Angela is a Nerd!

It's no surprise to anyone to hear me described as a "nerd" or "geek." I've been that way my entire life, and it's a personality trait I embrace. However, I have soared to new nerdy heights this week.

About five months ago, I heard about TwiCon, a Twilight convention being held in Dallas this coming July/August. I thought it sounded like fun, so I hemmed and hawed over buying a ticket. While reading through the formal programming itinerary, I came across a statement announcing that they were accepting academic papers on various topics to be presented in panels and roundtable discussions while at the convention. Well, delving into my lifelong love of vampires (insert nerd joke here), I decided to do a little research on vampire myths throughout the world. After three months of research and countless hours logged in the NWC library, I finished my paper: 25 pages (not counting a 6 page bibliography) and 6743 words. Now, having been out of college for several years, I consider this quite a feat. I won't go into all the teasing and harrassing I got from my husband...however, I will say that he was very supportive of me through my months of temporary insanity.

To my surprise, yesterday I received an e-mail from the director of formal programming. My paper was accepted, and I will be presenting it in a panel during the convention. Here's where my nerves kick in: they are expecting 2500 people to attend this convention. Now, if only 10% of that goes to the panel, we're still talking 250 people. Heaven knows, I am not one for public speaking (I write out my church talks word for word because I get up there and panic), so I am eternally grateful for the six months of preparation I have ahead of me.

But, that's my great excitement. I know it's nothing grand, but life has been slow at the Richardson household, so any news is big news!

Catching Up: Christmas And A New Addition To The Family

I realized after looking at everybody else's blogs that I am terrible when it comes to tending to our blog. I made it to "D" on the "Grateful ABC's," I didn't report on Kerrigan's encounter with the mall Santa, I haven't updated on Christmas, and I've just been generally lazy when it comes to keeping people updated. Thankfully, we're not that exciting and not much has happened.

For starters, here's a recap of Christmas for the Richardsons.

Kerrigan and Santa: This year Kerrigan happily went to see Santa. It was nowhere near the fiasco it was last year. She was even a role model for a little girl two years older! It helped that she seemed to remember the stuffed dog from last year.

(Ella and Kerrigan at Marlin & Lisa's ward dinner)

Christmas Eve was spent at our house. We had a semi-traditional Swedish dinner (a huge undertaking in and of itself) with recipes from my great-grandma. We were also able to do a short photo session and take a family portrait since the arrival of our neice, Ella. It was so nice to have a somewhat relaxing (after dinner, that is) Christmas Eve at home. It was, however, short-lived, as Kerrigan got too overexcited and spent the entire night screaming. Needless to say, nobody got any sleep that night, and it wasn't because we were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa. Kerrigan finally fell asleep at 6:00 a.m. and we had to be on the road to Worland at 8:00 a.m. A bit rushed? Yes. Yes, we were.

Christmas Day was spent in Worland with the Foulgers. Though we were all exhausted from our horrendous night, it was a pleasant day. Kerrigan was surprisingly well-behaved when her lack of sleep was taken into account. Like last year, she made out like a bandit after all was said and done, having been completely spoiled by both sets of grandparents.

After a great holiday season, we got a new addition to the family. The company that I work for, Eleutian Technology, has been hosting 30 teachers from South Korea in Cody. They studied for three months at NWC and are now doing 6 weeks of curriculum work in local elementary schools. We were approached a few weeks ago and asked to host one of the teachers. Not wanting to turn our backs on a great opportunity like this, we were assigned to host a teacher by the name of Young Seung Yun, (a.k.a. Angie). She has been a student of mine since September. We picked her up last Sunday, and it has been a great week thus far. Kerrigan is slowly becoming accustomed to a new person living in the house, but you can tell she is enjoying a new face. She will spend hours in Young's room, watching videos of Korean nursery rhymes and singing songs. Tonight Young cooked a Korean meal for us (don't ask me to remember the name of the dish...all I know is that it was delicious). We were also introduced to the Korean staple of kimchi, a spicy cabbage relish-type dish. It is usually allowed to ferment for at least three months, but we had fresh kimchi. Let me say that spicy does not even begin to describe it. If you're ever looking for a new way to clear your sinuses, kimchi may be the stuff for you! We hope to have many more experiences to share over the coming weeks!

Kerrigan's Carols

Kerrigan's Opa taught her how to sing "Jingle Bells" last week. However, we have only caught her singing it a couple of random times. Today, she came out in full force, singing and jumping around the living room. Sadly, there was no camera nearby to capture her show. Thankfully, Krista found her camera and Kerrigan came back for an encore. Here's what ensued:

Identity Crisis

For the longest time, Kerrigan didn't refer to me by any name. Mostly I was the female version of Dada. When she got pneumonia and was pitiful as all get-out, she miraculously started referring to me as "Nonny." I was a little bummed that it was never "Mama" or "Mommy" or any form thereof. In fact, Sha made fun of the fact that Kerrigan would call me Nonny. Well, miracle of miracles occured a couple of days ago. Kerrigan would wander around the house, talking to herself, and would randomly go into a chorus of "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Nonny, Nonny, Mommy..." etc. I'm not a person to get all sentimental and choked up about things like that, but it really took me by suprise (a pleasant surprise) to hear her say "Mommy." Now I'm in the middle of an identity crisis as Kerrigan now only refers to me as "Mommy." I guess I'm a little bummed because it's generic and expected. "Nonnny" was my special name; no other kids we know have a Nonny. Oh, well. I guess it couldn't last forever. Mommy is still a wonderful thing to be called. Even if it does take some getting used to.

Husband Survey

1. Where did you meet your husband?

I met him at an institute dance a couple of weeks after he got off his mission. We danced once, and I went back to my best friend and told her all about the really geeky, nerdy guy I had just danced with. Little did I know how it would come back to bite me in the butt a couple weeks later.

2. How long did you date?

We dated off and on for three months before we got engaged. The scary thing is that we dated "officially" as boyfriend and girlfriend for eleven days before getting engaged.

3. How long have you been married?

4 years

4. What does he do that surprises you?

He's very helpful around the house. He doesn't mind doing laundry or cleaning or any other menial chores. The only thing that he doesn't go around the house is cook (and for that I am grateful!)

5. What is your favorite feature of his?

His hands. They're big, warm, and perfect for holding.

6. What is his best quality?

His patience. I'm a nutcase 90% of the time, and I'm always amazed how well he tolerates my crazy mood swings.

7. Does he have a nick name for you?

Nope

8. What is his favorite food?

Steak...hands down.

9. What is his favorite sport?

He doesn't watch sports

10. When and where was your first kiss?

Outside his parents' house before I was getting ready to head back to Worland for a weekend

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?

Date nights! We love to go to the movies. Either that, or making fun of each other. It's an odd relationship.

12. Do you have children?

One amazing little girl!

13. Does he have hidden talents?

He sings and can quote movies with uncanny precision.

14. How old is he?

26

15. Who said I love you first?

You know...I don't remember. How horrible is that?! I think it was him, though.

16. His favorite music?

A little bit of country, Nickelback, Linkin Park, Harry Connick, Jr. ...basically anything but what I listen to.

17. What do you admire most about him?

How important family is to him. Not just Kerrigan and me, but his family, and mine, as well. He's very family oriented

18. What is his favorite color?

Blue

19. Will he read this?

Nope. I don't think he knows how to get to the blog.

20. Who do you tag?

I don't tag anyone. I was just bored and needed something to occupy my time.

Grateful "D"

I've been horrible with keeping this updated. Hopefully I'll get through the alphabet by 2009.


I am grateful for dads. I've got three great dads in my life...three of the greatest dads a person could ask for!





How many dads would dress up like THIS? My dad is great because of the things he is willing to do for his family. He works hard to provide a great living for his family, which is something that I took for granted sometimes while I was growing up. There are times where he's strange, odd, and just plain funny...times we wonder how my sisters and I turned out somewhat normal. But family dinners and game nights are never dull when Dad's around.




My father-in-law is another great dad. It amazes me how, though he is a hard worker and a busy outdoorsman, he is wonderful with children. Kerrigan loves her Opa and will often request him above anyone else in the family. Brandon always has great stories to tell about times spent hunting, working on the house, fishing, or horseback riding with his dad.



Never have I seen a little girl so smitten with her daddy as Kerrigan is with Brandon. And good thing, too. He loves her to pieces and is the greatest daddy. Though I know he often wishes he had a son to do "boy stuff" with, he never hesitates to expose Kerrigan to all the things little boys would get to do. He takes her horseback riding, fishing in Opa's horse trough, fossil hunting. Though it makes me jealous sometimes that she prefers Brandon over me, I'm glad that she has such a great daddy to go to.

The Richardson Twerds

"Twilight" is here! Krista and I braved the crowd opening night (I swear we're crazy sometimes...she more than me, being as Krista was insane and went to a midnight showing in Billings). Brandon and I went Saturday for our monthly date-night. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Brandon protested against wearing his shirt in public, though he had promised me he would when he got it on his birthday. I wasn't allowed to wear my hand-me-down shirt in public. (Apparently, Brandon doesn't like me walking around with another guy's face on my shirt...go figure.)

It's a terrible thing that the movie has been such a hit-and-miss with people. Either you love it or you don't. It's as simple as that. I've been bummed to hear people say that the movie ruined the book for them. The way I see it, you have to go into these situations with no expectations other than to be entertained. And entertained I was! Will I see it again? More than likely. Has it ruined the book for me? Heck, no! Just keep an open mind. That's all you can really do. But, I figure it was a success for our family: Krista liked/loved (one of the two) it, I loved it, Brandon liked it...but don't take our words for it.