Magnificent Merlin

Usually there is nothing on television on Sundays.. but Merlin started this summer and I am loving it !! If you haven't had a chance to see it... set your DVR's. Good stuff !!

Arcata Pranks

I went on my annual business trip with my pops to Arcata a couple of weeks ago. I always love going there. The cool weather, the gorgeous countryside, and good company are always a plus to my summer. The ladies that we work with at the hospital are hilarious.. and I always enjoy their company the week I am there. This year we played a little prank on one of the ladies cause she wasn't there our last work day. Seriously, it wasn't my idea... I am not a bad influence at all !! :)


Me and Karen... she has the best laugh, loud and obnoxious.. Sound like anyone else we know?






Dad and Barb






The finished product of the prank :)







Sammy







Karen putting cat stickers all over Jessie's keyboard !!







Me and Rita Bonita !! Every year Rita and I usually do something one night the week I am there. This year I got to meet her 90 year old Portuguese mother. We watched a spanish soap opera together. She is awesome !!






Jessie is kindof a tree hugger.. recycle... save the planet kindof girl !! So I decorated her cubicle with my wasted printed paper after she rolled it up for me and told me to use the other side !! yah kill the trees !!

Some Things Never Change

With the help of Facebook, I have hooked up with a lot of old friends. When I graduated from high school, I moved up here to Utah right away and fell off the face of the earth to most of my friends in Cali. So I announced I was coming down last week, and they had a little shindig for me. It meant a lot and it was great to see some of them. They haven't changed a bit... and reminded me again of how much I am blessed in the friends area.

Think Blue

When Ang and I went to Cali last week. we stayed a couple of nights with my friend Smel. Thursday night we got tickets to go watch the Dodgers play some ball. We had a blast. I got to eat some Dodger Dogs, Pretzels, see Mitch Gaylord throw a pitch, and see my favorite color Royal Blue in action... Seriously what more can a girl ask for.

Disney Favs With Angia

Ang and I went to Disneyland last Monday and Tuesday and had a blast. We stayed in a hole in the wall hotel... $55 a night. It had sticky carpets, oozing walls, and a running, possessed toilet. But we managed, and had a blast. I go to Disneyland often, and each time it just gets better and better. I think because each time I go.. there are just great moments that you have that you take with you. Here are some of my favorites this time...

My favorite moment this time... Ang getting drenched on Splash Mountain... HEE.... I made her sit in front. Yah, I am a good friend. :)


My new favorite things to buy at Disneyland... They have a whole new set of Star Wars Disney Character Statues that are just hilarious. This is one of Goofy as Chewbacca. They also had Donald as Han Solo frozen from Empire Strikes Back, Mickey as Luke Skywalker, and Minnie as Princess Amidala (Spelling?). Very awesome !!


My favorite girl... Angia and me at the Disneyland !!

My favorite new coming attraction at Disneyland... They are making some big changes to Disney California..which I am real excited about. Little Mermaid Ride, Cars Land, and this new Water Show that is supposed to be amazing. I don't doubt it.. cause pretty much everything Mickey touches is freakin awesome !!


My favorite meal at Disneyland... Monte Cristo at New Orleans Square... YUMMY !!


Our new favorite Disney hats !!

















My new favorite ride... Toy Story !! Love it, it is like a 3D, arcade, funfest. Ang.. beat my ass ! :)


My new favorite thing to buy from a cart at Disneyland... CORNDOGS !! They rock !! Thanks Jules for the heads up !! :)


My old favorite ride !!


A couple of other favorites were.... Riding the Matterhorn while the fireworks show finale was going on. As we came around a turn, and out of the caves on the Matterhorn.. it was sooo beautiful. We were so close to the fireworks, it was like I could reach out and touch them. Also, Stacy's childhood friend Ginger works at Disneyland so was able to get us VIP seating to watch the fireworks show the next night. My favorite was when Dumbo flew by the castle. I cried... yah... I always do. Thank you Mr. Walt... for your genious mind that gives me Disney Favorites on a regular basis. :)

Pioneer Day: It's The Climb

I remember when I first moved to Utah and "Pioneer Day" came along... I honestly thought, this is kind of weird that Utah only celebrates this. But, with age comes wisdom and humbleness (most of the time) :).... and now I realize how important they were to finding and bringing to pass the home I enjoy and love. I am in awe of what they did... I mean they trekked half way across the world pulling handcarts !! I can barely walk to my mailbox in this heat !! I just want to thank them... for their sacrifice, and hope one day I can thank them in person. I am not a big Miley Cyrus fan... but I do like her new song, "The Climb". Every time I hear it, I think of the Pioneers, and the metaphoric mountains in my own life.... hopefully I can be as strong as them when I climb.. :)




I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high



There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going



And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

My Little Friend

I have been enjoying hanging with Baby Tessa two-three times a week when I watch her. She is turning into my little friend that I swim, eat, talk, chill, read, and play with. I wub her and am grateful that my sister shares her with me !! :)

Speaking Without Words

Just the other day before "So You Think You Can Dance" was going to tape.. I was thinking how there really hadn't been a dance this year that just wowed me yet. Kinda disappointed...And then the same night my favorite couple did an incredible dance. It gave me chills... and is a testament to art. The power that art has to speak without words... whether through a painting, dance, a sculpture... etc. Love it !! And I love Ade !! It made me think of one of my teacher friends at school that has breast cancer. She is amazing and so strong.. I admire that kinda strength and courage !! I love ya Paula Waula :)

Edward and Buffy Meet

So before I became obsessed with Twilight... I was obsessed with Buffy.. Obviously I have a thing for vampires here.. WEIRDO !! :) One of my students told me about this video on You Tube !! Hilarious...

A Sunday Tradition

Every Sunday... whether I go to church or not :) I listen to the following CD that I bought on a whim the year of Joseph Smith's Celebration. I absolutely love it.. and the songs and lyrics never get old. One of my favorites is "Modern Day Sampson". It is of course about Porter Rockwell.... and it is just awesome. The lyrics are as follows:

A Hawkins rifle strapped to his saddle
And two Dragoons inside his vest
His long black hair blew through midnight air
Fighting revenge inside his chest
He’d seen the housed burned down to ashes
And seen those he loved lose that most dear
The saints they cried, “someone save our lives!”
The night the black angel appeared

Hey now Porter, got an eye like an eagle
Sworn to save the life of the Prophet of the Lamb
Many men are lying under six feet of ground
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam

The saint’s moved on as the fire grew strong
But some would never let them rest
Crystal eyes moved through shadowed nights
As he took the devils last breath
Promises from a Prophet’s lips
The Prophecy preserved his fate
But that June day his heart broke in vain
God forbid he was too late

Destroying angel, troubled man
I won’t judge the blood on your hands…

Hey now Porter, got an eye like an eagle
Sworn to save the life of the Prophet of the Lamb
Many men are lying under six feet of ground
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam
Fire from the smokin’ gun of Modern Day Sam

Happy America

I had a fun filled Fourth of July... Had great company, shopping, eating, splashing, swimming, laughing, and fireworks. I couldn't ask for more. I am truly blessed with my friends, family, and the country I live in !! Happy America !!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I Wanted To Be Like Mike

I distinctly remember the first time I saw Michael Jackson move.. I was watching MTV against my parents wishes.. :) and Billie Jean came on. I was waiting for the video to come on cause some of my friends had told me how awesome he was. After I saw it I was hooked. Not so much because of the way he looked (back then he was cute !!). But, more because of the way he moved. Once in awhile there are performers in the music industry that feel their music.. and share that feeling with us... Michael Jackson did this !! I remember watching his videos over and over again with my friends trying to copy every move, copy that smile on his face when he sang, and catch the glint in his eye of happiness when he would shout. I even had a Michael Jackson birthday party.. Yep, with a white glove on the cake and all !! Of course my favorite move he did was the "Moonwalk". I remember the first time he did it at the Apollo performance... I gasped in shock and jumped up and down in excitement after he did it. It was magical !! I share this because of course Michael is gone.. but also because you know me... with him gone I have learned something. I always gotta learn.. I am a teacher after all. :) Michael obviously had good times and bad... but in my eyes the good outweighs the bad. It is not my place to judge his bad... I will leave that to someone else. In our own lives we should look for the good in others... and hold on to that when the bad appears, cause it will. We should be grateful for the good, because when we lose them we will never have it again !! I will forever be grateful for his talent, and the memories I have had in my life that are associated with that talent. Back then.. I wanted to be like Mike... Free, happy, full of life, floating across the stage, singing my heart !! It is that image that I will remember him by.




I love looking up art on Deviant !!!.... It is an obsession. Here is some cool art work of Michael...