Dinner Party

Here are six people I would want to invite to a dinner party. This could be anyone in the world or throughout history - obviously alive or dead. If they are alive, they must be people you couldn't normally hang out with because they are too famous or something like that. I'm not going to include Jesus just because that's too obvious. This is also supposed to have a good, interesting cohesion as a group.

1. Barnabus from the Bible because he is my favorite. He seems laid back and sees that there are different ways to accomplish a mission. He would be good in case there were any heated debates. His name means "encouragement" and I feel that he would keep the dinner balanced.

2. Jim from The Office, but not necessarily the man who plays Jim... I want Jim Halpert. First off, Jim is just super funny and witty. Also, he likes to play jokes and I wouldn't want this dinner party to get too serious. Finally, he is really nice to look at!

3. Rachael Ray. She is not one of my favorite people in the world, however, she can cook and I cannot. So someone is going to need to make the food. Also, I can only think of men who I would want to come to my dinner. I don't want to be the only girl.

Thos are the first three. The last three will come later... SNL is on now.

Cupcakes

Here's the deal... I really like cupcakes. I have also had a sweet tooth, but lately I mainly just eat cupcakes, frozen yogurt and lattes.
I make my own cupcakes and they are pretty yummy. Sometimes I even get creative and decorate them for different themes (like superbowl, holidays and boob jobs) However, Sprinkles in Newport Beach (sprinklescupcakes.com) and The Cupcakery in Henderson, NV (thecupcakery.com) have the most delicious cupcakes.
My store bought cupcake addiction started with The Cupcakery in Henderson, NV. When my parents moved there 4 years ago, I was kind of bitter. It wasn't until my mom told me about The Cupcakery that I started to visit more willingly. They were yummy and my mom would have a dozen waiting for me when I got there. Of course, I did not eat them all. I would give one to my mom and dad. My favorite cupcakes were Tickle Me Pink, Southern Belle, Mocha Mocha, and Good Morning, Cupcake. Not only did these cupcakes have cute names, they were not ginormous and were $2.25 each. They even have a flavor of the month. *Note: Sweet Potato is a horrible idea for a cupcake.

Then I discovered Sprinkles. Not only did I discover it, but I discovered that it is located very close to both my orthodontist and dentist. I go passed it at least every 3 weeks. On top of that, my teeth usually hurt when I am in the area, meaning that a cupcake would be the perfect dinner for the night. Sprinkles is kind of crazy. Actually, that whole shopping center is kind of crazy. First off, it is a little too rtizy for my bones. I feel like I need to get Buster a poodle cut and put him in my Loius Vuitton handbag to fit in. Regardless, they make a mean cupcake at Sprinkles. I think their frosting is just fabulous, but I prefer the cake from the Cupcakery. They have a great selection of cupcakes, but unfortunately, not all of them are avaliable everyday.

My favorite flavor by far is Chai Latte. It's only served on Friday, the day where everyone buys cupcakes! Sometimes the line is down the parking lot, but I won't wait in that line. My second favorite flavor is Banana with Vanilla frosting. After that, I enjoy the Red Velvet. The Vanilla Milk Chocolate comes in fourth, with Strawberry coming in 5th. Lemon Ginger in yummy, but tastes like a breakfast loaf from Costco. The Chocolate Peanut Butter was nice, but I don't really like chocolate or peanut butter... I did scarf it down though. The Lemon was yummy and I loved the frosting, I just wouldn't pick it as my favorite. Vanilla is fine, but kind of boring. I am kind of boring sometimes and get it. I always seem to have ortho appts. on Wednesdays, which I have decided is the worst day to go... mainly because I just want Banana or Chai.

One other note about cupcakes... Carrie Bradshaw (sex and the City)ate cupcakes when she was feeling down from the Magnolia Bakery. When I went to NYC, I went on the Sex and the City tour where they actually buy the cupcakes from the rival bakery. They were not as yummy as Sprinkles or the Cupcakery. I think they just tried to make too many at one time. I do have the Magnolia Bakery cookbook though, I am going to attempt to make their frosting one day. However, it is hard for me to lift the 50 pounds of butter that the recipe probably requires.

You may be asking yourself, "Self, Becky eats a lot of cupcakes. Does she weigh 500 pounds?" The answer is "no". Although I do consume a large amount of cupcakes, it is usually when my teeth hurt and I do not eat anything other than cupcakes and lattes on those days. That's the meal of champs!

If you ever need advice on cupcakes, let me know!

Don't Cry For Me Argentina

Between Eric's cool video posts and Scott's upcoming trip to Argentina, I felt I should post my Argentina slideshow. Now this is the 10 minute youtube show, so the transitions aren't as smooth as in the original. Watching the slideshow makes me want to go back.

talking to hear myself talk

My mom used to say that I talked so much, that I was at times just talking to hear myself talk. As a teacher, I think that rings true. Now as a blogger, I think I am writing just to read my own writing. I kind of like this whole blog thing.

Today I went to the Aquarium of the Pacific. It was my first time there and I went with one of my favorite families. I had both of the boys in first grade and I will have Chris again next year in 4th grade. I liked the seals the best. I think I would like to go back there again soon!

The Community Leader of our small group came to check out the group tonight. We weren't sure why she was coming and we thought it would be funny to be pranksters (that's how we play) Originally, we were going to get a mascot costume and have it walk it like it was a member of the group. But that was kind of complicated and maybe a little off the wall. So instead, we all piled onto the couch. I have to say that she didn't even get weirded out by it and was quite cool. She passed the test and I want to be her new BFF. I am a tool, but so is everyone in my small group!

Cruisin

Since Eric is pretty much the sole reader of this blog, I will go ahead and post pictures and memories of my cruise with Shannon. That's half of our cohort clique!

Shannon and I went on a cruise the week between real school and summer school. My dad thinks we cruised to Santa Ana, but we actually went to San Diego, Catalina and Ensenda.

This was my first cruise. Shannon had gone on one with Steve for their honeymoon.

We arrived early on the cruise so we could get a head start on eating. You'll notice that I have my passport in my hand which is kind of funny. When we went on our PEACE trip to Argentina, I thought I lost my passport before I even went through security. Some of the group thought that I totally freaked out and pulled a "Rainman", but I am pretty sure I played it cool. Regardless, my passport to Santa Ana was in my hands for this cruise!

After we ate a random sampling of the goodness the cruise ship had to offer, we had to have a sinking drill on a mustard station or something like that. Basically, if the ship were to go down, Shannon and I were supposed to head to the bar in our life vests. We thought it was a little odd that they put us in the bar in case of emergency, but we went with it.





On Tuesday, we were docked in San Diego. I didn't buy all of these silly pics that they took of us, I just took pictures of the picture. Sorry if they look kind of lame.

We walked to Horton Plaza and shopped for awhile. Then we headed to an English pub to do some sidewalk drinking and people watching.

Then we went to Seaport Village and tried on some silly hats.

We got back on the boat and it was time for our formal dinner. We got dressed up and I ate a ton of food. We realized that we were allowed to order multiple items. I think we started off by ordering two appetizers, but by the end of the week, I was ordering two main entrees.

This was the cool towel animal waiting for us on Tuesday night.

We're not quite sure what it is, any guesses?
On Wednesday, we went to Catalina. I had never been to Catalina, but I really liked it. I liked it to the point where I may go with the 5th graders this year. However, going snorkeling in Jan. and sleeping with 5th graders doesn't sound like my cup of tea.

I didn't do a good job taking the picture of the picture.
We stopped at the Catalina Cantina and had Buffalo milk. I had heard all about it, but this was my first time tasting it. Survey says: Ding Ding Ding! It was good!

Then we laid out on the beach.

Then we headed back to lay out on the ship.

We ran into some interesting people on the cruise. There was this one couple named Trish and Scarface. I only know her name is Trish because she verbally attack some girl for talking to her boyfriend, Scarface. After making the poor girl feel uncomfortable, she told the girl her name and explained she thought she was hitting on her boyfriend. Anyway, everytime we turned around they were making out or groping each other. Trish was tall and wore 18 inch heels, too. We were lucky enough to have them lay in front of us when we got back to the ship deck. Trish wore a thong bikini. Awkward! I don't have a picture of that.
At dinner, we dined with Ed and Cassidy Janet, who I will write about later, and Dani and Dani's Mom. Dani was 17 and her mom brought her on the cruise because she had good grades. Dani had all kinds of drinks on the boat and was checking out guys with her mom. Dani's Mom had a lot of work done if you know what I mean. Dani used to be in beauty pagents and I think the mom lived vicariously though her. They were interesting.
When we got back to our room, this cool towel bunny was waiting for us.

On Thursday, we went to Ensenda. Ensenda stinks... literally. We bought a Mexican blanket and a cribbage game and headed back to the Monarch of the Seas.

Then we had our last dinner with Cassidy Janet and Ed.

I had steak and mahi mahi.
Anyway, Cassidy Janet and Ed were some strange people. First of all, she introduced herself as Cassidy and Janet, so we dubbed her Cassidy Janet. At first, we thought they were having some kind of strange affair - they lived in different states and were stoked to let us know that they took a lot of naps on the ship. Turns out they met on eHarmony. Ed lost his job recently and told us all about it on the first night of the cruise. We had a honeymooning couple sitting with us the first night, I am not sure why they switched tables the rest of the week?!?! Anyway, Shannon mentioned her husband and Ed freaked out! We are pretty sure they thought we were life partners and after he found out Shan was married, he thought we were the ones having some kind of crazy affair! It was entertaining.
This was my favorite of all of the towel animals.

Shanny and I had a great time! I loved cruising and think I am going to go on another one at the end of August! I actually want to travel everywhere by cruise, but I couldn't find a water route to work.

Animal Shelter In Pics

I will start doing something productive with my time later. For now, I am posting pictures of my trip to the animal shelter. I think I am becoming a pro blogger.

Okay, so in this first picture we see that Buster is walking away from these dogs. I am sure Dr. Phil could read into this body language, but I am going to go ahead and guess that he was sniffing poop.

In the below picture, we see the little maltipoo craving Buster's attention, but he is not having it.

Animal Shelters and GMA

I guess I kind of forgot about this whole blog thing. However, after posting a comment on Pastor Wakeling's blog, I realized that I had comments on my first blog. That was enough excitement to encourage me to write another, so here it is!

Okay, well to start, it is summer! I work 4 hours a day and it is nice. I think I would be a happier camper if I only had to work 4 hours everday. Did I mention I only have 2 students plus an aide on a computer based program? Life is nice!

However, I am moving classrooms. I am going to 4th grade! That's right... I skipped right over 2nd and 3rd! I am excited for the new challenge and I need to teach upper grades if I would like to be a principal. I do NOT like moving. I think I am a collector and I have collected a lot of teaching stuff over the years. I am not having a good time moving it AT ALL! It is a struggle. In fact, I usually end up leaving right after school each day because I cannot stand the thought of moving all of my stuff.

So today when I left right after school, I headed to Java City. I LOVE Java City. They have yummy sandwiches, really good lattes, oatmeal for when teeth hurt and great breakfast sandwiches.

Then I took Buster to the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. I was there yesterday because I like to stop by animal sheleters when I have free time and am in the neighborhood. I have rescued to dogs from animal shelters and given them to my parents. My dad thinks I am too old to be doing that, but I know in the long run, it makes them happy. I originally went in there to see this little Jack Russell Terrier puppy. The poor guy has been living in the shelter for 6 months, his mom was adopted, he had knee surgery and he is deaf! But as I went in there, they had this tiny little malti-poo who I just loved. I couldn't decided what I wanted... a poodle (which I love) or the poor little dog who desparately needs a home. I decided that I should let Buster make the decision. Well, Buster picked me. He sat on my lap the whole time and when I was not sitting down, he was close behind my ankles. I don't know if that is a sign that he wants to be an only dog? When I learn to put pictures in my blog, I will post some pics. Although, I think Eric is the only one who will ever read this... maybe some of his friends will, too.

After I returned home from the animal shelter, I decided it was rest time. I am trying to get in rest time at least 2 times a week during the summer. What most people may not know about me and I think it kinds of makes me a big nerd, is that I am a HUGE Good Morning America fan. I have watched it since I was 3 and love the show. I do not get to watch it often because I am a working woman. I still have Charlie Gibson's last episode TiVoed. Today they had a tribute to Joel Siegel who recently died of cancer. He was so funny and a really remarkable man. I balled my eyes out watching his tribute. I kind of feel pathetic curled up in bed, crying and watching GMA in mid-afternoon. However, Joel does inspire me to be a better person and make an impact on the world. He started many foundations and support groups. I am going to find something good to do with my time this summer. I will even let it cut into my summer rest time. At first, I was thinking High School Ministry. Then I thought about starting my own ministry for old peeps or maybe some kind of dog rescue. I think it is too hot to be rescuing dogs in the summer though, so I am thinking of heading down the old people road.

Wow! That was a long blog filled with tons-o-random information!

Best French Fries

A very wise pastor I know inspired me to write a blog. When I say inspired, I mean - I was reading his and thought that perhaps I could waste time writing down some of my random thoughts when I should be doing other things.

So my random thought of the day, well, one of many random thoughts, is about the best french fries. Where are they? Here is my Top 5 list:
5. McDonalds - salty goodness
4. Del Taco - crinkled
3. Jack in the Box Bacon Cheddar Potato Wedges - heart attack waiting to happen
2. In and Out - they never use frozen potatoes
1. Red Robin and they are bottomless!

That's it for tonight, folks!