Ten Books

There's been a lot of tagging going on with Facebook right now. Not just the ice bucket challenge, but also this thing with a list of books. The prompt is to list ten books that have stayed with you. You aren't supposed to think about it much. I did it, but I didn't do my own status update or tag people; I just responded with a comment on the post where I was tagged. And admittedly, I did think about it probably more than I was supposed to. Having a list of ten books with virtually no context (especially reading others' lists) had left me wondering why those books are on the list. So I decided to do a blog post with my list, and with a little detail about why each of the books made the list. In no particular order:

1. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - I read this book a few years ago, and there is a part when the judge passes down the sentence, which he clearly believes is unfair. But he makes a statement that he doesn't make the laws. The politicians, elected by the people, make the laws. And any injustice in the laws ultimately goes back to the people who elected the politicians. I think about that often. The rest of the book, even the main plot, was certainly good, but I couldn't recount details to you.

2. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom - I've read it a few times (five or six?). This woman was just amazing. Her story is just amazing. If you haven't read it you really ought to.

3. Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman - I talk about this book so much that it had to make the list. I'm a firm believer in the way French people feed their kids, and while I don't follow their methods exactly (because I'm not French, and don't have time for five course meals every day), I do attribute my non-picky eaters, in part, to this book.

4. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - Like The Hiding Place, it is just an amazing story.

5. The Giver by Lois Lowry - My first introduction to dystopian books. I read it first when I was about 10, and I've read it a total of about 30 times. (Who can keep track?)

6. Matilda by Roald Dahl - I loved this book as a child and read it numerous times as well.

7. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - There are just certain scenes in this book that have stuck with me. As with Cry, the Beloved Country, I can only remember the basic outline of the plot, but the overarching themes have stayed with me.

8. Cinderella Ate my Daughter by Peggy Orenstein - This is another non-fiction book that I talk about a lot. I recommend it to many women with daughters.

9. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin - Have you ever had to listen to me prattle on about how amazing Abraham Lincoln was? No? Well, let me get started...

10. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan - This wasn't the first book that really made me think about what I eat, but it was the first to make me think about where my food comes from. I'd still like to have a chance to slaughter my own meat one day. (Except, not really. But kind of.)

If you've shared your list on Facebook and are eager to share on your blog, feel free to post a link in the comments. I'd love to judge you based on your lists read your lists.

2013 - In Review

I like to do the year in review because it gives me a chance to really reflect on the year. If you find it as boring as can be, I don't mind of you skip it.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
The majority of bread our family ate in 2013 was homemade. By me.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I never ran an entire 5K without stopping, but I did run/walk in a couple of 5K races. I also allowed myself to stop reading books I wasn't interested in, and I feel like I was a more present parent.

I probably will make some for next year. We'll see.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I got two new nephews this year, and lots of my friends had babies.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Eric's great-aunt died. She was sort of a stand-in Grandma for that side of the family since her sister (Eric's grandma) died fairly young. Because of that we knew her better than any other great aunt or uncle.

5. What countries did you visit?
Not only did I not leave the country this calendar year, but I did hardly any traveling at all.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

A fancy camera.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I guess December 3 since I had a near-accident on the icy highway, but truthfully I had to look up on Facebook to figure out exactly what day that incident occurred on.

8. What was your biggest personal achievement of the year?
I solved some fairly tough genealogy cases including some adoption cases that involved me having to figure out which parts of the adoption papers were accurate and which were not.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't know about this one. I certainly had several,  but none in particular stands out as the biggest.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I was sick a lot this year. And there was the incident with the horse.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My KitchenAid, hands down.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I am on a new team at work, and I really like my supervisor. He is usually worth celebrating.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
John Boehner. Can't stand that man.

14. Where did most of your money go?
We had to buy two new-to-us cars this year. TWO.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

We were pretty excited when Eric got a new job.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
The Irish ballad version of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky." I hadn't even heard the original until a few weeks ago.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) Happier
b) Same.
c) Poorer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading, hiking, exercising.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Staring at my phone or at a computer screen.

20. Did you fall in love in 2013?
I got a smart phone this year, and I really like it. Probably not love, though.

21. What was your favorite TV program?
We're really enjoying watching West Wing. I'm not sure what we'll do when we're out of episodes.

22. What was the best book you read?
Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and its sequel Days of Blood and Starlight, by Laini Taylor.

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I don't really listen to much music. I did join my ward choir this year, though.

24. What did you want and get?

A KitchenAid mixer, right after complaining in last year's summary that it was something I wanted and didn't get.

25. What did you want and not get?
A fancy camera.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?
Lincoln, hands down. (It came out in 2012, but we didn't get around to seeing it until early 2013.)

27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29, and I worked. We went out for dinner and shopping that weekend.

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having fewer arguments with a toddler.

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I wore more skinny jeans than not-skinny-jeans this year.

30. What kept you sane?Having a grown-up-job outside of my home a couple of days a week.

2010 Books

Here is what I read in 2010:

January:
1. These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner - (Loved this book. I couldn't put it down. As far as historical-romance-fiction goes, this is as good as it gets. Just go read Janssen's review.)

2. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (I will never stop adoring this series. I will also never live in South Dakota.)

3. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown - (Typical Dan Brown.)

4. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin - (Excellent story, kind of bland writing. Maybe not everybody needs to read this book because it really isn't stellar, but everyone should familiarize themselves with the story.)

5. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale - (I really liked this book. The writing is great, and the story was wonderful.)

February:
6. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather - (Before this I loved My Antonia, but with that as my only sampling of Willa Cather, I wasn't really sure if I was crazy about her writing. Now I'm certain that I am.)

7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - (My memory of this was that Harry was a big whiny baby throughout the whole book. It wasn't as bad as I remembered. And Doloroes Umbridge is a truly magnificent villain.)

8. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - (Great book. Well-deserving of all the positive reviews. An excellent tale of redemption.)

9. Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss - (I loved this book so much. I could hardly stop laughing, nodding my head in agreement and wanting to high-five Lynne Truss.)

March:
10. The Help by Kathryn Stocket - (Loved this book. A couple of people recommended it to me, and I wholeheartedly agree with those folks.)

11. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner - (I sure did like this book. I'd been hearing about it for a few years, and I finally got around to reading it. Really interesting.)

12. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - (I liked this even more than The Kite Runner. Hosseini is a really engaging story-teller, and I found that I couldn't put this one down.)

13. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George* - (I enjoyed this one. It's written for kids, most especially for boys, but I'm not really sure how much most boys would like it. The pace is a little slow, and even though the narrator is a boy, the tone is much too adult.)

14. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling - (Why yes, yes, I did read this last year. That was in preparation for the movie. This time was with my carpool buddy.)

15. Left to Tell; Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza - (This was a difficult read but entirely worth it. While reading it, I was constantly reminded of how much God loves us and wants us to be joyful.)

April:
16. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling - (I'm so glad my carpool buddy has finally read this series now. And I wish I could go to Hogwarts and get sorted. Maybe one day.)

17. Theodor SEUSS Geisel by Donald E. Pease - (This biography reads more like a literary analysis than a biography. Good thing it was only 152 pages.)

May:
18. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - (I really liked the main character, Oskar, but I thought he was a little too adult-like. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but I liked it.)

19. A Year Down Yonder by Gregory Peck - (Liked this even better than A Long Way From Chicago, which I read last year.)

20. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - (I had been nursing this one since December, picking it up only here and there when I wanted something charming to boost my spirits. I brought it along on the cruise to help lighten the load of the some of the depressing ones I had brought along, and then I just couldn't stop reading it.)

21. Watership Down by Richard Adams - (Who knew a nearly 500-page book about a warren of rabbits could possibly be so interesting?)

22. Little Town on the Prarie by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (I read this in one sitting when I should have been unpacking boxes. Then I delved straight into the next. I missed these while they were boxed up.)

23. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (Almonzo and Laura had strikingly different childhoods, and it was interesting to see how different life was if you grew up in a rich farmer's family. I don't think I really noticed the differences when I read these books as a girl.)

24. The Savior and the Serpent by Alonzo L. Gaskill - (Much of the Old Testament is symbolic, but we don't really live in a culture where those symbols are still relevant. This book breaks down the Adam and Eve story, and it was a really fascinating read.)

June:
25. When Everything Changed by Gail Collins - (I sure did like this book. Well-written and thoroughly interesting. Way to go women of the last fifty years!)

26. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens* - (Only my second Dickens read. It didn't quite compare to A Tale of Two Cities, but I liked it, and I liked the narrator.)

27. The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich - (Some parts of the story I found captivating. Other parts were disturbing. Others were too much like a soap opera.)

28. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen* - (Meh. Not particularly clever, brilliant or deep.)

July:
29. The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages* - (I liked it. I would have probably enjoyed it more at about age 10, but it was definitely worth a listen.)

30. These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (It was totally different reading about Laura and Almonzo's courtship in my twenties than when I was nine.)

31. The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (I'm glad I'm not a farmer.)

32. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith - (Loved. How have I not heard more about this book?)

33. Just Food by James E. McWilliams - (Interesting but kind of dull.)

34. Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns - (Rather enjoyed this one. I liked the characters, the setting and the story. It made me hungry for fried chicken.)

August:
35. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter* - (I couldn't get over the arrogant tone of this book and the assumption that everybody really has a deep-seated desire to be unbelievably wealthy, so it wasn't a particularly enjoyable listen. There are some good points, but his financial philosophy just doesn't mesh very well with my own.)

36. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth - (If all baby books are this repetitive, I don't know how many I will get through. But I think it will be worthwhile in a few months.)

September:
37. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - (Not as satisfying a conclusion as I expected. I liked the overall wrap-up, I just didn't really like how she got there.)

38. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dhal - (Man alive, I cannot wait to read this book to my kids. How had I not read it until now?)

39. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - (Amazing. Beautiful prose. Beautiful story.)

40. Evolution of a Radical by Newton Van Dalsem - (This book was written by a relative of mine, and I enjoyed it, but there wouldn't be much mass appeal in it at all.)

41. When the Wind Blows by James Patterson - (I'm just not really into thrillers.)

42. Matilda by Roald Dhal - (Read this aloud with Eric in the car. I loved it as a kid, and I still enjoyed it as an adult.)

43. Davita's Harp by Chaim Potok - (Not one I can recommend to everyone, but I sure loved it. In the next life I intend to have deep discussions with Potok. I cannot get enough of his books.)

October:
44. Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin - (While I cannot advocate this financial lifestyle completely, I think it offers some really great ways to look at and think about money.)

45. On Becoming Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam - (If you do not follow the steps in this book your baby will probably grow up to be an axe murder. Okay, okay. It wasn't THAT bad, but I found the tone really irritating although many of the principles resonated with me.)

November:
46. Fight For Your Money by David Bach* - (Very informative and useful. Not necessarily an exciting read, though.)

47. The Pearl by John Steinbeck - (How had I never read this until now? So awesome.)

48. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America by Barbara Ehrenreich* - (Listening to this book made me feel like I was watching a Michael Moore film - there are lots of good points, but because the opposing side is never addressed, and the author blatantly ignores her own argument's weaknesses, the overall work is only a small step above propaganda.)

December:
49. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond - (A little long, but incredibly interesting.)

50. The Time-Starved Family by DeAnne Flynn - (A lot of good ideas in this book. It is more about evaluating priorities than anything else.)

51. The Giver by Lois Lowry - (I've read this book at least 30 times. I will never stop loving it.)

52. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, John Sherrill and Elizabeth Sherrill - (I will never cease to be amazed by this woman.)

*I listened to an audio-book.

2009 Books

January:

1. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin - (Abraham Lincoln was the best president ever. The end.)

2. The Culprit and the Cure; Why Lifestyle is the Culprit Behind America's Poor Health and how Transforming that Lifestyle Can be the Cure by Steven G. Aldana - (Longest title ever, but it was a really interesting read and it got me exercising and working really hard to eat better every day!)

3. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech - (I think I loved this even more than when I read it about ten years ago.)

February:

4. Atonement by Ian McEwan - (I was completely enthralled with the story. I loved the way this story was told, from different perspectives, although almost always with a third person narrator. I'd like to read more from this author.)

5. The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg - (I read this when I was about 14, and I really loved it then. This time I read it aloud with Eric, and we both enjoyed it, although I'm not sure I loved it quite as much this time.)

6. The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright - (Overall, I liked it, even though I don't tend to go for this sort of Hallmark-movie-like book.)

7. Anne's House of Dreams* by Lucy Maud Montgomery - (I enjoyed listening to this while I treadmilled and did other sundry activities, but I think I'm done with the series.)

8. Saturday by Ian McEwan - (I liked the story-telling. I was not thrilled with the story.)

9. Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer - (Wow. This was an amazing story, and it was told incredibly well. I found myself constantly astonished at the difficulty of ascending Mt. Everest, but never really questioning why anybody would want to do it. Krakauer is an excellent writer, and I hope to read more from him in the future.)

March:

10. Our Search for Happiness by M. Russell Ballard - (This was a great book, and perfect for anybody who is interested in learning more about the LDS Church.)

11. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer - (I loved this one as much as I loved Into Thin Air. Krakauer is an amazing storyteller, and I was fascinated by Chris McCandless' ill-fated adventure. I have no need to go backpacking or camping in Alaska. Maybe an Alaskan cruise some time, but that's where I draw the line.)

12. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck - (AMAZING! I can't wait to read more by her. And, pleasant perk! After I finished reading it, I mentioned it to my mom, and she said that Buck was one of her favorite authors when she was in high school.)

April

13. Germinal by Emile Zola - (This book turned me into even more of a socialist than I already was. I enjoy Zola's writing. He is a bit of a downer (think the French Hemingway), but I kind of like depressing books. They seem more real to me.)

14. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* by Lewis Carroll - (I enjoyed listening to this one and thinking about its philosophical questions. I don't have answers to them, but it definitely made me think as I smiled.)

15. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - (LOVED. Can't wait for the next one. Highly recommend. Written for youth, and I found it surprisingly thought-provoking.)

16. David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism by Gregory A. Prince and William Robert Wright - (Every Mormon should read this book. Especially if you think Mormon Doctrine really is doctrine.)

May

17. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl - (My favorite quote:

An active life serves the purpose of giving man the opportunity to realize values in creative work, while a passive life of enjoyment affords him the opportunity to obtain fulfillment in experiencing beauty, art or nature. But there is also purpose in that life which is almost barren of both creation and enjoyment and which admits of but one possibility of high moral behavior: namely, in man's attitude to his existence restricted by external forces. A creative life and a life of enjoyment are banned to him. But not only creativeness and enjoyment are meaningful. If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete.

This book was amazing. Everyone should read it.)

18. How the Garica Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez - (This book started with a sort of family tree, so I liked it immediately. It was a nice read about a Dominican family of four daughters who immigrates to New York. Easily classified in the "coming of age" category. I also loved the play on the title because in the Dominican Republic their surname has an accent over the i, but in America it does not.)

19. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - (Loved it in high school. Loved it even more this time.)

20. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - (Absolutely loved the writing. The story was deeply engaging. I can't wait to read more of his writing.)

21. Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams - (This was an interesting book, and Jane Addams is an awesome lady. It was a bit difficult to plow through the whole thing, but it opened my eyes to some of the social movements during the end of the nineteenth century.)

June
22. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke - (A little slow at first, but then it picked up quite a bit. I'll definitely have to read the sequel.)

23. The Chosen by Chaim Potok - (A really intriguing story that is beautifully written. I couldn't and didn't wait to read the next book. Potok's balanced portrayal of conflict is impressive.)

24. The Promise by Chaim Potok - (I didn't love it quite as much as The Chosen, but it was still an exceptional book. I was again impressed with Potok's masterful depiction of conflict.)

25. Sarah: Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card - (I quite enjoyed this book. I was curious how Card would do outside of sci-fi, but it was thoroughly enjoyable.)

26. 'Tis by Frank McCourt - (I love McCourt's very distinct style. 'Tis is not heart-wrenching like Angela's Ashes; it's more of a coming-of-age story, and it's an excellent combination of entertaining and engaging. Entergaging?)

27. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling - (I read this in preparation of the movie. It was my third time with this book, and I must say I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two times. But it's still a very easy read and highly entertaining. And it did actually make me want to give #7 another go.)

28. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck - (This book was great. It was clever and funny, and it was sweet without being mushy. There are very few books that accomplish all of those things so successfully. I was very impressed and cannot wait to read more by Peck.)

July
29. The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt - (Read this one aloud with Eric. I loved it from the start, but he took a while to really appreciate the humor. I would highly recommend this, especially to kids because it is a YA book.)

30. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - (This was my second time to read this one. I can appreciate Rowling's cleverness, but this is certainly not the best book in the series.)

31. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - (Amazing. Extremely well-written and incredibly thoughtful and moving.)

August
32. In the Beginning by Chaim Potok - (I adore this author. I liked this book, albeit not as much as I enjoyed The Chosen and The Promise.)

33. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling - (Hands down my least favorite of the series.)

34. Rebekah: Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card - (I didn't enjoy this one as much as its predecessor. I felt like Card got a little too wrapped up in explaining every aspect of the characters' behavior, but it was still an enjoyable read.)

35. The Omnivore's Dilemma; A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan - (Everyone should read this book. I used to roll my eyes at people who frowned upon our society's industrial food chain, but I have a much better understanding about how devastating our industrial food chain really is, not only to our health, but to the environment as well.)

September
36. The Sound and the Fury by Stephen Faulkner - (This book is not for everyone. The writing is genius, though.)

37. My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok - (I enjoyed this book. This is the fourth Potok book I've read this year. It finally occurred to me while reading Asher Lev that Potok must have had issues with his father.)

38. Social Networking for Genealogists by Drew Smith - (I read this book because I was asked to review it for a genealogy publication.)

39. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - (This was my favorite the first time I read the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it this time too. Something about time-travel really does it for me.)

October
40. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee - (Loved this book. It was just so interesting. The book is about Chinese food in America and around the world, but it's really about so much more. A great look at the pervasiveness of Chinese culture, food in America and the true origins of the fortune cookie.)

41. Rachel and Leah: Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card - (I enjoyed this one. I think Card is a great writer, although sometimes I think he tries too hard to delve into the thoughts and feelings of his characters. That makes me find them less believable. But I think a lot of readers like that aspect of his writing.)

42. Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Reed - (Great book, albeit gruesome. Ultimately, it is about survival and the will to survive. It made me think a lot about having a purpose in life, optimism and hope.)

43. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - (Highly enjoyable, although I preferred the first one. I think this one left too many strings untied.)

November
44. Here is Where we Meet by John Berger - (I didn't love it, but I also didn't hate it. My drawing teacher lent it to me and absolutely raved about it. I think it was a little too modern, even for me.)

45. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery - (Rather slow and pretentious at first. And at the middle. But the end picked up, and I was bummed it was over.)

December
46. Untitled Book by Science Teacher Mommy - (I am totally counting this since it is a full-length book. I sent my thoughts straight to STM.)

47. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (I hadn't read this since elementary school, I thoroughly enjoyed it. In my memory the stories took place earlier in American history.)

48. $20 Per Gallon; How the Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline Will Change Our Lives for the Better by Christpher Steiner - (I liked it. It was interesting and thought-provoking. I am interested to see which of the changes he predicted, particularly in our energy technologies, really do come true.)

49. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (Such a great series. My favorite part is when Jack comes back.)

50. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (My favorite parts are when Pa comes back.)

51. By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder - (I don't think I could ever tire of this series.)

52. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling - (This is when the series really starts to get exciting! I forgot how many things were different than the movie in this one.)

*I listened to an audiobook.

2009 Places

This year, I slept in the following places:

Federal Way, Washington
Orem, Utah
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Provo, Utah
B--, Texas (near Dallas)
P--, Texas (near Austin)
Washington, D.C.
W--, North Carolina
P--, Washington

Total states visited: 8. We didn't sleep in all of them, though.

Hopefully in 2010 we can list some non-American cities in there as well.

Fours

I feel like I've done this before. But here I go again:

4 Things I'm Passionate About:

• Good spelling and punctuation
  
• Cooking
• Genealogy
• Books
  

4 Words or Phrases I Use Often:

• "And then I died."
• "Why do you hate me?"
• "When I get a job we can buy ..."
• "Don't be such a teenager."
  

4 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:

• Go skydiving.
  
• Go on a mission with Spouse.
  
• Meet a Prophet.
  
• Go for a hot air balloon ride.
  

4 Things I Have Learned From the Past:

• Practical jokes are usually not that funny.
  
• Speaking in haste is usually not a great idea.
  
• You can pick and choose which Uni assignments to complete, which to do half-way, and which to ignore altogether.
  
• Not everyone is as interested in politics as I am. And most of those people are wrong, anyway.
  

4 Places I Want to See or Visit:

• Italy (to see The David, the Sistine Chapel and the Pieta)
  
• France
  
• England (especially London and out and about to do some family history)
  
• Chicago (mostly for family history purposes)
  

4 Favorite Restaurants:

• Cafe Rio
  
• J-Dawg's
  
• Mimi's Cafe
  
• Chef's Table
  

4 Things that Happened Yesterday:

• I woke up at noon.
  
• I went to the library.
  
• I watched the second disc of the HBO mini-series John Adams. It's awesome. I highly recommend it.
  
• I went to a Chinese New Year party. Bring on the ox!
  

Just when you thought we were done with 2008

Swiped this little meme from Janssen. Feel free to swipe it from me. (Just be sure to link back to the person you got it from, which is me).

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?

I moved out of the country to New Zealand.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make New Year's resolutions, so yes! I'm awesome!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
About four gazillion of my college friends had babies, especially in May. More importantly, I got a nephew in December. And a couple of very good friends from New Zealand also had babies.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
The mother of one of my best high school friends passed away.

5. What countries did you visit?
New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A job that I really, really love.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 21. Because we did that day twice, and it was the day of the surprise.

8. What was your biggest personal achievement of the year?
Learning to knit and crochet and making things for other people with my newly learned skills. Also teaching early-morning seminary.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my job and not finding a replacement.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
There was the ovarian cyst rupture explosion in January. That was lousy.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A car for $800.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
William's, when he said my name first!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Both appalled and depressed? Maybe Rob Blagojevich.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Grad school tuition. And ridiculous cost of living in New Zealand.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Coming home early as a surprise.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
In the Bleak Midwinter, because Eric taught it to me this year, and then we picked it as the family musical number at Grandma and Grandpa L.'s for Christmas Eve. (Excellent Christmas carol that you've never heard!)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) sadder
b) fatter (ack! Where did that 10 pounds come from?)
c) substantially poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Mindless computer activities.

20. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, with Librivox.org.

21. What was your favorite TV program?
Still the only show I watch - The Office.

22. What was the best book you read?
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Being able to play a few hymns.

24. What did you want and get?
Awesome pictures from New Zealand.

25. What did you want and not get?
A new job.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Sting. I know it wasn't made in 2008, but I just saw it this year. Awesome.

27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24, and just like my 23rd birthday, I drove in the car. All day.

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not losing my job or else finding a replacement very quickly. Also, having insulation in my apartment.

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Layers. Because it was freezing.

30. What kept you sane?
G-Chat.

2008 Books

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Ella Enchanted by Gale Carson Levine
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery*
Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery*
Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery*
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Ragged Dick or Boot Blacks in New York by Horatio Alger, Jr. *
Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy*
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon

Compared to 2007's list, this one is pretty paltry. Clearly I need to play fewer mindless computer games and do more reading. I'll put that on the to-do list for 2009.

*Listened to an audiobook

2008 Places

Here are the places I have slept in 2008:

Orem, Utah
Balch Springs, Texas
South Jordan, Utah
Airplane flying over the Pacific
Timaru, New Zealand
Dunedin, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand
Adelaide, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Canberra, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Waikouaiti, New Zealand
Hamilton, New Zealand
Inverloch, Australia
Christchurch, New Zealand
Invercargill, New Zealand
Te Anau, New Zealand
Tawanui campsite in the Catlins National Park (New Zealand)
Lake Monowai campsite, near Te Anau, New Zealand
Henry Creek campsite, near
Haast, New Zealand
Otto/MacDonalds campsite, near Franz Josef, New Zealand
Kawa, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
F--, Washington (sort of by Seattle)

In case you need something mindless and boring to read while I'm on the beach...

4 Favorite TV Shows:
4. The Office
3. The Daily Show
2. Jeopardy! (Haven't seen it in years, literally.)
1. hmmm... I really can't think of another one. I generally hate TV.

4 Things I did yesterday: (I'm assuming I did these things yesterday seeing as how I wrote this post over a week ago and set it to post while I'm living an Internet-free life on a beach.)
4. Swam in the South Pacific.
3. Ate seafood.
2. Read.
1. Applied sunscreen.

4 Things I'm looking forward to:
4. Cafe Rio salad. I know it's still a while away, but I've been wanting one ever since I moved here.
3. New nephew (maybe he's around by the time this posts!), and two other new ones (don't know the genders yet) coming in 2009.
2. Going to the temple again.
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- the movie comes out in June or July, I think!

4 Favorite restaurants:
4. Thai Ruby
3. Cafe Rio
2. Mimi's Cafe
1. Pita Pit

4 Foods I hate:
4. Mayonaise.
3. White bread.
2. Canned tomato soup.
1. Spaghettios.

4 things I want to learn:
4. how to fish
3. how to play bridge
2. how to repair household appliances
1. how to make an angel food cake

4 Things I'm obsessed with:
4. Proper spelling. If nothing else, use spellcheck!
3. Babies, pregnancy, labor
2. Eric
1. the Internet

4 Things you may not have known about me:
4. I'll try any food once.
3. I am an intellectual elitist.
2. I once dated an illegal immigrant. (Don't ask.)
1. If you mix beef and chicken I will look down on you. (This is especially true of broths and gravies).

4 Words that crack me up:
4. Seven (said like a kiwi)
3. Due (said like a kiwi)
2. Excellent (said like a kiwi)
1. Daddy (said like a kiwi)

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

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.

My Dunedin

Got this from Janssen, who got it from somebody named Janet.


Dunedin, New Zealand

Age: 23

Occupation: Genealogist

I've lived here for: Four months and 12 days, so I'm certainly no expert.

I live here because: Eric got into a one-year grad program, and why not move to New Zealand for a year?

My neighborhood: Roslyn.

My favorite restaurant: Anything Asian, really.

If you go to this restaurant, be sure to order: Something spicy and flavorful. It's all yummy.

My favorite museum: Sadly, I haven't been to any museums yet. But I hear the Otago Museum is pretty awesome, and they have a raranga exhibit going on that I want to go check out.

My favorite tourist destination: Beaches, I think. Not for swimming, just for walking on.

Best insider spot: I really don't know. I'm not what you would call an "insider."

My favorite area: Downtown.

Best place to go shopping: There are no good places for shopping in New Zealand. You do not come here to shop. But, downtown I guess. Actually, no trademe is the best. It's New Zealand's eBay.

When you visit, don’t forget to pack: Fleece. It's cold, even in summer.

But leave room in your suitcase for: Paua shells and Maori art.

The one local cuisine you should try when you’re in town is: Fish and Chips.

The best way to get around: On your feet. Everything is close, and petrol is about $6 (US) per gallon. (So quite your belly-aching, folks that are paying a mere $4.50!)

If I had to describe this city in one word, it would be: Ideal. Nothing is too far away.

I tell my friends to stay at: On my cozy couch-bed. Actually, maybe it isn't cozy. I've never slept on it as I have an actual bed.

The one thing most outsiders don’t know about this city is: that it exists. And, despite it being in New Zealand, it's quite cold. New Zealand is a temperate climate (like England), not tropical (like Fiji).

They say “Virginia is for lovers.” So fill in the blank: Dunedin is for drunk rugby fans. Or anyone else.

Janssen's addition: What do you want to do that you haven't done in your city yet? Go climb Baldwin Street (the steepest street in the world), go to the Olveston Museum, go to the Cadbury Factory, and climb Mount Cargill.


For the best guide to Dunedin check out this site.

Calling all Travelers

Did you know that so far one person is definitely coming to visit me in New Zealand? Yep. ONE. Of all the people I know.

She bought her plane tickets yesterday. I am so excited for her to come at the end of November.

I spent some time looking online for plane tickets yesterday, just to see, and do you know what? I found roundtrip tickets from Salt Lake City to Christchurch for only $1000! That is a steal! So, get on the ball, folks! Come over here and visit us while you have the chance to have free lodging and food!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm going to Australia again at the beginning of May. I just sent off my passport info to the person who buys plane tickets for our company, and it was so exciting looking through my passport at my one visa and two stamps! I know, it's only two. But eventually there will be lots more than two! And I just get so happy thinking about it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And here's a little meme I felt like doing. No need to also do it. I won't judge you if you don't:

Four jobs I have had in my life:

Cashier at a grocery store, Stir-fry cook, Peer Mentor, Linking Team Lead on an extraction project

Four movies I've watched more than once:

Beauty and the Beast, Little Women, Dr. Strangelove, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban

Four Places I have lived:

Texas, Utah, New Zealand. Really, I've only ever lived in three places. I guess you could say I lived in Provo and Orem, but they are practically the same place.

Four T.V. Shows that I watch:

None right now. Really. NONE. I do watch the highlights of American Idol each week. And if I lived in the states I would watch The Office. But that's all.

Four places I have been:

New York City, Seattle, San Diego, New Zealand

Four Favourite Foods: (You'll have to excuse the ridiculous spelling, this was sent to me by a Kiwi, and I felt I should keep it in its original form.)

Salad, Ice Cream, Lamb, Bread

Four Places I would like to visit:

Jerusalem, Washington D.C., Florence, Prague

Four things I am looking forward to this year:

Going to the Barrier Reef, temple week in Hamilton, trip to Milford Sound, eating lots of lamb

Because I have nothing clever to say...

And because Alli tagged me:

Where were you born? in the Great State of Texas
Middle name: Lynn
How old will you be this year? 24
Nicknames: My dad used to call me C.L. My grandpa called me Trixie.
Are you taller than your mother or father? I'm taller than my mom, barely. My dad's got nearly a foot on me.
Do you cry often during movies? Almost never.
What is your biggest pet peeve? Mispronunciation of words and poor grammar.
Favorite color: Yellow and green.
Favorite foods: Salad. Ice Cream. Not together.
Favorite restaurants: Cafe Rio, Thai Ruby, Mimi's Cafe, a gazillion more
Favorite beverage: water or milk. AND in New Zealand, milk is the same price, no matter the fat content, so it's back to whole milk for us!
Favorite cold cereal: Marshmallow Maties, Honey Nut Cheerios, granola.
Favorite smells: Gardenia, leather, baked goods.
Favorite time of day: Mid-afternoon when the sun is shining into our flat.
What brand of shampoo/conditioner do you use? Cheapest brand.
Favorite make-up products? Mascara.
How many pillows do you sleep with? Two.
Do you play an instrument? Not really, a little piano.
Have you ever been skinny dipping? Nope.
Did you do any sports in High School? Ha!
What was the last movie you saw in the theater? The Golden Compass (awful)
What is your favorite article of clothing? Probably a turtleneck. Also my BYU hoodie which I love and adore. And my brown flip-flops.
What is your dream vacation? Europe. Europe. Europe. All over. Especially to see the Sistine Chapel and the David. But also everywhere.
What was your first impression of your spouse? I thought he was good-looking, but a little disappointed that he was a Utah-boy.
If you were an animal what would you be? I am an animal. I am a person. I breathe and eat food. Also, I have five senses. Yes, I am an animal.
What is your favorite “me- time” activity? Reading.
Favorite TV shows: The Office
What is your dream car? Toyota or Honda hybrid. Petrol prices, anyone?
What is one of your weaknesses? I get frustrated very easily.
What do you fix for dinner when there’s nothing to fix? Plain bread. Not toast. Just bread.
If you could live in a different decade/era which one would it be? 1880s, I think.
Do you consider yourself outgoing? Almost always.
What is something you are constantly working on? Not talking too much. I'm not very good at this.
Any hidden talents? In high school I used to say my one true talent was my ability to sleep anywhere. ANYWHERE! I can't do that any more though. I can read really fast.
What is a word or phrase you overuse? Ridiculous.
What is the worst thing that happened to you this past year? I did really poorly on my Southern States family history final. I don't know of anything too tragic, though.
What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? Three new nieces, Eric got into grad school, we graduated. Too many good things to name just one! See my 2007 highlights post.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year? Bring my total of indexed names to 10,000. I meant to do this by 1 Jan 2008, but that didn't happen. Only about 4,000 names to go!
The best piece of advice you learned this past year? Michelle gave me some good clothes-buying advice. Like, when we were shopping together, she helped me pick out cute things.
Who are the 7 people you are going to tag to do this survey? nobody
At the end of the survey post a picture of you that was taken within the last week!

The Spouse

I found this on somebody else's blog. And it looked like fun. It's about Spouse.

1. What is his name: Eric. The Eric. Man. Spouse. I call him all these things. Yes, I am a little odd.

2. How long have you been married: 2 1/2 years.

3. How long did you date: Our first date was 17 September, and we got married the following April. That's the simplest explanation.

4. How old is he: 26.

5. Who eats more: Definitely him. He's a boy. I'm a girl.

6. Who said I love you first? He did. I returned the sentiment about two weeks later.

7. Who is taller: Eric is.

8. Who sings better: Eric. Yummy low voice. Which brings me to something I've been meaning to blog about- why are all the male leads in musicals tenors? Basses are soooooo much sexier.

9. Who is smarter: He is much smarter than me, a much better writer, very well-read and well-rounded. But I am better at playing the School Game than he is.

10. Whose temper is worse: Definitely mine.

11. Who does the laundry: Mostly me. But he did it more recently than I did.

12. Who does the dishes: We both hate doing the dishes. It is listed as "least favorite chore" for both of us. We do them about evenly, I guess. He doesn't like the way I do them, but right now we live where there is a dishwasher, so it's rather a moot point.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: If you're standing at the foot of the bed, I am on the right.

14. Who pays the bills: Me. He doesn't even have his name on our checks! (That's just because he wasn't with me at the bank when I ordered new ones). And, I don't think he even knows how to log on to the bank's website, even though I've told him he needs to know in case I die and he has lots of bills to pay!

15. Who mows the lawn: We don't have one, but if we did, it would be Eric's job to mow it. Because I've mowed lawns about two times, and it was pretty much the worst job ever. And if he doesn't want to do it, we will pay somebody. And that's that.

16. Who cooks dinner: Mostly me. Eric is really helpful, though, and he's actually gotten to be a rather good instruction-follower since we got married. I've convinced him it's worth it to take time to cook because nice dinners are worth the short amount of time it takes to put them together. I have strong feelings about this.

17. Who drives when you are together: He does. But I have a better driving record.

18. Who is more stubborn: I have a near monopoly on stubbornness.

19. Who is the first to admit they are wrong: I'm never wrong. So he has to be the first to admit it he is wrong.

20. Whose parents do you see the most: Well, seeing as how we live with his parents, definitely we see them more.

21. Who has more friends: I think I do because my high school and college friends are different, but his are the same. Also, I can claim more of his friends as my own than he can of mine.

22. Who has more siblings: We both have four siblings.

23. Who wears the pants: Well, I always tell him, "Look! I'm in charge around here!" but I think things are actually about even.

Christmas Preferences

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love and adore wrapping gifts in boxes and tying ribbons around them. I really appreciate well-wrapped gifts. I've been kind of lazy about it this year, though.

2. Real tree or artificial? I grew up with an artificial tree because two of my siblings are allergic to real ones. One of my brothers is extremely allergic and gets congested very quickly and very badly by being around them. My first time to have a real tree, I was 20, living with 5 girls in an apartment. One of them bought a tree, and we all decorated it together. The next year I was married, so Eric and I bought a live tree. The year after that, we just used the artificial one that my brother gave us. This year we are living with Eric's parents as we prep to move to New Zealand. They have an artificial one.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the day after Thanksgiving, now that I'm married and I'm in charge. But I'm not obsessive about it. This year we got it up about December 1.

4. When do you take the tree down? Some time after New Year's. I don't like to leave stuff up too long.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, particularly if it's not too strong. But I prefer hot chocolate and wassail.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Sand Art. Yes, I was a nerd. Also, a stuffed bear that I named Manhattan.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, we have 3. Because my mom gets us one for each year that we have been married (2). Plus we bought ourselves one once.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My sister and her husband. I usually just get them gift cards.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My dad. He always gives a list in October. And then my siblings all get him everything on it. I am getting him the think nobody has gotten him yet. Easy.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A Grandma-like Christmas sweater? I don't really remember.

11. Have you been to the Nutcracker? Yes, three times. Once when I was 9, and my mom and I went with my friend, Dorothy, and her mom. Then, in high school I went to watch Dorothy perform in her high school's performance. And once a couple of years ago at BYU.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I haven't seen very many, which is cause for another post that I've been meaning to write. But, DEFINITELY A Christmas Story. I love that one.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Never early enough. Although! This year we bought some gifts back in April! We are amazing!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so, actually.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chili. My mom's chili. And tamales. And taquitos. And chips and salsa. Of course, all these are actually Christmas Eve foods.

16. White lights or colored on the tree? I grew up with colored, but now I prefer white. One day when I am rich, I hope to have two trees. One will be the department-store-tree with white lights and fancy-pants ornaments. The other will be kid-tree with colored lights, fun ornaments, and the ornaments the kids make in school.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I really like The First Noel. It's really better to ask which songs I'm not crazy about. That deserves another post, as well.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Depends. Right now, we don't have kids, so it is easy to travel to visit others. I don't know if we'd ever travel somewhere to spend time away from family.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I like angels. Eric likes stars. Good thing I'm the wife and I'm in charge.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve. Then Santa comes, and you get to open more presents in the morning!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The feeling of being rushed to see everyone and get everything done.