Wax Museum

Today is the day 5th graders dress up as a famous American.  They stand out in the hall all afternoon and for an hour in the evening.  When their home-made button is pushed, they come to life and tell you, in first person, about their famous American. 

I loved listening to each individual student and their memorized speech.  They always take it way too far (and usually it's the parents that are more intense about it...but that makes it a bigger deal which makes it way cooler.)

One kid brought in a Taboo buzzer.  He put it in his desk, went to the restroom, came back, and it wasn't in his desk anymore.  I asked around, no one fessed.  I had a kid come up to me, privately, saying he thought he heard a buzzing.  "It could have been a bee though, or someone's phone vibrating or something..."  Very helpful, thank you.
So after tears, mom coming down to the school, and a visit from the principal giving my class a talk about stealing, we found it.  In his desk. 

As an aside, I'd like to say I am sensitive.  But I strive to be as reasonable as possible, especially when my kids cry.  I try to make whatever they are crying about not a big deal so they stop crying. 

So that kicked off today's theme: It was all about the buttons.  It took an hour to make the coolest button, complete with springing paper affixed between two shapes and a message that says "push me."  You had the constant "buzz" from the taboo buzzer, the 1st and 2nd graders running up and down the rows of fifth graders, pushing their buttons, and of course the tattle tellers: "Colton says 'you suck' whenever someone pushes his button!"

We're doing things a little differently in our ward.

I was released from Music a week ago.  Here is my favorite memory.

I was the chorister for sacrament meeting, and the opening hymn was "How Firm a Foundation"
After singing it, we had ward business, etc.
Then the bishopric member that was conducing stands up to tell us the next hymn for the sacrament.
"We're going to do the sacrament a little differently today.  We will prepare for the sacrament by singing hymn number 85, "How Firm a Foundation."

Maybe you had to be there. But it was pretty awkward.  So I stood up and pointed to the display and we sang a sacrament hymn.

My nephew is adorable

"How come grampa jabs food in his mouth and chews it so fast making this sound (Makes loud chomping sound)"

I laugh

"How COME?!"

(pictured left)

This spelling test won

Nature

One thing I don't do enough is observe.
Mostly in nature.
Today I was just driving slowly down a residential road.  Obviously en route home.  I like to take the back way because there is less to deal with.  Less traffic.  Less traffic lights.  Less people.
I like to look up at the tall trees lining the roads and specifically notice the gradual change on a single tree...from green to vibrant oranges, light yellows, or bold reds.

And that is what I feel is lacking when I go to a large city.  There is nature there, but not enough to really notice.  There are some exceptions, but you know what I mean.
Being indoors and with winter coming up...I'm really trying to soak all the beauty in.  Snow is beautiful, but it overstays its welcome...
I find it interesting that we feel closest to God when we are surrounded by His creations.   How often I overlook them and take for granted those opportunities to feel peace.

I am a believer of Abnormal J's

During silent reading time, a student (male) walks up to me with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Miss Shumway I just noticed something.  All the J's in the room are not normal.  They are all cursive or written in a weird way or something like that.  I just was looking around at all the J's and that is what I noticed."

The thought going through my mind was: "I can relate.  I would do the same thing with the letter H... But why J?  Your name doesn't even start with J, why do you care about J?"

Oh, I know.  You sit next to Josie.  Remember your elementary school crushes?

High Heels according to a fifth grade boy

"High heels look really fun.  They have this thing that comes down from the bottom of the shoe with this pad on the bottom and they could be used for like...stilts."

Kina Grannis

Naps

I don't usually share my soul through poetry, so consider this a treat...or a trick

naps are good
naps are great
specially during
my fall break

Ok now I'm wondering why humans don't hibernate?  

Swiss Dias

I saw this painted tin art at Swiss Days in Midway over Labor Day weekend.  I haven't stopped thinking about it since.  I got some great frames, earrings, stickers for nails (tat-toes.) All these things didn't cost very much and so I felt justified in indulging myself.  But not the painted tin. 

Go to this website and check out their stuff.  Let me know if you are breaking the commandment of coveting like me.  So I can have your company with my misery.  Or give me thousands of dollars.

(Um...seriously click on those links up at the top, I LOVE MY EARRINGS and FRAMES and those stickers stayed on for FIVE WEEKS on my toe nails.)

Pinterest

I refuse to join.  It seems like a bad idea.  Maybe when school is out next summer.

I admit I went on the site just barely to get this link.

Another couple reasons why my job is the best

When I walk by a line of second graders and hear one of them whisper excitedly: "She's the BEST!"

And then coming in from lunch and finding this note on my desk (typed just as she wrote it):

Dear Mis. Shumway
You are a great teacher the best the kids that get you next year will be really lucky.
You understand every thing, likes, dislikes, reading, Math, and thinking.
You can help any Student in the hole world.
You rock have a good school year.
Love your very happy Student
P.S. I loved eating lunch with you
(I let my kids eat lunch with me when their table wins most points)

Isn't that adorable? I literally felt like warm soft cotton fill my heart.

My nephew, after meeting a date

8 years old, wise beyond his years.
He met a guy I went on a couple dates with, and I asked him what he thought and if he had any advice. Just to see what he would say. Here's some snippets of a beautiful conversation:

• "He probably really likes you because he asked you out."
• "You should maybe ask him on a date next so he knows you like him."
• "You guys will probably get married next summer."
• "If you want it to work out, don't fight while you are dating. If you fight while you are dating, it probably won't last."
• "If you want to stay married, don't fight for at least the first year. After the first year it's ok."

The FLUSHER!!!!!!

Once the principal announced my name, dozens of kids ran to line up. They wanted to throw the ball that hit the target that got me soaking. I wore a swim cap and goggles...so glad that I did.

The best part of it all was that I loved it. I liked acting scared, egging the kids on, teasing them, and letting them push it if they missed. (only if they had been or were my students though :)

OK that's not me in this picture, it's my principal that borrowed my swim cap. Same dif.

This morning

I added two halloween oreos to my protein shake.

Blue Planet

So I uploaded a bunch of Blue Planet vids to my laptop...and I decided tonight that whenever I can't sleep I'll watch them.

Well I just watched the "Amazon Abyss." Like I feel like going to sleep now. Heck NO! Sweet little nightmarluby. (like lullaby but nightmarelaby?)

The last clip was of a bunch of Paranas devouring a large dead fish they put down in the water. So awesomely disturbing. Maybe that one was the worst of all the Blue Planets.

Sundance Harvest

Today my mommy, aunt, and cousins Al & Court went to the Sundance Harvest Market. The Market was o.k. and the only reason why I didn't hate it was because they had owls, mini owls, and hawks there! So beautiful to observe. Last but not least, the lift was AMAZING!

mmmm cozy wozy

so fresh and free

I am suffering

from a mild concussion.

The worst part of it is how it happened. My co-workers joke that it sounds just like a story a fifth grader would tell.



I was playing in my friend's back yard. We were playing a spinning game we like to call "teacups"
She dared me to go over her footbridge playing teacups. So I did and she followed, spinning across the river. I was spinning slowly but decided to go a bit faster, seeing I was about over. Well I flew toward the river, hit my head on a rock, my heel on another, and splash. My bottom half was soaked and my head had hot liquid coming out. I didn't black out or anything, but driving the next day and the random tears show that I probably should just take it easy. I'm glad I didn't bite off my tongue or die or anything.

New York tastes good.

We did a bunch of other fun stuff that I look back on and really enjoy. But my favorite things were pretty basic. Like just walking around Central Park and the city. Oh and eating. I took a picture of everything I ate. Here are my favorites. Now you just have to go to New York and try them!

Breakfast

raspberry crumble muffin from Magnolia Bakery


Eggs Flourentine from Norma's. Those are widdle potatoes. Aren't they adorable?

Chocolate Decadence French Toast from Norma's
Alex Guarnaschelli is in chocoholic heaven at Norma's at Le Parker Meridien in New York, NY, with the Chocolate Decadence French Toast, on the best thing I ever ate.



Pizza

Margarita from Grimaldi's. The best pizza in the world in my humble opinion.


White Pizza from Grimaldi's, the best pizza I've ever had...tied with the above.


Margarita from Lombardi's, the father of pizza in NYC


Boba


Sammiches

Pastrami "Reuben" at Katz's Deli...meat was a bit dry but the experience of going after seeing it on tv was fantastic. The "pastrami reverand" that was on emeril loved me.


Cheese sandwich from E.A.T. Cafe. Best "cheesy" thing Barefoot Contessa has ever ate.


Dessert

Crack Pie from Momofuku milk bar. Addicting? Yes. I get weekly shipments. jk but I should.


Pastries


Red Velvet Cake from Cake Man Raven. Best red velvet in the world...other than my mom's.


More pastries. Ferrara Bakery.
Ferrara Bakery in New York, NY is a favorite of Alex Guarnaschelli on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.


I am proud to say I gained 10 pounds within that 5 day period. And I've lost 7 since. I'll keep the existing 3 as a souvenir.

I am going to New York

In 9 DAYS!!! For the first time in my whole life!

for a period of 4.5 days.

Any recommendations for (listed in order of importance) restaurants, tourist sights, art museums, and shopping? Please comment or email! Thank ya.

Science Teachers + Me = Disaster Series

Humans that I've encountered that are my teachers in any science usually don't like me. I have always really enjoyed science. Yet I am always confused at my grades...they don't match up. I think I know why. Let's take a walk through memory lane, shall we?:

5th Grade Science. Mr. Jacobs. We had an actual science teacher. It's not like today where a cute, nice teacher like myself teaches my children nearly all subjects. This man had hair growing out his ears. I remember a look he had, saved especially for me. A look that said, in essence, "Who the H are you? Why do you think that way? You are an alien."

7th and 8th Grade Science. Mr Barker. I pity the man after I was finished with him. I argued with him, even when I reached the point that I knew he was right. I did my own experiments, not necessarily assigned. Some of which got me detention. Like sliming glue all over my left hand, letting it dry, and peeling it off ever so carefully. What a cool sensation. And an excellent mold of the crevices of my hand. He didn't think so.

10th Grade. Mr. Belnap. The girl next to me kept making comments about "chemistry" that had nothing to do with science. She was kind of ditsy and hoey. So obviously my male teacher teased her and I lived under her shadow all year. Thank you, ditsy hoe.

11th Grade. Oh yes. Chemistry with Mr. Shelton. He was definitely my favorite. This was a special year, because I wasn't the one the teacher hated. He acted like he hated everyone. Which was so entertaining and I hope to aspire to such a reputation. If you sneezed or coughed, he would say "Shhhhh" and "Shut up." If you asked a question, he would leave a long pause after, so you felt the humiliation of your dumbness. Other kids would laugh to ease the tension. He would move on with his lecture and a straight face without any verbal reinforcement.

But he was special because we knew he loved us and that was his humor. And that made him one of my favorite teachers of all time. It didn't help my grade, but the C- is definitely one of my fondest grades.

College teachers don't count because they don't have time to care about any single student. And elementary education science...well that was impossible to not love.

But right now. This week. I am at a science training up north all week. And of course, of all the teachers training with me, the teacher/professor picks on ME most of all.

He calls me different names to spite me

He will not tell me if I am right or wrong

He makes fun of anywhere south of Salt Lake (he's an idiot)

I actually made a list of things I don't want to do in my own class because he makes me feel like an evil, misbehaved kid. I don't get this from any other teacher! OK I can think of TWO others. But always in science.

So I just read books during his lectures. Luckily we meet in a school library, so I started the Fablehaven series. I love love love it. Already on the 2nd book.

Harry Potter Countdown

I decided to do something drastic. And I am so glad I decided to make that decision.

I am having/have had a Harry Potter marathon, one move a night, for seven nights, until the final film comes out!

I may or may not have taken the projector I had in my classroom and used it to watch HP in my back yard on a nice big screen. It is so much cooler to watch HP outside.

Let's share the recipes I used!

Butter Beer

The first night I had cream-soda floats (vanilla ice-cream and cream soda) then you mix in butterscotch topping. Then I made something from scratch which peeps seemed to enjoy as well:

What you need:

1 cup light or dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons water

6 tablespoons butter

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cider vinegar

¾ cup heavy cream, divided

Four 12-ounce bottles cream soda

Make it: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until the mixture reads 240 F on a candy thermometer. Stir in the butter, salt, vinegar and ¼ heavy cream. Set aside to cool to room temperature. In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar mixture and the remaining ½ cup of heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped, about 2 to 3 minutes.

To serve, divide the brown sugar mixture between 4 tall glasses (about ¼ cup for each glass). Add ¼ cup of cream soda to each glass, then stir to combine. Fill each glass nearly to the top with additional cream soda, then spoon the whipped topping over each. — By Heather Witherspoon, McClatchy Newspapers

After a few nights of Butterbeer, I thought I'd try making Pumpkin Juice! In Harry Potter world, it is served in a bottle with the ingredients listed. I thought it was repulsive to be honest with you. Too strong! The spices were overpowering my pumpkin pumpkin! But I remember the first ingredient was apple juice, so I bought a gallon of that, mixed in a half can of pumpkin pie filling, added a heaping teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and mixed it all together with a beater. I am off sugar so I never tasted it, but the guests said it was good! I'll take their word for it.

I also had:

• Licorice Wands (strawberry twizzlers)
• Chocolate frog kisses (hershey kisses)
• Every-flavor beans (jelly beans...the real ones are costly)

My mom showed me this blog and it blew me away. And I thought I was being creative!

I get to see HP7 part 2 at 6pm tomorrow! Before even you eastern time peeps! I am so excited. But sad that it's the last.

Happy 400th Post!!!

If you have read all 400 posts, I have a gift for you!!!

Funny thing I like to think about when I am driving

One time, Gina got a new car. And on the visor it had a note talking about the airbags and warnings that go along with them, etc. She pointed to the visor. "So cool. There is an airbag in there."

Summertime and the livin is easyyy

I don't work during the summer because I'm a teacher.

The past few summers...I wasn't a teacher, but getting a summer job is next to impossible. I always convince myself that I can get one, but I can never lie when the employer asks what my plans are for fall. I tried lying once but I felt so guilty. And I didn't get the job anyway.

So instead of attempting something I know I will fail at, I took on some random projects.

Project #1 transform my parents yard into a beautiful haven where I may one day have my wedding reception.

I told the above to my neighbor, including the last part. She waited excitedly. Then prompted, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Yes. Here it is: I am a delusional 24 year-old living with my parents, planning my reception before I even begin to seriously date someone. At least that is what her face said. I think it's better this way though. For instance, what if I was dating a dude and gardening and thinking of my reception with him in it? And it didn't work out? Awkward. And tragic. Onto the next project!

Project #2 Tending my nieces. My brother and his wife just had a 4th babe girl. I offered to take the oldest three off their hands whenevs. So that's what I do. I want to get a 7 peaks pass and just take them there every time. They have passes too. 7 peaks is so fun. It's like Disneyland because no matter how old you are, it's a blast.

Project #3 Go to my school at least weekly and work on more projects. Like planning better lessons. I have an impeccable (I just had to look up that word) talent for winging it. I can really tell a difference from getting the job so close to the school year last year and getting a whole summer to plan for this coming school year. These kids better be worth it. JK. But kind of.

Project #4 Organize my music and delete songs I always skip. This is actually really monotonous. I have 41 gigs of music and my iPod is 32 gigs. Plus movies. Hard to sift through. Can anyone relate? Some of this music hasn't even been heard by my ears.

Project #5 Not eat food that is bad.

Project #6 Have lots of parties and events. I want to go to Lagoon. and hike Timp. and of course Harry Potter. My ex-boyfriend asked me to go with him to the midnight showing way back on my birthday. Best birthday gift idea if you can't think of upcoming bday gifts.

There you have it. Six Summer S... can't think of an S word. Other than the swear word.

On the last day of School

I sang this song with my guitar to my dear children.



They sang along and we all got a little emotional. I hope they don't let anyone tell them they can't do what they want to. I miss them so much!

Attempted Pup Murder

There's a dog in my neighborhood. Looks like this one. It has instinctively killed fourteen chickens and laid them in a row without a feather lost. Kind to humans and children, we thought it could make friends with our little shih tzu pup, Dash.

Here he is with his pretty-boy friends:



And that German Shorthair did accept Dash as his friend. In his own way. Luckily he didn't kill dash like it looked like he was doing. If he wanted to, he could have crushed Dasher's ribs with one false munch. And luckily I was there to pull Dash out of what seemed to be murder. As I dove to capture the fleeing pup, I broke my toe. Dash was unharmed and has a positive attitude about his new friend.

Was my broken toe worth saving my pup? yes.
Does my toe hurt? Indeed.
Does school end in exactly 3 days from this moment? HECK YEAH!!!!

And I thought it was going to be just another Friday...

My kids threw me a surprise dance party when I came into the classroom from lunch. I have the most amazing class in the universe. I was genuinely surprised! How great is that?






they even dressed Bellatrix, our bearded dragon, for the occasion.

Doc Camera

If I were a hair stylist, this would be like the invention of a comb. If I were a doctor, this would be like bringing in anesthetics. If I were an olympian this would be my gold medal.



I just put a piece of paper under there and the kids see a giant monster of an image. I put an object under there that I don't want to pass around, BAM, it's on the wall enlarged for all to enjoy simultaneously.

I love my doc cam more than I love my students.

hiiiiiiii

Hi.

Sorry I haven't posted for a while and all you have to look at is the vomit post.

I just have a pretty ordinary life lately and when something cool happens I just share it with people instead of write about it. And when you blog about something you've shared to people that read your blog, there's no point. That's the issue here, repeated sharing. No one likes to be friends with that person that constantly shares the stories to so many people that you have heard it multiple times. And you thought you were the special one, and that they only told it to you!

I still live with my parents. People may wonder if I ever get out or if I just get out with my parents. The answer is: both. For instance, tonight. My parents invited me to go to dinner and a movie with them and my aunt and uncle. Sometimes I accept, sometimes I have something else going on. Tonight, I have other plans. I am going with a group of buddies to DI to get disco clothing and then to classic skating. It will be really fun to just dress up and let go!

At this time of the school year, I realized that I had sick days and vacation days that I haven't used: a total of 5 days! So I am planning two trips. One to San Diego, and one to Florida. In two weeks I'm off to Orlando where I will be united with Harry Potter World!!!! I have an entire week for spring break and I hope that's enough time for Harry.

Then in May I'll be in San Diego to visit my BFF Katherine! Now I just have to figure out my summer...I don't have any trips planned and it's unsettling. I'll probably take a bunch of teacher classes so I can get paid more or something boring like that. Maybe move out of my parents?

Next time I write on here it won't be from my dad's desktop computer in his messy upstairs office. It will be from the new 13" MACBOOK PRO!!!! It's on it's way to me now. I have purchased this particular laptop 3 times this week. The first time was online at apple.com. Then I cancelled the order because Katherine said I could get it cheaper at BYU. The second was through BYU. They said I had to be a student. Then finally I went online to apple.com again, but this time through my teacher website and I got one for $100 off! Boo BYU, thanks for the diploma though.

Did you know they sell MacBook Pros in 24-carat gold? Yeah. and the apple is filled with diamonds.

Speaking of diploma, BYU thinks I am graduating in April again. They sent me a graduation package and notified me of all the events coming up. Silly BYU. I guess you can give me another degree, could it please be a master's? Thanks.

Beastly

This Friday I went to see the movie Beastly. It's more of a dollar-movie or rental-worthy so wait on it.

I had been feeling pretty queasy the whole movie...I couldn't decide if it was the actor's face or what. Well, on the drive home, I knew it was time. To vomit.

As we were waiting for the green arrow to turn left off University by Riverwoods, I told Ray I was going to vomit. That is usually something my friends and I joke about, so his response was "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
He asked if I wanted him to drive. While we were switching, I started throwing up. A car pulled behind mine and the arrow turned green. Between vomits I motioned for them to go around us. So embarrassing. By the time I was finished, the arrow was green again and I left quite a puddle in the middle of the road. I just really hope I didn't cause a chain reaction with surrounding sympathetic vomiters. And I hope no one really noticed me. But how could they not notice a chick at midnight vomiting in the middle of a huge intersection?

V-day from the parentals

I walked in my house today after work only to find piles of v-day gifts for my neices and nephews. "Where's my valentine's gift?"
Mom: "What if I didn't get you anything?"
Me, in my head: "typical. always putting grandkids first."

1 hour later my dad came downstairs with two large boxes.
Before he handed them to us, he explained that one of the boxes had two of the same thing, one for me and one for mom.
"Bras?" I asked
His response was an irreplacable facial expression of disgust.
He said that one of the boxes was for my brother and the other gift was two of a similar thing.
"So not romantic" I pointed out.
My mom opened the smaller of the two boxes. It did look like bras at first because they were shiny. But it turned out to be two pair of decent slippers.
We started to try them on to see if they fit.
"I got them from D.I." Dad remarked.
The emotion in the room turned sour. These slippers had comforted another pair of feet, not my own.
After observing our negative response, my dad pointed to the bottoms of the slippers: "Look! She never wore them! These are brand new!"
I think the lady that owned them was probably para or quadriplegic and in a wheelchair.
But when I think about it, I wouldn't want anything else for valentine's day. Thanks Dad, love you too.

G-U-I-T-A-R

A couple weeks ago I gave my students a spelling test. One of the words was "guitar." I usually give a sentence using the word as I give the test. The sentence I used was: "Guitar. I am attracted to men that play guitar. Guitar."
They giggled and it was just a silly moment of fun.

Well one of the aides at my school (we'll call Mr. Carson) helps in my classroom on Friday afternoons.
(I overheard him say he was engaged.) He comes in and automatically my students attack him with the anticipated question brought about from the spelling test. "DO YOU PLAY GUITAR???"

Mr. Carson: Yes
Class: MISS SHUMWAY!!! HE PLAYS THE GUITAR!!!
Mr. Carson: Students, Mr. Larson is engaged.
Mr. Carson: No I'm not
Me: Oh, well don't you have a girlfriend?
Mr. Carson: No...
Me: (awkward mutters...probably something like "oh...")

For a while I thought he flat out lied to me. Then I found out they broke off their enGAGment.

Half of me wants to say "aren't my kids the worst?" and the other half says "You put this upon yourself." Kill me now.

Isn't this a cool boat?

I go on dates with my parents

Yep. Sometimes more often than you may be comfortable with. Usually it's dinner and a movie. Last weekend we saw "The Dilemma" and went to my favorite restaurant: Malawi's Pizza. Everyone thinks it's too expensive. I say "Cafe Rio is expensive" and they shut up.


In all seriousness, Malawi's Capri Pizza will blow your brains out of your mind. It is made on wheat dough with fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes and fresh basil, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic. Drooling on my keyboard as I type. I'm off sugar and white bread so maybe that justifies this blog post?

Already a Gramma

My kids call me "mom" all the time. I'm used to it. But today was different. Today one of them called me Grandma.

Someone kept making a choking sound

while we were typing papers in the computer lab. As you can imagine, it was very annoying. It would come and go in short spurts so I didn't say anything at first. Then I had it.
"That sound is completely unacceptable unless you have that sound in your paper."

He had it in his paper. It was on his rough draft, he showed me.

Anthropologie in the University Mall?

My mom was walking through the Uni-mall round Christmastime.

She was surprised to see an Anthropologie!

Knowing it was my favorite, she walked in and browsed.

Having been to an Anthropologie in the past, she wasn't impressed.

After sharing this with me, I realized she mistook Aeropostale for Anthropologie.

hahahaha I still laugh when I think about it.

Today's highlight: one of my 5th grade boys singing Rihanna's "only girl in the world" nonstop.

Christmas Break & New Year so far

The epic tale I was talking about was when I gave my parents a pup for Christmas. My dad was TIIIICKED to say the least. But somehow, through prayer and faith, he warmed up to the pooch and we got to keep him.

His name is Dasher, like the reindeer. I don't have a picture right now but I'll get around to it sometime haha.

The other hit of my break was New Year's Eve. I had a mash of a bash party!!! It was semi-formal with martinelli's and confetti poppers at midnight. Then of course some boogieing afterward. Thanks to my dad's DI purchase of two huge speakers and lots of cool beautiful people, it was soooo fun. Next year I will be better about arranging so that more people will kiss.

Coming back Monday was weird. 3 of my students had moved out over the break, which was bittersweet.

One of my students gives me a hug every time I get frustrated. She's the only one that can tell. Once she said "If you were a candy bar, I'd be a fun-size!" I was a little offended, taking it as a fat joke. But of course she meant well so I told her how clever she was. How dare she.

Speaking of which, I joined Gold's Gym. I don't do gyms. But I don't really have a choice do I? I love food but I hate being overweight. I've tried to give up food. But I can't do it. So I guess I'll just compensate. And compensate I did, my cousin and I went all but two days last week. It feels good to exercise, let's just hope I can bring myself to eat healthy too? No, not yet. Baby steps.

The thing I am most excited about this year is all that will happen that I don't plan on. Those are the things that make life fun and unpredictable. How bout you?