Money Depression

Book lists have (finally) come out. My books are too expensive. Estimated cost, $500!!!! Ridiculous. Good thing I never buy all the books. :) And I just had to pay rent for September - $317. Ouch. School and life in general is expensive. I have money depression...

Let me introduce you to my alter ego...

I know you've all been wondering when my alter ego would appear (it was only a matter of time), and your wait is over. It has emerged. I am now also known as ... (drumroll please!)... THE FLYING APRON!!!!

You read correct. I am an official SUPERHERO. I am the Flying Apron, Sidekick. My Hero is The Incredible BO, none other than my own assistant manager, Greg. We are superhero duo team. Here's the proof:

~We have superhero-sayings:

Incredible BO: "Somebody needs my help!"
Flying Apron: "Service to the Rescue!"

~We have a superhero-secret-hideout: The Pasta Closet (A tight squeeze - we'll be rennovating soon)

~We have a superhero-vehicle: The Hokeys (the carpet sweepers)

~We have superhero-costumes - which will be official on Halloween! They include capes, utility belts, superhero-nametags, and boots. BIG ones.

~We even have a superhero-nemesis: The Server Destroyer - Brad the S.A. (Server Assisant)

Our adventures have only just begun! Tonight, we were attacked by the dreded Server Destroyer as he tried to make a mess of the drink station. Giving in to our revengeful sides, we gave him a taste of his own medicine. But alas, we must rise above our nemesis and think only of ways to prevent destruction.

I will continue to document our adventures here and let you all know how our superhero-duo is doing! To the Pasta Closet! Da da da DA!!!!

Oh the sayings of my little cousins!

So, I thought I might just have to take a minute and blog about my adorable little cousins and the hilarious things they say.

The characters: Cooper (age 2), Landon, and Livi (twins, age... 6?)
The setting: Grandma's house as we watched Aladdin

Cooper: (when asked about his opinion of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast) "I like 'a Beast!"
Cooper: Sang along to EVERY song in Aladdin. He didn't quite know the words, but he knew the tune, when it got loud, soft, high, and low. And his evil cackle is amazing! Totally believable! :)

Landon: (talking about the Sultan from Aladdin) "He is SO fat."
Landon: (after Katie knocked Grandpa's bowl and broke it) "Grandpa's gonna KILL you!'

Livi: (after Katie broke the bowl) "Don't worry, I won't tell." - and then promptly runs from the room.

I basically LOVE my cousins. The End.

8 for 8. The PERFECT Athlete.

Wow. I can't even explain my how excited and proud I am of Michael Phelps right now. Wow. 8 for 8. He worked so hard, endured so much. I can hardly even comprehend racing 17 races so close together. He worked his butt off and he was justly rewarded for it. He's positively amazing. Congradualtions Michael! You are truly amazing!!!

And congrats to team USA!!! You made us all proud - We LOVE you all!!!!!

So... Have you seen this show??

So, I'm wondering if any of you have seen The Secret Life of the American Teenager on AbcFamily? I don't know how popular it is (the commercial's say it's "the breakout hit of the summer!" - but who ever trusts commercials?), but I thought I would blog about my thoughts of it. I've been watching it (online, since I work Tuesday nights when it's on), and I have a few opinions...

If you didn't know, The Secret Life of the American Teenager is about 15 year old Amy Jerkins who gets pregnant at band camp, and how she and all those around her are dealing with the situation. Basically, I'm of the opinion that this whole town is one big soap opera. Everyone's parents have some sort of "connection" (through either ex-marriages or affairs) and that only lends more drama to what their kids are getting up to.

Here's basically how it plays out: Amy goes to band camp and gets pregnant by Ricky. Ricky is dating Adrienne, who is also sleeping with Jack, Grace Bowman's boyfriend. Grace Bowman is the Christian beauty of the school, who this boy named Ben has an initial crush on, before falling madly "in love" with Amy, asking her to marry him by episode 4.

As if that drama isn't enough, here's the sitch for the parents: Amy's father's ex-wife is Grace Bowman's stepmother. Amy's father also happens to be having an affair with Adrienne's mother. Amy's mother also got pregnant at a young age (with Amy) and married Amy's father to cover up the early pregnancy (from another man)!

Whew! If you kept up with all that, you're brilliant. It's taken me weeks. This whole story is a mixed up mess of drama, sleeping around, and some really bad acting (seriously, Ben is an awful actor!!).

I'm really just wondering what kind of mesage this show is giving young high school kids. Theoretically, its trying to send the message that parents should have the "sex talk" with kids soon, not after they are already pregnant. But I'm just worried that this show is telling kids, "Hey! These kids are all having sex, you should too! Just make sure you don't get pregnant." I mean, seriously! Kids shouldn't be having sex this young at all! They're all 15 in this show! Freshman! In Utah, they're still in Jr. High. Is this show really a good thing? It comes with a warning before it, yet it shows up on a Family TV chanel, and is somewhat geared towards kids. Is it really sending a good message?

These are just my thoughts being blurbed out on the page, does anyone else have a though? Seen the show? Comment, let me know!

You better have seen this!!!

I hope all you saw the Men's 4x100 Freestyle relay last night. If you didn't, you missed the race of the CENTURY. Literally. I was screaming, shouting, digging my nails into my skin and shaking with excitement and adrenaline! OH MY!!!!! In case you missed it (shame on you!) I'll give a breakdown. But seriously, YouTube it and watch it. NOW.

The French team had been trash talking the USA all day. Saying that they came to Beijing to trash the Americans. Boo on you pompous French boys.

Michael Phelps led off. Kind of a surprise, but not really when you consider he raced his 20om Free Semi-Final only an hour before. He had a good swim, touching second behind France. Garrett Weber-Gale was second, holding steady and having us neck and neck with the French. Cullen Jones was third, coming in about half a body length behind the French. As Jason Leezak jumps in, I'm freaking out. Leezak is INCREDIBLE, but can he make up a half body length in just 100m?! At the 50, the French have still got the lead. I'm dying, freaking out. The last 25 METERS Leezak powers it up. Just as they pass the flags (about 10m from the wall!!!) Leezak takes 3 super power-charged strokes, CATCHING the French and then out-touching them! OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!

I was ECSTATIC!!!! I was at a friends house watching and we were all off the couches, jumping and screaming. I was shaking for half an hour after. And did you see the look on all of their faces?! The French, completely dumbstruck (that's what comes from being prideful boys! Learn your lesson). The Americans - freaking out! And I bet you anything, Michael Phelps was not thinking "Yes! One more gold! My biggest hurdle is over!" No. He was purely ecstatic for his team. What his TEAM had done, not he himself. Way to be USA!!!!

OH boy, if you just read all that, you better be pumped and feeling patriotic. So, go NOW to http://www.nbcolympics.com/ and watch it yourself!!!

GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!

I L-O-V-E my Missionaries!!!!

Today was the BEST day. And one thing made it that way - a tape from Elder Dallin David Garner. Oh boy, I LOVE this man! (Because they are all men now - so incredibly amazing!!) I haven't heard from him in ages - which is completely my fault. (Having a boyfriend winter semester really cut into my missionary writing time! Boo...) Anywho, I sent him a tape about a month ago. I was really worried it hadn't gotten to him - I didn't exactly ship it off in the right packaging. But today I got a return tape in the mail! Ah!!!! It made my tiring day the BEST day EVER.

Elder Dallin David Garner

Dallin is basically amazing, as are all my other missionaries out there. He's serving in the Birmingham, Alabama mission and right now he's in Witchitaw (I KNOW I spelled that wrong...) and (big news!!!) He was just made a trainer and District Leader! Go Romeo (that's my nickname for him). He's incredible. I am so stunned (in a good way) by all my missionaries growth. And Dallin is a perfect example. They are so spiritual, so strong, so sure of their path. I don't measure up, but they give me something to reach for. I've been so blessed to have these amazing men in my life and I'm so incredibly grateful. They've helped me through so many times, good and bad, and I couldn't ask for better friends. Dallin has been out for 19 months - just 5 to go! I'M STOKED!!

Elder Thomas Clark Taylor

I also sent a tape off to Elder Thomas Clark Taylor (TC , or Teece for short). And Dallin just told me on his tape that Teece got it! I was worried there too (although his packaging was slightly better than Dallin's). Teece is in Toulouse,France (southern France) so it takes a LONGO time for things to get to him. But hoepfully I'll be hearing from him soon. I have no idea what's going on with him, so I'm dying to get a tape back! Teece has been out about 19 months as well - he's leading the pack of my best friends to come home!

Elder Daniel Jacob Hall

Elder Daniel Jacob Hall (DJ for short) is serving in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I just got a letter from him a few weeks ago, and he is doing SO good! He is now in Alexandria, Louisiana. They just got a new mission president, so I'm waiting to hear how that turned out. DJ and I worked together at 5 Buck Senior year, and he took me to two dances. He's absolutely amazing and so strong and steady in the gospel! DJ has been out for 17 months - only 7 more to go!!

Elder Christopher Irel Eppich

Elder Christopher Irel Eppich is serving in the Richmond, Virginia - Spanish speakign mission. He is also doing absolutely INCREDIBLE. He's in Charlottesville right now, which he says is interesting due to the college scene prevelant in the town. His whole mission is in 3-some right now, because then they are able to teach single women. They're currently working on building up a Spanish-speaking branch right now, and it seems to be going pretty well! Chris and I dated in high school, but more importently he is just an incredible friend of mine. He's crazy and fun, but is also truly dedicated and so close to the Spirit. Chris has been out for 15 months - only 9 more!

Elder Jourdan Smith is serving in the Cincinatti, Ohio mission and (like all the others!) he is doing simply fabulous. He is currently in Canton, Ohio serving as a Zone Leader! He has such a firm, strong, absolute testimony of the gospel. It's so inspiring. I've known Jourdan since I was about 6 years old. We grew up in the same ward together, so I went from being little kid friends with him, to swearing he had cooties, to being totally annoyed by his teenage-boyness, to absolutely thinking the world of him and counting him as one of my closest and oldest friends. He's been out almost a year now and has no desire to come back soon. :)

Elder Robbie Burgess

Elder Robbie Burgess is my bestie Amy's younger brother (though he's my age) and he's an AWESOME friend of mine as well. Robbie is in Melbourn,Australia right now (the same missoin my dad served in!!) and he's served in multiple leadership positions. Robbie is incredible. Such a hard worker, unshakable testimony, absoltely dedicated. To illustrate, a few months ago, the man in charge of all the missions for the church (as in, that's his job) was visiting Robbie's mission and got to meet him. He was so impressed by Robbie, that when he got back to the states he made a point to call Robbie's parents and tell them that Robbie was one of the best missionaries he'd ever seen. Awesome, huh?! Robbie has been out 21 months - just 3 more till he's back!

Sister Shea B Whittaker

And let's not forget the sisters! Sister Shea B Whittaker (my very oldest friend!!) is serving in the Edmonton, Canada mission and is doing SOOOO amazingly good. She is currently in a 3-some right now as well and is finding it an interesting experience. She has thrown her whole heart and soul into her mission and its incredible to hear about her! When she told me she put her papers in, I cried - she was so glowing and perfectly happy, knowing it was the right and sure thing for her. I cried because I was so happy for her and so proud of her. Shea has been a role model to me my entire life. I love her like a sister. She's been out about 4 months now - just over a year to go!

Well, those are the missionaries I've heard from most recently. I have multiple others: Elder Colton H. Matthews (Milan, Italy), Elder Eric Stone (Columbia), Elder Jeff Toone (Argentina), Elder Brandon Nelson, Elder Kent Savage (Russia), Elder Billy Pierce (Brazil), Elder Trevor Pasket (Brazil), Elder Nate Spencer (Brazil), Elder Brian Spencer (South Africa), Elder Jared Nelson (South Africa), Elder Jeff Bean (Poland) ... and SOO many more. They are ALL incredible and I'm impressed by them constantly. I know they they are out serving the Lord and that they are where they are supposed to be.

Elders Thomas Clark Taylor, Brandon Nelson, Mike Meyers, and Jeff Bean

To all my missoinaries out there - I love you ALL. You're amazing, faithful and true and I couldn't ask for better friends. Thank you for EVERYTHING! Love!!!

At last... at last... AT LAST! :)

So... its official. I finished it. :) After waiting for a whole year, dying to find out WHAT happens to Bella, Edward, Jacob, and the Cullens... my mind is finally at peace. I know. :) I am so ecstatically happy right now! ... and more than a little tired :)

I got my book last night around midnight with my friend Diana (thanks for letting me borrow her Nick!). By the time we got our books, I picked up some ice cream (energy food to stay up and read!), and got back to Provo, it was after 1am. I changed, fixed me some ice cream and settled in to read about 2am.

At 5am I took a bathroom break. Katie woke up and told me I was nuts. At 7 I took another one. By 8:30... my eyes were finally starting to get tired. So I took an hour and a half nap. I woke up and ten and read till 11am - when I FINISHED. I read it in about 7 hours. :) And oh my... it was SOOO worth it! What a GREAT BOOK!

I'm not going to rant about my opinion of it here right now. I know there are people out there who aren't as insane as me and read it all in a night. :) I'm just letting you know it's GOOD and definately worth the wait, hype, publicity, anxiety - EVERYTHING. Happy reading people!!!