1984=Probably one of the weirdest books I've ever read

I love to read. I've always loved to read. I didn't have much time to read for pleasure during college but since I've graduated, I've tried to make up for it by being a voracious consumer of books. On my last excursion to the library, I happened to walk through the "O" section and saw George Orwell's 1984. I decided I'd take it home and see what it was all about. I started it last week and finished it today. It took me some time to read as I was in the middle of two other books that I was trying to finish as well. Let me just say that it is not on my list of the greatest books I've ever read. Though it started out pretty good, by the middle I was ready to throw it against the wall. I guess I am not a fan of George Orwell. I should have taken the fact that I never finished Down and Out in Paris and London by him as a clue not to pick up another book of his. Oh well, I've finished it, and now I can say that I've read it and can also use words like "Orwelian" as Michelle pointed out last night. I did learn two things from the book however: 1. Communism and anything that resembles it is terribly evil and 2. George Orwell liked to use big words that I'm pretty sure no one has used since 1950.

I am not an ugly duckling, but rather a beautiful SWAN

I had a great weekend. Friday I finally got a sub job. I filled in for one of my old history teachers at Logan High. I even got to teach a little. On friday night I attended a regional YSA activity. It was alright. I'm just glad I got to see some great people before the Michelle's and I split and went to Village Inn. Saturday was our traditional family chili dinner. Yumm-O!!! I loved it.
But the best day of all was Sunday, and it wasn't the fact that I played the organ in church or taught Sunday School that made it the best. It was November 1st, a day I'd been looking forward to for a long time. You ask why? I'll tell you--President Uchtdorf was the speaker at the CES Fireside. His words were exactly what I need to hear.
For a long, long time, I've been struggling with life. Although I have moments of happiness, I've recognized that I am not really happy. I don't like the fact that I am unhappy, but have been at a loss as to what I should do. Finally, I think things might have clicked on Sunday night. I finally had "ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to understand." It was the talk that I needed to hear in order to put my life back together. And I am happy to report that I have made some small accomplishments, even in the day and a half or so since his talk.
After the fireside, we spent a few minutes talking as a ward, about what struck us. One comment that particulary hit me talked about how sixty or so years ago, our country was at war with Germany, and now, a German-born man is in the 1st Presidency of the Church. That comment made me reflect on just how the gospel can change us into who we are truly supposed to be. It erases petty differences and bonds us together as divine children of God.
I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life simply because of the enabling power to change that it brings. Though I am far from where I thought I'd be at 24 years old, I know that I am getting back on track and am thankful for the knowledge that I have that such change is possible.

Blah, blah, blah

Someday I will have a more interesting life about which I can blog. In the meantime, I continue to read books, watch old JAG episodes and complete the occasional sewing project. Go me!

Time Flies When You're Doin' Nothing

I can't believe that October is upon us. I am excited however about the change in seasons. I love fall! It's a perfect time to wear sweaters, sip hot chocolate or hot apple cider, and walk through the beautiful leaves.
This past month was pretty uneventful. I spent most of it on the couch at home reading and watching re-runs of CSI. That is definitely NOT how I saw myself spending my first September as a college graduate.
Towards the end of the month, things started to look up though. My brother Jared came up from Texas and we spent the time hunting, attending the USU Homecoming parade, and just hanging out. It was great to have him here. I miss them and wish he and his family didn't live so far away.
Saturday the 26th of September was the General Relief Society Meeting. Since I'm the secretary to the Stake R.S. Presidency I got to help host a dinner before we watched the broadcast. It was a crazy, hectic day but turned out beautifully.
This past weekend was General Conference. It was a great weekend. I love General Conference and it gave me a much-needed spiritual boost.
Oh, and I can't forget my adventures last Friday (the 2nd) with my mom, Aunt Sandra, and Aunt Ann. We hit Ikea, Hip and Humble, Paradise Cafe, The Pan Store (I can't remember the real name), Tai Pan Trading, and Maddox. It was a whirlwind of a day but a blast none the less.

Friends and other bits

A couple of weeks ago (the 12th of September to be exact) some of my friends and I got together for round two of my birthday celebration. We ate at Iggy's and then went to see "All About Steve". Dinner was great, the movie was hilarious, and we even had some laughs in the parking lot afterwards. What a fun way to finish off my 24th birthday celebrations!

And those who attended were:

Michelle Bergsjo, whom I've known all my life. We grew up in the same ward, went through school together, and are stilling attending church together (albeit a different ward ;o) ) Bergs, as we call her, is the crazy adventurous one of the group as is usually game for anything outrageously exciting. She really is a great friend.

Michelle James, whom I've also known all my life. We grew up about a block away from each other, went to church and school together, served in the Relief Society together, and still hang out often. Michelle is our entertainment. She has a quirky sense of humor that keeps us in stitches. I love having her around.

Monica Neilson, who used to be my visiting teaching companion. And the best one I've ever had too! We were in the same ward for a couple of years and just really hit it off. Everyone needs a Monica in their life!


It was such a fun night. Thanks girls for making it a great birthday!!!

My birthday, labor day, etc

Well it happened, I turned 24 on Friday the 4th! It was a great day. I didn't have any work that day (big surprise) so I got to sleep in. I bummed around the house for the rest of the morning then headed to the church to practice the organ. I went straight from the church to Revive to get my hair done. I had Laura add some brown so I'd be a bit more golden and brown instead of brown with blonde highlights. I like it a lot better now. After my hair appointment, I came home and finished up the posters I was making to spread the word about the General Relief Society meeting coming up on the 26th of September. We went to the Coppermill for dinner that night because I was needing a steak. I even got a free dessert! Then we came home and my parent's gave me their present. And guess what it was??? A SEWING MACHINE! Yep, I am now the proud owner of a red and white Bernina Artista 220. I'm sooooo excited about it. I couldn't have asked for a better present. Thanks mom and dad!!!
Saturday was a good day. I spent it shopping, chilling with the family (which included Heath, Sheila, and the kids), and bumming around with Michelle. Michelle and I had to deliver posters, etc to the two counselors in the Stake Relief Society Presidency so they could get them to the wards in their buildings. Thanks for the help Jean and Kristie, by the way. Then we went to my church building to put up the posters that I was in charge of. While we were there, I serenaded Michelle with a quick song on the organ. We topped off the night with more free ice cream at Coldstone and wandering Wal-Mart. Yes, there is so much to do in Logan on a Saturday night!
Sunday was nice and relaxing. It was the first time I played the organ in church and I was pretty nervous about it. I made it through though. After ward prayer, I came home and we had my traditional birthday cake. Yummy!!! It's called tunnel cake and you make it with angel food cake, chocolate pudding, and cool whip. It's delicious.
Monday we decided that we'd try to go dove hunting. We got ready and headed out on the Valley View. We drove into a few fields in Mendon but didn't find anything so we travelled on over the mountain. We turned off at Beaver Dam and decided to take a look at the Tractor Museum over there. When we went to leave, our stupid truck wouldn't start. There was something wrong with the battery so after sitting for a half hour, we finally got it to start (after we called my mom to bring the little red truck over to tow us home) and went on with our hunting. Our excursion took us over the short divide back to Clarkson and Newton. The only birds we saw happened to be in the limits of Beaver Dam. Go figure! We stopped in Newton to let the dogs out. After a few minutes, we got back in the truck to head home and the truck wouldn't start AGAIN! We waited and finally got it to start and decided we'd better go back home. That ended our dove hunting attempts.
All in all, it was a pretty good weekend.
P.S. Happy Birthday Jared (on the 6th). Aren't September birthdays the BEST?!?!?!

10,000 pages and counting

Well, I've done it! I've reached 10,000 pages for the year. I'm quite proud of myself. I may have done this before, but I don't think I've ever really kept a record of how many pages I've read. I mean, I had reading logs and stuff in school, but I don't recall ever making it to 10,000 pages during any particular school year or period of time. It's been fun watching the number of pages rack up. I started keeping track in January after seeing a blog with a list of books that the person had read. I've read a lot of Bodie and Brock Thoene books during my journey. My mom turned me onto them after purchasing a series at the end of last year. They are historical fiction--which is awesome--and they are really good. I'm on my fifth series with them. I've also read a lot of Nicholas Sparks and am more than halfway through the list of books he's written. Intermixed in there have been some books I've always wanted to read, some I just happened to come across, and some that I've read before but just had to read again. I don't know what is waiting in the next 10,000 but I'm excited to find out.