Hilarious Podcasts

Lately I've been on the prowl for great, funny, clean podcasts that I could dive into. This habit all started when Corbin got me hooked to a fantastic radio news quiz show called Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me.


We would listen to it on the radio on Saturdays if we happened to be driving somewhere, and the next thing I knew... I had finished years and years of archived shows in a matter of months. We're talking hours of an "oddly informative news quiz." When that ran out (to my great sadness), it left a void in my life. I needed something new.

Recently, I finished listening to a great book (as I am also wont to do), and I began my search for a new podcast. I searched around for a while, and found the Team Coco Podcast.


For those who don't know, this is three random people who work on Conan O'Brien's show, and interview other random employees. Sounds like it wouldn't be great, but it so totally is. I polished off their 30-something episodes in less than a week.

My apatite for good podcasts is insatiable!

So I looked around some more, and found this foodie blog called Spilled Milk.


It's a man and woman talking about all kinds of foods, from parsnip to hot dogs. And their laughter is contagious! Yeah... Their 30-ish episodes were no match for my listening stamina. I think it took me a matter of days to finish them off.

Now, I must wait for the weekend when each of these shows brings a new episode into the world. It's really hard, like waiting for Christmas, but every week!

I guess the moral of the story is, I like funny things.

Feed my hunger! If you know of a funny, clean podcast, hook me up! Obviously, it can be about anything, really.

I'm Here

It's such a joke to pretend like I could catch up after the last six months in just one blog post, so I'll pretend like everyone who would be reading this already knows what's been going on in my life. I won't lie and say I'm embarrassed that I haven't written in so long, because I've been busy enough to justify myself.

Of course, I've been doing my school blog, which also made me feel fulfilled in the blogging world.

Anyways, nostalgia has been creeping into my life for no real reason. Maybe it's because I feel like things are slowing down now that my Teacher Work Sample is over. I hope it's not because I feel that my life is getting boring. It definitely is not boring. I'm doing the things that I love with the people I love.

My friend is throwing a surprise 3/4 birthday party for her husband on Saturday. That rocks!

Corbin and I went mattress shopping for a bit today, and I'm having a hard time making the decision to commit. My back just does not agree with this firm mattress, but what if we spend hundreds of dollars on another mattress that I think I like, but ends up hurting me after a while? I never had back problems with any of my single housing mattresses... how ironic. I wish a mattress would magically appear that didn't hurt me, and I wouldn't have to make a decision. Oh well.

Corbin's dad gave us a Costco card as a gift, and I can't wait to use it. His dad is so generous. I like him. I think the first thing I want to get from that place is the stuffed pasta Mom got me when we went a few weeks ago. I just can't stop thinking about those tasty things.

I am tired of my house looking like we moved in a week ago, meaning that I think I'm going to go on a decorating spree (or at least begin the process with the funds that I have). Here are my first plans:

- curtains for the windows. I don't want them to block any actual light, seeing as out basement gets very dark very easily. I just need a splash of color.

- picture frames for our pictures and posters. They're cute, they just need to look presentable.

- pictures to put in frames. We have some cool frames, but no pictures cool enough that will fit. (and another thing I'm excited about Costco for: printing pictures)

- fix up our dresser. I'm going to paint it, and get new handles for it. My sock drawer is missing a handle. Those handle-less days must end.

- new floor lamp that isn't missing a lamp shade and looks tacky. The one we have has been through a lot with me, and been through 7 different apartments. It's done me good, but it's time to retire.

-couch cover, if I can figure out how to craft one. There is no way I could find one that is 9 feet long and three feet tall.

If I could have my dream, I would paint these bland white walls, but I'd hate to have to paint it back a year later. I've got to find the balance between being happy with my surroundings, and realizing that we won't be here for long, in the grand scheme of things.

PS: if anyone feels like a good decorator (like knowing how to position pictures on the wall to look good, or organizing furniture in an aesthetically pleasing way), come and experiment on my house. I know we've got potential here, I just am not very good at this sort of thing. Man. What will it be like when I have a real house?

Also, I am really excited to get fit. I've got lots going for me that will hopefully motivate me. I started Even Stronger Than Yesterday, because competition is good for this sort of thing, and it worked really well for me last time (I also was about to get married, so the motivation might be a little different this time around). The Rex Lee run is coming up soon, which I am super excited for. Does anyone know if we can sign up yet? And Nebo District does the Hershey Track Meet every year, and we're going to start training on Monday (if weather permits). Even though I don't compete, I still want to be a good example to my kids. Plus I just like to run.

The Pictures of the Room

It looks better in real life, but I think these pictures are still pretty fun. The first week was an adventure, in both a good and a bad way. But there is definitely one thing- I am learning how to be a real teacher.

My Class

As you already know, the first day of school was yesterday, and the past two days have been a whirlwind. I am loving my kids, and I hate to say it, but I think I'm a sucker for the girls. They are all so cute and sweet. But don't worry, I love my boys to, they are crazy and fun. I've got a few kids that I know I will get hilarious stories out of all year long. Tomorrow (when I actually remember to do it) I will take pictures of my finished classroom, that is actually lived in now. Here are some pictures of the bare bones that I found on arrival.

Here is a little taste of what we've been up to. For more info, go to my class blog at millergrade3.blogspot.com

Old photos

I'm not sure if these photos are up somewhere already, but I thought I'd add them anyways. They're still cute. =)

Random Thoughts

Not too many very exciting things have happened to me lately, but I am loving this summer. The pace, the activities, the company... And I am feeling more grown up than I expected to. We had another couple in our ward come over, and we played games. We had a married person night with other married people. Maybe the novelty will wear off someday, but for now it's fun.

The classroom is coming along nicely. I've got my cricket letters (thanks Holly!), my vel crow tape, and my empty soup cans- the perfect combo for an elementary school classroom. It's hard to think that a month from Pioneer day I will have a room full of 3rd graders.

I would also like to put in my thoughts on the temple. I always knew I would love it, but it's even more incredible than I imagined. And yet, so familiar. And yet, I still have so much to learn, and I can feel it every time I go. For a person who's been endowed less than three months, I think I've been to a wide variety of temples: Redlands, San Diego, Columbia River, Provo, Mt. Timp, Boise, and in a couple days, Draper. Each one is different, each one is beautiful, and each one has the Spirit. And I'm glad I get to share it all with my wonderful husband.

In less than a month, I will be gone from SAS custodial forever. It's been good to me, but I believe its time has passed.

I want to say that I am so glad I didn't have texting as a student. I think it is so rude when people do it in class, but I know I would have. Thanks Mom and Dad from saving me from myself. But just for the record, I really really love texting.

Hello World

I looked back on the past six months of my blogging life, and realized I'm not as faithful as I used to be about writing. The thing is, I don't feel like I have many interesting things to say, or interesting ways of saying them. So I'll use something that is tried and true: a list of my current favorite things. And here it is!

• this crazy half cross-eyed face Corbin makes
• playing with Holly and Jack
• seeing Shelley and Jett on video chat
• reading 3rd grade level books
• getting my classroom ready
• doing my bellydance DVD
• having facebook inform me that friends are engaged
• my new calling of Literacy Committee member
• going to the temple (that place is cool cool)
• lovely spring weather
• hanging out with Leesa and Amanda
• thinking about fun times past, and daydreaming about future ones
• being with my wonderful husband
• lotion
• sleeping in
• homemaking (is that odd?)
• To Do lists
• when stuff on my To Do list gets To Done.
• listening to books on CD
• Brittany Bird's hilarity!

Don't worry, if I think of other things, I'll keep them to myself. =)

It has been quite a while since I've posted, and I wish that my camera would work with my computer, because then I'd have wonderful pictures of the last month to share.
All in all, being married is pretty dang awesome. I love it even more than I imagined. Corbin is an even better husband than he was fiance, and he was a terrific fiance.
Having my own home to make is a beautiful thing. Not having to write my name on my food is also blessed. I get to organize the furniture like I want (with Corbin's brawn to help me of course). Making grown-up decisions is kind of bizarre, because I'm not a grown up yet. But I guess I'm drawing nearer and nearer to becoming one. I've got a husband, a job, and a whole lot to do this summer. Even though it's going to be filled with work, it will also be filled with lots of partying. Don't forget, all you Provo-ites: I've got access to a pool, a waffle maker, and the desire for creating good times!

Life Thusfar

I know it has been a while, and plenty has happened since last I wrote. For heaven's sake, my last practicum happened! And for those who don't know, it went amazingly. I think I was converted to the upper grades, but that may only be because I fell in love with my mentor teacher. I cannot say enough about how magical she made my practicum. The kids were great and wonderful and hilarious, but Stephanie was the icing on the cake. That may all seem creepy, but I will really miss working with her.
I had my internship interview last Monday, and got a job! I'll be teaching 3rd grade for Larsen Elementary in Spanish Fork. I cannot believe how excited I am to have my own classroom and my own students and everything. It's amazingly overwhelming, but it will be a great experience.
Because I know my next year of life is secured, it has squelched the last embers of desire to do well in my classes. The common mentality in my cohort is that we already have jobs, and it doesn't matter how we do these last few weeks as long as we scrape by. Yes, I am one of the masses. I am trying to at least stumble across the finish line, but no promises for anything better than that. It's all very surreal, actually, knowing that these are my last days as a BYU campus goer. I feel like I should be drinking it all in, but at the same time, I just want to get away.
And the pinnacle of all reasons that I want this semester to end: getting married to the love of my life. No, not pink milk, not ping pong, not even MASH. That's right, the great Corbini, Corb-star, Corbina. Corbin has made this past school year such a wonderful experience, and I hope I've made it the same for him. We've only got less than a month to go, and we are so excited. There are still things to be done, but the business in that aspect will help the time to go faster, I think.
In less exciting news, I had oral surgery on Friday, and I am healing up nicely. Corbin and I have also been sick all weekend, but it feels like things are looking up and we're on the mend.
I hope some of this distractedness will settle down at least until school ends, then I will allow myself to lose my mind. So please, however comes in contact with me, don't judge if I'm a little mean or crazy. Just blame it on all the stuff I have going on. Also blame the hormones. =)

Practicum Love!

As you may know, I started my practical experience at Orchard Hills Elementary in Santaquin. It has been such a different experience in 5th grade than last semester in 2nd. It's a combination of things. Of course, the kids are older, can do more things, and are way way easier to manage. Another stark difference is my teacher is 25 instead of 50+. Stephanie teaches like we have been taught to, because she is a recent BYU graduate herself. She's so organized, and gives me all sorts of resources to use in lessons. She's way flexible with letting me do lessons at a good pace and style. She eats with the other teachers during lunch. She can actually hear me when I talk to her. =) My carpool of girls is way cool too. We have a great time driving and talking during lunch. Our CFA is way cute and nice and helpful. She gave us a tour of the school the first day, and made us way turned around, but that couldn't be helped. She scrapbooked some steno pads for us the first day, and they are so so cute. I love how the schoolday is planned out, organized, and pretty much step by step. It makes the day go way fast, and I love it. I have way more assignments than last semester, but I'm way more organized, and that gives me a lot of confidence. I think this practicum is going to be GREAT!

An Ode to Mom

Yesterday in Relief Society, we had a lesson on Elder Bednar's talk about the three things you can do to strengthen the home, the first of which was expressing love. All of a sudden, I couldn't get my mommy out of my head, and I knew I had to tell her I loved her. So Ma, this one's for you!

I have a lot of favorite things about my mommy, and a lot of examples I can site of how I know she loves me.

She would always get up with us for seminary. She wasn't always the most coherent, but hey, I wasn't either.

she loves a good party! Get out the food, get the music bumpin', you know you know.

I love those times when we're talking and being silly, and our conversation deteriorates into inaudible laughter. You know it's good when you don't know what anyone's saying anymore.

She knows... somehow Mom always knew what boy I liked, when something was wrong, when I needed to skip a day of school... I never figured out how she did it.

She made us lunch, not just in elementary school, but that stint in high school where we could go get our lunch from mom and actually eat something delicious and healthy, rather than a fruit roll up and some cookies I would have inevitably packed for myself. She didn't have to, but she did anyways.

My mom knows how to get in there and get things done. Hard work is definitely something I admire about her.

She's nice. Everyone at school knew Mrs. Chatfield, and how awesome she was. She made treats for the drama kids, could talk about issues going on at school, oh, and this...

She gives great advice. I didn't always take it, but that was always a bad idea. She would take the problem, and deal with it. No judgements, always an outpouring of love.

She's smokin' HOT!

She thinks Daddy is cute, to this very day. I am obligated as their child to say eeeew, but I think it's really sweet. I want to say that to my husband after 25 years of marriage.

She keeps a great journal, something I want to emulate.

Disney Land is always more magical when Mom is there, even if she doesn't go on all the rides.

She can appreciate a night of Mr. Darcy and brownie mix.

If you have any favorite qualities that I didn't put down (because there are plenty that I just didn't have space for) feel free to share.

Mom, I love you so much. I'm glad I got to have a great mom like you! Thanks for doing my wedding, thanks for encouraging me through school, thanks for being a wonderful example to me. I hope you can feel my hugs all the way from Utah!

I was working on a paper on goals for my special needs instruction class, and I came upon these scriptures. I think they look real nice together.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

(New Testament | Matthew 5:48)

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

(New Testament | Mark 9:23)

It seems to give some hope, which is always nice.

Traditions

My classmate is writing a book about family traditions. She asked us to share some of ours, and I thought it was so fun that I'll share them with you. If you happen to think of any good traditions you'd like in a book, leave them in a comment and I'll send them to her. Yes, you too could be in a book! I love traditions!


My two older sisters got married in the Redlands California temple, and that's where I'm getting married in May. I am also using the same veil they used.
Every Valentines day, my mom would get a box of chocolates for me and my four sisters. They would be waiting for us on the mantle when we woke up.
My family has a usual routine for the 4th of July. In the afternoon, we gather all our footballs and lawn toys, and go to the field at Moore Middle School (my dad taught there at one point). We would set up the lawn chairs and blankets, eat potato salad and chips, and play football and frisbee until it got too dark. At that point, we sit on the blankets and try to play Uno by flashlight. All the while, there is a large mixing bowl of cookie dough with tons of spoons in it, which we would use to eat cookie dough at will. When the fireworks actually start, we sit back, relax and enjoy the colors and lights. When they finish, we fight the traffic to get home. Once there, we console our dog by giving her hugs and treats (she gets a little freaked out by all the noise).
It's a rule in my family that you can't go to bed before we say family prayers. Whenever someone is tired enough to want to go to bed (usually Dad), we gather in the living room and kneel. Our family is really playful, so it usually takes a few minutes for us to settle down to a reverent enough state. We go through the family cycle of who offers the prayer.
Half birthdays are a big deal in my family. We always celebrate, but the celebration ranges from a telephone call to a party. My favorite half birthday consisted of a surprise visit from my fiance, a few telephone calls from family and friends, and a rousing game of ping pong.
For my whole college career, I went to my grandma's house for Sunday dinner every week. As many cousins, siblings, uncles and aunts as we could muster would come and enjoy Grandma's home cooked meals, usually consisting of a roast and potatoes. Sometimes we would be assigned something to bring (i.e. dessert, a side, a drink). My grandma would make these assignments, as well as organize carpools, by a mid-week email. For an 80 year old woman, she was very proficient at emailing. When dinner was over, the crowed would clean the dishes, take the extra leaves out of the table, put away the extra chairs, and things would usually deteriorate into a game of Uno.

Things that make me happy...

Being with Corbin
reading/ listening to books
playing with my babies
visiting the elementary schools
having dinner with my family posse
Having this winter not be too bitterly cold
Hearing about my best friend's first kiss
delicious food and being able to eat it
sleep
getting big checks in the mail
MASH
turning in applications
turning in big homework assignments
accomplishing things on my wedding to do list
A friendly smile at church, since I am the new girl
the idea of teaching next year
the Gospel
listening to my favorite music
my nice future family-in-law
my own family
reading my old journals

I have felt a little bedraggled lately, so it's nice to remember all the good things I got going for me. =)

I'll be home for Christmas...

And I am! The drive was so fun and went so fast. Lillie and I talked about boys for most of the time, and it was way fun. She is a laugh and a half! Harry Potter kept us company for a few minutes too. =)
Being here there are so many fun plans, but even with all these fun plans, I won't be distracted enough. I've been away from my fiance for just a day and a half, but I started missing him the minute I drove away from his house. There are lots of things to do and to play between now and the 28th, but I still want it to come asap!
It's so fun to see my mommy and daddy and Kellie! I got to help in the nursery today, and those kids are adorable. Tomorrow we're going to Knotts Berry Farm, and I am way excited! We get to see the Birds, and have Christmas, and I get to play with Scotty the Pirate! Wedding plans will ensue among all the other fun things.
I am so glad to be home, and it will be a nice change from all the insanity from the past two weeks. Christmas is a beautiful time of year!

It was the best of times...

It was the worst of times. This age-old adage is ever so true for me right now. I've got so many great wonderful things going on and going for me right now.
~I'm engaged to Corbin
~My nephews are turning 1 year old this month!
~I get to go home for Christmas break
~the craziest semester of my life is just about over
~I get to go dress shopping with my girlfriends
~wedding plans are coming along, slowly but surely
~I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

But there are so many crazy stressful things going on as well:
~I have not yet sold my Colony contract
~I'm moving this week
~and a bunch of other stuff that isn't really pertinent to this blogpost.

All I can say is, hopefully I'll live to see my wedding day, because next semester just might kill me. I know that everything will work out, and I'm doing my best to keep a positive eternal outlook on things. Just keep praying for me, and I'll pray for you, and we'll all make it in the end!

Lots of Love

Today, Corbin and I have been engaged one whole month! The time has gone by so quickly, but it has been wonderful. I become more and more thankful for that great guy every day, and his presence in my life is really a blessing. Starting wedding plans is super exciting, and I'm thinking the next semester is going to fly by, which will be nice.


I've been thinking a lot lately about my family, and how much I love them. I like the person that I am, and I know that a lot of it has to do with them and the guidance and love they have showed me over the past 21ish years. I hope I show how much I love them.

We're Engaged!

Here is a quick precurser to the engagement story, and I promise it relates. We started dating on my birthday, August 1. We'd been getting our flirt on for a while, and I decided to send him a message to show I was interested. So that night, we had driven my cousin home, and we parked behind my house, we got out of the car, started walking to the apartment, but behind the house I pushed him against the wall. Then I took his glasses off and said, "what if I kissed you right now," and he made some lame reference to Boy Meets World, then I kissed him, put his glasses back on, and said "Happy birthday to me!"

So earlier this week, Corbin asked me on a date for last Friday, and he told me we were going to go to Comedy Sportz and get a crepe, which is what we did on our first date. "Ah" I said to myself. "He's going the whole recreate-our-first-date route for proposing. But there was a slight snag. Friday he went to the doctor and found out he has swine flu and strep. So obviously we didn't go out that night. Little did I know he had picked up the ring that day.

Saturday rolled around, and we spent the day watching movies, him being sick, and me trying to nurse him back to health. At about 10 that night, he told me he was going to take me home, but before he did, he played me a song he had written. It was so sweet, and I absolutely swooned! Then we drove back to my apartment and parked behind my house. I pulled my backpack out of the car, and as I was putting it on, Corbin offered to be a gentleman and hold it for me. I thought this was a little silly, because he was sick and weak, and it was only my backpack. But as we got close to thE wall, he pushed me up against it (a little awkward when carrying a backpack). He looked me in the eye and asked, "what would you do if I asked you to marry me right now?" "I would say yes" thinking to myself, duh, we've been wanting to get married forever! But then he got down on his knee, and proposed! I was so shocked, but through the shock I said yes. He put the ring on my finger, and I was done for. I burst out in tears, and we hugged and hugged (no kissing allowed due to diseases of various sorts).

So that's the story, definitely unique, I would say. But most definitely us. =)

My Guided Reading

School's In!

This week in teaching has been totally crazy. It seems like a lot of worth while things work this way: the days are long but the weeks are short. When I'm in the classroom I feel like I've been there for 12 hours instead of two, but looking back and knowing I've been at Barnett for a whole week already... it's gone by in a flash. I love being in the schools and seeing the unique personalities and abilities of every student. But at the same time it's challenging trying to run the class the way Mrs. Hanson does, and think of good lessons that will actually be useful to the students. It's really an emotional roller coaster, but I like roller coasters. =)
Going to work after school seems so slow now that I have to deal with the pace of 2nd grade. I wonder how I can spice it up while still getting things done.
The other slivers of my day are crazy, trying to fit in homework and assignments and lesson plans and finding a professional outfit for the next day. Fortunately I still get to see Corbin every once in a while, and I think that's what keeps me sane.
I wonder how I will have changed by the end of the practicum?

Recent Life

My trip to Washington was a success. I got to get away for a few days, hang out with some super fun people, eat Delicious food, and see new sights. I'm so glad I've gotten to know the Miller clan, and I'm glad they've gotten to know me. Highlights:
-hanging out with Caitlin, Corbin's 2 1/2 year old niece. She is in that stage where she says the funniest things, but is still so so sweet. We kept each other company for most of the time, and found that we are pretty much kindred spirits.
- walking by the river, with the fall leaves and the chilly air and the pretty view. So lovely...
-nighttime games with the family: uno, guitar hero, Disney scene-it, etc
-girl time: pedicures with mom and sisters. Relaxing, with an end product of hot pink toenails!

In other news, I found out that I'll be teaching at Barnett Elementary in Payson for the next month-ish. I'm super scared and super excited. I pretty much don't know what to expect, but I hope that I'll be able to use what I know, plus a little teacher's instinct, and take care of business.

This Friday is Amanda's bridal shower, which I am co-throwing. It's going to be a small gathering, but really fun anyways. I'm not the best at parties, so I hope I can scope out the needs of the party-goers and make it bangin' for my friend Amanda.

I've finally got the ball rolling for a musical fireside we're doing for the ward next month. We've already had some bumps along the way, but I think the finished product will turn out nicely.

I'm moving next semester, and there are lots of good things about that. #1. I won't have any more friends here at the Colony, seeing as they're all moving away this semester because of graduating, getting married, or going on missions. #2 I'll be closer to Corbin and Carlie and campus. #3. I'll be moving somewhere cheaper. I put my contract up for sale, and I don't expect it will take long to sell since Dawn and Amanda's have already gone. I'm going to look around for some good places that are closer to campus, and I hope I find something that suits me. I've never looked for a place to live by myself, so this will be interesting.

Anywho, there are about a million other little things I have to take care of, but somehow I'll get it all under control.

What do adult pads and love have to do with each other?

Long ago, I turned 21 years old. Leesa is the coolest ever, so she got me all these sweet presents that represented my old age. Denture cream and adult pads, for example. I'm the kind of girl who tries to use every part of the buffalo, so I couldn't let those things go to waste.
Corbin and I would go swimming together during the hot days of summer. When we would come back to my apartment, I would change into dry clothes, but he would still be in his wet trunks. So with my clever brain, I pulled out the adult pad and made him sit on it. That way, our couch wouldn't get wet. It worked like a dream! We used it a couple times after that, and it never let us down.
I was cleaning my room the other day, and I had a pile of stuff from the summer sitting on my nightstand from the summer. There was the extra adult pad there, and I knew I had to get rid of it, but I didn't want it to go to waste. So I drew a beautiful picture on it and gave it to Corbin as a present. It is currently hanging on the back of their front door, as a credit to the apartment's awesomeness. I feel so proud at this accomplishment! =)

Snow Patrol

Corbin and I went to the Snow Patrol concert on Saturday, and it was INCREDIBLE!!!
We got there about an hour before the doors opened, and played around with the camera.


Then we sat inside for about another hour before the Plain White Tee's got on stage.



The lead singer was sick, so they only did three songs. 1,2,3,4 (which Corbin and I sing together a lot, so it was sweet) a really cool song that I didn't know the title of, and Hey There Delilah. Even though there were only three songs, I felt very satisfied by the experience. The drummer was my favorite part. He's the big black guy, and he is totally not your stereotypical drummer dude. He's a bigger fellow, but he was wearing an almost skin tight all black outfit, with a delightful orange bow tie. He only got to play one song, so he was being really silly in the back for the other two. It was awesome.

Then, SNOW PATROL came on, and the party really got started!!!

I knew about 3/4 of all the songs they played, which I already loved, and the other ones that were new to me, I especially loved! Their lyrics are just so poetic and awesome, make me all gooey inside. And you know how some bands sound really weird when they're live? Snow Patrol sounded awesome! Just different enough to add some spice, but still pleasing to the ear.
The lead singer? Crazy! For about half the songs he didn't have his guitar, so he carried around a microphone, and ran around the stage doing weird things and manic movements with his hands. Crazy Irishmen. He said lots of pretty hilarious things too. Near the end of one song he laid belly down on top of the piano they had on stage. When the song was done, he climbed off it with a clang and said, "My dad always told me you can't dismount a piano without making some noise. I never knew what he meant until just now."
Then there was a particularly nice song, so people pulled out their cell phones and waved them around (like they would have done with lighters). He was singing, and in between lines he said,
"Your phones look really weird.
...Lyrics...
Like little aliens.
...Lyrics...
Hello little aliens."

During one song, the line "Shut your eyes and sing to me" repeats over and over, so he had the audience do it. After a couple tries, he stops us and says, "I must not have made myself clear, and I apologize for that. But I want you to sing as if your SHOES ARE ON FIRE!" Then he split the audience in half and we had a singing battle. It was so so so fun.
Other fun fact, the bassist plays his bass backwards, like Paul McCartney. And you know how bassists are usually pretty chill, and just stand there and play. Well, he did that for most of the concert, but the end song got so out of hand that he was like jumping around like a lead guitarist and was going crazy! It was pretty incredible.


For the encore, they came out and did three songs, and in the background they had some sweet animations going on. All three songs had like different stuff going all, but all of the stuff going on was like origami. The first song was a hundred million different origami suns like rushing around in a tornado-y thing. Then it was like landscapes made of paper, then it was like we were watching an origami Snow Patrol concert. It looked so cool, and the music to go along was fantastic.
By the end, I thought my ears were going to melt off because it was so loud, but it was totally worth it!!!

Snow Patrol

Tonight Corbin and I are going to my first concert! Snow Patrol, with some Plain White Tee's on the side. I am so so so excited I can barely stand it!
I have a lot of sentimental connections to many snow patrol songs. They have some of the most poetic lyrics I've ever heard. Like in the song "Hands Open," there is a part of the chorus that says, "I want to hear you laugh like you really mean it. Collapse onto me tired with joy." That's one thing I've always looked for when I dated guys. Then one of my favorite moments happened when Corbin and I had only been dating for like a week or two.
We were up at Bridal Veil falls watching the shooting stars. After a while, we look over and see that the sprinklers are coming on, so I suggest that we go before we get soaked. So we stand up and start walking down the path to the parking lot. Little did we know that a stream was crossing the path, and we both totally got nailed right in the head! I was surpirsed how much water was coming out of that thing, because we got so wet! So we decided to run to the car, getting nailed a couple more times by those tricky sprinklers. We jumped in the back seat all soaking and tangled in blankets, and laughed our heads off for like 5 minutes straight. He made one of my dreams come true that night, and he didn't even know it! Bon travail, monsieur. Bon travail.

New Boomshadow Trend

I'm starting this new thing where I'm going to write all my favorite things about Corbin, and I would love for you to read along. I have lots of favorite parts about my and Corbin's relationship. One of them is that even though we think about each other a lot, we can still focus on other things. Like when I need to study for a test, I can, and I'm not like completely distracted or daydreamy (although that does have a time and place). I'm so excited to share his awesome with the blogging world!

Dress Up Time!

Lately, Corbin and I have been able to get all gussied up for random occasions. Last Thursday he had an orchestra concert (in which he played the bass and did fablously, I'm sure (I had to work)). He wore his fancy tux, so when we went back to my apartment, of course I had to put on a homecoming dress to match. So we took pictures at Corbin's request and looked glamerous. I love how he insists on taking pictures. It's good to document all our adventures.

Other dress up occasions include:
~parties (like the mocktail)



~Sundays
~His mission reunion on Friday/ a lovely night in temple square



I'm so glad he loves to be silly with me. It makes life so much more fun!

But lets not forget that dressing down is fun too! =)

Life is Good

I was talking to Shelley yesterday, telling her how much I love school. I hope I didn't sound too crazy about it, but this semester (although only three weeks old) has been magical. I've stayed on top of all my homework, even the reading. I have never done this in my 17-year school career... ever. I think the difference is that I actually care, and I feel that all the information is pertinent to my life. I am desperately trying to master the information, strategies and techniques that they are giving us. My real teaching career is right around the corner, and although I am super excited, I am scared out of my wits!
Here are just a few points that are highlighted in my recent past:
I have two 9 month old nephews. How did that happen? They are just too cute for words, so I won't even try.
Corbin and I went to the World of Dance on Saturday, and it was really fun. I am going to be more culturally oriented this year. There is so much cool stuff going on at BYU, and so many talented people. I need to start taking advantage of it while I still have the chance.
Being a music cochair is totally awesome. I was super intimidated at first, but now that we have an actual committee, I'm just excited to start planning things. I got to sing on Sunday, and it went really well.
The summer is slowly turning into fall. In fact, today is the first day of autumn! Anyways, I think I will like wearing pants and not dying of heat stroke. But I know I will regret this when the crisp air turns into blistering cold. But for the moment I'm enjoying the nippy weather and the orange trees in the canyon.
I decorated my room today, and it turned out a little crazier than I had hoped. But at least I finally did something. Maybe I'll put a picture up sometime.

Department of Teacher Education Mission Statement

We believe that our most important responsibility as teacher educators is the growth and development of children and youth. We contribute to their development by preparing competent caring, and reflective teachers.

I just thought I'd let the world know what I was working towards. Plus we are supposed to memorize this, and I figured this might be a good start.

I was reading an assignment for my literacy class, and this great quote came up.
"Reflection is really a discussion with oneself."
I've been doing a lot of that lately, and I find that after I have a good, deep conversation with myself, I feel quite better. It's funny, it doesn't make the situation any better, but because my thoughts have been expressed in a semi-orderly fashion, I'm better able to examine them and make conclusions about what I should do or how I truly feel. This totally ties in with the Gospel, all that encouragement to write in journals and ponder and reflect. They are true principles, and I'm glad that I could tie the Gospel in with my academic studies. Thanks BYU!

Jack Attack!

On the baby lap top! This is how je intertained himself for a good half hour at least on the car ride back to Provo. It was pretty dang cute.

Mail Adventures!

As many of you know, my mailbox has been blessed recently. First, I got that letter from Wayne and it was so cute. Then yesterday I got a small package from Tim containing three melty (but delicious) bars of European candy and a letter. That absolutely made my birthday. Then today, I came home from work and another small package was sticking out of the mailbox for me. Ben sent me a bar of chocolate too, plus a letter. These boys really know how to treat a lady. And Ben's letter was very special to me. It showed me just how much Ben is changing and growing. He also said many hilarious things. I can't wait to see him again in a few months!
Long story short, this birthday is already shaping up to be pretty great, and it's not even for another few days! I miss my boys who are still gone, and excited for the ones who are coming home/already home. I hope I can make the transition a little smoother from mission life to RM life.

ppffff, lame!

I got Charlie's letter back that I had sent him a couple weeks ago. And seeing as he is coming home on Monday, it's a little late to go out with a bang letter-writing wise. Dang you parcel mail!!!
Having all my boys beginning to come home is freaking out my mind on many levels. I'm excited to see them, and hang out with them, but at the same time it might be a little weird. We prolly won't play together as much as we did freshman year, and since we've all been living separate lives for two years, what will we have to say? Mission stories get old after a while.
I've begun planning my birthday! The plan is for all the Chatfield ladies (and Flanagan men) are going to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple openhouse at about 11:30. I'm the only one in the bunch who has gone, so it will be fun seeing them see it for the first time. I'm amazed at how differently they run it than how they ran the Redlands temple openhouse, but it's still an great experience. After that we might go get some lunch (with a little 21-year-old juice on the side). Then I get to max and relax until 9 PM. This is when the booming music and lampshade hats come in: Rootbeer-pong party!!! For those who don't know, rootbeer-pong is a game where two people face each other with a group of cups in front of them organized like bowling pins. When they bounce a ping pong ball into the other player's cup, that person has to drink the rootbeer inside. Whichever player drinks all his rootbeer first loses (although, I don't know how drinking rootbeer is ever a losing situation). So that will be the main attraction, but there will also be some pretzels and nuts to make it more authentic, maybe board games going on, and the night will possibly end with a movie. It's going to be way chill, and I expect that those I invite won't stay the whole time, which in my mind is ideal. I don't like throwing parties because I feel guilty if they're not having absolutely the most fun the whole time, which is silly but true. So now begins the process of acquiring all the neccessariy items I'll need, and start hyping myself up to be the queen of August 1st!

I Love Wayne!

I got a letter today from my good old buddy Wayne Robison who is currently serving in Las Vegas, Spanish speaking. It's just nice to know we're still friends, and he is still so adorable, although I can tell he's really maturing in many ways. He kept referring back to questions I'd asked him or stuff I'd said that I never remember writing. It was kind of mind blowing, but fun that he commented on them. Makes me remember that I've prolly got a wave of letters coming from around the world. You see, I just wrote a general letter on the computer, then personalized it for whichever missionary I was writing at the time. I love to look at my huge stack of addressed and stamped envelopes to my missionaries, because I know it's a pile of love. It will be so fun when they're all back and we can play together and reminisce about old times.
Thanks for being a great brother, Wayne!

You're the cry that ends in laughter,
You're the joy that ends disaster.

Book Analysis

I just finished the Count of Monte Cristo, and it was incredible. And I feel accomplished because the thing was like 600 pages long. But I did not agree with the author's crazy notions of God's placing the responsibility on Monte Cristo to exact revenge on everyone. Where is the Christian forgiveness in that! Plus, he was mean to the heroine at the end, and she ends up sad and hopeless because he ruined her life, while he gets to be with his nice little slave girl on some yacht. Where is the fairness in that!!! Obviously it impassioned me, but it was still a good book. I was on the edge of my seat for like 150 pages.
Since I had nothing to read today, I stopped off at our library (which is beautiful, by the way) and checked out a few books. I checked out a set of Newberry Award winners that my children's Lit teacher had suggested. My dad started one of them and was laughing out loud. I'm pretty excited to start it. I read the Little Prince today, which was very sweet and insightful. Bare with me while I expound on some of my favorite parts. If you've never read it, the little prince talks to a fox about the meaning of "tame." He speaks of how to him, the little prince is nothing more than a boy among millions of boys, and he is nothing more than a fox among millions of foxes. But if the boy were to tame him, he would be unique to him in all the world. The fox would love to look at the wheat because it would remind him of the prince's hair. The prince then says, "There is a flower... I think that she has tamed me..." For some reason, all this really struck a chord with me. I've been tamed by so many people and things. Just tonight I was looking up at the full moon, and thinking about all the wonderful nights I've had under that moon. All the special memories I've made and people I've talked with and laughed with and cried with under that moon. Also, it's nice to think that everyone in the world gets to see it, it's sort of something that binds us all together. It's strange to think that you might see my moon tonight.
The fox also talks about "rites:" how the prince must always come to visit at 4 o'clock, so that hour will be special. If he comes just anytime, how would he be able to get excited? This is a very important principle, I think. It's good to have something to look foreword to and be excited for, to make one time different than another. Otherwise, what would be the spice of life?

Suggestions?

So all the sisters made a movie recently, and the film is pretty hilarious. The babies got a cameo as well, and I think they're one of the best parts. Anyways, I started cutting it together today, and it's gonna turn out real nice. However, I cannot think of a good name for it. Previous movies have been called "The Good Ol' Days," and "The Cool Miesta: whoo whoo, it's show time!" These titles don't have a whole lot to do with the movies, but then again, there wasn't a whole lot of plot in either one. Since we're all a little older, more mature, more wise, the movie is a littttle more refined. So this is an offical call out for a cool name. Anything catchy and awesome will do. Any suggestions?

Redlands delight

I would love to share this classic photo of me. Thank you.

Recent Adventures

So I've only got one more week at home, but the time I've had has been wonderous. There have been things to do, but lots of nice down time as well. This is the first week were it hasn't been crazy busy (at least of what I can tell). On Monday, though, I had a root canal. I was kinda scared for it, because I wasn't sure what was going to happen or how much it would hurt. But of course I was numb, so it didn't hurt during, and it's only been an annoying dull pain every once in a while. Mostly only when I think about it. But this is the first time I've ever had something done on my teeth with imediate benifits noticed. I can now drink ice-cold liquids and not wince in pain! It's wonderful! Thank you, root canal! The biggest pain about it was figuring out when I was going to get my crown, but it's mostly sorted out now. Phew!
Yesterday Carlie and I went to Victoria Gardens so I could meet up for my last rendezvous of the summer with Scotty. He and I ate at the Cheesecake Factory, and told some great secrets as we often do at rendezvous. That silly guy even paid for me. I'm really gonna miss him, because we've really had a great time together.
Mom and Dad left on their 25th wedding anniversary trip today. They're going to spend three magical days at Disney Land, and I think they were both real excited. I know Mom was acting all dreamy and cuddly all morning while they were packing and stuff. I wish them luck on their adventures!
But that means that the kids get free reign of the house! We can have all the wild parties we want!!! For example, tonight we're having a so you think you can dance party with some select guests. We're going to play "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" where we think of tasks for people to accomplish before they can get their ice cream. For example, I had to reenact memorable moments from our home videos.
Speaking of videos, I've finished the script for the movies that the sisters are hopefully going to be making this weekend. I must say that it's going to be pretty good. We just got all the costumes together, and shooting will begin tomorrow. Yesssss!!!

Hello everyone. I've been having a rather magical time here in California with my fam. I've gotten to play and relax, while doing useful things as well like helping out with girls camp and finishing homework. I've gotten to see the babies and play with Scotty. I'm so glad to be home, and I'm totally stoked for the sister sleepover!

I've made a few miner changes in my life, and it has lead me to one conclusion. My birthday is coming in August, and for those of you who would like to get me something, there is one thing my heart desires more than any other... more than clothes or art supplies or food or even something from Hawaii (wink wink, Mom), and that thing would be... iTunes giftcards. If I came away on August 2 with a pile of those I would be the happiest camper in the world! Just a thought.
I am totally excited that I will be home in a week, I just might explode! Yes, I know all my loved ones will miss me here in good old P-town, but I've got much better loved ones in California that I'm dying to see and play with! My preparations have already begun... mwahahaha!