Winter Wonderland

After the most wonderfully mild fall it has finally decided to make all the winter-lovers/ski-resort job people/children happy and become winter here. It started snowing last weekend and has come on and off (in significant amounts) since then. I still feel the same as I always have about it all. But it certainly helps that it waited so long to "bless" us. I do hope we make it home for Christmas. But, on the other hand, it is really beautiful. And, honestly, it makes my bedroom much brighter than it ever has been before. I live on the side of a mountain, so there are fields, trees, rocks, etc. all around in front, sides and back (I have intended to post pictures of this place all semester, maybe some day). Anyway, so with the snow, it's absolutely gorgeous. I really feel like I'm at a cabin up the mountains. As long as I never have to leave, it's terrific. And the snow coming down right now is just mild, pretty flakes. Hmmm.
But, that was not the real purpose of this post. I really logged in to say, I am done. I am finished. I made it!!! Yesterday I finished my part of grading advanced writing papers. Last night I finished grading my freshman English class papers. Then a couple of hours later I finished their finals, totaling grades, etc. and had them all submitted to the university. And just now I finished my last project (for my English internship). Law has all been done since Wednesday at noon. And now I'm completely, all finished.
It has been a grueling semester. I can't think about it too much or I'll start crying again (as I've done quite a lot over the last couple of weeks). I can only remember a couple of other times that have been anywhere near this intense. And you know what made this different? During one of those periods I had early-morning seminary every day. During the other, I taught at the MTC every day. This semester I had neither of those, and I tell you, I felt the difference. What did save me was the hour of scripture study that I got nearly every single day, the fact that I let other people help me (at least a few times) and the many prayers offered for me. I would not have made it without those (I almost didn't make it with them!).
Anyway, I made it. Now maybe I'll go sledding.

Mission Call!

Hoorah! Today Nancy received a call to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She's been assigned to serve in the Texas, Ft. Worth Mission and will be speaking Spanish. She reports to the MTC (a training center, where she'll receive instruction for a couple of weeks before going to Texas) on January 28 (yes, that is only 41 days away). I'm so excited!!!
And, while I'm on here I may as well share other good news--I found out today that the branch I attended in Charlotte this summer has now become a ward. :)

Putting things into perspective

So, the last little while I've been kind of feeling sorry for myself because of the gigantic tax final that I don't have enough time to study for. And then, during my break for the day, I checked my email/took a couple of calls. Within a few minutes I had found out the following:
* Nancy is still very sick
* A dear young man who I knew passed away this weekend from a brain tumor (more about him later, I hope)
* A good friend of mine, who is in her first year of law school in another city, had her apartment burn down this weekend. She's happy to be alive
* One of my students is in the emergency room with an E-coli infection

Man, I feel good about my life. No more complaining, Lots more gratitude. Actually, I was just telling my roommate last night how grateful I am not to be sick - first December final period I haven't been sick. And there's so much more to be grateful for, more than just not having large problems, I mean. Well, enough of that for now, I have finals to study for! But I am extremely grateful for answered prayers and tender mercies and just loads of blessings.

Well, and a few more things

An addendum to my last post. I actually want a couple of other things. As I told "Santa" the other night, I would like two little girls and a mission call. Is that too much to ask? Nope, nope it isn't. I am soooo excited for Christmas to come!

All I want for Christmas...

... is my two front teeth. Really, truly. And I got them!!

Four months and two days ago, on August 7, I got my two baby teeth out and implants put in.
I opted not to get a flipper and just enjoyed the holes in my mouth for four months (I'm sure people must have wondered about them, but I loved having the holes to stick my tongue in.) So, here's how I looked for 4 months. After 3 months of the bone growing in around the implants, I was pronounced ready for the posts and caps.
And that took another month. Whew. Step by step we got the posts screwed in and drilled down to the right size. Then back out. Then molds for the caps. Then I had to wait an extra week because I had to go for a custom coloring for my caps. Finally, I had done everything for the caps, and I was just waiting for them to be made.
After they were finally ready, I had to find some time in my crazy schedule to make it back up to Sandy. So, yesterday (closest I could get to my monthivesary) I went up and I got my teeth! Here I am with my new smile: (and my lovely, studying-all-day-for-finals self)

(And even though probably not another soul on earth can tell (or really cares) that smile is significantly different than my pre-implant, baby-teeth smile.)

Duchesne

The Checketts sisters spent Thanksgiving in Bountiful with our favorite Muhlestein family. It was SO nice to be there with them!
Then, after some time in Provo (sleeping and visiting Lietta) we headed out to Duchesne, in eastern Utah, to spend time with Checketts family. I have an aunt and uncle there, and then another aunt and uncle came, with their daughters, to work and play. It was a wonderful little trip.
Saturday morning we worked first.
Aunt Lori, Eliza and I worked hard out in the field (I tell you, I was in pain for days afterward).
After we finished, I went and read to Rachel and Nancy, who were sorting potatoes.

Then we all finished and we got to go cut Christmas trees! :)
My uncle owns a kazillion acres of land outside of Duchesne--most of it mountains. It's gorgeous and we saw all kinds of neat things. It was also a very pleasant day. Yea!
Anyway, after quite a bit of site seeing, we climbed up a cliff and found several lovely trees. I went from "no tree for me" to taking home two! I just loved them both.


Here we are with our truckload of trees:(Aunt Jolene, Uncle Farrel, Uncle Thad, me, Nancy, Ciera, Heidi, Aunt Lori and Rachel; Eliza had already started hiking down the mountain).

In the end, we took 7 (yes, seven) trees home in my little car: 3 big ones on top, 3 in the trunk, and 1 (with roots) inside! Didn't take a picture of that; too bad, but it wasn't my priority.
Anyway, it was a fun day and the trees are now bringing us lots of joy.

Post scripts:
1. For those who have expressed concern: Yes, it was perfectly legal for us to cut the trees. They belong to my uncle and he gave us permission (and showed them to us, and gave us the saw to cut them down).

2. Do you like my snazzy coat? I forgot to take my jacket, so borrowed the only one that was remotely near my size. It was Uncle Farrel's when he was in high school! (He's 50 something now). :)

Lietta Hope

As I already said, Lietta was born on Thanksgiving day.
Lietta is my second niece, first child of Whitney and Laura. I'm excited to have her close by so I can play with her. I saw her every day for the first few days of her life. But the pictures are all from the hospital.This is how I most often see her--asleep!

Week of blogs

So, my goal is to write an entry each day this week (to tell about last week's news and activities)--we'll see how that goes.
For yesterday (Monday) I'll answer Deanna's question/tell about exercising. I know, I know it's only exciting to me (and maybe Nancy).
I haven't had a regular exercise program since my first year of law school, so that's the important part of this. I need to be a better steward of my body, a precious gift. And I'm going to!! So, to motivate myself to get going, I'm going to train for the Rex Lee Run (which is in March. And yes, it will take me that long to get ready). I've wanted to run in the RLR since my sophmore year of college and this is the last chance to not have that be a regret in my life. Last year I volunteered at the Run and watching it actually occur helped convince me that I can do it! Also, I've learned a lot about Rex Lee over the past 3 years (1st dean and essential factor in founding our law school) and I really admire the man - so that makes me even more excited to run.
So, that's the why.
How/what I'm doing. Nancy, my fanatical-about-races-triathlons-etc. sister was thrilled to accomodate me in helping me train. She has me doing sit-ups and lunges every day. And last week I ran/walked a milish each day. This week I'm doing the same - with a break on Wednesday so my body doesn't get too sore and I don't get to bored. I still haven't figured out what alternative exercise I'll do tomorrow, but something else. Last night I ran with Whitney. Today I ran during the sunny, gorgeous afternoon. I'm doing it!!
And now I better go to class.

So Much Happiness and Excitement

Well, there are lots of things to post about from this past week. But tonight, before I fall into my bed in total exhaustion, let me mention just a couple:
1. Lietta Hope Checketts was born on November 27 at 8:32 p.m. She's so tiny and beautiful.
2. Today I got to climb up the side of mountain and cut down a couple of of Christmas trees that are now happily perfuming my house (and a few other homes).
3. I got to spend the last few days with siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins (yes, plural of all these)
4. I spent a wonderful few hours observing court sessions this week - more about that, I hope.
5. Only 5 more days of class!! (as a student, a few more as a teacher)
6. Nancy started me on a training schedule so I can run in the Rex Lee Run this spring. I'm a little sore, but feeling happy.
That'll do for now...

Fall, Glorious Fall

A week later, here are the pictures of the rainy, fall Sunday:

I tried to vote

Have any of you ever gone to give blood and you can't? I most always get to give, but I have seen people with stickers that say "I tried to donate"--so everyone knows they were willing, though not able. Since they don't get a cool colored bandage, they need recognized somehow.
Well, in the same vein, I really want a sticker that says, "I tried to vote today." I did try. I was so excited because I had registered 6 months ago. It was going to be my first time to vote in person since my first time voting--10 years ago, 1998, as a senior in high school (when, among other things, I voted for John Edwards for N.C. senator). Oh, yes, so I was excited. I went to vote and they asked for I.D. Well, my Arkansas driver's license obviously didn't have my street address, so they wanted something with that. Problem--I don't have anything with my street address. I use a P.O. Box. I don't pay utilities. I don't even have a copy of my rental contract. Nothing. I know, because I looked for an hour. I went to the polling place where I was registered; I went to the polling place where I live now (and should be doing a special (can't remember the word) ballot). I spent 10 minutes on the phone with the county clerk (they were very cordial and informed). But, no go. I can't vote if I can't give them a proof of my street address. Now, I truly understand the reasons for the law. Completely understand. And I am not on here to complain about the law/rules. I'm just writing because I'm really sad about it. Note to self: go register in Wyoming (a state I have never lived in, never spent more than 3 days in -- but my parents live there (and I'm only 28 years old)) and next year, cast an absentee ballot. It won't matter where if I live in a box in the park, I'll still be able to vote.
In the meantime, all I ask for is a sticker that says, "I tried to vote today."

I love fall!!

I really, truly love fall. I have for as long as I can remember. It doesn't hurt that my birthday is in the fall, but I think it would be my favorite season even if that weren't the case.
It's been gorgeous here the last couple of weeks - colors galore and really warm weather (I've been hot more than one day). Then today it rained! I also love rain. And it looks like it's snowing leaves because the rain has knocked them all over the roads and everywhere else. I even (finally!) took pictures - none of sunny days, but of today's glorious fall-ness. I can't post them yet, because I got my cord wet, but I'll do it soon.
It's November! On the one hand, I can't believe October is already over. But then I think of the things that happened last month and I can't believe it was only one month. Since I last posted (half way into the month), I turned 28, graded a batch of my students papers, caught up in classes, had a trial competition, applied for a cool job, got professional pictures with my sisters (I'll try to remember to scan and post), spent too much time with a new friend, spent not enough time with anyone else, had lots of birthday cards, calls, lunches, etc., did a lot of thorough cleaning that I've wanted to do since I moved in, went on a picnic up the canyon, got to know more people in more ward (it's going kind of slowly, but happily), and done a lot of teaching and studenting. I can't think of anything particularly important to tell about in detail. Mostly I've just been enjoying fall and life!
Things I'm looking forward to in November:
1. Most importantly - I will have a new niece or nephew before the month is over!! Yesterday Laura was over for some birthday fun (her birthday is a week after mine!) and you can see that the baby is about ready to come. She has two days of student teaching left and then any time is great. I am so excited! After spending the afternoon with her, I was at a party where I got to hold a new baby (2 1/2 weeks old) - which made me even more excited. :)
2. Not being as busy as Sept. or Oct. Of course there's plenty going on, but I'm hoping to get some solid studying in, grade some more papers, and do some shopping (food, clothes, supplies) and other things.
3. Progressing with my teeth. I have an appointment on Tuesday to see how the implants have done.
4. Going somewhere for Thanksgiving. We're still not sure what we want to do (we being Rachel and I) but we'll go somewhere.
5. Getting to vote. It's been a couple of years - with all the moving I and my parents too, I've had trouble getting my registration act together. But this year I finally gave up, registered in Utah and can vote.
6. Getting to know more people in my ward - I'm really trying to focus on this, in case you can't tell. I need that forum to be able to serve better.
7. All the fun, "small" adventures that come along in life. I hope because of a slightly less busy time I'll have more of those. :)
8. Posting on my blog just a wee bit more (also related to the hope for more time).

Fying in the Fall

I flew out to Washington, D.C. yesterday (I'm still here!) and I have a new love of fall. It's already my favorite season; I love everything about it. But I learned that it's also gorgeous to see it from the sky. The Appalachians in color are a fantastic view from the airplane window!
It made me realize I've never flown in the fall before. I have flown in every single month except September and October and Wow!, I've been missing out!
Then, I got to D.C. and out into the world and it smelled like an Eastern Fall. A wave of homesickness hit me that I haven't felt in a long time. The warmth, humidity and fallness, all mixed together. Fantastic.
p.s. The interview went really well! But that's not what this post is about.

International Law & Religion Symposium

Well, the Symposium has come and gone. Around 60 delegates from all over the world, involved in many different religions came to Provo, UT for a great conference. Besides the actual delegates (most of whom are prominent men and women in government, religious and academic circles (or all in all three, as was one of the delegates I was especially close with this year)), besides them, we have a hundred or so other people who attend the symposium and all the wining and dining that goes with.
I've helped with the Symposium for 3 years and, even though it's very stressful and time-consuming, I LOVE it! This year I was in charge of recruitment, which meant that I recruited and coordinated over 50 volunteers who help with various aspects of the Symposium. That's why it has consumed my life for several weeks, in addition to the actual days of Symposium. But, really it's terrific. I wish I had energy to put all what it is in general, and to me in particular, on this blog. But, I just can't. If you want to know more, check out the link to the Center's site:
http://www.iclrs.org/iclrs.org/index.php (it's not update yet, but other years look about the same)
And, this year I actually took a couple of my own pictures (very inadequate, but something to show what I spend a big chunk of my life on.)

In addition to everything else, I spend an extraordinary amount of time with my fellow committee members. This year I had some great fellow chair people on recruitment. And then, I spent lots of time - like I have every year - with my favorite fellow Symposiumers: Meg and Mike. Here we are filling up one of the BYU cars. (I also spend an lot of time driving BYU vans and cars during these days.)

So, it's over and even though I'm very relieved, I'm also quite a lot sad about it being done forever. But grateful that it was part of my life.

STATE bar exam

As most of you probably know, in order to practice law in the U.S. I have to take a "bar exam." As many of you know, bar exams are state specific. What that means is that I have to pick a state, take their bar exam/apply to be admitted to their bar, and then I am legal to practice in that state. Now, one happy thought before I launch into the rest of this. If I practice immigration law and only immigration law (that means I can't help most of you with anything except referring you to other people) then the state is less important. Immigration law is federal law so as long as I'm admitted in one state, I can do federal anywhere. But I can't do any kind of state law (which included most normal life things).
To make things more fun, applying before taking the bar exam is a several month process. So, I should be looking into it and started now. Which gives me major anxiety. Why?, you ask. Well, because of that state part. Do people really expect me to pick a state and make a major commitment to that one state? Well, yes, if I want to practice law, they do. [Unless I want to spend a fortune and years of my life going around to different states - no.] But I don't know where I want to be in a year, much less 5 or 10. Pretty much everyone who has known me for at least 5 minutes (or less) knows that I don't have a home state. So, I'm trying to figure out how to decide where to take the bar.
The following are options I've consider in how to choose a state. I'd love to hear your input about 1. which option to use and/or 2. where you think I should take the bar exam.

1. Follow my father's 20-something year old self example, just pull out the atlas and pick a state (possible methods include throwing darts, or dropping beans, looking at cool names, spinning an arrow, etc.)
2. Base decision on geography: I have a good sense about things I do and don't like geographically and I could just decide by it's climate, population density, etc.
3. Base decision on family: who do I want to live by, how close do I want to be, etc. (If parents hadn't moved to Wyoming, this would be a more viable option!) Problems - (two major ones) current locations of family aren't particularly appealing and (more importantly) my family isn't going to stay anywhere long enough (except maybe Ro&S) that making a decision based on that is like building my house upon the sand.
4. Find a job, then go where it is. Problem - it's much easier to find a job if I'm not looking in the haystack, but in a definite place. Especially true for what I'm trying to do.
5. Think about what other things I'd like to do in life (teach part time at a college, maybe get a Masters in something, travel, music, learn Punjabi, have a garden, other stuff I can't think of right now) and find locations suitable to pursuing those other interests. Problem - I feel like it's still pretty broad.
6. Cry in despair, realize I'm too busy to even think about this anyway, and forget it. Who needs to take the July bar anyway? Problem - I'm trying and it's not helping me find a state.

Any ideas?

Highlights in my life

Since I haven't written in quite some time, I'm going to write some highlights from my life. I'll tell ten things:
1. Mid-August I moved into my new home. It's located up on the east hill in Provo, underneath the Y. It's the basement of a house. A half-basement, actually - so the front half is all open and looks out over the valley. It's a gorgeous view. Every day I feel happy as I watch the sun set over the lake and see campus and the mountains on both sides of the valley and all the pretty things. Hopefully I'll take some pictures and you'll get to see them. The inside is also great. Big living room and kitchen - huge actually. It's a great place.
2. By the first week of September all my roommates were in place. Iva was already living here and she is a sweetheart. She's wise and kind. Sarah - my former mission companion - came with me and it's been really fun living with her. She's been such a blessing! And Chelsea (who at 25, is the youngest one here!) is a bundle of energy and cheerfulness. They are just a fun, spiritual, mature, clean, good set of roommates. It makes having roommates a huge blessing. When I was looking/thinking about housing I had to decide what I wanted to do this year and what I felt was that I didn't care whether or not I had roommates, but I wanted to live close to campus. And living close is nice, but mostly I'm grateful for a good house and wonderful sisters to live with.
3. During Labor Day weekend Rachel and I went to Las Vegas and visited with Jill Skinner Alvarado and Jenn Prince Hendrickson (sisters from my mission). On the way home we stopped at Cove Fort - which was a neat historical site, with fun interactive things. Fun!
4. The last week of August I started my 3rd, and final, year of law school. It was so much fun to see my classmates and I realized how much I've come to enjoy law school. I have a some really interesting classes and I'm having fun with it.
5. After Labor Day, undergraduates started school and I started teaching English again. I teach the freshman class like last year and I'm also interning (team teaching) an advanced writing class. I took that class as an undergrad and I really enjoy being back in it. I'm learning a lot! Both classes keep me busy. And happy. I love to teach!
6. I am part of a fantastic BYU ward. It's a little older, very friendly and a good level of spirituality. I was excited to find fellow law students, old friends from the past (ie., Nicole Kay) and even one of my students in it. My calling is to be the Sunday bulletin person - which is such a blessing to my busy, busy self: I have a lot of contact with different people, I get to know many people's names, and it doesn't consume my time.
7. In 2 weeks the annual International Law & Religion Symposium starts. I'm on the Recruitment committe and have spent many hours finding volunteers to help with informal translation and other needs. I enjoy it, but it certainly does take a lot of time! Despite fear of wishing my life away, I am counting the days until it comes and goes.
8. A couple of weeks ago I went to my storage unit (many of you have met my unit that I've had for 7 years now!) where most of my things were still stored - and found that water had leaked in. Many boxes of things were soaked. Some could be washed (dishes and clothes) but several were books and papers that had to be thrown away. Despite the loss of things that mattered a lot to me, there were two big blessings that I saw: 1. I was able to throw away things that I couldn't bear to get rid of, but don't need and whose absence will be a blessing when I move in a few months and 2. The most important things (ie. journals) were in the same stacks and "somehow" did not get wet. Really, through the many, many hours of sorting and salvaging, I felt very sustained by the Spirit and blessed. And I found my Grandma's square dance dress (that I've looked for for years) and it's so fun to twirl around in!
9. I am once again living near my favorite things in Provo - a gorgeous temple a couple of minutes away AND a loving and supporting family. Siblings and cousins who bless my life in abundance. They are SO good to me. I don't think I could have survived this past month without them.
10. Nancy bought me a bike and I'm trying to get into good enough shape to make it really useful. The first time I tried to ride it up the mountain, I made it half way and was in intense pain for several hours. However, in the car/walking, I figured out a more gradual route and the second time I made it all the way home! Now, it still took me 10-15 minutes to recover enough to get keys out to unlock the house, but at least I made it! That story will continue.
11. And an encore for good measure. This is especially for you freshman roommates. When I was telling my roommates about it, I thought you'd be impressed about how far I've come from my supposedly "secret" self. Earlier this month I applied for a job as a clerk for an immigration judge. I had to apply through the Department of Justice, along with thousands of other people. And to be quite perfectly honest, I didn't think I'd get past the paper application to an interview. I just don't think I'm qualified enough (law school grades). In fact, the only reason I went ahead with it was a strong impression to do it. But that's why it was all the sweeter this past Friday when I received an email telling me that I've been selected for an interview!! So, sometime in October they'll fly me out to D.C. (where headquarters are) and I'll have an interview. This in no way is a job - it's just the next level of the process. There are about 30-something immigration courts in the U.S.; my order of preference was Chicago, Kansas City, Charlotte and Memphis. After that I told them I'd go anywhere. So, I'll keep you updated as things happen with that.

Okay, I realize that's not any great insights or deep thoughts, but it is a brief update on my life. I'm extremely, extremely busy. Overly so, but so far I've been blessed to be able to manage it all. I very much appreciate prayers - and acknowledge again the many, many blessings I have right now.

Alaska

This has little to do about my life, but it's so random, so I need to share with someone and no one is around.
How many people do you know from Alaska? I don't know very many. Had a mission companion, but that's about it. Even at BYU it's not super common, I don't think.
So, in my English 150 class I have two boys from Alaska. In my English 315 class there are two girls from Alaska. What are the chances?
And then I read Maren's blog about Alaska.
Enough Alaska!

I went to Tacoma this weekend/week. I saw lots of cool things, but mostly I enjoyed my wonderful family members:
(I've now seen all family members in this month - except Asael, of course and I'll be in his city at the end of the month. Plus we sang Happy Birthday to him.)

So, funny story about these last pictures. On Monday night we went to downtown Seattle to meet up with Aunt Jolene & Uncle Farrel (and Uncle Roswell/Aunt Kerry - though we didn't get to spend much time with them because they were having dinner at the hotel bar (the only place serving pizza) and we got kicked out because Elisabeth is under age - haha! Which could actually make a funny story with the rest of this, if I weren't sleep deprived). Anyway, so we had Roland's big old work truck and were trying to find a place to park it in downtown so we could meet them at their hotel. Finally we found a parking garage that was $6 for the whole evening, so we decided to try it. The clearance height was 6'5", but the truck made it under the bar, so we figured it was okay. Soon we saw why it was the cheapest garage - it was super tight. I still think it was a miracle that we made it without hitting the truck/walls and that no one hyperventilated from claustrophobia. But we made it and soon were on our way. We had a great evening and then came back to go home. We walked the pedestrian sidewalk beside the driving entrance and suddenly an alarm went off. It really startled us. then I read the sign that you can't read in the back of the picture - it says basically that you are over the maximum height for the garage. We were a little confused since the car that had just driven in was a very small thing. Suddenly I realized it was Roland and Elisabeth that had set off the alarm! We got a big kick out of it. Roland thought it was so funny that we found the sensor and set off the alarm 3 more times, trying to get a picture. My camera didn't work fast enough in the dark, so we were unsuccessful - and I don't think the garage attendant really appreciated the humor. But, it's true, 6'7" + >1'(sitting) don't equal less than 6'5".

Change in Plans

I had the rest of my summer pretty carefully planned out a couple of days ago. Then yesterday morning I decided I really want to go "home" to my family. I thought about it all day Sunday and got up this morning and left. I'd spent the second half of the weekend in Heber City, with Rachel, so I'm rather underprepared for a week away - not enough clothes, no phone charger, produce locked in my apartment in Provo, etc. But I did it anyway. I drove 8 hours to Lovell, Wyoming today. It was a nice day (weather in the 80s) and my car performed beautifully. Great mileage and no problems. I could tell it's been a long while since I drove it long distances because I'd forgotten how many seconds it should take to drive a mile at each speed (75 mph, 65, etc...) - I'll leave it to you to figure out why I need to know that.
Wyoming is beautiful right now and it was really quite a nice drive. MUCH better than my last trip through southern Wyoming in May.
And I definitely surprised my family. :) We're watching the Olympics right now - imagine that.
I'll probably right more of my reflections during my driving - I always compose great journal entries and blog posts while I drive. Once I can write, I don't. Alas.
But aren't you impressed at my spontaneity? Who knew I had it in me?

Holes in my mouth

For those who want to know, my oral surgery went well today. It was very long, but not too painful (though I was concious for the whole thing). It took me almost half an hour to drink a Jamba juice afterward, but I feel better every hour, well, every 15 minutes. Literally.
Now I have holes in my smile and metal in my jaw. Hopefully the bone will grow back properly and in a few months I'll be able to finish the process.
Yes, Lesli and anyone else, I welcome all soup and other soft foods. It's not like wisdom teeth - I'm not in tons of pain (thanks to Ibuprofen) and I'm allowed to eat, I just have to be careful not to tear my gum back open, so soft things.
So, let me hear your opinion. The dentist decided not to put temporary caps in today, so I still have two holes. In a couple of weeks he can make a flipper for me, which is like a retainer with teeth that I'd pop in and out (think the fake vampire teeth they sell). But I'm thinking (though I haven't discussed this at length with the dentist) that I have no problem with just having two holes in my mouth for awhile. What do you think?

Food is good

God is great, God is good
Let us thank him for our food.

Nancy's kindergarten class used to say this "blessing" before they went to lunch every day. (yea for Louisiana!) She's convinced that they said food so it rhymed with good. Whether they did or not, I do now. She told us this last night over supper and it's been stuck in my head every since (hopefully it gets stuck in some of yours - say it out loud and it will). Besides its cadence, it also describes my last few days. I've been eating happy, happy food since I got to Utah.
In the past two days I've been given the following free food:
potatoes
eggs
tomatoes
melon
cantaloupe
peaches
I also had lots of squash at Rachel's house, plus watermelon at the Farnsworths). Then all kinds of things with the tomatoes (pasta, BTs (no lettuce), and a huge bowl of fresh salsa). And on and on. Anyway, this blog seems to be rather random, but the point is, I LOVE summer food.
I should also mention, while on the topic: my last Saturday in N.C. I grilled all the things Alissa and I had bought at the Farmer's Market and it was also a delicious summer meal (egg plant, okra, zucchini, onions - mmmmm).

Last note: tomorrow I'm getting two baby teeth pulled out and implants put in. Maybe that's why I'm appreciating food even more.

new blog

After much debate (all right here in my little head), I've decided to open a new blog for the summer. The following reasons won out (over the ones not to have a separate blog):
1. I like that I still have last summer's blog as a separate entity. It's like a separate book that I can pull out and read when I want to remember. And I really like that.
2. The blog I have right now is about Utah - even the title refers to living in Utah. How can I write about a whole chunk of my life somewhere else in the Utah blog. That's the same reason I started a new blog when I moved back last summer. Maybe I should quit naming my blogs after the geographic location I'm inhabiting. (Too late for the new one!) But that's how I define my life, and in some part who I am. Certainly my life - everything is in the context of where I was at the time x happened, or I was developing in this way, or I learned X lesson, or whatever. I know most of you don't understand that, but some few of you may. Anyway, it's how my personal psychology works. So my blogs reflect it.
3. It's not really that big of a hassle to get to it from the current blog. Just go to my profile and wahlah, you have it.
4. I wanted the title up there. It's not like it was difficult to choose. Plus the blog address parallels last summer's and that's pretty nifty to. Even though it comes from a different ditty, it has the same result as "From Timbuktu to Kalamazoo".
So, that's why. I hope you all enjoy: Going to Carolina at: tocarolina.blogspot.com

Springtime in Utah

The blossoms are beautiful. And so are the snowflakes. They really are - my camera does not do justice (especially when I'm using it from my window).

Happy Wednesday!

It is Wednesday today, but that isn't why this post is named Happy Wednesday. [Before I explain Happy Wednesday, let me say that I have finished my final exams (woohoo!) and am down to writing a paper and reporting my English class grades. Almost there. I'm taking a get-the-work-done break this morning (can't you tell) and then to the paper. I have lots of pictures that I just downloaded to my computer, so I'll probably be posting more soon!]
Origin of Happy Wednesday
Once upon a time in a land unlike any other, called the BYU Law School, there were 6 random people who were assigned to carrels in the same area. (Carrels are like cubicles, only with lots of nice things - cupboards, drawers, file drawer, power and internet hook-ups, etc... All ours for a year. Very nice deal. And ours were arranged with 3 in a row - and 3 others with their backs to our backs. Just try to imagine.) Well, we didn't know each other really well - though we had begun to make acquaintances. On the second week of our first year of law school (it really was a long, long time ago) one of our carrelmates, Chris had to babysit on a Tuesday night. Since he was home with his 1 1/2 year old, he decided to do one of the things Chris likes to do - bake. On Wednesday morning Chris came to school with a huge plate of cookies. As we all shared in the feast, we decided that our lives would be much more pleasant if we had a treat to look forward to every Wednesday - half way through the ordeal. Since 6 of the 6 people sitting in the area like to cook, it seemed a brilliant plan. And thus began Happy Wednesday.
Continuing Tradition
For the entire first year Happy Wednesday was a brilliant success. We all had the exact same schedule, so meeting at 11:00 on Wednesday to enjoy a delectable feast became a much anticipate social event in our poor 1L lives. And, since we were all just at school (no jobs, no extra events) we had plenty of time to cook yummy food. We even shared a few recipes. With no exaggeration, that group of amazing, diverse and wonderful people was the reason that I survived my first year of law school. Truly.
Our second year of school the tradition started right back where it had left off in April. Three of us still sat together (Alan, Chris and I), the others came from further away, but on Wednesday's a reunion would occur at my carrel - 293, treats. The reunion was never as smooth as last year - this year we had varying schedules, work, internships, and a myriad of other things going on. We didn't have as much time to cook, so while there were still delicious recipes to try out, there were also plenty of store-bought treats this time around. But - thanks to the heroic efforts of Chris and Alan - there was always a treat on Happy Wednesday. And even better, there was usually a fun email to be shared by our little group.
I could write so much more about the group itself - marriages, babies, fascinating conversations, job hunts, Dolly Parton, and more, but I'll leave that for another time, another forum. Let's just say it's a special group of folks.
Happy "Wednesday" Picnic - aka, Happy School is Out!
A few weeks ago Sara suggested a picnic to see each other at the same time and celebrate the completion of another year of law school. Since 5 of us had the same final on Tuesday afternoon, it was arranged to follow that. Mark still has one final, three of us still have a paper, and unfortunately, Kyle had a scheduling conflict. But, we still had a wonderful time. As always (with the Happy Wednesday group) there was delicious food and fun times. This picture has the 5 of us, plus a few offspring. (So sad that Kyle is not here.) I'll identify those who are:
Sara (and Wilhelm), me (and Cooper), Mark, Alan (and Peter), Chris
This picture includes Shelly and Sara's mom. The other two wives (Melanie and Jenny) were off chasing the older boys (Andre and Ian) on the playground. Shelly joins Mark and Sara's mom is in the back, brightening up the picture!It was a perfect day and a fun time. Now, as everyone heads off to summer jobs throughout the United States, let me wish you all a very Happy Wednesday!
p.s. I still have strawberry pizza leftover if anyone wants some...

thougts of the week

I'm having the best finals session of my law school experience. It's really amazing how much difference it makes when you really learn the material during the semester instead of trying to process it all the day before/of the final.
I hate grading papers. Why didn't I decide to be a math, science, Spanish, anything where you have a key and grade their assignment teacher, I don't know. But No, I chose to teach the most subjective, painful thing out there - writing and rhetoric.
I'm done grading them, though. (that's why I'm blogging - I must have a break)
I like writing personal notes to my students - unrelated to their papers. That's because I love my students. I always want to do this, but so seldom do. One in 5 MTC districts got the notes I composed in my head. Zero in 12 of my elementary school classes. And Zero of 1 past English class. But this one will!
I don't like movies. Not modern ones. Why do they have to be so trashy? I know why - it just makes me mad. And reminds me why I don't watch movies. Oh, I watched one last night with DeeDee. What made me sad, in addition to mad, is remembering all the people who recommended this movie to me when it was in theaters. I feel to cry with Mormon, Moroni, Jared, Enos and Ether - who are currently crying over their people in the places I'm reading in the Book of Mormon. That we have are desensitized to the trash hurts me as much as the fact that people make it. Of course there are dirty, evil people in the world. But there are good, kind people who take what they offer - and that scares and hurts me.
I'm happy that my mother taught me that you can cook plain pizza dough until it's barely cooked through, then freeze it. Later you can take it out, put the toppings on, and wahlah! - You have homemade pizza (tastes the same too!) in a few minutes. Yum. Yum. I'm eating some as I write.
Speaking of my mother, she's in town. Well, she was in town for a few hours on Tuesday night. Then I put her on the bus to Bountiful, where she has been sucked into the wedding machine. (My cousin (only daughter of Mother's older sister) is getting married tomorrow and they're working on bridesmaids dresses, a quilt, etc...). I think eventually I'll get to see her again. Oh well, it's just as well she's gone. I didn't get much sleep the night she stayed here. :)
One last thought. That's kind of two. I love Spring. My favorite part this week has been watching the trees and flowers as I drive to and from school. Trees that were only buds in the morning have become blossoms by evening. (and that with snow continuing to come down!) The other thing I enjoy watching is D.T. It's pretty much gone. Yesterday one last staircase of the last hall was standing. I have a feeling it might be gone today (I haven't left the house due to the aforementioned papers). It's been fascinating to watch it go. At the same time, out my kitchen window I watch a new subdivision springing up. When I moved in there was one house. Now there are 7 (that I can see) HUGE houses in various stages of being. Amazing (and sad, to me) how they've come to be.
That's all. Happy spring weekend!

an update

I feel like I should add something here, because I like to know what's going on in your life. I don't have the energy to say anything profound (in fact I should definitely be in bed). But I'm doing okay. To give you an idea of why I don't blog, this is what I've done in the last 48 hours:
Stayed up until 11:30 p.m. (even though I was sick with a fever, congestion, etc...) to finish the rough draft of a 18 page paper.
Slept.
Woke up to read for my last Wills&Estates, Trusts and B.A. classes. I made it through the first two. Went to my last day of class for 5 of my 6 classes (the other I finished on Monday).
In between classes, ran to Brick Oven for an English Composition closing lunch. Ate yummy pizza.
Revised my 18 page paper as best I could and turned it in.
Turned in an 8 page paper and log detailing my 40 hours of community service for Hispanic Street Law.
Did a little dance because school is over!! (At least classes. though it's bittersweet because this has definitely been my best semester of law school. I've enjoyed it thoroughly!)
Organized a Saturday afternoon potluck picnic in the park (with games). (if you're in Provo and haven't been invited yet, please call and come play with us)
Organized a surprise birthday party for 24 hours away.
Went to a great Stake Relief Society training meeting.
Had a short R.S. presidency meeting.
Came home. Resent 18 page paper with proper citations inserted.
Talked to Nancy and Sherilyn on the phone, while pretending I was going to bed at an appropriate time.
Slept.
Woke up.
Picked Nancy up so she could drop me off at class (she says I let her borrow my car just so I feel special getting chauffeured to school - how did she figure out?)
Taught English 150 - well, supervised while they worked on their group projects. Made students do evaluations for me.
Finished 4 teacher evaluations for my professors.
Briefly attended the law school closing BBQ. yummy.
Came home and cleaned the clutter around my house so people could sit.
Rested some so I don't get sicker and will someday actually get well.
Spoke to a girl in Charlotte about subletting a room in her townhouse for the summer.
Listened to Emily vent about the mean man at the Gateway Center who wouldn't let her out because she didn't have $1 in cash. (she should blog about that, unless she wants to forget it)
Had Miriam and Deanna and Azure over for lunch. (It was lovely to see them, I'm sad it's over, but SO GLAD we did it.) Planned a birthday bash for October.
Cleaned, picked up Laura from work and quickly shopped at Dollar Tree for B-day party supplies.
Made pizza, cake, etc... while law school friends came and decorated.
Had a surprise birthday party for my friend Sara Young.
Visited with Sara (and Willie) after everyone left.
Read blogs that I have grounded myself from for some time.
Listened to Reba's Somebody - I love that video.
And now, written this blog.
Yes, my friends, that was all within the last 48 hours. And I left a few things out. No wonder I'm exhausted, sick and HAPPY! (and no wonder I never have time to blog.)

Pro and Con of Living Alone

Pro: You have total privacy. You can walk around your house in whatever state of dress/undress you want. You don't have to close the bathroom door if you don't want.

Con: Sometimes you forget the rules for being around other people. You walk into public bathroom stalls and forget to close the them too.

Cowboys and Indians

Birthday party I went to a little while ago. I'm really a fan of costume parties!
Birthday boy:
Birthday girl (Cassie, the R.S. president I serve with):Cowboys:

Indians:
All getting along happily:

Time Out: Something to Sing About

Last week was - I don't even know how to describe it, and don't really want to think about it long enough to come up with the right word. Out if it all I'm grateful for the many people who gave their time, talents and love to help me. And I did see many miracles that reminded me of the Lord's love. But it was still not a very happy week; don't get me wrong many more, worse things could have happened. But it was still quite the week. By Friday night I had had it. Through the tears I finally bowed in prayer and asked what I could do to make things better. And the thought that came strongly was that I needed to take a break. Not try to catch up on all the dozens of things I hadn't done and needed to do. But just go away and rest for awhile. So I called Rachel and made a date for the next day.
I woke up Saturday morning feeling better already. I was still home during the morning but I just focused on accomplishing a couple of "have to" things and then headed to Heber. I realized as I was walking out to the car that I had been singing all morning. Lots of different songs. I also realized that I couldn't remember the last time I was singing (impromptu songs that is). It made me happy! And grateful for simple, but wonderfully perfect answer to prayers. Ask and ye shall receive.
Rachel and I went snowshoeing up a mountain in Midway/Heber. It was sunny, warm, and gorgeous. The snow was still cold, but it was a beautiful day. We both forgot our cameras, so you can just imagine up a nice picture in your head. Relaxing at her house afterward was equally enjoyable.
Now I feel refreshed and invigorated. :)

50's Party

Two weeks ago we had a ward Family Home Evening that was a 50's party. With over 100 people there I think there were about 4 of us not dressed up. (I was in the middle of studying for a final - so was just "stopping by," but ended up staying for a while to watch.) Our bishop has a car dealership and he cleared out the showroom. There was a live band. And then everyone was dressed up in adorable 50's attire and dancing up a storm. I only watched the limbo and dancing (wasn't really dressed for it - which was sad. I'm a 50's fan.) but did participate in the hula hoop contest - and came in 2nd! (for longest up - around 5 minutes). As I was leaving I decided I had to come back and get a couple of pictures. They don't really do justice, but they give you an idea.
(On the left - that's my bishop and his wife in the background.) (Really wish I could have gotten Cassie from the front, but they were dancing too fast!)

A prophet on the earth

I just wrote a long entry below, but wanted to put this idea in a separate entry so it gets proper attention.
When Sister Beck spoke to us, she shared her testimony of the new mantle that President Monson has - she can sense it. And the witness she has that he is a prophet of God.
Then today I was in stake conference. Sister Tanner(general Young Women president) is in my stake and she was invited to come share her testimony. She also shared an experience she had recently with President Monson. After the experience an overwhelming assurance came that he is the Lord's prophet at this time.
It was neat both times to hear how one at a time the Lord is giving the Saints that personal witness, to sublement the knowledge we have in our heads. There is a new prophet on the earth. He will continue the work the others have done, so in some ways it seems fine to just accept that he is the next prophet. But I also believe we can receive a personal witness of his calling from God - unique and separate from anything else we've known before.

Sister Beck's visit

A week ago Sister Beck (general president of the Relief Society - our church's womens group) came to speak at the law school. She was originally scheduled for a few months ago, but since she has a crazy, schedule (she told us she works about 100 hours a week!) when that didn't work out we just waited. So Monday we got an email that she would be here Friday.
It was a wonderful little session for the law school/business school students. She mostly spent the time answering questions - pre-submitted (by us), as well as ones live questions. It was nice.
Among other things here are some things that I enjoyed and thought some of you out there may as well. She talked about the roles of men and women in the church and the topics they choose to teach about ('it is not him speaking, or her speaking, it is the Lord speaking through them'). She discussed her fall Conference talk and some of the concerns people had with it: "some of my examples may not have been perfect, but the principles are perfect and they are what the Lord wants the members of the church to remember. [From Ruth: there are 3 principles, do you know what they are?]. Back to Sister Beck, "I've never had such an easy time writing a talk. I sat down and wrote the words that the Lord told me. When I had finished I read over it and thought, can I say that? So I put it away a few weeks and then took it out again. I decided if the Lord gave me the words I needed to share them. So I took it to the First Presidency and they made one change - to change a word from the singular to the plural (making the doctrine even stronger). " Later in the session she commented that she had received thousands of letters as a response to that talk - positive ones - from sisters who spoke with gratitude at being assured that they were doing right in putting their families first. When people around them looked at them, with their degrees, etc... staying home and told them they were stupid, it was good to be supported. [I am not in that position. Who knows if I will ever be, but because of my mother I relate to it. And knowing the choices many of you reading this have made, I thought you would appreciate it.] And for my single friends - One girl asked, what advice would you give for sisters like me who are not married, but want to be and want to preserve the chance of that happening. Sister Beck's response: Go for broke. If I were in your position I would get the best education I could at the best schools I could. I would not sit around waiting for marriage. Then when you meet someone you want to marry, you'll probably have to reevaluate your path. But in the meantime, I would be going full speed ahead.
There were many other things (ideas about how to learn about women's role from the scriptures, stories of women and the things they've done, what to do with LDS people who judge your decisions and question your choices (funny Sister Beck), etc...) But overall her message was - if you stay close to the Lord and remember The Plan you will be able to shut out the world's messages and do what is right.
Finally, I walked away from the whole thing with a vivid reminder that the men and women who do the Lord's work are people. They're mortal. They get tired, frustrated, sad, disheartened. All those things. The Lord calls them, not because they're perfect, or even the smartest or best at X... He calls them because they love him and they are so willing to keep their covenants to him that they will give what He asks when He calls. I've had several opportunities to observe this over the last couple of years and was just powerfully reminded of it again. Sister Beck, and I imagine the same for all the general authorities, is NOT someone seeking power. She would love to stay home and be a grandmother, mother and wife. But she loves the Lord and, in answering his call, loves us. They need our prayers! I'm so grateful for all the men and women who serve - including those closer who I can see more often. It's really a marvelous work. The way the Lord has arranged it all is quite beautiful to see.

Freshman Roomies

Right before I went to Arizona (less than 24 hours before) I had a wonderful lunch with my freshman roommates (well, 4 of the 7 of us). It was a wonderful chance to get together, hear what's going on in everyone's lives and see the beautiful girls (old and young). Emily is in W. Bountiful and has a book coming out! (will be in stores this fall). Miriam is now the mother of a cute almost-4 year old, Ali. Deanna's baby, Azure Marie is getting bigger and they and Charles are getting ready to move to Georgia summer. I love them so much! I am always amazed at how, even when months (years?) have gone by we can pick up where we left off. Pictures
Ali and Azure playing

Deanna and Azure (just so you know, that baby is pure muscle. No fat - just like her mama and papa; I got to babysit her the next week and she's so fun!)

All of us (after many attempts this was the best we got)

It's taken me so long to do this that our lunch a month later is actually today! I'm excited. :)

Cactus National Park

First, let me say, I have dozens of blogs composed in my head so hopefully you'll be seeing more soon. The internet at home has been down, so nothing has happened. But tune in because hopefully I'll have more coming soon.
Second, I must say that the national park is not called Cactus National Park. As Holly pointed out last time, it is actually named Saguaro National Park. But since some of us don't know that Saguaro is a kind of cacuts, and (mainly) since I call it Cactus Nat'l Park in my head you all get to share in my illiteracy.
So, all that said. Here are some pictures. I took about 40 before my camera died, so you can just imagine the rest. And you'll have to imagine the gorgeous sunset too. But if you've ever seen an Arizona sunset you'll understand there's no real capturing it anyway.
Yet another reason not to call it Saguaro - even though they're the really cool, dominant ones - there are other kinds like these:

I match it! (See, I'm blossoming!)

And Elizabeth matches everything else.

Together we match the desert.

And here are the saguaro. These are a tiny sample. They're just so neat and personable

Can you see me? That should give you some idea of how big they are.
And this is just a pretty average guy.