Conversation Help

Today you will be blessed with this wonderful resource called "conversation starters." This is partly for me to know how to talk to people normally, but mostly for people who can only think of "Are you dating anyone?" when talking to returned missionaries.

My favorite creeper questions from this site:

1. What was the last thing you purchased?

2. How often do you exercise?

3. What did you have for dinner last night?

Overly-ambitious family conversations from here:

1. Can someone be educated if they haven't gone to school? Explain.

2. What political freedoms have you witnessed come to fruition in your lifetime?

3. Would you rather go to Hogwarts or your school? Why? (Dumb question)

Please note that the entire title is in quotations:

"No-Fail Conversation Starters for a First Date":

1. What are you most proud of? (No better way to start a relationship than with pride)

2. What are you looking for in a relationship? (......)

3. So, what are your thoughts on cheese? (They said it, not me)

I hope this help jog the brain for the next RM you run into!

The Gift of Awkward

I think I've said this on my blog before, but I am a fan of awkward.

That's probably why I have the friends I do...

So when I was invited to an Ugly Sweater Party I was enthralled and soon found myself at the DI with just the sweater that the party called for:

The awkward thing about this sweater is that it is actually just on the threshold of being hip and in. I received multiple sincere compliments on this beauty.

The only thing holding it back is its squareness in nature. And by squareness I mean someone telling me to cut out the front panel of it and making a pillow. 

Maybe I will.

In other awkward news, The 21st Most Awkward Situations in History.

Awkwardness, what a gift. 

Sweet Life

I'm a fan of awkward

It makes life sweet.

For example:

Taking a nap on your backpack and waking up with a huge red mark on the side of your face. Not to mention the crazy hair going on. And of course, the first person I see is someone I know.

"You looking....well."

Or try this one:

Going to a fitness class and it is just you and the instructor. 

Kind of like having a personal trainer right?

But not really.

Even better:

The massive animal (strands of hair clumped together) that the manager pulls out from your shower drain.

"I don't even know if I want to pull this out."

To top it off:

A sneak peak at my Ugly Sweater for 2012 parties.

ESA- Random

The following post consists of random pictures and nothing educational, inspiration, or uplifting whatsoever.

We like to store our shopping carts in an Irish bog too.

 I think Riley (niece) would eat here everyday.

As Dwight Schrute would say: 

YOLO?

False. 

You only die once.

You live everyday.

He has three horns that poor bloke. 

My hood looks like a space helmet. I didn't realize this until after all the pictures had been taken.

"I just love cats so much!"

It's like I'm blowing Aero Bubbles out of my nose.

I just can't get over how adorable this baby prince is!

The guy is actually exiting.

Matchy matchy- Not to mention we both had gray zip-up hoodies and Target raincoats.

Macbeth and friends.

This is the closest I got to a sheep.

What does this even mean?

The gas station went across the interstate. Why is everything better in England?

 What would a trip to Europe be without being all hipster like and visiting a market?

And the hood again.

ESA- Phone Booths

I'm at a pay phone trying to call home so call me maybe?

ESA- Travel

I attempted to take a picture of my feet everyday we were over there.

It failed.

But where my feet took me was more important right? 

What travel consisted of was lots of bus rides and lots of walking.

A lot of walking.

We also took some ferries and, of course, planes.

Both on which I got super sick on.

Most days consisted of 2-3 sites per day.The main exception was London which was go, go, go everyday (I loved it!). I also became a master using the underground system and mimicking the voice that said, "Please mind the gap." 

We stayed in hostels, etaps, and a bed and breakfast. While it was cool to get the full European experience and stay in a hostel, I was glad to be in a place where I could take off my socks.

The sites were glorious, but travel is travel and I was glad to ditch the suitcase after a month of it.

Happy Un-St. Patty's Day

For some reason the day turned into an Irish jig.

I was "doing my homework" when I noticed a new children's book on the Mummsie's shelf. Also I was wearing a green shirt and I kind of looked like a banshee. Then came the Lucky Charms Rice Krispy Treat which of course had to be followed with watching an Irish movie on my laptop.

10 high-fives to whoever can guess what movie is playing on my fingerprint covered laptop.

Mummsie caught on the spirit and made a green smoothie with spinach and other unidentifiable ingredients. 

Happy Un-St. Patty's Day everyone!

Time to Play Catch Up

Due to a serious lack of blogging motivation, you get to be blessed with a catch up post. And you know what that means: one uber long post in which I spout off random tangents.

 I am done with my fifth semester of college! 

The only thing I miss about my last semester were my roomies. They were a hoot and a holler.

Other than that, hallelujah.

Back in Malta for the next 6ish weeks.

So the next 6ish weeks consist of:

A. Playing with the honyocks

B. Taking my time to exercise (mostly zumba and running)

I come home from Miss Jewelee's Zumba class dripping with sweat.

Also, the day I came home from college I went straight to a zumbathon she put on. SO. MUCH. FUN.

The dirt roads are glad to have me running on them again, I'm sure.

C. Once again any socialization usually deals with some form of church activity. Last week- scavenger hunt for FHE, instititute, International Dance Festival, and four-wheelering.

D. And eating all of the Mummsie's food.

I haven't done this in a while, but I love to eat mandarin oranges with chopsticks.

I don't really have an explanation....

Other than moving from Rexburg and settling back into my Malta routine, I have been prepping for England! September 17th cannot come fast enough. 

The Olympics have only fueled the fire. 

The Opening Ceremony had pretty much everything I love about England.

Not to mention all of the team's fun outfits.

Malta Fun Run 2012

Ran a little 10k and by little I mean 6 people.

And by little I mean running on gravel roads and in people's yard in order to avoid some grain trucks.

(Hopefully they don't disqualify me for running out of bounds)

And by not-so-little I mean the cannon that starts the race.

1st place winner and 1st place loser

Yes we planned the matching outfits.

Rundown:

(no pun intended)

1st place woman

2nd place overall

2nd 10k

Same time as my first

58:09

HOT

I was hoping to get a better time BUT I ran like twice in the past 2 weeks and small town factors that I mentioned above.

It was good, but next time we meet 10k, I guarantee a faster time.

PS My photos remind me of this quote:

If you still look pretty after, you didn't do it right.

Shabbat Shalom

So I use to joke around that I could get injured all I wanted after the marathon.

And I guess my wish was granted.

First, the plantar warts (on both feet) and then this:

For clarification the beginning of my feet are on the left side and then my injured ankle is the one without the bracelet. Yes, it looks like my ankle has a fat roll. 

Nothing too serious, but I don't like being told not to run!

Especially when I have a run next Saturday.

But you know what?

Life will go on and it makes me appreciate my ankles that much more.

Thank you ankles, for all that you have done for me. 

The A-Z's of Janeen

Age: 19.7

Bedsize: At this moment, twin.

Chores that you hate: Probably sweeping dirt into the dust pan.

Dogs: Corgis are number 1!

Essential start to your day: Bathroom most definately.

Favorite color: Blue! There is no ugly shade.

Gold or Silver: Gold

Height: 5’2"

Instruments you play: Piano, ukulele, percussion,  clarinet, recorder, guitar.(The last three are pusing it).

Job title: Applicant Reader

Kids: are honyocks.

Live: Currently in Rexburg, Idaho.

Mother’s Name: Jeanette

Nicknames: Neener, Neen, Neens, Neeno, Nee-Nee, Janae-nae

Overnight hospital stays: Birth

Pet peeves: Slow walkers that are in the way.

Quote from a movie or tv show: "Boys."

Right or Lefty: Choose the RIGHT

Siblings: Jen, JC, Nells, Decca

Time you wake up: Somewhere between 6:45-7:30

Underwear: Used them as doilies once...

Vegetable you hate: No hate, but don't like squash-like items.

What makes you run late: Slow walkers...

X-Rays You’ve Had: Teeth

Yummy food you make: No-bake cookies, Monkey Bread

Zoo Animal: Killer Whales

Tidbits from the Break

Random Photos from Christmas Break.

(I can't believe I'm in school already!)

Hanging up proudly in the RRHS gym:

Trip to the Temple with the YSA:

Filling out a "Date an RM Application" that one of my friends sent me. This last page was the kissing page:

Isn't it the little things in life that just make it so great?

Unresolved Resolutions

Me and my girls will be ringing in the New Year's. Maybe not quite as festive as this, but pretty close.

Major Events from 2011:

Taught Zumba in Malta / Ran a half-marathon / Saw A LOT of killer whales / Made new friends

Good year, good year.

And now for the 2012 Ridiculous Goals:

1.Help Jennifer birth her baby in the Sand Hollows Aquatic Center

2. Refuse to board the plane home from England and work at Boden. (British clothing store)

3. Run to SLC, run the SLC marathon, and then run home.

4. Get married.

5. Get on super-sonic-fast-track and graduate with my BA.

6. Save an orphanage.

7. Shave my cat and make a sweater from its hair.

8. Brainwash women everywhere through Pinterest.

9. Get a Lord Voldemort makeover.

10. Do everyone's family history clear back to Adam...or Noah.

11. Play Flight of the Bumblebee.

12. Watch Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds."

If only...

This year's plan:

Uno-Each month I'll be doing a daily something

Dos- I'll have 3 main goals to be accomplished

Run a marathon / Go on the England Study Abroad / ??

I need your help: What should my third goal be?

Sometimes

Sometimes I can get obsessive with my favorite color...

Sometimes my way cool sister and bro-in-law give me a piano and I find a ukulele for sale...

Sometimes I pretend I'm like Colbie Calliat in Hawaii....

And then I look out the window.

Treasures from the Web

I misplaced the site where you can map out your travels, but here is my map.

(They marked it by country and mine added up to be 10!)

 
Hi! My ninja name is Zukatokokuto Zumoritoarimoto. Find yours.

A neat article on How to Talk to Little Girls.

"The less you reveal, the more people can wonder." Read more from Emma Watson's quote about modesty.

The Jane Austen Handbook, need I say more?
 

Move Your Feet

Sometimes you just need to put on blue socks and

Just Dance.

We had a Just Dance marathon where I kind of dominated.

I mean look at that positioning?

It was great fun and I got my sweat on.

My favorite song, Move Your Feet so you can dance along too!