More Frogs

Is there anyone that can give me some insight into the male psyche?  Why is it that one day they are attentive and interested and the very next day you don't seem to exist?  I'm beginning to think they are more moody and fickle than girls!  Total confusion.

I'm Dreaming of a Rainy Christmas

Welcome to Utah.  It has taken me between 1-2 1/2 hours to get from Springville to Midvale (my school) this last week.  Winter is here.  Today is the official start to Winter Break!  Two whole weeks of no teaching or students - Merry Christmas.  We had our "Christmas Party" yesterday where the kids decorated cookies and we watched "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas".  I had forgotten how much frosting and candy a little sugar cookie can hold.  Needless to say, some made better decisions than other regarding their sugar intake.  What can I expect?  They're 7 years old.

After Christmas, I'll be moving to Midvale.  I found an apartment with a couple of other girls.  It is about 10 blocks from school.  My commute (if you could call it that) will be 5 minutes in heavy traffic!  I will be glad to be out of transition!  It has been long enough.

Following Julia's lead, here is my list.  (Thanks for the idea - it was fun!) 

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Red Sea!)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (They usually won't take it.)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter 
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (yuck!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (in the butt!)
100. Read an entire book in one day

All my love to those I won't get to hug on Christmas Day!

Random Thoughts by Diana

First, a little bit of house cleaning.  Here is a picture of my new coat.  Santa said he would come a little early this year because it is cold in Utah now (and it is what I'd be asking for come December 25th).

Next, can someone please tell me what happened with BYU in the game against Utah yesterday?  Truly depressing.  But, like Grandpa Olsen said, "The sun will come up in the same place tomorrow."  That's just like him, always the positive one.

Finally, the Thanksgiving Season helps me to remember what I am thankful for:  my family, my friends, my warm car, the Gospel, my job, food to eat, a place to sleep, a strong body, a quick mind, my education, and (the in the forefront of my mind right now) music.  Mom, thanks for making me practice and finding it important to have us take lessons even when money was tight.  I don't know what I would do if I couldn't sit down at the piano and play it or listen to a song and then sing it.  My mom has said that she thinks music is something that we remember from the other side of the veil and that's why it can touch us so deeply.  I agree.  My music allows me to communicate when I don't have the words and calms my soul when it's in turmoil.  What a privilege it is to be able to make beautiful music (and have others that will patiently listen)!

P.S.  I fly home on Wednesday night for Thanksgiving!  I call making the rolls for dinner!

Why?

I used to keep a list of questions I was going to ask Heavenly Father when I got to heaven.  I don't know where it went (probably in one of my many, unfinished journals).  I'm still constantly asking myself - why?  Why did I eat that chocolate when I knew it would make me sick?  Why did a bird have to poop right on my window and nowhere else?  Why can't I have everyone I love around me all the time?  Why are plane tickets so expensive?  Why don't I go to bed when I'm tired (like now)?  Why are drivers oblivious on the road?  Why can't I hang shirts up facing the same way?  Why do I have to keep kissing frogs?  And the most disturbing one (right now) - why didn't I bring my bag in earlier from the car (because now it's cold outside)?

Obviously, some are more pertinent than others.  All I know is that I have to find that list so I don't have to start over again!

Windshield Wiper Fluid

No one told me it was going to freeze.  I know that this isn't the first time I've lived in Utah, but it's obviously the first time I have tried to wash my window (while driving, on the freeway) when it's below freezing outside.  How are people able to see?  Needless to say, I had to pull off the freeway (quite the task since I couldn't see out my window) and scrape.

I'm tired.  The list is too long to share.  Basically I'm tired of being in transition, not being organized, and basically tired of being tired.  On a positive note - being this tired makes falling asleep much easier (even if it's during Sunday School - oops!).

Don't give up.  The next post is bound to be more positive and might even include a picture!

In The Fast Lane

Commuting in Utah brings many interesting thoughts to mind.  Some aren't the nicest.  The term "fast lane" is used very loosely here.  This is something I've had to reacquaint myself with.  One of my new favorite moves includes the driver coming off the exit at 55 mph (didn't get the memo about the 65 mph increase) and cutting across 4 lanes of traffic to get in the carpool lane.  I like especially this move when I am one of the vehicles being cut off.  The other day I drove in disbelief behind a truck pulling another truck on a trailer in the fast lane going 50 mph.  The kicker was that there was no one in the other two lanes.  Fast lane?  What fast lane?

I haven't decided which lane my life is in.  Sometimes I feel like I am watching it go past me at mach-speed.  Other times I am frustrated because I am stuck in a perpetual cycle of confusion regarding my new job.  I usually just walk around trying to figure things out, attempting not to mess things up, and hoping that someone will tell me if I am supposed to be doing something different.  My students and I are starting to get used to each other.  The Administration is nice but needs a lesson in communication.  I am looking forward to when things will run more smoothly (the other teachers tell me it will be after Christmas - I might be dead by then).  And yet, despite all of this, I am still happy to be here!  Crazy, I know.  But there it is.

Cookies in the Freezer

Tomorrow I will finish packing up my things and make the move back to Utah.  Did I hear a collective What?!  I had an interview with the Jordan School District last week and got a job at a school in Midvale the same day.  I will be teaching 2nd grade again!

Being home has been wonderful despite the awful state of limbo of the past 16 months.  There are lots of things that I will miss.  Here are just a few:  the blinding sun through my window in the morning; Dad and his cereal; sitting with Mom in Church; making rolls with Calvin and Anna; random trips to Fairfield; afternoons with Rachel and Jane; hearing Julia's kids yell when they hear my knock at the door; Steve's hugs; Julia's laughter when her kids are silly; watching T.V. with Dad (the huge screen has been great!); Bridgette's wet nose; and many daily hugs and kisses (my Mom's are the best).

Starting a new stage is exciting and filled with apprehension.  I am thrilled about upcoming events and prospects.  These past months have not been wasted.  They have been much needed and filled with growth.  Thanks to my family and the safety of my home. I will miss it and those sweet faces.

P.S.  Dad, there are cookies in the freezer.  Don't forget about them.  I love you.

Who Says You Need to Have Kids to Blog?

I have arrived.  

I can't promise that I will be as clever as my sisters.  The unfortunate thing is that my lack of computer-savvy will be on display for any that care to notice.

Here goes!