Back in the Saddle Again

After an enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend it is time to get back in the saddle again. Unfortunately this means I am heading into finals!

Top Ten Reasons Thanksgiving is One of my Favorite Holidays

Top Ten Reasons Thanksgiving is One of my Favorite Holidays

10. Turkey sandwiches for days to come.

9. Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

8. Everyone is welcome to the feast.

7. Yams with Marshmellows on top.

6. Football

5. Pumpkin Pie, Lemon Merugie, Chocolate Pie, Coconut Cream....

4. It is not commercialized.

3. Laughter

2. A holiday spent with those you love.

1. Focused on gratitude.

The Duel (Not the Movie About the Truck)

As the U of U beat TCU tonight I find my self in more of a quandary than ever.
Who do I cheer for on November 22nd!
Either way I win!
Stephen Covey would be so proud of my win/win situation.

Walker Tower (101 Ways to Avoid Homework)

My roommate told me that the Walker Tower in downtown Salt Lake lights up according to the weather. Apparently it use to do this back in the day but then in the 80's some laws were passed that forced the owner to take it down.

Following a building renovation the city gave permission for the tower to be rebuilt and be lit again according to the weather. So if you are in Salt Lake watch for Walker Tower.

Here is a key to the color forecast:

Solid Blue = Blue Skies

Blinking Blue = Cloudy Skies

Solid Red = Raining

Blinking Red = Snow is on the way.
Put that in your book Kevin Eubank!

Halloween is Coming

My Sister Kerri threw a great Halloween party!

Beware of Spooks!

Art

Cousin Jethro had a wonderful art show in downtown Salt Lake. It was part of the Salt Lake gallery stroll. I love the fact that I am related to so many talented people.

Going to the show was like a mini family reunion with a flare of beat neck poetry. If we would have all been dressed in black and Thad would have played the congo drum it would have been just about right.

I have a great extended family and it was fun to enjoy the evening with them.

www.jethrogillespie.com

Three brothers in love....

The Super Baruba Success Book

When I was in sixth grade my teacher, who wrote this book, gave me a copy for Christmas. The title of the book is The Super Baruba Success Book for Under Achievers, Over-Expecters and Other Ordinary People. At the time I really did not fully understand the title and pretty much considered my self quite ordinary so I read the book.

Now 22 years later, yes that is 22 years later, I see this book in a whole new light. I think that is what going to law school does to you. I connect much more now with the part of the title the lists under achievers and over expecters.

The funny part about this book is after all this time I have no idea what baruba means.

Ode to Fall

So I am now officially avoiding homework with an ode to fall. I love fall in Utah the colors are spectacular and the temperature outside could not be better. When I lived in Washington the pine forests were unbelievable but they brought a different type of joy than the colors of fall in Utah.

Camping in southern Utah in the fall is something I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys camping. Though it gets cold at night, there is nothing like the red rock filled in with fall leaves early in the morning. I also highly recommend taking a drive into the mountains. A popular favorite is the Alpine Loop in Provo Canyon or the Squaw Peak Drive. Either one is well worth your time but you better hurry because snow is on the horizon.

As I walk to school each day I enjoy watching the change in nature. The cool breeze, the change in color, the birds chirping in the trees. I know I live right downtown but it is amazing how God blesses us even in the most unusual places.

Irrigation

I have been working on a paper about irrigation canals for two weeks now. I will be honest it brought back many memories of playing in the irrigation water as a kid and even more recent memories of Dad and Wookie bonding during each irrigation turn. But I will be honest I am sick of reading and writing about canals.

If any of you are curious about the laws connected to irrigation please feel free to give me a call I am sure you will be amazed at how much legislation goes into muddy water.

Sunset in Salt Lake

I can believe I have been in school for almost a month. I am really enjoying the challenge of law school, it was worth the wait. My classes are difficult and quite often I walk out wondering what exactly just happened. I find this is good for me because it makes me want to understand. So I study more. Then I gain a bit of confidence, go back to class and wonder once again what just happened. I am sure there is a purpose to this cycle but I have yet to discover it.

My thinking is also changing these days. As I walk to and from school I see all sorts of possible law suits that could occur. As I click on the "I agree" button on the computer I wonder how binding the contract will be and if there is a way to get out of it. I know I am weird.

As for my apartment and roomate I could not ask for better. My roomates name is Breanne, we use to work together at BYU. She is working in Salt Lake so the location is great for both of us. The picture is a view from my apartment and I love it. I can't wait to watch the leaves change and the snow come outside the window.

Please stop by and visit if your every in the neighborhood!

September 11th

It is hard for me to believe that seven years ago a horrifying event consumed our nation and we have never been the same again.

I remember I was teaching first grade in Provo and I was at an early morning leadership meeting when Mr. Rasmussen came in and told us we better get to a TV because the world was changing. I could not believe what I was seeing nor did I know how I was going to help 20 six year old children to feel safe that day.

Surprisingly the students did very well and made me feel a sense of hope and peace in a time of trouble. Some teachers at our school were so overwhelmed that they had to be sent home and a substitute brought in. Some parents did not send their children to school.

Every chance I got I turned on the news to see what further developments had occurred but I never discussed it or showed it to my students. Because they were so young I felt it was something for their parents to discuss with them first. It was as if the students did not even know it was happening, but I promise you they knew. The students brought a sense of normality on a day that was anything but normal.

As I went home that day I wanted to do something or anything to show my support for those who had lost and those working to recover. The first thing I did was hang a flag on the balcony of my third story apartment. As the week progressed several balconies in the courtyard of my complex hung flags in remembrance and support.

I remember trying to go give blood hoping it might help but the lines of people who wanted to donate were so large they sent me home. Many prayers were said, memorial services given, and a sense of peace that God is aware of us.

The unity and love I felt from every person and for every person during this period of time was so strong and umbrella of God's love was continually manifest.

Henry B. Eyring gave a talk on Prayer in the October conference of 2001. At the time prayer seemed the only way to find peace in a troubled world. Elder Eyring made a comment in the talk that he hoped the need for prayer would last. As I look back on that comment and the events of September 11th I ask myself if the need has lasted. Not only for prayer but also for the love of those around me and the support of a common cause.

As I look back on the tragic events of that day I am grateful for the lesson God has taught me. We need to support each other as if our lives depend on it and then turn to God knowing we can do nothing without him. My prayers go out to those who still suffer.

First Day

Today is my first day of law school. I am scared by the amount of information I don't know and need to learn. More importantly I can see a need to analyze that I have not seen before. I hope I am up to the challenge.

The move to Salt Lake was very smooth. I was able to move into a place 4 blocks from the law school. I walk to school everyday and I love it.

My ward meets in a little old church house just a block away. The ward has everything from young married couples to those I am sure have lived here since the pioneers settled. It is the only ward that meets in the building which makes it very unique. I feel very blessed in everything that is happening and greatly supported.

Changes are Coming

It has been a weird couple of days. My roomate, Deah, has been moving out and will be completely moved in the next day or two. My replacement at work has started training for my job and I am signing an apartment contract this week so I can move.
It is funny but I am so excited. I can't put my finger on why but I feel like a little girl on Christmas eve who just can't sleep. Not many people can say that about going to Law School.

Memory Game

I'm taking this game off of Michelle's blog ...
1. As a comment on my blog leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me well or not so well, anything you remember.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and people will leave a memory about you. It's a fun way to get to know each other better.

Law School

I am excited to announce that I will begin law school at the University of Utah this fall!

Dad's First Hair Cut

The fourth of July is a time of many traditions in my family. But this year we truly came to understand independence when Dad got his first hair cut all by himself. Kris usually has to keep him from crying the whole time but he's a big boy now. Good to see you growing up Dad!

Jacob's World

The Anderson's came to see me at work today and Kim told me that Jacob had a hard time walking in the building from the car because his legs pits were sweating to hard.

Just take a look, it's in a book....

As a child I remember going over to the Provo Public Library. The upper floor was filled with books for the big people and I remember this very strange statute holding a spear made out of metal. As you went down the stairs black footprints led the way to the children's section where mom usually let me pick out 2-3 books. Frog and Toad, Owl at Home, Choose Your Own Adventure, and Jumangi were regular check out items.

Returning books was also an adventure. I remember pulling into the parking lot in our green Vanagon (as I got older we upgraded and it was yellow). Mom would go to take the books in as we stayed in the car. The building next to the library was old and falling apart. I told my brothers and sisters that this was where the library witch lived.

Needless to say I was not an avid reader as a child and I really missed out on a lot of great reading time.

Now as an adult I can't seem to find enough time to read. There are so many things I want to read that I have to make rules with myself that I cannot get a new book until I have is finished the one I am reading.

I have books I can read at work during breaks and books I can read at home. I even have a list of books on CD to listen to in the car. I recently finished To Kill a Mockingbird on CD and also watched the movie. The book is by far better and I would highly recommend rereading it.

I LOVE going to the library to pick out new things to read or listen to. I feel so blessed to live in a time when learning and reading is highly encouraged. The best part about the library is summed up in one word "free". For those who know how cheap I am this is music to my ears.

If you have not been to a library in a while may I recommend a trip. Give yourself at least a good hour. I promise you will become addicted and what a thing to be addicted to.

The Coolest Grandma in the World

I have the coolest Grandma in the world. No joke! She is in her Eighties and she still swings on the swings like a little school girl!
She has a wall where she has measured her grand children, great grand children and want-to-be grandchildren. This is a treasure that brings history to life.

If I have learned anything from Grandma I have learned to live and love! I just want you to know Grandma that I love you!

A Day in the Park

On June 1st I went to the park with the Horton kids, Stephanie, Kelly, Deah and Mom. EVERYONE enjoyed the playground as you will see. Kylie was digging it up.

So was Marcus....

Quincey enjoyed the horsey ride. Does this look familiar to anyone!

Mom preferred the motorcycle,

and Deah was afraid of the slide. Caleb and Marcus helped her out!

It was a fun day!

Arizona Trip

Sarah Stewart and I took a wonderful vacation to Mesa, Arizona, May 15th-19th, 2008.


We went to the Mesa Temple and hiked or should I say climbed Camel Back. Note to self bring more water next time!

At the top we had a beautiful view of the city. Sarah and I had a great trip. We spent most of our time reading books and enjoying the sunshine. Who could ask for better than that!

Picnic in the Park

The picnic in the park for my birthday was so much fun! But I found it interesting that all my siblings were fighting over the slide. Ages 4-8 guys!
Soccer was a blast on the large field. I am glad Annie made it to my birthday again.









The cousins came and helped us start soccer games and made me feel very loved! Thanks Jethro, Robyn, and Thad.

Grandpa and Grandma are party animals at the park. They love their adopted Korean daughter.

It was fun to have long time friends Melanie and Sarah there. Sarah also took me out to dinner the night before and then got me an hour massage at Remedez. Do I have the best friends ever or what!

What a great birthday picnic! Emily made me this fabulous cake!
Many people came and enjoyed the beautiful day in the park!

Who could ask for more than that! Thanks for the great birthday!

I Have Converted

As many of you know I am one of those people who will not buy a "new" anything until the old one is so dead that CPR won't bring it back. Just to give you an example, I purchased a cell phone in 2003 when I moved to Washington. It was a great brick phone with a pull out antenna. The screen was neon blue and the only pictures you could get on it looked like they came out of a DOS system.

But the phone worked and served it's purpose. That is until the antenna broke off and I had to superglue it back in. Fabulous it was fixed. Then the screen started to fade and when I could not read anything on it without disassembling and reassembling the entire phone I decided it was time to upgrade.

Last month, after a short period of mourning, I got my new free phone and guess what it flips and takes pictures. But my favorite part is the voice activated dialing. I know I am a nerd!

Now if this has not shocked you hold on to your hat! Last night I bought my first digital camera. I figured it is my birthday this week and President Bush was nice enough to send me a check so I thought I better spend some of it on something I really wanted.

I know my Brother-in-law Andy will be sad that I will no longer be developing my film at Skaggs but I figured it was I high time I converted to the digital age. So beware my memory card holds 511 pictures and I may overwhelm you with my flash.

Let's Treat all Holidays Equal

As many of you know I avidly celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It is a holiday commemorating an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. For those of you who are confused it is not the celebration of Mexico's independence and it is actually celebrated more in the United States than it is in Mexico.

This holiday is known for its high intake of Guacamole being beaten only by the Super Bowl in the amount consumed on this day.

So I hope you all had a chance to enjoy some Mexican food, hit a pinata, and prepare for the next big holiday which is of course Armed Forces Day on May 17th. Wait am I missing something?

If you're going to San Francisco....

I had a great time seeing the Lecheminants in California! I can't thank them enough!

Shout out to Derek from Deah, " Ruthie, Piggy-Face, Draper!"

More pictures and information about the trip coming soon.