Vocabulary from the East Coast Nieces and Nephews

I have been enjoying time with my nieces and nephews on the east coast. I had to learn some new vocabulary words which are:

Hansizer- for Hand Sanitizer
Kong Few- for Kung Fu
Nastics- for gymnastics
Dagon- for Dragon
Chek- for Shrek
Memo for Nemo (Finding Nemo)
All big trucks are Mac (watch "Cars")
All tow trucks are Mater (watch "Cars")
Chow - is for Lighting McQueen on Cars because he says Ci-Ciao.
A'ter - is for the Gator (john deere) (he wants a ride)

Bah Humbug to Happy Holidays!

Our society has become so-o-o-o sensitive. We never want to hurt people's feelings. At Christmas time, we have started the practice of saying "Happy Holidays" to include everyone and make sure everyone feels good. Although, I think it leaves out those that don't celebrate any holiday at this time of the year, such as atheists. Why are they celebrating Christmas if they don't believe in Jesus Christ? Awkward!

I agree that we should include everyone, but I think it demeans the reason I celebrate this time of year. I made a goal to say "Merry Christmas" to people. I wanted that constant reminder of why I celebrate Christmas. I am celebrating this holiday and want to share my joy of the season with them. They don't have to believe in my holiday, but they can enjoy my spirit and happiness in the holiday I celebrate. Who is going to squash goodness? So far every person, I have wished Merry Christmas to has noticeably changed. They smile bigger and thanked me and wish me Merry Christmas back. Spreading Joy, take your holiday and spread the joy that comes from it whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. Tis the reason for the season!

Dreams do come true!

When you are little you dream about doing something amazing, like I wanted to be a nurse, teacher, firefighter, police officer, or drawing cartoons for a living. It was something that only really cool people were able to do. Then, one day it happens and for one friend of mine, his dreams came true on Sunday. He was able to be the operator for the podium during church.
We all want to be the one that moves the podium up and down for the speakers and control the volume at church. Apparently, it is not as easy as it looks, especially if the podium continues to move a little after you let it go. When you have a large amount of speakers of varying heights, you have to be ready and quick to get it to the right height at a moment's notice. Then, control the volume for the soft and loud spoken individuals. Where is the best place for the podium to be on a person? Not too high-for only the head to be seen and not too low-for the speaker will have to lean over to talk into the microphone. Don't forget you are sitting down and they are standing up. The most difficult part of it all is finding the right height for yourself because you have to guess what height is going to best for you. The switch is not next to the podium. It is harder than it looks. Needless to say, dreams do come true even with the challenges we face.

A date which will live in infamy

"Dec. 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy."
As a lover of history, especially World War II, this day has been special to me. They are a select few dates in history that changes everything, this is one of them. One day I will be able to go to Pearl Harbor (I am sure I will cry, I do at most memorials.) Those sacred grounds where many people have died, have a special place in my heart.

What is Tara? and Where is It?

One of my favorite movies of all time is "Gone with the Wind" for many reasons-mainly because it is about strong southern women. Scarlett is independent but really just wants to be love and needed and she takes care of everyone around her. She grew up on a plantation called Tara. The plantation is "home" for Scarlett.

Many critics state that Tara ultimately symbolizes Scarlett's spirit or character. Initially, it is a thing of pompous but shallow beauty, then a place of desolation but nevertheless still standing when the neighboring homes are not, and finally as beautiful as ever but bereft of life and happiness. Tara is a place where Scarlett rejuvenates her spirit. Everyone's spirit needs to be replenish and a place where they feel at home.

I have three places that serve that for me.
1st- the Temple (doesn't matter what which one)
2nd-Raleigh, NC -My parent's home and Lassiter Mill

Quick Updates

My parents have arrived safely back to the states! Finished my last huge project of the semester-one small paper left. Thanksgiving is over and I didn't overeat. Almost done Christmas shopping, I have one present left even bought myself a present. Phew! Spent time in with my brother and his family. I saw "Savior of the World" (thanks, aunt ann). I had walked to temple square in Sunday shoes (earned three blisters on my heels) and played Volleyball the next day. Tomorrow I will be attending the baby blessing of my sisters twins.

Twins at Halloween

Also, I decorated for Christmas! I put up my Australian Creche.

The Spirit of Christmas

I have been pondering lately, if I hate or love the fact that Christmas music is on the radio (since Halloween) and decorations are up on houses and in stores right after Halloween. I used to tease my mother about how early she put on the Christmas music back in the day. I was annoyed that I had to listen to Christmas longer than necessary, but times have changed. I guess I have become my mother (which is great). I have made a decision about hate or love. I decided for love.

Here is the rationale of my thinking (hold on):

What is so bad about celebrating a holiday a little earlier? We are forced to be reminded of the Christmas spirit early or start being cheerful earlier than planned? (please catch the sarcasm.) I see no bad about starting Christmas early. We have more time to plan the holiday season, so we can include more time to help and serve others. Less Stress, it is possible! Spend time thinking about what gifts to give our loved ones. Nothing can be wrong with being reminded of birth of Jesus Christ a month earlier. If more people had the Christmas spirit all year round would the world be a better place. I am comfortable with being reminded of my religion and my beliefs more often. It is reason I celebrate the season. I think many of us get caught up with the fact that marketing and advertising have destroy Christmas, blah, blah, blah, but making it last longer, I see no harm in it. Thank you for reminding me to have the Christmas spirit earlier.

Grocery Shopping

I personally enjoy grocery shopping, my mother doesn't like, that is why I go with her, when I am home. It is fun to wander up and downs the aisles, mentally pretending that I can cook. I noticed something funny today about grocery shopping.
1st- never, never, never go when you are hungry-you seem to buy things that you normally don't buy.
2nd-unless you make a list of things to buy, you always buy more things than you intended and buy items you already have at home
3rd-after shopping this afternoon, I wanted to go out and get something for dinner. I was tired and worn out and didn't want to cook or make anything.
4th-I am picky about certain products. Some items, don't care if they are the cheap remake and other items, must be the real thing.
5th-I am so my father's daughter and grew up in the south. I love to talk to the cashiers. Sometimes, it freaks them out.

Ode to the Engagement

I have had some wonderful people in my ward become Engaged. I am super excited for them as I always am for my friends. It is crazy time (so I have watched), but the rewards are worth it. I have written a small little poem about being engaged

Ode to the Engaged (things to look forward too and we all want)

1. Blinding ring (the ring is so big it blinds your friends)
2. Scratchs on my face from my ring
3. Stress about losing the ring (washing my hands, doing dishes, etc...)
4. Crying from all the emotional stress and no sleep
5. Birthcontrol bloating
6. Calorie counting to make sure you fit the dress and look good
7. Compromising on everything
8. Choosing family sides for holidays and other special occasions
9. Collecting a list of addresses from friends and family
10. Making sure you invited everyone and don't forget anyone
11. Going inactive in your ward
12. Making sure bridesmaid dresses aren't cuter than the ones you have worn.
13. In-law's (meeting, establishing the lines, making friends, learning names, etc...)
14. Making decisions about the following: Colors, location, flowers, photographer, bridesmaids and maid of honor, food, etc...
15. Picking who is going to be in the sealing room with ya'll. (they are only so big)
16. Opening gifts, sometimes the same one over and over again
17. Returning gifts
18. Writing Thank You Notes
Bless your heart

Let's talk about tagging!

Here are my thoughts, it is a great idea. Personally enjoy reading others, but doing it myself, um, well, I have no desire to do it. I do feel obligated that a few people have tagged me and I will complete the task, but I will not tag others. Sorry if I am ruining the game.

8 Favorite TV shows:
1. The Office
2. Survivor
3. Amazing Race
4. House Hunters
5. Law and Order: Criminal Intent
6. Chuck
7. Pushing Daisies
8. Dirty Jobs

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Homework
2. Read a book. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
3. Had lunch with my brother and niece.
4. Went to Autumfest (clogging show)
5. Read a another book. A Year down Yonder by Richard Peck
6. Talk to my parents via Skype (ok that was Friday)
7. Niece spent the night.
8. Pick up my room.

8 things to look forward to:
1. My parents coming home
2. Twins (niece and nephew) baby blessing
3. Semester to be done
4. Going to the Library
5. My parents coming home from their mission.
6. Seeing sibling and their children at Christmas time.
7. College Basketball season
8. Christmas in Raleigh with my parents.

8 Favorite restaurants:
1. Cafe Rio
2. Olive Garden
3. Red Robin (bottomless fries)
4. Goodberry's (frozen custard)
5. Claim Jumper -
6. Salsa Fresh
7. Pei Wei (smaller version of PF Changs)
8.

8 Things on my wish list:
1. new computer
2. new scriptures
3. A date with someone that asks me
4. to play volleyball or basketball with friends
5. to spend time with my family
6. no headaches
7. To know what I am going to do after I graduate
8. Laughing

Oh, What to do in the Fall time, when all the world is orange?

Do you go the Zoo?






Or Thanksgiving Point's Corn Maze?








Or don't shave your legs?


Or play with your nieces?

Or go to a Hockey Game?




Is that what you do, so do I!

Word of the Day

Prattle:
verb, -tled, -tling, noun
–verb (used without object) 1. to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way; chatter; babble.
–verb (used with object) 2. to utter by chattering or babbling.
–noun 3. the act of prattling.
4. chatter; babble: the prattle of children.
5. a babbling sound: the prattle of water rushing over stones.

Orgin: prate
1. to talk excessively and pointlessly; babble: They prated on until I was ready to scream.
–verb (used with object) 2. to utter in empty or foolish talk: to prate absurdities with the greatest seriousness.
–noun 3. act of prating.
4. empty or foolish talk.

Civic Duty

I performed my Civic Duty and earned my right to complain and comment on politics and received my "I Voted Early" sticker. I reviewed the issues and candidates and made the choices that best represent my beliefs.

I found it interesting that in Australia, everyone must vote. If you don't vote, you can be fined or arrested. Something to think about.

There is a Coach coming...

Name the song and movie!

Alright, update on my parental units. They will be leaving Syndey Oct. 25th to go to Auckland, New Zealand for the rest of their mission. They will be coming home the week of Thanksgiving. The reason they are going to New Zealand is that the church has moved headquarters in that area to New Zealand. So, right before my parents get released they are going there to help set up for the missionaries who will be taking their place. Am I excited? Yes, I am already planning the things were are going to do when I get home to Raleigh.
Attend an N.C. State Basketball Game is one of them

A Whole New World!

Alright, so I was watching Aladdin tonight. (Yes, I love disney's channel. It is Wiz-tober.) I truly forgot how wonderful this movie was. The jokes, the songs, that I know all the words too. Amazing. You know you miss it, too. All the memories of bursting into song, from this movie.
Alright, here is my thought. I was wondering how fun it would be to ride a magic carpet. But it would be dangerous, how does Aladdin and Jasmine stay on the carpet, when it wheels and flys around. Disney should think about these things. I think they should have seatbelts and helmets. Safety First!

My future family ...

is going orange. Yes, I will be a pirate someday. I didn't want to be too specific with my future husband as well as children. That might limit my options. Keeping them open.

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

What can I say?

I don't have a full time job, no children to feed, shelter, or drag to soccer games, I have classes two nights a week and tutor twice a week, but YET I am tired and busy all the time. I have not figured out why that is. Maybe I make up things to keep myself busy, as to not dwell on the things of life I don't have. Idle hands are not good.

Tidbits from the past week:
-helped my aunt move many items into storage (30 years of food storage for 10 people)
-Sore, very sore
-Haircut and Target
-Drove to Logan-help take care of twins and almost two year old in cramped house
-Drove myself and sister, twins, and almost two year old to Riverton (two hours)
-Pick up nieces from school-nephew cut his ear at school-has to have stitches
-Went to Target again-Sibling and niece ate my popcorn and icee. :(
-Drove home to sleep
-Drove back to Riverton to watch conference and was sewing christmas presents (yes, I start early)
-Drove to Provo to pick up friend and bring to Riverton to hang out with family
-Sister took car keys and had to borrow monster truck to drive back to Provo
-Master of manuvering cars because sister parked your car behind the truck you had to borrow
-returned friend to provo
-attended EFY reunion (parked monster truck on provo streets)
-Drove to Payson to spend the night with my brother and his family
-Watched conference at their house
-Loaded bed frame and boxes into truck for other sister. Had to moved many boxes
-took a walk
-drove to orem to visit a friend
-drove to riverton to trade cars back and deliver bed frame.
-Help load sister and twins and almost one year old into truck along with husband and bed frame
-drove home and crashed

To Further my point--Going orange

My nephew has decided to join the moment of going orange.
Thank you for your support!


Well, to further my point about going orange.
Going orange is about being balanced-
When swimming what gives you balance in the water- life jackets! What color are life jackets? ORANGE!


Pumpkins-the fun side of halloween (adds balance to the color black) and leads you into Thanksgiving and the season.


The Season Fall is my favorite. It is the few times of the year we send the color orange in nature. Fall is balance in the seasons. (the picture is the mountains in North Carolina)


Clown Fish provide balance for the sea. They add humor and color.


Carrots- help with eyesight and digestive system and a colorful veggie.


Tiger Lily-ok, they add a splash of color to the garden (alright, my favorite flower).


Construction cones- provide balance to a constuction work zone. We know where to go and what to avoid. They warn of danger and protect. Safety First!

This is for my cousin Sam- What color is the Texas longhorns?

Go Orange, instead of Green

Alright, the media has ruined my favorite color, green. This doesn't mean I hate earth, recycling, or saving the earth. I think everyone should have shopping bags to reuse. (everyone does it in Australia) It is fun. The problem is that the phrase now makes me nausea. I am using public transportation, I am going green. I walked to school, I am going green. (that is saving gas, because it is super expensive) Look, I recycle my plastic bottles and cardboard. I do these things because I want to, now it is popular and everyone is doing it. You are cool, if you go green. (side note: not to be weird, but remember what green m'm's stand for) I am not going green.
I would love to go red, but that seems angry, yellow-happy or being a chicken, blue-sad and depressing, purple-yeah, it sounded great, until someone told me that meant going gay. (can't use what has already been taken). Black is Gothic and slightly racist, as well as white and brown. That leaves only one basic color left orange.

I decided, I am going Orange. What does it mean? No, I am not trying to get skin cancer and get tan. Orange is a balance between red and yellow. We should be more balanced. I decided it means to more social. Our world could use this balance. Our world could use more nice, friendly people. We could smile to strangers and say hello. We can put ourselves out there, out of our comfort zones. For example: We go to church, sit by the same people, talk to the same people, sit in the same pews. I dare you to sit on the other side of church, it is a whole new perspective. Talk to someone new. Invite someone over for dinner. Be bold, brave, balanced, social, do something out of your comfort zone. GO ORANGE!

Ranting #345 - Driving

I am wondering if they teach a few basic principles in driver's education anymore.

1. Cars turning right at an intersection have the right of way verus cars turning left across lanes. Cars that are turning right at a green light, please don't wait for those cars turning left.
2. One car (who is already in the intersection) is allowed to turn left once the light has turned red, not two or three cars.
3. The HOV lane is not for passing and vehicles in it should go the speed limit.
4. The far left lane on a highway (not the HOV lane) is used for passing slower cars. If a car is passing you on the right, then you are in the wrong lane. Signs on the highway, ask that slower cars stay in the right lanes. Why can't people follow these signs, stop hanging out in the right lane and move over.

August Adventures

Right before I started school, one of my best friends Erika came to visit. What a blast, it was like we were college roommates again. We couldn't stop chatting. We spent most of our time in downtown SLC. We visited temple square, the conference center, the captial building, even the Relief Society Building. The coolest thing is that in the R.S. building, they have a list of women who donated $5.00 (back in the day) to help build the building. I found some ancestors on the list. Super coolness.

We also meet up with some of her in-laws and my good friend, Hendersons. We all went to some super good dessert treat place. I was overwhelmed with choices.

Overwhelmed and hungry

It looks good!

The Hedgehog.
Thanks to Erika's husband for treating her and I to some play time and taking care of their children.

First Day of School

This post is dedicated to the first days of school:
I had my first class of the Fall 2008 semester Linguistics 6812 (yes, sounds imitating). I was thinking as I was sitting there in a room full of about 30 people. I feel like the first day of kindergarten, middle school, high school, college, or new job. HATE IT! Luckily, I think I haven't been remembering my first day of school nightmares. (Yes, every year, I have the nightmare about missing a class, not being prepared, something horrible.) Anyway, back to the first day. You don't know anyone in the class. You walk in hoping you are in the right classroom (that is super embarrassing). You quickly scan the room. Where should I sit? You choose a sit in the middle, close to the back, but at least a sit away for any other people. You don't want to invade on other's personal bubble space. You wait the 10 minutes, because you came early. You didn't want to be late on the first day and to make sure you find the classroom, with any problems. The whole time you are waiting for class to start, you keeping hoping someone you recognize walks in. You see others recognize others. They are suddenly excited and chatty. You sit quietly observing everyone. You smile quietly. Then, someone walks in you know. Joy fills your heart. You know someone, you are not completely, utterly alone. You relax a little. Then, the teacher introduces herself, takes roll. The teacher passes out the syllabus. You start to have a panic attack, because you realize holy Hannah, this is going to be a hard class. You have a ton to do for this class. Will you be able to handle it? Can it be done? Are you smart enought to read the much in one week?
The first day of class!

Lighthouse Adventure

While in Oregon, EFY friends and I decided to go to the Coast on weekend. We went to Tillamook (ice cream and cheese factory) and then took an adventure and found Cape Mears. To make things even cooler, the sun was setting.

Watching the cheese being made.

What a view!


Jason and Scott enjoying the view

Such a cute lighthouse, I want to squeeze it.

The Bartholomews

Another great picture

Holly and Carli

Carli and I

The sunset