Some Olympic Favorites

The Olympics will end today, and with that I thank the amazing athletes for putting on a great show. Some of my favorites of the games:
--Hannah Kearney with her cute pigtails taking gold in Freestyle Moguls


--Shaun White being Shaun White and being completely dominating and enthralling in the Snowboward halfpipe. Did you see his air?! Amazing!!


--Evan Lysacek taking down the disgruntled and ungrateful Yevgeny Plushenko with a flawless performance to take USA's first gold since 1988 in Men's Figure Skating


And lest you think the only people I liked were Americans, let me share my small Canadian love that surprised even me, especially when I was cheering for the Canucks to win Short Track against the so-over-him Apolo Ohno. I couldn't have been happier for Alexandre Bilodeau winning a Gold not only for his brother with cerebral palsy but for Canada, who hasn't won gold on Canadian soil until his amazing run down Cypress Mountain.


And the Hamelin brothers in Short Track. Short Track is exciting and crazy, with falls and disqualifications at every turn. For some reason I was always cheering for the Canadians, I think because they all have beards, great hair, seemingly fun personalities, and I was just sick of Apolo Ohno and all his prima donna-ness. My love for them was solidified when, after winning Gold in the 500 meter, Charles Hamelin jumped up on the barriers to give his also-medal-winning girlfriend a great big kiss.



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Buck Up

I realized that a couple of my last posts were awfully dreadful affairs. I did not intend for this, or for people to think that I'm not happy (or that I did not very much enjoy The Book Thief and that my tears were for the book and not because I myself was sad)or always so glum.

Truth be told, my life is actually quite good and I should let you all know that I'm thankful for what I have. I'm thankful that I can actually go to school, that I have the opportunity to learn and make my life better. I have a great family that puts up with my no-car situation by taking me to and from school and numerous other places. They love me no matter what, and I love them right back. Right now my brother is on his way over to take me to some car lots to check out some cars, of which I am also thankful for.

I have really exceptional friends that I would do anything for. I have a new ward that is very welcoming and friendly. I love where I live and the people I live with. I have a job and can pay my bills.

I can't believe I was even complaining that I had to do school work instead of being able to watch the Olympics. I have friends and family that have had to deal with lost jobs, miscarriages, loved ones across the country (or globe), sickness, and death, and I'm complaining about not being able to watch tv. I guess sometimes we have to feel frustrated, discouraged, and a little down so we can remember all the things we really have.

Tears for The Book Thief

Tonight I cried on the bus. I haven't taken the bus home from school in awhile, but tonight I didn't mind. I wanted the time alone to read and think. I sat on the bus with tears in my eyes as I turned the last pages of the story of the Book Thief, death, an accordion, war, and love. I was sad to see it end and glad to be able to take the journey.

Frustrated and Discouraged

I have three tests this week. It really sucks. Especially because with the Olympics going on, there's not a whole lot I want to do other than plop myself in front of the tv and watch the competition. This isn't exactly the best thing to do when I have three tests to be studying for.

And so I feel frustrated with school and the time it sucks up. I can't just come home from work and do whatever. I always feel like there's some thing I should be doing for school--reading, studying, practicing, remembering. But I feel resentful of the time it consumes and the effect it has on my life. I miss those two carefree years where I had no school and no obligations.

My attempts at buying a car have been discouraging to the point where I've almost given up hope.

I know that in the end it'll be worth it, because the time is going to pass no matter what and I might as well have a degree when the year is up. So I should really just buck up and do it and stop complaining about it.

A Day With Pammy

Lessons learned from a day with Pammy:
--make an appointment if you want to get a manicure
--The Blue Plate Diner serves some of the best hashbrowns I've ever had and is, as expected, completely awesome
--checking online before going (or not going) to a store will help immensely
--too much chocolate in a short amount of time can make you feel like barfing
--when watching The Scarlet Pimpernel, which version it is makes all the difference
--never lose hope in your mission
--Robert is Bothered is quite possibly one of the funniest things I've seen
--never spend more than twenty minutes in a drive-thru when all you've ordered is two drinks
--some kids like to eat their shoes. We love them anyway.
--having a home is very important
--having great friends is equally important

Let the Games Begin

Tonight the Olympics start. I have always loved the Olympics. I have memories of watching them as a kid with my family and just being in awe of everything that the Olympics are. When my mom and sister visited me in New York last year during the Summer Olympics it was hard to not spend time just sitting in my apartment watching swimming, diving, running and gymnastics. The Olympics are awesome.

So imagine my shock when my co-worker said that she hates the Olympics. She actually hates them. She's not indifferent to them, which I could maybe be okay with, but actually hates them. I couldn't (and still can't) wrap my mind around this. She doesn't get why it's so cool, and even said, "What's the big deal getting a Gold Medal? Everyone has one. Every four years people get more." As my boss and I tried to reason with her, she became more and more convinced the Olympics were stupid.

If you are shaking your head in disbelief as you read this, and feeling a bit frustrated, then you know how I felt at work today. So I proudly declare that I love the Olympics. I love the pride I feel in my country when watching. I love that for two weeks the world comes together and we compete and share what we love. I love that I feel connected to the world around me during the Olympics. The Olympics are Awesome with a capital A.

Still Got It

Yesterday I had to give a presentatin on Solar Power for my Meteorology class. I was nervous about it all day, and on the drive to school I practiced my presentation for Emily. My presentation rocked, the teacher and students all liked it because my slides used lots of pictures, explained the topic well, and was simple to understand. Yeah, it felt good to know I still had it in me.

Then in my next class, Geography, our tests from the previous week were handed back. I totally rocked that too, even though my studying and class attendance were on Jared-level of trying (meaning there was very little trying and I didn't bother to buy the book for class). Maybe I should mention that it's a 1000 level course, so it's pretty simple. But still, I rocked it.

In a couple weeks I'll really be tested on whether or not I've still got it, since I have three tests in four days! I am already referring to it as Hell Week.

My Favorite Super Bowl Ad

While I thought a lot of the ads were lame (especially anything to do with GoDaddy or ETrade, those babies are creepy), although to be fair I'm not really their target audience--I'm a girl and I don't drink beer, there were some I really liked. This one about the Eco-Police was my favorite.



And the one with Brett Favre winning MVP in 2010, classically hilarious. Good to know the guy can poke fun at himself. Also loved Denny's and their scared chickens, and the Career Builder one with the guy who worked at a place that took Casual Friday a bit too far.

And even though I was originally cheering for the Colts, I was glad to see the Saints win. Especially when quarterback MVP Drew Brees was holding his little boy and giving him kisses. Congrats to New Orleans.

Lasagna Part Two

Remember when I tried a Pumpkin Lasagna recipe for my family a few months ago? And remember that it was a complete disaster? Huge disaster, on par with Katrina and Haiti. It's still talked about with my family; the line, "Well, it can't be worse than pumpkin lasagna," is a common phrase tossed about at dinner quite frequently.

Last night I made regular ol' lasagna, with meat and cheese, for my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. This was the result:


















I unfortunately deleted the corresponding pictures of the pumpkin lasagna, but they were the exact opposite--full plates and barely touched main dish. I'm glad it was a success, so my slowly-growing cooking confidence wasn't completely shattered.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Happy 57th Birthday Mom!

Thanks for all you do!