To the Beach!

My brother, being himself and all, found a good deal on a hotel on the Gulf Coast in Florida. People haven't been travelling there because they think the beaches are covered in oil. Little do they know that Destin, Florida (pretty close to one of my nephew's birthplace, by the way) is still as beautiful as ever, with it's white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. Luckily for us, this made it easier to get a good rate on some rooms.

On the drive down, this crazy girl told her mom she wanted "something comfy". Apparently her blanket was just the ticket. "Can you just put it on my head, mommy? Thanks!" Hee hee, love her!

She L.O.V.E.S. the beach! Just check out her happy little face.

Here he was saying "Bea!" (Beach). He's so stinkin' cute!

Four of my favorite people

Sunset

Here's the same beach the next day.

"Sandcastles in the sand"

When wet, we thought the sand looked like the sugar at the bottom of your Wheaties bowl. (When the sand was wet...not when we were wet. In fact, we thought the same thing when we were dry.)

Okay, it was all fun and games at the beach until I got attacked by a crab. Then my brother kept kicking sand at my feet all day to freak me out. I forgave him later when he rescued us from this jellyfish. I still get the heebie jeebies just thinking about my wildlife encounters that day.

Speaking of wildlife encounters... we decided to take a dolphin cruise. After my whale watching tour a few years ago (throwing up numerous times over the side of a boat with tons of tourists watching is NOT my idea of a good time), I've been a little afraid to attempt something like this. And this time it was a 2-hour tour rather than a 1-hour tour (as long as it's not a 3-hour tour!), but after stopping at the Piggly Wiggly (okay, it was really a Winn-Dixie...I just like to say Piggly Wiggly because none of our stores have nearly that cool of a name) for some dramamine, I was willing to give it a try. Well, it was a much better experience this time. :)

We saw several dolphins jumping out of the water and playing in the wake of the boat. Most of my photos of them turned out a lot like this...

Do you think my next career should be "wildlife photographer"? I'm awesome huh? Actually, if you blow up the photo you really can see a dolphin under the water there.

Captain Larry was pretty cool. I like his hair. He had a first mate, also pictured here. I think his name was Dave? Either way, I'm going to call him Dave for the rest of my life. For those observant readers, you might notice that Dave is serving complimentary beer that they have on tap there on the boat. They had complimentary wine, soda, and water too. If only Captain Larry had a Diet Mt. Dew tap instead. That'd be awesome.

If you sing "come here dolphin, come here dolphin" it helps...just an FYI.

Captain Larry let her drive the boat...she was a natural.

I LOVE this picture of these two! And, bonus, now I will always remember the random guy in the yellow shirt and white hat from my dolphin sight seeing tour.

After our boat trip we went to Fudpuckers for dinner. My friend Jason used to work here, so it was nice to see his "old stomping grounds" if you will (and frankly, even if you won't). There is writing on every possible surface of the restaurant. Most people just sign their names, but some people like to be more informative in their permissible graffiti activities.

On our way across Alabama and Florida, we tried to stop for photos of all the best signs. There was one we missed that said, "Family in town? Rent a wheelchair!" Um?? Okay!

This was, however, my VERY favorite from the whole entire trip!

This one caused us all to say, "did that really just say that?" Nice.

This one is actually in the town my brother works in...

And apparently Florida is way better than every other state because unlike the other 49...

I had so much fun spending time with my family and seeing their new home. A big thanks to them for letting me visit and making it such a great Thanksgiving!

Sweet Home Alabama

I flew to Alabama to visit my brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew for Thanksgiving.

My awesome sister-in-law picked me up at the airport. We stopped to get me some lunch and got lost (well, as lost as you can get with a GPS anyway) in this little neighborhood. It was like jumping into a page of "To Kill A Mockingbird". Seriously...super cool.

I was really glad to see the kids, and was happy that they were glad to see me!

Let me just say that Alabama is a BEAUTIFUL state!

They showed me around town. Here is a photo of me and my niece with the Tennessee River behind us and their city across the river.

And here is a photo of my family in front of the river. Good lookin' group of people aren't they?? Four of my most favorite people of all time!

We went to the mall to see Santa arrive on a firetruck. Here is a classic photo of some Alabamians. It's hard to tell from their backs, but easily 70% of them are wearing Alabama or Auburn clothing (the UofU/BYU rivalry cannot hold a candle to the Alabama/Auburn rivalry...and a good chunk of people's wardrobes here are Alabama or Auburn clothing...depending on their preference). I suppose you can see all the crimson and know that Alabama is well supported at this gathering. :)

Just an interesting side note about University of Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium from Wikipedia... "In 2008, the visitors' locker room was officially named 'The Fail Room' after alumnus and donor James M. Fail. Fail commented, 'Earlier this year, when I saw the visitors' locker room as a potential naming right, I figured it was the most appropriate opportunity I would ever have to use my name.'"

I also found it odd to be waiting for Santa, outside, in a t-shirt and capris. Crazy!

Isn't she sooooooo cute?? I just love her!

He's here!

Following Santa's arrival...we went to Big Bob Gibson's for some real Southern BBQ. Oh my...that was good! If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it!

Do you ever feel like you need a little extra help? Perhaps you can visit this body shop. Just pull up, honk four times, and he'll come out and pray with you about whatever you need. Then you can be on your way...just like that. Drive-thru prayer...oh so convenient!

They did not want you to be unclear about whether this school was built before or after the birth of Jesus. I was thankful because I was confused about that prior to reading the sign.

We went to see Harry Potter and I LOVED the Christmas tree at this super nice outdoor mall. It also had the biggest Barnes and Noble I have ever seen! I resisted the temptation to go in though..are you proud?

The next day, my brother took me to a Tennessee Titans game in Nashville. It was my first NFL game. I wish I had taken some pictures of all the new friends we made. There was "beardguy", "the coach", "homeless guy selling popcorn by the handful from a garbage bag covered in goo following the game", "crazy lady with a remarkable set of lungs", and "banana pudding guy". Oh how I miss those guys. We parked at a small minor-league baseball stadium across town and took a shuttle to the game (because it cost $75 to park at LP field...yeesh!). That was kinda cool because they shut down the roads in downtown to be used only by shuttles and pedestrians so this way we could see all the sights of Nashville.

Here's my brother with downtown Nashville in the background.

They did a Veterans Tribute because it was their first home game following Veterans Day.

Here's a view of the stadium from our upper bowl seats (thankfully, neither of us plunged to our death).

With a tied score of my lucky number 16 at the end of the game, we went into overtime. Unfortunately, the Redskins scored a field goal and won the game 19 to 16. On the bright side, this did please "beardguy" and "the coach". "Crazy lady with a remarkable set of lungs", on the other hand, was rather disappointed. Apparently her incessant screaming and rapping of her empty beer bottle on the rail did not ensure a win for the Titans. Who would have guessed?

You may have to click on this photo to enlarge it for the full effect. This is a double billboard on the way to Tennessee that we stopped to take a photo of on our way home. I think it speaks for itself.

Check back soon for more Southern signs and Juli's adventures in the South.

#1 - Check!

Gee, I'm doing really well with this years list!

Now, not only did I sing Sweet Home Alabama whilst in Alabama as prescribed on my list...but I watched the movie there as well! Go me!

Interesting side notes...

We happened to drive through Butler County, Alabama (the area the movie was centered around) on our way to Florida.

Fun fact... Greenville, Alabama (the town in the movie) was originally named Buttville, Alabama. I kid you not.

The real highlight of Butler county for me has to be Georgiana, Alabama. I for one will not be visiting the "Hank Williams Boyhood Home and Museum" because it would require me to leave my locked vehicle in this population 1,737 town.

Lessons from my elders

Tonight for our weekly church youth activity we had a veterans night. We invited the oldest veterans in our congregation to come and talk about their experiences in the military. First of all, I have known these men my entire life but I have only known them as well put together and settled grandparent type individuals. Never had I thought of them as 18 year old boys at war. It was really interesting and I could go on and on about their stories...but instead I'm going to get to the point.

What I realized was that they haven't always been wise adults with a home, a steady job, and a wife and kids...but they were once young adults like me, uncertain of what their future holds. Obvious, I know...but I'm a slow learner. I kept thinking of Elder Holland (love him!) when he talked about wanting to call out to his younger self, "Don't give up, boy. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead--a lot of it--30 years of it now, and still counting. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."

As I listened to my former bishop standing in front of us tonight, now showing signs of age, reminiscing about the time spent as a young sailor in World War II, I couldn't help but try and imagine him at the beginning of his adult life, wondering what in the world life had in store for him and hoping it would improve.

One of the brethren talked of how he was single while most of the others he served with were married. He said that while they spent time with their wives on their leave, he traveled and saw many sights. He said he liked that opportunity, but he was very lonely. Boy could I relate to that! But here he is, married, with grown children and their growing and perhaps grown children. Who would have thought that he was a lonely young man once upon a time??

It was just a good reminder that even though the details of each of our stories are different, trials come and go, and most importantly there is help and happiness ahead. Again I was reminded that as long as I'm doing the best I can, I will stand at the other end of my life and look back and see the "big picture".

Like Steve Jobs says "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards."

#2 - Check!

I have officially (and legitimately, mind you) obtained a masters degree. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have this one finished. It all began with a suggestion from my oldest brother that I go talk to a WGU (my university...which I highly recommend by the way) representative at UEA a few years ago. I knew I wanted to get a masters and I felt like it should be in education, but that's where my inspiration ended. After that, everything fell in to place (as the right choices often do) and I was off and running. Naturally, it was a lot of work and it kept me busy, but I am so glad I did it.

The best part?? All three of my brothers already had at least one masters (yeah, some people collect degrees...my brother rocks like that) which means that every single one of my parents' children have a graduate degree. I think that's pretty cool.

Anyway, it's nice to be done...now I just have to pay those student loans...nice.

Busy, Busy, Awesome!

This is a new game, it's like "duck, duck, goose!" but it's more appropriate for my life. First there are lots of busy moments (with the occasional crappy moments, of course...such is life), followed by an awesome moment, then back to busy. Truly, busy is good though, it generally makes me happy. I get discouraged when I don't feel like I'm progressing or doing anything with my life.

Here's some of what's been going on...

Peach Days 2010

Here are some photos of a few of my nieces and nephews at the parade...

And...my niece in the parade (she's just left of the lady in the purple shirt).

My friend, Steph, invited me to go see The Lion King at Capital Theatre, which of course I did! I didn't take any photos to document the experience (sad face), but it was amazing. The costumes were fabulous!

School has been busy. I just had PTC (parent teacher conference) this week. I hate preparing for PTC, but it is always a great self esteem booster. It's nice that the parents are complimentary and appreciate all the hard work I put into helping their kid the best I can.

Grad school is coming to a close (hoorah!). I am just preparing for my oral defense which is in a couple of weeks. After that, I'll be done. I cannot wait!! It'll be nice to come home from work, correct gazillions of paper, spend hours preparing lessons for school the next day, then actually be able to go to bed rather than spend more time writing papers. :) Maybe I can even read a book or watch a movie again?? Woot!

In other news... I've become super emotional. Yes, I know I've always been emotional...but I had gotten much less so and now it's all out the window again. I don't know if it's the particularly heartbreaking breakup I experienced at the beginning of the summer, the increased pressure I feel at work thanks to NCLB, missing my Alabama family, the feeling that everyone's life is going somewhere and their prayers are being answered while I'm just treading water (which makes me want to scream "No Juli Left Behind!" but that would probably be no more effective than NCLB), or maybe it's just that I've given up trying to pretend that I don't have emotions...but whatever the reason, I am emotional. Speaking of emotional... did you hear Elder Holland's talk yesterday?? If not, check it out. I was driving down I-15 crying my eyes out...it was THAT good.

I'm supposed to be writing a paper...

...but instead I wanted to write a blog post.

Here's a little update about what's going on...

School has started, which is such a bitter sweet thing for me. I L.O.V.E my job! I do truly love my cute little class and of course the incredible people I work with. However, school takes over my life. I swear, I have very little free time right now and I feel like I can't hardly breathe (that could be my asthma though...hmmm...time to up my Pulmicort dose?). But all in all, being a teacher does one important thing that I am very grateful for...it drives me to my knees. It helps me to be a better person because I feel such a weight on my shoulders and therefore spend a lot of time praying for help.

Dale & family have moved to 'Bama. I have dreaded this for months, but now it's done and aside from occasional moments when I miss them like crazy, I am surviving. I hope they are surviving as well. And hey, only 60 days until I fly out there for a week. You can look forward to the awesome blog posts that trip will produce. Just picture a photo of a sign at a storage facility that says "Parker Storage: Where Jesus is Lord". (True story)

I have one month left of Grad school and I can hardly wait. I am SOOOO tired of being a student it is not even funny!!! I doubt I'll ever get a doctorate because I'm not sure I'll be able to convince myself to go back to school yet again.

In other news... I hate NCLB (No Child Left Behind) more than about anything...but according to a priority sorter Ian found online, I don't want to time travel back in time and stop it from being passed as badly as I want to pay off my student loans.

I have more updating to do...but it involves pictures. That would take more time away from the paper writing that I'm supposed to be participating in, so you'll have to wait.

Birthday Moment...

It's my sister-in-law's birthday today. She is my first sister and boy was I glad to finally have a sister the day she joined our family. She amazing and fun! I love you and hope your birthday was fabulous!

Birthday Moment...

My older and definitely wiser brother's birthday is today. He is an amazing man and fun to be around. I hope you have an awesome birthday, love you!

#10 - Check!

While in Oregon...I accomplished my #10 item on my list of things to do before I turn 31. I sent a message in a bottle. It was an interesting experience. First I had to go to Safeway to get a beverage in a glass bottle. This was nice because I got a really good vanilla cream soda out of the deal. Then I had to purchase some stationary because I didn't want to send my message on boring hotel notepad paper. Then I had the problem of what in the blazes I should write. That took some serious thinking. I was afraid to put any identifying information in it because Oregon is such a, how should I put this, green state? I was afraid I'd rot in prison for littering! So I opted to just make a quick note telling a possible reader why I was sending a message in a bottle and then leaving them with the best advice I have to give anyone... that they should visit www.mormon.org because the church has made all the difference in my life.

Here is the bottle...on the balcony of our hotel in Yachats, Oregon...all ready for sending.

The problem with Yachats is that it is a very rocky area of the coast. Mom and I had to drive a bit to find a place I could discard my bottle without it breaking on the rocks moments after I chucked it in the water. What's fun about my parents is that they are supportive of all my crazy ideas.

We finally found a spot where I could climb down some rocks, across some more rocks, and then down yet some more rocks to a sandy bit of beach.

My mom waited in the car while Daisy and I made our way to the beach. She took a photo of the place we headed down while she waited. We had to go down there where there looks like there's a trail, then it twisted around away from the bay to the open sea where we went down the rocks.

It was there, on that beach that I realized that I'm not a pitcher and couldn't launch my bottle out far enough that it wouldn't come right back. After 3 tries, I went back to the car hoping that the tide would take it out later. Otherwise, someone just south of Yachats could find my bottle and wonder how much it had traveled (they'll never know I stood right where they were the day before trying to get it out to sea).

Oregon Coast

In August my parents, Daisy, and I took a trip to the Oregon Coast. We love it there because it's so beautiful and relaxing. We figured it would be our last trip there for a very long time, since our new destination of choice is Alabama. We decided to head to a different area of the coast than we usually visit...to see some new places. It was awesome as usual.

Daisy enjoyed the trip, of course. She loves seeing new places.


She likes relaxing in the hotel room (as opposed to her busy life filled with relaxing at home).

She loves to feel the ocean breeze in her hair.

But her favorite thing is to play on the beach. A game of fetch followed by running around in circles and digging is always a great way to spend the afternoon.


We hiked to Heceta Head Lighthouse. It was BEAUTIFUL!



Then we stopped to take a photo of it from a distance.

Of course, what's a trip to the Oregon Coast without eating at Mo's? See how my dad looks all happy? That's why we go to Oregon...it's relaxing and you just can't help but feel good when you are there. Perhaps the Mo's famous clam chowder he's eating helped the smile a bit too.

And yes, I realize I just chronicled my vacation almost entirely with photos of my dog. Clearly I need children. :)