TOP NINE

Top 9 of oh-nine

(In no particular order)

1- FAMILY in general

2-started my first real JOB

3- GRADUATED from college

4- finished a TRIATHLON

5- visited CHICAGO for the first time

6- went to FLORAL DESIGN school

7- traveled to HAWAII with extended family

8- moved to WASHINGTON DC

9- realized how TRUE the church is, and how much HAPPINESS it brings
(I think this happens every year, but especially this year)

can you believe how much changed?

I have lots of HOPES for oh-ten, (wait? that's going to be an adjustment...do we just say ten?)
mostly that it is a little less crazy, and a little more predictable.

don't count on it, but stay tuned

Metro Moment - BLUE LINE

Last week, my home-ward home teacher was in Washington DC. He has been my home teacher ever since I can remember, and he was nice enough to invite me and my roommate to dinner. We went out to eat at a delicious Italian restaurant. It was great to see him and we really appreciated the invite!

After dinner we went to catch the metro. Kim doesn't ride the metro for work, so she had to buy a ticket. We missed one of the blue line trains, and the trains run less frequently at night so we weren't sure how long it was going to be until the next train. We found a bench and sat down to wait. We both had cell service, and made phone calls. It was weird because the sign that should have said how long until the next train, only listed red trains for the next thirty minutes. (to my credit when I catch the metro after work, it will frequently only show green line trains and then all of the sudden a yellow line will appear, and it will be the next train). So we sat and waited, as two red line trains came and left the station.

Finally I noticed a sign that had a blue dot and an arrow that was pointing in a different direction than where we were sitting. It dawned on me that the Blue line doesn't run on the same track as the red line, so they would have different platforms. Really... thirty minutes later...

We went downstairs, to the appropriate platform and one minute later the blue line train arrived. We could have been home so much faster!

It was worth it for the dinner and good company!
(and... another Metro-Moment blog post)

SNOW DAY

Amy and I are snowed in. Her fiance Billy is stuck at his house. We thought we would give him an update of what we have been up to.

Trekked outside in the snow.

Look how deep it is!

Amy's boots are completely covered!

Amy walking through the snow.

Amy's first steps in the snow.

Enjoying the snow from the window.

Enjoying the snow from the window, with a warm blanket!

Taking pictures.

Watching movies.

My friend Amy and I are stuck in my apartment due to the snow! Her fiance, Billy, who lives in my ward, can't even come see her. So, she is stuck here with me. Kim left last night, so I am lucky she is here! It's actually been a really relaxing day. It's kind of nice when you have no other option but to stay inside.

Winter Wonderland

Something is definitely not missing anymore...
It's a winter wonderland in DC!
And everything is closing down because of it... Too bad the storm didn't hit on Monday so work would have been canceled.

..it's the most wonderful time of the year..

Apartment decorated for Christmas - check.
Celebrating holidays and traditions at school - check.
Smithsonian decked out for Christmas - check.
Holiday parties - check.
Eating delicious food with friends - check.
Shopping - double check.
Wrapped Presents - check.
Visiting the festival of lights at the temple - check.
Amazing church Christmas program - check.
Christmas music - check.
The Elf - Check.
Miracle on 34th Street - Currently playing.
The Holiday - Waiting to watch it with Whitney, who has never seen it.
Visiting the National Christmas Tree and the Capitol Tree - next week.

There is only one thing missing....

Check out DC's weather forecast, and I'll keep you posted.

Does your scalp itch?

17 of the 18 kindergartners have lice.

My scalp has itched all week.

Hope for the best.

Does YOUR scalp itch now?

Butterflies

Mom and Lisa!

My mom took pictures of me with the best kids around.
(At least in DC, and at least most of the time...)



Me and My Mom

My mom was in town with her friend, Lisa. They stayed at my apartment and we had a lot of fun together. It was nice to come home from work to a clean apartment and homemade pumpkin bars. My mom always takes classes to keep her teaching certificate current. She took a technology class and made a power point presentation on butterflies. She shared it with my class after we visited the butterfly exhibit. She couldn't wait to e-mail the teacher and let her know that she shared her presentation at the Smithsonian. Lisa's son Devin, who also lives in DC, took us on a tour of the White House! It was a great week.