Me.

I started this last year after being inspired by my nephew Miah who had do create a "I am from" poem for school.  It's been languishing on my phone for some time now, so I thought I'd share. Thanks Miah for the inspiration!

I am from

Magnolia blossoms, butterfly wings, and Macon downpours

Beans on toast and homemade chili

Sara's house

The rattle of the pressure cooker

Crocheted dolls and my yellow blanket

Alfred and Carol

Norman. Raymond, Keith and Andrea.

"Nip Timbimboo"

Liz

Bottled cherries and pumpkin pie

Lagoon and lost loves

Saturday morning cartoons and stained glass windows

Mary Lennox and the Rescuers

The city library

Yellow fall leaves, backyard kitchens and striped kittens

Shakespeare, "skunk scouts", and Scooby-Doo

Cowboys and warriors

Bravery and sacrifice

Primary songs and Pink Floyd the Wall

East winds and "tree trolls"

Secret Santas and Christmas surprises

Hand-me-downs and twice-loved toys

Sunshine Bear and the Yellow Bunny

Scissors, paper, and the Make and Do book

The Book of Mormon, quiet prayers and lonesome nights

Tire swings, puppy dogs and "Grandma Mac"

Hollyhock dolls and early spring snowdrops

Aunt Jane and purple frappe

Homemade dresses and walks home from school

Jolly old England and the valley of Clifton

The white corner house

Green paint over flowered wallpaper

Vacuum hose telephones and sidewalk skateboarding

Bicycle rides and skinned knees

Bumpy sidewalks and ancient trees

Lost bouncy balls and unanswered prayers

Sesame Street and the Land of Make Believe

Wyler's Punch powder and "little people"

"Daddy's little gurgul"
Bluegrass Melodies

"Snuggle down and go to sleep"

Shameless is the song playing on my ipod.  I love the grittiness of it, Garth had a good thing going with that one. Years ago Toby used to say it was my theme song (whenever I'd get obsessed with one boy or another).
And then there's Whiskey Lullaby - musical perfection.

Every Little Bit Counts

So far I've helped with the indexing of 21 States! I had hoped to help on all 50, but I missed out on a few states that were already finished (but 21 out of the first 25 isn't too bad!) I've been indexing mostly for fun so I wasn't keeping track of what I'd done until today when I got an email showing my "Accomplishments"! It's kind of fun to see how many states I've helped on!

Can You Ever Have TOO Much Jeopardy!?

Lately we've been watching a lot of Jeopardy at our house. It's become part of our nightly ritual--we eat dinner, we watch Jeopardy! Perhaps that puts us in the category of "fossil" but we don't seem to care.  The fact is Jeopardy has always been a part of my life. As long as I can remember my Dad has watched Jeopardy! on a nightly basis he even tried out a few times.  I haven't gotten that far yet (yet being the operative word) but I would love to hold of one of those clickers in my hand and try my hand at a real round of the show.  Over the past couple of weeks we've discovered a few things...

• There's a lot of things we don't know.
• We're often surprised at how much we do know.
• We get a kick out of Alex Trebek. He's a funny guy.
• Toby has declared that if she'd have known she would have named Gus "Alex Trebek"
• Last night as we watched an episode I happened to notice that Alex wasn't wearing his glasses, then later on he was wearing his glasses to which I decreed "Alex is very sneaky." The wheels started turning and I said to Toby "Gus is very sneaky." A few more turns of the wheels "Gus IS like Alex Trebek!"
• Jeopardy! is not so much about getting the most answers right but making the right wager in Final Jeopardy! (although having the right answer never hurts.)
• The other night as I was making dinner I caught myself announcing my own Jeopardy debut in my best Johnny Gilbert voice.
• I'm pondering taking the Jeopardy! contestant test (seriously--its on my to investigate list.)

In short, Jeopardy! rocks.

Happy 35th Birthday to Me!

Today marks the beginning of my 36th year (and as it happens I am exactly half as old as my mother).

Top Ten Favorite…Places to Eat (and the Foods I Crave Fort-Nightly)

In no particular order:

Tucci's Cucina Italiana – Spaghetti and Meatball or Pasta Farfalle (a new find, but I've a feeling I'll crave it fort-nightly)

Costa Vida – Sweet Pork anything (Yum!)

Chili's – two words, Memphis Rub

Cracker Barrel – Grilled Pork Chop with apple sauce and green beans (delish!)

Pila's Kitchen – Scrambled egg sandwiches, homemade fudge, real home cooking (Never heard of it? You might say it's a "private club for members")

Jamba Juice – Pomegranate Paradise

Olive Garden – Minestrone soup

Hagermann's Bakehouse – Roast Beef ala Chris with an oatmeal cranberry cookie (mmm!)

The Cheesecake Factory – Shepherd's pie and anything chocolate

Mimi's Café – I have yet to have something here I didn't like, but my #1 favorite is the buttermilk spice muffins

25 Things --

this has been kicking around awhile, but i finally found the inspiration this morning thanks to an old friend...she had this posted on her "about me" portion of her website...i have obviously changed her responses to mine. i found it so much easier to have a starting point, i had a hard time coming up with 25 things about myself, then there are those who are already up to 50! here goes, in no particular order...

I AM in love with the idea of being in love. Not just the silly boyfriend/girlfriend type love, but the deep romantic, worthy of a Jane Austin novel type love.

I WANT to wake up one morning and realize I don’t have to get up and go to work ever again.

I HAVE a cat that sleeps on my bed every night, a best friend who loves me no matter how crazy I get and a family that loves me (at least I think they do).

I KEEP just about everything: Sand from beaches I’ve been to, crayon drawings from my nieces and nephews, stuffed animals from my childhood, fortune cookie fortunes, favorite clothes that don’t fit anymore...

I WISH I COULD paint like VanGogh.

I HATE making decisions especially about what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I FEAR that some of my perceptions of reality have been clouded by the number of movies and television programs I’ve seen (take bowling for example, I’ve seen it on TV dozens of times, therefore because of the time spent watching other people bowl I should be able to do it without any help).

I HEAR that the Pineapple whips at Disneyland are “to die for” but I’ve never had one.

I DON’T THINK people “get” me.

I REGRET that I don’t write in my journal like I should, that I sold my VW Beetle and that I didn’t get a stamp in my passport when I went to France.

I LOVE rainstorms, butterflies, chocolate cake, Scottish accents, napping in the sunshine, baking cinnamon rolls, gum, men's eyelashes and sleeping babies.

I AM NOT the shy person people tend to think of me as being. It takes a while for me to warm up to people—most of them are surprised to discover I’m a rather witty and delightful person.

I DANCE when no one is watching. Mostly in the kitchen, usually to Norah Jones, Michael Bublé, or some random 80’s super hit.

I SING rather well actually, but I only do it around the house or in the car. I get self conscious with an audience. I love singing along with Wicked, Little Women and Aida at the moment.

I NEVER remember nephew #1’s birthday is it on the 3rd or on the 6th?

I RARELY enjoy eating seafood, unless it’s that delicious sea bass I had at Chez Diego on the seashore in France.

I CRY WHEN I WATCH just about anything. Spirit : Stallion of the Cimarron, Eight Below, (any movie with any animal in it), LOST, Any movie where there’s a happy ending, a romantic storyline, you name it I probably cried at some point while watching it.

I AM NOT ALWAYS the nicest person. As they say in the South sometimes I can be downright “ugly” – have you seen me on a Saturday morning before 9:00am?

I HATE THAT school takes up so much of my life. There are so many other things I’d rather be doing--Like photography or even just breathing normally would be nice.

I’M CONFUSED ABOUT the whole dating thing. I’ve been told that I give off “negative dating signs.” I don’t know what that means.

I NEED to take bowling lessons. I love bowling, but I’ve seen 5 year olds who bowl better than I do.

I SHOULD visit my grandmother more often, call my sisters once in a while and eat more vegetables.

I THINK LL Cool J is completely adorable. (Have you seen Last Holiday?)

I KNOW I am an emotional eater. When I'm frustrated or stressed all I want is chocolate cake, when I'm depressed, eating is my last priority.

I BELIEVE that one day everything will make perfect sense.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my 32nd birthday, though if asked I will most likely say that I am 25...my brain seems to be stuck at a quarter century. I was doing a little math and realized that while I am only halfway from 16, I'm also on the downhill slide to 64! Math is weird -- needless to say, I'm getting kind of old...luckily there are a lot of people who are older than me so I can never be really old.

My mom and dad stopped in to visit me on Saturday to wish me a happy birthday and mom called again on Sunday to sing to me. The singing is typical, the visiting, not so much, it seems like I usually have to go visit other people on my birthday, which I disagree with...I think people should come to me on my birthday...it is MY day after all, so if I want to stay home in my pjs I should be able to.

As for gifts, I received a few: a carry-on bag, just the right size for my future digital camera, a new day planner, a couple of gift certificates for ice cream and smoothies, a neck pillow, a purple pencil from Primary and a hand covered Book of Mormon -- not to mention the text messages from a brother and one of the kids in Tennessee, the card from my sister and the late night voice mail from my favorite auntie (i had just gone to bed thinking she had forgotten my birthday, not so she ALWAYS remembers, perhaps she enjoys being the last one to wish me a happy day!!!) And I can't forget to mention the spaghetti and strawberry shortcake for dinner it was a pretty good birthday.

I'd like to say THANKS! to everyone who made my birthday a good one!

Next Stop ... Houston

Last week I learned that my next exotic fly-away will be to the humid city of Houston, Texas. I will be flying out on the 18th for a week of fun within the walls of the Clayton Library for Genealogical Research, the latest outpost in the Digital Book scanning project.

I guess I am destined to become a world traveller. :)

More than Just an Honorable Mention

U2 deserves more than just a passing comment in the concert list (Thanks, AnJ!)

I have adored U2 since I was a sophomore in High School, I'm not afraid to admit I cut my teeth on The Joshua Tree before discovering the older, equally, if not more fabulous stuff, like Unforgettable Fire. The first boy I dated (dated is a generic term here used to say, I went out with him once) taught me the finer things about U2 and introduced me to the song Bad (Thanks, NW!)

When I finally came into my own and had money burning a hole in my pocket I started buying albums (domestic and imports -- I make it sound like a huge collection, but its kind of weak, I hate to admit)...but that's beside the point.

I like to think of U2 as my first real concert, no offense to Dave Matthews, Hootie (yes, we're on a first name basis), or Tom Petty, but how could they compete with Bono? They can't, 'nough said. I had pre-determined upon learning that Bono and the lads were coming to town that this would be my last hurrah before submitting my mission papers.

As for the date, May 3, 1997 - Rice Eccles Stadium the PopMart tour -- a day that shall forever live in my mind. I was literally less than 30 feet from the stage on the east side of the stadium. I was that close to Bono. (for some it's Sting, but for me it's the oft greasy Bono...what can I say...I've got a crush on him.)

My only regret, the opening act was Rage Against the Machine.

And thanks to the Internet and other slightly more obsessed u2 fans out there you can download the concert at http://www.u2liveconcerts.com/ to enjoy the show for yourself.

(I wonder, if one listened close enough would they be able to hear the fight my petite sister got into with the rude girl who would not kindly move out of the way so my Lizzy could see.)

The Longest Day Ever (flashback - France)

My first impression of Europe is cloudy. That is not to say I have not formulated an opinion yet but that there are a lot of clouds here. Phenomenal clouds. Somehow I managed to catch a few Z's over Ireland. I looked out the window this morning, even though the fasten seat bealts light was on to try to get a glimpse of England but there were too many clouds in the way.



The flight was long and the people next to me talked a lot. I slept maybe two hours last night on the plane and another on the plane to Bordeaux this afternoon. I arrived in France safe and sound and am safely tucked in my hotel room at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux Sud - Pessac. It has been a very long journey. And it's only just begun.

(originally written at 8:06AM Mountain Standard Time -- That's Midnight in France!)

Forget Paris? Not for a long while.

For those of you who have been dying to know how Paris was, here are a few shots from my very brief stint in "The City of Lights." Life is back to normal now (which here means it's totally crazy and hectic) I thought a slideshow might be the best option. Let me just say you should all go to Paris at least once).

Paris...

I was without the internet for the last two days of my travels, so be patient, Paris is yet to come.

France - Day 3 or "So much to Blog, So Little Time"

This morning we met Pierre (yes, a french man named Pierre) who informed us that he could not train us because he was very busy and he does not want to share his microbes (he says pinching his nose to indicate he has a cold). This after he has shaken our hands. Nice Pierre! The bulk of day three was spent inside the orange and yellow office building. We were introduced to a new scanner, which was a very cool machine...a little too complicated for our project, but cool nonetheless.

For lunch we took an excurision 2 kilometers (1.242 miles) to the town center of Pessac, a lovely little place. Upon entering the square I was overwhelmed by the wonderful fragrance of countless flowers, the fresh rainy air and the overall atmosphere of the moment. I only wish there was some way to capture the smells as well as the sights of Europe. Why doesn't home smell this good?

We ate at a small bistro, where once again, the bulk of the menu included only slightly cooked or raw meat. What is with the French and there fascination with raw meat? I find it interesting that the men we are traveling are fearful of branching out and trying something new. They just order the usual beef steak...someone should shake them and remind them this is France! I tried salad with duck...not the best. But there is always dessert to redeem the meal. Ah, Pastries.

After lunch we visited a little pastry shop called Paul. These shops are all over Europe. I splured and spent 1,25 Euro on a Viennese pastry dotted with chocolate. I could not resist! (Even after the apple tart for dessert).

We did not make it to the town center of Bordeaux, however. Our more than gracious hosts had other pressing plans and the weather had turned to rain, it was good to rest in the hotel and get a good nights sleep.

Tianna and I are off to Paris tomorrow. I still can't believe it.

France - Day 2 or "Dining on Duck, Desserts and Dunes"

Have you ever wondered why they say "French Women Don't Get Fat?" I'm starting to understand. It's because they are very happy and because they eat very well. Today I will enlighten you on the finer points of French cuisine. Let's just say the French word of the day is Fois Gras (I hope I spelled that right) : which here means, Duck liver = delicious, who knew!?

I also enjoyed a delicious Sea Bass, what can only be referred to as a King Prawn and an escargot. Yes, you heard me right, I ate a snail...dip them in mayonaisse and you can eat just about anything.

This delicious seafood (did I just say that?!?) was enjoyed by the seaside at a restaurant called Chez Diego. I would recommend it if you ever make it to the South of France.

We also visited a beautiful place called "Dune da Pyla" which is an enourmous sand dune (150 meters) which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Words cannot describe how beuatiful it was there. Walking barefoot with soft sand on my feet was a welcome relief from the hours of sitting I had to do this week. I'd like to go back there right now to take in the fresh air and just breathe. It was amazing. One other reason French women don't get fat -- breathtaking beauty all around them. One minute your in a dense forest, the next you are looking out as far as the eye can see, with Spain to the left of you and London to the right. Amazing stuff. I'm considering becoming an ex-patriot like Hemingway.

I give you the Dune:

Me at the Base of the Dune -- (the stairs rival the escalators at Universal Studios)

Looking West from the Top

The View Back and to the Left (toward Spain)

Tonight after "work" which here is used to mean, stuff I pretty much already know, delivered with a French accent while sitting in a funkt yellow and orange building, we will visit downtown Bordeaux and most likely eat more French food. Yay! I neglected to mention, counting breakfast and lunch I spent a total of FOUR hours eating! Dinner literally took two hours, but it was SO enjoyable that it didn't matter...yet another reason, French Women don't get Fat!

France - Day 2 or "Pessac (Sud Bordeaux - Day 1) - Before Breakfast"

This morning I woke up to 3 wake up calls. One I set on the tele. One from a computerized phone call and lastly the lilting French tones of the congierge "zis iz your wake up call. Good Morning."

I caught a quick shower, in what I might add is the cleanest hotel bathroom I've ever had the pleasure of showering. I'd like to bring the bathtub home with me.

Blew my hair dry with the reverse vacuum hose the Frenchies call a hair dryer and now I have very fluffy hair, much like a French poodle. Perhaps its the top secret ingredient R3007 that is listed first on the Germany manufactured shampoo (sounds like something left over from the Nazi regime if you ask me).

First on the list, find some breakfast before 9:00 when our ride is coming to take us to i2s, which is the place where our scanners are made. There's a continental breakfast buffet downstairs that cost 14.50 Euros...I'm going to try to eat my money's worth in chocolate filled pastries.

France - Day 1 or "An American in Paris"

You are hereby forewarned that this is the lenghtiest blog ever

Upon arrival at the gate yesterday I discovered that there was a big party in celebration of the first direct flight to Paris. I was greeted by a balloon arch, very friendly stewardesses and the Accoridan lady who was playing french tunes in the waiting area. I cannot tell a lie, I got the giggles when I saw her and had to walk away for several minutes. How could I not share? (She played non-stop while we waited to board the plane).

There were dignitaries (the Governor and his entourage), French ambassadors and a mulitude of new people. Tianna (my work friend and traveling companion) and I were interviewed by a guy from the Deseret News and one of the news ladies for Channel 5. We have yet to hear if we made prime time. :)

They even had hors dourves in the waiting area...

Salmon Puffs (yuck)

Duck Something or Other (not so bad)

Endive with Cheese and Apples (worst of all)

Chocolate Truffles (to die for)

The flight itself wasn't as bad as I expected, in the beginning. The first couple of hours flew by I saw an amazing sunset (sort of) from my middle row aisle seat. There was a purple stripe on the horizon the likes of which I have never seen before. We flew over the midwest, across Canada and then to the Atlantic. and when my usual sleeping time rolled around I wasn't the least bit tired and things went down hill from there. I slept maybe a total of two hours and discovered at midnight Utah time that the sun was rising. I can't sleep when it's light so I read and tried to watch the tele. It was pretty miserable. However, thanks to my hooded sweatshirt I was able to block out a little of the morning sunshine to snooze for about an hour. By this morning the map showed we were nearing the British Isles. I slept though Ireland but tried to catch a glimpse of England with no luck, too many clouds.

We arrived in Paris at about 10:45AM (local time) and went through the very strange airport..the biggest let down of the day, The Guy at the Desk didn't stamp my passport! I travelled all the way to France and didn't even get a stamp in my passport. Perhaps it had something to do with my over-tired, grumpy demeanor. I serously could have cried at that moment.

Tianna's stamp - "I got the SHAFT!"

I sold some of my US dollars for Euros. For your information 1oo US Dollars comes to 52.97 Euro when you minus the 5 Euro Commision. (Ick!) And French people assume you understand French and when you don't they give you a haughty look and snub you (it's been a rough day).

The Charles de Gaulle airport is a pretty cool structure, all glass, kind of reminds me of a caterpillar or something. I'm hoping to find a postcard or something so I can get the whole view. I think the expression about people who live in glass houses may have come from France. (They should make a book about this airport -- it's more like a mall than an airport. I hope to get more pictures on Friday when I go back up to Paris).

Charles de Gaulle Airport

After the trauma that was Charles de Gaulle we made it on the short flight to Bordeaux. I slept the whole time (about an hour) it was nice. I did get a view of the countryside as we came in for a landing in Bordeaux...it's lovely here.

Bordeaux, France

Looks like it's time for bed. I've got an early day tomorrow and need to adjust to local time.

Your french word of the day is "Sortie" it means Exit.

On the Road Again

On Monday I leave for France. This will be a historical day for me. Not only is it the first non-stop flight to Paris from SLC (I'm hoping they'll at least have commemorative t-shirts or something), but it will be my first trip overseas. I am not looking forward to the 10.5 hour flight, but I am looking forward to seeing a few sites in France during my visit.

Most of the time will be spent in Pessac (about 25km from Bordeaux) but one of the gals I work with and I will be visiting Paris the last day and a half of our journey. I've been perusing the Paris guidebook and as luck would have it there's too much to see and too little time.

I guess I'd better start saving my pennies, nickels, quarters, dimes for a return trip and pray for a better exchange rate (right now a dollar is worth about .64 Euro -- ugh!) I'm not thinking there will be a lot of souvenirs, though I'm sure a girl could go crazy in a place like Paris.

Rumour has it that there will be Internet access, so time willing you may look forward to another string of blogs from the road.

Kansas City - Day 6

People Watching

As I type this entry I am sitting in Panera Bread looking out over a bright orange statue of Shiva the Destroyer--insert Runaway Bride quote here--eating a Fandango Salad and a Turkey Artichoke panini sandwich which cost me $10 - a far better choice then the $29 luncheons I've attended this week.

I have seen many interesting people as I've been eating my lunch...Genealogists, teenagers, the tiny lady who ordered 6 ice teas...how will she carry them? You name it I've seen it.

But there are two people in particular that deserve mentioning, I only wish my desire for and respect for privacy did not prevent me from taking a few snapshots...oh for the spectacle camera where a simple push of a button on the bow of one's spectacles could capture so many wonderful things, like these two gems:

1) the white haired granny decked out in pink and rhinestones, complete with a pink cowboy hat with a feather boa trim. I kid you not.

2) The man in the Revolutionary War uniform, complete with 3-cornered hat. Once again, I kid you not.

Something tells me we're not in Kansas anymore!

Kansas City - Day 5

This morning began in a rush. I attended a class given by my bosses boss. I then attended 2 more classes and a luncheon. After lunch I returned to my room to change shirts, because I had somehow acquired some whipped cream or something from the luncheon on my dark blue shirt. While in my room I turned on my cell phone to find two messages from my boss wondering where I was because they were waiting in the Lobby before leaving for "the meeting." No one had informed me there was a meeting. So I call the boss to say sorry I missed the meeting and he's already forgotten I wasn't there. Apparently there was a communication error followed by a round of the blame gain, neither man was willing to admit that they forgot to tell me. Aargh!

After a mildly frustrating day my evening culminated with a visit to Far West and Liberty Jail. For those of you who are familiar with the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you will understand the importance of these two places in the history of the Church. Sadly the visits were far too rushed but I was able to appreciate the feeling of history and peace that abounded in both locations. It was very easy to see why the early saints chose to settle in Missouri. They countryside is beautiful and green as far as the eye can see -- from horizon to horizon. As I mentioned there wasn't a lot of time for exploring, but I did get a few pictures (gotta love the dogwood trees).

And might I add...If the state of my hair in Missouri is any indicator that Missouri will one day be the new Zion, I believe it is true. My hair is fabulous here! if only I was more photogenic...that is NOT a request for compliments, just an actual fact.