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!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

I don't heart NY...

At least not today!!! So I arrived in NYC Sunday night. I met my friend outside her apartment and then we drove around looking for a spot to park. We found one that was a little scary for parallel parking but options were limited. I tried and did it PERFECTLY the first try!! Yeah! So we went to her apartment, chatted it up and went to sleep. We headed out and walked past my car to check on it... but alas it was not there. We tried to figure out how to find out if and where it was towed. Then I realized I didn't know my license plate number... oops. After a dozen phone calls to my parents, my insurance agent, the car registery in Sherwood Park, I finally got the info I needed. I called the City of NY and went through the automated system to find out they didn't have record of my car. So we tried more numbers... nothing! So then I called 911 (advice of my friend... I was terrified). I was surprised with the response time of the NYPD. I thought for sure I would be the last thing on their list. They were very helpful even though they thought we were the dumbest girls EVER!! They gave us more numbers to call. The first one confirmed that they had my car and told me where to pick it up. It was on the opposite side of town. After riding the subway and walking for what seemed like forever we found the place for towed cars. We waited in line as the workers took their sweet time to help us. I get up to pay the $185 tow fee and the lady says "you know your car isn't here, right?" Umm... no! So she told us where it was... back where we started, by my friends apartment. We walked and rode back to where we started. Finally we found the car pound and saw Norm (my car). The man let me in as my friend took pictures. I got my car and a $45 ticket. Apparently they can't just tow your car, they have to ticket it then tow! It was so good to get into my car! I didn't want to get out of it... EVER! But I did. I decided to come home today. My back has been KILLING me. It has hurt since Friday- I can't stand or walk for long periods of time- not a good thing in NYC. My friend had to work today so I would have been exploring by myself- not a good thing with a bad back (and being terrified to let my car out of my sight). I still don't know if I am going to carry on to Ottawa. If all is well when I wake up tomorrow morning, I will go. We shall see.

Sunday, April 9, 2006

I am pathetic...

because I never go anywhere new!! What is wrong with me. I have spring break this week and I am going 2 places I have been before when there are like a million others that I want to go to! I am leaving today for NYC... again! I am just going to go for a few days to visit my friend Rachel again. I want to do and see the things I didn't last time so I guess that will be an adventure. I am hoping to take in a Broadway show!!! But I am going to do it the adventurous way!!! I will buy my ticket the day of when it is cheaper! Wow, I am an animal! Let's hope I can get into something good. I would really like to see Mama Mia or Wicked. I did something CRAZY this week though... I bought a digital camera! Yowzers!! Hence the lack of pictures on this blog! My last trip to NYC proved to me I needed to take the plunge (something I wanted to do for a long time but buying technology scares me because 2 days later it is out of date!) My last pictures were HORRIBLE so this time, they will be FABULOUS!! (I hope). After NYC I am heading to visit my Aunt in Ottawa. It will be nice to see her because she LOVES me. Rumor is that I am the favorite. HA HA! I have only been there twice before so this will be fun. I told some of my students that I was going to Ottawa for spring break and none of them knew what it is (the capital of Canada). One of them even asked me if it was a WATERPARK!!! Sad but true! So I decided I need to have a Canada appreciation day! Maybe on June 1st (one month before Canada Day). I am not sure what to do but I want to buy some fun Canadian food. But I will have to buy enough for 115 teenagers. The border people are going to think I am a freak with my backseat full of Ketchup chips. Don't worry- I'll take a picture. Ha ha! (I want to post a picture with my new camera but I don't have anything to take a picture of... me in my pajamas! ha ha! so I will make up for it by posting tons when I return!!) Happy Easter. Go buy some Mini Eggs. They are the best!

Friday, April 7, 2006

Ta Da!!!


Here it is! I like it... but it isn't as cute as I imagined! So if you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know! I would like to thank my sister Andrea for the idea!! Yeah! I loved Kristi's "Feast Upon the Word" but I am scared it would be a little too "churchy". We have a teacher work day today so no kids... but LOTS of work to do! Yikes. And I am switching classrooms with the other teacher so I will be teaching cooking when we get back from Spring break (Next week!!). Finally the kids will stop asking me "When are we going to cook?" But now they are going to ask me EVERYDAY- "Are we cooking today!" It is enough to drive you crazy!

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

I think I've got it!!!

Thanks to my genius sisters... I finally figured out what I am going to do with my display case! Yeah. I have everything I need... it just needs to be assembled- hopefully today! Stay tuned!