The Lake

Living on the bottom floor of an apartment complex can have it's downsides. Such as the loud noises coming from the apartment above us when they walk, move chairs, and other activities as such. The fact that people stomp the snow off their shoes right outside your window when napping. And then...best of all. When there are water heater problems...your apartment floods and creates lakes in places there shouldn't be lakes...such as your hallway!

I was napping Sunday afternoon, when my roommate came in and said "Uh, Kate...the hallways flooded. What should I do?" Now...I was half asleep and didn't really understand what was happening quite yet, so I rolled over and said, "Get the managers." She ran out and when it occurred to me what she had really said, I got up to assess the damage done and evaluate if it was worth me missing the rest of my nap. Well, it turned out to be worse than I thought. I quickly went out to see what she was doing and she was talking to the RA. Now, I have come to realize something. RA's ARE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS!!! All she did was come down say, "Oh, that sucks." And leave again. Uh...HELLO!?!?! It's your job to help!!! Do you not understand this concept?! Anyways...turns out our managers were at church! Surprise! That's what we get for going to a Church School. So as I was writing a not to leave on our managers door so they would come over ASAP, the compassionate service leaders of our ward happened to knock on our door! Great timing. I have to give them props for that. They come in and see what is happening and immediately jump into action! They got fans, towels, and got right to work soaking the water up! During this time, we also had 2 or 3 sets of Home Teachers come by (none of which were ours) and help. Well...try. None of them really knew how to fix a water heater, and also our FHE Brother who actually knew what he was doing! but had no tools. Meanwhile, I ran to the next apartment complex who has helped us out in the past and asked them what we should. Their apartment manager came over and shut the water off so that it wouldn't flood anymore than it had.

Later that day, the maintenance guy and our manager came by and put in a new water heater...

Yes...This is it. Later than night we were sitting around doing homework and then my roommate screams, "Guys it's flooding again!!!" We all get up really fast and I told one to run and get our manager again....even though it was midnight. I didn't care! It was flooding our apartment! He came and "shut it off." Too bad when 1:30 rolled around it started leaking again! 3 times in one day!!! Even after we got a whole new one!

This is the entrance to my roommates room where the water heater is located. Luckily none of her stuff was damaged. That would've SUCKED! We had that big fan blowing under her rug for a good 3-4 days trying to dry everything out.

The view from the front of the hallway after they'd tore up our carpet and put an extra piece down. Stylish isn't it?
And finally the entrance to the hallway. I didn't get a picture of the kitchen, but that flooded too and made a nice little lake in there as well.

We managed to come out of the situation with minimal damages. My mat board and giant pad of paper got damaged from the water cause it was in the back of my closet which is connected to the hallway interior wall. No one else had anything get messed up. Lucky them...now I just have to figure out what to do without my paper...hmm.....

Walking to Class

Now, I'm usually not one to complain about how much I have to carry. I love what I'm studying and so I feel it's worth it. On days like today however, it gets to be a little annoying. Trying not to slip on ice and/or slush while walking and trying to open doors against the wind. Yeah...lame!!! Here's what I looked like when I got home from classes today. Yes...that is snow in my hair...and yes, my face is all red from the cold.

My drafting case. One of the 3 things I had to carry today.

My drafting bag. It has all my tools and stuff I need when I work. The strap is broken however, so I have to carry it by hand. Probly weighs about 25-30 lbs.

And last, but certainly not least....my portfolio bag. It has a big pad of paper, a GINORMOUS clip board, and then all my tools in the front pouch.

Pond Skimming

As many of you know, there isn't much here in The Burg. Because of this fact, the need to create things to do is in great need. Therefore, they do things such as pond skimming. Pond skimming, for those of you who don't know, is where you ski, snowboard, sled, or pretty much anything you want down a big hill and try to "skim" across the water. I feel terrible that I forgot my camera and couldn't take pictures, but here is a video from Youtube that someone else took.

Something I learned about Pond Skimming...don't stand too close to the pond! Common sense...I know. But apparently I was lacking a little bit in that department and therefore this happened...

The sweatshirt isn't wet...but that's cause I had my jacket on over it. Luckily it's water proof.

And these are my jeans...see...I was SOAKED. Well...on one side of my body. HA!

Spaghetti, Meatballs, and a Birthday!

I made Spaghetti and Meatballs for the first time tonight! I was very proud of myself. They turned out amazing! Just like my Mom's (Thanks for the recipe!).

The stove as I was cooking. Yes there are 2 pots of noodles. My roommate can't eat flour (sad huh?) so I was cooking her special noodles.

The first batch of Meatballs! YUM!

All them! They turned out amazing! MMMM

It's also my roommate Rachel's birthday today! So I made a Chocolate Eggless Cake. It was good, but not as yummy as my Mom's. I need to keep working on it!

Rachel blowing out her candles.

My Life...

...is flippin' amazing right now. I can't stop smiling...and I am INCREDIBLY happy! Life is good.