something happy.

I asked a few wonderful friends to send me a picture of something happy, and this is what I got...

Arizona's happy sunshine.


two beautiful happy little girls.

happy Sedona ice cream.

there is so much happiness in this life, and it does not take much to see it.
you've just got to look around.

thinking at one in the morning.

it's one in the morning, I am currently sitting in my closet (as to not disturb the roommate, if possible), and I just finished my unit for student teaching (which is actually no where near finished, but I am calling it that).

I feel like I am learning so much fromthird graders and from all the blessings that have come from this semester. I don't want it to end and yet I can't wait for the summer's heat.

"All living things have a heart. And the heart of any living thing can be broken." - The Tale of Desperaux

my heart wrapped in string.

"Love is when two people decide to be together. Two people with problems and insecurities and fears, and the come together and decide to love each other anyway. And they fight when they disagree and compromise when they don't want to. And the girl cries a lot because it's not what she thought it would be and the guy gets angry and confused because she cries and maybe he even cries too sometimes. But despite the confusion and frustration, despite all the crap, they hang on to each other, because they said they would. When someone loves you, they don't just let you go if it's not convenient." - String

This is a monologue that the character I play in the show says.

And I am so envious of her, simply because she knows exactly what she believes about love.

And I have no idea.

quadruple-chocolate chip cookies

that's right, four kinds of chocolate chips, one cookie:]
(I told you vanilla fans, I am worthless to you.)

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 & 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
a generous amount of white chocolate chips
a generous amount of chocolate chips
a generous amount of semi-sweet chocolate chips
a generous amount of milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 370 degrees, grease cookie sheets. Mix together flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder, set aside. In separate bowl beat together butter, and sugars until smooth. Add in eggs, one at a time, and then vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients and add chocolate chips.
Bake for about 9 minutes!

I used to make these cookies all the time in high school, but had not made them in quite some time, until today. I had a few tricks back in the day, which I found out today I do not really remember. So I figured I should record some things I did and (re)discover today. I normally double my recipes when making cookies (and all things sharable) as well as use the small cookie- scooper, because well I really like to share:] Today that was a little overwhelming. This recipe works awesome doubled but be prepared to bake for like four hours, at least.

Maybe I can just open a bakery when I grow up...

happy (chocolate) mess.

happiness means making chocolate treats long after midnight for the ones you love.

I know the endeavor was successful because my normally yellow apron, has been tinted brown and I have spent a good forth of the day in the kitchen while the sweet aroma of chocolate fills the air.

I feel bad for people who like vanilla, I am no good to them.

"Love can fade, can break away, can be forgotten, but not replaced."

NOV. 30th

(I miss these days a lot)

It is B's BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday!
I miss you so so much and I wish I could spend your birthday with you!
You are wonderful.
love,
aj