Goodbye Summer

Summer break is over. I had to report back to work today for policy meetings and other boring, boring, BORING types of things. It’s a tad depressing to be back at it, but there’s nothing to be done. This summer was really fun, but also really busy. In the midst of that fun busy-ness, I was able to check two more things off my list.

I visited a number of awesome historical sites while on vacation in New York City. Check #20 off the list! I spent an afternoon with Jake G. and he showed me around the Financial District in Lower Manhattan. Specifically, we went to Trinity Church, Wall Street, and Federal Hall. I loved Federal Hall. It was here that George Washington was sworn in as the first US President. Pretty darn nifty. Let me also note that after our sightseeing we ate at a really yummy Afghan restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen. Delight!

I also had a chance to go camping (#3)—twice! Two weekends in a row, I went on an overnight camp of some sort. The first was with my ward at Lava Hot Springs in Idaho, and the second was with the fam at Lilly Lake Campground in the Uintah National Forest. I loved it. This last weekend’s family trip was practically perfect. We caught lots of fish (and I gutted & cleaned some of them myself!), roasted hotdogs and S’mores, slept cozy in sleeping bags, and had a tasty breakfast in the clean mountain air. I really just love camping, and its been too many summers since I’ve been able to go.

In reviewing the 27 in my 27th List, I must admit I'm growing slightly concerned. You see, yesterday was my Half Birthday--we are six months into this "List" experiment and less than six months now remain to accomplish what is left. To be fair, I think I'm doing a mighty fine job thus far. But I can't help but worry about a few of the remaining goals--most notably #12 Enjoy a mutually desirable kiss. I express concern here because, quite frankly, I'm not sure where that's going to be coming from anytime soon. Most of my waking hours are spent in the society of pre-pubescent humanoids...so its doubtful I'll meet somebody in my daily social circles.

But here's where you, the reader, can come in! This is not a booty call or a want ad for a hook-up. Rather, I'm in the market for a fine young man who'd be interested in going out. The hope would be that one date could turn into two or three, and eventually #12 would get the old Heave Ho--follow? I'm going to assume most of you know how to contact me in the traditional ways, so if you've got a real prospect to help me out...let me know.

10 down, 17 to go! (And a number of things in process...)

On My Mind

I worked at Jamba Juice for two summers during college as a Blend Specialist. The second summer our boss allowed us one free smoothie per shift. My favorite wasn't on the menu. I'd just take the Peach Pleasure and instead of peaches and bananas, I'd add peaches, strawberries and mango. DELISH! So imagine my excitement when Jamba added the Peach Perfection to their menu--just like the one I created. Woot! I truly enjoy the Peach Perfection smoothie, and I've been drinking a lot of Jamba lately so I've been thinking about it. Oh so good! But on cold spring days/nights...smoothies just aren't as good. They chill me inside and out and I have the hardest time getting warm. Bring on the spring so I can drink more Jamba!

Speaking of being cold and the late arrival of spring, I'm sick of Utah's supposed "spring" weather. Its snowing outside. Happy April. The forecast is for more snow on Friday as well. I hate snow--a fact I think I have documented well over the past year or so on this Blog. SERIOUSLY. But things are looking up--I am assuming the weather will be near perfect next week. I have an almost fail-safe way of calling such things. Consider if you will...

My roommates and I take weekly turns parking in the garage. Every three weeks, I get to put Blueberry in the warm comfort of the garage each night. The two weeks I park on the street are almost guaranteed to be cold, snowy, rainy, windy nastiness. The minute Blueberry is inside the garage, the weather will clear up. Thus we see that every three weeks, the weather will be beautiful. Its a bittersweet system, but there you go. Enjoy the warm sunny weather next week--brought to you by Blueberry, my garage, and the letter F.

Finally, here's a shout out to my amazing students who continue to amuse me, challenge me, and make me happy {almost} every day. Though I fervently hope they never come across this Blog and connect it to me, I have no problem with the Internet community at large to know that I think my kids are pretty keen.