Spring internship

This semester I've been fortunate enough to participate in an internship with Wasatch Community Gardens. For those of you who aren't familiar with this organization (I wasn't until this semester!), they are a non-profit community garden (http://www.wasatchgardens.org/). They own plots throughout Salt Lake City & they lease them out for those who want land to garden on. It's a fabulous program, but they have a huge waiting list, & there isn't enough plots to go around (this is where I come in!). Right now I'm working on starting a yard sharing program in Salt Lake City. This would be a program that brings people together through gardening (those who'd like to share their yard, & those who'd like a yard to use!). I feel so lucky to be a part of this project!! I was able to conduct a survey (something I have always wanted to do!), & it was so awesome to see the results!!! Our next step is to start a pilot program for this upcoming growing season. Then I get to work on implementing the program throughout Salt Lake. Oh & I also get to volunteer at the annual plant sale, and the tomato sandwich party! I am having so much fun & I am so excited to see the end results of all my hard work!

How I spent my Spring Break 2009

I can't believe march is almost over!! I was so excited to have a whole week off of school! I thought I would accomplish so much & really take advantage of my free time... Hmmm I don't think I accomplished much of anything! I had a few projects that I was determined to have done by Wed.. that didn't really work out!! I think I need some medication for my ADD because I am SO easily distracted!!
On my last break (President's weekend) I decided to move me & Alex upstairs... I made the mistake of telling Alex that he could pick out whatever color of paint he wanted for his new room... He of course chose red.. Real red. Dark red... I literally put 5 coats of red on the wall... But that was during another break.. This time I needed to finish painting my new room and finish moving our stuff upstairs... I'm happy to say that I completed one of these tasks! We're upstairs, but there is SO much more to do!! I really need to go through Alex's toys (and ban everyone from buying him new ones) so I can stop storing so much junk!! Where did all this junk come from?? Who let it into the house.. I'm pretty sure it wasn't me. It must have been sneaking in!! Another goal I had was to finish my 10 page research essay.. Ya that's what I should be doing right now... The ADD gets the best of me! I did get to attempt a few naps... Everyone likes to lay by/on me while I try to sleep... I was able to get in some quality time with a few friends! I had Holly over for dinner and I got to make her a yummy fruit platter with scrumptious dip (thanks Reese). I wish I could have one of those in my fridge everyday to munch on! It was delicious! Well I better get back to that essay...

6 more weeks until I graduate!!

Prop

We have so much fun watching Lolo dance!

DISNEY WORLD!

Ugh.... Why did I have to leave sunny Orlando for snowy Salt Lake!! The weather was amazing!! I didn't want to come home (I think I could get a job & dress up like Minnie Mouse everyday for the rest of my life!). We had so much fun! There is so much to do & so much to see! We were going non-stop the entire time, but the aching back/feet were worth it!Poor Alexander had blisters on his feet from walking so much, he's all bandaged up now! Aside from getting to go to Florida he also got to build his own light saber (it was pretty cool!). I couldn't figure out how to do it so we had to enlist the help of a saber expert!
Alex was brave & went on all the rides, even though he was scared of the Tower of Terror, and the Haunted mansion (both awesome!). I think Lo & I were more excited about meeting the Disney characters... I really had to force him to take pictures with them! She & I were SO excited to see Ariel! Alex would always ask me if they were real once he was far enough away from them!! We also got to go watch Lo perfrom for Nationals. They ended up taking second!! It was the first time I was able to see them perform prop & it was AWESOME! One of my favorite dances they've ever done!

Kaili's blessing

Sunday we went to Lindon for Kaili's baby blessing. She's such an adorable baby and her parents are SO proud of her! I had such a good time hanging out with my family!! Great Grandma was able to stay with us for a week and her cooking will be missed! I'm so glad I was able to make bean bread and apple surprise cake with her. It would have been awesome if I was able to talk to her about cooking all day! She's such an amazing Grandma and we will miss her!

25 Random Rachel thoughts

I know there is a face book tag going around asking for 25 random thoughts. Apparently it's a virus that has now infected bloggers! I did a face book one, but my mom tagged me and I know you're all anxious to hear 25 random Rachel thoughts...
1. Yum... Chocolate! If it were socially acceptable to eat chocolate all day long (& I wouldn't gain weight) I would be in heaven!

2. I love being a mom & I can't believe I never wanted any kids! Now I think I'd like 3 more!! Or maybe 40...

3. I can't wait to graduate, but I am scared that I will end up a beggar on the streets! I have been in school for so long I'm nervous about what happens next!

4. I really, really (really!) hate snow. I don't like shoveling it, I don't like driving in it, & I don't like freezing to death while playing in it! I want to live on a beach... Mom let's go!!

5. My favorite pastime is laughing!

6. There are so many things I'd like to pursue in life. Sometimes when I think about them all I get a headache!

7. I think my family is so funny. It's crazy how we can sit & laugh for hrs with (& at) each other.

8. I'm not scared to try new things! Except maybe skydiving. I want to go everywhere & do everything the world has to offer!!

9. I think my friends are so great! I love that we've stayed in touch & I can't wait to see where their lives take them!

10. I can't stop procrastinating! I should be doing homework, but that's not fun!

11. I should have starred in "Confessional of a Shopaholic". Alright, I am not that bad, but I think it could be roughly based on me!

12. I wish I could speak Spanish!

13. I miss hot tamales... Braces are NOT FUN!!

14. I never I thought I would use cliche terms such as, it's such a small world, but sometimes they're just so true I can't think of anything else to say!

15. I wish I could clean like Mary Poppins "Snap" the bed is made, "Snap" the toys put themselves away! But I'm not a good snapper so it needs to be clapping instead.

16. I hate when people don't realize how beautiful/amazing/smart/funny they are! I don't like all the warped perceptions we have about ourselves!

17. I sit and day dream about all the cooking utensils I want... Cake frosting platter, garlic smasher, food processor, souffle dish, etc.

18. I am constantly singing opera while I walk around the house. Alex mimics me & he can hit all the high notes (so what if it's borderline screaming, it makes me laugh!).

19. I miss singing primary songs & I think we should sing them in Relief Society!

20. I want to sleep in, but I always wake up before 8!

21. I think my toes look weird when my toenails aren't painted!

22. Sometimes Alex snorts when he laughs & it makes him laugh even harder.. It's the most adorable thing in the world!

23. I really like words... My favorite right now is supercilious.

24. I always talk to myself.. Especially when I 'm walking around campus & when I say something funny I sit & laugh at myself!!

25. I plan on buying a chicken to keep in the backyard. Eggs, pest control, and fertilizer!!

I can't tag just one person. I want to hear from all of you! So if you read this, consider yourself tagged!

The cutest puppy!

Alex's Christmas towel from Great-Grandma Skeen. I wish I could sew.. She's amazing and Alex looks adorable as a puppy!

Last Friday we were able to go see Lo perform at state! I can't believe this is her last year! It's been fun being able to watch her! They did a great job (as always) and now she's applying for college dance teams!! I feel like she's all grown up!