Handwriting Follow-Up

The only handwriting I have are in my journals. I read and read, and there isn't a big enough sample that I am willing to share on the blog. Sorry friends.

However, this is my opinion about "Utah Handwriting". Whether it exists or not, I think, in general people don't like to be classified, even in something as insignificant as their handwriting. I want to be an individual and I want to be original. Everyone likes to choose who they are associated with, so if other classify you...it can feel like clothing that is too tight and binding. It feels restrictive.

It seems that if you are a part of our religion you hear of 2 categories: "Utah-something" and then everyone else. So adding handwriting to that list seems like a broken record.

I don't agree or disagree with the Utah handwriting. I haven't ever paid attention.

(((Opinion Poll))) - Handwriting

(((Opinion POLL)))

I received a card today from a friend. She is from Idaho, while looking at her handwriting I was reminded of a "theory" a friend of mine believes. Now I want to put that theory to an opinion POLL.

Theory: Most UTAH girls/women have what he/she calls "UTAH" handwriting. Meaning most females from UTAH have a certain style of handwriting. **I have been accused of having UTAH handwriting, just an FYI**

Opinion Poll:
1. Do you agree with this theory?
2. Basis for the theory?
3. If you agree, then what is "UTAH" handwriting?

**Opinion expressed are safe. Meaning...I will still like you!**

Sluffing

I woke up, went to work.
After 1.5 hours I decided I didn't want to work today.
The sun was shining.
Birds were singing.
So I left work at 11 AM.

I am so happy right now.
This feels like high school when Jessi and I would sluff.
And like that one time...or maybe 12 times...that we would get JODI out of gym class to sluff with us.

Good times, good times!

I Love Summer: Reason's #7, #17, & #36

I love the Summer: Reason #7: Spending time outdoors. Being in NATURE makes me feel closer to the Earth and in turn closer to GOD. (Jamie, I absolutely agree with you on this!) There is just something in the atmosphere of being outside in the evening of Summer. Almost as if the BEST memories will be created, or the feeling that anything can happen. It seems magical.

I love the SuMMer: Reason #17: The Utah Arts Festival. I adore ART and Festivals, so put them together and I am in HEAVEN! The great smells, good food, fun music, AMAZING art, and great friends. Above is Heather, Erin, and I (CERT sisters). Anne refused to be in the picture...but she is great too! Anne actually had free tickets! **The Arts Festival is this weekend...you should go!**

I love the SUMMER: Reason #36: That it stays light soooooo late. I find that I have energy to spare in the summer. I am happier, more hopeful, and feel more alive in the summer. I think it has something to do with seeing the sun more.

**side note: the CERTS have been asked to put in an appearance this SUNDAY in our combined meeting at church. We are calling it "CERT's in SKIRTS"**

Things That Must Go - Annoying Cell Phone Habits

My official list of annoying cell phone habits.

1. Your cell phone ringing in church. Oh my heck! Are you a doctor who is "on-call"? Or some other high priority job that requires you to be seconds away from your phone? If not, leave it at home. 3 HOURS be disconnected from it...I promise you won't die. **If you still can't live without taking it to church. Put it on SILENT and for heaven sake, not many things require you to text during church. I am sure you waiting until church is over won't cause World War III.

2. Scenario: You are out with friends and you answer every call and/or are having a text conversation. Ummm...are we hanging out or do you need to leave? Pick up a call...maybe once...if it is your spouse/mom/911. Reply to a text when everyone goes to the bathroom or maybe twice...other than that and you are bordering on being rude.

3. When we are in Oil Painting class and your phone is ringing (and your ring is a really lame RAP song) and you just sit there and let it go off for 2 minutes and then decide to interrupt everyone else and answer it and talk really loud...other people might be flipping you off. Just so you know. And by the way, we couldn't hear Toni talking because you were practically screaming.

4. Work: Have your cell phone. Answer as many calls as you would like when you are working at your desk. Text. I do it. However, if you ring is so loud and you are 4 desks away and I can't hear the person on the phone then maybe you should keep it on VIBRATE. The rest of us do. Also, it is kind of annoying when you are in a meeting and you leave your phone at your desk and it keeps ringing and ringing and ringing. STOP IT. Oh, one other thing. Don't get annoyed when we tease you...it could be worse, we could hide your phone.

I am sure there are more, but those are the ones that drive me nuts lately!

**umm...I know I have been guilty of one or more of these. I hereby will amend my ways. B. I leave my cell phone at home a lot...because of the above behaviors. ***

Worst 30 Minutes EVER

I went.
It was yucky.
But over relatively quickly, and really not as horrible as I imagined.
Almost started to cry.
Not one tear was shed.
I know it was important and it needed to be done.

DON'T want to go back, EVER.
But will.
But it might be in another 30 years...
Just kidding.
Maybe...

Ashley, Thanks for motivating me to do it.

Split Personality

Sometimes I wish my skills with my job would come home with me.

WORK: I am really great at communicating in an effective appropriate manner at work. I am able to express opinions and be assertive and make the situation a "win - win". I am not afraid of confrontation. Hardly ever get nervous in highly "tense" situations. I am not afraid of pushing back and making sure the appropriate things are said and happening. I stand up for what is correct and right.

PERSONAL LIFE: Complete and utter mess (at least that's how it feels). I am scared of any kind of confrontation. I have a hard time expressing my opinion and being assertive. Any type of communication where there is a hint of maybe it won't go well...I get so nervous! Sarcastic remarks often slip in...not good at all! I don't always stand up for what is correct and right...and that really bothers me.

Does anyone else feel like this sometimes? That they can do something in one area of their life, but not in others? Am I crazy?

Zoo's: A Comparison

When I lived in Urumqi, China, my friends (the circle) and I decided it would be great fun to go to the zoo. And it was. Then several years later while visiting my brother in Phoenix we went to the Wildlife zoo. It was also great fun.

Why am I chatting about this? Well, while at the Wildlife park my mind started thinking back to the Urumqi zoo and the comparison of the two parks. I hope you enjoy!

Feeding the animals:

Urumqi: I was able to get close to the ostrich and feed him/her some pellets. We were able to get the Ostrich's level and really connect.

Phoenix: The zoo provided pellets to feed the Giraffes. We were able to get the to Giraffe's level here. You could have even felt the Giraffe's tongue.

Petting Area's:

Urumqi: This zoo provided a unique opportunity to feel like you were amongst the animals in their natural habitat. We were able to again feed the animals and have them come right up to us. I felt like a movie star...or like I should have been in the Hitchcock movie "The Birds".

Phoenix: The wildlife park also had a petting area. They had goats, chickens, and variety of other animals. We were able to feed the animals to encourage them to come up close. As you can see not everyone enjoyed the closeness of the animals. What I really liked was the hand washing station right outside the petting area...

Featured Attraction:

Urumqi: The BIG reason for us going to the zoo was being able to hold a baby bear. As you can see from the way I am holding the bear I thought he was going to bite my face off. We were charged 10 Yuan to hold the bear and get our picture taken (just over a $1.00). We then got to play with TWO bear cubs they had. Super cute! The only sad thing is they pulled the teeth out so they wouldn't bite the customers.

Phoenix: At the Phoenix zoo I was also able to hold a wild animal...a MONKEY! That's right a cute cuddly monkey. There was no charge to hold the monkey and he was extremely playful. The scary part was that this monkey had teeth and little fingers and knows how to use them. But I came away from the experience unscathed. I was also able to play with the monkey for awhile and capture some pictures of the monkey enjoying the zoo. (see several examples below).


I love the above picture. What crazy MONKEY likes to play in a LION's mouth?
Every Monkey has a family. I think this Monkey's family is pretty darn CUTE!


On a side note: While I was looking through my pictures from China I came across one of my absolute favorites. My friends aka THE CIRCLE and I sitting on the Great Wall of China. This was the morning after we slept on the Great Wall. (Sleeping on the Great Wall is illegal...so don't tell anyone we did this.) These amazing women, and several others (FAB FOUR), accepted me, loved me, made me laugh, and laugh, and laugh. But most importantly they let me be me. They let me be the person I wanted to become.

I like the symbolism in the picture with the Great Wall. It can either be the journey I am about to take, or the journey I have just undertaken. It changes for me every time I look at the picture. Either way, China, was an extremely important stop on my journey through life.

CERT's - Prepared For All Occasion's

This last weekend was our RS Retreat...and what a treat it was. We had a lot people come, great food, great fun, and a great devotional. Simply great. I am a little biased however, because my favorite part was the CERT skit. Yes, of course the CERT's did a little number. I mean, really, what better use of our training then advertising to others what being a CERT means. (AND we rented a FOG machine! Yes, a FOG machine...it was AWESOME! And all the pictures look "Foggy" because of the FOG...)

Here is the outline (thanks Heather for typing it up so we could stay organized!)

Scene ONE
Act 1
Start Music: “Chariots of Fire”

Heather (in slow motion) will dance, skip, etc. Earthquake will begin – Cindy throws pillow at Heather and she falls down.

----Music stops & lights go out and the FOG rolls in----

Scene TWO
Act 2
Start Music: “Mission Impossible”

2 CERTS (on each side of stage) enter waving flashlights

D’Nell – walkie talkie "Eagle Eye to the Big Kahuna. We have entered the building, it's in shambles and we don't see any survivors"
Cindy– walkie talkie
Cheri- "Wait I've found someone"

-------Music Stops-------

CERTS find victim (Heather), Cheri (speaks) checks vitals "Checking head: Twitching, checking arm's grooving, checking legs...I think she is DANCING!"

D’Nell helps Heather up off the floor. Music starts: “I’m a Survivor”

Scene THREE
Act 3

CERTS make a line – backs facing audience (Music continues: “I’m a Survivor”)

Line Dance begins: CERTS (one by one) turn around facing audience, CERTS sway back and forth, CERTS stomach roll – one by one (both ways)

Cindy yells FIRE!!!

-----Music keeps playing, but gets softer MORE FOG-----

D’Nell picks up fire extinguisher and passes it down the line

CERTS get in FIRE FORMATION

First CERT in line takes extinguisher and shouts “Going in”- this is repeated by every CERT
First CERT shouts “Fighting Fire” – this is repeated by every CERT
First CERT shouts “Fire Out” – this is repeated by every CERT
Last CERT shouts “Backing Out” – this is repeated by every CERT

CERTS give each other high fives!!

--------Music stops-----------

Scene FOUR
Act 4

Start Music: “Soul Sister, CERT Sister, CERTS Freestyle dance to “Soul Sister” (about 45 seconds), CERTS get in Line Dance formation and do the UP and Down dance move (both ways)

--------Music stops-------

CERTS sing YMCA – replace w/ CERT

Sisters, there's no need to feel down
I said, sisters, we'll pick you off the ground
I said, sisters, cause you feel burnt down
There's no need to be unhappy

Cuz we are CERT
That's right we're CERT
We've got everything to keep you safe
There's no need to worry
Cuz we are CERT
That's right we're CERT


CERTS do cheer

You've got CERT's
Ya Ya
You've got CERT's
Ya Ya
You've got what what what whatwhatwhatwhatwhat
YOU'VE GOT CERT's!

Cindygets on walkie talkie & shouts “There’s an emergency!! Someone is trapped under a dumpster!!

Start Music: Mission Impossible

A CERT shouts “Our work here is never done”

Lights go off and CERTS exit stage w/ flashlights on & searching. THE END

I've had so much fun in the class and becoming better friends with the CERT's. I never knew learning about emergency preparedness could be so much fun, or that I would ever have occasion to use a FOG machine. LOVE THE CERTS!



**So this is kind of long...but I really wanted to remember the SKIT. It was hilarious! Thanks for indulging me!**
***I heard a rumor that the skit was video taped...maybe you can see it on You Tube soon!***
****And I am showing my muscles in the above picture...but I really just look like an idiot****

King of the HILL...ummm Lazy Boy

Big Dave the Korean is a tricky tricky boy. He likes to steal people's chair. This is Grandma's chair in the front room, David has now claimed it as his. He will try and sit in it before Grandma can get in it and then will cry when he has to move. It is a tall chair to get into, but he has learned to climb in anyway. He will rock and rock and be content thinking to himself "I am so sneaky and am the KING of this chair and this house."

Pretty much, I have the cutest, sneakiest, trickiest, cuddliest nephew. EVER. (Well really, all of my nieces and nephews are the best. Probably because they have the best AUNT ever.)