....

Just a few notes:

1. Why is it easiest to break the Sabbath with a family member?
2. Yesterday, I was in the bathroom as the same person twice at work. Neither time did this said person wash their hands. What?
3. Upon leaving work, I heard the janitor whistling the Harry Potter theme song.
4. I really like my parents.
5. And I really like all my family.
6. Blind dates are fun.
7. Not as fun as Lava Hot Springs or reading Percy Jackson.

:0)

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com

I figure this has been around for a while, but recently, it has really made me laugh so hard.

4th Verbal Recap

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Excerpt from The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson

I really do love America.

Almost every single year since I can remember, I have attended a flag raising ceremony at the church building. Turns out my mom started this tradition. I didn't even know. Most of the ward shows up and members of the community. It starts with the flag being raised, the Pledge of Allegiance being said, musical numbers, and somebody talking about how wonderful America is. Usually it's someone who has served in the armed forces. It's really special.

The thing I learned this year is how lucky we are to have a fair trial. In so many countries, this actually isn't the case. My parents told me that so far in Kenya, 9 people have been burned for being witches. What? That actually still happens? This is a right that we are guaranteed. Even if we're guilty. I can't help but draw conclusions to our Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, who pleads for us and has enabled us to be free from the sins we have committed and provided a way for us to be perfect and whole.

Also, we have to learn to be good citizens. We have to have opportunities for that to develop. Being able to attend these flag raising ceremonies has made a huge difference in my life. I'm grateful for the example of others and their love for their country that has instilled in me the desire to keep this country free.

Later that night, we watched the fireworks. All the kids loaded up and most of them ended up on top of the suburban. I climbed up there and really enjoyed the chance to hear their commentary. It was sobering to hear my two 19 year-old nephews talking about how they won't be around next year for the 4th. I am proud of them for serving missions and teaching the power of repentance. I'll miss them for sure.

As I was sitting on top of the suburban, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this country and all the opportunities that are afforded to me. I know that this country has been built with the hand of God. I hope that it will continue to be a blessed & promised land.

How's that for a little bit of rambling? :0)

Phones

The first benefit of my parents being home:

I got to talk to my mom during lunch. I didn't have to worry about having enough minutes on my calling card, feedback or hoping that the call would even go through. Best thing ever! I haven't been able to do that for 3 years. I think I just found a new past time. I guess I didn't realize what I was missing out on. Sure, I'd call my sisters every once in a while, but there's something about talking to your mom whenever you want. Wow.

Music for the Season

I really love this song. It was on repeat this morning on my way to work.

And what's great is she isn't even American :0)

It's What Fun Is!

I really do like Lagoon. I got a season pass with several friends and we've been going pretty frequently - which for me, is anything more than 1 time a year.

Something that is noticeable at Lagoon is the employees - running around in their polo shirts and khaki pants, carrying the biggest mug filled with who knows what, but hopefully they don't get dehydrated while operating the rides. And of course, their ethnicity. Yes. I said it. None of them are from America. Okay, maybe that isn't really true, but there are so many of them from different countries. My favorite is Svetlana. Just because I like her name.

A friend of mine that comes worked for the census this past spring. Oddly enough, she canvased my apartment complex and found out that there were a lot of people living there from not America. And they all worked at Lagoon. What? I was told that they have a bus that takes them back and forth. It's only 15 minutes away.

Well, the other night, the myth was busted. I was driving home and saw some Lagoon workers walking by my complex, and then, that night, I saw the bus and all the Lagoon workers get off. They are my neighbors! The fable is true! It was kind of creepy to see a bus stopped in front of my apartment complex at 10:45 at night and see a bunch of blue polo shirted people getting off.

I wish I would've taken a picture. I might start a stake-out so I can prove it.

But, I did find some excellent employee benefits online. I don't know if they have a work program or anything, or if they target a specific culture, that wasn't listed:

• Seasonal Employee Benefits
  Free entrance to Lagoon
  End of season bonus*
  Family Days, when your family can come to Lagoon at an incredible discount
  Discount coupons for friends and family
  Earn high school credit through the School to Careers program
  Excellent incentives and employee recognition programs
  Employee parties throughout the season
  Discounts on park merchandise
  Meet new friends
  Competitive wages
  Opportunity to advance and gain supervisor experience
  College scholarships through the Robert E. Freed Foundation

Oh, and I found the cool pictures from Sarah Ackerman, Flickr

And I'm super bugged that my post is not spacing correctly. Sorry!

You're Not My Boss

A few years ago, I pulled that line on my sister. I don't know where it came from, or even what the context was, but we laughed for such a long time about it.

Lately, I've had issues with authority figures in my life.

Mostly it's this: who decided that 8:00 was an appropriate time for life to start? Why does my job have to start at this time? Why did school always start at this time? And WHO decided that 40 hours of work a week was necessary and essential to life? And when all this was decided by who ever this chump was, why didn't anyone oppose it and say "actually, sir, 40 hours is not going to work, nor is 8:00 going to allow the most productivity"?
The powers that be were probably all in this early morning meeting and the people that I identify with, were probably still sleeping or doing something better to do with their time, and the silly vote took place. Grr.

Deep down, I know this is a good thing, but I am also wanting a different job with less hours and maybe something that requires not so much sitting.