Crap Blog

The Yank and All Her Needs

2010-01-31T19:03:00.003-07:00

So, I feel like I eat a lot. Like a lot a lot, and I think it's ok because I'm working so much, but I feel like I am going to eat Nat (who I live with) out of house and home. So I buy a lot of groceries. There are a few things that we as Americans eat that isn't so popular over here in OZ. First, cold cereal, probably one of the biggest staples in the American diet, plus I'm a college student, it's what we eat. I miss the who aisles dedicated to cold cereal that hold everything from the super sugar choco-loco bombs, to the healthy bird sead that people like Kendall eats. Anyways, I miss my Lucky Charms/Marshmallow Mateys and bliss in a bowel Cinnamon Toast Cruch, and how can I live with out Life cereal? Not too sugary, not too cardboardy. Here at Woolworths the local grocery store we like to call Woolies, it has Rice Crispies aka Rice Bubbles, corn flakes, Milo Cereal that is pretty good, and heathy never know how it's going to taste cereal. Not a lot of choice.

I've made a list in my journal of food that I am going to bring back from the states when I come and visit it includes cereal, marshmallows, ketchup, and ranch dressing. Who knows if the will let all the come through customs, but I'm American and I need American food every now and again.

Moving on, some of the people that I've met here call me a Yankee or Yank. What the? Who does that? It's the weirdest thing to be called a Yankee, but I've started to say, 'Sorry, I'm a Red Sox fan'. That puts a confused look on some and others who know what I'm talking about pipe in something about the Dodgers or something. ya... no.

I need ideas for some easy dinner meals, possibly good for summer time or even salads.

xoxo-Lena

OZ Post #1

2010-01-22T17:59:00.003-07:00

Well I can't say that the blog will be updated that often while I'm in Australia. I have access to the internet only a couple times a week for short amounts of time. But I'm here and it's hot once again. I'm working as usual and it's hard work. My muscles are growing. Say hello to the mountains for me.

lena

Tibby

2009-12-27T22:51:00.002-07:00

I love Sisterhood, and today I totally felt like Tibby.

I had work today even though we aren't open. We are getting out new shipment of stuff tomorrow so we had to get the whole store ready for it. That means getting to use super cool gagets to mark down items. The first one was the scanner. It's this strange gun type looking thingie that scans the bar code and tells you what the price of the item is. Then I take the next thinga-ma-bobber and set the dial switches to the right price and cha-ching I get a price sticker. This is where Tibby comes in. In the movie she is using one of these do-dads and she stickers her own head. That's what I feel like doing some days. Especially during markdowns.

I think I have a part of all the girls from sisterhood:
Lena: Have my own adventures, shy around boys, keep to myself
Tibby: A little rebellious at times
Carmen: I've got the cantina blood and not afraid to stick up for myself
Bridget: Spunk and love of life

Friends Can Be Poopy or is it Poopie?

2009-12-18T22:40:00.003-07:00

AHHH! I'm stressing about packing for leaving! I am a packing fanatic, but I'm over my head in this one. After the last post's list of everything I need to bring, and starting to pack, I don't know if I'm going to have enough room. Some how in my mind I figured everything would just fit and I'd have space. It's turing out that I have a lot of stuff. I'm pretty sure everything with all fit, it's just going to be a tight one.

I leave on January 1st! AKA 13 DAYS!!!

18 Polos and Counting

2009-12-17T23:10:00.003-07:00

Finals are done meaning I have my cup of freedom and I am going to drink it all! And now that finals are over I can starting thinking about the most important thing in my life right now, going to Australia!

To start off I've starting organizing and half packing my stuff. I have a lot to take with me this time and I hope I can manage it with two 50 pound bags and one carry on. This will have to hold all my stuff:

Saddle, 2 saddle pads, girth, breastplate, bridle, front and back jump boots, front and back cross country boots, 4 polo wraps, 2 sets of sable wraps, 4 stable bandages, fleece cooler, lycra sheet, lycra hood, 3 helmets, tall boots, rubber boots, event watch, braiding kit, 18+ polo shirts, 9+ breeches, show coat, 3 show shirts, stock tie, paddock boots, half chaps, s/s shirts, l/s shirts, couple dresses, jeans & pants, shorts, socks, undies, swimsuits, jacket, sweaters & sweatshirts, 5ish pairs of shoes, hats, toiletries

I think that's it. I don't know how I came to accumulate all this stuff. I mean I'll use all of it, but it is a hecka lot of stuff! The thing is if I have to cut back on stuff it's going to be my clothes, hahaha! But I can always buy clothes there. I just feel bad leaving all my clothes behind. It's hard.

It's also hard packing for a whole year of clothes. Having something for every season! And to top it off I'm going to the completely different season we are in now. I can pack light, but this is a whole different extreme because I'm packing for living, not for traveling.

I am getting a little sad too. Leaving things behind. Having to pack up stuff and leave my room all organized like no one lives in it. I keep catching myself just looking around at my room, my room I'm going to leave behind.

The sadness also spreads to missing my fam. It's going to be a long time with out them. My nieces, nephews, brothers, and sisters are going to be different in good ways when I get back from my adventures. I wouldn't pass up my opportunity for anything, but it's going to be probably one of the biggest if not the biggest life changing experience.

Out There, There's a World Outside of Yonkers

2009-12-06T22:57:00.002-07:00

As of 8:36pm Mountain Standard Time I am approved for my Australian Visa good for 12 months abroad! I am so excited and nothing can top that this Christmas, except for maybe that pretty Lettia saddle pad, or perhaps a shiny new dressage saddle, but I mean other than that nothing can top this! Having my visa means there is nothing holding me back and I need to start packing my trunk!

xoxo
Lena

Billie JEAN!; I Dream of "JEAN'-ie

2009-12-02T22:22:00.003-07:00

So work was really tough for me today. (I work at Gap PS). I had to watch a training video then try on every style of Gap Jeans. It was really challenging. There are so many choices from the Always Skinny to the Sexy Bootcut, and then there is the Long and Lean and Curvy, then it continues with the Perfect Bootcut and Real Straight. Just so many decisions I couldn't pick my favorite. (Insert Sarcasm Here)

But on a serious/excited note, I think I have narrowed it down to Real Straight and Curvy. All the jeans are amazing because they don't poke out at the back which is the problem I always have with jeans. They have this revolutionary "yoke" in the back to fix that problem. Inquire for more details. But wait there's more, the seam on the side of the leg is also made in a way that it "makes your legs go on for miles" or so the training video says, but it is really slimming. I am hooked. Now I just need to go get a pair, probably after my first pay check. And if you ever want to go shopping with jeans call me, beep me, if you wanna reach me. I'm just so ecstatic about these babies! Though I am promoting, it's all out of love for the Jeans!

Transitions

2009-11-12T12:39:00.002-07:00

I'm Disney through and through and I have been a faithful listener to the Jonas Brothers since the first time they were featured on Disney Channel and I heard their song for the first time at Build a Bear. Well one of their earliest songs 6 Minutes. This was before they wore skinny jeans and their voices were so young, especially Nick. Well coincidentally right after 6 Minutes another Jo Bros song came on the shuffle called World War III and it's from their latest album. Not only do they sing a lot differently, but they sure dress different. Popped up with their cardigans and scarves, and they don't even smile in their pictures anymore. I love them all the same but there definitely a transition all DC performers go through. Another main example, Hilary Duff. But my heart still loves her as Lizzie McGuire.

Freaky Friday

2009-11-10T23:11:00.002-07:00

So for all ya'll that don't know this Friday is Friday the 13th!!! Yeah! Well I want to do something commemorative to celebrate, actually I really want to do something rebellious. So it's for all the faithful readers far and near to give suggestions on how I should be rebellious on Friday. Fingers crossed I may just do what you suggest. So crank out ideas, I NEED ideas!

Faithfully yours
-LENA

Sparkling Happiness

2009-11-10T13:33:00.004-07:00

Everything is better with sparkling water (club soda, mineral water, seltzer, your pick). You can add it to nearly any drink and it becomes the best delight. For example orange juice + sparkling water = Organgina, apple juice + mineral water = Apfel shorle, any juice + sparkling water = liquid sunshine. It just makes the world go round. As a Nuila I love it plain as well. I think we go through a two litre bottle every other day. We are seriously considering investing in a maker. I think they would be awesome! Thank you Perrier, S. Pellegrino, and Voss. Another reason I love this drink is it is a healthier option to pop. No sugar and no caffeine. Bonus round! Life long and prosper!

'Nuff Said

2009-11-06T15:06:00.001-07:00

BYU Womens Soccer

Are Those Bells I Hear?

2009-11-03T09:58:00.004-07:00

If you observed me as a fly on the wall you might think that I am engaged, to an invisible person. But I'm not, I'm just obsessed with weddings. This is new and hasn't been going on for a long time. I mean I've had 3 siblings get married and it was like, ya weddings are cool, what ev. But lately I just obsessed with all things wedding. At the grocery stores I'm the girl who has her nose buried in a bridal magazine, and even buying one every now and again. As from recommendation from a highly esteemed friend the Martha Stewart Weddings magazine is amazing and I'll be keeping my newly bought copy.

Wedding dresses, they are only worn once yet there is so much effort that goes into them. But the dress is also included in my obsession. But who knows what the styles will be when I get married. There are some that I quite like, but I might want to make my own.

Invite me to your weddings!

Elena

Dear Weather:

2009-11-03T09:49:00.002-07:00

Hey 'ol pal, just wanted to drop a note by saying thank you so much for being considerate to my body. You know it's hard for me to go straight into winter without any transition with a body that has been in summer weather for 10+ months. I nearly died during the cold spell last week, but now it is b-e-utiful weather now, just a peek back into what I'll be leaving behind. I'm ready for the cold now, so bring IT! I can do hard things.

xoxo Lena

My Own Scripted Page

2009-10-29T10:10:00.004-06:00

So, I've been in this Yellowcard phase, starting... yesterday. But I can't stop listening to them! My favorite being One Year, Six Months. I could listen to that guitar intro for the rest of my life. It fits every emotion of mine, for example skipping home from school because a paper got pushed back, or if I am distraught and I feel like things are just caving in. I just love it. This morning I listened to it in the car as I was driving to school, it fit as I was freezing it made me think of a beach.

Speaking of the beach, yesterday with the 30mph winds and chill that catches my breath, I remembered why I spend the Utah winter months down in the Southern Hemisphere. Where I live in Australia it is starting to get into the high seventies and eighties. Not fair.

The other Yellowcard song that I've been loving is Rough Draft. It's a great shower song. I love listening to music while I lather my hair with blissful white nectarine.

I also have to confess about my angry music. I love blasting Muse. Must be that Warren is always pumping it out on the surround sound, but it's a great band to just blast and release emotion!

xoxo Lena

ps Computer Says No, *cough*

Lines, Vines, and Trying Times

2009-10-15T12:35:00.002-06:00

I watched War of the Worlds the other day and loved it as always. "They came from somewhere else" "What like Europe?" "No Robbie! Not like Europe!" Ahaha. Any way I love end of the world movies. It's maybe one of my favorite genres. The think is I always wonder what I would do in those situations and how long I would survive. I think/hope I would survive for a long while. I'm not afraid of dying, but I think I would be more concerned about other people and getting them out of there. But there is a catch, I would like to have a guy with me, running nay sprinting away from danger and dodging the evils. My dream come true.

So, another movie I've been obsessed with, Anne of Green Gables. Oh my be still my heart Gilbert Blithe! If you want to watch it with me, I'm at the the will of Gilbert.

Emotional

2009-09-28T09:12:00.003-06:00

This week I have had my emotions leading me this way and that. Everything I see and do makes me want to cry. I watched 101 Dalmations and when dogs get reunited with their people and all the puppies start running into the house I felt a welling up of tears. What the heck, I love dogs, dalmations especially, but to the point where I cry?! I'm not the mushy, let the tears flow, kind of girl, but I see something sentimental and my heart gets all tight. It also happens when I look at pictures, especially pictures of me riding, even thinking about riding gets me a little choked up. Jane Anne mentioned the smell of horses and saddles, fml, I almost needed to hide my face I wanted to cry! So true! AHHH!

Though I did get to the point of tears laughing Saturday night! Shout out to my ingenious pals!

peace - LENA

The Second Week of School

2009-09-10T19:39:00.006-06:00

So school so far has been Hell Fire for me, but this is what I entertain myself with... Drawing horseback riding jumps. That's right, I doodle horse jumps. I like it a lot, and it's pulls me through the tough times with the Prince aka Cesare Borgia, who was he again... Anyway I have quite the collection going on now.

The middle is my favorite

Swedish Oxer

Thank You Western Political Heritage "A King just a tyrant with good PR"

Planks, I'm obsessed with planks.

P-Town

2009-09-01T19:57:00.002-06:00

Well I've been home over a week, I've started school, and I'm riding. I'm part leasing Cody from a friend, and it's going so so well! I can't wait to take him to a few shows! Well life back at home is good. I've missed the quirks of mormon society. Just like not being phased when someone says that they are getting married after 4 months of dating, or talking about wards and zoobies. It's great!

Quotes from the first two days of school:

- "well at least it wasn't one of the date for four hours engagements"
- "Let's hear it for Tuesdays!"

Love & Logic

2009-07-02T19:34:00.002-06:00

There is this technique of parenting and working with kids called love and logic. I recommend everyone to really look into it. So we use these methods to work with kids not against them. I just want to mention some of my gem phrases that I love saying to our girls.

When they are whining about something and they want you to solve their problem you say: "Hmmm what are you going to do about that"

"Everyone at Birchwood knows... eg we use good table manners, we don't swim under the dock, we include everyone"

Or there's the "play dead". When they keep keep whining you just shrug your shoulders, "hmm sad-day" that's a classic.

Camp Updates

2009-07-02T19:23:00.002-06:00

So I will be writing a succession of updates from my life here in Camp Birchwood!

Swine Fluuuuuu!

2009-07-02T19:00:00.003-06:00

So get this we have had an outbreak of swine flu. HAHAHAHA! It's like legit so I shouldn't be laughing. Also, it's technically H1N1 aka R2D2 to us staff. We have had to quarantine girls and have their parents come pick them up. It's sad to have them leave, but best not spread the disease! Even our Peter Pan for the camp's play "Peter Pan" had to be ejected. Within the staff we have renamed the play "Peter Pig", and along with the the lost piglets. *Oink*

Camp Life

2009-06-21T10:03:00.003-06:00

So last Wednesday I had one of the best showers in my entire life! I just got the laundry back and finally had clean undies! It was horrible! But my shower was great! It was nice and hot and I found my official shower. It has a blue curtain and it is the one I'm always going to shower in it.

My girls are so funny! We just talk about funny things how my life is a Disney musical. They are so easily entertained with my impressions of people and dancing with my fingers on the dinner table.

The horsies are going good. We have some new ones, but really matters to me is my boy Phoenix. I'll post some pictures of him and me. He's like my little puppy dog. He just follows me with out and lead rope.

It's time off right now and we are going to take the ski boats! Yeah!

Til Lata

Home

2009-05-12T20:30:00.000-06:00

I'm home. I love it, and I got a grand welcome home from the fam including Cafe Rio burritos, a delicacy I've been craving for ages!

Well, Australia was the best thing that has ever happened to me. Even now I am starting to feel the pull of the part of me I left there. I miss my horses and Nat.

I am psyched as to be back for my short time to just play with friends and shop. My first full day home and I went shopping! You don't understand the deals that are available here. Being able to pay $13.50 for a pair of pants!! That is just out of this world! I love it!

I've absolutely loved seeing my friends. I feel like we really haven't missed a beat as friends though we are living our own lives now. That's one thing I've come to face while in Oz. Me and my friends lives have hit that junction where we take our own paths we were meant to live. Boy was my high school senior self naive thinking that our group of friends would always be a group there for everything. I couldn't have predicted the adventures I've had and going to have. But I know it's what's meant to be, there is no such thing as an accident. My wish to my friends is that they live the life of their dreams.

There is a couple more people I need to see before I leave again for 3 months. One of them being my horseback riding trainer. She is a great friend and the only person here in Utah that knows what I am saying and knows the full magnitude when I say I've ridden a Prix St. Georges/Intermediair I horse, that I have ridden piaffe and passage, and when I talk about 1* and 2* it makes sense. The horse world is a whole different language and realm that I am a part of. It's killing me that I have so much to spill!

I love being in my room. I'm going to live it up for these next 3 weeks in P-Town then I'll be ready for my next adventure!

Peace
Lena

ps pictures to be posted shortly

Up in My Bit-nissss

2009-04-01T03:51:00.000-06:00

I can't be bothered to keep the blog updated, maybe around May 11th we will have another post, until then peace out.

The 25 List

2009-03-02T02:52:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking of my homeland across the little water barrier we call the Atlantic and what I miss from home. While driving I started making a list in my head of things that I miss. And I'm not talking about the essentials like family, friends, etc etc. I'm talking about the little comforts of home.

25 Things I Miss from America
1. Mountains, especially Y mountain and Squaw Peak
2. My Bike
3. My Scooter
4. The Ward
5. FHE Family
6. Taking a drive and belting my lungs out!
7. Quesadillas
8. Marhsmallow Mateys
9. Movin' 100.7
10. The bargains at Macey's
11. I-15
12. Mile High Drive
13. Not being phased by staying up till 2 in the morning
14. My Bose
15. Walking on campus at night with my iPod
16. The Daily Universe
17. More than 5 TV channels
18. Gilmore Girls twice a day every weekday
19. Roommates
20. My Wardrobe
21. Sales at clothing stores plus my employee discount at Gap
22. Hiking
23. Costco
24. Watching quality movies with quality people
25. Limewire

There may be others, but that's a starting list.

Whew! That's What You'll Think After Reading

2009-02-28T22:29:00.001-07:00

Well everything is going so totally awesome that I don't want to leave! A lot has happened these last few weeks. Work is going awesome! My Tommy, the bay horse, is working really well and I need to get some pictures of my boy up, but haven't taken any yet. Last week Nat had the Sydney One-Day event up at the Sydney International Equestrian Center and I groomed for her. She had two horses competing and it was just intense the entire time. I had to get one horse ready set Nat off and then get the next one ready. I practically ran the entire cross-country course to get some pictures of her. I got some good ones too. The facility was amazing! I can't even describe! That's where they had the events for the Olympics. It was cool seeing some of the cross country jumps that they used for the Olympics, and some were gargantuan! I can't wait to go back there for the three-day event!

Nat is the best boss ever, and I humbly say that I am great worker as well. It isn't often that you get praise directly from your boss about your performances. Nat has told me that she loves how hard of a worker I am and just really efficient. She has even said to me that she doesn't want me to leave in May. She wouldn't say that if she wasn't happy with me. Nat is even paying me pretty well, for the week plus the weekend of competition I got $230, and this week I got $200 for the week. I didn't even think that! I would have been happy with 50-70 dollars! She had even given praise on my riding. Having praise about my riding from an Olympic level rider is nothing short of amazing!

I am really inspired by Nat and she is asking what I want to do with riding. She's said that I need to get into competing and really go somewhere with it. That starts with getting a horse which I will start looking at the market when I get home in September then go from there, but if everything goes as planned I could have an imported horse....

Yesterday I went to the Yass Picnic Races. They were so fun! We watched the races even putting a dollar on some here and there! The best part was when Hot Rod won winning me 7 dollars! It was an intense race! It was just so fun dressing up and going to the races acting all posh.

Ok, so there is a TV show here called "Farmer Wants a Wife". A reality show where they have 6 farmers from Australia looking for lurv, a farmer version of the Bachelor. There is a girl on this season and one of the finalists for her named Owen was there at the races with us. Funny bloke, but ya I was hanging out with a tv star(?). Lots and lots of fun!

peace out

PICTURES PICTURES PICTRES!!!!

2009-02-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

A Moment of Silence

2009-02-10T22:43:00.000-07:00

To all friends, family, and secret admirers, just want you all to know that I'm safe from the bush fires. It's a real scary thing to be happening here. There are big bush fires here in New South Wales, but the really horrific ones are down in Victoria. There have been entire communities and towns just wiped out from the blaze. And with virtually no warning many people have died. The latest death count is 181, but it's expected to get up to 300 while fire crews go through the ashes of what used to be homes. Every evening I've been glued to the news watching the reports and interviews with people have lost homes that are now living in tent cities thankful to be alive. I've loved seeing the response of the people to this devastation. Over 2 million dollars was fundraised just by one radio station that I listen to. My favorite story was of a boy that donated his $72.25 that he's been saving for a year to go towards a wii, but donated it to the Victora fund. As a nation over 44 million dollars have been raised to go directly to those that have lost so much. Thses are the worst bush fires in Australia history sadly the worst ever in the world. Keep these people in your prayers.

Yum Yum Aussie

2009-02-05T03:13:00.000-07:00

I love australia with my heart and one particular reason that gets me through each day is the Australian flavors! Get this, in my lunch I have pink grapefruit yogurt, mango orange juice box, and mango passionfruit granola bar. Can you recall any of these flavors on the local Days Market shelves? Heck to the no! They all taste great and a breath of fresh air! Plus their otter pops don't just come in the typical blue, red, and orange flavors (for real trademark flavor names), they have been replaced with Pineapple passionfruit, Peach pear, blueberry apple, and strawberry watermelon, num-yummy! I have about 8 of those a day because it's been stinkin hot! We are having a massive heat wave with no sign of cooling down yow!

PS latest aussie town: Gundaroo = gunned a (kanga)roo? hmmm those bogens

The Schedule

2009-01-30T03:06:00.000-07:00

So, I'm in Oz, but this is no holiday. I've decided to shed some light on my daily activites. Ahem...
6:00-6:30am Wake up, eat breaky. Can you say early! I would never wake up this early for school, not for all the mallows in me Marshmallow Mateys. Heck, I haven't woken up this early since my junior year in high school, but as is the life to live a dream.
6:20-7:00 get picked up by Nat to drive out to Harden, a 50 minuite drive
8:00 arrive at the barn, start feeding the horses and get the first horse out for riding

8:30-12:30 During the day I get nine horses tacked up, wraps on their legs, and ready for Nat to ride them as well as untacking them after being riden, hose them down, put their sheets back on and attend to any cuts or randomies. It's tricky business having horses go in and out. I have to be efficiant in getting horses ready and timed correctly that Nat comes off one and I am handing her the next horse all ready. Plus, I have to know which of the five saddles to use for which horse in conjunction with saddle pad and knowing each horse's bridle. But I almost have it down pat after just a couple days!

After all of Nat's horses are riden I might ride one or two of them and then it's time to work with my own two horses. Timmy and Tommy are quite the handfull with the occasional squeal and kick up of the heals, but they are just ninos letting out their wiggles. One to two other horses might be added to that as other competition horses for me.

Other jobs I do around the barn during the week include cleaning out the tack room, mucking out stalls, cleaning tack, and all round tidying of the area.

When all the horses have been riden and taken care of we grab a quick bite to eat and then head out to teach lessons, give clinics, or ride other horses for people.

On a good day I'll get home around 5-6, but already I have had a 10:00pm arrival home. I love it here and it's beautiful, but it's work. I knew that before I came that this was no semester off for vacation. To top it off this is all done in 37-41 degree celcius weather. Look up the conversion for that one. It's hard work, no lies. I come home everyday buggered! I take a cold shower, eat some food, catch up on the tennis and usually so tired that I'm in bed asleeep by 9:30 to start it all again, 5 days a week. I do work weekends when there is a comp, but that's a future post.

I love what I'm doing and I'm learning a lot! Don't let this sound like I'm a slave. I do what I'm doing to be able to get instruction from an olympic level rider and compete my horses. It's my adventure of a lifetime! But I did want to clarify that I'm not just here mucking around (no pun), it's a lifestyle that can only be worth it if you have the passion, and well I've the epidemic called horse passion fever! I can't wait to start competing my boys! So many adventures ahead I wish I could break out in song n' dance, and seeing as my life is a musical Disney sitcom I might just do that! Tata for now!

Crazzzzy Names

2009-01-22T16:01:00.001-07:00

So, I've been in here Australia for about 4 weeks. I can't believe it's gone so fast, but one thing I've noticed and loved is all the crazy names of things. Utah has it's fair share of unusual names e.g. Scipio, Laverkin, Eureka, and such. But I love the names and I have to always say them in my head, some are long, some are just a jumble of letters, but I love it. The names sometimes make me thing of things that it sounds like. I adore these different names because it means that I'm in an amazing place!

Names of my favorite places so far:
Cootamundra = all the people there have Cooties
Tangmangaroo = A man that had a pet kangaroo Skippy would go and drink at the Tang filled billabong
Juglong
Burrinkjack
Wee Jasper
Garangula
Murrumbateman
Bongongalong

Walk Baby Out That Door

2009-01-16T14:02:00.001-07:00

Last night held an adventure I have never experienced before, I walked out of a movie. I went with some friends to go see a movie and decided on Role Models. I didn't know what the rating was and the ratings here don't match up and the commercials looked funny so we went in. It started out questionable and there was probably one part I laughed at. Before it was a third through the movie, I just got up and left. It was kinda nice though. I went and found a comfy seat in the lobby and kicked backed and listened to my iPod. I haven't had a lot of time to listen to my iPod so it was really nice. I even made a new playlist! Quality iPod listening time.

Walking out of a movie like that was a first in my lifetime. But it really was for the best. I didn't feel comfortable, and it sucked. It did cost me $16.50, but is that worth the loss of the Spirit? I would be bold enough to say, Not in this Lifetime!

I love movies and it really blows when you see how much effort is put into making trash movies. With real quality movies there is a big price I would pay. Even if tickets were 20 bucks you know I would still be first in line to see Prince Caspian, or musicals of many shapes and forms including those of the high school genre. There really isn't a price you can put on quality.

Go Fight Win! Rah Rah Rah! And may the sun shine on me and make me tan for the rest of my life!

Disclaimer to Previous Post

2009-01-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

The previous post came out a little harsh. I don't mean to discredit anyone's blog. That's the beauty of blogs that you can keep in touch with everyone's day in and day out activities, isn't that fabulous! And they don't even have to know that you blog stalk them, it's natural. If they have a blog it's open to all. Keep on journal blogging you journal bloggers you! :)

Loop-T-Loop

2009-01-15T14:39:00.001-07:00

I hate knowing that I am missing out on things. Even when I am having my own advendtures it just stinks to know that people are having fun without you. But a decision was made and I am going to make the most of my opportunity here. I get to ride and be around horses and get paid for it! It's the best thing to ever happen! I love my ponies, even if Timmy does squeel and kick up his heels to the world and yank that lounge line right out of my hands, not once, but 4 times. I love him still, and Tommy, my little project horse. I can't wait to ride intensly and really dive into work!

Blog or Personal Scrap Book on the World Wide Web

2009-01-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

So, pretty much 95% of my friends now have blogs. My own personal definition of a blog is a place where you can write down more than just events in your life, you can write about your opinions about things that can have no meaning, put into words feelings about something seen that just won't leave your head. I don't really see a blog as an online journal. My journal is mean for only one pair of eyes to ever see it's contents, and those would be mine (but some selections may be shared in controlled situations).

Everyone is getting blogs to keep people informed and post pictures of themselves where ever they are. Isn't that was facebook is for?
Putting up pictures and movies and captions under each picture? Or do the people want others to have the instant ability to go to one site and see every activity they've been up to? Maybe instead of saying that they have a blog they should sy they have an online scrapbook page. Or better yet I should make a business of a personal online scrapbook website, now I'm thinking...

Either way I think that just to have a blog to keep others informed isn't going about the true purpose of a blog. This came from the Wiki site "Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life or works of art. Blogging can have a sentimental quality". And I agree. It in the words of Gurkin "People's Punisher is not about being read it's about being written".

Well that's the obeservation of the mornin'

Signing off- Skadoosh!

In My Top Ten Best RIdes!

2009-01-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

So being in Australia is A-Mazing! And I've been riding with a friend on the farm she rides at and we have been on some super awesome rides that totally come into my top ten ranking.

The first we went out to a field and rounded up some cows and after we got them lil' doggies into their right pasture we rode up this hill. Now this wasn't the you're granny's hill, this was almost straight up vertical, and the tallest hill in the valley. We just hung on and tried not to get in the way of the horse. I ride Raylene (the Machine). We got to the top and the view is 360 degrees. It was so gosh darn amazing! I could see the town of Yass where I live, out to the Snowey Mountains (that I might have a chance to go ride), to Canberra the capital and all around. It was so cool. The landscape there looks like what you would suspect the Australian bush to look like, kind of dry plains and trees. Pictures to come for sure!

Ok and the next day we went out for another ride. We went to the far side of the farm. We started cantering nice and easy, then my friend came charging up from behide me, and Raylene likes races, so we took off and just thundered up the hill. My little Raylene really is a machine, every hill from that point was a race. An automatic smile just came to my face as we were riding. How could I not have a smile, I am doing my single most favorite thing in the world in an amazing countryside. It feels like you are on a safari. There are cockatoos, parrots, and kangaroos for the matter just everywhere. Totally different spectrum from the Utah profile, and way different from cowboy country.

Well, I guess that's that, this blog post comes to you live from Yass, NSW.

Beginning the 2009 Adventures

2009-01-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

It's official! I'm in Australia and I'm here for good (or atleast 4 months)! I love it here! The second day here we went out the beach to soak in some much needed rays! The ocean was amazing! Crystal blue waters, hot sun! What more can I ask from the earth?!

So, New Years! It was amazing! I went with some friends into the city of Canberra (pronouced Canbrah) and we went out to some dance clubs to count down to 2009! It was so fun! Can you say Cantina?!

So ya yesterday had some fun times as well. I got all unpacked and put all my things away then I went out riding with a friend out on a farm. Different riding than I am used to, australian stock saddles, but it was fun just to be in wide open spaces. And on our way home I saw my first live kangaroos! Like a whole bunch of them, and some joeys with their mums and then they just hophophoped away it was so cool I was practically screaming! But I guess by the time I leave here they won't even phase me to see them.

Well I love it here and that's that. I hope I can keep updates coming! I love being in the warm weather and the new year! But you know 2010 is coming up you better watch out!

The Last USA Post

2008-12-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

Well friends, this is my last writing from the US of A. In 37 hours and 40 some odd minutes I will be boarding a 747 (hopefully business class) headed toward my future! I am so so exited for my departure! It is going to amazing! All I know is adventure lies in my future! My bags are packed and I'm rearin' (no pun) to go! I am hardly bringing anything, most of what I have is horseback riding thing, my horseback riding boots, and my boots for the horse, helmet, other boots, chaps, a lot of stuff.

Sweet swirling asparagus tips I'm going to miss my friends! The good-byes are hard, but it won't hit me till I'm on the beach on New Years Day, then it will hit me...

Loves much, I can't wait to write from the land down under!

xoxo
- Lenka

My Jet Plane is Almost Here

2008-12-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

So last night I called my friend, Michelle, in Australia to get details about me coming over. It was great, I'm arriving on the 29th, we changed plans to spend New Years on the beach near Sydney! Then I will be in Yass with Michelle and start working with Timmy and Tommy my horses that I will get to use while there! Then around the end of January I will be working with either Natalie who lives in Yass, or Nicole who lives in the Hunter Valley! I will be working and getting payed while down there. I'll be like a working student working for the rider getting their horses ready, riding a certain amount of horses for them, and grooming for them at shows. I can never say this enough, but I am so excited! It's my journey of a lifetime and I can't wait!
I don't know how the rest of my life is going to compare, but I am going to live it up while I'm down there.

Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi Oi Oi!

2008-12-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

The countdown is on, 21 days until I leave the United States for my four month journey. I can't believe it is coming so fast. It seems like just last month that I got back from camp. There is so much that I need to get ready, just personal stuff, like packing, moving back to my house, and such.

It's a bitter-sweet departure. There is so much I am going to miss. I don't know how I am going to survive without Camille. She is the one I can vent to, the one person I feel ultimately comfortable telling anything. Then there are new friends that I have made this year. My first group of friends not from high school. They are so awesome a part of me doesn't want to leave. But I know this is one of my journeys of life that is going to help shape me as a person.

The parents are very skeptical about me going. I understand that as I go into a foreign country I am putting myself into a lot of risks and important decisions. The people I am going to be staying with are not Mormon and do not hold the high standards that I have committed to my life. They do know that I have these standards and they really respect my decisions on them.

I am so excited to go and I'm surprised that I haven't already started packing. Usually when a big trip comes up, I start packing weeks almost a month before I leave. Actually I need to get on that... But everything is falling into place and it is going to be a journey of a lifetime!

Little Brother: Life form from the Degobah System or unheraled blessing

2008-11-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Brace yourselves lads, here comes my Thanksgiving post. I wanted to put down in words how thankful I am for my family. It's one of my flaws that I don't tell my family I love them enough. I realized today that Warren and I have a bonded relationship as brother and sister, and I contribute a little of that to be being gone for so long and not living in the house. By being gone we don't get on each others nerves and since we don't see each other everyday we are actually glad to see one another. We are the other brother/sister that give each other real hugs when I come home. Also, I think it's because Warren is getting older and that sibling gap seems less the older we get. We have funny conversations like today we had a "Hug Lesson" where we discussed our preferences and the meanings of different hugs. For example I being a girl like to go under and hug around the chest, while Warren likes the over hug. Then there is the cross hug where one arm is up and one is under, not my fave, it's an awkward hug. Oh and I learned from Jason Carroll, my favorite BYU teacher to this day! about the 20 second mark (see me if you want full explanation). All in all, Warren and I have a bond, our own little fun we have only with each other, our Samurai fighting, Super Smash Brothers tourny (my greatest achievement beating Warren, has only happened once so far!), and Star Wars trivial pursuit. Best Little Brother an Elena could have!

Bubbles

2008-11-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Last night when I was asleep I was woken up by some mumbling. I am a very light sleeper and anything wakes me up. It was Camille. She was talking in her sleep. What I deciphered was "Dancing through" and then "Oh nothing I'm just thinking out loud", a phrase she uses a lot when awake. So I thought she was awake, but she kept mumbling. This morning I told Camille I heard here talking. I the ironic thing is she told me I was sleep mumbling when I was falling asleep last night saying "please, please". That dang cough syrup, it makes me loopy and I am not accountable for anything I do after those two teaspoons.

So, last night I went with Kenz to a little camp fire over at her BF Troy's house. Troy is a cool guy, a little too hot looking for me though. We played lacrosse today and she asked if I knew that they were dating. Um, ya I can take a hint, she just can't stay single long.

My friendship with the JACKS is really waning. Not necessarily strained, just growing apart. I guess I didn't think that you really do grow apart from high school friends. I know they are always going to be my really good friends, but we don't know about everyone's life like we used to. There is no effort on either party's end, and everyone has a different schedule and way different priorities. Also, I get the feeling from them that they have mixed emotions that I am making new friends. But I am having the time of my life, I wouldn't trade it for all the taxes in Nottingham. I'm just sad that it is short lived as I am leaving to the land down under, but I'll keep in touch with the new friends! Sophomore year has been the best school year of my entire life!! I'm having fun and just living the life with spontaneity, the way a girl my age should live her life!

Aye Aye Captain

2008-11-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Well this school year I have discovered my love for Marshmallow Mateys cereal. I have never really been fond of Marshmallow Mateys or Lucky Charms, but this year I can't live with out them! I used to eat these cereals by first eating all the non-marshmallow pieces thus saving all the marshmallows for the end. Save the best for last eh? But This is the first year that I have actually eaten the mallows and the non-mallows together. What a difference! It makes the whole cereal eating experience pure bliss!

I have also concluded that a lot I write here I purposely don't include in my hand written journal. For the various reasons: 1. Somethings I don't want my children to see and think that I am just these big nerd, um mom you spent time writing about cereal? 2. It's too cheesy to write about unless you are just doing nothing while your roommate sleeps. Maybe others, but that's the gist.

So the answer to my prayers happened this Thursday!! I got a call for my apartment contract that I am selling!! I have been so worried about it and really praying that everything would work out. I always had the feeling that everything would fall into place. So Wednesday I put up a cute little 3X5 card (made by the best roomie) in the Wilk advertising my contract. Then Thursday I got a call from a girl and she said that she wanted it and will sign a contract without even seeing it! WOW! Well yesterday she came to meet Camille and Lauren (for their approval) and see the apartment and she signed right there! It was such a blessing. Everything leading to Australia has really been falling into place, I got a approved for a 12 month visa, I am getting credit for a class while over there, my scholarship is covering that class, and my apartment contract is sold! Now I just need the good graces from my parents and get on a plane! Gosh it gives me butterflies just thinking about going! Well long post filled with fluff.

-Lena

A Little Girl Stuck in the Middle

2008-11-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

So I am officially a Gap Girl! Last night was my first official shift working at Gap. I worked in the Kids area and found my lifelong calling... folding! Maybe it's because I lived 19 years with an OCD mother, but I love board folding and making all the piles look uniform, even the signature "GAP" hoodies have to be folded a certain way so you can see the "GAP" logo when folded. Coworkers would come by and ask how I was doin' and I would say I was great while they replied they what to shoot themselves. My manager even commented how nice they really looked. Gold star for Elena! We were really focused about making the whole store look amazing because the CEO of Gap inc. is coming to our store with all the PR people and the logo hoodies are one thing that they are going to be looking at. I'm way excited to work at Gap, although I was a little nervous on Tuesday because I have never done retail, but then I thought about it, and well working at Build a Bear is exactly the same just dressing kids instead of bears, but it's almost exactly the same working in Baby Gap. I told my manager that and they thought that was humorous.

So in my mission prep class there is this boy who is Troy Bolton in the flesh! I even called him a wildcat today. I don't know why I think this, he doesn't play basketball, but just the way he acts and kinda how he looks. We were in groups together today, and I must say that he is hot! Too bad he's 18, but I like that I'm making little friends in my mission prep class. He is also from Boston, my favorite city in the United States! Oh gosh, Troy Bolton! Too bad I do not sing and I'm not on the math team, dang. Well I guess I "Gotta Go My Own Way".

-Lenka

Best Entertainment!

2008-11-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

11/11

2008-11-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

So the date is 11/11. I decided that the rest of the day will be filled with 11/11 themed things. Such as the song 11:11pm by The All-American Rejects, see what scene from the Goofy Movie is at 11 minuted and 11 seconds, make a wish at 11:11 o'clock! So many activities for the day!

I'm really becoming attached to my blog. This is my second post in less than 12 hours. Maybe it's because I finished my journal yesterday and I need to wait for my Borders coupon to come to get another journal.

Missionario Prep: I love my mission prep class! It is my favorite class of pretty much my entire schedule of seven classes. I decided I needed to take it because I'm going to life in Australia for four months and I am not staying with members. The nearest church building will be at least an hour away. At camp when I had friends ask me about my beliefs I didn't always have a good answer, or know how to explain without using Mormon jargon and such. So, I want to be prepared when questions come and I can help my friends understand why I belief and what I believe. A little different than getting a call to serve, but I need to be prepared.

XOXO- Lenka

My Inspiration

2008-11-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Camille has inspired me to create a blog. My awesome roomie! Lenka is a new singer that was previewed on MTV's "artist you oughta know" promotion today and she is upbeat, sing-songie, cute singer, and from Australia! The land that I will be calling home for four months starting January! This along with my journal will be a nice little resting spot for the little voices in my head that make my mind so confusing to others. Neener-Neener-Neener!