Turn Off Your Lights Tonight for Earth Hour

Join with me tonight by participating in the world-wide Earth Hour. I've pulled the following from the Earth Hour website so you can learn more about it:

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco. and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.

Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!

Off to Nationals!

My brother's robot team competed in the Davis, California FIRST Robotics Competition this weekend and their alliance took first place!!! That means they are headed to Atlanta, GA for nationals! Wahoo! Way to go BJ! They even got a write-up in the Idaho Statesman :-)

New Shoes

Red is my absolute favorite color. I have thought for several months that I would really like to get some red shoes, but just hadn't found the right pair. Well, today was my lucky day - I found these totally cute shoes! Too bad it's supposed to rain tomorrow, or I would for sure be wearing these to work :-)

This Really Sucks

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday, and I just want to say Happy Birthday and let him know how much I love and appreciate him.

I have also been meaning to post about my dad's most recent business trip, so thought I'd combine it here. I seriously have the coolest dad. My dad never went on business trips until I was in high school (if I remember correctly). Before he left on his first business trip, I informed him that the cool dads brought back gifts for their kids when they went on business trips. I still remember that first gift I got - Princess Bride on DVD (my very first dvd that was actually mine). I thought that was so fun, and it still remains a prominent part of my small DVD collection. So what makes my dad even cooler is that he didn't stop buying me gifts on his business trips once I went to college, moved out of the house, etc. He still remembers me each time he is away. I have an apron from Louisiana with a gumbo recipe on it, a beautiful necklace from New Mexico (or was it Arizona?), and more. He most recently bought me this cute t-shirt from San Diego. The fact that he thinks of me while he is traveling makes me feel special. I love you dad!

Jump, Jump, Jump!

All my little sister Beki wanted for her 18th birthday was to go skydiving, so that's what she got! It has been probably 7 or so years since the only time I went skydiving, so I decided to join Beki on her inaugural jump! It was a blast. We did the high-altitude jump of 13,500 feet. We had a 60-second free fall during which we dropped at about 120 mph. Talk about a rush! I think my cheeks were totally flapping :-) I guess I'll find out when I get the dvd of my jump next week. Anyway, I thought I'd share a quick clip of my totally graceful landing, and hopefully I'll be able to load my entire video to YouTube when I get it!

It's Starting to Look Like Spring

Last weekend I went out front to check the mail, and look what I saw poking up through the ground!
I was so excited. I planted some tulip, daffodil, and iris bulbs in the Fall, and I'm stoked they are starting to grow :-) I'm thinking that Spring must be just around the corner!

Zoltar

Does this bring back memories to anyone else? "I wish I were big..." I just had to take a picture of Zoltar when I saw him in a Las Vegas mall. I didn't check to see if it was unplugged or try talking to him - I didn't want to take any chances :-)

Keynote Speaker: Scott Hamilton

Scott Hamilton was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. I was so inspired listening to his story - from his adoption to health problems when he was a kid to his mom dying to getting cancer to his dad dying to getting a brain tumor... all the while he kept a positive attitude. I loved how he thought at first that each time something good would happen in his life, that something bad would then happen, but he realized it was the other way around. In reality, each time something bad happened, something good happened in return. Here are some of my other favorites from his speech:

• Every moment is what we make it.
• It is what it is, whatever it takes.
• You'll never regret taking the highest road.
• Things that happen to us may not be our fault, but ultimately it is our responsibility.
• We have three choices every waking moment. With each circumstance, we can succumb, adapt, or evolve.

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas...

... unless you're addicted to blogging :-) I spent the last week in Vegas at a conference for work. The conference was great - I learned a lot and am excited to implement some of the ideas I saw into our student system. The nice thing about the conference is that sessions are only held during the day, so I had all night to party! I won't post everything, but here are some of my trip highlights:

I won big... Okay, maybe not at the slots (I only spent $3 and cashed out when I had two cents left), but I did win a $100 gift certificate from one of the conference vendors! So I like to think that I won $97.02 in Vegas :-) Oh, and in case you're wondering, that was my first and last time of playing the slots. I thought it was pretty boring... probably because I didn't win!

We got on the VIP list at Studio 54 in the MGM Grand and we partied the night away. Okay, maybe I only partied for like an hour and a half because I'm definitely not a night owl. I was the first in my group to leave the club that night at 11:40! Here's a pic of me and my co-workers from the Registrar's Office - Diana, Ross, me, and Mark. It was funny trying to order a virgin drink from the bar. I tried a virgin margarita and thought it was disgusting - SO sour. The bartender was nice and made me a fruit punch replacement drink and didn't even charge me :-)
I also took time to go up the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel. The tower is a 1/2 size replica of the original Eiffel Tower. From the top I had a great view of the strip and the rest of the city.
I love seafood, so of course I have to post a picture of my first plate of food at the all-you-can-eat buffet. Mmmmm..... all-you-can-eat crab, shrimp, prime rib, etc. Oh, and don't forget dessert!










The water show at the Bellagio was beautiful! I'm totally bummed because I had a gorgeous picture of the water show with the hotel behind it, but I think I accidentally deleted it from my camera :-( Oh well, here's a picture I stole off the internet!

And last but not least, I went on the coolest roller coaster. I absolutely love roller coasters, and this was no exception. The roller coaster is on top of the New York New York hotel. It has speeds up to 67 mph, drops 144 feet, all the while doing these crazy loops and barrel-rolls. Wahoo! Here's a pic of me and my co-worker Willie.

Airlines and Hotels

I spent the last several days in Las Vegas for a conference for work. I've got lots of pictures and comments, so get ready for more posts :-) Anyway, I decided something this week. Airlines and hotels really need to jump on the "green" bandwagon. I wonder how many soda cans and plastic cups airlines go through during their beverage service. Does anyone know if there are airlines that recycle? I haven't really done the research, but I'm assuming they just throw everything away (since the cups and cans go in the same trash bags that the other trash goes into). And then what about hotels? Having been in Vegas and seeing LOTS of people drinking all around me, where are the glass and aluminum recycle bins? Does Vegas even have a recycling program? If I had brought an extra suitcase, I may have brought all my recycling home with me :-) There were plastic drinking cups for water all over the conference (even though we were all provided with reusable plastic water bottles), we got box lunches each day in cardboard boxes, etc. I know, I'm a dork, but it sure would be nice to have seen at least the option of recycling. I am definitely going to comment to the conference organizers - let's find a hotel for next year's conference that makes recycling and the environment a priority.

We totally thought of this first

Ryan shared a post with me today on Google Reader. A digital, under-the-cabinet cookbook. Ugh. We totally came up with this idea years ago, but just never got around to making/marketing it. And to think that I could be selling this now commercially - I'm sure everyone would be clamoring for one and that I would be able to retire :-) Anyway, I may need to get one of these. I think the idea is super cool.

Robot Video

I spent the last several hours editing down video from BJ's 2007 and 2008 robot competitions so I could make him a DVD. I decided while I was at it to post a quick clip on YouTube for those who have wondered what exactly this robot competition is that I've been talking about. This is by no means the entire video I made (that was over 20 minutes long for the two years of competition), but it will at least give you an idea. BJ's robot is Team 2122 - it has a yellow bumper and is pretty much the only one doing anything substantial on the red alliance :-)

Disgusting

Last week the water in my shower started draining really slowly, so I decided it was time to clean the shower drain. I left a picture off this post on purpose :-) All I have to say is that is one of the most disgusting chores I've ever done. Yuck!

Robots, Salmon, and Family!

What a great couple of days I just had! My family and I flew to Portland on Thursday night to support my brother BJ in his robot competition. Their first day of competition was a bit rocky, but they worked out all the kinks, and made a huge comeback yesterday. Their robot rocked! Their alliance (BJ's robot plus robots from 2 other schools) ended up making it to the semi-finals. They're off to California in April to try their luck again at making it to Nationals - good luck BJ!

Our Portland trip ended up being kind of a mini family reunion. My Aunt Kathy, Uncle Steve and Aunt Dena, and my cousins Ashlynn and Abby traveled down to Portland to cheer BJ on and visit with us. I had only met Ashlynn once and hadn't met Abby yet, so their visit was especially fun. On Friday night, Steve took us all out to dinner at McCormick & Schmick's - a fabulous steak and seafood restaurant. I had some delicious salmon topped with crab and basil butter... soooo yummy - thanks Steve!

And of course, it was fun to see Mandi, TJ, and my cute niece Hailey :-) Thanks for making the trip down from Moscow!