Knitting Craze

Every year during the winter I get a serious case of knitter's obsession. This year, my knitting phase of winter was greatly delayed probably due to other time consuming (but not nearly as enjoyable) tasks that took precedence. Thanks to my mother who gave me some well used knitting books for Christmas, my passion for wearable yarn was yet again rekindled.

While I was knitting in bed the other night trying to rationalize working on my knitting project over reading my scriptures I glanced over at the Ensign magazine next to me and saw Elder Eyring's Our Hearts Knit As One from the October 2008 Conference. (Yay...there is a spiritual tie for my current hobby!) In this talk, he gives several ways to increase unity in our lives--this is my simplified version. I hope to integrate some of these items into my new year's resolutions.

1. Be humble
"Pride is the great enemy of unity."
2. Say nice things about people (or don't say anything at all)
"I can promise you a feeling of peace and joy when you speak generously of others in the Light of Christ."
3. Find strength in differences
"The children of God have more in common than they have differences. And even the differences can be seen as an opportunity. God will help us see a difference in someone else not as a source of irritation but as a contribution. The Lord can help you see and value what another person brings which you lack."
4. Pray for unity
"The miracle of unity is being granted to us as we pray and work for it in the Lord’s way. Our hearts will be knit together in unity."
5. Unity is not an individual pursuit
"He cannot grant it to us as individuals. The joy of unity He wants so much to give us is not solitary. We must seek it and qualify for it with others. It is not surprising then that God urges us to gather so that He can bless us."

2008: A Year in Review

Since 2002, I've summarized each year into what I call a "Year in Review." I sit down and write down bullet points as much as I can remember from each month in that year. Then, I sift through my journal from the year and fill in all the gaps. (I am an avid journal writer--which helps tremendously!)

As I've been in the process of writing my "Year in Review" for 2008, a lot of the emotions and feelings from this year's events return. For me, 2008 will always be the year of babies (4 new additions within the last year or so), discoveries, faith, mourning, friendships, and uncertainty.

I've had a hard time putting my finger on how this year has changed me. I feel more adult in the sense that the innocence and naivety that naturally accompanied me through my college years may never fully return. Yet, my exposure to life's realities has not tainted me, no, not my determination, my peace, or my joy.

What would a "Year in Review" reveal to you?

Here are a few highlights from 2008 in photos.

Birthday Memorabilia

Happy Birthday to my older sister Gina! It's interesting to see which gifts we keep over the years. I liked Gina's recent post about a gift of hers that is about to turn 20.

This year I gave Gina my afternoon for her birthday. We went to Five Guys (my first time...on the scale of fast food it definitely really good...but it's still fast food and it still makes my tummy sick when I eat it). We shared a hamburger and ate lots of fries.

We also made cinnamon ornaments out of two ingredients: cinnamon and glue. Like any true three-year-old boy, Gina's son quickly made the comparison of the dough-like substance to you know what. Anyway, they will make darling and nice smelling tree ornaments.

Happy Birthday Gina!

Help! Techno Advice Needed...

OR

?

I need a new computer, but I have really been putting off my decision. Part of me is just very emotionally attached to my trusty ol' Dell computer that I got four years ago, and the other part of me doesn't want to mess with the hassle to switch computers.

Basically, I need to be able to run a few fancy and memory-intensive design programs (Adobe Creative Suite) for a few projects I am working on. My computer isn't capable of efficiently handling these programs and goes into dino-slow mode when they are running. I am considering a Mac, but my programs are only compatible for PCs. Here's my question: should I buy a Mac and split my hard drive to run the programs, or should I buy a PC?

What laptop do you have and why should I consider buying it?

Child's Play

Portraits of a few of the most prominent toys.

Now, tell me princess now when did you last let your heart decide?

Philadelphia: Thoughts on the City

The purpose of my trip to Philadelphia was three-fold: sightseeing, visiting, family, and graduate school shopping (not that I am really all that convinced to go back to graduate school right now, but I might as well know what's out there). I was surprised that I missed DC--my home of a little over a month. I found myself comparing things like transportation (DC's metro to Philadelphia's Septa train) my overall sense of safety, and cleanliness. In all areas, DC came out on top. But, needless to say, Philadelphia trumps DC in artistic innovation and creativity.

In all, this is what I saw in Philly:

How ironic.

The innards of the Liberty Bell.

Graffiti. On every light post, newspaper rack, and parking meter.

On the Septa.

baby dancer in philadelphia

This is my favorite picture today. I love how the feet give mixed messages about what is happening here. The black pair is stationary, non moving. The child's pink velcro-ed feet are impatient, waiting for the next activity, all the while the top foot seems engaged in a something removed from the situation.

Taken on Tuesday near Philadelphia waiting for my cousin's tw0-year-old daughter's ballet class to start.

Birthday Wishes

For many, today will be a day for history--voting, polls, and politics. For me, today is a day of mixed emotions, evoking memories of my dad. Today would have been his 57th birthday. It's interesting--even when my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I never really thought he would pass away. To me he seemed somewhat immortal or immune to death.

My dad owned very few material possessions during his life. For his birthday nearly every year we would give him a new pack of black dress socks. Thrilled, just like the year before, he would thank us for being so thoughtful. He would say to us, "This is exactly what I wanted!" He was a man of simplicity and practicality--never extravagance. After he died, I was actually surprised to walk around the house and realize how few material items I actually associate with my father. In fact, everything he owned fits into the size of a bathtub.

A few weeks ago I began to think, If my father were still alive, what would he want for his birthday?

I think he would have liked to talk to each of his kids and grandkids to tell them he loved them. In his own non-judgemental way, he would have encouraged us to continue working hard in our family and to have faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His love for life, family, and faith is a gift to all those who knew him.

My darling family in 2006.

A Day for Memorializing

Standing at the feet of Lincoln earlier this week I was struck by this statement given at the Second Inaugural Address, in the middle of the Civil War, and only a month before his assassination.
"With malice toward none, with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right; let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have bourne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

This is absolutely music to my ears. How seldom we hear this kind of rhetoric today? I feel empowered, moved, and fundamentally changed by this beautiful speech.

A view of the Vietnam War Memorial designed by Maya Lin (the two pictures above). This memorial was actually highly controversial when it was "erected." It has been described as a "scar on the earth." You can see from this picture that it actually rests entirely beneath the surface of the earth--at no point does it jut out or stand tall and proud at least not when compared to other memorials in the area (like the Korean War Memorial, below).

Sisters

I love my sisters. Who else would have shown me how to paint my fingernails, wear my hair in side pony-tails, or make ridiculous infomercials for hairspray in front of the bathroom mirror? Today is my sister Rhonda's birthday. She is a wonderful role model as a mother, friend, and older sister. She brings such joy into my life!

Trusty Companions

One of my favorite theories in my anthropology courses was Actor-network Theory. Basically it's a really complicated (and often boring) theory which states that material objects can sometimes determine behavior. Take, for instance, your faulty backpack that comes unzipped in the middle of a busy street. Your papers scatter everywhere, but a young man helps you pick them up. He asks for your number, takes you out, and you get married. The chain of events that led to your marriage began with an inanimate object: your backpack. Therefore, your backpack was just as instrumental in your current marital bliss as you and your husband are. It's kind of a stretch, but it is fun to think with.

Anyway, on this note, I thought I'd take a moment to make a tribute to a few possessions that have been with me nearly everywhere for the past few years, and potentially shaped my actions.

Y Waterbottle
Current Status: Working condition. Scotch tape holds the lid together.
Description: Perfect size, fits discretely in most purses. Nearly escaped confiscation by a museum in Shanghai.

Headlamp (insert picture here)
Current Status: Missing. Last seen in the back seat of my car.
Description: Used daily as a nightlight for reading novels late at night not only camping in Provo Canyon, but also in my Provo apartment. I even used this headlamp on the seventeen hour flight that took me to Singapore.

Chaco Sandals
Current status: Slightly stinky.
Description: Ideal for rivers, hiking to Stewart Falls, and long walks while sightseeing in cities like Chicago.

Bluebell
Current Status: Learning the ropes of a new city.
Description: Bluebell is a trooper--even when I drag her places like Price Canyon (and her little insides burst) and when I take her for long cross country road trips. My little nieces love Bluebell and have really helped her understand her true identity and member of the family.

Today in the Nation's Capital

I have a fascination with the ordinary, the everyday, and the ephemeral. Today I watched a documentary film made, directed, and featuring photographer Nikki S. Lee. It was about the mundane and the simple things that happen in her life (I am pretty sure I am the only one in the theater that enjoyed the film!) Here is my photo essay of the way I saw Washington DC today.

jobless, but far from hopeless

I was slightly offended when an elderly missionary at LDS Employment services told me that attending their career workshop would help to give me some hope. Even though I may not have much, the one thing I have right now is hope. I learned a lot about hope from Elder Uctdorf's talk during General Conference last weekend. He said, "Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness." He continues that hope is "believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance." I feel the power of hope manifested in my life everyday.

Why am I hopeful? I am so blessed to have an incredible support group. I have two siblings within a 40 mile radius of me. How could it get better than that? Everyday I come home from the library I am greeted by these darling faces:

My two year old niece told me today as I was leaving to study/find a job/work, "Aunt Tammy, remember to come back so that we can play ponies together." Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world! Over the weekend, my sister Gina's three-year old son told her that he wanted to play with his best friend. "Who is your best friend?" she asked. "Aunt Tammy" he replied. Let's be honest, what is really more rewarding? A salary or the unconditional love of a three year old? =)