Alphabet Soup

When I began my new job they “suggested” that I receive some additional certifications. While I wasn’t too excited about having to study again, the incentive was good enough to get me going. Today it became official, that I am not just Amanda Haun Clark, CPA, but I am now Amanda Haun Clark CPA CFE. (Certified Fraud Examiner) Oh yeah, now I am impressive!

I am going to take a break from studying for the next certification until I get back from my vacation in a couple weeks. The CIA exam should be harder, but at least I will be studying in the winter when there is nothing better to do anyway.

A Sappy Moment

Sunday my ward had their annual primary program. I teach the 6&7 year old kids, so I was lucky enough to have a chance to participate in the program. I participated by sitting behind the organ and trying to stop kids from wrestling on the stand. But it went well and I am always impressed with those little guys. The kids are so sweet and so strong, that it makes me wonder how they can do it. There are some amazing parents out there teaching their kids! But it was a really sweet program, and I was totally touched at the end when the children on the stand were singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” with so much power and faith, and then the parents and the rest of the congregation joined in, and I was impressed that these kids are leading their parents and the rest of us in this song, that they will be leading us in so many ways – anyway – I got all girly and choked up, but it was a very cute moment.

Autumn Leaves

Saturday we decided to take advantage of a fairly free schedule and take a drive to look at the leaves changing color. I have historically had a bad attitude about fall. I see it as only the precursor to Winter (the season of death!). But I decided to make a good effort to enjoy all seasons here in Utah, and we took a ride to look at the leaves. I will admit that it was an especially nice day to take the ride because it was sunny and about 80 degrees, so I didn’t feel too bad about summer being over. We drove up to Logan (with the ulterior motive of getting ice cream) and I must admit it was a beautiful drive. The red trees were out in force – though the yellows haven’t turned yet. I am sure it will be lovely for a few more weeks.

Debate Time!

There are only two more days until October. Can you believe that? October! There is no way to pretend that it is still summer when it is October. I mean, it snows in October!

Anyway – it is officially fall, which is the season of Halloween, crisp cool air, leaves changing color, and this year, presidential elections. Matt and I have been having a good time following the elections this year. I must admit that I am a little concerned that out of all the people in this country these are the best choices we could come up with! So on Friday night, Matt and I settled down and watched the debate!

We watched on CNN, which provided an interesting little addition. They had a group of people in a room, some registered Republican, some Democrat, and other that were independent, and they recorded their positive and negative responses to what the candidates were saying in real time. It was interesting to watch the lines go up and down, based on very predictable patterns (Republicans would shoot up when McCain would talk, and shoot back down when Obama came on, the opposite for Democrats). I would say, that if the election were based solely on which candidate can answer questions better, and which candidate creeps me out less, than Obama would win in a landslide! (I am a little freaked out my McCain – he reminds me of a creepy little troll, and I don't know if I want a President with a combover – sorry). We are really looking forward to the Vice Presidential Debate this Thursday. It is going to be an awesome car wreck!

I have been trying to avoid adding any political content to this blog (mostly because I didn’t want to offend anyone). However, I am going to break the mold today and add my very first political blog.

I am not going to write about one candidate or the other, or even comment on the wonderful things that are taking place in our economy right now. But I am going to put some links to some interesting things I have seen lately.

First, my friend Dawn emailed me this link the other day.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139
It is a little quiz you take, where you are presented with two quotes, one from each candidate, on important topics and you chose the one you most agree with. At the end of the quiz it will tell you who you voted for. Now, if you have been paying attention you can decipher which candidate said each quote, but be honest, and it may surprise you who you chose. ( I didn’t want to chose either of them!)

Second, and this is kind of for my Dad, I found this article that is a fictional conversation between Obama and President Bartlet from the West Wing. It is probably just my love for the West Wing that made me like this article, but here is the link.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21dowd-sorkin.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin

So there it is, my first political post.

Girl's Night Out

Last Saturday night was Girl’s Night for me and my sisters. We were going to go to the Art Museum, but apparently you have to have tickets in advance, and it was sold out. So we decided to do a good evening of Shopping.

I have never been much of a shopper. It is really hard to find cute clothes that fit me at a store. So whenever I go shopping I tend to get depressed that all the clothes in the world are made for girls who are not six feet tall. So it makes me sad when I find something really cute that I would love to have, and then realize that it looks really stupid on me because my arms hang out an extra 4 inches. Shopping is always a gamble. There is a chance that I will find some clothes and be happy, or there is a chance that I will just be reminded that girl clothes are too small and I will be depressed and grumpy.

So we met at the Gateway in Salt Lake. I went to my sister Valerie’s apartment first and hung out with her for a minute. Then we rode Trax down to the Gateway. Chrystie drove down from North Salt Lake. We met and decided it was time for dinner, so we went to Tai Foon. I like that place, and we got the firecracker chicken. Chrystie and Val ordered the drunken shrimp too (they light it on fire, that is cool). We ate then set off shopping.

I will say that I did good. I ended up buying 4 shirts that will come in handy this fall and winter, and they all fit relatively good. I avoided the pants all together, and only got a little upset in the Ann Taylor Loft when they had half the store dedicated to petite and none to tall.

It rained on us a little and we ducked into a furniture store and perused a bit. But it was a good evening spent with my sisters. Preston was a prince and stayed home with Arden and Daxton, and Matt was kind enough to let me leave him alone for the night too. It was fun, and we are going to have to do girl nights more often.

Best Birthday Present EVER

I was reading some posts on a Disneyland chat group that I belong to and came across this news:

"Start your birthday off right with the most magical birthday present of all: free admission on your birthday during 2009 to one of the Theme Parks of the Disneyland® Resort*! It's our gift to you and it all begins right here. To get this wonderful birthday gift for yourself or your children, follow these simple steps:

• Register yourself—and your children too, if you want.


• Print the reminder email with its confirmation message that you will receive 2 weeks prior to your birthday to redeem free admission on your birthday in 2009.


• Bring proper ID and your confirmation message to the Main Entrance ticket booths outside the Disneyland® Resort Theme Parks.


• If you are an Annual Passholder or already have a Multi-Day ticket you will use on your birthday, go ahead and register and bring the free admission on your birthday confirmation and proper ID to the ticket booth so you can choose from one of our other exciting birthday gifts instead. (see FAQs for details)

Oh - I was reading more about it, and if you already have an annual pass or a multi-day ticket, you can receive other gifts. You can get a "birthday fun card" which is like a gift card worth the price of admission. It has to be used on your birthday, but I don't think I would have trouble spending that money in one day. Or you can get fast-passes or a ticket to use later. Cool. I may have to make plans to go on my birthday! (starts Jan 2009)

I think that is really cool! The free tickets are only for the person having the birthday, and it is a one park ticket, but still - WOW! I wish I had more birthdays.

Poor Little Frog

Matt and I went for a bike ride on Sunday night (yes you heard right, a bike ride). We were down on the Weber River parkway and there were a lot of cute little families down there enjoying the nice weather. On the trail there is this one little marshy area (you know, with bright green moss and a really yummy smell). There were a couple little families hanging out on the bridge that goes over this swamp. When we rode past them and the moms and dads are leaning over the rails watching the kids playing in the yucky water. We made it to the end of the trail and on our way back we passed the families again. This time we had to stop our bikes because they were taking pictures of their families with a frog that they found in the swamp. We waited (patiently) for the picture, then when they had cleared off the bridge enough for us to pass, we started walking past them with our bikes. As we passed I see one of the boys throw the frog back into the water and I hear this "smack" noise. I didn't really realize what it was until one of the dads said to the other dad "I think he hit the log". I looked down and the cute little frog that they had just been so proud of was floating belly up in the water! The parents didn't know what to do. The son wanted to go get it (in 3 feet of marsh). The other kids are just looking down at it. So sad! But I will admit that the looks on the faces of the parents were priceless!

On a side note...my mom sent me an email with a bunch of questions in it that I am supposed to send to my friends and also to answer and send back to her. I am going to take my sister Chrystie's lead on this and just post it here. (Besides, Chrystie put me as the most likely to respond, so I had better do it!). So here goes. And if any of you want to be my friend and answer the questions, feel free.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No. My mom liked the name Amanda and thought it was very original (yeah, it was like #3 the year I was born).
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I don't think I have cried since..Saturday. I was watching a movie (that wasn't even sad) and I always cry during movies.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I got the worst grades in penmanship in elementary school, but my writing is legible.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? I like turkey. That is what I always get at Subway.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Nope. But I have some really cute nieces and nephews.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD THEY BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course I would be friends with me. Who else would have as much fun doing what I like to do?
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Define a Lot? But yeah, I do use sarcasm, probably more than I should.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? As far as I know.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I will say Yes because it sounds cooler. But I don't really know. I don't like to be upside-down.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Probably Special K, the kind with Strawberries (because it is yummy and I still get to pretend it is good for me.)
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? It depends. I am trying to do that hoping my shoes will last longer. But usually I am in a hurry to take them off and just leave them tied.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Heck no. I am a wimpy.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? I haven't met an ice cream I didn't like. But my favorite is Moose Tracks from Yellowstone.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I am not sure! I have never really thought about it.
15. RED OR PINK? Pink
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My inability to be outgoing. I turn into this shy girl around people I don't know.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I miss my niece and nephews in St. Louis. I wish I could be around them more as they grow up.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure, I would like to learn more about people.
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? No shoes. I was wearing my white and green "wrestling" shoes.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Uh Oh, this is where I have to reveal that we had Kraft Mac and Cheese for dinner.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? I am watching TV. We are TiVo-ing LOST, so I am watching the 2nd episode (don't tell me what happens! I have no idea!)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I asked Matt and he said "a bright color - like Yellow"
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Brownies, Yummy flowers in the spring.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My friend Dawn
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes. My mom sent it to me and I like her a lot.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I watch most sports. I don't watch golf or bowling really. I don't watch a lot of college football until the bowl games, and I don't watch much major league baseball until October
27. HAIR COLOR? Brown - though I pay a lot to have some blond streaks in it.
28. EYE COLOR? Green.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No. I did, but I had my eyes lasered and it was one of the best things I have ever done!
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Brownies! But for real food I love me a Cafe Rio salad or some good Italian food.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings! I like some scary movies - as long as they have happy endings!
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? We rented "Nim's Island" from the Red Box (love the Red Box).
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Light Blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer.
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Brownies. ( I think I sense a theme here)
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I have no idea who will even read this!
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Everyone else?
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I am about 10 chapters into the Brothers Karamazov.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have a mouse pad
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Sadly, I was watching a marathon of Bridezillas. I had never seen that show before, but I was hooked!
42. FAVORITE SOUND? That is hard too. I love music, but I also love the little sound that the ticket booths at Disneyland make :-)
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME??? I don't know for sure. I have been to the East Coast. The only place out of the country I have been is the Bahamas (it does too count!)
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Nope, I just have standard regular talents.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? I was born in the exotic and far away city of Layton, Utah
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everybody!

Pots and Pans

Last year, when we were getting married, Matt’s mom threw me a bridal shower. The really nice ladies in her neighborhood all pitched in to buy us a nice set of pans. We picked out a fancy set of waterless cookware and placed the order online. Unfortunately the pans never came. Apparently we picked a less than honest online retailer for the purchase. We were able to get the money refunded and now I am trying to make the decision of what kind of pans to get (we can’t get our fancy ones at that price – guess that should have been a clue about the seller, huh?)

So, all you smart cookers out there – I need some recommendations. The little pans I bought when I moved out are thrashed (the Teflon is starting to flake, which means I have to throw them out!) What type of a set should I get? Or should I just buy another set of cheap ones from the WalMart? I don’t do any fancy cooking (just don’t have the time or the inclination). Do I need something like stainless steel, or is one of the nice “non-stick” sets just as good. I am hoping to find a set that includes pans with lids! There are all these recipes that tell me to cook covered, but I can’t find a pan with a lid. Don’t the recipe people and the pan people talk?

So – suggestions please! Is it worth paying for an expensive set – or is a cheaper one really just as good?

I look forward to getting a lot of comments on this one (PLEASE!)

Ten Years

Today is the anniversary of the date I became a productive member of society. It was 10 years ago today – on 9/8/98 that I started my first job as a reservation sales representative at Delta Airlines. This means that if I were still working for them I would have an amazing 10 years of seniority! I would be able to get on almost any flight I wanted! Of course, with the way they have cut down their schedule I am not sure what flights those would be. But I do miss first class to Hawaii (with the ice cream sundaes – so good), I miss “Business Elite” class with the cute little personal TVs, and I miss the day trips to California. I don’t miss making $6.00 an hour and having to talk on the phone to ungrateful passengers all day. I don’t miss the feeling of absolute yuck that I would get from the moment I left for the airport until I was seated on the plane. There is something to be said for arriving with a printed ticket – even if I have to pay for it. So, I guess I am glad that I was able (forced) to move on and get out of the Delta Golden Handcuffs… but I would like to go to Hawaii.

Baseball, Blessings, and Boulders

Friday night we went to the Bees Baseball game with my family. My Mom and Dad, my sister Val, and my sister Chrystie and her daughter Arden came. I was missing my nephew Daxton, but he had to stay home because he wasn't feeling well. Preston was nice enough to stay home with him and let Chrystie bring Arden to the game to entertain the rest of us.

It was a very high scoring game, for the other team. We left in the 8th inning (it was cold!) and the Bees were down by 6 or 7.

Because the game was so bad, we had to find our entertainment in other ways. Here is a picture of my mom playing with her Granddaughter (or the other way around).



The rest of the weekend was pretty mellow. I wasn't feeling too good, so we stayed home and relaxed a lot. On Sunday we went out to Matt's Cousin's blessing. Little Jonas Jackson Clark (wish I had a picture - Oops!). It was a nice blessing and we had a good time relaxing and playing at their house after. Yummy food and good company.

On a more tragic note, I received a call from my Friend Dawn on Sunday morning. She was supposed to be on vacation to Colorado to visit her brothers. She started the conversation by telling me they were home, and then added that they were home because something had happened to her little boy, Carson. She did a good job of not freaking me out too much. She told me he had a broken leg, but then told me the real story. He had been playing outside when a big old rock rolled down from the ledge and smashed him. His Dad and Uncle ran down to get him and they rushed him to a hospital in Grand Junction. They spent the night there, getting all sorts of scans done to make sure no internal damage was done. It appears that he only has some scrapes and a broken leg. Unfortunately the broken leg is going to have him in a full cast for at least 8 weeks ( though the doctor said not to be surprised if it is on for up to 12). Poor little guy. So they drove home Saturday night and they were finally able to get some sleepy. The latest report is that Carson is feeling much better. He is driving his trucks around on his cast and playing and talking. But it was scary. Here are pictures of the rock, the hill it went down, and the poor little boy in his cast.

On a related note - if anyone has any good and creative ways to entertain a 22 month old who can't sit or stand let me know. Dawn is saying that Carson is already bored, and they have weeks and weeks to go. He isn't one to sit and watch movies, and he can't really color (still eats the crayons). They tried puzzles, but it is hard with him laying down. So if anyone can help we would appreciate it!

Home Again

Over Labor Day Weekend Matt and I went to Disneyland with my parents and my little sister Val. Val was running in the Disneyland half-marathon, and we took the excuse to go to the park again. It helps that we spent all the money on the annual passes last December. I am pretty sure we have made our money back now. Even if it is just because we get to park for free instead of paying the $12 a day - Ouch!

We flew in EARLY on Saturday morning. Which was made even worse for Matt by the fact that I am paranoid about missing my flight so we have to get to the airport super early. But we made it. We flew into John Wayne, which I must admit, is one of my favorite airports. I have started and ended many a good trip there. We waited for my parent's to come pick us up and then headed to the Happiest Place on Earth! After waiting in the Longest Parking Line on Earth and parking in the farthest spot from the exit as possible, we took the tram into the park and were on our way. I had made a mistake and misunderstood that my parents wanted me to get them tickets before we left. I distinctly remember one or the other of them telling me they were getting an annual pass because my older sister Chrystie wants to come back in December. So with that memory firmly planted in my brain I didn't worry about tickets for them. It turned out OK, because my mistake led them to get annual passes, and now they can go back all they want! You're Welcome Mom and Dad.

While they stood in line to get their passes and their pictures taken us kids went to ride some rides. We were pleasantly surprised when, coming off the Pirates of the Caribbean, we were given "Year of a Million Dreams" Mickey Ears! Sadly, and a little strangely, this is actually the first pair of Mickey Ears I have ever owned. But it was a great way for my trip to start! We met up with the parents after that and had a lot of fun.

Val had to go register for her race, so Matt and I took advantage of that time to be the first in our family to ride the new Toy Story Midway Mania ride in California Adventure. The line was about a half hour, but since we had picked up a Diet Coke float to eat in line we didn't mind to much. It was a pretty good ride. A lot like Buzz Lightyear- in that you get to shoot things, but it is 3D and you stop to shoot. Hmmm - it is hard to explain - but a lot of fun.

The morning of Val's race Matt and I tried to be out at the finish line to meet her, but there were a LOT of people there, and Val didn't have her phone, and my Mom wasn't answering hers, so we gave up and just cheered for the people that were coming in after her. It was fun to see a lot of the people that finished the race and how happy they were. We took a picture for a couple dressed like the Incredibles. We followed a couple dressed like Tinkerbell (yes, the guy was in a full Tinkerbell costume) out of the race. So it was fun.

We were able to fit in most everything. We saw the Electric Light Parade, the Fireworks, Fantasmic, and even the daytime parade at Disneyland (though my dad says it is still not as good as the Aladdin parade). On the last day we finally got our Dream Fastpasses - though the park wasn't very crowded that day so we didn't really need to use them. Then, sadly, it was time to say goodbye to Disneyland and come back home. I can't wait to go back again!

(Matt was nice enough to let my mom have the ears before the pictures were taken)