Merry Christmas!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas, and I will see you again in the new year!

A Weekend With Grandma O.

This weekend my cousins' school put on the play, "Hello Dolly" and my dear cousin, Heather was the lead. She was a fabulous Dolly. I went to the show with my grandma. I had so much fun hanging out with her. We stayed at a hotel in St. George, and played with my other cousin, Brett's family. It was loads of fun to spend time with my grandma.

She came to pick me up on Friday afternoon, my uncle Jim was driving, and he took us to the hotel then he went to Brett's house to settle in there, because that's where he was staying. Grandma and I sat and chatted for a while, then we watched the news and "Judge Judy". I love watching Judge Judy with my grandma, it's really fun. Around five we went down to the hotel lobby to wait for Jim to pick us up for dinner, and we chatted there too. Dinner was at The Cracker Barrel, it was pretty good. I sat with Grandma and all my cousins, and we just chatted until Heather and Marcy had to leave to make their call time (Marcy played in the pit for the show).

We went to the show (which was spectacular!) Then we went back to the hotel where we watched The Golden Compass until we fell asleep. We slept-in in the morning, then we went to breakfast (biscuits and gravy in the hotel they were DELICIOUS)! After breakfast we went out shopping, Grandma was looking for specific kitchen items, but we were unable to find them at the stores we tried.

After shopping we went to Brett's house and played with his cute little daughter. I read a book by one of my favorite authors out loud for Grandma and Faye. I think they really enjoyed it; I know I did. (The book was Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. It is spectacular!)

For lunch we went to "Marv's" a greasy little burger place with awesome Piccadilly chips. Faye was so cute, she picked the table right by the door and commented on how cold it was every time the door opened. She loved playing with the little quarter candy machines, and tried some Pretzel M&M's and some Skittles and some Peanut M&M's, she just loved turning the crank and seeing the bright candies come out. She was cute while we were eating, she sat on my left hip, and I had to learn how to eat right handed. I love having little ones around!

After lunch I went with Grandma back to the hotel to say goodbye. I didn't want to leave, but I figured it would be mot convenient for Jim if he didn't have to come back to the hotel before going to Cedar City for the USU vs SUU basketball game. Faye was excited to see me again. She say on my hip again while she played with the cute little sticker book that Grandma-great bought her. When Lori got home we piled in the car to head north, and arrived in Cedar City on time for the basketball game. I sat with my T-Bird friends, and watched as the Aggies creamed us (but not as badly as I had thought they would...) at half-time I went over to say hi to Faye and Lori, and I fell down the stairs (nothing new there...) I tried my best to corrupt Faye, telling her to cheer for the boys in the white and red, and I helped her do the cheers along with our pep-band and our cheerleaders, but I think she's still an Aggie girl at heart.

After the game my friends and I went back to our building and they had a dance party for our friend Arissa's birthday. I danced a few songs, but I mostly took refuge in my room because of the kind of music that was being played. I did have fun on the few songs that I went out and danced to.

Over all it has been a fabulous weekend, filled with family, and friends. I just love having a big family, they make everything more exciting, and I can't wait to see the bulk of them next weekend for Thanksgiving!

Happy Holidays!

Live, Laugh, Learn

-PenningJade

Silence is NOT Golden

Everyone who knows me knows that I can hardly be quiet for two minutes, well, this past weekend I decided to try 36 hours without speaking.

I started at noon on Friday, right after my last class for the day so that I wouldn't have any troubles in my classes. I'm proud to say that I made it to 1 am without much trouble, then the trouble started... let's just say I exploded with words.

I would have made it, I'm sure, just complications came up, and I wasn't able to handle it quietly.... but I did go 11 whole hours without speaking! Proving that I do have better self-control than I thought.



Other than that I'm doing pretty well at SUU. I'm getting good grades, and starting to make good friends. Still no gentlemen of note, but I'm sure one will come around in due time. There's a formal dance this weekend with the Institute, and I'm really wanting to go, but it's boy's choice, so it would take  miracle for me to go, thankfully, I believe in miracles!


Have a fantastic day, and read on to see my Halloween post!

-PenningJade

All-Grown-Up Halloween

Being in college I thought I was going to spend Halloween doing something sophisticated, or grown-up but instead a group of thirteen of us went trick-or-treating... Not the college Halloween I was expecting but it was fun. We went to a neighborhood in Cedar about a mile or so from the school. I went as Dorothy. I even made ruby slippers! I really enjoyed it. I think I am fitting in here! After trick-or-treating we watched scary movies until about 3. That was a blast also. I met new friends, Brogan, and his roommate Brayden. They're really nice guys. College is fun!

The Mormon Moose Return

 A few years ago, when we went to my grandparent's cabin for General Conference, there was a moose and her young one who came and sat through a session of conference just about 10 yards away from the open window. When the Tabernacle Choir came in with the closing hymn the moose left.
This time the moose came to "visit" during the priesthood session while all of the men were away. We were sitting playing cards when somebody said that there were moose out the window, so we all went to look, and there they were, three of them were very visible, and a fourth was hidden behind the pine just outside the cabin. It was an awesome sight to see. We just watched for a while, and then our neighbors came by to ask if any of us had found a cell phone, and we laughed (I laughed the hardest) because if they wanted to get to our driveway they would have had to go straight through a male and a female moose who seemed to be flirting, and that didn't seem like the best idea. In the end though, they went away, but it was cool to see all those moose.
I really love to listen to General Conference. It is a neat opportunity to listen to the prophet's voice, and know that there are people all over the earth listening to his message at the same time.  I love the gospel, it's so cool! I love to share it!

I spent the weekend with my family, and we had the most fun! I love Grandma! She is the most hysterical person I know! we laughed all weekend. She's also really smart, when I got bit by a hornet, she put baking soda on it, and it stopped hurting all together. I am so lucky that she's my grandma, because I get to call her all the time just to talk!

Other than the weekend (which was awesome) I have had a pretty normal college life... if college life can be normal... I still haven't met many guys on campus, which is annoying, and I haven't found a job, which is really obnoxious. I can't wait to be all graduated and get on to... whatever job I'm going to be doing for the rest of my life...
I also really miss Salt Lake, where I had so many friends, and a great support system... that is something that I don't have here yet. The girls on my floor are great, but I don't feel close enough to any of them to really talk. Oh well, all is well in cedar City.

It's been raining all week, and I couldn't be happier (about the weather). I LOVE RAIN!!!! It makes the world seem so clean (except that the campus is littered in cigarette butts...) but other than the ugly butts, campus is so beautiful in the rain! I can't wait for snow! Of course, I am an enthusiastic person, and not really a waiter... oh well. I'll do what I can to wait for fate to finally push something/one into my life....

So Fare thee well my friends.....

Live, Laugh, Love

-Penningjade

Pledge, Party and Pathetic...

Last week was pledge week for the sororities on campus, and I pledged Alpha Phi. They didn't want me, but that's okay, because I can't afford them.  It was kinda fun to do though. We made dog toys for the local animal shelter. It was so much fun. That was probably the best part of it, so I guess I'm not all that bummed.

Last weekend was the family reunion, and THAT was a party! My awesome cousin and his wife, and their cute little girl picked me up from my student housing building right after my last class of the day, and we were able to make it to camp by 3. My mom was there, and I gave her a big hug. We played games, and talked, and just enjoyed each other's company. I really love my family. We had a Family Feud Showdown (made by Harmonie) and my team made it to the finals, but lost, by 30 points, I guess there's no beating Holland. We were called the "Red Lanterns" which is a dig at me, but I'm learning to just laugh along and act dumb when my family makes fun of me (it really works) It was really nice to reconnect with my cousins, they really mean alot to me, and I'm so grateful for my big family.

Pathetic... That's how I describe the state I'm in now... I broke my flash-drive in half and it had my essay (due tomorrow) on it, so now I have to rewrite it! Note to self: ALWAYS save important documents on my hard-drive as well as on my flash! Well, now i need to rewrite, but the good news is that it's fixable, so I'll be able to retrieve the lost info if I get it to an electrical engineering student ASAP.

Well, that's all the time I have for now (I DO have an entire essay to rewrite) So I'll leave it at that.

"Life is better when you can laugh & learn from your mistakes"

-Penningjade

Flying With the Thunderbirds!

As many of you may know, I am now a college student. I am attending Southern Utah University, home of the Thunderbirds. It is a really great school, and I'm making some good friends.

I am  living on campus, in the traditional dorm style housing, and my room is TINY, but it's cute, and what space I have is going to be enough. I'm happy here, and I don't even mind that it's still blooming hot here, especially because I have a thermostat in my room, and my roommate and I can control the temperature of our room.

My roommate is from Springville, and she's really nice. She's an Art Education major, and she is good at it. I guess I was destined to get an artist as a roommate, having lived with an artist my whole life (I love you, Daddy) so it's really fun to see her just sketching things when she gets bored (I miss you, Daddy). She's a very beautiful and sweet girl, and I'm glad I didn't get the dreaded "Roommate from Hell."

Cedar City is a very small town compared to what I'm used to, so we sort of have to make our own fun. Last night all the kids in the building got together on the Quad to play "Lap Tag" it is such a funny game! And even though I am covered in scratches and bruises, I had a blast! I don't even know how to describe the game, except that it is a blast!

The other things to do in town include: Walmart, Walmart, Walmart, and probably some other things that I'm forgetting. I am so glad there's a Walmart in Cedar. It makes the town seem bigger (we also have a Cafe Rio!) and it makes it convenient when living on a very tiny budget.

Well, I have to get ready for 9:00 church, so thanks for reading, loved ones!

Sincerely,

penningjade

Summer... Work, Work, and an Education

Hello, readers! I'm back to tell you about my life as a high school graduate.... and a soon-to-be college student!

Last month I got a job. It is a lot of work, but it's worth it, because I am gaining experience, and meeting some pretty sweet people along the way. I work for a company called North Eastern Services. They serve people with disabilities. I am fortunate enough to be working in two houses right now, on weekends I work with three men, who are really sweet, and on Monday and Tuesday I work with five really sweet women, I absolutely love working with them, it makes me feel a little more complete.

Speaking of complete: I have completed the college admissions process, and I am looking forward to living on campus at Southern Utah University where I will be majoring in English Education. I am on the waiting list for housing, but all the people in the housing department seem to have complete confidence that I will get a room ( I just wish I had that same confidence...)

Confidence was something I was not lacking on the morning of Tuesday the 13. I had faith that Dr. Vernon would be able to take out my wisdom teeth with little or no trouble. He surpassed my expectations, for I didn't feel any pain at all throughout the process, not even in the days following. I've felt fine, in fact, I feel BETTER than before I had my teeth out. I find myself smiling more.

Well, I must sign out for now.
 Live Laugh Learn!

-PenningJade

Graduation!!!

I hate how I always begin my blog with an apology about not writing for a while, but that won't end until I become a faithful blogger....

Many things have happened since I last blogged. So I'll give a bulleted list.

• My drama class team went to state, and won, big time, if there was a placement system, we would have taken first. Also, every I.E. piece that we took to state took overall, or straight superiors. High-five to Mrs. Thames for doing that her first year teaching.
• As I mentioned, I had the lead role in my school's spring play, and it was the most fun role in my life. To those of you who missed it, that's okay. If you're just DYING to see it, I have a DVD of the performance, but... please, don't feel like you have to see it, it's over, and I'm moving on in my life. But it was probably the most rewarding acting experience of my life.
• Stage technology class was so much fun! I learned so much, and grew to appreciate the people who work behind the scenes to make me look good in the spotlight.
• Even more important & permanent in my life, my sister had a baby, and he is the CUTEST little boy I have ever seen! I love that they live in the Valley, so that they can come over often, so that I can see my perfect little nephew.
• I got a new cell phone. I am pretty excited about it, it has a camera, so I can take pictures of my perfect little nephew.
• I enjoyed my last trimester of high school, all of my teachers were really understanding, and accommodating with my busy schedule as the lead.
• I graduated high school, a big step, or so I'm told. So now I'm on to bigger and better things...
• I still need a job, so if anyone knows somewhere that is hiring seasonal positions, please, please, email me an application, or a link to an application.
• I dispelled my "cabin fever" by going to the cabin the day after graduation. I took my part-time-brother, Stu, with me to fix the pipes that burst last fall, and I had a blast showing him the beauty of that landscape. There is nothing so satisfying as when you ascend the mountain and see the pure landscape.

I'm sure there was more than that, but I don't have more time, so I will end here

I remain evermore, penningjade

-Crystal Jade

Life Comes at You Fast, Especially When You Don't Want it to!

Why does it seem like life is moving too fast? I haven't posted in a while because it hasn't seemed like anything has happened, but actually a lot has!

• My Drama class is going to state competition with our one act play that we performed the weekend after 2nd tri. ended. (it's called Fortress)
• My individual piece (from Moliere's Tartuffe) is also going to the state competition.
• 2nd tri ended, and now I've got all new classes (except Drama)
• I'm finished with my Preschool class, and now I don't get to see any of those cute kids again, which is a total bummer, because they're some of the cutest kids I've ever seen. (other than my own nieces)
• I am taking the Stage Technology class at my school, and I'm really learning a ton! It's a way fun class, we're building an AWESOME set for our play that is going to take place in May. I am also getting to learn how to use the light board, I was wanting to learn the sound board, but it sounds about 200 times more complex than the light board, so I'll leave that to the people who know what they're doing for now.
• I've decided on a school for next year, I'm going to attend SUU, pending getting a scholarship or grant to pay my way with. I'll work through the next year if I'm not able to afford school next year, of course.
• Still working on my second book, Frog Eyes and Fairy Tales. It's hopefully going to be great, I'm totally loving the story right now, and it's staying pretty true to my original vision for it. hopefully that will be true by the time I finish.

Can't really think of much more to update about. I will try to be better about monthly or weekly updates, but my senior year of high school has just been so hectic!

Smile more, laugh always, and love unconditionally!

-Crystal Jade

January 2010

Hey, it's the last week of January and a lot of stuff has happened. Here's a quick bulleted list:

• I turned eighteen! Which means that my library card has expired :( so now i have to get a new one.
• I survived my school's Totalitarian Simulation. We simulated a totalitarian society, and I was in the party. It was a neat experience, and I now hold much greater value on my freedoms as an American!
• My car died, but then was revived thanks to the smartness of my uncle, and the generosity of my parents.
• I went to the UTA Conference at UVU. it was really cool. The keynote speaker was Ann Bogart. She gave an awesome speech. I took pages of notes, it not only gave me good tips for acting, but great information for life in general.
• I have been given the opportunity to be the lead in my favorite play. I'm so thrilled! I am Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing! I'm so excited! the performance is in May, those who would like to come see it (it's being put on by the high school) contact me, and I'll get you more info.
• My best friend left on his mission last month, and I'm excited for him. Every letter from him makes me feel like a zillion dollars, and every time I write a letter to him, I feel so much better. It's a great thing. To all young men reading this blog: go on a mission, it's the best thing for you!
• Christmas & New Year's were great. I got to spend the whole time with my family, whom I love!

well, that's about all I have time for, I'll try to get more on soon.

I wish you all happy lives happy days, happy hearts!

-Crystal Jade