If you read many of the big blogs, you may be familiar with "blog awards". One of my favorite blogs to read is Twelve Makes a Dozen. I feel like Sandy is a great friend, although I've never met her! I hope that if I ever make it to her neck of the woods (small town, Utah) that I get the chance to run into her and her bunch of crazy and super adorable children! I feel like part of her family as I read the stories she posts!
Anywho, yesterday (or was it the day before?) Sandy was awarded two different blog awards, and she passed one on to me. Well, she passed both on to me, but said to pick whichever I felt fit and I picked the "Tell Me About Yourself" award. I'm not cool enough to know how to post the little button thing that shows that I got the award, and didn't really want to take the time to figure it out, but I thought I'd do what the award asks you to: blog about seven random things. If it was more work than that I wouldn't do it, I don't feel like my blog is really "award worthy", especially since it was started simply as a way for me to journal, then to be able to share what was going on with my siblings since we're all so spread apart. That is still the primary use, although I also do use it to keep up with some other people as well... But here are my seven random thoughts.
1. About 9-10 months ago we bought a bookcase and as we brought it into our apartment it landed on my toe, broke my toe-nail in half, and put me into shock. It was so incredibly painful that night as Chris performed "surgery" to remove the broken part of my toenail, and cleaned up the blood and such. I was in a lot of pain for a long time because of that. My toe nail is growing back fairly nicely, but after talking to a guy in my ward who is doing his residency as a podiatrist right now... I'm afraid I might have a fungal infection. Maybe I'm just paranoid about it and am imagining the pain, but it hurts. Now that I have taken the nail polish off of it he'll be able to look at it at church next week and tell me what he thinks about it. Yeah, that's a cool random fact.
2. I am currently watching The Sound of Music. I saw it at the library the other day and couldn't leave without it. I absolutely love The Sound of Music. I love Julie Andrews. I love the music. I love everything about it. When I was younger I used to watch it all the time, especially with my friend Megan. That and Hercules were our movies for a while. Right now I'm at the wedding scene. Holy crazy long dress. Gosh I love this movie, but I am glad that nobody sang a song like "How do you solve a problem like Maria" at my wedding...
3. I love Sudoku.
4. I recently bought Burt's Bees Mango Butter Chapstick. Delicious. I'm kind of obsessed with Mango right now. I also have a Mango Peach candle that I'm loving the scent of. Funny thing is... I have no desire to eat a mango... I just like the smell.
5. I have watched almost every season of The Biggest Loser. I've hated a lot of this season because one of the contestants has a super bad attitude and it seems like nobody has really been losing as much weight as they should, and the trainers haven't done much to change their attitudes. This past week was my favorite episode so far, as one of the teams went to a Zumba class. This makes me want to go try Zumba out--but not enough to go pay for a gym membership so I can do it. I'll just have to start running again or play more Just Dance 3.
6. I really like superheroes. I really struggled picking a Happy Birthday balloon for Chris the other day. There was Spiderman, Batman, one with several superheroes that were too small to really tell a difference, Superman, etc. I struggled with my decision, but knew that a superhero was the way to go. I finally picked Spiderman but have been questioning my decision ever since.
7. For some reason, I can't come up with a seventh random thing right now. I'll just end this with a reiteration of number 2. I flipping LOVE The Sound of Music. Captain Von Trapp is singing Edelweiss at "The Festival" right now. love. it.
3.31.2012
3.29.2012
Birthday!
Somebody doesn't understand birthdays around here... Today is Chris's (or is it Chris' ?) birthday! The big 2-7.
This means that it is his day to get presents, his favorite dinner, etc. Last night he bought me a 13 cup Kitchenaid Food Processor in Empire Red. We've been looking at food processors for probably the last several months, and we finally found a good sale, and a coupon we could put on top of the sale price... and now all I have to do is wait until next week when the FedEx/UPS man delivers it to me!
Anyway... back to Chris's birthday. When the most recent iPad ("the new iPad") came out earlier this month he got one, so that's his real birthday gift, I just got a few small things to accompany it. He hasn't seen them yet, but I don't think he knows the url to my blog, so I'm safe posting these pictures here:
I really wanted to get balloons. I first stopped at The Dollar Store and didn't like any of their balloons, so I headed to HEB. I had such a hard time picking. There was a princess one, a batman one, one with several superheroes. There were some fun ones that just said Happy Birthday. There were so many awesome choices, then I found this Spiderman one. It just spoke to me. Spiderman came home with me.
We have a free on-demand movie from AT&T, we don't know why we got it... but they mailed us a code apologizing (for what, we don't know, but we'll take a free movie!) so I got his favorite candies to eat while we watch our movie either tonight or tomorrow night. Lifesaver Gummies are his favorite, absolute favorite, and now they have an ORANGE gummy. Orange is his favorite color, so of course I picked the bag that has orange in it!
We're still working on finding an Orange Roll recipe to use for conference weekend, anyone have a good solution so I don't have to buy a tube of orange rolls?
This means that it is his day to get presents, his favorite dinner, etc. Last night he bought me a 13 cup Kitchenaid Food Processor in Empire Red. We've been looking at food processors for probably the last several months, and we finally found a good sale, and a coupon we could put on top of the sale price... and now all I have to do is wait until next week when the FedEx/UPS man delivers it to me!
Anyway... back to Chris's birthday. When the most recent iPad ("the new iPad") came out earlier this month he got one, so that's his real birthday gift, I just got a few small things to accompany it. He hasn't seen them yet, but I don't think he knows the url to my blog, so I'm safe posting these pictures here:
We're still working on finding an Orange Roll recipe to use for conference weekend, anyone have a good solution so I don't have to buy a tube of orange rolls?
Since Jury Duty almost a month ago nothing too exciting has happened-- until this past weekend.
The 2012 Six Flags Season began a few weeks ago, and this past weekend we finally bought our season passes and went. We rode two of our favorite rides, then hurried home so that we could make it to an afternoon showing of The Hunger Games.
Loved the movie! The only part I hated was the lady behind us warning her 6/7 year old each time something "scary" was coming. I'm glad Chris couldn't hear the lady, he hadn't read the book and didn't know what to expect, but she consistently said things like "they are going to kill that girl" or "there is going to be blood" "someone is going to get really hurt". My opinion: next time get a babysitter and leave that kid at home. She had to be taken out twice because she started crying, I think she wasn't quite ready for the PG-13 movie she was seeing. Otherwise we were loving it. When we walked out Chris said "that will be a great movie to watch again at home" which I assume means that we'll be getting it when it comes out! Maybe I'll even have him read the books
Then we went out to get some free Taco Cabana. With a birthday coming up (not mine, it's Chris!) we've got a ton of free meal coupons, and Taco Cabana was one of them!
3.07.2012
My Experience with Jury Duty
Monday I had Jury Duty, and wanted to record my experience for future me.
First off, I've been super anxious/nervous about this since the minute I saw the envelope in the mail. I was worried about getting put on a jury and having it be some intense trial. I was worried about actually getting there--I hate driving on the freeway, and didn't want to drive downtown where there are a bunch of one way streets and with my summons came a notice that there is construction going on downtown and that some of the streets would be closed. I ended up deciding that the bus was the way to go, but that kind of made me nervous too because you never know what crazies are going to be on the bus, and I don't know downtown well enough to know where exactly it is I needed to get off.
The day finally came. Sunday night I went to sleep a little early since I had to wake up at 5:45 to be ready in time to catch my bus. I started waking up about 1:30, convinced that I had slept through my alarm and that I had missed my bus and was going to have to drive, which just made me more anxious.
I finally got onto the bus, and along the way I noticed a guy get on who also was holding a jury summons to show the bus driver. He sat near me, and as people started getting off the bus we talked a bit about how not excited we were to receive the summons. Eventually there were just three people left on the bus (oh, I guess 4 because there was a driver too), all of us going to jury duty. The bus driver told us exactly where to get off, and exactly how to walk to get there, which buildings to cut through, and whatnot. We waited in line for about 10 minutes to go through security and then I went and sat for about 30 minutes before anything happened.
A judge came in and told us about how great we all were for appearing for jury duty and how he hoped we all would be put on a jury so we could experience it. Then some bailiff came and told us that there were 55 courts that needed juries today, so it would likely be a long day. Finally around 10:30 they started calling names of people who were being placed on panels. The people on both sides of me got called, but I just sat there. They called about 120 people then, and at 11:15 they called 80 more. 11:30 was our lunch break. Because the courts had lunch a little later than us, we ended up with a 2 hour lunch break instead of just 1.5 hours.
Since I wasn't wanting to leave the courthouse til I was done (remember, I don't know downtown well, and it looked kinda shady and I saw way too many crazy looking people on the street) I brought my own lunch. I had looked up online and saw that they had a microwave, so I ate delicious leftovers for lunch, then sat and read for a while until our lunch break was done. Lunch was done at 1:30, and around 2:00 the bailiff came into the room again, told us that two of the courts had called and cancelled their need for a jury--because of this 60 people were being released.
I was sitting next to a girl named Sarah at this point, after Daniel (the guy sitting between us) got put on a panel. We turned to eachother, hoping that we both would be able to leave, or atleast one of us. I was hoping she would get to go home; she works the night shift somewhere and had gotten off work 2 hours before she was supposed to appear at jury duty, she was exhausted. After they named the first 40 people, we realized our chances of being released was miniscule. Then it happened. Number 57. Me. I get to go home! After I picked up my certificate that says that I did my civic duty and that I am exempt from jury duty for the next 36 months, I was headed out the door. I was so excited!
As soon as I walked out the door I pulled my phone out, checked my maps app, and figured out that if I walked really fast I could make a bus, otherwise I would have to wait about 45-55 minutes. The walk took much less time than I thought it would, so I got to sit and wait. A creepy looking old guy who needs a whole new mouth full of teeth walked past, then sat down on a different bench. A few seconds later he came and asked me if I had a cigarette. Apparently I looked like I would have one? When I told him I didn't have any he was disappointed but he left me alone. Another guy came, this time a college aged kid, who looked a lot nicer than the creepy old guy. Then I saw it coming. The 88 bus was a block away! All three of us got on a really full bus. I got a seat next to an older lady who looked pretty darn tired after a hard day of work. After a few stops it seemed like most of the people got off the bus. And that was when this other guy got on. He was in all black, had chains hanging all over his pants, had his ears and nose pierced, had tattoos on his arms, and his hair was in 6 really sweet spikes. I wanted to take a picture, but he sat right across from me and it would've been so incredibly obvious (and awkward) that that's what I was doing.
We passed my library. I pulled the yellow cord. And I got off the bus. I walked past a few houses, and into my own driveway. I came in, and went straight to my bed.
This was a really exhausting day. Sitting, doing nothing for 5 hours, anxiously waiting to hear if they would call your name or not, is really exhausting.
I wanted to go to bed at 7:30, but Chris made sure I stayed up so that I would get a really good nights sleep.
And that's my story. I'm glad it's over.
Other random thought on the day:
I wondered what exactly they meant by their dress code. They said to wear clothes that fit the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings. They specifically said not to wear shorts, tank tops, and skorts (seriously? people wear skorts still?). One lady was totally wearing flannel pajama bottoms. A bunch were wearing sweatpants, or track suits... I understand they aren't shorts or tank tops, but really? I played it safe by wearing some khakis, and a nice top, with some flats. Next time I'll wear jeans.
First off, I've been super anxious/nervous about this since the minute I saw the envelope in the mail. I was worried about getting put on a jury and having it be some intense trial. I was worried about actually getting there--I hate driving on the freeway, and didn't want to drive downtown where there are a bunch of one way streets and with my summons came a notice that there is construction going on downtown and that some of the streets would be closed. I ended up deciding that the bus was the way to go, but that kind of made me nervous too because you never know what crazies are going to be on the bus, and I don't know downtown well enough to know where exactly it is I needed to get off.
The day finally came. Sunday night I went to sleep a little early since I had to wake up at 5:45 to be ready in time to catch my bus. I started waking up about 1:30, convinced that I had slept through my alarm and that I had missed my bus and was going to have to drive, which just made me more anxious.
I finally got onto the bus, and along the way I noticed a guy get on who also was holding a jury summons to show the bus driver. He sat near me, and as people started getting off the bus we talked a bit about how not excited we were to receive the summons. Eventually there were just three people left on the bus (oh, I guess 4 because there was a driver too), all of us going to jury duty. The bus driver told us exactly where to get off, and exactly how to walk to get there, which buildings to cut through, and whatnot. We waited in line for about 10 minutes to go through security and then I went and sat for about 30 minutes before anything happened.
A judge came in and told us about how great we all were for appearing for jury duty and how he hoped we all would be put on a jury so we could experience it. Then some bailiff came and told us that there were 55 courts that needed juries today, so it would likely be a long day. Finally around 10:30 they started calling names of people who were being placed on panels. The people on both sides of me got called, but I just sat there. They called about 120 people then, and at 11:15 they called 80 more. 11:30 was our lunch break. Because the courts had lunch a little later than us, we ended up with a 2 hour lunch break instead of just 1.5 hours.
Since I wasn't wanting to leave the courthouse til I was done (remember, I don't know downtown well, and it looked kinda shady and I saw way too many crazy looking people on the street) I brought my own lunch. I had looked up online and saw that they had a microwave, so I ate delicious leftovers for lunch, then sat and read for a while until our lunch break was done. Lunch was done at 1:30, and around 2:00 the bailiff came into the room again, told us that two of the courts had called and cancelled their need for a jury--because of this 60 people were being released.
I was sitting next to a girl named Sarah at this point, after Daniel (the guy sitting between us) got put on a panel. We turned to eachother, hoping that we both would be able to leave, or atleast one of us. I was hoping she would get to go home; she works the night shift somewhere and had gotten off work 2 hours before she was supposed to appear at jury duty, she was exhausted. After they named the first 40 people, we realized our chances of being released was miniscule. Then it happened. Number 57. Me. I get to go home! After I picked up my certificate that says that I did my civic duty and that I am exempt from jury duty for the next 36 months, I was headed out the door. I was so excited!
As soon as I walked out the door I pulled my phone out, checked my maps app, and figured out that if I walked really fast I could make a bus, otherwise I would have to wait about 45-55 minutes. The walk took much less time than I thought it would, so I got to sit and wait. A creepy looking old guy who needs a whole new mouth full of teeth walked past, then sat down on a different bench. A few seconds later he came and asked me if I had a cigarette. Apparently I looked like I would have one? When I told him I didn't have any he was disappointed but he left me alone. Another guy came, this time a college aged kid, who looked a lot nicer than the creepy old guy. Then I saw it coming. The 88 bus was a block away! All three of us got on a really full bus. I got a seat next to an older lady who looked pretty darn tired after a hard day of work. After a few stops it seemed like most of the people got off the bus. And that was when this other guy got on. He was in all black, had chains hanging all over his pants, had his ears and nose pierced, had tattoos on his arms, and his hair was in 6 really sweet spikes. I wanted to take a picture, but he sat right across from me and it would've been so incredibly obvious (and awkward) that that's what I was doing.
We passed my library. I pulled the yellow cord. And I got off the bus. I walked past a few houses, and into my own driveway. I came in, and went straight to my bed.
This was a really exhausting day. Sitting, doing nothing for 5 hours, anxiously waiting to hear if they would call your name or not, is really exhausting.
I wanted to go to bed at 7:30, but Chris made sure I stayed up so that I would get a really good nights sleep.
And that's my story. I'm glad it's over.
Other random thought on the day:
I wondered what exactly they meant by their dress code. They said to wear clothes that fit the dignity and solemnity of the court proceedings. They specifically said not to wear shorts, tank tops, and skorts (seriously? people wear skorts still?). One lady was totally wearing flannel pajama bottoms. A bunch were wearing sweatpants, or track suits... I understand they aren't shorts or tank tops, but really? I played it safe by wearing some khakis, and a nice top, with some flats. Next time I'll wear jeans.
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