I Got Tagged

So, My Aunt Karen tagged me, so here are 7 random/weird things about me.
1.) When ever I eat Skittles, M&M's and such, I have to sort them by color, then amount.
2.) I enjoy reading, I can't put a book down until it is finished....I don't eat, drink, or do anything pretty much until the book is done.
3.) I love being creative, but I don't have much time to do crafts and things. I love making blankets the most. I would like to learn how to quilt, but I don't have much time.
4.) I love baking things. I wish that I had my own place with my own utensils and such so that I can do it more.
5.) I love the news. I check news websites daily, probably 3 or 4 sources. Let's just say that I like to be informed!
6.) I love watching sports. I love watching Sports Center and listening to local sports radio shows.
7.) I am completely musically challenged. I am super tone deaf and I can't hold a beat if my life depended it!

So, I guess I'm supposed to tag people, but I won't. If you feel like doing this, then have fun!

The Ray LaMontagne Concert

I went to the Ray LaMontagne Concert on Tuesday with Derek and his family. It was awesome. For those of you who don't know who he is, he is kind of an underground(unknown) folk type singer. He is really good and I love listening to his voice. He is a wonderful singer/songwriter, and he just released a new album called "Gossip in the Grain." I'll post a YouTube video, but you should check out his music on either FaceBook or on Myspace, because he kicks butt!

This is him performing "You Are The Best Thing" from his new album. It's not really a video, so just take a listen to it.




This is him performing "Forever My Friend" from his 1st album 'Trouble."

Halloween Festivities

Derek and I are not really into holidays and such, but I try to do something for each major one to help us get into the spirit. So, every Halloween, I make him carve pumpkins with me. We usually do 2 each, but Derek is awesome at carving and does the harder ones that take a lot of time, so now he just does 1. This year, we went a little political with our pumpkins, so don't be offended if our views are different from yours. Derek did the George Bush "Worst President" pumpkin. It honestly took him about 4+ hours to do. I did the Obama 2008 pumpkin as well as the University of Utah "U" (I have to show my school spirit)!

The Praxis

So, it's been a while since I have last blogged, but I have been really busy lately, and since last week was fall break, I didn't have time to update my blog at school like I usually do.
The past weeks have been pretty chaotic with tests and papers to turn in, but good news, I did well on all of them!
Last week I spent my fall break studying for the Praxis Exam, which is a huge test that has 3 parts (reading, writing, and math) that you have to take in order to apply for admission into the education department.
This test is a pretty serious test, it costs $130 to take and the score you get is part of determining whether or not you get admitted. So, naturally I was freaking out! I had a lot of people tell me that it's super easy, and then I had some that told me that they have taken it several times, and still haven't passed it. So, after spending my fall break studying for it, I went in and spent almost 4 hours taking all three parts without taking a break. The good thing was, was that it was a computer based test, so I got some of my results that day. I scored a 172 on the math, which is on the second tear of scoring, so I consider it at about a B average, and I scored 180 on the reading, which is on the top tier, so I think that it is about an A or A- average. I didn't get the writing score back because they actually have to read it and assess myg skills, but overall, I feel pretty confident in the results.
Next up is writing my entrance essay, getting a background check, and getting 3 letters of recommendation.

Weekend at the Cabin

I spent last weekend at Derek's cabin, and can I just say that it was really cold! We headed up on Friday night and spent the weekend inside the cabin, because it rained pretty much the whole time! We did go out so that the dog's could go to the bathroom, and of course get burr's stuck to them. The great thing about Sumo is that they just fall of off him, so I don't have to brush him every 5 minutes to get the burr's out.
Sumo was pretty funny on this trip, he kind of reminded me of a monkey. Derek's dog Tucker who is a Keeshond, has really poofy hair and it is a magnet for the burr's. Sumo was so cute, and he would go sit next to Tucker and pull the burr's out of his hair for him! We were all shocked that not only did Tucker let him do it, but that he knew how to pull them out with his teeth without hurting him.

On Sunday, there was a break in the rain, so we decided to head to the lake. The roads were really muddy, but the lake was gorgeous.
It was definitely a great trip, I wish I was going again soon, but I guess I'll have to wait until next spring to go.
Below are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. I took them with my Nikon Cool Pix point and shoot, and I didn't have a change to Photoshop them yet, but they are still pretty cool...

Pretty Funny

My friend, Kim, sent me this and I honestly thought it was hilarious!

After watching Palin at the debate last night, I can't help but laugh, because this is so true!

Water Aerobics

So, recently I took up going to a water aerobics class. I have been unhappy with my weight for some time now, so I decided to be proactive and try something new. Running and working out on treadmills and ellipticals is very unmotivating for me, and I am not coordinated enough to take a kickboxing class or a regular aerobics class, so I thought that I would try doing the water aerobics thing. I know that it has the stereotype of being for older people, but I have noticed a lot of people my age taking it up.
I started doing it about a month ago and I find it really motivating, and it definately kicks your butt, plus nobody can tell how uncoordinated you are underwater! Derek thinks that I am funny because after I get done and head to his house I'm super happy and excited. He's really proud of me for sticking to a schedule and actually trying hard to be healthy, and honestly, I'm proud of myself for keeping it up. I have a really short attention span, so if I'm not interested, I just quit!
I started off going by myself to the Murray Rec. Center, because it was close to my work ,but I decided to switch and go to Gene Fullmer because it is closer to Derek's house and because the class are at better times and work well for my schedule. I even got some old friend's from the old neighborhood going with me. It's been great catching up with them while getting a great work out!
If anybody is interesting in going, I go to the 7:30 class on Monday, Tuesday's, and if I don't have too much homework, I go on Wednesdays.

Studying Does Pay Off!

It has definitely been a chaotic week, not only at school, but at work as well. This week, not only did I have a 6 page term paper due, but I also had 2 huge tests. Ahh, gotta love stress! The good news is, I took the advice from my previous Procrastination is Bad post, and I actually studied a head of time, and I finished my paper on Monday, when it was due today. The tests that I took were fairly easy, and I think that I probably got an A or B on both of them. There is nothing like the sense of relief when you get the first round of tests and projects completed!