Post for an unnamed critic who is also a Baltimore Orioles fan and works at Banana Republic

So, recently this blog has received some unjustified criticism from an avid reader. It seems that just because it's been a few days, weeks, or even months since I last updated this blog, I've been maliciously labeled as an "unblogger" or one of those horrible people who sets up a blog only so that they have a convenient place to find the links to all of their friends' blogs, and not so that they can actually make a contribution of their own to the literary/ bloggerary world at large.

So sue me. Maybe I do use my blog only as a superficial connection to my more ambitious and literary friends who by the way, I consider to be the creme de la creme of the blogging world. Maybe I don't update consistently. Or even semi-regularly. But where else can you find pictures of George W. Bush mountain biking? Or Will Ferrell commenting on the state of the current health care crisis? Or my random, disconnected ramblings, regardless of their "few and far between"ness?

Yep, that's what I thought. Now that I've added this, I think it's time to return to lesson planning. Yes, that is my only update. I assure you, any lack of posting is directly correlated to an increase in lesson planning, grading, and falling asleep- book in hand- at nine-thirty PM or earlier. I know, I know; it's an exciting life I lead. But please, try not to be too jealous. And try, just try, to wait a little while more, for details galore on our new lives in AZ. They might be just around the corner.

Then again, I may not post again for months and months! So don't hold your breath, and go read something interesting in the mean time.

An interlude

I know there are other supposed events that I should catch up on (moving etc.) but I had to add a snippet of an endearing conversation I had with my husband tonight. I was rather irate to begin with and started ranting about people who appear to have 0% compassion in their very souls and our conversation started to turn towards general political trends and philosophies etc. We were talking about how many times voting comes down to choosing someone who you hope will be a good decision maker. Often times people vote based on shared ideologies etc. Then, just as I am gaining more momentum and getting more irate about various things, Dean says indignantly, "Here's the thing. George W. Bush is a mountain-biker, but I still think he's a moron!" hahahahaha. I love that man. (Dean, that is, not George W.) I don't know if anyone else thinks that is even remotely funny, or if it was just one of those things you had to be there to appreciate, but I thought if was funny enough to immortalize on the pages of this blessed blog. Welp, that's all for now. Have a good night!

Fourth of July

Let's go back in time shall we? I know that it is actually July 25th, but I plan to keep blogging as if I had made multiple, separate entries during the busy month of July, instead of making one long catch up post...So, here we go! We had a fun but low-key Fourth this year. Dean and I had our own BBQ dinner and then friends came over to watch fireworks and eat root beer floats. Alas, the root beer wasn't homemade as I had originally planned on, but maybe next year right? Turns out I don't have any containers big enough to make five gallons of root beer. Not sure how such a tool slipped my mind when I was creating a wedding registry, but somehow it did. Anyway, I admit we picked probably the worst possible spot to watch fireworks from, but it was still fun to spend time with our friends! Right after this eventful evening, I drove out to CA to see my family and Dean followed by flying down a few days later. It was great to see both of my parents and spend some time in beautiful southern CA. Dean was also able to see his good friend Devin-and we've included photographic evidence for those of you in Provo who were beginning to wonder if Devin really exists or not. Yes, People, he does. That's all for now!

The housing hunt

So, finding a house is turning out to be more difficult than I would like. It's hard to get motivated to pack up our whole house now, when we don't even have the prospect of a new place to move to. I'm headed to CA on Sunday and then Phoenix to look for housing, so hopefully I find some prospects by then. As you can see in the picture, Henry is also on the hunt; but I don't think he's having any luck either.

On the Road Again...

Well it's the day you've all been waiting for...EMPLOYMENT! Yahoo! We thought it might never happen, and we were sort of relishing in our plans for homelessness 2009 (and beyond) but it looks like it won't come to that after all. Heavenly Father has blessed us and reminded us that He really does hear and answer our prayers. 3rd Nephi 13:25-33 says,

“Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? ...And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin...Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

I like what follows in the account of the Savior's sermon found in Luke Chapter 12. After the passage quoted above it reads, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." I love that! It is a good reminder that even in uncertain times we don't need to fear. Heavenly Father will help and bless us because He loves us and wants us to be happy. We are especially grateful for his blessings in our life at this time. And now, where are we moving to you ask? Well, I will give you a few hints.

Hint #1: It is warm. All year.

Hint #2: There is no snow during the months of October-April. (Or any other time either.)

Hint #3: It is a city with a population of almost 2 million

Hint #4: It is home to delectable restaurants such as this one and not too far away from other favorites like this one

Hint #5: It is in Arizona

Hint #6: It rhymes with Kleenex

That's right all-- Phoenix, AZ here we come!*

*Assuming that all goes well with my references and getting my AZ fingerprints and teaching certification! Keep your fingers crossed people!

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! Today we went and visited my great-grandparents over at Wasatch Lawn cemetery. This might sound weird but I think Memorial Day is a great holiday and I love that so many people go to cemeteries. It's fun to see people go with their entire families, from grandparents to little kids who are running around all over other people's graves- ha ha, you gotta love it. We saw lots of people bring picnics and Dean and I thought that was pretty sweet as well. This is the second year we've gone, so I guess as long as we're living somewhere with kin nearby we will make it an official Watanabe family tradition. We also try and clean off the grave of one other person whenever we go, someone who looks like they don't get too many visitors. Now we are back at home reposing with good ol' Henry. Nothing else too exciting to report for now, so I guess we'll leave it at that.

Graduation!

Well, we are finally real live grown ups! Ha ha. Not really. But we have officially graduated from BYU now, and we feel much more intelligent and qualified for well...anything. We were so lucky to have both of our families here (or most members of them anyway) and it was fun to spend a silly (though hectic) weekend with everyone. Hopefully we'll be able to spend some more time with everyone soon. We also tried Pizzeria 712 in Orem, per Diana and Kate's recommendation, and it was fabuloso! I thought so at least. Not mind blowing, but delicious, simple, and delightful, even if the service was only so-so. Now, you might be thinking- graduation?! You two must be on to really great, exciting adventures now! Well, not so fast. We Watanabes like to take our time before embarking on new adventures which may explain why we are both lacking promising job opportunities for the near future...not to worry though, we are confident something will come up soon! Right now, we're just filling out applications and basking in the glory of graduation before we get too worried about silly little things like the FUTURE! :) Health Insurance, smealth insurance- who needs that when you could just be a professional graduate?! Below are some highlights from the big day(s):