I Was On the News.... Again.

Last night we went to a fundraiser for Relay for Life at Camino Real restaurant on Truxtun. The news team from Eyewitness News acted as hosts and servers and greeters--well, Leyla did most of the serving; the others hung out and helped out. We had an absolute blast getting to chat with them and eat some great food. 

Here we are with Lisa Krch and Leyla Santiago! Love them!

And of course, the news camera was there. Here we are on the news! Thanks for the shout out, Cambi!

Thanks for a great night Camino Real and Eyewitness News team!

Relay for Life (...and I'm on TV again!)

If you've never been a part of a Relay for Life event, I'd highly recommend it. Not only does it raise money for a great and worthy cause, it is loads of laughs and fun.

The cardboard car race is one of those events filled with laughs (and ridiculousness). I remember watching the races last year, and I admiringly walked by the cars this year, but I never dreamed I'd actually be a participant in said race.

Eyewitness News (our favorite news station that I've written about here and here) built a Tow-mater car (clearly the coolest one out there), but had no one to "drive" it because Aaron Perlman (the weatherman) was emceeing the event. He asked me if I'd be willing, and I thought "what the heck? why not?"

I grabbed my friend Hannah (so grateful she was around), and we suited up.

First of all, we barely fit in the car. Second of all, we were both wearing flip flops. Third of all, we were competing against people who could actually run quickly.

So, needless to say, we didn't win.

However, we did have a blast, and we certainly looked good doing it!

Here's a video of the race. Yup, we're the ones in the back. It's a cell phone video, so it's not the best quality, but this tid-bit was on the news--high def. and all (joy!)...

And if you haven't had enough, be sure to tune in to Eyewitness News Fox 58 tomorrow morning between 7:00 - 7:30ish to watch the HUMPDAY dance! I'm pretty sure I'll be making an appearance with Tow-mater!

Top 11 of 2011

In thinking back through last year (and honestly searching through the blog and Facebook to try to remember all of last year), I created a top 11 list.

The following are my top 11 experiences from 2011(kind of in order, but not really):

11. Leaving Thompson and going to Warren.

Although I wasn't happy about it at first, and although it's not always easy, I have learned a lot about myself and God's provision through the move. You can read more about my heart toward the move initially here., packing up my old classroom here, moving day here, setting up the new room here, and the room really getting put together here. Obviously, this was a big part of my year last year. :)

10. Traveling to Europe on VACATION! 

I had been to Europe a few times prior to last summer, but never just for fun. You can check out all of my European Adventures beginning here.  And if you're really bored, there's plenty more where that came from!

9. Getting to see Nicole three times in one year.

Nicole lives too far away. First, she lived all the way in Georgia. Now, she lives all the way in stinkin' England. But, I was fortunate enough to be able to see her three times this year--far more than I did when she lived in Georgia. The first visitation happened in England beginning here!

8. Planking on top of the Eiffel Tower.


Planking is awesome. The Eiffel Tower is awesome. I got to plank on the top of the Eiffel Tower--I must be awesome. :) Here is the post and picture of that awesomeness!

7. Not going to Ireland. 


Ok, this may not seem like a "highlight," and I'm still bummed that we didn't get to go, but it sure made for one great memory! PLEASE please read the story here. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish you were there to not make it to Ireland with us. "N as in NEVER GOING TO GET TO IRELAND AT THIS RATE!"

6. Meeting Brian Regan! 


Getting to meet my favorite comedian was an unforgettable experience. He is so down to earth and so stinking funny!

I didn't blog back when I met Brian Regan, so here's a picture for you!

5. Two new cousins and a new step-nephew being born. 


I love these three so much. I am so blessed that they are now a part of my life. I can't wait to watch them grow up and change. Read about my amazing little cousins here.

4. Learning more and growing closer to God. 


It's my goal now each year to read the whole Bible. I never want this to become a check off to-do list activity. but a discipline. From this (and from my incredible church and home group), I have learned more about my God and who I am in Him. I pray for an even deeper relationship this upcoming year. Here is just one example of this...

3. Getting to be on TV!


My mom and I got to be on Eyewitness news toward the end of last year. Cambi Brown and Sean Collins came to our house and installed a CO detector. Although we had to wake up super early, we had a blast. And, we made a new friend. Cambi, you're the best! Here's the whole story (and a clip!).

2. Buying my first car. 


I feel like such a big girl now. I have my very own car. Josie is great. Please read more about her here!

1. Riding a helicopter into the Grand Canyon.


One of the most amazing things I have EVER done! I can't even describe it to you. I can't wait to actually fly a helicopter on my own!!! Read more about my adventure HERE!

And here's to hoping that 2012 will have more than 12 amazing adventures ahead! Cheers!

No Word Wonder! (I was on TV again!)

Remember a while back when my mama and I were on the news? I was a one word wonder that day. You can check to see a refresher here if you've forgotten. :)

Well, last Saturday, we had lunch with Aaron Perlman and Cambi Brown after church (yes, church was on Saturday this last weekend), and Mom asked if they'd give us a tour of the news room some day. She shared with them my childhood (or maybe ongoing) obsession with the news, how my neighbor and I used to play newscaster, and how my favorite show was always the news. (Still no idea why, people, but it's true).

They invited us to come this morning and sit in the "studio audience." When we got to the studio, Aaron showed us around and then sat us in the "audience" (two chairs just off to the side from the news desk). It may seem like no big deal to them, but we loved it! It's so neat to see how it all works and comes together.

Then, during one of Aaron's weather segments, he called me over to do the weather with him--yes, it was that impromptu. I looked quite silly (it's really harder than it looks!), but it was lots of fun. I stood in front of the green screen and kept pointing the wrong way to things (everything is flipped over there), and of course I didn't have a mic, so I just stood and laughed and pointed--not my best work. I guess it's better that I stick to teaching and let Aaron handle the weather. He's great at it.

Here's a little video clip that I rigged up (I videoed the clip playing back on the DVR on our TV with my phone and uploaded it on here). The sound isn't that great, but you can see me pointing like a madwoman. :)

After the news ended, Mom and I climbed up in the chairs and played "news anchor."

 Me slightly giddy!

 We are "reporting" some serious news! (or trying to look serious)

So cool!

Thanks Eyewitness News for letting us crash the newsroom today. We had a blast! 

One Word Wonder (I was on TV!)

In case you missed it, the madre and I were on the news this week. Our favorite news team, Eyewitness news (mentioned here) , planned a segment about carbon monoxide detectors in homes. They asked for someone willing to open their home to do a few live segments at the crack of dawn  before the dawn cracked, and of course, the madre and I were all over that.

So, on Wednesday morning at a time that is completely ungodly, the news reporter Cambi Brown, the fireman Sean Collins, and the photog LJ showed up on our doorstep (with Polly Pocket--Cambi's adorable dog).

We chatted for a bit, filmed a segment, had some donuts and hung out, filmed some more, and hung out a bit more. Although it was super early, we really did have a blast. Unfortunately, there was a fatal car accident early that morning, so they had to pack up quickly and leave before we filmed the last segment.

And in case you missed it (I know, I know, it's tough to wake up that early), here is one of the segments for your enjoyment:

It's true what they say....tv adds 10 15 pounds. It also turns your pretty purply sweater into a greyish color, makes your eyes look like they are closed (or was that because it was so early?), and turns a person who talks for a living into someone who can only blubber out one word--definitely!

All ridiculousness aside, we did have a blast!

Now go get a carbon monoxide detector if you don't have one!

A Penny For My Thoughts... (a random collection of thoughts)

...oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar. I LOVE the new Lauren Alaina album. No, that song isn't on it, but she did perform it on Idol. Wildflower is completely worth listening to!

People, please don't wear grey at the gym or when you're working out. Ever. I really don't want to see your awkward sweat lines--especially if you're wearing a thong. Ew.

One would think that with all this gym going, one's physique might start changing a bit. Don't worry, folks, it's not. But yet, I press on...

Modern Family and The Middle are a couple of the best shows on television.
HI-LAR-I-OUS!

I get stupidly excited to watch reruns of my favorite old shows. Perhaps that's why I started collecting the seasons of Boy Meets World. Too bad I haven't found time to start watching them--this doesn't diminish the excitement, however.

Last random thought for the day....

I love love love our morning news team on Eyewitness News. They are ridiculously funny. It makes waking up too early a little more bearable. This slight obsession with the news may have something to do with the fact that I've been fascinated with the news since I was a child--no idea why! Thanks Aaron, John, Leyla, and Cambi for making my mornings just a little bit brighter.