Recently, I have had a few thoughts. I thought I would share them in blist (if you've been following my blist, you would know this is "blog" and "list" put together...I tend to do that kind of thing a lot).
1. College websites are mazes. No. IMPOSSIBLE mazes, and it is VERY difficult to get from point A to point B. Click on one button, you get a drop down menu. You go to the page you want. You get three more drop down menus. Here is my thought process while browsing college websites: "Hmmm. Future students. Uh...Freshman. No. First time students? What's the difference? I'll check both out. Admissions. Cool, I'll check that out. Should I look at deadlines or scholarships or...No, I remember, I wanted to look at that one thing. Wait. How do I go back to that one thing....Forget it...Your website is too confusing and not even graphically pleasing. Therefore, you are eliminated from my potential college list. NEXT!!!"
2. a. Working at the community pool was the BEST decision I have ever made. Yesterday Chunks (one of the lifeguards) told me he was going to push Chloe in the pool. I sat in the office with my cell phone, ready to record the entire event. Well, it took about 2 hours, but I FINALLY got the priceless video. I posted it on facebook this evening. Check it out.
2. b. Once my boss Julio called me. I was at the front desk and thought he was in a meeting. So the phone rings, I answer it. I thought he was a woman...the conversation went like this: S: "Calistoga Community Pool, how may I help you?" J: "Hi, I'd like to rent the pool out please. For SIX DAYS." S: "Well, we are only available for afternoon rentals, however if you would like to speak with my manager and try and arrange something, I could take down your name and..." J (interrupting me): "Can the nudist colony come to the pool? We're the ones who want it." S (shocked, overheating and tugging on shirt collar, unsure of what to say): "Uh....well, like I said, I can take down your name and number and have my manager call you..." J: "My name is Julia [remember, I thought he was a woman? ha.], and my number is..." (Julio proceeds to give me the pool's telephone number) S: "Wait a sec...Is this JULIO???" J (laughing): "You got me!!!" S: "Julio, you owe me a cookie." Julio then brought me a chocolate chip cookie the size of my head to make it up to me. Like I said, the pool is fun.
3. My art teacher said something interesting the other day. He said, "Nothing can exist on its own." Think about that.
4. I was at a church dance on Saturday, and the DJ had everyone do this snowball dance on one of the slow songs. Three couples started out on the floor, the rest of the guys and girls were separated by gender on opposite sides of the room. When the DJ paused the music, each person had to grab a new partner from the sides of the room, so then there were 6 couples. Then there were 12, and so on. So my friend Madeline and I were the last two girls on the side of the room, waiting for a turn to dance, and she turned to me and said, "Sydney, maybe we aren't dancing because we're ugly." Then a guy proceeded to ask her to dance, and I was left on my own. I had a good laugh about that situation. I'm ugly and PROUD of it :)
5. I ate too much, and I want cookies. Again.
Well, I have calculus homework (gag), so I should probably wrap this up. More thoughts to come. My Aunt Carrie suggested that as a follow up to my blist "20 Things I Learned From Abroad," I should do a blist about "20 Things I Learned From a Broad," about all of the various and sundry things I have learned from the women in my life. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty stoked to write that one! Look for it at a later date.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
20 Things I Have Learned Abroad
I was thinking about my new blog, and what I can put on it, and suddenly the idea came to me: "Sydney, why don't you blog about what you have learned while out of the country?" I feel that it was inspired by Laura, because we were discussing our England adventures during BSE 2008 (for those of you who may not know, BSE is Best Summer Ever, of course!), and I was thinking about all of our funny incidents. The following blog list (blist?) contains what I have learned from the wonderful countries of England, Scotland, France, and Canada. So, here goes.
1. a. Remember to bring adapters to foreign countries. Otherwise, your hair straightener will not work in the funny French outlets, and your hair will be crazy-go-nuts the entire trip.
1. b. Don't just remember to bring adapters. Bring working adapters. When in London, my aunt Lisa was blowdrying her hair with my mom's blowdryer. She was using this nifty adapter from Eddie Bauer that had adapters for essentially every kind of outlet there is. It may have been nifty, but it killed my mom's hairdryer. The shiny silver hairdryer began to glow and orange, and very...dangerous-looking...color. So moral of the story, bring working adapters.
2. When I was in Canada, we were on a bus driving through Vancouver. As I looked out the windows, I could see that a lot of the clothing stores were having blow-out sales, up to 70% off! Because of the exchange rate, in my head I figured that shopping in those stores was basically shopping in an American store and buying things for 90% off. My 11 year old head was spinning with the prospect of all of the fashion steals. Sadly, I did not go shopping. Nor have I ever figured out if my math was right or not.
3. My freshman year of highschool, I spent a week in Paris with my friend Sasha and her family, who were living there for a year. While in Paris, I learned a very handy phrase: "Je suis désolée." The English translation of this phrase is: "I'm sorry." How I learned this phrase is a long and complicated story, but I'll keep it short, I promise. I was in a book store and dropped a pen in a woman's purse (on accident!). I tried to tell her in English what had happened, but she didn't speak English. I didn't speak French. It was a problem. Then I found Gretchen, Sasha's mom, who helped me by translating all that had happened. The French woman and I had a good (and slightly awkward) laugh, and then Gretchen taught me how to say "Je suis désolée."
4. Haggis is NOT conducive to one's well being. Please. Don't try it.
5. a. In England (and Scotland), the way people drive is rather curious. The driver sits on the right side of the car, and they drive on the other side of the road, as well. It's just all mixed up! Kelli and Laura made the apt observation that "Turning left is like turning right, and turning right is just WRONG!"
5. b. If you are riding in a British taxi and your seat is a fold down seat, make sure it is DOWN before you sit. Because I forgot that multiple times, and consequently had multiple goose eggs on my poor noggin.
6. If you destroy all evidence, you can have a second dinner. Muahahaha....
7. My entire life, I have sworn by fat free milk. I would not even dream of drinking any other type. But, when I was in England, I had to submit to drinking whole milk. Um, hello, why didn't anyone tell me it was delicious before? Because I have been seriously mislead my whole life or something. Sheesh.
8. a. In Britain, train workers can be very lovely and accommodating. While on a train from Windemere to Edinburgh, my mom, aunts Carrie and Lisa, and I ran into a very wonderful attendant who talked with us for about 20 minutes about the upcoming elections, Obama, and various and sundry other topics. It was very nice.
8. b. However, not all train workers are nice. Some are real grouches. Once, when traveling from London to Bath, our group of 8 had to switch trains in order to get to our destination. We had to haul all over our luggage (guh) up stairs, over the overpass, down stairs, up a few more stairs (I don't know why the stairs from the overpass didn't just lead to the platform, it would have been so much more efficient...), onto the platform, and finally on to the train. We were cutting it very close, and we were all very stressed and sleep deprived. Some of us made it in time through the maze of stairs and to the platform, but there happened to be an attendant at the station who was sweeping the overpass and who wouldn't people pass by. Long story short, Laura and Kelli ended up on the train, because a very grumpy train attendant would not let them out, while the rest of us had to wait to get on the next train. We did find our lost girls, but it was very stressful. This incident resulted in the phrase, "It was a train day."
9. The English flag is the "Union Jack," not the "Flappin' Jack," as I accidentally called it. Oops.
10. Hamburgers in England are really quite silly. When one thinks of a hamburger, one would think, "Ah, yes! Something that is going to taste like home." However, this notion is soon proven false when an enormous hamburger is served to you, complete with rocket (??? I'm wondering what it is, too...) and a side of French fries. The meat is seasoned very strangely, and does not taste normal at all. I personally feel that the British should stick to growing berries. Because they don't have to do anything to them in the kitchen.
11. The Queen of England? Yeah, she's also the Queen of Scotland...
12. I have a twin in the Yukon. I was introduced to her by my Australian friends who were on our tour (my grandparents took us on a tour of Alaska and the Yukon). I met her at the Fecal Follies extravaganza. (I'm not sure what the extravaganza was really called anymore, this is just what we called it because of a series of hilarious incidents leading up to my Dad calling it the Fecal Follies show.)
13. The toothfairy is extremely accommodating. I lost a tooth while in the Yukon and received Canadian money for my tooth. It was exciting.
14. a. While abroad, I had two fabulous Beatles experiences. In Paris on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur, there were two street musicians with their guitars who were singing "She's Got a Ticket to Ride," and everyone around them was singing as well. It was one of those moments where you just can't help but smile.
14. b. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, we took a walk out to Mary Arden's Farm on one of the few days that were sunny. (Mary Aden was Shakespeare's mother.) While walking, I plugged in my iPod and decided to listen to the Beatles, because, after all, I was in England. So on came "Good Day Sunshine," and it was another one of those moments where I just couldn't help but smile because I was in England, listening to the Beatles sing about sunshine while the sun was actually shining.
15. The best chocolate mousse in Paris is in the tool section.
16. The English are perhaps the most polite people in the entire world. They are always saying in the nicest voice, "Mind the gap! Mind the step! Mind your head!" When my friend Jake saw one of our photos of a sign that said, "Mind the step!" he replied, "What, do they apologize when they pickpocket you???" HA. I wonder this myself.
17. When I was in Scotland, our taxi driver Kenny was trying to explain the traffic lights to us. He kept calling the traffic light a "talking toucan." However, it took us about 10 minutes before we figured out he was saying "toucan." Once we figured that out, we realized he probably meant "parrot" or something...Bottom line is. Scots are hard to understand.
18. In England, both of my aunts and my mom were all for taking pictures. It was fun, and we have about a million fabulous pictures, but sometimes, Kelli, Laura, and I would get tired modeling. When we were done, we would automatically get into our Charlie's Angels pose. And then the photo shoots would cease. I love our Charlie's Angels photos.
19. Toast is literally the bread of life. I'm not even kidding. During BSE 2008, we ate toast every single day. It was fabulous.
20. On the train home from Chattsworth (Mr. Darcy's house!), we all got hot chocolate because we were cold and tired (and in my case, muddy; I slipped in the gardens and got mud all over me!). Some of us wanted cream to put in our cocoa, so Kelli and I walked over to the little kiosk and asked for cream. The man there told us they didn't have any, but they did have Dairy Stix...? It turns out Dairy Stix is milk in a tube. I know. Strange. When we brought our discovery back to our seats, Ashley told us, "If we hadn't staged a revolution 250 years ago, we too could have milk in a tube!!!"
I thought as a final note, I would add a few pictures from BSE 2008! Yay!
1. a. Remember to bring adapters to foreign countries. Otherwise, your hair straightener will not work in the funny French outlets, and your hair will be crazy-go-nuts the entire trip.
1. b. Don't just remember to bring adapters. Bring working adapters. When in London, my aunt Lisa was blowdrying her hair with my mom's blowdryer. She was using this nifty adapter from Eddie Bauer that had adapters for essentially every kind of outlet there is. It may have been nifty, but it killed my mom's hairdryer. The shiny silver hairdryer began to glow and orange, and very...dangerous-looking...color. So moral of the story, bring working adapters.
2. When I was in Canada, we were on a bus driving through Vancouver. As I looked out the windows, I could see that a lot of the clothing stores were having blow-out sales, up to 70% off! Because of the exchange rate, in my head I figured that shopping in those stores was basically shopping in an American store and buying things for 90% off. My 11 year old head was spinning with the prospect of all of the fashion steals. Sadly, I did not go shopping. Nor have I ever figured out if my math was right or not.
3. My freshman year of highschool, I spent a week in Paris with my friend Sasha and her family, who were living there for a year. While in Paris, I learned a very handy phrase: "Je suis désolée." The English translation of this phrase is: "I'm sorry." How I learned this phrase is a long and complicated story, but I'll keep it short, I promise. I was in a book store and dropped a pen in a woman's purse (on accident!). I tried to tell her in English what had happened, but she didn't speak English. I didn't speak French. It was a problem. Then I found Gretchen, Sasha's mom, who helped me by translating all that had happened. The French woman and I had a good (and slightly awkward) laugh, and then Gretchen taught me how to say "Je suis désolée."
4. Haggis is NOT conducive to one's well being. Please. Don't try it.
5. a. In England (and Scotland), the way people drive is rather curious. The driver sits on the right side of the car, and they drive on the other side of the road, as well. It's just all mixed up! Kelli and Laura made the apt observation that "Turning left is like turning right, and turning right is just WRONG!"
5. b. If you are riding in a British taxi and your seat is a fold down seat, make sure it is DOWN before you sit. Because I forgot that multiple times, and consequently had multiple goose eggs on my poor noggin.
6. If you destroy all evidence, you can have a second dinner. Muahahaha....
7. My entire life, I have sworn by fat free milk. I would not even dream of drinking any other type. But, when I was in England, I had to submit to drinking whole milk. Um, hello, why didn't anyone tell me it was delicious before? Because I have been seriously mislead my whole life or something. Sheesh.
8. a. In Britain, train workers can be very lovely and accommodating. While on a train from Windemere to Edinburgh, my mom, aunts Carrie and Lisa, and I ran into a very wonderful attendant who talked with us for about 20 minutes about the upcoming elections, Obama, and various and sundry other topics. It was very nice.
8. b. However, not all train workers are nice. Some are real grouches. Once, when traveling from London to Bath, our group of 8 had to switch trains in order to get to our destination. We had to haul all over our luggage (guh) up stairs, over the overpass, down stairs, up a few more stairs (I don't know why the stairs from the overpass didn't just lead to the platform, it would have been so much more efficient...), onto the platform, and finally on to the train. We were cutting it very close, and we were all very stressed and sleep deprived. Some of us made it in time through the maze of stairs and to the platform, but there happened to be an attendant at the station who was sweeping the overpass and who wouldn't people pass by. Long story short, Laura and Kelli ended up on the train, because a very grumpy train attendant would not let them out, while the rest of us had to wait to get on the next train. We did find our lost girls, but it was very stressful. This incident resulted in the phrase, "It was a train day."
9. The English flag is the "Union Jack," not the "Flappin' Jack," as I accidentally called it. Oops.
10. Hamburgers in England are really quite silly. When one thinks of a hamburger, one would think, "Ah, yes! Something that is going to taste like home." However, this notion is soon proven false when an enormous hamburger is served to you, complete with rocket (??? I'm wondering what it is, too...) and a side of French fries. The meat is seasoned very strangely, and does not taste normal at all. I personally feel that the British should stick to growing berries. Because they don't have to do anything to them in the kitchen.
11. The Queen of England? Yeah, she's also the Queen of Scotland...
12. I have a twin in the Yukon. I was introduced to her by my Australian friends who were on our tour (my grandparents took us on a tour of Alaska and the Yukon). I met her at the Fecal Follies extravaganza. (I'm not sure what the extravaganza was really called anymore, this is just what we called it because of a series of hilarious incidents leading up to my Dad calling it the Fecal Follies show.)
13. The toothfairy is extremely accommodating. I lost a tooth while in the Yukon and received Canadian money for my tooth. It was exciting.
14. a. While abroad, I had two fabulous Beatles experiences. In Paris on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur, there were two street musicians with their guitars who were singing "She's Got a Ticket to Ride," and everyone around them was singing as well. It was one of those moments where you just can't help but smile.
14. b. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, we took a walk out to Mary Arden's Farm on one of the few days that were sunny. (Mary Aden was Shakespeare's mother.) While walking, I plugged in my iPod and decided to listen to the Beatles, because, after all, I was in England. So on came "Good Day Sunshine," and it was another one of those moments where I just couldn't help but smile because I was in England, listening to the Beatles sing about sunshine while the sun was actually shining.
15. The best chocolate mousse in Paris is in the tool section.
16. The English are perhaps the most polite people in the entire world. They are always saying in the nicest voice, "Mind the gap! Mind the step! Mind your head!" When my friend Jake saw one of our photos of a sign that said, "Mind the step!" he replied, "What, do they apologize when they pickpocket you???" HA. I wonder this myself.
17. When I was in Scotland, our taxi driver Kenny was trying to explain the traffic lights to us. He kept calling the traffic light a "talking toucan." However, it took us about 10 minutes before we figured out he was saying "toucan." Once we figured that out, we realized he probably meant "parrot" or something...Bottom line is. Scots are hard to understand.
18. In England, both of my aunts and my mom were all for taking pictures. It was fun, and we have about a million fabulous pictures, but sometimes, Kelli, Laura, and I would get tired modeling. When we were done, we would automatically get into our Charlie's Angels pose. And then the photo shoots would cease. I love our Charlie's Angels photos.
19. Toast is literally the bread of life. I'm not even kidding. During BSE 2008, we ate toast every single day. It was fabulous.
20. On the train home from Chattsworth (Mr. Darcy's house!), we all got hot chocolate because we were cold and tired (and in my case, muddy; I slipped in the gardens and got mud all over me!). Some of us wanted cream to put in our cocoa, so Kelli and I walked over to the little kiosk and asked for cream. The man there told us they didn't have any, but they did have Dairy Stix...? It turns out Dairy Stix is milk in a tube. I know. Strange. When we brought our discovery back to our seats, Ashley told us, "If we hadn't staged a revolution 250 years ago, we too could have milk in a tube!!!"
I thought as a final note, I would add a few pictures from BSE 2008! Yay!
This is a lovely photo of me, Kelli, and Laura posing in front of the Princess Diana memorial in Harrod's. Also, that is Dwight Schrute on the escalator next to us.
This is me, Laura, Ashley, and Kelli in the gardens at Mr. Darcy's house.
We also enjoyed pretending to be Grecian Urns. It was our other classic pose!
Kelli and I pretty much destroyed our shoes taking this picture, but it was so worth it!
We were Charlie's Angels in a tree. It was an epic moment.
Monday, September 7, 2009
I Know Everything. Except What I'm Talking About!
It's a funny thing, entering the blogging world. I think I will keep this short and simple, since I have NO idea what I'm doing (as the title of my blog implies), and because I am sure it will bore most everyone who stumbles upon it. Since I am not sure of the rules of blogging etiquette, and I have really only followed one blog faithfully (Thank you Sister Starr for the many laughs!), I suppose I should start by introducing myself?
1. I like to make lists. Hence, I will blog in this format. It makes things easier.
2. I love jewelry and all things that sparkle. Consequently, I have quite the collection of crazy bracelets and rings...and necklaces...
3. a. Gummy candy, fruit snacks, and the like all make me nauseous. Even the smell of gummy things is enough to make me gag.
3. b. I am not opposed to gushers, fruit roll-ups, or those chocolate covered cinnamon gummy bears from the BYU bookstore, however.
4. I paint my nails at least once a week. This is because I like the way my hands look WITH nail polish. And I am not very fond of the way they look without it. Which leads me to #5.
5. I look at people's hands. I don't know why, but I really do enjoy examining the way people's hands look and the way they use them.
6. a. I love blowdrying my hair. When the blowdryer is on, I don't feel guilty singing out loud.
6. b. On the topic of singing, I enjoy it very much. However, I have this feeling that others might not enjoy my musical talents as much as I would like them to... Once, I was singing the Gringo song at my friend Chloe's house, and I heard her dad groan and say, "Not again..." This incident confirmed my sinking feeling, but it's all good.
7. I LOVE to shop. And not just for clothes, or sparkly things. I love to shop for books. I could literally spend my ENTIRE pay check on novels. (I may do a blog in the future on my favorite books. Hmmm...)
8. I play the license plate game like no other. I am the QUEEN at spotting out-of-state plates doubles, triples, splits, and limos. Just ask Dakota. Ha.
9. For over a year, I wanted to buy a leather jacket. Last May, I was in the city with Isabel and Olivia, and while we were in Zara's, I tried one on. I fell in love, but didn't buy it because I was being stingy...I regretted buying it for over a year. This summer, though, I finally bought one for myself, and I am VERY content with my purchase.
10. I have a bulldog named Homer. He is the most hilarious dog I know. He frequently sits and stares at a wall, or charges across the lawn for no apparent reason. My family and I call him "Piggy" because he snorts. A lot. I think we should have named him Ferdinand, after Ferdinand the bull, because my lovable pig likes to sit in the sun and smell flowers and just be lazy in general.
11. I have terrible eyesight. If I were not wearing my contacts or glasses, I would NOT be able to read what I am currently typing. Ya, it's bad.
12. I enjoy witty banter. I used to get my weekly fix from the TV show "Pushing Daisies," as well as "The Office" and "30 Rock." Now, I will have to be content with only "The Office" and "30 Rock," as "Pushing Daisies" has come to an untimely end. (Don't worry, I will probably end up watching Daisies on DVD every week. That is just how cool I am.)
13. a. Most people like sun and warm weather. I am not one of those people; I LOVE it when it is overcast or cloudy, and grey. Rain is one of the best things ever, if you are inside. Yes, I was meant to live in England.
13. b. *Disclaimer: I DO enjoy sunshine, I just would prefer it not be HOT when it is sunny.
14. I wear a size 8 1/2 or 9 shoe. Mostly I wear flip-flops (What self-respecting California girl doesn't own at least 2 pairs?), but I also enjoy cheetah print mary-janes, sequin covered ballet flats, and glittering zebra print flats. I like to pair them with pieces from my collection of crazy bracelets.
15. I like to get free t-shirts. I mean, who doesn't? I must have about a million, from various events and from various people. Youth Conferences, homecomings, old t-shirts my parents designed from their college days, t-shirts from street vendors that were 5 for $10 (what a steal! Couldn't resist ha ha. Not like I NEEDED another 5 shirts...), etc.
Um, I feel that this is sufficient for a first blog. So I think I will end it here, while I am still ahead (and still know what I am talking about). :D
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A List of Random Thoughts
Recently, I have had a few thoughts. I thought I would share them in blist (if you've been following my blist, you would know this is "blog" and "list" put together...I tend to do that kind of thing a lot).
1. College websites are mazes. No. IMPOSSIBLE mazes, and it is VERY difficult to get from point A to point B. Click on one button, you get a drop down menu. You go to the page you want. You get three more drop down menus. Here is my thought process while browsing college websites: "Hmmm. Future students. Uh...Freshman. No. First time students? What's the difference? I'll check both out. Admissions. Cool, I'll check that out. Should I look at deadlines or scholarships or...No, I remember, I wanted to look at that one thing. Wait. How do I go back to that one thing....Forget it...Your website is too confusing and not even graphically pleasing. Therefore, you are eliminated from my potential college list. NEXT!!!"
2. a. Working at the community pool was the BEST decision I have ever made. Yesterday Chunks (one of the lifeguards) told me he was going to push Chloe in the pool. I sat in the office with my cell phone, ready to record the entire event. Well, it took about 2 hours, but I FINALLY got the priceless video. I posted it on facebook this evening. Check it out.
2. b. Once my boss Julio called me. I was at the front desk and thought he was in a meeting. So the phone rings, I answer it. I thought he was a woman...the conversation went like this: S: "Calistoga Community Pool, how may I help you?" J: "Hi, I'd like to rent the pool out please. For SIX DAYS." S: "Well, we are only available for afternoon rentals, however if you would like to speak with my manager and try and arrange something, I could take down your name and..." J (interrupting me): "Can the nudist colony come to the pool? We're the ones who want it." S (shocked, overheating and tugging on shirt collar, unsure of what to say): "Uh....well, like I said, I can take down your name and number and have my manager call you..." J: "My name is Julia [remember, I thought he was a woman? ha.], and my number is..." (Julio proceeds to give me the pool's telephone number) S: "Wait a sec...Is this JULIO???" J (laughing): "You got me!!!" S: "Julio, you owe me a cookie." Julio then brought me a chocolate chip cookie the size of my head to make it up to me. Like I said, the pool is fun.
3. My art teacher said something interesting the other day. He said, "Nothing can exist on its own." Think about that.
4. I was at a church dance on Saturday, and the DJ had everyone do this snowball dance on one of the slow songs. Three couples started out on the floor, the rest of the guys and girls were separated by gender on opposite sides of the room. When the DJ paused the music, each person had to grab a new partner from the sides of the room, so then there were 6 couples. Then there were 12, and so on. So my friend Madeline and I were the last two girls on the side of the room, waiting for a turn to dance, and she turned to me and said, "Sydney, maybe we aren't dancing because we're ugly." Then a guy proceeded to ask her to dance, and I was left on my own. I had a good laugh about that situation. I'm ugly and PROUD of it :)
5. I ate too much, and I want cookies. Again.
Well, I have calculus homework (gag), so I should probably wrap this up. More thoughts to come. My Aunt Carrie suggested that as a follow up to my blist "20 Things I Learned From Abroad," I should do a blist about "20 Things I Learned From a Broad," about all of the various and sundry things I have learned from the women in my life. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty stoked to write that one! Look for it at a later date.
1. College websites are mazes. No. IMPOSSIBLE mazes, and it is VERY difficult to get from point A to point B. Click on one button, you get a drop down menu. You go to the page you want. You get three more drop down menus. Here is my thought process while browsing college websites: "Hmmm. Future students. Uh...Freshman. No. First time students? What's the difference? I'll check both out. Admissions. Cool, I'll check that out. Should I look at deadlines or scholarships or...No, I remember, I wanted to look at that one thing. Wait. How do I go back to that one thing....Forget it...Your website is too confusing and not even graphically pleasing. Therefore, you are eliminated from my potential college list. NEXT!!!"
2. a. Working at the community pool was the BEST decision I have ever made. Yesterday Chunks (one of the lifeguards) told me he was going to push Chloe in the pool. I sat in the office with my cell phone, ready to record the entire event. Well, it took about 2 hours, but I FINALLY got the priceless video. I posted it on facebook this evening. Check it out.
2. b. Once my boss Julio called me. I was at the front desk and thought he was in a meeting. So the phone rings, I answer it. I thought he was a woman...the conversation went like this: S: "Calistoga Community Pool, how may I help you?" J: "Hi, I'd like to rent the pool out please. For SIX DAYS." S: "Well, we are only available for afternoon rentals, however if you would like to speak with my manager and try and arrange something, I could take down your name and..." J (interrupting me): "Can the nudist colony come to the pool? We're the ones who want it." S (shocked, overheating and tugging on shirt collar, unsure of what to say): "Uh....well, like I said, I can take down your name and number and have my manager call you..." J: "My name is Julia [remember, I thought he was a woman? ha.], and my number is..." (Julio proceeds to give me the pool's telephone number) S: "Wait a sec...Is this JULIO???" J (laughing): "You got me!!!" S: "Julio, you owe me a cookie." Julio then brought me a chocolate chip cookie the size of my head to make it up to me. Like I said, the pool is fun.
3. My art teacher said something interesting the other day. He said, "Nothing can exist on its own." Think about that.
4. I was at a church dance on Saturday, and the DJ had everyone do this snowball dance on one of the slow songs. Three couples started out on the floor, the rest of the guys and girls were separated by gender on opposite sides of the room. When the DJ paused the music, each person had to grab a new partner from the sides of the room, so then there were 6 couples. Then there were 12, and so on. So my friend Madeline and I were the last two girls on the side of the room, waiting for a turn to dance, and she turned to me and said, "Sydney, maybe we aren't dancing because we're ugly." Then a guy proceeded to ask her to dance, and I was left on my own. I had a good laugh about that situation. I'm ugly and PROUD of it :)
5. I ate too much, and I want cookies. Again.
Well, I have calculus homework (gag), so I should probably wrap this up. More thoughts to come. My Aunt Carrie suggested that as a follow up to my blist "20 Things I Learned From Abroad," I should do a blist about "20 Things I Learned From a Broad," about all of the various and sundry things I have learned from the women in my life. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty stoked to write that one! Look for it at a later date.
20 Things I Have Learned Abroad
I was thinking about my new blog, and what I can put on it, and suddenly the idea came to me: "Sydney, why don't you blog about what you have learned while out of the country?" I feel that it was inspired by Laura, because we were discussing our England adventures during BSE 2008 (for those of you who may not know, BSE is Best Summer Ever, of course!), and I was thinking about all of our funny incidents. The following blog list (blist?) contains what I have learned from the wonderful countries of England, Scotland, France, and Canada. So, here goes.
1. a. Remember to bring adapters to foreign countries. Otherwise, your hair straightener will not work in the funny French outlets, and your hair will be crazy-go-nuts the entire trip.
1. b. Don't just remember to bring adapters. Bring working adapters. When in London, my aunt Lisa was blowdrying her hair with my mom's blowdryer. She was using this nifty adapter from Eddie Bauer that had adapters for essentially every kind of outlet there is. It may have been nifty, but it killed my mom's hairdryer. The shiny silver hairdryer began to glow and orange, and very...dangerous-looking...color. So moral of the story, bring working adapters.
2. When I was in Canada, we were on a bus driving through Vancouver. As I looked out the windows, I could see that a lot of the clothing stores were having blow-out sales, up to 70% off! Because of the exchange rate, in my head I figured that shopping in those stores was basically shopping in an American store and buying things for 90% off. My 11 year old head was spinning with the prospect of all of the fashion steals. Sadly, I did not go shopping. Nor have I ever figured out if my math was right or not.
3. My freshman year of highschool, I spent a week in Paris with my friend Sasha and her family, who were living there for a year. While in Paris, I learned a very handy phrase: "Je suis désolée." The English translation of this phrase is: "I'm sorry." How I learned this phrase is a long and complicated story, but I'll keep it short, I promise. I was in a book store and dropped a pen in a woman's purse (on accident!). I tried to tell her in English what had happened, but she didn't speak English. I didn't speak French. It was a problem. Then I found Gretchen, Sasha's mom, who helped me by translating all that had happened. The French woman and I had a good (and slightly awkward) laugh, and then Gretchen taught me how to say "Je suis désolée."
4. Haggis is NOT conducive to one's well being. Please. Don't try it.
5. a. In England (and Scotland), the way people drive is rather curious. The driver sits on the right side of the car, and they drive on the other side of the road, as well. It's just all mixed up! Kelli and Laura made the apt observation that "Turning left is like turning right, and turning right is just WRONG!"
5. b. If you are riding in a British taxi and your seat is a fold down seat, make sure it is DOWN before you sit. Because I forgot that multiple times, and consequently had multiple goose eggs on my poor noggin.
6. If you destroy all evidence, you can have a second dinner. Muahahaha....
7. My entire life, I have sworn by fat free milk. I would not even dream of drinking any other type. But, when I was in England, I had to submit to drinking whole milk. Um, hello, why didn't anyone tell me it was delicious before? Because I have been seriously mislead my whole life or something. Sheesh.
8. a. In Britain, train workers can be very lovely and accommodating. While on a train from Windemere to Edinburgh, my mom, aunts Carrie and Lisa, and I ran into a very wonderful attendant who talked with us for about 20 minutes about the upcoming elections, Obama, and various and sundry other topics. It was very nice.
8. b. However, not all train workers are nice. Some are real grouches. Once, when traveling from London to Bath, our group of 8 had to switch trains in order to get to our destination. We had to haul all over our luggage (guh) up stairs, over the overpass, down stairs, up a few more stairs (I don't know why the stairs from the overpass didn't just lead to the platform, it would have been so much more efficient...), onto the platform, and finally on to the train. We were cutting it very close, and we were all very stressed and sleep deprived. Some of us made it in time through the maze of stairs and to the platform, but there happened to be an attendant at the station who was sweeping the overpass and who wouldn't people pass by. Long story short, Laura and Kelli ended up on the train, because a very grumpy train attendant would not let them out, while the rest of us had to wait to get on the next train. We did find our lost girls, but it was very stressful. This incident resulted in the phrase, "It was a train day."
9. The English flag is the "Union Jack," not the "Flappin' Jack," as I accidentally called it. Oops.
10. Hamburgers in England are really quite silly. When one thinks of a hamburger, one would think, "Ah, yes! Something that is going to taste like home." However, this notion is soon proven false when an enormous hamburger is served to you, complete with rocket (??? I'm wondering what it is, too...) and a side of French fries. The meat is seasoned very strangely, and does not taste normal at all. I personally feel that the British should stick to growing berries. Because they don't have to do anything to them in the kitchen.
11. The Queen of England? Yeah, she's also the Queen of Scotland...
12. I have a twin in the Yukon. I was introduced to her by my Australian friends who were on our tour (my grandparents took us on a tour of Alaska and the Yukon). I met her at the Fecal Follies extravaganza. (I'm not sure what the extravaganza was really called anymore, this is just what we called it because of a series of hilarious incidents leading up to my Dad calling it the Fecal Follies show.)
13. The toothfairy is extremely accommodating. I lost a tooth while in the Yukon and received Canadian money for my tooth. It was exciting.
14. a. While abroad, I had two fabulous Beatles experiences. In Paris on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur, there were two street musicians with their guitars who were singing "She's Got a Ticket to Ride," and everyone around them was singing as well. It was one of those moments where you just can't help but smile.
14. b. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, we took a walk out to Mary Arden's Farm on one of the few days that were sunny. (Mary Aden was Shakespeare's mother.) While walking, I plugged in my iPod and decided to listen to the Beatles, because, after all, I was in England. So on came "Good Day Sunshine," and it was another one of those moments where I just couldn't help but smile because I was in England, listening to the Beatles sing about sunshine while the sun was actually shining.
15. The best chocolate mousse in Paris is in the tool section.
16. The English are perhaps the most polite people in the entire world. They are always saying in the nicest voice, "Mind the gap! Mind the step! Mind your head!" When my friend Jake saw one of our photos of a sign that said, "Mind the step!" he replied, "What, do they apologize when they pickpocket you???" HA. I wonder this myself.
17. When I was in Scotland, our taxi driver Kenny was trying to explain the traffic lights to us. He kept calling the traffic light a "talking toucan." However, it took us about 10 minutes before we figured out he was saying "toucan." Once we figured that out, we realized he probably meant "parrot" or something...Bottom line is. Scots are hard to understand.
18. In England, both of my aunts and my mom were all for taking pictures. It was fun, and we have about a million fabulous pictures, but sometimes, Kelli, Laura, and I would get tired modeling. When we were done, we would automatically get into our Charlie's Angels pose. And then the photo shoots would cease. I love our Charlie's Angels photos.
19. Toast is literally the bread of life. I'm not even kidding. During BSE 2008, we ate toast every single day. It was fabulous.
20. On the train home from Chattsworth (Mr. Darcy's house!), we all got hot chocolate because we were cold and tired (and in my case, muddy; I slipped in the gardens and got mud all over me!). Some of us wanted cream to put in our cocoa, so Kelli and I walked over to the little kiosk and asked for cream. The man there told us they didn't have any, but they did have Dairy Stix...? It turns out Dairy Stix is milk in a tube. I know. Strange. When we brought our discovery back to our seats, Ashley told us, "If we hadn't staged a revolution 250 years ago, we too could have milk in a tube!!!"
I thought as a final note, I would add a few pictures from BSE 2008! Yay!
1. a. Remember to bring adapters to foreign countries. Otherwise, your hair straightener will not work in the funny French outlets, and your hair will be crazy-go-nuts the entire trip.
1. b. Don't just remember to bring adapters. Bring working adapters. When in London, my aunt Lisa was blowdrying her hair with my mom's blowdryer. She was using this nifty adapter from Eddie Bauer that had adapters for essentially every kind of outlet there is. It may have been nifty, but it killed my mom's hairdryer. The shiny silver hairdryer began to glow and orange, and very...dangerous-looking...color. So moral of the story, bring working adapters.
2. When I was in Canada, we were on a bus driving through Vancouver. As I looked out the windows, I could see that a lot of the clothing stores were having blow-out sales, up to 70% off! Because of the exchange rate, in my head I figured that shopping in those stores was basically shopping in an American store and buying things for 90% off. My 11 year old head was spinning with the prospect of all of the fashion steals. Sadly, I did not go shopping. Nor have I ever figured out if my math was right or not.
3. My freshman year of highschool, I spent a week in Paris with my friend Sasha and her family, who were living there for a year. While in Paris, I learned a very handy phrase: "Je suis désolée." The English translation of this phrase is: "I'm sorry." How I learned this phrase is a long and complicated story, but I'll keep it short, I promise. I was in a book store and dropped a pen in a woman's purse (on accident!). I tried to tell her in English what had happened, but she didn't speak English. I didn't speak French. It was a problem. Then I found Gretchen, Sasha's mom, who helped me by translating all that had happened. The French woman and I had a good (and slightly awkward) laugh, and then Gretchen taught me how to say "Je suis désolée."
4. Haggis is NOT conducive to one's well being. Please. Don't try it.
5. a. In England (and Scotland), the way people drive is rather curious. The driver sits on the right side of the car, and they drive on the other side of the road, as well. It's just all mixed up! Kelli and Laura made the apt observation that "Turning left is like turning right, and turning right is just WRONG!"
5. b. If you are riding in a British taxi and your seat is a fold down seat, make sure it is DOWN before you sit. Because I forgot that multiple times, and consequently had multiple goose eggs on my poor noggin.
6. If you destroy all evidence, you can have a second dinner. Muahahaha....
7. My entire life, I have sworn by fat free milk. I would not even dream of drinking any other type. But, when I was in England, I had to submit to drinking whole milk. Um, hello, why didn't anyone tell me it was delicious before? Because I have been seriously mislead my whole life or something. Sheesh.
8. a. In Britain, train workers can be very lovely and accommodating. While on a train from Windemere to Edinburgh, my mom, aunts Carrie and Lisa, and I ran into a very wonderful attendant who talked with us for about 20 minutes about the upcoming elections, Obama, and various and sundry other topics. It was very nice.
8. b. However, not all train workers are nice. Some are real grouches. Once, when traveling from London to Bath, our group of 8 had to switch trains in order to get to our destination. We had to haul all over our luggage (guh) up stairs, over the overpass, down stairs, up a few more stairs (I don't know why the stairs from the overpass didn't just lead to the platform, it would have been so much more efficient...), onto the platform, and finally on to the train. We were cutting it very close, and we were all very stressed and sleep deprived. Some of us made it in time through the maze of stairs and to the platform, but there happened to be an attendant at the station who was sweeping the overpass and who wouldn't people pass by. Long story short, Laura and Kelli ended up on the train, because a very grumpy train attendant would not let them out, while the rest of us had to wait to get on the next train. We did find our lost girls, but it was very stressful. This incident resulted in the phrase, "It was a train day."
9. The English flag is the "Union Jack," not the "Flappin' Jack," as I accidentally called it. Oops.
10. Hamburgers in England are really quite silly. When one thinks of a hamburger, one would think, "Ah, yes! Something that is going to taste like home." However, this notion is soon proven false when an enormous hamburger is served to you, complete with rocket (??? I'm wondering what it is, too...) and a side of French fries. The meat is seasoned very strangely, and does not taste normal at all. I personally feel that the British should stick to growing berries. Because they don't have to do anything to them in the kitchen.
11. The Queen of England? Yeah, she's also the Queen of Scotland...
12. I have a twin in the Yukon. I was introduced to her by my Australian friends who were on our tour (my grandparents took us on a tour of Alaska and the Yukon). I met her at the Fecal Follies extravaganza. (I'm not sure what the extravaganza was really called anymore, this is just what we called it because of a series of hilarious incidents leading up to my Dad calling it the Fecal Follies show.)
13. The toothfairy is extremely accommodating. I lost a tooth while in the Yukon and received Canadian money for my tooth. It was exciting.
14. a. While abroad, I had two fabulous Beatles experiences. In Paris on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur, there were two street musicians with their guitars who were singing "She's Got a Ticket to Ride," and everyone around them was singing as well. It was one of those moments where you just can't help but smile.
14. b. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, we took a walk out to Mary Arden's Farm on one of the few days that were sunny. (Mary Aden was Shakespeare's mother.) While walking, I plugged in my iPod and decided to listen to the Beatles, because, after all, I was in England. So on came "Good Day Sunshine," and it was another one of those moments where I just couldn't help but smile because I was in England, listening to the Beatles sing about sunshine while the sun was actually shining.
15. The best chocolate mousse in Paris is in the tool section.
16. The English are perhaps the most polite people in the entire world. They are always saying in the nicest voice, "Mind the gap! Mind the step! Mind your head!" When my friend Jake saw one of our photos of a sign that said, "Mind the step!" he replied, "What, do they apologize when they pickpocket you???" HA. I wonder this myself.
17. When I was in Scotland, our taxi driver Kenny was trying to explain the traffic lights to us. He kept calling the traffic light a "talking toucan." However, it took us about 10 minutes before we figured out he was saying "toucan." Once we figured that out, we realized he probably meant "parrot" or something...Bottom line is. Scots are hard to understand.
18. In England, both of my aunts and my mom were all for taking pictures. It was fun, and we have about a million fabulous pictures, but sometimes, Kelli, Laura, and I would get tired modeling. When we were done, we would automatically get into our Charlie's Angels pose. And then the photo shoots would cease. I love our Charlie's Angels photos.
19. Toast is literally the bread of life. I'm not even kidding. During BSE 2008, we ate toast every single day. It was fabulous.
20. On the train home from Chattsworth (Mr. Darcy's house!), we all got hot chocolate because we were cold and tired (and in my case, muddy; I slipped in the gardens and got mud all over me!). Some of us wanted cream to put in our cocoa, so Kelli and I walked over to the little kiosk and asked for cream. The man there told us they didn't have any, but they did have Dairy Stix...? It turns out Dairy Stix is milk in a tube. I know. Strange. When we brought our discovery back to our seats, Ashley told us, "If we hadn't staged a revolution 250 years ago, we too could have milk in a tube!!!"
I thought as a final note, I would add a few pictures from BSE 2008! Yay!
This is a lovely photo of me, Kelli, and Laura posing in front of the Princess Diana memorial in Harrod's. Also, that is Dwight Schrute on the escalator next to us.
This is me, Laura, Ashley, and Kelli in the gardens at Mr. Darcy's house.
We also enjoyed pretending to be Grecian Urns. It was our other classic pose!
Kelli and I pretty much destroyed our shoes taking this picture, but it was so worth it!
We were Charlie's Angels in a tree. It was an epic moment.
I Know Everything. Except What I'm Talking About!
It's a funny thing, entering the blogging world. I think I will keep this short and simple, since I have NO idea what I'm doing (as the title of my blog implies), and because I am sure it will bore most everyone who stumbles upon it. Since I am not sure of the rules of blogging etiquette, and I have really only followed one blog faithfully (Thank you Sister Starr for the many laughs!), I suppose I should start by introducing myself?
1. I like to make lists. Hence, I will blog in this format. It makes things easier.
2. I love jewelry and all things that sparkle. Consequently, I have quite the collection of crazy bracelets and rings...and necklaces...
3. a. Gummy candy, fruit snacks, and the like all make me nauseous. Even the smell of gummy things is enough to make me gag.
3. b. I am not opposed to gushers, fruit roll-ups, or those chocolate covered cinnamon gummy bears from the BYU bookstore, however.
4. I paint my nails at least once a week. This is because I like the way my hands look WITH nail polish. And I am not very fond of the way they look without it. Which leads me to #5.
5. I look at people's hands. I don't know why, but I really do enjoy examining the way people's hands look and the way they use them.
6. a. I love blowdrying my hair. When the blowdryer is on, I don't feel guilty singing out loud.
6. b. On the topic of singing, I enjoy it very much. However, I have this feeling that others might not enjoy my musical talents as much as I would like them to... Once, I was singing the Gringo song at my friend Chloe's house, and I heard her dad groan and say, "Not again..." This incident confirmed my sinking feeling, but it's all good.
7. I LOVE to shop. And not just for clothes, or sparkly things. I love to shop for books. I could literally spend my ENTIRE pay check on novels. (I may do a blog in the future on my favorite books. Hmmm...)
8. I play the license plate game like no other. I am the QUEEN at spotting out-of-state plates doubles, triples, splits, and limos. Just ask Dakota. Ha.
9. For over a year, I wanted to buy a leather jacket. Last May, I was in the city with Isabel and Olivia, and while we were in Zara's, I tried one on. I fell in love, but didn't buy it because I was being stingy...I regretted buying it for over a year. This summer, though, I finally bought one for myself, and I am VERY content with my purchase.
10. I have a bulldog named Homer. He is the most hilarious dog I know. He frequently sits and stares at a wall, or charges across the lawn for no apparent reason. My family and I call him "Piggy" because he snorts. A lot. I think we should have named him Ferdinand, after Ferdinand the bull, because my lovable pig likes to sit in the sun and smell flowers and just be lazy in general.
11. I have terrible eyesight. If I were not wearing my contacts or glasses, I would NOT be able to read what I am currently typing. Ya, it's bad.
12. I enjoy witty banter. I used to get my weekly fix from the TV show "Pushing Daisies," as well as "The Office" and "30 Rock." Now, I will have to be content with only "The Office" and "30 Rock," as "Pushing Daisies" has come to an untimely end. (Don't worry, I will probably end up watching Daisies on DVD every week. That is just how cool I am.)
13. a. Most people like sun and warm weather. I am not one of those people; I LOVE it when it is overcast or cloudy, and grey. Rain is one of the best things ever, if you are inside. Yes, I was meant to live in England.
13. b. *Disclaimer: I DO enjoy sunshine, I just would prefer it not be HOT when it is sunny.
14. I wear a size 8 1/2 or 9 shoe. Mostly I wear flip-flops (What self-respecting California girl doesn't own at least 2 pairs?), but I also enjoy cheetah print mary-janes, sequin covered ballet flats, and glittering zebra print flats. I like to pair them with pieces from my collection of crazy bracelets.
15. I like to get free t-shirts. I mean, who doesn't? I must have about a million, from various events and from various people. Youth Conferences, homecomings, old t-shirts my parents designed from their college days, t-shirts from street vendors that were 5 for $10 (what a steal! Couldn't resist ha ha. Not like I NEEDED another 5 shirts...), etc.
Um, I feel that this is sufficient for a first blog. So I think I will end it here, while I am still ahead (and still know what I am talking about). :D
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