New Room!

My wonderful mother, that I lovingly call Linda in this post, has done it again! My room was looking rather heinous and bland. Linda came in and turned it into a masterpiece. She handmade the comforter out of some sheets I bought at Target. Then, Linda single handedly created 3 pillow cases out of fabric and hand stitched some adorable flowers and squiggly designs on them. Adorable. Linda is one talented mother, seamstress, pillow-maker, room-designer, homemaker. Thanks mama.

This is the dresser set-up. The fan is from Amy, of course. In thailand I opened a fan this big and said, "wanna know the name of this picture--FANtastic!" So, there ya have it. A fantastic dresser decoration. Thanks Amy.

And now, a Zoom-in to the right to see this plaque.

One of my mentors growing up has been Suzanne Robertson. She was my young women's leader throughout high school and she helped me as I was going through my personal development identity vs. role confusion stage(I'm studying for a Psych test right now. That's the 5th of Erikson's Psychosocial theories of personal development) of adolescence. It's a crucial stage

where adolescents gain their identity and define their self-worth. She helped me to be so positive and happy through the whole process of growing up. And she just really cared about me. She taught me through her example, which is the best way to teach. I totally want to be just like you, sister robertson. She gave me this plaque a couple years ago because I love the rain and I have always talked about how much I love it. It wasn't my birthday or Christmas or anything. She just saw this and thought of me. How cool. I totally cried when I got this just thinking that someone would be that kind to just think of me. It makes me happy everytime I look at it. Thanks, my idol. You rock. It has been in every room I've lived in(5) in the past 2 years. I think it's the coolest thing ever.

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS... IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.

Brunette

Before.

After.

A Birthday, A Beautiful view, A Boarder, and A Baker

It was Steve's Birthday on Jan. 20th, so we got a group of friends to go together to Texas Roadhouse Grill which was way tasty.

Yesterday, I woke up five minutes earlier than normal (6:25 am), so I was wandering around the condo and stopped to appreciate my grandpa's favorite view: the view from our balcony. It was surreal! My little Canon did a pretty good job. The cut outs of the mountains were so crisp and defined. All the city lights were so clear and I could pick out 3 LDS temples shining. It was a great start to a beautiful day. I went and got Amy so we could take a picture and ten minutes later the sky was a little brighter and still so beautiful. So there you have it. My everyday view from Saratoga. It's my new goal to look out the balcony every morning and think of some things I'm grateful for. It's not hard at all looking at a view like that.

Steve took me boarding. I wasn't happy about it the first run down the mountain. Because it wasn't a run down the mountain, it was more like a slow and painful crawl/fall down the mountain. But I made it and my proudest part was getting off the lift and not crashing.

I didn't have the same luck with the landing off of the lift the second time around. It was 4 snow boarders crowded on one bench, and somebody's something went somewhere on or over me and I crashed and burned/froze. Terribly unpleasant.
But I made it down the hill the second time with a pretty decent time. Instead of the 2 hours it took me on the first go-down, it only took 30 minutes the second time. I decided to keep the trip ending on a good note with no broken anythings and we left. I call it a definite success.

So, Mom, I'm happy to say, that I have put your lovely Christmas present for me to great use! Thanks!

My next adventure involves following a recipe on the back of a can and one on a cake box.

My first casserole ever!! I tried chicken and rice on the back of cream of chicken soup can, and I didn't have rice, so I put in noodles. They were a little crunchy, but Amy ate it happily and so did I. A grin ear to ear. The way it should be after unveiling a casserole for the first time.

Funfetti cake. Mmmm. My favorite. I think I like funfetti cookies better though. I made those today, and I've already had 6. Yum-my.

That's all for the adventures of Allyson this week. Stay tuned for some exciting news and maybe a few more wild recipe attempts.

Adios Amigos.

Blogtastic Allyson and a Burger Battle

So, I have a total of 5 blogs now. 1 that I enjoy writing on, and three that I have to write on for school. And 1 more that doesn't exist that I just said to exaggerate. My blogs now range from ProfeAllyson to ArtsySchlauder to EdPsychSchlauder. Yikes! I've never blogged so much in my life, but you wouldn't know that because I've given my favorite one the shaft. Much apologies.

For the current update.

I am in the print shop right now... monitoring. Greatest job on the planet for a student- Hands down(literally)... I did a couple push ups because I had been sitting too long and my heart needed some action. I also did my homework that isn't due until next week. And I had me a can of peaches without a fork. I'm now stronger, stickier, and smarter. Go Super Schlauder.

NO COINCIDENCES. That's for sure. I was so sad when I didn't get the job as a Teacher's assistant like last year, but now I see why. I can really focus on my school work (7 classes worth of homework!), and I wouldn't have time for any other kind of job.

I did something funny yesterday with a friend. There is this billboard I notice everyday on my way home to Saratoga. 'Chadders', a wannabe in-n-out burger joint, advertises with this billboard that says "Taste the difference--Chadders". You can assume this was most certainly in regards to their new competition only a minute closer to the freeway exit than them. The real deal- In-N-Out. Certainly you've heard of the recent in-n-out fever that has taken over Utah county, and if you

haven't... well, it's a drive through line of about 15-30 cars on any given night at any of the new in-n-outs.

Yesterday we were looking for a cheap good meal. In-n-out was our choice. We were still a little hungry after, so we decided to take up the billboard challenge and go round two at Chadders... the ultimate competition. I will tell the differences I concluded. The buns were less buttery and more sweet. The burgers lacked the juicy goodness of in-n-out. And we were the only customer in sight. So, we decided Chadders is definitely better than McDonald's or Wendy's but not better than in-n-out. So there you have it. We tasted the difference.

Cove Fort

I drove back up to Utah on Monday in order to start school on Wednesday. And my eyes were getting a little heavy, (even though the sky had a gorgeous pink hue that was amazing to look at) so I decided I would pull over and either get a slurpee or take a nap...

The next exit sign I saw was "Historical Cove Fort- 1 mile". Coincidence? I think not. So, I took the exit and made my way to Cove Fort. I planned on just taking a picture of the sign out front for my blog and then maybe taking a quick nap in the parking lot, but then a sister missionary spotted my car at the end of the parking lot and came-uh runnin. She gave me a 45 minute tour. And now I'm here to give you the tour as well... of historic cove fort.
notice the droopy eyes in the photo.
The doors were first built with sand inside to stop bullets from the indians or hooligans passing through. But after the people gained the trust of the indians, they let the sand out. These were the original doors. There was never a shooting or battle that occurred.

Back in those days of hand carts and covered wagons, they didn't waste ANYTHING. And by that I really mean anything. This framed wreath was made of hair from haircuts. They had a hair cut box where the family would put their clippings and make things like this or use it for hair for their dolls. Look closely and you'll see how the wreath leaves the silhouette of the face of a woman. Pretty crafty, eh? Think next time before you throw your hair clippings away... could be a potential art material.
These tooth brushed were made from animal bone and horse hair. Oi yuh (like the little Taiwan kids said when something was gross... More specifically, like the time I entered the classroom with 'too much' bug spray on. All the kids started plugging their noses and making Oi yuh noises. So, Amy told me to leave and come back less potent. I woke up the next morning with a mosquito bite on my eyelid.)

This little wheel was used to measure their yarn to make fabric. Once the wheel, called a WEASEL, had done 30 rounds, it would make a loud pop noise to signal the user that the measurement was complete. This is the cool part... that's where the song, "Pop Goes the Weasel" came from. Interesting, eh?
This crib was a multi use crib. I told you they didn't waste a thing. When you turn it over and put the pad on the top, it stand on four legs and is a desk! Very useful indeed. Almost as great as a reversible jacket:) P.S. Yesterday at Target, I found reversible swimsuits! 1st off, its January. 2nd. It's Utah but 3rd. Reversible swimsuits... totally rad!
This bedding was bear fur. Wild.
After sheets got old, they made pants. After the pants got old, they would rip it into long shreds and make rugs with this gadget. Never wasteful. Very cool.
This is a butter churner. If I lived in this era when I was a kid, I think I would have loved pumpin that thing.
This is one of three trees that Ira Hinckley (President Hinckley's Grandfather) planted in the courtyard when they were called to live at Cove Fort by Brigham Young. It's a beautiful thing to remember that something as tiny as a seed can grow into something so beautiful and large and strong as this tree. I think Ira would be way happy about how his trees have grown and how the church has grown since his lifetime.

This little cove fort adventure has inspired me to make everyday its own adventure.

Right after leaving Cove Fort, I took this picture from my car of the amazing sky. The picture actually does do it justice. Thanks camera.

So, to share another adventure with you inspired by my drive back to Utah, I'll now share a picture of an incredibly tasty home/condo-cooked meal. One of my new years goals is to cook a lot more.

I'm officially moved in with my sister, Amy, and all is well in Saratoga.

Happy Adventuring!

Christmas in Las Vegas

Christmas break has been so fantastic. I've been here at home for three weeks. A lot has happened.

I brought down the cutest puppy for my cousin, Becca's Christmas present from her hubby. It pooped in my car. But I still loved it. I didn't take any pictures in an attempt not to get too attached to the lil' cutie. She was crying in her box. So I let the little fur ball sleep with me in my queen bed. When my Dad woke me up in the morning, the dogs head popped up under the covers and then mine. He laughed.

I learned how to shoot a gun. - And then I learned that it kicks really hard.

I said farewell to one of my best friends who is leaving on her mission Wednesday. She is incredible.

I got my first pair of Hudson jeans. Totally fabulous.

I have almost completed my three hour online session of traffic school. The one thing and only thing I absolutely hate about Utah... tickets for going 7 over on a downhill road-- come on!

My friend got married. She's adorable.

My sister was the hired photographer for my friend's wedding and I was her assistant. Pretty cool.

I went running once the entire break.

I slept in my parents room last night because this house makes weird noises and I couldn't take it anymore.

And I got a new camera.... meaning I'm going to be blogging much more because I'll be on the lookout for funny stories WITH pictures to go along. I love stories.

Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!!!

Winter Wonderland

I'm moving to Saratoga Springs with my lovely sister, Amy! This is us in the snowy Saratoga Springs soil. Makin' our mark one city at a time. Bangkok, Taipei, Hualien, Las Vegas, and now... Saratoga here we come!