I'm sorry that it has been over two weeks since my last post. Sometimes I get really busy and then on down times, I forget all I wanted to say. It's like how I would get so behind on my journal writing that I would think I couldn't write again until I was caught up, and then. . . it never happened. Like, ever. I think the last time I wrote in my journal was probably three years ago. Or so. Give or take a month.
Let's see, what has happened in the last two weeks? Fall break rocked. It was so nice not to have to go to my three-hour classes. They are so brutal! Any class for three hours is rough. My teachers are great, though. My favorite day was Columbus day when I didn't have school OR work. I didn't change out of my pj's all day. I watched Mash and Ellen and a movie, I think. It was special.
Last monday, I had class again. My class starts at 7:30 am (killer) and I park at the Institute building and walk to class, about five minutes. I got to the Institute early and had a few minutes to wait. I didn't want to go to class early because that's lame. So I just sat in my warm car and closed my eyes for a minute. Or a few minutes because I woke up at 7:51. Yeah. I was pretty late. But boy, was that a nice nap.
On Saturday night, I didn't have anything planned so I asked Alan and April if they wanted to go on a date or something and I would watch the kids. Everyone knows that I would rather be with those cute kids than anything else. It was a lot of fun. We don't always do much, but I really love just being with them. After they ate dinner (Brayden shoved all his carrots in his mouth and was chewing grotesquelly for at least seven minutes until he spit it out into a napkin. It was so gross, I honestly don't know how so much food fit in his little mouth.) Victoria and Brayden were playing "store" where Tor sold all of her crap to Brayd for all the small change in his Beehive Bank. It was pretty funny. "This ring costs one cent and two dollars." They entertained themselves with that for a while, and I watched Audrey crawl around trying to play with them, "No, she'll choke on that" and "No, there are chemicals in that!" (referring to a glow stick). Audrey was super smiley and gabby, and I think she is really close to giving kisses. Right now she just puts her whole mouth over your lips. Nice and slobbery. She'll get there. At one point in the "store" Brayden came over to me and said, "I just can't believe that you're here!" Later as we watched "Ratatoullie" (sp) Victoria cuddled up to me and said, "I'm so glad you could come and babysit us." I love it when they are cuddly like that. Brayd fell asleep and drooled on my arm and Tor kept asking if I was asleep. It was so great. Then, to keep myself from falling asleep I sang exceedingly loud to my "hhh. . .good songs" mix with the windows cracked so I wouldn't get too hot. It was good times. I love rocking hard core in my car. I'm totally a superstar.
And now, there are probably a lot of things I could be doing instead of this, but I know how important it is to Laura that I write something down. So thanks, Lars, for being such a devoted reader.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
RE! SPECT! WALK!
What did you say? Last night was pretty rockin', literally. I went with my friends Becky and Judd, Lindsey and Reed to do Karaoke. It was hilarious. We went to The Pie first for dinner, and that was yummy and fun. I love that you can sit outside and still be warm. Then, I went to my first bar ever. I gave them my ID, and it was funny. I didn't know what to do. I passed, which was nice. We sat down at our table, got our water, and waited for the fun to begin. Judd started us off with a little "Walk" by Pantera and I laughed so hard. He got so into it, but he just stared at the screen behind him, with his back to everyone and his head bobbed with the drums. Becky was next, with a little "Girls Lie Too" by Tracy Clark and she had a drunk companion who stood up right in front of her the whole time. It was so funny as she would let her sing in the mic every so often. Drunk people crack me up, I just hope none of them drove home. I sang "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar and it's crazy how your adrenaline goes nuts. My hands were shaking and it was scary even though I knew that no one was paying attention except drunk people who didn't care and my cool pack of friends. I'll say right now that Heartbreaker is the perfect song for Karaoke. I'll let Laura do it next time, though, because she's going to come with us, right? Right. Lindsey channelled Alannis Morrisette next with "All I want". . .I think that the was name of the song. She got all the angst right and it was fun to watch her. Reed, well, he only came to Karaoke for the good times and just took it all in. It was a crack up to see the people who went in between us and would sound um, awesome, and how people reacted to it. There were a couple of good ones, besides us of course, and I felt that my first attempt in the art of Karaoke was a complete success. I did walk away smelling like a, well, bar, but after a nice shower and three shampoos, it was gone. The memories, however, will last forever. Thanks guys for an awesome night!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
From the Slacker
I don't know what my problem is. I mean, sure I've been busy, but isn't everyone? I mean, not Laura, but everyone else? Just kidding. I like Laura. So. Since I have finished my eight-page paper, and I have submitted my linguistics problem set, and I can turn my two-page journal in tomorrow, I will post. And I'm at work and it's pretty slow. Our loans manager just walked by and said "it sure is quiet in here" and I said it was because we were trying to be reverent.
Anyway. So I'm going to do a couple of "tags" that I have received, my first ever, I think! So, first, from Steph (Doodle):
Five Quirks I have (yes, just five right now)
1. When I do the dishes by hand, I have to have them stacked perfectly. When my sibs and I had to do them before the days of the dishwasher, they liked to do them with me because I was fast and I liked to wash, but at the same time I was such a nazi. I would make them come back and fix it. And if anyone put any sharp knives in the soapy water, I made them fish it out so I wouldn't cut myself. I didn't like them. The knives. I was ok with my sibs.
2. The only other thing that I think I'm OCD about is my desk at work. I have to have the big paper clips separated from the small paper clips. And somewhere for the rubber bands. And I have to have scissors, tape and a stapler.
3. I have to have a big cup of water on my dresser when I go to bed. Sometimes I wake up reeeally thirsty. Or I just like to have it accessable.
Um. . .I know I have more. I may have to have an addendum to this tag. Sorry!
And a tag from Jenn:
4 places I go over and over:
*School
*Work
*Cafe Rio
*Home
4 places I like to eat:
*Cafe Rio
*The Pie
*Home
*Laura's house
4 places I would like to be right now:
*my room, sleeping
*Disneyland
*the beach
*England
4 TV shows I like:
*The Office
*CSI. . .the real/vegas one
*Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman
*Alias
4 books I have enjoyed:
*Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
*Fancy Nancy, Jane O'Connor
*The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton
*The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison
4 people I tag:
*Laura
*Chelsea
*Bama
*Blinky
Anyway. So I'm going to do a couple of "tags" that I have received, my first ever, I think! So, first, from Steph (Doodle):
Five Quirks I have (yes, just five right now)
1. When I do the dishes by hand, I have to have them stacked perfectly. When my sibs and I had to do them before the days of the dishwasher, they liked to do them with me because I was fast and I liked to wash, but at the same time I was such a nazi. I would make them come back and fix it. And if anyone put any sharp knives in the soapy water, I made them fish it out so I wouldn't cut myself. I didn't like them. The knives. I was ok with my sibs.
2. The only other thing that I think I'm OCD about is my desk at work. I have to have the big paper clips separated from the small paper clips. And somewhere for the rubber bands. And I have to have scissors, tape and a stapler.
3. I have to have a big cup of water on my dresser when I go to bed. Sometimes I wake up reeeally thirsty. Or I just like to have it accessable.
Um. . .I know I have more. I may have to have an addendum to this tag. Sorry!
And a tag from Jenn:
4 places I go over and over:
*School
*Work
*Cafe Rio
*Home
4 places I like to eat:
*Cafe Rio
*The Pie
*Home
*Laura's house
4 places I would like to be right now:
*my room, sleeping
*Disneyland
*the beach
*England
4 TV shows I like:
*The Office
*CSI. . .the real/vegas one
*Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman
*Alias
4 books I have enjoyed:
*Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
*Fancy Nancy, Jane O'Connor
*The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton
*The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison
4 people I tag:
*Laura
*Chelsea
*Bama
*Blinky
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Got Salt?
Today I took Hunter High School's Dance Company pictures at the Great Salt Lake. How many more capitol letters could I have in that sentence? It was a lot of fun and we were very fortunate to have perfect lighting and NO BUGS!! I was so excited because the gnats can be absolutely not great. We did group shots, class shots, officer shots, head shots and action shots. Now I need a shot. Of energy, anyway; I'm pretty sleepy right now. But, I just want to throw a few pictures on here, especially for Nat who likes to look at pictures rather than read. Sorry you're blind, honey. Fetch Forever!
This is the 08-09 HHS Dance Co
Lorna, the advisor, suggested this one. I was impressed at how in sync they were.
Here the officers are channeling their inner Tyra. I just thought it would be funny. Angles! Show me angles!
This is Morgan, one of her headshots. This girl is so funny, she cracked me up. She wanted me to do some extra pics of her, which was totally fine, but she really loved her flowers. We actually got some really cute ones. Love it.
This is Jo, or Jocifer as Tracie calls her. She's such a rocker. I think her actions were some of my faves because they were totally unique.
This is the 08-09 HHS Dance Co
Lorna, the advisor, suggested this one. I was impressed at how in sync they were.
Here the officers are channeling their inner Tyra. I just thought it would be funny. Angles! Show me angles!
This is Morgan, one of her headshots. This girl is so funny, she cracked me up. She wanted me to do some extra pics of her, which was totally fine, but she really loved her flowers. We actually got some really cute ones. Love it.
This is Jo, or Jocifer as Tracie calls her. She's such a rocker. I think her actions were some of my faves because they were totally unique.
Well, Hello Stranger!
I'm sorry to those of you who have had to remind me to post already! I know, I know. Things got pretty off-schedule with everything in the last few weeks, but I think I'm getting back to normal. So, just a few things I want to mention that have happened in the last two weeks:
*I got another, new best friend. My cousin Jamie was able to come out with her family from Omaha, and it was so fun to get re-acquainted! Actually, I have been able to keep up with her family on their blog, but it was so funny how we first saw them. It was sunday, and after stake conference, I was laying down on my bed for a nice little nappedy-nap. I heard my dad say upstairs, "hey, I know you!" in his talking to kid voice, and I thought my nieces and nephew were there so I went upstairs. When I got to the kitchen, Jamie's kids, Leevi (7) and Raquel (4) were walking through the kitchen.
"Hi, we're going outside to jump on the trampoline," says Raquel in perfect little english. And that was how it was. No shyness from any of them, including the baby, Aaron (1), and it was soo funny. I have never, ever in my life heard one little girl talk so much in one afternoon. No joke. She wouldn't even wait for my responses, she would just go and go and go. I had so much fun with her because I kept making up stories at dinner when she was sitting by me and she would look at me like, "I don't believe you. . .or do I?" and then Tracie would tell her I was a liar. They are all such smart kids, but I spent the most time with Raquel and she is such a thinker for four years old! Or maybe she just shares what she is thinking when others don't. My favorite was when she said she wanted to watch a movie, picked out Cinderella, told me she was ready for me to turn it on and watch it with her, I set up the hammock in the basement, she sat there and swung through probably the first song on the movie and took off upstairs. Mind you, she was talking the whole time, with me saying, "yeah" and "uh-huh" the whole time, sometimes fitting in a funny remark that she didn't quite get. But I laughed. She would come down every now and then and ask me to help her get back in the hammock and then she would think of more things to say. At one point, she was asking how old me and "your sister" (tracie) were. She asked if Tracie was still a kid and my parents were in charge of her and if she got to stay up. When I told her that she got to when it wasn't a school night, she just started up again. This is what happened when I told her I was 28:
So are you a kid or an adult? How old do you have to be until you're an adult? How long can you wait until you can move out of your house? Are you married? Why aren't you married? You'll probably get married before me. But when I get married you'll probably be dead.
BREATHE! I just sat there and laughed. I wish I had a taped convo for everyone to hear because she's just too funny for words. So. Holla to Omaha and my BFF Raquel (and your fam)!
*Speaking of the funeral, it went really well. I want to just say thank you for all of the support, love and kindness that my family and I have received. Everyone has been so amazing, and I'm so grateful for wonderful friends!
*School is lame. I want to teach already. We have been going into the schools now, three days a week for the last two weeks, and I just want to go! Let me loose! I'm so excited to interact, to teach and learn from all of the funny little friends that I see. I'm getting pretty frustrated with my classes (no class should be three hours long) because I feel like they are just repeating everything I have already heard in all of my other required teaching classes. Talk about beating a dead horse! We keep hearing that teaching is something you have to learn from experience. You can learn theories and lessons planning techniques and blah blah blah, but until you get into the classroom and meet your students, you never really know what to expect. So while I really like my professors and cohort leaders, the classes I could DEFINITELY do without.
*I don't think anything else has happened, really. It has just been school and work and the same old stuff. BUT I may be one step closer to eternity after tonight. Nobody get excited, there is not a boy involved but one just might be on the way. And no, I haven't ordered any type of mail-order husband from a different country but I'm not saying I am above that. Anyway, my good friend Harmony (aka Ginger from the OC) (as in OakCrest, not Orange County, people) got married today and I fought AND WON for her bouquet at the reception. It was a valiant effort put up by a couple other girls, but, let's face it. They just didn't have what it takes, and that is desire and dedication. They weren't willing to take that extra leap or reach that extra inch with their arms in other peoples faces, but I was and I am the one who is one step closer to finding that special someone. One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
*I got another, new best friend. My cousin Jamie was able to come out with her family from Omaha, and it was so fun to get re-acquainted! Actually, I have been able to keep up with her family on their blog, but it was so funny how we first saw them. It was sunday, and after stake conference, I was laying down on my bed for a nice little nappedy-nap. I heard my dad say upstairs, "hey, I know you!" in his talking to kid voice, and I thought my nieces and nephew were there so I went upstairs. When I got to the kitchen, Jamie's kids, Leevi (7) and Raquel (4) were walking through the kitchen.
"Hi, we're going outside to jump on the trampoline," says Raquel in perfect little english. And that was how it was. No shyness from any of them, including the baby, Aaron (1), and it was soo funny. I have never, ever in my life heard one little girl talk so much in one afternoon. No joke. She wouldn't even wait for my responses, she would just go and go and go. I had so much fun with her because I kept making up stories at dinner when she was sitting by me and she would look at me like, "I don't believe you. . .or do I?" and then Tracie would tell her I was a liar. They are all such smart kids, but I spent the most time with Raquel and she is such a thinker for four years old! Or maybe she just shares what she is thinking when others don't. My favorite was when she said she wanted to watch a movie, picked out Cinderella, told me she was ready for me to turn it on and watch it with her, I set up the hammock in the basement, she sat there and swung through probably the first song on the movie and took off upstairs. Mind you, she was talking the whole time, with me saying, "yeah" and "uh-huh" the whole time, sometimes fitting in a funny remark that she didn't quite get. But I laughed. She would come down every now and then and ask me to help her get back in the hammock and then she would think of more things to say. At one point, she was asking how old me and "your sister" (tracie) were. She asked if Tracie was still a kid and my parents were in charge of her and if she got to stay up. When I told her that she got to when it wasn't a school night, she just started up again. This is what happened when I told her I was 28:
So are you a kid or an adult? How old do you have to be until you're an adult? How long can you wait until you can move out of your house? Are you married? Why aren't you married? You'll probably get married before me. But when I get married you'll probably be dead.
BREATHE! I just sat there and laughed. I wish I had a taped convo for everyone to hear because she's just too funny for words. So. Holla to Omaha and my BFF Raquel (and your fam)!
*Speaking of the funeral, it went really well. I want to just say thank you for all of the support, love and kindness that my family and I have received. Everyone has been so amazing, and I'm so grateful for wonderful friends!
*School is lame. I want to teach already. We have been going into the schools now, three days a week for the last two weeks, and I just want to go! Let me loose! I'm so excited to interact, to teach and learn from all of the funny little friends that I see. I'm getting pretty frustrated with my classes (no class should be three hours long) because I feel like they are just repeating everything I have already heard in all of my other required teaching classes. Talk about beating a dead horse! We keep hearing that teaching is something you have to learn from experience. You can learn theories and lessons planning techniques and blah blah blah, but until you get into the classroom and meet your students, you never really know what to expect. So while I really like my professors and cohort leaders, the classes I could DEFINITELY do without.
*I don't think anything else has happened, really. It has just been school and work and the same old stuff. BUT I may be one step closer to eternity after tonight. Nobody get excited, there is not a boy involved but one just might be on the way. And no, I haven't ordered any type of mail-order husband from a different country but I'm not saying I am above that. Anyway, my good friend Harmony (aka Ginger from the OC) (as in OakCrest, not Orange County, people) got married today and I fought AND WON for her bouquet at the reception. It was a valiant effort put up by a couple other girls, but, let's face it. They just didn't have what it takes, and that is desire and dedication. They weren't willing to take that extra leap or reach that extra inch with their arms in other peoples faces, but I was and I am the one who is one step closer to finding that special someone. One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
I Heart Grandparents.
I have been very lucky in my life to know all four of my grandparents really well. I am so thankful to my parents that they made it a point to visit them often, because I have been very fortunate to learn from them. My Grandpa and Grandma Slack died when I was 14 and 19, respectively, and it is always nice to reminisce with my family about their lives. We have spent more time with my dad's parents, mostly because they live so close to us. I want to spend a little time writing about my Grandpa Paul, because after a long struggle with many health problems, he passed away today.
I want you to know that although it is sad and I wish that he could have been here still, my heart hurt for him every time I saw him in the last few months because he has been so ill and miserable. We have been praying that the Lord would take him home soon so that he wouldn't have to suffer any more, and today he was finally reunited with his father who died when he was 7 and his mom who raised him and his siblings alone.
When I was younger, I didn't understand him. He was often ornery and getting after us kids, mostly because we were loud and obnoxious and always into things. I remember one day a few of my cousins and I were talking badly of him and one of my uncles heard us and got after us, and it made me think. I started to give him a chance and started to build a relationship with him. I feel very lucky to have been as close to him as I was. I would often say that I was his favorite, but I don't think he had favorites. He used to call me a pill, and I would sometimes be offended because pills are usually gross, right? He explained to me one day that a pill is something that keeps him healthy and happy.
When I was a teenager, he would pull me in the office and show me all the family history he was working on, telling me the stories of my ancestors as we went. At the time, I chalked it up to humoring him, but I will forever be grateful for that time because it gave me a true love and appreciation for my forebears. When I went through the temple before I left on my mission, Grandpa invited me to do sealings for the dead at the Jordan River Temple with him every wednesday before I had to leave, because my Grandma's knees were too bad and he needed a partner. What special times we had, enveloped in the spirit of eternal families.
Whenever we would leave my grandparents house, we would give them a hug and a kiss, but a few years ago I started to point to my cheek and make him kiss me. He always got a kick out of it and it was special to me also. Even up until a few months ago, he would kiss me on the cheek and tell me he loved me. In the springtime, we would go for walks around the nursing home and enjoy the sunshine and cool air; or he would ride, I would push, even when I tried to convince him that it was my turn in the wheelchair.
Finally, one of my favorite memories is one day when he was first struggling with his concentration and having a hard time sitting still, before he went into the nursing home. We were outside sitting on the bench in front of their house and I told him that if I didn't get married before he died, he had to promise that he would come anyway. I remember holding his hand and we both got a little choked up and he promised he would be there. And I know that he will be, along with my other grandparents, present at all of the special times in my life; getting married, having children. I know that families are eternal and I know that I will see them again, but for now I will always be thankful for the time I spent getting to know them and for the love they always showed to me. And I'm glad they knew of my love for them, also.
I want you to know that although it is sad and I wish that he could have been here still, my heart hurt for him every time I saw him in the last few months because he has been so ill and miserable. We have been praying that the Lord would take him home soon so that he wouldn't have to suffer any more, and today he was finally reunited with his father who died when he was 7 and his mom who raised him and his siblings alone.
When I was younger, I didn't understand him. He was often ornery and getting after us kids, mostly because we were loud and obnoxious and always into things. I remember one day a few of my cousins and I were talking badly of him and one of my uncles heard us and got after us, and it made me think. I started to give him a chance and started to build a relationship with him. I feel very lucky to have been as close to him as I was. I would often say that I was his favorite, but I don't think he had favorites. He used to call me a pill, and I would sometimes be offended because pills are usually gross, right? He explained to me one day that a pill is something that keeps him healthy and happy.
When I was a teenager, he would pull me in the office and show me all the family history he was working on, telling me the stories of my ancestors as we went. At the time, I chalked it up to humoring him, but I will forever be grateful for that time because it gave me a true love and appreciation for my forebears. When I went through the temple before I left on my mission, Grandpa invited me to do sealings for the dead at the Jordan River Temple with him every wednesday before I had to leave, because my Grandma's knees were too bad and he needed a partner. What special times we had, enveloped in the spirit of eternal families.
Whenever we would leave my grandparents house, we would give them a hug and a kiss, but a few years ago I started to point to my cheek and make him kiss me. He always got a kick out of it and it was special to me also. Even up until a few months ago, he would kiss me on the cheek and tell me he loved me. In the springtime, we would go for walks around the nursing home and enjoy the sunshine and cool air; or he would ride, I would push, even when I tried to convince him that it was my turn in the wheelchair.
Finally, one of my favorite memories is one day when he was first struggling with his concentration and having a hard time sitting still, before he went into the nursing home. We were outside sitting on the bench in front of their house and I told him that if I didn't get married before he died, he had to promise that he would come anyway. I remember holding his hand and we both got a little choked up and he promised he would be there. And I know that he will be, along with my other grandparents, present at all of the special times in my life; getting married, having children. I know that families are eternal and I know that I will see them again, but for now I will always be thankful for the time I spent getting to know them and for the love they always showed to me. And I'm glad they knew of my love for them, also.
End of an Era
Well, my friends, yesterday was my last day working at the South Jordan branch of Beehive CU. I was there for two years! I am moving to the Main branch because it is closer to the U of U and it closes an hour and a half earlier. I will greatly miss seeing my SoJo buddies every day, but am glad I will still be able to be in touch with them. I love them! We also have such great members that I will miss helping all the time. It will be hard getting to know everyone by name at the new branch, but I'm up for the challenge.
I'm lame and only took a couple of pictures, but here they are:
Nat and I were so sad. (Andi, my replacement is in the background)
But then we remembered that we will always have the Fetch Club to keep us together. After all, she is the President and I am VP. BFF!
This is Kyle. He was my closing homie. We had a lot of fun. Sometimes we just watched our own youtube vids and didn't talk for an hour (after all of the closing necessities were done of course) but it was always a good time. I thought I liked youtube, but Kyle really likes it. He showed me many wonderful things.
This should go on youtube. What a great eye.
Thanks, guys, for being so awesome and making my last day with you so rad, Nat even made me this killer scrapbook that is so cute! It means a lot to me and I'll miss chilling with you guys! But I have to admit, when I'm leaving at 5:45 instead of 7:10, I probably won't be that sad. But all the other times I'll try to hold back the tears.
I'm lame and only took a couple of pictures, but here they are:
Nat and I were so sad. (Andi, my replacement is in the background)
But then we remembered that we will always have the Fetch Club to keep us together. After all, she is the President and I am VP. BFF!
This is Kyle. He was my closing homie. We had a lot of fun. Sometimes we just watched our own youtube vids and didn't talk for an hour (after all of the closing necessities were done of course) but it was always a good time. I thought I liked youtube, but Kyle really likes it. He showed me many wonderful things.
This should go on youtube. What a great eye.
Thanks, guys, for being so awesome and making my last day with you so rad, Nat even made me this killer scrapbook that is so cute! It means a lot to me and I'll miss chilling with you guys! But I have to admit, when I'm leaving at 5:45 instead of 7:10, I probably won't be that sad. But all the other times I'll try to hold back the tears.
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