9 Days Wonder

I'm laughing at the irony that for the first time in a long while I have legitimate things to be writing about on my blog... but I'm so crazy-busy with those legitimate things that I don't have time to write. Go figure.

So, here's a shout out/update on the last few months...

I'M GETTING MARRIED IN NINE DAYS!!!!!

It's sinking in...

I think...

A little...




I hope to have more time to write about all this awesomeness in the coming months.

But then again, I may well be keeping myself even busier to even more legitimate things... I guess time will tell. ;0)

Love you all!!

100 More Things You Probably Didn't Need To Know About Me, But I Was Bored So Here They Are Anyway...

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? Closed. Tightly.
2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel? Depends on how they smell.
3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? In.
4. Have you ever stolen a street sign before? Not in my recorded memory.
5. Do you like to use post-it notes? Yes.
6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them? Unfortunately...
7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees? What's the bear's name? Define "attacked"... Either way, I'm pretty sure I'd pick the bear. Bees are a bit more unpredictable, I think.
8. Do you have freckles? Most definitely. Wouldn't have it any other way!
9. Do you always smile for pictures? Nope. Making crazy faces is *WAY* more fun.
10. What is your biggest pet peeve? Intentional stupidity.
11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk? That depends on if you think it's weird or not...
12. Have you ever peed in the woods? In the dirt, actually. Have you ever tried climbing a tree when you have to pee? Weird.
13. What about pooped in the woods? (Note: See answer to question 12. Substitute "pee" for "poop".)
14. Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing? (Note: See answer to question 11.)
15. Do you chew your pens and pencils? Pens: Yes. Pencils: NO!! Gross!
    
16. Were you named after anyone? Yes; my Dad's mom and his oldest sister (who only lived a few days).
17. What size is your bed? Twin.
18. What is your song of the week? Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti & Spearhead
19. Is it okay for guys to wear pink? I have very mixed emotions about this... I think some guys can pull it off, but definitely not *all* guys. I feel the same way about facial hair.
20. Do you still watch cartoons? Most definitely!!
21. Whats your least favorite movie? That I've seen? A movie that shall remain nameless... because I've blocked it from my memory. So bad... I think it was one of the Monty Python movies. (Don't get me wrong; LOVE Holy Grail! But some of the others are... well... *disturbing* just doesn't quite cut it...)
22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? Under all the clothes in the bottom drawer of my dresser. Oh wait, why do you need to know?
23. What do you drink with dinner? Di-hydrogen monoxide.
24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in? Ranch. Or honey mustard.
25. What is your favorite food? Pretty much all things carbohydrate. Sucks for me.
26. What movie could you watch over and over and still love? You've Got Mail & Just Like Heaven
27. Last person you kissed/kissed you? The boy.
28. Last person you talked to on the phone? My graphic designer at work.
    
29. Were you ever a boy/girl scout? Nope.
30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? Prolly over a year ago. Is that bad? I totally can't remember. I've written cards!
31. Can you change the oil on a car? Yes, however, I do not choose to.
32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket? Uh, yes. Two. One in Arizona (whilst on vacation) and once in Nevada (whilst driving my sister back to school in Utah).
33. Ran out of gas? No. *SERIOUSLY knocking on wood*
34. Favorite kind of sandwich? Reuben. Corned beef... none of this pastrami stuff. Blech.
35. Best thing to eat for breakfast? Breakfasty foods, duh!
36. What is your usual bedtime? Sometime between when the sun goes down and when it comes back up again...
37. Are you lazy? Only sometimes...
38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? Cat, witch, honeybee, pirate, Pebbles Flinstone (oh wait, that was high school... uhhh...).
39. What is your Chinese astrological sign? Dog.
40. How many languages can you speak? 2: 1 verbally, 1 visually.
41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions? Yes, the Friend LDS Church magazine.
42. Which are better legos or lincoln logs? Lincoln Logs!!
43. Are you stubborn? Silly question. Is the sky blue?
44. Who is better...Leno or Letterman? I wouldn't choose to watch either.
45. Ever watch soap operas? Nope.
46. Afraid of heights? Depends... mostly no, but sometimes yes, very.
47. Sing in the car? Every day!
48. Dance in the shower? Occasionally... just have to be careful to not slip. :0/
49. Dance in the car? Definitely!
50. Ever used a gun? Yup, the poor soda can was defenseless!
51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? Prolly in 2004...
52. Do you think musicals are cheesy? Yup, that's why they're so awesome!!
53. Is Christmas stressful? It can be, but I don't think it *should* be.
54. Ever eat a pierogi? Yes. And the equivalent from other countries besides Poland too!
55. Favorite type of fruit pie? Marion berry... unless pumpkin counts.
56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? Veterinarian, zoo keeper & mommy.
57. Do you believe in ghosts? Sure do.
58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? I've had a few legit ones... Kinda surreal.
59. Take a vitamin daily? I'm still a Flinstone kid! Woot!
60. Wear slippers? Sometimes, but probably not enough. My feet are always cold!
61. Wear a bath robe? Yes, but rarely after I shower or bathe... Usually in the middle of the night if I need to go to the bathroom or get a drink...
62. What do you wear to bed? Safe Answer: a whole lot of blankets... :0D
63. First concert? Probably the Area Band Festival at Concord High School when I was 10. I played the flute with a bunch of other 4th - 6th graders.
64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? Target.
65. Nike or Adidas? Sketchers.
66. Cheetos Or Fritos? Fritos.
67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? Sunflower seeds.
68. Ever hear of the group Tres Bien? Yes. Just now.
69. Ever take dance lessons? Not officially.
70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing? Whatever he wants that will support our family and make him happy.
71. Can you curl your tongue? Yuppers.
72. Ever won a spelling bee? HA!! (That would be a no. Resoundingly so.)
73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy? Many times.
74. Own any record albums? No, but Mom & Dad do...
75. Own a record player? Dad has a Victrola.
76. Regularly burn incense? Smelly candles, essential oils, Vick's VapoSteam...
77. Ever been in love? Yup. :0)
78. Who would you like to see in concert? Some rock concerts are okay, but the level of enjoyment is equivalent to the level of hearing I still have after it's over. I *love* classical concerts, piano soloists, folk, easy listening, new age...
79. What was the last concert you saw? Either TSO or Jon Schmidt...
80. Hot tea or cold tea? No tea.
81. Tea or coffee? Okay, well... herbal tea.
82. Sugar or snickerdoodles? Straight sugar? Or snickerdoodles? Pretty sure those are both on a restricted-use basis nowadays.
83. Can you swim well? Define well. I can swim well enough for some things, but don't plan on me going into the Coast Guard anytime in the next 1,000 years.
84. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose? Yes. It's a little more challenging under water, but yes.
85. Are you patient? I'm a whole lot better than I used to be, which may or may not scare some people, because I'm still pretty bad... :0(
86. DJ or band, at a wedding? Homemade CDs on shuffle. :0D
87. Ever won a contest? I won a tooth whitening from my dentist that they never gave me...
88. Ever have plastic surgery? Nope. Prolly never will either.
89. Which are better black or green olives? GREEN!! Loves the green olives!!
90. Can you knit or crochet? Uh, no. But I can sew, glue and pin!
91. Best room for a fireplace? Family room.
92. Do you want to get married? Yup.
93. Any tattoos? The not-so-permanent "just add water" types...
94. Who was your HS crush? A boy that didn't deserve me.
95. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? No. Pretty sure that wouldn't turn out the way I want it to anyway.
96. Do you have kids? Not yet.
97. Do you want kids? For surely!
98. What's your favorite smell? I love the smell of a new sunrise in the mountains, a cold sunset on the beach, fresh rain on eucalyptus trees, O'Malley laying in the sun, clean babies and a certain boy.
    
99. What's your favorite color? Blue takes first. Black is a close second. Followed by pretty much every neutral tone that looks good.
100. Do you miss anyone right now? Yup. Fortunately that won't last very much longer...

2011 Reads

So I totally fell off the book-wagon the last 2 months, but still... not too shabby!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (John Boyne)*
The Icarus Agenda (Robert Ludlum)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot)*
Deliver Us From Evil (David Baldacci)
A Company of Swans (Eva Ibbotson)
One Last Chance (Jerry Borrowman) - CD
Warriors 6: The Darkets Hour (Erin Hunter)
Warriors 5: A Dangerous Path (Erin Hunter)
Warriors 4: Rising Storm (Erin Hunter)
Murder by the Book (Betsy Brannon Green) - CD
Warriors 3: Forest of Secrets (Erin Hunter)
If I Should Die (Jennie Hansen) - CD
Warriors 2: Fire and Ice (Erin Hunter)
Warriors 1: Into the Wild (Erin Hunter)
True Blue (David Baldacci)
The Shadow of Your Smile (Mary Higgins Clark)
Crispin (Avi)
The Thief Lord (Cornelia Funke)
Poppy & Ereth (Avi)
Poppy Returns (Avi)
Ereth's Birthday (Avi)
Poppy & Rye (Avi)
Poppy (Avi)
Ragweed (Avi)
Code Red (Jennie Hansen)
The Morning Gift (Eva Ibbotson)
The Spiderwick Chronicles (Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black)
Two Little Girls in Blue (Mary Higgins Clark)
The Diary of Mattie Spencer (Sandra Dallas)*
The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom)*
Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)
Ben-Hur (Lew. Wallace)
All Around the Town (Mary Higgins Clark)
Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand)*
I'll Be Seeing You (Mary Higgins Clark)
Daddy's Little Girl (Mary Higgins Clark)
Elantris (Brandon Sanderson)*
An American Childhood (Annie Dillard)*
Stillwatch (Mary Higgins Clark)
The Second Time Around (Mary Higgins Clark)
Science Fair (Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson)*
First Family (David Baldacci)
When Tomorrow Comes (Jennie Hansen)
Pirate Latitudes (Michael Crichton)
Silent Night (Mary Higgins Clark)
Until the Dawn (Gale Sears)
Some Sweet Day (Jennie Hansen)
War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy) cont.

* CV I R.S. Book Club books...

My November Valentine

 

Mt. Tamalpais - November 25, 2011

The Blessings of a World Turned Upside Down

I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and constantly in awe of the ways He blesses our lives with what we most need to help us through whatever trials come our way. He sends us love, joy, comfort, smiles, laughter and tears... But most importantly, He sends us others to share it all with. (Facebook post, 11/20/2011)

I have been reading (or trying to read) the same novel for over 9 weeks now. Anyone that knows me at all can probably imagine that this minor detail – while comparatively insignificant in the lives of many others out there – is a huge indication that things haven’t exactly been normal in Jessi-land.

For months now I’ve been fighting an array of medical challenges that have led me to see a number of different medical experts. From recurring sinus infections, to chronic fatigue, to thrush and significant unexplained weight loss, each of these specialists have been looking at their own piece of the puzzle in an attempt to figure out what’s going on. I have been frustrated to the point of tears, exasperated to the point of laughing and hoping upon hope that they would find something - anything - so that I could start improving at least my mental well-being (I'm sure the fact that my job has been really rocky and that my social life has been non-existent have not helped). After weeks of blood work (I don't even want to count how many tubes), testing for anything from celiac to cystic fibrosis, my hematologist (running a routine test on my iron levels) called to let me know that my blood glucose levels were high. Crazy high. News to me: I am now diabetic.

During Testimony Meeting at church two days after my diagnosis, I was prompted to get up and share my testimony about the temple. I’d had the opportunity to be on the temple grounds in Oakland five of the eight days prior to my diagnosis, and on four of those days I was inside as either an ordinance worker or a patron. I can’t think of anywhere I could have been that would have better prepared me for the transition into my new life. I felt quite literally as if I was floating through the whole thing… and I’m not sure that the reality that usually rears an ugly head at some point ever will (although the oral meds they have me on for insulin regulation does really mean things to my already-messed-up digestive system). I know that much of this security and strength is coming through the faith and prayers of others, but I think in some ways even more significant is that a loving Heavenly Father provided me exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.

I found Frost again… and fell in love.

I love Robert Frost. I can’t think of many poets I could read over and over and still see things differently, but Frost is definitely at the top of that extremely short list. That first night after I was diagnosed, I pulled out his collected works and read… devoured. I discovered again through his words that it is only through our trials and pain that we have the ability to comprehend all that is good and beautiful. Several poems of his are still floating through my soul, kicking up memories and thoughts and impressions… helping me remember that it is only through knowing the emptiness that comes with solitude that we are able to eventually feel when that void is overflowing with joy.

One week before my life was turned upside down, the Oakland Temple was open late to accommodate several hundred young single adults (YSAs) in the region that were participating in a mini conference. The temple presidency contacted several YSAs that also serve as temple workers to come and assist during the extended hours. So I went. I was assigned to follow an endowment session with an old friend from high school and one of the YSA brothers on my regular Saturday temple shift. When my mom asked me the next day how the night had been, I told her that I had heard the sweetest prayer I’d ever heard offered during the session by this YSA brother.

That one simple prayer touched me in a way not many things ever have.

A few days later I received a “friend” request (still – and always will be – an awkward statement…) from someone whose name – Jason – I didn’t recognize immediately, but when I clicked on the profile I knew that it was that same brother from the temple. Although we’d worked on the same temple shift for over a year, smiling and waving when we passed each other in the halls of the temple, the first time we’d ever talked was briefly right after that session a few nights before. And he wanted to meet for lunch the following Saturday before our shift… which turned out to be the day after I found out about my diabetes.

That lunch with Jason was my first foray into the land of diabetic eating; a member of the temple presidency who was ordering lunch right behind me jokingly made comment about my ridiculously healthy selection of lentil soup with a side of steamed veggies. (I wanted to tell him what I’d eaten for lunch the day before… which would not have had anything to do with the lentils or veggies! I refrained.) Jason, however, was apparently not fazed by my new-found unintentionally health-nut ways… (which is probably more than I could have said for myself had I been in his shoes... “You seriously picked lentil soup over shepherd’s pie?!?!?”) And in that half an hour I was more comfortable talking to him than I’d ever been with many others I’d spent a whole lot more time around... even years.

Long story short (because, let’s be honest, if I give away all the details it wouldn’t be nearly as interesting or suspenseful, right? Plus he’ll probably read this… so, uh… ;0)… we saw each other both Monday and Friday of the following week, and then last week we were together Tuesday, "Black" Friday (for an all-day adventure over on the coast), Saturday and Sunday… and I, for one, can’t seem to get enough. I told him on Friday that one of my favorite things about him is that he is totally fine just “being”… spending that time together, walking along the water front, in the mountains, on the beach, talking about whatever we have on our minds (another favorite part, since I’m not exactly known for my reserved nature). It’s just been an amazing two weeks! I’m excited to see where the road in front of me leads…

Since rediscovering Robert Frost, his poem On Being Idolized has been stuck in my head for days now. The speaker is standing on the beach, firm sand beneath his feet, watching as the surf drifts in wrapping seaweed around his legs. But as the water rushes out, the false-firm foundation is swept from under him, leaving him to fall if he did not take the steps necessary to prevent it. I’ve spent the last 10 months working with the Primary kids at church, so it’s not a far stretch for this to make me think of The Wise Man & the Foolish Man song the kids learned this year… and the parable that it’s based on.

I’ve thought long and hard about how that foundation we build ourselves on truly determines whether or not we dance through the storms that come, but sometimes I wonder whether it’s sand or stone I feel beneath my feet. I don’t know if any of this makes sense, but I know that the miracle of the gospel is that sometimes what feels like having the sand undermined by the storm is really a way of getting us to the rock foundation. Sometimes those steps we are forced to take to keep from falling are the ones that ensure our feet end up where they need to be to receive the blessings meant for us. But even better is that when we feel that sand washing away to expose the stone beneath it, during that second of stumbling, of wondering if you’re really going to pull through or not, that’s when the Lord sends someone to catch you.

And Jason caught me.