So I was unexpectedly asked by my friend Henry to be a contestant in this huge YSA Dating Game Show he helped put together in Glendale, CA. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, all I had to go on is the knowledge of the televised dating game show from like the 80's. So when I get there I find out I get to be one of 3 bachelorettes answering questions from a male contestant on the other side of the curtain. In the end he would pick one of us to take on a date.
Here I am with the other 2 girls laughing probably from something someone in the audience said.
Here I am answering a question, I don't remember half of them. Lots of them were silly.
Enjoy the few videos my friend Anker was able to record while I was on stage. Get ready to laugh!
For this one we had to dance on stage for about 30 seconds and the audience judged us since the bachelor couldn't see us. I hate dancing in front of people by the way.
Well, of course in the end the bachelor has to pick one of the 3 bachelorettes he wants to take on a date. Much to my surprise, I was picked. So here is a picture of me and the Bachelor. They made us sit on a couch in the very front for the rest of the show. Kind of fun but a little awkward.
In the end, I was happy to be a contestant and had so much fun participating and meeting new people. By the way, this event turned out to have over 300 people there so it was quite a big audience!
So we had a great night of Games over at Chase's house. Lots of people from Church came and we were laughing all night.
This is Darrin so completely confused playing Psychiatrist.
We played loaded questions first and learned some interesting factoids.
It was my first time playing psychiatrist and my social work training did not help at all!!!!
There is Darrin, still trying to figure out our "problem" during psychiatrist. He is a master at the game so we had to pick something really tricky. He ended up getting it in the end.
There's good ol' Anker, visiting from Australia, he is not the biggest game player but was a good sport anyway.
Most of you know what an avid reader I am. I wanted to share with you a book that really encourage and motivates me to do more. I recently read the book Not on Our Watch by Don Cheadle and John Prendergast. It is a call for action to citizens everywhere to do more to end the genocide in the many parts of Africa, especially in Darfur. I was surprised to read the introduction by then Senator Barack Obama and learn his viewpoint on the issue. I will watch intently to see what action he takes or perhaps inaction, as he fills the Presidential office. Atrocities to humankind or not rare, unfortunately. Africa is plagued by corrupt politicians, even worse, by corporate America, China and India who invests in money markets that support and supply the murderers with financial stability. There is much we can do even as one concerned citizen. I encourage you to learn more about what is happening in the world and not turn a blind eye simply because it does not impact your comfortable lifestyle. Log onto http://www.enoughproject.org/ and learn more about the devastating conditions our inaction is causing. Awareness is the first step towards change.
So my friend Lori's mom makes this yummy, delicious breakfast called biscuits and chocolate. It is a family tradition and I was so grateful when I was introduced to it nearly 5 years ago. However, no one but Lori's mom can seem to make the chocolate just right so I haven't had it for about 5 years!!!! I asked Lori to beg her mother to make it for us while I was out there for New Years and she was so kind to make it for not just us but the whole family. I was in heaven New Years morning and was so glad to finally satisfy my craving for Biscuits and Chocolate. I know it sounds like a weird combination but it is sooooooooo good. Lori swears that men don't like it unless they were brought up with the family tradition. So glad I am a woman so I can enjoy this delicious tradition!
Thats Kira in the background, it was her first time trying it and she liked it but she didn't love it like me!!!!!
I went out to Vegas to visit my friend Lori and we had a great time. Her friend Kira came out from Arizona as well and we just hung out with some friends all night to bring in the New Year.
None of us had a New Year's kiss so this is what we looked like when the clock struck midnight.
I was totally festive.
Me and Kira
Me and Lori
Beautiful girls
I love Lori!
Jimmy wanted a picture of himself with all the girls.
We had lots of fun on Christmas. Everyone in the family was here and we got together to open presents and have a wonderful Ham Christmas dinner.
Elsie slept through the rest of us opening presents so she got to open her presents all by herself.
My brother-in-law is in love with this Scottish children's book called Wee Gillis. He even reads it to his kids with a Scottish accent. Well, I have a friend who is from Britain and ever since Brandon met him he has tried to get him to record my friend narrating Wee Gillis.....because he has a somewhat similar accent. Anyway, I decided to have my friend record the book and give it to Brandon as a surprise. Although he was soooooo excited to get it and listen to the wonderful narration, he was annoying trying to get my friend to record it and we had to come up with all kinds of excuses that my friend couldn't so we wouldn't ruin the surprise.
My nephew patiently waited for his next turn to open a present. We have a tradition that we all take turns opening one present at a time starting with the youngest.
A few weeks before Christmas my mom decided she wanted a small real Christmas tree and that it would be our Family Tree. So one night after family dinner we all made ornaments for the tree using pictures of all us. It actually turned out really cute and everyone participated surprisingly....I think my brothers did only because their girlfriends were there pushing them along.
Here I am opening some of my presents, I got mostly all clothes.
My brother Scott bought himself and his girlfriend's daughter a play station 3 to have fun and he even wrapped it to open on Christmas day...kind of silly I think.
I guess my dad needed or wanted some kind of huge axe for splitting the wood we rarely use. I think it is one of the emergency preparedness things. But he seemed to like it.
Living in Vegas working as a therapist for children and families with mental health issues while trying to fit as much fun and traveling in as possible.
