I like to travel

This is a lovely map of all the states and countries I have been to. Not as much as I would like, but it is a nice start.

To do tomorrow:

1. Finish studying

2. Take (and ace) my last midterm

3. Take a short break to relax my mind (cooking? tv show? cleaning? The possibilities are endless!)

4. Decide on a costume to wear to my Auntie's annual Halloween party

5. Complete several hours of homework

6. Forgo dinner to save my strength for the cake eating competition and so I can better savor my Aunt's amazing food

7. Pick up my bff and favorite little sister to head up to the par-tay

8. Eat amazing food

9. Beat all my cousins in the "no hands" cake eating competition...again

10. Blow my nose to get all the cake out of it

A bit of a problem

I have a problem in my relationship right now.

I have only cooked the husby and myself one (and a few halves of a) meal.

I have yet to do a load of laundry.

I make the bed 1 in 7 times.

I do clean, but it is only what he does not have time for.

If I need anything and we happen to be together, he makes me stay put and he gets it.

I feel way too pampered to be married.

Granted, I am in school right now and he gets most of this done in the hours he spends alone. This will probably all change when fall semester starts and we both will be gone most of the day. (At least I will be the first one home so I can finally start doing things.)

I might just be old-fashioned

You know those things that you take very seriously?

More seriously than just about anything else?

You believe that they should not be joked about and not rushed into?

Something that takes a decision that should take at least a year and up to a lifetime of thought and preparation?

It irks me greatly when someone else treats it as though it was a party or an informal brunch. They do it last second and it makes you think that they have not fully thought about this serious thing; it makes me think that they are not mature enough. Don't get me wrong, it is a joyous occasion, but it should not be something you decided to do a couple days ago. It should not be an event you invite everyone you can think of to. It should be you and the few people you are closet to. People that you will stay connected with for longer than a few months or you have a stronger connection with them than just Facebook because they are either your absolute closest friends or your family.

I feel guilty feeling upset about this, particularly because of who it involves, but I need my feelings made known to more people than just my husband. So for all nine followers that will eventually read this, know that I am a little upset, but also know that I am trying to get over this so I can support someone I love tonight feeling peaceful and full of love.

I'm married.

New family blog.

Hints of what is to come at the reception...

Empty picture frames

Ice Cream

Photo booth

White centerpieces

Calla Lily bouquet

Parasols

Bunting

How will it all come together? Very nicely, I hope...

Countdown

1 day until the fiance's birthday

6 days until I go through the temple

8 days until I get to hear one of my favorite ballets performed by Utah Symphony (Rite of Spring)

11 days until I move most of my stuff into our little yellow house

12 days until I get my dress and we take the bridals

13 days until the open house

14 days until the wedding

15 days until we head off to Florida, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama

32 days until summer term starts

It's all coming so quickly! My bedroom is covered in birthday presents for the fiance, early wedding gifts, boxes to move, boxes of trash, and lots and lots of crafts.

Why I want to be what I want to be when I grow up

Ever since before I was in public school, I have wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I have always been in love with children, so it made sense as the perfect profession for me. Children always make me so incredibly happy and I have wanted to be a mother ever since I tried naming my little sister after my nursery teacher. (I think she is grateful to my parents that her name is not Sister Mendenhall.) Years upon years ago, it was my bedtime. I was pretty young and I was telling my older sister a bedtime story. It went something like this:

"Once upon a time, there were a bunch of fairies." (Insert lovely things that the fairies did here.) "Then one day, all the fairies got really sick. They went to the doctor and the doctor said, 'Well, either you are all going to die....or you are all going to have babies!'" (The facts of life were a little hazy to me back then.)

Having a classroom will be like having a lot of nieces and nephews. I will get to spoil them, teach them, watch them learn, discipline them a little, and at the end of the day, send them back to their parents. Granted, it does come with loads of responsibility--there are way too many people out there that will sue for anything. It also is not the highest paying job in the world. In fact, my first year teaching (internship) will be just a few hundred dollars more than what I make right now at my kiosk, but I do not get people that go into their profession because of the Christmas bonus they will bring home or the salary that will be more than I could possibly make by teaching.

Ever since getting into the eled program, I have been in love with the courses, the teachers, and the girls I have classes with (and two boys). I cannot wait for school to start up again in the fall so that I can see these people again and get back into the classrooms.

Saturday brought this

Mark and Jill's wedding. This marked the last time I will be head babysitter during a sibling's wedding.

Great quote from yesterday...

"In this last dance, can you describe anything different or interesting you saw someone do?"

"I noticed Lois. No explanation necessary."

...Just because I was the only one flailing all of my limbs...