Fifteen Years

It has been 15 years since I graduated from Kearns High School. It's weird because it really doesn't seem like that long ago. Our reunion was held the 2nd weekend of June and was a 2-day event. We had dinner at Tucano's which is a Brazilian steakhouse similar to Rodizio or Brazzaville. When I arrived, some friends that still live around here (except Mary Ann) were there so I was able to hang out with them. We were on Seminary Council together plus I had known Angela and Lara for years. I have to thank Mary Ann's blog for having these pictures I'm now using:

Me, Lara, Julie, Angela, Mary Ann, Mary

Mary Ann, Angela, Julie, Lara, Me

The second day was supposed to be a fun family day at the Oquirrh Park by the Oval, but it started raining buckets so the word got out that it was cancelled. It did clear up after an hour or so and some people came. I was there from the beginning and stayed until around 4:30 p.m. I didn't take many pictures, but these are the few I was able to get:

Angie and her daughter, Piper

Desi Adams Stevenson and daughter

Marcus Matua

We were cold and wet, but it was great to see some of the "ol' gang". I hope we can see each other for #20!

And The Tony Goes To...

I am a HUGE lover of Broadway and I look forward to watching the Tony awards every year. For one thing, they signify the end of my school year because they are the Sunday after I get out of school. For another, there are a lot of performances and I can get a glimpse of what is out there.

Although I loved watching the awards this past Sunday, I have to say that I am not impressed with the musicals that are out. For the past two years, it seems like there hasn't been any interesting new musicals. Everyone is making musicals out of existing movies and can't seem to come up with their own ideas. For instance, this year there is "Shrek The Musical", and "Billy Elliot The Musical". Last year, it was "Xanadu the Musical" (which I would actually watch because it's a musical to begin with). Previous years have given us "The Wedding Singer Musical" and "Spam-a-Lot" based on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". Probably the greatest accomplishment was "Thoroughly Modern Millie" which is one of my all-time favorites.

Admittedly, I like many of these "re-makes", but when are there going to be people who come up with their own? Basing them off books is at least different like with "Les Miserables" and "Wicked". Those ones got me to read the books (although I won't recommend the book of "Wicked"). I'm not saying the musicals based on movies are bad; they're probably very good. I would just like a little more originality. I highly recommend "The Drowsy Chaperone" in this instance.

Okay, I'll be done venting. I still love Broadway, but I hope we see some great ones that are original (and more tempting to watch) in the future.

Remembrance and Rest

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Do you say something like that for this type of holiday? Anyway, I hope you all have had a great Memorial Day weekend. I know that this day is to be spent remembering loved ones that have been lost and the one I think about most right now is my Grandma Green who passed away over Christmas Break. She was one of the most kind-hearted souls I have ever known. Her grave is up in Paul, Idaho so I couldn't go to visit, but I am remembering her just the same.

This has also been a weekend of rest for me. The last several weekends have seen me going here, there, and everywhere while going absolutely crazy. I feel like I haven't been able to accomplish much during those weekends, but it all changed during this one! On Saturday I was able to do some much needed house cleaning plus start a book I've wanted to read. Although yesterday was the "day of rest", I actually felt more rested today. Aside from going to the gym, I didn't really go anywhere else. Make-up wasn't even applied! I was able to create a plan for my Oceania unit which should take me to the end of school. I've even been able to get more sleep than I usually do. The next few days are going to be hugely busy, but hopefully I can handle it and remain stress-free.

I hope all of you have had a chance to rest!

A "Wicked" Experience!

I had to post something about one of my favorite musicals ever! On Thursday night, my mom, and two sisters, Amy and Kerry, went to see "Wicked" at Capitol Theatre! I have seen this once before when I went to L.A. in December 2007.

For those who don't know the story, this is basically the alternative version to "The Wizard of Oz" and how the Wicked Witch of the West somehow became known as "wicked". Of course, the two main characters in it are Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. I don't want to give anything away if you haven't seen it, but it's a great backstory into the development of these two characters. Here are some pictures from my program:

"It's nice to see me, isn't it?"

"I'm flying high, DEFYING GRAVITY!"

Needless to say, I spent a wad of money on souvenirs just like I did when I was in L.A.. I bought a glitter globe with Glinda and Elphaba that plays to the tune "For Good" (I have one of Elphaba that plays to the tune of "Defying Gravity"). I bought my sister and I a long-sleeved shirt which says "Green. For Good." Don't you think that's totally appropriate since that is my last name? No getting rid of that one. I also bought a necklace of a witch hat. I guess you could say this is one of my most major obsessions.

Some of my favorite quotes from the show:

Glinda to Elphaba: "I'm going to turn your frock into a lovely ball gown...Hey, is this thing on?"

Fiyero: "I've been thinking..."

Elphaba: "I heard."

Elphaba to Glinda: "Well, not all of us can travel by bubble!"

Glinda: "Glinda, the GA is silent."

Glinda (after showing Dorothy the Yellow Brick Road): Oh, I hope she makes it. I'm so bad at giving directions."

You can see how happy this musical makes me! I hope everyone has a chance to see it! By the way, Katie, I heard you were there. We need to discuss!

I NEED SPRING!

This is getting ridiculous. How late into my springtime does it have to snow?! I woke up this morning at around 4:30 a.m. (too early on a Saturday) to the sound of major wind and precipitation on my window. After waking up again at 7:30 and then 8:15, I figured it was raining extremely hard. When I looked out of my window prior to heading for the gym, the streets were covered with the accursed stuff!

When am I going to get to wear my capris?!

When do I get to continuously wear flip flops?!

When will I get to be warm WITHOUT wearing layers?!

To address these concerns, please leave your comment and Mother Nature may or may not get back to you.

5 Little Known Things About Me

In response to Ashley...

1. I love to sing (which is not the little known part). I would like to try out for a play or a community theater of some kind. I am a HUGE Broadway fan so I often fantasize that I am in a particular role of a musical. Two favorites to fantasize about: Elphaba in "Wicked" and Eponine in "Les Miserables".

2. I received the Presidential Academic Fitness Award in the 6th grade signed by President Ronald Reagan himself. Only 2 people received that award in a year and I somehow managed to snag it. I guess it was a pretty big deal back then. All I remember is receiving the actual certificate in front of everyone and given a HUGE History of Art book. I still have both.

3. I am trying very hard to cut out sweets and major desserts while trying to get fit at the same time. Can I just tell you how hard it is to turn down people when they offer me junk food? It seriously has pained me when I see a good piece of chocolate (which is the hardest to give up) go to waste. This comes after I've just tried a 100 Calorie pack of teensy tiny chocolate cupcakes I got at the store today. Anyone know an easy way to get protein?

4. I had my first kiss while watching "The Three Musketeers" starring Kiefer Sutherland and Charlie Sheen. I will never be able to watch the part when they are riding across the open field after passing through a village the same again. I still love that movie though.

5.I can say the alphabet backwards in a fast tempo. My students didn't believe I could do this, but I put them to shame. They'll think twice before challenging me on THAT again!

I tag:

Kelli

Kristin

Jaqui

Mindi

Jen

Operation: KILL THE PENNY!

http://www.wvi.com/~coinguy/coins.jpg

I would just like to preface this blog by explaining how much I never want to see coins again. I knew there was a reason I have a Debit card. This past week, my leadership team presented the annual Change for Children fundraiser. For those who are unfamiliar with this fundraiser, it is through the Granite Education Foundation and helps kids within our own school district receive eyeglasses, books, dental work, etc. A very worthy cause, right?

Okay, so we decided to have a "POD WAR". Our school is divided into pods. The English, Social Studies, and Foreign Language classes are together while the Math and Science classes are in another. Our downstairs pod includes the TLC classes, Music, Drama, etc. For a whole week, we collected money through 5th period. We then had to count the money and then roll it. Those people who think it great to put in several dollars all in pennies are now on my "I'm going to hurt you!" list! It took me several hours to count every bag full of money and if I ever see a coin again...

I now understand what accountants and secretaries go through. I have to give kudos to the students though. By the end of the week, we raised over $2200! I am just glad it's all over. If you want to give me money, either write me a check or give me cash. Any one want to give me money?