Okay, so it was exciting for the Thomasons...it wasn't really THAT exciting in the whole grand scheme of things, but I thought I'd blog about it anyway.
So we were sitting here last night, Camille and I were on the computer, and some of the guys had come in from selling. We hear this knock on the door and "Columbus Police!" I was thinking they were coming to ask us about our upstairs neighbors, who are a bunch of big dumb college boys who wrestle all night. I was sure they were going to come through our ceiling. Anyway, the policewoman is like, "We need everyone out, including kids and pets, we are evacuating your building." I asked her why, and she said because of a "suspicious package." The other cops were outside telling everyone to "start walking." Oh crap! So anyway, we grab our shoes and keys and bags and head out. At first I thought they meant a suspicious package in our apartment (like marijuana, what???) and I was freaked out they were going to ransack all my stuff! However, the cops told us it was more towards the middle of our building, and later on, after we had been let back in our apartment, I heard the cops telling another group that one of the maintenance guys had seen something suspicious and called it in, and they had evacuated us just to be safe. Whew! So anyway, exciting thing number one.
Number two was just a thunderstorm. I have been so excited to see another real thunderstorm...they just don't have them in Idaho. The most amazing ones we saw were when we sold in Tulsa. Anyway, I would have much preferred this thunderstorm to have happened at any other time other than 4:30 in the morning. I was awakened by sirens...lots and lots and lots of sirens. Then I realized it was raining and windy like crazy, and I couldn't fall back asleep, because I was worried that the sirens I had heard were tornado sirens or something! Then I figured that Ohio probably didn't have too many tornadoes. However, I was kept awake because it started to lightning and thunder, plus Todd was squishing me. I thought he was awake because he was being very wiggly, and so I said to him, "Did you hear all those sirens?" He mumbled and turned over, and about five minutes later said, "Why did you wake me up?" He was grumpy with me. I said, "We are having a thunderstorm!" I thought he would be more interested, since he likes them too, but I think he was too tired to care. Anyway, he rolled back over and fell asleep, and about a half hour later the storm was over.
So that was our excitement for the night. You can tell we don't get out much!
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Moving On
(It's no longer for sale, by the way)Excuse while I reminisce a bit about the house I grew up in in Delmar, Delaware. I guess I spent the other half of my childhood equally in our house on Homer Street, but naturally this is the one I remember the best! When my dad first told me about his new job, and that they would really be moving to PA this time, I have to admit I got sad! I didn't really think I had formed an attachment to the house, but I guess I did, and I suppose its natural, if you live in a place for 8 or 9 years (and I'm a girl, so I have an excuse to be sentimental. Here are some memories I have of this house. It will probably be funny more my parents to read this, since my memories are probably completely different from what they remember (or I just remembered them wrong!)
1---I got my own room for like 6 months! That was exciting, since I've almost always had to share with Jess. I remember that I kept it pretty messy. Then I learned I was getting a new baby brother (which is an entirely different story), and Jess and I had to bunk up together again.
2--Speaking of Jacob, I got really mad when mom and dad told me we were getting a new sibling. I was 14, and totally selfish! I remember they sat us all down on the floor, and told us, and I got so upset! I didn't want another sibling, I had plenty! The house was too small for another runt! I would have to share again! I remember being on a car ride with Mom, though, and she talked me down. Luckily, Jacob turned out to be a pretty cool little brother, so I guess it's okay.
3--When Jess and I did move in together again, my mom painted the room like a sky. It was really cool. I remember her texturing with the white paint, and I was impressed.
4--I remember this huge snake we found in the backyard once. I was totally disgusted, and completely fearful of going back that far in the yard again. There had been quite a bit of construction, and so we were displacing the animals, and I guess this snake came back for one last look before he found a new home. Gross.
5--I remember being in the living room once, and Mom and I were arguing about an advanced math class that I really didn't want to take (it was geometry and trig, who WOULd want to take it?) I got all dramatic and threw my math book on the ground. Me-1, Mom-0. Every once in a while, I wish I had taken the math class, cuz I think I would have been fine. Me-0, Mom-1(plus a gillion).
6--My dad built a small playset in the backyard, and at one of my birthday parties we played Titanic. I'm not really sure how that worked since we were all girls, but I remember my friend Lauryn insisted on being Rose. I don't know who Jack was. Girls are so funny.
7--We had a small pool for a while and I was totally into the British boy band BBMak (TOTALLY into them). Anyway, I would go outside for some peace and quiet (brothers are SO loud!), grab my pool float, turn up the BBMak and dream of being swept away by a cute guy from a British boy band. Ha. British people have gross teeth, I have come to realize, so I'm glad I didn't press that any farther).
8--I remember watching thunderstorms from the windows. I remember Mom telling us to stay away from the phone line because she had seen lightning come through it once (is that a true story? I don't know...maybe she just said it to scare us!) I still love watching thunderstorms. We would always have to run out and grab all the pool and toy stuff and throw it in the shed so it wouldn't blow away. We would count seconds in between the thunder and lightning strikes, and watch the rain drip down the windows. Todd and I did a lot of that in Tulsa, and it reminded me of being in the house and doing that with Mom.
9--I remember mice. Were there mice? I think Dad had to go up in the attic once and set mousetraps and we could hear them scurrying around up there. Also gross. My dad did other things that I thought were gross, like cleaning the gunk out of the sink after we had washed the dishes (we didn't have a disposal. I didn't realize that was weird until Todd told me it was. I didn't know what a disposal was for until I moved to Utah).
(cute mice. I doubt the mice upstairs were this cute).
10--I would play this game with my brothers. I don't know if we named it or anything, but it involved sitting on the couch and pretending we were on a ship. We would pretend there were sharks in the ocean (the carpet), and we would pretend to fall overboard and try not to get eaten. We would try to save each other from falling overboard if a big wave came. This game lasted for a while.
11--I set the smoke detector off once boiling water. That is a Megan "classic." I ran around throwing open the doors and couldn't get the darn smoke detector to turn off. It was crazy. I still get made fun of, although I have made great progress!
12--My mom grew sunflowers in the backyard. They were cool! I was always surprised at how tall they grew. We also had a compost pile outside that looked really gross, but would eventually grow really cool things in it.
12--We were desperate for hills, so we would go sledding in our ditch. It would probably look very very sad to anyone from the West, where they actually have snow and hills. Even for us, it didn't quite do it. We REALLY wanted to sled. We did get a blizzard and got out of school for two weeks. I'm pretty sure Mom wanted to pull her hair out by the end of that time, and I think even we were ready for school again (but midterms got cancelled, which was SWEET!)
Anyway, its obvious I have a lot of memories in that house. I will only be a visitor in my parents new house, which will be a little weird I think! I think the best thing about that house, though, was that it was a place that I always felt safe. Church leaders have told us to make our homes temples, and I think my parents did a great job (it was us kids that made it anything but a temple sometimes!). Sometimes I think the only reason I survived high school was because I had such a healthy support system at home. My parents did everything they could to make sure that we knew they loved us, and I think it's worked, cuz we've turned out pretty well so far! (I don't want to jinx Ian or Jacob or anything). Anyway, they set a great example for Jess and I as we've started our own families, and I am so grateful for them, and for my house on Brittingham Road.
Ohio Update
Well, we've finally settled into life here in Ohio. Nothing too exciting has happened here, just another pest control summer full of its ups and downs (its beginning to be mostly downs, but it is fun to move and meet new people. We're thankful its almost over!).
I did, however, start working a few hours a week for the after-care program that sponsors the summer camp I will be working at in June. At first it was such a culture shock! I came from Christine Donnell, which is middle to upper class, 100% white and found myself walking onto school grounds filled with black faces. I am almost embarassed to admit my first thought was, "Uh-oh, WHAT have I gotten myself into?" Well, now I feel like a jerk,and even ashamed, for even thinking that because I totally love it! After C.D., I was worried that if I did eventually end up teaching in a more diverse, urban school that I would be completely unprepared for the needs of those students. However, after just a few hours with these cute kids, I know that wherever I end up teaching, I'll be okay. Regardless of what a student may look like, or what circumstances they come from, they all have that same innocence, the same energy, that same spirit that causes you to laugh at their reactions, care about their experiences, and just generally love them! While this after-care program isn't as efficient as the one in Boise (and the kids are SO MUCH LOUDER!) it's been fun to hang, and I think that my fuse bead skills are going to be completely perfected by the end of the next few weeks.
Columbus is big! I have been so sheltered in Idaho. When I first started to try and navigate my way around Columbus, getting on the 270 was so scary for me, ya know, with all those cars flying by and stuff! This girl who drove around Sacramento, CA every day for four months and who has driven in the D.C. and Philly areas (which was rightly terrifying, not a big fan). However, I think I have overcome my trepidation with the busy roads. Additionally, we recently bought a nifty little GPS system (which we have both been coveting for some time now) and "Mrs. GPS" (with the strange computer accent) has done a great job at getting me from point A to point B safely. GPS is one of those things, like cell phones, where we are going to wonder someday how we ever got along without it.
Todd has recently discovered a new favorite place called Culver's. He had stopped there when we drove out to Ohio the first time with our technician, and he told me all about it. So of course, on our way through Iowa, in Des Moines, we had to make a special stop so Todd could get his delicious frozen custard. I tried a bite, but since I try not to make eating ice cream a habit, I couldn't really tell if it was "the best" or not...I mean, it was good though! So anyway, we got pretty excited driving around today when we discovered a Culver's right here in Columbus! Todd immediately said, "I am going to get fat this summer!" Anyway, that was exciting for him (it doesn't take much to make this man happy!)
Speaking of getting fat, I have definitely not kept up on the eating habits that I had in place before we left Boise. With all of the traveling, a lot of it went down the toilet, and I haven't been as steadfast because I don't have a routine established here yet. I have been trying to run three days a week, but its been more like two days a week, which is so bad! I also polished off some Ben and Jerry's in two sittings, so I haven't been doing so great with the lactose thing as well (why does dairy have to taste SO good?). However, I have been feeling alright, but I know I need to do better. Todd and I have decided that we MUST start figuring out a routine soon, and I will be forced to when I start working full time. At this point, we end up going to bed around midnight, and dragging ourselves sadly out of bed around 9...it is so hard! I think there is something about pest control that just drains everyone within 10 feet of it!
I am getting super excited to have a nephew (and a niece in a few months too!) I had a dream that Jess had her baby a few nights ago, and so every day I've been waking up wondering "Is today the day?" Being an aunt is great because you get to have the excitement of a new baby without the crying, diapers, throwing up, etc. Also exciting is the fact that my parents have sold their house! But I will do an entire post on that some other time (there's mixed feelings involved with that one!)
Anyway, that's the update. Sorry for no pictures, we forgot to take the camera on our anniversary, but it involved Cheesecake Factory and we know we will be back there a few times this summer!
I did, however, start working a few hours a week for the after-care program that sponsors the summer camp I will be working at in June. At first it was such a culture shock! I came from Christine Donnell, which is middle to upper class, 100% white and found myself walking onto school grounds filled with black faces. I am almost embarassed to admit my first thought was, "Uh-oh, WHAT have I gotten myself into?" Well, now I feel like a jerk,and even ashamed, for even thinking that because I totally love it! After C.D., I was worried that if I did eventually end up teaching in a more diverse, urban school that I would be completely unprepared for the needs of those students. However, after just a few hours with these cute kids, I know that wherever I end up teaching, I'll be okay. Regardless of what a student may look like, or what circumstances they come from, they all have that same innocence, the same energy, that same spirit that causes you to laugh at their reactions, care about their experiences, and just generally love them! While this after-care program isn't as efficient as the one in Boise (and the kids are SO MUCH LOUDER!) it's been fun to hang, and I think that my fuse bead skills are going to be completely perfected by the end of the next few weeks.
Columbus is big! I have been so sheltered in Idaho. When I first started to try and navigate my way around Columbus, getting on the 270 was so scary for me, ya know, with all those cars flying by and stuff! This girl who drove around Sacramento, CA every day for four months and who has driven in the D.C. and Philly areas (which was rightly terrifying, not a big fan). However, I think I have overcome my trepidation with the busy roads. Additionally, we recently bought a nifty little GPS system (which we have both been coveting for some time now) and "Mrs. GPS" (with the strange computer accent) has done a great job at getting me from point A to point B safely. GPS is one of those things, like cell phones, where we are going to wonder someday how we ever got along without it.
Todd has recently discovered a new favorite place called Culver's. He had stopped there when we drove out to Ohio the first time with our technician, and he told me all about it. So of course, on our way through Iowa, in Des Moines, we had to make a special stop so Todd could get his delicious frozen custard. I tried a bite, but since I try not to make eating ice cream a habit, I couldn't really tell if it was "the best" or not...I mean, it was good though! So anyway, we got pretty excited driving around today when we discovered a Culver's right here in Columbus! Todd immediately said, "I am going to get fat this summer!" Anyway, that was exciting for him (it doesn't take much to make this man happy!)
Speaking of getting fat, I have definitely not kept up on the eating habits that I had in place before we left Boise. With all of the traveling, a lot of it went down the toilet, and I haven't been as steadfast because I don't have a routine established here yet. I have been trying to run three days a week, but its been more like two days a week, which is so bad! I also polished off some Ben and Jerry's in two sittings, so I haven't been doing so great with the lactose thing as well (why does dairy have to taste SO good?). However, I have been feeling alright, but I know I need to do better. Todd and I have decided that we MUST start figuring out a routine soon, and I will be forced to when I start working full time. At this point, we end up going to bed around midnight, and dragging ourselves sadly out of bed around 9...it is so hard! I think there is something about pest control that just drains everyone within 10 feet of it!
I am getting super excited to have a nephew (and a niece in a few months too!) I had a dream that Jess had her baby a few nights ago, and so every day I've been waking up wondering "Is today the day?" Being an aunt is great because you get to have the excitement of a new baby without the crying, diapers, throwing up, etc. Also exciting is the fact that my parents have sold their house! But I will do an entire post on that some other time (there's mixed feelings involved with that one!)
Anyway, that's the update. Sorry for no pictures, we forgot to take the camera on our anniversary, but it involved Cheesecake Factory and we know we will be back there a few times this summer!
Monday, May 19, 2008
I think I'll go to Boston, Where No One Knows my Name
We have made it safe and sound to Ohio. I am already missing Boise and its familiarity, but hope that after a few weeks are over, Columbus will feel just like home. As soon as we reached Indiana I began to get really excited about everything being green. After living in Boise, I had forgotten what green really is!
I have two weeks until I begin my next job, and plan to be totally satisfied with every moment of boredom. Plus, I can't deny the fact that I am excited to be two seconds from Kohl's, Target, Old Navy, Panera, H & M and Chipotle. I have also said to Todd about five times in the last week that I have been craving some Fazoli's...and we've got that here too (not to mention a Cheesecake Factory). Looks like my diet is going to go down the drain quickly!
Speaking of diet, I am finally off of my antibiotics for h. pylori. My levels were more than 3 times what the normal is! Taking 8 pills a day for two weeks was certainly no walk in the park, and I'm grateful to be down to my one Prilosec pill. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep on track with the diet and exercise and the doc told me that if I did, the reflux, lactose intolerance, and other digestive problems would probably go away one day. I told Todd that I hope our children get his stomach, because I wouldn't wish mine on anyone!
On another note, today is Todd and I's second anniversary! It has gone by so fast, and we still feel like we are in our honeymoon period. It's been really great to have so much time before kids and buying houses and all that, in fact so great, that we are almost reluctant to move onto this "grown-up" stuff! We are definitely enjoying our 20's and wishing that this period of time didn't have to go by so fast.
I have two weeks until I begin my next job, and plan to be totally satisfied with every moment of boredom. Plus, I can't deny the fact that I am excited to be two seconds from Kohl's, Target, Old Navy, Panera, H & M and Chipotle. I have also said to Todd about five times in the last week that I have been craving some Fazoli's...and we've got that here too (not to mention a Cheesecake Factory). Looks like my diet is going to go down the drain quickly!
Speaking of diet, I am finally off of my antibiotics for h. pylori. My levels were more than 3 times what the normal is! Taking 8 pills a day for two weeks was certainly no walk in the park, and I'm grateful to be down to my one Prilosec pill. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep on track with the diet and exercise and the doc told me that if I did, the reflux, lactose intolerance, and other digestive problems would probably go away one day. I told Todd that I hope our children get his stomach, because I wouldn't wish mine on anyone!
On another note, today is Todd and I's second anniversary! It has gone by so fast, and we still feel like we are in our honeymoon period. It's been really great to have so much time before kids and buying houses and all that, in fact so great, that we are almost reluctant to move onto this "grown-up" stuff! We are definitely enjoying our 20's and wishing that this period of time didn't have to go by so fast.
To commemorate, here we are at my sister's wedding last year, but the same place we got married, the Washington D.C. Temple.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Last Day of Internship :(
My mentor teacher, Mrs. Duthie
I decided for the last day that I wanted the kids to make volcanoes (we were reading a story about the earth so it worked!)
The completed volcanoes, which we "erupted" later on. It made the kids crazy :)
Me and Ashley, the student teacher next door. She has amazing hair!It has been hard to end this semester. Todd is gone, and I am once again leaving all the friends that I have made behind. I have said a lot of good-byes in the last few days, and it's not as easy as I thought it would be! However, I am looking forward to keeping in touch, and establishing new relationships in new places, and hopefully I'll soon be able to make and keep some friends in one place!
And early Happy Mother's Day!
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