No More Dr. Carpenstein

Hi everyone!  Bet you thought you'd never hear from me again.  Not to worry--things might have been a little crazy for a while there, but they're normalizing now.  And my life has changed a lot.  Remember how in my last post I said I was dating a guy?  Well, here he is!

Ah, U-Swirl, how I love you.

And here he is again!

 Yep, we got married!  Hooray!

Aren't we just so cute?

We got married on October 11th of last year, so the date was 10-11-12.  Handy, huh?  It's sure to be easy to remember!  

It's amazing what can happen in a year.  For example, almost exactly one year after my first date with Scott, we celebrated our 6 month wedding anniversary.  I find this very amusing.  Yes, to most people (at least the ones I work with), that's a bit quick.  But I have no regrets.  Being married is awesome!  You know, just in case you were wondering... Hopefully soon I'll tell you about some of the adventures we've had so far.  There have been quite a few--fishing for beans, trying new recipes, trying not to be eaten by alien potatoes (man, most of these revolve around food, don't they?  Weird...).  Anyways, we're happy and doing well.  And it's summer!  (Meaning no homework for the Mr.)  Hooray!  

More to come soon.  Ish. :)

GRE Scores and Dates (and not the fruit kind)

Hi people!  Yes, I'm a slacker, I know.  So, I took the GRE the first weekend in May (really, it's been that long already?) and got my results back...last week?  I think.  Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was a week ago today.  Anywho, I did surprisingly well, especially considering how I felt while taking the test.  {How am I supposed to know whether or not this one paragraph in a super long article is supporting a point from five paragraphs ago in 1 minute or less?}  So yay for that!  I definitely will not need to take it again, which is good.  However, my plans may be changing soon.  You see, I've started dating this boy.

He's kind of (really) awesome. 

I like him a lot. :)

Dating was really weird at first, I must admit (I'm hoping others will agree with me on this), but now that I've had some time to get used to the idea it's fun.  Who'd've thunk--dating is a fun thing!  I really only have a picture or two of him (and none of the two of us), so once I get some good ones I'll put them up.  Probably.  Mwahahaha.  Until then, if you need more details you can find me and ask.  (I don't really feel like putting all the gory details out there for the world to see.)

So, in a nutshell, things are good.

Carpenstein out.

Circles and Squares and Afghans--Grand Finale!

I finished!

Finally.  Oi.

Here you go, Seth--one egg, sunny-side up!

You know, I actually thought this took me a year to do.  I just looked back--I didn't start it until March.  Huh.  Still, it seemed like it took forever!  This is definitely the most labor-intensive crochet project I've done...so far.  Who knows what I'll do next?  Muahaha...

Just Kidding!

So, remember how I said that this was going to be our last Top 10 post for a while?  Yeah, we changed our minds.   Yes... yes we did. It was necessary. Would you like to see why?


Get ready for our Top 10 (or so) Favorite....


PICTURES OF OURSELVES!!


Did that sound weird? Vain? Funny? Perhaps... but we had FUN!!!!!

So... I'm going on a mission or something in a few days, so I asked the lovely Sarah (sister of Jenny) to take some mission pics. (If you want to see them, I will *hopefully* have them up on the mission blog soon). 






Well, Sarah surprised me with... ME!!!  Haha.  I just happened to be awake...and dressed in coordinating colors...


And so, without further ado:Number 10: Dancing in the Water

Hey look--it's us in our natural state!

Number 9: Pole Swing

Wheeee!

Number 8: Twister

Hey, look!  It's a giant Twister board!

Number 7: Stomach (Faces)

Does "Stomach" need an 'e' on the end? Only if you're British...I think...  Christopher Robin gets to be British AND American... Why can't I. Yes... I am laying on my stomache while you are on your stomach. I can accept that.


Number 6: Foot Pop

Number 5: Well helloooo...

Did we feel awkward taking this picture? Yes, yes we did. Thank you SARAH... and by thank you, we mean... 

Number 4: Our favorite colors: Turquoise and Purple

 One for Kailei...

...and one for me!  (Come on, we all know I'm the bigger spaz, so I get the more animated picture.)

Number 3: BUNNIES!! (self explanatory)

Number 2: Take One and Take Two

 Aww....don't we look cute?

...But then something happened! Did I know Jenny was making this face? NOPE! But sadly, she looks WAY cuter in this picture... Why didn't I stick my tongue out too???

AND...


Number 1: The normal ones!!! (Yes, they do exist! Like M&Ms and Santa Claus!)

Thank you for letting me join you AGAIN!!! Oh Jenny... I shall miss you! You have no idea of how boring my blog is going to be for the next 18 months...


Well, I think I speak for all when I say good luck Hermana Shelley!  Can't wait to hear all about your adventures in Argentina!

The Top Ten List is Back!!

Hello everyone!  I know you've all been waiting for this.  I have with me tonight (for the last time for approximately 18 months)---Kailei!!

Hello fabulous Carpenstein readers!!!  Yes... I am back. Get excited!

Well, by now, you all know the drill.  Kailei's here, we're already getting a little slap-happy...must be time for a Top 10 post!  Kailei, why don't you introduce the topic?

My pleasure, Jenny! (Drum roll please...)

(roll...)

THE TOP TEN REASONS WE LOVE THE TINKERBELL MOVIES!!! (don't judge)

Oh yes.


Reason #10: Anjelica Huston is one of the good guys.  

Ok, so this one is more for me, and it requires a little back-story.  The only movie I have ever seen her in is Ever After (fantastic movie, by the way).  In that, she is the evil stepmother.  Hearing her voice as the lovely, kind-hearted queen of the fairies is kind of hilarious to me.

Reason #9: It's pretty.  

You really have to watch it to know this... It's true.

Reason #8: Random British people

Because obviously when you follow the second star to the right straight on til morning you end up in Great Britain. What, you guys didn't know that?   It's like Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh.  Movies: British accent.  TV show: American accent.

Reason #7: Tinkerbell actually talks!

But only to other fairies... when she talks to people (British people of course) she still sounds like a bell. 

Reason #6: Jenny knows all the names of the fairies... including the actresses who play them (I, on the other hand, just know their talents).  

Umm...I plead the 5th.

Reason #5:  Clank and Bobble.

This one is really for me... I think they are endearing. Plus I let Jenny put Thomas on our top 10 animated men list and I did NOT understand that... she owed me one. Consider the debt paid in full.

Reason #4: Music.

Yes, it is a little weird, but it's catchy!

Reason #3: Kristin Chenoweth!! 

 

I LOVE her!

Ditto.

Reason #2: Outfits.

If I could pull off a wardrobe of pixie hollow fairy meets Penelope... I totally would! I agree.  And they even change with the seasons!  

Winter is next--get excited people!!

And...........

Reason #1: TERRENCE!

Disregard the fact that Jesse McCartney does his voice.  (Personally, I think that's a little weird.)  True... but you get over that fact pretty quickly after looking at Terrence for 2 seconds or so. Hey, we like men fairies (apparently).  So what?

We know that you are all just DYING to watch these movies now... and yes, you can borrow them!  All 3 of them.  They're fabulous!

Well, Kailei, I'd say this has been a very successful post.  Thanks for stopping by!  

Thank you for having me! It was definitely a success... Next time: Top 10 moments in our letters to ARGENTINA!!  Because you know they will be awesome!  Si. 

Good night everyone!  

Hi People!

Yes, I am still alive.  Shocking, I know.  Life has been...busy.  Here's a brief update of the past, eh, month or so.  (How long has it been since I posted last?)

-I'm still working at Heliae.  They haven't said anything "official", but I'm pretty sure I'm there to stay, at least for a while.  I've lived through my first board meeting and lots and lots of purchase requests and bills in between.  This past week has been especially crazy, but hopefully soon it'll die down a bit.  (Ha!  Who am I kidding?)

-I got to visit the chiropractor starting I think a month ago now.  Apparently, I have (had?) horrible posture--which I knew--and sitting at a desk all day and being stressed was not doing nice things for my neck and shoulders.  Or something like that.  Anywho, one minor muscle tear later, I went to see a friend of the family who just happens to be a chiropractor and things are much better now.  It's kind-of sad that I'm looking forward to my visit on Monday as much as I am.  I suppose there's no going back now.  But, on the upside, if anyone is in need of a chiropractor, I know a good one....

-I started taking voice lessons in May from another family friend (actually the wife of my chiropractor, which is a bit on the random side).  It's definitely a challenge in some ways, but it's so fun!  I think I'm surprising myself in some ways--not all good, sadly, but I knew I was out of practice.  Now I just need to actually *ahem* practice more than once a week.  Ha.  Ha.

-My brother and his family are staying with us until I think July-ish.  It's been a lot of fun seeing them more (they've been in Ohio while he went to dental school for the past 4 years), and a bit of a learning experience.  Note to self: 2- and 5-year-olds do not actually sleep in on the weekends...

-My blanket is coming along nicely.  It is going to be awesome!

Hopefully I will post more often in the future.  Maybe I will now that I've gotten all of this out of the way.  Maybe I'll actually finish crocheting something and I can show it to you.  Who knows.  

Hooray for updates!  Don't you feel all warm and fuzzy inside now?

40-Hour Celebration!

So...tired....

I did at least 7 flower deliveries at the hospital today (I think it may have been a bit closer to 10, actually) and went back and forth from the C-wing to the D-wing (opposite sides of the hospital) at least twice.  It was crazy busy!  At least I'm getting my exercise in!  Oh, and remember how I found our supply chain management office one day?  Every single week since, at least one vendor has come in looking for it.  I even learned a new way to get there that is way less complicated.  Whenever a vendor comes in looking lost and needing a badge, Eva (the girl I work with now) just looks at me and I jump up and take them.  I think I've found my niche!

I think my favorite delivery of the day was to a lady whose parents (I'm assuming--maybe not) were in the room with her.  I walked in, said "I have some flowers for you..." and realized that there were already at least 2 other flower arrangements (one of which was HUGE!) and various other gifts sitting all over.  So I changed to "Well, I guess I have more flowers for you."  Haha.  Then there's always the slightly awkward moment when they're looking at the card and you're leaving and wondering "Should I be saying something to them?"  (Saying "Have a nice day!" always feels weird when they're lying in a bed in the hospital.)  As I was backing out, the father figure guy in the room caught my attention and said "God bless you, young lady!"  It was such a nice thing to hear.

The funny thing about walking around with a cart full of flower arrangements is people comment on them.  And of course, me being me, I have no idea what to say.  

Typical conversation in the halls en-route:

Random Person: Wow, those flowers are beautiful!

Me: Yep, they are. [I can't really say "Thanks, I know!" because I in no way contributed to these flowers being beautiful.  They're not even being delivered to me, so I can't take any credit there.]

RP: And they smell so nice too!

Me: Yeah, they do.

[silence]

Yep, that's about how it goes.  Haha.  I directed and delivered some people around, too.  (In a wheelchair, not the cart.)  I think I've definitely earned my sleep tonight!

Oh yeah--I have officially logged 42 hours and 8 minutes now!  This means that I can switch around and volunteer in other places (i.e. the lab).  I may have to just go in on a different day, though--I don't want to leave the shift I have now!  I'm getting a bit attached...

That Little Punx...

Happy Groundhog Day everyone!

Photo courtesy of Google Images

I must admit, I love Groundhog Day.  A bunch of people standing around to see whether or not a groundhog sees his shadow as a predictor for the seasons?  Count me in!  Add to it the fact that one of the biggest winter storms on record has hit today and it seems especially ridiculous.  Perhaps that's why I love it so.  Punxsutawney Phil will always have a special place in my heart...

In case anyone is wondering, you can see his prediction here.  (I will admit that I did not watch the whole video--12 minutes, seriously?!--but I laughed through every second I watched.  That's a lot of grown men standing around in top hats waiting for a groundhog...)

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow...

Last weekend, we trekked up to Thatcher to party with the cousins.  (My cousin Bryan and his cousin John John* were speaking in church before heading off to the MTC.)  We ate, played games, ate, talked, and ate some more.  As you might have guessed, it is not an Official Smith Family Function unless ridiculous amounts of food are involved.  What can I say, we like to eat.  We had lots of fun together.  

*The much more awesome way to say "John Jr."

And now for some pictures.

I learned how to play a new game:

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

 It's awesome!  I highly recommend it!

Here's the missionary boy, all excited and ready to go.

The assembled cousins.  (Most of them.)

Seth and Jaimee getting in one last hug.

Since Zach's been gone, we've joked that Bryan has been our Zach stand-in.  (It's pretty much true.)  No one's quite sure what we're going to do for the next year with no Zach OR Bryan. :'(  

Bryan and I have gotten to be total buds.  I'm going to miss that kid!  Houston will be lucky to have him!

"Would you like some bread crumbs?"

Today was my first day volunteering at the hospital.  It was a little crazy at first, but ultimately AWESOME!  I got some training first, which took a whole, oh, 10 minutes, and then they kind-of just let me loose.  Well, not completely--there were 3 other people there.  (I'm at the main entrance information desk.)  The first few people that I "helped" were probably really sad that they walked up to me.  This was how most of those conversations went:

Visitor: I'm looking for this person.

Me: Oh, ok, let me look....uh, they're not here, let me look here (I think...)...um, [turning to my fellow front desk person] where should they be going?

Yeah, I was very helpful.  You learn a lot in 4 hours, though.  I even had someone say how helpful and knowledgeable I was somewhere around hour 3.5.  Ha!  Not bad for my first day!  (Yeah, I think I laughed when they said that.)  The best part, though?  The feeling you get when you leave and think that you've just helped people for 4 hours, and it wasn't even that hard.  How awesome is that?!

And now, I get to go see "Tangled" again with Kailei!  Hooray for Kailei/Jenny Tuesdays!

Oh, in case anyone actually read the title of this post and wants to know what it's about, it's from my first (and only, for today) flower delivery.  I had the room number, but wasn't exactly sure where I was going (it was in the first hour or so).  The guy working with me said "I think I have some bread crumbs, if you need them to find your way back."  Yeah, sure, pick on the newbie...