Greetings! I apologize to those who take the time to read my blog faithfully. I realize I haven’t posted anything since August. My sincere apologies! The last couple months have been mere craziness. Last week, I resolved to get on top of everything I'd been putting off on account of “I don’t have time”. I'm happy to report I updated, color coordinated and “tabbed” all my Relief Society stuff and [attempted] to have a RS meeting with my activities committee (thank you to Katie for being the ONLY one to show up), I met with a professor I was desperately in need of talking to (don’t worry, mom and dad, not about grades; about Europe), cleaned out old files on my laptop and put them into new, cleanly organized, well descriptive folders, wrote to all my missionaries, read a chapter of my “leisure book” (yes, I've been reading the same book for about 3 months now. It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just that I [surprise, surprise] don’t have time. Sorry grandma! Promise I’ll get it back to you by December!), successfully passed cleaning checks, wrote in my journal, and (I guess technically this was last weekend), I worked on my GF baking skills. Unfortunately that last one did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. Thank you Sara and Jim for indulging me on my “treats”! I promise I’m working on it. If I may say so, I am feeling pretty proud; especially because for 3 of those days last week, I was throwing up every few hours. Updating my blog is next on my grand task list. So here I am!
First, I guess we’ll get the day-to-day stuff out of the way. I’m head first in the middle of fall semester at the Y. Being an art history major is a blast! Generally speaking, the professors truly care about us as students and individual people. They make themselves readily available if and when we need to speak with them and they’re more interested in our health and overall well-being than anything else (with the exception of one particular Greek teacher. Err! Note to self and any other potential art history major-ees: DO NOT take a class from Professor Mark Johnson. Worst. Teacher. Ever! And that's putting aside his bias, favoritism, allows crying babies into his class, monotone, knows nothing attitude). My favorite class this semester is American Art, taught by my all-time favorite professor, James Swensen. I know I personally tend to overlook what’s right outside my door and head straight to Europe when I think about great art and architecture. It’s been a lot of fun to take a step back and appreciate the beauty that lies right in my own backyard. I know I say this a lot, but I want to reiterate how much I love and believe in the power of art. After I study a new portrait or altarpiece, it’s nearly a spiritual experience for me. The people who lived hundreds of years ago believed so much in the work that they were creating. They put so much thought into what and how they depicted a particular scene or individual and it was critical that the underlying message they were trying to implore was communicated. The hours, days and weeks that these artists spent on their work takes my breath away. Talk about dedication! When I look at art, I see God’s hand coming down on man. I’m so grateful to be studying these works everyday and gain a deeper insight and appreciation for the work and beauty of another.
I’m working on campus in the JFSB Child and Family Studies Lab; in other words, the BYU kindergarten and preschool! It has been one of the best decisions I've made in a long time. I love the people I work with! The other secretary is named Amelia. She is a doll! Not too soon after meeting, she dubbed me the title “mini me” and we've become good friends ever since; a friendship I’m so grateful for! The two of us have tried to make it a goal to go to the temple every Thursday afternoon after work. Unfortunately, the last few weeks have been crazy for the both of us so we haven’t had a chance to go. But before this little break, we had started to become regulars. I know this because as I went to be baptized, the temple worker shook my hand and muttered, “welcome back”. Yay! If you have to be a “regular” at something, I think temple attendance is a good one. The other preschool and kindergarten teachers, teacher aides and my boss, Anne, are fabulous! With the exception of a few random days that I felt like death, I have never not wanted to come into work. I truly do enjoy coming in each day. After 20 years, I've finally fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a secretary. There’s always something new to learn and I’m grateful to be surrounded by wonderful people and such tender little spirits each day of my week.
At the end of my first week, Amelia and I celebrated with ice cream cones from the CourgarEat.
Before school started, we were working about 8 hour days. And sometimes those days got to be really long and that chair got to be really uncomfortable....;)
Jealous yet? I thought so. My mom rocks! She also provided me with a take home back of blue Doritos, IBC root beer, Halloween M&M’s and other fine goodies and necessities. I’d be lost without her. I’d be no where without my dad. Thank you both for your love and support. My sisters rock this world! Melina is working in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. For those who don’t know Melina as well, this is kind of one of her dreams come true; to live in NYC and work at one of the best hospitals in the nation. I’m so very proud of her. Mom, dad and I will be spending Thanksgiving with her in the city. Yes, this does mean I get to mark off number 27 of my bucket list: “see the Macey’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live”. Yay!!! I miss her to pieces and I’m so excited to see her again. And I’ll be perfectly frank here; I’m really looking forward to my day getting lost in the MET too ;) Elise and her beautiful family are doing well in Colorado. As always, I’m so proud of her and her choices. I’m thankful she made the decision to be married in the temple and start a family. For those who don’t know, she’s also finally a BYU student. She’s enrolled in Independent Study to maintain her teaching license. Good work sis! I can’t wait to take a class together soon. Mark turned the big 3-0! Honestly I’m so grateful for him. Not only do I finally have a brother, he is perfect for Elise. I couldn't image a more perfect couple. As a sister, you don’t want anything less that eternal happiness for your siblings. I’m delighted that Elise and Mark may share that together forever. I’m still in love with a boy named Jacob Scott. I CANNOT WAIT until I get to see him in December. The days just can’t pass quick enough. Love you baby boy!!
Melina on top of the roof of the MET. I am so very thrilled to see her next month. And get my own picture in front of the New York skyline!!
I'm in love with this little boy and his chunky, little cheeks
In one of my classes last week, my professor posed this question: when you don’t have to think about anything, what do you think about? The question took me a little off guard. The idea had never crossed my mind before. What do I think about? Where does my mind wander? What do I daydream about? Who is sharing that dream with me? Sometimes at the end of a long day, when I finally get to turn off the light and snuggle under the covers, I close my eyes, take a deep breath and try not to think about anything. Inevitably, however, if I haven’t fallen asleep yet, thoughts, ideas and impressions flood my mind. Sometimes those thoughts are personal and intimate. Almost like a journal entry inside my head. Desires, fears, loves, insecurities, and hopes surface. Other times, I go to my own “wonderland” where the Cheshire cat are really scriptures, Ensign talks and prophets, the singing flowers are really John Mayer and Taylor Swift and the evil queen of hearts are really stat professors and drivers who cut me off. Paths are lined with freshly mowed grass and low lit lanterns. Pastries and teas don’t make me grow or shrink, but taste simply yummy to the tongue and slimming to the hips. It’s not too hot and not too cold. It’s a place I can go where my loved ones all live and I can see them anytime I want. School and making a living and meeting deadlines and worrying about “tomorrows” are not the main worry; just being together in a beautiful, calm, filled with love kind of world. When you don’t have to think about anything, what do you think about? I think about Jacob and who he’s going to become and who I need to be for him. I think about my mom and her strength. I think about Sara and Jim and how happy they are to be together and the life they've made for their kids. I think about what kind of life I want to have 10 years from now. I think about the boy I want to create it with. I think about a certain missionary who’s coming home soon and what might happen. I think about my amazing friends: who they are, where they've been and where they’re going. I think about what Heavenly Father’s thinking about when He looks down on me. Is He disappointed? Is He proud? Is He worried? Is He impressed? I think about what life would be like if I had done this or hadn't done that. I think about who I am and what I’m doing for others. Does it matter? Am I doing enough? I think about what kind of wife and mother I hope to be. Are my kids looking down on me saying “we’re screwed” or “she’s a good mom to have”? I think about my sisters and their happiness. Are they? I think about my dad. Am I making him proud? Is he taking care of himself like he takes care of us? I think about the beauty around me; the gorgeous mountains, the grass, the trees, the waterfalls. I think about who I love. I think about the people I want to be like and the people I don’t. I think about a clean house with Christmas music playing in the background and my kids sitting by the tree waiting for Santa Clause. I think about the temple and who will take me there one day. I think about Jesus Christ and the life He lived. How am I doing in comparison? Am I getting better the older I get or walking in the wrong direction? I think about what I need to do to accomplish my goals. I think about what I’m doing and what I’d really like to be doing. I think about how I can change that. I think about love. I think about friendship. I think about family. My professor pointed out to us that it’s the things you don’t have to think about, but do anyways, that matter most; at least, they’re what matter most to us. I believe it's really telling and can point us to the things or people we desire most. It’s an interesting idea and it’s a fun little experiment to play with yourself if you remember to think about what you thought about when you didn't need to be thinking (whew – that’s a tongue twister!)
It's been a busy, yet very fun, exciting 2 months of school. It's hard to believe it's almost November. Time goes by faster and faster the older I get. I'm grateful for my life. I hope I can get it under control enough to write more. I love you all!
Keaton and Shelly "finally" tied the knot! It was a beautiful day. I'm so happy for these two!
Hailey had a ballet performance in mid-September. We made our way to the HFAC and supported her in her show. I personally can't wait to see what she's been working on day after day in January / February: "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Sleeping Beauty" !!
I have also learned that if I am ever approached by an attacker, I am essentially screwed. On one so random evening in September, we ended up watching a self-defense movie Taylor's mom bought for her and made her watch repeatedly as a teenager. We watched and then tried to practice the moves afterwards on one another. I didn't do so well...I've been trying to upload one of the videos to share with you, but it won't let me for some reason. I pinky promise to add it to the next blog (that being if I can figure out why it won't work). I'm just really hoping I'll never need to fend off any unwelcome acquaintances!!
Loves!
