Tuesday, December 29, 2009

2009 Year in Review

I haven't been a very good blogger this December. Sometimes it is a toss up between blogging and Facebook and Fb usually wins because it is faster. As the end of the is fast approaching, it is time for me to sum up the things I did this year.

Without a doubt, my biggest accomplishment (and it has been hard work) is my weight loss. I've lost 40 lbs. and dropped 4 dress sizes. I still have lots more work to do but I am certainly proud of what I've done.

I'm also very happy about my calling as an ordinance worker at the Jordan River temple. My shift is every Saturday from 10:20AM - 4:40PM. I am learning so much and I love working there!

In March I turned 31 and officially switched to a mid-singles (31-45) ward. That was a bit of a shock at first but I've met some great people and have some amazing friendships now.

I managed to get in a little dating this year. Perhaps not as much as I would like but definitely more than last year. I'll share my slogan for the upcoming year with you. "More Men in 2010" With a slogan like that and a positive attitude, good things are bound to happen!

I did a little traveling - all stateside. Went to Oregon in February & again in November to visit my best friends Scott & Lisa and my darling nieces Sage & Livi. (I picked this picture of Sage & I because we both have similar expressions - as neither of us were prepared for the picture yet. The other is an adorable picture of Livi!)


















Janna, Jaime & I went to San Diego in July for Comic Con (this is our 2nd year going & most likely our last). I absolutely adore San Diego and would go back but probably not for Comic Con. It seemed more crowded this year and I think I had less patience with people. I certainly enjoyed all the hot celebrity sightings and movie previews, however. (The picture below is the view from the back of my favorite San Diego restaurant - Anthony's).
I went home to Arkansas in December. This was my first time back since May 2007. It was so nice to be home and see family, friends and eat good southern food. My parents were serving a family history mission in Salt Lake City for part of 2008 - 2009 so I didn't go home while they were here. That is one of the best things about 2009 - I got to see my parents practically every week. We had so much fun together exploring new restaurants and my mom & I did lots of shopping together. We also got to attend the dedication of the Church History building - where my parents worked. We also played a lot of Scrabble - our favorite family game. (Here's a picture of me in Arkansas under an arbor that my dad built. Cute, huh?)

I suppose that is it for 2009. I'm ready for 2010 and all that it will bring (whether it be good or bad). Either way my life is great and with the Lord's help I can handle it.

Amanda is ready.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Things I like

Well I am back from my Thanksgiving vacation (pictures to follow - when I have time to post them) and it is once again time for me to blog about some of the things I enjoy. Today's subject will be websites.

Favorite Website #1 - I would like to thank my good friend Caron for introducing me to My Life is Average www.mylifeisaverage.com. I love this site. It makes me laugh constantly! Here are some examples of the funniness that is this site:

"Today I saw a fairly ugly guy surrounded by a group of attractive girls. I was confused and went closer to try to figure out why. He had a British accent. I now understand. MLIA"

"Today, while at school I was kissed by five different guys. The person who wrote 'Kick me' on a piece of paper and stuck it on my back had very bad handwriting. MLIA"
(Hmm - maybe I should try this one)

"Today no one was at home except myself, so I went to the toilet without bothering to close the door. My dog walked in, looked awkwardly at me and then hurriedly left. For some reason I was embarrassed. MLIA"

Favorite Website # 2 - Factropolis www.factropolis.com
This site has a fun new fact each day. Here are some facts I have liked best:

"The most lucrative bank heist in history was organized by a group of elderly nuns."

"In 1983, two Danish climbers trapped on Mt. Everest kept warm by killing their sherpa and setting fire to his corpse."

"Many Native Americans are highly allergic to marshmallows."

Favorite Website #3 - Mystery Google www.mysterygoogle.com
The deal with this website is that you get the search result of whatever the person before you searched. Also sometimes people assign secret missions like "Email something stupid you've done to (and then they give you an email address)"

Or you can get funny results - like the time I put in a search for "My Future Husband" and my result was Bat-man. Simply put it is a fun time waster.

Amanda is still trying to warm up from this crazy cold morning.