It's true. I'm posting, then it's off to bed with me. I've got things to do tomorrow- like an ecology test that I'm definitely not prepared for. Oh dear.
But! I'm determined to get this posted; my "at least every other week" update. This is just a quick goal status report, but I'll do something rash and kind of recap that last little while another time.
So. Goals and such. They're going pretty well. I'm happy to say that my roommates and I have been awesome about apartment prayer. Mornings happen when they can, but I think we've only missed one or two nights this entire semester. And I think it's making a difference. I'm not saying things are perfect or that we have no problems, but I think we've been better as a whole and certain things have improved. And we're really enjoying our ward this semester; FHE, visiting teaching, we're all involved in callings and church assignments. It's good.
I actually cooked a moderately decent dinner for myself, so there's a step for that goal. Tilapia and asparagus. First attempt at both, but I think it went pretty well. Still need to actually practice piano, so I'm failing there...
I finished one of my "projects" last week or so: a juice bottle that I decoupaged to make a vase (picture later). It's currently in use and looks great, if I may say so myself.
Thanks to non-freezing weather, we've done a fair amount of getting out of the apartment and doing things. This last week we played soccer one night and had a bonfire (well, kinda. not that big), and sometimes just walked around town.
Jessica and I haven't missed a single week yet for our temple attendance, so I'm definitely happy about that.
All in all, I'd say the accomplishment of my goals is coming along swimmingly.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Ode to My Mammy-faise
Have I mentioned how much I love my mother?
Honestly, I'm so darn lucky. My mom was always around when I was little; she worked while I was at school and was done around the time I got home. I remember her walking me to school when I was in kindergarten, having me turn my little pigeon-toed feet out so I wouldn't trip and turning it into a game. She's made me numerous Halloween costumes and Easter dresses that were wonderful. Even an under-appreciated Easter shirt and short set that I now remember quite fondly.
My mom has been my Girl Scout leader or assistant leader, has gone on numerous trips. She's started pillow fights and been deemed awesome by my friends (I agree). She's chaperoned and taken part in crazy conventions and beaten the whole family in a Bust-A-Move tournament.
My mommy has read numerous books to me, either with me snuggled right beside her, or while I did the dishes and listened. She's taught me how to needlepoint, decoupage, and helped with my piano practice, and has been patient with me when I haven't been patient with myself or have gotten frustrated.
I've had wonderful adventures with my mom, in this country and another and shared inside jokes with her. We reminisce and joke of getting lost, directions, Miffy, and unseen chain draggers. We've shared lunches at Fujiyama and crepes on the square. We've exchanged emails or instant messages when I've been away from home and she sends some wonderful care packages.
My mom has been the troll under the bridge to my Billy Goats Gruff, every time I asked her to, and yet she still took me to the park to play, though she knew that request was inevitable. We hunt for suitable river rocks together and she helped encourage my interest in botany, teaching me to recognize various plants and what the difference between an annual and a perennial is.
My mommy has calmed me down or simply listened to me countless times when all I could do was cry. She tucked me in and sang me a lullaby every night for years. She's never pressured me to do anything or try anything I didn't want to (except maybe food) and only asks that I do my best and take care of myself. She's offered herself as an excuse or a way out in times that I'm afraid to take the responsibility myself.
I've been lucky enough to have my mother to myself in a house full of boys, where we could bond over the lack of a Y chromosome. I'm blessed to have a mother who I know without a doubt loves me. I love spending time with her and I can honestly talk to her about everything in my life.
I love my mommy so so much and I hope that I can be as good a mom as she is. Thank you for everything, Mommy! I love you!
Honestly, I'm so darn lucky. My mom was always around when I was little; she worked while I was at school and was done around the time I got home. I remember her walking me to school when I was in kindergarten, having me turn my little pigeon-toed feet out so I wouldn't trip and turning it into a game. She's made me numerous Halloween costumes and Easter dresses that were wonderful. Even an under-appreciated Easter shirt and short set that I now remember quite fondly.
My mom has been my Girl Scout leader or assistant leader, has gone on numerous trips. She's started pillow fights and been deemed awesome by my friends (I agree). She's chaperoned and taken part in crazy conventions and beaten the whole family in a Bust-A-Move tournament.
My mommy has read numerous books to me, either with me snuggled right beside her, or while I did the dishes and listened. She's taught me how to needlepoint, decoupage, and helped with my piano practice, and has been patient with me when I haven't been patient with myself or have gotten frustrated.
I've had wonderful adventures with my mom, in this country and another and shared inside jokes with her. We reminisce and joke of getting lost, directions, Miffy, and unseen chain draggers. We've shared lunches at Fujiyama and crepes on the square. We've exchanged emails or instant messages when I've been away from home and she sends some wonderful care packages.
My mom has been the troll under the bridge to my Billy Goats Gruff, every time I asked her to, and yet she still took me to the park to play, though she knew that request was inevitable. We hunt for suitable river rocks together and she helped encourage my interest in botany, teaching me to recognize various plants and what the difference between an annual and a perennial is.
My mommy has calmed me down or simply listened to me countless times when all I could do was cry. She tucked me in and sang me a lullaby every night for years. She's never pressured me to do anything or try anything I didn't want to (except maybe food) and only asks that I do my best and take care of myself. She's offered herself as an excuse or a way out in times that I'm afraid to take the responsibility myself.
I've been lucky enough to have my mother to myself in a house full of boys, where we could bond over the lack of a Y chromosome. I'm blessed to have a mother who I know without a doubt loves me. I love spending time with her and I can honestly talk to her about everything in my life.
I love my mommy so so much and I hope that I can be as good a mom as she is. Thank you for everything, Mommy! I love you!
Monday, May 2, 2011
See? I'm trying.
I'm updating within slightly over a week. And I said every other week, didn't I? So I'm doing pretty awesomely thus far. Woo!
So yeah. Happy to report that I'm doing pretty well on most of my goals. Temple attendance is going very well, esp since I actually have a sort of set time for it every week and last week we had ward baptisms, so that was a bonus. Apartment prayer is still goin' strong, so yay us! I'm going to decoupage an old Simply juice bottle soon so we'll have a makeshift vase, so that's one less "project."
We're now going into the second full week of the semester. Only second? Yeesh, it feels like so much longer. Oi. However, I can't really complain 'cause it's not like I have hours and hours of homework. Actually, my classes are great and I really have a very light workload. That's not to say I'm not learning anything or they're easy classes; Ecology and Mammology are primarily lecture and don't really give homework. I'll have some papers to do later in the semester; we actually had to turn in a tentative subject/title for our research paper in Mammology today. Mine was "Pangolin Range, Habitat Loss, and Conservation in Asia." Sounds pretty good, huh? I thought so.
But yes, in Ecology most of the work primarily happens in Lab, and in Mammology lab we have quizzes, so it's mostly studying beforehand. And I don't spend hours studying because this stuff makes sense to me. It's what I know. *shrug*
We have readings in Ecology that we have to come to class and answer questions about. Everyone has an index card and after you answer a question, he'll (the professor) take your index card and you receive credit for the reading. However, he asks one question less than there are people, so someone's up a creek. But we have a grace of one missed reading, so he's not setting us up for complete failure.
Last Friday was our first reading. He had these light-up buttons that we had to buzz in with, basically. You had to be fast to get it; I have to admit, it was remarkably stressful. I'm sitting there on pins and needles to answer a question before there's no more. Happy to report I was successful and was able to relax for the rest of class. I can understand why my professor does it: he probably thinks it's hilarious to watch us panic....I'd probably do it, too.
Last weekend my roommates (except Thea) and I went to Idaho Falls, where we spent the day finding our way around, getting my new SLR, chatting with my aunt and getting some things my parents left for me there back in Jan.....it was fun. I won't lie- it was very painful to spend that much money at once, but oh, my camera is glorious. Soooo glorious.
Wednesday last (see what I did there?) was our first time working in the Photo lab. Some of my classmates and I were a little shocked to discover we're supposed to make all our prints black and white- "This is a black and white class?!"- though I think we're going to do color, too. Regardless, I'm still shooting in color; we're learning some Photoshop to touch up all our shots before we print them and turn them in. I'm pretty happy with my first print. There're some things that should be tweaked, but it is my first. When I had first gone out to do the shooting for my assignment, I discovered upon later review on my shots, that they were all blown out! Much sadness in my soul. BUT! But! I know how to fix that and actually now have a camera that I can do that with! So I went back out, used a much smaller aperture and a much faster shutter and got it almost perfect (I later decided maybe one aperture setting up would've been just right). So. Big deal for me. :)
Doctrine and Covenants is a great class. Class is primarily discussion, with some lecture. On the roll every day, we mark whether or not we came to class on-time and prepared, which entails having done the reading and written a journal about it before class. If we've done everything, we mark a dash and if not, we mark -minus however many points. It's very reasonable. We also will have scripture mastery quizzes; our first one is this Thursday. And since I'm thinking about it, I'm going to really quick type as much of it as I can remember to quiz myself.
Doc&Cov 84:88
"And....there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left. And my Spirit shall be in your heart. And mine angels shall be with you round about to bear you up."
Rats. I cannot think of that first part for the life of me right now. But I think I'm good for the rest of it, proper punctuation aside......so after checking, I've discovered I also need to rearrange that bottom line, but I'd say I'm still doin' pretty good.
So, what fun stuff did I do this weekend? Hm........Um....oh! OH!
Friday night Kirsten and I went to the 1964: Beatles Tribute show on campus. It was so awesome!!! These guys were great! Kirsten squealed every time John (or the guy portraying John) spoke. It was so much fun. I just wish it had lasted longer, but it was so good. Kirsten and I sang along and danced in our seats. So fun!
After that, we headed over to ballroom. I saw our old neighbor/my old ballroom classmate, Kayla, so it was nice to hangout and talk with her. And dance a couple times. >w<
Saturday night was a very good time, indeed. We made a sheet fort in the living room and played Catchphrase in said fort with our friends Eric, Logan, and Sean. It was probably the craziest, most fun, and most infamous game of Catchphrase to ever be played. I'm happy to report that mine, Eric, Thea, and Sean's team won. By a lot. 'Cause we're just awesome like that.
Sunday was good. Great testimony meeting- aside from a rather embarrassing interruption when Thea's phone went off- great Sunday school lesson, great Relief Society lesson. I had a quick nap after church and went and indexed- it occurs to me I've never mentioned that, so allow me to do so:
Last semester, Jessica and I were called as Family History indexers, so every Sunday at 2, we go over to the Family History lab on campus and index names until at least 4. I was able to break 1000 names by the end of the semester! Jess and I agree it's probably one of the best callings ever.
--so back to indexing this Sunday, I am one census sheet away from 2000 names! I'm pretty stoked about that. After indexing I had an introductory interview with our new Relief Society President, then had just enough time to grab my stuff from home before going over to the BYUIC (pronounced like the buick car; BYU-I Center) for a CES Fireside.
After the fireside was food, then we decided to watch Enchanted, though about ten minutes in Sean and Abram came over, so we started it over for them. However, we paused another 15-20 minutes in to go to Stadium Singing. After that, we wound up going over to the guys' apartment for games and waffles. And hey, our neighbors (the awesome, gorgeous, super-fun girls of Apt2) were already there. We laughed a lot and played Signs, which, though normally quiet, was remarkably loud. It was a really fun night and we all had a good time. And we did finish Enchanted after we came home, btw.
As for today, we're off to FHE and sometime tonight I'll call the people who brought me into this world (I like to call them my parents). Who knows after that?
OH! Last, entirely irrelevant note: Jessica, Kirsten, and I also finished reading Nightlight. I say we, 'cause I'd read out loud to them. Such a funny book. A complete parody of Twilight. So, so funny. As in, stomach-hurts-from-laughing-too-much funny.
Anyway, yeah. Off to FHE.
So yeah. Happy to report that I'm doing pretty well on most of my goals. Temple attendance is going very well, esp since I actually have a sort of set time for it every week and last week we had ward baptisms, so that was a bonus. Apartment prayer is still goin' strong, so yay us! I'm going to decoupage an old Simply juice bottle soon so we'll have a makeshift vase, so that's one less "project."
We're now going into the second full week of the semester. Only second? Yeesh, it feels like so much longer. Oi. However, I can't really complain 'cause it's not like I have hours and hours of homework. Actually, my classes are great and I really have a very light workload. That's not to say I'm not learning anything or they're easy classes; Ecology and Mammology are primarily lecture and don't really give homework. I'll have some papers to do later in the semester; we actually had to turn in a tentative subject/title for our research paper in Mammology today. Mine was "Pangolin Range, Habitat Loss, and Conservation in Asia." Sounds pretty good, huh? I thought so.
But yes, in Ecology most of the work primarily happens in Lab, and in Mammology lab we have quizzes, so it's mostly studying beforehand. And I don't spend hours studying because this stuff makes sense to me. It's what I know. *shrug*
We have readings in Ecology that we have to come to class and answer questions about. Everyone has an index card and after you answer a question, he'll (the professor) take your index card and you receive credit for the reading. However, he asks one question less than there are people, so someone's up a creek. But we have a grace of one missed reading, so he's not setting us up for complete failure.
Last Friday was our first reading. He had these light-up buttons that we had to buzz in with, basically. You had to be fast to get it; I have to admit, it was remarkably stressful. I'm sitting there on pins and needles to answer a question before there's no more. Happy to report I was successful and was able to relax for the rest of class. I can understand why my professor does it: he probably thinks it's hilarious to watch us panic....I'd probably do it, too.
Last weekend my roommates (except Thea) and I went to Idaho Falls, where we spent the day finding our way around, getting my new SLR, chatting with my aunt and getting some things my parents left for me there back in Jan.....it was fun. I won't lie- it was very painful to spend that much money at once, but oh, my camera is glorious. Soooo glorious.
Wednesday last (see what I did there?) was our first time working in the Photo lab. Some of my classmates and I were a little shocked to discover we're supposed to make all our prints black and white- "This is a black and white class?!"- though I think we're going to do color, too. Regardless, I'm still shooting in color; we're learning some Photoshop to touch up all our shots before we print them and turn them in. I'm pretty happy with my first print. There're some things that should be tweaked, but it is my first. When I had first gone out to do the shooting for my assignment, I discovered upon later review on my shots, that they were all blown out! Much sadness in my soul. BUT! But! I know how to fix that and actually now have a camera that I can do that with! So I went back out, used a much smaller aperture and a much faster shutter and got it almost perfect (I later decided maybe one aperture setting up would've been just right). So. Big deal for me. :)
Doctrine and Covenants is a great class. Class is primarily discussion, with some lecture. On the roll every day, we mark whether or not we came to class on-time and prepared, which entails having done the reading and written a journal about it before class. If we've done everything, we mark a dash and if not, we mark -minus however many points. It's very reasonable. We also will have scripture mastery quizzes; our first one is this Thursday. And since I'm thinking about it, I'm going to really quick type as much of it as I can remember to quiz myself.
Doc&Cov 84:88
"And....there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left. And my Spirit shall be in your heart. And mine angels shall be with you round about to bear you up."
Rats. I cannot think of that first part for the life of me right now. But I think I'm good for the rest of it, proper punctuation aside......so after checking, I've discovered I also need to rearrange that bottom line, but I'd say I'm still doin' pretty good.
So, what fun stuff did I do this weekend? Hm........Um....oh! OH!
Friday night Kirsten and I went to the 1964: Beatles Tribute show on campus. It was so awesome!!! These guys were great! Kirsten squealed every time John (or the guy portraying John) spoke. It was so much fun. I just wish it had lasted longer, but it was so good. Kirsten and I sang along and danced in our seats. So fun!
After that, we headed over to ballroom. I saw our old neighbor/my old ballroom classmate, Kayla, so it was nice to hangout and talk with her. And dance a couple times. >w<
Saturday night was a very good time, indeed. We made a sheet fort in the living room and played Catchphrase in said fort with our friends Eric, Logan, and Sean. It was probably the craziest, most fun, and most infamous game of Catchphrase to ever be played. I'm happy to report that mine, Eric, Thea, and Sean's team won. By a lot. 'Cause we're just awesome like that.
Sunday was good. Great testimony meeting- aside from a rather embarrassing interruption when Thea's phone went off- great Sunday school lesson, great Relief Society lesson. I had a quick nap after church and went and indexed- it occurs to me I've never mentioned that, so allow me to do so:
Last semester, Jessica and I were called as Family History indexers, so every Sunday at 2, we go over to the Family History lab on campus and index names until at least 4. I was able to break 1000 names by the end of the semester! Jess and I agree it's probably one of the best callings ever.
--so back to indexing this Sunday, I am one census sheet away from 2000 names! I'm pretty stoked about that. After indexing I had an introductory interview with our new Relief Society President, then had just enough time to grab my stuff from home before going over to the BYUIC (pronounced like the buick car; BYU-I Center) for a CES Fireside.
After the fireside was food, then we decided to watch Enchanted, though about ten minutes in Sean and Abram came over, so we started it over for them. However, we paused another 15-20 minutes in to go to Stadium Singing. After that, we wound up going over to the guys' apartment for games and waffles. And hey, our neighbors (the awesome, gorgeous, super-fun girls of Apt2) were already there. We laughed a lot and played Signs, which, though normally quiet, was remarkably loud. It was a really fun night and we all had a good time. And we did finish Enchanted after we came home, btw.
As for today, we're off to FHE and sometime tonight I'll call the people who brought me into this world (I like to call them my parents). Who knows after that?
OH! Last, entirely irrelevant note: Jessica, Kirsten, and I also finished reading Nightlight. I say we, 'cause I'd read out loud to them. Such a funny book. A complete parody of Twilight. So, so funny. As in, stomach-hurts-from-laughing-too-much funny.
Anyway, yeah. Off to FHE.
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