It's Been a While

Wow have things changed! Well, I didn't blog for a while because I have been very uphappy. I started to really hate my job, which is super sad since I loved it to begin with. Well, I loved being in LA more than the job itself. In a nutshell, two HUGE factors to my unhappiness were 1) do to job-cuts I got more responsibilites, but then slowly they were taken away again. That really bummed me out because I loved being busy for the first time working there. 2) There was a girl who is the file clerk and breaks me at reception who is pregnant, which is fine for her, but...they weren't giving out raises, and the ONLY raise they gave out was to the pregnant girls in the office because they will need it on maternity leave. I found this to be completely unfair and favoritism. Then, she got days off that I requested off first because, she was having 1 of her 6 baby showers. Needless to say, I got real peeved quick because there is no reason that in the work place any one should be held above the other (with the except of length of employment maybe.) It just really stunk to be left in the dust and not get a raise and the girl that did sleeps on the job and never does anything.

So because of all my unhappiness I finally said something. It was apparent that they would not improve my work situation at all and in fact would let me go once the prego girl was back from maternity leave. So, I quit. The only lingering-bad part to this was that I think I get mad at my pregnant sister too easily because I compare her to this co-worker, and I shouldn't! I was only unemployed for a week before I got an amazing job!

I'm working in a Law firm again. I'm basically a clerk/receptionist again, but my title is Administrative Assistant. I am getting paid more, it's closer to home, and I am BUSY BUSY BUSY! I love it! The first week was rough, but I am loving it more each day. It's a great place to work, they make you have goals. There is a weekly goal meeting and your co-workers encourage you to become better. The only sad part is that there is no fancy bathroom and we have to use the main lobby one, but I can handle that.

So things are now looking up for Nathan and I. He is working hard on Skankeywear and hoping to sell product by Jan. He is also in a Flag-Football league and very excited about that. I now have goals of accomplishing quite a few things. First is to run a 1/2 marathon. SUMMARY - Things have been rough for a while, but now they are getting better and I'm so excited about it!

*RANDOM PHOTOS throughout are of: Nathan and I went out to a nice dinner to Las Brisas in Laguna Beach and also EXCITING times at the NEW TARGET!!!

Here are some photos from Halloween. Popeye and Olive Oyl.

Here is Tiddlywink as a Pumpkin.

And Handsome Rob as a Businessman.

Random Updates

Results from the St. George Marathon:
Mike Hancock 2:53

Nathan Skankey 3:18

Christian Underwood 3:35

John Bailey 3:57
They are glad to be finished, that's for sure. Months and months of training and I'm not so sure that Nathan thought it was worth it. But he did it!

Above is a video of Tiddlywink after she went to the Vet's to get fixed. She is the sweetest cat ever so it was really creepy when she came home and was hissing at everyone.

Mrs. Harris

This is another old journal entry from one of my high school English classes. I just thought I'd share. For a little better story of the situation, you can check out the blog my mom did about it.

03/02/04

The first week of March was wonderful for me. The most exciting thing happened. I was cast as an extra for a movie, a real paying job! I got a call from the agency I’m with and they told me all the information about the job.

They need girls 17-18 years old, wavy or curly hair recommended, and brunettes, or dirty blondes, but no coloring or streaks. I fit the description perfectly. I was told to show up for a fitting on a Monday. I went and was able to try on these school girl uniforms. It took a good two hours to do all of that. I was told to be there Wednesday and Thursday for filming. I showed up, got dressed, and was sent to hair and make-up. Fifteen girls, including myself, all were bussed to a fancy house in Pasadena. That is were we learned more about the film.

The film is an HBO special called “Mrs. Harris.” It is about the doctor who invented the Scarsdale diet of the 70’s. He is played by Sir Ben Kingsley. The storyline is more about his love, Mrs. Harris. She is played by Annette Benning. She owns an all girls school, and she eventually goes crazy and kills the doctor. So, I am one of the girls at the school. On Wednesday’s filming, I play Lacrosse. On Thursday’s filming I am one of the students in the auditorium. Each day I was featured, or facing and on camera. I was told I had the look they wanted.

To me, more exciting then the filming was the process. I got to meet all the techies and ask about their jobs. I was able to meet all the assistant directors and the director. I was able to meet Annette Benning and I even walked into Sir Ben Kingsly. Not to mention, I met many new friends. It was so much fun. Even the three hours of school were pretty fun. I was able to meet so many people and learn so many new things I had not know. It was one of the greatest experiences ever!

I remember when my Mom and I ran into Ben Kingsley, litterally. I made EYE CONTACT! I thought we would be shot right there on the premises! You see, "Sir" Ben Kingsley had rules in his contract and no other cast or crew could look him in the eyes unless it was neccessary for the scene! What a crazy man. I don't think he's good enough for the respect he wants. I mean he is good, but not that good. Annette Benning was really nice, but not funny though she tried. I still think she is fantastic! That was my first time doing extra work on a real set, besides Mormon movies. So it was very exciting to be involved in the real thing.

Blink-182 Concert

Nathan and I had big plans for seeing Blink-182 with Weezer and Taking Back Sunday in concert! I've already seen Weezer and TBS several times. And I've seen Angels and Airwaves, so it almost counts as Blink, but still as soon as I heard about this line up I HAD TO GO! Unfortunetly, it didn't work out and I had to sell my PIT tickets! (I cried) Nathan could never go when I could. So, last Friday night I realized we weren't doing anything, so I bought tickets to the second half of the Blink Tour, with Fall Out Boy and All American Rejects.

I used to like All American Rejects, but something makes me very uncomfortable about how tight their pants are and that the lead singer wears more glitter than clothes.

I have never seen Fall Out Boy and only knew one song, but they were pretty good. The lead singer is SOOO talented! He needs to just leave that band, seriously. The guitarist was pretty good until he biffed the guitar solo in Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." And that is not a hard solo. I have always heard of this Pete Wentz character and he is so annoying. He is the only one who talks in between songs and I don't think he knows that he is not the lead singer. Also, I think he forgets that he is suppose to play an instrument, the bass. He often put it behind his head or had his roady play while he slapped hands with the crowd. He was also very small, it looked like a troll running around on stage. (I looked it up to confirm it, he is only 5'6") That explains it.

Blink-182 were really good. I wasn't expecting greatness since I've heard that they don't always perform well, but they were pretty awesome. They were pretty crude in between songs, which I could have done without, but besides that they played lots of songs from Dude Ranch up until their last one. If you had followed Blink, you may agree with me, that when they started they were just in a band, but now they are musicians. Their last album was phenominal and they can really play and sing. However, it has always been known that the most talent is with Travis Barker, the drummer. In the drumming world, he is considered one of the greats. So, needless to say, I was freaking out when in the encore of the show, Travis appeared suspended from the stage playing a drum solo. It was amazing! He was swinging from one side of the stage to the other and then spinned in a circle while still playing. Amazing, just amazing.

Overall it was a good show, I just really wish I could have seen Weezer and Taking Back Sunday again. Oh well...I guess I'll just have to pray for another tour.

Best Movie Of All Time

This is an old Journal entry I wrote for my English class. I still stand by it today...

09/22/03

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEJRELusTmE&feature=related
There are lots of good movies in the world. Some say it is Titanic, Pearl Harbor, or Dumb and Dumber. A movie that is overlooked, but is clearly the best is A Goofy Movie. A Goofy Movie is a Disney cartoon that, to my knowledge, was never in the movie theaters.

It is about Max, Goofy’s son. Goofy is of course Mickey Mouse’s best friend. Max is in high school, where being “cool” is the most important thing. He wants to impress the love of his life Roxanne. In the beginning of the movie, he interrupts the school assembly dressed as a popular music icon known as Powerline.

Max lights the stage on fire with his hip dance moves. The crowd is in love with him. He is finally cool, until the principal catches him. Goofy is afraid that Max is becoming a wild, dangerous kid. He decides to go on a long vacation with Max to go to Lake Destiny. Little does Goofy know, Max had finally got a date with Roxanne. Eager to still get Roxanne’s attention, Max tells Roxanne that he is going to a Powerline concert. Not only that, he claims he will be on stage with the superstar.From this moment on, the movie has Goofy and Max bonding and going through the problems that father and sons have. In one scene they see Big Foot, another they see a house made of yarn. They have unbelievable adventures. Near the end Goofy learns of Max’s promise to Roxanne as well as them loosing everything. So, they decide to go and try to be on stage with Powerline. This movie is a great family comedy and partial musical. It has an amazing soundtrack, filled with songs that make you get up and dance. It even contains comical lyrics. Every song is great and enhances the movie just a little more. With the movies mocking of Grease and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, it is an excellent comedic combination. This movie is the best one without a doubt. I just wish more people would have seen it. A Goofy Movie is a film that everyone can love!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3_qqtPQPVY&feature=related

I still think the A Goofy Movie holds up as one of the greatest movies of all time. It is just so good! With such amazing quotes as, "How many cups of sugar does it take to get to the moon?" And awesome songs like "Eye to Eye." The best scene by far is when they are stuck inside their car because Big Foot is outside, there is some kind of commotion and Big Foot ends up with headphones on. One of the best Dance Scenes in a movie! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrzPHuLCu1Y

Random Peru Photos

These are from a lady who went with our group.

I'm glad she took these...proof that I worked!

This was from our Catcus Adventure...

In the photo above, with Yeison, I know he is thinking, "What is this idiot saying!"

Other photos:

I miss my kids! :(

Being a Voluneteer

Charles Schultz Philosophy:

Take this test:

1. Name the 10 wealthiest people in the world

2. Name the last 5 Heisman trophy winners

3. Name the last 5 winners of the Miss America contest

How did you do?

Now...

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school

2. Name 2 friends who helped you through a difficult time

3. Name 3 people who taught you something worthwhile

How did you do?

"None of us remember the headlines of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers, he/she is the best in his/her fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish and achievements are forgotten. The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, the most fame, or the most awards. They are the ones that care."

"We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It is easy to say, it is not MY child, not MY community, not MY world, not MY problem. Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider these people my heroes." - Mr. Rogers

I try to stay active in volunteering and helping others, but my one complaint is that it is HARD to serve others in the states! I'm currently in the process of doing my screening for a group and it takes 6 weeks minimum to 6 months to qualify. Why can't I just go out and help?!

Random Updates

I got rid of my facebook account and apparently no one knows how to get a hold of me now. There is a thing called a phone, some people still use it to call, although most use it for internet and texting. I have just had it with all this facebook/myspace nonsense. I cannot have one conversation without someone bringing it up, for no reason. Example: "Did you see what I posted early on Facebook? Yeah, I did my laundry today." Why did you need to mention facebook, just tell me that you did your laundry and that's all. So, hopefully I will lead the example, but I doubt it. I have also had it with texting and cell phones, specifically the iPhone. I think technology should help our lives, not be our lives. Why don't people play board games rather than other applications? I know I'm alone in this, but I still think a game of trivial pursuit is better than any games on PS3 or other gaming systems.

Todd has been out on his mission for 2 months (well in New Zealand for 2 months). It seems like he is doing alright, but I still don't think he is confident. He needs to just be himself and not worry too much. He is having his first baptism soon and you can tell he is very excited about it. My mom updates his blog with letters he writes, if you want to check it out.

Also, Handsome Rob

and Tiddlywink

have been drooling a lot. I didn't understand why. So, I took them to the vet. I tried to blame the vet since just last week (when drooling started) Tiddlywink had been at the vet getting fixed. But, he just kind of skipped over that. They both have respiratory infection. Rob had a really high fever. Poor kitties, but they seem fine other than the drool.

Kingman, AZ

I'm finally done with Peru pictures, well at least for the blog. I wanted to make sure I had given everyone enough time to read them since I've told several people to look at my blog for them.

So, since Nathan and I have been home from Peru we are trying to figure out the next step for us. We decided to move in with my folks to save money for a down payment on a house.

It's tough living back home, but I LOVE that dinner is ready when I get home! It's so nice to be taken care of again. We have been looking at homes all over, but we have our hearts set on Kingman, AZ. We aren't quite sure how it came about, but the more we heard about the area, the more we loved.

For Labor Day weekend, we went out to look at homes and really evaluate the area. It is desert, but it's high desert. It reminds me of St. George with out the red rock. We really liked it and we also found a home we liked. It's a fixer-upper, but hopefully we will get it.

If we don't, we will continue to look for homes. My problem is that I already want to move into a mansion, but we need to get a starter home first. Oh well, I love that we can get a small home on a few acres and they aren't track homes. I will update you if we are moving!

Peru, Part 9

I have been wanting to post about the day on Lake Titicaca, but my camera broke on that day, so I didn't have photos. So, these are all from my Dad's camera.

It was fun to see how these people still live on the Reed Islands. They did this at first to fish, but now after so many people find it amazing, their main industry is tourism. They have rules so that no island gets more visits than another. I don't know why they would still do this, but they are used to this way of life and have learned how to live completely from the reed.

They do everything with the reed, as we saw from our presentation. They even eat it! It tastes like celery.

A lot of the donations that I brought personally went to the "Mormon Island" Apu-Inti. Which was great to see where/who they went to.

The Box Elder Credit Union Shirt was from my sister Julie! Sorry Julie, but we don't where it and this guy could use it more!

We even gave them a Prop 8 shirt! Yes!

They also received many of the tied blankets I put together, which was much needed here as it is freezing!

Such a cute island with many proud Mormons. They welcomed us with hymns and also, as we left sang "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again."

Such great people. I am glad to have met everyone I met in Peru, all the kids and adults. I love it and I miss it. I just hoped I helped, just a little.