There's a new grocery store in town. I believe one of my very first posts on this blog was about grocery stores, and I'm always really excited when there's a good one. See, there used to be a store with really cheap, fresh produce: Market Fresh. But all they had besides that was organic health food, and not a lot of variety. I'd just go for the fruit. Apparently that's what everyone did, because they went out of business.
Now there's a new store: Sunflower Farmer's Market. They have ridiculously cheap produce, a lot of bulk foods, and a large variety of organic health food... and regular food! And all there stuff is very reasonably priced.
I've gone twice already since discovering it on Wednesday. I told Alex about it, and he went immediately. I ask everyone I know about it and either exclaim together about how awesome it is, or I tell them how awesome it is and they should go check it out.
Now here's my thought: Why am I so hesitant to be this way about the Gospel? Isn't that better news than a new grocery store, for Pete's sake? Saving money and getting good, fresh, healthy food-- all in one place-- now, that's pretty exciting. But saving your eternal life, learning about repentance and the joy that comes when guilt is washed away through the Atonement of Christ-- that's much more exciting!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Office
So last night, as you all know, was the first episode of The Office. Since we don't have a TV, and since Kevin has friends, we went to Kevin's friend's house to watch it with a bunch of other folks from law school. And since it was a party, we brought some nice food, including homemade salsa and a Jell-o mold, in the middle of which was suspended Kevin's cell phone.
I left the Jell-o in the bowl until we got to the party, where I uncovered it. Then I left and went to sit on the couch. Someone exclaimed over the Jell-o a few moments later, and Kevin rushed over to investigate. I just sat on the couch and laughed really hard.
Ok, ok, ok. We totally staged the whole thing. Kevin's old cell phone died, and he got a new one. So we decided to put the old one in Jell-o, and then he'd act all surprised and outraged that I'd put it in Jell-o. I didn't think it would work, because I have some pretty limited acting skills. I can't lie, and I can't pretend I'm surprised. I can't act.
But somehow it worked, and everyone thinks I'm the type of wife that would steal her husband's cell phone and suspend it in Jell-o, which I apparently am.
Kevin also brought a stuffed bat, which he kept in his pocket, waiting to toss out at the right moment. Unfortunately, that moment never arrived. It's too bad, too.
We are quite possibly the funniest people-- and biggest geeks-- in the world.
I left the Jell-o in the bowl until we got to the party, where I uncovered it. Then I left and went to sit on the couch. Someone exclaimed over the Jell-o a few moments later, and Kevin rushed over to investigate. I just sat on the couch and laughed really hard.
Ok, ok, ok. We totally staged the whole thing. Kevin's old cell phone died, and he got a new one. So we decided to put the old one in Jell-o, and then he'd act all surprised and outraged that I'd put it in Jell-o. I didn't think it would work, because I have some pretty limited acting skills. I can't lie, and I can't pretend I'm surprised. I can't act.
But somehow it worked, and everyone thinks I'm the type of wife that would steal her husband's cell phone and suspend it in Jell-o, which I apparently am.
Kevin also brought a stuffed bat, which he kept in his pocket, waiting to toss out at the right moment. Unfortunately, that moment never arrived. It's too bad, too.
We are quite possibly the funniest people-- and biggest geeks-- in the world.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Hmm... not that hard. ;)
SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!
Usethe 1st letter of your name to answer each of thefollowing. They have to be real places, names,things..nothing made up! You CAN'T use yourname for the boy/girl name question.
1. What is your name? Chelsea
2. A four-letter word? Can't
3. A boy 's name-- Charles
4. A girl's name-- Cassandra
5. Occupation-- Cafeteria worker
6. Color-- Cerulean
7. Something you Wear-- Cardigan
8. Beverage-- Coffee
9. Food-- Cheese
10. Something found in a bathroom-- Crap
Monday, September 22, 2008
More to the story
I almost forgot: the rest of the story.
So I got home at 1:30 AM and crashed into bed within about 15 minutes.
Instead of sleeping in and leaving at 8:40 for my job that conveniently starts at 9:00, I had to wake up early to ride my stupid bike. No car, remember?
It was a morning just like any other, except for the wind that picked up as soon as I got to the flat part. I was heading west, and the wind was coming from the west, picking up more and more the longer I rode. I pedaled hard against it, and I looked forward to my respite when I turned north.
But apparently it was a northwesterly wind. A bit more northerly than westerly, actually. So I'm riding up the stupid road with the wind blowing fiercely into my face. I'm not the most aerodynamic person, and my bike certainly isn't streamlined. There were gusts that would blow pretty hard on my basket, turning my handlebars. But in general, I just had to ride right into the wind. At times, I would be riding in my lowest gear, pedaling essentially in slow motion, going slower than if I were walking. And this is all a nice, flat ride on normal days!
I got off to walk for part of it, and that may have been one of the faster bits. It was so frustrating, I was almost in tears at points. I hadn't wanted to ride my bike. I was so tired, from only 5 hours of sleep (my cats were excited to have me home, so they came and partied in my room an hour before I needed to wake up), and from riding so hard for so long. But I had no other choice at that point.
The wind ended up adding 20 minutes to my 45-minute ride, so I was incredibly late for work.
I rode the bus home.
So I got home at 1:30 AM and crashed into bed within about 15 minutes.
Instead of sleeping in and leaving at 8:40 for my job that conveniently starts at 9:00, I had to wake up early to ride my stupid bike. No car, remember?
It was a morning just like any other, except for the wind that picked up as soon as I got to the flat part. I was heading west, and the wind was coming from the west, picking up more and more the longer I rode. I pedaled hard against it, and I looked forward to my respite when I turned north.
But apparently it was a northwesterly wind. A bit more northerly than westerly, actually. So I'm riding up the stupid road with the wind blowing fiercely into my face. I'm not the most aerodynamic person, and my bike certainly isn't streamlined. There were gusts that would blow pretty hard on my basket, turning my handlebars. But in general, I just had to ride right into the wind. At times, I would be riding in my lowest gear, pedaling essentially in slow motion, going slower than if I were walking. And this is all a nice, flat ride on normal days!
I got off to walk for part of it, and that may have been one of the faster bits. It was so frustrating, I was almost in tears at points. I hadn't wanted to ride my bike. I was so tired, from only 5 hours of sleep (my cats were excited to have me home, so they came and partied in my room an hour before I needed to wake up), and from riding so hard for so long. But I had no other choice at that point.
The wind ended up adding 20 minutes to my 45-minute ride, so I was incredibly late for work.
I rode the bus home.
Weekend Update
So I had a lovely, lovely weekend visiting with Kevin's family up in Seattle. It was fun, easy, and flawless. That doesn't make so much for an interesting story, though.
Enter last night.
I went to the airport in plenty of time to catch my 8:30 flight. Kevin had decided at the last minute to stay in Seattle for another day in hopes of another job interview, so it was just me flying home that night. After I checked my luggage, I realized I didn't have Kevin's credit card.
At Salt Lake's airport parking, instead of giving you a parking card, you just scan your credit card, and it measures when you started parking there. Then when you leave, you scan the card again: voila! you've paid for your parking stay.
But I didn't have Kevin's card, which we'd used when entering the parking lot. I frantically called Kevin, then the airport information people. They said it was a situation they could figure out by just going through the manned toll booth instead of the automatic one. Crisis averted! I called Kevin back, and he turned back around and headed home with his parents.
Now, going through airport security is usually a piece of cake (except for that time I packed my entire tool box-- hammers, exacto knives, extra saw blades, etc-- in my carry-on. But that's another story), but that night I had apparently left my brain somewhere else.
I got to the front of the line and couldn't find my ID. I had to step out of line and search through my bag for a few minutes before I found it. Then I forgot to take my shoes off. I tried to go through the scanner, but they needed to see my boarding pass and ID, which were now deep in the bowels of the x-ray machine. They had to back up mine and 3 other people's bags so I could root around and find my boarding pass. Then once I was done, the security guy got after me for not putting my laptop in a separate bin. At least I'd taken it out of the backpack! Whatever, I'm such a flake.
But that is nothing compared to the upcoming flakiness. I slept on the whole ride home, and as we were landing, I realized I didn't have my car key. Stunned silence. Kevin had driven to the airport, and I had given my keys to my friend to take care of our house and cats. Including my car key.
By this point, it was 11:30 PM, and my brain was completely useless. I was stuck at the airport in the middle of the night, with my car mere yards away from me. I couldn't get into it, and even if I could, there's no guarantee I'd be able to convince the toll gate people to charge me something reasonable. But I'd never actually have to worry about that, because I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CAR KEYS.
I called Alex, knowing he would be awake. 18 year old brothers don't need sleep, and he'd think it was an ADVENTURE to come rescue me from Salt Lake in the middle of the night. He didn't answer.
I called Sarah... but just to wish her Happy Birthday (it was 12:01, and I wasn't first! I couldn't believe it!). I'd already decided to take the shuttle. I was luckily able to catch the one at 12:30, which wasn't the cheapest option, but was the most reasonable.
So next time you travel, folks, don't be stupid.
Enter last night.
I went to the airport in plenty of time to catch my 8:30 flight. Kevin had decided at the last minute to stay in Seattle for another day in hopes of another job interview, so it was just me flying home that night. After I checked my luggage, I realized I didn't have Kevin's credit card.
At Salt Lake's airport parking, instead of giving you a parking card, you just scan your credit card, and it measures when you started parking there. Then when you leave, you scan the card again: voila! you've paid for your parking stay.
But I didn't have Kevin's card, which we'd used when entering the parking lot. I frantically called Kevin, then the airport information people. They said it was a situation they could figure out by just going through the manned toll booth instead of the automatic one. Crisis averted! I called Kevin back, and he turned back around and headed home with his parents.
Now, going through airport security is usually a piece of cake (except for that time I packed my entire tool box-- hammers, exacto knives, extra saw blades, etc-- in my carry-on. But that's another story), but that night I had apparently left my brain somewhere else.
I got to the front of the line and couldn't find my ID. I had to step out of line and search through my bag for a few minutes before I found it. Then I forgot to take my shoes off. I tried to go through the scanner, but they needed to see my boarding pass and ID, which were now deep in the bowels of the x-ray machine. They had to back up mine and 3 other people's bags so I could root around and find my boarding pass. Then once I was done, the security guy got after me for not putting my laptop in a separate bin. At least I'd taken it out of the backpack! Whatever, I'm such a flake.
But that is nothing compared to the upcoming flakiness. I slept on the whole ride home, and as we were landing, I realized I didn't have my car key. Stunned silence. Kevin had driven to the airport, and I had given my keys to my friend to take care of our house and cats. Including my car key.
By this point, it was 11:30 PM, and my brain was completely useless. I was stuck at the airport in the middle of the night, with my car mere yards away from me. I couldn't get into it, and even if I could, there's no guarantee I'd be able to convince the toll gate people to charge me something reasonable. But I'd never actually have to worry about that, because I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CAR KEYS.
I called Alex, knowing he would be awake. 18 year old brothers don't need sleep, and he'd think it was an ADVENTURE to come rescue me from Salt Lake in the middle of the night. He didn't answer.
I called Sarah... but just to wish her Happy Birthday (it was 12:01, and I wasn't first! I couldn't believe it!). I'd already decided to take the shuttle. I was luckily able to catch the one at 12:30, which wasn't the cheapest option, but was the most reasonable.
So next time you travel, folks, don't be stupid.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Todai
Todai we went to eat sushi with Kevin's parents at this ossum sushi buffet called Todai. I know it looks like it should be pronounced like "today," but it is more like "toad eye." Gross. But it is not gross. It doesn't serve toad eyes. It serves sushi.
I really like sushi! I don't really like sashimi. I like the rolls of rice and avacado, fish, and yellow pickled radish. I love the sesame seeds on the outside, and I even like the seaweed covers. But I don't like raw fish... very much.
Apparently it's good when you dip it in soy sauce and wasabi. But there you have another problem: wasabi is gross. It is so potent and spicy that if you eat ANYTHING with wasabi, it covers up any other taste, and permeates your entire soul with its nast. I remember the first time I had wasabi: it was at China Moon in Los Alamos, and I thought (logically as it is in New Mexico) that since sushi has avacados in it, why wouldn't it have guacamole for the top? Yes, the fire and putressence that is wasabi filled my very being, and I had to spit it out.. or die. That may be some of the cause of my hatred toward wasabi.
So I avoided the wasabi and ate to my heart's content... and then some.
Blog it like it is
I really like sushi! I don't really like sashimi. I like the rolls of rice and avacado, fish, and yellow pickled radish. I love the sesame seeds on the outside, and I even like the seaweed covers. But I don't like raw fish... very much.
Apparently it's good when you dip it in soy sauce and wasabi. But there you have another problem: wasabi is gross. It is so potent and spicy that if you eat ANYTHING with wasabi, it covers up any other taste, and permeates your entire soul with its nast. I remember the first time I had wasabi: it was at China Moon in Los Alamos, and I thought (logically as it is in New Mexico) that since sushi has avacados in it, why wouldn't it have guacamole for the top? Yes, the fire and putressence that is wasabi filled my very being, and I had to spit it out.. or die. That may be some of the cause of my hatred toward wasabi.
So I avoided the wasabi and ate to my heart's content... and then some.
Blog it like it is
Monday, September 15, 2008
I did it!
On Friday I didn't exercise, but on Saturday and Sunday I did.
And then today I rode my bike to work. Woo hoo!! I'd been meaning to do it eventually, but I was afraid I'd either be waaay too early or waaay too late. I gave myself an hour (and by giving myself an hour, I mean I gave myself 50 minutes by the time I was actually out the door), and it was a bit cold. Tomorrow I will wear long sleeves and maybe gloves.
It is fairly flat the whole way, so I just cruised right along. I got to work about 7 minutes before the bell rang, giving me just enough time to change clothes. Unfortunately, it didn't give me enough time to dry my sweaty hair or get rid of the helmet marks on my forehead. But I'm not here to impress anyone by my flowing locks or non-splotchy head. I impress myself enough just by riding my bike... to work!
When I ride my bike, II love that I can actually experience the world instead of just flying past it. I got to ride through some pretty fields along Geneva Road, and it was idyllic. Except for the wafting cow aroma. And the up-close-and-personal view of roadkill. And the bug I sniffed up my nose. And the train tracks I had to ride across. I hit them at full speed, just like Super Mario running across those little crevices on level 8.
And I made it. I plan on doing this again for as long as I can before the weather changes. I love fall, and this will be just one more excuse to enjoy the great outdoors.
And then today I rode my bike to work. Woo hoo!! I'd been meaning to do it eventually, but I was afraid I'd either be waaay too early or waaay too late. I gave myself an hour (and by giving myself an hour, I mean I gave myself 50 minutes by the time I was actually out the door), and it was a bit cold. Tomorrow I will wear long sleeves and maybe gloves.
It is fairly flat the whole way, so I just cruised right along. I got to work about 7 minutes before the bell rang, giving me just enough time to change clothes. Unfortunately, it didn't give me enough time to dry my sweaty hair or get rid of the helmet marks on my forehead. But I'm not here to impress anyone by my flowing locks or non-splotchy head. I impress myself enough just by riding my bike... to work!
When I ride my bike, II love that I can actually experience the world instead of just flying past it. I got to ride through some pretty fields along Geneva Road, and it was idyllic. Except for the wafting cow aroma. And the up-close-and-personal view of roadkill. And the bug I sniffed up my nose. And the train tracks I had to ride across. I hit them at full speed, just like Super Mario running across those little crevices on level 8.
And I made it. I plan on doing this again for as long as I can before the weather changes. I love fall, and this will be just one more excuse to enjoy the great outdoors.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
TMI, people, TMI!
So you know the style: You're a high school girl, and your pants barely come up enough to stay on. Your shirt hits the top of your pants... when you're standing up. You have to know that you show some skin every time you move, but that's probably the point.
The part you might not anticipate (or at least I hope you don't anticipate) is the plumber crack. Yes, you are sitting at your table helping the person across from you look something up in the Atlas. And yes, I am standing right behind you seeing waaaaayyy more than I ever needed to.
But this fashion, I must tell you, should not be combined with the fake bake.
How do I know you fake bake? Well, suffice it to say that your plumber crack tan line (which I tried not to look at but couldn't help glancing and snickering) completely gave you away.
The part you might not anticipate (or at least I hope you don't anticipate) is the plumber crack. Yes, you are sitting at your table helping the person across from you look something up in the Atlas. And yes, I am standing right behind you seeing waaaaayyy more than I ever needed to.
But this fashion, I must tell you, should not be combined with the fake bake.
How do I know you fake bake? Well, suffice it to say that your plumber crack tan line (which I tried not to look at but couldn't help glancing and snickering) completely gave you away.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Success!
As of today, I have exercised FOUR days in a row!! I know, I know, amazing, isn't it? This may be a record streak. I walked on Monday and Tuesday, and then yesterday and today I rode my bike. There's a loop beginning at my house, going up the mountain, down gradually, and coming back up to my house, and it's 1.5 miles long (thank you, google maps). I try to walk at a brisk pace, humming Abba songs to myself as I go. I don't know all the words to any of their songs, so they get a bit repetitive in my head. Fernando spends a lot of time in the firelight. Perhaps I shall borrow Kevin's ipod. I seem to recall it having some Abba on it.
Someday I may try to run part of the loop. And then someday after that I might try to run all of it. And then I could try to go it twice... and that's 3 miles. Then I could run a 5k!
That day is a long while off, though.
Then yesterday and today I rode my bike. I got home from work yesterday and realized I had nothing left to do that day. So I took more vegetables to Cherisse, who now has a filled-to-bursting supply like me. She returned a bowl to me that had been at her house forever. Unfortunately, I left it on the counter, and it is still at her house. Oops! Then I went up to campus and met Kevin. We rode our bikes home together.
And tonight I decided to deposit some money at the bank (acct # ... ha ha ha), so I booked it over there in 7 minutes. I think that's only a couple more minutes than it takes in a car. But it does serve as helpful motivation to ride fast when you know the bank closes in 15 minutes from when you leave.
I hope some day (maybe next week) to ride my bike to work. I think I can make it. You'll hear about it either way.
Someday I may try to run part of the loop. And then someday after that I might try to run all of it. And then I could try to go it twice... and that's 3 miles. Then I could run a 5k!
That day is a long while off, though.
Then yesterday and today I rode my bike. I got home from work yesterday and realized I had nothing left to do that day. So I took more vegetables to Cherisse, who now has a filled-to-bursting supply like me. She returned a bowl to me that had been at her house forever. Unfortunately, I left it on the counter, and it is still at her house. Oops! Then I went up to campus and met Kevin. We rode our bikes home together.
And tonight I decided to deposit some money at the bank (acct # ... ha ha ha), so I booked it over there in 7 minutes. I think that's only a couple more minutes than it takes in a car. But it does serve as helpful motivation to ride fast when you know the bank closes in 15 minutes from when you leave.
I hope some day (maybe next week) to ride my bike to work. I think I can make it. You'll hear about it either way.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Bugs
A few days ago, I did some laundry, and as is my practice, I went and hung a lot of it out on the line. I have a little clothespin holder that I just leave out on the line. Since it's been so dry lately, they just kind of hang there and get warm... nothing happens to them.
But when I went to put my laundry out, my clothespins were not on the line. I dug through the dry grass and the weeds and found the bag and went to hanging out my clothes. This was really fun, especially when I found that in addition to my clothespins, there were also hundreds of earwigs! Seriously, every pin I pulled out had one or two hidden in the little holes, and the entire bottom of the bag was covered with them. I dumped the clothespins and half the earwigs onto the ground, then hung the bag on the line. Eventually I figured they'd all crawl out and find somewhere dark and moist... which they did.
So that was disgusting.
And then later on that day, Kevin and I went over to the church for a fireside. On the way, I stopped to pick a nectarine off my neighbor's tree. Usually I would feel a little bit bad for taking such marvelous fruit. But it was so good I didn't care. No! not really. Our neighbor is elderly and currently living in a assisted living center, so his fruit just dumps on the ground. I felt like I was doing a little bit of a favor.
Unfortunately, after I picked the fruit, I felt tickly, like there was a hair caught under my shirt. So I glanced into my shirt, and there was a SPIDER! In my shirt! I started squealing a little bit and trying to get it out. It was a good thing it was only Kevin walking with me, because it sure wasn't decent, dainty, or proper. But it was a spider and had to be removed. Oooohh... the thought of it still makes me shudder and feel tickly.
But when I went to put my laundry out, my clothespins were not on the line. I dug through the dry grass and the weeds and found the bag and went to hanging out my clothes. This was really fun, especially when I found that in addition to my clothespins, there were also hundreds of earwigs! Seriously, every pin I pulled out had one or two hidden in the little holes, and the entire bottom of the bag was covered with them. I dumped the clothespins and half the earwigs onto the ground, then hung the bag on the line. Eventually I figured they'd all crawl out and find somewhere dark and moist... which they did.
So that was disgusting.
And then later on that day, Kevin and I went over to the church for a fireside. On the way, I stopped to pick a nectarine off my neighbor's tree. Usually I would feel a little bit bad for taking such marvelous fruit. But it was so good I didn't care. No! not really. Our neighbor is elderly and currently living in a assisted living center, so his fruit just dumps on the ground. I felt like I was doing a little bit of a favor.
Unfortunately, after I picked the fruit, I felt tickly, like there was a hair caught under my shirt. So I glanced into my shirt, and there was a SPIDER! In my shirt! I started squealing a little bit and trying to get it out. It was a good thing it was only Kevin walking with me, because it sure wasn't decent, dainty, or proper. But it was a spider and had to be removed. Oooohh... the thought of it still makes me shudder and feel tickly.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Bottled
I canned some peaches tonight. I am still quite iffy as to whether they'll turn out.
A girl in my ward had some connections with an orchard down in Payson, and she offered to bring back 1/2 bushel boxes of peaches for $5. Yay! Relatively cheap fruit! I still prefer free, but this was definitely a doable price.
So that evening (Saturday), I brought home the peaches and got started canning them!
Everyone knows that the first step in canning peaches is to dump them in boiling water for a minute to loosen the peels so they slip right off. If you didn't know that, now you do. And thus, everyone knows that.
I scalded the peaches and pulled them out of the water. I pulled on the peel with my thumb. It didn't budge. I tried another one. Same story.
Yes, in all my vigor and excitement, I had forgotten to check if the peaches were ripe. They had been bright red and yellow, so I just assumed they were ripe. But they were hard as little rocks.
I didn't want to sit around peeling peaches, so I put them all out on the counter to ripen for a few days.
When you scald peaches, the peels turn from their perky red, orange, and yellow to a sickly, dead brown. So we had these nasty-looking brown peaches sitting all over our kitchen counters for two days. I give Kevin all the kudos in the world for not mentioning how disgusting they looked. Well, apart from the initial reaction.
So tonight, two days riper, the peaches had to be canned. They were not ripe enough for the peels to slip right off, even with a second scalding. So I spent [way too much time] peeling the stupid things before I cut them like apples and canned them. Or bottled them, as they like to say around here.
A girl in my ward had some connections with an orchard down in Payson, and she offered to bring back 1/2 bushel boxes of peaches for $5. Yay! Relatively cheap fruit! I still prefer free, but this was definitely a doable price.
So that evening (Saturday), I brought home the peaches and got started canning them!
Everyone knows that the first step in canning peaches is to dump them in boiling water for a minute to loosen the peels so they slip right off. If you didn't know that, now you do. And thus, everyone knows that.
I scalded the peaches and pulled them out of the water. I pulled on the peel with my thumb. It didn't budge. I tried another one. Same story.
Yes, in all my vigor and excitement, I had forgotten to check if the peaches were ripe. They had been bright red and yellow, so I just assumed they were ripe. But they were hard as little rocks.
I didn't want to sit around peeling peaches, so I put them all out on the counter to ripen for a few days.
When you scald peaches, the peels turn from their perky red, orange, and yellow to a sickly, dead brown. So we had these nasty-looking brown peaches sitting all over our kitchen counters for two days. I give Kevin all the kudos in the world for not mentioning how disgusting they looked. Well, apart from the initial reaction.
So tonight, two days riper, the peaches had to be canned. They were not ripe enough for the peels to slip right off, even with a second scalding. So I spent [way too much time] peeling the stupid things before I cut them like apples and canned them. Or bottled them, as they like to say around here.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Tag from Bethanie
Link the person who tagged you
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.
And she is just about the cutest ever, and you can tell she's a really fun mom from all the neat things she and her kids do!
Unspectacular quirks, huh? Boy, do I ever!
1) I make my own clothes. Not all of them, and not very often. But the best clothes I have are the ones I made. Skirts are super easy, and dresses sometimes turn out well. I have the hardest time admitting to myself that a dress was an absolute disaster. So I have 2 homemade dresses that are overwhelmingly ugly, but they still exist. But the one I'm wearing now is BRIGHT pink with white Hawaiian flowers. I got the fabric in Hawaii: the best souvenir ever!
2) I ride my bike a lot. I used to HATE riding a bike. I think I went for about 7 or 8 years without riding one. This is because girls are not made for bikes. We have these things called hips, and the little spoon-sized "seats" on most bikes are just about the worst designs ever. But I have a crappy $35 bike I got off craigslist, and I have a big fuzzy seat cover-- and a basket! I love that little bike, and it saves me a lot of gas money.
3) I love writing and aspire to someday write something that won't make someone vomit... or die of brain rot. But as of yet, everything I've written is absolute garbage. Once I get past a page or two, I read what I've written and realize what drivel it is. How do I get past that?
4) I cannot remember numbers, amounts, or addresses in Utah. Names, though, stick in my head forever. When I talk to people I haven't seen for a while, or maybe I just met them in a party, I tell them my name and ask for theirs... even though I already remember them. It just freaks people out when you know their names and they don't even know who you are.
5)I love the desert! Specifically, I love New Mexico. I really miss the blue skies, sunsets, stars, colored cliffs, cottonwood trees, and green chile. I may go back sometime in October to visit. I hope so!
6) I hate cold stuff. Ice cream is not my favorite. I get goose bumps when I even think about metal scraping ice. I use oven mitts to take stuff out of the freezer, especially if it is metal. Cold plastic doesn't bother me, but I think that's because it doesn't stick to your skin. Bleeechchh!
And I'm going to tag Sarah, Ashley, and Cherisse. If they want.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Career
So Kevin's starting his final year of law school, and this means applying and interviewing for REAL jobs. It's kind of weird to think about. He's applying all over the place, and already had a couple interviews. Every single one he tells me about sounds so exciting. Just because he loves me, he applied for a job in Albuquerque, and I'm particularly excited for that one. But he has so many options, and it's just fun to imagine myself in these cool places he's applying: Washington, California, Florida--even Texas! ;)
Whatever we do, and wherever we end up, it will be an adventure!
Kevin got a job with the county prosecutor's office (I think), and that will be some good experience. Right when the office called him to offer the job, he went in and wrote it on his resume. And it will also boost our little income. Unfortunately, neither of us gets paid for a little while (new jobs), so things are a bit tighter than usual. I guess this means I have to cook beans more often and stop going out to eat (our only-- but too regular-- extraneous expense). But for me, it is fun to cook.
Sometimes it just seems pretty pricy when I'm buying a whole week's worth of food. Deep down, my reasonable side knows that it is much cheaper and healthier than paying 10-15 dollars for a meal at a restaurant. But the lump sum is sometimes hard to swallow. So I avoid buying decent food at the store, so we just buy vending machine snacks and even meals while we're out. And that is much worse.
So last time I went shopping, I made a list of the meals I would be making, a list of the snacks, and a list of the food I'd need to buy. Then I organized the grocery list into a little map of the store, and it saved me a bunch of time in the store. I had a lot of time at work to be making said list.
So now I have good food AND good snacks. Life is great!
Whatever we do, and wherever we end up, it will be an adventure!
Kevin got a job with the county prosecutor's office (I think), and that will be some good experience. Right when the office called him to offer the job, he went in and wrote it on his resume. And it will also boost our little income. Unfortunately, neither of us gets paid for a little while (new jobs), so things are a bit tighter than usual. I guess this means I have to cook beans more often and stop going out to eat (our only-- but too regular-- extraneous expense). But for me, it is fun to cook.
Sometimes it just seems pretty pricy when I'm buying a whole week's worth of food. Deep down, my reasonable side knows that it is much cheaper and healthier than paying 10-15 dollars for a meal at a restaurant. But the lump sum is sometimes hard to swallow. So I avoid buying decent food at the store, so we just buy vending machine snacks and even meals while we're out. And that is much worse.
So last time I went shopping, I made a list of the meals I would be making, a list of the snacks, and a list of the food I'd need to buy. Then I organized the grocery list into a little map of the store, and it saved me a bunch of time in the store. I had a lot of time at work to be making said list.
So now I have good food AND good snacks. Life is great!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Satan Springs bottled water
Hmmm... a couple hours after I wrote that blog, I found my chapstick, and all was well.
I found an article that explains very well, very thoroughly, and very lengthily what I've known all along: bottled water is actually from the devil, not glaciers. Or maybe it's glacier water because it's so cold down in that deepest circle of Hell that we've all read about, thanks to Dante.
You must read it.
I agree with it so wholeheartedly. When I got my Costco membership, they offered me a whole flat of bottled water... for free! I told them I didn't want it. I get water for free at home. They pushed. I refused. I did take their crappy picnic blanket, though.
I found an article that explains very well, very thoroughly, and very lengthily what I've known all along: bottled water is actually from the devil, not glaciers. Or maybe it's glacier water because it's so cold down in that deepest circle of Hell that we've all read about, thanks to Dante.
You must read it.
I agree with it so wholeheartedly. When I got my Costco membership, they offered me a whole flat of bottled water... for free! I told them I didn't want it. I get water for free at home. They pushed. I refused. I did take their crappy picnic blanket, though.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Repenting from my busyness
My chapstick wasn't in my purse this morning. It will be a terrible day.
I've been terribly behind in everything this week, most notably (and lamentably) my homework and housework. Funny that those are two different things.
I did finally finish all my projects (except one) for my class, which ended yesterday. This involved spending all day on Labor Day writing a paper while my mom was visiting and I wasn't being very social. But I finished said paper, and now I'm on to my next class. I could take breaks between my classes, but that would involve not finishing in March. I'd like to finish in March.
So why am I so behind in everything? I think it started with my fabulous birthday. I had a grand party and invited so many people that we polished off an entire Costco fudge cake. And other stuff. It was marvelous. I got to see so many of my friends in Provo, and PEOPLE ACTUALLY CAME! I have had many birthday parties over the years where NO ONE has come. Or I would have these brand new roommates who would awkwardly tell me happy birthday and help me eat my cake. But this year made up for all those empty parties. It was a hoppin' full house for about 3 hours. I loved talking to everyone-- even though it was for like 2 minutes at a time.
But that party wore me out. I didn't sleep well that night, and I didn't clean up very well from my party. And that's why I lost my keys.
On Saturday, we helped my brother and his family move to Eagle Mountain. They bought a house there, and it is really beautiful--- and moderately sized! I am absolutely shocked they didn't buy one of those horrid McMansions that everyone seems to buy these days. It seems like everyone I know who buys a new house buys a 3-story, 8-bedroom monstrosity. Even if they had 8 kids, it would be too freakishly large! But it's okay, because the house takes up 9/10 of the lot, so there's no yard to maintain. Just spray a hose from the front door and then from the back door, and you've got it covered. But Erik and Barbara didn't get one of those. They have 3 bedrooms and an unfinished basement. And there's a veggie garden, a rock wall terrace, and a drinking fountain in the back yard. There are also some trees that need some serious water, but they will get there when they get there.
And then I did homework instead of watching the BYU game... but I listened to some of it on the radio, and it didn't sound too exciting. Poor NIU quarterback! We really need to stop pounding people into the ground like that.
And then that evening I went to the airport to pick up Ryan, Cherisse, and Mosiah from their trip to Taiwan. I hope they post pictures soon. ;)
I hope to blog more regularly so I don't have to cram all my diasporic thoughts into one post like this.
I've been terribly behind in everything this week, most notably (and lamentably) my homework and housework. Funny that those are two different things.
I did finally finish all my projects (except one) for my class, which ended yesterday. This involved spending all day on Labor Day writing a paper while my mom was visiting and I wasn't being very social. But I finished said paper, and now I'm on to my next class. I could take breaks between my classes, but that would involve not finishing in March. I'd like to finish in March.
So why am I so behind in everything? I think it started with my fabulous birthday. I had a grand party and invited so many people that we polished off an entire Costco fudge cake. And other stuff. It was marvelous. I got to see so many of my friends in Provo, and PEOPLE ACTUALLY CAME! I have had many birthday parties over the years where NO ONE has come. Or I would have these brand new roommates who would awkwardly tell me happy birthday and help me eat my cake. But this year made up for all those empty parties. It was a hoppin' full house for about 3 hours. I loved talking to everyone-- even though it was for like 2 minutes at a time.
But that party wore me out. I didn't sleep well that night, and I didn't clean up very well from my party. And that's why I lost my keys.
On Saturday, we helped my brother and his family move to Eagle Mountain. They bought a house there, and it is really beautiful--- and moderately sized! I am absolutely shocked they didn't buy one of those horrid McMansions that everyone seems to buy these days. It seems like everyone I know who buys a new house buys a 3-story, 8-bedroom monstrosity. Even if they had 8 kids, it would be too freakishly large! But it's okay, because the house takes up 9/10 of the lot, so there's no yard to maintain. Just spray a hose from the front door and then from the back door, and you've got it covered. But Erik and Barbara didn't get one of those. They have 3 bedrooms and an unfinished basement. And there's a veggie garden, a rock wall terrace, and a drinking fountain in the back yard. There are also some trees that need some serious water, but they will get there when they get there.
And then I did homework instead of watching the BYU game... but I listened to some of it on the radio, and it didn't sound too exciting. Poor NIU quarterback! We really need to stop pounding people into the ground like that.
And then that evening I went to the airport to pick up Ryan, Cherisse, and Mosiah from their trip to Taiwan. I hope they post pictures soon. ;)
I hope to blog more regularly so I don't have to cram all my diasporic thoughts into one post like this.
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