tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46353937400417998352024-03-18T08:37:59.658-06:00making our marxAshley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-12976056955210300092014-04-29T14:47:00.000-06:002014-04-29T14:47:10.440-06:00Transformation Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">
My BYU graduation was last week, and I've spent a lot of time reflecting on the past five years. So many things changed between these two graduations! I look at my high school picture and barely even recognize that girl. I'm so proud of the person I've become, and the accomplishments I've made along this journey. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8vnllwwlyf_res2U8lKwRjtRf60iQAHSnWHk_QMywSYaSkxAfycG4SCSQpI-MmfCdQNzsKH0zzniWXSHPULSMMdSOC0j6SF0SOaeyws0up4larnggceC62GyqIJHNKJXp-YHXdUmopoJ/s1600/Photo+Apr+14,+5+16+29+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8vnllwwlyf_res2U8lKwRjtRf60iQAHSnWHk_QMywSYaSkxAfycG4SCSQpI-MmfCdQNzsKH0zzniWXSHPULSMMdSOC0j6SF0SOaeyws0up4larnggceC62GyqIJHNKJXp-YHXdUmopoJ/s1600/Photo+Apr+14,+5+16+29+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
18 -------> 23</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
white -------> blue</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
desperately single -------> happily married </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bengal -------> cougar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Las Vegas resident -------> Salt Lake City resident</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thin awkward eyebrows -------> filled & shaped eyebrows</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Volvo S40 -------> Hyundai Elantra</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
student council -------> honor-code violator </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dr. Pepper -------> bottled water </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Barnes -------> Marx </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
savings account -------> student loans</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
virgin hair -------> subtle ombre</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David Archuleta -------> Justin Bieber </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pet turtle -------> anti-animals</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MAC -------> Bare Minerals </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
super baby hungry -------> terrified of offspring</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
guitar hero -------> subway surfers </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
macbook -------> macbook air</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bangs -------> bang-free </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
American Idol & Survivor -------> Modern Family & Grey's Anatomy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
warm summer's tan -------> pale white skin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LG chocolate touch -------> iPhone 5S</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
honor's medallion -------> just happy to pass </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
favorite subject: English -------> favorite subject: science</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
part-time job at a dry cleaner -------> full-time 4th grade teacher</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mean Girls -------> Pitch Perfect</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Facebook -------> Instagram</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2009 -------> 2014</div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-64152259567169152252014-04-10T19:19:00.002-06:002014-04-10T19:19:18.190-06:00MovingWelp, we are moving.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0nGk1zFJqt_HLDdICNr07ubP6XhegxDbZvzWbOpj-9za3IzPymd_aLoQFtMVPzxH3P23iKxUZR4jESpd7N8BryGkInnhGJb1VoAbYAEq1SuES0CxsKjOJOCzBRL3hu5nslOZigqRTam6/s1600/afterglow.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0nGk1zFJqt_HLDdICNr07ubP6XhegxDbZvzWbOpj-9za3IzPymd_aLoQFtMVPzxH3P23iKxUZR4jESpd7N8BryGkInnhGJb1VoAbYAEq1SuES0CxsKjOJOCzBRL3hu5nslOZigqRTam6/s1600/afterglow.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Every corner of our apartment looks like this right now.<br />
<br />
After 2.5 years of living in Midvale, we have decided to pack our bags and venture off into the bustling, delightful patch of land that is Salt Lake City. And I'm not talking "Salt Lake City" as in one of the nearby cities close enough to call it Salt Lake City -- I'm talking downtown, behind the conference center, seeing the glow of the Christmas lights at Temple Square, Salt Lake City.<br />
<br />
I have mixed feelings about this milestone. Yes, I'm excited. But I'm also not excited. If my 23 years have taught me anything about this life, it's this: Most changes are bittersweet. At least, to some extent. In helps to lighten my mood about the whole situation, I've been compiling a list of pros/cons. Except I'm presenting it as a list of cons/pros, because ending on a happy note seems like the better option here. Some of the situations I've been battling or celebrating are as follows:<br />
<br />
<b>CONS: </b><br />
- Potentially an extremely long, painful commute for me to West Jordan. <i>(If I continue working in West Jordan. Which is another post for another day.)</i><br />
- I will miss the amazing friends we've made in our ward and apartment complex.<br />
- A heartbreakingly far distance away from a Super Target.<br />
- No dishwasher. I know, I know. I cried a little bit. I foresee many paper plates being purchased in the near future. Scotty signed a full-time contract for dish duty, and he's currently on the hunt for a portable dishwasher.<br />
- The bathroom in our new apartment sucks balls. LISTEN, I know that phrase is wildly inappropriate, but I promise you there's no better description. There is literally not an inch of counter space, no cabinets, no drawers, and I really hope the grout in there was <i>painted</i> brown. I can barely fit inside the bathroom, so two people seems completely out of the question! I'm thinking we will need to put an office/vanity area in the living room so I have somewhere to do my hair. Which also isn't ideal.<br />
- The closet. *shudders* Picture this: a dark, cold, 1.5 ft. by .5 ft slice of wall space with a rickety pole and a couple of shelves. One where you need to stand sideways and suck in to be able to get through the door. That's our new closet. Pray for me.<br />
- I reeeeeaaaally wanted to move into a 2 bedroom apartment. Sadly, this only has one bedroom.<br />
- Packing and moving. Ugh.<br />
<br />
<b>PROS: </b><br />
- Rent is $200 less than what we're paying now, for <i>more</i> sq feet. So that's awesome. With my income doubling and the smaller rent check, Scotty predicts we'll save at least 7 grand next year. <br />
- That extra stash of money could possibly turn into a down payment for a house!<br />
- Harmon's and Trader Joes will be my new convenient grocery stores of choice! I love those places!<br />
- Scotty can walk (within minutes!) to work and school. No more daily TRAX ticket purchases, planning out a schedule for the car, or driving way out of my way to pick him up!<br />
- The living room in our new apartment is GREAT! It's bigger than ours, and it feels really open. There are huge windows that provide beautiful natural light, and the whole thing just seems fresh. It's not like the yellow-tinted cave we're living in now.<br />
- We'll be living on the second floor. Every night in our current apartment, I fall asleep to the sweet sound of elephants stomping around above me and serenading me with their bodily fluids falling into the toilet. I won't miss that.<br />
- Our new place is walking distance from City Creek, the Conference Center, Temple Square, and other enjoyable SLC hot-spots.<br />
- I'm excited to explore a new city. Scotty and I love finding little hole-in-the-wall places. I want to get the authentic SLC experience! Unique restaurants, home stores, and clothing boutiques are calling my name!<br />
- THE KITCHEN! Oh my goodness, the kitchen! It's open, it's full of light, it actually has decent cabinet space, and here's the best part -- more than one person can stand in it at a time. Isn't that magical? It's like all of my wife duties and experiences have been leading up to this point!<br />
- Speaking of the kitchen, someone left a huuuuuge brand new freezer there. Score. I treasure my freezer space! I am so excited to buy in bulk and vacuum seal things even more than I already do.<br />
- I'm excited for a fresh start with new friends, a new ward, and new neighbors.<br />
- The Bountiful Temple won't be so out of the way. I love that temple; it's gorgeous!<br />
- Whilst packing, I plan to do a lot of PURGING, which brings me an unspeakable amount of joy. I love de-junking and organizing. D.I. better clear some shelves!<br />
- Combine the de-junking and saving extra money each month... Do you smell that? That's the sweet smell of new furniture and decorations.<br />
-I may or may not have been bribed with hair extensions.<br />
<br />
As you can see, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. My mind is a swirling pool of emotions right now. I'm happy, I'm excited, I'm anxious, stressed, terrified, humbled, and worried. Wish us luck!Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-15391535083476431392014-03-10T20:56:00.000-06:002014-03-10T20:56:20.056-06:00February<div style="text-align: center;">
WELL, I think it's safe to say I suck at blogging. Majorly suck. But, something I don't suck at is taking pictures on my phone. So here's a picture for every day in February... because frankly... that's all I have time for. Word.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2/1 </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scotty set up a home computer with every movie, song, and picture we've ever had and connected it to our Apple TV... unlimited access to everything! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM31N5lr0YZE_xRE76mlpah39jH3G_tvGOalXkW6GsP38Yxqthjj0E7bkdQK5wnl4h0JnUyBWGBs2gEgGwreLw4ZFkqLnmh8mJS7Mk5IGswrR7hgxIn9-Hx8_rFa9N4XqRtVFlBHkkBdW/s1600/Photo+Feb+01,+5+43+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM31N5lr0YZE_xRE76mlpah39jH3G_tvGOalXkW6GsP38Yxqthjj0E7bkdQK5wnl4h0JnUyBWGBs2gEgGwreLw4ZFkqLnmh8mJS7Mk5IGswrR7hgxIn9-Hx8_rFa9N4XqRtVFlBHkkBdW/s1600/Photo+Feb+01,+5+43+17+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/2</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My cousin recently had a baby and we went to his blessing. This is Sam's other boy, Chris, and he is pretty freaking cute. Also, we went to a Super Bowl party with my mom's side of the family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUDHgrvrybR-oNYcuTeOw10Ssp-qSVSYzN1upbSxKnpwGFKOg2i6vj4aO2NTaKkc-t586MnsqnOx8XMKaZKnaNv_BAbJpOfk8MPhyphenhyphen2Q16Loofzx-bwxzBWBtw34XeCxxfMiQXXDq71Qjr/s1600/Photo+Feb+02,+10+33+58+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUDHgrvrybR-oNYcuTeOw10Ssp-qSVSYzN1upbSxKnpwGFKOg2i6vj4aO2NTaKkc-t586MnsqnOx8XMKaZKnaNv_BAbJpOfk8MPhyphenhyphen2Q16Loofzx-bwxzBWBtw34XeCxxfMiQXXDq71Qjr/s1600/Photo+Feb+02,+10+33+58+AM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/3</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bill's the man. He taught me everything I know.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9NOPQt2XJeTxnj9y4PFF5blA5vODXfKsJ1P5cM3Z3I7WEn-nbWA9rXTki__AEoB1ifE7DlsmOKSHaFLKbM-_4RbVHtArRTgHmdCLw8-7C6timTad4FHZ1msC4x0kZeJCspf9SToyPjTk/s1600/Photo+Feb+11,+9+22+02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9NOPQt2XJeTxnj9y4PFF5blA5vODXfKsJ1P5cM3Z3I7WEn-nbWA9rXTki__AEoB1ifE7DlsmOKSHaFLKbM-_4RbVHtArRTgHmdCLw8-7C6timTad4FHZ1msC4x0kZeJCspf9SToyPjTk/s1600/Photo+Feb+11,+9+22+02+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/4</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fabric shopping for a potential DIY project... that houndstooth is calling my name. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPT7lBQ1DKt8V4ywMkwX3i8xQHLdFYlEry2V2pMVcgml7UOQiFiDgGDFDdgcGxn5irVfcUtXx6eyZVTW-rU14liqlOdYd-Hy5B7YTnHIro2rx-0TYQwVr-SKdwpapp3TruZftjuytRGQB/s1600/Photo+Feb+04,+2+38+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPT7lBQ1DKt8V4ywMkwX3i8xQHLdFYlEry2V2pMVcgml7UOQiFiDgGDFDdgcGxn5irVfcUtXx6eyZVTW-rU14liqlOdYd-Hy5B7YTnHIro2rx-0TYQwVr-SKdwpapp3TruZftjuytRGQB/s1600/Photo+Feb+04,+2+38+24+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/5</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoying off-track time, but anxiously preparing for my next few units. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkCCvs5IWJDGK8tvLR9_8Vnh0Xx1mqyBYNOhhS50g7BB-d8LUHRkyeis3UzL-JIkWuwa3O_qeKAj9mjmalAMb3HW3JmxJ201UFtttQ0S9ngg94bYxWEVHiByqw4BPmx3tRDDKnjg3f8Mr/s1600/Photo+Feb+05,+5+04+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkCCvs5IWJDGK8tvLR9_8Vnh0Xx1mqyBYNOhhS50g7BB-d8LUHRkyeis3UzL-JIkWuwa3O_qeKAj9mjmalAMb3HW3JmxJ201UFtttQ0S9ngg94bYxWEVHiByqw4BPmx3tRDDKnjg3f8Mr/s1600/Photo+Feb+05,+5+04+47+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/6</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Found a new favorite app: Waterlogue. It magically turns all of my selfies (or any picture) into a fancy watercolor-like work of art. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5IHZ-Ut1RMDlvgVqB-EQzaSIRjqF9wzCXWLrivHrraMNoPb7p5FDhk2gUonnbHgISX1esmD_OPyPQXiMvm0NqGVj0uEbVDXGCQN9D9S8g6I2P2G8bYG3GF6QreWjS8y6MsSuX_z3u4Tf/s1600/Photo+Feb+03,+10+00+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5IHZ-Ut1RMDlvgVqB-EQzaSIRjqF9wzCXWLrivHrraMNoPb7p5FDhk2gUonnbHgISX1esmD_OPyPQXiMvm0NqGVj0uEbVDXGCQN9D9S8g6I2P2G8bYG3GF6QreWjS8y6MsSuX_z3u4Tf/s1600/Photo+Feb+03,+10+00+54+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/7</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hate. This. Game. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl77MS9z3V2vNQuflaoCYN1Dby0X1pjcNeqCVRhbuCW4Og7MAI1l_AlnBWiRxMidoHDoF0ejJEblwNcTHrT5C9WlPspNswm6bYv0aST2_PP8cJl1w_5YAPjJNAIE5c_KmoYuTesf0OHPc/s1600/Photo+Feb+18,+11+26+04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl77MS9z3V2vNQuflaoCYN1Dby0X1pjcNeqCVRhbuCW4Og7MAI1l_AlnBWiRxMidoHDoF0ejJEblwNcTHrT5C9WlPspNswm6bYv0aST2_PP8cJl1w_5YAPjJNAIE5c_KmoYuTesf0OHPc/s1600/Photo+Feb+18,+11+26+04+PM.png" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/8</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Met with my counselor at BYU. He said I can graduate. I was so happy, I celebrated with chocolate milk and dark chocolate sea salt caramels. Good times. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUiS5aaYN7oQUyfZ0hQ22eqvIqm6iMYlRjhzPWWR-IJFRIKSPQZO8995Rd77oGro4kWC0pzuzI-audtL0iFWrsVZtiChEdhgI1NmrjCIKWF7PJCsEAx2v2zP7RAUoDvr40JqqKO06UwZ9/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+10+10+41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUiS5aaYN7oQUyfZ0hQ22eqvIqm6iMYlRjhzPWWR-IJFRIKSPQZO8995Rd77oGro4kWC0pzuzI-audtL0iFWrsVZtiChEdhgI1NmrjCIKWF7PJCsEAx2v2zP7RAUoDvr40JqqKO06UwZ9/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+10+10+41+PM.png" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/9</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My secret admirer passed me a valentine during church. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5dGQbBP5x3tTToZW20-qt2Q7nBRhfWDv6yDvgy2rxsqcPyPD3YERZqszR5qhaYmLyNXjECx8X9uSADg0DfPJXzDqqc9CKL6WsM4j78jrV7Nin8bWj6dTXkS70R2rCRX99IORUl42NnVu/s1600/Photo+Feb+09,+5+31+43+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5dGQbBP5x3tTToZW20-qt2Q7nBRhfWDv6yDvgy2rxsqcPyPD3YERZqszR5qhaYmLyNXjECx8X9uSADg0DfPJXzDqqc9CKL6WsM4j78jrV7Nin8bWj6dTXkS70R2rCRX99IORUl42NnVu/s1600/Photo+Feb+09,+5+31+43+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/10</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First day back at school after a 3-week break, and things got dirty! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pWISWKtEGBoHE2zjdMytso5DeChq9pTZNi0-zrLfA43L9hlP7WfajGJtQuQPbkv9_LdPQM8eV4U6MszQ7Kc5N9jIqxwdFMNpgy5Se6k55EvRxqYgh8WZIqpV1pkTTC7wRcCj2QFLsITj/s1600/Photo+Feb+11,+6+53+16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pWISWKtEGBoHE2zjdMytso5DeChq9pTZNi0-zrLfA43L9hlP7WfajGJtQuQPbkv9_LdPQM8eV4U6MszQ7Kc5N9jIqxwdFMNpgy5Se6k55EvRxqYgh8WZIqpV1pkTTC7wRcCj2QFLsITj/s1600/Photo+Feb+11,+6+53+16+PM.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/11</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Early V-day gift from my coworker... true love, right here! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ta7GSP0fOkIb-ZQaDr4aJNh3PNNmKdUZgR4stO83I3xFSJC0zJnm-10hrkvTvEYsTP7F6Yw1d-EuA3C_osE1MYOeI6c4VP3S9gwg-J3NS_pKiIsQ4FXy4uFUSogSkePNnbpgwnxy_M-7/s1600/Photo+Feb+11,+12+14+13+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ta7GSP0fOkIb-ZQaDr4aJNh3PNNmKdUZgR4stO83I3xFSJC0zJnm-10hrkvTvEYsTP7F6Yw1d-EuA3C_osE1MYOeI6c4VP3S9gwg-J3NS_pKiIsQ4FXy4uFUSogSkePNnbpgwnxy_M-7/s1600/Photo+Feb+11,+12+14+13+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/12</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Late-night Walmart trip for some essentials...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCva0Vn8HjdomHCyLHODk8H58rj57xJ3dZvI_xouDfgqjH7WsfnEYow7uUU5IZNZhCmCV1HpvsKKlmSLFSXY65gDKsMOnXL7_gdGmQwlMdwgwK-VRiIr86IoJvHYc4fCba_NbNpXKznfx/s1600/Photo+Feb+12,+9+29+34+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCva0Vn8HjdomHCyLHODk8H58rj57xJ3dZvI_xouDfgqjH7WsfnEYow7uUU5IZNZhCmCV1HpvsKKlmSLFSXY65gDKsMOnXL7_gdGmQwlMdwgwK-VRiIr86IoJvHYc4fCba_NbNpXKznfx/s1600/Photo+Feb+12,+9+29+34+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/13</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... to make soil layers in a cup! Probably my favorite lesson I've ever taught. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjfH9vGD3KMTTQvWnfqsYaNMG8Cl7i6moxTkD4166sxUGQwQ2mLTMxWGYe-KSjaBSYnFCIhHmr4uWBNuVqZAoHKvQRrj8Ubu2dE52DZtAk7UpUjY2HmuZghxhgGhZSZhiKQOr2aonrbpL/s1600/Photo+Feb+13,+1+51+57+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjfH9vGD3KMTTQvWnfqsYaNMG8Cl7i6moxTkD4166sxUGQwQ2mLTMxWGYe-KSjaBSYnFCIhHmr4uWBNuVqZAoHKvQRrj8Ubu2dE52DZtAk7UpUjY2HmuZghxhgGhZSZhiKQOr2aonrbpL/s1600/Photo+Feb+13,+1+51+57+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/14</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Romantic spa night with my cute valentine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcfjqQbPqPs2xBI3YojJ_SzSfcmbVSJprrLaPG_SV5wKra3hk-MPj4G9CS_pYqMm2Ddtv_tMSGO5b0UnyHW0nrJ3Xif1zE-ZprcMIyWNzWIsJUEDDD7plDG05vO-dYSobh-DNM2g6Hwkp/s1600/Photo+Feb+14,+7+18+09+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcfjqQbPqPs2xBI3YojJ_SzSfcmbVSJprrLaPG_SV5wKra3hk-MPj4G9CS_pYqMm2Ddtv_tMSGO5b0UnyHW0nrJ3Xif1zE-ZprcMIyWNzWIsJUEDDD7plDG05vO-dYSobh-DNM2g6Hwkp/s1600/Photo+Feb+14,+7+18+09+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/15</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Parents came into town. We played mini golf at Trafalga, ate lots of candy, and I finally earned my place at the "adult" dinner. Precious bonding time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Xo48-kEvPVZjXAX-t2Nk_n8GwOqhPqDE2EgBMuYICAwA6KZOCo86obmH82EMOi_6ysu3hmMK68cFO_BF0Hy2FdQtzFcD_LwOVMzxKc8KW-V8x-dayjRYZyBy5wqWsuKgWBp_TvN6m0_J/s1600/Photo+Feb+15,+5+31+29+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Xo48-kEvPVZjXAX-t2Nk_n8GwOqhPqDE2EgBMuYICAwA6KZOCo86obmH82EMOi_6ysu3hmMK68cFO_BF0Hy2FdQtzFcD_LwOVMzxKc8KW-V8x-dayjRYZyBy5wqWsuKgWBp_TvN6m0_J/s1600/Photo+Feb+15,+5+31+29+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/16</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I laughed all day long looking at this picture of Scotty shining a light on my grandma so she could read the menu. I love both of them! Then we had theee best pot roast dinner at her house. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1NrmO2ilpGlsx1AH7y51FsfGLKzbQKzbfw_KDTW0UvE0zwuz7BZZ57H890wnSM_YasIf_1o97peIndsNMzFBPI0n3Mkoiei4GesK09b6TgrxrcMlS9pOnUBXWC8lRU2pI1EF2AnfIlT4/s1600/Photo+Feb+15,+7+01+40+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1NrmO2ilpGlsx1AH7y51FsfGLKzbQKzbfw_KDTW0UvE0zwuz7BZZ57H890wnSM_YasIf_1o97peIndsNMzFBPI0n3Mkoiei4GesK09b6TgrxrcMlS9pOnUBXWC8lRU2pI1EF2AnfIlT4/s1600/Photo+Feb+15,+7+01+40+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/17</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Family went back to vegas. We had a heart-breaking (but delicious) goodbye at Fazolis. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaioKkfrGm8iYNjO-3gudD3b75n2387XPLhDqP1pisoKNOWxRz0cyyimG-kOTfGS0y3FDrbnJt3AGJwNCCp5TaPgM4D3f5ex5zjEweoAmMMC7HsrCpqwtmAQSVLlw1K4Ac6aUkvgkzs2mP/s1600/Photo+Feb+17,+4+13+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaioKkfrGm8iYNjO-3gudD3b75n2387XPLhDqP1pisoKNOWxRz0cyyimG-kOTfGS0y3FDrbnJt3AGJwNCCp5TaPgM4D3f5ex5zjEweoAmMMC7HsrCpqwtmAQSVLlw1K4Ac6aUkvgkzs2mP/s1600/Photo+Feb+17,+4+13+47+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/18</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoyed reading some of the Valentine's Day work. Grading isn't as boring as you'd think! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF66k1nhIrswoo8R9b_9jIycRLb3W8tJc5OtDUSYcQjJWHoFL05LDP_XKIKHLccMofe-553nla3xUVNXZrdB9hWBXtH1qSvOPTudfl_PJ35l0d0axrr09hP4NSP9BUYg3shAkAfY4wYrwN/s1600/Photo+Feb+17,+4+39+37+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF66k1nhIrswoo8R9b_9jIycRLb3W8tJc5OtDUSYcQjJWHoFL05LDP_XKIKHLccMofe-553nla3xUVNXZrdB9hWBXtH1qSvOPTudfl_PJ35l0d0axrr09hP4NSP9BUYg3shAkAfY4wYrwN/s1600/Photo+Feb+17,+4+39+37+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/19</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still on a candy-hangover from Valentine's day. My students spoiled me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVXlcYuNxLm9v10P7rZzWf2ZyrR4qc1t_lGEWHBwJdhHXegZWwQyzQGNNrYHVpwPutX2CSZiGEZJIxeN8BisBHR17kKUcoI95rVSBTHFt3UBWuD88qq0mGK186ehYI1BbT-oMTyXQrPCW/s1600/Photo+Feb+14,+6+28+28+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVXlcYuNxLm9v10P7rZzWf2ZyrR4qc1t_lGEWHBwJdhHXegZWwQyzQGNNrYHVpwPutX2CSZiGEZJIxeN8BisBHR17kKUcoI95rVSBTHFt3UBWuD88qq0mGK186ehYI1BbT-oMTyXQrPCW/s1600/Photo+Feb+14,+6+28+28+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/20</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We found out Scotty got accepted to the U! I am so excited and so proud of him! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGa1rHYL5hLX9f4z5v_GPH0gkMHaUB04E_Qq4zQ39v7ySRHaSKo_7UAg9M3Y25uLv5MoY7b0CnPMCm096nzeMSC_ghbWR67Un30DSaGRdlIxhnt5lSLvnBNlNMeeaZFBEwRBbP-Wi1QpQ/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+7+07+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGa1rHYL5hLX9f4z5v_GPH0gkMHaUB04E_Qq4zQ39v7ySRHaSKo_7UAg9M3Y25uLv5MoY7b0CnPMCm096nzeMSC_ghbWR67Un30DSaGRdlIxhnt5lSLvnBNlNMeeaZFBEwRBbP-Wi1QpQ/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+7+07+23+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/21</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what our living room looks like at any given time. Hashtag teacher problems. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgEsWIqWFe5zrR-tREvtvJCI_TBjVhotmnbhY9VaNwDKZ1Erqec1aA6kQuRp2t3F7h6O1pvoKgdsKqlw2q53pP1YzItNVL_UY-5mIXOmOCIULfee2TPljLnBN1SFUbnA4Ud_yParL2qK1/s1600/Photo+Feb+05,+6+41+32+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgEsWIqWFe5zrR-tREvtvJCI_TBjVhotmnbhY9VaNwDKZ1Erqec1aA6kQuRp2t3F7h6O1pvoKgdsKqlw2q53pP1YzItNVL_UY-5mIXOmOCIULfee2TPljLnBN1SFUbnA4Ud_yParL2qK1/s1600/Photo+Feb+05,+6+41+32+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2/22</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We donated plasma for the first time... success! (and yay for extra target shopping money!) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdGE4NsurKhfRq8FbvTQje3Zg9uRHfWKz8BcyBU-0HD_D3GmsTmueizunILLtK1T18jdEwGFoaIlSLbzytZAXRFYON27XJYSTavY9CdFFAVj2uqtSXoggshV0fPNsCjcYX3u_81yH1qW8/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+7+07+16+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdGE4NsurKhfRq8FbvTQje3Zg9uRHfWKz8BcyBU-0HD_D3GmsTmueizunILLtK1T18jdEwGFoaIlSLbzytZAXRFYON27XJYSTavY9CdFFAVj2uqtSXoggshV0fPNsCjcYX3u_81yH1qW8/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+7+07+16+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2/23</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I officially started pinning for my graduation party... APRIL 25th!!! WOOO! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxxwJyT7dc_gQHVK75uOjDFe6BWu5ocvMBIqwbuqbHxoqY8glsssblW2a8y5fOewZqA_q4MnEqj3MByNtcmBDOsF45ySvOZht5M466ymG1WLg_o26AkLhqaFKKxS4fSjTHstmuk5zFnzt/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+4+40+52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxxwJyT7dc_gQHVK75uOjDFe6BWu5ocvMBIqwbuqbHxoqY8glsssblW2a8y5fOewZqA_q4MnEqj3MByNtcmBDOsF45ySvOZht5M466ymG1WLg_o26AkLhqaFKKxS4fSjTHstmuk5zFnzt/s1600/Photo+Feb+22,+4+40+52+PM.png" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2/24</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
SHORT SLEEVE WEATHER, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!? However, I know Utah too well. This will not be the end of winter. Just a friendly sneak peek of what's to come in 3 months.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qeq-0oXUcqPuJ1gpjQfBdhPJBSkwwtB_lwlBvklJxoAnBkIdcqM4ReXzlL6VUaw3DufhDQ3dyAWCrSwrAMTYLO1gaZwfUOQpb5YYkWDuhZpaWRYrmkKen-f6c8zKtNAf1drPf_4gc2gD/s1600/Photo+Feb+24,+6+04+15+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qeq-0oXUcqPuJ1gpjQfBdhPJBSkwwtB_lwlBvklJxoAnBkIdcqM4ReXzlL6VUaw3DufhDQ3dyAWCrSwrAMTYLO1gaZwfUOQpb5YYkWDuhZpaWRYrmkKen-f6c8zKtNAf1drPf_4gc2gD/s1600/Photo+Feb+24,+6+04+15+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2/25</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Classic Utah move: hot one day, rainy the next. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I didn't mind, though. I'm a sucker for rainy days.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVErZxC3SDZrUqckzTZyndR0NfnqaL2_idh9wQU6AFvCyGLlranrD7G8efzOoKY-5hyTSonqCH37UmKiyYB_ILV_fsjzeqrdBZR48Kc9AcRGAu3jQnqumtz12Q9lgJ02wSR2PrOOGexje/s1600/Photo+Mar+01,+7+37+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVErZxC3SDZrUqckzTZyndR0NfnqaL2_idh9wQU6AFvCyGLlranrD7G8efzOoKY-5hyTSonqCH37UmKiyYB_ILV_fsjzeqrdBZR48Kc9AcRGAu3jQnqumtz12Q9lgJ02wSR2PrOOGexje/s1600/Photo+Mar+01,+7+37+04+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2/26</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We housesat for my aunt Julie. I thoroughly enjoyed living in a house for a few days. We experienced a majestic life with a pantry, quality dishwasher, PERSONAL WASHER/DRYER, and kitchen that holds more than one person!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHne4vNTsY5-raY3R2iEwcXbEb5kYrz9vbhaaqh3suHwcWNBovM7Il_pJhRbYh5IxI0D-c1eCZHs8FwCDp9Wa77VBDnu4UPNB_4nDpTxVmBuZaoqC0q_PnuuAsOOpiFf9azhRb1Szgd4a/s1600/Photo+Mar+01,+4+55+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHne4vNTsY5-raY3R2iEwcXbEb5kYrz9vbhaaqh3suHwcWNBovM7Il_pJhRbYh5IxI0D-c1eCZHs8FwCDp9Wa77VBDnu4UPNB_4nDpTxVmBuZaoqC0q_PnuuAsOOpiFf9azhRb1Szgd4a/s1600/Photo+Mar+01,+4+55+54+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2/27</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another picture from Julie's. Scotty was pretty excited about their TV. Oh, and Grey's came back on... what a joke. <i>But let's be honest, Dr. Kepner made the right choice. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMz8dwr018UO05mPLAmSy-5VLP9jp5H4k_vtI8oKacon2OR3MxEKCiXv4c-xwmxJZChSsrIaPBgEaGAp97cDCNabL4A1Zx4M61h05VWc-XciCn6m4ERTaZlW31Vw-ULMr0r03RTj92q-2/s1600/Photo+Feb+27,+8+42+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMz8dwr018UO05mPLAmSy-5VLP9jp5H4k_vtI8oKacon2OR3MxEKCiXv4c-xwmxJZChSsrIaPBgEaGAp97cDCNabL4A1Zx4M61h05VWc-XciCn6m4ERTaZlW31Vw-ULMr0r03RTj92q-2/s1600/Photo+Feb+27,+8+42+06+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2/28</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally tried a Swig sugar cookie... It didn't disappoint. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Scotty's oatmeal one tasted like poop, though. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGCIYtQxMCB6kTM5LKq63n5tWyYB3gSXRYnunL-HopB-v2R2oBm6Zgo8NfMkq_BcD7-zYHjfsch8W6JqWmCFADhD13cqDFDL16N01fxza8abba0H6lzKK2DMs-pe5nJkd9mKUor-WWEXb/s1600/Photo+Feb+28,+8+25+05+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGCIYtQxMCB6kTM5LKq63n5tWyYB3gSXRYnunL-HopB-v2R2oBm6Zgo8NfMkq_BcD7-zYHjfsch8W6JqWmCFADhD13cqDFDL16N01fxza8abba0H6lzKK2DMs-pe5nJkd9mKUor-WWEXb/s1600/Photo+Feb+28,+8+25+05+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's to a magnificent March!</div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-38454657136550829732013-12-31T20:05:00.001-07:002013-12-31T20:28:52.858-07:002013 Here are all of the noteworthy things that happened in my life this year! I am so ready for 2013 to be over, haha.<br />
<br />
JANUARY<br />
+ My brother <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-saddest-30-seconds-of-my-life.html">left for his mission</a></b>.<br />
+ We started a new semester of school.<br />
+ Scotty turned 24.<br />
+ There was that day with freezing rain. People were literally skating across campus. Google it.<br />
+ We got a new computer, and got KSL-screwed on our old one.<br />
+ The <i>Believe Acoustic</i> album was released.<br />
+ I quit my job at the BYU Student Employment Office.<br />
+ I <a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/ashley-automotives.html"><b>ran over a bumper</b></a> and ruined our perfect little car. It looks ugly and broken.<br />
+ I became obsessed with the movie Pitch Perfect.<br />
<br />
FEBRUARY<br />
+ We sold Scotty's truck.<br />
+ I watched Top Gun for the first time.<br />
+ We bought an iPad Mini.<br />
+ We celebrated <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentines-day-2013.html">Valentine's Day</a></b> at Cheesecake Factory.<br />
+ We <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentines-day-2013.html">visited</a></b> baby Eva in the hospital!<br />
+ I went to my first blogger party.<br />
+ I started <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/02/first-day-of-school-practicum-style.html">my practicum</a></b>.<br />
+ We went to a <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/02/celtics-vs-jazz-game.html">Jazz vs. Celtics game</a></b>.<br />
<br />
MARCH<br />
+ Both of our moms came into town! (<b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-weekend-of-mothers.html">in the same week</a></b>)<br />
+ We boycotted St. Patrick's day.<br />
+ I took the PRAXIS (licensure test for teaching).<br />
+ Scotty got a new position at work.<br />
+ I successfully hid an entire box of girl scout cookies from my husband.<br />
+ My family visited during their spring break. We went to a BYU game.<br />
+ I was offered a teaching job! We <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/04/celebrating.html">celebrated</a></b>.<br />
+ We sold our bunny.<br />
+ Scotty bought <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/03/do-you-hear-people-sing.html">Les Mis</a></b> for me.<br />
<br />
APRIL<br />
+ Ron and Kim <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/04/general-conference-weekend-recap.html">visited</a></b>!<br />
+ <b><a href="http://jencastagno.blogspot.com/">Jen and Tony</a></b> invited us to <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/04/general-conference-weekend-recap.html">General Conference</a></b> with them. <br />
+ Scotty upgraded his phone to an iPhone 5.<br />
+ The iPhone 5 was stolen off his desk at work.<br />
+ I got a ticket. Stupid HOV lane.<br />
+ Scotty's hard drive crashed, erasing every single homework assignment, work project, etc.<br />
+ We went to St. George for our cruise friends' baby blessing.<br />
+ The "<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I03UmJbK0lA">Ship My Pants</a></b>" commercial came into my life. Never gets old.<br />
+ We went to a <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/04/upswing.html">BYU Baseball game</a></b> with my my aunt and uncle.<br />
+ We finished another semester of school.<br />
+ I enjoyed my four-day break before summer school started. <a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-frame-wall.html"><b>Projects</b></a> and relaxing.<br />
<br />
MAY<br />
+ It freaking <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/05/happy-may-day.html">snowed</a></b>. In May.<br />
+ We went to Vegas for our niece Dakota's baby blessing.<br />
+ Scotty <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/05/ferrari-friday.html">drove a Ferrari</a></b>.<br />
+ My family <a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/05/memorial-day-weekend.html" style="font-weight: bold;">visited</a> for Memorial Day.<br />
+ Great Gatsby. We loved the soundtrack more than the actual movie.<br />
+ I started my second practicum.<br />
+ We talked to my missionary brother on the phone!<br />
+ Scotty bought equity in his boss's company.<br />
<br />
JUNE<br />
+ We saw Ron and Kim while they were in SLC for girl's camp.<br />
+ I went to <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-quickest-of-quick-trips.html">Vegas</a></b> with Jen for less than 24 hours.<br />
+ I passed my statistics class (PRAISE THE LORD!).<br />
+ Scotty got a ticket for crossing over the trax tracks. What a joke.<br />
+ I spent a butt-load of time making and buying things for my classroom.<br />
+ The rest of June was a blur... I was gone for 13 HOURS A DAY. I left every morning at 7, had classes from 8:00 to 3:00 with <b>no breaks</b>, I spent 3:00 to 5:00 doing homework, then I went to a statistics class from 5:00 to 7:00, which put me home around 7:45 or 8:00. Scotty was running the call center. His hours started later to match when people would be home to call, so he wasn't getting home until 10:30 pm. We were both working really, really, really hard. It was stressful and exhausting. And it sucked.<br />
<br />
JULY<br />
+ We celebrated the <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/07/let-freedom-ring.html">Fourth of July</a></b>.<br />
+ We drove to Daybreak every weekend to drool over houses. Free and fun entertainment.<br />
+ We swam in our pool a few times trying to make up for the fact that we didn't get to go to Oceanside with my family or Huntington Beach with Scotty's family.<br />
+ We <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/07/cow-appreciation-day.html">dressed up like cows</a></b> to get free Chick-fil-a.<br />
+ We were locked inside our apartment complex's laundry room for 20 minutes.<br />
+ Again, kind of a blur with our busy schedules.<br />
<br />
AUGUST<br />
+ I finished my classes at BYU!!! <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-last-last-day.html">Happiest day.</a></b><br />
+ Our cruise friends came to visit.<br />
+ My mom and Tanner also came to visit.<br />
+ Scotty's boss gave us a $100 gift card to Gap, which was kind of amazing. We were so poor all year, we rarely went shopping for fun.<br />
<div>
+ I got called to work with the young women in my ward.<br />
+ I started using DoTerra oils.<br />
+ Our Lake Powell trip was canceled. We were seriously heartbroken.<br />
+ We went to Las Vegas for a weekend.<br />
+ I fulfilled my life dreams by setting up <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/08/le-tour-de-classroom.html">the cutest classroom</a></b> and teaching the cutest students.<br />
+ My <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/08/days-1-2.html">first day of school</a></b> was amazing. </div>
<div>
+ I survived the intimidating Back-to-School Night.<br />
<br />
SEPTEMBER<br />
+ We felt really old while chaperoning a church youth dance.<br />
+ The LDS Business College reserved an endowment session for all of the students and their spouses. All of the workers at that time were professors and other school administrators. It was seriously one of the coolest experiences! Before the session, everyone met in the chapel and the temple president spoke to us. So so special!<br />
+ I barely slept because I had no idea how to grade papers, plan lessons, etc.<br />
+ I deactivated my Facebook for a month. So nice!<br />
+ I went to the Relief Society Broadcast with my grandma, aunt, and cousin!<br />
+ We fell in love with <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/06/apple-debrief.html">iOS 7</a></b>. </div>
<div>
+ I went to a football game for two of my students.<br />
<br />
OCTOBER<br />
+ General Conference again!<br />
+ We had dinner with <b><a href="http://jencastagno.blogspot.com/">Jen and Tony</a></b>. Love them.<br />
+ We had a relaxing weekend in <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/10/bc-bh.html">Brian Head and Bryce Canyon</a></b>.<br />
+ Scotty got called as the Ward Mission Leader! He is amazing at it. I am so proud of him. </div>
<div>
<div>
+ We went to two Halloween parties.<br />
+ I got a pell grant! Wooo!<br />
+ ... and I used it to pay tuition for the last time ever. Greatest feeling. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
+ My mom visited us.<br />
<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
+ We celebrated our second anniversary! We went to Benihana and the Natural History Museum.<br />
+ Scotty bought me an iPhone 5S. Gold. Beautiful. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
+ We said the prayers in sacrament meeting.<br />
+ We set up our Christmas tree.<br />
+ Scotty bought equity in a leather bag company, Gobi. </div>
</div>
<div>
+ I had my first experience running into a student outside of school. It was at Chilis, and his face when he saw me was freaking priceless.<br />
+ I survived parent-teacher conferences.<br />
+ My family visited my classroom. It totally made the list of top ten best days of my life.<br />
+ Thanksgiving with a ton of my mom's family.<br />
+ I found SIX gray hairs. I kid you not.<br />
<br />
DECEMBER<br />
+ The first snow of the season. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm starting to not hate it. I still don't like it, but hey... baby steps, here. Be proud.<br />
+ We went to a bunch of <b><a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-classy-christmas-season.html">plays and performances</a></b>.<br />
+ We went to a holiday cookie swap.<br />
+ I ate lots of cookies before, during, and after the cookie swap.<br />
+ We freaked out because we thought we were part of the <b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/19/target-says-40m-accounts-may-be-affected-by-data-breach/?intcmp=latestnews">Target fraud crisis</a></b>... but we weren't :)<br />
+ We loved getting Brazilian food with Angela, Shawn, and baby Eva.<br />
+ I got my nose waxed... seriously the best thing ever. Don't think about it, just go do it.<br />
+ We went to a UNLV basketball game.<br />
+ I turned 23.<br />
+ We spent time with our families in Vegas.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4-lJP2ygfkE" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
2013 was difficult. I faced a lot of trials and struggles. Without the support from Scotty and our families, this year would have been impossible! I am so thankful for the loving relationships in my life and the blessings I have been given. I'm hoping 2014 will bring a diploma, a new apartment, and financial stability. And I guess a smaller pant size wouldn't hurt :) Here's to a new year and a fresh start. </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-26574395776606849812013-12-26T13:45:00.001-07:002013-12-26T13:45:39.002-07:00A Classy Christmas Season<div style="text-align: center;">
December was an exciting month for us! We enjoyed many different things. Usually we spend our quality time at the mall, Target, the movie theater, etc... the usual. This month, however, we felt extra cultured as we attended all kinds of artistic events! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First, we went to <b>Savior of the World</b>. It is an annual program put on by the church held in the conference center theater downtown, and my good friend/coworker performed in it. Scotty doesn't usually like the singing-dancing stuff I drag him to, but this one was so different. The play depicts the Savior's birth and death. Scotty and I both got teary; it was absolutely beautiful! This performance was the perfect thing to put us in a spiritual christmasy mode. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BhyphenhyphenhUnokv3gndLO4vtF9LdpImwEjsKqf_7RryreZlMvbW6HLS-D8yRwRMdsOLmuBE2ftmfl9Q1stAYTrwNSdu_eq0ZLxixEKKdpsYzkO8zcj6cg4wrKxLV0C1hVC-pnwbgGb_sq2nCiT/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+06+32+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BhyphenhyphenhUnokv3gndLO4vtF9LdpImwEjsKqf_7RryreZlMvbW6HLS-D8yRwRMdsOLmuBE2ftmfl9Q1stAYTrwNSdu_eq0ZLxixEKKdpsYzkO8zcj6cg4wrKxLV0C1hVC-pnwbgGb_sq2nCiT/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+06+32+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another classy thing we went to was <b>The Nutcracker</b>. One of my cute students was performing in it, so I just had to go!!! She did great. Scotty had never been to a ballet before, so I was surprised when he told me he enjoyed it. He recognized most of the music, and I think he liked the fact that there weren't any cheesy broadway-type songs being sung :) I personally love ballets! I am always mesmerized by the jeweled costumes and graceful dance moves.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-E3HuL1dTDgPoOu1O_xaUDWb8MX97xIlu3eoKOIHf1Z1-kSE71bmEN-pZ7bRmdnRefkM8yNaP5EbMVHqoOj-zx1hm4KLgHiSuiavFrHcvgM4OCz-T5sWU_Miz195kbFVWWR34zwJnMvP/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+08+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-E3HuL1dTDgPoOu1O_xaUDWb8MX97xIlu3eoKOIHf1Z1-kSE71bmEN-pZ7bRmdnRefkM8yNaP5EbMVHqoOj-zx1hm4KLgHiSuiavFrHcvgM4OCz-T5sWU_Miz195kbFVWWR34zwJnMvP/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+08+47+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-1WkfByi56FKUfPkJthFoHr6Xn8qGJXdsNF3Dr6nLNBXqI88lJjO4EStKrQ754fjlHCMSZSeG-QT0J31kUrRRnckwVA0jeHks674LNGFe6MIzb6J8qwnhrR0o-RBX0GoovSZqCNXjUpU/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+10+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-1WkfByi56FKUfPkJthFoHr6Xn8qGJXdsNF3Dr6nLNBXqI88lJjO4EStKrQ754fjlHCMSZSeG-QT0J31kUrRRnckwVA0jeHks674LNGFe6MIzb6J8qwnhrR0o-RBX0GoovSZqCNXjUpU/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+10+21+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then we went to the <b>Music and the Spoken Word</b> slash the <b>Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert</b> with our good friends Jessica and Wade! Wade scored four tickets and was kind enough to think of us to invite! We are lucky to have such good friends. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh737h2ncVsmv02YlmxLrVt51wRtjJPseYg1CLpK0IGI_PXooSo5agP5vsDVzUNeY-Tv41D-oNSCTxO88x_n6EvmtGlcWf-9eUaRuqw917FuDhFB97V-Wt95ywjox4Pv6yDAOP88Yq95M4h/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+11+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh737h2ncVsmv02YlmxLrVt51wRtjJPseYg1CLpK0IGI_PXooSo5agP5vsDVzUNeY-Tv41D-oNSCTxO88x_n6EvmtGlcWf-9eUaRuqw917FuDhFB97V-Wt95ywjox4Pv6yDAOP88Yq95M4h/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+11+23+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mo Tab never disappoints! I loved listening to the hymns. My favorite was <i>Angels We Have Heard On High</i>. So so powerful! It was also fun to see the organist's feet move crazily back and forth, and to see John Rhys-Davies fly off the stage and hover above the audience! Intense special effects in that conference center, haha. The prophet attended the concert as well -- it's always exciting to be in the same room as he is. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAu5vgZBSSngC6XJbfQ-bme3jQYD04TFG90Eg8jpKPjkSWtKlmPhDV3omIiiVikXec6A89LZGmgILvVUmCVdxxHCoiNk-bE-P4g_LBfXfYXh1s33nC9v42mGxQxB3QVDmIzcDbQNwzmI9/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+12+42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAu5vgZBSSngC6XJbfQ-bme3jQYD04TFG90Eg8jpKPjkSWtKlmPhDV3omIiiVikXec6A89LZGmgILvVUmCVdxxHCoiNk-bE-P4g_LBfXfYXh1s33nC9v42mGxQxB3QVDmIzcDbQNwzmI9/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+12+42+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dHz3pp81EXemEA6fZiqKSem0YOnTfR2IWZUd9oeBuTLsqYfvHUAYRLiLJLYKdCrw2QBtdyVxVx_CJ6D7UHWlBQI0cE62kOuGK6BD8H6rSu_MYOqMTvMOyHICWO5peX_HNNE3WzD_1-EH/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+22+41+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dHz3pp81EXemEA6fZiqKSem0YOnTfR2IWZUd9oeBuTLsqYfvHUAYRLiLJLYKdCrw2QBtdyVxVx_CJ6D7UHWlBQI0cE62kOuGK6BD8H6rSu_MYOqMTvMOyHICWO5peX_HNNE3WzD_1-EH/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+22+41+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lastly, we went to <b>Temple Square</b> with the <a href="http://abziggy.blogspot.com/"><b>Zeiglers</b></a> and saw the temple lights! I love this tradition! It's always a treat to visit the Salt Lake temple and remember the church's history. I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of the LDS church. I love the magical spirit of Christmas I feel when I see their lights. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5DFBddqr3fZ3x6Q41UQVtgxaZARX2EUlbtekHbBSCNDH2I9SfCxvctvCmkAxH3m_rZp9IqnQjiVnni93yPvIQ-di-VF9jExxoyo6I53AQYotlVA-W8MWlF_ptcQF4Wc-COE1gZkJ1DXu/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+24+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5DFBddqr3fZ3x6Q41UQVtgxaZARX2EUlbtekHbBSCNDH2I9SfCxvctvCmkAxH3m_rZp9IqnQjiVnni93yPvIQ-di-VF9jExxoyo6I53AQYotlVA-W8MWlF_ptcQF4Wc-COE1gZkJ1DXu/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+24+06+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A beautiful display of architecture and electricity. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So beautiful, in fact, that some would recommend holding a camera in each hand: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIZLwbBy_2lZMXnm2mOHjRbLNw0iFkCoLsT_xibTnATt_DXnQ8_ZEfawWDByEW4urSIO4XFXdxao26N-EAofMOlL5_Xc2vgSzCicbJysK8pi-bmyG0qbsinrxJLHg3UQwGMiRRwwgsK9T/s1600/Photo+Dec+17%252C+8+23+27+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIZLwbBy_2lZMXnm2mOHjRbLNw0iFkCoLsT_xibTnATt_DXnQ8_ZEfawWDByEW4urSIO4XFXdxao26N-EAofMOlL5_Xc2vgSzCicbJysK8pi-bmyG0qbsinrxJLHg3UQwGMiRRwwgsK9T/s640/Photo+Dec+17%252C+8+23+27+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love her haha! We are so happy we found some fun friends in our ward. It is starting to feel more and more like home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuQ_O43BKuBbJa0c-YjpTq0JXRTQBnSqpCH33wmCmAW2dM9fAtA3ABRAAN15dn4VGuywVEa_BhKOjbKu0lsmnxwrPUP-DT-R2QWHBaVeyt7kYzz8HoAjddYvYb0bdhi4wParDaHfBcRtM/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+24+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuQ_O43BKuBbJa0c-YjpTq0JXRTQBnSqpCH33wmCmAW2dM9fAtA3ABRAAN15dn4VGuywVEa_BhKOjbKu0lsmnxwrPUP-DT-R2QWHBaVeyt7kYzz8HoAjddYvYb0bdhi4wParDaHfBcRtM/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+24+54+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAcNzXe0YsPQl1De3o-7YuBWEdpjb4pMs01S2TZQAEm4sUkWuKXDiX13v8aRsPUs9-Z5zjMqSYXy9NM_x3zt1D6RUOtMNikru2y_AR1_iu_k72yUhPbsodq8sDpELI700x5y_jzStJSjb/s1600/Photo+Dec+17,+8+27+11+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAcNzXe0YsPQl1De3o-7YuBWEdpjb4pMs01S2TZQAEm4sUkWuKXDiX13v8aRsPUs9-Z5zjMqSYXy9NM_x3zt1D6RUOtMNikru2y_AR1_iu_k72yUhPbsodq8sDpELI700x5y_jzStJSjb/s640/Photo+Dec+17,+8+27+11+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a fun month! Now we are in Vegas making more memories with our families and friends. I am so grateful for all the people and experiences I've been blessed with in this life! Merry Christmas! </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-10327183909465037902013-12-03T21:31:00.001-07:002013-12-03T21:31:51.913-07:00How's teaching? When someone asks, "How's teaching?" I get embarrassed because there's really no simple answer. I can't just say, "Oh it's going great!" or, "Actually, it sucks!" or, "It's freaking exhausting!" or, "I love it!" because any <b>one</b> of those phrases alone would give someone an incomplete idea. Teaching <i>is</i> great! and it <i>does</i> suck! And <i>jeeze</i>, it's exhausting! But I <i>really do</i> love it.<br />
<br />
But now the problem is if I respond with something like, "It's great, sucky, and exhausting, but I can't get enough of it!" people will think I'm going insane. Send me to a nut house or something. All I can do to prove I'm not losing my marbles is provide stories that support each statement.<br />
<br />
<b>It's going great: </b><br />
Teaching IS going great! My kids are amazing! They are so smart and so capable. They did reports on Utah's state symbols in small groups and they completely blew my mind. They created posters, planned the presentations, and researched the information <i>all by themselves</i>. I almost teared up on presentation day. They are rock stars. For the most part, I've stayed organized and clean, which I'm incredibly proud of. I don't know if you've looked at any other teacher desks lately, but I'd say being able to see the top of mine is a pretty big deal. On another happy note, I've had a few parents donate supplies to the classroom and I'm just tickled pink about it. Some of my lesson plans are just straight up amazing and creative. I'm super proud of that. I mean, come on, I used Taylor Swift's <i>Red</i> to teach similes and metaphors. Genius. My management has been pretty decent, and it's getting even better. My relationships with my students are all positive, but professional. It's great.<br />
<br />
<b>It sucks:</b><br />
Teaching really does suck. It sucks! Kids get bullied. Feelings get hurt. I have to mediate arguments and disagreements. I hear the most depressing stories about home and family life. They break my heart. I'm emotionally drained after being supportive and concerned for 24 other souls. I have to do recess duty in the cold, and after-school duty on occasion. I have to hold my pee for 4+ hours at a time. I can't munch on snacks whenever I want to. I'm supposed to be all-knowing and able to supply my children with bandaids every five minutes when another scab is scratched off. They are always wanting to share irrelevant stories. They need to get a drink every two minutes, and then cry when I won't let them. They complain about handwriting time. I even have to buy their supplies with my own money. I catch their colds, I watch them pick their noses... the list goes on and on, people. It sucks.<br />
<br />
<b>It's freaking exhausting: </b><br />
I feel like every first year teacher should have to sign a form saying "I UNDERSTAND I WILL ONLY SLEEP, EAT, AND BREATHE SCHOOL FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS!" I knew it would be really time consuming, but I thought it'd<i> at least</i> still have time to communicate with the outside world or itch the occasional scratch. Planning, preparing, shopping, grading, and making crap for my classroom is taking up my life. I can't catch a break and it's killing me. I rarely get to sleep before 12, and I'm out the door by 7. I work from 8-6, come home and stuff some food down my throat, then I'm back in my corner grading and planning. Then the process starts over. The sad thing is, I work so hard to prepare for the next week, and then there's a new week after that. and a new week after that. and after that. Sometimes I feel like it's never going to end. I don't want to neglect my poor husband, but I feel like I'm giving my whole self to barely hit the minimum amount of work I need to do. Oh, and my feet are practically falling off. Any good shoe recommendations? I'm dying over here. It's exhausting.<br />
<br />
<b>I love it:</b><br />
I LOVE IT! I promise! Even though I spent the last two paragraphs complaining about it, it's amazing. There's nothing more thrilling and rewarding. I have 24 people who write me notes, draw me pictures, and laugh at my jokes. It's great. I love getting them excited about learning and watching them progress. It's amazing to for me to watch a student struggle, present the material to her in a different way, and see the light bulbs come on. A few weeks ago, one of my girls couldn't round numbers to save her life. Rounding! She just didn't understand. I worked with her in a small group setting and one-on-one until she felt comfortable enough to explain rounding to me. We took our unit 1 test a few weeks ago, and she got 16/17. It's incredible. Some days are bad, but I always have a second chance. There's always the next lesson. My students are so passionate and dedicated. We learned about evaporation, and a few of my students went home and conducted their own evaporation experiments! I love sharing my enthusiasm with them, and singing with them, and learning with them. Watching Bill Nye, conducting experiments, and writing metaphors... how could you not love it? Right?<br />
<br />
So... that's my answer.<br />
And here is a picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnjgBSwtcNN2SuVZlUWK1VDQFXLZtMps40bdvegHhMXsQJbQ5RU7HRbcotJ4g-IV7HlAmSsdXgJA2ea0yYR4cBEun0R35_xMg6tAofCVlHk-AErHeTeviJmz9mK0QmnyceLoqjmBfQ6TN/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnjgBSwtcNN2SuVZlUWK1VDQFXLZtMps40bdvegHhMXsQJbQ5RU7HRbcotJ4g-IV7HlAmSsdXgJA2ea0yYR4cBEun0R35_xMg6tAofCVlHk-AErHeTeviJmz9mK0QmnyceLoqjmBfQ6TN/s640/IMG_0405.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-68940944829721044852013-10-31T21:39:00.000-06:002013-10-31T21:39:32.688-06:00Halloween 2013Scotty and I have now been together for FOUR Halloweens. The sad thing is, none of them have been particularly festive. Let's recap:<br />
<br />
<b>Halloween 2010:</b> <i>Ah, young love. We'd only been dating 3 months. Our Halloween was a fun trip to Texas with the Marx family. We went to a wedding, ate Chick-fil-a, and toured Fortworth! A great trip, but I spent Halloween day in the airport haha. No costumes, no carving pumpkins, and no candy. (Although, Scotty was wearing a ridiculous orange shirt which could have resembled a pumpkin, and my eyebrows were scarier than any monster I've ever seen!)</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi15ucta9GQ4_xW9tpY-v-xsRY-U3pZ_RoPrSlDMjUYB3Z5yW4b8j0V6OFzXCksA-YOJm77qFZqufO-5-jmMRK4sYg6Dz2NaifLGWFsS2ms4QxpizD4NhyphenhyphenbWmaqyfBo3RXQWzgx_sl6Dt/s1600/73758_452045596297_2200750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi15ucta9GQ4_xW9tpY-v-xsRY-U3pZ_RoPrSlDMjUYB3Z5yW4b8j0V6OFzXCksA-YOJm77qFZqufO-5-jmMRK4sYg6Dz2NaifLGWFsS2ms4QxpizD4NhyphenhyphenbWmaqyfBo3RXQWzgx_sl6Dt/s640/73758_452045596297_2200750_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Halloween 2011:</b> <i>SO ANXIOUS TO GET MARRIED! Just a mere 11 days away! I spent the weekend in Vegas getting a marriage license, going through the temple, and wedding planning. Halloween was the following Monday, which I spent getting my IUD in and sleeping for the rest of the day because I was knocked out on drugs. I woke up at 7 p.m. and did homework. No costumes, but Scotty and I carved pumpkins and ate a pack of sweetarts. I posted this anti status on Facebook: </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAvMHFnpk4HcPJlG5qLF4Towx19VoXU0VJRg82ssvWTHnwUP4_mcJFob5RHYQO5oYhkK8K6KyfW4kedIkNwh03wTCt1j3dqFEeBBfhffOQHGQWuXLYd4pCjrMB6QmdRnS41W-5bvwjVCE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-30+at+12.10.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAvMHFnpk4HcPJlG5qLF4Towx19VoXU0VJRg82ssvWTHnwUP4_mcJFob5RHYQO5oYhkK8K6KyfW4kedIkNwh03wTCt1j3dqFEeBBfhffOQHGQWuXLYd4pCjrMB6QmdRnS41W-5bvwjVCE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-30+at+12.10.32+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Halloween 2012:</b> <i>Our first Halloween together as a married couple! I dreamt of cute themed couples costumes and pretty Halloween parties, but reality had a different vision. I had to work a carnival at BYU, so Scotty stayed home and handed out halloween candy all alone. We DID go to <a href="http://jencastagno.blogspot.com/">Jen & Tony</a>'s to watch the presidential debate and make Halloween wreaths. Also, I made a skeleton cut-out shirt with Lauren for the carnival. And who could forget the <a href="http://ashleynoelbarnes.blogspot.com/2012/10/our-first-family-tradition.html">mini pumpkins</a> Scotty and I carved? A little more festive, but still missing some essential elements. </i><br />
<br />
This year was bound to be special. After three years of boring, we dressed up, celebrated, and went to parties!<br />
<br />
<b>Halloween 2013:</b><br />
Our festivities started on Tuesday night with an awesome Halloween party at our friend's house. We ate gourmet french toast, played mafia, and took pictures in a spooky photobooth. On Wednesday, we went to our ward Halloween party and Trunk-or-Treat. We passed out candy, stuffed our faces with cheese balls and pumpkin bread, and mingled with friends. <i>I tried not to be pissed toward the other couple wearing our exact costume.</i> Thursday, I went to the Halloween carnival at my school, and then Scotty and I watched all the Halloween episodes of The Office. We bought candy to pass out, but sadly not a single trick-or-treater came to our door. Boo! However, I'd say this year was the most festive we've ever been; take a look at our sweet bank-account-inspired costumes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoa0QdL3x3fWvNBKHuT3H3kGx3kzqhbmmYKnIDHgpOzy_CC565W5ktAS_hya2isYjb-Fv5AXlcIKObIff3ukpY_AAx0adj1aB-ytih1dgRGoOklt-9Fh41FbE34H1PUevkPtBppDSo41G/s1600/Photo+Oct+31,+8+21+44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoa0QdL3x3fWvNBKHuT3H3kGx3kzqhbmmYKnIDHgpOzy_CC565W5ktAS_hya2isYjb-Fv5AXlcIKObIff3ukpY_AAx0adj1aB-ytih1dgRGoOklt-9Fh41FbE34H1PUevkPtBppDSo41G/s640/Photo+Oct+31,+8+21+44+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3f9fVztOAqNS7O8DyPHTQNReJ1vWqSdlo8QA5gZy3UJGjwQjgDlcKAubYOcF0g_abxpUasEY50CqtCUvfxfzhB9OpTtP6h2-6EcZb5YwZkqdT3LBLP0NTeih63S9vzeSd8WN1hu8nYop/s1600/Photo+Oct+31,+8+24+02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3f9fVztOAqNS7O8DyPHTQNReJ1vWqSdlo8QA5gZy3UJGjwQjgDlcKAubYOcF0g_abxpUasEY50CqtCUvfxfzhB9OpTtP6h2-6EcZb5YwZkqdT3LBLP0NTeih63S9vzeSd8WN1hu8nYop/s640/Photo+Oct+31,+8+24+02+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVynS40KPVA53YLojbXoj0fzbUdpgnaXLFF4D4HsB5qLgg82pydGi8cSUyLV55tJU4XZDrAFMcTMHIKjYjHoztEkIZ-t7s5ym-p6UqvYGg3fIBrrF7Wbz2Zwt3v7zeTiyjrnc3EFzOeup1/s1600/Photo+Oct+31,+8+25+07+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVynS40KPVA53YLojbXoj0fzbUdpgnaXLFF4D4HsB5qLgg82pydGi8cSUyLV55tJU4XZDrAFMcTMHIKjYjHoztEkIZ-t7s5ym-p6UqvYGg3fIBrrF7Wbz2Zwt3v7zeTiyjrnc3EFzOeup1/s640/Photo+Oct+31,+8+25+07+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Happy Halloween! Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-69651328639065370762013-10-29T11:25:00.003-06:002013-10-29T11:35:20.368-06:00BC & BH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend we drove down to Brian Head to play with my family. On Friday, we ventured off to Bryce Canyon National Park! <i>I have a new life goal to visit all five of Utah's national parks... I feel it's a necessity for my Utah-history-and-geography-teaching self! </i>The views were stunning and the company was even better. I love my family! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokAbe1HSS7lIFZ5Q8utdKCHqjCS2GbbOn6WdrVROlqLkf322_VwsRVt-oluULMm6qhPIQzPGt6XjAGr-O7JnZM929xxrOy_W8YnDb8uuc-Sk8C3Rzy1HNwZed8f_WGbpzYbsFCqkoLxZ7/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+3+19+09+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokAbe1HSS7lIFZ5Q8utdKCHqjCS2GbbOn6WdrVROlqLkf322_VwsRVt-oluULMm6qhPIQzPGt6XjAGr-O7JnZM929xxrOy_W8YnDb8uuc-Sk8C3Rzy1HNwZed8f_WGbpzYbsFCqkoLxZ7/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+3+19+09+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelfn39DAfsJ881ONUvhLVut1RgW8AenvVp0GK8fxsFqTuh_8U2wPjm-BEasW-lWQnUXNVJ4sj1g_k09hmhEH7C8jKAjxHhPfkMLkrebl03n-M74ITm0Nql6sIpKPg64d3oIV-IAEP6NSJ/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+4+05+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelfn39DAfsJ881ONUvhLVut1RgW8AenvVp0GK8fxsFqTuh_8U2wPjm-BEasW-lWQnUXNVJ4sj1g_k09hmhEH7C8jKAjxHhPfkMLkrebl03n-M74ITm0Nql6sIpKPg64d3oIV-IAEP6NSJ/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+4+05+56+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Don't laugh at our outfit choices... My dad informed me he would be taking lots of pictures to blow up and hang in his newly-designed living room. We looked so out of place next to all the serious hikers and campers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0CvZFjXvekLeHWQGauiZZ7C1H6TkCJTjQlZ8Q3CRL4WHmCLa7kSpmtGOThxNqxuM1eDjGL0MMFFVEPeG5e3zcP9u2OTT0URMnDp-QCGyOd0E0NuEYh3e5EoZXrmLPvj_AGgXWtQM07bD/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+23+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0CvZFjXvekLeHWQGauiZZ7C1H6TkCJTjQlZ8Q3CRL4WHmCLa7kSpmtGOThxNqxuM1eDjGL0MMFFVEPeG5e3zcP9u2OTT0URMnDp-QCGyOd0E0NuEYh3e5EoZXrmLPvj_AGgXWtQM07bD/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+23+54+PM.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVOctUga7-_pWohHU9PdUREk0M584F96ASqKv3GUpJXj3SzT5YtYJataAFp4y2oycJTcey1KojFYJRSRpRK2elBPWB94_Z7CtpXnwKq8cnffVCwXx7yL-vNidpDTGvV592o8-sYLeQiz_/s1600/Photo+Oct+25,+11+23+22+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVOctUga7-_pWohHU9PdUREk0M584F96ASqKv3GUpJXj3SzT5YtYJataAFp4y2oycJTcey1KojFYJRSRpRK2elBPWB94_Z7CtpXnwKq8cnffVCwXx7yL-vNidpDTGvV592o8-sYLeQiz_/s640/Photo+Oct+25,+11+23+22+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexaQ7xxznVuy2Fm9ryTiCHDkPs1__keKcRmCh1mS7KpE2-D-HgLc_BaDj4IevmpPxoN0y7FICPPV0pEg1ZJ9jHZ-BtC5muRkzsehrr9f_15UcWqpb4AZ3XjBULtGdX9HvQGCpO0xXfvuD/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+26+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexaQ7xxznVuy2Fm9ryTiCHDkPs1__keKcRmCh1mS7KpE2-D-HgLc_BaDj4IevmpPxoN0y7FICPPV0pEg1ZJ9jHZ-BtC5muRkzsehrr9f_15UcWqpb4AZ3XjBULtGdX9HvQGCpO0xXfvuD/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+26+23+PM.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNVRj6RNdunpjbk9JXm1MCIeXtdnfJvoacSjEyD0XmilOW0arM_LPNWkCl1zBMJIDcA8t8Kxq9tb7agV-ZkJOlx_d1Kc6jUNMunS-d_xCCF37K226KTPqlnfnlUPU3Lti3QBS2o9uv-Pl/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+28+13+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNVRj6RNdunpjbk9JXm1MCIeXtdnfJvoacSjEyD0XmilOW0arM_LPNWkCl1zBMJIDcA8t8Kxq9tb7agV-ZkJOlx_d1Kc6jUNMunS-d_xCCF37K226KTPqlnfnlUPU3Lti3QBS2o9uv-Pl/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+28+13+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAbFlF0PcMijAi3B43fyAkMw0ZD4x1x_sADnWW2S8Hr_nHKe1MIQmdHBNl8bPFjGywuvmPTNnbxLDv4XH9unPoUpG41pSukRjBub9pVsV9Tqk8cabQ66ABZre6UOxuYibCAfHxVdEiHOp/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+29+58+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAbFlF0PcMijAi3B43fyAkMw0ZD4x1x_sADnWW2S8Hr_nHKe1MIQmdHBNl8bPFjGywuvmPTNnbxLDv4XH9unPoUpG41pSukRjBub9pVsV9Tqk8cabQ66ABZre6UOxuYibCAfHxVdEiHOp/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+29+58+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We love tanner </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvBiaJ2kD4wCjZlG2J4W-0Bl3R58qOA4WXEju2sTtsFeEMqf4et1wRv7TKl56xDkYW9eXaeA0cf1j7F-fhxytxLKU6c_HOWFnkEWQ8y-ReMQZPJKkUacBrIRhy3lRasZYkyIgnbkGxX6F/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+33+01+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvBiaJ2kD4wCjZlG2J4W-0Bl3R58qOA4WXEju2sTtsFeEMqf4et1wRv7TKl56xDkYW9eXaeA0cf1j7F-fhxytxLKU6c_HOWFnkEWQ8y-ReMQZPJKkUacBrIRhy3lRasZYkyIgnbkGxX6F/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+33+01+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... and canyon-gazing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-r_OG_TL9oAHC5TR-dHiG8XzF5VHG0gp6p36zBxeP6CGD48sL4cUc9RC4_1D-1-E6icu_tLTCtuPqeY85qWWBU27xu-09C_aU2eh9bDL2mR4XYcLcSeS2DgfoPmVjARJjOKNI4gyoKCS/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+38+50+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-r_OG_TL9oAHC5TR-dHiG8XzF5VHG0gp6p36zBxeP6CGD48sL4cUc9RC4_1D-1-E6icu_tLTCtuPqeY85qWWBU27xu-09C_aU2eh9bDL2mR4XYcLcSeS2DgfoPmVjARJjOKNI4gyoKCS/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+38+50+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Ic0xym4W5CzLrg79ys8UoiMHVA5AoNnenNX2ut8PfPqZYvRoeR6UZM-oubn0ye6q1Vfy7blhPjh12Gsvhh85xNPB1NuthrbZmro7Za5MtAm_DnUIhkOj6RojFUjZRuEoRZLKhJZVjyj/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+3+21+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Ic0xym4W5CzLrg79ys8UoiMHVA5AoNnenNX2ut8PfPqZYvRoeR6UZM-oubn0ye6q1Vfy7blhPjh12Gsvhh85xNPB1NuthrbZmro7Za5MtAm_DnUIhkOj6RojFUjZRuEoRZLKhJZVjyj/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+3+21+54+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6tTuz6sPwK6DfsYpXNXKm_LW4DvOwfexjmyxwJYtZmySF4w-ivBisicrGRsa5r30w0rkQvCvDwkVdLX-EkbPXb0CBnTY_zwFElgiX1X5uyMihqVernbhF46IeCIhAR96GNFBRVuWUmOr/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+40+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6tTuz6sPwK6DfsYpXNXKm_LW4DvOwfexjmyxwJYtZmySF4w-ivBisicrGRsa5r30w0rkQvCvDwkVdLX-EkbPXb0CBnTY_zwFElgiX1X5uyMihqVernbhF46IeCIhAR96GNFBRVuWUmOr/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+40+21+PM.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My cute parents. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBX0MGuXq2lJNezB10D5w0akPemfZlFTNakIbuRumG_BPUtWQDH4nayWMurH1w3k421KjRg-shyphenhyphenu4q9hWnGiEk4245EIGzqN0Z2VTIINOAsjkjcxSlAsNV4SEfikQNmWzVRaz2Te230lr/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+45+40+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBX0MGuXq2lJNezB10D5w0akPemfZlFTNakIbuRumG_BPUtWQDH4nayWMurH1w3k421KjRg-shyphenhyphenu4q9hWnGiEk4245EIGzqN0Z2VTIINOAsjkjcxSlAsNV4SEfikQNmWzVRaz2Te230lr/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+45+40+PM.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu-dn2ehhg1_i8qb4cknmpOSrqDpwlolg2d89Vb9K9WJ-BbnnKPMjS9gkjowKX48Tif4GVMnCO-nsRyJVgHwJ0thPsTckgIOsyFpOlgBsOHzTnpv5WcnimpfjxdhdE002bs190CPjgUFu/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+47+48+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu-dn2ehhg1_i8qb4cknmpOSrqDpwlolg2d89Vb9K9WJ-BbnnKPMjS9gkjowKX48Tif4GVMnCO-nsRyJVgHwJ0thPsTckgIOsyFpOlgBsOHzTnpv5WcnimpfjxdhdE002bs190CPjgUFu/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+47+48+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tanner was loving all the photo ops. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p49bx1VubsudrwzdiaSCL_thIv4qig-5Q3Y6Pgk9iVAboD8x71INGkfAjoSdK20W_sJjR2W-vlO6SNTnxbNLD2bzrR69H93E95rVh6uhGhMKzASozptUToHAyrcJTsV8epqVXOAQaxXy/s1600/Photo+Oct+27,+10+52+10+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p49bx1VubsudrwzdiaSCL_thIv4qig-5Q3Y6Pgk9iVAboD8x71INGkfAjoSdK20W_sJjR2W-vlO6SNTnxbNLD2bzrR69H93E95rVh6uhGhMKzASozptUToHAyrcJTsV8epqVXOAQaxXy/s640/Photo+Oct+27,+10+52+10+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had such a relaxing time. Some other highlights of our weekend include:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ playing card games </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ watching modern family </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ making frothed milk & pumpkin drinks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ eating caramels</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ 4-wheeling adventures </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ watching movies </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... and one other event (I wouldn't really call it a "highlight," but it needs recording) was being Tanner's photographer while he climbed a ski-lift pole. A perfect balance of horrifying and hilarious. The things we do for the sake of Instagram!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTAkLQ5bpP3l6QAD2o0NwxWtBm69oAg3GfYQlfU1UXiXBRkNp2PIfgg2awIfbiAWqtWUwdjncMQSgYhNDDICBY2rI_vtx-1ewQufr1FRnCQwzrWlheVwEhJgvbHcwGmXq8HuU71Un70XX/s1600/Photo+Oct+29,+10+44+33+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTAkLQ5bpP3l6QAD2o0NwxWtBm69oAg3GfYQlfU1UXiXBRkNp2PIfgg2awIfbiAWqtWUwdjncMQSgYhNDDICBY2rI_vtx-1ewQufr1FRnCQwzrWlheVwEhJgvbHcwGmXq8HuU71Un70XX/s640/Photo+Oct+29,+10+44+33+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-53201752278111192372013-10-21T21:47:00.002-06:002013-10-21T21:47:50.358-06:00Remember Me? <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Today marked <b>day 5</b> of my fall break. I forgot how good it feels to sleep in, lounge around, and communicate with family and friends! Don't get me wrong, teaching is great! But holy crap it's life-consuming. I am excited to have <b>three weeks</b> off so I can catch up on my life. I have a lengthy to-do list, but a lot of the items revolve around me relaxing :) </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Here are some </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">snippets</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> from my life during past two months: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseSoc8adkWZ0MZMKDs-PW6R2U-atawe63DaOC2qi4-O0H-4W25RbI7l1XpSIhaKwT5Um88gq30o7shfcCD8QaA_taYCUNSmUcOQ_AxNA6I7FrFx06UtCi4h_3DEXmabVjDjrTaP4lvn6Z/s1600/Photo+Aug+22,+11+48+02+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseSoc8adkWZ0MZMKDs-PW6R2U-atawe63DaOC2qi4-O0H-4W25RbI7l1XpSIhaKwT5Um88gq30o7shfcCD8QaA_taYCUNSmUcOQ_AxNA6I7FrFx06UtCi4h_3DEXmabVjDjrTaP4lvn6Z/s640/Photo+Aug+22,+11+48+02+AM.png" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So much support from day one. Thanks, friends. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeJHsnA_sICTpty3Y-Ugmfj5FodaDgLO2PrXjjr270dc1OGfm9u-fi1ZxF7KGzEPZU2irai6HgDiC6lEkH65UO__a35PVDJ7KWq8HWS1ov6CTuVwq5HY2wMQPFrpB0r_julZKPdkZEpie/s1600/Photo+Aug+26,+3+38+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeJHsnA_sICTpty3Y-Ugmfj5FodaDgLO2PrXjjr270dc1OGfm9u-fi1ZxF7KGzEPZU2irai6HgDiC6lEkH65UO__a35PVDJ7KWq8HWS1ov6CTuVwq5HY2wMQPFrpB0r_julZKPdkZEpie/s640/Photo+Aug+26,+3+38+04+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My new get-up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq6JPO_B74lFQoBADucjHsYo57wdtcImcbIV37K_TowGmj7CmINNPtGrG61hVjLehwaMk0_7-CviE0EGfx6JE6JPeWpy4GbdfoGylMJRsk2aNeYPNClzt1IKTuP6eMMTHujbNafHXaA0A/s1600/Photo+Aug+30,+7+28+37+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq6JPO_B74lFQoBADucjHsYo57wdtcImcbIV37K_TowGmj7CmINNPtGrG61hVjLehwaMk0_7-CviE0EGfx6JE6JPeWpy4GbdfoGylMJRsk2aNeYPNClzt1IKTuP6eMMTHujbNafHXaA0A/s640/Photo+Aug+30,+7+28+37+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being sick the first week of school was the worst. I think my body is slowly adjusting to the whole "constantly being around 25 other people at the same time" thing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6ynFoYHabdjxTp7PqgycQXbigLcFhjGZbKlFmYfmE998gkkv_WpQkf33pJatTN6bFIjH9pNUn1Htn1yDMBtZu5NeoHLa69ZkFRcxyzrh9v3iDxKUYKLmpQ5CE4rnbY52fq3D0YxzhX4g/s1600/Photo+Sep+08,+9+20+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6ynFoYHabdjxTp7PqgycQXbigLcFhjGZbKlFmYfmE998gkkv_WpQkf33pJatTN6bFIjH9pNUn1Htn1yDMBtZu5NeoHLa69ZkFRcxyzrh9v3iDxKUYKLmpQ5CE4rnbY52fq3D0YxzhX4g/s640/Photo+Sep+08,+9+20+47+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grumpy cat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XVglAomqsW8QvJJW-Z2S2y1Toc0kMUxXvuXeHJuqbhu2aWoccMWcTcKjIBMA7GVYR5__3v-u64OLuUgPTGBZlyVH-8QfFfDy9dW6eyTpaDyTrzFbGXI5LQ3IDIg5SerABkrDnh5HnPS4/s1600/Photo+Sep+09,+8+37+45+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XVglAomqsW8QvJJW-Z2S2y1Toc0kMUxXvuXeHJuqbhu2aWoccMWcTcKjIBMA7GVYR5__3v-u64OLuUgPTGBZlyVH-8QfFfDy9dW6eyTpaDyTrzFbGXI5LQ3IDIg5SerABkrDnh5HnPS4/s640/Photo+Sep+09,+8+37+45+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Class on class on class. So bored. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDwUQ5NNYDxUcUMkJpXENzJQToy4sj6QesK8AJMt0mER7_PSoD14ezWR_OyqeC79-q1r9UCsJe0CXbVZWfp-Uynf1z9oYwKqeEAFkNI1fzXdMmF7brVrKLt94Cpkv6pKlropIWDqOdOV_/s1600/Photo+Sep+11,+12+10+43+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDwUQ5NNYDxUcUMkJpXENzJQToy4sj6QesK8AJMt0mER7_PSoD14ezWR_OyqeC79-q1r9UCsJe0CXbVZWfp-Uynf1z9oYwKqeEAFkNI1fzXdMmF7brVrKLt94Cpkv6pKlropIWDqOdOV_/s640/Photo+Sep+11,+12+10+43+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A portrait from a student :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaU5nrQnl3yqZ7YBihqnI_FdZYYxQpD7y9Dd1ba22ZbiCCnG0Mh0q8Hf1B9v2F3qLLlu3FL83hBgsmcD7nwq422UwPsY8zntOr1qt0DxgtYIl7ptP7rW24lFr5kKOugnRAfa5DOVUMOdy/s1600/Photo+Sep+14,+5+50+05+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaU5nrQnl3yqZ7YBihqnI_FdZYYxQpD7y9Dd1ba22ZbiCCnG0Mh0q8Hf1B9v2F3qLLlu3FL83hBgsmcD7nwq422UwPsY8zntOr1qt0DxgtYIl7ptP7rW24lFr5kKOugnRAfa5DOVUMOdy/s640/Photo+Sep+14,+5+50+05+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favorite time of year: pumpkin recipe season!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnuyegWsMTnXVZaIgJnZZD5dzQxAkhNDWw1moWw_xZiBiUoMvFELqYsPl7hMd0Kebm2zN6vQox__G1n1ab8qHlqACYCxZ3tWnvjqFI2ugr-SKE9Jhg_4-rJSFKDc_O1a_dOH7L2Q7cLW3/s1600/Photo+Sep+16,+10+30+57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnuyegWsMTnXVZaIgJnZZD5dzQxAkhNDWw1moWw_xZiBiUoMvFELqYsPl7hMd0Kebm2zN6vQox__G1n1ab8qHlqACYCxZ3tWnvjqFI2ugr-SKE9Jhg_4-rJSFKDc_O1a_dOH7L2Q7cLW3/s640/Photo+Sep+16,+10+30+57+PM.png" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who has time for that? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZwG1MJB_bqHDYiGCCqCnd0y0VPbRkRvoUU4PURJipk0VXyNc71rgDGFBKPExVTgknwqOufdUfkOikVzb2Nc03oPON1af4PEDl31bF3hQws8PLoAWSNOFKA8BVFt3XLWd47pPu0gG1MBW/s1600/Photo+Sep+17,+11+48+14+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZwG1MJB_bqHDYiGCCqCnd0y0VPbRkRvoUU4PURJipk0VXyNc71rgDGFBKPExVTgknwqOufdUfkOikVzb2Nc03oPON1af4PEDl31bF3hQws8PLoAWSNOFKA8BVFt3XLWd47pPu0gG1MBW/s640/Photo+Sep+17,+11+48+14+AM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I almost had an anxiety attack when I left my students for half a day. I had to go to a class, so I left my kids with a sub for the first time. It was horrible. I missed them and worried about them the whole time. My team laughed at me for laying everything out like this before I left. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjabsOvPV4m1NNrjijhx9cddHOdSZDAn-is5GoN9AyMSFvCwt2V5C4_9Xo_jDmZMfATrpMQq4cBm-0fkwH5eYfzl3TEzc8YABAzJ-E5lkVUjYY4gP4VOw0cgDimS0dH6pbmYsRdFYluiCa/s1600/Photo+Sep+19,+5+51+14+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjabsOvPV4m1NNrjijhx9cddHOdSZDAn-is5GoN9AyMSFvCwt2V5C4_9Xo_jDmZMfATrpMQq4cBm-0fkwH5eYfzl3TEzc8YABAzJ-E5lkVUjYY4gP4VOw0cgDimS0dH6pbmYsRdFYluiCa/s640/Photo+Sep+19,+5+51+14+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My proudest accomplishment is my clean desk. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2o2srKMO4-soecSmN6tqBdb3cp60zZiKsyK4VJ0TWBa4spbwkwZIsq06emPXOIyn2MsTLh-IZvtaCLuhUbFaQCha43oiHbpgNqvbcPn5LA97S6t-k556kyQGb09eNMcS8njWcoF9ilM5/s1600/Photo+Sep+19,+11+56+18+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2o2srKMO4-soecSmN6tqBdb3cp60zZiKsyK4VJ0TWBa4spbwkwZIsq06emPXOIyn2MsTLh-IZvtaCLuhUbFaQCha43oiHbpgNqvbcPn5LA97S6t-k556kyQGb09eNMcS8njWcoF9ilM5/s640/Photo+Sep+19,+11+56+18+AM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I eat with the little people. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMmSVz6EJMWE_7vjzOXCI1FB1UbhMmeE6CMERlGDhK_ltbVxLgD5p2aXCl27SfwZfiWnbmtJCA139zjgs51MdCSTnH-eFqag_wViCT1IRa9TL3uVdtc-birYSSXvWe3GAxl5WB-BkdcCZ/s1600/Photo+Sep+19,+5+53+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMmSVz6EJMWE_7vjzOXCI1FB1UbhMmeE6CMERlGDhK_ltbVxLgD5p2aXCl27SfwZfiWnbmtJCA139zjgs51MdCSTnH-eFqag_wViCT1IRa9TL3uVdtc-birYSSXvWe3GAxl5WB-BkdcCZ/s640/Photo+Sep+19,+5+53+17+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe one day I won't be the last person to leave the school. Maybe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5NPRvaQ4V5RhIv5hWaYTSmuxY6xD-tYgpeAPMQyOanhKdzkQm8jkMPfhOS090XHjt038jsul8s82YchiUiW4Ln0rFREOEwzMSV4Hlxn2AkpmlzHaQya5f8BRDphu9Jg3LDAGcsAbagqt/s1600/Photo+Oct+15,+11+32+02+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5NPRvaQ4V5RhIv5hWaYTSmuxY6xD-tYgpeAPMQyOanhKdzkQm8jkMPfhOS090XHjt038jsul8s82YchiUiW4Ln0rFREOEwzMSV4Hlxn2AkpmlzHaQya5f8BRDphu9Jg3LDAGcsAbagqt/s640/Photo+Oct+15,+11+32+02+AM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
I survived my first glitter project.<br />
I'm surprised the custodian doesn't hate me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's my life in photo-dump form.<br />
Here's my view for the next three weeks:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWfXa0LvXFO-LMLdF32ZICiCJ4RRBvNfj-ZEt9XoA3M8inQNhYB0VsiCZ4HxQs32V2Ho1Sj-OzVRzh7XDfpx5uyyFKs2iM3d-QMS4DQ65aP8KaO0burolfE_fRxRN4GRlCNkmUNywoZFp/s1600/Photo+Oct+17,+4+25+45+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWfXa0LvXFO-LMLdF32ZICiCJ4RRBvNfj-ZEt9XoA3M8inQNhYB0VsiCZ4HxQs32V2Ho1Sj-OzVRzh7XDfpx5uyyFKs2iM3d-QMS4DQ65aP8KaO0burolfE_fRxRN4GRlCNkmUNywoZFp/s640/Photo+Oct+17,+4+25+45+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Movies, grading, and cleaning!</div>
</div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-87238998317610111302013-08-25T20:35:00.001-06:002013-08-25T20:38:15.735-06:00Days 1 & 2I'm sure you're all dyyyying to know how my first days went, right? Sorry to leave you on such a cliffhanger last week :) Honestly, those first two days were pretty emotional. So feel free to continue reading, but this in-depth documentation is mostly for my own sake!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYUiphcJCigLCofGU_RemCIHv2wbY7neL83PN34FoP7VFbHGGyVH2WQiSCtV5veybtt0JvaIBcs4fFpdllv7XBXbIo91scYNoOpMl0lSVeJJ_3biCbM9KudqGbuuEzzMQ39Xq-7gMBMLv/s1600/Photo+Aug+22,+7+43+43+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYUiphcJCigLCofGU_RemCIHv2wbY7neL83PN34FoP7VFbHGGyVH2WQiSCtV5veybtt0JvaIBcs4fFpdllv7XBXbIo91scYNoOpMl0lSVeJJ_3biCbM9KudqGbuuEzzMQ39Xq-7gMBMLv/s400/Photo+Aug+22,+7+43+43+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(fourth grade and fourth grade)</div>
<b>Day 1: </b><br />
I woke up so enthusiastic and excited. I curled my hair, ate breakfast, and practically skipped out the door to my car. I pulled into the parking lot and in my whirlwind of excitement, I didn't even put the car in park before turning it off. However, once I got to my classroom, the confidence and joy slowly transformed into anxiety and fear. I was terrified. I embarrassed myself in front of a parent (<i>don't you think fanning yourself and hyperventilating just as a parent walks into the room is a little embarrassing?</i>), and I felt flustered and unprepared all morning (<i>even though all my materials were laid out <b>in order </b>and I've had my plans ready for <b>two weeks</b>...)</i>. The kids came into my room and I felt <i>okay</i>. We were all kind of shy and I didn't feel like I was being myself. It was going alright, though. I realized after two minutes that I hated my bathroom procedure, so I just pretended it didn't exist and went the whole day without one. They asked me questions I didn't have answers to, and I felt stupid. Then a kid told me he had diabetes, and I realized I didn't know anything about diabetes... at all. He told me he needed to "check blood sugar levels and get the nutritional information for the school lunch" and I didn't know what the first thing was or how to do the second thing, so I told him to wait. STUPID!!! STUPID! STUPID! I now know that was the stupidest choice of my career. He got really low, and came up to me again a little shaky and said, "I need to check... like right now!" I freaked out. Left my class (bad) and ran down the hall with this kid, hoping he wouldn't pass out under my watch. I couldn't wait until lunch, so I could drown my sorrows with carbs and reconsider my occupation.<br />
<br />
I got some caffeine and food into my body, and I felt slightly better. I returned to my classroom feeling disappointed and blah. I've been waiting my entire life to experience THIS? Embarrassment, frustration, and failure? <b>Then something magical happened</b>. Pure magic, I tell you. We got back from lunch and I told the kids they could color while I read a book aloud to them (Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Bloom. Classic.). They seemed excited and I felt like for once I had done something right. I didn't care if they weren't paying attention to the book, I just wanted it all to end. I read two chapters and told them to put all their drawings and materials away. I walked over to my desk to put the book away, and when I turned around I had a line of 10 kids waiting behind me. One by one, they all handed me carefully drawn love notes, portraits of me, and thank you letters. My heart filled up with that excitement and confidence that had been buried away, and I felt like I could save the world! I returned to the front of the room with a sparkle in my eye and my head held high! I gave the most engaging lesson about our classroom rules. My students and I became a team as we solved potential problems, recited our class rules, role played, laughed, learned, and sang together. They understood alliteration. We made our own superhero shields, and they were amazing. They were so creative and funny. I fell in love with them. I wanted to hug and squeeze every single one of them, but I think there's some stupid and unspoken side-hug rule in place. At the end of the day, they told me they didn't want to leave! <i>"I wish time would speed up so it could be morning and we'd be in class again!" "I don't think I've ever had this much fun at school!" "This is going to be the best year ever!"</i> ... AMEN! I couldn't wait for Friday. I high-fived all my kids on their way out, calling them by name and feeling like a rockstar. I left feeling so fulfilled and so incredibly happy. I knew teaching children was truly my life calling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF9fKwwfbWvJjoIvJy1N2YO0CtaMSGU61Sbs1ieJ1HOG9rKu4ZDzx-yXrSnyxk6Qm89QKB7925eaBFdwZPJ6BEYE4PbwzWoOfeVQhIqW2whckswb8ShSH8nBmiJiDKZ_eLKpE1FZzDUls/s1600/Photo+Aug+22%252C+8+36+06+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF9fKwwfbWvJjoIvJy1N2YO0CtaMSGU61Sbs1ieJ1HOG9rKu4ZDzx-yXrSnyxk6Qm89QKB7925eaBFdwZPJ6BEYE4PbwzWoOfeVQhIqW2whckswb8ShSH8nBmiJiDKZ_eLKpE1FZzDUls/s640/Photo+Aug+22%252C+8+36+06+AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>Day 2: </b><br />
I was antsy to see my 24 beautiful kids again. I strolled into the office and grabbed my mail, confident as ever. I was surprised and a little irritated to see a "NEW STUDENT" slip, but I figured what the heck. Surely one more angel would not make a difference! (Even though 24 is the <b>perfect</b> number and my desks were in <b>perfect</b> rows for partnerships, small groups, and back-door partners). I hurried to get my new student's materials labeled, and tried to decide the best place for his desk to go without ruining my <b>perfect</b> arrangement. Done. Easy. Right? My new student came into the room and it only took me about 3 seconds to realize he does not speak English. At all. Maybe 5 words? I almost crapped my pants. I tried to remember ANYTHING from my college courses that could help me out, and nothing came to mind. Nothing. (What did I pay those professors for?) ... Nothing? Okay, then. I welcomed the rest of my students and taught them some things. I got them started on an assignment and called my precious new student to the back table. I downloaded a translator app on my iPad and started "talking" to him... I spoke into the iPad in English, he read what I said in Spanish, he responded in Spanish, and I read his response in English. I thought to myself, "If I have to do this the whole year, I swear on my life....." and tried not to cry. THEN, another miracle happened. One of my sweet, sweet babies came up to the back table. He must have realized the new student and I were struggling, and he started translating for me. HELLO! It made my whole day. He was totally willing to help and wanted the new student to succeed. I buddied them up for the rest of the day and things went smoothly. I'm still figuring out how to approach this barrier between us (because let's be honest, he needs to learn english. USA!), but my angel translator will do for now. Aside from temporarily losing a student, making a boy cry, and one of my girls getting kicked in the face at recess, the rest of the day was filled with productivity, more love notes, gifts, fun educational projects, and happy students. Another day under my belt, and I felt good.<br />
<br />
<br />
As you can see, it's been a wild ride. I'm hoping things will get easier with experience. I'm also hoping my students don't grow out of their angelic phase. At the end of the day, I'm happy I chose this job. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but gosh dang it, it's hard! Thank you all for your love and support!Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-75325467808176538052013-08-21T20:59:00.000-06:002013-08-21T20:59:29.951-06:00le tour de classroom<div style="text-align: center;">
Well people, my big day is almost here. After three solid weeks of sweat, tears, candy, hyperventilation, and a disgusting amount of trips to Wal-mart, I am sitting in my bed -- patiently waiting for my alarm clock to ring at 6:00 am. I spent the entirety of today putting the finishing touches on my classroom and getting all of my materials ready for the first day of school. It's crazy to think I've waited my whole life for a moment that is just a mere 12 hours away! My to-do list has transformed from a massive piece of construction paper to a tiny post-it note. I am ready! Here's a sneak peak at what's in store for my students tomorrow: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EdrhEntM9IMhhxTIOwHO3-SN8zrBWOn-3fYN6n5I3rfyONPSjFKpb1gPtom72d6Hqvv4_TLE9BWcaKLzwDNYyjKu33QPCGVJ2BI3UeoUxNWA6WG7rarzuNX2DgkN6zD7pjun-36CO-IV/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+11+22+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EdrhEntM9IMhhxTIOwHO3-SN8zrBWOn-3fYN6n5I3rfyONPSjFKpb1gPtom72d6Hqvv4_TLE9BWcaKLzwDNYyjKu33QPCGVJ2BI3UeoUxNWA6WG7rarzuNX2DgkN6zD7pjun-36CO-IV/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+11+22+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A__IWrB_ObnWAZdyyVuV-AKImj9-M0Hu45UzD-uMqF0FjTDhcue9EXfd66s5Bohf9ziFV-hneLVBpqhXSTg9BZVSQBHnTyh1tjN8LLKQnYmXfYP1dOg3UVWsoh0tnPjhx6GZ5dgyElpa/s1600/Photo+Aug+16,+11+21+18+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A__IWrB_ObnWAZdyyVuV-AKImj9-M0Hu45UzD-uMqF0FjTDhcue9EXfd66s5Bohf9ziFV-hneLVBpqhXSTg9BZVSQBHnTyh1tjN8LLKQnYmXfYP1dOg3UVWsoh0tnPjhx6GZ5dgyElpa/s640/Photo+Aug+16,+11+21+18+AM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIMSsBGQV6TvjLOVJMTHS5M5NaNK_CNerHdD5Zmne2xK9IXcgKzC-e0W91JZceOojUzwq31cjS7qruAcqosEYvCPqJVm9jvl4Qc07uXwJrW8Flvh62avFkHyDOWIzIeXioHiE2Pqlf4D/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+42+14+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIMSsBGQV6TvjLOVJMTHS5M5NaNK_CNerHdD5Zmne2xK9IXcgKzC-e0W91JZceOojUzwq31cjS7qruAcqosEYvCPqJVm9jvl4Qc07uXwJrW8Flvh62avFkHyDOWIzIeXioHiE2Pqlf4D/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+42+14+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkdiaDMsWxl_lbmkJtvwi4v3Z1zIm8pMUcoGcHnUnyZB1hlol2n0uQbJE8YXPUjacgGS0UXpEv9uyqoovCnIODAQ-Q0ESEgDp834wNdm_qKAzz8-qc_yNAYlLog16zdDp08pPtpY03pgg/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+27+01+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkdiaDMsWxl_lbmkJtvwi4v3Z1zIm8pMUcoGcHnUnyZB1hlol2n0uQbJE8YXPUjacgGS0UXpEv9uyqoovCnIODAQ-Q0ESEgDp834wNdm_qKAzz8-qc_yNAYlLog16zdDp08pPtpY03pgg/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+27+01+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DmGURxIYIgStQIn_ODbH3KcHUdpcKCzuMy8Ks1muysh63ZaGRWpqII-plVyP4brTbJ1U1DkqzhiYd3rkoD22Sk5pYEas6OCf9f1huRqfZQuOHanbqiBk0luvvgZkHh9okiepHBjQs7Ew/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+24+07+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DmGURxIYIgStQIn_ODbH3KcHUdpcKCzuMy8Ks1muysh63ZaGRWpqII-plVyP4brTbJ1U1DkqzhiYd3rkoD22Sk5pYEas6OCf9f1huRqfZQuOHanbqiBk0luvvgZkHh9okiepHBjQs7Ew/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+24+07+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFUnUiP27tU1A2LRe3xOotFoiJmYG7fEra-EkzoDyqN8yk9SwYyDZnNVYKosLuSya-6flLwr3Z4DP9RBDjCw2_iLe0Fq3Gjea0lpAuLfcoZWAVJtligpmcCoCyC0itAQEH2N4G-ExzSjZ/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+24+38+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFUnUiP27tU1A2LRe3xOotFoiJmYG7fEra-EkzoDyqN8yk9SwYyDZnNVYKosLuSya-6flLwr3Z4DP9RBDjCw2_iLe0Fq3Gjea0lpAuLfcoZWAVJtligpmcCoCyC0itAQEH2N4G-ExzSjZ/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+24+38+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHszWGet21ibqPCTAUB0xz_iYljri6ly8Ur8p37nGBSXTMcxL4l-MRxXSdZWgNqFGDFxOcQ3uSBG3JdjdWlKYgHXjwwE9h2GSeONt80X41ADix1vUJiFlsXrSm1ShWU_vkOIMNke4pY4t8/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+24+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHszWGet21ibqPCTAUB0xz_iYljri6ly8Ur8p37nGBSXTMcxL4l-MRxXSdZWgNqFGDFxOcQ3uSBG3JdjdWlKYgHXjwwE9h2GSeONt80X41ADix1vUJiFlsXrSm1ShWU_vkOIMNke4pY4t8/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+24+56+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWLWEtiNfFQfZvbM4CMBMTLpbkisY4WITyReM7nvADh__nmOlFz_1vDv7cwir_F3-otjA1qswR-yRsCmpKUVE5ag2nP6jioaJ3PrULMd0NRgu-d3AU8LXsMY_Ph1PDSjwYIqQ_8SqtIkG/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+25+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWLWEtiNfFQfZvbM4CMBMTLpbkisY4WITyReM7nvADh__nmOlFz_1vDv7cwir_F3-otjA1qswR-yRsCmpKUVE5ag2nP6jioaJ3PrULMd0NRgu-d3AU8LXsMY_Ph1PDSjwYIqQ_8SqtIkG/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+25+21+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWLWEtiNfFQfZvbM4CMBMTLpbkisY4WITyReM7nvADh__nmOlFz_1vDv7cwir_F3-otjA1qswR-yRsCmpKUVE5ag2nP6jioaJ3PrULMd0NRgu-d3AU8LXsMY_Ph1PDSjwYIqQ_8SqtIkG/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+25+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWLWEtiNfFQfZvbM4CMBMTLpbkisY4WITyReM7nvADh__nmOlFz_1vDv7cwir_F3-otjA1qswR-yRsCmpKUVE5ag2nP6jioaJ3PrULMd0NRgu-d3AU8LXsMY_Ph1PDSjwYIqQ_8SqtIkG/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+25+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHKieD0zEJdRTgZPvekkHaEjzQDfDq5axc39i1Vz6owSf_1kOMtxM8EEgiDk8Zg7JUFLGRnN3ehFd9DoRg7wKX_-9Ann4DKK8mWtPn73RK0hgkDUidCfjkZzRNoVV_cFgaMaWcxSHl5Jw/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+23+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHKieD0zEJdRTgZPvekkHaEjzQDfDq5axc39i1Vz6owSf_1kOMtxM8EEgiDk8Zg7JUFLGRnN3ehFd9DoRg7wKX_-9Ann4DKK8mWtPn73RK0hgkDUidCfjkZzRNoVV_cFgaMaWcxSHl5Jw/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+23+23+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzOrfACqXdP4WjgFNRqaDfFkFdq9CPniD5ipVTvGdEXNjxJxOrVcci3optwUYyzQXtutZsnmyZ3mj_22BWas12VkOkd-rzSZMB0dQpwZT5qFnFvKwaWkP7kN-XF0kYOsJYdmTvWQ6_BLO/s1600/Photo+Aug+21,+5+25+52+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzOrfACqXdP4WjgFNRqaDfFkFdq9CPniD5ipVTvGdEXNjxJxOrVcci3optwUYyzQXtutZsnmyZ3mj_22BWas12VkOkd-rzSZMB0dQpwZT5qFnFvKwaWkP7kN-XF0kYOsJYdmTvWQ6_BLO/s640/Photo+Aug+21,+5+25+52+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3nCh7lsYKqfn39CyH5_1u4_omiAqSqcF-3cQ3SSDdCxF6vfHKSTJeVBHmvWOIcB2XDWc8dwqWY2fzvYeepf8lly0pZKSPPmIk-UBlyRNQfQpVOqeuxd4ez8a1XZQgz-tqR8OWy5w5xrt/s1600/Photo+Jul+21,+6+56+37+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3nCh7lsYKqfn39CyH5_1u4_omiAqSqcF-3cQ3SSDdCxF6vfHKSTJeVBHmvWOIcB2XDWc8dwqWY2fzvYeepf8lly0pZKSPPmIk-UBlyRNQfQpVOqeuxd4ez8a1XZQgz-tqR8OWy5w5xrt/s640/Photo+Jul+21,+6+56+37+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wish me luck! I'm sure it will be a super day :) </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-44132311990461176512013-08-10T21:32:00.002-06:002013-08-10T21:32:27.909-06:00lake powell 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
On mine and scotty's second date, we were still in the process of asking each other all those cheesy get-to-know-you questions. He asked where my dream vacation was, and I said Europe or NYC. When I asked where his was, he said "Definitely Lake Powell." I laughed because I thought he was joking... but he wasn't. I've never been, and since then I've tried to comprehend Scotty's undying love for the lake, wakeboarding, and houseboats. He promised me that when we went together I would understand!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SO, you can imagine Scotty's excitement when this year's lake trip conveniently fell in my 2-week window of summer vacation! He's been talking about it for six months now. As our trip neared closer and closer, I was getting so excited to finally experience my husband's favorite place, and Scotty was giddy as ever, buying swimsuits and giving me a rundown of Lake Powell etiquette <i>(I guess one does not pack a suitcase when traveling to the lake-- Only backpacks or duffel bags!)</i>. I was so ready for our ONE summer trip. We haven't had time to do anything fun all summer because of crazy work and school schedules. We didn't go to vegas once and we missed my family's week at the beach house. ANYWAY, the point I'm getting to is this: we were really excited to go to the lake. <b>And then we got news that the houseboat had a hole in it. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The trip was canceled. We were heartbroken but there was nothing we could do. We opted out of the replacement vacation to California because it was too far of a drive and we didn't have enough time. All week I've felt so bad for Scotty because I knew how excited he was. I felt bad for myself because I'm a stress case getting my classroom ready and instead of laying out in the sun for four days I found myself making a front and back to-do list... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayuiL8MG02ppyNRDf161Zsk-sxh28RxWewnXWgLxSp8zIoEBJMDUB1Q1MxKOKrR2q6awreDJuG27Vb6vd4343jJ6BsKxtSbDYSmkxIpW2QlLaZXj3KCenik8jbfG2FDyUyBL37o9N-sF8/s1600/Photo+Aug+10,+9+05+28+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayuiL8MG02ppyNRDf161Zsk-sxh28RxWewnXWgLxSp8zIoEBJMDUB1Q1MxKOKrR2q6awreDJuG27Vb6vd4343jJ6BsKxtSbDYSmkxIpW2QlLaZXj3KCenik8jbfG2FDyUyBL37o9N-sF8/s640/Photo+Aug+10,+9+05+28+PM.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... not exactly my idea of "summer fun." Scotty's dream vacation was gone and I didn't know how to make him happy <i>here</i> when we should have been <i>there</i>. Luckily, I remembered his #2 dream vacation spot, and I know how to bring it to him without spending thousands of dollars on plane tickets. So instead of the lake, we made a Brazilian night: complete with music, food, <b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/225672631300295675/">pao de queijo</a></b>, and even a little samba.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZKx54EZbJXLdpbuG7JPyLzl0v3KGLaeW3TIMMXunDNInrqd7Qfd8UFDRIxkoius7VcBs2oo3mYoeUrK_mTOnIKqzrWfK2tGoiiUdW69f8-RUIsDjKp-UGvGPxMySCMZ2Y2EL5naNuZDR/s1600/Photo+Aug+10,+8+47+43+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZKx54EZbJXLdpbuG7JPyLzl0v3KGLaeW3TIMMXunDNInrqd7Qfd8UFDRIxkoius7VcBs2oo3mYoeUrK_mTOnIKqzrWfK2tGoiiUdW69f8-RUIsDjKp-UGvGPxMySCMZ2Y2EL5naNuZDR/s640/Photo+Aug+10,+8+47+43+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiiZk2w95c_OFFxw3_oIr600MIcMk_ewlXtdR9eNVY1MPaMhlkSrz7Pemb5Rebh-wuMABGPWNL63NS-vXarnlXrHz3U0QLUTGxTL4-d8H8uoE1jUl-d7YEYr6O2-0LM7ULEX2ZdV_7SMv/s1600/Photo+Aug+10,+9+03+38+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiiZk2w95c_OFFxw3_oIr600MIcMk_ewlXtdR9eNVY1MPaMhlkSrz7Pemb5Rebh-wuMABGPWNL63NS-vXarnlXrHz3U0QLUTGxTL4-d8H8uoE1jUl-d7YEYr6O2-0LM7ULEX2ZdV_7SMv/s640/Photo+Aug+10,+9+03+38+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe4RBcvx6BKHFmb7aSkLgIzL73rn4NZWqFKIMWyFOsDvTIwyKLiTYFdqM4M2_3WMRi3ZHUqClcSFDIH_DZSzyS1ALwZW0u2Ttp6iABkXZQYYrz6fXsfYpLopLFYps3bZcBSsD0_vLhvcS/s1600/Photo+Aug+10,+9+04+42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe4RBcvx6BKHFmb7aSkLgIzL73rn4NZWqFKIMWyFOsDvTIwyKLiTYFdqM4M2_3WMRi3ZHUqClcSFDIH_DZSzyS1ALwZW0u2Ttp6iABkXZQYYrz6fXsfYpLopLFYps3bZcBSsD0_vLhvcS/s640/Photo+Aug+10,+9+04+42+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mean hey, I still look like an albino because of my lack of sun... but we have fun together, lake or not. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love this guy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzb94huleBoMv2nSeSyIIOLHbkiaVKtwhC-Gs5evlAUieneT3GhOXVxL8nLdYZu2PkZdOl6SjJV38QoqdL_8JrCMw6lJCbsEpsvtAa_t_HXW82oXzt_d58NxExBkFZMoyYqbkqynmtKwO/s1600/Photo+Aug+10,+9+09+30+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzb94huleBoMv2nSeSyIIOLHbkiaVKtwhC-Gs5evlAUieneT3GhOXVxL8nLdYZu2PkZdOl6SjJV38QoqdL_8JrCMw6lJCbsEpsvtAa_t_HXW82oXzt_d58NxExBkFZMoyYqbkqynmtKwO/s640/Photo+Aug+10,+9+09+30+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... now back to my to-do list! </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-67021501854894286572013-08-01T11:57:00.000-06:002013-08-01T12:23:46.191-06:00my last last day. <div style="text-align: center;">
Almost four years ago, my parents dropped me off at college. I was nervous, excited, and ready to take on the world. I had no idea how difficult my courses would be or how many hours I would spend studying!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvUAioEmyTLETDUBrKYlAGlxfX3TTuu5o6G4_jevLZW0CiICmWNzFNkQUiLCOXXIrbP70ybbGdEMQULYWu5DWBtuxJ7__xJ70jZ1yAd28fnK4M6oKOz1U9bRAb0WfXe5M7kLkYI1afon0/s1600/Ashley+college+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvUAioEmyTLETDUBrKYlAGlxfX3TTuu5o6G4_jevLZW0CiICmWNzFNkQUiLCOXXIrbP70ybbGdEMQULYWu5DWBtuxJ7__xJ70jZ1yAd28fnK4M6oKOz1U9bRAb0WfXe5M7kLkYI1afon0/s640/Ashley+college+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today, I finished my <b>last</b> final of my <b>last</b> college class! I am DONE! I woke up with the most ridiculous smile on my face, and it hasn't left. I, Ashley Marx, will never take another college class again.<br />
I feel so proud and accomplished. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdX-XyNRm8ZvZrgOUu9ZY8KICz0PHIvUWJmDtvjhgoypnU_GQq4xiBZntYi_HnyI-wMfvlcJ1WfkAknhHfkU_jJnERZTqP4wtFsDKk42NUlU0QqYU9A83vpruoHz-Jzihx2LKxoOcBgnW/s1600/Photo+Aug+01,+11+26+58+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdX-XyNRm8ZvZrgOUu9ZY8KICz0PHIvUWJmDtvjhgoypnU_GQq4xiBZntYi_HnyI-wMfvlcJ1WfkAknhHfkU_jJnERZTqP4wtFsDKk42NUlU0QqYU9A83vpruoHz-Jzihx2LKxoOcBgnW/s640/Photo+Aug+01,+11+26+58+AM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
peace out, mckay school! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-g6u5jJM0byjBFHgB81pFyY7Q6qTVJ7NPaoALoaNQpcC53dpsZvY4vq0EXC6GVYdPUHrkSV9h6VIxgc6FqOxupm4iBdtwBRoSJeYiXAmY8Q-LNjgRymnDuPubmChZ-wQFmGZZJ9DmDQr/s1600/Photo+Aug+01,+11+24+45+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-g6u5jJM0byjBFHgB81pFyY7Q6qTVJ7NPaoALoaNQpcC53dpsZvY4vq0EXC6GVYdPUHrkSV9h6VIxgc6FqOxupm4iBdtwBRoSJeYiXAmY8Q-LNjgRymnDuPubmChZ-wQFmGZZJ9DmDQr/s640/Photo+Aug+01,+11+24+45+AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the trouble table :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWU07MVz9u7Sn7x03Tqj6HRPr3J5PRphG3kDYsBMwguvx3aYK5-WSWF9aZnBmYSm1hyphenhyphen2P-Bddnt_vFaTXvYFaxdVteK9PaMa3K0ybhhzJ64EWYa9Nzri_orl9vxfhgaMudbF2pNRN3pTi/s1600/Photo+Aug+01,+11+17+54+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWU07MVz9u7Sn7x03Tqj6HRPr3J5PRphG3kDYsBMwguvx3aYK5-WSWF9aZnBmYSm1hyphenhyphen2P-Bddnt_vFaTXvYFaxdVteK9PaMa3K0ybhhzJ64EWYa9Nzri_orl9vxfhgaMudbF2pNRN3pTi/s640/Photo+Aug+01,+11+17+54+AM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeXDh1qdfDrds3NaOd2TFxhMXZiZd79SScgP5F7QJD1kV49atH2GKxt89jTTm8bGQdL1B3IpNAVNrIpucPXiPG7857-ABncRepVfM1DGI6TmV-MMRkGvTZSigH_Qi7ysxXl-d74lb7xiz/s1600/Photo+Aug+01,+11+16+38+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeXDh1qdfDrds3NaOd2TFxhMXZiZd79SScgP5F7QJD1kV49atH2GKxt89jTTm8bGQdL1B3IpNAVNrIpucPXiPG7857-ABncRepVfM1DGI6TmV-MMRkGvTZSigH_Qi7ysxXl-d74lb7xiz/s640/Photo+Aug+01,+11+16+38+AM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I couldn't have survived the past four years without my husband, family, and friends supporting me the entire time. I would also like to give a special thanks to pinterest, google, prezi, and group texts. I'm so excited to move on with my life and start teaching in THREE WEEKS!<br />
<br />
... Now excuse me while I go take a well-deserved nap. </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-61738370809900632013-07-29T09:06:00.001-06:002013-07-29T09:06:56.807-06:00she & he<div style="text-align: center;">
rain // sunshine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
silence // music</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
crispy bacon // chewy bacon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pacific ocean // lake powell </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sappy love movies // exciting action movies<br />
squints // wears glasses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dreams of seattle // dreams of new york </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spends money // budgets money</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
musicals // documentaries</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
frozen yogurt // ice cream </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spicy food // mild food</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pinterest // stock market </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
asian restaurants // brazilian restaurants </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cautious // adventurous</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
chocolate milk // koolaid </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMQTCnCi8PnxyXEqwlG8aCPNvhYtoBWHGH6yI_4Tng1bwZjlG0CF-sX0iFjc-3oOq7bfGf1CwpcjJ5z3cjH729AdFmqE9yqNw9TzmHY_t7_yTqD6-e8b3tDQuXy8fTZHYm0jLqT6k32cK/s1600/Ashley+Scotty013+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMQTCnCi8PnxyXEqwlG8aCPNvhYtoBWHGH6yI_4Tng1bwZjlG0CF-sX0iFjc-3oOq7bfGf1CwpcjJ5z3cjH729AdFmqE9yqNw9TzmHY_t7_yTqD6-e8b3tDQuXy8fTZHYm0jLqT6k32cK/s640/Ashley+Scotty013+2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
ashley // scotty<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgJjOoeW9hqYmklqqvin3yHBnONfuywhwZ6T30pcE96MkdSM2ceDnsbL9yhUCXSmTPFmYo5-m9VDQV1ottrwwDkXBvZPRLtMaNrlN-iT7apaC-hJoy9dlq_H6eLxdnEKSnNH83974F8S0/s1600/Ashley+Scotty009+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgJjOoeW9hqYmklqqvin3yHBnONfuywhwZ6T30pcE96MkdSM2ceDnsbL9yhUCXSmTPFmYo5-m9VDQV1ottrwwDkXBvZPRLtMaNrlN-iT7apaC-hJoy9dlq_H6eLxdnEKSnNH83974F8S0/s640/Ashley+Scotty009+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
this summer's been a stressful, crazy, hectic one. scotty and i spend every second of our weekends together, and on monday mornings i want to cry. i miss him so much during the week! we are so different, but i wouldn't choose anyone else. i'm so lucky i married my cute husband. </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-29478391099553499662013-07-12T15:02:00.001-06:002013-07-12T15:03:47.198-06:00cow appreciation day <div style="text-align: center;">
I'm one of those girls who checks her phone before getting out of bed. I know, I know. I'm a disgrace to the previous generations and I'm sorry. But you know what? Today I have no regrets. Because there I was, scrolling through my facebook feed in the early morning, when I came across this <a href="http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Cows/Appreciation-Day"><b>peculiar link</b></a>. I read. I laughed. All of a sudden, my morning events and priorities were rearranged! I learned today is "Cow Appreciation Day," and anyone who comes to Chick-fil-a dressed as a cow will receive a free combo meal. Challenge accepted. I assembled some ears, noses, and spots (The website has a cow costume starter kit. Pretty awesome). Scotty and I laughed as we headed out the door for some lunch all dressed up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGi4_V9fSsdCuAp3mRc8WoS00nc3HWIHbPAOpqWQ6P7mnElgWIli-yAj4Ex1WefnRzerQND4NtXI7OBlC1LZ2wspFXeiRXSTLnoLiGBeUQjejHm9B0RsRHPOwtOQwq_0U1FiFr777NLBb/s1600/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGi4_V9fSsdCuAp3mRc8WoS00nc3HWIHbPAOpqWQ6P7mnElgWIli-yAj4Ex1WefnRzerQND4NtXI7OBlC1LZ2wspFXeiRXSTLnoLiGBeUQjejHm9B0RsRHPOwtOQwq_0U1FiFr777NLBb/s640/1.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRjUu-o8AvYzkpAlCu0lEf9vdjIcjiJGtr1jXHbCuCEg9MwwSA7MbZbuRb6zh6g7uy0rih6XA-1ll7fRaMmxDqnJHxT6OU66PjzJmch67pxX677K4Pz_neR1OQxw_z_P0wXac3nlG0Ejl/s1600/2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRjUu-o8AvYzkpAlCu0lEf9vdjIcjiJGtr1jXHbCuCEg9MwwSA7MbZbuRb6zh6g7uy0rih6XA-1ll7fRaMmxDqnJHxT6OU66PjzJmch67pxX677K4Pz_neR1OQxw_z_P0wXac3nlG0Ejl/s640/2.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We were relieved to see this sign out front! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTMtffI5RT1rn5onpUH2sMqBulehEMjtxWdniiblcHFvSXabFnUK7QRxtGpXXsFBXwrUIpi_Gy0UDvgQUiSCmFkXzaXFtQclGVzbwUwfPW1nSuZdA9JP7NOZdfQAIN2yh4i1f3FVPRVFs/s1600/3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTMtffI5RT1rn5onpUH2sMqBulehEMjtxWdniiblcHFvSXabFnUK7QRxtGpXXsFBXwrUIpi_Gy0UDvgQUiSCmFkXzaXFtQclGVzbwUwfPW1nSuZdA9JP7NOZdfQAIN2yh4i1f3FVPRVFs/s640/3.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu_Buy64DZ0cMy2wbyY5Z_L-Ldwr0BAWqc3x6oGXDjqY058Olj4fWLkD-PSJbpfgWId91J4muZV__HJFVCvorOGG9w72t2rh479xq8sSGp7t5L0BTGoUW_jMJajqxl3-A2zP5N5hHbUUm/s1600/4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu_Buy64DZ0cMy2wbyY5Z_L-Ldwr0BAWqc3x6oGXDjqY058Olj4fWLkD-PSJbpfgWId91J4muZV__HJFVCvorOGG9w72t2rh479xq8sSGp7t5L0BTGoUW_jMJajqxl3-A2zP5N5hHbUUm/s640/4.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our barnyard get-up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We weren't the only ones! The place was packed with fellow chicken-lovers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkUW5TXz0wzP-zEJI3taPTJvcBcNL5E6J6jNXxZLuWxpdlS2DFZB2_EbYK-uze1bbVJco9QSfNWuquatJ8Ghsp63OJJu2lKpLEGuF2Uxq-jM5bNGF_BDW2ydOwxEe_qQCiaC13HjaJyO2/s1600/5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkUW5TXz0wzP-zEJI3taPTJvcBcNL5E6J6jNXxZLuWxpdlS2DFZB2_EbYK-uze1bbVJco9QSfNWuquatJ8Ghsp63OJJu2lKpLEGuF2Uxq-jM5bNGF_BDW2ydOwxEe_qQCiaC13HjaJyO2/s640/5.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt_rkTUvjTw67K8RIfZKsr1zgbtP3hZK06S3cHGxjLybbL5K3XwTRaOA_zcIKCd3LRsVqA4PHJSft9l4RbUHysGVRGPl2S7cobMQsVITD0apgxlfWKaotPxI_tRQtpgW7IGgi0EoSWp05/s1600/6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt_rkTUvjTw67K8RIfZKsr1zgbtP3hZK06S3cHGxjLybbL5K3XwTRaOA_zcIKCd3LRsVqA4PHJSft9l4RbUHysGVRGPl2S7cobMQsVITD0apgxlfWKaotPxI_tRQtpgW7IGgi0EoSWp05/s640/6.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some people got pretty into it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnC_-J9FobJhAliAT8N8cRXwkhobHmnO8h151S6A4nstx38yzA4Im-bu2vF4D4D8jRKWDQ40ZVqEKEx99o5RzuVmeD6ZEFNEDXoqp9rgBg68B73CmJ28nRy8GgAGrwmWr5prPbGbVJcYa/s1600/7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnC_-J9FobJhAliAT8N8cRXwkhobHmnO8h151S6A4nstx38yzA4Im-bu2vF4D4D8jRKWDQ40ZVqEKEx99o5RzuVmeD6ZEFNEDXoqp9rgBg68B73CmJ28nRy8GgAGrwmWr5prPbGbVJcYa/s640/7.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The food was so worth the embarrassment! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe my social media addiction isn't such a bad thing after all :) </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-28212010780365900702013-07-08T10:06:00.000-06:002013-07-08T10:06:22.367-06:00things i learned from my parents<b>today my parents are celebrating 25 years of marriage.</b><br />
in our day, i'd say this is a pretty big freaking deal!<br />
i love them so much, and i'm so blessed. i didn't even realize how blessed i was until high school, when i heard people talk about their parents fighting or getting divorced. i didn't know <i>all</i> couples weren't madly in love like allison and john. they are the best examples to me! i consider myself lucky -- i've been able to observe their habits and interactions for the past 22 years, so i think i entered my marriage with some pretty good ideas of what to do. here are some of the observations i've taken of my parents and their happy marriage:<br />
<br />
<b>1. they never fight.</b> sure, they disagree about things, but they just talk it out. they respectfully listen and talk. i've never ever ever heard my parents raise their voices at each other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcmWUeeP1xWG5KViv5sMW0RK3fFci1Cf0m4_di77pHA0wY93el66l93WSdQmm8OjYl3QxSVOMTTsHUto5p8l2lqswJWQWhQo1W_5d76KZPgjDrwOElgp5WTkuaEqLsTxGUjhjYTC-60mM/s1600/431691_3121335285967_604347172_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcmWUeeP1xWG5KViv5sMW0RK3fFci1Cf0m4_di77pHA0wY93el66l93WSdQmm8OjYl3QxSVOMTTsHUto5p8l2lqswJWQWhQo1W_5d76KZPgjDrwOElgp5WTkuaEqLsTxGUjhjYTC-60mM/s640/431691_3121335285967_604347172_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>2. they spend time together.</b> i can't tell you how many of my friday nights growing up consisted of a little caesar's pizza and a babysitter. i am glad they made date night a weekly thing, no matter how tired or busy they were. it showed me the importance of quality spouse time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHEdit7cOaGwXzTASd6NZfw3BepO1jsdApCagg8fMsU6kKOdGimBQlMW-ivCNmKvPJpctdvV56i3Nt7hXBU37_vtUuekBiTfTazUwpxIxuRFQ6kxLKWxjtwRXjE6aagaXO2NdqgKQ2NLU/s1600/IMG_9786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHEdit7cOaGwXzTASd6NZfw3BepO1jsdApCagg8fMsU6kKOdGimBQlMW-ivCNmKvPJpctdvV56i3Nt7hXBU37_vtUuekBiTfTazUwpxIxuRFQ6kxLKWxjtwRXjE6aagaXO2NdqgKQ2NLU/s640/IMG_9786.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<b>3. they are always talking.</b> it's almost annoying, really. they call each other multiple times throughout the day just to say hi. sometimes when my mom went to girls camp, my dad would write letters to her and send them up with ladies from the ward. it's like they can't stand being away from each other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-xJs2zm9gfHx181F_tEpU0AgRNjaQn213Z8wBJlcCxMkwcm5Rh5Ods4tC481H7bmlcCyuK7DB5I4iO4tiQHT4gvCLVau-HCYoLKn4TjjgKdVM75Fcq8BuPo2TOkiWFhbwKY4voV3b_ao/s1600/480279_3766448312201_1310308463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-xJs2zm9gfHx181F_tEpU0AgRNjaQn213Z8wBJlcCxMkwcm5Rh5Ods4tC481H7bmlcCyuK7DB5I4iO4tiQHT4gvCLVau-HCYoLKn4TjjgKdVM75Fcq8BuPo2TOkiWFhbwKY4voV3b_ao/s640/480279_3766448312201_1310308463_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>4. they act like they love each other.</b> haha, i know they <i>really</i> <i>do</i> love each other. but what i mean by this is that everyone else knows it, too. they always hold hands. he always opens her door. they always sit right next together. they compliment one another. everyone who sees them interact knows they're crazy about each other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z_dpTYMt2LsIiFd8XtjEcO6C9O2Qn2OmSmKcV6gn9quiQgHgt59AkwJbFKh8XmWt9_BryoaEHqHknH7ful22HIF_n1_t9Vx4ZXXUUybVtmvHSjyaeZr869DCL21kl1Edu17RziTP0UJf/s1600/400581_10150467982301298_1370558942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z_dpTYMt2LsIiFd8XtjEcO6C9O2Qn2OmSmKcV6gn9quiQgHgt59AkwJbFKh8XmWt9_BryoaEHqHknH7ful22HIF_n1_t9Vx4ZXXUUybVtmvHSjyaeZr869DCL21kl1Edu17RziTP0UJf/s640/400581_10150467982301298_1370558942_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>5. they are a team. </b>these two people work so hard. they both work, clean, cook, serve, and worship. they help each other and support each other in all the things they do. my mom goes to listen to my dad speak in church, and my dad makes a special effort to help with dishes and clean-up after my mom has made dinner. they work so well together.<br />
<br />
i could go on, but john's probably already tearing up. mom, thanks for teaching me how to be a good wife. dad, thanks for showing me what to look for in a husband. i'm so happy for you two, and i hope you have fun celebrating this special day! i love you.Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-77920578094829219222013-07-05T16:25:00.000-06:002013-07-05T16:25:18.057-06:00let freedom ring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we love the fourth of july! we had so much fun celebrating this special holiday together. we woke up and played racquet ball, went running, and cooled down with some swimming! then we canceled out all of our exercising with some lunch and homemade cookies & cream ice cream. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMSQM2f4Qg9SxwbxK2AfIDXeuX4F6j84lvuvbeYiEdvGTd8ynvXs3z1i4ca9LwcPnXZyP4hKa9dxYf-aX5X7mM_oMjRM0fQ8i5NC7BwnmZl6KxSJWy4gOEocWz0Z7XpTkfrbxLx1SBuh_/s1600/IMG_9560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMSQM2f4Qg9SxwbxK2AfIDXeuX4F6j84lvuvbeYiEdvGTd8ynvXs3z1i4ca9LwcPnXZyP4hKa9dxYf-aX5X7mM_oMjRM0fQ8i5NC7BwnmZl6KxSJWy4gOEocWz0Z7XpTkfrbxLx1SBuh_/s640/IMG_9560.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLumHa4lZDJfPhiOQFz58PWH3MGMUK41V3UYPqIZSkPO8f5yk6MelTCvPfm7GpWw7IzM3EXU9CkbvUIP0HhQgjHFqtjtQ1JYAiME4CHUCsiJMg6cxMUIPl-LiNiFNk49wSePyLq8a40DX/s1600/IMG_9562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLumHa4lZDJfPhiOQFz58PWH3MGMUK41V3UYPqIZSkPO8f5yk6MelTCvPfm7GpWw7IzM3EXU9CkbvUIP0HhQgjHFqtjtQ1JYAiME4CHUCsiJMg6cxMUIPl-LiNiFNk49wSePyLq8a40DX/s640/IMG_9562.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yum! we spent the afternoon lounging around in our pjs (what's more american than that?), doing homework and watching tv. for dinner, we wished for a traditional fourth of july BBQ, but decided a bbq chicken pizza was the next best thing. i'd say i did a pretty dang good job. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0eKzLV3cUUTNK4DURkjlC9LlXRLSbXXMthjJ0GcmEH07Qe9xFOuXZIM16YQVdie_WvM3WTt4PG4XD64Wpy3JGtWI443dH5vNaNXTWSgyngvcBY8XNAal9QE5Ip3tz4PmXcoWPPsq7hRb/s1600/IMG_9564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0eKzLV3cUUTNK4DURkjlC9LlXRLSbXXMthjJ0GcmEH07Qe9xFOuXZIM16YQVdie_WvM3WTt4PG4XD64Wpy3JGtWI443dH5vNaNXTWSgyngvcBY8XNAal9QE5Ip3tz4PmXcoWPPsq7hRb/s640/IMG_9564.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after dinner, we grab some sparklers and headed out the door. i've had our special fireworks-watching location planned for weeks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqsDalaz9rYeQYjVqdBljDl5_NphiJU8lux0qaJL-8St_Km0ePCJAgG_iWQSooyRHr9VBkS6fAhj-F9HAd1m_2C6Yxpg5RZxa1x21QIfb_IMhccmXdClcSORRfCw1kXYWAqIEygLzaNch/s1600/IMG_9567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqsDalaz9rYeQYjVqdBljDl5_NphiJU8lux0qaJL-8St_Km0ePCJAgG_iWQSooyRHr9VBkS6fAhj-F9HAd1m_2C6Yxpg5RZxa1x21QIfb_IMhccmXdClcSORRfCw1kXYWAqIEygLzaNch/s640/IMG_9567.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we went to my school at the edge of west jordan, overlooking the whole valley. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd4_GagpXapsZsiTX-tqvP_bY3xNfJ3bnGf61-iHIL51Xz1JosoOJfvOmjkjnDxbQ4sA2g00gKQjFB3496WI1zuoc0KNPiEwdGVUSQXQ0BJUPyf16hyphenhyphen5e4jCJW9U9eTde5LXNEMKmWoHE/s1600/IMG_9591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd4_GagpXapsZsiTX-tqvP_bY3xNfJ3bnGf61-iHIL51Xz1JosoOJfvOmjkjnDxbQ4sA2g00gKQjFB3496WI1zuoc0KNPiEwdGVUSQXQ0BJUPyf16hyphenhyphen5e4jCJW9U9eTde5LXNEMKmWoHE/s640/IMG_9591.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a perfect spot on the field with an amazing view! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRLa2SztefIDYnfVklS_OouSFJndXEU5Us9RYTqMojSembPkEDpBusN02RORKtdXIRyu6chPvfurS3PnylRDjfm1Ln_wqWXHyNesEtERDu-IwFpj9ozFljo4Bu3N0LZW0sNznkAnj6F2w/s1600/IMG_9592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRLa2SztefIDYnfVklS_OouSFJndXEU5Us9RYTqMojSembPkEDpBusN02RORKtdXIRyu6chPvfurS3PnylRDjfm1Ln_wqWXHyNesEtERDu-IwFpj9ozFljo4Bu3N0LZW0sNznkAnj6F2w/s640/IMG_9592.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we played with our sparklers and watched the skyline of colors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfZidS1_zTCk6M0l_8qcPLw1Esgg685zP2AJP3sLOCsJC4-Mt3OZmoU1CHbDHD8P_aBNNrYy_SosW63s_Dss7TosrKTQbNfe-0vLaqZDqMQZSrbbmgcdGx6Cu_psxX0LFkeQFpyH8yur0/s640/IMG_9597.JPG" width="480" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq2uGEgAobfTu5lwgWuEZJ7TSrv-o79xzlesw7MtapXLF05FGXFWw2jaKWAx0u2ooCm3dSGKCkqjsD_PT3suNYVAAVZ4_utkTmNsYAlqq77SqXCMCVt8UzDIt0T-Sd78UBybNiClH7bHa/s1600/IMG_9581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq2uGEgAobfTu5lwgWuEZJ7TSrv-o79xzlesw7MtapXLF05FGXFWw2jaKWAx0u2ooCm3dSGKCkqjsD_PT3suNYVAAVZ4_utkTmNsYAlqq77SqXCMCVt8UzDIt0T-Sd78UBybNiClH7bHa/s640/IMG_9581.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIvYiFqKAWsHIHoo5ZU6FOePKZnv6t_40p_FsS9nBp8zH3HiHCVY23gjxmc2-b8lcSZd-HGVta3-i5iWEcZAbNoVym6iDcxkNPAQaWVeRZqTBZ66mtvfzAGxB6_vgEVsQNp7hqdL0CRpx/s1600/IMG_9583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIvYiFqKAWsHIHoo5ZU6FOePKZnv6t_40p_FsS9nBp8zH3HiHCVY23gjxmc2-b8lcSZd-HGVta3-i5iWEcZAbNoVym6iDcxkNPAQaWVeRZqTBZ66mtvfzAGxB6_vgEVsQNp7hqdL0CRpx/s640/IMG_9583.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvWNoQ4UnVur-zn7gqI90IGHTPvXCjKmkMbprOmc65ocJzgwW9guq1v9B7qva2W71Ow6B1Rsqlqra56O0NioDsxe3fraDovSS_VUekzHtn6M_h8esTWQMtUuScawaiyk0uRZoLhd4yqSo/s1600/IMG_9595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvWNoQ4UnVur-zn7gqI90IGHTPvXCjKmkMbprOmc65ocJzgwW9guq1v9B7qva2W71Ow6B1Rsqlqra56O0NioDsxe3fraDovSS_VUekzHtn6M_h8esTWQMtUuScawaiyk0uRZoLhd4yqSo/s640/IMG_9595.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(amazing picture quality, i know. blah.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfwQrDzbUnsySl7gLPELk-L_RXMkgcWA1AjhjHyJIFbwfQl07Mf4mICumoKHZQWfnJe9TqRnSXrJB8Ue2TnwjhTNuGFdAd7x8VfPiYtIJb5Dl58K6cdKYmIpy7Z2EYUSqc94BQuEIkO5o/s1600/IMG_9585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfwQrDzbUnsySl7gLPELk-L_RXMkgcWA1AjhjHyJIFbwfQl07Mf4mICumoKHZQWfnJe9TqRnSXrJB8Ue2TnwjhTNuGFdAd7x8VfPiYtIJb5Dl58K6cdKYmIpy7Z2EYUSqc94BQuEIkO5o/s640/IMG_9585.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
these next two are my favorite from the night. special thanks to the empty gatorade bottle we found on the field and the self-timer app. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-WaNlgacl2U3dba_TTRi2TcqmPjPw7Vo0TSdbmrdAGBrwcnjTk5mw2z2nOpWuTqI0uEUEqTZ6QwRDZQOTFsaY8mNcNh04Fo06Zudr5J6el5LEKmNZH6-gewP8Q1TMD6CU-NpD-41uWtj/s1600/IMG_9587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-WaNlgacl2U3dba_TTRi2TcqmPjPw7Vo0TSdbmrdAGBrwcnjTk5mw2z2nOpWuTqI0uEUEqTZ6QwRDZQOTFsaY8mNcNh04Fo06Zudr5J6el5LEKmNZH6-gewP8Q1TMD6CU-NpD-41uWtj/s640/IMG_9587.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhJxOAwGTOXWZtlBETH0K-7DyVT9ZuUv5dbyekA7GAvFxxsLzHwul2f3kMhxDlBoKB1rFMPRgZmAqZAVQKz8FyzkqshJSrp9SVyWoMieHNestvSJUEeHcgj6Oj6FN5c4OGWpuG_qVo2lg/s1600/IMG_9588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhJxOAwGTOXWZtlBETH0K-7DyVT9ZuUv5dbyekA7GAvFxxsLzHwul2f3kMhxDlBoKB1rFMPRgZmAqZAVQKz8FyzkqshJSrp9SVyWoMieHNestvSJUEeHcgj6Oj6FN5c4OGWpuG_qVo2lg/s640/IMG_9588.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i love him. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFMzaF6L-LMyYFUzzO5CZuSTqtFtfq5gATrMMJDs4JzWd8qJuGh0lX7n_eY1A0BcqW8EjEAEU1evA2CuWnG7A5V7UzLYVqbNexSf3iU41Xqgwp5rvEgnq8bbcgRbarQC3FTKEHeA65ikq/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFMzaF6L-LMyYFUzzO5CZuSTqtFtfq5gATrMMJDs4JzWd8qJuGh0lX7n_eY1A0BcqW8EjEAEU1evA2CuWnG7A5V7UzLYVqbNexSf3iU41Xqgwp5rvEgnq8bbcgRbarQC3FTKEHeA65ikq/s640/IMG_9589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was such a beautiful sight. i love our country and the freedoms we have. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
god bless america, my home sweet home! </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-32144745185896166842013-07-04T09:42:00.000-06:002013-07-04T09:42:04.848-06:00TBT: fourth of july<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">i've always loved the fourth of july. it's such a happy summer day, full of fun activities. i'll definitely be missing my family's bbq and pool time today. so, to cope with the separation pains, i will reminisce on</span> 1997. what a great year. and what a great time to reflect on for this fourth-of-july-themed throwback thursday! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8Mq2UINkUp7_zq4KwJ287847YBQeWBLqb4N5bYBh8V7JJjuz9JvlF7Wn65B_ZABhcMPyZUn_IIAvj9G1cFBbSwhVjTNB8foSYFKkgH-w4tVOhHBqzBNoV6ODYshirv6qMF34jI3Q4OBZ/s225/throwbackthursdaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8Mq2UINkUp7_zq4KwJ287847YBQeWBLqb4N5bYBh8V7JJjuz9JvlF7Wn65B_ZABhcMPyZUn_IIAvj9G1cFBbSwhVjTNB8foSYFKkgH-w4tVOhHBqzBNoV6ODYshirv6qMF34jI3Q4OBZ/s200/throwbackthursdaybutton.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
july 4, 1997 was a pretty significant day in my life. my family was up in idaho visiting cousins, and we all dressed up to participate in a parade. so fun! we threw candy and waved like princesses. i even looked the part, all dressed up as belle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcNZAhD4bcjhIdMFY3nth0ghIdbjdEqZexfWky1LXg7a5YgTAbhggaycGx3osyjTDEWl1FwWDn4Ls2YUHJS9KUtYSiwu_rz1zRS0Ot0Hjh0JM5qbYTjG8okNA_NbEu-dStZ9ybiIMVjuP/s1600/afterglow+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcNZAhD4bcjhIdMFY3nth0ghIdbjdEqZexfWky1LXg7a5YgTAbhggaycGx3osyjTDEWl1FwWDn4Ls2YUHJS9KUtYSiwu_rz1zRS0Ot0Hjh0JM5qbYTjG8okNA_NbEu-dStZ9ybiIMVjuP/s640/afterglow+(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(my cute cousins and my cute belle dress)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28rwThOZ2IwfjnzYR2TmlhrnD6V-WjI-SypX-66kk_OZMfDUukYJ1BWbBIBJ87-Arn-K8rnFClTefIMRYhWt5m3SGANTGo9phgpNx8tOTquYEbCOeiou8hTyY6x1XkPV7b286p0p9T3ye/s1042/afterglow+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28rwThOZ2IwfjnzYR2TmlhrnD6V-WjI-SypX-66kk_OZMfDUukYJ1BWbBIBJ87-Arn-K8rnFClTefIMRYhWt5m3SGANTGo9phgpNx8tOTquYEbCOeiou8hTyY6x1XkPV7b286p0p9T3ye/s640/afterglow+(2).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHimZFDop71DyBn-HkO8YixbxbaWTgyYIqe040YU0-0P2VcZFnmHUpw3m4w4HCxtQk7yrdvL_BF2AhyphenhyphenuELsGGxXXsO6-QRnfD1N5OEj6h85AbsvN6PHPlUOdn4VeVU61g0RZhntckTM9V/s1600/afterglow.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHimZFDop71DyBn-HkO8YixbxbaWTgyYIqe040YU0-0P2VcZFnmHUpw3m4w4HCxtQk7yrdvL_BF2AhyphenhyphenuELsGGxXXsO6-QRnfD1N5OEj6h85AbsvN6PHPlUOdn4VeVU61g0RZhntckTM9V/s640/afterglow.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
there i was, just minding my own business. throwing candy like i was told to. <i>probably pocketing some</i>. i guess the people of idaho liked what they saw, because someone walked away with a shiny trophy! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PwBxLP5jfntbYzHtQX0cuPtCRd17l16Ee9BZbdoVXBgZfUF2o-nrmtki8Hb_2lZPnjhfTWH6-XdjzGG8db0lJhUhGzFAF8fEEJlI-jYNY6bNWN4c4Pz2ZzY4gWZYDajr8R5OX6BobNwd/s1600/afterglow+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PwBxLP5jfntbYzHtQX0cuPtCRd17l16Ee9BZbdoVXBgZfUF2o-nrmtki8Hb_2lZPnjhfTWH6-XdjzGG8db0lJhUhGzFAF8fEEJlI-jYNY6bNWN4c4Pz2ZzY4gWZYDajr8R5OX6BobNwd/s640/afterglow+(3).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"independence day parade -- cutie pie award"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
16 years later, and i'm still a little too proud about it!</div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-80808783012445524652013-06-26T20:41:00.001-06:002013-06-26T22:11:33.594-06:00TBT: throwback birthday<div style="text-align: center;">
it's thursday (or late wednesday night) again, so you know what that means!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the throwback thursday link up with <b><a href="http://www.thelifeofbon.com/">the life of bon</a></b>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx60QKpluvW_zcHqflK4QzBFcGeGWortkQo7jxZgPwdBXHsyWWRsZd_1_wJBlTqVEcICT-QGvBsBN7q7bqaaR90dt_a2kHlALfZFcvqAr5-GnJs0m4VY5oYTak0pLMcSfaVdtdkDOL1S_/s1600/throwbackthursdaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx60QKpluvW_zcHqflK4QzBFcGeGWortkQo7jxZgPwdBXHsyWWRsZd_1_wJBlTqVEcICT-QGvBsBN7q7bqaaR90dt_a2kHlALfZFcvqAr5-GnJs0m4VY5oYTak0pLMcSfaVdtdkDOL1S_/s1600/throwbackthursdaybutton.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
today's topic is birthdays.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
my birthday happens to be on christmas day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>i know, i know.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
you're thinking, "that sucks!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and i'm here to tell you today that yes, it <i>can</i> suck, BUT there are precautions that can be taken to ensure any precious soul who shares a birthday with a holiday can enjoy that special day. you see, i didn't hate my birthday my whole life. in fact, i kind of liked it. i think my parents and friends handled this situation in ways that made me feel special and important, regardless of the fact that billions of people were receiving gifts on that same day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>here are the top 5 tips on how to NOT make a holiday-born person feel like they're second best: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. if you're a gift-giving person, don't clump presents together. "this is for your birthday <i>aaand</i> christmas." no. it's not. i mean, obviously if it's an extravagant gift (one whose excellence exceeds that of two holidays) that is acceptable. but giving an ordinary gift you would give anyone on a birthday... does not count, my friends. don't cut us short. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. give the person as much choice as possible. sure, it's a world-wide holiday. but that doesn't mean the birthday girl shouldn't be able to pick the days' activities and menu items. i always felt special picking our christmas dinner. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. OR, even better, celebrate on a different day. sometimes we would go out to dinner the friday or saturday before, so i could enjoy all the attention my little heart desired. in fact, my sweet mother-in-law refuses to celebrate my birthday on my actual birthday, and only sends her wishes and gifts on june 25th. i like it. i wish i had started celebrating my half birthday at a young age, but now it's a little too late to switch. everyone knows, and making that transition would be awkward. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4. don't name them after the holiday. mom, i love you. but having a middle name of "noel" has always been awkward and always lead to the conversation which i will talk about in tip 5. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5. don't tell them it sucks! don't ask them if they like it! we can't do anything about it, and i have never had any other birthday to compare mine to. so asking me these questions i am not capable of answering is extremely embarrassing and depressing. a typical conversation with anyone who sees my date of birth or middle name goes like this: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
person: oh wow, your birthday's on christmas?!?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
me: yep. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
person: ha- that sucks! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
me: ... thanks? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
person: i mean, do you like it? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
me: i dont know, because it's all i've ever lived with. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
person: do you get two sets of presents? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
me: yep.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
... and then it dwindles away into nothing. because that's what the conversation essentially is: nothing. so next time you encounter a holiday-birthday sharer, resist the urge to make a comment about it, and act accordingly! i promise you, they'll appreciate it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPmDdQ_8nvBShRm-5a2GrrpSAAwu2h-55tgmdeU4S22Pqag5yxPNLPCpbspr7vtHNA_futJX6Ihh2WWFqd6Na1ff8zQ6mptDHxLEqH28_qnaiLU1Eyg3PpCTzKr4ZKWhwfk7bd3DYIvlG/s1600/Untitled1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPmDdQ_8nvBShRm-5a2GrrpSAAwu2h-55tgmdeU4S22Pqag5yxPNLPCpbspr7vtHNA_futJX6Ihh2WWFqd6Na1ff8zQ6mptDHxLEqH28_qnaiLU1Eyg3PpCTzKr4ZKWhwfk7bd3DYIvlG/s640/Untitled1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
christmas and my birthday... they are separate, but equal. </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-68451848483206182052013-06-25T20:19:00.000-06:002013-06-25T20:19:19.419-06:00iphone dump 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i've said it before, i'll say it again. the best way to know what's going on with my life is to look at the pictures on my iphone. so here they are, and here is my life: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoKzoxsEPH5fylvX-A1BxcU9XhIrlJz8Sgt3Sdw0o0uKUTVhOjx2zFjMKimQa-7-CQP1DUa0oe3D8BHdHimA8pVsBNZEpn-cKCo0Z_5vVhWv7qaHf3pR-UQsPH_FLnUZMpZ1hl9hsaRSd/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoKzoxsEPH5fylvX-A1BxcU9XhIrlJz8Sgt3Sdw0o0uKUTVhOjx2zFjMKimQa-7-CQP1DUa0oe3D8BHdHimA8pVsBNZEpn-cKCo0Z_5vVhWv7qaHf3pR-UQsPH_FLnUZMpZ1hl9hsaRSd/s640/1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sunbeams hate me // determining my own grade! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl_Bj12p6DE59CKXmKuaKVK_51QZdGWrh49gsFxFvbYm0B6JP1-lvTZqZO4wt5lCgJ4trZxcOLHFc7xZHTWJBOTc3fNYdGkaxeyemUuJiVO8FZQGunZNBAyIdVxB8xAckbTHKimDZnev6/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl_Bj12p6DE59CKXmKuaKVK_51QZdGWrh49gsFxFvbYm0B6JP1-lvTZqZO4wt5lCgJ4trZxcOLHFc7xZHTWJBOTc3fNYdGkaxeyemUuJiVO8FZQGunZNBAyIdVxB8xAckbTHKimDZnev6/s640/2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
peanut butter popcorn and disney movies // our anniversary present from hyundai </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjPdIzK4HmC4e_tdGOYpIjKV9jVPeKFwF_8hHmpdrzOR6EztPyv_Q9MP5CSnQ6SYOQ8xNBSJstQBB0sdksQr2FQqNMj4eatHnRP7lWGikwj5ZAioYDbmsAmRg4m1BvkcMPrl5KrGArckb/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjPdIzK4HmC4e_tdGOYpIjKV9jVPeKFwF_8hHmpdrzOR6EztPyv_Q9MP5CSnQ6SYOQ8xNBSJstQBB0sdksQr2FQqNMj4eatHnRP7lWGikwj5ZAioYDbmsAmRg4m1BvkcMPrl5KrGArckb/s640/3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i'm psychic. this is a new feature in iOS 7! // i love utah's pretty mountains. so green.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimG5Gj4HRdjt0NvZbCmutNAppOawLunvUNXilBoW31b-DyiiIBzymxsNw2J0pwmJSTKXxQ4hPV3zYG4xvLsDeHG3j-p1Y8cryh2SpRzVug7i_QDocV3o45XtRtapDIOjONuwja_MFAlhVN/s1600/Untitled1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimG5Gj4HRdjt0NvZbCmutNAppOawLunvUNXilBoW31b-DyiiIBzymxsNw2J0pwmJSTKXxQ4hPV3zYG4xvLsDeHG3j-p1Y8cryh2SpRzVug7i_QDocV3o45XtRtapDIOjONuwja_MFAlhVN/s640/Untitled1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
tried a new <b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/225672631299038959/">cookie recipe</a></b> // i freaking love this creep</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m2ycz1zPYblbksNP8Bvy1uvp7hmL-jCZDpqKbNZzpKBBiseEYJBVFFnHEHLGf5RPGP7A0mBKWhhyphenhyphen5s6wiEUmAd1o-BVNO9Ks8zdUbcL-iPkVLehdEq96DUrhuZx7NYiFIc7apwi04RbY/s640/4.png" width="640" />babysitting cute baby eva // salt lake temple date with myself</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzN1ZxOGBkWlkSEJx49CVyVzHI_e2Uph7Qe6vTaY1roB_iJbLG-kC9l07uGH-bSKRWyiGdsc77NxuvXTlGhrAKX_02QxXWAXeAJcyqm6FMg5qslW7zRRZIPGpo35KK-k_imklz1BZAifO/s1600/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzN1ZxOGBkWlkSEJx49CVyVzHI_e2Uph7Qe6vTaY1roB_iJbLG-kC9l07uGH-bSKRWyiGdsc77NxuvXTlGhrAKX_02QxXWAXeAJcyqm6FMg5qslW7zRRZIPGpo35KK-k_imklz1BZAifO/s640/5.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
excited for instagram videos // good makeup day. i love mascara.<br />
<br />
not pictured: 9 credits of summer school and endless hours of laundry and dishes.<br />
happy summer, all. </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-20408025975552916312013-06-23T12:40:00.001-06:002013-06-23T12:40:40.692-06:00ashley-scotty day<div style="text-align: center;">
i remember being engaged and thinking, "<i>i can't wait to be married -- i'll never leave scotty's side!</i>" HA! what a joke. i was so naive and so wrong. now we hardly ever see each other. during my spring term, i left home at 7 am and didn't return until almost 8 pm. scotty's new position at work has him gone until about 9:45 every night, so by the time we ate dinner and said hi to each other, it was 10:30 and we were wearily climbing into bed! it's been a tough, busy summer. we are both working really hard. i'm happy because we are both moving toward our dreams, but i'm sad because we spend less than an hour a day together. so yesterday was officially <i>ashley-scotty day</i>. i told scotty he couldn't plan anything for the entire day. no meetings, no errands, nothing. just pure husband and wife time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we woke up around 11 (truly a miracle!), showered and ate some breakfast. then we headed off to the farmer's market at gardner village in west jordan. we had never been, but i had heard wonderful things about it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS6LF5R6wpePCZ0xZ3lJuu_IYuGovzVIn-7N2LRK_UoVDOFNognAVGAoJlSPdDqn1kb5BtwrNUoV3_yP9dvmklBWkvuR8Jq4GYKJQ-O_cVU0jEuKaYtG2QwUpAptue4T1ST3DnNaIhg2d/s1600/afterglow+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS6LF5R6wpePCZ0xZ3lJuu_IYuGovzVIn-7N2LRK_UoVDOFNognAVGAoJlSPdDqn1kb5BtwrNUoV3_yP9dvmklBWkvuR8Jq4GYKJQ-O_cVU0jEuKaYtG2QwUpAptue4T1ST3DnNaIhg2d/s640/afterglow+(1).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJPISdUYRw4kpgIq6HTjJmSEEA05cfrO7upftVasdK8gzgwSL9OQvU9fNwXrPpDkvHtMAZl9QwZL6kOlisiyVc3YoduQm7CvJHKEsH8EK9oGmJcsQ9b8wxRv9QhK4VcHQJ_y4HI-Ltumc/s1600/afterglow+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJPISdUYRw4kpgIq6HTjJmSEEA05cfrO7upftVasdK8gzgwSL9OQvU9fNwXrPpDkvHtMAZl9QwZL6kOlisiyVc3YoduQm7CvJHKEsH8EK9oGmJcsQ9b8wxRv9QhK4VcHQJ_y4HI-Ltumc/s640/afterglow+(2).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyitaRa39jK0Ov0pYFLAXWz7BvUrR_JyTKMwomY7zJwvxCyMAsm-cJUnXGWHxYi-kemmj80yxFKdSMO4a8-cZ7i7F4etEf3dqW5_wUNC6-vSreVuQvCB9zKlSuf-dLcTw14J8EFOuErWf/s1600/Photo+Jun+22,+2+26+44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyitaRa39jK0Ov0pYFLAXWz7BvUrR_JyTKMwomY7zJwvxCyMAsm-cJUnXGWHxYi-kemmj80yxFKdSMO4a8-cZ7i7F4etEf3dqW5_wUNC6-vSreVuQvCB9zKlSuf-dLcTw14J8EFOuErWf/s640/Photo+Jun+22,+2+26+44+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the best purchase of the day was this pineapple filled with ice cream and shaved ice. can you think of anything more perfect for summer? we are already planning on getting another one next weekend :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp8g-XCo_LbEne1vJkvAYaUcaZ6S_O1RWukoOhu1-8iQQy6lb0Rd9MuiFHgTFuiNWbcxwEY_Ny7o-6cEy3RbEgxLsKSH_DPCThyphenhyphenhGniNOLM4jmPwyImODOfMf1WiU3Yyc2_h4YHO8SWI1/s1600/Photo+Jun+22,+2+27+20+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp8g-XCo_LbEne1vJkvAYaUcaZ6S_O1RWukoOhu1-8iQQy6lb0Rd9MuiFHgTFuiNWbcxwEY_Ny7o-6cEy3RbEgxLsKSH_DPCThyphenhyphenhGniNOLM4jmPwyImODOfMf1WiU3Yyc2_h4YHO8SWI1/s640/Photo+Jun+22,+2+27+20+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
it was a beautiful morning. we were so relaxed as we walked around tasting samples and laughing with the various sellers. some people are so talented! we tried all kinds of foods and sauces, and walked away with a sweet lotion bar. the trip was successful! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenuRoPNCwmGl-xCuAA3ZmKFHWj9qHymYJVtqvEYI7AMRAnzaLcHk7sELU1JAJGs2ycZhVRAoCJJ18jge0ZJrTzsyWI9EY6u9Auhhsz7NfK8fPUKknYx1_koRmtwLYuTAjf2BKBpN1cW4o/s1600/Photo+Jun+22,+4+15+35+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenuRoPNCwmGl-xCuAA3ZmKFHWj9qHymYJVtqvEYI7AMRAnzaLcHk7sELU1JAJGs2ycZhVRAoCJJ18jge0ZJrTzsyWI9EY6u9Auhhsz7NfK8fPUKknYx1_koRmtwLYuTAjf2BKBpN1cW4o/s640/Photo+Jun+22,+4+15+35+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
then we headed over to target to pick up a few necessities, and scotty got a haircut. our fun day continued at chilis, where i got a free flatbread thanks to <a href="http://chilismillion.com/"><b>this coupon</b></a>. it was alright, but now i'm afraid i'm scarred for life because nothing is comparable to our shaved ice in a pineapple. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XDjdyQiG3a9duUN_s5dPovn3Hh0wrFzaJPzQlBgM_I_wtmkV_7ipp59svdhsToRKpVFxc2Dv6RP1By6Dak47npfrpLzKqZ2r1haJJQfzR5U5csqhaBriYNWkJo1uDfR02uFDChOmGZcG/s1600/afterglow+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XDjdyQiG3a9duUN_s5dPovn3Hh0wrFzaJPzQlBgM_I_wtmkV_7ipp59svdhsToRKpVFxc2Dv6RP1By6Dak47npfrpLzKqZ2r1haJJQfzR5U5csqhaBriYNWkJo1uDfR02uFDChOmGZcG/s640/afterglow+(3).jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we came home to clean and rest for a little bit. for dinner, we attended a church picnic. it was just lovely. the weather was perfect and the food was delicious. i watched scotty compete in a kickball tournament, and somehow i ended up with another shaved ice in my hand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y09WTPz_ctmsmsn3fRQLMpsFsjjiow_Za8v6PdxRoKyEvCZnmdMfytSu6G1o30yH5WnP6zWu18FUZMxjJsBNTGZnNniwPdC5vZokhST_hyphenhyphenZ0WEuqi_MhtDVNPxz9FbSlogeS_0Au402s/s1600/Photo+Jun+22,+6+17+44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y09WTPz_ctmsmsn3fRQLMpsFsjjiow_Za8v6PdxRoKyEvCZnmdMfytSu6G1o30yH5WnP6zWu18FUZMxjJsBNTGZnNniwPdC5vZokhST_hyphenhyphenZ0WEuqi_MhtDVNPxz9FbSlogeS_0Au402s/s640/Photo+Jun+22,+6+17+44+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZcFjBfX6cJ2Qd45J5i7Y2USmy3P8GltYmEiK8HF6nzhFDVCVr6mPQ5oIbMwXGr0mEGlgOQPOsZlDesOZ_cvxqi-OlvzOjK9FXLydi3mQyf3PiVHrZOW4MlSpPyVuHr0MqOeiQQ86aiJ8/s1600/Photo+Jun+22,+6+17+53+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZcFjBfX6cJ2Qd45J5i7Y2USmy3P8GltYmEiK8HF6nzhFDVCVr6mPQ5oIbMwXGr0mEGlgOQPOsZlDesOZ_cvxqi-OlvzOjK9FXLydi3mQyf3PiVHrZOW4MlSpPyVuHr0MqOeiQQ86aiJ8/s640/Photo+Jun+22,+6+17+53+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78G4ZWJ5LaoA_2dAkZ7ouXED3LqjNDJiS_rYKitCbYtdw6TsYavHCq2l1yG6nlBTaJOcU2M2xG-YQ9V1DYpq1kNHE8rR-zERtG-qnqokDANGXiG4PuOlaDvAGlL1zCJG4Je0W0lpCJZjz/s1600/Photo+Jun+22,+6+31+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78G4ZWJ5LaoA_2dAkZ7ouXED3LqjNDJiS_rYKitCbYtdw6TsYavHCq2l1yG6nlBTaJOcU2M2xG-YQ9V1DYpq1kNHE8rR-zERtG-qnqokDANGXiG4PuOlaDvAGlL1zCJG4Je0W0lpCJZjz/s640/Photo+Jun+22,+6+31+24+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTI9CLD1KO4j6PyJ4bBmje0GVqCoiGnVpbCE9LXQ8DykIxoOog7G03EYmxjU-fSYxdBBombG3hlG6tuz-yLZvsiiqnojnmRK3yjr3y0XaqV2bOov2kQWspHjGBwVc-C-4zm5YFWBpfTul/s1600/Photo+Jun+22,+6+31+31+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTI9CLD1KO4j6PyJ4bBmje0GVqCoiGnVpbCE9LXQ8DykIxoOog7G03EYmxjU-fSYxdBBombG3hlG6tuz-yLZvsiiqnojnmRK3yjr3y0XaqV2bOov2kQWspHjGBwVc-C-4zm5YFWBpfTul/s640/Photo+Jun+22,+6+31+31+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we love summer. </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-14608441687336740742013-06-19T20:38:00.001-06:002013-06-19T20:38:20.892-06:00tbt: elementary school crushtoday i'm linking up with the hilarious <a href="http://www.thelifeofbon.com/"><b>bonnie</b></a> and talking about my first crush!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw1R27EDgsRM6kr6raCoDlTOBB91zvJiXhKjpafgkTYcfRLKJ8YC47OHItuyybsZkb9WyBRLOGDc9u8vFiRsMZUV3W97CBfOYqFVRoiM75wrY0xQhnqUwsRvgMCyP7TVYV6uIyyEjgA3W/s1600/throwbackthursdaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw1R27EDgsRM6kr6raCoDlTOBB91zvJiXhKjpafgkTYcfRLKJ8YC47OHItuyybsZkb9WyBRLOGDc9u8vFiRsMZUV3W97CBfOYqFVRoiM75wrY0xQhnqUwsRvgMCyP7TVYV6uIyyEjgA3W/s1600/throwbackthursdaybutton.jpg" /></a></div>
man, oh man. my first crush. we met in our second grade class. he lived up the street from me, he was in the same ward as me... it was inevitable. we traded pokemon cards and walked home together, but i knew things were getting serious when he gave me a stuffed animal on valentines day. my heart broke when i moved to vegas in 7th grade and the distance caused our love to slowly dwindle away. even though we were miles away transforming into completely different people, we actually kept in contact for a good amount of time! we sent the occasional text or email all the way through high school. now i stalk him on facebook from time to time, and we exchange happy birthday posts.<br />
<br />
i have narrowed down our experiences together to the two most noteable, and i think you'll enjoy them.<br />
<br />
1. msn instant messaging was the only form of communication back in the day, so we were frequenters. we messaged back and forth about our stuuupid elementary school problems or exciting things that happened to us that day at school. on one particular instant-messaging session, he had to sign off because his dad needed him. when i saw he was "now offline," i decided that would be a perfect moment for me to release my true feelings. they had been cooped up in my heart for too long! i typed out something like, "i think you are so cute and i have a crush on you," and pushed enter, knowing he would never see it. i expected a weight to be lifted off my chest, but instead i watched in horror as i read, "this user is offline. (s)he will receive this message next time they sign in." HA! how embarrassing!<br />
<br />
2. my mom was driving us home after a successful mall trip. we had both bought sweet new packs of pokemon cards, and were trading in the back seat. i let my feelings take over and got suckered into a ridiculous deal, trading one of my really rare cards for a few of his boring cards. after the exchange, he exclaimed how happy he was and said, "i almost want to kiss you!" my heart flew out of my chest, but i kept my cool by saying, "umm... ew! i'm glad you didn't!" ... and that, my friends, is the first time i ever lied to a boy about my feelings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiofa1qMYXo4xXKicxjOgSTBAO4mA4i2pBxR5xpoBN6aTx-bxYepJTXu5A4nIZy2pB7Dmc5Mn9AH1-AHUIqkgQrX0GvzDlo-h5fOR_F5SnpF7MTQnyG_0XKfdw_VwbXK_JO1ScWSaEXFdd/s1600/Photo+Jun+19,+8+12+38+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiofa1qMYXo4xXKicxjOgSTBAO4mA4i2pBxR5xpoBN6aTx-bxYepJTXu5A4nIZy2pB7Dmc5Mn9AH1-AHUIqkgQrX0GvzDlo-h5fOR_F5SnpF7MTQnyG_0XKfdw_VwbXK_JO1ScWSaEXFdd/s400/Photo+Jun+19,+8+12+38+PM.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
those were the days! the funny thing about becoming a teacher is i'll never really <i>leave</i> elementary school. hopefully some of the girls in my classroom will write journal entries about their crazy love lives so i can soak up the drama.Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-65997609345408293742013-06-16T11:51:00.000-06:002013-06-16T11:51:23.926-06:00my father<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
happy father's day! i love my dad so much. he has many noteworthy qualities, it's hard to narrow them down to just a few... but i will try to do so in this honorary fathers day post. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjahJobvtJmpbAaUNLEtBTm0b-lkBJvJcdSXlaQNjo6Ln5XymifqCrMEbIDJr1K4YaMtoeO-2LNJk3cWW4cFlDyyfSYyy3UJZhkASzDhYyWmmg3vpQUigMBGpwpvy6SIdb3T_GBAKORrnn/s1600/100_1032+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjahJobvtJmpbAaUNLEtBTm0b-lkBJvJcdSXlaQNjo6Ln5XymifqCrMEbIDJr1K4YaMtoeO-2LNJk3cWW4cFlDyyfSYyy3UJZhkASzDhYyWmmg3vpQUigMBGpwpvy6SIdb3T_GBAKORrnn/s640/100_1032+copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ he serves. he is always looking for opportunities to serve. he's put me outside of my comfort zone with feeding homeless people and digging up the neighbor's weeds. the memories and good feelings we received afterward are priceless. he is always on the lookout for someone he can help. he has a selfless heart, and always puts others before himself. he sacrifices things to make others happy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkFxGCPze43deKu1SGqbpzevTgvG7mJa_yAIrKnWEhfxf5M4TSSwROTpX4nS2gc3yLm6mwAMz3vR72Q0zaF6LSvW-Yc3CYxxtGcMriMgWbLpGIuvlnDb8LtCe9sqvMtRZcFf5iIeCCQt3/s1600/IMG_9762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkFxGCPze43deKu1SGqbpzevTgvG7mJa_yAIrKnWEhfxf5M4TSSwROTpX4nS2gc3yLm6mwAMz3vR72Q0zaF6LSvW-Yc3CYxxtGcMriMgWbLpGIuvlnDb8LtCe9sqvMtRZcFf5iIeCCQt3/s640/IMG_9762.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ he puts up with me, even when i don't deserve it. i've terrorized him with bald jokes and called him by his first name for years, and he still loves the crap out of me! i'm glad we have such a fun-loving relationship. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPgKAW-d-D1ELUGAbhPrUzArThnwXFZR-0oEZXuMU5AVum0G3_kPcfNex_qoeZY-P1C1nf6kDaqphnWeR4e9I9A2m-ueW0xaTu0QS9mmeuGwAm7fPI8WdponRCMW8q28XsA5eoxBc37n2/s1600/IMG_9681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPgKAW-d-D1ELUGAbhPrUzArThnwXFZR-0oEZXuMU5AVum0G3_kPcfNex_qoeZY-P1C1nf6kDaqphnWeR4e9I9A2m-ueW0xaTu0QS9mmeuGwAm7fPI8WdponRCMW8q28XsA5eoxBc37n2/s640/IMG_9681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ he loves the arts. he introduced me to a wide variety of art at a young age. we talked about plays, museums, paintings, music, sculptures, and everything between. we love van gogh and les miserables. he is very in tune with his artistic side! in fact, he even painted the canvas in this bathroom selfie: </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFVjqXSyqCjscmkN00wnRPU_UFNbQZDxWPWhvFzyc-y-lZsgAT6vSlklDLHvrfUXJf-FLyCGUlG59hWSF0kJGU0jb1VVBy4BDGglL1IW3l8NWeKdBSi1ucwEMFxNvFe2lgtzrwadDiftF/s1600/IMG_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFVjqXSyqCjscmkN00wnRPU_UFNbQZDxWPWhvFzyc-y-lZsgAT6vSlklDLHvrfUXJf-FLyCGUlG59hWSF0kJGU0jb1VVBy4BDGglL1IW3l8NWeKdBSi1ucwEMFxNvFe2lgtzrwadDiftF/s640/IMG_0043.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ he is a people person. he's always friendly, and he loves public speaking. he can entertain a whole crowd with his stories and ideas. he might be the most exciting high council speaker in church i've ever known :) he has a happy charisma that draws people toward him. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM4iyUijz1sEc_T14q0QznL9UwWgAIRlBNqxB-jqsYKJUOwDo6Kw0vsm08E08WP7xZYlkSG_nU3KsSkwN_PEgL-kRlGqVzZnuzIqJmV-lHV80wok71oiDf380ZBLLlBPJkFvgz29g-sIG/s1600/IMG_6231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM4iyUijz1sEc_T14q0QznL9UwWgAIRlBNqxB-jqsYKJUOwDo6Kw0vsm08E08WP7xZYlkSG_nU3KsSkwN_PEgL-kRlGqVzZnuzIqJmV-lHV80wok71oiDf380ZBLLlBPJkFvgz29g-sIG/s640/IMG_6231.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ he is the most creative person i know. the amount of creativity he has inside his mind is borderline ridiculous. he loves to design, persuade, and imagine. when i was little, he would ask me to name three random items, and he would create a bedtime story (on the spot!) revolving around those three things. i think he could have been successful in just about any career, but i'm glad he chose marketing and advertising. he is so amazing at what he does. i can only hope some of his talents are rubbing off on me. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6uh_IwwWUVlUd0-7YWIdQI4tusodkpNxFaXicYCY1xSrNiz1EM-AX_fG2sBu-jxCjObx5ILHbxq9i_JH3338KBaaRp58xKEMKbSZxNbfnrRA-MgL4daaKRfu4GyTVrdJt5jfxlp3EVvD/s1600/IMG_2358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6uh_IwwWUVlUd0-7YWIdQI4tusodkpNxFaXicYCY1xSrNiz1EM-AX_fG2sBu-jxCjObx5ILHbxq9i_JH3338KBaaRp58xKEMKbSZxNbfnrRA-MgL4daaKRfu4GyTVrdJt5jfxlp3EVvD/s640/IMG_2358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ he is sentimental. i love that my dad tells me he loves me and misses me. his random texts, calls, and voicemails make my day. he does cute little things and surprises for my mom, and i love that.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_jZCNxhgMJoZZWbHnioPts-ckLoIXjUsy1vXFDzzTBo1X9ZKPhFBXp0LsuMilEg7-oymY_Fr2twkiorn9468CmKl5OsxJmclEXcbUdcGKbyey_tieQfqIKCQ1Ih0GhdHQHswcvjIjWaf/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_jZCNxhgMJoZZWbHnioPts-ckLoIXjUsy1vXFDzzTBo1X9ZKPhFBXp0LsuMilEg7-oymY_Fr2twkiorn9468CmKl5OsxJmclEXcbUdcGKbyey_tieQfqIKCQ1Ih0GhdHQHswcvjIjWaf/s640/IMG_0095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i'm so lucky to have him as my dad!</div>
</div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-86057229103372756982013-06-10T21:06:00.001-06:002013-06-10T21:06:27.152-06:00apple debrief if you didn't know, apple's little <span style="font-size: x-small;">(okay, maybe not so little)</span> developer conference was today. i was hoping to hear an announcement about something that rhymes with shmiphone shmix... but i guess i'll have to wait another year. what they <i>did</i> announce, however, is the new operating system, iOS 7. see for yourself over here: <a href="http://www.apple.com/ios/ios7/"><b>http://www.apple.com/ios/ios7/</b></a><br />
<br />
or, if you prefer my amateur summarization, keep reading.<br />
<br />
<u>some new features i'm looking forward to: </u><br />
-<i>brightness in the control center</i>. HELLO, where has this been all my life? it takes so long to access the brightness, and i need it multiple times throughout the day! can't wait.<br />
-<i>seeing the actual screens in multi-tasking</i>. this will be very convenient; it just makes sense to include the screen preview before switching from app to app.<br />
-<i>totally redesigned app icons</i>. while i'm sad to part with the images we know and love, these new ones are so clean and crisp. they are full of vibrant colors and bring a sense of unity across the phone.<br />
-<i>airdrop</i>. freak yes. now i can trade pictures with my mom quickly and efficiently!<br />
-<i>new view of safari tabs</i>. umm... this looks so cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMuw_zhgp0Eg01uSw9UYpL5SzqrzvwlFbHL4n4UQWHphoggF0zMItW0xcXd6mel7i_q7leRlGZB2EoL65oYEifeaVwMruXYNyCggzII4iNU8o1q3Jda8KjMZgKIheSU4he1H1pwkOh8un/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-10+at+8.41.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMuw_zhgp0Eg01uSw9UYpL5SzqrzvwlFbHL4n4UQWHphoggF0zMItW0xcXd6mel7i_q7leRlGZB2EoL65oYEifeaVwMruXYNyCggzII4iNU8o1q3Jda8KjMZgKIheSU4he1H1pwkOh8un/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-10+at+8.41.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6svKpilucKpi3REuL-AlSlnjfkhqAYxH4tWmD92gGvechryn_B9ajUDfhEUVNMpf6yEL4xXdm2E4oEdPDYHUnL-P_uid6ig3xFVJ4LoFojpVoMMZVBYgWYyoqEXbvA4KuDAz5SjMHiJg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-10+at+8.42.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6svKpilucKpi3REuL-AlSlnjfkhqAYxH4tWmD92gGvechryn_B9ajUDfhEUVNMpf6yEL4xXdm2E4oEdPDYHUnL-P_uid6ig3xFVJ4LoFojpVoMMZVBYgWYyoqEXbvA4KuDAz5SjMHiJg/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-10+at+8.42.34+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DCOG-YPynMPjyLI2ojMe91JKWCXr6_98-TAlVvEWCSzCOEwLNLNx3DWZvK5ynbqqy-CS4bbXv21gYla7-57Z8c8EOsO-0lTzA2sUuR1bF85qZk0nJczlxm7A5xRHcJLvGlY2tjBL_Cr6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-10+at+8.43.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DCOG-YPynMPjyLI2ojMe91JKWCXr6_98-TAlVvEWCSzCOEwLNLNx3DWZvK5ynbqqy-CS4bbXv21gYla7-57Z8c8EOsO-0lTzA2sUuR1bF85qZk0nJczlxm7A5xRHcJLvGlY2tjBL_Cr6/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-06-10+at+8.43.57+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<u>some new features i don't care for: </u><br />
-<i>filters in camera app</i>. HA, the joke's on you, apple. we already have our favorite photo-editing apps, and i seriously doubt your puny little palette of filters will compare.<br />
-<i>notification center accessible from lock screen</i> ... because "sliding to unlock" takes too long?<br />
-<i>clustering photos based off of location/time.</i> cool, i guess? i mean, i could have organized them in albums if i wanted them that way in the first place.<br />
<br />
<br />
i left the apple website today feeling happy and proud to be an iphone user.<br />
come fall, i get a whole new phone without forking over $200+.<br />
what are your thoughts on this new software?Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4635393740041799835.post-24038444489281670542013-06-09T14:20:00.000-06:002013-06-09T14:20:21.541-06:00the quickest of quick trips<div style="text-align: center;">
on tuesday i saw<b> <a href="http://jencastagno.blogspot.com/">jen</a> </b>in the hallway at school (i love that we're both education majors) and we caught up for a few minutes. she told me she was going to vegas on friday -- driving <i>all by herself</i>. i couldn't bear to think of my friend being so lonely, and next thing i knew we had arranged on a spontaneous girls trip! (four days is about as spontaneous as i get, haha!) she was only going down for a baby shower, and i was hitching a ride to see my family and keep jen company. we left friday around 3, and returned late saturday night. a quick 22 hours in vegas... this may be my new record. but even with the short amount time, i had a blast! vegas never disappoints. here's a recap of the weekend: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
love my favorite travel buddy. we've made this drive many times together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7WUZR-3PWJkstrk0If7FzmAjI_TmK5lWd7RpSXTNfh78q9vvwnpEzpD18myAx4AYmYWlBHsNdVbx2cI3PEw92-YPjQOuGopp672rXIJLht7sHuoZwtxcjszKkDyeN17zdhKFDJmzwjEr/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+31+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7WUZR-3PWJkstrk0If7FzmAjI_TmK5lWd7RpSXTNfh78q9vvwnpEzpD18myAx4AYmYWlBHsNdVbx2cI3PEw92-YPjQOuGopp672rXIJLht7sHuoZwtxcjszKkDyeN17zdhKFDJmzwjEr/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+31+21+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... it was all fun and games until we sat in this spot for 40 MINUTES. a semi was on fire. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqMMy_ho3XNemYyoERIcfHRpW98z49qh_yHMlPPrEaIIQXZ-C8Bz_lqu4SiYPukvkgvW7NejwKZXMnnoYGfsEmZB5DM3rc_-lXx-HzQ9FNku3XWSYoRulQk5THNZpbKFOrkrkaeyukacr/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+31+51+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqMMy_ho3XNemYyoERIcfHRpW98z49qh_yHMlPPrEaIIQXZ-C8Bz_lqu4SiYPukvkgvW7NejwKZXMnnoYGfsEmZB5DM3rc_-lXx-HzQ9FNku3XWSYoRulQk5THNZpbKFOrkrkaeyukacr/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+31+51+PM.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's okay, we got out and walked around to pass the time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG5LOoHzOxMA-2YBgXrk-hbwo5ILqtWmxZoQaM7R3qOIrtuNpZpyPjYCYuwPQJKVjRdan1lZCfSFfA4fQGTxCX-HWZL1q-XEWdVpM7_0GYq16HSchaR6Vyqltjhf7V2IgMwheBnmbgmuy/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+32+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMG5LOoHzOxMA-2YBgXrk-hbwo5ILqtWmxZoQaM7R3qOIrtuNpZpyPjYCYuwPQJKVjRdan1lZCfSFfA4fQGTxCX-HWZL1q-XEWdVpM7_0GYq16HSchaR6Vyqltjhf7V2IgMwheBnmbgmuy/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+32+24+PM.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
putt putt golf and yogurtland with my family. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjMLfbEZAn7l-bGogfZ62JE-A10IKFDssVFrak9d9MXVAMoy_cklRcc65Ia3qsbyFghIw3V8TGgn2YAT_ACSsrgQaDRGyr6YeOVvSZL-Ol9N1bBh8us54BZjDDLWSHCZ4i2-gUMrN8NID/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+33+08+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjMLfbEZAn7l-bGogfZ62JE-A10IKFDssVFrak9d9MXVAMoy_cklRcc65Ia3qsbyFghIw3V8TGgn2YAT_ACSsrgQaDRGyr6YeOVvSZL-Ol9N1bBh8us54BZjDDLWSHCZ4i2-gUMrN8NID/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+33+08+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily44CbGNzLndMbug-ayd8v3IjMuufh0-2XUdvMGwIVkdhqYawiih6lphT-o6AYoBEZaRwjhaZICffAg4mFgJi6l8Ksb1qloIAwskFfH6se2yoamAezht98Fy1wG1_uLEcmKUwAVOy5NUk/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+34+01+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily44CbGNzLndMbug-ayd8v3IjMuufh0-2XUdvMGwIVkdhqYawiih6lphT-o6AYoBEZaRwjhaZICffAg4mFgJi6l8Ksb1qloIAwskFfH6se2yoamAezht98Fy1wG1_uLEcmKUwAVOy5NUk/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+34+01+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
breakfast on saturday morning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR57Ci88PtdgGAj74DnISr5FbxE6NpQ-LnZt51cxABKIxQCowLn-lIyJjZXgUuEClpaD1NeiwDYADeau_GdtOQkxC77yFgfm2E9r4eHsvEjXQ9gB-nca-JnWXTKC__s4zqU20NiQl5vQN/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+34+45+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtR57Ci88PtdgGAj74DnISr5FbxE6NpQ-LnZt51cxABKIxQCowLn-lIyJjZXgUuEClpaD1NeiwDYADeau_GdtOQkxC77yFgfm2E9r4eHsvEjXQ9gB-nca-JnWXTKC__s4zqU20NiQl5vQN/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+34+45+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
followed by classroom crafts!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lUfEBGQVBPUUAl1mM95HEmYuelmj-6cJev4YcQ-8R8LXF1fhH9TmJKTeY0iMHKRyRieSwApZbksETA0O6N_5TGMQAVTvyGfjWmlef8NwdT3W4x142pnQPF0tnoVtgMtQXYlIBbHb3LDy/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+35+35+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lUfEBGQVBPUUAl1mM95HEmYuelmj-6cJev4YcQ-8R8LXF1fhH9TmJKTeY0iMHKRyRieSwApZbksETA0O6N_5TGMQAVTvyGfjWmlef8NwdT3W4x142pnQPF0tnoVtgMtQXYlIBbHb3LDy/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+35+35+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and paper-stealing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgelxV-lM9cRVr2lHTG4ZcH9KoroYKD5yACDTdRDfVICDQNGYpKediYWdJsGyHobjLN3zLe6avLpf_v_I8tXdrBW1N5Rde89lKznrnYYa9vQZ8wCrYfO4eu-mbC4MDdcZCaNonOrt7J8D/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+36+05+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgelxV-lM9cRVr2lHTG4ZcH9KoroYKD5yACDTdRDfVICDQNGYpKediYWdJsGyHobjLN3zLe6avLpf_v_I8tXdrBW1N5Rde89lKznrnYYa9vQZ8wCrYfO4eu-mbC4MDdcZCaNonOrt7J8D/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+36+05+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the rest of the day was spent by the pool. we read books, laid out, had a BBQ, and even played a little basketball. (i lost, but what else is new?) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpctYLb-yt-5w6SWlYScFqWZY8yzMS5FFSX1GjE-Msg229y2bSXT_gaIeHWpe0FGC1FhCjmfYbZfItZJtfKr8d96x1yNNHaFJXiXGxlrto7mxB3XKs-gr7zFP9iXR8CTkS7onHEezXMbR/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+37+09+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpctYLb-yt-5w6SWlYScFqWZY8yzMS5FFSX1GjE-Msg229y2bSXT_gaIeHWpe0FGC1FhCjmfYbZfItZJtfKr8d96x1yNNHaFJXiXGxlrto7mxB3XKs-gr7zFP9iXR8CTkS7onHEezXMbR/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+37+09+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the grand finale, we ate dinner at cafe rio. always a favorite. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQsj0Oj3cn9bsqPuS-WHRDT1Svu8MoGACx3fFLp8JrPZRuSrESp6ZcOMkCEN6hPSWosGS63Xf-Rv5bqZaFSH20DSSV8MI-fBfwFwp-xrmXAKYerqkXKVHy0MNt2RqLt1K8HE4F3eJzjP4/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+38+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQsj0Oj3cn9bsqPuS-WHRDT1Svu8MoGACx3fFLp8JrPZRuSrESp6ZcOMkCEN6hPSWosGS63Xf-Rv5bqZaFSH20DSSV8MI-fBfwFwp-xrmXAKYerqkXKVHy0MNt2RqLt1K8HE4F3eJzjP4/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+38+06+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2L0BMKKskNhpLdUx5DnwqwNVmQYibGU6IbzOx21X0l0tTC0kfeQTOH5qEc-65nkg0m_dDK-i9FsOODSqdXEMvcyuL9UdgUYgVy0JGppmxPTxYfqhiTVUPF5AB8hmpuN-kzCk9fVrhQ-M/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+39+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2L0BMKKskNhpLdUx5DnwqwNVmQYibGU6IbzOx21X0l0tTC0kfeQTOH5qEc-65nkg0m_dDK-i9FsOODSqdXEMvcyuL9UdgUYgVy0JGppmxPTxYfqhiTVUPF5AB8hmpuN-kzCk9fVrhQ-M/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+39+17+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ogj7_RfveD8s8QlIohWFhevGtupwInVkUxVEwInnlPQ-Oi5AtE7X3M1wcbPrGJ9f38Ak-3t9V3YqKVC33Gpxsru2WZ5PxhJpH_Ou8fIgYQsBP7JK3e-LM3lz3cyFvT5uTk-h11GnVgHe/s1600/Photo+Jun+09,+1+40+50+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ogj7_RfveD8s8QlIohWFhevGtupwInVkUxVEwInnlPQ-Oi5AtE7X3M1wcbPrGJ9f38Ak-3t9V3YqKVC33Gpxsru2WZ5PxhJpH_Ou8fIgYQsBP7JK3e-LM3lz3cyFvT5uTk-h11GnVgHe/s640/Photo+Jun+09,+1+40+50+PM.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we had an eventful drive back (almost hitting a deer, jamming to old-school britney spears songs, and having deep talks about life), but i was happy to snuggle up with my cute husband at 1:30 this morning. let's just say i'll be needing my sunday nap today! </div>
Ashley Marxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14262558409236967951noreply@blogger.com3