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.

Hungry.

Let's be honest. I'm taking a well deserved from the Villa for several weeks. Approximately three, actually (sigh of utter delight). I have been looking forward to said break since last time I got a break. Hence, the eating of food has been strictly limited to what I already had in the cupboard or bare essentials...and hot chocolate and grasshopper cookies (anyone up for some of that tonight?). And all of the goodies that the girls that live above us have been leaving for 12 days (I love cute neighbors!!!) So. I have been living on cookies, and peanut butter, and Raman. An Almond Roca and Starbursts. And fudge. And tootsie rolls. But I ate my last Raman at approximately 2am this morning (it's great to stay up late--we were watching Singin' in the Rain), and now I think I'm all but cleaned out. Last night for dinner I mooched off of Mike, but he's almost out too. That's it. I have GOT to go home tonight!

This is a desperate plea for much playage over the break!

***NEWS FLASH*** I don't hate Raman anymore (not the person--the food). I actually really like it. I think my taste is...Um...Improving? LOL.

Once again, my plea is becoming more than desperate!

Plus, don't use the spell check unless you don't mind Singin' changed to sanguine, playage to plays, and other such rediculousness. I pressed ignore, dang you!

P.S.

For those of you who would find this amusing, I was just priviledged to write an e-mail to Jane Lindhout, Principal of Orem High School (Annie's future job). I cannot tell you how tempted I was to address her as Judge Jane. So close. Ah well.

And I'm making this post appear after the other one, since it's a P.S., but since it's a P.S., I wrote it after. Lol...riddle me that one.

Minor Detail

Oops! Sorry. I forgot all about that. For those of you who have not met him, this is Michael James Richardson. For the record, I was wearing red first, and then he changed into it without my permission. Mine's more of a pinkish redish anyways--I don't do red clothes. That's all. =P 

Got Any Grapes?

Tomorrow=Meet the Parents...
And 8 out of 9 siblings: Dan, Jordan, Kristy, Kelsi, Aaron, James, Josh, and Benjamin (all most likely spelled wrong). Andrew's on a mission in Pennsylvania. Plus all extended family...on both sides. I'm starting to get a little nervous. It doesn't help that sometimes I swing to the opposite side: what if they like me TOO much? The picture Mike sent to his mom of us together has been "printed all nice" and is framed and nestled amongst the other family photos. Lol...I wish y'all could've seen my face when he told me that (luckily over the phone!) because I'm pretty sure you would've laughed. I did.
I hear that if you want to stretch your stomach, you eat lots of grapes. Lots and lot of grapes, because they take up lots of room, but they go right on through so there's room for more (sorry Maria! =P) I will need to buy a whole cart load, because I will be attending THREE (Omigosh!) Thanksgiving Dinners--mine, and his on both sides. Wow. I tell you what.
Okay, PLUS, for those of you who have MET any of MY extended family, that's cause for major anxiety as it is. Uncle Warren...and Harold and Derek. Plus my Grandpa. My aunts and Grandma should be alright...right? As long as they don't get too...auntish. Sometimes they like to pretend they're my age. My cousins will use him as a jungle gym...but he's used to that--Oh wow. I'm only just realizing how stressed out I really should be right now!

I learned a new word...

Peter Peter, Pumpkin Eater
Had a wife and couldn't keep her;
threw her in a pumpkin shell
And defenestrated her!

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner
Eating a Christmas pie;
Stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum
And defenestrated it!

Little Miss Muffet, sat on a Tuffet (What's a tuffet, anyways?)
Eating he curds and whey (mmm mmm);
Along came a spider, sat down beside her
And defenestrated her!

*What do you get when you mix an Early-childhood Education Major with a word geek? ME!!!
**Yes, this is a version of a song I used to LOVE to sing as a child.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Josh Groban singing "You Raise Me Up"
Westlife singing...just about anything =)
Bagpipes

Okay. Now, let's imagine that we combined all of these things in ONE SONG and the CD comes out on Halloween. Am I excited...yeah. Pretty much.


Hopefully this Link will work, and then you all can share in the joy. Pretend that Kian doesn't look like a girl (and he's not even the gay one!) and your experience will prolly be lots better. This is SO CUTE!!!

I'm Not Wearing My Consequences Today...

Sounds a little scandalicious doesn't it? You're consequences are showing! Well, if it makes me a little more reputable, I will tell you that Annie is not wearing consequences either. We are both anti-consequences today. I think I can see your consequences...

So this one time at preschool, Carson asked Miss Kirsten if she was wearing her consequences. "Uh...I don't know what that is..." [try to move on with story time]. "Teacher, consequences are what you wear in your eyes!" Oh...CONTACT LENSES! Miss Emily was teaching you about those the other day, wasn't she?

Quick Update

I get to teach Photoshop Basic and Digital Photography with one of the best teachers at work! Psyched!

Diane gave me a huge smile and said she thought I did a great job when I taught Prodev today.

My friend Ryan likes this guy at work's little sister, and this other guy at work knows Ryan--weird.

I apparently look like Cameron Diaz (yeah right)!

My eyebrows have broken out--nowhere else...who does that?

My least favorite member of my favorite boyband just announced that he's gay. We all knew it--he always DID wear too much lipstick-- but I still say sad day!

I'm tensing for the heartbreak--preschool ends this week!

It should be apple season soon!!!

I'm tired of relationship counseling and drama, and I don't want to have to go through it myself. All the more reason to go on a mission!!! =P

I caught myself singing during Prodev today...bad bad. In my defense, I've been crazy stressed.

I went grocery shopping today. Seemingly small, but it makes all the difference.

I don't have a study tree (that's for Meagan), but I do think I've found somewhere I like to study. Hopefully no one steals it and I have to pay them $20 for it. That's why I'm not telling you where it is, cuz it's secret.

Today, I almost finished reading the LAST CHAPTER in Cognitive Development! My smile extended past my ears when I realized that.

There is a book called Happy Hippopotami. I checked it out from the library on the very day that I decided that the plural of Hippopotamus should be Hippopotami. That one is for Bobbery.

Life is so good right now. I come home from school beaten to a pulp, but I like it still. It's just knocking off the rough edges, right?

Straight and Narrow

Bad things happen when you aren't where you should be. That's why we are warned to stand in Holy Places. Now that I've got you all listening, let me reassure you. I have not wandered, nor am I confessing any great transgression. In fact, my problem was not with being where I shouldn't be, but where I should. Unfortunately, where I should be was where I shouldn't have been. Making sense, huh?

So I'm not confessing any sins or misdeeds, but I am confessing a serious weakness. It's sad, really, when such a wonderful thing can turn into such a temptation. Remember the sheet music store? Yeah. Same concept, different numbers. Today I dipped my does in...the Juvenile Literature section of the Library. Ooooooh, bad. I have been there before, but it was to pick up a book that I already had the call number, and I had to get it really quickly because someone was waiting for me. Tonight was different.

I needed a book to teach an "interactive literature" in the preschool. What book? Heck if I knew. I was supposed to somehow explore the section, and books were supposed to pop out at me, and ideas start flowing...all in about half an hour. That's all I had time for. Finally I dragged myself away, after reading a particularly enchanting fairy story, and looked at the clock (both of my watches have recently departed). Yep, 2 HOURS. Do I know which book I will be using now? Nope. I just have about 9 kids' books on my bed, and I am trying to decide. I think I'm going to have to go with Corduroy. Yeah? Sorting Buttons? That's math! And threading them onto a card? Oh yeah. Small motor activities.

Anyways, Here I am writing a blog at 1am because I spent way too long delving into the glory days...sigh. And I was doing so well--pride goeth before the fall, I suppose. Now I will have to get into the whole "going to bed 'early'" habit all over again!

No, I Didn't Get In A Fight With A Cat...

I got hit in the face with the piano. Luckily the piano is okay!
It's been a long time, and I always think of things I should blog about, but I can never remember what they are once I actually sit down to do it.
I am an official member of the "Too Tall Club," where I can "do tall things, meet tall people, and eat tall food!" Excellent.
Still loving the preschool--especially Parker. Today Miss Lee put him in my group and his face lit up...I can't think of a better way to make a bad day better!
I no longer address myself as "self." I fear that I have started to call myself, "Miss Adriane" in my head.
My propensity to just sing whatever part of the "Soundtrack of My Life" happens to be playing has gotten worse! I'm not sure exactly why, but I find myself midsong ALL the time! Scary.
I bombed a test today..."And I feel GREEAAAT!!!" "Tests Everywhere!"
The best part is, I just watched "Ever After." Sigh. And I'm going to bed--RIGHT NOW!!! G'night!

My Night with the Drashnok

Sometimes, it's best not to know what a drashnok is. Especially when you hear that it "consumes human flesh" and it is "directly below the engineer's station." Uh...now it's under MY station? Zach darling, do you have that phaser ready? Poor kid, he and the first officer were the only ones allowed to use the phaser. "Why are you all running away?" Because we don't have a gun! Oh, no, little brother. You can't hide behind me this time. The annoying thing was, I had beamed it off right after it beamed on--(yay self!)--which apparently wasn't supposed to happen, because it kept trying to stick its hairy clawy hands in my face--definitely not beamed off my ship. The transporter broke directly, and then my poor captain father was telling Lo to fix the gravity! Lol...finally she fixed the transporter, and I sent him packing. "Beam him out, Scotty," I thought to myself. My favorite part (in retrospect) was when its burst through the little doors and I screamed. Then I kept on screaming because it was part of the experience. I screamed like that Drashnok was upon me already consuming. Sick. Who thinks of these things?

In other news, I have a new phone number, and a new website. I will tell you the website: webpub.byu.net/aeb88 There are only two pictures on it so far, but if I can squeeze the time in, I will add some more favorites. Don't be jealous cuz it's just Annie--her pictures are much more fun to manipulate, seeing as everyone in the office already knows her. Anywho, this is what I learned about photoshop so far--including the making of the website. Who'duv thunk?

Elder Neuenschwander

I just love his name, don't you? And he's really nice. I met him when our Stake Presidency was changed waaaaaay back in the day, when Daddy was just starting his Stake Clerk-ness. The funny thing is, now he's on my desktop wallpaper! Who'da thunk?

By popular demand, I will try to put my experience with cultural geography on paper (well, sort of), but I think you're right. It's better in person.

And hey, look at the time! I'm going to bed now (WHOAH!!!). G'night!

What Next Mr. Brad?

Guys. The kids came to the preschool for the first time today. =D I tell you what! I started out this semester counting the days until that twelve hours would be free again, and whammo! Parker is the one who blurts the title of my blog every five seconds because he's so excited to be at preschool. Isaiah is the one who told me, "That really hot slide tried to hurt my leg." Madeline goes by "Mo." Matthew got so excited when we sang the bubblegum song that he wouldn't stop talking about it--even in the middle of Mr. Brad's story. Josh is a sober young boy, with hair parted down the middle, who likes to make snakes out of play-doh. I lucked out--I got the most popular center. I want to live my life with that kind of wonder and excitement. Kind of like my little cousin, who put his hand in mine as we walked along the beach (I got a little teary, it was such a cute moment), and exclaimed at EVERYTHING--even the orange peels. Life holds one big beautiful surprise around every corner, my friends.

When I Am Old, I Shall Wear...

A sparkley-sequined flower in my hair and a dancing dress. Then I will go dancing with my darling old husband at the Murray Arts Center, where they have this amazing old-school band (with awesome piano) that plays everything from "Anne's Theme" to Rascal Flatts' "Broken Road," to Sinatra. Sigh. And when I see young people trying to dance the tango (and the girl is trying to not get the guys' sweat all over her--and failing) I will walk up to her, grab her wrist sympathetically, and then go back to dancing with my darling old husband. And it's going to be great. Am I still listening to Frank? Yes yes, yes yes.

WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Two words. Office chair. Lol. Two more words--backpack in each arm. Fast. Really fast...dizzy. Mmmm. This is something I will do in broad daylight. Yessssss.... Annie, why did you have class?

You Know You're A NERD When...

It just hits me over and over...and there are so many different sides to my nerdiness!

I was enumerating the happy things about my day, and one of them was, "I have Wicked songs stuck in my head!" I wasn't expecting them to ask which one! It took me a second to dig down to the soundtrack of my life...my heart sank. The song currently playing in my head was the prologue! Man!

I have a Palm Pilot, and it's really working out well for me. When Garth (I work with him) found out I had a Palm, he started talking about synching with Outlook and how helpful that is. Wait! They have a bunch of extra cradles just sitting in a box. Did I want one? Sure I did! I have two Palm Sync cradles...I don't know how I feel about that.

I just put my desk together for my computer (I've missed this thing so badly!), and I had to borrow some tools to do it. I'll skip the details about secret schemes and intrigues (Daddy...), but I finally borrowed Ryan Horne's tool set. You know you're kind of tool-nerdy when your eyes get big and you start explaining to Crystal that, "it's magnetic, so if you drop something, it sticks to it, and you can change the different heads, and look, this is how it works! The only way it would be better is if it was a ratchet one!" and she gives you one of those nods that tries to say, "cool" but ends up saying, "you are SO weird!" Okay, so I want a socket wrench set for Christmas. Is that a problem?

(Those three were all on the same day!)

Today, while trying to set up a bulletin board (I'm an ECE major, okay?) three of us were following the official student teacher around. We decided we were either ducklings or lemmings. I voted vehemently for ducklings--then we could shake our tail feathers. It ended with us all singing "Five little ducks went out to play..." and then THAT was stuck in my head...yep. ECE nerd. That's me.