My All Night Encounter with Mr. Potter

Last night, I decided that I needed to reread Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. (That's book seven, in case you weren't positive.) I'd only read it once before -- the day after it was released -- and that was in a hurry because I wanted to know how it all ended. I read it in less than 10 hours that day and didn't remember much of the story, so of course I wanted to take it nice and slow this time as to let the meaning and events sink in. So at about eight o'clock I sunk into my cozy armchair, clad in warm pajamas and wrapped enchilada-style in a fleece blanket, intent on going to bed at a decent hour. Yeah. Little red lights and sirens should have been going off in my head about then, but apparently my family has been correct in assuming that the wiring in my brain is a little off.

You'd think after nineteen years of reading I would have recognized the pattern. So here's a rule I'm writing for myself, which I'm sure I will break in the future, but it's worth a try: DO NOT BEGIN BOOKS LATE AT NIGHT IF YOU PLAN TO GET ANY REST WHATSOEVER.

So there I am, absentmindedly munching on dry cereal, chewing ferociously at the intense parts, when my alarm clock buzzed annoyingly. Confused, I glanced over at the dresser to see neon numbers garishly glaring at me with the clear message that either my brothers were playing a sick joke on me, or that I had been sucked into this wizarding world once again. 6:30.

Not seeing any point in relinquishing the book for my bed, I quickly finished and hopped into the shower, only now realizing that I hadn't shifted positions once the entire night. My neck groaned in stiff, sharp pain as I tilted my head toward the shampoo. Ouch.

Well I'm off to bed now. No books or anything of the like for me tonight. Just a niiiiice, waaaaarm, relaaaaaxing.... zzzzzZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZ.....

Ode to Kristen and Calvin

Hmmmm.

I was going to try to write a poem here, but sorry... I'm not feeling the vibe. But anyway, this post is dedicated to Kristen and Calvin in the hopes that they will not feel it necessary to get after me for my anti-cyber-social ways.

Today my mom, Becca, Kate, Nate and I went to the Springville Museum of Art. (Jake didn't want to come... he wanted to work in the yard. Of course. Who wouldn't?) As we walked through the rooms filled with Utah-born artist's work I became aware that I have learned to appreciate things in different ways. When I was younger I would have looked at most of the paintings/sculptures/etc. and yawned as I ambled on over to the gift shop, (I suppose that would be because I considered myself a great artist at that age) but taking a closer look at all of the details and colors I realized that visual art is one of the talents I'm definitely lacking in. I mean, I can draw a stick figure just as well as the next guy, but let's be honest, I'm no di Vinci.

Anyway, it made me remember a lesson we had in Sunday school a few weeks ago about having different abilities, and that every talent and trait that we have make up the whole. I don't think they were necessarily talking about talents like visual art, music or sports, but I feel like it can apply to most things. One of my favorite quotes is one from Elder Joseph B. Worthlin's talk from general conference. "The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world." I love that. (Which might be because I'm a sucker for musical references... but who knows.) It's nice to be able to appreciate the talents of others and hopefully someday I'll be able to contribute to the "vibrant orchestra" of talents as well.

Well, that's enough about that. I also wanted to show everybody this new website that my cousin Rachel introduced me to. (Angie, you might especially appreciate this!!) It's called 43things.com, and basically you can make a list of up to 43 things that you want to do, either before you die, or just whatever. A bucket list, so to speak. If/when you end up doing them, you can cross them off the list. I've made my own, and the link is on the right of the screen beneath all of my pictures under "43 things" if any of you want to check it out. (It's kind of an extension of my "To Do Before I Die" post below...)

I guess I'm done for today then. I'll try to be better at keeping this thing up to date. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Felix

Some of you may not have heard that we got a cat at the end of May, so for those of you who didn't know, I have something to say to you: we got a cat at the end of May.

Isn't he cute?

So, let me introduce you to Felix the cat. He loves balls of yarn, chasing his tail, and freaking out. He doesn't like boys in general, but he loves to cuddle with Becca, Kate and I. ((Yay!!)) He climbs all over the furniture and finds lots of precarious perches throughout the house. He is deathly afraid of the stairs and won't even go near the kitchen sink. (We tried to give him a bath once... and lemme just say OUCH!) He knows he shouldn't climb on the dinner table and play with the centerpiece, yet he does anyway. He likes being held like a baby and belly rubs. He's already been nicknamed "Motor" because he purrs loudly and for long

stretches of time. He's at least doubled in size since we got him. If we can't find him, the first place we look is IN the couch in the office. He likes to sprawl out on the piano in the front room for a nice nap in the sun.

Today I went into my parent's bedroom and found him asleep on one of the chairs in, what I thought, had to be the MOST uncomfortable position ever. But it was just so darn cute I had to take pictures! So here he is... Felix.

Chocoholics Annonymous

Wow... I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted anything here! Sorry guys. I know you were all dying to hear from me.

So I've been thinking a lot this week about chocolate. This is not really unusual; however, I've been thinking about it in a different context. You know how we're supposed to exercise moderation in all things? Yeah. Well, I have a problem, and after all these years I'm going to come out and say it.

I have a chocolate addiction.

Yes... yes... Mr. Hershey's and I have been dating.

We sell candy bars at work, and they just sit there on the desk staring at me. Of course since I'm an employee I can have one whenever my little chocoholic heart wants. AHHHHH!! I can't handle it! Today I took a Ziplock baggie full of apple slices to munch on in order to keep my

mouth occupied, and hey! I only gave in to a couple of tootsie rolls, so we're making progress here. But I'm going to need a long term solution here. I figure if I stay away from it as much as possible and treat myself to something once a week I'll be able to "Hershey's Kiss" this habit goodbye!

Wow... that was funny the second before I wrote it down.

Anyway, if you guys have any clever ideas for me, feel free to share.

Apparently I can't just write a journal entry

Uneventful days though they may seem,
Strung together on a fragile thread
Reveal something worth looking at.

Under speculation, no second glances
But take a step back and you'll notice
Changes.
So many.
Little ones,
But always there.

Thoughts tumble through my head,
Freshly laundered;
An almost inaudible hum in the background of my mind.
Instead of separating wishes from reality
Now they blend into days full of new ideas
And the reality of the wishes begin to change.

I become now
Me.
Different from perfect visions long ago
But me, nonetheless.
The rips and hems and patches
That once I scorned as imperfections
I now recognize as character.
My character.

Take away your microscope
The magnification no longer applies.
Step away
And take me as I am.

To Do Before I Die

Angie had an excerpt from her list on her blog, and it made me want to come up with one of my own. I don't have very much on my list right now, but I'm sure I'll think of more later.

Get married in the temple

Sky dive

Write and conduct a symphony

Try frog legs

Learn a foreign language

Learn to play the cello

Be a mom

Touch a penguin (in the WILD)

Serve a mission (before marriage OR otherwise)

Own a lap dog

Visit all the temples in Utah in one week or less

Run a marathon... well... maybe a HALF marathon...

AUDITION for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Well, that's all I can think of for now. If I think of any more I'll let you know!

Thankful Monday

I've seen a lot of my blogging friends do "Thankful Thursdays." I've been wanting to do my own, but as today is not a Thursday, you'll just have to put up with the fact that there is no alliteration going on. So here is my Thankful Monday entry:

I can't choose just one thing to write about, so I'll list a few things that have been on my mind quite a bit this week.

First and foremost, I'm so thankful for the gospel. It gives me a direction in my life that I wouldn't otherwise have, and it keeps me happy and optimistic even when things go wrong. It gives me hope in overcoming weaknesses and obstacles and provides me with an assurance of love that I don't feel anywhere else.

I'm thankful for my family. Since my high school graduation I've watched my best friends leave to serve missions all over the world, move out of the house, get married, and a host of other experiences. It was extremely hard for me at first because I was still living at home even when I was going to BYU and I felt all alone for a while. I was so used to being with my friends all the time, and all of a sudden they were gone. It took months for me to get over the lonliness, but with the discovery of the stake singles branch and multiple outings with my family I realized that life does go on. I was able to develop a greater love and appreciation for the friends I'm stuck with for all eternity. I'm so glad I can be with them forever.

After mentioning the singles branch, I can't go on without saying how thankful I am that I've been able to be a part of it. I've never felt so accepted by so many people all at once. It was just like being adopted into another happy family and the unconditional love that everyone has for each other is overwhelming.

I'm thankful for spring. I know I've mentioned this before, but I love the warm weather and the colors and sounds that come with it. Heavenly Father has created such a beautiful world for us.

Well I suppose that's all for today. I hope you have had as wonderful a week as I have!