For part of my job, I put together the 'swag' that is given out at the conferences that the University attends. This weekend there are two conferences going on so I had twice as much scthuff to put together.
As I was gathering the supplies I kept thinking, 'Oh I hope it's enough of this,' or, 'oh this is probably too much,' etc etc. And counting everything before so upon return I have a mich better idea for future amounts.
When I sent off the boxes to the respective representatives, I realized that I sort of felt like sending my children off with their lunches, hoping everything went well. It's not like these people were grown men or anything.
I realized how silly that was, laughed at myself, then began another task for the day.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
happy birfday
Today is my birthday. At least for twenty more minutes.
It was a good day. I didn't tell a soul at work. It was kinda fun to have a secret all day. The only bad thing about keeping a secret is that they sometimes feel bad when they find out later. But they shouldn't! It's not like I broadcast the news or anything.
I chatted with the padres before work, received many happy greetings from friends (thanks!), a scoop of icecream from another (thanks!!) and din din with an aunt and uncle and their family.
Once home I got a package containing Downton Abbey(!) and a book I preordered that just happened to have the release date of today. Oh and my oboe came back from the hospital. Yay! I haven't played it yet as work was super busy, but tomorrow. Apparently it was leaking quite badly. Even at the joints because the wood had really dried out, etc. Poor little oboe misses NC.
As today is my 29th birthday (I am SO old now) and there are actually 29 days in the month of February, I'm going to attempt to post everyday this month. As always, I promise no brilliance. Nor do I even have any sort of theme to these posts. Read at your own risk. :)
For now, I bid you adieu. My bed doth beckon me.
It was a good day. I didn't tell a soul at work. It was kinda fun to have a secret all day. The only bad thing about keeping a secret is that they sometimes feel bad when they find out later. But they shouldn't! It's not like I broadcast the news or anything.
I chatted with the padres before work, received many happy greetings from friends (thanks!), a scoop of icecream from another (thanks!!) and din din with an aunt and uncle and their family.
Once home I got a package containing Downton Abbey(!) and a book I preordered that just happened to have the release date of today. Oh and my oboe came back from the hospital. Yay! I haven't played it yet as work was super busy, but tomorrow. Apparently it was leaking quite badly. Even at the joints because the wood had really dried out, etc. Poor little oboe misses NC.
As today is my 29th birthday (I am SO old now) and there are actually 29 days in the month of February, I'm going to attempt to post everyday this month. As always, I promise no brilliance. Nor do I even have any sort of theme to these posts. Read at your own risk. :)
For now, I bid you adieu. My bed doth beckon me.
Friday, January 20, 2012
everyday miracles
Howdy howdy howdy.
I've been meaning to tell a story.
Once upon I was a full blown door knocking missionary. It seems so long ago, and yet in some ways only yesterday.
In my first few days as a missionary, my trainer* and I were deciding which streets we were going to be visiting that morning. We had sectioned a part of the city out and would focus on that tiny geographical area for a while. We would sit in our car - usually with the ac blasting away the gross Florida summer heat - and individually say a prayer of where we should go that day. After that we would compare notes and go from there.
This particular afternoon the number 15 came to mind very strongly. Problem was, there was no 15 on the map. I was quite confused, but I mentioned it to my companion and she didn't know what to do either.
So we went to the other streets we had in common. And as we were heading back to the car we decided to go into this small little development.
We knocked the entire complex. There were four doors that particularly stuck with me after all these years. One, a young man who was living with his girlfriend. We taught him about temples and how we can be with those we love not only in this life, but the next.
He said we should knock on his neighbor's door, as he was religious. This was the neighbor we had seen taking hus garbage out not five minutes before.
He did not answer his door.
Then there was the lady who we taught about prophets. And how God has not left us alone. Noah talked about the ark. The ark was of great importance to the people during his time. We now have prophet's who tell us the 'arks' that we need today.
Lastly, there was the big guy. He came to the door with his shirt off, probably hoping to scare off these two little blonde girls. He didn't. He kept saying, you should go talk to someone else. Don't waste your time here. Something in me did not accept this. Why? I asked. Why? We want to talk to you just as much as your neighbors.
It finally came out that he just could not believe in a God who would allow such terrible things to happen. The Holcaust? Wars? This was just after the shooting of the school children in Russia. If God truly loved his children why would he let these things happen to those who were most innocent?
As he was speaking, I was reminded of a scripture I had read years previously. I did not know where it was. I just remembered the story. I told my companion to keep him busy as I hurriedly flipped through my scriptures.
I found it. I looked him in the eye and told him the story:
Alma was a prophet who was told to preach to the people of Ammonihah. Many did not listen, but a few did. Amulek joined Alma in preaching. Eventually Alma and Amulek were thrown into prison. Then, they were forced to watch as the leaders of the city gathered all those who believed, and cast them into a fire.
Then I read:
And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day. (Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 14, vs 10-11)
As we were leaving the little division, I looked up and saw that the street that these four people had lived on was street 15.
I share this story for one reason today, though there are many reasons why this story is so special to me. I share it today because of the last bit. The part where I looked up and saw that we were on the street 15.
If I had not noticed the street name, there is no doubt that this experience still would have been a truly special experience. But by looking, this experience was transformed into a miracle.
I chose this example out of many just because it is such an obvious example But usually, the everyday miracles are much quieter and less obvious. Sometimes they consist simply of taking a different route on your way to the practice room and seeing a dear friend.
Though so much easier said than done, I know that miracles are happening everyday. I'm just not looking for them. That is why I am wanting to write more regularly, to share the everday miracles. Because they exist. I just need to look for them.
*One's first missionary companion once you leave the training center, who shows you the ropes. Theoretically. And thankfully, I was very lucky in who was my trainer.
I've been meaning to tell a story.
Once upon I was a full blown door knocking missionary. It seems so long ago, and yet in some ways only yesterday.
In my first few days as a missionary, my trainer* and I were deciding which streets we were going to be visiting that morning. We had sectioned a part of the city out and would focus on that tiny geographical area for a while. We would sit in our car - usually with the ac blasting away the gross Florida summer heat - and individually say a prayer of where we should go that day. After that we would compare notes and go from there.
This particular afternoon the number 15 came to mind very strongly. Problem was, there was no 15 on the map. I was quite confused, but I mentioned it to my companion and she didn't know what to do either.
So we went to the other streets we had in common. And as we were heading back to the car we decided to go into this small little development.
We knocked the entire complex. There were four doors that particularly stuck with me after all these years. One, a young man who was living with his girlfriend. We taught him about temples and how we can be with those we love not only in this life, but the next.
He said we should knock on his neighbor's door, as he was religious. This was the neighbor we had seen taking hus garbage out not five minutes before.
He did not answer his door.
Then there was the lady who we taught about prophets. And how God has not left us alone. Noah talked about the ark. The ark was of great importance to the people during his time. We now have prophet's who tell us the 'arks' that we need today.
Lastly, there was the big guy. He came to the door with his shirt off, probably hoping to scare off these two little blonde girls. He didn't. He kept saying, you should go talk to someone else. Don't waste your time here. Something in me did not accept this. Why? I asked. Why? We want to talk to you just as much as your neighbors.
It finally came out that he just could not believe in a God who would allow such terrible things to happen. The Holcaust? Wars? This was just after the shooting of the school children in Russia. If God truly loved his children why would he let these things happen to those who were most innocent?
As he was speaking, I was reminded of a scripture I had read years previously. I did not know where it was. I just remembered the story. I told my companion to keep him busy as I hurriedly flipped through my scriptures.
I found it. I looked him in the eye and told him the story:
Alma was a prophet who was told to preach to the people of Ammonihah. Many did not listen, but a few did. Amulek joined Alma in preaching. Eventually Alma and Amulek were thrown into prison. Then, they were forced to watch as the leaders of the city gathered all those who believed, and cast them into a fire.
Then I read:
And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day. (Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 14, vs 10-11)
As we were leaving the little division, I looked up and saw that the street that these four people had lived on was street 15.
I share this story for one reason today, though there are many reasons why this story is so special to me. I share it today because of the last bit. The part where I looked up and saw that we were on the street 15.
If I had not noticed the street name, there is no doubt that this experience still would have been a truly special experience. But by looking, this experience was transformed into a miracle.
I chose this example out of many just because it is such an obvious example But usually, the everyday miracles are much quieter and less obvious. Sometimes they consist simply of taking a different route on your way to the practice room and seeing a dear friend.
Though so much easier said than done, I know that miracles are happening everyday. I'm just not looking for them. That is why I am wanting to write more regularly, to share the everday miracles. Because they exist. I just need to look for them.
*One's first missionary companion once you leave the training center, who shows you the ropes. Theoretically. And thankfully, I was very lucky in who was my trainer.
Monday, January 02, 2012
books!
So, you may or may not know this, but I really like to read. I didn't have a whole lot of opportunity to read regularly whilst in graduate school. Let me rephrase that...I didn't have a whole lot of opportunities for recreational reading while in grad school. Hmm, I should probably rephrase that again. I still AM in grad school, just not IN grad school. Oh the dilemma of being All But Done. I digress.
Yet, as I am learning, life still happens, even when in school. I made a conscious effort to read anyway. I may add this if I retained any semblance of sanity during the past three years, it was largely in part to these recreational reads.
But, as is always the case, sometimes I bit off more than I could chew, ie bought more books than I could read at the time. Thus, there are books on my bookshelf, that I have NOT read! The little OCD angel on my shoulder in NOT okay with this.
So, as part of my larger goal, to Enjoying and Being Happy with what I have, this year's (first annual) book list is comprised solely of books already on my shelf, or in my audible account.*
Without further ado [in no particular order], I present to you:
Heidi's Books she WILL read (or listen to [A]) in 2012!!!
Till We Have Faces, CS Lewis [A]
How: Purchased with gift card from Audible.
Why: I mean, Lewis? Allegory? What's not to like?
Skippy Dies, Paul Murray [A]
How: Audible credit.
Why: Intriguing title. Good reviews.
Indiscretions of Archie, PG Wodehouse [A]
How: Audible gift card.
Why: I love Wodehouse, and am particular fond of his non-Jeeves stories lately.
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens [A]
How: Free from Audible - Narrated by TIM CURRY!
Why: How could I not have read this book by this point in my life?
The Innocent Mage, Karen Miller [A]
How: Audible credit.
Why: Fantasy. Good review. Wanting to branch out if possible.
At Home, Bill Bryson [A]
How: Audible credit.
Why: An attempt to appease guilt for not enough non-fiction. The premise of looking at the histories of everyday items was appealing.
Nicholas Nickelby, Charles Dickens [A]
How: Audible.
Why: Love me some Dickens. Enjoyed the movie adaptation and thought I'd go to the source.
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: She recommended it, and I really really enjoyed, I Am the Messenger.
Howard's End, EM Forster [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: I liked the latest Room With a View adaptation. Thought I'd try reading one of the books.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Helen Simonsen [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: Good reviews. Good recommendation. Liked Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (no relation, other than name.)
Out of the Silent Planet, CS Lewis [A]
How: Audible gift card.
Why: Lewis again, this time, SciFi.
Les Miserables, Victor Hugo [Both]
How: Mum's Audible. Paperback from probably High School.
Why: Partly, To say I have. Mostly, Because of the Bishop of Digne.
A Christmas Story, Jean Shepherd [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: Who hasn't watched a Christmas Story, and not laughed? At least a little? Plus, Sarah has been to his house!
The Tolkien Reader, JRR Tolkien
How: Bought during Freshman year of college.
Why: I think I've come to terms with my LOTR obsession, so that I can tiptoe back into the pool of all that is Tolkien. This is necessary, as The Hobbit (Part 1) will be out in December 2012.
The Scapegoat, Daphne du Maurier
How: Random used bookstore purchase.
Why: Recognized her name from Rebecca.
Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey
How: Gift from a good friend.
Why: Interested in the book. Seems a bit to be a modern Walden set in the southwest.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery
How: Birthday book purchase.
Why: It's about time I read this book.
Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift
How: Library book sale.
Why: Ugh. Because every time I see this book, I feel a sharp stab of guilt. I fear this reading will be completely like eating vegetable. The yucky kind. Ooo, like celery. I dislike celery.
[EDIT: I just looked at my copy. I have had this sitting on my shelf since 2000. It's time. Celery by derned.]
A Brief History of the Smile, Angus Trumble
How: BYU Bargain Book.
Why: I like to smile. Another attempt to up my non-fiction intake.
Olive's Ocean, Kevin Henkes
How: Birthday book purchase.
Why: Looked interesting.
keeper, kathi appelt
How: Birthday book purchase.
Why: Looked interesting. Pretty cover.
How to Be a (Bad) Birdwatcher, Simon Barnes
How: BYU Bookstore
Why: Purchased soon after my 'Appreciation of Nature' class, sophomore year. Best Class Ever.
A Guide to the Birds of East Africa
How: Not sure. I'm guessing BYU Bargain Books.
Why: Birds. Compared to Alexander McCall Smith's books.
Dr Bridell's Logical and Rational Diet, Dr Bridell
How: Gift
Why: Little stab of guilt, though not as sharp as with Swift's book. Plus, there might be some good information? And, not too long, so it won't kill me, no?
The Gun Seller, Hugh Laurie
How: Amazon impulse purchase.
Why: Umm, Hugh Laurie? Compared to Wodehouse?
A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K LeGuin
The Tombs of Atuan, Ursula K Leguin
The Farthest Shore, Ursula K Leguin
How: Gift.
Why: From many Christmases ago. And I haven't gotten around to reading these yet, even though I've meant to. Came highly recommended, too.
Boy, Roald Dahl
Going Solo, Roald Dahl
How: Costco Roald Dahl 15 book set purchase!
Why: I love autobiographies by authors. If you haven't read Agathat Christie's, just go and do it. Fascinating. I assume Dahl's will be as well.
Flower Confidential, Amy Stewart
How: BYU Bargain Books
Why: Flowers. Non-Fiction intake increase.
Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
How: BYU Bargain Books
Why: Not sure why. Usually I'm anti feminist literature, but this one intrigued me. And then I realized she was LDS. Extra intrigued. And then, a friend in Greensboro actually knows the lady, and spoke highly of her! So, well, why not?
The Promise of Discipleship, Neal A. Maxwell
How: Gift
Why: A bit of guilt. I felt I should have at least some church-y books here. I'm not so good at reading any church books outside of the scriptures. I figured this book was worth the effort.
To Draw Closer to God: A Collection of Discourses, Henry B. Eyring
How: BYU Bookstore
Why: I really like his 'A Child of Promise' talk. It has meant a lot to me.
Keeping Bees, Pauline French
How: Gift!
Why: Iwant to WILL have a beehive someday!
The Epic of Gilgamesh
How: BYU discontinued textbooks
Why: Intrigued.
There you have them. All thirty-six books I will be reading this year.
Anyone who has read these books, a pep talk is greatly appreciated. Especially the non-fictions. And MOST especially Gulliver's Travels.
That is all.
* I am not going to limit my reading to these books. I will allow myself to purchase books in continuing series. I have found goals that punish the goal setter, never work, and just end in unnecessary guilt. Moderation in all things...even moderation!
[EDIT: Notice the purdy little list off to your right? Well, this is my attempt to keep track of the books read this year. On this list, and in general.]
Yet, as I am learning, life still happens, even when in school. I made a conscious effort to read anyway. I may add this if I retained any semblance of sanity during the past three years, it was largely in part to these recreational reads.
But, as is always the case, sometimes I bit off more than I could chew, ie bought more books than I could read at the time. Thus, there are books on my bookshelf, that I have NOT read! The little OCD angel on my shoulder in NOT okay with this.
So, as part of my larger goal, to Enjoying and Being Happy with what I have, this year's (first annual) book list is comprised solely of books already on my shelf, or in my audible account.*
Without further ado [in no particular order], I present to you:
Heidi's Books she WILL read (or listen to [A]) in 2012!!!
Till We Have Faces, CS Lewis [A]
How: Purchased with gift card from Audible.
Why: I mean, Lewis? Allegory? What's not to like?
Skippy Dies, Paul Murray [A]
How: Audible credit.
Why: Intriguing title. Good reviews.
Indiscretions of Archie, PG Wodehouse [A]
How: Audible gift card.
Why: I love Wodehouse, and am particular fond of his non-Jeeves stories lately.
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens [A]
How: Free from Audible - Narrated by TIM CURRY!
Why: How could I not have read this book by this point in my life?
The Innocent Mage, Karen Miller [A]
How: Audible credit.
Why: Fantasy. Good review. Wanting to branch out if possible.
At Home, Bill Bryson [A]
How: Audible credit.
Why: An attempt to appease guilt for not enough non-fiction. The premise of looking at the histories of everyday items was appealing.
Nicholas Nickelby, Charles Dickens [A]
How: Audible.
Why: Love me some Dickens. Enjoyed the movie adaptation and thought I'd go to the source.
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: She recommended it, and I really really enjoyed, I Am the Messenger.
Howard's End, EM Forster [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: I liked the latest Room With a View adaptation. Thought I'd try reading one of the books.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, Helen Simonsen [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: Good reviews. Good recommendation. Liked Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (no relation, other than name.)
Out of the Silent Planet, CS Lewis [A]
How: Audible gift card.
Why: Lewis again, this time, SciFi.
Les Miserables, Victor Hugo [Both]
How: Mum's Audible. Paperback from probably High School.
Why: Partly, To say I have. Mostly, Because of the Bishop of Digne.
A Christmas Story, Jean Shepherd [A]
How: Mum's Audible.
Why: Who hasn't watched a Christmas Story, and not laughed? At least a little? Plus, Sarah has been to his house!
The Tolkien Reader, JRR Tolkien
How: Bought during Freshman year of college.
Why: I think I've come to terms with my LOTR obsession, so that I can tiptoe back into the pool of all that is Tolkien. This is necessary, as The Hobbit (Part 1) will be out in December 2012.
The Scapegoat, Daphne du Maurier
How: Random used bookstore purchase.
Why: Recognized her name from Rebecca.
Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey
How: Gift from a good friend.
Why: Interested in the book. Seems a bit to be a modern Walden set in the southwest.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery
How: Birthday book purchase.
Why: It's about time I read this book.
Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift
How: Library book sale.
Why: Ugh. Because every time I see this book, I feel a sharp stab of guilt. I fear this reading will be completely like eating vegetable. The yucky kind. Ooo, like celery. I dislike celery.
[EDIT: I just looked at my copy. I have had this sitting on my shelf since 2000. It's time. Celery by derned.]
A Brief History of the Smile, Angus Trumble
How: BYU Bargain Book.
Why: I like to smile. Another attempt to up my non-fiction intake.
Olive's Ocean, Kevin Henkes
How: Birthday book purchase.
Why: Looked interesting.
keeper, kathi appelt
How: Birthday book purchase.
Why: Looked interesting. Pretty cover.
How to Be a (Bad) Birdwatcher, Simon Barnes
How: BYU Bookstore
Why: Purchased soon after my 'Appreciation of Nature' class, sophomore year. Best Class Ever.
A Guide to the Birds of East Africa
How: Not sure. I'm guessing BYU Bargain Books.
Why: Birds. Compared to Alexander McCall Smith's books.
Dr Bridell's Logical and Rational Diet, Dr Bridell
How: Gift
Why: Little stab of guilt, though not as sharp as with Swift's book. Plus, there might be some good information? And, not too long, so it won't kill me, no?
The Gun Seller, Hugh Laurie
How: Amazon impulse purchase.
Why: Umm, Hugh Laurie? Compared to Wodehouse?
A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K LeGuin
The Tombs of Atuan, Ursula K Leguin
The Farthest Shore, Ursula K Leguin
How: Gift.
Why: From many Christmases ago. And I haven't gotten around to reading these yet, even though I've meant to. Came highly recommended, too.
Boy, Roald Dahl
Going Solo, Roald Dahl
How: Costco Roald Dahl 15 book set purchase!
Why: I love autobiographies by authors. If you haven't read Agathat Christie's, just go and do it. Fascinating. I assume Dahl's will be as well.
Flower Confidential, Amy Stewart
How: BYU Bargain Books
Why: Flowers. Non-Fiction intake increase.
Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
How: BYU Bargain Books
Why: Not sure why. Usually I'm anti feminist literature, but this one intrigued me. And then I realized she was LDS. Extra intrigued. And then, a friend in Greensboro actually knows the lady, and spoke highly of her! So, well, why not?
The Promise of Discipleship, Neal A. Maxwell
How: Gift
Why: A bit of guilt. I felt I should have at least some church-y books here. I'm not so good at reading any church books outside of the scriptures. I figured this book was worth the effort.
To Draw Closer to God: A Collection of Discourses, Henry B. Eyring
How: BYU Bookstore
Why: I really like his 'A Child of Promise' talk. It has meant a lot to me.
Keeping Bees, Pauline French
How: Gift!
Why: I
The Epic of Gilgamesh
How: BYU discontinued textbooks
Why: Intrigued.
There you have them. All thirty-six books I will be reading this year.
Anyone who has read these books, a pep talk is greatly appreciated. Especially the non-fictions. And MOST especially Gulliver's Travels.
That is all.
* I am not going to limit my reading to these books. I will allow myself to purchase books in continuing series. I have found goals that punish the goal setter, never work, and just end in unnecessary guilt. Moderation in all things...even moderation!
[EDIT: Notice the purdy little list off to your right? Well, this is my attempt to keep track of the books read this year. On this list, and in general.]
new year
It's 2012 my friends.
I've made a few goals that I want to publicize in hopes of holding myself accountable. How often I publicize the progress, you ask? Not quite sure about that aspect.
Biggest goal: Enjoy and be happy with what I already have.
Manners of achieving said goal:
Reading books I already own
Setting, and FOLLOWING (ugh) a budget
Posting weekly
Oh, and the other big goal: GRADUATE!
I've decided that a December graduation is what I'm going for.
Forthcoming will be more information about these goals.
I've made a few goals that I want to publicize in hopes of holding myself accountable. How often I publicize the progress, you ask? Not quite sure about that aspect.
Biggest goal: Enjoy and be happy with what I already have.
Manners of achieving said goal:
Reading books I already own
Setting, and FOLLOWING (ugh) a budget
Posting weekly
Oh, and the other big goal: GRADUATE!
I've decided that a December graduation is what I'm going for.
Forthcoming will be more information about these goals.
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