FUTURE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

So on February 5th, I was just minding my business and watching the fish swim around with Vivien at City Creek Mall. I had basically just rolled out of bed and was wearing my puffiest of coats. This kid comes up to me and asks me if he can ask me a few questions about "what happened in Washington DC today." Let it be noted that I had no idea what had happened, and I assumed it was about President Trump's impeachment trial, but I really wasn't sure. I told him to ask someone else, but he persisted. 

I did not think anything of it and I assumed that he was just writing some blog in college or something. But then that night I get a message from Shari saying she just read an article about me on KSL.com, and that she was dying of laughter. I pull it up and call her and I am instantly mortified. I read the quote out loud to her and I can't read it without laughing because I sound like a psychopath that refuses to make any sense. I ask her how she found it, and she told me that a picture of me is right on the homepage of KSL. Sure enough...there I was. Unfortunately, it was not hard to find this article.

Naturally, I decide to laugh at myself and I shared it with everyone on Facebook and Instagram. It should be noted that the kid interviewing me asked me if I still had hope in the future of the country and that is why I start talking about my hope for the country. But you can see that he wrote exactly as I spoke. He used every word I said...even all my "I don't knows". It gave everyone a good laugh and my true fans were crazy about it. The only one of my fans that didn't think how lame I sounded was funny was my dad. But trust me, I didn't know my 19 year old disappointment in the Utah Jazz was going to get shared with the internet. I also could not bear to read the comments because I could not face anyone I didn't know calling out how dumb I came across. 

 

One of my favorite observations was from Heather, who said: "You sound just like a politician. You managed to say a lot without saying anything at all." Couldn't argue with that! Overall, the only thing to do was laugh about it. And boy did we ever.

 

 

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2020

Every year, I am trying to incorporate more Chinese New Year into our lives. As I learn about the holiday and become more comfortable this I hope that Vivi will have some fun memories and understanding of the holiday. We both have to learn together. This year on January 24th, I had us go out for Japanese and then we went to a Chinese New Year show at Skyline High School. I was picturing this pretty cultural event, but it was just a lot of people talking and as we sat to watch it it was obvious that it was going to be several hours long. We did enjoy the dragon dance and Vivi made friends with one of the dragons. We decided to leave early and go home.

I did see and introduce myself to another adoptive family that lives very close to us. They have a son about Vivi's age. So that was good. And there was a sparkle in Vivi's eyes the whole time that she knew that this was a special night just for her. She loved wearing her dress and seeing other Chinese ladies wearing a similar dress. It gave me more motivation to make an effort to bring more China into our home every year. 

Another notable item is that they made a big announcement about Corona-virus and how we should see a doctor if we have symptoms. At that point I was still thinking that we would never have to deal with that disease. Little did I know...

DISNEY SPARKLE FOR JANUARY GLOOM

Oh Disneyland. Winter is a much more bearable time with quick visits to your hallowed ground. 

Stella got sick on the Monday before this trip. I didn't think a thing about it though because we weren't leaving until Thursday, and obviously she was going to get better by then. She was actually ok when we left, just not totally better and so we pushed forward with our trip. 

We flew in on Thursday January 9th. We took our time getting to the park, and we got there abut 4. And when we did finally arrive, I have to say this was one of my favorite Disneyland days of all time. It was so super chill and we just hung out. No rush, no where to go, no pressure. It was so great. When we first got there Lindsey and Asher went into the shops and while we were waiting for them we saw Mickey and Pluto as they were walking by. They did the flag ceremony which was fun to watch. Then I spotted a balloon guy that was kind of hanging out so I asked him if he would let us hold the balloons for some pictures and he said "Sure!" This was one of my Disney to-do list items, and I was thrilled. So first Vivi, then Stella, and then me. I could not have been in a better mood at this point. Main Street was pretty chill so I had Lindsey take some pictures of us skipping along the street and I love those photos, truly some of my favorites of all time. 

We had some pictures taken by the Walt and Mickey statue and then we went to ride Casey Jr. Can you believe that Lindsey had never been on that ride? It was a wrong that had to be righted as soon as possible. While we were on it I waved and yelled at the people on the Storybook boats: "I'm at Disneyland!" Basically one could say, I was out of control. We then rode Storybook, and then went to the Teacups. We saw these adorable old old ladies on it and they made me smile. I hope I can hack the teacups when I'm 80.

While Vivi and Lindsey shopped at the Mad-hatter store to look at ears, I was able to get fast passes right that second for the Matterhorn and I took Stella and Asher. I laughed and laughed at my luck. I was still in the best mood ever. We walked over to Big Thunder (Stella and Asher got to ride twice), since Vivi can't ride Big Thunder, I stayed with her and we got some popcorn. I was perplexed as she started doing this weird rowing motion, and then she pointed at this tiny clown in the popcorn carts and said "That guy has a job to do." I video taped it thankfully because it was hilarious. I will never not notice that detail on the popcorn carts and think of four year old Vivi and her strange moves. 

We then went to Indiana Jones and Vivi and I checked our Tarzan's Tree House for the first time while we waited for them. We then got to ride The Haunted Mansion and it was still Nightmare Before Christmas Style and Vivi decided she LOVED it.

At this point we had done so much and Stella was tired. We stopped off at Jolly Holiday for some soup and grilled cheese that we all shared. Then I purchased some honeycomb candy and as we were walking out of the park Mickey was just hanging out by the front with no real line so we stopped to say hello. I love the pictures from this, because we were seeing him in a spot I had never seen him before. I made the girls pose for a picture in the front and then we made the trek back to our hotel. Asher and Lindsey made it home a while later. Throughout the trip, it was nice that we could be together sometimes and not be together other times and it was no big deal. 

I thought our Stella was on the mend, but she coughed and coughed the entire night like nothing I had ever seen in her. It kept us both up for much of the night. The little love got sicker and sicker through the trip...not better. I didn't know what else to do except carry on.

Day 2

Friday January 10th. Stella and I had not gotten much sleep. We got up and had breakfast at the hotel, but then Asher and Lindsey went ahead of us and Stella and I tried to get some more rest. I'm not sure how helpful it was, but I knew we weren't up for a full day. We got into the park right before 1 PM. We got some pictures with Jasmine and the traditional entrance picture.  We had kind of a incident when we got in and saw Minnie walk by. Vivi ran up to say hi to Minnie and a grown woman ran up and literally knocked her down to get to Minnie herself. It was not fun to watch. I could tell Vivi was trying so hard not to cry. I went to rescue Vivi and couldn't help myself and I let that lady know that in her haste to see Minnie Mouse she pushed down a little kid. She seemed sorry, but she was too busy talking to Minnie to act too sorry. 

It was pretty quiet at the park. Stella was hungry so we got some food at Plaza Inn. And just like I predicted, Stella couldn't finish her food and she felt so bad about it. It was so hard to be patient with how sick she felt because I was tired from listening to her cough all night. Stella said she wanted to see The Evil Queen and who did we see next? Well, Lindsey and Asher....but next on the list was The Evil Queen. 

I have a small list of things I had never taken the time to do while in Disneyland and one of them was to go to the Enchanted Tiki Room. We had to wait for the next show for a while and we took lots of pictures and danced around waiting for this big moment. I thought for sure I would love the Tiki Room, but it was just ok. I think overall, it was just too long. Of course I appreciated it for what it was and for the hand that Walt had in creating it, but I'm not sure the next time I will take the time to sit and watch it. We then headed over to Tom Sawyer island, which I have never done at Disneyland and was another item on my list. The kids wandered around and I was not really that into it honestly. I think the kids liked it though. We ordered some beignets and sat and enjoyed those, and Stella was fading fast. So I got her a Coke to pep up. It wasn't enough though. We walked through Star Wars land and she rode in the stroller the whole way. Most people didn't notice, but one little girl did spot her and baby shamed her: "She's not a baby!" We were all pretty giggly about it, but Stella felt horrible. We had fast passes for Roger Rabbit and our wait was still crazy long and the ride is also not good. I had forgotten how much I don't like that ride. 

We made our way to the Matterhorn and everyone rode it a few times but Vivi and I. We just sat and watched everyone walk by. We then split up with Lindsey and Asher and we rode Buzz Lightyear. We had fast passes for Space Mountain, but once we got out of Buzz, Stella could not stay at the park any longer. We got a few more pictures of us in front of the castle with Stella in the stroller and I was starving. So I ordered my favorite salad from California Adventure and we entered the park just for me to pick up food. The girls sat down on a bench in the front of the park and I booked it to my salad. 

Once we made it back to the hotel (Stella in the stroller again), I called Heidi to see what I should buy Stella for her cough. She could not stop coughing. So instead of eating my precious salad, I went right back outside and walked to Walgreens to pick up medicine and food for the girls. I chatted with Heidi on the walk and it wasn't too bad. Finally everyone was settled in our room watching TV and I got to eat my dinner and it was great. Stella had a much better night with the medicine, but it she still wasn't better by the next day.

Day 3 Saturday January 11th was our last day and we had planned to spend it mostly at California Adventure. I made Stella take some medicine and she did not want to take it, so while I was getting ready she went ahead and threw up the medicine in the kitchen area of the hotel room. I tried my best to be nice to her, but I don't think I was that nice. I wanted to cry. I was on my hands and knees cleaning up puke instead of getting ready to go to the park. The park was quite busy for the day. We got in line to do Animation Academy, but when it was almost our turn the whole area lost power so we had to leave. We went over to ride Monsters Inc, and the line was pretty long so we played Heads Up while we waited and Vivi was surprisingly good at the game. We watched Mickey's Philharmonic and then finally we were able to Animation Academy. It was fun and Stella really liked it. Vivi had  a hard time keeping up and got frustrated, but it was her first time. 

Everyone was hungry to we went over to Radiator Springs and had lunch at Flo's. I started talking to this lady with a Chinese daughter and found out she was also adopted and that was fun. After lunch everyone went to ride Cars single rider because the line was crazy long and the fast passes were long gone before we got there. Vivi and I just hung out waiting for everyone, and she was looking adorable so I took her picture. I was really into her overall look for the day. It took a long time for them to return and us Sallay girls decided to do Little Mermaid while Asher went and hung out at the Bear playground. We used a walkway that Lindsey had never known about so we had to document that with pictures as well. I couldn't believe I was showing her a part of the park that she had never seen. By the time we got out of Little Mermaid, Lindsey and Asher were waiting with a churro to share with Vivi and it was freezing outside. We were all so cold and I didn't know how we were going to get through the rest of the day and use our upcoming fast passes. I made Stella take more medicine, she was a trooper because she really didn't want to take it. But we got a bit used the cold and Stella was able to push through. We got some food and headed over to the rides to Pixar Pier.  First the kids rode Incredicoaster, then we did Toy Story, and then Lindsey and I rode Incredicoaster. It is worth noting that Lindsey was really invested in getting a high score on Toy Story and the number one suggestion is to go solo. But Vivi really wanted to go with her and she took her anyway. Then I took Vivi on Soarin' while the rest of the crew road Guardians of the Galaxy. Vivi and I made record time getting through the line on Soarin'. She had to go to the bathroom when we were almost on the ride, but we couldn't leave and she held it. I swear she has to use the bathroom basically every single time we get in the line for that ride, even if I take her before. It is a curse.

I was so hungry and I needed to eat and so I took some time to grab a chicken sandwich at the restaurant by Soarin'. I don't know if I was that hungry or what, but that sandwich was the best. Oh my goodness, so good!. I wanted onion rings and I ordered fries so I could share them with the kids, and I told the cast members this as I ordered them. And then this cute cast member came up and gave me onion rings for free, and gave me a little magic moment. I was so delighted and grateful. And this ladies and gentlemen...is why I keep coming to Disneyland. Each trip there is just some little thing someone does and it hooks me in.

I really wanted to run over to Disneyland and watch the fireworks as a final cap on the trip. I don't think anyone else was that into the idea, but everyone came along. And in the end we had the best time watching the fireworks from the top of Main Street. I have never stood there before and I loved it. The "Mickey's Dance Party" is on the wild side and at one point I said: "I am sure this is just how Walt pictured the future of Disneyland." Meaning...I doubt it. But we love it and the whole show gave us that final feeling that we had really lived it up.

I was so proud of Stella on this trip and I know she felt terrible for most of it. But I hope she can look back and remember the fun times. Truly it was the first trip where I really felt the luxury of being a pass holder and how it gives you freedom to try new foods, check out new places, and just not feel rushed or pressured. It is the best. We had such a good time with Lindsey and Asher as well. It was a great way to put some sparkle into cold sad January.