Semester's over, presents are mostly bought, and I'm on my way home. I mean that quite literally, as I'm sitting in the SeaTac airport waiting to get hungry so I can buy something before I go find my gate to hop an AK airplane and touch down two hours later on the rock.
I managed to find a seat right in front of the glass walls with a view of the tarmac. Outside, everything comes in shades of grey except for the yellow stripes on the ground. It's raining, and cold looking, and feels like home already. I have it on good authority, however, that the lake is frozen at home and that half the town is on it. I can't wait.
About ten minutes ago, two toddlers wandered to the window in front of me. The repeatedly laughed and shrieked with joy as the planes taxied around, landed, and blasted off. "Airpwane! Airpwane!" A third child, maybe just a year old, grabbed my iPod and water bottle before her father apologized and took her away.
She just came back. I had to switch my page to Facebook so her mom wouldn't think I'm a creeper, blogging about her adorable little daughter. She went for my keyboard this time and pushed a couple of keys. I only stopped her when she went for the off button. I switched my iTunes to We're Going to be Friends, the Jack Johnson song from Curious George. She danced the way only babies can make cute: squats and mini jumps.
I'm getting hungry now, but don't know what to eat. After a semester of Cannon Center food, I don't want to eat anything that's been commercially prepared. Don't get me wrong; the Cannon's really not that bad. But home cooking is going to be the star of my vacation, apart from my family and friends. I'm kind of thinking just a tuna sandwich (but don't tell my Dad.)
Have I told you how much I love airports? There's this bizarre sense of unity: everyone is trying to get everywhere. We're stressed, tired, and have airplane hair. This is a stretch, but it seems like barriers come down, because no matter what's home, you're still in an airport.
I'm also a fan of airport flirtations. Maybe there's a cute guy on the other end of the hall. He sees you. You do the "hey." He does it back. Maybe one of you smiles a little. And then you both walk away, feeling a little more attractive. No anxiety over whether or not he'll ask you out or if he already has a girlfriend. Or if you have a boyfriend.
I haven't had any airport flirtations today, for the record. I think the most memorable time was when I was flying out of Seattle to SLC a couple of years back and caught the eye of one of the baggage loaders. We laughed and made the "call me" sign and never saw each other again.
I'm hungry. It's official. I'm going to pack up my laptop, heave my ridiculously heavy backpack onto my back (dear Dad, you'd better love your Christmas present. It weighs a ton) and go eat.
Love,
Eri
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
My sister Brittany rocks. I love David and Olivia half to death, and miss them like crazy. I brag about them way too much because they're just so dang cool. But Brittany posted a new blog today.
http://thailandandi.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/brittany-is-asked-to-share-someone-elses-grass-and-is-chased-by-a-zombie/
Read it. Comment on it. Embrace it.
I'm just so blessed to have such a funny, talented, enthusiastic, brilliant sixteen year old sister.
My family rocks.
P.S. Sorry the link didn't work out. Just copy and paste it.
http://thailandandi.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/brittany-is-asked-to-share-someone-elses-grass-and-is-chased-by-a-zombie/
Read it. Comment on it. Embrace it.
I'm just so blessed to have such a funny, talented, enthusiastic, brilliant sixteen year old sister.
My family rocks.
P.S. Sorry the link didn't work out. Just copy and paste it.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Midterms and ADR!
More proof that I am *barely* on the go.
Midterms. Oh how I hate them. It's not that the tests themselves are that bad. It's just the time that it takes to prepare. Right now, instead of typing this, I should be preparing for my Business midterm. I'm a little worried. Cramming is only effective when you have enough time to cram, right? Well, I'm taking that test tomorrow, like it or...well, I definitely don't like it. Here's my plan for the next couple o' days:
Today: Study for Business midterm. Go to Farmers Market. Possibly get covered in blue foam. (What sadist* decided it'd be fun to put Homecoming and midterms on the same week?)
Friday: Cram for Business midterm. Take Business midterm. Start 4-6 page personal narrative. Sleep by midnight.
Saturday: Homecoming Parade! (I'll be dancing in it, so it's not negotiable and merits the extra sleep.) Take the bus to Bountiful. Finish 4-6 page personal narrative and email it to my Writing professor before 5pm. Go to my lovely cousin Sarah's baby shower. :) Start Spanish presentation, much to the annoyance of Angela, I'm sure. Sorry Ang, I'm not going to be much fun.
Sunday: Church. Family. Rest. Hallelujah. And if I finish all of that I could get a head start on my Book of Mormon homework....Or write some letters/postcards....Or catch up in my journal....or make some cun~apes for Spanish class.
Monday: Spanish presentation. Dangit.
Does it ever end? Not really. On the slightly less grey side, I have learned a little in my Business class. Here's an analogy to help you out:
College is like finance. You may be completely loaded down with debt (homework), but should NOT give up on your 401(k) plan (an enjoyable life, social time, and time to chill a little.) You can make taking care of your debts the only priority and put absolutely no money into your 401(k) until you're debt-free, but then when you are, you'll have missed out on years of tax-free, employer-matched money. I could give all of my homework all of my attention all of the time, but when it's finally done (after graduation) I will have no social life to speak of from my college years. No friends (except those that I study with), no silly memories, awkward dates etc. There must be balance in all things. In college, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But you can eat half of it and keep the other half.
Moral of the story: If you are in a position to open a 401(k) account but aren't because you're up to your nostrils in debt, you're being silly. Also, look into an Accelerated Debt Reduction plan. I almost** wish I had debt so that I could put an ADR to good use. That's how cool they are.
Love,
Erika
*If you are said "sadist," I was speaking figuratively. I don't really think you're a sadist. Don't be offended, please.
**If you're in charge of tossing the dice of fate, I don't really want debt. Again, that was me taking a bit of artistic license to make a point.
Midterms. Oh how I hate them. It's not that the tests themselves are that bad. It's just the time that it takes to prepare. Right now, instead of typing this, I should be preparing for my Business midterm. I'm a little worried. Cramming is only effective when you have enough time to cram, right? Well, I'm taking that test tomorrow, like it or...well, I definitely don't like it. Here's my plan for the next couple o' days:
Today: Study for Business midterm. Go to Farmers Market. Possibly get covered in blue foam. (What sadist* decided it'd be fun to put Homecoming and midterms on the same week?)
Friday: Cram for Business midterm. Take Business midterm. Start 4-6 page personal narrative. Sleep by midnight.
Saturday: Homecoming Parade! (I'll be dancing in it, so it's not negotiable and merits the extra sleep.) Take the bus to Bountiful. Finish 4-6 page personal narrative and email it to my Writing professor before 5pm. Go to my lovely cousin Sarah's baby shower. :) Start Spanish presentation, much to the annoyance of Angela, I'm sure. Sorry Ang, I'm not going to be much fun.
Sunday: Church. Family. Rest. Hallelujah. And if I finish all of that I could get a head start on my Book of Mormon homework....Or write some letters/postcards....Or catch up in my journal....or make some cun~apes for Spanish class.
Monday: Spanish presentation. Dangit.
Does it ever end? Not really. On the slightly less grey side, I have learned a little in my Business class. Here's an analogy to help you out:
College is like finance. You may be completely loaded down with debt (homework), but should NOT give up on your 401(k) plan (an enjoyable life, social time, and time to chill a little.) You can make taking care of your debts the only priority and put absolutely no money into your 401(k) until you're debt-free, but then when you are, you'll have missed out on years of tax-free, employer-matched money. I could give all of my homework all of my attention all of the time, but when it's finally done (after graduation) I will have no social life to speak of from my college years. No friends (except those that I study with), no silly memories, awkward dates etc. There must be balance in all things. In college, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But you can eat half of it and keep the other half.
Moral of the story: If you are in a position to open a 401(k) account but aren't because you're up to your nostrils in debt, you're being silly. Also, look into an Accelerated Debt Reduction plan. I almost** wish I had debt so that I could put an ADR to good use. That's how cool they are.
Love,
Erika
*If you are said "sadist," I was speaking figuratively. I don't really think you're a sadist. Don't be offended, please.
**If you're in charge of tossing the dice of fate, I don't really want debt. Again, that was me taking a bit of artistic license to make a point.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Sleepless at the Y
Oh for goodness' sake! It has been awhile, hasn't it? Sadly, this can't even be a decent post, as I've got to get to my Personal Finance class in ten minutes and really must buy some sort of candy before then. I'm really not a huge candy junkie. I don't need it often. No, today candy will be my last ditch effort to stay awake during class. Ugh.
Last night I went to World of Dance (AMAZING!) and then made a couple of calls. I got in just after ten. That's really not too late, even if I hadn't started my homework. Sadly, I chose to ignore my pretty little post-it note that says, "No Facebook after 10pm if Homework is not Complete!" I thought I'd only check. Honestly. But then I saw my dearest Mommy was online and I had some things to discuss with her (ahem. Like my ridiculously impulsive phone call to a modeling agency.) Then, perhaps three quarters of an hour later, Brittany got online. I never see that girl, ever. Probably because she's in Thailand living the life and I'm at college living the other life. With that in mind, I simply had to chat with her. When I was finally able to drag myself away from FB and my family, it must have been close to midnight.
I did homework until two then decided I could not tell if Alma was good or the antichrist anymore (Book of Mormon homework.) I hit the hay, got up at six and finished that assignment.
Negative consequences of my networking: I nodded off now and then in Book of Mormon and Spanish. Those are even slightly interactive classes! Personal Finance is in a lecture hall. No one would notice if I didn't go, let alone slept through the whole thing. That is why I need candy. I'm hoping the sugar rush and flavor will keep me awake.
Wish me luck!!
Erika
P.S. Don't let me chat with you late at night on a school night if I have homework. I can't control myself.
Last night I went to World of Dance (AMAZING!) and then made a couple of calls. I got in just after ten. That's really not too late, even if I hadn't started my homework. Sadly, I chose to ignore my pretty little post-it note that says, "No Facebook after 10pm if Homework is not Complete!" I thought I'd only check. Honestly. But then I saw my dearest Mommy was online and I had some things to discuss with her (ahem. Like my ridiculously impulsive phone call to a modeling agency.) Then, perhaps three quarters of an hour later, Brittany got online. I never see that girl, ever. Probably because she's in Thailand living the life and I'm at college living the other life. With that in mind, I simply had to chat with her. When I was finally able to drag myself away from FB and my family, it must have been close to midnight.
I did homework until two then decided I could not tell if Alma was good or the antichrist anymore (Book of Mormon homework.) I hit the hay, got up at six and finished that assignment.
Negative consequences of my networking: I nodded off now and then in Book of Mormon and Spanish. Those are even slightly interactive classes! Personal Finance is in a lecture hall. No one would notice if I didn't go, let alone slept through the whole thing. That is why I need candy. I'm hoping the sugar rush and flavor will keep me awake.
Wish me luck!!
Erika
P.S. Don't let me chat with you late at night on a school night if I have homework. I can't control myself.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ellie's broken foot...Part II
Hi. This is Ellie, the girl that Erika babysits. I want to tell you about how I broke my foot. It's driving me craaaaazy! It all started at 8:30 pm, I was standing on the foot steps to our olyptic machine, reaching for a BIG platter above it on a white shelf... I had it in my arms, so i couldn't see the ground.. so on the ground was a small pinkish weight ball.... so when my right foot put its weight on it, it twisted hard and i feel on the ground spilling old cookies that i was going to throw away EVERYWHERE i screamed and started crying and my dad came rushing in and carried me to the couch and he said, “ I think it's just sprained" and he asked where it was hurt and stuff... i sat on the couch with my foot rolled in gauze rap all propped up.. I sat there till 11:30 with my dad then he carried me to bed... I woke up at 7:49 am and wasn't tired anymore.. i hopped to the couch in pain until my parents got up.... then we went to the doctor and i got x-rays and it turns out.... it was broken...... So i got a splint walking boot thing and a pair of cretches....... -Ellie with her first broken bone... OW!
Ellie's broken foot...
The girl i babysit broke her foot last night :( She now has a splint thing over her foot/lower leg, and she has to use cretches to get around..... She can hardly get around a lot so she is really bored.... ;(
-Erika L. Wilcox
-Erika L. Wilcox
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Bucket List--with Ellie
Hey all. Today I'm here with Ellie--an 11 year old super-awesome pink-wearing cookie-baking girl. The other day we got to talking about Bucket Lists, so I dug up my old bucket list--from the 8th grade. I was supposed to have to done by the time I left for college, and since I have less than a month to go....... Well, here goes!
To Do Before I Leave Sitka For Good (college etc.)
Kayak Indian River during spawning season. CHECK!
That was an amazing time, lemme tell ya. I was with a couple of very dear friends and my dad. Two to a kayak. We paddled up river as far as we could, lodged ourselves between a couple of rocks, ate some plums, then surfed down on the backs of salmon. That was the closest to surfing I've ever come. And even better? It was sunset. I love Alaska.
Swim at sandy beach while it's raining. CHECK!
While I don't have any one specific memory, I believe I'd been to Sandy in every kind of weather, barring thunder storms. Yeah, that means snow.
Climb a tree. CHECK!
This is a basic one, but very important. Trees that I've climbed: A HUGE spruce at girls camp....Sister Jones made Tessa (my partner in crime) and I get down, the pine-y thing at Centennial, another one. Oooh, story about the other one. I was with Leah, I think, and we saw a handsome man playing with his dog. We were probably, what? 14? 15? Whatever it was, we were too young to spy obviously, so we very obviously climbed the tree so we could watch him play fetch. I think we ended up having more fun climbing the tree than watching the guy.
Read in a tree CHECK!
I did this at my Grandma and Grandpa Wilcox's house in Utah. It's a beautiful walnut tree, and I read Beware, Princess Elizabeth.
Sing in a tree. not sure....
I sing everywhere, so I'd like to say I've sung in a tree, but I have no specific memories.
Kiss someone in a tree. Nope. (I was quite the romantic in 8th grade....Still am, I guess.)
Find designs in clouds. CHECK!
If you don't do this regularly, I'm sorry for you. I guess in Sitka it's hard at times because the clouds are all spread out like cake batter in a pan...but grey.
Wear a fancy a dress while ice skating. Never did get to that one, and now it's too late!
Plan a day to run away from home with parents permission CHECK!
Bolivia.
Walk the outer rim of Castle Hill. nope.
This is no longer one of my priorities.
Watch the sunset over the ocean with someone special. CHECK!
Oh good heavens, this should be a mandatory way of life! I've sunsetted with my dog, my family, and of course, my besties. We did this almost every night in Hawaii. We've also had two photo shoots at sunset at various beaches.
Get my Driver's permit and license. CHECK!......aaaagh.
Yeah, so I've had my permit...twice. I got it when I was 15, had it expire when I was in Bolivia, and renewed last February. And at last count I've failed the driving test twice. I'm thinking about giving up.
Go to prom or something as equally fabulous. CHECK!
I've been to two American proms and two Bolivian proms. My favorite was my Senior Prom. I went with my best friend Caitlin's younger brother, Sam, all because of a bargain made in the eighth grade. He didn't wear the pink tux in the end, but he was the best date to a dance I've ever had. To top it all off, let's add a tiara. :) I was prom queen.
Do yoga/tai chi on the beach. CHECK!
I did this as part of a dance class once with Melinda....at sunset.
Have a pamper-yourself spa day. CHECK!
This was most recently done with Ellie. She rubbed cooked brown sugar (aka caramel NOUGATS!) into my face, actually scratching me up. What I do for beauty....?
Read an entire chapter book in the bathtub. CHECK!
I've got to start writing harder bucket lists--I do this at least biannually!
Spit off the back of the ferry. CHECK!
...every time I ride the ferry.
Serenade my special someone or help my friends serenade theirs. CHECK!
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine....my Zachy B....ah, 6th grade.
Skip a rock 5 times. CHECK!
Here's another one from Girls Camp. And I skipped it 8 times.
Write a story. CHECK!
Quite a few, actually. But most were for class. Then there are the everyday occasions when....I live a story.
Introduce my body to a barnacle. CHECK!
AAGH! Blood! Scars! BARNACLES!
Chew gum in class. CHECK!
This would've been a big deal in Middle School where it wasn't allowed, but I fulfilled this one in frosh block.
Climb Mt. Edgecume again. CHECK!
Maybe only two times, but I love that mountain.
Bike from 1 end of the road to the other. oooh....
I still haven't done this yet. :( However, I bike 8 miles to work a couple of times a week.
Sit on the roof while the sun is rising or setting. nope.
Sing in front of an audience and have them like me. CHECK!
I sang a solo, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" in Bolivia, upon request.
Wear a skirt everyday for a week. CHECK!
Private school with uniform in Bolivia. Yep, good little Catholic school girl. :)
Make a wish at O'Connell Bridge. CHECK!
6th grade...pennies....
Back float on the beach. CHECK!
Alaska, Hawaii.
Ride two people on a bike. CHECK!
Kari and I one summer, with her cousin Nik running alongside.
Go snorkeling. CHECK!
The Hawaiian fish are pretty dang cool. The 3 legged turtle was also pretty amazing. It's so peaceful down there...
Cook a meal over a campfire. CHECK!
Hobo dinners....
Fill at least 3 more journals. CHECK!
More like 6? 7?
Anyway, that was my bucket list. I don't know what I'll put on my new one. But I'm at a proverbial crossroads, with only 3 1/2 more weeks in Sitka. Something's going to happen.
I leave you now with a challenge: Create your own bucket list! Even if you don't actively work on it, look back at it every now and then and see what has happened!
That's it. Typing by Ellie for Erika.
To Do Before I Leave Sitka For Good (college etc.)
Kayak Indian River during spawning season. CHECK!
That was an amazing time, lemme tell ya. I was with a couple of very dear friends and my dad. Two to a kayak. We paddled up river as far as we could, lodged ourselves between a couple of rocks, ate some plums, then surfed down on the backs of salmon. That was the closest to surfing I've ever come. And even better? It was sunset. I love Alaska.
Swim at sandy beach while it's raining. CHECK!
While I don't have any one specific memory, I believe I'd been to Sandy in every kind of weather, barring thunder storms. Yeah, that means snow.
Climb a tree. CHECK!
This is a basic one, but very important. Trees that I've climbed: A HUGE spruce at girls camp....Sister Jones made Tessa (my partner in crime) and I get down, the pine-y thing at Centennial, another one. Oooh, story about the other one. I was with Leah, I think, and we saw a handsome man playing with his dog. We were probably, what? 14? 15? Whatever it was, we were too young to spy obviously, so we very obviously climbed the tree so we could watch him play fetch. I think we ended up having more fun climbing the tree than watching the guy.
Read in a tree CHECK!
I did this at my Grandma and Grandpa Wilcox's house in Utah. It's a beautiful walnut tree, and I read Beware, Princess Elizabeth.
Sing in a tree. not sure....
I sing everywhere, so I'd like to say I've sung in a tree, but I have no specific memories.
Kiss someone in a tree. Nope. (I was quite the romantic in 8th grade....Still am, I guess.)
Find designs in clouds. CHECK!
If you don't do this regularly, I'm sorry for you. I guess in Sitka it's hard at times because the clouds are all spread out like cake batter in a pan...but grey.
Wear a fancy a dress while ice skating. Never did get to that one, and now it's too late!
Plan a day to run away from home with parents permission CHECK!
Bolivia.
Walk the outer rim of Castle Hill. nope.
This is no longer one of my priorities.
Watch the sunset over the ocean with someone special. CHECK!
Oh good heavens, this should be a mandatory way of life! I've sunsetted with my dog, my family, and of course, my besties. We did this almost every night in Hawaii. We've also had two photo shoots at sunset at various beaches.
Get my Driver's permit and license. CHECK!......aaaagh.
Yeah, so I've had my permit...twice. I got it when I was 15, had it expire when I was in Bolivia, and renewed last February. And at last count I've failed the driving test twice. I'm thinking about giving up.
Go to prom or something as equally fabulous. CHECK!
I've been to two American proms and two Bolivian proms. My favorite was my Senior Prom. I went with my best friend Caitlin's younger brother, Sam, all because of a bargain made in the eighth grade. He didn't wear the pink tux in the end, but he was the best date to a dance I've ever had. To top it all off, let's add a tiara. :) I was prom queen.
Do yoga/tai chi on the beach. CHECK!
I did this as part of a dance class once with Melinda....at sunset.
Have a pamper-yourself spa day. CHECK!
This was most recently done with Ellie. She rubbed cooked brown sugar (aka caramel NOUGATS!) into my face, actually scratching me up. What I do for beauty....?
Read an entire chapter book in the bathtub. CHECK!
I've got to start writing harder bucket lists--I do this at least biannually!
Spit off the back of the ferry. CHECK!
...every time I ride the ferry.
Serenade my special someone or help my friends serenade theirs. CHECK!
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine....my Zachy B....ah, 6th grade.
Skip a rock 5 times. CHECK!
Here's another one from Girls Camp. And I skipped it 8 times.
Write a story. CHECK!
Quite a few, actually. But most were for class. Then there are the everyday occasions when....I live a story.
Introduce my body to a barnacle. CHECK!
AAGH! Blood! Scars! BARNACLES!
Chew gum in class. CHECK!
This would've been a big deal in Middle School where it wasn't allowed, but I fulfilled this one in frosh block.
Climb Mt. Edgecume again. CHECK!
Maybe only two times, but I love that mountain.
Bike from 1 end of the road to the other. oooh....
I still haven't done this yet. :( However, I bike 8 miles to work a couple of times a week.
Sit on the roof while the sun is rising or setting. nope.
Sing in front of an audience and have them like me. CHECK!
I sang a solo, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" in Bolivia, upon request.
Wear a skirt everyday for a week. CHECK!
Private school with uniform in Bolivia. Yep, good little Catholic school girl. :)
Make a wish at O'Connell Bridge. CHECK!
6th grade...pennies....
Back float on the beach. CHECK!
Alaska, Hawaii.
Ride two people on a bike. CHECK!
Kari and I one summer, with her cousin Nik running alongside.
Go snorkeling. CHECK!
The Hawaiian fish are pretty dang cool. The 3 legged turtle was also pretty amazing. It's so peaceful down there...
Cook a meal over a campfire. CHECK!
Hobo dinners....
Fill at least 3 more journals. CHECK!
More like 6? 7?
Anyway, that was my bucket list. I don't know what I'll put on my new one. But I'm at a proverbial crossroads, with only 3 1/2 more weeks in Sitka. Something's going to happen.
I leave you now with a challenge: Create your own bucket list! Even if you don't actively work on it, look back at it every now and then and see what has happened!
That's it. Typing by Ellie for Erika.
Monday, May 17, 2010
A little less wisdom
I wrote this last Monday, the day after I got my wisdom teeth out. I would've written more, but by the time I had typed all this up I was needing more drugs and a nap. And I had them (drugs and naps) for the rest of the week. Anyway, without further ado:
LuLu asked me the other day, "Erika, what happens when you get your wisdom teeth out?"
I said, "Well, since you lose that wisdom, you get a little dumb."
Here I am, ladies and gents, a little dumb. Yesterday I got my four wisdom teeth pulled. I sat in the dentist chair and watched while the assistant lady (normally I'd call her a dental hygienist, but she wasn't actually cleaning, so she's become the assistant lady) poked and prodded. She stuck two electrode thingies on my chest and one on my ribs. I watched a screen they were attached to as it read my heart rate. I'd like to report that I have a nice slow heart rate of about 60 beats per minute. However, when the oral surgeon came in and opened up a needle the beeps sped up. Soon my heart was beating over 80 beats a minute. I'm generally good with needles (heaven knows and exchange student needs to be!) but the heart monitor doesn't lie.
Once the needle was in my arm...I don't remember much. I looked at it one, slowing filling with blood, then the next thing I knew, I heard the assistant lady's voice. Somewhere in my dazed and drugged head, I figured it was a good time to sing. Never mind I had just had four big, nasty teeth yanked out of my skull. I started in on my Italian arietta, "Danza, danza fanciulla gentile." My mouth was too numb to get out words, but I was doing a great job mumbling along until the A.L. told me to stop singing. Dangit.
From there mom and dad came in. I think. Again, the whole drugged thing... Well, they asked how I was doing, and I discovered it was difficult to talk. For whatever reason, I said Pucha. Probably because it was difficult to talk. Mom asked what pucha meant, and I explained es como puta pero mas amable. Por ejemplo, miercoles es como mierda, pero mas amable. Poor Dad had to translate for me.
Why was I speaking in Spanish? For that I blame my dear friend Aren. We were talking about what people say when they're drugged. The last time I was given general anesthesia (also for oral surgery) I told the A.L. all about that summer's Youth Conference crush. I expressed my fears to Aren about how maybe I'd have the same verbal diarrhea. He told me to go into the surgery planning on speaking Spanish when I woke up. Lo and behold, Spanish was the only thing I could speak when I came too. I got rather frustrated with Mom when I had to switch to English repeatedly to get my point across.
LuLu asked me the other day, "Erika, what happens when you get your wisdom teeth out?"
I said, "Well, since you lose that wisdom, you get a little dumb."
Here I am, ladies and gents, a little dumb. Yesterday I got my four wisdom teeth pulled. I sat in the dentist chair and watched while the assistant lady (normally I'd call her a dental hygienist, but she wasn't actually cleaning, so she's become the assistant lady) poked and prodded. She stuck two electrode thingies on my chest and one on my ribs. I watched a screen they were attached to as it read my heart rate. I'd like to report that I have a nice slow heart rate of about 60 beats per minute. However, when the oral surgeon came in and opened up a needle the beeps sped up. Soon my heart was beating over 80 beats a minute. I'm generally good with needles (heaven knows and exchange student needs to be!) but the heart monitor doesn't lie.
Once the needle was in my arm...I don't remember much. I looked at it one, slowing filling with blood, then the next thing I knew, I heard the assistant lady's voice. Somewhere in my dazed and drugged head, I figured it was a good time to sing. Never mind I had just had four big, nasty teeth yanked out of my skull. I started in on my Italian arietta, "Danza, danza fanciulla gentile." My mouth was too numb to get out words, but I was doing a great job mumbling along until the A.L. told me to stop singing. Dangit.
From there mom and dad came in. I think. Again, the whole drugged thing... Well, they asked how I was doing, and I discovered it was difficult to talk. For whatever reason, I said Pucha. Probably because it was difficult to talk. Mom asked what pucha meant, and I explained es como puta pero mas amable. Por ejemplo, miercoles es como mierda, pero mas amable. Poor Dad had to translate for me.
Why was I speaking in Spanish? For that I blame my dear friend Aren. We were talking about what people say when they're drugged. The last time I was given general anesthesia (also for oral surgery) I told the A.L. all about that summer's Youth Conference crush. I expressed my fears to Aren about how maybe I'd have the same verbal diarrhea. He told me to go into the surgery planning on speaking Spanish when I woke up. Lo and behold, Spanish was the only thing I could speak when I came too. I got rather frustrated with Mom when I had to switch to English repeatedly to get my point across.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Regions and farther!
Hello hello. This weekend is proving to be pretty fantastic because half of SouthEast is here for the basketball tournaments. There isn't school on Thursday and Friday, so I'm filling my precious days off with dance, homework, writing, and catching up with my out-of-town girlies. We're housing four Kay-town girls, two of which are LDS, and let me tell you, it's a blast! We gossiped and giggled until one a.m. this morning. On the rock, I feel like a bit of an anomaly...LDS girls are fairly few and far between. We have only three LDS girls in my class. Add Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, and Petersburg, however, and there are quite a few of us. I mean, it's no Bountiful, Utah, but.... :)
Last night we got to talking about old Youth Conference friends and what's happening to them. There are friends on missions, brothers on missions, significant others on missions.... :O ! I was pretty happy to discover the future BYU students, too. Having not told you, I guess you might not know: I was recently accepted to BYU Hawaii and BYU Utah. I haven't technically decided yet, but Hawaii doesn't have a Spanish major, and Provo is just close enough to "home" for me to be happy. Not to mention that John's thinking BYU Hawaii, Jenny's going for BYUI, and Peter's looking at BYU Provo. I'm extremely excited for Youth Conference and everything we'll have to talk about! On the flip side, it will be soooooo strange to be the oldest kids at YC. The rest are all at college or on their missions. And then it will be us. Class of 2010. Woohoo!!
Going from here to the Bubble will be a big difference, but I know one incredible girl who's going to be facing even bigger changes next year: My little sister Brittany! She's been chosen as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student to spend a year in Thailand! Possibly the only person more excited for her than I am is her. She spends hours on the computer almost every day practicing Thai with a computer program. She greets the Thai exchange student here in Thai. She reads books about it, and talks to anyone who knows anything about it. All while bouncing on the balls of her feet and grinning like the Chesire Cat (reminds me...is Alice in Wonderland going to be any good?)
So we're all headed places. Look out world!
Last night we got to talking about old Youth Conference friends and what's happening to them. There are friends on missions, brothers on missions, significant others on missions.... :O ! I was pretty happy to discover the future BYU students, too. Having not told you, I guess you might not know: I was recently accepted to BYU Hawaii and BYU Utah. I haven't technically decided yet, but Hawaii doesn't have a Spanish major, and Provo is just close enough to "home" for me to be happy. Not to mention that John's thinking BYU Hawaii, Jenny's going for BYUI, and Peter's looking at BYU Provo. I'm extremely excited for Youth Conference and everything we'll have to talk about! On the flip side, it will be soooooo strange to be the oldest kids at YC. The rest are all at college or on their missions. And then it will be us. Class of 2010. Woohoo!!
Going from here to the Bubble will be a big difference, but I know one incredible girl who's going to be facing even bigger changes next year: My little sister Brittany! She's been chosen as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student to spend a year in Thailand! Possibly the only person more excited for her than I am is her. She spends hours on the computer almost every day practicing Thai with a computer program. She greets the Thai exchange student here in Thai. She reads books about it, and talks to anyone who knows anything about it. All while bouncing on the balls of her feet and grinning like the Chesire Cat (reminds me...is Alice in Wonderland going to be any good?)
So we're all headed places. Look out world!
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