In my 200 Things post, Bart asked a question about one of my answers. I figured it was decent blog fodder.
I bolded the statement "Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone" because I've done that- on a number of occasions.
As a kid I was very aggressive, and I had a rather short temper. Because of that I got into a handful of minor skirmishes. Usually, much to my dismay, things were broken up before real fighting began. And more often than not, the fighting or near-fighting started because I felt that somebody I cared about was being mistreated.
One time, when I was in sixth grade, I was attending an awards ceremony for a competition called Odyssey of the Mind. The competition had lasted all day long and involved hundreds of students in teams of 5-7 kids each. Each team had a "coach" or two, usually a parent. As such, the awards ceremony was always jam-packed, and you had to get there pretty early if you wanted to get a seat with your team. Otherwise you'd be spread out and might lose each other, not that it mattered that much, but it was nice to be able to sit with your team. Because of the mass amounts of people that had to fit in the high school auditorium, there were signs all over the place that said "No reserving seats."
For whatever reason, I was not with my team, but I was with my brother's team, whom my mom had coached that year. We were there very early so as to get seats together. We found a good section of seats, and we all sat down only to realize that we overflowed by one person into seats that said they were reserved. We took that one seat anyway because, hey! No reserving seats! (These seats just had signs taped to them that said "Seats reserved for such and such team"). We had been sitting there for quite some time, and the auditorium was getting very full, when Mean Lady Coach (a parent) came and told us that my mom was sitting in a reserved seat. My mom, who is a polite person, kindly told the lady that because there were signs everywhere that said "No reserving seats" we went ahead and took the seats since they technically couldn't be reserved in the first place. Mean Lady Coach then insisted that my mom vacate her seat and find somewhere else to go sit since those seats were reserved for her team. My mom, rather than get in a fight with Mean Lady in front of her children and her son's O.M. team, just decided to go ahead and move. She told us to stay there and we'd catch up after.
Enter Furious Sherry.
I yelled at my mother, "No! Mom, you sit down. No! Sit down! You're staying there." (My mom had dared to defy me). And then I proceeded to yell at Mean Lady about how she was breaking the rules, we followed the rules and got there hours early, and we weren't going anywhere. And then the lady left.
My mom was a little flabbergasted at my behavior, but I don't think she chided me for yelling at her or at a strange lady. Probably because I was right.
Some people get tattoos to show they love their moms. I just yell at Mean Ladies.
29 July 2008
28 July 2008
When the Branch President asked me to speak today...
The last time I was asked to speak in a sacrament meeting was in either November or December of 2004. Do not ask me how I've managed to escape having to speak for so long. All I know is that I had somehow managed to slip in and out of a number of wards without ever being asked to speak in sacrament.
Interestingly enough, I don't loathe public speaking. In general, it doesn't make me all that nervous, and in some ways I even find that I look forward to it.
Except when I have a long time to think about it. And then I start worrying about all the dumb things I could say or all the ways that I could make a fool of myself or talk for way too long or pass out (as my body does on occasion) or have a bizarre Freudian slip or something. I get a little anxious about it.
And then when the day comes, even if I really don't feel nervous, my knees will whole-kneedly disagree and will proceed to shake throughout my entire talk despite my telling them that the rest of me is not nervous and they shouldn't be either. And besides nobody can see them anyway. What have they got to be nervous about?
But I digress.
Yesterday a member of the branch presidency asked me if I would be willing to speak in sacrament some time. I told him (in a long-winded round about way, as I am wont to do) that I would willing to do so.
With that said, I was not given a time-frame. Nor was I assigned a topic. So all I know is that I have heaps of time to convince my knees there is nothing to be nervous about. Nothing at all.
Interestingly enough, I don't loathe public speaking. In general, it doesn't make me all that nervous, and in some ways I even find that I look forward to it.
Except when I have a long time to think about it. And then I start worrying about all the dumb things I could say or all the ways that I could make a fool of myself or talk for way too long or pass out (as my body does on occasion) or have a bizarre Freudian slip or something. I get a little anxious about it.
And then when the day comes, even if I really don't feel nervous, my knees will whole-kneedly disagree and will proceed to shake throughout my entire talk despite my telling them that the rest of me is not nervous and they shouldn't be either. And besides nobody can see them anyway. What have they got to be nervous about?
But I digress.
Yesterday a member of the branch presidency asked me if I would be willing to speak in sacrament some time. I told him (in a long-winded round about way, as I am wont to do) that I would willing to do so.
With that said, I was not given a time-frame. Nor was I assigned a topic. So all I know is that I have heaps of time to convince my knees there is nothing to be nervous about. Nothing at all.
24 July 2008
Deep in the Heart of Texas
There's not much I miss about Texas, to be frank. My family. Amazing barbecue food. Tex-Mex. But, after hearing this story on NPR, I felt a sense of nostalgia for the people of Texas. Sometimes I really would like to live near people like that. Even better, I'd like to be a person like that.
And on an unrelated note, I adored The Dark Knight, and I think we'll try to see it again next week.
And on an unrelated note, I adored The Dark Knight, and I think we'll try to see it again next week.
23 July 2008
My flat is so cold...
Everyone in unison: How cold is it?
Okay, I've mentioned before that it's cold here. But I think that needs a bit more explanation. First of all, it's not so much the temperature outside that makes me whine about the cold. I rarely whined about the cold when I lived in Utah, and it was certainly much colder on a day to day basis than it is here in Dunedin.
The thing is, the houses are just not built the same here. How are they built?
In fact, usually when I leave for seminary in the morning I bundle up only to get outside and realize it is warmer outside than inside. People warned me this would be the case, but because it doesn't make any sense, I believed they were making it up or perhaps exaggerating.
How do we stay warm?
Okay, I've mentioned before that it's cold here. But I think that needs a bit more explanation. First of all, it's not so much the temperature outside that makes me whine about the cold. I rarely whined about the cold when I lived in Utah, and it was certainly much colder on a day to day basis than it is here in Dunedin.
The thing is, the houses are just not built the same here. How are they built?
- Most houses do not have insulation. None.
- Most windows are drafty. Very drafty. When our curtains are closed, you can see them move as the wind blows.
- Lots of buildings are quite old and therefore very inefficient to heat.
- Central heat? Almost nobody has it. Rooms are heated room-by room with various types of heaters. Natural gas isn't really used here much. Space heaters are almost all electric. There are also propane heaters. They are quite cheap to run, but there are side-effects (smell of propane, excessive moisture, inefficient).
In fact, usually when I leave for seminary in the morning I bundle up only to get outside and realize it is warmer outside than inside. People warned me this would be the case, but because it doesn't make any sense, I believed they were making it up or perhaps exaggerating.
How do we stay warm?
- Hot showers. The only problem is that when you get into the hot shower your feet burn because they are so cold.
- Layers. I am currently wearing: regular socks, wool socks, and wool slippers (for my feet). Skivvies, polyprops (called longjohns in the States), and jeans (for my legs). Skivvies, a turtleneck sweater and wool coat (for my upper half). Fingerless gloves so I can use my laptop's mouse while I work. And I often wear a hat as well.
- Hot water bottles. Seriously, I'm cuddling one right now.
- We have one electric heater that we try to never, ever use.
- We have a propane heater. We try not to use it too much either because of aforementioned side effects.
- The sun warms the flat pretty nicely. The problem is that we only get the morning sun, which isn't as warm. AND that the sun hasn't been out in a little while.
- Two duvets (comforters) and a fleece blanket on the bed. Plus we have electric blankets that were very generously given to us from the Bowens when they moved back to Utah.
21 July 2008
Review: Honey Roasted Red Potatoes
This week for Whip it Up, I made this recipe of honey roasted red potatoes. Let's start by covering the bases:
We ate dinner at Matthew and Makereta's last night, which happens about 2-3 times a week. To be technical, it happens more often than that, but a lot of those times we take dinner over there. As Angela jokingly says, they are our second spouses. Matthew and Makereta also really liked this dish.
Technically, I'm not sure if it is a dish, as much as it is a sauce, really. Anyway, everyone thought it was yummy, and I will certainly be making it in the future (like right this minute).
My adjustments to the recipe:
I happened to have fresh pumpkin on hand, and I really needed to use it, so I did roast potato and roast pumpkin. Delightful!
I didn't have mustard powder, so I used whole grain mustard. I would venture to say that I think I preferred that to what the end result would have been had I used mustard powder.
- The recipe was extremely easy to follow. It says that it will take 10 minutes of prep, but I would say you could even cut that down to 8, if you wield your knife properly.
- This dish tasted great.
- We will definitely have this recipe again. (In fact, I'm making it for my lunch right this minute!)
We ate dinner at Matthew and Makereta's last night, which happens about 2-3 times a week. To be technical, it happens more often than that, but a lot of those times we take dinner over there. As Angela jokingly says, they are our second spouses. Matthew and Makereta also really liked this dish.
Technically, I'm not sure if it is a dish, as much as it is a sauce, really. Anyway, everyone thought it was yummy, and I will certainly be making it in the future (like right this minute).
My adjustments to the recipe:
I happened to have fresh pumpkin on hand, and I really needed to use it, so I did roast potato and roast pumpkin. Delightful!
I didn't have mustard powder, so I used whole grain mustard. I would venture to say that I think I preferred that to what the end result would have been had I used mustard powder.
200 Things to Do - Or not
I got this from Science Teacher Mommy, who got it from somebody else. I've added a twist to this list of 200 things, and italicized the ones I think are completely unnecessary and that I don't even WANT to do. All the others I think would be cool. Also, I've done the ones in bold. Judging by the amount of bold, I'd say my life is half-way complete.
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins (maybe sometime soon!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a professional sports game
17. Been to the top of the Sears Tower
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files (I don't get this one. What personal files?)
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone snorkling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Sung on a CD
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read and understood your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did (Are you kidding? This is my life.)
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Seen the Golden Gate Bridge (twice, both times from planes)
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle (not driven, but ridden)
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to see someone you love in hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway play on Broadway
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant (elephant)
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sung a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Run away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life (I'm a blood donor!)
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to sew
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had chicken pox
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend (Thank you, Facebook!)
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Received a professional massage
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins (maybe sometime soon!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a professional sports game
17. Been to the top of the Sears Tower
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files (I don't get this one. What personal files?)
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone snorkling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Sung on a CD
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read and understood your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did (Are you kidding? This is my life.)
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Seen the Golden Gate Bridge (twice, both times from planes)
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle (not driven, but ridden)
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to see someone you love in hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway play on Broadway
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant (elephant)
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sung a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Run away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life (I'm a blood donor!)
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to sew
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had chicken pox
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend (Thank you, Facebook!)
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Received a professional massage
20 July 2008
Never too old for free chocolate
Last week was the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival. To celebrate there were lots of little events going on around Dunedin, and lots of local sites did special Cadbury activities. All week long I wanted to go participate in some of the free things, and I finally did on Friday.
I met Makereta and William at the Octagon (the center of town), and we walked down to the Otago Museum. I had not been to the museum, and boy was I impressed. First of all, it is a free museum. They have stuff about the history of Otago, lots of natural history and stuffed animals, and a bunch of cool other stuff. Right now they have a small Egyptian exhibit including a mummy. As part of Chocolate Week, they offered free chocolate to people who came into the museum and followed the "cryptic clues" to discover how the mummy died. As it turns out, this activity was really for kids, but it didn't say that on the pamphlet. All it said was FREE and "earn some chocolate." So we participated.
I really, really enjoyed the museum. It was quite cool! I eagerly look forward to taking Jenn there, if for no other reason than to show her the stuffed birds- the albatross, the kiwis, and lots of birds that are extinct- including the Moa. Which is a giant bird like an ostrich or emu. But bigger. And cooler. It's no wonder the Maoris ate them all up.
Of all the cool things I saw in the museum, I only took two pictures:
I met Makereta and William at the Octagon (the center of town), and we walked down to the Otago Museum. I had not been to the museum, and boy was I impressed. First of all, it is a free museum. They have stuff about the history of Otago, lots of natural history and stuffed animals, and a bunch of cool other stuff. Right now they have a small Egyptian exhibit including a mummy. As part of Chocolate Week, they offered free chocolate to people who came into the museum and followed the "cryptic clues" to discover how the mummy died. As it turns out, this activity was really for kids, but it didn't say that on the pamphlet. All it said was FREE and "earn some chocolate." So we participated.
I really, really enjoyed the museum. It was quite cool! I eagerly look forward to taking Jenn there, if for no other reason than to show her the stuffed birds- the albatross, the kiwis, and lots of birds that are extinct- including the Moa. Which is a giant bird like an ostrich or emu. But bigger. And cooler. It's no wonder the Maoris ate them all up.
Of all the cool things I saw in the museum, I only took two pictures:
19 July 2008
16 July 2008
Making Connections
I worked at a place at BYU for two years, and the motto was something like "Making Connections." It was really drilled into us to try to find connections between our various classes and between each other. It was something I loved doing. It helped me relate to people better, and I certainly did better in some of my classes because of it. I loved that job, and I especially love the people I worked with.
Then I changed my major and decided I should get a job that was more applicable to genealogy. Good thing was, in that major and in that job I got to continue my focus on making connections.
And here's an interesting web, if you want to call it that. First, the explanation, and then the diagram that I created in Paint.
My freshman year, I dated a chap named Bryce. On an occasion, we ran into his second cousin, Gloria. As it turns out, Gloria is first cousins with Abe who is first cousins with Eric on the other side. Also, Gloria recently married Carl, whom Janssen dated at the beginning of freshman year, until he broke up with her to start dating Gloria. See the circle? Do you love it? Oh, you don't see it? Here's the diagram:
Please tell me I'm not the only one who finds this immensely humorous.
Then I changed my major and decided I should get a job that was more applicable to genealogy. Good thing was, in that major and in that job I got to continue my focus on making connections.
And here's an interesting web, if you want to call it that. First, the explanation, and then the diagram that I created in Paint.
My freshman year, I dated a chap named Bryce. On an occasion, we ran into his second cousin, Gloria. As it turns out, Gloria is first cousins with Abe who is first cousins with Eric on the other side. Also, Gloria recently married Carl, whom Janssen dated at the beginning of freshman year, until he broke up with her to start dating Gloria. See the circle? Do you love it? Oh, you don't see it? Here's the diagram:
Please tell me I'm not the only one who finds this immensely humorous.
13 July 2008
Review: Red Lentil Curry
First of all, here's where you can find the recipe.
Second, we loved it.
Third, it is easy to make.
Now, with those Whip it Up bases covered I will elaborate.
I found this recipe from AllRecipes.com by clicking on a link for yummy vegetarian meals. I am this close to being a vegetarian, folks. This is for a few reasons: health, money, and the world food crisis. So, Eric and I have decided to cut back on our meat intake. We're thinking we should have about 3-4 vegetarian meals per week. (Don't worry, if you come over we'll probably make meat). We can get proteins in lots of other, healthier ways. Like lentils. I'm toying with the idea of having all my Whip it Up recipes be vegetarian. How do you like them apples?
This recipe appealed to me for a few reasons- We love curry. Both of us just relish any chance we get to eat curry of any type. I'm a particular fan of green curry, but red curry has really grown on me lately. Plus, it's not as spicy. Also, I had red lentils, onions, red curry paste, tomatoe puree, garlic and ginger all on hand. Also rice. We always have rice. In fact, we bought a 10-kilo bag of rice when we got here exactly five months ago, and we're just now almost through with it. Definitely an excellent buy.
Overall, the recipe was astoundingly simple to make. It really was one of those recipes where you pour in the ingredients and stir. Nothing tricky about it. The only problem for us is that we only have two burners, so I couldn't get the sauce going until I was done with the lentils because I needed the rice cooking pretty much the whole time. Not a huge problem, but I certainly could have used an extra burner.
Eric, Matthew, and Makereta all really liked this meal. Makereta said it was the perfect level of spicy for her. I would have liked to kick it up a notch or two, but since I was making it for all four of us, then I was perfectly content with making it a little more mild.
I didn't add all the seasonings I was supposed to because I do not have turmeric, chili powder, and cumin on hand, and I really didn't want to shell out the money it would have cost to buy those things. When I am back in the States with all my trusty own ingredients, I will add those in. With that said, I never felt like the recipe was lacking because I didn't have those ingredients included.
So, the moral of this blog is that this is a good recipe. A good, extremely healthy recipe. I've enumerated the health benefits of lentils before, so I am eager to have another recipe to use them in.
Also, on the reviews of the recipe some people mentioned omitting the paste. You really can't do that. The paste is crucial. You can buy it in any grocery store in New Zealand (in the Asian section), and you might be able to find it in regular grocery stores in the states, particularly if you live in an area with a strong Asian influence. Otherwise you might have to take a trip to a specialty Asian market, but curry paste is cheap, and a little bit goes a long way, so a special trip is worth it.
Second, we loved it.
Third, it is easy to make.
Now, with those Whip it Up bases covered I will elaborate.
I found this recipe from AllRecipes.com by clicking on a link for yummy vegetarian meals. I am this close to being a vegetarian, folks. This is for a few reasons: health, money, and the world food crisis. So, Eric and I have decided to cut back on our meat intake. We're thinking we should have about 3-4 vegetarian meals per week. (Don't worry, if you come over we'll probably make meat). We can get proteins in lots of other, healthier ways. Like lentils. I'm toying with the idea of having all my Whip it Up recipes be vegetarian. How do you like them apples?
This recipe appealed to me for a few reasons- We love curry. Both of us just relish any chance we get to eat curry of any type. I'm a particular fan of green curry, but red curry has really grown on me lately. Plus, it's not as spicy. Also, I had red lentils, onions, red curry paste, tomatoe puree, garlic and ginger all on hand. Also rice. We always have rice. In fact, we bought a 10-kilo bag of rice when we got here exactly five months ago, and we're just now almost through with it. Definitely an excellent buy.
Overall, the recipe was astoundingly simple to make. It really was one of those recipes where you pour in the ingredients and stir. Nothing tricky about it. The only problem for us is that we only have two burners, so I couldn't get the sauce going until I was done with the lentils because I needed the rice cooking pretty much the whole time. Not a huge problem, but I certainly could have used an extra burner.
Eric, Matthew, and Makereta all really liked this meal. Makereta said it was the perfect level of spicy for her. I would have liked to kick it up a notch or two, but since I was making it for all four of us, then I was perfectly content with making it a little more mild.
I didn't add all the seasonings I was supposed to because I do not have turmeric, chili powder, and cumin on hand, and I really didn't want to shell out the money it would have cost to buy those things. When I am back in the States with all my trusty own ingredients, I will add those in. With that said, I never felt like the recipe was lacking because I didn't have those ingredients included.
So, the moral of this blog is that this is a good recipe. A good, extremely healthy recipe. I've enumerated the health benefits of lentils before, so I am eager to have another recipe to use them in.
Also, on the reviews of the recipe some people mentioned omitting the paste. You really can't do that. The paste is crucial. You can buy it in any grocery store in New Zealand (in the Asian section), and you might be able to find it in regular grocery stores in the states, particularly if you live in an area with a strong Asian influence. Otherwise you might have to take a trip to a specialty Asian market, but curry paste is cheap, and a little bit goes a long way, so a special trip is worth it.
09 July 2008
How's this for a lazy post?
And here's mine. As you can see, I like Eric, games and tomatoes.
You can get your own Word cloud from Wordle.
07 July 2008
Review: Amazing Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
This week I am reviewing the Amazing Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce that I found on allrecipes.com. I chose this recipe because I had all the ingredients on hand. I had purchased sun-dried tomatoes for another recipe. In fact, that other recipe is the only one I had ever used sun-dried tomatoes for. I really like sun-dried tomatoes, and I wanted to find more ways to use them. I also happened to have cream on hand from a recently made pot of tomato soup.
We loved this recipe. It whipped up, so to speak, very quickly- about 25 minutes total. We served it over spiral noodles, but I would be happy serving it over any type of pasta. The sun-dried tomatoes were absolutely perfect in the sauce and added just the right amount of extra flavor amid bites.
I did change the recipe a bit by adding chopped onion and garlic, per the suggestions in the comments. I also used (gasp!) colby cheese. I happened to have it on hand. And hey! We're on a budget. I can't go running around buying different types of cheeses all the time. It's just too costly right now. It worked out fine because it was all blended together. In the future I will probably add mushrooms.
The great thing about this dish is that it works as a side or a main. It can be your main dish if you want a filling vegetarian meal. You could also add chicken to the pasta, if you want. Chicken is ridiculously expensive here, so we hardly ever eat it. But when we get back to the states, I can't wait to eat this sauce on some grilled chicken. I salivate just thinking about it. I think this dish also works well as a side. Cook up some chicken parmigiana and serve this pasta on the side with a vegetable. Asparagus would be nice.
This is really one of the quickest meals I have ever made, and it was wonderfully tasty, albeit rather high in fat, which kind of explains the "tasty" part. I highly recommend.
We loved this recipe. It whipped up, so to speak, very quickly- about 25 minutes total. We served it over spiral noodles, but I would be happy serving it over any type of pasta. The sun-dried tomatoes were absolutely perfect in the sauce and added just the right amount of extra flavor amid bites.
I did change the recipe a bit by adding chopped onion and garlic, per the suggestions in the comments. I also used (gasp!) colby cheese. I happened to have it on hand. And hey! We're on a budget. I can't go running around buying different types of cheeses all the time. It's just too costly right now. It worked out fine because it was all blended together. In the future I will probably add mushrooms.
The great thing about this dish is that it works as a side or a main. It can be your main dish if you want a filling vegetarian meal. You could also add chicken to the pasta, if you want. Chicken is ridiculously expensive here, so we hardly ever eat it. But when we get back to the states, I can't wait to eat this sauce on some grilled chicken. I salivate just thinking about it. I think this dish also works well as a side. Cook up some chicken parmigiana and serve this pasta on the side with a vegetable. Asparagus would be nice.
This is really one of the quickest meals I have ever made, and it was wonderfully tasty, albeit rather high in fat, which kind of explains the "tasty" part. I highly recommend.
03 July 2008
Independence Day
Today is not the first Independence Day that I have spent working. No, in fact, I'm pretty sure I worked on the Fourth of July every summer that I worked at the grocery store, which equals three summers. Although, come to think of it, the first summer was at a different store than where I was the second two summers. Usually I got off work early enough to go out and see the fireworks, but I'm pretty sure that at least once I didn't get to.
This year I worked right through it because, as it turns out New Zealand doesn't celebrate America's Independence Day. Imagine that.
It would be great to have spent time in the sun eating barbecued foods and being antsy with anticipation about seeing the fireworks shows across the Salt Lake Valley and even into Utah Valley from the vantage point of Eric's aunt and uncle's back yard.
But, of all the holidays, it's one that is easy to give up for me. And besides, I got to see fireworks just a few weeks ago from my living room.
And best of all, I was home all day to refresh and refresh and refresh and refresh, waiting for the results of Eric sister's race in the quarterfinals of the 1500m race in the Olympic Trials. After so much refreshing and not getting the results, we just called Eric's mom. We were surprised to learn that she decided this morning to attend the race (which is actually a day behind us, and thus not actually Independence Day). We called just as the race had finished and were jubilant to learn that Michelle advanced and will be running in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Keep her in your prayers. And if you're not a praying person, now is as good a time as any to start.
This year I worked right through it because, as it turns out New Zealand doesn't celebrate America's Independence Day. Imagine that.
It would be great to have spent time in the sun eating barbecued foods and being antsy with anticipation about seeing the fireworks shows across the Salt Lake Valley and even into Utah Valley from the vantage point of Eric's aunt and uncle's back yard.
But, of all the holidays, it's one that is easy to give up for me. And besides, I got to see fireworks just a few weeks ago from my living room.
And best of all, I was home all day to refresh and refresh and refresh and refresh, waiting for the results of Eric sister's race in the quarterfinals of the 1500m race in the Olympic Trials. After so much refreshing and not getting the results, we just called Eric's mom. We were surprised to learn that she decided this morning to attend the race (which is actually a day behind us, and thus not actually Independence Day). We called just as the race had finished and were jubilant to learn that Michelle advanced and will be running in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Keep her in your prayers. And if you're not a praying person, now is as good a time as any to start.
01 July 2008
Plex
Everyone in Eric's family is really into games. One of my favorite times of year is about the third week in August when we go to Park City with the extended L. family. It's just board games day in and day out. Also food. And night games on the golf course. And food. And playing games with the cousins. Also, as an interesting note, I only knew two of my ten cousins growing up, so marrying into Eric's family where he has about thirty cousins on the L. side and five million on the K. side was really exciting to me.
Anyway, Eric has one cousin in particular, Abe, who likes to make up games. I first played one of his made up games, Pork, when Eric and I were dating or maybe we were engaged by that point. Anyway, Abe's wife, Erin, was also there, and so were Bart and Janssen. It was destined to be a fun night because the six of us just exude fun. Which is why we are all so crazy about board games, I guess.
One time over Christmas break the extended L. family went to a giant cabin called Spring Haven for a few days. That is where Abe introduced us to Plex, another of his invented games. It is a great game where the object is to buy properties that are close together. But you are also investing money so that you can earn more so that you can buy more properties. And if all goes well you will have lots of money when everybody else has none, and you will get properties for cheap because you buy properties (and you make investments) by bidding. And that's all the summary you're going to get from me.
So, Eric set out to make Abe's game. I let Abe know about it, and he sent me some files with the cards already made up. Eric worked really hard for about two days cutting and cutting and cutting to get the game ready to go. We have played it with a few folks, and so far everybody loves it. Eric and I really think Abe could market the game, and we'd be happy to let him use our copy as the prototype to show to some head honchos of a game company in case he is not so interested in cutting.
This first picture is of Eric sitting in front of the heater (hogging all the heat!) while designing the coins of the game. I sent this picture to Abe and Erin letting them know what a game-making fiend Eric has become, and that is when Abe sent me the files. Also, this is just to show you that Eric does own a pair of non-pink pajamas.
And this is the final version of the game. As you can see lots of things were done by hand. But it's such a great game, it was definitely worth the time we (mostly Eric) put into it.
Anyway, Eric has one cousin in particular, Abe, who likes to make up games. I first played one of his made up games, Pork, when Eric and I were dating or maybe we were engaged by that point. Anyway, Abe's wife, Erin, was also there, and so were Bart and Janssen. It was destined to be a fun night because the six of us just exude fun. Which is why we are all so crazy about board games, I guess.
One time over Christmas break the extended L. family went to a giant cabin called Spring Haven for a few days. That is where Abe introduced us to Plex, another of his invented games. It is a great game where the object is to buy properties that are close together. But you are also investing money so that you can earn more so that you can buy more properties. And if all goes well you will have lots of money when everybody else has none, and you will get properties for cheap because you buy properties (and you make investments) by bidding. And that's all the summary you're going to get from me.
So, Eric set out to make Abe's game. I let Abe know about it, and he sent me some files with the cards already made up. Eric worked really hard for about two days cutting and cutting and cutting to get the game ready to go. We have played it with a few folks, and so far everybody loves it. Eric and I really think Abe could market the game, and we'd be happy to let him use our copy as the prototype to show to some head honchos of a game company in case he is not so interested in cutting.
This first picture is of Eric sitting in front of the heater (hogging all the heat!) while designing the coins of the game. I sent this picture to Abe and Erin letting them know what a game-making fiend Eric has become, and that is when Abe sent me the files. Also, this is just to show you that Eric does own a pair of non-pink pajamas.
And this is the final version of the game. As you can see lots of things were done by hand. But it's such a great game, it was definitely worth the time we (mostly Eric) put into it.
Another Assignment
Yesterday the missionaries dropped by and asked us for our help. They are starting a new English class for the many, many non-English speakers in Dunedin. It's going to a just a general community class, and they are going to work really hard to get the word out about the class. Hopefully there will be a lot of interest. They asked us if we would be willing to help teach the class, and we said we definitely would.
We are really excited. We will be teaching with another lady who served her mission in Japan. Plus Eric speaks Portuguese and a little bit of Spanish. And I speak a little more Spanish, but I haven't practiced it like I should these last few years, and it has definitely declined.
Plus this will be good practice for us in case we decide to go teach English in China or Korea for a year. Oh, I hadn't mentioned yet that we are considering that. Well, now you know.
We are really excited. We will be teaching with another lady who served her mission in Japan. Plus Eric speaks Portuguese and a little bit of Spanish. And I speak a little more Spanish, but I haven't practiced it like I should these last few years, and it has definitely declined.
Plus this will be good practice for us in case we decide to go teach English in China or Korea for a year. Oh, I hadn't mentioned yet that we are considering that. Well, now you know.
Something You Should Never, Ever, Ever Do
Parents should never tell a child that he was an accident. It is not a nice thing to do. Don't do it. In fact, don't tell ANYONE that the child is a surprise because word might get back around to that child.
I say this because I've read a few blogs lately in which female writers post about their recent accidents and how it took them a while to come to grips with things and be happy. And all I can think is, "One day you're child is going to read this and feel very unwanted. Not nice at all."
I have a very good friend (no, I'm not talking about myself. My parents wanted me, thankyouverymuch.) who was a surprise baby, and her mum often told her, "When I found out I was pregnant with you I just cried and cried because I was so upset. But now I'm so glad you're here and that you are a part of our family." And do you know what my friend heard? "I didn't want you at all." That's what she heard.
It's not even okay to say, "No, of course you weren't a mistake. God doesn't make mistakes, and obviously he wanted you here." Because still the message is, "I didn't want you here, and God forced his will upon me."
I've heard one excuse which goes like this, "Well, I wanted people to know it was an accident so they didn't think I was crazy for having another baby so soon." Let people think you're crazy. First of all, it's not really their concern if you decide to have babies 10 months apart. Your body, your family, your decisions. Second of all, it is much better for people to think you are crazy than for your child to think he is unwanted.
As you can tell, I feel very strongly about this.
Don't ever tell your child that he is an accident. If he asks, LIE. It's for the greater good.
I say this because I've read a few blogs lately in which female writers post about their recent accidents and how it took them a while to come to grips with things and be happy. And all I can think is, "One day you're child is going to read this and feel very unwanted. Not nice at all."
I have a very good friend (no, I'm not talking about myself. My parents wanted me, thankyouverymuch.) who was a surprise baby, and her mum often told her, "When I found out I was pregnant with you I just cried and cried because I was so upset. But now I'm so glad you're here and that you are a part of our family." And do you know what my friend heard? "I didn't want you at all." That's what she heard.
It's not even okay to say, "No, of course you weren't a mistake. God doesn't make mistakes, and obviously he wanted you here." Because still the message is, "I didn't want you here, and God forced his will upon me."
I've heard one excuse which goes like this, "Well, I wanted people to know it was an accident so they didn't think I was crazy for having another baby so soon." Let people think you're crazy. First of all, it's not really their concern if you decide to have babies 10 months apart. Your body, your family, your decisions. Second of all, it is much better for people to think you are crazy than for your child to think he is unwanted.
As you can tell, I feel very strongly about this.
Don't ever tell your child that he is an accident. If he asks, LIE. It's for the greater good.
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