Wednesday, December 27, 2006

It's the Holiday Season...

And what a great time it has been thus far. Only 5 more days of it until I have to go back to work... I am still hoping for a snow day on Tuesday- after my plane lands of course! But is has been a great time at home-

1) I got to go to a REAL Christmas concert. My cute little nephews and niece. They even acted out the nativity and sang songs that mentioned Christ. So good. So cute.
2) Church on Christmas eve. It was just me and my parents- but fun to see a ton of people I haven't seen in forever- with their gazillion kids and cute wives/ husbands.

3) Christmas Eve at my sisters. We played a little Catch phrase and Loaded Questions. There is nothing quite like a question about bodily functions to get the party started. Good ol' Brian. I love when my Mom laughs sooo hard. Love it!
4) Sleeping in until 8:30 on Christmas day. And then waking up to cute little Addy and Janie. It was fun to open presents with them.
5) Resisting the stores on Boxing Day. I didn't even leave the house- sad but true. I am trying to be better about buying things i don't need... TRYING is the main word.
6) Dinner at my Auntie Shirley's tonight. My cousin mark is 44! 44! I remember when they would come and tickle us when we would sleepover in their living room. 44! Man I am getting old.
7) My semi-annual haircut. Happening tomorrow. Right now I am thinking I will try to grow my hair a little longer- at least until my next haircut. Tomorrow I might be thinking something else. I think I need to move closer to Andrea so I can get my hair cut more often than at Christmas and the summer... we shall see.
8)Organizing my room. I am so grateful that I still have a "room" at my parents. It is more like a storage room that they let me sleep in when I come home. One day I will take all my stuff out- when I live closer to my stylist!! I have so much stuff becuase I can't pass up a deal. If it is on sale- I HAVE to buy it. hence #5. But I am going to have the best stocked kitchen when I live close enough to move all my stuff with me.
9) Seeing Kim. Holy schmolies it has been forever- like 2 1/2 years. She is too cute. And her little Ryker. It was so fun holding him. Thanks for the fun visit Kim. You are great!
10)My family. They are great and I love them. They sure are what is tempting me to move back to Canada. Cute kids, fun sisters, interesting brother-in-laws.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

I went to Church today...

without a coat or even a sweater! According to my trusty car "Norm"- it was 16 degrees celcius today! 16 degrees! That is amazing for the 17th of December! I can't believe it. I am SOOOOO ready for snow though. (I am sure everyone is asking why!!) Good thing I will be in the great white north in 2 more sleeps! Yeah!

Friday, December 15, 2006

I FINALLY did it...

I have driven past this store every day- 2 times a day for 2 years now and today was the day that I FINALLY went inside. Pathetic I know!
But I KNEW I would love it- so I stayed away for as long as I could.
It was dangerous.
I wanted to buy EVERYTHING!
But I just had to keep telling myself that I would have to get rid ofit when I move back to Canada as I can only take what will fit in my car- and I am WAY past that limit already!









I couldn't leave without buying SOMETHING... So I bought-

A cool paper towel holder- that is magnetic! So you can stick it to the side of you fridge! love it.








And a space bag... you know the ones that you put a ton of stuff in- suck the air out and you can store 10 times the stuff in the same amount of space...
Well I got a travel one. You just roll it to get the air out. I don't know if I am in love with it but I need all the packing help I can get!



Now I just need to "contain" myself from going back and buying everything else I want!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

I am going....


Bananas...
It is quite the adventure being a Home Ec (a.k.a. Family & Consumer Sciences) teacher! One part of the adventure would have to be buying the groceries! Have you ever bought a cart full of groceries... except it is only 5 items... just 25 of each of the 5 items. I had this experience on Wednesday! We made banana bread in my classes on Friday! People look at you like you have something wrong with you...
maybe I just REALLY like bananas.
I had one woman comment about my amount of bananas when I was filling my cart. Once you say "I teach Home Ec" they instantly understand! When I was standing in line with my cart of 40 lbs of bananas and 6 cartons of eggs and older man came up to me and asked what I was going to do "with ALL of those bananas." I told him I was in need of a lot of potassium! Ha ha! He was excited when I told him I taught Home Ec. He even returned a bit later (I was in line for a VERY long time) and told me a story about when he was in Home Ec.
Gotta love the Home Ec stories!
Try it sometime- fill your cart with only a few different items and enjoy the stares and comments! It is great.

p.s. the banana bread was a success- only one group had a weird outcome and I don't know why! They always ask if they get a bad grade for messing up- Nope! The only punishment is they have to eat it!

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Yippee!

My camera is fixed! I can't believe it happened so fast! One sad thing... the pictures I took when I was checking to see if my camera was broken... WORKED! So I totally could have taken more pictures in NYC! oh well!

Here are the pics I took BEFORE it broke! There are my yummy fries!! They have 2 tables (it is super cramped but super chic!!) that have holes for your cone-o-fries! And the delicious dill lemon mayo sauce.
Then there is me and Midge (a.k.a. Rachel- my roomie from 10 years ago! Yowza!) She is looking all cute and I am all nasty! I woke up at 5am- rode the bus for 4 hours! That is my bag that I hauled around ALL day! I am pretty impressed that I lived out of that bag for 2 days. I wish those fries beside Rachel were real. how COOL would that be?

You can't really tell my hair is darker...can you? I tried to get a picture of it today because one of my classes talked about how my hair looked so cute today (but I couldn't get one where the rest of me looked decent)! it was rather amusing. I actually get a lot of compliments on it... but it is by the trouble maker boys that are wanting to suck up for various reasons.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Christmas Tag...

I was tagged by Andrea for this Christmas Meme.
Let's see:
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I would have to say Hot Chocolate... but only like once a year! I wish I liked Egg Nog though- because everyone loves it and talks about how much they love it!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? They are always wrapped... but I am waiting for him to give me a car- and am assuming that won't be wrapped! ha ha!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Right now- neither! My roommate is in charge and she hasn't done anything!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No! We did once at BYU-I. And there is a guy in my ward that has a mistletoe party! Yikes. I made that mistake last year.
5. When do you put your decorations up? If I had any here- I would have started at LEAST 3 weeks ago! I have been listening to Christmas music for about a month now!!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I am going to have to say my Mom's stuffing as well. Just thinking about it makes me drool!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Let's see.... I loved that we got a small box of cereal in our stocking and would eat it for breakfast! And open our stockings on Mom and Dad's bed! And even though it was totally awkward standing there listening to them sing (especially if you were the only one home)- I LOVED when the Dahl's came caroling and sang "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains."
8. How and When did you learn the truth about Santa? I was trying to remember... I am sure my sisters ruined it for me. They ruin everything good. ha ha!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? It used to be pajamas... maybe I will have to start buying myself pajamas to open.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I actually haven't decorated one in a REALLY long time since I am never home in time to do it and my roommates and I never do it. My roommate set up our tree last year but didn't want to decorate it (I still don't understand...) so I am going to ask her this year if I can decorate it... so I need to come up with something cheap and easy. My mission was probably the last time I decorated a tree- the Relief Society in my last area asked my companion and I to decorate a tree for the RS room. It was SOOO cute. We cut out doves, hearts and stars from construction paper and wrote on them- respectively- peace, love and joy! And added raffia for a little touch of class. Ha ha! Long story for a short question. Sorry!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT! And wish we had it! I am watching the news right now and they are talking about snow everywhere but here! Sheesh! I think part of the reason I really want it is for a snow day- you talk about snow here and EVERYTHING shuts down! Plus it just isn't Christmas without snow! Good thing I will be home in 19 days! Yippee!
12. Can you ice skate? I think so... it has been FOREVER since I last tried so I don't know if I still can!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember I got a teddy bear that had a radio in it! That was the coolest thing EVER! I LOVE every gift I get!
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spreading Christmas Cheer, by singing loud for all to hear! LOL! Name that movie... Seriously though- I love spreading Christmas cheer- not by singing though- and being with my fam!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? So many choices... I don't know if this is really a dessert but I LOVE the caramel popcorn my Mom makes. I have been craving it for 11 months now!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We only have a few traditions- and I like them all- pizza on Christmas Eve, open stockings before breakfast, tea ring for Breakfast, open presents one by one! Delivering popcorn (mentioned above) to different families. I would like to start the tradition of doing the 12 Days for Christmas- but I am never in the same place for the 12 days before Christmas... one day!
17. What tops your tree? Nothing yet- but if I decorate it, I will post a picture (if I get my camera back!)
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? I like giving!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I have ALOT-
* God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- by the Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLaughlan (& BYUI Men's chorus)
* O Holy Night
* It's the Holiday Season- by Andy Williams
* Ave Maria
* Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
* Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey- I heard this song last year on the radio and it is HILARIOUS! You need to hear it if you haven't!
* Okay pretty much if it is a Christmas song- I LOVE it... and have been listening to it for a month now!
20. What is your favorite Christmas story? I can't think of anything specific but I LOVE the stories that President Monson tells about Christmas miracles.

Wow! That took a lot longer than I thought! Thanks for reading it all! Umm... I will tag anyone who wants to do it- pretty much Kim and Mikaela are the only other ones who read this that haven't already been tagged!!! Yeah- another reader- Emily Kate is officially tagged too!

Saturday, November 25, 2006

NYC= Food

I'm back from NYC... and NO pictures to share! Why you ask? My camera broke- AGAIN! I am so sad. I think it happened sometime on Wednesday as I hauled my bag around the WHOLE city the WHOLE day! I actually did take 2 pictures at Pommes Frites- this awesome fry shop- but I have no way to get them off!! The fries were great. They fry them right in front of you and you have like 30 sauces to choose from! And you can sample all you want! I went for the dill lemon mayo! Yummy! The parade was fun... even though it was cold, wet and windy! We didn't last long! I was sad when I took out my camera to take a picture of the Super Grover balloon- and that is when I discovered it was broken! A guy in my friends ward is a chef and made Thanksgiving dinner for a bunch of people- SOO good! Yummy! Friday, before heading home we stopped at Rice to Riches- the cutest place. It serves rice pudding and only rice pudding! Also provides samples- as if that helps to make up your mind!! I went for the cookies and cream! So good! They give it to you in a cute dish with a funky spoon! A must try! So as you can tell the highlight of my trip was the food!! But isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about? Good thing we walked for 2 days straight to burn it all off!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Bigger & better


So a package I ordered came today!!! And my good ol' mailman didn't let me down with his package hiding. ha ha! Love it. I almost didn't even know it was there! HA!

Monday, November 20, 2006

In my head...


my blog is really good. I am constantly seeing and thinking of things that would make GREAT posts... but then they never happen. So I apologize for it being lame here... but know that it's the thoughts that count right? Ha ha!
Well I am off to NYC on Wednesday. I am so excited but yet nervous! I am taking a bus from DC to NYC... and have to metro it to the bus stop! Yikes. Thank goodness my friend is meeting me in NYC but she has to work 3 hours after picking me up so I am on my own Wednesday afternoon. She is going to get me tickets to some show...
what show? I do not know. I REALLY hope it is something good. She is a little more riskay (is that how you spell it???) than me so that scares me!! Thank goodness her friend will be going with me so I don't have to get back to her apartment alone after midnight!!! And might I add - I have to do all this with my luggage??!!! My goal is to pack REALLY light! I will only be there for 2 days so it shouldn't be too hard!
Right?
Thursday we are going to the Macy's Parade... hopefully we will see more than the 2 minutes we saw last year. ( see the end of the 2nd last balloon in the photo...)

And I am hoping to do some serious shopping on Friday (a.k.a. the biggest shopping day of the year!!) Target here I come!!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Ha! Ha!

I need to start this with an apology to Andrea... please don't be mad but it was necessary!
I went to Buffalo this weekend to visit my favorite Amanda!! I have had some SERIOUS roots from my many hightlightings (by my personal stylist, Andrea- I love you!) So we were at Target Saturday night and were planning to go home to watch a movie... I had been wanting to dye my hair for a while but kept putting it off. Well that morning we were in the temple and the lady in front of me had horrible roots so I decided it was time. I always struggle picking the right color. With Amanda's help, I decided to go with Medium Brown. Yesterday was my first day back at school- I had my hair in a pony so not too many people noticed my new look. A few of my students did and one even said... "It looks so much better than before!" Gee thanks. It is a little darker than I was planning but I have gotten tons of compliments. I will try and post a picture later. Just had to tell you how kind teenagers can be. Gotta go.

Thursday, November 9, 2006

My new obsession....

So I have been a MVP member at Hollywood Video for a few months (like Netflix but it is all done in store). So after 3 times of having late fees, I decided it was time for a change- I joined Blockbuster online- which is exactly like netflix but you can return them to the store and get a movie right away! So anyways... my friend has been telling me about Veronica Mars (a TV show) and how much she loves it. I would always forget to watch it but now it is right after Gilmore Girls, so it has become part of my Tuesday night! I ordered the first 2 seasons and just finished the first disc last night... and I want more. I am trying to figure out how soon I can leave work and keep watching (or watch it at work... while grading papers and stuff- but then I might never leave)- and then mail them back for 3 more! This is exactly why I stay away from TV shows- because I KNOW that I will get hooked! 3 down... 11 DVD's to go! Yikes!

Saturday, November 4, 2006

What I did...

I told her... I said that I made it for her birthday but when she got home late, I figured she had been out celebrating. I told her she could eat it whenever she wanted... and she decided we needed to have a piece before the party. Of course I supported that. It was pretty frozen but still tasty. I think it is going to take us a LONG time to eat it. And now we have 5 containers of ice cream in our freezer. Yikes. And of course I am going to have to eat it. I have an ice cream problem! Here are pictures of the outside of my cake (ready and waiting for her to arrive- candle from Dollarama!!!)- and the inside. I bought Betty Crocker Bake n' Fill pans from Target (on clearance of course) and gave them a try. Very fun!


































Today is going to be my productive day (key word- GOING TO) I have needed to organize my room desperately so today is the day! The only reason I can leave is to go buy milk at the grocery store! Wish me luck!

Friday, November 3, 2006

What to do...

So yesterday was my roommate's birthday. So I made a yummy cake, with ice cream in the middle. Another friend and I are having a party for her tonight (which has been a big kerfuffle- I wanted it to be a big shindig for her at our place, with a fun theme- he changed it after I sent out the email so now it is a combined party with his roommate at his place with no theme), so I was going to give her the cake yesterday. She said she had a meeting after work and would be home at 7. Another friend was over working on a project with me so we were all ready with candles in her cake, camera ready, lights off, waiting for her to walk in the door... she never came. Our friend left, the cake went back in the freezer, I went to bed. Right when I turned out my light, my roommate came home. I was too tired to do anything, and I assumed she had gone somewhere to celebrate. Well this morning I find out that her meeting was cancelled so she went to work at the temple (as she does every thursday- except when she has meetings). So I thought I would take the cake to the party tonight- then I find out that the friend hosting the party, bought a REALLY big chocolate cake. Now I just feel DUMB! I don't know what to do. Do I tell my roommate that I had a little something planned for her but because she came home late, she missed out? Do I bring the cake to the party and have WAY too much chocolate cake? (and take the chance that it will melt all over). Or do we eat it on Saturday? I am just sich a fan of communication and it frustrates me when people don't. I guess I didn't communicate to my roommate that I was having a little something for her but I did ask her when she would be home from her meeting... I like to keep somethings a surprise! Anyways... I will figure something out... it just makes me sad that I had BIG plans and they have all been smooshed!

Thursday, November 2, 2006

Halloween Cookies

I found a recipe for the coolest candycorn cookies (click here for recipe) - so I made them. Yummy! And they are pretty easy.









I actually doubled the recipe so they are twice the size they should be! Next time I think I will do less orange. But so fun. Also, each pan I cooked a little shorter time, but they still ended up VERY crunchy. Yet still tasty! I took them to FHE and they were a big hit.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Popcorn!!











This looks like your everyday, run of the mill popcorn... but it's not! It is seriously AMAZING! I love it. It is White Cheddar microwave popcorn! I am addicted. I seriously have to try to not eat it EVERYDAY! It is so choice! If you have the means I higly recommend picking one up! (name the movie!) I have only found it at one store... I may have to stock up. Try it- you'll love it! If you don't- I will gladly take the rest off your hands!

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Why is it...


that when you watch a movie with high expectations, it rarely meets them. And sometimes when you watch a movie with low expectations, it exceeds them?
That happened to me last night- I rented RV and watched it- I haven't heard anything about this movie- good or bad- usually that means it bad because it didn't get the rave reviews that good movies get! Well I liked it. It was cheesy but had some good LOL moments! This family in the picture is the best! Ha ha! So am I telling you to watch it... I don't know- because if you go in with expectations of it being great, you may be disappointed!!!! With what movies has this happened to you?

Sunday, October 15, 2006

I love this girl!



The plan was to go to Buffalo, NY this weekend to visit my old BYU-I roomie, Amanda. I haven't seen her in over 2 years! I was ready to leave Friday right after school-
Then I heard about the HUGE snow storm Buffalo had Thursday night. Amanda said they didn't have electicity or water and tons of roads were shut down! I was devastated. Then came the idea- she should come to me! Her Mom agreed if she brought her sister Adrienne! They drove all night friday- arriving at 2am! It was so much fun chatting, laughing, looking at pictures. We went to the temple, her Aunt and Uncle took us out for dinner... our waiter was the cutest little Mexican man!! We ate right after Church and they headed home... it was sad to see them go but it was soo worth it to have them here! She is the funniest, craziest girl. It is such a blessing to have her in my life!!

p.s. She wasn't even here for 48 hours and I made tons of food- Lemon poppyseed muffins, double chocolate banana muffins, pumpkin cheesecake (again) and snicker salad!!
I totally meant to take a picture of the S.S. but forgot before it was too late- but here is the recipe. Kim- let me know what you think- it sounds nasty but tastes delicious!
1 red apple
1 green apple
1 snickers bar
1/2 cup whipping cream(whip stiff with 4 tsp powdered sugar)
1/2 of 6 oz strawberry yogurt

Cut up apples and snickers into bitesize pieces. Fold into whipped cream and yogurt.
(I don't really follow this recipe... I just cut up as many apples as I want, mix cool whip and yogurt -add to apples- and add enough Snickers so there is one if every bite! Yummy!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

I LOVE this song...

Everytime we Touch by Cascada!!! It seriously makes me want to go to a dance REAL bad! And that takes a lot... although I love dancing... just hate the whole dance experience... you know standing around, waiting to be asked to dance, watching everyone around you get asked... Anywho- LOVE this song. I wish I knew how to do a link to just play the song or how to post the video right on my blog... but until then- click on the link and take a listen! I love the video too- all the random people dancing. makes me smile. I wish I could play it during my classes- It would be a party all day long!!

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Lots of Leftovers!


It was a success... the Elders showed up 15 minutes early! but luckily everything was ready- it just needed to be dished up! We chowed down and it was soooo good! I love my mom's stuffing-I keep forgetting how easy it is, I need to make it more often. It was my first time making gravy... I thought about just not making it- but how horrible would that be??? So a little coaching from Mom over the phone and all was well! I can't say it was perfect but I am very pleased with my first time! I was a little scared about the dessert but it was SCRUMPTIOUS! I made Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake. I highly recommend it! Look at all these leftovers... yikes! Good thing Thanksgiving leftovers are my favorite!!! And the Elders were great! Elder Arnold is so much fun and he had a brand new companion- fresh from the MTC! I got to be his first dinner appointment. I am determined to be a better member missionary!
p.s. I didn't get to make the Snickers salad... and looking at the leftovers- that is probably a good thing! But I will make it soon and post the recipe for you Kim! It sounds soo weird but is delightful!

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Am I crazy??

So I have made it a goal to feed the missionaries once a month! They bring a guy from the ward with them (since we are single... and sisters...) so it is a good way to get to know people in the ward... oh yeah... and serve the missionaries!! So I was trying to decide what to make and someone asked me if I was celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving- I didn't have any plans to- until now! I decided I would celebrate a little early- tomorrow! So now the problem is getting EVERYTHING done in time to eat and go to enrichment! yikes. I bought a turkey and am going to cook it at school tomorrow! There are so many advantages to being a Home Ec teacher! So I will prepare it during my prep and then put it in at lunch to cook! Then I will have to bustle home with my turkey, cook mashed potatoes, stuffing, snicker salad and buns before 6! yikes. I think I might go crazy. I am going to try and get as much done tonight as I can- I already have my bread torn for stuffing.... that's about it. Oh yeah I need to figure out something for dessert too! I should do something pumpkiny- but not pumpkin pie- that's boring (and not my favorite). So I should be off so I can figure out a recipe, run to the store and make it home for the million TV shows I want to watch tonight! If you haven't watched Project Runway, you need to! So good. Love it! Adios!!!

Monday, September 25, 2006

Why?

*Why did the last season of Gilmore Girls stink?
*Why did Lorelai leave Luke for Christopher?
*Why have they made us believe for 6 seasons that Luke and Lorelai were meant to be and then just slap us in the face???
*Why can't I decide if I want to keep GG on DVD? (I bought them, then returned them, then bought them again!!)
*Why do all TV shows have to turn schmutty (except Phil of the Future)?
*Why can't I have Luke if Lorelai isn't going to love that hunk of a man?
*Why do I still want Rory and Dean to be together?? (or at least have her hook up with Marty... he was so cute!)

Sunday, September 17, 2006

p.s.

Amazing Race starts tonight and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited. I seriously love that show! I am a little bummed that it is on Sundays but am glad it is on earlier. My friends are having a party next week to watch the premiere and next weeks episode- while eating food from around the world! I have thought about waiting to watch it all then- but who am I fooling! I can't even wait until the next day to watch it let alone a whole week!! Any ideas for yummy food I can bring? Hawaiian haystacks? Ha ha! That would be funny- in a tacky sort of way!

The mall...

I went to the mall on Friday to return some stuff to Old Navy. I have only been to this mall twice before and both were quick in and out jobs! I couldn't remember what Old Navy was by so I took a guess- and was TOTALLY wrong. I was on the exact opposite side! Oh well. I took a lovely walk through the mall. On my way back to my car, I passed the Yankee Candle store and there was a cell phone on the floor. I kinda stopped, looked at it, looked around trying to figure out what was going on! I didn't see anyone running towards it so I picked it up and went to find a place to turn it in! Luckily there was a directory right there- I found security so I fight my way through the food court and ... there were doors that said "no entry!" Umm... okay. So I walk back to the directory and find information. Of course it was right below where I started so I just took the escaltor down and gave it to the guy. He didn't ask me any questions or thank me or anything. Just took it and went back to playing solitaire or whatever he was doing! When I first picked up the phone I thought- maybe I am on a show like Dateline or 20/20 when they do those studies to find out how honest Americans are!! I love those shows! After dropping off the phone I carried on my way and a girl stopped to ask me where the main entrance was (do malls have main entrances???) I told her I didn't know but I pointed her in the direction of the Information booth! After than I was convinced I was on TV to see how helpful Americans were... but no! I walked to my car without being stopped my the reporter to ask me why I did what I did. Oh well. It was interesting watching the people as I tried to figure out whose phone it was. There were 3 teen girls that seemed to be walking really fast and somewhat panicked. I am sure it was their phone- or maybe there was just a really great sale at Abercrombie and Fitch! ha ha!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

One week down, 39 (or something like that) to go!

The second week of school is about to begin... I don't even know what I am doing tomorrow. I better get on that. Yikes. But- so far so good. I had a few kids that started being their angelic selves the second day! HELLO! Don't they know they are supposed to be well behaved the first week- then they can let their personalities shine!!! Apparently they didn't get the memo! I just need to learn how to deal with kids that act up just to get the laughs of the class. One kid I had to sit next to me while we played a game. And every time he went to talk I said "(his name), CONTROL!. Suprisingly- that did it. But I am NOT going to do that every day!
It is weird - in every single one of my classes, I have at least 2 people with the same name- 3 Katherines (one with a C) -in 2 classes, 2 Garretts, 2 Farids, 2 Hayleys, 2 Taylors, 2 Alexs, I am sure I am missing some. So not only do I have to learn names, but last names too! I think I need to come up with some fun nicknames. The Spanish teachers rename all their students with spanish names, I could rename them with sewing names- like blind hem, pin cushion, and pattern guide sheet. Ha ha!

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

My mailman makes me laugh~


Whenever we get a parcel in the mail, he hides it under our doormat... like no one but us will notice. It doesn't matter the size of the package- big, medium, small! We did get this big box once and he put the mat on top. I don't know if he seriously thinks it hides it or he just does it to be funny. Either way- it makes me laugh. Here is a picture of what I came home to today. I am so excited that the thing I ordered from Joann.com came today!!! I can't tell you what it is... not yet. Maybe when I finish it.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

I really want chips...


I am totally craving potato chips... and have been for a few days. But I am trying to be good and not buy any! But I do have a bag of Ketchup chips in my closet... I promised them to my home teacher- but if he doesn't come soon, he's going to be out of luck!
p.s. apparently some guy is selling these on ebay(where I got the picture)- you have to buy 400 of them. Yowza!

Monday, August 21, 2006

I am a sucker...


For colored food and anything superman! Put them together and I will FOR SURE buy it. And then it is in the clearance section in Target- HELLO! Check out this awesome cereal! It is Captain Crunch with superman shield shaped crunch berries. When you pour the milk on they turn blue and so does your milk. I had to have a second bowl so I could take some pictures!
Here I sit waiting for new tires to be put on my car... I got a ride from their "Shuttle" so I didn't have to sit there all day! The guy didn't talk to me the WHOLE way- thank goodness it was only a short drive. Then when I told him "It's the next left" he goes to turn right. I said "No! the next LEFT."(politely- and even pointed left) He proceeds to signal for the next right! Finally he got it figured out. I was all prepared to watch Regis and Kelly and there is some press conference with President Bush. Come on! What is this world coming to when a girl can't get her last fix of Regis and Kelly before school starts. Oh well!

I love this...

Picture!

It makes me laugh everytime I look at it. It was outside the Chamber of Commerce in Preston... the lady was gone for lunch and we were too scared to ask someone to take it for us (we didn't want to look like dumb tourists...) so I rested my camera on the door handle! Ha ha! love it! And here is the van. How cool would it be to drive that every day to school! i would be the coolest teacher EVER!

Sunday, August 13, 2006

My vacation within my vacation...



So while on vacation, I decided to take another vacation! I have really been missing my college friends lately- so since I am closer to them now, then from Virginia, I decided it was time for a road trip! I rented a car- it was sweet! I reserved the cheapest one and when I went to go get it, all they had was a ritzy one so I got that for the cheap price. HELLO! I felt pretty hoity toity (is that how you spell it) with my 6 CD player, sunroof, heated leather seats (it's been too hot to try them but just knowing that they are there...), it is going to be hard going back to my Corolla in Virginia- Anyways. I stopped in Calgary my first night and visited with a friend -Natalie- from my mission. She is awesome and it was soo good to see her and chat about her never ending boy problems! Then onto Idaho. Montana is a dangerous place. My trunk was seriously full before I had been in the US for 5 hours. I stopped in Great Falls AND Helena to shop at Target, Shopko, Wal-Mart, Old Navy... no tax is a beautiful thing. It's like everything is at least 6% off. Ha ha! I drove to Shelley, Idaho and stayed with my old roomie -Alicia. She is the BEST! I went to church with her on Sunday and had an early Roast Beef dinner with her fam. Then I drove to SLC to meet my other former roomie -Alisa- from Vegas at her Grandparents, where we had a late Roast Beef dinner. Can't have too much Roast beef and mashed potatoes... or can you? Alisa and I could seriously talk for HOURS... and I think we did. Monday we shopped and met up with a former companion of mine -Dena- to whom I delivered numerous Canadian goods! Tuesday Alisa and I headed to Idaho. We stopped in Logan to go to the sock factory and Pepperidge farm factory! Love that place. My advice... taste everything in the parking lot so you know what you should go back for more of! We decided to share a big bag of mint milanos and a bag of yummy chocolate chip cookies. It was too late to turn back after tasty the CCC! They were soo yummy! After Logan we stopped in Preston to check out the Napolean Dynamite tour! We bought our maps for $1 and headed out. We found Uncle Rico's van parked on Main street... love it. I will try posting pictures when I get back to VA. then we went to the D.I. where he bought the dance video. And then went to find his house. It took us a few tries but we found it. I was highly disappointed. If I lived there I would have honkin signs with a table selling tots and Tina the llama. Oh well. We decided to should carry on. We stopped in Idaho Falls to visit Kim- another former roomie. She has the cutest little boy- Justin- who took quite a liking to me! I can't say the boys don't like me! Too bad they are usually 3 and under! Then another visit to a roomie - Nichole- in Rexburg! Man I LOVE that place. It was soo cool to see the temple, and all the other changes that are happening in that town. We stayed with Alisa's brother and his wife in the cutest little house! Wednesday we did more damage... we went to Artco- a cool place where they sell stationary by the pound! DI of course was on our list and for old times sake we stopped at Broulims. We discovered they had a Craigo's (the best pizza place) in it so we ate there for lunch. We headed to campus and walked through the library and the bookstore! I bought a fun shirt that says I heart BYUI (like the NY shirts). We went to Sonic for happy hour to have a Strawberry limeades- like the good ol' days. We took Alisa's bro and SIL to Fong's. Yummy. And then went to see Nacho Libre at the cheap theater. We had a few good laughs .... Thursday Alisa took a shuttle back to SLC and I finished up my business in Rexburg. I visited with a Professor that I worked for for 2 years. She wants me to go get my Masters and Doctorite (I can't even spell it) Yikes. I will have to think about that one! Then went back to IF, did some damage there and stayed with Alicia one last night. I seriously LOVE Idaho and would LOVE to live there... if only they weren't one of the lowest paid states for teachers- plus not in high demand for us either. Anywho. That was my trip! There is nothing quite like taking a trip down memory lane. And it is so much more fun with a friend. My next trip will have to be to Spokane to see Mikaela- it has been forever since we have seen each other!! Hopefully soon.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Maritimes part 2

Once again... sorry for the sideways pictures!
Peggy's Cove- I LOVE this place. I was a little ticked (even though it was my third time) because they were painting it the entire time we were there. I had to position myself so a rock was covering the painters! I could seriously just sit on the rocks and watch the waves for HOURS! ANd one of the best lighthouses in the world... okay maybe just the ones I have seen which really isn't that many!

This was at Citadel Hill in Halifax. It was pretty neat to learn the history and such... I really am not into history but am thinking I better shape up as I have been asked by so many Americans about Canadian history and politics... and I just sound like a dumb Canadian. A lady sitting next to me on my flight home at Christmas was reading "British History for Dummies." I think I need to find the Canadian one... I'll add it to my reading list!
Statue of Liberty- the first time I went to NYC, we just went on the Staten Island ferry- fun, neat and free! When my parents and I headed home from our trip, we stopped on the New Jersey side and went to Ellis and Liberty Island. I had reserved our tickets online- that is the way to do it if you ever go! Apparently that is the ONLY way to get tickets to go inside lady liberty! We thought about selling our free tickets to the tons of people who were looking for them... but we couldn't give them up! This is a picture from the deck just below her feet. It is a different but ,I think, cool perspective!

The Maritimes Rock!

If you haven't been to the Maritimes... you MUST go! It is amazing. Here are some highlights of our trip! New Brunswick... not the most exciting province but we did find some things to see and do!
Moncton is home of Magnetic hill... this picture doesn't do it justice- I have video of it that I will have to try and post... You drive down to the bottom of the hill and pull over by the white stick, put your car in neutral and your car totally drives in reverse up the hill! All you have to do is steer. It is the coolest thing EVER! I don't get how it works but it does. There were about 4 other cars there and we just kept taking turns doing it again and again. FUN!
Hopewell Rocks- about 30 minutes south of Moncton- you go during low tide and you can walk on the ocean floor. Some spots were pretty muddy. I was wearing flipflops and they both got stuck in the mud. They were like suction cups getting them out! I was a mess at the end but it was fun. There are my parents amongst the "flower pots".



PEI- a MUST see! Of course we went to Anne of Green Gables. It is really quite confusing though because this is just where Lucy Maud Montgomery lived growing up and they think she based the story of Anne on this house... they had the Haunted forest and Lovers Lane that you could walk through. I must say that I am now a big Anne fan. I am currently reading Anne of Windy Poplars (book 4). Maybe I should say I am a big Gilbert fan! I have also watched all the movies since I have been home. Pathetic... I know!
Cape Breton- AWESOME! I want to go back in the fall. It was a little foggy in parts but still totally worth it. It took us about 4 hours to drive the Cabot trail with a few stops at scenic views and such. It is a big National Park so they have camping and trails and stuff. A MUST see!
I LOVE this picture. Ha ha! I took this of my parents at a gift shop just outside of Peggy's Cove. I didn't turn it vertically while on my sisters camera and I can't figure out how to edit it on my parents computer so you will just have to look at it sideways. It makes me chuckle!
More to come...

Monday, July 10, 2006

Lists...

I read a book once about journal writing. The author suggested writing lists... like items in your purse or what is under your bed. So I started some lists in my journal... I got to add to my list after my Fabulous trip! I got to add Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine to my "States I have been to" list! Yeah. I am now at 25!! Then I added Boston to my "Temples I have Been to" list!! It was beautiful... of course! And finally I added Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea and Ella Enchanted to my "Books I have read" list. We went to Green Gables. It was awesome- so pretty. I am planning to spend my summer watching Anne and Gilbert. And reading the rest of the "Anne" books. I took a gazillion pictures with Kristi's camera (mine was in the shop and they called the day we left to say it was ready... sheesh!) and I will post some as soon as I get my life together!

Thursday, June 22, 2006

I am free...

School is done! Yippee. It was a great last few days. Kings Dominion went MUCH better than I thought. Who knew 300+ 8th graders could control themselves!
My parents just flew in tonight... after a little shopping and some eating, we are ready for bed (actually they are already sleeping and I am trying to get organized). We head out tomorrow for the maritimes- where I served my mission. I am SOOO excited to go back. We will be stopping in NYC tomorrow! My mother always said she would never go there- but I have worked my magic! We are going to visit the temple... and we will see what else. On the way home we are going to go to Ellis Island/ Statue of LIberty. Apparently my great grandfather (maybe great-great grandfather) came to Ellis Island so that should be cool. Speaking of cool- my sister Kristi was kind enough to send her digital camera with the parents since mine is still in the shop. Okay, it is almost midnight, and it is MAJORLY storming outside- big thunders and lightnings- so I better sign off and try and get some sleep... oh yeah and maybe pack! Yikes. See ya in a few weeks!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Movie Thursday!!!

Okay so I am a slacker teacher... but it's the end of the year right? So tomorrow is our big 8th grade trip to Kings Dominion. I get to be a chapperone! Yippee. Each teacher or parent is in charge of 10 kids. They have to check in with us 3 times throughout the day. If they are late for check-in, they have to sit with us for half an hour! Who are they trying to punish! I am excited because they have a log ride- which is my FAVORITE ride at Disneyland (and it was closed down the last time I was there). I will fill you in on any happenings of the day! Monday is our "field day" which consists of 4 8th grade teams competeing with each other in such things as pizza box relay and balloon popping- whatever! Remember the good ol' track and field day when we worked our butts off! And then Tuesday- the LAST day- is over at 10:50- so it really doesn't count! Yippee! Anyways... back to my title- so instead of fighting with my students while trying to teach them something, we are watching movies! And the great thing... I get to control what movies. I am giving them 3 options- High School Musical, Sky High and Madagasgar! So far my 1st period chose Sky High- LOVE it! and 2nd period picked HSM! It has been a great morning. We shall see what my other 3 classes choose. The sad thing is classes are only 50 minutes so I only get to see the first half of them. oh well- I own them- I can watch them ALL summer.
p.s. GO OILERS! I stayed up til 11:30 watching the game last night... but it was worth it. I hope we win!

Friday, June 9, 2006

7 more days...

Of school. I am so ready for summer. Especially after today. Sometimes I wonder why I choose to work with 13 year olds. Sometimes I wouldn't have it any other way. Today I am grateful for the weekend. Hope you are enjoying yours.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

It is the "thing" to do with singles on the East coast to head to the Outer Banks in North Carolina for Memorial Day weekend. So of course... since everybody's doing it... I did to! Here are some highlights:

1) driving all night to get there- literally! We (Martha and I) picked up our friend Jen (who flew in from SLC) from the airport in Baltimore at 1 am Friday night and kept driving! We arrived at 5:30 and slept in the parking lot of Jimmy's Seafood Buffet. We later found out it is one of the best restaurants around!

2) A lighthouse... I have LOVED lighthouses since my mission. This one is pretty cool- but surrounded by trees... Odd!










3) Crabs- I was fascinated with 2 crabs I spotted on the beach! I couldn't stop taking pictures. Apparently I need to get out more!







4) Our beach house- it rocked. It was massive, sleeping 18 people. It had everything you need- blankets, sheets, pillows, dishes, spices- we just had to buy the food. This is a picture of the back! I went to take a picture of the front and I dropped my camera- it is now broken! Sadness!




5) the beach- There is nothing quite like it. I love just being there- reading, swimming, napping, playing- FUN! This is Jen, Martha, me (with my nasty wind blown hair) and our FHE brother Dan (with his NASTY hairy chest) at the beach behind our house!


6) Free Salads- We went to Harris Teeter (my favorite grocery store) to buy some food. We each picked out a salad from the deli and were then approached by some store big wig. He asked us how everything was and if he could help us. He said the answer for our customers is always yes. So I said -jokingly- "Can we have these groceries for free?" He replied "That is a little different... but I will give you this salad for free." He saw the 2nd one and gave that for free too. So then we pointed out the 3rd one... and we gave us that too! SWEET! So we got $12 worth of food for free. If only we would have remembered to get forks! We ended up having to eat it with our hands on the beach! Yikes.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo....

How about you, you, you? Remember that Raffi song? So fun!
On Saturday my ward had an activity at the National Zoo in D.C.
It is part of the Smithsonian family so it is free to get in! Yippee!
It was my first time there. We met at the church and then metroed it in to D.C. It was then a hefty hike to the zoo and another hike-a-roo to the picnic spot where our ward was meeting. We ate lunch and then played "A to Zoo" scavenger hunt. My friend Martha was in charge of it and I helped her come up with the idea!!! We had to find objects in the zoo starting with each of the letters of the alphabet and take a picture of it. I was with Mike and Tim. I thought for sure we were going to win... but we came in second. Sheesh! I think we would have win except Mike was a little too into the reptile house!
Here is our T (for Turtle) picture.
I used to always want a Turtle growing up... now, not so much!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Yikes!

It has been quite the day... and it isn't even 10am! I woke up this morning at 6:46. I usually get to work at 7am. Yikes!! I haven't been feeling well since Sunday night and have been really hot at night (my roommate likes it hot, I like it cool) so I turn my fan on while I sleep. Well something woke me up... thank goodness... and I realized my alarm had been going off since 5:27, but I didn't hear it because of the fan! So I quickly got dressed, washed my face, put on some makeup and drove to school. I arrived at 7:20, which is a miracle... school starts at 7:40. I am taking tomorrow off - was inspired to get it all arranged before I got sick- and am soo looking forward to it!
Tomorrow is the big night!! Go Hippies. My friends Hillary and Shannon invited me over to watch it with them. I hope it isn't too intense as I tend to talk (or should I say yell) to the teams... so I will have to control myself since I will be in public!

Thursday, May 11, 2006

It was garbage!!!

Complete trash, rubbish, refuse, nasty, horrible! I HATED it! What was so awful you ask? Gilmore Girls. That was the worst season finale I have EVER seen. At least when Rory did the nasty with Dean they made me happy by having the cutest kiss ever with Luke and Lorelei! This time... NOTHING! They just ended with the nasty and that is what it was- NASTY! I actually taped it and went to see She's the Man again with 2 friends Tuesday night. Much better choice. The problem now is... I watched GG last night with my friend from school and tonight I have to watch it again with my other friend (she doesn't know I have seen it!) And another problem... I am seriously feeling VERY anti-Gilmore Girls right now so I am trying to decide if I should return all my Seasons on DVD! If I am going to have one, I have to have them all and I don't know if I can handle what the next season has in store! I will never be able to watch the last show of season six- NEVER!
the troubadours- too much
Rory's party for Logan- lame
Dinner with the Gilmores- funny at times but why didn't Christopher like the girl? Oh yeah because he was going to do the horizontal polka with Lorelei later on!
So what do you think? Should I keep the DVD's or return them and put the money towards something much better- like buying Facts of Life, High School Musical and She's the Man on DVD?
I am grateful to Amazing Race for putting me in a much better mood last night! I am glad that MoJo is out! Go Hippies.

Monday, May 8, 2006

I won!!



Yeppers... I was a little worried when a cookie monster cake showed up! But when there was a store bought cake, and cupcakes, I wasn't as worried! But the cookie monster won most creative, a chocolate cake won most delicious- and I won best OVERALL! My prize... a box of Mikes and Ikes. Oh well. It was fun. It tasted good but the fruit-roll-up (or lettuce) tasted a little funky with the chocolate! Here is a picture with Jud and the cake. The sign reads... Jud- Hope your birthday is a real Whopper!! I have half of it leftover- too bad you are all too far away to come over for a piece!

Sunday, May 7, 2006

And the Winning Cake is...

We are having a ward FHE tomorrow. Our group is in charge and we are having a ward birthday party! So fun! We are each in charge of a different party game; pin the tail, unwrap the chocolate bar, pop the balloon, etc. Each fhe group is supposed to bring a Birthday cake and they will be judged by the bishopric. I volunteered to make one for our group- and this is it!!! I have wanted to make it for a long time so now is my chance! I hope it still looks good tomorrow night! Yikes! I am not so happy with the mustard and the tomatoes but what can you do! It is Jud's real birthday tomorrow (my fhe dad & home teacher) so I am trying to figure out how to do a little sign that says "Have a WHOPPER of a birthday!" It was all I could think of that has to do with burgers. I'll let you know if I win!

Sunday, April 30, 2006

The Best Birthday EVER!

It was a great day! My friend Martha called as I was getting ready in the morning to wish me a Happy Birthday. She said there was a special surprise for me on my door step. I opened the door and there she was with monkey bread and a present. She is great! I opened the present and guess what it was... the Superman sheets for my bed!!! Too funny. I immediately opened the package and put them in the washing machine so they would be ready for use that night!! I LOVE the pillow case. Look at it. Yowza! And it all matches the other superman pillowase nicely! Then I went to school. A teacher aid that helps with one of my classes came in during my first period and gave me a card and a flower. The kids then all asked if it was my birthday... and were upset I didn't tell them. 2 of my classes sang to me and a few students made me a quick card during class. Too cute. During third period I usually attend a team meeting. One of the other teachers on our team was having a birthday on Saturday. They had a fabulous brunch for us with yummy food and the wonderful princess balloon! The balloon on the bottom has a mirror and in it, it says "You are the fairest of them all!" And above it reads "Happy Birthday Princess!" Too cute. Although as it sits in my room, I have woken up the last few mornings thinking it is a person standing in my room. A little creepy! My friend Sarah from school gave me an awesome "Teens Cook" cook book that I can't wait to try and some yummy smelling Bath & Body Works soap. My friend Martha made me dinner- yummy Enchiladas. We then returned to my apartment as my roommate wanted to watch a movie and have cake with us... well I noticed a friends car in the parking lot and then saw someone peeking through the curtains of a window. I was a little hesitant knowing there were a few people hiding. Everyone jumped out and yelled SURPRISE! It was lots of fun! Mostly people from our FHE group (we have the best group EVER!) and some other ward friends. We ate Ice Cream Cake (yummy) and played Apples to Apples and Catchphrase- so fun! It was a great end to a great day! Oh yeah... and I decided to splurge and buy myself a little something... all 5 seasons of Gilmore Girls! They were on sale at Target and I had been thinking about it for awhile. So my birthday seemed like the perfect excuse! Now the problem is... I have to watch them all! And remember where all the cute Luke and Lorelai parts are! LOVE it!

Thursday, April 27, 2006

How Old Am I?

Well in 1 1/2 hours I will be 27! But I act like I am 13 sometimes.
I LOVE everything SUPERMAN. I don't know why! If it has superman on it, I feel this overwhelming need to buy it. Anything, and everything! I need help! Like the other day I was at Target- walking around and my Superman radar leads me to the bedding aisle. They have Superman pillows, and bedsheets! I wanted to fill my cart right then and there. But I resisted... I am waiting for them to go on sale! Then I was at Target again and what to my eyes behold? A Superman Frisbee! I don't need a frisbee, I don't even like "playing" frisbee (although we did play glow in the dark Ultimate Frisbee for FHE and I forgot how fun that was) but because Superman was on it, I wanted it. Once again I resisted (only because I was hoping someone would see it and want to buy it for me!!) So today a package arrived from my dear fried Alicia. I screamed when I opened it and saw my man, my SUPERMAN!! She made me a pillowcase (pictured above!) and gave me Superman easter eggs- which I actually bought 7 packs of!! (I have a disease). Alicia is my supplier! She is great. She has given me a superman piggie bank, stickers, a hat, bellywasher.... And other people have given me glasses, a towel, underroos...I think when I have my own house I am going to have a Superman room. My house is going to be like the Fantasyland Hotel, with a theme for each room. Well if I buy the bedsheets, it is going to have to have a bed in it. Or maybe I could turn them into a shower curtain! Superman forever!!

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

I've been tagged....

in my fridge:
1. yogurt-I have become recently obsessed. I eat it every day for lunch! No osteoporosis for me! (I hope!)
2. snow cone flavors - a friend gave me a snow cone maker for my birthday last year... I think I need to have a snow cone party!
3. snicker salad- YUM! I made it this weekend with easter snickers bought at 75% off!
4. milk- skim all the way!
5. turkey taco meat... that I need to throw away! My mom bought me ground turkey when she was here in August. I finally cooked it and made tacos... a few weeks ago. They were NASTY and I need to throw it away. I will do it today!

In my closet:
1. my sewing machine... that I really need to drag out and work on my quilt.
2. 3 hanging shoe holders from Ikea- love them. I need new shoes so I may need to buy a 4th.
3. my superman towel that a friend gave me last year for my birthday! LOVE it!
4. my 72 hour kit... that I need to add a bit more to. And I can't decide if I should keep in in the closet or move it to my car... what do you think?
5. my luggage... that is waiting for me to take them on an exciting adventure... maybe to Sherwood Park this summer. Ha ha!

In my purse:
1. a wet wipe from TGI Fridays in NYC. I am keeping it for an emergency! By then it will probably be dried up!
2. my new digital camera!! You never know when there may be the perfect picture! Then I will have to find it, turn it on and by then, the opportunity will be gone. But it's that thought that counts, right?
3. wallet- the cutest one I've ever owned... bought at Target.
4. a coupon for Edy's Fruit Bars- Holy Cow they are good!
5. a memory stick I need to return to Best Buy.

In my car
1. my umbrella- we had flash flood warnings this weekend- it was pretty wet!
2. carmex- can't leave home without it.
3. a Book of Mormon- I am prepared the spread the gospel at ANY moment!
4. quarters (and a looney)- for the lovely toll roads that dot the land out here!
5. gum- a car necessity!

On my DVR ( also don't have one- but in my VCR I have...)
1. Gilmore girls
2. The Amazing Race
3. Cash Cab
4. Phil of the Future
5. High School Musical (If 12 year old girls can love it- why can't I?)

Umm... there are only 4 people who read this so if you want to be tagged... consider yourself tagged... Kim and Talia

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Sadness...

Sister Andrea Ence is one of my favorite people! We met in the MTC. We weren't in the same district but our districts did everything together. We never had the blessing of being companions but we loved being together every chance we could- at sister's conference, Zone conference, etc. We did have a chance to live together for a few weeks when my companion and I got forced out of our apartment! She is perfect- beautiful girl, gorgeous hair, tall, amazing testimony- all around fabulous! Shortly after her mission she got married. A perfect boy for this perfect girl! He is Elder Bruce R. McConkie's grandson! They were the cutest couple EVER! Perfect for each other.
This morning I got an email from my mission president that broke my heart. Andrea's husband, Steven, died on Friday after battling cancer. He was only 27 years old! They have a son and had only been married a few years! His obituary made me feel so sad and helpless! I want to do something to help Andrea and her family.
Then I went to church. The talks in sacrament were about missionary work! The High counselor who talked was diagnosed with brain cancer- his wife was his speaking companion. She was amazing with her testimony and strength. You could tell he was weak and tired but gave a simple, strong talk! I BAWLED! All I could think about was Andrea! And how sad, and alone, and scared she must feel. I want to so badly do something to help her! But what.... words are never enough. But being so far away limits greatly what I can do! I have vowed to be a better friend. I don't want to forget birthdays! I want to keep in touch and know what is going on with my friends. I want my friends to know that I love them!!
And so today I will try! I started by calling an old roommate. She was actually diagnosed with colon cancer shortly after she got married and found out she was pregnant. She has moved and we haven't been the best at emailing. So today I called her parents and got her number. I called her, but she wasn't home. I talked to her husband and it was sooo good to hear his voice. There is nothing like the familiar voice of an old friend.
May this sad experience teach me that life is precious... and short! And no one should have to go through it alone!

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

In case you were wondering...


I did go to Ottawa to visit my aunt! My back was still hurting but I decided to go for it! I had a good time... relaxing. I did lots of shopping- bought some clothes, some good ol' Canadian food and some awesome Canada stuff at Dollarama! LOVE that place. Also lots of chocolate bars and 7 bags of Ketchup chips! I hope they like them or else I am going to be stuck with a whack of chips!! So I am ready for my Canada Appreciation Day with my students! yeah. I just need to come up with some good trivia questions... any ideas? What do you want Americans to know about Canada? Let me know!!

If it's Oreo- I LOVE it!


I made this cake last night for dinner- I had the missionaries over! It is yummy and so easy! Most desserts take a long time to make... plus have to be in the fridge for a long time! But not this one. I made the cakes the night before and it seriously took me minutes to assemble! So good. The middle filling is tasty!!! It is called Chocolate-Covered Oreo Cookie Cake from Kraft! Just make sure you buy semi-sweet chocolate and not unsweetened chocolate!! Yup- I made the mistake and am SOOOOO grateful I licked my finger after spreading it on- NASTY! So I quickly scraped it off and spread on some not nasty chocolate frosting! Delish!