making life a perpetual spree

This one time...

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:28:00 +0000

Last year. Christmas time. Sunday night. It had snowed a lot. My dad put our two garbage cans out in front of our house.

It continued to snow. A lot. The next morning, my dad went out to bring the garbage cans back. But...he could only find one. Our other garbage can disappeared. We concluded that it had been stolen by the garbage man, because there was a hole in the snow where our garbage can once sat, but no tracks leading to the house, or anywhere for that matter. The garbage can was just gone.

The Evidence

For the Mills

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:10:00 +0000

Wow, this was forever ago...remember going to the care center like every Sunday? Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday, but then I look at the picture and see how much we've changed and wow. Crazy.

This is what compassion looks like.

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Right?
Well...except for the creepy red eyes.

Dance Party

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:56:00 +0000

We danced to Michael Jackson and tried to learn Thriller. It's kinda hard. But I am proud to say that I did not rip my pants this time! So it was a success.

My Soapbox

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:35:00 +0000

So I didn't even know I had a soapbox about this until just barely. My soapbox hit me in the head while I was brushing my hair...so here we go.

A lot of times when I tell people my minor is "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages", they ask me, "Oh, so do you speak Spanish?" This question doesn't offend me, or make me mad, and it doesn't even really annoy me.

But the answer is no. No, I do not speak Spanish. Why is that even an applicable question? Not all second language learners are Hispanic, even here in Utah. Some English language learners are Arabic. Some are Korean. Some are Russian, some are Chinese, some are Slovakian.

There are so many misconceptions about children learning English as a second language. Even teachers have some crazy ideas and judgments about such students. I guess that is why TESOL is my minor. I will be the advocate.

English language learners, I will stand up for you. I will try to understand you. I will do my best to help you progress cognitively, linguistically, and socially.

I will be the advocate.

*This post is kind of embarrassing because I do not like my TESOL classes and, in fact, I complain about them all the time. Apparently the subject really means a lot to me, though. I am developing a passion.

How I met his mother

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:04:00 +0000

So, when we were talking to SCs family last night I realized that the story is kinda funny, and I really need to write it down. Of course, what better place to write a funny story than my blog? I hope you all can share in the joys of my life.

It was a fine September afternoon. One of my TELL classes was canceled, which was fine with me because that meant 2 1/2 hours of extra time! With that extra time I decided to go to Curves. I got there and started on the circuit, completely absorbed in my own little world. I remember that I was reflecting on the most recent chapter of my life and looking at any room for improvement.

Then a man walked in the door. It was like the most exciting thing that happened that day! I mean, it's not that men NEVER come into Curves, but it is uncommon. I was intrigued, so I watched as a woman who was on the circuit went to greet her husband and exchange keys with him, or something. It was a good way to break up the monotony.

After I finished, I was stretching when the same woman (the one with the husband) leaned over to me. This is the conversation.

Sister C: You are so cute!
Me: This happens all the time...Thanks!
Sister C: Are you in high school?
Me: Do I really look like I'm still in high school? Sad! No, I'm a junior at BYU.
Sister C: Oh, do you have a boyfriend?
Me: I see where this is going...No, I don't.
Sister C: Well I have this son-his name is SC-he just got home from a mission in January. He's really nice and quiet and tall. I want to set you guys up!
Me: Sweet! This is great!! That sounds good.
Sister C: Oh perfect. He's at UVU on scholarship studying aviation...
Me: Uh oh...a pilot?!! Awesome!

Seriously, even though he likes to fly, it's been great. He started texting me a few days later and the rest, as they say, is history.

Maybe one of you thought that was funny. I think it is. I have the best Curves Success Story ever!

8 is great

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:20:00 +0000

So last night I did not get very much sleep at all. But today at work I felt really happy, like I wanted to talk to all the missionaries and laugh and have fun! This was weird because lately I've been feeling bored and a little bit annoyed at work-I go through phases like that.

Anyway, somehow my mind made the connection: Oh! When I don't get a lot of sleep, I am happier the next day!

And then I remembered that 1. That didn't make sense and 2. Correlation does not equal causation, so I investigated further and realized: maybe I am happier not because I got less sleep last night, but just because last night was a good night.

Yeah. That makes more sense.

As promised

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:45:00 +0000

He looks legit, right? It was an awesome costume.

And kudos to Abby for masquerading as a clogger! Great costume!!

Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:22:00 +0000

So I stole this picture from Holly. It was taken at the end of the night and we had both lost some costume pieces by this time...when I get around to it, I'll post some pictures from before the murder mystery party when we're still fully dressed.
It was a pretty fun night! SC and I both escaped from the party without being the accused murderer, although I was the antisocial, germaphobic supermodel. SC pulled off his sensitive and poetic fire-fighting character flawlessly. Fun stuff.

Word choice?

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:49:00 +0000

I got this email from BYU the other day...I wonder if this is really what they meant to say. Personally, I would have used a different word.

"Dear Students,
There has been a technical glitch in the registration of classes, which many
of you might have already experienced. We apologies for the incontinence
but want to let you know it will be fixed by tomorrow morning. Thank you for
your patience."

Mom and Dad think I should send this to Jay Leno. Maybe I will.

Our dance

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Last night Mariel and I were having fun dancing to Michael Jackson's music. Oh yes, it's all fun and games until someone's pants rip! As SC put it, my "tight pants and MJ just don't mix". How true.

The Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:26:00 +0000

Even though I only slept for about three hours last night, I decided to watch Glee before going to bed tonight. After I watched Glee I thought, I should really write a freestyle poem about that Asian man really fast. So here is my two minutes and thirty seconds poem. Don't judge it.

7:25am

Every day he stands. Arms folded, peering through thick spectacles,
Cutting through the morning gloom.
Always facing West,
Never a smile,
He waits.

It can't be your "bad karma"...

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:06:00 +0000

...because bad karma doesn't start like this.

I rest my case.

An Asian man

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:11:00 +0000

I have seen the same man waiting for the bus at 7:25 every morning since May. I really want to write a poem about him. Too bad I don't know how to write poetry.

I would also love to meet him. What is his story? Where does he go every day? Why doesn't he ever smile? He is usually standing with his arms folded and a slight glare on his face, but a few times I have seen him texting and once or twice he's been on the phone.

Who is this enigma?

The Merry Christmas Polka

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:14:00 +0000

At precisely six o'clock, the doorbell rang. My younger sisters dropped all their preparations for dinner and ran to answer the door. The arrival of Grandpa on Christmas Eve was probably the most awaited event of the year. His presence on December 24^th was a sign that the Christmas festivities could officially begin.

Although Grandpa wouldn't give us our Christmas presents until the next day, he never comes to our house empty handed. As he hands my sister a huge sack of oranges, I throw my arms around his neck and give him a Christmas hug. Grabbing his hands and pulling him out of the cold, frigid air into our warm house, my little sister shows him our Christmas Eve feast. My parents and brother join us as we make our way to the table. Now that Grandpa is here, we can eat.

Karen Carpenter serenades us as we eat, talk, and laugh together. Even after we've eaten to the point of satisfaction, no one leaves the table. For now, we're content to enjoy one another's company. After a while, we grab our scriptures and move into the living room. It's time to read the Christmas story.

Following the Christmas story, I jump onto the piano bench and start playing requests. My sisters readily comply and sing with gusto, because Santa Claus is watching. About a half hour passes before I start playing the Merry Christmas Polka. My family sings it through once, and requests that I play it again. The second time around, everyone gets up and starts dancing! After a while, my mom and I switch places on the piano bench, and my grandpa grabs my hands and pulls me into formal dance position. As we polka around the living room, the only sounds to be heard are those of music and laughter.

Immediately following the impromptu polka, my mom brings out a few brightly wrapped Christmas Eve gifts-one for each of the kids. On my sister's command, everyone starts to unwrap their gift. The wrapping paper isn't necessary-we all know that the packages contain matching pajamas. Running to our rooms, we quickly change into our new pajamas. One by one, we model them for Grandpa. After the fashion show, Grandpa announces it's time for him to leave.

After kissing Grandpa goodbye, my sisters grab their sleeping bags and set them up in my room. Gathering a bunch of snacks, we bed down for the night. My sisters speculate about possible gifts, but after a time my room grows quiet, and we have a chance to reflect on our evening. No words are exchanged, but without a doubt, we all know we will never forget the night we polkaed with Grandpa.

Kisses in the elevator and a nice fall day

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:37:00 +0000

I just love getting this babe's kisses! But he's growing up so fast...leave him for a week and he's suddenly walking everywhere he pleases! And how could you resist a face like that?

Why my grandma is the best

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:44:00 +0000

On Saturday I was at home biding my time until the super night with SC. I was in my parents room talking to them when I heard Karly yell, "Natalie! Come here for a minute!" So I opened the door and all I could see was a man. It was really disconcerting because he was just standing there and obviously it wasn't my dad, and it wasn't Nathan, so who in the world?! All these thoughts ran through my head in about .5 seconds. Then I shakily looked up to meet the man's eyes and...well, it was Edward Cullen. Best surprise of my life! No, just kidding I was honestly so scared.

We all laughed about my reaction for awhile and then I had to inquire where we got such a delight. "Well, I came home from school one day and he was standing on the porch." Karly said. "Also, Erica found Jacob Black in her bedroom...pretty sure Grandma gave these to us."

My grandma is hilarious! And also my grandpa and my grandma both love Twilight.

Some more awkward

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:27:00 +0000

So, I know I'm an awkward person, and I love this about myself because "I personally believe" that I am hilarious in all of my awkward wonder. I love to recall awkward things, also, in case you haven't noticed. Anyway, these next two situations are kind of obscure so I want to write them down so I never forget!

Once, right after we very first met, I was on the phone with Mike (let me quickly clarify that he is probably the funniest person I've ever met. So clearly I laughed a lot when I was with him). He was telling me to meet him somewhere and he was giving me directions by saying "walk in the direction of the rising sun". It was really funny, but I had just been to the dentist. Laughing gas has a very profound effect on me. As soon as he told me to walk toward the sun, I started laughing and could not stop. The longer I laughed, the harder I laughed. It was really weird.

The second memory also has to do with Mike. One day we were talking on Skype, and Abby wanted to say hi to him. She thought she'd just poke her head into the picture, but when she tried, unfortunately all that Mike could see was the inside of her nose.

While I'm at it, I would like to give my compliments to the jacket I am wearing in that picture. First, I accidentally washed it with my new jeans. It went from bright white to light blue. Then I wore it to the festival of colors (pictured) and it turned pinkish reddish Holi-ish colors. So I bleached it. It turned light gray. But...I am wearing it now and it is white! It looks like it did before I ruined it! I don't know if my mom bleached it again or something, but kudos, jacket, for being such a trooper.

I resolve

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:49:00 +0000

Well, this may be insignificant to the majority of my "Faithful Fifteen" readers (as I have taken to calling you) but I thought I would offer a resolution for some drama I have alluded to in previous posts.

Last Thursday Holly and I decided to go see Hannah and Noelle's instrumental showcase (which was great!). Holly and I had a fun reunion between the HFAC and the WILK and then we headed toward the Wilkinson so I could buy an apple from the good old bookstore. As we walked toward the wilk we saw Hannah exiting the big double doors. "HANNAH!" we exclaimed, but that's as far as I got because then I realized who was right behind Hannah. None other than Thaynius.

I ran up the two stairs to Thayne (he later told me he thought I was coming to hug him) but then I started to beat him.

Me: I am so MAD at you!
T: What is going on?!
Me: Why won't you return my texts? What in the world? I don't know what I've done to offend you but it makes me really sad! I even had a dream we made up! Why wont' you return my texts?!
T: I've been in the library!
Me: For THREE DAYS?
T: No, really I was just thinking that I really needed to text you.
Me: But...what did I do? What's wrong?
T: Nothing is wrong...I just thought I should let things cool down.
Me: Oh, and you thought how you acted on Sunday was a good way to "let things cool down"?
T: No, I was kidding! I thought you knew that...I thought you would pretend to be mad and leave and then come right back...but you never came back.
Me: Thayne, remember?...sometimes you have to be the one to follow.

Anyway we made up just like in my dream and it made me happy to have resolved something that was bugging me so bad. That's all.

Sunday night visiting

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Yesterday after ward prayer Erin mentioned she was going to visit Mountainwood, and would I like to come? Of course I said yes! So we hopped in her car and drove the short distance. When we arrived at Mountainwood, there were no parking spots, so Erin parked in the Moby Dick house lot, saying confidently, "Cookie won't tow me!"

Erin went to visit her friends and I called Alice. We had a very joyful reunion in the parking lot, then we went to the apartment, did the dishes, and talked. It was wonderful! I love talking to Alice because 1. She speaks English and 2. I can be completely honest and open and she understands! I miss talking with Alice, and I miss standing on the balcony yelling peoples names. I also miss having a normal relationship with Thayne. After we did the dishes we decided to go visit the girls in 208 because we could hear they were doing karaoke.

Alice threw open the door to apartment 208 and exclaimed, "Look! It's Natalie!" But as the door swung open, it revealed Thayne sitting on the couch. As soon as he saw me both our faces turned red and he exclaimed, "Oh, shoot! Um...I have to go!" To which I replied, "No, don't worry about it. We'll go." So apparently we can't even be in the same room anymore.

We went back to 214 and started making an alphabet list-we love doing this. The letter J consistently wins, by far. We talked some more, but it was getting late so eventually Erin and I left.

As we walked down the stairs, we saw a tow truck enter the parking lot. This is the conversation that took place.

Erin: Alice! There's a tow truck! Warn the people!!
Alice: I don't know anyone! I don't know whose car it is!
Me: Erin, that's OUR CAR!!
Erin: NO!!!
Alice: RUN!
Erin: I CAN'T! MY ANKLE IS SPRAINED! NATALIE, GO!
Me: I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Erin: TAKE MY KEYS! GET THE CAR!

So Erin gave me her keys and I started running to Moby Dick. The tow truck was backing up and lowering the thing to take the car away, so I did some crazy ducking move to get between the truck and the fence, ran to the car ("ERIN! ARE YOU FROM WISCONSIN?!) and tried frantically to open the door.

At this point, the tow truck driver realized his evil plans had been thwarted so he just drove away. It was way funny. And perfect timing.

I am reminded of something funny

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:50:00 +0000

So back in the summer of 2004 my sisters and I were in Oklahoma! at the Shell. We had a great cast...the boy with the perfect color of red hair was even there! Anyway, we had fun. One of the stage managers was this girl, and I can't recall her name exactly but I think it may have been Rebecca, and she was down syndrome. Her biggest annoyance was that our cast was loud backstage. Every night in our traditional cast meeting circle she would say, "You guys need to be quiet backstage or I will give you a power-house slug!"

This continued night after night, until finally one night my grandpa said, "Hey! There will be no power-house slugs going on!"

Rebecca, as we'll call her, thought for a moment and then replied, "Fine....then I'll slit your throat!"

Needless to say, we were quiet after that.

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Grandpa always talked about getting a red convertible....so we thought it would be exciting, for his 80th birthday celebration, to commandeer a red convertible so that he could arrive in style. Grandpa thought it was fun, but even so...he preferred his own car. Watch the video.

Me: How does it feel, Grandpa?!
Grandpa: How does it feel?....you really want to know?

Another gem, in my opinion

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:25:00 +0000

"If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend even than Father to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust him, the nearer you will feel to him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."

Name this movie

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:58:00 +0000

"You may, for a little while, have pain in this...but it will pass. And you will dismiss the recollection of it gladly, as an unprofitable dream from which it happened well that you awoke. Be happy in the life you have chosen."

TMI

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:27:00 +0000

So last night I was reading through my journal which documents the past year and a half and it was really interesting to see how I have changed and grown. But there were a few lines I wrote in all seriousness that crack me up reading them in retrospect. I don't know if it's simply because of the perspective I've gained or if it's just because I'm crazy, but...I was surprised at the weird stuff I've said. I will share a few examples. Please, understand that these example are not what my whole journal sounds like. Sometimes I say things that make sense and are very dear to my heart.

1. I don't know if the intent of the email was "sorry I kissed you-I shouldn't have because I don't like you" or "sorry I've been stupid lately-don't 'forget about me".

2. PS: Today I scooped ice cream and sold Scope to Elder Groberg and his wife. It was cool.

3. I can't believe I'm feeling this way. Alice says it's something in the air...it does stuff to people.

4. Today John broke up with me in the middle of the Cougareat. It was awkward...obviously.

And the last quote isn't by me, it's by Gideon...but I sure did tape it into my journal. I wish you could see his awesome handwriting, but you'll have to imagine it.

5. "Have fun in the journey. Make friends, build and strengthen these friendships. Along the way, you'll find that one of these friends means more to you, and that you are inseparable from him. This "glue" comes from the journey, not by packing shoe goo on every date."