What's in a name?

For those in the know, Nicole had her baby boy last Wednesday at 3am-YEA! As I was at Girls' Camp, I found out when they announced it at Friday's campfire to the whole crowd (Dixon Kumer had told my parents just a few minutes before). After much discussion, they finally christened him with the name of...Daniel Skeet Tristan Panero. Hmmm...For all who are interested, go to urbandictionary.com to find out the colloquial meaning of the second name (if I were computer savvy I would give you the link, but life isn't that good, my friends). Good luck in life, cute new nephew of mine. (And yes, I know that is Dave Chappelle as Lil' Jon-I could not live with myself if I ever posted an actual picture of the man who gave us Crunk Juice.)

Girls' Camp, Shmirls' Shmamp

I and the other Rosedale Ward leader are crap and failed to bring a camera, hence the file photo-Google never lets me down. Fun fact: the average person uses Google 40.7 times a month. Obviously I am above average, as I use it about 400.7 times a month when school is in session. But I digress...I was one of only two leaders in camp, and 7 of our 9 girls were on the 4th year hike for most of the week, making ward campfires a tad quiet. The ward next to us stayed up until the wee hours most nights, though, so I still managed to be annoyed and engage in telling some girls to can it, as it was past midnight, to which some 12 year old with a death wish replied she could "sing if [she] wants to!" Seriously? Rather than give her the beatdown she deserved, I just zippped up my tent, figuring black eyes don't really invite the spirit. Overall, though, it was a great week, and Big Meadow is as amazing as ever. I got a chance to get to know my girls better and to hang out with Jamie Bingham (nee' Bedke), whose mom supplied me with peppermint oil to relieve my huge mosquito bites. Gold star to my mama who served as camp director and did an amazing job. I'm sure she'll start planning next year's camp as soon as she gets back from Hawaii- I'll help as long as she brings back a coconut monkey for me!

"That lady's scary!"

The frightening picture above is a sticker I've had on my car since I purchased it almost 9 years ago. (Go Honda! Maybe if American companies made better, more fuel-efficient cars, they wouldn't be shutting down car plants around the country. Sorry, Detroit.) Yesterday Jacob took my door apart to fix a stuck window (thanks, Jacob!) and Talia, whilst watching him work, noticed the sticker and proclaimed it a "scary lady." Mom jumped on the chance to convince me to remove it, as my family and students have always looked at it and wondered, but even though my darling Talia asked me to remove it, I just can't. It probably sounds weird, but it's like a remnant of my 18 year old self that I just can't let go. Thus, the scary lady stays until I run my good ol' Civic into the ground.

Checklists suck.

So we left Greece at 4am yesterday, landed in LA at 10:30pm, and arrived in Bakersfield at 2am. Taking into account time zones, I was up for a total of 28 hours; I HATE that I am a light sleeper and can't snooze on planes. (PS-"The Spiderwick Chronicles" is a hot mess of a movie and should not be shown on land, sea, or air.) The jet lag hit me this afternoon, but I had to post this picture, as it pretty much sums up all that was NOT fun on my European rendevouz. I was required to take roll of everyone whenever we arrived at another really significant pile of rocks, a random church, or when someone had to stop to buy another crappy souvenir that most likely broke in their suitcase. I'll put up more pictures and info. in a couple days when I have had some sleep and am not so bitter...but let's be honest, sleep won't rid me of cynicism.

Ciao Bella!

I am off for 15 days of fun (and chaperoning) in Italy and Greece. Excellent time to travel, as the dollar is worth...NOTHING! I have prepared, however, and packed trail mix and other light snacks for nourishment; there is clothes and art shopping to be done! The last time I went to Europe (ugh-I sound atrociously spoiled-I'm not!) was with a couple of my girlfriends, and we had a blast. I'll be taking 24 high schoolers this trip, which should make the experience a tad different. Love you all!

PS-when you google "greek", the first image that pops up is of that trashy show on ABC Family. Since when is crap about sororities and fraternities for the whole family? Oh, sorry...I didn't realize their target audience was the Lohans.)

If they were red she would look just like her mama, circa 1988.

YESSSSSSS!!!

You Are Gwen Stefani!

All guys dream about you And all the girls want to be you "Sappy pathetic little me That was the girl I used to be"

Who's Your Inner Rock Chick?