Monday, November 30, 2009

501.

Today I realized that I have 501 friends on Facebook. I have been looking forward to the day that I had 500 facebook friends for almost three years now. Wow. I must be popular. Or are some of those 'pity friends'? Nah, I am just popular. 500 is just a GREAT number. Think about it. 500 dollars. 500 pairs of shoes (maybe just me). Here is a list of things that I would 500 of:

chapstick tubes. (I always lose those!)
pillows.
books.
movies.
bagels. (Not all at once, mind you; the mold potential is horrifying.)
post-it notes.
framed pictures.
pairs of nylons.
flowers.
Christmas lights.
facebook friends.

Thank you for being my friend, whether it be in the flesh or via technology. One of my items has been checked off the list. Today, as I was counting my blessings, naming them one by one :), many faces flashed before my eyes as I was thinking of the goodness of the Lord. Really, I can now say that facebook has given me five hundred and one blessings. And really really, I can say that my friends have given me countless blessings.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Oh it is Wonderful to Me.

I love the holidays. I feel that it is very appropriate that 1/6 of my year (yes, my holiday season starts November 1st) is spent dwelling upon all of the things that bring Christmas cheer. Oh and Thanksgiving merriment as well. There are just so many wonderful things that are unique to the months turning into winter. In the spirit of my beloved holidays, I would so dearly love to mention some of the things I am thankful for.



Cleopatra Voldemort Smith
My darling Cleo - facebook friend, loyal companion and trusted family cat since 1999. The most hateful creature I have ever had the pleasure to meet, I am absolutely crazy about this fuzzy wuzzy beebo. Cleo bites everyone, growls when you get near her, and steps in your peanut butter frosting while your cookies are cooling down. She hisses at nice people and sits on your clean piles of laundry. She never purrs, showing signs of contentment is less enjoyable than showing sings of contempt. Her fur is so soft, but that doesn't mean that anyone is allowed to touch it. Cleo loves to eat plastic ribbons, and shiny gifts are often unwelcome because she will eat them. I am thankful for Cleo because she bites me less than she would bite you. She doesn't hiss at me until I have held her for 30 seconds. She sits on my laundry true enough, but she is so cute I am still thankful for her. For the 10 years of antics and tail swats, thank you Cleo for being my only family member who hasn't gotten married and left me.

Disinfectant
Dear Clorox and Lysol, I don't know how to choose between you. But know this, I am thankful for clean, streak free surfaces that you both provide. I am thankful for the lemony fresh atmosphere, and most of all I am thankful for the knowledge that raw meat germs will not get me.

Neil Diamond
I am listening to the radio right now, and Neil Diamond is singing a nice Christmas song. You have brought so much to us. Neil, if I wasn't already in America, I would come because of your song. Thank you for your spunk. It isn't everyday that you see a 60 year old man with a diamond stud earring. Unless you are Harrison Ford. I am thankful for him too.


My roommates
You make me cry. You make me laugh. You make me want to come home to our apartment everyday. And you let me make you guys sit on a couch to take a Christmas picture. That is how I know you care about me. I am thankful for Laiken, Heidi and Johannah because they teach me. They teach me love, they teach me patience and they teach me how to better serve others. I am thankful that I don't live alone. Thank you for taking that nice picture with me.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Five things and potential Bronchitis

I read this on a blog and thought it was simply fabulous. And I'm bored. Here are some nice lists about 5 things that I was so glad to write about. Especially the one about things I don't like. Awesome, I love listing things I hate.

Five Things I Don't Leave the House Without:
1. Keys
2. Backpack
3. Shoes
4. A Water bottle
5. Cell Phone!

Five Cartoons I Watched When I Was Younger:
1. Hey Arnold
2. Doug
3. Spongebob Squarepants (who am I kidding? I still watch)
4. Old Mickey Mouse and friends stuff
5. Recess, man that was a good one.

Five Things That Terrify Me:
1. SNAKES, like this should encompass all 5 spaces
2. My family being hurt
3. Haunted Houses/ creepy horror movies
4. Failure
5. Having nobody that needs me.

Five Things I Hate/Dislike That Everyone Else Seems To Like:
1. The Office
2. The Lord of the Rings Movies
3. Really furry Boots
4. Egg Nog
5. Miley Cyrus

Five Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Have kids
2. Go on a vacation simply to ride extreme roller coasters.
3. Make a quilt all by myself
4. Be in front of 500 people and not be nervous.
5. Write a wildly popular book.

As to the other item of discussion, I have a cold. This isn't like last time I had a cold where I was a spewing pussball for ten days. No, this is the kind where I can't breathe and I cough pathetically and I sound like a man. Yup, I think I'm going to have bronchitis. Bleh. Wasn't I just sick?!

On a happier note, Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Hurrah for Israel! School is good. I'm going to live and I'm going to have pie. It's all good in the hood:)

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do.

In the past week or so, I have found myself in a more urgent need to seek a greater amount of spiritual fulfillment. Ta-dah! I went to Stake Conference today. When you ask for good things, truly Heavenly Father answers our prayers.
I would like to share with you some of the notes I took at the meeting, particularly from a talk given by President Dishman. A member of the stake presidency, he was released today and gave an excellent talk about spiritual maturity. He gave ten attributes to better achieve spiritual maturity, and pointed out that the more childlike attributes we attain, the more progress we can witness.
1) innocence
2) humility
3) simplicity
4) faith
5) love
6) wisdom
7) leadership
8) accountability
9) dependability
10) self-mastery
President Dishman continued to teach that the benefits of fully learning and living these attributes will bring about these blessings:
1) Your faith will strengthen
2) You will see beyond your desires.
3) You will learn to better represent Christ.

I was so thankful to hear that talk! What a powerful witness to the divine calling that leaders have to teach and be in touch with the members of their stakes. I was so glad, and am so glad that I have infinite opportunities to sit at the feet of leaders who can teach me so eloquently.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Would you like to hear about my day?

My day started at 5 am today. I am really tired, but not the type of tired that makes you want to go to bed early. No, it is the kind of tired that makes you want to complain so much that you blog about it. Know what I'm saying? (insert stifled yawn)
What else do I have to tell? My hair is straight. 9 times out of 10 I prefer to have my hair straight. That is what made today a good day.
Yesterday, I told my roommates to squish on the couch with me. They did. I love it when people submit to my will. I suppose that is one of my gifts in life. One time I told my friends in high school to lay on the ground and pretend to sizzle like bacon in a pan in the hot sunshine. They did! And then they realized what they were doing and abruptly stopped. (sigh) Nonetheless, it is a gift that I have. Now my secret is out and none of you will ever do any of the ridiculous things I demand in the future. Tartar Sauce.
My apartment is out of light bulbs. I have now replaced 8 light bulbs in the past three weeks. What is that? If my light bulbs had a warranty, it just ran out. :( My life is not about frowny faces, so I can move on. the unseasonably warm weather has been great the past week or so. Sunshine, the fanciful foliage, and the capability to wear inappropriate shoes for typical November weather. It has been so nice.
OH! the biggest news is that Taci won a pie when she was shopping at Smith's last Saturday. It was customer appreciation day and she got to spin a wheel. A wheel of prizes. She could have won dip, or bread, but she won a pie! The golden cow of all prizes on customer appreciation day. Her pie is redeemable by coupon, but she still hasn't decided if she wants a fruit or pumpkin pie yet. That is a big decision to make. I am so very happy for her, and I wanted to make it known that I celebrate her grocery successes. Congratulations Taci!!
I just found out that I am going to live with of my very favorite people over spring summer and fall next year. I am talking about Kimberly Ann Holm. I am so so so excited. She is so pleasant. :) See Kim? you put a smiley back into my day. Yeah!
I bought an egg salad sandwich yesterday and some guy told me that I had made a bold choice. It is not a fruit or pumpkin conundrum but still, I am glad that some random guy appreciates my spunk when it comes to sandwiches.
Some people write blogs of meaning. I write about sandwiches and hair. Thanks for listening to my day.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Family. Isn't it about time?

In my blog of uber cheesiness mixed with all of the bitter sarcasm I posses, I have thusly decided that today's blog post should discuss the people near and dear to my heart. My siblings. Now, as am I basking in reminiscence I feel it is appropriate to start out with a photo. All good blogs come with photos.
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This picture was taken the day of Taylor's wedding.

Taylor
My darling brother is so smart! and kind, and cultured, and eclectic, and talented, and married to the sweetest gal ever. Brooke is perfect for him. Currently in a masters program of history, it is easy to recall the times he would talk about Napoleon during a car ride. He has always been a teacher, especially through his example. What else about Taylor? He loves classical music, listens to the BBC and played the bagpipes. It is because of Taylor that I love opera, follow election results and have an unexplained affection towards plaid. He has excellent wit, and oft times comes up with incredibly clever puns. We both love to cook and one time made blueberry muffins from scratch and then tried homemade tortellini! We are amazing. Funny Taylor moment: When he went to give the closing prayer in sacrament meeting without his shoes on. Our absent minded professor:)

Taci
Taci is a hoot. There really isn't another word for her. Maybe you could say she is a delight, but only on Sundays. Taci is also smart, loves to cook, has excellent taste, and is the most creative person I know. Much of my life has been about trying to do what Taci has done. She sings, draws, writes calligraphy, and of course is musical in every way. Married to a man named Jake (who I insist calling Paco for no apparent reason), they care about everyone around them, and show a consistent example of charity. My favorite memory of Taci doesn't really exist, there are too many. One time she did say "A five foot extension cord for 99 cents?! do you know how far you could go with that?" upon which I said, "yeah Taci, 5 feet." Hee hee, ten years later that is still hilarious.

Both of my siblings have been married in the Jordan River Temple, and have wonderful eternal companions. I am so thankful for their love and their willingness to do right everyday. I am so glad that you are mine!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Leaves are falling on my head.

Halloween costumes. Squash soup. Leaves falling on my head. Autumn is here! I love this time of year, and until Easter, there is now always a holiday to look forward to:) Halloween was an excellent kick off, I saw the coolest guy on BYU campus in a FULL OUT YOSHI COSTUME. So cool.

On Friday night, we had a 45 minute ward party (the best kind) and my roommates and I dressed up for the chili cookoff extravaganza. Heidi was The Nanny, Johannah was the prettiest Southern Belle you've ever seen, and I was just tasty lookin. (Laiken had to work, so she took the picture, but I assure you, she was lovely too!)

Tonight I made squash soup! I have been on a quest for a year now to find the perfect recipe. Luckily, I have a great friend named Suzanne who shared her knowledge with me! I had to buy a pumpkin from a floral shop because the BYU creamery didn't have any squash! Crazy? yes. But it was yummy and my roommates even pretended to like it:)

If you would like to have a friend named Suzanne, or would like the soup recipe, comment below!

Now, I am looking forward to more and more midterms and some awesome cooler weather. Hooray for Thanksgiving break, so close I can almost taste it...