Redesign

I've decided to make this blog into something a little different. Enjoy.

Another Extreme

My posts have had really extreme subjects lately. Favorite things, Best things Ever, Worst...etc. Well, I think I just had the best birthday ever. Technically, it's not for two more days, but I went to the Garner's to celebrate with a birthday dinner this weekend. Only, it turned out to be a nice little family party! I'm getting all teary-eyed just thinking about it!

First, I went Saturday and watched Joshua's baseball game (talked to Rachel) and enjoyed the team pizza party afterwards. Then, went home and had a good time.

This morning, we had chocolate chip pancakes on my request along with bacon and eggs! Then, a nice little home teacher visit and church where they sang to me in Primary and gave me a birthday candy bar. When we got home, Rachel and Dewain prepared a special birthday dinner of marinated steaks, mashed red potatoes and asparagus. Wow!!!

If that wasn't enough, Joshua brought me a huge gift bag that he had taped closed. I didn't actually think anything was in it, but when I opened I found $6 and some random change...ALL of his money. He had opened his little coin bank and put everything in it in that bag for me. I can't believe how sweet and generous he is. He's a preschooler!! Then, I was taken into the living room and several presents were sitting on the coffee table wrapped up cute. The boys took turns bringing them to me. I opened the first one and it was a can of pears...I'm pretty poor, so I was happy. I looked down again and there was a $20 dollar bill taped to the label and a quarter on top! Whoa. I then unwrapped several cans with various bills taped to them. They knew just what I need right now and gave it to me so unselfishly.

When we went in to have the homemade chocolate pudding pie and oreo crust (also on my request) they sang happy birthday to me. Then, the boys said they wanted to sing me another song and sang Wadaliacha to me. When they got to, "I love you," they all pointed to me smiling. They are so adorable and I love them. They all gave me big hugs before I left. Can anyone believe that?!!?!? I'm such a lucky girl.

Bad Social Worker

Yep. It's now official. Why, you might ask??? Because I hate bums. I really do. Although this could be a case of people hating what they fear, but still. I had to do the whole public transport by myself. I rode Caltrain to SanFran and then walked from the station to Market Street. I was a little on edge the whole way and a couple of maybe-bums tried to talk to me. Then, after successfully purchasing tickets for a show (while trying to hide the fact that I was walking around using my GPS), I wanted to go down to the wharf. I am terrible at reading bus schedules (Brittney and Emily can attest to that) and so I asked some people waiting at a stop. They turned out to be some Europeans, but this guy sitting on the bench kindly offered to help. Why am I so trusting...still? He told me to ride the F line and that I needed 2 dollars cash. I stupidly did not bring cash. So, he directed me to an ATM. I thanked him profusely, to which he said, "now, you're going to help me out, right?" Oh, I see. You're one of THOSE. Then, I really looked at him and it was totally obvious, from his shifty walk to his blackened partial teeth. NOoooooo!!!! So, I said, "Sure, I guess I can pay for your bus ticket." Well, after I got my money, I gave him $2. He looks at me and says,"I need five dollars." I don't know how or why, but I mustered up the gumption to say, "Well, I can't afford five."

"I'll give you this two back and you give me five," forcefully moving in on me.

Then, I surprised myself again and talk-yelled, "Well, I Can't Afford It!" and ran away without looking back. Hahahahaha! It's sad how terrified I was that he would follow me and beat me up or something. But, there is a happy ending. I got on the bus, talked with some Irish people, and made it to the wharf where I met Emily and her family. Phew! I hope I never talk to a bum again.

This post is dedicated to my eternal roommate, Jency.

New Neighbors!!

The Garners!!!! That's right, folks. I'm in California living the life. I'm really about an hour from Rachel, but still, compared to before, she's right down the street. Granddad and Betsy (my grandparents) were visiting the area and came by to pick me up on their way to visit Dewain and Rachel. We had a wonderful time, baking cookies, going on walks, and playing with their puppy (Not Rachel's, Granddad's). We also went out to eat and a cute little Italian place where Nathan went crazy on their garlic bread. I might have gone a little crazy too, but it was delicious and they had oil and balsamic vinegar to dip it in. I love that. A highlight of the trip is that I got to eat meat, several times. I've been pretty much vegg since I moved here, only because I'm so poor. Haha!

The nephews were confused as always and called me all three of their aunts' names and were anxious for me to play Mario Cart with them. I told them I would play next time and Daniel looked at me with skepticism. I had to tell him I only live an hour away now, in California. He was pretty excited I think.

Granddad and Betsy and I had a fun little trip home. Right after boasting of the benefits of a GPS, theirs took us through the middle of a town called Pleasanton and added about 20-30 minutes to our car ride! Ha, those tricky little things.

The Best Friends in the World

Yep, that's what I have. I really do. I'm not sure how I got so lucky. So, I thought I'd share it with the world (or the 4 people who follow my blog).

Ok, so, everyone (who has a sense of social standards) knows that there are rules when it comes to being a house guest. You shouldn't stay with someone more than 3 days, especially if you are staying on the couch or some other common area. Next, you should do something in return or to say thanks (such as take them to dinner, buy them a present, etc.). And last, but not least, you should be as convenient as possible (meaning don't expect them to make you a fabulous meal everyday, drive you all over the place, and listen to your problems everyday while you take up all their personal space). Those are some very important rules if you want people to still like you when you've gone. Well, I went and stayed with Lila so I could fine a job and housing. I broke every single one of those rules times 10. Yep, all of them, but somehow she kept chuggin along and making great food, using up her gas for me, and helping me with the decisions I had to make. You really can't find a friend like that everyday, and I think she even still loves me.

And that's not all folks!!

Jency, my forever roommate, threw me my first (and only) farewell party last night. She bought/made bruschetta and cream puffs on my request. Yum. Then, a bunch of my friends got together and bought me a gift. The best, most perfect gift they could have given me... A Tomtom. I can't even believe that they would think to do that, but I have been so nervous about moving to an area so much bigger than Cache Valley and so unfamiliar. They know me so well and even though most of them secretly (or not so secretly sometimes) don't want me to go, they came and supported me and got together to get me my very own GPS!!! Wowee!!

Also, people made sacrifices to come and spend time with me last night. JoAnna put off writing her big paper...even though it was due at midnight last night, I'll miss her. Gid even brought me a wonderful little going away gift that I've been needing for a while. My brother has brought me several boxes and left them in my car and house even when I wasn't around... The point is, it's really great to know that you are loved. And right now, I do. Thanks everyone. You are the best.

But I Love....

Ok, so I guess I got "tagged" by Lila...and I AM bored, so I'll do this.

1. Sunshine. I know, no one is surprised by this one. But it really does, the whole range of emotions I can have goes up a notch or two when it's sunny.

2. The ocean. Yeah, I think my answers are sounding cliche. The ocean seems to be so beautiful no matter what the weather.

3. Reading. I just get so into my book and it's magical. A good movie could do the same thing.

4. Babies and animals...if they like me automatically. For some reason it makes you feel so special to be loved by an unbiased living thing. It shouldn't, but it just does.

5. Good friends. The kind that you can spend time with without having to do something extravagant. No one has to entertain anyone.

6. Food. I just discovered the term "foodie." If you can be as picky as I am and still be considered a foodie, then I am. I just love delicious new food and finding new things I love and learning to cook something new and wonderful.

Well, that's it for now. I don't want to put too much time into this since no one really reads it. (I know, I know, it's my own fault for never posting)

And, I have no idea who to tag...Kathy?

They came too late...

The pictures that is. I took these at the beginning of the summer, which is now long over. I was frustrated because it was supposed to be summer, but it just wouldn't stop raining. It was supposed to be kind of ironic...summer, but I can't do anything summery... So instead, it's going to feel like someone is explaining a joke to you, aka ruining that joke for you. Haha! Oh well.

So, on the left is the laundry, right after I got them out of the dryer and excitedly hung them up to use my clothes line for the first time! On the right, you will see them after one week of being on the clothes line ... and still too wet to take down. (my dryer was not working at the time, so I just had to wait)Ha! Good Times