I wrote a song today.

Actually, I rewrote the words to Call Me Maybe.

As a student worker I automatically get any University closure dates off work. That's great, except when I don't have plans and need the cash mons. (Un)fortunately, in December I will have more than a week off of work.

Here's my ode to that:

I can wrap presents well,
I am a pro with Excel,
Will watch anything with a tail,
Because I need the pay.

Will watch your offsprin

g,
While you go shopping,
I'll do anything,
Because I need the pay.

Baking, errand running,
Dinner for your hubby,
Watering your lily,
Let me make you less busy.

Hey, holidays are
Pretty crazy
I'd love to help out.
So call me, maybe?

Well, that is it for my song writing capabilities. Let me know if you have anything you need done. My talents include: proofreading, babysitting, cooking, alphabetizing, filing, typing, emailing, Facebooking, dancing, Harry Potter fact knowing, Christmas song singing, pet-sitting, house-watching, oil checking, errand running, shopping, envelope labeling, scripture reading, high school (and below) tutoring, general cheering.

Happy holidays!

Chanda C. :) :) :)

Obligatory Thanksgiving post

I'll try to keep this a little fresh, everyone is posting what they are thankful for.. But I would be rude to not follow suit.

Tucson: I am thankful for Tucson because we still need to use our AC at the end of November. I miss trees and leaves but I don't miss being cold.

UofA: It is such a blessing in my life to be able to go to a great university on scholarship. Through UA I have two jobs and have met people that have influenced my life in ways I never imagined. I love the Institute program here and I love the opportunities I have been given to grow and learn who I am and what I believe.

Friends: I know everyone says that they have the best friends in the world, and I really do have the best friends for me. The friends who helped me get through high school (even the ones I don't keep in contact with, which is most of them) helped shape me so much. Recently I've seen how much impact friends can have on each other, I'm thankful to have made friends that kept me in line with my goals and encouraged me to be the best that I can be. And now, I am thankful for my friends at UA (even the ones I don't keep in contact with...mostly because a lot of them are married now). My friends keep me keeping on. They're wonderful influences and examples and knowing that they are here for me brings so much joy to my life.

My house/roommates: This overlaps quite a bit. My roommates are wonderful. I love that when we see each other we always have something to say, but we're also good about not being all up in each others' business. We're so different in our personalities but I absolutely love them. I'm lucky to have had this opportunity to live here, with these girls, and be able to have my little dog with me. This house has been wonderful. I am able walk to school and work (or ride the bus) and I get my own room and bathroom and Luna gets a doggy door and we have a giant kitchen. It's wonderful.

Family: Of course, my family. My immediate family really knows how to drive me crazy, but with that they also know how to make me the happiest person alive. I can't wait to see Wade this December (although I will miss going to Idaho). I'm so happy for Taryn (graduating high school). I love that Aaron calls me regularly (even when I usually don't answer). I'm so proud of Melanie and her swimming and schoolwork. My dad sent me a tender birthday card (with an ORANGE envelope!). And my mom almost always picks up when I call her. They're so wonderful. And my extended family is just as good! I love that my aunts and uncles are so willing to help me out however they can. I miss seeing them, but I will see a lot of them in December for our family Christmas FHE and I really look forward to that.

I forgot a few things..

Roland: I'm so thankful that he has been a part of my life this past year. (Last Thanksgiving he joined my family at our meal.) I love how willing he is to do anything he can to help me. He drives me around for errands, he takes me on dates, he drove me to Disneyland, he lets me hang out with (half of) his family, he makes me laugh SO hard, he's so wonderful.

The Gospel: I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the hope and happiness it allows me to feel. I love my ward and my bishop and the scriptures and the leaders of the church. I've been praying about going on a mission, and while I don't feel that it is necessary for me right now, I do hope to serve one day.

I have so much to be grateful for. And now I get to do homework (which isn't something I am generally very thankful for).

Chanda C.

Thanksgiving, or "Rotisserie Chicken Day"

Hello!

Just a little update while I am here at work bored the day before Thanksgiving...

I went to DISNEYLAND for my 21st birthday!! It was really wonderful.
Roland and I were both feeling sick before we went, but we didn't know when we would have the opportunity to go again and we had both already gotten the time off. So we kept with our plans.
The first day was rough, we both had headaches and sore throats that were aggravated by rides (the headaches at least). It was really nice to walk around and eat delicious food and chat though.

The next day (thanks to many prayers) we felt totally better. We got to go on all of the rides we wanted and the longest line we waited in was probably only 30 minutes. We had SO much fun.

I ate like 5 churros, which is all a girl could ever ask for. Also, we discovered this adorable little restaurant called the Jolly Holiday Cafe (it is Mary Poppins themed- made me nostalgic). It kind of took the place of the bakery on Main Street USA, put me in a room with peppy music and loads of baked goods and I'll be over the moon.

For the holidays Disney had a whole slew of special treats. My favorite were the gingerbread beignets! SO GOOD. Who knew you could improve from a traditional beignet?

We also had a Dole Whip and a Turkey Leg (we had never had those Disney staples prior to this trip, which is crazy considering how often he and I have been to Disneyland separately). Those were so delicious.

Roland and I had agreed that if we didn't get along at Disneyland that we would have to break up, thankfully for us we got along splendidly.

The semester is winding down and I can't express how grateful I am for that. My classes are going well, I'm getting good grades. But I have given up on my dream of speaking Spanish. That's been squished out of me. And I realized that Statistics is just a way to confuse people. And I hate online classes. So, a lot of learning experiences this semester.

I'm excited for next semester (I'll be taking almost all Psych classes). It has been tough working two jobs and taking classes, by the time I get home I just want to sleep or watch TV until my mind melts. We'll see how next semester goes. More classes and hopefully more hours at work (why do I do this?)!

My friend from high school died last week, I missed his funeral because I was in California. I hope and pray that everyone affected by his death will find a positive way to deal with the tragedy.

That's been about it. Thanks for reading.
Keep on keepin' on!

Chanda C.