Scum comes to life

This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend! Holla no school! I was up in Utah (holla spontaneous road trips) so Monday morning I met up with the Gunderson clan on the Nebo loop for a BBQ, games and chit-chat. We then proceeded to the Fountain Green Cemetery because we have family from both my Gunderson grandparents there.
But while we were BBQ-ing, we played a raucous game of Scum. (Of course, knowing my family). The first round I came out victorious and became president. Round after round I re-pledged my victory. Round after round the cousin-folk rolled their eyes at me and stated the unfairness of the situation. I didn’t seem to notice. I mean, it was fine for me; I received the 2 best cards from the scum of the group, the peasant if you will. In return, I gave them any 2 cards of my choice - usually my lowest 2 unless my strategy said otherwise. But all too soon the tides changed. My power was usurped by my next to kin – VP Cousin Heather. My social status was dwindling and I didn’t like it one bit. I was now the VP. I now only received ONE top card from the next-to-scum, while only getting rid of one useless card. It was a downward spiral from there. Next I was just in ordinary civilian. I had to make it all on my own. I wasn’t getting help from anybody. It was the worst. After coming from the top, it all started to make sense. My good pal Karl, the radical conflict theorist, knows what he’s talking about. He likes power. I like power. The “haves” have the ability to exploit the “have-nots.” This was capitalism to a T! A dictatorship of the bourgeoisie! (haha RHYME.) Our game was being run by the wealthy class – which was awesome when it was me. But horribly awful and frustrating when it wasn’t. We were stuck in a bind – a bind where the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. How cruel. Trickle-down economics? Obviously false in this game of war of the social classes.
Luckily for me, we packed up and left before my rotten spell of luck could go forward and lead me the role of scum. That's a stigma aint nobody wants!

Since it was Memorial Day and all, I’ll just put in this little plug for 'Merica… but really…. Although this was just a fun game, It made me glad we live in the society we live in. I’m thankful for the freedoms we have and the ability we have to vote and support the leaders of our country. I’m so thankful for the great number of people who risk their lives so we can be the Land of the Free because of the Brave. Thank you!

And it all started that one time Scum came to life.
It should be renamed Marxism. 

Karl Marx  - Photo from Wikipedia

Missed Opportunity

I consider myself a pretty big baseball fan. I love going to games and relishing in the baseball atmosphere. I love following baseball and checking in on how all the teams are doing. Most importantly, I love the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This year at Dbacks Fan Fest they had an instagram scavenger hunt. They had 7 objects for you to find and take a picture of (a picture with Baxter, World Series trophy, Paul Goldschmidt bobblehead, Racing Gonzo, favorite ballpark food, back the dbacks sign, picture of your favorite player). Once you found them you posted them on instagram with the hashtag #dbacksfanfest. They are really good at advertising. Sorry if you are one of the few who follow the whole Gunderson clan on instagram… picture OVERLOAD that day. But it wasn’t for naught…

It just so happens that I won! With this beauty right here! 

Funny story, I was too cheap to actually buy the two dollar hot dog. Matthew bought it and I just took a picture with it. Hahaha ssshhhhhhhhh! I got 2 free tickets to the August 10, Paul Goldschmidt bobblehead game.

Well then opening day rolls around. I figured it was high time to check an item off my bucket list and go to an opening day game. So away we went!

I made this little collage right here and posted it on instagram. I think I saw a sign somewhere that said use the hashtag #backthedbacks, so I did… not knowing what it was.

Then the next home series I went to another game. I HAD to; I mean there were $5.32 tickets in celebration of the 5 hour and 32 minute game the series before (longest game, time wise, in Chase Field history). They were cheap and it was … like… a part of history… Kinda… a celebration of history? I don’t know, I’ll take any excuse I can get.

The next week I went back up to school and thought my time with the Dbacks was over until August when I return again to the sweltering heat.

But alas, a few weeks later I received a comment on my little collage. “Congrats on winning our #backthedbacks instagram contest! Please email us @__________________ for details.”

WHAT?!?! I didn’t even know I entered that contest! I emailed them and found out I won 4 infield box tickets to a home game of my choice this season. AS WELL as an opportunity to be a part of their PHOTOSHOOT for advertising and marketing collateral throughout the season!

That’s where the MISSED part of the title comes in… I live in Idaho now, the Diamondbacks are in Arizona. Oh bum.

But at least I asked them if 2 of my siblings could go in my place. And they said YES. So if you see any billboards or posters or commercial things on the jumbotron or anything with some Gunderson sibling on it… that’s why. SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT!!

Until then, Peace fools. I’ll just be here in Idaho getting all learned up in Psychology! :) 

Nerd with a capaital N, Geek with a capital G

Let me just say something right off the bat here. I’m a nerd. I’m a nerd about learning. So maybe it’s a geek? I don’t know. I just love learning.

I’ve always enjoyed learning, school and everything about it. And people truly fascinate me… (so I’m a nerd, geek, and creepy stalker… go figure). Hence the reason I’m studying psychology and sociology.

Anyway, last week I bought a GRE prep book and flashcards because I need to take the GRE here pretty soon. {Here I come graduate school!}

This prompted Mariah to look at AP U.S. History flashcards on Amazon so she can ace her AP test in a few months. I was looking with her and found the AP Psychology flash cards…

And… I bought them.

Am I taking the AP test in a few months? No, I already did that. I just wanted to look through them to see what they were like.

When they arrived I opened them and started looking through them and got ridiculously happy and excited. I’m such a geeky nerd. In the left hand corners they are labeled with more specific areas in psychology. Looking at those makes me remember all the classes I’ve taken and how cool psychology is and I just get overwhelmed with happiness and joy. Just ask Rachel… she thinks I’m nuts. Although she is on drugs (her wisdom teeth were extracted on Monday)… so maybe that’s why. :)

Anyway, i'm finding it hard to open my GRE books now... They were a lot more interesting to look at before the psychology cards came.... 

How to Make a Giant Kit Kat Bar

This year for Christmas I needed to make a home-made gift for a family of four (with a 6 year-old and a 2 year-old) for under 10 dollars. I decided to make a humongous kit kat bar – because that’s one thing anyone of almost any age can enjoy. (I didn’t quite make it in under 10 dollars – but it was close).

Here’s what you need:

*Melting chocolate – depending on how big you want it. I used 2 packages of almond bark and a large bag of chocolate chips.
*Vanilla wafers
*A mold – I used a long, narrow cardboard box I found at the dollar store. I was hesitant to use cardboard but it worked like a charm. You could also use a garden planter, or plastic Tupperware or something like that.
*A plastic cutting board – I cut the letters out of this to put on the bottom of the mold – But I think cardboard would work too.

Directions:
1.       Prepare the mold. If you’re using a cardboard box, cut off one side to pour the chocolate into.

22.   Prepare the letters. I used a plastic cutting board and cut out the letters K-I-T-K-A-T and put them down on the bottom of the mold facing backwards. I secured them will glue dots (but that isn’t necessary)

Take a special look at the letter A - it's not backwards :( That's a mistake - don't make the same one :)

   3. Melt the chocolate. I started with 6 squares of almond bark and a few cups of chocolate chips – stir every few seconds to avoid burning.

4. Pour the chocolate over the plastic letters about ¼ way up the mold. Spread evenly and put in the refrigerator for an hour to set.

5. Remove from refrigerator and top the chocolate with layers of the vanilla wafers

6. Melt the remaining chocolate and pour over the wafers – make sure you get all the sides so the wafers are completely encased with chocolate. Put it back in the refrigerator to set. 

7. Remove the chocolate and carefully remove it from the mold – the cardboard came right off for me. The plastic letters got set in the chocolate so I had to use a knife to get the sides up but then they came right off.

Blasted backwards a!

    

       8.  Wrap in foil

9.    Then in red wrapping paper

10.   Decorate it to look like a kit kat – I weighed mine to figure out the NET WT. I also calculated the nutrition information but decided not to add it to my candy bar – since it was a present and all :)

                                 11.   Set it back in the refrigerator until ready to give or eat 

And there you have it. It’s super easy and makes a great gift! 

2012 Year in Review

Everybody does these things so I thought I’d join in on the fun. Except, it’s really hard to try and remember things from a whole year! I’ll try my best.

Favorite movies of the year: The Avengers and Les Miserables. I’m no movie expert and I don’t even watch very many, but when I saw both of these I just wanted to sit back down and watch it again. {Also those may be the only 2 movies in the history of my life where that has happened.}

Favorite TV show this year: Bones. Still the only show I’ve ever followed.

Favorite Book: I can’t even remember the books that I’ve read… but 2 of the books I read last semester for school were muy excellente! The Sociological Imagination by C. Wright Mills and the Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute. {Might I say that one of my favorite parts about 2012 is that I actually really enjoyed the books that I needed to read for school... we’re on the right track, folks!}

Ok that’s enough of those…

hmm 2012.
You rocked.

At the beginning of the year I just lived at home and worked. I thought I was going to hate it, but turns out it wasn’t bad at all. I ran in the color run which made me sick for 2 months, In March I switched last minute from running another half marathon to running a 10k (because I couldn’t breathe) and loved it! Such a great distance for people like me who hate training. I was a cast missionary for the Mesa Easter Pageant, went to Diamondbacks Fan Fest and got bumped into by Justin Upton in the clubhouse (he’s a big fella) and was actually pretty busy with all sorts of who-knows-what. In April I went up to Rexburg for school. But first drove through Colorado and went to a Dbacks-Rockies game at Coors Field. I was in school from April to the end of July. School is my favorite - 95% of the time I love everything that comes with it (especially in retrospect)! The learning, the friends, the roommates, the independence, the adventures and all that jazz. I got to come home one weekend for one of my best friend’s wedding receptions. Then I had a 7 week break where I came back home and worked, went to some Diamondbacks games, decorated Harry Potter cupcakes (that was a highlight of the year fo sho) and went to the 2012 edition of the Cousins Weekend in Mesquite, Nevada. Then back to school it was from September to December. I had the best apartment of roommates I have had thus far and loved and learned so much from all of them. I also had the hardest semester of school thus far – my classes seemed to be in beast mode. I really learned what I was made of and prioritized my life and realized school had to come before fun and I needed to take it more seriously. And I enjoyed almost every minute of that ;)! I also lived in snow for the first time – it’s not so bad. The semester flew by at lightning speed and when it was over I spent a few days in Utah with the cousins. Then came home to a new house and spent Christmas eve and Christmas morning at the cabin. And to end the year with a bang, today Mariah and I made superhero skirts! 

Color Run and Phoenix Marathon 10k

Kymber and Michael's Wedding

Fall Semester 2012

Harry Potter cupcakes, Diamondbacks game, Superhero skirts

2012 you were good to me and taught me a lot. I thank you for your time.

Dear 2013, I’m ready for you! I have a good feeling about you – and it’s not just because I’ll be graduating with my Bachelor’s degree!  Show me what you’re made of  and I’ll show you what I’m made of! Bring it! :) 

A little change of perspective never hurt anyone...

My family moved last weekend. Weird, right? We lived on good'ol 25th street for 15 years! It's kinda sad... I mean... we made a whiffle ball stadium in our backyard. And we had an NCAA tournament bracket made out of duct tape on an entire wall in our basement. Those right there are just sad to leave. And raise your hand if you ever played lava monster with us downstairs in the pit. Or slid down our stairs with pillows and sleeping bags. Or took part in an epic nerf gun fight with dozens of nerf guns and hundreds of darts over the entire basement floor. Or were chased down the long wood floor with a tailless scorpion from a mean older brother. Or ever walked into our house on a Saturday morning to hear Disney music blasting to every square inch of the house thanks to a very loud, centrally located stereo. Or ever simply walked across the street to our house for lunch (or to miss seminary) in the Poston days. Or ever walked into our laundry room in utter amazement at all the random crafting things and odds and ends my mom had hoarded over the past few decades. Let's just say, lots of good memories were had in that warm little home.

But alas, it is no more.

Over the past few weeks I've been thinking about how weird it's going to be to go home at Christmas to a different house, to one i've never even seen. Will it be home?

Yesterday I went to the temple and as I was waiting in the chapel (I live in Rexburg, you have to wait at least an hour no matter what time of day you go) I opened up the Bible Dictionary to the word temple and started reading. As I read "...Only the home can compare to the temple in sacredness" my whole perspective changed. It just hit me that it doesn't really matter where home is, the size or location of the four walls that surround you aren't what matters. To me home isn't a place, it's a feeling. It's the warm, comfortable, welcoming atmosphere of being with your family. I was reminded that our homes can be a house of the Lord wherever they may be. Memories and good times will come no matter what - they don't depend on the place, but the people and the spirit.

It was a very comforting reminder and change of perspective. I'm grateful for those moments. 

When I get home, instead of thinking of all the changes because we no longer have room for half of our Christmas decorations, i'll just be grateful we have the opportunity of being together this Christmas. We have truly been blessed. (And probably the fact that this whole moving mess has been longer and more stressful than we anticipated has made us more welcome to the fact that it finally happened.) Who knew good things come from stress, uncertainty, and change of plans? (Easy for me to say, I wasn't home for all of it... bahahaha).

See you next week new house!

Adventures in a Straw Maze

 Last night we were invited to go to the straw maze. It sounded fun enough, I had never been to one before and I figured it would be fun to test my directional skills in the dark. So I went.

Ariel view.. during the day.

Well. Turns out straw mazes are actually HAUNTED straw mazes.  I wouldn’t know though because my little friend, Tony, conveniently left that part out when he told me about it.  So we get there and wait in line for 45ish minutes. I was fine until one of the creepy character people came and stood RIGHT behind me. The people around me ran away while I just stood there, looking straight ahead, frozen. Tony and Jarhed started laughing at me – and mistakenly said my name. Mr. Creepy man heard it and repeated it – so then I ran. And he ran after me, calling my name in a sinister voice.

We took this picture later on in line, when I got my hearbeat back.. see how he's just staring at me though?? Creeper.

Memories from a haunted house I went to in highschool came flooding back to my mind - I was being chased out of the house with a vicious man with a CHAINSAW.

 But then, I really DID hear a chainsaw. I don’t remember what I did, but everyone was laughing yet again and said they just wanted to go in with me because my reactions would be funny. So not cool – I need better friends. Ha – just kidding. But I did feel like I was about to enter the Triwizard Tournament. I was sure I was not going to make it out alive. I began compiling crazy scenarios – and past Bones episodes really made that easy.

Before I could escape my imagination, we were at the front of the line and had to enter through a swinging tin door.  

I must have used up all my “fear” neurons while waiting in line, because the actual thing wasn’t that scary.

Except for one part. I was at the front (yeah seriously, who would have thought I would be the brave one in the group? Not me) and we got to one of the characters – I walked past him but everyone else ran away. Well shoot, now I’m alone. But that’s when I heard it. First a thundering of footsteps  then A CHAINSAW. I was hightailing it out of there… but he was following me! There were like 3 groups of people right there in that little intersection and I ran right into some stranger and grabbed onto his jacket. And didn’t let go for like 2 minutes while he just laughed at me (But I’ll just add that he was one of the people running away too… and everyone was running and screaming). Fear does strange things to you I guess.

Then I decided I should find my friends. So I left him and found them soon enough. They pushed me back to the front and we continued on. We met dozens of interesting people - freaky bride, a man with a heinous laugh, a psycho doll, a joker on stilts, a regular joker, a pig (probably the most startling except for the chainsaw man – whom I did NOT get a good look at), a gorilla, lots of just creepy painted bloody faces and more.

When we were around the bride, Kayley screamed Tony’s name – the bride heard it and started calling him too. Ha. Payback.

After 45 minutes we were still not out. And I swear the characters were starting to recognize us. That could be because I talked to them every time, though. But really it just became frustrating and not frightening. When we finally made it out, it was just Paige, Jarhed, Tony, Kayley, Kate and I. Everyone else had made it out long before. (But i'm going to make myself feel better by saying it's because Jason had been through it the day before so he knew the way and everyone else just followed him)

I guess our directional skills are not really skills. We went in many a cirlces. 

But all in all, it was a pretty fun night!