Snow, Snow, Snow

It's my birthday so I'm leaving all this snow behind for sunny California. Stay tuned for upcoming pictures of my birthday celebration in Disneyland. Until then, here are some pictures of what I'm leaving behind.

So it's been snowing in the Salt Lake Valley a lot!! Seriously, a lot!! Our landscape company is really good about plowing, but the problem is they can only stack it so high. Here are a few pics.

The view from my driveway.

The snow's as high as a van!!

Another pile.

You almost can't see the street signs.
Plus, check out the mountains.

The First Official Celebration

So, I haven't blogged much about it, but my birthday is coming up. I love my birthdays, but because this one's a BIG one (30), I've been a little reluctant to write about it. It's not because I'm not looking forward to my birthday - I am. I'm still really excited, but I'm afraid that when it actually gets here, I might freak out. Regardless of the possibility that I might freak out, I have begun the celebrations. Wednesday night I went out with a bunch of my girl friends. Here are a few pics of our dinner celebration:

Christi, Aly, & Kari

Ali, Shelli (with Audra's baby), & Me

Kari & Audra

In other birthday news, this year I requested a pirate themed birthday party. Lesli (with my help) made these invitations for it. I think they are fabulous.

American Born Chinese

I just finished reading American Born Chinese, a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. Although I had never read a graphic novel (nor was I planning on doing so), I had to because it was assigned in my adolescent literature class. The novel contains three different stories that cleverly weave together in the end. It contained a lot of humor and had an important message about accepting who you are and overcoming the desire to fit in. I highly recommend it!!

To read more about American Born Chinese or Yang's other books, click HERE.

One of my favorite pages.

Super Tuesday

Random Thoughts about Super Tuesday:

• I am a political junkie. I switched back and forth between the major networks viewing minute by minute up-dates. I don't know what this says about me, but I don't think it's positive.
• I received one of the funniest voicemails ever from my father after he voted. It went something like this: "Well, I did it. I voted for the first African-American who has a chance at the White House. I guess I'm officially a Democrat. I don't know how I feel about this - a little wierd . . . and tingly."
• I voted for the same candidate as both of my parents - I don't think this has ever happened. Apparently, the Georges are a united front this year.
• California sucks. It seems so unfair that one state has so much say and sway.
• Obama won more states, but Clinton won bigger states. Again, bigger states suck.
• Romney received 90% of Utah's Republican vote. I am not a Romney fan. He and I have few beliefs (political) in common. In one survey I took, Zero Percent (0%) of our beliefs (again, political) matched.
• Super Tuesday and Fat Tuesday landed on the same day this year. Just kind of funny.
  

The Green Monster

Three years ago I received a new room assignment at my school. I went from the nicest room in the entire school (it was large, had a sink, and was located right next to the faculty room) to the smallest room in the school. Now this room wasn't always the smallest. In fact at one time it was a large room with two doors. However, the administration wanted to better utilize the school's space so they built a large wall down the middle of the room. One large room divided by giant wall = two small rooms. I don't mind having a smaller room. In fact, it means I can't have more than 16 students in my class. My main concern, upon first moving in, was the giant wall. It was covered with carpet - puck green colored carpet. It's taken me awhile to get used to it, but now I love it!!

Let me explain. Because my room is so small, I need to come up with creative ways to arrange and organize things so everything fits. I own a lot of books and needed to come up with a creative way to display them. After brainstorming with Alina, I decided to see if I could velcro containers on my Green Monster to hold books. It worked. The velcro is very, very strong. It took me a couple of days to get it all organized. My students were very excited to see my project. They kept asking if they could read the books I had stacked in the back. I told them they'd have to wait until I had all of them up.

After a couple of days, it was done and my students were SO excited to go through all the books and see what there was. The crazy thing is that these books have been in my classroom the whole year, but because they weren't displayed very well (they were on a bookshelf with only the spines showing), my students didn't seem too interested. Anyway, I now love the giant green carpet wall and it's ability to velcro things to it.

Next project - see if velcro will restrain a 7th grader to the wall.

The new containers (cardboard boxes velcroed to walls).

A close up of two boxes.

Another box.

The entire Green Monster.

Honey Bunny

I took these pictures of Mitch last week. He was cracking me up because he was chewing on his foot.

Chewing on his foot while laying on my lap.

Trying to chew on his foot, but his pacifier is in the way.

He looks a little scared, but he's loving it!!

Rachel's Challenge

Our school has recently started the program Rachel's Challenge. This program is ran by the family of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine shootings. On January 30th, the student body at our school was introduced to the program and challenged to accept "Rachel's Challenge." By accepting the challenge, students promise to:

1. Eliminate Prejudice by Looking for the Best in Others
   
2. Dream - Set goals, Write goals, and Keep a journal
   
3. Choose positive Influences
   
4. Use Kind Words and Small Acts of Kindness
   
5. Start a Chain Reaction with Family and Friends
   

These 5 challenges were described in detail during a one-hour assembly. The student body was excellent during the assembly. They were attentive and quiet. Plus, I didn't see any cell phones or I-Pods - this is miraculous. After the assembly the students had a lot of positive things to say about the challenge. I think it will be an important program to help bring the student body together.

President Hinckley

Monday as I was reading cnn.com, I clicked on the article about President Hinckley's death. CNN reported, "Mormons believe the president of the church is a living prophet and apostle. They considered his words divinely inspired." Yes, we do. The prophet's words are divinely inspired and they offer inspiration. Unfortuantely, CNN thought it was only important enough to quote the prophet on the church's stance on homosexuality and the role of women in the home. I think they should have looked at more of President Hinckley's divinely inspired words, including the following:

• On death: "All of us have to deal with death at one time or another, but to have in one's heart a solid conviction concerning the reality of eternal life is to bring a sense of peace in an hour of tragedy and loss that can come from no other source under the heaven."

• About faith: "There is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult, if we have faith."

• Live kindly: "Let us, each of us, watch ourselves. Whenever we have within us a little temper, go outside, breathe some fresh air, and come in with a smile and throw your arms around your companion and tell her you love her. Look to your children and let them know that you love them. Live with them kindly and graciously, as Latter-day Saints should do."

• Temple attendance: "Attend the temple. You will be blessed for so doing. Every man or woman who goes into the house of the Lord leaves there a better man or woman than he or she was when he or she entered the house of the Lord. The house of the Lord will have a refining effect upon you. It will cultivate unselfishness within your lives. It will build righteousness. It will impress upon you the importance of doing what you ought to do. Go to the house of the Lord."

• Importance of books: "How marvelous a thing is a book.... Books represent the accumulated workings of the human mind, the endless treasure of man's thoughts as he has contemplated himself and the phenomena with which he is surrounded. How grateful I am for books and for those who have tenderly watched over and guarded them through the centuries."

• Missionary work: "What a wonderful program to take a young man at the most impressionable time of his life and, at a time when he is most prone to think of himself, send him out in the world to lose himself in the service of others. That's a tremendous thing in its own right, this great (missionary) program."

• On education: "Education unlocks the door of opportunities. You will rise according to your education. Work at it. Sacrifice for it. Do it. Pray about it, and the Lord will bless you. You will see yourselves rise and become men and women of strength and capacity."

• Be good parents: "(The Lord) expects us to be good parents, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives. He expects husbands to treat their wives with deference and respect. He expects wives to treat their husbands with kindness and helpfulness. He expects us to be good parents to our children."

• Peace, friendship, respect: "I don't like bigotry. I don't like hate. They are so incompatible with the spirit of the gospel and the teachings of the Lord. I like peace. I like friendship. I like mutual respect. As we have these things, I don't think that is going to slow down the growth of the church — it may enhance it. I believe that we can do much, and I think we are doing much. I think we are making very substantial headway."

• Catastrophes across the world: "I don't know the reason for many of the catastrophes (across the world) but I do know this, that the God of heaven has imposed upon us as Christians the responsibility to look after those who become the victims of these terrible disasters. ... If we are followers of the Christ, we will follow him in doing what he would have us do as his followers in our daily living."

• Women: "Let me say to you sisters that you do not hold a second place in our Father's plan for the eternal happiness and well-being of his children. You are an absolutely essential part of that plan. Without you the plan could not function. Without you the entire program would be frustrated. . . . Each of you is a daughter of God, endowed with a divine birthright. You need no defense of that position."

• Prayer: "Be prayerful. Get on your knees. Speak with the Lord in prayer. He is the God of the universe but he will hear and answer your prayers if you will seek after him. Pray about the important things of your life — about attending school, about going on a mission, about the girl you will marry or the boy you will marry. The Lord will bless you and guide you."

Queen of Domesticity

So I hosted a Sunday brunch at my house today. I decided to make homemade muffins. For those of you who know me, you know I hate to cook. I think it takes too long and is not worth it. I'd rather go buy something. I think it costs about the same and I love that I can save the time and the clean dishes. Regardless of this fact, I am a good cook. Here are a few pictures proving that I am a Domestic Goddess:

The Muffins

Queen of Domesticity

Manly Movies vs. Chick Flicks

This weekend I saw two movies - Cloverfield (manly movie) and 27 Dresses (chick flick). I actually enjoyed both of them, but which one would be victorious? Which one will receive my recommendation? The winner is - the manly movie. That's right, Cloverfield. It was an exciting, surprisinly funny, movie. I was kind of nervous because I knew it was filmed with a hand-held camera, similar to The Blair Witch Project. But, no need to be nervous. It wasn't annoying nor did it give me motion sickness. Not only that, but it actually had a story and characters you care about - at least I did. So, there you go. If you're trying to decide between the manly movie and the chick flick, definitley go with the manly movie.

As a side note, I'd like to thank all my manly (Kevin & Kyle) and chick (Alina, Lesli, Christi, & Larissa) friends for enjoying the movies with me.

Cloverfield

27 Dresses

One Very Opinionated Man

This is a horrible picture of me, but a fantastic picture of my dad. My dad has been cracking me up lately. Yesterday was no exception. I was over at his house and we were watching the nightly news together. The news reported on the war in Iraq so naturally Ronnie had to go off on that - he kept ranting and raving about the poor job President Bush has done in regards to foreign affairs. The following story was about the economy. Again my dad added his two cents about President Bush's screw ups regarding the economy. The "fluff" story of the night was about Jenna Bush's upcoming wedding and her decision to have it in Crawford, Texas instead of the White House.

"That's it!" my dad exclaimed. "That just goes to show you idiocy is genetic. It started with Bush Senior, then went to Junior, and now it's been passed onto the daughter. Who in their right mind would get married in No Where, Texas when you could get married in the White House?" He went on (and on) about a website he'd like to create called, "The Idiot Gene." In said website he would list all the idiotic decisions Bush family members had made. It was cracking me up. He pretty much made comments during the entire broadcast. My mother had to eventually say, "You know, I would like to hear the news, but I'll I'm hearing is you." That didn't stop him.

Political Poll

Despite declaring myself apathetic towards politics, I can't help but be interested in the recent primary elections and the candidates. I've returned to my junkie ways - my junkie political way. I should have expected it - After all, I do have a B.A. in political science. Anyway, I saw this political poll on another blog so I thought I'd share - especially since many of you have some intense political opinions. If you are opinionated (or oblivious) the questions go rather quickly. Not surprisingly, I was most aligned with Bill Richardson, but since he's dropped out of the running, my second closest match was with Hillary. To take the poll, click HERE.

To see a past post on another political poll, click HERE.

Play Date - The Aquarium

So I don't have any children, but Jeanine invited me to join Zack's play group. They hold play dates every 2nd and 4th Friday. The 2nd Fridays are always held at some place fun, so I decided I would go. (The 4th Fridays are at a house where the kids will play - I can not be attending those). Last Friday we went to the local Aquarium. Being in Utah, it's wasn't that big or spectacular, but it was pretty fun. Here are a few pictures:

Zack observing the fascinating aquatic life.

Close-up of the fascinating aquatic life.

Sting Rays

This is a horrible picture of me, but me trying to touch a sting ray.

Adolescent Literature

I'm currently enrolled in an Adolescent Lit class through BYU. Throughout the course we will be reading a dozen different books written for teenagers. I just finished the first book, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong. It was an excellent book. It tells the true story of Ernest Shackleton's attempt to cross the continent of Antarctica. Attempt is the key word there because Shackleton and his boat Endurance never even made it to Antarctica (the boat became trapped in frozen ice 100 miles of the coast). The book tells the amazing survival story of Endurance's crew as they were trapped at the bottom of the world for almost 20 months!! Here's how Armstrong ended the book:

Shackleton had failed in his mission. And yet what he and his crew did succeed in doing in 1915-1916 was one of the most incredible feats of survival ever recorded. Every stage of their journey seemed more remarkable than the last. From January 1915, when Endurance was trapped in the ice, during its helpless drift through the Weddell Sea and its destruction in October, to the crew's long, miserable months of camping on the ice, the Boss had held his men together under terrible conditions. Their three-boat passage in April 1916 to Elephant Island was accomplished in spite of enormous odds. The voyage of the James Caird over 800 miles of winter ocean rivals any small-boat journey in history. Shackleton's trek across the unmapped peaks of South Georgia was the first in that hostile mountain range, and the survival of the crew in their hut on Elephant Island over one Antarctic winter is almost too much to believe. And yet it all happened Shackleton brought them all home.

Anyways, I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fast and fascinating read. Here are a few pictures I found of Shackleton, his crew, and the Endurance:

Endurance after it was trapped in the ice pack.

Ernest Shackleton

Endurance after an ice floe hit it.

The crew with a lifeboat, after abandoning Endurance.

Zombie Apocalypse

39%

I'm going to read The Zombie Survival Guide so hopefully my chances will increase by the time the Zombie Apocalypse begins.

Fat Cats

Last weekend my family (extended and all) went to Fat Cats for Pizza and Bowling. It was a ton of fun. Here are a few pictures:

Zackie showing me what his Fat Cat does.

Adam & Jackie with Mitch.

Me modeling a lovely lime green bowling ball.

Carlos sporting a victory grin.

Dougie and Zack

Dannika bowling,

Amber looking on,

And Dakota checking out the balls.

Ronnie - obviously he made a good shot.

Mitch missed out on most the fun.

Totally Made Me Laugh

15

The Wisdom of my Mother

For the past 5ish years, my mother has given away basic tool sets as wedding gifts. I always thought this was a weird wedding gift, and said so on many occasions. Two years ago, when I bought my own house, my mother gave me the same gift, a basic too set, as a house-warming present. I thought, "Really?" Anyway, it has been one of the best gifts I've ever received. I'm surprised how often I use it. It's come in handy to complete a number of tasks including: hanging shelves & pictures, fixing my vacuum cleaner (which needs repairs often), opening & closing paint lids, fixing my shower door, measuring for furniture, assembling my cheap Target and IKEA furniture (and not so cheap Pier 1 furniture), and many other uses. I should have know - Never question the wisdom of a mother.

New Years Eve - Part 1

I started my New Years Eve by meeting some old school friends for dinner at Tepanyaki. It was nice because both Mike and Travis were in town and joined us. Here are a few pictures:

Mike, Travis, & Kevin

Val & Kyle

Christi & Me

Alicia & Summer

Kyle, Mike, Travis, & Kevin

New Years Eve - Part 2

After dinner with friends, Christi and I went to Jeff's house to rock in the new year playing Rock Band. Here are a few pictures:

Christi with all her foriegn candy

Katrina & Jeff

Me with my instrument of choice

Megan, Jeff, Katrina, Tim, & Jared