Las Vegas and the 80s Party

Last weekend we went to Las Vegas for Diane's brother-in-laws 40th Birthday. We had a great, relaxing time. When we got there someone mentioned what they were wearing to the party that night and I belatedly remembered that it was supposed to be an 80s party and that we were supposed to wear 80s clothing and hair styles, so I ran to the store and bought an outfit at ROSS. It wasn't the best look, and I really wish I'd had more time because it was so fun trying to figure out what to wear. I ended up with a jean skirt, white lace stockings, an off the shoulder shirt with sequins, big earrings, and crimped, heavily hair sprayed hair. It sounds better when I'm typing it than what I actually ended up looking like. So of course I didn't end up getting a picture but will post one when I can borrow one from someone else.

Diane's sister bought lots of 80s candy also, and Boones Farm alcohol (typical alcohol drink of young people at that time). She had dip sticks - remember using the white stick, licking it and dipping in the powder that would then stick to the stick? She had pop rocks, candy cigarettes, and those wax bottles with a bit of Koolade type liquid inside. She also had those papers that have the candies stuck to them - some pink, yellow, and blue that you peel off to eat. It really brought back some memories. And of course the music was 80s all night long. Good times.

So that was my great weekend, and next weekend we're going up to San Jose. I can't wait!

Night Mountain Biking

Tonight we went mountain biking. I'm hoping that it will make me a better rider during the day. I'm usually super cautious thinking that I might hit a hole and fall when we go out riding, but tonight I couldn't see very well at all and I never even felt a little bit like I might fall. Jake went through a mud puddle and almost went down, but that was it. So that leaves me thinking, maybe I'm too cautious during the day. Maybe I don't have to be so concerned about falling.

The reason we decided to go is that we've only been going on weekends, but we're busy for 2 weekends in a row and can't go. So if we really want to keep up our endurance, we've got to make time during the week, even if it means riding in the dark.

To sum it all up, we had a good time. :)

I Got the Job!

Some good news! I finally heard from Human Resources with an offer for the new College Advising Center Coordinator position. I'm still not exactly sure what I will be doing since this is a completely new position, but I'm just hoping that it will be different enough to keep me interested for at least another couple of years. So I'm kind of excited and nervous all at the same time. Wish me luck!

Another good thing that happened yesterday (besides the job offer) is that I received a carpool sticker. I had always assumed that I couldn't have one since Jake and I don't arrive on campus together, but it turns out that since we drive over 51% of the way together, I can still have a sticker. Now, this might not seem like a big deal to everyone, but it will probably cut off almost 5 minutes from my walk to my office. It's too bad that I won't get as much exercise, but I'm usually carrying a lot of heavy stuff, including my lunch and lap top. It's also going to be nice if it's too hot or cold outside since I won't be exposed to the elements as long.

So those were a couple of good things from as extremely busy and stressful week. Luckily, I have Monday and Tuesday off. Jake has a conference in San Diego so I'm going to go stay at the hotel with him. I'm envisioning days of sleeping in, reading lazily in bed while Jake is at the conference, and then hitting the town at night. Good times!

My Interview #2 and Warm Weather

I found out today that I have to go back for a second interview next week. I guess that me and one other person are both possibilities for the job. Last time this same thing happened, I didn't get the position, so I'm a little bit unhappy that I have to go back.

Too bad I'm not fantastic at interviews. It would be great if I could shine just a little bit more, but woe is me, I guess they just aren't one of my strengths. So wish me luck, even though I don't go back until next Wednesday. Yuck!

By the way, today I got into my car at 3pm and it was 87 degrees outside. I was sweating and had to keep my air on as low as possible for the first 15 minutes of the drive. Kind of strange compared to Sarah with snow falling at her house in Oregon. Of course, we've been thoroughly enjoying the great weather. Jake and I have gone bike riding the last two weekends with our friends, Alan and Emilio. It's been great fun and exercise all rolled into one. I'm really going to be sad when it starts to rain more. Maybe we can just ride in the rain?

New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve we went to Las Vegas where Diane's parents live. We went out to the strip one of the nights before New Years. We usually only hang out at the strip one night when we go to Vegas; the rest of the time we stay home and relax, play games, watch movies, or play disc golf.

On New Years Eve we all hung out at the house. There is a fantastic view of the stip from their balcony.

Christmas Party Pictures

Around Christmas time we had a party at our place. Everyone seemed to have a really good time. Wendy and Jeff posted a few pictures on their blog since they were able to make it to the party during the early hours. We also had a stocking decorating contest so I've included a picture of some of the stockings as well.

My Interview

Today I got to work thinking that I had my interview for the new College Advising Center Coordinator tomorrow. Sometime in the morning I walked into the Dean's office and found out that it was actually today.... Good thing I wasn't dressed too badly.

Anyway, it went pretty much as well as it could have, so I'm pretty happy about the whole thing. Usually I feel like I'd rather have a root canal than go to an interview and I was really nervous the whole morning, but thank goodness it's over and I can only wait now to see what happens.

I'll keep you posted once I find out if I got the new position.

Man Changing His Last Name After Marriage

For goodness sake, maybe I am a feminist, because this type of stuff really pisses me off. A man should be able to choose his wife's last name just as easily as the wife would be able to change hers. This is absolutely wrong!

Twin Video

Interesting video about twins.

Alex as an Alter Boy

Alex's mother and grandparents are very religious Catholics and Alex attends church every Saturday and Sunday. We went to his church on Saturday night to see Alex as an alter boy for the first time. We also went to his church a year or two ago when he took his first communion. It's kind of interesting to see how things are a little bit different than what I am used to from the churchs I've attended.

The two pictures below were taken after the service.

A Couple Christmas Pictures

I've gotten some complaints about the length of time since my last post, and for that I apologize. It also turns out that today is the first moment I've had to post and I don't have my pictures with me today. Jake is switching out my hard drive and they've been stored on our external hard drive. I hope to have them within the next few days. This means that most Christmas pictures will be posted at a later date.

I do happen to have just a couple taken on my camera at Christmas which I have posted below.

Jake and Grandma Sara


Micah

Jeff

Melissa

A New Battery - Hooray

Jake and I actived our cell phones (different types) on Jan. 29th, 2006 and my phone is still within warranty, but lately it had been working horribly. It has slowly over the last few months held a charge for less and less time. By this week it would last maybe an hour after saying it was fully charged - if I didn't use it. It would only last about 1-2 minutes if I was talking on the phone. There were quite a few times that I would sit in my car with the phone plugged into the charger just so that I could talk to people. Pathetic. And it happened so gradually that I kept thinking it must be my imagination and that really I wasn't keeping track properly. Or maybe it was because I leave my phone on in the daytime when I'm at work where I don't get service. I didn't know.

So finally I realized that I had to do something. It just wasn't working. And for those of you who might wonder why this is a big deal, I don't have a home phone, and even if I did, I'm never home - so this is basically my only way to communicate with others.

Anyway, I called the phone manufacturer (LG) and explained the situation. They said it would take about three weeks to diagnose the problem. They told me to mail them my phone, but sorry, they can't give me a replacement during that time. They suggested that I ask Verizon if they could provide a replacement. There is NO WAY that I could lose my phone for what would likely be a month, so I decided to go into Verizon so they could verify whether the problem is the battery. If it was, I would buy a new battery, send LG the old one to get it fixed, and then I would have two batteries.

I took the phone in to Verizon, and the girl immediately told me that the battery had been recalled, showed me that it was bulging, and gave me a new battery IMMEDIATELY right then! I can't even explain how happy that made me. I just don't have time in life to deal with crap like that and I appreciated Verizon making the switch so easy. I know, I know, I'm much too busy if I almost told the Verizon employee that I loved her just because she gave me a new battery, but I really was thrilled.

My phone is now back to normal, lasting a really long time, not requiring itself to be plugged in constantly. Hooray for new batteries!

Guns Are Scary

Early this week I was almost to my workplace when I saw a cop speading by with it's lights on. It slowed down and looked at two guys standing at the bus stop and then sped away again. The guys looked confused about what had just happened. I was curious also.

Up ahead was another cop car with police out standing next to some people. The first car I mention sped toward them, then stopped suddenly and the guys got out and went toward some thick bushes. By the time I reached the scene up close (that's where I turn right), I could clearly see what they were doing from about 15-20 feet away from me. One cop grabbed a guy who appeared to be hiding in the bushes and pushed him to ground. They must have told him to put his hands behind his back because that's what he did. The second cop drew his gun and had it pointed at the guy on the ground.

It was very strange and somewhat surreal to see all this before I turned the corner. By the way, it's the corner that leads directly onto our campus. I have a hunch that maybe he was trying to break into the cars in that area since students park along that street when they don't want to pay for a parking permit.

Anyway, kind of a strange thing to see on my way to work.

Elvis Sighting

We saw Elvis on Wednesday night and he was awesome. Looked JUST like him (haha). Seriously, this guy loved entertaining. He took a long break today the middle of the night and walked around the place visiting and taking pictures. I'm pretty sure everyone he talked to bought him a drink, because he was pretty happy by the second time he took the stage.

Assisted Suicide

Let's say that you are in extreme pain and agony. Life has become torture and all you can think about every waking moment is putting an end to all. Then the government steps in and says you can't help yourself to die early. We want you to extend your pain and suffering as long as possible. And no one better help you to die early, to help end your suffering, or we'll put them in jail.

I think Oregon sets a good example on how this could be handled. Here are the requirements to participate in their Death with dignity act. "The patient must meet certain criteria to be able to request to participate in the Act. Then, the following steps must be fulfilled: 1) the patient must make two oral requests to the attending physician, separated by at least 15 days; 2) the patient must provide a written request to the attending physician, signed in the presence of two witnesses, at least one of whom is not related to the patient; 3) the attending physician and a consulting physician must confirm the patient's diagnosis and prognosis; 4) the attending physician and a consulting physician must determine whether the patient is capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself; 5) if either physician believes the patient's judgment is impaired by a psychiatric or psychological disorder (such as depression), the patient must be referred for a psychological examination; 6) the attending physician must inform the patient of feasible alternatives to the Act including comfort care, hospice care, and pain control; 7) the attending physician must request, but may not require, the patient to notify their next-of-kin of the prescription request. A patient can rescind a request at any time and in any manner. The attending physician will also offer the patient an opportunity to rescind his/her request at the end of the 15-day waiting period following the initial request to participate."

Also, they must meet these criteria, "The law states that, in order to participate, a patient must be: 1) 18 years of age or older, 2) a resident of Oregon, 3) capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself, and 4) diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six (6) months. It is up to the attending physician to determine whether these criteria have been met."

This isn't a new issue, but one that I was reminded of lately. Oregon obviously has this well thought out and it's a solid way to make sure people are of sound mind and have made a choice that they really believe in. What I don't understand is why people would force their own beliefs on someone else. A person doesn't have to think that it's something they would do themselves, but why stand in the way of someone who wants to end their suffering? I just don't get it.

Diane's Story About a Speeding Santa Float

My friend, Diane, told me that last week she was on the phone when she suddenly heard sirens and lots of noise. She is on the second floor of her apartment complex and has a great view of the street, so she went to look out the window and what did she see?

A Santa's float speeding by with cop cars chasing behind. There was also a firetruck and ambulance that went by afterward. And to top it all off, there was a helicopter in on the action as well.

Now I'm not one for watching pursuits on TV, but this is one that would have been hilarious to watch. Who in their right mind runs from the cops in a Santa float? This scene could have been taken from a good comedy. Too bad there wasn't time to get a picture. :)

At Family Feud

This was us outside the Family Fued building waiting to get in.

This is a picture that I took of the set on the way out.

Jake's Family

Later Saturday night Jake's family hung out at our house and visited. The first day we had 17 people attend the feud, and on Sunday we lost 3 and added 4, which means that 26 people from Jake's family (including the brothers) were able to visit this weekend. It was like a family reunion.

Getting Ready for Family Feud

This weekend was very interesting. I spent most of the time at the family feud or hanging out with Jake's family since everyone staying at our place Friday and Saturday night.

Unfortunately, they didn't win the $20,000, but we all had a fun time. They each ended up with $179.

Below are the brothers getting ready and then ready to go the first day.

Chuck, Jeremiah, Josh, Andy, and Jake

This a video of McKenna and Hugh (my nice and nephew) that I thought was really cute. They love each other and walk around everywhere together playing. McKenna is 19 months and Hugh is 22 months.

Dinner With Mom and Jim

Last night I went out to dinner with Mom and Jim. We went to Islands and I tried to pick out something healthy to eat. Mom let me try her pineapple soft taco (can't remember the name) and it was fantastic. I think I'll have that next time.

We talked about our Thanksgivings and I got to bore them with stories about my new bicycle. They were very jealous that I had just got back from visiting with Micah. Oh, and Wendy and Jeff... ;)

I've noticed that people don't tend to take pictures unless it's a special event, so I wanted to make sure I got a picture of us at dinner even though I see them somewhat often.

A few years ago I noticed that everyone has pictures of Wendy and Jeff, but not very many of me. I realized that it's because when Wendy comes to town, everyone gets out the cameras. So I'm going to try to start taking pictures more often so that I have lots of good memories, of everyone all the time :).