the street in the Palmyra Stake Center and left there about 3:30. As we were leaving, my brother Jacob and my cousin Carter pelted us with marshmallows from their marshmallow guns. I had also forgotten to lock my car so they had filled it with balloons, paper cups, plastic utensils, and tulle.
The first part of our honeymoon we stayed in Belhurst Castle which is on Seneca Lake in Geneva. Seneca Lake is one of the famous chain of Finger Lakes in upstate New York. We stayed in the Turret Room, which was in the attached Vinifera Inn portion of the castle. The room was beautiful and had a nice view of the lake. Both Saturday night and Sunday night there were wedding receptions going on so they were playing music until midnight in the ballroom which was right below us. Ben was really tired so we didn't venture out until Monday when we went over to Skaneateles. I always have to visit Skaneateles whenever I go home to New York. And, if possible, I eat lunch at The Sherwood. We went on a boat tour of the lake which was so relaxing with all the windows down in the boat and the wind blowing across our faces ... After the boat tour we ate a late lunch at the Sherwood and headed back to Belhurst.
We left Belhurst on Tuesday morning and after stopping at my parents house in Smithville Flats, drove a total of 13 hours to Kill Devil Hills, NC, which is part of the Outer Banks. We spent the second half of our honeymoon there, and went parasailing, regular sailing, minigolfing, ate some good food, and even attempted swimming at the beach but instead got beat up by the Atlantic Ocean. We decided the beach isn't all it's cracked up to be but we still had a lot of fun. We also did a lot of resting because Ben still wasn't feeling up to par. The hotel was a major step down from the Belhurst, but it had a free continental breakfast with Belgian waffles, and it was right on the beach.
We left there Friday morning and drove 11 hours (I drove most of it) back to Grayson where we have been settling in. We opened all our presents from New York and then I finally got those put away before we had our second reception and got more great stuff. I have so many toys to play with now it's so much fun! We got several pieces of crystal which I'm not quite sure what to do with yet because I don't have a good place for them in my small kitchen. This kitchen didn't seem that small until I tried to put a lot of stuff in it and then ... well, you can understand. We've had to rearrange things once already and I think we're going to have to rearrange again! We're not sure yet where we're going to put our food storage or how we're going to do all of that but, we'll figure it out. I don't have a job right now so I'm playing homemaker which is really quite a busy job, even without kids! Suddenly the laundry is multiplying twice as fast as it used to and there's a neverending sinkful of dishes! Speaking of which ... I'd probably better get back to work. But, it's nice to be able to blog again and I'll be back soon--promise!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy 4th of July!
I've been spending a lot of time alone lately, as Ben is pretty much too sick and weak to keep me company. He actually got sick about a week and a half ago, and had just been getting worse and worse. Of course, it seems like anytime you have a stomach bug it couldn't get much worse ... So, I'll go over to say hi to him at night and I read scriptures to him and then we pray, but other than that, we haven't really been able to hang out much! It's kinda boring, I admit, but I'm doing okay. I just hope that he'll be well enough to leave for NY in just a few short days ... He says he doesn't care if he has to carry around a bucket in the temple. He's not going to wait any longer to marry me! If there's one thing I've learned about this whole wedding thing, it's that nothing really matters except being there in the temple on that day. All the rest, it's for pomp and circumstance. So whatever happens, I am excited to be sealed to my companion and best friend in 8 days.
Having had so much time to myself, I've done a pretty good job of getting everything in our apartment in order. I have unpacked nearly all the boxes, and found a place for most of my things. It is SOOOO nice to have my own place and be able to arrange it however I want, do laundry whenver I want, have the bathroom all to myself, and know that any dishes in the sink are mine (or Ben's) and I am responsible for them. I have really enjoyed this whole homemaking business.
Kisya is adjusting pretty well. There isn't as much space for her to run around and there isn't as much sunlight, but she seems to be doing okay. I set up her cat tree so she gets a little bit of exercise climbing up that occasionally. I put it right next to a window so she could climp up and look out. I'm trying to leave more of the blinds and curtains open so there's light in here. I came home 2 days ago and it was so dark in here but it was only 7pm. I thought, "poor Kisya! She hasn't had any sunlight all day!" I figured it might get depressing for her if I kept leaving all the blinds shut. Not to mention, I like windows too and I get depressed when there's no sunlight.
Ben and I are supposed to be leaving on Tuesday evening. We'll see how that goes. I have a feeling we may just leave on Wednesday morning to give everyone an opportunity to have a little bit more sleep. I think if he's still not 100% I may have to do most of the driving, and it's a LOT of driving.
I can't believe how fast this has all gone. I AM excited to get married. I'm so grateful for this last week which has been a blessing in more ways than one. For starters, I've realized just how much I love my future husband. It's hard to imagine loving him more than I do now, but I know, as they say ... this is only the beginning.
Having had so much time to myself, I've done a pretty good job of getting everything in our apartment in order. I have unpacked nearly all the boxes, and found a place for most of my things. It is SOOOO nice to have my own place and be able to arrange it however I want, do laundry whenver I want, have the bathroom all to myself, and know that any dishes in the sink are mine (or Ben's) and I am responsible for them. I have really enjoyed this whole homemaking business.
Kisya is adjusting pretty well. There isn't as much space for her to run around and there isn't as much sunlight, but she seems to be doing okay. I set up her cat tree so she gets a little bit of exercise climbing up that occasionally. I put it right next to a window so she could climp up and look out. I'm trying to leave more of the blinds and curtains open so there's light in here. I came home 2 days ago and it was so dark in here but it was only 7pm. I thought, "poor Kisya! She hasn't had any sunlight all day!" I figured it might get depressing for her if I kept leaving all the blinds shut. Not to mention, I like windows too and I get depressed when there's no sunlight.
Ben and I are supposed to be leaving on Tuesday evening. We'll see how that goes. I have a feeling we may just leave on Wednesday morning to give everyone an opportunity to have a little bit more sleep. I think if he's still not 100% I may have to do most of the driving, and it's a LOT of driving.
I can't believe how fast this has all gone. I AM excited to get married. I'm so grateful for this last week which has been a blessing in more ways than one. For starters, I've realized just how much I love my future husband. It's hard to imagine loving him more than I do now, but I know, as they say ... this is only the beginning.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Last Minute Details
Well, I say last minute, but there's still 12 days, 12 hours and some odd minutes until we get married. Honestly, I suppose having a timer that counts down to the millisecond is a little cheesy, but ... oh well. It'll be here before we know it!
Interestingly, I'm only working half of the next 12 days until my wedding. Four days this week, two days next week. We leave on the evening of Tuesday the 8th. We're going to drive straight through, but it'll be more like he'll drive while I sleep, I'll sleep while he drives ... ha ha ha. All right, I might let him sleep while I drive. I can't believe how close it is until we get married!
I moved into our apartment this weekend. I got my kitchen unpacked this morning. I must say, it is really nice to have my own place. Any mess I make is my own, no one is going to eat my food except for Ben, and that's okay in a marriage ... you know, stuff like that? Not to mention I get a queen-sized bed all to myself for the next 9 days. Ha ha ha ha.
I ordered my veil on Ebay and I'm not really very happy with it. I think I'm going to try to modify it or else I won't wear a veil at all. It wouldn't be the end of the world I guess to not have a veil. It's weird how I had some ideas of how I wanted things to go for my wedding, but when it comes right down to it, if it's too much of a hassle I'm just like, you know what, forget it. It's not worth the trouble! The most important thing is Ben and myself and our families together at the temple on July 12th ...
Interestingly, I'm only working half of the next 12 days until my wedding. Four days this week, two days next week. We leave on the evening of Tuesday the 8th. We're going to drive straight through, but it'll be more like he'll drive while I sleep, I'll sleep while he drives ... ha ha ha. All right, I might let him sleep while I drive. I can't believe how close it is until we get married!
I moved into our apartment this weekend. I got my kitchen unpacked this morning. I must say, it is really nice to have my own place. Any mess I make is my own, no one is going to eat my food except for Ben, and that's okay in a marriage ... you know, stuff like that? Not to mention I get a queen-sized bed all to myself for the next 9 days. Ha ha ha ha.
I ordered my veil on Ebay and I'm not really very happy with it. I think I'm going to try to modify it or else I won't wear a veil at all. It wouldn't be the end of the world I guess to not have a veil. It's weird how I had some ideas of how I wanted things to go for my wedding, but when it comes right down to it, if it's too much of a hassle I'm just like, you know what, forget it. It's not worth the trouble! The most important thing is Ben and myself and our families together at the temple on July 12th ...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Getting closer ...
I surely don't spend enough time blogging and updating everyone. Things have been going smoothly for the last couple of weeks. I guess the biggest news is that I have my ring! It is so beautiful and I am so happy to have something more comfortable to wear. That may sound like a strange adjective, "comfortable", but anyone who has worn a ring from Wal-Mart or some similar cheap costime jewelry knows that once the plastic wears out a little bit it starts to get rough! We got our wedding rings too. We ordered them online and they came today. They are just plain bands but it's one step closer to the big day and so it's exciting to have the wedding rings! After a little snag with ordering the announcements they are on the way. We've been attaching labels to envelopes tonight and finalizing address lists. I didn't realize, however, when I went to the post office today that you can't buy more than 6 books of stamps with one credit card in the same day. Well, I only use one credit card right now so I'll have to go back tomorrow and get 6 more books of stamps. I just don't want to have to wait in line even if it means getting them all at once.
In related news, I'm moving into our new apartment in a week and a half. THAT will be so crazy! We're going to try to move some of my stuff in this week and next week and the final big move will be on June 28th. We leave for NY on the 8th or 9th of July. We weren't going to leave until the 9th but we're thinking we might leave on the evening of the 8th.
Anyway, we're just really excited and looking forward to seeing everyone that can come to NY! If you can't come to NY, hopefully you can make it to the reception in GA.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Wedding madness!
Needless to say, I have been very busy planning a wedding lately! I'm sorry I haven't taken the time to update ya'll on what's been going on!
First of all, I bought my wedding dress! I got way lucky with this one. There is one shop in the area which specializes in modest wedding and prom gowns so of course I went there first to see what my options were. I knew most of the dresses wouldn't be in my size but there was one in my size. When I tried it on it fit like a glove and looked gorgeous so I bought it. The lady in the shop made me try on 3 other dresses, just for good measure but I knew once I tried mine on that it was the ONE.
I decided instead of having real flowers that I would buy silk ones and make my bouquet and Ben's boutonniere. My mother was horrified that I would not be having real flowers but I figure that I have two receptions and I can have the same bouquet at both! Not to mention, I'm trying to save money on things I don't care as much about. I made the bouquet myself and I personally think it looks really nice.
We've found a place to live. There is a couple on our stake who rent out their basement, and we went and checked it out. We had to make a kind-of hurried decision because the next day someone else looked at the apartment and really liked it. We had only looked at one other place but, the basement apartment has everything that we need and it inexpensive so we went for it. I'll be moving in around the last weekend in June and trying to get the place set up and organized before we leave for NY on July 9th.
We've also finished making our invitation and are now trying to figure out where and how exactly to print it. I was all set to order it last night but Ben started reading about colors and he was afraid it wouldn't print with the same colors and so I gave up. I guess I'll try going somewhere today and seeing if I can get a proof.
I've also run into a snag with respect to a wedding photographer. We're getting married in Palmyra of course, and my photographer of choice is not available for that day. I've been looking around on the web, but I want someone who is familiar with temples and LDS weddings and I don't know where to find anyone! If you have any resources, please help!
You know, they say that the mission is an emotional rollercoaster. I think the mission is nothing compared to planning a wedding. I think I'm pretty easy to please but it seems like while some things come really easily, sometimes we just run into snags and my emotions are so close to the surface lately that I'll just erupt into tears at the slightest provocation. Poor Ben is so good though. He knows exactly how to handle it when I go crazy. I don't think he really realizes how much I appreciate his calm strength. I am seriously so lucky to have found someone so amazing and so perfect for me.
First of all, I bought my wedding dress! I got way lucky with this one. There is one shop in the area which specializes in modest wedding and prom gowns so of course I went there first to see what my options were. I knew most of the dresses wouldn't be in my size but there was one in my size. When I tried it on it fit like a glove and looked gorgeous so I bought it. The lady in the shop made me try on 3 other dresses, just for good measure but I knew once I tried mine on that it was the ONE.
I decided instead of having real flowers that I would buy silk ones and make my bouquet and Ben's boutonniere. My mother was horrified that I would not be having real flowers but I figure that I have two receptions and I can have the same bouquet at both! Not to mention, I'm trying to save money on things I don't care as much about. I made the bouquet myself and I personally think it looks really nice.
We've found a place to live. There is a couple on our stake who rent out their basement, and we went and checked it out. We had to make a kind-of hurried decision because the next day someone else looked at the apartment and really liked it. We had only looked at one other place but, the basement apartment has everything that we need and it inexpensive so we went for it. I'll be moving in around the last weekend in June and trying to get the place set up and organized before we leave for NY on July 9th.
We've also finished making our invitation and are now trying to figure out where and how exactly to print it. I was all set to order it last night but Ben started reading about colors and he was afraid it wouldn't print with the same colors and so I gave up. I guess I'll try going somewhere today and seeing if I can get a proof.
I've also run into a snag with respect to a wedding photographer. We're getting married in Palmyra of course, and my photographer of choice is not available for that day. I've been looking around on the web, but I want someone who is familiar with temples and LDS weddings and I don't know where to find anyone! If you have any resources, please help!
You know, they say that the mission is an emotional rollercoaster. I think the mission is nothing compared to planning a wedding. I think I'm pretty easy to please but it seems like while some things come really easily, sometimes we just run into snags and my emotions are so close to the surface lately that I'll just erupt into tears at the slightest provocation. Poor Ben is so good though. He knows exactly how to handle it when I go crazy. I don't think he really realizes how much I appreciate his calm strength. I am seriously so lucky to have found someone so amazing and so perfect for me.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
You asked for it, here it is! The Ben questionnaire extraordinaire!
I rather suspect Ben might have some addendums. If he does he'll have to leave them in the comments section ...
How did you meet Ben?
We met sometime over Christmas break 2006-2007. He was home from BYU for the holidays and we went bowling with our mutual friends. I thought he was really cool and wished he lived closer. Turns out, he thought that same thing.
Where did you go on your first date?
Well, what I would consider to be our first date was dinner at Ted’s to celebrate me getting a long-term subbing job. Apparently at the time he wasn’t thinking of it as a date, but I knew he liked me so I considered it a date since it was just the two of us and he planned and paid for it and it, although though I had no intention of dating him at the time. Our first official date after we hooked up was to Shakespeare’s theater where we ate some scrumptious food and watched A Midsummernight’s Dream.
How long have you been together?
Well, officially, 1 month and 1 day. (I know, I know …)
Who eats more?
Depends on what we’re having. A lot of times we eat about the same amount, but sometimes Ben eats more.
Who said I love you first?
Well, I knew he wanted to, so I said it first to break the ice and he started gushing soon after ;-)
Who is taller?
Uh—definitely Ben. He’s 6’2”.
Who is older?
That would be me! I’m 27 and Ben is one month shy of 24.
Who sings better?
You really have to be more specific; who sings “what” better. We are both very good singers (if I do say so myself). But if I had to answer one of us, I would say I sing better. Ben sings louder …
Who is smarter?
We are both so uber smart it’s sickening. He has an amazing memory but he loves it when I go on and on about nerdy scientific stuff.
Who does the dishes?
We do them together, always.
Who cooks dinner?
Well I have a slightly larger repertoire and I really enjoy cooking. He will always help me in the kitchen though. He is an eager assistant. He also has a few things that he cooks very well. It stresses me out when he fries the garlic before the onions though … Yesterday I was so tired that he made dinner all by himself and MY it was tasty!
Who drives when you are together?
Ben, always. He loves to drive and I hate it. Perfect combination. He always opens the car door for me too. I love it!
Who is more stubborn?
Hmmm…I think I pretend to be. We’re actually both pretty flexible. If he’s not being flexible I call him on it. If I really want something though I can use my feminine wiles to get it.
Who is the first to admit when they’re wrong?
What? Are you saying I’m sometimes wrong?
Whose parents do you see the most?
Right now, we see Ben’s parents the most as he lives with them and my parents live in NY.
Who kissed who first?
Ben kissed me. He claims he could tell I was dying to kiss him. Whatever. Anyway, I taught him how to be a good kisser and, oh baby!
Who proposed?
Well technically Ben brought up the subject of marriage first but I decided first that I wanted to marry him. It took him a full week beyond me to decide. I kept playfully trying to hurry him up so I did ask him to marry me first, but he wouldn’t commit. Ha!
Who is more sensitive?
Definitely Ben, but we’re both sensitive to others’ needs.
Who has more friends?
Not sure really. Probably about equal.
Who has more siblings?
Ben is the youngest of eight. I am the second of five.
Who wears the pants?
That would most definitely be me.
How did you meet Ben?
We met sometime over Christmas break 2006-2007. He was home from BYU for the holidays and we went bowling with our mutual friends. I thought he was really cool and wished he lived closer. Turns out, he thought that same thing.
Where did you go on your first date?
Well, what I would consider to be our first date was dinner at Ted’s to celebrate me getting a long-term subbing job. Apparently at the time he wasn’t thinking of it as a date, but I knew he liked me so I considered it a date since it was just the two of us and he planned and paid for it and it, although though I had no intention of dating him at the time. Our first official date after we hooked up was to Shakespeare’s theater where we ate some scrumptious food and watched A Midsummernight’s Dream.
How long have you been together?
Well, officially, 1 month and 1 day. (I know, I know …)
Who eats more?
Depends on what we’re having. A lot of times we eat about the same amount, but sometimes Ben eats more.
Who said I love you first?
Well, I knew he wanted to, so I said it first to break the ice and he started gushing soon after ;-)
Who is taller?
Uh—definitely Ben. He’s 6’2”.
Who is older?
That would be me! I’m 27 and Ben is one month shy of 24.
Who sings better?
You really have to be more specific; who sings “what” better. We are both very good singers (if I do say so myself). But if I had to answer one of us, I would say I sing better. Ben sings louder …
Who is smarter?
We are both so uber smart it’s sickening. He has an amazing memory but he loves it when I go on and on about nerdy scientific stuff.
Who does the dishes?
We do them together, always.
Who cooks dinner?
Well I have a slightly larger repertoire and I really enjoy cooking. He will always help me in the kitchen though. He is an eager assistant. He also has a few things that he cooks very well. It stresses me out when he fries the garlic before the onions though … Yesterday I was so tired that he made dinner all by himself and MY it was tasty!
Who drives when you are together?
Ben, always. He loves to drive and I hate it. Perfect combination. He always opens the car door for me too. I love it!
Who is more stubborn?
Hmmm…I think I pretend to be. We’re actually both pretty flexible. If he’s not being flexible I call him on it. If I really want something though I can use my feminine wiles to get it.
Who is the first to admit when they’re wrong?
What? Are you saying I’m sometimes wrong?
Whose parents do you see the most?
Right now, we see Ben’s parents the most as he lives with them and my parents live in NY.
Who kissed who first?
Ben kissed me. He claims he could tell I was dying to kiss him. Whatever. Anyway, I taught him how to be a good kisser and, oh baby!
Who proposed?
Well technically Ben brought up the subject of marriage first but I decided first that I wanted to marry him. It took him a full week beyond me to decide. I kept playfully trying to hurry him up so I did ask him to marry me first, but he wouldn’t commit. Ha!
Who is more sensitive?
Definitely Ben, but we’re both sensitive to others’ needs.
Who has more friends?
Not sure really. Probably about equal.
Who has more siblings?
Ben is the youngest of eight. I am the second of five.
Who wears the pants?
That would most definitely be me.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Palmyra it is!
Well initially we were thinking we would get married in Atlanta but some things came up and we started to rethink where we wanted to get married and began seriously considering other options, including Palmyra and Washington, D.C. The more I thought about Palmyra, the more I could see it happening there and the more excited I became! So we made the decision to get married there and I called the temple this morning and made the appointment! The seating is limited and Ben has a big family so we're sending out individual invitations to the sealing. It was so crazy after I called, it was like--wow, this is really real! I'm really getting married! So we're planning on getting married in the morning of July 12th and we'll be having the reception the night before, Friday the 11th at the church. We didn't want to drag everybody all over the place on Saturday and have to have everything ready while attending a sealing at the same time. Not to mention, we can leave on our honeymoon right after the wedding luncheon, and all our guests from out-of-town can tour Palmyra. Hooray! Also, we'll be taking engagement pictures this week so as soon as I get those, I'll be posting them here. Things are crazy but they are coming together ...
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Engaged ...
Well, I'm engaged! Only it's not April 1st and I'm not kidding this time! Ben and I have decided to get married. Just a note for those thinking about getting married--buy the ring a month in advance since that's about how long it takes to order these things nowadays. We ordered the ring from the jeweler today and found out that it will take 3-4 weeks to get here. So, we went to Wal-Mart to get a cheap costume ring and then we went to the park and as we were walking across a bridge he dropped on one knee and proposed then put the interim ring on my finger. It was cute. I can't wait to get my real ring as it is BEAUTIFUL. I can't even begin to describe how frustrating it was at the jewelers this morning when we found out that it would take 3-4 weeks to get the ring. They could custom make a similar one in 2 weeks, but without the bezel-set diamonds that I love. So we decided to go ahead and get the ring I really wanted.
The diamond we got to go in the ring is beautiful too. The jeweler brought out several different diamonds, all of which were either too low-quality or too expensive. We were getting frustrated again when another of the gals that works there said, hey we just got this 1 carat colorless SI2 in yesterday. When the salesman unwrapped it we both just gasped and went WOW. It was in our price range too so we said, "done deal" and got it all set up. I'm so excited! I know it's going to be three weeks before I get it but I'm okay with that. So, we're planning on getting married on July 12th. We're not sure exactly where we'll get married yet, but we'll let everyone know as soon as we know!
The diamond we got to go in the ring is beautiful too. The jeweler brought out several different diamonds, all of which were either too low-quality or too expensive. We were getting frustrated again when another of the gals that works there said, hey we just got this 1 carat colorless SI2 in yesterday. When the salesman unwrapped it we both just gasped and went WOW. It was in our price range too so we said, "done deal" and got it all set up. I'm so excited! I know it's going to be three weeks before I get it but I'm okay with that. So, we're planning on getting married on July 12th. We're not sure exactly where we'll get married yet, but we'll let everyone know as soon as we know!
Tootsie Rolls
I couldn't think of a title for this post so I looked up at my bookshelf and saw the package of tootsie rolls left over from my trip to Washington DC. We stopped the second day we were there to get some more ice for the cooler and I saw a small bag of tootsie rolls that for some insane reason I was really craving right at that moment. So I bought it and immediately devoured half of the tootsie rolls in there and I finished the rest for breakfast. I'm not even sure how you classify tootsie rolls. What kind of candy are they anyway? You can't describe them! I just may have to do some research on this. (Note: upon further research I discovered that Modern Marvels describes them as "not quite caramels, not quite fudge, but something like both". Makes sense to me!) I think one of the reasons that I like tootsie rolls is almost completely sentimental. My Grandmother Brown used to take me to a candy shop when I was a little girl and she would buy me a couple of these little brown candy bears which, incidentally, tasted a lot like tootsie rolls. So every time I bite into a tootsie roll, I remember walking out of that sweet shop with my grandmother many many moons ago.
In other news, things with Ben are going really well. We have both fallen very deeply for one another, despite the fact that it has only been a month. I am SOOOOO glad I finally decided to give him a try.
We had a really fun time last Saturday. We went and saw ironman in the afternoon and then we went over to Stone Mountain at around 7 and started hiking around the mountain. Well, I did not realize that when Ben said we were going to "walk" around the mountain, that we were really going to HIKE around the mountain. So here I am thinking 5 miles, 2 hours, no problem. Well, we got about 1/2 of the way and it was already 9 o'clock and dark. We made it to the laser show around 9:30, watched that until 10, and then took the road instead of the trail back to the car. It was really fun but we were tired by the end of that. Sunday was a good time too. We are just loving all this time we get to spend together. There never seems to be enough time to be together!
I'm also working, hooray! My long-term for subbing was up on May 6th, and the very next day I started a new job working with my roommate as her assistant director up at Legacy Academy which is a preschool/daycare. It's been pretty fun so far. It's not full-time, but I've been enjoying it nonetheless. Some days are full-time, others are not. It just depends on how many teachers are out, etc. Anyway, I can't complain. Life is very, very, very good!
In other news, things with Ben are going really well. We have both fallen very deeply for one another, despite the fact that it has only been a month. I am SOOOOO glad I finally decided to give him a try.
We had a really fun time last Saturday. We went and saw ironman in the afternoon and then we went over to Stone Mountain at around 7 and started hiking around the mountain. Well, I did not realize that when Ben said we were going to "walk" around the mountain, that we were really going to HIKE around the mountain. So here I am thinking 5 miles, 2 hours, no problem. Well, we got about 1/2 of the way and it was already 9 o'clock and dark. We made it to the laser show around 9:30, watched that until 10, and then took the road instead of the trail back to the car. It was really fun but we were tired by the end of that. Sunday was a good time too. We are just loving all this time we get to spend together. There never seems to be enough time to be together!
I'm also working, hooray! My long-term for subbing was up on May 6th, and the very next day I started a new job working with my roommate as her assistant director up at Legacy Academy which is a preschool/daycare. It's been pretty fun so far. It's not full-time, but I've been enjoying it nonetheless. Some days are full-time, others are not. It just depends on how many teachers are out, etc. Anyway, I can't complain. Life is very, very, very good!
Ben and I at Stone Mountain
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Life is Good
I know it has been FOREVER since I've posted anything. Believe me, I know! I honestly haven't had two seconds to sit down and think about it until now. The reason why I've been so busy is that I started dating someone 2 1/2 weeks ago. It was really funny how it all worked out. Ben has liked me for about 3 months now but I kept pushing him away because I was so devoted to Joe and I didn't want to ditch Joe on his mission. But after Ben and I got back from DC I didn't see him for a week, I really missed him. It was the first time I had gone several days without seeing him. I realized then what that must mean and the Spirit softened my heart. I began responding to his advances and I must say, the last 2 1/2 weeks have been some of the most amazing in my life. I am very happy to be with Ben. He is an amazing man and he is head over heels for me. I am becoming head over heels for him too. Life is Good ...
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Trip to Washington
This past weekend I had the marvelous opportunity to go to Washington DC. My family came from NY and I went with my friend Ben (the mullet guy). I came up with the idea of packing a cooler, figuring we could save some money on food that way. By the time I was done buying lunch materials and snacky foods though, I had spent $60 on two people for 4 days. Hmmmm.... well, at least we would eat more healthy-like. So we packed up and headed out on Wednesday afternoon at about 4:30. Our plan was to stop in Durham at a campground for Wednesday night, spend some time visiting some sites around Durham on Thursday and then drive up to Washington DC Thursday evening. But when we got to the entrance of the campground on Wednesday night at about 11pm, the gates were closed and locked! Apparently they lock them at 8pm. Well, that thought had never even occurred to me and having no other feasible option, we made the rest of the drive to DC that night. We arrived at the campground there around 3:45am. I knew from the website that this campground had 24-hour self check-in, and you leave your payment in a drop-box. We found a campsite, and then began to set up the tents in the dark. We got the first tent set up with no problem but the second tent had the wrong sized poles or something because it looked a bit droopy.
Oh well, what do you do? So we each crawled into our own tents; I got the nice dome tent and Ben took the partially collapsed one, and I finally got to sleep around 4:30.
The next day we slept in until about 9:30 and then got ready and went to the nearest Metro Station where we took the Metro into downtown Washington DC.
We started at the Washington Monument, then headed over to the Lincoln.
In between them you will find the relatively new World War II Memorial, which has a beautiful fountain and granite panels representing each of the war ships used by the United States during the war. We then headed up to the Lincoln Monument which was about 20 degrees cooler than the rest of the mall.
We rested there for a while and then walked forever and a day down to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. My feet were aching at this point so we decided to watch a movie in the planetarium about space collisions. It was pretty cool to watch, especially after having just studied astronomy with my students. Ben really wanted to eat dinner somewhere in the city, so we picked a stop on the Metro with some hotels nearby figuring that they might have restaurants there. We saw restaurant called Bravo Bravo and the menu posted outside looked pretty good so we decided to go in. You had to descend some stairs to get to this basement bar, but once we got down there and looked around, we decided it was probably a pretty laid-back place to hang out. Instead of normal tables and chairs, there were couches and tables which were slightly lower so you could lounge while eating. We were much disappointed however, when the host came striding up and informed us that they do not serve dinner. They were only serving drinks and there were free ourderves (sp?). Well, we were not so much interested in free appetizers which didn't really look that appetizing at all, so we left and found an Indian restaurant where we ate instead. Ben had never had Indian food so I was happy that he was willing to try it and that he liked it! Personally I consider Indian food one of my all-time favorites. I need to learn how to cook it I think ...
Friday we had intended to go to Mount Vernon but we got a slow start due to some logistical problems and so by the time we got there, the parking was all full. No, not a spot! We drove down the road about a mile and a quarter and there was a little park there along the banks of the Potomac. There was actually a trail that dumped you right into the parking lot at Mount Vernon. We had seen it when we were looking for a spot there. So I had this genius idea to walk the mile and a quarter back to Mount Vernon. Well, it was a nice walk but having walked to much the day before, I was getting pretty tired of walking. We only had a couple of hours at Mount Vernon, but we got the see the house and the tombs and we watched a cool video in the museum. It was a pretty neat interactive theater where the seats vibrated when the cannons were going off and they actually blow snow at you during one part of the movie. After we left Mount Vernon we drove to Fairfax where we met one of my mission companions for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was yummy! We then drove on to Manassas where we were staying with my parents at the Residence Inn. It was so good to see my family! I miss them.
Saturday the weather was a little gloomy, but we drove down the street to Manassas Battlefield, site of both battles of Bull Run. We had a very pleasant time on the guided tour. The guide seemed to know a lot about the battles and drew a very comprehensive picture for us of how the battle went. It was pretty cool. We then drove around to some of the other sites but everyone was pretty much too tired to walk around. We did get out and look at the infamous stone bridge, however. The ground near the banks of the river was covered in bluebells. It was gorgeous! When we got back to the hotel I took a nap since my feet hurt like the dickens and I was just plain exhausted. Late in the afternoon we headed down into DC again, this time parking and walking to the Jefferson Memorial. We then got to walk along the banks of the Potomac at sunset and I've rarely seen anything so beautiful. The weather was perfect!
Sunday morning we loaded up and headed out, stopping after about 45 minutes to attend a Sacrament Meeting. We then continued our journey, stopping only for gas and arrived home around 9pm. It was a long day and a long trip. I was so not ready to go back to work on Monday morning but back I went. Suffice it to say I had a wonderful vacation and wish that Spring Break and my vacation could have lasted longer!
Oh well, what do you do? So we each crawled into our own tents; I got the nice dome tent and Ben took the partially collapsed one, and I finally got to sleep around 4:30.
The next day we slept in until about 9:30 and then got ready and went to the nearest Metro Station where we took the Metro into downtown Washington DC.
We started at the Washington Monument, then headed over to the Lincoln.
In between them you will find the relatively new World War II Memorial, which has a beautiful fountain and granite panels representing each of the war ships used by the United States during the war. We then headed up to the Lincoln Monument which was about 20 degrees cooler than the rest of the mall.
We rested there for a while and then walked forever and a day down to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. My feet were aching at this point so we decided to watch a movie in the planetarium about space collisions. It was pretty cool to watch, especially after having just studied astronomy with my students. Ben really wanted to eat dinner somewhere in the city, so we picked a stop on the Metro with some hotels nearby figuring that they might have restaurants there. We saw restaurant called Bravo Bravo and the menu posted outside looked pretty good so we decided to go in. You had to descend some stairs to get to this basement bar, but once we got down there and looked around, we decided it was probably a pretty laid-back place to hang out. Instead of normal tables and chairs, there were couches and tables which were slightly lower so you could lounge while eating. We were much disappointed however, when the host came striding up and informed us that they do not serve dinner. They were only serving drinks and there were free ourderves (sp?). Well, we were not so much interested in free appetizers which didn't really look that appetizing at all, so we left and found an Indian restaurant where we ate instead. Ben had never had Indian food so I was happy that he was willing to try it and that he liked it! Personally I consider Indian food one of my all-time favorites. I need to learn how to cook it I think ...
Friday we had intended to go to Mount Vernon but we got a slow start due to some logistical problems and so by the time we got there, the parking was all full. No, not a spot! We drove down the road about a mile and a quarter and there was a little park there along the banks of the Potomac. There was actually a trail that dumped you right into the parking lot at Mount Vernon. We had seen it when we were looking for a spot there. So I had this genius idea to walk the mile and a quarter back to Mount Vernon. Well, it was a nice walk but having walked to much the day before, I was getting pretty tired of walking. We only had a couple of hours at Mount Vernon, but we got the see the house and the tombs and we watched a cool video in the museum. It was a pretty neat interactive theater where the seats vibrated when the cannons were going off and they actually blow snow at you during one part of the movie. After we left Mount Vernon we drove to Fairfax where we met one of my mission companions for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was yummy! We then drove on to Manassas where we were staying with my parents at the Residence Inn. It was so good to see my family! I miss them.
Saturday the weather was a little gloomy, but we drove down the street to Manassas Battlefield, site of both battles of Bull Run. We had a very pleasant time on the guided tour. The guide seemed to know a lot about the battles and drew a very comprehensive picture for us of how the battle went. It was pretty cool. We then drove around to some of the other sites but everyone was pretty much too tired to walk around. We did get out and look at the infamous stone bridge, however. The ground near the banks of the river was covered in bluebells. It was gorgeous! When we got back to the hotel I took a nap since my feet hurt like the dickens and I was just plain exhausted. Late in the afternoon we headed down into DC again, this time parking and walking to the Jefferson Memorial. We then got to walk along the banks of the Potomac at sunset and I've rarely seen anything so beautiful. The weather was perfect!
Sunday morning we loaded up and headed out, stopping after about 45 minutes to attend a Sacrament Meeting. We then continued our journey, stopping only for gas and arrived home around 9pm. It was a long day and a long trip. I was so not ready to go back to work on Monday morning but back I went. Suffice it to say I had a wonderful vacation and wish that Spring Break and my vacation could have lasted longer!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Lane shift ahead. Please drive slow.
I wonder if most people would recognize the error in that phrase. So, let's make it a contest. Leave your answer in the comments!
In all seriousness, I was driving down the road today and when I saw that sign I had a coughing fit and nearly drove off the road. I have to admit though, living in Georgia has seriously affected my ability to properly speak and write English. Well, it's partially that and it's partially the fact that I spent a year and a half of my life speaking Russian instead of English. I find myself mixing up their, they're and there, which is something that I have never before done in my life. I also suspect that I'm becoming senile in my old age. I'm not as young and quick-minded as I once was, that's for sure ...
I went to a Braves game last night. It was enormous good fun, especially since we were sitting in the 7th row! AND, considering we were right behind the visitor's dugout, they had removed the first 5 rows so it was more like 2nd row. It was so great!
In all seriousness, I was driving down the road today and when I saw that sign I had a coughing fit and nearly drove off the road. I have to admit though, living in Georgia has seriously affected my ability to properly speak and write English. Well, it's partially that and it's partially the fact that I spent a year and a half of my life speaking Russian instead of English. I find myself mixing up their, they're and there, which is something that I have never before done in my life. I also suspect that I'm becoming senile in my old age. I'm not as young and quick-minded as I once was, that's for sure ...
I went to a Braves game last night. It was enormous good fun, especially since we were sitting in the 7th row! AND, considering we were right behind the visitor's dugout, they had removed the first 5 rows so it was more like 2nd row. It was so great!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Oh it's time, in fact it's way overdue!
It's April! And I got engaged yesterday. Why do you think I've been too busy to blog these last two weeks? Made you look ... April Fools! I'm not engaged, although it was one of the pranks I was considering for this blessed holiday. I'm not much of a prankster. I just don't think it's as fun if I can't be there to see the reactions. Not to mention I don't want anyone to really go crazy and lose sleep over it or anything.
Teaching has been an adventure, as it always is. Next week is Spring Break and so the kids are going CRAZY! Of course, they pretty much think they don't have to work any more. I've never seen such lazy children in my life. Surely I was not this lazy when I was in 6th grade! I don't know how much longer I will be with these kids. Technically the teacher is supposed to come back on April 14th, but she may stay out another 6 weeks on the Family Medical Leave Act. I guess we'll see. That would take us to the end of the year. I think the kids might riot if their teacher doesn't come back. Half the time they say, "I don't want my teacher to come back" and the other half of the time they desperately want their teacher to come back. Usually it's when they are mad at me that they want their teacher back. They're so funny. All in all I love the kids, but they do drive me nuts sometimes. I'm still learning how to deal with them. I feel so blessed to be a teacher though. It's a great working environment.
Still can't believe it's already April. The weather is beautiful but the allergens are out in full force. I never had allergies until I moved here! And now suddenly I'm sneezing all the time during allergy season. That's the only bad thing about Spring ...
Teaching has been an adventure, as it always is. Next week is Spring Break and so the kids are going CRAZY! Of course, they pretty much think they don't have to work any more. I've never seen such lazy children in my life. Surely I was not this lazy when I was in 6th grade! I don't know how much longer I will be with these kids. Technically the teacher is supposed to come back on April 14th, but she may stay out another 6 weeks on the Family Medical Leave Act. I guess we'll see. That would take us to the end of the year. I think the kids might riot if their teacher doesn't come back. Half the time they say, "I don't want my teacher to come back" and the other half of the time they desperately want their teacher to come back. Usually it's when they are mad at me that they want their teacher back. They're so funny. All in all I love the kids, but they do drive me nuts sometimes. I'm still learning how to deal with them. I feel so blessed to be a teacher though. It's a great working environment.
Still can't believe it's already April. The weather is beautiful but the allergens are out in full force. I never had allergies until I moved here! And now suddenly I'm sneezing all the time during allergy season. That's the only bad thing about Spring ...
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Fifty-first post
I've had this blog for how long and I only have 50 posts? My life must be really busy ... but strangely I don't have anything to blog about ...
This week has been kinda crazy. We had a teacher work day on Monday so I only saw the kids for 4 days, but 4 days was enough! I was so emotionally exhausted by Friday evening. This week we have another 4-day week as well, with Good Friday being this coming Friday. Let me tell you I'm looking forward to that! So do I still want to be a teacher you are asking? Yes, I am still planning on it. I figure I really have to give it at least a couple of years before I decide against it. I really do enjoy teaching, the kids can just be difficult to deal with sometimes. I LOVE my co-workers. Teachers really are amazing people. They really do care about the kids and want them to learn.
So you may be wondering how we fared out here with all the tornadoes last night. Well, everything is just fine where we are. We haven't had any tornadoes right around us. There was at least one that touched down in downtown Atlanta last night and it did quite significant damage there. Then there was another that touched down north of here today. It completely demolished an older couple's house. The wife did not survive and the husband is in critical condition at the hospital. It's so heartbreaking to see the pile of lumber and know that it used to be a house and also to think about all that family is going through. It makes me feel so lucky and so blessed to have all that I have and to be safe right now.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, my friend finally cut all his hair. So, no more mullet.
This week has been kinda crazy. We had a teacher work day on Monday so I only saw the kids for 4 days, but 4 days was enough! I was so emotionally exhausted by Friday evening. This week we have another 4-day week as well, with Good Friday being this coming Friday. Let me tell you I'm looking forward to that! So do I still want to be a teacher you are asking? Yes, I am still planning on it. I figure I really have to give it at least a couple of years before I decide against it. I really do enjoy teaching, the kids can just be difficult to deal with sometimes. I LOVE my co-workers. Teachers really are amazing people. They really do care about the kids and want them to learn.
So you may be wondering how we fared out here with all the tornadoes last night. Well, everything is just fine where we are. We haven't had any tornadoes right around us. There was at least one that touched down in downtown Atlanta last night and it did quite significant damage there. Then there was another that touched down north of here today. It completely demolished an older couple's house. The wife did not survive and the husband is in critical condition at the hospital. It's so heartbreaking to see the pile of lumber and know that it used to be a house and also to think about all that family is going through. It makes me feel so lucky and so blessed to have all that I have and to be safe right now.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, my friend finally cut all his hair. So, no more mullet.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Mullitia
I have a friend who in an act of rebellion decided to grow his hair long and grow a full beard after he left BYU. A couple of weeks ago he shaved most of his beard off and he left a really bushy goatee. I've been bugging him to cut his hair because I personally think it looks really awful. Last week he decided to experiment with corn rows:
Well, he decided that he would let me cut his hair if I would first give him a mullet. So tonight I cut him a disgustingly lovely mullet:
I'm not sure how long he's planning on keeping the mullet for. Not long ... I hope ... I can't believe this was EVER a cool hairstyle.
Well, he decided that he would let me cut his hair if I would first give him a mullet. So tonight I cut him a disgustingly lovely mullet:
I'm not sure how long he's planning on keeping the mullet for. Not long ... I hope ... I can't believe this was EVER a cool hairstyle.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
I got this recipe from my aunt at my sister's bridal shower. It was a sort-of game where we had to guess the missing ingredients. So I just found it the other day and since we had a fryer chicken in the freezer I decided to see if I could modify it slightly to go in the crock pot. This is what I came up with:
Viennese Chicken
Cook together in large pan:
2 Tbsp. Butter
1 minced onion
When the onion is yellow add:
2 T. Canola oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil would probably work well too
1 green pepper, chopped
6 mushrooms, chopped
When vegetables are all sauteed, dump those in a crock pot along with:
1 roasting chicken, cut into pieces
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
1 can tomato soup
1 Cup water
Salt, Paprika, and I added some Pampered Chef Greek Seasoning, but I think anything with garlic and something that goes well with poultry would probably work well here. You might have to get a little creative with the spices.
Cook on high 4-5 hours or so. About 30 minutes before you take it out, mix together:
1 Tbsp. flour
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
Stir into the chicken and sauce.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
It turned out pretty tasty although I think with the skin on the chicken it was a little greasy. Maybe next time I wouldn't add the chicken broth from the can. If you need extra moisture, I think a little extra water with a little salt would probably work just fine. The tomato soup isn't in the original recipe, but I added it for flavor and moisture. I might consider using chicken breast next time to make it lower in fat. Let me know if you try it!
Viennese Chicken
Cook together in large pan:
2 Tbsp. Butter
1 minced onion
When the onion is yellow add:
2 T. Canola oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil would probably work well too
1 green pepper, chopped
6 mushrooms, chopped
When vegetables are all sauteed, dump those in a crock pot along with:
1 roasting chicken, cut into pieces
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
1 can tomato soup
1 Cup water
Salt, Paprika, and I added some Pampered Chef Greek Seasoning, but I think anything with garlic and something that goes well with poultry would probably work well here. You might have to get a little creative with the spices.
Cook on high 4-5 hours or so. About 30 minutes before you take it out, mix together:
1 Tbsp. flour
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
Stir into the chicken and sauce.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
It turned out pretty tasty although I think with the skin on the chicken it was a little greasy. Maybe next time I wouldn't add the chicken broth from the can. If you need extra moisture, I think a little extra water with a little salt would probably work just fine. The tomato soup isn't in the original recipe, but I added it for flavor and moisture. I might consider using chicken breast next time to make it lower in fat. Let me know if you try it!
It's amazing ...
I got a full 8 hours of sleep last night for the first time in ... forever and it's really amazing how energized you feel in the morning after a nights sleep like that! Or maybe that's just because it's so atypical for me. When I was in college I made absolutely sure I got 8 hours of sleep every night. I had a very tedious job which involved quickly looking back and forth between two computer screens, so I had to be fully awake for that. I found that if I didn't get 8 hours of sleep I couldn't function very well at my job. Not to mention reading textbooks ... ugh. But now that I'm out of college I've stopped sleeping 8 hours a night. For some reason it's easier to function on less than 8 hours now.
On Saturday our singles branch went and helped out a build for Habitat for Humanity. We along with several other small groups actually finished 6 houses that day. Most of our work involved laying sod. It was VERY dirty work. When they called us for lunch, the best I could do was get my fingers clean with 2 baby wipes! I was still filthy. The Outback Steakhouse catered lunch. After lunch we finished up with the landscaping and then Habitat, along with Clark Howard who is a prominent radio talk show host here in Atlanta, dedicated the 6 houses. It was neat to see all the people who had helped and then see the families who would be living in these new houses at a fraction of the cost of buying a comparable home. Some pictures:
We WERE raking, but we stopped to pose for the camera.
Sod line ...
All the folks who came out to help.
One of the houses we finished. Yeah, we laid ALL that sod you see.
On Saturday our singles branch went and helped out a build for Habitat for Humanity. We along with several other small groups actually finished 6 houses that day. Most of our work involved laying sod. It was VERY dirty work. When they called us for lunch, the best I could do was get my fingers clean with 2 baby wipes! I was still filthy. The Outback Steakhouse catered lunch. After lunch we finished up with the landscaping and then Habitat, along with Clark Howard who is a prominent radio talk show host here in Atlanta, dedicated the 6 houses. It was neat to see all the people who had helped and then see the families who would be living in these new houses at a fraction of the cost of buying a comparable home. Some pictures:
We WERE raking, but we stopped to pose for the camera.
Sod line ...
All the folks who came out to help.
One of the houses we finished. Yeah, we laid ALL that sod you see.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Clean Floor!
I HAVE to post on February 29th, of course! It only happens once every four years. Not that I particularly like February 29th, as it lengthens an already very long month. January and February are by far the longest months of the year, I've concluded.
I swept and mopped my floors last night. I won't tell you when the last time was, but I will tell you it wasn't recent. It's such a daunting task; having to move all the furniture and not to mention that the linoleum in our house covers quite a large surface. I have to mop the kitchen,
the laundry area,
and the main living room area.
It's so much! But I must admit, it's so nice to have a clean floor again.
I swept and mopped my floors last night. I won't tell you when the last time was, but I will tell you it wasn't recent. It's such a daunting task; having to move all the furniture and not to mention that the linoleum in our house covers quite a large surface. I have to mop the kitchen,
the laundry area,
and the main living room area.
It's so much! But I must admit, it's so nice to have a clean floor again.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sunday, Sunday ...
It's Sunday again, and the second time in two days that I'm blogging! Sometimes I think my life is so boring, but maybe I need to just take some time each day to sit down and reflect. In general I think there has been a lack of reflection in my life lately, so I've made an inner commitment to do more of it. I talked to my best friend on the phone last night for an hour and a half and I realized that close, personal friendships are very lacking in my life right now. For a long time I had Joe, but then he left and I haven't really filled the void. Not that I particularly want to, but it has kind-of turned me into a very boring person. Sometimes I just feel like there's no one to really relate to and share all my inner feelings with. Well, more like the only people I want to share those things with are, for the most part, miles and miles away. I am grateful for my brother and sister-in-law who are nearby, whom I feel very close to and feel like I can share most things with. Still, there's something about having a best girl friend that just can't be beat. Someone you can talk to all the time and go places and have girls' nights with ... I love my roommates and everything, but they just can't be that for me. I miss my best friend Kylene!!!
That said, I love Sunday, but I'll be glad when I have my own place. Personally, I find very little use for a television, other than watching the occasional movie. But when it comes to Sunday, I hate that the TV is on ALL AFTERNOON. I realize that for some people, TV is relaxing and an emotional stress reliever, but for me, my stress level increases 10-fold when no matter where I go in the house I can hear the stupid TV, and especially on Sunday when I want to be doing Sunday things but I'm forced to go into my room and turn on quiet music so I won't hear the TV. Okay, so I'm done venting ... We had really good talks this Sunday in sacrament meeting. Two of my very good friends in the branch are getting married soon: one in April and one in May. They are both very recent converts and they both gave very excellent, well-thought-out talks. I really appreciate when people take the time to think through their talks and try to tell us what's in their hearts and heads instead of just regurgitating the conference talk they've been assigned to pull their topic from. I also appreciate hearing personal experiences more than just scripture after scripture after scripture. Somehow it seems to mean a lot more when I see how a particular topic relates to someone else. Then I start relating it to my own life and the Spirit speaks to me. This is a skill that I have not mastered yet. I used to be quite good at giving talks, I think, but I shy away from bearing my testimony and I haven't given a talk in a while. I think part of the issue goes back to what I said earlier; that I haven't spent much time in reflection lately. So, I think I need to go and reflect now ...
That said, I love Sunday, but I'll be glad when I have my own place. Personally, I find very little use for a television, other than watching the occasional movie. But when it comes to Sunday, I hate that the TV is on ALL AFTERNOON. I realize that for some people, TV is relaxing and an emotional stress reliever, but for me, my stress level increases 10-fold when no matter where I go in the house I can hear the stupid TV, and especially on Sunday when I want to be doing Sunday things but I'm forced to go into my room and turn on quiet music so I won't hear the TV. Okay, so I'm done venting ... We had really good talks this Sunday in sacrament meeting. Two of my very good friends in the branch are getting married soon: one in April and one in May. They are both very recent converts and they both gave very excellent, well-thought-out talks. I really appreciate when people take the time to think through their talks and try to tell us what's in their hearts and heads instead of just regurgitating the conference talk they've been assigned to pull their topic from. I also appreciate hearing personal experiences more than just scripture after scripture after scripture. Somehow it seems to mean a lot more when I see how a particular topic relates to someone else. Then I start relating it to my own life and the Spirit speaks to me. This is a skill that I have not mastered yet. I used to be quite good at giving talks, I think, but I shy away from bearing my testimony and I haven't given a talk in a while. I think part of the issue goes back to what I said earlier; that I haven't spent much time in reflection lately. So, I think I need to go and reflect now ...
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Finally got my hair cut
I have not had a haircut for 8 months, and finally I went today and got it cut because it was driving me nuts! Turns out that one of the reasons why it has been looking so bad is that the top layer of my hair grows faster than the bottom layers. I was very nervous to get it cut considering some of the butch jobs I've had in the past 2 years, but when I got in and sat down and expressed my concerns, the lady started speaking my language and I knew I had found a kindred hair spirit! One of my biggest frustrations is the fact that I've had good layers and I've had horrible layers, and I never seem to know what I'm going to get! Apparently, there are different ways to do layers, but a lot of people just cut layers all the same way, no matter what kind of hair you have. It seems to me that I've been getting the wrong kind of layers for a while. And I think the stylists kept cutting those layers just because that's the way they were. I'm so happy with the way it has turned out! I can tell from the way that it's drying that it's going to be a GOOD haircut.
In other news, teaching is going well. It's definitely a challenge. The biggest challenge is getting all the kids to be quiet so I can get done what I need to do during class. It's fun to torture the kids with consequences though. I don't arbitrarily assign consequences of course, but when they deserve it, they get it!! Yesterday they were being really loud in homeroom at the end of the day while waiting for bus call, so when they announced the buses I made the kids wait for a minute and then walk slowly behind me out to the buses. The were chomping at the bit to get out of school ha ha ha. It was funny. Sometimes the kids can be really sweet, but a lot of the time we just call them our little monsters.
Yesterday was my roommate's birthday, and so as a birthday present to her I got up a little early and made breakfast for her. I was going to do the whole pancake, eggs and sausage thing, but then I thought maybe it would be nice to do something different so I decided to make crepes instead! My last year that I was in Utah my roomates made crepes for me on my birthday. It was the first time I'd had crepes and I just fell in love with them. Actually, they have something similar in Ukraine. Russian pancakes are pretty much identical to crepes, although they put very different things in them. In Ukraine and Russia you put meat and mushrooms, cheese, cabbage and anything you want inside a crepe. They even make ones with bananas and chocolate syrup. I used to love getting crepes over there ... mmmmmm ... I once thought of opening a similar restaurant which had the same basic concept--well, not a restaurant, but more like a little stand. I still think it would be fun, but there seems to not be nearly enough time in this life to do everything we want. Or maybe I'm just really bad at organizing my time ...
In other news, teaching is going well. It's definitely a challenge. The biggest challenge is getting all the kids to be quiet so I can get done what I need to do during class. It's fun to torture the kids with consequences though. I don't arbitrarily assign consequences of course, but when they deserve it, they get it!! Yesterday they were being really loud in homeroom at the end of the day while waiting for bus call, so when they announced the buses I made the kids wait for a minute and then walk slowly behind me out to the buses. The were chomping at the bit to get out of school ha ha ha. It was funny. Sometimes the kids can be really sweet, but a lot of the time we just call them our little monsters.
Yesterday was my roommate's birthday, and so as a birthday present to her I got up a little early and made breakfast for her. I was going to do the whole pancake, eggs and sausage thing, but then I thought maybe it would be nice to do something different so I decided to make crepes instead! My last year that I was in Utah my roomates made crepes for me on my birthday. It was the first time I'd had crepes and I just fell in love with them. Actually, they have something similar in Ukraine. Russian pancakes are pretty much identical to crepes, although they put very different things in them. In Ukraine and Russia you put meat and mushrooms, cheese, cabbage and anything you want inside a crepe. They even make ones with bananas and chocolate syrup. I used to love getting crepes over there ... mmmmmm ... I once thought of opening a similar restaurant which had the same basic concept--well, not a restaurant, but more like a little stand. I still think it would be fun, but there seems to not be nearly enough time in this life to do everything we want. Or maybe I'm just really bad at organizing my time ...
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Teaching!
I'm teaching! I haven't been hired as a full-time teacher, but I have a long-term subbing position for a teacher who has gone out on maternity leave. Because she has to be on bed rest for the last month of her pregnancy, it's going to end up being about a 2 1/2 month assignment! It's a lot of fun. I love getting paid a little more, and knowing that I have a job to go to every day. I'm enjoying the teachers on my team and I enjoy most of the children, most of the time. There are a few that are going to drive me bananas, but I'm working to get them under control. The other thing I love about this assignment is that I get to teach science! It's earth science, which I didn't think would be so exciting, but I'm actually really enjoying it.
In other news ... well, is there other news? Joe is doing well in California. He is enjoying being a missionary. He has his own struggles, but he is managing. I still write to him every week, and I typically get a response, although there is not too much detail in there. Oh well, that just means that he is being a focused missionary ;-)
I'll just say one more thing. I'm disgusted at the way this election year is shaping up. I was so impressed with Romney; not only his values, which I share, but his track record as well. I'm disgusted with McCain and Huckabee who have torpedoed Romney and his bid for the presidency. So, McCain will never have my vote. If it comes down to McCain and Obama, I'll vote for Obama. If it's McCain and Hillary, I'm abstaining! Nuf said!
In other news ... well, is there other news? Joe is doing well in California. He is enjoying being a missionary. He has his own struggles, but he is managing. I still write to him every week, and I typically get a response, although there is not too much detail in there. Oh well, that just means that he is being a focused missionary ;-)
I'll just say one more thing. I'm disgusted at the way this election year is shaping up. I was so impressed with Romney; not only his values, which I share, but his track record as well. I'm disgusted with McCain and Huckabee who have torpedoed Romney and his bid for the presidency. So, McCain will never have my vote. If it comes down to McCain and Obama, I'll vote for Obama. If it's McCain and Hillary, I'm abstaining! Nuf said!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A time to weep ... a time to rejoice
This last week I lost one of my very closest friends here in Georgia. I don't remember when I met Daniel, it seems like he was always just around. But I do remember when we started to become very close, and that was around the end of October of last year. He was having a very difficult time in his life and my roommate Tamra reached out to him in his moment of need and brought him into our lives. Since that day, you could find Daniel at our house nearly every evening and most Saturdays as well. He filled a need in our lives, a need that we had to feel needed. Knowing that Daniel was available at any time to give us a Priesthood blessing if we needed, was a great comfort to us as well. We in turn gave him hope and encouragement, something he desperately needed in his search for inner peace and direction.
I loved to be with Daniel. He had a passion and energy for life that I have rarely seen. Whenever he was here at our house he simply could not resist climbing all the banisters and onto the roof and hanging from every possible beam. He was small, but he was strong, and frequently complained that he was going to lose his 8-pack because we fed him too many cookies. Daniel and I spent many cumulative hours together at Wal-Mart, where we discussed everything from work and family to the Gospel and our futures. I think we probably went to Wal-Mart more in 1 month than most people go in a year. Some of our best conversations were held while wandering the aisles of Wal-Mart, looking for nothing in particular. Daniel was so giving and was so excited to do anything to please anyone. Most of all, he loved the Gospel and frequently talked about how glad he was that he had found the true church of Jesus Christ.
Fairly soon after he started hanging out with us (my roommates and I), Daniel began to get excited about going on a mission, and some days there was nothing else that he could talk about. I could feel the excitement within him and yet I knew his struggles, so I prayed that he would be able to bring his inner demons under control to the point that he would be able to fulfill his dream of going on a mission. But I think sometimes, as humans, we hang on to those things and habits that we know in the end could destroy us simply because they are familiar to us and familiarity breeds comfort, for better or for worse. And that describes what happened in the end, to my friend Daniel Shell. The last few days of his life were difficult ones, having injured himself physically and then being injured emotionally by someone he cared very deeply for. I know he thought he had found the best solution for everyone when he took his own life last Thursday.
When I got the news, I was in shock. I had lately been worried about him, because I had seen the signs of the inner demons beginning to resurface, but he had closed himself off from my comfort and advice. Not only mine, but everyone's. In his mind, he had a task to accomplish and he was going to do it; and not you, nor I, nor anyone could stop him. As I watched him head down this dangerous path, I could not do anything but pray, as I knew it would end in tragedy. Little did I think it would end so soon, or so tragically. And so it was, that when I heard the news, while outwardly I remained composed, inwardly I wept. I wept for the good man who had left this earth far too early. I wept for his family who would find it difficult to forgive. I wept for his friends, most of whom never knew Daniel as well as I or my roommates knew him and would not understand. And I wept for myself, as I had just lost a great friend and playmate.
In the midst of sadness, however, I find reason to rejoice. I believe in God and I believe that while he is just, he is also merciful. I know that my friend is not gone forever and that I will see him again. I believe that Daniel is now free from suffering and that God is keeping close tabs on him. I also believe that Daniel has the opportunity to share the Gospel that he loved so much with others who left this earth never having heard the good news. I'm sure that when President Hinckley passed from this life on Sunday evening, Daniel was right there at the gates, ecstatic to meet this great prophet. (Or, more likely, Daniel was climbing on the gates to have a better view). And so, given what I know, I rejoice. I rejoice that God sent his Son to break the bands of death and to give us hope of living with Him again. I rejoice in the presence of the Holy Ghost which has given me such great comfort these past few days. Lastly, and most of all, I rejoice in the knowledge that my friend is at peace, and that someday, hopefully later rather than sooner, when I leave this frail existence, he will greet me with the same big hug and bright smile as he always did when he was alive.
In loving memory of Daniel Lee Shell (1986-2008)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Red light ... Green light!
Do you remember playing that game in elementary school (and perhaps after if you were a big nerd like me)? Sometimes that's how I feel like my life is going. Go go go go go, and then stop and wait for a while. Strange how even when it's go go going, it seems to be at a standstill ... Deep thoughts ...
Since my last blog, I've started subbing! I've pretty much had two full weeks of it! In fact, I've only had two weeks of it which is weird because I feel like I've been subbing my whole life. It's strange, but I feel very comfortable in the school and in the classroom. I suppose it's probably because I always did very well in school, so I'm really in my element when I'm in the public school. I do enjoy teaching too, when I get the chance. I wish that more teachers would leave teaching opportunities instead of just time-fillers when they have a sub. Last Friday I was in a band classroom and the teacher had me put the children through a 50-minute, very boring video on Beethoven. Well, I could sure tell you just about anything you wanted to know about Beethoven, and it was slightly interesting to me, but not so much to middle-schoolers. So of course they're chatting through the whole thing and paying only as much attention as they need. And of course they're supposed to be filling out a worksheet while they watch it and of course I'm spoon-feeding them the answers as we go along because after all, it's middle school and that's what you do in middle school. The point is, I think teachers think they are doing subs a favor when they give them a video for the kids to watch. Right ... As if it wasn't hard enough to maintain crowd control as a sub anyway. But put on a boring video so they have nothing to do but fool around and chat with each other. *Sigh* Well, I'm learning lots about being a teacher from this ...
I've come to the conclusion that ellipses are my favorite form of punctuation ... Perhaps it's because of the way I live my life--always thinking about something ... rarely coming to conclusions ...
Okay, okay, I'll stop with the ellipses ... someday ...
Since my last blog, I've started subbing! I've pretty much had two full weeks of it! In fact, I've only had two weeks of it which is weird because I feel like I've been subbing my whole life. It's strange, but I feel very comfortable in the school and in the classroom. I suppose it's probably because I always did very well in school, so I'm really in my element when I'm in the public school. I do enjoy teaching too, when I get the chance. I wish that more teachers would leave teaching opportunities instead of just time-fillers when they have a sub. Last Friday I was in a band classroom and the teacher had me put the children through a 50-minute, very boring video on Beethoven. Well, I could sure tell you just about anything you wanted to know about Beethoven, and it was slightly interesting to me, but not so much to middle-schoolers. So of course they're chatting through the whole thing and paying only as much attention as they need. And of course they're supposed to be filling out a worksheet while they watch it and of course I'm spoon-feeding them the answers as we go along because after all, it's middle school and that's what you do in middle school. The point is, I think teachers think they are doing subs a favor when they give them a video for the kids to watch. Right ... As if it wasn't hard enough to maintain crowd control as a sub anyway. But put on a boring video so they have nothing to do but fool around and chat with each other. *Sigh* Well, I'm learning lots about being a teacher from this ...
I've come to the conclusion that ellipses are my favorite form of punctuation ... Perhaps it's because of the way I live my life--always thinking about something ... rarely coming to conclusions ...
Okay, okay, I'll stop with the ellipses ... someday ...
Friday, January 4, 2008
The End of Another Week
And 2008 is upon us! I still think it was just yesterday when everyone was buzzing about Y2K and then the year changed and nothing catastrophic happened after all! I guess computers were smarter than we thought.
No substitute calls this week, although there were only 2 possible days. I believe Gwinnett County begins hiring for new teachers in the middle of January so, we'll see what happens then. In the meantime, I'm just trying to figure what to do in the meantime ...
New Year's Eve was great this year! Some friends and I went to a party at another friends house. They have a pretty big house and there were probably 50 people there or so. They have a game room with ping-pong, pool and foosball, so that's where I spent most of my time, beating everyone at ping-pong. Well, everyone except my friend Brooke. She beat me twice ;-) They also had a bonfire going outside and fireworks as well. I had a blast just hanging out with my roommates and other friends. Here's some pics.
The roommates
Daniel LOVES all this attention from the girls
Me beating Daniel at ping-pong
No substitute calls this week, although there were only 2 possible days. I believe Gwinnett County begins hiring for new teachers in the middle of January so, we'll see what happens then. In the meantime, I'm just trying to figure what to do in the meantime ...
New Year's Eve was great this year! Some friends and I went to a party at another friends house. They have a pretty big house and there were probably 50 people there or so. They have a game room with ping-pong, pool and foosball, so that's where I spent most of my time, beating everyone at ping-pong. Well, everyone except my friend Brooke. She beat me twice ;-) They also had a bonfire going outside and fireworks as well. I had a blast just hanging out with my roommates and other friends. Here's some pics.
The roommates
Daniel LOVES all this attention from the girls
Me beating Daniel at ping-pong
Monday, December 31, 2007
So all the rumors are true. I have a northern accent. We were having a discussion last night about the words "don" and "dawn", which to me, are quite distinct from one another and I say them differently. So, I did a little bit of research this morning and found this quiz which I took. And yes, I am an inland northerner.
| What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop." | |
| The Midland | |
| The Northeast | |
| Philadelphia | |
| North Central | |
| The South | |
| The West | |
| Boston | |
| What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz | |
Friday, December 28, 2007
Merry After Christmas!
It's almost the New Year! My parents go home tomorrow morning :-( They have been here for a week already. We've had a lot of fun since they've been here though. We've spent a lot of time just hanging out with the fam this Christmas. Yesterday my mom, brother Matthew and I went down to Warm Springs, GA to the cottage of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It's known as the Little White House, and it was really neat to tour around and learn about one of our nation's presidents. We also got to see the pools where he used to swim for rehabilitation from Polio. The pools stay about 88 degrees year-round due to the warm springs for which the town is named.
I received an external hard drive for Christmas. I don't think my parents knew how much I needed one! I've been running out of memory on my 30G hard drive for a while now and I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Now I've got 60G more to work with. I'm going to start by backing up all my pictures and my music! I'm so excited!
Altogether it's been a good Christmas. I wish that things in my life could be more resolved with respect to a job, but somehow the Lord always provides, and I need to strengthen my faith that He will continue to do so. Best wishes for the New Year!
I received an external hard drive for Christmas. I don't think my parents knew how much I needed one! I've been running out of memory on my 30G hard drive for a while now and I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Now I've got 60G more to work with. I'm going to start by backing up all my pictures and my music! I'm so excited!
Altogether it's been a good Christmas. I wish that things in my life could be more resolved with respect to a job, but somehow the Lord always provides, and I need to strengthen my faith that He will continue to do so. Best wishes for the New Year!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Uh ... can't think of a title
Well it's mid-December! I can't believe that the time is going so quickly. In one week my family will arrive for Christmas! I'm so excited that they are coming! I LOVE getting my whole family together, and it happens so rarely. Unfortunately we won't have the whole family together this Christmas either, but I'll take what I can get!
I had the most amazing experience this week. I was able to go to the Atlanta North Mission Conference and sing some Christmas songs for their program. My good friend Brooke and I sang 2 duets. I really miss singing; it's something I don't do nearly often enough. The coolest part though was just being there with the missionaries and feeling the spirit of missionary work. The energy in the room was palpable! I thought equally of my mission and of Joe who is now serving in California. How grateful I am that I went on a mission, and how grateful I am for Joe who is currently serving!
I did get an email from Joe this week. He is liking California and he has a good trainer who works hard with him. He's in a biking area right now, and I guess he is riding a rickety old bike that keeps breaking down, but nevertheless, life is good for him.
The second highlight of me week was Austin bringing the kids over on Thursday afternoon. I got off work at around 2, and Austin had called saying they had the car and they had a few minutes to stop by if I was available. Well of course I was! So they came over and I even enticed Emily to walk for the first time and on video even by standing her up 5 feet or so from a battery-operated singing-walking chicken. She was so intrigued by the chicken that she just took off and walked the 7 steps to the chicken! It was so cool and Austin was so excited. Emily's just lucky she has such a smart aunt ;-)
Well, hopefully I'll post again soon. Happy happy holidays!
I had the most amazing experience this week. I was able to go to the Atlanta North Mission Conference and sing some Christmas songs for their program. My good friend Brooke and I sang 2 duets. I really miss singing; it's something I don't do nearly often enough. The coolest part though was just being there with the missionaries and feeling the spirit of missionary work. The energy in the room was palpable! I thought equally of my mission and of Joe who is now serving in California. How grateful I am that I went on a mission, and how grateful I am for Joe who is currently serving!
I did get an email from Joe this week. He is liking California and he has a good trainer who works hard with him. He's in a biking area right now, and I guess he is riding a rickety old bike that keeps breaking down, but nevertheless, life is good for him.
The second highlight of me week was Austin bringing the kids over on Thursday afternoon. I got off work at around 2, and Austin had called saying they had the car and they had a few minutes to stop by if I was available. Well of course I was! So they came over and I even enticed Emily to walk for the first time and on video even by standing her up 5 feet or so from a battery-operated singing-walking chicken. She was so intrigued by the chicken that she just took off and walked the 7 steps to the chicken! It was so cool and Austin was so excited. Emily's just lucky she has such a smart aunt ;-)
Well, hopefully I'll post again soon. Happy happy holidays!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The GACE
I received my unofficial scores for the GACE exam by email on Monday. At first I couldn't figure out the email because of the format, but when I saw "Status: Passed" I freaked out! I was so excited. It didn't tell me what my score was or anything, I had to wait for the official score which I received in the mail today. They don't even give you a percentage there either. It just gives you a scaled score out of 4, with a 4 being "Most or all of the questions answered correctly". I got a 4 on all the multiple choice questions for the "Earth Science", "Life Science", "Physical Science" and "Characteristics of Science" sections. There were also two essay questions, one on "Physical Science" and one on "Characteristics of Science". I got a 4 on the "Physical Science" one and a 3 on the "Characteristics of Science" one. So yes, I passed with flying colors! And I was so worried ...
A little survey
My friend sent this to me and I responded with my answers. I thought it would be fun to post them here and invite you all to post your answers on your own blogs!!
1.What time is it
5:19 P.M.
2.What's your name
Tabitha
3.What are you most afraid of
Falling
4.What is the most recent movie that you have seen
The Christmas List, but if you mean in the theater, it was the Mr. Bean’s Holiday
5. Place of birth
Rochester, NY
6.Favorite food
Pizza or fajitas, it’s a toss-up
6. What's your natural hair color
Brown
7. Ever been a Neat Freak
Yeah, I like things to be tidy
8.Ever been skinny dipping
I plan to sometime in my life
9.Love someone so much it made you cry
Ah … yes … and I still do.
10.Been in a car accident
Fender bender
11.Croutons or bacon bits
Croutons
12.Favorite day of the week
Don’t have one right now
13.Favorite restaurant
Anywhere I can get pizza or fajitas
14.Favorite Flower
I’m not picky, depends on who is giving them to me I guess
15.Favorite sport to watch
Any sport my friends are playing, especially if Joe’s playing
16.Favorite drink
Water, water and more water
17.Favorite ice cream
Chocolate, I think, or vanilla with chocolate and caramel in it
18.Warner Brothers/Disney
Disney I guess
19.Ever been on a ship
I don’t think so … I’ve been on lots of boats though!
20.What color is your bedroom carpet
Greenish
21.How many times did you fail your driver's test
None
23.What do you do when you are bored
Play games, surf the net
24.Bedtime
Midnight-ish
25.Who will respond to this e-mail the quickest
Yeah, I’m not sending this as an email! But I’d love for people to respond on their own blogs!
26. Who will least likely respond
Good question
27.Who is the person that you are most curious to see their responses
All of them!
28.Favorite TV shows
I watch TV randomly. I think most of what’s on TV nowadays is trash
29.Last person you went to dinner with
Tamra and Daniel!
30. Park or Zoo
Park, definitely!
31.What are your favorite colors
I really like all colors put together, but currently my very favorite color is pink
32.How many tattoos do you have
None
33.How many pets do you have
One, a cat: Kisya
34.Which came first, the chicken or the egg
The chicken, and then I ate it
35. What do you want to do before you die?
Raise a family
36. Have you ever been to Hawaii
No
37 .Have you been to countries outside the U.S.
Yes, Canada, England and Ukraine
38.How many people are you sending this e-mail
None
39.Time this survey ended
5:36 P.M. (I got distracted)
1.What time is it
5:19 P.M.
2.What's your name
Tabitha
3.What are you most afraid of
Falling
4.What is the most recent movie that you have seen
The Christmas List, but if you mean in the theater, it was the Mr. Bean’s Holiday
5. Place of birth
Rochester, NY
6.Favorite food
Pizza or fajitas, it’s a toss-up
6. What's your natural hair color
Brown
7. Ever been a Neat Freak
Yeah, I like things to be tidy
8.Ever been skinny dipping
I plan to sometime in my life
9.Love someone so much it made you cry
Ah … yes … and I still do.
10.Been in a car accident
Fender bender
11.Croutons or bacon bits
Croutons
12.Favorite day of the week
Don’t have one right now
13.Favorite restaurant
Anywhere I can get pizza or fajitas
14.Favorite Flower
I’m not picky, depends on who is giving them to me I guess
15.Favorite sport to watch
Any sport my friends are playing, especially if Joe’s playing
16.Favorite drink
Water, water and more water
17.Favorite ice cream
Chocolate, I think, or vanilla with chocolate and caramel in it
18.Warner Brothers/Disney
Disney I guess
19.Ever been on a ship
I don’t think so … I’ve been on lots of boats though!
20.What color is your bedroom carpet
Greenish
21.How many times did you fail your driver's test
None
23.What do you do when you are bored
Play games, surf the net
24.Bedtime
Midnight-ish
25.Who will respond to this e-mail the quickest
Yeah, I’m not sending this as an email! But I’d love for people to respond on their own blogs!
26. Who will least likely respond
Good question
27.Who is the person that you are most curious to see their responses
All of them!
28.Favorite TV shows
I watch TV randomly. I think most of what’s on TV nowadays is trash
29.Last person you went to dinner with
Tamra and Daniel!
30. Park or Zoo
Park, definitely!
31.What are your favorite colors
I really like all colors put together, but currently my very favorite color is pink
32.How many tattoos do you have
None
33.How many pets do you have
One, a cat: Kisya
34.Which came first, the chicken or the egg
The chicken, and then I ate it
35. What do you want to do before you die?
Raise a family
36. Have you ever been to Hawaii
No
37 .Have you been to countries outside the U.S.
Yes, Canada, England and Ukraine
38.How many people are you sending this e-mail
None
39.Time this survey ended
5:36 P.M. (I got distracted)
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving came and went so quickly this year! I made a turkey with all the trimmings and it was so fabulous. Tamra, Angela and I stayed here and Angela's family came over as well. We had so much food, it was amazing!! And nearly everything that I made turned out well. I was a slightly less than completely satisfied with the stuffing, but ... you can't be 100% 100% of the time.
Us with our Thanksgiving feast
I've been so lazy this whole vacation. It's been nice to have a real vacation. Despite the fact that I have been not been employed full-time for 4 months now, this vacation is the first time I've been able to relax without feeling guilty because I have been working a lot lately. It's nice to feel like I deserve a break.
This next week is going to be very interesting! I get my test results back on Monday, and I'm working Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then I have my sub workshop on Friday! I'm excited to start substitute teaching! I believe that's what will really open doors for me with respect to getting a teaching job.
We've been decorating our house for Christmas! My roommates and I think we're really hilarious at midnight and we say all sorts of really random things. I took a video last night and I laugh my head off every time I watch it. I've embedded it above for your entertainment. Our house is starting to look really cool with all these decorations. I'm so excited for Christmas this year!
Us with our Thanksgiving feast
I've been so lazy this whole vacation. It's been nice to have a real vacation. Despite the fact that I have been not been employed full-time for 4 months now, this vacation is the first time I've been able to relax without feeling guilty because I have been working a lot lately. It's nice to feel like I deserve a break.
This next week is going to be very interesting! I get my test results back on Monday, and I'm working Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then I have my sub workshop on Friday! I'm excited to start substitute teaching! I believe that's what will really open doors for me with respect to getting a teaching job.
We've been decorating our house for Christmas! My roommates and I think we're really hilarious at midnight and we say all sorts of really random things. I took a video last night and I laugh my head off every time I watch it. I've embedded it above for your entertainment. Our house is starting to look really cool with all these decorations. I'm so excited for Christmas this year!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
A bad hair year
I had to laugh when my mother emailed me and asked me for some pictures of myself to put on the family Christmas card this year. I went through and found a few pictures which I then sent, only to have her respond shortly after that with a request for more pictures specifically with my hair down! Well, this year has been a terrible hear for my hair. It really started in the Spring of 2006 when my hair got so long that I went and had it cut. I've never had such a TERRIBLE haricut in my life. Every haircut since then has been an effort to repair that horrible haircut of a year and a half ago. Finally I decided that the only way to have good hair again was to let it grow out and then have it cut just for a little style. And I'm going to save up and go back to the guy that cut my hair in June (who did a fabulous job by the way). I haven't had it cut since then, I've just been letting it grow out, and only recently have I felt like I could wear my hair down again! So, sadly, 90% of my pictures from this year are with my hair pulled back in a pony-tail! And finding a picture I actually liked amongst the remaining 10% was, alas, not successful. So, yesterday afternoon, I let my hair down and my I had my roommate take some pictures of me outside. One of the pictures you will see at the top of my blog. I am just so pleased that my hair is finally growing out again!!
Today was my last day with my roommate's Pre-K class. I can't even begin to describe the fun I have had these last 2 weeks with these kids!! It hardly felt like a job at all! I was like, what? I get paid to be here and to have fun with kids all day?? It was so rewarding and I learned so many things. I have a 5-day weekend and then I will go in next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but I will be with other kids. We took a picture today of me with all the kids (my hair is pulled back, of course).
Today was my last day with my roommate's Pre-K class. I can't even begin to describe the fun I have had these last 2 weeks with these kids!! It hardly felt like a job at all! I was like, what? I get paid to be here and to have fun with kids all day?? It was so rewarding and I learned so many things. I have a 5-day weekend and then I will go in next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but I will be with other kids. We took a picture today of me with all the kids (my hair is pulled back, of course).
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Oh goodness!
(Me with my beautiful roommates on Halloween--That's me the cat-Meow!!)It's been a long time since I blogged! I knew it had been, but I was trying to get the energy to write something really good. Well, I'm sick again. I think working at the preschool has exposed me to all sorts of new bugs. Hopefully I'll build up a gigantic immunity and I won't get sick at all this winter!!! (Wishful thinking!)
I can't believe it's only 8:30 pm. This whole daylight savings time really throws me off. Since the change, it gets to be 6pm and I think it's bedtime because it's dark outside. I remember similarly on my mission going home at 4pm in the winter time for dinner and it would be getting dark then. Imagine how much I wanted to go back out and work in the cold and dark! Nevertheless, I did. I've taken little naps every afternoon this week too, because I just get exhausting running after kids all day. At the beginning, my feet hurt because I was used to being lethargic all day. Now I'm used to standing up and so they don't hurt any more. I also burn more calories standing up, hooray ;-) Something else that's nice is that I get 2 healthy meals a day: breakfast and lunch, and I don't have to buy it myself. That's a definite benefit of working at a daycare/preschool. Granted, the school lunches aren't anything to write home about, but if it gets me through the day and I'm not spending extra money to go out for lunch, I'm a-ok!! I don't know if this is true in all states, but in Georgia the pre-K is funded by the state. Well, funded by the lottery, anyway. So, it's free for all kids. I could really see it being beneficial as long as you can get and keep good teachers. My roommate's class (where I spend most of my time there), is very smart, and very lucky to have such a good teacher. Most of them are 4 years old and they are recognizing and writing the letters. About half of the 20 kids can write their names legibly at this point of the school year. I know that I went into Kindergarten being able to read, but I know that wasn't the case with most of the kids I went to school with. In my Kindergarten class there were only 2 kids who could read, myself and another boy. He actually read better than I, which I remember made me mad. I was academically competetive, even back then.
I did take my big test on Saturday the 3rd. I got very ill the day before. I was throwing up and everything--it was awful. But I received a priesthood blessing and while I went to that test the next day with a headache and a tender stomach, I never felt nauseous and I was able to succesfully complete the test. The scores will be reported at the end of November. I believe I passed, but I'm not going to say for sure because you just never know, do you? I remember feeling very nervous about my answers to the 2 short essay questions. Well, if it's the Lord's will, then I passed, didn't I? Two days later, on Monday, I received a call from Gwinnett county saying that I had been approved to be on the substitute list and that I could attend a sub workshop on the 30th of November. Timewise it's far away, but I have a guaranteed job until Thanksgiving, and then I should be able to substitute teach in the public schools starting in December. I went to a job fair last Saturday and was able to leave my resume with 4 or 5 different middle schools. When I spoke with their representatives, their advice was pretty much always the same: "Get into long-term substituting". I know that substitute teaching will open doors for me. While it's difficult financially, I have faith in the Lord and I'm continuing to pay my tithing. I'm not the type of person that enjoys a really drawn-out means to an end, but the Lord recently has been teaching me this sort of patience. Spending at least 4 months in an effort to become a teacher (most of it just waiting for the next step) is not on my list of the most efficient paths ever. But, I know that the experiences I am having now are helping me to prepare and that they are necessary. In the Lord's own time shall all blessings be realized ...
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Crazy Daze
I can't believe how fast this last week and a half has gone by. It was birthday week here at my house last week. One roommate had a birthday on Monday the 22nd, mine was the 23rd, and my other roommate's was Friday the 26th! We decided to go out once to celebrate, which actually ended up being on my birthday. It took forever to agree on a restaurant that would suit all three of the birthday girls, but we finally decided on Dave & Busters which can get pricy, but we all love it. If you've never been to Dave & Busters, it's like a grown-up Chuck-E-Cheese's, and they have more than just pizza. They have Chili's-style (really good--in fact better than Chili's) food, and a really large gaming area with all sorts of games that big kids like to play. It's really fun and you could spend a fortune there. You put money on a card in the form of points and then you go around and swipe it to play each game which costs a certain amount of points. I'm sure that if you actually knew how much you were spending on the games you would never play half of them. Oh well, ignorance is bliss I guess.
My mom was in town the weekend before last. We had so much fun hanging out with Austin and Jonathan and the kids! I think one of my favorite things that we did was go to the Babyland Cabbage Patch hospital where you can see a Cabbage Patch baby being born. Scooter had such a fun time and it was so cute to watch him! We also went to Helen which was fun and difficult because there were so many people and the shops were so small that it was hard to find places to take the kids. We had a blast anyway though, and it was just so much fun to spend time with my family. There is nothing in this world that I love more!
I took my big test yesterday, the one I have been studying 2 months for. Some of it I felt very unprepared for, a lot of it I recalled perfectly, and some questions I had to think very hard. I felt completely unprepared for one of the essay questions and had to really dig back into my memory about 8 years to college inorganic chemisty. I doubt I got full credit on it, but with any luck I didn't miss too many points. Altogether I think I passed it. I would be very surprised and disappointed if I didn't. Well, we shall see!
I was sick as a dog on Friday ... so unbelievably sick. I don't know if I got food poisoning or what, but it was horrible! It was so awful that at one point, I didn't have the energy to even sit down for more than 5 minutes. I had to go and lay down for several minutes and I didn't have the energy to talk much either. We had a huge branch activity on Friday night that I had to let someone else take over because I just couldn't do it. I received a blessing that afternoon because I knew had that test on Saturday that I couldn't miss. I was promised that I would be able to take the test and that my illness would only minimally affect me. At the current moment I still have a partial headache that won't go away, but other than that I feel pretty well. And I was able to take my test on Saturday, which I was so grateful for!
I had received several letters from Joe so far. He is doing really well. He actually sent me a picture with him in it yesterday. I was shocked but grateful! His hair looks so funny cut so short. Hee hee! His birthday is a week from tomorrow, the 5th of November. He is requesting more letters from anyone and everyone so here is his address until the 28th of November.
Elder Joseph Michael Norris
California Los Angeles Mission
MTC Box #261 11/28
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604
Have a fabulous day!
My mom was in town the weekend before last. We had so much fun hanging out with Austin and Jonathan and the kids! I think one of my favorite things that we did was go to the Babyland Cabbage Patch hospital where you can see a Cabbage Patch baby being born. Scooter had such a fun time and it was so cute to watch him! We also went to Helen which was fun and difficult because there were so many people and the shops were so small that it was hard to find places to take the kids. We had a blast anyway though, and it was just so much fun to spend time with my family. There is nothing in this world that I love more!
I took my big test yesterday, the one I have been studying 2 months for. Some of it I felt very unprepared for, a lot of it I recalled perfectly, and some questions I had to think very hard. I felt completely unprepared for one of the essay questions and had to really dig back into my memory about 8 years to college inorganic chemisty. I doubt I got full credit on it, but with any luck I didn't miss too many points. Altogether I think I passed it. I would be very surprised and disappointed if I didn't. Well, we shall see!
I was sick as a dog on Friday ... so unbelievably sick. I don't know if I got food poisoning or what, but it was horrible! It was so awful that at one point, I didn't have the energy to even sit down for more than 5 minutes. I had to go and lay down for several minutes and I didn't have the energy to talk much either. We had a huge branch activity on Friday night that I had to let someone else take over because I just couldn't do it. I received a blessing that afternoon because I knew had that test on Saturday that I couldn't miss. I was promised that I would be able to take the test and that my illness would only minimally affect me. At the current moment I still have a partial headache that won't go away, but other than that I feel pretty well. And I was able to take my test on Saturday, which I was so grateful for!
I had received several letters from Joe so far. He is doing really well. He actually sent me a picture with him in it yesterday. I was shocked but grateful! His hair looks so funny cut so short. Hee hee! His birthday is a week from tomorrow, the 5th of November. He is requesting more letters from anyone and everyone so here is his address until the 28th of November.
Elder Joseph Michael Norris
California Los Angeles Mission
MTC Box #261 11/28
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604
Have a fabulous day!
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