Long Day

I have been working hard today, I promise. It started off with working on my PowerPoint Presentation for my 2nd interview this week. Very excited for that! I got through all the basics of getting set up for a blog on Blogger (I'm teaching them how to do that) , and then I decided to amp up my example blog. There went the afternoon!! CSS, HTML, coding, parameters.... I was definitely in over my head. I finally was able to understand how to use a template and upload it. The new blog I created is a pet project that I've been stewing over for a while. I love the arts and humanities and have often thought it would be fun to post about those topics for the general enrichment of others. However, I don't think readers of my personal blog necessarily want to be bombarded with that all the time; nor do I think readers about arts and humanities want to hear about my personal life drama. So it works out well to put it on another blog, one that isn't exactly associated with me. I have no intention of linking out to my personal blog from the arts/humanities site, but you are all more than welcome to follow this link and hop on over! I hope that if you're interested, you will follow the other blog and get an un-daily dose of culture, arts, humanities, etc. 

** Friends, assuming this other blog takes off, I know many of you are artistic in your own ways and I'd be happy to have you share your voice there as well! Let's educate the world about the arts! 

Gateway to Art : please be aware that the cool stuff on the page is still under construction and hopefully will be less crazy and more awesome very soon. 

PS: did I mention that the post over there  is all about Halloween? 

Good words

Rare
Beautiful
Intelligent
Unique
Spiritual
Amazing

Good words. Words to make one happy, strong, and believe in oneself. It's been an interesting week, but I'm thankful for these good words from a friend who sees me better than I see myself sometimes. 

Thursday Times

What an interesting day. Good moment: I had a great interview with the company InContact for an Education Consultant position. Basically I'd be training people all the time! I have a second interview next week where they get to see me in action, so I'm looking forward to that. Bad moment: super lame rehearsal. Seriously, we sat all too much time tonight. There were also some interesting cuts (?) made that were rough on all the girls except the 12 who got the top spot. It was not very fun. I did not enjoy it. Obviously, I was not one of the blessed 12. Darn favorites. Granted some girls really deserved it from their dancing. Some I think I was just as good as. Oh well. So tonight was a rough venting night for a bit. And I'm excited for Friday!! It will be an exciting day for sure, if for no other reason than it will be better than tonight. 

Happiness not a destination; it's a way of life. 

Whens-day

Basque region of France - grape arbor

I totally borrowed that title idea from a friend of mine on Facebook (we are also friends in real life, but I saw that idea on Facebook). Today was the day when I interviewed for an office manager position in Kaysville. I realized that despite being a "grown-up" of sorts, I still don't think in terms of long-term commitments. Can I see myself sticking around here for three years? Probably. Five years? Whoa buddy, whipping out the big guns! I didn't see myself staying in Centerville for much more than a month... and it has been so long now that I've had to go "shopping" at my storage unit for my winter clothes, coats, etc. Speaking of which, I'm really befuddled as to where my shoes are. I swear I had a trash can filled with shoes. I know I did. The can must be well hidden in the unit, because I couldn't spot it. I was even climbing around on my nightstands to get a better vantage point and visit my stuff. 


Did I mention that sometimes I just miss my stuff and have been known to go to the storage unit just to look at it? Yeah.... It's true. My bed. Oh my beautiful wonderful bed!!! My dresser and nightstands that I built myself. Go IKEA. My bookshelf. My pictures. No idea where those are at.... My books. It's a good thing they are packed or I would spend too much time just looking at them and thinking of reading them. I would like to find where Swann's Way, by Marcel Proust, is at. I never really read the whole thing and I think I'm ready to try it the second time. 


Tomorrow I have an interview as an education consultant for a company in Salt Lake. I should also be hearing back from Granite School District about whether or not my fingerprints cleared for me to be a substitute teacher. I need to follow through on a freelance writing job as well and get them the forms back. Can I just say it? I keep holding out for the real job. That's what I want. But I've also learned that what I want isn't necessarily where I need to be headed. So on this Whens-day I am again working on finding my path in this nice big world!

Best un-edited picture from 2011 Basque region. Even my photographer friend (Fez Alama) said it was good! I will confess, it was partly luck. Mostly luck. But it's still awesome!

It's only Tuesday?

Time is a mysterious thing. It boggles my mind to consider that time only exists for mortals. How does that work on the other side? Does it have something to do with the E=MC2? The speed of light? That we'll be so filled with literal light that time slows down or does its funky time-ness and...... well, I can't really complete what I'm thinking there because I didn't study much about physics. But yes. Time. Is a wheel that keeps on turning, always moving us around (Thanks LeeAnn). 

I can't believe it is only Tuesday. Monday seems rather far away. Maybe because I actually did things yesterday. For example, I went and got fingerprinted so I can be a substitute teacher in Granite School District. Ideal? No. Something to do and get money for? Yes. After that, I visited my sis-in-law Michelle, and her kids. Actually, my brother was there too, but he was home sick from work so... we didn't visit much. His kids are super cute, as is his wife. (He's a lucky guy!!) We had a fun time just talking and playing together. Then I went to WalMart -- I know, but it really is cheap and I'm on a tight budget these days -- and who should I see getting out of the car in front of me, but my Grandma Burgin! I haven't visited with her since before I left this summer. Long story short.... she lives about one street away from my ex and I just couldn't bring myself to get that close to those memories. I'm really glad we saw each other though! It's nice to visit with family, not to mention important. We didn't talk super long since I had to get dinner and go to FHE. It was a Halloween dance and I went as a nerd. And I watched "The Interpreter" after the dance. Fascinating flick. 

Sorry, my iPod doesn't have the greatest camera and I didn't figure out the best way to transfer it to my  computer...

Well, just got the email that I didn't get the Financial Aid Counselor position at the U of U. I guess I'm happy that I don't have to change my colors.... yes, I'm happy that I get to remain true to my BYU colors. I'm going to watch some Dancing With the Stars now. 

Another Monday

It's another Monday. Once again, I'm sitting here at my computer, looking for jobs. Applying for jobs. Doing miscellaneous work related to jobs and job searching. I may or may not be watching "The Office." I have emails to send to prospective openings, calls to wait for from past interviews, and an arguably promising offer to be a substitute teacher at a near (ish) school district. I think of ways I can be an interesting teacher, a dedicated worker in whatever role I take on... yet it is essentially all in my head. 

What am I supposed to be? Where am I supposed to be? Am I becoming what and who I need to be as I go through this seemingly endless period of ... waiting? 

I've learned a lot about myself. I've learned about finding satisfaction with who I am, regardless of outside impulses. It certainly does help that I'm dancing again and have that outlet, but I'm not sure it necessarily makes me happy. I've gotten to the point where rehearsal isn't nearly as thrilling as performing. But in other things I wonder a lot. Satisfied and happy aren't exactly the same thing. I want real happiness. I want to believe that I can have what I've dreamed of, and things I haven't dreamed of too. I want to believe that I will be gainfully employed. I want to believe that the Lord wants me to be as happy as possible. Well, I know that He does. But I want to believe that His way will align with my dreams in some part as well. 

I know one day I will be blessed with what I desire so much. It's a promise. It's a responsibility I have - to share the gospel with my family, especially my children. I am that I might have joy. Satisfaction is fine, but joy is another realm entirely. So I will press on, ever on. Joy surpasses all. Joy can be elusive. When it happens, it is amazing. I believe it is when your body, soul, and the universe all strike that same chord and resonate. Here's how I described that in my personal tour recap, July 24, 2011. 

"I'm so happy we closed with the double shows on Friday! I haven't felt that way dancing for a while... They talk about how music needs a vibrator for sound to resonate through - the feeling/reverberation I felt at moments during those two shows was magical and incredible." 

I believe that feeling is a special kind of joy, saved for special moments. I look forward to feeling it again, especially as my life unravels itself to reveal which path I will be on next. If anyone has a spare prayer, though, feel free to cast it my way for a job.  

 

Swirling leaves

So earlier this year, as summer was first beginning to fade into fall, I decided that this year I would like Fall. It's not that I had anything against it in the past, but I'm not sure that I necessarily loved it. It is amazing what a conscious attitude choice can do! Not only are the fall leaves more beautiful, the weather is fantastic! I do miss my fall-appropriate shoes and scarves (not sure I'm ready for another trip to the storage unit to forage for them...) but hey, that's a minor thing. 

Another quaking aspen picture (unedited)

I also happened to see this fabulous quote this morning. It seems to fit pretty well with the idea of leaves and fall and swirling up. 

Love...roots up the will like a leaf, and sweeps the whole heart into the abyss.

Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)

"Romantic" Getaway

Now here is a fun story. When Amber and I went to the State Fair, we totally lucked out! See, the first day of the fair they had a vendor tent where people were handing out free samples of their local wares. We totally made the rounds through the tent, trying everything from garlic olive oil dip (pretty awesome on peaches), ice cream sandwiches, local honey, meat, granola, salsa, apples.... to cheese and cake and all sorts of yummy stuff! As we were heading out to see the actual fair, we passed a KSL booth with a drawing for.. well I'm not sure I paid much attention to what it was.... but it was for a weekend getaway to Park City. Amber and I both put our names in, just for the fun of it. We said we'd take each other if one of us actually got drawn.

Guess who won?

ME!

It took a few weeks to get it scheduled up, but we went up to, not Park City, but Deer Valley! It's the swanky ski area. And we were at the fancy Austrian-themed hotel, the Goldener Hirsch Inn. David Duchovny stayed there during Sundance last year! Amber totally got a kick out of that. We had a three-course meal our first evening there and were so stuffed we practically rolled upstairs to our room! I wish I had taken my camera down that night.... actually I also wish I had taken extra batteries on the whole trip, because I ran out during our day out! Thank goodness for my iPod. So here is my romantic getaway to Deer Valley with Amber.

Quaking aspens along the lift ride

Red rose in front of our intricately carved mirror

The sign to our hotel/inn. It's modeled after a much larger space in Salzburg, Austria. I loved the charm of the interior!

The front facade with beautiful wood decks. You can see our deck from here! Top.. middle?  Somewhere on the top. 

With Franz, the famous bear!! 

We are close. And happy. He's on Main Street in Park City, which is where we spent our day Saturday. It was so fun to see such an old-style town and just wander the ritzy streets. (Because it's very old-style, but most shops cater to the Sundance crowd). 

View along Main Street. We were up there during the peak off-season, which I really enjoyed. I'm not a huge crowd person. The weather was also super fantastic! A little cool, but the most perfect fall day ever. 

Loosey the Moose! They have some fun random art up there. 

If I had written this post after I got back, I could tell you some smart fact about just how old this theater is.  So I went and looked it up for you! The original Opera House was built in 1888, but a fire burned a lot of the town, including the original building. This version opened in 1926, highly influenced from the discoveries at King Tut's Tomb. Maybe next time I'll go inside and give you a better description. 

Statue of a miner. Park City more or less got going through silver mining in the mountains. Had the city museum actually been free, I could also share more details you don't exactly care about. Sadly for us all, the museum cost money so I didn't get a great history lesson beyond what I saw along the streets. 

Still, the streets have some great pieces of history. This building was not a hotel anymore, but it still had the original (?) glass work in the pediment space above the doors. Oh, did I mention there were several art venues there? It was great to go see the works of local artists, along with a few works by famous deceased artists. Oh, and they had some stunning sculptural pieces. Loved the natural stone and organic design. 

I saw this cute store front and just had to get a picture! Seriously, Park City Main Street has so much character along that strip of road. Tons of charm. 

We rode the lift up the mountain for some nice scenery. They're probably resort homes, but talk about cute and charming! 

Fall leaves and ski runs.

Probably my favorite picture. I love the look of quaking aspens (thanks mom!) and these ones just looked fabulous with the blue sky behind them. No editing done. Lol, do I ever edit pictures? Umm.. not too often. 

Awesome "closet" at the Inn. I think this one was in the hallways, but it's super cute. I love the hand-painted wood  and the European charm. Some of these had names over each door, kind of like a his and hers. Cute. 

Hand-painted chest with old butter-churn  on top. 

They had lights in the trees!! I love lights. 

There is a hilarious story relating to Amber and I going out and taking pictures. It was a little chilly outside. She had already used the jetted tub (while I was gone at a dance performance). I had probably too much make-up on and both of us were in a state of dress... well that you don't usually go out to meet company in. Especially if it's cold. And then as we dropped the key off with the front desk, I made a brilliant comment about pants. We were wearing them. Flannel ones, even. However, I sort of did not use an adjective with the  pants comment. Rather than saying, "That's why we're wearing long pants, or warm pants," I simply said that to combat the cold: "That's why we're wearing pants."

Did I mention they thought we were a couple when we checked in?? Lesbians that wear no pants. Awesome impression. For what it's worth, I did some damage control for the pants comment once we got inside again to pick up our key. We talked to the front desk guy for like 40 minutes, so I think we effectively removed any ill effects of my awesome comment. It was in that conversation that we learned how expensive our room is during Sundance ($1200+ per night), that David Duchovny stayed in the hotel last year, and that if we come back during Sundance, he might give us some tips for star-spottings.

Old trestle downtown. 

More trees from the lift ride

Us on the lift! It was chilly in the shade. Sorry for the picture on the side...  I clearly didn't figure out how to import from my iPod very well. 

We stopped at this restaurant for a late lunch. I got some great pizza and lunch was fun... until I took an entire glass of water to the lap!! Their tables aren't very stable. Pretty much everyone in the restaurant saw it happen... haha at least they told me that it didn't look too bad and that I was rocking it. 

Two cool things: jetted tub and fluffy robe. You bet I rocked that out, complete with bubbles!!

And that was our romantic trip to Deer Valley! I wish I had food pictures and spa night pictures to share... well... I may have spa night pictures :) But I don't think you really want to see my face with goo on it. If I get the food pics though, I will definitely update! That meal was to DIE for.

Perfect weekend to kick off fall. I've decided this year to embrace the fall season and so far, so good. 

Utah State Fair

Still playing catch up.... how about some State Fair action? 

Tight rope walker

Unicycle on the tightrope

Backflip on a tightrope! So the first time he did this, he landed off-centered and  had to hop down. It looked really painful actually (poor man), but he got back on and tried again! I caught him mid-air in his successful flip. 

High diving men!! You better believe we had great seats for this one :)

They had springboards and these teeny tiny platforms ... I think the highest was 3 meters! 

Not sure I would have been so chill with diving off a tiny platform with the wind blowing as strong as it is ... see those flags? But hey, they're professionals. And attractive.... yeah. :D 

Awesome

Also awesome.... although it would have been better if I'd caught the dive instead of the take off. 

Goofy "dives"!

We went and said hi to the divers afterwards. After we had walked away, I was looking back watching this guy and I guess I wasn't too subtle because they all waved goodbye when they went backstage. Haha oops! 

He's way up there!!

At the end. He survived the jump!

What's a State Fair without some quality butter sculpture? 

In case you can't really tell, it's a cow take on the Hunger Games. That's Katniss... um, Cowness? with the bow there. 

LEMURS!!

Isn't he so cute!?

Awww, so soft and furry.

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled post to show the very first thing I took a picture of at the fair.. the horses!! They had quite a lot and I love them!!
Now returning to your normal post....

AWW!!! So cute! This little guy was pretty tame and was fine being petted and touched. He's holding Amber's hand here. He picked a winner!

Baby lemur!! Seriously, very tiny little guy and super cute. 

See how tiny? See how cute?

At one point he actually climbed into the cup holder. What a sweetie!

Uhm.... I forget what these animals are called. But they're cute too!

Thirsty. Or hungry. Probably both. 

Cute little thing from some exotic place.. awwww...

This is for my mom. I saw this red quilt and thought it was super cute, just had to take a picture!

Owl. Open one (Harry Potter). Watch one. Love one. 

Rodeo!!! Okay, not pictured is the amazing dinner I had at the rodeo. I couldn't find a corn dog that cost less than $7, so I headed off for something cheaper. I decided on a sweet potato, absolutely loaded with butter, sour cream, cheese, green onions, some parmesan... WOW it was amazing! This rodeo clown was great too, and so was the rodeo itself. But I absolutely loved my food. And I felt healthy eating it. Haha, self-deception is alive and well I guess :) . 

Nighttime on the fairway.

Ferris Wheel

Party all night long!

Pretty lights. 

You know, it's really interesting that within the past six weeks or so I've done so many fun things! I guess part of me thought that being jobless and somewhat lacking direction in my future would translate into a boring life. But I feel like I have been learning a valuable lesson: enjoy the journey. In fact, I absolutely loved attending General Conference this weekend and hearing at least two different talks that specifically referenced joy in the journey. I feel like I am slowly learning how to find happiness withing myself, instead of needing external things to make me happy. Perhaps that's a lesson I've needed to learn for a very long time.... if so, then I'm thankful that I am finally getting it through my sometimes-stubborn head. I still really wish I had a job. I still would love to have my own mattress and have my stuff with me. Lol especially if I start needing winter coats soon.... but I'm pretty happy. Content. Enjoying the phase of life that I'm in right now. It's rough every now and then, and then I get a reminder of how happy and blessed I am! 

 I would recommend this same exercise to you—namely, that you take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings, large and small, you have received. ~ President Monson October General Conference 2012

Coming soon to a blog near you: Romantic Getaway for 2 in Deer Valley! Tune in next time for the story and the story behind the story.