Two things I would rather be doing...

Yes my friends, rather than grading the seemingly insurmountable mound of essays, I would much rather sing, sing, sing, or get my toes painted. Is that so wrong???
OHHH, how I miss you karaoke!!!
I think I was born to be a singer...well, maybe in my dreams! Anyone want to finish grading the essays so I can fulfill my dream!!!! :)

Almost four weeks...

I have nearly completed my first month of no sugar. Well, I should say my first month of trying to eliminate sugar from my diet. The first 2 1/2 weeks were killer hard! The cravings were incessant; nevertheless, I forged ahead.

Today, I weighed myself and have lost 8 lbs. Whoo, hooo! I might not be pulling the numbers they do on "The Biggest Loser," but I feel wonderful and will continue to take each day at a time.

I challenge you not to give up on your goals. Keep going, keep pushing forward...you are worth whatever goal you wish to achieve. I believe in you!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Bizarro!

These past few days have led to the most bizarre experience as a teacher! Stressful, filled with anxiety, and just plain awkward.

Anyway, without divulging it all, here is a message to all you students out there...Please don't ask your teachers to go on a date--that is a big NO, NO and puts the teacher in a VERY awkward frame of mind.

Just. Don't. Do. It.

Sugar is the DEVIL!

My mother wasn't an avid cookie baker, cake decorator, or chocolatier. For heaven's sake, we thought carob was candy--ick, gross. So, whenever we had a sugar teaser, such as brownies or ice cream, we went a little nuts scarfing down as much as we could. Let's just say that sugary stuff never lasted in our house, unless it was strategically hidden (I was pretty good at it! :)).

My taste for sweet snacks has definitely evolved over the years; for example, I am not really a cake or sweet break kind of person. I would give up nearly any sweet treat for a simple bite of dark chocolate with nuts and dried fruit--just thinking about it makes me want just a nibble...

Anyway, back to the story, I have recently purged all sweet treats from my diet. These last couple of weeks have been REALLY DIFFICULT in that I have wanted to eat ANYTHING sweet. WOW, can anyone say irritable, cranky pants? That was my name for a few days. A couple of days I did give in as I nibbled on a couple of Oreos, but I am doing much better now and can't wait until the cravings die.

I have to say I am feeling better and hope to continue as I then tackle potato chips. Help me now...that is going to be a hard one because if anything, we are a potato chip loving family!

You just might be jealous...

Yes, it is true! I few days ago I realized a long-time dream of going on a game show. That's right, I, Mandy Endsley, along with my dad and step-mom Nancy, dressed up in bicycle racing gear and made it on to the "Let's Make a Deal" show hosted by Wayne Brady.

I can't lie; I was wishing and praying that I would be chosen, and then would win a smooth driving prize like a car. Sadly, Wayne neglected to even meet my energetic and penetrating stare. So after hours of lines and interviews and whatnot, I left without any prizes; however, I loved being there with my parents. They cracked me up--Nancy was just as excited to catch Wayne Brady's attention as I was while Dad kept yelling for people to get "Zonked." I was sandwiched between them and had a great time. Though we left empty handed, we did make it on TV quite a few times because we sat just above Wayne's camera shot. When I find out the day our episode airs, I will post the information.

Another dream fulfilled; well, part of the dream. The other part will be fulfilled when I actually win something! Don't give up on your dreams! You never know what will happen!

Wishing everyone a wonderfully bright and dreamy new year!!!

A Christmas Wish

What else is there to say...none of the "serious" pictures turned out. Thank goodness my family has a healthy sense of humor, well, mostly healthy...It was fun to be together as we gathered for baby Katie's blessing.

Nancy and I were talking tonight while we watched yet another cheesy Christmas movie on TV, and realized the only people that Santa will visit at our house will be Dad, Nancy and myself. We will miss everyone as they celebrate Christmas with their own growing families or with their in-laws. That said, I have some fun in store for Dad and Nancy!

I will wake them up REALLY early on Christmas morning so we can watch "Smoky Mountain Christmas," and shake our gifts to guess what's inside. When the clock finally strikes 8am, we will all go into their room and jump on the bed to pretend to "wake" them up. With haste, we will then move to the living room to open gifts. With only three of us, it should go pretty fast; unless, uncharacteristically, Dad decides to slowly unwrap his gifts. I'm just sayin'...

Instead of making a delicious spread of dinner delights, perhaps we will have grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup--less mess, less stress. It could happen...that means I would have more time to play with my toys! YES!!!

It is going to be an unforgettable Christmas with Dad and Nancy! I mean that sincerely; I enjoy spending time with them. They are wonderful parents, and I appreciate them very much for all that they do for me!

Oops, hold up, I just had a thought...if Sister Fletcher (a widow my dad home teaches) comes over, then we will REALLY have a party! :) She might not be able to jump on the bed...I might have to restrategize...

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I sure love you!!

Oh, Jerusalem...

I had the unbelievable opportunity to travel with some of my dearest friends to Israel. We stayed with one of our friends who happens to live there with her husband as he is completing a diplomatic assignment for the US Government. What an amazing trip; truly a trip of a lifetime!

So many stories and emotions-I just don't know where to begin...maybe I'll begin after our first leg of the trip. Kriss, Leah and I flew from Boston and then had a full day layover in Frankfurt, Germany. It was wonderful!

Here I am in Frankfurt, Germany, enjoying old main street. These beautiful buildings withstood the destruction of WWII and remain as charming as ever. It would have been nice if no one else had been in the picture but me, but I didn't have a megaphone to shew everyone out of my pic.



The trucks were in the way, but I think you will get the drift of the charm of the buildings.


I thought this was a gorgeous shot with this old church across the river. We then boarded the plane for another 4 hours and then arrived in Jerusalem EARLY Saturday morning which is the sabbath in Jerusalem; also observed by the LDS as their sabbath. No, it is not a bomb, just the sun rising. It was so inspiring after a long journey!


Jet lag is a bummer!! We were finally altogether as Kalynn beat us there.

Out of hundreds of pictures, these were some of my favorites...

Floating in the Dead Sea! The coolest feeling ever to be walking and then to suddenly not feel the sand on the bottom of the sea because the water buoys you up. Just don't splash it in your eyes or mouth...grossness! Oh, before you get into the water, you rub on some black boiling mud to exfoliate. My skin was so soft!


Here I am on the Temple Mount where the Temple of Solomon once stood; now the Dome of the Rock resides there. Muslims come here to worship. Let's just say that if you visit, make sure you wear long pants or a long skirt and a long sleeved shirt. You don't want guns pointed at you for having a knee length skirt...
Me and my stinky friend the camel. Thank heavens for modern transportation!
One of my most favorite places we visited--the Garden Tomb
The Garden of Gethsemane--I am sure that these very old olive trees have amazing stories to tell! If only they could talk!
Me on the Mount of Olives--what a glorious day!
Claustrophobic shopping anyone?
This is one of my most favorite pictures...on the Mount of Beattitudes...over looking the Sea of Gallilee...can't wait to frame this one!

Over looking Jerusalem from the BYU Jerusalem Center located on the Mount of Olives.



When Lehi and his family journeyed into the wilderness, this is what it was like...nothing, nothing. I think I would have complained too!
Now the Bedowan's (I am sure I didn't spell their name right) live there and call themselves the original settlers of the land. I would still complain...Western Wall. The Jewish people pray here and the Muslim people go above on the Temple Mount to worship. Lots of people with guns around both areas-quite unnerving.