Dilemma

So, as might be apparent from my last post, I experienced a "slight" setback in my dating life... if that phrase even begins to describe the situation. (Some might argue that moratorium is a more fitting word). Either way, I'm in a sticky situation right now. As of today I am the proud owner of two EXCELLENT tickets to Christmas Around the World for the Saturday evening show, and I have absolutely no idea who to invite. Chad, my rusty trusty tag-along is married and off in Nebraska. The guy I had planned to ask... well that would be the proverbial fish that inspired me to stop fishing. There are several other stellar guys in the ward but I'm not sure how much they would appreciate being dragged on a semi-random first date to a dance concert where I know everyone and everything that is happening. And to cap it off, any remaining friends I have, old standbys I could call on, well, they're all in the show! The irony. It will be interesting to see what I figure out for that ticket.....

So here is another interesting thought. I ran across Bethanie's blog and saw this nifty thing called Wordle there. Basically it is a word collage that you can create from your blog, random text, etc. I decided to see what my blog would look like in a wordle. The two biggest words on the page? Fish and fishing. Have I not sufficiently expressed my love of dance? My devotion to the art that never dies or wanes, no matter how much my limbs fight me? What about my great interest in music? Painting, drawing, photography? Seriously, dance was one of the smallest words on the page. Be warned-- there may be a very substantial posting in the future extolling the many MANY virtues of dance.

Life is an adventure. I got looking really cute today (I know, pride goeth before the fall) but really, I did look cute! I was looking forward to FHE tonight, partly because we have an awesome group and partly because I could interact with an individual who I'm trying to be friends with (and ONLY friends). Maybe I just wanted to look good so he could see what he was missing out on, as I chatted perfectly happily with my friends. I wore my nice corduroy pants with my baby-doll blouse, did my hair with my 3-barrel waver, and put on my fun black necklace. FHE was canceled tonight. Let me just suggest that there are a few downsides to working with all women... no guy will get the chance to appreciate my masterpiece of me today! By the time I see a guy tonight I will have changed into my running clothes for our evening run. Those are a VERY different kind of cute, if they are cute at all. *Sigh*

Here's a happy story-- I'm going home for Thanksgiving!! I haven't gone home for Thanksgiving since I came to college, so I am super excited to see the family and eat lots of food with them! We have lots of adults so we can play fun games; we have more girls so we can go shopping; we have four-wheelers that most definitely need to be driven! I had a lot of friends ask earlier in the year if I was ever coming back to Missouri... this will be a fast trip but we'll see if I can't visit some old friends there too.

From how this post started off it might seem like I am not satisfied with life right now. While there are some challenges I wish didn't have to happen, I am truly loving life and so grateful for the blessings I've experienced these past few months. I live in a fabulous ward with friendly, spiritual people that I continually enjoy getting to know better. I am on two fantastic dance companies that allow me to refine my skills and continue performing (which makes me so happy! I love the dance stage!). My roommates this year are great gals-- all returned missionaries, and all examples to me in many ways. I have grown so much these past few months, and a lot of that has been from their stellar examples. My testimony of the Saviour has deepened more than I could have thought, and I have felt the very real power of prayer and scripture study in my life. I have a great job working in an uplifting environment with great people. I get to continue my studies while I work, which makes me so thankful to have gotten this job. And, best of all, I have a HUGE family that loves me! I get to visit my adorable nephew, talk with my parents and brothers, and best of all I get to see them all in about 52 hours. (Haha, there's a randomly accurate guess for ya'll who think I'm not so hot on math). The road is always full of pot-holes and puddles, but the journey is so worth it.

Fishing Part 2-- Knowing when to release

Sometimes fishing just doesn't pan out. That's when you reel in the line, pack up the tackle box, and head home, albeit empty-handed. Some days are just better for fishing than others.

Fishing Part 1-- Bait the hook

So, I've decided to take up fishing. I've had a tendency in the past to feel the bite and yank the rod, thus almost always losing the fish. However, given the relaxing (hah!) and enjoyable (sometimes) nature of fishing, I have decided to refine my skills.

Step 1-- Bait the hook

Baiting the hook is probably the hardest part of fishing. You have to take into account so many factors: location, conditions, desired fish, etc. For some fish a wriggling worm does the trick off the bat. Those suckers latch on immediately, but they also tend to get off the hook too. In their eagerness for that shapely worm, they chomp all the wriggling goodness out and don't realize that there is more to the worm than its wiggling.

Other fish require shiny lures. A sparkly bit of brass or tin grabs their eye, and after a cursory investigation they take the line. These fish know that they want that sparkly thing and won't let go very easily.

Fly fishing is arguable one of the better ways to fish. Flies have movement like the worms and capture the eye like the lures. Simple, gentle flicks of the wrist propel the fly over the water, grabbing and keeping the attention of the fish. You can't let the fly linger too long or the fish will get suspicious and won't bite. It requires a delicate balance to move the fly enough to keep the interest of the fish, without making the fly seem schizophrenic and fake. Fortunately, fish aren't always the brightest creatures, so you can make up for some frantic flicking with a gentle, restrained approach.

I have decided to develop my fly fishing technique, as that type of fishing yields some pretty incredible fish. Tonight I baited my hook, selecting a friendly, happy fly, which hopefully comes across as appealing to all fish, though it is intended for one. A few well-placed flicks will hopefully get the desired fish interested and attuned.

Besides working on my fishing tonight, I also played in my intramural volleyball game. We lost... again. But we had so much fun! We are going into tournament play soon and hopefully since we're moving down a little in the division ranks we will actually beat an opponent, not just get really close to beating them. I had some good moments, one involving the splits, although I don't think we got the point in the end. Another good moment that wasn't so good was when I punched my teammate in the face. I didn't mean to. We both went for the ball and at the last second I realized it, but I couldn't stop. So I didn't really swing hard for the ball, but my momentum carried me into him. My head bonked him, probably in the stomach because it was soft for me, and apparently one of my hands hit his face. Kinda hard. I don't think he'll have a shiner, but he did have to sit out and his eye was all red for a few minutes. Behold, the importance of calling the ball, lest you take out your tallest team member.

And, in fishing, the importance of being earnest.

--Sonnet (Untitled)-- 3-11-07

Like ribbons-- wide and swirling swaths of light
That capture moving rhythms-- colour-filled
Expressions-- budding, bursting full and bright
With pulsing life force vibrant, pure, distilled
Into a figure: nature's fairest rose.
A blossom crowned with glory-- filled with fame
That bridges ages past to those more close--
As petals bend to trumpet loud the name
Amidst the crowd. A moment passes-- hush--
With tender homage paid by rev'rent lips
Caressing nature-- springtime's gentlest blush
Arrayed-- a fragrance breathed in hearty sips.
It stands majestic, proud and tall in bloom
So frail, yet strong-- one rose can fill a room.

Rollercoasters

Well I don't have a whole lot of new things to add this week, but I felt like I should say something. Work continues to go well, dance is also keeping me busy, our intramural volleyball team keeps losing but has tons of fun doing so, and life keeps rolling on. It's been a rough week, actually, playing the waiting game and drawing a blank, but I'm hoping that something will change soon-- either my feelings or their actions. (Haha, that is vague. It will stay vague.) BYU won its last home game today-- WOOT!!-- and I took up the stands with my ward this time, as my group ditched out for the game. Fun times! I need to keep getting out and making friends. I forget that sometimes, but they are so awesome and friendly so it all works out in the end. Wow, this is almost as jumbled as some of my journal entries!! I'm working hard to keep a peaceful spirit with and be patient and calm. That seems to be my current challenge. I'm determined to try, though. Well, this should probably end soon for the sake of all involved. LOL

Live well and pray often :)

Treasure Troll

Yes, this was my Halloween costume. Treasure troll! You can't see it, but I even had the belly button jewel.

Yes, this is my hair. Yes, it is standing straight up. Yes, there is something under there (a cup!). Yes, I sprayed it purple (EEK!!!!)

Pretty much the hair made the costume. I'll have to find a full-body shot to post, but really, the hair is where it's at. I can't believe I let someone spray it purple!!!! It washed out great, though, and only suffers from the nasty layers of hairspray and ratting that went into the do. It felt VILE to touch and my hair still hates me and feels quite damaged. Time for a haircut.... any suggestions?

Happy Halloween!

Perhaps it's strange to usher out a lovely fall month with people dressed in crazy costumes hoarding stashes of candy, but what a fun day Halloween can be! I will be posting pictures soon (of South Dakota AND Halloween) so you can all see my crazy costume. Ok, so the costume was boring. But the hair? Hands down I won any contest. All I will say is it involved a cup, hairspray, lots of ratting, and purple hairspray. And glitter. And I spent about half of a movie tonight washing it out. Yes, folks, stay tuned for those pictures!

PS-- thanks for your comments on that last funny post about readership. I think you're all FABULOUS!