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

As Time Goes By

It has been so long since I last posted anything... And a lot has happened since that time. I'll just go categorically to share stuff, and let assumptions and ideas be formed.

School: My assigned track for school is Fall/Winter. This kinda posed a problem, as I had planned to start in January. But I'm going to leave my job instead. I've reserved an apartment across the street from the fitness center, and down the hill from campus. Sent an email to one of my future roommates, but got no answer. Guess I'll have to just call each and every one to figure out who is bringing what for the kitchen. (I'll be stuffed if I am going to provide the apartment with everything. I am so NOT Kitchen Etc.) Also, I registered for classes-including my Beginning Russian class. Got my financial aid package. It wasn't as much Pell Grant-age as I wanted, but I did get some subsidized student loans. The bulk will still be unsubsidized, but next year should be more promising. All in all, I am very pleased with my upcoming move. I'm giving my notice next week at work, and will use the last week of August to pack, sell, give, and throw out my stuff.

Dating: Only dated one guy this summer, and he was "special." Not a Mormon, he and I discussed frankly the fact that our "relationship" such as it was, was going to go nowhere. Biggest reason was my move, but in the end religion is a deal breaker. Anyway, it was entertaining and on occasion irksome to be with him. (I need to name this guy too... Let's call him Himself.) Himself believes that he is God's gift to women. So hot that no female can resist, he flirts and dates, etc with anything over 18. I failed to mention that he is 45. Now, I never told him my age. I let him assume that I was in my early 20s and occasionally teased him about his elderly-ness. We would get together for outdoors type stuff. Think hikes, beach walks, and the such. We were to have a date 2 weeks ago, but he kind of blew me off. He texted me during my work day, and then said he'd call me to firm up our plans for the afternoon/evening. When he didn't call, I figured he changed his mind. Then I didn't hear from him for a few days. I knew he wasn't that busy. He was on vacation for another week and we'd made tentative plans to get together a few times during that. With that knowledge the assumption went that either he was in the hospital(which he wasn't), or just wasn't that into me. I figured that his attitude and the blow off made it necessary to take him down a peg. *Disclaimer: I am not a perfect person, and did tell a blatant lie to this man, and I would do it again.* I texted him, with the attitude of being candid and chatty. He voiced remorse for messing up our plans. I decided to take things further... I told him that since he didn't get back to me, I thought he had lost interest. Then I told him that I went out and found a woman who was interested and I was with her... I know this is a huge lie, as I don't bat for that team, but it just seemed right at the time. The next woman he dates will appreciate what I did. If he has half a brain, Himself will learn that even if he is embarrassed, losing touch and momentum with a lady you proclaim an interest, especially one so much younger than him, will result in a loss of the lady.... His response to the text was priceless. He just said "K". That story will NEVER get old! In the interest of my leaving so soon, I've decided to declare a fatwa on my dating life. Any going out for the rest of the summer will be with my friends, and then only in a group. I would hate to start something that I couldn't finish.

Calling: So I'm looking to being released in the next week or 2. So glad! I'm trying to de-stress my life as I wind up to moving West. I've learned a lot during my time as El Presidente. Delegation is called of God and is to be used... Liberally. Counselors are called to do a job, so let them and don't make it the "me" show. It is important to speak up when you feel a prompting. Learning a new skill will help you to make new friends and open doors that were closed before. When listening to someone who is asking for a confidante or for advice, use wisdom and take everything they say with a grain of salt-they are only sharing what they want to and from just one perspective. Sleep is a highly treasured commodity; you don't know how much until you only get 2 hours sleep after counseling someone all night and have to work an 9 hour day that begins at 5:30 am. Spiritual blessings pour out upon your head when you least expect them... Most of the lessons I have taught, talks I have given, counsel I have given, I don't remember the bulk of what I said. A big thing I have learned is that the Spirit does the teaching, no matter what I have to say.


Health: I have maintained my Wolverine-like existence. Meaning, I haven't become ill, save for one thing. I wanted to train up for running at school. So I began to run and was working my way up to a few miles each trip, 3 times a week. One problem, I developed tendinitis in my knee and ankles. GAAAH! So I've been spending the past few weeks doing PT, in the hope I will be able to be a walker instead. I've given up my plan of doing a marathon. Now it is just to walk long distances. My physical therapist says that running is bad for your body anyway. The cardio work out is good for your heart and stuff, but the impact hurts all of your joints. Guess who wants to not have knee and hip replacements at 50? Give you a clue... She's tall, pretty, and you are reading her blog right now!

New hobbies: Knitting... One of my best friends gave me the greatest gift ever. She taught me a skill. I have been knitting since the middle of March, and have make a bunch of really cool stuff. I knit all of my family's Christmas presents. SPOILER: If you are in my immediate family and want to be surprised on Christmas, skip 1 sentence. I made everyone a scarf, and it turns out they will be featured in the holiday time photos that we will be taking. Since completing them (and there were 7 I knitted), I wanted a challenge. I bought an easy knitting magazine, and began projects. I've made cable knit stuff, hats, fingerless mitts(they look like gauntlets), more scarves... What I thought was for only little old ladies turns out to be a really cool craft. One that some of the best designs are created by men! I have met a range of people who knit. From old to young, male to female, they all say the same thing: "Knitting is cool!" I've become a yarn snob, and have a few fibers that feel soooooooo soft. Baby llama, alpaca and merino wools are awesome. They are not cheap, but so worth it!

So there is a lot happening in my life at present. Good thing is that the busy times are just work toward a bigger goal. My major of Psychology and minor of Russian will be a challenge, but one well worth it. The distance from my family will be tough, but is necessary. I know that with such a big transition I'll be going into different situations. I will rise to the occasion... Wearing a kitty hat and fingerless mitts that I knit myself.

The summer weather is exquisite. Perfect for the hikers and just dwellers of outdoors. Crisp and clean air will greet you at the door.

Please comment and share, as your thoughts are always desired.

Thank you,

The Tallgurrl

There's a lot of Talent Here

So last week I went of a road trip vacation. Went to see exciting places like Trenton, NJ and Groton, CT... Actually, I was highly entertained. The whole purpose of the trip was to help my mum with her genealogy research. I was fine with that. Any excuse to tool around, listening to my Ipod, and just checking out the local flora and fauna.

I noticed an unusual trend: any time I help my mum with this family history stuff, I find ridiculous amounts of information. The last time I went to an Archives with her, I found the ship manifests for my great grandparents' ships to the US. This time, I found the birth and marriage certificates for many family members. It was kinda cool, too. For a few hours of work and sitting around, I got to see some places I haven't visited on almost 5 years.

For the trip, we stayed in on-base housing. (I forgot to mention that my dad retired from the military and so has the privilege of being able to stay in the military's version of a hotel.) They were nice. The beds fairly comfortable, the cable working, and a lot of military guys just hanging around. My particular favorite was the housing in Groton, CT.

Groton is a naval submarine base. For the uninitiated, that means a lot of guys, few women(unless they were wives). All because the Navy doesn't have women on subs. I gotta tell ya, there was a lot of talent up in there. So much eye candy! It is a beautiful thing that these guy's jobs include having to be physically fit. As a single women, I felt like a kid in a candy shop. I was totally tempted to change my school aps over to only in the Groton area... Ok, not so much. The men are great, but the ratio of LDS to not-so-LDS is too great to make altering my educational pursuits an option.

More seriously, I am so stoked to be going back to school! So after chatting with my mum, (again!) I realized that we had a serious miscommunication going on. She thought I was stopping at my bachelor' degree; that I planned to be a social worker and that was that... My real plans are to get the master's and be a counselor. A bit of a pay grade difference, not to mention the whole extra pieces of paper thing... I had been going back and forth over where to go, and what to pursue, for some time. Still not sure where I'll end up, but the pursuit is finalized. I will be finishing up the social work bachelor's degree, then off to a good master's program. Hopefully I'll be able to use my marketable skills in the meantime. I have no interest in being the "poor college student" for long. At the least I will need some dinero to keep my car, The Silver Bullet, fed and doctored up.

Clear skies and smooth sailing ahead. "In the Navy" can be heard on the wind... Or maybe that is just in my head.

Please comment and share.

Thank you,

The Tallgurrl