Christmas Presents on Christmas Eve

Since Amy & I have to somehow get to SEATAC and pray that Delta has enough de-icing agent left to get our plane in the air to SLC at 7am on Christmas Day (thanks for working airport/plane/parking people) Santa Claus came to our house today after a treacherous flight through the snow (yes it has snowed pretty much every day for a week - can I say it enough) since we won't have enough time to open presents in the morning. In my stocking was a gift card to the Nascar.com store, Charleston chews, a gift card to joanns and some m&m's. Amy got XBox points, lip gloss, ritz mix, milk duds, etc. I opened gifts sent by my friends & their families.
From the Fullers I got two books! (i'm going to read them when it snows again!):















From the Millers Amy & I each got Nascar mugs! And the Miller kids felt that I needed a "lovey" and found one that had my name:

I forgot how great "loveys" are they are much better to cuddle with than a pillow! I took a nap with mine today! (yes-that's snow outside the window behind the lovey)
Thank you!!!!

Hello - it rains in Seattle! It does not snow!

To whomever lied to me and said it rarely snows in Seattle and when it does it's only a day and everything shuts down. I've missed three days of work due to about 6 inches of snow (which means more days of school at the end of the year). Then after a 12 hour break - this is what we got on Sunday in about 4-5 hours. Church was cancelled. The streets are still covered. I will find you and hunt you down and bury you in the snow (if I can get there without sliding on the ice and into the lake!)

Is this yours?

Found: Red Old Navy T-Shirt left at our house sometime during Thanksgiving
Claim by January 5th or it goes to help someone who needs a shirt (though a tshirt in Seattle right now would not keep you very warm- maybe they can make it into a turban)

I did not sign up for this!!!!!!!

Seattle, the city of rain. I knew I was signing up for that. I also knew that snow fell, but it was rare and usually a little amount. I knew we had snow days built into the school year, but usually it was used for icy conditions. I did not sign up for 4 inches of it!

The first 2 photos were taken about noon, the second set at 9 am. It snowed hard until 4:30!

Hawaii Post #2 - Mel's pictures

Hawaii was not as great as I thought it should be. I had a good time, but it just didn't live up to what I'm assuming were unrealistic expectations. I know we went to Oahu, which everyone there told us wasn't the real Hawaii, but if this is where a majority of tourists visit - it should be cool. Everyone told me how amazing it would be on Oahu, and I was disappointed. I'm glad I've been to Hawaii, but I probably won't go back. The best part was Pearl Harbor, the really great Pineapple, and the Polynesian Culture Center (Amy is scared of the Maoris), and the great sunrise drive Amy took us on. Oh and driving around the island in a Sebring convertable. I also enjoyed siting on the sand while Amy went Snorkeling.

My pictures:

Snow Day #2

I will be posting pictures of Washington Snow (wet & icy - Utah does have excellent snow!) in the near future since it has finally started snowing at my house during the "December Storm". Several times during the night I got up to check and see if it was raining/snowing/hailing/sleeting yet. No - nothing. I got a call at 5:25am saying that school was giong to start 2 hours late due to ice. I looked outside at 6am and it had started raining. I checked the news it was snowing in Bellvue (halfway between my house and work). 20 minutes later the call came cancelling school. Fun!!! It will not be so cool at the end of the year when I lose my four day Memorial Day weekend and have to go to work an extra day at the end of the year - but a day to finish Christmas preparations, sleep a little, read, clean the house and maybe venture out for fake firewood aka duraflame(we can't seem to get real wood to burn completely or even halfway - we build a great fire, but the wood was cheap - so I don't think it's dry enough). I think Amy's going to play hooky today too!

Snow day

I know I should take pictures and put it up, but I bought a new computer and I haven't loaded my picture software. 2 weeks ago I was complaining because it was 82 and muggy in Hawaii. Now I'm complaining because it's been 18-20 when I leave for work and we had some snow this weekend. Monday school started 2 hours late due to snow/ice and today I've experienced my first snow day ever at school. Since I went to school and taught most of my career in Calfornia I've never had a snow day. I had a couple of days off last year due to a fire, but never snow. I may not even make it to work tomorrow. A second round of snow is due to fall in my district tonight. The ironic thing is this is the warmest day we've had in a week and there is no snow falling at my house and very little rain. The district I work in has 100 square miles and at a higher elevation that where I live - so I'm sure that there is plenty of snow there!

Tropical Paradise

We fly back from Hawaii today. Yep, I finally left the mainland and ventured out over the ocean to the great state of Hawaii. I thought I'd share a few things that I loved while I was here.

The above picture is of Hanauma Bay, where I went snorkling. The water is blue and clear and full of sea life. It was great!

One of the best days was the day we spent at Pearl Harbor. I cried through the whole day. This is a picture of the oil that still leaks to the surface from the USS Arizona. You can watch the black bubbles of oil make their way to the surface and then explode, making the black design in the center. I was so moved by the stories and experiences I learned about while there. We do live in the greatest land.

Mel and I went to the Dole Plantation and rode the Pineapple Express! The little train, similar to the Casey Jr train from Disneyland, takes you on a tour of the pineapple plantation and gives you a great history of farming on the island. We bought a freshly picked pineapple, the greatest pineapple I've ever had, and had pineapple ice cream! YUMMY!

The Polynesian Cultural Center was amazing! I dragged Melody there early so we could spend every minute there that we could and it was completely worth it. We had a great time and learned a lot. We went to our first Luau and ate fresh coconut bread. It was great!

We had a great time but are definitely glad to be going home. It just doesn't seem like Christmas in the warm tropic weather here. Plus I want to set up my Christmas tree!!

Thanksgiving

I think this Thanksgiving will go down in the history books for me. Not just because I cooked the whole thing from scratch, pie crust and all, but because of how much fun I had with my parents and sisters. It was so great to have my mom and dad in town. We drove around Seattle, spent some time watching Jeremy fly his amazing kites, and went out to Bainbridge island on a ferry and sat around and played Rock Band. Dad slept a good portion of the time, but even that was fun and nostalgic. I'm really grateful for my family. I'm grateful for everything they have given me and everything they have made me. You know, we are all really blessed when it comes to our family. Thank you all.

Gotta have turkey apples!

My apple pie made from SCRATCH!

Pirates. . . Argggg

In the beginning of November one of my students asked me if they were ever going to study Pirates in a history class. I told them no, but as I thought about it and in trying to come up with an activity to happen after they reported on current events, I decided that we'd learn about the modern day pirates. The best part was that the Pirates helped me by making news a few days later capturing an oil tanker. The Indian navy helped me tie it to my current unit South Asia. So now they are excited about the Pirates and I want to create a Pirate Central area where they can learn about the Pirates latest adventures. I need a catchy name for the pirate bulletin board. Anyone have any ideas? How about your pirate crazy kids?

Welcome Christmas!!

Thanks to TBS, I got an early dose of Christmas movies tonight with "Jack Frost" and the cartoon original "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". As I sat, tears coming to my eyes while Jack had to say goodbye to his son at the end of the movie, I became so excited for Christmas to come!

Christmas is the best! I love the many wonderful things that make up the Christmas season. But one of my most favorite things about Christmas are the incredibly sappy, incredibly cheesy Christmas movies that play on TV over and over again. As anyone who has spent December with me can attest, I watch every single one of them, usually multiple times.

It can be a classic like "Miracle on 34th Street", "Holiday Inn", "White Christmas" or a cheesy modern tale like "Elf", "The Santa Clause", "A Season for Miracles", it doesn't matter, I love them all. Why you ask? Good question.

Christmas movies are all about relationships. They're about love, forgiveness, gratitude and compromise. They're about the coming together of family and friends in some great cause outside of themselves. They're about tolerance and patience for oneself and others. They appeal to the best sides of all of us. They help us hope and want to be something greater than we are. They provide a time for all of us to look around and assess our lives and relationships and really make sure they are the best they can be. To make sure we love as He would love and to remember that we are all members of a cause bigger than ourselves.

How can a single movie do all of that? I guess that is the miracle of Christmas!

Pop the popcorn... I'm ready for the next one!

...and Jimmie takes the checker flag!

Well we did it! Our very first official Nascar Sprint Cup series race has been attended. Yep! We packed our bags and headed for Phoenix International Raceway for four days of sun and racing. When Melody started watching racing about a year and half ago, I admit I was the first one to laugh at her. I mean, they just go around in a circle right? About as interesting as watching the ball go back and forth at a tennis match. I was hooked after she talked me ino going to Fontana CA for our first race. We sat in the rain, with track scanners and panchos, and watched final Sprint practice and the Craftsman Truck Series race. As soon as the engines fired, I was hooked. Who knew I was such a sucker for loud, fast cars? LOL - j/k I mean, I think I do hold the record for the most speeding tickets in the family.

Although still not as attached as my sister, I can hold my own during shop talk. Of course you know Melody is a HUGE Rowdy Kyle Busch fan (GO 18!!), but I tend to cheer for everyone, as one of the people sitting around us pointed out. Everyone that is except Carl Edwards! I can take or leave Jimmie Johnson, but Chad Knaus, his crew chief, is the GREATEST! From the moment we got on the plane, we saw people with NASCAR gear on, and when they saw our shirts and visors, they waved and talked to us. We got free advice on everything, including which races are worth going to and raceway parking, which we were EXTREMELY grateful for.

I openly admit to having a great time! Stay tuned for pictures - they're worth it I promise!

Because my sister in law did it!

So Katie was bored and posted the fourth picture in her fourth folder - so I decided I may not have time to wax poetically right now, but I can post a picture!

That's me in front of a tank at Fort Irwin, CA when I visited Holly & family in June 2007.

One more from my other picture folder:



This is lining up for Christmas morning 2000. Mom and Dad still lived in Oak City, Rob is the only one married, and Mike is holding Mom's teacup poodle Wookie.

I miss. . . . I find weird. .. . I like. . . .

I miss:

people who know how to merge on the freeway

driving faster than the speed limit

teaching history

I find weird:
that people slow down at the top of the hill - not the bottom

for all the rain that falls, freeways and roads are full of water

the clouds/storms come in from different directions depending on the jet stream


I like:
my student's interpretive dances of the physical geography of the Middle East

the rain

trees

I'm a slacker . . . .

. . . . really a tired, runny nose, stressed out teacher who is trying to figure out how to do her job!!! My students are great. So great I don't know what to do with them. When I finally make it home, I'm so tired I can't think straight and therefore can't really make an intellegent post. My students do their homework. They have discussions that are actually about what I ask them to discuss. I rarely have to repeat instructions. They are quiet when I ask them to be. It's a little scary. I've never had students like that! My students in Northern California has moments like that, but not every day. I really like my students too! The great thing about being in a school with one grade is that they aren't in such a hurry to be "mature" like the seniors and they have time to just be themselves. They like it too! I don't have any crazy stories. They are pretty logical. One did ask if Genovia was a real place and if they could research it for our United Nations project. (the answer was no). I'm doing the project with my students and I chose New Zealand - so if my New Zealand friends are reading this - let me know about any major events/political issues that come up. I promise I'll post more as things settle down for me at work!

Preparation

I recently completed two weeks at our yearly session. I work for The Pacific Coast Banking School, where I just coined and trademarked the phrase, Teaching the Business of Banking. Doesn't it just sound prestigious? Honestly, it is. I listened for two weeks as high level bank executives from all over the country taught, laughed, worked, ate, talked and especially drank. At our yearly Economic panel, now in it's 21st year, we bring in the ABC's of Economics and have them forecast for the next year. Our 'A'cademic, is one of the most highly sought after professors of economics in the country. Our 'B'anker is the chief economist for USBank. Our 'C'onsultant is the chief economist of Weyerhauser. No one liked what they said this year, predicting that Washington Mutual would be bankrupt before the end of the year, and that inflation will rise 4.2% in the next year and that although the dollar will appear stronger, it's only because other countries are weakening. I could go on, but I won't. I will say this though.

Each economist hedged their forecast this year on the election. This was their only common thread. If Obama is elected and implements even half of what he says his economy agenda is, the country will dig a financial hole for itself so fast that within two years we'll crumble and it will take YEARS to dig ourselves out, if we can.

With the extremely recent financial problems, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Countrywide Financial, and now Washington Mutual, I hope we all take a serious look at what we can do to secure our financial futures. Robert gave a great post a few weeks ago about budgeting on his blog. Mel is reading a great book about financial security that advises to have cash reserves of 6 months. I was at a friends this weekend who really got my mind centered on food storage.

We have the benefit of not having to rely on an Economist to know what lies ahead. We have a prophet who has told us that perilous times shall come. I'm rededicating myself to being more prepared.

Adding to the Mormon Lore

We've all heard a million various Mormon lore stories about babies calling out for the Bishop to help them as they're taken out of church, or a missionary getting a mission call with only a 1-800 number straight to the prophet who will give them their top secret mission call.

This past Sunday I was sitting a few rows behind the Thompson family. They have two little boys, Collin and Liam. I was intrigued watching the parents try to keep the boys engaged and quiet during Sacrament Meeting. As we were preparing for Young Women (we work together in the Young Women)I commented on the Sacrament Books she had for her boys. They are adorable books with various pictures of Christ. She starting laughing and proceeded to tell me the greatest sacrament story EVER!

When Collin was younger - almost 3, she made these Book of Mormon books for Sacrament Meeting. They had pictures of Book of Mormon stories and her husband would tell stories to Collin during Sacrament. One Sacrament Meeting she and her husband got a little distracted during the meeting. All of the sudden Liz realized Collin's sweater and shoes were sitting on the bench, but there was no Collin. Then she heard him running down the aisle. "Dad, Dad! I'm a stripping warrior!" He yelled as he was tearing his shirt off going towards the door.

Ya gotta love little kids.

The Soundtrack of My Life

At one recent point in my life I owned five different stereo systems; one for the band room, one for my office, one for my bedroom, one for the living room, and one for my computer. Yes, I know, it’s pathetic, and it doesn’t even count the AWESOME system in my car. What can I say? Music is important to me.

Not just to me though. Music is a seriously important part of my family. We made family mix tapes growing up, and knew that when mom put on the classical music in the living room, you better not run, yell, or mess anything up.

When I was in college, I was introduced to the philosophies of vegetarianism by a roommate of mine. Her desire to be a vegetarian came from her knowledge of karma, which has become quite the buzz word these days. She believed that every animal had karma, a set of values, emotions, and desires, and when you took that animal into your body you also absorbed its karma. Although not necessarily a philosophy I agree with or believe in, it made sense.

A few weeks later, I was helping a friend mourn the recent loss of some boy. Although the details seem somewhat blurred 10+ years later, there was a moment in there that I will not forget. They had broken up several weeks before, but she was having a hard time getting over it and moving on. We got in the car and put on our CD of break-up songs. “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” (Bill Withers) was her favorite, followed by, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (the version by Barry Manilow). A funny thing happened that night. I drove around with her for awhile, and then had a realization. “This is totally stupid!” I said to her with no sensitivity. “Why are we listening to songs about regret and pain, thinking about what ‘Could’ve Been’ (Tiffany)? The guy was nothing less than a total jerk.” He had cheated on her, and treated her quite poorly. Yet, here we were, mourning the loss of a really bad relationship.

That is when I discovered that music had karma, defined by Webster as “the force generated by a person’s actions”. When we listen to music we absorb the force or emotion that the writer or performer desired and acted upon. Whether it’s joy, happiness, gratitude, security, love, anger, frustration, hate, arousal, sadness, depression, envy, rivalry, jealousy, compassion, anxiety, mourning, delight, longing, malice, or any number of others. In this case I wish I would have had "Thank You" by Sister Hazel to play. 'You were the one, who taught me what I don't need, I thank you, I thank you for that.' Much more appropriate.

I was impressed recently with an exchange I had with my sister-in-law where she said she had quit listening to some music that I enjoyed for years. It’s GREAT musically, the singer is extremely talented and the band has a way with chords and harmony. However, the entire album she was referring to, was about sex. It made me stop and think exactly what I was allowing into my conscious and subconscious.

It was then that I started my quest for new music with great karma. My first find was the song “Say” by John Mayer**. Sometimes there is just nothing better than a well-executed pop song played loudly in your car with the sun roof open. But the most important part to me is the lyrics and message of the song. ‘Say what you need to say’ is something I don’t think any of us do enough of. My favorite verse:
Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead
If you could only
Say what you need to say

Try it out….. (http://www.myspace.com/johnmayer you can listen to the whole thing for free!) I bet you’ll feel better and slightly more hopeful. That’s how I feel, every time I listen to it.


**Note: We could debate all day that karma comes from the actual intentions and actions of the composer over their lifetime, therefore HIGHLY restricting the potential musically library. I have chosen, right or wrong, to strictly limit my search of good karma to the lyrics and music of the song in question.

I've been tagged by Katie

Katie - my sister in law tagged me so here it goes:

Joys:
1. cool weather to start school with (not 100+)
2. all the clouds in the sky
3. friends that send their husbands to the rescue (Thanks Holly)

Fears:
1. My flight landing at SLC International but not quite making it and crashing into the smelly Great Salt Lake

2. Heights with just a see through railing (even if it's solid glass) - solid wall -no big deal.

3. I hate mice

Current Obessions/ collections:

1. Watching all of the episodes of Emergency on Netflix
2. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
3. Seeing how many books I can order from Paperback Swap

Surprising Facts:

1.It may not come as a surprise to some but I'm a NASCAR fan.
2. I'm scared of the water
3. I like Dad's llamas even if I don't like to touch them

I tag:
1. Amy
2. Holly
3. Anne

A Reveal

So we spent some time this weekend organizing and trying to get some areas of the house finished or at least a list of what has to be finished. Here's a sneak prevew of some parts of our house. (We're not finished yet)
Our shelves in our dining area:


My Christmas present (6 months early) from Holly divides our living and dining area on the wall:



A glimpse in our Living room:

Grandma Called....

Grandma Smith called and reported that she checks for updates on our blog everyday. I really have been a slacker at keeping in touch with people. I'm not very good at it, I never have been. HOWEVER - since part of my move is about changing things I don't like about my life, here I am posting to the blog.

So a little about my job.... I am the new Program Manager for a non-profit organization called The Pacific Coast Banking School. The school offers a graduate degree in Banking for banking executives. We offer a three summer session program for students who hope to learn how to manage a bank. Every summer - the two weeks prior to Labor Day - we bring 750 students from all over the United States - and the world, we have two students from Fiji, and three from Austrailia to the Univeristy of Washington for classes. We also contract faculty members from all over the United States to come in and teach. They all live and eat on campus and attend classes 8 hours a day. It's quite the event.

My job is to manage the logistics of the session as well as tend to all of the needs of the faculty. I started about three weeks prior to the session this year. Although I felt Ihad a pretty good handle on things, you really can't understand the scope of what you do until you've actually been through a session. I've been working 15 hour days for the past two weeks, and will continue for the next three days. BUT - it's all over on Friday! Next week I go back to my 9 to 5 schedule, bankers hours, gotta love them. :) I also get bankers holidays - no complaints there.

So far, I LOVE my job. Honestly, I really do. I love the logistic planning, and I love being able to still keep my hands in educatin. The faculty have been extremely kind and encouraging this week. Today a group of them brought me flowers with a card that says they hope I stick around! How great is that! I loved it!

So there ya go... that is a brief update of what I'm doing. Things calm down this weekend and I'll post again before next week starts. I love you all! Thanks for your calls, support, prayers, and thoughts! Have a great evening!

Nothing new to report

We have nothing new or exciting to report. Amy's job is going crazy right now as they get ready to welcome their banking students this weekend. I'm trying to figure out what medical plan to choose since for the first time in my life Kaiser Permenante is not an option. Next week I have my district orientation and the week after that I go back to work so I'm sure that both of use will have something to report on soon!

We're Under Attack

For the past four days, about 2 hours a day we've been under attack from the air. Thankfully it's only been American airpower without any explosions and the attacks have been breathtaking! We've had the Navy's Blue Angels in town providing an air show for Seattle's Seafest over Lake Washington. While we don't have the greatest view of the main show area from our side of the lake, we can catch some cool maneuvers from our balcony. They are loud even when they are more than a mile away. Yesterday I sat outside to try and catch some pictures of the Blue Angels.
From a show I watched in the past I know that the show starts with their support plane flying in:


Later on they loop and fly in formation:

(you can see them if you make it bigger)

Then towards the end of the show, the planes fly East and circle around and come back towards the lake right over our house:


It is so loud and Awesome in a reverent and cool way.

Holly Miller Photography

When I was returning to WA from UT, I stopped and spent a couple of days at my friend Holly's house in Idaho. She's an amazing photographer and wanted to take my picture while I was visiting. We took the kids (and their new dog) and went to the Boise Depot and I reluctanly posed for pictures. Holly did an excellent job despite the humidity (yes in Boise - it was gross), my relucance, and the stress the past two years have taken on me. This is my favorite photo.

You can go to Holly's website (look at the links), click on clients in the bottom-right and put in Mel as the passwork and see all the pictures for yourself. Thanks Holly!

What is cool about Omaha, NE or Why Anne should be excited to move!

One of my best friends is moving. She's not entirely thrilled about it. She lives in Savannah, GA a gorgeous old city of the South, on the coast with lots of Civil War and Colonial Heritage. I love to visit her family in Savannah. Her husband has received a job offer in Omaha, Nebraska - center of the country, flat, farm country. He's already there working and Anne is trying to get the house sold and working on her enthusiasm. I decided that I would come up with 10 reasons why moving to Omaha is a great thing. Now there were tons of things that could be on the list and these probably won't necessarily be the top 10 things once she gets there, but I'm trying to be a helpful and promote positive thinking. Here are ten reasons Anne should be excited to move in no particular order.

1. 16 hours to her parents vs. 35 hours - that's only 2 days on the road or a really long all night drive.

2. The Winter Quarters Temple is less than four hours away (unlike most of the temples near Savannah, GA).

3. Omaha Children’s Museum (they do birthday parties and summer camps).

4. Church history /Mormon trail center - I think it would be a great place to take children who complain about why they can't have this, how much work they have to do, or how bored they are.

5. Union Pacific Museum (who doesn’t like trains?)

6. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Center (valuable to Me if I ever have to teach Northwest History)

7. She’ll only be one hour ahead of her parents and two from the west coast which means when I remember to call her on her birthday at 7:30pm – it will only be 9:30pm instead of 10:30pm. It's still fairly late, but not as bad and I can get away with calling her

8. 7 hours to Chicago, 6 hours to St. Louis - great weekend getaways!

9. She can see where President Ford was born (and Malcolm X’s birthplace too!)

10. She still gets to be near a river – maybe not as close as she was, but at least that will be good for the house insurance – of course tornado insurance is probably as much as hurricane insurance, but the flood insurance premium should be lower.


I've never been to Omaha, so I'm excited to visit. Anyone with suggestions of what is cool in Omaha?

My NASCAR question on TV!!!!

I know some of you can't understand why I like NASCAR, but it is something I look forward to every week. One of the shows I watch is called This Week In NASCAR on the SPEED channel. They review the weekend's race, preview the next race and answer questions. I didn't watch the show when it was originally on this week because I was on my way back from Utah/Idaho. Last night I was opening mail and watching the DVR recording of this week's show and all of the sudden I looked up at the tv. And this is what I saw:


They were answering a question I had submitted a few weeks ago. Not only that, but Amy's favorite Crew Chief was the one that answered it. I ran upstairs and woke up Amy to tell her. It was so cool!!!!!!

It's official

Today I did the deed - I made myself an official resident of Washington. First I went to the Driver's License place (which is not the car registration place) and turned in my California DL# that I've had continuously since I was 16. I didn't have to take a test, just hand over my CA license. Then they took a horrid picture. I've never had one so awful. Next I had to drive to a totally different part of town to register my vehicle. I came home and changed my plates - so now I really live here.

Gainfully Employed

I am official gainfully employed today! Yep.... after weeks of leisure, I start my new job tomorrow. This job was totally tailor made for me. It brings together all of my loves, education, numbers and finance, and organization. I know most of you will laugh at that last one, but I do like to be organized. I am the new Program Director at the Pacific Coast Banking School. (www.pcbsmi.org)

Excited doesn't really even begin to describe how I feel about this new job. I am extremely blessed! Thank you for everyone who has been praying for me. I appreciate it more than you know.

Our offices are on the 20th floor of the Skyline Tower in downtown Bellevue. I have an office that overlooks the lake. Can't complain about that... :) I'm pretty excited about it. So basically what we do is offer a graduate level program/degree for Bankers throughout the world. Bank executives come in for two weeks of their summer for three years. In between sessions there are assignments and projects to complete and turn in. During the two weeks of residence, the students stay on the campus at U of W and we utilize their facilities for our classes and activities. It's a pretty involved job, but one I am really excited about!

Wish me luck!

Today I'm old

I haven't had too many issues with other birthdays - 25, 30, but 35 I'm ignoring. I'm starting to feel old. It's harder to get up off the floor. Driving without cruise control for more than 3 hours is hard on my knee and ankle. I wonder what will happen when I turn 40!

My own Private Idaho

Yesterday I drove across the great state of Idaho. Of course I didn't think it was all that great when it was 96 and no air in my car. But it is a great state. Not only were four of my siblings educated in that state, but some of my friends too! I've made many drives to Boise - my favorite city in Idaho - in my early post college years.
Probably the best part of Idaho is that one of my best friends (I was informed by her daughter that I'm her mom's second best friend after her daddy) now lives in Idaho again. Even better is that her house is half way between my new home in Washington and my parent's house is Utah. I drove in late in the day on Monday and stayed overnight. I was planning to leave early in the morning so I wouldn't have to drive in 96+ heat, but I'm a sucker for her kids. They are the best and didn't want me to leave & let's be honest I didn't want to drive in the heat so I put it off until I had to! I can't wait to stop by on my way back!

I have a job!!!

Today I was officially offered at job with the Issaquah School District teaching World Studies (non European history) to 9th graders at the Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus. The school only has Freshman, and after this next year will become a middle school. The contract is only a one year contract, which is standard for Washington - so I may or may not have to look for a new job next year, but I'm employed now!!!!! Now I can also change my cell phone number!!!!Congrats to me!!!!!!!

It's my favorite Disney movie too!!!

Taking Katie's lead.....



You Are Mulan!

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I've Been TAGGED!

Ok... this is my first time actually responding to being tagged. Thanks Katie! Since one of my goals is to stay more connected with my family, I'm going to respond to BOTH tags!!

What were you doing......

20 years ago: I had been 12 for 6 months and my family was just moving to Norco for the first time. I was probably climbing up and down the really tall ladder what seemed like 100 times so that I could paint the MASSIVELY vaulted wall in the house on Santa Anita. It seemed like it took us weeks to clean up that house and get it ready to move into. Remember old man rooster? and the two twin brother rooters?

10 years ago: I had just been transferred to the back country area of Maryland and out of the 'city'. I was companions with Sister Erika Matson for the second time and was enjoying summer crab feasts!!

5 years ago: It was the summer after my first year of teaching. I was enjoying a few weeks off before my year starting again - July 1, we were on year round school. I was the Relief Society President in my single ward and Greg and I were inseperable. Abbie was working down at the Ocean Institute, and we spent a lot of time together. I didn't have A/C and so the apartment was almost unbearable.

1 year ago: I was packing up to drive to Oregon for Abbie's wedding. That is when I really fell in love with the Pacfic Northwest. The drive was AWESOME and the wedding was picturesque. Good times.

Today: I spent this morning at an interview that went really well to be honest. I came home, cleaned the front porch, changed, then Melody, Abbie, and I went to the outlet mall. Melody and I each spent a reasonable amount of money, but Abbie scored the most CUTE CLOTHES! She's an official hottie for the summer!

Tomorrow: I have an interview at 10 in Seattle, then I plan on spending a few hours on my job search, making connections and following up on some applications I've submitted. Then we are going to focus on getting the living room and dining area CLEAN and box free. Tomorrow night is the Renton Community Concert Band concert, which I am looking forward to JOINING!

Next year: I fully plan on being married next year. I have no idea to who yet, but that is my plan. I'm currently exercising the powerof positive thinking!


5 Unimportant things about me:

1 - I, like Katie, HATE mice. My loathing really extends to everything classified as a rodent. Mice, rats, ginnea pigs, hamsters, and especially Opossoms. There are so many reasons, one of which is finding a half decayed rat behind shelves in the garage on Princeton. I still get shivers down my spine when i think about it.

2 - I love to read fantasy and science fiction books. I feel like the odd duck in my family, who all read really engaging biographies and historical fiction, but it's true.

3 - Orange is my favorite color. When I was in college I would buy everything I could in the color - Alarm clock, phone, pencil sharpener, rugs, everything that was orange. Now, I just find the color invigorating. I am also lucky enough to be one of the few people who look good in orange.

4 - I'm beginning to get a guilt complex about speeding. I have heard several people lately talk about repenting for breaking the laws of the land, including speeding. I find myself slowing down a lot lately. I have enough to repent of... I don't need to add speeding to the list. Am I just over-reacting?

5 - I have never watched a full episode of Survivor. I can't do it. I start sometimes, but it just doesn't keep my interest.

Ok.... I know it was long, but it was worth it!!

I tag..... Michelle, Andy, and my DAD!!!

We're Working On It

We are trying to:

**put boxes of stuff away
**update our blog
**take pictures
**find the chargers for the rechargeable batteries for the camera, cell phone, laptops
**enjoy the sun while it's out
**leave the house before 3 pm
**find a job
**print change of address cards
**make friends with someone that has a boat
**pretend that traffic in Washington is just horrible
**think that the sun goes down at 8 instead of 10 and rises at 6 instead of 4:30 am
**write talks for church (we did that and gave them on Father's Day 1 week after moving in)
**paint furniture
**figure out when to change our cell phone numbers since our resumes went out with our CA numbers
**hang curtains
**remember to buy light bulbs
**find places to shop
**find a mattress for Amy (did that today)

We promise to update, but give us a few more days!

The truck is loaded

I don't have any pictures because I was packing, but the truck is on it's way. I think it might take a little longer than we thought, but we got it all on the truck! Change of addresses to you will wait a little longer since I'm waiting on a new cell phone number. I'm sure Amy will let you know how the rest goes!

STATUS

We're down to our final days in California. I do have to say the weather has been accomodating the past week. It's been cloudy and overcast for the last week. It hasn't done anything but make us more excited about moving. Our house is packed and Abbie has the keys to our new apartment. Melody has had several districts call her for interviews in the next few weeks, and I'm just moving up on faith. I have to say I'm really, really excited. Our apartment is amazingly cute, we're cleaning all of the clutter out of our lives and are looking forward to new experiences.

Renton here we come.....

Our Final Days

We're counting down the last final days of California. I have to say that it couldn't come at a better time, right as the heat starts. It've been over 100 the last three days although it seems that it might cool off the next few days.

We've had mom here the past few days. It was really nice. She indulged us and watched NASCAR all weekend. I think she even enjoyed it. I did. She was able to be here for my piano recital on Friday night, and then Melody took her to see Crowded House in concrt on Saturday nght. It was a fun weekend.

Melody and I made a list of things to do before we left California. She wrote about how we went to Disneyland and to the Ronald Reagan library. The next weekend we went to Descanso Gardens in Pasadena. It was beautiful. The flowers were amazing. I had a blast and included a few pictures that I took while we were there. It was a lot of fun!!

These last two weeks we're going to be focusing on packing. Because we're moving so far and in a big trailer, we have to pack everything in a box. It's a little crazy, but we're getting it down slowly but surely. I still remember the day Dad took us over to move Aunt Jenny and when he realized she wasn't packed, he drove us back home. LOL - I promise we'll be packed!! Everything will be packed!

I miss all of you. I can't wait to hold my new nephew - Crew.

The Search

On May 3rd Amy & I flew to Seattle to find a place to live. After putting close to or more than 1000 miles on the rental car we finally decided what part of the Greater Seattle area to live in and looked at a few places. After a long online search, we finally found an apartment. It's big and beautiful and has an awesome location - only a road and a railroad track between our complex and Lake Washington! We are really looking forward to our new place. Now we just need jobs. We both have a phone interview sometime during the next week - so maybe we'll get there and already have jobs!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I'm posting as part of a group of posts from my Brothers and sisters about my Mom! Today is her 50-something birthday (I know the number, but I'm being respectful). So here are my thoughts and memories of Mom:


1. All the clothes she made me. I wore things my mom made even in college. I think the favorites I remember are the 7-11 outfit - so called because the material had people that appeared around the window of the 7-11 during the 1984 Olympics. I also loved the brown dress with ribbons sown in rows around the hem, waist and sleeves.

2. Leading the choir at Eastwood Elementary. "Mama Buy Me Chocolate" "What's More American"

3. Going to see Mom at the Huntington Beach hospital after Abbie was born. (At least I think it was Abbie since we were at Grandmas for Andy's) I believe her room was on the first floor so we got to go up to the window.

4. Sleeping on the floor next to the bed at the house on Carrie.

5. Discovering Australian Toaster Biscuits

6. The Pillowcases she made for my BYU Graduation - I still have them though the writing is coming off.

7. She made the discovery of Crowded House - nothing has been the same since (May 17th 2008!!!!! - we see them in person!)

8. Analyzing the lyrics on the "Woodface" Album on the way to take me to BYU for the first time.
9. Her teacup poodles. and the Pig

10. The summer that we rode the bus everywhere - to all our summer classes that she signed us up for at the different parks around Huntington Beach - I don't know how she did it.

11. Going to the really cool library in Huntington Beach

12. Going to Bolsa Chica Beach with Grapes!

13. When she came to visit me in Whittier and I had to have my first crown when she got there!

14. Flying her to see me in Stockton. We didn't do much all weekend, just sat in my cold apartment and watched the fog outside and Princess Diaries 2

15. Getting an anklet on the way to the Mount Timpanogos Temple for my first session.

16. Patiently sitting through Mrs. Parks really long choir concerts.

17. Going to the Huntington Beach North Stake Pioneer Days

18. Teaching me how to quilt.

19. Laying on the floor listening to her and Kathy Morgan write the roadshow with "Another One Bites the Dust."

Happy Birthday Mom ! I love you!!!!!

What's going on?

Nothing - not exactly true, but here's an update of what's happening here. Two weeks ago Amy & I went to Disneyland. It was a warm weekend and we had free tickets so we rode all the fun rides, avoided the 90 minute wait for the new finding Nemo ride. The next day we went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, toured the museum, and experienced the "Colonial America" experience. They had a regiment of the British Military actors and they set up stations all over the ground. It was a cool visit. That happened the week of Spring Break. Last week I got sick - a really bad cold with a nasty sore throat. I took one day off that I had already planned to and went to work feeling absolutely miserable the rest of the week. I decided Saturday that I was going to take Monday (today) and Tuesday off because I can - because it worked out in my lesson plans, and I will lose all my vacation & sick days when I leave the state of California at the end of the year. I am feeling better, but if I move too much I start coughing - so this is a good decision. In two weeks we will be visiting Seattle! No neither of us have job offers yet, but there is still time!

It's amazing what memory can do!!!!!

I'm not talking about brain memory - I'm talking about computer memory. Today I finally got my computer back from the Geek Squad. They couldn't fix my computer without a new hard drive - it was failing - so I had to go in and buy a new hard drive (I upgraded from 60 to 160 GB - they don't make them smaller) and I figured if they were going to open the thing up I might as well increase my memory. It has now more than trippled. For the first time in the past two years I can run more than two programs at the same time!!!! It's a miracle!

Cowboys are my heroes

Today Amy & I checked off one of our things to do before we leave Southern California today - we went to the Gene Autry Western Museum in Griffth Park. I've driven past it countless time, and have always wanted to see what was inside. So today we went in. They had an exhibit on the streets in Los Angeles named after Saints that was really cool. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has donated lots of items including a first edition Book of Mormon as part of the different communities of the West. I saw a painting about Westward Expansion that is used in my history books and I have used an overhead of it countless times. They had the actual painting (yes I bought a print in the museum store!)!!!!!. We saw all sorts of guns and western movie memorabilia. Amy sat on a saddle and got to be part of a movie scene. We had lunch in the cafe. The museum wasn't laid out well, but they did have some cool stuff. I think we are going to get Grandpa Carter's birthday gift there. Lincoln & Sawyer are going to have a cool gift arriving at their house soon!

Makin' Money

We are in the middle of our stock simulator game in my business math class. I set up each of the students with $100,000 on investopedia.com stock simulator game. They have to spend it all on stock, and then complete an additional 20 trades. It's been HILARIOUS to watch them pick stock. One student went from head to toe to pick his stock, Nike shoes, Adidas socks, Fruit of the Loom underwear, Seven jeans, etc., all the way down to his AT&T cell phone. Then I have some students who sit there and just ask if they can save the money. "I don't want to spend it, what if I lose the money??" Come on guys... it's not real money anyway!!! But this one is my favorite.....

Justin decided he wanted a stock from every letter of the alphabet. Yep, every one. So he typed in A then picked a stock symbol that started with A. Then B, C, D, E, F, G, H,... all the way down to Z. Then announced he had spent all of his money. By the time the period was over, not only had he spent his whole $100,000.00, he had made an additional $36,000 as the stocks he magically picked had gained that much in an hour!

Oh, if that was a real stock strategy that worked!!!

Nothing Like the Geek Squad

Well I had to leave my computer with the Geek Squad. (I'm using Amy's right now) A couple of months ago I believe I wrote about my problem with Microsoft and Windows. Aside from the fact I couldn't use my windows installer, the computer was okay - well freezing once in a while. Friday, I decided that I would download some new music to use in class for the 60's, 70's, & 80's and to prepare for the long driving trip to Washington State in June. I open iTunes - it won't open - something is wrong with the settings. I go to the help section, where it tells me there is something wrong with my Quicktime application and I need to reinstall it. So I try that and guess what I need - that's right - the Windows installer. Now I can live without Microsoft Money, new games, even Outlook - but I cannot live without my music. I copied all my music, documents, and photos onto my external hard drive and took my computer to the Geek Squad at Best Buy today. It will take two weeks because they are so backed up. I'm not happy - but I've got to have iTunes - at least when I get it back I can finally install Microsoft Money!

Nothing Exciting

I don't have anything exciting to write about, but it's been awhile since our last post. Amy had Spring Break this past week - so she's been loving it since she can get enough sleep. I on the other hand have been battling something - a cold, flu, sinus infection - I'm not sure what, but yesterday and a little bit today I've run a fever. I'm not sure how I made it through work Friday - all I could think about all day was getting grades done so I wouldn't have to go in on Saturday and trying to stay awake. I just wanted to sleep - I probably even could have slept through my loudest class. Oh well! All my applications have now been submitted to school districts in the Seattle area and hopefully I'll have a job before I move! Have a happy Easter!

Back to the land of the living

Hi everyone!

I'm back in the land of the living! I'm healthy and back to breathing normally. So that's good!

Things are starting to heat up a little bit here, and I'm not just talkin about the weather! As the countdown to the move date continues, the number of things we have to do goes up. We're looking for jobs, checking out the housing market, saving money, planning trips, and trying to find cheap boxes. (If you know where I can find cheap boxes, let me know.) So we're doing all of that and trying to keep up with our classes and normal lives. So it's a bit busy.

Sunday was eventful in my life as I was released as the Primary President. I've had big callings before, but this if the first time I was released and felt like I could almost instantly sit up straighter. I was suprised by the amount of mental space the release opened up. I love the Primary. I love children. I think we highly underestimate the capabilities of children to understand the gospel. I had great success with teaching children things like the apostasy and the restoration. I really fee like my experience allowed me to understand the commandment to become like a little child greater. It was an amazing experience, one that I am grateful for.

Well.. that's it for now. I'm going to try and be better about this whole blog thing as I've become addicted to reading so many of yours. Thanks for sharing!

Amy :)

The Single Adult Conference

Last weekend was the Single Adult Conference. I am our representative to the Single Adult (31+) committee at church for our region. Just after I was compelled to take this position, I found out that a Single Adult Conference was planned. I went to the first meeting about it and learned that it was being organized by an 80+ year old man, who thought that a class called Sex and the Single Adult was appropriate. So I sent in my registration, forced myself out of bed on Saturday and went. I lasted 1 1/2 hours - I listened to an 85 year old man tell me the very same things I learned in Primary and that my time would come to be married. Then I looked around the audience and realized everyone there was as old if not older than my parents. That sealed the deal. They had a pretty good turn out - and I was not needed - I left to come home and sew quilts!
Mel

Rowdy Busch Wins!!!!

Yesterday was the best day!!!!!! Amy & I went to the Speedway in Fontana for our Saturday of NASCAR Racing. The weather has been wet this week - so I went prepared with ponchos. We got there about 9:30 am and I don't think Amy stopped laughing the whole time. She wasn't quite prepared for the experience. She's often remarked that we are becoming a little "trashy" because we like "Trick My Truck" and watch NASCAR. I think her mind was more at ease after yesterday's visit to the track. We walked around the speedway. I bought a Kyle Busch shirt. We saw the Speed TV stage, rented our scanner so we could listen to the crews and drivers talk and climbed to our seats. I thought the hike with Dad in the Uintahs was bad. I need to train to climb the bleachers. Our seats were awesome!!!! We were on the exit from Pit row and it was great! We saw the Nationwide drivers practice first. Then was the Craftsman Truck Race. It was cool. The trucks are loud and go fast!!! The best part of the race was watching Kyle Busch drive. He is an amazing driver. He ran away with the race. After the race we saw about 30 minutes of Cup practice and then it started to rain. Amy and I put on our ponchos and stayed put. We could do that because our ponchos smelled better than Dad's ponchos did. We waited and waited. We had a second race to watch. It rained harder and then stopped. They started drying the track and had it mostly dry until it started raining again. Amy was getting cold and neither of us wanted to get sick - so we threw in the towel at 5 and came home. Just as we got home NASCAR called off the race - so at least we didn't miss it by coming home. I had a great time. Probably the best day I've had in a long time. I really want to take a road trip to Vegas to see them race next weekend, but I have to go to the yucky Single Adult Conference. But that's a topic for another post. We took a few pictures, but we took our regular cameras not digital - so when we get them back we'll post them!

Mel

NASCAR

THE NASCAR SEASON HAS STARTED!!!!! I'm so happy! I think Amy overdosed on NASCAR because she was sick. The Speed Channel had over 100 hours from Speed Weeks during the past two weeks and it was always on in the house. (She even watched it when I was at school). This weekend we are going to the Truck and Nationwide Race on Saturday at California Speedway. We are going to rent a scanner, go to the Speed Channel stage, look for cool things to buy and watch cars go really, really fast! I don't know who Amy is going to cheer for but one of my guys is racing in both races. Go Kyle!!!!!!!!!!!