This Day in History

This day in history- my personal history- appears to have been a significant day several times over. Facebook does this little thing where it lets you see what you posted on this day in years past. It just chooses one memory, but you can look through more. There were too many good status updates to share just one. So I'll share them here instead. 

8 years ago

I am a princess and you would do well to remember that. 

8 years later or not, this still remains in force. It's actually probably more true now than ever.

6 years ago

I got a job!!!

apparently this was the day I found out I'd been hired at EIRMC. After being unemployed for a year and moving back in with my parents, it was a blessing. A major, major blessing. You have no idea- well, maybe some of you do- the depression that comes upon you when you're unemployed. I felt worthless and stupid- un-hireable and... It just felt wonderful to have a job again.

Did my first wedding cake today! AND it was fondant!

This was exciting for me. I haven't done many wedding cakes- or any cakes for that matter- but for a while there I was on a roll. I DO have a wedding cake coming up in a couple of weeks, but it's just a bare cake that they'll decorate themselves. 

5 years ago

Last day at EIRMC (smile-cry)

I find it interesting that my last day at EIRMC fell on the anniversary of getting the job. It was a wonderful year there, without that job I wouldn't be where I am today (and I'm trying to look at that as if it's a good thing, haha!) I made some great friends there- and a best friend. I am so grateful for that.

I finished my work day on a Friday, and moved to Salt Lake the next day, which means that tomorrow is the 5 year anniversary of my moving to Utah. It's the longest I've lived anywhere- except home- and sometimes I feel it's time to move on, but then I remember how much I hate packing and I stay here.

2 years ago

Happy back to school week everyone. I'll just be sitting here at work... you know- not using algebra.

I'm sorry- I still think this is hilarious. And it's still true. Take heart my friends who are students- just pass algebra and you'll survive to see another day.

An Olympic Event 2016

I've never been on to keep up with the trends- as they're happening. I'm always a day late and $5 short (I'm feeling pretty broke at the moment, more than the cliche $1). So now that the Rio Olympics are over, I feel it is time to post about my traditional Olympic opening ceremonies dinner. I give 99% of the credit to my aunt and cousin, without whom we would have only had cold Taco Bell burritos to eat.

It was lucky that my sister and her kids happened to be in town for our party. First item of business, decorations. I hung up my old flag garland put out small table flags that I have collected. I could not for the life of me find a Brazilian flag, but luckily there was one on the garland.

This party is one of my favorite traditions- and I (ever so humbly) take credit for it. This is the third or fourth one I've done. I love the Olympics and I love food, it's only natural to combine the two, right?

Remember, we dream on a budget here, and sometimes to get a variety we have to use our imaginations and stretch the definition of authenticity.

We had represented Italy, Mexico, China, Japan, U.K. India, Switzerland, Thailand, France, Australia, Germany, Brazil and of course the U.S of A. There might have be a few.. oh... Greece. Yeah. That one was good. I should have taken better care to take close ups- but I didn't. Sorry.

My aunt ordered some sweet and sour chicken, chow mein and rice. I brought tacos and burritos. They were slightly less authentic than the Mexican wedding cookies- which were fantastic. 

My aunt made some bean-y sauce-y thing from India. There were mozzarella sticks (again with the stretching authenticity) and French Bread. There were a variety of candies from different countries. I broke into my stores and shared the candy my sister had brought over from England and Scotland.  There were some rather yummy chocolate covered lemon rolled wafer cookies.

 

My mom sent down a batch of pizzelle cookies that she had made. They were fantastic.light and airy and just the right dessert for such a filling dinner.

My niece, Sadie rather enjoyed them. 

 

For some attempt at authenticity, my aunt got hold of a Brazilian cassava and cooked it up. It was good too- and fun to try something from our host country.

One of the most popular selections was the fun sodas that my cousin found at world market. 

I don't drink soda very often, but It was bottoms up with this bottle of French cherry and lemon soda. Yum-o!

That's it for this year's opening ceremony. I had a great two weeks following the Olympics. I was with the rest of the country cheering on our swimming team (and feeling the embarrassment because of a few of them). I nearly drove my coworker to drink as I nervously watched the volleyball games. They were intense, geez. I love the Olympics. I can't wait till 2018 when we get to do it again! I already have plans for what Korean food I'm going to bring!

Obrigado, Rio por ser um anfitriao muito gracioso!

You Can Take the Girl Out of the Small Town...

I'm from a small town. Chubbuck. I mean, It's no Arimo, but as far as the world is concerned, it's a small town. I will admit I do love my hometown. I make fun of it a lot (which I'm going to do a lot of in this post), but it was a great place to be a kid and I like going back to visit family and friends. I am more of a city girl though, at heart. I like a certain level of anonymity that living in a larger city gives you (even Salt Lake is a little small for my taste). I like being able to go to the store and not running into everyone I went to high school with. 

Last week I went home to visit family and just happened to be there during the celebration of my little town. When I was a kid, Chubbuck Days was a BIG deal. At least, it seemed bigger... My parents live on the main drag of town, so the parade always went right in front of my house- we never had to go early to save seats. They live right across the street from a church so there was always plenty of parking. The party used to go on all day and have tons of different activities and games and auctions and... it was awesome. Now they have a lame toilet paper parade and lunch in the park and it's all over by 3. 

Come on, Chubbuck, even Kuna Days is more exciting. They have a mud run, vendors, food and fireworks...

I'm not much of a fan of small town parades. The only attraction these days is year supply of salt water taffy you may pick up of the side of the road. When I was a kid there was thought put into the parade. There were floats. Like, real floats with people on them. Anymore the parades are just cars and trucks... well, let me just get to my point.

I could have slept in- but I chose to sort of be a part of the festivities. I sat on the porch of my parents house. I took a few statistics as the parade went by.  (please note that some of these are doubled up, for example, a pick up truck may also count as a political entry)

There were:

• 39 Pick up trucks
• 48 Commercial entries
• 7 Old cars
• 5 Sport cars
• 7 other random cars or dune buggies
• 12 political entries (that I noticed- I started counting this one a little late in the game)
• 7 Heavy equipment entries (being hauled on flatbed trucks. We didn't even actually get to see them in action!)
• 40 little girls doing cartwheels
• 5 actual floats
• 2 street sweepers.

Now see, when I was a kid there were horses- and bands- and cheerleaders and stuff that made you hometown proud. Now it's just an hour long string of advertisements.

There were a few things that I thought to take pictures of. You'll have to excuse the pictures- I was mostly lazy and sitting on the porch while taking these- so you get a view of the crowd more than what I meant the picture to be of- but remember, I was being a grouch and this  was the most I had the motivation to do.

 One of the more traditional entries is the trolley bus. I don't know. I personally have never used public transportation in Idaho...?

There is usually an entry with a local musical group. I actually like these. I wish there were more of them. But it seems that the music is slowly dying. Sad.

 Here's an example of the heavy equipment. Why...? Just... Why....?

 At least a few of them got somewhat festive and at least put balloons on their entries. I used to call these "toilet paper parades" but the balloons won out this time.

I was a little more encouraged when I saw this one go by. Granted, it's still just a flatbed truck- but at least they went to the effort of putting green glittery stuff on it.

Now we're talking. Superheroes. Although one of them is a kid my niece goes to school with and called her a not very nice name. We don't like him. If I'd've known it was him, I probably would have kicked him in the shin. NO one says mean things to my babies!

But at least they made something of a try. It's a bounce house. Huh... Ok. They never did that when I was kid, but points for trying- and for the cute little old veteran they had riding it.

This one was the first *actual* float (when say "float" I mean more than just a flatbed truck with some hay bales on it- granted, you can see that these are being pulled by trucks, whereas a true, actual float you would not be able to see right away what is powering it- hence- float). There was more effort put into this one. Way to go Pizza Pie Cafe. We had lunch there later that day. Thanks for the coupons.

This one was clearly the best. A real float that someone put a lot of thought and time into. I like floats. They are why I watch parades. I love the Days of 47 parade, and the Rose bowl- because they have incredible floats. This one did my little town proud. I don't even know who sponsored it, but really, really well done. You win the prize.

What's the prize? Bragging rights of being the only entry that didn't get made fun of, of course.