Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake has brought much contentment. Shout outs to Mary for the recipe! I don't even like cake and I seriously can't get enough of this cake. The recipe is SO easy. I don't bake, so anything I make must be extremely fast and easy.

The recipe is:

Devil's Food Cake Mix

4 eggs

1/2 c. warm water

1/2 c. oil

1 c. sour cream

Chocolate Chips

Chocolate sprinkles on top too!

Seriously, just throw it all together, mix it up and then bake at 350 for maybe like 25-30 minutes (just watch it). You'll want to drink the batter, but gross - don't do that.

I've made this cake twice in the past two weeks -- once for my friend Jessica Whipple's birthday party, and then for Loree for her birthday this past weekend.

Events of the Week

So, I had so many ideas of things to blog about during my rollarblading on Saturday. I kept thinking..."Oh, I'll blog about that, and that, and that." And now it has all escaped me!

However, the events of this week have been interesting, and I'm remembering now that some of them were those I thought about during my rollarblading outing.

Events of this week:

Monday: I didn't go to FHE. I had to stress about teaching a lesson on outlining the next day to 5th graders (Note: I don't like 5th graders - I much prefer little kids) that I was unprepared for and was going to be supervised. We went over the different components (main topic - I, II, III; subtopic - A, B, C, and details - 1, 2, 3) and then I read them a paragraph I wrote on different Ethnic food as I presented a little PowerPoint. And my supervisor decides she needs to leave before my lesson is over, so she doesn't even hear the paragraph, or see the PowerPoint, or even know how I am going to assess them.

Tuesday: I'm sorry to rant here, but I just thought this conversation was SO bizarre that I have to comment on it. So there's this crazy girl in my literacy development class who thinks she knows everything. And she walks into the restroom as I am washing my hands and says, (sarcastically) "So, Meredith your favorite professor is here today." And I am like "What? What are you talking about?" because I really like the professor who was subbing that day, who happened to be our professor for a different literacy class last semester. So, apparently last semester at some point during lecture I ask Lindee (this professor) what she did, because... I wasn't sure if she taught in a classroom, or if she was a reading specialist, etc., and I was just curious. So, this crazy girl (and I'm sure her little obnoxious posse that all sit with her at that table) said that she thought I didn't think Lindee was QUALIFIED to be teaching our class, and thought I would actually express that TO HER FACE! This girl is ridiculous. She bugs. So, I say "Umm, no, I really like Lindee, and like I would say that to her face." She's just ridiculous, and not smart. Could this be an accurate description? Who would think I would say that? And EVERYBODY loves Lindee. She's an extremely kind professor, who is extremely knowledgeable on the subject matter. So, I basically say that to her in the bathroom and just walk out. Whatever. She is a graduate assistant for Dr. Ford who is over all the graduate studies in the Curriculum and Instruction Department, so she probably just thinks she's pretty special.

Wednesday: Totally an exhausting day. I had to meet my class at the Dolphin Habitat Exhibit at the Mirage at 9:00. Afterwards I went directly to work from 12-6, studied a little, and then went to my class from 7-9:30. Wednesdays are LONG days. The field experience trip was okay, but really kind of redundant and the information they presented on how to bring your class on a field trip to the Habitat could've taken 30 minutes, instead of the 1 hour and 30 minutes that they took. We did get to look around the habitat before the boring lecture, but the tiger area wasn't even open.

Thursday: In my 5th grade class then to Sears Auto Center where I apparently can get life stories out of people (this is actually NO surprise...frequently I elicit life stories being told to me for some reason).

Friday: Work then temple then home...watched too much Oprah. Loree and Preston came home and made fun of me for watching Oprah but also because the t.v. happened to have been tuned to "Dirty Dancing." I DO hate this movie, and I can't even believe the t.v. was on this for even a moment. I was embarassed when they came in, so I had to change it right away, but I seriously did just want to see that one scene. They ruined everything.
*Note: Loree and I have decided we are over Oprah. Embarrasingly enough, we've been DVRing it, but I think enough is enough. I never watched it consistently before. Why the need to do so now? I think it's just because we are DVRing it.

Saturday: Rollarblading, laundry, cleaning, sushi, Juno with my roommate Loree. I really love this movie. The dialogue is so great.

Sunday: church, homework (Hunter helped me with an Excel assignment), Grammys.

That was my week!

East Coast Snob

If Jane Partridge Anderson is allowed to be an "east coast snob," than so am I!

That is the subject of today's blog posting.

Apparently, Jon (Jane's husband) tells Jane she is an east coast snob. For those of us who've grown up on the east, I don't think we can help it. We just know how to value the finer things in life. These things do not include the desert, four wheeling (I didn't even know what it was before I moved to Nevada), or as Elise puts it when I was complaining about Las Vegas being trashy, "Well, what did you expect! You moved to Nevada. It's full of white trash!" (Elise is from outside of Carson City, Nevada - Dayton, where they just put in the only traffic light). We also know the importance of contributing to society in a valuable manner.

One time this girl (from L.A. - gag) was almost arguing with me/making fun of me because she didn't understand why I would say that I wanted to "BE" Pam on "The Office" (for obvious reasons). She may not understand the depth of my crush on Jim, but she mostly was just talking about living in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was talking about conferences she has been to for work on the east coast where apparently everybody looks "awful, and unkept, and not put together." Oh my gosh! Shocking! Some people have things they care about more than just looking good! I think Pam looks great, and if I could have Jim, and look like Pam I would most definitely be overjoyed.

This all being said, Katie and I decided Saturday that we are moving to San Francisco in January 2009 (probably...you all know I can't make decisions in my life). I can live in San Francisco. I was born there. It's kind of like the D.C. of the west coast, right?

Now, I think there are LOTS of places I could live in the country. I really might even like the midwest. I appreciate small, rural communities. I think I'd love to live on a farm or ranch. I just think I really need a metropolitan city nearby with museums and culture, etc. I think some cities tend to be more "family friendly" and I'd really like to be in a city with this quality. No, I don't have my own family, but since I'm in the field of education, and because I might have a family one day, it matters. Basically, I think northern Cali is a great fit, or the further west than McLean areas in D.C. where it is more rural. Growing up, I was a little overrun with the D.C. snobbery...there's a fair amount of it. I think I'll be going to visit Kenzie and Jeremy in the next couple months and they are loving Austin. I hear great things about Austin. It's affordable, cultured, diverse. I think I could maybe live in Texas.

What are your thoughts on the matter? The matter of east coast vs. west coast?

My schedule

I thought I'd give you an idea of what my daily or weekly schedule looks like. Yes, maybe this is boring, but I just am relaying the fact that I think I'm a pretty scheduled person, and really kind of love it.

Monday:

7-8 Yoga

8-9:30 Get ready

10-11:15 Teaching Science Class

12-5 Work

7-8:30 FHE

Tuesday:

9-10 S.E.T Class at 24 Hour

10:15-12 Get ready

12:30-3:30In my 5th grade class

4-6:45 Literacy Development Class

7-9 Institute (some weeks I go on Thursday)

Wednesday:

7-8 Five or six mile run

8-9:30 Get ready

10-11:15 Teaching science class

12-6 Work

7-9:45 Teaching Math class

Thursday:

9-10 Cardio Core Class at 24 Hour

10:15-12:00 Get ready

12:30-3:30 in my 5th grade class

4-7 Work

7-9 Institute if I didn't go on Tuesday

Friday:

9-10 Kickboxing class at 24 Hour

10-11:30 Get ready

12-5 Work

Saturday:

9-10 Spin class

10-12 Errands, which entails...grocery shopping - a Trader Joe's stop and a Sunflower Market (for water), if needed a Target stop, dry cleaning drop off/pick-up, car wash (not EVERY week), gas fill up, and maybe that's it.

Rest of afternoon: Laundry and cleaning and then my day somehow has slipped away from me. I ONLY will do these activities on Saturday, because I LOVE schedules. I like to know exactly how many salads I need to buy to last me through the week (I've already figured it out, and if I'm going a different time during the week, it'll get all messed up), I don't want to think about making random shopping trips during the week. I don't know how people function without a schedule. And I get annoyed if I'm off schedule too. My workout schedule doesn't falter. I am a little more lenient with my Saturday workout. However, ONLY if I think I deserve to be. Last Saturday, instead of going to my spin class, I decided to go rollar blading. And let me just tell you how great it was...It was a really nice workout - not too strenuous, but I still worked up a sweat, and it was an INCREDIBLY beautiful day. If there's one thing I like about living in Vegas it's the fact that we almost always have bright days with the bluest of skies.

Shout out to single friends...

So, blog readers, please permit me to dedicate this blog to my single friends.

Have some of you resorted to ldslinkup? Or match.com? Or eharmony? I wouldn't dissuade you in the least. There must be a greater likelihood of finding someone who wants to have a real relationship, because they are looking for it too. I've yet to fully embrace such methods, simply because I don't have time. But, there really doesn't need to be such animosity towards such sites. Do you agree or disagree?

So, over Christmas, Katie expressed her gratitude in the fact that Ann and I are both still single with her. I had been thinking the same thing prior to her mentioning this. So, I then contributed this...that in the Mormon rhealm it is kind of surprising that all three of us are still a part of this singlehood. Later, Katie said something to the effect that she thinks Ann and I are both "really cool" (thanks, Kate) and so it makes her feel less "bad" for being single. I feel likewise and feel grateful to Ann and Katie for being so great and for still hanging on with me. We are ALL EXTREMELY cool people, and are bearing this singlehood well. We've all graduated from college, and have gone on to get Master's degrees. We aren't just waiting around to get married, because as much as our parents have pushed marriage, they've also stressed education...I'm learning many people don't value education as highly as I do. I firmly believe that we must continue in our endeavors to be happy and productive people in society maybe despite the fact that we just really want to be married and having kids. I think it is unfortunate that people (in the church, mostly) seem to suggest we are to be unhappy in our lives because we are not married. I admit to feeling a certain "mission" in my life is not being fulfilled, but we MUST continue in our lives, and realize that it is okay to be happy with where we are at presently in our lives. Now by stating that, I am simply saying that we CAN NOT dwell on being single because it gets us nowhere. "Am I bitter?"do you ask? Maybe just a little. And to this I can only say that I've never been in love and I don't even really understand well how a serious relationship works. I, unfortunately, also seem to feel Hollywood has misconstrued our perception of what love is. I just finished watching Pride and Prejudice, which I think is wonderful, but just maybe not as amazing as the BBC version.I was struck by this statement made by Mr. Darcy..."You have bewitched me - body and soul, and from this day forth I never want to be separated from you." Has Jane Austen pinned love for what it really is? I've come to feel the decision to marry is more a matter of fact one than being about finding someone you are "in love" with (i.e. you marry if you encounter a "right" person at a point in life where both of you happen to be ready and looking for it). I'm realizing I'm beginning to sound like Bridget Jones, which is okay, because I love her. I don't know if I'll ever find my Mr. Darcy, but if being single for the rest of my life is what's in store for me, then I have to be okay with that. Don't worry though, I still feel that I'm putting forth effort.

Is the "Hollywood" type of love portrayed in the correct light? Married people...enlighten us.

I think I'm beginning to realize that some people don't know how to bear singlehood well. I believe, it's a hard stage to be in. We don't have anybody to look after but ourselves. We make decisions as a sole, and I know that I've become a very independent person. My life is lived in the order of how, what, and where I want things to be carried out. My life is very scheduled, because I want it this way. Are we too comfortable in our singlehood? Maybe, but we have no choice. What I believe to be perhaps the most difficult of these issues is that we have no one else to attach our identity to. We must continue figuring that out on our own, and honestly, it gets exhausting. I know who I am and I don't think I need to continue redefining it because I'm confronted with new people who aren't comfortable in their singlehood (Now, I realize I may just be the taddest bit defensive about this because I'm ALSO not completely comfortable in my singlehood...So, you don't need to point that out to me). Don't make me uncomfortable just because you are. Can't we all just be happy with who we are and accept people for who they are? Most we ONLY talk to people we perceive as possible mates...this is a current annoyance of mine that perhaps is for another blog posting, but just a short rambling here...some people seem to ONLY want to interact with those with whom they have a high physical attraction. What ever happened to valuing ALL people's insights and opinions? I want to interact with people who stimulate me intellectually and make me laugh. If you can't do that, please don't approach me...just a heads up.

I'll get off my soapbox now, and again...single friends...I can't say enough that you are ALL wonderful and amazing people.

To all anonymous blog readers...

This posting is long in the making. The reason I hesitated for so long to start a blog is for the reason that I believe there are people who read other people's blogs anonymously and I think that's freaky. Now if you happen to be reading my blog anonymously, this is not meant to deter you. It's okay. I can handle it, and I think if you have a blog you just have to be okay with anonymous readers.

Now before I go any further let me say this, because I do not want in ANY WAY to seem hypocritical. I read someone's blog anonymously for about a year. Admittedly, I did have a crush on this person. This one time, Mary convinced me to post a comment on one of his postings (anonymously). My comment was in reference to a picture of some kitchen (the dishwasher in particular) included in his post that he kind of posed to be his kitchen (and his dishwasher), but it was not. So, how freaky am I... that I decide it would be funny to post..."That is NOT your kitchen." Now he sees this posting from an anonymous person telling him that they KNOW what his kitchen looks like and that is NOT it. Seriously, he must have been freaked out. I'm ridiculous. He even like posted some reply like, "Okay, kitchen nazi."

Recently, I was discussing with someone about the fact that I read this guy's blog anonymously, because I thought SHE was the one that knew about his blog and had directed me to it. However, she says that I came home one night (we lived together) and mentioned my crush because I had seen him somewhere, she then said she hadn't been that impressed with him, and then she says that I told her that he had a blog and that he actually was smart and funny. I just think it's funny that somehow I came across his blog and became a faithful reader. I really didn't ever see him after that one occasion and shortly thereafter he moved from D.C. and he's now married living in LA, doing his master's at UCLA, doesn't own a car, but prefers a bike for his method of transportation (I know all this from his blog, of course).

Now...I DO NOT read his blog anymore and the only reason I did so (for about a year), is because he really does write well, and it was interesting. I was introduced to South Park from his blog. Of course, I knew about South Park but had never really watched it. I was directed to the World of Warcraft episode from his blog and thought it was hilarious and seriously was impressed with his insight on how children are exposed to video games and media in this day and age.

I will also say that I recently "confessed" to Mandy Jensen that I read her blog. I told her and she started laughing so hard, because I phrased it in exactly that manner, "Mandy, I have a confession...I read your blog." Mandy and I aren't friends (I'm sure we would be though if we lived in the same place), but I am good friends with Mary who Mandy is good friends with. So, it was Mary that directed me to the blog.

It's so interesting - this world of blogging. I love it, but it may be a love/hate relationship. From it, I just have to ask myself questions like, "Am I happy to separate myself from other human beings and resort to getting to know and keeping in touch with people via the internet?" The answer to this question, is mostly "Yes, I do." I LOVE talking on the phone and keeping in touch with close friends, but there's just simply not time to stay in touch with everybody, and some people you maybe don't need to know everything that's going on with them, but really would love to see where their lives are taking them. Take Lynne for example...I LOVE her sugarcityjournal.com website. How creative and fabulous is she?! And it was my little blog that led me to her site...Jessi and Katie told Alexandra about my blog, Alexandra posted on my blog, then Lynne found me through Alexandra.

So, do see you see the results of this blog world? I think it's great. Now, just to close, I want to mention something Mandy Jensen said to me a while ago and the more I think about it the funnier it seems. She said that instead of dating and in order to get to know possible future mates they could just read her blog. I think we were talking about the fact that so many people read her blog that she doesn't even know about. So, she jokingly said that she could tell people about her blog upon first meeting them, and ask if they have a blog. How easy does that sound? "I have a blog. Do you have a blog? Why don't we just read each other's blogs and see if we are compatible?" It actually sounds kind of great to me. But, seriously...how hilarious would that be? Agree or disagree with the method?

Note: Go to YouTube. Find the South Park episode. It is insane and unbelievable and great and insightful (oh, and pretty crude) all at the same time.

Christmas Break in Review...

So, I just want to review the events of my Christmas break because it really has been wonderful...

1. NOT missing my flight coming home. (Last Christmas I missed my flight, because an airport worker gave me misguided information about how long it would take to go back down to the check-in area to check an extra bag. I was at the airport the rest of the day trying to get on stand-by flights, but there had been a huge storm in Denver and getting home without paying a fortune seemed like an impossibility. My dad didn't even think I'd get home at all, and of course, I completely broke down at that. I COULD NOT be in VEGAS for Christmas. My parents just helped out and paid for me to have a reserved place on a flight the next morning.)

2. Seeing my old students at First Steps. The school I used to teach preschool at now has a Kindergarten, so I was able to go see some of my old students. I love seeing them so much. They are darling. And I have to admit that what makes it so much fun is that they remember me and love to see me. It was also really great to see old friends I used to teach with at the school. Making cookies with Erin at her house and hearing all the gossip going on at school was wonderful.

Dinner with other teachers at the tappas place in McLean (I forget the name). Vilma, me, Erin, Nick, Amber, Adam, Matt, Kate, Laurie.

3. Christmas presents! I pretty much asked for everything I got for Christmas, so none of it was a surprise, but it's great because you get exactly what you need! I love Christmas stockings. They might be my favorite Christmas tradition. In my stocking this year I got my MAC makeup (including a foundation brush...I had never had one before!), an eyelash curler (I had never used one before and was feeling the need to try one out! I think it works marvelously!). I also got work clothes (I just needed some button-down shirts and the like, so mom took me shopping. After a laborious shopping excursion of going back and forth between the regular Banana Republic store and Banana Republic Petites, we were able to narrow down exactly what I liked and needed. Leave it to us to be very particular and thorough), rollar blades (I love rollar blading! I'm good at it!), some black patent mary janes, the book Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers, running shoes, and that was about it.

4. Seeing old friends in Virginia...Ann, Ashley Gerber, Katie and all the Smiths, all the Johnsons, Liz Lindsey, Mary, and ALL the Melrose...

5. Some fun events in Virginia/D.C. ... Dinner at The Carlyle Grand Cafe/Restaurant - probably my favorite place to eat in D.C., Mount Vernon, the Christmas display at the U.S. Botanical Gardens right next to the Capital, caroling with my family (we do it every year to basically the same families. I feel bad we didn't make it to the Smith's this year, but you guys were going out to dinner Christmas Eve so we couldn't go then, and we didn't have another time to go), hiking down to the Potomac from our home (my family would hike the short distance probably weekly when we were young...I realize now really what a wonderful area I grew up in with so much available to me) seeing Juno, and the New Year's Party at 3078 (Mary is an excellent party planner...the fondue was SO good, Best/Worst of 2007 was a hit, and the Loaded Questions game was really fun - even if I did reveal too much information...why do I ALWAYS do this?)

Hunter as George and me as Martha Custis Washington.

This is the view of the Potomac River from Mount Vernon. I left my mom saving our place in line and went to wander the grounds a little. I couldn't help myself and started feeling like I was Elizabeth Bennett and longed to get my exercise wandering the moors of Pemberly. It would be a much simpler life. Marriages can be arranged that's fine with me. Well...not arranged, exactly, but based more on factual information. You marry if you are both of suitable standing in society, if the man can support you and a family financially, and if you both seem to have a good demeanor. It makes A LOT of sense to me. What's all this nonsense about knowing each other really well? Who cares?

The train display outside of the Botanical Gardens. It is beautiful and the detail is amazing. I wish we could've seen it at night as well.

My mom and I inside the Botanical Gardens in front of the replica of the Library of Congress. Yes, we look alike. I think we probably have EXACTLY the same smile. My niece Lesil (in St. George) told me the other day..."You smell like my faraway grandma" (which would be my mother)...Okay...so, I apparently smell like her too. I think it's cute they call my mom "faraway" grandma because she lives in Virgina, while their other grandma lives down the street .

Mary and I with the New York City backdrop on New Year's Eve.

6. Skiing with my family and the Clarks at Wisp. I hadn't skiied in forever, but I discovered I'm still pretty good! It felt great!

7. Going to St. George and seeing Spencer, Trina, and all the Coxs. They are such a wonderful family and they've had a really difficult holiday season with the unexpected passing of their husband/father. He was an incredibly kind, generous, and influential person.

8. Skiing with Hunter in at Sundance and running into Katie Johnson! What a great surprise.

9. Seeing Sierra and Elise in Utah (two of my best friends I made my freshman year at BYU. We've been close ever since). They are so great, and it makes me sad I get to see them so rarely. Playing Rock Band with Sierra and her family was the best! I loved it when Allie (Sierra's 4-year-old) was sitting on my lap "helping" me do the base and says, "I'm a rocker!"

10. Staying with Jane Partridge Anderson in Phoenix and running my 1/2 marathon!

11. Starting my blog! I now have a reason to "journal!" And I love keeping in touch with all of you.