I Want to Be A Splendid Ninja

Made this bread last Sunday. I'm thinking about making it a habit. It was mad good - and at some point I want to make it into sandwiches and French toast.

Bread of Life.

I skipped FHE, but brought Joe a pumpkin. I did go to Institute with Hot Rod - whose birthday it was - so I brought him a shake from Sonic.

Rod: I'm not getting any thinner...Me: Or younger. HBD, guy.

The new Atlantis Grail book came out on Apple Books. Bought it, read it. Can't wait for the next one. There was a bit too much romance for my taste, but the story is good.

Where dec pokés at? Pokémon Go me.

I got needled this week. It's like acupuncture with needles that go down to the bone and are twisted and repeatedly "pecked" against it. Then you hook up a stim unit and electrocute yourself through the needles.

Only five more needles left to stick.

There were no real injuries Friday night at the Stars games! It was nice. Annnddddd I got a free lemonade. Jackpot.

Then I went to Alex's birthday party, ate some snacks, rapped with helium, and sat by a fire. I chatted with Cen and Kaleb for a bit chez-eux.

And this appeared on my car on my way out.
No complaints, frankly.

I hit up the temple right quick Saturday morning. Love that place. And then I met some kids for free Chick-fil-Bae.

This was all free. Holla back. #moochlife

I skyped the fam and some old friends and caught up on life. It was nice. Even if we're all crazy chumps. Then I got ready for Halloween, Part I/III. If you've ever seen the hit anime series, Naruto, then you'll recognize the blue version of Rock Lee. (I swear this morph suit was green online.)

My motto is to be stronger than yesterday.
If I have to, I'll be stronger than half a day
ago, even a minute ago!

First, I hit up a family party with Kaleb, Autumn, and Matt. We ate out of delicious bread bowls. And had dry ice root beer. And snuck out for a bit to hit up the Trunk or Treat half a block away. Where we were assaulted by a gang of fourth graders. (We won.)

I work hard and never give up! That is my gift,
my ninja way!

 Then Kaleb and I left to go to a dance party nearer chez-nous. It was sub par, but there was a hilariously creepy clown whose dance moves were absolutely mesmerizing. Also the deejay was a joker. And my guy Sam dressed up as Steve Irwin - classic.

I want to show that I can be a splendid ninja even if
I do not have ninjutsu or genjutsu!

 Then we went to my place to watch Jumanji - a classic. And I started watching Stranger Things 2, and this morning, it's The Scarlet Pimpernel. A lot of movies this week.

Cen Got Lost In The Corn Maze, But We Tractor Down

The housesitting gig is up. Scariest part: giving Doan a bath. Apparently he can only poop in the shower, but also he's a very spiky lizard that does not like being picked up. Best part: living off only pumpkin bread for a week. Most surprising part: actually liking one of the chihuahuas, Chevy. 

Sometimes he makes human sounds and it's the literal cutest. 

Rod's Institute lesson reminded me of my relationship with my friend Wheeler. Wheeler is the most wonderful, loving man you will ever meet and I love him dearly. Also he's married now and I'm so glad he found someone who can make him as happy as Dee. 

Most of the week was chill and I got to just read my books alone. My Halloween costume is near completion (just in time), and now I just gotta find a hopping dance party to attend. 

Fridays are stressful because I work all day and night, with my second job. But afterwards, I hit up the end of the Institute Opening Social (where Rod told me to stop calling him Rod). And then to Logan's for a chat. 

Saturday was our ward temple day, so I did initiatories. Then I met up with Cenita and Joe at a pumpkin patch. What do you do at a pumpkin patch? you may ask. Let me tell you. 

Squad.

You get pecked in the butt by angry turkeys and ride gigantic rocking horses. You pet majestic goats that climb on manmade mountains.You buy overpriced lemonade because the tapwater isn't safe.

The smaller ones are less fun.

Bo Jale, check that off my exotic creature Bingo sheet.

You pedal around on tractor-shaped go karts that are too small for your limbs. You notice how there are chickens in every single pen, and in fact, the owner is a robot operated by several chickens. They're everywhere. You cut the line to jump on the bouncy house six times.

Quality decorations lined the place. What class.

You sit on an ancient tractor. You pay more money to shoot tomato blasters and ride in a tiny cow-painted train that you don't fit in. You walk through the saddest pumpkin patch, where all the pumpkins are overpriced, pre-severed, and imported.

And the bales of hay are held up by these weird tunnels.

And you complete the hour-long corn maze expedition by taking a picture of the maze and taking "shortcuts". That, friends, is what you do at a pumpkin patch.

"If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying."

We bought some normal-priced pumpkins for carving. Cen did a baby one. Joe carved all three sides of his. And I made this:

It's Gurgie from The Black Cauldron.

Autumn joined in on the carving halfway through. Then we watched Pan's Labyrinth, which is weird and creepy and unsatisfying. Joe found a Halloween costume at Goodwill and Autumn tasted a blackberry frozen margarita at Chili's.

Unique Eunuchs

Monday was my last day with Isabelle. Naturally, I left her alone for 8 hours because I had to work. Then I tried to take her to our indoor kickball FHE (which I can't participate in yet, but I figured all kids love kickball), forgetting one crucial piece of information: Isabelle. Hates. Sports.

I took her to Sonic afterwards and she was more than content with the day. At one point she said, "Hey! We never got virgin drinks!" Isabelle. Literally everything you drink is virgin.

These suckers just climb all over. 

I dropped her off at the airport - after bringing her all the way through security. And good thing, too. That girl does not listen to directions.

I started housesitting for my coworker, Jen. Her house is lovely. Her 2 snakes are lovely. Heck, even her lizard is fine. The 6 dogs are a little much for me. The cat is evil.

Just me and my guy,  chilling.

The only dog I actually like is named Chevy. He's one of the four chihuahuas, but he hates all the other dogs, just like me. So sometimes I only let him out and we sit on the couch and read and ignore everyone else. Find me a guy like that.

Cenita came over after her classes on Thursday to chill. And brought chocolate PB ice cream - that girl knows how to woo me.

Look at this gross little dog. Love him.

Friday I worked all day and night. One kid went down yelling "I broke my collar bone". I looked at it and confirmed and then he started crying. Kids are weird.

Saturday, I was happy to spend the day alone, but I promised Kaleb I'd go hiking with him (since the rest of the ward was gone on a campout). We went to a nice cave and then traipsed through a hoard of jumping cacti - and I only got stabbed four times. And I have a weird rash on my arm now, but it's aight.

Only place these bad boys grow: Phoenix, AZ

I just stayed for dinner since Cen had just gotten home by the time we got back. I met BumKnee (the grandma) and Papi and we had some nice Mexican with lamb. Then we met Wendy at my fake house and waited for the dogs to calm down to chat (while working on my Halloween costume).

Weeks ago, I promised Tom that I would go to a CCV service. It was...interesting. There's something to be said for professional pastoral staff and technology - especially if used in a way to get interest and help people apply doctrine into their lives. It was lovely and I saw a lot of parallels with our own church organization. At the same time - it's very clearly a church of man. And while I'm glad that these people are actually attending church, there's so much more to be had. Also a lot more work to do.

Gigantors of the Cacti World.

Because I was at CCV, I missed ward council. Which was fine. But I also missed the memo that I was conducting the fireside that night (that I was not planning on attending). So I went and ate about 1/3 total cookie volume. No regrets.

Fried Reeses 4 Lyfe

Guys, I played frisbee this week! And by that I mean a low-intensity game of catch, but still! It felt so good!

Then I got sick and almost threw up at institute. Instead, I slept a lot more than usual and toned down the physical activity and food. Play your cards right and you almost never need to throw up.

Kaleb visited me for HT, with his substitute comp, Cenita. So basically a normal hangout with a spiritual thought, haha. 

Addison and I chilled at Sonic for a late-night chat. She's teaching me how to tie a knot in a cherry stem and prepared me to get my nails done.

 

Friday night football wasn't too bad - a possibly torn meniscus and a few scratches, but otherwise okay. 

Cenita got Isabelle at the airport and even got her Mexican on the way home. We stayed up late and I convinced Isabelle not to shower. What a great influence.

 

We did baptisms at the temple - my first time in 5 years! And I saw my friends Alex and Autumn there. They hooked us up with some speedy service.

We got mani/pedis done. The service is nice, but I can't see myself paying for it on a regular basis, ya dig?

 

I'm going to house sit for my coworker Jen. I dragged allergy-ridden Isabelle along to check out the house and feeding schedule for the 6 dogs, cat, iguana, and 2 snakes. Even got Isabelle to hold the nice snake.

We met up with the guys to carpool to the state fair. We went to a DRAGON EXHIBIT (where Isabelle accurately pegged me as the European Red Dragon - basically the rude, sassy, conniving one.) We also did a VR dragon flight, which was kinda cool.

 

Adam volunteered for a hypnosis show and we watched him almost make out with the guy next to him and give CPR to a duck. The best part was when the volunteers were pretending they were riding a motorcycle. The guy said Look to your left, you see your friends and family! And they did, waving, and smiling. Look to your right and see your ex! And this one girl, Jo-Jo, stuck up the finger and shouted F you! multiple times.

We ate fried Reeses (highlight) and rode the ferris wheel and swing rides. I also had a decent cheeseburger and Isabelle had chili cheese fries.

Cenita and Isabelle and I left to hit up Wyatt's homecoming party (some guy I'd never met, but who's pretty sassy). And then we went to a movie night hangout with Sam, Bryan, Kaleb, and a couple of girls I'd never met. Isabelle: Do I have to go? Can I just wait in the car? We're definitely related, haha.

Life of Bread

Updates: my car is drivable (legally and actually), finished my college apps, and went on a few long runs to ease my anger and anxiety. I am now in a good mood. You're welcome, world.

A Rod's Curse: I promised Rod that if I got out of work early enough, I'd go to institute. Now my Tuesdays are unusually empty. This week I got out TWO HOURS early.

Little Dinner petting the creepy baby. 

I organized my temple names and was forced to admit that I've been putting off sealings for way too long. So I went, kneeled on my post-surgical leg (which was painful) and my scabbed up leg (which was painful and bled through my dress). We all had a good laugh and a trip to the laundry room.

Addison is one of my new visiting teachees, so I hung out with her for a bit. Apparently she thought she was gonna hate me. She doesn't. We're getting drinks sometime.

RIP Elder Hales. We love you.
But is it too soon?

When I got home, two African (like from the Motherland) men were changing a tire right across from my house. Obviously we became best friends and call each other all the time now.

One of THOSE weekends. 

Friday night football was manageable, I missed Ben's AND Braeden's birthdays, and hung out with Cyrus late at night. Also I had a sweet nosebleed at one point.

General Conference weekend. Aka infinite pajama church. I made bread. French bread.

Kevin's recipe.

During PH session, I met up with Cenita, Autumn, and Marné for drinks and desserts and had the BEST margarita to date. Blackberry Frozen Margarita (virgin). Yum. Cen and I walked around for a bit and met up with Grace, who is recovering well from her horse accident and has a sweet scar. Then we got Kaleb and drove to Logan's to feed his horses and chill at his house.

And let me soap box for a second: In light of an invite to an alternate church, I've been thinking about all the things I would miss so dearly if I ever decided to switch religions: modern prophets, temples, the Book of Mormon, the priesthood, personal revelation, to name a few. The church is true even if the people aren't perfect. And thus, I have a lot of goals to work on that were made apparent as a result of this glorious weekend.

Maybe I'd try a hint of lime next time.