4-0, that's right!

So, I know you've all been wondering, and
yes, the Cracker Jack Kids did win last night making them 4-0.
After a rough start in the first two innings The Kids were able to pull it together and make magic happen.
They had a 14-7 win and are getting excited for next week's game that will be played under the lights!

A place of change

I know of a place where you can enter, but you may never leave.

It is not a place where threat tactics and force keep you from leaving, actually, it's quite the opposite. This place is one of the most energetic, fun-loving places I have ever run across! Humor saturates the air, work is piled on the floor, the company is great, and if you're lucky you may even have the chance to eat from a chilled plate and fork (paper that is).

This place, actually this office, has probably had the most influence on my college life thus far. I have yet to find better people and more satisfactory work than I have in this office. The experiences, the opportunities, and the confidence I have gained from this office have made such a huge difference in my life I don't even have words to describe. I have truly grown and become a different person than I would have been because of this office and it's people. I owe all of my successes in college to this office.

I know I don't thank them enough. I'm not very good at verbally expressing my gratitude, that's why I like to send cards. So, this is kind of a "thank you for everything and all you do" to the SOAR office.

I really appreciate it.

Cracker Jack Kids look forward to great season

The Cracker Jack Kids are on a 3-0 winning streak and hope to make it 4-0 tonight!
The Kids have had an excellent season so far and have great potential to become one of the leagues' best teams. Players absent because of sickness and probation have not stopped the team from kicking everyone's trash. They look forward to improving upon last week's glorious double play in their game tonight.
The CrackerJack Kids will be hosting the Al's Sporting Goods team in Smithfield at 7 p.m. All are invited.

It just keeps going, and going, and going. . .

What's the special occasion today, you might ask.
There really isn't one, it's just been a freakin' long day and I fell like I should blog - but about what I'm not quite sure.
I am going to Pirates III tonight, or more like 1 in the a.m. tomorrow. That'll help this l. . . . o. . . . n . . . g . . . .d. . . .a. . . .y pass by quick, don't ya think?!
But I am excited to go - expecially because they people I'm going with have a love, just like me, for dressing up to go to movies!
That's right, we'll all be decked-out in the best pirate costumes we can come up with.
Oh! I got a new job yesterday and started today - that's news for you!
I am now a temporary bindery worker for PDP (Publication Design & Production) for the university. Today I got to hole punch and bind Source books for the new students. It's really quite interesting - all the machines and little gadgets they have in there. The biggest collating machine I've ever seen - probably the only one, but ya know.
Anyway, that is all for now.

Birthday shout-out. . .

I know, as well as all of you know, that I don't blog very often, so when I do it must be for a special occasion - and today it is!

Today is my dear cousin, Deidra's, birthday!

Deidra and I have been very good friends, for a very long time - so long that we knew we could get mad at each other and not talk to one another and still be ok.

I've shared some of my favorite memories with Deid:

-fishing with grandpa

-family reunions

-playing barbies and princesses at my house - and yes, making crowns out of the willow branches!

-sleeping, and practically living, in a tent in her backyard for days, maybe even sometimes weeks

-hoeing beets

-welding in uncle warren's shop - and tumbling

-going to state with uncle troy, playing trivial pursuit the whole way up, and throwing my socks out of his sun roof on the freeway

-volleyball state, drinking outrageous amounts of free choco. milk, laughing because tash's uncle is the funny kid that uncle troy went to school with who ate ham out of his pocket, coach strain dancing michael jackson in the aisles of the bus, etc.

-volleyball in general-locker room moments, seely going bright red and slamming his clipboard, sheri crying, walker yelling at us because we have "no heart," apple trees and their sisters, tiger-grizz camp, etc., etc., etc.

-my first year at school: stealing linda's tv out of her room only to watch the olympics on an 11" screen, cooking grilled pizza on deid's grill that we started by lighting newspaper on fire from the stove-all while my roommate linda is convinced we're going to burn down the apartment, going to bed around 10:30 every night-because that's just what we do, knocking on the wall to make sure deid's awake to go to the sports academy where there are numerous people that we've made-up stories about(snaggle girl being one of them), going to hockey games and seeing how many people we can cram into amber's car, staci winning a tv at b-i-n-g-o night during wow week and deid and whit riding in amber's trunk, our stats class with kimberleigh hadfield-where i studied my butt off and deid read the newspaper and i still got a lower grade, and who could forget working with jka, smelling like manure and feeds-being turned green because of the feeds and deid drawing a beautiful card that depicted jan very well for boss's day, etc.

After this we didn't have as many crazy adventures because she left for D.C. where she met her husband, Chris. This was probably the best thing for me at that time in my life - I finally learned how to do things on my own, to make my own friends and I learned how you don't realize what you have until it's gone. I missed Deid and was happy to have her come home, and I even liked the guy she was marrying-which was a plus for me.

I really enjoyed my past 21 years with my cousin and I hope today is a great day for her!

Love you, Deid!

i may be a scrapper with a dead sister --

Monday I had the day off so I could work on projects and study.
Very little studying was done, but I got all of my projects finished -- not without making a trip to Michael's where I discovered the Martha Stewart section that Deid has been talking about. Wow -- I tell you what, I may become a scrapbooker after all!
I found some small scrapbooks that are square and I thought maybe that's how I could scrapbook, it wouldn't take as long to make a smaller page as it would a big one.
Anyway, that's about it for that.

Yesterday my sister died!
It's kind of sad to think about, so I'm not going to, but Burley High did this program showing high school students that the statistic is that one person dies every fifteen minutes in high school because of drunk driving and what not(i think that's what the stat is). Katelin was a victim in a car accident where three people died and two were in critical condition and taken by helicopter to a hospital. They had a court hearing and everything, and those that "died" yesterday had to stay at the school last night. I think it sounds like a good program, but man, thinking about my sister dying-I don't even like that at all. I'm sure it was really realistic to a lot of people at Burley High yesterday. I hope everyone realizes how sudden death can be and that it can happen to anyone.
I hope my family knows I love them!

The smell of leather

The warm weather and sunny days have sparked a deep yearning for what springtime means to me - baseball/softall season!

I have been longing to play for quite a while and just this week I've been able to get a pretty good dose of "America's Favorite Pasttime!" Sunday I got to play a little pick-up game/practice with some friends (it was so fun and reminded me of being home on Sunday afternoons!), on Monday softball inturmurals started (my team isn't amazing, but it still felt good to get out and play) and then last night I was able to go to Kate's game at Century.

One of my favorite things to do is to smell my glove - the leather smells so good to me! This, along with the sound of the bat hitting the ball and the ball hitting the glove, the cheers and adrenaline, is what springtime means to me.

This week was a good preview and satisfied my need for baseball in my life, but I have a feeling it will return within a short time. I'm glad I have now found people to play with!

Life-long goal accomplished!

I am proud to announce that today I accomplished a life-long goal!

It was exciting, to say the least, and took up minimal time, contrary to what I believed. What was this goal, you might ask-it was a goal that I set my first year of college with my cousin, Deidra. And that was to get our passports so we can travel the world!

They are having a passport fair today down by the post office. All you have to do is pay the fees and they'll take your picture and send it in and all the dirty work. It was great and I think it only took me about 12 min.
Not too shabby!

I Heart Food!

It's that time of year again, you know, when all the vendors and dietetics and nutrition students get together to bring one of the best expos on campus.
You guessed it-today is the Nutrition and Food Expo!
This is seriously one of my favorite things on campus because it includes all the good foods-cheese(from Aggie Ice Cream and Gossner's), fresh fruit from Lee's(a different, darker kind of orange-delicious!, Cal-State strawberries, and this year-my favorite-fresh pineapple!), bread(from Crumb Brothers and Great Harvest), and flavored milk from Gossner's.
And we can't forget the delicious snacks made at the center food demo.s.
Wow, it has been a great day!

Coming soon. . .

In conjuction with everyone posting lists about themselves, I've decided to make my own.

It's complete, just not typed in here. Who would've thought you can't type something in word and past it in here-annoying! Anyway, my list is going to be the latest attraction on my blog soon, so get ready!

And have a happy National Blonde Brownie Day tomorrow! You should eat one, whether you make it, or go and enjoy one of these delights at Applebee's!

(p.s. it really isn't national blonde brownie day tomorrow. the really day is the 22 of jan., but i like to celebrate it in feb. because national popcorn day is so close to that and i can't be having that many parties in one week. i'm too anti-social for that!)

Happy Valentine's Day

As most people are enjoying a romantic, candle-lit dinner with their significant other, I'll be cheering on my aggies(3 in WAC) as they take on Hawaii, who is 6th.

I must admit that I was a little worried for our team when the season started, but I feel we are progressivley improving, especially after wins over Utah and NMSU last week. What a game that was, Jaycee Carroll hitting all of his free throws and finishing with 44 points. Too bad we still aren't dating.

That would make for a great Valentine's story!

Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day to you all.
Enjoy your chocolate!

Hopefully Jack Bauer doesn't take Sudafed!

Sinus infection season is upon me and I hate it!

I decided to take some medicine this morning because the pain was almost unbearable(note: i rarely take medicine. i usually just wait it out). I purchased some cold relief medicine about this time last year because I was having the same problems. I know that I can't take sudafed, even though it is amazing, because it knocks me out for a few hours(10 to be exact!). So this medicine I have is daytime/non-drowsy. I took it last year and it worked pretty well, so I decided I'd take some today. Little did I know that it would affect me in a totally different manner. I went to an institue class with Karilyn and started feeling like I was outside my body. I felt almost like I was going to pass-out, but not at the same time. I couldn't walk very straight. I felt like I was wearing the "drunken" goggles while walking to my next class. I didn't even say hi to one of my really good friends because I was afraid of dropping to the ground. What a day!

I am now feeling better, but I decided I really hope I don't get chased or shot at today because I have the slowest reaction time!

By the way: I got to see all of my friends this weekend(it was Cade Jones's homecoming) and I realized how good they all are. They were always such good examples and great people to be around.
Lucky am I!

Best Surprise Ever!

While I was making the last batch of popcorn last night there was a knock on my door.
Figuring it was someone that was just really early to the popcorn party, I yelled for them to come in. Who came in?! None other than my Aunt Patrice, Uncle Warren, Deidra and Chris!
Who would've thought?!
It was really the best surprise ever (and considering I hate surprises-this is good!)!!
They had read my blog and thought they'd stop on in. What a funny bunch! But I am so happy they came; there's really nothing better that seeing/being with family!
Thanks so much guys! You're awesome!

Happy National Popcorn Day!

I just wanted to inform all that today is National Popcorn Day!
So feel free to indulge in this tasty treat as you can enjoy it in several different flavors such as: carmel, fiddle faddle, marshmallow, peanut butter, cheese, jello, and not to forget the regulars of theater buttery, just buttery, light butter, salted, and plain.
If any of you happen to be in town this evening you are more than welcome to stop by my apartment about 9:30-ish and taste some of the flavors we've got going on.

This is one of my roommates and my favorite random holidays to celebrate. Another fun one is national blonde brownie day (Feb. 22) and, my all time favorite, The Swedish Summer Solctice Strawberry Shindig!

A birthday shout-out!

This shout-out goes to my dear Aunt Patrice, aka Aunt Batrice!
I just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday and wish you a wonderful day!
I miss laughing with you about the things that the special ed. students would do! Oh, the joys of being a peer mentor!
Good luck today and eat ice cream - because it's good and good for you!

The ridiculously long lasting gum. . .

I really like, and can relate with today's Far Side.
There is a picture of a classroom and the teacher is looking back at a student who has his hand raised. The quotation reads, "Mr. Osborne, may I be excused? My brain is full."
Sometimes I believe I was somehow given an abnormally small brain, which is terribly difficult to retain information in.
I noticed in my first semester at college that I was having a hard time retaining any information that I would read. I did manage to find a way, somehow, to memorize the info. I needed for the next test, but as soon as the test was over - out went the knowledge and recollection of everything I had spent hours reviewing.
In high school I had an excellent memory and had no problem remembering anything and everything I took the time to memorize.
It makes me wonder how anyone makes it through 4+years of college and retain enough to actually become something, such as a doctor, and remember exatly what tiny muscle is to the left of your membrane on the outside of your cerebellum.
It blows my mind. And not that I'm trying to compare my studying anywhere near that of a brain surgeons, but I'm flabbergasted at how the human brain works and can remember so much, after so many years.
I'm just hoping I make it through college and remember the difference between straight news stories and feature stories!

No train ride for me:)

Just so you know - I'm listening to Hootie & The Blowfish right now!
Right on.
And, no, nothing did/will happen with Bame-it's just an entertaining story!
Ok, that is all.

The word in Burley

So, the story goes. . .

While I was at the Burley High Boy's Basketball game on Saturday I was visiting with some friends that I haven't seen in quite a while when a mom came to talk to me. We'll just call her "duck-train" mom, for secrecy purposes.

Duck-train mom: "Hi guys!(just a general hello to all present) I actually came to talk to you."(looking directly at me)

Whit: "Me?!"

Duck-train mom: "Yes. My son(duck-train) thinks you're pretty cute and would like to see you some time this break. How long are you going to be here?"

Whit: "I'm actually going back Monday."

Duck-train mom: "Oh good! He'll be here til then too."

Whit: (thinking) "Does she not realize that today is Saturday, tomorrow is Sunday and I won't be here Monday night? -Whatever."

After she left my dear friend, Kara, asked what that was all about.

Kara: "That's weird for you. You're cousin dated him!"

Whit: "I know!"

So, I ask duck-train's roommate, "Isn't he dating someone?"

Roommate: "Yes. Why? Did she just say what I think she said?"

So, the rest of story goes that I went bowling with the singles in the area for a New Year's Party. I had a lot of fun, talked with some people that I've never really talked to a lot-it was fun.

And then duck-train came.

Small-talked it up with him for maybe a minute. I wasn't about to let the situation actually happen when he asked, "Did my mom talk to you tonight?"

AWKWARD.

But, don't you even worry. I'm about the best at avoiding situations and I didn't even let it happen. I b-lined(?) it outta there and made my was safely home.

Happy New Year to me!

P.S. I now have 15 posts-not 5 or 6 as some people thought!

A New Year's Resolution

In hopes that I won't be put back on Chris's "Junk" list I am writing a blog tonight. I'm really surprised that I haven't written more this week seeing as I have been home-really doing nothing.

But I have already made one New Year's Resolution-to keep my blog updated. I'm going to try and write at least once a week. I think that's a good way to start, when I have gone months at a time without writing. I really do enjoy reading each of your blogs and keeping in "the know" with what's going on in your lives, so I decided maybe I should try to keep mine updated a little more.

I can barely believe it's Christmas Eve tomorrow, but oh-so-happy! For those who know me, which is most likely all of you, you probably know that this is my absolute favorite time of year! I love snow, and luckily we will have a white Christmas this year! Which I am looking forward to because those are few and far between here in Burley. I love the spirit of Christmas-the music, snow, family, traditions, the kindness and service. It all works for the betterment of the world! I am so grateful for it!

I'm so excited to see all of your smiling faces this Christmas! See you soon!

Is this Billy Gilman? . . .Don't hear much from him these days. . .

So today is the first of December.

Kind of hard to imagine.

I just realized that within two weeks I will have completed my fifth semester of college and only have three left to tackle.

Amazing!

I never thought I'd live to see the day when I was a college student, let alone one that was this close to being done. People who went to college were adults-- grown-ups who knew what they were doing with their life, who were really smart and who knew-everything! I do not fulfill any of these assumptions and am far from it! I feel inadequate to be in college, going to school with so many people who really are adults. It almost seems like something I just say, not something I am. "I'm a junior in college."

Who would've ever thought?!

Billy Gilman. . .don't hear much from him these days.