Thursday, July 24, 2008
Pioneer Day
If I'm not mistaken, today is July 24th, which happens to be pioneer day. This isn't a big deal in Washington, but in other parts of the country (and by that I mean mostly Utah and Idaho) there are parades, and celebrations and ward breakfasts and other festivities. I don't have a day off to remember my pioneer ancestors, but I'm grateful for them nonetheless. I appreciate that they were willing to walk across the country for the things they believed in. I can only imagine what they went through during that journey, and I'm always in awe when I hear their stories, and read about their lives. Today I'm remembering the pioneers who did more than I think I could have, they sacrificed pretty much everything for the truth, and for that I'm grateful!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Six Words
I've been tagged. I now get to describe myself in 6 words.
- Loving
- Driven
- Cheerful
- Dreamer
- Thoughtful
- Supportive
I now tag:
Daniel (we'll see if he resents himself to make his first post) Serena, Nicole, Tiffany, and Maren, or anybody else who would like to participate.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Why is my life not a musical?
I just got back from watching Mama Mia, and I now sit here wondering why I am not in the middle of a musical. I'd love to go through life with a soundtrack and be a part of the singing and dancing. I know this seems very much unlike the Alicia most of you know, but the "Alicia that lives in my head, in a world where people don't judge your singing or dancing ability" (alter ego perhaps) would love nothing more than to be in a musical world...I'd even be the star!
I had such a hard time not singing along in the theater, and I now want to go buy the soundtrack to sing along with in the car. As I write, I'm listening to songs on youtube...(which will work for the time being).
My favorite musicals are:
I had such a hard time not singing along in the theater, and I now want to go buy the soundtrack to sing along with in the car. As I write, I'm listening to songs on youtube...(which will work for the time being).
My favorite musicals are:
- Wicked
- Camelot
- Mama Mia
- The Sound of Music
- Children of Eden
What are yours?
Friday, July 18, 2008
One Year ago Today...
A year ago, I was here:
Excited about this:
I've officially been a college grad for a year now. Here are a few things I've been contemplating.- Afternoon naps were something to be treasured...they no longer happen with a full time job.
- College life has a certain sort of simplicity to it. Of course we were poor, and had worries, but it seems like most of my concerns were all school related.
- Now that I'm done, I occasionally wonder why I worked so hard to get done so fast. Sometimes being a grown up isn't all that fun!
- Working full time leaves a lot of free time in the evening. Which should mean I have a cleaner apartment...
- Best of all, I have accomplished a major goal. I worked hard, and enjoyed the ride, and am now at a different, more grown up point in life. So I'll enjoy where I am now, but remember college fondly. I loved BYU-Idaho, and Rexburg was an adventure. I had good friends, and met Daniel there. The Rexburg Taco Time was the best in the whole world, Craigo's had the most delicious pizza, and there was a SONIC. (Sonic is one thing that gives Vancouver a boost on the decision scale). We lived so close to Smith park, that we took walks around the park around dusk each night, dodging sprinklers, and talking about our not so distant futures. Life was simple, and life was sweet.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A Fork in the Road.
This whole post needs to be prefaced by an explanation of our current situation. After I graduated from BYU-I almost a year ago, Daniel and I moved back to Washington, without definite plans of what we'd do next. We knew that I would find a job, and Daniel would still go to school hopefully for Electrical Engineering, but we didn't have exact plans or locations. When I got the job with Saint Martin's, it seemed like the perfect way for Daniel to get his education. After being employed for a year my spouse/dependents would get free tuition ($23,810 a year!!). The only problem was that the closest program they offered to what Daniel wants to do is Computer Science. We tossed the idea around, but didn't feel like it would be the best fit.
The next option we considered was the Computer Engineering program at UW Tacoma. This would be close enough to where we're living that Daniel could have a reasonable commute and even take the bus to save money. Again, not the perfect program, but I enjoy my job 85% of the time, and we're close to wonderful family and we both like where we're at right now.
Last weekend, while discussing plans with Mike and Cindy, they about had us convinced to save every penny for the next while so we could get into a house in Tacoma and be neighbors. Now this would be fun, but after looking at homes in the more desirable areas of Tacoma, we figured we would have to be saving for quite a while before anything like that might actually happen. On one particular real estate page, we had houses pulled up, and were trying to get them to sort from the lowest price to the highest, instead of the other way around. When the page started loading, the cheapest houses were at the top. The cheapest houses were also not in Tacoma, or really anywhere close to it. They were in Vancouver. We thought it was kind of weird, but kept looking at all these houses in Vancouver. I then remembered that there was a WSU Vancouver campus, which might have a program Daniel would be able to do, so we live in an area where we could afford a house. We pulled up the website, and there, announcing clearly, an Electrical Engineering program starting in Fall of 2008. This is such a perfect educational opportunity for Daniel, and we both Love the Portland/Vancouver area, that it would be a great place to live. The drawbacks: we would be moving a couple hours away from our family friends, my job, and our comfort zone. With all this in mind, we're now facing a decision. A lot has to do with whether we could find jobs down there, and when Daniel will transfer to UW-Tacoma or WSU-Vancouver(August or January).
So we face a fork in the road... Do we choose Tacoma with it's almost good enough academic program, and family close by, or Vancouver, which would be the program to set Daniel up for his dream job (and hopefully dream salary) later on in life, but venture a couple hours away from family with whom we love to spend time. So I open it up to you, avid readers. There is a poll on the right side where you can vote, and while we won't base any decisions off of the poll, it is fun to see what other people think, and please share comments or insights we may not have thought of. All advice is welcome!
The next option we considered was the Computer Engineering program at UW Tacoma. This would be close enough to where we're living that Daniel could have a reasonable commute and even take the bus to save money. Again, not the perfect program, but I enjoy my job 85% of the time, and we're close to wonderful family and we both like where we're at right now.
Last weekend, while discussing plans with Mike and Cindy, they about had us convinced to save every penny for the next while so we could get into a house in Tacoma and be neighbors. Now this would be fun, but after looking at homes in the more desirable areas of Tacoma, we figured we would have to be saving for quite a while before anything like that might actually happen. On one particular real estate page, we had houses pulled up, and were trying to get them to sort from the lowest price to the highest, instead of the other way around. When the page started loading, the cheapest houses were at the top. The cheapest houses were also not in Tacoma, or really anywhere close to it. They were in Vancouver. We thought it was kind of weird, but kept looking at all these houses in Vancouver. I then remembered that there was a WSU Vancouver campus, which might have a program Daniel would be able to do, so we live in an area where we could afford a house. We pulled up the website, and there, announcing clearly, an Electrical Engineering program starting in Fall of 2008. This is such a perfect educational opportunity for Daniel, and we both Love the Portland/Vancouver area, that it would be a great place to live. The drawbacks: we would be moving a couple hours away from our family friends, my job, and our comfort zone. With all this in mind, we're now facing a decision. A lot has to do with whether we could find jobs down there, and when Daniel will transfer to UW-Tacoma or WSU-Vancouver(August or January).
So we face a fork in the road... Do we choose Tacoma with it's almost good enough academic program, and family close by, or Vancouver, which would be the program to set Daniel up for his dream job (and hopefully dream salary) later on in life, but venture a couple hours away from family with whom we love to spend time. So I open it up to you, avid readers. There is a poll on the right side where you can vote, and while we won't base any decisions off of the poll, it is fun to see what other people think, and please share comments or insights we may not have thought of. All advice is welcome!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Blessed
After enjoying a fabulous 4th of July weekend, and finding myself half way through this week, I'm looking back on the week in review, and I feel blessed.
I also have pretty much the best family in the world. Daniel and I got to go to my Uncle Richard's lake cabins for the 4th of July. I've been attending these activities for several years now, but this was by far the best. Somehow we had the right combination of people, and it was a blast. Even while we were just sitting around talking and laughing, I had tons of fun. I also had a chance to get to know my cousin Lisa and her beautiful daughters better. It was so fun to have a baby to hold, and sweet Elisabeth was the best!
My favorite part of the 4th of July was sitting with Daniel, wrapped up in a blanket watching the fireworks. It was so fun to be giddy with excitement as each one went off in the not so distant sky. I felt like a child, ooooohing and awwwwing with each explosion. Really though, what better way to celebrate our independence than with beautiful, powerful shows of light?
After the magnificent fireworks display which was well documented by my cousin Donald and uncle Mike, Daniel and I headed from Mason Lake to Gig Harbor to stay with his parents. We pulled in pretty late, but were able to enjoy Saturday with them. We did little snake fireworks with Emma, my darling 2 year old niece. It's always fun visiting Daniel's parents and getting our little kid fix for a while. On Saturday evening, we left Gig Harbor and headed over to Mike and Cindy's for an evening of Karaoke. We started out doing an American Idol Tournament, but it was slow going and could only include 8 people (mostly children with short attention spans). After calling the tournament a draw after my final performance of "Can't Hurry Love" which had a real 'twist' to it, we opened the game for quick play. We then got to enjoy Susan's rocking performance of "Satisfaction", Heidi and Jeff's amazing duet of "Bohemian Rhapsody", and several other disco, rock, pop and r&b hits. I had a wonderful time, and I'm so glad to have been surrounded by such amazing people. Really, my family is the best!
Today I'm grateful for:
the freedoms I enjoy each day
a job with excellent coworkers
beautiful summer weather
summer skirts and shoes
fresh fruits and vegetables and
my parents letting us borrow their economy car while they're out of town.
I also have pretty much the best family in the world. Daniel and I got to go to my Uncle Richard's lake cabins for the 4th of July. I've been attending these activities for several years now, but this was by far the best. Somehow we had the right combination of people, and it was a blast. Even while we were just sitting around talking and laughing, I had tons of fun. I also had a chance to get to know my cousin Lisa and her beautiful daughters better. It was so fun to have a baby to hold, and sweet Elisabeth was the best!
My favorite part of the 4th of July was sitting with Daniel, wrapped up in a blanket watching the fireworks. It was so fun to be giddy with excitement as each one went off in the not so distant sky. I felt like a child, ooooohing and awwwwing with each explosion. Really though, what better way to celebrate our independence than with beautiful, powerful shows of light?
After the magnificent fireworks display which was well documented by my cousin Donald and uncle Mike, Daniel and I headed from Mason Lake to Gig Harbor to stay with his parents. We pulled in pretty late, but were able to enjoy Saturday with them. We did little snake fireworks with Emma, my darling 2 year old niece. It's always fun visiting Daniel's parents and getting our little kid fix for a while. On Saturday evening, we left Gig Harbor and headed over to Mike and Cindy's for an evening of Karaoke. We started out doing an American Idol Tournament, but it was slow going and could only include 8 people (mostly children with short attention spans). After calling the tournament a draw after my final performance of "Can't Hurry Love" which had a real 'twist' to it, we opened the game for quick play. We then got to enjoy Susan's rocking performance of "Satisfaction", Heidi and Jeff's amazing duet of "Bohemian Rhapsody", and several other disco, rock, pop and r&b hits. I had a wonderful time, and I'm so glad to have been surrounded by such amazing people. Really, my family is the best!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Lunch with DAD
Today my dad came to Saint Martin's to have lunch with me. It probably wasn't a huge deal to him, but it meant a lot that he would pack a lunch and come sit with me on a bench and eat. I really enjoyed having him come and share a small part of my day. We talked about work, and other more enjoyable things, we saw the monks walking to lunch, and the ladies from the finance office on their smoke break. All normal things in my day to day routine, but it was fun to share.
After we were done eating and sharing the food we brought, we went for a walk and I showed him a few buildings. We went in the library (which I surprisingly hadn't visited), and ventured up the grand stair case. Today's weather isn't the nicest, especially compared to the last week, but it was comfortable to walk around in.
After we were done eating and sharing the food we brought, we went for a walk and I showed him a few buildings. We went in the library (which I surprisingly hadn't visited), and ventured up the grand stair case. Today's weather isn't the nicest, especially compared to the last week, but it was comfortable to walk around in.
This is a picture of the building where I work. It was built in 1920 (?) and is really quite beautiful!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Mexican Food
It's late, and I should be sleeping...instead I'm cuddling a kitten that won't stop meowing outside the bedroom door. After my post earlier this afternoon, things at work went down hill really really fast, and ended with a very hard misunderstanding/just plane careless worker from another office...all directed at me in a very public way. The details aren't important, things were said without thought that perhaps they might be offensive and rude, and I ended up in the Dean's office, with him apologizing over and over for the remarks of this very careless, inappropriate employee.
Hours later, the comments which were made still bother me, and I can't sleep. Of all the things that stick out about today, the lesson I'm learning is that the girls in my office are the best. I couldn't ask for better co-workers. They stood up for me 100%, and my boss was a better advocate for me than I ever expected. After said incident with rude employee, she marched right down to the Dean, and gave him such a lecture for letting things progress to where they had, and he responded appropriately. So today I'm grateful for co-workers who have turned into true friends, Daniel, who is tirelessly understanding even when I cry my eyes out, and Mexican food...the greatest way to eat one's feelings.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day (I've been given the OK to wear jeans because of yesterday's fiasco, so things are looking up already), and hopefully little Skipper cat will stop meowing, and I'll be able to fall asleep quickly. I know this post was cryptic, but I think I'm writing more for me, than for my limited audience at this point. So if you're interested beyond a casual smile and nod at my therapeutic attempts to calm my mind...just ask.
Hours later, the comments which were made still bother me, and I can't sleep. Of all the things that stick out about today, the lesson I'm learning is that the girls in my office are the best. I couldn't ask for better co-workers. They stood up for me 100%, and my boss was a better advocate for me than I ever expected. After said incident with rude employee, she marched right down to the Dean, and gave him such a lecture for letting things progress to where they had, and he responded appropriately. So today I'm grateful for co-workers who have turned into true friends, Daniel, who is tirelessly understanding even when I cry my eyes out, and Mexican food...the greatest way to eat one's feelings.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day (I've been given the OK to wear jeans because of yesterday's fiasco, so things are looking up already), and hopefully little Skipper cat will stop meowing, and I'll be able to fall asleep quickly. I know this post was cryptic, but I think I'm writing more for me, than for my limited audience at this point. So if you're interested beyond a casual smile and nod at my therapeutic attempts to calm my mind...just ask.
I've been stuffing envelopes all day, and decided it was time for a lunch break! Nothing too exciting has been happening this week, but I'm excited about the 4th of July!
I've been thinking a lot about this holiday, and I have decided it is very favorite, besides christmas and my birthday. I love the summer weather, fireworks, fresh summer food, and being outside with my family. These things together, as well as memories of past 4th's spent with cousins and aunts and uncles make me so excited for this weekend.
Daniel and I have been gearing up for the 4th, by eating Watermelon, and getting our swim stuff ready, and even venturing out to get Daniel flip flops. We were at Old Navy last night (because where else do you find flip flops for $3.50??) and we found the perfect pair, and headed to check out. By the time we reached the front of the store, the line was out of control, and Daniel decided he didn't need flip flops that bad. After a couple trips to other stores, but still no flip flops, we headed home in defeat...I may go back tonight and wait in line without him. He's like a 4 year old in clothes stores anyway, and if I go by myself, I can get some other shopping done without feeling like I'm dragging a small child around the store. I love him, but he's definitely not the best shopping buddy.
At 3:00 today we're having a ribbon cutting in our office at work. We're way ahead of deadlines this year, and my office has decided to celebrate. We're having cheesecake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream! Yum! (good thing I'm back on my gym routine)
I've been thinking a lot about this holiday, and I have decided it is very favorite, besides christmas and my birthday. I love the summer weather, fireworks, fresh summer food, and being outside with my family. These things together, as well as memories of past 4th's spent with cousins and aunts and uncles make me so excited for this weekend.
Daniel and I have been gearing up for the 4th, by eating Watermelon, and getting our swim stuff ready, and even venturing out to get Daniel flip flops. We were at Old Navy last night (because where else do you find flip flops for $3.50??) and we found the perfect pair, and headed to check out. By the time we reached the front of the store, the line was out of control, and Daniel decided he didn't need flip flops that bad. After a couple trips to other stores, but still no flip flops, we headed home in defeat...I may go back tonight and wait in line without him. He's like a 4 year old in clothes stores anyway, and if I go by myself, I can get some other shopping done without feeling like I'm dragging a small child around the store. I love him, but he's definitely not the best shopping buddy.
At 3:00 today we're having a ribbon cutting in our office at work. We're way ahead of deadlines this year, and my office has decided to celebrate. We're having cheesecake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream! Yum! (good thing I'm back on my gym routine)
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