#201

201. Maria Lewis

i wonder...

I feel like I need to update this thing. I just realized that this is post number 200 so I feel like I should do something exciting for it. In the spirit of gratitude which I currently feel, we're going to see if I can come up with 200 things I am grateful for before my brother comes home. Here goes nothing: (in no particular order)
1. my brother (today's his birthday)
2. i'm not the only one in my family who stays up late reading (just found my nephew with the berenstein bears)
3. good food
4. my parents
5. cell phones
6. heated seats
7. aquariums
8. books
9. pianos
10. massages
11. vacations
12. the scriptures
13. history
14. good examples
15. hoodies
16. friends
17. field trips
18. chile
19. fuzzy boots
20. laughter
21. chocolate (especially dark)
22. computers
23. my nephews
24. bread and cheese nights
25. hot laundry
26. river rafting
27. quiet snowfalls
28. movies
29. letters
30. missionaries
31. scrubs
32. road trips
33. aspirations
34. high school theater
35. good examples
36. projects
37. snow shoes
38. adopted families
39. time machines
40. sarcasm
41. hair bands (elastics)
42. factoids
43. strawberries
44. chacos
45. beds
46. fans
47. water heaters
48. wide open spaces
49. good books
50. blue skies
51. popcorn
52. family reunions
53. amusement parks
54. mother nature
55. continuing education classes
56. pop culture
57. critical thinking
58. good credit
59. water
60. memories
61. art
62. cute bags
63. runner's high
64. blog-o-sphere
65. vietnamese war literature
66. curious george
67. white noise
68. rocks
69. windows
70. sunshine
71. rain boots
72. sisters
73. toilet paper
74. chocolate milk
75. flowers
76. green
77. security
78. faith
79. my heritage
80. hobbies
81. education
82. hiking
83. sleep
84. people who care
85. spanish
86. my testimony
87. music
88. the screaming children outside the window do not appear to be waking my nephews
89. gardens
90. people who share their talents
91. good conversations
92. bean bags/love sacs
93. movie nights
94. cheese
95. BBC
96. post cards
97. writing
98. good listeners
99. lotion
100. quiet (the screaming children are gone now)
101. warm homes
102. toys
103. book stores
104. national parks
105. people with individual style
106. glow bugs (fire flies)
107. plants
108. furnaces
109. cars
110. banana chairs
111. trivial pursuit
112. ice hockey
113. neighbors
114. authors
115. garden gnomes
116. quilts
117. bright colors
118. shade
119. ice cream
120. roommates
121. cameras
122. zoos
123. employment
124. munchkins (not my nephews)
125. dinosaurs
126. puzzles
127. flat irons
128. libraries
129. socks
130. the funnies
131. pedicures
132. airplanes
133. lap tops
134. home teachers
135. fabric stores
136. understanding people
137. my childhood
138. teachers
139. temples
140. notebooks
141. feather pillows
142. thunder storms
143. canning season
144. theater
145. spell check
146. hot tubs
147. running shoes
148. good health
149. water bottles
150. old buildings
151. cooking
152. good co-workers
153. references
154. newspapers
155. anticipation
156. lasagna
157. trial and error
158. puns
159. opportunity
160. visiting teachers
161. game nights
162. rice bags
163. dollar theaters
164. big cities
165. change
166. pro/con lists
167. experiences
168. pals
169. my grandparents
170. gratitude
171. debates/arguments
172. random holidays
173. sewing machines
174. over-stuffed chairs
175. mentors
176. pictures
177. good stress
178. endorsements
179. yoga
180. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
181. my passport
182. clocks
183. scarves
184. down (as in feathers)
185. mountains
186. chocolate mint soy milk
187. stewardesses
188. kind deeds
189. funny stories
190. success
191. families
192. big trucks
193. long distance parties
194. fresh produce
195. sacrifice
196. hair cuts
197. freedom
198. oceans
199. cool wind
200. paperclips
I totally did it! They're just walking in the door.

Making due...

So I had a fantastic 2010. Many of my close friends and family members don't feel the same way about their 2010. I'm beginning to feel the same way about 2011 that they feel about 2010. It's been a rough couple of weeks. My laptop died and I totaled my car but I have tried to quietly count my blessings so I don't get sucked into a 52 week bog of pessimism. This is the kind of thing that I would keep in a file on my computer, but I haven't loaded Word yet so the blog gets it. Relief Society was perfect for me today. We talked about "Faith-the Choice Is Yours" from the October 2010 General Conference. I've been thinking about faith quite a bit this year. I think it all started with my mom taking me to the airport EARLY in the morning the day I came home after Christmas. We talked about faith and the concept of stepping from light into the dark without knowing exactly what we'll find there. My first step in the dark has me stepping back into the classroom. I've started a class with the intent of going back to school for a masters. Interestingly enough, it's a philosophy class called WORLD RELIGIONS. I'm sure you'll hear more about that later. As I've considered the "step into the dark" faith, I've kind of created another analogy in my mind. Faith is like a zip line. So many times we stand on the edge of the platform and say "Okay. I'm going to jump. I'm going to jump right off this platform unless you tell me not to. I jumping right now unless you stop me!" And that's it. We talk about how we're going off the edge without actually going off the edge. I'm not going to lie. Zip lines freak me out. It's jumping off a platform and hoping that your harness and cables really do engage and send you on the ride of your life. Initially it's terrifying, but there is quite the rush after. Kind of like faith, yeah? He's not going to set us up for failure. Okay. Now that I've spilled the contents of my brain, lets move on to the talk. I have a few quotes that made me think.

Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today's world, I wish to suggest a single choice--a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is Faith. Be aware that faith is not a free gift given without thought, desire, or effort. It does not come as the dew falls from heaven. The Savior said, "Come unto me" and "Knock and it shall be [given] you". These are action verbs--come, knock. They are choices. So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and unseen, and choose faith over pessimism.

This is SO TRUE!!! Since I was in Middle School (and probably before) I remember my mother telling me when I left for school, "Make it a good day." It's my choice. I choose to have a good day. I choose to have a bad day. I choose to believe. I choose not to believe. One more quote and I'm finished. The quote is a response to Matthew 17:20" If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove".

I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith, I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.

Knowing these things to be true has changed my life. It gives me a sense of direction and security that can't bring me anything but optimism, joy and peace. I am so grateful to know these things and have them in my life each day. It makes me happy.

Can I do it today?

A few years ago my New Year's Resolution was to do something physical, mental, and spiritual every day. It worked out rather nicely for me. This year I'd like to adopt something similar. Sunday night's CES Fireside was perfect.

He addressed the topic of “daily bread,” saying, “as you ask in prayer for your daily bread, consider thoughtfully your needs, both what you may lack and what you must protect against. As you retire to bed, think about the successes and failures of the day and what will make the next day a little better.” He then promised the young adults that “your [daily] reflections will increase your faith in Him as you see His hand helping you to endure some things and to change others. You will be able to rejoice in one more day, one more step toward eternal life.”

(I lifted the quote from lds.org.) It's already working. I'm beginning to see things differently and my attitude is beginning to change. Many of my friends said that 2010 was their worst/hardest year yet. That made me sad because my 2010 was fantastic. 2011 is going to be exciting. The past 2 weeks have proven that it will not be easy, but I choose to think that 2011 is going to be "a character building experience". If I continue to take my "daily bread", I'll survive it. I won't be doing it alone.

Recent Discoveries...

1) Chess pie. To quote my aunt, "it's creamy heavenly goodness."
2) Vanilla ice cream with balsalmic vinegar. Don't knock it till you try it. Really.
3) There's a Trader Joe's in Lincoln. Really?!?
4) If I try to sew anything other than cotton, I might have throw something.
5) Pit rocks. 3 rules. No blood. One foot on the ground at all times. Ties resolved with Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Observations

My friend Anna teaches art at two of the local high schools. She does a fantastic job. Her kids basically adore her. I think part of the reason is that she supports them in ALL they do. This means that she gets to go to athletic events, choir concerts, and all the other events that occur in the school district. While I wasn't working this summer, I helped out in her classroom a couple times. The kids make me laugh. Earlier this week, I went with her to a choir concert. These are some of my observations.
*Christmas songs make me happy. I love the religious ones even though they DON'T play them on the radio. Choirs rock because they aren't afraid to tackle them and the whole politically correct Winter Holiday issue.
*Clarification: I don't appreciate pitchy sopranos. I've always said that I don't like sopranos because they make my head hurt. I decided that the non-pitchy ones aren't so bad. I still like the lower ranges better.
*Flutes and piccolos DEFINITELY fit in the previous observation.
*I can most definitely appreciate a guy in a tux. There's just something about the suit, right? I decided this week that tails just aren't okay. They take themselves too seriously. Bing Crosby is one of the few that can pull of tails and NOT look like a penguin. (Don't get me wrong, I like penguins.)
Really, more than anything, I'm grateful for those who are willing to share their talents. As opinionated as I am, I really don't have the right to judge because I can't do any better. This is why I like to think of myself as an appreciater of the arts.

Never Again like 2010...

I remember talking to a friend of mine years ago about the fact that two of our friends were getting married. He said, "I think it's perfect, that just means one less Christmas card that I'll have to write." I immediately adopted that attitude however over time it has evolved into "it's just one less Christmas card that I have to feel guilty about not writing". This year I've decided to change that. The only problem in that is the fact that I don't have any addresses. Result? E-Card posted on the blog.
2010 has been a fantastic year. I'm pretty sure that I won't have a year like this for a really long time. I may go so far as to say, the best year yet. I've done so many things and I'm not sure I can break it down to just the highlights so we'll go for a top 10 kind of list. Here goes nothing...
10. 10 year reunion
Yes. I am that old. I had my 10 year high school reunion. It was fun to see people that I hadn't seen in 10 years. Some had changed a lot. Some were exactly the same. Almost more fun that that was going back to Vernal. It has changed so much and I don't get to go there anymore. It has a Farr's fresh now. That makes me supremely happy.
9. 2 Shakespearean Festivals
I learned something about myself this year. Actually, I learned a lot of things, but this is one of my favorites. Shakespearean Festivals are like my comiconI feel like I can geek out and pull out all of my Shakespeare trivia/quotes ("my fingers itch!" and Exeunt: pursued by a bear. and just enjoy myself. There's something about enjoying fine art and literature while surrounded like other geeks too. I the midst of the mega-massive road trip with the parents, we stopped in Stratford, Ontario Canada for their Festival. It was pretty amazing. We actually saw KISS ME KATE which made me laugh really hard. A few weeks after I got back to Utah, I hit the festival in Cedar City. Once again, I had every opportunity to geek out. And I loved it.
8. The GRE
I did it. It scared the tar out of me. I think it was one of the those "character building" experiences. I'll probably have to do it again before I go to grad school, but I think I had myself so psyched out over the ordeal that the night before I was virtually in tears and my stomach was in knots. Ultimately, it was a test. I've taken them before and I'm pretty sure that I'll have to take another, but for now, I don't have to worry about it.
7. Good Food
I love food. I love good food. I love to travel to find good food. This year's passions included cheese, fresh fruit, tomatoes, peas, breads, strawberry bisque...the list goes on. I also decided that I don't want to go to Africa for the simple reason that their food freaks me out.
6. 5Ks
Somewhere in February, I took up running. It was kind of ridiculous. I ran at 6 in the morning, OUTSIDE. I know it as crazy, but for some reason the cold didn't bother me. My father and brother caught wind of it all and in true fatherly/brotherly fashion, tricked me into registering for a 5k. Brother ran it with me which was kind of nice. We showed up the morning of and my nephew was ready to come with us too. They had arranged for me to have my own personal cheerleader. At the last minute they decided that the weather looked a little to sketch for wiggles to come with us. It was a good thing. We ran/walked through rain, snow, sleet, hail...we had it all. It was pretty fantastic. No, I didn't run it all, but I will someday.
5. Caribbean Cruise in January
One of the smartest things I've done in my whole life. Running away from Utah winter to the peace of the Caribbean...ruins in Cozumel, cave tubing in Belize, exploring in Honduras, snorkeling in Cayman. It was comforting to watch it snow 4 inches in an hour and then catch a plane to Miami the next morning. I'm thinking about a yearly trip in January to somewhere warm.
4. Snow Shoeing
For my birthday last year, my parents gave me snow shoes. Best. Gift. Ever. It allows me to hike in the winter. I have a few friends that I went with last winter. My favorite quote was, "let's go get lost on purpose". I've been waiting patiently for the snow this year and I'm pretty sure that it's not going to happen until I go home for Christmas. That would be my luck. We'll see how long Mother Nature holds out on me.
3. 26 states
California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Michigan, Texas, Florida
2. New Job
I quit my job in July. I couldn't study for the GRE and work at the same time. I tried for a good year and got absolutely no success. I quit and studied. I went on the trip with my parents. It was a hiatus from reality. I'm going to start classes in January and I've found a new job. I'm doing the same that I was doing before, but I feel like this job is going to give me opportunities to progress in other ways. I may be opening a new office and it is hard work, but I still have energy to live at the end of the day.
1. Wiggles and Nabber
I have 2 nephews. We call them Wiggles and Nabber. They make me supremely happy. Nabber arrived on my half birthday, perfect gift, yeah? That's what I thought. I'm currently trying to make the most of them before their dad gets the genius idea to move them across the country for PhD school.