latest adventure

Last week I went to San Diego to take the CBEST which is a test required for all teachers in California. As one of my friends put it..."It's basically a test to make sure you aren't a complete moron." Here is hoping I pass!!!

SD was so much fun! Plenty of sun and water to make for a perfect weekend. I went down with a friend from SLC and stayed with another friend who recently moved down there. Spent a day at the pool, one at the beach, had a bonfire with some friends, went to church, did a little sight seeing in La Jolla, dinner with friends and did a little shopping. Good times!

The pics were taken on my phone so they aren't the best:

sign?

I'm sitting in the airport in San Diego patiently waiting for my flight home. The weather has been fabulous and I've had a great time. Met some really cool, genuine people. Good times all around. Just found out it is snowing at home. Is this a sign? Delayed in sunny SD from my not so sunny home. Hmmmm.....

gone baby gone

A couple people gave me suggestions for a March adventure but I failed miserably to produce one. I did do something this month that I haven't done before and something I've been wanting to do for a long time. You decide if it qualifies as an adventure. Laser hair removal. Yep, that's right. I had my first treatment. Thanks to the fabulous Candy Apples who gave me a gift certificate. Anybody want to guess what body part had hair removed?? That sounds only slightly inappropriate. If only I knew how to set up one of those polls so many of you have on your blogs.....

oh and p.s. it HURTS!

be your own windkeeper

Classic Friends episode (2.19 TOW Eddie Won't Leave)
*Note* Insert 'bad job' for 'men':
PHOEBE: Oooh, so so so, did you read the book?
MONICA: Oh, it was incredible!
PHOEBE: Didn't it like totally speak to you?
RACHEL: Woah, woah, woah, what book is this?
MONICA: Rachel you have to read this book. It's called Be Your Own Windkeeper. It's about how women need to become more empowered.
PHOEBE: Yeah and oh, and but there's, there's wind and the wind can make us Goddesses. But you know who takes out wind? Men, they just take it.
RACHEL: Men just take out wind?
PHOEBE: Ya-huh, all the time, cause they are the lightning bearers.
RACHEL: Wow.
PHOEBE: Yeah.

This episode came to mind while I was driving home from work today. I am on spring break from job #1 so I've been working at job #2 all week. After a day and a half I remembered why I hated that job so much. It sucked my wind (aka my will to live!!). Ugh. I am amazed at how much impact a negative environment can have on my mood. I can't express how much I hated that job. SO THANKFUL for my new job. I love it! The kids are adorable. Love working with them. A bad day working with autistic kids beats the best day working with adults in accounts receivable. No more letting a bad job steal my wind!

Did I mention how much I love job #1????

a call for excitment

Since 2008 is a big (and by big I mean dreaded) year for me I decided back in January I would do something exciting or unique every month. January was a weekend of snowboarding, February was a trip to Kauai, and March....eek I don't know! I need some suggestions. Help please! Keep in mind that I don't do heights and I'm on a budget. I'm open to all (most) suggestions so bring 'em on!

happy birthday

Today is my sister's birthday. She would be 36 if she were here with us today. It has been 17 1/2 years since she died. I can't believe it has been that long. There are many, many great memories. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of her. There is always something that reminds me of her. It might sound sad to some of you but I'm actually very grateful for the reminders - it helps me remember what life was like when she was on earth.

This is one of my very favorite pictures of the two of us. I keep it in a frame in my room. Love our hair. Love our outfits. Classic!

Kim and I shared a room growing up. Our room was small so we had a day bed. I slept on the trundle. I think my mom and dad got the bed thinking I would put my bed away every day so we would have more space. That rarely happened but it was a good thought! At night we had a deal worked out where I would tickle Kim's back while she read to me out of the book I was reading and then she would tickle my back until I fell asleep. Our beds were close together which made it easy. It was so great. No fighting. Just time spent with my sister. I miss it.

Other things that remind me of Kim....chocolate chip cookies, Diet Pepsi, refills at Walkers, Peter Cetera, Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Pretty in Pink, Patrick Swayze, Sixteen Candles, sewing, gold station wagons (or any car that doesn't go in reverse!), Kenny G, Alabama, Dixie College, Storehouse Market, my brothers, Wet n' Wild in Las Vegas, Days of our Lives, mom, dad, Clearly Canadians, cheesy church music, sneezing just after putting mascara on....the list goes on and on.

Happy Birthday Kimmy Sue! So glad to have you as my sister. I don't come from a super mushy family but I know we all love each other. Such an awesome blessing. Love you all!

Now if someone would just tickle my back until I fall asleep..... :)

indecisive?

What do lime & chili almonds, frosted animal crackers, cherry laffy taffy and pepper jack cheese have in common?? Beside a wicked belly ache?

After a couple hours of snowboarding with friends, we stopped at a gas station to get a quick snack. I wandered around the store trying to decide what to get. I couldn't decide on one thing so I ended up buying all the above mentioned snacks. This illustrates a common theme in my life as of late. I may have a bit of a problem with making decisions - I think this realization is called an epiphany ;). From the tiny 'snack' decisions all the way up to the big 'life' decisions I struggle! Why is that? I thought I had a fear of commitment but now I think what I have is a fear of making the wrong decision. Earlier this week I was talking to a friend about her current relationship. My advice was that she can't live her life thinking 'what if...' (as in what if he isn't the one). Eventually you have to make a decision then pray and hope for the best. Things may or may not work out the way you thought but its better than looking back and regretting time wasted or a pile of missed opportunities.

I should probably take my own advice and stop worrying about all the 'what ifs'. Just might prevent a belly ache next time I stop to get a snack!