Proceed with Caution

Today was an eventful day at the JSMB. As you may know, serving and working with food can sometimes be tricky and exciting, however, today it was hazardous. It really was a doozy. To begin with, I toppled a whole stack of glasses within my first 10 minutes of being there. I think I fared better than most people do when the whole stack goes down--I only broke 18 or so glasses. Not bad for an amateur!! Only 45 minutes later or so I got a bum speed rack so that just as I was going over the bump into the elevator my cheesecakes pancaked on top of each other. Needless to say, all three cheesecakes were toast (or creamed?). Thank goodness the chocolate macadamia nut mousse cake was okay. After that I seriously considered taping a sign to my forehead reading, "Warning: May Spontaneously Combust!" but I thought that might detract from my professionalism. The rest of my shift went fine, though I was concerned for the health of those around me. I think I could have won a trophy for klutziness today. I definitely deserve the grand prize. In fact, I think I cost the company more than I'll have on my paycheck, yet lucky me, I don't have to pay for it. Oh well. All is fair in work and war!

To Texas and Back Again

These last few days I went on a whirlwind roadtrip. On Wednesday two mission friends and I left for the flat plains of Texas to attend the wedding of a common mission companion. It took us two days to drive to Lubbock, TX, one day to attend the wedding, and two days to drive back. Although it was tiring, it was so much fun. On the way down we stopped at every small attraction on the road, learned about cotton plants once there, and then sped our way home. Here are some pics:

A stop in Spanish Fork Canyon.

Wilson Arch, just off the highway near Moab.

Monticello Temple: the original small temple.

The Dino Museum of Blanding. Who knew Blanding was so Cool?

Four Corners: four states at one time, although we're only standing in two in this shot.

Shiprock, NM, taken from the road while moving.

Billy the Kid: an outlaw. Maybe he held up stage coaches. . .

View from the Vardeman's window. It was just so pretty I had to take a picture of it.

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about ME!

So, I've just received my first "TAG". I know, probably a little too much information, but hey, it was kind of fun. Enjoy.

A = ADVOCATE FOR: Traditional Chinese Characters. Simplified just doesn't cut it.
B = BEST FEATURE: Eyes, smile, hair on days the weather cooperates.
C= COULDN'T DO WITHOUT: Friends, chocolate, and musicals. Get them all together and you have a hit.
D = DREAMS AND DESIRES: Become a good wife and mom, get published, make up my mind!!
E = ESSENTIAL ITEM: A pen. Really, it is so versitile.
F= FAVORITE PAST TIME: Reading a good book, being with friends.
G= GOOD AT: School, Chinese, cooking, being a clutz.
H = HAVE NEVER TRIED: Skydiving.
I = IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: I would travel the world!
J = JUNKIE FOR: Clearence shopping, shoes, internet shopping, books, facebook.
K = KINDRED SPIRIT: Anyone who wants to be. I'm available.
L = LITTLE KNOWN FACT: My hair hasn't always been curly. . .
M = MEMORABLE MOMENT: Having a baptism on my birthday. Best birthday present ever!
N = NEVER AGAIN WILL I: Eat the green vegetable of Taiwan. It makes me sick, really sick!
O = OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Peanut Butter M&M's. They are just too yummy. I have to control myself. That and Dr. Pepper: Only in case of emergency.
P= PERSON I MOST ADMIRE: My Grandma.
Q = QUOTE: "Next time you talk to yourself, tell yourself you're single, and end the conversation." --While you were sleeping.
R = REASON TO SMILE: Life is just too funny! You have to laugh at it and yourself.
S = SORRY ABOUT: Being critical when people really do try hard.
T = TAG SOME FRIENDS: Crystal, Jill Johnson, Megan W., Dan.
U = UNINTERESTED IN: Getting a Ph.D. If you ask me, it is just way too much school.
V = VERY SCARED OF: Earthquakes, very large spiders, very large dogs, and cockroaches--all of which I encountered in Taiwan.
W = WORST HABIT: Cracking my knuckles, especially my fingers.
X = X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Italy. . .But since I've been there: India, China, Ireland, anywhere really.
Y = YESTERYEAR DECADE OF CHOICE: Whichever one had soda fountains and soc hops.
Z = ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpio. I've heard that Scorpio women are the most beautiful. I would have to agree.

Twin Addition

Daniel and Megan had their twins on Tuesday. We welcome both Coleman and William into the family. Aren't they cute?!?!?!?!

Coleman Daniel Hinckley

William Cannon Hinckley

Congrats!

My Literary Vacation in Poetic Form

Every year in the summer down south we often go
To sit in the hot sun and breeze and increase our cultural know.

To Tuacahn and Cedar City we often go to view
The likes of Shakespeare and friends; to see a play or two.

At first we went to Cedar. The matinee to see
Was of Cyrano and Roxane, their love a mystery.

“Cyrano de Bergerac”, his name the title too,
With a nose so big and long his girl he would not woo.

An expert swordsman and a poet, his words were all in prose
His enemies were soon subdued if they commented on his nose.

His love he gave through Christian’s name, his love he never told
Until the day that he’d soon die when all were aged and old.

Behold, Roxane’s heart was warmed as she listened to his letter.
And as he died in her arms knew she loved Cyrano the better.

A Shakespearean comedy was the second play we saw,
“Two Gentlemen of Verona”, a laugh it did draw.

Proteus and Valentine, ordered to Milan to learn,
Both fell for the fair lady Sylvia in turn.

Julia loved Proteus; her love for him was true
So to Milan she followed him, quickly she flew.

Disguised as a man she strived their love to mend.
She was victorious, each couple happy in the end.

Next in Tuacahn, in Les Miserable we did find
Prisoner Jean Valjan, a criminal turned kind.

The student revolution in Paris streets did rage
Fighting for equality their lives they did wage.

The tragedy was ended with wedding march and song,
With charity and love discovered, righting all wrong.

With the close of the curtain came the close of day.
The world’s a large stage filled with wonderful plays.