Sunday, April 7, 2013
Blasphemy
For our Easter lesson last week in Primary, we referenced Christ being 'despised and rejected of men.' One boy asked what 'despised' meant. I proceeded to give what I would say was a thorough, but simple definition using synonyms and an analogy. (hate, they didn't like Him very much, they were mean to Him, etc.) He looked me in the eye before literally turning his body away and towards Brother Preslar. He then said to Matt, "Okay, what does it really mean?"
Christmas Newsletter
Just kidding. We don't really do those. I am an unfaithful journal/blog-writer, but here are some reflections on the highs, lows, and stuff in between from the last 12 months or so:
- I spent six weeks in Argentina (links to group blog, Argentina GSE Rotary exchange) and Peru, and hiked the ancient Incan trail to Machu Picchu
- Matt was named Associate of the Quarter for the Albertson's stores in the entire Northwest region. (His 'regulars' were sad to see him go!)
- I took 18 credits' worth of English classes and loved every second of it. Really miss school.
- Matt successfullytricked convinced his wife into thinking 7-8 more years of school/training was an acceptable idea.
- I ingested blood sausage, chunks of raw bacon, some form of intestine, cuy (roasted guinea pig), and a garbage plate.
- Matt was accepted into the University of Rochester's prestigious School of Medicine.
- I also consumed copious amounts of world class beef, mate, coca tea, dulce de leche, and noquis.
- We found an affordable apartment in a great location at the very last minute.
- Leslie and I road-tripped through 10 states, stopping at Mt. Rushmore, Chicago, Kirtland, and Niagara Falls to get me settled in Rochester. (Matt made the journey with his dad and all of our stuff.)
- Erica and I saved some cash hitch-hiking from Denver to CO Springs.
- I road-tripped with my mom, 2 sisters, and Kelly across Colorado and Wyoming, stopping in Little America for a brief ride on a brontosaurus.
-I road-tripped through Montana and Alberta to Calgary and Banff (b-e-a- utiful!- courtesy of the lovely Pratt family) with my Dad----we listed to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and I didn't even do my fair share of driving.
- Matt completed his 1st semester of med school with flying colors!
- While attending Matt's white coat ceremony, I was asked (by a female adult, alert and oriented x3) if I had a son or daughter attending school here.
- One sunny afternoon, our doorbell rang. We were not expecting anyone, don't have a peephole, and I was a bit apprehensive opening the door. When I did, I was greeted by a man in a three piece suit shouting in a friendly manner. He repeated himself three times before I understood, "Yeah, I need a pedicure!" We live above a hair salon and he'd picked the wrong entrance.
-We celebrated the marriages of Liz's brother, Colin, and Matt's brother, Jordan (not to each other). We also got to visit the Olsons and our newest family member, Greta Mae Olson, in Fort Drum!
-We mourned the sudden loss of my favorite Uncle Jeff, an inspiring man, father, Bishop, and physician.
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- We paid over $4/gallon for gasoline.
- We enjoyed the beauty of Palmyra, Watkin's Glen, the Finger Lakes, and Letchworth. We picked our own apples and became very familiar with the Erie Canal trail.
- I took an alpaca for a walk, rode an Argentine pony, held a lamb in Peruvian costume, bottle-fed a baby black bear, hypnotized the world's best bunny, and got mooned by a polar bear.
- Matt, though somewhat begrudgingly, also took an alpaca for a walk.
-We took Washington DC by storm over Christmas break and enjoyed having a great Idahoan host! (Thanks, Brinton!)
- Matt injured his back and hobbled around like an old man for a few weeks.
-I was needlessly unemployed for months whilst my nursing license was 'processed' for NY.
- We dressed up like our heroes (okay, one of us did) for Halloween.
- We have been blessed to make many new friends with some truly amazing people. Also, I LOVE our church ward.
- Matt's bike was stolen by someone who deserves to have a pigeon poop in their eye (and I hope one does).
- The manliest man of them all, Matt finally proved what we've always known by winning a facial-hair-growing contest held by his med school class as a fundraiser for cancer research.
- I hiked, snowshoed, downhill & cross-country skied my was across Anchorage, Alaska and was entertained by the inventive Malouf family.
- (21 states and 4 countries for me! Feeling blessed I got to travel so much, as I was concerned about the restrictions our plans might have.)
-We watched the entire LOTR series and The Hobbit over Christmas break. Star Wars is next.
- We spent Christmas alone together, with midnight mass, snow-angels, and several great care packages. We were also privileged to join the Howell family (we love and look up to them so much) in acting out the Nativity. I've never seen such a convincing Herod!
- Matt mastered the iPad and has become converted to the church of Apple.
- We had dinner with someone who had dinner with Ted Bundy.
- We make acrylic paintings together sometimes.
- I got a new job at a surgery center. The operations are simple, but there's no nights, weekends, or call!
-We miss our friends, family, and the mountains.
- I spent six weeks in Argentina (links to group blog, Argentina GSE Rotary exchange) and Peru, and hiked the ancient Incan trail to Machu Picchu
- Matt was named Associate of the Quarter for the Albertson's stores in the entire Northwest region. (His 'regulars' were sad to see him go!)
- I took 18 credits' worth of English classes and loved every second of it. Really miss school.
- Matt successfully
- I ingested blood sausage, chunks of raw bacon, some form of intestine, cuy (roasted guinea pig), and a garbage plate.
- Matt was accepted into the University of Rochester's prestigious School of Medicine.
- I also consumed copious amounts of world class beef, mate, coca tea, dulce de leche, and noquis.
- We found an affordable apartment in a great location at the very last minute.
- Leslie and I road-tripped through 10 states, stopping at Mt. Rushmore, Chicago, Kirtland, and Niagara Falls to get me settled in Rochester. (Matt made the journey with his dad and all of our stuff.)
- Erica and I saved some cash hitch-hiking from Denver to CO Springs.
- I road-tripped with my mom, 2 sisters, and Kelly across Colorado and Wyoming, stopping in Little America for a brief ride on a brontosaurus.
-I road-tripped through Montana and Alberta to Calgary and Banff (b-e-a- utiful!- courtesy of the lovely Pratt family) with my Dad----we listed to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and I didn't even do my fair share of driving.
- Matt completed his 1st semester of med school with flying colors!
- While attending Matt's white coat ceremony, I was asked (by a female adult, alert and oriented x3) if I had a son or daughter attending school here.
- One sunny afternoon, our doorbell rang. We were not expecting anyone, don't have a peephole, and I was a bit apprehensive opening the door. When I did, I was greeted by a man in a three piece suit shouting in a friendly manner. He repeated himself three times before I understood, "Yeah, I need a pedicure!" We live above a hair salon and he'd picked the wrong entrance.
-We celebrated the marriages of Liz's brother, Colin, and Matt's brother, Jordan (not to each other). We also got to visit the Olsons and our newest family member, Greta Mae Olson, in Fort Drum!
-We mourned the sudden loss of my favorite Uncle Jeff, an inspiring man, father, Bishop, and physician.
.jpg)
- We paid over $4/gallon for gasoline.
- We enjoyed the beauty of Palmyra, Watkin's Glen, the Finger Lakes, and Letchworth. We picked our own apples and became very familiar with the Erie Canal trail.
- I took an alpaca for a walk, rode an Argentine pony, held a lamb in Peruvian costume, bottle-fed a baby black bear, hypnotized the world's best bunny, and got mooned by a polar bear.
- Matt, though somewhat begrudgingly, also took an alpaca for a walk.
-We took Washington DC by storm over Christmas break and enjoyed having a great Idahoan host! (Thanks, Brinton!)
- Matt injured his back and hobbled around like an old man for a few weeks.
-I was needlessly unemployed for months whilst my nursing license was 'processed' for NY.
- We dressed up like our heroes (okay, one of us did) for Halloween.
- We have been blessed to make many new friends with some truly amazing people. Also, I LOVE our church ward.
- Matt's bike was stolen by someone who deserves to have a pigeon poop in their eye (and I hope one does).
- The manliest man of them all, Matt finally proved what we've always known by winning a facial-hair-growing contest held by his med school class as a fundraiser for cancer research.
- I hiked, snowshoed, downhill & cross-country skied my was across Anchorage, Alaska and was entertained by the inventive Malouf family.
- (21 states and 4 countries for me! Feeling blessed I got to travel so much, as I was concerned about the restrictions our plans might have.)
-We watched the entire LOTR series and The Hobbit over Christmas break. Star Wars is next.
- We spent Christmas alone together, with midnight mass, snow-angels, and several great care packages. We were also privileged to join the Howell family (we love and look up to them so much) in acting out the Nativity. I've never seen such a convincing Herod!
- Matt mastered the iPad and has become converted to the church of Apple.
- We had dinner with someone who had dinner with Ted Bundy.
- We make acrylic paintings together sometimes.
- I got a new job at a surgery center. The operations are simple, but there's no nights, weekends, or call!
-We miss our friends, family, and the mountains.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
In the 'Mood'
We teach a primary class for our local LDS church every Sunday. There are SEVEN six-year-old boys in our class. Some of them have special needs. They can be surly. They can be sweet. It can be fun. It can be a challenge.
Recently, I taught a lesson about repentance and used a band-aid in an analogy for healing our spiritual wounds. I had, in my home stash and for in-class distribution, a box of band-aids... not just any band-aids, but SUPERHERO band-aids! I was sure this would be an enormous hit and likewise prepared myself to be thanked and praised. The variety included: Captain America, The Hulk, Ironman, etc. At the end of class, I offered each boy in attendance his very own band-aid. A couple chose theirs apathetically, before one young gent spit out, "Band-aids are useless!" and rushed out the door. Another boy thought about it for a bit before pushing my hand back, shrugging his shoulders, and announcing, "Nah, I'm not really in the mood."
I guess my lesson was on humility. That, and never, ever assume you know what kind of reaction a 6-year-old boy will have. Ever.
Recently, I taught a lesson about repentance and used a band-aid in an analogy for healing our spiritual wounds. I had, in my home stash and for in-class distribution, a box of band-aids... not just any band-aids, but SUPERHERO band-aids! I was sure this would be an enormous hit and likewise prepared myself to be thanked and praised. The variety included: Captain America, The Hulk, Ironman, etc. At the end of class, I offered each boy in attendance his very own band-aid. A couple chose theirs apathetically, before one young gent spit out, "Band-aids are useless!" and rushed out the door. Another boy thought about it for a bit before pushing my hand back, shrugging his shoulders, and announcing, "Nah, I'm not really in the mood."
I guess my lesson was on humility. That, and never, ever assume you know what kind of reaction a 6-year-old boy will have. Ever.
The Girl of Your Dreams
Same scenario as the last post, different patient:
Corpulent, early 60's, a little homely. He was "going to the beach" and planning on having lots of "margaritas" and generally seemed very pleased with himself for creating his own dream. The last thing he mentioned was, "Yeah, and get to see my wife in her bathing suit!" Sweet.
Corpulent, early 60's, a little homely. He was "going to the beach" and planning on having lots of "margaritas" and generally seemed very pleased with himself for creating his own dream. The last thing he mentioned was, "Yeah, and get to see my wife in her bathing suit!" Sweet.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Singing, singing of you...
The operating room is cold, sterile, and uninviting. Often, just before a patient is 'drifted off to sleep' for a surgical procedure, we encourage them to make themselves a bit more comfortable--- if only in their mind. Recently, a young college football player was in my care and I said something like, "Pick out a good dream to have."
Anesthesia added as they pushed propofol, "Are you going to the Bahamas, or some place warm?"
"Nah." His lips rose into a gritty smirk, his eyes started to roll back, and he whispered (as if riding into the sunset that very moment), "I'm headed out West."
Made my day.
Anesthesia added as they pushed propofol, "Are you going to the Bahamas, or some place warm?"
"Nah." His lips rose into a gritty smirk, his eyes started to roll back, and he whispered (as if riding into the sunset that very moment), "I'm headed out West."
Made my day.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Because it's a shame to wait until tomorrow
I've always considered myself a goal oriented person. In fact, in a recent interview when I was asked to give two words to describe myself, 'goal (hyphen) oriented' was one of them. I wanted to answer 'sparkly' and 'amazing' just to see a reaction, but I digress. I like to make lists. I like to push myself to do things I've never done before-- big or small.
I've deteriorated. I've been wary of setting new goals lately, because I'm disappointed in the lack of my own follow through. Gumption. Mojo. Motivation. It's not there. While I've had more time on my hands than, well, EVER before (thank you State of New York for taking 4 WHOLE MONTHS to process one tiny RN license), I feel like I've accomplished next to nothing in that time. As the Yiddish proverb goes, "The hardest work is to go idle." I'm hoping that I may hold myself more accountable by making a few of my goals public. (And by NOT waiting 'til tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, when this list is more perfect or complete) It's time to get back to work. (No pun intended)
1) Languages. I have the basics of Spanish down thanks to my Argentina trip, and Rochester is one of the most densely populated areas in the US for deaf people. The LDS services I attend are translated into both Spanish and American Sign Language. I don't want to waste this opportunity. By the time Matt graduates from med school, I would like to be proficient in both Spanish and ASL (and, hey, my English vocab could use some work, too). Not sure how to break it down into 2013, but I'm starting with an ASL class tomorrow!
2) Diet. I want to be more conscientious of what I am putting into my body--- less processed junk, more natural and organic foods. I gave up pop for lent last year, I'm pretty sure it's time to kick it for good. I want to try green smoothies and cut my sugar intake.
3) Complete a half-ironman distance (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) triathlon. Why not?
4) Publish at least twice. (Why are those essays still sitting in a folder on my desk?!)
5) Read at least 30 (quality) books.
6) Plan and carry out a 10 year high school reunion well worth attending.
ETC
Wish me luck!
I've deteriorated. I've been wary of setting new goals lately, because I'm disappointed in the lack of my own follow through. Gumption. Mojo. Motivation. It's not there. While I've had more time on my hands than, well, EVER before (thank you State of New York for taking 4 WHOLE MONTHS to process one tiny RN license), I feel like I've accomplished next to nothing in that time. As the Yiddish proverb goes, "The hardest work is to go idle." I'm hoping that I may hold myself more accountable by making a few of my goals public. (And by NOT waiting 'til tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, when this list is more perfect or complete) It's time to get back to work. (No pun intended)
1) Languages. I have the basics of Spanish down thanks to my Argentina trip, and Rochester is one of the most densely populated areas in the US for deaf people. The LDS services I attend are translated into both Spanish and American Sign Language. I don't want to waste this opportunity. By the time Matt graduates from med school, I would like to be proficient in both Spanish and ASL (and, hey, my English vocab could use some work, too). Not sure how to break it down into 2013, but I'm starting with an ASL class tomorrow!
2) Diet. I want to be more conscientious of what I am putting into my body--- less processed junk, more natural and organic foods. I gave up pop for lent last year, I'm pretty sure it's time to kick it for good. I want to try green smoothies and cut my sugar intake.
3) Complete a half-ironman distance (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) triathlon. Why not?
4) Publish at least twice. (Why are those essays still sitting in a folder on my desk?!)
5) Read at least 30 (quality) books.
6) Plan and carry out a 10 year high school reunion well worth attending.
ETC
Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
I miss my mountains
I bought this print at the DI in Idaho for $3, intending to use the frame for some kind of project. Amazingly, it made the cross-country trip to NY (and I'm very glad, as similar finds are few and far between and cost more like $20 here). This isn't the best photo, but a month ago I free-handed a John Muir quote onto it and hung it in 'the brunch nook'. I love it. Who knew I'd use the print, too?! I'm growing to appreciate the scenery around Rochester, but I miss my Idaho mountains.
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