NOTE: I found an old, unpublished post of mine! Here ya go!
April 20, 2010: Well, my last day of student teaching was last Friday. It was so sweet, we had a pizza party for lunch and had the Big Bowns Drawing for big prizes. I had fun, but I miss "my kids" already!
This week has been and is going to be crazy. I'm doing my last few days of work, cleaning and packing (which at this point seems like it will never end), getting ready for graduation and for the big get-together on Saturday. So much to do!
Okay, on to questions:
Question 342:Write about feeling loved and by whom.
Just feeling loved in general? Wow, there are SO many times I've felt loved...it's hard to just think of one.
Okay, I've got one.
I had some really stressful things going on, had a cough, and I just couldn't sleep. For days. I mean, I was literally getting sick with stress and frustration, but I was still unable to sleep at all. My grandma came in and stayed with me. Now keep in mind she's...well, I don't know how old she is, really, but she's not young enough to stay up all night like us spring chickens, you know? But she came up and stayed with me, rubbing my back and getting me water and making me drink vinegar to help the cough (which was gross, but it worked somewhat). She was probably so tired, and yet she did that for me and it helped. I remember thinking, "Wow. She really loves me." I was able to sleep that night, and was much better then next morning.
Question 332: Write about how a prayer was answered.
This is a hard one, because a lot of those times are pretty personal and sacred. I guess one that was pretty impactful was this time Mommy and Daddy were going to Salt Lake for their anniversary. I prayed for them to be safe and then forgot about it. I was at work laminating when I got a call from Mommy: they'd been in an accident. I just went cold, but Mommy assured me that they were okay, although the car was totaled. The accident happened in such a way that we all knew that they had been protected. I was pretty shaken up, because I had prayed for them to be safe without thinking much about it; I just always pray for them to be safe when they go somewhere. I was really glad my prayer was heard and answered.
Question 161: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully married with a few kids. With some sort of church calling...I'd like to be a stay at home mom at that point, but who knows?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Jar Questions 86, 4, 288
Firstly, tomorrow is my first solo day this block! For the next 2 weeks I will be the teacher in the class. I'm excited, but also nervous. Wish me luck!
Rebecca had her first date this weekend, you'll have to ask her how it went, cuz I'm no snitch. ;D
Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Shantel! I know I didn't join in much on the festivities, I didn't want to impose on family time. ^_^
On to the questions!
Question 4: Describe a typical day in elementary school.
Ha, the one I'm in now or MY elementary school? XD I'm guessing the latter. Well, typically the day would begin with breakfast at 7. We'd be to school at 8, and first track (which went to school from 8 to 2) was in Core classes. These were the classes that taught math and reading. I think that's all they taught, math and language arts in general. The second track students arrived at school at 9:30 (they went from 9:30 to 3:30) and went to Specialties. You had 2 specialties a day: they were semester long classes. The first have of the year you'd have Art and Social Studies as specialties, the second half you'd have Science and Music. Anyway, so after lunch the first track and second track "swapped," with first track going to specialties and second track coming to core. It was fun, because the tracks would leave notes and stuff for their "counterparts" to find. I was first track so my day ended at 2. Depending on the time in my life, I've walked home, carpooled home, but mostly been driven home by Mommy. Then came snack, piano practicing and homework. After that we could play until dinnertime. After dinner was family time until bed at 8:00. Ah, those were the days! ^_^
Question 86: Did you go camping as a child? Share an experience or memory.
We did! We used to go to this place called Hobble Creek. I don't know if I'm blurring times, but there was this one camp site we went to that had...I'm not sure if it really was steep or if this is just a child's memory, but it had this really steep trail going up just a bit away from the camp site. It went up, then leveled out and went across. We kids used to go up as far as we dared, then scooch down real quick on our boosers. Anyway, this one time I was determined that I would climb that trail (I really like hiking and was pretty stubborn). Anyway, I made it to the fairly flat part, and felt pretty proud of myself until I heard Mommy calling for me. I realized I couldn't get down! Uncle Daniel tried to tell me how to plant my feet and come down sideways, but I just sort of sat down and couldn't budge. So he had to come get me! I still have lots of fond feelings for that camp site.
Question 288: Tell about your social life as a teen: dances, football games, outings, church functions, etc.
Oh, there's SO much to TELL! XD Honestly, not really. In my family school was a time to learn. I wasn't a real social butterfly. I had acquaintances in all of my classes, but only one really close friend. I don't like loud music or "dance" parties (read: bob your head up and down and drink punch), so "clubbing" was out. I guess I'll tell you about Show and Chamber. It was the "high choir" at our high school. We had such fun! There were a few drama kids in there and they always livened the place up. We'd burst into song at random times on the way to performances. I love our concerts, because it was always like getting together with friends and singing, not some uptight thing. We had classes together every day of the week, and rehearsals after school. We had fun just hanging out and being doofy!
Rebecca had her first date this weekend, you'll have to ask her how it went, cuz I'm no snitch. ;D
Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Shantel! I know I didn't join in much on the festivities, I didn't want to impose on family time. ^_^
On to the questions!
Question 4: Describe a typical day in elementary school.
Ha, the one I'm in now or MY elementary school? XD I'm guessing the latter. Well, typically the day would begin with breakfast at 7. We'd be to school at 8, and first track (which went to school from 8 to 2) was in Core classes. These were the classes that taught math and reading. I think that's all they taught, math and language arts in general. The second track students arrived at school at 9:30 (they went from 9:30 to 3:30) and went to Specialties. You had 2 specialties a day: they were semester long classes. The first have of the year you'd have Art and Social Studies as specialties, the second half you'd have Science and Music. Anyway, so after lunch the first track and second track "swapped," with first track going to specialties and second track coming to core. It was fun, because the tracks would leave notes and stuff for their "counterparts" to find. I was first track so my day ended at 2. Depending on the time in my life, I've walked home, carpooled home, but mostly been driven home by Mommy. Then came snack, piano practicing and homework. After that we could play until dinnertime. After dinner was family time until bed at 8:00. Ah, those were the days! ^_^
Question 86: Did you go camping as a child? Share an experience or memory.
We did! We used to go to this place called Hobble Creek. I don't know if I'm blurring times, but there was this one camp site we went to that had...I'm not sure if it really was steep or if this is just a child's memory, but it had this really steep trail going up just a bit away from the camp site. It went up, then leveled out and went across. We kids used to go up as far as we dared, then scooch down real quick on our boosers. Anyway, this one time I was determined that I would climb that trail (I really like hiking and was pretty stubborn). Anyway, I made it to the fairly flat part, and felt pretty proud of myself until I heard Mommy calling for me. I realized I couldn't get down! Uncle Daniel tried to tell me how to plant my feet and come down sideways, but I just sort of sat down and couldn't budge. So he had to come get me! I still have lots of fond feelings for that camp site.
Question 288: Tell about your social life as a teen: dances, football games, outings, church functions, etc.
Oh, there's SO much to TELL! XD Honestly, not really. In my family school was a time to learn. I wasn't a real social butterfly. I had acquaintances in all of my classes, but only one really close friend. I don't like loud music or "dance" parties (read: bob your head up and down and drink punch), so "clubbing" was out. I guess I'll tell you about Show and Chamber. It was the "high choir" at our high school. We had such fun! There were a few drama kids in there and they always livened the place up. We'd burst into song at random times on the way to performances. I love our concerts, because it was always like getting together with friends and singing, not some uptight thing. We had classes together every day of the week, and rehearsals after school. We had fun just hanging out and being doofy!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
No Jar Questions Today
I'm just writing really quickly on my way to bed. Firstly: This has been a GREAT week! Thursday I was observed by the BYU liaison (that's the lady who is over all of the student teachers and interns in the district), and she said I absolutely knocked it out of the park! In addition, the principal came in to observe my mentor teacher while I was teaching (he didn't know that) and stayed through my lesson. Afterwards, my mentor teacher and the liaison told me he was asking them if they thought I'd like to teach fifth grade in that area (meaning at that school). How fun! Only my papers are in for my mission so I would have had to turn him down. But it's still cool knowing he thought I was good enough to be looking at me for a job offer! ^_^
Mission Prep was fun, Brother Brad Wilcox came and shared some fun stories (and said hi to me, he knows me from some classes). Some of the most memorable quotes:
"Live every day so that when you wake up in the morning Satan goes, "Oh no. She's awake!"
~From a Sister Missionary's quote book
"In Spanish sign language, the signs for Savior and Missionary are the same."
~Brad Wilcox, quoting a brother from his mission
I'd also like to say how grateful I am for the "restrictions" placed on us by the gospel. I have a friend right now who is not a member and has very different values than I do. She's a good person, but since I met her she's really fallen apart. She's drunk a lot, can't control her rage, and hangs out with friends who are very into "hooking up." She lets people sleep over in her "suite..." Basically, very against everything that is right. I look at her journal and what she says to me when we talk...she hates her life! She has all that "freedom," does whatever she wants, follows no rules, and yet SHE IS MISERABLE! She's always angry and hurt and disappointed...I almost feel like I want to slap her up side the head and say "GET IT TOGETHER!" or tell her that I know why she feels this way and help her turn her life around. But she's pretty resistant to any change right now, especially any she sees as taking away her freedom. But I look at my life, and then at hers, and...I am so much happier! I have stress, things aren't going perfect for me, but I can look back on my day or week and say: "This has been a good week!" Where as she looks back and hates her life. I hope some day I'm able to help her turn around, my heart just aches for her.
Anyway, that's today!
Mission Prep was fun, Brother Brad Wilcox came and shared some fun stories (and said hi to me, he knows me from some classes). Some of the most memorable quotes:
"Live every day so that when you wake up in the morning Satan goes, "Oh no. She's awake!"
~From a Sister Missionary's quote book
"In Spanish sign language, the signs for Savior and Missionary are the same."
~Brad Wilcox, quoting a brother from his mission
I'd also like to say how grateful I am for the "restrictions" placed on us by the gospel. I have a friend right now who is not a member and has very different values than I do. She's a good person, but since I met her she's really fallen apart. She's drunk a lot, can't control her rage, and hangs out with friends who are very into "hooking up." She lets people sleep over in her "suite..." Basically, very against everything that is right. I look at her journal and what she says to me when we talk...she hates her life! She has all that "freedom," does whatever she wants, follows no rules, and yet SHE IS MISERABLE! She's always angry and hurt and disappointed...I almost feel like I want to slap her up side the head and say "GET IT TOGETHER!" or tell her that I know why she feels this way and help her turn her life around. But she's pretty resistant to any change right now, especially any she sees as taking away her freedom. But I look at my life, and then at hers, and...I am so much happier! I have stress, things aren't going perfect for me, but I can look back on my day or week and say: "This has been a good week!" Where as she looks back and hates her life. I hope some day I'm able to help her turn around, my heart just aches for her.
Anyway, that's today!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Personal History Jar Questions 150, 441, 324
Today the theme in Sacrament Meeting was Home and Family. We had some great talks. One of the things that was talked about was preparing for future family. A few things that were brought up:
Question 150: Do you have a testimony? Write down the things you do believe and you know are true?
I do have a testimony. I know that God lives and loves His children, and me. He knows me personally and wants the best for me. He knows what he's doing and I see so much evidence of that every day! He has a plan for us to be happy, and all of His commandments are to make us happy. He has prophets on the Earth today, the most recent being Thomas S. Monson. Revelation continues today, God still speaks. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's gospel restored in it's entirety. I love God, and I know He loves me.
Question 441:What instrument do you wish you could play and why?
I wish I could play the flute and the guitar. The flute is so beautiful and folksy, and yet it can be in marching bands and other types of bands. I love how pretty it sounds when Janette plays it. I wish I could play the guitar because you can sing and accompany yourself. I've always admired teachers who could sing with their classes and play along on the guitar. You could do that on the piano, but a lot of schools don't have a piano and a guitar is portable.
Question 325: What was your least favorite subject in school? What was your favorite?
Growing up, at least in elementary school, I don't think I had a least favorite subject. In high school, because it got harder, I think Chemistry and Calculus were in a way my least favorite, but they were all tough. My favorite subject has always been music. Music in Elementary School, and Choir and Orchestra in High School and Jr. High.
- Prepare for responsibility. You will have it. Take responsibility for your actions, learn to be responsible for what you have and what you are in charge of. Because soon you will be responsible for a lot more.
- Prepare for pressure. Life doesn't get easier as you go along. That's just the way it is. It may seem to get easier as you become accustomed to the pressure, but the pressure doesn't go away. Don't hang on the the promise of college graduation and think it's going to be easy street from there. We live with pressure, and if you don't learn to handle it and be happy you won't be happy.
- Learn to talk to, rely on and love the Lord. He's there to help! When you realize you're not alone and go to Him and can keep that in mind, you will have comfort and be able to hurdle anything life throws at you.
- Learn to take the focus off yourself. Right now is a very self-oriented time. "Satan doesn't care what you think about yourself, so long as you keep thinking about yourself." If you find ways to focus on others during this me-centered college time, it will become a habit and will bless your life. This isn't to say you don't need some me time sometimes, but me time shouldn't be all the time.
- Learn to be grateful. Being grateful automatically makes you think about the good. If you can find something to be grateful for to a person you don't like much, you'll have started thinking about good things about that person. If you can think of one thing to be thankful to God for about your day, you will have started thinking about the good things about your day.
- Be in the world AND not of the world. Don't just "hunker down" and wait for sin to blow over. Be active, be involved. Make the world a better place. But don't fall for this "I must be tolerant of everything" viewpoint so many people have today. The speaker talked about a girl who got herself in trouble because she didn't want to "judge" her boyfriend. She ended up going with him while a drug deal went down and got herself in trouble. Her excuse was "I didn't do the drugs, and thank heaven I didn't judge him!" So many times we're afraid to judge sin as sin! It doesn't mean we have to judge the person as "a bad person," just a person who sins! Just because you like the person doesn't mean you have to like the sin.
Question 150: Do you have a testimony? Write down the things you do believe and you know are true?
I do have a testimony. I know that God lives and loves His children, and me. He knows me personally and wants the best for me. He knows what he's doing and I see so much evidence of that every day! He has a plan for us to be happy, and all of His commandments are to make us happy. He has prophets on the Earth today, the most recent being Thomas S. Monson. Revelation continues today, God still speaks. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's gospel restored in it's entirety. I love God, and I know He loves me.
Question 441:What instrument do you wish you could play and why?
I wish I could play the flute and the guitar. The flute is so beautiful and folksy, and yet it can be in marching bands and other types of bands. I love how pretty it sounds when Janette plays it. I wish I could play the guitar because you can sing and accompany yourself. I've always admired teachers who could sing with their classes and play along on the guitar. You could do that on the piano, but a lot of schools don't have a piano and a guitar is portable.
Question 325: What was your least favorite subject in school? What was your favorite?
Growing up, at least in elementary school, I don't think I had a least favorite subject. In high school, because it got harder, I think Chemistry and Calculus were in a way my least favorite, but they were all tough. My favorite subject has always been music. Music in Elementary School, and Choir and Orchestra in High School and Jr. High.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Personal History Jar Questions 1, 2, 3
Yesterday was the last day of my solo teaching. I'd post pictures of my students, but I think that's illegal. XP
I'm really going to miss Wasatch. The teachers are really great, I really feel like I have a connection with the school because of Mommy having taught there. Jane, the secretary, even found an old letter of recommendation for Mommy when she was cleaning old files and gave it to me! And my mentor teacher and I are great friends, which just makes everything better.
Today Janette was doing a friend's hair for Preference and used me as a guinea pig. XD She took pics, I'll have to see if I can get them from her and post them. She did a BEAUTIFUL half-updo on me, all curled with rhinestones in it and ULTRA glittery hair spray (Seriously, two sprays of this and I'm STILL having glitter come off every time I shake my head). It only took her 35 minutes to do the whole thing! Anyway, when her friend came she did an even more amazing job on her! Janette has a real talent.
Okay! I have these Personal History Jar Questions to help me hopefully journal/blog/update SOMETHING more. So! Questions 1-3 today!
Question 1: Are there any family heirlooms in your possession? Tell about them and how you came to acquire them.
Well, I don't really have anything right now, because parents and grandparents aren't gone yet. XP I don't even know what I "should" get. *shrug* I do have this peach and cream teddy bear I got from Grandpa Bell's house when they were selling his posessions, and a little chair that I think is from my Mom. I have a special little cupboard that I think Grandpa Bell made that was given to me by my Mom (I think). I have some quilts from various people, both sides of the family. I have a blue bowl that was designated to be a family heirloom, and a little round box with angels on it from Grandma Rene (I can't remember who it belonged to before that).
Question 2: Are you involved in any clubs or extracurricular activities?
Not really, now. Student Teaching has been eating up all my time. In my spare time I like to read and daydream, usually I get home in time to plan and fall into bed. I like to dress up and to go to the mall with Janette and Alicia. I love to just spend time with family, and I'd like to start cooking a bit more.
Question 3: Describe each member of your family.
Okay, here goes! XD Hope I don't end up inadvertently offending anyone. This is just from what I see or remember or...yeah. This is supposed to be FUN!
Immediate Family
Daddy: Patient, easygoing, loyal. Totally trustworthy. Solid, not the solid that means "cool," but solid...like steady and reliable.
Mommy: Changeable, creative, ULTRA-caring, senstitive, willing, helpful, clean, worryful, loving.
Andrew: A-MA-ZING. Inspiration, growth, funny.
Janette: Miss Personality to the MAX! Makes everywhere you go with her fun. Smiley. Boisterous, tomboy-ish and yet feminine, sort of like Jo in Little Women. Unafraid. Successful. Smart. Talented. A leader. Condfidante. A peacemaker.
Rebecca: Like me. Reader, a bit moody, quiet, mysterious, pokey, beautiful, flexible, serving.
Gordon: Really growing! Troubled, tempermental, teen (ha!), handsome, proud, forgetful, distracted, smart.
Catherine: The baby. Growing just too fast. Beautiful, artistic, flowing, floating, hugs and smiles, fashionista.
Grandmas and Grandpas
Grandma Rene: Patient, near-saint, pusher, wise, optimistic, fixer, good listener, tickles backs, caring
Grandpa Fuja: Attention-liker, sensitive, likes to learn and show knowledge, always needs to be "in the know," can't keep a secret (XD), phone dialer, football obsessed (sports obsessed), food lover and talker.
Grandma Bowns: Sensitive, lonely sometimes, loves company, talker and laugher, fun mom.
Extended
Randy: talker, a little intimidating, teaser, opinion sharer.
Jennifer: fashion setter, great seamstress, involved.
Shayna: Sporty, good mom.
Shantel: Grounded, creative, lucky, finding her feet, fun.
Sharielle: Pretty, impressionable.
Jameson: talkative, opinionated, likes attention and praise.
Alexa: CUTE, princess.
Danette: Fit, care, chill.
Paul: Funny, eyes like Daddy's, talented.
Madison: late-night whispers, fun stories, thoughtful.
Rachel: Talented, athletic, laughing.
Kenya: Tan (!), runner, trampoline-jumper.
Erin: Petite doll, smiley
Matt: Fun boy, friend
Jacob: Conscientious, serious, boy of few words
Tannin: Serious, sensitive, perfectionist, thought-provoking, fun, caring, educational adviser
Megan: Small, bacon-lover, creative, smart, patient, loving
Tayton: SMART, Thomas train-lover, verbal master, curious, thinker, laugher, toe-runner
Hunter: "I WANT!" (ha), fun, dancer, tackler, sporty
Cumorah: knows what she wants, little doll, smiler, has me wrapped around her finger
?: Don't know yet!
Daniel: Confidante, piano-teacher, late nights and sleepovers, the smartest guy I know, patient, an AMAZING laugh that makes me want to laugh too, board game master, nintendo player, ping pong champion, mask scarer, advisor, strappy-shoe buyer.
Wendy: Caring, friend, girl-talk advisor (XD), lovely, so fun
Spencer: Tiny cousin, BIG cousin, funny-face maker, laughter machine, dancer, toddler
Diane and Karen: Barbie players, self-esteem boosters.
Phew! Well, that's about it! I couldn't get EVERYBODY, because the list would be WAY long, but I think I got most of the extended family.
Love you all!
I'm really going to miss Wasatch. The teachers are really great, I really feel like I have a connection with the school because of Mommy having taught there. Jane, the secretary, even found an old letter of recommendation for Mommy when she was cleaning old files and gave it to me! And my mentor teacher and I are great friends, which just makes everything better.
Today Janette was doing a friend's hair for Preference and used me as a guinea pig. XD She took pics, I'll have to see if I can get them from her and post them. She did a BEAUTIFUL half-updo on me, all curled with rhinestones in it and ULTRA glittery hair spray (Seriously, two sprays of this and I'm STILL having glitter come off every time I shake my head). It only took her 35 minutes to do the whole thing! Anyway, when her friend came she did an even more amazing job on her! Janette has a real talent.
Okay! I have these Personal History Jar Questions to help me hopefully journal/blog/update SOMETHING more. So! Questions 1-3 today!
Question 1: Are there any family heirlooms in your possession? Tell about them and how you came to acquire them.
Well, I don't really have anything right now, because parents and grandparents aren't gone yet. XP I don't even know what I "should" get. *shrug* I do have this peach and cream teddy bear I got from Grandpa Bell's house when they were selling his posessions, and a little chair that I think is from my Mom. I have a special little cupboard that I think Grandpa Bell made that was given to me by my Mom (I think). I have some quilts from various people, both sides of the family. I have a blue bowl that was designated to be a family heirloom, and a little round box with angels on it from Grandma Rene (I can't remember who it belonged to before that).
Question 2: Are you involved in any clubs or extracurricular activities?
Not really, now. Student Teaching has been eating up all my time. In my spare time I like to read and daydream, usually I get home in time to plan and fall into bed. I like to dress up and to go to the mall with Janette and Alicia. I love to just spend time with family, and I'd like to start cooking a bit more.
Question 3: Describe each member of your family.
Okay, here goes! XD Hope I don't end up inadvertently offending anyone. This is just from what I see or remember or...yeah. This is supposed to be FUN!
Immediate Family
Daddy: Patient, easygoing, loyal. Totally trustworthy. Solid, not the solid that means "cool," but solid...like steady and reliable.
Mommy: Changeable, creative, ULTRA-caring, senstitive, willing, helpful, clean, worryful, loving.
Andrew: A-MA-ZING. Inspiration, growth, funny.
Janette: Miss Personality to the MAX! Makes everywhere you go with her fun. Smiley. Boisterous, tomboy-ish and yet feminine, sort of like Jo in Little Women. Unafraid. Successful. Smart. Talented. A leader. Condfidante. A peacemaker.
Rebecca: Like me. Reader, a bit moody, quiet, mysterious, pokey, beautiful, flexible, serving.
Gordon: Really growing! Troubled, tempermental, teen (ha!), handsome, proud, forgetful, distracted, smart.
Catherine: The baby. Growing just too fast. Beautiful, artistic, flowing, floating, hugs and smiles, fashionista.
Grandmas and Grandpas
Grandma Rene: Patient, near-saint, pusher, wise, optimistic, fixer, good listener, tickles backs, caring
Grandpa Fuja: Attention-liker, sensitive, likes to learn and show knowledge, always needs to be "in the know," can't keep a secret (XD), phone dialer, football obsessed (sports obsessed), food lover and talker.
Grandma Bowns: Sensitive, lonely sometimes, loves company, talker and laugher, fun mom.
Extended
Randy: talker, a little intimidating, teaser, opinion sharer.
Jennifer: fashion setter, great seamstress, involved.
Shayna: Sporty, good mom.
Shantel: Grounded, creative, lucky, finding her feet, fun.
Sharielle: Pretty, impressionable.
Jameson: talkative, opinionated, likes attention and praise.
Alexa: CUTE, princess.
Danette: Fit, care, chill.
Paul: Funny, eyes like Daddy's, talented.
Madison: late-night whispers, fun stories, thoughtful.
Rachel: Talented, athletic, laughing.
Kenya: Tan (!), runner, trampoline-jumper.
Erin: Petite doll, smiley
Matt: Fun boy, friend
Jacob: Conscientious, serious, boy of few words
Tannin: Serious, sensitive, perfectionist, thought-provoking, fun, caring, educational adviser
Megan: Small, bacon-lover, creative, smart, patient, loving
Tayton: SMART, Thomas train-lover, verbal master, curious, thinker, laugher, toe-runner
Hunter: "I WANT!" (ha), fun, dancer, tackler, sporty
Cumorah: knows what she wants, little doll, smiler, has me wrapped around her finger
?: Don't know yet!
Daniel: Confidante, piano-teacher, late nights and sleepovers, the smartest guy I know, patient, an AMAZING laugh that makes me want to laugh too, board game master, nintendo player, ping pong champion, mask scarer, advisor, strappy-shoe buyer.
Wendy: Caring, friend, girl-talk advisor (XD), lovely, so fun
Spencer: Tiny cousin, BIG cousin, funny-face maker, laughter machine, dancer, toddler
Diane and Karen: Barbie players, self-esteem boosters.
Phew! Well, that's about it! I couldn't get EVERYBODY, because the list would be WAY long, but I think I got most of the extended family.
Love you all!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
formspring.me
What was the last book you read?
I'm guessing my school's literacy protocol doesn't count. XD Thursday I read a bunch of children's books to my students (it being our valentines day party and all) and really liked one called "Guess How Much I Love You" and one called "My Love for You." As for "grown up" books? About a week ago I read a book called "A School for Sorcery." It was REALLY cool! You don't have a Hogwarts vibe going on, which I thought you would, and it has some AMAZING twists to it. The beginning wasn't immediately compelling, but it kept me going. ^_^
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
formspring.me
I'm taken the "plunge." XD Ask me anything, it's anonymous and I'll answer honestly. ^_^ http://formspring.me/xeniphb
Monday, August 24, 2009
Whew!
Okay, so feet are KILLING me after walking 5 miles in 90 degree weather for work...yeah, the stupid things I'll do for money!
I finally got a class I need added, and found out that the ONLY teacher for another is the one I hate, so I'll just have to suck it up and pretend to be a non-thinking record-n'-repeat robot for the semester. This means that I only have 1 more add/drop to do (switching days on a class). Also, my schedule is going to be great! No more getting up for class at 8 (except for Fridays)! I also got my books ordered and on their way, for 300 dollars less than I "should" be paying...this is a good day.
Oh, yeah, and the family is having spaghetti for dinner.
I felt oddly lonely at work today. EVERYONE there has either a sibling, a boyfriend, or a best friend working there now...except me. Lesa even has a best friend AND a boyfriend! Which means they all are engrossed in coversations and guess who gets to help the customer-with-2--boxes-full-of-odd-size-paper-she-wants-copied-with-every-2-pieces-stapled-who-doesn't-want-to-take-out-the-staples-herself? Yep, me! And it means I don't get to be good friends with anyone, because they already have friends there. I mean, Kara and I and Julia and I got to be GREAT friends! I miss them. Other than that, my job is really a FANTASTIC one. And Fred is so great. He was so concerned about me when I walked in with a purple face from the heat. He even bought me a water bottle!
Man, today my family is watching The Mountain of the Lord for Family Home Evening. Don't get me wrong, it's a good video full of history about the building of the Salt Lake Temple. It's amazing what those people did and sacrificed! But we've seen that movie, like, a million times, and it's really rather depressing. And scary. And I really don't want to watch it again.
*sigh*
Anyway, spaghetti time!
I finally got a class I need added, and found out that the ONLY teacher for another is the one I hate, so I'll just have to suck it up and pretend to be a non-thinking record-n'-repeat robot for the semester. This means that I only have 1 more add/drop to do (switching days on a class). Also, my schedule is going to be great! No more getting up for class at 8 (except for Fridays)! I also got my books ordered and on their way, for 300 dollars less than I "should" be paying...this is a good day.
Oh, yeah, and the family is having spaghetti for dinner.
I felt oddly lonely at work today. EVERYONE there has either a sibling, a boyfriend, or a best friend working there now...except me. Lesa even has a best friend AND a boyfriend! Which means they all are engrossed in coversations and guess who gets to help the customer-with-2--boxes-full-of-odd-size-paper-she-wants-copied-with-every-2-pieces-stapled-who-doesn't-want-to-take-out-the-staples-herself? Yep, me! And it means I don't get to be good friends with anyone, because they already have friends there. I mean, Kara and I and Julia and I got to be GREAT friends! I miss them. Other than that, my job is really a FANTASTIC one. And Fred is so great. He was so concerned about me when I walked in with a purple face from the heat. He even bought me a water bottle!
Man, today my family is watching The Mountain of the Lord for Family Home Evening. Don't get me wrong, it's a good video full of history about the building of the Salt Lake Temple. It's amazing what those people did and sacrificed! But we've seen that movie, like, a million times, and it's really rather depressing. And scary. And I really don't want to watch it again.
*sigh*
Anyway, spaghetti time!
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Friday, July 17, 2009
Last Weekend and Iowa Fujas
Last Weekend
Last weekend, my family went to a family reunion in Idaho. I stayed behind to pick Gordon up from his week-long camp in the High Uintas. I packed up and headed over to my house Friday afternoon. It was beautiful and clean--ready for the guests on Monday. I had a good night watching Dick Van Dyke. Then I was up really late sanding a banister.
A few days before, I had been home and seen our downstairs banister. I don't think that thing had ever had a decent cleaning since we moved into our house! That poor handrail was positively gray! I had called up to my family that it needed a cleaning, and my father did his usual, "I think somebody is volunteering." I thought I'd surprise my family by cleaning the banister while they were away. I took a rag and Comet to the banister, cleaning off the gunk, after which the rag was black and the handrail was--white. Sort of. Underneath all that grease and grime, there were only spots of varnish left! So I decided there was nothing for me to do except sand down the banister and re-varnish it. I took down the banister from its rusted brackets and took turns sanding the railing down and sanding the rust off of the brackets all night and into the morning. I got about 1/4 of the way done with the banister, and got most of the rust off the brackets.
When I woke up later I went to the store to pick up some coarse sandpaper, new finish for the brackets and some varnish for the banister. Getting back, I was just in time to refinish the brackets and pick Gordon up from his week-long.
Going over there, I was honestly pretty shocked. The poor kid was COVERED in mosquito bites! Apparently the mosquitoes were so thick that practically bathing in bug spray didn't help the scouts. And I guess Gordon is a bit allergic to mosquitoes. So I got him home and made him an oatmeal bath. He kept insisting he wasn't the least bit tired, so after a quick trip to Walmart for some Benadryl I put him to work helping me sand the banister. The work went a lot quicker with his help, and we had lots of fun singing together with songs from my iPod. He and Catherine are my only siblings who don't tell me to be quiet when I sing along with songs, so it was great!
In two hours we had the whole thing sanded and were putting on the first coat of varnish. We did this about 3 more times before going to Wendys and getting a fantastic supper. Mommy called and asked me to have Gordon mow the lawn and to weed the rosebed. I nearly laughed hysterically, as she didn't know what work we had been doing all day and Gordon was now fast asleep on the couch. I cleaned the house quickly of what mess had been made by the banister work, weeded the flower bed and tried (and failed) to start the lawn mower. I had to wake Gordon to get him to try (and fail) to start the mower, but that was okay because the neighbors came over and asked him to watch their children while they went to the store so he would have had to be up anyway. I was just putting the last coat of finish on when the family pulled into the driveway. I had meant to have the banister up by then, so I just ran inside and looked like I didn't know WHAT the banister was doing in the driveway...of course they had seen me putting on the last coat so they knew I had something to do with it. Mommy told me I was silly and to get home--apparently Grandma had been sick in the car--and that was all the thanks I got, but compared to the grungy thing it used to be. When I went back for Andrew's shindig I ran my hand down it and realized that the finish had bubbled in the heat while it was drying, so I'll have to use some finishing sandpaper and smooth it over. Otherwise, for having only used my internet research and my common sense, I think it came out really well! I was proud of how beautiful the banister looked Gordon's mosquito bites are now healing, so we're grateful for that too.
Iowa Fujas and Photo Dump!
When I got home from the weekend, I first wondered why there were all these vans in the driveway. I knew Randy was coming down for Andrew's farewell, but I didn't see how he could have brought 2 vans. Then I saw Andrew standing by one of the vans holding a baby and was even more confused. Had one of Andrew's friends--one with a baby--stopped by? As he turned and walked into the house I realized that it wasn't Andrew...it was Tannin! I got all excited, slammed the door, started to run into the house, ran back to turn my headlights off, and ran into the house in time to greet Megan and Cumorah! What a great surprise! It's been a fantastic week with them. They were at the farewell, and had fun playing with Shayna's kids afterwards.
Monday my family came over and had a ball playing with Tayton, Hunter and Cumorah. I took lots of pictures, so get ready, get set...PHOTO DUMP!
Andrew and Tayton playing ping pong
Me and Cumorah playing on the rug
Catherine and Hunter playing "I'm gonna getcha!"--That kid can run!
Tayton and Gordon play Hide and Seek--When I took this, Tayton still hadn't
realized Gordon was sitting right behind him!
Gordon and Tayton playing football
Everyone playing together
Tayton, Hunter, Gordon and Andrew at the Stadium
Cumorah at the Stadium
Mommy, Catherine, Rebecca, Tayton and Megan
at the Bell Tower
At the duck pond
(Front to back: Rebecca, Janette, Andrew,
Catherine, Tannin and Tayton)
Tannin and Tayton
Tayton and Gordon running down the hill by the Library
Last weekend, my family went to a family reunion in Idaho. I stayed behind to pick Gordon up from his week-long camp in the High Uintas. I packed up and headed over to my house Friday afternoon. It was beautiful and clean--ready for the guests on Monday. I had a good night watching Dick Van Dyke. Then I was up really late sanding a banister.
A few days before, I had been home and seen our downstairs banister. I don't think that thing had ever had a decent cleaning since we moved into our house! That poor handrail was positively gray! I had called up to my family that it needed a cleaning, and my father did his usual, "I think somebody is volunteering." I thought I'd surprise my family by cleaning the banister while they were away. I took a rag and Comet to the banister, cleaning off the gunk, after which the rag was black and the handrail was--white. Sort of. Underneath all that grease and grime, there were only spots of varnish left! So I decided there was nothing for me to do except sand down the banister and re-varnish it. I took down the banister from its rusted brackets and took turns sanding the railing down and sanding the rust off of the brackets all night and into the morning. I got about 1/4 of the way done with the banister, and got most of the rust off the brackets.
When I woke up later I went to the store to pick up some coarse sandpaper, new finish for the brackets and some varnish for the banister. Getting back, I was just in time to refinish the brackets and pick Gordon up from his week-long.
Going over there, I was honestly pretty shocked. The poor kid was COVERED in mosquito bites! Apparently the mosquitoes were so thick that practically bathing in bug spray didn't help the scouts. And I guess Gordon is a bit allergic to mosquitoes. So I got him home and made him an oatmeal bath. He kept insisting he wasn't the least bit tired, so after a quick trip to Walmart for some Benadryl I put him to work helping me sand the banister. The work went a lot quicker with his help, and we had lots of fun singing together with songs from my iPod. He and Catherine are my only siblings who don't tell me to be quiet when I sing along with songs, so it was great!
In two hours we had the whole thing sanded and were putting on the first coat of varnish. We did this about 3 more times before going to Wendys and getting a fantastic supper. Mommy called and asked me to have Gordon mow the lawn and to weed the rosebed. I nearly laughed hysterically, as she didn't know what work we had been doing all day and Gordon was now fast asleep on the couch. I cleaned the house quickly of what mess had been made by the banister work, weeded the flower bed and tried (and failed) to start the lawn mower. I had to wake Gordon to get him to try (and fail) to start the mower, but that was okay because the neighbors came over and asked him to watch their children while they went to the store so he would have had to be up anyway. I was just putting the last coat of finish on when the family pulled into the driveway. I had meant to have the banister up by then, so I just ran inside and looked like I didn't know WHAT the banister was doing in the driveway...of course they had seen me putting on the last coat so they knew I had something to do with it. Mommy told me I was silly and to get home--apparently Grandma had been sick in the car--and that was all the thanks I got, but compared to the grungy thing it used to be. When I went back for Andrew's shindig I ran my hand down it and realized that the finish had bubbled in the heat while it was drying, so I'll have to use some finishing sandpaper and smooth it over. Otherwise, for having only used my internet research and my common sense, I think it came out really well! I was proud of how beautiful the banister looked Gordon's mosquito bites are now healing, so we're grateful for that too.
Iowa Fujas and Photo Dump!
When I got home from the weekend, I first wondered why there were all these vans in the driveway. I knew Randy was coming down for Andrew's farewell, but I didn't see how he could have brought 2 vans. Then I saw Andrew standing by one of the vans holding a baby and was even more confused. Had one of Andrew's friends--one with a baby--stopped by? As he turned and walked into the house I realized that it wasn't Andrew...it was Tannin! I got all excited, slammed the door, started to run into the house, ran back to turn my headlights off, and ran into the house in time to greet Megan and Cumorah! What a great surprise! It's been a fantastic week with them. They were at the farewell, and had fun playing with Shayna's kids afterwards.
Monday my family came over and had a ball playing with Tayton, Hunter and Cumorah. I took lots of pictures, so get ready, get set...PHOTO DUMP!
Andrew and Tayton playing ping pong
Me and Cumorah playing on the rug
Catherine and Hunter playing "I'm gonna getcha!"--That kid can run!
Tayton and Gordon play Hide and Seek--When I took this, Tayton still hadn'trealized Gordon was sitting right behind him!
Gordon and Tayton playing football
Everyone playing togetherAfter the play we had a fantastic barbeque with brats and steak.
Tuesday we all went up to BYU. We went to the stadium (where Tayton was totally in awe), then to the Bean Museum and to the Bell Tower to feed ducks. Then we went to get ice cream at Sugar and Spice! And, of course, I took pictures! ;D
Tuesday we all went up to BYU. We went to the stadium (where Tayton was totally in awe), then to the Bean Museum and to the Bell Tower to feed ducks. Then we went to get ice cream at Sugar and Spice! And, of course, I took pictures! ;D
Tayton, Hunter, Gordon and Andrew at the Stadium
Cumorah at the Stadium
Mommy, Catherine, Rebecca, Tayton and Meganat the Bell Tower
At the duck pond(Front to back: Rebecca, Janette, Andrew,
Catherine, Tannin and Tayton)
Tannin and Tayton
Tayton and Gordon running down the hill by the LibraryAren't they just so cute? Incidentally, the first set of pictures was taken with my camera, the second with my camera phone. So...I guess my phone has as good quality as my handheld camera? :D
Wednesday, everyone went to a surprise 50th bday party for Uncle Randy. I had school and work so I didn't get to go, but I stayed and took care of Grandma. I hear the party went really well and that everyone had fun!
Anyway, they all left on Thursday to visit a few of Megan's relatives. And today Wendy is going to arrive! We're so excited and feel so blessed to be able to spend so much time this summer with those we love. Andrew goes into the MTC on Wednesday, I think, and we'll miss him, but it's good to know he'll be doing the Lord's work!
Thanks for being patient with these long posts, take care!
Wednesday, everyone went to a surprise 50th bday party for Uncle Randy. I had school and work so I didn't get to go, but I stayed and took care of Grandma. I hear the party went really well and that everyone had fun!
Anyway, they all left on Thursday to visit a few of Megan's relatives. And today Wendy is going to arrive! We're so excited and feel so blessed to be able to spend so much time this summer with those we love. Andrew goes into the MTC on Wednesday, I think, and we'll miss him, but it's good to know he'll be doing the Lord's work!
Thanks for being patient with these long posts, take care!
Monday, July 13, 2009
UPDATE 7/15/09: Iowa Fujas, Andrew's "Farewell," Oregonians, and 4th of July!
Okay, Massive Update!
I'll add pictures later as I go, because they're scattered all over the place and I'll be lucky if I get to everything in text today.
Hortons!
Okay, so the Hortons came over for about...2 weeks, I think. We had so much fun and it was great to see them! I can hardly believe Madison is going to be going to college in the fall (it is in the fall, right?). They are very outdoorsy people, and we tried some great new foods with them (by the way, Aunt Danette, did you give my mom the recipe for your pickle dip?). I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked (school and work), but they hiked the Y and played lots of games with us. One day we went to the Scera pool, and I had fun playing with Erin, Catherine, and Jacob. Matt and Gordon "played" too...mostly by splashing us girls until we had squealed enough to satisfy them! ;D Another day we went laser-tagging, and I fulfilled my life's role of making sure no one else has to place last. Heehee! I love laser-tagging, but--let's face it--my aim is horrible and my hiding skills are worse. Anyway...I think everyone had fun and I had a wonderful surprise clean shower after the fun (Thanks again, Madison)!
4th of July and Balloon Handling
Illustration of my position in the group
In addition to this, the people who were deciding to spin the balloon were in the middle of the group, so they had no idea how tired the rest of us were. And when the people chanted for us to spin the Lady even though we had just finished spinning her...they figured, what's the harm? They did, however, say no to the one guy who was yelling, "Flip her! Flip her!" :) By the end of the parade I was just praying I wouldn't faint in front of all these people. But I made it, took a short rest to help deflate the balloon, then ran back to try and catch the Timpanogos Marching Band. I didn't make it (I made it just as they were finishing), but Janette was good enough to play "Yankee Doodle" for me.
I rode the bus home with the band and yelled "Hi!" to everyone we passed. We passed some missionaries, and I think they got a kick out of a bus full of kids singing "Called to Serve." XD Then I went home and slept. I hadn't known I was going to the family home, so I hadn't brought my contacts...so Daddy was good enough to go get me a contact case (which turned out to be awesomely glow-in-the-dark) and solution to stay at the house. That way I got to sleep. After that we had a fantastic dinner and fireworks with the Hortons. I'll spare you my rant on people who think they're too good for the law and don't care about burning down other peoples' houses with their illegal fireworks (heehee;D) and just say it was fun. It's weird to think this is the last time Andrew will be doing our fireworks for 2 whole years! By the time we got to bed I was totally beat.
Okay, what have I yet to talk about?
Oh, yeah!
Andrew's Farewell
We had a whole bunch of people here! Wyoming Fujas (by the way, that Seussical dvd was awesome and I want to actually see the play now) and California Bells came, Iowa Fujas, Grandma Bowns, and a whole slew of friends! Andrew gave an amazing talk on being a tool in the Lord's hands. I wish we had taped it. Mommy cried and even Daddy teared up a little! I got to sing "Armies of Helaman" with the choir, too. After Sacrament Meeting, I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with my friend Becca. We both agreed that life is a lot harder after high school, and that there's something wrong with men "our age" (she's about a year younger than I am). ;D
We then went home and had a delicious Hawaiian haystack dinner with the Alvarez family and other family members. It was fun to see them again. The Uncles gave Andrew special mission ties and a few words of advice, which was great to see. We then went to an "openhouse" at the Bowns home. Andrews friends came and played games, and everyone signed his tablecloth. Tayton, Hunter and Cumorah did their job of charming the pants (or skirts) off of everyone they met, even though they were very tired and hot. After that...came home and collapsed into bed, nervous for a Spanish test the next day (I did okay on it, don't worry ;D).
Well, that's it for today. I'll talk more about Iowa Fujas tomorrow. Get ready for picture pandemonium! :D
I'll add pictures later as I go, because they're scattered all over the place and I'll be lucky if I get to everything in text today.
Hortons!
Okay, so the Hortons came over for about...2 weeks, I think. We had so much fun and it was great to see them! I can hardly believe Madison is going to be going to college in the fall (it is in the fall, right?). They are very outdoorsy people, and we tried some great new foods with them (by the way, Aunt Danette, did you give my mom the recipe for your pickle dip?). I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked (school and work), but they hiked the Y and played lots of games with us. One day we went to the Scera pool, and I had fun playing with Erin, Catherine, and Jacob. Matt and Gordon "played" too...mostly by splashing us girls until we had squealed enough to satisfy them! ;D Another day we went laser-tagging, and I fulfilled my life's role of making sure no one else has to place last. Heehee! I love laser-tagging, but--let's face it--my aim is horrible and my hiding skills are worse. Anyway...I think everyone had fun and I had a wonderful surprise clean shower after the fun (Thanks again, Madison)!
4th of July and Balloon Handling
During that time was the 4th of July. I had the difficult decision of whether to help rehydrate the Marching Band (which I LOVE), or be a big balloon carrier. I finally decided on the balloon because my family is likely to be doing marching band for a while yet, and who knows when I will next have the opportunity to hold a rope attached to a big balloon? So I got up at about 6:30, and waited around until they started blowing up my ward's balloon. It took until 9, because the helium company hadn't brought enough hoses, but we eventually got "the Lady herself" (our affectionate name for our Madeline balloon) on her feet. In all the shuffle I ended up with a rope that attached to the top brim of her hat. This meant that I was on the very outside of about 30 people who handling the Lady. Starting down the parade route, I thought, "Man, this is so much easier than rehydrating!" I still missed the band, but I got to chat with Mr. LeVar (former band director) before the parade, as the Lehi High band was right in back of us. Then we started down the route in earnest...and I realized I was in trouble. People ask you to spin the big balloons, and...I died. You see, I'm not in the best shape, and I have short legs. Being on the outside, I had the longest distance around the circle to run. And I mean RUN. When the balloon is capable of pulling you off your feet if you don't keep up, you tend to do things like that.
Illustration of my position in the groupIn addition to this, the people who were deciding to spin the balloon were in the middle of the group, so they had no idea how tired the rest of us were. And when the people chanted for us to spin the Lady even though we had just finished spinning her...they figured, what's the harm? They did, however, say no to the one guy who was yelling, "Flip her! Flip her!" :) By the end of the parade I was just praying I wouldn't faint in front of all these people. But I made it, took a short rest to help deflate the balloon, then ran back to try and catch the Timpanogos Marching Band. I didn't make it (I made it just as they were finishing), but Janette was good enough to play "Yankee Doodle" for me.
I rode the bus home with the band and yelled "Hi!" to everyone we passed. We passed some missionaries, and I think they got a kick out of a bus full of kids singing "Called to Serve." XD Then I went home and slept. I hadn't known I was going to the family home, so I hadn't brought my contacts...so Daddy was good enough to go get me a contact case (which turned out to be awesomely glow-in-the-dark) and solution to stay at the house. That way I got to sleep. After that we had a fantastic dinner and fireworks with the Hortons. I'll spare you my rant on people who think they're too good for the law and don't care about burning down other peoples' houses with their illegal fireworks (heehee;D) and just say it was fun. It's weird to think this is the last time Andrew will be doing our fireworks for 2 whole years! By the time we got to bed I was totally beat.
Okay, what have I yet to talk about?
Oh, yeah!
Andrew's Farewell
We had a whole bunch of people here! Wyoming Fujas (by the way, that Seussical dvd was awesome and I want to actually see the play now) and California Bells came, Iowa Fujas, Grandma Bowns, and a whole slew of friends! Andrew gave an amazing talk on being a tool in the Lord's hands. I wish we had taped it. Mommy cried and even Daddy teared up a little! I got to sing "Armies of Helaman" with the choir, too. After Sacrament Meeting, I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with my friend Becca. We both agreed that life is a lot harder after high school, and that there's something wrong with men "our age" (she's about a year younger than I am). ;D
We then went home and had a delicious Hawaiian haystack dinner with the Alvarez family and other family members. It was fun to see them again. The Uncles gave Andrew special mission ties and a few words of advice, which was great to see. We then went to an "openhouse" at the Bowns home. Andrews friends came and played games, and everyone signed his tablecloth. Tayton, Hunter and Cumorah did their job of charming the pants (or skirts) off of everyone they met, even though they were very tired and hot. After that...came home and collapsed into bed, nervous for a Spanish test the next day (I did okay on it, don't worry ;D).
Well, that's it for today. I'll talk more about Iowa Fujas tomorrow. Get ready for picture pandemonium! :D
Sunday, July 05, 2009
To Everyone.
I am sorry to anyone who's feelings were hurt by my most recent entry. I have another journal where I vent my more private feelings, and it has an option to cross-post into this blog. I thought I had turned off that option with that post, but apparently it didn't happen. I have edited the entry to make my feelings a little clearer, and will post and perhaps elaborate on the edit here.
EDIT: I do realize that this makes me sound hateful toward my family, so let me clarify. I do love these people, but it bothers me that the majority is bending to the few because they're afraid the few will be offended if they don't. I don't approve of letting them steamroll over all of us. Uncles and aunts who like the tradition say "Grandma and Grandpa decided this, so we deal with it, and you deal with it because you were born a cousin." Well, I know that "Grandma and Grandpa" only said "okay" to the idea because they were afraid some uncles/aunts would get offended and have major family fallout if they didn't. So basically, the majority of uncles/aunts, cousins AND grandma/grandpa are keeping quiet and being run over by a few for the sake of "family unity." And I don't approve of that. It seems too much like what's happening in the world today. As my mom says often, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Well, then why don't the rest of us be a little more squeaky about this situation instead of just saying "Well, I guess, whatever..." THAT'S what's bothering me. That and this whole, "You were born this way (a cousin), so you don't get a vote." Yeah, that just great. You know, this is like taxation w/o representation! Grr. I love these people, and love to spend time with them, but it seems like they don't want to think about or spend time with the family, and I know others share the feeling.
That being said, I apologize if the way I feel offends you. I felt I had to vent and did so in what I thought was a private way. I will not apologize for my feelings, as they are based on what I have seen and experienced. If some other evidence comes to light or is explained to me, I will consider it and revise my opinion accordingly. Until then, I hope you all will know that I love you--but that I am human, and have things to work on like everyone else.
If you have trouble with my feelings and opinions, let that trouble be with me and no one else.
Happy Birthday.
PS To the people who are coming here soon (you know who you are), I am sooooo excited! I'm counting the days!
PPS I hope to start updating this blog more--with more mundane posts and perhaps some pictures--so keep watching!
EDIT: I do realize that this makes me sound hateful toward my family, so let me clarify. I do love these people, but it bothers me that the majority is bending to the few because they're afraid the few will be offended if they don't. I don't approve of letting them steamroll over all of us. Uncles and aunts who like the tradition say "Grandma and Grandpa decided this, so we deal with it, and you deal with it because you were born a cousin." Well, I know that "Grandma and Grandpa" only said "okay" to the idea because they were afraid some uncles/aunts would get offended and have major family fallout if they didn't. So basically, the majority of uncles/aunts, cousins AND grandma/grandpa are keeping quiet and being run over by a few for the sake of "family unity." And I don't approve of that. It seems too much like what's happening in the world today. As my mom says often, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Well, then why don't the rest of us be a little more squeaky about this situation instead of just saying "Well, I guess, whatever..." THAT'S what's bothering me. That and this whole, "You were born this way (a cousin), so you don't get a vote." Yeah, that just great. You know, this is like taxation w/o representation! Grr. I love these people, and love to spend time with them, but it seems like they don't want to think about or spend time with the family, and I know others share the feeling.
That being said, I apologize if the way I feel offends you. I felt I had to vent and did so in what I thought was a private way. I will not apologize for my feelings, as they are based on what I have seen and experienced. If some other evidence comes to light or is explained to me, I will consider it and revise my opinion accordingly. Until then, I hope you all will know that I love you--but that I am human, and have things to work on like everyone else.
If you have trouble with my feelings and opinions, let that trouble be with me and no one else.
Happy Birthday.
PS To the people who are coming here soon (you know who you are), I am sooooo excited! I'm counting the days!
PPS I hope to start updating this blog more--with more mundane posts and perhaps some pictures--so keep watching!
Oh, BROTHER! Or rather...UNCLE.
4th of July. We and the Hortons get together, and someone suggests we draw Christmas names now. Let me explain to you: It has been a tradition that we get together, put everyone's names in a hat or bowl (grandma, grandpa, uncles and aunts, and cousins) and draw names for Christmas. You get a person's name, you buy them a little gift for the family Christmas party. Those who are unable to make it to the part mail their gifts and get their gifts in the mail. It's a nice little tradition that helped you think of the people in the family, think of what they might like. The anticipation of surprising the person you drew and of the surprise you might receive always extended the Christmas feeling a little more, and since the drawing was always random and fair, and it was a surprise who you got.
Until...
Some people decided they were drawing other people "too often." These people tried to devise a "rotating schedule" to ensure that they didn't get those people. They also felt that what certain people gave and what they got was unequal ("It's the thought that counts" apparently isn't enough). When that didn't work, all heck broke loose. It was decided (among the aunts and uncles, some talking until they were blue in the face to prove their point, the others who didn't really care not standing up and caring...and NOBODY asked the cousins) that instead of drawing names and giving individual gifts "we" would put money into a bank account or some such thing and do a big "family reunion" every 3 or 4 years...or was it every other year? That way, you don't actually have to think about any individual person, you don't have to give your family any more thought than just writing a check. In addition, the families who can't come to the reunion...well, they don't have to deal with it at all! And let's face it...people are more likely to have Christmas free for a family party of a few days than the a week in the summer (when there are sports camps, marching band practices, summer jobs...) The cousins who were upset by this were given talking-tos by the uncles and aunts.
The first year, a few cousins and a few of the uncles and aunts who actually liked the tradition drew names on their own and exchanged gifts, as well as putting money into the bank. The reunion was lovely and all had fun. And although it was not the same, it was good. The second year the same thing happened, minus the reunion because it was not the year for it.
Then came July 4th, 2009. Someone asks the innocent question: "So, are we drawing names now?" And all of a sudden there's a big discussion. Since this year was supposedly a year for a reunion (and thus we see how well THAT is working, since there has been no reunion...families are busy with their own stuff), people are concerned that someone--who came up with the idea for both the rotating schedule and cutting out drawing names-- will be upset if we draw names anyway. So what do we do?
We do NOTHING. Yep, that's right! No reunion, no drawing names. No Christmas tradition whatsoever, not even a semblance of the thing. The architects of the whole thing are so lucky--they no longer have to even deal with the family by even writing a check! I bet they're so happy!
I, however, am not. And I know a few cousins who are not happy, either. But then again, we're only "children." We don't count.
Happy Christmas.
EDIT: I do realize that this makes me sound hateful toward my family, so let me clarify. I do love these people, but it bothers me that the majority is bending to the few because they're afraid the few will be offended if they don't. I don't approve of letting them steamroll over all of us. Uncles and aunts who like the tradition say "Grandma and Grandpa decided this, so we deal with it, and you deal with it because you were born a cousin." Well, I know that "Grandma and Grandpa" only said "okay" to the idea because they were afraid some uncles/aunts would get offended and have major family fallout if they didn't. So basically, the majority of uncles/aunts, cousins AND grandma/grandpa are keeping quiet and being run over by a few for the sake of "family unity." And I don't approve of that. It seems too much like what's happening in the world today. As my mom says, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Well, then why don't the rest of us be a little more squeaky about this situation instead of just saying "Well, I guess, whatever..." THAT'S what's bothering me. That and this whole, "You were born this way (a cousin), so you don't get a vote." Yeah, that just great. You know, this is like taxation w/o representation! Grr.
Until...
Some people decided they were drawing other people "too often." These people tried to devise a "rotating schedule" to ensure that they didn't get those people. They also felt that what certain people gave and what they got was unequal ("It's the thought that counts" apparently isn't enough). When that didn't work, all heck broke loose. It was decided (among the aunts and uncles, some talking until they were blue in the face to prove their point, the others who didn't really care not standing up and caring...and NOBODY asked the cousins) that instead of drawing names and giving individual gifts "we" would put money into a bank account or some such thing and do a big "family reunion" every 3 or 4 years...or was it every other year? That way, you don't actually have to think about any individual person, you don't have to give your family any more thought than just writing a check. In addition, the families who can't come to the reunion...well, they don't have to deal with it at all! And let's face it...people are more likely to have Christmas free for a family party of a few days than the a week in the summer (when there are sports camps, marching band practices, summer jobs...) The cousins who were upset by this were given talking-tos by the uncles and aunts.
The first year, a few cousins and a few of the uncles and aunts who actually liked the tradition drew names on their own and exchanged gifts, as well as putting money into the bank. The reunion was lovely and all had fun. And although it was not the same, it was good. The second year the same thing happened, minus the reunion because it was not the year for it.
Then came July 4th, 2009. Someone asks the innocent question: "So, are we drawing names now?" And all of a sudden there's a big discussion. Since this year was supposedly a year for a reunion (and thus we see how well THAT is working, since there has been no reunion...families are busy with their own stuff), people are concerned that someone--who came up with the idea for both the rotating schedule and cutting out drawing names-- will be upset if we draw names anyway. So what do we do?
We do NOTHING. Yep, that's right! No reunion, no drawing names. No Christmas tradition whatsoever, not even a semblance of the thing. The architects of the whole thing are so lucky--they no longer have to even deal with the family by even writing a check! I bet they're so happy!
I, however, am not. And I know a few cousins who are not happy, either. But then again, we're only "children." We don't count.
Happy Christmas.
EDIT: I do realize that this makes me sound hateful toward my family, so let me clarify. I do love these people, but it bothers me that the majority is bending to the few because they're afraid the few will be offended if they don't. I don't approve of letting them steamroll over all of us. Uncles and aunts who like the tradition say "Grandma and Grandpa decided this, so we deal with it, and you deal with it because you were born a cousin." Well, I know that "Grandma and Grandpa" only said "okay" to the idea because they were afraid some uncles/aunts would get offended and have major family fallout if they didn't. So basically, the majority of uncles/aunts, cousins AND grandma/grandpa are keeping quiet and being run over by a few for the sake of "family unity." And I don't approve of that. It seems too much like what's happening in the world today. As my mom says, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Well, then why don't the rest of us be a little more squeaky about this situation instead of just saying "Well, I guess, whatever..." THAT'S what's bothering me. That and this whole, "You were born this way (a cousin), so you don't get a vote." Yeah, that just great. You know, this is like taxation w/o representation! Grr.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Keep Zi's House!
My friend Zi (name has been changed) recently posted about some problems she's been having. I can't even imagine being in this position myself, let alone having 2 kids and a husband to take care of! She says:
"As most of you know, my husband was laid off the first week of February. He had worked for the same company for years and had worked previously with his bosses so they had a lot of history. They actually recruited him from another job with the promise of fully-paid health insurance and a manager position that paid hourly, not salary. Fast forward to September 2008 when they decided to change the game due to the economy. Instead of working 55 hours a week, they cut him back to 45 hours a week, which took about $200 off his paycheck each week. So we started to fall behind on bills. Then in December 2008, they told him that he would have to pay for half his health insurance, to the tune of $160 a week. So we fell even farther behind on bills, even though I was working full time as well. Well, after speaking to them repeatedly and trying to work something out he was laid off. They called it "restructering". I call it pretty fucking shitty. 6 weeks without him not working really took a toll on our finances. I did the best I could, but the bills just kept piling up even though I was making partial payments. When he finally got a job, he immediately set up a payment plan with our mortgage company so that we wouldn't lose our house. For 2 months he never brought home a paycheck, it went right to our mortgage payments. He had to cancel one payment so that he could send some money to other bills and when he called them back to make a payment and set up another group of automatic withdrawels from his bank account, he was told that our account had been suspended and that we would have to wait to get the notice in the mail. Two weeks was all it took for them to make the big decision on us. We were foreclosed on. We have until July 17th to send the attorney handling our foreclosure $9600.00 to reinstate our mortgage or they will auction our house off on July 20th. As of right now, we still need to pull over $6000.00 out of our asses and it isn't looking good. I'm freaking out...crying a lot and trying to not let the kids know that we will most likely be moving in 2 weeks."
So to sum up: Her husband was lied to repeatedly by his company, causing him to lose money, and then is laid off. Even though Zi is working, the money from her paycheck goes towards paying part of bills and food, not mortgage. Her husband gets a new job and his paychecks go to mortgage. Bills come fully due, and husband has to cancel a mortgage payment to pay bills. Even though he calls them back promptly to make the payment, he is told he must wait until they decide what to do about him. They decide to foreclose unless he can pay a certain amount to keep his home.
This girl is a dear friend of mine, and my heart aches to hear what her little family is going through. I keep thinking I must be able to do something, yet I am only a college student with financial problems of my own. I can afford to give a little, but not enough.
So I turn to you, my dear friends. Since you know me, you know how rare it is that I get involved in this sort of thing. Heck, I don't even forward emails without checking them out first! ;D But this is serious. PLEASE, if you can, give a little. All this money goes directly to Zi and her family. I hope that even if we don't get enough to keep them in their house, we can do what we can to ease the burden for them. Perhaps our donations can pay for groceries or pay a bit of an outstanding bill. My friends, I know you to be empathic people, and I don't know what more to say. Every little bit helps, and please keep them in your prayers.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Blah
Yeah, I know. But that's how I feel right now. Blah. Got a live event coming up, I'm excited for that, and for the surprise I'm getting Gordon...
Homework is behind because I really really REALLY can't afford the books...but I guess I'm gonna have to buy them sooner or later...I'm not sure if I'm working MLK day, I don't remember having to work it before (meaning I think we're closed), but Max may make us work any since no one put the signs up...
Blah.
Homework is behind because I really really REALLY can't afford the books...but I guess I'm gonna have to buy them sooner or later...I'm not sure if I'm working MLK day, I don't remember having to work it before (meaning I think we're closed), but Max may make us work any since no one put the signs up...
Blah.
Friday, October 10, 2008
So Blessed (ha)
This may sound stereotypical, but: I am so grateful for the gospel! I just found out one of my friends who lives a ways away is going to have a baby. Unfortunately, this wonderful news is complicated by a few...things. Her divorce isn't final, and the father of the child refuses to grow up enough to marry until he reaches the age he has picked out for himself. I helped her as best I could, since what's done is done...
But I am so grateful for the guidelines the gospel gives me. If I were having to deal with that...well, there is no way I could deal with that. The gospel is really here, those guidelines are here to keep us happy! Compared to her, my life is uncomplicated and care free! So Heavenly Father gives us these guidelines that will make us happy, and then if we keep them He gives us more blessings, as well as help when we need it...encouragement when we despair...
I've really been stressing out about teaching lately. There's so much to do and remember, those little minds are in my hands! Any little mistake could ruin them. So I stress, especially with my practicum coming up. Then there was that talk in conference. I didn't even ask Heavenly Father for help with that particularly, and there it was: "Anyone can teach." Of course, it did say when they were directed well, which I have been...but the Spirit really hit me. I know he was talking to CES educators, but at that time the Spirit basically said to me: "You can do this. You've been taught, you can do this." Isn't that wonderful?! I'm going to try and hang on to that thought as I go into the schools. Apparently the school I'm in is 70% hispanic and in a poorer area, so I'm sort of apprehensive, but I can do this.
I love my Heavenly Father, and everything He has given me.
But I am so grateful for the guidelines the gospel gives me. If I were having to deal with that...well, there is no way I could deal with that. The gospel is really here, those guidelines are here to keep us happy! Compared to her, my life is uncomplicated and care free! So Heavenly Father gives us these guidelines that will make us happy, and then if we keep them He gives us more blessings, as well as help when we need it...encouragement when we despair...
I've really been stressing out about teaching lately. There's so much to do and remember, those little minds are in my hands! Any little mistake could ruin them. So I stress, especially with my practicum coming up. Then there was that talk in conference. I didn't even ask Heavenly Father for help with that particularly, and there it was: "Anyone can teach." Of course, it did say when they were directed well, which I have been...but the Spirit really hit me. I know he was talking to CES educators, but at that time the Spirit basically said to me: "You can do this. You've been taught, you can do this." Isn't that wonderful?! I'm going to try and hang on to that thought as I go into the schools. Apparently the school I'm in is 70% hispanic and in a poorer area, so I'm sort of apprehensive, but I can do this.
I love my Heavenly Father, and everything He has given me.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
El Ed Majors
Some things I've learned about El Ed Majors:
--They are permanently behind
--They love it when you put stickers on their midterms...and if those stickers happen to be scratch-n-sniff...there goes the evening!
--They walk around using words like "positive reinforcement"
--They're classes are the ones where grades truly don't really matter
--If there is a 3 hour class, there will always be treats
--Markers, crayons and scissors are required class material (bonus for smelly markers or crayons)
--No matter what it is, if it smells like lemon, grape, cherry, etc. it is that much better
--They're the only ones who get up for class at 6 and try to put it in a good light
--They are permanently behind
--They love it when you put stickers on their midterms...and if those stickers happen to be scratch-n-sniff...there goes the evening!
--They walk around using words like "positive reinforcement"
--They're classes are the ones where grades truly don't really matter
--If there is a 3 hour class, there will always be treats
--Markers, crayons and scissors are required class material (bonus for smelly markers or crayons)
--No matter what it is, if it smells like lemon, grape, cherry, etc. it is that much better
--They're the only ones who get up for class at 6 and try to put it in a good light
Friday, September 19, 2008
Busy, busy, BUSY!
This is the first time I really am looking forward to the weekend simply because it gives me more time to do homework. And I don't actually get that much time, because I work on Saturday! I feel like there is NO way I am ever going to keep abreast of everything, much less ahead.
I am hungry. I really need to remember to bring food to class these days, because I'm in class over meals.
I am hungry. I really need to remember to bring food to class these days, because I'm in class over meals.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Do I like Ike?
6 am: *yawn* I've been up since 3 this morning...tracking hurricane Ike. Daniel and Wendy are living in Houston now, and we're all praying for their and little Spencer's safety. We're a little worried, because we're hearing reports of fire and tornados as well as flooding and such.
Today is Janette's Homecoming dance, and she is very excited. We're all excited for her, too. Later today I'll probably be going with her when she gets her hair done. I hope I'm not too tired for that.
As well as tracking Ike, to keep myself occupied, I've been doing homework for my "Blended" classes (part online, part in class). It's ridiculous how much they expect you to get done in such a short time. For example, in my multicultural class they want me to get about 10 assignments done in one day, in and around work and things, and the gabmail they want us to use isn't even working, and their emails are wrong...Really silly.
Update: We just got a text from Daniel saying they are okay but power is out.
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