Shiny New Toys

Boy howdy, this week has been crazy! J It has been a fantastic adventure, however. Two big things happened. First, my glasses finally came in on Tuesday, after 9 days of knowing I needed them. Getting used to them has been well, interesting, to say the least. My eyes are constantly doing weird things attempting to make up for my previous eye problems, and then having to readjust because the glasses fix that. And yes, for all of you contacts wearers, I’m sorry, I just can’t handle poking things into my eyes on a daily basis. So, for now, by the end of the day, my eyes are tired and hurt a little, but, they’ll stop that in about another week. The good news is, I can see better, especially while driving, and the glasses are quite cute, if I do say so myself! The best part has been having all of my students and friends say, “Wow. You don’t look like you! You can’t be Miss Herring! You’re just not Miss Herring anymore!” I even had one girl tell me I couldn’t take my glasses off because then I still didn’t look like Miss Herring. It’s been quite humorous!

The second and bigger piece of news is that I moved this week. Yes, I know that nobody knows, but I couldn’t help it. This brand new condo in Heber just kind of fell into my lap last weekend, and after fasting on Sunday, I jumped at the opportunity! It is a beautiful three bedroom, two bathroom condo in a newly developed neighborhood; right behind the new high school my school district is building. It’s a nice, quiet location, and I’ve heard the single’s ward is great. I actually have several friends in the ward, but, due to my new calling, I’m going to stay in the 35^th ward over the summer. I love lots of things about my new place, but here are a few highlights:

1 – I get to move with my current roommate Kristin! We get along really well, and so there’s no new-roommate drama, which will be nice.

2 – No more commute for me – ok, I have actually loved the commute the last 2 years. In my opinion, Provo canyon is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but it still makes more sense for me to commute a couple times a week, rather than every day!

3 – There’s a WINDOW SEAT in my bedroom! I have always wanted a window seat since I was little, and now I have one! AND it faces MOUNT TIMPANOGAS, my FAVORITE mountain! I’m only a little excited about that, as you can see!

4 – I have my own bathroom!

5 – We get to have an office/music/toy room! We’re still trying to come up with a cool name for that room – so far all we’ve got is “The Den”. Send your votes via comment!

6 – There is a FIREPLACE that works!

7 – The landlord is super nice, plus, I’m finally done with student housing and management companies – HALLELUJAH!

8 – Brand new appliances in the kitchen and comfy carpet

9 – There are two parking places – no fighting for spots, and one is even covered!

10 – There’s plenty of space for hide and seek! ;-)

Oh, AND, I was able to furnish my entire condo for less than I anticipated. Yes my friends, DI, thrift stores, Wal-Mart, Costco, Family Dollar and friends furnished me! J

My top ten favorite steals:

1- Vintage red table – free – Thanks Kristen! And Brian and Stacey for moving it!

2- Bed frame - $40 – Costco – this thing goes from twin – king. I can use it for eternity! :)

3- Banana chair - $5 – DI – So comfy!

4- Fold-out couch that is even comfortable to sit on - $50 – DI

5- Queen mattress and box spring - $30 – Heber Thrift Store

6- Queen memory foam mattress pad - $35 – Wal-Mart

7- Queen bed sheet/comforter sets - $60 – DI and Family Dollar

Favorite funny moments from this week:

1 – Splitting my pants hopping into Stacey’s truck at DI

2 – Wearing said pants for a whole day after I thought I had thrown them away.

3 – realizing I had thrown another perfectly nice pair of pants away unwittingly

4 – Freak out session with Kristin on Wednesday when the condo was officially ours.

5 – Moving in the rain and snow, intelligent, I know – yes, friends. We are 4 days away from May and it is still snowing here.

All in all, the week has been splendid! I could never have done it, this fast, or at all actually, without the help of some friends that I totally owe big time! Ben, Scott, Tyler and James – thanks for helping on Friday! Brian, Stacey, Tyler, Carter, Lauren, Spencer and Ben – thanks for making 3 trips to Provo for me and for helping me unload everything all week, and for being as excited for me as I am for myself. This will be a fun year (at least)!

Picture highlights (please note, most of the walls are in desperate need of decoration, but that’s this week’s endeavor):