On The Weather

I've always questioned the nursery rhyme's claim that the old man couldn't get out of bed because he bumped his head...he had every reason to stay warm in bed, it was raining and pouring. Now, I actually do like the rain. I have fond memories of my friend S and I taking walks around the block in the rain singing. I'm grateful Davis was the kind of place parents let 5 and 6 year-olds run around by themselves on the streets. I have many fond memories of rain, from California, to Utah, to Florida, to Paris, to Morocco, and Spain. But sometimes, sometimes, I loath it and wish I had bumped my head enough to stay in bed. Mostly the frustration related to proper rain gear. How does the saying go, there is no bad weather only improper preparation. I am frequently grossly unprepared for rain.

The road connecting W to eastern civilization is prone to flooding. Has been for as long as I remember. Always along the same stretch of road. Recently it was so bad my tires were splashing water all the way up the side of the onto the roof. It was a relief the little Fiat did not float off the road. 

But as it will (hopefully) rain for extensive periods of time until May I'm trying to head bumping and snoring, I'm all out of vacation so I have to get up in the morning. 

Christmas Tunes

I meant to post this weeks ago...but I ushered in the holiday season with D's annual Christmas concert. See last years here (including a lovely clip from a living room rehearsal I enjoyed). There was a perfect mix of hilarity and touching moments. Considering how things were going at the beginning of the month I was proud of myself for only tearing up a few times.

Afterwards N, D, & I went out for dinner. It also marked the one year anniversary of D starting his law firm, he's accomplished a great deal since last year's concert. Lovely times as always.

Clarity

Yesterday I had a marvelous epiphany. Sitting in the temple with good friends, C & T, as C received her endowment I was completely overcome by how grateful I was to be there with them. The thought flashed through my mind, “well why did you think you were still here?” Not that C specifically needed me, of all people, to be there but I needed to be there, for me. I found a reason behind something that has seriously been frustrating me for months, years even. Not that it is THE reason, but it is definitely A reason to still be here. For the first time I was relieved job applications have been rejected, ideal jobs have been offered to others, and that I haven’t been able to get out of town.

Moments prior, adorable temple workers asked how T & I knew C – flashback: I was not thrilled when I was called to be the Relief Society president for our local church unit (the previous time I did it basically ran away from my ward) only a month before T called me to ask about attending the missionary discussions with C. Even that calling had a bigger purpose, beyond simply humbling me. I have been immeasurably blessed to know these wonderful ladies for the last year and a half. It's nice to realize sometimes that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Sitting quietly in my seat I had the same feeling I get when I turn the last page of a book I’ve loved reading. You know the feeling? Fulfilled, accomplished, enlightened, and knowing you’ll carry the story with you always.

The adorable sister missionaries were kind enough to take our photo.

I know you all can read my mind, and totally extrapolated potential meaning for the end of the book simile.
Sooooo, WHAT IS NEXT?

Exciting stuff!! Check back in January...or March...more likely April...hopefully by May. I got an invitation to interview in DC for a marvelous gig. Cross your fingers.

Holiday Dec-A-Board

It is December, which means the arrival of the annual office dec-a-board competition. I've never worked somewhere that's had so many office parties and events during work hours, normally I decline from participation, but last year they talked me into doing a board. And thus unknowingly I set a precedent for participation. See last year's much more dedicated effort here.I thought I'd go minimalist and carve my board this year. A layer of paint and a knife, what more do you need? After 2 hours of cutting and peeling with lackluster results I changed my plan. By the end I had pulled out the silhouette digital cutter and was letting it do the work for me.

First off, I'm pretty sure I was sabotaged this year as my board was not white - it had signage on one side and a deep groove on the other. 

Also I could not find the box my acrylic paint was packed in to save my life - this genius used oil instead. 

I did like carving out the snowflakes - but the cost/benefit analysis determined it was not a good use of time or arm strength. 

Yay regular paper, blades, and mats!

This is what I ended up with.

Then I went to work and saw what everyone else had done...

This one was my favorite - loved the plastic bowl snow globes.

You placed a marble at the top of the black foam and it rolled down into the box at the bottom. 

I'm pretty sure whoever made this one did not craft those little houses with lights on inside.

Our student assistant made a recommendation that I should add more to mine (which I had conveniently forgotten at home). Just to show I wasn't bitter about last year, when mine really was the best, I made a halfhearted effort and glued more stuff on.

Final product.

I'd tell you the glare/lighting makes the colors look harsh - but I did, in actuality, glue neon-green letters on it. I'm still bitter it was so complicated to carve out the snowflakes. But my participatory office event quota for the year is complete.