THIS IS NOT AN EMO BLOG ENTRY

Sometimes I feel like
I'm impossible to forget, but I'm hard to remember.

If I have ever told you I love you, then I meant it.
If I haven't, then I'm sorry...because I do.

Thank you 2008.
Come and get it 2009!

Happy new year to all and to all some new blogs...

THIS CHRISTMAS

(To make this blog 25x better scroll down to the video at the bottom, push play, and turn up the volume while you read--you know you want to)

Not too excited this Christmas and doing some shopping for myself, I might have been a little mean to the salesperson who said, "These are cute, but they look too small for YOU. Are they a gift?" by thinking, "Thanks b****, I don't need your opinion. Merry Christmas."

BUT, through a few small acts I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas again:

#1
Talking about the family manager scene reenactment they are going to perform on Christmas Eve together...
Max: I'm going to be the shepherd. I need the hook.
Jacq: Hello, I baby Jesus.
Xander: I the donkey. hee haw! hee haw!
Barrett: ...not sure exactly what he said.
We then went through a list of who other family members were going to be.
Me: Well, who do I get to be?
Max: Nothing. You aren't invited.
Oh sad. A few minutes pass.
Max: Actually, Auntie Nana, you can be the camel but you have to get your own costume.
So sweet...he made room for me in his stable.

#2
In less than 2 days, after being informed about a family who recently moved to the area and wasn't going to be able to afford a Christmas for their children, my small group of young single adult church kids had donated enough presents, food, and cash that we were actually able to supply a big Christmas for 4 families.

#3
After a last minute cancellation, I was in charge of getting someone to play Santa for a couple hours at Thanksgiving Point. I didn't think I'd find anyone, but my friend Brady had a little Christmas spirit up his sleeve. His reward: a gift card from TP, me sitting on his lap, and a promise to watch a black & white Christmas movie with him.

#4
I went to my first ugly sweater AND white elephant gift party (even though I hate those...bad childhood memories). They weren't quite as amazing as the Christmas party from the video of my fave Christmas song EVER below, but festive nonetheless. This song should ALWAYS make your holiday smile gay and bright!

In closing, I don't have cards to mail out, but I hope the holiday spirit finds you (even if it's just a little bit) this Christmas. Remember the real reason we celebrate, be happy, and know that deanna loves you. yadda yadda yadda.

DRIVING IN THE SNOW

I don't mind driving in the snow so much. I just don't like driving in the snow behind idiot drivers.

CLOGGED ARTERY BON

EVERY time I go to the airport I can't help but want a Cinnabon. I know the more appropriate name should be the "clogged artery bon" but they smell soo sweet.
Hey what's that smell...I think I just got a cavity.

HAVE I DONE ANY GOOD?

So there is this hymn I've heard in church growing up that asks:

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.

Check heck yes/no failure for me today.
I donated blood. Hope someone orders a pint of AB- tonight.
Every two seconds someone in America will need a blood transfusion and each donation can be used to help save as many as three lives. It feels good to give. AND I got a cool purple stretchy head band.

EAST BY WEST VIRGINIA

Thanks to my buddy Dan, I had the opportunity to visit Wild and Wonderful West Virginia (yes, they actually write that on their license plates) for the weekend.

SHORT VERSION
While I was getting East by West Virginia, I made sure I was gettin lucky in Kentucky, round on both sides and HI in the middle in OHIO, her-she-comes to Pennsylvania, all with a side of Maryland to make for a fantastic weekend road trip.

LONG VERSION
WEST VIRGINIA: That's where Dan AND Bob Evans diners reside (Denny's eat your heart out).
KENTUCKY/OHIO: I took the car while Dan was at work and drove to Ashland, KY. I went into a store and saw a shirt that showed a map of Kentucky with the country music road tour on it and it just so happened to start in the city I was in so I bought it and drove. Then I went a few minutes north to South Point, OH, where I ended at a lovely spot with 2 park benches at the end of a road where you can sit in Ohio, look over the Ohio River to Kentucky, and see a river from West Virginia pour in. It wasn't the best weather for a park day, nevertheless, the tri-state view was lovely.
PENNSYLVANIA: Might as well get in the car and drive a few (or 5 1/2) hours to Hershey, PA to go to Chocolate World and stay the night at oh-so-posh Hotel Hershey where the street lights look like chocolate kisses, you can buy Philly Cheese steaks and tastykakes galore, sip on yoohoo (not my favorite), and get free chocolate at every front desk. We tried to make it to the Falling Water house (I heart Frank Lloyd Wright) but holiday operation hours wouldn't permit, so we stopped at Gettysburg for 4 score and 7 hours of historical sites.
MARYLAND: Didn't know we'd have to drive this state. But I did eat a pulled pork sandwich with slaw from Roy Rogers fast food restaurant and fell in love. You MUST stop there if you ever happen to drive by one!

**Sorry to all the friends I neglected to visit who were so close yet so far away on the trip. I'm a jerk. Love you.**
CLICK CLICK for more photos from the trip

THE SANTA CAUSE

Last night at the local Wal*mart there were a whole bunch of kind shoppers I didn't know, some Utah Flash players, me, happy store employees, and a select few who had the goal and ambition to do something nice this year. What cause did we all have in common? THE SANTA CAUSE. We shopped to bring Christmas to needy families. More festivities will be going on this week like wrapping and delivering the presents and then next week there is a big Charity event/party Dec 15th at the Gallivan Center 6-9pm (The group will be holding a raffle and live auction where you can get some good stuff along with FREE pizza, REDBULL, and skating).
To donate time/money and learn more about this sweet organization go to www.thesantacauseonline.org or talk to me.

THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT

My life is like a box
full of chocolate.
The eggs on my plate
are perfectly scrambled.
My bed is often unmade
so it's easier for sleeping.
In the car I sing along
with the radio.
I buy my cheese sharp
from the market.
I have a suitcase ready to travel
wherever life takes me.
My box is always open
for suggestions.
December days are surprisingly warm
in my city.
This song is super awesome
(turn up your volume)...
AND THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT

Discover Ben Lee!

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SYRUP

Don't go through life, grow through life.

I read this quote today from Eric Butterworth. Who is this fellow? I've never heard his name. The only Butterworth I've heard of is the lady who generously makes my pancakes taste deliciously thick, rich and sweet. As I found more from him, I realized I'm not talking about syrup with this guy. Here's a few more I enjoyed:

*We don't change what we are, we change what we think what we are.
*Your fortune is not something to find but to unfold.
*On human levels of consciousness one may emphasize getting and having as the prime goals, in spiritual consciousness he seeks the way of giving and being.
*The great piano virtuoso Paderewski was once playing before an audience of the rich and the royal. After a brilliant performance, an elegant lady waxed ecstatic over the great artist. She said, “Ah Maestro, you are a genius!” Paderewski tartly replied, “Ah yes, madam, but before I was a genius I was a clod!” What he was saying was that his present acclaim was not handed to him on a silver platter. He, too, was once a little boy laboriously practicing his scales. And even at his peak, behind every brilliant performance there were countless hours of practice and preparation.

HOT WIFE MATERIAL

I made a delicious dinner for the parental unit tonight. Then I did the dishes afterwards. I think that officially makes me hot wife material.

KNOTTY GIRL

It's 2-for-1 time at the local massage place and I must say that this knotty girl is gonna be there for sure. In fact, I went twice yesterday.
Sitting in the wait line allowed me to watch the people that both walked in for services and those who were there to work and realize we are all certainly unique in our own way--from the hairy back guy to the old lady wearing all pink and her friend in leopard print with enough makeup for 2 third world countries--I guess that's what keeps life interesting...

MY NEW FAVORITE

In the Salt Lake area and want some good food? My new favorite place is the Bohemian Brewery & Grill. Make sure to get an order of fruit dumplings before you leave...your taste buds (but maybe not your hips) will thank you.
94 East 7200 South, Midvale, UT.

LET'S GET IT ON...

Sometimes it feels so right when others might think it's so wrong--So let's get it on...the thankful list...and enjoy EVERY minute of life. This Thanksgiving, I AM THANKFUL FOR:
*tears because it makes me appreciate every smile
*my pants being a little too tight because it means I have food to eat (but not TOO tight and this one will only be temporary...dang you goulash and dumplings for tasting soo good)
*the hole in the sole of my favorite shoes because it means I have 2 legs that work and I'm able to walk
*a phone call waking me up when I've finally beat Mr. Jet Lag and fallen asleep because someone is thinking of me or feels like they can confide in me
*a big pile of laundry because it means I have clothes to wear and keep me warm
*bad hair days because my true friends will still want to be seen in public with me even if my hair do is worse than a Britney Spears hair don't
*sore muscles because it means I have been working hard
*stains on my shirt because it means I was given a hug from a cute little face with dirty hands
*being away from home because it means I get to come back
*the awkward feeling of walking into a room and not knowing a single person there because a stranger usually turns out to be just a friend I haven't met yet
*sitting through an hour of "remember the time deanna did this stupid thing" because it means I have brothers who care about me
*sometimes losing the game (although it doesn't happen very often) because it teaches me to be more humble
*a lame, witty, or even pretty darn average comment on my blog because it means YOU cared enough to spend a minute or two and read my random thoughts

What the SMELL is going on here?

First thing I did during my 5 hour layover in Atlanta, GA, on my way home was walk into the Bath & Body Works store. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I rubbed every lotion scent on my body. Then yesterday I just couldn't stop smelling everyone around me...people smell soo good here in America. I'm wondering what the SMELL is going on and they are probably thinking other words. God bless the USA.

MILUJU TE!

That's how you say it in Czech, but I've been told they are more conservative when it comes to offering that phrase. I just can't help it. I love the Czech Republic--everything from the people to the food and the smelly kids on the trams (ok that one was a lie).

Things I've learned from my local neighborhood players:
1. If you're cold-wrap yourself in toilet paper.
2. Electric fences WILL shock you if you lean on them and the zoo staff will follow you around if your friends start touching it too because they loved the face you made when you touched it.
3. When you are a visitor in someone's apt/house you WILL remove your shoes and wear their slippers and then they will offer you a drink and food. If you don't take the food they will offer you something else. After the third offer and refusal they will just give you something without asking anymore.
4. The phrase "I speak English" can both get you out of most bad situations (unless the other person is the tram police then they don't care) and make you the most popular girl on the block if it allows others to practice their English.
5. Gypsies might be nice, they shouldn't be trusted, but they might be nice people. And it is definitely bad to punch them or want to punch them.
6. Some people really do cook from scratch and the word "homemade" was redefined in my personal dictionary.
7. Teaching Czechs naughty English phrases (ie. telling them to say "Boo, you whore" to the nasty secretary in the office) isn't nice....it's funny, but not nice.
8. There is more to life than just beer. There is also sausage.
9. Visas are overrated.
10. Objects in the brochure might seem more beautiful than they appear.

Tak. I loved the CZ, but, America, I love you too. See you soon--I'm coming home! Miluju te!

DO OPPOSITES REALLY ATTRACT?

I was walking around, as I usually do here (I've put in some serious mileage) and I was thinking about that phrase. Maybe it's true for magnets but I don't think it works for people. I mean, I speak English and I want a boy who speaks English. The looks decent wagon didn't pass me by and I look for the same in a dude. I like to be active and don't think I could stand dating someone who only watched tv. The list could go on. But then I've never really had a relationship end in happily ever after so maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Paula Abdul was right after all. Maybe just maybe opposites really do attract.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

It had been almost 6 months since I drove a car...until yesterday. I sat behind the wheel of this baby. It was big. I drove fast. And it felt kinda weird.

ALIGNED IN MY FAVOR

On my msn homepage, I look at the weather for both here in CZ and in Utah and occasionally I scroll down and look at my daily horoscope. Sometimes it's way off and I think "this horoscope junk is crap." But once in awhile it seems to be right on and I think "whoa...creepy" like today. So which is it? Is it luck or are the stars really aligned in my favor sometimes?

BLACK HOUSE / WHITE HOUSE

Brigham Young remarked, “No matter how good a government is, unless it is administered by righteous men, an evil government will be made of it.” (Journal of Discourses, 10:177.)
I don't think political party, religion, color, or race are factors in deciding which candidate to elect, rather it should be on issues, candidate’s characteristics, and knowledge vs slogans.

SLEEPING TO DREAM

Everyone around the house has been getting sick lately. It was my turn this weekend. I've been sleeping a lot. It reminded me of this song which I love. I'm not too hip on American pop culture, but I hear Mr. A-Z is hitting it big on the radio right now. It's just a little lullabye...

HOLY BROKEN UMBRELLA, BATMAN

I'm pretty sure Ivanka thought I was a crazy holiday celebrating American when she found me upstairs with a toolbox, umbrella, black hooded sweatshirt, and needle and thread. I took apart the umbrella the family gave me (I hadn't used it once and then 2 days later it rained...go figure) and made wings for my Batman costume for Halloween. I have a feeling she doubted my creative mind, but when I heard her say, "Holy broken umbrella, Batman!"...(my Czech translation could be a little off) I knew she was inspired.

VOTE

I believe every person of voting age, should be an active citizen and VOTE!

The temptation is strong to allow civic participation to become so totally overshadowed by day-to-day concerns that we never get beyond the “faithful voter” level of activity. In such circumstances, it might be wise to remind ourselves that no constitution or set of protective laws is self-executing. Guarantees of political freedom maintain their force only if citizens are willing to exercise that freedom in their own behalf. IF MEN AND WOMEN OF CHARACTER FAIL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL DECISIONS THAT SHAPE THEIR LIVES, OTHERS WITH MORE SELFISH MOTIVES WILL INEVITABLY RUSH IN TO FILL THE VOID.

So I voted today...in my pajamas! I love you, absentee ballot. Do the right thing...VOTE!

OFF THE LIST

With all of my "things to do before I die", this one can officially be crossed off the list: trying to iron my wrinkly skirt with my hair straightener. Done and done and still made it to church on time yesterday.

MY TODAY IS YOUR TOMORROW

Weird. We changed our clocks today back one hour for DST in Czech. One week before America. (Well, most of America--besides Arizona who doesn't change their time at all. Too much cactus juice or something. I heard once there is no Arizona anyway.)
So I'm posting the local time in Prague (with the day of the week listed in Czech so you all can learn some of the lingo). My today is your tomorrow sometimes. Maybe we can work together and set up some gambling on horse races or something since I'm in the future...or something.

WE ARE THE PEOPLE...

4 ways I helped this family become more American just today:
1. I taught William to sing the Yankee Doodle song AND recite the Preamble to the US Constitution. He's learning, but he proudly says, "We are the people...in order to form...a perfect union...establish (or something that sounds similar to establish) justice...assure tranquility...the constitution."
2. William and I had a mock birthday party where he learned how to play pin the tail on the donkey and sang "Happy birthday to you. You live in a zoo. You look like a monkey and you smell like one too."
3. Then we watched a scene from Garfield's Halloween Adventure so they could understand "trick-or-treating."
4. We ended the night with Ivanka learning how to cook a potato in the microwave. It's changed her world of cooking...for better or worse-I'm not sure.

LICENSE PLATE ARCH

To my surprise, I see photos of Delicate Arch all over the place here. I never knew that the little arch that appears on my license plate is known all around the world. Makes me realize it's a big yet small world after all. So anyway, I found a framed shot of the arch just below a table I sit at in the office here in CZ. I dusted it off and it now proudly sits as my window to home. I miss YOU-tah...just a little bit.

FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

Someone shared an email with me from their sister-in-law the other day and now I'll share the story with you:
Their son, who is in Kindergarten, asked a family friend who is pregnant why her stomach was so big. The friend replied that she had a baby growing inside it. The little boy asked her to lift her shirt and show him. Just to humor him, she lifted her shirt and showed him her belly. He then pointed to her boob and asked "What's growing in THERE?" Oh the things that come from the mouths of babes...

COLOR ME NERDY

Glasses you can change the color of to match your outfit with ink? Interesting. Nerdy. And possibly dangerous if they spring a leak while you're out on a steamy date or at a classy party.

PS That's an original Jackson Pollock painting I mixed in with the glasses shots. To make your own click here at jacksonpollock.org. Move your mouse to start and left click to change colors. Color me nerdy, I suppose, but it's pretty fun.

STORY OF MY LIFE

...except I'm not a dude (just change it around).

My mom says I'm just average, but my grandma thought I was cute...

LYRICS from What's a Guy Gotta Do by Joe Nichols
*you can read & listen at the same time*
just push play

Discover Various Artists!

What's... a... guy gotta do to get a girl in this town
Don't wanna be alone when the sun goes down
Just a sweet little somethin to put my arms around
What's a guy gotta do to get a girl in this town

Well ask anybody I'm a pretty good guy
And the looks decent wagon didn't pass me by
There ain't nothin in my past that I'm tryin hard to hide
And I don't understand why I gotta wonder why

What's a guy gotta do to get a girl in this town
Don't wanna be alone when the sun goes down
Just a sweet little somethin to put my arms around
What's a guy gotta do to get a girl in this town

I cruise all around the right parking lots
a little time gets killed alotta bull gets shot
one'll think I'm kinda cute and laugh at every joke I got
when I get to thinkin maybe she's athinkin maybe not

What's a guy gotta do to get a girl in this town
Don't wanna be alone when the sun goes down
Just a sweet little somethin to put my arms around
What's a guy gotta do to get a girl in this town

Had an old man tell me "Boy if you were smart
you'd hit the produce aisle at the Super Walmart"
So I bumped into a pretty girl's shopping cart
but all I did was break her eggs and bruise her artichoke hearts

What's a guy gotta do to get a girl in this town
Don't wanna be alone when the sun goes down
Just a sweet little somethin to put my arms around
What's a guy gotta do to get a girl in this town

*PS not THIS town because most Czechs smell bad and have horrible teeth. But I guess that just makes me look a little bit better.

KINDERGARTEN PIMP

My favorite conversation of the week...
cz: deanna, would you mind teaching English to this person's child on this day and this person's child on this day...blah blah boring details
me: Yeah no problem
cz: And to keep things from being awkward, I'll collect the money for you; you just keep track of the hours.
me: Ok...
cz: This sounds like some kind of illegal activity doesn't it? You doing the work and me collecting the money.
me: Yeah. I believe we call it "prostitution" in America.
cz: So that makes me the pimp?
me: Exactly.
cz: the kindergarten pimp?!

A few days later William pulls me and Ivanka in at the same time and says hug me. Now who is the REAL kindergarten pimp??

FUNNY BUSINESS

Laugh often. Laugh long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath or it hurts. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him/her.

A RELATIVELY GOOD TIME

Words can't explain how much I loved meeting these distant family members...so I'll let the photos do the work:

DON'T TELL MAMINKA

The face made when you hear "Mommy guess what...we ate french fries!" after negotiating a deal with a 3 year old to keep your actions a secret.

LOVE IN DER CLUB

I saw Mamma Mia last week in the theater (PS good show) and it got me thinking words I don't say very often. L-O-V-E. That's right, I reckon I'm not sure what love really is, but here are a few of my favorite lines from movies and whatnot that explain it:

*Honestly, if you're not willing to sound stupid you don't deserve to be in love. (A Lot Like Love)

*All you need is love (The Beatles)

*Marge, I'm going to miss you so much. And it's not just the sex. It's also the food preparation. (Homer Simpson)

*[holding Holly by the shoulders] What do you want? I know what I want, cause I'm holding it in my hands. You. (PS I Love You)

*Robbie: Hey man, how come you're not over there dancing?
Studliest Kid at Bar Mitzvah: I asked that girl over there. She turned me down. She said she doesn't dance with losers.
Robbie: Oh man, that hurts. But you know, why would you want to dance with someone who doesn't want to dance with you? (The Wedding Singer)

*Some days your mother and me loved each other. Other days we had to work at it. You never see the hard days in a photo album... but those are the ones that get you from one happy snapshot to the next. I'm sorry your honeymoon stunk but that's what you got dealt. Now you gotta work through it. Sarah doesn't need a guy with a fat wallet to make her happy. I saw how you love this girl. How you two lit each other up. She doesn't need anymore security than that. (Just Married)

*Bianca: There's a difference between like and love. Because, I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack.
Chastity: But I love my Skechers.
Bianca: That's because you don't have a Prada backpack. (10Things I Hate About You)

*ADRIAN! (Rocky)

*I never understood before. I never knew what love was for. My heart was broke, my head was sore. What a feeling. (Brighter than Sunshine, Aqualung)

WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER

I was writing a new post tonight when I came across a struggle. I want to add a quote from a movie, however, I do not know the title of the movie or the actor who said it. All I know is that the character said they have been waiting for that 'ah ah' moment in their life like in the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton song Islands in the Stream when they sing ah ah, referring to finding that special someone. Does that make sense? Then they kiss someone later on in the film and say "ah ah" because they finally feel it. I want to say it was a movie in the late 90's maybe when Luke Wilson and Drew Barrymore were popular. Maybe? Help. If you can name the movie and put my mind at ease, you get a chicken dinner on me...well, not ON me. Ready, set, search.

Discover Katie Price & Peter Andre!

CATCHING UP

It's been awhile since I posted a good blog, assuming some of my posts are good, so I am using this one to do some catching up.

I was taken to the forest to pick mushrooms. A little afraid because the ony mushrooms I have ever picked have been at the supermarket, I learned to stay away from the red ones even though they look so pretty. I was in last place in the mushroom finding contest with only 2 in my basket until I found the biggest and best variety. The next day I used my hunting experience to deliver an amazing talk to the branch in Czech. Houby=mushroom & pokani=repentance. Then we had mushroom soup for lunch.

William got a new ride and I taught him the correct way to drive: one hand on the wheel and the other around the babes.


I found out IKEA dogs are delicious in any language.



My mate Marc from England came for a visit and I think in our 5 days of seeing the Czech countryside he left with a month's worth of stories. Train crashes, dairy farms, Hotel Slovan, Germans and vodka, neverending dumpling feasts, etc. Click here for more photos/insights from this Prague holiday.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS...

Hey, need something fun to do? Go to this link and vote for me to win a trip to walk to Liverpool. Of course I would enter this contest! Please? Pretty please? Free hug? Help me out friends!
Click here, enter site, and vote "go to Liverpool"

YOU TAKE THE GOOD, YOU TAKE THE BAD, YOU TAKE THEM BOTH AND THEN YOU HAVE...

the facts of one sweet European roadtrip.

GOOD: A few years ago I made a list of the top 5 places I wanted to visit. The list included Texas, the MLK monument in Alabama, Chicago, Budapest, and the moon. I made it to Texas a few summers ago and can now cross Budapest off the list (although I wouldn't mind returning at all).

BAD: The only thing I hate more than sitting in a car with 4 people speaking Czech (I'm including the dang GPS girl in the count) is listening to Czech music at the same time.

BOTH: We set out Thurs night to Bratislava Slovakia. Then traveled to Hungary where we spent time at Lake Balaton and Budapest. Final stop was Vienna Austria before making it back to Czech Sunday night. Thank you cousin Michal, Lenka, Honza, and the CZ fam for one amazing trip!
FACTS: making friends in traffic jams, business socks, camping, mosquitoes, goulash, Buda and Pest, 1 vs 2 pills, "I have a cat in my pants", sausage and chocolate, currency rip offs, bath with a camera and old men, 4 different currencies, and taking shortcuts.
click click if you want to see more photos

HATE, HATE, LOVE...

Two things I HATE: colored toilet paper and crocs.
It's just wrong wrong wrong to be using paper with dye on it. I don't care if it matches the walls...do you know where it's gonna go?!

Second, I hate Crocs. I know I'm really late to the Crocs-mocking party but they just won't go away. Below is an amazing article about them. It'll either a)make you pee your pants from laughing so much, b)feel ashamed, very ashamed for wearing them, or c)offend someone in which case you should really get a sense of humor:
CLICKY CLICKY

Here's just an excerpt:
If you think about it, the Crocs company should really be admired. P. T. Barnum would be proud. They've managed to separate money from the wallets of millions and millions of seemingly sane people who wake up, look in the closet, and actually decide: "Today I'll leave the house wearing these neon-green Dutch bubble shoes with Swiss-cheese holes in them. Maybe I'll even buy some little plastic strawberries or bananas and jam them in the sweat holes, just to jazz things up and make the bacteria incubate faster."


On the other hand, and you may not agree with me, but I LOVE fanny packs. Anybody who dares to wear one has the cool award for the day in my opinion.

A LITTLE MORE TIME AT THE POOL

Two nights ago, I decided to catch the Olympic spirit so I turned on the television and caught a good amount of synchronized diving. It's amazing. And the guys are pretty good looking. Guess I'm gonna have to start spending a little more time at the pool.

A SNAIL OF A MEAL

The family decided I needed a birthday meal I'd never forget. Snail and pheasant Czech 2008.

OFFERS: DECLINED

I got 7 proposals the first day on my search for the man who would save my pocket $500 (see 08/01/08 post). Not bad. Not bad at all.

This boy even volunteered to father 2 babies for me and said we could get started that night if I wanted. He assured me with my eyes and his hair, they would be beautiful. Unfortunately, I declined the offer.

Rain thwarted my pursuit the next two days and then I lost interest. You win, brother, I give up. Czech...NO mate. Since I'm in the CZ I'll have to pay you 500Kc. It's in the mail. woo ha ha!

HELLO, NICE TO MEET YOU. MY NAME IS PATIENCE. HAVE WE MET BEFORE?

When I stand in line at a store, I like to give the person in front of me some personal space. I don't need to see what they buy and don't need them in my business. Not true here. In fact, you get pushed through the lines. I don't know how many times I've felt a shopping basket push me forward or some lady reach in front of me with her items as I take my change and put my stuff in my bag. But I don't budge. Goodgosh, I have a word for you...it's called PATIENCE because I'm sure both of us don't want your rohlik poking me in the booty.

D-DAY err...B-DAY

It's almost here. 08/08/08. And my brother will soon be 500 bones richer.
You see, he made a bet several years earlier that I wouldn't be married by my birthday this year. I thought 'shoot, I'm cute enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darnit someone MIGHT want to marry me by then.'

*Rules applied to bet*
1. it has to be to a dude
2. it can't be to a boy who just wants a green card
3. he has to speak English
4. he can't be deaf, blind, and mute
5. he has to be mentally capable
6. he can't be on his death bed
7. it can't be annulled right after I get the money

Well, I have 7 days to get married. Heck, I have the weekend off, maybe I should go look for my Czech mate. Time to work it!

ALWAYS TALK TO STRANGERS

I know we grow up learning about the danger of talking to strangers, but I think I would have missed out on some of my favorite people/insights/fun/friendships if I hadn't just made a comment or asked a question to some random person around me. In the line at Dairy Queen, the movie theater ticket salesperson, or even at the Jiffy Lube...there are dozens of opportunites to meet the world's coolest people, but so many times they pass us by because we are afraid to talk to strangers. To this I say Do it! Always talk to strangers! And sometimes I only look ONE way before I cross the street, but I'll leave that rule up to you.

ALL PIGS HAVE TAILS

I taught William what pig tails are today with my hair in braids. And he pulled them. Typical boy.

LAAAAAZY

I'll change this in a bit, but here's my lazy version of posting photos. Click the link.
xoxoxo
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2191716&l=c1684&id=17823815
PS I'm actually probably not going to change anything...

FAT LADY ON A LITTLE BENCH...

I walk by this cathedral at least once a week and finally went inside the other day. It had a beautiful pulpit, richly colored stained glass windows, unique spires, ornate carvings, and grand painted panels, but my favorite part of the visit was...

this fat lady sitting on the bench under the tiny tree just outside.

Not IN America but OF America

I had the afternoon off so I tried to be the best American I could being it was July 4 and Independence Day. So I stopped by the local American Center (lame...all it had was a computer and some books in English), walked down Americka Street, passed by the McDonald's, went into the local museum with an exhibit by American artist Andy Warhol, wore red white and blue, taught William how to hold up four fingers for the number 4, and went to a BBQ where we played USA Jeopardy. Fireworks not included. Happy birthday America!

THE WAY YOU DO IT

Max's Father: Dangit, Max! Get serious, for once! What are you going to DO with your life?
Max: Why is it always what will I DO? "What will he DO", "What will he DO," "Oh, my gosh what will he DO", Do, do, do, do, do. Why isn't the issue here who I am?
Uncle Teddy: Because, Maxwell, what you DO defines who you ARE.
Max: No, Uncle Teddy. Who you ARE defines what you DO. Right Jude?
Jude: [awkward] ... Well, surely it's not what you do, but the, uh... the way that you do it.

I heard these lines in the film Across the Universe today and I had to go back and listen to them a few times on the DVD because they just seemed so inspiring. I think sometimes other people, and even I myself, wonder who I am and what I'm doing. I'm not always sure the answers to those questions but I DO know I like the way I do it.

Oh yeah, and I like the way Jude does it with his English accent in this movie...goodgosh he's gorgeous.

VIP: VERY IMPORTANT PHRASES

William is amazing at picking up the English language and speaking. So, besides teaching him to always say 'please' and 'thank you' I love teaching him very important English phrases like: shake, shake, shake. shake your booty, handlebaaaaar mustache (as he puts his fingers under his nose to form the stache), no way Jose, ohmygoodness, and DEANNA IS AWESOME!
My other favorite is this song:

TELE-CREEPIES

I've been watching a few childrens' shows lately (some over and over and over again). I can tolerate most, but if there is one that absolutely creeps me out more than anything it has to be the Teletubbies. I don't even know what in the world the teletubbies are...are they pajama wearing aliens? Do they even speak English? What's with the laughing baby face in the sun? And judging by the cover of this DVD, they're obviously gay (again no offense to my gay friend Shane). Not the kind of program we should be showing our little ones.