The Test
Five hundred twenty-nine thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in star sets or places you see? How about…study hours? In May of two thousand and four, one hundred students were gathered to receive their study assignments for the Advanced Placement European history and World History class. Some students began to study immediately. Not only was there an essay due on the first day of the next school year, but there would also be a test. However, this is not the test that this story is about. Like any other A.P. hopeful, I went home that day and opened the book in preparation to read what was contained in those amazing pages. In between reading about Paleolithic Societies and the Agricultural revolution I found my face buried in the book with the pages being stained with drool. Finally, towards the end of the summer, I panicked. If I couldn’t handle this, how was I supposed to handle the AP test at the end of the year? I had over ten chapters to read and an essay to write and it was only two weeks before school started. So, I delved into my study packet and only read what we would be tested on. To this day I don’t know more than three of the roman emperors, and two of them are called Caesar. Anyway, when I came back from Texas I realized that I had no clue what my essay even was about. Well, I found out and wrote it in two days. I took the test and I was just one below setting the curve. Then the real work began.
Out of the one hundred students who had signed up, only twenty of us stuck with it throughout the year. The essay that was due on the first day was only the first of over thirty five essays. Every Monday I would go into class and take a test on the chapters that we were supposed to have read over the past week. Every three weeks we would have a seventy question test and every single vacation we had large projects. During the entire year my teacher kept drilling into us how hard the test would be. The week before the test, after a years worth of hard work…well, we all wanted to pretty much die. Students were comparing study hours and I stayed out of that. I didn’t want to talk about the difficult time I had spent studying. Nobody would want to hear about how I worked and I slaved over the book. That was the hardest half hour I had ever spent studying. After that I just couldn’t take it anymore. Then and there I decided that the hard work and notes that I had taken all year had to be enough.
The day of the test we were waiting in the career center for the last of us to arrive so that we could go take the test. Well, she had forgotten so we waited all of lunch for her to show up.
Fast forward to the testing room…The packet was on my desk and my pencil was ready. There was no moisture in my mouth. The proctor signaled for us to begin and I opened the test. I laughed when I saw the fist question. I said my prayers at least fifteen times during the multiple choice section; it was a very spiritual experience. I began to think that I should have studied for more than an hour the night before. Just kidding, I was actually very prepared and I got through the multiple choice section without too much difficulty. By law we weren’t supposed to talk about the test for 48 hours after…my class didn’t last forty eight seconds.
Part two was the essays. Although you may not find it funny, I certainly did being there. When the booklets were opened every single student except for me muttered an expletive after seeing the essay topics. It didn’t worry me. In fact, I actually chose one of the hardest ones to write on. Nobody in their right mind would choose that one but I believe that essay was the reason I passed. As I said before, I knew nothing about Rome and what I did know was during the incorrect time period. So, for my final essay I chose to write about the change over time in India between 300 and 600 AD. Sadly, I did not know any changes, only continuities. Since I was already two paragraphs into the paper I decided to talk about what was going on in China at the time while saying that it happened in India. The joke was on me however when I discovered that all of the information that I had written was actually correct.
Fast forward to June…the AP scores came. I was terrified. I wrote an essay on India for crying out loud. I didn’t want to open it, but I didn’t want anybody else to open them to either. Anyway, long story short, I opened the scores and held my breath. Mom thought that I had gotten horrible scores because I sounded like I was crying. Well, I was almost crying, but not because the scores were bad. I was laughing like mom in a movie theater. I was almost screaming. I had gotten not a three like I had expected, but a five on the test. Just pause for a minute…the tests are such that if you fill one in and get it wrong, you are penalized 1.25 points.
Showing posts with label 2006. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2006. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, October 23, 2006
Our True Savior
Our True Savior
Just before Halloween James, Madelyn, and I were having one of the most difficult times of our lives. After talking with our bishop for hours, Madelyn was very tired, hungry, and on top of everything, she even had a cold. After being very good and patient Madelyn finally lost it. She was the most upset I’d ever seen her. While James was finishing up with the Bishop, I went into the dark nursery with Madelyn and tried to calm her even though I was sobbing myself. After awhile I started to pray. As soon as I started, Madelyn laid her head down upon my chest and was calm and quiet. I don’t know exactly what the spirit guided me to say but I do remember asking The Savior to put his arms around Madelyn to comfort her and to let her know how much she was loved. The instant I asked, I felt Madelyn’s breathing slow, her body relax, and I felt The Savior’s arms surround her. My spirit has rarely had such a miraculous change of feeling as I experienced at that moment. As my sobbing turned to joy combined with fear for our families situation, I was also calmed and given the strength to do what I had been praying for daily.
Although my prayer with Madelyn opened me up to the suggestion of the spirit, I didn’t necessarily get the answers that I was hoping for but knew, without a doubt, that I was literally in the hands Lord and was greatly comforted.
1st Nephi 21:14-16
…The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me – but he will show that he hath no.
For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee…
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; they walls are continually before me.
With Love,
Wendy Nielsen and Madelyn Marsha Collins
12/23/2006
Just before Halloween James, Madelyn, and I were having one of the most difficult times of our lives. After talking with our bishop for hours, Madelyn was very tired, hungry, and on top of everything, she even had a cold. After being very good and patient Madelyn finally lost it. She was the most upset I’d ever seen her. While James was finishing up with the Bishop, I went into the dark nursery with Madelyn and tried to calm her even though I was sobbing myself. After awhile I started to pray. As soon as I started, Madelyn laid her head down upon my chest and was calm and quiet. I don’t know exactly what the spirit guided me to say but I do remember asking The Savior to put his arms around Madelyn to comfort her and to let her know how much she was loved. The instant I asked, I felt Madelyn’s breathing slow, her body relax, and I felt The Savior’s arms surround her. My spirit has rarely had such a miraculous change of feeling as I experienced at that moment. As my sobbing turned to joy combined with fear for our families situation, I was also calmed and given the strength to do what I had been praying for daily.
Although my prayer with Madelyn opened me up to the suggestion of the spirit, I didn’t necessarily get the answers that I was hoping for but knew, without a doubt, that I was literally in the hands Lord and was greatly comforted.
1st Nephi 21:14-16
…The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me – but he will show that he hath no.
For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee…
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; they walls are continually before me.
With Love,
Wendy Nielsen and Madelyn Marsha Collins
12/23/2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
One of the things I really like to do is hike
(translation below)
One of the things I really like to do is hike, and one of my favorite places around here to hike is round valley. About two miles from the start is a trail called Hardy Canyon Trail. I ride my bicycle about four miles to the entrance of round valley and then ride two more miles to the start of the trail. Thin I hide my bike I the bushes and trees and start the hike. It is a strenuous hike and I push it a little but just enough to get my heart rate up where it should be for a good workout. When I get to the top, I sit down and eat an orange as I look at the beautiful views all around. On a clear day I can see all the way to the Sierras. After a little rest, I hike back down and ride my bicycle back to the car. What great exercise. The round trip takes about three hours. I haven’t done it for awhile but I am going to start again soon, if I am not too lazy :).
The old man as some of my dear children call me at times :)
Bill 2006
One Saturday night
One Saturday night three of my girlfriends and I decided to go to the movies. It was Date movie, which is was one of those movies that make fun of a ton of other movies. Anyways we got to the theater and there were only a few people in there. We went to the second to top row so there was only one row behind us. The movie started like normal no one was talking and they were all watching the movie. Then as we get into the movie a bit, these two boys in the row behind us started making fun of the movie loudly. Normally I would care and be really upset but in this case they were the funniest thing in that theater the movie was so incredibly terrible. They soon had the whole theater laughing. Near the end of the movie they started quieting down, but we didn’t think anything of it. When the movie was over the girls and I started complaining about how we wasted our money and how we wish we had been told that it would be so bad. As we start getting up to get our things one of the boys that were sitting behind us ran over to us in a hurry. He informed us that they had snuck in alcohol and had been drinking, His friend the other boy had had a bit two much and was passed out on the floor with puke all over him. He wanted out help?! No way! I told him that they got themselves into this situation and they were going to have to get themselves out of it. He freaked out for a bit and ran over to his friend that was laying unconscious on the floor. We started walking out when I heard the sound of a skull banging against the floor. I look over and, ok pause for a second lets say the conscious boys name is Jimmy and the unconscious boys name is Tom. Ok so I looked over and Jimmy was dragging Tom down the stairs by his feet. I then of course, not wanted some dumb kid to die, started running over to the boys to get him to stop dragging him. By the time I got over there Tom’s arms were stuck in between the chairs and the middle railing. I couldn’t believe how stupid these boys were so I decided to help. I stopped Jimmy from pulling toms legs and breaking his arms, and made him step over the the side. I then unhooked Tom’s arms and tried to get the least amount of puke on me so I took of his sweatshirt. I handed it to Jimmy and made him hold them while I started carrying the kid down the stairs. Just fyi he was a very small kid and weighed less than I did. I don’t know why I didn’t go get someone that worked at the theater or why I didn’t bring him out into the lobby but I just didn’t. I carried him out one of the doors to the outside and put him down on the floor. I started asking how much they had to drink and what Tom weighed. Of course Jimmy was still really drunk and didn’t have a clue. Jimmy got on the phone and said that another one of his friends was at the theater but had been in a different movie. The boy comes and finds us behind the theater and I asked if he had anything to drink at all. He said no and I had to make sure so I made him walk a line. He did it and that was good enough for me so I told him he needed to go get his car. He pulls around and I got the kid into the back and started taking his wet clothes off to change him into some new ones the other kid had. By this time a security guard came around the building to smoke, and saw us. He went and got the cops. When the cops arrived I explained everything that was going on. They started to ask the same questions I had before and started being a butt head when no one could tell him the answers. I had already told him that we didn’t know who the boys were we were just trying to help but the didn’t believe us. I started getting interrogated but didn’t really care because I had done nothing wrong. The cops then asked who was going to bring the kid to the emergency room and no one answered. I was not about to bring him to the hospital I felt I had already done enough. The cops started yelling and said if someone doesn’t take him then they were gonna bring us “down town”. I stated again that we would go no farther, especially because we didn’t know them. So the cops called an ambulance and made us all stay while it arrived and started asking more questions. When it got there they put him in the back and took him away. Finally with my little adrenaline rush felt at peace that the kid wasn’t gonna die. Then the cops found out who was drunk and who was not. They put the boys in the back of they’re cars and let us girls go. So there you have it. I normal night that turned into a crazy night!
THE END!
Emily 2006
THE END!
Emily 2006
The best laid plans of mice and Hogs
The best laid plans of mice and Hogs
It was a simple plan, wake up at the crack of dawn, head down to San Diego on my Motorcycle, then up highway 1 with beautiful California weather to visit the family.
It started out with me waking up late and hopping on my motorcycle forgetting my camera, a jacket or any other things I would need. About an hour into my drive I realized I was driving through a desert, and it was pretty hot. I started to get a little worried about sun burn so I’d stop at a store and get some sunblock and something to cover my arms. Oh yeah I was in the middle of the desert. As I neared San Diego I was pretty sure I was pretty burnt. Then the heavy winds started trying to blow me off my bike. That was fun. I also had a headache from an ill fitting helmet but couldn’t take it off since I had to be safe in California. As I finally reached cooler weather and the coast I found a shade tree and some nice grass and took a nap. I then drove up the coast a little more enjoying the wonderfull southern calli traffic. I ended up at the beach in Laguna Miguel. I was thinking about hiking up the hill to the Chinese Buffett near my motel when I saw a restaurant that looked kindof good. The wouldn’t let me inside how I was dressed but told me I could sit out on the patio. It was nicer out there anyway. I ate risotto, a little over hyped, a $140 steak, Wagyu beef with black truffles not very good but fun just to do it. And watched a beautiful sunset over some palm trees and the ocean. The next day up the coast brought the opposite problem, I froze with a biting fog all the way up and nowhere to buy a long sleve shirt or jacket to cover up with. I ended up buying a fleece jacket in San Luis Obispo but it didn’t keep me warm. On the return trip I went through Yosemite. Long story short I baked and froze but it was still a fun trip up to California.
Joseph 2006
It was a simple plan, wake up at the crack of dawn, head down to San Diego on my Motorcycle, then up highway 1 with beautiful California weather to visit the family.
It started out with me waking up late and hopping on my motorcycle forgetting my camera, a jacket or any other things I would need. About an hour into my drive I realized I was driving through a desert, and it was pretty hot. I started to get a little worried about sun burn so I’d stop at a store and get some sunblock and something to cover my arms. Oh yeah I was in the middle of the desert. As I neared San Diego I was pretty sure I was pretty burnt. Then the heavy winds started trying to blow me off my bike. That was fun. I also had a headache from an ill fitting helmet but couldn’t take it off since I had to be safe in California. As I finally reached cooler weather and the coast I found a shade tree and some nice grass and took a nap. I then drove up the coast a little more enjoying the wonderfull southern calli traffic. I ended up at the beach in Laguna Miguel. I was thinking about hiking up the hill to the Chinese Buffett near my motel when I saw a restaurant that looked kindof good. The wouldn’t let me inside how I was dressed but told me I could sit out on the patio. It was nicer out there anyway. I ate risotto, a little over hyped, a $140 steak, Wagyu beef with black truffles not very good but fun just to do it. And watched a beautiful sunset over some palm trees and the ocean. The next day up the coast brought the opposite problem, I froze with a biting fog all the way up and nowhere to buy a long sleve shirt or jacket to cover up with. I ended up buying a fleece jacket in San Luis Obispo but it didn’t keep me warm. On the return trip I went through Yosemite. Long story short I baked and froze but it was still a fun trip up to California.
Joseph 2006
My baseball story
My baseball story
It was only a couple of weeks ago when I got a major-league ball. (A; s game with the old man) I kept waiting for a ball to come my way. But no a ball came in the 1-2-3-4-5 wait a ball is coming ‘Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ITMOOVEDAWAYFROM ME!
Dang it! My first baseball game that I actually liked and I didn’t get a ball yet. The innings continued onward 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. Other people caught balls. The ref actually gave balls to some people. We were sitting up too high and too far away. So the game ended and we had no ball so we were walking home a bit disappointed when we got to the B.A.R.T. station it was more crowded than ever. Then a ball came rolling past us and landed on the B.A.R.T. tracks. I was the only one stupid/brave enough to go and get it. I was careful not to touch the electric rail….or any rail for that matter. And that’s how I got my baseball. P.S. When we arrived at the parking lot we walked around for an hour looking for our car. The lot was almost emptied out. Dad thought our car had to be stolen when we learned that there were two parking lots. Our car was in the other one.
THE END
Joshua 2006
It was only a couple of weeks ago when I got a major-league ball. (A; s game with the old man) I kept waiting for a ball to come my way. But no a ball came in the 1-2-3-4-5 wait a ball is coming ‘Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ITMOOVEDAWAYFROM ME!
Dang it! My first baseball game that I actually liked and I didn’t get a ball yet. The innings continued onward 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. Other people caught balls. The ref actually gave balls to some people. We were sitting up too high and too far away. So the game ended and we had no ball so we were walking home a bit disappointed when we got to the B.A.R.T. station it was more crowded than ever. Then a ball came rolling past us and landed on the B.A.R.T. tracks. I was the only one stupid/brave enough to go and get it. I was careful not to touch the electric rail….or any rail for that matter. And that’s how I got my baseball. P.S. When we arrived at the parking lot we walked around for an hour looking for our car. The lot was almost emptied out. Dad thought our car had to be stolen when we learned that there were two parking lots. Our car was in the other one.
THE END
Joshua 2006
Each child I had was a miracle
Each child I had was a miracle - a great and amazing gift. They were all joy. I am amazed at what they are becoming . . . . still. Growing, ever changing, always learning, sharing, listening to them - seeing their prankster mischevious small young selves peeking out at me from behind them. Look what they are becoming. They have children of their own. I am happy. Sometimes I cry and feel like my heart is breaking. I am confused. Life happens so quickly....someone has put it on fast forward.
Evan's eyes, sharing, happy, excited. Tasks mundane boring. David and Evan helping, enjoyable. Evan sorts the dark socks into the right pile of dirty laundry. He puts the towels in the right place. He makes no mistakes. Mundane and boring becomes a game. Evan smiling while he hands us all the pillows that need to be put onto the bed we're making. He volunteers. The act is so spontaneous that I laugh. I'm having fun. Evan watches Noah and Arwen eat. He seems amazed that they are eating......a LOT. He nibbles. We four at the table.
Austin looking at Grandma. He's letting me into his world. I see trust and a bond that is building that is unique to the two of us. Like a secret we share. I plan short little activities because my attention span needs expanding. How can they have longer ones than I do? Wonder. Amazement. All these babies and children and there will be a bond between us. I am becoming grandma.
Arwen - where does she come up with the words? "Grandma, I want to cuddle". The request comes, like most requests from children while I'm playing ultimate frisbee. We will cuddle Arwen. Choices. Can I ever be content in the perfect moment without being pulled in more directions than I can do? Arwen talking while we eat cake. She finally gets up and gets the entire bottle of cashews because grandma is just doling them out way too slowly,
Madelyn, strong-willed, beautiful, an amazing smile. She has Wendy's eyes when she smiles. Too far away. Sadness. I want her near to me. Closer. I am missing the unfolding of her self like rosebuds opening up a little bit each day - that is the wonder of them - discovering the beauty that is them.
Noah, he melts my heart. He remembers something special that I have forgotten - some secret gladness. Does he remember me from before? The trust and happiness and sharing. "Animal." Eating cake together. "More nuts, grandma". "milk". "more milk". They are all turning into people.
Dallin, laughing. Dallin's smiles. His big blue eyes. His sweet nature. Feeding him a bottle. Watching grandpa feed him a bottle. Dallin rolling over, chewing the joy stick, watching me play Ms pac man. Joshua Aaron Alan, excited to meet him again and again. Change so rapidly. Dark brown hair and eyes. Who is this person? Excited about discovering the unfolding of THEM. Jack - so new, he's barely here. Who is this angel going to become? I can feel the newness, the purity. The accomplishment "I made it! I'm here!"
Walking down a beach on a gray and drizzly but warmish day. All colors are muted - shades of gray. Whales spouting, breeching. Seals slapping their tales and barking. Frenzy. Sea gulls and pelicans hundreds, thousands. Joshua and William. This day is as good and happy as I've ever been in my life. It is a good day. I can't imagine anything in eternity being better. I'm with Joshua and William and there is beauty and wonder - contentment and excitement and I feel good. A killer whale comes out of the water almost up onto the sand. He comes out of the water right in front of us - just a few feet away and makes a sharp turn. He wants to eat a seal. The cows are all in circles - heads facing out and tales in. The bulls are spaced between the various circles of females. Protecting. Barking. Slapping their tales. The killer whale is beautiful. I want the seals to survive. The pelicans and seaguls are in a frenzy probably feasting on pieces of seal.
I am still unfolding. I am still discovering who I am. I am growing and improving. I am becoming grandma. I am still becoming wife. I am still learning to be mother. I am still becoming daughter. We never stop changing, improving, growing. I never want to stop until I am like Jesus. Can you imagin the music and delight to hear his laughter? Mortality. If it's this good - this amazing I want to become like Jesus. I want his attributes, his kindness, his gentleness but I want some things to take awhile because I want to keep on being amazed. I want to keep the amazement and the wonder and the joyous surprise that keeps happening to me - I like the discovery - I like the unfolding.
Marsha 2006
Evan's eyes, sharing, happy, excited. Tasks mundane boring. David and Evan helping, enjoyable. Evan sorts the dark socks into the right pile of dirty laundry. He puts the towels in the right place. He makes no mistakes. Mundane and boring becomes a game. Evan smiling while he hands us all the pillows that need to be put onto the bed we're making. He volunteers. The act is so spontaneous that I laugh. I'm having fun. Evan watches Noah and Arwen eat. He seems amazed that they are eating......a LOT. He nibbles. We four at the table.
Austin looking at Grandma. He's letting me into his world. I see trust and a bond that is building that is unique to the two of us. Like a secret we share. I plan short little activities because my attention span needs expanding. How can they have longer ones than I do? Wonder. Amazement. All these babies and children and there will be a bond between us. I am becoming grandma.
Arwen - where does she come up with the words? "Grandma, I want to cuddle". The request comes, like most requests from children while I'm playing ultimate frisbee. We will cuddle Arwen. Choices. Can I ever be content in the perfect moment without being pulled in more directions than I can do? Arwen talking while we eat cake. She finally gets up and gets the entire bottle of cashews because grandma is just doling them out way too slowly,
Madelyn, strong-willed, beautiful, an amazing smile. She has Wendy's eyes when she smiles. Too far away. Sadness. I want her near to me. Closer. I am missing the unfolding of her self like rosebuds opening up a little bit each day - that is the wonder of them - discovering the beauty that is them.
Noah, he melts my heart. He remembers something special that I have forgotten - some secret gladness. Does he remember me from before? The trust and happiness and sharing. "Animal." Eating cake together. "More nuts, grandma". "milk". "more milk". They are all turning into people.
Dallin, laughing. Dallin's smiles. His big blue eyes. His sweet nature. Feeding him a bottle. Watching grandpa feed him a bottle. Dallin rolling over, chewing the joy stick, watching me play Ms pac man. Joshua Aaron Alan, excited to meet him again and again. Change so rapidly. Dark brown hair and eyes. Who is this person? Excited about discovering the unfolding of THEM. Jack - so new, he's barely here. Who is this angel going to become? I can feel the newness, the purity. The accomplishment "I made it! I'm here!"
Walking down a beach on a gray and drizzly but warmish day. All colors are muted - shades of gray. Whales spouting, breeching. Seals slapping their tales and barking. Frenzy. Sea gulls and pelicans hundreds, thousands. Joshua and William. This day is as good and happy as I've ever been in my life. It is a good day. I can't imagine anything in eternity being better. I'm with Joshua and William and there is beauty and wonder - contentment and excitement and I feel good. A killer whale comes out of the water almost up onto the sand. He comes out of the water right in front of us - just a few feet away and makes a sharp turn. He wants to eat a seal. The cows are all in circles - heads facing out and tales in. The bulls are spaced between the various circles of females. Protecting. Barking. Slapping their tales. The killer whale is beautiful. I want the seals to survive. The pelicans and seaguls are in a frenzy probably feasting on pieces of seal.
I am still unfolding. I am still discovering who I am. I am growing and improving. I am becoming grandma. I am still becoming wife. I am still learning to be mother. I am still becoming daughter. We never stop changing, improving, growing. I never want to stop until I am like Jesus. Can you imagin the music and delight to hear his laughter? Mortality. If it's this good - this amazing I want to become like Jesus. I want his attributes, his kindness, his gentleness but I want some things to take awhile because I want to keep on being amazed. I want to keep the amazement and the wonder and the joyous surprise that keeps happening to me - I like the discovery - I like the unfolding.
Marsha 2006
Covert Plop
Covert Plop
Ok, this story, at first, may seem like it isn’t about me at all; but trust me it is. In order to lay some groundwork, though, we have to talk about Aaron for a bit. You see, growing up it seems like he was always hatching some secret plot and enacting some clandestine operation. Sometimes they were in the basement, sometimes a tree house, sometimes in the nature at black diamond, and it really didn’t end when he grew up, seems like he’s still always planning some covert raid of some sort.
When I was little I just ate all the covertness up. I remember walking to school one day and he found a piece of splintered wood, we picked it up. Later on the walk he found a piece of rubber covered wire and went on to tell me how the wire was a sheath for the wooden dagger we found earlier, and how there were these people that hid such things all around and were seeing who would find them and put the pieces together. He made it seem like there was really some shadowy organization out there somewhere that was placing these daggers and sheathes around. They were also hiding, for some unknown nefarious purpose, any other piece of trash that a child’s imagination might morph into some instrument of destruction, so that the junk would be found by him. Really, I’m not making this up; at least I don’t think I am, and I don’t exactly know if he knew that he was making it up either.
Nevertheless, we need to get on with the story. Suffice it to say that I was pretty in to all of this secret stuff and the covert operations and all. Furthermore, when a big brother told you to do something, you did it; especially when it involved secrets and the possibility of getting caught by shadowy organizations. So all this sets up the situation that comes next. Aaron was about to set off on one of his secret raids or some such activity and he needed an accomplice. Well maybe he just didn’t want me going up in the attic with him; but in any case I was tasked with being a sentinel at the base of the stairs while he completed his mission in the attic. I was told in no uncertain terms not to leave my post until he returned. So I stayed…and stayed…and stayed. However, after a while I became conflicted; for, while I was supposed to stay at my lookout, I felt a growing need to go to the bathroom. I couldn’t possibly fulfill both of my tasks, obviously I had to choose between them…or did I?
Interesting fact #1: Secret agents are chosen based partly on their ability to do multiple things at once, and the best kind of secret agent is one that can multi-task to get several objectives done at the same time. That day, I was the best kind of secret agent.
Interesting fact#2: It is no fun to stand as sentinel with a deuce in your drawers…especially the runny kind.
So after what seemed like an eternity Aaron completed his objective and came back down the stairs. My commitment to him was over, but now I had a new mission to complete, a covert operation of my own to perform. Nobody could ever discover the sacrifices that had to be made to complete Aaron’s mission that day, not even him. All evidence must be disposed of, but how to do that while not throwing away my shorts and wasting money, it was a real enigma. The epiphany struck, I could leave my shorts in the bathroom just around the corner. If I left them in the shower they might never be found, and if they were, younger siblings could be framed, or better yet, the evidence would probably be eaten by dogs. Disgusting, I know but these missions oft times called for desperate measures. So I enacted the plan flawlessly and while I don’t remember my escape route that day, it probably involved a streaking boy, naked as the day he was born, from the waist down dashing around the pool, through the gate, up the stairs, over the deck. Past the first doors and finally into the second set of doors, safe again, back at base.
The mission must have been a success, because those shorts were never seen again…at least not by me.
Matthew 2006
Ok, this story, at first, may seem like it isn’t about me at all; but trust me it is. In order to lay some groundwork, though, we have to talk about Aaron for a bit. You see, growing up it seems like he was always hatching some secret plot and enacting some clandestine operation. Sometimes they were in the basement, sometimes a tree house, sometimes in the nature at black diamond, and it really didn’t end when he grew up, seems like he’s still always planning some covert raid of some sort.
When I was little I just ate all the covertness up. I remember walking to school one day and he found a piece of splintered wood, we picked it up. Later on the walk he found a piece of rubber covered wire and went on to tell me how the wire was a sheath for the wooden dagger we found earlier, and how there were these people that hid such things all around and were seeing who would find them and put the pieces together. He made it seem like there was really some shadowy organization out there somewhere that was placing these daggers and sheathes around. They were also hiding, for some unknown nefarious purpose, any other piece of trash that a child’s imagination might morph into some instrument of destruction, so that the junk would be found by him. Really, I’m not making this up; at least I don’t think I am, and I don’t exactly know if he knew that he was making it up either.
Nevertheless, we need to get on with the story. Suffice it to say that I was pretty in to all of this secret stuff and the covert operations and all. Furthermore, when a big brother told you to do something, you did it; especially when it involved secrets and the possibility of getting caught by shadowy organizations. So all this sets up the situation that comes next. Aaron was about to set off on one of his secret raids or some such activity and he needed an accomplice. Well maybe he just didn’t want me going up in the attic with him; but in any case I was tasked with being a sentinel at the base of the stairs while he completed his mission in the attic. I was told in no uncertain terms not to leave my post until he returned. So I stayed…and stayed…and stayed. However, after a while I became conflicted; for, while I was supposed to stay at my lookout, I felt a growing need to go to the bathroom. I couldn’t possibly fulfill both of my tasks, obviously I had to choose between them…or did I?
Interesting fact #1: Secret agents are chosen based partly on their ability to do multiple things at once, and the best kind of secret agent is one that can multi-task to get several objectives done at the same time. That day, I was the best kind of secret agent.
Interesting fact#2: It is no fun to stand as sentinel with a deuce in your drawers…especially the runny kind.
So after what seemed like an eternity Aaron completed his objective and came back down the stairs. My commitment to him was over, but now I had a new mission to complete, a covert operation of my own to perform. Nobody could ever discover the sacrifices that had to be made to complete Aaron’s mission that day, not even him. All evidence must be disposed of, but how to do that while not throwing away my shorts and wasting money, it was a real enigma. The epiphany struck, I could leave my shorts in the bathroom just around the corner. If I left them in the shower they might never be found, and if they were, younger siblings could be framed, or better yet, the evidence would probably be eaten by dogs. Disgusting, I know but these missions oft times called for desperate measures. So I enacted the plan flawlessly and while I don’t remember my escape route that day, it probably involved a streaking boy, naked as the day he was born, from the waist down dashing around the pool, through the gate, up the stairs, over the deck. Past the first doors and finally into the second set of doors, safe again, back at base.
The mission must have been a success, because those shorts were never seen again…at least not by me.
Matthew 2006
BYU Experience
BYU Experience
Walking across the tile floor of the library a sad and sentimental feeling came over me. This could very near be one of the last times, for a long time, that I would set foot in this place. As I walked to my final, I gazed at all of the beautiful buildings covered in snow. Memories flooded my mind of good times, hard times, and the great spirituality that I had experienced at BYU. As all of you know I recently graduated from BYU. It is definitely a different environment then anywhere else. When I first transferred to BYU from Cal Poly it was shocking to say the least. I remember walking out of my apartment on my way to drive to conference and I heard it playing in every one’s apartments. It struck me as so odd, yet amazing, that every person around me had my same faith. From ward prayer, insanely quick engagements, family home evening with your peers, and the honor code, BYU if definitely a unique place. My first cheesy BYU experience that I remember was hanging out with friends on a Sunday night and some how a reference for Mulan came up. The entire room, boys included, then started to sing the “Be a Man” song. Something else I LOVE about BYU/Provo is all of the snow. I remember the first time I went sledding, it was so amazing! A bunch of kids and I brought any kind of sled or disk we could find, and tore our bodies apart in Rock Canyon Park. I had never been before, and I decided that I would have to go as much as possible from then on out! The other night we (as in 30 kids) had a ginormaous snow ball fight! I made a snow man and my friends made a five foot tall snow ball. One memory that will always make me laugh happened a few months ago. My calling this last semester was FHE leader. My partner and I decided that it would be so fun to play night games outside in the rain. We had a good turn out and headed to the duck pond south of campus. We started off with hide and seek. The rain was coming down in buckets and we had so much fun being completely stealth, and then slipping like total goofs. We played sardines next and had a great time combing the bushes for the sneaky hiders. We played a couple of hours when we decided it was time to rap it up. We decided to get down and dirty with our last sardine’s game, and everyone hid so well. I curled up in a ball, under a pine trees bough, in the mud! I stayed so still, and felt so cool because it had been so long and I hadn’t been found. However, it got to be really long so I snuck out, and so had other people. We realized that no one was looking for us! The boy that was it thought we had all ditched him so he went home to get a sweatshirt and some dinner. We were all so peeved! The funny part was that one of the guys that had hid fell asleep under the tree and after us yelling for 5 minutes, not wanting to leave him behind, he woke up and came out! A friend also thought he broke his arm, so we got to make a visit to the emergency room. It was so funny, this boy thought he broke it early on, but wanted to keep playing! While this is just a small story, BYU provided me with many of these experiences. Every time something like this happened, I would get this feeling of gratitude for youth that are willing to make fun anywhere and do it righteously. I loved my time at BYU, and I am so glad that I went there. These last three years taught me so much, and I am grateful for everything I learned. BYU is Awesome!
Meghan 2006
Walking across the tile floor of the library a sad and sentimental feeling came over me. This could very near be one of the last times, for a long time, that I would set foot in this place. As I walked to my final, I gazed at all of the beautiful buildings covered in snow. Memories flooded my mind of good times, hard times, and the great spirituality that I had experienced at BYU. As all of you know I recently graduated from BYU. It is definitely a different environment then anywhere else. When I first transferred to BYU from Cal Poly it was shocking to say the least. I remember walking out of my apartment on my way to drive to conference and I heard it playing in every one’s apartments. It struck me as so odd, yet amazing, that every person around me had my same faith. From ward prayer, insanely quick engagements, family home evening with your peers, and the honor code, BYU if definitely a unique place. My first cheesy BYU experience that I remember was hanging out with friends on a Sunday night and some how a reference for Mulan came up. The entire room, boys included, then started to sing the “Be a Man” song. Something else I LOVE about BYU/Provo is all of the snow. I remember the first time I went sledding, it was so amazing! A bunch of kids and I brought any kind of sled or disk we could find, and tore our bodies apart in Rock Canyon Park. I had never been before, and I decided that I would have to go as much as possible from then on out! The other night we (as in 30 kids) had a ginormaous snow ball fight! I made a snow man and my friends made a five foot tall snow ball. One memory that will always make me laugh happened a few months ago. My calling this last semester was FHE leader. My partner and I decided that it would be so fun to play night games outside in the rain. We had a good turn out and headed to the duck pond south of campus. We started off with hide and seek. The rain was coming down in buckets and we had so much fun being completely stealth, and then slipping like total goofs. We played sardines next and had a great time combing the bushes for the sneaky hiders. We played a couple of hours when we decided it was time to rap it up. We decided to get down and dirty with our last sardine’s game, and everyone hid so well. I curled up in a ball, under a pine trees bough, in the mud! I stayed so still, and felt so cool because it had been so long and I hadn’t been found. However, it got to be really long so I snuck out, and so had other people. We realized that no one was looking for us! The boy that was it thought we had all ditched him so he went home to get a sweatshirt and some dinner. We were all so peeved! The funny part was that one of the guys that had hid fell asleep under the tree and after us yelling for 5 minutes, not wanting to leave him behind, he woke up and came out! A friend also thought he broke his arm, so we got to make a visit to the emergency room. It was so funny, this boy thought he broke it early on, but wanted to keep playing! While this is just a small story, BYU provided me with many of these experiences. Every time something like this happened, I would get this feeling of gratitude for youth that are willing to make fun anywhere and do it righteously. I loved my time at BYU, and I am so glad that I went there. These last three years taught me so much, and I am grateful for everything I learned. BYU is Awesome!
Meghan 2006
Austin’s first camping trip
Austin’s first camping trip
This may be cheating a bit since Austin is the star of this story, but since he can’t remember it I figure the next best thing is for me to tell it on his behalf.
I want my children to love nature and feel at home in the elements. I figure the best way to do this is expose them at a young age to the great out doors. I’m sad to say that Austin’s first exposure ended up exposing him a little too much. I just hope it won’t back fire on me causing Austin to have deep subliminal memories of not liking camping all that much.
Austin was a little less than 3 months old. Heidi and I had a 3 day weekend and wanted to capitalize on it. Camping all three days would be a bit much with a baby so should we hike up Friday night and camp over till Saturday or Sunday night and camp till Monday? The weather man said it would be best for us to go sooner than later since Saturday day evening was expecting a storm. This would not be much of a problem we hoped since we would be hiking out Saturday afternoon. Heidi’s brother, his wife and our friend Rich would be coming with us. We made up some delicious tin foil dinners and were excited to get on the mountain. It was a beautiful day and the hike into the camp site as well as that night went as planned. Until about 3am that is. Heidi and I woke to the sounds of thunder and hail. I was worried that our rain fly would not hold or water could flow between our ground tarp and tent. But to my delight the tent stayed dry. Austin woke up periodically as new babies do to eat and with each waking I was still pleased to find us dry. If I had a flash light I would have not been so confident because I would have seen that our little tent* was caving under the weight of the hail. When the morning came I saw how dire our situation was. The top of the tent was almost touching our noses, for a brief moment I felt some pride for the fact that we were still dry. However we would not be for very long. I called over to the other tent where our three companions were sleeping and they were dry with no threat of infiltrating water. Heidi and I made up our minds, we stuffed our sleeping bags and packed our stuff just incase our tent didn’t hold and ran it and ourselves over to the neighboring tent. This tent was one of those Coleman Costco jobs with a high ceiling and plenty of space.
So there the five of us were, very comfortable with all intentions of waiting out the storm. But if you recall there were six people on this little trip. Austin was not comfortable, but would be as soon as he emptied his bowels into his diaper. Unfortunately his diaper was not quite big enough and poop exploded up his back and down his legs. This was not so good but fixable. So Heidi set about to remedy the problem with Katie’s help. I was on my feet at this time and noticed that the top of the tent was bowing a little under the hail. Katie told me to simply swat it, she’d done it before, and so I did. Instantly a rush of water poured into the tent. In slow motion I saw this water fall towards my unsuspecting innocent son’s face. He gasped as ice cold water bathed his face and washed down his chest. Remember he was nude because of the blow out diaper. Seconds later but what seemed like forever, his gasp turned into an enraged cry. Now Heidi’s skills would be tested. Could she calm, clean, dry and dress a baby in a tent that was slowly filling with frigid water. Well she could and did but it was not easy. I couldn’t help because I was trying to keep the rest of the hail/water out by holding the broken flap. Water trickled down my arm and soaked my clothes. I felt more and more sorry for my little trusting boy.
Now we were not so able to wait out the storm. Poopy water in the bottom of the tent and freezing water entering it helped make the decision to just break camp in the hail. Heidi sought refuge in a near by out house while I packed up our tent and everything else. While packing we noticed many fallen branches, some of which were quite large and could have done some damage had they fallen on us. Finally we set out with our noses pointing home. Austin slept most of the hike back and was nice and warm even though the rain didn’t let up. Well…it finally did when we reached the car.
* This is one of those tents that has two poles but instead of crossing each other they are just a big half circle and a little half circle allowing the tent to droop in the middle.
Michael 2006
This may be cheating a bit since Austin is the star of this story, but since he can’t remember it I figure the next best thing is for me to tell it on his behalf.
I want my children to love nature and feel at home in the elements. I figure the best way to do this is expose them at a young age to the great out doors. I’m sad to say that Austin’s first exposure ended up exposing him a little too much. I just hope it won’t back fire on me causing Austin to have deep subliminal memories of not liking camping all that much.
Austin was a little less than 3 months old. Heidi and I had a 3 day weekend and wanted to capitalize on it. Camping all three days would be a bit much with a baby so should we hike up Friday night and camp over till Saturday or Sunday night and camp till Monday? The weather man said it would be best for us to go sooner than later since Saturday day evening was expecting a storm. This would not be much of a problem we hoped since we would be hiking out Saturday afternoon. Heidi’s brother, his wife and our friend Rich would be coming with us. We made up some delicious tin foil dinners and were excited to get on the mountain. It was a beautiful day and the hike into the camp site as well as that night went as planned. Until about 3am that is. Heidi and I woke to the sounds of thunder and hail. I was worried that our rain fly would not hold or water could flow between our ground tarp and tent. But to my delight the tent stayed dry. Austin woke up periodically as new babies do to eat and with each waking I was still pleased to find us dry. If I had a flash light I would have not been so confident because I would have seen that our little tent* was caving under the weight of the hail. When the morning came I saw how dire our situation was. The top of the tent was almost touching our noses, for a brief moment I felt some pride for the fact that we were still dry. However we would not be for very long. I called over to the other tent where our three companions were sleeping and they were dry with no threat of infiltrating water. Heidi and I made up our minds, we stuffed our sleeping bags and packed our stuff just incase our tent didn’t hold and ran it and ourselves over to the neighboring tent. This tent was one of those Coleman Costco jobs with a high ceiling and plenty of space.
So there the five of us were, very comfortable with all intentions of waiting out the storm. But if you recall there were six people on this little trip. Austin was not comfortable, but would be as soon as he emptied his bowels into his diaper. Unfortunately his diaper was not quite big enough and poop exploded up his back and down his legs. This was not so good but fixable. So Heidi set about to remedy the problem with Katie’s help. I was on my feet at this time and noticed that the top of the tent was bowing a little under the hail. Katie told me to simply swat it, she’d done it before, and so I did. Instantly a rush of water poured into the tent. In slow motion I saw this water fall towards my unsuspecting innocent son’s face. He gasped as ice cold water bathed his face and washed down his chest. Remember he was nude because of the blow out diaper. Seconds later but what seemed like forever, his gasp turned into an enraged cry. Now Heidi’s skills would be tested. Could she calm, clean, dry and dress a baby in a tent that was slowly filling with frigid water. Well she could and did but it was not easy. I couldn’t help because I was trying to keep the rest of the hail/water out by holding the broken flap. Water trickled down my arm and soaked my clothes. I felt more and more sorry for my little trusting boy.
Now we were not so able to wait out the storm. Poopy water in the bottom of the tent and freezing water entering it helped make the decision to just break camp in the hail. Heidi sought refuge in a near by out house while I packed up our tent and everything else. While packing we noticed many fallen branches, some of which were quite large and could have done some damage had they fallen on us. Finally we set out with our noses pointing home. Austin slept most of the hike back and was nice and warm even though the rain didn’t let up. Well…it finally did when we reached the car.
* This is one of those tents that has two poles but instead of crossing each other they are just a big half circle and a little half circle allowing the tent to droop in the middle.
Michael 2006
Driving back in 1982
Here’s a story about our driving back in 1982 we had our van. Remember our van? So we were going back to Utah in the summer of 1982. I got all upset and emotional because mom was going over 65 miles per hour and it was 55 miles per hour all over the United States even in Texas and through Nevada where the speed limit in now 80 miles per hour in Texas but only during the day and 65 miles per hour at night. Yeah, so, the speed limit is now 75 through Nevada. I used to get all upset because mom was going over 65 miles per hour in 1982 but if dad drove all the way I would have been happier. Dad went over the speed limit and it didn’t bother me. I was that way back then. So you know what? And if mom was going a little bit under 65 like 63 to 64 ½ I wouldn’t have been so upset in 1982.
So dad was following behind a huge big van and he was doing about 60 miles per hour and that truck was cruising by us at 75 and dad later on was going more than 70 miles per hour and that truck still pulled away from him and….. later on when we were going back to Utah, mom was following a truck going 75 miles and hour and that’s why I was sad at the time we drove up to grandma and grandpa’s house. If dad had driven all the way I would not have been so upset or in other words if mom was just doing 60 miles per hour I also would not have been so upset.
On the way home from Utah, dad was going nearly 75 miles per hour and that truck was still pulling away from him but the truck was pulling away from him and if he had kept up with it he probably would have gone 75 miles per hour and between those times I remember riding with dad in the van and dad didn’t go much over 55 miles per hour but you know what if dad had gone 75 miles per hour or faster I would have been happy and. . . dad used to drive us to our soccer practice and her used to exceed 65 miles per hour and that made me happy in 1982.
Also we were gong to Aunt Hope’s house to visit her and dad went down Kirker pass on the way home from Aunt Hope's, doing 70 miles per hour. And that’s my story.
David 2006
So dad was following behind a huge big van and he was doing about 60 miles per hour and that truck was cruising by us at 75 and dad later on was going more than 70 miles per hour and that truck still pulled away from him and….. later on when we were going back to Utah, mom was following a truck going 75 miles and hour and that’s why I was sad at the time we drove up to grandma and grandpa’s house. If dad had driven all the way I would not have been so upset or in other words if mom was just doing 60 miles per hour I also would not have been so upset.
On the way home from Utah, dad was going nearly 75 miles per hour and that truck was still pulling away from him but the truck was pulling away from him and if he had kept up with it he probably would have gone 75 miles per hour and between those times I remember riding with dad in the van and dad didn’t go much over 55 miles per hour but you know what if dad had gone 75 miles per hour or faster I would have been happy and. . . dad used to drive us to our soccer practice and her used to exceed 65 miles per hour and that made me happy in 1982.
Also we were gong to Aunt Hope’s house to visit her and dad went down Kirker pass on the way home from Aunt Hope's, doing 70 miles per hour. And that’s my story.
David 2006
How Are Spu Feeling?
How Are Spu Feeling?
I don’t quite remember what wonderful adventure I had that day, but I do remember it was carnival like and there was a lot of cotton candy, chocolate and other such delectable sweets. I snuggled into bed next to my little sis’ completely exhausted and filled to the brim ready for a peaceful night of sugar plum fairies dancing in my head.
Time passes and the sun rises.
When I woke up I was still snuggled up by my lil’ sis, but things were not quite the same. I noticed that I was in nothing but my scivies, and my sister was dressed the same. We were no longer in our bed but on our lovely rust red carpet. Not only was our bed unoccupied but the sheets were ripped off and the mattress was on its side. Hmmm, that’s strange.
We sought out the parental figures for some explanation to the madness. What was it you ask? Well you would never guess, unless of course you’ve heard this story before.
Apparently, while peacefully dreaming my mother heard the sounds a mother hates to hear in the night. The sound of a sweet little one losing their dinner all over the bed. She flew out of bed like only a mother can to rescue her poor sick child and was not ready for the horrid scene that played out before her eyes. There we were, my sister and I, sitting up in bed throwing up all over each other. Whether one of us was sick and the other merely reacting to the other we will never know because neither of us have any recollection of the night. Of puking all over each other getting stripped down and thrown on the floor while my mom worked feverishly scrubbing down the gumbo room. I guess I can’t say it was a very memorable night for it’s a fun story to tell and one I hope to never relive as a mother.
Bethany 2006
I don’t quite remember what wonderful adventure I had that day, but I do remember it was carnival like and there was a lot of cotton candy, chocolate and other such delectable sweets. I snuggled into bed next to my little sis’ completely exhausted and filled to the brim ready for a peaceful night of sugar plum fairies dancing in my head.
Time passes and the sun rises.
When I woke up I was still snuggled up by my lil’ sis, but things were not quite the same. I noticed that I was in nothing but my scivies, and my sister was dressed the same. We were no longer in our bed but on our lovely rust red carpet. Not only was our bed unoccupied but the sheets were ripped off and the mattress was on its side. Hmmm, that’s strange.
We sought out the parental figures for some explanation to the madness. What was it you ask? Well you would never guess, unless of course you’ve heard this story before.
Apparently, while peacefully dreaming my mother heard the sounds a mother hates to hear in the night. The sound of a sweet little one losing their dinner all over the bed. She flew out of bed like only a mother can to rescue her poor sick child and was not ready for the horrid scene that played out before her eyes. There we were, my sister and I, sitting up in bed throwing up all over each other. Whether one of us was sick and the other merely reacting to the other we will never know because neither of us have any recollection of the night. Of puking all over each other getting stripped down and thrown on the floor while my mom worked feverishly scrubbing down the gumbo room. I guess I can’t say it was a very memorable night for it’s a fun story to tell and one I hope to never relive as a mother.
Bethany 2006
Snow Cones, Funnel Cakes, and Snickers on a Stick
Snow Cones, Funnel Cakes, and Snickers on a Stick
I like sweet things. The more sugar in them, the better. Aaron and I went to Portland’s Saturday Market one Saturday. It’s this neat place where lots of hippy vendors are selling crazy hippy things like blankets for your dog that are made out of recycled pop bottles. I was 5 or 6 months pregnant with Arwen and really thirsty. But I didn’t just want a drink, I wanted a snow cone. We found a vendor selling them. Yea!! He was a no speaka, but I did manage to convey to him what I wanted. He then proceeded to take his hands…his ungloved and I’m sure unwashed hands (I didn’t see him wash them!!) and scoop out some ice and shove it in the snow cone cup. Then he sprayed the yellow flavoring on (probably yellow to disguise the gunk that came off his hands) and handed it to me. I kind of looked at it, then him, then Aaron with a quizzical look on my face. I took a bite. Tasted fine to me! For some crazy reason Aaron wouldn’t eat any. Go figure!!
Here in Portland we have what is called an Elephant Ear. It a big deep fried piece of bread with cinnamon sugar on top. They’re pretty good, but not as good as a funnel cake. Aaron and I went back to Denver and went to a Colorado Rockies game with my Dad. My Sister and I really wanted a funnel cake. Only one vendor sells them there and we managed to find where! We asked for a funnel cake and the guy working behind the counter pulled one out of the warmer and handed it to us. We paid for it and started to walk back to our seats. My sister took a bite on the way back. I heard this loud CRUCNH. I wanted some too. I took a bite…it was as hard as a rock! We looked at each other and Kelly was like, “I think it’s a little overdone.” I put two and two together and started to laugh. “It’s the display funnel cake!!” I couldn’t stop laughing! We went back to ask for a real one. We told a girl what happened and she was appalled that we ate their month old funnel cake. We got another one with complimentary ice cream all over it. In case you ever have the opportunity to have ice cream on your funnel cake, just say no.
The Washington County Fair is pretty fun. We love to go and look at all the prize winning animals and let the kids ride the rides. Of course you can’t go the fair without getting something yummy. We saw a stand that sold deep fried treats. I had heard about this and really wanted to try one. I almost ordered a deep fried Twinkie, but opted for a deep fried Snickers Bar instead. Now, if I was observant like Aaron, maybe I would have really enjoyed my deep fried treat. I asked for the Snickers Bar and the guy was about to deep fry one when the “manager” pointed to the one in the warmer. I didn’t notice any of this. Too bad, because the Snickers Bar in the warmer was soggy. It wasn’t even nice and crunchy like something deep fried should be. Yet, we finished it up! I guess I like sweet things so much, I’m even willing to eat things most humans would not!!
I like sweet things. The more sugar in them, the better. Aaron and I went to Portland’s Saturday Market one Saturday. It’s this neat place where lots of hippy vendors are selling crazy hippy things like blankets for your dog that are made out of recycled pop bottles. I was 5 or 6 months pregnant with Arwen and really thirsty. But I didn’t just want a drink, I wanted a snow cone. We found a vendor selling them. Yea!! He was a no speaka, but I did manage to convey to him what I wanted. He then proceeded to take his hands…his ungloved and I’m sure unwashed hands (I didn’t see him wash them!!) and scoop out some ice and shove it in the snow cone cup. Then he sprayed the yellow flavoring on (probably yellow to disguise the gunk that came off his hands) and handed it to me. I kind of looked at it, then him, then Aaron with a quizzical look on my face. I took a bite. Tasted fine to me! For some crazy reason Aaron wouldn’t eat any. Go figure!!
Here in Portland we have what is called an Elephant Ear. It a big deep fried piece of bread with cinnamon sugar on top. They’re pretty good, but not as good as a funnel cake. Aaron and I went back to Denver and went to a Colorado Rockies game with my Dad. My Sister and I really wanted a funnel cake. Only one vendor sells them there and we managed to find where! We asked for a funnel cake and the guy working behind the counter pulled one out of the warmer and handed it to us. We paid for it and started to walk back to our seats. My sister took a bite on the way back. I heard this loud CRUCNH. I wanted some too. I took a bite…it was as hard as a rock! We looked at each other and Kelly was like, “I think it’s a little overdone.” I put two and two together and started to laugh. “It’s the display funnel cake!!” I couldn’t stop laughing! We went back to ask for a real one. We told a girl what happened and she was appalled that we ate their month old funnel cake. We got another one with complimentary ice cream all over it. In case you ever have the opportunity to have ice cream on your funnel cake, just say no.
The Washington County Fair is pretty fun. We love to go and look at all the prize winning animals and let the kids ride the rides. Of course you can’t go the fair without getting something yummy. We saw a stand that sold deep fried treats. I had heard about this and really wanted to try one. I almost ordered a deep fried Twinkie, but opted for a deep fried Snickers Bar instead. Now, if I was observant like Aaron, maybe I would have really enjoyed my deep fried treat. I asked for the Snickers Bar and the guy was about to deep fry one when the “manager” pointed to the one in the warmer. I didn’t notice any of this. Too bad, because the Snickers Bar in the warmer was soggy. It wasn’t even nice and crunchy like something deep fried should be. Yet, we finished it up! I guess I like sweet things so much, I’m even willing to eat things most humans would not!!
I’d Do It Again
I’d Do It Again
I originally wrote another story for my Christmas story this year, but this is the story that wants to be told. All three of my kids are amazing. Arwen is such a princess. She is content when everyone is happy and does her best to make everyone happy. She has such a happy spirit. It is hard for me to tell what Joshua will be like. Thus far, he is a very mellow little baby. He is such an awesome sleeper and that is the greatest gift a child can give his mother. There is something about my Noah that I connect with. Noah is the wildest child I have and by far the most mischievous. He makes me crazy! But Noah has such a sweet, sensitive nature. He is content to sit on my lap and cuddle for hours. He has been like this from the very beginning. My day was not complete unless I got my Noah cuddles.
I was worried about how Noah would react to having a new baby in the house. I was afraid that he would not like Joshua, and try and hurt him. He didn’t like Joshua, but he left him alone. I think he tried to pretend he wasn’t there. He didn’t understand why I would hold this new baby all day and would not come near me. It was like he thought I had filled his place with a new little thing. I would have Aaron hold Joshua and offer my lap to Noah, but he refused. It went on like this for months. It broke my heart. I didn’t know what to do. I cried and cried to Aaron about it all the time. I would pray every night for my Noah back. All seemed hopeless. Noah got used to his “Shasha,” and loves him to pieces, but had moved on from giving me any affection. He would go to Aaron when he was hurt or upset and would not try and draw comfort from me.
I had just about given up and come to the conclusion that I had lost my boy forever. But then I finally got an answer to my prayers. Arwen slammed Noah’s thumb in the door. It scared me to death, but he let me hold him so tight. I kept him safe when the fire fighters bandaged his thumb and held him on my lap in the ambulance. The doctors wanted me to put him down to fix him up, but Noah would not let go of me. I held him all night the first night when he was in pain. I held him at all his follow up appointments when he was scared to death. I have been holding him since. Noah calls me his “cuddle friend,” and that about sums up what we are. Everything that happened was so bitter-sweet. My poor baby had to lose a thumb, but I gained back a deep trust from him. It is one of the greatest blessings I have received. I have told Aaron that I would cut off Noah’s arm if I ever started to lose him again. Noah has been given the wonderful gift of giving comfort to others and I am so glad that he has been given to us. He brings such a wonderful peace to the family.
I originally wrote another story for my Christmas story this year, but this is the story that wants to be told. All three of my kids are amazing. Arwen is such a princess. She is content when everyone is happy and does her best to make everyone happy. She has such a happy spirit. It is hard for me to tell what Joshua will be like. Thus far, he is a very mellow little baby. He is such an awesome sleeper and that is the greatest gift a child can give his mother. There is something about my Noah that I connect with. Noah is the wildest child I have and by far the most mischievous. He makes me crazy! But Noah has such a sweet, sensitive nature. He is content to sit on my lap and cuddle for hours. He has been like this from the very beginning. My day was not complete unless I got my Noah cuddles.
I was worried about how Noah would react to having a new baby in the house. I was afraid that he would not like Joshua, and try and hurt him. He didn’t like Joshua, but he left him alone. I think he tried to pretend he wasn’t there. He didn’t understand why I would hold this new baby all day and would not come near me. It was like he thought I had filled his place with a new little thing. I would have Aaron hold Joshua and offer my lap to Noah, but he refused. It went on like this for months. It broke my heart. I didn’t know what to do. I cried and cried to Aaron about it all the time. I would pray every night for my Noah back. All seemed hopeless. Noah got used to his “Shasha,” and loves him to pieces, but had moved on from giving me any affection. He would go to Aaron when he was hurt or upset and would not try and draw comfort from me.
I had just about given up and come to the conclusion that I had lost my boy forever. But then I finally got an answer to my prayers. Arwen slammed Noah’s thumb in the door. It scared me to death, but he let me hold him so tight. I kept him safe when the fire fighters bandaged his thumb and held him on my lap in the ambulance. The doctors wanted me to put him down to fix him up, but Noah would not let go of me. I held him all night the first night when he was in pain. I held him at all his follow up appointments when he was scared to death. I have been holding him since. Noah calls me his “cuddle friend,” and that about sums up what we are. Everything that happened was so bitter-sweet. My poor baby had to lose a thumb, but I gained back a deep trust from him. It is one of the greatest blessings I have received. I have told Aaron that I would cut off Noah’s arm if I ever started to lose him again. Noah has been given the wonderful gift of giving comfort to others and I am so glad that he has been given to us. He brings such a wonderful peace to the family.
Employee of the Summer
Employee of the Summer
I jerked my head up as the door chime sounded, with effort forced my eyes open, and wiped some congealed sweat from my forehead. I looked at the time-stamp clock wondering how long I'd been asleep, 1:30 AM. Leaning back on my chair, head flopping backwards and mouth open, I looked out into the store. Not seeing anyone, I got up. As I arose, a dirty little kid scrolled into view from behind the counter. He sat a 10¢ piece of candy down near the cash register and held out a $20 food stamp without saying a word. "Just take it," I said. Frowning, he shuffled out into the parking lot and around to the drivers side window. The car was parked askew, expecting a quick transaction, lights off but still running. Lifting up the candy in his open palm and slightly raising the fist with the food stamp he said something then shrugged his shoulders in reply to something else. An arm jutted out of the window pointing back toward the store gesturing angrily to make some point. The kid looked down at his feet, turned and shuffled back in and over to the fridge. There he grabbed a soda and brought it up to the counter holding out the same $20 food stamp. I rung him up and his face fell as I handed him his change in food stamps and coins. I watched him as he walked out, opened the passenger side door and got in. Almost before his door closed the car tore out of the parking lot, kicking up loose gravel. Now out of view I heard the screech of breaks at the stop light, the ambient light turned from red to green. The engine roared, tires squeaked, and in my mind I followed the car with its fading sounds for quite a while. Then all was quiet again, and the car drove off in the early morning, no doubt trying to make it to the next all night store before 2:00 in the morning.
5:00 in the morning, the rush of coffee guzzling commuters not yet begun, the late night weirdos gone home, and the beginnings of day was just showing through the various advertisements stuck to the windows. A truck pulls up and out gets a large middle aged man, tired and unshaven. I recognize him as the old gym teacher I never got along with from high school. On recognizing me he quickly sucked in his gut, and stuck out his chest. Convincing himself that I didn't notice, he vainly swaggered over to the cash register. He looked at me with that smug and condescending expression on his face. That same expression he assumed at school to prove he was the physical role model to his students. "So, Nielsen, this is what's become of you?" he said suppressing delight in my lack of aspiration. "It's a job," I replied, raising my eye brows and shrugging my shoulders. He pulled out three twenties and slapped them down on the counter like I'd probably never seen so much money before. He named a few lotto scratch it games and headed back out to his truck, where he sat scratching off the sliver film with his thumb nail. I felt bad for him as he drove off, probably embarrassed to redeem his $12 bounty from the $60's in tickets. On my way home I was pulled over for expired plates.
It was already getting hot when I got home around 8:30 and headed out into the orchard to join my dad and brothers in thinning apples. Apple after apple, thousands of them, the job was monotonous, only bearable for the conversations and company. Sweat poring down our faces we turned in till the evening when we'd start up again. Everyone went their ways and I headed up to the game room, where my bed was for the summer. You could feel the temperature rise with each step. Exhausted and sleep deprived, I cranked the fan up to high, kicked off my shoes and tried to catch a few hours of sleep. I thinned apples in my dreams, apple after apple, pulled from their bunches and tossed to the ground, leaving one or two behind. Even when conscious, I lie there working out the correct apples to thin, like some puzzle that I couldn't pull my mind away from. After moderate success at sleep, I went swimming, the only thing the heat would allow, trying to force apple thinning out of my head. After dinner we all went back out to the orchard until the light was too dim to work. A few hours later and I was on my way back to the quickie-mart.
It was still hot, and work was slow, so I took refuge in the most comfortable spot in the store, the cold drink refrigerator. I spent a lot of time that summer, peering out into the store through the soda bottles, watching for someone to enter. The fan, with its lulling noise, sent a cool breeze through the fridge. I got comfy and shivered as the last bits of sweat dried off my face. I indulged in a long blink of my eyes, mentally keeping track of the time, not bad, still awake, a little longer this time... I was startled awake by someone opening the refrigerator door and grabbing for a bottle. Looking out into the store there was 4 or more people where there had been none last time I closed my eyes. One of them was a police officer, they all were looking around confused, waiting for someone to ring them up. I walked out of the fridge trying to pretend I'd been busy, probably not making a good show of it as I was trying to remember what time it was when I went in. I rung them all up, and the store was quiet again, and still hot. I wandered back into the fridge after starting the thousand or so pots of coffee.
At the end of the summer, last pay check in hand, and walking out the door, the owner stopped me. He said it was nice to have an honest employee working the night shift, shook my hand, and said the job'd be waiting for me if I ever needed it again. Thank goodness I never did.
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