I hate my Job

I just have to take this opportunity to publicly announce how much I hate my Job!!! I think I'd rather clean mens dorm room bathrooms all day...I'd have quit weeks ago, but the trouble is, I'm a teacher. I work at Jr. High. I teach classes that consists of kids who: 1. were failing another class and their counsoler didn't want them to get an F so they put them in my class mid-term (which totally displacees any accountability they have for grades and for not doing their H.W.) or 2. They were disrupting their other class or being a behavior problem so they were transfered into my class. (That's no lie) Help!

tagged?

So, this is the first time that I've participated in these tags. My dear old cousin Koe hit me with this one. I'm kindof embarassed to do it because you just have to tell 6 things about yourself: habits, traits, deep dark secrets, etc. So here we go. Also, I'm supposed to pass this on to 6 people so I think that if you read it you should consider yourself tagged.

1. I was really scared of tonz of things when I was little. A few of these things include: E.T. Dinasaurs, Hitler, Witches, Gophers, Billy bob (at showbiz pizza), I really thought that all of them were going to come and get me in the night. Oh, and vampires, I even went through a phase where I had to wear turtle necks to bed so it'd be harder for a vampire to bite me.

2. I'm still scared of tonz of things, only the list of things I'm scared of have changed... sharks in lakes, intruders, people that may be lurking in my shower, Grizzley bears, badgers, rocky ledges, and being home alone.

3. I LOVE taco bell mild sauce. I eat them plain, from the packet. When I go to taco bell I grab a few extras for the road.

4. When I'm eating candy or something, like M&M's for example. I like to eat so that I have the same amount of each color of M&M

5. I have a large need to celebrate every holliday (and for some reason also feel the need to create theme meals, which usually ends up just creating more work...)

6. I'll eat lots of discusting things... for example... When I was in H.S. we were driving back from a track meet. Someone passed out a piece of bubble tape to everyone (including the old grumpy 65 yr. old coach) then they collected all the ABC gum and and put it in a big clump and I chewed it all!!!

7. and a bonus, because I just remembered this... My Junior year in college I was friends with lots of REALLY trendy people and so for some reason I thought it would be funny if I bought this ugly navy blue sweat suit from D.I. (like the 80's sweats and sweatshirt- all one color, no frills) that was about 5 sizes to big for me and wore it to school every day for one week.

okay, that is enough. those things make me sound like a total wierd-o, but I guess if the shoe fits...

Cancun & swiming with dolphins

Last week we went down to Cancun. Amazingly Josh and I got a free trip from his running. We got to stay in an amazing hotel on the beach with an amazing pool. We got all the free food we wanted, including numerous virgin Pina Colada's and Strawberry Daquaries at the pool bar. But the highlight of my trip was swiming with the Dolphins! This is always something that's been on my list of "things to do before I die" It was so fun! First they kissed you on the cheek, then you got to shake their fins, and the best was doing the "super man" you lay in the water and 2 dolphins come behind you and put their nose on the bottom on your foot, then they push you through the water soo fast that you are pushed up into a standing position. Amazing.

This is a view of the swimming pools at our hotel. you can see the canopy of the pool bar in the largest pool, closest to the beach.

Cereal

We love to eat cereal for breakfast. And sometimes for lunch, or for desert... We don't really care much about choosing the "health" cereals... We usually just get the delicous kinds. Studies have shown that people who eat cereal (any kind) for breakfast feel better physically and emotionally (bell institute) they also show that frequent cereal eaters have healthier body weights. So, we go for the yummy ones, they have the same amount of vitamins, minerals, calories and whole grain as the others...better that we eat our cereal then buy healthy kinds and wish that we wanted to eat it. The cereals that you will usually find in our pantry are:

1. Reeses puffs (Josh even brings a box of these out of town with him)

2. Raisin nut bran

3. Grahm O's

4. Berry Berry Kix

5. Cinnamon swirls

6. Honey Nut Chex

7. Cookie Crisp

8. Vanilla cream Mini-wheats

9. French Toash Crunch (we don't buy this any more since they recently changed the flavor)

10. Muffin tops

11. Blueberry morning

Around Town

My parents and Tracy are living in Hannover. Their apt. is RIGHT in the city. It's a really cool town and I loved all the culture, I had a fun time hanging out with my fam. and with my little sis. Tracy. Hannover is basically the government ctr. of the country so 80% of it was bombed in the war. Most of it is either re-built, or they are in the process of re-building it. A few things they have left in ruins.

This is the Rathaus (or city government building) it was less than 1/2 mile from my family's apartment. Tracy and I would go by it on our run every morning. (p.s. Tracy took this photo. she's a great photographer.)

This is one of the 1/2 timber houses that is so typical in germany. I love this classic mid-evil look.


This is an old church that was bombed in WWII, but has not yet been restored. It has all sorts of pretty red vines growing on it. (credit of this photo also goes to tracy)

This is the Old church just RIGHT by my families. It chimes every hour (and half hour and quarter hour...)

These are the apartments that my parents live in!

I love germany

I got home from my deutschland trip about 2 weeks ago? So sere is yet another post about it. Yes, I love germany. That will probabally show by the legnth of this post. A few of the reasons I love it include...

FOOD...

Soft German Pretzil. They make em' big.
Kinder bar. Now, this is the most delicous thing. I'm actually eating one right this moment. It is a thin wafer like cookie filled with creamy hazelnut cream, and dipped in european chocolate. Need I say more?

Try to forget the fact that I look like a goblin. Take a look at my Kugel's of Ice cream. One of the flavors is Kinder egg flavor and the other is coconut. Very delicous and creamy... Lecker.

This is Tracy holding a paper cone filled with delicous little bite sized scones! They are heavily sprinkled with powdered sugar. Wow!

Bavaria...

Beautiful country side of Bavaria. Maybe my favorite place in the world. The alps would be right behind me as I was taking this photo...

Cows...

Alps. Right on the border of austria. We went running here in the morning and there was a think layer of fog just floating over the lake, and around the mountains. very picturesque.

The little bed and breakfast we stayed in. It had the most delicous breakfast. German breakfasts are the best. They always have boiled eggs and a little egg cup to hold them in, Rolls that are crusty on the outside and soft in the middle, cold cuts, and delicous apple juice that actually tasts like apples, etc.

Neuschwanstein. Otherwise recognized as the Disney Castlel. This is "one of the jewls of bavaria" But I think the countryside is just as pretty as the castle. This is the one that Walt disney patterned sleeping beauty's castle after. So Amazing. Built in the alps of Bavaria.

Tracy and I inside the Neuschwanstein courtyard.

More of Neuschwanstein, with the typical disney turret and the alps in the background. This is the most visited castle because all americans love it, thanks to walt disney!

Castles...

Heidleburg castle, this wing of it was in ruins. Much of it was destroyed in the war of 1812. I think this castle was built in the 1400?

One of the most beautiful, "Lichtenstein" built right on the edge of the cliff.

Wenigerode castle. One of the few in the northern part of the country.

Wartburg castle. Martin Luther (that the lutheran church is named after) translated the New Testiment here. It was built in the 1200?It was really rainy this day, so sorry the quality's not that great.

Rheinstein Castle. Another of my favorites. Had a mini vineyard here in the cortyard. On a hill, overlooking the Rhein.
Rheinstein Castle courtyard.

Beautiful Germany

I'm still in Germany. My family lives right in the heart of a city, but we've gone out and seen many country sides which are SOOO beautiful! Everyone has old cute houses with red roofs. Many houses (at least in the North) have half timber houses. The leaves are just starting to change color which makes it even more schon (beautiful in german)

Hildesheim

We rented a car and drove down to this town called hildesheim (don't worry, they drive on the right side of the road here) We drove through some nice country side to get here. This town is known for it's beautiful old churches. This first one is called Andreas Kirche. It was built in the 1500's. Inside it had some beautiful ceelings, and candles that you could light etc.

This church was called Michales Kirche. It was built in 1000. It had been bombed out in the WWII (as had most of the churches) and it has been partially restored. It was old and beautiful, and it had an abby connected onto the back.

It's cool how there is soo much history here in this country. Every where you go there are so many old and cool buildings, churches, cathedrals, palaces, statues, buildings and castles. Tomorrow we are leaving to southern germany so see a bunch of the castles.

Hannover- Konigliche Garten

I'm in germany visiting my family (in Hannover) one of the popular sights here is this garden. they have lots of different little theme gardens. This one was the germany theme garden.

This is an overview of the garden that is at the entrance of the whole thing. They had lots of little hedges, and tons of statues that were greed gods and godesses.

For some reason this little statue was one of my favorite things in the gardens. He was in the "island garden" there was a little mote built around the garden that included this statue.

These gardens were really pretty. They have the tallest water fountain in germany, and also had lots of swans and things. On weekends they have fire work shows with different country themes. It was really pretty...

For Josh... this is your "token"

J o s h :

I hope you know how proud of you I am! I hope you know what a good example you are to me (and others) of dedication, determination, positive attitude, and mental and physical stregnth. Running is what you make it, talent can only take you so far... then the rest is contingent upon what you put into it, you've put in ALOT, and it's given you to many great opportunities!

As your race gets close, just remember all us little people who are praying for you and supporting you. And remember " Attempt, and do it with all your might. Determination is power." (Charles Simmons)

When you go out there to run this weekend, just remember to put in a few good laps for this little guy, He'd want you to shoot for the moon. I love you!

Life these days...

I've been putting on lots of exciting posts from trips and such... but I'm all out of cool photos, so I though I'd just give you an update on our lives these days. Josh is currently in Japan for the world track and field championships (this is a BIG race). His trip to Japan is 2.5 weeks so it's kinda been lonley here with out him. When he comes home he'll continue to run, b/c that's his Job! wouldn't that be awesome to be able to support yourself through that? Then he might also work at Home Depot. This would be cool b/c he could learn all sorts of fix-it tips. As for my exciting life, I've had the summer off, no work. I quit my job at Timpview because remember how we were going to move to Memphis? well, in July we decited to postpone that till next year. Anyway, so I've been searching for a new job. I found one at Lakeridge Jr. High in Orem, teaching study skills. I'm way excited for this job b/c I totally love junior high kids, I think they are hillarious! I will also still be the assistant coach for Timpview cross country. I love that part of my "Job". My parents and little sis are in germany till December and I get to go visit them in 2 weeks. I'm way excited... and I'm hoping to take a gander at some of the old german castles. During the time that I'm in Germany Josh will also be "abroad" at a race in either France, or else where in Germany. Welp, that about sum's it up. Oh yeah, and we're making the big move to Orem.

Squash...

I'm staying at my parents house right now. We had to be out of our last apartment by Aug. 15 but can't move into our new one until Sep. 1 . I really love the neighborhood that I grew up in. I drove around the it tonight to see what had changed. On my little spin I found this little stand set up just out side "the fence" Since squash is one of my all time favorites I took advantage of this opportunity. I took a zuchinie and a summer squash.

I love this recipie, containing summer squash. It's from my mom... I don't know where it came from?

Green Chilie Enchiladas

1 doz. corn tortillas

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 can green chilies

3 summer squash

2-3 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Cook the squash lightly & sprinkle with S&P. Add soup & chilies & heat to a boil. Put a little soup in the bottom of a glas baking dish. Alternate layers of tortillas, soup & cheese. Cook 30-35 min. at 350.

Pan American Games

The purpose for our trip to brazil was for josh to race. The competition was between 42 countries. Each country could send their 2 people who wanted to go (as long as they had run a fast enough time) The stadium that held the race was huge! and it was filled with people... I'd guestimate over 20,000. The croud was crazy, crazy about Brazil. They didn't seem to like americans when we were in compitition with them, they booo'd alot. So, anyways, Josh won the race! it was fun to watch... after he won, they gave him an american flag and he got to do a victory lap. Then they had a "medals cerimony" just like in the olympics. They give you your medal, raise your countries flag and have everyone stand as they play your national anthem. At that moment, standing on brazillian soil, and hearing brazil's boo's towards america, I felt REALLY glad to be an american. There is nothing like travel to make you appreciate how blessed we are to live in the U.S.A.!!!

Josh holding out the U.S.A.


Going over barrier. Mike Spence, the other U.S.A. kid was 2nd!

Rio de Janeiro

We got back from our trip to Brazil... it was really fun! it was too bad though because it's their winter so it was rainy and overcast most of the time, and we got alot of rain so we couldn't spend much time on their beautiful beaches, but we still had a blast. It was fun to see another culture, and another part of the world. It fuled my desire to travel...


"Christo Redentor", the newest wonder of the world. It's 30 meters high and the arm span is 28 meters wide. It's perced on top of a little round mountain and has a great view of the whole city. It was pretty amazing to see (although I don't think it was as big as the statue of liberty.) In the back of the statue they have a little chapel. The guy that is not josh was the other U.S. steeple chaser, Mike spence. His wife Christy, and his mom came to brazil as well. All us ladies shared a room at an AWESOME hotel!

Josh and I sitting in the "Barra de Tijuca rain forest" it was really pretty, but we didn't get to see any tucan's...

This is a little monkey in the forest. There were alot of them. They'd just run around in the trees like squirrels. They were cute and friendly. They'd eat from your hand, or try to take your camera.

This is a bannana tree, with a big red bannana blossom on the bottom of the branch.

There were lots of cool markets around the city, I just thought these fish were cool.

Me in one of the market places... they had lots of exotic, tropical and delicous fruits! Pineapple, papaya, mango, star fruit, guava etc.

This little city settlement is called a favela. They are the slums of the cities. Apparently they are not patrolled by the police, but rather, are controlled by the drug lord. There are apparently 80 murders a day in rio, and most of them occur in these favelas. They houses are made of cement, or other random building materials. some have glass windows, and some just have open window panes... they are VERRY delapidated adn run down. favela's are built upon favela's and they get up to 5 or more stories high, just crammed with people. It was sad to see that so many people just have this kind of a life style, that is all they know.

Not a favela, just a basic neighborhood. there is grafitti all over the place.

We had a few dinners in these delicous "turasco's" or Brazillian BBQ's. They have a huge bar in the middle of the resturant that has breads and cheeses and all sorts of crazy and delicous salads, and fruit, and sushi, and spring rolls with strawberries, or kiwi (so good) lots of sea food dishes (I tried octapus, not a pleasant experience) Quail eggs (taste ok) then these waiters go around from table to table with skewers of all kinds of meet: different flavors and cuts of steaks, chicken, pork, lamb, different flavors of sausage, grilled pineapple and even chicken hearts!