sarah·n·dip·i·ty

let her fly

2012-02-15T13:07:00.001-07:00

The other day I was talking to a guy about dating. And inevitably the issue of educated women being intimidating to guys came up. It always does. This, naturally, catches my attention and strikes a chord because I fall into the category of educated, solid, return missionary, full of purpose and direction, top-notch, bright, experienced, and, simply put, amazing women that some guys consider intimidating. And the question came to my mind. Would men prefer that a woman who is all these great qualities “dumb-down” so that they won’t feel intimidated? Please answer no. Any other answer would just be dumb. The whole intimidation excuse sounds to me like them trying to pass the buck and blame women for being too good and amazing. And what are we supposed to do about it? Play dumb? Do you really want women to be less than what they are capable? We don’t expect you to be less than what you are capable of . In fact, good women will have high expectations of themselves and men. And I know men are more than capable of reaching those expectations. I’ve seen it in my father, brothers, uncles, cousins, friends, coworkers, etc. It is possible. And an educated, full of purpose and direction, top-notch, bright, experienced, and, simply put, amazing woman will help you get there.

While I was mulling this around in my mind the example of President and Sister Hinckley came to mind. Sister Hinckley often said, “He gave me space and let me fly.” In response to that President Hinckley said, “I’ve tried to recognize my wife’s individuality, her personality, her desires, her background, her ambitions. Let her fly. Yes, let her fly! Let her develop her own talents. Let her do things her way. Get out of her way, and marvel at what she does.” That seems easy enough, right? Just jump in the picture and let her fly. She will love and cherish you for it.

So men, who are claiming to be intimidated by educated, full of purpose and direction, top-notch, bright, experienced, and, simply put, amazing women… That is a really dumb excuse that I am not buying. Buck up and step it up. There is a woman out there who is totally worth it. Actually, there are many.

Picture from here.

a girl can always use….

2012-02-03T14:13:00.001-07:00

a new pair of bowling shoes!

Hey! Ya never know when you are going to need them.

It’s just one of those basic wardrobe essentials.

this special 2012 report...

2012-02-01T23:26:00.001-07:00

...is brought to you by Midnight in Austenland. You know the whole read 12 books in 2012 thing. Naturally, a book a month is the way stay on top of it and pace myself. So, I finished a book in January. Which means I am totally on schedule. Technically, it was 1am February 1st, but I had yet to sleep so it counts as January. And since I bought the book that day (oops) it totally counts as one of the "read 12 books I own." Yay, two down in January. Go me.

Midnight in Austenland is a fun read. Shannon Hale is witty and clever, and always a good read.

PS. Is it too early to buy Easter Candy? Yes? Well, it is in the store. Tempting me.
PPS. And no more buying books until I read a few of the ones I already own. Promise. Maybe.

A few more highlights…

2012-01-22T20:35:00.001-07:00

… and must-sees we hit before we said ta-ta to Beijing.

Temple of Heaven

Like the Dome of the Rock, but in China and not Muslim. Believe it or not, it is bigger than the Forbidden City. But smaller than the Summer Palace with an area of about 2,700,000 square meters. The Temple was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. As Chinese emperors called themselves 'The Son of Heaven,' they dared not to build their own dwelling, 'Forbidden City' bigger than a dwelling for Heaven.

Tiananmen Square

The Summer Palace

The Summer palace of some emperor in some dynasty. Yes, I stopped trying to keep track. It is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, even bigger in the Forbidden Palace. If that is possible. It greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long since been recognized as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'.

Rickshaw Tour

Drum Tower

Ahhhh. Beijing. You were fun and exciting, and really, a dream come true. But now it is time to good-bye.

oven-baked chicken fajitas

2012-01-21T21:12:00.001-07:00

This is one recipe I want to rave about. I love fajitas, but I’ve don’t make them because I was under the impression that they were difficult to make. False. Wrong. Huge misconception. This recipe is E-Z.

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large bell pepper, seeded and sliced (I use half a green and half a red)
12 flour tortillas
Toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and guacamole – if desired

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips in a greased 13×9 baking dish.
In a small bowl combine the oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt
Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat.
Next add the tomatoes, chilies, peppers, and onions to the dish and stir to combine.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve on tortillas with desired toppings.

I’m serious. De-lish.

PS. Oh yeah and one other thing I decided to do in 2012 is…

16. Plan 12 parties/get-togethers/fiestas/events. I got started and planned something last Sunday. Check. Eleven more to go.

as previously mentioned…

2012-01-16T22:17:00.001-07:00

…2012 has a lot to live up to. So I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about what I can do to make 2012 a good year. And I finally came up with some things. Here are a few.

Visit 12 places I have never visited before. Yes, this is open to anything. In or out of the country. If I make it out of the country, fantastic. But if I don't, due to funding, that is okay. There are plenty of places around here or within 300 miles that I have never been to and would to see. (ie. Bryce Canyon, Cabelas)
Make 12 new recipes. I know. Not to difficult for me. But I want a few things that are easily accomplish-able. I will add they have to be recipes that I love and want to rave about.
Meet 12 new people. This shouldn't be too hard.
Reconnect with 12 old people. So, if you have a random blast-from-the-past that looks a lot like me, you'll know why.
Run 12 miles. All at one time. Maybe more than once. We’ll see.
Learn 12 new skills. I didn't say perfect. But I will be learning.
Learn 12 new things. Facts, events, cultures, history. The options are endless
Read the Book of Mormon 12 times. I thought of this one today. And felt this was a challenge I really should do. Then I realized I was already 15 days behind. I need to get going.
Read 12 books that I already own. Several times I have told myself that I am not allowed to buy any more books until I have read a few that I already own, but just like a child who goes out to play after hour of being grounded I come home with a new or used book.
Read 12 nonfiction books. Double-dipping is completely legal. I own many unread nonfiction.
Discover 12 new loves. For example on my mission I discovered I really like cilantro and lime. I always knew I liked football. This last year I realized it was true love.
Learn 12 new pieces on the piano.
Finish 12 projects. This can include projects started this year or ones I started five years ago. Twelve will be done by the end of the year.
Find 12 names to take to the temple. Yes. Family history. It’s not just for old people.
Look at this list at least 12 times.

There are a few others that were part of the brainstorm that I still trying to decide if I want to include, but this is a good start that covers my intellectual, social, physical, spiritual, emotional, creative, and culinary needs.

My good, old...

2012-01-10T07:39:00.002-07:00

...Laptop of seven years has left me, taking the music, pictures, and documents with him. I don't know what I did to drive him off. I really did love him even though I may have had a hard time saying it. I guess he had had enough of me and my inability to settle down whenever I dragged him along wherever I went and told him this would be the last time. Or maybe it was the shortcuts I insisted on taking (control z was worn very thin). Could it have been my music I may of played too loud a time or two and the late night movies I just couldn't turn off until I knew what happened, or my unwillingness to compromise about where to store the goods such as documents, pictures, and music. I think the ultimate straw was the one-year-olds I let play around with him. Or he might have found out about my little affair with gigdet, the little netbook that went to school with me for two years. If only he understood that it really wasn't that serious and I always looked forward to coming home to him at the end of the day. I loved the way he warmed my lap and looked up at me at any angle. I could go repair shop and force him to come back to me, but I have decided to let him go and remember the better times we had together. Such as the first time we met in Maine when I was feeling lonely and cut off from everything familiar. He came to me and brought me back to the world. He stayed up late with me when I couldn't sleep. He didn't abandon me when I had procrastinated and had assignments due in the very near future. He supported me and my to need to create. I don't know if I will ever really be able to replace him. I will just have settle for what comes next. I will always miss him though.

**Updated. It would be just like me to figure out a way to fix my laptop and prevent myself from getting a new one. Yes. I did. Not entirely on purpose. But now the dilemma is: Do keep the one I already ordered? Or do I keep using my good old guy? I want to be faithful. But I was looking forward to fresh start. Which I can get anyway, because my hard drive was wiped clean and everything was set back to the original manufacture settings. Ummm?

2012…

2012-01-05T20:11:00.001-07:00

has some very large shoes to fill. And a lot to live up to.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

TBD

Really anything could happen. The good, the bad, the ugly. The doors are wide open. The way is clear. The options are endless. Bring on, and lets pray for, the adventures, the trials, the joys.

candy cane kisses

2011-12-17T01:15:00.001-07:00

So I bought a bag of Hersey’s Candy Cane Kisses today. And yes it was bit of an impromptu purchase. But my reasoning for it was that I realized that there are less than ten days till Christmas Day and I had not eaten any type of Christmas treat. That’s right. No candy canes, truffles, cake bites, ginger bread men, chocolate covered pretzels, or fudge. Not even a Christmas colored M&M. Instead of gaining a few holiday pounds, I’ve actually lost weight. I decided that it was time to put a stop to this and that I couldn’t waste anymore of this precious season and the yummy delicacies that are only around this time of year. So those Candy Cane Kisses were in my hand with my final purchases as I went to check out. Keep in mind the lack of Christmas sweets was not entirely on purpose. I have had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad cold/cough/sinus infection or whatever it is for a long time and it has curbed my appetite for nearly everything but water, Lemon Ginger Honey Tea, apple juice, and Café Rio’s Tortilla Soup. After using up an entire box of Kleenexes (the soft kind with lotion) in five days, I have resorted to toilet paper. Lots and lots of toilet paper for the constantly leaking faucet of a nose I have had for the last few weeks. Fortunately my mom likes to buy the cushiony kind that is soft on little bottoms and my nose.

Tonight, I got to go the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert featuring Nathan Dunn and Jane Seymour. It is always a good show. My favorite song was the rendition of Twas the Night Before Christmas. And it never fails to give me goose bumps when they end with the glorious Mack Wilberg arrangement of Angels, from the Realms of Glory.

Oh, I love Christmas and I wish there were more than the nine days left of it.

a wonder to behold

2011-11-29T21:44:00.001-07:00

It has a history of over 2000 years. It stretches 5,500 miles across a very large country. It was originally separate walls built to protect the northern cities of China. During the Ming Dynasty Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in joining the walls together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north. It also stood as a symbol of a united China. Since then, it has served as a monument of the Chinese nation throughout history.

Can you say surreal? Yes. You know one of those things it would be amazing to do one day but you never actually believe it will come to pass. That was me. It was a wonder to behold. It was great…

I’ve got plenty to be thankful for…

2011-11-24T10:42:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Gobble, Gobble!!

so THANKFUL for…

2011-11-21T11:16:00.001-07:00

so the 24 hour flu…

2011-11-11T23:11:00.001-07:00

…took up residence in my home. And it decided to stick around an entire week. But don’t worry it should be leaving soon, because there is no one left here for it to flatten and after I’ve drenched everything with Lysol the quarantine should be lifted.

It was nasty and very unpleasant. I didn’t eat for two days which is very discommodious for I dearly love to eat. And while I did spend most of the 24 hours curled up in a fetal position in my bed, being sick did have its advantages.

1. I had one of the more mild bouts. Fortunately, it hit me just after fast Sunday and before I had eaten breakfast so I had very little in my stomach.

2. I had no employer to call and tell my sorrows to. Then feel guilt for missing what probably would’ve been the most vital day.

3. I was forced to stay in bed with nothing to do but sleep and read. This was pleasurable. I finished two whole adult-size books in two days. I haven’t finished a book in a day in a long time. I have yet to break my graduate school leisure reading habits or lack of leisure reading habits. So finishing two books was seriously fun.

4. I once again appreciate and am so grateful for good health that doesn’t slow me down.

ps. Don’t forget to hug a Veteran and say thank you.

pps. Happy 11.11.11, 11:11:11. (Just for kicks and giggles.)

While….

2011-11-06T20:11:00.001-07:00

I’ve been reminiscing about China, Fall has been flying by. The time for football and all things pumpkin. A time when the house smells like applesauce and God gets fancy with His paint brush and beautiful fall colors. It’s also hunting season. And I’ve been on the hunt. No, not a hunt for what you might think. Unless, you are thinking a fabulous job that pays six digits and gives me six weeks paid vacation a year, then you might be close. Actually, I am on the hunt for a decent little job that will help pay the bills and the student loan, preferably in higher education, because that is where I get my joy. It is true. I love school. And I want to go back. But not as a student. As an administrator.

So that has been life and in the mean time this has been keeping me busy and making me smile.

once upon a time…

2011-11-02T16:18:00.001-06:00

this city was forbidden. But now it is open to all for a small fee. Actually it is a palace, like Versailles or Buckingham, but its 720,000 square meters, 980 buildings, and over 8,700 rooms make it easily mistakable for a small city rather than a palace in the middle of Beijing. After fourteen years of construction the palace was complete in 1420, the Ming Dynasty. It was in use through the Qing Dynasty, 1911. It was home to 24 emperors and not just anyone could enter. It was usually just the emperor, his concubines and advisors.

You might also recognize the Forbidden City from the Disney movie Mulan. It was home of the emperor, where Mulan came to save China.

Can you see why all the commoners and anyone who wasn’t the emperor were a little PO?

Remember when…

2011-10-28T10:37:00.001-06:00

…the nurse put you in my arms (Yes, I was the first to hold you) and I told you when you are my age I’ll be thirty. That was fifteen years ago…and guess what…we’re there.

Happy 15th Birthday Caleb!!!

and

Happy Birthday Abby!!!!

Twins separated in the pre-existence still share a birthday on earth.

Under no circumstances…

2011-10-27T10:00:00.001-06:00

…Should you try this at home. Just leave it to the Peking Acrobats from Beijing to twist and turn themselves in unnatural maneuvers.

They are coming to BYU February 3 & 4.

Welcome to Beijing

2011-10-26T11:50:00.001-06:00

In 2008, Beijing welcomed the world for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In preparation for this event the Chinese built all new facilities. The Chinese really know how to host a party and they went all out in order to impress the world.

The Airport

The Bird’s Nest

The Water Cube

The Mascots

Wild Goose Pagoda

2011-10-18T11:21:00.001-06:00

This Buddhist pagoda was built in 652 A.D., during the Tang Dynasty in Xi’an. One of the oldest pagodas still standing. I tried to find out why it was called the Wild Goose Pagoda but I couldn’t find a good explanation. I’m sure the goose is a sign of good fortune or strength or something of the like in China. Everything the Chinese build or make has some kind of symbolic meaning. That is something that makes the Chinese culture so cool.

Terracotta Soldiers…travel-size…

2011-10-11T22:02:00.001-06:00

…for your convenience.

After 28 years of construction, the Mausoleum of Han Yang Ling was finished in 126 B. C. He apparently also liked the idea of terracotta soldiers protecting his kingdom in the hereafter. But he made his clay warriors, maiden and animals travel-size. Maybe they would be easier to take along. These mini figures have been unearthed around the emperor’s tomb, showing vividly the life of the royal families and ordinary people in the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 23 A.D.). These figures are on exhibit where they have lain, undisturbed, for the last 2000+ years. The Hanyangling Museum, in Xi’an, was built over the tomb creating an underground exhibit, that allows us see the tomb and to watch the archeologists do what they do.

Taste of Tang

2011-10-02T23:14:00.001-06:00

At a time when Europe was wondering through the Dark Ages, China was experiencing a golden age of cosmopolitan culture and enlightenment during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Xi’an was the capital of China during this period of enlightenment and was the most populous city in the world at the time. Marked by strong and benevolent rule, successful diplomatic relationships, economic expansion, and a cultural efflorescence of cosmopolitan style, Tang China emerged as one of the greatest empires in the medieval world.

After being mesmerized for two hours at dinner and show in Xi’an of the music and art of the Tang Dynasty, I fell in love with the beauty and culture of this era. China is beautiful and amazing.

"are you a hintze?"

2011-09-30T11:38:00.006-06:00

Yeah, I get that...A LOT. Most recently last night at Kneaders from a person I had never talked to before. Fortunately, I am. And I am proud of it. And fortunately the name carries a good reputation with it. I've been told my great grandpa used to tell his children and grandchildren, "Remember, you're a Hintze." I won't be forgetting. Everywhere I go I'm told, "I knew so-and-so Hintze. S/He was a great person." Why would I want to forget or do anything to harm that!!! As the proverb says:

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. --Proverbs 22:1

Love, S. Hintze

PS. Happy September 30th!!! I am probably the only one who realizes its significance. But that's ok. I like my special day.
PPS. How do they know?? Do I look like a Hintze?
PPPS. Thanks Brian @ Kneaders for the free desert. Can't go wrong with pumpkin and chocolate.

Terracotta Warriors

2011-09-21T11:31:00.001-06:00

One of the main attractions that brings people to Xi’an are the Terracotta Warriors. You’ve probably seen them on National Geographic or the History Channel. I had seen pictures of them, but I didn’t know the background. Nonetheless, I was still very excited to get to see them. Like I said, old stuff fascinates me. The Terracotta Warriors were built by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, in 3rd Century B.C. Ok, he actually didn’t build them all himself, but he ordered 700,000 workers to build what archeologists estimate to be over 8,000 life-size, individualized soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses to guard his empire in the afterlife, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. I’ve concluded that this emperor had a bit of an ego and he took it with him to the afterlife.

A couple of centuries after the emperor died, irate rebellious peasants broke into the tomb and destroyed many of the warriors. Since the discovery of warriors in 1974 archeologists have worked to reassemble them. They are on exhibit here and other museums around the world. But if you are going to see a Terracotta Warrior it might as well be here.

week 4: Xi’an

2011-09-20T11:50:00.001-06:00

My fascination with ancient cities and really old stuff made Xi’an an immediate intrigue for me. Xi’an (pronounced she-on, translated means western peace) is one of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, it is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held that position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history,including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang.

Consistent with other ancient Chinese cities Xi’an has a city wall that was built during the Ming Dynasty (600 years ago). What is unique about Xi’an’s city wall is that it is completely intact and original. The Chinese built things to last.

The Drum tower. Built in 1380 during the Ming dynasty. The characters and décor around the tower symbolize good fortune and was beaten at the end of the day. It is also an excellent landmark so you know where you are and which way you need to go to find the markets or get back to the hotel.

just sing

2011-09-14T10:31:00.001-06:00

I saw some amazing sights in China. But the best times were had when we were hanging out with our Chinese friends. And one of the most fun nights was when went to a KTV. What is KTV? It is karaoke. Chinese style. And it makes any American Karaoke bar with individuals who are a little tipsy and can’t sing a tune seem pretty lame.

At KTV you get a private room with an amazing sound system, lights, and food, that is just big enough for you and your friends. There are hundreds of songs for you to choose from, Chinese and English. And you can sing by yourself or with all your friends. Mostly, we sang in English. And mostly, we sang together.

This was one of those nights that I will never forget. We had so much fun together. We learned more about the Chinese culture and grew to love it even more. And they learned more about us. Music has a way of bringing people together. All cultures around the world have it. So all world leaders that are at odds should just sit down and sing together because KTV is another one of those activities that would solve all world conflicts.

Up, up, and away…Finally

2011-09-06T18:27:00.001-06:00

For at least a decade I have wanted to soar through the air by way of paragliding. I knew that no means of persuasion would ever entice me to force myself to jump out of a moving aircraft, thousands of feet above the ground. You can just keep your million dollars. However, running off a mountain and soaring away sounded like something I knew I could more than handle. In fact, I would love it. So, this summer the opportunity came when Cloud Nine offered a deal for half price on a tandem flight. Finally, after ten years and rescheduling four times due to rough winds we were able to take off.

On your mark…

Get set…

FLY!!!!!

Yeah, I could get use to this.

rafting…bamboo style

2011-08-31T11:47:00.001-06:00

Bamboo rafting in Yangshuo. A must do or else you are seriously missing out. More amazing Guilin peaks. Water that is as warm as the air. And a guide that knows two words in English. Beer and tip. That’s ok. We weren’t there for the conversation.

…Oh yeah. And a water fight. International water fight. When there are people from every continent floating along together, giving no thought to race nor status before they aim and fire, you can have nothing but the best water fight ever. Which I believe would solve all world conflicts. And if you don’t want to get wet…you should’ve stayed on the bus.

Lets say…

2011-08-26T11:43:00.001-06:00

…you are in Guilin. And you want to get to Yangshuo. How do you get there? …A Li River Cruise, of course. Why? Because I can’t think of any other way you would want to go. And because I can’t think of any reason you would want to miss all this…

…Yes. Amazing. I know.

Ahhh Guilin….

2011-08-24T00:31:00.001-06:00

Like I said…I couldn’t get enough of Guilin and the amazing terrain. A few other do-not-miss-this-the-next time-you-are-in-Guilin include:

Elephant Trunk Hill

A popular place since the times of the emperors because of the rock that looks like an elephant drinking from the river. I also love how it looks like a refection of a moon on the water.

Seven Star Park

Our first encounter with pandas in China.

Do You See the camel?…

Fubo Hill

(It’s the tall rock in front. Named for a Chinese General)

Reed Flute Cave…

2011-08-17T16:28:00.001-06:00

…is a natural limestone cave with multicolored lighting and has been one of Guilin’s most interesting attractions for over 1200 years. It is over 180 million years old. The cave got its name from the type of reed growing outside, which can be made into melodious flutes. It is filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations in weird and wonderful shapes. Inside, there are more than 70 inscriptions written in ink, which can be dated back as far as 792 AD in the Tang Dynasty. These aged inscriptions tell us that travelers from all over China and the world have been visiting this cave in Guilin since ancient times. Beautiful!!!

Guilin

2011-08-09T07:46:00.001-06:00

Week three took us to Guilin. The moment we stepped off the plane the outdoor enthusiast in me and I were ready to call this place home. It was love at first sight and we could not get enough of the exquisite and picturesque landscape that surrounds this little town of 1.3 million in southern China.

The Presidential Palace

2011-08-05T01:11:00.001-06:00

In Washington DC you have the White House. In Nanjing, it is the Presidential Palace. Not only was this the Office of the President of the Republic of China before the republic relocated to Taiwan in 1949, but also a significant location during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Thus the gold throne and the marble boat.

PS. I’m back and reporting from my bed that feels softer than I remember it. But it feels so good to sink into it at the end of the day. Jet lag hasn’t been too bad as long as I am moving. If I remain idle for too long I may start to nod.

Nanjing Yangtze City Bridge...

2011-08-04T09:06:00.000-06:00

...was the first bridge to be built across the Yangtze River in Nanjing, China. It was completed in 1968 and is the first double-decker, double-track highway and railway bridge designed and constructed by the Chinese without outside engineering assistance. This was another one of our stops when we were in Nanjing, our second week in China.

Behold...THE GREAT WALL

2011-07-24T07:33:00.002-06:00

2011-07-21T10:29:00.002-06:00

Today I checked in, got my ticket, passed through security, boarded the plane, stowed my carry on, found my seat, fastened my seat belt, ordered a beverage, and then leaned over to ask Erin which airline we were flying with today. I realized I had no idea. We've been on so many in the last month. The answer was Air China. Ok, thanks. This newly acquired information didn't change anything. We were still on our way to Beijing.

Last night in Xiamen

2011-07-20T09:58:00.002-06:00

The bags are packed, unfortunately. Tonight is my last night on my hard bed that I really have become accustomed to. Yesterday we came full circle and ate our last meal in the cafeteria. I order the same thing I ordered the first day, fried dumplings with egg and fresh mango juice. This time with no help from the Asian students. Last night we played games and laughed. Today, we had lunch with the dean. This was the first time meeting any administration. He served us a bunch of Xiamen specialties. His personal favorite, jellied sea worm. And it was exactly as it says. A clear jello substance with a smashed sea worm inside. Fortunately, it didn't have any flavor. But the texture....yes, gag. I tried to swallow it whole, but somehow only the jelly went down leaving the mangled worm in my mouth, requiring a second attempt at a dignified swallow.

This afternoon we rented two and three person bikes and rode along the beach with our Asian friends. Yes, it was like a dream except the bikes weren't exactly built for taller Americans, but we got along just fine. Then they took us to a Chinese BBQ. This was super good and made up for the awkward lunch.

Then it came time to say good-bye. I really don't like this part. It hasn't actually hit me that we are leaving and that the chances of ever seeing these dear friends again are slim. Thank goodness for technology that makes the chances of keeping in touch better.

Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, Nanjing, China

2011-07-19T18:18:00.002-06:00

Then we went to Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum. Sun Yat-sen was a Han Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. Sun played an instrumental role in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty during the Xinhai Revolution and became the first provisional president when the Republic of China was formed 1912. Sun was a uniting figure in post-Imperial China, and remains unique among 20th-century Chinese politicians for being widely revered amongst the people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

There were over 392 steps to the top. Which was cake compared to what we climbed the next week.

Ready...

Set...

Go!

392 steps later we made it.

Xiaoling Tomb, Nanjing, China

2011-07-19T18:08:00.002-06:00

The second day in Nanjing we went to the Xiaoling tomb of the Ming Dynasty. The ming dynasty ended about six hundred years ago. This become one of my favorite place because of the peaceful, beautiful gardens. Once again we lucked out with overcast and cooler weather. This was especially good in a city known as the oven of China.

The Chinese were amused that we, foreigners, liked climbing on 600 year old statues.

Confucius Temple, Nanjing, China

2011-07-19T04:15:00.001-06:00

In every major, and not so major, city in China you will probably find a Confucius temple. There just happen to be one near our hotel in Nanjing.

If I seem a little obsessed...

2011-07-18T09:58:00.001-06:00

With lanterns in China...that is because I am. And I will be the first to admit I am in love with them. They are so Chinese.

Zi Feng Tower

2011-07-18T01:30:00.001-06:00

Our second week adventures took us to Nanjing. Nanjing is the third largest city in China. It is also home of the seventh tallest building in the world, the Zi Feng tower. The 400 and something meters gave us a great first view of Nanjing.

Hakka Round Houses

2011-07-18T01:29:00.001-06:00

About 2000 years ago a tribe of people migrated to China and built enclosed houses. Even today people still live in these round house communities. The Hakka Round Houses we visited are about a three hour drive from Xiamen. The oldest Hakka house we visited was built in the 1700s.

The three hour drive gave us the opportunity to see some beautiful Chinese countryside. They also turned on Kung Fu Panda 2 for us to watch on the way back. I don’t think it was a completely legal copy.

2011-07-17T01:07:00.001-06:00

It's a Sunday afternoon in Xiamen. I'm laying on my stone hard bed listening to the torrential rain storm outside and I'm thinking this is so great. Everyday I'm here I am more thankful I had this experience to come to China and stay long enough to really learn to love it. I don't think I really loved it at first. Jet lag and upset stomach contributed to that. But now that I've adjusted I love it so much. I'm thankful I've had time to learn and begin to understand this part of the world better. I'm thankful I've had time to correct some preconceived notions. China is an amazing country with an intriguing heritage. The people are so good and so kind. The art and the culture are incredible.

This understanding and appreciation is exactly what I wanted to get out of this experience. It has all been worth it.

Jimei School Village

2011-07-16T18:09:00.001-06:00

Xiamen city includes several islands. In fact, xiamen university is on the largest island with one-third of the city's three million population. On the mainland we visited Jimenei school village. At first I wasn't terribly interested in this stop until I learned that it was a community multiple schools ranging from kindergarten through college built by a man in the 1960s who earned his fortune through canning pineapple and eventually manufacturing rubber. He lived simply and donated most of his money to building schools in China. Now, that is pretty cool.

Huli Hill Fort

2011-07-16T18:06:00.002-06:00

Another site to see in Xiamen is the Huli Hill Fort. We actually discovered later that it is within walking distance of campus when we were strolling the board walk and we found ourselves there again

The fort was built in the 1890s. It's claim to fame is the it is home of the world's largest cannon.

Location:Xiamen, China

Chinese puppet show

2011-07-12T22:32:00.001-06:00

In order to get the full Chinese experience, one must go to a puppet show in China. Puppeteer is a respected profession here and a lot of work and thought goes into the creation of the puppets. We got to have this fun chinese experience while on the island of Gu Lang Yu.

Gu Lang Yu

2011-07-12T08:51:00.001-06:00

Our first week in China we stayed close to home. Xiamen home, that is. Our first adventure was Gu Lang Yu. This is a pedestrian only island that was settled by Europeans in the 1800s. So, the homes on the island are very colonial. Some have a touch of Chinese which makes a beautiful combination. To get to the island is about a 10 minute ferry ride. Maybe less. You could probably swim there if it weren't for the possibility of getting hit by a boat.

We hiked to the highest point on the small island. Which really isn’t very high, but from there we could see to the end of each side of the island. Near the top is the South Putuo Temple, a Buddhist temple.

I told you about the piano museum, right? That was also on this island.

Did you know that....

2011-07-12T08:49:00.001-06:00

...Blogger is actually banned from China? It is. Due to the disputes between between Google and China. And actually most blogging platforms in general aren't available here. So I am going to give a shout out for the BlogPress app on my iPad because it is somehow able to get past the iron wall that China has on the Internet and post my happenings and random thoughts on my blog for your intended enjoyment. Don't ask me how or why it is able to do this because I don't know. I don't ask questions. I just take advantage.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Kung Fu Panda

2011-07-10T17:36:00.001-06:00

What's a trip to China without seeing a panda?

- Posted from my iPad

First day of school in China...

2011-07-10T09:40:00.001-06:00

Class started 8 o’clock Monday morning, June 20th. This was not a problem because I had been awake since 4 am. Jet Lag. This day there were 13 Asian students in the classroom waiting for us. The numbers have fluctuated since then.

They are excited to have us there and eager to make us feel welcome. They will do anything they can to help. We have to be careful what we say around them in seriousness and in jest because they will find a way to make it happen. It is great when they speak up and participate in class because they always have a very intelligent and interesting point of view.

After class and a few other errands they took us to the cafeteria. The canteen, or cafeteria in english, makes the Cougar Eat seem pretty pitiful. There are three floors with a variety of Chinese food. Rice, noodles, beef, chicken, vegetables, seafood, chicken feet, etc. And it’s cheap. A nice size plate of chow mien or pot stickers costs about 50 cents USD. However, even with all the choices, ordering can be difficult and an adventure because it is, of course, in Chinese. Fortunately, there are some pictures and pointing works reasonably well.

I am happy to report my chopsticks skills have greatly improved and I can eat a whole meal with chop sticks. All because forks are not an option.

Xiamen University at night

Location:Nanhua Rd,Xiamen,China

ps.

2011-07-10T05:30:00.001-06:00

Have you ever tried applying deodorant to mosquito bites? Yeah, I was skeptical, too. But one can only handle so much itchiness before they are willing to try anything.

- Posted from my iPad

Pizza Hut

2011-07-10T04:07:00.001-06:00

This is not your normal Pizza Hut. It's better. Not just because it has good American pizza, but because Pizza Hut in China isn't like Pizza Hut in the US. Yes, they have pizza, but they also have a whole variety of other American food with a Chinese tweak. Such as a shrimp and fruit salad, tuna on pizza, teriyaki octopus and quail egg, crispy fried squid etc. They have many other dishes, too. My favorite is chicken curry rice platter and mango pineapple smoothie.

Posted from my iPad

rich and famous

2011-07-05T23:01:00.001-06:00

Ok maybe not rich, but we might as well be celebrities the way random people take pictures of us white guys.

- Posted from my iPad

Xiamen University

2011-07-04T00:18:00.001-06:00

Students from all over China come to Xiamen University. They love it because the campus is beautiful...

It is near the ocean and the beach...

And they love the laid back "small town" life...

I guess it's all relative.

In Nanjing

2011-06-30T09:57:00.001-06:00

I like it. Our hotel is in a great spot. Let me phrase, a dangerous spot. Not because of the crime, but because there are markets all around.

I've learned enough chinese to ask how much something is. But not enough to understand their response. And when I ask how much something is, they assume I speak Chinese and start up a whole conversation which I, of course, don't understand because I don't speak Chinese.

A few of the Asians I have talked to here speak English with a little bit of a British accent. Turns out their English professors were British.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

BTW

2011-06-30T09:52:00.001-06:00

McDonalds taste better in China, too.

Not because they use better quality meat or do anything particularly special. But after so many chinese meals that filling but necessarily satisfying, a double cheese burger, with fries, tastes really, really good and completely hits the spot. I'm telling you McDonalds never tasted so good.

- Posted from my iPad

Today...

2011-06-28T08:36:00.001-06:00

...was a beautiful day. Overcast and breezy. We took advantage of it and went to the beach.

And now it's rainy a beautiful rain. I would love more days like this one.

Not very many Chinese swim and even fewer lay out. They like their white, noncancerous skin.

- Posted from my iPad

rain or shine

2011-06-27T07:10:00.001-06:00

It's like walking down a victorian street with all the ladies strolling with their fancy parasols. Everyone here, especially the women, walk with umbrellas, rain or shine. Mostly it is to protect their skin and keep them fair. But also because it is a few degrees cooler with an umbrella. And that makes a huge difference.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What's for lunch

2011-06-24T05:01:00.001-06:00

Fresh from the sea everyday. Welcome to Xiamen.

Posted from my iPad

Mom, this is for you

2011-06-23T03:24:00.001-06:00

Today we went to the piano museum on the island of Gu Lang Yu. There are over 200 pianos. Many of them from the 1700s and 1800s. I wished you were here with me because photos weren't allowed. But I snuck a few for you because I love you.

Posted from my iPad

Chinese food is better in China

2011-06-22T00:53:00.001-06:00

Before arriving in China I practiced eating with chopsticks so I would be prepared when I got here. I usually made it through half a meal before my hand cramped up and my chopsticks stopped working.

The first day in China we went out for dinner. Some how I managed to order something that looked edible and recognizable. Cabbage, pork, and red peppers. Similar to a skillet at Applebees, it came out still sizzling because it had a flame still burning underneath it.

Determined to eat as the Chinese I grabbed my chopsticks and got to work. I was feeling pretty proud of myself because I was getting most my meal to my mouth. I looked over at the Chinese man next me only to find him him using a spoon to eat his vegetables and beef. What?! Still determined I pressed forward with my chopsticks. About half way through, as is expected, my hand started to hurt and I wasn't doing as well. A server noticed me in my struggles and brought me a spoon.

The Asians are very nice.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

every excursion I have gone on...

2011-06-08T23:59:00.000-06:00

...I have dutifully bought the recommended medications for the anticipated tummy issues, rashes, and other ailments that could come with being in a foreign country....Just in case. And everytime I have returned home with as many pills and creams as I left with, seals unbroken. Believe me, I am an adventurous eater. But I have never had any issues (with the expection of pink eye in Peru) and these perfectly good medications expire before they are put to good use. So I've been thinking...do I bother...spending the money on medications for China...just in case. I probably wouldn't except it is six weeks...And it would be a bit more difficult to fake the language in China in order to find what I need...if something does happen...which chances are slim...but it is bit more foreign than other places I've been. Fine...I'll do it...but just the minimum.

did I tell you…

2011-06-05T23:24:00.002-06:00

…I’m on a kickball team?

Jiminy Kick it. We were undefeated...until yesterday. :( Good times.

bind me not to the pasture

2011-06-01T09:00:00.002-06:00

A few lines from Marta Keen Thompson's Homeward Bound that I feel I can relate to, are...

Bind me not to the pasture
Chain me not to the plow
Set me free to find my calling

Except for me it's..

Bind me not the office

Chain me not to the computer

Set me free to find my calling

It's so good to remember that I am not eternally bound to office work. I'm grateful to have the work and I enjoy it, but it is not my calling in life. I find comfort in knowing that if not in this life, in the next I will leave the office behind for a grander calling.

One other line I'm still contemplating is...

When adventure's lost its meaning

Will it? What do you think this means?

set me free to find my calling

2011-05-31T20:42:00.005-06:00

I've listened to this song many times. It's become one of my favorite MoTab pieces. But for some reason when my brother and sister sang it at Grandma's funeral the words stood out to me and I heard a different meaning to them...then I lost it and I was blubbering mess.

Homeward Bound

In the quiet misty morning
When the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing
And the sky is clear and red,
When the summer's ceased its gleaning
When the corn is past its prime,
When adventure's lost its meaning
I'll be homeward bound in time
Bind me not to the pasture
Chain me not to the plow
Set me free to find my calling
And I'll return to you somehow

If you find it's me you're missing
If you're hoping I'll return,
To your thoughts I'll soon be listing,
In the road I'll stop and turn
Then the wind will set me racing
As my journey nears its end
And the path I'll be retracing
When I'm homeward bound again
Bind me not to the pasture
Chain me not to the plow
Set me free to find my calling
And I'll return to you somehow

In the quiet misty morning when
The moon has gone to bed.
When the sparrows stop there singing....
I'll be homeward bound again.

(Music and Text by Marta Keen Thompson. Arranged by Mack Wilberg.
Performed by Mormon Tabernacle Choir.)

The lyrics could mean many things to different people. To me, they remind me that this life we are passing through is not our final home. We were meant for a greater existence. And there is Someone waiting for us to return.

coming soon...in three weeks

2011-05-27T14:55:00.000-06:00

Xiamen, Gulang Island, South Putuo Temple, Golden Beach, Jimei School village, Overseas Chinese Museum, Huli Hill Fort, Hakka Round House, Nanjing, Zi Feng Tower, Confucius Temple, Sun Yat-sen`s Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, Massacre Memorial Hall, Yangtze River Bridge, Presidential Palace, Zhonghuamen City Wall, Xuyuan Garden, Guilin, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Seven Star Park, Panda Hall, Universal Hotel Guilin, Li River cruise, Yangshuo, West Street, Bamboo Rafting on the Yulong River, Impression of Liu Sanjie, Tangrenjie Hotel Yangshuo, Big Banyan Tree, Moon Hill, Xian, Hanyangling Tomb, Grand New World Hotel, Tang Dynasty dinner and show, Terra-Cotta Warriors & Horses, Huaqing Hot Spring, Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Great Mosque and City Wall, Beijing, Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, Tiananmen Square, Chairman Mao`s Mausoleum, Forbidden City, Hutong rickshaw tour, Great Wall at Badaling section, Jade factory, Bird Nest, Water Cube, Embassy, Summer Palace, boat ride on Kunming Lake, Confucius Temple, Temple of Heaven, Hongqiao Market, 798 Art Zone, Hong Kong, LDS Hong Kong Temple, more TBD.

captured moments

2011-05-23T23:05:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago my dad gave me a project to work on. A slide show of some of our old family pictures. Some would know that this is a real treat for me because I have a love for old black and white photos. I love how they capture a little of the way things were in that moment in time. The styles. The scenery. The personalities. The relationships. Over the last few weeks I enjoyed getting to know my grandpa and his eight brothers and two sisters little more. Here are few of my favorites.

Great Grandma and Grandpa (1935)

The Old Family Car

Grandma in the ticket office where she worked (Early 1940s) This is where she first saw Grandpa.

Grandpa and Grandma

While in the middle of this project, Grandma decided she had fought a good fight in this life and went on to be reunited with Grandpa. I was privileged to be at her side as she left. After she passed, I began sorting through her pictures and reading her personal history. I was reacquainted with the lively, generous grandmother I had known and loved and the amazing, fun life she led. I am so blessed to call her grandma.All these events have reminded me what a stellar heritage I have.

Gma, Gpa, and Me

Al and Vi –Together Forever

Untitled from sarah.n.dip.i.ty on Vimeo.

PS. My dad calls me a photo geek. I like to call it family historian.

Viola Faye Blevens Hintze "I'm Glad I Winked" Born January 25, 1922, she quietly passed away, surrounded by her family, May 18, 2011 due to causes incident to age. Mother's parents were Elbert Blevens and Evva Abbott. When she was born they were living on a homestead on the "dry lands" south of Lamar, Colorado where she started her education in a one room country school house and later received an Associates Degree at a Junior College in Lamar. While working as a theater cashier, Mother noticed a "good looking stranger" passing by and she winked at him. She later married that stranger, Alan Sears Hintze, February 14, 1943 in Colorado Springs, CO; marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple May, 1945. They initially settled in Taylorsville, Utah but due to Daddy's work they also lived in Schenectady, NY, Hamilton, OH, Cleveland, OH, and Germantown, MD. Everywhere they lived Mother and Daddy made wonderful friends they will always treasure. When Mother became a member of the LDS Church, she embraced it completely. The rest of her life was spent serving others in the Primary, MIA, Relief Society and as an ordinance worker in the Washington DC Temple. One of her fondest memories was teaching the youth of the Cleveland Ohio Stake to ballroom dance. Mother never met a stranger. Mother and Daddy opened their home to literally hundreds of people who needed a place to stay so they could attend the DC Temple. Mother's children are: Jan (Wendy), St. Marys, PA; Helen (David) Harlow, Provo, UT; Frank (Marla), West Jordan, UT; and Olia (Bill) Shearer, Chino Valley, AZ. Mother loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our warmest appreciation to the staff at Alta Ridge Assisted Living, South Jordan and Millcreek Home Health and Hospice. Christie, and so many others, thank you for everything. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at the Mountain Shadows 7th Ward, 7925 South 2700 West. Viewings will be held Friday, 6-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Saturday at the church, 10-10:45 a.m. Interment, Holladay Memorial Park, 4670 S. Highland Dr.

ten years ago today...

2011-05-16T09:10:00.004-06:00

...I was here.

Windermere and the England's Lake District

How do I know this? Because this is where I turned twenty.

PS. I would have my actual pictures. But they are in a box up in my parents garage and daddy has vowed never to get it down until I have a permanent place to keep it so he doesn't have to keep moving it wherever I go. It might be a long while till that happens. In his defense it is a heavy box and he had a heck of a time getting it up there.

what do you think the office would say...

2011-05-13T11:41:00.001-06:00

if I showed up to work with one of these?

"Umm?"
Yeah, I thought the same thing. But, I am convinced that we human beings were not made to sit for 8 hours a day. My back is not convinced. My rear is not convinced. And my legs would thank you not to bring up the subject. They forget that they are adults now and must remain still and composed. We all agree we need one of these. This, with a sitdown desk to mix it up, offers a viable solution we could be happy with. Thank you.

may day, may day

2011-05-01T22:23:00.002-06:00

Happy May Day! I hope your day was lovely like mine. Today, once again, marks the beginning of the lovely month of May. And you know what that means.

every now and then...

2011-04-30T08:53:00.001-06:00

...i dream in portuguese.

chopsticks

2011-04-28T22:36:00.001-06:00

I have seven weeks to master the art of chopsticks. My goal is to figure it out and eat an entire meal, 3 courses, using just chopsticks before I go to China. I am determined to do it. For years, I’ve been trying, failing, and resigning myself to using a fork when my hand cramps up and nothing gets to my mouth.

Tonight, at dinner at Four Seasons Hot Pot and Dumplings, Joanna tried to help me but it was a hopeless cause.

How to eat with chopsticks

Pick up the first chopstick with the middle finger and thumb.
Grip the second chopstick with your index finger.
Hold it steady.
Practice opening and closing the chopsticks.
Pick up food at a good angle (try roughly 45 degrees from the plate); slightly lift it up.

6. Keep your face close to your plate and get as many noodles to your mouth as you can.

Ok, so good news is I still have seven weeks to practice.

The food was excellent at Four Seasons, and the experience is fun. Each table has a pot warmer with a pot of broth. You pick out what meats, vegetables, and noodles you want (all you can eat.) and then you cook it right at your table. You will especially love it if you like seafood and can handle spicy. Although they do have less spicy sauces.

A few other to dos:

Learn how to say “Donde esta el bano?” in Chinese
Get a typhoid shot. (Unfortunately, my previous one has expired.)
Eat a whole meal with chopsticks
Read up on the places we are going
Pack

晚安 (Wǎnān aka good night)

I remember…

2011-04-23T08:41:00.003-06:00

a long time ago, receiving a letter saying thanks for applying but your GPA and ACT scores aren’t quite what they need to be to get into BYU. (Ok, those weren’t the exact words but that was their meaning. My GPA wasn’t terrible, but it was far from what it needed to be to get into BYU.)
I remember not so long ago talking to a friend who was applying to graduate school and thinking, “Oh man, I want to do it, but I don’t think I can cut it.” The GRE test scared me because I flopped a few times on the ACT. I thought the courses would be ridiculous hard. And I really didn’t want to write a thesis.
I remember two years ago, almost two and a half, cramming for the GRE for two weeks because I said “what the heck” and signed up for the next available time to take the terrifying test. My brain was fried afterwards and my scores came back lower than I hoped.
I remember two years ago getting an email saying thanks for applying to the BYU MPA Program, but there are other candidates who are a better fit for our program. (aka your GRE scores and GPA aren’t quite what they need to be to be considered for even the waiting list.)
Well, look who showed them all…and myself.

I remember not quite two years ago sitting at work and getting a call from Catherine Cooper telling me that a place in the BYU MPA program just opened up, she had been thinking about me all night long and felt like she should offer it to me. “By the way, it starts tomorrow.”
I remember my stomach doing flip flops, praying really hard for an hour, going in and telling my boss that I wasn’t coming back the next day, packing up my desk, and never looking back…Because I had been a given a huge tender mercy and the chance to fulfill a dream.
I remember yesterday lining up with my classmates, walking across the stage, hearing my name read, and Dr. Hart telling me, “You did it.” And realizing I really did do it.

stylin’

2011-04-20T23:59:00.001-06:00

Not too long ago my friend, Rosy (former mission companion), graduated from a university in Brasil. Amazing accomplishment. As I was looking through the pictures from her graduation ceremony, I noticed their interesting academic ceremony outfits and caps.

Yesterday, I picked the cap and gown for my own graduation ceremony and I thought, “Ours are even more peculiar.” Why do we where such stylin’ getup to celebrate such a great accomplishment? Let me tell you.

Apparently, the tradition of academic dress and graduation dates back to the 12th century at the formation of early Universities in Europe . The role of these early Universities was to authenticate degrees. Universities documented which scholars had enrolled, or matriculated, for study under licensed masters and established standards to mark the various levels of a student’s progress (graduation) toward the next degree. Universities lacked buildings of their own when they were first established and thus studies were conducted at nearby churches. Historians believe that academic dress originated when scholars, who were largely clerics or aspiring clerics in the church themselves, wore long robes and hoods to keep warm in these unheated buildings. The practice of wearing gowns became more widespread when gowns were established as the official dress of academics in 1321 and “excess in apparel” was frowned upon. Variations on the long gowns, hoods worn for warmth were later used by Universities to differentiate and recognize the various grades of scholars.

Tomorrow, I will be sporting my fancy cap, gown and hood and participating in the academic processional. Really, it’s my most favorite part of the whole ceremony.

I kind of like the Brazilian Academic Clothing. She makes it look good.

Rosy Farias. We had good times together.

the FINAL stretch

2011-04-16T16:00:00.002-06:00

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...I think I can... I think I can....

It's not that I am bombarded with a hundred things I need to do. I actually only have three. The issue is having motivation to work on them. The end is so close..and then my time is mine. The weather is so nice and it's calling to me. Can you hear it, too?

Bombardation (new word I just invented.) maybe would be better. Then I wouldn't have time to think about how close to the end I am and about how nice the weather is.

I think I can... I think I can... I think I can....

9 days

2011-04-12T22:46:00.001-06:00

Have you ever felt incredibly blessed. Things are going good. Really good. Not perfect, but not much you can complain about. And then you realize that it’s been a little while since you have had a major trial. Which means your number has to be coming up…any minute. You find yourself holding your breath…waiting for something to happen. Something that will rock your boat a little bit.

I’m waiting…and trying to not be too comfortable. Something is bound to happen any minute. I have been so blessed these last two years. This opportunity to gain more education has been a definite tender mercy in my life. I love school. I love learning. It hasn’t been easy. But it’s been good. And I have been looked after and cared for by Someone who loves me.

Today I had my last class at BYU. It is a little surreal to be at this point. The time went by fast. Memories of my first day are still fresh in my mind. I’m going to miss class, professors, and classmates.

16 days

2011-04-03T23:21:00.001-06:00

And I am supposed to know all I need to know and be ready and qualified to enter the workforce and change the world. I’m not ready. I don’t feel ready nor as qualified as I feel the expectation will be. I feel like there is still so much for me to learn. A few more classes I should take. But the thought of more classes right now is draining.

It’s interesting. I have the same feeling I had at the end of my mission. I wasn’t ready for it to end. There were still so many things I could do. So many things I could learn. A few things I would do a few things differently. But I was exhausted at the end. I was ready for some rest. I was ready to give others aspects of my life some attention. That is how I am feeling now. Time for some change. Ready or not.

on the lake

2011-03-31T08:31:00.001-06:00

Do you see what I saw?

Moonlight on the lake.

Pictures don’t do it justice. It was pretty magnificent.

out my window

2011-03-30T12:18:00.002-06:00

What do you see?

 Look closer...

I love this.

preponderance of the evidence

2011-03-28T08:56:00.001-06:00

(n.) the greater weight of the evidence required in a civil (non-criminal) lawsuit for the trier of fact (jury or judge without a jury) to decide in favor of one side or the other. This preponderance is based on the more convincing evidence and its probable truth or accuracy, and not on the amount of evidence. Thus, one clearly knowledgeable witness may provide a preponderance of evidence over a dozen witnesses with hazy testimony, or a signed agreement with definite terms may outweigh opinions or speculation about what the parties intended. Preponderance of the evidence is required in a civil case and is contrasted with "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is the more severe test of evidence required to convict in a criminal trial. No matter what the definition stated in various legal opinions, the meaning is somewhat subjective.

Thirty-four potential jurors were in the room, only twelve would be selected. You would think with those odds you’d be safe. They got to number twelve and my name was called and my first thought “I should’ve brought extra underwear.” The case was scheduled to go for at least three days.

The case was a dispute between a citizen and a police officer. The situation occurred on a normal day, in a matter of moments, within a six-tenths of a mile. Although I tried not to form an opinion too soon, I did. It grew throughout the next three days. As we went in to deliberate I was sure I knew what the outcome would be. I didn’t feel good about it. I was glad to be wrong.

As we examined all the evidence, discussed the testimonies, and considered the instructions from the judge—we weren’t to judge the things that could’ve/should’ve happened, only the actions in one moment—I realized that although my opinion of situation didn’t change, my ruling did. It was the preponderance of evidence. IT WAS NOT EASY (5 1/2 hours of deliberation.) But I feel at peace with the conclusion.

As soon as I realized what the right thing to do was, I knew the media wouldn’t portray in the best light and that we would be criticized for our ruling. That was an interesting feeling. I distinctly remember feeling nervous for it, but peace at the same time. I think some key decision makers might feel this way. My predictions were right. Don’t believe everything you read in the news.

Every individual should have a jury experience in order to appreciate the system set up in the constitution. I am a believer in the system. I am thankful I had the opportunity to participate.

the final countdown

2011-03-09T09:26:00.008-07:00

~~Strategy Book Report~~
~~Strategy Book Presentation~~
~~Finish Good to Great~~
~~Finish True North~~
~~Self-directed Reading Report~~
~~Order Cap and Gown~~
~~Buy plane ticket to China~~ Ouch!
~~G20 Project Final Report~~
~~Grade Papers~~
~~TMC Presentation~~
~~IDP Final Deliverable~~
~~TMC Written Analysis~~
~~Law Midterm~~
~~Strategy Case~~
~~Strategy Portfolio~~
~~Finish Getting to Yes~~
~~Pay for Performance Presentation~~ 100%
~~Perf. Meas. mini-case~~
~~Perf. Meas. Final Paper~~
Law Final
~~Grade Papers~~
Grade Papers
Resist the urge to pack for China just yet
Buy a new pair of shoes
Graduate
Celebrate

Other important to-dos:

Go running or other form of exercise
Family History
Go to temple
Personal History
Play hide 'n go seek with Benjamin.
Play with Grace and Elijah
Cook

be responsible

2011-03-02T14:28:00.002-07:00

I chose be responsible. It was a good choice. But now I can't stop. And few other beautiful ski days have passed me by. Trust me I know. I've seen the pictures. I will get there don't worry. One of these days, before the snow melts, I will stop being responsible and I will go ski. Meanwhile, this is making me smile.

Can't get enough of that. For more go here.

dilemma

2011-02-21T13:26:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow has the potential to be one of the best skiing days this year. I don’t have class. I have a pass to use this year. I want to get on top of and head of all the work and projects in my classes.

What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do?

Be responsible? Or ski?

TEDxBYU

2011-02-16T23:09:00.001-07:00

Last week was full of many treats. The Ballet was one. TEDxBYU was another. The Ballard Center at BYU sponsored a TED Event on Friday. I discovered TED talks in the last year and from the first video I was enraptured and inspired. The theme of this event was Live Innovation. It featured individuals from Utah and across the country, all who had inspiring ideas and are doing amazing things by not letting others tell them they can’t. I didn’t take any notes. I should’ve but they will be posted online soon. One of the best parts was the intermission reception where we got to mingle. Usually this isn’t my thing, but I really enjoyed this one. I got to talk to individuals from all over who have innovative mindsets and brilliant ideas to change the world. It was a little intimidating, but fascinating. I plan to go to another event soon just so I can mingle with this type of crowd again.

As part of the event they show a few videos of previous talks. This one was entertaining and enlightening. Bring on the Learning Revolution.

Ps. A week ago I hardly knew what classified a smart phone. I thought an android was a type of insect. This week I am a proud owner of a myTouch. No I didn’t plan this. It just happened. What can I say…the phone was free. And I am really enjoying it.

anti anti-valentine’s day

2011-02-16T00:07:00.001-07:00

There seems to be a sour stigmatism for V-day among those who are currently unspoken-for. That makes me sad. Valentine’s day can be such a fun and happy day, single or attached. It’s a day to celebrate any kind of relationship or any kind of love. A day to celebrate family, friends, and/or significant other. It’s a day to tell others how much you love them and happy you are because they are in your life. (Yes, everyday should be love your neighbor day. But why not have a day to especially love your neighbor and express it.) It’s a day to send a note and reconnect to people you haven’t talk to in a while. It’s day for sending little somethings. It’s a day to get reacquainted with the phenomena of snail mail and the neglected mail box at the end of your driveway. It’s a day for pampering, chocolate, flowers, sugar cookies, and conversation hearts.

I refuse to support any anti-valentine events or SAD (single awareness day). I didn’t feel single at all. I felt loved and a sense of belonging.

I hope your Valentine’s day was full of love and joy and little extra sweetness.

PS. I loved this post by Dr. Mao, Live Longer with Love in Your Life. A few good reason to let love into your life.

sugar cookies w/ icing

2011-02-15T19:09:00.002-07:00

Week 7: In case you didn't notice. I don't bake much. Bake goods aren't something I crave too often. (Except for chocolate chip cookies. My #1 weakness.) But what would Valentine's day be without sugar cookies. So I gave them a shot. They were so easy. They came out soft, but not crumbly, and they tasted good, too. (Especially the dough.:)

Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight). More is better.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Icing

1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
assorted food coloring

Directions

In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.
Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Spread thinly on cookies.

cinderella, cinderella

2011-02-14T00:15:00.003-07:00

I love Cinderella. My sister loves ballet. So we went to the BYU Ballet Theater production of Cinderella. It was enchanting. This was my happy birthday present to her. She turned 12 on Friday. She is an angel on earth and I am so lucky to have her as my sister.

Happy Birthday Dinah!!

I’ve been looking forward to this since November. I could hardly contain my excitement this week. I love all things Cinderella and have always wanted to see the ballet. I’ve seen every other rendition of Cinderella, multiple times.

The classic Disney Cinderella

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

The Glass Slipper

Fairie Tale Theater

My all time favorite The Slipper and the Rose.

And a few other modern-day renditions.

I don’t know what it is about the story—Rags to riches, Prince Charming, Shoes—It has been my fairy tale of choice since I was three. Some things never change.

i will not...

2011-02-12T09:58:00.002-07:00

...throw a temper tantrum nor stomp across the floor.

...kick and scream and attempt to put a hole in the wall

...pout, whine, shout nor kick against the door.

I will try to remember that I am an adult and act my age.

This will be difficult because...

MY PARENTS ARE GOING ON A CRUISE WITHOUT ME!

Ps. And they took Caleb and Dinah. No, I am not bitter.

favorite super bowl commercial

2011-02-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

ps. Honestly, I didn't watch any of the super bowl or the commercials. One of my professors showed this one to us and I decided it was my favorite.

Zuppa Toscana

2011-02-08T11:29:00.002-07:00

Week 6...I saw this and then I couldn't stop thinking about it until I made. And then I still couldn't stop thinking about it because it was super good and perfect for a cold, cold day.

Zuppa Toscana Slow cooker style (aka Potato and Sausage Soup)

1lb italian sausage
2 cans chicken broth
1 c water
1/4 c onion
3 large russett potatoes (cubed)
1 clove garlic
1/2 c bacon bits (Splurge and get real bacon bits)
1 cup whipping cream
Kale

Crumble italian sausage and put in crock pot with chicken broth, garlic, potatoes, onion and cook on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes & sausage are cooked. Add bacon bits, whipping cream and cut up kale right before serving. Top with your choice of cheese & serve with fresh bread.

If you don't have 3-4 hours, you can bypass the slow cooker.

Remove sausage from casings; brown in a skillet, breaking up, until cooked through. Place onions and bacon in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until onions are tender. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Add chicken base, water and potatoes, simmer 15 minutes. Add sausage, kale and cream. Simmer 4 minutes and serve.

Enjoy. Trust me you will.

crock pot peanut meatballs

2011-02-05T22:46:00.001-07:00

So…week 5 was another Thai recipe. Trust me, I do like other things besides Thai. But I couldn’t help myself this time. This looked really good. And it was.

INGREDIENTS

1-13.5 oz can Coconut Milk
1-3.5 oz packet of Peanut Sauce Mix (I used a few tablespoons of peanut sauce from a bottle. If you like peanut sauce use liberally. If not, hold back.)
1-16 oz frozen package of large meatballs (16 count)
Optional:
Lime wedges and chopped cilantro (a must)

DIRECTIONS

Add Coconut Milk and Peanut Sauce Mix (both inner envelopes) to crock pot and mix well. Add meatballs to coconut mixture and toss to coat.
Cook on high for 2.5 hours or until sauce thickens. Serve with favorite spaghetti or rice. Garnish with lime and cilantro if desired.

It says it yields 4 servings, but I was eating leftovers all week. I was sick of it actually by Friday. Sometime I want to try this dish using peanut butter. Asian Meatballs with Peanut Sauce.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKIE!!!!

2011-02-02T08:48:00.001-07:00

I love how you are never too far behind me!!

Beijos

"and such"

2011-01-31T13:23:00.000-07:00

For some people it's "like." For others it's "you know." For most it's "um." For me it's "and such." Apparently those are my filler words of choice. I had no idea. It was brought to my attention the other day when I was presenting a workshop. It is really nice to have people that will point things like that out to you. Except now you may find me a bit tongue tied as I try to moderate my usage of it.

ham and bean soup

2011-01-30T13:15:00.002-07:00

Week 4's recipe I did without a recipe. I made my mom's ham and bean soup all by myself...and I only called her twice to make sure I was doing it right.
Ingredients:

Left over ham bone with some meat still on it.
4-6 cans of various beans drained. (Depends on much you want to make. I used 2 black, 2 pinto, 1 kidney and I have left overs for a few days. If we had white beans or garbanzo beans handy I would've used that, too.)
1-2 can tomatoes
Sliced or diced carrot (My mom mentioned this one a little too late.)
Onion
Garlic
Salt and Pepper and other seasons to taste. (I threw in a bay leaf.)
1 spoonful brown sugar (optional but I did it)

Directions:
Simmer ham bone for a few hours.
Pull out the ham bone
Add the beans to the broth with onion and garlic and other seasons.
Pull meat off ham bone and add it to the beans.
Simmer and season to taste.

trying real

2011-01-28T13:29:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday I decided to try the Real Food Diet. Not the meatless kind, that wouldn't work for me. The Real Food Diet that you basically eat more whole foods and eliminate processed food and sugar from your meals. It wasn't for the purpose of losing weight, but more for practicing healthy habits. On Wednesday I did really good. I ate lots of fruit and vegetables, eggs, and whole wheat bread. It was great. On Thursday, I started out great. More fruit for breakfast. Some almonds for a snack. After class and the MPA devotional, I had to run to work. On the way out the door I grabbed the refreshments they were serving. As I crossed the street to work I realized the hot dog I was carrying (a good one from Costco) was probably not on the recommended foods list for the Real Food Diet. Oh man. What should I do? I ate it. It was good. Maybe I'll try the diet some other time.

noodles with chicken and asparagus

2011-01-24T09:37:00.004-07:00

Week 3's recipe was supposed to be this, noodles with chicken and asparagus. I found it on the back of the box of rice noodles I used to make Chicken Thai Soup. Alas, I couldn't find Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce anywhere. I even checked at the World Market. I'm sure I could improvise and it would turn out just fine, Thai food is like that, but I haven't done that yet. I will soon. If you happen to find Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce you should give this a try and let me know how it turns out.

INGREDIENTS

1/2-16 oz box (8 oz) Thin Rice Noodle
2 tablespoons oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Fish Sauce or 1 teaspoon salt
1 lb boneless skinless chicken, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 lb (8 oz) thin* asparagus spears, cut into two-inch pieces
*If thicker asparagus is used, boil in salted water 2-3 minutes, drain and immediately cool in ice water. Drain well.

DIRECTIONS

Soak Rice Noodles according to directions on box for stir-fry.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir-fry until golden. Add Fish Sauce and chicken. Stir-fry until done.
Add soy sauce, Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce, and brown sugar. Mix until sugar is dissolved.
Add drained Rice Noodles and asparagus. Stir-fry until noodles are firm but tender. Serve and enjoy.

Serves 4

This Website has a few other savory-looking things probably worth trying.

eclectic

2011-01-21T21:16:00.003-07:00

I went to World Market in Park City today. If you want to know what my future house is going look like...drop by.There are items and styles from all over the globe. So much fun.

ps. I'm not saying that I want to furnish my home with everything from there. I can collect my own stuff from around the world. I'm saying that I want a World Market-ish style and feel in my house. Eclectic and a bit of everything from all over.

where I wouldn’t go

2011-01-19T23:13:00.004-07:00

A few weeks ago I was on a blind date (but that is not the point of this story.) And we were talking about places we’ve been and things we’ve done (usual first date conversation) and that usually leads to top places we would like to go. (Thailand, Greece, New Zealand) Then he asked me to name five places I would never want to go. Well, I had to think about that one. I’d never been asked that. Nothing came to mind. He changed the question to last places I would go. I still couldn’t think of anything. I honestly would go anywhere if the opportunity presented itself. Even the Middle East. (If I was guaranteed safety.) Even the dirtiest part of Africa. I would go for the opportunity to see that part of the world. To see the people. To taste the food. To experience the culture.

I do have the few places that are at the top of my list. But I’ve gone to other places that are not at the top of my list. (Peru, and soon China) If the opportunity comes I take it. I like to try new things, and who knows I may end loving it. (I’ll probably end up loving it.) I would hate to miss out on what could be something really great because I didn’t give it a try. I wasn’t interested in South America until I was sent there a for a year and a half. Now it is one of my favorites places.

Wouldn’t it be sad to miss out on something that could be wonderful and possibly your favorite just because you didn’t give it a chance. It’s better to give things a try in all avenues of life. Travel, food, hobbies, dating...

One of my favorite mommy lines I heard my cousin Erin say to her daughter Lusci when she was protesting eating something. She said, "Try it. You might like it this time." Now to a child, and maybe some adults I know, that might seem like foolishness and a poor excuse for eating something green with funny texture. But others may see the value in it. Giving things another try, even when they haven't been your most favorite in the past, you may discover a whole new world of likes. I discovered one day that I really do like asparagus and shrimp after years of loathing and gagging at the thought of them. Clam chowder...I still can't get past the texture of clams, although I do like the potatoes in it. Maybe one day I'll like mini golf. It could happen. I'll keep giving it a try. I would rather like more things than not.

China? you ask…

2011-01-18T22:47:00.004-07:00

yes, China. I’m going there. I’ve decided to defer graduation a few more months and top off my educational experience with a quick study abroad in China.

I’ll be staying for 6 weeks in Xiamen at Xiamen University and visiting Guilin, Beijing, Nanjing, and Xi'an.

More details to come as I learn more.

Why China? I’ve never been there.

chicken stroganoff

2011-01-18T14:46:00.003-07:00

Week two I tried this: Chicken Stroganoff in the slow cooker. It was a savory meal, but a little bland for my tastes. If I were to try it again I would probably tweak it a bit with some garlic and few other spices.

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (not breasts), trimmed of fat and cut into one-inch cubes
1 Tbsp dehydrated onion or 1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (4 oz) can mushrooms, drained
1 (13.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
2 tsp dried parsley
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine the chicken, onion, mushrooms, cream of chicken soup, and tomato sauce in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours. Add in the parsley, sour cream and salt and pepper. Stir and turn to HIGH. Let sit without lid for 10-15 minutes. Serve over rice.