Tuesday, November 24, 2009
New website
www.fairtradefocus.com. It's still in its infancy and more of an idea than an actual site, but I've got a little bit of content up...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Ah, Life...
To start off, I think I fixed the comment problem that I heard from a few people. Hopefully that will work now.
This is just meant to be a bit of an update. One born out of boredom rather than necessity.
First update, I am officially an applicant of the U of U graduate school. I applied to the social work program with the intent to get an international social work certificate. I'm all sorts of nervous. Especially since I won't hear back from them for another six months or so. In the meantime I'll be applying to at least two other schools: Tulane University in New Orleans and University of Connecticut. Tulane has a program similar to the U's in that it's a social work degree with an international social work certificate. U Conn is purely international social work. I'd honestly be happy with either option. Of course, these other two schools are exponentially more expensive than the U, so unless I get some massive scholarships and/or federal grants, neither of those will be options. I'm putting a lot of my hopes into the U right now. They accept about 50% of their applicants and with zero social work experience, I'm thinking it might be a bit of a long shot for me. I'm still looking for programs in the states or abroad with international social work so if anyone hears of anything, please let me know. As of now I have very slim pickings.
Second update, I finally went to the state of Washington. This last weekend I went on a little road trip with my friends Angela and Ben to Spokane where Ben had a conference. We drove up Friday, checked into the hotel around 8, and just chilled there before going to bed (I'm getting so old). Saturday Ben went to his conference while Angela and I walked around downtown and an amazing park with the Columbia running right through the middle. It was amazing. I've really never seen anything like it. A huge river (compared to what we have in Utah at least. Nothing to the Mississippi) right in the middle of a city not all that bigger than Salt Lake. After that and eating lunch we went to this vintage clothing and jewelry shop called Finders Keepers. I spent WAY too much money on the two rings I bought there, but they're unique, won't go out of style, and are pretty much awesome. We spent probably 2 or 3 hours there and by the time we were done, Ben was finished with his conference. The three of us then went to dinner at this fancy, urban, contemporary restaurant called Scratch. I really have nothing to compare it to. It reminded me of New York City, but anything urban and chic reminds me of New York. After dinner we went to this comedy club where I heard one of the funniest comedians I've ever come across. His name is Chris Mullineaux (I hope I spelled that right) and I have yet to find him on google or youtube. There were a few bits there where I couldn't breathe he was so hilarious. After that we went back to the hotel and chilled/wrestled/walked across the bridge Angela had become/did all those things weird kids do when they're drunk on a lack of sleep. The next morning our friend Bryan came over from Moscow, Idaho to chill for a bit before we left. We just walked around Gonzaga and took lots of pictures. It was like we were back in DC... totally awesome.
Those are really the only updates in my life right now. Maybe not all of them, but I'm too tired to continue on for now. Enjoy the pictures of pretty Washington!
This was actually in Idaho. Still worth posting cause this was one of the best parts of the drive.
I know these two are crooked, but see what I mean by massive river in the middle of the city?
Ben, Angela, me, and Bryan at Gonzaga. I love these guys...
This is just meant to be a bit of an update. One born out of boredom rather than necessity.
First update, I am officially an applicant of the U of U graduate school. I applied to the social work program with the intent to get an international social work certificate. I'm all sorts of nervous. Especially since I won't hear back from them for another six months or so. In the meantime I'll be applying to at least two other schools: Tulane University in New Orleans and University of Connecticut. Tulane has a program similar to the U's in that it's a social work degree with an international social work certificate. U Conn is purely international social work. I'd honestly be happy with either option. Of course, these other two schools are exponentially more expensive than the U, so unless I get some massive scholarships and/or federal grants, neither of those will be options. I'm putting a lot of my hopes into the U right now. They accept about 50% of their applicants and with zero social work experience, I'm thinking it might be a bit of a long shot for me. I'm still looking for programs in the states or abroad with international social work so if anyone hears of anything, please let me know. As of now I have very slim pickings.
Second update, I finally went to the state of Washington. This last weekend I went on a little road trip with my friends Angela and Ben to Spokane where Ben had a conference. We drove up Friday, checked into the hotel around 8, and just chilled there before going to bed (I'm getting so old). Saturday Ben went to his conference while Angela and I walked around downtown and an amazing park with the Columbia running right through the middle. It was amazing. I've really never seen anything like it. A huge river (compared to what we have in Utah at least. Nothing to the Mississippi) right in the middle of a city not all that bigger than Salt Lake. After that and eating lunch we went to this vintage clothing and jewelry shop called Finders Keepers. I spent WAY too much money on the two rings I bought there, but they're unique, won't go out of style, and are pretty much awesome. We spent probably 2 or 3 hours there and by the time we were done, Ben was finished with his conference. The three of us then went to dinner at this fancy, urban, contemporary restaurant called Scratch. I really have nothing to compare it to. It reminded me of New York City, but anything urban and chic reminds me of New York. After dinner we went to this comedy club where I heard one of the funniest comedians I've ever come across. His name is Chris Mullineaux (I hope I spelled that right) and I have yet to find him on google or youtube. There were a few bits there where I couldn't breathe he was so hilarious. After that we went back to the hotel and chilled/wrestled/walked across the bridge Angela had become/did all those things weird kids do when they're drunk on a lack of sleep. The next morning our friend Bryan came over from Moscow, Idaho to chill for a bit before we left. We just walked around Gonzaga and took lots of pictures. It was like we were back in DC... totally awesome.
Those are really the only updates in my life right now. Maybe not all of them, but I'm too tired to continue on for now. Enjoy the pictures of pretty Washington!
This was actually in Idaho. Still worth posting cause this was one of the best parts of the drive.
I know these two are crooked, but see what I mean by massive river in the middle of the city?
Ben, Angela, me, and Bryan at Gonzaga. I love these guys...Friday, September 4, 2009
My beef with health care
I know no one really reads this, but I need to vent. I've been trying to figure out how to organize my thoughts and this is how it will be: I'll start out by giving my thoughts on what changes I would like to see in our health care system and then continue with a probably less coherent babble of my frustrations about the health care debate.
At this point I really don't care if there is a public option or not. I would even be fine if we did implement a purely government run system as long as it worked. But obviously, this being the America with (in my own opinion) an irrational fear of Socialism, that won't happen. Personally, even though I am crazy liberal, I would like to see a system not unlike Switzerland's system and Senator Wyden's proposal. Everyone is required to buy health insurance and insurance companies aren't allowed to turn anyone away. Insurance companies all non-profits so prices are significantly lower and everyone pays the same price with the government picking up a certain amount (the whole thing or just a little) depending on your income. Of course there are ridiculous amounts of details that I won't get into (and frankly, I don't want to) but that's the basic gist. Everyone is insured, prices are kept under control, and no one goes without care when they need it. And really, I will be happy with any plan that does this whether it's with a public option or not.
Now to my frustrations. First, my frustrations with the President. He hasn't been specific enough. With the whole HillaryCare thing the language from the White House was way too specific and the Obama Administration has learned a little too much from that in my opinion. Hopefully with his speech to Congress on Wednesday he'll find a happy medium and lay out guidelines for what needs to be done.
Second, legislators. The left wing is saying they won't vote for anything without a public option, blue dogs are saying they won't pass anything with one, and the right wing just isn't even trying to be helpful at all. Keep in mind, I'm generalizing. But really I'm upset with Congress's inability to compromise. Compromise is rarely done anyway, but it can be done during a crisis and this is a crisis. We have a representative government. As much as some people like to think it's a fairly direct democracy, it's representative. That means I trust the person I elect to make decisions for me. Theoretically at least but that's a whole different argument. My point is no one is going to be totally happy with anything that comes out of Congress - not even Congress members. But they have the responsibility to take into account what Americans want, what works in other countries, and what they think will work for us to come up with the best option. It's a balance and in order to balance you need to compromise and give certain things up recognizing that you can't enact meaningful change and get everything you want. If each politician refuses to give things up, no change will take place and we'll be left in the crack pot mess we're in now.
Third, political pundits. Especially certain ones on Fox News (Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck...) and MSNBC (Keith Olbermann). Basically anyone who is skewing the facts for their own agenda. People who either kiss up to anything the Democrats do or use irrational fear to scare people into distrusting everything Democrats do. I get that with the boom of 24/7 cable news stations had to come up with their own way to get viewers, but it's just to the point of being totally ridiculous. Some of these people, including ones I haven't listed, are doing more harm than good.
Last, but in no way least, the American people. Anyone who gets their information from a single source, or even a couple of sources that tell the same story, aren't getting all the facts. People need to start researching the problems and the different viewpoints and stop accepting everything they're spoon fed. Mark Twain said something that I've always loved: "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination." It doesn't have to be that way. After people educate themselves more, I really do think that they'll be able to have civilized conversations about politics. At the very least that will calm our town meetings down a bit. But hopefully something else will come from this. It seems the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. Yes, I do think that I am fairly knowledgeable about certain things and that could be based on my own pride or on actual knowledge, but hopefully people will be able to at least see that they can't become experts in everything and leave decisions regarding some issues to experts. Call me an elitist, but I would much rather have a few people who know their stuff make big decisions than a bunch of fanatics who can yell very loud. So to sum it up, Americans should educate themselves more and realize that some people (even if it is politicians sometimes) know more than they do.
These thoughts are in no way comprehensive and probably go back to frustrations before health care, but there it is.
At this point I really don't care if there is a public option or not. I would even be fine if we did implement a purely government run system as long as it worked. But obviously, this being the America with (in my own opinion) an irrational fear of Socialism, that won't happen. Personally, even though I am crazy liberal, I would like to see a system not unlike Switzerland's system and Senator Wyden's proposal. Everyone is required to buy health insurance and insurance companies aren't allowed to turn anyone away. Insurance companies all non-profits so prices are significantly lower and everyone pays the same price with the government picking up a certain amount (the whole thing or just a little) depending on your income. Of course there are ridiculous amounts of details that I won't get into (and frankly, I don't want to) but that's the basic gist. Everyone is insured, prices are kept under control, and no one goes without care when they need it. And really, I will be happy with any plan that does this whether it's with a public option or not.
Now to my frustrations. First, my frustrations with the President. He hasn't been specific enough. With the whole HillaryCare thing the language from the White House was way too specific and the Obama Administration has learned a little too much from that in my opinion. Hopefully with his speech to Congress on Wednesday he'll find a happy medium and lay out guidelines for what needs to be done.
Second, legislators. The left wing is saying they won't vote for anything without a public option, blue dogs are saying they won't pass anything with one, and the right wing just isn't even trying to be helpful at all. Keep in mind, I'm generalizing. But really I'm upset with Congress's inability to compromise. Compromise is rarely done anyway, but it can be done during a crisis and this is a crisis. We have a representative government. As much as some people like to think it's a fairly direct democracy, it's representative. That means I trust the person I elect to make decisions for me. Theoretically at least but that's a whole different argument. My point is no one is going to be totally happy with anything that comes out of Congress - not even Congress members. But they have the responsibility to take into account what Americans want, what works in other countries, and what they think will work for us to come up with the best option. It's a balance and in order to balance you need to compromise and give certain things up recognizing that you can't enact meaningful change and get everything you want. If each politician refuses to give things up, no change will take place and we'll be left in the crack pot mess we're in now.
Third, political pundits. Especially certain ones on Fox News (Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck...) and MSNBC (Keith Olbermann). Basically anyone who is skewing the facts for their own agenda. People who either kiss up to anything the Democrats do or use irrational fear to scare people into distrusting everything Democrats do. I get that with the boom of 24/7 cable news stations had to come up with their own way to get viewers, but it's just to the point of being totally ridiculous. Some of these people, including ones I haven't listed, are doing more harm than good.
Last, but in no way least, the American people. Anyone who gets their information from a single source, or even a couple of sources that tell the same story, aren't getting all the facts. People need to start researching the problems and the different viewpoints and stop accepting everything they're spoon fed. Mark Twain said something that I've always loved: "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination." It doesn't have to be that way. After people educate themselves more, I really do think that they'll be able to have civilized conversations about politics. At the very least that will calm our town meetings down a bit. But hopefully something else will come from this. It seems the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. Yes, I do think that I am fairly knowledgeable about certain things and that could be based on my own pride or on actual knowledge, but hopefully people will be able to at least see that they can't become experts in everything and leave decisions regarding some issues to experts. Call me an elitist, but I would much rather have a few people who know their stuff make big decisions than a bunch of fanatics who can yell very loud. So to sum it up, Americans should educate themselves more and realize that some people (even if it is politicians sometimes) know more than they do.
These thoughts are in no way comprehensive and probably go back to frustrations before health care, but there it is.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Coming to terms
So I'm slowly coming to terms with my situation in life. I'm not going to lie - it has been (and will continue to be) a very slow and somewhat painful transition from college and independence to work and home life. However, with the promise (or at least the possibility) of graduate school next year, frequent trips to Logan, and reconnecting with old friends and slowly making new ones in Utah Valley, I am beginning to enjoy life on a more regular basis. I decided that probably the hardest thing moving back home and graduating was the fact that I wasn't working toward anything. My whole life I've been working towards some longish or short term goal whether it be a tournament somewhere, a music festival or concert, high school graduation, college, internship, and eventually college graduation. I've always had something ahead of me to look forward to. When I came back I didn't really have that and I found it extremely frustrating. I have however, remedied that lack of...let's say a path towards accomplishment. I have plenty of things to accomplish while I'm living at home. Paying off loans by next fall, applying for and hopefully getting into graduate school, volunteer work, and now perhaps a car payment (as of Saturday my car is totaled. Not by me though. I actually don't know why I put this in the list of things I have to look forward to. Let's say a new car then). Plus there are little things too, like I want to knit and/or crochet something besides a scarf and a baby hat that my mom starts and finishes. I also am learning how to drive a stick. I made it all the way from the Century 16 theater on 3300 South to Orem only stalling once in the parking lot (I was actually so excited that I didn't stall on 33rd that I blasted the music on the freeway and sang at the top of my lungs).
So there you have it. I still would rather be in DC or Logan (or Portland, Seattle, New York, Boston...), but I'm ok with Utah Valley for now. I think especially since I'm actively applying for graduate school and looking for jobs back east. But it's not just the promise of leaving that I feel good about (although I am looking forward to that part). I am ok with living here...and that's a huge step for me :)
So there you have it. I still would rather be in DC or Logan (or Portland, Seattle, New York, Boston...), but I'm ok with Utah Valley for now. I think especially since I'm actively applying for graduate school and looking for jobs back east. But it's not just the promise of leaving that I feel good about (although I am looking forward to that part). I am ok with living here...and that's a huge step for me :)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
1984
So I'm reading 1984 again. It's one of the greatest novels I've ever read, if not ever written. It's by far my favorite book of all time and I think it should be required reading for every person everywhere. That being said, and bearing in mind that I am a movie snob, As I'm reading the first few pages I can't help but think of a new and better adaptation of a 1984 film. I never saw the first one mainly because I've heard only horrible things about it. Anyway, I'm just trying to think of who would play what character and I'm just having trouble thinking of the right people. Right now I'm thinking a less attractive Aaron Eckhart for Winston, A slightly younger Anthony Hopkins for O'Brien, and maybe Milla Jovovich for Julia. Morgan Freeman I think might also make a good O'Brien but I have a hard time picturing 1984's London as a hub of diversity. Or maybe this novel just brings out racism in me. Who knows? Anyway, if anyone has any ideas for people to play these characters you should share those ideas.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Random photos
So I'm giving in. I'm posting some of my photos on my blog. I'll probably continue to do so. Some of my very favorites aren't on my computer since I live in the stone ages and my SLR is a film camera and I don't have everything on CD yet, but I'll post what I can. And for those photographically inclined friends/family that read this, I'd appreciate some input since I haven't had my photos really critiqued in over 4 years. I may or may not have gotten lazy when it comes to photography.
I don't know why, but I like the sun spot or whatever that purple thing is.
This is probably one of my favorites that I have on my computer.
I realize this one needs some work, but this was just an amazingly cool tree. I wish I could draw so I could draw this so the focus would be more on the texture and less on the lighting.
I just like the lighting in this one.
This is for sure a favorite. This day at Arlington was really foggy and gloomy and I just love the way this turned out.
I don't know why I like this one so much. I just do.
This is another one where I don't know why I like it. Maybe I'm just really attracted to James' hands...
I don't know why, but I like the sun spot or whatever that purple thing is.
This is probably one of my favorites that I have on my computer.
I realize this one needs some work, but this was just an amazingly cool tree. I wish I could draw so I could draw this so the focus would be more on the texture and less on the lighting.
I just like the lighting in this one.
This is for sure a favorite. This day at Arlington was really foggy and gloomy and I just love the way this turned out.
I don't know why I like this one so much. I just do.
This is another one where I don't know why I like it. Maybe I'm just really attracted to James' hands...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Back in Utah
It's true. I've been in Utah for 5 days now. I flew in at 10 on Friday night and the next morning drove up to Logan to see one of my best friends be baptized. I can't even describe how incredible an experience that was. When he was confirmed and was told to receive the holy ghost, I've never felt the spirit so strongly before. I was surprised there was still room for everyone there with the spirit so strong. It was an experience I won't forget. It was also way cool because not only did I get to hang out with friends I hadn't seen in 4 months, I got to hang out with Nate (who I haven't seen in over two years) and Jesse (who I hadn't seen in almost 3 years). It was so great hanging out with them again.
I stayed in Logan that night and on my way back home I went to my friend Aaron's farewell in Ogden. Just as all of my friends were coming home, I meet Aaron who is just going out. Ben came as well on his way back to DC (he's installing security systems out there this summer). I had seen Ben on Friday and said goodbye to him then, but it was great to see him one last time before he left. We had a few more good laughs in church. Inappropriate, yes but oh so funny. Aaron's talk was fantastic though. Towards the end he went into this long elaborate story about the bed bugs and Ben turned to me and said, "I wonder how he'll tie this into the gospel." I wondered the same thing myself. The story was long and I was beginning to think it was just a random story to end with. But then Aaron's genius kicked in. He said that Japan (where he is going on his mission) is totally infested with bed bugs and that the Lord prepares us in even the smallest of things. It was hilarious. Not just the ending, but the whole story. Ben and I were cracking up the whole time. Saying goodbye again to the two of them sucked. I'll hopefully see Aaron one more time before he takes off but then it'll be 2 years... Boo! At least I'll see Ben in just a few months.
Being home is weird. I'll most likely be living with my parents for a while. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine living with my family. It's just Orem that I'm not so much a fan of anymore. I've always been in a hurry with everything I do. When I drive, when I eat... life in general is no different. When I know what big event is coming next, I just want to get there. Towards the end of high school, I just wanted to go to college. When I got an internship in DC, I just wanted to go. Now that I'm home and applying to grad school for 2010, I just want to be in school and living in Salt Lake. I'm not a fan of this whole waiting around thing.
Random side note - I'm watching the end of Becoming Jane. It ALWAYS makes me cry when you find out Tom LeFroy names is daughter Jane.
Anyway, I'm just living in Orem now, looking for a job, going up to Logan often, and waiting till I can apply to the U later this summer. Also, graduating on Saturday. That's a little strange to me. Although as of now I'm feeling pretty apathetic to the idea. We'll see if I have a little more feeling about it on Saturday.
Mostly what's going on right now is my withdrawals. It kind of sucks going from seeing people every day for four months to not seeing them at all. I miss looking at Ben with our "that's what she said" look when an obvious moment presents itself and actually saing "that's what she said" when it makes no sense at all. I miss laughing my head off with Angela over stupid, stupid things. I miss Aaron's Arnold laughing impersonation and hearing him say "damnit, Bobby" exactly like the guy from King of the Hill. I miss Mike turning everything into a Senate floor discussion and listening to his premium story telling. I miss being pleasantly surprised when I find out Kari loves something random like the Labyrinth or the Smiths as much as I do. I miss Bryan singing and putting my name randomly into the songs. I miss Krista getting excited about everything and being happy about everything. I even miss arguing politics with Sara. But it's ok, cause that's life. I miss my friends but at least I had the chance to get to know them all. I'm REALLY glad that some of them will be within a couple hours in a few days. I'm also glad I have old friends and family that are helping me get through this transition without even realizing it. My family (especially Sara) listens patiently as I talk about people they don't know and visiting my friends up in Logan this last weekend was like no time at all had passed between us. Even the friends I hadn't seen in years.
Wow, sorry for that random sap. Two things are guaranteed to make me feel sappy: late night, and a chick flick. This is the result of mixing those two together for me.
I stayed in Logan that night and on my way back home I went to my friend Aaron's farewell in Ogden. Just as all of my friends were coming home, I meet Aaron who is just going out. Ben came as well on his way back to DC (he's installing security systems out there this summer). I had seen Ben on Friday and said goodbye to him then, but it was great to see him one last time before he left. We had a few more good laughs in church. Inappropriate, yes but oh so funny. Aaron's talk was fantastic though. Towards the end he went into this long elaborate story about the bed bugs and Ben turned to me and said, "I wonder how he'll tie this into the gospel." I wondered the same thing myself. The story was long and I was beginning to think it was just a random story to end with. But then Aaron's genius kicked in. He said that Japan (where he is going on his mission) is totally infested with bed bugs and that the Lord prepares us in even the smallest of things. It was hilarious. Not just the ending, but the whole story. Ben and I were cracking up the whole time. Saying goodbye again to the two of them sucked. I'll hopefully see Aaron one more time before he takes off but then it'll be 2 years... Boo! At least I'll see Ben in just a few months.
Being home is weird. I'll most likely be living with my parents for a while. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine living with my family. It's just Orem that I'm not so much a fan of anymore. I've always been in a hurry with everything I do. When I drive, when I eat... life in general is no different. When I know what big event is coming next, I just want to get there. Towards the end of high school, I just wanted to go to college. When I got an internship in DC, I just wanted to go. Now that I'm home and applying to grad school for 2010, I just want to be in school and living in Salt Lake. I'm not a fan of this whole waiting around thing.
Random side note - I'm watching the end of Becoming Jane. It ALWAYS makes me cry when you find out Tom LeFroy names is daughter Jane.
Anyway, I'm just living in Orem now, looking for a job, going up to Logan often, and waiting till I can apply to the U later this summer. Also, graduating on Saturday. That's a little strange to me. Although as of now I'm feeling pretty apathetic to the idea. We'll see if I have a little more feeling about it on Saturday.
Mostly what's going on right now is my withdrawals. It kind of sucks going from seeing people every day for four months to not seeing them at all. I miss looking at Ben with our "that's what she said" look when an obvious moment presents itself and actually saing "that's what she said" when it makes no sense at all. I miss laughing my head off with Angela over stupid, stupid things. I miss Aaron's Arnold laughing impersonation and hearing him say "damnit, Bobby" exactly like the guy from King of the Hill. I miss Mike turning everything into a Senate floor discussion and listening to his premium story telling. I miss being pleasantly surprised when I find out Kari loves something random like the Labyrinth or the Smiths as much as I do. I miss Bryan singing and putting my name randomly into the songs. I miss Krista getting excited about everything and being happy about everything. I even miss arguing politics with Sara. But it's ok, cause that's life. I miss my friends but at least I had the chance to get to know them all. I'm REALLY glad that some of them will be within a couple hours in a few days. I'm also glad I have old friends and family that are helping me get through this transition without even realizing it. My family (especially Sara) listens patiently as I talk about people they don't know and visiting my friends up in Logan this last weekend was like no time at all had passed between us. Even the friends I hadn't seen in years.
Wow, sorry for that random sap. Two things are guaranteed to make me feel sappy: late night, and a chick flick. This is the result of mixing those two together for me.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Living situations
So this story has its beginnings a while ago. Towards the beginning of the semester a couple of the guys got what we all thought were rashes. After a few days they figured out it was actually bed bugs. The exterminator came and long story short, bed bugs didn't disappear, guys kept getting bit (I didn't even though I slept there a few times - I fear no bed bugs), and the last few weeks they had to move out of their apartment and disperse into others. Aaron, Jed, and Mike went to the 6th floor with the other guys, and Ben and Bryan moved to the 9th floor with Angela, Krista, Kari, Alyssa, and Sara. Ben had actually been sleeping there already cause he kept getting bit. So lately it's just been a big ol' party on the 9th floor. I actually moved in as well on Monday. Alyssa left and most of my friends are down there anyway so I packed clothes for 5 days and dragged my shower and bedding stuff down two flights of stairs and moved into Angela's room. The bed is 100 times comfortable and plus I don't have to go upstairs to sleep. It's awesome living here even if it only is for 4 nights. Angela, Ben, Bryan, Kari, Krista, and Sara (alphabetical order...I'm such a freak) are some of the best roommies ever!! I wish I had been living here all semester. Oh well. I practically lived on the 9th and 3rd floors anyway...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Prank wars pt. III, West Virginia pt. III, Mount Vernon/Easter, and Baseball (take two)
Alright, I'll finally finish up (and correct) the post I tried to make but my friend got to first.
I did get Ben back. I bought 14 bags of Easter grass (not enough) and spread it all over his closet and stuffed it in his clothes. It didn't even compare to how he got me, but it worked. It kind of looked like someone threw up in his closet. And I say closet because he doesn't have a bedroom. He sleeps on the couch. My goal is to have him find grass in places he forgot to check in a few weeks or even months from now. If that happens, I will consider it a success.
I went to West Virginia for the third time last weekend. This time I rented the car and it was so amazing to drive. It made me really want to buy a car as soon as I can. Not a crappy one either. Not brand new, but you know. A nice and newish one. Anyway, this was a great trip. Ben, Aaron, Krista, and Angela came along. We won some, we lost some, we ate a lot, and we had a blast (as always). They had the crepes again and after just one plate of real food I just loaded up on the crepes. Oh so good. The guy has the actual crepes pre made and you just decide what kind you want. He puts a ton of butter in a frying pan along with brown sugar then pours in the berries. He has a big bowl of oranges cut in half and squeezes a little orange juice into the pan for a bit of extra flavor then tops it all off with some sort of Brandy (I think...maybe it's port. I don't know my alcohols). Then he throws in the crepe and lets it soak in the juices for a bit before taking it out, placing it on the plate, and pouring the contents of the frying pan on top. As soon as I get home I'm going to cook crepes like that. Minus the alcohol. It added a bit of flavor, but not enough to buy something expensive like that.
The next day was Easter Sunday and we still had the rental car so we drove ourselves to church. A few of us were naughty and left after Sacrament meeting to go to Mount Vernon. But in our defense we aren't here very much longer and you can't get to Mount Vernon from the metro. You have to have a car so we took the opportunity to have a nice relaxing Sunday activity. It was absolutely beautiful. Pretty chilly, but amazing. We waited in line forever to get into the mansion and while we were waiting one of the guys dressed in colonial garb came over and started talking to us (Christian, Angela, Kari, Krista, and me). He was absolutely hilarious. He talked to us pretty much the whole time and we were laughing our heads off. It made the line go by a lot faster I think. The mansion itself was really cool. The only other time I've been there it was being renovated so there wasn't any furniture in it. This time it for sure had furniture. Washinton's chair, and even the bed he died it. Amazing! The grounds were the best part. First stop we made was to the baby lambs. They were SO CUTE!!! It made me decide that I'm for sure getting a pigmy goat when I get my own house. Even better than a sheep (cause it's a goat) and better than a normal goat cause it stays little. Anyway, after the lambs we just spend a couple hours wandering around and looking at the amazingness that is Mount Vernon. It made me sad that I didn't make it out to Montecello this trip. Next time.
The next day (Monday) was the opening game for the Nationals. I was convinced to go on Monday morning - very last minute. I met Ben down there cause he had my ticket and we went to find everyone else (Mike, Crystal, Aaron, and Angela) since Crystal had my clothes. We told the ticket lady we were just grabbing something and would be right back and had every intention of doing just that. But when we got up to where they were sitting there were two seats just right there so we stayed. No one came to kick out out so obviously those seats weren't filled. Plus they were better than our seats anyway. It was way more fun since we all got to sit together. It was a good game. The Nats came SO close to winning. It was intense at the end. It was the first baseball game I had been to and it was a lot more fun than I was expecting. Granted, I got bored in the middle there for a bit, but it was cool. I don't know if a not major league game would be quite as fun, but I'd go to one of those again.
I did get Ben back. I bought 14 bags of Easter grass (not enough) and spread it all over his closet and stuffed it in his clothes. It didn't even compare to how he got me, but it worked. It kind of looked like someone threw up in his closet. And I say closet because he doesn't have a bedroom. He sleeps on the couch. My goal is to have him find grass in places he forgot to check in a few weeks or even months from now. If that happens, I will consider it a success.
I went to West Virginia for the third time last weekend. This time I rented the car and it was so amazing to drive. It made me really want to buy a car as soon as I can. Not a crappy one either. Not brand new, but you know. A nice and newish one. Anyway, this was a great trip. Ben, Aaron, Krista, and Angela came along. We won some, we lost some, we ate a lot, and we had a blast (as always). They had the crepes again and after just one plate of real food I just loaded up on the crepes. Oh so good. The guy has the actual crepes pre made and you just decide what kind you want. He puts a ton of butter in a frying pan along with brown sugar then pours in the berries. He has a big bowl of oranges cut in half and squeezes a little orange juice into the pan for a bit of extra flavor then tops it all off with some sort of Brandy (I think...maybe it's port. I don't know my alcohols). Then he throws in the crepe and lets it soak in the juices for a bit before taking it out, placing it on the plate, and pouring the contents of the frying pan on top. As soon as I get home I'm going to cook crepes like that. Minus the alcohol. It added a bit of flavor, but not enough to buy something expensive like that.
The next day was Easter Sunday and we still had the rental car so we drove ourselves to church. A few of us were naughty and left after Sacrament meeting to go to Mount Vernon. But in our defense we aren't here very much longer and you can't get to Mount Vernon from the metro. You have to have a car so we took the opportunity to have a nice relaxing Sunday activity. It was absolutely beautiful. Pretty chilly, but amazing. We waited in line forever to get into the mansion and while we were waiting one of the guys dressed in colonial garb came over and started talking to us (Christian, Angela, Kari, Krista, and me). He was absolutely hilarious. He talked to us pretty much the whole time and we were laughing our heads off. It made the line go by a lot faster I think. The mansion itself was really cool. The only other time I've been there it was being renovated so there wasn't any furniture in it. This time it for sure had furniture. Washinton's chair, and even the bed he died it. Amazing! The grounds were the best part. First stop we made was to the baby lambs. They were SO CUTE!!! It made me decide that I'm for sure getting a pigmy goat when I get my own house. Even better than a sheep (cause it's a goat) and better than a normal goat cause it stays little. Anyway, after the lambs we just spend a couple hours wandering around and looking at the amazingness that is Mount Vernon. It made me sad that I didn't make it out to Montecello this trip. Next time.
The next day (Monday) was the opening game for the Nationals. I was convinced to go on Monday morning - very last minute. I met Ben down there cause he had my ticket and we went to find everyone else (Mike, Crystal, Aaron, and Angela) since Crystal had my clothes. We told the ticket lady we were just grabbing something and would be right back and had every intention of doing just that. But when we got up to where they were sitting there were two seats just right there so we stayed. No one came to kick out out so obviously those seats weren't filled. Plus they were better than our seats anyway. It was way more fun since we all got to sit together. It was a good game. The Nats came SO close to winning. It was intense at the end. It was the first baseball game I had been to and it was a lot more fun than I was expecting. Granted, I got bored in the middle there for a bit, but it was cool. I don't know if a not major league game would be quite as fun, but I'd go to one of those again.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Explanation
Alright, the post right below this one is part me, part Angela. I had started writing it and Angela got ahold of my computer while I was downstairs and changed it up a bit and posted it. It made me laugh so hard I just had to keep it. I promise I'll write about prank wars, WV, Mount Vernon, and baseball in the next day or two.
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