New Zealand

I am pretty set on going to New Zealand in January 2009. It would be in place of the 2nd cohort for my major and I would be teaching there. Supposedly it costs the same to live there as it does here, the only thing I would need to worry about is the plane ticket. But seriously, I think I would be stupid not to do it. I would be living in Auckland (see map below!) Oh man...I really hope this works out...

I am so low maintenance

our water heater is broken so i boiled water and filled the sink with the boiling water and washed dishes. Give me less and I will make you sorry! or surprised

Last night's phone conversation

I took each step down into the parking garage carefully when I remembered to call him...
I flipped open my phone, scrolling down to his name (we'll call him Henry here)
breathe for a few seconds and gain my composure
push the button with the green phone on it..."calling Henry" it said
one ring....two rings....oh man he usually picks up by the 2nd ring....3rd ring....dang it dang it I don't want to leave a message...
Henry: "Hello?"
me: "Hi" (relief)
Henry: "hey"
me:"This is Hallie...ummm...how was your day?" (I guess this is part of phone etiquette and if it was my way I would not ask this)
Henry: "Oh good, just doing some homework, you know"
me: "Oh yeah...that's cool"
Henry: "How was your day?"
me: "It was nice! So I am going to pick you up at 6:47pm tomorrow." I wanted to just get to the point
Henry: "6:47?" (in a 'did you seriously just say that' tone)
me: "Yes, 6:47, does that work ok for you?"
Henry: "Yeah, that will be fine."
me: "Alright then, see you later!"
As I take the phone away from my ear and flip it shut I heard "Okay, see you then, thank you Hal-" click.
I don't like talking on the phone, even if you are one of the most beautiful people I know.

When asked about him by my friends I said "Oh, it's nothing, we would just make beautiful babies"
because he is really good looking. And that is all I have to say on the subject. Wish me luck tonight!

whoops.

I send out a mass email to my division weekly that has the division newsletter that I put together. In it, I highlight birthdays. Well. I included all the people with birthdays from April 5-11. Instead of March 5-11. And I even said "Happy Birthday to this person on April 6th."

Hal's signature explosive sneeze

Why do I sneeze at least once every weekday during my campus job shift from 2-5 pm? It's embarrassing. This has been going on for over a year. I am not sick. I don't sneeze other places in such a constant manner. And why can't I make my sneezes quiet? I have man sneezes. Sounds like I am an elephant, spurting out gallons of water. I am practicing quieter sneezes, then it just gets out of hand. How can I sneeze quietly? I think I am allergic to work. yep. I quit.

I hate asking men out

Why do I have to do it? Why don't you just do it? I mean really, what do you do with your time anyway?

Happy Leap Year Day!

DAMISSIONARIES!

I haven't sworn since I was ten years old, and that was at a family reunion playing volleyball. I just don't swear. Even in my head. UNTIL about 6 months ago. I started swearing in my head. 97% of the time it was the saying "you make my life hell," to express internal road rage. Yesterday my mom spent a few hours in the kitchen: cleaning, cooking, and preparing for the missionaries to come over for dinner. Well they never showed. And they never returned our phone calls. So I announced at the dinner table that if it wasn't for those damissionaries...blah blah blah.

The point is not that I forgot what I said after I swore. The point is that it is refreshing. And it adds humor and ease into strict lifestyles. And it's only funny in very small, rare occasions.

4 times, and counting

I have been to Modern Shoe on Center four times within the past month. Twice to buy $150 shoes and twice to return them. The shoes I bought and returned are shown below. And I am going back during the first week of March for the new Earth sandals shipment that they are getting. I just can't own a pair of $150 shoes. It does not sit well with me. No, doesn't sit well at all. But I desperately need a decent pair of shoes that support my feet really well because of my plantar fasciitis...(that means I have tendinitis in my feet.)

Rainy Days

I figured, hey, it's a rainy day, so why not wear an umbrella necklace? I found these at Etsy.

My 5th nephew

He's really cute! He was born to Ethan & Rachel in Cedar City this morning, 7 lbs. 13 oz. and is 20.5 inches tall. LOVE HIM!

North and South

not the alfred hitchcock, the BBC. and it is soooo worth his constant scowling to watch him smile at the end. after he kisses her mouth, of course.

It's been fun

To my elementary PE class that I will teach for the last time tomorrow:

It's been fun. You helped me learn that: no, you do not want to be my friends, you want me to be your teacher. And make you have fun. So that is what I will try to do from now on to everyone I teach. make learning as painless as possible without being your friend.

I watch a different television show each weeknight.

Monday is American Gladiator night. About 50 people gather in one apartment in my complex and watch it. Some people dress up, and we are all rooting for one side or the other. It gets pretty intense.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights are American Idol. They are down to the top 24 now and I am really happy with the outcome. However I would have chose Kyle over Colton but whatever. I am really into the two mormon contestants.

Thursday night…should be The Office. But the idiot writers can’t get over themselves. So I just started watching LOST last week. It is pretty good I think I will watch the first two episodes online now.

Friday night is, of course, Friday Night Lights. Really dramatic but I don’t have enough of that in my own life so it makes up for it. See my roommate's take on it

Thoughts going through my brain

I am going on my second date with someone!
and the last time this technically happened was...hmmm...high school? I guess you could count the summer before last but those weren't technically dates.

I need to get my eyebrows waxed!

I need to take a shower

My sister and mom commented on my horrible breath...sorry if you have been a victim!

I want to be a red head again. Or at least have a red tint.

So I might go on a mission in the fall...should I stay at the apartment I am in or should I move in with my parents? What if I start dating someone that is coming home in the summer? I would go to school instead of on a mission. I wouldn't want to live with my parents unless I am definitely going on a mission. Ughhh why can't I just KNOW everything that will happen to me this year!

my regrets

Mitt dropped out.

On Super Tuesday, I figured that Mitt wouldn't make it and I don't like McCain, so I voted for Obama. I know, I know.

It's the first time I voted because last time I was too young.

And I didn't know there would be so many names on the ballots...I should have done some more research.

The New First Presidency

I would have never guessed President Dieter F. Uchtdorf would be in the presidency but I am pretty excited. I feel like he was just called into the twelve but it's been 3 and a half years! I am getting old. He is the 2nd counselor to President Thomas S. Monson and the first counselor is President Henry B. Eyring. They are going to make an awesome first presidency...I can just tell!


You can watch the announcement of the new first presidency and reporters asking them questions here

Cougar baseball best hitter kicked out of BYU

read these sites...

http://blogs.sltrib.com/recruiting/2008/02/background-on-dismissal-of-byu-baseball.htm

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_8149321

K so I work with Bishop Wayne Childs and he is my sister's bishop (I wish I could go next door and ask him all about it) and I really think it is more than just not going to his ward and asking for a calling. Do you really think a bishop would tell the news reporters that this guy did something else? I don't think so. I think it is confidential. I think that if he really did only miss a few times and he got kicked out, well I should get kicked out as well...and half my ward also.

TAGorama

Thanks to Michelle I've been Tagged!!!
A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 years ago
I was going through the most awkward stage of my life...I wore denim overall cut-off shorts everyday and my bangs were growing out along with my sick permed hair. so the bottom half of my hair was curly and the top half was straight. I got my kitten pepper and became obsessed with cats. I liked to climb trees and have spurts of hysterical hyperactive fun.

5 things on my to do list today

1. go to class
2. go to dinner group
3. go to my parent's house
4. make my art postcards
5. get new shoes so I don't have to wear running shoes with slacks to work anymore

5 snacks I enjoy

1. chips and salsa with cream cheese
2. popcorn with peanut m&m's mixed in
3. fruit...preferably pineapple or berries
4. grilled cheese sandwiches dipped in ketchup
5. smoothies of any kind

What I would do if I was given a billion dollars

I, like shell, would give 1,000,000 to the church for tithing and even more for fast offerings. Then I would pay off all my professors and get my teaching certificate...jk I would finish school and earn my teaching certificate, then go to art school and become famous. I would by my siblings and parents their dreams houses then I would buy a house on a cliff in the northeastern part of the united states and buy a year supply of crab and eat crab every day while I paint lighthouses and seascapes. By then I will be a celebrity so I will marry a really hot righteous man that adores me and we will have lots of children but before we have children we will visit every continent and live in countries such as Ireland, England, Italy, Switzerland, China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, The Congo, India, some South America country, and we'll buy a couple islands and visit them. Every winter. And maybe we will have children by then. Yeah, I will have children first but I won't age because I will buy anti-aging magical potion which will allow me to visit the world but still be young enough when I am done to have lots of children. Then I will give to my children money I have invested so they can live their dreams.

3 bad habits

1. my driving skills could be considered as bad habits
2. ignoring my crushes
3. pretending to shoot people with my hand

5 places I have lived

1. Glendale, Arizona
2. Orem, Utah
3. Provo, Utah
4. Rexburg, Idaho
5. In front of Best Buy and Target

5 jobs I have had

1. Kneaders sandwich maker
2. Infinity Corp. (Dish Network retailer) receptionist
3. BYU-Idaho custodian for the library
4. Michaels Arts & Crafts
5. Cold Stone

5 things people don't know about me

1. My driver's license is under probation
2. My car is not allowed to be seen on campus because of parking tickets
3. I have been in more fender benders and accidents than I can count on my hands
4. I am really afraid of the dark...it has to be pitch black though
5. I really like to swing...like on playground swing sets
   

Five people I am tagging

1. Amanda
2. Krystal
3. Marcilyn
4. Sammy
5. Veronica

President Gordon B. Hinckley, 1910-2008

It's been a really powerful day at school today. Instead of regular lecture in my classes we went around and discussed our feelings and testimony of the prophet. I am so glad that I go to a university where we can talk about our beliefs during a time like this. I am so glad that President Hinckley was the prophet during my youth. In the events I have been to where he has spoken I felt his love for the gospel and for the members of the church. Through his life I have learned that I too can have a fulfilling experience if I stay active in the church and keep trying to be a little better.

Go here to see some great pictures and listen to President Hinckley.

Have a nice weekend!

P & P to the max

What did I do during the 3 day weekend? Oh, just watched the really long version of Pride and Prej...mmmmhm.

27 dresses

If you are a movie critic or can't appreciate a good chick flick fix, then don't go. But if you need a good chick flick fix, go. I thoroughly enjoyed it. thoroughly. and I have never used that word before.

I didn't mean it like that

"You two off to bed?"
-to my roommate and her boyfriend. My roommate was getting up to say goodbye to this guy so I was asking if they were separately going to bed.

"nice bottoms"
-to my friend's boyfriend...he was wearing stretchy pants with basketball shorts and I thought the ensemble was cool, so I said "nice bottoms" to compliment that combination. No one knew that is what I meant though and now everyone says "nice bottoms" to each other.

I go to Brigham Young Elementary School.

I am beginning to take the role of the obnoxious child again...because I am in classes that are just like the ones I had in elementary school. I have PE, Art, Dance, Math, Music, and Drama. I feel like a kid because I am being taught like one (so I can learn from the teacher how to properly teach and know what it feels like to be taught in that way.) So I am beginning to want more attention and I don't want to be quiet. I just had math where we are playing with blocks and learning addition with blocks. I couldn't stop laughing after the teacher asked "How do you guys feel about these blocks" and a girl behind me said "they suck"

Juno, like in Alaska?

This movie would be really good edited because when I saw it last night I covered my eyes and/or ears for that bad parts. And when it wasn't like that it was great.

There There

It's not going as bad as I thought it would...my teachers are so easy going so I don't want to die that much any more.

Back to School

And I want to DIE!

a time for MOVIES!

I haven't been to work or school for 2 weeks. Since the 21st. And boy did I enjoy it! And what did I do with that long beautiful break? I watched a lot of movies. So the next 10 posts will be about the movies I watched. Have so much fun okay? and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's a Wonderful Life

One of my favorite movies--even in the category of all movies, not just Christmas. I know my life wouldn't be the same without George Bailey. Good thing he was born.

Scrooge

It is a family tradition to pop this video in on Christmas eve at about 10 pm. It has a great message. Would I enjoy visiting my past? Do people care about me right now? And is my death going to be a celebratory time for those who knew me?

The Holiday

Gets me every time...wonderful movie. Some of the things Kate says should be knitted to a pillow.

Mission Impossible

I mean the one with Tom Cruise but I like this picture better.

Stardust

Five stars for Stardust because it has everything you want in a movie. No matter who you are, it will have something good for you. And since I am a really well-rounded person, I liked everything.

The Bourne Ultimatum

THIS MOVIE IS SO GREAT.

And I even followed the story line.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

I enjoyed this movie. Justin Bartha is really handsome.

You know, as long as a movie has a handsome man and some depth to the story line I will like it. No, it was not as good as the first National Treasure but by itself it is worth your time.

P.S. I Love You

I liked it because I thought it was really neat that her dead husband lined up letters and a trip for her. Every dying spouse should plan that for their living spouse. Unless that spouse was the reason why they were dying.

I am Legend

Horror. Horrific. Horrifying. Horrible.

But the story line was very intriguing.

Nightmares. Lots of nightmares.

When I wake up in the night those people are in my room, breathing quickly, waiting to pounce.

Then I just think "are they really in here?" No. And then I sing a primary song and think of spring time. I can't ever remember what happens after that because I fall asleep.

Happily ever after I saw this movie

This movie was so magical! It brings out the kid in everyone that sees it. And I felt like I was coming home because I haven't seen a really good disney princess movie for a while. The entire movie I was smiling and thinking "I LOVE THIS MOVIE!" And my cheekbones were sore. So worth how ever much it costs for you to see it.

Neices and Nephews Christmas Party

I went to Washington, DC

It was a really great trip.

The first day we went on a Segway tour of the city.


The second day we had Thanksgiving dinner.


The third day we went to the morning market and Georgetown then we saw August Rush.


The fourth day we went to Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial and all the other major sites.
The fifth day we went to the Smithsonian museums.
This an original poster for the feminist movement during war times.


The sixth day we went home.

Trip Highlight: One of the coolest things about Capitol Hill was this bookstore. Books were piled everywhere, even in the bathroom.

My tricky football singing pig brains sidewalk date

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...But there were some highlights I am sure you want to know about.

TRICKY
So Gina's roommate Michelle and her date Lucas doubled with me and Dave. (I couldn't remember his first name the entire date...) Lucas drove. He left the car on and left to walk up to Michelle's apartment. Well Dave had the brilliant idea to move the car so Lucas would be "so confused." So he moved it to the underground parking lot. It took a few minutes, and Lucas' face was not happy.

We went to Color me Mine, basically my favorite place in Utah that doesn't have food. They have ceramic plates, cups, bowl, figurines, toothbrush holders - anything you can think of, they probably have. Well you take this ceramic item and you paint it. Then a few days later you pick it up after they have fired the paint so it is pretty.
Lucas insisted that he and Michelle get the same large dinner plates together. Michelle asked "well what are we going to do with them?" and he said "I was thinking we could make dinner together and use these plates." This was all in Portuguese by the way, they kept speaking to each other in that language to flirt. They are so cute!

FOOTBALL
I picked a cup and taped a geometric design then painted the shapes between the tape using bright colors. Dave picked a football. the football is cut in half to serve as a container. Well on the inside, he painted his 3rd favorite football team's colors and letter on one side, his 2nd favorite football team's colors and letter on the other side, and a blue "Y" on the outside. It turned out pretty cool, considering.

SINGING
He sang a couple of the songs that were playing, and we are not talking about quiet, sing-along singing. We are talking about loud, performance singing, adding his own dynamics and notes singing.
And after Lucas, Michelle and I were done, he was being OCD about every little spot (I told him the glaze would melt over and even it out) but we waited 20 minutes regardless. And I was in love with the employee there. He complimented my cup and had the coolest shoes.
After all the spots were accounted for on Dave's football, we decided to go to Mimi's for Hot Cocoa. After we were seated and they gave us the bread, I took the whole un-cut loaf and cut a slice off in a reckless and crazy way. It took a while because the crust was hard and crispy and crumbs flew everywhere. Dave was behind his menu and did not see, which made it more satisfying - just the cute couple and me, laughing...at me.
I leaned over to Dave and said "I haven't eaten dinner, so I am going to get some soup. I can pay for myself." The answer I wanted was not what I got. I wanted him to insist that he pay, act like what I just said was outlandish. But he was fine with it. So I spent $9 on soup and hot chocolate. Idiot.

PIG BRAINS
So he ordered Pecan Pie, told us about a lady in his mission that served pig brains to him without telling him, and made everyone try the pecan pie, which did not look appetizing nor did anyone want more sugar after their hot cocoa.

SIDEWALK
Then we drove home, me first. He walked from the car to the sidewalk and stopped 20 feet away from my house as I approached my door. I was kind of confused, but I walked back to him and said thanks and he gave me a short hug. Hey, I would prefer a sidewalk scene, thank you dave bass.

The cutest thing happened after our date. Michelle called me and we talked - she is totally in love with Lucas. Then Lucas came over to talk - he is totally in love with Michelle. And they are both talking to me so I see both sides and it is going to be a great relationship, I can tell.
How come everyone is hooking up? How can I hook up? Where do I find the hookers? (The guys that will hook up with you)

I am going on a date with a Bass

I didn't want to tell you because I knew this would happen. I like a guy in my ward...well...LIKED I guess. His name is Isaac. and he is 6'5" and works at the MTC. and he is EQP. He is in my dinner group and last Sunday he let me wear his jacket while he sat next to me during sacrament meeting. So I thought things were beginning to bud between us...maybe even just friendship I don't know. but none of that can happen anymore because he recently got back together with his ex-girlfriend. So there you go.

A couple weeks ago, his roommate approached me and asked if I would set him up with my sister's best friend Michelle. So I said, why don't we double and you set me up. So I described his roommate Isaac without using his name when he asked what kind of guy I wanted him to set me up with. And he said he knew who he would set me up with and it turned out to NOT be Isaac. His name is Dave Bass and he looks like a woman with short hair. But that is not his fault. He is also crazy. And that is his fault. So I am going on a double date with a guy in my ward, my sister's friend, and Dave Bass. Wish me Luck!

PARK CITY!

Park City was a blast of all explosions. I loved where we stayed and we spent most of our time just hanging out and bein silly.

There was a pool right outside our sliding glass door (and everybody else's staying in that hotel) It was outdoor and heated. So refreshing.

We came out of the water to test the steam evaporation. We are steaming hot.

Their real hot tub was empty and we refused to let that get in the way. When no one was in the hot tub, the water was only 5 inches high. When we all got in, it almost overflowed. So you can imagine how much space we were filling in that tub! haha

being silly again...with gummy eyeballs

We went to the outlet mall and a cute bakery, then we hit up Main St. I really enjoyed Park City!

When we arrived in our Condo and discovered the fridge to be empty, we went to the grocery store. I wanted cheese puffs, but no one else did. So we had to fight about it to get what I wanted.


She is kind of hiding it, but Alyson is holding a Diet Dr Pepper in her left arm. When my Aunt Renae saw that we had it, she was kind of appalled. Which made it so much more fun to drink. We stayed up pretty late and found some shot glasses in the cupboard. Boy what a burning sensation--drinking a shot of that in one gulp.

SORRY I don't have it

The pictures from Park City. Please don't kill me. I will have it soon!

I am sick. coming down with something. I looked down my throat this morning and there were spots of blisters all over the back of my throat. My dentist wrote me a prescription for antibiotics for a mouth sore I had 3 weeks ago and I was like "I am not taking antibiotics for that lil thing!" So if this gets really bad and doesn't leave me alone come Washington DC time, I have no choice but to take antibiotics.

This weekend was good because my family is in town for Alyson's farewell. She is going on a mission. I will really miss her. It is going to be hard to have one less real friend in my life. I only have a handful of those. I will dedicate an entire post to her after she leaves, because I don't miss people and things until they are gone. and it hits me like a brick wall that they are gone.

This week is going to be the hardest week of this semester and then finals will come and that will beat me even harder. So I guess I am taking this week to prepare for a hard beating. Why will it be a hard week hallie? you may ask. well I have 2 research papers (a total of 20 pages) and 2 tests. And all this ward stuff. parties, FHE, sleepovers, and a temple trip to Manti. I am really excited, but why during the hardest week of the semester? WHY?

It's okay. It's alright. I am sure I will still pass my classes and that is all that matters. Oh and if I learn something too. Because I am not paying for the degree, I am paying to learn. mmhm.

I got back from Park City yesterday

movies, pictures, and a brief recount coming soon...