Yesterday, we got the chance to go to the Draper Temple Open House. It turned out to be the perfect day to go. This week has been wicked busy for Ashton with both school and work and so it was a nice chance for us to spend some time together and for him to take a break.
We had to park at a chapel nearby, and, after watching a short film, take the "green" bus to the Temple. The color was for us to be able to get back to the right chapel. It being Utah, there are plenty of chapels nearby. When we got up to the Temple, we got to walk through a maze of tents to a "secret" entrance. It sure seemed to be a secret entrance, because when we walked into the Temple, we were on the bottom level instead of the main level and since we were going through these tents, we couldn't see where we were going exactly. Ashton tried to peek out the seams, but it didn't look like he could see much. They were shut tight.
Once inside, we were both a little surprised to see most of the flooring covered so people wouldn't walk on the nice new carpet with their shoes. It made for a nice path to follow though as we walked through the building. I was finding walking straight and slow a little difficult though. The Temple, however, was beautiful, as all are. I'm always impressed by how unique the temples all are in their looks and style, while still having the same things. Of course, the Spirit was there and made the Temple that more beautiful and special.
I really enjoyed walking through the Temple and seeing the different rooms. It brought back memories of the Boston Temple Open House, getting to work during it for a few hours, and then getting a tour.
Of course, when we got to the Sealing Room, I was reminded of my wedding day. It was nice to sit in there for a few minutes and remember that special day in my life. I was touched as I looked in the mirrors and saw Ashton and I reflected infinitely. It's great to know that we're married for all of eternity.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Humor Us In Our Delusions
One thing that Ashton and I love to do is to take things out of context. We tend to giggle a lot when we think about a quote that sounds normal when you know the story, but makes absolutely no sense if you just say it.
For example, the other day I said, "That's what everyone says until they rub a penguin on their head." Yeah, makes no sense without the story, but it sent Ashton into near hysteria just thinking about how random it was out of context. I'm not going to even tell the story of why I said that, because it's just funnier to leave it at that.
When we're both on top of things, we have a lot of fun playing on words, double meanings, and such. It's not so much fun when only one of us gets the joke, which happens often as one of us is usually a bit out of it. When we're both out of it, we just tend to laugh a lot about nothing. Nothing like a bit of delusion to make things funny.
Anyways, the whole rubbing a penguin on someone's head made Ashton think about posting random quotes that we either hear or say. So, if you see random quotes that you don't get, just laugh at the randomness.
Speaking of random, we finished programming my Yahtzee game last night! After spending a couple weeks playing Yahtzee at Dad's the last time we were in Maine, I wanted to program a Yahtzee game so I could continue to play. I did write some of the program, although Ashton told me exactly what to write, and designed how it looked, but decided it'd go much faster if Ashton just wrote it and I help him. I did manage to provide some help in suggesting how it worked. I'm just happy that I understand what the code says/does. Now all that's left is making it look nice.
Here is one last random thing, http://www.fandome.com/video/106571/Flip-Throw-TO-THE-FACE/?q=c. Ashton shared this with me and I thought that it was absolutely hilarious. Enjoy!
For example, the other day I said, "That's what everyone says until they rub a penguin on their head." Yeah, makes no sense without the story, but it sent Ashton into near hysteria just thinking about how random it was out of context. I'm not going to even tell the story of why I said that, because it's just funnier to leave it at that.
When we're both on top of things, we have a lot of fun playing on words, double meanings, and such. It's not so much fun when only one of us gets the joke, which happens often as one of us is usually a bit out of it. When we're both out of it, we just tend to laugh a lot about nothing. Nothing like a bit of delusion to make things funny.
Anyways, the whole rubbing a penguin on someone's head made Ashton think about posting random quotes that we either hear or say. So, if you see random quotes that you don't get, just laugh at the randomness.
Speaking of random, we finished programming my Yahtzee game last night! After spending a couple weeks playing Yahtzee at Dad's the last time we were in Maine, I wanted to program a Yahtzee game so I could continue to play. I did write some of the program, although Ashton told me exactly what to write, and designed how it looked, but decided it'd go much faster if Ashton just wrote it and I help him. I did manage to provide some help in suggesting how it worked. I'm just happy that I understand what the code says/does. Now all that's left is making it look nice.
Here is one last random thing, http://www.fandome.com/video/106571/Flip-Throw-TO-THE-FACE/?q=c. Ashton shared this with me and I thought that it was absolutely hilarious. Enjoy!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Films and Books
Having grown up a tomboy (inevitable when you have 5 older brothers and 2 younger ones), I am usually all for "boy stuff." For example, when we watch movies or shows on TV, they are usually of the action or geeky type. For games, we've networked our computers so we can play Warcraft together, which I have fond memories of hovering around the computer watching my brothers play growing up, other random video games, and the occasional cards. It's great fun and I enjoy the almost daily Warcraft game before calling it a night.
However, because I don't get any regular social interaction with girls, I miss doing more girly things like watching chick flicks, painting my toenails, and talking...lots and lots of talking. I always thought I was more quiet and reserved until I got married. I don't think I've stopped talking since then. You know it's bad when you talk to yourself outloud for conversation and answer yourself the same way.
Anyways, the other day I decided that I wanted to do something girly that night. Of course, I enlisted Ashton to play along, telling him that he owed me for all the guy stuff we do on a regular basis. Somehow that worked, although he didn't like my first suggestion of what girly thing we could do. There's something about men and fingernail polish that make them feel that they will lose "man points" if the stuff comes anywhere within range of them. It's not like I was going to paint his fingernails and the man wears socks and shoes every day...even in the summertime.
My second pitch went much smoother and it was decided that a chick flick was in order. Since we had to go the library to return a book, we looked at their collection of VHS and DVDs. I had almost made up my mind immediately when I saw that they had the 5 hour version of "Pride and Prejudice," which happens to be my favorite, but after seeing "My Fair Lady" and hearing that Ashton has never seen the whole thing, I had to pick it. I think I've come to realize that the only thing worse to a guy than a chick flick is a musical, which doesn't make any sense because I know plenty of guys who like Disney movies and those are practically musicals. Maybe it's because Disney movies are cartoons that make them more bearable.
In any case, Ashton was a good sport and I think he kinda enjoyed himself. I think it helped that I made some cookie dough and we ate some of it while watching the movie.
At the library, Ashton found a movie that he wanted to watch. Surprisingly, it wasn't an action or geeky movie. He picked out "Les Misérables," which I hadn't seen nor read. Ashton hasn't read the book either, but had watched the movie before.We watched it on Saturday and I really liked it. Got a little nervous in the middle, but found it to be fascinating and I would recommend watching it (although probably not with your kids). In any case, watching the movie has made me want to read it, in English (the only version of the book we have is in French and Ashton's French is apparently a bit rusty). It brought me back to my Humanities classes and I couldn't stop thinking about different aspects of the movie to the point that I had a desire to watch it again and watch for all the technical aspects. That sort of thing hasn't happened since I graduated, so it provoked a conversation about what it was about the movie that sparked that desire.
The differences between films and movies are stark. It really comes down to a matter of substance vs. fluff. When I get done watching an action movie or chick flick, I think "that was fun," but little else besides maybe some character development, plot line, and good quotes. Those movies are mostly just fluff and there's nothing wrong with that, but the best films to me are those with substance. Good Shakespeare adaptations ("Romeo and Juliet," "West Side Story," "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," etc), "Les Misérables," "The Mission," "La Historia Oficial," "Count of Monte Cristo," "Hotel Rwanda," and films of those kinds. It's these differences that spark my desire to learn and study more.
The same applies to books. There are books that are classical, full of political and social commentary and books that are just plain fun. They are both good reads, but for different reasons. For me, the best books, and films, are the one that I continue to think about long after I'm done reading.
However, because I don't get any regular social interaction with girls, I miss doing more girly things like watching chick flicks, painting my toenails, and talking...lots and lots of talking. I always thought I was more quiet and reserved until I got married. I don't think I've stopped talking since then. You know it's bad when you talk to yourself outloud for conversation and answer yourself the same way.
Anyways, the other day I decided that I wanted to do something girly that night. Of course, I enlisted Ashton to play along, telling him that he owed me for all the guy stuff we do on a regular basis. Somehow that worked, although he didn't like my first suggestion of what girly thing we could do. There's something about men and fingernail polish that make them feel that they will lose "man points" if the stuff comes anywhere within range of them. It's not like I was going to paint his fingernails and the man wears socks and shoes every day...even in the summertime.
My second pitch went much smoother and it was decided that a chick flick was in order. Since we had to go the library to return a book, we looked at their collection of VHS and DVDs. I had almost made up my mind immediately when I saw that they had the 5 hour version of "Pride and Prejudice," which happens to be my favorite, but after seeing "My Fair Lady" and hearing that Ashton has never seen the whole thing, I had to pick it. I think I've come to realize that the only thing worse to a guy than a chick flick is a musical, which doesn't make any sense because I know plenty of guys who like Disney movies and those are practically musicals. Maybe it's because Disney movies are cartoons that make them more bearable.
In any case, Ashton was a good sport and I think he kinda enjoyed himself. I think it helped that I made some cookie dough and we ate some of it while watching the movie.
At the library, Ashton found a movie that he wanted to watch. Surprisingly, it wasn't an action or geeky movie. He picked out "Les Misérables," which I hadn't seen nor read. Ashton hasn't read the book either, but had watched the movie before.We watched it on Saturday and I really liked it. Got a little nervous in the middle, but found it to be fascinating and I would recommend watching it (although probably not with your kids). In any case, watching the movie has made me want to read it, in English (the only version of the book we have is in French and Ashton's French is apparently a bit rusty). It brought me back to my Humanities classes and I couldn't stop thinking about different aspects of the movie to the point that I had a desire to watch it again and watch for all the technical aspects. That sort of thing hasn't happened since I graduated, so it provoked a conversation about what it was about the movie that sparked that desire.
The differences between films and movies are stark. It really comes down to a matter of substance vs. fluff. When I get done watching an action movie or chick flick, I think "that was fun," but little else besides maybe some character development, plot line, and good quotes. Those movies are mostly just fluff and there's nothing wrong with that, but the best films to me are those with substance. Good Shakespeare adaptations ("Romeo and Juliet," "West Side Story," "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," etc), "Les Misérables," "The Mission," "La Historia Oficial," "Count of Monte Cristo," "Hotel Rwanda," and films of those kinds. It's these differences that spark my desire to learn and study more.
The same applies to books. There are books that are classical, full of political and social commentary and books that are just plain fun. They are both good reads, but for different reasons. For me, the best books, and films, are the one that I continue to think about long after I'm done reading.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What a month
It's been a crazy month and I can't believe it's not over yet. Good thing February is short. Definitely makes me feel better about the 3 more months that Ashton has in school. Counting days is probably not the way to make that go quickly.
Although this month has felt long and hectic, we've had some fun times as well. We had the chance to go to a Stake Fireside, a few weeks back, where former member of the Seventy, C. Max Caldwell spoke about the D&C. We really enjoyed his talk and learned a lot. Being in Utah has its perks once in a while.
We also got some tickets to go to the Draper Temple Open House in March (the Open House is 3 months long). Although the tickets didn't cost anything, we had to sign up for a day and time to go. It took a while to find a day and time that would work with Ashton's schedule, but we found one! I'm very excited about going. I can hardly wait. Temples are always so beautiful and it'll be fun to see what this one will look like.
We finally got library cards and have been enjoying it. We picked out some interesting books this time around. One is called, "Voices From The Dust New Insights into Ancient America," which compares early Spanish and Portuguese chronicles, the Book of Mormon, and Archaeology and Art History. So far, it's been very interesting. I've tended to shy away from books that attempt to prove the Book of Mormon is true through scientific means, but this one seemed intriguing. I haven't seen any attempts to actually prove the Book of Mormon is true, so far, but rather a simple show of facts. It's been especially fun for me, having taken several classes in Latin American history, which this book talks about it detail. I only wish I had kept all my notes from those classes. Anyways, it seems like it'll be an interesting read.
The most fun I've had all month was probably rearranging the apartment. We moved a bookcase and all my craft stuff from the living room to the office/second bedroom. It makes a cozy room for me to do my little projects and hang out. I was getting tired of the living room and the noisy people above us (I am currently listening to the music that they are playing...I can hear the lyrics clearly and can tell you that it is the Dixie Chicks singing "Landslide" and "Traveling Soldier"...yeah, they're a bit loud). In any case, in order to organize my crafts in bins, I had to steal some baskets and bins from other places around the apartment, which resulted in a lot of the apartment getting rearranged. I had a blast! I love organizing. I'm kinda sad that I'm done. Maybe I'll completely rearranged the kitchen and really confuse Ashton. He's still not sure where all of the stuff is currently kept; imagine what would happen if I changed everything around...hehehe.
Although this month has felt long and hectic, we've had some fun times as well. We had the chance to go to a Stake Fireside, a few weeks back, where former member of the Seventy, C. Max Caldwell spoke about the D&C. We really enjoyed his talk and learned a lot. Being in Utah has its perks once in a while.
We also got some tickets to go to the Draper Temple Open House in March (the Open House is 3 months long). Although the tickets didn't cost anything, we had to sign up for a day and time to go. It took a while to find a day and time that would work with Ashton's schedule, but we found one! I'm very excited about going. I can hardly wait. Temples are always so beautiful and it'll be fun to see what this one will look like.
We finally got library cards and have been enjoying it. We picked out some interesting books this time around. One is called, "Voices From The Dust New Insights into Ancient America," which compares early Spanish and Portuguese chronicles, the Book of Mormon, and Archaeology and Art History. So far, it's been very interesting. I've tended to shy away from books that attempt to prove the Book of Mormon is true through scientific means, but this one seemed intriguing. I haven't seen any attempts to actually prove the Book of Mormon is true, so far, but rather a simple show of facts. It's been especially fun for me, having taken several classes in Latin American history, which this book talks about it detail. I only wish I had kept all my notes from those classes. Anyways, it seems like it'll be an interesting read.
The most fun I've had all month was probably rearranging the apartment. We moved a bookcase and all my craft stuff from the living room to the office/second bedroom. It makes a cozy room for me to do my little projects and hang out. I was getting tired of the living room and the noisy people above us (I am currently listening to the music that they are playing...I can hear the lyrics clearly and can tell you that it is the Dixie Chicks singing "Landslide" and "Traveling Soldier"...yeah, they're a bit loud). In any case, in order to organize my crafts in bins, I had to steal some baskets and bins from other places around the apartment, which resulted in a lot of the apartment getting rearranged. I had a blast! I love organizing. I'm kinda sad that I'm done. Maybe I'll completely rearranged the kitchen and really confuse Ashton. He's still not sure where all of the stuff is currently kept; imagine what would happen if I changed everything around...hehehe.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Frost + Snow + Fog = Pictures!
The past few days, we've gotten some frost/snow on the trees and bushes without anything sticking to the sidewalks or roads. The affect was pretty cool, so I took some pictures before we went to Church. We have Church now at 9 am and although it's hard some days to get up, we're loving it!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A Leaf on the Wind
I was staring at our blog page, trying to think if I had anything worth writing a post about, when the title of our blog caught my eye, "I Am A Leaf On The Wind." I started to think about the different ways that could be taken. Some might say that it means wishy-washy-ness; going with whatever society deems as correct at the time because let's face it, society changes its mind so often that it's enough to give anyone a headache trying to keep up. However, as I was thinking about how it could be applied to life in general, I saw the concept in a different light.
Life takes us in all sorts of directions through trials and blessings. Sometimes it feels like I have to forge my own path through the muck and grime and in the past year, I've done my fair share of forging. It's common to think of life as a path. I often do so with the "straight and narrow way" in mind, but then I started thinking about how trials can be compared to as winds.
Sometimes, trials are a gentle breeze that just come gently to us, reminding us of our testimonies and strength. Other times, there's no wind or breeze; just the gentle, peaceful calm. These moments are wonderful, particularly after or before a storm. There are many more types of winds, howling, gusting, stormy, etc, just as there are many types of tribulations. It's hard to say what the best way to deal with wind is, but as I was thinking through my little analogy, I thought about what a leaf does in the wind.
A leaf simply goes where the wind takes it. It allows the wind to take it to a new destination that the leaf would never have been able to go on its own. The leaf may do a few little tricks in the air on its way, somersaults and the like, but it doesn't resist the wind. Perhaps it gets a little torn on the way, but I'm sure it's a better leaf for it.
Life takes us in all sorts of directions through trials and blessings. Sometimes it feels like I have to forge my own path through the muck and grime and in the past year, I've done my fair share of forging. It's common to think of life as a path. I often do so with the "straight and narrow way" in mind, but then I started thinking about how trials can be compared to as winds.
Sometimes, trials are a gentle breeze that just come gently to us, reminding us of our testimonies and strength. Other times, there's no wind or breeze; just the gentle, peaceful calm. These moments are wonderful, particularly after or before a storm. There are many more types of winds, howling, gusting, stormy, etc, just as there are many types of tribulations. It's hard to say what the best way to deal with wind is, but as I was thinking through my little analogy, I thought about what a leaf does in the wind.
A leaf simply goes where the wind takes it. It allows the wind to take it to a new destination that the leaf would never have been able to go on its own. The leaf may do a few little tricks in the air on its way, somersaults and the like, but it doesn't resist the wind. Perhaps it gets a little torn on the way, but I'm sure it's a better leaf for it.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Goings on around here
So far it's been a good start to the new year, even if it's been including a lot of snow in the past few days. We're excited for a few possibilities that the new year has for us, including graduating for Ashton in April! He started off his last semester this week and so far everything looks good. It might be too soon to tell though just how busy he'll be and how often we'll really get to see each other. It's only 4 months though. The end is in sight!
We're also excited with the possibility of moving somewhere, getting our first home, and settling down. It looks like we're going to have to wait a little bit on that, but we're hopeful that it'll happen this fall. We still haven't quite decided where we'd like to move. In my mind, I have it narrowed down to a couple states, now if I could only just read Ashton's mind...or send subliminal messages to his mind...we might have it decided! (By the way, I'd like to take this time to mention that we do take bribes...)
Ashton enjoys his new job. He's learning quite a bit and likes being a part of a smaller company. There's about 6 people in the company. It's been nice for him to have a shorter commute to campus and it makes a big difference with the hours he works.
I've been finding new hobbies and projects to work on, and recently picked up cross stitching. I've mostly finished my first cross stitch project, but still have to find a way to frame it or something. I'll post a picture when I get it finished. It's been a good way to pass time and I need a lot of stuff to do to keep me busy. I've always enjoyed multi-tasking so I like having many projects started so I have options.
Hope everyone is having a great start to their new year!
We're also excited with the possibility of moving somewhere, getting our first home, and settling down. It looks like we're going to have to wait a little bit on that, but we're hopeful that it'll happen this fall. We still haven't quite decided where we'd like to move. In my mind, I have it narrowed down to a couple states, now if I could only just read Ashton's mind...or send subliminal messages to his mind...we might have it decided! (By the way, I'd like to take this time to mention that we do take bribes...)
Ashton enjoys his new job. He's learning quite a bit and likes being a part of a smaller company. There's about 6 people in the company. It's been nice for him to have a shorter commute to campus and it makes a big difference with the hours he works.
I've been finding new hobbies and projects to work on, and recently picked up cross stitching. I've mostly finished my first cross stitch project, but still have to find a way to frame it or something. I'll post a picture when I get it finished. It's been a good way to pass time and I need a lot of stuff to do to keep me busy. I've always enjoyed multi-tasking so I like having many projects started so I have options.
Hope everyone is having a great start to their new year!
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