Officially dead.

For anyone who still checks this blog (no one) it is officially dead. I re-rediscovered myself on my fam blog. www.dernieman.blogspot.com.

I googled myself.

Today, in my boredom and also desperation to remind myself that I was interesting, I googled myself. I was surprised to find more than I expected including a 31 second snippet of me messing up a song on the guitar and asking to start over (unfortunately the person recording did not continue into the portion where I started over and, I'm sure, excelled), my facebook profile, my linkedin profile (didn't know I had one), and my old buddy--this blog.

While most of what I found about myself was, in fact, not very interesting I was refreshed to discover that this blog was, at least, semi-interesting. So I have decided to reclaim it. (It's not too late, is it?) I'm sure I've lost my one stranger-fan Rachel Teran, but I'm doing this for my peeps. Mainly myself. Keep reading.

Pineapples Are Kind of a Theme in My Life and I Like It

Pineapples are kind of a theme, or perhaps more accurately, a motif in my life. Its wierd because Pineapples aren't even my favorite fruit. In fact, here's a list of fruits I like more than pineapples:

1. Peaches

2. Nectarines

3. Strawberries

4. Blood oranges

So Pineapples would be about 5 on my fave fruits list, but still they find their way into my life more thematically than fruits one through four. I'll explain...

Someone in my family (or out of my family--I'm not sure--but it found its way into my family) started the "tradition" of giving congratulatory Pineapples at events that merit congratulations (actually only graduation ceremonies). But I really liked this "tradition" and have clung to it. In fact, I recently gifted a Pineapple to my sister-in-law when she graduated from BYU.

While I was in Uganda I ate a pineapple a day. I'm not joking or hyperbolizing. They were the most amazing pineapples you'll ever have (and if you do ever have them you might need to argue about this with someone who has lived in Hawaii and thinks their pineapples are better than yours). I'd buy one from a roadside fruitstand for a thousand shillings (50 cents) and eat it for lunch or dessert. The great thing about them is that they never hurt your mouth no matter how much you eat.

And pineapples again crept their way into my life yesterday. It was Dave's birthday and I asked him what his favorite cake was. He said Pineapple Upside-Down Cake (then quickly ammended it with lemon merengue pie, but I pretended I didn't hear that because I didn't want to try and make it. Plus lemons aren't a theme in my life and I don't want them to be). So being the sweetheart that I am, I made Dave his FAVORITE cake-- Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Best part of it: It was the very first successful baked good I have ever made all by myself from scratch--a surprisingly liberating feeling.

It was yummy, and I managed to wheedle in a candle for each of Dave's 26 years (an un-liberating feeling).

The rest of the birthday party was a big success and very fun. Thanks to the MacDonalds for letting us throw it at their house. Here are some shots of the night:

Hoe Hoe Hoe

I apologize if it seems like I've been waxing matrimonial a lot lately, but I'm new to marriage and still picking up on all its little joys and foibles. But I was surprised to learn about something I hadn't realized might be expected of a married woman...

Gardening. Last week I got a two inch by two inch piece of paper from the manager stating: "If you want a plot in the garden you must come to gardening day tomorrow!" Two things surprised me about the note: the word 'must' and the exclamation point. These things imply that people are clambering for a spot in the Academy Apartments garden. Needless to say I was nonplussed about the whole thing and opted out of gardening day. I thought I'd leave my plot to someone more desperate for a few square feet of dirt.

But that was not the end of it. This Monday my manager came to the door to inform me face to face that I haven't missed my chance to garden (Guess what, there was more dirt under the other grass!) She was hosting FHE corn planting in about 30 minutes and Dave and I were welcome to shovel and hoe in exchange for a coin purse of corn kernels.

We did go to FHE corn planting, and Kristina (our manager) assured us that she will let us know which row is ours soon. (She probably has to weigh how hard we worked versus the quality of the rows and asses our situation first).

I'll keep you updated on the status of our maize, and if nothing else we'll end up with some great popcorn balls.

Famous Enchiladas

I have often been referred to as a domestic goddess. I take pride in this title. I have done a lot of things to earn it, including my "famous enchiladas". Some of you have heard this story, many of you have not, but here's how it goes:

One day, when mine and Dave's love was still blossoming, Dave made me dinner. "Wow, this is good," I said, "Next week I'm going to make you my famous enchiladas." Unbeknownst to Dave, my enchiladas are famous for three things: 1. Being cheap 2. Being efficient 3. Being delicious.
All you have to do is buy a pack of frozen enchiladas (I prefer El Monterey Bean and Cheese, but any brand will do), pour a liberal amount of enchilada sauce over them, sprinkle cheese, bake for 45 mins (if frozen) and voila. Jessica's Famous Enchiladas.

Needless to say these have been the brunt of many a joke. Every time we eat dinner with friends, family, what have you, Dave says (mockingly) "Man, you should try Jessica's 'famous' enchiladas."

However, this Cinco de Mayo my pobre enchiladas achieved a victory. Dave said "Man honey, I know I make fun of these a lot, but they really are good.

And they are.

Probably better never than this late...

Hey Mary, remember back on March 18th, 2008 when you tagged me to tell 5 random things about myself? No? Well you did and if I were a better blog-friend I would have seen it before right now. As pathetic as it may be, I think that was the only "tag" I've ever gotten in the cyber-world and so, even a month and a half later, I'm going to respond. Here goes, five random things about me:
1. I count my steps when I walk.
2. I conduct converstaions between myself and whoever else I want when I'm in the bathroom. Usually the shower, but sometimes even when I'm getting ready in the bathroom in the morning. I don't know why these conversations are localized to the bathroom. (NOTE: Since I have gotten married these conversations have moved inside my head as I'm still not ready for my husband to know just what a wierdy he has married.)
3. I played Barbies for the better part of eighth grade.
4. I love things that look real, but are smaller than normal size. Examples: Miniature furniture, doll food, babies.
5. When I was seven I broke some key pieces in my sister Robyn's exquisite tea-set, and lied about it. (I'm sorry Robyn, it was me! I know you know, but I had to come clean!) On the up side, I have been baptized since then so it's "all good".

Well, there you have it. Five random things about me, including one confession.

Sorry about using the word "bathroom" three times in number 2.

Wedding Ancillaries...

Well, I'm a married woman. I know that being married means you share everything but, even though Dave's better at it, I'm not sure I'm ready to share a blog yet. That being said, the only picture I have of my own wedding so far is one I stole from my sister's blog, but I promise there will be more to follow. I just wanted to get this up here for those who have been anxiously waiting. I love being married and setting up attic. That has been one of my favorite parts so far is making our little attic into a home :).

**Notice the bridesmaids' boquets in this pic... When they arrives they had huge bright purple irises sticking out of them (PURPLE!!) which I proceeded to tear out with not a single tear or explicative. Yeah for me!