High Score

Just so you know, I'm really good at the Toy Story Mania game in Disney's California Adventure.

Twice in a row-I got the high score of the day. They post your score on the screens at the very end of the game, with mine right on top and a flashing "new" next to it. I get all excited and let everyone in the area know that it is my score. LOVE this game.

Day 1: 223,700

Day 2: 221,300

My in-laws who are primary witnesses made me this perfect award. And I love it.

Its not like that on TV!??!

The loan was set. The closing date made. The house was ours.

Then the appraisal came in $40,000 less then the contracted price.

Chances are, we've lost our house.

Chances are we'll be going up again to find something else.

Chances are my birthday surprise and delightful celebration will be postponed.

It doesn't happen like that on TV! What happened to "we choose..." like on House Hunters?

Stressful!

Funny Kiddos

I've had a great day today.

Fourth period worked. They were funny, and quiet, and nice to me. And I liked them.

We took pictures for the Senior Hall of Fame today. Funny kids. They're all my former students from my Freshmen Seminar days. It was fun to see them and laugh with them. The best of the best. The cream of the crop. Fun kids.

Sixth period were all a riot. I couldn't focus on the lesson cuz they were so funny. Finally I get them started on their assignment. Twenty minutes pass. I remind them to get back to work to which they respond "when is it due". This is the classic response for "do I have to work today or not?" Its due today. One kid says, "I won't be done!" I say--You've had 40 minutes to finish it. Then he says, without skipping a beat, "I didn't know what we were doing for 20 of those minutes." I don't know why that made me laugh out loud, but it did.

They had to freehand a map of Europe today. One kid tried hard but had a rough go of it. The BEST part was on the bottom of his paper he wrote: "Not drawn to scale". he's a funny kid and it just fit his personality. Another great laugh.

They're funny. I've had a good day.

Harlem Globetrotters

For Christmas I got Mark tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters since they were here in town. We became huge fans of Flight Time and Big Easy in their Amazing Race days so to go and see them live was quite the treat. Not to mention the Globetrotters are incredible in general.

The evening started off with the perfect surprise. The moment we found our seats and got settled, we notice this couple sitting across the isle and 3 rows down from us. Do you know them?

A Closer look perhaps?This is Megan and Shane; the winners from last season's Amazing Race. Can you believe our luck? Of course I was suddenly completely distracted from the Globetrotters show and enthralled with the fact that these people who I've seen on TV and are so far removed from my real life had unexpectedly appeared as real humans. Mark had to keep reminding me to watch the show and not our VIP's. Lucky for my attention problem, the VIP coordinator of the arena moved our celebs to some empty court side seats. Alas, I was too chicken to actually say hello but I stalked the back of their heads for a good 30 minutes.

The show itself was fabulously hilarious. Big Easy made some great jokes and the rest of the team followed with great skills.

And I was even treated to a little Amazing Race reunion towards the end of the evening as my 4 favorites danced right before my very eyes.

So another successful Celeb encounter. I can't believe my luck. Its always amazing when people who are in a totally different world are suddenly right in front of you. Our lives are pretty neat.

Welcome Home!

Not to small, not to big. Just right for us. We love it.

Teacher Appreciation

This year I've made a larger effort to keep my parents informed about their students grades. I make Tutoring Invitations like its some kind of birthday party for those who have failing marks. I email grade printouts and even write personalized notes along with grade printouts to send home before each Report Card and after Parent Conferences. That's a ton more then I've done before. It mostly goes unnoticed...except for when it doesn't. Not that I seek praise, but it does brighten any day.

"Thank you so much for all the updates regarding [student's] progress. We really appreciate all the efforts being taken by you to help us get her back on track."

"Thanks for the update. We very sincerely appreciate your efforts and encouragement that you perpetually provide to your students."

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness of sending the study sheet for [student]. I was quite surprised as I've never had a teacher so aware of their students."

"Thanks so much for your quick and detailed reply! J I know you are very busy and I really appreciate the time you give for your students."

"Thank you so much for the email and keeping us parents updated. You sound like an Awesome teacher."

"Thank you Mrs Morrell for keeping the parents informed and making yourself available to us."

"Thank you very much for this e-mail. It really made my day. I know that at this time of the year everyone is very busy, but you made the time to let me know how my child is doing which is very important to me."

"I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the fact that you take the time to individually send out notifications on your students. I truly believe that because of you, [student] is successful in your class."

Ahhh--good stuff! Although to you readers this may seem lame; I wanted to record some good words just for my future. Once upon a time I did have a job that I loved and was pretty good at. :)

Home away from Home

House Hunting took a chunk of our time while visiting my mom but we managed to find time to relax with the family. The week certainly started off right (or wrong depending on your point of view) with the 15 POUNDS of M&M's acquired from post-wedding festivities. Mark made himself feel right at home with this bit of chocolate goodness.Our unhealthy indulgences didn't stop at M&M's. Mom continued to provide her famous Cinnamon Rolls and Rice Krispie treats. (M&M's included). Delicious.

Our time off from the house hunt wasn't only about food. We did manage to head over to Oakland to see the Warriors play against the LA Clippers. Trent got stuck in the security checkpoint with a serious water smuggling offense. Good thing they had professionals to sniff out his crime. Lucky us our seats were just rows in front of the awesome 12 year olds who were uber excited about the game and were convinced their shouts would determine the outcome of the shot. Didn't matter that we were in the rafters!

We moved over a few sections since the game was mostly empty and enjoyed watching the Warriors storm all over the Clippers. Good all, good company, good game! And did we indulge again in Ice cream Sunday's after the game? Don't worry about it!

Our home inspection went smoothly! To those who are waiting for pictures...soon. I hate to admit but I got several inside pictures but totally forgot the front of the home. Wow! I'm fired. But the backyard is amazing, the garage is a great size, the rooms are a beaut, and...of course we just love it.. You're just going to have to trust me.

House Hunters: Part Duex

Today we went out to the area for a fourth time. Looked at a few more houses that turned out to be more good then we had anticipated. The house we first offered on turned out to be not exactly what we wanted. So we decided to look at others as "back up". Turns out our back up was more of what we wanted then the first.

So-we made a seperate offer on this other house. The waiting game is the worst. After a trip to Rubios and a drive home we already had received their counteroffer (not yet hearing from the first house). So we dumped the first house and put all our assets into this new house. Strangly, their counteroffer was a little more then what we had already offered, (which was already above the asking price) but being that we know the home is going to go fast, we acted quickly.

AND THEY ACCEPTED!

I know its a long road to escrow, and closing and keys, but the fact they accepted our offer is one step we didn't have yesterday!

House Hunters

Our experience here has been a good one! Exhausting, but good. We've looked at upward 20 homes and found 4 that we are most interested in. 2 of which we are going to make offers on. Hopefully one pans out.

We've learned a few things along the way. 1-Bring food because it is just always nice to have. 2-You're going to see some junk. Its funny some of the homes we went to and the state they were in. They never look like that on the TV show. 3-The one you want probably is too good to be true. We've seen some great homes online that turn out to be short sales or have some funky thing that isn't so great. 4-Taxes are expensive. Mello Roos are too. A tax free world would be best. 5-You'll never have enough money.

Of the houses we liked most, the one we really wanted had the strangest upstairs master suit setup. Let me see if I can paint you a brief picture. The room itself was large in size. Against one wall there were 2 doors-1 bathroom and 1 walk-in closet. The bathroom was the size of a dormitory bathroom with a sink and no vanity, toilet and shower. Then, the closet was the size of 1 good sized bedroom and yet completely non-functional with only 1 rod on either end of the room. So weird. We anticipated we could get it for a cheaper price and then upgrade it but felt the improvements were more headache then we wanted.

We've just made an offer on one of our favorite choices. A little more expensive then we were hoping but still within our comfortable price range. Cross your fingers, we'll see what happens.

(as a side note: a few have asked why we are looking for a house. Answer: Mark is taking over my father's pool business so we are moving. And what better time to buy?)

For the Record

It's a tragedy that all our posts revolve around TV these days. The Bachelor is still so dramatic. The ending to this last episode had me craving for more! Really? No rose ceremony? What Happened!!! I am still not team Vienna but I am glad she is still on the show. And I think she is a good person. Maybe not good for Jake but a good person. So take that Ali. We all know Tenly is going to "win" in the end and if not then she is going to be the next Bachelorette so she is set.

LOST started. Wow. Can I just say. What? I liked Loke when he was good, and Ben when he was bad, and when Jacob was just a name, and Charlie...I miss Charlie, and Mr. Echo. And my friend may or may not be on the new season's cast! Love her.

I somehow got our President Week break mixed up and planned an additional week of teaching when in fact this Friday we are done. Cool that my break just jumped up 7 days. Bad that I had to squish material for their test.

Mark's boss is a rock star who fixed my mishap into Mark's schedule allowing us some time to go and buy our house. NEXT WEEK!

I sometimes wish I was a police officer undercover. If I made money for each person I saw talking on their phone while driving, the carpool law breakers who definatly DO NOT have 2 or more people, and for each teenager I see sticking their stickers of whatever onto signs and such I'd be able to quit my job and live off the "fat of the land".

I found a summer school job opening in the new area we're moving. That hopeful.

Our bland lives leaves us pictureless. Hopefully we'll have more interesting posts in the future.

Jake-a-licious

I can't believe I am still watching this nonsense. It is just so darn entertaining. Pretty sure Mark and I just about laugh at the entire thing. Anyway-as promised, a Bachelor Blog.

This episode lived up to the "most dramatic rose ceremony in Bachelor History". Jake does such a good job with the breathing and the sunken head stance with emotional pain emanating from his entire being. And how can you blame him with a week like this.

He started out with a date with Gia. Really? Who is this girl? They rode into the vineyard on a motorcycle and then played hide and seek? Can you call it really a challenge? That was pointless and a little painful. And her whole saga about how she was a nerd in school that all the people teased was a bit too far don't you think? No worries, Jake quickly turned it into his favor with a little game of spin the bottle which ended with Gia's announcement before final decent; "this is our first kiss." Wow. Is that weird to anyone else?

Then came the group date. I always love it when the men announce they want to see if the girls could "have a good time in the dirt". Really Jake? You think some girl is going to say no? And his basis for judgement: does she drive crazy enough. How romantic. The sand dunes proved to be a little dirty. Some girls found the perfect opportunity to "slip" down the hill in Jake's arms. Perfect timing. Oh...and Jessie who? what? Sorry to say so but the brunette hasn't got much air time.

The whole after-sand-dune thing was the real treat with Ashleigh's time being super awkward Vienna telling Jake she didn't want talk to him till the end? okay, that's not weird. He had his face in Tenly's ...eh-hem...chest...And Ali? I'm just over her all together. And it's just my personal opinion but is the Madonna Hotel a little bit much for anyone else? Yuck.

Let just say my favorite in Tenly. She seems to be the best fit for our Jake-y boy. Ali is obnoxious. I'm over her drama games about Vienna. Speaking of which-I'm not going to say I'm team Vienna as the last episode proved her to be a little...off. But I don't think she is the evil witch the show is making her out to be. I kinda liked her after their 1 on 1 but...after last night I was over her. I must admit I was glad that she did get the last rose because quite frankly I am antsy to hear what "conversation" Ali is going to have with Jake.

Can't wait till next week! :)
and p.s...happy 100th post to us.

Blogging Randomly

--Our neighbor's kid speaks about 10 decibels louder then any human should...ever. As soon as that door opens, and he comes bounding down the stairs with some random story or song or just loud screaming...its amazing.

--We have cats that live beneath us. Or somewhere in the vicinity but we can't really tell where they live. We think the Garden of Eden/Dog Owners people who got evicted fed them and now they stay. Well, tonight they were fighting. It was kinda creepy. And as a side note, they may have just moved, but we like to think they were kicked out. Its more dramatic and we like drama.

--Lost is BACK! 2 weeks. Bring it!

--The rain is amazingly terrible. It is true what they say. It really is a lot of rain. Downpours every day making the roads more like lakes and rivers. Lucky for us we live on the second level and have food storage...sort of...well, we have a lot of chicken and oatmeal so we're good!

--I seem to be off my Mexican food phase which is bittersweet. But don't worry, I still LOVE ice cream.

--We both are guilty of looking up houses online everyday. We just got approved for our loan and are anxiously waiting for the week we can go and make our offer! Why can't home buying be like "Living Spaces" motto: Buy it today, enjoy it tonight. That's what I'm talking about.

--We are deeply addicted to the Bachelor drama. And by "we" I mean I watch it and Mark sits. But the commentary is dripping with gossip and ooze about the ladies. I could go on a tangent with each one...but another post.

--I need to clean my house, and fold the laundry, and wash the towels, and straighten out the guest room. Maybe tomorrow.

Celebrity Obsession

What is it about Celebrities that entrances me? While in Provo, we would go to the Sundance film festival to catch a glimpse. I turn into the paparazzi in Disneyland in a moments notice if they are sighted. I choose the longest grocery line to read as much of US Weekly without having to purchase it. I watch their "reality" shows to see what is going on in their lives, and Biography by A&E is uber interesting! Yesterday when the sky was falling, the usual programs were cancelled to show the ongoing weather talk. I was distraught!

I'm just saying...perhaps the extensions of Kate Gosselin, the love life of Jake the Bachelor, the babies of the Kardashians, the break up/make up of Brad and Angie, Tom Cruise's Scientology and whether or not Katie is happy and how much money they spent on their kid isn't that big of a deal. Or maybe it is...I saw Celine Dion in Disneyland. What if one of my students becomes famous...oh that would be magical.

River of Rainy Death

We have all been aware that there was a large storm coming towards us here in Cali-town. However, we all kind of ignored it because we get warnings and they never really happen. We got some rain yesterday, but it was today that it really kinda hit us. Here is a small clip of the river that formed outside of our apartment in the street.

About 15 seconds before I could get the camera on, there was a flash of lightning that was instantly followed by a crash of thunder that almost disemboweled me. It was the loudest clap of thunder I have ever heard. After verifying that I was still ok, I pulled out the camera and filmed the above. Love thunderstorms. Love crazy rain. Love the combo.

Mary Poppins

For Christmas Mark got us tickets to see Mary Poppins in LA! What a delightful evening we had. I was surprised at how many extra songs they had put in the play as well as the way they told the story; a little different from the classic Disney film. But it was so great to get to spend an evening with my husband.

A few things to remember about the evening:
--I feel the most stressful part is parking. Anytime I'm going to a highly attended event, parking stresses me out. Especially if I have never been to the venue before. I love a well marked parking structure!
--The family of 25 that filed into our row just before we did. Climbing over them was awesome.
--According to US Weekly, TomKat were there the night before. Blast-just missed them.
--I'd like to say that I'm a "theater snob" and that I simply won't go unless we have good seats. However, our poor pocketbooks won't allow for this and I'd much rather go! So I guess I'm not a snob. I just like going to the theater. We rented binoculars to see the faces of the actors better and it turned out to be a good investment.


We sure love going out together. Especially love live performances. Just such a great bit of life we all get to enjoy!