One wedding and a Funeral

This past weekend we (that fam- sans the two littlest boys) ventured up to Utah for another wedding. This time it was Stephanie and Eddie...Finally! They have been dating for ever now. That girl has so much patience. The wedding was beautiful, and so was the happy couple. They looked amazing, and it was so great to see family. My only complaint (there's always at least one) was the stinkin' weather. There was snow on the ground on Thursday morning. I did not pack for cold weather. My mom and I just got a pedicure and there was no way I was going to cover up me newly painted toes. I was open-toed bound! I survived with the help of a jacket or to, but seriously Utah- It's May- GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!!

After wedding festivities the fam threw a shower for mommy-to- be Monica on Saturday. As usual, she looked super cute and pregnant all wrapped into one! However, I didn't snap one pic. I'm awful! Anyway, Sunday was the trek back home...in the car...for 12 hours. However, not a bad gig with the whole back bench of the beastly van for James and I to share. We never seem to get enough time together anymore. Sometimes we just need to be stuck together for 12 hours in such a small proximity!

The only downfall of the entire weekend was the absence of Snelgrove's burnt almond fudge ice cream in my stomach. It's the best, and unfortunately, it appears as though it's gone...forever! We searched every grocery store in the Salt Lake area, but to no avail. I know you think we are losers for spending our time in search of ice cream, but you nonbelievers just don't understand because the sweet taste of Snelgrove's has never graced your smackers, and your life will never be complete because of it. Yeah- it's that big of deal. I feel I need closure; like a memorial, or funeral service of some sort...

I miss the insanity

I have decided to get back in the swing of things and welcome back grateful Wednesdays. This week, James is on the brink of Finals, and I seriously am missing it. I loved college! Below are my top 5 must-haves that I was so grateful for come finals time.


5 subject notebook- college ruled: It was always a thrill to get a new notebook every semester, a Tabula Rasa, if you will. I still have most of them...sad but true!

Lab coat: although sometimes unnecessary in the actual lab, now completely useful! (doubles as the sexy scientist get-up - a great alternative to the highly overrated and tawdry sexy-nurse fetish)



Naked Juices: I actually didn't discover Naked until later in college, but they were usually my reward for hard work...or my consolation for not-so great work. Before Naked, I frequented the Jamba Juice- my Favorite was (and still is) the Orange Dream Machine.
Mechanical Pencils,0.7 mm lead: I generally averaged about 5 fresh new pencils per final! You do the math!
Noble library: The Daniel E. Noble Science and Engineering library served me well! I spent much time in the stacks, on the computers, and on the couches curled up with a great read- usually something like Organic Chemistry, or calculus. Accomplished lots of quality sleep...I mean studying at that place!

Question...

How do bus door close after the bus driver has exited the vehicle?

Maintaining Grip & Balance on that Long Metal Pole

Sometimes I have great days...sometimes I lose my balance whilst gripping that long metal pole. After a hard day's work I generally wash my hands several times to de-germ my phalanges from the grime that engulfs those metal poles. And yesterday was just awful. I almost toppled over onto a paying customer. OK, let me back this stripper-pole up and explain all the poles and the gripping and the toppling over. I am not a stripper (at least not professionally), I ride the bus to and from my place of employment everyday. Sometimes I have to stand the whole way.

Yesterday was no exception, and the bus driver had the worst case of road rage I have ever witnessed. Seriously, wrong profession buddy! If anyone should have patience in Phoenix traffic it should the valley metro bus operators. Don't you agree? Anyway, he was weaving in and out of traffic, leaving semi's and policemen in his dust. He only knows two speeds- slamming on his breaks and putting the pedal to the metal. There was no middle ground. Maybe I can sue him for contracting some disease from the disgusting poles...either that or whiplash! Does anyone know a good lawyer?

An Unpardonable Trajedy

I snagged these super cute shoes a couple of weeks ago, and I totally heart them... except I have a severe lack of blue accents to compliment set footwear. I knew my purchase didn't warrant a whole new blue wardrobe, but I did feel it necessary to augment them with a few accents. i.e. necklace, earrings, etc. I knew just the place- Forever 21 has a most choice selection of jewelry that is not only economically sound but also fresh and funky. Regrettably, Forever 21 was no longer forever in my book- they had a decent selection of everything BUT blue. I ran circles in that place searching high and low, far and wide for the perfect compliment to my shoes. I left empty handed and broken hearted! I don't know if I can excuse this kind of behavior...

Flashback February

Due to my recent prolonged absence from the blogging world, I have decided to steal an idea from my cousin’s blog (flashback Friday- where every Friday she highlights an event from years past) and do my own version- Flashback February (and possibly January and March as well)!

Elizabeth’s Baby shower:
Just in time for Baby Mia to arrive! The room was filled with advice-driven moms offering up their finest baby do’s and don’ts, and an over abundance of the “ah’s, and ohh’s”. It was sweet…

Hitting the Slopes:
James and I ventured up to sunrise ski resort with Mike and Erin. They snowboarded; we skied! It was absolutely freezing, and beautiful. The slopes were powder fresh, and we often found ourselves gliding down in solitude- the four of us with the run to ourselves. No one sustained any ghastly injuries and our little native Arizona car carried us safely home. I did, however miss a lift, in my feeble attempt to catch a fallen ski pole for the careless gentleman in front of us, and had to watch the backsides of James, Mike and Erin all the way up the mountain.

Roxy turns 3:
By tradition, Roxy gets a cheeseburger for her birthday, and this year was no exception. In fact, we treated her to the emperor of burgers: In-N-out. We sang happy birthday and within seconds she inhaled her birthday treat.

We’re going to the opera!
James and I had the opportunity to go see the Magic Flute at Symphony Hall. For the night, we were going to play the sophisticated and refined couple who spend their evenings being cultured. The only element we lacked, were those little opera glasses… Anyway, James was reluctant, but willing to go; just like the 12 year old boy I spotted coming into the hall disinclined to tuck in his shirt for the evening. Due to traffic issues downtown, we were late and had to be escorted to different seat by an old man with a little flashlight. After the first act, and a 20 minute intermission, James was ready to abandon the urbane life, and opt for something a little more entertaining. He was a good sport, and eventually fell asleep for the last 45 minutes. I must admit, I would have liked a little less opera and a little more Family Guy; but I enjoyed the experience. After it was over, I wanted to wait for the cast to come out, because one of my students was in it. However, James was a little edgy and I found it would be in my best interest to promptly exit! On our way home, we stopped for some rather less sophisticated eatery- burgers and fries. It was probably the highlight of the evening!

Classy or Trashy-You decide 2008:
Huzzah! The renaissance festival! Huzzah! Another amusing excursion to the annual ren fest with Gary and Holly- filled with cleavage, banana hammocks and a surplus of exposed skin. I love it, James tolerates it. He is such a sport when it comes to me! This year I decided to make it my goal to find the renaissance goers in attendance that day with the most panache. Here are the frontrunners:
Put those Mexican’s to work!
James, Adam, Justin, and Leon spent ALL DAY Saturday landscaping Leon’s and Justin’s back yards. If you are unfamiliar with Arizona ground, you are lucky- It’s basically Indian clay! Worked great for the Navajos’, not so good for the boys! I have never seen James so exhausted, but I am so proud of the work they accomplished. His parent’s backyard is finished and looks as though professionals did it. Justin and Amy’s yard is still a bit unfinished but that’s where the Elders quorum is going to come in handy!

All in the Family
Rocky, Lisa and their set of Rug-rats arrived early yesterday (Sunday). They are in town all week and I am so excited. We started off the festivities with some food and fun. All 5 Zamora children and all 13 Zamora grandchildren were in attendance. Unfortunately no group pictures were taken; it seemed there was always one child napping or in time-out (adults not excluded).

Spring break!
The break is finally here, and I am so excited! I slept in this morning, and have yet to put on a bra! It’s fantastic! It’s paradoxical how spring break seemed like an eternity as a child, and now it’s as though the week is almost over- better get started basking in its splendor! However, no bikinis and pina coladas for me- it’s overcast and 62 today!

I'm grateful again...

I'm undeniably grateful for the following:

• A Sunday without grading
• A Monday without grading
• A Tuesday without grading
• A Wednesday without grading
• A Thursday without grading
• A Friday without grading
• A Saturday without grading