Bare With Me

Okay, so as a busy college student (yeah right) I haven't found the time to blog (basically I was wasting my time doing other things). So over this past month a couple note worthy items that should be mentioned.
First up was my birthday. This was one of the best ones I've had, which it should be. I mean, you only turn 20 once a life time, and it's actually a legit change. I feel different because I'm not a lowly immature teenager anymore. Now I'm an immature 20 year old! (actually, I don't think I am even immature...which is slightly sad, because I'm not my exuberant self anymore, I'm more mellow and quiet...) Anyway, my birthday was filled with wonderful surprises and unfinished homework (of course). At work, I received a card from all my co-workers, which was about how "that day was the best, just don't pee my pants"...Yup I love them all. While at work, my neighbors came and delivered pink balloons and The best cupcake ever made. The company actually pride themselves in finding the right chemically balanced recipe or something like that. Another delivery came but this time it was flowers... From "Someone who loves you". Well as since I hope there is more than one person who loves me, I have no clue who sent them to me. (If anyone wants to tell come clean about that scandal, I'll pretend I'm like priest and seal my lips...) That night I threw myself an ice cream party for basically everyone in the ward and for my coworkers, though people couldn't believe that I'd throw myself a birthday party, I don't see why that's a problem though. We went through 2 gallons of ice cream and 2 1/2 hours of fun and laughter.

The upper one was from last year (19th), during which we were remodeling our kitchen so no homemade food(hence the match candle). Granted the picture the lower one is from today, I still think it counts for my birthday picture though.

Secondly, I would just like everyone to know that I hate dirty clothes. And living here where the small washer and crappy dryer cost more money than I want to spend, my dirty clothes slowly build up. A couple Saturdays back, I was through with that mess, I went to the bank and got 20 dollars worth of quarters. I meant serious business. After 4 hours of washing and hauling(it's cheaper to wash at Alpine Court and dry at the Wash Hut just down the road) loads up and down the street, ALL my laundry was clean.

I never knew wet clothes were so heavy...

Third item, I love it when I come home from school and this is what I see. It's a new technique of Theft Provention Camouflage that the Postal Service is trying. It still has a few kinks in the execution I think.


Finally, I learned a very deep lesson yesterday, never microwave syrup for 3 minutes...it ends in disaster. This is my plausible reasoning. This was homemade syrup that has been in the fridge for about three-four weeks, so of course it's practically fully sugarized. But if you heat it up, then all the sugar melts right? Well, I did this a week earlier and it turned out alright, but it still had some chunks of sugar on the bottom. So I thought to myself, why not put it in for longer? All it needs is a little bit more time to melt. So I added a minute...Well...after three minutes, I check on the plastic container in the microwave. It was leaning to one side, and the syrup was making this strange fizzing sound. Come to find out, the syrup was so hot that it not only melted the plastic, but all the moisture left the liquid and all that was left was sugar something. I tried to stir it, but it all stuck to the fork and I couldn't get it off. Well this is the picture of my lesson. Who knew?

Make-Up

Yesterday, I went running with K----, and it was the usual route that took us by the tennis courts and through the Fieldhouse. Turning a corner, I saw ice on the ground, and thought I should say something, but it was a big section (about 3 feet) so how could my partner miss it. Well we cross and mid-ice patch, I see her legs go one way and her arms and torso go the other way. And of course me being unsympathetic start laughing. Hard. No, I didn't ask her if she was okay(I mean I knew she wasn't, she slipped hard on ice), I didn't ask her if I could help her up, I just laughed. I'm a terrible friend. Or maybe it's more like I felt empathy for her, and in her situation I would just be lying on the cold cement laughing my head off, even if I was in terrible pain. What a pair we make, her slipping daintily on ice, and me tripping gracefully on air. I can't wait for short weather, so we can show off our beautiful black and purple legs.
Later that run, we started imagining what her leg was going to look like. See, my outlook on life is if there is a story behind the cut/bruise, then it deserves to be shown off (especially to men, to show how tough we are, that and they really appreciate the grotesqueness of it all). But by the time shorts come into season, our bruises will be gone. So why not use every resource within our grasps and use make-up!? I mean, can't you just see it, girls putting black and purple eyeshadow (nonglittery of course) on their legs and arms. And why stop there, why not use crutches and tourniquets? My dad used a dead Cottonwood branch to catch my moms attention, then I'll just use make-up bruises to catch mine(as long as I don't whine, but that will be easy since they'll be fake). Besides men like to feel like the knight in shining armour, so I'll just give them the option of being mine and opening my door.

Bungee Boy

The return of Bungee Boy (sounds like a good sequel to me...) If you recall, I earlier wrote about the cutest man I have seen come through work. Well guess what, he came back today. About thirty minutes into my shift I notice someone waiting at the information desk. Surprise surprise it was that handsome devil, just as striking as I remembered him. Today, he wanted to know when Organic Chemistry models were going to be in. I replied in about a week. He asked if he could order it to get it here faster than the expected arrival of a week. I didn't know for sure, because it is an item that we buy specially for BYU and if it's not found in our Mr. Magoriam Wonder-Emporium magical book then it's sketchy about special ordering it. So I go ask my Supervisors, and they tell me that it's pointless since the order will be in on Friday, supposedly. So I give him the option of leaving his name and number so we could contact him when they do come in. If you were wondering yes, I did get his name and number (though I question the validity of his specs, he said them in an odd way). His name is Anthony Bastian, and I don't remember his number. Sorry. And that entails the second episode with Bungee Boy. (No I will not call him by his real name.)
Oh, and I'm sure if I wasn't thinking about it, I would have started drooling while talking to him.

Awkwardness Squared

Apparently I have some interesting Auras. Like this one that I thought I hid pretty well, but I guess I don't. It's were I don't really say what I'm thinking. I give one word replies but the receiver knows I'm thinking much more but I'm not enlightening them. This is important to know for this story.
It just so happens that this Oliver kid is also in my FHE group. I know, I get all the luck. So Becca and I go to his apartment (that's where they always are), we were one minute late but the first ones there. They have three couches: a two seater, a three seater, and a love sack. I followed Becca to the three seater,but she didn't immediately sit down, so I sat in the middle to leave her room. Bradford (Oliver's roommate) sat on the other side of me, and I was okay with that. But he got up without my noticing, and Oliver took his seat. Becca then went and sat on the two seater with one of my "sisters" and this other girl sat to the right of me. Very slowly, and without detection (I hoped) I moved to sit closer to the girl. By the end of the lesson, Oliver was taking up one and a half of the three cushions and I was in the protection mode with my arms and legs crossed. I barely talked to him, but I really didn't talk to anyone there.

When Becca and I got home, she gave me her observation on that whole show. Her first sentence, " You really made Oliver uncomfortable tonight". I asked how I did this, because as I've already wrote, I'm dense and oblivious to people's attitudes. Apparently, I never looked at him, I didn't talk to him, and I guess there was even a look I gave, but I don't remember that, oh and my body language did a ton of talking. And here are my rebuttals. He was sitting right next to me so it would be kinda weird to stare at him. So I just didn't bother looking his way. The talking wasn't just my fault it's not like he tried to start a conversation with me... and the look I guess was from me to Becca, and he intercepted because Becca smirked, but once again I don't remember this "look". The body language I have no excuse, that one is pretty true. Over all, I guess he's trying because I'm rejecting him. Sorta like a challenge. (It's official, I've got several accounts that men like challenges. That's why Spencer, the most recent boy that was interested in me, liked me. It's because I didn't fall for him immediately. I was a challenge. Lame, but I'm glad I didn't go for him). Anyway, I'm sure there will be more posts on this issue, but hopefully not too soon.

Queen of Awkwardness.

Yes that's me. I have a dousy of one that happened today before sacrament meeting.

This morning, none of my roommates had to attend any meetings, which is very abnormal. So most of us walked up together, except for Becca because she slept in and we left early. Usually, I am the one that saves seats because my calling does not require meetings. I sit on one side halfway down the "pew" and put my jacket and purse on the other side of the boundaries. Lately, my saved seats have been taken because people who I do not plan for come and want to join, and I can't refuse (examples are other lonely roommates or engaged couple member.)and the rest of the chairs that were outside my perimeter are already taken. So last Sunday, Kayla couldn't sit with us and Becca had to sit next to Scott's (Falisha's fiance, she's my newest roommate) new roommate Porter and the "border". Today Tanis said that it felt like Becca was cut off from us because she was sitting on the wrong side of Porter.
Alright, back to my story. So today, it was Tanis, Falisha, Scott and I who walked up together to church (talking about wedding registration the entire time...) I went into the "pew" first followed by Tanis then the couple. As we sat down I told Tanis to tell Scott to save two seats for Kayla and Becca on the other side of our group next to him, because I'm just used to sitting on a border and everyone to the right of me. Tanis, "why don't you just save the seats next to you?" Me, "uh... um... because... okay." So I put my purse and scriptures on the two seats, and started to re-examine my lesson that I was giving. People slowly started to arrive, and I see someone walk towards me. His name is Oliver, and I do. not. like. him. even as a friend. I have no reason or explanation, I just don't. He's the one on the right and then the left.

This is roughly our conversation:

Oliver: "Dana! I wanted to sit next to you."

Dana: "Oh. sorry, they're saved."

Tanis: "Dana, you could just move over."

Dana:"---(thinking of an excuse, because I really didn't want to sit next to him)--- uh...but--- okay"

I lean down to pick up my jacket "wait what?" (I'm staring at the saved seats trying to figure it out. I guess I'm really dense because I couldn't understand what she was suggesting)

Tanis: "Just move over"

Dana: -----I was thinking like, stay there and just move Kayla and Becca over one seat so he could sit next to me or I move over one and still sit next to Kayla/Becca and have Oliver sit in between Tanis and I. Like I said, my mind was not working very well.

Oliver: sits down on the other side of saved seats, and leans over to read my scripture cover, ie the name. "who are they saved for?"

Dana: still sitting in my first seat with my jacket in hand " Um, Kayla and Becca"
Oliver: nods

--------------------awkward silence----------------

Dana: I return to my lesson after putting my jacket under my chair again. I didn't move.

After a minute Oliver gets up and goes and sits next to a different girl in the ward, which happened to be the row right behind us, and sits right behind me.

I take a breath, I don't feel too bad, but I'm sure my face was red. More people start to come in and I see Porter and Spencer (engaged but his other half is not in our ward) sit next to Scott. So the lineup right now is saved-saved-Me-Tanis-Falisha-Scott-Spencer-Porter. A minute later I see Kayla and Kim (her roommate) come and sit on the other side of our row (close to Porter). I say to myself, "Alright, no Kayla" and removed my purse. Then an apartment of men come and sit next to Becca's saved seat. and then they have to go sit and pass the sacrament, but they will be back. a minute later Becca comes toward my side and sees her spot and tells me and Tanis, " But I always sit over on the right side!" and then went and sat on the last seat near Porter/Kayla/ Kim and some other random people. (talk about being cut off from us!). Dana: "Fine. No Becca." and I remove my scriptures. I was just sitting there wondering what it must look like to Oliver to see all this happening. I don't know why, but it hurt that not one of the people who I saved a seat for sat there...

So church started and the Sacrament was over, and the faithful priesthood holders came and sat down. Well Becca's rejected seat was inhabited by Stevo(real name Stephen, but we have like 3 of those), another man that I do not have a drop of likeness in me, though I prefer him to Oliver. Once again I wonder what Oliver must be thinking right now...

This story might not seem too awkward because I really don't remember the entire conversation, but trust me it was.

Gods Gift to Women

Today started with another klutzy moment. Last night, I thought, I don't have class until ten, why not curl my hair!? It was a splendid idea, so then next week for my birthday it wouldn't be a tragic difference if I curled my hair. Well, I was almost done but that last curl didn't curl the end, stupid strand... Usually I just wrap it around the barrel, but I just needed the end curled so I put in the rod and sticky thing (what is that even called, the part that can lift up?) and just in case the laws of Newton weren't working I had to double check. What I mean is that as I let the clippy thing close with a snap, the force caused that stupid barrel to hit my forehead... right between the eyebrows. Good thing it was the last piece or else it could have been totally worse. I immediately put cold water on it and then neosporin. I grabbed an ice cube and towel and for the next 20 minutes I held them to my forehead. The last thing I wanted was to have a scab on my forhead, I mean I have sympathy for people with unibrows, but I really don't want to have empathy. Especially since I'm teaching this sunday, playing soccer tomorrow, and my birthday is Wednesday... you can't blame me for being concerned, specially since I don't have a husband who will take me when I'm ugly and beautiful. The burn is shown below. This was taken about thirty minutes after it happened. I don't think it's going to be too bad...

The second part of my day was better. It seems that there always has to be a bad thing to balance the great thing. Once that embarrassing accident happened, I hoped I could get through the day with out being noticed. However, my work doesn't allow that to happen. Luckily, today seemed more dead than usual. With only 45 minutes left of work, I was anxious to escape the public eye. But little did I know that the most gorgeous man I will ever see came into the school supplies section in the bookstore. I'm not sure, but he would have diserved a double take look, that's how cute he was.

His description:

probably 5'11"-6'0" tall; medium athletic build (neither skinny nor large, and he was wearing athletic clothes, ie shoes, nike jacket); fair angular (not chizzled) face; amber eyes (I could get lost in them without even trying); redish-brown hair that was perfectly tousled (I usually don't care for the just-woke-up style, but he worked it); and most importantly...I did not notice a ring on the left hand...

I think I'm drooling... That's not good for my computer. If the above doesn't help form a mental picture, then my co-worker summed up his apperience. She said that he was how Edward Cullen should've looked like. Pity I never have that kind of luck to get a catch like that, besides he probably has a girlfriend, figures... But now my standard has risen because I Know there is species of Handsomeness out there. If a dream is what my heart makes, I want to dream about him. ;)

Face Up in the Gutter

At least three times a week I try to go running with Kayla at six in the morning. Today was no different. However, I did have an accident while leaving the Smithfield House. We were just minding our business when this sneaky little one centimeter ledge between a dirt plot and the sidewalk tripped me. And I know I look light as a feather, but I crashed hard. I ended up in the gutter, as the line from "Bells are Ringing" about how Dean Martin is going to end up laying face down in the gutter because his life was going down the drain fast, was running through my head. Though I only scraped up my palms and my knee, I finished the run. I can't wait until Saturday where I'll be playing soccer and my knee will be showing. It's the new technique to scare the opponents. It shows how fearsome I am (they don't need to know how I got it...).

My second news are not so bad, on the contrary it's fabulous! It was my first batch. I hope to perfect the oven so the bottoms won't be that burnt. Silly gas stove. Aren't they beautiful?

Manna

Several people noticed I wasn't my chipper self last sunday (the 10th of January), so I got a couple things dropped by. A note (not shown), a plate of delicious cookies, and some homemade bread (this was not left but picked up on monday). The cookies are nummy. With a funny note.

And the Honey Bread made by one beautiful angel, Kayla. This, I was very selfish and didn't share it with any of my roommates. And I loved every last crumb. I ate it for breakfast on tuesday and then my dinner that night as I was jetting out the door to make our 7:50 flight.

Now. This my new baby. I'm really excited for it and on Thursday we'll see how she does.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh(heavenly choir)

It's my Granddad's Sourdough starter for those that couldn't tell. It's heaven in a Biscuit.

Alternative Energy

I have found the new idea to save America and the world! We, Jeff, Mel and I, were driving up to the SLC airport. Along the freeway right by the Point of the Mountain are a few wind turbines. As I was looking at them and wondering why people think they are ugly (they are quite magnificent), I saw there was no building or transfer station. Or whatever, the building that turns the raw power into usable energy. So my mind flipped through possible scenarios, ending with a wire that ran underground.
From there it gets even stranger. I don't even know how my mind skipped. I had an epiphany for our energy woes. America could run on STATIC ELECTRICITY. It's brilliant. It's a source that doesn't have to cost much, just the supply of carpet and socks. All the unemployed American's would finally have an income which would boost the economy and make it so politicians could focus on more important matters like the cost of paper back text books. There would be this giant building with the best carpet (scientific research would tell us which one would give off the most charge.) and have the non-freeloaders "Party" Shuffle around. Now this is where some engineering would come in handy. Of course we can't just have the workers just touching big metal pillars, the Unions would eat us alive for burnt nerves. But maybe a hand held jar that would collect the charge and could then be connected to something... Yeah, I'm not an engineer nor a technician, so someone else will have to figure that out.
So if you have any beneficial advice to my world changing epiphany, feel free to share and get a cut in the new market. There's plenty of shares to go around.

Leoma Cheek Gibson

A wonderful and brilliant child of God, and my name sake.

Many family calls have come across my phone, and mostly since thursday. For a year, her sickness took over her life. And those are the memories that I mostly have of her. Both Jeff and Kristy called me today to see how I am doing (since I'm the only one that doesn't have a shoulder to cry on). And truthfully, I haven't shed a tear. I'm the second youngest grandchild, so I did not really know Grandma when she was young and spry. I find this as a blessing or a relief. But if I didn't have the Gospel in my life, maybe I would be bawling and wailing. To think that this is the only life. It's too full of ugliness and tragedies to be the only one. And I'm grateful that I know there is "heaven". We are told that after we die, we will have a perfect body. This morning, I wondered what Grandma's perfect body looks like. And I knew she was happy.

Thanks Janessa. I stole this picture from your blog. I don't have pictures of Grandma. My only regret, is that I might not be able to make it home for the funeral. And I dislike how people say that's okay...

The joy of a hexigonal patterned ball

Last night, we played our first intramural (intra or inter? I don't know) indoor soccer game. And let me tell you, I ABSOLUTLY LOVE SOCCER! I don't know how I survived almost 2 years without it. The thill of an opponent, the precision of the kicking, and when you are within shot, the adrenilin that is created to keep your head when it's just you and the goalie. Wow. I missed it. However, you might be thinking that I scored. I didn't. But I did have one shot on goal, but I hit that pesky left post... Darn that post. I think it should of pulled a Robin Hood move and jumped (to the left) so I could have scored. But it didn't and frustratingly enough, we tied. They deserved to tie, we let our guard down the last five minutes, and they got in three more scores...It was rather annoying. But not to boast or anything...they did not score while I was playing ;).
Alright this is the section that I'm going to rant. I don't want to do it in front of the other players, but I believe I'm better than average at playing soccer. So I am a starting player, along with several if not most of the better players on the team. This is how we got our five points, during the first 10 minutes of every half. (each half was 20 minutes long, so over al 40 minutes long. Not long enough...) So at roughly ten minutes into the half the second wave would switch us. The defence is not as strong so more unfriendlys would make it through for a kill shot. And I'm on the sideline jumping up and down wanting, no dieing to go back in, but being denied. I know this is intra(ter)mural, and everyone wants to play and deserve to play, but I want to be selfish and play all 40 minutes. In high school, I was used to 40 minute halfs and playing most if not all those 80 minutes. So this is killing me! And this is why I'm venting through typing and not through virbal ways. I don't want to hurt anyones feelings. and everyone wants to play. So I'll put my selfish side to the side(haha) and be glad for the time that I get.
The final score was 5-5. But I think the wronged us. One of the opposing girls took a shot on our fabulous goalie, and he easily blocked it, but then the goal box was kinda crowded and our boy defender tried to kick it out, but instead of going foward, it went backward and into the goal. And you know what they recorded it as? 2 points because the girl kicked it at Moroni first... Now that, is really annoying. So I think we won with 5-4. I don't care what that stupid scoreboard said.

"Doom on you." (well me)

My first week, and I already know I'll be a social recluse this semester. If I wasn't doing homework for my 4 classes, I was in classes. And if I wasn't in class, then I was working. And if I wasn't doing those, then I was either sleeping, running, or eating (in that order of importance). I've made a commitment with Kris to run a half marathon, and that is why I wake up at 5:38 every morning, to go running with Kayla, Zach, and some times Tanis. then two hours to do some homework and get ready for the day. Then three hours of classes, three plus hours of work, and then six plus hours of homework,and finally and hopefully in bed by 10 to start my next day. Welcome to the REAL College Life. So I pose this question, how do people have time to meet someone, date, and get married? It seems impossible. Simply blows my mind. But then of course, I've come to find out that I'm not very bright. I can not have deep intellectual conversations with people, and in my RM Book of Mormon class I feel lost, the entire discussion just seems to roll off my brain without being absorbed. So maybe it's a good thing I'm not being social in my stupid state.

Last night I was over at Kayla's to use some super glue for my finger (I purposely put super glue on my hand this time!) and Kim, her room room-mate, told me to open my hands face up. "You're pinkies are weird!" apparently my poor pinkies are deformed. I'll let you be the judge though.

And to prove that I'm not so good at baking, this is my first potato cake. After calling Mom about three or four times, it was just tolerable. The cake it self was a tad dry, but the icing made up for that. I think I spent about 30 minutes just scooping the icing off the plate so it wouldn't over flow. After a day or two, it finally hardened, thankfully. The area was a mess too. You can just barely understand the amount of disoray that occured during this eventful incident. But with some milk (melk), I think it was delicious(ish).

My first "free" Sunday

Alright. As you can see, I need to update my blog a little bit better. However, I have a reasonable excuse...Matt made me do it! (not really, but let's just blame matt because he is the only one that doesn't have a blog, so he can't retaliate)
So first up, School has been somewhat strenuous, but I think that's mostly because I am also working simultaneously. Early mornings and somewhat late nights, are killers. But no worries, I work in the afternoon next semester. But, my life will end because I'm taking Calculus 112. I didn't understand it last semester, I hardly believe that I will understand it this semester. On January 4, I will be walking into the lions den, hopefully I can pull a "Daniel" and shut their mouths. Next semester I will be taking Calc, Geology 112, and two religious classes. Second Book of Mormon and second half of the New Testament. I'm done with my Freshman classes, but I'm a freshman in the Geology department, so I can only take one of their classes a semester, just the basics. And in Spring Term I plan on taking just Calc 113. I have to have my calc out of the way before my sophomore year... I will also die that time too. But we believe in 2nd Resurrections right?
Sorry, back to this semester, I probably ended up with all B's in my classes. Some + some -. I think it's solid, since this is my first semester here, and I learned to work concurrently. next semester will be better. I promise.
Now to the Boys. No, there is no potential anywhere. Some have heard of different interests, but the last one was Spencer Bevan, from Salt Lake. Not an Idaho boy, so it was against fate. He is just really cool kid, but I don't think he's looking for girls that are friends, so he's stopped really talking to me. too bad. This is the boy that reminded me alot of Matt and Jeff. Oh well. New semester, and maybe a fresh crop of men. I do have to laugh. Since being here i have tripled my dating experiences since I've turned 16.But that really doesn't mean anything. But most have been fun times.
Christmas is just around the corner, I get to work the first week. So in other words, I'll be flying home on Christmas. What fun! I mean, what student is really going to come to the store this week? "oh! It's Christmas, I need to buy file folders and pens..." Yeah, I don't get it either. So it will be a thrilling four days at work this week.
Today I just got back from California. Stephanie "Graduated" from Disneyland, so I flew out to be with her. Steph's parents and Julia drove over from CG, so it was a real party. No, we did not go to Disneyland. I would have liked to, but we didn't plan our time that well. In fact we really didn't do anything except went to the beach. But I still had fun with Steph and Julia.
As I was getting to my area to wait for the plane this morning, this boy said that I look really familiar. I said that I just flew in this weekend, and he said "Did you fly in on Friday?" D-"Yes. What time was your flight?" RB(Random Boy)"I flew in from Salt Lake City at about 7:45am." D-" I was on that plane too." RB-" Yeah, I remember now. You sat on the other side of the plane." D-"Oh? where were you sitting?" RB-"right in front of the wing." D-" So in 7a (I sat in 7d)?" RB-"Yeah." D-" well, This is just a coincidence..." and we just sat and talked till we boarded our returning flight. I believe his name is John, he is from Rexburg, Idaho. Just graduated as a Nurse. Going to Alaska next weekend to work as a Nurse, and hopefully in two years, get a job down in Phoenix where his brother lives. He wants to become an Anaesthesiologist nurse. He is the youngest of 7 and went on a mission to Armenia. I would guess his age to be about 26. No he was not a stud, but he had decent looks.(just in case you were wondering). And if you are wondering if I got his number, I did not. that would just be awkward, and I probably won't ever see this kid again until Heaven. Besides, texting relationships are never are good. And I don't do too well talking on the phone. Anyway, it is just another witness how small the world is. Well, I've written enough for now. I'll do better next time I promise. and If you wanted to see pictures from my California trip, they are up on Facebook.

Baking for the Soul

Lately, I've had the passion to bake. Maybe it's the cold air or the fact that it's a wonderful experience to walk into an apartment that smells yummy with cake or cookies scent. But last week, Jennifer (Aka Jenn or Jen; it's debatable) had her 24 birthday and we as an apartment did not really plan for it. Luckily, I usually keep at least a brownie or a cake mix stashed away for times like these, so I whipped it out and made a cake after church. I found an icing recipe online which called for 5 ingredients: sugar, vanilla, butter, milk, and cocoa. You melt and then pour it over the cake. It was gone before the sun set on Monday.
This weekend, I baked mom's chocolate chip cookies and Baked Alaska. The cookies because I need to pay-off some people for their services rendered, and to leave on doorsteps. The Baked Alaska was actually for this Tie-Date activity our service committee put together. This boy's tie I picked up, actually didn't put his tie in. His roommates did. I decided to give the service but to not hold it to him for a date. The first was a chicken enchilada dinner. They were delicious and thanks Mel for the recipe. The second was a complete makeover for his car. We took it to a quarter wash, since our apartment has already taken in the hose for the winter, where I gave a quarter to a homeless man, and Jamie (one of my next door neighbors) helped a lady out of the dumpster gate. I ran out of idea's for the third service since that was the deal, I asked some of the men from our ward that I "chill" with sometimes and Jeff since he's on hand. But I was still stumped. So I sent Jamie over to his house and she couldn't leave until she got an answer from him on what I can do. He told her that I should make my favorite dessert. So I did. He was impressed and apparently ate half of the cake within half an hour. I told him that I'm not expecting a date, but he insisted. So maybe next Saturday we will go on a date. But I guess I put pressure on him because of the quality of service I gave him, he feels like he needs to make up for it...We'll see how it turns out.
I can't wait for Thanksgiving because I'm going to make a Potato Cake. These people don't know what they are missing, so it's my job to do the missionary work.

First day of Autumn/Winter.

What is the difference between Autumn and Winter? Where does one end and the other start?

This picture was taken September 3oth. It's only September, and there is already snow on the mountains. What have I gotten myself into?

I am enjoying the fall colors though. They are quite spectacular. This weekend I am going to hike up rock canyon which means I'll get up close and personal with the changing trees. Exciting.

The Prank: Part 2

We, Kayla and I, decided to end this spectacular prank, one because I was tired of lying and two, we just wanted it to end. So we created these last clues in a matter of days. On Wednesday night we created this note. My appreciation for those kidnappers/bad people that make signs and notes out of cut out newspaper clippings are my hero's. It took like three hours to clip and glue.

We found this little Johnny Depp puzzle that was left over from the previous tenants, so we drew the bulb on the back and wrote a note on the front. That night we gave a couple puzzle pieces and the cut out note. Over the next day and half we left puzzle pieces everywhere. Fully put together, it says

"The time has come for this to end

A pie will be the perfect stipend

And make it apple with a touch of glaze

It is crucial for this trading phase

Ten in the morn is the time to meet

You must wait for the place for us to greet." This is what we did while we waited. Exactly. Absolutely nothing.

And on the back we wrote "Octavus Platea Anas hold the truth". We didn't want it to be too easy so that is why half of the note is in Latin. We made this poster that I am rather proud of. I drew the duck and ducklings. We attached it to a tree at the duck pond and we waited. Well, apparently it was too hard for them, because they didn't show up. However there were two people that stopped and read it. One even came back and reread it. So we wait for an hour, and then head home. Our final thought was to never let them get it again, but I was tired of this prank so we decided to just go over that night and give them the special light and the duck poster.

Well, I still wanted my pie. And I know I had no leverage, but I warned them that something drastic might happen if I didn't get that pie. To impress upon them my meaning, I made a sign a week later and put it on their door. I am rather proud of it; it took an hour to cut out and make.

Finally, two weeks later, at 11:30 on Sunday night they brought over the pie. I was already going to bed, and one of my roommates, Becca, was asleep when they came over. They got Kayla, and then came up to our apartment with this pie. I decided to wake Becca because she wouldn't want to miss the pie eating. I get plates and she is starting to cut it. Before she dishes the pie out she takes a bite. We are all talking, when Becca looks at all the guys waiting for a sign. Matt finally smirks, and she says "This is supposed to taste disgusting right?" All the guys start laughing, and the rest of us catch on that the pie was sabotaged. Becca runs to the sink and washes out her mouth and I am crying because I'm laughing so hard. I should have known that it was rotten. I saw it when she cut into it, and it didn't look right for some reason, but know I know why. Dave -The Legend(ary cook) switched the sugar with salt. So Becca took the hit for Kayla and I and ate a bite of Salt pie.

This concludes the Blue Light Scandal, but it does not end the pranks. We will enact our revenge this weekend.