Ordinary? Why, Nothing is Ordinary

wisdom

2011-12-31T05:01:00.003-07:00

wisdom teeth removal= excuse to: wear the same pair of sweats five days in a row (yes, I have), wear no makeup for five days in a row, not do my hair for five days in a row, read a book all day, and not clean my temp room that has somehow gotten very messy.

Either I've reverted to my natural desires (most likely), or this is me acting without the previously-possessed wisdom contained in my wisdom teeth (my excuse).

oh, you know, just..

2011-12-15T02:39:00.006-07:00

Here's a fact: When walking by someone, I prefer the usual, boring "Hey, how's it going?" "Good" "Good" "You?" "Good" "Good." Not because I don't care how people are or because I like to use template phrases for all of my conversations, but because when people ask "What's up?" I freeze.

This is what I look like on the inside,

and this is what I'm sure I look like on the outside (deer in the headlights, get it..)

I have no idea what to say. I feel like a socially awkward weirdo. Do I say, "oh, nothing really." Or, "oh, you know, just studying.. (obviously, I'm sitting in the library reading a textbook)," or give a real response to their question, "oh just headed home to eat some lunch and change out of my wet boots from that big puddle back there before I have to go to work... oh, now you're really far away and I'm talking to myself.. oh, hi there.." Or is there something else I should say? Is is sad that I don't know this? How do normal people respond? Probably not the same as I do, which tends to be, "oh, just mmggbll nmnmgllnmg shshshofndnmv....."

From today on, I will ask not-socially-awkward individuals unlike myself, "What's up" rather than "how's it going" to see how they respond and how I should in like turn. So be flattered if that is my next greeting to you.

oh wow

2011-12-01T00:19:00.004-07:00

no no no no no no no.

no way. no. way. I did NOT just write the wrong university name in an application, did I? yes, I did. After spending a good 2-3 hours on drafting it and countless read throughs, I ruined it. Tried to edit it and it is closed. Not surprised. Well, I'll call tomorrow and beg the nice registrar to please PLEASE PLEASE let me change it.

I just can't believe it happened. It's like something that would happen in a movie. A movie about a terribly unfortunate girl.

Must be a sign that I need some sleep. I guess Diet Coke can't solve all your sleep debt problems.

oh wow

PETS

2011-11-21T00:51:00.003-07:00

When I was in the first grade, we bought two hamsters. They were the first pets I can remember having. I noticed that one had especially long whiskers and proposed he be named Whiskey. My parents began to object, but I continued, "Yes! And we'll name his twin Frisky, since it rhymes!" Nothing my parents said would convince my brothers or me. So, we had two hamsters, Whiskey and Frisky. They ran away after a few months of hide-and-seek behind the cabinets.

The next pet I can remember came when I was about 10.

It was a Betta fighting fish, named Abu. My cousin, Kiera, had conducted a college science experiment, wherein they had set up a bracket tournament of death, battling the fish against each other (no idea how this idea was approved or what the aim of the project had been). Abu won and she had no more use for him. So she gave him to us. We enjoyed holding a mirror against the bowl and watching him ram into the wall. Our fierce warrior. What a life he led.

Next, we bought a cockatiel and named him Homer. Ty loved him; he'd shower with him. Homer sat on our shoulders and flew around the house; we felt too bad to clip his wings. We should have done it though, because one day he flew away when my mom forgot he was on her shoulder and walked outside. We ran throughout the neighborhood, calling his name. He loved us, and I think he'd have come back, but simply didn't know how to find us. That night was cold and we moved on with our lives, thinking sadly that he most likely died from the cold or a predator. Months later, some friends who lived down the street heard us talking about Homer and said they'd found a cockatiel in their yard about that time. They'd kept him a few days and then turned him into a shelter.. or wherever it is you take lost domestic birds. I hope he found a good home, though I don't think anyone will love him as much as Ty did.

And now, we have Copper. He is a toy poodle, but looks nothing like one.

He had copper red hair as a puppy; now it's strawberry blonde. Ty and my mom picked him out because he had a sweet, loving disposition. No one will make you feel the way Copper does. He will cuddle up with you and love you more than anyone else can. But he will still play chase with you. He doesn't bark or shed or smell. He's not messy. (Unless you leave the bathroom door open--he does love toilet paper.) He is IN LOVE with my mom. She is his mother. When he hears the garage door open, he dances waiting for her, unable to sit still. As she walks in the door, he runs up her body and onto her shoulder. He follows her around the whole day. Even sits in the bathroom while she showers.** It's adorable how in love with my mom he is. EVERYONE who comes to our house falls in love with him. A few months ago, I saw a friend of my brothers who hadn't been to our house for about a year. He showed me that he still had a picture of him and copper as the wallpaper on his phone. That is Copper. And I love him.

** Funny story. Copper is like my mom's new baby. And Ty is my younger brother, the baby of the family. So sometimes she accidentally calls Copper Ty and Ty Copper. Well, once she was headed up to her bathroom and said, patting her thigh, "Ty, I'm headed up to shower. Want to come?" "No, Mom, I don't."

je ne sais quoi

2011-11-15T00:01:00.004-07:00

Have you ever met someone that is mysterious to you?

You want to ask them: who are you, really? what do you think about? what is it that you care about? what is it that I don't know about you that keeps me from knowing you?

I wish reading people in real-life was as easy as reading people in stories.

Autumn!

2011-11-14T01:15:00.004-07:00

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

Fantastic quote from best movie ever, "You've Got Mail."

Mmmmm I. LOVE. THE. FALL.

((keep in mind, Fall=days that are 40-75 degrees Fahrenheit))

Can you beat an overcast day? Where the world around you is saturated with a blue hue and happy-soaked air? My own contentment is full; it bubbles over into a smile I can't subdue.

All I want to do is come home and bake! Pie, soup, bread, cider. Turn on some Christmas music. Put on some thermals, a big fluffy sweater and thick, cabled sweater socks. Maybe a beanie. Or a Santa hat. And cuddle on the couch (sadly at this time in my life, I am also cuddling with the couch) with a blanket, a mug of soup or cocoa, and a delightful book. Turn on Debussy, and read away. With the window open and the clean air washing my skin. Nothing can beat it. Nothing!

Some analogies of bacon

2011-10-04T23:38:00.004-06:00

I hate bacon. Can I just say it? I. HATE. BACON.

Too salty. eugh. I hate it alone and I hate it when it's not alone. In fact, that's when I hate it most, when it's simply one ingredient of many in a dish. Because the salty, overpowering bacon taste kicks my tongue so hard that I can't taste any of the other flavors! Get out of the way, bacon! and let me taste what else this casserole/soup/salad has to offer!

It's like the kid that pulls up next to you with a really loud, fuzzy subwoofer; you can't hear the rest of the music and I hate it. (To be honest, I actually appreciate the added volume to the bass, as long as it is a clean emphasis to the beat. But when it's just a sloppy, buzzing vibration, you can't hear the music.)

It's the silly busywork that never allows you the time to grasp the actual point of a class.

It's the old woman that wears really powerful perfume.

Those are my analogies for you. Hopefully you now understand why I feel the way I do about bacon.

Great book!

2011-08-24T01:13:00.008-06:00

Summer book recommendation: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley. It is about a precocious eleven-year old, Flavia, who loves chemistry and solves mysteries. It is hilarious!! An easy read, so you'll be able to read it very quickly.

Here's a quote to sell it to you:

"Seed biscuits and milk! I hated Mrs. Mullet's seed biscuits the way Saint Paul hated sin. Perhaps even more so. I wanted to clamber up onto the table, and with a sausage on the end of a fork as my scepter, shout in my best Laurence Olivier voice, 'Will no one rid us of this turbulent pastry cook?' "

Anyway, that's my recommendation to you.

I'm almost done with my blasted PA school apps. And at the moment, it's looking like it'll be $945 to submit them all. I think I may throw out a few programs though.. we'll see. I guess it could be worse. I'm glad I'm not applying to med school.

Also, Miserere from Il Trovatore came up today. I love it. So beautiful!!

Words are Fun!

2011-08-02T02:13:00.003-06:00

My friend Lily and I like to send messages to each other using ridiculous words. We find it fun. My trick is a beautiful website, Factacular. I suggest you try it out. You can come up with gems like:

I usually have a floccinaucinihilipilification (the concept that something is worthless) for requests, but in this case, you needn't worry about being perceived as a botheration( bother); you sounded so aerumnous (full of trouble), eschewing (to avoid/shun) you would seem fescennine (extremely rude). In response to your plea, I suggest you absquatulate (to leave quickly or in a hurry) to a vega (a large plain or valley, typically grassy). Don't daggle (to make wet and limp) yourself in the brumous (abounding with fog or mist) of your thoughts; rather ensky (exalt to the skies) your thoughts until you reach an equipoise ( a state of equilibrium). You must realize your kalon (ideal, perfect beauty in the physical and moral sense); you are more than ecdysis (stripping of an outer coat).

I also suggest keeping a bumbershoot (umbrella) with you at all times. Also, think positively. At least you aren't a mammothrept (a spoiled child) or a rudas (ugly, foul-mouthed, old hag). DO NOT think of this as a boondoggle (waste of time and/or money). And I'm sorry if at times I bloviated (to speak at length in a pompous manner). Sincerely, your erinaceous (relating to or resembling hedgehogs), casuistic (sophic resolver of questions)lilliputian (a very small person or being), Mo

Please comment with some sentences of your own. I'd LOVE to hear them :)

mmmm Bon Iver

2011-07-14T00:57:00.003-06:00

My favorite album right now is "For Emma, Forever Ago" by Bon Iver. I love it. It all started with "Creature Fear," a song the album features. Good song. Then I fell in love with "Calgary," off of another of his albums. Back to "For Emma, Forever Ago:" my current favorite: Skinny Love. Blindsided also. And Lump Sum and Stacks. But Skinny Love is number one for now. But they're all good! Go listen!!! PS--no idea what the lyrics are about.

un poème de Rimbaud et son parallélisme

2011-07-12T00:42:00.008-06:00

J'aime ce poème. Bien qu'il est triste, il est beau.

Le dormeur du val

C'est un trou de verdure où chante une rivière,
Accrochant follement aux herbes des haillons
D'argent ; où le soleil, de la montagne fière,
Luit : c'est un petit val qui mousse de rayons.

Un soldat jeune, bouche ouverte, tête nue,
Et la nuque baignant dans le frais cresson bleu,
Dort ; il est étendu dans l'herbe, sous la nue,
Pâle dans son lit vert où la lumière pleut.

Les pieds dans les glaïeuls, il dort. Souriant comme
Sourirait un enfant malade, il fait un somme :
Nature, berce-le chaudement : il a froid.

Les parfums ne font pas frissonner sa narine ;
Il dort dans le soleil, la main sur sa poitrine,
Tranquille. Il a deux trous rouges au côté droit

Voilà un parallélisme:

J’avais eu l’opportunité d’étudier en France pendant le terme dernière, mais je ne pouvais pas aller, parce que je n’ai pas eu assez d’argent. C’était une rêve pour moi, de visiter le pays, le people, la langue, la terre aux lesquels je donne autant de temps.

Je pense que le romantisme et le symbolisme sont deux mouvements qui ne seront jamais mourir. Je les vu aujourd’hui. L’idée qu’on peut aller n’importe où, si on a le désir ; mais, ensuite: la gifle au visage et le rappel rude du monde vrai--le soldat est en fait mort et tu ne peux pas aller à la France.

A Price Paradox

2011-05-24T00:55:00.003-06:00

Books are too expensive. A walk around Borders ends with me wanting to buy 20 books but being able to afford 2.

True, they are worth an infinite amount of money. But isn't that why they should cost less money?

So everyone can afford a new book? Or 20?

"Young women, you're going to be an old woman someday; don't worry about it; don't sweat it."

2011-04-28T15:58:00.003-06:00

I saw this video on my aunt's blog and I think it's kind of fun. I don't think I'm quite that feisty (though at times I wish I was!!) but I enjoy their confidence and hope I age similarly. Enjoy!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

2011-04-24T03:11:00.015-06:00

I wanted to share my beliefs on this Easter Sunday.

We came to this earth to learn and to be tested, that we could prove ourselves. However, we cannot live perfect lives, which obstructs us from returning to our Father in Heaven, for "no unclean thing can dwell with God" (The Book of Mormon 1 Nephi, 10:21). We die spiritually, as a result of our sins. So how do we return to God? Isaiah answers this question: " He [Christ] hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities . . . All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. . . . Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 53:4-6; Isaiah 1:18). In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul continued, "If any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new." Through the sacred Atonement, we are forgiven of our sins and made clean, that we might enter into Heaven; thus our spiritual deaths are overcome. But the chains of physical death must also be broken. Thus, Christ was sent to be the Savior for all of mankind. He came to this Earth and was born into a mortal body so He could die. But He rose from the grave, breaking the bonds of death. He lives today, and with that, the knowledge that we will live again as well. He is my advocate and yours; As He and the Father are one, they share the same work: "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (The Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:39). I know that Christ is our Savior, that through His Atonement we can be forgiven of our sins and return to Heaven. I know Christ performs countless miracles in our lives, just as He did while living on the Earth. I am eternally indebted to Christ for providing a way for me to return to my Heavenly Father. I love my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and I know that He loves me and you. May we remember the risen Lord today.

"Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood"

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

I Believe in Christ (3rd, 4th verses)

3. I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.

4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To learn more, go here

or feel free to email me with any questions you may have

The Greater Things in Life

2011-04-10T01:00:00.011-06:00

I had quite a cultured week. Tuesday, I viewed Dorothea Lange's exhibit "Three Mormon Towns" in the MOA. Saturday evening, I went to the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra's performance. Both, INCREDIBLE experiences.

DOROTHEA LANGE EXHIBIT:

“Kids don’t live today. They just exist,” the man had said to me. My first observation of the exhibit had been done in solitude and silence. My second rotation was done in the accompaniment of a group of older southern Utahans. After observing a photograph titled, “Worldly Way Station on Route 91,” featuring an old movie drive-in, the group had proceeded to tell me about the old ways of life, recalling even that particular drive-in featured in the photograph. Following my remark of the difference between the lifestyle of their days compared to that of ours, his response was, “Kids don’t live today. They just exist.”

What are your thoughts?

I agree with him. And disagree. True, there is a rise in the number of people who limit themselves to the confines of their bedrooms, to the boundaries of the computer or TV, to the curbs of slothfulness. However, there is also an increase in those who dream, those who experiment, and those who push themselves into the world to experience its cultures, those who delve deeply into the intricacies, observations, and possibilities of life.

PHILHARMONIC:

We Listened to Hindemith's "Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber," which I really enjoyed (especially the third and fourth movements, "Andantino" and "Marsch." Go look them up). Following Hindemith, we listened to the entirety of Dvorak's New World Symphony. I LOVED it. I've listened to the second movement many many times (even recommended it to you here), but had never heard the middle section of it. I guess my version doesn't have the complete version; neither does the one I posted. Go look up Largo from The New World and listen to the middle section (Just past halfway. It starts with an oboe). Listening to it in person was infinitely better. At one point, I realized every muscle in my body had relaxed and I was melting into my chair.

I made a resolution to attend some type of musical performance once per month. You just cannot capture sound digitally the way you can with your ears. You miss so much not being there! The acoustics, of course, make a big difference. So does seeing the conductor; I love watching him. But my favorite is watching the musicians. As the music starts to climax, to intensify, they sit up straighter, lean forward. You tense with them, your heart starts to beat faster, your ears prick up to hear every change. And there is an aesthetic pleasure in watching the parallel movements of the tilted violin bows, the violinists' vibrato hand, the cellists' tilted necks.

What a beautiful mind that gives birth to these melodies!! What a skilled instrumentalist to play such music! What skilled hands to create instruments! What a skilled conductor to interpret and present the expressions of the music!

I love it. I love it all. May I, and you, attend more of these uplifting showcases of human capacity.

Oh, my mind

2011-04-07T05:46:00.010-06:00

So, for some reason, I've had two songs in my head this past week. The first is from the Swan Princess, which I haven't seen or even thought of for a good few years. The second is from the Polar Express which I also haven't seen for a few years. (My dad loves this movie and watches is every Christmas. I find that there's something unsettling about it and don't know what it is.)

Why have these two songs been in my head for the past week? I don't think I've heard them. I mean, it's not every day you walk into the grocery store and hear Disney tunes. Sadly. They're not even the main songs of the two movies. I think my brain, in a fed-up-with-stupid-school state (I hear ya, little guy), is determined to be exercised on only non-academic things and is rejecting what I insist it focus on, instead pulling up anything it can from the past on which to occupy itself.

I picture the little man titled "Stage Manager of Current Morgan Thoughts" running to the back of his office, to a wall lined with hundreds of floor-to-ceiling filing cabinets of past musings, observations, and memories. He opens a cabinet slowly, looks at me with a mischievous little grin, and begins to grab handfuls of papers, throwing them into the air. Oh, my defiant little brain.

On a completely different note, I LOVE those times I naturally wake up early. I love the morning. When I'm not tired. I'm going to finish my French paper (good thing I woke up, huh?) and then .. ok let's be honest, probably go back to sleep for a bit.

Life after Y

2011-04-03T21:39:00.008-06:00

So I've just spent the past .... while (I won't admit how long) looking at PA schools and all I want to do is go!! I looked up the cities on google images, read their city websites, looked up housing in cute little houses with bike trails and buses and marketplaces.....

I'm not sick of BYU yet; I still love it here. But it's a new adventure and I can't wait to start!!

My current favorites:

Quinnipiac University in Hamden Connecticut (last two photos)

A. T. Still University in Mesa Arizona (first photo)

I can't even look at another school because I just want to go to these two!!! SO hard to get myself to finish up this semester.... must...keep... going. . . not...finished....yet.

Forgive my self-indulgent post. Sorry if this is in no way interesting to you

Oh to be a Bumbershoot

2011-03-30T22:18:00.006-06:00

I wish I was a bumbershoot. What word in the whole world is better than "bumbershoot?" You're right, there isn't one. What a nice life would it be? Here is a picture of a bumbershoot.

Sure, you'd be getting rained on all the time, but that's what you'd be made for. Made to withstand it. Every time your life purpose was put to the test, you'd come out on top: Yup, still waterproof. What do superheroes do? Protect people. So do bumbershoots.

22

2011-03-14T00:30:00.006-06:00

Well, I'm 22. Fun year, huh? Here are 22 things I will do this year:

1 learn how to whistle

2 go on a roadtrip

3 better my poor guitar abilities

4 paint a painting to hang in my room

5 do something spontaneous

6 buy a clarinet and relearn how to play it

7 run a half marathon

8 read Harry Potter 1 in french

9 get myself into a consistent sleep cycle

10 go through all my stuff and throw out at least 4 trashbags full

11 write a short story

12 finish Emma and read Jane Eyre (said I've never read this, huh?) And a Charles Dickens (any suggestions?)

13 go camping. go fishing.

14 wake up an hour earlier each day

15 start volunteering somewhere

16 read the Lord of the Rings ( don't judge for never having read these either..)

17 marry Andrew Belle

18 grow an inch taller

19 learn how to turn into a tiger on command

20 master the patronus charm

21 keep my room clean for at least 2 weeks straight

22 play with Joshua Bell in concert and dance with Ballet West

Yes, I know 17-22 are imposssible, but it was getting hard at the end. If you catch me procrastinating, which I am wont to do, you can hit me.

The Means to an End That Was Not What I Expected

2011-02-26T02:56:00.000-07:00

I decided a few years ago that I wanted to be a PA. In order to get into PA school, you have to have a large sum of work experience in the health field. Most students I've talked to either become a Medical Assistant, CNA, phlebotomist, or EMT. I don't know why I decided on a CNA, but I did. The year after my sophomore year, I stayed in Utah spring semester to get my CNA license, since it is a lot cheaper and faster in Utah than in California. I am currently working as a CNA in a physical therapy rehabilitation center and I love it.

A guy I knew asked why I wanted to be a CNA and told me it was the worst job--disgusting and demeaning. He was pretty rude and insensitive about it, and it kind of bothered me. It wasn't just that he was speaking about the elderly too callously and was criticizing something I had already started. But I wanted him to see it for what it was: a means to an end. I wanted him to see that I that I was willing to suffer through it to get where I wanted. I guess I wanted him to pity me and admire me for my sacrifice.

Well, now I know I was wrong. Yes, I'm still sure he was too.

Well, I have loved this experience. I love the facility I work in and I love my coworkers. And I have fallen in love with those I work with.

I have seen a change in me. And I like it. I am more patient and love comes easier. I am more tender and gentle. I respect the elderly a lot more. I've learned people are easier to work with when you give them the benefit of the doubt. I have learned that to know someone is to love them. That through serving, comes love.

Love my Job

2011-02-03T03:22:00.003-07:00

Most of these are elderly.

"What's your name?"

"Morgan"

"Martha? ("oh, no, it's..") What a beautiful name."

yes, i'm 21 years old and my name is martha

"Goodnight, Mary!"

"Goodnight, Morgan! Sweet dreams of Jesus!"

"So, John, what did you do growing up?"

"Raised hell."

Funny funny. There are many others, but I can't really think of them right now. All names in italics are not the actual names of quoted patients.

The marine blue astro van

2011-01-29T16:16:00.004-07:00

I didn't have extreme circumstances growing up, but I do have a lot of stories. As do most people. Maybe someday I'll compile them. Well, here's one.

The marine blue Astrovan. Astro van? Astro-van.

Anyway, I loved it. I remember we sold it. And got a brown one. yes, brown. My mom says she was mortified. But I didn't think anything of it (other than the fact that I liked blue more than brown). I was so glad we got another huge van. I was so proud of that thing's carrying capacity. We sold it and got another marine blue one. And yes, they were officially, directly-from-the-manufacturer marine blue. I remember.

I remember I loved the compartments by the windows. They were huge; you could put anything you wanted in those things. And forget about it and then find it months later. They were interesting to me. I can't really describe it.

Man, those astrovans were so. big. Getting into the car was exciting for me. Driving anywhere was always an adventure.

LIFE

2011-01-29T15:50:00.009-07:00

This is what I'm hoping the future life of Morgan LaRee Anderson entails:

children, husband, and all that fantastic business

sailing

scuba diving

gardening

cross-country skiing

music

photography

road trips, Sunday drives

painting/sketching

writing

laughter

love

trips to the opera, symphony, and ballet

reading

dictionaries

fishing

hiking

trees

blankets

traveling

cooking

learning

home renovating projects

taking up anything that looks fun or interesting

What fun, huh?

Funny funny

2011-01-29T15:39:00.002-07:00

I found this song on a friend's blog and I love it. And the lyrics make me love it even more. It's called Night Vision Binoculars by Passenger.

I see you nearly everyday.
I see you, but you don't see me.
I wish I had something clever to say.
And I wish I had something better I could be.

We touched hands by the coffee machine the other day.
I know you've forgotten already,
But I'm gonna take that moment to the grave.
To the grave.

Cuz I just wanna walk you home.
I just wanna walk you home.
Oh, yea.

I see you nearly every night.
I see you when you're down in your house.
With my night vision binoculars
I creep quiet as a mouse.

And I get jealous when I see you stroking his hair.
But it's okay, I tell myself 'cause I know
It's only I'm not there.
I'm not there.

Cuz I just wanna walk you home.
I just wanna walk you home.
Well I just need some time alone.
I just need some time alone.

I'm the boy who watches the phone.
I'm the boy who eats lunch on his own.
I'm the boy with the monotone.
I'm the boy who still lives at home.

I'm the boy with the ironed shirt.
I'm the boy who watches you work.
I know where you keep your skirts.
I know where your secrets lurk.

I'm the boy that's calling your house.
I'm the boy that's freaking you out.
With my thermal flask of tea.
Up there in your neighbor's tree.

I'm the boy that's crossing borders.
I'm the boy with social disorders.
I'm the boy with restraining orders.
I'm the boy, yeah.

Cuz I just wanna walk you home.
I just wanna walk you home.
And I know that's it not right to creep.
But I just wanna watch you sleep alone.

Cuz I just wanna walk you home.
I just wanna walk you home.

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/passenger/#share

good day good day

2011-01-29T14:03:00.005-07:00

So it's a Saturday. I'm upstairs in the wilk doing chemistry homework and trying not to hum too loudly as I listen to classical music (which is doing a great job at drowning out the taylor swift playing downstairs). And for some reason I'm thinking it's a great day. hm. why? , i asked myself. I suppose it's nice to finally be on top of homework for a change. yes, it is nice. it feels pretty good. the end.

PS aren't grandmothers fantastic?

Good songs

2011-01-12T01:49:00.003-07:00

Before it's too late, download these free songs on iTunes: Marathon by Tennis is my favorite; My Body by Young the Giant's good too, as is La Complicidad by Cultura Profetica.

Yay, free music!

M Town

2011-01-09T00:18:00.007-07:00

When I make a city, or commission one, or own one, or whatever, there are a few key things I will do. No streets becoming streets. It is not ok that a road is called Pacific on one side of town and Taylor on the other. Nor is it alright for Main to come to a dead-end and then continue to the left as Main and to the right as, say Herald. No. Main should dead-end, and then you can turn left or right onto Herald.

If I decide to use numbers for streets, it will be in a real grid, none of this squiggly business. Or those addresses that can't be gotten to by whichever up-and-down or side-to-side roads the driver fancies. And all the streets will be numbers. ALL OF THEM! Then a poor soul will not get lost looking for 7th north in between 620 N and State and wondering if he's gone too far, not far enough, or if State is, in fact, 7th north.

Tonight, it took me almost 2 hours to get somewhere from where I returned in 20 minutes. Now, I will admit, I am bad at directions. But I wouldn't have to be good at them if every street would just be what and where it was supposed to be.

So, do not fear, for someday, I will overcome the world, demolish every city, and redesign all roads so that no direction illiterate person like me will ever ever suffer ever ever again.

Katie Brandeburg

2011-01-08T01:17:00.004-07:00

This is my cousin. Beautiful, huh? Well, her music is fantastic. I don't think she has a CD, just has been performing at gigs here and there. But listen to her. She was actually trained in musical theater and classical in high school. I remember she used to sing Phantom of the Opera for us. And then she switched over to folk. She's great at it, no?

http://www.myspace.com/katiebrandeburgmusic/music

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Brandeburg/16108381225?v=app_2392950137

I wish I could say the blood that gave her talent supplied it to me as well, but alas, it did not.

Some Recommendations for You

2011-01-07T23:40:00.010-07:00

You know I like to give you recommendations. Because what I love you will love. Of course. So, here are a few I haven't mentioned. I tried to think of ones you may not have heard of.

MUSIC click on song for link:

Duffy. She has this raspy voice. Very sexy. Some songs I suggest: I'm Scared, Distant Dreamer, Warwick Avenue. While we're on sexy raspy voices, here are a few more: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Amy Winehouse, John Legend, So Slow and Little Lies by Ari Hest

Coffeehouse songs: I'm Alright by Madeleine Peyroux, Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg, Blue Glasses by Smokey & Miho(fantastic, huh??), Now I Feel Better by Ayo, Wished You Were Here by Hayley Sales, Over the Rainbow by Melody Gardot, Taylor the Latte Boy by Kristin Chenoweth

Great covers: Coldplay's Yellow by Jem (piano at 3:09 is so beautiful), Coldplay's Scientist by Katelyn Epperly (her voice!), John Legend's Everybody Knows by Alex Lambert, and of course, you've probably heard Tom Petty's Free Fallin' by John Mayer.

Life is Great: Honey Tree by Mostar Diving Club, Never Forget You by The Noisettes, Cupcake by Nellie McKay (click on second song listed. I just love the transition at 0:50), Bruises by Chairlift, Night Vision Binoculars by Passenger (hilarious, listen to the lyrics), Gotta Have You by The Weepies

Simply love: Come Out of the Shade by The Perishers; Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine; Cold Water by Damien Rice (greatest when heard at end of to-be-listed-below movie, I Am David); I Dare You by Ali Milner; Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter by Herman's Hermits; A Fine Frenzy; Moon River by Audrey Hepburn; Full Moon by Black Ghosts; French Navy by Camera Obscura; Here Come Those Eyes and When Did You Fall in Love With Me by Chris Rice; So Deep in Love by Joel Auge

BOOKS:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: delightful, charming. LOVED it. Simply enchanting. Nice light read that is just fabulous

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Pretty sure I've already recommended it, but really, it's amazing

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: this is what you're supposed to be like and what a family should be like. And it's amazing.

MOVIES:

I Am David: LOVE. Love love

The Man Who Knew Too Little: featuring Bill Murray, this movie is hilarious. Pretty sure I could quote the whole thing

Disney's The Sword in the Stone and Robin Hood: very funny, very clever. If it's been awhile, watch them; you'll be surprised how enjoyable they can be for adults

So it would have been easiest to make another grooveshark playlist, but too late. Give these all a try! Really, they're quite fantastic!

Comfort Books

2011-01-07T22:32:00.003-07:00

So you know how people have comfort foods? Ice cream, cheetos, popcorn... Well I have comfort books.

I remember when I was younger, I used to get so upset at my little brother. Ty, Ty. He was perfectly adorable, and a perfectly ordinary younger brother. Meaning we were always fighting. I remember that after I got mad at him, I'd storm into my room, scribble some angry sentences in my journal, and read a book. It always soothed me. It still does.

When I'm stressed about life, I read about someone else's for awhile and forget about my own. When I feel life seems dull, I read about one that isn't. (though, life is never dull.)

My comfort books are as follows:

Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling: I grew up on these books. The characters are old friends of mine, their stories sweet, familiar pathways I've wandered down many times. Imagine an old lane that you walked down throughout the entirety of your childhood, from the time you were 10 to 18. Nothing bad ever happened on that lane, only good. Better than good; you felt elated with contentment every time you walked it. Now, if you had the chance to teleport there when you got stressed, wouldn't you? Luckily for me, teleportation isn't necessary, for all of that is in a book, rather than a hometown lane. Not to say I wouldn't enjoy teleporting.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: This book, I could read it over and over. I love the stories, I love the writing, I love the characters, and I love what I learn. This book reminds me what is important in life. I don't need all I think I need and don't need to be all I think I need to be. And that is a great comfort. Not to mention that I get lost in the pages, in their lives, within seconds.

I read it every Christmas.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: I think every preteen girl needs to read this book. When I get frustrated with my love life (aka lack of), this is the book I pick up. I LOVED it when I was younger. Such a sweet little romance

So next time you are stressed, sad, or lonely, pick up a book. I promise it will pick you up faster than anything else.

Something You Didn't Know About Yourself

2010-12-06T00:44:00.014-07:00

So you thought you were one of those people that really didn't care for classical music. Well, you were wrong. You actually really enjoy it. And here are some incredible songs to remind you why.

PS--I was in a rush and didn't want to spend the time figuring out how to add songs as I thought of more, so just did them in a few stages. And no worries, I'll be adding more beauties as I come across them.

RULES: in order to fully appreciate each of these songs, you are to:
lay down in a comfortable position
listen to each song in its ENTIRETY--preferably through head phones where you can hear every instrument. And at an appropriate volume where the depth of each song shows through
close your eyes and take deep breaths
report back to me :)

The first, Vocalise Opus 34 No 14, was composed by Rachmaninov. Here, it's played by Joshua Bell, the most beautiful violinist ever.
Then, there's Symphony No 9 by Dvorak. We sung a poem set to this song when I was a sophomore in high school and I loved it. Then I heard the original song, as a freshman in a humanities class and fell even more in love.
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin, or Girl/Maiden With the Flaxen Hair by Debussy (composer of the beautiful, but sadly overplayed, Claire de Lune [fountain song at the end of Oceans Eleven]) is one of my favorite favorites. SO beautiful. I really love Debussy.
Then there's the Piano Concerto No. 2 Opus 102 II Andante by the great Shostakovich. My talented roommate Cailey used to play this a lot and I love love loved it. At about a quarter through, when the piano enters, isn't it just lovely?? Yes, I agree that the whole song is, but that's my favorite part.....among a few others. Ok, I really just love the whole thing

I LOVE this song. I couldn't choose between these different versions, so I'm giving them all. Let me know which you like most. Schwanengesang (swan song) was a collection of songs composed by Schubert, published posthumously. My guess is that this particular song is called Leise flehen meine Lieder (Hushed Prays my Song??). It plays a large part in the fantastic movie, The Young Victoria. It's kind of sultry. I love it.

I, for one, am going to make all my children learn piano and violin. And if they'd like, I suppose we could throw cello and harp into the mix... Oh, and the acoustic guitar. Or they can learn classical on a twelve string. ok, ok I won't force them, but this all does sound pretty great.

See, you do think classical is great.

Two Week To-Do List

2010-12-05T01:25:00.002-07:00

I just want to sleep. Looks like that isn't an option.

Two week to-do list:

Projects

Finals

Home

Can't I just skip those first two points on the list??

Ryan Innes

2010-11-02T23:42:00.002-06:00

postscript: Ryan Innes also performed last night, and let me tell you, he is incredible. I really really enjoyed him. Super fun. Going to listen to more of his music. Very talented. You should check him out

I'll tell you again

2010-11-02T23:26:00.002-06:00

Went to the Andrew Belle concert last night. I know I've told you a million times, but I'll tell you again: go listen to him.

I think he's my favorite artist: love his voice, love his lyrics, love his melodies, love his sound. Love love love.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2010-10-26T16:26:00.009-06:00

WOW. BEAUTIFUL. I just finished The Book Thief. It's now alongside Little Women as my favorite book. I want to talk about the book, but I can't, I don't want to give any of it away! Because you're all going to read it. The characters.... I hate to see them go.

Yes, I do get too emotionally attached to books, to their characters, and to their writers

While we are on the subject of great books, does anyone else agree that your emotions are much more dramatic when reading a book? More than a movie, an opera, a song, a sculpture.. In the latter instances, emotions are watered down and diluted, but with a book, they're pure, raw, human heart

Just an observation. Anyway, go read it

Good ol' Pythagorus, I will be faithful as you have been

2010-10-24T01:20:00.011-06:00

I never thought I'd end up taking classes like physics, calculus, or chemistry. In high school, my favorite classes were English and history. I hated math. I wanted to be a high school English teacher for a long time. I also wanted to be a cowgirl singer, a movie star, or a cashier at taco bell so I could wear a purple shirt. I don't really know what other career options I considered. But it was a while before I decided I wanted to end up in the health field.

That all being said, the purchase of my first calculator in the sixth grade didn't seem like such a monumental event. It was only needed to get me through the next few years of math, and then I'd be done with it. Well, I was wrong. Good ol' Pythagorus (for short: Gus) has become a dear friend. He's got 'MLA' written on his cover, like Woody's boot.

Gus has been here for me since I was twelve. All the years of algebra. And then physics, trigonometry, calculus, biology, physiology, biomechanics, microbiology, statistics, nutrition, chemistry. What a great sport he was. I've taken many frightening classes, classes I've felt too dumb to be allowed to take, let alone succeed in. But having something familiar with me is very comforting. Oh, old buddy.. He fits into my hand just so, and I feel like I can conquer anything thrown at me. As long as I've got my friend, Gus, with me. I've even picked up other TI-30Xa calcs and known, without glancing at the blank cover, a desert of teal (beautiful color, by the way) sans the 'MLA' scrawl, that they were not my Gus.

I've even trusted him with my personal affairs: finances, random math questions, etc.

Have the smarty-smarts pulling out their Optimus Prime graphing calcs laughed** at me for keeping him? Yes, a few have. Do we care? No. We are a team. I don't need something younger or cooler. Pythagorus tells me everything I need to know. And we know how to work together; if you handed me your spiffy, uppity Optimus, I frankly wouldn't know what to do with half the buttons. He's such a superfluous waste of space. He's big, chunky, clunky, and ugly. Pythagorus is sexy--sleek, sophistocated simplicity. Vintage is the way to go.

**And I'm actually laughing right back at them because they paid ~$130 and I paid zero

So, here's to the TI-30Xas and all those guys that have stuck with us from the beginning. Pythagorus will never die on me and I will never trade him in! Compare his good looks to those lacking in Optimus:

mmmmm

2010-10-17T23:46:00.004-06:00

Things that melt my heart?

compassionate people

children

Angel by Jack Johnson

3 of 25000 great youtube shows for you

2010-10-09T01:54:00.006-06:00

So I know a few people who are always in the know with the youtube videos to be watched. So I will share a few with you.

And I just drop to my knee, see my lil knee.... i think I should faint. But I don't...

Creepy? Yes, I thought so too.

The Night Owl

2010-10-06T04:46:00.006-06:00

So I'm a bit of a night owl. Anyone who knows me knows I don't think about retiring for the day until about 12:30. And at that point, I wrap up my homework, get ready for bed, etc, and get into bed an hour + later. My brother Dallin's even worse. Summers at home find the two of us watching a movie or up wandering around. I'll go to bed at 3:30 and he's still up and at it. Ty, brother number two, also has the ability to stay awake late if he wants. But he's a bit more responsible and will usually go to bed before us if he has things going on the next day.

Anyway..

Why? Why are there some of us who stay up later? Well, I'm sure there are biological reasons.

But I wanted to hit on why I, when given the choice, opt to stay awake rather than curl into my warm bed with my dreams.

I like to sit and enjoy the silence. To unwind the day with my thoughts. I enjoy those times where it's just me and my mind. Now, I don't think my mind is in any way exceptional. But it's mine. And I enjoy it, as I'm sure you enjoy your own. Plus, who are you most comfortable around? Who's been there to see you through everything? Yourself.

Sifting through thoughts, through feelings. I think those quiet hours of late night/early morning are the best for such a pastime. The world is calm and still and the air is clean and fresh.

And those nights it rains? (Can I make a plug for how fantastic this weather has been!!??) Whether it be drizzling, pouring, sprinkling, hailing, thunder-ing, lightening-ing, it's fantastic. Sit back, listen to the sheets of water sliding past one another, splashing and beading on leaves, pattering on the cement, clicking on metallic surfaces. Take a deep breath of bathed-clean air. What beats that moment?

For some reason, I love 50 East, the little street outside my bedroom window. I just look out the window-- at the sky, at the mountains, at that little quiet street. I smell the air, crisp and wet or soft and dry and can't help but smile. And when the sky starts to lighten--beautiful.

So I encourage you to take some time. Some time that is yours and solely yours that you can use to ponder. It does not need to be at 5am. In fact, I counsel against it; this was really dumb. But find a time of day that you love, and just enjoy it.

Things I'm Crushing on Right Now

2010-09-26T02:01:00.005-06:00

1. Goldfish
2. Andrew Belle. Favorite songs: Signs of Life, Oh My Stars, Make It Without You, Ladder, In My Veins, Static Waves (case in point: I planned on putting one up, but.. ended up with six)
3. Gardens
4. Harry Potter
5. Watching Modern Family
6. Daydreaming
7. Cinnamon and Raisin bagels
8. Reading Jane Austen's Emma and pondering on Austen times
9. My clean room
10. Not working 3 hours everyday on campus
11. An engaged guy

12. My ballet class. Starting back up after 5+ years

13. Black & White photos

14. Oatmeal squares. One day, they were only 89 cents at Macey's. Oh, hello, 10 boxes..

Potter Fever

2010-09-26T01:49:00.005-06:00

I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I've probably read them each ten times. Love. I'll be at the midnight showing for the first part of the seventh movie for sure. Watch the trailer and say you're not excited about it. Yes, I know, it can't be done.

BEAUTY

2010-09-22T13:27:00.006-06:00

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The love of beauty in its multiple forms is the noblest gift of the human cerebrum.
Alexis Carrel

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.
Albert Einstein

Art

2010-09-19T16:27:00.005-06:00

So the other day I went onto our roof to do some homework. It was about 6pm and it was perfect. I was neither hot nor cold, feeling on my legs the moderate heat of a setting sun. A slight breeze tickled the trees and the world was quiet and at peace. I suppose it was before the hustle and bustle of a weekend night. The colors were the best of it all. That setting sun saturated everything in a golden yellow hue. All the trees were as if painted by an artist, an artist who added a bit more yellow than his peers. Every tree, every bit of greenery was more lush and more alive. It was simply beautiful. God is an Artist.

The Healer

2010-09-08T16:18:00.003-06:00

I am studying to become a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner. There are a multitude of reasons, the main two being that I LOVE studying the body and that I want to help people. I am convinced that every person, every vocation, helps people. In different ways. But with this job, every day I leave work, I will not doubt that everyone who entered my office left better than they came.

I was reading for my New Testament class and there was a short snippet on a few of the disciples. It was talking about Luke, author of Luke and Acts. It said he was a physician and wrote with sensitivity. In this modern world, there are some negative stereotypes of doctors, stereotypes that typecast them as men who only care about money and position. Well I think the healer was born with a natural desire to help others and make them happy. And that Luke's sensitivity was the probable characteristic that urged him to enter the field of medicine--to help others.

I am excited to help people when they can't help themselves. To restore a body to its peak. To analyze and diagnose. To answer questions and discuss. To prevent disease, illness, or injury. To heal.

Hobbler Half

2010-07-28T00:59:00.001-06:00

Ok, so... I like running!

Crazy, huh! As I was running down the beautiful canyon, I saw that runners aren't insane, that there is a euphoria that comes.

Sorry it's been so long. I KNOW you have all been losing sleep waiting to hear how my half marathon went :) Well, here it is, my update:

I woke up at 4:15 and ate some oatmeal. Then got dressed and stretched and finished up all the last minute things. We left around 5:00. My group of running buddies: roommates Cailey and Abby, old friend Miriam, and ward friends/neighbors Kellie and Mark.

We drove to the finish line and got there around 5:50. Boarded the bus around 6:15. Got to the starting point. Went to the bathroom. And then waited behind the starting line with my friends. The feeling before it started was unreal! It was such a surreal thing for me because I'm the last person on earth I'd ever see doing something like this.

A little bit about the course: down the canyon, soft rolling hills but with an overall downhill grade. Beautiful scenery, perfect weather, water station every two miles. In the canyon until around mile 9 when we entered a neighborhood.

And then 7:00 came and we were off. I ran for about 30 seconds in silence and just relished the excitement around me. And then on the iPod went. First song randomely selected? Stronger. Great start.

Hit mile 1. Wow, it's already been a mile? I won't stop till I get to mile 3.

Hit mile 2. Wow, two already!!? Ok, a quick sip of water.. I feel great. I won't stop till 5.

Hit mile 3. Started noticing how GORGEOUS the canyon was. I'm going my own pace, my breathing is regular, and I feel INCREDIBLE.

Hit mile 4. I STILL feel great! I am going to run this whole thing. That's right, I will not stop once. I'll slow down for a step or two when I take a sip of water, but that'll be it. I can do this. Wow, who'd have thought..

Hit mile 5. Wow. Now I know why people are running. It is so beautiful here, I'm just cruising along, listening to my favorite upbeat songs. I love life! AH, THIS IS GREAT!

Hit mile 6. EUPHORIA. This was the best mile, I think. Miles 4.5-8 were REALLY really good.

Hit mile 7. I could run a marathon. I totally could. I could run all day and never stop!

Hit mile 8. This was the first time the water station was really anticipated. But ok ok, this is still good... I should run a half marathon once a month....

Hit mile 9. Out of the canyon and into neighborhoods. Ugh, sun, go away! I don't like this... But! Only 4 miles to go! That's just a bit longer than that super short run I take down to center street. Almost done!

Hit mile 10. My knees are starting to hurt. So is my foot.. and my hips. Man, my knees! Ugh, I don't like running through here. Three more miles, still! It's SO short! Just a half hour! Come on.... ....... ......

......

.....

eternity

......

.....

WHERE IS THE 11 MILE MARK!!!?

.....

....

.....

....

three miles go by....

....

Hit mile 11. Oh dear. only two more miles. My knees! There is a girl who stopped and started walking in front of me and... she is still ahead of me. We are going the same pace and she isn't even running. Just stop for a minute. No, speed isn't the point; I will not stop. Ah, I am dying! Who puts themselves into this when not in ignorance!? Aaaand, walk. The first few steps were bizarre. No, the first thirty seconds were so weird. It was like when you get off of those super speed walking bands in the airport. Not that I was slowing down, really, but the feeling in my legs... Really REALLY weird.

...

Where is the next mile?

....

....Where is the next mile?

...

Runa a half marathon every month? Ha, Morgan, what were you thinking..

...

OK, seriously!!? It has been 2 MILES I SWEAR!

...

I am so THIRSTY.

Just look for the next water stand at 12.

Where is it?

...

Where is it!!?

on and off jogging..

...

Hit mile 12--WITHOUT DRINKING STATION. NO, NO. Do they not have water for the last drinking station? I'm only a mile away. But I. NEED. WATER. Ah, there it is.

continue on and off jogging.

only a mile left. But I can't. I have to stop. now. where is my second wind? Where!

....

...

Only a quarter or so mile left....

...

I am dead.....

....

On comes Miley Cyrus's "Can't Wait to See You Again." If this won't pump me up, nothing will. And.... I'm still dead. No pump up.

Hit mark 13. WHERE IS THE FINISH LINE! ? This is much longer than .1 miles.... And here comes Miriam! Hey, Morgan, I'll run to the end with you! Where is it! Just around the corner. desperate: where?....

And there it is. Looms up. And there Caye and Abby are, waiting for me. They cheer and I cross.

I crossed the finish!!!

Get a free waterbottle. I am so shocked I finished. Gulp water. And then the thought, why in the world am I still standing? Sit on grass. Talk, pictures, etc.

Leave a half hour later.

And that was my first half marathon. Was it hard? The end was the hardest thing I've ever done! I'd never run more that 9 miles. And I'd only ran 9 miles once. I was always really busy and didn't really have time to train as well as I'd have like to. But seriously, it was perfect. Perfect weather, perfect scenery, perfect everything.

Will I do one again? Of course! October! Or Sept. But yes, I will be running another in the fall. And definitely running the Hobbler Half again next year. yay yay!!

Well, it's late. I'll add a few pictures to this post tomorrow. But I really want to publish it now, so ya.. pictures will be added tomorrow or sometime within the next few days

Recommendation

2010-07-12T22:05:00.008-06:00

You know what's a really good song? Merry Christmas, Darling by The Carpenters. It came up on my iTunes and I just thought I'd share. Yes, I realize it's a Christmas song, but red's a Christmas color and I wore red today. Not quite the same thing? Ya, I know. K, well... to my room

Can you tell I'm a little reluctant? Anyone want to keep me company while I clean? eh? eh?

Is anyone else frustrated there's never enough room for all your stuff? So your room never looks polished? I also need more pants/skirts hangers. What's even the point of cleaning? ;)

PS--talking with old friends? So good! Ok.. sorry this post was completely useless to you. I'm unusually restless..

Morgan's simple desires on the twelfth of July

2010-07-12T21:38:00.006-06:00

I have two exams tomorrow. And another this coming weekend. Some homework due tomorrow that will take me about 2 hours to complete. I need to clean my room. Thoroughly. And the bathroom. I need to shower. And I need to make my schedule for the week. And it's 9:50pm.

But what do I want to do? Write Jane a letter. Read my scriptures. Write in my journal. Write my talk for Sunday. Read Killer Angels, a book about the Civil War I was foolish enough to start the other day with full knowledge I wouldn't be able to finish it. Write a blog about my half marathon that yes, I did complete :)

Current cravings: Running and Harry Potter. I want to delve into the series for a week and do nothing and just become into the world of Harry Potter, completely. There's nothing better than reading those blessed books for three days straight without sleep or food, forgetting to live due to the beautiful commotion of falling in love all over again with Snape, Harry Hermione Ron, Lupin, McGonagall, Luna, Fred and George, Neville, Dumbledore, Malfoy, charms, histories, Sirius, Ollivander's and good old Diagon Ally, the Burrow, the Dursleys... mm I've just been craving HP lately! All I want to do is disappear into my room for a week and fall into Hogwarts. And why my body is craving to go running after a half on Saturday, I have no idea.

And I really want to drink some lemon water; I'm really thirsty and my room temperature water bottle isn't really satisfying.

But, alas, responsibilities are calling. Room, it's just you, me, you, and me. Get excited, textbooks, you're next! Hobbler Half sum-up to come soon!!

Wonders of the Human Body

2010-07-02T16:55:00.011-06:00

Friends of mine may wonder why I study what I do. But those who know me best know I study the body because I love it; I am constantly telling the poor things about boring topics that I find fascinating. Yes, I don't go out as much as the average spring/summer student and get less sleep than I'd like, but it is worth it. I love this study. I love learning about the genius organization, the artistic design, the miraculous intricacies of our bodies. I hated chemistry in high school, but after learning how it is the most integral part of the body, how every process, every movement, every sensation, and every regulation is an effect of chemical processes, I find my chemistry class fascinating.

Think about it. Your body converts the bread you eat to fuel your fingers typing. It uses sodium and potassium ions moving via a gradient of high to lower concentration to send signals from your brain to the voluntary and involuntary parts of your body--telling glands to secrete essential hormones and telling your tongue to move when you want to speak. Pressure receptors in the skin work so that they sense the immediate touch of something, but cancel out the reception thereafter, so you aren't irritated with the feeling of ever-present clothing, rings, glasses, etc. Your heart forms during development in a twisting formation so that when it beats, it contracts with a wringing affect, efficiently pumping the most blood for the amount of energy invested. Your lungs are at the right pressure so that as the lung cavity expands, air naturally floods the lungs as it goes from a higher atmospheric pressure to the lesser pressure inside the body. The biggest, most important nerves, veins, and arteries are deep, in between muscles, so as not to be affected by minor injuries. You encounter millions upon millions of microbacteria a day and your immune system functions at peak performance with many specialized cells so you get symptoms of an illness say 1-5 times a year. Your muscles are so incredible; with one or two steps up stairs, you can stop thinking about the steps and your muscles retain the memory of the height and energy required for each step; you need no longer think about it. You have a reflex arc, where, upon touching a hot surface, the signal needs only go to the spinal cord for optimum speed of a reflex to contract the appropriate muscle. Your brain and muscles can control the strength and magnitude of every movement; you can pick up a pencil or bench press 100 lbs. The hand can perform a gross movement such as itching your leg or the finest movements of a dentist, sculptor, or surgeon. The brain is a powerhouse that houses our thoughts; controls our internal temperature, sleep cycle, emotions, and interpretations; can communicate with the Holy Ghost; and can invent vaccines, artistic expression, the airplane, and theories of physics, sociology, and chemistry. The body regulates a complicated array of hormones that cancel each other out, signal the release of other hormones, and even regulate the development of an embryo. A woman's body can create life and sustain it. This is the greatest miracle of all.

I could go on and on, but wanted to share with you some of the words of the brethren.

"I marvel at the miracle of the human mind and body. Have you ever contemplated the wonders of yourself, the eyes with which you see, the ears with which you hear, the voice with which you speak? No camera ever built can compare with the human eye. No method of communication ever devised can compare with the voice and the ear. No pump ever built will run as long or as efficiently as the human heart. No computer or other creation of science can equal the human brain. What a remarkable thing you are. You can think by day and dream by night. You can speak and hear and smell. Look at your finger. The most skillful attempt to reproduce it mechanically has resulted in only a crude approximation. The next time you use your finger, watch it, look at it, and sense the wonder of it.

You are a child of God, His crowning creation. After He had formed the earth, separated the darkness from the light, divided the waters, created the plant and animal kingdoms—after all this He created man and then woman." President Gordon B. Hinckley “The Body Is Sacred,” New Era, Nov 2006

The following is one of my favorite addresses. I'm only including a small part of it. But I really recommend that you read the whole thing! It is incredible!! You will not regret spending the time reading it.

The Magnificence of Man--Russell M. Nelson

the link: http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6997

I invite you to ponder things magnificent . . .Think, if you will, of the most magnificent sight you have ever seen. It could be a meadow in springtime filled with beautiful wildflowers. Or perhaps you have been awestruck, as I have, at the magnificence of a single rose with its special beauty and perfume . . .

You may be surprised at what I am going to suggest now. Ponder the magnificence of all you see when you look in the mirror. Ignore the freckles, unruly hair, or blemishes, and look beyond to see the real you--a child of God created by him, in his image . . .

. . . A marvelous process of genetic coding is established by which all the basic human characteristics of [an] unborn person are determined. . . . Approximately twenty-two days after those two germ cells have united, a little heart begins to beat. At twenty-six days the circulation of blood begins. . . . Yes, awareness of the magnificence of man begins with the miracles of conception and our creation. . . .

A self-focusing lens is at the front of each eye. Nerves and muscles synchronize the function of two separate eyes to produce one three-dimensional image. Eyes are connected to the brain, ready to record sights seen. No cords, no batteries, no external connections are needed; our visual apparatus is marvelous--infinitely more priceless than any camera money can buy. . . .

Compacted into an area about the size of a marble is all the equipment needed to perceive sound. . . .

To control the direction of the blood's flow through the heart, there are four important valves, each pliable as a parachute and delicate as a dainty silk scarf. They open and close over 100,000 times a day--over 36 million times a year. Yet, unless altered by disease, they are so rugged that they stand this kind of wear seemingly indefinitely. No man-made material developed thus far can be flexed this frequently and for so long without breaking.

The amount of work done by the heart is most amazing. Each day it pumps enough fluid to fill a 2,000-gallon tank car. The work it performs daily is equivalent to lifting a 150-pound man to the top of the Empire State Building, consuming only about four watts of energy--less than that used by a small light bulb in your home. . .

. . . As I observe the lives of great individuals, I sense that the capacity of the brain is seemingly infinite. Wise men can become even wiser as each experience
builds upon previous experience. Indeed, continuing exercise of the intellect brings forth increased intellectual capacity. . .

The human brain is certainly a recording instrument that will participate in our judgment one day as we stand before the Lord. The Book of Mormon speaks of a "bright recollection" (see Alma 11:43) and of a "perfect remembrance" (see Alma 5:18) that will be with us at that time. Each one of us carries that recording instrument guarded within the vault of the human skull.

There are so many other incredible parts of his speech I'd like to post, but no one would want to read through a post that long :) So thanks for reading and go look up the whole thing! We really have been blessed with something incredible, God's greatest creation:

"The great principle of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment… All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not." Joseph Smith

RunningRunning

2010-06-29T23:47:00.008-06:00

So, all my life I hated running. Hated it. The days we ran in PE were just the worst.

Then I came up to college, where a lot more people run. I decided to go a lot more often. As in a few times a month. And only about two miles. With a lot of walking. . . . :)

Then last spring, I stayed in Provo to get my CNA certification, which did required a little time, but nothing compared to the regular rigors of school and work. (I didn't go to school or have a job because I wasn't going to be there a full semester). So I had a lot of extra time. So I started going running a bit more often. I went a few times a week. But not very far, I don't think..

Then came fall of 2009. I moved in with my great friend Cailey, who loves to run. She got me to go running with her a few times but I still didn't like it. I loved the way I felt after and I knew it was good for me, but I still felt pretty miserable during the act. I was getting better at it, though. She tried to convince me to run a half marathon with her. Ha! No way, Jose.

In moves Abby, new roommate who's run two marathons and several halves. She told me her brother convinced her to run her first and that at first she hated it, but grew to love it. ...Hmm... Maybe I could change my opinion with enough repetition...

So I decided I wanted to do the half, but didn't think I'd be able to. After a talk with Cailey, I decided to try to run 3.5 miles without stopping. You are laughing and thinking it's easy. For you all, I'm sure it is! But for me, it was a daunting task. Well, I went out . . . . and I did it! I didn't stop once, not even at a light. I returned home feeling incredible and I signed up for the Hobbler Half.

And that's where I am today. Do I hate it still? Nope. Is it growing on me? Yes.. Will I continue to run throughout my life? I sure hope so.

Tonight I ran 6.5 miles and will be running 13.1 next Saturday, July 10th. I've been really busy and haven't had a whole lot of time. Didn't train as hard as I should have and am not as ready as I'd like to be, but oh well, I'm doing it anyway! Yay! I will post pictures for you although I will be looking terrible :)

Come September: half #2!

Morgan's Life as of April 29, 2010 4:01 pm

2010-04-29T16:03:00.007-06:00

I'm not really sure on the reason you read my blog.. You may enjoy the random videos I put up; maybe you feel obligated because you are a fellow blogger and I follow your blog. or maybe you want to stay updated on my life. If the latter is your reason, yay for you! I am at work and don't want to do my homework and don't have anything to say. So, here's my life as of today.

Spring semester has started! I have a writing assignment due on Tuesday and my first exam next weekend. I'm taking 10 class hours of inorganic chemistry a week, with a recommended outside-of-class-time totaling 18 hours. This is for a regular week. Every other week I'll have an exam that will require . . . a lot more time. It's okay, don't be jealous, I'm sure you could think of at least something in your life that is as fun, although you can't boast 30+ hours like I can.

I realize that was a little sarcastic. I actually am excited.. I'm kind of antsy to do really well and prove to myself that I can regardless of past experiences that may indicate otherwise.

Luckily chem is my only class besides dissection. I know to all of you it sounds odd and weird, but I am very excited about it. It's the optional follow-up course to anatomy, which you know I am pretty passionate about :) I'll only be TAing in the anatomy lab 3 hours a week, much less than the usual 8 hours, so this will be good.

I'm continuing to work at Continuing Education Registration, where I register people for conferences, independent study, etc. I'll work here Mon-Fri, about 17-18 hours a week. And I now have a second job as a CNA. Don't have many details on that since I've just started, but it'll be good for PA school, which requires paid medical experience.

So it's going to be a pretty busy semester, but I'm excited! I am going to work hard so I can have more spare time. I love Spring semesters because they're so much more laid-back and intimate.

Other plans for the summer? Read. Guitar. Piano. Running. You. Fun! Sounds great, huh? If ever you want to do something, let me know! I'm trying to use my time better so I have more time for friends. If it's been a while, let's change that!

The Beautiful Blogger Award

2010-04-27T03:34:00.017-06:00

I was very flattered to receive the Beautiful Blogger Award from a friend, Tara. She befriended me in a CNA training course a year ago and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the amazing, incredibly friendly, hard-working mother of two beautiful children. Thanks, Tara!! As part of the award, I am to list 7 things about myself and then award another beautiful blog. Fun! I tried to come up with things that would be surprises to you readers who know me well. But then I realized I tend to share everything about myself, so don't really have any surprises! So instead, here are seven random things about me :

1. I love painted furniture. And I love beautiful cabinets and the smell of sawdust.

2. I have a scar on my clavicle from a popcorn kernel.

3. I can't read a book without a pencil in my hand in case I come across something beautiful

4. I think most things are funny. That sole person you hear chuckling quietly to themselves every now and then during movies to parts no one else laughs at? me. The person you pass on campus who is laughing to themselves? me. The person who laughs at anyone's jokes? me. The person next to you in the library who is laughing while reading their textbook? yup, me.

5. I am rarely more infatuated and awed than when watching the Ballet.

6. I love people

7. I LOVE: to keep my fingernails as short as physically possible and HATE: doritos, ranch dressing, and intermissions

Welp, that's a little about me.. I now hereby award The Beautiful Blogger Award to the sweet Miss Mary and her blog, Love, Life, and all that is Good and Holy. Not only is she a blogger who is beautiful, but her blog is beautiful as well. Her blogs are always uplifting, hopeful, and honest in her optimism and testimony. Mary reminds us to be happy for the small things in life. She reminds me to learn to love more and more as time goes by. Thanks, Mary, for your motivating blog!

Embrace Life

2010-04-24T08:30:00.003-06:00

Beautiful! This is an online ad that started in the UK. Apparently, the man who made it wasn't hired to do so, but was just passionate about it. I only heard that from one source, though, and didn't see it anywhere on the internet, so not sure if it's true.. But it's beautiful anyway.

C’était dur, mais cette classe me manquera!

2010-04-16T11:37:00.001-06:00

I love to write. For so many reasons. Today, I am writing for two in particular: as a means of watering down my intense feelings and to inform you of something wonderful. Writing style today: freestyle. I love free-writing, just writing whatever comes to my mind. And that's what I feel like today. Sorry if it's a little unorganized; you can ignore this post and tune in next time for a more polished post if that's what you like :)

I feel weird. You know that terrible terrible feeling you have when you finish a great book? That's how I feel. Except it's more than just finishing the average good book. You can always pick up the book and read it again, which brings some comfort to its completion . . . But do you remember how you felt when you finished the last Harry Potter book? That's how I feel. Ya, you can pick it up again and read it, but you won't ever be able to read new Harry Potter text. No more surprising Potter plotlines, no more characters, no new funny happenings. When i finished the seventh book, I think I just kind of existed around the house for a few days. It was so sad! Just this feeling of helplessness. Now what am I going to do?

Well, today's a repeat of that. French 321 is over. I just took my final and then kind of wandered aimlessly on campus for a while before I had to go to work. Yes, I will continue in the language, but French 321 is done, as is its fantastic teacher. I have to admit, I'm very surprised by this . . . [feeling]ness. It's a hard feeling to describe. I don't think I'm sad . . . no, I am. But I'm also happy; but it's a weird happy.. I appreciate the good times I had, but now it's gone..

French is hard. The grammar's always made any French class difficult, but this class especially since it's titled Advanced Grammar. This is the class where those of us who have struggled through learning French on paper are thrown into a class with those who have been immersed in the language for two years with the catalytic help of our Heavenly Father. Yes, the return missionaries. I was pretty nervous, sure they would all find me stupid. Throw on top of it that I would have the department's hardest teacher, a true Française. She wrote my previous textbook and oversees all student French teachers.

But I was wrong. The return missionaries were kind and really respected that I had gotten to this point just through books. And my teacher was incredibly understanding and supportive as I struggled through. There was a ton of information, but she was great at showing us how to simplify it all. She told us at the beginning of the class that it would be hard, but that she guaranteed results. Well, she was right. I've learned so much. I'm really sad to leave the grammar behind (who am I kidding, it's never left behind, but you know what I mean..) because I feel like there's still so much more I need to learn; I'm kind of tempted to pull out the grammar book for fun and peruse through it; it feels like an old friend, its covers all bent, pages scribbled with charts and hints, spine creased . . . But more than the course, I'm sad to leave the people. I've made some friends in that class. And even the people who didn't necessarily become friends. I've seen a few of them on campus and they always stop and we talk for 5-10 minutes.

There was a cheese night a bunch of us attended in order to get one of four required cultural activities. I looked frantically around for people I knew and saw no one. The girl I was with had to take off and I found myself sitting with people I didn't know. And then, to the rescue! came some of the guys from my class. People I didn't really know very well. But we all sat together and had a great time. So many laughs throughout the semester. It was just a very warm class. I hope to see them all in future classes, but know it will never be the same group. Sad. A warm class, that was the perfect descriptor. And of course, I will miss the teacher who taught us well and also got to know us, who had us sing God Be With You Till We Meet Again (en français, of course) at the final, and who invited us to her house for a FHE/end of the semester party. Such good times.

Well, that's where I'm at...

I hope you don't mind future posts that may come in french. I do love it so

A Dream of Someone Else

2010-04-07T17:02:00.005-06:00

SPOILER WARNING FOR "YOU'VE GOT MAIL"

One of my favorite movies of all time is "You've Got Mail." I love the actors and the characters, the filming and the written communication laced throughout. And I love love love the story. I love the idea of falling in love through writing.

There comes a point when Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Frank Navasky (Greg Kinnear) break their long-term relationship. They spend a while talking about a woman Frank is interested in. He then asks Kathleen, "What about you? Is there someone else?" She pauses, looks out the window, and says, "There is a dream of someone else.." And a shy, little smile slides up her cheek.

I have not had much experience in relationships. I am very picky, I'll admit. But not consciously. I don't write off a person because he doesn't play the piano or because he doesn't play sports or because his style is too casual. You laugh, but it's not uncommon out here for people to check of someone who's fantastic and perfect for them simply because they're lacking in some trait off of a list. It's not that I ignore feelings for someone because he's not everything I dreamed I'd have. I just don't feel it; he's just not right for me. I've tried to force it, tried to make myself feel something. And that's worse for him and for me than if I'd have just told him I wasn't interested.

Well, I have a dream of someone else.

The kids start to get antsy when they know he'll be home soon. And immediately after he walks through the door, he scoops their little bodies up into his arms
He holds my daughter in his arms and dances with her
He teaches our sons how to work and be polite, how to treat women and their sisters, how to be responsible Priesthood holders, how to be selfless and sincere
He leans on the door frame with a smile on his face just watching me
He wants our home to feel open and accepting to everyone who visits

He sings to our children and me, whether or not he's a good singer
He loves people
He gardens with me, an activity that allows us the opportunity to work hard together and relax together
He reads the scriptures and prays with me every night
He loves deep conversations

He sets his book, newspaper, etc down when approached by one of our children
He'll read Little Women because I love it. And tell me his favorite parts
He delights in making people happy

He reads to the kids before bed each night and prides himself on the fact that he taught them how to read before they started school
He likes to cuddle and laugh and stargaze
He loves to read and talk to me about what he read
He enjoys spending evenings with me on a swinging chair in the backyard

So I'm kind of a romantic. And although I love each of these images, they aren't necessary; I'm merely painting a picture of the husband and father I'm looking for. If you're reading this and feel like it's you . . . . I'm free on Friday

My Happy Place

2010-04-01T13:19:00.013-06:00

Recently, I've been spending a lot of time looking at gardens. I've been getting emails from Better Homes and Gardens on how to make mulch, prepare soil, get rid of weeds, make compost, etc, how to plan around this and that.. and I love it.

I'm not usually a stressed person, but sometimes, despite my best efforts, I do get a little overwhelmed with all the necessary things in life that push aside other necessaries and all wanted unnecessaries. I always heard of a happy place, but didn't really have one. When stressed, I'd imagine myself cooking dinner in my future house with sweet, little children (that always tend to look like those curly-haired, rosy-cheeked precious Hobbit children from the Lord of the Rings movies..) pitter-pattering down the hall when Dad comes home from work and kisses me on the cheek. Or I'd picture myself happily working as a part-time PA when the kids are in school, loving it and knowing all the school was worth it. Well, I still picture those things (of course much more of the former) but now I do have a happy place. And it is my future garden.

My garden is very green and lush. I love color and I love flowers, but I'm not sure if they're in this garden. At least not all of it. Tall trees completely shade the entire backyard and the thick canopy casts a cool, serene, green tint. There is a rustling of leaves and the trickle of water; there are a few crooning birds in the morning and maybe even a quiet rush of distant traffic. But no other sound.

There are little paths that wind through the trees to secret places. My favorite: a seating area where my husband and I sit together in puffy patio chairs crowning a shallow, long pool of water that flows off to some other area of the garden. There is a little table between us and a low wall that surrounds the narrow resting area. Another favorite is in the very back corner. It is another pool of cool water, raised to the height of your hips, contained by a moss-covered, dark-stoned wall. This area is very shaded, a shade darker and a degree quieter than the rest of the backyard. The surface of the pool is absolutely covered by algae and other green flora. A Bocca della Verità-esque fountain mounted on a wall embellished with cracked tiles (which are, like everything else in this garden, covered in green) creates the only movement in the still pool and the only glimpse of clear water void of the obscuring greenery.

Well, this is my beautiful, serene, happy place. Welcome.

Simple Happiness

2010-03-22T23:17:00.007-06:00

I am sitting on my bed with the window open and don't feel at all cold. I love hearing cars driving by outside.

I feel calm.

I've had, since Saturday at 4:00 pm, more time than I've had for months. I made bread for the first time, which was a success. I was able to sit back and relax on a Sunday. I talked to my dad for a little while. I saw my brother. I watched Return to Me last night and loved it. (First time since.. a long time.. that I've watched a movie on a school night.) I am sick but feel emotionally great. I have a great new job which was, thanks to some great people, incredibly easy to get. My room is a mess, but I will have time to clean it tomorrow. (A thought I haven't been able to have for months.) I had a wonderful experience teaching anatomy this semester (as I did last semester) and am going to sorely miss my intimate, 9-person class and my incredible lab partner. I am loving my French class and finally feel like I've got a handle on it. I have incredible roommates and friends that love me. I just got off the phone with the most incredible woman in the whole world and am grateful that I not only know her, but can call her mother. And now I'm going to read the Book of Mormon and write in my journal and think. And I am going to wake up early and get some non-school things accomplished before class, things which are usually pushed aside by studying. My life will soon be in order and I will no longer be that person you just shake your head at for failing over and over again to be on top of things because bits of her mind are scatered all over the place and her plate is heaping over and spilling onto the floor. I am happy with where my life is right now and happy with where it is going. Life is great. Little things are great. Thought I'd share. Happy day to you! Bonne nuit!

Morgan

How to be Gorgeous

2010-03-03T00:02:00.005-07:00

Dearest, dearest readers--
It is safe to say we all traverse through our lives making the comical error of thinking we are below the splendid, superb, grand, glorious, magnificent, smooth, velvety, rich, voluptuous clouds on which we stand. But let's face it; we are not! May Fry's experience be a lesson to us all!

I think it was Donald Minstock, the great amateur squash player, who pointed out how lovely I was. Until that time I think it was safe to say I had never really been aware of my own timeless brand of loveliness.But his words spoke to me because of course you see I am lovely in a fluffy, moist kind of a way. I walk, lets be splendid about this, in a lightly scented cloud of gorgeousness that isn’t far short from being quite simply terrific.
The secret of smooth, almost shiny loveliness of the order of which we’re discussing in this simple, frank, creamy, soft way doesn't reside in oils, unguents, bombs, ointments, creams, astringents, milks, moisturizers, liniments, lubricants, and imprecations, or balsoms, to be rather divine for just one noble moment, It resides and I mean this in a pink, slightly special way in ones attitude of mind.
To be gorgeous, and high, and true, and fine, and fluffy, and moist, and sticky, and lovely, all you have to do is believe that one is gorgeous, and high, and true, and fine, and fluffy, and moist, and sticky, and lovely. And I believe it in myself tremulously at first, and then with mounting heat and passion because, stopping off for a second to be super again, I’m so often told. Thats the secret really.

Thanks to the Lovely, Splendid, gorgeous, and sticky Cailey for showing this video to me and transposing it for us :)

Embrace this Day

2010-02-25T11:43:00.008-07:00

Every now and then you have a Sunday that is just exceptionally great. This week, we had a Sunday school lesson on agency. And it was incredible! I never really realized how important agency is. I guess I always knew it was important, but I'd never really thought about it before. In Moses 4:3, it says, "Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down." Wow.

It was a great experience thinking about what influences my choices. And how I can utilize the gift of agency to better myself. Here is a great video the teacher shared with us. It is about six minutes, but is incredible, well worth your time watching it. It shares a great message on what to do with our lives and in what manner to live them.

Of Characters

2010-02-17T23:55:00.016-07:00

My mom and I realized something over the Christmas break: that she likes books for their plot lines and I love them for their characterization and writing style. I love reading about a character whose traits fit perfectly. I think of characters as 3-D puzzles with unique curvature, outjuts and inlets, each their own shape. These characters have so many talents and weaknesses, fears and quirks, that you'd think all the descriptions of them would bulge out awkwardly and make a ragged outer surface on the container that couldn't contain. But, they don't. Somehow, they don't. The surfaces are smooth and the containers seem to have the ability to be all-encompassing. There is no limit to a person.

Once you know the character well enough, you know what makes him upset, what types of people he gets along with, what makes him nervous, and what his dreams are. There comes a point in the book when your response to his action is, "Oh, John, he would do that.." or "Of course that bothered him.." And you don't know this because you've seen him before. He's not a cookie-cutter character we see over and over again. Nor did you predict his action because it fulfilled something that needed to happen in the typical storyline and was therfore assigned to a character--any character--regardless of whether or not it's actually something the character would do. No, you can predict him because you understand him. Because looking at his traits you see hundreds rather than twenty. And they all connect and interconnect.

Your character John has some of the same components as does Huck Finn and Frodo Baggins and Scarlett O'Hara, but none of these characters have every one of his components. Someone may have a dominant personality that is very like the person John feels he needs to be and tries to be when Sarah is around. But the characters are still different. Nowhere in the world is there another like John.

Sometimes these different characteristics seem as if they could never describe the same person. But they end up doing just that, going into the same person. And they do so unexpectedly smoothly, like those smooth curves of the 3-D puzzle. They go together differently in John than anyone else. And their arrangement in John fits perfectly, just like their arrangement (amongst other descriptors) in Huck Finn fits perfectly.

Now, characters can be introduced in many ways, but they all fall under two main methods. The author can list traits flat out or can show you traits through events. An example of each is below. The two quotes were taken from Little Women, one of my favorite books of all time with perhaps the greatest character development of all time.

"Poor Meg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feel bitter toward everyone sometimes, for she had not yet learned to know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy." (Little Women, p35)

"That night, when Beth played to Mr. Laurence in the twilight, Laurie, standing in the shadow of the curtain, listened to the little David, whose simple music always quieted his moody spirit, and watched the old man, who sat with his gray head on his hand, thinking tender thoughts of the dead child he had loved so much. Remembering the conversation of the afternoon, the boy said to himself, with the resolve to make the sacrifice cheerfully, 'I'll let my castle go, and stay with the dear old gentleman while he needs me, for I am all he has.'" (Little Women, p136)

The latter exerpt is one of my favorite passages; the imagery and characterization is so beautiful to me. So many things about the characters of Mr. Laurence and Laurie can be pulled from this. The two unwind from a long day by listening to Beth play; we know Beth is precious to Mr. Laurence because she reminds him of his child and that she is precious to Laurie because he loves each of the March girls; we also see that the music is a means of relaxation to the two, which, in the case of Laurie, who loves to play and compose, is no surprise, but in the case of Mr. Laurence, who seems to wish Laurie'd play less, is a surprise. Laurie standing hidden in the curtain, listening to "the little David" is not only a beautiful image, but shows a bit about his character and his relationship with his grandfather. We learn Laurie must feel strongly toward those with whom he discussed in order to want to change (March girls). Mr. Laurence's character and occasional harshness could be due to the death of his beloved daughter. . .

Obviously I prefer the second method. There is so much to deduce. And often times I can see more or less--or simply differently--than someone else. Therefore, the Laurie in my mind is different than the Laurie in yours. And, of course, my Laurie is based off of me--my experiences and my preferences--as is yours based off of you. So he means so much more to me than yours would to me. And he reminds me of me. And I LOVE that. That's why we read. To create our own.

You can give me the most boring story ever written and as long as I can fall in love with characters that are beautiful in their complexity and with a writing style that is effortless and artistic, I'll love it forever.

Welp, that's that...

There are No Ordinary People

2010-02-14T14:12:00.007-07:00

There is a C.S. Lewis quote I LOVE. By far my favorite. I found it in high school when I was preparing a talk on charity and showed it to my Dad. We've loved it ever since. For Christmas, my Dad bought me Weight of Glory, the book it's from. I can't wait to read it and find more inspiration. Here is the quote; I've added the bolding and italics. Let me know what you think!

It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbour. The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbour’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously—no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner—no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment. Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbour he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat—the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself, is truly hidden.

Longing for the Imagined

2010-02-01T22:30:00.012-07:00

One of my favorite songs right now is "Liz On Top of the World" from the "Pride and Prejudice" soundtrack. The following is what the song sounds like to me, not what's actually going on in the movie. I love the high point of the song, which moans an ache of yearning that sounds as if it has, until this point, been suppressed. And now it is released and sings out its refrain. It's not a sadness, but a longing for something that can't be had. This something is so ideal, so perfect, so beautiful. You can't fully comprehend it; it is only an idea, a wish of a world and of a life that you can only gaze at through a foggy glass window. A window that is far in the distance; a distance that can never be crossed. Because that distance is the dichotomy between reality and things that will not be.

No, this isn't a sad post on my dreams that will never be. Nor are these the feelings the character feels as the song is playing. It's just what the song sounds like to me. I love listening to music--to gentle lyrics, to the sighs and moans of a violin, to the whispers of strings and the hopes of the winds--and hearing a story that only I can hear. That means one thing to me at one time, and something different at another. I love hearing a story that probably wasn't the story intended by the composer but speaks to me far more personally than his would have. Another beautiful longing song I'd recommend is "Rose Garden" from the "Becoming Jane" soundtrack. Oh, and "First Impressions" from the same is a great song as well. Yes, I love sad, beautiful songs :) "Liz On Top of the World" is below. I couldn't find "Rose Garden," or "First Impressions" but they're on iTunes. I bought "Rose Garden" and think I listened to it 40 times in less than a week!

PS There's a new Great Quote to the left. And... I haven't changed my room picture yet! Terrible.

A Happy, Smiley, Rainbow Day!

2010-01-29T01:01:00.005-07:00

My freshman roommate, Kristin Long, and I used to wish each other a happy, smiley, rainbow day each morning as the other parted. I loved it!

Well, today was a happy, smiley, rainbow day. It was great! It was just one of those days where you're overwhelmingly happy and appreciative of how great life is. The main things on my mind right now that I just LOVE about life:

My French class and the French language

Short fingernails

Roommates, previous and current

Seeing old friends

Getting closer to new friends

Letters

Blogs

Families

Dreams and goals

Anatomy

Starting to dance again

People who are understanding

Conversations

Standards

Sore muscles

Humanity

The gospel

Thinking music

So today was great. And tomorrow will be as well :) I love life. Life loves me! And we both love you! Way to be so great!

Remodeling

2010-01-27T01:00:00.003-07:00

My blog has been remodeled! I like the new background a lot. And the little details ( like the little border under every title). And you will notice there are new things on the left side! The quote will be changed every month or so. And I highly doubt I will change the bedroom picture every day. But I will try! There are also labels; I categorized the posts. So check it out! Welp, hope you like the new aesthetics! Because I like you.

My Dad

2010-01-15T19:17:00.005-07:00

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday, so I decided to write down some of my favorite attributes and memories about him.

My dad smells like sawdust and paint, stainer and lacquer thinner. His hair is soft and wavy, dark brown. His face, neck, and forearms are a reddish brown, darkened from many days in the sun. He works with wood, turning cabinets into works of exquisite art. His hands are dry and calloused, permanently stained, with deep cracks and cuts old and fresh, scars of wounds super-glued together. They are rough but held my five-year-old hands softly. He speaks in a gentle tone and is polite to those around him, perfectly mild-tempered. He makes faces in the mirror while getting ready and nudges me in the ribs with his elbow when he wants me to laugh at one of his jokes. Dad has never spent a lazy day. Every evening, after a long day of hard work, he walks up to the house, stomps the sawdust off his boots, shakes it out of his hair, and walks through the front door. A few hours later and he is sitting on the couch with his reading glasses, a red pencil, and his scriptures.

A few of my favorite memories with Dad:

He took me to the Nutcracker when I was in 2nd grade. My first exposure. I have no idea if he liked it or not, but I LOVED it and love that he was willing to spend time doing something he wouldn't particularly enjoy in order to spend alone time with me.

Dad and I used to play a hand game in church. He'd hold his palm open and I'd poke it with my forefinger and try to withdraw it before he caught it. If he caught me, it was my turn.

I remember one time my Dad got on me about how I wasn't spending me money very wisely. It was definitely something I needed to hear, and was delivered kindly (as always) but wasn't received humbly. A few hours later, he dropped me off at the airport for a tour I was going on and another few hours later I got off the plane with a message on my phone from my dad, telling me how great he thought I was and that he loved me. His voice was soft and I could hear he was sorry for things he didn't need to be sorry for. He said if he were told he could have ten girls guaranteed to be exactly like me, he'd do it in a heartbeat. He tells me that often and I know that he honestly means it.

One year while preparing a talk for church, I came across a C.S. Lewis quote on charity. I showed it to my dad and we've both loved it and quoted it ever since.

I am kind of scatter-brained and often make mistakes besides having the best of intentions and my dad knows that. Sometime within my first few weeks with a license, I scraped a car while trying to park. A friend and I were going to the movies at a particular theater with parking spots so thin that they (still!) make me shiver. Well, I called my dad and his voice was kind and he said he'd be there right away. I know I was all apologies and he reassured me that it was ok, that things like that happen. I know it was with complete sincerity. Once I got there, he told me to go in with my friend to the movie and that he'd put a note and info on the car for me and re-park the car. I have to admit, I've had more car issues and he is still, along with my mom, completely understanding and un-accusatory. They both laugh and relay driving incidents they'd had in their younger years.

On another driving note, I got my license on a Thursday, a day when both my parents worked. They carpooled the whole day so I could drive the car to school and dance practices. It may seem trivial, but they knew it meant a lot to me.

Any time I have a talk in church, I show my dad all my quotes and he sends me a few he likes.

I took the ACT when I was fifteen and had to go to a school three hours away to take it. My dad gave me his whole Saturday. After driving up, he drove around and found things to do during the hours I was taking my test. On the ride home, we found a cute little sandwich shop and had a great time together.

My dad's family has a family home video of him and all his sisters when they were young. The background music for the video was the Beatles. So to this day, when I hear the Beatles, I think of my dad and of what's important in life: family.

I'd like to point out a lack of a memory: I have NEVER IN MY LIFETIME heard my dad raise his voice. He's never had a temper, never sworn, never been angry.

When we lived in Texas, my dad would take my brothers and me around for a bike ride in the evenings. I never thought anything of it other than that it was a fun time with us kids and Dad. But now I suppose it was also for the benefit of my mom who was going to school full-time and waitressing on the weekends.

My dad loves reading Louis L'amour novels. Most years, I buy him a book for Christmas because it's sure to please. Well last year, I got him Louis L'amour's autobiography. My dad sent me an email a month ago telling me he'd finished the book and loved it. When I came home for Christmas he showed me some of his favorite parts and quotes.

When we were younger, my brothers, Dad, and I would play an amazing game. Dad'd be the ruler of the bed and my brothers and I would try to get on. He was so strong! But gentle. We NEVER won!

Younger years again: he'd lay one of us in his lap in the blue rocking chair and buzzzzzzz his fingers as bees around us. He wasn't allowed to touch us and we weren't allowed to laugh. Again, we NEVER won!

My dad doesn't critique me. He laughs at the state of my room, but that's about it. He sees me as perfect. Or at least, never says anything about me that would suggest that I was any less than perfect. He has an artistic eye, so always notices when someone's eye is bigger than the other or their nose is crooked or their ears are uneven etc. I remember asking him as a teenager what my facial feature flaws were and he said I didn't have any. And I don't think he's ever said anything about a need for improvement personality-wise either. Well, I know me and you know me and we know together that I am far from perfect. But Dad knew me even better and knew that in order for me to be the best I could be, he needed to tell me that I was already there, rather than how much further I had to go.

I was looking for Happy Birthday cards for dads in the BYU Bookstore and, while reading through them, started tearing up! In the middle of the bookstore! There were a lot of birthday cards to dads from daughters that expressed the beautiful bonds that develop between the two. Dad, I love what we have.

Happy Birthday. You are incredible. Thanks for being the perfect dad that Dallin needed, that Ty needed, and that I needed. Our family is so blessed. Much love,

Morgan

Demain, or Tomorrow

2009-12-29T21:14:00.020-07:00

I took a French Literature class last year and LOVED it. My favorite reading, and current favorite poem, was written by Victor Hugo, Demain, dès l'aube. . . (Tomorrow, as Early as Dawn. . .) Hugo was a leading author of the French romantic style. These artists longed for the days of Napoleon, when the monarchy kept order and the institution of religion was respected. The majority of romantic writings longed for the past, but some looked to the future, l'avenir. Past and future were preferred to the present, which inflicted melancholy, weariness, and disillusionment upon the young French, a condition coined mal du siècle, literally maladie of the century, the "spiritual sickness" of the Romantic era (Professor Ceri Crossley, University of Birmingham). Nature, solitude, love lost, and introverted thoughts were the usual subjects of their works. Demain, dès l'aube. . ., composed of most Romantic symbols, is a well-known Romantic piece. Be sure to click on the video so you can listen to it in French while you're reading it. I highly recommend it. I'm a little biased, but I think it comes across most beautifully in French, especially when listened to, in addition to reading the poem. The translation is below the French text.

Demain, dès l'aube...

Demain, dès l'aube, à l'heure où blanchit la campagne,
Je partirai. Vois-tu, je sais que tu m'attends.
J'irai par la forêt, j'irai par la montagne.
Je ne puis demeurer loin de toi plus longtemps.

Je marcherai les yeux fixés sur mes pensées,
Sans rien voir au dehors, sans entendre aucun bruit,
Seul, inconnu, le dos courbé, les mains croisées,
Triste, et le jour pour moi sera comme la nuit.

Je ne regarderai ni l'or du soir qui tombe,
Ni les voiles au loin descendant vers Harfleur,
Et quand j'arriverai, je mettrai sur ta tombe
Un bouquet de houx vert et de bruyère en fleur.

Tomorrow, as early as dawn, at the hour when the countryside becomes white,
I will leave. You see, I know that you are waiting for me.
I will go by the forest, I will go by the mountain.
I cannot stay far from you any longer.

I will walk eyes fixed on my thoughts,
Without seeing anything outside of me, without hearing any noise,
Alone, unknown, back curved, hands crossed,
Sad, and the day for me will be like the night.

I will not look at the gold of the evening which falls,
Nor the faraway sails descending towards Harfleur.
And when I arrive, I will put on your tomb
A green bouquet of holly and flowering heather.

Hugo wrote this in response to the death of his daughter. Tragic and so beautiful. Demain, dès l'aube . . . .

Tricksy Trees!

2009-12-12T18:29:00.005-07:00

I love Cottonwood trees. Do you want to know why, my friends? Well, first of all, they're on our lot back home, along the creek. So it reminds me of my home and my family.

I love the summertime when everyone is outside and you hear their loud voices down the street at the park. When it smells like hosewater and sprinklers, hot asphalt and trampolines, and everyone is smiling. When you can take the time to sit down for a moment in the outside air and bask in your contentment, in the golden sunlight, in the wildflowers, in the caress of the wind, in the hydrated thickness of the air, in the whispers of the trees. As you're laying in the soft, green grass, you see little white puffs of cotton float by. They drift nonchalantly along. To me, the air seems enchanted, magical as these breaths of white glide on the air currents.

And, oh, the leaves on those trees. When you listen closely, as you often can during those summer months, you will hear the wind caress the leaves. But it's not your usual 'wind rustling through the trees' sound. It is an enticing whisper, yes, but also a subdued energy, a tickle, as its leaves hush and laugh against one another. It's like a calm face with twinkling eyes. Eyes that twinkle not with curiosity, but with some secret they will playfully keep from you. These trees continue to charm and entice, lure and hypnotize, as they flash their leaves. I always find myself captivated. Because they sparkle. The leaves swivel at their stem and flash either side at you. And since one side is lighter than the other, you get a beautiful sparkling effect. Fascinating. Mesmerizing. Captivating. Ah! Clever tree! You got me again!

White Christmas

2009-12-10T12:21:00.017-07:00

Oh, hey, snow...

You're back again. I'm.. glad to see you.. (happy thoughts, happy thoughts..) I realize I said some harsh things last year. I didn't mean them (little lies are ok..). But you were so wet. And so cold. And so wet. And you made me wear boots every single day. As well as a super thick coat that made me really hot whenever I was late to school. And you got kind of ugly as time wore on (no, be positive!). But that wasn't your fault. You are, really, very pretty.

I, Morgan LaRee Anderson, from this moment on, am going to appreciate the snow. No, I'm going to love it. Last year, I was not a fan. But life is a lot better when there's a constant presence of something you love rather than a constant presence of something you hate. So. You will never hear another anti-snow comment escape my lips again. In hopes of getting myself more excited for the white of the season, I am writing a few great things about the snow.

--It's very picturesque. A strong thematic element represented in many books and movies. "White Christmas," Little Women ( I know I'm obsessed..), others . . .
--It's pretty when it sparkles and when it coats everything.
--And I bought these waterproof boots that I love. So I will never be wet and miserable. And will love them and will never tire of them.
--The mountains look gorgeous-- harsh, cold, slate-colored mountain with bright white contrast.
--Skiing and snowboarding
--Some people like snow cones..
--I've always wanted to go snow-shoeing
--Polar bears and Eskimos are pretty cool. And they live in the snow.
--There's always some bizzare, never-to-happen-in-Provo chance of a snow day
--It snowed back home this year! Oh,land of perfection. If it happened there, I suppose it's ok
--Everything gets still, muffled quiet.
--Sledding and Snowmen!
--Snowflakes on eyelashes
--Sitting inside with a blanket, movie, and hot chocolate while it swirls snow outside
--The sound of it under your feet
--Theme and inspiration for great Christmas songs
--Igloos are cool
--Here are some pretty pictures of the snow and the great things that come with it. And my boots, sported by Jennifer Aniston. Yup, same pair.

Wow, that list was easier than I thought it'd be! Alright, here goes.

Cool Music Video

2009-12-02T13:16:00.003-07:00

My roommate Cailey showed this to me. The whole thing is made with webcams. Or so it seems to be by someone non-tech-savvy like me. It gets cooler as it goes. Incredible!

Splendors of Fall

2009-11-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in my California living room looking outside the window. The grass is wet and vivid green, the skies filled with whispy grey clouds, interspaced by round pearly ones, and the world serene and beautiful in its absence of the golden hue it takes when in the sun. I love Northern California. And I love it most when it's fall and when it's overcast. I guess good ol' NorCal loves me too because it gave me a present this morning--a rainy autumn day.

In light of the beauty, I am going to write a piece all about the lovely fall. But it is specific to the Granite Bay/Roseville/Loomis/Rocklin area, so parts of it may not make sense. (Burn days :) and Apple Hill)
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In Autumn, every person seems to be more cheerful, to have more energy; each is full of some excited anticipation. The earth seems to take a deep breath. It relaxes, as do its inhabitants, as it recovers from the steamy busyness of summer and prepares for the hustle and bustle of the cold, frantic winter. Although it is a lull, a time of reflection and refreshment, there is a certain eagerness and excitement to be found on the faces of passersby. When I walk from my house into a clear, dewy autumn morning, I feel as if I have also taken a deep breath, only straight into my soul where my insides are elated and ready to burst with utter contentment. And then I take that breath. As I breathe out a cloud of mist, a smile creeps onto my face and into my eyes. And I can’t get rid of it. That same feeling returns when I smell the dusty, light smoke of burning leaves in the country or see rosy noses and cheeks and bright eyes.

Trees lining the streets turn smokey red, dusty orange, crunchy brown, creamy yellow. The Wind scuttles the leaves across the streets.

I love driving with my windows rolled down; I can feel the cool air caressing my face. On autumn days, I go to get the mail, just so I can go outside for a walk. I love to feel the comfortable warmth of the sun on my cheeks. And the wind—whether it’s gentle or blustery.

The climate change brings about feelings of independence and contentment, and the events and activities that occur during autumn evoke feelings of love and happiness. There are so many activities to be done in the fall. Children visit pumpkin patches and carnivals. There they get their eager little faces painted or pick out plump orange pumpkins; they wave at scarecrows or ride on bumpy hay rides. Football season starts. Fans fill the stadium with rosy noses, scalding, steamy hot chocolate, beanies, warm blankets, noisy cowbells, and loud enthusiasm. Families visit Apple Hill. Children lie next to fireplaces and look through countless toy ads as they plan out their Christmas lists. Starbucks brings out its red holiday cups. Disneyland opens its spectacular fireworks and busy parade. And Mothers decorate their home with bright leaves, brown turkeys, cheery pilgrims, and spooky ghosts.

Halloween is a holiday that can be looked forward to for months. Sweet little children plan for months what they are going to be. I love handing out candy to all the Buzz Lightyears, “Sleeping Booty”s, ninjas, ghosts, witches, and Batmen. Halloween catches the essence of youth. The children can be whomever they want to be, and I love to see it and encourage them.

Every Thanksgiving, we spend the week with all six of my dad’s sisters and their families. We are spread all over California and Oregon and often times, Thanksgiving is the only time we see each other, aside from weddings. It is a time for people to relax without engagements or commitments. During this week, we stay up late just talking with one another, asking life’s puzzling questions and talking about whatever we want.

Fall is everything wonderful—Gentle wind and rain; cozy sweaters and warm scarves; the vivid fullness of life and family.

Happy Autumn!

Hm

2009-11-22T23:14:00.003-07:00

I meant to publish this forever ago. It was written in to the Daily Universe:

Letter: American gridiron tackle football Wed 10/21/2009- 20:43

American gridiron tackle football is under attack, and I won’t stand for it. Tuesday’s “Prodigal sport” claimed the BYU rugby club team deserves as much attention and funding as the BYU football team. They cited the 2009 national championship team as proof that they deserve a place at the table next to Bronco and company. This is more than just a slap in the face to the BYU football team; it is a roundhouse kick to the American people, a wedgie to the Declaration of Independence, and a purple nurple to the Constitution!

Men fought and died to keep us out of the British empire, and the popularity of rugby in this country is disrespectful to those men. International rugby powerhouses include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales and even England. What do those countries have in common? They are all part of the commonwealth. Why isn’t rugby popular in America? Why doesn’t the BYU athletic department add rugby to our line of already successful sports? There is neither interest nor money in rugby in America because we won that war.

American football may have roots in rugby, but with the invention of the forward pass, American football set itself apart as the greatest sport in the history of mankind. Putting rugby and American football on the same level is wrong and dishonors the 223 years of independence this great country has enjoyed. So enjoy rugby as a novelty, but do not mess with American gridiron tackle football.

Someone
Provo

Wow.

Great Short Film

2009-11-15T22:12:00.002-07:00

Watch this! It won an award at the Cannes Lion Film Festival. I LOVE it! Thanks, Caye, for showing it to me!

Forever and For Always

2009-11-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

My friend Melissa’s mom sings “Forever and For Always” by Shania Twain to her husband and daughters on a daily basis. Go listen to it. I think it is absolutely adorable. Like those precious elderly couples you see shuffling along, holding hands in the park. Aren't you excited for that victorious day you realize you've found someone you want to spent "forever and for always" with?

Here's a link to the song: Forever and For Always

Life is Beautiful and Led by Divine Hands and Heart

2009-11-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Wow. Life is beautiful. And I have so much to be grateful for.

This semester has been very difficult for me. I'm taking physics, which is very hard to comprehend and advanced french grammar, also difficult to understand. I'm working 15 hours at my regular job, and then 8 hours in the anatomy lab. I knew when I signed up that I was fully capable of doing it, but that I would need to stay on top of things (very un-Morgan, as those of you who know me are aware..) and would need a lot of help from Heavenly Father. Well, I fell behind and then struggled, unsuccessfully, to get back on top. I wasn't sleeping or exercising, wasn't taking time out for socializing or for increasing my spirituality. I kept falling asleep while doing my homework, so would wake up the next morning feeling terrible not only because I had failed to finish homework yet again, but because I hadn't washed my face, showered, read my scriptures, or said my prayers. Icky, icky times.
[I don't mean for this to be a pity Morgan. I'm pointing out the error in my perception. And I realize you all, as well as others, are going through much harder times than I was]

I still knew that life was a wonderful thing, but didn't love it quite as much as I had my whole life. Throughout high school, people told me I was the happiest person they knew. I didn't believe there was any such thing as a bad day. But this semester, that changed a little. People would ask how I was, how life was, and my answer was always "good" and it was always a lie; life was consumed solely by school and school was practically unbearable. I wasn't looking for the good things I had in my life or the good traits I was blessed with. Rather, I was focusing on that which I didn't have and that which I wasn't.

About a week ago, I decided I was going to do well on my upcoming physics exam, no matter what it took. I knew I could get a B on it if I tried. If you had asked me the first week of class how I would score on the exams, I would have laughed and said there was no way I could ever comprehend physics and would therefore fail every exam. Well, after a week of returning home at 10:30 pm, a week of practically nothing else, a week of next to zero social activity, after a good handful of skipped classes (bad!) and a Halloween evening spent in the physics lab, I took my physics exam and got an 88%! Not super impressive to most of you, but to me, it means the whole world. I never thought it was possible. But it was. And had I studied a bit more, I know I could have gotten an A. An A! In physics! Now to most of you I'm sure that wouldn't be difficult, but it was difficult for me and I am so grateful for the help I had and cannot deny the divine hand that supplied it.

I returned home last night a new person. On the walk home, I realized life will always be beautiful when there is love, the gospel, knowledge of a Heavenly Father that loves, helps, and blesses you, and music. I know there are many others and that music is kind of superficial compared to the others listed, but these were the ones I was thinking of at the time. I came home and began and submitted a project that was due at midnight. I got up and washed my face. I said my prayers. I read my scriptures. And then I got into bed. And I opened the window. And I laid my head on my pillow. And I closed my eyes. And...... I couldn't fall asleep. So I sat and thought about HOW grateful I was. For everything. It was an incredible experience. The soft, cool wind caressed my skin and carried in the scent of a still night. I opened the window further and stared out the window. I looked down at the beautiful, quiet street. I don't know why, but it was SO BEAUTIFUL to me. I saw a few windows with lights on and prayed that they weren't stressed with late assignments, but rather having fun doing something they loved. I smelled the cool crisp Autumn air I love so much. I looked up at the beautiful sky, still light despite the late hour. And I just sat there, looking out the window, looking at the street, at the houses, at the mountains and the sky. I can't even tell you what thoughts I had over the long period. I was mainly just reveling in contentment, soaking it up with deep, calm breaths, a huge smile, and satisfied sighs.
I pondered the gospel a bit. Thought about Joseph Smith and Moroni and Mormon, mostly.
And then I thought about those things I was most grateful for at that moment, and other collected moments throughout that day:

--That Heavenly Father had woken me up that morning at THE EXACT moment I needed to wake up (and has done so more than ten times in this semester alone). The number of times proves that this is no coincidence. It is SUCH a miracle. No human body would naturally wake up so early when it is so deprived of sleep.
--The beautiful weather we've been having.
--The physics TAs who explain torque and centrifigal forces and Newton's second law in a way that makes sense to me. Some are so brilliant I just don't understand anything they're saying; we don't think on the same level. But Mary, Rich, Alex, Jeffrey, and Michael all explain it in a way I understand without making me feel dumb for calling them over multiple times for one problem.
--That the physics test was postponed. It was scheduled for Monday, but Prof. Magleby postponed it till Wednesday. I'm sure that was an answer to about 30 prayers :)
--That my vocal teacher didn't chastise me for forgetting my music. And that through him, my voice has improved so I am proud of it. No, I won't sing for you, but I enjoy singing to myself. Not because it sounds particularly beautiful, but because it's not bad and it's mine.
--That I can TA for anatomy, a subject which I love with all my heart and strengthens my faith.
--That a friend gave me a lot of Conference talks that I have been able to listen to on my iPod throughout the days of the past week.
--That I have fantastic co-workers that strive to make me feel included. Even during Star Wars and zombie discussions.
--That my current and past roommates think I'm funny and not weird! Well, maybe a little weird, but not outlandishly :)
--That I have a mind and a body that work.
--That I am a woman.
--That my mother loves me and supports me and sees strengths I can't.
--That my dad, for reasons I will never see, thinks higher about me than anyone else does and has more belief in me than I ever would.
--That something I have been praying for for years is beginning to happen. This is the greatest miracle.
--That Joseph Smith prayed in the grove and brought the gospel to Earth. That I know of its truth.
--That I can pray with questions and uncertainties. And that I know my creator is listening and responding with comfort, aide, blessings, and revelation.
-- That nothing tragic has happened in my life.
--That I know people who love me and that I know my Heavenly Father and Savior love me.

There are many other things I am grateful for, but these were the ones I pondered. I lay in bed and my heart rate quickened. I was excited for today. I couldn't wait to start a new day and do it the right way. I couldn't wait to get on top of everything and do what I need to be doing.

Well, life is beautiful. Hopefully I will never doubt that again. I love the beauty of this earth. I love the gospel. I love my family, and I love you. May you have an incredible day every day!

Conglomeration

2009-10-19T12:21:00.001-06:00

Conglomeration. What a fun word. It sounds like what it means. Anyway, a conglomeration of thoughts:

--It is the greatest thing to see a leaf fall. It happened on my way to school this morning and it was great. It falls nonchalantly despite its special beauty.

--Fall fall fall fall fall. I love it. I love it. It's just the greatest. I will write a post on the wonder of Fall in Northern California. But fall in Utah is pretty great too. To the right is a picture of the most beautiful bush in the world, spread all over Provo and bursting into a brilliant red for the fall season. I love seeing these all over. Beautiful, beautiful!

--I am in love with my physiology professor. In love. He is hilarious, brilliant, and offers lots of extra credit :) He's really easy going and shows us funny videos in class. He showed this to us yesterday. Funniest commercial I have ever seen. It's 30 seconds. Watch it now!!

--Sunday, I super-glued my hands! No, I didn't glue them together, nor did I glue them to anything, but they were covered and I'm sure anyone who shook my hand at church thought I had some terrible skin disease. It's gone now, except for a small shiny patch on one of my fingernails.

--I was SO tired Tuesday morning when I woke up and wished for another hour of sleep. But was faithful to my education, so walked to campus. I walked into class and it was empty! I tried to remember him saying class was canceled, but couldn't remember. I shrugged my shoulders and went to the Wilk to read for physiology. An hour and 20 minutes later, I realized I had gone to class an hour early. I rushed to class, walked in a half hour late, got a mean glare from my professor, sat down, and laughed to myself. Does that ever happen this far into the semester?

--Do you ever have to sit facing a certain direction? I had a lot of homework to do, so walked to a remote corner in the Wilk. I wanted to sit facing the wall so I wouldn't be distracted and so no one would recognize me (I usually love to see all you lovelies on campus, but had a lot to do!). But I just couldn't do it! For some reason, I had to face north. Why, you ask? No idea.

--There is a perfectly delightful song. "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" by Mel Carter. Go look it up now! I LOVE it! It's my current repeat song and will be playing at my wedding.

Welp, those are my thoughts today of funny things to show and share with you. Happy Thursday!

How To

2009-09-26T01:57:00.000-06:00

Every now and then, we do something random for no reason other than a lack of reason not to. Why not?

Well, a few weeks ago, I did just that. The result? Much amusement. If you ask any co-worker of mine, he will tell you that I'll often emit a little chuckle when reading something on my computer. All thanks to the day I decided to add a HOW TO box to my igoogle.

I changed my email and therefore went about setting up a new igoogle page. I added a weather box, a to do list (which I like very much; I'd recommend it), news updates, a word of the day, places to see, and a few other applications. I also added a "How to of the Day" because I thought, "Why not?" In that moment I didn't appreciate the gravity of the situation. I didn't see its potential for free little package gifts of happiness.

I love these How To's of the day not because I actually take advantage of them, but because the actual activities themselves are amusing to me. Here is a list. I've only had about two weeks of how to's and this is just a snippet of the many gems I've gotten:

HOW TO:

Make towels more absorbant

Treat a bullet wound

Use a plethora of apples

Throw a boomerang correctly

Decorate a gift with plastic straws

Plan a Grand Canyon vacation

Raise an Alaskan Husky

Get rid of bats

Make gummi bears

Respect yourself

Use a dash in an English sentence (I actually looked at this one and, ironically, the grammar wasn't quite accurate..)

Fall safely

Make a charm ring

Oxidize silver with egg yolks

Tell if you're watching TV in HD

I hesitate to publish this tonight, in fear of missing some upcoming greats, but had to share. The How To's come from WikiHow. So great!

Thee v Thuh

2009-09-23T12:01:00.000-06:00

Have you ever noticed things we do in speech that we were never taught? Not as in slang, but in technique.. Here's something:

It sounds awkward if people don't use thee and thuh appropriately. I'm sure you've noticed. People usually say 'the' with a long e (ee sound) proceeding vowels (with exceptions like mute h's (thee hour) or consonant-sounding-yet-vowel-beginning words (thuh university)). Thee early bird.. Thee apples.. Thee other day... And they usually say 'the' with a short e (uh sound) before consonants. Thuh world. Thuh girl. Thuh whole city.

If someone said "thuh entire field," there would be an awkward glottal sound..

My reason for this blog: try to do it the un-done way and see peoples' reactions :)

Dreams

2009-09-04T01:56:00.002-06:00

Well, school has started and jostled me around a bit, but I am ready for the semester. Emotionally. And motivationally.. Although I doubt I am in any way ready intellectually for physics or advanced French grammar--which, I might add with much lack of enthusiasm, is full of return missionaries. Nor am I ready for the chemistry that decided to taint a class (physiology) I thought would be a comfort to my mind amidst its crueler fellows. I was sitting in physics the other day, never feeling stupider. Sometimes things are hard to grasp. But I don't even know what to grasp. I sit there and try to understand the concepts, but all my mind sees is its own version of what Physics World looks like: 8-dimensional curves and slopes rotating without foundations or connections. To those of you who never struggled in physics, or even struggled only slightly, I salute you. WOW, I salute you. You could do pretty much anything and I would still think you were smarter than 99.999% of the world.

But, there is a sun ray purpose in this post. It's called dreams. Dreams and hope.

My lovely apartment, located ten minutes from BYU, has a secret. A roof that is magical and wonderful. It will never witness mediocre happenings. Instead, every night we've been there, something magical has happened--we've dreamt. Tonight, three of us girls sat on the roof for hours discussing our future lives and our determinations to live better lives in the present.

Last week, four of us made a two-week plan. We decided to return to the roof two weeks later and assess. Well, we planned to run every M,W,F, go to the temple every Tuesday, eat nothing sugary, say nothing bad about others, and read our scriptures every night before 8:00pm. It's hard and I've not followed it perfectly, but I love it. And am doing very well. Yay for new semesters and goals!

Rough Start

2009-09-03T13:15:00.000-06:00

So it's Thursday of the first week of school. And what a week it's been. What a two/three weeks it's been. The last two weeks I spend in California were spent running around trying to buy anything I'd need out here, trying to tie up all the loose ends. I was usually working at the nursing home from 6:30a to 3:00p and then running over to Kiersten's for the evening so we could complete all the things we'd planned for the summer. The last three days I was home I had a schedule up to the minute I got in bed. It was crazy.
I, being (as I always will) Morgan LaRee Anderson, waited until midnight Tuesday night to pack my room. We were leaving Wednesday at 6:00a. I'd already packed up several boxes and sent them ahead with my aunt and it didn't look like I had much left. I did. And I slept for a half hour that night.
I got into Provo Wednesday evening and walked into the apt I will be living in for the next year. Cailey and her family were running all over trying to fix up this and that because their previous renters had moved out late and left a lot broken and dirty. We carried all my stuff up, got to work moving in, and helped the Gallachers with a few things. My parents went to their hotel and Cailey and I decided to paint the kitchen with the assistance of her friend Stephen. It was soon 2:00, painting was done, and we both decided we were in the mood to get to work on our rooms. At 4:00 I decided I was too tired to continue and went to bed. I woke up a few hours later to shop for the apartment with my parents before they headed home. That night, Cailey and I stayed up until 4:00 again. And the next few nights were around 2:00, 1:00.
So I started school with.. not much sleep. Classes have been fine so far. And work.. didn't come back as easily or quickly as I'd hoped. But, life is good and I'm happy. Nevertheless, Three-day-weekend, I welcome you!!

M

2009-08-18T00:22:00.002-06:00

A weird thing happened to me today. I was looking for an application on George, my computer, when I accidentally opened Microsoft Word. And I felt a whoosh travel from my stomach to an audible exhalation. I like Microsoft Word. A lot. And I never knew. It’s kind of like the song “When Did You Fall in Love with Me” by Chris Rice. (If you don’t have it, you need it; it’s adorable and you need to love it. A video is below) Well, it’s the story of a man who is delighted when he realizes his friend has been in love with him. And I relate it to me and Microsoft. Except rather than me being surprised by M’s (that’s how close we are now . . ) feelings for me, I was surprised at my own feelings. What a pleasant surprise!

Morgan

My New Year's Resolution Reminder

2009-07-27T03:29:00.002-06:00

I've always been a big dreamer. I have huge dreams for life and many, many goals. I have a list of about eleven summer goals and quite the Bucket List (being a lover of lists as well as dreams, plans, and goals). BUT, I'm terrible at getting them done. I can even plan out little landmarks, objectives. I'm just really bad at getting stuff done, at using my time wisely. I'll always turn in a paper, read my assignments, etc., but I'll be a few minutes late to class because I started it an hour previous. And although I'd sworn to myself I'd never do it again, it had worked, I'd gotten a pretty good grade, and here I was, doing it again, a slave to my procrastination and laziness. But at the end of the class period, I've redirected myself with the goal to start all assignments earlier and have them done the day before they're due.

Well, with this goal setting comes MASSIVE New Year's Resolution Making. This past year, I made about 20 more goals than I could actually accomplish . . . But! I did one thing right: among the many lofty, well-meant, but ill-to-be-kept, goals, I made one main goal. And my main goal of this year was to leave everyone better than I found them. To make everyone feel like Morgan Anderson thought they were special. To find out what people love most about themselves and what I love most about them and point it out.

I had a nice littler reminder a few months ago.

This is the greatest movie, film, I've ever seen. A friend who knows me well showed it to me, knowing I'd love it. I did. It's exactly what I want to be and it's fifteen minutes that you won't regret spending.

Who wouldn't love knowing a Hugh Newman? Who'd like to be a Victoria--married to a Hugh Newman? Who wants to be a Hugh Newman? It's my new life goal. Be sure to let me know how I'm doing! Here's to accomplishing one of . . . many goals!

You're great! YOU are awesome! You have great cheekbones and a lovely laugh.

Thoughts for Grammar

2009-07-08T16:23:00.000-06:00

The dog wagged it is tail. How many times have I thought this phrase? Hundreds. Thousands, maybe. (I've always been terrible with estimating numbers. Are there 80? 140? Or 200 people in this room? I couldn't tell you..) I'm sure you think it's an odd phrase. It isn't even grammatically correct. Well, it's all thanks to.. Mrs. Miracle. Or Mrs. Ferrill. Or Mrs. Reid. I don't remember when I was taught this life saving little reminder.

Once I learned my left and right, I knew the difference with little difficulty. I'm not one of those people you still see, extending their thumbs and pointer fingers to see which side shapes an 'L.' In fact, I never used that trick. I knew I was left-handed, so if the side in debate was on the side with the hand I wrote with, it was the left side. Logically. I quickly skipped that step and evolved. I've always have a stronger feeling to the left; there's an energy, a heavier feeling to the left. Because I'm left-handed. And so I never had a hesitation in my left and right differentiation. Back to the point: although I had no difficulty with right v left, I did with it's v its. Until a brilliant teacher taught her class a brilliant trick.

Unlike most cases with the 's, the word 'it' does not get an apostrophe s when used possessively. The apostrophe s is, instead, used for the contraction: it is becomes it's. So, when looking at the phrase, The dog wagged it is tail, we see it is incorrect and, therefore, does not get the apostrophe s. So that phrase would be The dog wagged its tail. If we look at a phrase like I like the sun because it is hot, we see it is correct and, therefore, receives the apostrophe s. This phrase becomes I like the sun because it's hot.

After time, I no longer needed to think the whole phrase, word for word. Now it's more of a very very subtle block. I've used it so much there's only a realization of it every now and then. What else is interesting is that when I do remember my use of the phrase, I find that instead of putting it is into the specific phrase I'm writing, I still use The dog wagged it is tail.

Huh. Well, I can't really say why I decided to write this, let alone post it. Maybe I just wanted you to see one more extremely weird thing that makes Morgan Morgan.

.......

2009-06-27T19:11:00.001-06:00

Haven't you always wanted a hamburger bed?

Recovery

2009-06-08T02:23:00.001-06:00

Hello. My name is Morgan Anderson and I am addicted to gum. My counselor said a public admittance would be helpful, so I decided my blog would be perfect. I am broadcasting to the world, but, really, only about five people, so like this arrangement a lot better than the others she suggested.

It took me a while to realize and even longer to admit there was a problem. One day, it just hit me: I'm a gum addict. Not just any addict. An Orbit Wintermint gum addict. And this is my story.

We all remember the days we watched our parents or older siblings chewing the gum we weren't allowed. It was like candy that never got finished, a relish in the mouth that could last for ever if only it weren't so slimy and hard to keep from slipping down the throat.

And then the days when we were eight. And it was allowed. It was all about the Zebra gum. It tasted the best. It even had cool jokes.

And those times when you're sitting under the bleachers, trying to escape the sun at your brother's baseball game. You're bored. You've been there for an hour and a half already. Meaning you've actually been there for approximately 556632.43 hours. You've already climbed the tree. Yes, there are multiple trees, but only one that has branches low enough for you to climb up to. You played in an empty baseball field, but the other team showed up and you had to move on to tag with that one kid you don't really like. Now your clothes are dirty and your jeans are ripped revealing freshly scraped knees. You hop bleachers over to your mom and ask if you can get something at the snack bar. She hands you a nickel and next thing you know, you've got a huge cheekful of that "Dubble-Bubble" gum the man pulled out from a tub. I'm sure it was four years old. But it didn't matter.

As I grew up, I learned I was above the Zebras, Juicy Fruit, and gum balls. I needed something that lasted and I needed something minty. I personally don't like gum that is fruit flavored. And, unlike normal children, I started hating anything bubble-gum flavored. So I used Trident for a while. And then the beautiful day: my mom pulled some Orbit out of her purse. Oh, I was hooked. She's more of a Peppermint type of gal, so that's what I used. But my first year of independence, my freshman year of college, I discovered it: Wintergreen. A little sharper than the regular. Oh what a beautiful day that was.

My mom buys us those 12 packs from Costco for each of us kids for Christmas each year (like alcoholism, gum addiction is genetic and hereditary). That used to be enough. But I'm on my third? fourth? box since December. I even eat them only half pieces at a time (saves money, saves me from an annoyingly loud chew, and--I know you won't believe it-- makes the flavor last longer..), so that's doubled compared to the general population. I guess the fourth box should have been the first sign. But I was finally hit with my problem a few months ago. I was cleaning out my back pack and there were showers and showers of wrappers falling out. I looked around my room. There were a few on the ground, a good many on the desk, some on the dresser. I pulled out every pair of pants from my drawers and pulled at least one crumpled wrapper out of EVERY POCKET. Throughout the next few weeks, whenever I remembered my problem, I'd reach into my pockets and pull out a new wrapper.

Well, then I joined a support group, and that brought me here to you today. I'm still working on it. I have my set backs every now and then. But I'm trying. And I feel like a new woman. And you can too!

Well, that's my story. I tell it in hopes that I can stop others who, like the old me, are on a path of something that seemed innocent. I was just curious, just bored, just did it for social reasons. But now I need it. I need it. Otherwise my mouth gets all dry. And I get hot. And I see spots. And the room starts spinning... So please, stop and think: how many boxes have you been through? How many wrappers are in your room at this given moment?

Sugar and Noodles

2009-04-09T09:13:00.000-06:00

Everyone's heard of the college student's staple meal--Top Ramen. Cheap, and easy to make. But it doesn't really satisfy when you want something sweet that is also cheap and easy to make. And doesn't require millions of ingredients. Well, my roommates and I have recently discovered some very cheap dessert options for those times you can't get to the store and don't have any traditional desserts or ingredients such as ice cream, cake mixes, etc. These have all been tried and approved by Apartment 22:

Quick Fix: Grab a handful of chocolate chips. They are so chocolately and rich, you won't need more than that.

Mexi Strips: Fry up some tortilla strips and put some cinnamon and sugar on them. Thought of and created by Kristin and Alyssa

Toffee Crackers: Mix one cup of brown sugar with one cup of butter on the stove until the sugar melts. Spread over crackers. Spread melted chocolate chips on top of these and cool in fridge. Alyssa

Cinnamon Toast: Butter a few pieces of bread, sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar, and put them in the broiler for 2-4 minutes. Careful, they burn fast! I grew up on these :) Me

In 0 Minutes or Less: Guilt trip a friend so they feel like they owe you something and suggest a cake Received by Jane and Melissa.. Contributed both times by Dave :)
(If you're a boy, girls always bake things for guys they're interested in or even just friends with, so take full advantage of this luxury)

Carmelized Pecans: I don't know how many of you have a bag of nuts floating around, but we did. So Hannah decided to do something amazing: Mix butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans. Put in the broiler for a few minutes until carmelized. You could also use almonds or any other nut..Hannah

Welp, I hope I just made the world a little happier. Tasty and cheap. Best of luck. And please comment with any ideas you may have. I suppose you could always sprinkle some sugar over Top Ramen.. let me know how that goes.

Happy Cooking!

This has been another episode of Managing Money with Morgan. Be sure to tune in next week,

Chef Mo

Sometimes Life is too Good to go to Bed on Time

2009-03-20T09:59:00.000-06:00

Sometimes there are things that are just more important than getting your sleep. Examples:

Last night I was awake until 2:30. My friend Hannah and I stayed up, talking about anything and everything. We have a lot in common and see the world the same way, share most of the same opinions. I do enjoy talking to people who are different from me. It's interesting when a certain situation sends someone else's mind on a completely different path than mine. But it's really refreshing when you find someone a lot like you, who thinks the same things, who thinks the same way. Talking with friends, building bonds is worth an hour of sleep. I can ALWAYS always sleep. But it's times like last night that only come along when they happen to come along. And it tends to be these times that make a difference in life.

Second example: I take the days slowly. I do my HW at my own pace. Maybe it'd be better if I sped read and crammed all HW into 2-3 hours and then went to bed on time. But honestly? No. If I did that, I'd be stressed and uptight all the time. I take life at my own speed. So I lose a few hours of sleep. But I love every day. There are people I know who focus solely on hw and school and sleep. So they get their 8, 9 hours (opposed to my 3, 4, 5). Maybe these people love to live like this. But would I be a happy person? No. Fun to be around? Nope.

Life is fun. I can't imagine throwing away four years worth of it just because I'm in college. In fact, the college years should be years overflowing with living--with fun and happiness, experiences and memories. Four years worth of relative pronouns, solubility charts, cotangents, dates, and rhetorical devices is not living. And neither is four years of dreams unlived.

My Dear Mother

2009-03-14T02:12:00.000-06:00

Today, a successful woman is one who sacrifices her life, her relationships, for a promotion. Last year, I lived in the dorms amongst freshman girls—girls who were determined to disprove the stereotype that they were only there for a husband. All BYU freshmen females fight this typecast. They want to be doctors, business women. They are going to tour the world and save the pandas in China. Now, I do not think this is a problem. I respect women with a drive for success and intellectualism. And I believe every living person needs something to be passionate about.

But I do see a problem when girls decide there are more important things to accomplish before, or in lieu of, marriage and children. I am not writing of the fifties mindset that the woman is supposed to marry and shrink under the shadows of men. But I do think marriage and family are becoming less and less admirable. I’ve heard girls say they may get married in this life, but that it is less important than… let’s say those pandas. Now, Mother Teresa was never married and didn’t have any children. And she has done things for Heavenly Father’s children that no one else was capable of. Her works and her heart were so great that only a small number of people will accomplish things of the same magnitude. But think about those people who have been able to reach nearly every human being on this earth—mothers. And the fact that EVERY mother that earns the term in a non-biological sense has changed the lives of each of her children. I respect my own mother just as much as Mother Teresa.

Bobbylee Anderson has, alongside with my dad, done more for me than anyone else in this world. She is one of the most selfless people I know. For over a month, she spent every day she had off of work at court. From 9-5 she sat through a trial for the son of a woman in the ward she wasn’t particularly close to. I still remember a time that I called her on a Saturday and asked what she’d done and what her plans were for the rest of the day. She’d said that she’d helped a girl in the ward with something, gone to one of my brother’s games, had a presidency meeting, and was going to sew curtains for her niece’s new bedroom. Nothing for herself, only others.

On a bad day, there is no one I’d rather call. When I have exciting news, there’s no one who shares the excitement as well as she does. She knows me better than anyone else. When I am debating a decision, I always call her. Not as a mother who’d command me, but as a friend who knows what I’d like most and what would be best for me. I was never a rebellious child, so while growing up, I was able to build a strong friendship with my mom. No, she wasn’t one of those irresponsible mothers who just wanted to be a friend. She is every meaning of the word “mother.” But she knew I also needed a friend. And that’s what she’s become.

She’ll listen to me rant and follow all the tangents I take. She doesn’t try to control my life now that I am of the age to make my own decisions, and never has. I tell her the things I’ve decided and she tells me what she thinks. But if I need advice, I always go to her and am always helped. When I’m wrong, she’s the only right I’ll see. She has a strength and a testimony unlike any I’ve ever seen. She loves me in a way no one else in this world does. She loves me despite how well she knows me, despite all the weaknesses I’m sure she’s seen. And yet, I feel as if she sees good things in me I’m not aware of, strengths only the love of a mother can detect.

And I know everyone feels this deeply about their own mother. Who could feel otherwise about a woman who wants nothing other than their happiness? So I call for the realization of the ideal role model—our own mothers. And for the respect and awe for the sacred calling of mother.

Footless Halls of Air

2009-02-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

Wow. This was the first CNN news story on my iGoogle. Top news, my friends.

Socks, former Clinton cat, put to sleep.

On to my purpose for this blog today. I remembered a beautiful poem I discovered my senior year and thought I'd share it with you all since I don't want to study for chemistry.

During the early days of World War II, while the US was still neutral, many Americans crossed into Canada to enlist. John Gillespie Magee, Jr. was among them, giving up a Yale scholarship for a place in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was soon flying in England where, at 19, he was struck with the inspiration for a poem: "To Touch the Face of God." He wrote a quick verse while in the air and concluded the poem on the ground shortly after landing. He wrote out the poem on the back of a letter to his parents. Magee died a few months later from a mid-air collision. On his headstone reads the first and last lines of his poem:
"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth- Put out my hand and touched the face of God."

High Flight
John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter- silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds- and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of- wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air…

Up, up the long delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind- swept heights with easy grace,

Where never lark, or ever eagle flew-

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

You Learn Something New Everyday: CONTRONYM

2009-01-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

This is interesting:

Cleave: 1 to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly
2 to separate into distinct parts

Cleave is its own antonym—a contronym. Huh! Here are some more. Comment with any others you can think of. Some of these are a bit of a stretch, but I like them anyway:

bolt - secure v run away
buckle - fasten v fall apart
custom - usual v special
dust - add fine particles v remove fine particles
fast - quick v unmoving
left - remaining v departed from
mean - average v excellent (e.g., "plays a mean game")
out - visible (e.g., stars) v invisible (e.g., lights)
screen - show v hide

I hope you find this as interesting as I do. You think about things like this too, right?