Grounds

I rode my bike to school yesterday and purposefully went through the piles of leaves. I was glad I beat the grounds crews to them. All too often the only reminder of Autumn on campus is when you look up (well, that and midterms) and see the trees ablaze. But yesterday I looked down and saw gold.

I'm just itching to rake leaves. It finally feels like Fall.

Cheque

So I ordered my first book of checks. It has my new last name on them and everything.

Turns out they're in Spanish.

Para . . . Fecha . . . dólares . . . pagar a la orden de la . . .

I don't know why.

Socks

I hate folding them. It's the worst part of laundry. I've always thought so. There are just so many of them, and they're so small. I swear half of them don't match. But it wasn't until I got married that that seed of hatred grew into an absolute loathing. I put off sock folding more than any other chore.

You see, Mikey has this habit. It's called wearing mismatched socks. Bless his heart he just doesn't care much (or is just a little absent minded). I remember being in Washington DC and going shopping for a new pair of dress shoes. I was so relieved that when Mikey took off his shoes, the salesman at his feet wasn't greeted by a polka dot and argyle sock. They actually matched!

So matching socks has become even harder. Not only do the real matches have a match, but the mismatched socks have a "match." A frequent conversation in our house has been, "Wait, which sock does this go with?" "Eh, one that's close." "Close in color or pattern?" "You choose."

It's silly really. Contrary to Mikey's not so meticulous nature, I'm a little OCD so now I dig through socks, line up dozens of them and try and figure out which ones match. It shouldn't be that hard. But I can't, in good conscience, throw whichever black-ish, patterned-ish socks together and call it a day.

Here's the upside, however, we don't have a non-matching sock bin. Well, I guess we do, but we call it Mikey's sock drawer . . .

Honest to Goodness --by Michael

Today I was taking a difficult test in the BYU Testing Center.  The test took me 2 1/2 hours.  About half way through, I needed a break, and conveniently, I also had to go to the restroom.  The Testing Center allows students that are testing to use the bathroom on the same floor as the test.  So, I got up, walked through the door that I came in, and turned to the male student who was distributing the bubble sheets:

"I've got to go use the restroom.  Here is my phone."

"Well, I'm also going to need your test," he said. 

"Oh, okay."  So, I turned back, walked to my desk in the spacious testing hall, got my test, and returned. 

"There you go, " I said to him. 

"I'm going to need the bubble sheet as well."

"No. You see, my test doesn't have a bubble sheet.  You write the answers on the test," I explained.

"Oh, okay well you have to go to the bathroom on this floor,"  he said as he pointed to the restroom located through the door, and down the hall. "You can't go downstairs."

"Okay. Sounds good," I said.  I had done this before. 

I walked in the bathroom and entered a vacant stall.  I began thinking about how many people really cheat, and if they would even do it by going to the bathroom.  I then remembered a time when I was in that same restroom and there was a student on the phone.  I thought at the time that he was suspicious, but now I thought, Maybe he was using the restroom before the test, and not during the test.  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.      

While still in the stall, I noticed that a white metal box was attached to the stall wall--about seat high--to my right.  What is that?  I thought, that's weird.  It is probably just for putting tissues used for blowing your nose.  

I opened the stall door, walked out and looked to the right.  What? dispensers?  What? No urinals?  Oh, no.

I quickly calmed down because no one else was in there. Sure, people (whom I didn't know were female at the time) had come in and out while I was in the stall, but no one saw me.  It happens, I thought, That's funny but oh well.  I went back to retrieve my test.

I addressed the same young man that had directed me to the bathroom.  

"Can I have my test back?"

"Were you downstairs?" he questioned.

"No, I was in the restroom right over there," I said, pointing. 

"Well, I went in to that restroom and I didn't see you," He said with a gotcha-look on his face. 

Oh, boy, I thought, "Well...I made a mistake."

"You made a mistake?"

"Yeah, I...uh I went into the women's restroom."

By this point several of his female coworkers and nearby students were listening to us.  About three seconds passed as he processed my claim.

"Well..."

"Yeah...I...um am serious."

He look incredulous.

"Honest to goodness, that's what happened."

"Okay...uh...here is your test and phone." 

Grandpahair

My eye is twitching. Yeah, that one there, on the left. Mikey still told me I was beautiful this morning. Isn't he sweet? Or a big, fat liar. (Don't be jealous of my baby-bird hair, it's genetic).

Sue

Dear Sue Marie,

There are a few things I never got to tell you before you passed away, but I thought you ought to know. I remember the first time I met you. People had warned me of your forward nature, your rapid-fire questions, but I wasn't intimidated. I felt like I was instantly pulled in to your person. You leaned close to my face as we spoke and you called me a, "delightful human being." I'll always remember that.

I thought I liked you then, but I had no idea how much love I would feel for you after Mikey and I drove out to your house to tell you about our engagement. You kept commenting on my ring, referring to it as, "that headlight on your finger." It made me smile.

You are a lot like the Boss in the insatiable desire you have for "the story." Mikey and I sat down and gave you ours from top to bottom. I started my half of the story back in February the previous year when I got dumped. You stopped me right there and said how much you loved my honesty. It didn't seem like a big deal to me then. I got dumped. The one time in my life, and it took me a surprisingly long time to get over it, but I was head over heels for someone now. In any case you were delighted.

After we gave you our story you asked us this question, "In life, what is true?" I'll never forget that. We answered in a seemingly "Sunday School" fashion and said that the gospel is true, or the Plan of Salvation is true. You nodded in agreement but you said, "Do you know what is true? Love." You told us how you hadn't seen your love for nearly forty-six years, but you knew as much that day as you ever did that you loved him, and he loved you, and that love was binding. You taught us so much that night. I'll treasure it for a long time. When we left I remember getting in the car, looking at Mikey and saying, "I love her!"

I still do Sue Marie. I love you. And I can't wait to see you again soon.

Love,
Paigey

Rising

The sun is now rising
above the pine-topped ridge
and filling my eyes
with golden light.
Flooding my desk
with brightness.
And illuminating
all the dark corners.

Light

I have so many thoughts surrounding the piece I want to make for the invitation a group of us got to participate in the Education in Zion exhibit. I was so excited to find out about the proposal to get student work for the exhibition space at the base of the central spiral stair case.


The building itself was constructed with the theme of “light and truth.” The glass-enclosed gallery, a beautiful, light-drenched space, is designed to house a series of exhibits that will expand on the educational experiences offered in the building. (BYU Today, Fall 2005). Our work is going off of the ideas surrounding light and truth as well, and as a result I have been studying passages in the scriptures (especially these beautiful words) that talk about light or truth, "which truth shineth."

I love that light cannot be contained, that it fills the immensity of space, that it is matter, is spirit. Inspiration is light, for, "...In thy light, shall we see light."

Initially I was stuck as I began working on this project, but I have found that inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. Inspiration often comes and asks you, "are you too content with yourself and how you see the world?" It makes you itch.

However.

These itches spur growth, eternal growth, growth that I believe to by cyclical. Just like Christ who rose with his scars that showed the greatness he overcame, when I picture the resurrection, I see us with the scars of our striving.

Last night I caught a glimpse of sunset. The fading light, the wide expanse of mountains blurring into the sky, overwhelmed me into the eternal. And I thought of light.

ChocZuciBread

I was at the Farmer's Market and bought a zucchini bigger than a baby for 50 cents. This sent Mikey and I (well, mostly just me), into a zucchini bread frenzy. I researched dozens of recipes, compared, contrasted, adapted . . . This is fantastic. I mean, fantastic.

2 1/2 c flour (try half whole wheat)

1/2 c cocoa powder (try dark chocolate cocoa powder)

1 t salt

1 1/2 t baking soda

1 t cinnamon

2 c sugar

2 1/2 c grated zucchini

3 eggs

1/2 c oil

1/2 milk (try chocolate soy milk)

2 t vanilla

Preheat oven at 350.

Sift together the dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients. Mix together the dry and wet ingredients until combined. Spoon into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake for about an hour, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy and share with people for the ultimate chocolate zucchini bread experience.

Zucibread

I've made this recipe a few times now and every time it's been fairly delicious. I've been a long time follower of The Kitchen Sink Recipes, this was taken off of their blog. My variations are in italics.

Zucchini-Pecan-Flaxseed Bread
Adapted from Cooking Light

2 1/2 c whole wheat flour
3/4 c granulated sugar (also try substituting honey)
1/2 c ground flaxseed
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 t baking powder
1 t ground cinnamon
3/4 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t ground nutmeg
2 c shredded zucchini (I used about 2 1/2)
1 c plain yogurt (I've used plain and vanilla. I thought vanilla was pretty tasty)
2 eggs
3 t canola oil (I use less and it turns out just fine)
1 t vanilla extract
1/4 c chopped pecans, toasted (I use more because pecans are delicious)
3 t whole pecans, toasted (Again, I use more)
1 t raw or sanding sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine flour, granulated sugar, and next 7 ingredients (through nutmeg) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk.

Spread zucchini onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; cover with additional paper towels. Press down firmly to remove excess liquid.

Combine yogurt, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in zucchini.

Add zucchini mixture and 1/4 cup pecans to flour mixture, stirring until well combined. Pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle batter with 3 tablespoons whole pecans and 1 tablespoon raw sugar (optional).

Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan; place on wire rack.

Share for the ultimate zucchini bread experience.

Internet Killed the Video Star: 10 Reasons Why You Should Cancel your Cable and Throw Away your Television

1.  The Internet is way less expensive: This is especially true is you are buying a flat screen TV and Direct TV.  For FREE you can take the laptop you already have and go to a public library or internet cafe.  Restaurants, and coffee shops all over are now offering free WiFi.

      

2. Less advertisements:  With the technology of the new and improved web browsers like Firefox and Safari, pop-up ads are nonexistent.  In addition, more and more sites are now allowing users to "x-out" advertisements that they don't want to see on their side panel. Get what you what from the media without being distracted. 

3.  Nearly everything that can be found on TV can now be found on the Internet. (Except of course, ten minutes of commercials for every half-hour of use.)

4.  Easier to move: If you are a student and/or change homes frequently you know what it is like to carry the awkward 30-60 lb. TV from place to place.    

5.  It encourages you to think:  Of course you can still consume intellectual Twinkies on the Internet, but at least you have to go out looking for them.  Most TV programs spoon feed them to you.  When only using the Internet, you'll start to receive funny/interesting articles/blog posts from your friends.  Then you will look for/write funny/interesting articles/blog posts to send back to them.  The TV does not have any of these interactions.            

6.  Peace and Quiet:  The common belief is that the world is getting nosier and more rowdy.  You can change that without becoming a Quaker--use only the Internet.  You will find yourself reading more and watching only the highlights. 

7.  The Internet is generally less-lazy:  Sure you can waste loads of time on the Internet, but you have to at least be looking for things to waste your time.  Most people would not go to a single site and stare at it for an hour and a half but most people have no problem turning on the TV to a single channel and staring at it for an hour and a half.

8. The Internet is more navigable than TV:  We have all had our frustrations with remote controllers which get ever-more complicated and ever-more out of batteries.  We give up and decide to watch the same channel for an hour and a half. 

9.  The Internet is purely consumer driven.  The television is a hybrid between consumer driven and corporate driven.  What the most people will watch is what appears on TV.  This can be a problem if you're not "most people" (who is anyway?).  True, there are a plethora of TV channels to choose from but you ultimately cannot decide what is shown on those channels.  The Internet, on the other hand, has millions of sites and millions of authors/artists.  Using RSS subscriptions and things like Google Reader, you can basically create your own channel of information.  You are the ultimate arbiter on what media/information/bias/beliefs/opinions you are willing to consume.  Television channels decide these things for you by treating you as another of the aggregate. 

10.  The Internet is encouraging:  Sure, there is a ton of trash on the Internet.  A ton.  There is, nonetheless, a lot of hope on the internet too: Old friends finding each other, Small business websites, and college students (like me) writing about their ideas just for fun.