The never-ending story

Didn't I just fold the laundry?  I swear two days ago I washed every textile in our house.  And yet here it is (what seems like) a few short days later and once again the laundry must be done or there will be no clean underwear tomorrow.  Hollywood made the never-ending story seem like an exciting adventure with a flying pink dog.  What a rude awakening to discover that the true never-ending story is downstairs in my basement waiting to be folded...

Spring Fail

Dear Claritin,

For years I have turned to you to help me through the miseries of Spring. It hurts that after all this time you would allow me now to suffer without reprieve. Can you do nothing about the tickle in my lungs? Surely you could have some effect on my red, puffy, weepy eyes. And what about the stuffy nose? Please pick up your game or I'm going to have to replace you. That's all I'm saying.

Love,

Bethany

I think Spring is one of the best things about Virginia. So many trees. So many differnt kinds of blossoms. Finally warm weather. It's really quite perfect, except one thing. I think whoever came up with Spring should have re-thought this whole pollen thing. I mean, I know there has to be opposition in all things--experience the bad so that you can appreciate the good. But in this case, I think experiencing the bad is pretty much ruining all that is good about Spring. It's really hard to appreciate cherry blossoms and daffodils from behind a tissue. The end.

iPod Shuffle

Margaret tagged me to do the iPod shuffle (and I am in turn tagging Em, Kristi, Asian Keng, Becca, and ML) so here are the first five songs that came up on my iPod:

1. You Got Growin Up to Do by Joshua Radin (Justin's Music, never heard it)
2. Broken Heart by Motion City Soundtrack (Justin's Music also)
3. Like We Never Loved at All by Faith Hill
4. Fight the Good Fight With All Thy Might by BYU Men's Chorus (Another one of Justin's on the more spiritual side)
5. Short Skirt/Long Jacket by Cake (Justin again, although I really like this one)

I'm sad we didn't get any scripture mastery songs in the mix. That would have made me look very spiritual. Also, in doing this activity it has become abundantly clear that my iPod has been hijacked. I should have known this already since A) I had to ask Justin to please bring my iPod in from his car, and B) When I asked that, he gave me a look that said, what do you need the iPod for? Seriously, that iPod did once belong to me.

In other news, I am feeling MUCH better. I'd say I'm back to 98%. I still feel a little tired, but let's be honest, I've felt a little tired as long as I can remember. Now I just have a really good excuse to do a little extra "resting" during the day.

If you have your iPod handy, leave your iPod shuffle top 5 in the comment section.

Willpower

Two chopped Ghiradelli chocolate bars + one batch NY Times cookie dough + one more day before you can eat any of it = Willpower.

Personal Record

Despite my propensity to randomly flex in pictures, I am really not that into exercise. (In fact, I may have actively campaigned against it from about 1996 until after my mission.) I want everyone to know that I have exercised six days in a row. I think this is my personal best since I quit my high school soccer team in 1995. I thought it should be recorded for posterity.

Snow Day Craftiness

So what do you do when it randomly snows two feet overnight? I decided to make Christmas stockings. Actually, I was already planning on making the stockings that day, but not being able to go anywhere definitely reinforced the plan. You see, a few weeks ago I decided that I would make a Christmas tree skirt, so I bought a whole bunch of fabric only to realize later that we actually bought a tree skirt last year. Oops. Good thing that I also had it on my list to make stockings as well.

Last year, Justin's mom gave us his stocking that he'd used growing up, so I decided to make one for me and Colton to match. (Warning: Those who are not so interested in craft projects, should probably just scroll to the bottom at this point and look at the finished product.) I started by cutting 2 1/2 inch strips of 5 different fabrics, sewing them together and then ironing them flat.

Then I realized, I should probably have some kind of pattern, so I traced Justin's stocking onto newspaper. This is good because I ended upcutting out two front quilted pieces, two back pieces, four pieces of muslin and four pieces of fusable fleece. I guess I should point out right now that this project took me all day.

Once the front piece was cut out, I had to sew on the toe and heel and embroider around them. (Justin's mom used lace, but it turns out that I don't actually have any lace on hand. Justin thought maybe I could cut up a lacy shirt, but it also turns out that I don't own any lacy shirts...)

Once the front was entirely done, then I just had to attach it to the fleece and muslin and quilt down the front. Then I attached it to the back. I included the picture to show that I actually used pins. Sometimes the quality of my sewing workmanship is seriously hampered by the fact that I am too lazy to put in pins. It just seems like so much effort to pin stuff just to unpin it again. I guess the efficiency of not pinning is undermined by the ineffeciency of having to unpick things and redo them. Anyway, all that was then left to do was sew on the top, and voila! Two of the cutest darn Christmas stockings you have ever seen!!

And what was Justin doing all this time? Well, he was taking care of Colton and finding us the perfect mortgage...because while I was sewing, the offer we put on a house was approved!

I'm Sooooo Exciting

I saw this first on my cousin Allie's blog, and then when it showed up again on her sister Brooke's blog, I decided that I should go ahead and fill it out for myself. I figure it is just more proof of how truly exciting a person I am. The idea is that if you have done something you put it in bold, and if you haven't, then it remains regular text.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school (I would like to emphasize that I was IN the band, not OF the band)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (cross-stitching/quilting counts, right?)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill (stupid over-developed sense of guilt...)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (does the moon count?)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community (does being in the general vicinity of an Amish community and seeing the hitching post at the gas station count? Not quite sure why you'd bring your horse-drawn wagon to the gas station, but there was a hitching post just the same...)
36. Taught yourself a new language (I'm totally counting my mission language)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (Oh baby, have I gone rock climbing!)
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (how have I not done this?)
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (Don't let my seminary students know...but I gave up on the Old Testament in Exodus...)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (not yet, but knowing Justin, it is only a matter of time)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (again, how have I not done this?)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day



So there you have it! Oh what fun it is to be me. Feel free to copy into your own blog if you feel so inclined (or if you are still having issues with your camera, Margaret...)

Chuck Norris, Black Belt Patriot

So, I know that it's been a while since I used my blog as a place to publish my personal opinions on random topics, but I really couldn't pass this one up. We all know that Chuck Norris doesn't have a chin--he has another fist. And we know that his tears can cure cancer (if he had ever cried). And that before the boogey man goes to bed, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris. (If you didn't know any of these facts, look here.) I think sometime in the near future, Sean Hannity might start checking his closet for Chuck Norris as well. You may not be aware of this, but Chuck Norris, the great patriot that he is, has written a book entitled "Black Belt Patriotism" in which he outlines his common sense solutions to America's problems.

No. I am not joking. Truly, Chuck Norris has outlined a plan to return America to its greatness of previous generations. Some are referring to this as "a cultural manifesto on rebuilding America." He's not just keeping the Texas range safe anymore. If you're not intrigued yet, another review stated, "Norris does not disappoint in any respect, even in conveying plenty of personal stories as well, many told for the first time in this book, personal accounts with border agents and troops abroad to stories of American-heritage revisionism and his weekly work-out plan with his family's nutritional diet."

I think if our whole country followed the Chuck Norris' family diet, we'd be in better shape already. (Pun very much intended.)

This book was brought to my attention because the radio morning show I listen to on my way to work had him as a guest visitor. I think my whole day went better just knowing that Chuck Norris is out to save America. And while I think it's pretty hysterical that Chuck Norris is writing a political book and expects to be taken seriously, he actually made some pretty good points. Maybe a lifetime of rooting out evil on TV brings some sort of clarity otherwise only attainable by those with an education.

This post is an invitation to all, to share with me your love of either America, Chuck Norris, or entertainer-politician-authors in general. (And did you know that Chuck Norris is 68? Dang, he's in good shape for his age!)

Are we doing anything today?

I am amazed at the frequency with which I am asked this question: "Are we doing anything today?" My reply to my students is usually "Nope. Not today. Today we are just going to sit here." At this point in the year, most of my students have figured out that I tend to be rather sarcastice, although there is the occasional kid that in delighted anticipation of doing nothing grins and asks "really." At which point I shoot them down and say, "Of course not. How could we possibly just sit here, when we need to learn the Law of Sines today?" Why do my students ask me silly questions? And more importantly, why do they hope they will come to school and just sit here and stare off into space? I just don't get it...but I will share with you some of my most commonly asked questions, and some of my choice responses.

10. I was absent last time, did we do anything? Response: No, since you weren't here, we just sat here and did nothing. I know, I shouldn't be so sarcastic.

9. Are you going to grade this? Response: Yes. Ummmm...is that really a question?

8. Is this going to be on the test? (Now this is a very loaded question...because if you say no, everyone will stop paying attention and will not bother even trying to learn the information...) The answer to this question is always "Probably."

7. Can we just do the odd problems? Seriously, today I gave my students a handout with 10 little practice problems on it. After doing two problems, they all started complaining and asking if they could just do the odd problems because there were just too many. Sheesh. Response: Please tell me that you are really not that lazy?

6. When are we ever going to use this? Response: Next week on your test.

5. When are we ever going to use this besides next week on our test? Response: You're not going to use this...why do you have to be able to use it in order for it to be valuable?

4. Can we go outside today? Response: No. (Actually, I usually let each class go outside once...on a nice hot and humid day so that it is miserable and they never ask me again.)

3. I didn't have time to study last night, so can I take that after school today? Response: No. Did people ask this kind of ridiculous question when I was in high school? I certainly don't remember having the gumption to admit to not preparing for a quiz and thinking my teacher would let me come take it after school that day.

2. Is there any extra credit? Response: No, but if you started working on what we're doing right now you could get credit. If you got a little more credit, you wouldn't need so much extra credit.

1. Do we have to learn today? Response: Yes. (But in my head I'm often thinking, "you don't bother learning anyway regardless of what I'm doing...so why are you asking?")


Oh the joys of teaching...

New Life Plan #274

I am amazed that some people stay in the same profession--sometimes even the same job--for decades on end. My Dad has been at BYU for 31 years now. THIRTY-ONE YEARS! That is a wicked long time. My Mom has been teaching at Timpview for 16 years. So far, I've been able to stick with a job for two years before I start getting ancy. And during those two years at any given job, it seems as though I spend a significant amount of time thinking about what else I could possibly be doing. Over the past two years alone I feel like I've had a new life plan every few months...Here's a few:

11. Be a full-time PhD student in History (career goal: University Professor)
10. Get a random job on capital hill (career goal: Try something that isn't teaching)
9. Be a High School Teacher (career goal: pay the bills and have the summers off)
8. Be a part-time MA student in History while teaching Math (career goal: just get a Master's so I can earn more as a teacher)
7. Be a High School Teacher (career goal: throw my heart and soul into teaching and inspire the youth of today to become the leaders of tomorrow)
6. Be a full-time MA student in Educational Policy (career goal: tell the people in Washington how silly all their Educational Policy is and improve our nation's schools...and go to Harvard)
5. Be a full-time MA student in Marriage Family Therapy (career goal: help others improve their emotional well-being and share some of my wisdom with them)
4. Teach myself Spanish and move to Spain for the summer (career goal: ummmm...Spain is just cool, and I need to go there and see for myself)
3. Be a full-time MA student in Instructional Design (career goal: improve teaching while giving myself options for something other than classroom teaching)
2. Be a part-time MA student in Instructional Design while teaching math (career goal: same as above, without intense amounts of debt)

And my most recent and most exciting new life plan (one that I'm actually pursuing):

1. Be an instructional design consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. (career goal: earn lots more money and have them pay for my Master's degree in Instructional Design)

Yes, I am just beginning the interview process with Booz Allen, and if all goes well, I will have a new career in a few months! It will be hard for me to give up summer vacation, but I'm ready to try something that isn't teaching. Maybe then, I will stop thinking up new life plans all the time (and I haven't exaggerated a single one of these. I have honestly had each one of those plans at some point over the last 2 years). And if I hate it, there are always new new life plans to think up.

Am I the only person constantly re-thinking the direction of their life? What interesting possibilities have you come up with?

I'm a sponge...

I spent last Saturday rock climbing. Yes. Rock climbing. The kind of rock climbing where you put on a harness and then find a way to scale the face of a cliff. Those who know me well are probably wondering why on earth I would be involved in such an adventurous activity. Well, the truth is, left to my own devices, I probably wouldn't be that adventurous--most likely, I'd be a lump on my couch. Not that I aspire to being a lump, but without some impetus it just usually turns out that way. Fortunately for me, throughout my life I have had friends who are autonomously active, and they usually need someone like me who is looking for a motivation to get off the couch.

My current motivating force: Justin. Justin is to a rock face as I am is to my couch. I'm pretty sure that if he didn't feel some obligation to work and save for the future, he would quit his job, live in a tent and spend his life climbing large rocks. But this blog isn't about Justin. It's about me. It's about the fact that I am a sponge. I think that I have no natural hobbies, but I'm really good at absorbing the hobbies of those I spend a lot of time with. Before I go on, I want to specify that I don't absorb these hobbies with the purpose of impressing anyone. I just wouldn't get involved in certain things if I hadn't happened to meet someone who did them first.

So here are my top ten activities that I have "absorbed" from someone else:

10. Jumping in Rivers. I guess I was wrong in saying that I never absorbed these things to impress someone. I hated jumping in rivers, but I dated a guy that thought it was the cat's meow to jump in a river with your clothes on, so I felt really pressured to do it with him. Don't get me wrong, once per summer if you are in the right mood and happen to fall in, sure. Doing it on a regular basis? I don't think so. My only excuse on this one is that I was brainwashed and crazy at the time.

9. Guitar. Actually, I always wanted to play the guitar. Hmmm...now that I think of it, this one really was other-induced (probably because I can do it on my couch).

8. Fly Fishing. I thank Billy for this one. Actually, in a year of dating, he only took me fishing twice, but I really enjoyed it both times.

7. Tennis. I started playing tennis two summers ago mostly because there were so many people in my ward who would go play. I love it! I even bought myself a sweet tennis outfit. I'm not going to lie, I look pretty cute in it. And I actually find that I play way better when I'm wearing it.

6. Rock Climbing. This seemed like an intimidating sport until I went with someone who knew what he was doing. It's actually really fun--and it's way better than weight lifting.

5. Golf. Technically I'm still waiting for someone to get me into this one. Once I was practicing chipping golf balls into an umbrella, and I got way more in than anyone else--including the guy who owned the golf clubs--so I've always thought I am probably a prodigy waiting to happen.

4. The Hills. I never knew there was such a fantastic show until Roz moved in. I think it began one Saturday night when we sat there and watched a Laguna Beach marathon. We may or may not have watched 6 episodes in a row.

3. Dance Shows. I don't like dancing. I'm not good at dancing. But for some reason last summer, I watched every single episode of So You Think You Can Dance. I voted for Benji 50 times. I blame this entirely on Mike Fronce. And it didn't stop there. We started watching all kinds of random dance movies. My favorites: Step Up, You Got Served, Honey.

2. Hackey Sac. Okay, so in this case, I did actually pick this up entirely to try to impress someone. Jeff. I literally bought a hackey sac and practiced it in my apartment until I was at least good enough to join in with Jeff and his friends in the Elms parking lot. And even though I started hacking for Jeff, I continue hacking for myself. (Sidenote: Last summer I mentioned to a guy that I enjoyed hacky sac, and he left me one on the windshield of my car. I call it "the love sac".)

1. Hackey Sac. This one is my favorite random thing I picked up from someone else, so it counts for two.

Alrighty, have you ever learned some random skill or gotten involved in some activity because of someone else? I'm sure I'm not the only sponge out there...so please share!

Pain in the b*tt...

So...I have once again taken up exercise. I gave it up in 1996. It was a conscious choice. I quit the soccer team and decided that I didn't need to exercise ever again. It just seemed like a silly waste of time to me. Not only did I give up exercise, I think I may be one of the only people to ever actually actively campaign against it.

Let me explain my reasoning for such seemingly illogical campaigning (there happens to be a lot of scientific research to support exercise). When I spoke out against exercising, I wasn't saying we should all be lumps on the couch. Physical activity, in my young mind, was perfectly acceptable. Things like frisbee or football or soccer are virtuous and lovely and should be sought after. What I personally found to be completely silly was exercise isolated from any type of sporting event or game. Running isn't fun. If you think it is, you are lying to yourself. It hurts. It makes your lungs burn and your legs tired. You get sweaty and smelly, and if you're not careful your toe nails will turn black and fall off. Soccer, on the other hand, is fun...and if you have to do some running as part of the victory process, so be it. But just running? Such a thought makes reason stare.

So, flash forward from 1996 about 5 years. At the end of my mission, I started setting goals. Missionaries do crazy things like. I decided that maybe it was time for me to be "fit" again. Something about serving the Lord heart might mind and strength. When I got home I joined a gym, and I have actually been a member pretty much ever since that time. It turns out that all those scientists are right. Exercise does make you feel better. As my HEPE teacher at BYU always hoped for me, I have learned to "reap the benefits" of exercise.

Why on earth am I pontificating on such a random topic? You all know me and probably realize that when I say that I have taken up exercise, I mean that I work out once a week--twice a week if I'm lucky. I am certainly no rambo barbie. After a 2 month spell with no gym membership (I thought that I could save money and do step aerobics alone in my bedroom. That was a joke...), I went back to Gold's yesterday and gave them a ridiculous sum of money so that I can run and not go anywhere, and then lift some heavy things, all while enjoying the latest music videos. As part of getting the membership, I also had a workout with a personal trainer. I don't know what this says about me, but she had me do a lot of exercises that worked me glutes...and today my bum is very sore. That is all.

Thoughts on exercise? Please share!!

Reasons why my blog has been so ignored...

I started this blog with such good intentions. I intended to update it every week. I intended to never run out of witty topics about which to write. I intended to build up my fan base with my consistency. Obviously, that didn't happen. I'm not saying it's never going to happen. It just hasn't exactly worked out the way I first intended. As I have learned from my students, there really is an excuse for everything. So I would like to share with you, my excuses for why there have been so few updates in the past few months.

10. Summer Vacation
I believe I have mentioned before that the best part of my job is that I get the summer off. That means I am allowed to pretty much take the month off of all my responsibilities. I don't have to work, write blogs, shower...okay, I still shower during the summer (especially after a few good hours baking in the sun).

9. Multivariable Calculus
My summer vacation was already disrupted by the fact that I had to take 8 credits of math. Who does that? And who can write witty blog entries when one's mind is full of vectors and permutations? Those words by themselves just sucked at least 3 creative sentences out of my head.

8. Sleep
When given the choice of writing my blog or going to bed, my bed always wins. In fact, there are very few things that I would actually choose above sleep. Hmmm...maybe that's why I'm still not married...and it gives me serious concerns about motherhood.

7. Exercise
Yes, I did give up exercise in 1996. I thought that I would never do it again. I was an outspoken crusader against the ever-popular trend. However, it turns out that you really do have more energy if you work out consistently (and by consistently I mean once every 10 days). The problem is that if I squeeze in a workout, that squeezes out something else...and I've already mentioned that something else is not sleep.

6. Book Clubs
I currently belong to several book clubs. They are aLL wonderfuL, aLthough I cLearLy have a favorite. Some of my other book clubs actually expect me to read the book. I know. High maintenance. Actually, I quite enjoy it, but it does take away time from other things I could be pursuing.

5. Dating
Actually, this is taking up no time at all, but I'm sure if I didn't have to even think about it, I'd have more time for my blog.

4. TV
Did you know that the average American watches an average of 4.5 hours of TV everyday. I kind of hate to admit this, but I've recently been getting frighteningly close to that average. You never plan to sit down and watch hours of TV. You turn the TV on while eating dinner, and then you are so exhausted, you decide just to veg for a while...and all of a sudden it's bed time (see #8)...One more day without updating the blog.

3. Pure exhaustion
I've decided that for teachers, September is basically like living through a month-long Monday morning. I've been so overwhelmed by getting into the groove of a new school year, that I come home and crash on the couch and don't have the energy to move again for hours. (See #4). It doesn't help that I'm teaching 3 different subjects, am in charge of the Geometry curriculum team and am helping with NHS. I know. We're all busy, but if you can't gripe on your own blog...

2. Internet Filters
Fairfax County Public Schools decided that blogspot was inappropriate material for young minds, and I think it's great to protect our students. However, it has made it much more difficult for me to keep up my fantastic blog.

1. Everything Else
Besides the above-mentioned, in the last month I've also been to North Carolina and Boston (entries to follow). I was in a car accident on the way to Boston, and my car is still in NJ. My cousins came to town. I helped with my nephews when my sister-in-law went to the hospital and helped again when the new baby went back to the hospital. I've also done various home decor projects including finally hanging my curtains...so you can see there's clearly not been time for blogging. But I have reset my goals, and will hopefully be more consistent in the future.

Now you know what deep and weighty matters are occupying my time. What keeps you from getting to the stuff you plan on getting to? I love comments!!!

Coming soon...

To my adoring fans: I must apologize emphatically for so long ignoring my blog. I promise an update is coming very soon. Just to whet your appetites, I wanted to let you all know that I am currently formulating a three-part entry in my mind. I should probably use my brain-power to write the actual entries rather than this teaser...but it's good to make people wait sometimes. I guess you could say that I'm playing hard to get, but don't worry, not too hard to get...

Flat irons and jeans

I will depart momentarily from my usual format to share a few random thoughts. Lest you think you are about to read something deep and important, please be warned that these thoughts are merely random and actually quite superficial. First of all, I've decided that there are some things that it is worth paying a ridiculous and exhorbitant amount for: flat irons and jeans.



I recently bought a new flat iron, and I will admit that I did indeed pay a ridiculous amount for it, but the dividends have greatly overshadowed the cost. It's sad to admit the effect that multiple bad hair days can have on your self-esteem. In a perfect world, even people with bad hair would feel good about themselves, but this is not a perfect world, and I have known my fair share of bad hair days. But all of that has been put to an end with the purchase of my new flat iron. It smooths and straightens like I never thought possible. My confidence has increased threefold due to the fact that I'm no longer walking out of my apartment looking like a fuzzy bush.


Now let's talk about the importance of good pair of jeans. My favorite place to shop for jeans is The Buckle, and if you are over 5'10" and haven't shopped there yet, please do yourself a favor and enter the abundant world of long jeans. I bought a new pair of jeans a few weeks ago, and it is now unpleasant for me to wear anything else. The new ones just look so cute...or maybe they don't even look so cute, but I FEEL like they look so cute, and so they make me happy.



These random thoughts came to me as I was thinking about some of the little things in life that I am grateful for and make me happy. There are lots of actually important things that make me happy as well, but I chose to feature the insignificant today. What insignificant things make you happy?

Reasons why T-Birds are the Best!

I was recently reminded that Timpview High School really is a world class institution. And no, it's not because of its world-class band program (although Mr. Fullmer would probably like to think so). You'd think that nine years later, I would have maybe let go of some of my high school pride, but I find that my orange-and-blue flame grows brighter by the year. Here are some of my reasons why:

10. T-Birds are EVERYWHERE. Here in the DC Metro area there are quite a few of us. We even had a sweet Timpview-Only party a few months ago. None of us actually knew each other in high school, but because we were all T-Birds at one time, the room was filled with love.

9. "That's alright. That's okay. You'll all work for us someday." Yes, this really was one of our cheers. Some people thought that only snobs would have a cheer like this. I think it is just a sign of our confidence in high-quality education we were receiving. And it's a snappy rhyme.

8. Rosalie Mackay. As a history teacher myself, I would just like to say that I learned more in AP US History with Miss Mackay than I did in my college US History classes. Also, I have such fond memories of Miss Mackay grabbing my ear and dragging me out into the hall. I doubt I really deserved such treatment. Sure, I was talking and not paying attention, but then I never paid attention in Government. And then when I went to point out to someone in the hall how to get to a different classroom, she thought I was trying to sneak away.

7. Stud Wall. Every T-Bird knows exactly what I'm talking about: the wall in the commons where the guys who thought they were really cool sat during lunch. I just think it's fantastic that it had a name. And I think it's fantastic that that name spanned generations of T-Birds.

6. Stoner Hall. This is where my locker was freshman year. That is unrelated to the fact that it was called stoner hall.

5. Alan Myrup. He looks like Rick Moranis, but teaches biology.

4. The Timpview High School Band. Let me paint you a picture...was a phrase often used by our band director, and was usually followed by some type of speech meant to convince us that people involved in band are the best people in the world. Most of the other kids around the room were eating it up. Not me. I was laughing at the ridiculousness of all his statements. That's probably why he didn't like me very much. I'd also like to say right here and now that I was "in" the band, but not "of" the band. An important distinction. But I couldn't write about Timpview without some sarcastic comment about the band program.

3. The Stereotypes. Timpview has the reputation of being the "rich-kids school." I just take this as a sign that other people wish they could have gone to Timpview. People only hate that which they want to be a part of, but aren't. If you look at the economic standings, all the high schools in the area are pretty much the same...so I can think of no other reason besides jealousy for such cruelty toward T-Birds.

2. The Journalism Lab. I spent many a happy hour in that tiny closet. The highlight was perhaps the time we were there working late, and my mom tried to give me a swirlie in the faculty bathroom. It's a good thing that it was locked! (You may or may not be aware that The Thunderbolt is an award-winning newspaper. We took state every year for about 5 years in a row.)

1. Timpview Car Wash. Okay this really has nothing to do with the high school itself, but I have some very fond memories at this car wash. Homecoming 1995...that's all that I need to say.

This entry was inspired by my recent trip home, where I was surrounded by T-Birds and reminded how much I love them all! So, now I need your comments. What is your favorite thing about Timpview? Who is your favorite T-Bird? What is your favorite thing about T-Birds? Please share.

World Cup rocks me to the core! 

Reasons why World Cup is better than the Olympics

I absolutely love the Olympics. One of the major challenges of my mission was that I had to miss the Sydney Olympics. It hurt my heart. I think I saw every single event that was broadcast of the Athens Games. I love to watch people who have worked so hard and achieved such an amazing level of physical ability. I love watching people cry as they salute their flag and sing along to their national anthem--especially when it's someone from some random country that had no chance of ever winning. The Olympics are just inspirational.



Despite my deep and abiding love for the Olympics, in recent weeks, I have decided that I like the World Cup even more...and here are my reasons.



8. Team Spirit. I don't think there's another sport with such a strong team spirit. I love watching the entire team hug and tackle the guy that got the goal.

7. International attention. I don't know why the U.S. has missed out on this, but everywhere else in the world, the whole country shuts down to watch and support their country's team. I don't think there's another sport that brings the world together as much as soccer. Everyone loves it.

6. Nationalism at its finest. There is patriotism oozing from the stands. Everyone loves their team. Everyone paints themselves the color of their team and drapes themselves in their country's flag. Isn't it great to see so many people proud of their homes.

5. Irish Announcer. As much as I love Elfie Schlegel and her ability to predict every two-tenth deduction a gymnast might receive, I like the Irish soccer announcer better. He's just cool, and he doesn't make stupid comments like, "He just wasn't going for the stick."

4. Finesse and Control. As a former soccer player, I appreciate the unbelievable skill that these players have. It blows me away how far they kick the ball, and yet how accurately they pass and perfectly they control the ball. It's just pretty to watch.

3. Red and Yellow Cards. There have been 300 yellow and red cards given so far this World Cup. That's a lot.

2. Excitement. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when the U.S. was playing Italy. There were so many chances when Italy could have scored, but we held them back (not that it mattered in the end), and it made for some very exciting sports watching. I felt the same when Croatia lost to Australia. So sad!!!

1. The commercial with the two little boys who choose teams of professional soccer players. This commercial has inspired me to learn Spanish and move to Spain next summer! It's fabulous!!




What have been your favorite World Cup moments? Who do you pick to win? Why do these international sporting competitions cause so much excitement? Please, share your thoughts.

Ode to a Minivan

I think that the minivan is perhaps the most underrated car on the road. I'm not going to try to pretend here that I haven't had my share of anti-minivan sentiment. In fact, it's hard to deny that the minivan is one of least cool cars on the road. But why is that? What about the minivan suggests that it is just completely uncool? When I was about 8 or 9, my family got our first minivan. At that time, it was nothing but pure sweetness. Of course, considering the fact that the car it replaced was a nasty old station wagon referred to as "the pig", with splitting leather (or should I say vinal?) seats, melted crayon all over the carpet in the back and a car-sick smell the moment you opened the door, it's not surprising that a new, luxurious Dodge Caravan seemed like a major step forward. I'm pretty sure that it made my mom very happy.

By the time I got to high school, however, the comparison to the old car had faded, and our family minivan seemed a might embarassing to drive around in. Although, it did come in handy when you wanted to fit three couples in the same car for a date dance. But really, it seemed to me that if you were going to have a large car, shouldn't it just be an SUV? Even now, though this entry is dedicated to giving the minivan its rightful praise, I will admit that I'd much rather be an SUV-mom than a minivan-mom.

Having said that, let me now explain the recent events that have spurred me to rethink my past feelings about minivans. I have mentioned a few times now that I have been wanting some new couches. Well, I finally bought some. It's a sweet (though previously owned) red suede sectional with a big overstuffed ottoman. It brings me inexpressable joy. Now the connection to the minivan: I fit the entire sectional, including ottoman, into the back of my brother's new Toyota Sienna (by the way, if you're interested in purchasing one of your own, go visit Dan Bradshaw at Brent Brown Toyota in Provo). I originally thought it would take us three separate trips to get the couch moved over, and then as we started packing it in there, we thought that it would be no more than two. In the end, thanks to the faith of my trusty helpers (I owe you guys!), we were able to arrange each piece in such a way as to fit the entire sectional in one trip. And for that, I offer the following 3-verse Haiku (which will not separate the stanza no matter how many times I fix the spacing and press publish--frustration!):

Ode to a Minivan

You may not be cool,

but vast interior space

makes up for a lot.

Automatic doors,

fold-down seats and DVD,

Rear control A/C,

Plenty of seating,

Just to name a few reasons

minivans are sweet.

Finis

Thoughts on minivans? What makes them cool? or not? Haikus get bonus points.

Reasons why "Modest is Hottest"

It has recently been brought to my attention that people wear really unattractive clothing. I am not going to go into what is or isn't acceptable as far as fashion is concerned, although I look at girls my age who are wearing plaid pleated skirts with matching plaid sweater vests and wonder where on earth they found them. Why are companies making such things? Or better yet, why would a shopper my age not notice that they are the only non-senior citizen in a store and get a clue that they might not be in the appropriate department? You see these people everywhere you go--the 27-year-old in high-waisted, tapered pants or baggy button-up blouses. You are not 73-years-old!

However, I am not here to pontificate on fashion do's and don'ts. Wearing an outfit two decades too late is harmless enough. It is violations such as the wearing of outfits two sizes too small that I would like to discuss. I know that as women, we like to be skinny. We have somehow accepted the idea that the skinnier we are, the more beautiful. I don't think it's even men trying to convince us of this. I think that we create and reinforce this fallacy amongst ourselves. Women are much harsher critics than men, for the most part. Regardless of how a pair of pants looks, many are convinced that a smaller size implies that you are more attractive. I would like to emphatically disagree! There is nothing attractive about a girl who has squeezed herself into a pair of size 4 jeans that are pushing belly fat up and over the waist, forcing love-handles to bulge in the back, and most likely revealing a plummer-bum whenever they are seated. I would like to plainly state that a smaller size does not mean more attractive. I, myself, recently had the painful experience of going to GAP and trying on my regular size only to find that there was some squeezing and bulging going on. It was difficult, but I asked my ever-so-helpful dressing room clerk to go find me a bigger size. It hurt. I'm not going to lie. But I'd rather look fabulous in 6's than overly-squeezed in 4's. I am here suggesting to the world that full (properly-fitting) coverage accentuates everyone's beauty. So here are my top ten reasons why I think that "modest is hottest."

10. Love-handles
You may have them, but if your shirt goes down long enough, nobody has to see them.

9. Comfort
Why pull and tug all day in complete discomfort? Find a longer skirt, higher shirt or whatever, and spend your day thinking about things other than what might happen to be showing.

8. Self-esteem
Do you really need that kind of attention to feel good about yourself? Wouldn't it feel better to get attention because of your sparkling personality? Yeah. I think so too.

7. Plumbers are great, but...
We don't want to see your bum.

6. Motion
It's really nice to have enough give in your pants that you can sit down without ripping them.

5. Shooting Beavers
I have no idea where this phrase comes from. My mom probably got it from her mom who grew up in Heber, Utah, but it refers to an unlady-like seated position. Not so much a problem if you are wearing pants. If you are wearing a mini-skirt, there could be trouble for anyone sitting across the way...

4. Thoughts
When I was in high school I wasn't allowed to wear skirts that didn't come down to my knee. My Dad's reasoning for this was always the same: "Boys will have thoughts." I was pretty ticked off about it in high school because I have really long femurs, and skirts never came all the way to my knees. Looking back, I think my Dad might have been right after all...

3. Focus
This goes back to not having to tug and pull all day. It is statistically proven that students do better when they are wearing modest clothing. Everyone focuses better when proper coverage has been achieved.

2. Hypothermia
Sometimes it's cold outside. Sometimes it's even cold inside. Sometimes my scantilly-clad students beg me to turn up the heat because it's freezing. I look at them wearing a mini-skirt and spaghetti-straps in January and leave the thermostat where it is... Actually, I usually turn up the heat (even though they don't deserve it) because I'm usually cold despite the sweater and 3 layers of shirts I have on.

1. Tornado Drills
You never know when you're going to be involved in a tornado drill. Oh those poor girls in their mini-skirts and thongs when they have to get down with their heads to the ground and bottoms in the air. Yikes!!

Do you think "modest is hottest?" What are your least favorite infractions? Fashion advice? Please share.