"WITH A SMILE AND A SONG..."

I like Bacon

2012-02-07T17:57:00.003-07:00

"Tonight I gotta cut loose, footloose! Kick off your Sunday shoes! Please, Louise, pull me off of my knees!"--Footloose, Kenny Loggins

Note the capitalization in the blog post title.

I watched the movie "Footloose" the other night with my sister Heather and my niece Lexi. It was pretty much great. Very thought-provoking, if those thoughts are along the lines of...

•[during the opening shot] That looks like Utah. [two seconds later] Oh my holy Mount Timpanogos!
•Kevin Bacon has a really sexy voice in that movie (don't deny that you thought the same thing)
•I should've watched this movie before watching all six seasons of 3rd Rock from the Sun. I just can't take John Lithgow seriously anymore (not that I ever could.)
•Kevin Bacon has a great smile. Too bad he used it for evil in X-Men: First Class.
•I'm really glad the whole stop/replay movie editing trick where it makes it look like something happens several times when it really happens once (i.e. when Jeannie kicks Mr. Rooney in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off") died with the 80s

Auld Lang Syne

2012-01-02T20:04:00.003-07:00

"It's the end of the world as we know it..."--It's the End of the World, R.E.M.

So 2011 has come and gone. What an adventure it has been:

•being the maid-of-honor for my two best friends' wedding (and the resultant trip to San Antonio)
•being an EFY counselor (and that includes the EFC trip in August)
•ending a drought
•meeting a whole bunch of awesome new friends when they rearranged the university wards into YSA wards
•moving to Boise
•a good friend coming home from her mission
•several good friends leaving on missions
•buying my very own car for the first time

It was very intense in every possible way. Things to look forward to in 2012:

•MY TRIP TO EUROPE!!!
•EFY again (hopefully/maybe)
•graduate school (hopefully/maybe)
•the world coming to an end (hopefully/maybe) (j/k :) )

Here's to another great year!

Perils in the bookstore

2011-12-17T22:50:00.002-07:00

"Take a look. It's in a book."--the Reading Rainbow song

This evening, I went to Barnes & Noble to find some Christmas gifts. What should have been a 10-minute trip--I knew exactly what I was after and where it was in the store--turned into an hour-long wish-list making extravaganza. As I browsed, I made a physical list of all the books I would buy if I had the money.

•journal with the symbol of the Deathly Hallows on the front
•unofficial Harry Potter cookbook
•40 Years of Queen
•Seriously, I'm Kidding (Ellen Degeneres)
•24 Karat Gold Bathroom Reader
•Home: A Memoir of My Early Years (Julie Andrews)
•Audrey 100 (photos of Audrey Hepburn selected by her children)
•Sesame Street
•Treasure Island (children collector's edition)
•The Secret Garden (children collector's edition)
•Tales of King Arthur and His Knights (children collector's edition)
•The Swiss Family Robinson (children collector's edition)
•The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
•The Complete Works of Jane Austen
•Frank: The Voice
•Look Me In the Eye: My Life With Asperger's
•Selected Writings of Benjamin Franklin

Reading is truly one of the true pleasures of life.

41 flew over the cuckoo's nest

2011-12-11T16:44:00.004-07:00

"All that is, will be, or ever was, every single choice we make, every breath we get to take, is all because two people feel in love."--Two People Fell in Love, Brad Paisley

On this day in 1970, exactly 41 years ago, my parents got married. I can't adequately express gratitude for everything they've done (and continue to do) for me, but I thought I'd list 41 things I love about my parents, both as individuals and as a marital unit.

(1) They have always set a wonderful example for my siblings and me.

(2) They taught us how to be a good co-pilot on a road trip (including navigating, opening snacks, and keeping the driver awake when necessary).

(3) My mom taught me how to clean.

(4) My dad has a unique sense of humor.

(5) My mom gave me the flute she had growing up. This jump-started my involvement in music as a teenager (definitely in the top 5 best decisions I've ever made.)

(6) My dad instilled in me a love of good books.

(7) Because of the love they have for their children, I can always go home. Always.

(8) Hands down, my mom bakes the best bread on the face of the planet.

(9) My dad taught me when it is and isn't appropriate to be silly.

(10) They passed on a great love for good music.

(11) They passed on a love for musicals (different from #10 because you can like music without liking musicals, and I inherited a love for both).

(12) Because of my parents, I know what true love can be.

(13) They love to play games (all sorts) with their children and grandchildren.

(14) They serve those around them freely.

(15) They are generous.

(16) They do anything in their power for those they love (family and friends alike).

(17) They take defeat graciously. (Mexican Train or Ticket to Ride, anyone? :) )

(18) They taught me that there is no experience so rewarding as creating memories with family.

(19) They taught me the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will uplift you and respect your standards.

(20) They always have the best intentions.

(21) When it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they are steadfast and immovable.

(22) They laugh at (most of) my jokes.

(23) They go by "Granny and Gramps" instead of the usual "Grandma and Grandpa."

(24) They love unconditionally.

(25) They are always willing to sacrifice for their family.

(26) They are always willing to sacrifice for the Lord.

(27) They think of themselves last.

(28) They have friends who live all over the country.

(29) They love their country and passed that love onto their children.

(30) My mom cries at anything remotely sentimental.

(31) My dad still calls my mom "babe."

(32) Despite having probable cause, they haven't killed me or any of my siblings. Yet.

(33) Despite having probable cause, they haven't killed each other. Yet.

(34) They taught me how to live frugally.

(35) They are officially Psych-Os (fans of the TV show "Psych.")

(36) They work hard.

(37) They love the simple things in life.

(38) They taught me that being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is as much who you are as what you believe.

(39) They've always let me know that I'm loved for who I am.

(40) With them, what you see is what you get. They're two of the most real people I know.

(41) The countless little moments where I think, "my parents are amazing."

I love you, Mommy and Daddy!

Alfredo sauce

2011-12-08T16:06:00.003-07:00

"How's about cookin' something up with me?"--Hey, Good Lookin', Hank Williams

Sometimes, I like to pretend I'm a better cook than I actually am. I'm a pretty decent cook, but sometimes I pretend I have my own show and mentally tell the audience how I'm making this culinary masterpiece.

About a month ago, my sister made some alfredo sauce that was to die for. Really. We're talking heavenly angels sang in chorus upon my first taste. Since then, I've made my own alfredo sauce twice, and I think I've created the perfect recipe.

8 0z. cream cheese
8 tbls. butter
1/2 c parmesan cheese
1 c milk

Put the cream cheese and butter into a small saucepan and set the stove top to low. Gradually stir until the cream cheese and butter are mostly incorporated. Turn the stove top up to medium low, and add the parmesan cheese. Stir until mostly incorporated. Add the milk 1/4 c at a time, incorporating each before adding the next. When finished, turn stove top back down to low. Blend until smooth.

If you want, you can also add some pan-fried bacon and stir in the bacon grease, too. Yummo!

Opportunity of a lifetime

2011-12-06T23:32:00.006-07:00

"$700 was a heck of a deal..."--What About Now?, Lonestar

I've wanted to go to Europe my entire life. As I've gotten older and learned more about myself and the world, this desire has increased. It always seemed like a pipe dream, one of those "someday" experiences that people never actually have.

Since moving to Boise, my dream of going to Europe has haunted my thoughts night and day. One of my coworkers went on vacation to Italy a couple of months ago and had the time of her life. I've listened to Bill Bryson's "Neither Here Nor There" (which illustrates his adventure in Europe in the early 90s) twice. I watch movies like Roman Holiday and While You Were Sleeping. None of these things have helped my condition.

About three weeks ago, I noticed my friend Emily's Facebook status about round-trip tickets to Germany at the end of March. It seemed that she would be going to a friend's wedding then wandering around the rest of Germany for a week or so. I sent her a message offering to be a travel buddy. Over the last three weeks, we've talked about it, kept our eyes open for good deals, etc. I applied for a passport over Thanksgiving break, because I'd end up needing one eventually, even if I didn't go on this trip.

Then last night, something magical happened.

Emily sent me a message with a link for a killer price on a flight. I looked at the deal, debated with myself, and shook worse than I ever had (except when I had hypothermia when I was 14). Then I bit the bullet and bought a ticket.

I'M GOING TO EUROPE!!!

We fly out of Salt Lake on March 27, land in Frankfurt, Germany March 28. After a few days in Germany, we're going to hop over to London (apparently, intracontinental flights are dirt cheap in Europe) and play for a few days. Then it's back to Deutschland for a day or so before heading home on April 11.

I've never been outside of the country, with the exception of a 2-hour excursion 10 miles across the border to Creston, BC, Canada (which hardly counts). The timing, the price, the...everything...seems perfect. Quite literally, a dream come true.

It's going to be fun. It's going to be exhausting. It's going to be expensive. Mostly, I feel, in Emily's words describing her own feelings, "pure unadulterated excitement."

Long time, no post

2011-11-10T19:10:00.008-07:00

"What have you been doing lately?...I just wanted to know what's going on."--What Have You Been Doing Lately?, Relient K

Not much has been going on in the last month, so I'll just make a list.

•I bought a car! Her name is Inara, as in the registered companion from the Firefly series and Serenity movie.

•I moved into the apartment above my sister's second garage. I LOVE having my own space! This is the view from my bedroom window...

(All Saints' Day)

(Veteran's Eve)

•I took an epic road trip: Boise-->Logan (where I ate delicious pizza and helped my sister pick out some cute new clothes)-->Provo (where I watched my alma mater get slaughtered by BYU (56-3) and spent some time catching up with friends)-->Pocatello (where I got some of my stuff that I'd left at my parents' house)-->Boise

•I dressed up as Candace from Phineas & Ferb for Halloween.
(I had on a white skirt, white shoes, and red socks as well.)

That's pretty much it. I'll try and update more often in the future.

Slay the Dragon Yourself

2011-10-03T19:49:00.006-06:00

"Trogdor was a man. I mean, he was a dragon-man. Or...maybe he was just a dragon...but he was still TROGDOOOOOOOR!!!"--Trogdor, Strong Bad

(I wrote this about a year ago, pretending that I had a weekly magazine column. It doesn't necessarily have any relevance to my current life, but it did when I wrote it. I just thought it would be fun to post. Enjoy!)

It is a truth universally acknowledged—shout out to Jane Austen for giving anyone with writer’s block the perfect introductory phrase for every possible assignment—that no one really wants to be alone.

Nothing would make me happier than to spend all of eternity with the special man who has been tailor-made for me. However, I grow weary of the “marry or die” speeches and the “find yourself a man or have no place in the world” lectures that I have been subjected to since I graduated from high school.

Some people marry early, forever escaping such speeches and lectures—not to mention accompanying feelings of guilt—with their sweetheart. Case in point: my two best friends from high school married wonderful men just over a year after graduation. There I sat, almost nineteen and essentially friendless. But growing up with almost all sisters and having a weakness for cheesy romantic comedies, I was hopeful that my happily ever after was just around the corner.

Now here I sit, four years later, not quite friendless, and still single. I have learned a lot about love over the course of those four years:

•Don’t give your heart to someone unless they ask for it.

•Loneliness is awful. Being alone for the right reasons is better than being with someone for the wrong ones (name that John Hughes movie), but it is still awful.

•Beware of the “oh, we’re just friends” zone, from which it is nearly impossible to escape.

•There is no heartache so bad that it can’t be soothed by Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food Ice Cream and a Barbra Streisand movie with your mom. Sure, you’ll end up crying yourself to sleep an hour later, but trust me. You’ll feel ready to move on in the morning.

I did not come by any of these lessons easily; they have all left scars of varying intensity. Even though I’ve forgiven myself and moved on, the memories still cause twinges of pain and/or embarrassment. Somehow, I still remain hopeful.

One day, some beautiful man will walk into my life out of nowhere. He will be a little nerdy and sweet to the core. He will be easy to sing with and to talk to, and he will make everything we do more fun. He will always able to make me laugh, even though we'll agree that I’m the funny one. He will make me feel like I can fly while keeping me grounded. Above all, he will be my very best friend.

I know my standards are high, but that’s they way I roll. I won’t settle for anything less than everything. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a dragon to slay. I believe my Prince Charming is locked in a tower and needs me to rescue him.

Relief Society broadcast notes

2011-09-26T00:32:00.005-06:00

"Savior, may I love my brother as I know though lovest me."--Lord, I Would Follow Thee, Hymn #220

The other night was the general Relief Society broadcast. I loved it! The Spirit was so strong. I especially loved Sister Allred's talk on charity. My notes speak for themselves:

•Relief Society helps prepare us for the temple.
•Charity NEVER faileth.
•Having charity is doing what Christ would do.
•"You must be long-suffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men."--Joseph Smith
•Charity is a state of being in which kind feelings engender loving actions.
•Charity purifies those who have it. (I had always thought that one must be pure prior to having charity. But the very act of exercising the pure love of Christ purifies us. We cannot love purely those against whom we harbor ill feelings.)
•"Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim with time."--Thomas S. Monson
•the mantle of charity (Sometimes, loving purely can feel like a burden because we are not perfect. But it is important to push through those times in order to enjoy the fruits of our labors.)
•"If you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates."--Joseph Smith
•cleave (adhere firmly, closely)/cling unto thy covenants
•feeling joy in the face of great challenges

And President Uchtdorf's 5 Forget-Me-Nots for our lives:

(1) Forget not to be patient with yourself. (A thought that came to my mind: it may be the next life before a weakness becomes a strength.)
(2) Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish one.
(3) Forget not to be happy NOW. (But "never stop striving for the best that is within you.")
(4) Forget not the "why" of the Gospel. "The Gospel is not an obligation; it is a pathway." (turns the mundane into the majestic)
(5) Forget not that the Lord loves you. ("You are NOT forgotten." He emphasized this point with his special witness and "all the conviction" of his soul.)

Pretty awesome stuff. I hope that I can remember these and use them to become a better person.

So what if I'm 82 days early?

2011-09-03T23:03:00.004-06:00

"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?"--Big Yellow Taxi, Counting Crows

Earlier this evening, I sat under a tree in perfect conditions (not too hot, cloudless sky, no wind, and very little traffic on the street behind me) and read. The factors contributing to such perfection seemed to whisper of an impending autumn, to which I look forward very much. Other than Spring, Fall is my favorite season. The crispness of the air, the changing of the leaves...it makes me want to buy school supplies. (If I knew where all who read this live, I would send each of you a bouquet of freshly-sharpened pencils.) It also put me in mind of Thanksgiving.

I have many things for which I am grateful. The Gospel and my testimony of it, my friends, my family, and my good health are at the top of the list. However, there are many things that I take for granted on a shamingly regular basis, including each item on the above list at different times and with varying degrees of take-for-grantedness. Two items concern me most today.

First: texting. Before you scoff, although I fear I may be too late (in which case I should say, before you scoff more), hear me out...I recently bid farewell to a very dear friend. No, he didn't die, but rather moved to the other side of the world to attend school for two semesters. Separation has been moderately okay up to this point. The thing I took for granted most, however, was not his company and the many joys that brought. It's the moments during the day where I'll see something or think of something that he would appreciate and enjoy, and immediately sharing those thoughts via text or picture messages. I've even gone so far as to reach for my phone to send such a message only to remember that he is over 5000 miles away, including an entire ocean, and therefore cannot receive a text were I to send one. I find myself increasingly grateful for the convenience of communicating with people on the same continent in this simple way.

Second: healthy toenails. I used to be quite proud of my toenails. Inordinately proud, really. They brought a certain aesthetic pleasure when looking at my bare feet, and I often painted them in various colors. My first week of EFY, I forgot to take closed-toed shoes to wear for Games Night on Wednesday. (Participants are required to wear them so as not to endanger their feet; in the past, toenails have been ripped completely off and toes have been broken. To set an example for the kids, counselors are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes as well.) I borrowed a pair from a friend who wears size 8 1/2; I wear 10. The shoes were uncomfortable, of course, but I dealt with it for the kids.

A few days later, I noticed pronounced discoloration underneath the big toenails on each of my feet. I disregarded it, thinking the problem would go away thanks to the amazing ability of the human body to heal itself. This was not so. Nearly three months later, my toenails look worse than ever. The left toenail in particular--my left foot is slightly bigger than my right and was therefore under more pressure in the less-than-roomy footwear--is a veritable rainbow. I asked advice from my oldest sister, a nurse practitioner and mother of six children. Her suggestion, borne of experience with her second oldest: heat a paperclip very hot, then poke it through the nail to the skin beneath to relieve the pressure. I tried this, but to no avail thus far. After this desperate attempt at restoring my feet to normalcy, I find myself missing the days when I looked down at my toes, and the only color I would see had been applied by my own hand with a small bottle of nail polish.

The moral of both stories: take time to wonder at the most innocuous of things, for there may come a day when you cannot do so.

Into the woods

2011-08-28T23:04:00.002-06:00

"You go your way, I'll go mine, but I'll see you next time!"--It's All Been Done, Barenaked Ladies

After such an adventurous summer--just because I didn't blog about all of it doesn't mean it didn't happen--all 7 of my lukewarmly devoted followers may just be wondering, "Cindy, what are you possibly going to do with yourself once school starts?" I asked that question of myself many times. Kids, I have an answer for you.

I'm moving to Boise, Idaho! ("Where's a map?")

I've been working part time for my brother-in-law's dermatopathology lab for nearly five years, with the exception of my two brief stints in Provo. His wife, my oldest sister Kelli, has six daughters and needs a little extra help in the afternoons. I will be there to make sure the girls are doing their homework, starting dinner, etc. while she runs kids to their various activities and other errands. The timing is perfect for everyone involved. Not only will the extra work be good for my bank account, but also for me as a person. After all, idle hands are the devil's playthings. Even though it is a change, and I hate to leave my awesomely decorated bedroom, I feel this is evidence that at least two of my prayers haven't stopped at the ceiling.

Here's to another adventure!

The happiest place on earth

2011-08-21T20:49:00.011-06:00

"I'll taste every moment and live it out loud."--The Time of My Life, David Cook

I had the opportunity to go to Disneyland for most of last week with a bunch of the other EFY counselors. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I'll let them do the talking...

We went to Huntington Beach the night before going to the park. It was my first time being in the ocean. I decided I could live on the coast, but not in Southern California (too hot and crowded).

I've always wanted to do this.

As beautiful as mountain sunsets are, ocean sunsets blow them out of the water (pun intended).

nom nom nom nom turkey leg nom nom nom (totally worth the $10)

"Such a treat. And the Fruit By The Foot was good, too."--Jens White (He and his best friend Tristen kept me laughing all week).

My favorite part of the trip: meeting Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. They also signed a map of Disneyland for me and talked to me about my favorite parts of their story. It was fun to pretend they were real instead of just characters.

The fireworks show at Disneyland on Thursday night. It was so good, and I so tired, that I almost cried.

All in all, a fabulous week!

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T16:38:00.005-06:00

"Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'ns rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

And conquer we must,
When our cause it is just,
And this be our motto:
In God is our trust.

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
--The Star-Spangled Banner (third verse), Francis Scott Key

It is difficult for me to describe the feelings I have about my country. I am eternally grateful for the freedoms we all take for granted. I don't have to fear for my life for choosing to worship as I wish. I don't have to fear for my life for having my own opinions. I am able to choose my own way of life.

(Yes, that way of life includes being a Yankees fan. And let's face it...what's more American than baseball, the Great American Pastime?)

I am grateful to have been raised in a home where appreciation for the country we live in is second only to appreciation for Heavenly Father. I know that God set apart this land, the United States of America, for the Restoration of His church on the earth. I know that without those freedoms guaranteed us in the Bill of Rights, particularly the First Amendment, we would not be able to seek and know truth for ourselves.

I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices of those who serve in the Armed Forces. My dad served 22 years in the Air Force, my brother continues to serve in the National Guard after 16 years and a year in Iraq, and one of my brothers-in-law serves as a captain in the Air Force and has completed two 6-month tours in Iraq. I know that without the bravery of men and women like them, we could not enjoy parades, picnics, and fireworks displays that make up Independence Day festivities.

"God, bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her And guide her
Through the Night with the Light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam,
God, bless America, my home sweet home!"
--God Bless America, Irving Berlin

Talk about a roller coaster

2011-06-28T22:20:00.004-06:00

"As sisters in Zion, a marked generation, as children of God."--As Sisters in Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth, EFY medley

Here it is, folks, the long-overdue EFY post...

It was the most incredible experience ever. Here are the highlights:

*Sunday afternoon--meeting my roommate Carisa. She is such a sweetheart. As I would come into our room exhausted after each day, she and I would talk about how our days went.

*Sunday night--meeting my co-counselor Derek. He has a heart of gold. Throughout the week, I couldn't help but feel that choosing co-counselor teams is done by inspiration. We worked really well together, and I think it showed through the experiences our kids had. I decided that whatever woman he gets for an eternal companion, she will be one of the luckiest girls in the world.

*Monday afternoon--meeting my girls. I can't explain how, but I instantly loved all of my girls. That love only deepened as the week progressed. Each one is so different, but they are all choice daughters of our Heavenly Father, and I wish them the best. (I feel the same way about my boys, whom Derek was in charge of, and together the 26 of us made a company).

*Tuesday night--the first dance. I had so much fun. Earlier in the day, I challenged the girls to a speed-walking contest. I really don't walk much, so my right leg was a little sore. At some point during the evening, probably during Bon Jovi's "It's My Life", I actually pulled my right hamstring. I could hardly walk (a condition only worsened by the fact that I didn't have any other option).

*Wednesday night--pizza night. It was fun to sit and relax with my girls. We ate pizza, drank pop, talked about boys, and listened to music. When "All Star" by Smash Mouth came on, I casually mentioned that I once choreographed that entire song. They demanded the song be started from the beginning because they wanted to see the whole dance. How could I refuse my own children? Oh, and that pulled hamstring from the night before? Yeah...not helped by my awesome dance moves. ;)

*Thursday--pretty much the whole day was amazing. Except for the ridiculous pain in my leg. After the variety show, I was walking back down to my room with my co (short for co-counselor) and another counselor. I was limping pretty hard, so the other counselor convinced Derek to give me a piggy back ride. (Remember that heart of gold I mentioned?) Not long after we got back, he and one of the other male counselors gave me a priesthood blessing. Later that day, I got a ride with the health counselors up to evening devotional because I could hardly stand, much less walk uphill for a mile. I was embarrassed and distraught (not helped by major sleep deprivation). After a good cry in the bathroom, I walked into the room where the musical program was being held. One of the building counselors (in charge of several counselors) was playing hymns on the violin as a way of inviting the Spirit into the meeting. It soothed my soul and my leg. My dear sweet co also helped me down the stairs and into my seat. Our testimony meeting was so sweet. All of my kids but one bore testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel.

*Friday night--the whole evening. The dance was fun, even though I was taking it easy despite my leg being on the mend. The slideshow, too, was great. But the part that was my favorite was the singing of the EFY medley. We stood in a circle as a company and sang. I was trying my best not to cry, and I was doing okay...until I looked up and saw one of my boys with a little tear rolling down the side of his nose. And then I lost it. When we got back to our company meeting spot, we had devotional. This was my opportunity to bear testimony to my kids. As I bore witness of eternal truths, I felt my testimony grow. When our boys walked our girls back to our dorm building, each of the kids signed my scriptures (an idea I got from my co). I smile at all of the memories each time I open them.

On Monday night, we set goals for the week as a company, one of which was to reach out to "the one" as President Monson is so fond of saying. As we recapped the week on Friday morning, one of the boys said it best, "There really isn't a 'one' anymore." One of the other boys bore testimony of our unity and said, "I love the love." So true.

My girls and me and my co Derek (did I not mention that he's 6'9" and therefore really easy to spot in a crowd? That really came in handy.)

All in all, EFY was the most intense experience of my life in every way possible: mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. I look back at the week, and there are some things I will do differently when I return in August. But I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

*[I FORGOT TO ADD ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS] Friday night: all of my girls were saying goodnight for the last time, and I didn't have the heart to tell them to go to bed just yet. Suddenly, one of my girls got a torrential nosebleed. And she hates blood. Her friend that came with her and I rushed her into the bathroom and got her leaned over a garbage can with toilet paper stuffed around her nose. But it still wasn't stopping. Blood was going everywhere, including on their clothes. Thankfully, I had brought some tampons along just in case one of the girls needed them...didn't expect it to be for this. It took quite a while to get the girl calmed down and get everything cleaned up. As the news spread (and I ran up and down the hall getting supplies and such), every single one of my girls came into the bathroom. Every single one of them stayed until the girl was able to get back to her room. Six pairs of strangers had truly become a family.

How great the goodness of our God

2011-06-05T19:22:00.002-06:00

"Of all God's miracles, large and small..."--Miracle of Miracles, Fiddler on the Roof

My last post was all about how my car was totaled. Yeah. Totally sucks. The week that followed the wreck was one of much anger, frustration, and downright orneriness. As I was writing my most recent blog post, all I could do was sit on the bed and cry, "I totaled my car. I totaled my car," as I rocked back and forth.

As I said my nightly prayer on Tuesday, I asked my Heavenly Father for a small miracle. Any sort of miracle that would brighten my life, which had seldom looked so dark.

Wednesday afternoon, I got my miracle.

[Background story: About three months ago now, I interviewed to be an EFY counselor. I really really wanted the job, but I never received any sort of phone call or email saying one way or the other, so I'd pretty much written that off. But about three weeks ago, I got an email saying that they couldn't find my records because of the major overhaul with the University stakes turning into YSA stakes, so could I please reply with my new ward information. So I did.]

I was sitting on the bed in my sister's house--Mom and I had gone to Boise for a couple of days for work stuff--and I checked my email. I had a few messages, most of which were Facebook notifications. But there was one from EFY.

I'VE BEEN HIRED TO BE A COUNSELOR!!!

The weeks I will be working are June 12-18 and July 31-August 6. I'm so pumped! There is so much preparation and responsibility that come upon counselors, but I know I can do it. Whom the Lord, He qualifies.

I am so grateful for this small miracle in my life. It won't buy me a new car, or even give me a whole lot of resources towards a new one, but the experience will be priceless. And God saw fit to take pity on me in my hour of need and grant me this blessing. I know He loves me.

Dr. Percival "Perry" Ulysses Cox/Zapato Dulce

2011-05-24T22:00:00.007-06:00

"Get your motor runnin'. Head out on the highway!"--Born to Be Wild, Steppenwolf

I had a most epic evening planned for myself the other night. I was going to do some work stuff, swing by a dear friend's apartment and chat, go to Wendy's and get Frosties/hear stories with another dear friend, go to FHE, come home from FHE, pack for 2-3 days in Boise, go to bed.

But the evening was not to be.

This is what happened instead:

Yes, my friends, that is my car.

This car by the numbers:
2 1/2 years I've had him
2 names (no name for a year, Perry for a year and Zapato for the past few months)
14 trips to Provo and back
20590184^30487 times (give or take) standing as my vehicle to freedom

Let me start by saying that no one was injured (other than me waking up the next morning with a sore neck and stiff shoulders, but that happens once in a while anyway, so no big deal).

What happened was that as I was checking the highway for traffic that could possibly do that to my car, I failed to notice how close I was to the pickup truck in front of me. I figure I was going somewhere from 10-15 mph. Had the vehicle in front of me been similar to mine, the damage would have been much less severe and probably fixable--a significant cut of my savings account, but fixable. But the tail of the truck (which included a trailer hitch) bent my hood in half and made confetti out of my radiator, thus causing more damage than my car was (monetarily) worth.

And of course, I started to sob.

And of course, it started to rain.

The state trooper that responded to the call was very kind, as was the lady who was behind me when it happened. (She actually gave me a blanket to wrap around myself while I paced outside waiting for the state trooper to arrive at the scene.) As was the gentleman driving the pickup I hit. Like Blanche in the movie A Streetcar Named Desire, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.

The officer could have locked me up for inattentive driving. (I did get cited for following too close.) But he didn't. He said to me when he went to leave, "I just treated you the way I would want you to treat me." To which I responded, "Thank the Lord for that." It's not taking His name in vain. I meant it.

The lady could have kept driving and been on her merry way with her daughter in the back seat. But she didn't. She took pity on a helpless girl who was very scared and very cold.

The gentleman could've been angry that his day had been disrupted so suddenly. But he didn't. He chose to be kind.

I doubt any of these people will remember this day more than "I got rear-ended once" or "I was right behind a wreck when it happened." But I will always remember their kindnesses.

The moral of the story: Kindness goes a long way.

We are family!

2011-05-18T13:47:00.005-06:00

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plains..."--Oklahoma, Oklahoma!

I had the opportunity to go to Oklahoma City last weekend and play with my mom and 6 of my 8 sisters (counting my sister-in-law). We went to Time Out for Women, but really we just wanted to get together without grandchildren crawling all over their mothers.

It was AWESOME!!!

After we checked into our hotel on Friday afternoon, we walked around Bricktown (a really cool Old Town-ish type area of Oklahoma City). We ate lunch at The Spaghetti Warehouse and were waited on by a delightful young man named Tyler. I had some yummy ravioli with sausage. As he walked away after serving us dessert, my sister Heather said, "Oooo, that looks delicious." Without missing a beat, I said, "The cheesecake or the waiter?"

As we were getting seated at TOFW on Friday night, I saw a familiar face...my BFF Katy's mom Patty! There was much hugging and merriment.

Sometimes, it's tough to spend time with my sisters, or any married women really. For the best reasons, they spend a lot of time talking about their children and husbands. Seeing as I don't have either of those things, I struggle with joining the conversation, and I feel like an outsider in my own family. But things turned around on Saturday.

After TOFW let out, we ate dinner at a place called Abuelo's. The food was incredible; I had bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed shrimp. I know it sounds weird, but honestly, what foodstuff can't be improved by bacon and/or cheese?

As sisters, we walked down to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. It was...wow. The entire city block where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building is now the memorial.

This is what is called the Field of Empty Chairs. Every chair (which is a brass back on a glass box) represents a person who died; smaller chairs mean children. Each person's name was engraved on the glass part. The nine rows represented the nine floors of the building, and the chairs were placed in the row corresponding to the floor the person worked on or was visiting.

The Time Gates (the big metal door thingy) were on each end of the Reflecting Pool. The eastern one said 9:01 and the western one said 9:03. The bomb went off at 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995.

The story of the Survivor Tree (in the middle to the slight left in the background) is really cool. Before the bombing, it sat in a parking lot across the street from the APM building. (The street was where the reflecting pool is now). Many buildings had to be razed because the damage caused by the explosion was so heavy. But not this huge 90-year-old American Elm tree, which came to be known as the Survivor Tree. It symbolizes the resiliency of the survivors.

One of the nearby buildings was only moderately damaged. They left the holes where a brick arch used to be; in the explosion, it actually lifted that part of the building several feet before the arch collapsed and the bricks settled. After applying new mortar, they left the building as it looked in honor of the tragedy.

When we walked into the memorial through the Time Gate, I had an overwhelming feeling that I had stepped onto hallowed ground. Such unexpected violence and tragedy, but the Memorial Grounds (on which you can still see part of the bombed building's foundation) is a very sacred place. The sounds of the city seemed to fade away as soon as I walked in, and they similarly faded back in when we left. Hardly any of the several visitors spoke, and those who did only whispered.

After we were done at the memorial, we walked back to the hotel and sat/played in the hot tub and pool. I really think this was my favorite part of the whole weekend, the entire reason why I spent my tax return to go. We all laughed, snacked, told stories, etc. like we were the best of friends. Maybe there's hope for the Phippen girls after all.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend. I love my family dearly. Lori Jo and Shari, you were sorely missed, and we totally wish you both could've been there. Despite our differences, I wouldn't trade any of them or leave anyone out for anything.

My me-vening

2011-05-11T02:22:00.008-06:00

"Tonight, I'm gonna have myself a real good time."--Don't Stop Me Now, Queen

So my parents left for Oklahoma this morning, and I decided to have a Cindy night. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE having an active social life, but once in a while, a night to yourself is healthy, and since my parents were gone, this was the perfect night. After I finished working for the day, I decided to give myself a pedicure and watch a classic movie: Fiddler on the Roof. As I was checking Facebook right before I embarked on this evening of movie-watching and relaxation, I noticed that my friend Katy (the bride of the wedding mentioned in the Texas posts) had posted something about Gone With the Wind on instant-play on Netflix. My "me-vening" suddenly got a lot longer!

So began the quest. First, Fiddler.

Fiddler was amazing. I'd seen the play once back in junior high, and I was somewhat familiar with the music, but I'd never actually seen the movie. (Spare me the speeches about how criminal it was that I, Cindy Phippen, movie buff and musical fanatic, went more than 23 years of my life without ever having watched Fiddler all the way through. I have repented now. :) )

My favorite parts:

•Motel singing to Tzeitel. So cute!
•the "dream" scene. Pearls, pearls, PEARLS!!!
•the whole part where Tevye finds out about Chava and sings that song and Tevye's reaction to her when she comes back (not that it was pleasant, but very powerful nonetheless)
•the scenes in between all of these scenes

After I finished Fiddler, I got something to eat and began one of the most epic movies of all time: Gone With the Wind.

There aren't really any words that can adequately capture the full scale of this movie. It is truly one of the greatest films of all time.

My favorite parts:

•running away from Atlanta while it's on fire
•the greatest movie line of all time: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. (Hollywood legend states that this famous line cost Clark Gable the Best Actor Oscar because it was the first curse word ever used in a movie.)
•everything

Overall, a very long night, but well worth it for these two classics.

TEXAAAAAAAAAAAAS: DAY 3--Saturday, April 30

2011-05-07T23:43:00.007-06:00

"If you're gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band. That lead guitar is hot but not for "Louisiana Man." So rosin up your bow for "Faded Love" and let's all dance."--If You're Gonna Play in Texas, Alabama

So begins the last day of my awesome trip.

I lost the fight against tears after I got dressed and was waiting for Katy's mom to come pick me up and take me to the airport. That's the only time I lost that particular fight that day. I got to the airport and was a little bit lost. I guess I was more incoherent than actually lost, but I eventually found my way to security. While I was standing in one of the lines, a guy from Mexico (who looked to be about my age) was standing there with the best carnival prize I'd ever seen. It made me smile so much, he let me take a picture with it.

And for some reason, this sign struck me as hilarious:

After I got to my gate and finished eating my breakfast, I went to the restroom to wash my hands. When I got back, I saw that a lovely middle-aged Italian man was sitting in my seat. When I went to find another seat, he apologized for taking my seat. We ended up having one of the most pleasant conversations I've ever had with a stranger. Part of the conversation went like this:

Lovely Italian Man: I noticed you earlier looking at your camera, and I saw your smile. You are so cute. If I had to say a metaphor for you, it would be sunshine.
Me: Thank you! You're so sweet.
LIM: Thank you for saying that. Most American women get so offended when strangers compliment them.
Me: Please! I'll take all the compliments I can get.
LIM: I'm Italian. I am poetic. We're also better lovers. The French think they are, but they're not.

A little while later...

LIM: So where is your final destination?
Me: Salt Lake City.
LIM: Are you associated with the church there?
Me: Yes, sir. I am.

Then he proceeded to ask me about how deep the marriage commitment is. He asked because he had pursued an LDS woman at his work, and she kept refusing because she's married. LIM didn't see the big deal because it was "just an affair." So he was naturally curious about the level of commitment within temple marriages. Thankfully, I had been in town for a wedding, so I was mentally prepared. I proceeded to explain that in the LDS Church, we believe that if we are sealed in the temple and honor that commitment, we will be able to live as husband and wife in the next life. He seemed satisfied with that answer (which at the time was a lot more extensive, but this was the gist of it.) Then we got on the plane to Vegas.

The Las Vegas airport is pretty much right by The Strip. It is also a giant mall. And when I say giant, I mean it took me 15 minutes of power-walking to get from my landing gate to my departure gate. And what Las Vegas building would be complete without these?

The flight from Vegas to Salt Lake was fairly uneventful. The view was, of course, amazing. I took a lot of pictures out the window, but this one was one of my favorites. If you look closely, you can see the BYU "Y" on the mountain towards the right of the screen.

So ends my amazing trip. I had a blast in San Antonio.

Thank you, Katy and Chase, for getting married so I could have a mini-vacation. It was an honor to be the MOH at your wedding.

Thank you to my new friends, Sheila and Patty, for raising such amazing children. I hope to see both of you again some day.

Thank you to LIM, for letting me check "getting hit on by an unacquainted foreigner" off of my bucket list. :)

And last but not least, thank you to my Heavenly Father for letting me have such wonderful memories.

TEXAAAAAAAAAAAAS: DAY 2--Friday, April 29

2011-05-05T08:57:00.014-06:00

"As long as the tide's in, the earth turns, the sun sets, I promise I'll always be true. And as long as there's stars over Texas, darlin' I'll hang the moon for you."--Stars Over Texas, Tracy Lawrence

Friday was a day of much merriment and craziness. The first order of business was getting dressed and getting the bride's hair done.

After that, we headed to Katy's family's hotel where everyone finished getting ready. We saw a baby possum on the back porch; we thought it was dead until it moved (hence the term "playing possum")! Then off to the temple we went.

This is where the real test of my emotions came in. I had been fighting tears all day, but when we got to the temple, and everyone was there in the lobby, I really had to work hard at not crying. I knew I would be the human emotion equivalent of a can of Pringles (once I popped, I just wouldn't stop.)

I have never wanted to be endowed so badly. I've long had a desire to make those sacred covenants with my Heavenly Father, but the time isn't quite right. The phrase "I'll be there in spirit" is often said tongue-in-cheek. This time, I really meant it. While the sealing was taking place, I went outside and took some pictures of the beautiful San Antonio Temple.

A short while later--seriously, I've never had to wait such a short time for a sealing to finish--people started trickling out.

The best man, Logan Teancum Kratzer, and me just before the bride and groom came out

And finally, the magical moment came. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Chase Barnes!!!

That's Southern sass right there.

The Fantastic Four headed out to the reception site, where we ate amazing barbecue and cake. As the maid of honor, I had the opportunity to give a short speech. This is where I let the emotions fly. I told the stories of how I met the bride and the groom. I wished them every happiness and blessing that the Lord saw fit to give them because no two people deserve it more. I expressed my gratitude for their friendship. I concluded with, "It has truly been an honor and a privilege to be your friend."

A few minutes and a minor emotional breakdown in the bathroom later, the dancing began!

I take my Conga line leading very seriously. :)

Did I mention I caught the bouquet? No? Well, I did. Maybe there's hope for me after all. :)

And last but not least, the bride and groom drove away in an expertly decorated getaway truck. After cleanup and take-presents-and-decorations-back-to-Barnes'-house, I headed back to my hotel and crashed.

That's it for Day 2. Day 3 info to come!

*For more pictures and video clips, go to my Facebook page.

TEXAAAAAAAAAAAAS: DAY 1--Thursday, April 28

2011-05-03T20:38:00.013-06:00

"God bless Texas with His own hand, brought down angels from the promise land, gave em' a place where they could dance. If you wanna see heaven, brother, here's your chance. I've been sent to spread the message: God bless Texas"--God Bless Texas, Little Texas

I recently had the amazing opportunity to go to San Antonio, Texas for the wedding of my two best friends in the entire world: Katy (until-recently) Bodenhorn and Chase Barnes.

My day started early. I caught a bus to the Salt Lake airport at 3:30 a.m. for a flight that left at 7:40 a.m.

Somewhere between Denver and San Antonio. The sky was black.

After a layover (read: nap) in Denver, I got into San Antonio around 2:30 p.m. The bride, groom, and best man (the lovely Logan Teancum Kratzer) picked me up. After checking into my hotel and changing into Texas-appropriate attire (shorts and a light t-shirt as opposed to the jeans and hoodie I was wearing). We headed to the Alamo.

I remembered!!! (But as famous as this building is, it is REALLY REALLY underwhelming. Underwhelming to the point of laughter.)

Ten seconds after taking this picture, we headed to the famous River Walk for dinner and sight-seeing. We ate at a Tex-Mex place called La Casa Rio. I enjoyed great company (Katy's parents and siblings in addition to the Fantastic Four) and a delectable quesadilla.

Our restaurant was the place on the right with the colored umbrellas.

After dinner, we walked around the River Walk. It was awesome! I bought a really cute t-shirt at Hard Rock Cafe.

The happy couple, perhaps in the last picture of them not married.

We headed back to the hotel fairly early because we had a few things to take care of the next day. ;)

The first thing Katy and I ever did together was watch the movie "Sweet Home Alabama." As a full-circle moment (of which she and I are both big fans), we decided to watch it in our hotel room. Unfortunately, the Internet was crappy, so we only got to watch about half of it.

That's it for Day 1. More to come about days 2 and 3!

Maybe Tom Hanks could tell me how it feels

2011-04-23T02:16:00.005-06:00

"Runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin'..."--Let's Get it Started, Black Eyed Peas

First of all, a surprise goes out to whoever gets the movie reference in the title of this post.

Do you ever get the feeling that you just want to take off running and never stop? I do on occasion, usually at times of indecision and uncertainty.

Exhibit A: last summer, when I made the heartbreaking decision to move back to Pocatello from Provo.

Exhibit B: right now (hence the posting). Suffice it to say that the crappy job market that factored into Exhibit A has yet to be uncrapified.

I wonder what it would be like to actually take off running and never stop.

New favorite song

2011-03-15T00:01:00.005-06:00

"Maybe I'm a dreamer.
Maybe I'm misunderstood.
Maybe you're not seeing the side of me you should.
Maybe I'm crazy.
Maybe I'm the only one.
Maybe I'm out of touch.
Maybe I've just had enough.

Maybe it's time to change
And leave it all behind.
I've never been one to walk alone;
I've always been scared to try.
So why does it feel so wrong
To reach for something more,
To wanna live a better life?
What am I waiting for?
'Cause nothing stays the same.
Maybe it's time to change.

Maybe it's hopeless.
Maybe I should just give up.
What if I can't trust myself?
What if I just need some help?

Maybe it's time to change
And leave it all behind.
I've never been one to walk alone;
I've always been scared to try.
So why does it feel so wrong
To reach for something more,
To wanna live a better life?
What am I waiting for?
'Cause nothing stays the same.
Maybe it's time to change."

--Maybe, Sick Puppies

Enough said.

Stylish? Me? Okay...

2011-03-02T07:40:00.003-07:00

"I wanna talk about me, wanna talk about I, wanna talk about #1, oh my me my!"--I Wanna Talk About Me, Toby Keith

My dear friend Kari gave me a stylish blog award. She wrote seven things about herself to celebrate. I will do the same.

1--I love cheese. I even have three t-shirts devoted to cheese. When asked my favorite food, I always say cheese without the slightest hesitation.

2--I love to read, especially into the wee hours of the morning. My favorite authors are (in this order) Dr. Seuss, J.K. Rowling, and Charles Dickens.

3--I play the piano. Not nearly as well as some people, but I'm alright. I am currently learning (among other things) Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# minor, which is like eating an elephant. (You eat an elephant one bite at a time, you learn Rachmaninoff one measure at a time).

4--My favorite color is purple. I have a purple lanyard for my keys, purple socks, purple bedding, purple clothes, purple underclothes, etc. It's a little silly, but at least people know what color to consider when buying me gifts.

5--I am a walking contradiction. I both like to dress up fancy and slum it out, fearless and terrified, shy and outgoing.

6--Most of the friends I've ever had are boys, but the closest friends I've ever had are all girls.

7--I believe in the healing power of tears. Sometimes, you have so much emotion bottled up that crying it out is the only cure. That, and playing Rachmaninoff.

Peace. Be Still.

2011-02-25T00:09:00.008-07:00

"Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons or men or whatever it be, no waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies."-- "Master, the Tempest is Raging"

I have always enjoyed Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. For several years, I have envisioned clinging to the iron rod (see 1 Nephi 8:24) in a somewhat unusual way. I imagine someone holding on for dear life, arms and legs wrapped around the iron rod, while tsunami-size waves repeatedly crashed over them. When the waves subside, the person is still alive because they were clinging to the iron rod. Exhausted? Certainly. Bruised and injured? Most definitely. But they continue to hold to the rod.

In Institute Choir, we always sing a closing hymn or two (sometimes more), and sometimes we talk about the meaning of the hymn we are about to sing. Last week, we sang "Master, the Tempest is Raging" (Hymn #105) to close. Bro. Crockett explained how water was often used as a symbol for Satan. (It should also be noted that a vessel is a common symbol for a person or body.) He also told the story of when Jesus calmed the stormy sea (Mark 4:35-39).

As we sang the words that began this post, the following thought came into my head (accompanied by the mental image mentioned in the first paragraph of this post):

'I have been dealing with certain demons, and sometimes they win. But I have the Holy Ghost. No trials I have been given, no crosses I have to bear can swallow me because in me lies the a member of the Godhead, an entity at one with the Master of ocean and earth and skies. Satan will not win as long as I remember that I am a confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and have kept my baptismal covenants. Am I perfect? Of course not, but that doesn't mean I am any less protected from Satan's influence so long as I strive to withstand him.'

What a comfort this thought has been as I have sought peace.

Gratitude

2011-02-14T23:40:00.007-07:00

"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free."--God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood

I've seen A LOT of movies. But I don't watch just any movie. Okay, that's a lie, but I do often refer to my "list" (compiled from the American Film Institute's "100 Greatest" series, selecting the 100 greatest American movies in 10 different categories: all-time, inspiring, heroes and villains (50 of each), laughs, musicals (only 25), love stories, quotes, scores (again, only 25), songs, and thrills.) I took these lists and boiled them down to a master list of about 350 movies. At the outset of this quest two years ago, I'd seen about 20 of them. Now I've seen about 100, thanks in great part to Netflix.

Tonight's selection: Hotel Rwanda.

Wow. What a powerful film. I haven't been this moved by a movie since Schindler's List. How fitting, because this film is often described as an African Schindler's List (I add that it's as if Schindler were Jewish.) Seeing the genocide that happened nearly 17 years ago, and knowing that similar atrocities are happening all over the world as I type, makes me weep with gratitude for the country in which I live.

I am particular grateful for those men and women who willingly serve to keep our country free from such hell. Specifically, those in my own family: my dad, (Major Earl F. Phippen, U.S. Air Force, retired), my brother, (Sergeant First Class JD Phippen, U.S. National Guard, active duty [served one year-long tour in Iraq]), and my brother-in-law (Captain Will Hill, U.S. Air Force, active duty [served two six-month tours in Iraq]).

Granted, chaos and corruption are rampant in all levels of government, but we aren't experiencing mass genocide. And why have things not deteriorated so? Because a loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ set apart this land for the Restoration of His church and His gospel. He will protect this land--His land--until He sees fit to send His Son Jesus Christ once more to reign upon the earth.

Creativity at its...well...we think we're funny

2011-02-10T09:27:00.007-07:00

"I know that you know that I'm not telling the truth. I know that you know; you just don't have any proof. Embrace the deception. Learn how to bend. Your worst inhibitions tend to psych you out in the end."--the "Psych" theme song

As evidenced by the previous post, my sister Shari and I sometimes get carried away with texting each other funny things. Movie quotes, arguing over who deserves to have a certain celebrity as their husband, etc.

In nearly every episode of "Psych," after Gus tries to talk Shawn into something, (more often) out of something, or expresses a thought on their current case, Shawn says, "Gus, don't be..." Some examples are:

•Don't be this crevice in my arm. [Shawn points to the crevice just below the elbow on the inside of the arm.]
•Don't be the way Eriq La Salle spells Eriq.
•Don't be a rabid porcupine.
•Don't be "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Marzipan." (Gus: It's "Azkaban." Shawn: I've heard it both ways.)
•Don't be a myopic chihuahua.
•Don't be the only black male lead on a major cable network.

You get the idea. Shari and I like to come up with our own "don't be" phrases. Sometimes we even add a little dialogue after them. A-like so...

•Don't be the guitar part in "Inna Godda Davida."
•Don't be the curds in whey.
•Don't be a Curious George. (Gus: That would make you the Man in the Yellow Hat. [then they do this one thing where they point and stare at each other])
•Don't be the guy who put the bop in the bop sh'bop sh'bop.
•Don't be the theme song from Lambchop & Friends. (Gus: The Song That Never Ends? Shawn: Yes, it goes on and on, my friend.)
•Don't be the zit in the middle of my back that I can't reach.
•Don't be the fat guy in the middle seat of my row on the airplane.
•Don't be an old sponge with hair hanging off of it.
•Don't be the shoe piece from Monopoly. (Gus: The shoe is lame. Can't I be the car? Shawn: No way! I'm the car. You be the eternally-classy top hat. Gus: You know that's right.)
•Don't be the last piece of string cheese.
•Don't be Gene Kelly's tap shoes. [I thought this one was great because the actor who plays Gus is an AMAZING tap dancer.]
•Don't be a constipated jackalope.
•Don't be the hyphen in Raven-Symoné.
•Don't be the one leaf that hangs on the tree all winter.
•Don't be the crick in my back that never seems to pop.
•Don't be the captain from Spongebob Squarepants.
•Don't be the enormous jello from "Cloudy With a Chance of Gumballs." (Gus: It's "meatballs" Shawn. Shawn: I've heard it both ways.)
•Don't be the little plastic table that comes in pizza boxes.
•Don't be the tree that George of the Jungle has to watch out for.
•Don't be the holes in Swiss cheese.

Maybe we have too much time on our hands.

The joys of texting...

2011-02-04T20:43:00.011-07:00

"Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister. And lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man."--Sisters Sisters, "White Christmas"

Around 6:30 p.m. on January 20, upon receiving life-changing news regarding the sexual orientation of an actor I crushed on, the following conversation took place:

Me (Cindy): So Jim Parsons is gay.

This is Jim Parsons. He plays Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory."

My sister Shari: Oh yeah--I knew that. Just watch interviews with him and you can tell.

C: I suspected as much. He is always telling the ladies interviewing him how beautiful they are.

S: He would be an awesome GBFF.

C: Oh my heavens yes! I can marry Zachary Levi and have Jim Parsons as a GBFF!!!

This is Zachary Levi, whose full name is Zachary Levi Pugh. He plays Chuck on "Chuck" and voices (speaking and singing) Flynn Rider in "Tangled."

S: No you cannot. ZL is too old for you. He will be a great BIL for you though when I marry him.

C: Dude. I'm 23. He's 30. Not too old for me. He's 6'4". He's too tall for you.

S: No way jose. I will fight you for him! HI-YAH!!! See, I totally just karate-chopped your face. I win!

C: BRING IT!

S: It is already broughten. I just karate-chopped your face, remember?

C: I forgot already. That's how weak it was.

S: So's your face. Ah-zoom, zoom, zoom!

C: So's your mom's face. BAZINGA!!!

S: Your insults underwhelm.

C: I'm working on being more kind. If my insults pay the price, so be it.

S: Can you ever just be whelmed?

C: I can when you're trying to insult me. BAZINGA!

S: So then I do win! I said you underwhelmed. You said I whelmed. whelming > underwhelming

C: But I saw ZLP first. I have loved him since I first saw "Chuck" about 2 1/2 years ago.

S: I loved him when he played a snooty guy on "less than perfect" like 5 years before "chuck." Songsty pongsty for the win!

C: I loved him in the pre-mortal life!

S: I am pre-mortally older than you!

C: There's no way of proving that.

S: Yes there is--we each cut a leg off and count the rings.

C: Then he won't want either of us. We'll just have to each separately pursue him and see who he chooses.

S: Fine--be that way. The gloves are off small fry.

C: Who are you callin' small fry? I've got at least 6 inches on you.

S: Height schmeight. I will just sit on you.

C: I'll bet I outweight you.

S: Doubtful. I am a swarthy 175.

C: K you got me. But I still call dibs on ZLP. And JP for my GBFF because you already have one.

S: I get ZLP because you have JP. You can have Gus if i get ZLP.

This is Dule Hill. He plays Gus on "Psych" (probably my favorite TV show still on the air.)

C: But I can't have hot make-out sessions that mean anything with JP. I would rather have ZLP.

S: What about Logan from GG? Luke? Tony from NCIS?

This is Matt Czuchry, Logan from "Gilmore Girls" (my favorite TV show of all time. No question.)

This is Scott Patterson, Luke from "Gilmore Girls" (which favorite TV show is affectionately referred to as G-squared).
This is Michael Weatherly, Tony from "NCIS." Not gonna lie. Had a hard time picking a picture that adequately captures this man's beauty.

C: You can have them all.

S: Daniel Radcliffe?

This is Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter movies.

C: Sipping air slowly through my teeth...pondering...I still think I want ZLP.

S: No you don't. You want DR with his magical powers.

C: Being British doesn't mean you have magic powers.

S: But being HP does. Just think--lifetime free admittance to WWOHP.

C: I want to pay like the normal people. Being with ZLP would be more chill.

S: But you're not normal.

C: But dancing with ZLP would be better.

S: If it is dancing you want, you want Joey Macentire. He sings, dances, played Fiero in "Wicked."

C: No way. ZLP has it all.

S: Okay, then a fight to the death it is. It has been nice knowing you.

C: ______________________ That is the battle line. I just drew it.

S: Do you realize we've been having this "discussion" for 1+ hour? Pretty sure we need professional help.

C: ZLP is a professional. He could DEFINITELY help.

S: I will work on finding an alternative for you. I am certain there is someone you'd prefer to ZLP.

C: If I don't win ZLP, I'll take DJR.

S: Deal.

The next morning on facebook, after I commented on Shari's status about going to Boston and therefore not needing Zachary Levi...

Shari: Boston does most definitely NOT cancel out my need for ZLP! However, this is what I propose: I will take Christian Kane, you take DJR and we will share custody of ZLP. You take him M-W, I get Th-Sat and we alternate Sundays. We can rotate holidays.

This is Christian Kane. I think he plays a character named Elliot on "Castle" but I can't be sure because I don't actually watch the show.

C (comment): Sounds like a deal. And we each get him on our individual birthdays.

S (comment): I will draw up the papers immediately. P.S.--We're cool.

One day at a time

2011-02-02T21:06:00.006-07:00

"If the burden seems too much to bear, remember: the end will justify the pain it took to get us there."--Let it All Out by Relient K

Life can get really overwhelming. I try to not think about all of my problems at once; if I do, I have a nervous breakdown. 2010 was a doozy of a year, and 2011 is looking like it will be just as dooziful. Years down the road, I will look at this time in my life and see the growth. But for now, I'm just taking it one day at a time.

Blessed 23 times over

2011-01-26T01:54:00.007-07:00

"Happy happy birthday, from all of us to you! We wish it was our birthday so we could party, too!"--the birthday song in The Emperor's New Groove

[In case you couldn't tell, the blog makeover is music-themed. Each post will be inspired by a song or a line from a song.]

As of the start of writing this post, I am 5 minutes shy of being exactly 23 years old. As such, I will write 23 of my blessings (in no particular order).

•I am blessed with a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That testimony has been my tether to the Rock through what has been a doozy of a year.
•I am blessed to have amazing family members who lead great examples of what it means to be a faithful Latter-Day Saint.
•I am blessed to know incredible people who call themselves my friends. Words cannot adequately describe what you all mean to me.
•I am blessed with a red stuffed bunny I got for my 8th birthday, because I don't have a husband with whom to snuggle at night.
•I am blessed to be a part of the Institute Choir here in Poky. I never leave choir without feeling more loved by my Heavenly Father.
•I am blessed with love and talent for music. Countless prayers and questions have been answered through either listening to or participating in music, not to mention the pure joy I derive from listening to and participating therein.
•I am blessed with empathy. I have always been able to put myself into the shoes of others and can thereby try and help them.
•I am blessed with a passion for reading. I echo President Thomas S. Monson in saying that "reading is one of the true pleasures of life." I especially love reading a book for the very first time!
•I am blessed with the ability to make other people laugh. Nothing makes me happier than making other people laugh.
•I am blessed with a computer that hasn't broken down after 3 1/2 years of use. Hopefully it can hang on for another 5.
•I am blessed with a vehicle that still functions reasonably well, even though it is almost 15 years old. This is another one that needs to stick around for a minimum of 5 years.
•I am blessed with the ability to learn quickly.
•I am blessed with the gift of retention. I see a movie once and can quote half of it, hear a song 3 or 4 times and know it by heart, etc.
•I am blessed with intelligence. I have done reasonably well in school, so I have confidence in the future of my education.
•I am blessed with enthusiasm for life! I always have fun around my friends. When one of my friends was telling one of his friends about me (which friend would later become one of my friends), he said, "You are going to LOVE Cindy. She is so much fun!" One of the highest compliments I've ever received.
•I am blessed with awesome movie and music collections. Movies: everything from the Back to the Future trilogy to the old school How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Music: everything from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Metallica.
•I am blessed with the ability to follow a recipe. I can cook almost anything (except brownies. I can't make a passable batch of brownies to save my life, even from a box).
•I am blessed with good looks. I won' t claim to be the hottest thing around, but I didn't exactly fall out of the ugly tree, either. (Sidenote: if you want a favor from me, compliment my hair. I'm especially vain about my hair.)
•I am blessed with the necessities of life (food, water, clothing, shelter, etc.)
•I am blessed with good taste in men. Granted, I've only had one boyfriend--technically two, but I don't think anything less than two weeks really counts--but the men I've spent time admiring have all been wonderful people. Each man is more amazing then the last, which can only mean that the man meant for me is one amazing individual.
•I am blessed with the gift and companionship of the Holy Ghost. A member of the Godhead, the supreme governing body of the universe, is always with me so long as I stay worthy.
•I am blessed the ability to hope. I know that Heavenly Father will bless me as long as I am obedient to His commandments.

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

2011-01-20T18:01:00.002-07:00

Get ready for a great event in your lives, readers. You will see what's coming in the next few days...

Being there

2011-01-10T18:56:00.004-07:00

I am a person who strives to make sure my friends know that I care about them. My friends and family are the most important things to me, and I would surely die without them. As such, I always try to be there for them, because I know the difference just one loyal friend can make. (This is the part where the computer screen goes wavy and the edges turn pink and fuzzy, because I'm having a flashback.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 7th and 8th grades, I had a very good friend Traci. Traci was (is) a very good girl; she's one of the most straight-arrow people I have ever met, and I have a world of admiration for her. In 9th grade, I started to hang around the kids in my drama class all the time. These kids...well, they would go across the street after school and before play practice and smoke, break into Daddy's liquor cabinet during sleepovers, sneak alcohol into school in juice bottles...you get the idea. They were aware that I am LDS, so they respected that and never invited me to participate in those things, but I always felt left out, and I wanted so badly to be included. (Had those invitations been extended, I honestly don't know what I would've done.)

Then came the field trip to Lagoon at the end of the year.

I sat by Traci on the bus. Spending all day playing around with her and other girls like her made me realize how much I was wavering from the strait and narrow path. You could say I was scared straight (pun intended). Without her on that Lagoon trip, I would be a completely different person. And not a very good one at that.

Flash forward two years to the end of my junior year of high school. A lot of misunderstanding, miscommunication, and horrendously bad judgment--that last one was the catalyst for the others, and completely my fault--led to a major falling out with one of my friends. I knew our senior year would be interesting (to say the least) because he and I would be in nearly every class together.

It was more than interesting. It was hell.

My one attempt at reconciliation was nixed because his parents, with his support, didn't want him to speak to me ever again. After that nugget of information lodged itself into my brain, delivered by our mutual friend Tina, I became extremely angry and bitter.

Luckily, Tina stood by me. We didn't ever have any long, drawn out discussions about what happened, we didn't even mention his name, but she was there. And she was the greatest example of patience I had ever seen. I know I was not pleasant to be around. I didn't even want to be around myself, but she was there, and I will be forever grateful for that loyalty.

Flash forward to two weeks ago. I was in a bad place emotionally. Completely lethargic, no appetite, would just sit and stare at the wall...I was depressed. Horribly depressed. All attempts at social activities were futile for varied reasons.

Except one.

The night before New Year's Eve, I texted my friend Derek and asked what he was doing. I ended up going to his apartment that night. We drank tea and hung out with his roommates and neighbors until nearly 4 in the morning. The next day, he picked me up for the New Year's Eve party at the SUB, and we hung out after (again, until almost 4 in the morning). I spent the night at his neighbor Melissa's apartment. He made her and me breakfast in the "morning" aka 1 in the afternoon, and then he brought me home. We played games with friends the next day, and a few days later, we hung out with a bunch of his friends again. I don't know how long it would've taken me to come out of that depression without him, but I'm sure glad it didn't come to that.

(Now the computer screen is going to go all wavy again, and the pink fuzzy edges will disappear, because we're coming back to the present.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These three anecdotes are merely examples of the great friends I've had. And no I'm-grateful-for-the-friends-who-have-been-there-for-me post would be complete without mentioning my Provo people. Katy, Joe, Peter, Kandace, the girls of S110, the boys of N107...without you, my life would be infinitely less awesome.

Thank you to everyone who has been there for me. I only hope I can sufficiently reciprocate your friendship.

Landfall

2010-12-12T00:45:00.005-07:00

Within the last month, I have come to the end of a grieving period. I had to grieve the loss of living in Provo. I have finally gotten over it completely. Although the dearest of friends will always be missed, I no longer ache for their companionship.

While I was cleaning out my scripture bag, I came across the following free verse poem I wrote this summer; I have titled it "Landfall." I thought it especially fitting for this new realization.

Grief is like the ocean.
It comes in waves of varying size and force.
At times, it seems endless and surrounds us with
overwhelming power.

But like the ocean, our grief ebbs and flows,
And comes the day when we see
land.
At different times and places in our lives,
The ocean varies.

The power of positive thought

2010-11-04T10:28:00.006-06:00

As I was deciding what to wear this morning--a daily decision that takes much brain power--I had the following thought:

The line from Bambi, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" doesn't just apply to other people. It applies to yourself and your life.

It got me thinking about how in Peter Pan, "any happy little thought" gives the children the ability to fly. When you think positively, anything is possible. And then I thought, 'Even when life gets tough, if you don't allow yourself to give way to negative thoughts and/or words, things will be that much better. You'll be able to deal with life so much more easily than if you always dwell on the negative.'

Don't get me wrong. Life is definitely negative at times, and there are plenty of reasons to curl up in a ball on your bed and hide from the world. But that's not the point. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said in a Conference talk, "There is no problem so bad that whining about it won't make it worse." I have found this to be so true in my life that it isn't even funny. Actually, it's quite funny how often this statement has proved true.

This is my quest, to follow that star, I mean, uh...anyway, I'm going to be more positive in my life. I'm going to always look for the bright side of a situation, and I will always have a smile on my face.

UPDATE: Much easier said than done!

My Brother

2010-10-28T14:51:00.002-06:00

So...my brother is officially home from Iraq.

I haven't really ever known my brother. He left on his mission when I was 4, came back when I was 6, went to boot camp a few months later for 4 months, and got married a few months after that. Yet for some reason, I still admire him.

Maybe it's because he spent two years in Finland preaching the Gospel. Maybe it's because he puts up with 8 sisters. Maybe it's because he always honors his priesthood. Maybe it's because he just got home from a highly-unpopular war.

My brother JD and his wife of 15 years, Lori.

Whatever the reason, my brother is one of my heroes.

The simple things

2010-09-21T16:48:00.005-06:00

My bestie Katy wrote a note on facebook about some of the little things in life that make her happy. Because I too derive great joy from the simple things in life, I decided to make a list. This list is not by any means comprehensive, but you get the idea. These first few are small...

*those times when I look in the mirror and can honestly say, "Daaaang, woman. You're hott stuff!" (yes, today was one of those days)
*mastering a piano piece (many shouts of "Die Chopin, die!!!" and so-frustrated-after-that-I-cleaned-the-whole-house practices later)
*laughing with strangers on the phone (I call insurance companies and doctors as part of my job)
*getting phone calls/text messages/facebook notifications/comments on my blog (hint, hint)
*when I hear a song I like on the radio (more of a surprise than on an iPod or CD)
*a glass of pink lemonade after mowing the lawn on a hot summer day
*cute new haircuts that everyone loves
*Yankees baseball games
*rediscovering how much I love country music (which happened soon after I moved back to Poky)
*good conversations, especially with friends I haven't seen in a while
*making people laugh

These next few items are simple, but not so little...
*family always being there, even though they annoy you to pieces at times
*friends always being there, even though they drive you bat-crap crazy on occasion
*finding solace in the scriptures (1 John 4)
*feeling the love of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so strongly it feels like you're literally wrapped in Their arms

A second Sunday

2010-09-16T00:24:00.003-06:00

One of the things I looked forward to most about returning back to Poky was rejoining the Institute Choir. This year is different than previous ones because I am now the soprano section leader. A mildly daunting task--I've never led anything in my life--but I'm finding my groove.

In the six semesters I was involved in choir, I don't know if there was anything so consistently positive in my life. One choir member called Wednesdays his tender mercy days. Others have called it a second Sunday. Every week, I felt the Spirit in a way only brought about by music. I also made some really good friends out of the experience. Now that I have returned from time away, these blessings seem to have grown exponentially.

Today was particularly touching. Since returning to Poky, all of the negative feelings I've had since graduating (feelings on inadequacy, helpless, failure in every aspect of my life) have joined Satan's front lines in his war against me. One of the opening hymns--we usually sing two--was #96: Dearest Children, God Is Near You. Brother Crockett had us reflect on the doctrines within the hymn before we sang, and several of us shared our thoughts. All blessings are predicated on obedience, God WILL bless us IF we put our trust in Him, we are literal sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven, etc. As we sang as only our choir can, I felt the love my Heavenly Father has for me so strongly I could almost taste it. I had a difficult time getting the words out.

Our final closing hymn was #86: How Great Thou Art. [One of the most soul-stirring renditions of this hymn I have ever heard was at the Brad Paisley concert at the East Idaho State Fair in 2004. It was just Brad with his guitar on a stool, and everyone in the audience who knew the words sang along.] The third verse filled me with such gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ that I can't describe it without singing:

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Today was a day where I scarce could take it in. I have rarely felt more needful of divine guidance and direction than now. Singing these two hymns was truly a tender mercy from the Lord, letting me know that He will take care of me. He is taking care of me.

Being one with the Tree

2010-08-28T18:08:00.010-06:00

I have loved Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree" ever since I can remember. I think I was in first grade the first time I read it, and I got it for Christmas when I was in high school. The older I've become, the more I've come to love it. If you haven't read it, I suggest you go do so immediately. (1) It is a fantastic book. (2) This post will make a lot more sense if you're familiar with the material. If you don't have a copy handy, I will give a quick synopsis.

Boy and the Giving Tree are best friends. He swings in her branches, eats her apples, and takes naps in her shade. Boy loved the Tree. But Boy eventually grows up, and the Tree is often alone. He comes back in early adulthood and needs money. The Tree gives Boy her apples to sell so he can have money and be happy. Boy is gone for a long time, and the Tree is sad, but he comes back in mid-adulthood. The Tree invites him to swing in her branches and play, but Boy is too busy. He needs a house. The Tree gives him her branches to build a house. This time, Boy is gone for a very long time. When he comes back, the Tree once again invites him to come and play, but Boy just wants a boat to sail away. He cuts down the Tree's trunk and makes a boat. The Tree is now a stump. Boy finally comes back as an old man, and the Tree feels bad for not having anything to give him. All Boy wants is a place to rest, so the Tree lets him sit on her.

Inspired by YouTube's "Sassy Gay Friend: The Giving Tree" and personal events, I've taken to thinking more about this story. How did the Giving Tree feel while Boy was gone? It says once that she felt sad. Being a tree, she had plenty of time to think. Wouldn't you assume that the Tree felt angry at times? 'That dumb boy,' she could've said to herself. 'All he does is take, take, take.' What about bitterness? 'I've been the most loyal friend Boy's ever had. And what thanks do I get? None.' But Boy comes back. She is always excited to see him. When he comes back, no matter what he needs, the Tree always gives. After each selfless act, the story says that "the tree was happy." Even if she did feel angry, bitter, or heartbroken, all is forgiven when Boy comes back. As long as Boy is happy, the Tree is happy.

Were it so that we could all be so selfless and forgiving.

Falling water

2010-08-23T00:36:00.006-06:00

I find a lot of the meaning of life in my surroundings. One of those surroundings has been falling water, namely showers, rain and tears.

I am not a person who particularly enjoys showering. I sometimes get a surprise in the form of a spider in the tub or earwig on my loofa as I trudge to the bathroom. Fortunately, I shower anyway. And on rare occasions, I find showers completely refreshing. After a particularly rough day of adjusting to Pocatello (some days are better than others, and this day was the worst), I took such a shower. It had the same affect for my spirits as a power nap often does for fatigue. It was beyond refreshing; it was reviving for mind, body and spirit. It reminded me that the simple things in life can make a big difference.

It has been somewhat rainy for a couple of days. As I watched the rain fall this afternoon, I thought of the primary song that goes "I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain..." Instead of "ponder[ing] on the beauty of an earth made clean again," I thought of looking for the blessings to come out of trials. In movies, songs, poems, and other media, rain is used as a metaphor for sadness. Looking for rainbows is looking for the bright side of a situation or lessons learned from trials.

Adjusting to Pocatello has been difficult. The last few days have been some of my loneliest in recent memory, and I have shed more than a few tears. This is somewhat odd for me because I seldom cry, the last three weeks being the great exception. I am starting to wonder if my eyes are going to shrivel up from crying so much. But I firmly believe that tears can be therapeutic; they certainly have been for me. This recent catharsis makes me think of several things. One: in "The Sound of Music" when Maria is talking to Liesl about Rolf, "You cry a little, and you wait for the sun to come out, and it always does." Two: Psalms 30:2, 5 "O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Adjustment to this new life may be difficult now, but with some effort, I will come to enjoy my time here.

I am grateful for refreshing showers, the simultaneous simplicity and profundity of rain, and the healing power of tears. All three of these things have made me think about life in a different way, which in and of itself has been as refreshing, profound, and healing as anything.

Saying goodbye

2010-08-19T22:25:00.002-06:00

This post has been several weeks in the making.

Because I don't want to bore and/or depress anyone, including myself, I will not go into sordid details. Suffice it to say that I am back in Pocatello. Some days, today for instance, I miss my Provo people so much I want to throw up. However, I have made up my mind that it will be a positive experience and that I just need to give it time.

For being several weeks in the making, this post was awfully short.

High on the Mountain Top

2010-07-26T00:22:00.007-06:00

I've always enjoyed the outdoors. Not that I'm an avid hiker or camper, but I've always enjoyed the occasions when I have done those things. And I've always wanted to climb a huge mountain. I managed to do so this weekend.

A bunch of kids were going to hike Mount Timpanogos to watch the sun rise on Pioneer Day. A bunch of kids ended up being just Peter and me. I am not in the best shape, and this is a moderately difficult hike. However, Peter was patient; the conversation was as great as always and we generally had a good time. Until we got to about 9,000 feet in elevation. I started to feel nauseated and lost my appetite completely. When we stopped to rest/eat, I had to exert all of my willpower just to eat a granola bar. We climbed steadily to the saddle (just under 11,000 feet) where we rested and took in the AMAZING view. On the east side, the sky was just starting to turn blue. On the west side, the sky was still dark enough to see stars. The coolest part was seeing the city lights of Utah/southern Salt Lake Valleys then looking up and seeing countless stars. But onward and upward we trudged, me feeling more and more nauseated. It certainly didn't help that I'd had a cold earlier in the week. But made it I did. All for this...

By this point, it was all I could do to not vomit. Granted, vomiting at 11,749 feet would be pretty awesome, but 30-odd hikers that also decided to watch the sunrise atop Timp would not have appreciated it. At this point I had also developed a cough to accompany my nausea, and my left hand had puffed up to the point where my pinky finger was almost as big as my middle finger is normally. Cause for concern?

We all waited with bated, shallow breath. I felt like I wanted to die, but I figured I just had altitude sickness and would eventually live to tell the tale. At precisely 6:17 a.m., the first ray of sunlight peeked out over the distant hills, rousing a cheer from the crowd of nut jobs that hiked through the night.

After a few minutes, we decided it was time to head back down the mountain. I called my mom and told her what I was doing at that precise moment. She didn't appreciate the call at 6:30 in the morning, but I always feel like sharing my best moments with the people I care about. Love you, Mommy!

On the hike down, I got to see what I had passed in the night.

At the end of the hike, I had such a feeling of satisfaction. I conquered the mountain that tried its hardest to conquer me. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world.

Spontaneous combustion

2010-07-17T23:29:00.004-06:00

A lot of unexpected surprises happened today.

A bunch of us went to hike Mt. Nebo, the second highest peak in Utah (11,928 feet). Apparently, there was a trail that intersected the real trail at some point that made the hike shorter. Turns out that this trail head doesn't exist. I hacked through the bush, wishing all the time that Kap (one of the bunch) had brought his machete. It was still great fun.

On the way up, we saw a meadow. "There's a meadow. Cindy, go frolic."

The view was AMAZING, even if we didn't actually summit Mt. Nebo.

Four of the six fearless hikers. Left to right: Kap Sanders, Peter Hilton, Jessica Roundy, me (Jessica's sister and brother-in-law went with us, but they were taking pictures)

Peter, Jessica and I decided that we wanted to go swimming when we got back. We jumped in the Campus Plaza swimming pool in what we are wearing in the above photo. Swimming fully clothed is vastly underrated as a social practice.

After I degrossified, I sat in the hammock outside my apartment and attempted to read. I ended up falling asleep. Sleeping in a hammock on a warm summer afternoon=happiness. I woke up and began socializing with those who walked past the hammock. My identical twin brother Joe started swinging the hammock. Higher and higher it went. It swung to the left, and it swung to the right. Suddenly, it wasn't swinging and I was on the ground. For the third time, the strap hanging one side of the hammock up broke. In full swing. It didn't hurt and was actually quite funny. Because of the way my arms were sitting when the hammock broke, I now have a sizable rope burn in my right armpit.

A couple of hours later, I walked with Peter the grand total of 50 feet to the Sinclair station for motor oil. I looked at the door and read "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Services" and looked at my feet in amusement (the amusement do to my lack of shoes).

I love days full of spontaneity. Such is the spice of life.

The Book Thief

2010-07-09T16:43:00.003-06:00

I engaged in one of my favorite activities in the wee hours of this morning. I finished a book in the middle of the night while the other residents of my apartment were sleeping.

The book I finished is called "The Book Thief." I had heard wonderful things about it from several family members. When I was in Cache Valley visiting my sister Shari a couple of weeks ago, I borrowed her copy to take home and read.

The book is amazing. It illustrates the power of words in Nazi Germany, especially in the life of a young girl. My favorite quotes...

"A snowball in the face is surely the beginning to a lasting friendship."
"THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN A BOY WHO HATES YOU--A boy who loves you."
"You're an idiot--but you're our kind of idiot."
"No one's urine smells as good as your own."
"You're a human. You should understand self-obsession."
"I am stupid. And kind. Which makes me the biggest idiot in the world."

If you haven't read it, start now. If you have had the pleasure of reading it, share your thoughts.

Las Vegas

2010-06-22T12:10:00.009-06:00

This is a long post, but it is well worth the time.

I went to Las Vegas with Anita Hawkins, Angelica Mamani, and Peter Hilton this most recent weekend. Thanks to Angelica for spearheading the trip.

We left Friday night around 9 MDT. Peter had to work and Angelica had to pack because she is leaving to be an EFY counselor for the summer. We were unloading a bunch of Angelica's stuff from Peter's car to store in various apartments around Campus Plaza. I was holding three empty shoeboxes that were being taken along to store the marinades and sauces that Peter planned on purchasing (and did) from Trader Joe's (an organic grocery store). I don't know exactly how it happened, but one minute I'm holding the boxes, and the next minute the boxes are on the ground. Remember this.

As we drive along I-15, we start talking about plans for the next day. What hotels do we want to stroll through? At what buffet are we going to eat lunch? We also discussed going to a club in one of the hotels and ordering virgin drinks and what not (many clubs require you to buy at least two). I said, "I don't believe in virginity." Without missing a beat, Ryan Porritt (who we were taking to St. George) said, "Well, you're going to the right place."

For those of you who don't know, Central/Southern Utah has a lot of small towns with really weird names. We passed an exit sign for Panguitch and Kanab. Angelica, "That sounds like some sort of Jewish delicacy." We ended up coming with an entire three course meal entirely named after small towns in Utah. Yes, waiter? I'd like to start off with a nice Kanosh, followed by Panguitch Kanabs with a Paragonah reduction, and may I have a Pioche for dessert? Further along the drive, we see a billboard for a hospital that reads, "You have kids. We have answers." I said, "My question is why do I have so many kids?" Ryan, "Peter has that answer."

The rest of the drive down was fairly uneventful, unless you count Peter getting pulled over but not getting a ticket. We pull into Peter's cousins' place around 1:30 PDT; Vegas is one hour behind Provo. After deciding sleeping arrangements, we crashed for a few hours before embarking on the adventure that is Las Vegas Boulevard.

We started with the Bellagio, a very nice hotel with a lot of cool window shopping and the world's tallest chocolate fountain. I really only had one requirement for the trip (other than the Bellagio fountain show) and that was to take this picture:

We made our way to Caesar's Palace, where they have a really cool spiral escalator and a lot of statues. We wanted to tour the art gallery, but there was a moderately hefty charge. Never mind. We went to the gift shop next to the gallery instead. The three girls nearly had to drag Peter away to stop him from buying a Van Gogh tie.

Over the course of the day, whenever I would get my camera out of my bag, my sunglasses would fall on the ground. (Remember the shoeboxes?) After the sixth occurrence, I just kept them on the top of my head when I wasn't wearing them over my eyes.

A good time was had by all, until it came time to go to the Rio, where we had decided to eat lunch at the Carnival World Buffet. We walked about a mile up the Strip before we decided to find a map because none of us had any idea where we were going. We discovered that we had to walk back down the Strip past where we had before and over the Interstate. 'Okay. Let's start walking.' We should've taken a cab, because it took FOREVER! We decided that we were the cast of "The Wizard of Oz." I was Dorothy, Peter was the Scarecrow, Angelica was the Cowardly Lion, and Anita was the Tin Man. As we were walking over the Interstate, it occurred to us weary travelers that we might die before we ever got to the Rio. Thus, we started planning our sidewalk funerals. These plans ended up being futile because we made it to the Rio. However, we couldn't find sidewalks up to the door so we took a shortcut. "We don't look like lost tourists at all." The food was amazing--I recommend the stuffed tilapia with lemon dill sauce--and totally worth the trek. We heard the song "Jack and Diane" by John Mellencamp; remember that. We decided to split cab fare back to the Strip because (a) we were completely stuffed, and (b) we didn't want to walk all the way back.

We saved the best hotel for last: the Venetian. A lot of the Strip hotels are gimmicky, but not this one. It is very well done and very classy. Obvious by its name, it is modeled after Venice. There is even a canal complete with singing gondoliers. We went into one shop that had a lot of really really cool masquerade-type masks. We also saw a human statue. I set a dollar bill on his little pedestal, and he made a kissy face at me! One of my favorite moments of the weekend.

A legit Vegas bride in the Venetian. And check out the optical illusion on the floor!

After spending at least an hour in the Venetian, we wander across the street to watch the Mirage volcano show. We didn't have very good seats (are they seats if you're standing?) but it was still fairly cool. We kept walking and stopped in front of the Bellagio to wait for the fountain show to begin. Music played, and we once again heard "Jack and Diane." We got excited when we saw the fountain heads rise, but the show didn't start for another few minutes. The song to which the fountains were choreographed was "One" from "A Chorus Line" by Marvin Hamlisch. Unforgettable, especially the last spray; all of the fountain heads went off at the same time and shot water at least 100 feet in the air.

After the fountain show, we decided to just drive the rest of the Strip. As we drove past the Circus Circus on our way back to where we were staying, I remarked on the creepiness of the clown. Peter, "You wanna hear a clown joke?" The girls, "Yes! Yes!" "How do you keep a clown from smiling?" "How?" "You hit it in the face with an AXE." We all fell apart laughing. (For the record, this was nearly three days ago, and it still makes me laugh out loud). This began a joke-telling spree, some of which I will not repeat, but some of which I will.

What's big, white, and standing in the middle of a football field? A refrigerator!
What's big, white and brown, and standing in the middle of a football field? A refrigerator wearing a leather jacket!
What's big and yellow and can't swim very well? A tractor!

We also tried to find our way back to the Strip after looking past Fremont Street. "We don't look like lost tourists at all." A ridiculous number of ridiculously huge speed bumps covered the road parallel to the Strip (behind all of the hotels and what not). After Peter remarked on this, Anita said, "It's like the street has come out with a fungus of speed bumps. We must stop it before it spreads to the other streets!" We also spotted a billboard for Thunder From Down Under, a show involving scantily clad, extremely muscley Australian men. Peter said that his little brothers asked if Australians really looked like that (Peter served the mission in Sydney). After assuring his little brother that Australians do look like that, Peter said that he, however, did not look like that. Me, "Sure you do, Peter. It's just covered in hair." (Perhaps I should explain the circumstances under which I saw Peter without a shirt on. Naw.)

I sat in the front seat on our way back to the Hotel Natalie/Amanda (Peter's cousins with whom we stayed). Peter handed me his phone to answer a text message he'd received from one of his many female friends. Peter, "I'm a jerk. Handing my phone to a girl to answer a text message from another girl...Eh. We're tight like that, right?" Me, "You're breaking my heart all over the place, Peter." Peter, after miming scooping up the pieces of my heart and handing them back to me, "Here." Taking the pieces and handing one back to him, "Thanks. You keep one." Putting the piece in his pocket, "I'll keep it close to my heart." "Aw..." "Tissue rejection! Tissue rejection!"

We arrived back at the Strip to go clubbing at Cleopatra's Barge around 1:00 a.m. We accidentally almost went to Reno, otherwise we would've been to the strip around 12:30 a.m. I had forgotten to pack clubbing clothes, but Angelica had a brilliant idea which we executed. Peter's black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up around my elbows, Angelica's cinch belt around my waist, Angelica's black tiered skirt, and my green dangly earrings. If I do say so myself, I looked pretty hott. As we were looking for a place to park, we decided to just go back because we had to come back to Provo the next day.

We got up the next morning and went to Sacrament Meeting at 10 a.m. Before the meeting started, I realized it was Father's Day. In a slightly panicked voice, I said, "It's Father's Day. I need to call my dad. (sigh) I need a drink. (curious look from Amanda) Of water." Laughter.

While we were getting ready for church, I was admiring a piece of art on the wall. I remarked on such admirations to Anita, who was sitting on the couch. She said, "Yeah, I like it. It's pretty good for reproduction." I start laughing hysterically. She looked at me puzzled. "What?" "You said that it's pretty good for reproduction." "Yeah, so?" I could barely get the next sentence out, "Your mom is pretty good for reproduction." More hysterical laughter.

We get back on the road again around noon. We still had a radio station as we were driving out of town, and guess what song we heard on the radio? That's right. "Jack and Diane." After that, we were talking about Romeo and Juliet. I said, "Love and hate are two passionate emotions. They are the two sides of the passion coin." Peter, "One side is George Washington and the other side is an eagle going [insert something that sounds like a cat and nothing like an actual eagle, complete with claws]?" "No, Peter. The passion coin is not a quarter." "Come on now." And then he wouldn't let it go for a minute. Anita, "The love/hate coin is not acceptable currency in any country." And then we decided that George Washington was synonymous with love. "I Wash you." "By George, they've fallen in Wash!"

I don't exactly remember why, but Peter started beat-boxing. I tried to make a rap about the trip but failed. After it was over, Peter said, "It's the Spirit of God!" "What?" He beat-boxed (beated box?) again, and indeed, he was beat-boxing a hymn.

The drive back was mostly uneventful. The Virgin River Gorge is a much more scenic drive by day than by night. We listened to a fantastic CD called "see dee" by Moose Butter. We passed a sign for Manderville, Utah at one point. Me, "Manderville." Peter, "Or Womanderville. As in womander. Half woman, half salamander."

As we approached Utah Valley, Peter started talking about whether he was going to shave or not before leaving for Hawaii the next morning. He didn't take a razor to Vegas and was a little scruffy. I was of the opinion that he should just leave it all. Angelica favored cleaning it up a little around the neck. Anita (rather excitedly), "Mutton chops. Mutton chops. I demand mutton chops!" After discussion ironic facial hair for a few minutes, Anita said about mutton chops, "They're so old school they're old school." Yes. Yes they are.

We also discussed the double standard of men being able to run around shirtless but women having to be fully clothed. Angelica recounted an experience where she saw a man on BYU campus just randomly take off his shirt because it was hot. Peter, "Next time you see someone do that, you should go pants him." Me, "Congratulations! You are now nnnnnaked."

Anyway, that's the trip. We rolled back into Provo at about 6:20 p.m. MDT. Thank you High King Peter, Aslan (Angelica), and Tumnus (Anita) for giving Lucy (me) one of the most memorable weekends ever!

left to right, top to bottom: Peter (David), me (Venus de Milo), Anita (Venus de Medici), Angelica (Caesar)

Proverbs 3:5-6

2010-06-06T18:36:00.001-06:00

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

This was the theme of today's Fast and Testimony meeting. My compatriots and I are in what people call the "decade of decision." During this ever-so-crucial time in our lives, we face some of the greatest challenges we will ever face. The Spirit was strong in that meeting; someone bore testimony of that. These are some things I jotted down over the course of the 3-hour block:

The opening hymn in Sacrament Meeting was "Come, Come Ye Saints." Verse two has always been my favorite. "Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so; all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake; and soon we'll have this tale to tell--All is well! All is well!" I have usually focused on the "Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight?" passage, and I have long since believed that "all is well" doesn't mean "all is perfect." But a new phrase caught my attention. Fresh courage. Yesterday's courage is not adequate for today's battle.

Pain is God's way of letting us know that something is wrong and that He and I can fix it. (from someone else's testimony)

The closing hymn in Sacrament Meeting was #166 (Abide With Me). This been a long-time favorite, but one line in particular, from the first verse, stuck out to me: "When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!" Before much more time passes, I will be parting ways with many of my closest friends. When that time comes, I will need the Lord more than ever.

The opening hymn in Sunday School was #239 (Choose the Right). Having felt the Spirit while singing this hymn, but otherwise not giving it much thought, I noticed two phrases from verse 3: "There is peace in righteous doing" and "There's safety for the soul." As I face life, as long as I choose the right, I will feel peace and my soul will be kept safe.

While turning to a completely different scripture in Sunday School (which I have since forgotten), I came across a scripture I had underlined some time ago. "Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24) Living paycheck to paycheck is a scary thing, but I need to remember what the Lord has done for me. I don't need to fear my financial situation. I only need to have deep love and respect for the Lord, and He'll take care of my every need.

This is what it's all about

2010-06-01T11:28:00.005-06:00

You heard right. It's not all about the Hokey Pokey. It's all about weekends like the one I just had.

FRIDAY: took one of my best friends to a wedding dress fitting. I'm basically her honorary maid-of-honor. Then I went to a pre-interview at a staffing agency in American Fork. They passed on my resume to a potential employer and hopefully something will come out of that.

That evening, I went to a free outdoor concert starring a kid in my ward named Nik Day. It was awesome! But I kind of spent the evening wandering between groups of people and not really with anyone. When I got home, I was feeling pretty down, so I went and talked to Peter. He always makes me feel good about myself. After that lovely chat, which ended at about 1:45 a.m., I came home, got a snack (in the form of a bowl of ice cream, followed by a bowl of cereal) and decided to watch this movie. One of the best and most powerful movies I have ever seen. It is well over 3 hours long. You do the math to when I went to bed.

SATURDAY: I woke up far sooner than anticipated (11 a.m.). Gotta love paper thin walls and three-person bedrooms. I read a book and basically loafed around before going to work from 4 p.m.-midnight. I arrived home totally exhausted. But of course it still took me an hour to wind down enough to actually fall asleep.

SUNDAY: Activities committee meeting, visiting teaching, church, dinner, and games with friends. What a perfect Sunday!

MONDAY: Hike first thing in the morning up in the mountains east of Provo. There is nothing like a walk in the mountains to make you realize the massive scale of the world.

On the hike

Isn't Utah Valley beautiful?

The group from left to right: Ferry, Jenna, David, Molly, Dallin, Alex. Next row: me, Nicole, a couple of guys whose names I never learned.

A hawk in flight

After the hike, I came home and heard of a melonball game that was starting immediately. Naturally, I started to change into my swimming apparati but decided to return a call I received while on the hike. I'm glad I did, because it was for a job interview (which was today and it went great). Then I went and played melonball. I came back and loafed around reading for a while before going to get some stuff from an old friend. When I got back, I had another lovely chat with Peter.

To make a long story short (too late), it was a great weekend. Enjoy the pictures.

Harry Potter and Me

2010-05-24T10:46:00.002-06:00

Let me begin this post by saying that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life. Without it I would be lost for all of eternity. Keep that in my mind.

Most of the three of you who actually read my blog will know that I am an avid "Harry Potter" fan. I'm talking a dress-up-to-go-to-the-midnight-premiere-of-the-newest-movie, read-all-of-the-books-countless-times, have-an-autographed-picture-of-Daniel-Radcliffe-framed-in-my-bedroom fan. I've had many great discussions about this world that J.K. Rowling gave us. It never gets old to me. From April 20-May 23, I walked the halls of Hogwarts once again. But why do I love to do so?

I love "Harry Potter" because of how it takes me away. One minute, I'm laying in a hammock turning pages in a book. The next, I'm diving into the Black Lake to save Ron from the merpeople. If I'm ever having a bad day while reading HP, I open up the book, fly off to northern England, and end up thinking to myself, 'At least I don't have some psychopathic murderous lunatic trying to hunt me down since birth.'

I also love HP because it is real life in a fantasy world. Harry, Ron, and Hermione (the trio) experience real happiness, pain, angst (especially in HP5), love, and any other human emotion. Harry does not conquer Voldemort completely on his own; his friends help him up until the final moment.

Perhaps my favorite character in the whole series is Harry's best friend: Ron Weasley. I totally identify with him. Having a bunch of smart, well-liked siblings older and the same gender as you can give a person an inferiority complex. Comic relief in light of a difficult situation is as important as focusing on the situation itself. It is much harder to come back to the light once you've left than it is to stay in the first place (although I've never experienced this for myself).

Another reason to love HP is the common ground it has laid among my family. Before my Grammy Noyes died, she had seen the first movie and loved it. She particularly thought that Quidditch looked like fun. At the Phippen Family Reunion 2007, we held Harry Potter Jeopardy! in which grandchildren and children participated. Nothing bridges the generation gap quite like "Harry Potter."

The "Harry Potter" series has changed my life more than any other work of fiction. I recommend it to anyone in want or need of a 4,097-page saga about overcoming obstacles, good versus evil, and realizing that anything is possible.

Scripture Power

2010-05-19T00:04:00.003-06:00

For the past too many years, I have been attempting to read the entire Standard Works cover to cover. It is something that is on my Bucket List. Lately I have found two gems toward the beginning of the New Testament.

Gem 1) Acts 27: 9-26

Paul's voyage to Rome was perilous. He knew it would be when he set sail. But he also knew that he needed to accomplish certain things because an angel told him so. God also gave Paul companions for the journey. Paul was also aware that the voyage would not go exactly as planned. And yet he persevered because of the testimony of his mission.

Gem 2) Romans 8

Just read it. You'll know why it is such a gem.

Deserting Perfection: Philosophy Behind One-Night Stands

2010-04-11T18:32:00.002-06:00

'This only happens in movies.' 'They could take this moment and put it in a textbook about romance.' 'Fairy tales are gospel truth.' These are common thoughts after (or during) an amazing night with a blind date who has suddenly become a potential significant other.

But inevitably, the night must end. You plod along, filled with images of that magical night of wonderment. The muscles in your face resign themselves to the permanent arrangement of an ear-to-ear, all-teeth smile. Life plans begin to alter to include this person you barely know but with whom you are nonetheless smitten. After all, it isn't every day that an industrial broom sweeps you off of your feet. Even strangers stare at the bubbly, colorful person before them where before had existed a flat, colorless nobody.

Three days later, the euphoria begins to wane. Reality sets in and you wonder if they're ever going to call. Attempts to contact prove all too futile as you check your email with increasing hopelessness. Being as swept off of your feet as you are, you continue this pattern (which will inevitably end in despair) for months. The eternal optimist within continues to hold a glimmer of hope. But because you are an intelligent person, you eventually come to an epiphanic realization: you have become a victim of the classic one-night stand.

An inescapable question, or series of questions, emerges. 'Why me?' 'Was it something I did? Or DIDN'T do?' 'Do they even realize?' 'Do they ever think about me?' These questions all have simple answers but no simple solutions.

Why? That's life. It happens. As difficult as that may be to swallow, it is the simple and honest truth. Real life is not meant to be a never-ending series of happy events but rather a series of problems. Deal with it. Accept the fact that the one magical night was indeed ONE night.

Do they even realize? Probably not. Should you ever tell them? Definitely not, unless a strong friendship capable of withstanding exceptionally awkward and painful discussions has already been established in diamond. Which, considering the blind date nature under which the night occurred, it has not.

Do they ever think about you? Probably not. That is indeed a difficult truth to process, but it is, in fact, the truth. Even if you do cross the mind of the seemingly-perfect-for-you master of mystery, it is not likely to prompt any sort of action that would promote further social interaction.

In conclusion, perfection happens. And when all is said and done, it is infinitely better to leave the memory intact and not mar it with futile attempts at perpetuating the magic. In the name of memory preservation, desert perfection.

Overshadowed

2010-03-21T16:10:00.003-06:00

I came home from church early because I feel quite ill. I decided to finally take the time and watch Elder Holland's talk from October 2009 General Conference. I've been hearing about how amazing it is since it happened. I felt guilty for sleeping through it; we were on our way home from spending the weekend in Salt Lake, going to Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sessions. Anyway, I listened and watched. Wow. I laid here on my couch and cried, especially when he was talking about Hyrum and Joseph Smith. And it got me thinking...

It is well known that Hyrum was completely devoted to his brother Joseph and vice versa. I wonder if Hyrum ever felt overshadowed by the brother who was nearly 6 years his junior. I have often felt that I am not the leading lady in the story of my own life. Today I listened to Elder Holland speak about how Hyrum comforted Joseph with words from the Book of Mormon soon before their martyrdom. I felt strongly that even if Hyrum weren't the leading man in the story of his own life, he was okay. He gave immeasurable comfort to his younger brother, who bore more burdens than any other man to ever live aside from Jesus Christ. If it is okay for Hyrum Smith to have played a lesser role in his own life so as to be the greatest support to Joseph aside from God and Emma, then it is okay for me to take a back seat in my life and instead live to provide strength and comfort to others.

Provo is the best place ever

2010-03-02T21:01:00.002-07:00

And this is why...

The ward had an unofficial activity this evening. A bunch of us met at In-N-Out Burger. [Sidebar (okay, actually saying sidebar might be a bit redundant because of the already sidebar-ish brackets, but whatever): In-N-Out cheeseburgers = AMAZING!!!] I rode back with Spencer, and his car broke down. This was my first (okay second, but first in almost three years) experience sitting behind the wheel of a standard transmission vehicle. I steered backwards (!) while Spencer and these nice young men in suits pushed Wilson (the new name for the car) into a parking lot. We walked the remaining three blocks home.

Anyway, the point...

The distance from In-N-Out Burger to Campus Plaza is 4 or 5 miles. In that distance, Wilson died 3 times. Finally, he (Wilson) stopped trying to limp home. When we (Spencer and I) were stalled these 3 times, we would have at least 5 people ask us if we needed help. This kindness exhibited by total strangers is one of the many reasons I love Provo so much.

80s Night

2010-02-27T16:39:00.002-07:00

Last night, my apartment complex had a roller skating activity. The theme was the 1980s. Most outfits were mediocre at best, but there were quite a few good ones. I almost won the costume contest. I consulted with those family members who actually used to dress like this. Enjoy.

Sorry the picture is so small. Pulled it off of facebook.

Bears

2010-02-23T11:16:00.005-07:00

My friend Annake will often send me funny forwards. I remember being annoyed with forwards SO much in high school, but I really got a good chuckle out of this one.

In this life, I'm a woman. In the next life, I'd like to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.
Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too.
When you're a bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.
If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.
If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS you to have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yep. Gonna be a bear.

THE OLYMPICS ARE HERE!!!

2010-02-12T20:51:00.002-07:00

So...yeah. The Olympics are here. Enjoy the new layout in honor of my country.

Faith, cake, and dragons

2010-02-01T16:23:00.009-07:00

This is a somewhat lengthy post, so bear with me. You won't regret it.

I was sent into a bit of panic last week when I discovered that all of the contracts were taken for my apartment for Fall/Winter 2010-2011. In other words, I would be homeless after August. I decided to relax because I thought, 'It's Campus Plaza. It's the 184th Ward. Someone is going to get married. I could move apartments if I have to, but I would really really like to stay where I am.' End of stress. Mostly. It was still nagging me in the back of my mind. When I went to pay rent today, I decided to ask again. Lo and behold, there was an open spot in my current apartment. See what happens when you trust in the Lord?

And now for something mostly different...

My 22nd birthday was last Tuesday. My friends threw me a party complete with streamers, pizza, and BTS cake (if you don't know what BTS stands for, you're probably not old enough to know yet).

This was my reaction to the one, giant candle in the corner of the cake.

This was right after I blew out said candle. Hopefully my wish comes true.

A few days later, shenanigans on the first floor of Campus Plaza continued...

In the apartment where I spend most of my free time, there once hung the state flag of Massachusetts.

Take note of the disembodied arm at the top and random Latin phrase. One day, I was looking at it and said, "Hey. It's like the arm on the back of TROGDOR's neck." (For those of you unfamiliar with TROGDOR, go to www.homestarrunner.com and look up Strong Bad Email "dragon"). This spawned quite a few laughs, as well as the new name the TROGDOR flag, disregarding the state it represents completely. One of the residents of the aforementioned apartment came up with the best idea ever. "Hey. Let's make an actual TROGDOR flag." So we did.

Our masterpiece. Isn't it wonderful? Note the grammatically correct Latin and disembodied arm protruding therefrom.

The culprits. From left to right (back row): Chase Barnes--supervising color expert, Katy Bodenhorn--letter tracer extraordinaire, Teancum Kratzer--evil mastermind. Front row: yours truly--artiste excellente

Life is wonderful here in Provo.

Amazing Grace

2010-01-11T23:52:00.003-07:00

The past two weeks have been amazing. Being back among my Provo people...it is difficult to describe how good it feels. Some of my best friends are my home and visiting teachers!

I finally got a job today as a courtesy clerk (fancy term for bagger) at Macey's. It's pretty close to ideal: (a) it pays enough to cover my expenses until I find something better, (b) it is only about 2 miles from my apartment, (c) I will never have to worry about working on Sunday because the store isn't even open. I knew that if I prayed for help, the Lord would find a way for me to afford living here. And since I applied to Macey's on kind of a whim, it is obvious He wants me here.

Unlike my hero, Dr. Seuss, I have not the gift for making up words that sounds plausible, so we'll just leave it at amazing.

"Moving forward is rarely accomplished without considerable grief"

2009-12-29T20:26:00.009-07:00

There I sat watching "The Prince & Me," sipping a mug of hot cocoa and cuddled up in my new Hogwarts Snuggie, and this quote hit me like a ton of bricks. Actually, the whole coronation speech did, but this quote was the catalyst for this post.

Many of you know that I recently completed all of the academic requirements for my Bachelor's Degree. I feel a great sense of accomplishment. But that doesn't become official until May. In the meantime, I face the arduous task of moving on with my life. The question is...what lies beyond school?

I have definitely had a tumultuous few months while pondering this question. I never thought I would graduate from college single. I don't mean to sound egotistical, but it seemed that a girl goes to college for two reasons: get an education and get married. Until less than a year ago, I had never really considered what would happen if that blessing wasn't in the cards for me. Now that I face that path (pardon the mixing of metaphors), I realize that all there is to do is move on.
I have moved to Provo and hope to find adequate employment in my field of choice (Mass Communications--Photography) soon. I had an incredible summer down here, and it nearly tore me apart to leave and go back to Pocatello. 'Back to Poky,' I thought. 'The armpit of the American West.'

The semester came and went in roller coaster fashion. As it drew to a close, among my non-academic thoughts were the things I was leaving behind. For instance, as much as I love grocery shopping and being responsible for what I eat, there is nothing like Mom's chicken enchiladas. And despite what I may say on occasion, I will miss my parents.

I'll also miss the Institute Choir. It has been one of the most prevalent tender mercies in my life over the course of the last three years. Some of the best friends I've ever had have come from the Institute Choir. I want those friends to know that I'll miss you terribly, and that leaving Institute Choir was the greatest drawback to moving on.

But on to Phase 2. Despite the dear people I have left behind, as well as the bleak prospects of trying to find a job in a college town in the midst of a recession, I am thrilled to be back in Provo.

Another run-of-the-mill thankful post

2009-11-27T13:12:00.002-07:00

Everyone who has a blog does this, but why not me? The mere fact that I have a blog does not elevate me above the rest of the blogosphere. If anything, I sink down into the pits of electronic society. But I digress.

1-The Gospel. The Gospel is wonderful, exciting, full of hope and promise, invigorating and happy. I am often reminded of how fortunate I am to have this in my life.

2-Family. I include my close friends in this category. (As I prepare to graduate from college (!) this becomes even more true.) They lead me, guide me, walk beside me, and help me find the way. Or if a miracle happens and I find my way without them, they are there to give more support and love then I could ever think to pray for.

3-Country. Growing up for most of my siblings involved lots of moving around with the Air Force. My dad retired when I was four, so this was not my lot in life. Nevertheless, patriotism has always been a big deal in our house. I get emotional every time I hear God Bless America, God Bless the USA, or the Star-Spangled Banner. And now that a brother-in-law has served in Iraq, and my brother is currently serving there, this feeling runs even deeper.

4-School (or lack therof). As mentioned in item 2, I am preparing to graduate from Idaho State in three short weeks, though I will not actually receive my diploma until May. I oscillate between extreme joy and extreme terror. Joy that I no longer have to save money just to see it all disappear in one fell, tuition swoop. Terror that I have to save money to see it all disappear in pieces between car, rent, food, health insurance...you get the idea.

5-Having a plan. I plan on moving to Provo after Christmas. I handed out a few resumes and hope that one of them comes through. If not, I'll join the throngs of college students begging for the same jobs and pray that one of THOSE comes through. If not...well, I know I'm supposed to be in Provo, so the Lord will help me find something.

There are many more things, but most of them are small and relatively inconsequential. Overall, I am grateful to be alive.

I love Utah

2009-10-19T15:01:00.004-06:00

In the last two weeks, I have gone to Utah twice, and I will be there again in three days. This is why.

•Went to General Conference in Salt Lake for the first time ever. There is no other feeling like singing your favorite hymn (#85, How Firm a Foundation) with 20,000+ Latter-Day Saints in the same room.

•Went to Provo this last weekend to see some of my friends that I made over the summer. It was FANTASTIC!!! To my people...

Katy: Thanks for letting me bunk on the couch, the girl talk, and being my best friend/biggest fan.
Ryan: Thanks for helping me Friday night, buying me presents, and making me feel good about myself.
Peter: Thanks for helping me with my resume (that wasn't this weekend but whatever), taking us all clubbing on Saturday, and telling people about my search for a housing contract.
Teancum: Thanks for telling me I looked hott on Sunday, sitting on my face (Parkour!), and carrying my suitcase back to my car.
Kyle: Thanks for making yummy food (even if the chicken-making process was a bit caustic, it was tasty nonetheless), modeling in the kitchen and parking lot, and being my media soulmate.

Thanks to all of my friends I saw for the hugs, the love, and the unforgettable times. I love you all!

Rocky Mountain High

2009-09-09T09:36:00.005-06:00

I know you're all dying to hear about my grand backpacking adventure. I must start from the very beginning (I hear it's a very good place to start)...

My mommy was surprised to find out she was pregnant in Spring 1987. Wait--that's probably a little too far back...

I am currently in my last semester as an undergraduate student. [Sidebar: I am usually simultaneously in two states of mind about this: extreme joy and extreme terror.] I needed four credits in addition to my core classes, and I thought to myself, 'Self, you haven't really taken any fun classes recently. And why would you load a hard class or two on top of your other classes?' So I signed up for yoga, bowling, billiards, and backpacking.

My backpacking class consisted of one class meeting on Tuesday night (in which we discussed supplies, destinations, trail etiquette, etc.) and a trip over Labor Day weekend. We camped in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. (None of these pictures are mine.)

Day 1: We hiked about 1 1/2 miles up to Iron Bog Lake. The first 1/4 mile-ish was really really steep, and I took frequent breaks. Hiking is much more strenuous when you're carrying a 50+ lb. pack. It was worth it, because I got to see this at the end.

After we lunched here, we decided to continue on to Muldoon Canyon. We went up and over the saddle (a smooth pass between two mountains) on the right of the above picture. After another steep couple of miles, I saw this.

I was breathless, and not just from the strenuous hike. We camped another couple of miles from here. When we got into where we finally decided to camp, it started to hail. Nothing too big, but it was big enough. We set up camp after it stopped. I couldn't believe how light I felt when I set my pack down! I was skipping all over the place. I couldn't bend over without nearly falling over, and I was walking like I'd been on a horse all day. But it was worth it. Right during dinner time, it started raining/hailing again. Fun stuff.

Day 2: We woke up and decided to summit a hill we had been past the day before. I didn't because it was Sunday, and I already felt weird about being out and about on the Lord's day. But I heard it was amazing. We hiked into a place called Fishpole Basin.

We camped that night by the lake on the right. Around the fire, we told embarrassing moments, jokes, dating/marriage stories, drunken tales, injury stories, etc. The camaraderie was great. It was FREEZING cold with the wind chill, but we survived.

Day 3: We were on our way out by noon. We all love the outdoors but were nonetheless anxious for toilets, showers, and non-trail food.

Overall, it was an amazing experience. I got to know a lot of really cool people that I never would've known otherwise. I would totally do it again!

Answers

2009-08-03T14:19:00.002-06:00

The bolded ones are answers nobody got. Mwah-ha-ha!!!

1. The Princess Bride [Erin, Shari]

2. Harry Potter 6 [Shari]

3. Back to the Future [Erin, Shari]

4. Enchanted [Shari]

5. Ever After [Erin, Shari]

6. Life is Beautiful [Erin, Shari]

7. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King [Katy]

8. Monkey Business--an incredibly hilarious Marx Bros. movie made in 1931

9. That Touch of Mink--great film starring Cary Grant (swoon!) and Doris Day

10. Monsters, Inc.--one of Disney/Pixar's finest

11. The Wedding Planner [Erin, Shari]

12. Harry Potter 4 [Erin, Shari]

13. Rocketman [Erin, Shari]

14. George of the Jungle [Shari]

15. My Best Friend's Wedding--a movie that always gets me a little teary-eyed

16. Casablanca [Kari]

17. Gone With the Wind [Erin]

18. 13 Going on 30--love it!

19. School of Rock [Erin]

20. Yours, Mine, and Ours (the original Lucille Ball/Henry Fonda version)--good stuff

Thanks for playing!

Name the movie

2009-07-29T18:48:00.006-06:00

This is one of my favorite games. Leave your answer(s) in the comments. Good luck!

1. Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.

2. Ah, to be young and to feel love's keen sting.

3. Where we're going we don't need roads.

4. Yes, angry! It's a very unpleasant emotion. Ever heard of it?

5. I feel as if my skin is the only thing keeping me from going everywhere at once.

6. Bongiorno, principessa!

7. Don't go where I can't follow.

8. I ain't got room to swing a cat. In fact, I haven't even got a cat!

9. There's so much to be grateful for, and so little time to be grateful.

10. That thing is a killing machine!

11. Love isn't always going to be perfect. Love is just love.

12. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.

13. I'm experiencing these intense intestinal cramps. They hurt me so.

14. You're my hero. Did I just say that?

15. I woke up, and the world is as it should be.

16. Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

17. Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

18. Look! Goosebumps!

19. You could be the ugliest sad sack on the planet, but if you're in a rockin' band, you're the cat's pajamas, man. You're the bees' knees.

20. I'm merely going to dinner. As soon as he finds out about you, he'll bring me home in plenty of time for dessert.

Firsts (and two random pics from my iPhoto cache)

2009-07-27T15:59:00.004-06:00

• FIRST prom date: Derek Crane, senior prom
• FIRST job: cashier/blizzard maker extraordinaire @ Dairy Queen
• FIRST car: forest green 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan, Heifer the Big Green Cow aka the Tank
• FIRST person you thought of this morning: my Psych Stats professor (I was nearly late for class)
• FIRST grade teacher: Mrs. Judy Sorenson
• FIRST airplane trip destination: Rochester, Minnesota
• FIRST best friend: Kathryn Neenan
• FIRST sleepover: Shantay Harrison's 9th or 10th birthday party
• FIRST person you talked to today: my sister Shari
• FIRST wedding: flower girl for my sister Kelli/bro-in-law Ryan
• FIRST thing you did this morning: turn off my alarm clock
• FIRST concert you attended: Brad Paisley
• FIRST piercing: one hole in each earlobe on the eve of my 12th birthday
• FIRST foreign country visited: Canada
• FIRST movie you remember seeing: Aladdin
• FIRST sport you were involved in: basketball in 5th grade
• FIRST lessons: piano at age 7
• FIRST thing you do when you get home: take off my shoes

Born To Be Wild

2009-07-18T18:43:00.003-06:00

I learned a new game today: MelonBall. You take a cantaloupe or honeydew melon, wrap it in two plastic grocery sacks, and wrap that in several layers of duct tape. This game is a mix between ultimate frisbee, rugby and water polo. Enjoy the pictures!

It's a good thing we had a backup melon.

They Can't Take That Away From Me

2009-07-06T13:16:00.002-06:00

I've had several moments over the last few days in which I felt pretty awesome.

1) I had time to reflect on what a great country I live in. I always get a lump in my throat when I think of the words to "God Bless the USA." I don't think I will ever be able to adequately show my gratitude for the freedoms and blessings I enjoy by being an American citizen.

2) I learned that David Glenn Hatch is the first counselor in my bishopric here at BYU. He's so awesome and down-to-earth that you would never know that he is a world-renowned musician by looking at or talking with him.

3) I've made friends with so many people. The following countries are represented in my ward: USA, Canada, Mongolia, Korea, Ukraine, Moldova, Chile, Peru, El Salvador, and Norway.

4) I got an A on my foxtrot dance test today.

This is already the best summer ever. And those of you who remember my summer of 2006 know that this is quite a feat.

Nice 'N' Easy

2009-06-30T20:06:00.002-06:00

Provo is absolutely amazing. My classes are going really well. The BYU grounds are gorgeous. I have the best FHE brothers of all time. My ward is totally chill. My apartment complex has a free swimming pool, which is nothing less than amazing after walking around campus on a hot day (which is EVERY day). I love that I can ride my bike to the grocery store and get high-quality milk every other day. I'm getting in shape from walking and riding everywhere and consequently feel better about myself. My roommates are cool...when they're around; they all have significant others. But life is wonderful.

Zion

2009-06-22T15:55:00.002-06:00

It's been a while since my last post. Since the first of the month, I have seen Disney/Pixar's "Up", been homeless, and started summer term as a visiting student at BYU.

The first point is simple: "Up" is FANTASTIC! I cried more than once, and I have seldom laughed so hard in the movie theater. There is something for everyone, and I recommend it to those people.

I was homeless from last Thursday afternoon until Saturday morning. I drove from my parents' house to my apartment complex in Provo on Thursday (about 3 1/2-ish hours). When I arrived, they told me that check-in wasn't until Saturday. '#%^*@!!!' I thought to myself, especially when I realized that I had forgotten a few essentials: hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, pillow, and blanket (to name but a few). Fortunately, I didn't sink too far into the depths of despair before I got an idea. Some of you may recall my BYU Traditions Ball adventure over Easter weekend. My BFF/roommate's boyfriend put my roommate and I up with his parents for those nights, and they said we were welcome any time. So I called him and asked if I could crash for a couple of days. He and his parents graciously took me in and fed me. I couldn't (and still can't) express my gratitude enough.

After I got all moved in on Saturday, I bought some basic groceries--grocery shopping is like a scavenger hunt to me and I love it--and went to a tri-ward activity at a lodge up Provo Canyon. It was absolutely beautiful!!! I went for a nature walk with some kids in the ward and got in a pinecone fight with one of my FHEBs.

Church on Sunday was great. I felt so comfortable with all of the people in my ward. It was a little bit like coming home.

And today was my first day of class. It was great. I loved walking around the huge and gorgeous campus in the bright summer sunshine and feeling how much the Lord loves me. Not just because I'm at BYU (which is a great academic institution) but because of the opportunities and blessings He has given me.

That's all for now. I'll post pics as soon as I take them!

May 22-23 2009

2009-06-01T14:29:00.006-06:00

My super-fun weekend in Boise...enjoy!!!

Midnight musings

2009-05-22T00:03:00.002-06:00

I guess I should let everyone know...I am going to go to BYU this summer. I'll be working as an intern at a mental health clinic (think of waxing the car in "Karate Kid") in the meantime and when I get back. Yay for life!!!

Just a thought...

2009-05-13T12:19:00.004-06:00

*For the record, I pulled these pictures off of Google Images.*

A member of my parents' ward passed away this week. I was sitting here working and my mom said, "Oh! I have to take that Jell-O to Harris's." I thought, and then said, "Mormons are so weird. 'Oh, your husband died? Have some Jell-O.'" This progressed to thinking about American funeral rituals. How bizarre is it that we stuff our dead, put them in a box in their nice clothes and then stare at them for a couple of hours before we put the box 6 feet underground? Just a thought.

Ah...

2009-05-07T10:22:00.001-06:00

I'm done for at least 6 weeks. I did get into BYU as a summer visiting student (!!!) but still have to decide if I'm going to go. I might have an internship opportunity at a Human Development clinic here in town, which would be amazing.

But for today, none of that matters, because I'm done with this semester!

Trauma and drama

2009-05-06T01:20:00.004-06:00

It's finals week, and I am very stressed. I studied from 10-10 (with two 1-hour breaks) the last two days. My right hand wants to jump off the end of my arm in protest of writing that much (and I haven't even taken the finals yet!) As I am pulling out of the library parking lot at 10:15ish this evening, I realized that I'm out of milk. So I went to the grocery store, where I decided to make a certain dish for my roommates. Albertson's did not have this dish, so I went to Winco...and Walmart...and finally Smith's. When I am about 2 blocks from my apartment, I notice a cop behind me. I didn't think anything of it because I was wearing my seatbelt, obeying the speed limit, had both hands on the wheel, etc. The cop was driving REALLY slowly, and I thought that was weird. Then the flashy lights turned on and I thought, "Crap." Turns out that one of my headlights was out. I burst out laughing when the cop told me this, and I kept laughing hysterically. I made myself stop before he had a chance to make me do the Roadside Olympics. I finally got home at 11:30.
I unloaded my groceries, washed my face, checked facebook, etc., and was about to bed down when a moth attacked me. I spent the next 10 minutes trying to catch the dumb thing. When I finally got the cup/plate idea, I went into the kitchen, turned on the light, and there was a centipede crawling on the floor. I HATE INSECTS OF ANY KIND!!! So this was especially aggravating. The last thing I need at 1 a.m. with three finals the next day. Hopefully I'll be able to catch some Z's, even if the moth has mysteriously disappeared...
C'est la vie d'etudiante!

Shoes

2009-04-21T23:24:00.004-06:00

UPDATE: I ordered them! Thanks everyone for your help.

I am not really a girly girl, but I do have a dilemma about shoes. After hours of debating and getting advice from my facebook friends, I have decided that I want another pair of Chacos: the Z2 in Zebra Aqua.
To buy or not to buy? That is the question. Please comment as my eternal salvation is riding on this decision.

The other P-town

2009-04-14T00:10:00.007-06:00

So I pretty much had a great weekend in Provo with my roommate Sarah. I met up with three of my favorite cousins (holla to Chelsea, Westin, and Emily!), listened to a live funk band at a little club...

Went to Bridal Veil Falls (it really does look like a bride's veil...)

Met my date for the BYU Traditions Ball...

Had an excellent steak dinner with fun people...

Laughed A LOT over the course of the evening...

And woke up to this on Easter morning. The most fun I've had in a while, if not ever.

Cover letter

2009-04-06T22:33:00.003-06:00

UPDATE: I finished my cover letter and am sending of five copies (along with a small portfolio) this week. Wish me luck!

As per my last post, school is going quite well. My anticipated graduation date is December 18th of this year. This momentous occasion necessitates real world experience before I actually go "out into the world." I have already put together my references and resume. No Shari, it does not say anything about eggs, beans, five, or DentiFruit. However, I still need to write my cover letter. I want to say something slightly more eloquent than "I'm awesome, and I'm a great photographer, so you should hire me." Please put any and all advice pertaining to this subject in the comments. Thanks in advance!

School

2009-03-31T12:34:00.002-06:00

School is going pretty well. I got a 91.5 on my Lit midterm, averaging a 94 in Mass Comm and Society, averaging B work in my Philosophy and History classes, and got a 93 on my Child Development paper (with an 87 on the first exam). In short, I am doing pretty well academically.

This is kind of long, but I blame my cousin Westin

2009-03-25T17:06:00.000-06:00

This survey requires concentration so don’t just fly through it… I want well thought answers, be them honest or sarcastic or rude. You can’t just answer YES or NO to the yes or no questions… show your work or I will think you cheated. I want explanations and details. Then have other people fill it out.

1. First of all, why do you have a problem and what is it?

I have a problem because I really enjoy ignoring the important things and spending inordinate amounts of time on pointless things. If you didn’t catch the answer to the second half of the question just now, you don’t deserve to understand.

2. Why are you friends with me? (I mean for you to give me a compliment)

I am friends with you because you’re the one person I know who is more random than myself. You also make my cousin-friend happy for eternity, and for that am I eternally your friend.

3. How many questions would you deem appropriate for the most perfect of surveys?

Zero. I think surveys are mostly pointless. People don’t pay attention to the answers, and if they do, they usually make stuff up just for kicks and giggles. Not to mention the fact that vast chunks of time are wasted for those of us who DO pay attention to surveys and all of their stipulations. Seriously, are surveys that important?

4. What is an experience from your childhood where justice was not the outcome?

There was a time when a neighborhood kid came and beat me up, or at least that is what I told everyone. Really, he pushed me because I tried to give him a hug. As a result of this, my sister beat me up because hugging was not culturally acceptable. The whole thing went to Kid’s Kourt, and the boy was konvicted. When he was supposed to be doing extra chores, he jumped over his back fence, tripped over his own feet, and fell in the canal behind his back yard. He drowned.

Just kidding. Let me just say that “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a GREAT book!!!

5. Why is Halo the best video game ever?

Halo is the best video game ever because any form of violence should be tolerated, even promoted. It is good to teach kids not only that it is okay to shoot aliens, but hand-eye coordination. The realistic graphics are a great way for already-zoned kids to escape even further from the real world.

6. Did you feel that I was trying to inculcate mine opinions on you with the previous question?

Yes, because the previous question is a false assumption. Halo is NOT, in fact, the best video game ever. That honor belongs to the original Super Mario Brothers for the original Nintendo. I know that it is WAY after Pong, but SMB was the first Nintendo game, the granddaddy of all couch-potatoing.

7. What talent or skill would you least mind losing?

I would least mind losing my ability to fix my hair. I LOVE having other people fix my hair, especially at a salon with the head sink. To quote Lorelai Gilmore, “It’s like a hot tub for my head.”

8. Which sports do you give a biscuit about?

I give a biscuit about baseball and hockey. Unfortunately, hockey is no longer broadcasted on any channel I get, so the rest of this answer will focus on baseball.

Baseball: the great American pastime. The most difficult thing to do in any sport is hit a baseball. Think about it: you have a wooden stick about 3 ½ feet long, and goes from 1 to 2 ¾ inches in diameter. You swing it around as hard as you can, trying to hit a ball the size of your fist coming at you at about 90 mph. But it isn’t enough to hit the ball. No, you have to hit it hundreds of feet away so that you can run around in a square touching chunks of rubber with your shoes.

And yet people do this. Favorite player of all time: Lou Gehrig. It takes quite a champion to hold a record for nearly 80 (and counting) YEARS (184 RBIs in the 1931 season). Not to mention the 2,130 consecutive starts (only broken by Cal Ripken Jr.), a record that would still stand had he not been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1939, cutting his career short. A fairly accurate character sketch can be viewed in the movie “The Pride of the Yankees.”

9. What is one of your pseudicates? (It means one of those rules that people foolishly make for themselves, like: I can’t eat Doritos because they make my left wrist ache. These things usually happen ONE time coincidentally… and it gives someone a basis for a weird “rule” that their mind or body has set for their life in order to make them feel more interesting.)

If I don’t look sternly and point in a condescending manner at the toilet in my apartment, it won’t flush.

10. If scientists discover that your favorite food/desert/treat started to cause a thumb to grow out of each of your shoulders would you stop eating that food or would you use those thumbs to hold a brightly colored cape on yourself and become a superhero?

I would keep eating the item, perhaps less often, and regularly get the extra thumbs removed. Orthopaedic surgeons have needs, too.

11. Do you think a chocolate cake sandwich is a good idea?

It depends on what made up the “bread.” If it was more chocolate cake, or chocolate chip pancakes, then ABSOLUTELY it’s a good idea. But if the “bread” were actual bread, gross.

12. Would you enjoy dating someone who could turn into a huge dragon at will or would you prefer someone that just had a dragon as a pet?

Someone that had a dragon as a pet. It could be like the “A Whole New World” scene in Aladdin, but on a DRAGON…

13. Have you ever had a dream in which you killed someone? Explain the dream. Were you wearing socks (either dream socks or real socks while dreaming)?

I never had a dream in which I actually killed someone. I am just not a killing type of person. And I rarely wear socks. I hate them. If it were hygienically acceptable, I would never wear socks or shoes. Too cumbersome.

14. If you had to invent a new word for what we currently call “toast”--as in the food--what would it be?

I would call toast “snigglefritz.” Then you could say, “I feel like having scrambled eggs and snigglefritz for breakfast today.” It’s just a fun word.

15. What is the best thing to melt cheese on?

More cheese. Need I say more? (If I do need to say more, I would have to say ham…on any number of sandwich types i.e. ham and cheese, egg and bacon and cheese, etc.)

16. If you could go back in time for one hour but you could only choose between playing with your old toys while no one was in your past house or go further back in time to be at your parents wedding? (and if you choose the second option you would have to start a food fight at the reception)

My old toys are still around for the grandkids, so that one is definitely out. I would start a food fight at the 58th minute of my hour-long visit, because I don’t particularly enjoy food fights, so I would only want to stay long enough to make sure it was well-established, then I could skedaddle.

17. If you were a cartoon character which would you be and which other cartoon character would you have a show with?

I would be Princess Aurora, and I would have a show with Cinderella. It would be a talk show where we would discuss the virtues and problems of our respective lives. Is it worth it to Cinderella to be with a prince who has no discernable personality? Is dancing in the woods barefoot really all that comfortable? Did we ever think ourselves insane when communicating with animals?

18. If mankind wanted to domesticate a wild animal on a mass marketing level, which animal do you think would be the best to domesticate?

I think it would be best to domesticate a sloth. Then you always have a scapegoat. Mom: You’re so lazy. Pick up the pace! You: It’s not like I’m as bad as Trito (the name for your sloth, because he has three toes on each foot “tri” and he’s small “-ito”).

19. Did you feel there were too many food related questions on this survey?

There are never too many food-related questions on any survey. Of course, this calls into question the validity and purposefulness of surveys in the first place. For more information, see question 3.

20. If you started a company called HYWAB what would it stand for?

Hills Yonder Want Avid Backpackers. It would be an outdoor activity supply center, mainly focused on serious hikers.

All in good time

2009-03-18T00:47:00.002-06:00

I've been wavering a little bit on the mission decision. And prayer isn't that useful because the Lord isn't going to tell me to not serve. And graduate school...I've been working on a research paper for my Child Development class (The Mozart Effect: A Misnomer) and have had fun with it. I didn't know research could be fun, but I was fascinated. I LOVE psychology and learning how the mind works. I want to become a school counselor. For the moment, it is overpowering my desire to serve a mission. But that will probably change tomorrow, maybe even before I go to bed tonight. Luckily, I have plenty of time before I really have to decide.

What's the opposite of irony?

2009-03-10T22:13:00.002-06:00

It's amazing how making one decision can make everything else fall into place.

Decision #1--I talked to the friend, who thought I hated his girlfriend, on Saturday and everything is cool.

Decision #2--I walked into the Institute building yesterday morning to have lunch (as usual) and I just thought to myself, 'Self, you're going to serve a mission.' So that's my new resolve: TO SERVE A FULL-TIME MISSION!!! Since I get my Bachelor's in December, I'll turn in my mission papers in the fall. And that solves the graduate school question for at least three years.

So now everything related to the future seems much less chaotic. Everything about the present, however, is still as crazy as ever. Speaking of which, I need to study for a midterm now...

Ironic

2009-03-07T11:30:00.006-07:00

It's funny. Three days after I post how my life is super-routine and somewhat boring, things start to get crazy. This is a little sliver of what has been going through my head the past week or so...

I have this crazy urge to go to graduate school and become a school counselor. But should I take time off to go on a mission or work and pay off my undergrad loans? Should I even go at all?

Should I serve a full time mission after I get my Bachelor's Degree in December? The thought has been in and out of my head for about 7 years. Would they even let me go because of pre-existing conditions?

Things have been tense in my apartment all semester, and it all blew up on Tuesday night.

One of my best friends thinks (a) I hate his girlfriend, and (b) I'm mad at him for some reason. Neither of these are true.

Fun stuff. Gotta love the single life. Luckily, there is Someone who is a lot smarter than me. I should turn more over to Him instead of keeping so much for myself. How selfish is that?

College life

2009-02-23T15:04:00.005-07:00

I am laying here on my bed in my otherwise empty apartment, and I realize that I have not posted anything for a month. Confession: my life is very routine. I wake up, go to class, come home, study, go to bed. Occasionally I do fun stuff like play ultimate frisbee or eat, but it's pretty much the same every day around here.
Speaking of ultimate frisbee, I played on Saturday. It was a lot of fun, especially because of the mud. The recent snowmelt caused our field (which is really the quad) to be pretty mucky with plenty of big snow patches thrown in for good measure. As with everything, I played hard core. I splashed through the muck and fell on my hands and knees definitely more than once. I would catch the frisbee and slide 10 feet despite my best efforts to stop. And the Pieces de Resistance...
#1--I was blocking the Ultimate King and right as the frisbee left his hand on a particularly powerful throw, the frisbee connected with my right hand. Believing myself to be permanently crippled only 15 minutes or so into the game, I kept playing. And now there is a quite sizable bruise on my right thumb that I take much pride in, for I do not bruise easily. It is accompanied by a smaller bruise in the middle of my right palm.
#2--I was running across the field to catch a throw, and I slipped on the mud and fell on the ice. I got right back up and kept running. I did not catch the frisbee due to my messed up timing which was due to the fall, but I scratched up my left leg pretty thoroughly. See for yourself...

Keep in mind that today is Monday, and the game was on Saturday. These wounds are almost exactly 48 hours old, and I've always been a quick healer.

25 random things about me

2009-01-29T19:32:00.006-07:00

I've been tagged to do this on facebook about a zillion times. So here it goes...

1. I love most kinds of music. My favorite artists include Frank Sinatra and Relient K.
2. My friends and family are the most important things in my life.
3. My favorite movie--and one of my favorite books--is The Princess Bride.
4. I'm an American Idol junkie. In fact, I'm watching it right now.
5. When I was 12, I dreamed that I was going to the bathroom and forgot the wake-up-before-you-start-to-pee rule and wet the bed.
6. I almost died from food poisoning when I was 15.
7. I taught myself to play the piano.
8. My toes are really short for the length of my feet.
9. I am my hair lady's favorite client.
10. I did kindergarten and first grade in one year.
11. I will have a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications-Photography 6 weeks before my 22nd birthday.
12. If I could have one superpower, I would want the ability to fly.
13. I got to paint a brick in my high school's choir room.
14. I read Harry Potter every Christmas Break.
15. I'm pretty picky about what I eat, but my tastes are expanding.
16. I'm hungry right now.
17. I'm a bit of a worry-wart.
18. I drink about 2 gallons of milk a week. By myself.
19. The sounds of popping balloons scares me.
20. I'm easily entertained.
21. Baseball and hockey are my favorite sports.
22. I once walked about a mile on a parade route to get a pro hockey player from my favorite team's autograph. I lost that autograph about a month later and never found it.
23. I want to get married in the Rexburg Temple.
24. I can fit my fist into my mouth.
25. I once ate half of a chocolate sheet cake in one sitting.

Update on the wedding

2009-01-21T10:58:00.001-07:00

You know my friend Kurtis? Well, he's just having me do their engagement pictures, but he's also having me design the announcement, which is fun. My roommate is getting married the exact same day as Kurtis, and he's pretty much forcing me to go to the reception and such. What a sweet kid.

I don't know why I didn't post this sooner

2009-01-13T23:00:00.005-07:00

I recently helped a friend/classmate with a wedding shoot. It was exciting and exhausting and hair-ripping-out-nerve-wracking and adrenaline-pumping all in one. I was well paid in cash and experience. I also got my own first wedding! A friend of mine is getting married, and he wants me to do their engagement shots! The temple and reception remains to be seen (as he has to convince his fiancee) but I am hopeful. Anyway, these are shots from that first wedding.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-01T18:11:00.001-07:00

1. Lose 15-20 pounds
2. Finish the Standard Works
3. Get a summer internship

I saw this on my roomie's facebook page and decided to do it (updated)

2008-12-21T14:49:00.004-07:00

10 things I wish I could say to 10 different people
•I'm truly sorry.
•I'm so glad you didn't love me back.
•Thank you for understanding.
•I'm eternally grateful that I was depressed.
•You rock.
•Trust me.
•I'm powerless without your example.
•Will you read this?
•You're forgiven, and have been for quite some time.
•I shudder to think of where I'd be without you.

9 things about myself
•I'm very dynamic.
•My day is incomplete without making someone laugh.
•I feel emotion very deeply.
•I rarely cry.
•I'm the type of person you have to get used to.
•I LOVE dairy, especially milk and cheese!
•I can keep everyone's secrets but mine.
•I'm a Yankees fan.
•I would do anything for my family and friends.

8 ways to win my heart
•sing bass/baritone
•be a gentleman
•read good books (especially Harry Potter)
•actually lead when dancing
•play with my nieces and nephews
•get along with my family
•do everything with confidence
•watch the A&E version of "Pride and Prejudice"

7 things that cross my mind
•college graduation
•family (current and future)
•music
•friends
•MarioKart Wii
•my shortcomings
•school

6 things I wish I could do
•fly
•spend a couple of years in Europe
•dance the foxtrot
•do laundry instantly
•drive standard transmission cars
•sing with Josh Groban

5 turn-ons in a guy
•temple worthiness
•honoring his Priesthood
•being a momma's boy (to a certain extent)
•sense of humor
•intelligence

4 turn-offs in a guy
•arrogance
•amusement by inappropriateness
•lack of integrity
•doing something for someone else's reasons

3 careers I would consider
•photographer
•medical transcriptionist
•housewife/mother

2 things I want to do before I die
•have a family
•visit the British Isles

1 confession
•I'm a big time High School Musical fan.

Finally...

2008-12-16T21:55:00.002-07:00

So as of approximately 6:12 p.m. MST, the Fall 2008 semester was finally over for me!!! Here are the top five things that happened this semester.

1) I moved out, and I have the most amazing roommates ever.

2) The Institute Choir sounds better than ever and continues to be a great blessing in my life.

3) I made a ton of new friends, and existing friendships grew stronger.

4) I finally went on a date after a 17-month dry spell.

5) I realized that I'm a lot stronger than I previously thought.

Thanks to everyone for all of your support and love!

The things I'll do for an A...

2008-12-10T23:41:00.015-07:00

I went to the mall at about 3:30 in the morning on Black Friday for my photo final. I wanted to capture the insanity of the unholy hours in what most people, including myself, call the middle of the night. I went to JC Penney first, and at approximately 4:02 in the morning, I heard a woman say to her shopping companion, "Hurry up. I haven't got all day." It's a good thing I was so tired because I was hard-pressed to not laugh.

Yes, there are several hundred people standing in the cold and dark at 4:00 in the morning.

Yes, I did barricade myself behind those plastic security things and yes, I did almost get trampled anyway.

I just went around the store taking random of pictures of people.

I think the lady in the middle of this shot is pretty. This is the only one not in Shopko.

Why people? WHY?????

About half an hour after the doors opened. This is about 8 different photos put together.

I hope you enjoy these. I have never been so afraid for my camera.

Ice skating with my cousin on my random road trip to Logan this last weekend

2008-11-25T22:18:00.005-07:00

His pathetic attempts to teach me.

Us during one of my MANY breaks.

Me during another of my breaks.

Me actually skating. Let's just say that I have a newly-deepened respect for hockey players and figure skaters!

Me and my muse

2008-11-10T11:45:00.005-07:00

What can I say? I love bacon.

Little things make my day

2008-11-05T10:43:00.003-07:00

So I was in the library making illegal copies of music on the copy machine. There was this little girl who kept smiling at me. I smiled back, and she started taking steps toward her daddy. She said, "Daddy, that girl with the flower in her hair is pretty. I want to make her on the Wii."

Expected outcome

2008-11-05T09:10:00.002-07:00

One of the greatest things about America is that her citizens have the opportunity to vote. Even though I've been a supporter of John McCain throughout the whole election season, I didn't ever think he really had a chance against the charasmatic Barack Obama. However, because of the way I was raised and personal choices I have made since, I will respect the man elected and try not to judge too harshly. Who knows? It may not be all that bad.

My weekend

2008-10-27T11:46:00.003-06:00

So I pretty much had a really good weekend which is best explained in a daily breakdown:

Friday night: sang/ate really good food at Stake Appreciation night, went to a haunted forest for the first time (hooray for new experiences!), ate ice cream, slept in my old bed at my parents' house (yeah for beds that are long enough!)

Saturday: went to Idaho Falls and took pictures of my sister Karianne's kids, met up with my best friend from high school (whom I haven't seen in months) in IF, had a fantastic shrimp parmesan steak and riblets with topped mashed potatoes for lunch at Applebee's, earned $200, got a new dress

Sunday: had a really good ward conference, took care of my daddy, ate the leftovers from Saturday's lunch for lunch, stake choir (alto is fun, but my heart will always be with soprano), ate leftovers from Friday night, good stake fireside, return of the roommates

And a partridge in a pear tree.

It WAS my sanctuary...

2008-10-23T23:22:00.006-06:00

So I there I was, minding my own business in my bedroom. I was innocently checking a couple of recently acquired pimples in the mirror of aforementioned bedroom. I brought my elbow down, and this is what happened...

Favorite 10 Movies of All Time

2008-10-12T01:20:00.003-06:00

In no particular order (except for the first one)...

•The Princess Bride
•Ever After
•Sleeping Beauty
•Life Is Beautiful
•A Beautiful Mind
•Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
•Enchanted
•Ocean's 11
•Hairspray
•Singin' in the Rain

I love doing homework

2008-10-04T13:55:00.003-06:00

I was serious when I said I love homework. Same model as last time. The topic was "moral decay."

What I've been doing the past three weeks

2008-09-22T12:50:00.004-06:00

I said in my last post that I don't post very often because of homework. The following is what I meant.

That's another great thing about roommates. BOOM! MODELS!!! It's amazing what people will do for ice cream.

Craziness

2008-09-17T18:02:00.003-06:00

I know that I haven't blogged in a while. Life has been pretty nuts. I'm taking 15 credits and two Institute classes, staying really involved in my ward, and having a great time doing it. As crazy life is right now, and it is only going to get crazier, I am loving every minute of it.

My life's work

2008-09-08T08:39:00.002-06:00

I have been tossing around the idea of becoming a PA or PharmD (doctor of pharmacy) for the past few months. I've spent a lot of time thinking and praying about it and at one point thought that I was supposed to become one of those two things. However, I have recently decided to do neither. I'm just going to stick with photography and see where it takes me. I am still enjoying my Anatomy and Physiology class, and any extra knowledge is definitely beneficial. Thanks to everyone for being so supportive in this decision.

The last millimeter

2008-08-31T15:44:00.002-06:00

Many of you know that I had an ordeal with a young man at the tail end of my junior year of high school. For those who didn't know that, here's the three-sentence description:

I liked him, he found out and flipped and told my sister who told my parents who told me that he never wanted to speak to me again (in essence). During our senior year, despite nearly identical school schedules, we hardly spoke to each other. In fact, in the over-four years since the crap hit the fan, I can count on one hand the amount of times I've actually talked to him.

Anyway, this young man recently returned from a mission, and I went to hear his report. I had almost talked myself out of it but decided to go because if I didn't, I'd always wonder. I sat by my friends and listened to him speak. Wow. What an amazing talk. Afterward, we all went to say hi, and my insides were trembling violently. I saw him give them hugs and prepared myself for an awkward handshake. To my pleasant surprise--strike that. To my completely-floored-but-nonetheless-joyous shock, I too received a hug and a "Cindy, thank you for coming." That was the last thing in the world I expected.
Even after I'd forgiven him and myself, I was never sure if he'd forgiven me. Today, I know that he has. In that few seconds while we hugged, it seemed as if the awkward and bitter years were being erased. Now it is as if they never happened. The last millimeter of the circle is finally closed. I don't know if I've ever been so at peace.