After three weeks of seemingly endless class observations and training meetings, I feel almost competent enough to be teaching at the MTC. I thank my lucky stars for Tommy Jones, the supervisor who Sister Hunter and I used to semi-stalk when I was an MTC missionary. (We definitely broke into his cubicle and took a picture of his wedding picture. I'm not sure why. The MTC warps what you think is funny.) He is an inspiring leader and I look forward to learning from him.
My teaching companion is Robby Parker and I think we'll be a good team. He has the same off-the-cuff, real-to-life teaching style as me. He is realistic but positive and a total goofball. He is a little bit incoherent when he's explaining things, but that's just fine with me. He is sincere and he genuinely loves the missionaries and the gospel.
1.19.2009
1.13.2009
Notes from Indianapolis Jan 4-7
Indianapolians are proud to be American!
The AHMI crew
Lisa
After a long day at the conference
American Humanics is an organization whose mission is to encourage better-prepared Non-Profit leaders. The Independent sector has built a lot of momentum in the last thirty or so years and is just now reaching the point where it has enough credibility that people in the field are taken seriously and not simply as bleeding hearts and do-gooders who don’t know how to function in business or within the government. The field now requires a workforce that is trained and ready to take advantage of this momentum to make philanthropy more effective while keeping it grounded in its most basic purpose of social change.
The AHMI crew
Lisa
After a long day at the conference
American Humanics is an organization whose mission is to encourage better-prepared Non-Profit leaders. The Independent sector has built a lot of momentum in the last thirty or so years and is just now reaching the point where it has enough credibility that people in the field are taken seriously and not simply as bleeding hearts and do-gooders who don’t know how to function in business or within the government. The field now requires a workforce that is trained and ready to take advantage of this momentum to make philanthropy more effective while keeping it grounded in its most basic purpose of social change.
The American Humanics Management Institute, oh so professionally referred to as AHMI (ah-me) is a three day conference hosted by the organization that brings students and Non-Profits together to work out the kinks that the last decades of non-profits are working on perfecting.
The conference was actually quite fun. It was a very different feel from the Model United Nations conference I participated in about 4 years ago- a very different crowd. MUN was poli-sci go-getters who love suits and schmoozing. AHMI, on the other hand, was made up of the more homely do-gooders who just want to make a difference. Not hippies necessarily, but the kind of person you picture staffing a summer camp. Good people, fun people. There was not quite as much inter-university mingling or site-seeing as there was at MUN, but then again, that was in New York and this was in Indianapolis- the most average city in America.
A great thing about the non-profit world is that is houses SO many different kinds of interests. There were many at the conference who were all about youth agencies. Others, environmental causes. Me, international development. I see the difficulty for the hosting organization to appeal to the interests of such a variety of attendees but when it come down to it, regardless of what the missions of various organizations are, they are fundamentally the same. Just like most businesses fall under similar business models, so too can non-profits be grouped together by administrative function.
The highlights of the conference to me were a handful of very capable, very experienced non-profit professionals. Dave Sternberg, VP of Achieve Guidance (a NP consulting firm) , gave a frank intro into best practices of non-profits. Robert Egger, Monday's keynote speaker, is a total hippie still living the dream he smoked up in the 70's about changing the world one person at a time. He gave a raw perspective that helped remind me that regardless of your business savvy, passion can carry you far. Jim Morris was just the opposite. He served as President of the World Food Programme (but now owns the Indiana Pacers) and had a very information-driven perspective. I realized from his address that food aid is a band-aid. A necessary part of development, but not one that I really want to spent my time with. There were many other great keynote speakers and workshop presenters. Some amazed me with their experience and others were just okay.12.22.2008
Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful
I thought that by leaving Utah for Christmas I would be escaping the snow. I'll be honest, I was looking forward to a nice drizzly Christmas. Seattle style. I should have known better when my flight home on Wednesday was delayed for an hour because Las Vegas was snowed in. If Vegas was getting a white Christmas, there's no way Seattle could hope for anything less. I still thought I was off the hook. Not a speck of white when I pulled into my house around midnight. But weather was a'brewin in my sleep because ever since then the whole Seattle area has all but shut down for fear of snow. It's like the whole Seattle Metropolitan Area owns just one plow. 
Businesses are telling employees not to come in, malls are closing early. A bus ill-equipped with snow tires and a capable driver "careened'' down the street and crashed through the I-5 barrier.
A little scary. On Saturday night meteorologists predicted 80-mile an hour winds. My parents (mom) went into panic mode and (dad) ran to the store for batteries and reinforcements. Apparently our late afternoon preparedness was too late and Safeway was already picked over and the gas stations out of gas.
The funniest part of this weather melt-down is that compared to most parts of the country, the snow and wind are entirely normal. Just a run of the mill part of wintertime. Here's a peek outside in my backyard. Sure, the marshmallow on top of the patio table is more snow than I can ever remember piling up in just a couple days. But what, 8 inches? What a bunch of whiners we Northwesterners are! My sister-in-law Heather grew up in Minnesota and is just appalled that there aren't more snow plows at work. Sand and salt don't do the job, she says.
The consequence of such weather shenanigans is lots of QT inside by the fire. Here's my cute dad napping (as we speak!). You'll notice we have a little midget tree in the background. The parents are scaling back on Christmas this year. Too tired to deal with all those blasted needles from real Christmas trees I guess. They're headed to Cabo on the 28th, my mom explains, "to make sure we don't buy too many presents for you kids." Great! Less presents!
Even still, I'm counting down to a very white, and very merry Christmas!
Businesses are telling employees not to come in, malls are closing early. A bus ill-equipped with snow tires and a capable driver "careened'' down the street and crashed through the I-5 barrier.A little scary. On Saturday night meteorologists predicted 80-mile an hour winds. My parents (mom) went into panic mode and (dad) ran to the store for batteries and reinforcements. Apparently our late afternoon preparedness was too late and Safeway was already picked over and the gas stations out of gas.
The funniest part of this weather melt-down is that compared to most parts of the country, the snow and wind are entirely normal. Just a run of the mill part of wintertime. Here's a peek outside in my backyard. Sure, the marshmallow on top of the patio table is more snow than I can ever remember piling up in just a couple days. But what, 8 inches? What a bunch of whiners we Northwesterners are! My sister-in-law Heather grew up in Minnesota and is just appalled that there aren't more snow plows at work. Sand and salt don't do the job, she says. 
The consequence of such weather shenanigans is lots of QT inside by the fire. Here's my cute dad napping (as we speak!). You'll notice we have a little midget tree in the background. The parents are scaling back on Christmas this year. Too tired to deal with all those blasted needles from real Christmas trees I guess. They're headed to Cabo on the 28th, my mom explains, "to make sure we don't buy too many presents for you kids." Great! Less presents! Even still, I'm counting down to a very white, and very merry Christmas!
12.14.2008
Sunday Favorite
I love this song. It is calming and not too overdone. Simple and true. (Good, non-cheesy videos are hard to find.) Enjoy!
12.11.2008
My cute roommates!
Not to go all BYU cheeseball on you, (who?) but I think that I might have the greatest roommates ever. I stumbled into this ragtag crowd because my parents own this house down in Provo. I lived there last summer with my parents and a handful of transients who came and went. The plan was to rent the house out to a family (it's not BYU approved, nor is it zoned for more than 3 non-immediate family members) but due to an odd lease-out time (Mark and Wendy are planning on returning next June, leaving renters just 9 months to enjoy the home), the only biters were young singles. My dad finally selected a group of "nurses" (only one really was a nurse) to move in and dubbed me as unofficial landlord in charge of collecting rent, fixing lightbulbs and cleaning up after all the all-night parties we were bound to throw.
As it turns out, all six of us are in a totally different world of school and/or work but somehow meld together just perfectly. We smart, sassy, beautiful girls have to stick together! Here's us on our roommate Christmas date and gift exchange. All together now: awwww!
As it turns out, all six of us are in a totally different world of school and/or work but somehow meld together just perfectly. We smart, sassy, beautiful girls have to stick together! Here's us on our roommate Christmas date and gift exchange. All together now: awwww!
11.22.2008
My Mason
I'm officially lusting after Mason Jennings. Went to his concert the other day. I've never been good at describing how awesome good music is, so here's a link to my friend Chris's blog. He was there and will really make you feel like you were there. And wish you were there.
http://whaleinacubicle.blogspot.com/2008/11/news-mason-jennings-continues-to-rock.html
We got pretty close up front. Here's the least blurry picture I could take with my phone.
11.13.2008
Mood Fixers
Talking to Kelsie the other day about the silly world of blogging she said to me, "Yeah I read your blog the other day and could only listen to about 3 songs before I wanted to blow my brains out." Yeah.. I promise I'm not depressed and/or suicidal. To prove it, Here's a collection of songs that have a similar power to change my mood, but this time to make me either break out dancing (in my car or elsewhere) or burst into song.
Let's Give Them Something to Talk About, Bonnie Raitt: Coy but bold, Bonnie knows how to make her love life happen
Hands Up, Black Eyed Peas
I Want to Break Free, Bicycle, Queen: Rock gods as they were, still so silly
Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple: A reminder to keep on fighting
Let Us All Press On, LDS Hymnbook: I sang it all the time as a missionary pick me up. It still works.
Benny and the Jets, Elton John: There's a reason he's a legend.
Drrty, Christina Aguilera: I'm a closet Xtina fan. Most of her Stripped CD can get me in a good mood.
More:
The Way You Make Me Feel, Michael Jackson
Mickey, B'witched
Highway to Hell, ACDC
Let's Give Them Something to Talk About, Bonnie Raitt: Coy but bold, Bonnie knows how to make her love life happen
Hands Up, Black Eyed Peas
I Want to Break Free, Bicycle, Queen: Rock gods as they were, still so silly
Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple: A reminder to keep on fighting
Let Us All Press On, LDS Hymnbook: I sang it all the time as a missionary pick me up. It still works.
Benny and the Jets, Elton John: There's a reason he's a legend.
Drrty, Christina Aguilera: I'm a closet Xtina fan. Most of her Stripped CD can get me in a good mood.
More:
The Way You Make Me Feel, Michael Jackson
Mickey, B'witched
Highway to Hell, ACDC
11.07.2008
Moody Music Playlist
I love music that has the power to change your mood, regardless of what you were feeling when the song comes on. Be it my suppressed emotions or recent turmoil, I've lately remembered how many great songs can make you just ache the second they turn on. So here's my quick list of the songs that somehow always have the power to get me. If I missed anything, let me know. It all started with Bonnie Raitt coming on the radio, so she's a good place to start...
I Can't Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt: "I can't make you love me if you don't/ I can't make your heart feel something it don't"
Ohh. Heartbreaking. Unrequited love. He doesn't feel it Bonnie, and that will never change.
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, John Mayer: "It's not the storm before the calm..."
No one likes knowing that the love that you're holding on to is falling through your fingers no matter what you do. (The one from his live Village Sessions CD is my favorite, click here to find it)
Near to You, A Fine Frenzy: A Fine Frenzy has a lot of melancholy songs. Whisper and Ashes and Wine are among my favorites. This one's depressing not so much for the one dealing with 'love lost' but the one who loves the one who lost. "I loved him so but I let him go because I knew he'd never love me back... Near to you I am healing but it's taking so long" Alison Sudol knows she's being unfair to her new love but knows she needs a deep rebound to wrench herself from the despair she's feeling about the one she still loves. [I have to admit this song fits the Jacob-Bella-Edward dynamic all too perfectly]
Hurt, Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails cover) : "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel..." I'm not usually a proponent of songs that encourage suicide or self-mutilation. But this song really makes you feel the irreparable regret that Johnny is feeling.
The Lorry Ride, Kate Rusby: This folk song is about a lovelorn woman and her tall and handsome man who goes off to pick coffee at the plantation. She is warned to move on, that the work is too dangerous, that he won't even survive the lorry ride home. But she waits for him and mourns, "my days are hard, my nights are slow, and I am so alone/ but I'll dream a dream that will never end 'til he comes home" That's true dedication. (I can't find it online :( )
The Leader of the Band, Dan Fogelberg: I think this song makes me cry because I always thought of my dad as the leader of the band and I just hate to think of his eyes growing old. "And daddy, I don't think I said I love you near enough"
River, Joni Mitchell: Don't be mistaken by the the joyful carol music throughout. This song is jam-packed with conflicting emotions, realizing that what's done is done and wanting to just get away from it. "I wish I had a river I could skate away on... I made my baby cry..." (A more contemporary Sara Bareilles does good justice)
Half of all Fiona Apple songs: I had a roommate once tell me that she knew when I was feeling moody because I listened to Fiona Apple. She feels it (just watch her when she sings live) and makes you feel it too. Here's Love Ridden, Across the Universe, and Never is a Promise
Other good ones
Brick, Ben Folds
Nothing Compares to you, Sinead O'Connor
Yesterday, Beatles/BoyzIIMen
I'm Moving On, Rascall Flatts
California, Mason Jennings
...let's see, what else...
I Can't Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt: "I can't make you love me if you don't/ I can't make your heart feel something it don't"
Ohh. Heartbreaking. Unrequited love. He doesn't feel it Bonnie, and that will never change.
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, John Mayer: "It's not the storm before the calm..."
No one likes knowing that the love that you're holding on to is falling through your fingers no matter what you do. (The one from his live Village Sessions CD is my favorite, click here to find it)
Near to You, A Fine Frenzy: A Fine Frenzy has a lot of melancholy songs. Whisper and Ashes and Wine are among my favorites. This one's depressing not so much for the one dealing with 'love lost' but the one who loves the one who lost. "I loved him so but I let him go because I knew he'd never love me back... Near to you I am healing but it's taking so long" Alison Sudol knows she's being unfair to her new love but knows she needs a deep rebound to wrench herself from the despair she's feeling about the one she still loves. [I have to admit this song fits the Jacob-Bella-Edward dynamic all too perfectly]
Hurt, Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails cover) : "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel..." I'm not usually a proponent of songs that encourage suicide or self-mutilation. But this song really makes you feel the irreparable regret that Johnny is feeling.
The Lorry Ride, Kate Rusby: This folk song is about a lovelorn woman and her tall and handsome man who goes off to pick coffee at the plantation. She is warned to move on, that the work is too dangerous, that he won't even survive the lorry ride home. But she waits for him and mourns, "my days are hard, my nights are slow, and I am so alone/ but I'll dream a dream that will never end 'til he comes home" That's true dedication. (I can't find it online :( )
The Leader of the Band, Dan Fogelberg: I think this song makes me cry because I always thought of my dad as the leader of the band and I just hate to think of his eyes growing old. "And daddy, I don't think I said I love you near enough"
River, Joni Mitchell: Don't be mistaken by the the joyful carol music throughout. This song is jam-packed with conflicting emotions, realizing that what's done is done and wanting to just get away from it. "I wish I had a river I could skate away on... I made my baby cry..." (A more contemporary Sara Bareilles does good justice)
Half of all Fiona Apple songs: I had a roommate once tell me that she knew when I was feeling moody because I listened to Fiona Apple. She feels it (just watch her when she sings live) and makes you feel it too. Here's Love Ridden, Across the Universe, and Never is a Promise
Other good ones
Brick, Ben Folds
Nothing Compares to you, Sinead O'Connor
Yesterday, Beatles/BoyzIIMen
I'm Moving On, Rascall Flatts
California, Mason Jennings
...let's see, what else...
10.30.2008
Orange you glad this is lactose free?
I've always been a little hesitant to make fruit smoothies, I don't know why, mine always end up wrong. But I've perfected just one and it is scrumptious! Not too sweet, not too tangy. And so easy. I'm still working on getting the ice to end up the right size.
Kami's Vanilla Soy Milk Orange Julius
1 cup vanilla soy milk
6 0z (1/2 can) orange juice concentrate (Mine is Western Family Brand)
1 cup cold water
8-10 ice cubes
Blend all the junk, then dump in ice. Delicious!
Today I also added about 5 peach slices that Kelsie had canned for me. MM yum, this has got to beat the cold that's coming to get me!
Kami's Vanilla Soy Milk Orange Julius
1 cup vanilla soy milk
6 0z (1/2 can) orange juice concentrate (Mine is Western Family Brand)
1 cup cold water
8-10 ice cubes
Blend all the junk, then dump in ice. Delicious!
Today I also added about 5 peach slices that Kelsie had canned for me. MM yum, this has got to beat the cold that's coming to get me!
10.28.2008
Pre- semester Sea-town
Just days after Raelle's wedding, Doug and I drove up my parents' car back up to Seattle. (They had been living here in Utah forthe summer an were headed back to Seattle for the cold season. We hit so many birds with one stone I can't even count my bounty. Some highlights:
Hanging out with my one true love, Kendall when she also happened to be in Seattle for the week. Maybe the last time I see before she heads down south for Navigator training (she's gonna be an Air Force All Star). After we hung out at Gasworks Park we got Ivars. Yummy.
And we saw the Troll Under the Bridge (that's me on his shoulder) - Made by a bunch of Fremont hippies in the 70's. I love him.
We went up with my parents to Victoria B.C. This is at Buchart Gardens, a phenomenal (if not pricey) display of late summer foliage. It was literally breathtaking the whole time we were there
An early morning ferry ride to Port Angeles.
My kind of weather/skyline.
Snoqualmie Falls is more beautiful than I even remembered.
(I know, I know I used to boycott both ferries and Snoqualmie Falls. But I'm a visitor now, I'm allowed to enjoy them!)
The best part of the extended stay was the wedding. Gabe, one my very best friends from high school married his girlfriend of almost 3 years. They are booh devoutly Christian and the Spirit was so strong in their ceremony, I know that God is pleased with their marriage. I totally cried. They're just perfect for each other. The venue was up North of Seattle and had a little pond with a rowboat (my favorite), a putting green, croquet and a well-used dance floor (yes, we did boogie down to YMCA). Kelsey, the beautiful bride, thanked everyone for coming and said "I've been praying for this weather since we got engaged!" It had been raining all week (see above picture) but the weather was indeed surprisingly ideal.
Hanging out with my one true love, Kendall when she also happened to be in Seattle for the week. Maybe the last time I see before she heads down south for Navigator training (she's gonna be an Air Force All Star). After we hung out at Gasworks Park we got Ivars. Yummy.
And we saw the Troll Under the Bridge (that's me on his shoulder) - Made by a bunch of Fremont hippies in the 70's. I love him.
We went up with my parents to Victoria B.C. This is at Buchart Gardens, a phenomenal (if not pricey) display of late summer foliage. It was literally breathtaking the whole time we were there
An early morning ferry ride to Port Angeles.
My kind of weather/skyline.
Snoqualmie Falls is more beautiful than I even remembered.
(I know, I know I used to boycott both ferries and Snoqualmie Falls. But I'm a visitor now, I'm allowed to enjoy them!)
The best part of the extended stay was the wedding. Gabe, one my very best friends from high school married his girlfriend of almost 3 years. They are booh devoutly Christian and the Spirit was so strong in their ceremony, I know that God is pleased with their marriage. I totally cried. They're just perfect for each other. The venue was up North of Seattle and had a little pond with a rowboat (my favorite), a putting green, croquet and a well-used dance floor (yes, we did boogie down to YMCA). Kelsey, the beautiful bride, thanked everyone for coming and said "I've been praying for this weather since we got engaged!" It had been raining all week (see above picture) but the weather was indeed surprisingly ideal.
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