the weather (part deuce)

I'd like to announce that it is snowing. A LOT. Frankly, I don't care. I choose to appreciate it in all of it's glory. I think I may even run in it. Probably not. I'd probably die if I did. I will however dream of snow shoeing for the next week. Done. Weather appreciated. I think it might have something to do with the fact that my Samoas arrived today. Bless the Girl Scouts for bringing me 150 calories of bliss in 2 cookies. Yay for the Girl Scouts. Happiness in a box. Thank you Girl Scouts.

the weather...

so it's been one of those days. i was talking to my mother on my way home from work today and she told me that i was not allowed to go to family home evening. i would probably say something that i regretted and would probably embarrass myself in the process. she also told me that under no circumstances was i allowed to go home and blog. i told her that if i did blog, it would be on a nice safe topic such as the weather and that i'd go home for a run and see how things went from there. i did take a nice long run...loved it...passed 2 guys jogging and overheard "help them apply the priesthood" as i ran up to an overlook where i could actually see the temple and somehow everything was better. as far as the weather goes...it was 64 degrees when i got home from work today. it's march 2nd. i'm in utah. it's not going to last. at that point i refused to accept it. i predict that we'll have at least 1 more snow storm before summer arrives. ts eliot had the right idea when he said "april is the cruelest month". i don't think his reference was to the weather, but in utah...it definitely applies. as i was venting all of this to my mother, she told me to appreciate it while i had it-it's only 16 degrees where she is. done. weather appreciated. i realized i was contradicting my own soap box. if i can't be happy now (enjoy the weather), i most certainly won't enjoy it later. i had my paradigm shift and now vow to look positively to the weather in all forms that it manifests itself over the next 6 weeks.
that was a safe enough entry, yeah? nothing to embarrassing there,right? done. weather appreciated.

concentration and/or titration...

really...i wanted to talk about urinalysis in this one. i have recently become highly fascinated by the things that we can learn just by analyzing a cup of urine, but really...this is not a medical journal and there is absolutely NO reason for me to really write about that. instead, i choose to write about my most recent eating habits. i'm not going to lie, they currently amuse me. well...consider this a travelogue/food diary. 4 weekends ago, i ate 3/4 pounds of carrots on my way to visit a friend (it was a 2 hour car ride.) the next week i ate a pound of carrots on my way to visit a different friend (that was a 4 hour car ride.) the week after that, i didn't go anywhere and actually set a goal to NOT eat a pound of carrots. instead, i stayed home and watched a movie. i ate nearly a pound of celery. call it the flavor of the week. after talking to my dietitian friend about this she told me that i had basically covered an entire week's dietary requirements in less than 2 hours. my question is, how is this effective? this weekend...i ate HORRIBLY. i kind of guessed that it would happen though. i helped a friend of mine move so the kitchen was pretty much in shambles all the time i was there. we ate pizza, burgers, candy, etc. by the time saturday afternoon rolled around, i felt physically ill. i'm telling you-crappy food hates me. around 4:30, i realized that i was horribly dehydrated. how was this remedied? 64 ounces of gatorade...in less than 2 hours. ridiculous. we'll not talk about how many trips i then had to the bathroom, but i'm telling you, it's probably less than one would think. i was REALLY dehydrated. apparently, i haven't quite learned it all yet, and i've discovered that this applies not only to food in my life. i can either read the entire book of mormon in one day or else i can spread it out over six months and read a little every day. i can run a marathon in one day, or i can run a few miles 4 times a week(does anyone besides me find that comment humorous?). i can take a bottle of medicine in one dose, or i can take a little during the day as prescribed by my physician. you know? the lord knew exactly what he was doing when he gave us the word of wisdom and told us to have a little of everything and all things in moderation. the pharmaceutical companies made a genius discovery when ER(extended release) formulas were created. the prophets know what they are talking about when they tell us to read and pray daily. my favorite part of all of this is that i realized all of this while considering the many facets of urinalysis.

Insert [Name] here...

Dear [Name],
I hate your stinkin' guts. You make me vomit. You are the scum between my toes.
Love,
[Your Name]

Sunday Evening Post...

Today in Relief Society we discussed Thomas S Monson's talk, FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY. One thought that has frequented my mind over the past month is enjoying the NOW. If I'm not happy now, I won't be happy later. It doesn't work that way. Happiness and joy are found internally...not to be confused with the external influences that bring superficial comfort that frequently substitutes itself for pure happiness and joy. In light of that thought...these are a few things that helped me have a good day today.
-a new skirt
-multigrain saltines
-the smell of fresh cilantro
-my nephew's smile
-chatting with my grandmother
-pure testimony
-good music
-musical clips
-taking notes
-the basics: faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, enduring to the end, etc
Really, "men are that they might have joy." It is a gift for all of us, if we are willing to search for it. I'm ready for the treasure hunt of a lifetime.

for mom...

the other day i was chatting with my mother and she asked me why all my blog posts are posted near midnight. i told her i use it to wind down at night. it's the truth. this one is for you mom. i took nyquil 2 hours ago and am now settling in for a blissful sleep with my vicks vaporizer. sweet dreams...

single somethin' or other...

Starting in the middle of January, a series of events have prepared me for the glorious day of February 14, 2009. Lessons, talks, books, conversations...all have tried to influence me to have a positive experience with St. Valentine's Day this year, and frankly-I'm amused by it. I get the feeling that society is concerned by my attitude toward the celebration of such holidays. Last night while, I was trying to fall asleep, I went over some of my most memorable Valentine's Days in my lifetime: a) 5th grade. We made our own boxes. I sliced my finger open while scoring the posterboard for my secret crush's box. Still have the scar; b) Rexburg. I remember standing in one of the most beautiful snowfalls I've ever seen and nearly crying because there was SO MUCH snow and I was severely lacking in Vitamin D. Also, had my first quality experience with NyQuil. Went to Wal-Mart for the supply and went home to bed. Missed my roommate dancing at half-time of the basketball game, but was pleasantly surprised when two very dear friends showed up with a Valentine/Get Well card and a box of chocolates. Still have the card. c) Last year. I had a short day at work and went home to have my own little "single-awareness" evening. Instead I went to visit my brother and help him clean his house for his first Valentine's Day with his wife. I stood there and felt the first of a series of heart-breaks that helped me to realize (once again) that the Lord is in charge and it all works in HIS timetable. Later that night my brother and sister-in-law showed up with a flower for me. I felt loved to say the least.
This year I choose to find people who love me or need my love and spend time with them. It doesn't have to be a "single-awareness" day. I just watched SOME LIKE IT HOT. I don't think it gets much more appropriate...love, flowers, pretty girls, St Valentine's Day massacre, Chicago mafia, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in drag, Osgood-land. What is there NOT to love about this movie? It's a classic. There is so much to be learned from Sugar's attraction to tenor sax players even though she KNOWS that they are nothing but trouble. And then there are always Osgood's famous last words, "nobody's perfect." This year, I choose to accept that thought/concept and embrace the fact that nobody is perfect and I look forward to St Valentine's Day with something like unto optimism. Go team. Don't let me down...