Hey all,
I'm leaving on my mission in just a few days here and I am super stoked! Just in case I won't see any of you before I leave, I wanted to give one last shout out of appreciation to everyone who has supported me through this process. I couldn't have gotten this far without my awesome friends and family and I am so freakin' excited to get out there and serve the Lord. If you would like to be sent authentic British postcards of Prince William or other British beaus, you can write me here:
MTC Address:
Sister Evelyn Mather
England Manchester Mission
England Missionary Training Center
Temple Way
Chorley, Lancashire
England PR6 7EQ
United Kingdom
Post MTC/Packages Address:
Sister Evelyn Mather
England Manchester Mission
Springwood, Suite G5
Booths Park, Knutsford,
England WA16 8QZ
United Kingdom
Once again, thank you to everyone for everything. I'll be thinking of you all (but hopefully not too much, because I gotta focus man!) from across the pond.
All my love,
Evelyn....err, scratch that!
Cheers,
Sister Mather
Monday, November 17, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
23 days and counting....
The time is drawning near, and I'll be taking off for my mission soon. So how does a pre-mission dame like me spend her time, thoughts, and energy? So far, it has gone as follows....
Prepping for the Mission: As my departure date gets closer my brain has started to have crazy fits at an increasing rate. In the beginning--back in August when there was still plenty of time to get things done and still enjoy leisurely activities--the biggest brain tantrums were centered around an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. My trail of thought ran a chaotic race of pointless circles inside my head. It would start asking me terrible things, like, "Well, geez, you grew up in the church, but do you really know the doctrine?" "You're just a silly girl, do you really think you can make a difference?" "Remember how you're probably the bi
ggest homebody on campus? How are you going to survive 18 months without the constant contact of your family and friends in the valley?" In short, I could hear that creepy, scratchy voice--which is so iconic to me from the Joseph Smith movie at Temple Square--telling me, "You are a fool." (What an odd choice for the voice of Satan, btw. It sounds like the voice my brother Marty used to make when joking around.) Anywho, I've been reading "Preparation Precedes Power" by Randy Bott (BYU Mission Prep Instructor extraordinaire!) and it turns out that this is very typical of pre-missionaries. That's right, I'm normal. Eat that Satan. Of course Satan would be playing up on my fears--I'm the biggest scardy cat I know. I've just moved to my parent's house and I sleep in their basement. I can't go to sleep without the hall light on, I'm such a wimp. Of course, maybe if you saw their basement you would understand. There's a well in the food storage room. Yup, a real live well (not to be confused with whale-because that would be silly). Like, any day Samara from the ring could come crawling out of that thing with her wet black hair draped over her face, claiming that I only have 8 days to live! Yes, our basement is freaky. But back to the mission.... I would highly recommend Bott's book and prep class to anyone, young and old, even considering the mission. If you have little kids, I'd start spoon feeding them these nuggets of greatness. It is NEVER too early to start your preparation for the mission, and this books is clear and direct about what should and should NOT be done prior to qualifying for missionary service. So, hallelujah, I am not inadequate--just susceptible to feelings of discouragement that the adversary is dumping on me daily. Good news though: it turns out (in case you haven't figured this one out yet) that the Spirit converts people to the truth of the Gospel, not Evelyn. So, as long as I do all I can to prepare and learn and stick my heart out there in the work, God will make up for all of my many inadequacies and, hot dang, some pretty fantastic missionary work will happen!
Body Worlds Exhibit: I've never done the cadaver thing, but I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed dissecting pig fetuses and cow eyeballs back in 11th grade Biology (so lovingly dubbed "Biology for dummies" because, well, it was). Everyone who had a brain in my high school took AP Bio, except for Adrienne, Gladys, and I, because we were too lazy. And it gave us an excuse to invent things with duct tape, write man-hater poetry, write a book about Tommy the Molecule, and win the Science Fair that year with a project summoned up and slapped together the day before. The day we were assigned to dissect fish I was the only girl in my group. And, guess who slit that sucker open because all the jocks were about to vomit? Yes, me. It was just like gutting a fish, so no biggy. I thought it might get me brownie points with all the hot jocks, but it turns out they could spot a nerd even if she were in Bio for dummies. My delight with the trout's anatomy must have given me away. Sad day. Those jocks were good looking, even if they were mindless.
But, Body Worlds! How inspirational! What a beautiful collection of human bodies. I know that sounds weird, but you've got to see it to understand. It inspired me to take better care of my own body and to appreciate the God given health that I have been blessed with. Seriously, the more I learn about the intricate details of this life--biology, astronomy, meteorology, anatomy, etc.--the more I am convinced that not only is there a God, but that He has a brilliant mind and an exceptional eye for beauty. And we are His most prized work of art. Please take the time to see this exhibit as soon as you can. More info can be found about the Utah exhibit at http://www.theleonardo.org/bodyworlds/
Recording my Music: I've said I was going to do this for about a year now, but I am a slackerpants and have n
ever made the effort to do it. Fortunately for me and my lack of assertion, my friend Matt Shaw is taking a recording class and is using the music that I have cooked up, with the additional solo guitar genius of Tim Shaw to put a little lovin' together in the Y studio here on BYU campus. It'll be great to have my stuff nicely recorded before I take off on my mission and forget it all. People have asked me if I will continue to write music while I am serving my mission. I could, I guess, but I imagine myself being very happy in the mission field, with next to zero heartbreak (I'm banking on that--since I've been dished out way too many servings of heartbreak in the past few years), and my best music is all sad and angsty and melancholy. I'm not sure how a happy, spirited song would go over with my bluesy style. It might sound lame--and I will not write lame sauce music. I'll leave that to the experts.
Zion National Park: I decided to have one last
outing with my favoritest Rebeccahead. We shimmied on down to Zion's this week and did some stellar hiking. After scrambling up to the top of Angel's Landing, making a sand angel, feeding the critters they specifically ask you not to (how could we resist? They are so darn cute!), and stumbling back down with sandy feet and stinky pits, we decided it would be a good idea to jump in the river and refresh ourselves. Needless to say, the October water was freezing. Every time I jumped in my mind would freeze, I would get dizzy spells, and nearly pass out as the river's gently flow pushed my up onto a safe mossy rock. We decided to stop before we passed out and hiked back down to the buses while we watched our freckly skin morph into patches of red, white, 
purple and blue. Attempting to salvage my outer limbs, which were at this point smurf blue, I stuck my half frozen hands into my stinky pits. Ah, warmth! However, when I pulled them out of my pits, I realized that the pressure from my arms has pushed all blood out of my hands and now instead of blue, they were starch white. It took a good twenty minutes on the bus until I started to feel the tingling sensation of life in my digits again, and another hour by the campfire before I felt like a normal human being with normal and functioning hands. The next morning our muscles were sore in a peculiar way. We suspect that the lactic acid mulling around in our muscles from our exertion during the Angel's Landing Hike hardened prematurely 
when our bodies were exposed to the cold water. It could be completely incorrect, but it remains our fierce suspicion. But! ask me if it was worth the jump from the red rock cliff; if it was worth the herd of gawking German tourists snapping photos at the rare species of crazy American females (Rebecca and I) jumping Geronimo-style into the water; if it was worth the thrilling sensation of taking a risk and doing that Carpe Diem thing that I recommend to almost every person I know. And I say to you, "Heck, yes!" a million times over.
Cleansing Diet: So, now that I have returned from Zion alive and well, and have consequently given my adorable metabolism and extra boost (really, I adore it, and I freakin' deserve to! I've worked hard for this sucker), I am now starting my scheduled cleansing diet. It's a three day program, so no big deal, right? I am a wonder women in embryo! I can do anything...well, I can do anything for three days! (It's good to start somewhere.) Most days, when I am an inactive office worker/slave/bum, I can get by on nearly nothing, and I typically do. Daily office w/s/b diet consists of grapefruit juice, granola, Sobe, and chocolate. However, when my metabolism acts up I turn into a carnivorous raging beast! I go on dates in triple fold in order to satiate my hunger (boys are a beautiful source of protein-packed meals, and I adore them anyway). But, now I have a dilemma. My metabolism is in its prime beastly state and I am stuck with this cleanse business for three days. Be strong, I tell myself. But I am on hour 4 of 72 and I am having hallucinations of peanut m&ms and pizza. Must. Be. Strong. My mad love affair with chocolate will just have to wait until Friday. Oh, unrequited love is always the worst!
Prepping for the Mission: As my departure date gets closer my brain has started to have crazy fits at an increasing rate. In the beginning--back in August when there was still plenty of time to get things done and still enjoy leisurely activities--the biggest brain tantrums were centered around an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. My trail of thought ran a chaotic race of pointless circles inside my head. It would start asking me terrible things, like, "Well, geez, you grew up in the church, but do you really know the doctrine?" "You're just a silly girl, do you really think you can make a difference?" "Remember how you're probably the bi
ggest homebody on campus? How are you going to survive 18 months without the constant contact of your family and friends in the valley?" In short, I could hear that creepy, scratchy voice--which is so iconic to me from the Joseph Smith movie at Temple Square--telling me, "You are a fool." (What an odd choice for the voice of Satan, btw. It sounds like the voice my brother Marty used to make when joking around.) Anywho, I've been reading "Preparation Precedes Power" by Randy Bott (BYU Mission Prep Instructor extraordinaire!) and it turns out that this is very typical of pre-missionaries. That's right, I'm normal. Eat that Satan. Of course Satan would be playing up on my fears--I'm the biggest scardy cat I know. I've just moved to my parent's house and I sleep in their basement. I can't go to sleep without the hall light on, I'm such a wimp. Of course, maybe if you saw their basement you would understand. There's a well in the food storage room. Yup, a real live well (not to be confused with whale-because that would be silly). Like, any day Samara from the ring could come crawling out of that thing with her wet black hair draped over her face, claiming that I only have 8 days to live! Yes, our basement is freaky. But back to the mission.... I would highly recommend Bott's book and prep class to anyone, young and old, even considering the mission. If you have little kids, I'd start spoon feeding them these nuggets of greatness. It is NEVER too early to start your preparation for the mission, and this books is clear and direct about what should and should NOT be done prior to qualifying for missionary service. So, hallelujah, I am not inadequate--just susceptible to feelings of discouragement that the adversary is dumping on me daily. Good news though: it turns out (in case you haven't figured this one out yet) that the Spirit converts people to the truth of the Gospel, not Evelyn. So, as long as I do all I can to prepare and learn and stick my heart out there in the work, God will make up for all of my many inadequacies and, hot dang, some pretty fantastic missionary work will happen!Body Worlds Exhibit: I've never done the cadaver thing, but I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed dissecting pig fetuses and cow eyeballs back in 11th grade Biology (so lovingly dubbed "Biology for dummies" because, well, it was). Everyone who had a brain in my high school took AP Bio, except for Adrienne, Gladys, and I, because we were too lazy. And it gave us an excuse to invent things with duct tape, write man-hater poetry, write a book about Tommy the Molecule, and win the Science Fair that year with a project summoned up and slapped together the day before. The day we were assigned to dissect fish I was the only girl in my group. And, guess who slit that sucker open because all the jocks were about to vomit? Yes, me. It was just like gutting a fish, so no biggy. I thought it might get me brownie points with all the hot jocks, but it turns out they could spot a nerd even if she were in Bio for dummies. My delight with the trout's anatomy must have given me away. Sad day. Those jocks were good looking, even if they were mindless.
But, Body Worlds! How inspirational! What a beautiful collection of human bodies. I know that sounds weird, but you've got to see it to understand. It inspired me to take better care of my own body and to appreciate the God given health that I have been blessed with. Seriously, the more I learn about the intricate details of this life--biology, astronomy, meteorology, anatomy, etc.--the more I am convinced that not only is there a God, but that He has a brilliant mind and an exceptional eye for beauty. And we are His most prized work of art. Please take the time to see this exhibit as soon as you can. More info can be found about the Utah exhibit at http://www.theleonardo.org/bodyworlds/
Recording my Music: I've said I was going to do this for about a year now, but I am a slackerpants and have n
ever made the effort to do it. Fortunately for me and my lack of assertion, my friend Matt Shaw is taking a recording class and is using the music that I have cooked up, with the additional solo guitar genius of Tim Shaw to put a little lovin' together in the Y studio here on BYU campus. It'll be great to have my stuff nicely recorded before I take off on my mission and forget it all. People have asked me if I will continue to write music while I am serving my mission. I could, I guess, but I imagine myself being very happy in the mission field, with next to zero heartbreak (I'm banking on that--since I've been dished out way too many servings of heartbreak in the past few years), and my best music is all sad and angsty and melancholy. I'm not sure how a happy, spirited song would go over with my bluesy style. It might sound lame--and I will not write lame sauce music. I'll leave that to the experts.Zion National Park: I decided to have one last
outing with my favoritest Rebeccahead. We shimmied on down to Zion's this week and did some stellar hiking. After scrambling up to the top of Angel's Landing, making a sand angel, feeding the critters they specifically ask you not to (how could we resist? They are so darn cute!), and stumbling back down with sandy feet and stinky pits, we decided it would be a good idea to jump in the river and refresh ourselves. Needless to say, the October water was freezing. Every time I jumped in my mind would freeze, I would get dizzy spells, and nearly pass out as the river's gently flow pushed my up onto a safe mossy rock. We decided to stop before we passed out and hiked back down to the buses while we watched our freckly skin morph into patches of red, white, 
purple and blue. Attempting to salvage my outer limbs, which were at this point smurf blue, I stuck my half frozen hands into my stinky pits. Ah, warmth! However, when I pulled them out of my pits, I realized that the pressure from my arms has pushed all blood out of my hands and now instead of blue, they were starch white. It took a good twenty minutes on the bus until I started to feel the tingling sensation of life in my digits again, and another hour by the campfire before I felt like a normal human being with normal and functioning hands. The next morning our muscles were sore in a peculiar way. We suspect that the lactic acid mulling around in our muscles from our exertion during the Angel's Landing Hike hardened prematurely 
when our bodies were exposed to the cold water. It could be completely incorrect, but it remains our fierce suspicion. But! ask me if it was worth the jump from the red rock cliff; if it was worth the herd of gawking German tourists snapping photos at the rare species of crazy American females (Rebecca and I) jumping Geronimo-style into the water; if it was worth the thrilling sensation of taking a risk and doing that Carpe Diem thing that I recommend to almost every person I know. And I say to you, "Heck, yes!" a million times over.Cleansing Diet: So, now that I have returned from Zion alive and well, and have consequently given my adorable metabolism and extra boost (really, I adore it, and I freakin' deserve to! I've worked hard for this sucker), I am now starting my scheduled cleansing diet. It's a three day program, so no big deal, right? I am a wonder women in embryo! I can do anything...well, I can do anything for three days! (It's good to start somewhere.) Most days, when I am an inactive office worker/slave/bum, I can get by on nearly nothing, and I typically do. Daily office w/s/b diet consists of grapefruit juice, granola, Sobe, and chocolate. However, when my metabolism acts up I turn into a carnivorous raging beast! I go on dates in triple fold in order to satiate my hunger (boys are a beautiful source of protein-packed meals, and I adore them anyway). But, now I have a dilemma. My metabolism is in its prime beastly state and I am stuck with this cleanse business for three days. Be strong, I tell myself. But I am on hour 4 of 72 and I am having hallucinations of peanut m&ms and pizza. Must. Be. Strong. My mad love affair with chocolate will just have to wait until Friday. Oh, unrequited love is always the worst!
Friday, October 17, 2008
This.Week's.Favorites
Favorite things of the week: I stole this sucker from Adrienne, and she made it up all by her little self. She's so creative, and I'm such a boring copy cat. I think that's why we make the best sort of best friends. I just leech everything off of her and leave her feeling gratified. :) I do love my Adi-pooh.
Breakfast-Half of a Hershey's chocolate bar while speeding to the Temple this morning. There's nothing like a nice healthy serving of chocolate to get you going in the morning!
Music- You can make fun of me all you want, because if I weren't me, I'd make fun of me. Best iTunes purchase of the week?*gulp* Jesse McCartney's latest album "Departure." Yeah, yeah, just go ahead and laugh, but this kid's got some potential! He's like a little baby version of JT. It's pretty precious. Best song? "Leavin'"
Clothing-My aunt Debbie let me borrow a sweet blouse she wore when she was in college. It's a vintage red quarter sleeve beauty with pleats down the front middle and an off centered collar. I feel so stankin' classy.
Drink-Passionfruit drink from Se Llama Peru. I can always count on my Rick outings for new tasty discoveries.
Deal-10% off of all shoes purchased for the mission (even if they're frumpy/boring shoes). Being a missionary (or pre-missionary, in my case) in Utah rocks! Everyone loves to give you sweet deals. I don't know why anyone would complain about being called to the Provo, UT mission.
Moment-Falling off of the curb south of campus, while trying to look like an adorable/creative child in a college student's body. I am so graceful.
Saying- "You, Me, Pumpkins and Carving Knives. Let's do it." -Katie Geilman in reference to Jack Handy's quote, “Sometimes when I feel like killing someone, I do a little trick to calm myself down. I'll go over to the person's house and ring the doorbell. When the person comes to the door, I'm gone, but you know what I've left on the porch? A jack-o-lantern with a knife stuck in the side of its head with a note that says 'You.'"
Political-Joe the Plumber...SNL style. It's good to know Joe has a nice shoe box to sleep in at night. :)
TV- The Office: "Wanna go out?" -Micheal to Holly.
School- It will be over next week! Please pray for me! I need to ace a Spanish test next week and this little white girl needs all the help she can get.
Smell- Fructis Garnier Hairspray. I kid you not, I could successfully use this stuff as perfume. My hair smells so darn attractive. I would date it if I could, but unfortunately I have a mission to attend to....
Social- Temple and lunch date this morning with Sarah Ray.
Possession- Micro-fishnet tights = Conservative hotness. Mmm boy!
Breakfast-Half of a Hershey's chocolate bar while speeding to the Temple this morning. There's nothing like a nice healthy serving of chocolate to get you going in the morning!
Music- You can make fun of me all you want, because if I weren't me, I'd make fun of me. Best iTunes purchase of the week?*gulp* Jesse McCartney's latest album "Departure." Yeah, yeah, just go ahead and laugh, but this kid's got some potential! He's like a little baby version of JT. It's pretty precious. Best song? "Leavin'"
Clothing-My aunt Debbie let me borrow a sweet blouse she wore when she was in college. It's a vintage red quarter sleeve beauty with pleats down the front middle and an off centered collar. I feel so stankin' classy.
Drink-Passionfruit drink from Se Llama Peru. I can always count on my Rick outings for new tasty discoveries.
Deal-10% off of all shoes purchased for the mission (even if they're frumpy/boring shoes). Being a missionary (or pre-missionary, in my case) in Utah rocks! Everyone loves to give you sweet deals. I don't know why anyone would complain about being called to the Provo, UT mission.
Moment-Falling off of the curb south of campus, while trying to look like an adorable/creative child in a college student's body. I am so graceful.
Saying- "You, Me, Pumpkins and Carving Knives. Let's do it." -Katie Geilman in reference to Jack Handy's quote, “Sometimes when I feel like killing someone, I do a little trick to calm myself down. I'll go over to the person's house and ring the doorbell. When the person comes to the door, I'm gone, but you know what I've left on the porch? A jack-o-lantern with a knife stuck in the side of its head with a note that says 'You.'"
Political-Joe the Plumber...SNL style. It's good to know Joe has a nice shoe box to sleep in at night. :)
TV- The Office: "Wanna go out?" -Micheal to Holly.
School- It will be over next week! Please pray for me! I need to ace a Spanish test next week and this little white girl needs all the help she can get.
Smell- Fructis Garnier Hairspray. I kid you not, I could successfully use this stuff as perfume. My hair smells so darn attractive. I would date it if I could, but unfortunately I have a mission to attend to....
Social- Temple and lunch date this morning with Sarah Ray.
Possession- Micro-fishnet tights = Conservative hotness. Mmm boy!
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Waiting Game
pas·sion
[pash-uhn] -noun
I'm wiggin' out a little. Ok, I lied. I'm wiggin' out a lot. I'm hanging out in the twilight zone. (And no, I don't mean the one in the BYU bookstore. I'm talking about the one with the groovy theme song. You know it. The one that goes do DO do do, do DO do do.) I stand back with my jaw on the floor, amazed by the way my life is starting to sound like a broken record. (A cool broken record though--like the one you would mix into a P. Diddy song.) Can I just play it back for ya?
As of December 15th 2006 my one and only shining passion was England. I sold my maroon Honda, Accord and my soul to pay for the England and Literature Study Abroad program. Nothing sounded as appealing as backpacking through the UK with a bunch of lit/creative writing junkies. And I mean nothing! My typical passions faded into the background.
School and Classes? "Who cares?" I thought, "I'll soon be reading Wordsworth over his grave and frolicking through the Moors that inspired Emily Bronte to birth that gorgeous and odious fellow Heathcliff!" (My heart still goes out to you Heathcliff. You are my one and only fictional crush. *sigh*)
Work? It was only the means to an end. The more I worked, the more chocolate and pashminas I could buy in the UK. I still can't believe that I swept floors in that hair salon for so many boring hours.
Boys? They were lame sauce. Like lumpy, moldy gravy type lame sauce too. Not even the lame sauce that is worth straining through the lame with your teeth to get to the tasty sauce. I ignored them and decided to only respond to them when they offered food. I had to pinch all my pennies for this trip and free food was the only economical option, clearly.
Chocolate? I figured it was silly to waste any time/calories on the waxy American crap when Cadburry was faithfully waiting for me across the pond.
Music? Everything revolved around finding the perfect playlist for my iPod. My trip to England was to be perfect, and that meant that it needed the perfect soundtrack. All other singers who were not folk, Brittish or John Mayer (because he trumps everything, even England) became worthless to me.
Snowboarding? Expensive...but still a necessary/guilty pleasure. I guess I didn't exactly give this sucker up. I had to buffen up my quads somehow for all the insane hiking that would go on in England--right?
So where do I sit now while I am watching the clock tick tock tick tock and counting the days until I report? Passionless.
Classes? I have two more weeks until the end of the block, baby! I've exponentially lost interest as each week has flown by. Why would I want to do homework when I could do more exciting mission related stuff like applying for my visa, shopping for frumpy clothes, and studying up on Preach My Gospel?
Work? I sure do love working for Jon Mott and know that I will miss it. Wow, I can't believe that I've been doing this techy stuff for three years now. If I'm not a computer pro now, I don't know when I'll ever be.
Boys? Ok, can I just put out a word of advice to any women out there in the LDS world who are struggling to swipe dates? GET YOUR MISSION PAPERS! You don't even have to go (although I would recommend it, because a) you get to serve the Lord 100%, b) you receive mega blessings and if you don't believe me than just read my previous post, and c) if you serve now you will return when I do, and we could be friends and maybe even roommates and I would still have friends when I get back from the mish) but at least get those suckers in your hands. Once you have them, the boys will come in legion. Maybe they won't be the type of boys you really want, because most likely they're commitmentphobes, but they can at least serve as guinea pigs until you get the swing of things down with the dating game. As soon as your confidence level has peaked with the pigs, you can move onto the major leagues. *Shoulder shrug* Or, you could really serve that mission, because gee, wouldn't it be neat if you were called to my mission and if you could serve as my companion? I know it's far fetched, but still, it would be neat.
So did this method work for me? Well, I don't know if that's information I'd share on a public blog, so you can fill in the blank yourself. Tee hee.
Chocolate? I've been nervously hogging down Hershey's chocolate bars for the past few days, but only because they've been the only thing around. Becca and crew had a failed campfire last week and the smores did not happen, which means that I was left with 8 chocolate bars. What would you do if 8 innocent chocolate bars were smiling up at you from your tupperware pantry box? I would eat them/have eaten them. However, I am still very much looking forward to Cadburry! It is the bestest chocolate in the whole wide world! And I'm pretty sure that I gained 10lbs that I can attribute soley to the giant Cadbury bars John Bennion would bring to us from Tesco. I sure am glad that the old "chocolate causes acne" legend has been debunked, because mmmm boy! Do I love chocolate! Only 39 days until my mad affair with Cadbury can begin!
Music? I kid you not, I feel guilty buying anything on iTunes that is not mission worthy. I've even been neglecting John Mayer. John freakin' Mayer!!! I feel like I've been infected with this strange pre-mission disease. Nothing is worth laying down greenbacks for that does not talk of God/gospel/etc. Even Janice Kapp Perry is starting to sound appealing....and I'm totally kidding, because I would never go that far. *Puke.* Lately I have bought 3 (three) different renditions of "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree", have been considering investing in BYU Men's Chorus's Greatest Hits (if that actually exists), and am deeply coveting Jordan's collection of Mindy Gledhill's music. Shoot, I haven't even felt like playing my own music lately. My little Yamaha c-40 has started to collect dust.
Snowboarding? I've almost forgotten what this is. It seems like it's been forevertime since I've hit those silver slopes. I'm hoping that we'll get some good powder before I leave so I can board one last time. However, I also have the looming fear in my head that I'd break a leg while boarding and then I'd have to wait to serve and consequently get sent somewhere else--somewhere else that is not England. :( I don't know if it's worth the risk.
Did anyone else feel this way before their mission? Please, console me, tell me I'm normal, and that everything will be alright. Until then I will continue to bang my head on this desk here and count down the days.
38 and seven eighths...
38 and three quarters...
38 and one half...
[pash-uhn] -noun
- any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
- a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music.
- the object of such a fondness or desire.
- an outburst of strong emotion or feeling.
I'm wiggin' out a little. Ok, I lied. I'm wiggin' out a lot. I'm hanging out in the twilight zone. (And no, I don't mean the one in the BYU bookstore. I'm talking about the one with the groovy theme song. You know it. The one that goes do DO do do, do DO do do.) I stand back with my jaw on the floor, amazed by the way my life is starting to sound like a broken record. (A cool broken record though--like the one you would mix into a P. Diddy song.) Can I just play it back for ya?As of December 15th 2006 my one and only shining passion was England. I sold my maroon Honda, Accord and my soul to pay for the England and Literature Study Abroad program. Nothing sounded as appealing as backpacking through the UK with a bunch of lit/creative writing junkies. And I mean nothing! My typical passions faded into the background.
School and Classes? "Who cares?" I thought, "I'll soon be reading Wordsworth over his grave and frolicking through the Moors that inspired Emily Bronte to birth that gorgeous and odious fellow Heathcliff!" (My heart still goes out to you Heathcliff. You are my one and only fictional crush. *sigh*)
Work? It was only the means to an end. The more I worked, the more chocolate and pashminas I could buy in the UK. I still can't believe that I swept floors in that hair salon for so many boring hours.
Boys? They were lame sauce. Like lumpy, moldy gravy type lame sauce too. Not even the lame sauce that is worth straining through the lame with your teeth to get to the tasty sauce. I ignored them and decided to only respond to them when they offered food. I had to pinch all my pennies for this trip and free food was the only economical option, clearly.
Chocolate? I figured it was silly to waste any time/calories on the waxy American crap when Cadburry was faithfully waiting for me across the pond.
Music? Everything revolved around finding the perfect playlist for my iPod. My trip to England was to be perfect, and that meant that it needed the perfect soundtrack. All other singers who were not folk, Brittish or John Mayer (because he trumps everything, even England) became worthless to me.
Snowboarding? Expensive...but still a necessary/guilty pleasure. I guess I didn't exactly give this sucker up. I had to buffen up my quads somehow for all the insane hiking that would go on in England--right?
So where do I sit now while I am watching the clock tick tock tick tock and counting the days until I report? Passionless.
Classes? I have two more weeks until the end of the block, baby! I've exponentially lost interest as each week has flown by. Why would I want to do homework when I could do more exciting mission related stuff like applying for my visa, shopping for frumpy clothes, and studying up on Preach My Gospel?
Work? I sure do love working for Jon Mott and know that I will miss it. Wow, I can't believe that I've been doing this techy stuff for three years now. If I'm not a computer pro now, I don't know when I'll ever be.
Boys? Ok, can I just put out a word of advice to any women out there in the LDS world who are struggling to swipe dates? GET YOUR MISSION PAPERS! You don't even have to go (although I would recommend it, because a) you get to serve the Lord 100%, b) you receive mega blessings and if you don't believe me than just read my previous post, and c) if you serve now you will return when I do, and we could be friends and maybe even roommates and I would still have friends when I get back from the mish) but at least get those suckers in your hands. Once you have them, the boys will come in legion. Maybe they won't be the type of boys you really want, because most likely they're commitmentphobes, but they can at least serve as guinea pigs until you get the swing of things down with the dating game. As soon as your confidence level has peaked with the pigs, you can move onto the major leagues. *Shoulder shrug* Or, you could really serve that mission, because gee, wouldn't it be neat if you were called to my mission and if you could serve as my companion? I know it's far fetched, but still, it would be neat.
So did this method work for me? Well, I don't know if that's information I'd share on a public blog, so you can fill in the blank yourself. Tee hee.
Chocolate? I've been nervously hogging down Hershey's chocolate bars for the past few days, but only because they've been the only thing around. Becca and crew had a failed campfire last week and the smores did not happen, which means that I was left with 8 chocolate bars. What would you do if 8 innocent chocolate bars were smiling up at you from your tupperware pantry box? I would eat them/have eaten them. However, I am still very much looking forward to Cadburry! It is the bestest chocolate in the whole wide world! And I'm pretty sure that I gained 10lbs that I can attribute soley to the giant Cadbury bars John Bennion would bring to us from Tesco. I sure am glad that the old "chocolate causes acne" legend has been debunked, because mmmm boy! Do I love chocolate! Only 39 days until my mad affair with Cadbury can begin!
Music? I kid you not, I feel guilty buying anything on iTunes that is not mission worthy. I've even been neglecting John Mayer. John freakin' Mayer!!! I feel like I've been infected with this strange pre-mission disease. Nothing is worth laying down greenbacks for that does not talk of God/gospel/etc. Even Janice Kapp Perry is starting to sound appealing....and I'm totally kidding, because I would never go that far. *Puke.* Lately I have bought 3 (three) different renditions of "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree", have been considering investing in BYU Men's Chorus's Greatest Hits (if that actually exists), and am deeply coveting Jordan's collection of Mindy Gledhill's music. Shoot, I haven't even felt like playing my own music lately. My little Yamaha c-40 has started to collect dust.
Snowboarding? I've almost forgotten what this is. It seems like it's been forevertime since I've hit those silver slopes. I'm hoping that we'll get some good powder before I leave so I can board one last time. However, I also have the looming fear in my head that I'd break a leg while boarding and then I'd have to wait to serve and consequently get sent somewhere else--somewhere else that is not England. :( I don't know if it's worth the risk.
Did anyone else feel this way before their mission? Please, console me, tell me I'm normal, and that everything will be alright. Until then I will continue to bang my head on this desk here and count down the days.
38 and seven eighths...
38 and three quarters...
38 and one half...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Could life get any better? I surmise that it could not!
Top 25 Reasons I'm Smiling as of 09-10-08:
- My call to the England Manchester Mission. Seriously, I thought the excitement would wear off by now, and I still wake up every morning expecting it to be gone, but? I continually find myself thinking that I may burst at any moment. Two more months, baby!
- iTunes Store. It may suck up a large chunk of my spending money, but shoot, is it ever worth it. I indulged this week on some oldies: No Rain by Blind Melon, Zombie Zoo by Tom Petty, Never Tear Us Apart by INXS and Peaches by The Presidents of the United States of America. I remain a firm believer that money really can buy happiness....even if it's momentary.
- 7 am runs in this GORGEOUS rainy weather.
- A healthy curfew that allows me to enjoy my 7 am runs.
- A gorgeous boy who supports a healthy curfew.
- Dining with my England family on Saturday at the Bombay House. Curry and England people=bliss.
- Said gorgeous boy enjoys company of England family and vice versa.
- The prospect of going through the temple on Saturday!
- The prospect of seeing my family at the temple on Saturday!!!
- The time spent last night with my wonderful mother shopping for temple clothing and eating and Mimi's Cafe.
- Happiness that allows me to use cheesy words like "wonderful", "amazing", exclamation marks, etc. without any internal shuddering, puksies, or guilt.
- Chacos which keep my feet happy, healthy, and smiling.
- Granola bars on sale at Smith's: 5 boxes for 5 dollars!
- Hot shoes found at the D.I. during every visit, without fail.
- My ability to weave red into my own hair, costing me 8 bucks instead of 80.
- Lizard Lava flavored Sobe gifted to me by the gorgeous boy.
- The music of Hildegard von Bingen. Finally! Gregorian chants for women!
- Getting my spacious office/glorified cubicle back in the Testing Center (aka Hell) after working the entire summer cramped up next to Becky's desk space. (Not that I don't love you Becky, because I do. I honestly love you.)
- CTR ring sale in the BYU Bookstore during Education Week. Boy, has Provo made a zoobie out of me.
- Bosses like Jon Mott who give peons like me bi-annual raises for no apparent reason.
- John Mayer's "Where the Light Is" album/DVD. So lovely.
- Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. (Please pick up on that reference.)
- Rachel's yummy pesto sauce and french bread.
- Finding myself surrounded by friends and family who love and support me.
- A Father in Heaven who knows us all individually and loves us even though we are pretty stupid most of the time, and who helps His stupid children erase past mistakes and make new decisions that are much, much better.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A Mission Call To Trump All Others!
I slid the heavy cream paper out of the envelope and saw one thing: Manchester England. And then? Jumping, screaming, and giggling. "Where are you going?!?" my family members exclaimed. "I'm going back!" I said, "I'm going to England!"
I received my call exactly one week ago and still can't believe my luck. Holy cow! I'm going to England on my mission! Could my life possible get any better? Could I feel any more blessed? I could not. It is a dream to me and I feel like the Lord is spoiling me beyond anything I deserve. Not only do I have a mega crush on anything that is British, but this is also the mission that my late father served, which is especially sentimental for me.
I report on November 21st to the Preston MTC. Until then I will be taking block classes at BYU and living/working in Provo.
I truly feel that the Lord is blessing me in every way possible. Before I turned in my papers I was worried about the timing of my call. I still need to take one more semester of Spanish in order to fulfill my GE requirements. I considered staying another semester and putting my availability date near the end of December, when the semester ends. However, I strongly felt that I needed to turn my papers in as soon as I could, and so I did hoping that everything else could be taken care of. I'm happy to say that things are working out really well for me. I found a place I can stay for just a couple months and I've also been able to work with the chair of the Spanish department who has granted me permission to audit the class I need and test out of the course before I leave for the mission. I know that the Lord's hand has been in all of this tricky logistic business and I am so grateful that He loves me and is looking out for the little details in my life.
Since I received my call, I've been pouring through the photos from my study abroad in England last summer. Here are a few photos from my mission area.
Anywho, I am so happy with the prospect of serving. Thanks to everyone for all your encouragement and support.
Love,
Sister Mather
Friday, August 15, 2008
No, I was not bored at work...
One Word Challenge (it's pretty challenging...really.)
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? Guitarcase
3. Your hair? butchered
4. Your mother? Superwoman
5. Your father? Legend
6. Your favorite thing? Family
7. Your dream last night? omen
8. Your favorite drink? Grapefruit
9. Your dream/goal? Joy
10. The room you're in? Cubicle
11. Your hobby? Music
12. Your fear? isolation
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? India (why not?)
14. Where were you last night? moving
15. What you're not? bitter
16. Muffins? deceptive
17. Where you grew up? bubble
18. The last thing you did? backpacked
19. What are you wearing? art
20. Your TV? never
21. Your pets? boys
22. Your computer? iphonezilla
23. Your life? Mission
24. Your mood? goofy
25. Missing someone? always
26. Your car? Europe
27. Something you're not wearing? ring
28. Last summer? nomad
29. Like someone? prohibited
30. Your favorite color? coral
31. When was the last time you laughed? currently
32. Last time you cried? noon
33. Who will resend this? clueless
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Waiting for my rocket to come...
So, it's official. My mission papers have been sent! Well, actually they were sent last week, but I've been a lazy blogger. Anywho, I thought I'd make it publically known to all so you can start brainstorming brilliant ideas for MTC packages.
Does this all seem a bit sudden to you? Don't worry. You're not alone. The mission came up somewhat randomly in my life. I've always wanted to go, but honestly never felt like it would be right to go. I prayed about it a lot when I was 19, and again when I was 20, but didn't feel like it was an extremely pressing item of business that I needed to prepare for. Finally, when I was approaching 21, I prayed about it and felt again that it wasn't right, so I threw in the towel and set my course to graduate from the Y in the spring of 2009. End of story, right? Wrong. This past spring the mission came up in a conversation with a close friend. It sparked something inside of me. I decided to inquire one more time. This time around I felt shockingly different. I felt good about it. I kept thinking, "Are you sure God? Are you sure it's really ok for me to go? You're not playing any tricks on me?" I was so flippin' excited to feel that God was finally giving me his stamp of approval. Woot!
I'm excited to start a new chapter of my life. I know that I will be missing everyone and I'm only starting to realize how much I will be sacrificing (I've got a sweet little life set up here in P-town), but I am also excited to do something so challenging! Admitedly, I am also terrified, and nervous, and extremely anxious and impatient to receive my call. And all I can do now is wait for my call and learn a lesson in patience.
Anywho, I love you all and will let you know when I receive my call!
Monday, July 14, 2008
My favorite fairy tale
Once upon a time in a land far away, a beautiful, independent, self-assured princess happened to come upon a frog as she sat contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a verdant meadow near her castle.
The frog hopped into the princess' lap and said: " Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome prince, until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper, young prince that I am, and then, my sweet, we can marry and set up housekeeping in your castle with my mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, and forever feel grateful and happy doing so. "
That night, as the princess dined sumptuously on lightly sauteed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled and thought to herself: "I don't freakin' think so!"
The frog hopped into the princess' lap and said: " Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome prince, until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper, young prince that I am, and then, my sweet, we can marry and set up housekeeping in your castle with my mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, and forever feel grateful and happy doing so. "
That night, as the princess dined sumptuously on lightly sauteed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled and thought to herself: "I don't freakin' think so!"
Friday, July 11, 2008
Happy Month for Movies and Music
First off, I'm not a huge movie buff. I'd rather do homework than sit on my butt watching a pointless film while my life ticks away. It's not that I have anything against movies as a leisurely activity, it's just that I get mega depressed watching beautiful people doing exciting things through a glass screen while I lie on a dirty apartment couch fattening myself up on kettle korn. It's like watching the TV show Friends in a friendless apartment. You can't help but feel your lack of coolness in comparison.
But secondly, I do like a good flick every now and then. And, thanks to rottentomatoes.com, I can now eliminate all stupid films from my life (i.e. anything with The Rock, Nicolas Cage, Anime characters, Seth Graves-type films, typical flicks about an ugly girl getting miraculously gorgeous and popular over night (which, of course, saves her from the inevitable doom of just being and looking like herself--the horror!), and those tricky films that are really good except for that one part (I now want you to imagine a delicious ice cream sundae with a happy cockroach friend crawling out of the scoop of pralines and cream and burping in your face--thank you Mormon Ads)).
Ok, so enough with the bad ("Live free, die well! ARRGGG!!!" -The Rock, Scorpion King), and on to the good!
Kung Fu Panda - One potentially stupid movie made hilarious by the comical genius of Jack Black. I tell you what, I was laughing my head off in the theatre, but when I try to quote the movie, it's not that funny. What is it about Jack Black's vocal intonations that make even the simplest phrases hilarious? Do we all remember Black in King Kong? Now, I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure he was supposed to play a straight-forward, serious character, but even in their moments of peril with the t-rexes smashing the tiny island to bits he sounded funny to me. Anywho, kudos to Black for another funny flick that is family friendly. Go see it, if only for the first five minute dream sequence. Best line? "There is no charge for awesomeness, or attractiveness." And trust me, it may not look funny on paper, but you'll bust a gut in the theatre.
WALL-E - Pixar . . . need I say more? No I don't, but I will. It's creative. It's powerful. It's brilliant. It's fun. It's green, but not in a lay-stretched-across-the-road-to-save-a-crossing-duck sort of way. It's my favorite film of the year, so far. I don't know how, but Pixar managed to
mash an assortment of poignant themes and textures into a fine piece of work. While it is set in the future and the robots and spaceships give you a star trekish/star wars type feel, the music from Hello Dolly is scattered throughout the film, giving you a sense of nostalgia for the past and a fear for what the future may be if we, as responsible humans, don't do something about it now. Pixar also created an endearing and believable romance between two abiotic robots. Wow. So yes, I'd give this film two thumbs up, plus my two big toes, and maybe some more thumbs up if I could find 'em or grow 'em somehow. Not to be gross or nothin' . . . ah hem.
Future Flicks to be giddy about: Batman: The Dark Knight--can't wait for the creepiness factor in this one and seriously, when has Christian Bale ever let us down? And, what I suspect will be my guilty pleasure this summer: Mamma Mia! I'll just admit it now--I love ABBA. I love ABBA singing ABBA, I love Erasure singing ABBA, I love my sister Rachel singing ABBA (and man does she do some great interpretive dancing to some of their tunes). So could life possible get any better when we have incredible people like Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, and Meryl Streep rocking out to the tunes of Disco legends??? I think not.
And now on to the music.
It has been a very musically successful month for me. I find myself surrounded by good music. My iTunes account is sitting all plump and purdy while my buyer's guilt has skyrocketed. Oy! There's just too much good music out there and not enough time or money to harvest it all.
Missy Higgins: Found her on Pandora while listening to a modern folk-type mix and dang! have I been missing out. Where has Missy been all my life? First bonus point: she's from Australia, which means her vocal intonations are sensational, unique, and delicious. Second of all, she's diverse; she's got sass, and soul, and sorrow, and spirit. And third, she keeps things simple. She sticks to the guitar or piano and doesn't muck up her sound with too much instrumental garbage. And her lyrical messages are clear and poignant. As fun as it can be to decode some artist's lyrics (only to find that they don't make much sense anyway because the artist wrote them while they were wasted) it's nice every now and again to listen to someone who is just straight forward and honest with their feelings about life. Recommended songs to sample: "Peachy", "Where I Stood", and "Scar".
Brandi Carlile: I first heard her song, "The Story", from a free iTunes download and then continued to bump into her on Pandora. (If you haven't checked out Pandora.com yet, I'd recommend. Imeem.com is also good if you're looking for a more selective approach to eRadio.) Her vocals and rich, raw, and real. It's not every day that you can find a woman with the vocal prowess to rip and whale into a piece without sounding like a gimpy imitation of Metallica. Wow, this woman has some power. And she's a folk artist, which automatically gives her five gold stars in my book. Mmm, mmm... Other recommended songs: "Turpentine", "The Story", and "Cannonball". And if you like her, you'll love Patty Griffin, and vice versa. But we'll save Patty for another day. She deserves a post all to herself.
Fauxliage: This is the gal singer from Sixpence None the Richer collaborating her vocals with a fuller and more expansive style. Reminds me of the depth and breadth of Sarah Brightman's music, minus the operatic vocals. It's enchanting. Let the music speak for itself--check out the song, "Let It Go". One listen and you'll be converted. :)
Where the Light Is: Saving the best for last! Can we even begin to explain the wonder that is John Mayer? Yeah, I know some of you out there may have been turned off back in '03 when "Your Body is a Wonderland" was beaten into the ground by DJs who overplayed it. But that was five years ago. It is time to forgive, forget, and move on. I would hate to think that someone who is just as great as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix is missing from the musical lives of so many people just because they are stuck on the pop-prejudices of Mayer's journey into the lime-light. And get your jaw off of the floor and that shocked look off your face. Yes, Mayer is as good as Clapton and Hendrix. Don't believe me? Listen to John Mayer Trio. Hearing is believing. I mean, come on, this guy has done work with all sorts of folk across the music world, from Clapton himself, to the Dixie Chicks, Rob Thomas, Herbie Hancock (!!!), and let's not forget the fantastic Cross Roads performance Mayer did with Brad Paisley (Another phenomenal guitarist who is all too sadly understated). I think it's safe to say that Mayer is going to be around for a long time. Ok, so enough with this validating stuff, and onto the meat: "Where the Light Is." Wow, what a great collection of the best of what John Mayer does best: Acoustic, Blues, and Rock. And vocally our boy John has really come a long way. John isn't a
vocalist, he's a guitarist, but his vocals are getting stronger and he is leaving his whispy, semi-creepy sounding days behind him. And all the more power to him and his music! His vocals are especially impressive on the acoustic tracks, "Free Falling" (an exceptional cover), and "In Your Atmosphere". The John Mayer Trio set really gives John a chance to showcase his phenomenal guitar skills and also highlights the all too talented Steve Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino on bass. Check out the performance of, "Out of My Mind", on YouTube from the "Where the Light Is" performance if you can. Killer attitude, Mayer gets really snotty on this one. Ooo, I love it. And I really don't think I can emphasize enough how mad his guitar skills are. Really, if you're not a believer yet, give him one last shot. You might find yourself reborn. Let's stop thinking of Mayer as a cheap Pop Boy. It's time for a paradigm shift in music culture. Let's recognize Mayer for the talented artist and man that he is. Can't wait to see him in SLC!
Extra! Extra! Some other great tracks to check out this week:
"Just Like Heaven (Cover)" -Katie Melua
"Don't Wake Me Up" -The Hush Sound
"Silver Lining" - Rilo Kiley
"One Man Wrecking Machine" -Guster
But secondly, I do like a good flick every now and then. And, thanks to rottentomatoes.com, I can now eliminate all stupid films from my life (i.e. anything with The Rock, Nicolas Cage, Anime characters, Seth Graves-type films, typical flicks about an ugly girl getting miraculously gorgeous and popular over night (which, of course, saves her from the inevitable doom of just being and looking like herself--the horror!), and those tricky films that are really good except for that one part (I now want you to imagine a delicious ice cream sundae with a happy cockroach friend crawling out of the scoop of pralines and cream and burping in your face--thank you Mormon Ads)).
Ok, so enough with the bad ("Live free, die well! ARRGGG!!!" -The Rock, Scorpion King), and on to the good!
Kung Fu Panda - One potentially stupid movie made hilarious by the comical genius of Jack Black. I tell you what, I was laughing my head off in the theatre, but when I try to quote the movie, it's not that funny. What is it about Jack Black's vocal intonations that make even the simplest phrases hilarious? Do we all remember Black in King Kong? Now, I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure he was supposed to play a straight-forward, serious character, but even in their moments of peril with the t-rexes smashing the tiny island to bits he sounded funny to me. Anywho, kudos to Black for another funny flick that is family friendly. Go see it, if only for the first five minute dream sequence. Best line? "There is no charge for awesomeness, or attractiveness." And trust me, it may not look funny on paper, but you'll bust a gut in the theatre.WALL-E - Pixar . . . need I say more? No I don't, but I will. It's creative. It's powerful. It's brilliant. It's fun. It's green, but not in a lay-stretched-across-the-road-to-save-a-crossing-duck sort of way. It's my favorite film of the year, so far. I don't know how, but Pixar managed to
mash an assortment of poignant themes and textures into a fine piece of work. While it is set in the future and the robots and spaceships give you a star trekish/star wars type feel, the music from Hello Dolly is scattered throughout the film, giving you a sense of nostalgia for the past and a fear for what the future may be if we, as responsible humans, don't do something about it now. Pixar also created an endearing and believable romance between two abiotic robots. Wow. So yes, I'd give this film two thumbs up, plus my two big toes, and maybe some more thumbs up if I could find 'em or grow 'em somehow. Not to be gross or nothin' . . . ah hem.Future Flicks to be giddy about: Batman: The Dark Knight--can't wait for the creepiness factor in this one and seriously, when has Christian Bale ever let us down? And, what I suspect will be my guilty pleasure this summer: Mamma Mia! I'll just admit it now--I love ABBA. I love ABBA singing ABBA, I love Erasure singing ABBA, I love my sister Rachel singing ABBA (and man does she do some great interpretive dancing to some of their tunes). So could life possible get any better when we have incredible people like Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, and Meryl Streep rocking out to the tunes of Disco legends??? I think not.
And now on to the music.
It has been a very musically successful month for me. I find myself surrounded by good music. My iTunes account is sitting all plump and purdy while my buyer's guilt has skyrocketed. Oy! There's just too much good music out there and not enough time or money to harvest it all.
Missy Higgins: Found her on Pandora while listening to a modern folk-type mix and dang! have I been missing out. Where has Missy been all my life? First bonus point: she's from Australia, which means her vocal intonations are sensational, unique, and delicious. Second of all, she's diverse; she's got sass, and soul, and sorrow, and spirit. And third, she keeps things simple. She sticks to the guitar or piano and doesn't muck up her sound with too much instrumental garbage. And her lyrical messages are clear and poignant. As fun as it can be to decode some artist's lyrics (only to find that they don't make much sense anyway because the artist wrote them while they were wasted) it's nice every now and again to listen to someone who is just straight forward and honest with their feelings about life. Recommended songs to sample: "Peachy", "Where I Stood", and "Scar".
Brandi Carlile: I first heard her song, "The Story", from a free iTunes download and then continued to bump into her on Pandora. (If you haven't checked out Pandora.com yet, I'd recommend. Imeem.com is also good if you're looking for a more selective approach to eRadio.) Her vocals and rich, raw, and real. It's not every day that you can find a woman with the vocal prowess to rip and whale into a piece without sounding like a gimpy imitation of Metallica. Wow, this woman has some power. And she's a folk artist, which automatically gives her five gold stars in my book. Mmm, mmm... Other recommended songs: "Turpentine", "The Story", and "Cannonball". And if you like her, you'll love Patty Griffin, and vice versa. But we'll save Patty for another day. She deserves a post all to herself.
Fauxliage: This is the gal singer from Sixpence None the Richer collaborating her vocals with a fuller and more expansive style. Reminds me of the depth and breadth of Sarah Brightman's music, minus the operatic vocals. It's enchanting. Let the music speak for itself--check out the song, "Let It Go". One listen and you'll be converted. :)
Where the Light Is: Saving the best for last! Can we even begin to explain the wonder that is John Mayer? Yeah, I know some of you out there may have been turned off back in '03 when "Your Body is a Wonderland" was beaten into the ground by DJs who overplayed it. But that was five years ago. It is time to forgive, forget, and move on. I would hate to think that someone who is just as great as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix is missing from the musical lives of so many people just because they are stuck on the pop-prejudices of Mayer's journey into the lime-light. And get your jaw off of the floor and that shocked look off your face. Yes, Mayer is as good as Clapton and Hendrix. Don't believe me? Listen to John Mayer Trio. Hearing is believing. I mean, come on, this guy has done work with all sorts of folk across the music world, from Clapton himself, to the Dixie Chicks, Rob Thomas, Herbie Hancock (!!!), and let's not forget the fantastic Cross Roads performance Mayer did with Brad Paisley (Another phenomenal guitarist who is all too sadly understated). I think it's safe to say that Mayer is going to be around for a long time. Ok, so enough with this validating stuff, and onto the meat: "Where the Light Is." Wow, what a great collection of the best of what John Mayer does best: Acoustic, Blues, and Rock. And vocally our boy John has really come a long way. John isn't a
vocalist, he's a guitarist, but his vocals are getting stronger and he is leaving his whispy, semi-creepy sounding days behind him. And all the more power to him and his music! His vocals are especially impressive on the acoustic tracks, "Free Falling" (an exceptional cover), and "In Your Atmosphere". The John Mayer Trio set really gives John a chance to showcase his phenomenal guitar skills and also highlights the all too talented Steve Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino on bass. Check out the performance of, "Out of My Mind", on YouTube from the "Where the Light Is" performance if you can. Killer attitude, Mayer gets really snotty on this one. Ooo, I love it. And I really don't think I can emphasize enough how mad his guitar skills are. Really, if you're not a believer yet, give him one last shot. You might find yourself reborn. Let's stop thinking of Mayer as a cheap Pop Boy. It's time for a paradigm shift in music culture. Let's recognize Mayer for the talented artist and man that he is. Can't wait to see him in SLC!Extra! Extra! Some other great tracks to check out this week:
"Just Like Heaven (Cover)" -Katie Melua
"Don't Wake Me Up" -The Hush Sound
"Silver Lining" - Rilo Kiley
"One Man Wrecking Machine" -Guster
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Gizoogle
Same post, transformizzled by da powa of gizoogle.com
...Fo all you wanna be gangstas.
The ABC Game...and no, I'm not rapping `bout gum here
So, I totally stole this fizzle mah homie Marianne, but I thought it was nizzy (phrase should be said in tha same way you'd say, "We is tha same height--that is nizzy.)
A-Attached or Single? Single, n whizzay a beautiful thing it is ta be like this and like that and like this and uh. I bought food fo` me fo` tha F-to-tha-izzirst tizzle yesterday ya feelin' me?. It was liberat'n in a new sort of way so sit back relax new jacks get smacked.
B-Best Homie? I hizzle loads of 'em: Adrienne, Charise, Rebecca, R-to-tha-izzick, Andrea, Mom, Jeff...ok, maybe that's not "loads" but I fizzy like I am blessed wit a healthy stock of thugz who love me. :)
C- Cakes or Pie? Pie, preferably made witout a food processor so as one may not enta tha rizzy of doggy stylin' one's index finga ta shreds in tha dogg pound. (Trust me on this one.)
D-Day of Choice? Hmm, Monday? I usually feel funky n refreshed fizzy oversleep'n on tha weekend.
E-Essential Items? J-to-tha-izzohn Poser album Continuum,honey n oat granola bizzars, chacos, n cizzay phone.
F- Favorite color? Coral n a funky turquoisizzle green. I'm obsessed.
G-Gummy Bears or Worms? Like, earth worms? Yo!
H-Hometown?Highland, UT. Preferred hometown? Da ghetto Highlands of Scotland.
I-Favorite Indulgence? Expensive almond granola bar fizzle BYU bookstore wit Ocean Spray grapefruit juice . Aint no L-I-M-I-to-tha-T. I git 'em gangsta every exam as a reward...and sometizzles jizzle whizzay I feel like it too. OooOOoo, also good: chocolate covered cinnamon bears--Drop it like its hot!
J-January or July? Wiznell, tizzle depends. Am I snowboard'n or hik'n�?
K-Kids?Kids is very cute, n expensive. I'm not quite blingin' enough...but someday whiznen mah teacha's salary kicks in....dang!
L-Life isn't complete witout? Religion, Family, Health n Education...and Chocolate...and possibly John Mayer.
M-Marriage Date? Seriously? People go on dates where tha activity is ta git married? Is that everyone's big secret in Provo. Sheesh, I sure missed tha memo on that one . Aint no stoppin' this gansta female.
Rizzy answa�? Hell no.
Pimp of brotha n sista�? Preface: I'm not ly'n� fo yo. 8 brotha n 6 beautiful sista�. We is a pretty hot family. Included in tha hot bunch is 4 swiznell step bros and all, mah mom did not have all 15 of us, J-to-tha-izzust a healthy amount of 11 . Death row 187 4 life.
O-Oranges or Apples? Fo rizzle?
P-Phobia n Fears? I'm afraid of tha dizzark, whizzich means I am afraid of all monstas (unda tha bizned, in mah closet, steppin' outside of mah door. I hizzle ta kneel on mah bed wizzle I say mah even'n praya...and yes, I am 21.) I'm also afraid of ghosts, werewizzles wolves, mackin' wit fangs really, tha devil, cellulizzles zombies (let's not even rap `bout tha movie "I Am Legend.") Bizzay thankfully I am NOT afraid of baller. They're quite lovely.
Q-Quote?This one really fits mah situation as of late with my forty-fo' mag: "I hope life isn't a joke, coz I D-to-tha-izzon't git it." --Jack Handy
R-Reason ta smile? My birthday in next Monday!! Which means tin fizzle dinna n Bunco up tha canyon wit mah family!!!
S-Season of choice? Summa--no contest.
T-Tag ten people? No. Dag yo.
U-Unknown fizzle `bout me? Fizzay . Hollaz to the East Side: contrary ta popular belief I like stylin' some movies (they mizzle be of H-to-tha-izzigh historizzles or comical quality) n I also like stylin' video games...ok, jiznust mario cart n guitar hero, but video games, neverthizzles.
V-Vegetable? Artichokes--they makes blingin' so piznosh.
W-Worse habit? Facebizzle is tha ultimate time-suck'n black hizzy of crazy gansta surf'n doom!!!
Y-yo favorite food? I really love all food, but some favorizzles is Mom's twice baked potatoes n corn flakes chicken, Rick's Thai curry, Brotha Bueno Bars, Betos' Bacon Breakfast Burritos (izzle tizzy 10 times fast), anyth'n Rachel n Cheryl make, n Cadbury chocolate fo gettin yo pimp on.
Z-Zodiac Sign? Canca....yeah, I'm pretty crabby. ;)
...Fo all you wanna be gangstas.
The ABC Game...and no, I'm not rapping `bout gum here
So, I totally stole this fizzle mah homie Marianne, but I thought it was nizzy (phrase should be said in tha same way you'd say, "We is tha same height--that is nizzy.)
A-Attached or Single? Single, n whizzay a beautiful thing it is ta be like this and like that and like this and uh. I bought food fo` me fo` tha F-to-tha-izzirst tizzle yesterday ya feelin' me?. It was liberat'n in a new sort of way so sit back relax new jacks get smacked.
B-Best Homie? I hizzle loads of 'em: Adrienne, Charise, Rebecca, R-to-tha-izzick, Andrea, Mom, Jeff...ok, maybe that's not "loads" but I fizzy like I am blessed wit a healthy stock of thugz who love me. :)
C- Cakes or Pie? Pie, preferably made witout a food processor so as one may not enta tha rizzy of doggy stylin' one's index finga ta shreds in tha dogg pound. (Trust me on this one.)
D-Day of Choice? Hmm, Monday? I usually feel funky n refreshed fizzy oversleep'n on tha weekend.
E-Essential Items? J-to-tha-izzohn Poser album Continuum,honey n oat granola bizzars, chacos, n cizzay phone.
F- Favorite color? Coral n a funky turquoisizzle green. I'm obsessed.
G-Gummy Bears or Worms? Like, earth worms? Yo!
H-Hometown?Highland, UT. Preferred hometown? Da ghetto Highlands of Scotland.
I-Favorite Indulgence? Expensive almond granola bar fizzle BYU bookstore wit Ocean Spray grapefruit juice . Aint no L-I-M-I-to-tha-T. I git 'em gangsta every exam as a reward...and sometizzles jizzle whizzay I feel like it too. OooOOoo, also good: chocolate covered cinnamon bears--Drop it like its hot!
J-January or July? Wiznell, tizzle depends. Am I snowboard'n or hik'n�?
K-Kids?Kids is very cute, n expensive. I'm not quite blingin' enough...but someday whiznen mah teacha's salary kicks in....dang!
L-Life isn't complete witout? Religion, Family, Health n Education...and Chocolate...and possibly John Mayer.
M-Marriage Date? Seriously? People go on dates where tha activity is ta git married? Is that everyone's big secret in Provo. Sheesh, I sure missed tha memo on that one . Aint no stoppin' this gansta female.
Rizzy answa�? Hell no.
Pimp of brotha n sista�? Preface: I'm not ly'n� fo yo. 8 brotha n 6 beautiful sista�. We is a pretty hot family. Included in tha hot bunch is 4 swiznell step bros and all, mah mom did not have all 15 of us, J-to-tha-izzust a healthy amount of 11 . Death row 187 4 life.
O-Oranges or Apples? Fo rizzle?
P-Phobia n Fears? I'm afraid of tha dizzark, whizzich means I am afraid of all monstas (unda tha bizned, in mah closet, steppin' outside of mah door. I hizzle ta kneel on mah bed wizzle I say mah even'n praya...and yes, I am 21.) I'm also afraid of ghosts, werewizzles wolves, mackin' wit fangs really, tha devil, cellulizzles zombies (let's not even rap `bout tha movie "I Am Legend.") Bizzay thankfully I am NOT afraid of baller. They're quite lovely.
Q-Quote?This one really fits mah situation as of late with my forty-fo' mag: "I hope life isn't a joke, coz I D-to-tha-izzon't git it." --Jack Handy
R-Reason ta smile? My birthday in next Monday!! Which means tin fizzle dinna n Bunco up tha canyon wit mah family!!!
S-Season of choice? Summa--no contest.
T-Tag ten people? No. Dag yo.
U-Unknown fizzle `bout me? Fizzay . Hollaz to the East Side: contrary ta popular belief I like stylin' some movies (they mizzle be of H-to-tha-izzigh historizzles or comical quality) n I also like stylin' video games...ok, jiznust mario cart n guitar hero, but video games, neverthizzles.
V-Vegetable? Artichokes--they makes blingin' so piznosh.
W-Worse habit? Facebizzle is tha ultimate time-suck'n black hizzy of crazy gansta surf'n doom!!!
Y-yo favorite food? I really love all food, but some favorizzles is Mom's twice baked potatoes n corn flakes chicken, Rick's Thai curry, Brotha Bueno Bars, Betos' Bacon Breakfast Burritos (izzle tizzy 10 times fast), anyth'n Rachel n Cheryl make, n Cadbury chocolate fo gettin yo pimp on.
Z-Zodiac Sign? Canca....yeah, I'm pretty crabby. ;)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The ABC Game...and no, I'm not talking about gum here
So, I totally stole this from my friend Marianne, but I thought it was neat (phrase should be said in the same way you'd say, "We are the same height--that is neat.)
A-Attached or Single? Single, and what a beautiful thing it is to be. I bought food for myself for the first time yesterday. It was liberating in a new sort of way.
B-Best Friend? I have loads of 'em: Adrienne, Charise, Rebecca, Rick, Andrea, Mom, Jeff...ok, maybe that's not "loads" but I feel like I am blessed with a healthy stock of people who love me. :)
C- Cake or Pie? Pie, preferably made WITHOUT a food processor so as one may not enter the risk of slashing one's index finger to shreds. (Trust me on this one.)
D-Day of Choice? Hmm, Monday? I usually feel nice and refreshed from oversleeping on the weekend.
E-Essential Items? John Mayer's album Continuum, honey and oat granola bars, chacos, and cell phone.
F- Favorite color? Coral and a nice turquoise-ocean green. I'm obsessed.
G-Gummy Bears or Worms? Like, earth worms?
H-Hometown? Highland, UT. Preferred hometown? Highlands of Scotland.
I-Favorite Indulgence? Expensive almond granola bar from BYU bookstore with Ocean Spray grapefruit juice. I get 'em after every exam as a reward...and sometimes just when I feel like it too. OooOOoo, also good: chocolate covered cinnamon bears--oh boy!
J-January or July? Well, that depends. Am I snowboarding or hiking?
K-Kids? Kids are very cute, and expensive. I'm not quite rich enough...but someday when my teacher's salary kicks in....
L-Life isn't complete without? Religion, Family, Health and Education...and Chocolate...and possibly John Mayer.
M-Marriage Date? Seriously? People go on dates where the activity is to get married? Is that everyone's big secret in Provo. Sheesh, I sure missed the memo on that one.
Real answer? Hell no.
N-Number of brothers and sisters? Preface: I'm not lying. 8 brothers and 6 beautiful sisters. We are a pretty hot family. Included in the hot bunch are 4 swell step siblings...so no, my mom did not have all 15 of us, just a healthy amount of 11.
O-Oranges or Apples? Yes?
P-Phobia and Fears? I'm afraid of the dark, which means I am afraid of all monsters (under the bed, in my closet, lurking outside of my door. I have to kneel on my bed when I say my evening prayers...and yes, I am 21.) I'm also afraid of ghosts, werewolves, wolves, anythings with fangs really, the devil, cellulite, zombies (let's not even talk about the movie "I Am Legend.") But, thankfully I am NOT afraid of spiders. They're quite lovely.
Q-Quote? This one really fits my situation as of late: "I hope life isn't a joke, because I don't get it." --Jack Handy
R-Reason to smile? My birthday in next Monday!! Which means tin foil dinners and Bunco up the canyon with my family!!!
S-Season of choice? Summer--no contest.
T-Tag ten people? No.
U-Unknown fact about me? Fact: contrary to popular belief I like watching some movies (they must be of high historical or comical quality) and I also like playing video games...ok, just mario cart and guitar hero, but video games, nevertheless.
V-Vegetable? Artichokes--they make everything so posh.
W-Worse habit? Facebook...it is the ultimate time-sucking black hole of cyber surfing doom!!!
Y-Your favorite food? I really love all food, but some favorites are Mom's twice baked potatoes and corn flake chicken, Rick's Thai curry, Kinder Bueno Bars, Betos' Bacon Breakfast Burritos (say that 10 times fast), anything Rachel and Cheryl make, and Cadbury chocolate.
Z-Zodiac Sign? Cancer....yeah, I'm pretty crabby. ;)
A-Attached or Single? Single, and what a beautiful thing it is to be. I bought food for myself for the first time yesterday. It was liberating in a new sort of way.
B-Best Friend? I have loads of 'em: Adrienne, Charise, Rebecca, Rick, Andrea, Mom, Jeff...ok, maybe that's not "loads" but I feel like I am blessed with a healthy stock of people who love me. :)
C- Cake or Pie? Pie, preferably made WITHOUT a food processor so as one may not enter the risk of slashing one's index finger to shreds. (Trust me on this one.)
D-Day of Choice? Hmm, Monday? I usually feel nice and refreshed from oversleeping on the weekend.
E-Essential Items? John Mayer's album Continuum, honey and oat granola bars, chacos, and cell phone.
F- Favorite color? Coral and a nice turquoise-ocean green. I'm obsessed.
G-Gummy Bears or Worms? Like, earth worms?
H-Hometown? Highland, UT. Preferred hometown? Highlands of Scotland.
I-Favorite Indulgence? Expensive almond granola bar from BYU bookstore with Ocean Spray grapefruit juice. I get 'em after every exam as a reward...and sometimes just when I feel like it too. OooOOoo, also good: chocolate covered cinnamon bears--oh boy!
J-January or July? Well, that depends. Am I snowboarding or hiking?
K-Kids? Kids are very cute, and expensive. I'm not quite rich enough...but someday when my teacher's salary kicks in....
L-Life isn't complete without? Religion, Family, Health and Education...and Chocolate...and possibly John Mayer.
M-Marriage Date? Seriously? People go on dates where the activity is to get married? Is that everyone's big secret in Provo. Sheesh, I sure missed the memo on that one.
Real answer? Hell no.
N-Number of brothers and sisters? Preface: I'm not lying. 8 brothers and 6 beautiful sisters. We are a pretty hot family. Included in the hot bunch are 4 swell step siblings...so no, my mom did not have all 15 of us, just a healthy amount of 11.
O-Oranges or Apples? Yes?
P-Phobia and Fears? I'm afraid of the dark, which means I am afraid of all monsters (under the bed, in my closet, lurking outside of my door. I have to kneel on my bed when I say my evening prayers...and yes, I am 21.) I'm also afraid of ghosts, werewolves, wolves, anythings with fangs really, the devil, cellulite, zombies (let's not even talk about the movie "I Am Legend.") But, thankfully I am NOT afraid of spiders. They're quite lovely.
Q-Quote? This one really fits my situation as of late: "I hope life isn't a joke, because I don't get it." --Jack Handy
R-Reason to smile? My birthday in next Monday!! Which means tin foil dinners and Bunco up the canyon with my family!!!
S-Season of choice? Summer--no contest.
T-Tag ten people? No.
U-Unknown fact about me? Fact: contrary to popular belief I like watching some movies (they must be of high historical or comical quality) and I also like playing video games...ok, just mario cart and guitar hero, but video games, nevertheless.
V-Vegetable? Artichokes--they make everything so posh.
W-Worse habit? Facebook...it is the ultimate time-sucking black hole of cyber surfing doom!!!
Y-Your favorite food? I really love all food, but some favorites are Mom's twice baked potatoes and corn flake chicken, Rick's Thai curry, Kinder Bueno Bars, Betos' Bacon Breakfast Burritos (say that 10 times fast), anything Rachel and Cheryl make, and Cadbury chocolate.
Z-Zodiac Sign? Cancer....yeah, I'm pretty crabby. ;)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A Brand New Colony
So a fellow in our office had a pretty bad fever yesterday. I just ran into him on my bathroom break and he seems to be doing well. Our bodies are so strange. 103 degrees yesterday and now he's feeling peachy-keen. Reminded me of the time I was about seven and Mom was out of town and I got a high fever. Cheryl took on her natural role as the caregiver and offered me toast and steaming Jello to eat. She took my temperature, which was 104 and immediately talked to Ryan. I learned in my CPR and First Aid certification class that once your temperature gets to 105-106 you start experiencing brain damage. As I weakly lied in my pink bed in the girl's room downstairs, Ryan gave me a blessing. I don't remember too many details after that, but I know I drifted off to sleep sometime soon and felt much better the next morning, as my had fever subsided. Although I don't remember a lot of details from this memory, I do remember the feelings; the healing power of the blessing and the love of my siblings, Cheryl and Ryan, the two people in my family who I consider to have the gifts of comfort and healing. I really miss Ryan, and Genene. In a perfect world we could establish our own little colony with our family. Ryan, Clay, and Ryan G. could be the doctors. Dave Southam and Kelly would oversee our colony's finances and Dave would also help with construction developments. We would have gorgeous grounds, thanks to Jason, Shaun, and Darrell, and David could arrange all of our out-of-colony excursions. And Daniel? Shoot, he could do anything! Marty could keep all of our kids spiritual and Emily could teach them music theory. We'd have some amazing musicians. Christy will keep our houses smelling sweet and our scrapbooks a comin'. Kim, of course, would be our building designer and decorator--our buildings would be stunning. Genene could run the gym and teach the gymnastic and aerobic classes and the yoga and biking classes could be Andrea's. Rachel could be our chef and artist--we would eat like kings! Kris Anne and I would keep the young'ns educated and literate and during my time off, I would take to gardening with Mom. Neil could be the great story teller--the one the kids would gather around during bonfire festivals to hear legends and folklore. No question that our cars would all run soundly--our family's just brimming with skilled handymen. Greg could teach us all to be bilingual, in Spanish and English, and trilingual in humor. Heather could be in charge of the athletics; volleyball would be a must. And Maren, she's like Daniel: she could do anything and do well. But, I'd place her in the school with me and Kris, and I'd also put her on the party planning committee, and generally put her wherever I would be because then we could hang out all day. Debbie's family would naturally be part of our colony. Her kids would keep us entertained with their plays and speeches and concerts. And Debbie could take a load off of her feet and just hang out by the pool, sipping a cold glass of Pepsi. Heidi could be in charge of importing hot Hawaiian boys for me and Andrea to date, and then she could take a load off of her feet as well and join Debbie by the pool. I'd place Mom by the pool too, but I know she would get restless and start working on project or another and leave the pool--plus, she hates the heat.
While we probably couldn't provide our colony with ever resource, I can think of a few resources that would be vital to our survival as a people: food and music. We would have acres and acres of field and pasture and then we could put all the grandkids to work (ok, not in any sort of child labor way. We'd give 'em water breaks every ten hours or so...) and teach them the art of farming: the crisp coolness of June mornings before the sun comes up, soft dirt under your fingernails, the sun on your neck, the smell of cut grass, the dry itchiness from powdering corn, and the satisfaction you feel when the sun is going down and you can set down to a cool glass of water or lemonade after a long day of work. Or better, sitting down to a homegrown Sunday dinner: red potatoes, cucumbers with vinegar and salt, cherry tomatoes, corn, beans, and steak from the beef cow that was once so lovingly our pet.
I miss the simple life. I miss my childhood. But most of all, I miss my family.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Arizona at last
The mission statement at Anasazi is "to prepare parents and children to turn their hearts to one another, begin anew, and walk in harmony in the wilderness of the world." As employees, they ask us to live by the same standards we require the YoungWalkers to live and to also participate in turning our hearts towards our families. Consequently, you should all be expecting a whole heck of a lot more phone calls from me this summer, and I have also decided to revamp my dust ridden blog. I have really missed you all so much already. There's no one I want more after a long, hot, cactus-infested day in the desert than my family and especially my mother. I love the job so far, but really miss our weekly get-togethers. I'm excited to see everyone when I make my visits this summer.
Work has been going well--just a lot of training so far. We spent the first three days of training "on the trail" in the north-east Arizona wilderness. We went through a few varying desert climates on our way up to our camping location, gathering supplies from fallen vegetation and learning which plants were useful, edible, medicinal, and deadly. While we were cutting down the stalk of a yucca plant for fire boards a carpenter bee flew out. Inside the stalk was a rich deposit of desert honey, which is a bit grainier in texture but just as good as honey. I'm learning that even in the desert, there are endless resources available to us. I'm also quickly learning that cacti spines are unpleasant in toes and that clothing is the best kind of sunscreen around. I can happily report zero sunburns--thanks to my long sleeves and wide brimmed hat. Thanks for the years of advice, Mom; it has finally sunken in.
During our three days of outdoor training we went to work with our knives and machetes, making our fire sets, bows, knife sheaths, digging and rabbit sticks. It felt like I was back at the Walker Rendezvouses with the Southams--we even use good old fashion cow pies to start our fires. I love it.
One of the greatest highlights was finding wild mint on the edge of a small stream and wild mustard growing in our camp site. I was able to make a delightful minty drink before I went to bed.
The hardest part of the three day training was the dehydration I experienced on the first day out, while collecting resources for the making of our tools. I thought I had been drinking enough liquids and I had even boughten a large Gatorade for the car ride up. But after a couple hours in the Arizona heat my body began to sweat and feel sluggish and my head began to pound. Just a short while after these symptoms started I started to feel like I was going to throw-up: a true sign of dehydration. The field director explained to us how we could evaluate the level of our hydration through a pulse check and also the things we needed to do to stay hydrated. I began hydrating myself right away, after discovering that I was three quarts short of hydration. I felt sick for a couple hours after that, but once the water and food sunk in, my energy and spirits were fully restored. Through this experience I quickly learned the importance of water. I learned that I need to be drinking water not casually and lightly, but that I need to be drinking frequently and deeply. A sip here and there is not enough. Reading my scriptures the next day I came across a passage that refers to Christ as the living water. It struck me then that the same principle I learned about water's role in my physical survival the day before was applicable to my spiritual survival as well. I think too often I have drunken the living water casually, taking small swallows here and there. The world is a deadly place for spirituality and Satan is everywhere, setting up traps and ambushes and beguiling us with his deceitful promises of survival and guidance. In the desert, if I am dehydrated I cannot perform my responsibilities. Eventually, I cannot even function and perform the tasks vital to my survival. Without the living water, without Christ, without the Atonement, and without the Gospel, I cannot survive the wilderness of the world and I cannot perform the service God has asked of me. We need to partake of the living water, but not just casually. We need to drink frequently and deeply in order to hydrate our souls.
Work has been going well--just a lot of training so far. We spent the first three days of training "on the trail" in the north-east Arizona wilderness. We went through a few varying desert climates on our way up to our camping location, gathering supplies from fallen vegetation and learning which plants were useful, edible, medicinal, and deadly. While we were cutting down the stalk of a yucca plant for fire boards a carpenter bee flew out. Inside the stalk was a rich deposit of desert honey, which is a bit grainier in texture but just as good as honey. I'm learning that even in the desert, there are endless resources available to us. I'm also quickly learning that cacti spines are unpleasant in toes and that clothing is the best kind of sunscreen around. I can happily report zero sunburns--thanks to my long sleeves and wide brimmed hat. Thanks for the years of advice, Mom; it has finally sunken in.
During our three days of outdoor training we went to work with our knives and machetes, making our fire sets, bows, knife sheaths, digging and rabbit sticks. It felt like I was back at the Walker Rendezvouses with the Southams--we even use good old fashion cow pies to start our fires. I love it.
One of the greatest highlights was finding wild mint on the edge of a small stream and wild mustard growing in our camp site. I was able to make a delightful minty drink before I went to bed.
The hardest part of the three day training was the dehydration I experienced on the first day out, while collecting resources for the making of our tools. I thought I had been drinking enough liquids and I had even boughten a large Gatorade for the car ride up. But after a couple hours in the Arizona heat my body began to sweat and feel sluggish and my head began to pound. Just a short while after these symptoms started I started to feel like I was going to throw-up: a true sign of dehydration. The field director explained to us how we could evaluate the level of our hydration through a pulse check and also the things we needed to do to stay hydrated. I began hydrating myself right away, after discovering that I was three quarts short of hydration. I felt sick for a couple hours after that, but once the water and food sunk in, my energy and spirits were fully restored. Through this experience I quickly learned the importance of water. I learned that I need to be drinking water not casually and lightly, but that I need to be drinking frequently and deeply. A sip here and there is not enough. Reading my scriptures the next day I came across a passage that refers to Christ as the living water. It struck me then that the same principle I learned about water's role in my physical survival the day before was applicable to my spiritual survival as well. I think too often I have drunken the living water casually, taking small swallows here and there. The world is a deadly place for spirituality and Satan is everywhere, setting up traps and ambushes and beguiling us with his deceitful promises of survival and guidance. In the desert, if I am dehydrated I cannot perform my responsibilities. Eventually, I cannot even function and perform the tasks vital to my survival. Without the living water, without Christ, without the Atonement, and without the Gospel, I cannot survive the wilderness of the world and I cannot perform the service God has asked of me. We need to partake of the living water, but not just casually. We need to drink frequently and deeply in order to hydrate our souls.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Government Health Warning
DO NOT SWALLOW YOUR CHEWING-GUM
See what happens?
This really brightened my day at work. *Giggles*
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