Uncategorized
The work I do….
Sometimes for work we talk about great ideas…. like this one. I’m so happy to work at a place that fosters creativity and compassion, as we work to help kids! 12 Days of Miracles
Dance
Good morning, 2014!
I must say, 2013 was a good year. Honestly, there was some inevitability of that happening… the previous year was probably the worst year of my life. This time last year I was still pushing onward with faith but uncertainty, and probably not tons of happiness. This New Year, I am so blessed and thankful that it’s hard to remember those tough memories! I have a wonderful job that keeps me busy and pushes me to learn and grow. Every day I get to work with compassionate and creative people. Together, we make a real difference for hospitalized kids across North America. I am taking steps towards my goal of getting published – I’m expanding my thesis and broadening it out to address some important topics in more detail. I will be presenting a portion of my new research this February in Washington D.C. I’m healthy and strong. I am motivated to work Read more…
culture
Culture makes life rich
It will likely surprise no one that I am a frequent reader and follower of things like the Smithsonian magazine online, with an occassional NY Times article thrown in for good measure. I have it on good authority (thanks, Patriarch), that knowledge makes me a more interesting person. Having heard similar things from many other sources, in addition to studying Humanities, I’m become something of a sponge or magnet for depictions of culture and history… and daily news. Don’t worry, this one is about culture, which is almost always the most interesting topic of the three. I ran across this article about the Krampus, the counterpart to Saint Nicholas in several European countries. It is absolutely fascinating to me that this ancient tradition has hung on into modern days! I also think there’s something to be said for the idea of dualism it promotes… things come in pairs to maintain Read more…
art
Home for the Holidays
Last Christmas I performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their annual Christmas concert – as a dancer, of course! It was my second year doing the production, and I am so thrilled I was able to participate in it. The 2012 show featured Alfie Boe and Tom Brokaw, with a surprise special guest, Gail “Hal” Halvorsen – also known as the Candy Bomber in WWII. They’re very strict about sharing photos of guests, costumes, set, etc, so all the performers had to sign an agreement to keep photos off the mainstream until the DVD was released. Well, the DVD is out and another Christmas concert has filled the walls of the Conference Center, so it’s time to share what I was up to a year ago. Auditioning last year was an act of bravery as much as it was an act of desire – performing in that concert led me Read more…
dreams
Reminders
Several years ago, this talk came out in the Ensign: Continue in Patience . I’m pretty sure it was written just for me, especially at the time it came out. I think one of the biggest struggles I’ve encountered as an “older” single woman in the LDS culture is figuring out what to do with myself in these circumstances. I fully believe there is a segment of LDS women my age (+ 5 years/-3 years) who sort of slipped through the cracks. When we were in the Young Women’s program, the culture was still marriage at a young age. I don’t think anyone anticipated that times were changing and that fewer of us would achieve that “ideal.” I often look back and it’s so easy to see how unprepared I was for facing an alternate future. Figuring out what it means to be single in a culture that still promotes young marriage ages has Read more…
eternity
In Memorium… the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary
December 14, 2012 … Like most tragic and shocking events, the news of this elementary school shooting came by word of mouth. I was at work, thinking more of my performance that evening than anything else. I suppose we never really feel the full impact of these events unless we are personally tied to them. So many people experienced a tragedy that day that I can’t even begin to comprehend. Despite being far from the events and the deep emotions of that day, I was profoundly touched that evening by what I consider to be the greatest tribute I’ve heard. That Friday evening, the official opening of the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert 2012, Lloyd Newell began the evening with remarks on the tragic events of the day. We dancers were in our places in the aisles as the entire Conference Center bowed head and paused in a moment of Read more…
Uncategorized
Happy and Healhty
It’s been a lovely week so far! Busy beyond all belief, but lovely. I’ve had so many things come up that I want to blog about, but I thought I’d start with this short gem. (I think the days of me writing longer blog posts are waning…. short’s the way to go it seems, if I want to fit it into my life anymore.) I have a bad habit of checking Facebook in the morning at some point, whether it’s before work or shortly after arriving. I feel somewhat justified in this currently because we have some online campaigns going that have a strong social media backing, so I like to keep tabs on how that’s going. Speaking of, you should visit Children’s Miracle Network and add a child to your holiday list this season. Help us count down to zero! Anyways, the west and now the midwest have enjoyed Read more…
funnies
Rememory
Sometimes when my mind is staying occupied consistently with interesting or important data, it forgets little things… the precise word I’d like to use, a conversation I’ve had on a topic, an event that occurred in the past. Generally, I can eventually tap into those seemingly innocuous memories that are niggling to be recalled. Since the need for recall is often triggered by a current event, the memory becomes important and useful to the present time. For example, my back started hurting yesterday after work. I sit at a desk all day and hadn’t done anything crazy or strenuous. I knew this happened around winter last year as well, but all last night I could not remember what on earth caused it to happen. All I know is I slept on a heating pad for the next several weeks…. months… yeah. Thank goodness I didn’t completely neglect my blog last year, because Read more…
poetry
I feel like I suppose I will just do that
My good friend Meridith recently shared a blog post that is a poem of thoughts generated by this nifty app, What Would I Say? I read a tiny bit of her poem, checked out the app, and am happy to present the following. I’m sure I’ll find more to add….P.S. – the title was generated from that app. I frequently use the words “think, though, feel, Thursday, dance” and various references to writing. Please enjoy! Come, come for an intervention… 2nd place and gifts. It’s safe to say my first time ever playing hide and seek with my current mobility… . And senior citizens excluding dress I can make up late, hurrying out a frisbee!! It just rattled my nerves, thank goodness Oh baby, it I’m pretty nervous about teaching, but excited to flood me Blog post is the last day can look forward to visit home for eating, shopping, and quilting. Read more…