Halloween, Halloween

On Halloween I went over to my mom's house for her traditional English soup and homemade rolls. I then went to the see The Nightmare Before Christmas (in 3D) with my friends. Here are a few pictures of the festivities:

Our Baby Pumpkin aka Mitch

Zack as Thomas the Train

For weeks, when I asked Zack what he was going to be for Halloween, he replied, "A Choo-Choo." On Halloween, when he came over, I asked, "Are you Thomas the Train?" He said, "No." I asked, "Oh, are you Zack the Train?" Again, he said, "No. I'm just Zack." All night long when people asked him who he was, he replied, "Zack. Just Zack."

Ron and Irene with the babies.

Louis, Me, & Adam with the babies.

This is Halloween, This is Halloween

On Sunday, October 28th, my family (minus my mom and dad) spent the day at my mom and dad's house carving pumpkins. My mom and dad were out of town, but that didn't stop us from going over to their house, cooking and eating their food, and making a general mess carving pumpkins. Here are a few pictures:

Amanda, Louis, Zack, & Jeanine.

Dougie, Adam, & Carlos
Louis & Amanda

Our Beautiful Pumpkins

(mine's the small one on the end).

The baby missed out on all the fun.

Halloween Hilarity

So this weekend I went to a few Halloween parties (Ward Halloween Party & Summer's Halloween Party). I wasn't really in the mood to dress-up so I pulled out my old gypsy costume. This year I give Alina and Shawn the award for best costumes (There is no actual award for this honor). Bishop Bowman's was pretty good too - he gets runner up. Here's a couple of pictures from the festivities.

Ward Party:

Lesli, Alina, & Me (plus the Bishop)

I'm reading people's fortune's by using the Bishop's Date Ball - the Eight Ball for Dating. He seriously uses it to give people counsel. Plus, the Bishop came as Steve Carell from Evan Almighty aka Noah, but he kept saying he was Moses from the movie Evan Almighty. Several times we had to remind him, he was Noah. I even suggested he might want to read The Bible to learn a little more about the two men.

Me playing (and winning Family Feud).

The Family Feud Winners!!

Summer's Party:

The Girls: Val, Alicia, Alina, Me, & Summer

Best Costumes:

Alina as Ugly Betty

America Ferrera as Ugly Betty

Shawn as Alex DeLarge (pictured w/ Val)

Malcom MacDowell as Alex DeLarge

Think You Know Your Horror Movies?

To test your knowledge, click HERE.

Funny Demetri Martin Quotes

• 'Cotton balls' is an example of something I would buy, but not want to have as a nickname. 'Cinnamon buns', on the other hand, is something I would buy and want to have as a nickname. 'Are you Cinnamon Buns?' 'You bet your sweet ass I am.'

• I like parties, but I don't like piñatas because the pinata promotes violence against flamboyant animals. Hey, there's a donkey with some pizzazz. Let's kick its ass. What I'm trying to say is, don't make the same Halloween costume mistake that I did.

• I think that when you get dressed in the morning, sometimes you're really making a decision about your behavior for the day. Like if you put on flipflops, you're saying: 'Hope I don't get chased today.'

For more funny Demetri Martin quotes, click HERE.

To see some of his stand-up comedy, click HERE and HERE.

Rock the Harry Potter Party

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"Who rocks the party, that rocks the party, that rocks the Harry Potter party?" (To understand this reference, click HERE and watch the video).

Apparently my friends and me. Last Saturday (Oct. 20th) I attended Lori's annual Harry Potter party. Although she's been throwing this party for the past 6 years, this it the first year I've attended. Why? To find out, click HERE.

It was loads of fun. We were asked to dress like a character from the books. I went as Tonks (I assume it's obvious from the picture. That is, if you've read the books). We had a grand feast in the great hall, were sorted into houses (I was sorted into Slytherin), played an altered game of quidditch, and had an all around good time. Enjoy the pictures!!

Me with my wand

Me being sorted into Slytherin House.

Me with a crazed fan of the Irish Quidditch Team (aka Christi)

MMS, Home of the Bats

So since I started teaching at my school, we've had bat problems. Every year a few bats somehow sneak into the school building where they cause a little bit of panic before being chased out by our custodians. This year is a little different. Instead of a few bats, we have a whole herd, flock, (what is a large group of bats referred to as?). And instead of being chased out of the building, they have taken up residence in our cave - and when I say cave, I mean auditorium. Because of this, our auditorium has been sealed off and we are not allowed to enter it. Additionally, no exterminators in the state of Utah will deal with bats. Where does that leave MMS? Stuck with an auditorium of bats.

Oh, if only it ended there. Last week three bats escaped from the cave and started flying around the building. Apparently this tired out one bat and he (or she - who can tell?) had to take a little break on the hallway floor. Well, one student found said bat, picked him (or her) up, and carried him (or her) to the main office. But don't worry. The student was completely safe (at least he thought) because he was wearing gloves - and when I say gloves, I mean knit mittens. SERIOUSLY!!

The Lyrical Genius, Part II

A few songs by The Lyrical Genius, Morrissey:

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To read more about the concert, click on Alina's Blog.
(Do it just to see a picture of Alina's belt buckle).

The Lyrical Genius

Last night Alina and I went to the Morrissey concert. Yes, I just saw him a few months ago, but I would see him every few months for the rest of my life if I could. Here is a sampling of his lyrical genius:

I've been dreaming of a time when
to be English
is not to be baneful
To be standing by the flag not feeling
shameful, racist or partial
- Morrissey, Irish Blood, English Heart

In our lifetime those who kill
The newsworld hands them stardom
And these are the ways
On which I was raised
- Morrissey, The Last of the Famous International Playboys

I could have mentioned your name
I could have dragged you in
Guilt by implication
By association
Ive always been true to you
In my own strange way
Ive always been true to you
In my own sick way
Ill always stay true to you
- Morrissey, Speedway

Ready with ready-wit
Still running round
On the flesh rampage
at your age!
- Morrissey, Trouble Loves Me

So you stand by the board
Full of fear and intention
And, if you think that they're listening
Well, you've got to be joking
- Morrissey, The Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils

For another post about The Lyrical Genius, click HERE.

One Year of Blogging

It's been a year since I started my blog and I'm still loving it!!
Here are my Top Ten favorite posts from the past year:

• My Very Own (my first post)
• King Ron Turns 50
• Life Styles of the Rich and Famous
• These are a Few of my Favorite Things
• Best of 2006
• Refuge for Horny Teenagers
• Summer Break
• Tee/Tea Time
• Giant Pretzel
• Fall Season

Ms George's Writing Center

So last year I started a classroom blog for students to publish their writing. If you have a few minutes, check it out and make a comment - it would really encourage my students to write more. I would suggest making your comments anonymously - that way, they can't look at your blogs and in turn look at mine. If you do write a comment anonymously, please leave your name. Thanks!!

Here are some of my favorite so far:

• The Way of the Samurai

• The Vacation

• Memories
  

• Rocky Mountain Raceway

Lesli, This One's For You

Are You Smarter than an 8th Grader?

You Passed 8th Grade US History

Congratulations, you got 7/8 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade History?

A Change of Scenery

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

Kiss Me, Mandy. Kiss Me.

On Sunday I went to my aunt Jeanine's house for her baby's (Mitchell's) blessing. Before I left to go home, I went to say good-bye to her 3 year-old son, Zack. I walked into his room and said, "Zackie, I'm going home; give me a hug." He reached up and I picked him up into my arms. As I did so he pressed his soft check against my mouth. I just thought he was awkwardly hugging me so I continued talking to him and telling him good-bye. After a few seconds, he interrupted me by saying, "Kiss me, Mandy. Kiss me." I started laughing, then planted one on his sweet cheek. Always the gentleman, he replied, "Thank you." Then squirmed out of my arms to return to his toys.

For more ridiculous stories about Zackie, click HERE, HERE, and HERE.