What does the G stand for?

New blog!

2012-01-25T08:21:00.002-07:00

I have a new blog!

Random Thoughts of a Super-Nerd

I'll try to keep my nerdy posts there and maybe more personal ones here? maybe?

Y'all should follow it.

long time

2012-01-23T21:45:00.001-07:00

It's been three years.

Three years is a long time. Almost long enough to forget about someone.

But not this time.

Tanner, your legacy still lives on in the band hall.

Bassoon in every household!

Strange dream

2011-11-16T07:26:00.002-07:00

I had a strange dream last night... my friend Kenny came home from his mission (which wasn't the strange part, he's supposed to come home next month!) and he came to see me in the computer lab, which was kinda strange. But he wasn't the same Kenny any more, he said he was all grown up now and wanted to be called Ken. I had a problem with this, as I already know a Ken and so he had to be Kenny even though Ken is Mik's father-in-law and so it's not like we have a close personal relationship... but I was sad that Kenny had changed. We've been friends since high school, after all...

Maybe my subconscious mind is telling me that I'm all grown up now and things will be different? I don't know.

a week's worth of thankful

2011-11-15T15:05:00.002-07:00

I forgot to write thankful posts for a week. So here's 7 things I'm thankful for:

1: Paydays

2: Vanilla beans

3: Getting into the classes I wanted

4: Really good professors

5: Honey-lemon cough drops

6: My amazing supervisor/bosses (Kohnor, Carey and Becky!)

7: Lactaid

Thankful, day 8

2011-11-08T17:13:00.002-07:00

Right now, I'm halfway through my shift at work. What usually is a 3-hour shift unexpectedly became a 7-hour shift as my coworker's car died and she had no way to get here and so I offered to cover for her.

Today, I'm thankful for my job.

Anyone who actually reads this probably already knows that this job is perfect for me. I want to tell the story about it anyway.

At the end of May, I was having serious issues with my old job at the local grocery store. I wasn't being treated with respect the way I should have been, especially having worked there for three years, so I quit at the start of June. My wonderful mother let me quit with the stipulation that I apply to as many jobs as I could as quickly as I could so that I would hopefully be unemployed for only a short time.

So I applied for several jobs, had a couple interviews that didn't pan out, and was starting to feel disgruntled again when I got a call. Technically, I got a voice mail. That was Monday, June 27th. It wasn't until the next day when I realized I had a voice mail, panicked, called back, left a voice mail, was called back, and finally set up the interview for the next day, Wednesday. So Wednesday morning I nervously went to a building I'd never been to on campus for the interview. There, I met Dave and Kohnor, who were interviewing me. They gave me the manual for the job and said they'd call and let me know. Not even three hours later that day Dave called and offered me the job. I was unemployed for 3 1/2 weeks. I was so lucky.

The job itself is super amazing. It's absolutely perfect for me, a college student with ADD. It's on campus, which is super convenient. Most days I work right after class. It's working with computers, which works really well with my major. I get to use the customer service skills I learned at my last job, and I actually get recognized for it. And (probably the best part) is I can do my homework right at work, which is perfectly timed with my ADD medication and attention span.

I love my job, and I am super thankful for it.

Thankful, day 7

2011-11-07T13:06:00.005-07:00

And for today:

I'm thankful for sisters. I have the best sisters ever.

Whether it's my biological sisters:

Or my super awesome BFF/sister-in-law:

Or even just friends so close they're practically sisters:

Thankful, days 4-6

2011-11-07T13:04:00.003-07:00

Three things I'm thankful for, to make up for the three days I didn't blog:

1: I'm thankful for old friends.

2: I'm thankful for new friends.

3: I'm thankful for awesome TV shows like Firefly.

Thankful, day 3

2011-11-03T20:44:00.001-06:00

Today I'm thankful for warm baths. You never know how much you want one until you can't take one. :(

Thankful, day 2

2011-11-02T18:10:00.002-06:00

Today's item might seem a little odd, and rather specific, but it's something I thought about a lot today and it really is something I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful that I changed my major. I adore computer science with an adoration I never thought possible for a field of study. As much as I like math, computer science is way above it on my scale of love.

Once upon a time, I was crazily in love (or maybe just crazy) with this boy. And since I thought I'd love math forever and ever and want to do it for the rest of my life, we had a plan. This plan went something like this: he'd graduate from high school and go on a mission. I'd wait for him and do as much school as possible. He'd get home, do a year of school, I'd do my last year of school, graduate, then we'd get married and I'd put him through the rest of school by working as a math teacher.

Boy, am I glad that plan never even came close to fruition.

After about a year of college, I came to the startling realization that even though I like math, it wasn't what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life. I couldn't see myself standing at the front of a classroom full of ruthless high school students forever. I didn't know what I really wanted to do, though. So I kind of aimlessly pointed myself towards computer science, mostly because it's what my dad does.

I took a few classes, discovered I really liked the subject, and decided to continue with the program. I got the most awesome student job ever working in the computer labs (which will have its own awesome post), and I've realized I really can see myself typing away at a computer for a career, for the rest of my life.

So I'm glad I decided to not go into math. I'm glad I decided to go into computer science. I love it.

Thankful

2011-11-01T14:27:00.002-06:00

It's November. November is a time when people usually eat way too much and start to spend way too much buying things for themselves and other people. But it's also a time to be thankful. Every day this month I'm going to try to come up with something I'm thankful for, no matter if it's big or small.

So today, November 1st, I'm thankful for my mom. She supports me in all my decisions, even if she doesn't agree with them. She's a shoulder to cry on, a person to talk to, an amazing cook, and the best role model I could've ever had. Thanks, Mom.

Halloween shopping list

2011-10-24T09:39:00.006-06:00

Costume:

I already have:

t-shirt

green shoes

nail polish

cupcake earrings

cupcake bandaids

I need:

supplies for cape (t-shirt?)

supplies for mask

supplies for headband

supplies for tutu (pink, blue, green tulle)

supplies for wand

Treats:

Mustache lollipops (cookie dough filled?)

Skull & crossbones lollipops

sugar cookies (these ones?)

Cupcakes for band hall?

homemade candy?

New record!

2011-09-16T09:34:00.004-06:00

7 people in the past 10 minutes assumed the lab is actually the testing center.

Labs again

2011-08-22T16:16:00.001-06:00

Dear lab-goers, especially that one guy in the skin-tight shirt,

I am engaged. No need to hit on me. Especially when your girlfriend that you walked in with is five feet away.

Sincerly,

that lab aide.

sheesh

2011-08-05T08:56:00.002-06:00

Some guy just yelled at me in the lab because he wanted to check out headphones, because apparently he had before in other labs, and so I told him in this lab you need to sign out for them. He wrote down his name, then started writing his W number, then stopped and said "Wait, I have to put my W number down with other people's numbers where anyone can see it?" and I'm like well, yeah, I need your W number, and he said "Forget it. Other labs just ask for your ID."
Well, that's not how we do it here. Don't want to write down your stinking W number down because you're afraid someone might take your Physics 1010 exam for you? I mean seriously. Then you don't get headphones. Simple as that.

More lab musings

2011-08-04T13:58:00.002-06:00

Dear lab-goers,

I am not a testing center employee, I can't set up tests for you.

I am not an academic advisor, I can't tell you what you need for a minor.

I am not a professor, I don't know how your professor grades.

I am a simple lab aide, there to answer your questions about the computer and printer.

Thank you.

Your semi-friendly lab aide.

grumble grumble, part 2

2011-08-01T16:50:00.002-06:00

Dear lab-goers,

A W number. It's not that hard to remember. It starts with a W and is followed by 8 numbers. For example, W01234567.

Learn yours, please. You do need it to check out headphones, and to take tests, and a million other things.

Sincerely,
Your semi-friendly lab aide.

Grumble grumble

2011-08-01T15:01:00.001-06:00

Dear people in the lab,

How hard is it to double-click the little "Log Off" button? Seriously?

I've been here ten minutes today and already I had to log off five computers.

Thank you,

Your semi-friendly lab aide.

More work

2011-07-20T08:41:00.002-06:00

It's been exactly three weeks since I sat right here being interviewed for this job. Awesome.

some guy just walked in, looked around briefly, looked fairly intently at a computer, and left again. he walked over to the testing center. maybe he didn't know the difference?
Update! (10:03 AM) He walked in again, looked at the computer again, then came over and asked me "I don't have a login, do you have a guest login?" and I was all no, you have to go to the Union lab...? (I think?) and then he asked "Well, do you have wireless?" and I told him there is wireless, but you have to have a login to get to anything more than weber.edu... and he left, presumably to find the union building... Strange. If you're not a Weber student, why are you trying to use our labs?

Speaking of difference, another guy (apparently) didn't know that logging into the computer and logging into Weber's website are two completely different things, even though you do use the same username and password for both.

Work story time!

2011-07-18T17:16:00.002-06:00

I'm at work.

For a backstory, I work at Weber State now, in the computer labs. I'm pretty sure it's the best job ever for a college student with ADD.

So I was sitting there at work. I knew the printer cartridge was getting low, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to change it... of course, I did. A guy was printing his lengthy paper and it ran out halfway through. Fortunately, this guy was awesome and friendly and helpful and apparently works in the photo lab and is around printers all day, so he cheerfully helped me replace it. Then I put the old one in the box, wrote "Used" on it, and put it back in the supply closet.

a thought on love

2011-06-12T00:51:00.001-06:00

You know he loves you when he takes you in his arms when you burst into tears for no actual reason in the middle of a gas station.

Dear Facebook

2011-06-07T23:24:00.005-06:00

Dear Facebook,
I love the updates to the photo upload-and-tag system.
However...
Where do you get the "people you may know"?

I have NO IDEA who these are. We have no friends in common. We don't even have any "likes" in common.
Please at least recommend people who I might actually know.

Thank you.

zombies?

2011-05-06T09:46:00.002-06:00

Today, my zombie-fighting team is Bryson, Mike F., Jackie, Maggie and Jason.

The world is a better place already.

ads don't trust me.

2011-04-27T00:00:00.002-06:00

Silly ad.
You silly ad.
Your name is silly ad.

Seriously though. What the heck? I'm not even married yet and they're suggesting books to save my marriage?

random thought

2011-04-15T22:39:00.004-06:00

This is my dear friend Kenny:

And this is his cousin Kyle, who has also become a good friend:
(I swiped that one from Facebook.)

Both ridiculously good-looking, yes.
But also, a little while ago, I tried to think of Kenny, and all I could think of was Kyle's face. :( But but! Kenny gets home in December! Happy times!

to the past

2011-04-13T14:58:00.001-06:00

Dear teenage me,

Why did you have such a thing for super-flared light-wash jeans?

Also, why were you SO skinny?

Sincerely,

21-year-old me.

conference!

2011-04-03T23:13:00.002-06:00

What I got out of General Conference this time:

There will be trials in life, so get married and help the welfare system.

Seriously though. It was awesome. The talks on marriage especially seemed very... personal.

Elite Four

2011-03-16T12:04:00.003-06:00

I'm about to face the Elite Four. And totes win. Here's my line-up:

Ampharos, lvl 51

Growlith, lvl 48

Fearow, lvl 48

Dragonair, lvl 49

Alakazam, lvl 48

Piloswine, lvl 48

Items!

I have:
50 Revives

60 Soda Pops

50 Moomoo milks

51 Lemonades

15 Fresh Waters

various potions and spray-type medicines

and tons of Berries.

Nervous nervous nervous! I'll do fine.

Day 7

2011-03-01T19:46:00.002-07:00

Starting up again. just picking up where I left off. Let's see how far I get this time!

Day 7 – have you ever thought about giving up on life? When and why?

Yes.

Junior high.

hated it.

Birthday!

2011-02-25T17:09:00.003-07:00

Taking a break from daily blogging topics...

Is my birthday!
Also, is the birthday of my favorite aunt Colleen!

Also, is the third birthday for my cousin Connor, my cousin on the other side Grayson, and my friend Mark's daughter Melody! (none pictured.)

Also, is James and Oliver Phelps' birthday(s)! Also known as these guys:

(the irresistible Fred and George Weasley.)

Also also also! I share a birthday with a Beatle! (cheering ensues!)

Happy Birthday, George. You are missed.

So basically, it's the greatest birthday ever. And now I am 21 and all legal and stuff. Except for driving rental cars.

Days 4 & 5

2011-02-22T19:42:00.003-07:00

Missed a day again... not very good at this whole "daily blogging" thing.

Day 5 – what you have learned in the past month

I've learned... to be certain all the rolls are bagged up
... to not take my job for granted
... to be patient... things you want take time
... to age the egg whites to make proper macarons

Day 6 – a funny {and true} story

All I can think of is the amazing bus ad placement I saw today.

On the side was an ad for a lingerie store.
On the back was an Intermountain ad for OB/GYNs, featuring a very pregnant woman.

I laughed.

Days 3 & 4

2011-02-20T22:18:00.003-07:00

I missed a day, and the topics kinda go together...

Day 3 – something that makes you feel better
Day 4 – the reason you believe you’re still alive today

My friends

My love

My family. :)

nuff said.

Day 2

2011-02-19T00:31:00.003-07:00

Alright, so about a half-hour late, but whatevs.

Day 2 – what would be found in your purse

First off: my actual purse. It's brown, small, leather, and has a huge long strap, perfect for wearing on the shoulder. I got it for about $4 at the DI. However, the many pins covering it are worth a lot more than that.

Inside!
House key, attached to many, many keychains: high school homecoming keychains, mini Sharpies, Eiffel Tower...
Nursery keys, attached to GIR and Domo-kun keychains
Sometimes, car key
Wallet (containing debit card, bus pass, driver's license, food handler's permit, school ID card, blood donor card, pictures of Emmett and Lissie, high school dance pictures, various store member cards (well actually, just Hot Topic and Hancock Fabrics), business card for Sweet Ann Cakes, and a four-leaf clover)
Candy corn
spare change
receipts
pins that don't like to stay on my purse
half a bag of Skittles?
coupons

And there you have it, the contents of my purse.

Day 1

2011-02-17T21:30:00.003-07:00

Day 1, my hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days.

Well, as I'm sure most of you know, I'm hoping to get engaged and married within the next year... I'm dreaming about that.
I'm hoping to get decent grades this semester...
I'm planning to work on my cupcakes, keeping them moist and fluffy but not peeling away from the wrappers.
I'm planning and dreaming about what I want to do with my life. Do I want to stay in school for years longer and go for a bachelor's degree, or just try to finish an associate's? Do I want to stay with computer science, or do I want to try a business class and see how feasible my dreams would actually be?
I'm planning to ask for a raise at work, this week actually! Wish me luck!

Daily blog topics

2011-02-17T21:29:00.002-07:00

Saw this on someone's blog, and thought it might be fun. We'll see if I can actually do it!

Day 1 – your hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days
Day 2 – what would be found in your purse
Day 3 – something that makes you feel better
Day 4 – the reason you believe you’re still alive today
Day 5 – what you have learned in the past month
Day 6 – a funny {and true} story
Day 7 – have you ever thought about giving up on life? When and why?
Day 8 – a picture of you and your friends
Day 9 – something you have to forgive yourself for
Day 10 – top 10 pet peeves
Day 11- a favorite book
Day 12 – someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted
Day 13 – a picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you
Day 14 – put your ipod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up
Day 15 – a travel story
Day 16 – someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 17 – a hobby
Day 18 – someone or something you definitely could live without
Day 19 – a picture of something that makes you happy
Day 20 – a favorite recipe
Day 21 – a book you’ve read that changed your views on something
Day 22 – what makes you different from everyone else
Day 23 – a child I love
Day 24 – what’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 25 – something you bought recently
Day 26 – something you have to forgive someone else for
Day 27 – a favorite quote
Day 28 – what did you do today?
Day 29 – someone you need to let go or wish you didn’t know
Day 30 – short terms goals for this month and why
Day 31 – your dream house
Day 32 – something people seem to compliment you the most on
Day 33 – something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 34 – next three on your “bucket list”
Day 35 – something you never get compliments on
Day 36 – songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, mad
Day 37 – nicknames you have, and why you have them
Day 38 – something you wish you hadn’t done in your life
Day 39 – something you crave a lot
Day 40 – a person I love
Day 41 – what would you do if you were pregnant?
Day 42 – something you want to buy
Day 43 – something you hope to do in your life
Day 44 – recent picture of you and 15 interest facts about yourself
Day 45 – a favorite song
Day 46 – something you hope you never have to do
Day 47 – the meaning behind your blog name
Day 48 – a favorite movie
Day 49 – someone who has made your life worth living
Day 50 – a picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 51 – a picture of your family
Day 52 – a band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days
Day 53 – how you found out about blogger and why you have one
Day 54 – a favorite You Tube video
Day 55 – something you wish you had done in your life
Day 56 – your last five Facebook status’
Day 57 – 5 things about you no one really knows
Day 58 – a picture that makes you happy
Day 59 – make a playlist to someone, explain why you chose all the songs
Day 60 – something you hope to change about yourself, and why
Day 61 – a picture of you last year and now, and how you’ve changed since then
Day 62 – something you dislike about yourself
Day 63 – a favorite photo
Day 64 – something you love about yourself
Day 65 – something you’re craving right now
Day 66 – a favorite food
Day 67 – your favorite superhero and why
Day 68 – a habit you wish you didn’t have
Day 69 – a letter to someone
Day 70 – something or someone you couldn’t live without

Dinner?

2011-01-21T14:35:00.001-07:00

I'm making dinner tonight.
I'm thinking whole-wheat crêpes with some sort of slightly spicy chicken filling.
We'll see how this goes.

Links, mostly

2011-01-05T16:23:00.003-07:00

This face was made for washin'

This one has happened to me before... aggravations.

Pants

Aaaahhh, pants.

New year's baking.

2011-01-01T16:37:00.001-07:00

New year's resolutions (a work in progress):

1. Work on getting macarons right.

2. Learn to make cake pops.

3. Perfect a gluten-free cupcake.

these are the baking ones.

allergies.

2010-12-28T22:32:00.002-07:00

I have allergies.

Some of them I've known about for a while:

Perfume, known that one basically all my life.

Chocolate, discovered that in high school.

Most I've just discovered this year:

Iodine. (iodine contrast dye, ER visit. hives and closed throat ensued.)

Shellfish. (notably shrimp. related to the iodine.)

And some are purely speculative:

Saffron? (never had it, so I'm not sure, but I'm assuming it's one I may have inherited from mom.)

Potatoes? (possibly just the way the starch reacts with iodine in salt? more testing needed.)

Anyway, this post was inspired by a "gluten-free, vegan, allergen-free" baker on Cupcake Wars. I am all for gluten-free, believe me. Vegan cupcakes... pushing it a little. Allergen-free, no such thing. The most common allergens (dairy, wheat, red food coloring), sure. But you can't be totally allergen-free using chocolate and citrus fruit...

Go eat a cupcake.

Pants!

2010-11-04T22:01:00.002-06:00

According to my friend Lara, "in the life of every marvelous blogger, the blogger must write a post on pants." So this is my post on pants.

Currently, given the time, I am wearing my warm fleece pajama pants. Earlier today, however, I was wearing dark wash boot-cut jeans. (My favorite style.)

Although personally, I don't like pants much. I think I'd rather wear skirts.

The ends.

THE band hall moment

2010-09-23T18:30:00.002-06:00

the one that had Linda and me laughing for a solid ten minutes:

Jackie: (right after Dr. Root walked around the corner) "I can unbutton a man's shirt in under four seconds!"

(There is a backstory.)
Jackie works at a dry cleaner's. She was telling us the story of how she said that exact phrase (I can unbutton a man's shirt in under four seconds) at a really awkward moment: a quiet moment in Relief Society.

happy!

2010-09-10T13:47:00.002-06:00

Things that make me happy:

mostly-melted ice
ice cream frozen in liquid nitrogen
Warehouse 13, Eureka
Lissie getting excited to see Matt
Seeing Matt
pointless Facebook games
Spam and eggs

Back to school!

2010-09-02T15:16:00.002-06:00

Band hall/euphonium sectional moments today:

"Slam! ...she said, closing her notebook quietly."

In sectionals, we spent about five minutes just reminiscing on how we met Wes...
Although, I think the least productive time was when Dr. Root came in to listen to us...

The Mike triangle (Mike C., Mike F. and Mike N.)
Also, Mike & Mike's comedy stand-up...

"Play a Hawaiian song." "But I don't know any Hawaiian songs." "Play a Hawaiian song." "But I don't know any." "Play one anyway."

And a Lissie quote, just for the heck of it: "Apples go in the mouth!"

eh?

2010-06-20T19:41:00.001-06:00

Lyrics that hit close to home:

I had something that I love long long
But my friend's keepa' tellin' me that something's wrong
Then I met someone
And eh! There's nothing else I can say

Also: (from the same song)

Not that I don't care about you
Just that things got some complica-eh-eh
Eh eh

I met someone cute and funny
Got each other and that's money eh
Eh-eh

cake

2010-06-13T22:38:00.002-06:00

Cake/cupcakes I have made successfully:
Banana-chocolate
orange
passion fruit
triple lemon
brown sugar-pineapple upside down
german chocolate

ones that need a little tweaking:
white/yellow

ones queued for testing:
grapefruit

ones I'd like to try:
tie-dye
strawberries & cream
strawberry lemonade
lemon-lime
pb & j

Flurpees!

2010-06-06T10:41:00.002-06:00

Last night, as I was on Facebook, I got a random message from Mike D.
This particular Mike I hadn't actually met, but I'd seen him around and knew who he was; we'd been Facebook friends since September, when we decided that we really ought to know each other since we had so many friends in common.
Anyway, so I got a message from him on Facebook, and we chatted for a bit, then he decided since neither of us were doing anything, he should come kidnap me and we'd hang out for a bit.
So he did, bringing his friend Cora (whom I also had never met, but really ought to have known) and we officially met for the first time. Then he wound up talking to Dad about sci-fi for quite a while. Finally, we were off on a most important quest: to make a Flurpee.
A Flurpee is a Frosty and a Slurpee, combined into one cup of delicious happiness.
So we got Frosties, we got Slurpees, and we sat on the concrete wall dividing the Wendy's and 7-11 parking lots, eating our Flurpees and getting to know one another.

It was a lot of fun.

Adventures!!

2010-05-06T23:00:00.003-06:00

Julie and I went on an adventure today!

We went to Salt Lake so her brother Brent could take a test. Basically, the day went as such:

Drove to Salt Lake
Found place, dropped Brent off, Julie got mistaken for a ninth-grader
Walked around Salt Lake for a while (mind this was 9:30 in the morning, stuff was just opening)
Went to an Asian market, found way too much fun stuff, bought a million chopsticks
Went to the "London Market" (super-adorable, by the way), got hit on by a really cute guy who noticed my Zim jacket, found a Mother's day present for Mom
Walked some more, went to a super-adorable flower shop/art gallery
Walked again, went to Lunaberry, ate a chicken-mango crêpe and passion fruit frozen yogurt, both of which were completely delicious
Went to the library, where I managed to ride a see-through elevator up to the fifth floor (!) and went on the roof (!!)
Picked up Brent, rode Trax to the Gateway, had tons of fun wandering around
Excitement! Julie thought she lost her keys. Eventually found them right by the car. Karma was on our side today.
Took Brent home, then Julie and I went back to my house, ate dinner, and made sushi!

All in all, a very exciting, albeit mildly exhausting (We probably walked 5 miles, at least) day!

more cupcakes, day 2.

2010-04-14T19:46:00.002-06:00

Given that Matt was the only one to give me solid input on what kind to bring tomorrow (His input was, and I quote, "the same kind") I am making "the same kind", aka choco-banana-Nutella.

This is good, for a few reasons:
It lets me make sure I can do the recipe again.
They were devoured today.
It will give the opportunity to try them to the Thursday crowd and those that got to the band hall after they were all eaten today.

More cupcakes!

2010-04-13T18:06:00.003-06:00

So, Jarrett has commissioned me to make cupcakes every day for the rest of the semester, and bring them to the band hall. This is quite an undertaking, but it gives me opportunity to experiment...

Today's experiment: Chocolate-banana cupcakes with Nutella buttercream

Ingredients:
1/2 cup banana, mashed with 1 tbs milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tbs baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 48 mini muffin cups.
Beat egg whites in mixer until stiff, but not dry. Set aside.
Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Beat together butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg yolks and beat well. With mixer on slow speed, alternately add flour mixture and banana mixture.
Fold in half of the egg whites, then fold in the other half.
Scoop into muffin cups.
Bake for 11 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on cooling rack.

Nutella icing!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup Nutella (or other chocolate-hazelnut spread)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk
4 cups powdered sugar

Beat together butter, Nutella, vanilla and milk. Slowly add powdered sugar until desired consistency. Spread or pipe on cupcakes. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, if desired.

I'll update after I take them to the band hall tomorrow to tell y'all how they were received...

cupcakes!

2010-04-09T12:38:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, Julie and I made a whole bunch of mini cupcakes for the Smith Christmeaster party, namely for the added attraction (the double bridal shower) that Mom somehow got put in charge of.

Mom and I brainstormed what kind of cupcakes to make for a while, then decided on two types: my now-famous passion fruit cupcakes, and what we're naming "Pucker Up Cupcakes," a triple-lemon cupcake. We figured those would be appropriate for a bridal shower, right?

I've posted the recipe for the passion fruit cupcakes before, the only difference this time was that I did nothing but mini cupcakes and wound up with 90 of them... I also topped them with cake sparkles and fondant cherry blossoms (to go with Mik's wedding cake.) I think they turned out quite well:

The "Pucker Up Cupcakes" were an experiment. We were looking at cupcake blogs and found a picture of a cupcake filled with lemon curd, so we decided to go with something like that. All in all, the recipe was rather simple.

Pucker Up Cupcakes (Triple Lemon)

1 box lemon cake mix
1 recipe Alton Brown's Lemon curd, made ahead of time
1 recipe lemon buttercream (recipe follows)

Mix cake mix according to box directions. Line mini muffin pans with mini cupcake wrappers. Fill each 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake at 350°F for 11 minutes or until done. Repeat with remaining batter. Remove from pans and cool on wire cooling rack.

When cupcakes are completely cool, prepare pastry bag with filler tip (I used bismarck filler, #230, but a #8 would work too). Fill with lemon curd. Pipe into cupcakes.

Make buttercream:
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
6 cups powdered sugar

Combine butter, water and lemon juice. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until desired consistency. Add a few drops yellow food coloring, if desired. Spread or pipe onto filled cupcakes.

As usual, I took some to the band hall, since there were PLENTY. The passion fruit were enjoyed, as was expected, but the lemon ones were praised quite highly.

reasons?

2010-04-06T21:01:00.004-06:00

Reasons I should marry Zander, according to Julie (with a bit of me thrown in for good measure):

1) He's cute.

2) He has blue eyes.

3) He's tall.

4) He's half-Armenian.

5) He's cute.

6) He plays the trumpet.

7) He has curly hair.

8) He's cute.

9) He makes movies.

10) He's intelligent. (35 on the ACT? Sheesh.)

11) He's cute.

12) He's pretty much my best friend.

13) He's cute.

14) He has really long fingers.

15) I've written to him every week of his mission so far!

16) He's cute.

Silly Julie. Though, I couldn't really complain. Just look at him!

found.

2010-03-27T23:08:00.000-06:00

Top 10 Reasons Why Geeks Make the Best Catch

It’s not generally realized that geeks (male and female) are the best catches. Americans focus on the glamour of the good-looking, the male jock and the statuesque female, and tend to make fun of second banana characters like Urkel. Yet, geeks (a.k.a. nerds, etc.) provide the opportunity to have much longer, more stable, and happy relationships. Here are the top ten reasons:

1. Geeks don't cheat. Geeks know that the grass only seems greener on the other side. They instinctively stay devotedly loyal to their lovers through thick and thin. Their social skills are also not well developed enough to support an affair.

2. Geeks appreciate their mates. Since you are likely to be one of the first persons a geek has ever had a significant relationship with, you will be treated well. A geek knows that there aren’t a whole lot of other possibilities. Frankly, geeks aren't quite sure how they ended up with the person they have attracted. When you date a geek, you know that geek will be yours for as long as you wish.

3. Geeks haven't formed bad relationship habits. After years of dating other people, the socially successful have become too confident to be intimate, think of partners as being only for their self-gratification, and focus on making themselves happy. None of this is true of a geek. The lack of past romantic partners allows the geek to approach lovers with the zest of a neophyte. Geeks are not full of romantic confidence. However, once encouraged, they are eager to please and enjoy their relationship.

4. Geeks are good at the things they try. Every geek has skills passionately developed over a long period of time. It could be role playing, chess, hacking, playing video games, or the ability to properly assemble a computer. So you know that geeks won't quit until they have learned how to make their relationship the best.

5. Geeks are not interested in status. Geeks became geeks because they chose to spend their time doing things that would not necessarily make them popular with everyone else in school, like sports and fashion. The ability to resist peer pressure is important to geeks. This means that a geek is more interested in your happiness than in looking good to others.

6. Geeks have imagination. Boredom is important to avoid to the game playing geek. A geek will seek new and creative ways to play, and this translates to relationships as well.

7. Geeks are happy and successful in their chosen field. No matter what their education level, geeks are able to make good incomes doing work that they enjoy. That eliminates one of the most frequent causes of relationship problems, since people who don’t like their jobs may take it out on their significant other.

8. Geeks are analytical. If they don’t get it right the first time, they look at what they did and figure out what to change. And when they DO get it right, they still keep finding ways to improve on it.

9. Geeks can concentrate. Geeks can focus their energy on one task with total intensity. Granted, the task they are focusing on may have more to do with writing new software for their Blackberry, but the fact remains that a geek, once set upon a task, tirelessly sets about to achieving a goal.

All of which means that…

10. Geeks want to be the best at what they do. So they try harder. And they never stop trying.

Spring Break adventures, part 1

2010-03-17T10:26:00.003-06:00

Here I am, halfway through spring break 2010 and I've already had a plethora of adventures!

Sunday:

-taught nursery

-made lemon bars

-ate pie

-went to the emergency room, did not have appendicitis, discovered I had a ruptured ovarian cyst, broke out in hives

Monday:

-slept in

-went to Arby's, ate food and chatted with Julie

-Jarrett's senior recital, including profiteroles and mochi ice cream

-wild crazy cart ride of doom! (after Ben put the fake trees back in the choir room, had to put the cart away, so we rode around the Browning Center on it!)

-more playing with Julie!

-movie night at Bryson's

Tuesday:

-played with the baby! (Bryson's nephew Jaden)

-went to the mall- today! found buttons

-played with baby more!

-went to work

-made sugar cookie dough

Wednesday, so far:

-about halfway done cleaning my room

-going to make sugar cookies with wasabi icing!

I hope there are just as many, if not more adventures the rest of the week!

more band hall

2010-03-11T22:04:00.004-07:00

"Why does muffin-stomping sound like the way a gay gang would kill you?"

"Want to raise communists? Homeschool your children!"

Ben (quoting Dr. Wang): "Yeah, Dr. Keipp's good. But he's a white guy."

On Andrew looking through a gun catalog: "Your right to own guns makes me feel unsafe."

Andrew, handing his gun catalog to Ellen after she had complained about boys: "You might find some nice things in here..."

a few loves

2010-03-06T21:47:00.003-07:00

A few things I love:

1) Music. I went to the jazz ensemble concert at WSU today and realized after doing nothing but listen for an hour and a half, I was far less stressed than I had been. Also, playing music. Symphonic band is one of few things keeping me sane.

2) Driving. It sounds weird, but after all the driving I did today (to and from Bountiful twice, to and from Ogden once) I realized it's so nice to be able to pick up your keys and just go somewhere, not having to depend on a bus schedule, or your energy levels, or the weather...

3) Reading. I've always loved reading, but I've discovered lately, I LOVE reading. Not just books, either: I love reading the newspaper, blogs, manga, and perhaps most important, I adore reading board books to my nursery kids :)

4) Purple. Purple is a royal color; traditionally worn by kings and queens. It's always been my favorite; it's vivid, passionate, and unique. I love that it's my school color (I proudly bleed purple), and I greatly enjoy having a bold purple streak of hair.

Anyway. Mostly a braindump.

mmm, food.

2010-02-20T14:40:00.002-07:00

Dad took me to Tucano's for my birthday lunch today. Basically, all my favorite foods in one meal:

-sushi

-mashed potatoes

-beef

-chicken hearts

-grilled pineapple

-passion fruit smoothie

We thoroughly surprised the waiter by eating a dozen chicken hearts each.

meh.

2010-02-17T21:23:00.002-07:00

I've been feeling really down for over a month now. I don't really know why. A few thoughts:

On one hand, I'm super happy because my brothers (Bryson included) have all been so happy lately; going on dates with cute girls, etc., and I'm feeling a little smug at how well my matchmaking efforts have gone. On the other hand, it makes me feel sad and rather lonely- I'm not "officially" dating anyone, I've been boyfriend-free for over six months, and I don't want to push Matt into something neither of us are ready for, even if he's the only guy I've gone on an actual date with this entire school year (excluding Zander.)

Work causes unnecessary levels of stress; pushy customers, far-from-normal coworkers, sometimes too much work, sometimes not enough, and I really think I deserve a pay raise but I'm way too nervous to actually ask for one.

School is going surprisingly well, but I wish I could've taken more classes; I feel kinda... bored.

And my health hasn't been very good. I've been sick a lot. I think I'm sick now.

Meh. Life, please get better.

cheesy commercial holidays?

2010-02-10T21:17:00.002-07:00

also known as, St. Valentine's day.

I used to not have a problem with the holiday. I'd go to school, we'd have our class valentine exchange, free candy, etc.

I even enjoyed the holiday a few years ago, when Mike and I were dating. After that, however, I just haven't really enjoyed it. The year after, I wasn't dating anyone and felt slightly bitter. The year after that, last year, was... no good. D bought me a ticket to Lover's Feast, since he was in it. However, we had a fight a day or two before the holiday and were still kinda mad; I went to the stupid choir thing anyway, found out for myself that Moonlight Serenade is about a thousand times more awesome, and grew to appreciate Chris P. D, however, was apparently still really mad, and snuggled with other girl(s) that very night. Ugh.

This year... I dunno. I don't have a boyfriend (I have an "it's complicated"), work is crazy-busy... I don't really have any reason to look forward to it. Jason and Chris are (hopefully) taking lady-friends to the Institute Valentines dance, but I don't have any reason to go.

Meh.

Adventures!

2010-01-17T21:07:00.003-07:00

This is a slightly scandalous post.

It started a little before 5 PM today, when Julie called and asked if I wanted to come make curry. I said it sounds fun, but I live in Kaysville. She then decided to come pick me up, so that we could make curry with Ryan, Sam and Jessica.

Through a long process of guiding Ryan and Julie to my house, they picked me up and we headed for Ogden, talking on various subjects along the way.

We then went into the designated curry-kitchen, set everything up, and made the absolute best curry I've ever eaten, laughing, talking, and being awesome throughout.

Talked some more, did the dishes, went on a mini-adventure, then Julie took me home, talking more along the way.

Good times.

Pictures!

Chef Ryan.

The crew.

Talking and laughing.

The finished product!

New year, same band hall.

2010-01-05T15:16:00.002-07:00

Overheard over the first two days of spring semester, 2010:

"I prefer synthetics."
"Naturally!"

Matt: "I am so bad with names!"
Dr. Keipp: (passing by) "Me too, Bruce."

*eye twitch* "Beard!"

"The British Empire was never ruled by an emperor!"

2009: a reflection

2009-12-28T20:51:00.003-07:00

Some highs and lows of the past year, sorted by month:

January:
Got called to the absolute best calling in the church, AKA teaching nursery.
Started working 4 days a week at Bowman's.

February:
Turned 19.
The worst Valentine's day pretty much ever.

March:
A completely pointless Spring Break.
Band concert.

April:
Band/choir concerts. Totally awesome.
D and I broke up. Totally not awesome, but better for me in the long run.

May:
Worked just about every day, due to LeAnna being on maternity leave.

June:
Puerto Rico, essentially the awesomest family vacation ever.
Bought a new camera.
Jeff's farewell. I miss him.

July:
Good idea: meeting handsome, recently-returned new deli employee Andy.
Bad idea: meeting him a day AFTER starting a sad, laughable "relationship" with a friend from high school.
Also, went with Mik to the airport to welcome Nathan home.

August:
Broke up with aforementioned friend from high school.
Kyle's farewell. I miss him too.
Nathan's homecoming. No reason to miss him now.
Fall semester started.

September:
Discovered hanging out in the band hall is the best.
Bought Frooties. Started my now-famous chain.
Made new friends (Julie, Linda, Sam, Ben, Marie...) and got to know old friends a whole lot better (Matt, Jarrett...)

October:
The Frooties chain project exploded. Entire band hall participates at some point.
Finally realized what I thought was my type really wasn't the sort of guy I wanted.
Ultra-fun photoshoot with Bryson and Mik.

November:
Discovery, denial, acceptance process.
Band concert.
First date with Matt.
The Beatles.
Kenny's farewell. I miss him too.

December:
Finals.
Passed my classes.
Lots more dates with Matt.

Things that happened at undetermined points over the year:
I became comfortable being myself.
Discovered wearing makeup can be fun.
Was blonde.
Decided I don't need a boy in my life to make me happy, but discovered I'm a lot happier with one in my life anyway.

Final thoughts:
The first half of the year was mostly down. Actually, most of the year was down. However, fall semester... I wouldn't trade times like that for anything.

Christmas eve.

2009-12-24T19:43:00.003-07:00

Well, it's Christmas Eve, and I've already received two completely fabulous gifts. So fabulous, we'll have to see if anything my family got me can top them.

I'll start with gift #2: the twins in my nursery class brought me a plate of gingerbread men today. It definitely made me feel loved, and made me reflect on the past year: teaching nursery was the best part, the part that held me together through the more difficult passages. When D and I broke up, those adorable 2-year-olds reminded me that I was still needed and loved. I'll miss the 3-year-olds, but I know they'll be great Sunbeams and someday, Relief Society/Elder's Quorum presidents or something.

Gift #1 was sillier, but just as meaningful: Matt gave me a bag of Frooties. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had this semester to forge new friendships and strengthen old ones. I hope they'll continue, not only next semester, but on through life.

a challenge.

2009-12-13T15:55:00.002-07:00

I decided to see if I could come up with a list: 20 things I love. No explanations needed, and in no particular order, just little things I love in life.

1. Playing the euphonium.
2. Nursery kids.
3. Boys with blue eyes.
4. having short hair.
5. Swing dancing.
6. baking cookies.
7. My own brown eyes.
8. Contact lenses.
9. cookie dough.
10. Family.
11. Science fiction.
12. A good book.
13. Music.
14. the band hall.
15. Friends.
16. Blogging.
17. Silly coworkers.
18. Physics.
19. discovering new recipes.
20. Puppies.

surprisingly difficult.

one thing leads to something entirely different.

2009-12-12T22:01:00.002-07:00

Dad is watching some collection of old TV shows, specifically the Christmas specials. The one he is currently on purports to be the Scarlet Pimpernel. My main beef with it is that Percy (Sir Percival Blakeney, Bart.) isn't married! Marguerite isn't even in the credits on IMDB! grr.

Anyway, this led me to a strange but true thought... it's an ominous sign for a relationship when you enjoy watching your (then) boyfriend's head get chopped off.

another Rootism

2009-12-04T13:12:00.001-07:00

Dr. Root, talking about Facebook:

"The other day I was clicking around, and a picture of a BEAUTIFUL lady popped up, saying she wanted to be my friend. I guess I didn't want to click on that one..."

recent recipes.

2009-11-26T17:45:00.006-07:00

I've been a bit of a mad scientist today, and by scientist I mean pastry chef.

First recipe: Passionfruit cupcakes (with white chocolate cream cheese icing)

The quest for a recipe like this started when Mom and I were watching a Food Network competition, and one cake was a passionfruit-white chocolate flavor. We thought this sounded delicious and I set out to find a recipe. I eventually found this recipe and, with some modifications, came up with this. It made 12 full-size and 36 mini cupcakes, so be warned- it does make a lot!

Cupcakes:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, separated
1 cup passionfruit pulp
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour the pulp and vanilla into a measuring cup.

In a mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Set aside.

Beat the butter until soft and smooth. Add the sugar and beat until light and smooth. Add the egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl several times.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and juice, beginning and ending with the flour.

Stir about 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whites. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners (they will be almost full). Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tops are golden and springy and a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean.

Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Meanwhile, make icing:

6 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tablespoons (1⁄2 stick) butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Place the cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until well combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine. Add the melted white chocolate and blend on low speed until just combined, 30 seconds. Add the vanilla and 2 1⁄2 cups of the confectioners' sugar, and blend on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, 30 seconds more. Add more sugar as needed to make the frosting spreadable. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the frosting is fluffy, 1 minute more. Spread (or pipe, as I did) on cupcakes.

I took some of the remainder to the band hall to share, and they rather quickly vanished. :)

Next experiment: Caramel-chocolate tartlets

This one I got from a Family Circle recipe, and with some modifications again, came up with this!

Crust:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder

Beat sugar, butter, vanilla, almond extract and egg with mixer. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Heat oven to 375°. Spray mini-muffin pans with cooking spray.
Roll dough about 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into circles. Carefully fit circles into prepared pans.Gently prick with a small fork.
Bake for 9 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from pan to cooling rack.

Chocolate:
3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup whipping cream

Melt together. (I used a makeshift double boiler, but you can use the microwave.)
Spoon a small amount into the bottom of each cooled cookie cup. Reserve the remainder for drizzle.

Caramel:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tbs water
3/4 cup whipping cream
2 tbs salted butter
pinch salt

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes until caramel-colored. Remove from heat and add cream, butter and salt. Return to heat and cook for about 10 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Cool in refrigerator (or on a snowy back porch) for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, whip together:
1 cup whipping cream
1 tbs granulated sugar
until stiff peaks form. Fold in the cooled caramel and place in piping bag.

Pipe caramel-cream into cookie cups. Re-melt remaining chocolate and drizzle on top. Enjoy!

Long post FTW!

what a weekend. :)

2009-11-22T19:40:00.002-07:00

Four fabulous things that happened to me this weekend:

1)Ice cream with Matt at 11 PM on Friday night.

2)Ten hours of the Beatles Rock Band, pizza and old friends.

3)Nursery... 'nuff said.

4)Snow!

more band hall oddities...

2009-11-20T13:10:00.002-07:00

Heard in the band hall recently:

(said in a completely nonchalant tone) "Oh, someone's mating fish."

"Sorry. Just got a text. Have to go change my pants."

"Who would steal a piece of ceiling pie???"

measuring.

2009-11-13T13:28:00.005-07:00

This post requires a backstory at the beginning.

So, being me, I purchased some of those giant bags of Frooties (the fruit-flavored Tootsie rolls) back when Bowman's had them. I ate some and started to make a chain out of the wrappers. However, being me, I can't possibly eat all that candy myself. So, I took some candy in a ziploc bag to school with me and started to share, I think originally with Matt. Now, nearly everyone in the band hall is more than happy to "help" me with the wrapper chain, which does require eating the candy inside.

So, today, I was working on the chain again. It's pretty long now, Jarrett thinks I should make it long enough to circumnavigate the Earth. Anyway, I decided to see how long it was. I told Matt to hold one end and slowly walked away, straightening it out. We then laid it on the floor. Matt then decided to see how long it was compared to him. He got one, told Linda to mark the spot, got another, told Julie to mark the spot, and then the remainder came up about three-quarters of his body. We decided it was 2 3/4 Matts long. (Doing some quick calculations, I determined that 2 3/4 Matts is equivalent to 15.58 feet.)

So, we now measure things in Matts. Tall or long things, anyway. Ben asked me on the bus home how many Matts long I was planning to make the chain.

At Matt 2.

a rant.

2009-11-12T19:54:00.002-07:00

While this rant was inspired by a cake order, it actually doesn't have anything to do with work.

Disclaimer: This rant may not have a point and is entirely my opinion. Don't like it, don't read it.

Why do so many girls nowadays think high-school graduation and marriage go hand-in-hand? Speaking as a single, college-aged female with no intentions of marriage any time soon, marriage really shouldn't be the next step after high school.

And yet, being in Utah, the standard does seem to be such. Girls should get married as young as possible and start raising a family, the opinion is. A major problem with this theory is that the general public also says, don't date until you're 16. So, if girls wait until they're 16 to date and then get married right out of high school, that gives them 2 1/2 years maximum in the dating field. I can say from experience that 2 1/2 years is nowhere near enough time to find your "type"; the sort of guy you'd like to spend the rest of eternity with, even the sort of guy you can have a civil conversation with.
Reason #2 young marriage is a bad idea: Young marriages have a significantly higher divorces rate. Probably because girls who get married at 18 really don't know what kind of guy they want.

Anyway, that's all I can think of at the moment.

also.

2009-11-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Heard in the band hall yesterday:

"Stop putting staples up my pants!"

awww...

2009-11-06T14:07:00.001-07:00

A forwarded e-mail:

Things a Sweet Guy Would Do

1. Know how to make you
smile when you are down.

2. Try to secretly smell your hair BUT you always
notice.

3. Stick up for you but still be respectful of your
independence.

4. Give you the remote control during the game.

5. Come up behind you, put his arms around you,
squeeze you tightly against his chest, and whisper softly into
your ear

6. Play with your hair.

7. His hands will always find yours.

8. Be cute when he really wants something.

9. Offer you plenty of massages.

10. Dance with you even if he feels like a dork.

11. Never run out of love.

12. Be funny, but knows when to be serious.

13. Realize he's being funny when he needs to be
serious.

14. Be patient when you take forever to get ready.

15. React so cutely when you hit him and it
actually hurts.

16. Smile alot. :)

17. Plan a romantic date full of cheesy t hings he
wouldn't normally do just b/c he k nows it means alot
to you.

18. Appreciate you.

19. Help others out.=2 0

20. Drive 5 hours just to see you for 1.

21. Always give you a peck on the cheek when you
depart from each other's company- even when friends
are watching.

pretty.

2009-10-25T18:41:00.001-06:00

eagan is my name.

Yessiree.

I thought the drop cap was pretty. And I wanted to use it.

http://dailydropcap.com/

it's sad.

2009-10-10T21:37:00.002-06:00

My prayers are with the American Fork band and their families.

It's sad when it's times like these that remind me to thank my Heavenly Father just how truly blessed I am.
Blessed that all my memories of band trips and long bus rides are good ones.
Blessed that the worst bus driver we had was the one who OD'd and tried to ride home in the cargo bay.
Blessed that I've never been in a serious accident.

I may not agree with them winning every competition, but they are a good band, with reasonably friendly students. This shouldn't happen to anyone.

umm...

2009-10-01T22:08:00.001-06:00

Dr Root: I don't want to meet you in the middle, I want you to meet me in the middle!

a pet peeve.

2009-09-12T12:50:00.001-06:00

Yesterday at work I was reminded of a personal pet peeve: people who call me "hon" or "sweetie". My thoughts towards people who do this:
First off, I'm not three years old.
Second, we're not dating.
Third, I don't even know you. Why do you think I'm "sweet"?

ah, the band hall.

2009-09-01T21:05:00.002-06:00

Heard in the band hall today:

Richard: "Becky Stout!"
Becky: "IT DOESN'T FIT!"

Now I need a cape!

2009-08-28T20:31:00.002-06:00

Apparently I saved the day!

Story time!

So, I was at work today, working on Saturday orders as usual. We get a phone call around 5:30. I pick up, answer with the typical "Bowman's Bakery" and the customer asks if there's a cake decorator there. I say yes, she asks if it's me, I say yes again. She tells me her story: she ordered a cake from another store way ahead of time, gave very specific, but followable, instructions (which included pictures) to the decorator, picked it up today, and while the background was good, the writing was all wrong.
She had wanted graffiti-type writing on the brick wall background. For it to be truly graffiti-style, she had wanted it airbrushed. The other store's decorator, however, had not airbrushed; they hadn't even piped. They had printed it onto an edible ink printer and sloppily cut it out. It was way too small, plopped straight on (not diagonally as the customer had wanted) and in the wrong colors. Frankly, it looked terrible.
Back to the phone call. She asked if she could bring it in so I could see if I'd be able to fix it. I said that'd be fine and gave her my name.
She came by about a half-hour later, cake in hand. It looked terrible. She showed me the pictures of what she had wanted. It didn't look terribly difficult, albeit time-consuming. I told her I'd see what I could do.

-insert work here.

After I was done, I called her to tell her it was done. She came in as soon as she could. I showed her the cake; she loved it, saying how I saved the day and all that. She asked if there was a manager that she could talk to; I told her Mark was there in the morning, she said she'd call and tell him how wonderful I was. She also said she would be coming to Bowman's for all her cakes from now on.

True story.

A most splendiferous day.

2009-08-16T22:15:00.004-06:00

Today has been simply marvelous.

First, I had my very good friend Kyle's farewell. I got to chat with him for a couple minutes before the meeting, and then I got to hear his amazing talk on D&C Section 4.

Then, I surprised my nursery kids by coming in halfway through class. Cindy and Lydia both immediately glomped me. I felt loved.

I had a refreshingly healthy lunch of apple slices and salad.

And Mikayla's not-so-secret special mission was a success! In her words:

"Well, I said 'I was talking to Teagy last night and she says that she really wants to hang out with you again.' and he said 'I would like that very much.'
Then I got dragged off by sunbeams... so we said goodbye there.."

A wonderful day indeed.

such is life.

2009-08-11T22:31:00.001-06:00

I'm part of the loser's club again.

It's probably for the best.

weather!

2009-08-03T13:30:00.003-06:00

It is TOO HOT!

Ohhhhh yes!

2009-07-04T20:44:00.001-06:00

Omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCcEv0gFnpM

Trigun the Movie!!!!

Post!

2009-06-30T21:39:00.002-06:00

I haven't updated my blog in four weeks...

So here it is!\

UPDATE!!!!!!!

Anyway, today, I made a sammich... it was delicious... took a Bowman's hard roll, split it open, spread some garlic butter on both halves, lightly toasted it, topped it with some hard salami and some pepperjack cheese, and toasted until the cheese was melted. It was, as I have said, delicious.

silly goose!

2009-05-30T16:04:00.000-06:00

Emmettism: "You were Callie, but I said you were Teagan!"

steak!

2009-05-07T15:11:00.003-06:00

Today, I decided to make steak for lunch. At the grocery store, I selected a nicely marbled, half-pound New York steak. I wanted to marinade it à la Busby-style marinade, but didn't have all the ingredients. So I modified it as thus:

Steak (marinade)for One
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
sprinkle of garlic powder
2 tbs butter, melted

I threw the steak in, let it sit in the fridge for a half-hour, then tossed it on the George Foreman for just under three minutes (I like my steak rare.)

I think next time I'll grind on some salt and pepper before grilling.

It was delicious.

rain

2009-05-02T17:38:00.001-06:00

It's raining.

I like rain.

no. no it isn't.

2009-03-21T23:31:00.003-06:00

Weirdest question ever.

At work. Person comes up to me. Shows me coupon that I am so acquainted with seeing, the one that says "Good for 1 free dozen glazed donuts".
She asks, "Is this coupon good for anything other than donuts?"
Me: "no....." (thinking: It says DONUTS...)
Person: "So it's only good for donuts?"
Me: "Only GLAZED donuts."
Person walks off without selecting anything from the department.

Seriously.

Also, Rootism from March 17th:
"This is a restful piece, but you're playing it like a restful piece."

Emmettism

2009-03-11T22:01:00.003-06:00

Much like a Rootism, but from a three-year-old rather than a college band director.

Emmett and I were talking on the phone. He started talking about grapes.
Emmett: I can buy green grapes at H-E-B!
Me: Green grapes? Oh boy!
Emmett: You can buy green grapes at your H-E-B! You have a H-E-B too!
Jessica (in the background): No Emmett, Teagy doesn't have an H-E-B. Teagy has a Bowman's.
Emmett (giggling): Teagy, why do you have that?

Apparently, me having a Bowman's rather than an H-E-B is silly.

Also, cuteness overload.

oompa-loompas and other joys

2009-03-06T21:10:00.002-07:00

Last night, Callie and I went to see "Willy Wonka" at Kaysville Junior. It was cute, as well-done as a junior high musical can be, and fun. And apart from giving me a dire need to watch Johnny Depp & Freddie Highmore goodness, it inspired me to put together:

My Favorite Books
(in no particular order)

Les Miserables
The Count of Monte-Cristo
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Howl's Moving Castle
Dogs Don't Tell Jokes
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Pride & Prejudice
Emma
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban
Fruits Basket (this one may be cheating, since it's not a single book... but the whole series is just so amazing, I couldn't pick a favorite volume!)

Rootism

2009-02-24T20:00:00.002-07:00

One today:
Lisa, student conductor, was conducting her piece. She had a small bit of difficulty and asked Dr Root for help. He told the class:
"This piece I've given Lisa to conduct is like giving a 15-year-old new driver a Lamborghini."

there was more to the statement, but i don't remember more.

More Rootisms:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=9107487538&topic=3983
http://schillclan.homelinux.net/Rootisms.htm

stupid quiz

2009-02-23T20:23:00.002-07:00

HOW STUPID AM I?

1. [ ] Forgot to put the lid on the blender, turned it on, and had everything fly out
2. [x] Gotten your head stuck between the stair rails
3. [x] Broken a chair by leaning back in it
4. [x] Had gum fall out of your mouth while you were talking
5. [x] Choked on your own spit while you were talking
6. [x] Had people tell you that you are blond when you're not/or had people tell you that your blond highlights are going to your head
7. [x] Been caught staring at your crush by your crush him/herself
8. [x] Have looked for something for at least 10 min. then realized it was in your hand
9. [x] Tried to push open a door that said pull
10. [x] Tried to pull open a door that said push
11. [ ] Have actually believed someone when they said that they knew how to make a love potion
12. [x] Have hit yourself in the process of trying to hit something else
13. [x] Have tripped and fallen UP the stairs
14. [ ] Have actually exploded marshmallows in the microwave
15. [ ] Have gotten gum stuck in your hair
16. [x] Had gum fall out of your mouth while trying to blow a bubble
17. [x] Have had the juice from a grape squirt out and hit somebody else when you bit into it
18. [x] Have had your drink come out your nose because you were laughing so hard
19. [x] Have called one of your good friends by the wrong name
20. [ ] Have skinned your toe because you were playing soccer or kickball with flip flops on or you were barefoot
21. [x] Have put a sticker on your forehead, forgot it was there, and went out in public with it on
22. [ ] Have fallen out of a moving vehicle
23. [x] Have run into a closed door
24. [x] Have almost shot someone with a real gun while trying to shoot something else (staple gun counts, i think)
25. [x] Searched for your cell phone while you were talking on it
26. [ ] It has taken you longer than 5 min. to get a joke
27. [x] Have gotten your hair stuck in a blow dryer
28. [ ] Have gotten your hair stuck in a fan
29. [x] Tripped on a crack in the sidewalk
30. [ ] Said o'clock after saying how many min. after the hour
31. [ ] After someone told you that there was gum on the ground, you stepped in it
32. [x] Put on a white shirt even though you already knew it was raining outside
33. [x] Have ever walked up to a stranger because you thought they were someone else
34. [ ] Ever been kicked out of a grocery store/off their property
35. [x] Touched the stove, the curling iron, a hot pan, etc. on purpose even though you knew it was hot
36. [x] Picked out your change of clothes, took off the ones you had on and then accidentally put the old clothes back on
37. [x] Wondered why something wasn't working then realized it wasn't plugged in
38. [x] Put the cereal in the fridge, or put the milk in the cupboard
39. [ ] Walked into a pole
40. [ ] Wore two different earrings or shoes on accident
41. [x] Put your shirt on backwards/inside-out without realizing it then left your house
42. [ ] Tried to take a picture of your/someone's eye with the flash on
43. [ ] Gotten a ring stuck on your finger because you put it on even though you knew it was too small
44. [ ] Walked out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to your shoe without realizing it
45. [x] Went to go do something/go get something, then when you got there forgot what it was that you were going to do
46. [x] Picked up someone else's drink and drank out of it on accident when your drink was right next to it
47. [x] Fallen out of your chair while trying to pick something up
48. [x] Poked yourself in the eye
49. [ ] Have gotten in the shower with your socks still on (A couple years ago)
50. [ ] Melted your hairbrush while blow drying your hair
51. [ ] Have done enough stupid things to make a test
52. [x] Have accidentally stabbed yourself with a pencil
53. [x] Have sung the wrong verse to a song without realizing it
54. [x] Have given an odd answer to a question because you didn't hear the question in the first place and didn't feel like asking what it was
55. [x] Told someone you were the wrong age because you seriously forgot how old you were
56. [ ] Looked into an overhead purposefully while it was on
57. [x] Got up early and got ready for school/work, then realized that you didn't have school/work that day
58. [x] Have tripped on a cord after someone told you to watch out for it
59. [x] Have ever laughed at a joke that no one else thought was funny
60. [ ] Done the Macarena to the electric slide or vice versa
61. [ ] Said funner then had someone make fun of you for it
62. [x] Have repeated yourself at least twice in the same sentence
63. [x] Brought up an inside joke with the wrong person
64. [x] Didn't do the backside of an assignment because you thought that there wasn't one because you had already looked and forgot that there was another side
65. [x] Did more work than you had to on an assignment because you didn't read the directions
66. [x] Corrected someone's grammar/pronunciation then figured out that you were the one that was wrong
67. [x] Put something in a special place so that you would remember where it was, then forgot where you put it
68. [x] Put ice in your drink after the glass was full of liquid and had it splash out
69. [x] Told a lie then forgot what it was that you had said and got caught
70. [ ] When wearing goggles, you pulled them away from your face and let go so that they would come back and snap you in the face
71. [ ] Forgot to make sure that the lamp was off before you replaced the light bulb
72. [ ] Have sat on a bench with wet paint on it.
73. [x] Told someone that you hardly ever do stupid things, then immediately did/said something stupid
74. [x] Told someone to watch out for something, then you were the one that ran into it
75. [ ] Have purposely licked playground sand
76. [ ] Have purposely and repeatedly flicked yourself with a rubber band
77. [ ] Gotten so hyper that someone actually thought you were drunk when you weren't
78. [x] Have been so hyper you actually scared people
79. [x] Put duct tape on your body then pulled it off to see if it would pull your hairs out
80. [ ] Put duct tape on your hair/someone else's hair then pulled it off
81. [ ] Put a clothes pin/hair clip on your lip, figured out that it hurt, then did it again
82. [x] Sat and wondered why men dress shirts have a loop on the back
83. [x] Made up a code name for someone so that you could talk about them to someone else and no one else would know who you were talking about
84. [x] Have gotten a hairbrush stuck in your hair
85. [x] Used the straw to blow the straw wrapper at someone
86. [ ] Shaved your tongue because you thought your taste buds looked weird.
87. [ ] When at a restaurant/cafeteria, you used your spoon to fling stuff at people
88. [ ] Have flung forks at people in a restaurant/cafeteria
89. [ ] Sucked on a cup and got a hickey from it
90. [x] As you were writing, you moved your head back and forth with your pen/pencil
91. [x] Have drawn finger puppets on your fingers then named them
92. [ ] Have wrapped someone in a roll of toilet paper
93. [x] Have used somebody else's toothbrush without even realizing it wasn't yours
94. [x] Started telling a story and forget what you were talking about or what happened in the story
95. [ ] When you saw a beware of dog sign, you told the owners to beware of the dogs not realizing they owned the dogs
96. [x] You have spelled your own name wrong before
97. [x] When lying in bed you look for pictures in the texture of the ceiling
98. [x] Have used your calculator as a form of communication in class
99. [ ] Have popped a balloon in your mouth

TOTAL: 62/99. ouch.

strawberries?

2009-02-14T23:30:00.003-07:00

Recently at work, a customer came up to us in the bakery, visibly upset. She couldn't find the chocolate-covered strawberries that were featured in our weekly advertisement. I was like, "Um, we had plain strawberries mentioned in our ad..." and my coworker Jenna was like, "I think Dan's had chocolate-covered strawberries in their ad this week..." Customer at this point grows a sheepish look and says, "This isn't Dan's?" Those of us in Bowman's shirts: "No..." Customer: "Oh..." and leaves.

Also on a strawberry-related note, one of three favorite recipes involving strawberries:
"Un Morceau du Ciel" (A Piece of Heaven)
We made these a couple times in my French class. Soooo good.

Ingredients:
Pound cake
Nutella (Chocolate-hazelnut spread. Found near peanut butter in most stores.)
Strawberries
Powdered sugar

Directions:
Slice pound cake. Slice strawberries.
Spread Nutella on two slices of pound cake. Place strawberries on one slice and top with other slice, Nutella-side-down.
Place on heated griddle and cook like a grilled cheese sandwich, or use panini press.
Top with powdered sugar.
Eat. Savor. Enjoy.

the cause of frustration.

2009-01-09T21:00:00.003-07:00

Do I still count as a teenager when I realize I take joy in frustrating teenagers?

Two stories to accompany this observation.

Wednesday, Jan. 7.
It was about 12:52. I was driving home from the bus stop after school. Suddenly a teenaged driver appeared behind me. Like, out of thin air. She wasn't there five seconds ago, and then she suddenly was. Anyway. We were at a stoplight. It was red. She was getting rather frustrated by this. Then it turned green. Crossed the street. I was behind a Bobcat (one of those big tractor things) and it was going about 25, because it's not safe for those to go faster than that. I was fine with this and merrily went along at 25. Teenaged driver behind me, however, was screaming and yelling, throwing up her hands (and a couple of rude gestures...) I knew she was late for class, as lunch ends at 12:54 and it was about 12:55. Bobcat driver sees there are three or four cars behind him and pulls to the side. I smiled and waved as I passed by, he smiled and waved back. The speed limit on this particular road is 30, and I'm a stickler for speed limits. This quite visibly frustrated teenaged driver behind me, but there was absolutely nothing she could do about it as it's a windy road, one lane each direction, and cars tend to appear around corners so she couldn't (illegally) pass me safely. I think at this point she was turning red in the face from so much screaming. We got to the end of the road where it joins Main Street. We were both turning right. I was waiting for a break so I could turn right and then almost immediately left to go home. This took about 1 1/2 minutes. Immediately after me, ignoring the stop sign completely, she turned right and ZOOOOOMed off towards the high school. As it was about 1 by this point, I know she was quite late for class, no matter how much she sped now. Perhaps next time she goes home for lunch she'll leave earlier so she can get back in time. I wonder how the passenger felt...

Today. Friday, Jan. 9th.
At work today, I was decorating cakes, as that is my job. Teenagers kept appearing out of nowhere. My coworkers wondered why they kept coming in and went outside to look for some cause. Came back and reported: no bus, no parents driving off, nothing. They just appeared. Some of them bought donuts or sodas. But they stuck around, not doing anything. Alix was creeped out, apparently it reminded her of Children of the Corn. At one point, a group of seven or eight teenagers, I'd say average age of about fourteen, came in. Like most of the rest of these mysterious teenagers, they were wearing backpacks. They stood around talking for about fifteen minutes. Then, three or four of them, I don't remember exactly how many, came up to me. "Do you have FREE cookies?" they asked with excitement. "For LITTLE kids," I said, taking the open box of kid-cookies out of their reach, "and YOU don't count as little. Sorry!" This clearly frustrated them, but since I was the one in a Bowman's shirt and the one with the cookies, they didn't dare argue with me. However, they did (loudly) complain about it for the next several minutes, glaring at me multiple times. There were about three males in this group and the rest females, though this has little to do with the story. One of the males had a small smoothie from Mayan Jamma Juice that everyone in the group was taking sips of. I suppose they wanted cookies to go with this smoothie. They migrated from produce to the brownies. Stood around the brownies for about half an hour, still chattering all at once. Then they migrated from brownies to magazines. Stood there twittering like birds on a wire for another half hour, then they disappeared. Jeannie distrusted them the entire time they were there though and kept a CLOSE eye on them. Apparently they neither "took" nor purchased anything, just stood around. Weird. But apparently they were still complaining about how I wouldn't give them cookies.

I take great delight in this.

/end of stories

/minirant
Minirant time. Personally, I think if you're old enough to be at Bowman's by yourself (or with several friends), I'm within the limits of reason to assume you are well over the age of six, which is supposed to be the oldest age we give cookies to. I don't care if you can drive or not, if you're "too cool" to go to the grocery store with your parents, you're too old to need a free cookie.
/end of minirant

Wow, that was a pretty long post.
/end of post

One more thing...

2008-12-29T19:35:00.004-07:00

Pretty much hilarious for anyone familiar with Weber State:

originally found at Band Geeks

update!

2008-12-29T19:27:00.004-07:00

Christmas was good... I got pretty much everything I wanted, like the Scarlet Pimpernel (book, DVD and soundtrack!) and some things I didn't ask for, like Harvest Moon for Wii. I feel loved and spoiled. :)
Work is good. I didn't have to work Christmas Eve, which surprised me seeing as they were crazy busy and probably could've used my help. But my boss seems to be set on me doing nothing but decorating and decorating wasn't really necessary that day, just packaging and helping customers. Oh well, it means I got to spend Christmas Eve with my family.
The Saturday before Christmas, Emmett called me. The first thing he told me is that he "was going to fly to Utah this morning, but Mommy said there are only five more days until Christmas!"

stuffs

2008-12-29T19:18:00.003-07:00

Sites I generally check daily:
Facebook
deviantART
Cake Wrecks
Taquitos.net
...
Weber State

Other news, I changed the background of my blog :O It's much less... PINK! now.

:D :D

2008-12-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Japanese Fanta commercials.

Need I say more?

the interweb.

2008-12-07T19:10:00.003-07:00

I think the folks over at Taquitos.net just about sum up the Interweb:
linky link!

I do loves me some good Interweb...

telephones.

2008-11-29T21:56:00.002-07:00

Telephone calls are great fun sometimes, particularly when they're with one's 3-year-old nephew living several states away.
Emmett told me, several times, "Teagy, I miss you!"

the water incident.

2008-08-22T20:30:00.000-06:00

So my family, plus the Smackley family, were eating at Golden Corral tonight. We all just got water to drink. At one point, the waiter brought our table a pitcher of water. Jason asked Chris to pass him the pitcher. Chris poured some for himself and set it down, away from Jason. Jason asked me to pass it to him. I poured some for myself, poured some for Laura, some for Mik, and some for Meagan before setting it down, away from Jason. At this point, the waiter came up, said "I can take that for you, get you some more" and took the pitcher. Jason's cup was still empty.

LOL.

And the waiter signed his card as "Thank you, Jacob!"

the name game.

2008-07-11T17:27:00.000-06:00

NO ERASING MESS UPS!!!

Spell Your Name:

Teagan

Spell it backwards:
nagaet

Spell it with your elbow:
gvbedazgsan

Spell it with your eyes shut:
Teagan

Spell it with your forehead:
5643212huyjj

Your Nose:
teagan

Spell it with your chin:
tgfsdzbvzx n

YOUR TOUNGUE:
teagan

YOUR TOES:
t6eagtab n