Year of the Snake

Can this even be right? A little while ago I had lunch with some peeps at the Mongolian BBQ. I noticed on my place mat the Chinese zodiac I further noticed that I was born in the year of the snake.....really? I just don't see myself as a snake. Click here for wikipedia's definition which is a bit more detailed but here is the over all rundown:

People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster.


Normally when you read your regular horoscope you see a glimmer in there, I mean the only thing right on in this assessment is the ridiculously good looking part ;)

Ok but seriously, Is this me? For the rest of you click here to find your Zodiac sign.

Rock Band

I played this for the first time this weekend and it was so much fun. There were also skittles involved (thanks Brian!) which just upped the fun factor, for me at least.

I was decent at bass, ok on vocals, lame at guitar and decent with the drums. Although I must say that drums were my absolute favorite. We had a fun group that let down their inhibitions and all took turns with all the different elements. It really was a blast. I hope I won't have to wait too long until I can play this game again. It's very clear why it is so addicting!

Cibola

I'm in! I plan on joining the adventure and just bought my plane ticket today. Can't wait!

The Thrill of Whitney

I'm clearly feeling the old school today. Maybe it was Kristen's post about MC that put me in the mood but I have been listening to the sound track from The Bodyguard and it's been bringing my heart a large amount of 90's glee.

I mean original power ballads like,

"I Have Nothing"
&
"Run to You"

Not to mention the Dolly remake of "I Will Always Love You".

Songs and singers like this make me grateful I have ears. Just saying.

R.O.C. -Remembering our Culture

My good friend Julie's Brother and Sister-in-law run a multicultural group know as R.O.C. They put on 2 performances a year and they are fantastic. It's so fun to see all the diversity we have here in Utah County.

It's especially fun because her nieces are in the group and are so talented. They showcase 5 different cultures; African, Asian, Latino, Native American, Polynesian. Here are a few photos I snapped of the dances from last night. Sorry that they are dark, but I'm sure you can still see the fun!

The Polynesians doing their thing

Chinese Fan Dance

Native American Hoop Dance

Julie and her family are part of the Iroquoi nation in upstate NY. That's her Niece on the far right.

Lessons learned from Apollo 13

This weekend I was flipping through channels on the T.V. I chanced upon Apollo 13 and ended up crying my way through the entire program. I learned some really spiritual lessons from this little gem of a show and I’m going to share some of those here on my blog.

Obviously you all have either seen this movie or at least understand the premise but there were a few things that really struck me. I found so much of the Lord’s hand in what happened to Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, Jack Swigert and even Ken Mattingly who had to be left behind. I felt to draw some parallels to my own life.

These men all of them worked for years to accomplish their dream of flying into space, which all had accomplished at the point of this mission. In addition to that they wanted to walk on the moon. They prepared and worked tirelessly before it was their turn to attempt this mission. They wanted nothing more in life than this.

There are blessings and desires that I have for my life that I want as much as Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks character) and crew wanted to walk on the moon. The first thing that struck me was that these men were prepared. They thought that they were prepared to accomplish a successful mission, and they were, but as much as they prepared for success, that preparation allowed them to weather disaster.

How often do I find that the preparations I have made for the goal or blessing I want ends up allowing me to weather the storms, or some might even say disasters that inevitably come before the realization of the blessing. In fact overcoming makes me stronger for the next mission which pattern will ultimately lead to gaining the righteous desires of my heart or successful completion of my “mission” in this life.

Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise’s character) is an original member of the team. He had been training with the team for years but days before they are to leave for this mission his dream is taken away since he has been exposed to measles and therefore can not go with his team. He’s upset and angry at these turn of events and we witness a little bit of the bitterness he feels at how this dream is turning out for him.

Why is this significant? Who reading this has not felt bitterness at a dream unrealized? In fact who hasn’t felt a little bitterness at just a strong want unrealized? Why is it so hard to trust God in all things? He has a plan for us, always……always.

Of course it turns out that the explosion on the shuttle leaves those in space with limited power to get home and procedures are needed to use what little power they have to power up so they can make it safely home. Who else but Mattingly would have such an intimate an extensive knowledge of the space craft and could have successfully created procedures. You could argue that the three stranded men would never have made it home without Mattingly on the ground to make it happen. God knew, just like he knows in my life what is needed? Why do I fail to trust? Out of all of the Astronauts that were supposed to go on the mission and did go on the mission only Mattingly ended up walking on the moon. While God needed his dream to be suspended for a time to help others he allowed it ultimately to be fulfilled. This just felt so significant to me.

At the end of the movie they go on to say that there were thousands of people working to get 3 home. These men were able to accomplish things by using the power of the collective that the men in space could never have done for themselves. Without the support team encouraging them, helping to solve problems behind the scenes and working together it’s a given that the 3 in space would have perished. What a testimony of how God always cares about the one. He has a great work to accomplish for all men but he never loses sight of the needs of each individual.

None of us can get home or accomplish our mission alone. There is always a huge cast of characters in each of our lives cheering us on and helping us along the way. Going back to Apollo 13, I think specifically of how Co2 levels were too high in the space craft. If these levels would have gone over safe levels the astronauts would have suffered from disorientation, loss of critical thinking and ultimately a slow form of brain damage. There chances of getting home would be significantly diminished. What was required if you will remember was to make a square filter fit into a round filters hole. The right people were there at the right time, with the right gifts and skills to figure out how in fact to fit a square peg into a round hole.

God knows what is needed in my life to bring me home as it were. He knows that I am going to have problems, trials and just flat out am going to need rescued. He will place the people and things in place for me and of course all of us to help us get back home.

I thought immediately about all the supporting cast of characters I have in my own life. My beloved family both immediate and extended along with amazing friends, those at church and in my neighborhood, parents of friends I grew up with and co-workers and how frequently there love, support, experiences and spiritual insights help me to fit the square pegs into the round holes of my life. How often their counsel and experiences keep me from getting disoriented and losing my direction. I know that they will all help me to get home.

I still have promised blessings and righteous desires for this life that have left to be realized. But I know that if I trust in God and keep moving forward trying to be as prepared as I can that he will put into place everything that is needed and they will be accomplished. I also know as surely as he brought 3 astronauts safely home from space, he has provided everything that I need so that I will arrive safely home to him when this life is over. For this I am truly grateful

Did I Mention.....

I bought this album and it's amazing! Check this out for a review of a conversation Stephanie and I had about her awhile ago.

I'm just this good

83 words

Speed test

When April Fool's Goes Horribly Awry

Yesterday as you know was April Fool's Day. I'm sure many a joke was perpetrated to great effect. However there was one turn of events, thought to be a joke that was not all that funny.

I have been interviewing with a company in SLC for an Accounts Payable position. I met with the manager of the department on Friday and was called back for a second interview yesterday. I told me current employer that I would be taking an extra long lunch as I had an appointment in SLC. I headed up and met with the Controller and CFO. The interview went well and I was asked if they could contact my current employer. I asked them to wait until the following day because I hadn't filled my current employer in on my interviews. They said they would wait to contact.

I arrived back at work and got engrossed in what I was doing, around 4 ish I hear someone buzz my boss and tell him that Trish with -the company I interviewed with- was on the phone and could he take the call. He did and his side of the conversation sounded like this....." yep, uh huh, excellent....hmmm, sure!"

When he got off the phone and came over to my desk I said, "I was going to talk to you about this today. They were not supposed to call you until tomorrow." He said to me, "your friend didn't do a very good job of keeping the joke up, by the end she was laughing, good April Fool's joke but I'm not falling for it."

Ummm......Como?!?!? NOT and April Fool's joke (although mental note to self to keep that in the bank for future). It took me a full 5 minutes to convince him that in fact I had been interviewing with the company and that it was not a joke.

So good times and some not good times. Unintentionally one of the best April Fool's laughs I've had in a long time.

Some Pics From Easter Weekend

The "Big" Kids Living It Up

Canyon and her Balloon.....she wouldn't put the thing down.

Easter races

Look Mom, I found one!

Party People

Canyon, balloon hunting

Who loves Easter?

I'm Back

I had the most marvelous time visiting with the Mayberry clan. I arrived back home last night (thanks Lex for the pick up) and can I just say this daylight savings thing is kicking my butt. Is it just me or is it so much earlier this year?

I did manage to get in two runs whilst down in the AZ, a fact of which I'm quite proud. The first run on Thursday involved Lacy running with Deacon and myself pushing Peeps in the jogging stroller. There were a few hills (which I currently avoid at all costs) and I was a bit winded. Turns out pushing a good 40 extra pounds while running is hard. Hat's right off to Lacy who does this on a regular basis.

Next run was on Saturday. I went around 5 ish, as I watched Penelope while Lacy ran her 8 miles and Dave was doing some homework. As I was getting ready to run I noticed a forlorn Deacon (their dog). I asked if he was going to get a walk that day and was told that he probably wasn't. So I asked if I should take him with me on my run.

Lacy talked me into it but did issue a warning, "He does pull a little."

Turns out that little was a bit of an understatement, and I got quite the arm workout in addition to shaving about 10 minutes off my run. Apparently as I left Dave told Lacy, "she's going to be mad when she comes back"

I wasn't mad, but let's just say I'll think twice before taking Deacon on another run anytime soon.

So now I'm home and back to work and experiencing a bit of the back to work blah's. Oh and random P.S. I have some cute pictures to share but left my camera cord in AZ.

So sister can you help a sister out and send them to me? It would be greatly appreciated!

Reasons I'm loving Peep

I woke up to this yesterday morning,


She is the progeny of this woman,


She loves the word, "Doot" and uses it in sentences all the time,

She thinks that anything that moves can be used as a walker,


She fake laughs when Lacy and I are laughing because she wants to be "in" on the jokes,

and finally, because I just can't help myself. Happy 1st Birthday 'Nella Bean! I love you!

Tubing at Soldier Hollow

I haven't been up to Soldier Hollow in years. I went up last night with some people from my new ward and although there were only three of us we had a ball. The weather was perfect (at least for winter) I didn't feel too cold and as it was a very clear night when towed up to the top I could enjoy the very fantastic view. I would heartily suggest that you all hie yourself to the mountain ASAP. There is much fun to be found there.

Here are a few photos of the fun night-

Happy to Be Tubing (even though my coat is clearly skewampus)

Flying Down the Slope

Getting a Tow

Ryan and Lindsay Among the Tubes

Lindsay and Carol Goofing Off

Weekend

I had the most delightful weekend. I got out early in the morning and went for a run. The weather was beautiful which only made me more anxious for spring and summer. I can't wait for the warm weather to be here permanently.

I had the privilege of attending baby J's first birthday party. His mom did a perfectly delightful job of the planning. It was a Yankees theme and little baby J looked adorable! Here is a fun pic of the Momma and Baby.

His parents made the most delicious Chowder and Broccoli Cheese soups complete with bread bowls. It was good eats and good company.

Here are some pics of the party guests living it up.


After this fun party I went to a baby shower for my cousin Whitney who is due to have her baby at any moment. I didn't snap any photos at that party but it was none the less a good time as well.

Top Night Ladies, Top Night!

Hat's right off to Kathleen, Devry and Dana for throwing an amazing shower. What a fun time! The theme was pink and we all wore some pink and ate a lot of pink food.

Here is a pic of all the delicious eats before we decimated them. It was all so delicious.

Here is one of the Pink ladies anticipating the delights to come.

Three cousins who can't wait to meet Cate.I obviously had to snap a photo with the beautiful mother to be.

Party Time

I got to go to a fun party last night. It was in honor of my good friends little boy. Baby T turns one this month but we decided to celebrate a little early since his grandparents were in town from New York.

Here are some highlights of the evening!

This is a shot of the cake Julie made, it was incredible.



Here's Mom helping J eat his personal Birthday Cake. He wasn't so sure about it, but mom convinced him it was delicious :)


The Borg's also made a guest appearance at the party. Jodie is not pictured but aren't her two guys fabulous. I can't wait to meet H's little bro due in just over a month!

Soon.....

I booked a flight to head down to Sierra Vista to be there for Peeps first Birthday. Lucky Me I'll soon behold the cuteness in person.

Be My Valentine

My valentine is the most adorable ever. He may not be very tall (under 3 ft). He may be a little unsteady on his feet (just started walking) but he already has a way with the ladies. This may be because like any good guy he gets advice on how to make Valentines Day special from another special lady, his Mom.

I got to spend time with this great little guy while his parents went out to a movie last night. He definitely hit all the Valentine's Day bases. Candy, Flower, Card, Gift. I thought the Mr. Potato Head was an especially nice touch. I tell you what, he my have spoiled me for future Valentine's. My next one has a lot to live up to :)

Thanks Taufer family. I love you guys!

Vertigo

I woke up suffering from this ailment, not so much a delight. Everything is spinning and I just feel nauseous. I made an error in judgment by thinking it would pass and driving myself to work. I now can make an educated guess as to how it must feel to drive drunk.

Let's just say I was most definitely a danger to myself and others. After suffering through a nearly intolerable feeling that if I moved my head in the slightest degree I would throw up, I finally made an appt with my doctor.

Turns out there is nothing they can do about vertigo....um, thanks doc. Can I have my 15 dollars back?

He did give me some anti nausea, dizziness pills and told me that is should last about a week and then after that I will probably be lightheaded for another month.

Sweet!! When asked if it will be worse in the morning I was informed that it will get worse and better whenever it so chooses. There will be no rhyme nor reason. So the good news just kept on coming from the doctor.

After taking a pill I did feel better for a bit but now it's clearly starting to wear off and I'm wondering to myself, how on earth I'm going to manage to drive myself home from work.

So pray for me....seriously pray and should you see a white Hyundai on the road get over in the other lane or better yet exit the freeway all together. Believe me it is best for your personal health and safety.

Service

I had an opportunity on Saturday to attend the Worldwide leadership training. Afterwards a group of people from my former ward went down to the Food & Care coalition to serve lunch. I was struck once again by how serving others just fills up your heart. I felt such a deep gratitude for the many blessing that I enjoy. Health (both mental and physical), a wonderful job that allows me to support myself with both food and a place to live, and the gospel which gives meaning and purpose to all that I do.

It was a joy to spend a few hours serving others and I'm glad for the remembrance of blessings this experience brought to my heart.