GRADUATION!! (Grad School)

Wednesday, September 27

1 year and counting.....

One year ago today I started my blog. No one else read it at that time; I just wanted a place to pour out the thoughts that would never quiet in my head. I have always had a fear of rejection and abandonment; that once people knew what I actually thought they would run screaming into the night. Lol! I did finally let Steph and The Professor read and now I have a couple of people who check in every now and then. If nothing else now I know what I did over the last year.

So this day has been remembered. Now I am going to bed! G’Night

Quote of the Day:
DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY
(If he won't appreciate it find someone who will)

Monday, September 25

Saturday night at the church....

The following post is very long. It is not often that I post my feelings on my religion; it is something that I hold close to my heart and feel inadequate trying to explain. But after this weekends meetings I felt the need to write. Feel free to skip reading this one.


The lights in the chapel are dim. The pews are filled with women of all ages; mothers and daughters, grandmothers and friends. There is the dull roar of chatter as these women catch up on what has been happening since they were last together. I arrive a few minutes early with Erin and Boo. The room quiets as the pre-conference presentation starts and we are given a glimpse into the life of our remarkable prophet through a series of photographs. Our presenters tell of their journey around the world following President Hinkley. The pictures are wonderful. But that is not what we are here for. Finally 8 pm comes…. The conference center in Salt Lake is projected onto the screen and we see women in brightly colored blouses singing a hymn. Women’s conference starts. The Theme is 2nd Nephi 1:15 “...and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of His love.” It is not a smooth beginning; Murphy’s Law requires that there be a technical difficulty right in the middle of the second hymn. Though, again, as beautiful as the music is, that is not what we are here for.

Sister Parkin starts to speak and the reason we have all given up our Saturday night has arrived. We are given the opportunity to listen to the Relief Society leaders of our church. This opportunity comes once a year, and every year I am tempted to skip this meeting. Then as I sit in the dark listening to the words of the Lord for the women of his church, I am reminded why I attend. There is something peaceful in the bond that is built between the women of our church. None of us are the same, yet we are all connected by the bond of Relief Society, something I cannot articulate and even if I could I doubt the world would ever understand.

As the conference progresses my thoughts and feelings are unexplainable; they tumble through my head so fast that I cannot get them all down on paper. Some I am able to capture others I reference in my notes so that I might think on them later. One of these is the question posed by Sister Parkin; “How do you feel the Lord’s love in your life?” I would like to answer this question; if for no other reason then to remind myself.

There are so many ways I feel His love, as a matter of fact, many times a day my friends and co-workers will hear me flippantly say, “God loves me.” I do sincerely recognize how blessed I am. One of the greatest blessing the Lord has given me is my ability to find joy in small things. I live in a city which enables me to get around without a car. On a regular day, I get to walk to the metro station. This takes me about twenty-five to thirty minutes. I love the chance I get to walk in the mornings before sunrise or at night as the sun is setting; there is a feeling that is indescribable. I find His love in the beauty that surrounds me at any given time. The sky can be cloudy and a foreboding grey or it can be clear and a crystal blue. There can be rain or snow, humidity or dry air, beautiful sunshine or twinkling starlight. Regardless of weather I am reminded that this world was created for us, His children. The beauty is awe-inspiring. And as I walk I usually listen to music, it varies according to my mood. It doesn’t have to be a hymn for music to touch your heart. Bach, Beethoven, or even the National Anthem can bring a skip to my step just as quickly as a pop or country song. I have not been gifted with the talent of creating music, but I have been given the blessing of enjoying music. I consider this to be an amazing show of the Lord’s love for me. Not everyone can allow music to transport them to another place. Life is not always comfortable and to be able to find peace and solace in music is an amazing blessing.

There are many other ways that I feel the love of the Lord, but already this blog is too long and I feel too vulnerable. Suffice to say, I am blessed with a large, boisterous and complex family, a wonderful group of friends and a firm knowledge of the sacrifice of my Savior. I will be forever grateful to know that I can be encircled in the arms of His love and that He will not leave me.

Wednesday, September 20

The Cap'n Mad Dog Flint at your service:

Thanks to Shaka, I now know that "Talk like A Pirate Day" was yesterday! I know I missed it but I had to post this....I mean come on, how many times are you going to find out that I am "part crazy, part mangy, and ALL rabid".



My pirate name is:


Mad Dog Flint



Part crazy, part mangy, all rabid, you're the pirate all the others fear might just snap soon. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network


Or that I could be THE CAP'N....


Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.



What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!

Saturday, September 16

The results are in.....

For those that were worried the tests prove......

That I have a Brain!!

Who knew? Lol!

On a more serious note, the tests came back normal.
What ever the issue is, it is not in my brain. So we are back to square one.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Here's hoping that the doctors know where to go from here.

Thursday, September 14

Tribute to Utah

I might never be to keen on moving back home but every so once in a while something comes along that makes me chuckle. Enjoy!


Wednesday, September 13

Today I am in a pensive mood.

I would love to just sit on my couch at home, turn on a bit of Jazz or some nice moody Blues music and stare out the window and just let my minds wander. I could even take some time and read a good book. ;) Unfortunately, this is not possible. First, and foremost, because I have to go to work. Secondly, because I am not feeling well so I would probably fall asleep if I were to do this. Bummer!

It seems that this week seems to be one of deep thoughts and music that winds through the soul. It goes well with the grey rainy days that are outside. I hope every one is enjoying it as much as I am.

Monday, September 11

Sunday, September 10

If you commonly come to my blog you might have noticed a block that appeared on the bottom of the right column a couple of months ago. I become a part of a tribute to the victims of 9/11. I have thought about today’s blog off and on since July. I have tried to learn about Robert D Pugliese from East Fishkill, NY. I do not know much of this man who lost his life that dark day in September five years ago. He was the assistant Vice President of Marsh and McLennon Companies Inc. I know he had a daughter named Lisa who was in college at the time. That isn’t a whole lot.

So what do I write? Along with everyone else in the country I have been thinking about what I was doing that morning. I was living with my family in Orem, UT. I was working 2 jobs at the time while preparing to leave for my mission. That morning my uncle had been watching the morning news in his room as usual; he came running upstairs to turn on the news for us. I only had a few minutes watch before I had to rush off to my morning job at the MTC. I watched the second plane crash into one of the towers and was in shock. I spent the short drive to work wondering what was going on. At the MTC, rumors were running wild. No one knew what was really happening. There was no TV allowed, no radios, no idea what was really happening. But we heard of missionaries stranded in airports around the country. It was un-nerving and frightening. By 10 am I was heading to my second job. I expected this to be the easier of two. I was temping for a company as an admin assistant. Unfortunately, 2 of our men were in New York, one even on the same block as the Towers. I was finally able to learn more about what was happening. Talk about shock and fear. Who would do something like this? I was soon fielding frantic calls from the two wives. There was nothing we could tell these women. No one knew how to contact our guys. Their phones weren’t working. No one knew where they were. I was more then grateful to pass them on to the VP I was assisting. I don’t remember much of the rest of that day.

So why am I remembering this? What do I find so important about that day five years ago? That day taught me what I valued most in this life. I was itching to get out to the mission field. I wanted to tell people that this life was not the end. I wanted people to know that there is something after this life; that those that lost a loved one that horrible day (or any other day before and since) would have the chance to see them again. I wanted to spend as much time with my family as I could, to make sure they knew I loved them. We had already been through so much as a family; I wanted each member to know that I loved them and would always love them. That day showed me that the most important things in my life can be summed up in 2 things; God and Family. I do not know what I would do with out either one.

My heart and prayers go out to the families of those that did not get to come home that day five years ago.

~Rae~

Friday, September 8

Finally....someone who will agree with my mother...sort of. ;)

I promise to try to blog this weekend. All of the testing is finally finished. I should have my test results by next Thursday. I'll let y'all know what the neurologist says then.

So to tie you over until I blog here is the latest quiz I was sent from the girls at Team Ten!

If only life were this easy.






The Regency Romance Quiz: What kind of Romance Heroine are you?




My dear girl, you are clearly On the Shelf. You are unmarried and in your mid-twenties. You are intelligent and sensible, but quiet, and consider yourself plain. You have had several Seasons, but never received an offer, or perhaps you refused the offers you received. The reason for this is that you have always loved the man you danced with shortly after you came out at 18. He, of course, never returned your affections, or even knew about them, and is probably courting your sister. Nevertheless, he always seems to like you, and treats you much as he treats his sisters. Your love for him is immediately evident to everyone else, especially his sister, aunt or mother, who think you are the best possible wife for him. This attitude may prove either helpful or difficult, depending on how much the author likes you. When an accident befalls, your calm practicality and ability to stitch up wounds impresses him, and all of a sudden he finds himself noticing the way your smile transforms your face, lighting your eyes and making you quietly beautiful. His interest and appreciation will quickly turn to love, but he will have to spend the rest of the novel trying to convince you that his affection is genuine and not a result of pity.
Take this quiz!




Thursday, September 7

Some days seem to never end.

I'll blog something positive another day. Until then....

Daniel Powter