It's true, I'm not dead

Well... I haven't posted in a while.  Like, more than a year.  And I don't know if anyone will read this... probably not.  But, just in case.

Um... everything's going fine, I'm a librarian now for the Centerville and Farmington libraries, and have been for 1 year.  Circulation clerk.  I like it.  ^_^  I still like anime, and I'm planning to go to AX this year.  I'm taking 1 class at the BYU Salt Lake Center after a long school hiatus, and I'm planning to go back to BYU in August or thereabouts.  Right now, I'm living at home.  I play Rifts (a roleplaying game) with a nice group in Kaysville, and it's way fun.  I play a dragon shapeshifter, among other things.  ^_^

As for my dog(s), here's what happened (short version) with pictures included.  :)

You remember puppy Geordie, from previous pictures.  This was him coming off the puppy truck:

  Well, the tiny puppy grew and grew from this:

Into this:

He was BIG!  Larger than every other lab in our guide dogs club.  Here are some other pictures of big grown-up Geordie:

He outgrew his puppy bed, or so we thought.  Geordie proved us wrong.

Geordie loved to run crazy in the grass.  Getting him to hold still for a picture was the real challenge.

Such a handsome boy.

Awww.  I think someone wanted to be petted.

Geordie grew in more ways than one.  Soon the tiny destructive chewing machine turned into a competant and loving guide dog puppy.  He loved working, wasn't scared of anything, and was focused and determined.  Perfect guide dog material.  Unfortunately, that meant that soon it was time for him to go.  Geordie was 1 year and 6 months old when he was called back to California.  This was both sad and happy, for that day we also got a new puppy, a little "O" male named Orion!

My mom, sister, and I with little Orion.

This is the brief time when I had both puppies at the Blind Center.

Geordie receives a hug and in so doing passes the torch over to Orion.

Soon, however, it was time to say goodbye. 

This was the last time I ever saw Geordie.  I cried all day.  It was one of the worst things I've ever had to do. 

Geordie excelled in training, and went from phase 1 to phase 10 quick quick quick in 5 months.  Soon he was in class with his new person, and I excitedly received his notice of graduation and purchased airplane tickets to California to hand him off.  Unfortunately, 1 week before graduation he was career changed for "inappropriate vocalizations".  He apparently barked in class, and growled at a student, and therefore failed.  He was taken home by his trainer, and (I hope) now lives a happy life as both a pampered pet and a fellow trainer for new guides.  I have yet to hear from her.

It did help, though, that I had a new puppy to comfort and distract me: cutie Orion.

Orion on the back porch wondering why I'm pointing a shiny metal box at him instead of playing.

Dramatic lighting shot.

Orion had such ENORMOUS ears!  They were as long as his head and drooped in the food bowl when he ate, so they needed to be cleaned often.  They also have cute little freckles on the tips.  ^_^

Aww.  So many toys, and yet so tired.

Sooner than I would have liked, little cute Orion grew into big handsome Orion.

Orion in his usual spot at the foot of my bed.  The evil laundry baskets are blocking his pet bed.

Orion grew even BIGGER than Geordie did!  Why do I get the giant ones?

Deep soul-penetrating stare.

Aww.  Orion is the most affectionate dog I've ever seen.  He love love loves attention and people.  Sit on the floor, and any time he'll be there to cuddle.  He also loves to lick with a passion.

Orion turned 1 year old in March of this year.  Unfortunately, the need for working guides is greater than ever, and Orion has been called back to California.  He's leaving on April 19th bright and early, with only 1 week and 1/2's notice for me.  Sad times.  Because of such short notice, there will be no replacement puppy.  And what with going back to Provo in August and my parent's being tired of tiny puppies, there probably won't be another one for a long, long time unless I can find some roommates in Provo willing to co-raise (seems unlikely) or a job in Provo that lets me bring a guide dog puppy to work (even more unlikely).  So, sad times are imminent, but I'm glad I got the opportunity to raise 2 wonderful dogs.  :)

Oh, I forgot the other reason I update my blog--when I have something fun I want to share.  Check these links out:

Home Depot

Hypnotism

Jumper

Look Up More

Even Better Than the Real Thing (it's the video on top)

Cellphone Symphony

No Pants Day (no actual nudity)

No, you don't have to watch all of them, but they're all really funny.  My favorites are the ones on top.  The group is called "Improv Everywhere" and originates in New York City.  They have hundreds of members and have done far more stunts than those I've listed here.  I'd love to be in a group like this--it would be so much fun!  And unlike reality prank tv shows, they aren't looking to make people break down and cry or anything... everything they do is for the entertainment of the watchers.  As their logo says--they cause scenes.

I've picked two of my camp names... I hope I get the first one.  I still have to think of a good third.
1. Sprite
2. Firefly
3. ?

Well, everyone who still reads my blog will know by now that I only post when I have something really important that has happened to me or I have something to announce.  Well, now I have both.  :)

A few weeks ago I applied for a job in California, and today they called to say that I've been accepted.  So I'll be living in California from June 17th to August 23rd.  Doing what, you might ask?

Ta-da!

Cool, huh?  I'm going to be a counselor.  This means I'll be in charge of 16 girls--making sure they get up, shower okay, dress, eat, get to and from their activities, plan skits and other night activities, make sure they're healthy and happy, and put them to sleep.  Fun, huh?  And of course, I get to take Geordie with me.

I have basically one group of kids per week, give or take a few days, of varying ages.  In-between I can do whatever I want with other members of the camp (Disneyland, anyone?).  The other counselors will be around my age, probably most in my position a little younger.  I do get paid, although not alot, and much of it goes to room and board.  But having a little money when I'm done will be nice.

I'll need to get in shape.  I don't think I could hike a mountain right now, and the camp is ON a mountain, near a beach.  Awesome.  Time to pull out DDR again and start going on more walks.

I'm so excited!  I really didn't think I would be able to go.  Actually, I thought Geordie wouldn't be able to go because he's so young, and I wouldn't go without him.  He's my first responsibility.  But... everything worked out, I'm so happy!

Of course, this means no AX for me.  I don't know if I would have been able to go anyway, but definitely not now.  If I had those days off, I'd sneak away, but I can't.  However, I do have the LAST day of AX off and the two days after, so if anyone wants to visit me, more power to you, although I'm not sure how close I am to Long Beach, honestly.  I know I'm near Malibu...

I plan on having a mini kind of going-away/housewarming party before I leave.  As most of you know, the basement is all mine and I'm busy cleaning and decorating it, and we just got new carpet.  When it's finished, I'd love to have a bunch of people come over just to party, hang out, eat a lot of junk food and pizza, and watch random movies/anime.  Would anyone be interested?  It would probably be in the second week of June, that Friday or Saturday.

I also have to come up with three "camp" names--pseudonyms that I would go by.  One will get approved.  No, I'm not going to use "Jedi".  Can anyone think of any good ones?  They need to be real words.  :)