Home

These are the things I miss about home today, in no particular order: mountains, family, friends, Cafe Rio's pork salad with black beans no cilantro and tomatillo sauce, snow and the crunch it makes when you step on it, temples in every direction from my house, the countdown-to-Christmas mouse calendar that's been in my parents' house every year for as long as I can remember, radio stations that were presets on my car since I got it, the BYU-Utah rival, the flashing of porch lights to say goodbye as we drive away, IMSU and telling Mitchell, "Saved babies' lives" when he'd asked me, "What did you do at work today?", and a whole lot more.

Love you and miss you.

Yikes

Today, I had a very revealing trip to the grocery store. See if you can guess why after you read this.

"Are you finding everything alright, ma'am?"

"Let me get that for you, ma'am."

"Ma'am? Would you like paper or plastic?"

"You saved $3.56 today, ma'am."

Still wondering? Can't figure it out? Everything sounds pretty expected for the grocery store, right? WRONG! Ma'am? MA'AM?! Seriously? Someone please tell me when I crossed over into ma'am territory. I thought that word was reserved for women whose hips and thighs are evidence of the 5 kids they have at home; women who shop at Christopher Banks and Chicos; women who make sure they take a multivitamin every morning because they're worried about osteoporosis. to Am I already there? Is that who I am in the general public's eye? Please- someone, anyone- say it's not so!

The Eggplant Experiment

When you think of traditional Italian food, what comes to mind? I think of things I've see on an Olive Garden menu- spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, eggplant parmesan. I have tried and love every one of these meals, except for eggplant parmesan. I've always wanted to, but eggplant? Who is possibly tempted by a word like eggplant? Is it an egg? Hardly. A vegetable? Maybe. Some weird hybrid? Quite possibly. All I know for sure, is that it sounds absolutely horrid. But have you ever seen an eggplant? It's intriguing- its unique dark purple hue, its curved shape, its smooth outer casing. Eggplant always has appeared to me to be a very sophisticated choice, even if its name makes me want to gag a little.

One of my goals on this Indiana adventure has been to learn to cook. It's going well so far. The other day I decided I wanted to try a new pasta, but pasta is pretty basic. I mean, boil some noodles and chop some tomatoes, right? How can you make cooking pasta difficult? I don't think you can. So I decided to try a new ingredient- the eggplant. I would make sausage rigatoni with eggplant, and it surely would be phenomenal.

It was only after I bought all my ingredients that I realized I had no clue if I even liked eggplant. I'd never even tried it. It was only then that it dawned on me that it might be a bad idea to cook something with a main ingredient whose only appeal is that it appears sophisticated. Sophisticated? Who eats something based on criteria like that? Only crazy people, I'm sure. Perhaps my whole dinner was doomed to be a disaster because of a faulty connection my brain had made with sophistication and deliciousness.

But make the pasta I did. I was quite surprised to see what an eggplant looks like on the inside, and even more surprised to try a bite and find it was absolutely vile. Well, it was too late to turn back at that point. All I could hope was that it would taste better cooked and covered with lots and lots of salt, pepper, and anything else I could think of to mask that disgusting taste.

End result- not too bad. Thank goodness the rest of the recipe was marvelously delicious. I think I'll actually make it again some time, only next time substitute the eggplant with mushrooms, artichokes, or anything else that I actually know to taste good. This is the last time I will be tricked by the fascinating violet of a name-confused vegetable.

We're Not in Utah Anymore

This morning I drop Mitchell off at school, come home, and turn on my beloved Law and Order: SVU to watch while doing some dishes and folding laundry. Not too far into it though, my show is interrupted by a phone call from Mitchell. That's weird. He's supposed to be in class right now. Why would he be calling? Well of course I answer it. He asks me if I'm at home. My first thought is that he must have forgotten something and needs me to bring it to him. Umm, no. He's calling to tell me that right now our city is in the middle of a tornado warning. The law school has locked all the students in the basement until further notice. He's just calling to make sure I'm ok.

Umm, I guess so. I mean, at the moment I'm not whirling around in the air with trees, cars, and cows shooting by me. And I definitely don't see any witches, flying monkeys, or lollipop guilds nearby. Oh wait, are those descriptions part of Twister and The Wizard of Oz? Of course they are! Because those 2 movies sum up all my experience with tornadoes! I'm from Utah for crying out loud! The only natural disaster I've ever been prepped for is an earthquake. Hello! We had mountains to protect us from the wind!

So what am I supposed to do? Get in a basement? We don't have a basement! After brainstorming with Mitchell, the only other thing we've been able to think of is maybe lay in the tub or something. Is that what you're supposed to do? (Seriously, if someone knows, please pass it on. Apparently this is knowledge I need to have). Well the house isn't shaking yet, so for now I've decided just to watch the weather through the windows... which are made of glass... which can easily shatter... oh boy.

Fo about 5-10 minutes the weather was crazy outside. Pretty much I thought I was watching a tornado form in my backyard. But then again, I don't really know what a forming tornado looks like, so it might have been my fear telling me what I was seeing. Luckily though, things soon died down. Although our patio furniture is still scattered out on the lawn. I still haven't worked up the courage to go outside. I mean, what if a tornado suddenly decides to drop down? I've heard they can do that.

But you know what the one nice thing is about a tornado warning? You find out you're incredibly cared about. Apparently Mitchell texted his family to tell them what was going on here with the weather. Within 2 minutes of getting off the phone with him, both of his parents and sister called me to make sure I was safe. They truly are the best. Thank goodness for family.

Date Night with the Law

It's 8:00 on Wednesday night. Just finished work and have nothin' to do. Don't even have to go to bed early because I don't have to work tomorrow (praises!). What does this mean? Freedom! An opportunity for fun! The night is young (well, not really for me. Because even though I'm only 24 and by most people's standards that qualifies me as young, this spring chicken is yawning for her bed by 10:30. Call me lame if you want to, but it's the truth). So what am I going to do with my big night off? Let me tell you.

I'm going to pick up some food from our new favorite Chinese place (can I actually call it "our new favorite" if it's the only Chinese place we've eaten at since moving here?), meet Mitchell in a study room of the library, eat dinner and talk about the days we've had, and then proceed to update my blog while watching episodes of The Office while he reads out loud to himself, without realizing it of course, his "Civ Pro" assignment (that's "Civil Procedure" for those of you who are out of the law school jargon loop).

And you know what? I couldn't be happier about it. Because after 15 hours of being away from him today, nothing sounds better than just sitting next to him, occasionally rubbing his back- if he's lucky. Yep, life couldn't be much better if he's by my side, even if I have to use my library voice.

Mouse Trap

What do you get when you put one tiny mouse and the Rickeys together? Full scale panic, that's what. Let me tell you the story-

Apparently, for who knows how long, one little mouse has been living in our garage, chowing down on our storage of rice. Little bugger, who does he think he is?! Well obviously we couldn't let that mouse keep free loading off of us. What kind of people would we be if a measly little rodent was allowed to literally eat us out of house and home? We had to do something, right? Right. Well too bad the Rickeys are a couple of outrageous wimps about everything. I mean everything- snakes, spiders, ants, basically all bugs, baby bunnies and chicks... well no, not the last two, but almost. Needless to say, mice are definitely on the list.

We came up with a strategy of luring that mouse out into the open. It was brilliant, carefully calculated. Well when the first step of our plan actually worked and the mouse did in fact come out into the open, apparently we weren't adequately prepared for success- panic ensued. We both were running around, screaming like we were being attacked by one of those Rodents of Unusual Size from the Princess Bride, not a mouse that would fit in the palm of your hand. During our chaotic fleeing of the scene, the mouse managed to hide behind some boxes. Lovely. So for the next hour, each of us manned with a broom and mop in either hand, we moved boxes out of our garage like they were enormous pucks in a game of hockey. And after all that, do you know what? The little guy got away! So not only did he ruin our rice, he outsmarted us. Humiliating. Simply humiliating.

But don't worry, he may have won the battle, but we will win the war... assuming we somehow realize by the next battle that we are 100 times his size, his brain is the size of a pea, and he actually does not have a weapons arsenal at his disposal. Perhaps we can draw some courage from that knowledge.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Every Sunday, Mitchell and I teach a class of 4 year olds at our church- five little girls and one little boy who, already at the age of 4, recognizes he is totally outnumbered and that it isn't fair at all. I tell him it's ok though because he's going to be such a little stud some day for learning the finesse of managing a large group of women at such an early age. He doesn't completely buy it yet. One day he'll see how right I am.

Needless to say, our lessons are quite interesting some weeks with a group like ours. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of precious, tender moments where it is crystal clear why we are taught to be as little children, but there have been several times where Mitchell and I both just have to laugh right out loud. And those moments are too hilarious to keep all to ourselves. So World, enjoy the innocence of my sweet class:

Referring to Daniel from the lions' den, "Who knows who Daniel is?"
"I got a friend named Daniel."

Holding up a pink heart, "Who knows what shape this is?"
"Heart!" "A heart!" "Heart!" "Heart!" "A Heart!" "PINK!!"

"How come Jesus did such nice things for those people like bless them and heal them?"
"Because He's magic."

"What is your very favorite story from the scriptures?"
"I like the one with Pinocchio."
"With Pinocchio? Hmmm, what story is that?"
"You know, the one where he gets eaten by a whale but still lives anyway."
"Oh, you mean the one about Jonah and the whale?"
"Maybe. I just know that Pinocchio is so funny with that long nose!"

Showing a picture of Christ when he visisted the people in America, "These children weren't from Jerusalem. They were from somewhere far away. Do you know where they were from?"
"Ummm, South Carolina?"

"Do you think it made Jesus sad when those other 9 lepers didn't say thank you for healing them?"
"Yes. He probably went home and ate a whole bowl of ice cream. At least that's what my mom does when she's sad."

See, this is why I tell everyone I have the best church job in the world. How could you possibly hate teaching these kids when they're going to say stuff like this every week? I'm sure the list will go on and on. I'll keep you all posted when new favorites come up.

Whoops

Mitchell: "Hey Er, have you seen the mail key?"
Erin: "Uh no, I haven't."
Mitchell: "Are you sure? It's not on the key rack."
Erin: "No, I definitely haven't seen it. I've been in Michigan all weekend which means YOU were the last one to check the mail. So where did YOU put it?"
Mitchell: "I really don't know. Maybe I left in my backpack or something. But that's at school. Besides, I really don't think I would have put it there. But we could check."
Erin: "Seriously? We were just at the school. We need to drive all the way back? Boyzo, boyzo Buster Brown."

15 minutes later in school parking lot. Mitchell has just returned to the car from checking his locker.

Mitchell: "Well it's definitely not there."
Erin: "Well that was a good use of gas."
Mitchell: "Hey!"
Erin: "Just kidding... kinda."

10 minutes later back at the house. Erin has just gone through piles of Mitchell's clothes, drawers, and checked under all couch cushions. Mitchell has just rechecked everywhere Erin has checked. Erin gives up and lays on the bed to check her facebook. Mitchell continues the search.

Mitchell: "Well I just have no idea where it could be!"
Erin: "Did you check your pockets? laptop bag? You know why the key is lost? Look at this kitchen table- all your stuff is everywhere. Nothing is where it should be."
Mitchell: "I really have no clue."
Erin: *Sigh* "Oh well, we'll just have to spend the 50 bucks to get a new one I guess. Lame."

Erin goes back to facebook, feeling her passive/aggressive attitude is warranted, even if it is a little mean-hearted. Mitchell keeps looking, feeling sadly responsible for the loss of the key and most likely 50 bucks.

2 minutes later.

Mitchell: "Haaaah!
Erin: "You found it? Where had you put it?"
Mitchell: "Where had I put it? Are you sure that's the question you want to be asking?"

Mitchell approaches bedroom door with Erin's purse in hand.

Mitchell: "So you were in Michigan all weekend huh? There's NO way you were the last one to use the key? I'M the one who never puts stuff in the right place? Then why did I find the key in YOUR purse, Missy?"
Erin: "Whoops."

Big, fun, loving hug as couple walks to mailbox hand in hand.

Little Things

Favorite moment of last weekend- slow dancing (AKA swaying for this couple) in the living room, wearing basketball shorts and an old t-shirt, listening to Damien Rice, while waiting for water to boil. It's a thing like that that makes a hard week worth it.

I'll push through all hard weeks if you'll always be my swaying partner, Sweetheart.

Love you.

Blog Revival

Today I've decided to revive this blog. It's been a pathetic 6 months since I've even looked at it. 6 months! I might as well have left it for dead! In my defense, however, since February I've been working with a computer that has a predilection for shutting down at random and taking roughly a bazillion years to boot back up. So naturally, I blame this blog's near death totally on the computer. Although, I guess technically I share some guilt seeing how I left the computer under my couch 24/7 to collect dust bunnies and other such "unhealthy" things for mechanized equipment. But that's neither here nor there. All that needs to be said is the computer's been fixed, and we have come to an agreement; it will no longer shut down at random provided I store it on a desk with room to breathe. Seems reasonable enough. Moving on.

To bring you up to speed, I'm in Indiana. Yes, I know you're all jealous of the exotic nature of my new home, but please, let me explain. We're only here due to law school. It's true. As of today my husband is officially on loan to IU for the next three years. I swear, if it weren't for that, I never would have left my Utah home to taunt you all with tales of my alluring, foreign life among the corn and hicks.

To be honest with you (that is assuming you know me well enough to realize the preceding paragraph was complete sarcasm), Indiana is great! I feel horrible for ever assuming it was a nowhere state in the middle of nowhere (that's a lot of nowhere). I couldn't have been more wrong. I actually do NOT live by any corn- that's Ohio. Life here is anything but the boringness (that's right, I just said 'boringness') you associate with corn. And if you don't believe me, keep reading this blog and I'll use the next 3 years to prove it to you.

So yes, I'm back. and I'm coming at you from the Midwest, so be prepared for some interesting stories! And most likely, if I'm going to be realistic, some that are run of the mill.

How To...

I might be starting a new career in writing. No, not romance novels, comic books, or murder mystery thrillers. What I have are the skills and know how to start my own series of How To books. I think I've found my niche. Here's what I have so far for my first installment:

How to Give Yourself a 2nd Degree Burn:

1. Work a night shift that completely exhausts you.

2. Do not bring any snacks on your night shift.

3. Once you're home from a long night of work, take a well needed nap that lasts approximately 4-5 hours.

4. Now that you're awake and completely starving, seeing how you haven't eaten in roughly 18-20 hours, make Ramen noodles for lunch.

5. Your soup is ready. Immediately remove pan from stove and don't bother pouring it into a separate bowl.

6. Regardless of the fact that your Ramen has only been off the stove for roughly 20 seconds, bring yourself and pan to the couch where you will enjoy your delicious lunch. Remember, you should be starving by this step.

7. As you go to sit down, be unaware of how full your pan is with boiling soup.

8. Last step- fail to hold your pan level while lowering yourself to the couch.

Oila! You now have a 4 inch x 5 inch 2nd degree burn right on your thigh. Well done! Enjoy managing the pain and blistering.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Today I realized something about myself. If I had an endless supply of money, I would be a shoe fiend. It came as quite a shocking revelation, but it couldn't be more true. I would say I've spent the last 8 years being a coat-a-holic. I have managed to accrue quite the coat collection that would make any woman proud. After today though, I've decided to turn my attention to the shoe world.

As I was waiting for some pictures to be printed, I decided to window shop rather than go home and do some tedious task that needs to be done. Tasks can wait. Time and excuses for window shopping come too infrequently in my life to be ignored. So I decided to peruse a real shoe store. I'm not talking the shoe section of a Wal-Mart or Target. I mean a shop entirely devoted to the beauty and variety of shoes.

Every aisle held at least a dozen pairs of shoes I wanted to make my own. Cute little flats in every color and pattern you could ever hope to have to match to a perfect outfit, sexy hot heels that could give the shortest girl legs that go on for days, absolutely incredible boots for any style you could think of, ready to go tennis shoes for the casual days of sweatshirts and quick pony tails. Oh the possibilities... provided you have that endless supply of money I mentioned earlier. See, that's the problem of being in a real shoe store and not the shoe section of a Wal-Mart or Target. There's no such thing as "BoGo" or "$15 and Under" tables in these shops. You better have at least 30 bucks to spare before you go into one of these stores. And that'll get you one pair of shoes. Maybe, if you're lucky, one pair of shoes and some cute socks, but that's about it.

So to all of you botanists and economists out there- combine your efforts. Find a way to make that elusive money tree we're all waiting on. I'd be happy to donate the grassy area in front of my apartment to your planting efforts. Maybe then my dreams of becoming a shoe fiend will become a reality.

A Quick Update

Long time no see, Blog! Sorry I've been away for so long. You know how things always get so busy around the holidays. For most people that business comes from last minute Christmas shopping, baking for gourmet holiday dinners, making the rounds visiting extended family and the likes. Not me. I was busy working (remember that totem poll problem?- yeah, I'm still rather low on it) and just relaxing at home. What have you been up to, Blog? I'll just give you a quick update on my life for the past month and a half or so. It'll be pretty short and sweet.

#1- We're for sure going to law school. Who knows where yet, but the acceptance letters have started pouring in. Let the anxiety commence in deciding the rest of our lives.

#2- I have almost successfully learned how to drive a stick shift. Still need to work on the whole hill thing, but other than that, I'm a pro... almost.

#3- We are going to start taking either a dance or cooking class. We haven't quite decided which one yet, but oh it's going to happen. It's time to be active in our lives. Any suggestions on which one we should attempt first?

#4- We finally got our wedding album after a year and a half of being married! Oh my gosh it is fabulous! Love it, love it, love it!

#5- My better half had another surgery and broke a bone for the first time in his life. The surgery went great even though the recovery just about killed him. But now he's breathing through his nose like never before. How exciting! Who knew how much we need that? And the broken bone was the result of a football injury. His lack of athletic prowess as he puts it caused what we thought was a jammed finger. But three weeks with no movement and extreme pain finally brought us to the doctor to get an x-ray. What do you know? A tiny broken bone.

#6- I finished knitting another baby blanket. I think it's time I take a break from that hobby. I have two blankets already made and no babies. The math just isn't adding up.

#7- With the demise of my computer knocking on the door (it's just a matter of time. It sends me warnings by shutting off randomly, sending messages about missing files and other computer mumbo jumbo that I know nothing about), I've decided to print my pictures and make true photo albums. It is quite the undertaking. We'll see how successful I am.

Hmm, that's all I can think of for now. If I think of any other updates you need to know, Blog, I'll be sure to tell you.