Day 19--Blog Challenge

Nicknames you have; why do you have them

The only nickname I ever had as a child was Ash or some variation of (ex. Smash, Ashee).  We were very original.

However, this has now changed.  I've become friends with Ryan.  Ryan likes to say things to make people uncomfortable but in a loving, friend sort of way.  Somehow we've all "dated/been engaged to/made out with" Ryan.  Every one of these allegations are big fat lies.  But because of these allegations, some of us have inherited a celebrity couple name with Ryan.  When Josh and Ryan were together (long story and again a huge lie), it was Rosh.  When Gabriel and Ryan were together, it was Rabe.  When Ryan and I were together it was Rash.  These names are very creative.  Just add an R to the beginning of your name and you too can be a celebrity power couple with Ryan.

And that, folks, is my super uncreative nickname.

Anatomically Correct

Monday was the first day of school for everyone at my school except D track (the track I teach this year).  I subbed for a teammate today and had bus duty.  As I was walking around the front of the school a first grader comes tearing around the corners yelling

PEEEEEEEEEEENISSSSSSSSSSSSSS! 

as loud as he possibly could.  Ah, it's good to be back for a day.

Day 18--Blog Challenge

Plans/dreams/goals you have 

• Get married

• Have children

• Run some sort of marathon like race...but 26.2 miles is a bit excessive

• Live on a farm for a while and raise chickens and grow all my own food  

• Be the kind of teacher that students come back years later to thank
  

Day 17--Blog Challenge

Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

This one is so difficult for me to write.  I generally really like my life and wouldn't want to change it.  I also don't have any motivation to be famous...ever!  Do you see all that celebrities go through?  Ugh!  People snapping pictures of me at all times...NO THANKS! 

That being said, I think I would trade lives with someone who lives a totally green lifestyle.  I'm far from being saving rainwater and recycling everything I use but I would like to be able to do so one day and why not learn first hand from someone who is already doing it?

Day 16--Blog Challenge

Another picture of yourself

This is a random picture taken by a student on field day.

Day 15--Blog Challenge

Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

1.  Rainy Monday by Shiny Toy Guns
2. Today by Joshua Radin
3. My Girl by The Temptations
4. Without Love from Hairspray 
5. Molly Makeout by Friday Night Boys
6. No Surprise by Daughtry
7. Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood
8. Golden Train by Justin Nozuka
9. The Technicolor Phase by Owl City
10. Treasures by The Rocket Summer

I Generally Am On Top of Things

My cutie sister, Courtney (that's your warm, cyber hug Court!), gave me this blog award a week ago.  I thought it was about time that I take care of that.

Rules of the award:
1: Send a warm, cyber hug to whoever awarded you with a nice shout out.
2: Flatter yourself and tell the entire world that you have been awarded, followed by seven unique things about you.
3: Pass along this heart-warmer of an award to your favorite blogs.


Seven unique things about me.
1. My birthday is also the birthday of the Girl Scouts.  On the day I was born a troop of girl scouts brought a blanket to the hospital and gave it to me because I was so freaking cute.
2. I have lived in Utah all my life.  I always talk about moving somewhere else but it will probably never ever happen.
3. I love banana flavored Creamies.
4. If I had the money, I would travel all over the place, all the time!
5. I'm super excited to one day get married and have bunches of kidos.
6. If college weren't so dang expensive, I'd keep taking classes for the rest of my life.
7. I hate sleeping in a just made bed.  It's got to be a little messy for me to sleep well.

And the pass...

Shamie at The Campbell Clan
Lindsey at Lindsey & Colton

Day 14--Blog Challenge

A picture of you and your family

 Devin, Mom, Courtney, Grandma, Me, Breanna

Day 13--Blog Challenge

A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Dear Jaynee, Jenny and Courtney,

Remember on July 12, 2010 when you all ganged up on me and smacked my butt so hard I cried a little?  I do.  That is a day that will stay in my memory for a long time because you hurt me so deeply. 

I know that I returned the smackage but it's difficult to forget the hurt deep down in my butt tissue.  I hope that we can continue to work on our relationship and resist the urge to give love smacks to each others' butts.

Sincerely,
Ash J.




(As you can see, though the topic of this letter is real, the letter itself is in jest.  I don't tend to let people hurt me.  When they do, I usually brush it off and forget about it.)

Pie and Ears

Here in Utah, we have this lovely little holiday called Pioneer Day or just The 24th of July.  This is a holiday that commemorates when the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley.  It's generally a very hot day full of parades, bbqs, and fireworks.  We also like to celebrate for a few days...who doesn't love a double dose of fireworks?

On Friday, my friends and I went to a Bees baseball game (the Bees are our minor league team).  They ended up losing badly (12 to 1...a little reminiscent of the 6th grader vs. teacher game) but we still had a good time.

Jayson, Jaynee, Jenny, Me, Bryce, Josh

Bryce had to show someone the inside of his zipper because he thought it was so cool.  Agreed.

Jaynee, Jenny and me.  Man! I love these ladies!

 Me and Bryce and the annoying ladies that thought it was so fun to give us bunny ears.

 So I took a picture of them.  You're welcome ladies.

"Now what should we take pictures of?  Let's give ourselves mustaches!" 

 Jaynee makes a red mustache look good!  And who else could pull off a blue mustache?  No one but Jenny!

 Go team!

 After the picture is taken: Ryan says, "We both look remotely attractive in that one."  Me, "Let's take another."

 And we get this beauty...

 And this one.  Ryan: "Just make a face."  Me: "A face like what?"  Ryan: "Just like you're scared or you don't like it."  Me: "Okay?"  And then he bit me.  I was scared and I didn't like it at all.

When we got home, Bryce was intent on drawing Angelina.  What do you think?

 Someone (I promised I wouldn't release any names or faces) fits in my shoes.  This person is not a girl.  I don't know if I should feel bad that my feet are as big as a guy's feet or vice versa.

Today, (the actual holiday) I went to the zoo with Anthony and his nephew.  The zoo is much more fun with small children.  I'm glad he was able to come with us!  I didn't take any pictures except for one of the new baby elephant, Zuri.  We ended the night by watching fireworks from Jenny's sister's backyard.  I love summer!

Day 12--Blog Challenge

How you found out about Blogger and why you made one

You can read why I originally said I was starting a blog here.  


I honestly don't know why I started a blog other than the fact that I like to write and it seemed like something fun to do.  It also seemed like a good way to keep track of the things I was doing and share my narcissism with the world.

I found out about Blogger just by reading the blogs of friends.  I feel like this is a really silly post but it answers the question and that's what it's all about...just like the Hokey Pokey.

Day 11--Blog Challenge

Another picture of you and your friends

Gabe, Jenny, Me, Rich, Jaynee, Ryan

I love this picture because I look so ridiculous.

A Very Merry Un-Birthday to You!

We celebrated Jaynee's Half Birthday (which I realize is different than and un-birthday but that's the title, okay.  Give me a break!)

This half birthday was really just an excuse for me to bake a baby into a cake.  (Remember the first time we baked a plastic baby into a cake?  I do.  It was awesome!)


I forgot to get a picture as I was drenching the baby in cake batter.  Here is it's little plastic baby arm.

And here is the plastic baby is baked into cake goodness.

Cakes are a lot more difficult to bake babies into than cupcakes.  I had a horrible time trying not to cut the baby when serving the cake.

 Jaynee with her cake and a pineapple.  What?  You don't always have pineapples at your birthday parties?

Jayson got the baby!  But didn't notice.

He won a pineapple because that is a logical gift for a Half Birthday Party.

Jaynee could balance the pineapple on her head without support from Brandon.

Hope you had the happiest half birthday ever Jaynee!

Day 10--Blog Challenge

Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Lazy, Excited, Angry

Happy Songs

Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

You Didn't Tell Me by Lawson



Ramalama by Roisin Murphy





There is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths 

Sad Songs

Brick by Ben Folds


Lazy Songs


I have no idea what kinds of songs I listen to when I'm sad. 


Excited Songs


I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers


Angry Songs

Any song from Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill CD

Angry Johnny by POE



*I feel like I didn't do this post justice.  I love music.  I always have music playing.  I think I'll be revising this post occasionally to make sure that it truly reflects the music that I listen to when I'm feeling these different emotions.