Being that Christmas is over now, and being that I'm moving to California a week from today, I decided my new playlist (for my blog) will be Disney themed! Yea!!! You're all tired of Christmas music by now, anyway, aren't you? This playlist is guaranteed to last at least through January. I don't know that I'll change the playlist for February. If I do, it will not be Valentine's themed. Sorry.
I'd leave it at that, but that feels lame. Also, Christmas isn't entirely what I want to blog about right now.
I forgot to mention in my last post about California how Dad and I were at the beach on the same day (one of many same days) that it was dumping snow in Utah. And we weren't there (well, we were that night and had to dig my car out of the snow in the parking lot at the airport, but the beach did not have snow, and that is my point). Well, the tide was going out (it was quite a ways out already) and we were just walking along and I was picking up shells (I love sea shells!) and we got over to this area where there were a lot of rocks (also where the tide would completely cover) and there were this little, brown, roundish things that looked squishy. I couldn't figure out what they were (some of them were actually not that little: fist sized), so I poked it with one of the sea shells in my hand and it went "shlurp!" Whoa. Cool, right? So I poked it again, just to be sure, and it went "shlurp!" again!!! So I yelled to Dad, "Dad! It's alive! Come look!" Dad came over, and I pointed to it, and told him it shlurpped, so Dad poked it and it shlurrped right into the sand! Yes, I was very excited about this and still kind of am. Also, I want to go back to poke it again because it was all so very interesting (and I want more sea shells, but I need better attire for that). Good thing the beach will only be 20 minutes-ish away from where I am moving to!
In other news, Christmas was nice and quiet today, for the most part. Granted, Drawly woke me up at 6 being not angelic, and then he started pulling clothes out of my suitcase, and then he started being even more not angelic and crying at my door, so finally we got up at 7 (plus Dad was up by then and we usually get up at 7 on Christmas, anyway), but not to worry. I took a nice 2 hour nap around 11. Blessing.
The Sister got 5 Stitch pins (2 from me that Dad and I found this past week and 3 from Mom and Dad), some Wizard of Oz games, and a new HDTV. She was well pleased, I think, and actually seemed to like my gift this year (I try so hard every year but seem to fall short). Probably she got other things, too, but my memory is a little lax on that. Meanwhiles, I got a tripod (yea! Now I can take pictures in the darker times of day!), a GPS (also yea! Now I won't get lost in California with not-grid-system roads!), and my Book that I fell in love with (slightly different edition, maybe just different printing company, but still old and not as falling apart and it's wonderful. I love old books!), and a pretty tennis bracelet, and Hello Panda cookies (I love these things so much), and Disney games, and other fun things. Also, My Rochelle gave me some really cute Hoops and Yoyo things, and some of them talk! I heart Hoops and Yoyo. (I was going to add an audio clip to this post, but I don't know how. Sad heart.)
There was also the inviting of a guy from Mom and Dad's ward over for dinner. He had no where to go, so he got to come spend a few hours in my crazy house. And Dad, Sister, and him played the wii. He is an awesome person, from what I gather, and it was fun to share our family Christmas with someone this year.
Whenever I refer to myself as not having any make-up on, I always say I don't have a face on yet and then I think of myself as Xayide from The NeverEnding Story II.
So Dad and I were in Disneyland last week. And for the first time ever I went on the Mark Twain river boat ride. It was... unique. The Mark One, Mark Twain (or whatever) song was really weird. Not a fan. BUT pictures were to be had, so. That was good.
Santa's reindeer were also taking a vacation at the park before their big night (which, I guess, is actually tomorrow. Hmm. Hello, Christmas. Didn't expect to see you so soon?) Santa was there, too, but I didn't go see him. There were things to do, pictures to take, food to eat, rides to go on... And did you know that the year's pardoned turkey (you know, the one the President pardons on Thanksgiving day) gets to go live at Disneyland? Well, here is proof.
Also, Small World was decked out all cute and... lighty for the Holidays. Very festive. (There are videos, but the internet connection is too slow to post them online right now. You will all have to wait for a better connection to see those.)
And, you can't have a Disneyland post without a picture of the Castle. So, here is the castle. At night. With all the twinkly lights on (Disneyland is currently advertised as "Sparkling with Joy" until January 4th, if you are wondering).
Someday, hopefully soon, I will have a tripod and these will be clearer pictures. That will be fun.
We also went to the California Adventure park. They have a few rides there we really like, but also...
The Main Street Electrical Light Parade (presented by Sylvana)! I remember this fondly from my small child days. And Heart it. A lot.
Speaking of Disney, 2 weeks from Today (!) I have to report in. Scary! So, I guess, keep watching this space for fun Disney adventures and stories. It will be a wonderful 8 months.
You'll have to excuse the title. Dad and I were watching Disney channel the other night and Suite Life of Zack and Cody was on.
Anyway, Chilly is awesome, and anything she does must be cool, so I have to do it, too. (Well, not always. But this time, yes.) Also, Dad is after me for not blogging since the 16th (even though I have not had access to the internet) and I have nothing to blog about until I get my pictures uploaded from my camera (which means charging that battery first), at which time I will have loads to blog about. Mostly how cool my job is going to be in a few short weeks. Also how I will not have to see snow again for the rest of the winter.
1. What is a nickname a former (or present) lover gave you? I guess I am just not someone to whom individuals stick nicknames to. I can't think of any.
2. How do you style your hair? If you just would say “cut” what style is it? Mostly I don't. I brush it and then put it in a ponytail because I have had no energy for that whole straightening thing lately and I keep going to sleep with wet hair. Of course, once I move to places where it is humid, having straight hair will no longer be an option.
3. What’s your least favorite Christmas song? I actually really don't like "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" because of that whole "won't go until we get some" part. It seems rude.
4. How many colors are you wearing now? Like 10? I don't even know. The only lighting in my room right now is that coming from my monitor and the Christmas lights, so it is hard to tell.
5. Are you an introvert or extrovert? I am very not an extrovert, but if I feel really, really comfortable around you and trust you, I stop being shy and "let loose." But mostly I am just very reserved.
6. What was the last book you read? A Terry Pratchett one, but I can't remember which. Right now I am reading "Men at Arms"
7. What’s one piece of fiction that changed your life? Hmm... I don't actually know, but I have read a lot.
8. If you are attracted to someone who is already in a relationship (or married), what might do you do? Nothing? That seems like the safest option.
9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy recently? I had to leave my jobs and that was sad. Also, Ali never called me back which meant I didn't get to say goodbye to her, and that was sad, too. Also, I didn't get to say goodbye to Five, either, and that was sad (he hadn't gotten in to work yet by the time I had to leave on Wednesday).
10. What’s your favorite dessert? I was going to say chocolate, but then I remembered how much I like Dad's ice cream. So peach ice cream, probably. But cookie dough is really good, too.
11. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? I generally wake up 2 hours before I have to be completely ready. It used to take me the whole time, but now it does not. It takes about an hour and 20 minutes now.
12. Name one website that you visit daily. Why do you read it? Google Reader. I like to keep up on things, I guess? It used to be the Board, but I find life is simpler when I am retired.
13. What was your last job before either you are at home or at another job?? Well, before the bindery/TA, it was working for Guest Services and I hated it. I only lasted for about a month. Maybe 2.
14. Do you like to clean? Like to? Not really. But I find it necessary to function properly.
15. What was the last song to get stuck in your head? December the 25th from Scrooge because Chilly and I were just discussing it.
16. What’s the last movie you saw? Scrooge, actually. I haven't been around for movie watching.
17. Pirates or Ninjas? Pirates, duh! I am going to buy a Pirate Princess pin for my camera strap when I start working.
18. What is your least favorite thing to do that you have to do everyday? Wake up.
19. Best time of your life? I have to quote Chilly and say "about a year ago when there were funtimes and friends and things."
20. What are you most looking forward to in the coming year? My new job! I will rock at that and there will be fun times. Also possible awesome blog giveaways if my readership/comments go up (who doesn't love Disney? Go away if you don't).
My Brother O loves me and I am sad to be leaving him. What will he do for a TA without me? Well, presumably he will find a new one, but I am still sad to be leaving that job.
About a year ago, actually, Brother O left the states to go teach in Jerusalem. We kept in touch while he was there and at one point he asked me if there was anything I wanted him to get me. I mentioned that I might like to have an olive wood nativity set, but I knew they were expensive so I told him not to bother if that was the case.
Well, yesterday I got back to the office to ask him if there was anything else he wanted me to take care of before I left for the day. He wasn't there (filming is occurring), but had left me a card and this (see image below) on my coat.
I tell you what, goodbyes are hard and I seriously hope I will be able to see him at least once more before I leave.
I have recently started watching NCIS on those rare occasions when I have the TV on (we also watch it at the Sister's when eating occurs). Tonight there was this awesome episode where Abby had this stuffed hippopotamus, only it was kind of like a whoopie cushion and DiNozzo was using it as a pillow (he just got over Y Plestis and also a car bomb exploding near him). So that was funny.
But then (Spoiler) Kate died and now I am sad. It is a good thing I am done typing my papers that are due this week (I have one left, but it isn't due until Tuesday) so that I can mourn in peace. I hope the Sister is OK. She was rather fond of Kate, too.
Japanese: Homework Lesson 8 CDROM Report Due 12/11
Education in Zion Exhibit Type a paragraph about the insights you gain concerning the Church’s view of education and your opportunity to study at [my school] Due 12/11
Portfolio 1) Goals for learning Japanese this semester (typed) 2) Plans to achieve those goals (typed) 3) Midterm exam grades (typed) 4) Midterm assessment of goals (typed) 5) Midterm revised plans to achieve goals (typed) 6) End-of-semester assessment of goals (typed) 7) 3 best kana quizzes 8) 3 best vocabulary quizzes 9) 3 best writing samples (katakana or hiragana writing practice) 10) 5 best workbook assignments Due 12/11
Mission Prep: Teach a discussion Due 12/17
Calligraphy: Research Paper Due 12/16
Finals: 12/11: LDS Temples (during class) 12/15-12/19: Japanese written 12/15: Japanese Interview (8:30 am) 12/16: Calligraphy (turn in research paper, 8-10 pm) 12/17: Mission Prep (8-10 am)
Granted, this is pretty much for my own benefit and I don't expect any of you dear readers to really care or be interested. I just need somewhere convenient to post my "To Do" list.
Japanese: Homework Lesson 8 CDROM Report Due 12/11
Education in Zion Exhibit Type a paragraph about the insights you gain concerning the Church’s view of education and your opportunity to study at [my school] Due 12/11
Portfolio 1) Goals for learning Japanese this semester (typed) 2) Plans to achieve those goals (typed) 3) Midterm exam grades (typed) 4) Midterm assessment of goals (typed) 5) Midterm revised plans to achieve goals (typed) 6) End-of-semester assessment of goals (typed) 7) 3 best kana quizzes 8) 3 best vocabulary quizzes 9) 3 best writing samples (katakana or hiragana writing practice) 10) 5 best workbook assignments Due 12/11
Mission Prep: Teach a discussion Due 12/17
Calligraphy: Research Paper Due 12/16
Finals: 12/11: LDS Temples (during class) 12/15-12/19: Japanese written 12/15: Japanese Interview (8:30 am) 12/16: Calligraphy (turn in research paper, 8-10 pm) 12/17: Mission Prep (8-10 am)
You'll have to excuse the poor quality as I took these on my phone (only camera available in a hurry), but, man. Have you seen a cuter/funnier cat? I think not.
7 hours of calligraphy, folks. 7 freaking hours of sitting at my kitchen table (with very poor lighting) and writing. But now it is done, and if you ignore the ink splot, I think it looks pretty good (we hope Sister Yes can fix it for me).
Introducing Japan PowerPoint project Submit a typed response describing your contributions to your group PowerPoint slides. Due 12/11
Japanese Woodblock Print Exhibit - Museum of Art Type your responses to the following: 1) What insights did you gain from the exhibit regarding Japan and its culture? 2) Who is your favorite artist in the exhibit and why? 3) What is your favorite print in the exhibit and why? Due 12/11
Education in Zion Exhibit Type a paragraph about the insights you gain concerning the Church’s view of education and your opportunity to study at [my school] Due 12/11
Portfolio 1) Goals for learning Japanese this semester (typed) 2) Plans to achieve those goals (typed) 3) Midterm exam grades (typed) 4) Midterm assessment of goals (typed) 5) Midterm revised plans to achieve goals (typed) 6) End-of-semester assessment of goals (typed) 7) 3 best kana quizzes 8) 3 best vocabulary quizzes 9) 3 best writing samples (katakana or hiragana writing practice) 10) 5 best workbook assignments Due 12/11
Mission Prep: Teach a discussion Due 12/10
Calligraphy: Mat first two projects Find clip-art, print card Final Project Due 12/9
Research Paper Due 12/16
Work: Learn the inner workings of Blackboard Research Alma 7:11 Scan Slides (I will be doing this for the rest of my life)
Finals: 12/11: LDS Temples (during class) 12/15-12/19: Japanese written 12/15: Japanese Interview (7-10 am) 12/16: Calligraphy (turn in research paper, forget what time) 12/17: Mission Prep (8-10 am)
Am I allowed to change my mind about my *favorite Christmas song? Only I actually remembered that I do, in fact, have a favorite, and it is not "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" (even though that is a very good song).
My favorite Christmas song of all time is O Come O Come Emmanuel. And, most recently, Enya's version of it.
I just want you all to know that I now, officially, only have two people left to shop for. Previous to about, oh, an hour ago, I had three people left, but I just got Chilly something very.... themed with the last thing I bought her (we hope you don't remember?), so now it's just Mom and Rochelle left. We already know what we are getting Mom, but Rochelle is being difficult this year because she has everything under the sun and then some.
And now there are final projects and things to type up, so back to homeworking.
I'm convinced the Parking Nazis are out to ruin my life.
My car has been towed. I do not know why, but it is not in my parking lot. This means I am stranded (who else thinks towing cars is the stupidest thing in the world? How are you supposed to get your car back if you can't drive to the "towing grounds?" At least with a boot you can still get places, it just takes longer because you have to get the boot off). I will be very lucky to make it to class on time. (Dear Dr. pH, is this what you call one of the "really good things to happen to me" that you promised me last night?)
Also, it really just doesn't make any sense. I have my parking permit clearly displayed where it is supposed to be and I have never parked places where I am not supposed to be parked.
I guess my car could have been stolen, and if that is the case, then thank you, thief, for destroying my Calligraphy grade because ALL OF MY PROJECTS ARE IN MY TRUNK!
Sigh. At least today is not Monday. If it were, this would be the beginning of a very bad week. Instead it is just a very bad ending to a slightly bad week.
This was on Tib's blog, and we all know I kind of enjoy mimis/quizzes; they make posting simple.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I enjoy wrapping paper. I like to wrap presents and I like to unwrap presents.
2. Real tree or artificial? I only have very, very vague memories of real trees. I actually prefer artificial.
3. When do you put up the tree? Dad put ours up last weekend, but I hear there are no decorations on it yet. I did not bring my tree up this year because I knew my cat would try to destroy it.
4. When do you take the tree down? I... forget. After Christmas. New Years or close to, I think. I am always sad to see it go down, though.
5. Do you like eggnog? No. Does anybody?
6. Favorite gift received as a child? The doll house Mom made me
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes; they are all sheep. Except the baby Jesus. He is a human. As he should be. I do actually have a few Nativities, but the sheep one is my favorite.
8. Hardest person to buy for? The Dad or The Sister.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Me! Wait, no. Umm... Probably Rochelle, except now she owns everything.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't even know?
11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail. I collect the stamps (not really, mostly I just like to get mail because I never do)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Muppets Christmas Carol, but also Scrooge
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometimes as early as October.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not one given to me, but some that have been given to the Parents have been recycled.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham.
16 Clear lights or colored on the tree? I like all lights. But I believe there should be a good mixture of colored and clear.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I don't know that I have one of these. Maybe "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" because that is the only one I can really think of right now. I feel like it hasn't gotten a lot of attention this year.
18 Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, I have to travel to get home, so... both.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen. And, yes, it's Donder. the "Donner" people ate each other. Very different.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. I have never seen an an Angel I have actually liked the face of.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? As a small thing, we used to get to open one present on Christmas Eve and it was always a pair of pajamas from Grandma. We could also open one friend gift. Now I just wait until Christmas for reals.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? December is really expensive.
23. Favorite Christmas tradition? I don't know that it's really a tradition, but most years Dad takes us to this house in town that has TONS of lights so we can look at it. Also watching the cartoon of the Grinch. That is always good times.
24. Up early or sleeping in? It's kind of like sleeping in, because most days I have to wake up before 6, but we usually get up at 7 for presents.
25. Who hands out the gifts? Dad. Mom doesn't get on the floor and Sister and I are the ones who get the most presents.
26. Does Santa wrap your gifts? Yes, but when we were little, Santa used to leave a pile of new videos for us by the TV and I don't remember them always being wrapped. (Santa, why don't you do that any more?)
27. Do you tell the Christmas story? We watch Luke II instead. On Christmas Eve, right before bed. It's easier that way.
28. Do you leave cookies for Santa? As a small thing, yes. The shortbread kind that come in a tin. And I would leave lots and lots and lots of cookies for Santa and he would never eat all of them. It was sort of heart breaking (all of my issues stem from this, I just decided that).
Once upon a time, my Love Duck and I were on the way to some store and stopped at a light. In the turn lane next to us was a truck with a trailer hitch cover of the most awesome variety I have ever seen.
And then I found it online and was happy. The end.
SALT LAKE CITY2 December 2008Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died last night, age 91.
Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 pm of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife, Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, died in 2006.
He had continued to work at his office right up until the Thanksgiving holiday.
Introducing Japan PowerPoint project Submit a typed response describing your contributions to your group PowerPoint slides. Due 12/11
Japanese Woodblock Print Exhibit - Museum of Art Type your responses to the following: 1) What insights did you gain from the exhibit regarding Japan and its culture? 2) Who is your favorite artist in the exhibit and why? 3) What is your favorite print in the exhibit and why? Due 12/11
Education in Zion Exhibit - Type a paragraph about the insights you gain concerning the Church’s view of education and your opportunity to study at [my school] Due 12/11
Portfolio 1) Goals for learning Japanese this semester (typed) 2) Plans to achieve those goals (typed) 3) Midterm exam grades (typed) 4) Midterm assessment of goals (typed) 5) Midterm revised plans to achieve goals (typed) 6) End-of-semester assessment of goals (typed) 7) 3 best kana quizzes 8) 3 best vocabulary quizzes 9) 3 best writing samples (katakana or hiragana writing practice) 10) 5 best workbook assignments Due 12/11
Mission Prep: Teach a discussion Due 12/10
Calligraphy: Mat first two projects Find clip-art, print card Final Project Research Paper Due 12/9
Work: Learn the inner workings of Blackboard Research Alma 7:11 Scan Slides
Goodbye, life. I will see you in about 15 days. (Which is also when Love Duck gets back home from her mission! Squee!)
about
"I think I know how it is to be grown up; it's when you feel how someone feels that isn't you." -Frances Griffiths
Whenever I refer to myself as not having any make-up on, I always say I don't have a face on yet and then I think of myself as Xayide from The NeverEnding Story II.
After 18 months of Hard Work, my Love Duck returns to the real world today. I am so excited! Welcome back!!
