Love and Longing Letter

To my dearest long-lost B---,

I didn't know that when I parted from you last, that our separation would span the eternities of nearly two years. I never meant for time to pass like grains of sand filtering through my toes on the beach of life. But, alas, they have.

I want you to know that I have though of you constantly. Your echoes ring through my memory relentlessly: come back please. And, I have. I have answered your silent, but insistent pleas.

However, I have to admit that there have been others. Only one or two ... or three. And not too often. I promise. I have grown accustomed to the variety. Each one has had something to offer, and at the time, I dared not refuse. I hope you understand. Please forgive my infidelity.

I remember those sweet moments of passion--the words that can be erased, but will not be. You have always held that special place in my heart and soul, for you have always been ... my own blog.

Jd

FIRSTS

The last year has been quite an eventful epoch. Among the exceedingly interesting events in my life, I have composed a list of my firsts. So, in no specific order, I present my novel experiences for your entertainment(?).

1. I went through the temple. I love that place!
2. I flew on a plane--yes, the first time in my life--and I technically experienced four planes that trip. One was even first class.
3. I got pulled over. Cops tend to be suspicious at 3 a.m. No ticket.
4. I spent my birthday on a beach in Oregon.
5. I figured out what to do with my smashed pennies.
6. I joined Facebook--yeah, that was a strange one!
7. I made a "real" cheesecake. Baked, with the two layers, if you know what I'm talking about.
8. I reached one coast of the United States to the other(within the same year).
9. I acquired two frogs as "school" pets.
10. I have three jobs (my sister tells me since I get three paychecks, I have to count each one).
11. I paid off my car loan.
12. I finished sewing the top of my double wedding ring quilt--maybe I'll finish quilting it in the next year.
13. I won a pumpkin carving contest (yesterday).
14. I made a water-rocket launcher. I like this one.
15. I went white water rafting.

Time Management

"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." ~~Bertrand Russell~~

When I should be
~grading assignments
~planning assignments
~looking at benefits
~viewing homes
~folding laundry
~cleaning the house
~being grown-up,

I am
~reading books
~cat napping
~watching documentaries
~playing volleyball
~eating icecream
~calling friends
~loving life.

It's Natural!

So, we hear a lot of these buzz words dealing with health these days: Organic, Natural, No Preservatives, No MSG added, etc.

But, really, do people know what they are spending their money on in the name of making healthy eating choices?

So, here are some of my questions/complaints pertaining to health:

1. How is corn syrup not natural? It is a mixture of sugar (yes, processed sugar, but processed sugar is natural too) and water.

2. Do you know what sort of fertilizer is used to grow organic foods? I do--manure and compost--which has a whole bunch of nitrogen compounds (the main concern with other non-natural fertilizers) in it.

3. Have you ever really looked at the claims on the packaging and then checked out the ingredients? I noticed one day a box of crackers that claimed "Naturally low in cholesterol." Well, you tell me how much cholesterol in found in wheat, salt, water, vegetable oil, and baking soda--go figure!

Abelmoschus esculentus

When I went to Washington D.C. this October with my school, one of the coolest places we went was Mount Vernon--George Washington's home (Unfortunately, it took so long that I didn't get to go to the Air & Space Museum). It has been preserved to look like it did so long ago. We didn't go inside of the actual home (none of us wanted to wait in the longest line ever!), but we wandered around the property. It has farmland, woods, a dock, animals, barns, slave quarters, etc.

Near the slave quarters, we were first attracted to the chicken pen; but, I soon became distracted by a little garden patch. Lo and behold, what was in this garden? Red chili peppers, small watermelons, and OKRA.

I don't know what my fascination with this unique plant is. I have even bought seeds with the intent to grow okra. Stranger still, I don't really remember ever eating it!

Trains

Train Crash!

Being Taught

Sometimes I am stunned by complexities.

Just when I think I have it figured out, some situation twists my focus and again I have to reorganize.

It's like doing that really difficult problem in Physics about the colliding trains--it seems like such a feat. But once you pause and look at the pieces of information, needed or not, you begin to formulate a plan towards solution.

I just wish I could figure out where to begin on this one.