Livin' and Lovin' Life

New Blog

2010-12-06T21:22:00.002-07:00

Please read the new blog: roryandrachel.blogspot.com. It's brimming with exciting, inspiring, sensational posts. Ok, not really. But come check it out anyway.

The Week's List

2010-03-06T11:07:00.004-07:00

Moments I enjoyed this week:

Playing Twister with over 20 people
Eating the dinner my fiance cooked for me
Running outside
Looking at the freshly fallen snow
Seeing a full moon
Eating Cadbury Mini Eggs
Going to the Flash game with my dad and brother
Having the day off on Friday
Seeing Ally and Amy at the gym
Watching Planet Earth
Writing in my journal

P.S. (Isn't that photo GORGEOUS?! Photo courtesy of Rachel Ruekert)

I'm a Believer

2010-03-05T13:49:00.004-07:00

I believe that one day I won't have to scrape ice off my windshield

The bottom of my pants will remain dry after being outside

One blanket instead of three will suffice at night

My gloves will not longer be in my purse

I believe in spring!

Julie Said It Best

2010-03-04T16:19:00.006-07:00

When work is a nightmare,

or I have 100 things to do all at the same time,

or it's snowy and gross outside (like it is right now)...

I look at this picture.

In the words of Julie Andrews, "And then I don't feel so bad!"

A Thing or Two to Do

2010-02-23T19:36:00.005-07:00

As of today we have officially been engaged for one month! Let me give you an idea of our wedding planning progress thus far. First, here is what we "should have done" up to this point (courtesy of http://www.utahweddings.com/)

-Select rings and order engravings
-Set wedding date and time
-Consider hiring a wedding coordinator
-Determine budget
-Decide on formality, size, and location of the wedding
-Make arrangements for wedding ceremony
-Select and order wedding gown, veil, accessories, and bridesmaids' dresses
-Select and reserve location for reception
-Select caterer; plan menu
-Plan reception, including color scheme and music
-Arrange for any necessary equipment and decorations
-Arrange for photographer, videographer, and flowers
-Book musicians and/or entertainers
-Register for gifts
-Order invitations and thank you cards
-Draw up guest list (including addresses)
-Have mothers choose and coordinate their dresses
-Have engagement pictures taken
-Make final arrangements for reception; pay deposits and sign contract
-Order cake and candies
-Make appointment with doctor for complete physical
-Enlist people to help at the reception
-Make arrangements for transportation
-Plan how to handle traffic and parking at reception
-Plan honeymoon; make travel arrangements
-Address invitations and announcements (these are different???)
-Plan accommodations for out-of-town guests
-Arrange for time off from work
-Begin apartment or house hunting

Now, here's what we have done:
-Set wedding date
-Arranged for ceremony
-Planned honeymoon
-Found photographer
-Registered for gifts
-Determined budget
-Started apartment hunting

Yep, that's about it. We haven't even decided if we're going to do a reception or not, for Pete sake! (Although we have a location should we choose to have one). See, I told you I'm the lamest bride to be ever. Truth be told all I care about is having the ceremony, pictures, a honeymoon, and ok- I'll be honest- some gifts. So at least I've got the stuff I care about covered, right... RIGHT???

Poor Reception

2010-02-05T19:42:00.007-07:00

This afternoon a friend and I went to look at a couple reception sites. Both were garden wedding venues. Stone walk ways, colorful flowers, and luscious greenery adorned both sites. Both were absolutely lovely. So then why, oh why does planning my reception seem about as fun as figuring out my taxes?

While most brides-to-be would be picturing her majestic cake under the exquisite ivy archway, I was picturing my adorable four year old cousin picking the bright pink and orange flowers to, "make her own bouquet." I'm hearing the deafening crash of that beautiful garden statue as the little boys accidentally knock it over playing freeze tag. Don't get me wrong, I cannot even imagine having a reception without kids. I would even trade out some of the adults I want to invite before I'd eliminate the kids. I've just attended too many family reunions with 40+ kids to be naive about what happens when parents are chatting and breakables are around.

Then there were the things not included. Neither included a caterer, meaning coordinating the food is up to me. Pass the aspirin right now, please. And the one that didn't include linens- well, I almost eliminated it on the spot.

However, I've come to a realization. No one is going to remember 90% of the details of my reception. What they'll remember is some sort of signature feature. You know- a photo booth, a particularly entertaining DJ, an out-of-this-world cake... something like that. So what I need is a signature feature! Any ideas??? Seeing as how I'm the lamest bride-to-be ever, I'm very much open to suggestions.

P.S. Yes, I know- I shouldn't get bogged down in the frivolity of it all. It's about the people at the reception who are there to celebrate the happiest day of my life with me; the people who helped me get to this point in my life. Believe me, that is the ONLY reason I am doing a reception in the first place!

Can You Keep a Secret?

2010-02-04T20:48:00.003-07:00

I am perhaps the LAMEST bride-to-be EVER. No, really. I never ran around with a pillowcase on my head in a veil-like fashion as a little girl. I never day dreamed about arriving to my reception in a horse drawn carriage with people wiping a joyful tear as we, the perfect couple, arrive. Even in recent years as countless friends have been bit by the marriage bug, and I listened as they told me (sometimes in more detail than I cared to hear... I was just politely asking) their wedding plans, I'd apply what they said to my own future wedding to about the same degree I'd apply organic chemistry to my own life.

So now I'm lost- drowning in a world of linens, color swatches, and cake fondant. However, I'm engaged to the most incredible man ever, so I'm happy... so very happy.

P.S. I plan on updating this blog as I fumble my way through this whole engagement thing... so stick around! It's going to be a bumpy ride!

I Heard the Bells of Christmas Break

2009-12-18T12:20:00.005-07:00

I survived my first semester teaching language arts and art. Wahoo. Hip-hip hooray. Congratulations to me. Sort of.
At our school, teachers are required to shred any work with the students' names on it. Client confidentiality, security purposes, etc. etc. Throughout the semester I kept students' past work in a nice, unorganized heap on my desk. I was too afraid to shred any of it before this week. In my mind's eye I could just see it- I shred the student's work only to discover the next day that the school's computer based grade system crashed, all my grades lost somewhere in the graveyard of cyberwork past. Yet I'm far too unorganized to actually develop a filing system. So there the work sat in a completely chaotic, haphazard pile for months.
The end of the semester at long last has come, so I trotted on over to the teacher workroom, smiling all the while because I can count on one hand the days until I get a blessed week long break. I plopped down on a chair next to the shredder and got going. Before I gave the students' assignments the final kiss of death, I looked over it, wanting to reminisce on the things I so wonderfully taught. BIG mistake.
I could feel my peppy smile drooping, being replaced by a pained expression as I looked over what I so "wonderfully taught." First is was the grammar test I gave. We spent three weeks, THREE WEEKS going over parts of a sentence (complete subject, complete predicate, direct objects, etc.). I wrote examples on the board. We did practice sentences. I had them make falsh cards with their own made-up sentence on one side with the particular part we were studying that day underlined and a picture of the sentence on the other side. Audio learning- check. Visual learning- check. I was particularly jazzed about the card idea because the students could use their cards as study aides before the test- creating their own studyguide in essence. Brilliant... in theory. The day of the test came. I was more nervous than I'm sure any of the students were. They turned them in. I graded them. 4 got A's the rest failed. I don't mean Bs, Cs, or even Ds. I mean FAILED.
Then there was the compare/contrast essay. We did a two week unit on the short story, The Most Dangerous Game complete with inclass discussions and multiple activities to enhance story comprehension. As a culminating assignment, the students were to write an essay comparing and contrasting two particular characters. To make sure everyone understood what it meant to compare and contrast, I explained the concept in detail, had them practice comparing and contrasting familiar items then discussed them as a class, and had them write a practice essay. Students all set to go, right? The due day came (I use due date in the loosest sense of the term. All it really means is that it's the ball park figure for when I'll be expecting-well, hoping- for their work in the somewhat near future). I skimmed through a couple, cringed, and put them to the side to grade a few days later when I have the heart to bare it. Many were merely plot summaries- not a sentence of comparing/contrasting information to be found. Those that did manage to compare and contrast made exactly one point: "Both characters were hunters. One hunted humans. The other did not. The end." My personal favorite was the one I got that compared and contrasted U.S. and World History. Yep, I, a language arts teacher, assigned a comparing/contrasting essay on a The Most Dangerous Game; I got an essay examining U.S. and World History. The kicker- that essay got the highest grade.
Finally, there was the short story project. Some of the students were really excited about the idea of writing their own short story- a rare phenomenon and a promising sign, I thought. I wanted this final assignment to be something each student could turn in with a proud, shining smile, patting themselves on the back. So I went to work to try and help them create their sure-to-be-amazing stories. Thank the stars for Google! I found some excellent ideas, especially for developing character. The day arrived to turn their stories in. Surprisingly, the stories (for the most part) actually came. So come to find out, rather than spending time talking about how things like catch-phrases, family dynamics, and dress style all implicately give character detail, I should have been teaching them what a story IS. That is to say, I should have explained that in order to be a story, something must HAPPEN; that it was not just about describing a person. Silly me.

So in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace at work, I said
For the assignments are wrong
and mock the song
Of peace in class
Good grades this term.

Take a Plunge

2009-10-06T20:32:00.008-06:00

Good Plunger

Bad Plunger

A couple weeks ago upon waking up, I groggily stumbled into the bathroom only to discover our toilet was clogged and had subsequently overflowed. Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, indeed. After getting over the initial annoyance at the discovery, I told myself to man-up and get to work. I, after all, am a fairly independent, resourceful 22 year old woman! So I grabbed the plunger and did what you are suppose to do with a plunger- I began plunging.

That morning I learned for the first time that not all plungers are created equal. After about sixty seconds of laborious plunging, I noticed that the water level had not decreased in even an infinitesimal amount. I repositioned the plunger thinking maybe I just hadn't placed it where it would get the optimal suction and began again. Another sixty seconds. Nothing. At this point I was exasperated. You are suppose to be a plunger! Why aren't you plunging?! You dare to have the audacity not to do your job?! I demanded, elevating the plunger from the toilet (yes, I occasionally talk to inanimate objects).

Luckily, I knew my old roommate has a plunger that actually cares enough to do its job, thank you very much. So I ran over and grabbed it. Five minutes and a generous amount of spent energy later, all systems were a go.

I've thought about this incident in a metaphorical sense ever since. At the time that this inopportune mishap happened, I felt like my life was clogged. Everything was building up and nothing was flowing as it should have been. Like I did that morning, I tried to fix it with a poor excuse of a plunger. I made up excuses, blamed others, ate more junk food.

Thank goodness I realized my mistake and recently began applying the real-deal plunger techniques. To put it simply: I went to work. No more excuses, no more blaming, no more (or significantly less) junk food. Much more prayer, reading, serving, and smiling. Ironically, it seems that the best way to plunge my life isn't to just remove obstacles, it means filling life with more of what counts.

Clutterless Closet- How to (Fake) Organize a Closet

2009-09-17T18:52:00.007-06:00

I think I'm going to stick to the "How to" theme for a spell.

Confession: I am not an organized person. On top of things- yes. Organized- no. Even as I'm writing this I'm looking at my desk wondering how it got so cluttered. I thought I had sworn when I moved into my new apartment that it would stay clean and clutter-free forever. Oops. That is not to say that I don't know how to organize a bedroom closet. Or at least how to fake an organized bedroom closet. I just usually choose not to do so. Regardless, here are some tricks of the trade:

1. Only have shoes on the floor of your closet- This gives the base of your closet a nice uniform look and a nice clean line. If you have stuff other than shoes on the floor, simply take it and shove it under your bed. You'll get to that another day.

2. Organize your shoes in pairs- if you don't have the space to line them all up side by side then take one from the pair and stick it on top of the other. Don't organize them by style, color, or anything else like that. No one cares what you consider a dress shoe vs. what you consider a day shoe.

3. For the rest of your clothes, clump items following this simple pattern (from right to left): tank-tops/sleeveless shirts, short sleeved shirts, long sleeved shirts, sweaters, skirts, dresses, jackets. If you really want to get ambitious (go beyond faking organization to actually being organized) then color code within each category. I don't recommend this too highly because where do you stick the black and white striped shirt? With the blacks? With the whites? What about the brown, orange, and purple striped shirt? Actually, if you have a shirt like that, do yourself a favor and just throw it out.

4. Fold hoodies and stack them on the top shelf- anything on the top shelf that isn't clothes, also shove under the bed. Don't worry if you feel that you are simply moving the problem from one spot to another. 1. If it's under your bed, chances are neither you nor anyone else can see it. Thus, still giving the illusion that you are organized. 2. The stuff you are moving probably isn't all that important. If it was, it would have its own spot anyway.

And you're done! Follow steps 1-4 and your closet will be (fake) organized in no time!

Go Fight Win (and Fake)!

2009-09-15T19:39:00.004-06:00

In case you hadn’t noticed, football season is upon us. For some, this is a wonderful, exciting, almost sacred time of year, for others, not so much. I happen to genuinely enjoy football. This could be because I have been going to football games for as long as I can remember. Seriously. I even had a little BYU cheerleader outfit that my parents dressed me in when I was baby. But I digress. However, I realize there are those of you who do not share in the football pandemonium. To you football resisters I encourage you to entertain the possibility that some day you may find yourself in a situation wherein feigning football interest is truly the path of most convenience. Perhaps you find yourself in such a situation presently. Maybe you want to impress a football enthusiast, maybe it’s easier to fake it than to explain that you just don’t enjoy watching guys knock each other to the ground with all possible physical force just to get the ball from one end of a field to the other, or maybe you’re hoping that a passion (or at least tolerance) for football will develop while you are faking it. Regardless of your exact reason, this post is for you.
How to fake enjoying a football game:
1. If everyone else is standing, stand too- I know three+ hours is a long time to stand, but nothing says “fish out of water” like a sitter in a sea of standers. Most fans stand because they have so much energy at the game. Furthermore, many hold the belief that they can transfer their energy to the team by standing, cheering loudly, and occasionally jumping. While this may not make sense, it is not polite to knock someone’s beliefs. Therefore, when at a game, stand.

2. Get an intense look on your face every fourth down- It really doesn’t matter whose fourth down it is. If your team is on offense, then this is their last chance to get a first down. If your team is on defense then this is their last chance to prevent a first down. Either way, it’s (in theory) a tense moment. If you need some help with the expression, try imagining that your professor is handing back a test that you’re confident you either aced or bombed. Freeze that facial expression for the duration of the play.

3. Tune in when there is a controversial call- you will know the call is controversial by one of two ways. Either the game will pause for an abnormally long length of time, or the fans around you will start booing. If you really want to get into it then when they show the replay, hold your hand, palm up, to the jumbotron like you’re presenting a piece of evidence before a jury. People will think that you clearly see what really happened. To go above and beyond, memorize the call. Then, when talking to the fanatics after the game, you can say, “So how about that (insert call description here).”

4. Memorize one major moment- if your team loses, then try and make the moment when someone made a major mistake. Listen for the words “fumble,” “interception,” or “turnover.” These moments won’t be too hard to catch because they’ll illicit a reaction from the fans. Then, when people are talking about the game later, you can say something like, “Well maybe if our team (or better yet, state the player’s number) would hold on to the ball/throw to our own team/ not say ‘here, you take it, we don’t really want it’ to the other team, we might have had a very different outcome.” If your team wins, then memorize one touch down. Then you can say something like, “That pass to (insert number of player that caught the ball here) was beautiful.” Side note: This whole memorizing a moment thing really works. One time I was talking to a guy and I said something like, “Well maybe if our center knew how to do his job.” His jaw dropped and he responded saying, “Wow, a girl who actually watches and understands football.” One memorized moment. That’s all it took, people.

Well, that’s it. Faking football doesn’t require that you understand the details of the game or even care at all! All you have to do is follow these four steps and I can almost guarantee you’ll look like you belong in that football stadium.

I'm Back

2009-09-15T19:33:00.002-06:00

Summer happened. Life changed. Now I'm back. Did ya miss me?!

Weather's Here, Wish You Were Great!

2009-06-26T10:52:00.004-06:00

I spent a lovely week with the family in Fernandina Beach, Florida visiting the grandparents. We all enjoyed reconnecting with them. Aside from that, we went to the beach nearly every day. I must say, it was quite the novel experience to go into the ocean and NOT be completely numb from neck down! The only thing I did not particularly care for was the humidity. It reminded me of being at a concert where everyone is really sweaty and smashed together. You stand on your tip toes and jump to try and get where the air is fresh. Only in Florida there is no top. The humidity knows no bounds. Doesn't having water in the air sort of rob air of its essence??? Nevertheless, family, sunshine, great water, and an escape from Provo: Definitely can't complain too much!

We All Make Mistakes

2009-06-03T22:54:00.004-06:00

Throughout the past 21 (almost 22) years of my earthly existence, I have fallen victim to various fads, trends, styles, ideas, etc. I look back on those pitfalls and cringe. However, I'm sure I there is much more "what was I thinking"to come before I "follow the light." So let's take a look at my list of shame:

-Circa 1995- Was thrilled to receive a Beanie Baby stuffed animal. Aren't those suppose to be worth thousands by now???

-Circa 1996- Owned a Tomagatchi/Giga pet. Yes, I actually paid money to care for an intangible pet.

-Circa 1997- Fan of Spice Girls- enough said.

-Circa 1999- Owned and wore a pair of Dr. Martin shoes- the clunkiest "everyday" shoe known to mankind.

-Circa 2000- Owned and wore a pair of Sketchers boots- the second clunkiest "everyday" shoe known to mankind.

-Circa 2001- Bought the Dixie Chicks CD. The thought that I spent my hard earned babysitting money on country music haunts me to this day.

-Circa 2002- Applied a set of do-it-yourself nails. I think they stayed on my fingers a good 2 hours.

-Circa 2003- Thought it was a good idea to eat an entire pumpkin pie with just one other friend.

-Circa 2004- Saw no problem with driving around aimlessly with friends for multiple hours.

-Circa 2006- Wore a cropped sweater, a style that did me no favors.

-Circa 2006- Ate constantly on account of having the Dining Plus meal plan.

I'm sure there are a great deal more embarrassing fads that I subscribed to. These are just the ones I find particularly shameful. I can hardly wait to see what trend train I hop onto next!

I Love Color

2009-06-02T00:52:00.004-06:00

...and right now the world is full of color!

Don't

2009-05-06T22:38:00.005-06:00

I try really hard to word things in the positive. For example, instead of saying, "Don't!" When a student looks like he/she is about use his neighbor as target practice for flinging pencils, I try to say, "Use the pencil the way it's suppose to be used, please!" I try to do this not only at work, but throughout the day. But some days my positive phrasing just doesn't happen. Maybe it's because I'm tired, irritable, or just too lazy to think of how to phrase it in the positive. Regardless, on those days I feel like all I say is don't/do not. Do not run in the hall. Do not touch your neighbor. Do not jump out of the swing. Do not go near the mud. Do not mock her. Do not take that. Do not leave that. Do not say that. Do not move. Do not stay. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200... just don't.

If My Life Was Made Into a Movie

2009-05-02T17:23:00.006-06:00

After watching a movie with some friends, we started talking about if our life was made into a movie who we would want to have the starring role. It's actually a pretty interesting question, in my opinion. Of course you could just rattle off the name of the hottest celebrity at the moment, but is that really who you think could capture your life? Would you want someone known for their dramatic roles? How about someone with perfect comedic timing? An actor/actress type-cast as a villan? My friend said she'd pick Rachel McAdams. Good choice, I'd say. She can do comedy (Mean Girls), she can do drama (The Notebook), she can do suspense (Red Eye)- all key components to life, well my friend's life anyway (and a great movie).

So who would I cast in the starring role of my life? Well after some consideration, I think my choice is Kate Hudson. I choose her because my movie would undoubtedly be found in the romantic comedy section (although right now I'm waiting around for the romantic part of the romantic comedy to begin, but that's beside the point). And Kate Hudson has got the romantic comedy thing down to an art. Let's take a look at some of her movies: Sure dramatic events occur (loses sister in Raising Helen, gets into a big fight with her best friend in Bride Wars), but those moments are usually set ups for some of the funniest moments later on, just like in my own life. I think Kate Hudson gets that. Yes, Kate Hudson could play me. And she could probably play me better than I could play myself. Other contenders include: Reece Witherspoon and Meg Ryan (when she was a bit younger... sorry, Meg) Who would you cast to play you? (I really want to know)

Swing, Swing, Swing

2009-04-29T18:45:00.004-06:00

Today's Adventure: Swinging

The weather this afternoon was just right; not too hot and not too cold (Goldilocks herself couldn't ask for better weather). I'm so glad I have roommates who put up with my whims!

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

2009-04-28T19:55:00.006-06:00

Today's Adventure: Tip Toeing Through the Tulips.

Inspired by the song.

All Day...

2009-04-25T16:03:00.009-06:00

it rained

so we jumped

and I danced.

Battlecreek Boutique

2009-04-24T20:28:00.006-06:00

So why would I write about something as seemingly trivial as a trip to a boutique you ask? Well because the amazing kid from this post moved very last minute and will no longer be attending the program. I didn't get to say goodbye. I am extremely distraught about it and browsing the boutique lifted my spirits to a small degree. That's why. Thanks for telling me about it, Kass! I had fun.

New sunglasses. I tend to lose or break sunglasses about as soon as I remove the price tag. Good thing they were inexpensive!

I love green. And I love shoes. Like Kassidy said, my shoe size is one of the very few constants I have in my life.

Don't Forget the Lyrics

2009-04-23T19:59:00.013-06:00

Music- big fan of it. Here's a list of lyrics that I find creative, memorable, or funny:

What am I here for/ I left my home to disappear is all/ I'm here for myself/ Not to know you/ I don't need no one else/ Fit in so good the hope is that you cannot see me later/ You don't know me I am an introvert an excavator/ I'm duckin out for now/ a face in dodgy elevators/ Creep up and suddenly/ I've found myself / an innovator
-L.E.S. Artistes (by Santogold)

She likes me for me/ Not because I look like Tyson Bedford/ With the charm of Robert Redford/ Oozing out my ears

-Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me) (by Blessid Union of Souls)

Sing with me/ Sing for the years/ Sing for the laughter/ Sing for the tears/ Sing with me if it's just for today/ Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away

-Dream On (by Aerosmith)

Talk, talking a lot, but it's still talk/ Gotta love how it's somehow all on me/ All the pretty scenes/ And all the pretty things/ Say whatever you want/ 'Cause I can laugh it off

-Let It Happen (by Jimmy Eat World)

So let go, jump in/ Oh well, whatcha waiting for/ It's alright/ 'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown/ So let go, just get it/ Oh, it's so amazing here/ It's alright/ 'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

-Let Go (by Frou Frou)

Let me keep you in this place/ You'll be better off this way/ I will keep you warm and safe/ You'll be better off this way/ I will not raise you from this sleep/ Leave you wandering counting sheep/ No more sad and sunshine days/ Trust me dear you're better off this way/ You'll be selling books at the airport

-Airport Song (by Guster)

I'm bringing sexy back

-Sexy Back (by Justin Timberlake)

And if you were with me tonight/ I'd sing to you just one more time/ A song for a heart so big, God wouldn't let it live/ May angels lead you in/ Hear you me, my friends/ On sleepless roads the sleepless go/ May angels lead you in

-Hear You Me (by Jimmy Eat World)

Bones sinking like stones/ All that we've fought for/ Homes, places we've grown/ All of us are done for/ We live in a beautiful world/ Yeah, we do, yeah, we do

-Don't Panic (by Coldplay)

Let's dance in style let's dance for a while/ Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies/ Hoping for the best but expecting the worst/ Are you going to drop the bomb or not?

-Forever Young (by Youth Group)

Dear I thought I'd drop a line/ The weather cool, the folks are fine/ I'm in bed each night by nine/ P.S. I love you

-P.S. I Love You (by Heather Doiron)

When a problem comes along, you must whip it

-Whip It (by Devo)

I tried my best to leave/ This all on your machine/ But the persistent beat it sounded thin/ Upon listening/ And that frankly will not fly/ You will hear the shrillest highs/ And lowest lows with the windows down/ When this is guiding you home/ They will see us waving from such great heights, "Come down now", they'll say/ But everything looks perfect from far away/ "Come down now", but we'll stay...

-Such Great Heights (by The Postal Service)

Ok, that got longer than I intended, and there are HUNDREDS (literally) that I could write down. Thanks, all you wonderful musicians/lyricists out there! You make life even more lovely

Spring Break

2009-04-20T21:37:00.005-06:00

So this is Easter, right? Nice weather, able to be outside in short sleeves.

This is 3 days later. Did it snow during my spring break? Why yes, in fact it did. Thanks a lot, Mama Nature. See if I plant a tree for you this Earth Day.

Despite the weather, it was a good time. I got to see this lovely girl, for example.

And maybe I really wanted to see the new Zac Efron movie. Maybe I made my little brother go with me. Maybe that was the same day it came out. Maybe. Don't judge me.

Spring in Provo

2009-04-20T21:30:00.004-06:00

Fickle though it may be, spring in Provo is pretty

The lovely ladies in this photo and I went to Comedy Sports a couple weeks ago. Tickets on Thursdays are only $4! Totally worth it. I definitely laughed $4 worth.

FYI: Everything on Center Street either closes at 5:00 pm or opens at 8:00 pm. There's nothing to do around the 7:00 hour. Learned that the hard way.

Fun with Photos

2009-04-15T21:41:00.007-06:00

Of all the mediums that could be used to create a portrait of me, I choose spray paint thank you very much

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder???

Ok so I may have had a little too much fun with photofunia.com. But how cool are those pictures?! Plenty more photofunia to come, I'm sure.

Monday

2009-04-06T15:36:00.005-06:00

Monday morning, 6:50 am: "Bones sinking like stones, all that we've fought for. Homes, places we've grown, all of us are done for." My ipod alarm summons me from my dreams with my favorite Coldplay song. My arm raises. The snooze button is hit.
7:00: "We live in a beautiful world, yeah we do, yeah we do." My pesky alarm goes off again. I don't care how much I like the song. Anything besides my internal clock that causes me to wake up is pesky. My arm raises, my brow furrows, the reset button is hit. Much to my dismay, Monday is here... already. Time to get up and get ready for work. Where did the weekend go??? Spring break is just around the corner, and I am living for it! I simply do not want to go to work. I couldn't fall asleep last night for hours and the idea of saying, "voices off in the hall please," "WALK, please!" "raise your hand" "are you tattling to help or to hurt?" all day long is anything but enticing. No, I do not want to get up this morning. Yet somehow I lift my still foggy head out of bed to face another day.

As I stand outside with my class during their lunch recess, I tilt my head towards the warming sun. So this is what spring is like, I muse. I'm glad I have recess as an excuse to be outside in the middle of the day. No cooped up little office for me, thank you. Then I turn my focus back to the kids. Given that these kids come to the program based on behavior problems, they require constant watch. So, I watch. I watch them run, climb, and laugh.

I watch as one of the girls in my class, a little third grader whose arm is completely bandaged up from a fall last week climbs the ladder and leans towards the monkey bars. She's going to try and traverse them, bandage and all! Then I watch something truly remarkable. I watch as a baggy pants wearing, earring sporting, "trouble starting," sixth grade boy steps in front of her and gently holds her by the waist to assist her across the bars. When she can go no farther, he sets her carefully back on the ground. "Look at how far you got!" He says smiling at her. She smiles back and runs off. And I, watching all of this, am completely struck. No one told the boy to help her. Surely no one would expect it from a "trouble maker." There was no reward in it for him. I am the adult and he, a 12 year old, has shown me what a truly selfless, small, random act of kindess looks like. And to think I didn't want to come to work today!

12:45 pm: My attitude has done a complete 180.

This is not the first time this student has blown me away. I've watched as he has instructed one of the less coordinated students in my class to go out for a pass then tell him "Oh! Almost! Nice try!" as the kid misses a pass that could have been easily caught by someone else. I've watched him make sure everyone gets a turn in the game. I've watched him hurry over to a hurt child to make sure they're ok.

This is not the first time I've seen the incredible, undeniable, mind-blowing potential of such a "troubled kid." This is not the first time I've wondered why me? Why am I lucky enough to cross paths with such outstanding kids? Why am I so blessed to learn from kids who, despite what they've already endure in their short years of life, are so good? Why do I get such moments? All I know is that Coldplay was right: We really do "live in a beautiful world."

Who Loves General Conference??? I DO!!!

2009-04-05T18:31:00.009-06:00

Image found here

I LOVED general conference this weekend! I'm so grateful to have living prophets on the earth to teach, guide, counsel, and uplift me. I love that we, an LDS people, gather all across the world in our homes, churches, conference center, and other locations to listen to the messages. As I listened to the talks, I noticed some reoccurring themes. Here are some that I picked up on:

-Faith over coming fear

-Temple attendance

-Obtaining advice from experienced individuals (scriptural leaders, people around us, those who have gone before us, etc.)

-Developing faith through obedience

-The ministry of Christ

I'll add more as I think of them. I love the gospel!

"We got a dollar, we got a dollar, we got a dollar hey hey hey hey!"

2009-04-03T16:04:00.006-06:00

Have you watched the movie The Little Rascals lately? I'm talking the 1994 version staring Bug Hall and Travis Tedford with brief appearances by Reba McEntire, Donald Trump, and Whoopi Goldberg. If you haven't, I highly suggest you do because it is down right hilarious! I liked it when I was seven and I still like it now that I'm an adult... or something akin to an adult anyway. Here are some of my favorite lines from the movie:

"I, Stymie, member in good standing of the He-Man Woman Haters Club, do solemnly swear to be a he-man and hate women and not talk to them or play with them unless I have to. And especially never fall in love. And if I do may I die slowly and painfully and suffer hours or until I scream bloody murder."

"Porky, you sure know how to make a sandwhich!"

"That wasn't sand! That was kitty litter!"

"I had to eat six boxes of cracker jacks to find it. It's a symbol of my undying affliction for you."

"My father just bought the oil refinery."
"That explains why you're so refined."

"Yeah, and so oily."

"That ugly scum led me on as if he cared, then dropped me like a hot-tamale!"

"Hey there again, you stud-muffins, going my way?"

"If you were my kids, I punish you!"

"If we were your kids we'd punish ourselves!"

"Then the clouds opened up and God said, 'I hate you Alfalfa!"

"There's a perfectly logical explanation for this... which I'll make up later."

"Dear Darla: I hate your stinkin guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes. Love Alfalfa."

"I'll sell you my pickle for a nickle."

"How 'bout two cents?"

"O-tay."

"Come see the four foot man-eating-chicken!"

"You Benedict Arnold; you Judas Priest!"

"I wish I had a club to throw you out of!"

"All great knights ride into battle wearing the colors of their lady fair."

...such a great flick!

Best of Intentions

2009-03-30T15:04:00.005-06:00

Rachel's Life Transcript:

Effort- A

Execution- F

I bought my coworker a present for her last day at work. Then I forgot to give it to her. Now she's in Oregon, and I probably will never see her again. I had the best of intentions.
In my bursting binder of Relief Society materials I have dozens of papers with quotes from February's visiting teaching message. I forgot to hand them out. It's almost April. I had the best of intentions.
I decided to be economical during these "economically difficult times" and decorate the outside of a composition notebook instead of buying a more expensive journal. I've been writing in it since December. The outside is exactly the same as when I bought it. I had the best of intentions.
A months ago I was volunteering at a family treatment center. Then my work schedule changed, and I forgot to change me volunteering schedule. I had the best of intentions.
I have an exercise ball sitting on a shelf in my closet, still in the box with a ribbon around it. I intended it to give it to a friend that I worked out with as her Christmas present. That was back in 2007. I had the best of intentions.
Last week I decided to go to bed early. I ended up painting until late into the night instead. I had the best of intentions.
The Relief Society presidency and I thought it would be fun to start a little apartment get to know you tradition in the ward. The idea was that one apartment invites another over to get to know each other better and then the invited apartment asks another apartment the next week, thus creating a chain reaction, if you will. We invited an apartment over to get it started. The chain began and stopped there. I had the best of intentions.
At the beginning of the school year I decided I would get my workouts over with in the morning. That kick lasted through the first week of September. I had the best of intentions.
Every Sunday I decide that I am going to bake treats sometime in the upcoming week. I haven't baked since... Well, anyway, I had the best of intentions.
About a year and a half ago I decided I was going to take up cake decorating. I even bought a book to help me in my new culinary endeavor. I have yet to use the book. I had the best of intentions.
I guess when I get called up to the pearly gates that will be my argument: I had the best of intentions.

Nineth Planet No More: The Ultimate Demotion

2009-03-27T18:56:00.006-06:00

Our class has been studying outer space, specifically the planets, the past couple weeks in science. When I was in elementary school we learned there were nine planets in our little solar system; Pluto being the farthest from the sun. Now the students learn that there are actually eight planets, Neptune being the farthest, and that once-upon-a-fairly-recent-time, scientists mistakently counted Pluto as a planet.

I can't help but feel sorry for Pluto. One day it's "Pluto is the farthest and coldest planet in the solar system." The next day it's, "Pluto? Oh that?! Yeah, that's just a hunk of ice." Losing it's planetary status: the ultimate demotion. Poor, poor Pluto.

I know it's rediculous to feel sorry for a planet, a lifeless one at that, but I can't help it. Feeling sorry for inanimate objects has been a compulsion of mine since childhood. As a kid I use to eat the orange and banana popsicles, even though I didn't really like the taste, because I hated to think of them sitting there all alone in the freezer thinking they were somehow inferior to their cherry and lime counterparts. My heart would positively break when I even thought about rotten little boys who would strap some innocent doll to a homemade soda bottle rocket. Oh, the humanity!

For such things as my popsicle eating habits and compassion for toys, I blame the book, The Velveteen Rabbit. I've known fully grown, well educated adults to get choked up reading this book about a stuffed, synthetic lagamorpha. And children are suppose to enjoy it?! I blame shows like The Adventures of Timmy the Tooth Brush, Veggie Tales, and Toy Story which gave inanimate objects voices, names, and worst of all, personalities. No wonder we're such a materialistic society!

In short, thanks to the media, I can't help but feel sorry for poor Pluto! Pluto, I salute you. You will always be a planet in my heart.

Happy Belated Pi(e) Day!!!

2009-03-21T22:21:00.003-06:00

Image found here

As I'm sure you were all aware, March 14th was Pi Day (3.14). Although I usually remember that it's Pi Day, my celebration of the irrational number doesn't really exceed a simple acknowledgement. Well, all that changed this Pi Day. A group of us kicked off festivities with a coconut cream pie at midnight, and then by sitting in a circle and chanting the first hundred numbers of pi at 3:14 am. Yes, that really did happen. To top it off, my lovely friend, Kristen, hosted a pie bake off. It was delicious! Hope you had a Happy Pi(e) Day!

P.S.(Thank you Kristen & co. for bringing the pie and hosting a party! Read what Kristen had to say about the day here)

An Intervention

2009-03-21T21:34:00.014-06:00

A Hesitant Shopper (before)

A Happy Shopper (after)

Thanks to my wonderful father, my computer is up and running again! Oh computer, I missed you so. Anyway, there's some stuff to catch up on.

A couple weekends ago, I saved my lovely sister from herself. I seriously believe that if I hadn't intervened, someone would've nominated her for TLC's "What Not To Wear." If she had it her way, she would wear sweats 24/7... and that's pretty much 3/4 of her wardrobe. While I am all for sweats, (there's nothing better than coming home slipping into your comfiest pants and hoodie and vegging on the couch) I believe there is a time and a place. So my mom and I took her to Nordstrom to show her there's a clothing world beyond Tee shirts and cheer warm ups. Although at first she was less than enthused about the outing, she came back with some great finds that she loves. I'm so proud of her!

Unfortunately

2009-03-12T13:42:00.002-06:00

It is to my great displeasure that I announce that my computer is broken. Last weekend I went to turn it on and all seemed well for a second. Then there was a loud beep followed by the a flash in the left-hand corner reading, "fan error." Then it just shut off. Just like that! How annoying! It should be repaired in the not-too-distant future, so fear not all 3 of my readers! More thrilling posts to return soon (with any luck)!

Kinda Funny

2009-03-05T21:50:00.005-07:00

This picture is awesome for two reasons:

1. Chelsea and Allyson are fantastic.

2. Together we are a blond, a brunette, and a redhead... insert jokes here.

Wish You Were Here

2009-02-24T18:36:00.006-07:00

I haven't been on a vacation in months, and I am just itching to go somewhere! But seeing as how it's mid February and I'm broke, I'm going to have to settle for looking through old pictures and "traveling" a whole 45 minutes up to Salt Lake for a while. The pictures above are some of my favorites from Switzerland. Such a beautiful country with amazing architecture! Simply fantastic.

A New Leaf

2009-02-23T15:41:00.005-07:00

I'm a cluttered person. Not messy, mind you, but cluttered. I've been in denial about that for years, but now I'm admitting it. However, I'm going to try and change that starting TODAY! And I'm starting with my car. I cleaned out all the junk and wiped it down; something I've been meaning to do for months and months. Here's a list of the stuff I found:
-A blank thank you card and envelope
-A picture of a flower drawn by Sydney H. (4th grade)
-A sweatshirt
-A coat
-An ad about finishing math in less than a semester
-A broken door handle (driver's side)
-An old sticker about when to change my oil
-Old gym pass
-Pages 2-6 of a 7 page paper
-A picture of a flower drawn by Rielly (also 4th grade)
-A list of work assignments
-Directions to the Point Restaurant
-2 nail files (one with pop-a-lock's info. on it)
-A pair of earrings
-An Abnormal Psychology textbook
-A single earring
-Information about Postpartum Depression (interesting considering I have no children)
-A plastic grocery bag
-A gas receipt
-A bubble gum flavored dum-dum sucker (gross)
-A Halloween pencil
-A pen
-A pink high-lighter
-A whistle
-A post-it with web address
-And an envelop with $10 (wahoo!)

Tomorrow- my bedroom!!!

Last Day

2009-02-21T15:19:00.004-07:00

(Things the students were sweet enough to give me)

I work in a behavior management program at an elementary school. For eight weeks selected students from throughout the district come to our class to (hopefully) learn how to make better choices. Yesterday was the last day with the second session of kids. I hated it. These kids are absolutely AMAZING! I am not ready to let them go yet. I just pray that when they go back they will continue to be the amazing kids I know they are, and that their teachers, parents, classmates, etc. will see and help cultivate their potential.

To those students:

Thank you. Thank you for all that you taught me in the two months I was blessed to work with you. From you I gained more patience, a better sense of humor, and most importantly I learned to NEVER give up on people. You all came into my life at a time when I needed you the most. Because of you I am a better person. Because of you I will never, ever be the same.

Happy Birthday, Rachie Dear!!!

2009-02-19T16:53:00.003-07:00

While I'm at it, I just wanted to wish Rachel (and no, I'm not referring to myself) a HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love this girl! We've been friends since the seventh grade. She is beautiful, fun, and sweet as can be! Rach, you're the best!

I'm New at This

2009-02-19T16:13:00.007-07:00

A while back I was talking to my friend, Brittney and she told me how much she loved blogging and following other people's blogs. I've never done the whole blog thing before and until she convinced me to look into it, I never really read others' blogs either. So I began following hers, which led me to others, which led me to others and so on. I started stumbling across some darling and inspiring blogs and I thought, "I totally want to be one of those darling and inspiring bloggers." Well, thanks a lot Britt. I'm now totally addicted to following blogs. So here we go. I'm going to give this whole blogging thing a shot.

Anyway, for Valentine's Day I made cupcakes for my class with the help of my dear friend, Melissa. I love cupcakes. I love my class. I love Melissa. I love making cupcakes for my class with Melissa.