The Holidays in NorCal

It's about time I updated this thing. Life has been super busy and fun. I still work for the Health Department and LOVE my job. I can't believe how much I really enjoy it. There are a lot of outbreaks going on and I love working with my co-workers. It's a great place to work.
This last week I was able to go home and enjoy Christmas at home. We did a lot of traveling to Sacramento to visit Stephy and fam, Curtis and Tamara, Lenny, Betsy and the Grandparents. It was great to see everyone. I have a wonderful family and I love them very much.
I received Mastering the Art of French Cooking By Julia Childs from Truth. Funny how that worked out. She asked me what I wanted to cook for Christmas Dinner and I asked if she had the book. Turns out it was under the tree for me. So I got it a little early :)
For dinner I made Lamb, some fabulous potatoes, Ratatouille, garlic gravy, Berry Tiramisu (I even made the Lady Fingers!) It was so yummy and we ate it the rest of the week. I've never had potatoes so fluffy before. It was so much fun. I realized that I need to cook more fun food.
A highlight of the trip was the Kareoke mics that Curtis and Tamara received for Christmas. My all time favorite is Alone by Heart. It has a little bit of everything and I can never say no to that song. We also rocked out to: Wayward Son, Man in the Mirror, Macarena and some holiday classics.
The following are some of the highlights of the trip.

Christmas dinner


Baby Curtis is not really a baby anymore.

He's a pirate!

And he's such a happy pirate too!

Too Cute! The mommas on the bus go SH SH SH

Fun times on the twirly playground equipment.

What does a Jazz Press Pass look like?

Pretty much like this!

I have a new part time job work for the Utah Jazz.(thanks Logan!) I will be working the "Fox Box" for FSN for all the opposing teams that play the Jazz. Let me break it down even further. Whenever a team plays the Jazz in SLC, I will be controlling the scoreboard that the opposing team fans see in their respective city/state. So I will be doing score, team FG, team 3Pts, fast break points, turnovers, fouls, etc. I won't be working every home game, but a lot it sounds like.

So what does my job look like? Let me walk you through a typical day.
5pm-Arrive at players entrance, look super cool going in past security. Head to the trailer. It's a trailer in the Arena where FSN is located.
515-Download any promo/ads that need to be seen that game. It varies game to game and the frequency during the game varies as well.
530-Practice the scoreboard details, timing of feed, technical kinks get worked out.
600-Free dinner in the press room. They always provide a free dinner and the reporters for TV, radio, internet agencies rub elbows.
630-Practice more of the technical aspects of job, practice promo/ad roll ins
700-Air time, no more practice
713-Game time, keep score, FTs, FGs, 3pts, turnovers, break away points, blocks for each quarter. Making sure to put in promos at appropriate points. TV breaks at 3,6,9 minutes and adjusting score board for roll in and roll out or lower third graphics
945ish-Game over, make sure everything is cool and leave. See a few players leaving as well, walk through the fans waiting for them.

It's a super crazy environment and people are yelling at each other, but also criticizing the game. Lots of swearing. This is the room that controls the commercials, stats, graphics, replay clips and teasers and the pre and post game services. It's amazing how fast these people work. Totally Type A personalities and errors are not allowed!

So I'm working the Monday game as well, and then technically my training is over. I can hardly wait for the season. PS did I mention that I get paid for this? Man, my life is super sweet!


Pretty much like this!

Adventures

This weekend I was blessed with the presence of Ms H.C. My partner of so many crimes in San Diego. This weekend was no less full of adventures and life experiences. Friday morning we took a little mini hike to prep us for the real deal the next day. In preparation we went to Cottonwood Canyon and hiked up to Dogwood Lake. It's part of the SLC water shed, and oddly enough there were dogs all over that place.





That night we lived it up at the Greek Festival! OPA!!!! All the food, dancing and super hot Greek men! Ok, so the dancing was probably the best part of it all. There were just so passionate and fun to watch. There were a ton of people and lots of people watching was done.



The next we awoke really really really ridiculously too early to set out to Mt. Timpanogas. On the way there I got a flat tire and that just added more to the adventure. Last adventure I had with Ms. HC was when my clutch went out on the busiest intersection in SD and we had to push my car in heels and skirts. But after maintaining a 50 mph speed limit for about 50 minutes we arrived at the Aspen Grove trail head near Sundance.

We had a wonderful hike. We made it up there in 4 hours and the view was amazing. It's a busy trail and there were lots of people, but the air was clean and the water was flowing.













Today we walked around hood and enjoyed the diversity it has. Ms. HC is my city planner lady and we love to look at cool buildings and enjoy neat neighborhoods. Plus she is always up for an adventure, which we all know I'm always down for as well.

I Survived!

Yes, it was quite an accomplishment. This weekend I went back to my hometown to gather all my belongings and bring them to Zion. I rented the smallest truck they had, I don't really have that much stuff, but it did take a while to load up. I spent most of the day Friday throwing out things and giving much to D.I. (Goodwill).

Saturday I walked up and down stairs moving the stuff that would be going with me. My calves were killing me!!! It could also be the gym class with Deanna that's killer, but so much fun. Truth luckily had a wheel barrel(or wheelbarrow depending on where you live) and I was able to utilize that to the fullest from the front door to the truck door. After packing it all, I parked it extremely close to the garage so that a person would not be able to get anything out of it.

Sunday morning I awoke at 6 and after showering, I started my trek. Truth tells me then that Grandpa had offered to have Nana come with me. How sweet! But I had a wonderful book on tape that kept me company the whole time. It was a 10 hour drive and I only had to stop once for gas in Winnemucca. I always seem to stop there on these trips. About an hour out from Salt Lake, the truck started to make funny noises and bumping. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw pieces of black tire flying in the air. Holy Crap! I pull over and check all the tires, they are all fine and still inflated, so I continue on my way.

I make it to Salt Lake and take the exit for my house and BAM! the tire goes flat. I pull into a A&W parking lot and see that that tire is blown out. I call the lovely people at Budget and they say someone will be there in 60 minutes. After 2 hours, someone does show up. I'm 2 miles from my house and had to wait 2 hours! But I see on his wrist a hospital visitor's band that says "Baby Boy." Then I realize that he left the hospital to come help me. That was so nice of him.

I have some wonderful friends who came over that night to help me move and we did it in about an hour. I left the heavy stuff for Philip and our new Zimbabwean friend to move. After making dinner for some folks and connecting over Africa, UC schools and teaching, I started putting stuff away. I have a lot of crap that I still need to get rid of.

The next day I take the rental truck in, but no one is there. There is a sign that reads "Be back by 11:50" which is good because they close at 12 due to the holiday. As I get out of the truck I see something along the side. It's GRAFFITI! Someone had spray painted along the driver's side and back of the truck. Oh man, I couldn't wait to see how much that would cost. So the guys finally come back from lunch and take a look at the truck. I don't say a word, because honestly I don't know what to say. Here's what the conversation went:

Budget Man: So what's up with the graffiti?
Me: I have no idea. I don't remember it being there in Stockton.
Budget Man: Stockton? There are a lot of gangs in Stockton.
Me: Yeah, but it doesn't look like Stockton gang stuff. It's too happy. (making small talk)
Budget Man: (laughs) Yeah, we have some posers around here (looks at watch and notices its almost noon)
I stand by waiting
Budget Man: Don't worry about it, have a great day.

I would just like to point out something really funny. How would I know the difference between graffiti from Stockton and Utah? I'm all talk when it comes to gangs. And how did he know that there were so many gangs in Stockton? So on my walk home, I walked down the street and notice many other things that the artists had decided to paint.

It was a nice walk home and I did get most of my stuff put away. Then I went on a date and went to a BBQ. I still can't believe the weekend, but then now I only have 2 more days left of work this week. Not bad.

A Whole New Me

Well, I've had some new changes in my life recently. After graduating from school, I moved to Utah for employment and what I thought would work out, didn't. But after working at my new job for 2 weeks and doing quite well at it, I am quitting tomorrow. Why you may ask? Because I have just been offered my dream job. A job in the field that I've wanted to work in since I was 17 years old and read a college course catalog describing a course. Followed by the release of a movie called Outbreak. I knew this was what I wanted to do. So now I will be the new food borne epidemiology for the state of Utah. So what does that mean?
Well, for any case of food borne disease that tests positive at any lab in Utah, I'll review the case and look into possible clusters and outbreaks. I have always had a love for the microbes and now I'll have my chance to get to really learn and love diseases of diarrhea. Bring on the Salmonella!! I can't wait. Here comes the 4 day work week and SNOWBOARDING FRIDAYS!!! It was a hard decision and having so many options has made it difficult to make decisions. I have a love hate relationship with options. Sometimes too many options is not good at all.
Another area that I've had to make a decisions is which YSA ward to attend. After searching for weeks, I've find the perfect fit for me. I am really excited to start attending regularly and being in a ward family again. There are tons of people and lots of fun activities to participate in. I can hardly wait for all the good times. Thanks goodness I found this ward now before the summer ended.
Things here are great! One lesson that I've relearned is that what I thought I wanted isn't always what's best. There is always something better out coming my way as long as I keep planning and trying. Because if you never try, you'll never succeed. Hope you all keep trying and succeeding!!!

Pioneer Day Weekend

I made the trek to Zion for a job that didn't work out and luckily I found another great one that I will start on Monday. I'll be working in Downtown Zion and live just blocks away. I test drove the route today, 10 minutes and no freeways. Not bad. It's been a crazy time for me and I'm glad to report that my vagabond ways are over. I also found a place in Zion and moved in this weekend. It has a great local market, near a great park and not too many hills(good for running purposes).

On the day of celebration of my forefathers, I made the 3 block voyage to the parade where I sat in some bleachers set up for the participants of the parade who are from the sister city of Zion. There were lots of fun floats and I can't believe Stakes were sponsoring some of them. So decorative and fun. And the topics were very unique as well. I especially loved the food storage themed float. Here are some of my favorites.

The animated float.

This was the food storage float.

The diversity float.


The next day I went on a Medicinal/Edible Plant Walk on Payson Lake with my 2 aunties. Craig, from South Africa, took us around and showed us some plants that we could eat in the area. We were instructed in the medicinal ways of these plants and I learned many things. For example, all plants in the mint family have a square stem and that Stining Neddle is high in calcium and good to eat. I also learned what plants to give to someone in order to kill them. Just in case I ever get in a sequel to "The River Wild" and need to take some street person out in order to save my life and run the rapids.




Look at what a great student I am. Always taking notes.

Now I am all moved in. Went to my new ward and looking forward/nervous about the job tomorrow. We'll see how it goes as I set out on my new adventure!

Oh I how I love my hometown

http://www.wikio.com/video/1368624

Happy Bastille Day!

The time has come upon us again to celebrate that most glorious of days when the French started their revolution by breaking in the Bastille Prison to set 6 mentally disabled people free. Talk about getting a good start on things. Also, it's the day of my birth. I think I need a t-shirt that says "I'm really big in France." Because I am. For this year's festivities I took the party to Seattle to see the BFF and family.
After being welcomed with a Hanna Montana ballon and Starbucks blueberry muffin, we went to Snoqualmie Falls. Snoqualmie was the daughter of an Indian chief. But she met and fell in love with a boy from another tribe. The boy came to ask for her hand in marriage and her father forbid her from seeing him and sent the boy off. Snoqualmie and her father fought and then she took off after him down the river. She wanted to catch him and decided that she would go over the falls because it was faster than taking the canoe out and walking down. Well, turns out that was the last bad decision she made as she plummeted to her death there at the falls and that is why it's called Snoqaulmie Falls. I just made up that story, but they were pretty.


Next day we went to Mt. Rainier, which at 14,000 feet had a lot of snow still. We hiked around and had snow fights and pretended that the mosquito bites were not bothering us. There were beautiful flowers and it was actually hot. It was great to be in the outdoors and smell the fresh air. Also, see the German tourists. They love our Natural Parks.
On the way back we stopped at "Big Daddy's Drive In" in Auburn, WA. It was pretty yummy and the shakes were to die for.

Thursday we went to the largest gym in North America. It was amazing!!! 4 indoor pools, rooms to work out with different lighting in it, tons of classrooms and equipment, spas, saunas and restaurants. It was 4 stories high!!! I loved it and the aerobics class we took. Then we got ready and headed to the city. We first stopped at the Space needle and got a glance at the Puget Sound with no clouds in the sky. Then we headed to the SciFi Museum and Hall of fame. Where every scifi book noteworthy was there, plus all the uniforms of you favorite sci characters and even the high tech equipments used to laser or beam people.


Next we went to the Jim Hensen exhibit and saw tons of his drawings, puppets and videos. That guy was genius! Riley and I got to be in a puppet show, I was the drummer.



Next we hit up Pikes Place Market for some food and sites. We had some pastries from a Russian bakery and just walked around the market. Saw the first Starbucks, the men throwing fish and lots of berries for sale. One of the reasons I love summer so much is all the berries.
I would now like to thank E$ for a very wonderful BDay celebration. I was also like to thank Microsoft for a trip to Mt. Rainier and for dinner at Big Daddy's. I would like to thank CB for a wonderful gym experience and for his excellent driving skills. Riley B for letting me sleep in her bed, for knowing all the words to all the popular songs for her wonderful hiking skills.

The Wild Wild West Adventures Continue

This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to explore some new territory in Wyoming. I drove to SLC and caught up with Denise and her bro Darren for one adventuresome weekend. We drove up to Alpine Wyoming. On the way we stopped in Bear Lake and had some rizzy squizzies. (raspberry milkshakes according to Darren the English major) It was the most wonderful milkshake ever, not too sweet and perfect composition. We stayed in a cabin of some friends of a friend and had a great night sleep.


The next day we dared to challenge the Snake River and went rafting. The water was super high and quick so we were able to go 3 times We started out with 2 boats, but as the day progressed and the weather became more inclement, people crumbled to the power of the river. At the 3rd run, we had 10 people in one boat which wasn't very full of air and had the most amazing ride. At one rapid, the boat bent in half and 3 people just fell into the water. It was so perfect and that was definitely our best ride. The Big Kahuna, The Lunch Counter and all the other rapids were amazing.
I was very proud of myself for not falling in the river. I almost always fall in the river while rafting. I did get in the water but not for my disrespect of the river, but by the tackling of another rafter who thought I wasn't respecting him. The water FREEZING!!!!! (thanks Jake) But such a great time.
That night watched "A River Wild" with Kevin Bacon and Meryl Streep. I thought it only appropriate for the river excursion that we had just experienced. Then we watched the movie 21, because we played Scum, so it was also appropriate for our activities.
The next day most people left and we headed up to Jackson Hole Wyoming for some 4th of July festivities. The drive there was amazing and the mountains are beautiful. We walked around town and listened to the community band, did a little window shopping and then had some lunch. We were all pretty tired, so we found a park and pulled out the sleeping bags and went to sleep. Little did we know that it was actually a Lutheran church and there was a day camp going on with kids getting pie thrown in their faces.

It started to rain and hail, but no worries, we were under the tree and just toughed it out like cowboys on the plains. I sang the appropriate John Denver song for the moment. The best was just listening to all the people walk by and comment on our sleeping. I heard lots of laughter but my favorite was "Mommy, who's dying there?" No one sugar, just sleeping it off. But I didn't get wet at all from the rain. It was good sleep too. After that we went to the shootout and watched cowboys shoot guns. Did you know that Wyoming had the first female sheriff and a bunch of other femmy 1sts as well. Who knew?
We had dinner at the most wonderful hamburger place called Bill's Cadillac Grill. The best hamburger ever and it had a really cool 50's diner feel to it. After filling up we headed to the rodeo for some good ol'American fun. Nothing makes me feel more independent than rodeos. Honestly, how could you not feel proud to be an American at a rodeo? We sat next to some Argentines that were just eating it up too. The best was the mass hysteria of kids running after 2 sheep.


After the rodeo the fireworks were the next street over and we enjoyed the whole show and walked out to "Born in the USA" by the Boss. It was glorious. We drove most of the night home and I got back to P-town at 6, and was so ready for some sleep after that. It was a great weekend and I had love the outdoors.

Timp Cave Hike

My first week at high altitudes wasn't very fun. I'm excited for when the nose bleeds end and my skin doesn't flake like corn. The Mancub, his roomie and I did head up to Timp Cave. I say head up, because we didn't go inside, just to the mouth of the cave. I was surprised to see how many tour guides were there, when we were told we'd have to wait an hour for one.
Here is proof that I hike and that the Mancub and his roomie(the Track Star) are super close. He's not a member and I asked him what he missed about the normal world. He said he'd like to go to a party and have men not dance with jazz hands.



As you can see, I'm obviously high in the mountains. I did almost die, but that happens everyday.

Welcome to the Wild Wild West

This past weekend, the Mancub and I headed up to the grandparents to partake in some good old fashioned western activities. I went to Logan and picked him up from a 16 hour work week of washing windows and then we cruised through the Cache Valley.(Watch out Cash $ millionaires, these people are on to you) Headed up the 91 through Preston, or Napolean Dynamite territory. We hit a wicked hail storm that made me think I was going to die, and the Mancub just continued on his IPhone texting spree.

Once there we enjoyed a variety of activities, horseback riding, gardening, collecting strawberries, cruising on some super old 10 speeds from the 80's and running off like crazies. Every night though was brought to an end with a horse movie. We watched The Man from Snowy River, Return to Snowy River, The Horse Whisperer and Dr. Zhivago, which surprisingly has a lot of horses in it. We also made normal love songs into horsey love songs. For example, "our endless love" was now "our horsey love." There were many more, but you get the picture. It made for some good times and great memories.

I think the favorite activity was shooting. I'm much better than the Mancub, but he won't admit it. We warmed up on the pellet gun, but after that moved onto the 22 with a silencer. We placed pine cones in the garden and had our own little sniper festival. One of my favorite moments was after I had shot the gun, Grandpa turns to me and says "You shot my corn." The look on his face was priceless. He was right, I did shoot his corn. But I hit the pine cone first.


The Mancub is pretty much the worst photographer ever, he has to be in all the pictures he takes. But you get the point. We're shooting.

Even him cheating and sitting down with the gun couldn't help him beat me.

The grandparents are soldiers doing what they do at their age. They are planning a rafting trip later this summer and I can't wait for that. While we were there, my uncle and his family came over. Turns out my cousin is way better at shooting than I am. Next weekend rafting.

B-Day party for the baby

As part of the weekend festivities there was also a bday party for Cash $. He really wasn't 1, but Truth wouldn't let that silly detail prevent her from shoving cake in his face. We now know that Cash$ doesn't like cake and his dad couldn't be happier.

Here he is opening the perplexing card. I can understand why he might not understand it, but apparently it was so perplexing that I didn't get it either.

He is proficient at opening gifts with some assistance.

He was a little confused, yet excited that I was in his play tent. It was a nice napping place where I could be left alone. He occasionally would come and throw himself on the tent to make sure that I knew it was his, even though he didn't like going in it.

The toy was a big hit with CASH$'s dad.

And with me. Well, enough for me to leave my little lair. This was one of our family toy favorites growing up, so now that we're older we have found new ways to play with the toy. Like seeing how far we can drop the shape and if it will still go in the slots. It never did.