Spring Spring Spring

I've been in NH for a little over a week, and had several things confirmed to me. One, I got my old job back, for the summer, so will not have to worry too much about money. Things will be tight and frugal, but I'll definitely be able to afford gas. Two, Xiang is only interested in me as a friend.  I've not really heard from him since semester's end. (Which reminds me, I need to send Helmut a "happy spring, enjoy the holiday with your family" message.) I do think he may end up dating Photographer, though. He's already added her as a friend of FaceBook. (And he is a one who doesn't use FB that much. Three, I will most likely not be taking Spanish. In my past, when choosing a language to study I would make up my mind based upon the criteria of being able to communicate with a sibling. My career goals do not necessarily mean staying stateside. Also, Spanish is not that interesting a language to me. I am spending the next 5 months figuring out whether it is to be Mandarin Chinese, or Japanese. Both are difficult languages. Both come attached with ancient, and fascinating cultures. I'll just have to work, pray, and ponder over which direction to go.

So here's some personal/family information. Its actually a good thing I opted to not stay on campus. My mum is having both her knees replaced. That will leave me driving Miss Daisy, acting as nursemaid, and also working and doing online classes. I hope my dad steps up to shoulder the burden. The old habit of putting me in the middle, and placing inappropriate burdens upon my shoulders, is going to need reassessment. I just don't have the time, nor the inclination, to bear that anymore. I've come to believe that firm boundaries are necessary for life; some of which are never to be even approached.

Another personal thing: my dad is planning to get gastric bypass surgery. I wouldn't ordinarily mention this, save at one point in my life I thought that was where I would need to go. Once upon a time, Zuzu was very overweight. (Think 80-90 lbs overweight.) I couldn't seem to drop an ounce, and was despairing. The thing is, I know a few people who've had it done, and I couldn't make the lifestyle changes necessary to succeed. I eat healthy, but to call 6-8 oz a meal is just not in my life plan.

Meanwhile, what happened to the excessively thick Zuzu? She cut out all carbonated beverages(except for the migraine Coke), began to exercise, trained herself to make the average mealtime be 30 minutes of eating, and stopped eating as though she would never see another meal again. Its kinda funny. I was building up a winter store of fat, when it was unnecessary. I don't live anywhere near the Arctic Circle. I've since dropped 60 lbs, and discovered that I love the way it feels to move. I can no longer eat large quantities of food. It makes me sick to my stomach. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a foodie. I just learned portion control, when to say "no", and how to listen to my body. By the way, I think I look as fabulous as I feel.

Life has been very good. I have a loving, albeit damaged, family. I am getting a college education at a great university. My body works properly, and is in one piece. I have a lot of friends, even more acquaintances. God has blessed me with a fairly generous spirit.  I gain strength through my faith and in my convictions. I could go on endlessly listing my blessings. Suffice it to say, they are numerous and extensive. I hope through my future work I am able to help others obtain similar blessings.

The warm weather has made a perfect climate for new growth. Check between snow patches, you may see bulbs!!!

Please comment and share.

Thank you,

The Tallgurrl

The Final Exam Cometh

So I have two weeks left of school for this semester. It has been an interesting time. I have made friends with two guys from work. (Before you get all excited, neither one is interested in anything beyond friendship.) One guy, Helmut, is Swiss-German, served a mission in Brussels Belgium, and is a microbiology major. The other, Xiang, is Taiwanese-Canadian, served a mission in the south of France, and is a political science major. Both are very good looking, and both are very fun to hang out with. As our friendships have progressed, I've realized what are important characteristics in friends, and what I can do without. More and more, Sascha is doing things that really put me off. He was interesting when we first met... Now, he's just a self-centered Russian, who is so "thing" oriented that he doesn't seem to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. (Also, he is a social climber. If he actually knew of the people that I am acquainted with, he'd hound me to use my contacts.)

On the education front, in doing a bit of the international studies program, I realized that translations would not be in the forefront. My greatest interest is in doing translations, so I have decided to get my associate's degree in general studies up in Idaho, and will transfer to the BYU Provo campus, and pursue a bachelor's degree in Russian and Spanish translations, with a minor in either French, German, Hebrew, Arabic, or Mandarin Chinese. Languages have long been an interest of mine. Being able to work for the UN, the LDS church, or some other government group, using my language talents, is very attractive to me.

Other stuff, I'm going home for the spring semester. Hopefully, I'll be able to take my old job back. It paid very well, and was steady. Other friends: Photographer, is a photography major, minoring in dance. We have a mutual love for all things cultural, and dancing. I love talking with her, and just hanging out. We're planning to spend a week with each other's family during the summer. She's not been to New England before, and I haven't been in Pennsylvania in years. Dasha, is an English major, minoring in IT. She wants to become a technical manual editor. Our mutual love for all things Asian, as well as our bubbly personalities, made us easy friends. (The fact she has a thing for my friend Xiang, makes a bit of a difference too.) I feel like my friends made here will probably last. My circle of close friends is small, but I know I can depend upon them. These are good people.

Climate here: It is cold, and snowed this morning. But it feels like spring. I very much look forward to the humidity from the Coast. Using my humidifier every night is a bit excessive, but necessary. It is the difference between nosebleeds and that sexy gravelly voice, and being able to breath when I wake up. It's kind of funny. I could really complain, except that I love the education, the kind spirit here, and inexpensive housing. Hopefully I will get into Provo, and will be able to afford it.

Part two to this long-ish post, finals week is next week. I have one final, in class. I'll be working every day in the testing center. I'm going to be working 18 hours. Xiang was surprised, like it was a lot of hours. I'm used to working 40 hour weeks, serving in the temple, and as an RS president. 18 hours during a week where I only have 1 final is not that difficult. Wish me luck!!

The wind is strong today. I saw tumbleweeds and dust clouds across the horizon. SO DRY!!!

Please comment and share.

Thank you,

The Tallgurrl

The Knit Princess

The Knit Princess

This was such a funny comic!!! I think I'd have the same attitude as the princess in a similar situation.

So Cold, So Cold

So here I am, in Iceberg... I mean Rexburg. There's a good deal of snow on the ground, and its too cold to melt off. Its kind of ironic. I talk to my parents about the weather, and say it got warmer: so its snowing. Time was that warmth was synonymous with melting and spring.
On other fronts, I've experienced a bit of a chill myself. As you know, I've been crushing on my Russian tutor for the past semester. It recently occurred to me that he is not my friend. In fact, he has been using me and my talents/skills for the past few months. Me being so blind, I thought he wanted to form a bond, when in reality he just wanted a personal assistant that he didn't need to pay. In talking with one of my roommates I learned this treatment is a common practice amongst Russian folks. They "befriend" someone, use them for whatever, and when done discard them. Let's just say that this semester my availability has dramatically changed. Looking back, I sacrificed important social life time, study time, and invested a lot into a relationship that was entirely in my own mind. I don't know which is more discouraging, the fact that I continue being attracted to idiots, or seeing yet another roommate get a boyfriend.

Oh, here's some interesting news: My fitness regimen is paying off. At this point I can run a mile in 11 minutes 20 seconds. It is still a slow mile, but that is a 15 second speed boost from last week's pace. Also, more of my clothes that came to school with me are getting loose.

Speaking of clothes, here's some food for thought and a rhetorical question. It is a good idea to purchase clothes for someone who tells you they lost 20 pounds? Someone you haven't seen in months? Over the Christmas holiday, my mother gave me some clothes she had bought for me. They were nice clothes, but huge on me. I kept one shirt, but will probably not ever wear it. It makes me look 30 pounds heavier. I know she took the time to look, and that she loves me. The thing is, she had no clue as to my personal style, and somehow in her mind believes that upon looking at me everyone will see my "special spirit" and know how beautiful I am. Forget the fact that when I wear clothes that swim on me that I look fat.

About the looking fat thing: I know it seems that I obsess over it. That's just not so. But I did notice a change in the quantity of attention I receive. The lighter and more fit I've become, the more attention I garner. Its kind of funny. People, and by people I mean guys, who would not usually give me the time of day 20 pounds ago are doing double takes and seeking my opinions. If it weren't so entertaining, I'd probably put the fatwa on that kind of attention. Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying it. Just, what has changed so dramatically that I am now of interest? I don't feel different... Maybe a bit lighter, and better able to keep up in the gym. But my heart and mind are very much still the sarcastic, witty, East Coast mentality. Eh, these are the things that will boggle the mind. I'll just have to work to be gracious and not judgey.

Snow angels danced across fields today... Maybe it was just the wind "redistributing" the 12 inches of snow that graced this land.

Please comment and share.

Thank you,

The Tallgurrl