Jeopardy and USC

I've really been getting into Jeopardy lately. Mostly because they almost always have some sort of music category. I'm really good with Opera and Composer categories, but not so much with Musical Theatre. Once they had a Bach category and I got all but one right!

So anyway, the other day there was this clue: "In the historic 2007 game USC's 35 home game winning streak was ended by this team"...."WHAT IS STANFORD!" I yelled. Yes, I knew the answer, but I was also THERE! I was so proud to have witnessed a Jeopardy clue! As I think about that game, though, my memories aren't so sweet...the Burzlaff boys don't respond so well to a USC loss. Jess and I always pray for USC wins for OUR sake.

Actually, I'm staring to like college football. I think the reason I was never interested was b/c I never knew how the game was played (Matt and Steve, wasn't that your job as an older brother??). Patrick has been teaching me, slowly but surely, for the past year, and I'm finally catching on. And I've discovered that even if you aren't in love with football, it's still fun to go to a game and have a hot-dog wrapped in bacon and covered with onions and peppers...*drool*

We went to another USC game a few wknds ago. This time it was better b/c they WON and afterwards I got my first glimpse of Pasadena...we had dinner there as a whole "potential Burzlaff family". Awww...

In other news, this wknd marks the end of my Bakersfield blitz...I've been going up there every wknd for the past 4 weeks (church stuff, USC game, Patrick's bday), which has been fun, but it will be nice to spend some time in Ventura again. Patrick and I are hoping the weather will be nice (70s?) so we can have a picnic at the beach!

I miss Iowa

I miss Iowa.

It's true! It's not that I'm seeing my family any less than I did before (well, I am, but only slightly)...it's just being aware of all the miles between us that impacts me. And not only that, but IOWA. IOWA is so far away.

Last weekend I was at Bakersfield and had a little cry fest because when I look outside I do not see changing leaves, frost, and fields. When I go to the store I do not see A&E, Mrs. Grimes chili beans, and that one brand of bread that I really like but can't think of right now.

One of the highlights of my week is when I wake up on Saturday morning and sit down to breakfast at the Burzlaffs...the Iowa game is always on TV.

I don't regret coming here though...if I hadn't I'd always want to go away. I'm here now so I can later be perfectly content in Iowa.

I'll be back.

Dimples According to Patrick

"You know how you got your dimples? When you were born, God sent an angel to bless you. So when she got done blessing you, she went back to heaven, but on her way she left her footprints on your face. God sent a stupid angel."

Today...

...I experienced my first earthquake! It lasted approx. 1/2 of a second. Funnnnn!

Life with an Ocean View

I've been waiting to make this post for a long time b/c I wanted to make sure I said everything I wanted to say, but I've kept putting it off and off and off and I just want to write, so here it is!

A day of my life in Ventura:

6:10 alarm goes off
7:15 I have snoozed until now, and I finally get up :)
8:00 arrive at work with goodies that I may or may not have baked the night before. turn on computer, and start work. The booking dept has been here since 7am. Chantal is a recruiter and also arrives at 7. Marco, the talent department head, will come in at 9. I am the only American citizen in my department! Chantal is from Holland, and Marco is from Italy. My trainer, Omar, who is now on tour is from Puerto Rico. Ashley, the sponsorship coordinator, is from Canada. Oh wait! Tim is technically in my dept, and he's from PA. I guess I do have company!
10:00 MAIL ARRIVES!!!! Auditions? Recommendations??
10:30-12 there may or may not be mtgs.
12:00 Go home for lunch. I will either have PBJ or last night's leftovers.
1:00 Back to work, calling all over the world and taking people's money.
4:00 Chantal leaves for the day, leaving me and Marco. Marco will probably say do something weird like refer to my state as a "country" and I will make fun of him.
5:00 Officially off work, but I stay to use the computer b/c I don't have one.
5:30-6 leave the office somewhere in there, maybe stopping at "Vons" to get groceries, or Target just because I can and I'm not used to it yet. When I to these places I see seaguls in the parking lots and pass a lot of halloween stores...did you know that California is like, WAY into Halloween?!? It's weird... This is also the time I use to call family members before it's too late.
7:00 at home to eat dinner (probably something chicken) and watch Jeopardy
7:30 - 9:30 bake something or clean something or watch something or call someone.
9:30 talk to patrick and go to bed.

If it's the wknd I will drive to Bakersfield or await Patrick's arrival. I like going to Bakersfield better b/c we get to do stuff that costs money like go to a USC game and watch them lose at home for the first time in 6 yrs, like last wknd. We also get to eat very well, esp last wknd because Patrick's brother Paul, the chef, was in town and cooked for us. When Patrick comes to Ventura it is significantly less exciting because we have no money to do things (ha!) and I lack a community of friends down here, so it's hard to be social. But we do get to cook and go to the beach, which is lots of fun. I'm going to try to establish the habit of going to B&N to do wedding planning when he's here.

That's another thing about Ventura...I'm in awe of all the stuff that's here. No longer do I have to go out of town to get something or go somewhere. Everything I want to get or see or do is right HERE!

...except family, snow, and choral music.

boys will be boys

Pictured is Patrick and I on our recent excursion to space, helping Buzz Lightyear defeat archnemesis Zurg (Zorg?). Patrick beat me by thousands of points, then begged througout the day to go back to the ride so he could beat his score. What?!? No! We're at DISNEYLAND! There are OTHER THINGS to see! Ha! Oh wait...I can't post that picture. BOO!! Sorry...

So, Disneyland was amazing. It wasn't too crowded in the morning/afternoon thanks to school being back in session. Lines weren't more than 15 minutes for a long time, but when it started getting dark the park was exploding with people, probably b/c of the fireworks and light shows.

The fireworks were, by far, the best part of the whole day. Musical accompaniment featured such favorites as the Indiana Jones theme, the Star Wars theme, When You Wish Upon a Star, the Mainstreet Electrical Parade theme, and some cheezy song they wrote that said "wishes" every other word (which, consequently, was set to a minor 3rd...a musical paradox of sorts). Anyway, any fireworks show that makes good use of John Williams is #1 on my list!

Other favorites included: Space Mountain! Woohoo!!, Pirates of the Carribbean, now updated with Johnny Depp look-alikes that are SCARY REAL, pineapple whip in the Tiki (tiki tiki tiki tiki) Room, the PARADE!, having the barbershop quartet sing "Happy Bday" to me, and re-living moments from last time I went in third grade, like when I got lost and decided to stay right next to the Sword in the Stone, sitting on Matt and Steve's shoulders for the parade, making fun of Amanda b/c she was more scared of things than I was, avoiding the Jungle Cruise, and singing into Snow White's wishing well, mimicking her whiney little voice.

It really IS the happiest place on earth!!!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Happy Birthday to me (almost). What happens when you're 22? Nothing? Not so! Your age is perfectly symetrical for the first time in 11 years! I'm pretty sure this is going to be the BEST birthday EVER...except for when I was 5 and I got my Willow bowl and spoon set with the pack of lifesavers attached to it. Not sure how I remember that so clearly...but...

...like I was saying, BEST bday EVER coming up tomorrow! I'm driving to Bakersfield where Patches has promised "surprises" of Burzlaff proportions. Then on Sat it's off to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH where there is going to be an incredible FIREWORKS show set to MUSIC!! Deb?!?! Can I get an "AMEN!?!?"

Then Sunday I'll be having a joint bday celebration with Jess, who celebrated her 24th yesterday...waaaaaay excited to welcome Jess and Chris back from their European adventure!

Patrick always makes fun of me for turning my birthday into a week-long celebration, but I this year I'm pretty sure HE'S the one doing all the hyping. Thanks baby. ;)