Smart Remarks Book Club

I did not follow the assignment correctly - did not realize we were suppossed to post our comments to the book club on our own blog sites. Now that I have figured that out...:)

Here is my review of Breaking Dawn:

I love the way Stephenie Meyer develops her characters and their relationships. I could feel the characters thoughts, how they were going to react to each other, what they were thinking, feeling. She has the ability to bring you right into the story, like you are part of the script. I felt like I was right there with them in the meadow fighting the Volturi and I could see the island that Bella and Edward were on and feel the explosion of emtions they were feeling. I missed Edward when he was away from Bella, because she did.

Jacob is my favorite. He would be the hands down winner of my heart, if I was the one he and Edward were fighting over. But then Jacob would have imprinted on me and not Renesmee. It would just seem wrong to snuggle up to a cold vampire no matter how beautiful he was. I just never got over Edward leaving Bella the first time and how Jacob was the one who tried to put Bella back together (early books). Jacob is so loyal...my heart was breaking for him at Bella's wedding, when he danced with her.

I wrote a bit about Bella on Jenny's blog - but I finally enjoyed her character in this book - she is much better as a vampire - cool, strong charcter who has finally decided to love only Edward. I mean really...if she almost stopped breathing over her love for Edward - how on earth could she love someone else? Her indecision was a little irritating.

Renesmee, Renesmee - don't even like typing the name out. She's just a really creepy (best word) character. Vampire/human baby just doesn't make sense. And, I wanted Bella and Edward to have some time alone together before starting a family - not that the thought really entered my mind, because I missed the memo that this could ever happen. Not in any other vampire books or movies have I heard of this. And the name Renesmee is just awful - really that is the best they could come up with??!!

Final comments - I get so caught up in these books that I cannot put them down. Feel like I am a kid again, reading in bed late at night with the covers pulled over my head and flashlight. I re-read the first three books in a week before starting Breaking Dawn and that took me a couple of days to finish. I'm left wanting more.

NFL TIME of YEAR!!!

It is officially my favorite time of the year....FOOTBALL season!!!

Eagles have their first game 9/7 against the Rams. GO EAGLES!!!

Accepted into OIT

I'm officially admitted into OIT (Oregon Institute of Technology). Classes start 9/29. But I am dual enrolled at PCC as well - taking one on-line class that starts 9/22. FUN! FUN!!

Every one will be expected to attend my graduation ~2011. So just reserve that date now...:)

Esplin Quality Time

I just got back from a trip to Vegas to see my family - Anthony, Jenny, Cord, Gus and Homer. We had a wonderful time and it was so good to see them. Wish we lived closer to each other!!


Anthony and Homer having breakfast...what is not pictured here is Homer's breakfast - a cold hotdog, doughnut holes, potato chips, cereal and milk, some juice and a little bit of diet coke.
Kid sure knows how to start his day out right...:) Too funny!!

Cord, Gus and their friend Michael playing poker. Check out those cool shades on Gus! Don't let their cute faces fool you...they can play a mean game of poker and will take all your money while flashing those million dollar grins your way...:)

The boys having fun on the new tramp. They sure have a lot of energy!! Aunt Michelle was content to watch and provide the "OOH's" and "AH's" for the awesome tricks.

Whole family got new shoes at the "Crocs" outlet. That was a lot of fun picking out the right style and colors for everyone. Nice way to spend the evening together.

And of course...I had to get a new pair...:)

Thanks guys for letting me stay at your house and for showing me such a great time.

LOVE YA LOTS!!!

Crosgrove Family in Town

My BFF Kim and her family stopped by Portland to spend the day with me. They were on their way to Victoria BC for a family reunion. I could not believe how tall Zach was!! Holy cow he has grown up!! So has Josh...man I remember when they were just babies...:)

We spent the afternoon at the Portland Zoo - Morgan and Blake had a great time looking at all the animals. It was REALLY HOT! Over 100 and I thought I was going to melt...don't get too many of those days in PDX.



Kim and I got to chat all afternoon and get caught up on all the happenings with our friends and families...it was so nice to spend time with her!! Doesn't she look amazing??!!!


Stopping for a much needed snowcone break to cool off...:) What a wonderful family!!

OIT

Oregon Institute of Technology is currently reviewing my application for admissions. Hmmm....wonder if I will get in...:) Working at Intel (the place people want to work after they graduate from OIT) might help me out.
Anyways, very excited to pursue my Bachelor's degree in Operations Management. Have an appointment with my advisor on Thursday to review my transcripts from BSU and PCC. Think I have close to 130 total credits. LOL!! I know they will transfer my Associates of Science degree from PCC...but will they dust off the old BSU credits and let me use some of them - that is the question.
So, to all my faithful readers (Jenny) cross your fingers that they accept me and all my BSU credits.
http://www.oit.edu/home

Taco and Game Night

Kevin and Renee had us all over dinner on Sunday - all the fixings for Beef and Chicken Tacos. It was some kind of a WONDERFUL meal!!! After gettting our grub on...Renee made us play her new game called Rummikub and she is really good at it...:) Renee is really good at ALL games. LOL! Poor Kevin gets tired of getting his butt kicked and really appreciates it when we all take a turn playing against his wife. Only joking!! Renee is my best girl and always lots of fun to hang out with!!

Here is team Renee, with Bobbie (Javier's wife) as her partner.



It was also my good friend Karen's last night in Portland. She is moving back to Boise, which is sad, sad, sad... Very proud of her though - she got yet another promotion with Kraft Nabisco. Wish her all the best!

Karen was on team Kevin.


Here is team Ella and her parents - Jeremy and Nicole

And I was on team Javier

And the winners were...Team Kevin (Game 1), Team Renee (Game 2) and Team Kevin (Game 3). Javier and I should have won both Game 1 & 2 - only one tile left both times!!! Dang it!!