22 Doesn't Feel Much Different than 21...

There aren't many things I love more than being surprised (but only with good things...not bad things : / ).  Zach, however, really doesn't like surprises (good or bad).  I think that's kind of un-American but whatever.  If it were up to him, I would have opened my presents ten minutes after he purchased them; Well no that's not true...there would have been no opening them because he wouldn't have wrapped them! Ha ha.  But because it's my birthday I make him wrap my presents and wait until my actual birthday to open them.  This year, he talked me into opening one a day early because he just couldn't stand the suspense any longer! Turns out he bought me a skirt.  I was pretty shocked that he was brave enough to go in the women's clothing stores in the mall by himself let alone pick out clothes for me! (We have pretty different tastes in clothing...)  But, turns out it was really cute, and I loved it!  (I guess you really can't go too wrong shopping at Down East :))

My birthday was pretty epic! :) It started with Zach singing Happy Birthday to me followed by me opening the rest of my presents.  I was amazed that Zach didn't buy me one article of clothing but two!  He bought me a dress which was really cute.  He also got me a Sudoku book and a kite.  After opening presents, Zach made me my favoritest breakfast: French Toast. mmmm....  Zach had planned to take me up the Canyon so we could go on a walk and feed the ducks, but of course you can't trust the weather in Logan to cooperate when you need it to :(.  So, we decided to take advantage of the wind and try out my new kites.  There were two kites in the pack.  One had a chameleon and one had a dinosaur....not really sure why he picked the reptile pack, but whatev...  So, we assembled our lovely kites...

 Unfortunately I managed to break mine three steps out the door.. :( Sad day! 

 But we braved the wind and went to fly our kite.  We tried several different techniques, but in the end...our kite never made it in the air for more than 20 seconds.  Either it wasn't windy enough or we just aren't the kite masters I thought we would be....

So...With that plan being a bust, there was only one thing we could do: MAKE CHINESE FOOD!!!! :)
We love cooking together and trying out new recipes!  We were able to transform this:

 Into this!!!!!

I was really hoping we could use chopsticks, but Walmart is super lame and didn't have any! Oh well I guess a fork works too :)  We decided to get super ambitious and also make cream cheese wantons and fortune cookies!  Everything was delish!

Mmmmm....wantons! :D

The fortune cookies were surprisingly easy to make.  They didn't really look like the normal fortune cookies, but they tasted a whole lot better! Plus we got to make up fortunes for each other! :D

Zach's Fortune: You will soon get rich!

My fortune: You will become a ninja super master!

 My birthday was basically super awesome!  I got serenaded three times: Once by Zach, once by my parents, and once in Korean by Ryan & Emily.  Yah!  But basically 22 doesn't fell any different than 21...

Just the Beginning....

Lately, I've been inspired by my sister Heather's new family blog: http://stevenandheatherrossfamily.blogspot.com/.  Reading it really made me want to start a blog....so here it is!  I know my life is far from exciting, but this is a great way for family and friends to catch up on Zach and me.  Unfortunately I'm super great at starting projects and not so great at finishing them....Hopefully this blog will be different ;) I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I've already spent two or three hours trying to make the format of my blog perfect. Ha ha!  Please enjoy :)

So what are Zach and I up to lately?  Zach's still a grody custody (my nickname for janitor) for USU.  He was able to switch to the swing shift which he absolutely loves because he no longer has to get up at 3:30 am. He's also been involved in a research project where he mentors low income high school students about going to college. It's still experimental, so it's been a little frustrating for him.  But it's been a good experience, and the free pizza helps make it worthwhile. :P  This last year he decided to switch majors. Instead of doing business management, he's majoring in English education with a psychology education minor and a business minor.  It's going to take a little bit longer, but we'd rather he gets a degree in something he's going to enjoy.  He's also working on writing a book. I've read what he's written so far and am really impressed.  If anyone is interested in proofreading it, please let us know :)

I'm majoring in Mathematics/Statistics Education.  It's crazy to think that I'm almost done.  This fall I will be doing my student teaching at White Pine Middle School in Richmond.  I'm suuuuuper nervous but equally excited. Zach has been helping me practice projecting my voice.  That's been interesting ha ha.  This last year I quit my job working in the service deli at Wal~Mart.  It was an interesting change because I'd worked there for over three years.  But I've really enjoyed my new job.  I've been working at Wilson Elementary school as an instructional assistant. I've been able to help fourth graders with math.  This has been such a beneficial opportunity because it's helped me learn how to explain math concepts to ten year-olds.  I've also been helping with the after school program which basically consists of helping first graders with their homework/reading and doing amazing activities with them.  It's been a lot of fun.  I love the crazy things those kids say and do.  Last week they had a water party and the kids were able to dress in swim suits.  I overheard a couple of the first grade boys talking.  One of them was like, "Ewwww....Girl's swimsuits are so gross!" I thought it was sooo hilarious.  I've also been tutoring and grading math papers on the side.  Both of these have been really great experiences.  My favorite has probably been tutoring a fourth grade boy.  He is so funny.  He likes to make me laugh, make fun of me, tell me stories, and show me the amazing pictures he draws of pirate ships and guns.  Sometimes it's a little bit hard to get him to focus on the math, but it's all good.

Other than that, Zach and I have just been trying to make the most out of life while being super busy with school and work.