Race Day

came and went. on a windy december day. it was a blast. an awesome event. the kids outran us all in the 2K and 5K. my sister and my cousin did an entire marathon. they were so strong. the support staff (the rest of us) ran/drove around town like crazy, trying to catch up to them in time to cheer like monkeys and pass out water and powergel at the aid stations. awards banquet that night. everyone is a winner. we made $3,390 to donate to the PEF. it makes me excited to think about how those funds can help change lives. thanks to dad for planning this. thanks to my family for being an inspiration to me.

more pictures to come.

also. Christmas was wonderful.

and. we are still loving the california sunshine.

happy holidays to everyone!

friends and freedom

hi all.

we are free! i finished my last final of the semester yesterday. and had a lovely party with the ladies in my program last night. 22 of us started this together in june. i'm thankful for friends. being far away from family is really tough some days. friends get you through. especially through things like graduate school. we learn, grow, suffer and support each other through the ups and downs of the program. we've come from all over the country, from different religious backgrounds, family lives, financial situations, and previous educations. even though we all have different hobbies and passions and lifestyles, this program has already bonded us in a way that means lasting friendship. i always tell jonny that they really are all just nice. it just makes sense. why would anyone dedicate their life's work to helping children or elderly or disabled or recovering wounded achieve happiness and quality of life, through the gift of communication...if they were not a nice person? i feel blessed to have come here and to have met these amazing, intelligent, ambitious women. i look forward to the next year and a half we have together.

future professionals:

oops

So, its that time again for setting goals at the beginning of a new year and a fresh start, and I realized that I never gave you an update on my 22 by 22 list! And my 22nd birthday has come and looooong gone. Shame on me for not reporting earlier. Where is my accountability? I'm sure you've all been wondering, and are simply jittery with anticipation, sitting on the edge of your seats.

Well, wait no longer folks... here it is: (the purples are ones I did)

1. Read the Book of Mormon with Jonny

2. Write more notes/letters

3. Get all unpacked/decorate our new place (first: find a new place, drive across the country)

4. Go on a trip/adventure with Jonny :) (teeheehee)

5. Ride my bike to school

6. Read 2 good books for fun (any suggestions?)

7. Run a half-marathon in SLC

8. Actually DO my Pilates/Yoga videos (sitting in the drawer…)

9. Paint another oil painting

10. Make new friends

11. But keep the old (“one is silver and the other’s gold.” thank you Girl Scouts.)

12. Simplify our lives –organize.

13. Go to the Chicago Temple

14. Learn something crafty

15. Read the whole April 2009 Conference Ensign

16. Visit Nauvoo

17. Be more environmentally friendly

18. Try 10 new dinner recipes

19. Graduate from BYU!

20. Get good grades my first semester of grad school

21. Write a new song

22. Make smoothies for breakfast

That's pretty good, if I do say so myself!

I like goals. They keep me focused, productive, and happy. I love the feeling of accomplishment and success when I check something off of a list.

So, here are some new ones...till my next birthday (10/01/2010):

1. finish the Book of Mormon

2. exercise 5x per week

3. go on more dates with Jonny

4. remember my morning prayers

5. visit Nauvoo

6. go to the temple 4 times

7. visit Chicago again

8. record some of my songs

9. run 2 more races (maybe this one)

10. knit a scarf

11. make a snow angel

12. pass my spring and summer classes

13. get good clinic reviews

14. have at least one pool day with Katie

15. learn how to use a credit card (don't laugh)

16. try to keep up with this for sunday school

17. read 3 classic books (thinking of using this list)

18. sing in the shower

19. go camping (maybe here)

21. move to a new apartment?

22. get a dog?

23. visit Kuwait?

I like making this list. So I can check things off of it. So I can reference it when I need new direction in my life or something to do for a couple of hours. So I can look forward to fun things and look back on accomplishments. I like posting it so I can feel some small sense of accountability. (though I don't expect any of you to write and ask "so mary, how many times did you exercise this week? or, have you finished that scarf yet? winter is almost over! better get on the ball." but you certainly can if you feel so inclined.) Maybe just knowing that I've sent it out into the cosmos of the www gives me that little extra push to get it done (kinda like when someone is watching you at the gym, so you straighten up your form, or run that extra half-mile).

Yay 2010!

Being 22 will be fun.

10 days

I've been thinking a lot about why people live where they live. Some move for a job, some move for school, some stay where they are planted, some run as far away as they can. Some live for adventure, others for security. I've been asking myself- why in the world would millions of people choose to inhabit a land so icy and harsh? Or, so isolated and sleepy? Or, so dangerous and unpredictable?...Just as some may ask why people would choose to occupy a land of heat and smog?

The answer is always the same. Its home.

I've moved around a bit, and my family is now spread all over the globe. But California will always be my home. Its where I was born, its where I went to visit my grandparents and cousins, its where I spent my teenage years, its where Jonny fell in love with me, and where we were married. In 10 days, we are going home.

I love you Bing Crosby, but this year, I'm dreaming of a brown Christmas. With family.

10 days till our plane touches down in the blessed desert of California.

10 days till I am in my mom's kitchen baking goodies.

10 days till Jonny is playing hide and seek with the kids.

10 days till our arctic coats can lay unworn for a while.

10 days till our brains can take a break from auditory processing and angular momentum.

10 days till we can smooch in front of the temple where we got married.

10 days till we can fantasize about our dream home (pool and palm trees included).
10 days till I can have some quality girl time with my mom and sisters.

10 days till the family talent show, singing carols, and various other traditions take place.

10 days.

10 days till a reenactment of this: (plus everyone 2 years older and wiser, and perhaps in some fancier/more festive clothing.)

!

a little christmas...

ps. thats snow on our doormat. (and my red scarf!)

pss. don't judge us because our tree is 1.fake, 2.two feet tall, 3.lit with lights that have white wires.

psss. you know you are jealous of our three 70's-era mustard-yellow rolling swivel chairs.

sunday baking

mmmm. on sundays, we bake.

this time:

banana-nut-bread muffins (mom's recipe)

.and.

chewy oatmeal chocolate-chunk cookies (jonny's creation)

usually, we try to give away most of our goods before they all fall straight into the hands of the cookiemonster(him), or the belly of the sweettooth(me). needless to say, our neighbors are rather fond of us.

but this time...we kept them all for ourselves.

it must be that greedy time of year. ?

or maybe we ran out of paper plates and aluminum foil.

or maybe not.

maybe we can qualify it is 'brainfood' and chalk it up to needing extra 'energy' for our finals.

yes. that's it.

lets just say...

stress+cold weather+no time to work out+a job at a greasy restaurant+a husband who is too good a baker for his(and my) own good= a wife with a winter fat layer.

its something to be thankful for. forecast says snow this week.

the scrooge in me

is gone.

For some reason, when everyone starts getting so excited (weeks before thanksgiving) about Christmas decorations and music and making excuses to get their stuff out early...I'm putting it off.

I think it started when I went to college.

I'm not sure if it stems from the fact that going somewhere else for Christmas just makes me feel like its not REALLY time for Christmas until I'm home. With family. (aka on the 21st or 23rd or whenever I get there...depending on the year). Or maybe its because this is always the worst time of the semester, when finals are looming, projects and papers are due and the weather gets nasty....so listening to sentimental holiday music and seeing nostalgic movies and twinkling lights just makes me want to bake cookies with my mom, or hibernate in a huge fluffy blanket and drink a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Not exactly conducive to a lot of productivity. If that happens...I don't get any studying done.

I don't think my heart is three sizes too small.

I think my subconscious is pushing Christmas away so that I can keep my focus...desperately just hold on to my work ethic these last few weeks of cold, hard school...sans tempting thoughts about cuddling by the fire, singing carols, lights on the tree and shiny wrapping paper.

(its kinda like how i refuse to wear my big huge coats and hats and mittens, and just get by on long sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts until i positively can't take it anymore and i have to admit to myself that its really winter.)

But this week, I couldn't take it anymore. My subconscious lost the battle. I gave in.

And I love it! I have decided to embrace the season. It only comes once a year, and won't last long. Plus, what better cause to celebrate than the birth of the Savior of the world? I spent yesterday afternoon listening to Frank Sinatra's Christmas CD and decorating our tiny tree, putting out our miniature nativity and our red candles and hanging the stockings with great care. (on the staircase, of course. we don't have a mantle yet, obviously.)

Next up: I want to make these. YUM.

ps. its snowing. just barely. tiny flurries that melt on the ground. but its still snow.

pss. hope my grades survive this decision.

Education is the Key to Opportunity

Dear Friends,

I'm SO excited about this!

Because my family is amazing, I thought I'd share a fact....and ask a favor.

2 of my brave sisters are amongst the craziest percent of the world's population- those who desire to run marathons. To fulfill their lifelong dream(s), my ambitious and awesome dad decided to plan a full-fledged "family marathon", complete with cheering teams, gatorade runners, finish-line ribbon, kids fun run, and awards banquet.

The blessed event is scheduled for next month- December 23rd.

Because we wanted this run to mean something more than just a crazy run for running itself, we debated over how to make each mile stretch further. My parents' wisdom landed us on the idea of running in the name of EDUCATION. It is such an important and valued thing in our family, and especially at this time in our world when college degrees are so crucial to financial and career success.

The church to which we belong, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has a wonderful program called the Perpetual Education Fund:

What is the Perpetual Education Fund, and what is its purpose? (PEF)

At the April 2001 general conference, Gordon B. Hinckley, then President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced a "bold initiative" to help youth in developing areas "step out of the cycle of poverty." The Perpetual Education Fund:

• Is an inspired program to help ambitious, worthy young members of the Church receive training and education that lead to employment.
• Is modeled after the Perpetual Emigration Fund developed for the Church's early pioneers. As loans are repaid, the funds are re-circulated to provide opportunities for others.
• Provides student loans to young people in selected developing nations.
• Helps young people better provide for their families and grow in leadership and responsibility in the Church. It will strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

Click HERE for more information.

The PEF is such a perfect pathway to help others around the world achieve the education we so value. They are probably people just like you and me- young, ambitious, honest, with high hopes for the future, the will to work, and the brains to make it....but lacking the money to make it happen. Student loans can be a literal lifesaver for so many people. (myself included)

Not one cent of the money donated to the PEF goes to any administrative costs, AND "the money collected (the principal) is never spent. Loans are made only from the interest earned on the principal. As students repay their loans, the money goes back into the fund to aid other individuals, making it a perpetual fund."

So, if you value education, if this hits home for you...because you or your spouse or someone else you love has benefited from student loans in a meaningful way, please help us!

Donate. Make each mile count.

And...(it gets better)...my ever generous dad has agreed to MATCH all of your donations.

You can donate a lump sum, or a per-mile pledge. My sisters will be running the whole marathon, I and several others will be doing a 5K.

I know- you are all as excited as I am now! So.....all you have to do is:

1. Donate HERE. (click on the purple 'Donate Online' button). (or make a donation on your tithing slip if you are LDS)

2. Email me maryalison4@gmail.com and tell me how much you decided to donate. (so I can have my dad match your gift)

I cannot describe how important education is- to pull people around the world out of poverty...to give them a fighting chance to feed their families, put a roof over their head.

At this time of counting our blessings, the Christmas spirit, and peace on earth...please consider giving a little (every dollar counts!)...to those who need it most, through an organization that will handle the money wisely and honestly.

Thank You,

Mary and Jonathan

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Since the creation of the PEF, more than 32,000 young people have received loans. Thousands more qualify each year. The PEF program started in Mexico, Peru, and Chile, and has spread to 40 countries including Mongolia, Cambodia, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, some Pacific islands, and most of Latin America. Other areas will be added when possible."

PS. For logistical reasons, dad can only match donations that are reported to me (via email) soon. But feel free to donate to the PEF year round, or whenever suits your fancy!

PSS. We are not receiving anything for this. This is not a ploy or a scam. Our 'family marathon' is not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in any way. If you donate, you are donating directly to the PEF.

a time of thanksgiving

Remember the 'tangle of pokey sticks' I predicted back in October? Well, they are here. But the sunsets are still beautiful.

Our Thanksgiving week was wonderful. Although I was only marginally productive as far as schoolwork goes (I'll be paying for that this week), I got the creative bug. I satisfied the need by making a browsing trip to Michaels (cue craft angel chorus), and then making a feather headband for myself, some colorful table toppers for our upcoming Young Women in Excellence night, carmel-chocolate-nut covered apples for our neighbors, and added to our ongoing "Thank-You Tree". It is good to reflect on all of our blessings and the many things we have to be thankful for. Mostly, for family.

Jonny's Dad's family lives in Kansas. Right smack in the middle of the state. They agreed to have us for Turkey Day. We made the trip over the river and through the woods to sweet Grandmother's house in the tiny town of Otis, Kansas. It was a nice change of scenery. We left the corn fields for wheat fields! Otis has a population of about 200 people (maybe less) and 1 paved road. We spent the days eating the traditional delicious food, visiting with our gracious hosting family and braving the crowds at the nearest mall (1.5 hrs away) on black friday morning.

We figured out on the long drive home...in almost 2 years of marriage, our Honda Fit has taken us to/through 12 states! That's a lot of mileage. We sure are thankful for that little car. There's no place like home.

that one time...

Dear J,

remember that one time, when i got off late from work (it ruins everything), and made us miss your ever-so-carefully-planned date activity? and then how you set plan B into motion, turning on a dime and making the transition flawlessly as to not upset the ever-irrational-freaked-out-by-last-minute-changes me, and gave me a massage took me out to a giftcard dinner and let me order a giant cheeseburger AND cornbread AND mac n' cheese AND chicken tenders AND bought me a carton of rocky road for dessert, and still told me that i was the most beautiful woman ever?

remember that one time, when i wore some weird outfit to church that involved lots of layers and cowboy boots and tights, and you thought i looked so cute and told me so each time you looked up groggily from your afternoon nap and then you helped me make cookies to take to my visit teaching ladies even though i picked the only kind of cookie you don't like so you couldn't even enjoy the product of your work?

remember that one time, when we were talking, and i got a crazy idea about you growing a soul patch and you said you would if i liked it and i got another idea about a tree and construction paper and thankfulness and markers and tape and you went along with it and sat with me at the table as we wrote down our most important blessings on those colored leaves, and cheered ourselves up, and laughed when it got a little too late and we wrote ones like 'nostrils' and 'winter fat layer' and 'yo mamma'?

remember that one time, when it was pouring rain and you let me have the only umbrella and drove me to school so i wouldn't be late and sent me a text to make sure i was ok getting to my classes, and you met me for an extra long lunch break and brought me soup and herbal tea and leaned in real close to hear me speak because my voice was soft and scratchy from the cold and the sickness and you just wanted to hear how my day was going and listen to me rant about my crazy professors and you waited until i had sipped my last sip of tea before saying you had to go?

remember that one time, when i was super sick and skipped out on 3 or 4 days of life and was bored and lonely at home and you weren't sure how to take care of me because you already took me to the doctor and i already had medicine and kept saying i would be 'fine', so you rented a movie for me and built a bookshelf for me and let me sit near you in a chair and read a book all day long and didn't judge me for leaving dishes in the sink and procrastinating all my homework, and then held me while i fell asleep shivering and sweating?

oh wait, that was all this week.

i love you forever,

M

squirrel thoughts

So. Ever since this incident, I've been a little bit.... sour about squirrels. Whenever I see one with its greedy little hands and shifty eyes, I can't help but think its up to no good. That's what happens when you catch someone stealing from you.

Anyway, today when I was walking on campus, I came across one squirrel in particular who was on the ground, holding a prized acorn in both hands and picking off the top of it with his teeth. When it saw me approaching on the nearby sidewalk, he shot me a sideways glance, bit down hard on the nut and scurried away to climb up to safety. (ICE AGE, anyone?)

'Huh', I scoffed, disgusted. I was thinking, 'Like I'd want your dumb nut anyway. I could buy a whole bag of nuts at the grocery store in 2 seconds. It would take you months and months to gather what I could have instantly.'

(yes, I know, I'm weird. I'm talking to a squirrel...to myself. read on if you believe I'll make a point eventually.)

Almost immediately after that thought, another one popped into my head:

There is something immensely gratifying about something that you EARN, something you WORK FOR, something you SAVE, something that takes SACRIFICE, and TIME. Those are the things that are most intrinsically rewarding, give the most sense of self, become imprinted in our memories, are treasured forever.

Instant gratification is such a cheap, fake replacement. The happiness is fleeting, so quickly forgotten, so easily taken for granted. It is nothing compared to the true joy we can attain by turning around after a long, hard uphill push.....and seeing what we've accomplished.

Thinking about our society- obsessed with having everything, NOW....I imagined myself spending money at the store for a giant bag of nuts and inhaling half the bag only to throw the rest away... and contrasted it with the image of a little squirrel, admiring his hard-earned winter's supply...a small handful of precious acorns in the crook of a tree.

And I realized...I'm collecting acorns. Working towards something worth it. It is good.

And I know that I've known this all along. Sometimes it just takes a squirrel to hand it back to me.

Veteran's Day

From www.military.com:

Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Memorial Day honors servicemembers who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

-----------------------------------------

I hope that we all take a moment today to thank the many brave heroes who have made and continue to make countless sacrifices to ensure our freedom. Thank you. We love you. We honor you.

Crying Song

fascinating.

language is amazing.

and how could we not have a Divine Creator?

'stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight'

photo from flickr

.Thoughts on Optimism.

life is all about choices and priorities

since i dont like my job... yet find myself stuck in it for lack of other options that i am qualified for which provide the same amount of flexibility and pay ( i need both right now while i'm in school full time)...i have 3 choices. there are different ways of looking at the situation:

1. stop being a baby and get over it. people have to do hard things every day that they don't want to do. you just need an attitude adjustment.

2. no one should waste precious moments in life -doing something they dont like hate, when there is so much fun to be had, relationships to build, and other worthwhile pursuits. its not worth it...just quit.

3. bounce back and forth between 1. and 2., inevitably landing on 1. over and over, thus decide to make the most of the experience at work, and in the meantime...daydream of things you might do if you weren't chained to said job.

just a few examples:

-get paid to do research i love like this

-train a dog to do therapy like this

-become an a national geographic photographer like this

-get certified to teach group fitness classes like this

-write my own music and become famous like this

-travel the world with my husband like this

i'd love to write down all of my fantasy hobbies, but i'm outta time. gotta get to work.

mental health and missionaries

yaaaay!

today i got my first forwarded email from hermana jenny jones!

she is so amazing. i loved hearing her testimony of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

also.

today we took a mental health morning... which included the following: we slept in, skipped our first classes, ate breakfast in bed, threw grapes at each other, read scriptures, and took our sweet time getting ready for the day.

as far as i know, i was an angel of a child who went to school with no complaints and had that intrinsic motivation to complete my homework and perform well in extracurriculars. but, even kids get bogged down by too much go-go-go! when i was growing up, my mother, in all her wisdom, allowed me to have a 'mental health day' once or twice a year. it was a day when i wasn't technically 'sick', but just needed a break from the craziness and the routine of school and sports and waking up early. she would call the school and excuse me from class, and we'd spend the day watching movies, baking cookies or shopping together. of course this petered out once i got to high school and learned the awful reality that escaping one day really just means you pile that work onto the next day.

does anyone else miss the days when your parents could make one phone call and erase all of your responsibilities?

extra bonus thought: everyone go to OPRAH right. now. and vote for Abraham McDonald!

this is what neuro does to people

jonny was helping me study. this was sometime around midnight.

'leaving cute pictures of me on your computer for when you miss me during the day!'

...more like the loopy overtiredness of a deranged grad student, forced to read flashcards full of jibberish like, 'a lesion caudal to the decussation point on the pyramids of the mid medullary fissure causes ipsilateral weakness', to help his wife learn her stuff....

what a man i have.

venting

ugh!

why am i not an african american woman with a japanese passport and 8 children who took a break in her schooling and now is coming back to study for a summer abroad in belgium, earn her doctorate in a combined architecture/engineering and M.D. and planning on a post doc in complex multifactorial causation of women's health disparities?????

in my wildest dreams, i would be this woman. fully funded.

seriously. i have been looking since march. i can find funding in the form of grants, fellowships and assistantships for seemingly everyone on the planet except me.

i have no skills and meet no prerequisites.

im just a plain jane american girl working towards a lowly masters degree in the department with the least amount of student funding possible at the entire university.

blah. out of state graduate tuition...here i come.

happy halloween!

hope you all had a scary holiday...

luckily, we didn't scare our friends away. we had a great little party. the glow of the pumpkin welcomed a single trick-or-treater to our front porch. (more candy left for us!)

but we had fun eating roasted pumpkin seeds, chips and dip, green chili, fudgy brownies, carmel corn, and applesauce jello.

and playing with Katie's dog Moses, and watching football...and Hocus Pocus!

Sisters Shoutout

Shoutout to my beautiful sisters. They are incredible mothers, wives, friends, sisters, daughters...I'm so proud to say I'm related to them.

They each inspire me to be a better woman. I wish we were closer, but cherish the times we do have together. We are just a phone call away. I know they will always be my best friends. I can count on them for advice, support, and a good laugh.

Loretta. Happy Birthday. I hope you found time to celebrate. You are amazing!

Heidi. Congrats on finishing the beastly test! State Nursing Boards got nothing on you.

Gina. You are rocking dental hygiene school. I'd want your hands in my mouth any day.

My whole life I've been the little sister tagging along. Thanks for letting me.

the love affair has begun

I know.

Some of you are thinking- 'duh, its about time to get a mac!' And others are saying- 'no. how could you betray us for the dark side?'

I'm just telling it like it is, people. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the IBM thinkpad that was taken too early to its watery grave, and the good ole Compaq desktop that lasted me through high school and college.

BUT. (in the words of Tommy Boy...) Macs. Are. Awesome!

Thanks thanks thanks times 1 million to some very generous benefactors...for our new computers.

Colors

Fall colors are my favorites... Deep red and dark purple, chocolate brown, golden yellow and rust orange.
I love how the fruits and veggies of the season match the leaves on the trees. And the colors evoke much-needed warmth on these crisp, short days. We enjoyed a fun trip to a festive family-run apple orchard and pumpkin patch this weekend, complete with hay bales and crunchy leaves underfoot, warm doughnuts and hot apple cider, homemade pies and fresh caramel apples. We strolled along hand in hand, in the last light of the fading sun, sipping cider and tip-toeing through the large pumpkin patch. We picked our prize pumpkin and Jonny bravely carried the 20+lb thing back to the country store (we had forgotten to bring along a cute red wagon for our harvest). We drove leisurely through the winding neighborhood streets on the way home, amazed at the vibrancy and variety in the colorful leaves. It is exhilarating and depressing at the same time- knowing that in the coming weeks, even the most beautiful tree will soon loose all of its colors...and will be left bare, thin and fragile, just a tangle of pokey sticks.

Lilian

Lili= our next door neighbor-bundle of joy-blonde hair and blue eyes-four year old friend.
Its just her and her dad. Hes getting his PhD in chemistry= hes busy=Lili hangs out with me once or twice a week.

Late yesterday afternoon:
Lili: (looking at the ceiling fan which is now sitting on the floor) whats happened?
Me: it's broken. someone is coming to fix it tomorrow
Lili: who is coming?
Me: a guy
Lili: well whats his name?
Me: i can't remember. i forgot his name
Lili: well was he wearing any clothes?
Me: yes
Lili: what?
Me: a white shirt and jeans
Lili: what else?
Me: brown boots
Lili: and what color were his panties?
Me:..... (rotfl inside) um, i dont know sweetie i didnt see them
Lili: ....(thinking first) well they are probably gray
Me: yeah, you're probably right

After dinner:
Jonny: (eating peanut butter out of the jar)
Lili: I want some of that
Jonny: nope, its only for big boys
Lili: well my daddy lets me have peanut butter (she will not be fooled)
Jonny: this one is special (pointing to label) it says "big boys". you are a girl
Lili: oh...
Jonny: ('ha! i stumped her' )
Lili: well that looks like the one i have. the one at my house says "boys AND girls"
Me: she just outsmarted you

Later that night:
Lili: (running around like a crazy person)
Me: what should we do? (get out my guitar and play a couple of songs. she seems entertained)
Jonny: how about we sing a song about Lili?
Me: ok! (i make it up on the spot...sing about her favorite color- pink/blue and favorite animal-a moose..? ....i thought it was pretty good, moose noises included)
Lili: smiling the whole time and dancing around
Jonny: (at the end) lili, did you like your song?
Lili: no.
Jonny: why not?
Lili: cause its not my favorite
Me: which one is your favorite?
Lili: twinkle little star

kids are so easily pleased.


PS. strawberry shortcake is amazing. we watched a movie. and i sat on the couch salivating.
these are the names of the other characters:
apricot
sour grapes
plum pudding
angel cake
rainbow sherbert
lemon meringue
carmel corn
huckleberry
watermelon
AND she has a kitten named custard. and a puppy named pupcake.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Things to be thankful for...

-a husband who does the dishes
-an afternoon without banging/sawing/hammering
-3 whole days of sunshine!
-beautiful fall colors (my faves)
-my neuro lecture was canceled
-a subway sandwich for lunch
-going to the moooviieeees
-parents who raised me right
-kids who give me high-fives
-friends who give me rides
-icecream in the freezer
-we still have this desktop
-we have warm coats to wear
-loving, supportive sisters
-a good hair day
-a productive morning
-really yummy chips and salsa
-a night of sleep


The list could go on forever. I think of myself as a generally happy, optimistic person, and I think (hope) most people who know me would agree. But lately I've been stuck in a rut. I needed something to recharge my happiness. So yesterday when I woke up I decided to think of all the little (and big) things throughout the day I was thankful for, and notice all of the positives. It was surprisingly easy, and fun! By the time I left the house in the morning, I already had a long mental list. It's a good little exercise that really made a difference. I think I'll try to do it every day.
I continue to see the hand of God in my life.

Sunday Thoughts

I loved Sunday.

Perfect fall weather (plus sunshine!)
Colorful changing trees all around
Primary Program in Sacrament meeting
Perfect YW lesson on education
Putting our house back together
Talking to mom and dad
Writing songs on the guitar
Snuggling with Jonny
Listening to church music
Afternoon couch nap
Ward choir! Christmas carols
Baked sweet potatoes for dinner
Reading scriptures at bedtime
..........................................................

Sundays give me the mental/physical/spiritual boost I need for the rest of the week. I'm thankful that God gave us a day of rest.

daily dose of confidence

My school placement as a Speech-Language Pathologist (in training) is great.
This week:

One 4th-grade boy: "I like your haircut, Ms. Young!"

(I didn't get a haircut...but I did have my bangs pulled back that day, and I always have them down. I was curious to see how he would describe what he noticed, so I played along...)

Me: "What's different about it?"
Him: "Well, you sure look like a superstar!"

I love my job.

calling all self-proclaimed multitasking wizards

if you think you are good at multitasking ( like i once did)
then please take a job at a restaurant.
particularly one like this:
in addition to taking orders and trying to get them exactly correct, memorizing the menu and various changes to it, putting on a smiling face, juggling multiple tables sometimes scattered across the restaurant, reading the minds and moods of your customers, waiting on them hand and foot, running hither and thither bringing them every little thing, desperately trying to 'earn' another dollar or two on your tip, (side note: i am now a strong believer that most people are either lousy tippers or generous ones...regardless of the service they receive), trying to act like you are happy to see the next table come in when secretly you wish they would get back in their cars and drive far, far away so you could go home....
you also, simultaneously:
wash your own dishes
run your own food
pour your own pitchers/refills
make your own change
bus your own tables
(sometimes) seat your own tables
sanitize your own silverware
roll your own silverware/napkin combos
take out trash
sweep floors
carry 30 lb. ice buckets
burn your fingers on hot plates
keep the dressings/toppings/napkins stocked
get yelled at by the cooks
get yelled at by the managers
get yelled at by the customers
get yelled at by other servers
touch nastier things than you have ever imagined
wash your hands 1,235,638 times/shift
negotiate with the cooks
negotiate with the bartender
run around like a crazy person
crash into another server carrying bbq sauce, a beer and two glasses of ice water
clean up the mess
wipe ranch/bbq/dishwasher juice off your shirt/face/hair
run to the 'back' kitchen to get extra of whatever we are out of
run to the grocery store to get extra of whatever we are out of
wipe down tables
wipe down seats
wipe down counters
learn how to use a crazy computer system
learn how to keep the floorchart straight
learn the restaurant 'lingo'
organize the sugar packets
fill up the salt and pepper shakers
wonder why in the world you are doing this again?
think about student loans

and do all of this....until 1 o'clock in morning.
thats right. applebees is open late. yuck.

there are a few things i really enjoy about working there, (read: free/discounted food, tips, flexible schedule) and many things i don't (read: see above). but its work and its good money sometimes. my multitasking skills are tremendous, and growing. i hope soon i'll turn into a superhero...

secrets, confessions, and coping mechanisms.

A Secret Rendezvous
The communication beforehand was cryptic.
There were various methods of contact.
He proposed the meeting.
She agreed.
She sent a text, "t-minus 5 minutes. the spot"
They came from opposite directions.
She rode the bus.
He walked.
He wore black.
She wore white.
She leaned against the building, in the middle of the noon rush.
He called for her exact position.
She lifted her hood,
Spoke into her cell.
He walked towards her through the crowd, nonchalant.
He was handsome.
A quick exchange and they disappeared together into a river of people.
They went to a place they'd never been.
A place out of the way.
They ordered food.
He picked a table upstairs, near the window.
She looked outside.
It was cloudy.
Conversation ensued.
The purpose of the meeting, to plan.
They spoke in hushed tones.
Ate rapidly, discussed the options.
She checked her watch, tossed a crumpled napkin into the bowl.
He spoke. "its decided, then?"
She smiled. winked.
They left together, parted ways.

It may or may not have been us. Planning a get-away. To our silly dream place. We fantasize about going here. When the going gets tough. And the weather gets cold.
...Who said anything about coming back?

A Confession
I should be studying right now. For a midterm. Its tomorrow. But whats a girl to do when there is a saw going downstairs and a hammer going upstairs, the house is so cold I can barely move my fingers, I can't leave because I'm paranoid about 'handymen' stealing our valuables (what valuables?) and I can't focus because I have to go #1 but I can't because there is a man breaking my toilet into pieces at the moment. What's a girl to do? Blog.
Another confession. . .
I LOVE little coffee shops. This morning at 7am, I walked through the blustery fall weather- scarf blowing in the wind, dry leaves swirling around me, hands tucked into pockets. I was early for class, a rare occurrence. The thought of 40 extra minutes in the sterile classroom of Neuroanatomy was not appealing. So I ducked into the "Espresso Royale" across the street, to get a hot chocolate, of course. (with whipped cream!)
I don't frequent coffee shops often:
1. I don't drink coffee.
2. I'm cheap. I bring my own waterbottle.
But I do like them. They have such an inexplicable allure. I love how they are always warm. I love the slow indie music playing, I love the rich aromas. I love the fresh-baked assortment. I love the little chairs, the funky decor. I love the lacquer-covered painted tabletops. I love the dim lighting. I love the eclectic people behind the counter. I love the soft couch in the corner, the torn concert flyers pinned up near the door.
Its a place I could spend some time. It is bad to like coffee shops, but not coffee? Is that like, hate the sin, not the sinner? Please...your thoughts?

Coping Mechanisms
It's been rough. Life is like that... it throws you for a loop every once in a while. And things get crazy, and stressful, and emotional. But somehow, eventually, it always settles down, things always work out, and Heavenly Father continues to bless us.

In the meantime...we bake. We made chocolate crinkles on Sunday. Some ooey-gooey fresh out of the oven and still-warm cookies...and a mug of cold milk for dipping...now THAT does a body good. (maybe not. but please let us dream.)


But really, when the last of the powdered sugar has been licked off of the last finger...and my heart is still in a dither, I turn to prayer. Because it is the one constant in this world of change. I gain strength from the support of my husband and my family. I find hope in reading the scriptures, in pouring my heart out to my Savior, and feeling the arms of His love encircle me. If only for an instant. It is real. He is here.
I would be nothing without the gospel of Jesus Christ. I wouldn't know how to get through the daily decisions, frustrations, and small trials I endure. I wouldn't have access to a powerful, infinite, eternal atonement...which allows me to repent, to progress, to change.
I'm thankful for daily miracles. I'm thankful for simple, tender mercies.
I'm thankful I can find hope.