Christmas 2010

This year for Christmas I went to Belgrade Montana. It is a suburb of Bozeman and is now home to two of my favorite adults and definitely my three favorite little ones. Is there anything better than watching kids open presents? They are so excited! I can't remember the last time I was so excited about getting a present that I screamed.

This was also the first time I had been to my sister's house in 7 years. It sounds insanely long, but every time I have seen her and the family they have been visiting us. She has a beautiful home and I was glad I got to see it. Montana is also pretty great. To get there we had to drive through Yellowstone since it was pitch dark, snowy and foggy I missed the view. Luckily the return trip was a daytime trip so I got to see the scenery. But the best part was just hanging out with my family. We played cards, laughed, ate and relaxed. It was something I really needed and I am glad I got to go even if it was for only 3-1/2 days.

Evolution

I would like to discuss for a moment, evolution. Not in the "did we descend from monkeys" kind or even my favorite "music's evolution through the ages" kind. No, instead I speak of relationships. I foolishly thought that as I matured and so did the people around me, that relationships would be easier. Man was I wrong! Even at 29 and 3/4 of age, dating still makes me feel like an angsty teenager. Instead there is a whole NEW level of worries. Instead of the normal worries about making a good impression I now have the added worry of not scaring someone. At this point in my life I know what things are important to me in a mate and have to admit that I am getting a little impatient. I want to meet someone and fast forward to the part where we both know each other well enough that it would be "easy" to tell if the relationship has lasting power. So I have to reign in my natural tendency to leap before I look, to spill everything about me all at once and allow things to progress at a more "normal" pace. It would be great if there was some kind of scientific formula. Just think about how great that would be! It would look something like this:

Age of Male + Age of Female divided by 2, multiply Male's longest relationship + Female's longest relationship (in months) divided by the median of how many children the two want.

The end number would be a relationship score, kind of like a credit score and the higher the number the more positive the outcome. So maybe I have oversimplified and taken some liberties but at the moment I am feeling pretty frustrated. I would love to think up a formula for first contact to dating to marriage timeline, but I am all thought out right now.

Dog Love!

Fishy

Soda

Rosie aka Marley aka the Beast

Penny

Diesel

Road Trip!

Keys to a successful road trip:

1. Go with people you can stand to be with for hours. It is helpful if you are comfortable enough with your travel partners to have long periods of silence and not feel awkward.
2. Layer your wardrobe, that way if you don't like the temperature the driver has chosen you can add or subtract as needed.
3. Don't over pack the car with luggage OR people. Even if you are not claustrophobic hours at a time in a confined space can get irritating .
4. Bring something to do. If you don't get carsick bring a book. I get carsick so I knit, that way I don't have to take my eyes off the road but still keep my hands occupied.
5. T-U-N-E-S are vital. There should be some kind of agreement over who controls them. Usually it is the driver. This also means that you may have to suffer through some music you don't like. Deal with it or bring an iPod so you can tune it out. I have found that classic rock is usually universal. Who doesn't love some classic Hall & Oates or Queen?
6. Snacks. Even if you buy your own prepare to share, it is common courtesy. Beef jerky is always a favorite because it is substantial and staves off hunger between stops.
7. Drinks. The key is moderation because you don't want to stop unless you have to. So if you get a big drink, pace yourself.
8. Car games. You can do the license plate game where you find different states, the billboard game, and I Spy. My new favorite one is as you pass cars that have the built in DVD players, try and figure out what movie they are watching. It helps if you know a lot of children's movies by sight.

New School Year, Belated Edition

Yay for having a job! This summer was not the best because I didn't have a job and I was going a little stir crazy, so when school finally started I was very ready. I knew things in my classroom were going to be very different this year because we hired someone new to work with us and some of our stronger personality students had moved on to junior high. The first week of school was amazing! And the second, and the third, and the fourth. I just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Some of these students will have been with me for now going on their 3rd school year. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to this kind of arrangement. But so far we were having none of the behavior problems or classroom dramas. I was almost uncertain what to do. I knew eventually that would have to change and it has. I do have some new students and figuring out how they fit into everything has been interesting. The dynamics of a classroom can change so much just based on one person, teacher or student.

As we head into Thanksgiving I wonder where the time has gone. It seems like not too long ago that I was sweating profusely because our classroom was so hot. Now I have to worry about the kids throwing snow at each other! Kids still say the darndest things so more of those posts to come later.

Busy, busy!

Okay, I have been busy since June. My sister and her family moved from Ohio and I was so excited because my niece and nephew were going to be close enough to visit regularly! And then on September 16 I got a new nephew besides. I have loved having my niece and nephews so close. I don't think there is anything greater than a small child being excited just because you walk through the door. And is there any way to describe how delightful it is to hold a brand new baby?

Now for the bad news. They have moved again! My brother-in-law was offered a job in Montana and so after only 5 months they are gone. :( I will miss seeing them whenever I wanted to but I will always remember these months fondly.

Coolest Commercial Ever!

Just saw this and laughed my head off. Hope you enjoy it, be sure to listen to the lyrics. Classic.

Best Movie Kisses

I have been feeling a little despondent and therefore watching a lot of chick flicks. Here is a list of the best movie kisses, in no particular order.

1. Christina Ricci and James McAvoy in Penelope.
2. Edward Norton and Jessica Biel in The Illusionist.
3. Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank in P.S. I Love You
4. Amy Adams and Matthew Goode in Leap Year
5. Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock in Two Weeks Notice
6. Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in Music & Lyrics
7. Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins in I.Q.
8. Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue in The Saint
9. Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond in Sabrina
10. Julia Ormond and Steve Carrell in Dan in Real Life

See any I might have missed? Let me know!

Top Movies of the Last 29 Years

1981- Raiders of the Lost Ark

1982- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

1983- A Christmas Story

1984- Ghostbusters

1985- Back To the Future

1986- Stand By Me

1987- Princess Bride

1988- Die Hard

1989- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

1990-Edward Scissorhands

1991- Silence of the Lambs

1992- Aladdin

1993- The Fugitive

1994- Shawshank Redemption

1995- Apollo 13

1996- Shine

1997- Titanic

1998- The Truman Show

1999- The Sixth Sense

2000- Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

2001- Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

2002- Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

2003- Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

2004- The Incredibles

2005- Batman Begins

2006- Casino Royale

2007- Ratatouille

2008- Iron Man

2009- Star Trek

All You Need Is Love!

My mom emailed me this picture along with some others. None of these animals were previously acquainted. All of them were rescued from the debris from the recent tornado in Kansas. Four dogs and one cat, comforting each other. Proof that we all CAN get along!

Favorite Things

To offset my previous post here are some things I enjoy:

• Nighttime cool summer breezes
• The commercial for Lipton green tea with citrus song. Love it. Also the AT&T song to which I cannot find the name of the artist for. AND the brilliant use of the song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on another commercial.
• Cold fresh tasty water straight out of the tap.
• Large dogs that like to cuddle on couches with me.
• Great movies. Last year's standout was Star Trek for me. This year I have thoroughly enjoyed A-Team, The Losers, Prince of Persia and I am looking forward to Knight and Day.
• Reading. I have recently returned to the public library system and enjoy finding new things to read.
• MUSIC! Technically this should have been first on the list, but last will work too. The only problem with my new favorite music is that I have to listen online because it's all lesser known artists and therefore not available very widely in Utah.

Pet Peeves

My dad and I were talking the other day about our pet peeves so I decided to make a list. Hope it's not too long or unreasonable!

• Time leftover on the microwave. If you don't use it all, zero it out.
• People, especially women, who ask if I am crabby because of "women problems." It's offensive and downright rude. Perhaps I am just having a bad day.
• Dry hands, feet and elbows. Mostly on me, but occasionally on other people.
• People who try and argue with me about things that are totally opinion based and therefore can have no winner. I won't argue with you, I accept that you have a different opinion, please return the favor. (Ex. sports teams, movies, music, etc.)
• The mocking of my penchant for radio stations that don't pander to or assume that people are dumb. When did intelligence become a bad thing?
• Bad spelling. I don't claim to be great, but I know how to use spell check. A recent example was the dating profile I was looking at that proclaimed the guy to be a "knight in shinning armor." Shinning! Sorry, I will hold out for shining armor, not armor meant for the lower legs.

Finally Over

Well, that's it. The school year is over. I was ecstatic and sad. In my class of 12 I had 6 of my students moving on to junior high. The other 6 get to have me next year too! Aren't they lucky? I am excited for the break but am having a hard time without a job to ground me in reality. I don't even know what day it is anymore! I have a bunch of stuff to share so look for more in the days to come. Toodles.

Lovin' It!

Kids Say the Darndest Things Vol. 5

A1: Do you ever wish you were married?

Me: Sure.

A1: You are just waiting for the right guy. Someone who loves animals. And is nice to you.

Me: Is that too much to ask?

A1: And not gay.

J1: Stupid Rastas*!!!

Me: J, we don't call people names. You need to apologize.

J1: I was using it as an adjective, NOT a noun!!

(At least I know he is learning something in my reading group?!)

A5: Did you know that Marco Polo is actually one person?

A4: "I like big butts and I cannot lie, you other brothers can deny, when a girl walks in ....."

At this point I stopped him and suggested that the song he was singing was not really appropriate for school. His reply?

A4: But I'm singing to attract me some honeys! Do you think it will work?

*Name changed to protect the relatively innocent.

IF...

If I had health insurance:

• I would take care of the carpal tunnel and tendonitis that has plagued me for 12 years.
• I would go to a dermatologist to check out some of the suspicious moles I have.
• I could replace the pieces and parts of my CPAP machine that should be replaced every 6 months.
• I would not have to turn to WebMD where I inexorably can't decide whether I have something serious like boils or just a zit. (Luckily it was just a zit)
• I would not be terrified that the chunk of my thumb that was just taken by a rusty nail would turn into tetanus, leading to a hospital stay and inevitably, death.
• Those "lady doctor" visits that I have never had could become a dream come true.
• I could have the strange vertigo that I have been having with increasing frequency diagnosed or at least explained.
• I would know for sure that the electrical impulses I can actually hear and feel going up my spinal cord are not a figment of my imagination.
• M-I-G-R-A-I-N-E-S. Perhaps a solution?

Festival of Colors March 27, 2010

Kids Say the Darndest Things Vol. 4

Some more gems that have come my way of late.

A1: "Look! It's snowing. Hurry, someone hug me."

J1: "Epic snow! Thank you for your epicness."

J2: "Were watches invented when you were little?"

A4: " You're a woman, right?"

F: "My cousin says your crazy because you won't teach me times tables."
Me: "Well, I can't teach you those until know your addition and subtraction."
F: "Do I really have to know those first?!"

And this one from a recent episode of America's Funniest Home Videos. I will set the scene, children are approaching the pulpit of a Baptist church and saying things about Easter. Afterwards they receive some candy before the sit down. One child approaches the microphone and says, "I did not prepare a speech. I would like my candy anyway." So funny!

Signs You Live With an Octogenarian

1. Your tupperware is one of two things A) actual Tupperware brand purchased 30 years ago, or B) cottage cheese and yogurt containers
2. You are asked at least once a week to "Smell this, tell me if it's ok," because they don't trust expiration dates.
3. Ziploc bags are to be washed out so they can be reused.
4. Spices are in tin canisters which have not been manufactured for over 15 years according to the manufacturer.
5. You now have 6 packages of dried mango because, "They were on sale." This can apply to anything food related that you don't need. Like two more cans of cream of chicken soup.... even though you already have 45 cans.
6. Cooking oil is refrigerated along with Bisquick.
7. Music other than Michael Buble, Josh Groban, the Mormon Tabernacle choir or classical music is "noise."
8. You have collectible Avon cologne and perfume bottles in your basement.
9. Certain carpet is NOT for walking on because the carpet is new...... 20 years ago.
10. Tiled bathrooms have been covered with wall-to-wall carpet.
11. Dress ups boxes also include old pill boxes.
12. There are National Geographics dating back to the early '70's in your home.
13. There are so many pill bottles in the bathroom that you actually could open your own pharmacy.
14. Favorite TV shows are still recorded on VHS.
15. Plastic silverware is collected to be washed and used again.
16. Putting a hot dish out of the oven onto the stovetop is NOT allowed. It may ruin the stovetop by scratching it.
17. Your measuring cups are metal and possibly rusty.
18. Any gathering of young people consisting of more than 3 people is a "wild party."
19. Plans for dinner include a suggestion of something, only then to find the ingredients and recipe laid out for you to make.
20. Common words you hear are "gallivanting," and "shennanigans" in relation to your social life.

Beware of Identity Theft!

I love animals, especially soft furry ones. I got an email warning me about identity theft and these were the pictures that accompanied it. I just want to pick them all up because they are so darn cute. It make me miss my dog, Fishy.

My Favorite Things

I've had a pretty awful couple of days and needed to remind myself of the good things. So, for my sake a list of some of my favorite things.

• The pet background on the Weather Channel Desktop app, especially the boxer one.
• Sunshine and soft grass. Particularly after a long walk.
• The smell of clean sheets, silky pillowcases and my pillowtop bed.
• Good friends that let you cry to them on the phone.
• Random notes that let you know someone thinks about you.
• Leftover Chinese food, cold.
• Great music that is best heard through headphones.
• Unexpected visits from far-off family.
• Cold fresh water for drinking.
• Sunday meetings that rejuvenate my soul.

Kutiman-Thru-you - 03 - I'm New

The mother of all mash-ups. The music is made up ENTIRELY of a mash-up of the audio and video from YouTube videos.This guy is a total genius! Check out the rest of his stuff on YouTube, just search for Kutiman-Thru-You

You Could Fill Books!!

A quote from the movie Ratatouille: "You could fill a book - a lot of books - with things Dad doesn't know. And they have." Well here are a few things I don't know.

• I don't know why kids think they can lie to me. I have witnessed with my own eyes one kid hitting another and the hitter will staunchly defend himself, knowing full well that I saw him.
• I don't know why people like Jell-O so much. Is it because it is cheap? Because frankly, it all kind of creeps me out. Jell-O pudding is fine, but that weirdly translucent gooey stuff that is supposed to be food? And why have people gone to such lengths to fill it with odd stuff? Like the lime Jell-O with carrots and walnuts in it? Ewww.
• I don't know why my favorite (and pricey) Chinese restaurant has the BEST food in the world, but the WORST spring rolls. The spring rolls I get at the elementary school cafeteria are much better. Kinda sad.
• I don't know why certain networks (ie CBS) have not jumped on the Hulu bandwagon. It annoys me to have to wade through their poorly designed website to find what I am looking for. Also any network not willing to stream full episodes online. Join the future of television!
• I don't know why I continue to get Spam mail addressed to "Dan" and usually advertising things related to being male. I don't know any men, nor have I heard of any, named Danica.
• I don't know why certain adults in my life have suddenly realized that they know all these single attractive men they can set me up with. Perhaps it's because I am now less than 365 days from reaching the age of 30?

Funny Talking Animals

Sooooo funny!!

Gone and Hopefully Forgotten

I saw something today that used to be somewhat fashionable and has since disappeared. And after seeing it again today I am convinced it should stay that way. So in honor of the rat tail I saw today, here is my list of the thing that are (or should be) gone and should stay forgotten.

1. Rat tails. Short hair everywhere but that really long piece in the back. Ewww.
2. Mullets. I have started to see children at my school with these. Another eww.
3. Chuck Norris. Seriously. All the Chuck Norris stuff. Can't stand it.
4. The giant spoiler on your car. At some point it begins to look like a purse handle like some giant could pick up your car and carry it.
5. Ugs. I don't even know if that's how you spell it, but they are just boots. Why are you wearing giant boots and shorts? It just looks dumb.
6. Overly bleached hair almost to the point of being white instead of blond, especially on boys. For some reason this has become a trend at my elementary school. No one under the age of 12 should be dying their hair. There is no reason.
7. Giant headphones. Technology has improved, you don't need to wear traffic controller earphones to listen to your itty-bitty iPod Shuffle.
8. Bret Michaels. Poison had some good songs back in the day, but must we drag their frontman away from his trashy harem to test out his "business" sense on The Apprentice?

Ode to my Roommate

Deep in our Refrigerator by Jack Prelutsky*

Deep in our refrigerator,
there's a special place
for food that's been around awhile...
[she] keep[s] it just in case.
"It's probably too old to eat,"
my [roommate] likes to say.
"But I don't think it's old enough
for me to throw away."

It stays there for a month or more
to ripen in the cold
and soon [I] notice fuzzy clumps
of multicolored mold.
The clumps are larger every day,
[I] notice this as well,
but mostly what [I] notice
is a certain special smell.

When finally it all becomes
a nasty mass of slime,
my [roommate] takes it out, and says,
"Apparently, it's time."
She dumps it in the garbage can,
though not without regret,
then fills the space with other food
that's not so ancient yet.


*Edits and emphasis added for comedic effect

Kids Say the Darndest Things, Vol.3

Kid J2: Dream on, Drama Queen. (Said to me when I asked him not to push other kids at recess)

Kid A3: (whispering to other kids) She drinks Diet Coke so that she won't hit us.*

Me: Why do you think Leonardo DaVinci wrote from right to left instead of left to right which is how we write?
Kid J: Because he had 5 fingers on his left hand?

Kid A1: You call it fun, I call it torture!

Kid J: Will you please make me cry so that I don't have to go to the assembly?

Kid J: You cannot correct me because I am right always!


*I have not, nor will I ever hit children! For some reason this kid associates my mood with whether or not I have had my Diet Coke for the day. I can neither confirm nor deny that my level of frustration depends on Diet Coke.

Great TV Quotes II

The Big Bang Theory

Sheldon: I believe you know why I'm here.
Penny: I always figured it was to study us, discover our weaknesses, and report back to your alien overlords.

Sheldon: The four of you are three of my closest friends, and one treasured acquaintance.

Sheldon: Given that St. Valentine was a 3rd century Roman priest who was stoned and beheaded, wouldn't a more appropriate celebration of the evening be taking one's steady gal to witness a brutal murder?

Leonard: When we watch Frosty the Snowman, he roots for the sun.
Sheldon: Excuse me, but the sun is essential for all life on earth. Frosty is merely a bit of frozen, supernatural ephemera in a stolen hat. A crime, by the way, for which he is never brought to account.

Modern Family

Manny: You have a laugh that makes science lab seem like recess.

Phil: You know how in a fairy tale there's always a potion that makes the princess fall asleep and then the guys start kissing her? Well, this is like that except you don't wake up in a castle — you wake up in a frat house with a bad reputation. {referring to alcohol}

Gloria: Every culture has their own traditions. For example, in our culture, the Baby Jesus is the one that brings the presents, not the Santa Claus.
Jay: That's doesn't make sense. How could a new born baby carry all those presents? They don't even know where their hands are.
Manny: At least a baby could fit through a chimney.
Jay: How could you sit on the Baby Jesus' lap? You'd squish him.

Community

Winger: She has more fights about something that doesn't matter than a Youtube comments channel.

Jeff: Vaughn doesn't ever wear shoes or a shirt. How has he not died from a lack of service?

Shirley: I believe that fusing brownies with the Internet is going to create the next Napster for brownies.

Jeff: Can't I be the friend in the group whose trademark is his well-defined boundaries like Privacy Smurf, Discrete Bear or Confidentiality Spice?

The Office

Ryan: Did you see Saw?
Dwight: Of course I seesaw, Mose and I seesaw all the time.

Michael: How's everybody doing?
Jim: Not great. You heckled Santa for an hour and a half.
Michael: That was a different guy. That was Jesus. Jesus ruined the party. Petulant Jesus.
Angela: Are you serious? That is so offensive.

Ryan: Okay. So, um. Listen. I know about your diabolical plan.
Dwight: What?! "Diabolical plan?" I wouldn't even know how to begin-
Ryan: [holds up My Diabolical Plan by Dwight K. Schrute] I found a copy of it in the copier tray.

Dwight: In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody

Found my new favorite channel on YouTube!!!!

Things Remembered

A trip down memory lane was inevitable with my birthday coming up especially since it is my last birthday in my twenties. Here are a few things I don't want to forget:

• Glowworms! I loved that thing when I was a kid.
  
  
• Rainbow Bright, who ended up being used by the neighborhood kids as a fun thing to run over with their car.



• Slap bracelets, back when they were made of metal and could really hurt!


• Jelly shoes, the down side to them was if it was hot and your feet sweat, your feet would then slide around in them.
  
  
• Sewing classes where I learned all I needed to know to make my own pillowcases.



• The awful black and brown carpet in the kitchen of my childhood home.



• Climbing on the top of the dog house to get on the roof when I wasn't supposed to!



• My fear of grapefruit knives after nearly slicing off my middle finger while trying to eat some grapes.



• The first time I saw my baby brother. I remember thinking that he was the fattest baby I had ever seen.



• My parents waterbed. Why did people ever think those were comfortable?



• Mazes in the backyard. My dad used to let the grass grow long and then use the lawnmower to carve mazes in the grass.



• Homemade music videos. I have a very vivid memory of my sister and I with the two boys next door making a music video complete with "plot" to the song "Blackcat" by Janet Jackson.



• Hiding things in the drop-down ceiling of my bedroom.



• Sharing a room with my sister that also doubled as the laundry room and a bathroom. It was a big room, but interesting as far as functionality.



• Driving the forklift when I was 12. Man that was scary!!



• Camping with the family in Yellowstone. This was also the trip that my Oma told me she had a dream about Pierce Brosnan and that "he was a good kisser." TMI!!!



• Driving through farmland on a trip and yelling "Beef Jerky" at the cows as we passed.



• Chuck-a-rama every year with the extended family for my Opa's birthday. He loved that place.



• Climbing the wall behind the house to pick cherries off the neighbor's tree.

Things Remembered Pictures

Like Sands Through the Hourglass.....

Kids Say the Darndest Things Vol. 2

• Kid J: I want to go to the quiet area, will you please upset and disturb me?
  
  
• Kid T: (to me) Are you getting married today? Me: Umm, no. What makes you think that?Kid T: Well you are wearing earrings today and you don't usually so I thought you might be getting married.
  
  
• Kid F: Do you think I'm sexy? (This is an eleven year old asking me this!!)
  
  
• Kid A1: I'm pretty sure that everything in this whole book is boring as hell.
  
  
• Kid J: You are fired! I am calling the police so that they can fire you! I am going to sue the whole school!!
  
  
• Kid A3: I don't like talking. Me: But everytime I try to teach you won't stop talking, but when I give you time specifically to talk you don't say a word. Kid A3: I think better when you teach and I talk.

Favorite Actor Transformations

My favorite actors/actresses are the ones that are versatile. People who disappear into the role and make you believe it. Here are a few of my favorites:

Paul Reuben from PeeWee Herman to the sidekick vampire in Buffy the Vamire Slayer movie, to doubtful super-hero in Mystery Men.

Gary Oldman who was fabulous as Count Dracula, the villian in The Fifth Element and more recently Sirius Black in the Harry Potter movies.

Guy Pearce in Orson Well's Time Machine and then Alexander Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo.

Robert DeNiro who went from tough CIA guy in Meet the Parents to cross-dressing pirate in Stardust.

Jack Black who despite his often goofy antics was able to make me believe he could be someone's love interest in The Holiday.

Emma Thompson who is equally comfortable as Nanny McPhee, Professor Trewlaney from Harry Potter, English lady, or as a tortured author in Stranger Than Fiction.

Amy Adams who uglied it up in Julie and Julia after being stunningly beautiful in Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day and in Enchanted.

Neil Patrick Harris who won my heart as kid doctor Doogie Howser to ladies man Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother.

Don Cheadle as sexy criminal in the Ocean's movies to superspy in Traitor. (I love me an accent on a good looking man, killer combo.)

Coming soon: WORST casting choices ever!

Honolulu, Hawaii!!

Today my "baby" brother got his mission call. In 42 days he will be heading for Hawaii. It's all very exciting. I have decided to start saving my money now so that two years from now if the opportunity is there I can convince my parents to let me go with them to pick him up. I have never been and we used to talk about going as a family to see the Polynesian Cultural Center. I know he is excited because one; it's warm, and two; he will get to learn more about his Polynesian heritage. So three cheers to you brother!

Cassie Brook currently serving in the Lubbock, Texas mission with Micah Glenn soon to be serving in the Honolulu, Hawaii mission!!

Shameful Confession

I am a hypocrite and there is something I just have to get out there. I used to mock my roommates for their devotion to a certain show. I thought it was silly and a waste of time. However, my new roommate has a habit of watching this show when we sit down to eat dinner. I blame her, but I have totally gotten sucked in!!! She herself says it is because nothing else is on but I don't believe her. So, my shameful confession? I am currently addicted to The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love.

Great TV Quotes

There is some great comedy out there right now. Better Off Ted, Modern Family, Glee, and The Big Bang Theory are some of my favorites. Here are a few gems:

Modern Family:

• Manny: In Colombia, they open presents at midnight and stay up til morning.
  Jay: I'm sure they do, but if you notice from the absence of goats in the streets, we're not in Colombia.
• Mitchell: We were called Fire and Nice. I was called "Fire" because of the red hair and Claire was "Nice" because it was ironic and she wasn't.

Better Off Ted:

• Veronica: Sorry, Ted. The company feels that if we ease up because someone dies, it will only encourage other people to die.

• Linda: I don't want to lose this job. What am I supposed to do, go back to Wisconsin and work in the cheese mine? After I made that big speech, threw down my cheese shovel, and stormed out?

• Ted: We can have one conversation with Rose. Gently.
  Veronica: Fine. Let's get her up here, crack her open like a lobster claw, and scoop out her sweet white meat of information. Gently.
  Ted: I know you don't like to eat children, but it's that kind of talk and your cottage in the woods made of candy that keeps those rumors alive.

The Big Bang Theory:

• Leonard: I've always been a little confused about this-- why don't Hindu's eat beef?
  Raj: We believe cows are gods.
  Sheldon: Not technically. In Hinduism cattle are thought to be like gods.
  Raj: Do not tell me about my own culture Sheldon! In the mood I'm in, I'll take you out, I swear to cow!

Glee:

• Sue: I'll often yell at homeless people: "Hey how is that homelessness thing working out for you? Try not being homeless for once!"
• Sue: Not everyone is gonna have the walnuts to take a pro-littering stance. But I will not rest until every inch or our fair state is covered in garbage.

Kids Say the Darndest Things Vol. 1

The kids I teach are full of interesting things to say and I had to share some of them.

Kid A1 "So, what torturous things are you going to make us do today?" said to me as we sit down to begin Reading.

Kid A2 "You have to know your shapes so that when you graduate from junior high you can get a good job, like McDonalds." said to another child in my Math group when he wanted to know why he needed to know what a trapezoid was.

Kid A1 "I am going to get really mad if you tell me to look up anything else in the dictionary. Let's just agree that I don't need to learn any more words."

Kid F "You better get married soon because you are getting old. If you don't you are going to get pregnant and die." I wasn't sure how to explain to him the faults in his logic without getting into religion and biology. I left that one alone.

She's Married!

After months of planning my friend Natalie got married on December 29, 2009. It was my first in-depth look at wedding planning. It was fun to be there when she bought the dress and go with her to buy his ring. I enjoyed scouring magazines to look at cakes and go online to research flowers. I made the sign-in book for the reception and it has given me an interest in doing some of my own scrapbooking. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Cheers and Jeers for 2009

• Cheers to Hulu for bringing my favorite shows to the internet for free including Doogie Howser, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Stargate, Sliders and numerous others!
• Jeers to whomever broke into my care and stole my extensive CD collection. You suck
• Cheers to the new principal at my school for having a sense of humor about one of my especially difficult students.
• Jeers to the Taco Bell near my parent's house that charges me $1.49 for a chicken burrito that costs me only $0.89 near my house.
• Cheers to the delicious new recipes I discovered this year including a cheese and cracker dip and chocolate truffle cake.
• Jeers to media oversaturation on things such as Tiger Woods, Jon & Kate, Michael Jackson's death, and Twilight.
• Cheers to NPR for their program "All Songs Considered" some of my favorite new music has come from them.
• Jeers to ABC for cancelling Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, and Defying Gravity. Although half a cheer to ABC for at least resolving Eli Stone in a somewhat satisfying manor. And double jeers for leaving Defying Gravity on the biggest cliffhanger ever.
• Cheers to the people who fed my obsession for the color purple and pomegranates.
• Jeers to overused adolescent slang such as "sick" and "tight."
• Cheers to my friend Joey who helped me do some major repairs on my car this year, especially since I paid him in cheesecake and hugs.
• Jeers to the parents of children at my school that hear me ask the kids NOT to use the automatic handicap doors then walk past me and use them.
• Cheers to some awesome movies this year. At the top of the list was Star Trek!
• Jeers to any network that only puts clips instead of streaming full episodes online. Namely CBS for The Big Bang Theory and ABC for Eastwick.
• Cheers to my new ecclisastic leader who made an exception for me and lets me attend his congregation despite the fact the my geographical location would normally prohibit me.
• And finally cheers to the people who put up with me this year and stuck around for the new year.

The Twilight Years

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.