Caitlin's Blog

A to Z ... All About Me!

2009-05-17T18:10:00.004-04:00

A - Age: 23
B - Bed size: I had a full up until a week ago. Then I moved rooms and downsized to a twin
C - Chore you hate: yard work (but I don't mind mowing the lawn)
D - Dog's names: Kirby
E - Essential to start your day: getting out of bed is usually a good start
F - Favorite color: green!
G - Gold or Silver: definitely silver
H - Height: 5'3"
I - Instruments you play(ed): piano and oboe; I can also sort play the flute and clarinet. I tried playing the guitar but that was a disaster
J - Job title: unemployed, soon to be student
K - Kid(s): none yet
L - Living arrangements: 3 bed, 3 bath, full basement, AKA my parents' house
M -Mom's name: Kim
N - Nicknames: Cait, Caiti, Caiti Did, Did, Doodles, Sister
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: twice for depression, once for brain surgery
P - Pet Peeve: my biggest is people who use their cell phones at the movies. I can't even begin to describe how much that drives me crazy! If I was more uninhibited, I'd probably yell at the person
Q - Quote from a movie: any movie? "I can't watch! Can someone cover my eyes?" Rex -Toy Story (or possibly Toy Story 2)
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: Sean and Shannon
T - Time you wake up: whenever I'm so moved
U - Underwear: yes, I'm wearing underwear
V - Vegetable you dislike: peas! Nasty, nasty, nasty
W- Ways you run late: I hate being late! But If I am late, it's usually because I forgot something important and had to go back for it
X - X-rays you've had: let's see... left knee, right foot, left elbow, right wrist, teeth, and skull. I think that's it.
Y - Yummy food you make: my personal favorites are Betty Crocker brownies (and no, I don't follow the directions on the back; I have my own special way of making them extra tasty) and anything with chicken
Z - Zoo favorite: tigers!

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-02T17:33:00.003-04:00

Today, I'm thankful that I'm an aunt! I met Maya less than 24 hours ago, but I already think she's the greatest thing ever! We went shopping today at Wal-Mart and I found her a Braves onesie that came with a blanket. She hasn't worn the onesie yet, but she's used her blanket. Maya likes that she'll be able to share this with all her future siblings - brothers and sisters!

Isn't she precious? She loves her new blanket from her auntie. :)

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-26T15:27:00.002-04:00

Today I'm thankful for my mom! It's her birthday today so of course I have to pay a special tribute to her. Especially because she's magical. She turned 29 today for the 25th year in a row! Those are some pretty amazing powers if you ask me. :) I think she was more excited by the fact that I went to Institute last night than by the actual present I got her (in my defense, she's the one always complaining about what a piece of c-r-a-p [yes, you have to spell it out] her can opener is. I was just trying to be practical in these hard economic times; besides, if the world came to an end tomorrow, she'd be out of luck when it came to all of her CANNED food storage!) Love you, mom!

More Pictures....

2009-03-24T14:02:00.002-04:00

I found some more random pictures that I feel the need to share.
This was the Nativity that the Special Needs mutual did at their Christmas party. A couple of the ladies at the home I worked at participated in it, so I took a picture. Too bad I only had my phone...

I took this about a year ago while I was still in Utah. I saw it everyday for about a week before I stopped to take a picture. Have you ever seen such a perfect snowman that was done by a couple of kids and their parents? I was impressed.

My Shamu plane! This is the plane I flew on when I went to Salem for Thanksgiving. How cool is that?

I'm like a proud momma

2009-03-24T13:53:00.003-04:00

My sister is always telling me about the cute things her baby girl does. So in return I have to tell her about all the cute things my kitties do. I'm just glad they get along. They play so much that if you're downstairs and they're upstairs playing, it sounds like thunder! Here's my kitties when they aren't playing...
This one is blury but it was the only one I got before they moved. Ashes was on my right and Gabby was at my feet. When I got up to go to bed, I picked up Gabby and put her next to Ashes and this is how she got comfortable. I grabbed my phone and took a picture. I went to grab my camera, but they followed me.

Here they are a couple of days ago on the leg rest of the love seat. Ashes was sound asleep (the purring had stopped and she was twitching every now and then from her dreams). Gabby came in and made herself comfortable.

Over the weekend, I ran some errands. When I got home, this is how I found them.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-24T13:29:00.006-04:00

This was the only picture of food that I took before everyone started eating. That's a hat with a shamrock, in case you were wondering. :) They were the most delicious mint brownies. Yummy!

The festive windsock that graced the front porch for the week or so leading up to St. Patrick's Day.

You can't really tell, but I had a shamrock bear hanging in the living room window. This was the best picture I could get.

The front door. I'm pretty sure this embarrassed my mom the entire time it was up, but who cares?! You can never have too many decorations for the big day!

I had to find some way to display my bag, so I hung it from the rocking chair.

Yes, technically, this is a Christmas decoration, but the snowman was so festive with his pot of gold. Since the Christmas tree was long gone, he was hung from the lamp in the kitchen.

The hutch in the kitchen. And I would just like to point out that I got the 2 waterglobes when I was in Ireland. You don't get anymore Irish than that!

The table in all its glory. Even the candles have gold shamrocks on them. My mom and I bought the tablecloth at Target the day before. It was already on sale. How rude!

Speaking of Target... while we were there, we looked through the St. Patrick's Day cards. There was one that was so priceless my mom had to buy it. It's for someone who has their birthday on St. Paddy's Day. On the front it says, "For your birthday, I baked you a special corned beef and cabbage cake." When you open it, it says, "It blows it own candles out." Hilarious.

So I'm a week late in posting these pictures, but since St. Patrick's Day is my favorite holiday, I figured better late than never. :)

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

2009-03-24T13:19:00.003-04:00

When I lived in Utah, snow was part of life in the winter. Back here in the south, snow is rare! So when it snowed a few weeks ago, I just had to take pictures.
I took this picture with my phone as my mom and I were getting home from church.

My car hadn't seen this much snow since leaving Utah!

I thought this tree in the front yard looked ever so pretty all covered in snow.

View from the front porch.

Random

2009-03-24T13:14:00.002-04:00

Last semester I took a history class about Ancient Greece. For my term paper I decided to write about Sophocles. No, I'm not going to bore you with his politics and writings... My professor recommended a book to me called Sophocles and Pericles. The campus library is HUGE!!! So I decided to request it instead of trying to find it on my own. After I got the e-mail telling me the book was available, I picked up the book and brought it home. I found this in the back...

I guess the book was more popular in the 70s than the past 30 years.

This says it all!

2009-03-24T12:43:00.002-04:00

My mom forwarded this to me. I thought it was too perfect to not share with the rest of the world.

Letter from the Boss,

As the CEO of this business that employs 240 people, I have accepted the fact that Barack Obama is our new President, and that our taxes and government fees will now increase in a BIG way.

To compensate for this additional overhead, I figure that the clients will have to see an increase in our fees of about 8% but since we cannot raise those prices right now due to the dismal state of our economy, we will have to lay off several of our employees instead. This unfortunate economic reality has really been eating at me for a while, as we believe we are family here and I didn't know how to choose who will have to go.

After giving it considerable thought, this is what I did. I strolled thru our parking lot and found 31 Obama bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided these folks will be the first to be laid off. I can't think of a more fair way to approach this problem.

They wanted change; I gave it to them.

If you have a better idea, let me know.

Sincerely,
The Boss

Beauty and the Beast

2009-03-12T21:52:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, my parents and I adopted 2 cats from the pound. One was about 10 months old the other was about 4 months old. They have come to be nicknamed Beauty and the Beast. The 10 month old looks like a regular black cat, but if you get closer, she's acutally a dark chocolate color with a white patch on her chest. She's a beautiful cat. So she's Beauty. The other cat is a terror! She looooooooves people and hates to be alone. She's always right at your feet, but as soon as you pick her up, she starts biting and clawing at you. So she's the Beast. Her favorite hobby is to get into everything. I'm pretty sure the phrase "curiosity killed the cat" was coined because of her. If a door or cupboard is open, she gets in (this includes when the dishwasher is open). And she's so fast that half the time you don't notice until you hear her meowing to get out. Her lastest hobby is trying to climb door frames. She runs at the full speed, manages to jump up and claw up abotu half way before she slides all the way down. It's hilarious to watch. So here they are, Beauty and the Beast...

Here they are waiting for my mom to come out of her room. (Like I said, they love people and if they know where you are, they will wait for you.)

Here's Gabby, aka the Beast, her first day home. She settled in nicely and made herself to home in a clean pile of laundry. Her name is Gabby because she loves to talk.

Her eyes aren't really that creepy, just the way the flash reflected in them.

Here's Ashes,aka Beauty. Her eyes aren't that creepy either. I tried to make them less creepy, but the photo editing program on my computer only fixes red eye if the eyes are actually red. Who knew computers were so smart?

And this is why Ashes' name is Ashes. We brought her home from the pound and she made herself at home in the fireplace. All the doors were closed so we knew she had to be in the living room or kitchen. If you're looking for a lost cat that has her coloring, don't just glance into the fireplace because they'll blend right in and you'll keep looking.

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-12T21:37:00.003-04:00

Today I'm grateful for my calling at church. I got called to be a primary worker. I'm an "official substitute" so I don't teach any particular class. Last Sunday I taught 2 classes because I got calls from 2 different teachers. It was my first Sunday and I loved it! Primary is so much more fun than adult Sunday school (though, the teacher in my ward is awesome!) and Relief Society. Plus, kids say the craziest things. My favorite was 2 Sundays ago. The kids were learning a new song about building an eternal family. The chorister brought a bag full of different things having to do with different professions, like a chef and a painter. We come to the kid who is now dressed like a carpenter, tool box and hammer included. When asked what he is, one of the kids yells out, "He's a tool!" I'm sitting here laughing just thinking about it. Gotta love kids and that's why I'm thankful that I work in primary.

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-12T21:30:00.002-04:00

I missed posting last week so this is what I was going to write...

I'm grateful that both of my parents still have their jobs. In today's economy, people are losing jobs left and right. What made me think of this was when my mom and I went to the pound. So many of the animals (excluding the pit bulls... don't get me started on that...) were over a year old. Yes, the kittens and puppies get adopted before the dogs and cats but some of these animals were 5 years old. Neutered. One cat was even declawed. So you know that at some point these animals were loved and taken care of. My mom pointed out that a lot of these animals probably belonged to families who lost their homes and had to move into apartments. Most apartments don't allow pets or if they do, they charge a ridiculous monthly fee for the pet in addition to the rent someone is already paying. The saddest case was the 5 year old mastiff named Holly. Her eyes broke my heart. So....... I'm grateful that my parents have good jobs, have been able to keep their house and our dog (even if she's a pain in the butt sometimes and poops on the floor). And that we've been able to adopt 2 cats.

25 Things About Me

2009-03-04T11:26:00.003-05:00

On facebook, there's been things going around about posting 25 things about yourself. After being tagged a few times, I decided to make a list. And here it is...

1. I was born with a birth defect that wasn’t discovered until I was almost 21 years old (and required neurosurgery to fix).
2. I don’t have all of my skull. My brain was too big for my head so part of my skull was removed to make room for it.
3. I name my cars after Harry Potter characters. First I had Cedric the Civic (NO! He was not named that because of Robert Pattinson) and now I have Tonks the Toyota. Had my Ford Tempo not already been named White Stallion by my sister, he would have been named Fred the Ford.
4. When Tonks dies and I can afford to buy a car on my own, I want to get a Hyundai and name it Hagrid. If I’m ever rich and famous, I want to get a Maserati and name it Mad Eye.
5. I’m deathly afraid of heights but I really, really, really want to go skydiving someday.
6. I can’t live without chapstick. I always have some with me no matter where I am.
7. I think Hugh Laurie is the greatest thing the ever happen to TV. If you’ve never watched “House, M.D.”, you make me sad inside.
8. I love to cross stitch, though sometimes it drives me crazy because of all the counting and many different colors.
9. Singing is my absolute favorite thing to do in the world, but I hate singing in front of other people unless I’m in a musical (which I haven’t done since high school) or I’m part of a large group.
10. After I saw the movie Curly Sue when I was 6, I wanted to be a lawyer. Now as I’ve gotten older and realized just how screwed up our so-called justice system really is, I’m glad those dreams changed into something else.
11. I think Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are the biggest hypocrites in the world.
12. The Phantom of the Opera is my favorite musical but my least favorite movie. Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler (who I think is great) just ruined it for me. Plus, no one will ever compare to Michael Crawford.
13. I once had 3 spinal taps in one day (and I would just like to say that they aren’t nearly as painful as they are made to look on TV).
14. I think St. Patrick’s Day is the greatest holiday ever invented.
15. I loathe people who get on their cell phones during movies. If you can’t handle being away from the real world for a couple of hours, why waste the money? Keep the phone in your pocket or purse and we’ll all be happy. J
16. It drives me insane when you stop to allow pedestrians to cross and they just meander along. Come on people! Things to do, places to go. Other wise I wouldn’t be out!
17. I hate feet yet I have a weird obsession with socks. I love them to have designs and I don’t own a single pair of solid color socks.
18. I think toaster ovens are one of the greatest inventions.
19. I always download the free stuff from iTunes whether I think I’ll like it or not. Who doesn’t like free stuff?
20. I killed my guinea pig when I was 4 when I was trying to teach it how to do back flips.
21. I think that the phrase “open-minded liberal” is the biggest oxymoron to ever grace us with its presence.
22. My favorite place in the world is a little shop in the small town of Camden, Maine called the Smiling Cow (and I’m very excited to go there this summer).
23. I think the greatest sound in the world is a baby’s laugh.
24. My roommates and I once dressed up as Baby Spice, Scary Spice, and Sporty Spice. We then went to Blockbuster and rented Spice World. Yes, we were that cool.
25. My favorite song when I was little was “Chapel of Love” by the Dixie Cups but I preferred to call it “Chapel Magic.”

Cake Wrecks

2009-02-26T11:29:00.002-05:00

I discovered this blog (http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/) through my cousin's blog (http://ledaanddavid.blogspot.com/). If you're having a bad day and are in need of a laugh, I highly recommend taking a look at Cake Wrecks. Not only are the cakes hilarious but the commentary of the blogger cracks me up. The first night I went to the blog, I spent a good 45 minutes reading it. I think it's every Sunday (though I could be wrong) that the blogger posts about non cake wrecks. So far I think the Lord of the Rings and the Dragons are the best, but then, I just barely made it to December of last year in her posts.

Maya Grace

2009-02-26T11:01:00.006-05:00

On January 25, 2009, I became an aunt! Maya Grace Olsen was born at 7:37 pm. She weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 20.25 inches long. She's beautiful! And I can't wait to meet her. She and my sister are coming on April 1 and I'm so excited! I'm mostly excited to see what color she is as my sister is a nice pale Irish girl and my brother-in-law is a nice dark Guatemalan boy. See?So far she's light like her mommy but her eyes are turning to a dark brown. She's getting so big! The first picture is of her at 7 days old and the next is her at 29 days.

And this is my favorite. When I went to visit during Thanksgiving last year, Ross dressed up Boomster (Shannon's teddy bear that she's had since high school) in the little bear outfit.

And here's Maya in the same outfit!

Thankful Thursday

2009-02-26T10:56:00.004-05:00

Every Thursday my sister does "Thankful Thursday" and talks about something that she's thankful for. Today I'm thankful for technology! My niece was born one month and one day ago in Salem Oregon. Although I haven't met her, I've been able to see pictures and videos through her blog at http://mayagraceo.blogspot.com/. I've also been able to hear her in the background when I talk to my sister on the phone. Even though I'm 3,000 miles away, technology allows me to get to know my beautiful niece. :)

A post I put on imdb...

2009-01-19T11:59:00.002-05:00

If and when I post on imdb (which is about once a year), I try to avoid making anything personal because people on their don't need to know anything about me, but every now and then I feel the need to respond to something. I was reading the latest press releases and found that Tom Hanks had issued a statements against Mormons for supporting Prop 8 - big surprise there. I decided to go to his discussion boards and see if anyone had started a topic. The first one I found was called "anti catholic and anti mormon." I decided to look into it. This was my response to the original poster with a few changes...

It's really making me angry that all of these stars in Hollywood are speaking out against the Mormons without doing any research. There were lots of churches that were involved in getting Prop 8 passed including the Catholic church but it seems that the only church to get any flack from it is the Mormon church. Mormons are great people. Since when is it wrong for people to stand up for their beliefs? Long before Prop 8 was even thought up, the Mormon church issued a statement saying that marriage is between a man and a woman.

As far as Tom Hanks is concerned... it makes me angry that he would produce anti-Catholic movies or make anti-Mormon statements. But what makes me even more angry is that he'll get away with it. He made these choices when he was 100% sober, yet when someone like Mel Gibson makes an anti-Semetic remark while under the influence, he becomes the worst thing in Hollywood. I'm not trying to make light of what Gibson did. I think his statements were crude and demeaning. But aren't Hanks' actions also crude and demeaning?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2008-12-08T19:55:00.002-05:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper... it's so much more fun to open gifts when they're wrapped
2. Real tree or Artificial? definitely real
3. When do you put up the tree? I don't... my parents do :( but then I get to enjoy it when I go home :)
4. When do you take the tree down? If my mom had her way, the day after Christmas, but my dad and I can usually convince her to keep it up until about New Year's
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Totally Hair Barbie, though I'm pretty sure I cut off her hair at one point
7. Hardest person to buy for? um.... everybody???
8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself. I know myself better than I know anyone else.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I have a couple
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither... I'm not to that point in my life yet, though most people will get a "Merry Christmas" text on the 25th!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? um... I'm not sure
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone, Home Alone: Lost in NY, Elf, and White Christmas (but White Christmas is the only one I actually own...)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? a couple of weeks before the big day!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I remember
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's coffee cake
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white!
17. Favorite Christmas song? O, Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Technically, I travel. But I travel to my home. But this year is going to be weird because my parents are in a new house that I've never been in.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blixen, and Rudolph! (I'm sure the spelling is wrong...)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? one or two on Christmas Eve, then the rest in the morning!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the snow! Most people would love it, but not me. I like going home to Georgia where it is snow-free!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? um... my family has never done themes or colors. We're all about the ornaments meaning something, like the Cozumel bell ornaments from a summer cruise or the Santas painted on seashells from Savannah.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? as long as there's ham, I don't care what goes with it
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a happy, healthy niece :)

Appearantly I'm funding hate...

2008-12-07T00:22:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite websites is imdb.com. Tonight, I found this article and found that by being in Utah, I'm funding hate. Is anyone else incredibly SICK!!!! of the ignorance surrounding the Mormon church and its involvement with Prop 8? I know I sure as heck am... I mean, half the people in my phone are gay. Half the people I work with are gay. I have 2 gay cousins. Even my landlord is gay! I listen to gay singers. I own movies with gay actors. I watch TV shows with gay actors. But because I'm Mormon and I live in Utah, I fund hate. Guess I better tell my landlord I'm moving out because I no longer want to fund "the hate" I feel towards his lifestyle... Oh, and can someone please explain the connection between Sundance and Prop 8? Because I'm pretty sure Robert Redford isn't Mormon and that Sundance didn't encourage California voters to vote for Prop 8.

Film Stars And Fans Urged To Boycott Sundance Over Proposition 8 Connection

Gay rights campaigners are asking Hollywood stars and film fans to boycott next year's Sundance Film Festival in Utah, accusing one of the event's backers of supporting California's gay marriage ban.

According to political activist John Aravosis, Cinemark Theaters boss Alan Stock - a Mormon who owns a number of Sundance venues - made a personal $9,900 (GBP6,600) donation to support Proposition 8, which was passed last month, outlawing same-sex unions in the Golden State.

A representative for the Sundance Institute has defended the festival - which was founded by Robert Redford - insisting all the movies screened at Cinemark Theaters are available at other cinemas.

But AmericaBlog.com editor Aravosis is dissatisfied, telling the New York Daily News, "If you go to Utah, you're funding hate.

"Just moving movies around is not enough. Money from this festival is funneled directly to the Mormon Church and to a supporter of Proposition 8. Sunshine should simply say they won't screen films in a hate theatre."

A Sundance Institute spokesperson says, "(The festival) has a long history and in fact was founded on the idea of championing diversity. It is our hope that people will embrace the festival for its commitment to diversity, not avoid it."

Sundance will take place between 15 and 25 January 2009 in Park City, Utah.

Bill Gates' Money

2008-11-22T00:35:00.002-05:00

So today was a very different day for me. For the first time ever, I didn't have my iPod to listen to on the bus on my way to school or on my way home. I had it with me, but the battery was completely dead. Therefore, I could actually hear what was going on around me. Nothing interesting happened on the way to school as I was one of 5 people on the bus, including the driver. The ride home was a different story. School must have gotten out early because there were a lot of kids on the bus, but this one particular group sat right in front of me. They broke out their yo-yos (don't you remember when they were, like, the coolest thing ever?) and this one kid was saying that he paid $23 for this one that he had (I really hope his parents had the sense not to let him spend that much on a yo-yo). Anyway, his friend responds, "No way. That's like half of the money that Bill Gates has." The conversation then went as follows...

Kid #1: "Uh-uh. Bill Gates has like 50 billion dollars."
Kid #2: "No, he has like 50 billion and six dollars."
Kid #3: "No way, more like 50 billion and eleven dollars."
Kid #4: "You're all wrong. Bill Gates has at least 50 billion and seventy-three dollars."
Kid #2: "There's no way he has that much money."

My take on the conversation: If I had the original amount of $50 billion, I wouldn't care less whether the additional amount was $6, $11, or $73. But personally, at this point in my life, I would gladly take the $6, $11, or $73 and let Bill Gates keep the $50 billion.

Why I Hate Politics

2008-11-15T23:39:00.002-05:00

I'm so over Prop 8. First of all, California wasn't the only state to have a "Prop 8." Florida and Arizona also had similar votes and passed legislation to ban gay marriage. Where's the press on that? The Mormon Church wasn't the only church to support Prop 8. The Adventist Church and the Catholic Church also supported Prop 8. Where's the press on that? I don't get offended easily at all. I've always believed that people who get easily offended do so because they are immature and/or lack confidence. I guess I'm not really offended, just annoyed at the total lack of ignorance that surrounds the beliefs of the Mormon Church.

What brought this about was a post a friend had on his website. It was a link to comments made on a news article about the demonstrators in Salt Lake. (I do have to say that one comment made me laugh right out loud - "Let the gays get married and be miserable like the rest of us.") Some of the comments were so ignorant. Especially "Why did the Morman Church spend so much money trying to pass Prop. 8? Who gains? Gay marriage does nothing to threaten heterosexual marriage. Polygamy does much more to threaten it. Polygamy has been a part of the Morman Church for a long time as has having under-age girls marry. Talk about threatening traditional marriage!" Seriously?! Do your research! That's the FLDS Church, not the Mormon Church. Yes, polygamy was practiced at one point, but it hasn't been practiced in well over 100 years. And as for marrying under-age girls? That has never been practiced.

Sorry about the lack of updating...

2008-11-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

I'm sure we've all noticed that I rarely update my blog. It's usually at the prodding of my mother that I get around to updating it. But I have no life. So there's really nothing interesting to blog about. In the past few weeks since my last update, I officially quite my job with Eastside. I went to court along with 2 of my roommates. Did the mediation thing. Settled on paying $95 each to the plaintiff. Took my midterms. Enjoyed my fall break. Went back to work at Eastside because the job I was hired at still hasn't placed me. And I recently developed my first crush in almost 3 years. That in itself is a story.

From my sister's blog... "my sister's roommate invited a guy over to meet her; without telling Caitlin that was why- Ross and I are excited about the possible prospect of a brother-in-law- and when she said basically all she knows is where he went on a mission and that he hates feet, I knew they were destined- Caitlin hates feet!!!"

She posted that the day after I met the guy! Possible prospect of a brother-in-law??? It must be all the baby hormones she's experiencing.

So let me explain about my first crush in almost 3 years. After I broke up with my high school boyfriend, I started dating another guy almost immediately. I didn't mean for it to happen, but since he approached me first, I can't be blamed for a so-called "rebound relationship." We dated for a couple of months then he broke up with me over a text message. Don't worry. I laughed, too. To be honest, there wasn't much chemistry and kissing him was like kissing my brother. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what it would be like. So after him, I knew I was going to be moving in just a few months so I didn't allow myself to develop any feelings other than think guys were good looking. When I first arrived in Utah, I went through the typical young adult Mormon girl thing where I felt I had to be married immediately and I started crushing on any guy I talked to. After about 10 guys who I was convinced were "the one," I started really liking this one guy who was "the one." But we were never more than friends. I finally got over him when he started dating the girl who is now his wife (and they're expecting their first baby in January - congrats to them!). That was my last crush and it was the beginning of 2006. Now we're almost to the end of 2008 and I actually like someone! Yes, I'm just as shocked as you are.

For my mom...

2008-09-28T14:33:00.005-04:00

My mom has been asking for pictures of my room since I moved into the bedroom in the basement. So here it is... along with my house. And the adorable onesie that I found for my niece-on-the-way at Wal-Mart.

Work, Work, Work

2008-09-26T20:12:00.002-04:00

Well, it's time to say good-bye to my job and find a new one. It's a long story about why I'm leaving. We all know I've never liked the company I work for, but I've always loved the residents I work with and they're the reason I've never been able to pull myself away. However, the company finally did something to make me so angry that I put in my 2 weeks notice yesterday. Basically, they took away my hours and I'm being replaced by a new girl. The resignation form told me to be candid in my answers as to why I'm leaving. And I was definitely candid. Some of the things I wrote were...

In response to whether or not I will return in the future: "This is a horrible company and after the way I've been treated, there is little to no chance that I will ever return."

After having to rate my supervisor in different categories: "(My boss) is awesome. The fair mark is no fault of her own but the company's failure to recognize the hard work of its (caregivers). Without us, the company is nothing."

Commenting about my overall ratings of the company: "The pay sucks for everything that is required of (caregivers) and I never thought that departments heads would treat their employees so terribly."

I held nothing back. My boss brought my papers to the department head meeting today. 2 of them called me later to apologize. I basically told them thank you for calling and I appreciate the apologies. Part of me feels bad for what I wrote but another part of me feels invigorated for actually saying what was on my mind.

But I do feel absolutely horrible. One of my previous co-workers quit because of me. Well, it wasn't really because of me, but she was basically in the same situation I was. At the beginning of the summer, I went back to work full time so I could save up some money while I was only taking a couple classes. I found out today that this person was told she couldn't have her hours anymore because they had 3 full time staff in the afternoon. To this person, you know who you are, I am so very sorry and you know I would never have done that one purpose.

I do have some good news. I went to mutual with my ladies a couple of weeks ago and they had a luau! They had Polynesian dancers and it was so cool. I took a couple of pictures with my phone. They aren't the best but I really enjoyed the dances. The greatest part was when the emcee introduced her husband as Johnny Lingo and told us her pair 12 cows for her!

Why teachers make me laugh

2008-09-26T19:57:00.002-04:00

I've survived the first month of school! And if I make it through the next 2 weeks, it will all be downhill! So far, I've had three very memorable moments.

The first one came during my Crusades class. First of all, I think my professor is awesome! He has a fun personality and he's from Germany so he has a fun accent. Accents always make me happy. Anyway, one day he was talking about one of the leaders during the first Crusade. I don't remember which one but I know it wasn't Godfrey of Bouillon because he would have been too young. So he was saying how this one leader was really old for the time because he was around 60 years old. Then he made some comment about how these days when you're 60, "you're like a spring chicken. Just look at me!" It made my day.

Another one came during an education class. And this was when I found out my professor is definitely Mormon. At the U, it’s a toss up whether a professor is LDS while at BYU it was pretty much a given at Georgia State, none of them were. So this one day, my professor was going off about something he didn't agree with in education. I'm pretty sure he was going off about how high school teachers care too much about facts and dates and not enough about concepts and reasoning. And to wrap up his rant he concluded with, "And that brothers and sisters..." I'm not sure what he said after that because I was too busy trying to suppress my giggles along with the majority of the class.

And my final memorable moment happened just last week in my Classical Greece class. My professor isn't the best but he's passionate about the subject and always knows answers to any and all questions relating to Ancient Greece, no matter how obscure. But sometimes, I find it hard to pay attention to his lectures and I'll start doodling or reading for another class. But this particular day was quite interesting. He was focusing on Sparta and talked about things like the Trojan War and the 300 Spartan soldiers. But the best part came during his PowerPoint slides. He usually has maps, artwork, and pictures of ruins. This day, there was a picture of Gerard Butler as King Leonidas in 300, with a caption reading. "WE ARE SPARTA!!!" It made me so very happy. :)

Why actors should stick to acting...

2008-09-26T19:36:00.003-04:00

And stay away from making statements about politics. Awhile back I read a quote from an actor about John McCain's choice to have Sarah Palin as his running mate. This isn't about whether or not you like her as a person, as a politician, or both. This about what an Oscar winning actor said about her. First, he went off about how she's like a bad Disney movie; the hockey mom from Alaska steps in and makes a difference. Or whatever it was he said. This was the part that got me. He said he felt like McCain chose her for... brace yourselves... "political purposes." What's that you say? A politician chose another politician as his running mate for political purposes? How dare he? What was he thinking? I know I would definitely choose my running mate because I thought he had pretty eyes or she had a nice smile or maybe his dog was extra friendly towards me and my kids, but definitely NOT for political purposes. Seriously, how ignorant can one person be?

On another note relating to Sarah Palin and all the bad press she's getting. Again, I'm not saying one way or another what I think about her. This is just me reacting to the idiots in the press. Sorry for using that word, but there's not a better one that is coming to my mind. Someone said that if she can't control her family, how can she control a country? Does no one remember that not long after Bush took office, both of his underage daughters were caught drinking? Yet, less than 4 years later he was reelected for another term in office? I know I remember but I never thought less of Bush. And I don't think any less of Palin and her family's choices. Maybe her husband has a DUI but she didn't force him to drink and she didn't force him to drive. As far as her 17 year old daughter being pregnant... I know lots of girls that could have been pregnant at that age and some that were. There were even rumors that my high school was going to open a nursery so the drop out rate would be lower. I myself made lots of stupid decisions at that age but does that mean my parents were bad parents? Of course not! My parents are awesome! But at 17, teenagers make their own decisions and there's not really much their parents can do about it. If you're anything like me at that age, the more your parents tried to control you, the more you wanted to rebel. Maybe Bristol was a lot like me at that age. With that said, did the press ever stop to think, "Wait a minute, Obama was born to a teen mother. Should we insult her like we're insulting Sarah and Bristol?" No. No one ever did. And the real shame of it is that I never heard anyone from the Obama campaign speak up on this issue. Shame on them. And shame on the press. And shame on the people who think Palin should have aborted her baby when she found out he had downs syndrome.

Harry Potter vs. Twilight

2008-08-17T03:28:00.003-04:00

I know I'm probably going to make some people angry because the majority of the people who read my blog are obsessed with Twilight but I need to vent...

First and foremost... Cedric Diggory DID NOT become Edward Cullen. If I see one more flair on facebook or one more thread on IMDb about that, I'm going to scream! Robert Pattinson, who plays both characters, happened to be cast in the 2 roles. That's it. End of story. (Although I'm all about the "Accio Edward Cullen" flair... it makes me giggle)

Second, Stephenie Meyer is not the new J.K. Rowling. She has said it herself. Harry Potter appeals to a much larger audience than Twilight. And let's be honest, for those of us who have read all 7 Harry Potter books and all 4 Twilight books, we know that Rowling is the better writer. Whether you like Twilight or Harry Potter better, you can't deny that fact. The Potter books are so well written while the Twilight books leave me wondering if they were even edited at parts.

Third, I know moving the release date of the sixth Harry Potter movie had nothing to do with Twilight's release date. But I think the fact that Twilight being moved to when Harry Potter was supposed to be released has a lot of people wondering. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was supposed to be released November 21, 2008 but has been moved back to July 17, 2009. Twilight was set to be released December 12, 2008 but has been moved forward to November 21, 2008. I'll be honest, I'm not happy about it.

With all that said, I really wish all the Twilight/Harry Potter comparisons would stop. Yes, they're both fantasy books about fictional worlds, but they are completely different! Twilight is mainly a love story while Harry Potter is a good vs evil story.

I love Twilight but Harry Potter will always be my favorite.

PS Facebook flair is basically little circles with pictures and writing on them. People make them so they have just about anything on them.

ChaCha!

2008-08-06T17:50:00.003-04:00

If you don't know what ChaCha is, you're missing out! You can go to their website, chacha.com, call them at 1-800-2ChaCha or you can text them at ChaCha (242242). You can ask them anything you want. Like the night of the Breaking Dawn party, we asked them whether they were Team Edward or Team Jacob. And since real people answer your questions, you get real answers, not something from a computer. Anyway... I decided to be a guide for them because I waste enough time on the internet looking up pointless information so I figured, why not get paid for it? I did the initial test where I had to answer 10 questions and I found out some really interesting, yet pointless things, like a Chinese Checkerboard has 121 holes and Georgetown was the runner up in the 1985 NCAA basketball championship. And did you know that Brazil has the most World Cup championships? Just imagine all the useless information I'm going to fill my head with... I find it exciting!

I need to live under a rock...

2008-08-04T00:37:00.003-04:00

So the past couple of weeks have been ok for me. They haven't been fantastic, but they've been easy enough to live through. But unfortunately things keep going wrong in my friends' lives. Here's a rundown of just a few things that have been happening to my friends... one had her car repossessed because she couldn't make payments on it so now she's out a car. Another friend is having surgery on her foot because her ligaments didn't heal right after a sprain. Last Sunday the basement in the house I'm living in flooded (my part of the basement was untouched... Rebekah had to move upstairs because it was mostly in her room. Half of Andrea's room was flooded but she was able to stay). Another friend was supposed to get married the end of the month but she and her fiance broke things off. And just today Skip Caray (an announcer for the Atlanta Braves) died and another friend's car wouldn't start when the steering wheel locked, locking the ignition. Do yourselves a favor and avoid me like the plague!

Stephenie Meyer, I'm kinda disappointed...

2008-08-04T00:23:00.003-04:00

For all the Twilight fans out there...

DON'T READ UNLESS YOU FINISHED BREAKING DAWN!!!

Friday night, I left with 2 of my roommates and a roommate's coworker at about 10:45 to go to a Breaking Dawn release party. We went to a small bookstore called Frosts Books in the Salt Lake area. It wasn't too exciting but but it was better than going to Barnes and Noble where we probably would have been waiting in line forever! That and there was a radio station there... way too many people for 2 people with social anxiety. Anyway... so we left at about 12:05 after getting our books. I read until 5 in the morning. Slept until about 9. I had a break until about 10:30, then I started reading again. My next break was when my roommates and I ordered pizza and played games. So from about 7:45 to 10 I was doing things with them. Then it was back to Breaking Dawn. At about 2 am this morning, I finished reading. Yes, the book contained the 2 things that I was really hoping for. Well, I guess three. But the last chapter was totally disappointing! I was not happy with the way the book ended. The good thing was that it's totally open to interpretation and there could easily be another book (maybe about the werewolf and the baby... or even Bella and Edward), but unfortunately, Meyer wrote "THE END." That's way too final for me. At least JK Rowling included an epilogue in the final Harry Potter book. And she didn't write "THE END." making it easy for another book to come out. But I think this is the end of Bella and Edward. Don't get me wrong, I love the books and I enjoyed reading them. But Stephenie Meyer, I'm kinda disappointed.

My family!!!

2008-07-23T21:48:00.004-04:00

My family all arrived in Salt Lake on my birthday! It was a great birthday present even if they were here for my cousins wedding. My mom, my sister, aunts Heather and Kerry, and cousin Courtney were here. Niki was here too but she lives in Orem so she didn't have far to travel. So here we all are!

Courtney, Niki, Shannon, and MeDavid and Heatherback row: Kerry, mom, Kelly (David and Courtney's aunt on their dad's side)
front row: Niki, Shannon, David, me, and Courtney

My Cousin's Wedding

2008-07-23T21:39:00.010-04:00

On June 26, my cousin got married. That day seems to be a big day... it's my brother's birthday, a birthday of one of my cousins, and now the anniversary of one of my cousins. Anyways... I thought I would post some pictures... so here they are!

This is the table setting from the family luncheon after the wedding. We set it up the night before (which happened to be my birthday... Happy Birthday to me!)

This is David and Leda coming out of the Salt Lake Temple just after their sealing.

This it the wedding cake from the Reception the evening of the wedding.

"When are you getting married?"

2008-07-23T21:27:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago, my cousin got married. He's about a month younger than me. Actually, his birthday is today. Happy birthday, David! Anyway... I was talking to my dad a couple of days after the wedding (he was unable to come to Utah for the wedding) and he asked me when I'm getting married. What?!?! For those who don't know me that well, I have no desire to get married, at least not anytime in the near future (meaning, like, the next 10 years or so). My roommate gets mad at me whenever I say I'm never getting married, but I don't care. The male population is just stupid. As the song from Mary Poppins goes "Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid." I'm pretty sure that the only man adore is my daddy. And the other males in my family. But overall, I don't like men and at this point in my life, I have no desire to settle down with one.

My new investment

2008-07-23T21:18:00.002-04:00

When I was at work on Sunday, I took the weekly ads home with me to look through them, see if anything jumped out at me. I'm a dork and I love looking through the office supply ads (like Staples and Office Depot). So I was looking through the Office Max ads and found that the SD cards were on sale. The 1 GB was on sale for $15 and the 2 GB was on sale for $20, the cheapest I've ever seen them. So I thought that I would get one for my phone. That way I can have free wallpapers, games, ringtones, etc. Anything I feel like downloading on my computer. So I spent $20 and it's the best $20 I've spent in a long time. I love that I can have whatever I want as my wallpaper, whatever I want as my ringtones.

RIP Cedric

2008-06-17T12:39:00.003-04:00

It was a year ago today that I said goodbye to Cedric the Civic. Here he is at the tow lot. I loved Cedric. I still love Cedric. If I had the money, I would go buy a new Cedric tomorrow (but in stead I'm stuck with Tonks the Toyota). But I don't think anything will ever be able to replace Cedric. He was so loyal, yet gave me so many problems. There was the break in where my registration and insurance cards were stolen (and the lucky thieves also got away with a portable CD player, cell phone and iPod chargers and Il Divo's Christmas CD). Then there was the time I was getting ready to leave for work and the back passenger tire was gone, rim, lug nuts, everything. There was also the time that the battery died and I had to call AAA. I just wanted a jump, but with the tests the guy did, even my dad agreed it was time for a new battery. And then there was the accident. That gave me this bruise on my knee. I still have a weird bump on my knee that wasn't there before the accident. But I deal because I loved Cedric (and it doesn't hurt unless I hit it wrong... which is a daily thing with me...).

So a year ago today, Cedric went to the big car graveyard in the sky where he will forever be missed.

Gas Prices

2008-06-11T18:48:00.003-04:00

I know we all hate the rising gas prices, yet we still all pay a ridiculous amount because most of us don't really have a choice. Public transportation only helps out so much (but for that little bit I'm very grateful). What really got me going the other day was an article in the newspaper.

From the time I left for Georgia to the time I was heading back to Salt Lake, the airlines changed their policy from 2 checked bags to 1. Any more than that, you had to pay. Recently, one carrier started charging for the first bag. Don't the airlines know that you really can't go on vacation without at least one bag?

But that's not what got me. This is what got me. Airlines are considering charging passengers by their weight. You read that right. The opening of the article stuck with me. "Imagine checking in for your flight. There's 2 scales, one for your baggage. The other for you." Even if every person in the world was at a healthy body weight, this isn't fair because tall people would weigh more at their healthy weight. People with children that they are going to share their seats with would then have to pay extra for them. It's things like this that really get to me.

I realize that the economy is going down the crapper, but really? Isn't is about time that the government started to do something about this? People are now spending an average of 20% of their income on gas. 20%! That's ridiculous! But then I'm reminded of the congresswoman who is suing the government for more money because she can't live on $176,000 a year. Obviously the congress has more important matters at hand...

I was told I need to update...

2008-06-11T18:38:00.003-04:00

My mom told me that, but then she left the country. What's that about? But I guess she's right. It's been a month since I've shared anything about my life.

Once again, my mom will be happy with this news... I was accepted into the education part of my major! I will now be getting a degree in History teaching, not just history. I'll also have a minor in theater (which is what I really want to teach but the demand for full time theater teachers just isn't there).

In other news... I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!!!! This is my blog so I'm saying that instead of getting the really exciting news out there that my sister is pregnant. She's about 8 weeks along and I was the first one to find out (other than her husband). I feel so loved. I'll be honest... I'm hoping it's a boy, but I'll still be happy if it's a girl. Either way, baby Olsen (as my sister calls it) can still wear this! That's right, my neice or nephew WILL hate the Yankees and love the Braves and Red Sox. Shannon and Ross have no say in this matter. If you want to know more about baby Olsen, check out the blog my sister made for it... http://finallyfertilemyrtle.blogspot.com/

It's Here!

2008-05-13T00:29:00.003-04:00

And I bought it when I went home. I mentioned before that when I went to the Josh Groban concert last August, that the DVD for the Awake tour was filmed. I waited for months to find out when it was coming out on DVD. Once I found that out, I still had to wait over a month to be able to buy it. And buy it I did! I didn't get to watch the DVD until I got back to Utah, but I listened to the CD. All I could think about was how amazing the show was and that I am one of the crazy screaming fans you can hear in the background. The picture I posted isn't the greatest because it was taken with my phone. As much as I love having the concert on DVD so I can watch it anytime I want, it will never replace the pictures and video I was able to take when I was actually at the concert.

Cutest Baby Ever!

2008-05-13T00:22:00.004-04:00

I may be a little biased, but my best friend had a baby about 3 months ago and I finally got to meet him when I went home! It took me less than .2 seconds to fall in love with him. He's so cute! He loves to watch tv, not kidding. I've never seen a baby pay so much attention to a tv. He has the cutest baby tummy I've ever seen. I just wanted to eat him up!

Pain in my butt...

2008-05-13T00:12:00.004-04:00

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." ~Sean Bean as Boromir in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

What is that, you wonder? And why did I quote Boromir? That is a piece of photo paper, smaller than a pen. It didn't cause so much fear and doubt as it did anger and annoyance. Here's what happened...

When I got home from my trip, I wanted to print out a couple of pictures. I have the fun little photo printer dock for my camera that up until now, I absolutely loved. The photo paper that it uses has edges that you pull off after the picture has printed. Well, this lovely little piece of paper ripped off into my printer! I thought I would just be able to pull it out. But no! I had to take apart the entire printer! And even then, I had to dig out my tweezers. It took me almost an hour to get out this tiny peice of paper. I was not happy. But in happier news, my photo printer now works better than it ever has!

Who says you can't go home?

2008-05-12T23:57:00.004-04:00

I do! Why? Because when I went home, I packed up the rest of the bedroom that I spent over 10 years in. But that aside, I had a great time going home this past week. I got to see my parents, visit with friends, go to a Braves game and make it onto SportsCenter.

My dad and I got front row seats in center field. They were great seats. I would definitely sit there again. As for making it onto SportsCenter... Chipper Jones hit a home run right down the center and the guy who caught the ball was sitting next to us. When the hit was shown on SportsCenter, you could see my dad and I in the background. May not sound that exciting to you, but I think it's very exciting. :)

Medical Terms

2008-04-12T22:37:00.002-04:00

I got this from a coworker and I just had to share. Some are funnier than others...

benign - what you be after you be eight
artery - the study of paintings
bacteria - back door to cafeteria
barium - what doctors do when patients die
cesarean section - a neighborhood in Rome
catscan - searching for kitty
cauterize - made eye contact with her
colic - a sheep dog
coma - a punctuation mark
D&C - where Washington is
dilate - to live long
enema - not a friend
fester - quicker than someone else
node - was aware of
outpatient - a person who has fainted
pap smear - a fatherhood test
pelvis - cousin of Elvis
post operative - a letter carrier
recovery room - place to do upholstery
rectum - darn near killed him
secretion - hiding something
seizure - Roman emperor
tablet - a small table
terminal illness - getting sick at the bus station
tumor - more than one
urine - opposite of you're out
varicose - near by/close by
vein - conceited

Random Thoughts

2008-04-08T00:05:00.004-04:00

I got my computer back today! Yea! It ended up not being the mother board at all. That's what you get from talking to people on the phone that only use a computer at work to answer your questions about your broken computer! Not much help at all. Turns out that the power button was jammed and just had to be reset. I could have done that! Instead I was 2 weeks without my computer. No fun! But now it's back and it's working just great. :)

The other day at work (the retirement home) I went in to a room to wake up a resident so she could get ready for breakfast. This is how the conversation went...

Me - Good morning!
Resident - What the hell do you want?
Me - I was just saying good morning so you can get up for breakfast.
Resident - Oh! Good morning! See you in the dining room.

I guess you had to be there to think it was as funny as I do. That also came just a few days after I was helping another resident in the shower and she told me I was "a hell of a person to be working with old people." She wasn't happy that I was making her take a shower. Once the water turned off she was telling me I had beautiful hair and such a sweet smile.

Baseball

2008-04-07T23:44:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited that baseball season is here! Everyone knows I love the Braves. I just can't help myself. And I also follow the Red Sox. And the Yankees, but only to make sure things aren't going well for them. I still haven't decided who I hate more, the Yankees or Barry Bonds. It's such a close call. Anyway... I can't wait to go home next month and go to a game. There's just something about the atmosphere at Turner Field that I love. It really makes me feel like I'm home. I'm still adjusting to not having Andruw Jones in centerfield. He's always been there! Yes, he's really sucked behind the plate the past few seasons, but it doesn't change the fact that he's one of the best centerfielders that baseball has ever seen. Moving on... even though both of my teams have a losing record as of right now (3-4 for both), the season just started and I'm looking foward to the post season for both the Braves and the Red Sox.

Oh, and a side note. I saw Joe Torre (former Yankees manager) on Jay Leno. I knew he was recruited by and played for the Braves, but because he managed the Yankees for so long, I had to hate him. But he said on Jay Leno that growing up, he hated the Yankees! How great is that?! I really should have been more forgiving before that statement of his management position seeing that Bobby Cox (the Braves manager) used to play for the Yankees. But then again, I love being a fan of the team with the most ejected manager in major league history! :)

It's about time!

2008-04-02T00:58:00.003-04:00

Back in August of last year I saw Josh Groban in concert. Between the opening act and the beginning of his show, it was announced that they were filming for the release of the DVD for his Awake tour. I've been waiting and waiting for the DVD to come out and I finally have a date to look forward to, May 6! I'm so excited. I'll be home in Georgia that day so I'll have to down time to watch it. Yea! I can't wait!

homesick... :(

2008-03-26T00:24:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I got so incredibly homesick. I was out doing errands and it just hit me out of nowhere. I get homesick sometimes, which is totally normal, but this hit me hard and strong. Like, I was ready to pack up my car and start driving east. I don't know if it was the warm weather and the country music I was listening to or what, but I wanted to be in Snellville, Georgia right then. I'm still feeling a little homesick, but I'm going home in about a month and I think that will definitely help. Until then, I have school and 2 jobs to keep me busy.

On a different note... I hate technology. In the past week, 3 things that I have a hard time living without have gone down the crapper. First, my phone. Unless the charger is at a specific angle, it won't charge. Because I can't stand there, holding my phone for 2 hours while I wait for it to charge, I've been using my old phone that's a total piece of crap. No games, no nothing. Only calls and very limited texting. So lame. Second, my iHome is pretty much dead. It still plays my iPod, but it decided to reset itself and when that happened, the clock died. I can no longer reset it, which means I can't set my alarm (and I don't have a sell phone to use either), I can't change the radio station... Basically it plays my iPod. I'm not complaining about that, but I really need the clock. And last but not least... today my computer died. It was working just fine until the power went out. Now it won't turn back on. I called the HP technical support and they brought me through some steps of unplugging and plugging things in. In the end, it was determined that the mother board is to blame. So I am without my computer for a couple of weeks. I only got the computer 7 months ago so unless the mother board has to be replaced, the repairs are covered under the warranty. Yea! FYI, using my roommates computer :)

Blonde Joke

2008-03-23T22:47:00.002-04:00

I got this joke in an e-mail from my mom a couple of weeks ago. I decided I need to share it with everyone.

Bob walked into a sports bar around 9:58 PM. He sat down next to a blonde at the bar and stared up at the TV. The 10:00 PM news was coming on. The news crew was covering a story of a man on a ledge of a large building preparing to jump.

The blonde looked at Bob and said, "Do you think he'll jump?"

Bob says, "You know, I bet he'll jump."

The blonde replied, "Well, I bet he won't."

Bob placed a $20 bill on the bar and said, "You're on!"

Just as the blonde placed her money on the bar, the guy on the ledge did a swan dive off the building, falling to his death.

The blonde was very upset, but willingly handed her $20 to Bob, saying, "Fair's fair. Here's your money."

Bob replied, "I can't take your money, I saw this earlier on the 5 PM news and so I knew he would jump."

The blonde replied, "I did too; but I didn't think he'd do it again."

Bob took the money.

20 Years

2008-03-12T01:08:00.003-04:00

20 years ago today, my brother, Sean, died of cancer. I never really knew him because I wasn't even 3 years old when he passed away. But I love him and I know he's in heaven watching down on me everyday.

A few years ago, I took an English Composition class at Georgia State. One paper we had to write was a reflective paper. I chose to write about Sean. I have kept that paper since I wrote it and I would like to share it. It's a bit long, but I think it's worth the time.

A Fairy Princess
I always dreaded the end of the English semester in high school. It meant that it was time to write the personal essay. Each time I wanted desperately to write about my deceased brother, Sean, but I never could think of how to start my essay or what I should tell my audience about my brother. Because of the way my parents described him to me, I had him on a pedestal. They always talked about how much he loved me and wanted me by his side when he was in the hospital. Whenever he played Atari, he would sit me in his lap. Nothing I wrote ever seemed enough for him. My papers did not do him the justice he deserved from me. If it did, it made me too emotional and tears covered my paper by the time I was finished with the rough draft, so I would pick a different topic. One time I wrote about telling my best friend’s parents that she was experimenting with illegal drugs. Another time I wrote about my first date with my current boyfriend. The topics were interesting for me, and I had no problem writing them; however, I did not have the distance that I needed to write a good, solid essay. I had the distance I needed to write about Sean, but I was not emotionally ready.

A child’s first trip to Disney World is supposed to be the most magical moment in their childhood. I know at the time I went, it was the most magical moment. I was going to meet Mickey Mouse! Looking back, I would give anything for my first trip to have come in seventh grade when I went with my friend Valerie. If that had been my first trip, it would mean that my brother would still be here. I lived in Portland, Maine until I was eight, so the only reason my family was able to go to Disney World was that we went free; well, at the expense of losing my brother, Sean, to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a serious form of cancer, just a couple of months later. The Maine Children’s Cancer Program had a special for families who were struggling with a cancer patient: if you used their services, they promised you a trip Disney World with all expenses covered. The only things families had to pay for were the souvenirs.
I still remember the plane ride to Florida. It was a small plane and seated only about a dozen people; being that I was only two, it was the biggest plane in the world. Sean continuously tried to see out the window, but I kept blocking his view. I wish now that I had let him since I have flown in a window seat several times since going to Disney World. Being so young, it was surprising for my parents that I was not fazed at all that I was thousands of feet in the air. I could see everything out the window. I felt that I was on top of the world. Unfortunately, the plane ride ended a couple hours later, and I was back on the ground.
When I saw Cinderella’s Castle in the distance, I got over the disappointment of being back on the ground. Instead of feeling as if I was on top of the world, I felt like a fairy princess, and that was an even better feeling. My mom pushed me in my stroller through the front gate of Disney World. Sean was by my side in his wheel chair that my dad was pushing. What I felt at that very moment was indescribable. So many emotions filled my head – I was at Disney World and this was where Mickey Mouse lived. I could not have been more excited!
I started to cry as my mom pushed me away from the castle. I cried, pointed, and screamed as loud as I could until my parents got the message – I would not go anywhere until I met Cinderella at Cinderella’s Castle. Against my brother’s wishes (he wanted to go to Thunder Mountain), our first stop became Cinderella’s Castle. She and her castle were so beautiful. I felt like I was in the movie with her as I was pushed through the stone halls.
The next characters I met were Chip and Dale. This was great for Sean because they were his favorite Disney characters. When we stopped to get something to eat, the two chipmunks were at the restaurant. I was as excited as Sean. So many times I sat with him in my grandparents’ living room and watched Chip ‘n’ Dale on TV. Now they were standing in front of us. When they got to the table where I was sitting with my family, I could hardly sit still. My mom finally gave up on trying to keep me seated, so I ran to Dale. He was my favorite of the two because he had a red nose and I had red hair. I gave him a huge hug, and he hugged me back. It was even better then when I met Cinderella. Sean and Shannon, my sister, ran to Chip because he was their favorite. When we sat back down at the table, my mom took pictures to remember the event.
Our next stop was the hotel where we would be staying for the next couple of days. We stayed there for the rest of the day so Sean could rest. Since I was only two, I did not understand why I could not go back to the park to meet more of my favorite Disney stars.
I soon forgot about my self-pity as my mom brought me down to the pool. I felt so big sitting on the side of the pool. My mom forgot to pack floaties for me so I sat there and she held me, but I did not mind. I was swimming without the use of air-filled plastic, and that meant that I was a big girl.
The next day was our trip to the Pirates of the Caribbean. I was so excited. Many times I had watched the Disney sing-a-long video with Sean that had “A Pirate’s Life for Me” on it, and now I was to see it in person. As soon as my little ears heard “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a pirate’s life for me,” a smile came to my face and did not leave the entire time I was on the ride. My mom was surprised, as she thought most two year olds would be terrified of all the pirate paraphernalia. But not me. I was brave because Sean was holding my hand. I loved all the pirates with the black patches over their eyes and the parrots on their shoulders. It was so real to me. As the song played in the cave, Sean sang it in my ear. I was having the time of my life.

Reflecting back on my brother, I realize that none of the above memories is mine. My mother or my father, or even my sister, has told them all to me. No memories of my deceased brother are mine. For so many years I have been told different stories of Sean that I have come to believe that they are my own memories to share, even all the times I have said, “I remember sitting in Sean’s lap while he played Atari…” Those are not my memories.
I do have one vivid memory of Sean. It is not one I share very often, as it is not a happy memory. In my house in Maine, a short hallway consisted of three doors. Straight ahead was the door that led to the bedroom that I shared with my sister. On the right was the door to the closet where my mother stored her clothes. On the left was Sean’s bedroom that became mine after he died. I do not remember what time of day it was or what time of year it was, but I know the room was dark so Sean could sleep. I remember a small amount of light in the room that most likely came from the lamp that was next to his bed. The humidifier was in there, and it was on. I know because I remember the steam rising up in the air. Someone I did not know was sitting in a chair by the bed on which my brother slept. I am assuming that it was a nurse. The bed was right in front of the door so Sean could be reached easily if he needed assistance. I was standing outside in the hall. Although I know someone was there with me, I do not know who it was. Whether it was a neighbor, my sister, a parent, or a relative, I honestly could not tell you. I do not know if Sean was actually sleeping or if he had already passed on. I only have that very vivid picture painted in my mind to know that Sean Kenneth Regan was a real person who lived to be only seven years old.
For my own sake of wanting closure, I wish that he had already passed on. It sounds selfish and cruel, but he was so sick. Looking at pictures, he had no hair, he had gained so much weight from his chemotherapy treatments and medicines, and he was very pale. The doctors thought that he was going to pass away in the summer of 1987 but he did not until March of 1988. Living for eight more months made him even sicker. If I knew for a fact that Sean had already died, that would mean that I was with him when he took his last few breaths. If he really loved me as much as my parents have told me, then I would have the closure I need from that part of my life knowing that I was by his side when he passed on.

Across the Universe

2008-02-28T18:57:00.003-05:00

I wasn't going to blog about this musical movie, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that I am absolutely in love with it! You have to approach it with an open mind, otherwise you'll be completely disappointed. It's the story of Jude (Jim Sturgess) who leaves England to go to America to meet his biological father during the Vietnam War. While he's there, he meets Max (Joe Anderson), a student at Princeton. They fast become friends. Over Thanksgiving, Jude goes home with Max to celebrate. During this time, Jude meets Max's sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). While at home, Max decides to drop out of school then he and Jude move to New York. Because he's no longer in school, Max gets drafted into the army. Jude and Lucy have started dating. Things start to get complicated when Lucy starts going to anti-war rallies to protest the war, and Jude stays home to works on his art as his way of protesting. Throughout all of this is the amazing music of the Beatles (I hope you picked up on that from the names of the characters [Hey, Jude, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Maxwell's Silver Hammer]). The soundtrack is just incredible! All the leads have great voices plus smaller parts played by people who made it in the business by being singers. There's small bit roles played by the amazing Bono, Joe Cocker, Salma Hayek and Eddie Izzard.

But like I said, watch it with an open mind. The late 60s and 70s are known for being a bit out there and there are parts of this movie that are definitely out there. It's mostly the part with Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite while singing "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite." There's a line in the song about blue people and there are blue people in the movie. It reminded me a lot of a Tim Burton movie at the point (think Big Fish). But also be aware that it is rated PG-13 for good reason - there is nudity, language, sex, drugs, and of course the violence seen during the war scene.

On a different note, I really want to pick Paul McCartney's brain about this movie. My number one question: "Is that what John and you saw while writing "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite"?"

I now present...

2008-02-28T18:41:00.008-05:00

My mom has been begging me for months to post pictures of my room. She visited me in October, just after I moved into the house. However, not long after that, I decided my room needed a makeover. So for under $100, my room looks brand new and I love it! The colors are black and white. I'm lucky that the walls in my room were already painted grey so everything fits together so nicely! :)

Here is a view of the bookshelf I bought at Big Lots. It was on sale for $25. It has more shelves than the bookshelf I had before so I can actually fit all my books on it and then some.

And here's my bed with the new bedding. I bought it at Ikea (love that store!) for $30. The comforter is actually just a quilt cover and for $40 more, I can buy the quilt that was made for it, but for now I'll stick to putting my old comforter in it instead. As for the curtains, I bought that fabric during Halloween so it's way cheap cotume fabric. For the fabric and the 2 curtain rods, I spend about $25. (Yes, mom, I do open the curtains to let in the sun light :) )

This dresser is new to me, but it actually belonged to one of my roommates. I hang up the majority of my clothes so I didn't really need the big dresser I had. As for my roommate, she has started using shelves on her bookshelf to keep her clothes. So, we traded dressers. It was actually a cream color that I painted white. The paint cost about $5 at Wal-Mart. And yes, my bedroom is right off the living room. The brown door seen in the pictures of the living room is the door to my room.

If I did my calculations right (which I probably didn't), I spent around $85 to give my room a makeover. And I think it's just perfect!

Stolen From My Sister...

2008-02-24T18:59:00.011-05:00

Take the topic, type it into google image search and post the first picture that comes up!

Occupation (care giver)

Favorite Food (chicken and rice)

A hobby (singing)

Favorite Animal (tiger)

A Favorite Place (Ireland)

Where I Live (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Favorite Holiday (St. Patrick's Day)

College Major (Theater)

(History)

Age I'll Be Next Birthday (23)

Birthday Month (June - I'm leaving this one blank... the first page was all women in bikinis)

Place I Want to Visit (a movie set)

Dear Frankie

2008-02-17T19:59:00.004-05:00

Dear Frankie is such a great movie! I watched it a couple of days ago and was very impressed. For the females, there's Gerard Butler. For the males, there's Emily Mortimer. For everybody, the little kid who plays Frankie is adorable and does a fantastic job as a 9-year-old de(a)f boy (once you watch the movie, the parentheses will make sense). It's rated PG-13 for language. And by language, they mean brief strong language. Everything about this movie could appear on TV unedited except for the hostpital scene where the f-bomb is dropped. It was unnecessary to be said, but the scene is very important to understand the character of Lizzie. And there I go analyzing characters. Dang devoting my life to theater! I can't even recommend a movie without ripping it apart.

And that so reminds me... Friday night on CBS, Celine Dion had a concert. I watched it because I knew Josh Groban would be singing with her and I was so curious. For those of you who don't know, when Josh was just 17 and didn't even have a record contract yet, he replaced Andrea Bocelli at rehearsals for the Grammys. The song he sang was "The Prayer." Such a beautiful song. Anyway... Celine Dion recorded it with Andrea Bocelli. Josh Groban recorded it with Charlotte Church. I've always wanted to hear Celine and Josh sing it together and that opportunity came on Friday night. But did I get to enjoy it? No! At least not in a way that I should have. Why? Because of theater! Both of them were using their downstage hands to hold their microphones, blocking off their bodies. A huge no-no in theater. So as they're singing, that is the only thing I can focus on. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Good thing they did a studio recording that will be released so I can actually enjoy it the way I want to.

And that's my ranting and raving and recommendations for the day. :)

Ode to Maxine

2008-02-17T19:52:00.002-05:00

For those of you who don't know, Maxine is a cartoon that tells us like it is. For example, the cartoon for the day on my calendar is a picture of her in her car with a quote that says, "I can't use a cell phone in the car. I have to keep my hands free for making gestures." Well, Maxine made my day the other day (it was Valentine's Day...). For the 21st time in my life, I was alone without a valentine on Valentine's Day. But Maxine made that a-okay. Why? The cartoon for the day said, "It's Valentine's Day for all of you romantics. For me, it's the day before chocolate goes on sale." Amen, Maxine!

To find out more about my favorite cartoon, you can visit her at maxine.com.

The Three Minute Miracle

2008-02-17T19:40:00.003-05:00

It actually works! So what am I talking about? Let me tell you!

I have dry hair. When I moved to Utah, it got even drier. And with the winter months lacking any humidity whatsoever, there is absolutely no moisture in my hair. I'm always on the look out for deep conditioning treatments that don't require me to go to a salon and spend 20 bucks. So, the other day (and by the other day, I mean about 2 weeks ago) I was at Wal-Mart looking to see if there was anything new to try. And that is when I found Aussie 3 Minute Miracle. I have never been so impressed with my hair. It was so soft and pretty! And it really only took 3 minutes to work. The best part? It was only about $4. Plus, it's not just for one treatment. I'll probably get about 10 treatments out of the bottle. It all depends on how much hair you have.

And this is my three minute miracle moment :)

I can't sleep...

2008-02-05T23:42:00.001-05:00

I'm usually in bed by now. I work at 6 in the morning and I like to get as much sleep as possible. But for some reason, the past few nights, sleep has been impossible to come by. I toss and turn. I read. I play games on my phone. Then I toss and turn some mose. Then when I finally get to that deep sleep where you get to dream, my alarm goes off. I just don't get it. Nothing has changed dramatically in my life. School is the same. Work is the same. Family is the same. Friends are the same. Not to say that my life is the same day after day. But nothing extremely unusual has happened. Maybe it's the piano. That's been the only big change in my life. But shouldn't that be for the better? I like to play when I'm stressed or I need a break from homework. So I doubt it's the piano. And it can't be the flat tire I got yesterday. The lack of sleeping thing started before that. Oh yeah. The flat tire thing. Things were going too well in my life (besides the whole sleep thing). Something like a flat tire had to happen, right? And what good is AAA when they can't come change your flat for 3 hours! For the record, I know how to change a tire. My daddy taught me well. But this particular tire had been flat before and I'm pretty sure that when it was fixed, the mechanics used an air gun, or whatever it is called, to put the lug nuts back on. I could not get those things to budge! Luckily, I'm in a totally fabulous ward and a guy from it came to change my tire for me . :) Anyway, back to not sleeping... if anyone knows of any secrets that will help me get to sleep so I'm not wishing every minute of everyday that I'm not at home that I could be so I could just fall into my bed, let me know. Thanks. And good night! :)

I'm procrastinating. Can't you tell?

2008-02-02T21:50:00.002-05:00

How well do you know me?

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I've been told that my mom got the name Caitlin from the A Team. And Rebecca is from the Bible, even if it isn't spelled right
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I teared up while listening to "Teardrops on my Guitar" by Taylor Swift today. But the last time I really cried was a while ago
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? sometimes
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? nope but I hope to some day
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? uh, yeah. I'm pretty dang cool!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? never!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? sure do. I think that's the one thing I've never had problems with...
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? sure would
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? honey bunches of oats
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no, that's a waste of time
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? sometimes but not really
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? mint cookies and cream
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? clothes
15. RED OR PINK? definitely pink
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? the scar up the back of my neck. it's not entered... it makes me feel lopsided.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? right now there's someone that I can't stop thinking about and I really miss him... but I always miss my family. They're all way too far away.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? sure
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? pink pajama pants and pink slippers with hearts
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? italian chicken and rice
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Kristin Chenoweth "My New Philosophy" from You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? cerlean
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? lilac and vanilla
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? I just got off the phone with Chemaine
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? no one sent it to me. I got it from my cousin's blog. of course I like her! in fact, I love her!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Braves Baseball!!!!!!!!!!
27. HAIR COLOR? red
28. EYE COLOR? blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yes, much better than glasses
30. FAVORITE FOOD? chicken... yummy!
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? both... scary movies make me laugh and happy endings make me smile so both are good :)
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Speak, though I watched bits and pieces of Practical Magic this afternoon
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? fall
35. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? maybe my sister...
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Kmost everyone who reads my blog
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Vampire Diaries... If you've read the Twilight books by Stephanie Meyer, you'll also like this. Very, very good.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? a beach scene
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT? don't really watch tv
42. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SOUND? Josh Groban singing and children laughing
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? definitely the Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Ireland
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I love to sing! and play the piano and act on stage
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Portland, Maine
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? everyone who responds :)

Side note on atheists...

2008-02-02T21:42:00.000-05:00

I posted a blog about atheists a few weeks ago. My friend told me to listen to a comedian's take on atheists. His response to the majority of my questions... "Uh, when you die, nothing happens..." At least that's what they believe. They're in for a big surprise :)

2008-02-02T21:31:00.000-05:00

The kitchen! I'm so in love with it! It's just so beautiful and sleek!

And here's my baby! We fell in love yesterday. I played for almost 2 hours straight! It was so wonderful and stress relieving. I should have bought him before. Mom, I'll be calling to get you to send some music from home :)

living room

2008-01-31T19:45:00.000-05:00

As I've been promising my mom, I'm finally posting pictures of my wonderful house that I've been living in for the past 4 months. This is our living room! The couch came from a coworker of Jessica E. The corner couch came from some friends. The huge TV came from Chemaine's dad. The pictures on the wall are of all of us (except Chemaine...she didn't live with us yet) and they have something to do with us. Jessica A loves shoes. Jessica E loves film (that's a movie reel in case you couldn't tell). I love theater (comedy and tragedy are in the corners although you can't see them). And Jessica S. loves art and reading. And as of tomorrow, where the random white shelf is located will be a beautiful new black paino that I'm renting :) I'm so excited!!!!! I'll definitely post a picture of that when it arrives. More pictures to come... oh, and let me know what you think of my new profile picture... :)

facebook

2008-01-08T18:17:00.001-05:00

When I first joined facebook about 3 years ago, it was strictly for college students and I LOVED that about it. It wasn't anything like myspace where anyone can join and look at your profile and things like that. Well, within the past year or so, facebook has become WORSE than myspace. "How is that possible?" you ask. It's simple. It started when facebook opened up to high schoolers. Now, I realize that at high school age, people are figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their lives. At least that's what I thought. But no, they are incredibly disrespectful, dress like pimps and sluts, and act like they own the world. (side note, I really hope and pray that I was nothing like that.)

Moving on... After facebook opened up to high schoolers, it opened up to everyone. It was no longer a college thing. It is an everyone thing. And I can't stand it. It's become like facebook where everyone has to see how many friends they have and if they can't beat their friends at that number. I'll be that first to admit that I have close to 300 friends on myspace, but they are people I have known at some point in my life and I have actually TALKED to them at some point, even if it was just briefly. And I'm pretty sure it's the same on myspace (with the exception of my one true love, Josh Groban).

And now there's all these ridiculous applications you can add. What happened to posting pictures and sending messages and posting on your friends' walls? I constanly have new super pokes, new quizzes to take (I do admit that I enjoy those), new whatever requests. I CAN'T STAND IT!!!!! When I logged on today, I was this close to deleting my account, but I knew that would cause me to lose touch with some people. And the worst part is, when you decide, hey, this application looks fun, I think I'll add it; you have to invite a minimum of 15-20 people before you can even look at it! What if it totally sucks? Is it my obligation to go back and say sorry to all the people I was forced to tell about this retched thing?

What I'm trying to say is... I want the original facebook back. When it first started to change, there were hundreds of groups on it that wanted the old facebook back. Well, I'm here to say that my facebook page will be as close to the original with exception of a few applications that I actually enjoy.

End note: I wrote this in a small rage and in a hurry, so I apologize for anything that doesn't make sense and any grammatical and spelling errors.

chivalry is dead

2008-01-05T23:43:00.001-05:00

I said I would be blogging more and I will keep that promise. Unfortunately, there isn't much to blog about. Therefore, I'm going to repost a blog that I wrote on my myspace. It was my sister's idea so if you don't like it, blame her :)

"Would you like my seat?" the old man with the cane asked me as I boarded the train.

"No thank you. I can stand," I replied.
As I walked down the aisle to stand in the middle part of the car, I could see the looks from the other men who didn't offer me their seats. The men in their suit coats and ties, briefcase at their feet. The men in their University of Utah apparel, backpack in their lap. It was at this point that I realized that chivalry is, in fact, dead!

When was the last time someone under the age of 50 offered me their seat or opened a door for me? I don't know if I can answer that. Not because I don't remember but because I don't think it has ever happened.

The other day, there was an old woman getting off the train. None of the men getting off offered to help her down, they just exited on the other side. Who stopped? The old man who was moving just as slow as she was. Were they married? No. How do I know this? They went off in opposite directions.

What is the world coming to that we can't take 5 seconds out of our day to stop and help the old woman off the train, keep a door open for someone who is entering or exiting, offer someone your seat? The more I reflect on it, the more depressed I become.

And that is my blog for today!

a new year has come

2008-01-02T19:15:00.001-05:00

This blog is going to be short and sweet. My computer won't connect to the internet so I'm borrowing my roommate's for a few minutes. I went home for Christmas and it was a lot of fun. It was also a very nice break from both school and work. Plus I got to watch all the CSI I wanted :)

Well, it's a new year. I'm going to be better about blogging. And I'll post pictures once my computer decides to cooperate. But for now, I'm just working. I start back to school on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it because I'm taking a musical theater class. I can't wait!

i've been slacking

2007-12-05T22:13:00.001-05:00

I know it's been a while but I think part of me was waiting for a medical drama. I mean, really, I can't go more than 2 or 3 posts without mentioning one. And as my sister said when I called to tell her what was going on... "It's about time. It's been a while since you had some sort of medical crisis." And so, here's the latest.

I went to bed just after 9 on Monday night. 9 is my goal because I wake up around 5 to go to work. Anyway... about 2:15 in the morning, I wake up for 2 reasons. The first, my bladder feels like it's about to burst (sorry, TMI). And second, I have an extremely painful stabbing pain in my lower right abdomen. Of course my first thought is my appendix. So I try to ignore the pain and I go to the bathroom. By the time I hobble back to my bed, I'm on the verge of tears. I grabbed my phone and called my roommates until one of them answered. Schorzman (3 of my 4 roommates are named Jessica so I'm using last names), answered and she came upstairs to be with me while I dealt with the pain. After about 15 minutes of sobbing and crying out in pain, she called 911. By now it's after 3 AM. When I get to the hospital, the doctor and nurse both think it's my appendix. They took a blood sample and a urine sample. Then the nurse put an IV in my arm and gave me 2 doses of morphine. I still hurt but I couldn't have cared less... until radiology came to take me to have a CT scan. Sitting up was the most painful experience of my life (and this coming from someone who has had brain surgery...I think this only leaves child birth pain...)! The good news: it wasn't my appendix. The bad news: I have kidney stones. Oh my gosh! If you have not experienced the pain of kidney stones, start praying that you never do. I couldn't even keep my eyes open because of the pain. It was making the lights way too bright. I was so grateful when Pam (my nurse) got me comfortable and was able to turn out the lights. It was so nice... and having a day off of both school and work and not having any guilt about it is a great feeling too. :)

On a happier note, Friday is my last day of classes then I just have finals! I'm so looking forward to being done. Mostly because it means I'm going home for Christmas and when I get back, I'm taking a musical theater class! I can't wait!

I also did something good for myself. I joined Curves for Women on Monday. Needless to say, I didn't get my first work out on Tuesday. And today I only did half the workout. I thought doing the whole workout after being in the hospital would be too much for my body. I'm feeling really good from the workout. But then again, we'll see how I'm feeling tomorrow :)

Atheists

2007-11-07T21:59:00.001-05:00

I saw a preview for The Golden Compass which causing a lot of controversy because supposedly the children overpower God and kill Him or something like that. I don't know the whole story (the preview didn't look that good so I'm not too worried about it).

So the author of the book (Philip Pullman) that this movie is based on is an atheist. A quote that I found on his official website states, "I see no evidence for his existence, but of course that's not to say that he doesn't exist; I simply haven come across any yet. Furthermore, in my view, belief in God seems to be a very good excuse, on the part of those who claim to believe, for doing many wicked things that they wouldn't feel justified in doing without such a belief." That proves that he's an atheist but I'm still wondering about that last part. Does anyone want to clarify for me?

Dictionary.com defines an atheist as a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings. That got me to thinking...

Is it an insult if an atheist says to you "Go to hell?" or "Damn you." Because chances are if you don't believe in God, you don't believe in the devil so Hell doesn't exist and there is no God to damn you.

What does an atheist say if you sneeze? Even if they just say "Bless you" instead of "God bless you," they believe there's no God to bless you; and people would just think the person was rude if they didn't say anything.

What about the phrase "Oh my God." They don't believe in a higher being so what do they say instead? And do they ever say things like "Thank the Lord" or "Thank God"?

Why do so many atheists dislike C.S. Lewis? My guess is because Lewis converted to Christianity after many years of being an atheist. It couldn't possibly be because of the parallels in The Chronicles of Narnia to the life of Christ because atheists don't believe in Christ therefore they can't be upset about a book based on purely on Lewis's imagination as far as they know. Right?

This isn't just me venting about how ignorant I find some atheists to be when it comes to Christianity. I am actually very curious. My beliefs are based on the fact that I believe in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with all my being. I want to know what atheists base their beliefs on so I can better understand them. As for wanting proof that God exists, I will quote a line from a movie I love... "It's like the wind. You can't see it but you can feel it."

based on the action figures

2007-10-30T18:45:00.001-04:00

I recently decided to watch Transformers after everyone I know that had seen it said it was so good! One of my roommates bought it so I watched it. For being based on a kids' toy, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The language was very minimal, there was no sex (although there was a very funny line about it that I'll get to in a minute) and the viloence was all between robots. So there was no blood, only lubrication. So the funny line (not that there was just one... Shia LaBeouf knows how to make an audience laugh)... one of the autobots says to the head autobot, "The boy's pheromone levels suggest he wants to mate with the female." I about lost it! It's probably a lot funnier in context of the movie, but wow! I had a good belly laugh :) And one of the best part of the movie is when one of the autobots... well, here's the conversation...

Autobot: You have a rodent infestation.
Sam: A what?
Autobot: (aiming at "rodent") Shall I terminate?
Sam: No! No! This is a chihuahua. We love chihuahuas.
Autobot: He's leaked lubricants all over my foot! Hmmph!
Sam: He peed on you? Bad Mojo! Bad!
Autobot: Bad Mojo! Ugh, my foot's gonna rust...

A chihuahua as a rodent makes me so happy! I'm pretty sure they're more closely related to rodents than dogs...

Anyway... it's a very good movie. I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance to watch it. The acting is very good. The direction is great. And the special effects are awesome!

stupid people

2007-10-16T20:15:00.001-04:00

We are all entitled to the occasional "blonde moment" but sometimes, people just do something so stupid that I have to categorize them as stupid people. I was going to try and be creative and so some sort of "Here's your sign" thing that Bill Engvall does but my creativce juices just aren't flowing today. So here are my stupid people...

1. Yesterday I went to get an oil change. The mileage on my car was 129,525. My next recommended oil change was for 128, 525 miles. No, that is not a typo. That's what the sticker in my window says. My friend suggested that I drive backwards to my next oil change to see if that helps. I told my mom I was going to roll back the odometer and hope I don't get caught! Seriously, how stupid can you be?

2. Today at work, I'm listening to the radio while I'm making beds. I hear that the police are still on the look out for a convicted killer. My first thought was "Oh great, someone else has escaped. Last time that happened, the 2 guys were featured on America's Most Wanted the night they were captured." But then the story continued. The guy was RELEASED, as in he walked freely out of the jail he was in. Why, you ask. A PAPER WORK ERROR!!!!! The guy is in jail on 2 armed robbery charges and one murder charge. Do the paper work people not triple, even quadruple, check these things? Seriously, how stupid can you be?

the psycho

2007-10-16T12:49:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned in my last blog, I was in another car accident but that damage was very minor. Little did I know that it was cause a crazy man to come after me! The accident happened on a Monday while I was driving to the same Wal-Mart that I was driving to during my first accident. I few days later, I go out to my car and there's a post it note that says, "You backed up into my truck and broke my tail light." Then there was a phone number and apartment number (#440 of the Citifront apartments for anyone who isn't as nice as I am... hehe). Anyway. I didn't do it, so I take the post it and throw it away. Two days later there is a knock on my apartment door. A scary man covered in tattoos and piercings asks if anyone drives a burgandy Camry (had I answered the door, I would have responded with a no because legally it is considered maroon). I know it's the guy accusing me of hitting his truck because earlier, one of the assistant managers came to talk to me. I told her about the note, my car accident, and that I didn't do it. I even offered to show her the insurance information and give her the name and number of the woman who hit me. Lisa, the assistant manager, said she believed me and went on her way.

So psycho man tells me that he has his truck lined up with my car and he wants me to come look at it. I don't want to get into it with him so I'm just like fine, whatever. So he shows me exactly what I did to his truck and my car. My favorite part was when he told me that there was paint from my car on his truck but it wasn't there anymore...idiot. Like I'm going to fall for that. Another part I really liked was when he pointed out the burn mark on my car. I must have really floored it backing out of the space the cause a burn mark! But how do I have one and he doesn't? Any mechanics or car repair people out there, please let me know because pyscho claimed to be a mechanic yet he couldn't explain it.

The psycho man is completely rude to me. I tell him I didn't hit him and he accused me of lying! Excuse me?! Who are you to accuse me of that? Also while he's trying to get me to admit that I hit his car, he says, "We all do stupid things. I'm 44 years old. I've done a lot of stupid s*** in my life." Again... excuse me? Who says I'm not offended by that kind of language? I'm not because I hear it daily at work but he doesn't know that! So I cried for a good 3 hours. I'm upset about the way he talked to me, that he accused me of something I didn't do and I now feel unsafe where I live because some lunatic is going around knocking on doors becaue he wants someone to pay for his $169 tail light! Creep...

So, ever since the day, creepy man (I should mention at this point that I don't actually know his real name and that's why I'm sticking to his nicknames) showed up at my door, I've been afraid that one morning I'm going to leave to go to work and something is going to be wrong with my car. Exactly one week after I was accused of backing into psycho's truck, I got out to my car and my tail light is SHATTERED! We're not just talking someone backed into me. We're talking took a hammer or baseball bat to it.

The first picture is of my tail light. The second is of the actual tail light shattered on the ground. So is it ok that I've been calling the lunatic "Psycho man?" I hope so!

It's been FOREVER!!!

2007-10-15T17:06:00.001-04:00

I didn't have a single post in August or September and I apologize. My only internet access was my roommates computer or the campus computers. But my time on both were very limited. But as of today, I have a functioning computer and wireless internet so you can start counting on updates more frequently :)

Anyway, I have recently moved into a house with my 4 roommates. We love it! It was built in 1945 to help with all the soldiers returning from the war. The upstairs is all hardwood floors except for the bathroom and kitchen which are tiled. My room is off the living room. There is one other bedroom upstairs. Downstairs is carpeted. There is one bedroom and a huge room which would probably be a family/rec room if other people lived here. But we turned it into 2 bedrooms. There is 2 storage closets downstairs along with another full bathroom and a laundry room. All the walls are painted different colors (the upstairs is mostly grey). I'll take some pictures once we finish getting everything unpacked (we've only been here 2 weeks) and post them.

In case you're wondering, after my contract was up at Mountain Shadows in June, I moved into another apartment with my current roommates. The apartments looked so nice online! And the model apartments we were shown were beautiful. But then we got up to the 4th floor (where we lived) and it was disgusting! We literally felt like we were living in a roach motel. The only good thing about the apartment was the high ceilings (but then it made it hard to change light bulbs and smoke alarm batteries). Needless to say, we all wanted out. We talked with management and were able to get out of our contract. We began looking for places to live and found our current house on craigslist. We love it so much! And we're all decorated for Halloween! :)

Other than that, my life has just been school and work, work and school. I was in another car accident, but the damage was very minor, a cracked tail light and some paint transfer. That reminds me! But I'll save it for a different post. I need to share my story about the crazy psycho man from my previous apartment complex. That and my fall break this past week when my mom flew into Salt Lake then we drove to Oregon to see my sister and brother-in-law!

definitely time for an update

2007-07-18T14:09:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting on campus working on an independent study class. I got bored so I decided it was time to come into the computer lab and give an update on my life... not that there's much to report. My life has been pretty dull since my car accident a little over a month ago. My knee still really hurts but I think its slowly getting better :) Other than that, life is the same old, same old. Just work and school, school and work. I'll be going home in a little less than a month and I can't wait! I'm so excited to be going home. I haven't been there since Christmas. Plus, my best friend is getting married and I'm going to be a bride's maid! I haven't actually seen the dress but I've been told it's long and pink, hopefully not a pale pink as it would blend right in with me. Both my friend and her maid of honor have told me that it's a really pretty dress, not one of those ugly ones that every female dreads when asked to be a bride's maid. I think that's pretty much it for my life right now. Time to get back to my studying...

i have the worst luck

2007-06-27T14:21:00.001-04:00

I always thought that I had the worst luck then my sister just said it for me. I never had allergies in my life before moving to Utah. On Father's Day, they got really bad. I always thought it was OK to break the Sabbath if you're going to buy medicine or some type of first aid thing. I decide to go to Wal-Mart because medicine is way too expensive at a gas station or grocery store. So I get in my car and I'm heading to Wal-Mart to buy something for my allergies. I'm driving along I have a green light. The car in front of me went through. I'm still going. CRASH! A woman talking on her cell phone, not paying attention, runs the red light and hits me, right into my door. (side note... at the time I was worried about her. I hoped she wasn't hurt. But now when I think about it, it ticks me off! The woman didn't speak English and she's driving around with a Mexico license! I hope the cop wrote her a ticket for that too).

Anyway... I'm freaking out. I can't get out of my car on my side because that's where I was hit. I have blood gushing out of my arm where I got cut. My leg is throbbing and I'm having to climb out the passenger side door. I was not happy. Luckily, the guy and his wife that were in the car behind me got out to help me. And the woman in the car behind the woman that hit me helped too. I'm kind of walking around in a daze when they all suggest that I sit down, so I did. Shelley, the woman behind the other driver, started to help me bandage up my cuts (props to my parents for telling me to keep a first aid kit in my car!). Jose, the guy behind me, told me that his wife had called the police and they were on their way. Another woman, I didn't get her name, came out of her house (she lived at the intersection) and came over to see if I needed anything. I asked for some water and she brought me some. Shelley asked me if there was anyone I wanted to call, like my parents. I knew I had to call them eventually, but they're in Georgia! What would they have done? About 30 seconds later my dad called. I answered with, "Good timing. I was just in an accident." We talked for a second then a fire truck and ambulance showed up. The paramedics talked to me, got my information and medical history, and asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital. Because of my surgery last year, I said yes. They called the hospital to tell them we were coming and they insisted that I be put in a C-spine (that's when you have on the neck brace and you're completely strapped down and its so uncomfortable!).

Long story short... I'm OK. Just lots of bruising and cuts and sore muscles. I got some really good drugs out of it - oxycodone. That's what I was on after my brain surgery and it's my favorite :)

But all of this happens just as I'm getting ready to move. I was going to move on the 20th and the accident happened on the 17th. How am I supposed to move when I can barely walk? Luckily my dad was able to come out and help me move and find a new car.

On top of all of that... On the 15th, Dr. Lewis gave me the all go for my eye. The infection was gone (but it left a scar) and I could wear contacts again. I woke up Friday morning with a red puffy eye. Why me? Maybe God has something really good in store for me in the next couple of months...

i miss having a computer

2007-06-13T17:23:00.001-04:00

Hopefully by the end of the summer I will have saved up enough money to buy a new computer and be able to pay someone to get my life off the hard drive of my other computer :)

My eye is slowly getting better. I'm going back to see Dr. Lewis on Friday. Hopefully this will be the last time!

now that i have more time

2007-06-07T17:11:00.001-04:00

I'm on a computer at school wasting time before my class. Besides my eye, there's not really much to update on. Lots of work and a little bit of school. The Special Olympics are this weekend. The time that I spent there today was useless. None of the ladies that I work with participated in anything. Hopefully tomorrow they will. Otherwise, I'll be upset. It's no fun to go to practice every Saturday morning just to sit around and not get to see the results of my hard work :)

More on my eye... I can't remember the exact details that I included in my last post so here's the dirty details. Last Tuesday started as a regular day. I got up. I got ready. I went to work. About an hour and a half into work (around 7:30 am), my left eye really started bothering me. I thought it was probably just my contact bothering me because of my allergies, so I took it out and went about my business. When I got back from bringing the ladies to work (about 9:30), my eye was still bothering me. At that point, I knew it wasn't my contact or my allergies, but I didn't think anything of it. I stayed at work until about 11:30 when the pain just became unbearable. Since it was technically my day off, I told my boss I was going home. I went home and laid down, hoping that when I woke up my eye would be better. No such luck. If anything, it was worse. The light that was coming in through my blinds was too much light for my eyes, so I didn't bother turning any lights on in the apartment. The light from my cell phone made my eye water when I opened it to make a call. I called my mom to see if I should go see a doctor. By the time I talked to her and found someone to take me, I knew my only option would be to go to the ER. So my friend Aimee brought me. After hanging around the ER for about 3 hours, I found out that I had a corneal abrasion. The doctor gave me a tetanus shot, put some numbing drops in my eye, gave me a cream to put on my eye 3 times a day and sent me on my way. He said I should be better within 24-48 hours and to follow up with my regular doctor within a week.

My eye feels completely better, but I got the feeling that I should go to the doctor. So I called yesterday morning and they had a cancellation for 2:30 in the afternoon. So I made my way down to Provo to see him. And it's a good thing I did. The cut is still on my eye. There's a certain bacteria that causes white rings around cuts and if and when it spreads, it causes you to go blind. Just as my luck would have it, there is a white ring around my cut. The doctor gave me a new prescription for eye drops and told me to continue the cream on my eye. No contacts for at least another week! Good thing I decided I was due for some new glasses when I went to see the doctor last month! I go back to see my doctor (his name is Dr. Lewis... for future entries) on Saturday morning. Hopefully things will be looking better! As someone once said to my mom, when my family does medical issues, we make sure we do them to the extreme!

sorry for no update

2007-06-06T20:50:00.001-04:00

My computer died last week so that's why no updates. I'm on a friend's computer so this will be quick. Last week I got a cut on my left eye last week. It's supposed to heal with in 24 hours, but mine didn't. I went to the eye doctor today and I found out that I have an infection and if it doesn't get better, I could lose the sight in my eye. So please keep me in your thoughts in prayers. Thanks!

top 5 dream roles

2007-05-25T20:07:00.001-04:00

I was sitting in class Wednesday night and I started thinking about dream roles. This is what I came up with...

1. Maria in The Sound of Music. Everyone loves The Sound of Music, especially me! My favorite song to sing is "I Have Confidence." Can you imagine the rush you would feel singing that on stage?
2. Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. From the day I hit the top note in "The Phantom of the Opera," I have wanted to be Christine on stage.
3. Elphaba in Wicked. Great character and I like the thought of being covered in green body paint :)
4. Eponine in Les Miserables. I like her character the best and I express myself better through music so being in an opera would be perfect for me!
5. Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde. "Someone Like You" is such a great song and I love to sing it. Plus, I love the show.

random questions...

2007-05-20T17:02:00.001-04:00

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I've always been told that my mom got the idea from an actress on the A-Team and Rebecca came from the Bible...

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? last night

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? sometimes

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? nope

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course! I'm just that cool!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? ha ha, oh yeah!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? yes! even though I'm terrified of heights...

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Frosted Mini Wheats

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES or JUST TAKE THEM OFF? take 'em off

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? not really

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? mint cookies and cream... yummy!

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? hair and clothing style

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? green!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? either my weight or my smile

17. WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST? not having a care in the world

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? It's just a blog...

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? jeans and no shoes

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? applesauce

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? the hum of the air conditioner

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Radical Red

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Angel's Heavenly from Victoria's Secret

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my sister

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I got this off my sister's blog and I happen to like her a whole bunch! :)

27. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? baseball! especially when I'm at Turner Field :)

28. HAIR COLOR? red

29. EYE COLOR? blue

30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yes

31. FAVORITE FOOD? chicken... yummy!

32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? both. Scary movies usually make me laugh and if it makes me laugh, it probably has a happy ending!

33. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Ocean's 12

34. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? blue with a pink flower

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? fall

36. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? vanilla ice cream on a warm brownie

38. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? dunno

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? everyone

40. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? nothing currently but i read "Arthur Goes to School" at work on Friday

41.WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? a beach scene

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Sweet Home Alabama was on when I left work

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Josh Groban and kids laughing

44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

45. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Ireland

46. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? um... I sing... does that count?

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Portland, Maine

48. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? no one

49. DO YOU HAVE ANY GRANDCHILDREN? no... and since I don't have any kids that answer won't change for a long long long time!

50. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Salt Lake City

grades

2007-05-14T22:08:00.001-04:00

I just checked my grades...

Spanish - A
History - B
Nutrition - A-
Production Lab - A
Stage Management - A

Go me!

top ten music artists

2007-05-14T21:47:00.001-04:00

1. Josh Groban. I know. With me, that one was a given. He's the only one I'll pay to see in concert! I think he's the only one worth paying to see... unless Elvis was still alive. I've seen him perform in Boston and Las Vegas. When I see him in August, I won't have to travel! I'll actually be able to walk from the place I'll be living. I love him!
2. Hayley Westenra. She's amazing! I love her voice. Anyone who gets to sing with Andrea Bocelli at the age of 18 is OK with me!
3. Johnny Cash. Ring of Fire, Walk the Line, Cry! Cry! Cry!... need I say more?
4. Elvis. He's the king. When I came back to Utah last summer, I stopped in Memphis with my friend and we ate at a place called Coletta's. We talked with the owner and she told us stories of Elvis and hanging out at Graceland. Then she brought us to "The Elvis Room," where he would eat on the rare occasion that he didn't take out.
5. The Beatles. Any band that writes the music, plays the instruments, and sings the lyrics can't be bad,
6. Bon Jovi. I don't know what it is. I just love them! And seeing Jon Bon Jovi on American Idol a couple of weeks ago... yummy!
7. The Rat Pack. Yes, I could list them individually but that would take up 3 spots instead of one. But I do love Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr. in their own respects.
8. Kristen Chenoweth. She's amazing! If I had half the talent that she did...
9. Daughtry. I love them! I never thought I would live to see the day when I had an American Idol finalist on my top ten favorite artists!
10. Enya. See number five for my list of reasons but replace band with person.

random facts

2007-05-11T15:42:00.001-04:00

My sister tagged me to list 8 random facts/habits so here they are...

1. I was scarred for life when my mom bleached my yellow Little Mermaid underwear...
2. I have been to 3 different colleges and had 3 different declared majors.
3. I was born with a birth defect - Chiari Malformation. Unfortunately, I wasn't diagnosed until I was almost 21. Brain surgery would have been a lot less scary when I was a baby than when I was 20.
4. I killed my pet guinea pig when I was 4.
5. I am terrified of heights but I want to go skydiving!
6. I have an unhealthy obsession with Eric Szmanda from CSI (he plays Greg on the original show).
7. I hate Utah but for some reason I keep coming back, even after moving home for my surgery.
8. I have a very stressful job but I stay at it because it's so rewarding!

Disney Movies

2007-05-09T13:25:00.001-04:00

Every now and then, my sister lists 10 reasons why she is happy. I decided to list my 10 favorite Disney movies (cartoons only) because they make me happy :)

1. The Little Mermaid. Definitely my favorite. I watched it on Monday and it brought a smile to my face!

2. Beauty and the Beast. Lots of fun and I really like the songs.

3. Aladdin. The movie that made me want a pet tiger. I guess my cat Max will have to do for now! And I love listening to Lea Salonga sing.

4. Peter Pan. I love Tinkerbell and I wish I could fly!

5. The Emperor's New Groove. It always makes me laugh... even if I'm just thinking about it.

6. Cinderella. My mom used to jokingly call me Cinderella because I was always cleaning something.

7. Sleeping Beauty. Fold in eggs *crunch*

8. The Lion King. Jeremy Irons has the perfect voice for a villain and I just love Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.

9. Mulan. Again, I love listening to Lea Salonga sing!

10. Robin Hood. My sister and I used to watch it on Sundays so when the Sheriff of Nottingham said, "It ain't Sunday you know," we could say, "Yes it is!"

the yankees fan

2007-05-07T16:24:00.001-04:00

We all know I'm a huge Braves fan. I also really like the Red Sox. But there is one team I truly loathe and that is the New York Yankees.

On my car, I have a license plate frame for the Atlanta Braves. On Friday afternoon, my roommate and I decided to go see The Invisible (great idea, OK movie, terrible dialog!). As we are waiting to turn onto the street where the theater is located, the guy in the car next to us gets our attention. Kim rolls down her window and the guy asks, "Are you really a Braves fan?" My first thought is, "No, I just like to make people think that I am by putting a Braves license plate frame on my car," but I respond nicely with, "I'm a huge fan!" Then the terrible, most horrible words that can ever be spoken came out of his mouth. "That's not all that bad, but the Yankees are better!" I think my heart skipped a beat and I got a huge knot in my stomach. It was a good thing the light turned green at that moment. As I turned, I started listing off a string of reasons why no one should like the Yankees. They have a ridiculous dress code. They spend millions of dollars for a losing team. They're the only team to ever be up 3-0 in post season to not go to the next round. They made Johnny Damon cut his hair (but that's what he gets for leaving the Red Sox... traitor!). As I'm listing all these things, one thing keeps coming to me. The guy that was in the car next to me must have a crush on Derek Jeter!

In other news, I have found where I'm going to live! Hopefully the link works... if not I'll be moving in just a couple of weeks and I can post my own pictures :) I'll be living in the 3 bedroom with 3 other girls. I'll be sharing the master bedroom with one of the girls. Great thing is we each get our own closet! There's a pool and an exercise room. The thing I'm most excited about is the washer and dryer! No more laundromats!

I'm done!

2007-05-04T00:34:00.000-04:00

at least for the semester...

I feel really good about this past semester. I'm thinking that I was able to pull 4 A's and a B. So keep your fingers crossed for me! Grades should be posted in the next week or so, so I'll keep ya posted!

one down, two to go

2007-05-02T11:57:00.001-04:00

I took my history final yesterday morning. It was hard but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I have the two easier ones tomorrow morning, nutrition and stage management. Wish me luck! Things are looking good as far as apartments. I'm looking at one place on Friday and one on Saturday. Hopefully one of them will work out so I won't have to worry about it anymore! Well, I'm off to the library to study and then to work.

Finals Week

2007-04-30T14:19:00.002-04:00

I was having fun reading my sister's blog then remembered that I started one when my parents were out here. So I decided it was time for an update, although, there isn't much to share. Finals are this week so I'm stressing out a little bit. But once they're over, I'll have a pretty relaxing summer. I'll be working full time and taking a couple of classes. I have three finals to take this week. Tomorrow morning I have my American Revolution final, which will probably be my hardest one. I love history but my professor is very specific in what he wants, but I'm thinking I'll still be able to pull a B in the class. On Thursday I have my Nutrition and my Stage Management final. I'm not too worried about either of those. Nutrition is a lot of common sense and common knowledge. And Stage Management is a lot of common sense and common knowledge for anyone who has ever been involved in a theater production.

I started looking online for a new apartment because my contract is up the end of June. Yes, two months is a long time, but it's going to fly by and I don't want to be stuck on the streets! I found a couple of places online, but even better, I found a few people (I should specify that they are females for when my parents read this!) that are looking for roommates. I've exchanged a few e-mails with them and things seem to be pretty good. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be able to meet them and see the apartment that I would be moving into!

My sister has one!

2007-04-03T00:00:00.004-04:00

Everyone has these blog things so I thought I would start my own! This first entry won't be too exciting because I don't have much to say! I guess I could tell about this past weekend.

My parents have been in town since Friday. It's been a great visit, not just because of all the things they have bought me (including a kitchen table!!!), but because I don't get to see them very often, just a few times a year. I guess that is part of growing up. Kids move out, go to college or get a job. Sometimes I wish I was back in high school, back when things were simple. But other times I'm glad I'm an adult and can be out on my own. There are days that I miss home desperately, but I'm happy with where my life is at. I have a good job. I'm at school studying something that I love. I'm surrounded by good people and amazing friends. I honestly couldn't ask for more.