Here I sit, on my bed, in my parents’ house, late at night after all of the wonderful Turkey Day festivities have finished. By all of the festivities, I mean sleeping in, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, eating delicious steak, taking a ridiculously long nap and then bumming around for the entire rest of the day. This wide array of activities requires one explanation--steak. This was because this year my parent’s neighbors invited us to have Thanksgiving dinner with them. To quote my delightful neighbor lady, “We’re showing thanks for the food we have and we do not raise turkeys--we raise cows”. Indeed, my friend, indeed. And it was delicious :) So now I’ve gotten a delicious steak and tomorrow we get all of the wonderful, traditional Thanksgiving food. Score! That is my Thursday in a nutshell thus far.
Moving on to the few days prior to this one; on Tuesday after work and class I went to the AA choir festival to watch a couple of my friends sing with their a cappella group and it was SWEET! Then I had dinner with some friends and it was in the form of Cornish game hens, which were surprisingly delicious. Moving on, on Wednesday there was no school, so after dinner on Tuesday night there was a delightful little movie party. I showed up at roughly 11 p.m. because I was finishing homework. By the time I arrived the movie was over; however, I was not entirely out of luck. We started watching another movie and 5 ½ hours later I found myself asleep on the floor being rudely awakened by a cat licking my face. Apparently I was in quite the state of distress over it and almost in tears at one point. Anywho, there were 5 people still there when I decided to go home because I had to work in the morning. Yep. Then I went to work and did TONS of laundry. And then the day went on, and on, and then I went home and then went shopping and then my sister picked me up and now I’m at my parent’s house. Nice sentence, that one was.
SO, this brings me to where I am now. At home (finally; I have not been home since mid-August sometime--it’s not even a 3 hour drive to get here. Sorry, mom and dad, I really should visit more often), still awake, listening to music, and thinking how crazy it is that I spent the majority of my life sleeping in this bedroom. Weird. Now it doesn’t even look the same as it did when I lived here. Most of my posters, my stereo, and random room décor made the move with me. Granted, I haven’t entirely moved out, but while the shell remains of what this room once held, the essence is gone--at one point, the ceiling was covered in records and Christmas lights, music was a constant actor in the setting, and as always, clothes were EVERYWHERE—draped over the railing by the stairs, on the desk chair, and trailing to the closet. But [sigh], here I am with a new quilt on the bed, a cedar chest that has made its way in here, and boxes that have started to accumulate under and on top of my desk. Goodness gracious. What an odd Thanksgiving. Older Sis #1 and her husband are still in Denver and Little Bro is on his mission in South Pasadena, California, so that leaves me and Older Sis #2 as the only ones to come home, so it’s a little weird missing 3 people. However, regardless, this just goes to show that while life moves on, we cannot be static. So this Thanksgiving here is a small list of what I am most thankful for:
1. Little Bro being on a mission
2. The manchild is in good health and getting better
3. My family and love and support they’ve always given me (especially the times when I had absolutely zero belief in my own capabilities)
4. My friends. They put up with more than they probably should and are always there, no matter the hour (thanks for randomly helping me at short notice and answering the phone when I call literally in the middle of the night--it really does mean a lot to me)
5. The person who has been there for me through everything and has kept me from myself. You have stayed up countless nights with me while I try desperately to figure out life and fight my doubts and personal demons. If you’re reading this, you know who you are, but I do not think you realize the impact that you’ve had on my life.
6. Everyone who has ever encouraged me to be a better person and has seen something in me that I still cannot see in myself
7. The gospel and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is only with his love and the truths that are his teachings that we can someday reach our full potential and come to know the greatest joy that will last into the eternities
While this list seems a little corny and clichéd, it is quite sincere and I really do mean everything I wrote. But this is where I leave you.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone :)
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
No School Tomorrow? Yes, Please!
Since this was the case on this glorious evening, what was I to do? I know. Grab a friend and have a lightsaber battle, of course! One small hitch. We only had one lightsaber. Off to WalMart we go on a quest. Luck of all luck! What was across the aisle from the Star Wars gear? Foam swords. Five minutes later, the store was fresh out of these foam swords and we were hatching a plan. It involved a note ("Let's BATTLE"), ringing a doorbell and hiding. A battle pursued and the night became a success.
Onto a different topic, the weekend was a good one. I went dancing, got a shiny new toy (Merry Christmas early to me--I'll get to this later), the Cat/Griz football game that I dutifully slept through, homework, Moulin Rouge 1 1/2 times in one night, church, a delightful afternoon not doing much, and polished it off with watching "Garden State". AND THEN waking up late this morning, almost missing the campus tour I give every Monday morning. Oh boy. First of all, the shiny new toy is an iPod touch. It is freakin' sweet. It was given to me by a friend as an apology and a conglomerate Christmas/New Years/Valentine's Day/Birthday/St. Patrick's Day present. I ended up watching the wonderful workings of Mr. Ewan McGregor pretty much twice in one night for no real reason. It ended, then we went back to a scene near the beginning to watch ONE song and ended up watching it until the end.
Also this weekend, an interesting concept was brought up--time. I was told that time is only a mortal function to force us to make choices. Interesting. The things that we love and have the biggest impacts on us are the places to which we can never return. Think about it, I graduated less than three years ago and already the high school that I attended is no longer the same place that helped me grow and learn. The people are different, the role I occupy is different, teachers have been replaced, and it has now become the playing field for an entirely new crowd of students. Life keeps on trucking along, whether we want it to or not. In this life, we have to decide what choices we want to make and what enterprises we can leave by the wayside. The choices we make define who we are and what the future holds in store for each of us. By prioritizing, we embrace the things that mean the most to us and make the most of the time we have here. To help emphasize my point, there was a quote in "Garden State" that captures it quite well:
"You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of a sudden even though you have some place where you put your stuff, that idea of home is gone. You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place."
It is a little depressing, but it captures the general message of what I'm trying to convey.
And one more thing. I've always really liked dancing the rain, jumping in big, cold, muddy puddles, and running through sprinklers and I think I've just discovered why. They are cold. I actually hate being cold--I am a huge fan of blankets, sweaters, leg warmers, boots, jackets, scarves and anything that aids against chilly Montana weather. Why I like getting drenched and cold and dripping wet so much is that it is one of the only times that things seem to be in an absolute state. Being out in the torrential weather has a few perks--it:
1. heightens my awareness that I actually am alive and functioning as a human being (versus spending all day inside in class, at work, or doing homework. blah.)
2. makes everything outside look cleaner and fresher, and finally
3. releases tension. I know that sounds weird, but let me explain. The moments in my life that capture the essence of what makes me tick are when all of the stress, worry and tension that have been built up disappear. This comes on suddenly when I am able to put things in perspective and realize that everything that is causing me to get all worked up are small issues or happenings and that I can handle it. It also helps that I realize that in a few days (a week at most) I probably won't even remember the issue at hand. I know that these reasons sound strange, but I figure that everyone has quirky little things that work for them, right? Yes. Exactly.
So, I hope this has been enlightening to you all (and if not enlightening, I hope you at least made it though without losing interest--if that is the case, you probably won't be reading these last few lines anyway ;) ). I will now leave you with a sweet music recommendation. Anberlin. Enough said. Noches!
Onto a different topic, the weekend was a good one. I went dancing, got a shiny new toy (Merry Christmas early to me--I'll get to this later), the Cat/Griz football game that I dutifully slept through, homework, Moulin Rouge 1 1/2 times in one night, church, a delightful afternoon not doing much, and polished it off with watching "Garden State". AND THEN waking up late this morning, almost missing the campus tour I give every Monday morning. Oh boy. First of all, the shiny new toy is an iPod touch. It is freakin' sweet. It was given to me by a friend as an apology and a conglomerate Christmas/New Years/Valentine's Day/Birthday/St. Patrick's Day present. I ended up watching the wonderful workings of Mr. Ewan McGregor pretty much twice in one night for no real reason. It ended, then we went back to a scene near the beginning to watch ONE song and ended up watching it until the end.
Also this weekend, an interesting concept was brought up--time. I was told that time is only a mortal function to force us to make choices. Interesting. The things that we love and have the biggest impacts on us are the places to which we can never return. Think about it, I graduated less than three years ago and already the high school that I attended is no longer the same place that helped me grow and learn. The people are different, the role I occupy is different, teachers have been replaced, and it has now become the playing field for an entirely new crowd of students. Life keeps on trucking along, whether we want it to or not. In this life, we have to decide what choices we want to make and what enterprises we can leave by the wayside. The choices we make define who we are and what the future holds in store for each of us. By prioritizing, we embrace the things that mean the most to us and make the most of the time we have here. To help emphasize my point, there was a quote in "Garden State" that captures it quite well:
"You know that point in your life when you realize the house you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of a sudden even though you have some place where you put your stuff, that idea of home is gone. You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place."
It is a little depressing, but it captures the general message of what I'm trying to convey.
And one more thing. I've always really liked dancing the rain, jumping in big, cold, muddy puddles, and running through sprinklers and I think I've just discovered why. They are cold. I actually hate being cold--I am a huge fan of blankets, sweaters, leg warmers, boots, jackets, scarves and anything that aids against chilly Montana weather. Why I like getting drenched and cold and dripping wet so much is that it is one of the only times that things seem to be in an absolute state. Being out in the torrential weather has a few perks--it:
1. heightens my awareness that I actually am alive and functioning as a human being (versus spending all day inside in class, at work, or doing homework. blah.)
2. makes everything outside look cleaner and fresher, and finally
3. releases tension. I know that sounds weird, but let me explain. The moments in my life that capture the essence of what makes me tick are when all of the stress, worry and tension that have been built up disappear. This comes on suddenly when I am able to put things in perspective and realize that everything that is causing me to get all worked up are small issues or happenings and that I can handle it. It also helps that I realize that in a few days (a week at most) I probably won't even remember the issue at hand. I know that these reasons sound strange, but I figure that everyone has quirky little things that work for them, right? Yes. Exactly.
So, I hope this has been enlightening to you all (and if not enlightening, I hope you at least made it though without losing interest--if that is the case, you probably won't be reading these last few lines anyway ;) ). I will now leave you with a sweet music recommendation. Anberlin. Enough said. Noches!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Fairy Tale Endings
Guess what I got to do? Paint a daycare. Booyah! Each of the walls were painted for a different season and I helped paint the one for fall. I painted a pumpkin and it could easily be classified as the sweetest pumkin ever painted on a garage door. Other than that, I ended up getting a 94% on a test that I studied for while watching Austin Powers. I was kind of amazed with myself. OH, and I discovered that Glee is AMAZING.
Random thought of the day. I realized how much fairy tales miss. Don't get me wrong, I love fairy tales and Disney movies, BUT ask any married person and they will tell you that the best parts of the marriage come AFTER the actual ceremony and after the dating/initial twitterpated phase is over. I just find it tragic that all of the most wonderful parts of the love story are summed up in "They lived happily ever after". WHAT?!?! What made it so good? I realize that princes and princesses are quick to fall in love, but seriously, if before marriage not the best part why is that the part stories choose to portray? I will tell you. Most of the peeps that write these stories and such are married. They don't want to ruin the secret of marriage for the rest of us. To their credit, the dating scene is painted quite vividly by literature and Hollywood (flowers, opening doors, throwing rocks at the window in the middle of the night, dancing in the rain, and all of that jazz), but these writers of fairy tales are leaving "Happily Ever After" up to us and whatever we decide it should be. It is not set in stone, we do not have exact pre-conceived notions of how it should be, and are thus free to create it for ourselves. While it is sad that we never find out what happens to Cinderella and the Prince or Beauty and the Beast, it leaves the imagination to paint what we think happens. While we all expect happiness, from what I've heard from those that are married, there are no expectations set in stone for a happy relationship (assuming both people are decent individuals and respect each other). Some people like flowers, some like poetry, some like taking walks, some like playing Rock Band, others like cooking, some like motorcycles, gardening, driving fast cars, skiing, throwing darts, mountain biking, dancing, not dancing, scavenger hunts, and the list can go on. Each relationship is unique in the fact that it takes different components to make each one function and work. So, while "Happily ever after" is never really explained, we are all given the chance to make it fit our ideas of perfection. Neato gang! So, here's what we've learned: fairy tale endings are possible, Glee is the greatest thing since cheese in a can, and Austin Powers is a good study tool. Good end of the week, eh?
Random thought of the day. I realized how much fairy tales miss. Don't get me wrong, I love fairy tales and Disney movies, BUT ask any married person and they will tell you that the best parts of the marriage come AFTER the actual ceremony and after the dating/initial twitterpated phase is over. I just find it tragic that all of the most wonderful parts of the love story are summed up in "They lived happily ever after". WHAT?!?! What made it so good? I realize that princes and princesses are quick to fall in love, but seriously, if before marriage not the best part why is that the part stories choose to portray? I will tell you. Most of the peeps that write these stories and such are married. They don't want to ruin the secret of marriage for the rest of us. To their credit, the dating scene is painted quite vividly by literature and Hollywood (flowers, opening doors, throwing rocks at the window in the middle of the night, dancing in the rain, and all of that jazz), but these writers of fairy tales are leaving "Happily Ever After" up to us and whatever we decide it should be. It is not set in stone, we do not have exact pre-conceived notions of how it should be, and are thus free to create it for ourselves. While it is sad that we never find out what happens to Cinderella and the Prince or Beauty and the Beast, it leaves the imagination to paint what we think happens. While we all expect happiness, from what I've heard from those that are married, there are no expectations set in stone for a happy relationship (assuming both people are decent individuals and respect each other). Some people like flowers, some like poetry, some like taking walks, some like playing Rock Band, others like cooking, some like motorcycles, gardening, driving fast cars, skiing, throwing darts, mountain biking, dancing, not dancing, scavenger hunts, and the list can go on. Each relationship is unique in the fact that it takes different components to make each one function and work. So, while "Happily ever after" is never really explained, we are all given the chance to make it fit our ideas of perfection. Neato gang! So, here's what we've learned: fairy tale endings are possible, Glee is the greatest thing since cheese in a can, and Austin Powers is a good study tool. Good end of the week, eh?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Ten Points to the Person to First Complete This Challenge
Oh Wednesdays...this particular one was particularly uneventful. Except for some ducks. Running right through the middle of campus, we have a big, wide sidewalk called The Mall; today sitting on the Mall were five ducks, all just chillin' there and huge crowds of people walked around them as they sat. They would get up, move a few inches, tuck their feet under them, and sit down again. It was kind of amusing. Then I got to thinking about water. We bathe ourselves in it, drink it or we meet our demise, water falls out of the sky, we stomp in puddles of it, it forms large, mostly-cohesive bodies and runs through the landscape, a large majority of earth is covered in it, and it is very useful for a variety of purposes expanding much further than those already stated. Mind-boggling that one thing can be so multi-purposeful. And I think I just coined a new word.
Other than this, my day was fairly uneventful--work, class, lunch with a friend, group projects, and delicious early Thanksgiving dinner. So, all-in-all it was a fairly unremarkable day. Moving on, one of the best things that I've found can pass the time is find a song with a part where the lyrics are REALLY fast and then learn all the words. Oh yes. The song "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel works (which was coincidentally my favorite song to play for pep band), the remix of "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston is good, and as always, "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies will also suffice. Learn all the words to that or "End of the World" by R.E.M. and you will be a deserving celebrity somewhere in your life, I'm sure. This is my challenge for the day.
So...good night and good luck :)
Other than this, my day was fairly uneventful--work, class, lunch with a friend, group projects, and delicious early Thanksgiving dinner. So, all-in-all it was a fairly unremarkable day. Moving on, one of the best things that I've found can pass the time is find a song with a part where the lyrics are REALLY fast and then learn all the words. Oh yes. The song "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel works (which was coincidentally my favorite song to play for pep band), the remix of "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston is good, and as always, "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies will also suffice. Learn all the words to that or "End of the World" by R.E.M. and you will be a deserving celebrity somewhere in your life, I'm sure. This is my challenge for the day.
So...good night and good luck :)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I Love My Job
Why? I was working tonight and when I got back to their house to drop off one of the girls, I ended up getting a delicious meal. Heck yeah. So this, in addition to the fact that the weather was glorious, made for a pretty spectacular afternoon. The weather to which I'm referring is as follows: snow everywhere, but melting, big cold puddles from the melting snow, and warm enough temperatures that one can wear a just a t-shirt and rain boots (and pants) and stay dry enough and warm enough to be outside for extended periods of time. Glorious. This is the kind of weather that makes any day better and has the strange ability to help resolve any issue that I might be having. The sun shining and warmer temperatures made me realize that the thing that I have been having the hardest time with is the fact that I am without siblings in the immediate vicinity. Hmmm...there's not much that I can do to fix this, SO because I discovered this, I can move on with my life, now that I know what the major issue at hand is. Anywho, back to the day; I have a test tomorrow. 20 multiple choice questions. I'm thinking it won't actually be that difficult. The professor sent us a list of 50 vocab words that he is choosing the 20 questions out of. Thank you, management professor.
Moving on, I have no idea how it happened, but the default song that starts to play when I open iTunes is not the first song in the music library--it is "Change Your Mind" by Sister Hazel. I'm very interested in how this actually happened. Now I must go study. Autobots, roll out.
Moving on, I have no idea how it happened, but the default song that starts to play when I open iTunes is not the first song in the music library--it is "Change Your Mind" by Sister Hazel. I'm very interested in how this actually happened. Now I must go study. Autobots, roll out.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Clean Clothes and Cozy Rooms
Today I received a letter in the mail. 'What kind of letter you ask?'--the kind from Ireland. I have been officially accepted to go to school there. While this should have been an exciting moment, it was rather anticlimactic. I keep half-expecting in some deep part of my mind that something is going to come up and I won't be able to go and then this was compounded with the fact that the lucky recipient of my phone call didn't seem to think that my news was super exciting either. So, while this should be a wonderful day (what girl doesn't dream about studying abroad in Europe?), it has been kind of a letdown. Goodness gracious. Regardless of the lack of excitement the day itself held, the fact remains that I'm going to Ireland for 5 1/2 months during the spring (I love rain and it's IRELAND), and I will have a completely rockin' time--yeah, buddy!!! I think it's just been one of those days when I want to get in my car and drive and not come back for awhile. Alas, I cannot do that, so here I sit...on my couch, watching a movie, and doing laundry.
Now I will stop the incessant complaining and move onto happier topics. Like the fact that I am now the proud owner of the sweetest space heater ever--it has a timer on it so you can set the time that it turns on in the morning. Hello, warm bedroom when I wake up. Also, today I had a most delightful conversation about the functionality of shoes and learned about the infrastructure of Pakastani villages. As a sidenote, I think that the above paragraph may have been quite the downer due in large part to the fact that I am watching "Ladder 49" and while it is a very good movie, it is not the happiest one that I could have chosen. Sorry, everyone. Anywho, other than the aforementioned incidence that happened while getting the mail, the day went swimmingly. Something for everyone to check out: the music video for "Suspension" by the Silversun Pickups. I was introduced to this today and it is pretty sweet. So, now I must resume folding my laundry. Have a splendid day!
Now I will stop the incessant complaining and move onto happier topics. Like the fact that I am now the proud owner of the sweetest space heater ever--it has a timer on it so you can set the time that it turns on in the morning. Hello, warm bedroom when I wake up. Also, today I had a most delightful conversation about the functionality of shoes and learned about the infrastructure of Pakastani villages. As a sidenote, I think that the above paragraph may have been quite the downer due in large part to the fact that I am watching "Ladder 49" and while it is a very good movie, it is not the happiest one that I could have chosen. Sorry, everyone. Anywho, other than the aforementioned incidence that happened while getting the mail, the day went swimmingly. Something for everyone to check out: the music video for "Suspension" by the Silversun Pickups. I was introduced to this today and it is pretty sweet. So, now I must resume folding my laundry. Have a splendid day!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Rumpus and Mayhem
Oh goodness. For clarification purposes, today was a pretty good day, if I do say so (nap and "Flushed Away"--how could it have been bad?). However, I think that some moments would be better if they didn't happen...ever. But, I did realize something--this is how I want to end up someday. Enjoy! This is called "Bob and Bonnie" and it is by Houston Calls.
Bonnie and Bobby made their way to the bar
they didn't know of each other but they weren't very far
from both having some drinks and eyes meeting over the jukebox
she said, "Hey boy can you play me a song?"
and so he put in a quarter and he went right along
she said, "How could you know Blackbird was just what I wanted?"
As the song spun, so did the room
as they hold hands all of the lights start to flicker
playing it safe, he kissed her cheek
does he still look at you the same way now?
feel the same as 38 years ago and how?
So now that these numbered honeymoon days are through
she says to him, "I'm so glad that all our feelings are true,
I can't believe that you're still acting the same like we first met."
he says, "Don't you know that true love never dies?"
and then he put in "The Princess Bride" at parts where she cries
she says, "I'm glad that you know this is the way that I want it"
As the reel spins, so does the room
as their eyes meet all of the streetlights they flicker
glancing outside, the moon shines bright for them
Does he still look at you the same way now?
feel the same as 38 years ago and how?
As the clock spins, so does the room
the days pass the same the promise is kept for a lifetime
(so you can promise me that the feeling's right)
So does he still look at you the same way now?
feel the same as 38 years ago and how?
(he won't leave you all alone)
p.s. two of the sweetest words in this, or any, language.
Bonnie and Bobby made their way to the bar
they didn't know of each other but they weren't very far
from both having some drinks and eyes meeting over the jukebox
she said, "Hey boy can you play me a song?"
and so he put in a quarter and he went right along
she said, "How could you know Blackbird was just what I wanted?"
As the song spun, so did the room
as they hold hands all of the lights start to flicker
playing it safe, he kissed her cheek
does he still look at you the same way now?
feel the same as 38 years ago and how?
So now that these numbered honeymoon days are through
she says to him, "I'm so glad that all our feelings are true,
I can't believe that you're still acting the same like we first met."
he says, "Don't you know that true love never dies?"
and then he put in "The Princess Bride" at parts where she cries
she says, "I'm glad that you know this is the way that I want it"
As the reel spins, so does the room
as their eyes meet all of the streetlights they flicker
glancing outside, the moon shines bright for them
Does he still look at you the same way now?
feel the same as 38 years ago and how?
As the clock spins, so does the room
the days pass the same the promise is kept for a lifetime
(so you can promise me that the feeling's right)
So does he still look at you the same way now?
feel the same as 38 years ago and how?
(he won't leave you all alone)
p.s. two of the sweetest words in this, or any, language.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Snow Tires and Promises of Blueberry Muffins
Today is Saturday. I spent all morning cleaning and now I am done. Woo hoo! So now here are my plans: not lunch (because I finished that roughly 12.82 minutes ago), do some homework, take a shower and get ready for a dance tonight. Sounds like a plan, eh?
Yesterday was To Write Love on Her Arms Day (www.twloha.com); it is a non-profit organization providing help and hope to those with depression, self-injury, suicidal thoughts and addiction. I usually don't get involved in social causes, but this is a good one. Anywho, also yesterday, I was on campus by 6:45 a.m. 'What on earth for?' you ask. I will tell you; I was judging the sales contest for high school FFA students. I was compensated/bribed to be on campus at this ridiculous hour with a promise of breakfast. Later, I was part of the adult supervision at the dance. Wowza. That's all I'll say about that--use your imagination and I probably witnessed it last night. Awkward? Yes. AND THEN we meandered our way into the high school volleyball tournament. That was neato. Then the doors we came through got locked and I had to run around the building in a t-shirt when it was about 10 degrees outside. Not the most pleasant experience.
Onto other things, because the roads are covered in ice, while I do have snow tires, I still slide around corners a little bit. This kinda makes me feel like a race car driver. It is sweet. Also, I have recently acquired what could possibly be classified as the sweetest winter hat ever--the bomber kind with furry ear flaps. Oh yes. So, now I must go and finish some homework that I have not started. By the way, check out Vitamin String Quartet. I think my world just got rocked.
Yesterday was To Write Love on Her Arms Day (www.twloha.com); it is a non-profit organization providing help and hope to those with depression, self-injury, suicidal thoughts and addiction. I usually don't get involved in social causes, but this is a good one. Anywho, also yesterday, I was on campus by 6:45 a.m. 'What on earth for?' you ask. I will tell you; I was judging the sales contest for high school FFA students. I was compensated/bribed to be on campus at this ridiculous hour with a promise of breakfast. Later, I was part of the adult supervision at the dance. Wowza. That's all I'll say about that--use your imagination and I probably witnessed it last night. Awkward? Yes. AND THEN we meandered our way into the high school volleyball tournament. That was neato. Then the doors we came through got locked and I had to run around the building in a t-shirt when it was about 10 degrees outside. Not the most pleasant experience.
Onto other things, because the roads are covered in ice, while I do have snow tires, I still slide around corners a little bit. This kinda makes me feel like a race car driver. It is sweet. Also, I have recently acquired what could possibly be classified as the sweetest winter hat ever--the bomber kind with furry ear flaps. Oh yes. So, now I must go and finish some homework that I have not started. By the way, check out Vitamin String Quartet. I think my world just got rocked.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Snowman Construction and Fancy Dresses
So...yesterday was not quite as productive as I hoped it would have been. I did some yoga and got very sick in the process, played dress-up, went to lunch with a friend, studied, completely finished moving Older Sis out of her house, studied for a test, acquired an aquarium complete with fish, and watched Austin Powers. Looking at that list, I think I've changed my mind about yesterday's productivity level. Also yesterday, while playing dress-up, I borrowed a dress from a friend for a dance this weekend. This sucker is sweet--a periwinkle blue lace party dress from the 40s. It is amazing.
On a different note, in the past 12 hours it's snowed about a foot. I would usually not be very happy about this, but today started out well. I got home late last night when it had just started to snow. Knowing this, I parked under the carport and when I went to leave this morning, BLAMO, no snow on my car. Good thinking on my part. Today I have big plans for building a snowman--'tis the season.
Here is the delighful quote/monologue of the day; it is from "The Picture of Dorian Gray":
"Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing...With your personality there is nothing you could not do. The world belongs to you for a season...The moment I met you I saw that you were quite unconscious of what you really are, of what you really might be. There was so much in you that charmed me that I felt that I must tell you something about yourself. I thought how tragic it would be if you were wasted."
Jolly-good!
On a different note, in the past 12 hours it's snowed about a foot. I would usually not be very happy about this, but today started out well. I got home late last night when it had just started to snow. Knowing this, I parked under the carport and when I went to leave this morning, BLAMO, no snow on my car. Good thinking on my part. Today I have big plans for building a snowman--'tis the season.
Here is the delighful quote/monologue of the day; it is from "The Picture of Dorian Gray":
"Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing...With your personality there is nothing you could not do. The world belongs to you for a season...The moment I met you I saw that you were quite unconscious of what you really are, of what you really might be. There was so much in you that charmed me that I felt that I must tell you something about yourself. I thought how tragic it would be if you were wasted."
Jolly-good!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
This has Been a Long Week...and It's Only Tuesday
First of all, I am on Stumble right now and found the World Clock (http://www.shambles.net/worldclock/worldclock.swf) and the abortion rate is over HALF the rate of the world population growth--simply put, more than 1 in 3 babies are being aborted. This is a cause for concern. Moving on, Older Sis is doing well, she's out of the hospital; however, she is in Denver. She and the little guy had to be flown down there on Sunday because he stopped breathing on his own so now he is hooked up to a respirator and ventilator that are 1. Helping him breathe and 2. Teaching him how to breathe on his own. He is doing well, considering all of this.
Here's the deal, I've been uber stressed to the point that I can't eat, can barely sleep, and I've developed a slight twitch (I'm being serious, clicky pens are horrible for me right now--no bueno). I've handled it pretty well so far, except for Sunday. During church I had to leave and go sit in the gym. Someone came out to check on me and I broke down and started crying. Other than that, life has been good and I'm REALLY excited for the day off tomorrow. I think I need a break, unfortunately I think I just might work all day--funding for me is lacking slightly at the moment.
What else has happened recently???? Star Wars party Saturday night, Ironman on Sunday night, moving party last night and a whole lotta homework. Yippy skippy. I've also started to read "The Picture of Dorian Gray"--it's pretty good so far. Anywho, that's all for now.
P.S. Concerning one of my previous posts about self-discovery, this quote from Mr. Oscar Wilde sums it up quite well: The reason I will not exhibit this picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul.
Here's the deal, I've been uber stressed to the point that I can't eat, can barely sleep, and I've developed a slight twitch (I'm being serious, clicky pens are horrible for me right now--no bueno). I've handled it pretty well so far, except for Sunday. During church I had to leave and go sit in the gym. Someone came out to check on me and I broke down and started crying. Other than that, life has been good and I'm REALLY excited for the day off tomorrow. I think I need a break, unfortunately I think I just might work all day--funding for me is lacking slightly at the moment.
What else has happened recently???? Star Wars party Saturday night, Ironman on Sunday night, moving party last night and a whole lotta homework. Yippy skippy. I've also started to read "The Picture of Dorian Gray"--it's pretty good so far. Anywho, that's all for now.
P.S. Concerning one of my previous posts about self-discovery, this quote from Mr. Oscar Wilde sums it up quite well: The reason I will not exhibit this picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Welcome to the World, Little Guy
*This post was written yesterday but posted today; the little tyke was born on the 4th
Yesterday, Older Sis #1 delivered a manchild. This means I am now officially an aunt! While the little guy was a whopping 9 WEEKS early, he is doing well. He’s got some spunk, which the doctors say is good. They want to take him off the respirators today, which is huge; being so premature, lungs not functioning are a rather large concern. However, he has been throwing a fit and trying to scream all day, which apparently is a good thing. So, that is the wonderful news of the day :) I got a call at 7:30 a.m. yesterday, raced over here with my brother-in-law and at 11:30 a.m., a baby was born. It was a little sketchy there for awhile, but both of them are doing well.
I had to call the Mission Home in my brother’s mission to inform my brother that he was now an uncle. A delightful older gentleman answered the phone. When I told him the news he was to deliver, he told me to tell him everything that his wife would want to know. Here’s a synopsis of the beginning of the convo:
Gent: Tell me all the details that my wife would want to know. What color is the little one?
Me: What do you mean?
Gent: Blue or pink.
Me: Well, he started out blue, but he’s pink now.
Gent: I meant blue as in boy or pink as in girl.
Me: Oh…blue.
That was not one of my brighter moments. Anywho, the little ripper is doing well and I am stuck in the hospital lobby. When I came in yesterday, they questioned my age--apparently peeps under 18 aren’t even allowed in the hospital. When I did get in, only parents and grandparents are allowed in the birth center. However, due to the wonderful loving nature of yours truly and having spent too much time in the lobby, I rushed the castle and got to spend a couple of hours with Big Sis while the nurses didn’t realize I was back there. Yeah, buddy! Then they kicked me out again. You’ve won the battle but not the war, nursing staff; (sigh) I suppose their reasons are legitimate, given the wonderful outbreaks of swine flu. Sorry, H1N1. Not swine flu.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Oh Goodness...and THE Talk
A few days ago, I had "the" talk with someone. Long story short, the timing was off, and a relationship wouldn't work. Since this happened, I have begun to wonder why it wouldn't--here's what I've come up with so far:
1. I'm leaving in 8 weeks
2. I've gone down this particular road and I'm over it
3. I'm finally discovering how to be myself. This has taken me longer than it should have. For the past five years I've either had boyfriends, was getting over relationships, blah, blah, blah. Long story short, for the first time since I was a sophmore in high school, I'm on my own. My sisters aren't here and I don't have to worry about the feelings or schedule of another person. I'm learning who I am. This was a liberating discovery and it was a long time coming. I am learning to act for myself and not trying to always please others. For the past 6 months I've noticed a change in my attitude, my outlook on life, and even how I dress. I'm setting my own standards and not trying to fit into a mold that someone else constructed. I've never been the type to fall victim to trends or completely change who I am. I have, however, been liable to act in accordance with the expectations of others rather than by how I truly feel.
In this road of self-discovery, I've learned to be more sensitive to the needs of others in addition to being more honest with them. I've always spoken my opinions and thoughts, but at the times when it mattered most or when I would expose a part of myself, I was hesitant. This is slowly changing. Honestly one of the times that I was the most scared was while playing the guitar. I am not good at all. Believe me. However, for about 2 solid months last summer I learned to play a song by the Goo Goo Dolls. The first time I played and sang it together, I was with 2 other people. I could only get through the first verse because I was so mortified of revealing a part of myself. I was nearly in tears when I stopped playing. Neither of them know this, but at that moment I was doing something that I had learned by myself and playing the song was something that only I could have done for me.
This has been one of the more serious posts, but I had to write it down somewhere. So that was my uber deep thought for the day. Yippee. This is where this thought train ends, so happy November, everyone!
1. I'm leaving in 8 weeks
2. I've gone down this particular road and I'm over it
3. I'm finally discovering how to be myself. This has taken me longer than it should have. For the past five years I've either had boyfriends, was getting over relationships, blah, blah, blah. Long story short, for the first time since I was a sophmore in high school, I'm on my own. My sisters aren't here and I don't have to worry about the feelings or schedule of another person. I'm learning who I am. This was a liberating discovery and it was a long time coming. I am learning to act for myself and not trying to always please others. For the past 6 months I've noticed a change in my attitude, my outlook on life, and even how I dress. I'm setting my own standards and not trying to fit into a mold that someone else constructed. I've never been the type to fall victim to trends or completely change who I am. I have, however, been liable to act in accordance with the expectations of others rather than by how I truly feel.
In this road of self-discovery, I've learned to be more sensitive to the needs of others in addition to being more honest with them. I've always spoken my opinions and thoughts, but at the times when it mattered most or when I would expose a part of myself, I was hesitant. This is slowly changing. Honestly one of the times that I was the most scared was while playing the guitar. I am not good at all. Believe me. However, for about 2 solid months last summer I learned to play a song by the Goo Goo Dolls. The first time I played and sang it together, I was with 2 other people. I could only get through the first verse because I was so mortified of revealing a part of myself. I was nearly in tears when I stopped playing. Neither of them know this, but at that moment I was doing something that I had learned by myself and playing the song was something that only I could have done for me.
This has been one of the more serious posts, but I had to write it down somewhere. So that was my uber deep thought for the day. Yippee. This is where this thought train ends, so happy November, everyone!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Goldfish, Grease 2, and Glue
So the weekend got off to quite the start. For church we had a slumber party (a crowd of 18-30 year old females having a good old-fashioned slumber party? Boo-yah!). We did the usual stuff--treats, card games, watched movies, etc., etc., etc. Then three of us were sitting in a parlor-type room and #4 was walking through the entry way next to the room we were in. She saw someone carrying a pumpkin run past the door. What did we do? Tried to find him of course! (We suspected that it was one of the delightful men from our ward trying to crash our sweet party). However, we were unsuccessful and ended up in a car. We then drove down the road as we decided they probably had a getaway car. What do you know? They did! And as luck would have it, it was unlocked. Once inside the car we discovered that while they had taken the keys, one of them left their phone (which was lucky because out of four girls, none of us had ours). I coincidently knew where the spare was so we got out to find it. While we did not initially find the spare, we did end up discovering a pumpkin pinata behind the car. Then someone ran past us screaming. We grabbed the pumpkin and got back in the car. After their little rampage, we once again tried to find the key and got that little puppy located. We drove off. Around and around we went through the neighborhood until finally we parked it in the driveway and boxed it in. While we were driving, I noticed the pinata was leaking. I poked my finger inside and thought it was filled with water balloons. However, once we parked, we took a closer look and discovered that the pinata was filled with zip-lock bags tied shut and filled with live goldfish. Hmmm.......no bueno. We opened the pinata and put the goldfish in a pitcher. To finish the story, there was a snowball/marshmallow fight, the culprits showed themselves, and everyone ended up inside. Quite the night.
For Halloween itself, we had a party at the church and it is right next to campus. Meteor and I ran around campus--he'd chase me, run into me and we would both fall over. It was a pretty good time, if I do say so. Also on this glorious day, in celebration of Mohawk-tober, we tried unsuccessfully to mohawk my hair for a solid hour and a half. It involved egg whites, the better parts of a mega-size can of hairspray and a bottle of mousse, gel, and elmer's glue. NOT SUCCESSFUL. We found that it is a little more than difficult to mohawk hair that I can't really reach the end of when I'm holding it out straight. Yeah....
Other than that, not much is new. I'm experiencing a situation of sorts involving boys and the [lack of] a relationship happening in my life. Enough said. Lame. So, with that, I have discovered Green River Ordinance. Good stuff, check it out. Adios!
For Halloween itself, we had a party at the church and it is right next to campus. Meteor and I ran around campus--he'd chase me, run into me and we would both fall over. It was a pretty good time, if I do say so. Also on this glorious day, in celebration of Mohawk-tober, we tried unsuccessfully to mohawk my hair for a solid hour and a half. It involved egg whites, the better parts of a mega-size can of hairspray and a bottle of mousse, gel, and elmer's glue. NOT SUCCESSFUL. We found that it is a little more than difficult to mohawk hair that I can't really reach the end of when I'm holding it out straight. Yeah....
Other than that, not much is new. I'm experiencing a situation of sorts involving boys and the [lack of] a relationship happening in my life. Enough said. Lame. So, with that, I have discovered Green River Ordinance. Good stuff, check it out. Adios!
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