Following the in-crowd

Judge me all you want. It's cool. I know we all have despised the in-crowd at one point of our lives. But even more so...we judge people who end up being followers of the in-crowd. Whatever. Call me a follower. Call me someone who can't think on my own two feet. Call me a wanna-be. Do it. I don't care...

I liked New Moon.

Especially this...

I won't deny it. He was beautiful to behold. Call me a cougar. I'm fine with it. It was enjoyable and it didn't hurt that he had his shirt off. Erin, are you with me on this one?

There you have it. I'm a Twilight groupie.

My Top Five

Things that I'm grateful for this year...

1. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Sure, I guess this is a given, yet I am grateful that they have a plan for me and for all of us. I don't understand it most of the time but I know they're leading me on the right path as I do what's required of me. I'm grateful that the atonement truly allows me to change my behaviors and weaknesses. I have seen fruits of that this year and for that I am so grateful.

2. My family, holler! My parents for their examples of faith, diligence and love. My siblings for being my best friends and a constant support system. My nieces and nephews for thinking that I'm cool even when I can be super lame. And of course my extended family for their continued support and interest in my life. We can thank facebook for that!

3. My roommates. I was inspired to live where I live and for that I'm so thankful; for they are some of my best friends right now. You'll never meet such down-to-earth, genuine, and fun girls. They have given me rides on numerous occasions and constantly are aware of my life situation. Here's to following the spirit via the ListServe. Gotta love them. Muah.

4. Education. Thank you, BYU for your amazing education. I loved my time as a student and have learned tremendous things in the classroom and out. I am grateful that I have a degree and that I had the means to acquire a teaching license (even if VA doesn't like mine). I am grateful for the study skills, the social skills, and the general knowledge I have learned. Wow, I can't even begin to explain...

5. Unemployment. Yeah, this is probably a shocker to everyone, but I am thankful for it. And while I'm at it, I'm grateful to be a substitute teacher! I have learned much from being without a full time job. Mostly, that your job does not define you or your character. That starting as the low man on the totem pole can be completely rewarding. That people are praying for you and trying to network on behalf of you. That people are just as valued and of worth to an all-loving God regardless of their vocational status. I have been humbled, but wow, do I understand the plight of the unemployed person! I am also grateful for subbing. It has taught me a lot of parenting skills that will eventually come in handy. It has taught me to never look down on those who are "below" me. It has taught me to be a better teacher and much more patient. Especially, with pre-k, wow!

There's many more things I can mention this Thanksgiving. As a historian, here's to the pilgrims for their sacrifice to come to the new world. Here's to our country. And here's to our God.

Thanksgiving loving coming your way from NYC...

Hope you enjoyed that.

Socially burned out!

Yes, it can happen to the ultimate social butterfly. Here was my social schedule just this past week.

Monday: FHE Thanksgiving dinner. About 30 people eating turkey and all of the other delightful foods of the season.

Tuesday: Dinner at IHOP for Sarah's birthday. Then a Confessions of a Shopaholic preview with the girlies.

Wednesday: ESL class followed by Sarah's actual birthday party with ward peeps.

Thursday: Hot chocolate with my hometeacher. A small dinner with missionaries and investigator ended up being a bigger dinner with friends, missionaries and investigator.

Friday: Housewarming party and institute dance. You better believe that I rocked out!

Saturday: Turkey Bowl with the ward and ward Thanksgiving dinner. Wow, still recovering from that!

Sunday: Church, munch and mingle, and birthday party tonight, if I can handle it.

Get me to New York! I need a break from all of this socialization!

Blonds are supposed to have more fun, right?

Once upon a time...

Susie went to the Hair Cuttery to get a hair cut. On a whim she decided that she would get some highlights, like the last time she went to the Hair Cuttery in April. She figured, heck, they were amazing last time, so she might as well continue with the amazing hair style.

She was going for this...as shown in April

You know, light, subtle...still brunette...

But ended up with something like this.


Yes...she really was upset about being a blond; meaning she almost cried.

She didn't know what happened.

Her only solace is that blonds supposedly have more fun.

Happily ever after is still unknown.

The End.

Smell the Relish

Being out here in DC has been good for me in so many ways. I can't even begin to explain it. I love and cherish my time at BYU, but I have to admit, it has been a great escape to back into the real world...though in some ways I suppose I still live in a Mormon bubble.

The greatest breath of fresh air are the friends and people I surround myself with. There's just a different mentality. Yes, everyone here wants to have a family and get married (I do question some boys...) but it's not the end of the world if you're not. You're just as smart and capable and worthwhile being single. I love it. There's also this mentality to smell the roses or to relish in the moment. Or as I like to say, smell the relish. In other words, I am out here enjoying my single hood and not wondering when it will end. Sure, some days I do wonder, but for the most part I try to think about the great opportunities before me because I am single.

Here are some ways that I am smelling the relish...

• Every morning that I can sleep in, be lazy, do just 2 loads of laundry, and eat ice cream for breakfast.
• The opportunity that I have to enhance my abilities and skills as a professional.
  
• Grad school on the horizon. Me a masters? I never would've dreamed until now...
• Dance parties galore! Sure some are lame, but am I going to attend these while married? Not likely.
• The chance to travel and explore the beauties of the east coast
• Lots and lots of friend time. Lots and lots of flirt time.
• Exercising whenever I want to.
  
• Being able to serve in the community. I am loving my ESL class that I teach Wednesday nights.

There are many more opportunities that lie ahead of me. I constantly have to remember to smell the relish in all that I do. This time may not last for long...I must live it up while I can.

Falling in love with Fall

Arlington Cemetery + Fall time = Breathtaking.

It wasn't my idea...

To be a Candy Land board for Halloween but I got dragged into it by these peeps. (See below). I felt like I was in 2nd grade again; cutting out cardboard boxes and gluing construction paper on. I like to relive my childhood once in a while. But seriously, check us out! My friends were all of the characters of Candy Land...which I have never been too familiar with anyways...but hey, it was fun!

And here we are at the Barn Dance in Maryland. With Ian joining us as a green blob of some kind. Props for him!

And here are some more pictures...

Edward and Jacob. Which do you prefer??

With Jacob from Twilight. Since he's not a vampire, I'm not sure why he's about to eat me.

Sarah was Grandma Nut from Candy Land. She even had some peanut brittle with her.

Sarah nestling into Ian's green bosom.

We are friends. Green blob and candy land board.

Happy Halloween! Hope everyone got to relive their 2nd grade dream like I did.