Wow, it has been a while since I last posted. Although, I'd say that I have a pretty good excuse. I had been home (my place in Utah) less than 48 hours when I got the call about my grandpa. 3 days later, I was on a plane back home for the funeral. 6 days after that, I was on a plane again back to Utah. The next 3 days consisted of family-related things in Utah + the burial + a memorial service.
Afterward, we spent the entire day with extended family on the Brown side, and once evening came, Mom and Grandma came with me to Provo to see my place and stay the night. Thursday morning we went to breakfast and then met up with Kent, Grandma's cousin, who lost his son two weeks prior to Grandpa's death (he is the father of John Jones - the one who died in the caving accident in Utah a few weeks ago) and had a really good chat with him. It was really nice to talk with him and be able to relate in such similar ways to having just lost a loved one. And though it is still incredibly difficult, I think he may have helped Grandma see Grandpa's death in a different light. He gave some really good insight. Got me and Mom thinking as well.
This whole thing has got me thinking now more than ever about the importance of family. And I'm not talking about parents and siblings - I mean everyone. Aunts, uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins, cousins once or twice removed... all of it. Family is family and in some way or another, we will all be 'stuck' together forever, so we might as well learn to like it now! Okay, that was trying to lighten the mood a bit, because I already love all of my family. But what I realized, is that I don't even know a lot of my family. I don't know a thing about most of my extended family. And when I say "extended family", I mean beyond the immediate aunts, uncles, and cousins. I mean everyone else. The relatives you have to sit and draw a map to figure out how you're related and what to call each other before simply resigning to "cousin" as the simple answer.
If there is one good thing that has happened from my grandpa's death, it is the reiteration of the importance of family. In the past 3 weeks, I have met so many distant relatives that I can't believe took me this long to meet! (or to get re-acquainted with). My mom has talked about her aunts, Kim and Kay, so many times growing up... but I had never actually met them. Kay's son Rob and I were even friends on facebook... but I still had yet to meet him before the funeral.
On the Brown side (the 1st three were on the Harvey side) I met so many cousins 'once or twice or three times removed' that I couldn't keep track. The only two whose names I remember are Joanne and Paul, and they are awesome. As we were leaving the memorial service in Bountiful, Paul (in his 60s - grandfather-ly type) shouted from his car, "Hey! Maybe I'll see you again in this lifetime, eh?" I will definitely go visit him. Grandma's cousin Kent, whom I spoke of previously, once I "met" him I realized that I remembered him - he was one of the cool 'cousins' at all the Jones Family Reunions I'd been to (my great grandma was a Jones). He reminded me of some of the crazy songs we all sang together.
Doug and Kay (Grandpa's brother and brother's wife) I had not seen since 2004... and they live in Salt Lake, just up the street from Roger! (Grandpa's other brother, whom I visit all the time) Three of their kids DeAnn, Jeff, and Kenny (and their families) all live in Salt Lake and most of them I can't even remember the last time I saw them - before last week. And I'm only 45 minutes away! Then there's Grandma's side of the family (the part currently residing in Utah), with her twin sister Judy's kids, and *their* kids all an hour or less away. But again, I had not seen any of them in 4 or 5 years.
I learned so many new stories about family members of mine this month. I heard new stories about my grandpa (which, if you knew my grandpa, that's pretty surprising), the full story about an uncle of mine passing out in a hospital, childhood stories of the uncles, stories about my great grandma Brown (referred to in my family - Mom and siblings - as Grandma Jean), and so many others. (And for those of you who know my middle name, yes, she is the reason it is Jean). At the memorial service Mom even learned how she got her name. I found personal histories of my great grandpa and great-great grandma that I started to read. I'm learning all sorts of things about family members - both living and dead.
Nowadays, family can be so spread out. My "immediate" family alone spans 6 states and 3 times zones. However, we are blessed with modern technology that allows us to keep in touch in ways we never could have before. We don't have to wait 5 years to send snail mail anymore - we have email, facebook, text messages, picture messages, and the good 'ol phone call.
If you don't already keep in touch with family very well, do it. Our time on this earth is a lot shorter than we realize. Make amends now. Don't let it wait. Your father will always be your father, brother always a brother, etc. Shoot, cousins are sometimes like siblings too. Keep in touch with them also! Family is an amazing blessing and we should never take it for granted. I myself am guilty of that and am going to make it a goal in the coming year to visit as much of my 'super extended family' in Utah as possible.
I don't care how corny this sounds - I mean every word of it:
Friends come and go, but a family really is forever.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Robert Martin Brown: A Husband, A Father, My Grandfather
Grandpa Brown died today. It’s still so weird to me. It’s like it’s not even real. I keep thinking about it and somehow it doesn’t seem real. I’m going to go home for Christmas and he’s still going to be there, just like always. He’s the glue that keeps the family together. No matter what differences everyone else in the family has, they can all agree on one thing: Robert Martin Brown was and is and always will be a great man. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, bishop, stake president, friend, and so much more. I can’t even begin to count the number of lives he has touched. Even just within the family, he helped so many of us through some really rough times. He drove me to a fireside once just so we could chat – the two of us. I was going through a really hard year and he somehow always knew just what to say. I had the coolest grandpa – all of the youth in the stake loved him. He was my own stake president and every time other people saw me, they’d say “Hey, tell your grandpa that he’s awesome and I say hi!” I had youth in the stake come up to me all the time and say, “Your grandpa is the coolest! You’ll never believe what he just did!” He was a kid at heart his whole life.
He was an avid motorcycle rider. One of his bikes is a bullet bike – it’s awesome. Some of my earliest “grandpa memories” are taking rides up and down the street on his motorcycle. Once, a friend of mine wanted to get a bike. However, he was 16 and his parents didn’t want him to and none of us really wanted him to, either. Boys aren’t very responsible at that age. Grandpa then said to him, “You want a bike? Here, let’s go for a ride.” He took him for the wildest ride of his life, going 3 times the speed limit on this winding road. Passed a cop, too. Needless to say, he cured my friend of his desire to get a motorcycle!
During my junior year of high school, I went to a stake dance for New Year’s Eve. My friend was spending the night that night, so as we got to my house around 2, we were expecting to have to be real quiet so as not to wake anyone. However, we came home to lights, noise, and laughter. To my surprise, not only were my parents still up, but my grandparents were still up! The four of them had been there playing games for hours. They continued playing games until about 4 that morning. That night, my grandparents officially became the ‘coolest grandparents ever’ in the eyes of my friend. She couldn’t believe I had grandparents who would stay up that late. It’s one of my favorite stories to tell about my grandpa.
He always had the craziest stories and each time he told them, the stories got wilder. Grandma would get frustrated and say, “That’s not what happened!” And Grandpa would smile and say, “…close enough.” It didn’t matter how much was true and how much was real – he sure always made them exciting!
My absolute favorite story he ever told me though was my junior or senior year of high school. For some reason, people can hardly believe this when I tell them, but growing up, I never got asked out. I only went on a handful of dates all throughout high school. I never even got asked to a homecoming or senior prom. I pretended like I didn’t care and that it was no big deal, but it still kind of hurt. So one day, Grandpa and I are talking and I haven’t even told him anything yet. But for some unexplainable reason, he proceeds to tell me this story…
He was in high school and had asked this girl to prom. He goes to the front door on the night of prom to pick her up. She opens the door and is horrified. Somehow there was a misunderstanding somewhere down the road: someone else had asked her and he was going to be there any minute. She didn’t know what to do, but Grandpa said, “no worries – have a great time!”
So here Grandpa is, the night of prom…and no date. He thought to himself, “Who could I find to go with me on such short notice?” He then remembered Sarah (I have no idea what her name really was). Sarah was known as one of the most beautiful girls at school, and all the guys wanted to go out with her. He thought, “I wonder if anyone actually asked her…” He called her up, and come to find out – no one had. She was sitting at home. So Grandpa asked her if she wanted to go and she was thrilled. They went to the dance and had a blast.
That story helped me so much, because at that point, I had started to wonder “What’s wrong with me? Why does no one ever ask me out?? What am I doing wrong?” Grandpa never even tried to juxtapose his story with mine. Just telling the story was enough. After he told the story, we talked about other stuff – it was just a small part of the conversation. But he knew exactly what to say to make me feel better. He complimented me without even saying anything. I thought about that story all the time.
Each Christmas we go to my grandparents’ house and read Christmas stories. Then we read the real Christmas story – in Luke. Grandpa always reads it. I can never remember anyone else ever reading it. It’s going to be so weird this year, going home for Christmas, and having someone else read that story.
He loved Grandma so much. You could just see it in his eyes, his face, his mannerisms. I was lucky enough to spend the entire day with him this past Tuesday. We went to D.C., took a tour through the Capitol and Library of Congress, and then went out to dinner. Grandma joined us for dinner and after nearly 50 years (50 would have been August 2010), they still loved each other the same way they did when they were first married. Grandma would wrap her hands around Grandpa’s arm to keep her hands warm. When we left, they were holding hands. They even kissed goodbye (because Grandpa still had to take me home). One of my favorite memories of the two of them was one summer when I was staying with them. Grandma had Sinatra on and Grandpa came home from work, walked up the stairs (split level stairs), took Grandma’s hand, and they danced all around the entire floor. Through the kitchen, dining room, into the living room… they just danced around the house. And even though I was only 12 or 13 when I saw that, ever since then, it made me want to marry someone who would dance with me around the house when he gets home from work.
I try to look for the positive in everything – no matter how serious the tragedy. And while I am going to miss him so much, good things are still to be found in it. My family used to have family reunions every year or two. I loved it, because I love my family and we always have fun. But a few years ago, our family was severely damaged. Hearts were broken, things were said, and it more or less divided the family. We haven’t had a reunion since. I have tried to remain neutral throughout it all because I absolutely hate that there are “sides’ to the family now, and I don’t want to lose any family member in any way. My Grandpa’s death will bring everyone together again. All the petty difference will be put aside, if just for a day, for this wonderful man whose life we will honor. I am deeply saddened that it takes such a tragedy to bring us all together again, but I am glad that we will all be able to see one another again.
Grandpa Brown, I will miss you. You helped more people than I can count. I am thoroughly convinced that you did in fact know everyone. And you never forgot a single one. No matter who it was, you remembered them. No matter what their trial, you somehow knew just what to say to help them through it. You had nothing but love to give to everyone around you. I never saw you upset or angry. Always calm during trials, and somehow keeping a smile on your face through just about everything. I know you are in a better place now, but I still wish you could have stayed with us a few years more. I love you, and I hope you are having a rockin’ time up in heaven. :)
He was an avid motorcycle rider. One of his bikes is a bullet bike – it’s awesome. Some of my earliest “grandpa memories” are taking rides up and down the street on his motorcycle. Once, a friend of mine wanted to get a bike. However, he was 16 and his parents didn’t want him to and none of us really wanted him to, either. Boys aren’t very responsible at that age. Grandpa then said to him, “You want a bike? Here, let’s go for a ride.” He took him for the wildest ride of his life, going 3 times the speed limit on this winding road. Passed a cop, too. Needless to say, he cured my friend of his desire to get a motorcycle!
During my junior year of high school, I went to a stake dance for New Year’s Eve. My friend was spending the night that night, so as we got to my house around 2, we were expecting to have to be real quiet so as not to wake anyone. However, we came home to lights, noise, and laughter. To my surprise, not only were my parents still up, but my grandparents were still up! The four of them had been there playing games for hours. They continued playing games until about 4 that morning. That night, my grandparents officially became the ‘coolest grandparents ever’ in the eyes of my friend. She couldn’t believe I had grandparents who would stay up that late. It’s one of my favorite stories to tell about my grandpa.
He always had the craziest stories and each time he told them, the stories got wilder. Grandma would get frustrated and say, “That’s not what happened!” And Grandpa would smile and say, “…close enough.” It didn’t matter how much was true and how much was real – he sure always made them exciting!
My absolute favorite story he ever told me though was my junior or senior year of high school. For some reason, people can hardly believe this when I tell them, but growing up, I never got asked out. I only went on a handful of dates all throughout high school. I never even got asked to a homecoming or senior prom. I pretended like I didn’t care and that it was no big deal, but it still kind of hurt. So one day, Grandpa and I are talking and I haven’t even told him anything yet. But for some unexplainable reason, he proceeds to tell me this story…
He was in high school and had asked this girl to prom. He goes to the front door on the night of prom to pick her up. She opens the door and is horrified. Somehow there was a misunderstanding somewhere down the road: someone else had asked her and he was going to be there any minute. She didn’t know what to do, but Grandpa said, “no worries – have a great time!”
So here Grandpa is, the night of prom…and no date. He thought to himself, “Who could I find to go with me on such short notice?” He then remembered Sarah (I have no idea what her name really was). Sarah was known as one of the most beautiful girls at school, and all the guys wanted to go out with her. He thought, “I wonder if anyone actually asked her…” He called her up, and come to find out – no one had. She was sitting at home. So Grandpa asked her if she wanted to go and she was thrilled. They went to the dance and had a blast.
That story helped me so much, because at that point, I had started to wonder “What’s wrong with me? Why does no one ever ask me out?? What am I doing wrong?” Grandpa never even tried to juxtapose his story with mine. Just telling the story was enough. After he told the story, we talked about other stuff – it was just a small part of the conversation. But he knew exactly what to say to make me feel better. He complimented me without even saying anything. I thought about that story all the time.
Each Christmas we go to my grandparents’ house and read Christmas stories. Then we read the real Christmas story – in Luke. Grandpa always reads it. I can never remember anyone else ever reading it. It’s going to be so weird this year, going home for Christmas, and having someone else read that story.
He loved Grandma so much. You could just see it in his eyes, his face, his mannerisms. I was lucky enough to spend the entire day with him this past Tuesday. We went to D.C., took a tour through the Capitol and Library of Congress, and then went out to dinner. Grandma joined us for dinner and after nearly 50 years (50 would have been August 2010), they still loved each other the same way they did when they were first married. Grandma would wrap her hands around Grandpa’s arm to keep her hands warm. When we left, they were holding hands. They even kissed goodbye (because Grandpa still had to take me home). One of my favorite memories of the two of them was one summer when I was staying with them. Grandma had Sinatra on and Grandpa came home from work, walked up the stairs (split level stairs), took Grandma’s hand, and they danced all around the entire floor. Through the kitchen, dining room, into the living room… they just danced around the house. And even though I was only 12 or 13 when I saw that, ever since then, it made me want to marry someone who would dance with me around the house when he gets home from work.
I try to look for the positive in everything – no matter how serious the tragedy. And while I am going to miss him so much, good things are still to be found in it. My family used to have family reunions every year or two. I loved it, because I love my family and we always have fun. But a few years ago, our family was severely damaged. Hearts were broken, things were said, and it more or less divided the family. We haven’t had a reunion since. I have tried to remain neutral throughout it all because I absolutely hate that there are “sides’ to the family now, and I don’t want to lose any family member in any way. My Grandpa’s death will bring everyone together again. All the petty difference will be put aside, if just for a day, for this wonderful man whose life we will honor. I am deeply saddened that it takes such a tragedy to bring us all together again, but I am glad that we will all be able to see one another again.
Grandpa Brown, I will miss you. You helped more people than I can count. I am thoroughly convinced that you did in fact know everyone. And you never forgot a single one. No matter who it was, you remembered them. No matter what their trial, you somehow knew just what to say to help them through it. You had nothing but love to give to everyone around you. I never saw you upset or angry. Always calm during trials, and somehow keeping a smile on your face through just about everything. I know you are in a better place now, but I still wish you could have stayed with us a few years more. I love you, and I hope you are having a rockin’ time up in heaven. :)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Knock Knock
Knock knock. Who's there? I have no idea. I don't know what it is, but for some reason in the past month I have gotten so many random people whom I have never in my life met trying to add me on facebook. My current 'friend request' count is 14 - and I do not know a single one of them. I average about 1 a day right now. It is seriously getting ridiculous!! And in times past when I have gotten some random person, I take the time to message them and say some tactful version of "I'm sorry, but who are you?" But I only used to get those once every few months. I'm tired of sending that stupid thing and getting a response clearly indicating that we have never met but that they *want* to meet or get to know me or network or whatever. Newsflash: If I don't know you, I will not add you! Sorry, but I prefer the old-fashioned way, thanks.
I told a friend of mine about it and he joked that it was my profile picture that it was doing it, because I "look like a model." Seriously? It's just a picture, and I am most definitely not a model! However, it's worth a shot. So I just changed my profile picture back to a 'normal' one, taken by yours truly. I guess we'll see if that fixes it.
I told a friend of mine about it and he joked that it was my profile picture that it was doing it, because I "look like a model." Seriously? It's just a picture, and I am most definitely not a model! However, it's worth a shot. So I just changed my profile picture back to a 'normal' one, taken by yours truly. I guess we'll see if that fixes it.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A Great Surprise
For the last 2-3 weeks I have had to keep one of the biggest secrets of my LIFE! It wasn't a 'serious' secret or anything, but it was DANG hard to keep. See, my mom and I are best friends. I talk to her almost ever day. I tell her everything that is going on. I complain to her about my frustrations with certain things (especially in the last month with this film going on), and tell her my plans for the day, week, month, etc.
Well, about halfway through the film I decided "you know... it would be great if I could go home for Thanksgiving this year..." Everyone on set had been talking about their Thanksgiving plans, because we were to wrap just days before the holiday, so everyone was looking forward to it. It got me thinking, "Hmm... where am *I* going to go for Thanksgiving??" It's a great holiday when I'm at home, but otherwise I actually kind of dread it, because I always feel like I have no place to go without imposing on someone else's family.
So just for fun, I looked up the price of plane tickets. $311. I thought "hey, that's not too bad. I could probably handle that..." That was when the idea of surprising the family popped into my head. "Hey, what if I didn't tell ANY of my family members and just showed up on the doorstep? How awesome would that be!?" I called up my best friend who recently returned to the area and said, "I'm thinking of possibly surprising my family for Thanksgiving this year... if I did, would you be able to pick me up from the airport?" She could hardly contain her excitement for my plan and said with enthusiasm, "YES!! That is so awesome! Of course!!" Perfect!
However, I wasn't 100% sure, so I didn't buy the ticket right then and there. I don't like to make a massive decision like that without at least giving a bit of time to process and be sure. I mean, $311 is a lot of money to buy something 'on a whim.' Unfortunately, I guess I should have. The next day, the cheapest ticket I could find was about $380/$390. Drat. Maybe I won't go after all. I decided to continue looking a few times each day for the next few days to see if it would go down at all. Three or four days later, I came across one for $338. The departure and arrival dates were a bit more spread out than I had initially planned, but I thought "you know what? Why not? The film will be done, I will want a break, and what better way to take a break than with family you haven't seen in almost a year?" So I bought it. Done.
Now, the only problem was keeping it a secret for the next two weeks. And let me tell you... I have never in my LIFE had a harder time keeping a secret! And it almost slipped SO many times. I mean, half the time we would wrap for the "day" at 5 in the morning. So since it was 7am VA time and my mom was up getting kids ready for school, I'd call her and talk to her to keep me awake while I drove home from SLC. Well, when you are rather fatigued, it becomes harder and harder to remember what things you are and are not supposed to say!
Fortunately, it never slipped out. There were a few close calls, but I succeeded. I even disabled my facebook wall the day before I was to fly out, just in case someone who knew I was going to VA would forget it was a secret and write on my wall, giving it away. Now, for the actual surprise.
I got to Dulles around 4:30, and Mary picked me up around 5:30 (she had work til 5). We got stuck in the most horrendous traffic ever and it took us nearly two hours to get home; but it actually turned out to be a good thing, because my dad had only been home for maybe 10-15 minutes by the time we got there. Once we got to my street, I had Mary pull up just past my house and turn off her lights. I then got out of the car and proceeded to call my mother. It was nothing out of the ordinary - I talk to her every day.
"So, did you get the package I sent you??" I asked.
Confused, she replied, "No...? I don't think so...?"
My front door was in view and I was almost to the porch. In my best "fake-surprise" tone I asked, "Really?? ...because I got confirmation today that it was delivered."
My mom was thoroughly perplexed at this point. What package could I have possibly sent, and why was I so eager for her to get it? By then, I had reached the front door and could hear both on the phone and inside the house, "Logan? Did you sign for a package today??" Confused, Logan answered simply, "...no...?"
The footsteps were getting closer. I know my mom, and I knew she was going to check the front porch next. While still on the line with her, she opened the door and looked up. I stood, phone in hand, waving with the other; smiling, of course.
"huuuuuuuhhhh!!!" is about the only audible thing that followed. And yes, that is one of those deep-intake-of-breath noises. Also known as gasping, I suppose. At this point, my dad was curious as to what all the commotion was, and he and the kids quickly came to the front room to see what my mom had just discovered upon opening the door. After my mother got over her initial shock, she grabbed me and hugged me tightly. Then the tears came, and amidst the tears, she managed to utter, "You got me good."
Then the younger siblings got involved. Tiana came and tackled the bottom half of me, and Logan wrapped his arms tightly around my midsection (shows how tall each of them are. haha). I then went to hug my dad and then we all sat and chatted for a while. Then Logan came up with a brilliant idea: hide in Rachel's room and scare the crap out of her when she gets home. So we found out roughly when she would be home, and a few minutes before she was to be back, I went into her room and hid under some blankets.
I waited until I heard her open the door and then I jumped out of the sheets screaming, "RAAARRR!" She screamed, jumped, and backed into her half-open door - all at the same time, of course. haha. Then, once the initial shock had subsided, she excitedly asked, "What are you doing here!?!" and proceeded to tackle me. Come to think of it, I guess my siblings and I like to tackle each other... because Tiana and Logan almost knocked me down when I first got here. haha.
Well, there you have it. The best surprise I have pulled off thus far in my life. It was pretty awesome. So, I am now spending the next week in VA with my family. Gosh, I love Virginia. :)
Well, about halfway through the film I decided "you know... it would be great if I could go home for Thanksgiving this year..." Everyone on set had been talking about their Thanksgiving plans, because we were to wrap just days before the holiday, so everyone was looking forward to it. It got me thinking, "Hmm... where am *I* going to go for Thanksgiving??" It's a great holiday when I'm at home, but otherwise I actually kind of dread it, because I always feel like I have no place to go without imposing on someone else's family.
So just for fun, I looked up the price of plane tickets. $311. I thought "hey, that's not too bad. I could probably handle that..." That was when the idea of surprising the family popped into my head. "Hey, what if I didn't tell ANY of my family members and just showed up on the doorstep? How awesome would that be!?" I called up my best friend who recently returned to the area and said, "I'm thinking of possibly surprising my family for Thanksgiving this year... if I did, would you be able to pick me up from the airport?" She could hardly contain her excitement for my plan and said with enthusiasm, "YES!! That is so awesome! Of course!!" Perfect!
However, I wasn't 100% sure, so I didn't buy the ticket right then and there. I don't like to make a massive decision like that without at least giving a bit of time to process and be sure. I mean, $311 is a lot of money to buy something 'on a whim.' Unfortunately, I guess I should have. The next day, the cheapest ticket I could find was about $380/$390. Drat. Maybe I won't go after all. I decided to continue looking a few times each day for the next few days to see if it would go down at all. Three or four days later, I came across one for $338. The departure and arrival dates were a bit more spread out than I had initially planned, but I thought "you know what? Why not? The film will be done, I will want a break, and what better way to take a break than with family you haven't seen in almost a year?" So I bought it. Done.
Now, the only problem was keeping it a secret for the next two weeks. And let me tell you... I have never in my LIFE had a harder time keeping a secret! And it almost slipped SO many times. I mean, half the time we would wrap for the "day" at 5 in the morning. So since it was 7am VA time and my mom was up getting kids ready for school, I'd call her and talk to her to keep me awake while I drove home from SLC. Well, when you are rather fatigued, it becomes harder and harder to remember what things you are and are not supposed to say!
Fortunately, it never slipped out. There were a few close calls, but I succeeded. I even disabled my facebook wall the day before I was to fly out, just in case someone who knew I was going to VA would forget it was a secret and write on my wall, giving it away. Now, for the actual surprise.
I got to Dulles around 4:30, and Mary picked me up around 5:30 (she had work til 5). We got stuck in the most horrendous traffic ever and it took us nearly two hours to get home; but it actually turned out to be a good thing, because my dad had only been home for maybe 10-15 minutes by the time we got there. Once we got to my street, I had Mary pull up just past my house and turn off her lights. I then got out of the car and proceeded to call my mother. It was nothing out of the ordinary - I talk to her every day.
"So, did you get the package I sent you??" I asked.
Confused, she replied, "No...? I don't think so...?"
My front door was in view and I was almost to the porch. In my best "fake-surprise" tone I asked, "Really?? ...because I got confirmation today that it was delivered."
My mom was thoroughly perplexed at this point. What package could I have possibly sent, and why was I so eager for her to get it? By then, I had reached the front door and could hear both on the phone and inside the house, "Logan? Did you sign for a package today??" Confused, Logan answered simply, "...no...?"
The footsteps were getting closer. I know my mom, and I knew she was going to check the front porch next. While still on the line with her, she opened the door and looked up. I stood, phone in hand, waving with the other; smiling, of course.
"huuuuuuuhhhh!!!" is about the only audible thing that followed. And yes, that is one of those deep-intake-of-breath noises. Also known as gasping, I suppose. At this point, my dad was curious as to what all the commotion was, and he and the kids quickly came to the front room to see what my mom had just discovered upon opening the door. After my mother got over her initial shock, she grabbed me and hugged me tightly. Then the tears came, and amidst the tears, she managed to utter, "You got me good."
Then the younger siblings got involved. Tiana came and tackled the bottom half of me, and Logan wrapped his arms tightly around my midsection (shows how tall each of them are. haha). I then went to hug my dad and then we all sat and chatted for a while. Then Logan came up with a brilliant idea: hide in Rachel's room and scare the crap out of her when she gets home. So we found out roughly when she would be home, and a few minutes before she was to be back, I went into her room and hid under some blankets.
I waited until I heard her open the door and then I jumped out of the sheets screaming, "RAAARRR!" She screamed, jumped, and backed into her half-open door - all at the same time, of course. haha. Then, once the initial shock had subsided, she excitedly asked, "What are you doing here!?!" and proceeded to tackle me. Come to think of it, I guess my siblings and I like to tackle each other... because Tiana and Logan almost knocked me down when I first got here. haha.
Well, there you have it. The best surprise I have pulled off thus far in my life. It was pretty awesome. So, I am now spending the next week in VA with my family. Gosh, I love Virginia. :)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Change in Time
It's funny how time can change things. In March, I worked on this film called "Frozen" and I had two "puppies" on that film. But after the first day or so, one of the guys more or less went 'back to normal', so he was okay again after that (plus, he was only 2 or 3 years older than I was, so it wasn't as weird to me). But the other one kind of freaked me out. He would come find me every time he had downtime, and would always sit next to me at lunch, and... he was "waaay older." I was kind of relieved on my last day of that film (I only worked 1-2 times a week on it) because I knew I wouldn't have to see him again for quite some time - if ever.
The first week of this film went by and we had only our "skeleton crew" ... Then, the last day of the first week, a few people were added to the crew. I was grabbing some of my stuff and walking back to where we were about to film when all of a sudden this guy walked past me. At a glance, he looked kind of like another guy on crew (Seth), but without the beard Seth had. I was so confused because I knew it wasn't Seth, but I couldn't figure out why I knew the guy. Then it hit me: he was the puppy from Frozen. I momentarily freaked, and then hoped/thought "maybe he won't remember or recognize me..." Wrong! About ten minutes later he came up to me and started chatting with me. I thought "Oh no, it's going to be like this for the rest of the film... great..."
However, to his credit... at that very moment that he came up to me, I was seconds away from leaking like a faucet and needed a distraction in the worst way. (The last two days had had a lot of crap happen both on and off set, and something else major had just barely occured on set to add to the stress... I was fighting the tears SO hard) When I am like that, I don't want someone to give me a hug or say "it'll be okay" or any crap like that. I just need a distraction - something to talk about that is *completely* unrelated. Luckily, that is exactly what he did. Props to him for that. Still, though... I kind of avoided him for the rest of the day. I still had the "Frozen" mindset and didn't want to maintain a puppy for the duration of the film.
Well... it is now 3 days before picture wrap and yes, my how time changes things - in multiple ways. At this point in time, he has probably become one of my closest friends on set. Not that I'm really "close" with anyone on set, but you get the idea. We chat during downtime, quite frequently sit at the same table at lunch, trade off backrubs, and play mini wars all throughout the day (I try to stick tape on him without him noticing - he tries to stick clothespins on me without me noticing. One of his clothespins even said "PAY BACK" - and one of my tape pieces said "GOTCHA"). (PS, grip and electric use clothespins for the lights; and yes I like my parentheses)
I think one of the biggest reasons he 'freaked me out' with Frozen was because he was "so much older." Yes, "waaay older" to me in March was anyone over 30. But in the last 8 months, the wards I have been a part of have probably had an average age of 29-30. The bulk of my friends in my new ward are 28-34. This guy is 32. And this time around, 32 was no longer weird or freaky to me. Also, he didn't maintain his "puppy" status and 'gave me my space' I guess you could say. Because of that, I was more willing to talk with him, knowing he wouldn't follow me around.
It's just funny that your views of someone can change so drastically in time. I went from almost dreading seeing him to looking forward to it. Seriously, those 'wars' have actually gotten me through some pretty rough days, because it adds some much needed 'comic relief' to my days of stress. And I have actually never before met anyone who gives such amazing backrubs (and trust me, I don't say that lightly - I've had my share of backrubs, and sorry to any who have ever given me one, but he trumps you all!) Talk about a perfect 'de-stresser.' Now, looking back, I don't know if I could have survived this film as well as I did without him to keep me sane. Thank goodness things can and *do* change in time!
The first week of this film went by and we had only our "skeleton crew" ... Then, the last day of the first week, a few people were added to the crew. I was grabbing some of my stuff and walking back to where we were about to film when all of a sudden this guy walked past me. At a glance, he looked kind of like another guy on crew (Seth), but without the beard Seth had. I was so confused because I knew it wasn't Seth, but I couldn't figure out why I knew the guy. Then it hit me: he was the puppy from Frozen. I momentarily freaked, and then hoped/thought "maybe he won't remember or recognize me..." Wrong! About ten minutes later he came up to me and started chatting with me. I thought "Oh no, it's going to be like this for the rest of the film... great..."
However, to his credit... at that very moment that he came up to me, I was seconds away from leaking like a faucet and needed a distraction in the worst way. (The last two days had had a lot of crap happen both on and off set, and something else major had just barely occured on set to add to the stress... I was fighting the tears SO hard) When I am like that, I don't want someone to give me a hug or say "it'll be okay" or any crap like that. I just need a distraction - something to talk about that is *completely* unrelated. Luckily, that is exactly what he did. Props to him for that. Still, though... I kind of avoided him for the rest of the day. I still had the "Frozen" mindset and didn't want to maintain a puppy for the duration of the film.
Well... it is now 3 days before picture wrap and yes, my how time changes things - in multiple ways. At this point in time, he has probably become one of my closest friends on set. Not that I'm really "close" with anyone on set, but you get the idea. We chat during downtime, quite frequently sit at the same table at lunch, trade off backrubs, and play mini wars all throughout the day (I try to stick tape on him without him noticing - he tries to stick clothespins on me without me noticing. One of his clothespins even said "PAY BACK" - and one of my tape pieces said "GOTCHA"). (PS, grip and electric use clothespins for the lights; and yes I like my parentheses)
I think one of the biggest reasons he 'freaked me out' with Frozen was because he was "so much older." Yes, "waaay older" to me in March was anyone over 30. But in the last 8 months, the wards I have been a part of have probably had an average age of 29-30. The bulk of my friends in my new ward are 28-34. This guy is 32. And this time around, 32 was no longer weird or freaky to me. Also, he didn't maintain his "puppy" status and 'gave me my space' I guess you could say. Because of that, I was more willing to talk with him, knowing he wouldn't follow me around.
It's just funny that your views of someone can change so drastically in time. I went from almost dreading seeing him to looking forward to it. Seriously, those 'wars' have actually gotten me through some pretty rough days, because it adds some much needed 'comic relief' to my days of stress. And I have actually never before met anyone who gives such amazing backrubs (and trust me, I don't say that lightly - I've had my share of backrubs, and sorry to any who have ever given me one, but he trumps you all!) Talk about a perfect 'de-stresser.' Now, looking back, I don't know if I could have survived this film as well as I did without him to keep me sane. Thank goodness things can and *do* change in time!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
I'm Still Alive, I Promise
Okay, I have a few people wondering if I have dropped off the face of the planet or something, due to my lack of blog entries. Indeed, it has been a while... and I'm usually not this bad at keeping everyone updated, but these last few weeks have been some of the absolute busiest weeks of my life! I started working on another film - The Kane Files - and it has pretty much consumed my life. I mean, normally, when I work on a film it takes up a lot of my time already, but I have discovered that as mixer (vs boom), it takes up even MORE of your time and energy. I have to haul all of my equipment there and back everyday. I have to take the disk and upload it to my computer every day. I have to put it on a flash drive for the editor. I have to make sure the sound reports match the audio files and that it's all good to go to send to the editor. I have to prepare the equipment, make sure everything has fresh batteries, etc.
I am constantly in search of what the next shot is, if it will be wide or tight, if we can boom it or if we are going to have to lav the actors. If we *do* have to lav the actors, after I see the blocking rehearsal, I have to tell the 1st AD so she knows that they'll need a couple minutes before a real rehearsal so I can have time to mic them. I have to talk with the DP to find out what exactly the shot is and where my boom can fit - if anywhere. I have to make sure my entire pack is portable for the times we have to walk (or run) with camera (almost the entire film is hand held). Basically, I have to be prepared for anything... every day.
We have also been filming mostly at nights, which means we don't *start* until 5pm and we don't *end* until 5am. Then there's the 'pack up and put everything away' part, and the drive home. So basically, all I have done for the last 3 weeks is eat, sleep, and work. Even my mother (whom I normally talk to every day) has called me a few times asking how things are going, because she hasn't heard from me in a while. Seriously, it IS my life right now - it'll all I have time for. So I will probably put up a "Week 1" "Week 2" etc post that sums up each week, but I can almost guarantee you that that will not happen until *after* we wrap.
Luckily, we at least have Sundays off... except I was so drained and stressed from yesterday (possibly the worst day yet) that I slept through church... oops. :/ So I have a few short hours each week to 'get my life in order' for the next week and that's it. Clean the room, do some laundry, catch up on my journal, and prep the equipment yet again for the following day. Yeah, definitely prefer booming to mixing. This mixing stuff is NOT my cup of tea.
I am constantly in search of what the next shot is, if it will be wide or tight, if we can boom it or if we are going to have to lav the actors. If we *do* have to lav the actors, after I see the blocking rehearsal, I have to tell the 1st AD so she knows that they'll need a couple minutes before a real rehearsal so I can have time to mic them. I have to talk with the DP to find out what exactly the shot is and where my boom can fit - if anywhere. I have to make sure my entire pack is portable for the times we have to walk (or run) with camera (almost the entire film is hand held). Basically, I have to be prepared for anything... every day.
We have also been filming mostly at nights, which means we don't *start* until 5pm and we don't *end* until 5am. Then there's the 'pack up and put everything away' part, and the drive home. So basically, all I have done for the last 3 weeks is eat, sleep, and work. Even my mother (whom I normally talk to every day) has called me a few times asking how things are going, because she hasn't heard from me in a while. Seriously, it IS my life right now - it'll all I have time for. So I will probably put up a "Week 1" "Week 2" etc post that sums up each week, but I can almost guarantee you that that will not happen until *after* we wrap.
Luckily, we at least have Sundays off... except I was so drained and stressed from yesterday (possibly the worst day yet) that I slept through church... oops. :/ So I have a few short hours each week to 'get my life in order' for the next week and that's it. Clean the room, do some laundry, catch up on my journal, and prep the equipment yet again for the following day. Yeah, definitely prefer booming to mixing. This mixing stuff is NOT my cup of tea.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Photo Shoot!
Yes, a very unoriginal title this time. I got lazy. And this will probably be the smallest text post ever. Yesterday, a friend from back home posted on facebook that she wanted to do a photography session. So shoot, I volunteered! I went over there today and had an absolute BLAST! She asked if I had ever thought about/done modeling and I said "not really" (it doesn't really count when you're 6-years-old) and she said "well you should!" It made me smile. :) Anyway, here are a few pictures from the day! Enjoy! :) (and might I add... after 23 years, I think I have finally figured out how to do my own hair and makeup. haha)
PS, all pictures are by Kati Henshall - she's fantastic!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
It Just Keeps Going and Going, and...
Wow, I haven't gotten this behind in quite some time! Let's see... where do I even begin? I finally renewed my gym membership last week and I'm trying to go at least 3-4 times a week if not more. We'll see how well that works out. I went country dancing again last Wednesday and it was probably one of the most fun times I have ever had, and I was only there for about an hour! But for that hour, I was dancing literally nonstop. I have never had so many people ask me one after the other. It was crazy!
Thursday, I went up to SLC to meet with Ty, the DP for the film I'm starting, to look at the sound equipment they have available to them and to let them know if it is all the necessary sound equipment. Oh yeah, I got work on another film! It's called "The Kane Files" and we start filming on Monday. However, though we haven't started yet, I feel like I have been kept plenty busy this whole week. I'm the sound mixer on this one (usually I'm boom - this will be the first feature I have been the sole mixer) and so that means that I am involved in all the pre-production side of things and have been talking back and forth with the producer multiple times a day. It's a whole new experience, but it has been really good for me.
Fri-Sat we had a Relief Society retreat... I was originally not going to go, because I normally hate RS stuff; but I decided I should probably give it a chance and ended up going. I was so glad I went! As it turns out, I am in a ward with hardly any girly-girls! The evening consisted of hot tubbing, mafia, and a Wii. haha I thought it was awesome.
Saturday afternoon I went to a football party to watch the BYU/SDSU game. A guy in our ward has a party for every away game and he always has a really good turnout. Afterwards, my friend set me up on a semi-blind date (turned out I had actually met him before) and we all went to the Corn Maze at Thanksgiving Point. It was actually pretty fun.
Sunday I got to play Settlers after church again! It was a fun tradition back in April/May and I'm happy that I now have friends who *do* play every Sunday! So I played it with Shark and Rob (FHE brothers) tonight and then we went to ward prayer. Afterward, we had yet another highly successful round of ward game night at my place! :) A guy in our ward told me and Karie that we are "the popular apartment" now. Haha sweet!
Yesterday I went with my great uncle (my mom's uncle, Roger) to visit his friend who owns "this studio." The way Roger was talking about it though, it sounded like this small studio where a few things come through every now and then. Oh no. This studio... MASSIVE. It was where we filmed HSM3! We pulled in and I said to Roger, "I've been here before!" Yeah, this place is no small thing. It's a massive warehouse with multiple stages and sets, a 50-foot green screen, and it's pretty much amazing. And the guy who owns it, James, basically gave me an open-ended offer to come and work for him whenever I want! He knows that I'm about to start work on this film, but told me that whenever I wanted to come in, just let him know! He even has an office for me! Awesome! Oh and below are some sweet pictures of the awesome set they are currently creating for this film called Area 51.
Afterward, I went to the production office for the film I'm about to start and got everything squared away with that, signed some paperwork, got the paperwork for my boom ops, and headed home. However, when I got onto the freeway, I suddenly felt like I was in L.A. traffic again. We were moving ridiculously slow and I knew something had to be up. We finally passed one accident and I thought I was home free... wrong! After talking with my mom for 40 minutes and only going about 11 miles, I decided to ditch the whole freeway idea and take back roads all the way home. After all, I have a GPS now!
So I started on the back roads and turned on a traffic/news station to hear what was up with I-15 S. Turns out, there were not one, not two, but THREE separate accidents down I-15 S! My goodness. All in all, it took me nearly two hours to drive what is normally only about 45 minutes. Yikes.
THEN... I got home and ended up talking with a friend who is an aspiring photographer and wants people to practice on... so I'm going to her place tomorrow at noon for a photo shoot! I'm so excited! I have actually always wanted to do one just for fun, but have never had friends who just "need the practice" so I'm pretty stoked about it.
The rest of today just involves about a million things to do to get ready for this film that starts on Monday, plus regular mundane things like laundry and room cleaning. But, with everything going the way it has in the past month or so, it sure is looking like moving back to Utah - for now - was definitely the right choice! :)
Thursday, I went up to SLC to meet with Ty, the DP for the film I'm starting, to look at the sound equipment they have available to them and to let them know if it is all the necessary sound equipment. Oh yeah, I got work on another film! It's called "The Kane Files" and we start filming on Monday. However, though we haven't started yet, I feel like I have been kept plenty busy this whole week. I'm the sound mixer on this one (usually I'm boom - this will be the first feature I have been the sole mixer) and so that means that I am involved in all the pre-production side of things and have been talking back and forth with the producer multiple times a day. It's a whole new experience, but it has been really good for me.
Fri-Sat we had a Relief Society retreat... I was originally not going to go, because I normally hate RS stuff; but I decided I should probably give it a chance and ended up going. I was so glad I went! As it turns out, I am in a ward with hardly any girly-girls! The evening consisted of hot tubbing, mafia, and a Wii. haha I thought it was awesome.
Saturday afternoon I went to a football party to watch the BYU/SDSU game. A guy in our ward has a party for every away game and he always has a really good turnout. Afterwards, my friend set me up on a semi-blind date (turned out I had actually met him before) and we all went to the Corn Maze at Thanksgiving Point. It was actually pretty fun.
Sunday I got to play Settlers after church again! It was a fun tradition back in April/May and I'm happy that I now have friends who *do* play every Sunday! So I played it with Shark and Rob (FHE brothers) tonight and then we went to ward prayer. Afterward, we had yet another highly successful round of ward game night at my place! :) A guy in our ward told me and Karie that we are "the popular apartment" now. Haha sweet!
Yesterday I went with my great uncle (my mom's uncle, Roger) to visit his friend who owns "this studio." The way Roger was talking about it though, it sounded like this small studio where a few things come through every now and then. Oh no. This studio... MASSIVE. It was where we filmed HSM3! We pulled in and I said to Roger, "I've been here before!" Yeah, this place is no small thing. It's a massive warehouse with multiple stages and sets, a 50-foot green screen, and it's pretty much amazing. And the guy who owns it, James, basically gave me an open-ended offer to come and work for him whenever I want! He knows that I'm about to start work on this film, but told me that whenever I wanted to come in, just let him know! He even has an office for me! Awesome! Oh and below are some sweet pictures of the awesome set they are currently creating for this film called Area 51.
Afterward, I went to the production office for the film I'm about to start and got everything squared away with that, signed some paperwork, got the paperwork for my boom ops, and headed home. However, when I got onto the freeway, I suddenly felt like I was in L.A. traffic again. We were moving ridiculously slow and I knew something had to be up. We finally passed one accident and I thought I was home free... wrong! After talking with my mom for 40 minutes and only going about 11 miles, I decided to ditch the whole freeway idea and take back roads all the way home. After all, I have a GPS now!
So I started on the back roads and turned on a traffic/news station to hear what was up with I-15 S. Turns out, there were not one, not two, but THREE separate accidents down I-15 S! My goodness. All in all, it took me nearly two hours to drive what is normally only about 45 minutes. Yikes.
THEN... I got home and ended up talking with a friend who is an aspiring photographer and wants people to practice on... so I'm going to her place tomorrow at noon for a photo shoot! I'm so excited! I have actually always wanted to do one just for fun, but have never had friends who just "need the practice" so I'm pretty stoked about it.
The rest of today just involves about a million things to do to get ready for this film that starts on Monday, plus regular mundane things like laundry and room cleaning. But, with everything going the way it has in the past month or so, it sure is looking like moving back to Utah - for now - was definitely the right choice! :)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Life is Either a Great Adventure, or Nothing
Wow, talk about eventful! ...yet, thoroughly exciting! So my FHE group went to a corn maze tonight and took 3 different cars to carpool up there. I rode up and back with this one guy in our ward, Rob (same one from the dinner last night), and 3 other girls. On our way back home, we passed by this 'entrance' to off-roading up the mountain and he said "who wants to go off-roading!?" I wasn't sure if he was serious or not, so I replied in a way that could be taken either joking or serious but implying that I actually thought that it sounded like fun. Of course, none of the other 3 girls were up for it at all, so we drove another 2 streets back to Deer Haven (our neighborhood). But then I found out that Rob really was quite serious about it, so shoot, of course I went!
We started on one road and he saw a pathway that he hadn't taken before and said "ooh let's take this one!" We were going pretty fast - as far as off-roading goes - and then all of a sudden this MASSIVE rock (more like boulder) came into sight --> but not in time. We smashed SO hard into that thing! We stopped (obviously) and both gave each other this "oh crap" sort of look and I immediately opened my door to see what kind of damage we were looking at (we hit the passenger's side). I figured that he was going to have this massive dent in the side of his car, but to my surprise… nothing! I was really confused as to how that was possible, and then I heard this hissing sound. We had a flat. The tire took most of the fall.
Pretend this is the path, and the rock on the right is what we slammed into (though it was more on the path than this).
So since we were not on ANY sort of steady or flat ground, he said “alright let’s go as quickly as we can with what air we have left and try to get to some flat ground.” So we turned around and started going the way we came, but we turned the wrong way at the fork and had to back up a bit to get on the right road...
and in the process, the car suddenly began to tip to the right. It seriously felt like the car was balancing on something and that was about the point when he said "Lean left!!!" So we both leaned as far left as possible while he put it into the right gear for this maneuver and then said "Let's hope this works...!" Luckily, whatever he did worked and we managed to get to the other road without tipping over. Although, it would have been quite the experience to actually be IN a car as it tipped over...! :)
This, however, was by no means the end. We got the car to semi flat ground and knew that the tire was completely shot and that the spot we were at would have to be good enough. We got out, grabbed the tools, and he started jacking up the car.
But in the process he remembered that the back of his four runner (I think that's what kind it is) was jammed and nearly impossible to open (the only way to access the spare is with that open). But apparently WD-40 usually did the trick... So we called up Stan (his roommate) who managed to successfully find the neighborhood right below us. However, we still had to climb halfway down the mountain in order to get to civilization. haha. But Stan found us and we went to the gas station down the street and got some WD-40. Then he took us back to that neighborhood and from there, we climbed back up to where the car was.
Unfortunately, the WD-40 wasn't working. No matter what we tried, that thing wouldn't budge. Then, we saw lights ahead and a car came all the way up to us and stopped. Turns out, it was a Utah County Sheriff car. He asked if we needed help and between him and Rob, they were finally able to get the darn thing open. Shortly thereafter, the flat was off, the spare was on, and we were good to go.
Am I weird that I found this whole excursion incredibly fun and exciting? First of all: off-roading.
I don't know why, but I actually think it's really fun - and I never get to go! So I was excited about that already. Then, smashing into something that hard with no visible damage to the car was pretty exciting (and somewhat miraculous) as well. And having to climb down a mountain and back up it again (in the dark, with very slippery shoes)... well, I'm always looking for adventure and that sure was adventurous! It was just really fun!! It made me wish I had a beast of a car to do crazy stuff with. But then again, maybe it's a good thing that I don't have a car capable of that... :P
Post title: quote by Helen Keller
We started on one road and he saw a pathway that he hadn't taken before and said "ooh let's take this one!" We were going pretty fast - as far as off-roading goes - and then all of a sudden this MASSIVE rock (more like boulder) came into sight --> but not in time. We smashed SO hard into that thing! We stopped (obviously) and both gave each other this "oh crap" sort of look and I immediately opened my door to see what kind of damage we were looking at (we hit the passenger's side). I figured that he was going to have this massive dent in the side of his car, but to my surprise… nothing! I was really confused as to how that was possible, and then I heard this hissing sound. We had a flat. The tire took most of the fall.
Pretend this is the path, and the rock on the right is what we slammed into (though it was more on the path than this).
So since we were not on ANY sort of steady or flat ground, he said “alright let’s go as quickly as we can with what air we have left and try to get to some flat ground.” So we turned around and started going the way we came, but we turned the wrong way at the fork and had to back up a bit to get on the right road...
and in the process, the car suddenly began to tip to the right. It seriously felt like the car was balancing on something and that was about the point when he said "Lean left!!!" So we both leaned as far left as possible while he put it into the right gear for this maneuver and then said "Let's hope this works...!" Luckily, whatever he did worked and we managed to get to the other road without tipping over. Although, it would have been quite the experience to actually be IN a car as it tipped over...! :)This, however, was by no means the end. We got the car to semi flat ground and knew that the tire was completely shot and that the spot we were at would have to be good enough. We got out, grabbed the tools, and he started jacking up the car.
But in the process he remembered that the back of his four runner (I think that's what kind it is) was jammed and nearly impossible to open (the only way to access the spare is with that open). But apparently WD-40 usually did the trick... So we called up Stan (his roommate) who managed to successfully find the neighborhood right below us. However, we still had to climb halfway down the mountain in order to get to civilization. haha. But Stan found us and we went to the gas station down the street and got some WD-40. Then he took us back to that neighborhood and from there, we climbed back up to where the car was.Unfortunately, the WD-40 wasn't working. No matter what we tried, that thing wouldn't budge. Then, we saw lights ahead and a car came all the way up to us and stopped. Turns out, it was a Utah County Sheriff car. He asked if we needed help and between him and Rob, they were finally able to get the darn thing open. Shortly thereafter, the flat was off, the spare was on, and we were good to go.
Am I weird that I found this whole excursion incredibly fun and exciting? First of all: off-roading.
I don't know why, but I actually think it's really fun - and I never get to go! So I was excited about that already. Then, smashing into something that hard with no visible damage to the car was pretty exciting (and somewhat miraculous) as well. And having to climb down a mountain and back up it again (in the dark, with very slippery shoes)... well, I'm always looking for adventure and that sure was adventurous! It was just really fun!! It made me wish I had a beast of a car to do crazy stuff with. But then again, maybe it's a good thing that I don't have a car capable of that... :PPost title: quote by Helen Keller
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dinner and a... Game
It's kind of sad that today was only my second FULL time at my new ward. I went the first week I moved in, but then something has happened every week since that has caused me to be out of town for it! Oh, and then one week I was sick too. Anyway, --oh, I need to preface something first. We got new FHE groups a couple of weeks ago and the guys in our group are really cool, and Karie and I decided that we should have them over for dinner sometime or something (there is only one apartment of guys that actually comes to FHE). We just thought it would be fun. WELL... after church today, Shark (one of the guys in that apartment) came up to Karie and me and invited us to dinner tonight at their place. I do have to include though, how he invited us, because it was really funny.
Shark walked up to the two of us and started with "So... the other two girls bailed..." haha! Stan (one of Shark's roommates) happened to overhear how Shark started with the invite and said "Dude! That's not how you ask!" Oh my goodness it cracked me and Karie up. We gave him a hard time by saying something like "we guess we'll come, since we're your backup and all..." It was so funny watching Shark trying to backpedal. But, they're cool guys and of course we accepted the invite!
We got there at six and I was quite impressed at how much work they'd put into it! We had pears as a starter, a salad, 'juice' (ie Kool-Aid), and a main dish (some sort of Mexican dish that was actually really good). Afterward, we even had homemade peach cobbler! Stan is a mean dessert maker (he made one for FHE last week too and it was delicious!) and when we commented on his skills, he said "... I like to eat...!" haha.
As soon as we finished dessert, Erin (the other girl there) had to leave, and Rob had pulled his whip out and wanted to give a demonstration. So we all went outside to watch. Yeah, that thing could do some serious damage. After that, Rob left, and Stan, Shark, Karie, and I started playing a game of Settlers of Catan. I was so excited to play again because I hadn't played since May, and I used to play every single Sunday! But then we had ward prayer and then ward game night was at our place again, so we had to cut the game short (first to 6 points instead of 10 -Karie won!) BUT... it was still fun! :)
Shark walked up to the two of us and started with "So... the other two girls bailed..." haha! Stan (one of Shark's roommates) happened to overhear how Shark started with the invite and said "Dude! That's not how you ask!" Oh my goodness it cracked me and Karie up. We gave him a hard time by saying something like "we guess we'll come, since we're your backup and all..." It was so funny watching Shark trying to backpedal. But, they're cool guys and of course we accepted the invite!
We got there at six and I was quite impressed at how much work they'd put into it! We had pears as a starter, a salad, 'juice' (ie Kool-Aid), and a main dish (some sort of Mexican dish that was actually really good). Afterward, we even had homemade peach cobbler! Stan is a mean dessert maker (he made one for FHE last week too and it was delicious!) and when we commented on his skills, he said "... I like to eat...!" haha.
As soon as we finished dessert, Erin (the other girl there) had to leave, and Rob had pulled his whip out and wanted to give a demonstration. So we all went outside to watch. Yeah, that thing could do some serious damage. After that, Rob left, and Stan, Shark, Karie, and I started playing a game of Settlers of Catan. I was so excited to play again because I hadn't played since May, and I used to play every single Sunday! But then we had ward prayer and then ward game night was at our place again, so we had to cut the game short (first to 6 points instead of 10 -Karie won!) BUT... it was still fun! :)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Catch Me When I Fall
Wow, it has been quite a few days and quite a lot has happened, but I'm just going to quickly summarize this week instead of writing it all out ...
Monday: We have a new FHE group, it's awesome, and I love it. We are severely lacking in guys, which is a bummer... but the apartment of guys that actually comes are all awesome so I guess it somehow makes up for it. Tonight we played "in the manner of the adverb" and it was actually really fun! Afterwards, I went to the dollar theatre with my friend Jamie and watched The Proposal.
Tuesday: A group in my ward plays football every Tuesday evening and I played with them tonight. It had been so long since I played football, and it was a blast. Afterwards, Karie and I had our first ward movie night (Iron Man)... and might I add, it was VERY successful! We had every seat filled, and every open floor space as well! I think about 25 people total came.
Wednesday: I got a job interview scheduled for a desk job (hey, work is work and right now I'll take just about anything) and made plans with an old friend for Thursday. Then I went to a friend's birthday party and caught up with a bunch of old friends from last year's ward.
Thursday: I quite possibly may have work on a film! Oh yeah, the job interview... turns out it was only a part time job and they were asking for a year commitment, so that didn't work out. But a friend with whom I have worked on other projects called me up and told me to contact these guys about mixing and/or booming for a new feature and miraculously enough, they were still looking for someone!
Friday: Talked with the producer about the feature and they are trying to give me RIDICULOUSLY low rates so that is yet to be determined. I have to call the producer back Monday or Tuesday to discuss details with him. I also went to this really fun party in Sandy tonight, where I knew the most random combination of people. I think everyone there had ties to someone who either currently lives or has lived in Roman Gardens. I didn't think I was going to have as much fun as I did only knowing a few people, but I ended up staying until 1:30!
Today: I FINALLY got my new phone! And oh my goodness I absolutely love it! It's the EnV Touch (Verizon) and it is awesome. I didn't think I would like another phone as much as my Chocolate, but this one rocks and does so many cool things! I have been playing with it all day.
Karie and I went to Nate and Matt Seeley's tonight for the football game and yay! we won. It was a fun game to watch, too.
There, now you are caught up... haha. :)
Monday: We have a new FHE group, it's awesome, and I love it. We are severely lacking in guys, which is a bummer... but the apartment of guys that actually comes are all awesome so I guess it somehow makes up for it. Tonight we played "in the manner of the adverb" and it was actually really fun! Afterwards, I went to the dollar theatre with my friend Jamie and watched The Proposal.
Tuesday: A group in my ward plays football every Tuesday evening and I played with them tonight. It had been so long since I played football, and it was a blast. Afterwards, Karie and I had our first ward movie night (Iron Man)... and might I add, it was VERY successful! We had every seat filled, and every open floor space as well! I think about 25 people total came.
Wednesday: I got a job interview scheduled for a desk job (hey, work is work and right now I'll take just about anything) and made plans with an old friend for Thursday. Then I went to a friend's birthday party and caught up with a bunch of old friends from last year's ward.
Thursday: I quite possibly may have work on a film! Oh yeah, the job interview... turns out it was only a part time job and they were asking for a year commitment, so that didn't work out. But a friend with whom I have worked on other projects called me up and told me to contact these guys about mixing and/or booming for a new feature and miraculously enough, they were still looking for someone!
Friday: Talked with the producer about the feature and they are trying to give me RIDICULOUSLY low rates so that is yet to be determined. I have to call the producer back Monday or Tuesday to discuss details with him. I also went to this really fun party in Sandy tonight, where I knew the most random combination of people. I think everyone there had ties to someone who either currently lives or has lived in Roman Gardens. I didn't think I was going to have as much fun as I did only knowing a few people, but I ended up staying until 1:30!
Today: I FINALLY got my new phone! And oh my goodness I absolutely love it! It's the EnV Touch (Verizon) and it is awesome. I didn't think I would like another phone as much as my Chocolate, but this one rocks and does so many cool things! I have been playing with it all day.Karie and I went to Nate and Matt Seeley's tonight for the football game and yay! we won. It was a fun game to watch, too.
There, now you are caught up... haha. :)
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Fuel in the Furnace
I am going to start with two quotes:
(1) Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. -Brian Tracy.
(2) The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success. -Henry Ward Beecher.
Can you guess what I'm going to write about? Goals!! Last night was awesome. Karie and I hosted our ward game night (which was a blast, by the way) and then afterward, she and I just sat and talked for a while. Amidst the chat, we came up with a brilliant idea that we are both quite excited about. Each week we are going to make a list of 5-10 goals of things that we want to achieve and/or accomplish that coming week. After we write them down, we share them with each other so we are even more accountable for those goals. Then, the following Sunday we report back to one another to see how many of our goals we achieved.
I love it! We both made a list of about 10 goals of basic to intense things. For example: one of hers was "get my oil changed" and one of mine was "get a new phone." But then another of mine was to get a group together in the ward and go sing hymns to people in nursing homes after church on Sunday. I was in a ward once that did that and admittedly, I didn't go very often that year, but I still thought it was an awesome idea. And I have been wanting to do something service-y for a while but haven't been able to find something. You wouldn't believe all the crap you have to go through to volunteer at a hospital!! I wanted to go to a children's ward and just visit with and play with the kids there, and I think it might possibly be more difficult to do that than to get a job! Sheesh! So, throughout the week we shall see how many of these goals we accomplish. I am really liking this idea, though. I think it will help me get more things done during the week - especially since I have no real schedule as of right now. I will report back next week!!
(1) Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. -Brian Tracy.
(2) The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success. -Henry Ward Beecher.
Can you guess what I'm going to write about? Goals!! Last night was awesome. Karie and I hosted our ward game night (which was a blast, by the way) and then afterward, she and I just sat and talked for a while. Amidst the chat, we came up with a brilliant idea that we are both quite excited about. Each week we are going to make a list of 5-10 goals of things that we want to achieve and/or accomplish that coming week. After we write them down, we share them with each other so we are even more accountable for those goals. Then, the following Sunday we report back to one another to see how many of our goals we achieved.
I love it! We both made a list of about 10 goals of basic to intense things. For example: one of hers was "get my oil changed" and one of mine was "get a new phone." But then another of mine was to get a group together in the ward and go sing hymns to people in nursing homes after church on Sunday. I was in a ward once that did that and admittedly, I didn't go very often that year, but I still thought it was an awesome idea. And I have been wanting to do something service-y for a while but haven't been able to find something. You wouldn't believe all the crap you have to go through to volunteer at a hospital!! I wanted to go to a children's ward and just visit with and play with the kids there, and I think it might possibly be more difficult to do that than to get a job! Sheesh! So, throughout the week we shall see how many of these goals we accomplish. I am really liking this idea, though. I think it will help me get more things done during the week - especially since I have no real schedule as of right now. I will report back next week!!Sunday, October 4, 2009
General Conference is Amazing
I don't know how it happens, but inevitably, I end up going to at least one session of conference. It's so weird, because I don't even try to get tickets - they just sort of appear out of nowhere. Last conference, Martin had some and we were dating at the time... so naturally, I went with. The time before that Jeremiah had some... and again, we were dating at the time... so I went with him. The year before that, a friend had extras so again, I went. And this conference I went with my friend Rob. He's from Australia and is visiting for the week (we met in a BYU ward 4 years ago) and randomly stopped by earlier in the week and while we were talking, said "Oh! I have an extra ticket to conference - do you want to come?!?" ...Why stop the trend now? lol. So of course, I went.
I actually had never been to the Sunday morning session before (at least, I don't think I have), so it was really cool because we saw the whole "music and the spoken word" thing too. Their final song was "Come Thou Fount" and that is one of my all time favorite hymns, so I was excited to hear that one. They started singing, and I found myself humming along... to the alto part... of this particular arrangement. Suddenly, I was incredibly confused. "How do I know the alto part to the MoTab arrangement?" I thought. The song continued for another 30 seconds and then suddenly it hit me - this was the arrangement we sang in YAs! (Young Ambassadors) This was our closing number for each and every fireside we did throughout that whole year. I must have sung that version of "Come Thou Fount" 30 times or more. No wonder I still knew it!
After the morning session, Rob and I walked a few blocks to a church building where there was some sort of Vietnamese reunion (he is Vietnamese-Australian and served his mission Vietnamese-speaking) where they had a ton of food. It was all Vietnamese, but I love trying new foods, so I took a little bit of everything. Most of it was pretty good, and the few things that I didn't like, Rob did - so he ate it for me. haha. After lunch, I drove home and listened to the first half of the 2nd session on the radio (because I'm in Utah again and can do that now) and the rest I watched when I got home. Elder Holland's talk was quite possibly one of the most powerful talks I have ever heard, and so I am going to include the video for it in case you missed it. Because he is pretty much amazing.
I actually had never been to the Sunday morning session before (at least, I don't think I have), so it was really cool because we saw the whole "music and the spoken word" thing too. Their final song was "Come Thou Fount" and that is one of my all time favorite hymns, so I was excited to hear that one. They started singing, and I found myself humming along... to the alto part... of this particular arrangement. Suddenly, I was incredibly confused. "How do I know the alto part to the MoTab arrangement?" I thought. The song continued for another 30 seconds and then suddenly it hit me - this was the arrangement we sang in YAs! (Young Ambassadors) This was our closing number for each and every fireside we did throughout that whole year. I must have sung that version of "Come Thou Fount" 30 times or more. No wonder I still knew it!
After the morning session, Rob and I walked a few blocks to a church building where there was some sort of Vietnamese reunion (he is Vietnamese-Australian and served his mission Vietnamese-speaking) where they had a ton of food. It was all Vietnamese, but I love trying new foods, so I took a little bit of everything. Most of it was pretty good, and the few things that I didn't like, Rob did - so he ate it for me. haha. After lunch, I drove home and listened to the first half of the 2nd session on the radio (because I'm in Utah again and can do that now) and the rest I watched when I got home. Elder Holland's talk was quite possibly one of the most powerful talks I have ever heard, and so I am going to include the video for it in case you missed it. Because he is pretty much amazing.
Friday, October 2, 2009
You let it DIE!
I went to the football game tonight - and it rocked. I hadn't been to a game in so long! Well, I hadn't been to a football game that I wasn't *working* at in a very long time. It was nice to watch a game as a fan again. Afterwards, I was supposed to meet up with Karie and her friend Chad at this YSA dance, but instead I ended up in limbo for the next few hours. My phone is in very, very sad shape. It only lasts for about an hour or two after I take it off of the charge. If I sent 4 or 5 texts, it's done for. If I make more than one phone call, it turns off. Today was the worst, and it is now not just something I want, but an absolute necessity to get a new phone!Let's rewind for a minute. I bought the ticket from a friend of a friend and when I got it, I saw that it said "STUDENT" in big, bold letters. Well... I am not a student anymore and thus this was going to present problems as to how I was going to get in with a student ticket and no valid student ID.
One might think "why not just use your student ID from last year?" Trust me, I would have... except the first semester I was out of school, BYU decided to change the format of the IDs (see picture), so mine doesn't look a thing like current IDs! Blast. So I called up my friend Alyssa (Johnson) and said "I have a random question for you - can I borrow your ID tonight?" She laughed, but agreed. So I drove to her place, and she was nice enough to just drop me off at the stadium so I wouldn't have to worry about parking. In return, she got to use my car for the duration of the game! (she doesn't have a car)The plan was that I would call her when the game was done and she could come get me and all would be well. However, my phone decided to die about 5 minutes before the game ended. Perfect. I had to play the "on/off" game with my phone 4 times before I was able to successfully retrieve her number from my phone before it died. I then used my friend Matt's phone to give her a call. Since Matt was driving back to Sparks/Arcadia, I just got a ride home with him. So I was calling to tell her that she didn't need to come get me and that I'd be there momentarily.
However, she had tried to send me a text telling me that she was at Wyview (really close to the stadium) and that I should just go there. Drat. So I went back to Sparks, and she was still at Wyview doing laundry. Sooo... I just sort of meandered throughout Sparks saying hi to old friends. I stopped by Apt 10 for a little while, but it was Ian, his friend, and Jason... and about 7 giggly sophomore girls who are way too girly for me. So I meandered some more and ran into Jake and some of his friends in the clubhouse and ended up playing ping pong and whatnot until about 11:30 when I decided to go see if Alyssa was back. I went to her place and hurray! She was back.
But since I didn't get my car back until 11:30, the dance was most definitely out. It's kind of sad how much we rely on our phones these days. I mean, it wasn't that long ago that cell phones didn't even exist! What did we do back then? Set up a time and place for us to meet and hope it worked out? What if there was a misunderstanding? Tough! So yeah, I felt very strange not being able to call or access any of my friend's numbers tonight. Definitely time for a new phone!!
post title: part of a line from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What A Difference A Day Makes
Or in this case, what a difference a light makes...
So, I realized that while I may not be on the lighting crew when I work on films, I have been around it enough to know the basics and how to improve the lighting of a room, especially for pictures and video. I got bored yesterday and realized that my profile picture on facebook was incredibly old. I thought, "hey, I should probably take a new one..." and nowadays, people will take pictures of themselves for the sole intent of creating a new profile picture.
So I grabbed my camera and set it up on my stereo, with only the white background of my wall visible. I set the timer, and ran back for the picture. The only problem... it was too dark. Sure, you could still see the picture, but it didn't "pop" or anything like that. Nothing was screaming "nice picture!"
I don't exactly have any kinos (see above picture) or 1ks, 2ks, etc just laying around, so hey - ya make do with what you've got! I grabbed a standing lamp from our rec room, unscrewed the top, took off the cover, and had just the bulb shining. I placed it accordingly, and tried again. Voila - instantly better pictures! Alright, so it had a bit of a yellow tint due to the bulb, but hey it was still a lot better than *no* light! Anyway, here is a before and after picture of my escapades!
(and yes, I touched it up before posting the far right one as my profile picture. :P )
So, I realized that while I may not be on the lighting crew when I work on films, I have been around it enough to know the basics and how to improve the lighting of a room, especially for pictures and video. I got bored yesterday and realized that my profile picture on facebook was incredibly old. I thought, "hey, I should probably take a new one..." and nowadays, people will take pictures of themselves for the sole intent of creating a new profile picture.So I grabbed my camera and set it up on my stereo, with only the white background of my wall visible. I set the timer, and ran back for the picture. The only problem... it was too dark. Sure, you could still see the picture, but it didn't "pop" or anything like that. Nothing was screaming "nice picture!"
I don't exactly have any kinos (see above picture) or 1ks, 2ks, etc just laying around, so hey - ya make do with what you've got! I grabbed a standing lamp from our rec room, unscrewed the top, took off the cover, and had just the bulb shining. I placed it accordingly, and tried again. Voila - instantly better pictures! Alright, so it had a bit of a yellow tint due to the bulb, but hey it was still a lot better than *no* light! Anyway, here is a before and after picture of my escapades!
(and yes, I touched it up before posting the far right one as my profile picture. :P )
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Take A Hint!
Alright… I hate being mean… especially when it comes to guys. I will almost always go on at least one date with a guy who asks me out, and sometimes a second. But if there is no interest on one or both parties, the guy can usually pick up that the girl is in fact, not interested. But, that doesn’t always stop them. Some are very persistent little buggers and there is no nice way to break the news to them! Such is the case with Joe (I changed the name). I don’t even know when or where we first met. We’re in the same ward, so probably at church or some ward function. And actually, when we met I was dating someone else so I didn’t even think I had to worry about that. But either he never knew that, or it just didn’t stop him.A few weeks later, he asked me out, and I had since broken up with the guy I was dating, so I figured “why not?” Like I said, always give the guy a chance. I don’t remember what happened, but something very legitimate came up and I -- oh, I finally got some work and I had to take it.
Anyway, so we rescheduled and did something the next week instead, but I just wasn’t feeling it. He however, must have thought differently. He called me up a few days later and asked for that coming Saturday. I told him I wasn’t sure if I’d be in town or not, because there was a very likely possibility that I’d be in California that weekend (for Jackie’s baptism). He said, “well let’s just tentatively set it and then if you do end up going, give me a call.” Well, the next day things worked out for my trip to California so I called him up to cancel and he randomly happened to on my front porch, trying to get a hold of another roommate of mine. So I went upstairs and let him in and while he waited for my other roommate, I cancelled.
He said, “Oh that’s okay – we can do it next weekend!” I said, “Oh, but it’s Conference weekend.” (I have various plans that whole weekend with friends in town, etc). He said “Oh that’s right – okay we can do it the weekend after that.” That was the point where I’m sure my face said more than my words because in my head I thought “Are you kidding me?” because who makes plans 3 weeks in advance? Shoot, I don’t even know what my schedule 3 days from now is let alone 3 weeks! So then he said, “oh are you working that weekend?” I told him that I might be (which is true, because it was 3 weeks away) and so he finally relinquished and said that we’d figure something out after I got back from California. (Oh I forgot to mention that the day I was driving to California, he also invited me for ice cream somewhere, but again, I couldn’t go – I was sort of driving through Vegas at that time.)
WELL… I am currently at my grandparents’ house for a few days and got this voicemail tonight. It was from Joe and I had missed the call (there isn’t very good service up here, so most calls just go straight to voicemail). So I listened to it and about fell over. He was calling to make sure we were still on for this Friday! …seriously? When was that discussed and where was I when those plans were made? I can’t call out here, so I’ll have to wait until I get back to talk to him (he doesn’t use facebook or anything; and thus doesn’t know about my blog either, thank goodness), but you’ve got to be kidding me! I already said that Conference weekend was out! And now all of a sudden we have a date planned?? Is he trying to be sneaky or something? Sorry buddy, but I have an excellent memory (and a VERY accurate journal) and I sure as heck would have remembered agreeing to that. I am just getting more and more frustrated with this guy and don’t know how to break it to him gently that I am clearly not interested!Why is it always that the ones you’re interested in are never into you, and the ones you are clearly not into are the ones who won’t leave you alone!? Bah!
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Energizer Bunny
Wow, so I was home for a grand total of about 9 hours before I was on the road again. Paul and I went to the L.A. 1st Ward yesterday, ate some food at break-the-fast, and then got on the road. We didn't leave L.A. until about 6:15pm. Thus, we got into Provo at 4:30 or 5am. I got my stuff inside, got ready for bed, and got into bed around 5:30 or 6, got up around noon, did a few essential things and then left just after 2pm for my grandparents' house. There must be something wrong with me... because I LOVE having that busy of a schedule! I somehow thrive on it, where it seems to kill most people. Yet somehow I gain more energy with weeks like this. Strange, huh?
Anyway, it's always fun to visit my grandparents. I got there around 6 and we had dinner chatted, watched a bit of TV, and then my grandma and I chatted until nearly midnight! I was surprised, because my grandparents usually go to sleep relatively early (my grandpa went to sleep around 10 tonight). But it was so much fun talking to my grandma!
Another fun thing about "going to grandma's" is the food. Admit it, you are all thinking the same thing. What better place to go for good food than to your grandma's house? I always leave their place plenty filled! And because they live so far up in the mountains, it is always awesome to look at the stars! They're so bright and vivid! Okay, so tonight they weren't... the moon was too dang bright to be able to see them as well as normal, but you could still see them better than in Provo or any "city." There is just something about stars that fascinate me and I could look at them all night... one of these days I want to literally go "camping underneath the stars" and just look up into the sky for hours. Wouldn't that be fun?? :P
Anyway, it's always fun to visit my grandparents. I got there around 6 and we had dinner chatted, watched a bit of TV, and then my grandma and I chatted until nearly midnight! I was surprised, because my grandparents usually go to sleep relatively early (my grandpa went to sleep around 10 tonight). But it was so much fun talking to my grandma!
Another fun thing about "going to grandma's" is the food. Admit it, you are all thinking the same thing. What better place to go for good food than to your grandma's house? I always leave their place plenty filled! And because they live so far up in the mountains, it is always awesome to look at the stars! They're so bright and vivid! Okay, so tonight they weren't... the moon was too dang bright to be able to see them as well as normal, but you could still see them better than in Provo or any "city." There is just something about stars that fascinate me and I could look at them all night... one of these days I want to literally go "camping underneath the stars" and just look up into the sky for hours. Wouldn't that be fun?? :P
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Baptism!
Jackie got baptized yesterday! It was awesome!!! I was telling her on Friday that she's the first really close friend of mine to get baptized and that seemed to make her even more excited. It sure as heck made me excited! We got up yesterday morning, got ready, fed her friend's dogs, and then headed to the church. Oh and before we left her house, we had to take pictures of course. :PWe got there a bit early, but had time to chat with those who were coming in. I also disappeared for a few minutes so I could go and put her gift together, so it would be ready once the baptismal service as over. It started with a couple of really awesome talks from friends of hers, and then... she got baptized! Yay!!! Oh, but before that there was this amazing musical number that her friend and a friend of his put together and it was beautiful. It was their own impromptu version of "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus" and I'm pretty sure it made Jackie's mom cry (she isn't a member).
After the baptism, a bunch of us went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. Jackie, Jackie's mom, Jackie's friend Alice (but said like "uh-leese"), as well as her friend Jeanette and her boyfriend, Adam Johnson and a friend of his, the missionaries, and I all went. We had a blast and were there for quite some time. And while it was great fun, the thing I was most impressed about was Jackie's mother.
Her mom is born-and-raised Catholic and oftentimes when people join the church, it seems to tear families apart, though I still can't understand why. Anyway, I was just absolutely blown away by her mom's support. She wasn't exactly happy about it, but she was happy for Jackie and very supportive of her decision. She bought her a gift, as well as a 'Congratulations!' card and even came to church with us today. She is an absolutely fabulous mother. I wish more mothers acted like that when their child makes the decision to be baptized. She may not agree with church doctrine, but she does recognize that Jackie not only believes it, but that it has made her a better person. I can't say enough about her mother. She was awesome.
I am so excited for Jackie! And I am SO happy I was able to make it down to L.A.!! Baptisms are awesome!!!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Strangers are Just Friends Waiting To Happen
Everyone has those few friends with whom you can share absolutely everything. They usually come far and few between, but when you find a friend like that, it's awesome. I've had 2 or 3 friends like that for quite some time now, but I've recently gained another. And it's funny because Alyssa and I have only known each other since May! But yet it's as if we have been the closest of friends for ages - and I love it!
Anyway, I went to Alyssa's last night just so we could catch up and whatnot, because it had been about a week and a half (she still lives in Sparks, and I'm about 2 miles away now). We ended up talking for almost FOUR hours! We definitely never run out of things to say to one another! And it was just one of those really good conversations, ya know? We talked about everything. And I just love it when you come across friends with whom you can tell anything to and know that it will be okay. Alyssa, you're great! :)
In other news, I leave for California today! Unfortunately, I'm not leaving until 5 or 6 tonight, so it's going to be a looong drive. But Paul (the guy I'm driving down with) doesn't get out of classes until 4 I think, and he's driving down from Salt Lake. Bummer. I know the "polite" thing is to stay awake the entire drive - for the driver's sake... but I'm not sure I'll be able to do that. I'm like 99% back to normal (from the whole wisdom teeth thing), but the only thing that isn't 100% normal is my sleeping habits. I feel like a little kid who needs a nap every 2 or 3 hours! So I very well may conk out for a few hours here and there!
But I'm so excited to go. Hopefully this time next year I'll be back in California - permanently. Well, maybe not permanently, because I don't want to live there forever... but for a good many years at least. And to go along with the post title... I have met Paul once... and he was dressed as a pirate. ha! So I've never seen him dressed normal, and I've never actually talked to him for more than 5 seconds, so it will definitely be an interesting - but fun - drive. He seems like a cool guy though, so I have a feeling there will be some good conversation that will come. Here's to California!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
She'd Be California
So... I have gone back and forth about 20 times as to whether or not I would be making a trip out to CA this weekend. Jackie, an awesome girl I met this summer, is getting baptized! We met at a party the first month I was in CA and randomly happened to be working on the same film short the following week and have kept in touch ever since. I really wanted to go, but I had a double dilemma: (1) money, and (2) work. I was scheduled to work this event Friday night so I would have had to fly, and I couldn’t find anything for less than $200. So after much deliberation, I decided late last night that I wouldn’t be able to make it.However, I got a call this afternoon from the guy who crews me for the sports events and he began to explain the gruesome details of the event on Friday. He said “let me preface this with the fact that I love having you on my crews and if you still choose to work this event, I will gladly take you… but I just thought I should let you know what exactly is going down…” It’s this bloody bare knuckles cage fighting event that is being filmed in Wyoming because pretty much everywhere else it would be illegal. And it is supposedly planned to be so gruesome that it is only going to be broadcast via internet. I will spare you the rest of the details, but after talking with him, I decided that it may be best to pass on this one.
Suddenly, my Friday was free again and I was excited because I was actually going to go to this dancing thing with Karie that I really wanted to go to anyway. But then I called Jackie to wish her a happy birthday and found out that her friend Paul, who moved to SLC, is driving out for her baptism! I told her that my work thing had just been ‘canceled’ and that driving out was once again an option! So she gave me Paul’s number and I called him up and he’s going to pick me up on his way down and we’re going to road trip it to California tomorrow! I love the spontaneity of my life. :P
Now, the only thing that I feel bad about is that I did have tentative plans for Saturday. The YA tech crew does a reunion about once a year and they’re actually really fun. It’s this Saturday morning and I was definitely planning on being there, but alas… I guess I won’t. And I also had a date this Saturday, but luckily when it was scheduled, he already knew it was tentative so at least the idea of me canceling was already a possibility.
It’s funny, because I just realized that I haven’t even been gone a full month, yet it feels like I have been gone forever. I guess I fell in love with California more than I thought! Anyway, I’m excited to go back – even if it is only for a few days!! :)
Post title: song by Rascal Flatts
Friday, September 18, 2009
I'll Be Out In A Jiffy!
Well, as you probably would suspect, I wasn't really up to writing in here yesterday! But I will let you know that all went well and I feel that I am recovering rather quickly. The quick run-down of what happened yesterday:
Zarah got here around 10 and we drove up to SLC. We got there around 10:50, I filled out some paperwork, went back to get my x-rays and then had to wait til about 11:45 before they finally called me back. I then had to wait another 10 minutes or so for the dentist to come back. He had already looked at my x-ray and said "well, it looks pretty clean cut. We'll be done in about 15 minutes!" I was slightly confused because I had heard that impacted teeth were more difficult and could cause more complications, so I asked him about that. He said "Yes, the bottom two are technically impacted; however they have partially surfaced, which makes them much easier to get out, so it'll be a breeze."
The anesthesiologist had come in right around then and began explaining to me what he was going to do/stick me with, and how it would affect me. He tied this elastic around the upper part of my right arm and told me to make a fist. He distracted me while he stuck me with something, and then informed me that next he'd be putting in the medication that would knock me out. He said it would take about 30 seconds for it to take effect. I remember beginning to say "I think it's working," but I'm pretty sure it sounded more like "I think... it's......." haha.
Next thing I knew, it was over and I was awake. Well, sort of. I was still pretty out of it. The nurse went over everything with myself and Zarah and I was definitely grateful for Zarah because I sure as heck didn't remember a thing the nurse was saying! Once we got back to my place, Zarah told me everything that I had said, and admitted that she was slightly disappointed that I hadn't said crazy things. She said "you were definitely out of it, but you were asking really intelligent questions! You kept asking the nurse about things that you could or couldn't eat, and you asked if you could have a milkshake. You asked about the prescriptions a couple of times, too." And I apparently asked Zarah 3 times from that point to the time we got home if she had called my mom. (My mom told me Thursday morning before I went in that she wanted Zarah to call her afterward so she would know that all was well).
We stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home so we could fill my prescriptions. I'm not entirely sure why, but I have FOUR. One is just a massive dosage of ibuprofen (800mg each). Another is some sort of antibiotic that I'm supposed to take breakfast, lunch, dinner, and right before bed. Then I had "Lortab/Percoset" and I'm not sure if that is combined in one or if it is two separate ones. But with the Lortab, I know I do take a smaller pill as well. So maybe that's the percoset? Or maybe that's the other antibiotic of sorts. I really have no idea. All I know though, is that whatever I'm taking... it's working!
I was worried that I would barely be coherent for the following days, but I have done pretty well yesterday and today! Granted, after I take one of the sets of meds, I usually conk out for a few hours afterward, other than that I am great! I think the Lortab/Pecoset stuff is what knocks me out more. I took that at 3 this afternoon and suddenly it became very difficult to stay awake. I was out by 4, and don't remember a thing again until about 6!!
My cheeks are kiiing of swollen, but not really. A few friends came over tonight and watched a movie, and they said I hardly looked swollen at all - and that I "definitely didn't look like someoneo who had just gotten their wisdom teeth taken out." So that's good! I have been following all of "doctor's orders" to a T. I have been 'rinsing' my mouth with saltwater multiple times a day, taking the meds every 3 hours as recommended (alternating between the Lortab set and ibuprofen set), eating with each dosage, icing as frequently as possible...
What I'm still scared about is dry sockets. I'm told that those usually appear on the 3rd day, and tomorrow will technically be Day 3... and I'll be working all day tomorrow up in Weber. I just hope that I'll be coherent enough to work and function and be able to operate a hard camera for an entire football game...! We'll see what happens! When everyone else goes for lunch, I will probably just find a place to crash and take a nap. :P
But there you have it. My first experience "going under" and so far, I am one of those "good experience" stories. I just hope it stays that way and continues to be smooth sailing from here on out!! :)
Zarah got here around 10 and we drove up to SLC. We got there around 10:50, I filled out some paperwork, went back to get my x-rays and then had to wait til about 11:45 before they finally called me back. I then had to wait another 10 minutes or so for the dentist to come back. He had already looked at my x-ray and said "well, it looks pretty clean cut. We'll be done in about 15 minutes!" I was slightly confused because I had heard that impacted teeth were more difficult and could cause more complications, so I asked him about that. He said "Yes, the bottom two are technically impacted; however they have partially surfaced, which makes them much easier to get out, so it'll be a breeze."
The anesthesiologist had come in right around then and began explaining to me what he was going to do/stick me with, and how it would affect me. He tied this elastic around the upper part of my right arm and told me to make a fist. He distracted me while he stuck me with something, and then informed me that next he'd be putting in the medication that would knock me out. He said it would take about 30 seconds for it to take effect. I remember beginning to say "I think it's working," but I'm pretty sure it sounded more like "I think... it's......." haha.
Next thing I knew, it was over and I was awake. Well, sort of. I was still pretty out of it. The nurse went over everything with myself and Zarah and I was definitely grateful for Zarah because I sure as heck didn't remember a thing the nurse was saying! Once we got back to my place, Zarah told me everything that I had said, and admitted that she was slightly disappointed that I hadn't said crazy things. She said "you were definitely out of it, but you were asking really intelligent questions! You kept asking the nurse about things that you could or couldn't eat, and you asked if you could have a milkshake. You asked about the prescriptions a couple of times, too." And I apparently asked Zarah 3 times from that point to the time we got home if she had called my mom. (My mom told me Thursday morning before I went in that she wanted Zarah to call her afterward so she would know that all was well).
We stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home so we could fill my prescriptions. I'm not entirely sure why, but I have FOUR. One is just a massive dosage of ibuprofen (800mg each). Another is some sort of antibiotic that I'm supposed to take breakfast, lunch, dinner, and right before bed. Then I had "Lortab/Percoset" and I'm not sure if that is combined in one or if it is two separate ones. But with the Lortab, I know I do take a smaller pill as well. So maybe that's the percoset? Or maybe that's the other antibiotic of sorts. I really have no idea. All I know though, is that whatever I'm taking... it's working!
I was worried that I would barely be coherent for the following days, but I have done pretty well yesterday and today! Granted, after I take one of the sets of meds, I usually conk out for a few hours afterward, other than that I am great! I think the Lortab/Pecoset stuff is what knocks me out more. I took that at 3 this afternoon and suddenly it became very difficult to stay awake. I was out by 4, and don't remember a thing again until about 6!!
My cheeks are kiiing of swollen, but not really. A few friends came over tonight and watched a movie, and they said I hardly looked swollen at all - and that I "definitely didn't look like someoneo who had just gotten their wisdom teeth taken out." So that's good! I have been following all of "doctor's orders" to a T. I have been 'rinsing' my mouth with saltwater multiple times a day, taking the meds every 3 hours as recommended (alternating between the Lortab set and ibuprofen set), eating with each dosage, icing as frequently as possible...
What I'm still scared about is dry sockets. I'm told that those usually appear on the 3rd day, and tomorrow will technically be Day 3... and I'll be working all day tomorrow up in Weber. I just hope that I'll be coherent enough to work and function and be able to operate a hard camera for an entire football game...! We'll see what happens! When everyone else goes for lunch, I will probably just find a place to crash and take a nap. :P
But there you have it. My first experience "going under" and so far, I am one of those "good experience" stories. I just hope it stays that way and continues to be smooth sailing from here on out!! :)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Going Under
Alright, I know I have already written a post on this, but seeing as the appointment is tomorrow, it is sort of largely on my mind: I get my wisdom teeth taken out tomorrow. I have never had mouth work, never had a needle or an IV stuck into me, and never had any sort of anesthesia/been "knocked out." Granted, I have no idea the procedure for wisdom teeth... I have no idea how they go about 'knocking me out' or what will happen afterward. I doubt IVs will be involved, since it is supposedly such a short procedure - they'll probably just gas me or something, but who knows! But then, what if I'm the 1-in-100 where whatever they give me to knock me out doesn't last long enough and I wake up in the middle?!I have heard both really good and incredibly bad stories of friends who have already gotten theirs out. One friend said that they didn't even put him under, and he was fine by the end of the day. Another said he was out for days afterward. A roommate of mine two years ago had hers out while we lived together, and she was out for quite a few days, too. One was coherent pretty soon after, but in constant pain. I have another friend who said and did the strangest things once he got home - the drugs they gave him did weird stuff to him. So, I am also slightly worried about the weird things that I may say or do after, and the level of pain and coherency that will exist as well.
Maybe I'm sounding like a wuss about this, but it's really freaking me out! I guess it wouldn't be AS bad if I knew I had nowhere I needed to be for the next few days and could just be 'dead to the world' for a bit... but I have work on Saturday! I *have* to be back to normal by then! *sigh*
I'm just praying that it is a NORMAL procedure and nothing goes awry and that I will heal quickly.... wish me luck!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Real-Life Sitcom
My mom tells me my life could be a sitcom. She loves my morning calls because I fill her in on the 'excitement' of the night before. And let me tell you, it is SO much easier to be incredibly social in Provo than in L.A.! I always hesitate how much or how little to include on here, so I guess we'll see what happens...Last night, Karie and I went to our combined ward FHE barbecue. I decided about a week ago that I was going to be as social as possible and hang out with a different group of friends each day, if possible. I did a pretty good job of that Sunday-Thursday of last week, but then I had to go to Pocatello Fri-Sun so that temporarily killed it. But not to worry - I picked up right where I left off and Sunday was a combination of old and new friends (at Sparks). I guess you could say that last night was also a combination of "old and new" friends... but this time around, it wasn't at the same time.
Karie and I were in line to get food and we started talking with these two guys in front of us, and we all ended up sitting together, too. I never caught what Braden does, but JB said "I'm a police officer." I don't know why, but just the way he said it sounded sarcastic and he seemed to have the personality that would joke about something like that; so I actually didn't believe him at first. But he really is - I saw his gun and badge later on. I've never been friends with a cop before so I suddenly found myself being extra careful of the things I said and did around him, even though it probably wouldn't matter at all, because I really have nothing to hide. Well, except maybe, my knife. I'm like 99% sure that it's a fully legal knife to carry around, but I've never actually measured the length of the blade, so I can't say for *sure* whether or not it's legal, and I don't have a concealed weapons permit yet either. Luckily, last night was the 1-in-10 that I didn't have my knife on me.
No one was expecting it to have rained ALL day, so the barbecue was *supposed* to be this warm and dry day... and JB had brought a football to throw around, but no one wanted to throw it because it was so wet outside and still raining a bit. But I'm a sucker for football and will throw anytime anyplace. So we threw back and forth for 15 minutes or so - until it got too slippery and too dark. I then went back and chatted with Karie and this guy Nate, and JB disappeared. A few minutes later he came back and invited me and Karie to his place to watch a movie. A friend of mine and I had joked a bit last night about doing something tonight, but I hadn't heard back from him, so I figured it wasn't actually going to happen... so Karie and I went to JB's for a movie.
Well... about 10 minutes before the end of the movie, the same friend who joked about doing something tonight suddenly texts me (it's about 10:15). Turns out, he's still planning on stopping by... but Karie and I are still at JB's. Luckily, the movie is almost over. The movie ends, he walks us back to our place, we say 'thanks for the movie', unlock our door, walk inside, begin walking towards the kitchen, and literally about 5 seconds later there was a knock at our door. It was my friend Aaron. I guess I can see how my mom thinks my life could be a sitcom!
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