4 Month Catch Up

I know that it has been a while since last posting, but I have noticed that I am not the only one who does 'catch up' posts, so I don't really feel too bad. 2011 was a really good year, and ended way too quick. But we welcome 2012 and the new surprises it'll bring.

This is how 2011 ended.

December

We celebrated our last Christmas in Memphis, and are so excited to be with family for future holidays. It's not easy celebrating with only 2 people.

November

Our awesome Thanksgiving turkey. Unfortunately we didn't get very many other pictures. As long as the turkey works out, that's usually all that counts. We also had stuffing, sauteed green beans and mushrooms, mashed sweet potatoes, rolls and plenty of pie. Enough food for a week of leftovers.

Walmart treated the 3rd years of Daniel's school to a river boat cruise along the Mississippi River. The point was to encourage students to work at Walmart and Sam's Club Vision Centers upon graduation, and the benefits they bring. The presentation wasn't exciting, but a free cruise, free food and dancing is hard to turn down. It was really cold though.

Daniel surprised me by celebrating my half birthday this year. Usually by birthday isn't really exciting, because it's right around Mother's Day, which has always been a really hard holiday for me (a reminder that another year has passed and I am still not one).

He had called my boss and requested the day off for me. He made me Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes for breakfast. First time ever making them, and they were amazing.

After getting dressed, he took me to a day at the spa. Dropped me off for 4 hours, as I got treated to a facial, manicure, pedicure and lunch. It was a total afternoon of relaxation. I was just blown away that he had planned all of this without me knowing.
When I got home, Daniel had made a birthday carrot cake (from scratch) for me. It was seriously one of the best days I have ever had. I'm pretty sure I have the best husband ever!!

Flowers

While Daniel was in Florida, he sent me flowers at work. I love Daisies.

Aren't daisies the friendliest flower?

Palm Trees and Contact Lenses

Vistakon is one of the major players in the contact lens market. They make anything that has the word "Acuvue" in front of it. In an effort to increase their reputation and get new ODs to recommend Acuvue lenses, they invite 3rd and 4th year optometry students to an all expenses paid trip to Jacksonville, Florida, for training and education of fit

ting contact lenses. They pay for the flight, hotel and all the food while you are there.

So, I took them up on their offer, and on October 3 & 4 I headed down. It was a neat experience. We had some good lecturers, one in particular who was a business consultant. He goes to offices all over the country and specializes in ways that an office can do better by how they treat people, the psychology of customer service. It was a fun lecture.

While there, Vistakon gave us each $40 to eat at Outback Steakhouse! Yum. I never thought that 6 people could spend $240 on food at a restaurant, but we managed it. It was a good trip, but I was glad to be back in Memphis with Belinda when it was over.

Here are a few pictures of palm trees (I've never seen sooo many before; they aren't that exciting, but I kept taking pictures of them), and my friends from SCO.

This is Ben, Seth and Rickson. Not sure why they are making funny faces.

There were about 20 students from my class on the trip. Pretty much all of us ended up on the same flight.

Cancer Awareness Month

I have been following a blog of someone who's father was diagnosed with cancer. She posted this video, and I wanted to share it.

What I love about this story, is her understanding and faith in the Lord. If they had caught the cancer in the very beginning, she would never have had her two adorable children. Instead of dwelling on the fact that her cancer has spread and she is at a level 4, she is grateful for the blessings that came out of it. I think it's something we could all learn from.

Lunch Date

We started out by having grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We haven't made this in such a long time, but it will always remind me of when we were dating. It was the first time I had ever had it. Daniel used to make it for me when I went over to his apartment to visit. This simple meal holds many memories.

Then it was arts and crafts time. I found this little mug designing set at Hobby Lobby, and thought it sounded fun.
We spent a lot of time tracing out what we wanted on paper first. The markers are totally permanent, so there was no room for mistakes. Thankfully, we found out that pencil would draw on the mugs, so we were able to draw our designs on the mugs in pencil first before making it permanent.

The Front: Daniel's is on the left. It is the logo for Southern College of Optometry. I on the other hand, didn't have very much imagination.

The Back: Daniel will graduate from Optometry school April 2013, and we were married May 2005.

I like that we did something that we can keep forever. It was a fun afternoon.

Pumpkin Roll

About a week ago, I got a craving for pumpkin roll. I don't think I have ever had one before, but we always pass them when we go grocery shopping. The bakery is right by the eggs and cheese. So I decided I wanted to make one. I have never made any kind of roll before, and I didn't think it would be that hard.

I found a recipe online, watched a you tube video about how to roll them (I got nervous after reading the directions), and went to work.

It didn't look the greatest, and I added a little extra powdered sugar over the top to cover up all the cracks, but it tasted so yummy. Definitely a keeper.

At the bottom of the recipe, they gave a little alternate idea instead of the cream cheese frosting for the middle. Vanilla Ice Cream. You spread softened ice cream on the cake, roll it up and stick it in the freezer. We didn't do it this time, but it sounds absolutely amazing!

I love making new recipes that actually work!

Turn it down a notch

For those who don't know, I work at an Optometrists office.

Every now and then, there will be a patient who will come in with a problem or a question. They will come up to the front desk, and talk so loud, that I'm sure the patients in the exam rooms can all hear. It's not that they are shouting or angry, they just feel the need to talk really loud. Or sometimes we will have the person in the waiting area answer their phone, and speak so loud, not realizing (or not caring) that we can all hear. It's disrupting to us at the front desk, to others in the waiting area, and those patients looking at glasses.

It bothers me so much. I know that some of the elderly people talk loud because they can't hear as well, but other people....... sometimes I just want to tell them to shhh!

Maybe they were never taught how to use their inside voices.

The taste of clean

When Daniel and I first moved to Memphis, we realized the water here was yucky! So we found these juice mixes that basically has nothing in it. It was nice because we didn't have to feel guilty about always drinking juice, since it was made of nothing (0 cal).

There are several different flavors, and they are quite yummy.

A few weeks ago Daniel and I were shopping at Target, and as we were walking to the check-out counter, we passed the Brita pitchers. BRILLIANT! Why we didn't think about this earlier, no one knows.

So, we decided to purchase one and try it out. I never realized how clean water can taste. It's even better then bottled water (which I don't believe in BTW). I am now a Brita follower, and happy to be drinking clean and yummy water.

9/11 - 10 years later

What does 9/11 mean to me?

It was the day I made the journey from South Africa to the US. Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan, and we landed in the US 4 days later. But it is a day I will never forget.

Our trip to Washington

Our long countdown finally came to an end. We have been so excited about our week long trip to Washington to see Daniel's parents. It's hard being in Memphis so far away from home. This was our first trip back since coming to Memphis 2 years ago, so it was a much needed break.

Daniel taking down our last link on the countdown chain.

On the plane waiting to leave. Soooo excited!!

The view from the plain of Mt Rainier in Washington. We flew into Seattle, where Daniel's parents met us. We stayed in Seattle over night, which was great. A little vacation before our vacation.

We went to the Space Needle for lunch. It was really amazing. The restaurant rotates, so you can get a really good look at Seattle as you eat your food.

Danial and I at the top.

We went canoeing one morning on Moses Lake. It was a beautiful day and the water was perfect. We went early before it got too hot, and before all the boaters and skiers came out.

We celebrated my mother-in-laws birthday while we were there. I made a three layered German Chocolate cake for her, and we had chicken taco's for dinner.

We went on a picnic to Summer Falls near this beautiful waterfall. There were a lot of wasps that I didn't really appreciate, but once we were done eating, they left us alone and we enjoyed the waterfall and the surrounding scenery.

We had such an awesome time. It's tough being back. I am looking forward to when Daniel will be done with school and we don't have to be so far away from family.

Modesty

I have been thinking about this question for years, but have never voiced it to anyone besides Daniel. I know that not all people agree with me, which is partly why I have kept my opinions to myself. But, today I feel like voicing my opinions, and welcome any comments.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, as woman, we have been instructed to be modest in our clothing. Yet, every year around summer and Easter, girls come to church in sleeveless dresses. Why is that?? I know that one can make the excuse that they are only babies, or toddlers, or little girls... but when do you start? When do you tell your child that it is no longer appropriate to wear sleeveless dresses? When they enter Primary? Young Women? I don't know.

It just seems like it wouldn't be that hard to put a onesie or an undershirt under that dress. As adorable as they look, wouldn't it be a little confusing to tell them they can dress a certain way until they reach a certain age? I don't get it.

I've never understood it, and it has always bothered me. You can dress however you want at home, but when you go to church, you should be modest in your dress, no matter how old you are. That is just my opinion, and like I said, I know that not everyone agrees, but it's what I think.

Daniel and the guys

Daniel and some of his friends thought it would be really fun so grow mustaches for their last final of the semester. It just so happens that the professor for that class, also has a mustache, and thought it was really funny.

The picture is a little fuzzy, but you get the idea.

Jelly Beans

Since I am still reading the Harry Potter books, I have Harry on my brain. I saw these online, and just had to get them. When they arrived, the box was a lot smaller then I expected them to be. It's a good thing, because Daniel wouldn't eat a flavor more then once. I had the list of flavors, then handed the beans to Daniel one at a time, making him guess what they were. It was the funniest thing watching his face as he put them in his mouth. Well worth it!

Flavors

Bacon

Black Pepper

Blueberry

Booger

Buttered Popcorn

Cherry

Cinnamon

Dirt

Earthworm

Ear wax

Grape Jelly

Grass

Green Apple

Lemon Drop

Rotten Egg

Sardine

Soap

Marshmallow

Tutti-Fruiti

Vomit

Famous on Google

Posted by Daniel

So the other night Belinda and I were looking on google maps to see how far it would be from one of our possible externship sites to my parent's place. Turns out it's about two hours. Afterwards we just kept playing around and decided to take a walk around Rexburg with Googlemap's street view option. We checked out our old apartment, our favorite place to get ice cream (G's Dairy), our favorite burger joint (The Backyard), and our old jobs (Western Watts, Madison Middle School and Meleleuca).

While checking everything out I realized that we were famous! Our white pontiac vibe can be seen in two of the street views; one near Western Watts (where I worked) and one at our apartment (in our parking spot). It's crazy that our car is right there in the pictures. Anywho, I thought it would be fun to post the pictures.

I thought it was even funnier because we haven't lived there in almost two years!

Ode To Belinda

Daniel here. Just wanted to take a moment to let everyone know why Belinda is so awesome.

1. She is easy to talk to. This is one of the things that made me fall in love with her. When we first got to know each other we would go on walks around Rexburg and it was always just so easy to talk to her, and I love her for it.

2. Amazing with kids. Belinda has a degree in preschool education, but I don't think that's what makes her so good with kids. This is an ability that she was just born with. Kids are naturally drawn to her and trust her. When it takes days for some kids to warm up to others, Belinda can become their best friend in a matter of minutes.

3. Hard working. When Belinda was a kid in South Africa they had a maid that cleaned their house for them, but somehow Belinda still learned how to work hard. I can't say how much I appreciate the hard work and sacrifice that she has made for us while I am going to school. Our first year of marriage she even went to work on the Rowley's farm, and as any Allsops know this is definitely hard work. She has continuously had a job since then, often working two jobs. I know she does this out of love, and I love her for it. I can't wait for the day when she can do whatever her heart pleases.

4. Patient. When we first got married I thought I had 2 years left of college . . . I was wrong. It was closer to 3 1/2 and Belinda has been so patient with my schooling. Now I'm in optometry school and we only have just under two years left. We both can't wait to be done! Thanks for Belinda, letting me focus on schoolwork. I know sometimes you've felt alone and I appreciate so much your patience. It's only a matter of time before you will no longer be a widower of a student.

5. Smart. Belinda is really good at thinking about solutions to problems. We'll only have a couple of things in our pantry/fridge and Belinda can think of an amazing dinner for us. At Midtown Eye Care, where she works, she learned everything so fast, and I know that the doctors there really appreciate everything she does. She has a way of solving problems that really amazes me.

6. Talented. Belinda plays the piano, is the chorister for our ward, learned to crochet in a day, can sew whatever she puts her mind to (she reupholstered our chairs), ran a half marathon, speaks Afrikaans, designs our blogs, and is a great organizer in many many other ways.

Belinda, I love you and you mean the world to me. Thanks so much for everything you have done for us. I can't wait for the rest of our lives together. You rock my world!

Daniel's Face

Once in a while, Daniel will get lazy about shaving. Recently, he decided to cut his shaving time in half by growing out a goatee. After a week, he come up with a brilliant idea of then shaving a mustache. He had never done it before, and was just curious. After 24 hours, he realized that it was a big mistake and got rid of it. Now that he has gotten that out of his system, we never have to do that again!

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER AFTER

Excited to Go Home

Since Daniel and I moved to TN, we have not had the chance to go home to Washington. We miss our family so much, and it's really hard being so far away. So we decided to save a little, and go home during Daniel's semester break in August. We are so incredibly excited, there are no words to explain. It's really hard being down here all by ourselves.

So the date is set, the tickets are bought, and the countdown begins.

On a side note, I have this co-worker who I can't stand. She is the most selfish, rude, judgmental and mean person I have ever met. At first I thought that maybe it was just her personality, and she might not realize how she comes across sometimes, but after working with her for over a year, I have decided that she is just a really mean person.

Well, she has decided to go back to school. Her last day will be while we are gone. So when we come back from our wonderful vacation, she will be gone. Another reason to celebrate.

4th of July

I have never really celebrated the 4th of July like most people. I don't know if it's because it's something I never grew up with, or the fact that I am not American, but I don't have the same feelings about it that some do. I've always felt guilty for not making this day exciting for Daniel, so this year I wanted to change that.

We went to the Bartlett Firework Extravaganza on Saturday. There was a live band, tons of food, games for all ages, and a few rides.

The fireworks lasted for 30 mins, and was absolutely fantastic. It was hard to capture the magic of the night, but here are a few pics anyway.

A Hogwarts Dinner

Before I start, I must tell you that we are not Potter geeks. We enjoy the books and the movies, but we are not obsessed like some people.

So, I was reading my sister-in-law, Alyssa's blog about a date they did which had an Italian theme. I thought it was really creative, and I thought about a theme date that I could do. I am currently reading the Harry Potter books, so naturally, that's what came to mind.

I started by giving Daniel an invitation to our date night.

I found an 'Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook' online, and chose three recipes. It was hard to narrow it down because there are a ton of desserts they eat in the books. I ended up making Pumpkin Pasties, English Stew and the famous Butterbeer. I put little tea candles everywhere to represent the floating candles in the Great Hall.

I set it all up on our coffee table, and watched 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' while enjoying our Hogwarts Dinner.
It was a really fun night, with some definite recipe keepers.

FHE

When Daniel and I first moved to Memphis, the LDS students in Daniel's class decided to start doing FHE together. Once a month we meet for food, games and spiritual upliftment. Each family (there are 13) is assigned a food to bring. The point is to try and make something you have never made before. Pictures are taken of you and your food/drink, and they are emailed along with your recipes to everyone in the group. So 2 years later, we have a lot of yummy new recipes.

This past month we were assigned drinks, so we decided to make Root Beer. I had never made it before. It was really exciting. Here is a little clip of what happened when we added the dry ice.

Homemade Root Beer

Ingredients

• 3 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 gallons cold water
• 1 fl oz. bottle root beer extract
• 2-3 pounds dry ice
• 
  
• Directions

1. Mix the sugar with 2 cups water and microwave or heat on the stove to dissolve sugar.
2. Pour mixture into large cooler and add remaining water and root beer extract.
3. Carefully place the dry ice into the cooler, and cover loosely with the lid. Do not secure the lid, as pressure may build up.
4. Let the mixture brew for about an hour before serving. You can add more sugar or water for personal preference.

Makes 2 gallons