Another one down

Can you believe that tomorrow is New Year's Eve? I've been thinking about that all day. 2008 was a decent year, but I have some high hopes for 2009. Not specific hopes... any attempt to nail down my future these days seems to get derailed...just high ones. :) Anyway, I guess we'll see what the new year brings.

I'm a Failure at BYU

Despite the literal truth of this post title, I was actually referring to a quiz I took that I found on Nicole's blog. I found it funny and pretty spot-on. :)

How BYU are you?

[X] You have been kissed at lease once
[_] Your first kiss was on campus
[X] You've had a boyfriend/girlfriend
[X] You lived in the dorms your freshman year
[ ] You went to Homecoming or Preference
[ ] You hiked the Y
[_] You've taken a social dance class
[ ] You regularly attended FHE for at least a semester
[X] You've participated in Choose to Give
[ ] You've been to Liberty Square for a party at least once
[X] You've driven around south of campus for at least 20 minutes trying to find a parking spot
[X] You know the cougar fight song
[X] You've crossed the crosswalk without using the flags or biked through a red light
[_] You've been to Friday Night Live
[_] You've performed or witnessed an act that made it onto Police Beat
[X] You've been on a "date" to the bell tower or duck pond
[ ] You've been to the Bean Museum for FHE
[X] You've been to Divine Comedy
[X] You've been to International Cinema
[ ] You are engaged
[ ] You are married
[ ] ...in the temple
[_] You were previously engaged/married
[_] You have kids or are expecting kids
[X] Your birth parents are still married
[X] ...in the temple
[X] You have at least three siblings
[_] You've taken a marriage prep or relations class
[X] You've taken at least one religion class that is not based on the scriptures
[ ] You have slept on a couch in a restroom
[X] You have been to the BYU Creamery
[_] You have been in one of the BYU choirs
[_] You've been on a date to Fat Cats
[X] You have read Twilight
[X] ...book 2
[X] ...book 3
[X] ...book 4
[X] ...seen the movie
[X] ...more than once
[_] You've waited in line at the Bookstore for the Harry Potter or Twilight book premiere
[X] You have seen The Singles Ward or Sons of Provo
[ ] You have walked out of a movie you found morally reprehensible
[X] You know where the "chastity line" is
[X] You can finish the phrase "Nothing good happens after ______"
[X] You read the Daily Universe at least 3x a week
[_] ...and it's the only newspaper you read
[X] You've personally known someone who was reported to the Honor Code Office
[_] You've participated in or watched a Mr. BYU contest
[_] You've received personal revelation that he/she is "the one" (or been told this)
[_] ...and told him/her about your revelation (or been told this)
[_] ...and then they rejected you (or rejected them)
[X] You've been to the Nickelcade
[ ] You've been to Classic Skating
[_]You've ignored your parents' phone calls for at least 3 days
[_] ...and then they called the University Police
[_] You've been pulled over by the University Police
[X] You watch The Office religiously
[X] You mostly wear jeans and t-shirts or plain fitted shirts
[_] You own at least 3 things from American Eagle or Hollister
[_] Your sacrament meeting is a fashion show/scam session
[X] You've been on a date to the Provo River

You've kissed in a...
[X] ...campus parking lot
[X] ...Provo Canyon or Squaw Peak
[ ] ...on temple grounds
[ ] ...on a couch as soon as your roommates left the room

[X] You think UVU is not a real university
[X] You hate U of U with a passion

FOR GIRLS (don't answer if you're a guy)
[X] You own knee-length shorts
[X] You regularly wear camisoles/undershirts for modesty reasons
[_] You are a MFHD, RMYL, Elementary Education, or Exercise Science Major
[_] Your major crush ended up dating a MFHD, RMYL, Elementary Education, or Exercise Science major
[_] You have had at least one roommate who is in hair or dental school
[ ] You own The Italian Job or The Princess Bride
[X] You wear makeup at least 3x a week
[X] You do something with your hair (other than brush it/ponytail) at least 3x a week
[_] You went or plan on going on a mission
[_] ...because you couldn't get married


FOR GUYS (don't answer if you're a girl)
[_] You shave every (or almost every) morning
[_] You know when your hair is "too long"
[_] You know what the "divide by 2 and add 7" dating rule is
[_] ...and you follow it
[_] You've dated freshmen girls as a RM
[_] ...when you already knew better
[_] You've used the phrase "On my mission..." to a girl
[_] At least 3 girls have baked cookies or meals for you
[_] You went or plan on going on a mission
[_] ...because you wanted to get married

TOTAL: 38

A: 68-77
B: 60-67
C: 53-66
D: 45-52
F: 44 or below

Lol I guess maybe if I'd been more stereotypically "BYU" I'd have gotten better grades, because the outcome of this test very clearly mirrors the outcome of most tests I took down at school :)

The Reason for the Season

I can't believe Christmas is the day after tomorrow. If you're asking about my physical preparation...gifts bought and wrapped, treats made, cards delivered, I'm ready for Christmas. But I'm just not ready for the Christmas season to be over. This is my favorite time of year not for December 25th but for everything leading up to it. I love the scones at Winder Dairy, the 5400 light display, The Forgotten Carols, the lights on Temple Square, the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, the twelve days of Christmas, giving money to the Salvation Army workers, filling up and delivering the Christmas jar, the Nativity story displayed in the yards around the Bountiful Temple, the countdown to Christmas made out of red and green paperclips, anticipating the look on someone's face when they unwrap a well though-out gift you've given them, the "Merry Christmas"es said to and by strangers, a renewed belief in the divinity of Christ, and perhaps above all else, the extra time spent with family.

Thanks to Adiel for making this picture that we gave our young women tonight as a Christmas present. I hope it will help you as the big day approaches to keep your focus on the tiny babe that changed the world forever, the most humble One who offers salvation to all those who will take hold of His perfect hand, scarred for us, and let Him lead us back to our Father in Heaven.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Christmas is Here

In addition to shopping for and preparing the Twelve Days of Christmas presents yesterday, I was able to enjoy the festive feeling of Christmas in the air. I actually pulled my butt out of bed at a decent time and was ready to hit the road by 9. I was derailed when my parents decided we should all have breakfast together, but eventually I started my shopping. I began by buying makeup. :) I've been contemplating a change lately for the winter weather. I usually do very neutral lipstick/gloss because I don't like to play up my lips. They're too big. But I've really been wanting to give RED a go. I tried it out yesterday and today at church and I think I like it.


After shopping, dropping the load off at home, and shopping again, I ended up at my brother-in-law's parents' house. They were decorating sugar cookies, and I was excited to join in. The ice skate DID take me a bit longer than it should have, with me being craftily challenged and all, but I had so much fun. That's Nic's beautiful sister, Kimmy, showing off the array of cookies in the center picture.

When the cookies were all frosted, Tyson and I headed downtown to see The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I don't know if you recall when I read that book earlier this year and loved it, but I loved the movie just as much. They did an excellent job following the story set forth in the book. If you can find a theater near you where it's playing, I highly recommend seeing it.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Our family is doing the Twelve Days of Christmas for one of our neighbors, so my dad asked me to come up with poems for each day. They're pretty corny, but I had fun staying up until 5am finishing them. If you're not doing the Twelve Days of Christmas for someone, I invite you to start! If you give their first gift today, they'll open the final gift on Christmas. You're welcome to borrow my ideas, I just ask that you attribute the poems to me somehow. You can include the address to my blog, my initials, whatever. :)

The poem we attached to introduce it all:

While presents and gifts can evoke great, big smiles,

This basket of goodies might keep you waiting awhile.

Because even though these presents are meant just for you,

There is a little something we ask that you do:

Just one present daily is all you can see

And that is the rule 'til Santa visits your tree.

In just twelve short days you'll know all that's inside.

And though they're not fancy we promise we've tried.

So look for the note that's attached to each bag

You'll see that the order is found there on the tag.

The Twelve Days of Christmas we leave at your door

With our wish of good tidings to you and all yours.

And each day's poem:

"On the first day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE."

I'm sure that you've noticed this time of the year

Birds leave for the season and are seldom found here

Since the trees that they live in have all fallen bare,

But lucky for us that partridge saved you a pear!

"On the second day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

TWO TURTLE DOVES."

Tradition or not, I don't care what you say

This is an improvement on the song's "second day"

Because who wouldn't think for their one true love

To grab delicious chocolate instead of real doves?

"On the third day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

THREE FRENCH HENS."

The country hens come from is of little effect

When the folks working at Campbell's go out to select

The chickens to make soup the way that they should

Because French hens or not, it sure tastes "Mmm Mmm good!"

"On the fourth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

FOUR CALLING BIRDS."

The call of a bird is pleasant and sweet,

And easier to hear in the sun and the heat.

So while the birds are south, there's nothing wrong

With enjoying this CD of four holiday songs.

"On the fifth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

FIVE GOLD RINGS."

With our Christmas budget and the economy down

The price of gold rings was making us frown

So these substitute rings will have to do

They're fruity and tasty and easy to chew!

"On the sixth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

SIX GEESE A LAYING."

While cooking and baking for the holiday cheer

Ingredients go missing this time of the year

So we thought we'd help save you from reaching that end

By giving you these eggs from our own feathered friends

"On the seventh day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING."

I'm sure that those swans after swimming in lakes

Need to find time to relax and just take

A shower or bath to fluff up their feathers

And let the hot water warm the chill from the weather.

"On the eighth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING."

Preparing for Santa and his Christmas Eve snack

Means making sure cookies and milk you don't lack

And with eight maids out milking you'd expect a flood

But all that came out were these brown milk duds!

"On the ninth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

NINE LADIES DANCING."

I guess all the dancing just wore those girls out.

When we looked all around with a holler and shout,

All that was left was this one lady fair

Still dressed in her gown with her nice fancy hair.

"On the tenth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

TEN LORDS A LEAPING."

It's funny to think of this classic song

With its impractical gifts that can seem so wrong.

To keep ten lords leaping around like they're darts

They'd have needed the energy only found in Jump Starts!

"On the eleventh day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING."

From Frosty's garb to the trumpeter's horn,

Pipes have accompanied Christmas since the Savior was born.

And while this stuffed toy isn't exactly Bach,

There's no doubt about it…he knows how to rock!

"On the twelfth day of Christmas

my true love gave to me…

TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING."

The little drummer boy had a majestic trip

And his playing earned a smile from the Christ child's lips.

So this year we hope with the carols you hum

You'll be reminded of the meaning behind the Nutcracker's drum.

A future "must"

I've never been big on baths. In my mind, if you want to be clean, you take a shower. But today I got home from work and had some time to kill before going to the movies when out of nowhere I had the urge to take a bath. So I did. I just relaxed, listening to my ipod, and I suddenly decided that when I have my own house, a nice bathtub needs to be included.

By the way...

I just wanted you all to know that this week I surpassed my goal of reading 15,000 pages this year. It's been awhile since I actually achieved a goal, so I'm excited about this right now.

Creative Still

So the Holiday Craft Frenzy hasn't ended. Over Thanksgiving, for example, my sisters and I endeavored to make ourselves some scarves. Yes, as in trying to create something you're supposed to wear. Jen insisted it was easy, and in retrospect perhaps it was. But I still hold that I wasn't thoroughly informed as to what I was getting myself into. However, after 150 hours of cutting strings of yarn (that were invariably much too long or much too short) and nearly cursing every 32 seconds, I ended up with a scarf that's not too shabby.

I'm perplexed as to what exactly is the best way to photograph a scarf, though. My first thought was my bed, but the black sheets weren't showing off the black scarf. So I pulled out my white blanket but I still don't know that you get the whole picture. Then I tried to go close up while wearing the scarf and that didn't work well either. I stopped short of wrapping myself completely in the scarf ("I am ashamed at your naked face. I must cover it with my jacket. You are now sexy in your culture.") but hopefully you get the idea.Then, for the YW activity I was in charge of on Tuesday, we made Christmas display plates. All of the young women's turned out better than mine. That's embarrassing.
But I still hold that this season's greatest stroke of creative genius came while Adiel and I were choreographing Tuesday night. The creativity wasn't necessarily displayed in the routine we came up with but rather our process in creating the routine. Allow me to explain. I have always drawn up formations with x's on paper. On Tuesday I wanted so badly to be able to watch the x's move and follow specific x's through the different formations, when suddenly Adiel pulled out a bottle of vitamins. Lol after numbering each, we were able to visualize those formation changes perfectly!