This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was thinking about being an older sister. I don't know what got me thinking about the topic, but I thought about what that has meant for me in my life and the effect that has had on my younger siblings.
My parents often stressed to me to think carefully about what I did because I had three younger siblings who would look to my example. I had a self-imposed expectation that since life gave me a few extra years than the younger ones that with those extra years came a few more lessons and hopefully more wisdom with which to handle life. If there was strife between a younger sibling and me, it was my job to be the bigger person because I was the older one. I needed to use the greater skills that time and experience had blessed me with...and besides modeling behavior is always the best mode of teaching.
It has been interesting too to watch my younger siblings continue this expectation. When a member of our extended family was talking about a strife she had with a younger sibling of hers, my younger sisters would say, 'But you are the older one, you should take the lead in forgiving.' It may seem unfair to put that burden on a person, or to expect greater maturity due to age...but that is a value that I hold for myself and one I think my siblings have too.
My stream of thoughts led me to realize that this will eventually put expectations on my future eldest nieces and nephews. I wondered if this would be fair to them...and I guess that will depend on them. For me it was a responsibility, but also something that has, and does continue to cause me to stretch to be better. I love my younger siblings deeply, and I want everything about my life to benefit them.
So, with that backdrop of my morning pondering, I read the article on page 62 of April's Ensign. While reading it, the thought really hit home that Christ is our Elder Brother and what that role meant to Him. I can say that the feelings of being an older sibling have been defining and poignant in my life...I can't imagine living with the notion that all of humanity would need and look to my greater experience. What a responsibility. But we are his younger siblings...and no matter what our choices, we always will be. I can only imagine what a driving force and responsibility that must be for him.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Stud of the Month - March 2009
He is the kind of guy whose favorite judge on American Idol is Simon. He loves the main character on House. He watches lots of TV; reads lots of books; and travels to lots of countries.
He is the kind of guy who will play the chauvinist very convincingly if he thinks he can get a rise out of you. But the fact of the matter is - he is a feminist. If knows you are particular about anything, he'll feign ignorance and tease you till you are ready to explode. All the while he'll hold such a straight face that if you don't know he is teasing, you'll think he is either oblivious or an idiot. He is neither. (I mean really, is there a difference between a violin and a fiddle?)
He is the person I call up after I've taught a particularly bad Sunday School lesson because I trust his judgment and feedback...because his lessons are genuinely, consistently great. He'll tell me it probably wasn't as bad as I thought it was while still pointing out how I could do it better and why.
As a professor, Brien puts together a tough curriculum with high expectations of his students. Then he gives the grade deserved based on the work product produced. He is not one to be bullied either. When disgruntled parents call telling him that they are paying for their child to get a "good education", he assures them that their child gets an excellent education and when they produce a work product that merits the grade they want, he'll give it.
He is a very persuasive person...like the time he persuaded me to go to Guatemala.
Brien: Chantal, I am going to Guatemala this summer. Want to come?
Me: Yyyyyyeeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhh!!! That is awesome!!!! I totally want to go!!!!
What can I say. His persuasive powers are amazing.
And you know what? While there, I discovered that he is very modest. Never once had he mentioned that he was doing some AWESOME research for his PhD in Guatemala. It was so fascinating...all about racism in Guatemala. It was such an amazing experience.
He is moving from St. Louis to be a professor in Alaska in only a few short months. But this month, he became the proud recipient of a PhD! (Congrats Brien.) He'll be the first to remind you that it is DOCTOR Ashdown...lest you forget.
We'll miss him here in St. Louis.
Picture #1 - Brien inspecting raw jade in Guatemala...the only picture I had of him.
Picture #2 - Antigua, Guatemala. I LOVE that volcano.
Picture #3 - Thanksgiving 2008...Adam was taking the picture, but he was there. I stole this one from facebook.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Carve Out a Little Moment for Yourself Today, says Dove
I should first point out that I have no snooze button on my alarm clock.
My alarm went off at 6 a.m. at which point I began dreaming that I was waking up and getting ready, but in fact, I was sleeping.
At some point in the hazy future I actually woke up and realized that I had only been dreaming that I got up. I frantically checked my clock.
6:15.
Just enough time if I get out of bed NOW. A part of me was glad. A part of me wished I had actually slept in so late I couldn't go.
Hastily/groggily I changed into the running clothes neatly laid out from the night before.
I was two minutes late meeting my running buddies at the Science Museum.
We started late. Ran 12 miles. Great conversations. Such great company.
Finished at 8:45 - 9:00ish.
I was only an hour late for church cleaning as I stiffly walked in with sore knees, calves, and thighs.
Cleaned the bathrooms. Chatted with Mira. She is a super cool immigrant from Albania working on a PhD. Every comment I've ever heard her make I agree with. We seriously need to be friends. I love the way she thinks.
Left at 10:30 in search of my phone, but never found it. I returned home expecting to take off to St. Charles.
But it turns out I could postpone leaving because I was able to take the noon appointment by phone. YES!! Because I was really disappointed to miss the Enrichment activity.
The food was already served when I got there. I helped myself to some O.J. and quiche. (Have I mentioned that I LOVE quiche?) I needed a lot of calories today to offset the 12 miles. It was perfect.
Left early. Took a little party favor on my way out. I ate the chocolate in the party favor on my drive home. One little Dove chocolate wrapper said: "Carve out a little moment for yourself today." Fitting, I thought.
Got home before noon for my phone call which went wwwwwaaaayyy longer than it needed to. I was only 3 minutes late for my appointment in St. Charles at 1:00 p.m. which was FANTASTIC considering it takes a half hour to get there and I left at 12:45. Connect those dots.
That appointment also went wwwaaaay longer than it needed to. I was therefore late for my next appointment in the St. Louis office. But no worries, they decided to play soccer while they waited. I love chill people.
I was out of the office by 5:15. But missed my window of opportunity to get my phone :(
Came home. Paid a few bills. Wrote a few e-mails. Ate dinner.
Read about Samson. You'd think after three times of being betrayed by Delilah he would have been smart enough not to tell her about his hair. But no. Love makes NO sense.
Journal - check.
Spent FOREVER on that long, thoughtful e-mail. Turns out it needed a LOT of editing. Moments like that make me realize that although my writing isn't stellar, it could be a LOT worse.
Worked till midnight on my evidence. Finally finished my exhibit list. And voila.
Surprisingly, my day turned out fairly similar to my plan from last night. President Wilcox's famous statement 'tomorrow begins with tonight' always rattles around in my head on days like this.
Thankfully tomorrow is Sunday and there will be no work.
My alarm went off at 6 a.m. at which point I began dreaming that I was waking up and getting ready, but in fact, I was sleeping.
At some point in the hazy future I actually woke up and realized that I had only been dreaming that I got up. I frantically checked my clock.
6:15.
Just enough time if I get out of bed NOW. A part of me was glad. A part of me wished I had actually slept in so late I couldn't go.
Hastily/groggily I changed into the running clothes neatly laid out from the night before.
I was two minutes late meeting my running buddies at the Science Museum.
We started late. Ran 12 miles. Great conversations. Such great company.
Finished at 8:45 - 9:00ish.
I was only an hour late for church cleaning as I stiffly walked in with sore knees, calves, and thighs.
Cleaned the bathrooms. Chatted with Mira. She is a super cool immigrant from Albania working on a PhD. Every comment I've ever heard her make I agree with. We seriously need to be friends. I love the way she thinks.
Left at 10:30 in search of my phone, but never found it. I returned home expecting to take off to St. Charles.
But it turns out I could postpone leaving because I was able to take the noon appointment by phone. YES!! Because I was really disappointed to miss the Enrichment activity.
The food was already served when I got there. I helped myself to some O.J. and quiche. (Have I mentioned that I LOVE quiche?) I needed a lot of calories today to offset the 12 miles. It was perfect.
Left early. Took a little party favor on my way out. I ate the chocolate in the party favor on my drive home. One little Dove chocolate wrapper said: "Carve out a little moment for yourself today." Fitting, I thought.
Got home before noon for my phone call which went wwwwwaaaayyy longer than it needed to. I was only 3 minutes late for my appointment in St. Charles at 1:00 p.m. which was FANTASTIC considering it takes a half hour to get there and I left at 12:45. Connect those dots.
That appointment also went wwwaaaay longer than it needed to. I was therefore late for my next appointment in the St. Louis office. But no worries, they decided to play soccer while they waited. I love chill people.
I was out of the office by 5:15. But missed my window of opportunity to get my phone :(
Came home. Paid a few bills. Wrote a few e-mails. Ate dinner.
Read about Samson. You'd think after three times of being betrayed by Delilah he would have been smart enough not to tell her about his hair. But no. Love makes NO sense.
Journal - check.
Spent FOREVER on that long, thoughtful e-mail. Turns out it needed a LOT of editing. Moments like that make me realize that although my writing isn't stellar, it could be a LOT worse.
Worked till midnight on my evidence. Finally finished my exhibit list. And voila.
Surprisingly, my day turned out fairly similar to my plan from last night. President Wilcox's famous statement 'tomorrow begins with tonight' always rattles around in my head on days like this.
Thankfully tomorrow is Sunday and there will be no work.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Hit the Ground Running....
Here is my plan for tomorrow.
Wake up at 5:45-6:00ish.
Be at the Science Center by 6:30 on the dot. (I was late last time, I am trying to repent.)
Run 12 miles in the company of several amazing and lovely ladies.
Go home, shower, get to the church by 9 to clean the church. I have aspirations of being on time this week. (i.e. I was late by about an hour last week after our 11 mile run started a little late.)
At 10:30 attend the Relief Society birthday quarterly enrichment meeting. Thankfully, an appointment with a potential client canceled so I'll be able to go. And if there is time post cleaning, pre-enrichment I am going to sneak out and pick up my cell phone and find an AT & T store and get it activated.
Come home, change, get my stuff together to be in St. Charles (30 minutes away) by noon for two appointments.
Came back to the St. Louis office for two more appointments with clients (20 minute drive).
That should end around 5:30 p.m.
I will come home (20 minute drive) and read out of the good ol' book of Judges for one half of an hour. (It is actually quite intriguing. Today the women were very unruly, one stuck a nail through a sleeping man's temple and another woman threw a rock onto a guy, who then asked his sword bearer to kill him lest it be said he was 'killed by a woman', the shame.) I will write in my journal post-scripture reading...because that seems to work better than anything else. Learning how to do bankruptcy petitions is supposed to be fitting in there somewhere, but I think it'll wait till Monday. I'll review a multi-page document and send off a thoughtful e-mail with pointers on what to tweak. And lastly, I'll finish putting together the evidence for a case I've been working on all week, (which getting done has felt like running in the sand, grrr)...although I realize that may be highly aspirational.
And after that is done, I really hope I get to play at least a little. So I'll probably be scheming all day to find or invent something that fits the mood I will be in by late evening. But I won't want to drive (as I'll have put in at least 80 minutes of driving already), or move (because I'll have run 12 miles already), or entertain (because I need more low-maintenance friends). So unless I can convince a local to let me come over and watch T.V. (which P.S. I only do when I am sick, sad, or worn out - this may constitute worn out), I'll most likely just kick it here in my p.j.'s...and probably fall asleep in about five seconds.
Wake up at 5:45-6:00ish.
Be at the Science Center by 6:30 on the dot. (I was late last time, I am trying to repent.)
Run 12 miles in the company of several amazing and lovely ladies.
Go home, shower, get to the church by 9 to clean the church. I have aspirations of being on time this week. (i.e. I was late by about an hour last week after our 11 mile run started a little late.)
At 10:30 attend the Relief Society birthday quarterly enrichment meeting. Thankfully, an appointment with a potential client canceled so I'll be able to go. And if there is time post cleaning, pre-enrichment I am going to sneak out and pick up my cell phone and find an AT & T store and get it activated.
Come home, change, get my stuff together to be in St. Charles (30 minutes away) by noon for two appointments.
Came back to the St. Louis office for two more appointments with clients (20 minute drive).
That should end around 5:30 p.m.
I will come home (20 minute drive) and read out of the good ol' book of Judges for one half of an hour. (It is actually quite intriguing. Today the women were very unruly, one stuck a nail through a sleeping man's temple and another woman threw a rock onto a guy, who then asked his sword bearer to kill him lest it be said he was 'killed by a woman', the shame.) I will write in my journal post-scripture reading...because that seems to work better than anything else. Learning how to do bankruptcy petitions is supposed to be fitting in there somewhere, but I think it'll wait till Monday. I'll review a multi-page document and send off a thoughtful e-mail with pointers on what to tweak. And lastly, I'll finish putting together the evidence for a case I've been working on all week, (which getting done has felt like running in the sand, grrr)...although I realize that may be highly aspirational.
And after that is done, I really hope I get to play at least a little. So I'll probably be scheming all day to find or invent something that fits the mood I will be in by late evening. But I won't want to drive (as I'll have put in at least 80 minutes of driving already), or move (because I'll have run 12 miles already), or entertain (because I need more low-maintenance friends). So unless I can convince a local to let me come over and watch T.V. (which P.S. I only do when I am sick, sad, or worn out - this may constitute worn out), I'll most likely just kick it here in my p.j.'s...and probably fall asleep in about five seconds.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Have You Ever...
Instructions: Take the following list and star the items you have completed or experienced. (I decided to modify this and share the story.)
1. Started your own blog - obviously
2. Slept under the stars - girls camp, slept on a rope hammock which was incredibly uncomfortable.
3. Played in a band - Nope
4. Visited Hawaii - I wish.
5. Watched a meteor shower - Hello, Grubfest. It is a yearly tradition 'round these parts. As long as you ignore the bulls, you get a great view of the stars. (To learn more, read here and here.)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - can't help it sometimes.
7. Been to Disneyland /world - never been to any of them, though I've been so close to most of them...in Paris, visiting Jessica in California, and everyone used to go from NH to FL while growing up. But I never went. (KLEB shakes her head in shame.)
8. Climbed a mountain - of course.
9. Held a praying mantis - nope, not a fan of holding bugs
10. Sung a solo - this would terrify me
11. Bungee jumped - want to, but haven't.
12. Visited Paris - lived there in 1999. LOVED it. Soooo amazing.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - I think this would be fun, but no.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - does water painting count?
15. Adopted a child - obviously not
16. Had food poisoning - nope
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - yup, went with Brian Buell and Vince in 1999.
18. Grown your own vegetables - If you've seen my parent's garden, you know the answer is yes. I actually love gardening.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - yeah, it was surprisingly anticlimactic.
20. Slept on an overnight train - several while traveling Europe. I lost an earring on one of them. If you see it, let me know.
21. Had a pillow fight - I am one of five kids, so OF COURSE. My favorite pillow fight ever was between Jessie, Aimee, and I in New Zealand. Of course, I won.
22. Hitch hiked - no way. Too dangerous.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - nope, I feel it is unethical.
24. Built a snow fort - Yup, we used to build tons of them in NH. In high school Ethan had tunnels connecting his collection of igloos in the back yard.
25. Held a lamb - I don't think so. But I have fed a baby tiger. Close enough.
26. Gone skinny dipping - nope.
27. Run a Marathon - Yup. Top of Utah, 2004.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - No, I thought it was too expensive. Maybe in the future.
29. Seen a total eclipse - in high school. Someone gave me a welding hat to look through to get a glimpse of it.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Of course. I grew up 45 minutes away from the ocean. We used to love to watch the sunrise from the beach in high school.
31. Hit a home run - not that coordinated.
32. Been on a cruise - not yet. Cruises are pretty tame. I prefer rougher travel while I am younger, but I'd take the opportunity if it came. But I try to save the tame traveling for when I am older.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - several times. My parents were so bugged one summer because they took us there and all we wanted was to go back to the swimming pool. It was about 104 degrees, humid, and we had no air conditioning.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - yup. Quebec and Nantucket cover most of them.
35. Seen an Amish community - When Ginette got off her mission in Kirtland, OH we went to visit. Plenty o' Amish there. I love the little buggy signs on the roads. My favorite though is the Amish hat-head.
36. Taught yourself a new language - well, working on Spanish.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - Yup, in my pre-law school years.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - nope. Only been to Venice. I'd rather go to Cinque Terre.
39. Gone rock climbing - of course.
40. Seen Michelangelos David - not the real thing, unless there is a replica in the Louvre.
41. Sung karaoke - yeah. But it took me many years to get up the nerve to do it.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - nope
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - nope
44. Visited Africa - I want to sooo badly.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - In Nantucket for sure. I am in love with the ocean day or night.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - nope
47. Had your portrait painted - sketched but not painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing - nope
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - nope
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - On my 21st birthday. While living there I went many times.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - no, but I'd love to.
52. Kissed in the rain - You bet.
53. Played in the mud - I'm sure.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - of course. In NH and Utah.
55. Been in a movie - Yup, but I haven't watched the movie yet.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - not yet.
57. Started a business - Yup. An LLC.
58. Taken a martial arts class - no
59. Visited Russia - no, but I want to.
60. Served at a soup kitchen - no.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - Yup, I was a girl scout once.
62. Gone whale watching - Um, I'm from New Hampshire, so of course. We went in high school on a dreary, gray day. Nearly everyone got sick, but me. I love rocking boats, turbulence, etc.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason - Yup.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - Gave plasma once in college and nearly passed out. Gave blood for the first time in September, and nearly passed out. I finally have a donor card and have a goal to become a regular donor. This stat has really inspired me to give more:
"Proponents of income redistribution even give less blood than opponents. In 2002, people who agreed that the government should improve living standards for the poor represented 28 percent of the population, but donated just 20 percent of the blood. Meanwhile, people who disagreed that the government should improve living standards - believing that "people should take care of themselves" instead - were 25 percent of the population, but donated 31 percent of the blood. If the entire population gave blood at the same rate as opponents of social spending, the blood supply would increase by more than a quarter. But if everyone in the population gave at the same rate as government aid advocates, the supply would drop by about 30 percent."
- Who Really Cares, America's Charity Divide, Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters Pg. 57
65. Gone sky diving - not yet.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - No
67. Bounced a check - No, which is surprising considering how spacey I am.
68. Flown in a helicopter - no, but I want to.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - no.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - Yup. Loved it.
71. Eaten Caviar - In France, of course.
72. Pieced a quilt - No.
73. Stood in Times Square - Yup, with Vince and Brian in '99.
74. Toured the Everglades - No.
75. Been fired from a job - No
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - No
77. Broken a bone - Fractured my ankle on September 11 the year I turned 20.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - Plenty o' times. Just last night, in fact. Shaun and I had a yearly tradition to Nebo Loop on bike in the fall while I lived in Utah. He loved to see how calm I could stay while he drove crazily. I trusted him. Paul, on the other hand nearly killed me while driving in the city. Turning left on a red arrow wasn't the best idea. I'm so glad mom doesn't read my blog.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - I flew over it once and took a picture. But that doesn't count.
80. Published a book - Nope.
81. Visited the Vatican - Not yet.
82. Bought a brand new car - only ever owned my white Ford Escort. It was used when I bought it.
83. Walked in Jerusalem - not yet.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - not that I know of.
85. Read the entire Bible - several times. Reading the Old Testament now.
86. Visited the White House - I am not positive, but I think I've been in there many years ago with Ginette.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - um no. I am so grateful that other people do this so I don't have to.
88. Had chickenpox - Yup.
89. Saved someone's life - no.
90. Sat on a jury - No.
91. Met someone famous - Who hasn't.
92. Joined a book club - Yup, with Rachel and her sisters. I really enjoyed it.
93. Lost a loved one - Yes, by more means than just death.
94. Had a baby - nope
95. Seen the Alamo in person - nope
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - Um, it really stinks, in case you haven't been there. So no. But I have camped out on Antelope Island, which is an island in the Salt Lake. That was good enough for me.
97. Been involved in a law suit - Not the way this question means.
98. Owned a cell phone - Yes, and I miss it sorely right now. (It is missing.)
99. Been stung by a bee - Yes, I made it all the way to high school before I got stung. I was so mad.
100. Read an entire book in one day - Many.
1. Started your own blog - obviously
2. Slept under the stars - girls camp, slept on a rope hammock which was incredibly uncomfortable.
3. Played in a band - Nope
4. Visited Hawaii - I wish.
5. Watched a meteor shower - Hello, Grubfest. It is a yearly tradition 'round these parts. As long as you ignore the bulls, you get a great view of the stars. (To learn more, read here and here.)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - can't help it sometimes.
7. Been to Disneyland /world - never been to any of them, though I've been so close to most of them...in Paris, visiting Jessica in California, and everyone used to go from NH to FL while growing up. But I never went. (KLEB shakes her head in shame.)
8. Climbed a mountain - of course.
9. Held a praying mantis - nope, not a fan of holding bugs
10. Sung a solo - this would terrify me
11. Bungee jumped - want to, but haven't.
12. Visited Paris - lived there in 1999. LOVED it. Soooo amazing.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - I think this would be fun, but no.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - does water painting count?
15. Adopted a child - obviously not
16. Had food poisoning - nope
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - yup, went with Brian Buell and Vince in 1999.
18. Grown your own vegetables - If you've seen my parent's garden, you know the answer is yes. I actually love gardening.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - yeah, it was surprisingly anticlimactic.
20. Slept on an overnight train - several while traveling Europe. I lost an earring on one of them. If you see it, let me know.
21. Had a pillow fight - I am one of five kids, so OF COURSE. My favorite pillow fight ever was between Jessie, Aimee, and I in New Zealand. Of course, I won.
22. Hitch hiked - no way. Too dangerous.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - nope, I feel it is unethical.
24. Built a snow fort - Yup, we used to build tons of them in NH. In high school Ethan had tunnels connecting his collection of igloos in the back yard.
25. Held a lamb - I don't think so. But I have fed a baby tiger. Close enough.
26. Gone skinny dipping - nope.
27. Run a Marathon - Yup. Top of Utah, 2004.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - No, I thought it was too expensive. Maybe in the future.
29. Seen a total eclipse - in high school. Someone gave me a welding hat to look through to get a glimpse of it.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Of course. I grew up 45 minutes away from the ocean. We used to love to watch the sunrise from the beach in high school.
31. Hit a home run - not that coordinated.
32. Been on a cruise - not yet. Cruises are pretty tame. I prefer rougher travel while I am younger, but I'd take the opportunity if it came. But I try to save the tame traveling for when I am older.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - several times. My parents were so bugged one summer because they took us there and all we wanted was to go back to the swimming pool. It was about 104 degrees, humid, and we had no air conditioning.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - yup. Quebec and Nantucket cover most of them.
35. Seen an Amish community - When Ginette got off her mission in Kirtland, OH we went to visit. Plenty o' Amish there. I love the little buggy signs on the roads. My favorite though is the Amish hat-head.
36. Taught yourself a new language - well, working on Spanish.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - Yup, in my pre-law school years.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - nope. Only been to Venice. I'd rather go to Cinque Terre.
39. Gone rock climbing - of course.
40. Seen Michelangelos David - not the real thing, unless there is a replica in the Louvre.
41. Sung karaoke - yeah. But it took me many years to get up the nerve to do it.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - nope
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - nope
44. Visited Africa - I want to sooo badly.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - In Nantucket for sure. I am in love with the ocean day or night.
46. Been transported in an ambulance - nope
47. Had your portrait painted - sketched but not painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing - nope
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - nope
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - On my 21st birthday. While living there I went many times.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - no, but I'd love to.
52. Kissed in the rain - You bet.
53. Played in the mud - I'm sure.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - of course. In NH and Utah.
55. Been in a movie - Yup, but I haven't watched the movie yet.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - not yet.
57. Started a business - Yup. An LLC.
58. Taken a martial arts class - no
59. Visited Russia - no, but I want to.
60. Served at a soup kitchen - no.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - Yup, I was a girl scout once.
62. Gone whale watching - Um, I'm from New Hampshire, so of course. We went in high school on a dreary, gray day. Nearly everyone got sick, but me. I love rocking boats, turbulence, etc.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason - Yup.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - Gave plasma once in college and nearly passed out. Gave blood for the first time in September, and nearly passed out. I finally have a donor card and have a goal to become a regular donor. This stat has really inspired me to give more:
"Proponents of income redistribution even give less blood than opponents. In 2002, people who agreed that the government should improve living standards for the poor represented 28 percent of the population, but donated just 20 percent of the blood. Meanwhile, people who disagreed that the government should improve living standards - believing that "people should take care of themselves" instead - were 25 percent of the population, but donated 31 percent of the blood. If the entire population gave blood at the same rate as opponents of social spending, the blood supply would increase by more than a quarter. But if everyone in the population gave at the same rate as government aid advocates, the supply would drop by about 30 percent."
- Who Really Cares, America's Charity Divide, Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters Pg. 57
65. Gone sky diving - not yet.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - No
67. Bounced a check - No, which is surprising considering how spacey I am.
68. Flown in a helicopter - no, but I want to.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - no.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - Yup. Loved it.
71. Eaten Caviar - In France, of course.
72. Pieced a quilt - No.
73. Stood in Times Square - Yup, with Vince and Brian in '99.
74. Toured the Everglades - No.
75. Been fired from a job - No
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - No
77. Broken a bone - Fractured my ankle on September 11 the year I turned 20.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - Plenty o' times. Just last night, in fact. Shaun and I had a yearly tradition to Nebo Loop on bike in the fall while I lived in Utah. He loved to see how calm I could stay while he drove crazily. I trusted him. Paul, on the other hand nearly killed me while driving in the city. Turning left on a red arrow wasn't the best idea. I'm so glad mom doesn't read my blog.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - I flew over it once and took a picture. But that doesn't count.
80. Published a book - Nope.
81. Visited the Vatican - Not yet.
82. Bought a brand new car - only ever owned my white Ford Escort. It was used when I bought it.
83. Walked in Jerusalem - not yet.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - not that I know of.
85. Read the entire Bible - several times. Reading the Old Testament now.
86. Visited the White House - I am not positive, but I think I've been in there many years ago with Ginette.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - um no. I am so grateful that other people do this so I don't have to.
88. Had chickenpox - Yup.
89. Saved someone's life - no.
90. Sat on a jury - No.
91. Met someone famous - Who hasn't.
92. Joined a book club - Yup, with Rachel and her sisters. I really enjoyed it.
93. Lost a loved one - Yes, by more means than just death.
94. Had a baby - nope
95. Seen the Alamo in person - nope
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - Um, it really stinks, in case you haven't been there. So no. But I have camped out on Antelope Island, which is an island in the Salt Lake. That was good enough for me.
97. Been involved in a law suit - Not the way this question means.
98. Owned a cell phone - Yes, and I miss it sorely right now. (It is missing.)
99. Been stung by a bee - Yes, I made it all the way to high school before I got stung. I was so mad.
100. Read an entire book in one day - Many.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Latest Happenings
Adam Was BaptizedAdam was one of my former Gospel Essentials students at the Branch. I am so happy for him that he decided to get baptized!! This picture is of me with Adam and his parents on his baptismal day.
Stephanie and I ran a five-mile raceI'll be honest, when she invited me to run it, I thought it was a 5K...which is only 3ish miles. Easy-peasy. But no, it was five miles...on Valentines Day morning. But we had a great time.
The World Trade Center in BostonThis was such a stark contrast from my Missouri experience. For the MO bar, we went to Jefferson City. It is a sleepy capital city with about 50,000 people. In Jeff. City, we saw the entire city just looking for a place to eat dinner.
A Boat Parked Right Outside of the HotelBut in MA, there was a BOAT parked nonchalantly right next to the hotel. The hotel itself was surrounded on three sides by water. The smell of salt water permeated the air. Yum.
Our Tea PartayGinette, Colette, and I with friends in Boston. Three out of the five of us happen to be wearing argyle that day, so the other two joined in for a little argyle moment.
Lastly....
Goodbye at the airport in New Hampshire.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
