Drum Roll Please.......

The poll has been closed and the votes tallied for "Adulthood Eating Habits".

From the poll we can conclude:

• 80% of us eat Oreos for breakfast
• 50% were force-fed brocolli as a child
• 20% gave in to parent-pressure
• 100% of you are now craving Oreos

So...all my poll really proved is that adults eat like crap no matter how they were fed as a child. So, parents... you can lay off the "eat yer vegetables" or "no dessert 'til you finished everything on yer plate"... it apparently doesn't work and you pretty much just scar them for life and make them hate you.

For real though, a little junk food won't hurt your child as long as they are getting adequate nutrition aside. A good diet makes for strong bones and smart brains... and who doesn't want smart brains. I know, It's easier said than done giving your child a healthy balanced diet when all they want is mac-n-cheese or cookie crisp (which is not part of a balanced breakfast!). Let them splurge at least on their birthday!

Besides... candy gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't. ;)

Enumclaw Scottish Festival!!

...Sorry if you don't care for the bagpipes... too bad. :)

Another week without a post....it's just heartbreaking.

The reason?...I started my Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rotation on Monday. I am enjoying it a lot. It is pretty laid back and I am learning a ton.

This past weekend, my band went to the Scottish Highland Games in Enumclaw, Washington. I had a blast! It was one of the best (if not THE best) games I have been too. We took 6th overall in both our sets; however, we got a 3rd place in drumming the first day! Wahoo! It was tough competition and just shows how much we have to improve upon for the next games, which is in Pleasanton, California in September. We competed with our drum salute as well and took 2nd! (out of 2). It was a blast and we got a great reaction from the crowd. Here are the memories. Enjoy.

Kristen and Megan appearing to enjoy the heat.

Awesome.

Dano stretching the head of the bass drumming and yelling "Ride 'em cowboy! Giddyup!"

(Just kidding...he didn't yell that. Actually, our bass drummer (a.k.a. Tasty Dave) was telling us it's like taking your pipes and breaking them over your knee. It was torture for him to see his baby getting stretched and all disfigured so)

My idols. Simon Fraser University. The best part about going to the bigger games is the competition. They had Grades 1-4 competing. I got to watch the Grade 1 bands rehearse and compete. I even chatted a few of them up for some tips. It is awesome how they are so willing to help you . Triumph Street, a grade 1 band with two of our pipers in it, came and helped us tune our pipes and drums.

I also got to eat some delicious food. On Saturday we went down to the piers to have dinner at Duke's restaurant. They had delicious breads, salads and Lobster chowder and the service was great... highly recommended if you are in the area.

The Duke's Crew: BJ, Brandi, Kerri, Kylene, Me, Dano, Mikey, Dustin, Tyler and Kristen

Dano and Mikey snuggling after a delicious meal. awwwww...

So...warning... people get murdered in room 309 of Days Inn in Fife. We came back on Saturday from our games and later Brandi proceeded to snuggle up in the blankets. I pull the covers down to get in and discover blood on the sheets. I ripped off the rest of the blankets and we find fresh blood spots all over the sheets. The sheets on the other bed were slashed along the side and had a blood spot on the matress as well. Slightly creepy. We weren't sure what to do so we just called and asked for a new set of sheets. Our hypothesis is one of two scenarios. 1- Someone was murdered in our hotel and stuffed inside the bed (I did check under the bed for a body or parts of one only to find that there were wooden slats surrounding the bed) or 2- a blind housemaid got a bloody nose and didn't notice the blood spots all over the place. It even got on my pilllow! Ewwww!!!

The clan. Tyler, Kristen, Dustin, Brandi, BJ and Jill

Waiting at Famous Dave's for everyone else to be seated

Enjoying a delicious meal at Dairy Queen for $3 rather than Famous Dave's for $20+. (Look at all that food!)

Mike solo competing Grade1 with Triumph Street's MSR

Brandi, Meaghan, Jill and Brandi's stick

Kristen and me

How many drummers does it take to change a flat tire?...None....they call U-Haul!

Note Kerri's futile attempt to be out of the picture.

Lisa, Kristen and Sara being their normal weird selves.

Sign Reads: "It's Back and it's Good. Caesar Chicken and Bacon Yummy"

Brandilicious and the Beej on the way to Washington!

Me and Brandi in the van

Jill, Brandi and Kristen

Kristen, Tyler, Brandi, BJ and Kerri.

Notice the gremlins in the back seat... that's what happens after 14 hours in the car.

Kristen got a tattoo!!

The Beauty of Adulthood

I couldn't help but contemplate the beauty of adulthood as I grabbed a bag of Oreos and a glass of milk for breakfast at 11:15 this morning, having awoken for the day 15 minutes earlier. You would never get away with this as a child! Parents try in vain to steer their kids clear of bad habits, junk food and late nights just to find out that when they are older, they will do it anyway. So I ask myself...what is the point of doing this to your children?

I want to take a little poll just because I am curious. I want to know if you were forced to eat healthy or a certain way as a child and if you still do it or if you eat worse now because of it. Vice versa....if you were not forced to eat healthy, I want to know if you pig out on oreos for breakfast or if you wait to have a so-called "real" breakfast. Check it out on the right.

Please leave a comment with insight. Whether you have kids or not, I would actually really love to hear your perspective.

...and this does not just apply to food, going to bed early or waking up at a decent hour. I expand this question to all things you make your children do that you don't do yourself. Bathe everyday! Come on!

...and, no, I didn't eat a whole sleeve of oreos as might be mistaken from the picture above. That's just gross.

**Disclaimer: My oreos for breakfast is not a reflection on my mother's child rearing... she gave me ice cream. :) Thanks Mamman!

Sweeeet!!!

Sheesh. Sorry it took so long to post something new!
So..... some of my friends at worked asked what I wanted to do for my birthday and naturally I said I wanted to go to a candy factory.... so off we went. It was great. Their normal clientelle is approximately 5 years old so it is a great place to take kids and it's free!! (I wouldn't try to leave without buying them something from the candy store though!) Here are some fun pictures.

In front of Sweet's Candy Factory

My pile of taffy

Courtney, Laura, Diane, Me, Brandi

Did you know it takes a whole week to make a single jelly bean!? We got to taste unfinished/polished jelly beans right off the line and they are actually better than the finished ones! We also got to taste fresh chocolate covered cinnamon bears, and egg nog & caramel taffy straight off the line! It was still warm!
They have pipes that are filled with corn syrup, sugar, chocolate, etc that gets pumped to the different rooms of the factory. They are the only candy factory that stirs their chocolate by waterfall...and you can take that to the bank! :)

The Book of Mormon by Dr. Seuss

Thanks Aspen! This is cute. Enjoy.

What if Dr. Seuss Wrote the Book of Mormon?
by K. Taylor

Nephi:
Of goodly parents I was born
I've never drunk, I've never sworn
This is Lehi, he's my dad
Laman, Lemuel, they are bad
And who is this?
Why this is Sam.
Sam:
Yes, this is Sam, Sam I am
Laman:
That Sam I am, that Sam I am
I do not like that Sam I am
Sam:
In a tent, my father dwelt
Laman:
And it's so hot, I think I'll melt
Lemuel:
Our father's brain is out of whack
Laman:
Yeah, it's too hot, I'm going back
Lehi:
Then go and get the plates, my dear
Laman:
On second thought, I'm staying here
Nephi:
You said you'd leave and go away
Now all you want to do is stay?
Lemuel:
That Nephi always gets his way
Laman:
Here we are in this damp cave
Sam:
We would not be here if you'd behave
Nephi:
I will go and I will do
There's the angel, that's my cue
Laban's had too much to drink
Now he'll lose his head, I think
Nephi:
Look what I found, a brother from the quorum
Sam:
We will take him home, we will call him Zoram
Laman:
Our gold and silver we have spent
I do not like it in this tent
Lemuel:
I cannot read the Liahona
I must have drunk too much Corona
Laman:
We hate it here, we have no lives
Lehi:
Then go back to the city and get some wives
Lehi:
A tree, a tree, I see a tree!!
The fruit is white, the fruit is free!
A floating building, could it be?
Why do they laugh and stare at me?
Laman, Lemuel, come and see!
Laman:
We will not eat your precious fruit
Lemuel:
We will not wear a tie and suit
Laman:
We will not help you build your boat
Lemuel:
We do not think that it will float
Laman:
No not this boat, it will not float
Not even in a shallow moat
I do not care what Nephi wrote
Lemuel:
We will not eat your fruit I say
Laman:
We will not eat it on a tray
Lemuel:
And we won't eat it in a tent
Not even if your clothes you rent
Laman:
We'd rather have a can of spam
L&L:
We will not eat it, Sam I am
Sam:
You do not like it, so you say
Try it, try it, and you may
Try it and you may I say
Laman:
Sam, if you will let us be,
We will try it, you will see
L&L:
Say, we like this fruit of life
Sorry that we caused such strife
You've saved us from an awful jam
Thank you, thank you, Sam I am!

Proceed with Caution

Check Us Out! Payson Games Footage

This is our Timed Medley. It consists of 9 tunes. You may recognize the tenor in the middle. ;D



This next one is our MSR (March, Srathspey, Reel- types of scottish tunes). You can't really see the tenors but you can sure hear us. We are the drums with the different pitches. Listen for it!

We Rocked the Payson Highland Games

For those of you who don't know how nerdy I am yet, I play in a Scottish Bagpipe Band. No...I don't play the bagpipes. I play the tenor drum (much more fun and exciting). I have been playing since the summer of 2001 and enjoy every minute of it.

The band is called Wasatch and District Pipe Band since we have players that come to participate from all over the Wasatch Front. We have players from north of Ogden down to Payson.
I am the lead of 8 other talented tenor drummers. I love my position and enjoy seeing everyone continue to improve. Below are pictures of the 2 tenors that competed solo at the Payson games. They took 1st and 3rd place out of 5. I am proud of all the tenors for their hard work and improvement.

Overall, we took 1st place in the band competition! Wahoo! It was a ton of fun. I look forward to the Payson games every year because they are fairly small and it is just a fun relaxing competition. We also have traditions... like going to the "One Man Band" restaurant for brunch and getting snow cones for the ride home after the games (That of course is the best part!)

A Tribute To My Grandfather

My grandfather passed away in June 2007 having lived a long and fruitful life. Words cannot explain how many people loved him or how many people he loved throughout his life. My grandpa had a wonderful sense of humor, even up to the last day. The day before he passed happened to be his birthday and I was sitting holding his hand. His hospital bed faced a large window that overlooked the valley. When night fell, he pointed to the window and said, "Who's that funny looking fart?". At first I thought he was loosing it. But then, realizing that he was looking at his own reflection, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. That's my grandpa for ya. He had his wits about him to the very end. Here are some memories of his life here on earth. This is how I have and always will remember him. I know he is watching out for us every minute of the day. I love you grandpa. This one is for you.

Stoneground

So, I went to Stoneground (the restaurant, not the coffee house) yesterday for my birthday dinner. They serve pizza, sandwiches, salads, pastas, etc. Let me tell you...I love that place. The food was all so delicious. We had delectable rolls (mmmm.....), salads, and pizzas. I got a diah called Penne con Funghi....to die for. It was so yummy. The atmosphere is fun and family friendly. There are pool tables in the middle of the room and TVs in the corners for the sports gurus....just a fun outing.

I definitely recommend everyone go try it at least once...then you will be hooked!

Enjoy.
~S

P.S. We went to get ice cream yesterday at Squirrel Brothers and they are CLOSED! So sad...But Baskin Robbins across the street was still open...I got "Wild-n-Reckless" of course....it was delicious!

P.S.S. The Stoneground coffee house is on the first floor and they usually have delicious gelato! (Their air conditioning was out until the next week.)

Massacre at Ridges Manor

(For full effect, turn music off until after you read...then play smooth criminal)

It was a dark cold night. The wind was bellowing violently outside creating a thunderous noise against the side of the house before all went quiet. Suddenly a loud scream pierced the silence. Blood could be seen covering the floors, creating a trail to where the victim lie. It was shiny... fresh, not spilling more than a few minutes previous. As she crept closer, Sara could only imagine what could have caused this horrific scene. The weapon lie near the victim's foot with its sharp blade glinting in the light. As she knelt down to examine the victim's condition the hair on the back of her neck immediately stood on end.
The pool of blood underneath the victim's foot was horrendous. She swiftly grabbed a towel to put pressure on the gushing limb. It was soaking straight through. She knew she had to act quickly or else she may lose the victim to unconsciousness. She shuffled around in a drawer to find the super glue, remembering once being told that it could close wounds. She smothered the severed opening to no avail. The blood spurt right through the liquid barrier. Her only hope would be to hold pressure on the wound until help came.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, a tall handsome man burst through the front door. The bright light in the background prevented his face from being identifiable; however, his unmistakable silhouette was a familiar sight for sore eyes. Sara breathed a deep sigh of relief and realized the victim would be alright.

... Later

As the investigations proceeded as to what happened that night, the mystery couldn't be unraveled by even the best detectives. The case was closed forever.
Was it the work of a Shadow of Nothing?...I think not. This was an act of a devious mastermind with a plan and one plan only. Forever, only Sara will realize that her plan to clip her dog's nails had failed... will she try again?
dun...dun...dun.....

Burn Free Saved Me

Let me just tell you...this product doesn't lie! My burn hurt so bad today I thought I was going to pass out. I slathered this stuff on and almost instantly I felt the pain replaced with a cool sensation! I am keeping an extra bottle on hand just in case...that's how much I love this stuff!
How did I get burned you ask?....see picture of me below...imagine 9 hours of that with SPF 4....hmmmm.....ya think?!

A Trip To The Living Planet Aquarium

MS Century Ride

It's me! Doing my first official ride ever! This was about 60 miles into the century.

I can't help myself...Ladies and Gentlemen...Engrish.

Thanks Aspen!

I knew it!

Weird, because horsebeans sound delicious

I wouldn't tickle this one.

Hmmmm.....

To plastic bag abuse, Australia says NO!

It will be when you start chewing.

Look up and down the aisle twice before proceeding...

Not nice! Some of my good friends are liquor heads.

Ohhhhh...

Sounds better than "canned water" doesn't it.

Now we know what duck sauce is.

Served with flied lice.

Whatever you do, don't blench & reach!

Watchout Starbucks, here they come.

Please don't tripe.

The Dork is delicious, not too sure about the barboo...

Here, crippie, take my seat.

...But tastes like cat.