And Runnin' Runnin'

On Saturday John and I volunteered for the annual El Segundo Run for Education. It's a 5K race around town and we were in charge of traffic control on part of the course. Not only did we get awesome yellow shirts that say VOLUNTEER on the back but we also had a great spot to do some people watching. Most of the participants came ready to run. They had their running shoes, a t-shirt, some sort of comfortable short, and an Ipod. Then there were the few who didn't get the memo. Some of my personal favorites include...

• The gentleman running in khaki shorts and a polo. It looked like he had been walking down Main St. and saw all these people running and thought why not join them?



• The teenage girl in her All*Stars, leggings, lace bottom tank top, and coordinating shirt strolling with a large purse on her shoulder. I guess you should accessorize every outfit.



• And then of course the woman who carried her small vanity dog the whole way. I don't think that's what they mean when thy say to walk your dog.

A Long Awaited Announcement

I GOT A NEW JOB!! I'm on a genetic research team at UCLA's Institute for Neuroscience Science and Human Behavior. Doesn't that sound fancy? My job title is research assistant/interpreter. I'm so excited to be working on this project, it's such a wonderful opportunity and the team is fantastic! Another great thing about it is it's a part time position with full time benefits not to mention it's much closer to home than my current full time job. The project ends in August of 2009 which is perfect timing because John graduates in May of 09! I don't mind working at all in fact I think I will always work a little here or there interpreting and teaching but I do look forward to the day when I no longer have to work full time and be the bread winner.

I'm not quitting Sorenson but going part time there as well. I will still teach at El Camino College too. So I will basically be working three part time jobs, I'll make the same amount of money but work a few hours less-good deal if you ask me.

Ever since we moved back to CA I've been looking, applying, and praying for jobs. Promising opportunities would come up and for one reason or another it didn't work out, the position was too far away (like Sacramento) or it didn't offer benefits yadda yadda yadda. With every prayer I would get a strong feeling that everything would work out. After a year and a half of praying and fasting that I would find a new job I started getting disappointed and frustrated. I felt like my prayers weren't' being heard. And then this came along. I'm reminded of the Garth Brooks song Unanswered Prayers. The chorus goes like this...

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talking to the man upstairs
And just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Heavenly Father really does know what's best for me and though I was discouraged that all of the other jobs didn't work out I am now grateful because this one is perfect in so many ways. Ever since I found out I got it I've been saying prayers all the time thanking Heavenly Father and reminding myself how important it is to be faithful and steadfast in all that we do and to trust the Lord because he is omnipotent and in being so knows my needs and wants. We are truly blessed.

OKINET

Common errors in the English language...

All intensive purposes-wrong
For all intents and purposes- right

I could care less -wrong
I couldn't care less - right
When I hear people say I could care less the brat inside of me wants to respond, "Ok, then care less"


Don't worry I too have been a victim of hear say (hear something then saying it)

When I was growing up we had this piece of furniture called an OKINET (pronounced o key net). You know that big wood thing that holds the TV/stereo/videos/the basket with the flower arrangement courtesy of homemaking/a picture of two? Yeah that thing. So about a year and a half ago I suggested to John that we buy a new okinet. the convo went something like this...

L: I think we should get a new okinet
J: A what?
L: An okinet.
J: What is an okinet?
L: You know...like an entertainment center, an okinet.
J: I've never heard of an okinet before?
L: My family has an okinet.
J: Is it maybe an oak unit?
L: Hmmm, that probably makes more sense seeing as how it is a unit made of oak.

My mom had been saying OAK UNIT all this time while I was hearing okinet.

Yes I went through 24 years of my life referring to entertainment centers as okinets. My family is still laughing at me.

a picture of our okinet taken during Thanksgiving

Weekend Trip

We had a great time in AZ. We left Thursday night and came back yesterday-too short! While we there we.....

Met this little guy.

Simon Castelton Curtis

He is so precious! I loved every minute with him...oh yeah, his parents were there too-they're alright I guess;)

John, Kevin, Sarah (who looks amazing for just having a baby BTW), and Simey

John looks like he's posing-he's not however he is very handsome.

John and Simon bar-jonas

It's no secret that John is not a baby enthusiast. Give them a few months when they're a little more interactive and he's all about them. He does have some valid points-

1. Babies look like tiny wrinkly old men when they're first born
2. They are kinda boring in the beginning all they do is eat, sleep, and poop
3. See #1 & #2

He did however warm up to Simon (some encouraging was required) he actually held Simon because HE wanted to, was able to pick him up out of the swing, was able to hold him in more than one position, AND walked/stood up while holding him. He liked it all so much he thought he'd give nursing a try...

Don't worry Simon is not under there. My husband is so good at hiding his hooters. (That's the name of that contraption, I'm not trying to be offensive)

John, Kirk (who carpooled with us), David, & Kevin

The boys went to a spring training game and had a blast apparently many touchdowns were scored or was it baskets. (that was straight from John and Kevin's mouths, we all know that I have more sports knowledge in my pinky than the two of them. but hey, it was about the company not the activity) Meanwhile I did this....

Please forgive the scary eyes.

Again I loved, loved, loved doting on sweet Simon and I'm thinking I'd like one of my own, I'm going to look into the details of it all. It was great seeing Sarah and Kevin and David and Kirk and John too:)

Easy on the Eyes

I am a LOST fan.
I think he is dreamy...

I'm waiting for the twist in the plot when we find out the this guy (who I also think is dreamy) is Jack's real dad...

Beautiful, simply beautiful. Do you think they look alike?

My New Obsession

After neglecting my blog this week I have forced myself to update you all with what we've been up to.

Here my current obsession...

I am loving hot chocolate with this Torani's sugar free caramel flavoring! It is soothing to my sore throat and is a highlight of my evening!

Wednesday night we had a missionary activity for mutual. A few members of the ward came in and talked about their mission, John was one of the presenters and he did a great job! He wore his MC Hammer pants hoping to score some cool points with the youth, OK so there really some traditional garb from southern Brazil, although the young women were loving the leather boots. It was a great activity and I think the youth enjoyed it.

On Saturday I went to a birthday party for this cutie patootie...

This is my friend Shannon's son Mateo. I can not believe he is one! I remember holding him in the hospital when he was born and that was like 5 months ago-or so I thought. Happy b-day Teo!

Now for an update on a goal I've set for myself about 10 thousand times...to stop biting my nails. I've bitten my nails ever since I was little. I've always had to keep short for water polo so instead of wasting time to get the nail clippers from their little bag in the drawer under all the other crap at the end of the hall it was easier to bite them. However biting caused many a hang nail or rough edge that would get caught on things-so annoying. So a few weeks ago I recommitted myself and decided to do it. My reward for letting them grow out would be a manicure. I am proud to report that it has been almost a month since I've chomped away at my fingers! 21 days to break a habit right?

blurry picture of my smooth edged nails!

Where Have All the Girl Scouts Gone?

the ultimate cookie

Q: How is it that girl scout cookie season has arrived and I am without my beloved Samoas. Hello I've been to the grocery store, so, where are you little brownies?

Oh wait, maybe it's because by the time I get to the grocery store it's 10 o'clock on Saturday night. I'm just saying if there are girl scouts out there I am committed to buying at least 2 boxes of Samoas and a box of Tag-a-longs (for John).

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post script: Shout out to my mom who hooked me up with a box of Samoas last night. Ask and ye shall receive!