In a Moment

I heard some scary news today from Chris Bailey, and I wanted to let you all know that I believe your prayers and support would be very appreciated. Remember our friends Holly and Jared? I can't remember their last names at the moment, but it's Holly who lived in 60. They were in a really bad car accident lately and are both in the hospital. Holly is going to pull through, but Jared is still not breathing on his own yet, and is still in critical conditions. Chris mentioned several punctured lungs and all sorts of scary things. At any rate, it made me stop and think about life and how fleeting it can be. It shook me up--if it can happen to Holly and Jared, it could happen to me. But I wanted you all to know how much I love you because you never know what might happen. And Rachel, if you read this in time and you still plan on visiting them in the hospital, will you let us know so we can maybe come? Thanks.

Huh?!?!?

How come no one has written a blog here?
Who's job is that anyway?


OOoooh...

America, America

I woke up this morning to my husband singing, "no estan gatos en America..." from An American Tale, only in Spanish, not the normal English. It got pretty crazy when he tried to sing it in Chinese...huh. But it did get me thinking about how there ARE cats in America--literally and metaphorically. AND the streets aren't paved with cheese. Which is why they last so long, I believe. BUT I think it's probably a lot better here than the mother country. God bless America.

My First Born

Jon's blog reminded me of a conversation I had with myself yesterday. I was thinking back over my life, and wondering whether I had ever even jokingly promised anyone my first-born child. You never know, you see, who will rememeber these things. Do you think Rapunzel's father thought that old woman next door would remember his promise? No way! You never know when ordinary strangers will turn out to have magical powers. So I'm pretty sure I never have promised any of my children away. Which is lucky, because if I have, I will most likely find out in about eight months when I bear my first born. I don't suppose there are any fairy godmothers reading my blog who would like to protect me?

Oh Tripe!

We are visiting on of Michael's baptisms. Well, HE is visiting Mike's family, and so are we. Yeah--he's the one you all remember from my wedding reception: long hair and camera happy. Last night he treated us to Vietnamese soup at a restaurant--it reminds him of home. Mike's dad was insistent that I try the tripe in my soup. I wasn't adverse, and started fishing around with my chopsticks while I asked, "isn't tripe a kind of fish?" "No. But try it first before I tell you what it is." "Um...you not telling me makes me way more nervous than knowing what it is would," said I. "You want to know that it's cow brains?" Oh, I thought, that's not so bad, and stuffed some into my mouth. I think you would have been proud of my chopstick skills. And the tripe was pretty good too!

Fashion Forward

I was trying to decide the other day, how I feel about some of the new fashion statements that I’ve seen around campus. Then I realized that they reminded me of myself when I was a youngling. Those lacy leggings under dresses? I recall one of my favorite outfits in Junior High that consisted of leggings under a baggy sweatshirt (I had much better legs then). Yesterday I saw a girl with leopard print pants that strongly reminded me of those overalls I used to have. I wonder if hers were fuzzy…

SEE everyone? I wasn’t 10 years behind fashion in Junior High! I was ten years ahead!

The Moa...

Dang! Who ARE these extremely sophisticated, supremely relaxed women?

So...this one time, three best friends went to the MOA. Such a delightful dose of culture and refinement washed over them, and they were left instantly smarter. Then they had a fabulously smart idea: why not have a girls night out? Soon, a night such as had been heretofore only imagined was being carried out. The girls were basking in the sublimity of cheese and chocolate fondue, purple face masks and parafin wax dips (did you KNOW you can do your elbows?) Not to mention the travel size microdermabrasion set and new Peach Smoothie Satin Hands from a certain pink-loving woman (no--not Erika. This lady is much wrinklier and older--in fact, deceased).

Juxtaposition of Worlds

So this one time, The Brigham Young University's Young Ambassadors' Singing Entertainer camp began. And it brings my past life out from its box in the closet and waves it in my face. I did that once.

It really was like a different world. In my opinion, a harder one--always competing for attention with every single other person in the room--all of whom seem to be better at getting it than you do...The hours of tiring practice squashed between the rest of life, resulting in 3, maybe 7 shows? Wanting that solo more than anything in the world (it's one verse, for heaven's sake) and being beaten out...sigh. Those were the days. It was quite the roller coaster, with fabulous ups that almost paid for the horrible lows. I loved it!

I look at my life now: computer teacher, toiling the day away to teach people how to use things that make working better. Who wants to work anyways? I get so annoyed with my teachers, I don't even want to know what my students think of me! I wear no make-up, and the perma ponytail seems to have moved in to stay. I go home at night and instead of going to a play practice, I try to dredge up the energy to make my husband dinner...unless I don't, and then he has toast or something.

I've been noticing the difference ever since I came to work here, but it's been especially blatant this week. Because, you see, I work in the KMB, where the bathrooms only exist in other parts of the building. The fastest is to cross the line (through an "Emergency Exit" door no less!) into the world of costumes and bright lights, loud music and laughter. My old world. Opening the door from the new to the old has been interesting. Up the stairs is where I used to come for voice lessons. Further down, the dance rooms that we used for Singing Entertainer, and that I took a dance class in. The bathroom even, where I used to change as fast as I could so I could get to English almost on time. And NOW, there are little thespians running all over the place. I look at them and see me (well, okay. I identify with the ones that seem a little out of place, I'll admit. The ones that don't have designer work-out outfits, perfectly done hair and makeup, and are maybe a little longer than necessary). There's even Alan Sacket--whom I had a crush on when I was 8, and seemed the epitomy of successful showman--who is a counselor.

I'll be honest, there's a little wistfullness there. But something that I've learned this week is that I like my life! It's different, and I like it! And who knows? I may live my old dream and be in Hale Center Theater plays someday. Or move outside Utah and start a family playhouse myself! I'm not done with the "more exciting" things that I used to love, I have just moved to a different stage. And if I'd continued with my "other life," who knows where I would be? Prolly not married to the most fabulous man in the world, happily muddling through a quiet life. The old world has one new thing to teach me--suddenly I catch the last part of the song blaring in the background: "I've got my man, who could ask for anything more?"

Happy Day! My Husband Has a Stomach Ache!

I know--can you believe it? I'm glorying in his pain...I'm a horrible person.

But wait! I have to tell you WHY he has been groaning for the past half an hour...

I made dinner. Yup. Real live, not from a box, more than one course, home cookin'. Parmesan Ranch Chicken to be honest. And he liked it so much, he couldn't stop eating! And he kept making noises like Mr. Collins (only not quite so annoying) while he ate it. Sigh. AND there are leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Yeah...professional wife, coming through.

=P I wish!!!

So...This One Time...

I had no friends.

Wait! Before you start protesting that indeed, I DO have friends--that YOU in fact, really enjoy being my friend, hear me out.

So, I blogged about my wedding reception using one of my favorite pictures.

Nothing.

THEN, I blogged about one of the funniest-slash-most painful things in the world that happened to me.

Nothing.

"I have no friends!" I bemoaned every time I checked my blog. "Now that I am married I am dead to them all. I will never blog again."

Sad huh? Don't cry. It ends happy.

So Annie asked me today, "When do we get to see the comments on your blog?" "I dunno..." I thought morosely, "...when someone reads and comments?" So...somehow the moderate comments became enabled on my blog. We figured it out--AND how to fix it. Luckily. So now, all the comments that I thought weren't there really ARE! And I DO have friends that care that I got married and almost burned my legs off. Wow. I skipped for the rest of the day.

So, I wanted to thank you all for being great friends who care about me and check my blog and then comment on it. And apologize for thinking you forgot about me.
Oh...I'm still grinning!

Whoever Said "Beauty Knows No Pain..."

Or, Beware the Nair.
So this one time, on my honeymoon, I decided to try Nair (for those males reading this, it's a chemical product that removes hair) on my legs. I read the instructions carefully, and slathered some on my legs.

"Ooooh," said I, "that's a delightfully tingly sensation!"

Then came time to take it off.

"Wow...some of the hair comes right out! That's cool."

Then it really started burning. Couldn't take it off fast enough...says don't use soap, but I gotta use something! Ooookay...shower that stuff off...right...water makes it worse...lotion? More pain...tepid bath? Nope...crying in a corner? Uh uh.

So...I had delightfully shiney legs. Only problem is, they were bright red, bleeding in places, and the reason they were shiney was that the swollen skin was stretched too tightly. AND there was still hair on them.

I'm allergic.

There's More Where THIS Came From...

If you'll go to my wedding reception on Friday. Yeah, I know...you want to see my wedding dress. I would like that. But this is all you get until then! I haven't figured out how to translate this sound into writing yet...but Lalulalulalulalu (sound resembling a Thanksgiving turkey...yes, I am doing it right now--you should too). Now wipe the spit off of your computer, and come! It's at 6:30, with a "normal" (ish) reception until 8:30, at which point there will be dancing for an hour. I really need y'all to come so there actually WILL be dancing! =D 575 E. 800 N. in Orem (stop laughing!) You don't even need to bring a present. I just want to see you all there.

I'll feed you... 

A River Runs Through It

There are not merely large puddles in the parking lot shared by the JKB and the Talmadge. There is a large, quickly flowing body of water and slush. I finally decided to stop "avoiding" the water, and happily, albeit frigidly, sloshed my way through. It is actually a good thing that I am wearing these sandals, because they will dry out a lot faster than will any of my winter-ish shoes would.My tingly red toes free of socks are a blessing in my life.

Where did the Springtime go?

Stupid People

So...I did it. I made the switch. I am now...

Oops. Deja vu and wrong blog. I apologize. For this is a venting blog. A short one, because...well, you'll understand why in approximately 30 seconds. A mini-venting blog; it will be short, and with mini amounts of ventilation.

Ahem...
I stood here, waiting for a computer in the library (during devotional--they are a slim commodity right now!) while some DORK watched Strongbad's latest e-mail. Excuse me? Can you not read the sign on your monitor that says, "Please limit your time when people are waiting"?!?!?!?

And so, once I finally got a computer, I sit here writing a blog. Next to the girl who was in front of me in line, who is playing TextTwist. I am seriously tempted to log on to Homestarrunner.com, but I don't have my headphones.

I really do have a couple of good blogs percolating in my head. I just need to find a space where I don't need to "limit my time when people are waiting." Oh heck, why don't I just do it right now?

Early People

So...I did it. I made the switch (most) of the way. As I sit here at the library at 8 o'clock, I look at all the people around me: early people. So THIS is what it feels like! Huh. I kind of like it. My body is getting used to waking up at seven and being to school by eight every day. My favorite day is still Tuesday though, when I don't teach or have class until ONE. I generally sleep in on Tuesdays. Yummmmm. I love waking up to the sun on my face. Sigh. Well, I thought I was an early person. Ew yuck. The guys at the computer are early people..."I thought about sleeping in today. I mean, I don't have class until eleven. Then I thought to myself, 'get up and do your physics!'" "Yeah, I slept in today..." [what the crap? it's 8 o'clock and you're at school!] "at least, I didn't get up at 5:30." Only under extreme duress do I EVER get up at five thirty. well, over the summer I had to be to work by 5. I will simply look back on those times and marvel at my former strength. But really. I am an early-ish person now. Usually.

Lighthearted Stroll

So I'm supposed to be working on my research proposal, but I'm obviously way too lighthearted at the moment. Can I tell you about my stroll from the KMB to the TNRB that shouldn't have been lighthearted either, but it was? Thanks. I was walking along, drinking in sunshine (But the sky wasn't orange, oddly enough), feeling bubbly excited. I had just come from a Word class of awesomeness, where I was evaluated for a promotion (Diane says I passed her half!) and where my coteacher is none other than the beautiful Annie Jacob, who did a fabulous job teaching Autofunctions. I felt like my part of the teaching went pretty well (phew), and I think the class will be really fun. All but one person is on the same level, and I feel less bad boring people (she knows WordPerfect really well) than going to fast for them. It's going to be way fun. The sun was shining, the grass is getting greener (in time for engagement pics--yay!), and I'm getting married next month. Hold the phone, er, mouse--next month?!?!?! Wow. Gosh, I can't wait. Suddenly, I heard screeching breaks, and a horrific rending-of-metal noise. The car directly to my right had just ran into the metal gate by the JKB, knocking it down completely. Pah ha ha. Made my day.

Pretty pretty freezing cold blinding whiteness

It really was gorgeous. Because, you see, in Rexburg, it is so grubdz cold that the snow falling from the sky never melts and congeals with other flakes. So on top of the car is a beautiful conglomeration of snowflakes--each in its original, pristine, crystal form. Since every flake is individual, the sun sends millions of gorgeous sparkles bouncing off the ground, turning the surrounding, freezing cold countryside to a beautiful, blinding fairy-land.

Alas, I'm still not tempted to live there. Even mid-afternoon, the wind was suck-your-soul-out cold. Grubdz. What can I say more?

Dang it--Logan is almost as cold (but luckily at least two years away!)

I miss you Meagan. I was trying to explain "It's not funny if they aren't falling down." After I was dropped foot-long into a pile of said freezing cold whiteness (it was in a parking lot though--definitely icy greyness). That's all.

grubdz

That's what I just had to enter to post a comment on my own blog! It fits my mood, believe it or not. I am going to take this opportunity to vent. For any of you who would not like to hear any complaining, let alone Valentines grumbling, you had best stop now. Yes, that means you.

Obviously, the day started wonderfully. Yay for happy walks to work and fun Quickskills classes and Photoshopping a picture of me and my love and having it printed at Walmart and putting it in a cute frame, for to be a cute little fiance. I also managed to print off thirty copies of a letter and consent form that we are sending to 30 troubled high school kids that we want to play with. After that, things started going down hill. First, I...um...skipped class....because I didn't want to go. So I didn't. So there. THEN the notoriously late cleaning check lady was 2 and a half hours late. I had promised my roommates I would wait for her--checks always go so much better when there is someone here. =P I knew the second I left to get something done, she would come. So I stayed here...waiting. THEN I needed to drive to Walmart in rush hour traffic to get said picture for the man I love. THEN I got back and Michael and I headed to Tucanos. You didn't make reservations? Even after I suggested it? Several times? Oh well. An hour and a half wait is okay--we'll go buy our engagement rings. We come back. "Is this the first time you've checked back with us?" Duh...yes. "Check back in another 20 minutes and tell me it's the second time." Off to Borders...cute future wife saves the day! Let's read kids books. I show him Nancy Drew 1-56. "Guess how many I've read?" All of them? Have you read a lot of books? "Huh...self, are you sure you are compatible with this man? Yes, dear heart, I have read a lot of books. I thought that we'd been over this. Yes, I know, you pretty much have read The Lord of the Rings." Back to Tucanos. "Okay, here's a cool ringer buzzer thing that will tell you when we're ready for you." Hmm...I'm pretty sure that adds up to...a TWO and a Half hour wait...but, we've waited this long, might as well just read some more. Mike is getting into Harry Potter anyways. FORTY minutes later, we return to Tucanos. The place is even more packed than before. The girl is still telling people to check back in fifteen minutes and tell her it's the second time (yes, the dumbest idea for a wait system I've ever heard). Tensions are high (especially mine--I'm hypoglycemic and PMSing like CRAZY). I am about ready to throw the cool buzzer thingy at her head..."May I have your attention. Everyone with a cool ringer buzzer thing needs to wait outside." Oh...grubdz. Three hours was all I could handle. We left, and had our Valentines dinner at Taco Bell. At 9 o'clock. Now we need to go to Macey's to get ice cream. I don't want ice cream. Warning bells should have begun ringing. Bad things are happening when I don't want ice cream. Mike still wants something sweet. We go to Maceys. He gets two boxes of Li'l Debbies. I get a li'l yogurt. I stop in front of the cream soda..."I think we've splurged enough today, don't you think." Oooooohhhhh....apparently the hurt was evident in my eyes, but no. No cream soda for me. We are buying Li'l Debbies. Back at his apartment--Clever ruse to get Mr. Man back into his bedroom where cute-framed-mostly-black-and-white picture is waiting amidst a pile of conversation hearts. Not to mention the giant chocolate kiss...mmmm. Oh cute...k done. Roommates have decided to watch Corpse Bride, which means we can't watch the aforeplanned Little Mermaid (his idea, I might add--I think he thinks it will keep me happy, and he won't have to see P&P). So, my friends, I topped off my Valentines Day with a good dose of Tim Burton's death and carnage. After that it was time for him to go to bed, so I walked myself home. Nice one!

Please note, none of this would have been as bad if, well...I hate PMS.

That's all.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

One time, I left my house this morning. The fact that it was, indeed, previous to this moment is a wonder in and of itself. There should be a blog forthcoming on that...Anywho. The breeze that was blowing held the promise of a beautiful day. It was chilly, I will admit. Probably too cold for a denim skirt and sandals, but it was not suck-your-soul-out cold anymore. Right above the mountain peak, the tip of the sun was peeking out (pah ha ha--peak, peek), turning the top of the IPF to liquid silver. Slowly but surely, it rose higher in the sky, until it was playing hide and seek with me through the trees. The birds were singing and hopping about amongst the dead leaves. I walked along my brick path, the only person in the world--just me and the sun. I unbuttoned my coat. Sigh. It's good to be an early person.

Holy Moly!

So, this one time, I got engaged on Friday the 13th!!! We will be getting married on April 29th in the Jordan River Temple. When I figure out the reception details, I'll let you know. You are all invited! Hugs and kisses to you all!

P.S.

This is what the ring looks like. For those of you heart attacking over the fact that my wedding ring is purple, be calm. I'm a different fish, okay? Besides, amethyst is his birthstone, and diamond is mine (symbolic, huh? We didn't even think of that...). And plus, it only cost 7.00. We're going shopping for the real one soon. But I really still like this one.

Hodgepodge

K Fine. I'm blogging.
One time I heard a girl say, "my brain is tingling." I like it. I will prolly use it in the future
Mr. Jensen forgot to label his axes. And I was there. Pah!!!!
I'm so tired that I want to sleep from here until...early May-ish.
8 hours a week is a little much for a "just-for-fun" sewing class. I might audit, I might drop it. Oh, the possibilities!
I'm bracing for a tricky Semester--and most of my classes are "for fun." I'm prolly just freaking out because I'm trying to apply to the major and it's "taking a lot of energy." As are other things.
Sometimes I wonder how these ladies in Les Miserables managed to have a career on Broadway and be in one of the greatest shows on earth (as opposed to Utah).
Good news. We only have 99 days of class left. I figured it out on Excel (nerd!).
Pretty much this is as coherent as I get right now. Love to you all.