10:00 a.m. - I watched several people make fools of themselves while singing their state songs. I listened to painful renditions of Yankee Doodle, Home, Home on the Range, Rocky Top (in a western accent) and even a "nose harmonica" version of Utah, This is the Place while not knowing whether to laugh or be embarrassed.
12:00 p.m. - Two freshmen boys sat on either side of me and continued to have conversation with each other across my seat. One of them pulled a Harry Potter by wearing glasses that were taped together. After a power point slide of the Salt Lake Temple was shown, Harry Potter broke out into spontaneous singing of I Love To See the Temple as about 300 people turned their heads and stared. My professor said something about taking temples for granted and Mr. Potter turned to me and asked, "Did he just use a play on words by saying 'granite' instead of 'granted' because the temple is made of granite?"
1:00 p.m. My religion professor kept doing this weird laugh/chuckle thing while he was teaching and it was never after anything funny he said. I believe he was discussing Acts 1-6, which, as I recall, is not a very humorous section of scripture.
So if ever you start losing hope for the people of America, just watch this video and you are guaranteed to have a renewed sense of pride. I know I did.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Damned if you do, damned if you don't
It's the madre's birthday today. And there are already signs that she's forgotten. She made her own birthday breakfast for the rest of us. She's at Spencer's soccer game right now. And she doesn't want to go out to dinner because it might interfere with her children's social lives. As if we have them.
But it is her birthday and we must honour her. Yes, honour with a 'u'. United Kingdom style. Let me tell you some things that make Lisa one of the most amazing women I know.
But it is her birthday and we must honour her. Yes, honour with a 'u'. United Kingdom style. Let me tell you some things that make Lisa one of the most amazing women I know.
All of her children play a musical instrument, be it piano, violin or cello, or both, we all can sit down and play music. Because of her. Because she took us to lessons every week, practiced with us everyday and never gave/gives up when we give her an attitude only ever provoked by Suzuki. Can you imagine twenty some odd years of doing that? And never giving up? I can't. I can't even begin to imagine the patience and love it has taken for her to deal with us through all of that. I want to do it with my kids, but maybe I'll just hire her...
My mom is herself a brilliant musician. Of course, she denies that. But she got a degree in piano pedigoge from the University of Utah and taught piano for a few years before giving that up because of her children. She taught us at the beginning stages of our piano careers. My dad has always said that when he went to her senior piano recital at the U, as he watched her play, that's when he knew he had to marry her. Sweet, eh? She's accompanied Caroline and I all throughout our violin years, now accompanies Andrew and Spencer. She's the primary pianist, a much harder job than it sounds, trust me. The woman loves music, what else is there to say.
Yams, peppers and spinach. My mother has a rare stomach condition that doesn't allow her to eat all the delicious foods she cooks for us. We sit down to a breakfast of pancakes, french toast, eggs and bacon...she sits down with a plate of peppers. Every day there are yams in the oven, cooking. Right now, even. And she likes them burnt to a crisp. We tease her about it all, but wow, how could you not admire someone for that kind of fortitude? Plus, she never complains about it.
I haven't mentioned sports yet, have I? My mom can play tennis, I mean really play tennis. When she was young she used to go out on their tennis court with her dad early in the mornings and play. She's been pretty patient with us over the years as we've gone from tennis practice to soccer practice to swim lessons and back to tennis. Sort of like the music lessons thing. She's also a wicked water skier.
One time when I was in middle school we were eating dinner and scarfing down her delicious delicious homemade bread with honey. I don't remember what was said, but somehow my mom and I ended up wrestling around having a honey fight. It was a sticky dinner.
A few summers ago, we went to Jackson Hole and on our way home we stopped at a Dairy Queen drive-thru. We had a long drive ahead of us so my mom wanted to make sure we were all adequately relieved of our fluids. As we pulled up to the microphone thing my mom gets out and walks over to the driver's side and right after the worker asked what he could get for us, my mom says, "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" The worker was so confused,"Excuse me...?"
My mom's favorite joke: What did the zero say to the eight? Nice belt. That joke has many a time gotten her laughing so hard she can't breathe. And when that happens, you stand no chance of keeping a straight face yourself.
Anyway, my mom is a great person. She cares a lot about everyone around her and accomplishes so much that none of us even know about. Thanks for being awesome, Mom.
Happy Birthday!
I stole the picture from Kristin. She just caught the most candid moment of the summer with her
awesome camera. It's not possible to keep a straight face when you look at it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Why?
Why would you ever paint your toenails dull, fungus yellow? Isn't the point of painting your nails to cover the ugliness of the all na tur al? So why make them look like they're dead? It's not attractive, it's revolting. Don't do it, please, just don't.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Oh the maturity
Today, my father's mood has changed drastically, going from his happy-morning-person mood to his tired-Saturday-afternoon mood to his no-one-can-predict-what-I'll-do-next mood.
Just now, the man was in the kitchen. He got a serious look on his face as he watched Caroline pick up her books.
He said, in a very serious tone, "Caroline."
"What?"
"Wanna fight?"
What ensued was a scene to disgrace the one on one duels between all ninjas, elves, men and wizards in the world as these two knuckleheads karate chopped each other with the force of a couple of 2-year-old children.
Needless to say, Caroline was the champion, my dad cowering under her rigid brutality, pleading for mercy. Caroline relented. They both went calmly back to their activities as if nothing unusual had happened.
And that just about wraps up my Saturday afternoon.
Just now, the man was in the kitchen. He got a serious look on his face as he watched Caroline pick up her books.
He said, in a very serious tone, "Caroline."
"What?"
"Wanna fight?"
What ensued was a scene to disgrace the one on one duels between all ninjas, elves, men and wizards in the world as these two knuckleheads karate chopped each other with the force of a couple of 2-year-old children.
Needless to say, Caroline was the champion, my dad cowering under her rigid brutality, pleading for mercy. Caroline relented. They both went calmly back to their activities as if nothing unusual had happened.
And that just about wraps up my Saturday afternoon.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Today...
Today, I ate an apple and a bagel for breakfast, trying to be healthy. I then ate 2 handfuls of peanut m&m's at work to keep myself from falling asleep at my desk.
Today, I decided I was in need of a haircut so I went to Salon Salon. High-end. My hair stylist's name was Rosemary. Just like mine.
Today, my family flew to California for our cousin's wedding. Stephen and I are at home. School. Work. Adulthood. Thbbb.
Today, Holly is supposed to give her two weeks notice. I texted her two hours ago to see if she had done it yet. She said no. I bet you a cup of Spoon Me ice cream she chickens out. Again.
Today, my friend Chelsea who is doing an internship in Washington D.C. sent me a picture of Georgetown University. Probably sent it to Holly, too. We miss her. And we're jealous.
Today, I just got a text from Holly: "I did it!" I guess I owe someone Spoon Me.
Today, I interviewed the associate dean of one of the colleges at the U for a story for the newspaper. I'm proud of myself for asking intelligent questions.
Today, I am tired and it's only the first week of school.
Today, I was listening to people on NPR talk about how multi-tasking doesn't help people be more productive and actually inhibits their productiveness and how much they learn. Then I remembered how one of the cliche differences between men and women is that women can multi-task and men can't.
Today, I was really hot walking around campus. I'm glad it's cloudy now.
Today, I woke up after pushing snooze only 4 times. First thought of the day: "Do I have time to take a nap today?"
Today, I wondered if it would be selfish of me to ask Holly to not move down to Provo tomorrow, but just commute to BYU everyday. I'll chip in a couple bucks for gas...
Today, I thought about going for a run. Nice thought.
Today, the man at the station in the parking garage gave me a tootsie roll. I like Fridays.
Today, I have no more thoughts.
Today, I decided I was in need of a haircut so I went to Salon Salon. High-end. My hair stylist's name was Rosemary. Just like mine.
Today, my family flew to California for our cousin's wedding. Stephen and I are at home. School. Work. Adulthood. Thbbb.
Today, Holly is supposed to give her two weeks notice. I texted her two hours ago to see if she had done it yet. She said no. I bet you a cup of Spoon Me ice cream she chickens out. Again.
Today, my friend Chelsea who is doing an internship in Washington D.C. sent me a picture of Georgetown University. Probably sent it to Holly, too. We miss her. And we're jealous.
Today, I just got a text from Holly: "I did it!" I guess I owe someone Spoon Me.
Today, I interviewed the associate dean of one of the colleges at the U for a story for the newspaper. I'm proud of myself for asking intelligent questions.
Today, I am tired and it's only the first week of school.
Today, I was listening to people on NPR talk about how multi-tasking doesn't help people be more productive and actually inhibits their productiveness and how much they learn. Then I remembered how one of the cliche differences between men and women is that women can multi-task and men can't.
Today, I was really hot walking around campus. I'm glad it's cloudy now.
Today, I woke up after pushing snooze only 4 times. First thought of the day: "Do I have time to take a nap today?"
Today, I wondered if it would be selfish of me to ask Holly to not move down to Provo tomorrow, but just commute to BYU everyday. I'll chip in a couple bucks for gas...
Today, I thought about going for a run. Nice thought.
Today, the man at the station in the parking garage gave me a tootsie roll. I like Fridays.
Today, I have no more thoughts.
Chau.
This post was inspired by mylifeisaverage.com. Call me a nerd, but come talk to me after you haven't spent an hour and a half reading what people post on the website.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Purple blood?
Yes, I think my blood turned a bit purpley blue this summer. I spent it hanging out with some awesome U of U kidoodles and the move down to P-town at the end of this week is going to be very bitter sweet. I don't think I'm ready for a 45 minute separation. So I think the most logical solution to this problem would be to move the BYU campus up to Salt Lake. I'll let Cecil know. Salt Lake is just much cooler than Provo and it'd be nice to have all my friends in one spot. For the last two years, I've felt like I've been living a double life. Week days with Provo friends and weekends in Salt Lake. It's not cheap, lots of gas is involved. So unless someone can actually invent a way to say "Energize!" and be transported to another place at warp speed, we are going to have to find a way to fix this.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Talk about an upset
My name is Rosemary. My name has been Rosemary for the past 20 years of my life. Surprising, I know.
Last night, Holly and I and our awesome friends went to the Taste of Sandy at the SouthTown Expo Center to taste food from the best restaurants around the valley. Um...I would do that every night if I could. I really would. Texas Roadhouse rolls, sushi (which I did not eat), Chocolate Cottage chocolate covered grapes, Market Street Grill shrimp salad goodness, Mike's Pizza pizza, Sweet Tomatoes real strawberry lemonade (it really was real). Best dinner I've ever had for $5. Just pure luck that I happened upon it while surfing the World Wide Web.
While jaunting around testing the deliciousness, we naturally began discussing food. The Chipotle barbacoa meat was quite spicy and as I jumped up and down trying to calm the explosion in my mouth, someone asked, "Rose, you're not a spice girl?" There was laughter from everyone because of the obvious pun, but since I never really listened to the Spice Girls I was laughing because of a less obvious pun: the rosemary plant is a spice. My name is Rosemary (point of clarification).
As I'm laughing and explaining that rosemary is indeed a spice and how funny is that that he just asked me if I'm a spice girl, my other friend Eric says, "Rosemary is an herb, not a spice."
Okay, what now?
Eric: "Rosemary is an herb."
Me: "Um...no no, rosemary is a spice."
Eric: "No, I promise it's an herb because blah blah blah..."
We continue to argue, my reasonable point being that Rosemary has been my name for 20 years and wouldn't I know by now if my name were really not a spice when I've been telling people for 20 years that I'm a spice, and his point being that rosemary is an herb because it comes from the green parts of a plant like the leaves and stem, whereas a spice comes from the roots, bark and seeds of a plant. Completely illogical, I know. The nerve of some people.
Needless to say, we didn't settle the argument and agreed to disagree, although nearly everyone else sided with me on the issue. So just now I remembered the altercation and decided to use the wonderful World Wide Web to my advantage again. You'll never guess what I found. Type rosemary into the Google search engine. First thing that comes up - Wikipedia: Rosemary is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves.
An HERB.
I feel like my whole life has been a lie. I feel cheated. And to all of you who have known me my whole life, why have you never told me the truth about my name? Why? Herbs are not as cool as spices. For one thing, they just sound wussier. For another thing...I've got nothing. But I'm upset, people. UPSET.
I for one don't think the rosemary plant smells all that great. But that was okay when it was a spice. It did it's own thing. You don't question a spice. An herb though...herbs are like those kids in school that you respect a lot, but don't hang out with cause they're too nerdy and they smell funny (Holly). But I can embrace it. As I've read up on the rosemary herb, I have discovered new vistas of wisdom. Shall I enlighten you? Okay.
Characteristics of the rosemary herb:
Anyway, my life has changed drastically in the last few minutes and I have doubts that it will ever be the same again. Discovering you're not who you thought you were is oddly unsettling. I now know what Harry felt when he found out he was magical. Except he got to go on and be a wizard. I get to go on and be an herb.
At least it's photogenic.
Last night, Holly and I and our awesome friends went to the Taste of Sandy at the SouthTown Expo Center to taste food from the best restaurants around the valley. Um...I would do that every night if I could. I really would. Texas Roadhouse rolls, sushi (which I did not eat), Chocolate Cottage chocolate covered grapes, Market Street Grill shrimp salad goodness, Mike's Pizza pizza, Sweet Tomatoes real strawberry lemonade (it really was real). Best dinner I've ever had for $5. Just pure luck that I happened upon it while surfing the World Wide Web.
While jaunting around testing the deliciousness, we naturally began discussing food. The Chipotle barbacoa meat was quite spicy and as I jumped up and down trying to calm the explosion in my mouth, someone asked, "Rose, you're not a spice girl?" There was laughter from everyone because of the obvious pun, but since I never really listened to the Spice Girls I was laughing because of a less obvious pun: the rosemary plant is a spice. My name is Rosemary (point of clarification).
As I'm laughing and explaining that rosemary is indeed a spice and how funny is that that he just asked me if I'm a spice girl, my other friend Eric says, "Rosemary is an herb, not a spice."
Okay, what now?
Eric: "Rosemary is an herb."
Me: "Um...no no, rosemary is a spice."
Eric: "No, I promise it's an herb because blah blah blah..."
We continue to argue, my reasonable point being that Rosemary has been my name for 20 years and wouldn't I know by now if my name were really not a spice when I've been telling people for 20 years that I'm a spice, and his point being that rosemary is an herb because it comes from the green parts of a plant like the leaves and stem, whereas a spice comes from the roots, bark and seeds of a plant. Completely illogical, I know. The nerve of some people.
Needless to say, we didn't settle the argument and agreed to disagree, although nearly everyone else sided with me on the issue. So just now I remembered the altercation and decided to use the wonderful World Wide Web to my advantage again. You'll never guess what I found. Type rosemary into the Google search engine. First thing that comes up - Wikipedia: Rosemary is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves.
An HERB.
I feel like my whole life has been a lie. I feel cheated. And to all of you who have known me my whole life, why have you never told me the truth about my name? Why? Herbs are not as cool as spices. For one thing, they just sound wussier. For another thing...I've got nothing. But I'm upset, people. UPSET.
I for one don't think the rosemary plant smells all that great. But that was okay when it was a spice. It did it's own thing. You don't question a spice. An herb though...herbs are like those kids in school that you respect a lot, but don't hang out with cause they're too nerdy and they smell funny (Holly). But I can embrace it. As I've read up on the rosemary herb, I have discovered new vistas of wisdom. Shall I enlighten you? Okay.
Characteristics of the rosemary herb:
- native to Portugal and Spain, Mediterranean region
- known as the herb of remembrance
- symbolizes loyalty and friendship
- associated with weddings and funerals
- ancient medicine for rheumatism and gout
- pest control
- "Holy Herb" as dubbed by Christians
- historically used to treat flatulence, colds, headaches and gastrointestinal upsets
- been known to cause comas, spasms, vomiting, and pulmonary edema if too much is ingested
- believed to repel nightmares if placed under a pillow at night
- also repels witches
Anyway, my life has changed drastically in the last few minutes and I have doubts that it will ever be the same again. Discovering you're not who you thought you were is oddly unsettling. I now know what Harry felt when he found out he was magical. Except he got to go on and be a wizard. I get to go on and be an herb.
At least it's photogenic.
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