Perkins Reunion 2010

I'm the 6th of 7 kids and its hard to all get together.

Two summers ago, my parents started a reunion for our siblings.

The first year they went to Fish Lake, I was stuck in DC.

Last year they went to Yellowstone, I was stuck in Taiwan.

This year I made it to the festivities! Yahoo!

Day 1 we went to Lagoon with these krazy kids.

The swings used to be my favorite ride.

But I almost lost my lunch on it this year.

I enjoyed riding all the 'big kid' rides with my nieces.

My 6 year old and 8 year old nieces are the bravest.

Lib never cried and we rode big rides til the park closed.

I'm certain I didn't ride the colossaus til I was 12.

I hope they'll always be bold and brave.

Did I mention we wore matching tshirts?

The epitome of awesome.
we hung out as a big group for a minute.
then a group of us split off to Lagoon-a beach.
Best idea. I love the lazy river.
Tubing is my favorite...especially with my nieces.


Day 2 we went to Bear Lake.
Soaked up the sun. Watched the cousins play.
And ate lots of food (thanks mom).

My niece Abbie is always fighting off my love.
Someday soon she'll warm up to me.
I hope.

The Perkins Girls and the Tolman Boys
(only thing missing here are the Fisher Boys).


My favorite photo from the weekend.
Lib rocks my world- always so happy and sweet.

Thanks for the effort on everyone's part to get together.

Love ya'll Perkins Clan!!

Bucket List

I've been wanting to go skydiving for years.

My pops was a paratrooper so he encouraged me growing up.

I finally got the nerves...

Getting decked out in our power ranger suits.

"To Infinity and beyond...."

We were excited but FREAKING out!

My guide, Argyle, was NOT amused with my questions/fears/photos.

Argyle: "We haven't killed anyone in days. You'll PROBABLY be fine."

Another guy: "Argyle's narcoleptic. If he falls asleep en route, smack him. He SHOULD wake up."

They were teasing me the entire plane ride...
and then Argyle pushed me out around 12,000 ft.
Which was perfect--I didn't have time to panic.

We were freefalling (que tom petty song) for about a minute.

My stomach was in my throat..but it didn't feel like falling.

I only remember the wind and that it was breathtaking.

...and that the parachute gave me a wedgie!

The best part was flying after the chute came out.

.......

A big thanks to Josh Westover for these pics.
I met Josh months ago and by happenstance..
..he went skydiving same day/time we did!

The TOU 1/2 marathon is manana.

I've been so siiiick all week and am expecting my worst PR.

But I'm no quitter.

PassionRepublic Taiwan Trip

A friend of mine posted this link on their facebook.
It sums up life in Taiwan.
Night Markets. 'welcome to Taiwan' signs.
Train rides. Yellow ponchos at Taipei 101.
Xiao Long Bao (best dumplings). Hot Pots.
Gross Spiders. Sun Moon Lake. Aboriginal Cultural Center.
Luscious Mountains. High Speed Trains (never rode-too $$).
The Ocean. Street Food. Stinky Tofu. Cute Kids.
Scooter Rides. BING!! love Bing (ice dessert).

And of course cheen cheen wo! jkjk.

I was in a different realm while in Asia, I nearly missed out.
Can I rewind a year and start over?
What a beautiful country. I miss my students and Taiwanese friends.
I saw cheesy signs everywhere that said:
'Taiwan. Touch your Heart.'
Only now do I agree.

Perkins Reunion: one for three

This weekend: Perkins Reunion 2010

I'm excited to see these characters.

We'll be missing Lisa & Fam.

Warning: Saturday I'll be peacing out on the fun for an 18 mile run.
Every party needs a pooper, that's why you invited me!
Running a marathon is the worst idea ever:
tight muscles. blistered feet. throbbing knees. aching shoulders.
I'm invested and committed. But I HATE every minute of it!

Moses

FLASHBACK: Summer 2003

Heather Warren (Rodriguez) and I lived in Jackson Hole, WY.

We worked crazy hours at Round-Up/GAP/Ranch Shop.

...

One day, a customer broke this bobble-head billy goat. paid for it. left it.

I couldn't throw him away and superglue made him good as new.

To Heather's dismay,

'Moses' became a permanent fixture at our college apt for years.

...

(Have you seen the episode of friends where rachel brings home that ugly lamp and Monica HATES it?! Me=rachel. Moses=ugly lamp. Heather=Monica.)

...

On my drive out to DC in 2007, I 'accidentally' left Moses at Heather's apartment!

I forgot about him...until he found his way back this week.

Heather and Brandon are moving to North Carolina for more school.

I'm not sure who's making the rules here..

but I think that makes it my turn to babysit Moses.

Believe me, this joke is far from over!

Moses reminds me of the good ole days.

Remember the time I wouldn't help organize our room at Arnell?

You'd had enough and slid that mattress on top of me...and out of the way!

Can you believe we ever slept on used mattresses?

or lived anywhere without a washing machine?

or fought over cookie dough?

Aggie Basketball game. 2005 (above)

Heather Rose Warren Rodriguez.
I love this expecting-mother/wife/attorney/friend...

..and her motivation/drive/passion/loyalty/know-how.
With each passing year, I'm more grateful for lifetime friendships like these.

We've had our share of parties, 'family' dinners, mutual crushes/cat fights,

inside jokes, arguments, road trips, laughter and late night talks.
No matter how far we move or how long without seeing each other...
...our friendship continues to grow.

I'm so proud of you Heavier and B-Rod--

and I can't wait to meet your little one.

Little Rodriguez Baby Shower 2010

P.S. What Baby?!

I was cleaning through my Taiwan pile of papers last night.

Found this treasure.

My Taiwanese students were so candid.

They loved hearing stories about old 'American Boyfriends'.

Judy (age 14) got a few steps ahead of herself in my farewell card....

Sammy's

Ventured down to Provo this weekend.

Sammy's Cafe was a perfect venue for our after-party.

pie shakes. milkshakes. fruit shakes. cupcake shakes.

The raspberry lemonade cupcake shake sounded suspicious...

but it was delightful!

They chop up cupcakes from here and toss them in.

You must try it!

...

27 North 100 West

Provo, Utah

Mon-Thurs 11am-12am

Fri-Sat 11am-2am

...

Chicken Pad Thai

I'll always remember my first Thai cookbook.

Found it on sale for $4.99 my 2nd year of college

and I've been experimenting with recipes ever since.

My buddy, Cam Cope, is headed to school in Tempe..

So I invited him over for some homemade Pad Thai.
After some researching, I decided on the recipe below.

It knocked our socks off!

Chicken Pad Thai
Prep: 25 minutes Cook: 12 minutes
I used vinegar instead of rice vinegar. I couldn't find the chile with garlic so I used Asian sweet chile sauce and added about 1/8 tsp minced garlic. This meal is delicious!!!


Ingredients
8 ounces rice noodles (Vietnamese bahn pho or Thai sen-mee)
1/4 cup salted peanuts, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
4-1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon Asian chile sauce with garlic
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or turkey, cut into bite-sized strips
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
1/3 cup sliced green onion
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro

Directions
1. Place noodles in a large bowl. Add enough hot tap water to cover; let stand for 10 to 15 minutes or until pliable but not soft. Drain well in a colander.
2. Meanwhile, for peanut topping, combine peanuts and lime peel; set aside.
3. In a small bowl combine fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and chile sauce; stir until smooth. Set aside.
4. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook and stir for 6 minutes until chicken is tender and no pink remains. Transfer to a bowl.
5. Add egg to the hot skillet and cook for 30 seconds. Turn egg with spatula and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more, just until set. Remove and chop egg; set aside.
6. In same skillet heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over high heat for 30 seconds. Add drained noodles and sprouts; stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add fish sauce mixture and chicken; cook 1 to 2 minutes more until heated through. Divide noodle mixture among four plates. Sprinkle each serving with egg and peanut topping. Garnish with green onion and cilantro. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts
Calories 565, Total Fat (g) 19,Saturated Fat (g) 3, Monounsaturated Fat (g) 8, Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 6,
Cholesterol (mg) 119, Sodium (mg) 945, Carbohydrate (g) 63, Total Sugar (g) 9, Fiber (g) 3, Protein (g) 34,

Reason. Season. Lifetime.

"Are they here for a reason, a season or a lifetime?" I ask myself this question nearly everyday. Keeping in touch with people has become my greatest strength. But most days it feels like my biggest weakness. 9 times out of 10, I intend to be a lifetime friend but that doesn't mean everyone is....I have to remind myself of that. I loved this article.

Love ya'll

TABS

Are Your Friends Here for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?

Many of us are fortunate enough to have friends who are a consistent part of our lives throughout all our ups and downs. However, sometimes others we consider friends appear to enter, then depart from our lives for reasons we try to, but don't always, understand. This piece nicely explains the flow of people in and out of our lives.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.