My sister, Casey, lives about 35 minutes from me on the other side of the Oquirrh Mountains. We live in two different valleys both affected by the lake effect snow of the Great Salt Lake. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, I might get dumped with inches of snow while she gets nothing or very little. Or vice versa. Yesterday, she posted what her April 29th looked like. Although I was experiencing the same cold weather, she got the bits of snow, and I did not. However, I wasn't so lucky this morning. This is what my April 30th looks like.
One of the places I like to go to relax is the library. I could stay there for hours. My first visit to the Salt Lake Public Library took my breath away. The architecture of the building turned an already delightful place into something enchanting and awe-inspiring. They have a gardens area on the roof as well where you can take library materials outside to read. I wish I could go more often, alas, I do not go into town that often. Fortunately, my school's library is right next to my classroom and my classroom library is pouring off the two tall book shelves.
In the mood to relax? Find out what other women all over the world do to find their Zen over at Communal Global.
Monday, April 26, 2010
When my sister built a house in a new neighborhood, there was nothing but adventure around us. At the tail end of a party at her place, the remaining guests, myself included, went on a walk to discover what was past her neck of the woods. About a mile or so later, we reached the park designed specifically for her neighborhood. Little did we know that it would contain the most delightsome experience.
Riding "The Green Dinosaur" is now a St. George tradition. Any time I go home, especially when I bring friends home with me, we ride The Green Dinosaur.
This trip, The Green Dinosaur was so fierce, it immediately bucked my friend, Rachael, and I right off, hence the wood chips on my back.
Today, like most days, I played four square at recess.
Unlike most days, today we used a slightly-flat, old soccer ball. We had to hit it higher to make it fair. But that turned it into a game in and of itself. We played slow-motion four-square.
"I just like [recess]. [Recess]'s my favorite."
"Make work your favorite. That's your favorite, okay? Work is your new favorite."
Thank goodness recess is part of work.
If you want to find out what other women from all over the world did today,
I don't mean to misrepresent Iowa with this photo.
Christine tells us all the time that Iowa is more than farming.
She grew up in the city.
I went on an extended weekend trip to Iowa with my friend (and coworker...that's how we met), Christine. She's from Cedar Rapids. Her friend, Carla, was getting married.
We took two days off work, and started driving Thursday night. She didn't think we'd drive straight through. She and her twin sister were both surprised when we got to a suburb of Des Moines in the earlier afternoon on Friday.
It is definitely spring in Iowa. Everything was in bloom. It was absolutely gorgeous! I would like to celebrate every spring from now on in Iowa.
Christine's sisters and friends were a delight to meet. I had a ton of fun at the wedding.
After the wedding, we headed to a karaoke bar at my suggestion. We sang a few songs. (Which means I have now karaoked in 6 United States.) While I was singing, a boy came over and asked Christine if I was single. She tried to lie and say no, but he could tell she was lying. She told him that I'd be going home to Utah the next day, so it probably wouldn't be worth his time.
I loved the windmills. I loved shopping at the country store in Amish country. The food was great. The people were sure nice. I'd go again.
This morning, the air was clear and fresh and the world was new, so I headed out for a walk.
I only took a few steps at a time, because there were ever so many worms to save!
These are just a few of my new friends that I could tell weren't ready to dry out and die.
At least not yet.
I'll be digging these friends back up soon, because I have a good feeling they'll bait me some beautiful fish.
This post is inspired by Communal Global. Do you want to see what the world looks like to other people? Check out the site and see daily pictures from amazing women all over the world.
My sister, Casey, lived with me over the summer. Neither of us had jobs, so we watched/streamed quite a bit of tv and movies. She would often quote 30 Rock or tell me about an episode. I've always liked Tina Fey, but she took a special place in my heart during her political days. But when I watched a couple episodes of 30 Rock when it first hit the air, I wasn't hooked. I wasn't impressed. But I was also a lot less funny then.
Fortunately, I found myself with a little time one day and started watching again. Now 30 Rock is a weekly treat.
Watch this episode.
Time out. I have a feeling you didn't really watch it.
Fine. At least skip to 11:06. (If I knew how to deeplink Hulu, I would.)
"The Universe wants us to settle for one another. There has to be a reason this keeps happening to us, Liz. I think that fate is telling us this is the best we're ever going to get. We're each other's settling soul mates."
"Settling soul mates? That is grim. And I've played Monopoly alone."
"Well, I know it's not ideal. But we both benefit. I could open jars and kill bugs for you, and you could make me look less gay at work functions."
"...Why fight this? Grow old with me, Liz? In separate bedrooms."
I found my settling soul mate not too long ago.
I have made a lot of awesome friends in Tooele. Two of my favorite friends are a couple of guys who are roommates. I spend a lot of time at their house. Since I live alone and don't have family here, I've made them my family. It's the place I go when I want to be with people without having to entertain or be entertained. Nothing is required. We just chill. I like that arrangement.
On my drive back to Tooele after Christmas break, I got a few texts in a row from one of these boys. It started out with "I know you like me." I immediately responded with "You know I like ____." (Explicitness only occurs in my journal and not on a public blog.) And he did know. I've talked to him about it before.
He didn't stop. He kept telling me how much I liked him (yes, you read that correctly) and suggested we start dating. His rationale? "We get along just fine, and you don't let me walk all over you."
We get along just fine.
Yeah. That's exactly the relationship I'm looking for.
Never once did he tell me he liked me, or that he liked spending time with me, or that I made him laugh, or that I made him want to be a better person, or that he missed me while I was gone.
Nope. None of that.
I guess if I let my loneliness control my life, then we'd be growing old in separate bedrooms by now.
I drove home Sunday night with hopes of spending time with my niece during spring break. So far, it has been time well spent.
I met Emma on Sunday night and never want to leave.
I knew from the pictures that she was small, but I didn't realize that she was so tiny! She felt so fragile in my arms. Maybe fragile isn't the right word, because she is very strong like her father. I was intimidated, because she was so delicate.
I was fortunate enough to spend the entire day with her on Monday. I got to accompany my brother at the doctor's office for her two-week checkup. It was fun to watch my brother show her off to a few friends of his that worked at the hospital. His buddy's wife was holding her, doting on her remarkable beauty, when she looked up at my brother and said, "Wipe that grin off your face!" He can't help it. He is so proud of her and loves her so much.
My brother is the most adorable father ever! That morning when I was at his house watching Emma while he got ready, he walked into the room and remarked how beautiful she was. He said, "I've seen her a million times, but she still takes my breath away."
After Emma's appointment, we headed back to our parents' house. I changed and fed Emma and let her sleep in my arms for hours. I had no desire to do anything or be anywhere else.
I was glad when Emma pooped on the car ride home, because that meant I got to spend more time with her. I carried her into Will's house, changed her, and started feeding her. The hour that it took her to eat was my favorite hour of the day. By this time, I was no longer nervous to hold her tiny body and the time spent together was so peaceful and perfect.
I love Emma and can't wait to see her again today!
I can hardly contain my joy! I am so happy you are here in this world and that I get to be a part of your life.
You are born to such a wonderful father. Your father, my brother, is one of the most loving, gentle, and dearest people in the world. He is the best older brother a girl could've ever asked for. He cared for me. He guided me. He protected me. He taught me so many wonderful things. He has been there for me when no one else has. He has blessed my life in more ways than I could ever express.
Now it is your turn to experience the greatness that he has within him. He will love you and cherish you all your days. He already does. He will teach you the things you need to know. He will guide you through life's journey. He will give of himself freely. You already hold a special place in his heart. You will get to know the tenderness that is his heart. He will love you with the deepest and most sincere love.
Although I haven't met you yet, I love you, Emma. I, too, will teach you, guide you, and cherish you. I will be there for you like my brother has been there for me. I will do as he taught me; I will protect you.
I cannot wait to hold you, my precious niece. I will shower you with all the love I have.
I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing you with health and strength. You are so beautiful. I am so blessed to have you in my life.
I've recently started volunteering at the Family File desk at the Salt Lake Temple which has led to an immersion in Family History.
When my mom propositioned going to Florida again for Christmas, I only agreed if I could get more information from my grandfather in Mississippi about his family. Many generations are assembled on both sides of my father's family and on my maternal grandmother's maternal side, but I didn't have much information about my maternal grandfather's family.
I had no idea the gold mine that was available to me. My grandfather took me to a small cemetery near his home where a few generations of his family was buried. I took 93 pictures of headstones. I spent the last couple days inputting information and linking my family together on new.familysearch.org. (I even input information for a family that isn't even related to me...at least that I haven't found yet...and provided the missing link needed to populate several generations. It was so exciting to serve someone I didn't even know!)
It has been a fascinating adventure.
However, as I listened to my grandfather, I realized that he had spent almost his entire life in the same area. He served in the army which took him out of Mississippi and he spent a little time in a couple towns near his hometown, but he had lived there his entire life. His parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents had also lived there their whole lives.
When I looked back at the family history that was already there for me on my father's side and my maternal grandmother's maternal side, these families were also born and raised in the same places their entire lives and for generations.
All of these families lived down South--Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina--which makes me wonder why I live in the West. I don't have any roots here.
Identifying this family history should make me feel more connected. Instead it has made me feel homeless. I don't know where my home is. I know where my parents live. I know where I graduated high school. I know where I started kindergarten. I know where I went to my first dance. I know where I learned to walk. All of these places are different. I don't know where to call home.
As the cheesey cliche goes, home is where the heart is. I believe that. Every place I've lived has been my home. Right now Tooele is my home. I have friends who treat me like family. I have people who care about me and treat me right. Tooele feels like home. However, I could easily leave after this school year in search of a new home.
I must be experiencing a might change of heart. It's snowing right now. I opened the blinds so that I could enjoy it. I can barely see the field across the street from my school, but I'm loving it. It is so peaceful. I even considered walking outside to let the flakes fall on my face. Alas, I must stay inside so that I don't lose my job. Speaking of work...
I've noticed that blogging seems to be a thing of the past. Very few of my friends post on a regular basis. Even the national blogs I follow don't update as frequently in my Google Reader. I know it's lost its charm in my life. I have turned to instant feedback in the form of facebook status updates. I can use one status update to fulfill my creative need. I can be clever in just a few words. And thanks to texting, I've learned to sum up my life in 160 characters or less.
I no longer have the desire to take 10-15 minutes to tap out a story or two on the ol' blog. I feel like Doogie Howser. I use short and insightful status updates to record my life.
