First and Last

This is the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see before I go to bed at night. Thanks cousins... ;) y'all are adorable.

Marge

Funniest moment ever-trying to close the door without letting the bike fall.

Zorro

Last night we went to see some girls in our ward perform in Zorro. It was fabulous. Good job Hale Center Theater.

Then the famished roommates and I went to Ihop. Ihop did NOT disappoint.

That's What Friends Are For

This morning, I woke up at 6:14. I am supposed to leave at 6:30. However, let's be honest, these events would have occurred had I gotten up on time. 

After unlocking the door to my classroom at 6:55 AM, I plopped into my desk, turned on my computer, and instinctively looked down at my calendar for my daily to-do-list. I'm a habitual list maker. The first thing on my list was POQ (Panther of the Quarter) Assembly. Crap. I'm a co-chair of that committee and thus required to give out the awards and welcome the school/parents/etc. I looked down and was startled to see RED SKINNIES. We work at a school where appearance is very highly appreciated--AKA--it's a little strict.

Suddenly, through the well-insulated wall made of carpet, I heard Poore's laugh. I jumped up and seiously RAN down the hall to Cynthia's room. I gasped when seeing her and covered my mouth in joy. She was wearing a skirt.

Our conversation went something like this:

Me: "Gasp!!!"

Cynthia and Poore: Blank stares

Me: Blank stare

Them: "Well?"

Me: "I don't want to interrupt"

Them: Blank stare

Me: "Can I wear your skirt? I'm in charge of the assembly"

Us: Wild laughter

Two minutes later in her closet, we emerged like this:

I'm surprised I fit into her stuff. SOOO lucky to have her and Cynthia to take this picture:)

We got lots of funny looks as we walked down the hall in different clothes than what we had started school in, and even funnier looks after changing back after the assembly. The assembly was televised so they had seen me "change."

I have the best co-workers EVER. Thanks, Poore. Saved my job. 

Good Friends

I'm lucky.

The Day of the BYU

1. I came across this article on the MSNBC homepage: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46718227#.T2AdIpivIfM

2. I had a call back interview at BYU for grad school :) I'll hear back in a few weeks.

3. BYU MIRACULOUSLY CAME BACK FROM A 25 POINT DEFICIT!!! The highlights will be braggingly shown tomorrow. Oh, and the President was there. NBD.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=320730252

Picture of the Day 2

About a month ago, my principal (who is seriously SO good to me) brought me this bag because I just "had to have it for my world travels." I thanked her up and down because it was just so generous of her. Well, a week or two ago, when she came in to observe me, she brought up the bag and how it must be lonely. I told her I could bring it back. She explained that that wasn't what she meant at all. This morning, I got to my classroom (early after going to the bank and car wash before 630 am-another story) and saw this suitcase sitting by my desk. It was such a thoughtful kind gesture. I'm excited to use them on my trip to Cancun in less than 3 weeks.

And, yes, I just typed this whole message while riding the bike at Gold's. Multitasking at its finest.

Picture a Day 1

Kristen made beautiful pillows for our apartment. Here's a close up. She's amazing.

Super Tuesday Party

You read it correctly. We had a Super Tuesday Party. And people came. Lots.

What is Super Tuesday? 

According to Wikipedia, "In the United States, Super Tuesday, in general, refers to the Tuesday in February or March of a presidential election year when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to select delegates to national conventions at which each party's presidential candidates are officially nominated. More delegates can be won on Super Tuesday than on any other single day of the primary calendar, and, accordingly, candidates seeking the presidency traditionally must do well on this day to secure their party's nomination."

What is a nerd?

According to Wikipedia, "Nerd is a derogatory slang term for a person typically described as intellectual, socially-impaired, and obsessive who spends inordinate amounts of time on unpopular, obscure, or highly technical pursuits, or relating to topics of fiction or fantasy, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities." See also, Amber Anderson. 

It's ok. I love it and WE love having parties. 

 I offered my students extra credit for watching the elections, then proceeded to tell them about the party we were having. They perked all up and were certain that they were getting an invite to my party for extra credit. I realized they were getting a little too excited and had to explain that they got extra credit for watching the news, NOT for coming to my home. They were a little hurt.

 The above flag belongs on my classroom wall. When they asked where it was (yeah, it's still hanging up at my house days later...) because all these posters are strategically posted around it and it's just missing, I automatically responded, "above my couch over Jesus." We should probably allow Him back into our living room. They won't let me live it down. Every day, "Miss Anderson, is our flag still covering up Jesus?" Whoops.

 We cast our own votes for the individual states.

 The results live.

We love America. I hope you do as well.

Family

I'm really fortunate to have the family I have. Year after year, they have taken such great care of me. My grandma is our constant. She is loving and charitable and so kind. We would all be a mess without her (salmon balls, burnt "test" cookies, late night delirious chats, and all). 

 Grandma: "Oooohhhhh, I feel like I'm drunk."

 As for these two girls, we've had some interesting times over the years. From our "dancing" days in the back yard and summers together, now we pretty much settle for a good conversation. I'm excited to see where our lives take us.

 My Uncle Jay and Aunt Lorie have especially been taking me under their wings. I am so grateful to them. They always make sure I am included, "blessed," and part of a local family. For these things, I owe them the world.

Sundance 2012

 There is a really great story behind this...but you'll have to ask. 

We went to Sundance Film Festival (which apparently is a really big deal if you're famous and/or artsy) and had a wonderful time celebrity spotting, enjoying great conversation at The Red Bano (you might know of it as the Red Banjo), and begging some random guys for parking passes after realizing that parking is 20 dollars and we are all credit-card-only-carrying-girls. It was a great time.

Baby Time

My best friends are all having children. I love it. I'm still waiting for the marriage stage of life, so I'm not exactly extremely jealous of their adventures yet, but I'm sure it will come. As for now, I love adoring them from afar.

 Cecy's little one 

 MRW and A

The brilliant distractor we call the iPhone and Coralie's J