Filing Nails at 40 mph

We've Moved.

2011-06-07T14:45:00.001-07:00

Because of the recent marriage between myself and a man, he and I decided to begin our own blog together. It is listed as private, but if you would like an invitation, I would be happy to invite you if you send me your email.

Thanks for reading.

What it is like to be a Bride - Scam calls

2011-05-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

One of the best planning resources for weddings is a bridal fair. Most cities have these a few times a year. A lot of vendors come; photographers, cake artists, reception centers, dress shops, caterers, etc.. It's a wonderful place to get ideas of what is available in your town, price ranges, and sometimes you can get some good deals. With a lot of options close together, you can get a better sense of what you like and don't like with side-by-side comparisons.

Aside from a plug for bridal shows, I would like to issue a warning. When you start going to bridal shows and shops that require you to register, sign-up or whatever they say to get your phone number and mailing information....beware of who else will use that information! I wouldn't discourage you from going to a bridal show just because they ask for your information. You can be eligible for some great prizes this way, and they have to be able to reach you some how.

The warning is to know when to accept offers and when not to. A few months after I had attended the bridal show I started getting some calls from a number I didn't recognize. They called a few times a day, never leaving a message. Finally I decided to call it back and find out what was going on. It was a mens tuxedo store, asking if we had found a place for my fiances rental tux. I said "yes", and that was the end of it. Then, a few weeks later I got a call from a photography studio, telling me I had won $700 worth of photography. It was only a month and a half from my wedding date, so I thought it was odd they had waited so long to tell me, since a photographer is one of the first things you book in wedding planning. They wouldn't send me a price list, just told me I needed to come into the studio. My fiance and I decided it was a waste of time, knowing there was no way they were just going to give us $700 worth of photography without some other monetary commitment. The next day a young girl called me, telling me that a "secret sister" had referred me to get a free facial. I said "what is her name?" and she replied by saying, "it's a secret sister thing. Now, can I ask you some questions to get to know you better?" My answer? "No." And just recently, another company called me, telling me they were going to give my fiance and I either a package for vacation, or wedding bands. The only requirement was to meet at a hotel in the city and stay for a 90-minute culinary presentation. No. Thanks. I could just smell a money trap.

Now, I do believe that all of these people work for legitimate businesses. In reality, my fiance could have claimed all of these prizes, just not entirely "free" as they were advertising. So just pay attention to what these people are asking you. You are more than welcome to hang up on them, or check them out. The internet is a great place to find out if they are legitimate business people, which most are. Remember that rarely is anything "free."

Gratitude Week - Day 2.

2011-04-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Today I am most grateful for people willing to help. The past few months have been insane with trying to juggle school, work and wedding plans. I have had a lot of offers for help which has been incredibly life-saving. There are also those who are wonderful at reassuring me that everything will work out, and work out well, in the end. Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who keep me going!

Gratitude Week - Day 1.

2011-04-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

This may seem rather trivial and mundane, but with the recent downpour of water from the sky, umbrellas have been a tremendous blessing. There are varieties of styles, colors and patterns that can make them a fashion statement as well as a useful gadget. Keeping you dry, you don't have to worry about fixing your hair or make-up, clothes soaking, or the rain ruining materials you are carrying. They are wonderful things that help prevent sickness from being wet and cold, and time/money spent on repairing damaged materials.

Gratitude Week.

2011-04-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

With rainy weather, impatience building for the upcoming wedding, finals, and trying to find a job so my new husband and I can support each other, life has become a little bleak and for the lack of a better word, very tense. So my goal this week is to submit to you, dear reader, something I am grateful for in hopes to brighten the mood of a rather dark sky.

What it is like to be a Bride - Professional Relations

2011-04-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

Something I struggle with is being rude to people. I don't want to make anyone feel stupid, unwanted, undervalued or second best. Even sales-people. They are just as much of a person as your friends are. But one thing I learned about people who are in the wedding business, whether retail, artistic or vendor, is that they see hundreds of brides. The wedding business is all about checking out your options, shopping around and coming back for a second look. Feel free to check things out as often as you want, and talk to lots of people. Just tell them you aren't ready to make a decision (thanking them for their help of course) and you will get back to them. If the person you work with is professional, they will be more than willing to let you think about something before you decide and won't push you. And if they do, you can tell them "no". If they get offended, don't take it personally because they'll be seeing a different bride soon enough.

Scholars

2011-04-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

When you hear the phrase "Scholars believe...", or "Scholars think...", what should really be said is the following:

"Scholars found a miniscule piece of evidence about one circumstance during a single period of time in one group of people, that leads them to believe that this group of people at this single point in time did this certain thing at least once in their life-time. BUT, it should also be noted that this person might be lying or imagining an event or circumstance. Also, keep in mind that during translation or interpretation there can be many synonyms for a word that could change the entire message trying to be given. Mostly we just guess and try to say something that sounds logical and intelligent."

What it is like to be a Bride - Psychological Well-Being

2011-04-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

You're planning the biggest event of your life. The day you will be the most beautiful you've ever been, or ever will be. Everyone you love will be coming to see you, and you want to impress them. Hundreds of couples are married daily, just in your city alone; You HAVE to be unique.

NO PRESSURE, right?

First of all, you need to acknowledge that nothing ever a) is perfect, b) goes as planned, c) turns out exactly how you expect.

Next, don't try to compete with anyone else. Be it magazines, the wedding you went to last week, or even with your dream wedding in your head. Make decisions based on who you are, what your resources are and what is available. You may not be able to afford 3 dresses, or live doves. Dresses for your bridesmaids may not come in the exact color you want. There are thousands of beautiful options of styles, flowers, and color combinations. Accept reality (see previous paragraph). You can still have a beautiful wedding even if it's not just how you have pictured it since you were 4.

Most importantly, remember that this day is about you and the man you love. Make it a day that the both of you will enjoy and will love to reflect on. It's about happiness, not stress. He is the reason for this endeavor. Share it with him. Whatever happens, as long as the two of you are together all will be well.

There are hundreds of things on your to-do list. Take them one at a time, make a schedule of when things need to be done and do them. You'll be amazed how much gets done just a step at a time.

Make sure you are nurturing this relationship you are about to tie yourself too. Don't get too caught up in all the planning and leave the poor man standing alone. He's the important part, your number ONE priority. Schedule dates and don't talk about the wedding. Remember that he's the shelter, not the storm. Let him help you through your stress, don't take it out on him.

Planning one of the biggest events of your life, which happens to be one of the biggest changes in your life can be overwhelming and scary. But keep a good attitude, and remember that one day (sooner than you think), it will all be over and you'll be with the man you love.

What it is like to be a Bride - Choose your battles

2011-04-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

It is impossible to please everyone. IMPOSSIBLE. With 20 family members, there are 20 different ideas and choices. This event is supposed to highlight you and the groom, so make it what you like. But there are some things you should be prepared to budge on. Insist on the dress you want to wear, but let grandma chose your veil. Insist on the style of cake, but let some people give their two-cents for flavors. People want to be involved, not just told what they can and can't do, just like you. So, decide what is most important to you and let other people help make decisions. No one likes a bridezilla.

What it is like to be a Bride - Style Choices

2011-04-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

A theme is the best way to make everything work for one purpose at any party. BBQ hot dogs don't go well with a black-tie affair. Since this is your wedding, it should reflect your personality. But there are a few warnings in choosing your theme and colors.

Do the colors you like go together well? You may love purple and orange, but side-by-side the colors are hideous. Choose colors that compliment each other in some way and will make a pleasing presentation.
Are there actual objects made in the colors you chose? You may love chartreuse, but no one makes a chartreuse bridesmaid dress. If you choose an odd color, you'll be stuck with custom making most of the clothing and decorations. If you want a certain color of shoe, keep in mind the same thing. There aren't many purple or green shoes in the world.
Do people look good wearing these colors? If you have a few red-headed bridesmaids, making them wear orange is cruel. Make sure the people wearing the colors will feel comfortable in your choices.
Clothing styles: Do the girls feel ugly in the style of dress you chose? Do the men feel uncomfortable in the tux cut you chose? This IS your big day, but the people who are sharing the day with you will want to enjoy themselves too. Don't insist on something that no one feels comfortable with.

What it is like to be a Bride - Reception Venue

2011-04-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

There are many factors to keep in mind when choosing the venue for one's reception. First of all, location. Is it easy to find? If people don't know how in the world to get somewhere, they probably won't make the journey. Is it near the location of the guests? If they have to make an hour drive, again you will lose guests. Is it comfortable and clean? Will the atmosphere fit the theme of your wedding? If you're a city-girl, looking at barns probably won't suit your tastes. Is it big enough for all your guests? Is there anything annoying about the venue that you think will bother you? For example, a few places I visited had fountains. They were beautiful but the sound of running water drove me nuts. The thought of combining that noise with music was unbearable. What can you stand to lose? You love the atmosphere, but they don't have the kind of food you like? Weigh the pros and cons, decide what you can live without, and what you have to have. This is a good general ideal for just about everything to do with wedding decisions. For a reception place, convenience and comfort will be your biggest blessings. Helpful people, easy resources and a comfortable atmosphere.

What it is like to be a Bride - Intro

2011-03-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Having been through two-months (so far) of being engaged, I've learned a few bits of wisdom about all things to do with weddings. Not so much in choice and taste one's own wedding, it is all a matter of opinion. Simply put, planning a wedding is stressful. It seems silly to go through an experience, learn something, and not share what one has acquired. So, following this post will be a series of some things one might want to keep in mind when approaching and planning a wedding. This is all a matter of opinion, but isn't that what blogs are for anyway?

Five reasons you SHOULD watch the Bachelor and BELIEVE what you see.

2011-03-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

No, that title is in no way sarcastic. Though I think most of us would simply declare the Bachelor television show as irrational and unrealistic, there are several great lessons to be learned:

First of all, "love" makes your emotions insane. You think that you'll be perfectly blissful every moment of falling in love with someone? HA! Forget it. Your emotions will be up and down, in and out: you'll doubt, you'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll enjoy it. Fairy tale "I knew it the moment I met you" is rare.
People are stupid. They make dumb mistakes. They say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Just because that person you are on a date with says something you don't appreciate, be forgiving. We all say and do stupid stuff. Especially under pressure.
Hot people on the outside aren't always hot people on the inside. If you are looking for someone you are instantly attracted to, that person will probably be instantly attractive because they are in great shape with great style and great hair. That shape and style and hair will one day all be gone. Then what are you going to do? Dump them for their lack of hotness? Attractiveness grows from getting to know someone who is kind, gentle and generous. Attraction grows as you realize there is someone else in the world who enjoys your company as much as you enjoy theirs.
Romantic love means nothing. I repeat, romantic love means nothing. All of those females, one male. And suddenly all those women are in love with and fighting for the same man.... If those jittery feelings inside you are your indication that you've found the perfect mate, how do you explain that twenty-five women all feel that about the same man? And how do you explain his turmoil over choosing one female over another? If it were right, wouldn't he just know? Not a chance. Romance comes from a deep, connected relationship. Not from that bubbly feeling. Romance comes after the relationship is built, not before.
We're all a little star-struck, wishing for that fairytale companion to sweep us off our feet. We have these dreams and are unwilling to admit that they are indeed dreams that have no basis in reality. Not only do those people on the screen need a wake-up call, but so do the rest of us. Love doesn't happen on a TV show, or in movies, or in a song. It is built slowly over time with patience, forgiveness, endurance, a strong will, faith and hope.

More brain mal-functioning.

2011-03-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

My body has decided to wake up several times a night, and because of this I am able to remember many of my various dreams. For better....or for worse.

Jim had chosen an invitation for us to mail out. Except it came out HORRIBLE. There were lots of photos of OTHER people and buildings, none of just us. It had a tropical theme, but it looked like the di-cut machine had exploded. Jim wasn't happy that we had to go back to the printer to get it all fixed. And I don't blame him. It was a dungeon lair with metal doors, and the walls were seeping with water. After descending into the lair, we came upon a large open room with ramps and stairs leading down to a platform above a black pool of water. My oldest nephew and his parents were with me, and my nephew was running around the walkways, then stopped to stare over the edge of the railing to stare into the water.

That's all I remember. And still no explanation: Except I have been thinking about my nephew lately, and we are planning to order invitations this week. Hopefully the printer doesn't work in a dungeon.

It's all in My Head.

2011-03-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

Amy Adams was a Junior High school teacher. She was started to go berserk. She stomped/ran to the white board to write.Then she got insanely angry, her eyes turned red and yellow like a monster, she leaned in towards a set of four students, glaring at them, hitting one of them. Then the scene turned into a nasty, furious brawl. Everyone was in a fight. The fight wasn't like something you see in the movies, but real and nasty.Someone was sent through a pane of glass near the front of the room. The last images of the dream were of people all cut up, with paper-cut like looking cuts all over their bodies, but no blood. Loved ones were bent over each individual.
One poor kid had his kidney's hanging out, so they covered him with a sheet.

Disgusting images, aren't they. This was a dream I had last night. Usually I am able to figure out the source of my dreams from things I have seen or experienced at some point in my life. This one was totally out of the blue. Maybe a combination of "I Am Legend", "Enchanted", and an awkward Junior High experience, but nothing really to that level.

But thankfully, it was preceded by something much more entertaining. Jim and I were required to have a civil marriage before we could be married in the temple. So, a week before the temple sealing, we had a ceremony and reception. We were going to do anything we wanted. The next weeks reception would be formal and socially normal. But for this round, I wore a dress that I've worn before as a costume but can pass for a wedding gown. In an 18th Century style French aristocrat dress, I was scrambling to get my hair done. I had forgotten to get earrings, so sent my sister to grab some since I couldn't move very fast in the dress. I finally got my hair up, but was more than 30 minutes late for the ceremony. Jim was also dressed in 18th Century French aristocrat clothing, complete with a pony-tailed wig, and high-heeled white boots. My sisters and I danced into the room to pop music to begin the festivities. It then jumped to after the party. Jim and I changed into normal clothing and got in his car. We drove around some familiar streets for awhile. Jim was incredibly nervous. We decided to get a Red Box. I decided on "Young Victoria." That dream ended, then the nasty nightmare ensued.

Dear Brain,

I see no connection between the two and now you make me feel like a psycho to jump moods so quickly. What?!

I'm grateful for....

2011-02-23T12:31:00.000-08:00

A fantastic man. With more than marriage as a life-change coming up in the near future, sometimes I can be a little beside myself: Confused, lost and full of worry. Life has simply become overwhelming. Though the future is bright and full of hope, taking action to secure a few minor details (graduation, job, etc.) has been very difficult. There are so many options, so many wonderful possibilities, I had worked myself into an indecisive rut. And yet, this man of mine is patient and supportive. He's willing to say, "Dear, you might need to rethink your strategy." He talks me through my own thoughts, listening to and validating them. With a hug and a kiss, he assures me the future will be happy and he will help me get wherever I want to go.

Cheers to you, My Dear, for putting up with me and pushing me to pursue a goal and go for the gold.

P.S. Happy 7 months (or 3 months) on Friday.

Lamentations of the Ill.

2011-02-09T15:49:00.000-08:00

I have always tried to have the attitude that having a cold, the flu, or any such not-so-life-threatening illness, is something to be grateful for. It's a chance to slow down, take a needed breather from a busy life and realize how grateful you are that each body-part performs it's normal function properly. Today, I am grateful for a functioning throat that allows me to speak and sing. The ease of communication is something we take for granted I think; a luxury we frequently abuse by not caring to communicate with others properly. Communication can build or destroy a relationship in mere seconds. I am grateful my vocal chords work, and my lips move in-sync.

Also, I am grateful for the ice cream and flowers brought to me by a loving fiancee.

The Difference

2011-02-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

The difference between a Humanities and a Sciences major:

Humanities: All they care about is if I've read the material, show up and have an opinion.

Sciences: As long as I've done the homework and do well on the tests they don't care if I show up or have an opinion.

Five Things

2011-02-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

In the Theta flower-passing tradition, here are five things we love about each other.

What Erin loves about Jim:

He is gentle and patient.
He is dedicated and hard-working with everything in his life. From work and school to family and relationships. He doesn't back down from a challenge.
He can blow the roof off any opera house. Almost from the time we met I would say "If I could marry a voice, it would be Jim's."
We can talk and talk and talk and talk and talk. About anything and everything.
He is temple worthy and holds the Priesthood.
Can I have #6 on a list of 5? He's great with the pick-up lines, super cheesy and romantic when I least expect it.

What Jim loves about Erin:

She treats me with so much love and respect!
She is patient with my shortcomings and indecisiveness.
She laughs at my jokes... most of the time :)
She keeps the commandments and expects me to do the same.
She is the most beautiful being I have ever seen.
(can't let her out-do me, now can I?) I can talk to her about everything and anything.
(but I can outdo her! thats ok! :P) She is willing to listen and understand things from my perspective, and when necessary, is willing to change.

First Date.

2011-01-31T14:34:00.000-08:00

By another request, here is the story of the first date.

It depends on what you count as the first date. Technically, we have three different "first dates." The very first was in the spring of 2008. We met in Institute choir in January. It was a very small group of around 10 singers, so we went around introducing ourselves. Jim began by telling us a story about how he realized that he felt weak every time he walked passed his bedroom closet, and discovered a small piece of kryptonite hiding there. I remember wanting to ask him out, or be asked out by him in the first few weeks, but he procured a different girlfriend. I was disappointed, but more or less undeterred. He was telling people about a project you could do for a Professor who would then give you free movie tickets, and I asked him for the information so I could get his email address and chat with him. We became friends rather quickly. I told him about a gelatto shop he should take his girlfriend to, but as this other relationship was not working out, he asked me if I would show him where it was. Thus, we set up a date. Since he lived in Boony-ville, we went during lunch time. The date was....

SUPER AWKWARD!!!!!!

I don't really know what it was, but we both felt incredibly awkward sitting there eating gelatto. It was fantastic gelatto, but for some reason conversation just wasn't on the same page that day. This didn't stop him from asking twice more before I tried to set him up with a friend who lived in Provo.

The "second first date" was two years after that. We had both been through relationships that ended poorly and unexpectedly. We supported each other through everything. The relationship had grown to a point where we trusted each other explicitly, and the only thing that kept us from being a couple was the romance. We had made it clear to each other that we were "not interested." I decided in March/April 2010 that this was dumb. So, I mentioned interest to Jim, who then asked me out. We went to La Caille for appetizers and desserts. My fears and insecurities got the better of me, and after two more dates I bailed. He told me that if I ever wanted to attempt again, I would need to be more sure.

A few more months went by and.....I became more sure. Poor guy. Again we went out to Red Mango and took a walk around Sugarhouse Park. It was our plan to just discuss what had happened and if I had ruined my chances. He told me no, but he was planning to keep an open mind about other females.

....

He kissed me later that evening. \o/

As Per Request...

2011-01-28T10:05:00.000-08:00

A friend requested I tell the ring-picking story. It's really not all that exciting...but here goes:

Some people have commented, wondering what took Jim so long. Many were expecting an engagement even before we were dating. But just to clear things up, it was ME who took so long. We were going to go ring shopping at the beginning of January, but I panicked and asked if we could wait a little while. It was just a week and a half later than planned, but my nerves appreciated it.

The night before we went I tossed and turned in anticipation. I couldn't stop thinking about what the heck I was doing the next day. That night's snow storm had also made the roads very slick and the news reported many accidents, and I hadn't heard from Jim since before he left work so my mind went crazy with worry, 'I agreed to marry someone that I'm not going to get the chance to. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!' But that was all in vain, he was perfectly warm in his own bed.

My Mom offered to pay for my nails, so she and I went just before Jim came to get me to have manicures. "Gotta have pretty hands for a pretty ring!" she said.

So, with great feeling hands we headed to Shane Co. Then to a custom place that we ran from pretty quickly, then to Williams Jewelers. At Williams, we were chatting with the jeweler, and another woman walked into the shop. I glanced behind my shoulder and my eyes went wide. I nudged Jim and his eyes went wide. I said "Denise!" and she turned around in surprise. This woman is the mother of a childhood friend of mine, my voice teacher and was also played Mrs. Fairfax in Jane Eyre, where Jim stared as Mr. Rochester and I played Lady Ingram. She gasped and said "WHAT HAVE I CAUGHT YOU TWO DOING?!" .... "ooooh....nothing...... blush." During the play she would come to me and say, "Have you thought about dating Jim?" And she would go to Jim and say, "Have you thought about dating Erin?" At that time we were not yet dating, but had been close friends for over two years. So, needless to say, she was ecstatic.

We stopped at Fred Meyer Jeweler and found another choice there also. We decided to call it a day. Jim asked me several times over the next few days, "Have you thought about the rings any more?" I decided on the one at Shane Co, but we went back a few times to make sure it's what we wanted. It was, but it needed to be re-sized. The jeweler told us it wouldn't be ready until February 1st. I was sent away for a moment so Jim could talk to her about his plans. We went back to purchase the ring, and our jeweler followed, handed the tag to the clerk, then said "I need that back," and ran away with it. Over the next few days he would say to me "It won't be ready until February 1st" and I would just nod and say "ok." But since you've read the preceding story, we all know he didn't want to wait that long. ;)

My Side of the Story

2011-01-27T14:54:00.000-08:00

The story. The whole story is rather long and starts just over 3 years ago when I first met Jim in Institute Choir. I will save that long novel for another day.

I was kind of expecting it because Jan. 25th was 6-months since we were "officially" a couple. But Jim kept telling me the ring wouldn't be ready until February 1st, so I decided to just not ask questions and go with whatever happened. He picked me up just after 6pm and drove me to a look-out spot on the mountains, a place we had been before a few times. He was recreating a night back in August when he asked me if he could do anything in the world for me and I jokingly had responded, "Pearls, Jim. I want real pearls." From which point he proceeded to get a small silk bag from his car holding a real pearl necklace. Of course I was shocked, I had been kidding!

This night was just after it had snowed, so there was a gentle cloud cover over the city. It seemed the sky was upside down, the gray being the earth and the city lights were floating in the sky. We sat on the hood of his car and he asked me the same question. "Erin, what do you want?" I said to him, "I have my pearls, I am happy." ... "What else Erin?" "Not to slip on the snow." "What else?" "Um.....Clean house, good kids and a million dollars.....and a good husband." "I think I can help with that one." He walks back to his car and brings me a long stem, gorgeous red rose, a heart shape box of chocolates (the tasty kind) and a small box. I grinned as he handed them each to me. I had trouble taking the ribbon off the box and he said "hurry!" Finally it came off and I opened it. Inside was the ring box which he took from me, opened and got down on one knee. It was really slushy on the ground, but he was down there anyway. I thought "Wow, this must be love if he's on his knees in the snow." He said that he couldn't imagine his life without me, that he loved me and "will you be my eternal companion?" I stared at him, then nodded and said "Uh-huh!" He stared at me for a minute before standing up and putting the ring on my finger.

Even though I knew it was coming, and even though he knew I would say yes, I still felt like a deer in the headlights and he was still super nervous (aka super cute!).

After we called all our families, we went to Epic Casual Dining. FANTASTIC FOOD by the way. Highly recommended. It was a bit of a shock every time I looked at my finger, and yet as Jim said, "It feels like business as usual." It seemed as if nothing else in the world could have happened but this.

To Women

2010-12-07T12:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Females,

Leggings are not pants. They are tights that happen to be a solid color. Leggings are called such because they are the shape of your legs. Exactly the shape of your legs. Please wear pants with your long sweater.

Love,
Me.

An Interesting Start to an Interesting Week

2010-11-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's finals time. Which means I will be hiding behind my computer for the next three weeks straight as I finish four papers, prepare a presentation, read and translate until my eyes fall out. Over the long holiday weekend I was sure to get lots of rest to prepare for the monster sized amount of work needing to be done.

My neighbors rock.

It snowed for almost 24 hours straight. One neighbor from the house next door used his snowblower to clear our driveway and sidewalk. Twice.
We live in a cul-de-sac, so we are the last road plowed, if we get plowed at all. I drive a regular small 4-door, who decided to not have enough guts to get me out of my own driveway this morning. As soon as I hit the unplowed street, I was stuck. After rocking back and forth a few times burning gas, I went to get a shovel to dig myself out. My 8-year old neighbor came walking over with his own shovel and said "I've been waiting for someone to get stuck! I love this stuff." and he started digging me out. His Dad came over a few minutes later and after getting me back up the driveway, was able to get my car down the street.

I called my Mom when I got up to school to tell her about my morning and she immediately said "Do you have my parking tag?" *sigh* Yes. It was still in my car. So I hurried to her work to give it to her.

Also, if you are complaining about the snow on the ground, I recommend trying out this new dance step. It's called the One Legged Slide. You wear your every-day shoes and it is best done on snow covered ice. I do recommend wearing a nice puffy coat, in case you should fail in this step. With practice, you will be able to do this slide without hitting the ground, which so far I have been successful.

Happy Snow Season.

Small Mercy.

2010-11-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at church the power was out in most of the building. I am unsure how the light in the Elder's Quorum room and two of the lights at the back of the chapel were on, and the rest were off, but eventually they all went off. Luckily it was warm in the building, probably from earlier that day and the power decided to fail for my ward. Whatever happened exactly, the power stayed off through Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School. I was filling in for a teacher in Relief Society (the women's meeting) and had planned to play a song at the end of the lesson. But, it's kind of hard to use speakers that need power from a plug...if the plugs don't work. Just before the meeting started I closed my eyes and prayed to God that the power would come on in time to play the song.

Not five minutes later, there was a *ding* from the elevator and someone said "sounds like the power is on", so they flipped the light switches. Light. Electricity.

A coincidence? I think not.

I am grateful for...

2010-11-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

Warm clothing. I am lucky to have more than one coat to choose from, scarves, tall socks, hats, etc. etc. I'm not a fan of feeling the cold so most of the time I overdress. It was a particularly chilly day with no sun today, and I was sufficiently covered and comfortable. It is a huge blessing to always be comfortable in any situation, never lacking. Thank you Lord.

I am grateful for...

2010-11-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hot water. Today as I walked into the locker room on campus to change for yoga, I noticed a sign posted near the door. "No hot water until further notice." No big deal, I had showered in cold water there in the summer, and the locker room is kept warm enough that it's not so bad, you just clean yourself a lot quicker. After class as I walked towards a shower I heard the girl in charge of the locker room ask a girl who was currently in the shower, "Are you getting any hot water?" and the girl said "Yes!" I still was wary of getting in, wondering if it would be a short blast of warm. But, it was all warm water. Ah, what a blessing!

Halloween.

2010-10-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

I started listening to Christmas music today. I borrowed a bunch of Christmas CD's from the library to load up before everyone else wanted them, and I just couldn't resist it, sitting there on my recently added playlist...What I have to say about the issue of the "right" time to start listening to Christmas music is, I believe that the Spirit of Christ is needed in this world and the sooner it comes with Christmas, the better. Sure, I'll save the "Jingle Bells" and "Chestnuts Roasting" for December. But Christ is welcome anytime, even before Halloween. That's my theory on it anyway.

Tomato + Chocolate

2010-10-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't think so, but tomatoes do amazing things to chocolate. The following is a documentation of a chocolate cake with tomato soup in the ganache and the batter itself.

These are the ingredients for the ganache.

This is the ganache that sits for several hours before you can spread it like frosting, and it hardens almost like the outside of a candy bar.

Ok, so cocoa powder, tomato soup and eggs looks kinda gross. But add it to the flour mixture and some butter and...

This is the cake batter. It is the consistency of butter cream frosting. You really could stop here and just eat it. It's incredible.

This is the finished product, two layers of cake covered with the ganache and surrounded by Piourette cookies.

A little frosting on each cookie seals the fortress of chocolate with flame!!

See, doesn't that look FANTASTIC?! It is, I promise. I will share the recipe with you as long as you promise to share some of the extra moist, deeply rich chocolate cake with me.

Fall Break.

2010-10-13T07:29:00.001-07:00

How is it that with an entire week of opportunity to do exactly as you please, that you end up only doing partly what you planned? Fall break needs to be two weeks, not one.

Another Status Update.

2010-09-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all it takes is a few words and people run wild. The following was a facebook status and the subsequent replies.

People are like recipes.

They don't work well without the baking powder?
Some of them are kinda greasy?
Many of them don't work out?
Some of them are so delicate that you have to tiptoe around them to keep them from collapsing?
One wrong ingredient, and everything goes terribly wrong?
Some of them don't taste very good?
Some of them are better for you than others?
Some are hot?
Sometimes the finished product isn't the best part?
Some are deep, dark family secrets, kept under lock and key?
You never know where you are going to find a good one?
Some require alcohol to work properly?
Some are kinda chunky?
You never know what you are going to get when you combine them?
Some require rather specialized or exotic equipment?
Some make you want to cry sometimes?
The best ones require lots of butter?
Some, no matter how closely you follow the book, just don't turn out how you expected.
Even when you set them aside for many years they are still amazing.
I have several books full of them?
I keep my eye out for the good ones.
When you move far away, you miss some of your favorite ones?
You read a lot more then you actually get to experience?
They never look the same on TV as they do in real life?
They're better with a grain of salt?
They both burn if they're in the oven too long?
They can be manipulated according to the desired outcome?
Certain ingredients can be substituted if they are too fatty??
If you don't follow the instructions correctly you could end up with something really disgusting??
Some are sweet, and some are nutty?
Some go together as well as butter and honey. Others as well as Ramen and peanut butter.

I am grateful for...

2010-09-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

Home Teachers.

Even though I am in a single's ward, I have been blessed with good men for home teachers. Because of the fluid nature of a single's ward, the men assigned to me changes often. There have been times I have called my home teachers for blessings, and they are always ready and willing. The men are honest and worthy Priesthood holders who are able to perform a Priesthood duty at any moment. The message they bring is always carefully thought out with questions and personal experiences that fill my home with the Spirit. I am grateful for the worthy men who are willing to serve the Lord. I am grateful for their sincere interest and love. Thank you good home teachers.

After Graduation in the spring Red should...

2010-09-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

... move out of state and get a job - 1
... stay in state and get a job - 1
... go to Grad school in state - 0
... go to Grad school out of state or country - 1
... be a bum on the street - 3

I'm not really sure how I feel about the results. Thank you (question mark?)

Calorie Counting

2010-09-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I signed up for a program on Livestrong.com. It's called MyPlate and you set up how many calories you want to take in every day. It will help you predict how many calories to eat depending on how much weight you want to lose/gain or maintain your current weight. The resource is incredible. You type in what you've eaten and it will tell you how many calories were in it. It has all the fast food and store brands to just generic food. It also will keep track of your exercise. It gives an estimate of how many calories you've burned depending on the activity from studying, coaching a sport, pilates or running. It will also give you an estimate of sodium, cholesterol, protein, sugar etc. in everything you've eaten. I highly recommend this site if you're looking to keep better track of food and exercise.

300.

2010-08-29T10:23:00.001-07:00

This is post 300.

*throws confetti*

"As the Lord Liveth"

2010-08-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

1 Nephi 3:15 - As the Lord liveth, and as we live we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave this explanation: "Nephi made God his partner. If he failed to get the plates, it meant God had failed. And because God does not fail, it was incumbent upon Nephi to get the plates or lay down his life in the attempt."

New Clothes

2010-08-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while I was shopping for new jeans, I was tempted to become very socially unacceptable and just go without pants. Finding pants that fit and look good is a miserable task.

I walked into a clothing store I had never been in. The people there were very helpful, and I found a pair that fit perfectly. They were high quality jeans that wouldn't wear out any time soon. But the price tag my dear friends, was $79.95. ARE YOU NUTS?! There are about 4 factories in this country that produce the jean fabric that every single company and designer use. No way in heaven was I going to pay over eighty bucks for a SINGLE pair of jeans. Mind you, this pair was on the cheaper end of the retail.

But, I feared my legs would get rather cold when the weather starts to turn, so I continued on. Ah, the fruits of perseverance were sweet. At another retailer, I found two pairs of jeans and two polo shirts for less than the price of that one pair. Victory.

The Fascination with Jane Eyre.

2010-08-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

According to IMDB, there are no fewer than 22 movie and TV versions of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte since 1910. Musicals, ballets, plays and operas all tell the story, or add to the story before and after the Bronte novel. The original Jane Eyre was published in 1847 in London, then the following year in New York. What is so captivating about this story?

To be perfectly plain, the story is strange and frightening. At times almost ludicrous. A madwoman being kept in an attic of a large manor, while the Master of the house acts as if he knows nothing of her? Not only that, the man is married to this woman. Yet he travels the world and lures another women to him, whom he has a child with, then she leaves him to care for the girl. Jane Eyre, a governess, falls for this man and he has the audacity to take her to the altar to marry her - While she knows nothing of Bertha, Mr. Rochester's real wife. He's a scoundrel. Rochester is coarse, selfish, self-serving and spoiled; A rich boy who gets what he wants when he wants it.

Jane Eyre is a pure woman. She was abused as a child, but was turned from her hate by a loving friend. She looses this one and only companion and grows to be a gentle, intelligent woman. She does not deserve to be treated as she is by Mr. Rochester, led blindly and left with no choice but to run from what she loves. She looses anything good in her life the moment she can barely lay hands on it.

This story is unfair and depressing. So why do we like it?

Are we not all like Mr. Rochester? Don't we all have a demon within our own attics that is waiting to harm us any time we wish to do good in the world? Don't we all have one major flaw that trips us up time and time again? I believe we all wish for the sole companionship that is offered by Jane. Something pure, enduring and unconditional. Someone who will be our constant guide and friend to forgive us of those flaws we struggle so intensely with. There is of course, the classic love-story fall out when Jane runs from Mr. Rochester, but after a divine sign she returns to him. After the death of Bertha, the inner demon in us all, Edward Rochester finds a new life. The inner demon purged and a new, wonderful love-filled life is begun.

Edward is the man we all feel we are inside, and Jane is the woman we all wish to be saved by. We are drawn to their story because it is a manifestation of unconditional love. We all wish for a savior.

That's My Girl! Part 4.

2010-07-28T12:27:00.001-07:00

On Friday, my sister and her family were camping, so the rest of us went up to have a hot dog roast with them. We were wandering around the forest, looking at the beaver dam in the river.

On the way back my niece proclaims, "Follow me! I'm the prophet!"

Nick-names

2010-07-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Not a single sibling in my family goes by their full name. In fact, it seems a little strange when the full name is used, as if we're in trouble.

Christina -> Nina. Marianne -> Mare. Emily ->Em. Erin -> Rin.

Maybe we're just lazy. Any more than two syllables and you're out.

You Will Never Be Sorry.

2010-07-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

For living a white life; for doing your level best; for your faith in humanity; for being kind to the poor; for looking before leaping; for hearing before judging; for being candid and frank; for thinking before speaking.

-Anon.

A bit of an indulgence.

2010-07-21T16:47:00.001-07:00

Might I request your attention to my personal day to day affairs and tell you that:

MY BIRTHDAY WAS AWESOME!!!

The celebrations started the night before with the family. They all provided a fabulous chicken/fancy salads/baked beans with bacon dinner, followed by an oreo cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream. That cake was dang amazing. It was homemade and looked like a giant oreo. Presents included a camera, flip flops that doubled as the center piece, a cook book and yummy-smelly lotions. And I got balloons and beaded necklaces. Plus it was with some of the family, which automatically makes it awesome.

I woke up at 7am on the day of, to a call from a friend who serenaded me with a lovely, traditional version of "Happy Birthday". In weight training, the instructor was "on one" and threatened to throw dumbbells at people who had bad technique. I told him that he couldn't be mean to me on my birthday, so thankfully even though I got lots of "straighten that back!", my head stayed in tact. The rest of the day was uneventful until after work. Mom and I had our nails done. A friend stopped by and gave me graham cracker waffle mix. I am craving to try it. The night finished with a few friends, a little backyard dancing, Monopoly and more cake eating. Just after midnight I got another call from a different friend and another classic rendition of "Happy Birthday." That summed up a pretty awesome day.

Now I'm 22. Old.

Translating.

2010-07-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

There is always something lost when language is being translated. A lot of the time it's choosing between very similar synonyms, other times, if you use one word differently, it will change the entire message of the text.

But sometimes you just have to question people's word choice. For example, the following is from Hesiod's Works and Days. I will refrain from telling you which translator it was to cover for any criticism. Except I'm pretty sure he's dead. Either way, here it is:

Do not let a flaunting woman coax and cozen and deceive you: she is after your barn. The man who trusts womenkind trusts deceivers.

First of all: Really Hesiod? Are females generally that bad? There are always those odd exceptions, but come on.

But to the point, note the word barn. BARN?! The other possibilities are words like estate. Personally, I know more women would rather have an entire estate if they're really going to "coax and cozen" men, not just the barn. Of course if you are a literary haute, you would tell me that barn implies the center of wealth for an estate meaning all that the man has for monetary means. And I would just tell you that to heck with implying all his wealth and just say "estate". Then we wouldn't all have to think as hard as you.

I Like Candy.

2010-07-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

At home currently, I have a 1 lb (diminishing in size rather quickly) bag of gummy bears. Also waiting is a larger-than-my-face sucker from Disneyland. In a drawer to be saved for a rainy day is an Almond Joy. Candy is not something I regularly partake of, and right now I feel like the luckiest kid in the world.

glee

Status Update

2010-07-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

On Facebook, it is always interesting to see what posts people will respond to. Sometimes you may say something shocking and no one will comment, or you may post the most hum-drum idea and your friends go wild. This is an example of the latter, amusing enough to preserve for your enjoyment.

Red is like a good wine.

When can I scrutinize the vine?
Someone stomped on you with barefeet? That wasn't nice of them.
High alcohol content? Not safe for children? Best when accompanied with a sharp cheese? All bottled up? Reportedly healthy when taken in small portions? Robust? Flammable? Are you flammable?
You need time to breathe?
You get better with age?
You should be kept in a cellar for several years to mature?
You are to be avoided?
...try not to stain my shirt or the carpet.
You will not spill, even when placed on a Tempur Pedic mattress someone is jumping up and down on!
It takes at least 20 minutes to fully savor you?
Deep and red? Intoxicating?

The line is actually from a musical, Jane Eyre. Mrs. Fairfax is singing about Mr. Rochester, "And like a good wine, gets better with age." Though the first one was equally appropo, when later Blanche Ingram sings to Mr. Rochester, "Make no mistake, like the taste of the wine, when it comes to a woman, you must scrutinize the vine."

An Allegory.

2010-06-22T22:05:00.001-07:00

I was rummaging through the cupboard for a box of Life and discovered it was already open.

Vision

2010-05-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

Glasses are quite incredible things. Glasses for vision correction, to be clear. It is impossible for someone to tell whether they need a correction on their own. For the eyes they were born with are all they know to see. How are they to know the world has distinct shape and line if nothing they do with their own eyes like squinting or staring will change the way something looks. It isn't until they start running into objects they cannot tell are in the way, for the extreme examples, or cannot see something written far away they need to read like a teachers white board, or a street sign. Sometimes the need for a vision correction is obvious, but for others, they don't even know the difference. This is how it was for me. I knew I was able to read the white boards, read street signs fairly well and was able to pick out people at a distance. It wasn't until after hours of studying my head would hurt and the world around me was a little more fuzzy. Daily eye aches sent me to an ophthalmologist. During the testing I was to shut one eye and read the letters on the wall. I had always told my vision was 20/20. But after I shut the one eye my vision went to pot. Both of my eyes together worked decently, but alone they were horrible. A few weeks went by and I decided to look for frames and scout prices. At one establishment, the proprietor was kind enough to find some lenses that would show me exactly what I would be seeing differently. He told me to look out the window, then set them on my face. I almost jumped. I was able to read the sign just fine, but instantly the lines were defined and crisp.

If you have read this far you may have guessed my point. I thought my sight was fine and dandy until someone else showed me how much better it could be. This is the way of Christ. We are born into this world with our own natural inclinations, thought processes and experiences that shape our actions and reactions. There is no possible way we could know how to be any different, unless someone gives us a new and clearer way to see. As I hesitated on the real need of glasses at first, many of us may question whether we really need the help because what we are seeing at the moment is good enough and gets us by. But no amount of squinting on our own is going to improve our vision of our own actions. We must be given the better way. The clearer way.

At Rehearsal Tuesday May 25

2010-05-25T21:58:00.000-07:00

Someone from the cast who was watching those on stage (me and others) called out "Mom!"

And I answered.

Note that in the script, I am actually his mother.

Worry.

2010-05-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

Burdens have the potential to exalt us, but baggage just weighs us down and wears us out. When we don't repent, sin becomes baggage. Worry, jealousy, and guilt are baggage. An unforgiving heart, anger, regret, and pride are baggage. We choose whether or not to pick up baggage, and Satan loves nothing more than loading us down like pack mules.
-Sheri Dew

Be careful for nothing (Don't be unduly concerned about anything); but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hears and minds through Christ Jesus. ...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased (humble), and I know how to abound (abundance): every where and in all tings I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.
-Philippians 4:6-7, 11-13 King James Translation, parenthesis added from footnotes.

From the Lips of Death.

2010-05-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

A quote from Death personified, in the book The Book Thief:

*** A SMALL PIECE OF TRUTH ***

I do not carry a sickle or sythe.

I only wear a hooded black robe when it's cold.

And I don't have those skull-like

facial features you seem to enjoy

pinning on me from a distance. You

want to know what I truly look like?

I'll help you out. Find yourself

a mirror...

At Rehearsal Monday May 11.

2010-05-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

There is a short ballroom dance scene in the play with pretty simple choreography, but that doesn't mean I could do it well even in two hours. So, my dance partner (who in the play is my son) and I decided to meet a little early the next rehearsal to get it down better. We were dancing only a few minutes when some more of the cast arrived; A group of small girls, mostly under 12. The dance is predominately a waltz, which is the romantic, royalty looking dance. I heard one of the girls say "OH! They're dancing!!"and they giggled. The youngest ones were standing close together with girlish grins on their faces as they watched us fly around the floor.

It is strange to realize that to younger kids, I am now what I used to think was SO grownup and where I wanted to be.

Though dancing still fills me with the same sort of glee.

My new slogan:

2010-05-10T22:03:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, I can't. I have rehearsal.

Little did I know what exactly I was being so unceremoniously shanghai'd into. The performances for this play start on June 17th. O_o I think there are around 22 rehearsals (for my role) between now and then. Which means I will be saying "sorry, I can't. I have rehearsal" at least 4 times a week, if not 5 or 6. Hopefully I'll still have some friends by then to actually come and see the play for this all to be worth it. I also dropped one of my jobs until after performances are over. And my sister might be moving within that time. And the family is going out of town and I promised to care for the dog, but since I'll be gone 14 hours at a time I'm not all that helpful...good heavens. Did I mention I am working and going to school and helping plan a wedding and trying to help keep the house standing?

*deep breath*

Jane Eyre.

2010-05-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

The following conversations took place this evening, after I had just gotten home from the cannery, and had sat down to watch a movie, then go to bed early:

Him: Wanna be in our play? One of our Lady Ingrams dropped out.
Me: Yes. Details?
Him: Are you free tonight or right now?
Me: Yes.

*Red drives madly*

Director: Do you want to be in a play?
Me: Sure!
Director: This is the other Lady Ingram, sing with her.

Thus, I was thrown into a musical.

Possible Facebook Statuses for the Day.

2010-05-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

Red...

...arrived at her Ancient Greek Philosophy final this morning, ragged and worn. The TA was already passing out the test when suddenly her brain came back from a deep abyss called stress. She was supposed to bring extra paper for the essays. Thankfully the cute guy next to her was willing to share. She also noticed the rest of the class had books and notes with them. NOW she remembered it was an open book/note test. Did she have them? Of course not. At least she remembered a pencil. The test went rather well, all things considered.
...got a whopping $19 for four books that are worth about $100.
...'s car reached a milestone today. 100,000 miles! Good job Neville, keep up the good work.
...remembered how awesome it feels to work out.
...wandered around Target looking for a work-out item, and complained loudly in her head about the prices. After digging and trying to find one on sale that fit, she wandered in circles in the women's clothes and accessories for about 40 minutes, then gave up. She found one she liked, that happened to be more expensive than the rest, and bought it. Take that stupid money.
...has commandeered the kitchen table for studying. Sorry Mom.

Never would have guessed that one.

2010-05-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

A list of things I never thought I would do:

Put gel and frizz my hair to look like a lion's mane, then run on stage acting like one.
Record my own singing voice.
Be invited to a bar with 3 middle-aged, married, men.
Wear prescription glasses.
Would smash an ice cream cone into a friend's forehead.

A Rainy Day at the End of the Semester

2010-04-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Who wants to walk to class, in the rain, early on a Friday morning? It is April and it's cold. All these elements together equal misery. Greek poetry cheered me a little, but I was disappointed to see that my sole classmate for my New Testament wasn't present, so I'd have to be responsible for all the translation that day.

But lo and behold he was there when I got to the professor's office. I asked where he was and the professor promptly piped up and said "He was smoking all night." I thought there was a hint of a smokey smell... They both grinned. He then said he was up smoking meat all night, having to turn it every 2 hours. The professor proceeded to play a song for me: "Walking in Memphis." (The reason for this is a little long to explain. But there was a reason) My co-student had brought the Professor a CD by the Chieftans, and we listened to two, Mexican/Irish songs, one narrated by Liam Neeson. And this is how the New Testament class began this morning.

Last Wednesday the professor played "Baba O'Riley" by the Who at the beginning of class.

Does any of this have to do with the New Testament in Greek? Of course not. But did the day just go from woe to awesome? Yes.

Now this is what I call an education.

Word.

2010-04-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

While typing a paper, I was searching for a word to use other than "victim", so I right clicked to reveal the handy-dandy thesaurus. The following words were the result.

injured party
fatality
casualty
sufferer
wounded
prey
dupe
butt

Aim.

2010-04-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Great aim has never been one of my qualities. Normally it is not a big concern, except on days like today, when the snow is perfect for snowballs.

On the way to campus, some friends and I amused ourselves with throwing snow at each other. And since we were all walking the same direction we were in close proximity, which granted easy shots. Here some examples of epic hits, despite most of our lack of great coordination.

Throwing a ball at the passing TRAX train, and nailing one of the rear cars in the front window.
Walking behind me, a ball that was "meant to land in front" landed right on my forehead.
Parting ways, I threw one last ball. I was aiming for his shoulder...but nailed him right in the side of the head, allowing snow to get into his collar. Also, snow was molded perfectly in the shape of his ear, like a bright white, and I'm sure very cold, hearing aid.

\o/

A little confused...

2010-04-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Every time I turn a corner (and I mean every corner I turn) in the house I watch out for a small black dog...
I say "Good-bye Teeka!" to an empty kitchen...
I was early to class today because I didn't have to feed the dog or let her out...
Sitting with my dinner, I look for a begging face...
Chilling with the family, I wait for the click-click of claws and tinkle of a collar as she comes to sit by me...
I hear deep breathing and a sigh as she curls up in her bed when I go to sleep...

For more than 14 years this happened. I was in 3rd grade, 7 years old.

Now it doesn't, and it is very strange. Though how very appropo for her to choose to leave on Saturday night, when the next morning is Easter...

At least I can put my Easter basket full of treats on the floor without her getting her nose into it.

So We Might Be Free

2010-04-03T22:02:00.000-07:00

I don't think we can or will ever be able to fully appreciate the extent of the life and sacrifice of a man named Jesus Christ. I have heard some Christian people say that they don't know how other, non-Christian, people are able to live without faith in a God, or any redeemer. They say that life is hard enough to try living it on your own. But as has been proved through thousands of years and billions of people's not acknowledging a higher power, at least in the Christian monotheistic sense, it is possible to live a life "on your own". I know several very intelligent people who seem very content in their atheistic/agnostic beliefs. They find peace in learning and loving.

Now, you Christians are going to start telling me that they are probably in pain deep inside, burying or having destroyed the light of Christ they were born with. You might say they know deep down inside that there is a higher power. Or that they are just too puffed up in themselves to see that someone might be better than they are. They have found a place of mind where they can function and live their lives the way they find best for themselves. Of course, this is part of my point.

We are taught in the book of John that, parenthesis added, "that was the true Light (referring to Jesus Christ), which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9) Also in the Doctrine and Covenants, "And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world..." (D&C 84:46). Though people may refuse Christian theology, there is a light that stays with them. As long as a man obeys a law, he/she is blessed for it.

The Lord never intended for us to be ignorant and foolish beings that relied explicitly on Him. We are to attempt to grow our own brains through experience. He has said, "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me" (D&C 9:7). All men are searching for the same thing. Happiness. Though with one short survey of current events on this planet we call Earth, this concept may seem laughable. But even those who seek to harm every other being on the planet are searching for happiness, either in this life or the next: They just have a very different concept of happiness. But that is another topic for another day.

People who do not profess a belief in the One True God are not left alone because of their unbelief. They too, as children of Heavenly Father regardless of all of their choices (lets face it. who makes the right choices every time?), are entitled to the promised blessings. They too may feel of His love in their lives. God is "no respecter of persons" (D&C 1:35). We obtain what we own (knowledge, understanding, gift of the Spirit, etc.) through our own choices, but not Love. Love is unconditional. Jesus of Nazareth did not approach the Garden of Gethsemane thinking "This Atonement is only for the righteous, hard-working, obedient people." As I said at the beginning, I do not think we may fully understand the Atonement, because it is in places we cannot see, in, maybe especially, places we do not expect.

We also cannot appreciate the chains we are bound with by wrong choices and wrong thoughts. Whenever you put sugar into your body, your blood flow is slowed. You cannot see or feel your blood moving through you, so you obviously can't feel when it's slowing. Except those times when you feel that sugar crash of a lethargic body, when you've ingest way too much sugar. So is the same reaction of your soul when you act on something that pulls you from perfection like God. You can't feel the chains wrapping around your brain of judgment, feeling, and compassion. But like sugar, if you keep eating it, your body slows and deteriorates. Each chain slows and deteriorates your brain and soul. But because of Christ, we can be freed from every chain. Every. Single. One. Heavy, solid and brick like chains, to strings of nylon. This is what is conditional. Anyone can live forever. And everyone will. But not everyone can live free forever.

For most people this is hard to fully understand, and for all people impossible to fully understand. Again like the sugar, you cannot really tell what is happening to you. This is why so many deny the Christ. The sad thing is, everyone is so desperate for healing. Grasping and slipping in their own minds, seeking goodness and solace around them when it isn't to be found in the minds of men. Christ has broken the bonds of death and sin. His Love is eternal and infinite (1 Nephi 11:22; 2 Nephi 1:15; 1 John 4:7-8; Romans 8:39 ).

One day we will have the chance to meet our Maker and our Redeemer. Until then, believe on the words of prophets from all generations of mankind. For today this Easter Sunday, Jesus Christ rose. His work is complete. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Rejoice in what you do know. Rejoice in the peace and love that is available to you now, at this moment. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Happy Easter.

Spring Break: What I am, and am NOT doing with the week.

2010-03-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

Is:

Going to sleep
Playing at the Sports Mall
Going to watch lots of movies
Going to redecorate my bedroom
Going to sleep
Going to cook AWESOME food
Keeping the above space blank for whatever the heck I want
Going to sleep
Window shopping (who has money to buy stuff?)
Going to hang out with long lost friends

Is NOT:

Going to do hours and hours and hours of homework
Going to go to work

Places I have been hit by a raquetball.

2010-03-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

While watching the ball fly towards my head, it hit me in the back of the head.
The wrist. Hit the ball with the racket, not the wrist.
The ankle.
Between my thighs. Actually, I caught the ball. After it bounced off the wall, off me, off the wall, then landed right between my thighs.
In the stomach. A direct hit from the opponent. Right in the belly-button.

This list will grow. Guaranteed.

Update:

In the side, or up the side. It rolled upwards into my elbow.
In the tender part of my ankle
Right in the nose. It's ok, I didn't like the shape it was in anyway.

2010-03-07T19:58:00.001-08:00

If you have not even tried, you have secured your failure.

Beauty and effort.

2010-03-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

I was looking out the 2nd floor window at work, and saw a young man and woman walking across the courtyard together, her arm in his. Both were dressed for a special occasion. He was in slacks, white shirt and tie. She was in a floor length patterned dress and by the way she was walking, very, very high heels. Both were well groomed, but the man still walked like a man, casual and comfortable. The woman on the other hand with her quite poofy hair, looked as if she would fall over at any moment. She was rail thin, and with those shoes on, she could not have been comfortable. Having learned a little more of the nature of men, I am doubtful if he cared, or even noticed some of the lengths she went to to look beautiful. A little less make-up, a little shorter shoes, a little less hair product. She was a naturally gorgeous woman, so none of this would have hurt her. Not being, nor ever have been, a man, I cannot say this for sure: But how much do men care about the things women do to change the way they look so they may be "more beautiful"? My guess would be that men are content just to have a pretty lady by their side, happy to live and enjoy life as they are. Yes, I understand men are visual creatures and good care on the woman's part never hurt, but I think as women, we take our looks to seriously. For each other, and the men we choose to please. We should at least keep our fashion to functionality, (And walking, I'm sorry to those women who wear the nasty 5 in. heels, is a necessary function.) and comfortableness - For our own sake, and for the men who don't seem to care quite as much as we do.

After Graduation, I should...

2010-03-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Go to Grad School for Christian History - 0
Entreprenuer a Pastry Shop - 3
Move to Scotland for a Year - 5
Do Something Else - 2

Thanks for your input, we'll have to see what actually happens in the next year and a half!

Lunch Trips

2010-02-24T21:41:00.000-08:00

For the past few weeks, a group of people (that changes each week, though some guests are consistent) have been venturing to various eateries for food on Wednesday afternoons. We have the luxury of going at a time when most of the population has already eaten; But as college students, we're always hungry. Week 1 - Cafe Rio : This place has improved itself in my eyes, as long as I stay away from the green sauce that ruined my first taste of Cafe Rio.
Week 2 - Au Natural : A great place for fresh food with a little zing, decent prices and leaves you feeling like you ate what mother nature intended for your body.
Week 3 - Back to Cafe Rio
Week 4 - Training Table : An American classic with great cheese fries and awesome accompanying dipping sauce. Burgers and sandwiches also recommended.
Week 5 - The Pie : The University celebrated food source. Never having set foot in the place, we ventured into the dark underground depths and found glorious happiness awaiting in the form of pizza, pull-aparts (cheesey breads) and Zappis. The Wise Guy Zappi is highly recommended, but be warned that it is larger than your face. Cream cheese, mozzarella, spinach, covered in dough, basil and a gentle sauce on top. De-licious.
Week 6 - Wendys : A normal everyday chain burger place that has a better reputation from the other, unnamed, fast food joints. I ordered my favorite Caesar salad and found they had changed the dressing and it no longer comes with croutons. The service here was the worst I've encountered. Some finished their meals by the time others ordered.
Week 7 - Village Inn : FREE PIE WEDNESDAY. Awesome pancakes, good service, decent prices for lots of food. My stomach doesn't usually agree with restaurant eggs, but today I fared wonderfully. The hollandaise sauce was impressive, though my slice of White Chocolate Cherry wasn't the best I've had, I recommend the Chocolate Silk or the Triple Berry.

There will be trips in the future, and I will recommend places to eat as we encounter them.

Mmmm, food....

iPod Fail

2010-02-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Photo with Artist Fail.
Good job iTunes.

For the library.

2010-02-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

Though a library is most commonly considered to have a calm and serene atmosphere, a library on a school campus can be far from this. Spending hours at a time in one attitude can tense your muscles; For most students classes can load up the expectations until your brain feels smoking under a steam roller. The library has provided comfortable chairs, food (expensive might I add), computers, quiet hiding places, knowledgeable people to help; But I think there is one amenity lacking. Masseurs. People who wander around the library and for a dollar a minute they'll massage your shoulders, neck and head. It would revitalize your brain to do just one more hour, just one more problem, just one more page. And what a great student job opportunity! Any one else think this would be a good idea?

Oh really...

2010-02-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

While surfing the web I came upon the Scottish National newspaper. I was looking for their classified section and noticed "Whisky" I thought it might be some clever quip referring to something I didn't recognize...

Nope. It's the real deal.

New Poll

2010-02-08T19:39:00.001-08:00

Available on Blog

If you choose "Do Something Else" please leave suggestion in the comments to this blog.

Thanks!

You know you need a haircut when...

2010-02-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

you look in the mirror every morning and scream at the mane surrounding your face.

While sitting in the barber chair getting hairs cut, another stylist walks past and says, "Brian, did you do that color?"

Brian replies, "Nope, it comes out of her head like this."

Thank you Grandma from mom's side, and Grandpa from dad's.

And So It Begins. . .

2010-01-26T22:00:00.000-08:00

Alright. Fine. I'll embrace it. The gym. A place I never thought I'd go. Too intimidating with all those skinny, firm, flat, toned people who would look at me and laugh. Well, I have finally found a way to work it into my schedule of school, work, social life, sleep, food, reminding my family that they have a red-headed little sister. The price is included in tuition (guess they expect every student to go) and since I already pay for it, I might as well take advantage. After work, three days a week, it's work out time. Christine agreed to go with me at least two days, so today was day one. We did it. We went. We explored. We tried three machines (stair-master, bike, elliptical) and were quite pleased. Josh and Amilynne (choir party!) were there giving their all. (PS, this seems like a good time to mention the open invitation to anyone who wants to join us.) Ending in the sauna - felt so good.

This leaves us with a few questions. Sure, we work into being hardcore, but how slowly, then what is hardcore without murdering yourself? Do you eat before or after the work out? I had a suggestion of one day weights, but how the heck do you do those properly without hurting yourself, or ending up lopsided? What's the best thing to do to lose pounds?

Did I mention Yoga on Monday nights?

A Letter

2010-01-22T09:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Amazon.com and iTunes,

I do not want to pay $1.29 for one song. Increasing the price by 30% is not attractive and has hindered me from purchasing anything from either of you. If I purchase three songs I pay almost enough to get a fourth song; But I don't. I will find my music elsewhere.

Thanks.

A Letter

2010-01-20T18:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Taylor Swift,

There are only so many times you can sing about a fairytale coming true. We get it. Thanks.

New Blog

2010-01-19T18:56:00.001-08:00

I should announce the existence of another blog of mine called, currently, A Greek Major in Love With Baking. The link to it is below my profile photo. You may visit if you like and say what you like.

Numb Lips.

2010-01-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

I have a tube of lotion given to me by my aunt that is for cracked and dry feet. I haven't had need for that purpose, but it's very soothing and moisturizing for general dry skin. When I noticed that my legs were quite dry the other day, I slathered the lotion on them. A few minutes later, I noticed that my lips were dry and the lotion was still near-by I put a little of it on them. Not much later there was a strange sensation as I moved my lips...or lack thereof. My lips were numb. No feeling in them. Shocked at first, then I grabbed the tube of lotion. Lidocaine.

The New Year

2010-01-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

I guess something should be said about the change into the new year. A hurrah for the accomplishments for 2009, or a bold and courageous look towards 2010. Indeed, 2009 was eventful with a marriage of a sister, a deeper plunge into academia, improvements vocally, many social adventures.

But this year rang in with little significance. As age moves onward, the years have begun to blend softly into one another; Simply a progression of life. We were here yesterday and are still here today.

Before you think this is some hum-drum perspective on life, let me lighten the room. The slow progression yet swift turn of events in what we call "life" has begun to fascinate me more each day.

I refrain from boasting of everyday events on this blog, but try to introduce my perspective, original or not. The more education I shove down my throat, the more I realize there is rarely an original thought, speech or action. Thousands of books have been written over thousands of years, and even more hundreds of thousands in the past 100 years, of people's discoveries of life, habits and feelings, science and technology. I bought a clutch bag from a vintage store, and the more I used it, the more I fell in love with it. One day while riding in the car with a friend and fiddling with the outer layer, the layer popped off. I was horrified. The one of a kind purse was broken! Upon further inspection the purse turned out to have snaps on the outer layer making that layer removable or reversible. If you have been in any mall, you will be familiar with the square purses that have magnets in their lining so you may change the design and formality of your purse in seconds. Original? Obviously not, according to my little clutch.

My fascination in life has become the amount of knowledge there is possibly to be obtained. In the library on campus is ~61 miles of books. Sixty-one miles. In one university library. That's nearly 3 million volumes. If you read one book a day, in 80 years you will read 29,300. You would have to live ~102.3 life-times to read just what is in this one library.

Whoa.

So far in my college career I have taken classes on film, sociology, psychology, algebra, statistics, history, language, linguistics, theater, dance, music, singing, astronomy, teaching, writing, geology. Even though 4 months was spent learning about each subject, the classes were introductory - barely scratching the surface of what is available to the human race.

Whoa.

Yes, I feel quite worthless in my own little world. Yet the clock still turns, age still progresses, and happiness lives on. We breathe. We eat. We laugh. We cry. And time moves on.

Happy New Year.

The Zoo.

2009-12-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

Several months ago, my family and I took a trip to the zoo for the three little ones. (But let's be honest, we all like the zoo.) By the gorilla enclosure sits a statue of a gorilla. We gathered around it to take a family photo - Don't ask me why, it seemed like a good idea at the time. We posed, snapped, and started to walk to the train. About 200 yards away from the statue, all of us laughing and talking, someone said "Where's Sam?" "I thought you had him" "Is he back there?" "No, that's Ava." Mind you with eight adults, it's easy to assume someone else has the kid. You know what happens when you assume... So a few of us retraced our steps to the gorilla, and there Sam stood. He was contentedly watching the next family taking photos around the gorilla. (I wonder if they realized what I did months later, after looking at the photo.) Good boy, he's shy enough to not just cling to someone else, but not shy enough to feel no shame in watching other people.

So, Sam is still apart of this family.

And we have a photo of us gathered around a gorilla.

A Letter

2009-11-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Macy's,

I would like to wear a dress that is more than a sleeve-less shirt.

Kthx.

Story.

2009-11-26T19:44:00.000-08:00

When one is bored at work, and another is bored at work, and there are phones and texts, here is what you get:

Once upon a time there was a rabbit. He had a nice home with a wife and 500 children (you fill in the next line.)

One of the baby rabbits decided he would venture out into the great unknown to find adventure. His name was...

Steve. This rabbit's love of music called him into the world. The rest of his family disapproved of his nonsense waving and yelling at the girls calling them...

Funny Bunnys. They all would giggle at Steve's wit and charm. One day, while traveling, he met a very cute bunny named Bernice. Steve called her a funny bunny, but she...

Slapped him. Steve was ashamed and fled the country. On a boat sailing to Spain, he met a one eyed pig who taught Steve many great lessons. One day the pig...

Jumped overboard to find a message in a bottle. Steve through great difficulty, for the pig was fat and couldn't swim, saved him and the message. It said...

Honey, does this dress make me look fat?

They both quietly looked out to the ocean and said yes. Once the arrived at shore, scientists captured them to study them because they were talking animals. One day in the lab...

A mariacii band came to play for the scientist's birthday party. There was cake and had cream. Steve politely asked for a slice and the woman screamed. Then...

Aliens came and destroyed china. Steve then began singing, and the band took him on as the lead singer. The pig sadly died. One day, while on tour...

The aliens sat on the front row of the concert. After the show they came backstage and asked Steve if he had seen a message in a bottle. They thought...

Their dresses were quite flattering. Steve quickly corrected them. In anger, they took steve away to their planet called...

Pork. Bernice was also there. Steve and Bernice held onto each other in fear. The aliens took them to their king who loved music Steve started to sing a song.

And the king turned to Jello. Due to widespread fear and a new job opening, Steve was made king and Bernice was made queen.

Steve was mad at the aliens because he had liked Chinese food, so he blew up Pork and went back to earth where he and Bernice....

Married and had a good house and 500 kids. One young bunny, named steve, decided to go looking for adventure. He found...

A rock and named it Jim. He took the rock everywhere. talked to it, sang to it... One day the rock said...

Does this dress make me look fat?

I'm grateful for...

2009-11-26T11:18:00.001-08:00

A young, healing body. No matter how my body seems to get beat up, bruised, scratched, sore or sick, in some remarkable way, life will continue as normal with no lasting damage. I've been working on getting rid of a constant cracking back and bad headaches, and within 2 weeks, the headaches are gone and my back is already stronger. I'm grateful for a fully functioning immune system that keeps me alive and well. Eyes that see a sunset every night, ears that hear music every day, mouth that sings, hands that feel, feet that walk with freedom.

Food.

2009-11-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Today I ate 3 slices of pie and one piece of cake.

Dutch Apple Pie, Black Bottom Pie, Raspberry Cream. Apple Spice with dulce de leche and whipped cream.

Whoa.

Multi-Tasking.

2009-11-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

It is a custom at work, that while you are waiting for the computer to process a task you have performed, to have some other form of entertainment to keep your brain occupied. Sometimes the wait between your chance to actually do some work can be 2-5 minutes. If you are to walk through the group of computers, you will most likely see You Tube in the corner of the screen. Most of the time you will catch a glimpse of South Park, or some other cartoon. My current assignment has been one that gives me at least 3 minutes down time as I wait for each page to load. Conveniently, some people have taken to posting entire movies online. Christmas is coming soon, and I am not ashamed to say that I have been listening to Christmas themed music and watching Christmas themed movies. I pulled up a Santa Claus themed movie yesterday, and near the end was very touched at the human interaction, the love that had grown in this family. I had nearly two hours left after the first movie, so I pulled up one based on the story of the Savior's birth. Near the end of this second film, I was so touched I had to hold back tears. It occurred to me the stark contrast between the choices in entertainment. While some were merely getting entertainment, I was feeling closer to my Savior, learning compassion and learning to look at other people from their own perspective and circumstance.

Not to be considered boasting, for I enjoy entertainment for the pure sake of entertainment also, I was merely entertained that experiences so vastly different could occupy the same room; So close together, but minds so far apart.

What minor should I add to my resume?

2009-11-04T10:36:00.000-08:00

Poll results:

Linguistics - 3 (37%)
Religion - 2 (25%)
Philosophy - 0
Business/Entrepreneur - 3 (37%)

We're going with Linguistics.

Getting sick.

2009-10-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the week I felt tired and the beginnings of a scratchy throat. Terrified I would get too sick to function, I took a day to kick it in the pants. The second day was better, and half-way through I felt pretty good. The third day I felt absolutely fine. The fourth day, the cold hit me in the face. My first thought was "EXCUSE ME - I took care of you two days ago." There's not a whole lot I can do about it really, besides stuff myself with vitamins and fluids, then go to bed early.

A few weeks ago, my sorority did an activity titled "Arrange the pieces you are given." There are so many things in our lives we don't have control over, but we have control of what we do with those things.

There is nothing I could have done to foresee or prevent the cold. This is so with most events that take place in our lives. We must simply take life a day at a time, learn a day at a time, and make time worth living.

At least a cold is good enough to inspire one more blog post ;) .

Today I ...

2009-10-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Aided one sister in rescuing and returning to proper owner, two very, very small and lost dogs within 5 minutes.
Almost blinded the other sister by poking her eye quite hard. Don't swing your arm with a pointer finger out if you don't know who is behind you. Just sayin'.

A Tale of a Dress.

2009-10-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

$20 for bustles and hoop skirt.
$100 for dress.
$15 for crown.
$17 for shoes.
$30 for hair.
$20 for jewelry.
Best costume I've ever worn...you know the word.

I had to have help lacing up the back of the dress. It took my dear lady in waiting almost 10 minutes, thank goodness for her. I took up 2.5 chairs worth of space. Walking down the street required a carrier for the back. Though I began to understand how women who had to wear these dresses on a daily basis felt. You don't have much use but to be an ornament. We played charades at this party, and my Halloween object to act out was a witch hat. I was grateful for something I didn't have to move around much for. I raised my arms to mime a pointed hat, and they stopped half-way up. Thankfully someone got it anyway, with some pointing at someone else's hat. Sitting required a straight back (the dress was a corset on its own). Someone came up to me at the end of the party, and the farewell was "I hope you shrink." Entertained by my own size, people were submitted to being "skirtified" if they sat next to me. What I do want to know, is how men danced with these women with huge skirts. My partner was forced to slide his feet, and even then he caught the hem. After 4 hours my torso had submitted to the dress and I merely sat in it. Another hour it came off; my whole body bent over and could BREATHE! Undoing the hairstyle, I discovered over 40 bobby-pins (a normal hairstyle takes from 2-5), rollers to plump the hair, and two small hair pieces. Many hilarious improv photos (yet to be posted), sore body waking the next morning, and lots of conditioning hair product to remove the hair spray later, the price of wearing an awesome costume is truly - immeasurable.

I am grateful for. . .

2009-10-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

Honest people. I was getting ready to leave the house this morning and discovered my wallet was missing. Just an ounce of a problem...I dug through my backpack several times (I am awesome at losing things in obvious places), checked my account to see if money had been taken out by someone else, searched my car, etc. I prayed for some help, and felt confident about heading to school anyway. I asked at the Institute with no luck. Mentally I searched through my wallet to figure out what I was going to have to replace. I remembered I had bought something at a cafe, so went straight there. The lady at the cafe told me to go to the student union. There was an office along the way that I ducked into, and they directed me to the floor below. I didn't think they would have it, but went anyway. Lo and behold she opens a drawer and there was no mistaking the duct tape. Apparently they had called my house, and I distinctly remember seeing a message on the phone but never bothered to listen to it. Everything is still in the wallet, down to the single dollar bill. Thank you, to whoever turned it in. Many, many thanks.

More than a Sparrow

2009-10-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

My task at work is helping manage photos and sound clips of various animals for an internet database. Most of the files lately have been of birds. Life has a way of sometimes feeling stagnate, as if we are not progressing or growing. We can feel stuck and lost, so full of questions.

As I was staring at a photo of a Violet-Green Swallow, a scripture popped into my mind. Matthew 10:29-31:

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

It is quite incredible to think that the Lord is aware of all that we experience. Not only aware of the situations that are troubling to us, but what needs to follow to get to that which will make us MOST happy. He knows us better than is seems we know ourselves. He knows the outcome of our lives, while He lets us fight and wrestle for our own understanding of our life's purpose.

I testify to you that Heavenly Father has made ample provision for you to succeed in this life and to continue in exaltation in the next. He has sent a Guide and a Rescuer, even Jesus Christ. He has provided a Comforter, even the Holy Ghost. Three distinct beings, one in purpose; To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. This means you. Their purpose is to make sure you succeed, if you only let Them aid you. Darn right they are aware of what you are going through. Your thoughts and confusion, joy and agony. Fear ye not. You'll not simply get to the resurrection and go through a simple inspection, "Yep, you have all your hair. NEXT!" Heavenly Father will know you as you have been, as you are, and as you can be. He is so intimately aware, and will heal you of all your grief, sorrow and pain.

How the day was improved.

2009-10-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

Got a ride on a golf cart across campus, and when arrived at destination, a random man stopped and opened the door.

That's my girl! Part 3.

2009-10-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

My niece was chatting with her mother and said "Mom, what's my room's name?"
"I dunno Ava, what is it?"
"Betsy."

----

On our way to dinner last night we were talking about who was married to who. This is a conversation between my niece and I:
"Who is married to Emily?"
"Joel"
"Who is married to Nina?"
"(w)Ross"
"Who is Erin married to?"
"uh...who is you married to?"
"I'm not married yet. I'll get married later."
"That's good."

Thanks...

----

While we are eating in the restaurant my niece looks at me and says, "Good eating Erin."

Thanks...

Another Letter Recieved

2009-10-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

I received this letter this week also, and would like to share it's contents with you.

Um...Sister Gibson,

I'm not sure how to say this, but I just can't wait. You see I've met a handsome young duck, and now I have a new pet. At the pet store. . . I do believe you have a good heart but our love will never be. I met someone new, they're way better. No forwarding address for you. I really have to end it I've decided to become a clown. I wanted to wait, but her eyes were so beautiful, I had to put her down. I would have been sad to let her continue on her present course. Find a new love with a mustache...that curls into your eyes that really are far too red. Whatever I have had a horrible time trying to love you but I can't.

Regretfully,
me

Good thing I have the former letter in exchange for this poor mishap.

A Romance Letter

2009-10-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

I received this letter, and would like to share it with you.

Dear Erin,

I am writing to tell you I love your pants because how earnestly I admire and love you. If you when we were lost and you would ask for directions and then to make it better, I believed you to be the most weirdly fascinating person as diamonds. If your hair grown. I hope that one day I can find like a butterfly and my heart I love the way you smell like the dessert in mid-day. Pick me up-take me anywhere. What more can I say? How can I express the please always always always be mine to be with you even though we had just met. Every year when the come to the mountain cabin, nothing's in your ear, you seem to

Your ever-affectionate and passionately in love,
-Boo

I shall treasure this piece of love in my heart, always and forever.

Parenting

2009-09-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

I was in the local grocery/everything-you-ever-need-or-want center, where a girl was looking for her mother and called out "parental unit...". How endearing.

The King of Love my Shepherd is.

2009-09-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

The King of Love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.

-Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mack Wilberg

I'm grateful for. . .

2009-09-09T10:29:00.001-07:00

The ability to navigate a computer. Not to be boastful, but I am quite adept at navigating the interwebs and various applications on either a Mac, or a PC. Though I am an avid Mac fan, jobs have forced me to operate PCs, therefore keeping my skills for each sharp. I see those who struggle to use a computer in the most simple ways, I count it a blessing to move between tasks with an unconscious stroke of the keys.

Note: Going back and forth between the two operating systems can be bothersome, as the keys are not quite synonymous. Sometimes I hit the same key several times while nothing happens before I think "oh, duh."

Poll Results: During the semester, all my instructors will be male. What consequences will ensue? (choose all that apply)

2009-08-27T10:08:00.001-07:00

You'll need lots of girls nights.	2 (50%)
Your semester will rule.	1 (25%)
Nothing different than with female instructors.	1 (25%)
You'll come out with your head on a plate.	1 (25%)

Fall 2009, The First Week

2009-08-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Day One - Greek, Statistics, run into friend, book store for pencil and lead, Intro to Language Studies, book store for study packet for ILS, staring at homework, walk around campus with friend, hand out at Institute with friends, home, stare at homework.

Day Two - Sleep in, paint room, walk through Institute and chat with friend, Ballroom Dance and the CHA-CHA!, sign up to take notes in Stats for someone and earn $50 at the end of the semester, stare at homework, panic over forgotten Algebra, friend assists in remembering, way too much food at Wendy's with a friend, go to RUSH, dress in "work out clothes" (leggings, rolled up stretchy pants, leg warmers, headband and t-shirt), FAIL in jump-rope in skit (rope stuck in hair), talked to girls and tried to find the balance between enthusiasm to knock them over and convincing them to come to Theta, leave backpack, friend picks up and another friend drives me to get it.

Day Three - Greek, Statistics and want to cry, tempted to break into song in the library, ILS, hang out at Institute with friends, home and crash.

Day Four - Run into Choir director, Greek, get calls and texts from Choir director, get a list declaring me official in the choir, stare at homework . . .

Anticipating for the week - Starting new job at the library, staring at homework, meeting new choir people.

You know you're an idiot when...

2009-08-26T18:07:00.000-07:00

You lose your keys in your backpack (at least a week of searching)
You lose your camera in your backpack (a few months of searching, granted this backpack was not commonly used)
You lose your iPod in your backpack (luckily it was less than 24 hours of searching)
The jump-rope gets stuck under your hair while hundreds of girls are watching
You back into a rather large dumpster
You wear a shirt on inside out and/or backwards, not noticing for at least an hour
You get stuck in a revolving door with your rolling suitcase

Clothing Shopping, an adventure men never have to worry about...

2009-08-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was in a shop on my lunch break, and found the sale rack. There was a shirt that was labeled $4. It was cute, so I picked it up and took it to the dressing room. It fit! Sweet, 4 dollar shirt, can't argue with that. It has long sleeves, and since the purchase was in the summer, it just wasn't suitable unless I wanted to roast. A few days later I was itching to wear it for an evening out so I put it on and looked in the mirror. Wait a second. . .I lifted up the front of the shirt a little bit. The front seemed to be longer in the front than the back. . . My eyes went wide and I started laughing. It's a maternity shirt!

o_O

Guess I'll save it for later.