Natural Sceptre

So- I’ve decided to move on from the song title thing. Mostly- they were only amusing- or even made sense- to me. So I think I’ll give it up for awhile.

So, this morning we slept in (Saturday, soooo nice) then got up and proceeded to do the house cleaning we do each week. We then went on a “date,” meaning….Taco Bell, the carwash, and Walmart. Haha. We got a TON of cleaning products- and one pair of weeee pantalones for our impending baby. I think I’m finding out that I’m loving the whole “frog prince” baby thing. The pants I found were on $3 and had teeny little frogs and turtles on them. I think $3 is great for something Little Camper will probably be able to wear for what, like, two weeks? before he starts putting on weight and popping out of the newborn clothes. To be honest, I’m not sure how that works. I guess I’ll find out.

But I DO have a question- so there are all these “green” cleaning products in WalMart that advertise all natural products, safety on cooking services, etc. My only issue is, they don’t say antibacterial. I’m a big fan of antibacterial….but is it really necessary? So tell me, have you gone green? And if so, do they clean as well? And if not, are these bleach products going to poison Little Camper’s little body?

So, then…on the way home…John and I started into a conversation that we actually have quite often. It is a continuation of conversations in which we have figured out that a) he can’t read my mind and b) he won’t notice (by nature of his boy-ness…or just his particular disposition) when it’s time to move the laundry to the laundry room, or do the dishes, etc. What we’ve decided in the past is that I just need to ASK him to do things. I was cool with this- until it started to go one of two ways. Either I figured I shouldn’t ASK him to do something I can just do ( I mean, how lazy is THAT?) or I did ask him, but apparently in a way that made it sound like he needed to drop what he was doing and do what I asked him to do. The funny thing was, I was taking EXTRA CARE not to sound like that, and in all my trying and question preparation time, I was actually just setting him up to be annoyed…somehow…which is turn, was setting me up to be frustrated. Finally, at the end of the conversation when I had decided that I just couldn’t win I sarcastically said, “Fine, what do you want me to do? Make a list of all the things that need to be done and just stick your name next to half the stuff and write when it needs to be done?”

His answer:

“Yes, yes actually. That would work out really well.”

I started laughing. Turns out, in trying to treat him in a way that I thought I was being super nice and polite, I was actually just being annoying. (At least to him.) One more adventure that teaches us that sometimes we just have to figure out the best way to communicate, and not expect the best way to be the way we think it’s going to be. The one thing that I thought would be demeaning and/or a throwback to the living with roommates days might actually be exactly what he wants. It’ll be a clear, consistent expectation that we don’t have to “talk about” all the time. Sweet. I’ll keep you posted. It seriously cracked me up.

So….the little brother has been with us since Tuesday. It’s been pretty good. It’s nice to actually see him, although I rather not see him at 7am walking through my bedroom in his underwear (the bathroom is through our bedroom). But I like having him around. Gives me time to check up on him and see what he’s up to. His girlfriend is nice- and doesn’t seem to mind hanging around with us, which is a good thing. He works a LOT, so he’s not around enough for me to get bugged. Haha, oh little brothers.

Last night- as well, we went and registered for some baby stuff at Babies ‘R’ Us. It was harder than I thought it would be, that’s for sure! There are so MANY things to think about….and they gave us lists and reading materials to figure out what’s what…so once I go through that I’ll probably get online and revise the things John scanned. We’ve got a few months to get it all figured out, but I love registries because it let’s you feel like you’re shopping without spending money prematurely or filling your house with stuff you don’t need yet.

My biggest questions right now are

a) what kind of bottles do you think baby would like? We’re planning on a mixture of breast and bottle feeding that will allow Little Camper to get super amounts of super nutrients but also give me some freedom. So while your thinking about it….what do you think of pumping? Cause that scares me to DEATH.

and

b) Is it cool to wait for stuff like a high chair and a circle thing with the toys and the teetering (I don’t know what those are called) because really…he won’t be able to hang out in those for awhile.

Yeah….this whole experience has been rather enlightening. First of all, I realised that there is a good chance that I’ll be pumping breast milk like…at work…at school….in PUBLIC. Which I didn’t realise. Cause if I was home, I could just feed the kid directly, right? Apparently John already knew that…or had realised it somewhere between the isle for the breast pumps and the “naturally” shaped bottles that allow Little Camper to go back and forth between the two without getting all confused. I DID educate him on one issue, however, in a discussion in which I told why we should definitely circumcise Little Camper. John was apparently thinking either way would work…but I informed him that we’re definitely going for it, because otherwise we’ll have to teach him some hygiene tips that are altogether avoided with a timely snip snip after birth. I mean….I know boys and the effort they like to put into “self-care.” It’s best if everything is as easily cleanable as possible. I know people who would disagree with me, but just check out this article and the interesting, yet clinical word “smegma” to know what I mean. Seriously. Smegma.

And yes, this is now what we talk about on Friday nights. Fun, huh?
Ok- time to switch the laundry and then go wash MY car. I heart Saturdays.

John updated my behind the scenes blogging-stuff…so it looks all new and shiny back here now. Wish you could see- but then again, this is where all the magic happens. So I think I’ll leave it a mystery. So….it’s been a few days! This weekend has been remarkably chill. I haven’t even made John help me with the insane cleaning I usually require each Friday or Saturday. Meaning…besides the bare essentials…we haven’t really done it. I guess it can wait for this week some time.

Friday evening we had Jonathan and his new girlfriend C over for “Spaghetti Dinner” and visiting. Jonathan is so funny- he made some quick noddles with sauce, threw some bread in the oven, and we all sat around the kitchen eating. It was only about an hour, but it was nice to get to meet her and talk to her a bit. I accidentally MIGHT have told C about how Jonathan can’t eat long spaghetti because he choked on it when he was a kid….a half-in/half-out, Mom required for a rescue mission puking it back on your plate kind of incident. It’s actually surprising to me that I can eat long spaghetti still. Hmmm. She just laughed, and I think he’ll forgive me.

After that it was too late to really do anything- so John and I just sat around and watched TV. Saturday we were up and running around. It was gorgeous weather, so we went and got some lunch and drove up the canyon to sit and eat it. After that we ended up running to motherhood maternity to see if there was anything I could fit myself into. Turns out I found some GREAT shorts for about $15 (sweeet) and then after a few more hours of running around (and some window shopping in various stores including REI) I also ended up with a couple of shirts as well, and a new skirt. I’m not huge, by any means, but when I tried to put on my last skirt that really works last night…well, let’s just say it used to be calf length and hit me at the waist, and now it sits under my bra and gets to my knees. Haha. I got things a little bit so hopefully they’ll last for awhile. Then…what did we do….watched a movie, hung out, went to bed.

This morning we woke up and went up to Layton for a family event. It was really nice- I ate like a p-, um pregnant woman… (about 20 strawberries, I think, props to Kim on finding such huge ripe strawberries!) and listened to John and an assortment of siblings and parents remember a trip to….well, I forget where to exactly…except that it included a “five” mile hike that turned out to be something around 15 miles….and an exciting swim for Kim when she got caught in the current of the Rio Grande and ended up swimming over to Mexico. And then back. Hahaha. Seriously- that’s hysterical. The highlight of the day, though, was when Jared and Emily showed up and Cadence yelled, “Erin!” and decided to sit by me while she got used to everyone in the room and take in her surroundings. I remember the days when it was me she was getting used to! This was a really nice event because it wasn’t about me or John or the wedding or anything- we just got to be part of the family. Maybe it was especially nice for me because I didn’t have to worry about wearing a pretty dress or being gracious and thanking everyone in sight…I could just enjoy family. I’m glad we went up and saw everyone.

I got a nice nap in on the ride home from Layton (oh, if only I could do that every day) (the nap, not the drive to Layton) and then came home and had some pancakes. Yes…more eating. Tomorrow is back to the grind, but not before we have our second ultrasound. We could very well know what the baby is tomorrow morning. I guess we’ll just have to see. I don’t want to get my hopes up…too much. But it would be nice to know. It would help us with names. We’ve got a few girl ideas…but NO boys ideas. Not really, anyway. Nothing we can agree on.

Well, I think I might be due for a snack. Peanut butter and toast anyone?

*Just as an intro to this letter, my mother has been working as a reading teacher (although paid as a paraprofessional) for years.  She has to buy all the books/supplies she needs for her classroom herself, and has taken classes to “conform” to state standards of education.  Every year she gets fired and then re-hired, but it’s always a game and a hassle.  So here’s the latest news….

Hi Erin,

I hope you are having a good day. I am…. in a backwards sorta way. Here’s the story of today. I went to work- because that what I do- and found one yellow highlighter in my mailbox. Going back a few days to help you understand the appearance of said highlighter… the school Secretary had put an inventory sheet in my mailbox with an attached note saying that if  I needed any supplies I should fill the form out and she would “fill the order” as best as she could.  How exciting! Highlighters (plural) was on the list! I was just going to buy a new bag of them because the kids I work with use them often and mine are drying out- so… check mark next to “highlighters” with the thought maybe I will get a four pack or something. Then…. should I DARE request a tape dispenser and tape? I have not had on in the 6 years I have worked there. Whenever the need arises for tape I ask George- the teacher in the room- to dispense me some. He is always happy to let me use his tape- the stuff he brought in from home. But just the thought of my very own sent happiness over the edge!

Fast forward to this morning… mail box- ONE YELLOW Highlighter- sitting all alone in my mail box- well there was a note saying the school was out of tape.

Then…. minutes later at my desk- I put the highlighter on top of my desk blotter- it is really just a piece of cardboard- since it is now 2008 the calendar dates ran out- and not having any more in the school I have just left the cardboard backer down to write on-

Over to the one computer in the room that three teachers share… check my email….. I will forward a copy of that to you..

Seems we cant afford highlighters or calendars BUT MAYBE we will be sent to a math conference….. (guess it doesn’t matter that I am the READING para)

So…. with money, maybe, to go to Albany and pay for  a conference that doesn’t relate to my job the thought occurred to me- this place is screwed up.

I picked up the highlighter and decided…. I am done. I am not spending one more dime on materials for the kids- not one more penny. That means… I can’t work there because if I don’t buy the materials they won’t have them.

I am putting in my notice tomorrow. I went and registered for another class at BCC and life is moving along.

I am tired of note feeling valued for what I do. I don’t want to burn any bridges- but I just not going to hang off the edge of this particular one any more.

By working just 5 more hours a week at Hallmark I will earn the same amount and they are more flexible.

Also- at Hallmark I have a chance for a raise- my school job my pay is frozen for the next 5 years. Why stay?

I am really feeling good about this…..

My class is Children’s Lit… I look forward to that. I will go Mon & Wed during the day.

Who knows why today a yellow highlighter sends me to the point of quiting my job….. (the one that I love teaching) but it did.

I think the fact that it was yellow….. I hate yellow highlighters…… they suck. But this one I will keep forever- it make me move along…..

Hope you are having a move along day…

Love ya Mom

*Haha.  I think it’s kind of funny that she’s stealing the highlighter.

When my nephews were visiting last summer I found that the stool I had for the bathroom was a bit of a precarious perch.  So I got this at IKEA hoping they’ll visit again soon.  AND it has dots on it.  I heart dots.

I like the two holes on the side, too.  Like it has eyes. Its name is Melvin.  Melvin the stool.

Christmas has come and gone. I can’t believe it’s over for a whole year! A few days ago John looked at me and said, “This is your time of year, isn’t it?” I guess it is. I love the decorations, I love the presents, and I LOVE surprises. Even though I’ll tell you that I don’t.

The last few days have been good ones. On Monday we sat around and ate. We played Killer Bunnies and Flux and backgammon. We watched movies and just hung out- which was very nice. It’s fun for me to see John and my family together.

On Christmas Day we decided not to start the festivities until 10am- which was nice, a little bit of sleeping in. We made TONS of food the day before- so we ate ham, prime rib, shrimp, lasagna, potatoes, jellied carrots, pancakes, and pot pie. Correction: my mom made most of it. We also ate lots of candy and chips. Presents were fun. We sent a box to John’s parents on their mission with some pictures and candy, a couple CD’s, and a flash drive. I hear they liked it It was fun putting it together. We got my Dad a USB Missile Launcher and my Mom a couple books. One was on writing children’s books, and one was a picture book I thought she’d like.  We went to see I am Legend with the fam.  It was pretty suspenseful.  Later that night John and I went and saw Juno.  It was good.  It was real life, finding the good in the bad, trying to figure out who you are and “what next” kind of good.  It’s one I’m definitely planning to own.  Then John and I went on a drive like the old days.  It was nice- a perfect day.

I went back to work Wednesday morning.  I start full time on the second, but we had a meeting just to get some things pushed through over the holidays.  Draft revision is in full swing.  I was done by 12, then came home and hung out with John and the padres for a few.  That evening John went to work and the parents and I met Jonathan at Olive Garden for some dinner.  There was a woman with HIDEOUS eyebrows there.  Seriously.  My Dad kept saying things like, “You know what I’m thinking about right now?  The Golden Arches.  Maybe we should’ve gone to McDonald’s,” and “You know what I missed when we were out here this summer?  Caterpillars.  I didn’t even see ONE.”  My Mom was shaking trying to keep the laughter in and I was horrified that the woman would hear.  What I don’t get is that she CHOSE to draw them in like that.  It wasn’t even like she was born that way.

The highlight of the dinner, though, was when my brother asked what we were going to do after dinner and my Mom said, “I’m thinking about getting a tat.”  We all just looked at her until my Dad asked my brother if he had any friends that had been in jail.  They do a pretty good job I hear.  Extensive experience.

Thursday John’s parents drove into town for a wedding.  We got to visit with them a bit at the reception.  It was fun to see them in their missionary badges!  And it was good to have some  peppermint ice cream and just talk for awhile.

Today we went to Burger Supreme which is SO YUMMY and then my Mom and I went to Build a Bear.  It was so fun!  I built a bunny and my Mom built a puppy and we ran around with a bunch of chillin’s and didn’t even notice that we were the only adults in there shopping for ourselves.  For whatever reason- we had a really good time.  Then we came home and hung around with the clan a little more.  Tomorrow we’ll have lunch one more time, then drive them up to Salt Lake and drop them off at their hotel.  They fly out early Sunday morning.  I’ll miss having them around.

The parents are here!  Their flight ran a bit long- and apparently it was a little torturous- but they’re here now, so it’s all good.

They were really tired when they arrived, but I still did my customary talk them til they beg me to stop thing.  John and Jon were both at work, so I got them all to myself for an evening.  It was funny- I brought them over to the apartment where they are staying, and there was a note from Alicia that said, “Give this to Erin, I meant to but ran out of time!  Merry Christmas.”  So…my Mom hands me the note and attached to it is a small baggie of plant food.  I was like…hmmm…ok.  That’s a random present.  My Mom and I just stood around wondering what the significance of the plant food was until my Dad said, “Maybe it’s the plant that the note was sitting on.”  Sure enough, there was a beautiful  flower arrangement with a Christmas candle in the middle.  Yes.  Perhaps a little brain dead.

Tomorrow will be the end of Christmas shopping.  A few more things for stockings- food shopping, and then we’re all done.  I’m having an issue though- I can’t seem to let go of the “pent up” feeling from the end of the semester.  Usually about now I’m releasing all my stress and feeding the little party inside me.  But this week I’m feeling a little like I’m underwater.  Perhaps it’s just because everything is so new, and I am a long way from where I normally spend Christmas.

Even so, my Dad said that my home feels very homey.  Much more so than when he was here for the wedding.  He came as all the chaos hit and I became frazzled bride and the world was upside down.  Tonight, I actually had some dinner for them and the tree was up and there were sparkly lights and snow outside and yes, it just feels good.

Ta Da. Last philosophy class last night. I didn’t really think about it until I went in and sat down- but then all of a sudden it dawned on me that except for a few finals related things- I was done with classes at BYU. I am done with classes for my undergraduate degree.

It was kind of funny. Halfway through the first hour Dr. Anderson started talking about the theory of correspondence. He used a triangle as an example of what he was trying to say, and I leaned over to the guy sitting next to me and said, “At least he didn’t use a chair.” You see- in metaphysical lectures of ANY KIND professors almost always say, “Take this chair for example…” and then go into a long thing about how it exists, or does it, is it in our minds, does it simply participate in “chair-ness,” etc. Metaphysics (the study of being) is actually rather important (used to be “first philosophy,” the one you have to study to be able to study anything else. Now, for better or for worse, the philosophy of language has usurped the position, at least in the minds of some philosophers). I’ve never like metaphysics. I would have loved to concentrate on ethics, or even epistemology, but although Scranton offered tons of classes in those areas, BYU…not so much. ANYWAY. So the guy next to me laughs about the chair thing…and sure enough, a couple minutes later Dr. Anderson says, “So, think about a chair, for instance.” And the whole back row cracks up. When I got in the car after class and told John, he said, “At least you came full circle.” Yes. Yes I did. But is that a perfect circle? And does it exist in reality, or in the world of the forms?

Moving on….So yes. Finals are closer than ever. I definitely have my work cut out for me. I think John has a couple of big things left, too, not the least of which is our biology class final. Good times. Gotta study. On the up side, I thought my William James paper was due Wednesday and got it done Monday night (which was early..honestly) and then it turns out it’s not due until Monday during the final. Which is crazy. Because I’ve never been this early. PHEW. So I have time to revise and make it AWESOME .

Last night John and I were meant to go to his work holiday celebration- tubing somewhere up the canyon. His office was closed for the night, so we’d have the whole evening together. Turns out John felt not-so-well yesterday, so we decided that I’d just go to class and then we’d have a relaxing evening at home. It was kind of nice, actually. Reminds me of ollldd times. We walked around Borders and talked a bit, then ate dinner at Bajio. I heart Bajio- and it was nice and empty and dark and nice tasty food. A good date. Then we went to Wal*Mart to get some finishing touches for a box we made for some certain people we love, and then came home. We got to bed before John usually gets home (which was the goal, take advantage of some SLEEP) and resultantly, I woke up in a supa funk this morning. Don’t you love how the body freaks when you suddenly get a healthy amount of sleepy time?

Last night was so nice because we got to just talk- about books, about movies, about work and Christmas and family. We get so busy and even when we’re together we’re not together…so it’s nice when we actually just get to focus on what the other person is saying. After Christmas things are gonna change a bit again. Because we’ve taken this long class together on MWF, we’ve been able to spend most of the daytime during those days driving to school together, sitting in class, getting lunch. When I go full-time, whether my current job is made full-time or I take another opportunity, I’ll be 9am-5pm at work, he’ll be in school in the daytime, then 5-10pm at work himself. So it looks like we’ll have an hour or so of overlap in the evening sometime…after eating and before passing out. It’s kind of sad. But that’s life- we just gotta get this boy graduated, too so the picture can change again, and so we can see each other in the evenings again.

Life is good. It’s actually very, very good. I’m a bit spoiled, honestly. I just need to remind myself of that sometimes.

The new door is in. I’m so relieved. There was definitely a moment or two today when I thought it wouldn’t be able to get done- but John had almost finished it up before I got home.  Another trip to Home Depot, and it’s done.  It looks good, it feels good, it makes me feel good. On top of that, he fixed our other door- so we now have two locks on the upper door, and three that work on the lower door. My husband built me a fortress.

But that was today. I don’t want to forget all the stuff that went down last night. Jonathan came over last night to keep me company until John got home. As he sat next to me and watched his shows, I realized that the cough he had started with about two weeks ago had not only NOT gone away…but had gotten worse. Much, much worse. I started getting numbers of doctors to call to see if they’d see him today, but ended up deciding that I wouldn’t sleep until he saw a doctor. So- to the emergency room we went. All I have to say is, wow. The ER was full- very full, and at one point some drug-seeker type almost sat on Jonathan to get to a phone. By the time John joined us after work, it had emptied out a little, but we still had to wait about an hour or two before he got back to the REAL doctor. When we got back to the little room (oh how I’ve come to know those rooms well) we settled in for a couple more hours. We didn’t end up leaving until 3 am, and what happened was hysterical. I actually took notes on what John and Jonathan did and said- but honestly, half of it, you kinda had to be there. Like, for example, when Jonathan’s little bracelet was bothering him (or…the hangy-off part of it, anyway) and he asked if John or I had scissors in our back packs…and THEN he made fun of me for suggesting that we use a metal ruler saying, “What, are you going to measure the exact length of the annoying piece of bracelet?” And I gotta tell you, at 1am, that was pretty funny. Jonathan went to get a chest x-ray. When he got back I said, “What did you have to do?” He replied: “He made me take of my pants though. I felt awkward.” So I got all freaked out about THAT, and then, for some reason, after a few minutes of silence Jonathan just said, “John…” and John said, “Jonathan….” and Jonathan said, “John,” and John said, “George,” and then it was Mary Ann, then Professor, Ginger, and then a nurse walked into the room next door and said, “Jasmine?” I almost wet myself. And, now, looking back, there is no way to tell that story and have it be as funny as it was in that moment. The whole time Jonathan was begging for a Popsicles, and no one would give him one until the doctor saw him…but when the doctor came in she was a whirlwind of motion, and, upon discovering that Jonathan had had two collapsed lungs- ordered more X-rays and left the room. So Jonathan goes for more X-Rays and when he gets back I ask, “Did you have to take your pants off again?” And Jonathan responds, “No, it was a woman. This time, she did.” Stupid kid never took off his pants. Will I ever be less gullible? Then, somewhere in ALL OF THAT, Jonathan wants to know if ducks blink (I have no idea why) so John pulls out his computer and Googles it- and it turns out they do, from the bottom up!

Turns out, in all of that, that Jonathan probably has some sort of bacterial infection in his lungs- they are NOT collapsed, and he gets Tylenol with codeine and some sort of antibiotic. It was about 4am when we had gotten his medicine, gotten him home, and gotten in bed. I slept in about an hour to try and make up for a night’s lost sleep, and it actually wasn’t to hard to wake up. So, a few hours at work while John worked on the door, and then I came home in time for him to finish up. I made some chicken, and now- it’s a time for a little rest I think. Definitely, definitely an interesting couple of days.

I just got off the phone with my Mom.  She’s got the flu, and so she’s very good at listening.  I went on and on about life, this and that, and she said things like, “Yeah, well, every stick has two ends.”  Poor Mom is on flu drugs.  This is the entire text of an email she sent me the other day:

“anxiety magnifies fearsome objects”
 
so maybe that BIG dog isn’t really THAT big…lol

She didn’t even sign it.  The re: line says “quote from Barney Fife.”

 Yesterday was a good day.  We did some resting up, and then some house stuff and I went to Westminster for an open house and face to face with the program head.  It was good- I was impressed, and I hope I can get all that together and start sooner or later. 

Driving up there wasn’t too bad- especially if I’ll only do it once or twice a week.  Driving up there was horrible traffic going back south, but by the time I got out, it was clear. 

Today was a long work day- now that we’re in the next phase, it going to be a lot more days like this one.  To answer Becca’s question, I’m not sure when we’re going to have the book done, done.  We’re going through the first draft, and should have a couple of chapters done next week.  We have to get through the process a bit to see how long it’s going to take.  I feel pretty good about the decisions we made today, and the time we spent.  Labor intensive, but hopefully very rewarding.

So- yes.  About one month.  One month until graduation.  One month of an aggressive work schedule, an online course, and an assortment of odds and ends courses intended to make me “well-rounded” that are just making me “anxiety-ridden.”  But I will survive.  I will survive.  Hey Hey.

Tonight, I’ve got a friendly pile o laundry to keep me gooood company whilst my husband labors away in the tech sector.  I’m going to grab some dinner (since I haven’t eaten anything of value today, just some chocolate, diet coke, and some baggie filled with “Bear Naked Granola.”  It was so dry I had to wash it down with another diet coke) and then write another paper.  And read more philosophy.  I almost wish I could go back to 2001 when I declared my major and slap my freshman self, and then drag myself into the “life management and happy feelings” line.  No, no I don’t. I respect myself for my years of philosophical toil.  Someone has to.

OK.  Time for more food before I start sounding cynical.  It’s doesn’t suit me

Today was conference day.  John, Jonathan and I were able to attend the Saturday afternoon session.  Let me just tell you, LAST time we tried this is was a wee unsuccessful.  We showed up before they were “meant” to give our seats away…but found that the “rules” didn’t seem to hold with regard to greedy Mormons who felt like stealing seats.  I was so disapointed, and so…was a little reluctant to try again, maybe just to be disapointed, again.  We showed up at the conference center an hour early, and walked into a nearly empty building.  Our seats were on the balcony, but pretty centered with regard to all the action, so it was comfortable.  It was a nice experience.  It was fun to see the general authorities, and much more powerful to hear a big choir in person.  I expected the intermediate hymn to be a bit more powerful, with 20,000 people standing and singing- I remember at Pageant how amazing it felt to sing with a large group of people, to feel that sense of community.  I didn’t so much feel that community in the conference center- although I did love being there with my husband, and my brother.  I felt a new level of interest with what is being said, one that I wish I could cutivalte whenever I hear conference, not just because I’m sitting there.  It was also incredibly touching to see Elder Nelson help Elder Wirthin as he lost strength while standing and giving his talk.  I noticed him start to shake, and wondered if the other apostles were noticing, and sure enough, I saw the other members of the 12 start to talk to each other.  Pretty soon, Elder Nelson stood behind Elder Wirthlin, supporting him from behind.  Elder Wirthlin’s talk was about charity- and seeing the love and friendship among these men only amlified his words.  It was amazing to see.  I’ll never forget the words he spoke about love.  They seemed to fill me up, and felt like I truly learned something.

I was just so glad that we got in, and that it was relatively stress free.  On the way house I heard one of the events managers that the conference center can hold 21, 000 people, and that today there were 20,000.  So, I guess that’s why we had a little wiggle room.  I feel satisfied now, and don’t really feel like I’d want to try and go again soon.  It’s nice to do it once, and know what it’s like, but I think I’m also going to be grateful for the ability to watch conference on my couch in my PJ’s for a few years. 

So now John’s at work for a few hours.  He took Tuesday off, and so he’ll be making up a few hours here and there this coming week- that way, we’ll have next Saturday free, really, truly free.

 The semester is really starting to move along.  I’m in an “ok” state, I’ve procrasinated a few things a little bit, but as long as I get looking at things tomorrow and Monday, I’ll be fine and dandy.  Before I know it, I’ll be graduated.  That is…if I pass the physical science exam.  Yup yup.

So what else is new…I wonder.  I think that’s it for now.  Just trying to relax a little, waiting for my love to come home and take me out on the town (Also known as walmart….)