Holy Colee!

I have 3 cardinal rules.

Rule #1 - Never buy anything at full price at Shop-Ko or Old Navy. Let's face it, everything in these stores goes on sale about every 30 days. Just keep your eye open, you'll find it for 50% off next week.

Rule #2 - I don't cook for girls. Roommates, Large dinner parties, and family provide a way around this rule.

Rule #3 - Don't ask boys out. Over for dinner, does not count.
Breaking this rule has only proven to get me in trouble.
This rule has also been the root of one of my very favorite conversations... it happened quite a while a go, but it's stuck with me, so I am going to repeat it... maybe it's too much insight into me, but isn't that what the WWW is for?

Girl: So, you managed to impress my mom the other day.
Boy: Oh?
Girl: Yeah, and I quote, "He seems like a nice enough boy. Why don't you date him?" But don't worry, I told her.
Boy: What did you tell her?
Girl: Because he doesn't ask.
Boy: Oh sure, make me look like the ass.
Girl: Well, is there another reason?

3 days later, we went out.

Ok... I believe those may be enough random things for one entry...

I have come to the conclusion that if you live in an area that has more than one radio station, you can listen to "The Wall" by Pink Floyd anytime you want. I have heard this song everyday for the last 3 weeks. I DON'T own it. I am a radio station scanner. It's not about what's on, it's about what else is on. The thing is, I don't really listen to the radio all that much - I drive to work, at lunch, and back from work. That's really about all the radio time I have. Then again, maybe SLC just has a thing for Floyd - can anyone validate my theory?

Ok, so tonight was the last night of my cooking class. I think there is a reason he does the meals in the order that he does them... this one was, mmm.... boring. It was basically rice, with some extra seasonings (cloves, anise seed, cardamon, cinnamon) and then some shrimp thrown in on top. It left me wanting a sauce to put on it. Perhaps it would be better if we made it with chicken stock and chicken instead of the shrimp... I'll play with it a little before I completely discard it from my memory.

Anyway, the class was fun. I am glad we took it. We learned not only the dishes we made, but also just a lot of really basic things that turn into everything else. I swear if I heard him explain how to make beef burgandy one more time, I might have had to tape his mouth shut ;) JUST KIDDING! (mostly) I am excited to put it to use and really just have a go at it. Right now the only thing I am missing are the guinea pigs.

Tonight we had a makeup cooking class for the night Hiro was in the hospital. We made Indonesian Stir Fry... I have to be honest with you, it was pretty much like every stir fry I've ever had, but with shrimp. 2nd confession, I don't really like shimp unless it is covered in batter and deep fried. This second revelation is even more concerning because on Wednesday's class we are making another shrimp meal.

Anyway, I'd say it is good to be home, but I'd be lying. I was stellar until I got off the plane this morning and turned my phone on. I'm seriously considering changing the number.
Phoenix was great. Saturday we had a BBQ- yes BBQ in Novemeber - for Ian and Ty's birthdays. Then we saw Chicken Little in 3-D. LOVED IT. Cute show. Sunday we lounged around and had breakfast on the back patio, did some window shopping at the outdoor mall, and went swimming in the pool.... It's too bad Phoenix couldn't be 80 degrees in the summer too- I'd move for sure. It was hard to leave this morning. I wore capris all day in rebellion to being back in the land of the frigid. A girl has to have her little victories :)

I love flying SouthWest. I had the priviledge of enjoying a classic SouthWest safety announcement today. The in flight specialist was in a fantasticly entertaining mood. There were a couple of families in the front and he was playing up the adults as much as the kids. Not only did we get entertaining announcements, but we got booger jokes and when we landed we got trivia facts such as - did you know that lettuce is the only vegetable that is sold in no other form than fresh?

Ok, well, I am in Phoenix for the weekend and I think the kids are going to mutiny if we don't go for dinner soon :)
TTFN

Cheesy lines, predictable plot, bad acting

Well friends, it's Wednesday night, and you know what that means..... that's right! Cooking Class!
Tonight we made the traditional Italian dish, Chicken Cacciatore. Friends, we have another dish I fully plan to make for anyone who wishes. The dish itself is very simple. Onions, green peppers, mushrooms, celery, tomato sauce, baked over chicken that has been sauteed and flambe'd (personally, I just think Hiro likes to watch the alcohol burst into flames) and topped with montery jack cheese; and serve the whole mess over your favorite pasta. Of course, you have to make the garlic cheese bread to go with it. Kids- it is super easy and super tasty.

Next week we are going to have 2 classes and then we will have completed the series. I am kind of sad to see it be over. I do believe this might be the most enjoyable class I've ever taken. There is a super cute girl, her name is Angela, that I have really enjoyed getting to know better. And the security guard that stops by when he can smell we are almost done is actually a pretty funny guy. I'm convinced he comes to class half for the food and half to hit on Angela... I have bets on whether or not he will get enough umph to ask her for her number before the class ends.... he's got a week ;) Come on! You can do it!!! Go Security Dude!

As a side note, I heard a rumor that the only person left in my office that is in client services (the dept I work in) is probably leaving the project... Is it just me, or does it seem like people are jumping off a sinking ship. I really look forward to the adjustments that are going on right now being over. I have to believe that the end result will be better for all of us that are left.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Ok, that's out of the way.

Have you ever needed a hug so much that your body actually hurt? I think it is a shame that we live in a world where physical contact is so taboo. I grew up in a home full of hugs and squeezes and holding hands. All of them very proper and clean. It is how I knew my mommy loved me and that my friends would always be there. I miss it.
I now live in a world where a hug will get you sent to HR and holding hands is too big of a committment. I can not honestly think of the last time I came into contact with another human being for more than a handshake. My soul hurts.
It feels like my whole world is falling apart and nothing can fix it. I am angry at people I shouldn't be angry at. I am pushing people away for no reason. I want to go to bed and not wake up til sometime next Saturday.
I really really just want a hug.

Due to a recent conversation full of questions I could not answer, I have decided to pose a few to the general public- or the readers of my blog... PLEASE leave your answers in the comments. Feel free to leave them anonymously, but please leave them.

#1 - What makes a girl (boy) turn into a friend instead of a girl(boy) friend?
#2 - What are the top 3 reasons a girl (boy) is unkissable? (Please put a star next to the answer that applies to me- I can't fix it if I don't know what's wrong- remember this is anonymous. And I know one of them has to apply, because apparently I am)
#3 - What is your biggest turn off?
#4 - Besides looks- what is the first thing you notice about the people (yes, both genders) you meet?

Ok, for today that is all.... more to come

Did you know Chicken Curry does not have curry in it at all? I do now.... It does have EVERY other spice you've ever heard of, and a few that you haven't. We made 2 versions last night. One with tomatoe, one with out. I don't know... it was ok. The rice was tasty.

Wow... you know your life is boring when you spend your blog time chatting about chicken curry.... HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!

Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying my cooking class? Tonight we learned about presentation. About the only thing I learned about that was beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... everyone liked my sexy lemon flowers except the teacher :P

But besides that we made Salmon Oscar. We flambe'd the salmon, cooked the "k"rab, made the bernaise sauce - with Hiro's "special" ingredients, and steamed the asparagus - apparently to perfection, I have never had asparagus before, so I have nothing to compare it to. I am pretty sure it was the sauce's "special" ingredients, but the words I would like to use to describe this meal would probably make my page go against the Convergys Acceptable Use policy. Let's just say, if you ever come over for dinner and this is the meal I am cooking, be prepared for the best you've ever had. "The best what?" you ask.... "Just the best" I respond slyly, "really.... the best."

This is my Shahnee. If you could see my hair better, you would know that she did a FANTASTIC job on her first color weave. She has some fascination with my hair being straight - so she did that, too.

I am spending the weekend with my cousin Shahna. She is in Rexburg going to beauty college. I decided I was tired of my hair color, so I am letting her change it. I am enjoying just being with her and her roommate. To be 18 again.....

Anyway, we went into Idaho Falls to shop for shampoo, yes, shampoo. I was super excited to find the brand I have been looking for for 3 years - and not only that, Shahna get's 50% off :) It's a super duper day...
Ok, the purpose of this entry is really to tell you about the cute little restaurant we stopped at. It's called "Wrangler." I get a little nervous about mom'n' pop places, but it was busy, so we figured that was a good sign. Anyway, the food was fine, but as we were enjoying our chicken sandwiches, we were treated to a harmonica concert :) This table was full of cute little old ladies. One of them just broke out her harmonica and started playing. Shortly after, her friend was walking around the room backwards trick or treating. She had a witch that when you pushed on her head, she spat out candy corns... When I get old- I am going to be cool like that :) I am giving serious thought to picking up a harmonica and a how to play book. Anyway, it was a truly enjoyable dining experience.

7:00PM AST

I am sitting on a model airplane with a 12 year old pilot after a 3 hour delay on my way from Halifax to Newark and HOPEFULLY on to SLC. Apparently there have been some wind delays in Newark. I'm taking bets on whether or not anyone on this flight gets thru Customs in time for their connections.
On the bright side, I do have a window seat. I love flying above the clouds. It is easy to forget that beneath they are dark and heavy when from the top they are so pure and soft.


10:00 EST
Heaven is smiling on me today. We got to Newark, cleared customs, claimed and transferred baggage, and got back thru security to find that my connecting flight had been delayed 1.5 hours. Instead of leaving the same time my Halifax flight landed, I now had time to get some dinner, call home, quit freaking out about being stuck in NJ overnight...
Speaking of food - I think I like Continental's snacks the best. They are... what is the word.... interactive. Sure it's just cheese and crackers, but at least I get to spread the right amount of cheese and make a choice as to whether or not to add the meat. Of course, I always choose the meat, but that is another conversation.
Also speaking of food- what is up Pepsi-Co?! How did we let Coca-Cola be the only supplier of every airport and plane???

On a more random note, we flew over Manhattan tonight. I can not think of an angle where that is not just an amazing city......

who's grand idea was it to serve a ball of shredded cabbage with your meal instead of finding some kind of actual vegetable? Is cabbage really that much cheaper than corn or beans or even lettuce? I think someone should figure ot just how much cole slaw is thrown away every year, heck, every day and see how many starving children could be fed if they could just find a way to make it palatable....

Ok, I just needed to get that out of my system...
Today I woke up in Nova Scotia... I am not actually sure what town I was in, but it was a hotel, and right near the Halifax Airport. My alarm clock said 6, when it went off, but my body was in rebellion and screaming that it was only 3. So.... I drove to Digby. I missed my exit, but I was only lost for about 20 minutes, which is not too shabby for me. The drive is BEAUTIFUL. The fall colors are just starting to show and it was just a nice morning. I spent the day in the center not quite as focused as I had hoped, but I think we had some good discussions. It was nice to put some faces with names and voices.

I went to a cute little place for dinner called the Shoreline Restaurant. They are about 3 days away from closing for the season. In the lobster tank I saw something that is supposedly a 1 in 20,000,000 thing - a BLUE lobster. He was stunning! If I think about it tomorrow I am going back with a camera. Anyway, they are going to set him free on Sunday when they close. He deserves to grow old.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank network television for the idea of rerunning the current season's shows on a different day of the week. I love LOST!!!

Today was kind of an odd day. It started out as one of those days where cheesy 80's love songs don't seem quite so cheesy and you catch yourself singing along to them on the radio.... then I got to work and my computer could not start Windows (blasted Bill Gates). There is no mood spoiler I know like being at work an hour before the computer guys are thinking about waking up and not being able to log in.

It is crazy how much we have come to depend on computers. I vaguely remember having a job that did not require a computer to do the smallest task, like provide the times and numbers needed to be on your required calls. I have also decided I am in the wrong business. I want a job where I get to tell people I will do something when I have the time. I'm thinking of taking computer programming classes and applying for an IT job.

I did have a lovely day of sitting on my boss' desk and just chatting about stuff. Work stuff, home stuff, stuff stuff. Poor guy, like he doesn't get enough of that being a bishop. I'm gonna miss him. It makes work a lot easier when you feel like your boss actually cares about you.

Needless to say, at the end of the day, I still do not have a computer to work on tomorrow. I'm going in late.

Oooooooooooooh my! I am feeling better and better about taking this cooking class. Tonight we made "Chicken Jerusalem." But don't let the name fool you- there is nothing kosher about this meal. Included in this meal are the best sautee'd mushrooms I have ever been privy to. As well as artichoke hearts and a cream sauce. We paired it with a rice pilaf. Oh, really, I know I am getting too excited about something as simple as chicken, but there is little else going on right now ;) Today I miss having people to cook for more than I have since leaving Logan.

I need a boy- just to have someone to cook for... I ask for very little else, just someone willing to make pleasant sounds while he eats my food. For the many of you that have played that role in the past, I miss you. Come visit, eh?

Next week, while I am gone, they are making Italian food (yes, he is taking a tour around the world) When I get back we get to bring a friend to class and show off our new skillz :) Any volunteers????

Next week I going to a couple of centers to facilitate some trainings... does it worry anyone else that I am training something I haven't done for over a year???? Shhh- don't tell anyone, maybe they'll never guess. The best part is I actually get to meet some of my team- woo hoo! yea! for meeting people you talk to everyday!!!

Oh yeah, for any of you that may have my work cell phone number - it's been disconnected. I am not avoiding you. If you want to talk to me, I am now only using my personal phone. If you don't have that number and think you should- send me a note :)

Tonight I learned to Square Dance. I was a little skeptical at first, but once I got started, I rather enjoyed it. According to Matt I caught on relatively quickly. I think he may be a little dillusional. None the less- it was entertaining. I even managed not to twist the ankle until almost the end (a small miracle for me since I am a clutz with a capital K).

Anyway... that's about it. Work was a long day, but pretty productive I think. I am doing interviews for a position in Baton Rouge. Interviews are interesting. I think it almost absurd that we are supposed to make a decision on who can best do a job after talking to them for only about 20 minutes. Also, after 7 1/2 years with this company, I am FINALLY getting sent to a site other than the one I live at. Woo Hoo :D

I love going home. I can't think of a better place to hide out and deal with a cold. My mom let's me sleep all day if I want (which I did a pretty good job of today)

There was a new addition to my home when I went home this weekend. The cat my nephew called about last week. Her name is Stripes. She is hyper active and extremely playful, and her favorite place to sleep is ON MY HEAD. Anyway... it was an interesting weekend.

Friday I took 3 of my cousins to the Bear Lake High School Homecoming Parade and JV Football game. We totally kicked Declo's trash. Our Varsity team, not so much. Saturday we worked in the yard to get it ready for Winter. Today I slept in, watched General Conference and my mom made a prelude to Thanksgiving Dinner and my aunt and uncle and their kids came up for lunch.

I warned you on the first log that my life is boring.... now you know, I wasn't lying. I never lie.