Showing posts with label growing up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growing up. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Amazing what a month can do
I'm continually amazed at how quickly a child can change. When we brought Walt home from the hospital he was 6 lbs. 15 oz. Just 6 weeks later he is a whopping 12 lbs. He's gained just about 1 lb. per week!! He looks different every day. Most of his weight has gone to his face and belly, but his legs and arms are just now starting to chub up a bit. He still has his really blond hair, though I swear it has a little red in it when we're in natural light.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
My time as a vegetarian
I haven't felt much inspired to post recently. Spring/summer fever perhaps?
For the sake of getting a new post up, I thought I'd answer a request posed a couple months back in a comment.
What is the story behind my vegetarian years?
Well, when I was about 7 years old I made the solid connection that the chickens running around in Annie Frost's coop were the same thing as the chicken on my dinner plate, I pretty much was grossed out big time. I'm sure I knew that meat came from animals, but I'd never really thought about what that meant exactly.
It wasn't an animal rights issue. I wasn't worried about the poor beasts being slain for my consumption. It was the thought that I was eating the muscles of something that really got to me. *shudder* It still grosses me out a bit. That's why I still have an incredibly hard time eating meat off of bones.
I guess I couldn't be called a true vegetarian because I would eat meals with meat (like lasagna or something), but I'd pick the meat out. I never, ever expected my mom to make me something special. It just didn't work like that at my house. I'd also use chicken or beef broth to reconstitute my TVP meat substitute or eat regular soups but pick out the meat. I'd very occasionally eat thin meats like bacon or lunch meats. Those were easier to forget that they were animal flesh.
My family ate roast and potatoes (and lots of other stuff) every Sunday growing up. My little brother loved to torment me. "Ooooohhhh. Yuuuuum. This cow is de-li-cious!" and then he'd take a big bite of the roast. I think I was supposed to eat a bite of it because I remember often having one or two tiny shreds on my plate, but it wasn't strictly enforced or anything.
What did I eat?
In the way of protein, I ate lots and lots of cheese and beans, peanut butter, eggs, and meat substitutes (though this was more later high school and college). I liked pasta well enough, but it wasn't a main staple for me. I ate lots of salads or wraps with eggs and meat substitutes. Honestly, for lunches I often ate meal replacement things from whatever MLM my parents were in at the time. In Jr. High I had an Amway food bar every day for lunch. In high school I came home for lunch, so I often had quesadillas, burritos, or nachos always accompanied by salad made by my mom. In college I had Nutrition for Life SlenderAge shakes and bars for 1-2 meals a day for sake of ease and time. Now I drink Isagenix shakes maybe every other day for a lunch. The SlenderAge probably tasted the best, but I feel the best after Isagenix.
Why did I start eating meat again?
Well, I started dating Matt my freshman year of college. He asked why I didn't eat meat. When I said I didn't because I didn't like the texture or taste, he asked how long it'd been since I'd really eaten it. When I said about 10 years, he said I ought to try it again and if I didn't like it I could continue not eating it. Sure, that made enough sense. I didn't really try to eat it until he left on his mission and I left for China. I was in a situation where I couldn't be as choosy about my meals, so I'd try some meat here and there. It was fun to write Matt and tell him I'd tried different meats. I started very, very slowly with small amounts and worked my way up to eating a full chicken breast at a meal after a couple years. I still wouldn't touch or prepare meat when we were married three years after we met, though. I only started touching raw meat after I became the cook at a residential treatment center called New Haven in UT in 2004. I cooked for 25-35 people 5 days a week for 2 years. Couldn't avoid using meat in that situation. So, I've gotten pretty good at cooking and eating a variety of meats.
Do I like meat now?
It is nice to have more variety in my meals, but I did not grow to like the taste (or texture) of meat very much. I will eat most meats, though steak and other thick slabs or anything with bones still grosses me out and I avoid them. Ground beef and chicken are probably my most used meats since they're so versatile. I actually still hate the taste of all meats (except salty cured meats like ham and bacon) and won't eat them unless they're well seasoned or marinated and have no "meat flavor" left. I still only eat a very small slice of turkey on Thanksgiving. I don't like roasts unless they're crockpot cooked and shredded. I've tried to work fish into my diet as well, mainly for variety (neither of us like seafood much). The only fishes I will actually use regularly are halibut and tilapia since they're so mild.
If I'd married a vegetarian I am positive I'd have continued with it with no problems or regrets. We still eat "meatless" dinners a couple times a week. I'm very lucky that Matt's not one who needs meat every night. The last couple months I've not really wanted meat, but I force myself to use it occasionally for Matt's sake and so I don't become anemic while pregnant.
That's the long answer. Good job if you actually read the whole thing! Questions? Comments? Concerns? ;oD
For the sake of getting a new post up, I thought I'd answer a request posed a couple months back in a comment.
What is the story behind my vegetarian years?
Well, when I was about 7 years old I made the solid connection that the chickens running around in Annie Frost's coop were the same thing as the chicken on my dinner plate, I pretty much was grossed out big time. I'm sure I knew that meat came from animals, but I'd never really thought about what that meant exactly.
It wasn't an animal rights issue. I wasn't worried about the poor beasts being slain for my consumption. It was the thought that I was eating the muscles of something that really got to me. *shudder* It still grosses me out a bit. That's why I still have an incredibly hard time eating meat off of bones.
I guess I couldn't be called a true vegetarian because I would eat meals with meat (like lasagna or something), but I'd pick the meat out. I never, ever expected my mom to make me something special. It just didn't work like that at my house. I'd also use chicken or beef broth to reconstitute my TVP meat substitute or eat regular soups but pick out the meat. I'd very occasionally eat thin meats like bacon or lunch meats. Those were easier to forget that they were animal flesh.
My family ate roast and potatoes (and lots of other stuff) every Sunday growing up. My little brother loved to torment me. "Ooooohhhh. Yuuuuum. This cow is de-li-cious!" and then he'd take a big bite of the roast. I think I was supposed to eat a bite of it because I remember often having one or two tiny shreds on my plate, but it wasn't strictly enforced or anything.
What did I eat?
In the way of protein, I ate lots and lots of cheese and beans, peanut butter, eggs, and meat substitutes (though this was more later high school and college). I liked pasta well enough, but it wasn't a main staple for me. I ate lots of salads or wraps with eggs and meat substitutes. Honestly, for lunches I often ate meal replacement things from whatever MLM my parents were in at the time. In Jr. High I had an Amway food bar every day for lunch. In high school I came home for lunch, so I often had quesadillas, burritos, or nachos always accompanied by salad made by my mom. In college I had Nutrition for Life SlenderAge shakes and bars for 1-2 meals a day for sake of ease and time. Now I drink Isagenix shakes maybe every other day for a lunch. The SlenderAge probably tasted the best, but I feel the best after Isagenix.
Why did I start eating meat again?
Well, I started dating Matt my freshman year of college. He asked why I didn't eat meat. When I said I didn't because I didn't like the texture or taste, he asked how long it'd been since I'd really eaten it. When I said about 10 years, he said I ought to try it again and if I didn't like it I could continue not eating it. Sure, that made enough sense. I didn't really try to eat it until he left on his mission and I left for China. I was in a situation where I couldn't be as choosy about my meals, so I'd try some meat here and there. It was fun to write Matt and tell him I'd tried different meats. I started very, very slowly with small amounts and worked my way up to eating a full chicken breast at a meal after a couple years. I still wouldn't touch or prepare meat when we were married three years after we met, though. I only started touching raw meat after I became the cook at a residential treatment center called New Haven in UT in 2004. I cooked for 25-35 people 5 days a week for 2 years. Couldn't avoid using meat in that situation. So, I've gotten pretty good at cooking and eating a variety of meats.
Do I like meat now?
It is nice to have more variety in my meals, but I did not grow to like the taste (or texture) of meat very much. I will eat most meats, though steak and other thick slabs or anything with bones still grosses me out and I avoid them. Ground beef and chicken are probably my most used meats since they're so versatile. I actually still hate the taste of all meats (except salty cured meats like ham and bacon) and won't eat them unless they're well seasoned or marinated and have no "meat flavor" left. I still only eat a very small slice of turkey on Thanksgiving. I don't like roasts unless they're crockpot cooked and shredded. I've tried to work fish into my diet as well, mainly for variety (neither of us like seafood much). The only fishes I will actually use regularly are halibut and tilapia since they're so mild.
If I'd married a vegetarian I am positive I'd have continued with it with no problems or regrets. We still eat "meatless" dinners a couple times a week. I'm very lucky that Matt's not one who needs meat every night. The last couple months I've not really wanted meat, but I force myself to use it occasionally for Matt's sake and so I don't become anemic while pregnant.
That's the long answer. Good job if you actually read the whole thing! Questions? Comments? Concerns? ;oD
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
The End of an Era
Just to forewarn you, this post may contain more info than you'd care to read.
After I found out I was pregnant, I knew I needed to wean Dean relatively soon. I really have loved breastfeeding, and I was sad and scared to stop. Sad because it's the only real snuggle time I get with Dean. (He's not a cuddle bug! Must get it from Matt.) Scared because his meals really need to count for something now! There's no sure supplementing before bed. I mean, he's always on board for a good nursing session. I can't say the same for cow's milk in a sippy!
I cut out day feedings back in November, but I held onto night and morning feedings through the Christmas break. One night last week when I had a particularly hard time sleeping because of my cough, Matt offered to get up with Dean in the morning. It would be the maiden voyage of morning weaning. I took him up on it.
Dean was quite confused since Matt has never once gotten up with him first thing in the morning. He didn't really cry though. And while I didn't actually sleep after I woke Matt up to get him, it was kind of a relief to just lay in bed and not have to take care of anything. The next morning was not so wonderful. When I got up with him and didn't nurse, he was not happy. He cried and cried and rolled around on the floor. He finally got over it and drank a fair amount of milk out of his sippy. Luckily it was only that one day of unhappiness. The next day he was already used to the new routine. And he started sleeping later! Now he's sleeping about 13 hours at night!! (6:30pm-7:40am ish) We'll see how long that lasts.
I didn't want to cut off night feedings until he was over the morning feedings. So tonight was our last night. I am sad, but I can tell my milk is not as plentiful since cutting off the mornings. Both last night and tonight Dean nursed almost 10 min. longer than normal and didn't seem satisfied even with that. And I hurt at the end. So, it's time.
The era of Dean's breastfeeding has officially come to an end. My little boy is growing up. And maybe I am too.
After I found out I was pregnant, I knew I needed to wean Dean relatively soon. I really have loved breastfeeding, and I was sad and scared to stop. Sad because it's the only real snuggle time I get with Dean. (He's not a cuddle bug! Must get it from Matt.) Scared because his meals really need to count for something now! There's no sure supplementing before bed. I mean, he's always on board for a good nursing session. I can't say the same for cow's milk in a sippy!
I cut out day feedings back in November, but I held onto night and morning feedings through the Christmas break. One night last week when I had a particularly hard time sleeping because of my cough, Matt offered to get up with Dean in the morning. It would be the maiden voyage of morning weaning. I took him up on it.
Dean was quite confused since Matt has never once gotten up with him first thing in the morning. He didn't really cry though. And while I didn't actually sleep after I woke Matt up to get him, it was kind of a relief to just lay in bed and not have to take care of anything. The next morning was not so wonderful. When I got up with him and didn't nurse, he was not happy. He cried and cried and rolled around on the floor. He finally got over it and drank a fair amount of milk out of his sippy. Luckily it was only that one day of unhappiness. The next day he was already used to the new routine. And he started sleeping later! Now he's sleeping about 13 hours at night!! (6:30pm-7:40am ish) We'll see how long that lasts.
I didn't want to cut off night feedings until he was over the morning feedings. So tonight was our last night. I am sad, but I can tell my milk is not as plentiful since cutting off the mornings. Both last night and tonight Dean nursed almost 10 min. longer than normal and didn't seem satisfied even with that. And I hurt at the end. So, it's time.
The era of Dean's breastfeeding has officially come to an end. My little boy is growing up. And maybe I am too.
Monday, October 13, 2008
By my side
Here are a few of my early years compared with Dean. Scroll mouse over picture for approximate ages.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Fathers in my Life
Most of my Snowflake readers know my dad well and love him to pieces. He's such an exuberant and fun loving guy, how could you not?As a teacher, he made History fun and come alive. (Can you say Beatles vinyl albums?)
As a coach, he pushed us hard, pepped us up, and cheered us on.
As a school dance chaperon, he loved to get down and boogie with the best of us. (My favorite move being the vulture.) I loved this.
As a story teller, he does all the voices and can captivate his audiences. No wonder he's such a great speech and debate coach!
As a speaker in church, he conveys his message and emotions well.
As a dad he is the best!
I love you Dad!!
This was Matt's first Father's day as a father. (This picture was taken back in March, though.)He is getting better and better at this gig.
I love watching him play with Dean.
I love watching Dean's excitement when he first sees daddy in the morning and when he gets home from work.
I love hearing him pray for Dean and give him blessings when he's not well.
It's cute to see Dean sitting on his daddy's lap, exploring his surroundings (usually at the computer...where else?).
He's devilishly handsome and has helped me create one of the cutest kids around.
There's no one I'd rather do this with than him!
I love you Matt!!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
MOM
It was funny, the first time Matt met my mom he later told me, "Well, at least you know what you'll look like when you're older. " One year in High School I dressed up as my mom (when she was my age--using some of her old clothes) for Halloween because we looked so similar. Everyone thought I was supposed to be Mary Tyler Moore. (Right is my mom pictured with Dean, the day we got home from the hospital.)There were many times in my life I thought I was my mom's little clone. We were the same height, had similar "red" personalities (though I am pretty sure I'm now "blue"), and we looked a like. She had 7 children; I wanted 8 (now leaning toward 3-5). She taught piano; I taught piano. She is very smart; I like to think that I am very smart. She wasn't trying to clone me; I just looked up to her so much that I wanted to be just like her.
But I tell you what, it hit me like a bolt of lightening one day when I was 19, sitting on my porch reading scriptures after a morning run (also very mom like), that it was ok for me not to be my mom's clone. Yes, she is an AMAZING person, but I don't have to be her down to the itty-bitty details.
Can I tell you what a relief that was? Mainly because I just couldn't keep up with her. She works more than any person I know. Seriously, vacation for her is a time to get projects done, not lounge around! The only day I have ever known my mom to "take off" and lounge around is Christmas day. And you know what? She LOVES being that busy. One time she told me, "I really can't sympathize with people who say they are bored. I have enough things I want to accomplish that I will never be able to do them all in this life." Almost all of my memories of my mom include conversations during laundry, dishes, gardening, or other chores. (I guess with 7 kids there was never a shortage of those things...)
I still aspire to be like my mom in many ways, but I'm now learning to mother and live my own way; we're similar in some respects and different in others.
It takes an amazing and strong woman to have 7 children and turn out sane and happy! (That applies to you too Grandma!!)
I swiped this picture from my mom's giant bucket o' pictures because I loved it. I don't know who the guy is, but the set up is just priceless.
Mom, I love you and am so happy you're my mom! I have learned a lot from you and will continue to ask for your advice. I know you're the world's most perfect mom because, hey, look at how I turned out! (Yeah, yeah. I swiped that from a greeting card.)
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Under Pressure
Enter Queen: "Pressure, pushing down on me, pressing down on you no man ask for..." Ha! Now I hope you have that totally awesome song in your head the rest of the day.
We finally bought ourselves a pressure cooker. 6 quarts, stainless steal with a little nob to hold and release the pressure safely (none of the old school weight stuff). Our main motivation was the artichokes sitting in our fridge, waiting to be gobbled up. Yuuummm. A nice, soft artichoke dipped in a little mayo. Or plain is good too. You know, I don't think I'd ever eaten an artichoke before I got married. Or mangoes. Or falafel. Or hummus. I'm sure there are more things, but it's so weird to think about.
My eating has definitely shifted. I guess some of it is due to Matt, some is due to cooking at New Haven, and some is due to just growing up. I mean, I didn't like olives, onions or bell peppers until we dated and/or got married. I didn't eat meat really. The first time I made hamburgers for New Haven I brought the meat home the night before and made Matt help me for the patties. I hadn't touched raw ground beef in years. I've come so far...
Anyway, that's off the topic. Back to my pressure cooker. I'm excited for other things now that I think about it. It will make baby food making go quicker. It's good for quick dinners since you can do meats and hard beans. My downfall with slow cookers is you have to think so far in advance. This helps us "wingers" out! It may take awhile to get the hang of timing, but I'm excited to try. Anyone have good recipes for a pressure cooker?
On a somewhat related note (food), because I have a Kitchen Aid, I was able to make Alton Brown's pizza dough exactly how his directions say. I've always just kneaded it by hand. It had a very different consistency and was definitely more "toss-able" than a hand knead. However, both Matt and I agreed that hand kneaded had a better taste and much better consistency. So, the reduced salt directions, by hand knead (approx. 10 min.) and stretch (not rolled out with a pin), is my favorite homemade pizza dough yet. Also, since I learned how to use a pizza stone correctly, I now prefer it on the stone. (Heat it in a 500* oven, on the second to bottom rack. Never make a pizza bigger than a medium size so it cooks evenly and you can shake it off the pizza peel easily. Cook the pizza for about 6-7 min.)
We finally bought ourselves a pressure cooker. 6 quarts, stainless steal with a little nob to hold and release the pressure safely (none of the old school weight stuff). Our main motivation was the artichokes sitting in our fridge, waiting to be gobbled up. Yuuummm. A nice, soft artichoke dipped in a little mayo. Or plain is good too. You know, I don't think I'd ever eaten an artichoke before I got married. Or mangoes. Or falafel. Or hummus. I'm sure there are more things, but it's so weird to think about.
My eating has definitely shifted. I guess some of it is due to Matt, some is due to cooking at New Haven, and some is due to just growing up. I mean, I didn't like olives, onions or bell peppers until we dated and/or got married. I didn't eat meat really. The first time I made hamburgers for New Haven I brought the meat home the night before and made Matt help me for the patties. I hadn't touched raw ground beef in years. I've come so far...
Anyway, that's off the topic. Back to my pressure cooker. I'm excited for other things now that I think about it. It will make baby food making go quicker. It's good for quick dinners since you can do meats and hard beans. My downfall with slow cookers is you have to think so far in advance. This helps us "wingers" out! It may take awhile to get the hang of timing, but I'm excited to try. Anyone have good recipes for a pressure cooker?
On a somewhat related note (food), because I have a Kitchen Aid, I was able to make Alton Brown's pizza dough exactly how his directions say. I've always just kneaded it by hand. It had a very different consistency and was definitely more "toss-able" than a hand knead. However, both Matt and I agreed that hand kneaded had a better taste and much better consistency. So, the reduced salt directions, by hand knead (approx. 10 min.) and stretch (not rolled out with a pin), is my favorite homemade pizza dough yet. Also, since I learned how to use a pizza stone correctly, I now prefer it on the stone. (Heat it in a 500* oven, on the second to bottom rack. Never make a pizza bigger than a medium size so it cooks evenly and you can shake it off the pizza peel easily. Cook the pizza for about 6-7 min.)
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A beautiful day in my neighborhood
72 degrees with just a hint of a breeze. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll. I'd have gone on a little picnic if I had the picnic-ing type of husband.
Before moving here one of my Texan friends told me that their slogan was "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes." Now, if it said, "wait a day" I would agree. This week we've had fall, winter, spring and summer. One day this week I was bundled up in two layers for a walk. I had my hood up and cinched, gloves on and forged my way through a cold and bitter wind. Another day we had cold rains and hail.
Today is easily shorts worthy. It's the kind of day that makes me nostalgic for childhood games like kick the can, Andy-I-over, capture th flag, British Bulldogs, and Red Rover. And baseball games. And walking to the creek with my family. Good times.
Before moving here one of my Texan friends told me that their slogan was "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes." Now, if it said, "wait a day" I would agree. This week we've had fall, winter, spring and summer. One day this week I was bundled up in two layers for a walk. I had my hood up and cinched, gloves on and forged my way through a cold and bitter wind. Another day we had cold rains and hail.
Today is easily shorts worthy. It's the kind of day that makes me nostalgic for childhood games like kick the can, Andy-I-over, capture th flag, British Bulldogs, and Red Rover. And baseball games. And walking to the creek with my family. Good times.
Monday, August 20, 2007
A new generation
It's just about that time again. A new batch of fresh-faced High School graduates are packing up and heading out on their own for the first time. For some reason it's hard for me to believe that one of those fresh-faced kids heading out is my brother-in-law.
Maybe it's because I met him the summer after my freshman year of college when I flew out to Matt's for the first time. Matt and I were 19. He was 12. Weird.
Freshman year...
What a time.
I have some of my best college memories (and some of my worst college memories) from that year. I met two of my best friends, my future husband, and I set the foundation for the rest of my schooling and life that year.
Wow we were young. It's amazing that it worked the way it did.
Maybe my little bro-in-law will meet his future wife this year...wow. And maybe not.
I still feel like a fresh-faced High School graduate sometimes. Do you ever wonder how you got to where you are? Wonder how the last 8 or 10 or 20 years just passed by?
I do. It also makes me wonder where I will be in the next 8, 10, or 20 years. Will we still be in TX? That would be weird and normal all at the same time. 2 kids, 3 kids, 5 kids? What does life have in store?
Hopefully good things.
Maybe it's because I met him the summer after my freshman year of college when I flew out to Matt's for the first time. Matt and I were 19. He was 12. Weird.
Freshman year...
What a time.
I have some of my best college memories (and some of my worst college memories) from that year. I met two of my best friends, my future husband, and I set the foundation for the rest of my schooling and life that year.
Wow we were young. It's amazing that it worked the way it did.
Maybe my little bro-in-law will meet his future wife this year...wow. And maybe not.
I still feel like a fresh-faced High School graduate sometimes. Do you ever wonder how you got to where you are? Wonder how the last 8 or 10 or 20 years just passed by?
I do. It also makes me wonder where I will be in the next 8, 10, or 20 years. Will we still be in TX? That would be weird and normal all at the same time. 2 kids, 3 kids, 5 kids? What does life have in store?
Hopefully good things.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
I'm it.
My friend Nanci tagged me for lists of 4's. I think it's the first time I've ever actually been tagged. But I've done a list of 4's before on my own...I'd link to it, but I truly can't remember when I wrote it and I honestly don't feel like digging through my old posts.
So, I will do a long-winded Celia special: a variation on the 4's. That's how I like it anyway.
Jobs I've had
The longest job running job I've had is piano teaching. I started teaching when I was in 8th grade for $5/lesson or $20/month. The most students I ever had at one time was my senior year of high school. I had 20 students that year, and I had to travel to their homes since my mom was teaching at our home. It worked out well, though I had to drop cross-country because of it. I don't know how much I was charging at that point. I took a little hiatus during college and I only taught 4 people (at different times) in the 5 years I was there. Though I didn't do much with it, it proved very handy as I traded out half of my month's rent in return for teaching two of my students one year. Now I have 10 students and charge $50/mo. (though I'm sure I could charge more...)
The shortest (and worst) job I've ever had was working at the Tomato Farm the summer after my freshman year of college. Man was that horrendous! I lasted only two weeks (if that!). I kept trying to tell myself "you can do anything for 3 months", but in the end I decided it was not worth $8.50/hour. I was willing to work 40 hours a week at McDonalds plus take on an evening hostess/waitress job over that. It was just looooong hours doing nothing but standing on high riser platforms, picking suckers off gigantic 3 story tomato plants in a very hot room with lots of people who didn't speak English. My feet always hurt. I felt like total white trash. They actually shut the plant down not long after I quit when they were discovered having illegal immigrants filling the majority of their jobs.
The best job I've had...well, that's tough. My cooking job at New Haven probably provided me with the best experience possible for real life. Between cooking and working with the girls, I gained valuable insight into life, relationships, and how important good food is...
But I also loved my Teacher's Assistant jobs with Dr. Lynn Scoresby and Dr. Terry Olson. They were two of my top 3 teachers at BYU. I really grew a lot from helping them. Scoresby hit it on the head during one of our staff meetings my third year working with him. He was summing each of us up with one word and he told me that I was neurotic. Interesting. I didn't take offense to it, because I knew it was true. So I've tried to work on that. I think I've become less neurotic over time. Olson is probably the most compassionate teacher I ever had. And the material for his class (Leadership and Self-deception) and class discussions were life and perspective changing . If I were to have obtained a Masters at BYU I really would have loved having him as a mentor and pursuing research and writing built around his theories.
And how could I leave out teaching in China??? It was an essential piece to my adult transition, self-realization, and real world experience. I always worried if I hadn't done that (or something like it) I would have felt jealous of my future RM husband. It was an eye opener, and I have never felt more gratitude in my life for the little things (and big things) I had been blessed with. Individual (flushing) public toilets (with toilet paper), daily showers, a good education without having to leave my parents at the age of 5, no soldiers monitoring my daily activities, drinkable tap water, etc.
Movies
The movie with the best soundtrack (and good message/ great acting) I've seen (and the only movie I purchased when I was single) was Remember the Titans. I have since gotten over my desire to pop it in and view it whenever, but the soundtrack is still amongst my most listened to albums.
The movie that got better with each successive viewing had to be Napoleon Dynamite. The first time we saw it in the theater with my in-laws, I thought, "Yeah, it's ok...but I don't know why theric is soooo jazzed about this..." But by the end there were so many quotable lines...and then that dance scene clenched it for me. The second viewing was the absolute best viewing experience for me.
I guess another classic that I would love to own one day (because of it's re-watchability) is The Princess Bride. The acting was supreme and the writing was so witty and timeless. "You rush a Miracle man you get rotten miracles."
The only movie I've ever walked out on in the theater was What Lies Beneath. The previews freaked me out and I psyched myself out before the movie even started. It felt so tense at the beginning I left about 10 min. into it. Another movie that freaked me out (but I stuck through it) was Minority Report. If I had been watching it on my own I would have left the theater...
Places I have lived
I felt really blessed to grow up in Snowflake, AZ. It was a good town. We knew everyone. It felt very safe. I was able to participate in just about everything I wanted in the way of extracurricular activities. One of my friends who attended a large Mesa High School said they pretty much had to choose one thing and stick with it since there was such stiff competition and so many students. I got to do multiple sports, multiple choirs, photography and more. The only thing I regret missing out on was a home economics course. They stopped offering it, and in reality I was so entrenched in music and academics I wouldn't have taken it anyway.
My first experience living somewhere other than Snowflake was when I lived with my sister and her husband one summer in High School. They lived in my Grandma's basement in Mesa, and they needed some nannying help. My sister was teaching and my brother-in-law was finishing up difficult pre-dentistry requirements in school. I helped take care of my niece in the day and worked at Hollywood Video at night. They were awesome. I didn't have a car and they commuted me back and forth (I think it was 1/2 hour away from their house or something).
Our first married apartment was a studio in Reno, NV for the summer as we sold Dish Network. We had a pretty sweet set up. A mattress we pulled out of an over sized dumpster. A coffee table we pulled out of the DI truck (we still have it) that we propped up on cinder blocks for Matt's computer, a lawn chair (also from the DI truck), and our 13-inch TV we got for our wedding was propped up on another gift's box. Electricity was so expensive (in our minds and for our budget--$100/mo.) we tried really hard to just use our $10 box fan. We broke down and used the AC when it hit 90 degrees in our apt.!!
And we bought our first house here in McKinney, TX. It's been a good little house and has suited our current needs well. The area is good enough, though it is too far removed from family.
More to come:
So, I will do a long-winded Celia special: a variation on the 4's. That's how I like it anyway.
Jobs I've had
The longest job running job I've had is piano teaching. I started teaching when I was in 8th grade for $5/lesson or $20/month. The most students I ever had at one time was my senior year of high school. I had 20 students that year, and I had to travel to their homes since my mom was teaching at our home. It worked out well, though I had to drop cross-country because of it. I don't know how much I was charging at that point. I took a little hiatus during college and I only taught 4 people (at different times) in the 5 years I was there. Though I didn't do much with it, it proved very handy as I traded out half of my month's rent in return for teaching two of my students one year. Now I have 10 students and charge $50/mo. (though I'm sure I could charge more...)
The shortest (and worst) job I've ever had was working at the Tomato Farm the summer after my freshman year of college. Man was that horrendous! I lasted only two weeks (if that!). I kept trying to tell myself "you can do anything for 3 months", but in the end I decided it was not worth $8.50/hour. I was willing to work 40 hours a week at McDonalds plus take on an evening hostess/waitress job over that. It was just looooong hours doing nothing but standing on high riser platforms, picking suckers off gigantic 3 story tomato plants in a very hot room with lots of people who didn't speak English. My feet always hurt. I felt like total white trash. They actually shut the plant down not long after I quit when they were discovered having illegal immigrants filling the majority of their jobs.
The best job I've had...well, that's tough. My cooking job at New Haven probably provided me with the best experience possible for real life. Between cooking and working with the girls, I gained valuable insight into life, relationships, and how important good food is...
But I also loved my Teacher's Assistant jobs with Dr. Lynn Scoresby and Dr. Terry Olson. They were two of my top 3 teachers at BYU. I really grew a lot from helping them. Scoresby hit it on the head during one of our staff meetings my third year working with him. He was summing each of us up with one word and he told me that I was neurotic. Interesting. I didn't take offense to it, because I knew it was true. So I've tried to work on that. I think I've become less neurotic over time. Olson is probably the most compassionate teacher I ever had. And the material for his class (Leadership and Self-deception) and class discussions were life and perspective changing . If I were to have obtained a Masters at BYU I really would have loved having him as a mentor and pursuing research and writing built around his theories.
And how could I leave out teaching in China??? It was an essential piece to my adult transition, self-realization, and real world experience. I always worried if I hadn't done that (or something like it) I would have felt jealous of my future RM husband. It was an eye opener, and I have never felt more gratitude in my life for the little things (and big things) I had been blessed with. Individual (flushing) public toilets (with toilet paper), daily showers, a good education without having to leave my parents at the age of 5, no soldiers monitoring my daily activities, drinkable tap water, etc.
Movies
The movie with the best soundtrack (and good message/ great acting) I've seen (and the only movie I purchased when I was single) was Remember the Titans. I have since gotten over my desire to pop it in and view it whenever, but the soundtrack is still amongst my most listened to albums.
The movie that got better with each successive viewing had to be Napoleon Dynamite. The first time we saw it in the theater with my in-laws, I thought, "Yeah, it's ok...but I don't know why theric is soooo jazzed about this..." But by the end there were so many quotable lines...and then that dance scene clenched it for me. The second viewing was the absolute best viewing experience for me.
I guess another classic that I would love to own one day (because of it's re-watchability) is The Princess Bride. The acting was supreme and the writing was so witty and timeless. "You rush a Miracle man you get rotten miracles."
The only movie I've ever walked out on in the theater was What Lies Beneath. The previews freaked me out and I psyched myself out before the movie even started. It felt so tense at the beginning I left about 10 min. into it. Another movie that freaked me out (but I stuck through it) was Minority Report. If I had been watching it on my own I would have left the theater...
Places I have lived
I felt really blessed to grow up in Snowflake, AZ. It was a good town. We knew everyone. It felt very safe. I was able to participate in just about everything I wanted in the way of extracurricular activities. One of my friends who attended a large Mesa High School said they pretty much had to choose one thing and stick with it since there was such stiff competition and so many students. I got to do multiple sports, multiple choirs, photography and more. The only thing I regret missing out on was a home economics course. They stopped offering it, and in reality I was so entrenched in music and academics I wouldn't have taken it anyway.
My first experience living somewhere other than Snowflake was when I lived with my sister and her husband one summer in High School. They lived in my Grandma's basement in Mesa, and they needed some nannying help. My sister was teaching and my brother-in-law was finishing up difficult pre-dentistry requirements in school. I helped take care of my niece in the day and worked at Hollywood Video at night. They were awesome. I didn't have a car and they commuted me back and forth (I think it was 1/2 hour away from their house or something).
Our first married apartment was a studio in Reno, NV for the summer as we sold Dish Network. We had a pretty sweet set up. A mattress we pulled out of an over sized dumpster. A coffee table we pulled out of the DI truck (we still have it) that we propped up on cinder blocks for Matt's computer, a lawn chair (also from the DI truck), and our 13-inch TV we got for our wedding was propped up on another gift's box. Electricity was so expensive (in our minds and for our budget--$100/mo.) we tried really hard to just use our $10 box fan. We broke down and used the AC when it hit 90 degrees in our apt.!!
And we bought our first house here in McKinney, TX. It's been a good little house and has suited our current needs well. The area is good enough, though it is too far removed from family.
More to come:
- Guilty Pleasures
- TV shows
- Places I have been on vacation
- Favorite Foods
- Books
- Things I would like to know how to do
- Things I worry about
- Happy moments
- Things I want to do this year or in the future
- Pet peeves
Monday, January 15, 2007
The long and the short of it
Beginning in the fourth grade I had an intense desire for short hair. At the time my hair was mid back and a pain in the neck. I begged and begged my mom to cut my hair to my shoulders that year but to no avail. Finally in the 5th grade I wore her down, and we cut and permed my hair. (I didn't have naturally curly hair until I hit puberty.)
Short hair was everything I desired. It was quick, it was cute, and it was easy. What more could a girl want? The older I got, the shorter I wanted to go. While I lived at home my mom kept talking me out of cutting it any shorter than my shoulders. In an act of independence, while I was on a 3 week trip to Boston at age 14, I had my sister-in-law cut and dye my hair without telling my mom. My mom was not prepared for the short haired, red-head that stepped off the plane.
Home again, I let my hair grow back out to my shoulders, though I continued to ask my stylist (my mom) to go shorter. "But it's SO CUTE this length! You don't REALLY want to cut it."
I felt quite the adult when I walked into a salon at college, looked at a cute Meg Ryan cut and said, "That's what I want!" I went from shoulder length to super short bob in about an hour. At the end the stylist asked, "Are you so sad to see your hair on the floor? Most people are." "No way!" I replied. "I've been waiting my whole life for this!"
I haven't cut my hair since my birthday last April. It's getting quite long for me and I've wanted to chop it more than once. I kind of want to let it grow until I can't stand it so it will be a dramatic change. I love shocking people.
To celebrate my new scanner (thanks Brasfields!) I thought I'd show the hair progression throughout the years. I want your feedback. What was your favorite length in my 25 years of life? I'm interested.
Short hair was everything I desired. It was quick, it was cute, and it was easy. What more could a girl want? The older I got, the shorter I wanted to go. While I lived at home my mom kept talking me out of cutting it any shorter than my shoulders. In an act of independence, while I was on a 3 week trip to Boston at age 14, I had my sister-in-law cut and dye my hair without telling my mom. My mom was not prepared for the short haired, red-head that stepped off the plane.
Home again, I let my hair grow back out to my shoulders, though I continued to ask my stylist (my mom) to go shorter. "But it's SO CUTE this length! You don't REALLY want to cut it."
I felt quite the adult when I walked into a salon at college, looked at a cute Meg Ryan cut and said, "That's what I want!" I went from shoulder length to super short bob in about an hour. At the end the stylist asked, "Are you so sad to see your hair on the floor? Most people are." "No way!" I replied. "I've been waiting my whole life for this!"
I haven't cut my hair since my birthday last April. It's getting quite long for me and I've wanted to chop it more than once. I kind of want to let it grow until I can't stand it so it will be a dramatic change. I love shocking people.
To celebrate my new scanner (thanks Brasfields!) I thought I'd show the hair progression throughout the years. I want your feedback. What was your favorite length in my 25 years of life? I'm interested.
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