Adventures at BYWOO

Gesundheit

2012-01-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

Forewarning: this may very well be sappy.

Well my wonderful MLK day weekend ended with an ear infection that has confined me to bed for almost the entire day, and I will most likely bask on the couch all of tomorrow as well, if not Thursday too. It's odd to be missing classes so early in the semester, but I've emailed all of my instructors and my boss and even the professor with a "you may never miss class ever, unless you want it to hurt your grade" policy has let me know that this absence will not count against me.

So what does one do as a sick college student? Especially when one is a sick college student who has always been loathed to ask anyone for help. And I mean anyone.

I've been ill many times since coming out to BYU; it's my body's usual reaction to sleep deprivation and mental and emotional stress. However, this is by far the most painful malady I've ever had while living away from home; I'm really quite sick. I have difficulty eating, laughing, smiling, and talking. I can't even read for very long without getting exhausted. As I sensed the pain in my ear and the fever increasing, I thought of all things I would be experiencing at home under the same circumstances. Loads of pity, someone willing to read to me or to play with my hair, people to be around, food prepared for me, a father and many brothers (plus home teachers and family friends) who would give me a blessing and good advice at the drop of a dime: I would be in the lap of luxury, resting in as much comfort as a sick person can expect to be in. And I'd be missing out on all of that.

But ironically it has been the most relaxed sickness I've had. It could be that I'm just to incoherent to be stressing out, although I really don't have too heavy a work load right now and I've been getting sleep (...believe it or not Mom, I've gotten mostly enough sleep, especially now). However, what's really made the difference is that my roommates have been full of concern, offering and giving help and sincere sympathy for my plight. Many of my fellow German housers have already given me a lot of assistance and encouragement with the insistence that I let them know if I need anything more. I'm surrounded by some really excellent men, who are ready and willing to exercise the priesthood on my behalf. I even had one friend offer to give me a back massage and to read to me. Although I declined said offers, I was grateful for her willingness to provide those services.

So what does a sick student do at BYU? She just tries to be as grateful as possible. God always puts the nicest people in my path.

'Twas the Break Just for Christmas

2011-12-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

To start off BYU's Christmas break, Shana and I had a true baking fest. We started our work after a little bit of shopping and planning. With great difficultly we reduced our baking list from 12 to a mere 7 varieties of sweets. It took the whole day, but the products were delightful, as was the process. We were able to enjoy them all the way up to Christmas and still give plenty away. I think this is how I'll do it every holiday season. Shana is quite the whiz.

The Beginning of Coconut Macaroons

The Final Details

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ginger Snaps

Toffee

Snowballs (delicate butter cookies with a chocolate center...)

All in a days work (also including Peanut Butter Brownies and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies)

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

2011-12-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

We've been adding a little bit of holiday spirit in our apartment, with loads of snowflakes and cozy Christmas lights. We also have a little mistletoe hanging outside in our hallway. 'Tis the season!

A House

2011-11-23T21:19:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving I am particularly thankful for a house to go to during the holidays. Comfortable furniture, hard-wood floors, cozy lighting, colorful walls, family photos, seasonal decorations, toys and books and Disney films, the screaming and laughter of children, the constant background conversation of the siblings: these are all things I don't get back in the good ol' dorm room and it's nice to be surrounded by family and the comforts of a home for a couple of days.

Hurrah for Miah and Missy and Ryan and Ann for giving me good company, someplace to go, and something to be particularly grateful for nearing the end of this semester. It's so worth the 14 hours of driving.

Halfway

2011-10-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's interesting, the longer I am at school the less time is a factor in my day to day thinking. Other than planning on an hourly basis which assignments I'll do when, I simply don't consider the weeks and months. With this change I've found that time moves more quickly. And because the distance of the end of the semester isn't always pressing on my mind, I actually savor my learning so much more. Remarkable!

Maybe this is just a result of getting older period (more mature perspective?), and sheer, ridiculous business probably plays a part. I'm certain that the excellence of my teachers and the interesting subject matters help a lot. On top of that my roommates and neighbors are fantastic, my German house brothers are darling, and overall the ward experience has been great. Definitely good times... Whatever it is that allows me to enjoy life so thoroughly, it's positive.

Last week a teacher remarked that we were halfway through the semester. That was particularly shocking for him because, to that point, we hadn't even covered a third of the material planned for the semester. Well then, I guess we're halfway through! And he should probable go on less tangents about filial piety (although that was a great discussion). This also happens mark the more than halfway point of my entire undergraduate experience...
And now I'm done thinking about it and will get back to writing poems about my fellow German housers and showing my teacher that I do know the difference between dative and genitive adjective endings.

Grüss Gott!

Moments of the Semester....

Roommate Photo minus One Roomie
(L to R) Lauren, Kari, Shelby, moi, Ary

Roommates (L to R me and Kari with Shelby above) relaxing (and planking?) on a Sunday afternoon

Lauren and I at Sober Oktoberfest

It's been a good day....

2011-10-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

I love General Conference and am very much looking forward to tomorrow's sessions. Now to working on that paper due Monday afternoon...

A Taste of Culture

2011-09-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm back at school with no time to spend being cultured and without have excessive funds to become so, I haven't been able to enjoy much of the arts. Even though, as far as universities go, BYU has some great student performance offerings, it doesn't compare to Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., and all those fabulous east coast cities to which I am accustomed. However, a lovely blog has been giving me a look into the world of incredible emerging artists and it gives me the very needed pleasure that comes from surveying creative talent.

http://www.decogitatum.com/

Just what I needed.

Good Art + Free = Ein Wunder

Just Circumstances

2011-09-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

The power went out at work today and I was paid to do German homework. I hope, for the sake of BYUIS and all the work that needs doing, that it never happens again. However, for one day, it was kind of nice.

Back to the Books not Bed

2011-09-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

On the second day of classes, one of my professors cheerfully announced that she would require more work than the average 3 credit honors class and said, "lose sleep over it, because you're still young and you can afford to."

If there's one way in which I've matured very quickly, it's in my physical inability to function for long periods of time without a decent night's rest. I almost raised my hand to tell her I disagreed (wanting to argue that sleep deprivation empties any bank account no matter what kinds of savings you've got stashed away), but I figured I'd get something along the lines of, "suck it up," particularly since another professor founded his absences-due-to-sickness policy upon similar ideas. Basically, come to class no matter how awful you feel, unless you're legitimately bedridden and have to go to the doctor, because I (the professor) feel crappy all the time! If he's "old" and can come to class feeling bad, then we being young should be able to do the same. Reasonable enough logic, I suppose.

Two weeks in and the first professor has proved her prophecy true. I've made it my goal to go to bed at a p.m. hour every night during one entire week and to wake up not less than 8 hours later. It hasn't happened yet, but next week will see the accomplishment of this goal. Did I say that last week?

It's already been decided; this is going to be a great learning experience on how to balance study, sleep, and social life--defining the good, better, and best opportunities in my life. You would think I would have already gotten that down after two years, but every semester alters the options I have which then changes the priority list. Let the excitement begin!

p.s. that last exclamation wasn't sarcastic.

Girl-ee-Girls

2011-07-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

As a part of a week of girlishness, I introduced Abby and Bekah to the world of shopping in women's clothing stores. Our primary store was Nordstrom's Rack. Of course, size zero in women's is still too big for them, but the shoes fit and so does the jewelry. Some people may view it as a pollution or corruption of the twins, but I saw it as an educational experience in celebrating femininity. Our longest stop was in the absolutely ridiculous "fashion ring" section.

Some of Abby's favorites

Modeling the Goods

One for All and All for One

After all of our window shopping, we did close the day with a purchase of bathing suits for the girls. It was a successful venture.

Praises to Pineapples

2011-07-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

I've always known pineapple was a good fruit; it's been one of my favorites for years. However, it's been many days since I've considered it one of the handsomest fruits of my acquaintance. And when I say handsomest I mean not only good looking and delicious, but practical and beneficial for the soul.

I'll tell you why.

I got my wisdom teeth out this past Tuesday and beforehand I was bracing myself for the worst. Everyone groaned upon hearing about my post-Fourth of July plans. I was given a lot of sympathy and I was told and reminded of many unpleasant stories about wisdom teeth removal. In the midst of my anxiety, my oral surgeon recommended that I eat as many servings of fresh pineapple as I possibly could two days before the extractions to place and two days following. Apparently, among the other good qualities of the fruit are agents that decrease swelling. I went through a pineapple a day before and after the surgery and experienced swelling in the most minor degree. The steroids and head wrap probably helped a bit too. On top of the fortunate lack of swelling, the pain was also easily manageable with hardly any use of the stronger pain medications the doctor gave me "just in case." And now all four wisdom teeth are out and I don't need to worry about them growing into my other teeth or getting infected anymore. Needless to say, I feel incredibly blessed. Yay for modern and natural technology!

Before: Preparing for the inevitable swelling and pain

During: The day after surgery sporting trendsetting, anti-swelling headgear that shows off the minimal swelling of the cheeks

After: Five days after surgery and looking exactly as I did the third day after the procedure

The Fine Art of Crocheting

2011-05-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

I'm beginning to feel the weight of responsibility—the burden of maturity—which is apt to come when any self-respecting person approaches the departure of the teen years. In order to fully embrace this step into old age, I've taken up crocheting, with Abby, Bekah, Mommy, and Sister Jones as my teachers. It would perhaps appear, because the plethora of instructors, that I am not picking it up as swiftly I ought. Quite the contrary, I assure you. I would even go so far as to say I'm prodigiously talented (starting at such youthful period of my life and already well on may way to a glorious career of crocheting). They all want a finger in the pie of my success. Trust me.

I may have to reconsider the direction of my vocational pursuits.

The First Day's Work

Zum Schluss

2011-04-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

This represents what I feel like right now...

Model credit to Laura Ebeling.

I cannot concentrate on homework anymore, so this is the next best, semi-productive alternative.

In two and a half weeks I will be an official Junior in college with roughly 5 semesters until graduation. It's coming to the halfway point in my college career. Oh mane Mr. Muldowney! I don't feel mature enough for this to be true. The consensus is that life is good stuff. So much has happened this semester; I haven't even been able to record it all in the multiple journals I've filled up. But as a rough recap...here are ten crucial points from my experience at BYU during Winter Semester 2011, not in order of importance or chronology:

1. I attended a mostly authentic, slightly "Mormonized," Seder meal with my Shoah (Holocaust) class and partook of the strongest horseradish I have ever had. My throat and stomach didn't stop burning until the next day. On a scale of 1 - 10, it was 11.

2. I mastered the passive voice in German, which enabled me (with luck) to take the German Proficiency Exam and do well enough to get into GERM 302, rather than the more popular placement for 202 students, 301. One less class to take!

3. Being made a lead design assistant has been a great experience, wonder of wonders. The new project has not been too difficult to pick up and my team is full of awesome, patient people.

4. Mild insomnia has become the second greatest bane of my existence, the first being laziness, and it has not helped me too much in the health department. But both of these "plagues" are resolvable with action and time, so I'm not too concerned about them lasting forever.

5. I watched the first two sessions of General Conference and cannot wait for Sunday's sessions.

6. Laura and I had what may be our last photo shoot. We're getting so old these days (I mean, I'm practically not a teenager anymore), and she is going to be to be putting in her mission papers at the end of April with the hope of leaving in August.

We make an awesome duo.

As much as we've talked about her going on a mission, it didn't hit me until we were eating dinner the other night and I suggested we take a class together next fall...

aaah bitter sweet

7. Jamie visited Provo to inspect BYU's music program. It was a rather pleasant surprise to have him show up at my door that Friday evening.

8. Participating in the English Student Advisory Council was cool, on top of not being super time consuming. We only had a couple of meetings. It was nice to voice my opinions (however uninformed) and my concerns. Plus knowing that our comments were making a difference was nice.

9. I got to watch the Martha Graham Dance Company perform at BYU, thanks to the generosity of my roommate. It was amazingly amazing.

10. It's almost over.

And after reviewing the wonderfulness of life, I think I'm revived enough to get some more homework done.

When One Has Hit a Slump

2011-02-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

What does one do when one hits the "I-don't-want-to-do-anything-remotely-school-related-because-I've-been-in-school-for-eight-months-and-it's-time-for-an-extended-break-and-who-cares-about-grades-anyway" doldrums? Sorry, let's focus that question a little more. What does one do other than peruse one's Facebook photos two or three times and stare at the computer, trying to think of some use for it other than a tool that makes it possible for one to complete the list of homework assignments due tomorrow? To keep this all hypothetical, let's assume one has got the obvious first solution down to an art form and one needs another way to cure one's rebelliously lazy and wandering mind. Just a little study case for you to exercise your brains on. Thoughts?

Back at Good Ol' BYWoo

2011-01-14T18:20:00.001-08:00

It's the close of another day. Coincidently, it's also the end of another week of classes, work, and other such gaieties. Two down and just thirteen more to go: when counting in weeks the semester doesn't seem unbearably long. However, this semester is going to be great, as it has already proved, so no one's wishing for its end just yet (we'll see how I feel when we approach all the big writing projects' deadlines). I’ve thought a lot about it this week actually…

Elder Christofferson gave a CES fireside last Sunday about enjoying the present, which I found very helpful and inspirational. Being fully invested in the moment is definitely not something I do on a regular basis. But really, there's so much I can gain and take pleasure in if I put my attention in " the now." Plus there are always lots of great things to do at this very instant; why be unduly concerned about the future? Classes (and their homework assignments) are challenging and interesting. Work is challenging and becoming very interesting (I was "promoted" this week to be one of four lead students in charge of training and overall organization for different teams…lots more to do!). German housing is challenging and always interesting because half of us speak German quite proficiently and the other half (of which I am a part) struggles with mastering the nuances (and fundamental aspects) of speaking the language well. And to add to all of that, the church is true, a knowledge that brings light and perspective to everything that comes along. So why not take each minute as it comes and embrace life whole-heartedly?

And I’m off the soapbox now. That’s all from this part of the world.

Wanted: The Paparazzi Responsible for Taking This Scandalous Photograph

2010-12-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

Home Sweet Home

2010-12-29T08:50:00.000-08:00

It's so nice to be back home with the good ol' fam.

Highlights of Summer Semester

2010-08-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

We found a cute kitten and we it dubbed some Russian names (one meaning black and the other meaning excrement). He was the FLSR mascot until some one ratted on us and called animal control. The little thing was taken away and we never found out her fate.

And yes, I know it wasn't a good idea to be holding a stray kitten; however, I am still alive and disease less.

My wonderful roommates and I had a bonding photoshoot fairly early on in the semester. It was pretty sweet and most of the pictures currently plaster our walls.

Just after Ali had told us a horrible joke.

Me testing my photographic skills on the lovely Laura

One night we drove up into the canyon to have a fire. It was a lot of fun until the patrol people came a long and kicked everyone out of the park. It was apparently too dry for fires. Woops!

There are some really beautiful walks in my neighborhood. This is the sunset view from Rock Canyon.

My roommates surprised me on my birthday by putting my through all sorts of trials, like tasting 19 different flavors of ice cream, brushing my teeth for 19 minutes, telling 19 crushes (found out I hadn't had nearly that many), answering 19 deep "souls searching" questions, and having 19 cups of water dumped on me. My favorite was the first. They then threw a little party for me that evening and it was rather nice. This made my third birthday in Utah and my first birthday not celebrated with family. I was lucky to have such good friends to make up for the absence.

One Sunday we spontaneously went up to Angel Falls. It's really gorgeous. Not realizing there was a path, we tried walking strait up the falls. That wasn't the best idea, and the entire way up I was thinking, "What the heck am I doing? How are we going to get down? Why did I get myself into this?" My fear of falling was really kicking in about then, but we made it up ok and took the easier way down.

We're the tiny specks you can't see in the distance.

I was also really lucky to see Grandma and Grandpa this semester, as well as my papa and Missy, Michael, and Joseph. It was awesome to see all of them, especially Daddy.

Well, the summer is over ad I'm back to the grindstone. German 201, Writings of Isaiah, Creative Writing, Writing Literary Criticism, and Fundamentals of Analyzing Literature are the classes currently filling my schedule. They are being supplemented by working at Independent Study close to 20 hours a week and German House dinners. It's busy but good. I'm glad it's Labor Day because I already need the break.
Well folks, there's the long update on what's been happening! Have a fabulous Labor Day!

In a Galaxy Far Far Away...

2010-06-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

Our living room

The bedroom finally unpacked

The kitchen plus Laura

The bird that lives right in front of our door

The view from our window

...there lived a girl going to school. In fact, she was just returning for her Sophomore year after a glorious summer holiday in a neighboring galaxy with her family.

Well, the move into the FLSR (Foreign Language Student Residence) is over, as is the first day of classes. We found out on our first day that there are only three girls in the German House. Three people in a six person apartment--a six person apartment that is actually big enough to house six people. Alhyaba is my only new roommate and she's quite wonderful. She lives in one room, while Laura and I share another. The third room is being turned into a gym with a stationary bike and everything. The FLSR is pretty much amazing although definitely challenging because of how much I still have to learn about the language. All my fellow German House residence are very patient and helpful. They're also all very interesting, so I'm excited for the term to unfold. The ward is pretty much awesome too.

Classes are somewhat intense, because we're doing an entire semester in 6 weeks, but both PSYCH 111 and ELANG 322 seem very promising and I'm looking forward to how much I'm going to learn!

That's it from this galaxy. To be continued in later installments of the saga.

A Thanks to Abby and Bekah

2010-06-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

For an early birthday present the girls played with my hair and gave me a foot massage. It was loverly. Here's a post for them, showing off their mad skills. ☺

The girlies hard at work

Their beautiful final products

Mangy Mongrels

2010-05-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

As a students of BYU, we're admonished to, "enter to learn and go forth to serve." Taking this to heart, I decided to put my recently acquired university skills to work in one of my first acts of service at home... washing the dogs.

First, I protected myself by donning an old girls camp t-shirt and arming myself with dog shampoo and a towel (as I learned to do in some class somewhere) and then it was off to work!

It was funny because the dogs reacted in very similar ways. First they dragged me to the location of their filth's demise.

Next they queried, "What is she doing?"

Followed by a, "I think I've seen as much this as I want to, thank you very much," before they fled in terror.

And then they were caught.

They endured scrubbing for a little while

(look at poor Melissa's tail)

before trying to flee again.

"This is a most unnatural smell." - Little Ann

Trying to get it off.

But their efforts to thwart my valiant mission were to no avail and I successfully rid them of their nastiness for 1 minute. For Melissa a little longer then Lil' Ann because the little mutt, who claims to be pure bred, rolled around in a pile of dirt not long after I bathed her. I suppose she couldn't stand not smelling like pee and dirt was the next best option to wetting herself.

Freshman Year

2010-05-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

Freshman year is mercifully over. Just wanted to announce that I'm alive! And I managed to survive in fairly good academic standing--wonder of wonders, miracles of miracles... Lots of goofing around and having fun took place over the year; however, I feel as though even more learning has occurred. I'm at a loss for truly descriptive words, but it's been interesting and very surreal, especially now that it's over. Not to fret though, I only have a month and a half left before heading back to the grind stone and faithfully fulfilling the requirements for my officially declared English Major. Well, there isn't much else to say on the topic! A couple highlights before the

This is my roommate, Cara, during the snowball fight we had Easter morning.

Model shot with traditional, chocolate-covered, coconut, candy Easter Eggs made by yours truly.

Me with my lovely roommates being our usual goof-ball selves before hiking to the "Y" during the later hours of the evening...

This was one of the last nights we (meaning a foursome created this semester with me, myself , and I, with Jenny, Laura, and my FHE father Bryce) had together. We camped out in the great outdoors of Heritage Halls (because of the honor code) until 4:30 a.m. What a marvelous adventure.

Its Been a Hard Days Night...

2010-02-14T21:51:00.000-08:00

Its been a while and I have been working like a dog in some ways, and not so much in others. What is there to say? Viel!

We got a glorious snow several weeks ago. Can't even remember when it was, but it was lovely. Now Provo is brown and ugly again. It was in the high 40s today which was rather nice. It makes up for the not so scenic surroundings.

My classes are all excellent. I'm taking Acting, Contemporary Dance, Book of Mormon, German, German Choir, and Biology. I'm toying around with some new major ideas but we'll see if any of that comes to fruition. Time will tell! I've been able to see many dance and theater productions this semester. They have been rather impressive and I've been glad to have classes that require me to attend them. It's a good excuse to get cultured. I've also been required to read good plays, another pleasure that would normally make me feel guilty. However, as much as I enjoy classes, I would be ok with no homework. As it is, I have two midterms, several writing assignments (most of them in German), reading, and memorizing to do before I head back to classes on Tuesday after a much needed long weekend. Tomorrow (Presidents' Day) is the last day we have off until the reading days, April 14-15. To begin the long weekend my friend and I had a dance photo shoot. I donned my point shoes for the first time in, well, a long time, and just had fun messing around while wearing them again. I passed the two year mark since I stopped dance on February 8th, but with this contemporary class I'm starting to get into it and its been wunderbar. You know, since this semester, my English has really gone down hill. It doesn't look good that I'm starting to spell like a German or structure my sentences a little like a German when I use English. If only I could do that when speaking German!! The initial woes of learning a strange language I suppose.

I have a new job as well, that does not require an 8 p.m. bedtime and 4 a.m. alarm. I'm currently working as corrections editor for Independent Study and its been a wonderful, albeit challanging, experience. I feel very, very blessed to have received this position.

Well there's my little spiel on some stuff that's been going on... Leben is wunderbar und ich bin sehr dankbar dafür.

Happy Valentine's Day!! Ich liebe meine Familie! Und meine Freunden!

Lizzy and Laura

My Lovely Bruises from Dance Class

Hot Chocolate - Revived

La Bayadere

Laura, Chris, and I - chillin

I Have the Most Incredible Family

2010-02-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

Just thought you should all know.

I love you!

And there will be pictures and stories here someday over the rainbow...

Just because...

2009-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

....I haven't had (still don't have) the time to post anything
....I feel really bad about not keeping everyone updated about my first semester at BYU.
...This is fast and funish.

This was one of the movies I had to make for a class this week. It's a bit silly, but it was fun (other then the part where we stood in the literally freezing cold for an hour and a half). I just finished a movie for German class yesterday... and if you think this is silly, you should (not) see that one. Anyway... hope you all are doing well and I'll see most of you during the Christmas Break I am very anxiously looking forward to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYvXLJVYMJU

When In Doubt, Just Go Out!

2009-09-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, two of my roommates and I went out and had quite the adventure. After being exceedingly disappointed by BYU's Fall Fest activity, we decided to change our dismal evening into an incredible one by making a grand tour of BYU and taking photos... at night. Who doesn't love a photoshoot? Anyway, many would consider this going around campus, being silly, and documenting it so we can be blackmailed in later years, but we had a lot of fun. The full album is on facebook if anyone if ever bored and cares to look at it. So that's my exciting news for the second week! Love you all!

Laura and Jenny

My favorite building on campus - the JFSB

Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates in the making

In the JFSB fountain

Help!

Sneaking by the Creamery

Temporary Home, Sweet Temporary Home

First Week of Classes in the Bag

2009-09-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

The first week of classes at BYU is OVER! And that's all I have time to say. Its been loverly, but the homework is already piling for the weekend and it can't be put off for much longer. So! Auf Weidersehen!

2009-06-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

I am starting my own blog for when I leave the coop... It's a little early, really, so I can't post much of anything just yet. The likelihood of any of you fam reading this post is very slim... but, just in case, I thought I'd write an explanation. Plus it looks nicer to have at least one post.