On Facebook, this tag is going around...to list 25 random things about yourself. I was tagged several times on Facebook and decided to oblige. However, I figured after taking the time to write it, I might as well post it to my blog. So, for all my Facebook friends who are also blog stalkers, sorry to give it to you twice.
So...here goes...
1. I love sweaters. I should move to Alaska, my wardrobe would be most appropriate.
2. I'm really close to my family. I'd move all over the world, just for the experience, but I'd miss my family WAY too much. Hence why I don't just move to Alaska to give it a try.
3. I am very sensitive...or tenderhearted if you will.
4. My Grandma (maternal) is my favorite person. I miss her terribly.
5. After owning a Mac, I will NEVER buy a PC again...STUPID MICROSOFT!
6. I seldom watch the news...too depressing. By reading it online I can pick and choose what to read and I don't have to hear all the depressing things if I don't want to.
7. I used to hate country...but now it's my absolute favorite!
8. I am obsessed with music in general...can't get enough of it.
9. The worst pain I've ever experienced was pancreatitis...I hear it's worse than childbirth. I hope so, otherwise I'm not having kids!
10. I am definitely a late night person...SO NOT a morning person!
11. I am a very picky eater, however, I'm getting better.
12. I hate it when parents are really well put together but their kids are not. It bugs me that they spend time and money making themselves look good but don't offer the same courtesy to their children.
13. I am even more emotional (and often grumpy) when I've not had enough sleep.
14. I am generally an optimist...more often than not anyway.
15. Two of my favorite things to be called are "Aunt Juli" and "Miss C". I especially love the kids that call me those things.
16. My favorite number is 16.
17. My life isn't what I thought it would be at the ripe old age of 28...but I wouldn't change a thing!
18. I love the coast. I should live there (except again, I am too attached to my family).
19. I don't believe in coincidences. I think that all things happen for a reason.
20. I think the world would be a better place if everyone had a little fluffy dog that licked their face when they got home each day.
21. I also think the world would be a better place if everyone spent a few minutes a day listening to a young child read.
22. I am a sucker for good advertising. Sometimes I buy stuff just because I am impressed by the advertising and want to reward them for doing such a great job.
23. I think that fair means "everyone gets what they need"...and the discrepancy we often perceive is due to the fact that we all have different needs.
24. I also believe that we all get what we deserve...if not now, eventually. So good people will get their reward at some point, and the others will get theirs as well.
25. I feel like number 25 should be especially great...but I can't think of anything spectacular. I guess I'll just say that I am a bit of a perfectionist...hence the wanting this list to be amazing, especially #25. I will however publish it as is, without picking over it like I normally would.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Night to myself
I really miss having alone time. I think it makes me more sane. I have loved living with my family, especially the fact that by doing so I am saving myself thousands of dollars in student loans, but I miss living alone sometimes. Well, my mom is out of town for a few days and my dad teaches a few nights a week at the Applied Technology College. This left me home alone with Daisy tonight and it was absolutely wonderful! I was able to clean and organize (which has been impossible lately being as I've been ridiculously busy). So now I feel refreshed and a little less crazy...hooray! Life is good.
As Requested
As requested by many of you...my new smile...
Now, this is not the most attractive picture I've ever had, especially because my chin that looks awkward. Not to mention the fact that it's really just of my mouth, which also contributes to the awkwardness. But, you can see the new teeth...which was the purpose. :) Nice eh? Better be...it cost me thousands. It'll improve as my gums continue to heal, which is fun. So...there you have it friends...woohoo!
Now, this is not the most attractive picture I've ever had, especially because my chin that looks awkward. Not to mention the fact that it's really just of my mouth, which also contributes to the awkwardness. But, you can see the new teeth...which was the purpose. :) Nice eh? Better be...it cost me thousands. It'll improve as my gums continue to heal, which is fun. So...there you have it friends...woohoo!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Well it's permanent now!
Today I was eating lunch at Old Grist Mill. I bit into my sandwich and I had a weird sensation in the vicinity of my front teeth. I immediately pulled the sandwich out of my mouth and felt my teeth with my tongue. One of my crowns was missing! I looked at my sandwich and there it was! PHEW! How bad would it be if I swallowed or aspirated it? My dentist had warned me to be careful not to do either of those things if the temporary cement came loose. I quickly pulled it out of my sandwich and stuck it back on and called the dentist.
I got to the dentist and he was easily able to pull them all off with little to no effort with just his fingers. He said it was probably good I came in today because they would have all come off by Monday. I couldn't think of anything I wanted changed so I told him to just cement those suckers in. So...it's official, they are permanent now. I will always have to be a bit careful so I don't break the teeth underneath off at the gums, for then I'll have to get implants. But, after the cement hardens in another day or so I can be mostly normal again.
My favorite part? Yeah, my tooth fell off...in a sandwich.
I got to the dentist and he was easily able to pull them all off with little to no effort with just his fingers. He said it was probably good I came in today because they would have all come off by Monday. I couldn't think of anything I wanted changed so I told him to just cement those suckers in. So...it's official, they are permanent now. I will always have to be a bit careful so I don't break the teeth underneath off at the gums, for then I'll have to get implants. But, after the cement hardens in another day or so I can be mostly normal again.
My favorite part? Yeah, my tooth fell off...in a sandwich.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
New Teeth
Quick background for those who are unaware of my mouth drama...
I have soft teeth. Seriously, they chip and crack at every turn! They say it's because of a traumatic birth...some crazy thing about needing enough oxygen...blah blah blah. :) Long story short...I have quite the collection of crowns in my mouth and have had many root canals as well. I cannot even begin to count the time and money I've spent at the dentist office in my life. I have personally experienced many types of dental procedures. It's not all bad, there are much worse things in life, many of which aren't accompanied with awesome drugs. Besides which, my dentist and his staff are awesome and it's not a bad place to be.
Okay...moving on...
I have had crowns on my two front teeth since I was 16...and all front four teeth since early on in college. Well, apparently these four crowns were a bit too bulky for my gums and my gums had "chronic inflammation". Why does this matter? Well, if it goes untreated, my gums will recede and I'll look really stupid. In an effort to rectify this situation, my dentist shaved down my crowns as much as he could last spring. This involved a substantial amount of pain and blood. Just think of the words cut and shave and gums in the same sentence. Now give up any ideas of novacaine. That will give you a general idea of what it was like. Well, it helped a little but my gums continued to be inflamed. So the solution is to get new crowns. With improved technology, they have smaller, all porcelain crowns for front teeth now. They allegedly look more natural and don't have the bulk from having metal underneath.
The saga continues...
On January 2nd of this year (when my dental insurance was fresh since I maxed it out last year) I spent the entire morning in the dentist chair. The bright side of this is that I was able to watch a movie and two episodes of The Office, all while being high on nitrous oxide...too much fun! This time they cut off my old crowns, pushed back my gums, took impressions for the lab, and put on a temporary bridge. This was about as fun as it sounds. My mouth hurt really bad for a few days after this if you can imagine. Not to mention the fact that I have only been able to drink through a straw for three weeks now and I have to break everything I eat into small bites because I can't just bite them. Yeah, even my sandwiches for lunch have to be cut in little pieces...like I'm two. It's funny really.
Last week I had to go back in and they had to push my gums back again and take new impressions. Apparently my gums were bleeding too much last time and it spoiled the impressions. So this time they pushed them back, put some stuff on them to slow the bleeding, and took new impressions. I kind of wanted to kick someone. I felt pretty discouraged because I just wanted this whole mess to be over with. And it made my mouth hurt ridiculously bad yet again.
This brings us to today. I got to go in and get my new teeth! At the moment they are temporarily cemented in because he wanted me to be sure they are perfect before he permanently cemented them. If I want to change anything about them, he will send them back to the lab and have them changed. They look pretty amazing! Also, my gums are already looking better and appear to be healing. I just wanted to give it a few days to be sure there isn't anything that bothers me about them before I make it permanent.
Thankfully, I am nearing the end of this crazy experience. Just one more trip to the dentist, (unless I change anything on the teeth, then at least two). Of course, once this is all done I will have to pay for it. :) So if anyone has thousands of dollars to donate to the "Juli's teeth are ridiculous" fund, feel free! (just kidding)
I have soft teeth. Seriously, they chip and crack at every turn! They say it's because of a traumatic birth...some crazy thing about needing enough oxygen...blah blah blah. :) Long story short...I have quite the collection of crowns in my mouth and have had many root canals as well. I cannot even begin to count the time and money I've spent at the dentist office in my life. I have personally experienced many types of dental procedures. It's not all bad, there are much worse things in life, many of which aren't accompanied with awesome drugs. Besides which, my dentist and his staff are awesome and it's not a bad place to be.
Okay...moving on...
I have had crowns on my two front teeth since I was 16...and all front four teeth since early on in college. Well, apparently these four crowns were a bit too bulky for my gums and my gums had "chronic inflammation". Why does this matter? Well, if it goes untreated, my gums will recede and I'll look really stupid. In an effort to rectify this situation, my dentist shaved down my crowns as much as he could last spring. This involved a substantial amount of pain and blood. Just think of the words cut and shave and gums in the same sentence. Now give up any ideas of novacaine. That will give you a general idea of what it was like. Well, it helped a little but my gums continued to be inflamed. So the solution is to get new crowns. With improved technology, they have smaller, all porcelain crowns for front teeth now. They allegedly look more natural and don't have the bulk from having metal underneath.
The saga continues...
On January 2nd of this year (when my dental insurance was fresh since I maxed it out last year) I spent the entire morning in the dentist chair. The bright side of this is that I was able to watch a movie and two episodes of The Office, all while being high on nitrous oxide...too much fun! This time they cut off my old crowns, pushed back my gums, took impressions for the lab, and put on a temporary bridge. This was about as fun as it sounds. My mouth hurt really bad for a few days after this if you can imagine. Not to mention the fact that I have only been able to drink through a straw for three weeks now and I have to break everything I eat into small bites because I can't just bite them. Yeah, even my sandwiches for lunch have to be cut in little pieces...like I'm two. It's funny really.
Last week I had to go back in and they had to push my gums back again and take new impressions. Apparently my gums were bleeding too much last time and it spoiled the impressions. So this time they pushed them back, put some stuff on them to slow the bleeding, and took new impressions. I kind of wanted to kick someone. I felt pretty discouraged because I just wanted this whole mess to be over with. And it made my mouth hurt ridiculously bad yet again.
This brings us to today. I got to go in and get my new teeth! At the moment they are temporarily cemented in because he wanted me to be sure they are perfect before he permanently cemented them. If I want to change anything about them, he will send them back to the lab and have them changed. They look pretty amazing! Also, my gums are already looking better and appear to be healing. I just wanted to give it a few days to be sure there isn't anything that bothers me about them before I make it permanent.
Thankfully, I am nearing the end of this crazy experience. Just one more trip to the dentist, (unless I change anything on the teeth, then at least two). Of course, once this is all done I will have to pay for it. :) So if anyone has thousands of dollars to donate to the "Juli's teeth are ridiculous" fund, feel free! (just kidding)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
History
There have been times in my life that I remember vividly. Some of these have been personal moments, while others have been moments that I know my children and grandchildren will learn about in their history classes.
Although I was only in kindergarten when the Challenger exploded, I remember that day very clearly. I remember the feeling in the room as my little class watched it's launch with excitement. I remember the fear and confusion we felt when less than two minutes into the mission it exploded.
September 11 occurred during the first semester of my senior year of college. I remember driving home from school, since many of my classes were canceled, feeling like the world around me was crumbling. I remember sitting on my couch listening to my radio because it was early in the semester and my roommates and I had not yet called to hook up our cable. That entire day is etched in my mind. I can still remember how tangible the shock was. The air literally felt heavy.
Today is one of those days. However, this time it isn't a disaster or tragedy, but a day to celebrate. I don't think it matters what your political views are, today is surely an historic day! Today I feel proud to be an American. I am amazed to see how far we have come in some very important ways. And... I will always remember that on this historic day, I witnessed the inauguration of the first African American president with a class of incredible 3rd graders. Awesome. I have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed!
I am so thankful to be alive in such an incredible time in history.
Although I was only in kindergarten when the Challenger exploded, I remember that day very clearly. I remember the feeling in the room as my little class watched it's launch with excitement. I remember the fear and confusion we felt when less than two minutes into the mission it exploded.
September 11 occurred during the first semester of my senior year of college. I remember driving home from school, since many of my classes were canceled, feeling like the world around me was crumbling. I remember sitting on my couch listening to my radio because it was early in the semester and my roommates and I had not yet called to hook up our cable. That entire day is etched in my mind. I can still remember how tangible the shock was. The air literally felt heavy.
Today is one of those days. However, this time it isn't a disaster or tragedy, but a day to celebrate. I don't think it matters what your political views are, today is surely an historic day! Today I feel proud to be an American. I am amazed to see how far we have come in some very important ways. And... I will always remember that on this historic day, I witnessed the inauguration of the first African American president with a class of incredible 3rd graders. Awesome. I have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed!
I am so thankful to be alive in such an incredible time in history.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Spotlight
"New Beginnings" for our ward is next week. We are doing a spotlight for each of the new beehives. I decided to answer the spotlight questions for myself here on my blog. So...here we go!
1. When you have nothing you have to do, what do you do? daydream or sleep
2. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Australia again, I miss Leisy
3. What’s your favorite kind of music, band, or singer? Country
4. Where would we find you on a Saturday afternoon and what would you be doing? quite often hanging out with my family
5. Your favorite color? Blue
6. Your favorite food? Pad Siew (a Thai dish)
7. What is something that would be on your list of things to do before you die? write a book
8. What is your favorite book or author? "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
9. What do you want to be when you “grow up”? A motivational speaker
10. If there was a soundtrack for your life, name a song we would find on it. "I'm Just A Girl" by Bachelor Girl
1. When you have nothing you have to do, what do you do? daydream or sleep
2. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Australia again, I miss Leisy
3. What’s your favorite kind of music, band, or singer? Country
4. Where would we find you on a Saturday afternoon and what would you be doing? quite often hanging out with my family
5. Your favorite color? Blue
6. Your favorite food? Pad Siew (a Thai dish)
7. What is something that would be on your list of things to do before you die? write a book
8. What is your favorite book or author? "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
9. What do you want to be when you “grow up”? A motivational speaker
10. If there was a soundtrack for your life, name a song we would find on it. "I'm Just A Girl" by Bachelor Girl
Saturday, January 17, 2009
#5 - Check!
I completed #5 of my list of things to do before I turn 29...to read "Tuesdays with Morrie". You can find that post here. This was a great book. I have to be honest though, I don't think it was as amazing as all the hype. I have heard it referred to as one of the greatest books of all time and as one that is completely life changing. Although it was a great book and it did make me think about life and what is most important, it did not fall into the "life changing, greatest book of all time" category for me personally. Would I recommend it? You bet!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
And so it begins...
I mentioned awhile back that I had a goal to own all Newbery Award winning books, and of course, that I'd read them all. You can read that post, here. Well...the collection has begun!
For Christmas, I got "Strawberry Girl" from my brother and his family (and a super fun game...THANKS FAMILY!)...this began my collection. Then Friday night I went to a Thai restaurant in Salt Lake (sooooooooo good by the way) with Julie, Mel, and Ginger. Afterwards, we went to Target on a search for Tim Tams (which we didn't find...lame) and the Barnes and Noble next door called to us. So...we spent a little while there. I came home with "The Tales of Despereaux", "Julie of the Wolves", and "The Giver". I almost bought a "Therapist in a Box" but decided against it. I am sure that it would have solved all of my problems and more for the low low price of $7, but who needs therapy anyway? :)
Then...it gets better my friends...yesterday I got a Christmas gift from a friend. Brenda and I had each other for a gift exchange. Neither of us made it to the party where we were to exchange gifts because of a snowstorm, so I sent hers down with Ron's sister (Ron is Brenda's husband...a good friend from High School) who then brought mine back. Long story short...they had bought me an awesome game as well as two Newbery books! So now I have "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" and "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" too. THANKS FRIENDS!
The best part is that I need to choose a book to read to my 3rd graders...so now I have several options. I'm pretty excited about it to be honest. I have an excuse to read in all my spare time.
For Christmas, I got "Strawberry Girl" from my brother and his family (and a super fun game...THANKS FAMILY!)...this began my collection. Then Friday night I went to a Thai restaurant in Salt Lake (sooooooooo good by the way) with Julie, Mel, and Ginger. Afterwards, we went to Target on a search for Tim Tams (which we didn't find...lame) and the Barnes and Noble next door called to us. So...we spent a little while there. I came home with "The Tales of Despereaux", "Julie of the Wolves", and "The Giver". I almost bought a "Therapist in a Box" but decided against it. I am sure that it would have solved all of my problems and more for the low low price of $7, but who needs therapy anyway? :)
Then...it gets better my friends...yesterday I got a Christmas gift from a friend. Brenda and I had each other for a gift exchange. Neither of us made it to the party where we were to exchange gifts because of a snowstorm, so I sent hers down with Ron's sister (Ron is Brenda's husband...a good friend from High School) who then brought mine back. Long story short...they had bought me an awesome game as well as two Newbery books! So now I have "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" and "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" too. THANKS FRIENDS!
The best part is that I need to choose a book to read to my 3rd graders...so now I have several options. I'm pretty excited about it to be honest. I have an excuse to read in all my spare time.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Broken Arm
So in my class is this cute little boy with a broken arm. He gets his cast off tomorrow though...yay! The story of how he broke it is way too funny not to share.
And I quote...
"Well we were having a pillow fight. My dad and I were. And my dad said, 'that's enough' and I tried to pinch his bum and he sat on my arm and broke it."
Yeah, HILARIOUS!
And I quote...
"Well we were having a pillow fight. My dad and I were. And my dad said, 'that's enough' and I tried to pinch his bum and he sat on my arm and broke it."
Yeah, HILARIOUS!
Monday, January 5, 2009
The First Day
Well, I survived my first day of demonstration teaching. I am super tired tonight (probably because I couldn't sleep last night) but I had a pretty decent day. The kids in my class are darling! I can see that there may be a few little issues, as with any class, but all in all I think I will survive these twelve weeks. I hate not knowing what to expect, but now that I've been there once and have a better idea of what's going on I feel much more calm.
The best part? My cooperating teacher has a club house in her room...it's seriously cool. I will take a picture, you'll be impressed. Her husband is a contractor apparently (so my mother says) which might explain the well built clubhouse, complete with carpet and a sign that says "The Clubhouse".
Or maybe the best part was the lack of commute. Yeah, I left my house at 7:50 and was home by 3:30...as compared to my usual 6:50-5:10. Yeah, that was pretty sweet!
The best part? My cooperating teacher has a club house in her room...it's seriously cool. I will take a picture, you'll be impressed. Her husband is a contractor apparently (so my mother says) which might explain the well built clubhouse, complete with carpet and a sign that says "The Clubhouse".
Or maybe the best part was the lack of commute. Yeah, I left my house at 7:50 and was home by 3:30...as compared to my usual 6:50-5:10. Yeah, that was pretty sweet!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Wow...2008 was crazy, but good crazy. Probably one of the most life changing years I've had. I am so thankful for the good times as well as the hard times. I am also really excited for this new year. It's exciting to wonder what life will bring.
This New Year's was the best one I have had for a long time, maybe ever! I don't think I've ever spent a New Year's Eve laughing so hard in all my life. Today was pretty amazing too...so...if today is any indication of the rest of the year, I think 2009 will be pretty stinkin' cool.
So...resolutions...I'm a fan. The last few years I have tried to pick things that are doable and I have really worked on them. I haven't kept them all...but I've done pretty well! This year I decided that I would make three resolutions. This is a manageable number of resolutions...not too many, not too few. So, without further adieu...
1. Double my temple attendance from last year.
2. When in doubt, shut my mouth. This includes not saying unkind things to or about others, not "casting my pearls before swine", not reacting until I've taken time to mull it over (at which point I might decided I shouldn't react at all!), etc... I can pinpoint several times over the past year that if I'd not said a thing it'd have been much much better. This is something I've been working on and it's made a huge difference...however, I want to continue to improve in this area this year.
3. Live in the moment. If I am at work I want to focus on work, if I am with my family I want to spend my time with them and concentrate on them, etc... I want to think and worry about what I'm doing at the moment and take care of everything and everyone else later, in their own time. This is something I struggle with a lot. It's made worse by the fact that I am someone who can't multitask so everything suffers when I don't give my full attention to anything. So...if I don't answer a call or a text...that might just be why. :)
There you have it. Bring it on '09!
This New Year's was the best one I have had for a long time, maybe ever! I don't think I've ever spent a New Year's Eve laughing so hard in all my life. Today was pretty amazing too...so...if today is any indication of the rest of the year, I think 2009 will be pretty stinkin' cool.
So...resolutions...I'm a fan. The last few years I have tried to pick things that are doable and I have really worked on them. I haven't kept them all...but I've done pretty well! This year I decided that I would make three resolutions. This is a manageable number of resolutions...not too many, not too few. So, without further adieu...
1. Double my temple attendance from last year.
2. When in doubt, shut my mouth. This includes not saying unkind things to or about others, not "casting my pearls before swine", not reacting until I've taken time to mull it over (at which point I might decided I shouldn't react at all!), etc... I can pinpoint several times over the past year that if I'd not said a thing it'd have been much much better. This is something I've been working on and it's made a huge difference...however, I want to continue to improve in this area this year.
3. Live in the moment. If I am at work I want to focus on work, if I am with my family I want to spend my time with them and concentrate on them, etc... I want to think and worry about what I'm doing at the moment and take care of everything and everyone else later, in their own time. This is something I struggle with a lot. It's made worse by the fact that I am someone who can't multitask so everything suffers when I don't give my full attention to anything. So...if I don't answer a call or a text...that might just be why. :)
There you have it. Bring it on '09!
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