I've moved!

For anyone who might still check this blog--of course it is terribly outdated, but Travis and I have a blog together now. If you would like to see it, come on over! travisandcarma.blogspot.com. It's a work in progress, but it's a little more updated than this one.

Thanks, everyone!

Dinner Groups

I've discovered one of the best things in life--the dinner group. There are eight of us that meet M-Th. You only cook once every-other week get have 7 meals cooked for you in exchange. There nothing like knowing that a hot meal is waiting for you at the end of the day. We just got a ninth member (Welcome!), and it's built-in fun-time to every day.

There you are, eating a hot meal, laughing your guts out (not always congruous with eating), and loving every minute.

It doesn't get much better than that!

Closer than I thought!

So, I had this long-standing idea that I still needed 2-3 more classes to fulfill by coursework requirements for my degree. I got the happiest surprise yesterday when I counted them up and actually found that when this semester is over, I will be DONE with my classes, and with one to spare!

Wa-hoo!


Now, it's just me and that thesis.

Bring it on!

New Year's Resolutions

Alright--I'm going for broke this year, and I am welcoming all encouraging comments and support of any means.

1. I want to go to bed earlier this year (I will refrain from defining 'earlier' for you as that will reveal how un-early I've been going to bed)

2. No junk food until Easter (though I will allow myself one day a month...'cause everyone needs a break!)

3. Complete at least one triathlon over the summer

These are all motivated from the desire to be more healthy. Wish me luck!

The Year in Review: The Fall

Besides loving my new rommates and my new ward and my new stake and my new calling (new, new, new...) it was time for some other new things too...

NCFR--the National Council on Family Relations--
This was maybe the most noteworthy thing from this semester. In November, I went to Pittsburgh for three days to attend this coference. While there, I presented some research with my professor, Dr. Duncan:

and stayed with my good friend Vickie:

There were times where we were very tired, and needed a little comic relief. Behold, the Pringle duck bill--

Of course who should be walking by at that moment but head of my department from BYU. He just laughed and walked the other way. Now, the word's out--I can be as silly as they'd always suspected!

This is the view from the top of the Incline. Click on them to see them better!

We had a great time galavanting around Pittsburgh, the city of a thousand bridges.

Public Policy--
I took a Public Policy course this semester, almost on a whim. Even though it was one of the most demanding classes I have ever taken, I loved it! As I was on my way to school to finish my final paper at 6 am one morning, this is what I saw:


Don't you love BYU?
The Bambi on the right kept his little rear facing the camera...

AND--As of 21 minutes ago, my finals are all finished for this semester, and 21 hours from now, I'll be home! Can't wait to see y'all! Merry Christmas!

Cooties

A friend sent me this 3 minute video--

http://youtube.com/watch?v=w6ylxWcwkUM

Favorite line: "All I did is trade lunchables." :)

I think it's poking fun at the HPV vaccine campaign, but it made me smile.

Added 19 Dec 07--I've had the thought that some might not find this very funny...I guess I felt the need to warn you.

The Year in Review: The Summer

EFY--

I had the most sleep-deprived blast of my life at EFY this summer. We danced, we sang, we ate pizza, and took lots of pictures. I was a counselor for only two weeks, but man, it was great!

.

.

I loved my girls, and you can tell that the councilors had great fun together!

Meme and Granddad--

On the Friday of my second week of EFY, Granddad passed away. We knew it was coming, ever since he fell, but we were still sad to have it be final. We soon learned that Meme would be joining him, and we were all getting really tired of coming home for funerals. It was also a time to reflect on what a unique and blessed and happy way we had all grown up.

This was taken and Joseph and Erin's rehearsal dinner in March '07.

Triathlons--

--Provo

In between the funerals, I was registered to compete in the Provo Triathlon. Between EFY and worrying about family, I hadn't trained *at all.* I knew that putting my body through that would not be fun. The night before the race, I really wanted to pull out, but after a long night, I finally decided to use this occassion as a celebration of life. I would simply enjoy the fact that I was alive and could move and breathe. So, I dedicated the race to Meme and Granddad as a celebration of their lives.

I posted this sign for myself at my transition area. I overlooked the fact that lake water would get all over it, but it still meant everything to me.

"Meme & Granddad: In celebration of a great life."

On a lighter note:

(Click on the picture so you can read the sign)

The place where we swam. :)

--Jordanelle

I've already written quite a bit about Jordanelle, but here's the only picture that I actually had taken from that event.

This is Janet. She and I had our transition areas next to each other. We kept each other company during the swim and bike portions (Then, I ate her dust on the run!)

And that was my summer!

Stay tuned for the next installment when I'll catch you up on this fall!