Creative Wanderings

After reading this blog, written by a friend and folk dance teammate, this beautiful song from Aida came to mind. It’s been a nice little reminder on a night when I feel extremely overwhelmed with the thesis and how much is still not done… there’s just too much to be said!! Even if there weren’t too much to be said, I still haven’t written enough yet. There’s some major organization and finalization of chapters 2 and 3 that needs to happen, ideally before I  meet with my committee member on Thursday. With this nasty wet and cold weather I just haven’t had as much motivation to write. It’ll be awesome in a few weeks when I just have to send it in and call it good as is.  For tonight, though, I’m going to think a few moments on how blessed my life is, even with the fun and crazy Read more…

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. Washington Irving (1783-1859) I happened onto this quote (while reading my own blog…) and I absolutely love it! Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about life: what to do after I graduate, where to go after I graduate, what I want out of life, and as always trying to understand why my life is the way it currently is and what I’ve learned from my experiences so far. Lately I’ve been looking at various job possibilities, and with that I also found Read more…

I’ve slept less than 5 hours in the last 36. I’ve been working hard on my thesis and am seriously worried/stressed about my chapter three, even though it’s actually coming together more than my chapter two right now. I suppose I’ll panic once I copy and paste and redo headings, but at least I’m writing. Almost a year ago, I had my heart broken and consequently met someone who would definitely change my life. I’m a whole new person from who I was then, and thank heaven for that. Literally. But, if you do still blog stalk me (which would be weird, what’s your problem? Get over me!) then please know that I think you’re a sham. A fake. A poser. One who can is great at presenting the “networking” image, but who I wouldn’t trust with anything more than superficiality. Because, all things considered, that’s where your level is, or Read more…

He is Risen. What a glorious message!  I have a testimony in Jesus Christ- that He lived a perfect life, giving me an example to follow; that He suffered in Gethsemane, atoning for my sins and for the sins of all mankind; that He lives again, all glory to His name! He is a resurrected being. As such, He has visited the earth again, first to his apostles and followers in Jerusalem, and then to his “other sheep” (John 10:16). I have a testimony that he came hundreds of years later to a young man in New York, a youth of 14 that was praying for truth. Through this man, Joseph Smith, Christ restored His church on the earth again, following the pattern that existed in the original church as Christ instituted it during his mortal ministry. I am proud to be a member of that church, the Church of Read more…

Those familiar with ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samuel Beckett may recognize the distinctive first line (oft-repeated throughout) of the play. Of course, his piece falls in the genre of ‘Theater of the Absurd,’ so his statement is bit fuller even its very emptiness. Regardless, I submit the following quote as explanation to why I have such a good time with life.  There is no fun in doing nothing when you have nothing to do. Jerome K. Jerome(1859-1927)

So I totally owe this incredible find to my old roommate, Meridith. Like me, she is also a grad student in the liberal arts, although I’m in Humanities and she’s in English. Unlike me, she has written and defended her thesis already… envy, but props to her for being done! And, like anyone who has decided to take a more education-oriented approach to school rather than a trade-oriented approach (and yes, that includes everything from engineering to law to business and any major where you have a specific job once you get a specific degree), we have all heard flak from our peers on why our education and career choices are silly, ridiculous, un-economically-minded, and other such berating comments. It’s fun to joke that we’ll end up living in cardboard boxes as we contemplate Plato, Thoreau, Brahms, and Nijinsky. In all reality, a mind peopled with great thoughts and aspirations Read more…

In March I went on a double-date with Jenny, Fez, and Fez’s friend Rowdy. Activity of the day? FLOWRIDING!! I think this is actually a shot of the place in Ogden where we went. I had never been before, but I was hoping that my wakeboard skills might help me out. It took a bit to figure out what board worked for me and then how I needed to work the board to stay up, but I had such a blast! I totally got whiplash from some amazing spills that I took early on, plus some nice bruises. The best part, though, was actually riding the wave! I started off holding onto a rope so I could figure out my balance, then I would toss it back and go solo, like this guy below. Ok, so maybe I wasn’t exactly carving the waves, but I had some good moments sans-rope Read more…

Hitch your wagon to a star. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

I think most life lessons we learn come with some kind of a price tag, be that literal or figurative.  Of course, the things that require something of us are generally more valuable because we are invested in them. Last Tuesday I had the chance to go to a charity event called “One Day Without Shoes.” It was hosted at the Riverwoods, along with another charity for children in Africa. Typical to my nature, I went along with Ananda to hear the free music concert and go to the dance party. I meant to get some money out of my purse to donate, but of course I managed to forget to grab it out before I locked my purse in my trunk. I didn’t really feel too bad about that. Ananda donated some money. Part of the incentive for some to donate was that you could enter raffles for free stuff. Read more…

The Hindu temple in Spanish Fork is a bit of a surprise. This exotic building rises out of farmland, set on a hill amongst fields. It’s certainly not what you expect to see in that area. If you decide to visit, you’ll soon find that it is a beautiful temple used for worship by the Hare Krishna Hindus in Utah. It has a sanctuary area on the top floor, with a cafeteria and shopping area. (They sell beautiful traditional clothes and jewelery.) The man and his wife that oversee the temple and shops are wonderful people – very friendly, welcoming, and happy to share their beliefs and culture with others. I’ve attended some worship services there and while it’s quite different than my typical religious experience, it is very loving and harmonious.  One of the religious festivals which the Hare Krishna’s observe is Holi, or the Festival of Colors. It Read more…