Since Christmas...

While it is probably true that I haven't done MUCH since christmas, I've at least done a few fun things. So, for the benefit of those who read this blog and are not on facebook to see the pictures I've posted, I'll include some pictures of a few of the latest adventures.

I went on my annual yurting trip with Lisa Smith, and fortunately this time she invited me to bring some additional friends along, so Connie, Cherissa, Christian, and Jen joined us for the event. Connie and I were sure to tell everyone just how difficult yurting is: cross country skiing on incredibly rough terrain (Or... nearly level, but that's no fun to say), telling them about the intense hill that they surely would not make it down without injury (that one really is kind of scary and usually leads to a few falls in the group, though no injuries that I'm aware of have occurred yet), and reminding them often that we would be in bear country and that they were to be extremely cautious at all times (we did see a weasel as far as wildlife goes). Really, yurting is a pretty simple activity. You backpack in, or you can bring your things in a sled pulled with a rope attached around your waste. There's a wood burning stove, so it generally remains warm, and often a little too warm for me. The first time we went we cooked tempura, though the cuisine has been a little less gourmet since those days. Still, you can cook whatever you so desire on the camp stoves that are there. We played a little guitar and chatted and had a great time. Here are some pics:

That excursion was followed by fondue night, another annual event, this one with Marinda & Mike, Dave & Jen, and Connie, me, and our dates. I have to diet for two weeks straight to make up for this night (or... I should anyway). We had swiss cheese fondue (Melting Pot recipe), and Marinda's Chocolate coconut fondue. What could be better than that?

Finally, it was Cherissa's birthday on the 13th of February, and the birthday of Pete and John-Paul were within a week each direction, so we had a little get together at our house.

Connie, JP (watch the hands, mr! :), me, and Scott

Christian and Justin

The birthday boys and girl: Pete, Cherissa, and John-Paul

Adam and me

Connie, Cherissa, me, Pete, and Jen

Christmas... All You Need Is Love

Merry Christmas...

Start with cookies and a note to Santa

Next comes Christmas morning: Gift giving and receiving.

Enjoy a little sing-along.

End with a gingerbread house... or without.

Here's to Happy Holidays and the best year yet in 2010...

Few pictures, many great times

I just got back from visiting Val, Josh, and Alex (nephew) in Maryland. It was such a great getaway to be with them. Alex is almost 6 and is at a very entertaining age. We had great times: Went to a play, a movie, and my favorite restaurant there: Mandalay (Burmese food). We played the Wii, made a gingerbread house, and went on a trolley ride see Christmas lights.

One of my favorite things I did was visit Alex's kindergarten class a couple days to do observations for my own schooling. Alex got so excited when he saw me there that he let out an audible gasp and gave me the biggest, most excited smile I've seen. That made me happy. :) The rest of the day in his class I was trying to avoid being within eyesight so he wouldn't be distracted, but let's be honest... it never lasted too long. He knew I was there. While they were on the carpet for instruction, Alex would start out at one side. I'd go to the back side far behind him, and he would inch over and back until he eventually ended up right by me. I'd move and he would pull the same stunt again. I'd give him my VERY STERN looks and remind him to listen to his teacher as I motioned him her way. I felt a little bad about being a distraction for him at those moments, but of course inside I was loving that he wanted to be by me! :) We walked to the school library and though he's not usually very affectionate he insisted that I hold his hand the whole way there and back, which I didn't mind at all. I just love him!

Now that I'm home I realize I already miss them. Maybe I shouldn't visit... I don't realize what I'm missing that way. :) If only they lived closer so I could see them more than two or three times a year. Here are two of the very few pictures I remembered to take.

Apparently we were supposed to make "silly faces"... Val and I didn't get the memo until a disappointed Alex told us right after.

Symbolism

...It's symbolic. You can come up with your own meaning for it... or just take my word for it.

Student = Study... makes sense

I just don't do much these days besides that which relates to class. Whether it's going to class, observing classes, reading for class, teaching class, tutoring kids who aren't doing well in class, cross guarding for kids who just got out of class, couriering mail to schools in which the mail will eventually go to the teachers who teach class... That's pretty much my life. And that's why I haven't posted anything on here lately. But I'm going to brainstorm a list right now of things I've done in the past week that are NOT related to school. Here goes...

Cleaned out the garden

Yard work

Went to the gym -- yay!

Went to a bridal shower

Cleaned my room and office, and all the other normal household chores

Cleaned out my car

Watched Stranger than Fiction when I needed a break from studying

Watched No Reservations when I needed a break from studying again

Took a bath

Played Dominion (fun elaborate card game)

Went to Warren Miller just so I could get a free ski pass, and I saw my former roommate Lisa there!

Pulled out my dusty guitar and played a song or two

Went to lunch with my good friend, Steph, who was visiting from Denver

Played racquetball (does that count if it was just over a week ago?)

Went to a "yay, you passed the bar" surprise party for a friend

Went to church

Went to FHE - dinner and fireside

Avoided getting sick when two of my roommates were sick

Knocked on wood

Ate crab with my roommates (which I thoroughly enjoyed)

Took my blinds down in an attempt to put new ones up

Watched the news (hmmm... about balloon boy)

That's about it. About 98% of those things were done today while in burnout mode, or last weekend, but that's ok.. it still counts. I'm glad to see there are that many things on the list. For a while there I was literally thinking the only thing I did besides all this class stuff was eat. Unfortunately I haven't gotten too busy for that.

I love autumn!

It's nice to take a little time to enjoy the great outdoors. But this first picture was actually taken from my bedroom window this morning. Our neighbors have a farm which attracts deer often enough for us to see them from our window one or two times a year (when we're paying attention). There were a couple there this morning. When we see them we usually exclaim "Oh, deer!" Yeah, clever.

So, it being ideal fall leaf enjoyment weather, Connie and I went for a ride up the canyon today. It was the epitome of the perfect day in the canyon. The slight breeze and not too cool, not too warm temperature, cloudless sky... all lended to an awesome time up Little Cottonwood canyon.

Pay Day

I haven't had an official paycheck since March. That is, until today. I'm now in law enforcement... Ok, just as a substitute crossing guard for Draper City, but it's something. Today's payday and I got my first official check since March. Just wondering what to do with my fortune. ($38) Any ideas?