Some of My Favorite Things

So I've decided to re-enter the blogging world, if only just for this little update.

Dear Blog Readers,

Please excuse my long absence, for I have been crazy-busy working on a 4.0.

A 4.0 GPA that is.

This past semester was the craziest of my life. I would like to blame it on the semester -- as a whole, not on any one thing in particular, but if I had to pick one thing, or one class, I would choose....Mass Media Law. That class, by far, has been the most challenging class I've ever taken and maybe will ever take. But, I tried my hardest, spent many, many late nights writing papers and it all paid off because I got an 'A' in the class, along with my other classes, which means I got that 4.0 that I had been working on! I do not mean to brag, or even to bring any kind of recognition to myself; I just wanted to mention that because this is the first, and probably last, time I have ever received a 4.0 in my life and I just wanted to bask in the victorious feeling of having the perspicacity (thank you Dione!) required to pass that class.

Thank you! I am done now.

But, the real reason for this post today -- Christmas! I have always enjoyed a good holiday season, full of family, friends, and memories -- and this year is no exception.

Here is a list of some of my favorite things:

• Being home for the holidays
• The wonderful music that accompanies the season (and yes, I start listening on Nov. 1)
• Beautiful blankets of pure white snow
• The smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree
• Brightly colored stockings hanging by the fireplace
• Little kid-anticipation (whether you're 9 or 21!)
• Happy, giving, generous people
• Fuzzy, warm gloves, mittens, scarves, beanies, and hats that squish little kids' faces
• Classic holiday movies played on TV for weeks before Christmas day
• Coming home to a very festive home decorated with wreaths, Christmas ornaments, nativity scenes, snowflakes, Christmas reminders, etc.
• Remembering our dear Savior, Jesus Christ, and the reason for the season

I do hope that all is well with you at this holiday time! Thank you for keeping up on your blogs so I may share in your joys, sadness, successes, and fun and exciting lives!

Sincerely,

Whitney

P.S. So you may all feel caught up on my life this past semester (whether you want to be or not, I do not know) I'm going to start posting some pictures of my favorite times and share a little story with each. This is to keep from posting a 4-page post and save you some time.

How it all went down

The past few weeks, well, pretty much this past month or so has been pretty crazy!

From finishing SOAR, quitting two of my jobs, getting a new job, applying for an internship, playing in a volleyball tournament, going to Ohio, to finalizing everything for housing and classes this fall, going home, packing and unpacking to pack again it's been kind of hectic. I am more unprepared for this semester (I feel) than I ever have been before. And it's not going to get easier, as I have Connections this next week and have to move in the random free time that I'll have Wednesday and Thursday night. It's crazy!

But I did enjoy the time I got to spend with my family at home and my mom, Kathy, had a great birthday - from what I heard! I am looking forward to my fam. reunion in a few weeks and the great adventure that will be. I am also looking forward to WOW Week and football (even though USU isn't well-known for their amazing football team, it's still great to go to games and be an Aggie fan!).

I was privileged to spend a few days in Ohio, at THE Ohio State University, which has a gorgeous campus and where I learned what a buckeye really is! Their stadium is AMAZING and I'm determined to go to a football game there some day (even though it's terribly difficult for even students to get tickets)! I even got to meet a few of their orientation staff and talk with them-it was a good time to me! I think I'd like to go there and study architecture.

This week is the Cassia County Fair and Rodeo, aka The Best Summer Hang-Out This Side of the Mississippi! I have always loved fair time and I hope I get to go this year. I don't think I have been since I've graduated and I really have felt the absence in my life as I don't get to witness the best of the best w.t. that Cassia has to offer!

I am officially not a peer adviser any more, nor do I get the privilege of binding books at the bindery as of this afternoon. I will be starting my new job as a student coordinator for SOAR tomorrow and I am so excited!

I was tagged a little(or long) while ago by Nik to submit seven random facts about myself and as you can see have not finished that quite yet. But don't you worry your little head! I've been thinking about it ever since and I really will post them sometime in the next couple of weeks - maybe when I get internet at my own residence.

As for now, have such a good day!

This week in sports. . .

I am currently basking in the glory of victory from all my athletic endeavors this week.

Monday was the first day of our intramural sand volleyball tournament. My team, the Team of A, took on the other half of the A-Team. The match was close and went three games, but, alas, the A-Team won. That's ok, we'll be ready to take them on on Wednesday.

Tuesday my intramural softball team smashed the opponent with a score of 14-4.

Wednesday our first match was against the Spikers. We we three games here also, but came out on top. Now we were to face the A-Team, but would have to beat them twice as it was a double-elimination tourney and they had not lost yet. I have to admit I was a little skeptical since it was 97+ degrees and we'd already gone a tiring 3 games. But we pulled it out (in three games again!) and won! Now all we had to do was beat them one more time.
"Oh, please bless we don't have to go another three!"
We ended up winning in two-it wasn't easy! We, the Team of A, won the
2007 Summer Sand Volleyball Intramural Championship!
I have waited a long 9 seasons of intramural sports for a championship and finally, as I'm a senior, I have one under my belt! I can finally graduate from college!

But wait, Wednesday The Cracker Jack Kids also had a game-to make up for their rain-out game. I didn't know how I'd fair playing 8 games of volleyball and then a softball game at 9 p.m.-I was pretty tired. But never you fear, the Kids were on their game and left with a 11-7 victory over their opponent.

It was a great week in sports for the Whit Ro!

Back in action

Tonight you can catch the kids back in action at the Smithfield Ballpark.
Expectations are high as this is the last week to bring in another win before tournament starts.
Hopefully we will see improvement at bat from the trip to the batting cages two weeks ago.

This game will be dedicated to Whit Ro's new cleats.

Question:

Today, while working at PDP, I got a little paper-cut.
This caused me to wonder: how can something SO small, and fairly shallow, hurt SO bad?
Do you have an answer for me?

I've Been Tagged

4 Jobs I have held:
1. Beet Hoer for my dear father,
and assistant pin cap set-up for WEPCO
2. Filer for Dr. Klett
3. Lab assistant in the USU Soils Lab for JKA
4. A-Team Member/Facilitator

Movies I Can Watch Over & Over:
1. Remember the Titans
2. Cinderella Man
3. Black-Footed Ballerinas:)
4. Newsies

Places I Have Lived:
1. Small Trailer House, Burley, Idaho
2. My cute gray house with white picket fence, Burley, Idaho
3. Parish's House, Burley, Idaho
4. Logan, UT (Oakridge, Riverside, Summer Condo)

T.V. Shows I Enjoy:
1. 24
2. The Cosby Show
3. So You Think You Can Dance
4. The Iron Chef

Places I have Been on Vacation:
1. Southern California
2. Manhattan, New York
3. Washington, D.C., VA
4. Orlando, Florida


Favorite Foods:
1. Vanilla Ice Cream
2. Fresh Fruit
3. Breads
4. Potatoes, Carrots, Asparagus, Tomatoes, Green Beans

Websites I visit (almost daily):
1. Family Blogs
2. Facebook
3. aggiemail
4. Zions Bank


Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:

1. Running around Logan, listening to my ipod
2. Home in good 'ol B-Town
3. In the mountains
4. Watching fireworks
5. Baking/cooking something (preferably in a cool place)

Now I get to pick 4 other blog buddies to do this!

1. Jessica Veda Hansen
2. Laura Barlow
3. Tif(Fany) Jack
4. Sarah for Reale
   

Now its their turn! Answer these questions and then tag 4 people.

What happened to The Kids?!

You may have already heard, but the Cracker Jack Kids suffered a bad loss on Wednesday night. Despite their excellent performance in the four previous games things just didn't work out for the kids Wednesday night. They did have an amazing catch by substitue BJ, but they were no match for the team that kept hitting the holes.

Better luck next time!

As for the other chillins - they're also gone and out.
Little brother, two friends, kate and bay came to stay with me this past week while the boys were at the USU basketball camp. It was great fun to have them here, I just wished I could have taken the week off to play with them. I'm afraid they saw very little of me and were probably bored out of their minds! I know that they got a lot of good playstation practice in though - i bet their skills are amazing now! I even got to play a little as we had a basketball tournament between the six of us. Oh how fun and full of energy 13-year-old boys are!

rained- or snowed-out?

I've yet to hear if the Kids have been rained-out for the night.
If not, it should make for a wild-crazy cold game at 9 p.m. under the lights in Smithfield.
I'll keep you posted.

to the birthday boy . . .

Today is my Uncle Warren's birthday!
I just wanted to say that he's one of the coolest people you'll ever meet, so you should meet him. I loved growing up so close to his family and getting to work and play with him - who else would teach how to weld pin caps and then take you on the a "grand champion" tube ride in one day?!

Hope you have such a good day!

dear passport, where are you?

i've been so consumed with summer that i almost forgot about my passport.
it has yet to be delivered.
maybe some day. . .

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!