so anyways...

Where have I been the past 7 months?  Mostly in San Diego.  Rather than bore everyone (all 5 of you reading this) I'll give you a recap in pictures.

November - Hosting Thanksgiving for my parents, little brother, older brother and his family.  9 of us managed to fit into my 1 bedroom apartment.  

High - Cooked my first turkey

Low - Thanksgiving cleanup without a dishwasher 

December - Christmas in Utah

High - Spending time with family & friends

Low - Never enough time

January - St. George 1/2 Marathon

High - Running with Sandizzle for Sar-Bear

Low - Running 13.1 miles in the rain

February - Quickie trip to L.A.

High - Cupcakes & The Getty

Low - Leaving L.A. 

March - Work & Home

High - Mad Men Season Premiere

Low - Work d-r-a-m-a

April - Utah & Maui

High - Duh...Maui!

Low - Going back to work after spring break

May - Work. Work. Work.

High - Memorial Weekend visitors

Low - Getting beat up at work

What's next you ask??  Finishing the last week of school by the hair of my chinny chin chin.  Cannot come soon enough!  And then off to Utah for the summer.  But rest assured, you won't need to wait another 7 months for an update.  I promise....

Sarah Hays Shurtz

November 1, 2011 the world lost one of its brightest lights.  Sarah fought with all she had and touched many people through her journey.  I miss my friend like crazy.  My heart aches for her husband and her family.  Blessed beyond measure to call Sarah my friend.  I never would have guessed accepting a job at IHC 10 years ago would lead to so many blessings in my life.  Love you Sarah.

Sarah Hays Shurtz (June 7, 1981 ~ Nov. 1, 2011)

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June 7, 1981 ~ Nov. 1, 2011
Sarah Hays Shurtz, age 30, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from her 16-month battle with cancer through which she courageously and gracefully fought to the end. Sarah, an Oregon native, was born June 7, 1981 in Grants Pass, Oregon to Lewis Hays and Donna McKenna Dotson.
Sarah was an avid runner who qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2007. She loved the outdoors, and enjoyed hiking, camping, competing in triathlons and various other races. Everyone who knew Sarah was captivated by her beautiful smile and laughter. She was a genuine friend to those who knew her. Her love for family and friends was apparent to all.
Sarah, a registered sonographer, loved working in the medical profession as she had a tremendous gift to love and serve those around her.
She met her husband Dan Shurtz in Salt Lake City in 2006. They were married in the Mt. Timpanogos LDS Temple on September 18, 2010. Sarah and Dan enjoyed an active outdoor lifestyle appreciating the beautiful simplicity of life with "Sam", their dog and loyal travel companion.
She is survived by her loving husband Daniel Ray Shurtz; her parents Lewis Hays and Donna (Buster) Dotson; her siblings Jamie (Nick) DeVos, Phillip (Chantel) Hays, James Hays and Rebekah (Traven) Haaga.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 11:00 am in the Union Park LDS 5th Ward Chapel (7699 S. Chad Street, Midvale, UT ). Viewings will be held Friday, November 4th from 6 to 8:00 pm and again on Saturday, November 5th from 9:30 to 10:45 am in the Union Park LDS 5th Ward Chapel. Burial will be in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy, UT.

blackout

Thursday, September 8, 2011 was the day of a September miracle!  At 3:40 PM San Diego County, parts of Orange County and Mexico lost power.  The power was not restored until 1:15 AM on September 9th.  Why you ask do I consider this a miracle?  School was cancelled on Friday for the entire county.  WAHOO!!!!!!!!!  After an insanely horrible week I considered the blackout and the subsequent school cancellation a miracle.

Great things during the blackout:

• I could see the stars at night (rare where I live)
• Neighbor bonding - everyone in the courtyard chatting and playing games
• Going for a walk at dusk
• Strangers chatting with strangers
• NO SCHOOL FRIDAY!
• Brunch & Beach & Movie on Friday

Not so great things during blackout:

• Drunk neighbors using the blackout as an excuse to party loudly
• Spoiled food
• Lack of cell service
• No Twitter
• Realizing there was no hot water for my bubble bath by candlelight after I had drawn the bath.  Bummer.

The not so great things are nothing compared to the great things.  Fingers crossed we can do it again this week!!!

*Failed bath by candlelight

class of 2011

PHEW!  I made it through my first year of teaching.  No small task, mind you.  Can't believe it is over (probably because they are all back +3 more for summer school).  Love these 8 little nuggets to pieces!  This picture was taken on the last day of school.  2 students are missing.  One was absent and one refused to get in the picture - typical.

Do you love the blurred faces?  Confidentiality!

cupcake wars

*the gathering*

I had a 4 day weekend in February.  Seemed like the perfect time to determine once and for all which L.A. bakery made the best cupcake.  This was no small challenge.  I needed a sidekick who was up to the challenge as well.  Lucky for me, my friend Slamanda Whiplash (roller-derby name) was willing and able.  I set out on a cupcake gathering voyage through Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Brentwood.  My three hour journey led me to Vanilla Bake Shop, Crumbs, Sprinkles, Sweet E's, and Susie Cake's.  Slamanda added to the contest with her own creation and with a few cupcakes from Hotcakes.

*the criteria* 

The categories were vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter chocolate and fruit.  Each cupcake was judged for frosting, cake and overall taste.  Data was recorded on a paper plate.  

*the preparation*

Everyone knows eating cupcakes on an empty stomach is not wise.  We prepared for cupcake wars by eating a fabulous burger, sweet potato fries, and Coca-Cola Light from Father's Office 

Delish.

*the contest*

First - the vanillas: 

Second - the peanut butter chocolates (please note the diet cherry coke):

*the results*

cupcake comas

We almost didn't make it past the vanillas.  Barely shoved down the peanut butter chocolates.  It was definitely a war.  Maybe it was the burger we ate before.  Or the diet cherry coke used to wash them down.  We could barely move, as you can see.

We did come to some conclusions -it was a war and someone had to win.  In the vanilla category - best frosting:  Vanilla Bake Shop.  Best overall vanilla cupcake: Crumbs.  In the peanut butter category - best frosting: Slamanda's! Best overall cupcake:  Crumbs.  Which means...best overall cupcake....Crumbs!  Sad to see Vanilla Bake Shop fall from being my personal favorite but giddy to find a new favorite. 

Too bad I'm never eating another cupcake again....

st. george 1/2 marathon

A few months ago my brother signed up for the St. George 1/2 marathon and asked if I wanted to run too.  I was excited to run because the St. George 1/2 is the first 1/2 I did, and thought it would be fun to run with my brother on his first 1/2.  I flew into Vegas Friday night and drove with Ryan and his family to St. George.  We all chatted the on the drive to St. George and over dinner before hitting the sack early.

Pre-race photos - nerves, cold and ready to get moving!

The Las Vegas Crew

Post race - hardly broke a sweat - ha!

(Note: Those tin foil blankets really keep you warm!)

It was great running a race with my brother.  It really doesn't matter who finished first so I won't mention it but will say I didn't train...  I love when people catch the running bug.  Hopefully he'll run many more races and I will get to run some of them too.  Congrats Ry!  And thanks for inviting me to join you. 

Around mile 3 I was thinking about the girls that got me into running and wished they were running too.  I may have teared up a bit.  Around mile 12 I heard a cow bell ringing in the distance.  It put a smile on my face and put a little more pep in my step.  Then the ringing slowed.  I looked up to see where it had gone and noticed a girl walking away, with the cowbell swaying slowly by her side.  As I passed her, wishing she would start ringing it again, I turned to look at her and.... it was SARAH!  I freaked out and hugged her then she started running with me.  She pointed out Candace and Sandy who were holding posters and cheering me on as well.  I was super surprised!  Of course at that point I really started crying which made the last mile even more awesome as everyone saw my tears and cheered me on like it was the race of my life.  Awesomeness.  They made a last minute midnight road trip, staying in a shady motel to cheer me on.  Is this friendship??  I think so!!  Lovely.

Love the signs!

"What are you doing here????"

Friends fo life.

I kind of look like a professor in this picture with my turtleneck and smoking jacket, do you see it?

good riddance

2010 was less than stellar.  It was pretty awful.

And it kept with that theme right until the end.  While I was in Utah for Christmas this happened:

**Note: side dent was from another "awesome" 2010 event**

And then I got sick. Double boo.  

My roommate introduced me to this song and I love it.  It was the theme song of 2010.  Have a listen:

Even though it was a general fail, 2010 did have some pretty fantastic events, and happy times.  Here is a run down of the good ones:

*70 degree winter days*Lisa's wedding*new nephew*completed my first 100 mile bike ride*family vacation at the Oregon Coast*becoming closer with friends*getting my first teaching job*Sarah's wedding*several weekend visits from friends*visit from mom*Disneyland (twice!)*Christmas at home*and lots and lots of LOVE*

I strolled back into San Diego at 7:30 PM on New Year's Eve.  Lucky for me my friend Jen was having a small gathering at her house.  Turns out I DID have a party to wear a fancy dress too.  I may have been overdressed and this may be a horrible picture but at least I got to wear a party dress.

Good riddance 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is to a fabulous 2011.  Stay tuned....