MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The Most Wonderful Person I Know...

So, I've often wondered about that day when I would take someone home to meet my parents; THE Someone. Would he be nervous? Would I? My fear is that I would revert back to my child-like self when I'm home and under parental control. A friend of mine and I discussed that once. No matter how adult we are on our own it is real easy to switch gears in some respects when we go home. To become whinier or more easily upset...to become childish (but not in the good way). This is something I've worried about. I want to be the same person there as I would be here.

One thing I had not considered, however, is what I would do when I met his parents. That part I have never thought to think about. I generally really enjoy meeting people's families. To see where they come from is very intriguing. I never guessed I would be so nervous.

I met Monte's parents on Wednesday. I felt that I was quiet and awkward. I got better as the days went on and it was easier to be myself around his siblings, but still, I was worried I did not make the good impression I would have liked. I was worried they would have no idea that I could be fun, or supportive, or mostly that they would not see how much I cared - genuinely cared - for their son. I guess I did alright. In the end, his mother told him that I was a keeper. I assume that's a stamp of approval. It made me very happy to hear that. Now, don't jump to any conclusions...there is no understanding beyond simple courtship between us, so no comments, please, on anything further. I just wanted to express my thoughts on this Thanksgiving.

I had the chance to watch Monte this past week with his family. As with all families there are problems and things that irk us because we know them best and have lived with them longest. I could tell there were moments when he may have felt that he didn't quite fit...that he was the outsider in his family. But I could also see how hard he worked "behind the scenes" to make them comfortable, to make them happy. The little things he did for them made me love him so much more. And I also saw how their faces lit up when they told me about their cousin, brother, or son when he wasn't around. They think very highly of him. They all love each other so much. I felt very happy to be included.

Upon further inspection I learned a bit more about him these last couple of days. He is truly wonderful. When he's having a stressful time I want nothing more than to be of support and to help in anyway I can. His happiness ranks right up there on the scale of most important things in my life. At the same time, I have never felt happier. It's hard to describe...but if I was a balloon filling with water, there are days when I am sure I can hold no more without bursting and spilling happiness upon all the rest of the world. He is so good to me. I can't quite understand what I've done to deserve him. Or why he finds me so terrific and lovely. It baffles me that he can love me so much. I think it baffles him too that I could feel the same way about him.
So much has happened this semester. So much has happened in the last couple months. I look forward to the next couple. I look forward to continually learning about him. I look forward to the next moment that I will see him. Monte is so kind and gentle. He is soft spoken and generally good natured. He cares for others and likes to do things for them. He likes eating chocolate and baking desserts. He's so smart and works very hard. I may miss him during long nights on campus but I admire his dedication. He always returns a message. He's the first there and the last to leave at functions and other activities that may require help, assistance, or attendance. He's sooo funny. I have never laughed quite so much. I am constantly smiling and my sides ache with happiness. He's handsome; probably the most handsome man I've ever met. His hands are warm and fit so perfectly in mine. He has a tradition to walk around the Temple alone each Sunday to think. He is so good. Sitting in sacrament next to Monte is probably one the highlights of my week. He enjoys traveling and experiencing new things. He has a serious face when he's stressed or thinking, a huge grin when someone makes him laugh unexpectedly, sleepy eyes when he's tired, and a simple grin with crinkle smiley eyes when he says I love you. He's the most wonderful person I know! It was the best Thanksgiving break. :)

I dreamed last night that I was in a super hero movie...sort of anime looking but with real people. I had powers but I never used them. I was young and no one knew that I had powers. I was looking for a safe haven and then I stumbled into this family who seemed normal but I could tell that their father had powers. (He had blue hair.)
Then it was getting to be night time and I wanted to find a place to sleep and I stumbled down to the ocean side. It was very beautiful but unfortunately it was private property and some dude chased me away with a shot gun. I didn't use my powers. I knew that I could but I didn't want to...and I didn't want anyone to know that I had them.I found a great enormous home after that and I went inside the hall. It looked like a hotel. There was a bad guy in there. I had seen him several times before in my dream. I tried to get passed him unnoticed. I realized then that he was going to hurt someone. I wasn't sure what to do. No one knew I had these powers and if I displayed them I knew he would attack me and I didn't know if I could win because he was very very strong. A group of men appeared at this time. I walked past them down the hall. I looked up and one of the men was the guy with the blue hair. We made eye contact and even though he looked very different now I knew it was same guy who was the normal father before...but now he was using his super powers. The group marched down the hall and attacked the bad guy. It looked like they had won...but then he rose off the floor into the air and healed. He laughed maliciously and then used the chains and ropes they had put around him and shot them out at the group of good men killing them all in a flash of light.I began to run now. He began to fly. I entered the main part of the home and I saw the children, three little girls, that had been out trick or treating with their father earlier, the man with blue hair. They did not know their father had just been killed. But they did know something was wrong. They started to run upstairs. The way this house was set up it had a center shoot that went up floor after floor and was surrounded on the sides by different colored rooms. Each one had a theme color and was very beautiful.










I remember I wanted to look around the green room but I had no time before the bad guy appeared. Then I ran to the orange room and then to the burgundy room.

The girls were screaming by this point and we continued to run upstairs. It was like running in a spiral upwards and the bad guy was using the shoot in the middle to race us upwards.


I knew that we were running out of room and I feared for the kids.

I was young...but not as young as they were and I knew I was their only hope. The bad guy was not after me...but he wanted to kill this whole family. I did not know why but I knew I needed to help. But I was sooo scared. I didn't know if I could defeat him. I didn't know if I could even help. I had just seen him destroy a whole group of strong men with powers who were the protectors. The only thing I had going for me was that he didn't know that I wasn't a normal child...he didn't know that I did have powers. He came through a window in front of the youngest girl. She screamed...my heart was beating so fast by this point and I was petrified. Really and truly afraid...I knew I might could hide or leave but then these children would be murdered. I made a decision to stay. I have never felt so scared. I moved towards the little girl to protect her...


And then I woke up. I woke up from my dream and I was out of breath. Literally. I was breathing so hard and I felt so tired. And I was still afraid. I laid there in my bed for a while and thought about the dream. I didn't know if the children survived. I didn't know if I survived. I got out of the dream before the battle. The only comfort I felt was that I had moved towards the girl before I had woken up. It was such a strange dream.

YAY For Halloween!

I love Halloween! It's right up there as one of my favorite holidays along with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my Birthday (yes it counts).We had our ward Halloween party this past Saturday. It was soooo much fun! My two roommates, my brother, and myself went as care bears. The fact that my brother went as grumpy bear really made the group terrific. We even won the "most creative costume" award. I made felt tummies for us all and cute little ears. And then don't forget the trademark hearts on the hip. It was a very exciting evening. The only thing that could have made it better was if my roommate Shiloh could have come with us. Then we could have had a Funshine bear. :)
Well, here are some pictures for you to check out.

I was Bedtime Bear.

Here's Grumpy Bear...but doesn't look so grumpy.

Ah, that's better.
(He's grumpy cause his ear is falling off.)

There was also Good Luck Bear (Mary) and
Tender Heart Bear (Katherine).

Syndrome (From the movie The Incredibles)

Awww...my Hero!...I mean, ugh, my villain.

Scary Eyes! (This picture is worth zooming in on.)

Decorating Cupcakes...Yum!

We thought this was the happiest picture on earth...I mean a Care Bear and Mr. Rogers! So much joy and happiness there. Enough to make you sick. Haha

Opposites Attract :) This is my good friend, Matt. But I almost didn't recognize him, he looked really scary!

Go team!!!

The nightmare before Christmas
made a pretty awesome costume.

Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth

Taking a shower

A funny Leprecon and the a big happy Bunny.

We got to carve pumpkins too!









And I won the cupcake decorating contest.
I used a chocolate cupcake to make a bat on top of a tombstone.





Well, that's all for now. We'll see what costume I can come up with for this Wednesday. I love Halloween!!And for anyone that is interested a Bedtime Bear costume is probably the most comfortable costume ever. (I felt like I was wearing pj's all night and I wanted to cuddle up and take a nap. Plus I got to wear slippers!)

A Perfect Moment

So, I want to tell you about a little experience I had last night. And to preface this story I would like to say that these circumstances may seem small and inconsequential, but for me, at the time, it felt like everything fell into place and happened like it should.

Tender little mercies.

Last night my ward had a Temple trip that I attended. There were so many people there that between the five of us ladies that drove up in my car, two of us made it into one session while the other three had to wait for the next. So, afterward I spent a lot of time sitting and waiting on my four passengers to come down ready to go. After about half and hour of waiting I saw my friend Dallin. He sat down to chat for a bit and found out I was waiting on my friends. He then volunteered to give the girls a ride home if I wanted to go ahead and leave. I had guest coming to my house at 10 and it was about 20 minutes till at this point. I told him I had 20 minutes and should be fine but then while I was sitting there I began to think that if I left now I could go see Monte for a brief moment before I had to meet my friends and I had not seen him at all that day and of course really wanted to. But I felt bad leaving the girls to go find a boy. Dallin then reiterated his previous proposal to give the girls a ride home for me. I took him up on it and left.

I was leaving the parking lot when I saw a car on the side of the road with it's hood up and three people, a young lady, a gentleman, and a very old woman standing near the vehicle. I thought possibly they needed to jump their car or something. As I got closer, instead of just driving by like I normally would do when it's late at night and I'm alone in my car, I rolled down the passenger window and asked them if they needed help. As I was doing this I thought to myself, Why am I doing this...I don't have a cell phone to call for help...I don't have jumper cables...in fact I'm in a rental car I don't even know much about...how can I possibly help them...why am I offering to do so. Then the old woman explained to me that these two had just been in a little accident (at this point I noticed the other car and the bumper laying on the ground) and that she (the old woman) was being given a ride home by the young women in the accident. She went on to say, however, that she had been at the Temple all evening but had forgotten to bring her medicine and that she was feeling faint and really worried about getting home to take her medicine. I told her to hop in and I would give her a ride.

She did so and then told me that she lived in Orem across the street from the Walmart. Oh, I thought to myself, that's a good ways out there from where we were in Provo and there is definitely no way I would be able to see Monte this evening and I would probably be late meeting my friends. But this old lady needed to get home to take her medicine...it was right thing to do...so even if I would not get to see Monte today I was going to drive her home!

We started out towards the Walmart in Orem. She talked to me about her life and about art. She was a really interesting woman. Her grandson was studying art and getting his masters in ceramics. Things were pleasant. At one point there was a lull in the conversation and I slowed down to a stop in a long row of cars at a stoplight nearing Walmart. I looked in front of me and I started laughing. The old woman asked me what was funny. I told her. "I know that car in front of us...that's my boyfriend's car...Go Figure." I then caught Monte's eye when he looked in his rear view mirror and I waved. He smiled and waved back. I continued to follow Monte the rest of the way to Walmart cause apparently that's where he was headed and I was headed just across the street from there. He told me later, he was confused why I was following and because it was dark he did not see the elderly woman in the passenger seat beside me.

So, I took the old woman home and she thanked me profusely and then added..."he probably went to Walmart...you should go fine him...goodluck". We both got a big laugh out of that. And I went on my way. And I decided to turn into the Walmart parking lot, as silly as that sounds, cause it's a big place and there is no way I could find Monte...but low and behold he pulled up to the parking space next to me. I got out. We had a big laugh. I told what had happened and that I had not been stalking him. Haha. He gave me a hug. And then he went to Walmart and I went home to meet my friends.

As I was driving home, I thought to myself how perfectly all that had worked out. I wanted to see Monte and if I had gone straight home I would have missed him but because I did what I was supposed to do I was able to see him anyhow. Everything fell into place.

If Dallin had not offered right then to give the girls a ride home then I would not have been right there when the old lady needed a ride and if I had not followed the prompting I had to stop and offer help right then even though that was totally out of character for me then I would not have been right there at the stoplight when Monte was there and I would not been able to see him.

I felt blessed. And I felt happy for helping someone. And I felt, as sappy as it may sound, that the Lord blessed me for doing what needed to be done and that he had orchestrated the entire events of the evening so that in the end everyone was taken care of. A small train of events. And huge boost of happiness and love. And that's what I wanted to share with you all. Take care my friends.

I'm so happy!
That's all. I hope you all are having a great week.
:)

Blog Number 50!
Let's celebrate. . . . . Okay, too tired, maybe next time.

. . .

Well, it's Saturday and today is a BYU home football game. I can't tell how excited I am about that...and how not excited about the fact that the sun from yesterday is gone and it looks bitterly cold and rainy outside. Oh well. True fans will still be at the game. I hope I can scream and cheer. My throat feels terribly soar...probably from last night's activity.


I went to a haunted forest. SCAREY! I thought to myself...I haven't been to a haunted house since I was 17 (8 years ago) and possibly I won't be as scared as I was then. Well...the haunted forest was like walking through every scarey movie ever made and ten haunted houses put together. I will never go to one of those again. I started off laughing from fear and then it turned into quiet whimpering and then I was screaming and it was not much fun anymore. Not much...maybe just a little.

I was with Monte. That part was fun. And the fact that he was such a "man". By that, I mean, when he saw how afraid I was he did everything he could to protect me. Human body shield. He would put his hand up to the monsters, that's enough, and the other arm was wrapped securely around me. I don't like being scared. I will not go back to the haunted forest. But oh how I love being protected. Strange how the moments when I feel the weakest, when I feel like such a "girl", could be the most special. It was just a fake haunted forest. But it was real fear. And it was a real moment. He was great. And I am so happy. Go figure.

Hey Friends!

Thought I'd drop you all a little letter to let you know what's going on in my life. Well...Life is extremely terrific right now. That's pretty much the gist of it all. The End. :)

Top ten reasons why life is so good:

10. We have a pet snake named Elphaba and she's pretty.
9. My family is doing well - brother is happy - dad got a promotion - and mom is healthy enough to go back to work.
8. There's a home football game this weekend. Yeah!
7. My volleyball team has won our last 4 tournament games. (Another game tonight:)
6. My roommates and I are planning some really awesome Halloween costumes!
5. My calling at church gives me lots of chances to serve and that fills me with joy.
4. Being graduated I have no homework so instead I get to read lots of books I've been putting on hold. (Has anyone read "The Princess and the Goblins"? It's a children's book but really interesting.)
3. I'm working, and I love my job at the art gallery and giclee printing shop.
2. I get to go to the Temple to do family history and learn and feel close to the Lord.
1. And I met someone...go figure...after being single for more than 3 and half years...I met someone that's really wonderful...some how he just appeared when I least expected it and he's terrific!

Life is good. I'm trying not to get too excited about anything. But life is very good. And that is nice. I've enjoyed all your emails and comments and I love reading your blogs too. My friends, you make me happy and I wish you all wonderful, uplifting lives.

Take care my friends.
Love always
~ME

Where did my Southern Charm go?

I just took an online quiz and officially found out that I do not have an accent, haha, according to the response below...the truth is that I come from a very small southern town about 3 hours from Charleston or anything big enough to be worth anything. But seeing as how I've lived in Utah for 7 years now maybe I've confused everything.
My favorite, however, is that it says I have a good voice for Television. That's good, right? Generally people on TV (generally) sound intelligent. That's all I really ever wanted. :)

Here's my results:
(If you would like to try it yourself there's 13 quick questions just click here.)



What American accent do you have?

Your Result: The Midland

You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.

Today was good. I woke up happy. I thought I had just had a very nice dream about a date with a boy. It took a good ten minutes or so for me to realize that I was not remembering a dream but an actual date I had the night before. It was late when we got home and I was sleepy so it's a bit of a blur from the end of the night to the morning. But still, I woke up just feeling happy. It's nice to know that someone else can still make you feel that way.

It had been a really fun evening.

The reason I was woken up this morning was not my alarm either. That was nice. Instead my roommate brought a letter in for me that was left at the door. It was a letter from a neighbor friend of mine. I had written a letter to tell her what a great job she had done planning a particular activity and what a super person she was. Not a big deal. But she wrote me back the most heartfelt letter about how much it had meant to her and how lonely she had been feeling. I had no idea that she had felt that way. I was so happy I followed that prompting...that little inkling in my mind to write her that letter.

It was a very good morning.

At work I discovered how much I love working in an art gallery. I was truly enjoying myself. I even smiled while doing some of the more mundane tasks that I normally do at work. I helped set up an art show and met with the artist. She was a fun, very expressive woman. I went back later after work to attend her artist reception. They had wonderful chocolate truffles and the artist was so friendly to me. It felt funny to make friends with someone that I will probably never see again. Then again...the art world is smaller than I probably think it is so we could cross paths again.

It was a pleasant afternoon.

It rained all day...but I didn't mind. After the art reception I went out to eat with some good old friends of mine. It made me extremely happy to spend time with the two of them again. They are a hilarious sibling pair, and I was quite entertained. We all ended up watching Funniest Home Video's 300th show together with my roommates. There was a lot of laughing going on. I felt so wonderful. I love to laugh. And I love friends. And I love that tomorrow is conference weekend and will be wonderful too.

It was a really great evening.

Yeah, so there is not much to this blog this evening. I was just so pleasantly happy that I needed to do something before I went to bed. So many little things can come together to make the most perfect day. And just so you know, the picture at the beginning of the blog is a picture I took while on my eleven hour hike up and down Mt. Timpanogos. I thought...this is how I would picture a pleasantly perfect day. So, there you go. :) Take care my friends.

BFA Senior Art Show
August 11, 2007 – August 30, 2007

I promised pictures for those of you that were not able to make it to my art show (which comes down after tomorrow) so here they are. I tried to include a little information about each piece, and I copied the artist statement (the paragraphs in italics) from the show so that you won't feel like you missed a thing. And if you did get to see the show - then I'm ever so happy! - and now you get to reminisce.
Enjoy the pictures.
Let me know what you think.
Leave comments.
I'm truly interested.

"LIVING WATER"

"This show, created around the Old Testament scripture Isaiah 44:3, deals with the symbolic nature of water and the universal acknowledgment that water denotes life. Initially, I struggled with the idea that all my work might be viewed as religious art until I came to the realization that my art could never be anything other than my deepest desires, interests, and beliefs.

The lyrics from a BYU Men’s Chorus song, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,” echoed in my head. I had been repeating these words to myself for nearly two years. “I will pour floods upon the dry ground.” They had inspired me. I knew I would not be able to ignore them for long.

“I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”

Growth…Life…Revelation…and Blessings are themes that fascinate me and motivate me to create.

I focused first on life; captivated with egg shapes which indicate new life. These shapes evolved, and from these pieces I began to investigate the nourishment of this new life. This is when I began to explore the symbolism that water held for me. I created vessels to hold water, pour water, and catch water. These vessels soon developed into wall pieces and eventually into fountains that would actually carry water.

These wall hangings symbolize, in my mind, a higher power: a loving Father, a devoted Brother, a Comforter…that carry drops of love, lessons, and direction to the young life – seedlings yearning to learn and grow and develop. My hope is, however, that no matter your religious background or beliefs that the basic idea that water brings nourishment and encourages life can be understood. From that point, hopefully you can move towards a more personal insight into the things in your own life that nourish your soul…

A journey which I have started and now propose to you."

'Blessings' / Wall Fountain (7x9 feet)
Ceramic Wall Pieces - Raku
Ceramic Water Bowls - Cone 6 glazes, Glass and Beads
Wood - Stucco - Water pump drip system
-For Sale-

Top view (bowl 1)

Side View (bowl 1)

Top View (bowl 2)

Side View (bowl 2)

Top View (bowl 3)

Side View (bowl 3)

'Water Pot' / Ceramic - Raku
-SOLD-

'Water Pot, variation 4' / Ceramic - Raku
-SOLD-

'Water Pot, variation 3' / Ceramic - Raku

-For Sale-

'Flora – water bowl, variation 8' and
'Water Pot, variation 5' / Ceramic - Raku

-For Sale-

'Flora – water bowl, variation 2' / Ceramic - Cone 6 glazes

-SOLD-

'Flora – water bowl, variation 3' / Ceramic - Cone 6 glazes

-SOLD-

'Flora – water bowl, variation 4' / Ceramic - Cone 6 glazes

-SOLD-

“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:” - Isaiah 44:3