The Ramblings of an Asian Girl

A Night Out!!!!

2012-01-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

Saturday night I went out with my close friend Cat!!!

We had so much fun, but a few funny things happened.

First, we tried to go to this restaurant, but all of sudden it was no longer there! We both a have friend who worked there as recently as a month ago. We are not sure what happened.

Luckily there is one in Manassas and we went there.

Next as we are driving to the movie theater we see this....

They completely blocked off the road because of an accident. But because of where it was blocked off, we had no choice but to get on I-66. We were less than 2 minutes from the theater, but it ended up taking us another 15 minutes. We had to drive to next exit (about 6 miles away)and then turn around and get back on I-66 going the other way.

We finally get parked and I see a man standing by his car. He asks of us if we have these...

Luckily I had some in my trunk. We tried to jump start his car, but I think there was more wrong than just a dead battery. We made sure he had a cell phone to call someone.

Finally we got our tickets and went to see...

It was a much needed girl night and so much fun!

I am still here :-)

2011-10-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

Ummmm, yeah so it has been awhile since I have blogged. I just really couldn't think of anything exciting to post. For my own little FHE tonight I decided to do a quick blog update, so here it goes.

- I started going to a family ward in August (yep, I reached that age :-) and everyone has been so nice. Honesly, I was a little worried about the transition. I have been in a YSA/Student ward since I was 18 and have loved it. Luckily people are amazing in my new ward. I have been invited over for dinner and people have come up to introduce themselves. No calling yet, but I am anxiously awaiting.

- School started again and this year is going so much better than last year. We have a new Administrative Intern who is on top of it and awesome. It makes my life easier. I also have a lower caseload right now, which is nice. I have been able to be home by 4:45 almost every day and that makes me happy!!!!!

- About two weeks ago I had painful muscle spasms in my back. I could not bend my back at all and it hurt worse than breaking my arm. I could hardly walk and I could feel every single back muscle tighten and sharp, shooting pain. I called my parents at 2:30am my time crying because I wasn't sure what has happening. I had to have my incredible friend Mallory come over to help get me out of bed and take me to the doctor. I took 2 1/2 days off of work and then just watched General Conference over the weekend. It is feeling better now, but still is sore.

- My niece, Bella, was blessed yesterday and I so wish I could have been there. A lot of my extended family went and they did a brunch after. I can't wait to see pics!

- My grandma and aunt Linda are coming to visit next week and we are gonna have some fun!!!!

So maybe this wasn't the most exciting post, but truth be told I am not the exciting person ;-)

Things I Want To Do

2011-08-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

1. Travel to Europe (specifically Italy, England, and France)
2. Become fluent in another language, either Spanish or Japanese
3. Go to Disneyworld
4. Go to a Taylor Swift concert
5. Once again stay in a beach house in Hawaii
6. Learn not to stress out
7. Go on cruise
8. Own a cute condo
9. Research my dad's family and do the temple work (I have started and took 4 names to the temple, but it is hard when you can't read Japanese)
10. ?????? Any ideas!

Isabella

2011-07-23T20:29:00.001-07:00

I am an aunt!!! My brother Spencer and his wife Krystal had a little baby girl on July 22, 2011, just 2 days after my birthday! Her name is Isabella Okada and she weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was 18 in. long. The baby and mom are doing well. I flew out to UT on July 14th to surprise my brother and grandma. My parents didn't know I was here either. (My mom flew in from Cody today and my dad, who had some work to finish up, will drive down in a few days.) Our family is so excited and I am already in love!!!

See Facebook for a few more pics!

One moment can change everything!

2011-07-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

I recently have been thinking about how one moment, one phone call, one person can change everything.

One of my good friends found out on Friday that her cousin (actually 2nd cousin) who she was very close to was killed in Afghanistan. He was a marine and stepped on an IED. He was engaged and suppose to come home in August. Needless to say it was heartbreaking for the entire family. Her family's life changed in a moment.

For me it has been simple phone calls that have totally changed my life. A phone call that one of my girls in the ward (I was serving as the Relief Society President) was cutting herself. (I could write a book about RSP phone calls!) A phone call that my grandpa was in a coma. A phone call that I got the job and needed to move across the country.

There have also been certain people in my life who have taught me life lessons either through their words or examples. Without them I would be a completely different person. I feel nothing but joy when I think of these family members, friends, and mentors.

While thinking about this, it once again reminded me that every decision we make, every person we meet, and every moment in life is important. There have been many days where I should have responded with more love, served a friend or stranger, or simply held my tongue. I am incredible gratefully to Heavenly Father for another day filled with moments that may change my life and hopefully another peron's life for the better.

It has been too long!

2011-06-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Man I am a slacker!!!! I can't believe it has been since April I have posted. Well here is just a quick update...

- School is out! This year was...ummmm...interesting.
- I will start going to the family ward in the next little bit. I am ready, but will definitely miss the Union Mill Ward!
- The biggest news is that my brother and his wife are having a baby in July!!!!! I am gonna be an aunt. Excited doesn't even begin to describe what I am feeling!!!! I have decided to completely spoil her!!!

A month in the life of a Speech Pathologist

2011-04-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

So these are somethings that have happened at work in the past month or so.

1. I had to move out of my room, because they needed it for testing. Let's just say I agreed to do it for 2 days (or so I thought), but it ended up being 5. Guess who ended up putting all the laptops, cords, etc. onto a cart so they could be hauled off.

2. Attended about 16 meetings in 2 days.

3. Almost went over the legal limit for my caseload.

4. Had a student throw-up during speech.

5. Laughed (not out loud) when a student came wearing florescent pink leggings and a mini jean skirt. Hello 80's!!!!!!

6. One of my 5th grade students skipped school. She was bullied on the bus and either hid in the bushes and then walked home (her story) or else on her way down to speech ditched school and walked home (teacher had her marked present).

7. Wrote 64 progress reports.

8. Laughed almost everyday, because of something funny a student said or did.

9. Called my dad and told him I hated my job. Called my dad and told him it will be good to get back to work on Monday.

10. SPRING BREAK!!!!!

Love this!!!!

2011-01-29T08:21:00.000-08:00

Where have you been all my life Nookcolor!!!! I haven't worked since Wednesday (we got a ton of snow) and have been reading like crazy. This little device not only lets me download books, but I can also get on the Internet. My favorite feature is the Pandora radio station that lets me listen to my favorite music while reading. I am one happy girl. Thanks Mal for inspiring me to get one! :-)

Update

2010-11-26T15:15:00.001-08:00

So once again I haven't blogged in awhile. I thought I would just do a quick update.

- Work is good, but sooooooo busy. Lately there have been several nights when I am there until after 5:30 and a few nights when I have been there until almost 7:00. I am so glad we had Vetran's Day off and Thanksgiving Break. They were defintely needed.

- I had been serving as the 1st Counselor the Relief Society Presidency in my Ward. The Bishop called me in to his office and said we were going to be released. Then he asked if I would be willing to serve as the 1st Counselor in the new Relief Society Presidency. I was surprised, but so excited. Love it, love it, love it!

- My sister, Brittney, came to D.C. to visit me before she left for her mission. Here is a list of the things we did. We saw a lot and it was exhausting, but worth it!!!!!

Went to the temple and also the Vistor's Center
Night tour of the monuments
National Portrait Gallery
National Cathedral (We went to the top were you get an absolutely amazing view of D.C.)
Library of Congress
Surpreme Court Building
Scupture gardens

- I got sick :-( I even took a sick day and didn't go into work.

- Brittney is now in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) and we got her first email Monday. She is doing fabulous and her email made me miss my mission.

- Thanksgiving was wonderful. I went to my Bishop's house along with a few other people. The food was delicious! We played games and just chatted.

So there is my attempt to keep up my blog :-) Loves to ya!!!!

The things my daddy says...

2010-10-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

(Pic of my dad and his sister, Sanae, doing Karaoke in Japan)

It is my dad's B-day today! Here are just a few of the funny/cute things my dad has said to me.

This just happened today...I was talking to him on the phone for his B-day and this is how the conversation went.

A - "So what is mom fixing you for your B-day dinner?"
D - "She is fixing me Okonomiyaki. Do you remember eating that at Sanae's house?
A - "Yeah, I remember."
D - "We got the materials for it yesterday."
A - "Materials? You mean ingredients?"
Both of us started laughing

In Japan we took a rope tour up a mountain. You are suppose to be able to see monkeys, but we didn't see any. This is what my dad said to the family, but while looking at me.

D - "I have a little monkey." (says this while looking at me)
D - "And I will keep you, and I will love you, and I will feed you bananas!"

When we were little and my dad wanted us to hurry so we could leave (mostly this was so we weren't late for church) he would say, "Chop suie". I thought this was something everyone said until I said it to a friend and she had no idea what it meant.

The last one my dad actually didn't say to me, but this was in a letter he wrote me while I was serving a mission in Georgia. He ended his letter by saying "I love you from the bottom of my heart."

I love you too Dad!!!!!

Cool random things about Japan

2010-09-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

- They are way better at recycling than we are.

- Some the hostels have heated toilet seats and some are toilets dug in the ground and you have to squat.

- At some restaurants they give you a hot, wet washcloth to wash your hands.

- Everyone is extremely polite and the children are well behaved even while riding public transportation! I am sure the bus drivers for my school would love to have a bunch of Japanese students :-)

- They sale huge peaches that are so juicy!

- Most signs are in Japanese and English.

- On the bullet train, the stewardess would bow when he/she would enter or exit the the train.

- Giesha girls do not want their picture taken.

- The fish market did not smell as bad as I thought it would.

- Japanese game shows are funny even if you can't understand them!

- Japenese people show a lot of experssion in their face. Yep, I'm Japanese alright.

- You can order a teriyaki burger at McDonald's

- They only have white bread, at least at the stores we went to and that is what my dad told me.

- Their cups are small.

- They have vending machines that sale drinks all over the place. We even saw vending machines that sold ties and vaccum bags!

- Banana milk is delicious!

- It was not unusual to see people at a shrine saying a little prayer :-)

- The women's line is still always longer than the men's.

- If you have a tatoo, you are not allowed to go into a waterpark.

- It is a gorgeous county!!!!!

Didn't eat sushi, but still had a great time!

2010-09-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

We did so much in Japan that it is hard to know where to start. I've decided to do a few posts about the trip. This one will be more of what we did and the sites we saw. I posted most of my pics of Facebook, so check them out.

I guess I better start with the flight over. We flew from Salt Lake to L.A., where my sister, Chrystal, met us. Then it was a long 11 hour flight to Tokyo. I have to say it was the best flying experience I have ever had. Each person had their personal "entertainment system" to watch movies, play games, watch TV. I got a little addicted to Yahtzee!

We visited four cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nagoya and stayed in hostels the whole time. I have never walked or taken public transportation that much in my entire life!!!!

Tokyo

Shopped at Asakusa - There are a bunch of little shops that have everything from food to kimonos. It was really crowded, but so much fun!
Rickshaw ride - A rickshaw is a two person carriage that is pulled by a person. These guys and girls do this for a living. It was really hot and humid and I have know idea how they do it everyday.
Lunch with the family - My aunts, uncles, and cousins met at a Chinese restaurant for lunch. It was the first time I have seen this side of the family in 21 years!
Fish market - They catch and sale fresh seafood here. They have all kinds including octopus, turtles, and every kind of fish you can think of. They chop it right there, which is a little gross, but kinda cool. My family ate at this little famous sushi place right by the fish market. After they were done, we went to McDonald's so I could get something to eat :-)
Sony Building - This is in downtown Tokyo and has all these cool Sony products
Harajuku Street - This is street in downtown Tokyo just for teenagers. They have crazy dressed teenagers walking up and down it. They also have these cool photo booths that take amazing pics. They make your eyes bigger (I guess Japanese people like big eyes) and you can choose the background. You can also write on your pic or decorate it. Definitely one of my top 10 things we did on the trip! My cousin Saeka showed us around this street and we would have never found these places without her!
Karaoke - This was one of the best things we did! Each group has there own room set up for karaoke, so you don't have to sing in front of people you don't know. They had a ton of songs to choose from. Everyone in my family got into to it! Spencer and I did "La Bamba", mom and dad did "I Got You Babe", and we went on and on. Nothin' like seein' your family singing their guts out! My dad did some Japanese songs which was awesome. My uncle, Kenichi, and my aunt Sanae joined us and let me tell you, Kenichi knows how to Karaoke. He was amazing!!!!
Ate dinner at Sanae's - One night we ate a fabulous dinner at Sanae's house. We looked at pictures, I played Saeka's piano, and just had fun. The best part was getting to put on a kimono my grandma (obachan) made 40 years ago. It was absolutely beautiful and very special!
LDS temple - We went to the Tokyo temple, which I definitely wanted to see!

Kyoto

Gion Corner - We saw traditional Japanese performances of a tea ceremony, Koto music (it is a 13 stringed instrument that is a little like a harp), Gagaku (court music), Kyogen (ancient comic play), Kyomai (a dance performed by Geishas), and Bunraku (puppet play).
Ate at one of the top 5 Gioza places in Japan
Kiyomizy Dera Temple - This was one of the most amazing temples. They had a spring that you could drink fresh water from, Love stones (see the FB pic and caption), gorgeous Bhuddas, and you could see most of Kyoto from the mountain.
Japanese garden - The best part was standing on the stones in the middle of a pond filled with lilly pads. Christmas card pic for sure!

Hiroshima

Hisroshima museum - It had a reverent feeling to it, kind of like the Holocaust museum. We were given personal translators that we hung around our necks so we could hear the videos in English. One part of the museum tells individual stories of those that survived the atomic bomb and those who lost loved ones. To see the photos of the devastation the atomic bomb caused was unbelievable.
A-Dome Peace Memorial - This was a building still stands today as a reminder of what happened and a memorial to the over 70,000 people that lost their lives.
Ferry ride - We took a ferry ride to island of Miyajima
Miyajima - This island was amazing! Deer just wandered free on the street. They were so use to people feeding them that they would come up to you looking for food. We took a rope tour up the mountain. We didn't see any monkeys, but the view was amazing!

Nagoya

Visited Obachan - She will turn 100 in October. She has dementia and didn't recognize us. We think she recognized my dad for a little bit, but then it was gone. She was so sweet and happy. She actually was extremely funny too! When we would take a picture, she would cover her face. She also liked to stick her tongue out :-) She kept telling my dad that he wasn't Susumu (my dad's Japanese name) because Susumu had a fatter face. We brought her a 100 cake and celebrated with her. She thought she was around 60 years old, so I think she was thinkin' we were all crazy telling her she was almost 100.
Shabu Shabu dinner - We went to really nice Shabu Shabu restaurant. How do I explain the meal.....well, first they bring out a pot of bowling water. You dip very thinkly sliced beef into the water and it cooks it. You then dip the beef in a sauce. We had two kinds, a sesame sauce and a vinegar type sauce, which were both amazing. Next you dip vegtables, tofu, and clear rice noodles in the water. It is called Shabu shabu because that is the sound water makes. It is kinda like in English we say "swish".
Church - We went to church. We had English translators, so I could actually understand the talks. It was great to be in an LDS chapel and feel so at home. The Church is the same no matter where in the world you go!
House were dad grew up - We visited the house where my dad grew up. No one lives there so were could just walk through. My mom found a Japanese table that obachan used to burn incense and decided she was going to take it! My dad found some rice bowls that he remembered. We knew the house was going to be demolished eventually, but we found out later that it was demolished the day after we visited. There was beautiful shrine still left that no one in the family knew how to get out of the house and it was destroyed. :-(

I want to go again soon and hopefully can! (Just not in August, because it is so stinkin' hot and I got huge mosquito bites :-)

Top Ten Songs

2010-07-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

My friend Marne listed her top 10 songs and I thought it was a cool idea! Marne - Hope you don't mind. Just remember that imitation is the best kind of compliment :-)

So here they are in random order... (Don't they say this during the Miss America pageant when announcing the finalists?....I digress)

1. Welcome to My Life by Simple Plan - This is my ring tone and how I feel sometimes. OK, a lot of the time.
2. Defying Gravity from the "Wicked" Soundtrack - All I have to say is WOW! It is even better in person.
3. Pary in the USA by Miley Cyrus - Definitely her best song and Cat agrees with me. It makes me wanna dance.
4. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield - Her voice is unique and I really like it.
5. It's Your Life by Francesca Battistelli - The lyrics are amazing and so true.
6. Seasons of Love from the "Rent" Soundtrack - It's a classic.
7. Since You've Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson - She has an amazing voice and is the best American Idol. Well, Carrie Underwood is right up there.
8. Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson - Another classic song.
9. You Belong With Me/Fearless by Taylor Swift - "You Belong With Me" was my ringtone and I can't listen to "Fearless" without feeling like I can do anything.
10. Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble - If only all guys could sing like him. The world would be a better place.

Grateful

2010-07-11T16:25:00.000-07:00

Grateful for a life full of miracles and opportunities to serve

Grateful for times that stretched my faith

Grateful for an eternal family

Grateful for true friends

Grateful for laughter that can fill my heart

Grateful for a sense of purpose even though it still is not completely defined

Grateful for forgiveness

Grateful for heavenly guidance

Shopping Spree

2010-06-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of "Retail Therapy" as my friend Rachel would say. Cat and I went to the Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge for some power shopping. We both work in schools and have some time off for the summer!!!!!

We found some cute stuff. (Cat has been looking for a black pencil skirt.)

We also so found some not so cute...I'll just say it...We found uuuugly stuff!

We even found a story named after Cat!

Girl + Shopping = Happiness :-) Thanks Cat for going with me and we have to do it again!

Laughed out loud!

2010-05-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today two of my speech students told me something that I thought was really funny. These girls are sisters (identical twins) and in the 4th grade. Their younger brother is in 2nd grade and I have all 3 of them in speech. The sisters told me that their younger brother got a popcorn ball for a snack. Instead of eating it, he thought he could make it bigger and get more popcorn by putting it in the microwave and popping it. It acutally ended up burning. Oh the things that kids do!!!!

Letters

2010-05-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Right Arm,

Thank you so much for healing and getting stronger. You simply are incredible. I didn't realize how much I depended on you and needed you. I am so sorry for breaking you. Please forgive me.

Love,
Angela

Dear Summer,

Why is it taking so long for you to get here? I miss you and am so looking forward to your arrival. Please come soon.

Impatiently waiting,
Angela

Dear Cafe Rio,

My grandma told me you were coming to D.C.! She heard it on the news and I am wondering if this is true! Please let it be so. Life just hasn't been the same without you.

Mouth watering,
Angela

Dear Silver jeans,

Why did you discontinue the Suki jeans? They are the best jeans ever. I went to buy a pair online and all you had left were a couple of weird sizes. I bought a different kind of Silver jean, but they just aren't quite the same.

Disappointed,
Angela

Snow Days

2010-02-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

This weekend the D.C area had record snow fall. Now I am a WY/UT girl, but it was a looooot of snow. The first pic above is from my front porch and ain't it pretty. The second pic is cars in the parking lot that haven't been scraped off. They don't really do the storm justice, but I am too lazy/cold to take any more :-). We got about 2 ft. of snow and all can say is bring on the snow days!!! We didn't work last Wednesday, because it snowed Tuesday night. We didn't work Friday, because it was gonna start snowing about 10:00am. Church was canceled today :- ( and there is no school tomorrow. Tomorrow will be another movie day!!!!!

I Feel Like A Robot

2010-01-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

I broke my right arm cross country skiing over Christmas break. My mom and I were up by Yellowstone where our family always goes. The trail wasn't groomed and I just lost my balance and fell backwards. Kinda lame I know! I can take off the two braces on Feb. 8th, which is earlier than I thought, so I am pretty excited. I just started therapy to regain strength and range of motion in my wrist and elbow.

Is this part of my job?

2009-11-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

So this happened about a month ago, but I haven't really had time to blog about it.

Every 4th week of the month is called "Bridge Week". I do not see my regular caseload and it gives me time to do testing, observations in the classroom, Medicaid paperwork, write evaluations, etc.

Well, during the 4th week of October, I was walking into the office on my way to the Teacher's Lounge for lunch. The Assistant Principal stopped me and asked if I could do a favor for her. She needed me to sit with some students who were sick and waiting for a parent to come pick them up. I could tell she was a little stressed out and I wanted to help out, so I agreed to sit with the students. About 5 minutes later the Assistant Principal came into the room and pulled me aside. I hear these words come from her mouth. "Would you do me a really huge favor for me? We can't find the School Counselor and someone needs to go with the a student on the ambulance to the hospital. The ambulance is waiting outside." I was surprised, but thought "I really can't say no." Two hours later, I came back to the school and continued with my day. Just so you know, the student was fine. He had thrown up and looked pale, but didn't have a fever. Why the school called 911 for this, I'll never quiet understand, but I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

I just think it is kind of funny that they sent the SLP with the student. I didn't know it was in the job description, but was just glad the student was OK.

What a Friday

2009-10-11T11:43:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it, two posts in one day! Here was how my Friday went....

The day began getting up earlier, so I could get to work earlier. I am having to redo my schedule because of changes in staffing. (I wanted to cry when I found out about the changes, because it means so much more work for me. Doing my initial schedule took hours of coordination with teachers, but we have the first two weeks of school to do exactly that. The thought of having to do it again made me sick, especially since now I am doing therapy sessions and don't have time during the regular work day.)

Anyways, I worked until 7:15pm, when I am suppose to be off at 3:45pm and it was a FRIDAY. (There should be a law against working late on a Friday.) I still didn't get all of my work done, so I'll be at work early tomorrow. I had already told people I would be at bonfire that night and was suppose to bring the graham crackers for the s'mores. I headed out to the bonfire and stopped to gas up my car. As I was sitting in my car, I heard a click and assumed my car was done filling up. I pulled the nozzle out and gas came spraying out on me. My car was not done filling up. So then I smelled like gasoline and had to drive home to change.

I got cleaned up and once again headed out to the bonfire. I have never been to this place before, but got directions. I drove for about 50 minutes and felt like I should already be there. I gave my friend a call and to make a long story short, I found out I drove on the wrong road for about 20 minutes. So then I turned around and it took a good 30 minutes to get on the right road and another 25 to get to her place.

The bonfire was fun and I am so glad I went. It was good to be with friends and just hang out. What I learned from this...To remember that tomorrow can always be better and to just laugh when things don't go right.

Japan Here I Come!!!!

2009-10-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

I found out this week that my family is going to Japan next summer!!!!! It is my obachan's (grandma) 100th B-day next year and so we are going over to celebrate. She is pictured above and isn't she just so cute. I haven't been to Japan since I was nine and my dad hasn't been back for about 15 years. It is going to be so fun seeing family members (I've gotta learn how to pronounce their names!) and touring the country. I was planning a trip to Italy in the summer, but can't afford to do both. Italy will just have to wait, cuz I'm goin' to my homeland :-)

It Has Been Awhile

2009-10-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I've posted anything on my blog. Well, today I decided to blog about changes that have happened in the last few months or things that I am thinking about. It is definitely going to be a random list, so I'm just warning you before hand.

- My sister, Brittney, moved out to D.C. at the end of August to do an internship. We have been able to hang out for a weekend and went to the Manassas Battlefield Museum. We also went shopping at the outlet mall. She is such an amazing sister and I love her to pieces. It is great having a family member close to me and she is loving D.C.

- School started so I am back at work. I feel so much better about my job this year. I definitely have scheduled my therapy groups and organized my data sheets in a way that makes my life easier. (Sometimes you just gotta learn from mistakes.) I am working with a different SLP than last year. Her name is Julie and she is great. I am at Mullen 5 days a week and she comes Tuesday and Thursday. She has worked for Prince William County School District for 9 years and is just so nice. I miss working with JoAnne, but we still keep in touch.

- Right now I am thinking about my Presidency lesson I'm gonna give in Relief Society in November. I have never prepared so long for a lesson, but I am nervous about it. Typically I'm not nervous about a lesson and feel completely comfortable in front of a group of sisters. This lesson is on the way God sees situations in our lives and the way God sees others. Basically it is about optimism through trials and learning to love (in word and in deed) those around us. I'm not sure how to put into words why I am a little nervous. Some of the talks yesterday and today (General Conference) have helped and also Elder Wirthlin's talk "Come What May and Love It" is one I am thinking of using. When I study the scriptures, I keep the lesson in mind and have come across some great stuff. I really, really hope the lesson is what God wants it to be.

- My cousin Charlie and his wife Paige had a baby boy. This the first great-grandchild for Grandma and so it is pretty exciting.

- I am a little obsessed with "Jon and Kate Plus 8", but now just feel bad for the children. I would love to hear what other people think about the "situation".

- Those who know me well, know that my face tells it all. I often have a hard time controling my facial expressions. I am working on filtering my face. :-)

So those are some of my ramblings. Sorry it is so random, but are you really that suprised?

Will I Get a Laptop or Not?

2009-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

While I was on vacation, I got a phone call from one of my SLP District Supervisors. She informed me that we will be getting laptops! I was extremely excited, because hopefully it meant the IEP program would be on the computer and I could do more work from home rather than staying late at school.

This morning at 8:39 to be exact, I woke up to hear my phone ringing. (Yes, I was asleep at that time and feel absolutely no guilt about it. I actually woke up earlier this morning that I have in several days. Also, my ringtone is Taylor Swift "You Belong With Me", which my good friend Cat introduced me to. Love the song and glad that it wasn't an annoying alarm that I woke up to). I just let it ring, but the person left a voicemail. I checked the voicemail and heard a message that said basically, "Due to funding, we will not be giving laptops to SLP's who already have computers in their room right now. You do not need to come pick it up tomorrow. At the beginning of the school year, we will determine if you get one."

My first thought was, "The laptops have already been purchased. Why are they now determining they don't have the funding for them?"

So my hopes were dashed, but I think I'll survive :-)

If I Had a Million Dollars

2009-06-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about what you would do with a million dollars? C'mon, you know you have. Here is what I would do.

1. Take my family on a trip to Japan. My dad is the only member of his family that does not live in Japan and the last time I saw our extended family I was nine years old.
2. Buy a small condo. Not a house, because then you have to do yard work :-)
3. Go on an trip to Europe. Spain, London, Paris, Austria, Italy, etc. Anyone want to come?
4. Donate money to Primary Children's Hospital. A few times a year, my mom and I would drive down from WY and I would see a special doctor at Primary's. I did this from the time I was in 4th grade until my Senior year of High School and he was amazing!
5. Go clothes shopping. I'm a girl, what do you expect :-) Knowing me, I wouldn't find a whole lot and probably wouldn't really spend much.
6. Donate money to the Perpetual Education Fund and BYU.
7. Buy my parents a beach house in Hawaii. They deserve it. Man, this means I would have to visit them there!
8. The rest of the money I would save and invest.

Well, it is fun to think about, but then it is back to reality. I'm just grateful I have a job!

Famous

2009-06-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

This made me laugh so hard...

The 4th grade girl that I work with is so funny. One day as the group was sitting down to the table, she told me I looked famous. She said it was because of the green cardigan I was wearing. I asked her what famous person she thought I looked like. After she thought about it for a bit this was her response....Rihanna!

You guys be the judge. Asian/African American, long hair/short hair, hmmmmm.

2009-05-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!! Here are 20 Things I love about you.

1. You give great advice, which I should learn to take more often :-)

2. You are selfless. There is definately not enough room to write all the times you have put me and your family before yourself. One example is when you took off work to visit me in VA.

3. You are patient. You have four children to thank for that!

4. You are a hard worker.

5. I loved seeing you laugh so hard when watching "Dan in Real Life".

6. You call me just to see how I am doing. That makes me feel loved.

7. You took the time to talk with me for 5 minutes before I went to bed almost every night.

8. Even though I didn't like it, you made me practice the piano and wouldn't let me quit.

9. You would encourage me in my extra-curricular activities (Student Council, soccer), even if it was playing on the volleyball team in Jr. High (What was I thinking?).

10. You are a fabulous cook.

11. I remember one time I was playing with a soccer ball in the house and broke the light in my bedroom. I felt sooooo bad. You didn't get mad, which you probably should have.

12. You tried so diligently to teach me how to cook and sew. I still remember sewing a skirt together.

13. You read books to us and then when we could read on our own, you'd give us a dollar as a book mark. When we finished the book, we got the dollar. I also remember you reading "The Secret Garden" to me.

14. I love your face when dad tells a weird a joke. That is so funny to me.

15. You always made us breakfast before school.

16. You are a determined person. When you say you are going to do something, you do it.

17. On Valentine's Day, you would give us "Love Coupons" that said things like, "Good for one night of dishwashing".

18. You wrote me every week on my mission and I looked forward to your emails.

19. You serve faithfully in your church callings.

20. YOUR TESTIMONY OF THE GOSPEL!!!

Finally got a new car!!!

2009-04-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting a new car forever. My Mazda Protege had 125,000 miles on it and wasn't running the greatest. My parents came to visit and one of the things on the list was to go car shopping. They helped me pick out a car and get the best price. (Aren't my parents awesome!). I ended up getting a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. My car is carcoal gray with a light gray and black interior and I love it!!! Thanks for your help mom and dad!!!

Grandpa

2009-03-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Today at 1:34pm my Grandpa passed away. He had went in for a minor heart surgery. The blockage was worse than expected and he went into cardiac arrest leaving him on life support and brain dead.

This was unexpected, but our whole family has felt peace because of the amazing man our father/grandfather was. He was faithful and steadfast in the gospel and geneology was his passion. He had a great testimony and was completely obedient. Grandpa wouldn't even think of doing anything wrong. He was humble, but courageous when standing up for what is right. He loved BYU, black licorice, and taking walks.

One of my favorite memories of grandpa is going to the Ogden temple with him and then we drove to the house that he grew up in. It was just me and him. I also remember that when I was little, he took me the local fire station in Bountiful to see the fire trucks. He was so great about spending time individually with each of his 25 grandchildren and made us all feel special.

I lived with grandma and grandpa for almost 3 years while I worked to earn money for school and then while attending graduate school. I feel so lucky to be able to look back on this time and realize how close we became.

This is a sad time for our family, but we feel gratitude in our hearts for the Savior and to be sealed as a family for eternity.

Five Things

2009-01-20T10:49:00.000-08:00

Five Things

Five Favorite Restaurants
1. Cafe Rio
2. Cheese Cake Factory
3. Applebees
4. Chilis
5. California Tortilla

Five Things I Was Doing Five Years Ago
1. Moving to UT
2. Applying to Grad Schools
3. Applying for jobs
4. Making the transition from missionary to "normal" life :-) (I can't believe it has been that long!)
5. Getting back together with college friends

Five Things I Do Not Like
1. Fish or any kind of seafood except for shrimp
2. Car problems
3. Paperwork
4. Feeling stressed
5. Sewing

Five Things I Like To Do In My Spare Time
1. Facebook
2. Read
3. TV
4. Movies
5. Play the piano

Five Favorite Drinks
1. Hot chocolate
2. OJ
3. Chocolate Milk
4. Strawberry Fanta
5. Fresca

Five Places I Have Lived
1. Cody, WY
2. Casper, WY
3. Provo, UT
4. Bountiful, UT
5. Auburn, AL (mission)

Christmas Travel and Gratitude

2008-12-24T16:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I did get home to Cody, WY for Christmas, but I actually was pretty close to not making it. When I got to the airport I found out my flight was delayed about 20 min. No big deal. I had a two hour layover in Minneapolis and wasn't worried. The flight continued to be pushed back, until eventually I wasn't going to make my connection. As I'm waiting in line to see see when the next flight to Billings, MT is, they change their minds and decide that I am going to make my flight. We eventually board the plane almost 90 minutes after it was originally suppose to take off. Then we wait on the plane about 30 more minutes while they defrost/de-ice the wings. By this time I really thought I wasn't going to make my connection. We finally landed in Minneapolis and I start running to my next gate, hoping I didn't miss the flight. (Let me just add that I use to run a lot in high school playing soccer and there was time in college when I was a religious jogger. But those days have passed for sure!) When I got the gate I had time to spare! Thank goodness!!!

With that said, I am just grateful to be home for Christmas! Here are a few more things I am grateful for...

1. My family - They are incredible, especially my parents. I am extremely blessed to be born into a family with parents who taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ and loved me.
2. My friends - Moving to VA has made me appreciate my friends in UT even more. I also am thankful for the amazing new friends I have in VA.
3. Prayer - I will forever be grateful that God answers my prayers.
4. My job - Even though it has its ups and downs, I feel lucky to just be employed. JoAnne also makes my job sooooo much fun :-)
5. Gospel of Jesus Christ - Over the last two years, my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has deepened though special, sacred experiences. For that I am humbled and my heart swells with joy!

Loves to you all and Merry Christmas

Random Story

2008-12-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

So time for another random story.

Awhile back, I came home from work late. As I walked up the stairs to my apartment, I could see my door was wide open and my light was on. I slowly walked to the door and said "Hello?". A guy responded, "Maintenance." Needless to say I was very, very relieved. Apparently the apartment below me had water coming through the ceiling and my hot water heater had leaked. No damage was done to either apartment and in about 1 hour I had a new water heater. Well, as the repair guy was finishing up and he said, "Can I ask you a question?" I naturally assumed it would have to do with the water heater. I definately assumed wrong. This was the question. He pointed to the stars I have hanging in my living room and said, "What's up with the stars. I see them every where. Is that like the latest thing?" How do you respond to a question like that? I think I said something like, "They're just cute and easy to decorate with."

There's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Pizza Woman

2008-12-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

Life has its ups and downs and for some reason, I've decided to post mine :-) Hopefully I'll be able to keep this updated, but I'm not making any promises.

So here is a random, but cute story. I work with students who have language impairments (I'm a Speech Pathologist). During one of the therapy sessions, we were targeting naming categories. I asked a student, we'll call him Tom (I want to protect the innocent ya know) to name three jobs that people can have. One of the jobs he named was a "Pizza Man". One of the other students piped up and said "Or a Pizza WOMAN". Tom replied, "Have you ever heard of a Pizza Woman?" To which I responded. "I was a Pizza Woman. I worked at Pizza Hut for a couple of summers." (The summers before and after my senior year in high school, I was a waitress at Pizza Hut. It wasn't my most favorite job.) Tom's face was priceless. His jaw dropped and he looked at me in awe. He then said, "What!!! I think I'm gonna fall out of my chair. I can't believe it." He then started shaking his head in disbelief. By this time I was laughing pretty hard. Now this happened about a month ago and I had kinda forgotten about it. Today, I was working with this same group of students and somehow we got talking about pizza. They reminded me that I had been a "Pizza Woman". I started laughing and told them I had forgotten about that. Tom looked at me and in all serious said, "I haven't forgotten it."

You know what I just realized...I had pizza for dinner tonight. I guess really live up to the name :-)