The Space Needle

My crazy weekend in Seattle

Here is the report of my whirlwind road trip. This last weekend was Memorial weekend and I my original plans fell through so I decided to just hang out here for the weekend. Well, Saturday morning my roomie asked me if I was up for a road trip to Washington. I was excited, then hesitant - it would entail a 12 hour drive. I guess that my other roommate, Amy, wanted to go up there for a concert. Janey and I talked about it and decided we were in - then Amy came back and said she didn't want to go anymore. Janey and I were still in and our friend Jana was already on the way from Provo - so we decided to go up to Seattle ourselves in my car. We left at 4pm and drove as far as we could, about 10 hours, to Yakima, Washington. I did the majority of the driving. The outside scenes were so beautiful - with misty mountains and everything.

We stayed the night in Yakima, then got up and finished 2 hour drive to Seattle. We found a church to attend and got there during Sacrament mtg. Seattle is such a beautiful city - and it was a perfect day for sightseeing. After church we went tot the Space Needle. This cost $16 - but it was worth it. The view from the top was amazing and we took so many pictures. The ocean was so blue and there were many sailboats out. Our hungry stomaches made us reluctantly leave, but it was a enjoyable experience. We found a quirky Mexican restaurant and had a good lunch. Afterwards we walked to the pier and gazed out on the ocean - took some more pictures, etc etc. We heard that we needed to visit Pike's Market while in Seattle and so we walked there next. This was an interesting market and had some eclectic shops. One shop had Egyptian figurines and jewelry and belly-dancing outfits. Amazingly enough, those outfits are pretty heavy with all those beads and coins sown on! (hehe) After looking through these shops we were all tuckered out and decided to call it day - and start our drive back south. We drove for 5 hours and ended up in La Grande, Oregon. Did you know that all the gas stations in Oregon are full-service? I sure didn't and got scolded after I pumped my own gas. "If my manager was here you could get in trouble, even go to jail..." Sorry! The next time we gassed up in Oregon we had to wait and I was a little frustrated because I could have easily pumped it myself and we felt like we should give the guy a tip. Oh well, chalk it up to experience! On the freeway in Oregon we had another interesting experience: I was driving in the middle lane and suddenly the car in the right lane had a bum sticking out of the window. I quickly looked away, then the other car on the left had another bum in the window! Two moons at the same time! Crazy! We finally got to our destination and got some sleep...in one double bed for all of us. There is a story here - but I'm too ashamed to share it.
Monday we enjoyed our little continental breakfast and got back on the road. Janey's family lives in Caldwell, Idaho (right out of Boise) and she wanted to make a stop to see them for a little bit. We met up with her sister, grandparents and uncle and went to Janey's mother's grave site - for Memorial Day. Janey's mother died last year and she hadn't been back since the funeral. They put some yellow roses on it - her mother's favorite. Afterwards, we had some lunch then got back on the road to SLC. The weather had been lovely all this time, but we hit some rain in Idaho and Utah. We were so lucky not to have these storms on our trip! We got back around 8pm and I was exhausted. I had done all the driving that day and I felt like a zombie. I soon got into bed went straight to sleep! What an exciting escapade! (hehe)

I haven't been introduced

Mutts daily strip for : May 08, 2008

© 2008 Patrick Mc Donnell muttscomics.com

"I wasn't going to tell you, but I did"

Sunday was Mother's Day and I went to the 8th ward with Andrew. I love going back to that ward - it's home for me. Lee gave an exceptional lesson in R.S. about the priesthood. In Sacrament, Bro. Jarrett gave an excellent talk and he quoted from Elder Ballard's last General Conference talk - very enlightening.

After church, Anna and I planed a sibling's picnic. We met up at Murray park with sandwich fixings and had a good time - even though the park was filled with families and their own barbeque grills. Afterwards we went over to the Johnson's rental house and watched the movie, "Meet the Robinson's". It's really funny. Turns out that it's based off a children's picture book called, "A Day with Wilbur Robinson" by the same author who wrote "George Shrinks" - which also was turned into a television show. I found the book at the library, of course I would, and enjoyed seeing the similarities in the stories.

Aragon's Shoes

I've been staying at my parent's house, with my brother Andrew, while they've been out of town this last week. My week with Andrew is wrapping up and it's been enjoyable. We've had some fun times - including watching all the Lord of the Rings series (over two days). We have a new inside joke that you might appreciate. In the Two Towers movie, when Aragorn is weak from his fall into the river he is dreaming that Arwen is talking to him, and he's laying on a bed and he's barefoot. Andrew made up a line for Arwen to shriek, "WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES?!?". It was dang funny. We've been quoting it all weekend.

Here is the clip of which I was speaking:

Weather Forecast

I have been almost obsessed with the weather lately. I've been watching the news daily and even getting the Google Text for a weekly weather report. Why have I been obsessed? Well, Utah is starting Spring - but keeps changing her mind. I really have Spring fever in that when it appears to be warm I pull out my sandals and Capri's. I'm sick of the snow - but I know that we need any additional water we can get - but I'm ready for some sunshine!

Another Interview

So, I had another interview at an elementary school last Friday. I was really excited about the opportunity - but the actual interview was not as successful. They were asking me questions that I didn't have answers for and I don't think I came across as being smart and competent, etc. I probably won't get that job - but I am still hoping for that small chance. I'll probably find out later this week. At the library they are starting their annual "Name in the Hat". It's when they shuffle around people into different positions - only if they put their name in. So, I submit my dream job (Children's Librarian, or any Full-time Librarian job) and then when they start filling in open positions hopefully a full time job will open up and they can slip me in that new opening. Does that make sense? I heard that my boss put her name in for another job and if she gets moved out there might be an opening for a full-time librarian. Unfortunately I'm not the only one who will be putting my name in for that position. Hopefully my degree will look good in their eyes! I'm frustrated that people with less schooling have better jobs than me - how can that be fair? Well, life isn't fair - I need to get over that.

You are one of the forces of nature...

Harry Potter Mode

So, I've been rereading the Harry Potter series and I'm totally in the mode. All I want to do during my free time is read and read! It's only taken me about 2 weeks to get through 6 of the books - I just started the 7th one today. I wanted to read the 7th book again, because I can't remember hardly anything about it since I read it sooo fast - but I decided to read the whole series again and it's been fun.

Did you ever see that little Lord of the Rings video that had Gandalf spoil the ending of book 6? "Snape kills Dumbledore" and then all the hobbits are all crying with their superimposed books in their arms? Too funny. I was looking for it on YouTube and it's not there anymore - too bad.