gravity

new bloggy

2010-02-11T10:52:00.002-07:00

well, I'm married now, so I'm not sure what to do with this bloggy

I think I'll keep it around.

but

you can bet I'll actually be posting more frequently on my

married bloggy

http://alexanderandkate.blogspot.com

i'll even be posting some "wife"-like things.

more recipes (yum)

photos of the new apt

recaps of the wedding

etc.

check it out.

so...I'm married now

2010-02-02T11:27:00.002-07:00

and you can see the pictures here. I am so happy I picked Duston Todd as the photographer.

The film images are timeless,

rich with color,

full of personality,

and seeping with artistic quality.

One excellent part of us hiring Duston is that he gives his clients a physical print of each photo that he takes--engagements, bridals, and wedding day. I am so excited to get these!

marriage...yeah, it's wonderful! It's an adventure, and I love it. I am grateful for the routine we have now, and for the little time we get to spend together (which is, of late, becoming more and more a study time).

we have an apartment.

it is very beige.

and very much still full of stuff that we don't know what to do with.

We bought a couch! and some curtains! and we got a dining table from my parents. We had to take two legs off of it to get it in our apartment, but it's in there now.

We may get it put together someday.

I am still in school.

I love the bus ride to and from school every day

approx. 1 hr 15 mins.

usually I sleep, but sometimes I call an old friend, read, listen to music, or chat with the random person sitting next to me. My favorite so far is the German gentleman who met his wife from being pen pals. He's pretty cool.

Alexander also is a bus rider.

He loves saving the economy from petroleum use

I love saving the environment from pollution.

We don't talk about politics very often.

I think that's all for now.

Oh yeah. We're not having kids yet,

thanks for asking :)

How I picked

2010-02-01T10:08:00.002-07:00

This is for you, Kamille.

I was agonizing over this decision, and finally decided to let it go, since I had already come to terms with the fact that I'd have to decide last minute. And that is exactly what happened.

One night, I woke up with a splitting headache. I could not sleep, nor could Alexander. I asked him to give me a blessing. It was 3:30 am, and he said, "well, you're going to have to decide what your full name is right now." I did not hesitate. "Katherine Sadler Lovett".

So, I guess I was right, it was last minute, in the middle of the night, and while I was clearly in pain. Brilliant.

that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet

2009-12-15T11:33:00.002-07:00

Poll:
I'm changing my name after I get married, but to what?!
1. Katherine Marie Lovett
I like this because it keeps my middle name, without taking a whole 60 seconds to write. I love my middle name!

2. Katherine Sadler Lovett
I like this because being a Sadler is so important to me. It is so much of who I am!

3. Katherine Marie Sadler Lovett
This is great because it has all of the names I love in it, but it's sooooo long! should that be an issue???

AAAAH. I guess this may be one of those decisions that is made at the last second...(i.e. as I'm filling out the paperwork.) such is life.

update?

2009-12-02T17:48:00.003-07:00

well, i know that i've been slacking in the blogosphere, but here are some updates:

1. Engagement Photos

2. Bridal Photos

3. Apartment: We are leasing one in American Fork, just 5 mins from the freeway and the Park-n-Ride. Which is good, since we're both going to become besties with UTA.

4. Furniture. We are now the proud owners of a washer and dryer, a mattress set, and a bed frame.

5. Family: Stephen's farewell, Robert's court of honor. We loved Thanksgiving and spending time with our families.

6. Wedding plans: well, if it's not done now, chances are, it's not going to get done. I'm excited, ecstatic, just soooo excited to get to marry the love of my life.

7. School. Sometimes i forget about this one, mostly b/c i'm so excited to get married. i don't particularly care for the lab i'm working in right now, and i'd much rather just skip the next two weeks so that i can be married!

8. THANKS. In this time of gratitude, we are so grateful for all of our friends and family. for their love, support, and encouragement. Thanks, all y'all!

i think i like it....

2009-10-29T16:40:00.001-06:00

a cute condo in Lehi.

now, don't steal it from me!

never-fail chocolate chip cookies

2009-10-16T20:35:00.002-06:00

part 1
once upon a time, i had a wonderful chemistry professor named dr. wood. he one day made cookies for the WHOLE class (250 students!) to help them think about the different things we eat and how we metabolize each part of them.

part 2
one sunday evening, i was craving chocolate chip cookies, and i was willing to forsake my ghiradelli's recipe if i could get a hold of dr. wood's. luckily, i had his cell phone number, so i called him up, and he gave me the recipe. i've never gone back.

Dr. Wood's Chocolate Chip Cookies
mix together:
1 c. white sugar
2.5 c. brown sugar
1 lb. butter

add one at a time:
3 eggs

mix in:
2 T. vanilla
1 t. salt
1.5 t. baking soda
6 c. flour
12 oz. chocolate chips (i like milk, but semi-sweet work too)

bake at 350 F for 7-9 minutes. (i like 7 minutes, they come out soft and just a little gooey. it really depends on your oven.)

i make them small, and usually get about 6 dozen cookies. delicious!

cupcake inspiration

2009-09-23T20:25:00.002-06:00

sorry. i forgot where all of these pretty pictures came from :(

inspiration

2009-09-10T13:24:00.004-06:00

I decided after seeing many an inspiration board, i should create one of my own. It has some pictures that have done some serious inspiration-work, and hopefully conveys the warm, fun, and somewhat unique wedding I plan to have.

Next inspiration board: more color--i'm missing the red accent color somewhere in here, and i hope to find it soon!

Also...good thing i have picasa--it does picture collages in a snap! perfect!

oh what you find when bored at work...

2009-09-08T15:25:00.004-06:00

i discovered these little toys (1 2) while reading martha stewart weddings' blog, the bride's guide.

they take your favorite inspirational photograph and pull the colors from it and voila! instant color scheme! so i put my most recent favorite photo of the bouquet in

and it gave me a dull color scheme

and a bright color scheme

perfect! this bright color scheme is exactly what i'm going for! beautiful reds, a warm white, and the most amazing shade of mustard yellow. the dull color palette is also just exactly what i was looking for, with lots of earthy browns--very warm and very fall-like (even though the weather on December 19th will be very much not fall-like).

what a fun little toy to play with! have fun looking at color schemes in your favorite inspirational photos!

flowers

2009-09-02T19:46:00.008-06:00

at first, i dreamed of a bouquet that looked like this:

photo courtesy of Maura Brewer, my former VTee, on facebook

tight, composed of roses alone, and tied with ribbon. in my youth, the roses were always white, and the ribbon navy blue.

when my color ideas changed from navy blue and cream to a warmer red, brown, and yellow, i envisioned red roses and yellow calla lilies, with twigs coming out--not unlike this:

source: anna page photography

sans the white ribbon--a yellow or brown ribbon perhaps instead.

but then, i came upon more and more bouquets that looked like these:

via the fantastic melissa jill

from stephanie williams' fashion shoot
this series has really provided me a ton of inspiration

source: a great wedding by kate benson

found on elizabeth anne designs

full of beautiful variety and so fun and whimsical. i looooove it.

and then, i found this one, on martha stewart weddings:

via martha stewart weddings

I love this bouquet. it looks wintery and it has beautiful variety and is soooooo lovely. i think i picked a bouquet. i know it won't look just like this, but i can dream, right?

and...as a lovely picture that doesn't fit in bouquets, but does fit in the flowers. if i was a spring bride, there is no doubt i would be a tulip bride.

via anna page photography

kicks

2009-08-13T13:53:00.009-06:00

now, i must say that it's true. i'm currently agonizing over a very tiny teeny tiny detail that i really shouldn't be worried about until my dress is done--or at least the fabric is purchased. but, i must be honest in the admission that i care about my shoes. a lot. especially since my dress is short, the shoes must be striking and beautiful, but not so much that the focus is on my feet the entire day. this being said, i'll walk you through some of my shoe-searchings.

first, i found these:

kate spade's "Lora" via Nordstrom, $285

and these:

Gentle Souls' "Ruper Star", also via Nordstrom, $139.90

i really like them. the style is just right, but the color is a little bold--i want to match my color scheme (red, cream, and chocolate brown), but i'm not sure i want red shoes with a short dress. also, they may be a little too informal...

also, both a little pricey. hey why not top it out at these:

Stuart Weitzman's "Crissy", via Nordstrom, $325

i liked all of these, minus the price tags. also, i'm getting married in December. and if you're not familiar with Utah, you won't know that December usually includes large amounts of snow (you know, that white fluffy stuff that is wet and cold?). this means that the shoes i pick have to be slightly reasonable, that is: not too high of heels and not too exposing--i do want to have feet at the end of my wedding day. this probably means 1. no sling-backs, 2. no sandals, and 3. no peep-toes.

so, i continued my search, finding some more un-winter-friendly shoes that i loved nonetheless.

from jcrew:

hitting home with their elegant and simple "Ginger", $198, in ivory and golden cypress

the pretty, feminine "Ella", $225, in ivory (also comes in golden cypress, but may be a little much.)

and the knotted-goodness of "Carmen", $265, in ivory (comes, excuse me, came in navy blue, until featured by the knot, when all of them were eaten up by navy-blue brides).

there seems to be a pattern here: 1. all non-winter shoes and 2. all expensive. so i kept looking:

from zappos, Gabriella Rocha's "Ginger", $65

cute, right color, but not formal enough. definitely closer to what i'm looking for, though. sturdy, reasonable heel, but not uncomfortable. so i searched for some mary janes and found these:

nina's "Seeley", $49.95

and i was soooooo excited! they're sturdy, perfect, inexpensive, and beautiful. just what i was looking for! look a little closer, though :(. these are made only for girls, not women.

so, i kept looking on nina's site, and created these:

nina, design your own, $199.95

which is when i decided that i wanted golden shoes (not to mention that gold is the color of shoes i originally saw in the photo of the perfect dress). They will still pop, but they won't be obnoxious or distracting. so i went back to the jcrew website. and these popped up:

jcrew, "Charlie" in warm maize, $228

mmmmmhmmmm. these are beautiful. and the price is hideous. but don't worry, i'm determined to drag a. to jcrew and try on a pair, just to make sure they aren't too tall.

to keep with the color theme, i decided that the color was "mustard" yellow and started to search out more "mustard" colored shoes. didn't have much luck, but did find these:

Merona's "Madalena" at Target, $19.95

not very dressy, and no heels, but still the perfect color. whether i wear them on December 19th or not, a pair is arriving on my doorstep. i'm sure i'll find a use for them :)

to Heaven

2009-08-05T09:34:00.002-06:00

I'm not actually sure where I first heard this piece of music, but I know it was in my high school days, and I'm almost positive I didn't participate in the performance (which leads me to believe it was the mens' arrangement that I first heard). Either way, the lyrics and beauty of the song have stayed with me since. The song is full of depth and requires time for pondering. The lyrics are potent, and so profound. Enjoy!

In my heart's sequestered chambers lie truths stripped of poets' gloss
Words alone are vain and vacant, and my heart is mute
In response to aching silence, memory summons half-heard voices
And my soul finds primal eloquence, and wraps me in song

If you would comfort me, sing me a lullaby
If you would win my heart, sing me a love song
If you would mourn me and bring me to God,
sing me a requiem, sing me to Heaven

Touch in me all love and passion, pain and pleasure
Touch in me grief and comfort, love and passion, pain and pleasure

Sing me a lullaby, a love song, a requiem
Love me, comfort me, bring me to God
Sing me a love song, sing me to Heaven

words: Jane Griner
music: Daniel Gawthrop

they're gonna put me in the movies

2009-08-05T07:27:00.002-06:00

this makes me want to hire a videographer.

but only for a second. then, i realize that good, solid photographs will do, and they will do quite nicely. it's not like the videographer can capture me walking down the aisle, or the looks A. and I exchange while making our vows. ---just because, well, that's something we aren't doing. the temple is one of the most sacred places on earth, and there is no videotaping or photographing inside, which is fine with me.

and, let's be honest, most of those shots by the videographer could be perfectly captured in a photograph--if the photographer is good. and ours is.

the dessert dilemma

2009-08-03T16:53:00.006-06:00

i loved the idea of cupcakes at weddings--hopefully less expensive than a traditional cake, but also cute and delicious.

martha stewart weddings

My friend Kelsy had them at her wedding:

from facebook, courtesy of Nicole

from facebook, courtesy of Amy

and I've seen some other cute pictures of a cake/cupcake duos:

source

the knot

or as part of a dessert bar:

source: steve depino

...but I'm starting to have second thoughts. I'm seeing tons of cupcakes. tons and tons of them. It's very trendy. and now, I'm perhaps wishing for a simple, traditional wedding cake--just because I don't want to feel toO trendy.

thoughts??

i <3 Gaelin

2009-07-28T15:57:00.008-06:00

**updated: wording and font. this, i think, is the final draft.

not shoes, but still wedding.

2009-07-07T14:34:00.004-06:00

I have an amazing group of friends, did I mention? My dear, dear friend Gaelin is a very talented artist, and when I asked her if she would help me do an invitation suite for the wedding, she was not only obliging, but so excited. After just one take, this is what she came up with:

What a beautiful concept on both of the images! I am particularly fond of the swirly one with roses. I think we will print them on a very ivory paper with brown ink for the text (to match the swirly branches). My problem is, I have no knowledge of things printing (ink choice, who to get them printed by, paper, etc.), so I'm hoping Gaelin knows more about that than I do!

Break!

2009-07-06T09:04:00.004-06:00

okay, enough wedding stuff for now.

i am getting psyched up for the rest of the summer. this week, i'll be leaving to victor, idaho to mentor at a fantastic girls ranch called Quickwater.

when i get back, i'll be super excited to see harry potter and...500 days of summer!!!! 500 days was one of my very favorite films at the sundance film festival, and i'm stoked to see it again. zooey and joseph were dynamite, and marc webb is a fan-freaking-tastic director. if you can, you must must must see this film!

other than that, i'm just wrapping up some stuff at work and getting ready to go to new mexico with the fiance to visit his family, and start grad school at the school that shall not be named.

i'll post at least once more before i head to the wilderness, sans lappy, compy, cell, and ipod. i think it will be a post about...shoes.

hair, per request of Patti.

2009-06-30T14:39:00.003-06:00

so, i came across this hairstyle on the blog of the fabulous jennifer skog. i knew i wanted it as soon as i saw it. behold, the perfect hairstyle:

from the back:
from the front (please ignore random other people. i don't know them...)

found on this post

i probably won't have a flower in it (definitely not my style), but i want a veil...i think i'll just stick it underneath the 'do.

isn't it magnificent?

finding the perfect dress

2009-06-26T11:45:00.007-06:00

well, that title is a little funny for my situation because luckily, i don't actually have to find the perfect dress. a dear family friend has offered to make a gown for me. she is an excellent seamstress, and i know all i'll have to do is show her a picture of what i want and she'll whip it up.

now, the real question is...what do i want? when i decided on cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake, i immediately took the formality notch down a few levels. i also am not a fan of big, poofy cinderella dresses. another thing that accentuates the simplicity of my ideas is my ring--no center stone, just a simple row of diamonds. when i started my "dress" search for ideas of what i wanted, here is what i came up with.

first dress i loved, courtesy of Stephanie Williams, a photographer who did a killer vintage shoot that can be found here: part 1 part 2

and another dress from the same shoot that is beautiful and simple. i looove the detail on the bodice.
p.s. amazing lighting on this next image, no?

so, using these ideas, i went to brides.com to continue my search and found these beauties. (note, only a smattering of my favorites...i had so many more, but narrowed it down to these, for you.)

and finally this one.

which i immediately fell in love with. i will admit that part of me loves the dress because of the beautiful photograph in which it appears, but i also LOVE the dress--lacy, vintage, modest, etc. etc. the caption describes this dress as an "Alençon lace tea-length dress with a scalloped hemline..., $4,600, by Ulla-Maija Couture, ulla-maija.com". so i scoured ulla-maija.com to see if i could indeed find this beautiful dress or something even like it. to no avail. i found one similar on a blog that lifted an image from your dream dress,

but everything else i found was brides that LOVED this dress and couldn't find anything like it anywhere! so, i emailed the picture to my seamstress, and this was her reply:

"OHH pretty dress. We can totally make something like this...we can do the dress for much, much cheaper!!"

lucky me! thanks, steph!

planning away...

2009-06-24T13:40:00.005-06:00

i'm doing some good research on photographers, because while i am not on a huge budget, i'm guessing that photography will be my splurge, and perhaps my biggest expense. I want to get the best bang for my buck and have a fabulous photographer. Here are my top three choices, and a favorite sample photo from each.

what do you think??

rachel thurston
http://rachelthurston.blogspot.com/
probably most expensive of the lot, but also good. $350 traveling fees to utah.
pricing is here http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=12217f853e64443f&mt=application%2Fpdf
shoots a mix of film/digital

allison cox
http://blog.allisoncphotography.com
simple, but also fun. seems to match the couple and convey their style in the photos.
pricing is here http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=1217b0bf9c492db7&mt=application%2Fpdf .
I think that she is probably the most bang for your buck, including an engagement session and prints from both sessions.
extra cash for electronic files of the photos, though.
shoots mix of film/digital

duston todd
http://dustontodd.blogspot.com/
a little bit trendier and artsier, but could be more classy and traditional if asked, i'm sure.
pricing here: http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&pid=gmail&attid=0.1&thid=1217e0d11c0994f6&mt=application%2Fpdf .
i think that he probably has a fun personality and would be fun to work with.
also good bang for buck--includes a print of every image. shoots exclusively on film (= not photoshopped look).
includes engagement and bridal session.

forever.

2009-06-18T15:09:00.004-06:00

It's official. Alexander Hale Lovett and I are engaged to be married in December. hooray!

light assignment

2009-06-09T23:27:00.002-06:00

some of my favorite photos from our light assignment. i was nervous about this assignment at first, because i had procrastinated, but i think i did a fair job of seeing. it turned out to be a fun exercise, and some of my photos turned out well.

Color assignment

2009-06-09T23:17:00.002-06:00

Here are some of my favorite shots from my color assignment--shot at the SLC Public Library. One of my favorite buildings in Salt Lake City

Air Show fun

2009-06-09T23:11:00.002-06:00

Alexander, Jackie, Cory, and I went to the air show at Hill Air Force Base on Saturday. It was really fun to see all of the planes and to watch the acrobatics. Here are some pics from the day

Jackie and Cory by the Hornet.

One of my favorite shots of the day.

A. in front of his favorite plane, the P-51

Jackie, in front of the Utah State plane. She wants to be an Aggie one day. No worries, we'll set her straight before it's too late.

alexander is my destiny

2009-06-04T22:58:00.002-06:00

Here's the man that I plan on spending the rest of my life (and the rest of eternity, for that matter) with. Although I have no ring on my finger (1. haven't picked one yet and 2. proposals should be surprises according to A.) we will be wed on December the 26th in the Bountiful, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Yes, this means that 1. I will not be moving to Ohio. 2. I will be starting the Chemical Biology program at the University of Utah and 3. I will be moving home for fall semester (hopefully sometime in early/mid august) until the wedding, after which A. and I will move to American Fork, where we will live and commute (him to the Y and me to the U) until he finishes school in December 2010. One day, I will have to do a post dedicated just to him so that you can meet the love of my life. Next time, maybe when it's not too late and when I have a pretty ring I can take pictures of to show you :).

Until then, peace out.

hope ya know...

2009-05-29T10:52:00.001-06:00

i can't help but love this beautiful message from Elder Quentin L. Cook. it is definitely a hard time right now, but Elder Cook's message is comforting and encouraging.

wasabi green tea

2009-05-26T23:57:00.002-06:00

this soap by william-sonoma is deeeelicious. can't wait it to open it when i get to my new place.

my best image

2009-05-18T14:33:00.003-06:00

This was probably my favorite image from my shoots for the first assignment, and my class seemed to like it as well. There are some other variants of it...what do you think about the one I chose to submit for a grade?

A horizontal way to look at it

a little more view of the pond, and no people

more foreground and Jackie on her way down the path

also a little more foreground and less sky

One word of His supporting grace drives all my fears away.

2009-05-17T09:52:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite hymns is penned by Issac Watts and performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I think it is soooo beautiful, and I will never forget the Choir's performance of it at President Hinckley's funeral.

My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is His name,
In pastures fresh He makes me feed beside the living stream;
He brings my wandering spirit back when I forsake His way,
And leads me for His mercy's sake in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death His presence is my stay,
One word of His supporting grace drives all my fears away;
His hand in site of all my foes doth still my table spread,
My cup with blessings overflows, His oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days;
Oh, may Thy house be my abode and all my work be praise;
There would I find a settled rest, while others come and go;
No more a stranger nor a guest, but like a child at home.

VA 134

2009-05-13T07:53:00.003-06:00

so, i'm taking a photography class this term, and I think I'm going to post some of my work on here.

first: one of my beautiful mother, on mother's day. she is so pretty.

a cool bench at our neighbor's farm.

a hill on the farm, and my little sister.

another of my sister--i just loved her dress and the setting of the farm. not to mention the beautiful evening light.

so far

2009-05-08T23:31:00.003-06:00

my summer has been soooo amazing. i'm dating this amazing guy. i have a wonderful job being a TA for a great professor. i love my roommates. i have finished The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and The Horse and His Boy, and I'm on to Prince Caspian. i am loving reading these novels. they are so full of allusions to Christ and his beautiful atoning sacrifice for every single person. the allusions are subtle and oh so profound. i love love love it. there is no better way to spend a summer than this, right here, right now. i am seriously so blessed.

I...

2009-05-07T23:20:00.004-06:00

...hope you're asleep by now
...think of you A LOT. strike that. i think a lot of YOU. never mind. both.
...am trying to keep myself distracted.
...want you to know that you make my heart soar.
...can't even begin to figure out what i thought about before you.
...sometimes wonder how much you think about me.
...am filled with gratitude to the Lord for bringing you into my life, regardless of what is to come.
...had an amazing time with you just eating pizza and watching the stars appear.
...feel like a beautiful, amazing, smart woman when i am with you.
...appreciate your willingness to meet my family. they are such a big part of my life, and i am so excited to share them with you.
...have noticed how much your words are worth. way more per capita than mine.
...learn more every day how this relationship functions--the ebb and flow of two lives that came together to make a glorious river.
...am a silly girl. i hope that you don't mind. =)
...have a head full of songs that you remind me of.
...care about you.
...don't ever want you to think otherwise, okay?

in case you are thinking,

2009-04-27T00:03:00.003-06:00

"what on earth did that mean?"
it meant that

i appreciate you
and the way you treat me

so, thank you.

thank you

2009-04-24T21:05:00.001-06:00

for your vote of confidence. not only does it mean a lot to me, but you're starting to as well.

a new discovery

2009-04-20T14:19:00.003-06:00

hmmm. discovered this song while listening to House, and fell in love immediately. turns out that it has the same name as the song that is my blog's namesake.

so soulful.

what makes your heart happy?

2009-04-20T12:23:00.005-06:00

spring-time

{spring honeysuckle in Grandpa Sadler's backyard}

movies that make me cry
spending the entire day fishing

{Bonny Lake, our favorite fishing spot}

my sister, Jackie

{Jackie and I at her baptism, June 29, 2007}

my family

{my family + cam at my 21st birthday}

the gospel of Jesus Christ

{the temple: the house of the Lord, Jesus Christ}

and a whole slew of other things.
what about you?

soon to begin: summer of freedom: perhaps the last ever

2009-04-16T23:06:00.003-06:00

last summer, i made a list of things i wanted to do, and i actually did some of them! so, maybe i'll do the same for this summer and see what happens.

read the entire Chronicles of Narnia
date. one person, many people, i don't care, but a lot--i'm leaving provo, for crying out loud! i'm going to miss all these amazing men!
kiss a boy, either through my window or in the laundry room.
road trip to the midwest to look at apartments, visit profs, etc.
visit Carrie and other so. cal. folks
out-fish a boy
test drive cars
read. a lot
go to the pool. a lot
get tan
hike
spend as much time as possible outside--hiking, playing in the river, swimming, fishing, etc.
spend time getting to know people.

Hopefully I can do a lot of these things, seeing as my summer starts now and ends in FIVE months...longest summer ever!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T10:14:00.001-06:00

Elder Holland, an apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ, shares a beautiful message about the Savior's suffering and victory. Perfect for the Easter season!

oak or bamboo?

2009-04-10T15:36:00.003-06:00

"When the snow falls on the oak, the branch breaks, but when the snow falls on the bamboo, it is resilient, shaking off the snow and still standing tall."

My papa often uses this analogy when we are stubborn or inflexible, and it comes to my mind often when I think of how fast life changes.

It's true, I have decided to go to Ohio State in the fall. It is also true that, although I would like to get a PhD. and become a professor, my ultimate desire is to follow the path that my Heavenly Father has laid out for me. I know that this path is the one that will bring me the most peace and happiness.

So, if it happens that I am led by God to do something besides going to OSU, you'd better believe I'm going to do it, even though it may not make sense at the time. God is all-knowing, which means he knows my heart, my mind, and what is best for me.

I think that this is what my papa means by being "bamboo"; being willing to let Christ lead your life, whether it be in big decisions (OSU, or whatever else happens, for example) or small decisions (being angry because someone in your family ate your leftovers). This means not being stubborn like an oak tree, because either way, the snow will fall, but only with the grace of Christ will you be able to stand.

it's official

2009-04-09T18:46:00.003-06:00

I clicked the "I accept admission" buttion and I'm going to OSU in September to start a PhD in Biochemistry. I don't think it's quite sunk in how big of a commitment i've just made, but it's exciting, nonetheless!

things i see, part 3: books

2009-04-03T00:08:00.004-06:00

this may have to be a multi-part series, since i have so many books. but, we'll start here

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgsen Burnett
I received this particular novel from my dear Aunt Ruth when I was young--probably only four or five years old. Although I wasn't quite old enough to read it at the time, I loved the beautiful illustrations inside and on the covers. When I was in second or third grade, I finally read the book, and it quickly became one of my favorite books ever. I think that it is a perfect story of hope. To this day, that story of a poor, ragged girl doing everything she can to stay happy and hopeful is so beautiful.

Gene Cloning: Third Edition, Brown
Many years ago, as a high school student, I had the opportunity to participate in a summer research program at the University of Utah. They took us through a three week crash-course in lab technique: protein extraction, cell culture, plates, SDS-PAGE gels, agarose gels, etc. After the three weeks, they matched us with a professor and we worked in his or her lab for the next six weeks, presumably as research assistants. When I got to Dr. Blair's lab, I could perform the techniques, but I knew next to nothing about molecular biology. The world of restriction enzymes, ligase, and taq polymerase was completely foreign to me. A kind post-doc, named Miriam (I think...) gave me a copy of this book, from which I learned everything I know about cloning. I'm definitely taking this with me when I start at OSU this fall.

everyone could use a little more...

2009-03-30T17:58:00.000-06:00

sara bareilles in their lives.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

signs.

2009-03-28T11:08:00.003-06:00

I love this short film. I know it is 12 minutes, but it is amazing. Also, for those of you who wear sensitive sweaters, i suggest you take them off for the funny/sort of inappropriate scene at 6:10.

thanks to le love for this gem.

things i see, part 2: in my living room

2009-03-27T00:26:00.003-06:00

a photo of my brother and myself
on the day he got his misson call. we celebrated this day by a spaghetti dinner at my old condo. Patti had to shoot a roll of film for her photography class, and was shooting pictures of the family affair. When she got the roll developed and showed me the proofs, i instantly loved one of jeff and i hugging. as a gift for my birthday, patti made me a print of the photo; she developed, toned, and framed it for me. It's one of my favorite gifts. ever. it represents my close relationship with my brother and how happy and proud of him for serving a mission!

a bamboo plant
whose name is jonathan. my great-aunt helen gave me this plant as a graduation gift when i graduated from high school. she said, "every room needs something green." and i totally agree with her. last spring, i left jonathan outside for a weekend, and many of his leaves wilted and eventually died off. luckly, i rescued him just in time to see a new shoot growing! this is really exciting, and we even celebrated by getting him a new home (thank you, DI glassware!). i don't know how i'm going to get him from here to Ohio, but it'll have to be done somehow!

can't wait for this!

2009-03-25T17:25:00.001-06:00

it's going to be AWESOME.

things i see, part 1: from teachers in my life.

2009-03-25T00:39:00.007-06:00

i was looking around my room today and thinking about all of the things that i have that represent people or memories that i love. then, i decided that a little bit about some of these things would make a great series of blog posts! so, here we go.

a card with a painting of the Nativity Scene by Simon Dewey

I was a sophomore at BYU when I got this card. It was Christmas time, and the First Presidency had given Book of Mormons to the professors of the University as gifts. These were accompanied by a beautiful card with this painting on the front. When I commented to the prof I was TAing for (Dr. Lee), he offered me the card, and I, surprised, accepted. Although it's just a Christmas card, it is a beautiful reminder of the Christmas spirit and of the prof who was so encouraging to me in my pursuit of a degree in the Chemistry department.
a Ziggy comic
given to me by my AP English teacher, Ashley Cross. the comic depicts Ziggy at a "Detour" sign. his thoughts are as follows:

"along our path of life we get a series of detours. and we all get frustrated and impatient when we feel we have to leave the path we've chosen! but what if the REAL path of life is REALLY made up of all these detours and instead of learning the real lessons of life, we miss them because we're too busy being frustrated and impatient!!"

this comic has definitely had a HUGE impact on my outlook in college and in deciding what i'm going to do in my life. obviously, since it's been hanging on my wall since i was a freshman, it means a lot to me that Mrs. Cross had the foresight to know that her seniors not only needed intellectual stimulation, but some good, solid mentoring. kudos, Mrs. Cross.

repenting

2009-03-22T23:31:00.005-06:00

i'm back to the blogging world. i know it's been a long hiatus, but it has been one CRAZY ride. here's what i've been up to:

1. travelling to Purdue. wow, the midwest was really fun, and a little bizarre. here is what it looked like:it was really pretty. and cold. i liked the ward; it felt so calm and peaceful to be at church after a long weekend of hanging out with people who lived to get wasted on the weekend.

2. Ohio State. Columbus is a buzzing little town. Obsessed with sports. The stadium is over 183 feet tall. That is taller than the SWKT!!!! it houses over 100,000 people. that is one big football stadium. i also ate at a wonderful indian restuarant, the original buffalo wild wings, and der dutchman. yay for amish country and christy and reza. i got to go to the OSU 2nd ward, which was fun, and i even got to stay a second night at the lovely candace's house (she doesn't have a bloggy, so i'll link you to her official OSU webpage...) due to my mistake in booking my flight four weeks later than i needed it. luckily, 12 hours and $200 later, i was finally on a plane back to utah.

3. Utah. i know, i know, i live in Utah. but this is a vacation because i stayed in a hotel and i also went skiing! it was good to see dr. blair again, whom i worked for in the summer of 2004.

skiing was really fun, except that i was so sore the next couple of days. i did love it, i think that if i had funds, i would definitely become a ski bum for the next few months. who knows, maybe i'll take it up as a hobby in ohio (do they even have skiing there??)

Now, i'm just trying to make it through the semester. Starting to make plans for summer. Putting together a book list. Mapping out road trips with the lovely Lauren. Hoping to get into my fly-fishing class.

Any ideas for any of my lists? What would you do with your last free summer?

Interfaith Hosting

2009-02-24T09:08:00.002-07:00

You may or may not know that I love interfaith dialogue. If you are in the Provo area, and want to be involved, check out this link for details. We'd love to have you.

stupid winter

2009-02-17T22:56:00.001-07:00

i am so lonesome. what is the freaking deal?!
i think i'm getting cabin fever. i want to lay on the grass and read romantic novels.
i'm going to start making a list for the summer.
what should i put on it?

will exchange dinner,

2009-02-16T17:21:00.001-07:00

dessert, and cuddling for someone who will hold me and whisper reassuring words about my grad school interview this upcoming weekend at Purdue.

comment if you're interested in details.

the name of this blog

2009-02-08T11:02:00.002-07:00

comes from this song. enjoy.

sundance 4

2009-02-08T01:13:00.005-07:00

films i didn't see but that i want to.

Push. with Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey. About a girl in New York who is fat, can't read, write, and is pregant with her father's child. Filled with passion inspired by anger and hope. Picked up by Lionsgate for distribution in the US.
The September Issue. Documentary about the editor of Vogue and the fashion industry. Picked up by Roadside Attraction for distribution in the US. Appropriately set to be released in...you guessed it...September.
Afghan Star. Documentary from the UK about Afghanistan's version of American Idol. Competitors come from all ages, ethnic groups, cultures, backgrounds, and genders. Some even risk their lives to compete.
The End of the Line. (I know, another documentary). About safe fish, and saving fish. What fish are good to eat, and where they should come from. One thing they used to promote this film was a huge red mascot-fish. he was sooo cool looking!
An Education. About a 16-year-old girl in London who falls in love with an older guy that gives her an education that she can't get in school. A coming-of-age story that is supposedly brilliant. Picked up by Sony Classics, and set to come out this fall in the US.

25 things. you know the drill.

2009-02-06T15:40:00.001-07:00

1. i have five younger siblings. i love them all, especially my brother Jeff, who is serving a mission in Italy.
2. i love cherry cordial kisses, and the caramel ones.
3. i am passionate about interfaith dialogue, specifically with my dear evangelical friends (kari, carrie, emily, theresa, ashley, adam, heather, bethany, etc. etc.). one day i hope to work in a (currently non-existent) office of interfaith relations with my best friends of dialogue.
4. i loooove the show House, M.D. i love that House is grumpy, a drug-addict who has this secret and amazing soft side.
5. i just had my first social drinking experience. i wasn't drinking, but friends that i have were. it was a first and a good experience for me.
6. i really enjoyed all of the people i met at Sundance, and I miss the Holiday Theatre a lot.
7. i enjoy spending time with my family. they are amazing people, and i love them soooo much. moving away from them is the hardest thing to imagine about going to graduate school.
8. I should be writing a lab report on time-of-flight-secondary-i

on-mass-spectrometry right now. if you don't know what that is, don't worry, curtis, jordan, and i have you covered.
9. i have been tagged in seven of these little notes.
10. Maren, you're not the only one, i have always had a crush on Hamlet. for more info, please read my note about it.
11. I try to see at least one film at International Cinema a week. One week, when I have nothing better to do, I'm going to try to see all three. naturally, this won't be too hard.
12. once, my best friend, Elise, and I bought nearly the exact same shoes, even though we didn't talk about it or anything. the only difference is that hers were red and mine were black.
13. i love the idea of living in the midwest among tons of evangelical families.
14. one day, i want to be like Jennifer Burrows Nielson
15. I've only gotten an A in one chemistry class. ever.
16. My favorite radio programme is Showtunes Saturday Night. yeah!
17. If I had all the money in the world, I would give most of it to charity and spend the rest of it on foreign films, delicious food, and clothes from Banana Republic
18. I love my extended family, and look up to them a lot. especially you, Alex + Brooke.
19. I think my mom is the bravest woman in the world. Even when she knows that something is near-impossible, she still tries to work it out. and most of the time, she's successful.
20. i love love love nerdy, somewhat awkward boys. i just think they are so cute, and they often end up being the best boys to have conversations with and the most caring.
21. i'm thinking of getting a passport just so that if i need to, i can jump on a plane and go somewhere. thanks for the idea, roger.
22. two of my best girlfriends are serving missions. Chantelle is going to the Netherlands, and Megan is in Italy.
23. The idea of packing all of my belongings into some sort of vehicle and driving them to the midwest to graduate school all alone really freaks me out. in fact, going anywhere far away, alone, is a very uncomfortable feeling for me.
24. my favorite musical artist is sara bareilles. my favorite painter is edward hopper. my favorite author is sandra cisneros. my favorite song is "gravity". my favorite food is grilled cheese and tomato soup. these answers all come with the caveat that asking the question, "what is your favorite (fill in the blank)? is totally unfair.
25. one day, i want to sleep until i wake up, shower and get dressed, and spend the day walking around a city, exploring with my spouse, eating different foods, stopping into little shops, and striking up conversations with people in them.

sundance 3

2009-01-31T00:32:00.003-07:00

cz.
standing for "comfort zone" not "cubic zirconium"

I've grown up my whole life in Utah. Fruit Heights, Utah. Turns out, Fruit Heights, Utah is 98 % Caucasian and mostly LDS. I am in school at BYU, which, it turns out, has a similar demographic. except that all of the people here are in school, not spread throughout different ages, etc.

The point is. This zone is very comfortable to me. I love knowing that everyone believes the same thing as me. I love knowing that I don't have to worry about using the terms "RM", "FEC", and "DTR" without anyone blinking an eye or looking at me like I'm crazy. Well, I had a few people looking at me crazy just a couple of weekends ago. And here's why:

My bestie, Lauren, and I decided that since we both love films and vacations, that we would volunteer at the Sundance Film Festival. We wouldn't have to miss a day of school, we would spend two glorious weekends chilling in Park City, and we would get to see 10 free films! I was so excited to meet directors, actors, and producers, and be part of the cool indie-film culture.

Little did I know (or expect), but that culture included a lot of very...shall we say...interesting people, doing interesting things. See, growing up in Utah, I have never been in a situation where people I am personally acquainted with are drinking alcohol. I had never been offered a drink, let alone in a place where everyone (literally) except me and Lauren was drinking. I know. Call me a babe in the woods, but it's true. I live a sheltered life.

So, after work one night, some people invited us to their place for a "drink". I had to, for the first time, tell them that I didn't drink. I was a little nervous, because I really wanted to fit in with them; I liked their style, personalities, and company. My nervousness was eased when they informed me that they had guessed that I was Mormon, and had already purchased some Ginger Ale. I laughed at their guess, and we became instant friends for the rest of the festival.

Most of my fears about being around drunk people include lewdness, crudeness, rudeness, and pressure to do distasteful things or things that my moral compass points away from. Thus, in this new situation, I was still somewhat cautious. However, as the night progressed, I found that, minus the slurred speech and lack of focus, my friends' respect for me did not seem to dwindle. They asked some frank questions (e.g. "So, you've really never had a sip of alcohol?" or, "You're serious. You've never slept with a guy?") which I answered honestly and with a sort of respect for my new friends who had no concept of the paradigm from which I came.

Although I was nervous when I first realized (unexpectedly) that I was soon going to be in a position where I would have to defend and stick to my morals, my discomfort quickly faded as I found that I could have fun without being drunk, without participating in the drugs that were there, and that I could still have friends without agreeing with what they were doing.

And, while they thought I was pretty strange, they just shook their heads and welcomed me into their already strange lives.

sundance 2

2009-01-28T18:41:00.003-07:00

i discovered this little gem when i saw rachael yamagata live. i love the cello and the thoughtfulness of the piece. it makes me so calm; i seem to always be taking big, deep breaths that are so sad. it's beautiful.

this recording is better, but you can't hear the cello as well, which is such an amazing part of the song.

come back to utah, please, rachael, and bring your beautiful, soulful voice.

{lyrics}
Oh
Why don't you call when you say you will my dear
Is it because I don't belong to you anymore

And why don't you come when you say you will my dear
Do you really think it will work out wrong

Oh
And you've been lost
And I've been saved
Is that what comes from giving away

Maybe in time you will come back along to greet me

What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave

Why don't you call
Don't you miss me at all
Left a long
Long time ago to where the weather was better for his kind

Why won't you play
You've gone and left your face
I may be a fool all along but I never understood these rules

Oh
And every street calls your name
A whispering ghost of neighborhood flame
Maybe in time you will wake up to find you're free

What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave

So I grow up longing for another
With the windy city left behind to my lover
Will you ever know the way I cry
You were gone that day so you may have missed my goodbye

Oh
And sometimes in my dreams I hear you say
"If you really care you won't go away"

What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave

What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave
What if I leave

sundance 1

2009-01-26T21:09:00.004-07:00

films i saw.

Thriller in Manila. documentary about the famous fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Fraizer.
Shorts Program III. Included "Instead of Abracadabra", "Hug", "2 Birds", "Nobody Knows You, Nobody Gives a Damn", "Pencil-face", "Countertransference", and "Concerto". Most good. Some unnecessary scenes. If you want to see Instead of Abracadabra, i have it, so let me know.
500 Days of Summer. So good. Fox Searchlight. Coming to theaters in July. nuff said.
Glasshouse. About a women's shelter/center in Tehran, Iran. Meant to extend to all cultures and people. Addressed suppression and confidence of women. Also, interestingly enough, paired with a short about an FLDS woman who is married to the same man as her sister. Entitled "Sister Wife".
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Lots of buzz about this one, but it was only so-so. i'd have to read the book before i analyzed it any more.
Arlen Fabor. Another romantic comedy. but indie style. more predictable than 500 Days, I did really enjoy it, though. laughed and cried. over-use of the F-word, easily.
Boy Interrupted. About a 14-year-old boy who commits suicide. usually, suicide films are full of "if only we would have" or "i wish we had done (blank)". this film was not like that. instead, it was riddled with the love that the family had for their son/brother, the understanding that bipolar disorder is a disease, and must be treated (with lithium). The family did a Q & A afterwards, and it was very touching and genuine. loved the film. loved the family.
Parts of: Tyson and Louise-Michel

I think that's all... but i'm not sure. if i think of more, i'll add them...

making a statement.

2009-01-10T14:43:00.008-07:00

experience, interests, and goals
I have spent many semesters in the research lab, working on everything from studying ribosomal stalling in E. coli (Dr. Buskirk, August 2008–January 2009) to genome mapping of C. quinoa (August 2005 to December 2005) and studying one of its natural products (January 2006 to April 2006, and summer 2007). I am interested in further research in so many fields; these fields include molecular medicine and drug design, study of type I collagen, microfluidics and cancer detection, and microfluidics in general. I took a graduate-level chromatography course, and microfluidic biological separations really interest me. Ultimately, I would like to teach at a university, community college, or junior college and perhaps do research in a field that I am familiar with and interested in.

enter to learn, go forth to serve
I have had many opportunities to serve at BYU. In fact, one of BYU’s unofficial mottos is “Enter to learn, go forth to serve”. One of the most unique volunteering opportunities I have had has to do with religion. This may seem apparent, as BYU is a highly religious university, but I grew up knowing only my Latter-day Saint neighbors, and never exploring other faith traditions. Luckily, I was able to take a course called American Christianity, in which learned about many different Christian traditions. I even had the opportunity to meet and dialogue with people of the Evangelical Christian faith tradition. I have learned so much from my Evangelical friends and neighbors, and now that I am the student director of BYU’s interfaith hosting program, I get to spend even more time working with and learning from my Evangelical friends. I help them plan visits to BYU with their students, where we gather to dialogue (with the intent of understanding) about our different faith traditions. Learning about people that are different than me and growing from those experiences is something I will continue throughout my whole life. Beside this singular experience, I have also had opportunities to mentor at-risk girls at a local middle school, participate in BYU’s homecoming festivities, mentor at-risk fifth and sixth graders at a local elementary school, volunteer as a host for New Student Orientation, and help with political grass-roots campaigning in Provo.

motivation & background
I have been fascinated with science from the moment that I started to connect the genetics lesson in my seventh-grade life sciences class to my younger brother's bone disorder. For his entire life, I had always been reminded by my parents to "be gentle with Greg" and to "not play rough" with him because his bones were fragile. Greg has a mild form osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that causes dysfunctional type I collagen to be produced and therefore brittle bones. He has had over 25 breaks in his 14 years of life. Most of his breaks have been minor, but some have required multiple surgeries. I didn't really have a concept of the cause of his difference; until seventh-grade, that is. As a seventh grader, I wasn't aware of the fact that a study of the life sciences would lead me to extensive knowledge about the fundamental, biochemical causes of OI, but I was fascinated with the world of cells and the DNA that made my brother different. My interest in science continued to be fueled by many other things, including a summer biology class, summer research involving flagellar motors at the University of Utah (summer 2004), and a biotechnology course (that included lab work) my senior year of high school.

At one point in time, however, I wasn't sure biochemistry was for me. The biochemistry major required quantum mechanics and three semesters of physics and I did not have the math background for some of those classes. One day, I sat in Dr. Wood's office discussing this decision with him. I met Dr. Wood while working on a research project, and he had become one of my most trusted teachers and mentors. As I shared my reservations with him about committing to the biochemistry major, he said, "Kate, don't be a wuss." His frank honesty surprised me, but I knew that it was because he had the vision to see that not only was biochemistry what I was good at, but that it was what I was truly interested in and fascinated by.

After three years of college, I have realized (thanks to Dr. Wood) that my initial fascination with cells and DNA has matured into a passion for biochemistry and understanding on a molecular level. This passion was recently manifested as I completed a long day in the research lab. I worked all day on an experiment, applying many of the skills and much of knowledge I had gained. At the end of the day, I reflected with satisfaction on the hard work I had carefully carried out. This satisfaction was the same that I felt as I completed my quantum mechanics and physics courses; a feeling that reminded me of my love for biochemistry and the way it affects not only my life and the life of my younger brother, but the lives of millions of others. My drives to feel those same feelings of satisfaction and to understand processes on a molecular level are what inspire me to pursue a doctorate in chemistry or biochemistry. I know that it will be a lot of work, and that it won’t be necessarily easy. In fact, understanding chemistry isn’t what I would ever call “easy”, but the moments when lights turn on, connections form, and experiments work have been worth every late night, every scramble, every fear, every prayer, and every single tear.

gusts can ruin all sorts of weather.

2009-01-09T23:04:00.002-07:00

i guess gusty is okay. i just am not such a fan of the wind. especially when it is capricious and unpredictable for no good reason.

that being said, i love san francisco. one of my favorite cities. maybe because it's the first city that i was old enough to enjoy. none the less, i love the golden gate bridge, the fog in the morning, and the endless options of cuisine. now that i'm really old enough to visit and enjoy a city, i'd love to go back. here are (in no particular order) some more cities i'd looove to visit:

Boston. loads of history, beautiful college campuses, and of course, the famous clam chowder.
New Orleans. amazing architecture, and of late, amazing struggle. gumbo and jambalya in excess. hurrah.
Chicago. I've loved the idea of this city ever since we flew out of it a few summers ago and saw fireworks going off over the pier. plus, tons of shopping, the Chicago museum of modern art, and of course, delicious pizza.
New York. Of course, this seems like a given, but there are some things that i want to see there sooooo badly. one is Julliard. for some reason, i think i would love to see a beautiful campus like that, one that produces and attracts the amazing musicians of this country. i'd also love to see a broadway show, or at least walk down broadway. central park, too. i would love to just take a book and my notebook and sit all day in beautiful weather, watching people walk by and around just going about their business.

school starts. again.

2009-01-04T23:20:00.003-07:00

so, another day of school starts tomorrow. thankfully, i'm not dreading this one as much as semesters past. here's why:

i'm taking three (3) religion classes. that's right. they are as follows: christian history, new testament (with sister fronk-olson, which i'm suuuuper excited for), and islam and the gospel.
i'm volunteering at the sundance film festival. what could be better than spending two weekends with one of your besties and seeing amazing films, rubbing shoulders with producers and directors, and being in park city? nothing, i submit.
i'm singing in university chorale. i absolutely love and miss singing in a choir, and i'm so happy to go back to it.
i'm so excited for the interfaith hosting program. can't wait to renew old friendships and make new ones. i love my evangelical friends, and learn so much from them. i only hope i can help them in some way as well. it's a beautiful thing to be able to share in the search of truth.
this is officially my last semester as an undergraduate at byu. hard to believe, but true.
international cineman is rumoured to have an excellent lineup this semester. it's not up yet, but once it is, i'll let you know what i'm going to see.
the marriage of two of my closest and dearest friends, michelle and preston. also, possible road trips, and visits from my bff elise and her husband, christopher.

so, all in all, it's going to be an excellent semster, by my estimation. we'll see at the end how it turns out, eh?

draft, 1:23 am, no subject

2009-01-03T23:54:00.001-07:00

i have sad news too. more like a sad story.
once, i had this friend. i thought that we were good friends; we spent hours and hours talking; i felt comfortable around him.i felt like i could ask him honest and frank questions, and that he would listen and answer me honestly and frankly. he made me want to be a better person. i wanted to listen more and talk less when i was around him. when i didn't see him around, i would notice his absence and would miss his company. i wondered if one day we could be more than friends, but i was determined to be patient. he knew that i loved spending time with him and that i was interested, so i wanted him to decide whether he was going to make a move or not. i also knew that he dealing with some hard issues and that he probably needed some time before taking any big steps.

when Christmas break came, i was sad to hear little, if anything, from my good friend. we had a short phone call, and that was the last time i heard from him, despite a few text messages that i sent his way. i missed asking him questions about every which thing, and i missed just being around him. i missed smiling when i was with him, and laughing when he teased me.

now that Christmas break is over, and classes are about to start again, it is inevitable that i'll see him. i'm wondering whether we'll even be friends, let alone more. i'm not hoping for much, just to be able to talk like we used to and to be able to stay friends, at least.

what do you think? any good ideas from that direction?

missed connections.

2009-01-01T23:06:00.002-07:00

I saw you at Market Street Grill and Oyster Bar in Cottonwood on Tuesday night. I was at a wedding reception of a close friend with my mom and little brother. I wore a red long-sleeved tee shirt, a black skirt, and pearls; I have blue eyes and dirty-blonde, short hair. You are named Joshua and seemed to be the head waiter. You had beautiful eyes and a sparkling smile. We made eye contact and smiled when you brought me a pink lemonade. I would have left my number on a napkin if I had a pen. My name is Kate. Let's not miss each other next time, please.

coming to you from lovely Pasadena

2008-12-20T22:37:00.002-07:00

After 14 hours in the car, we finally made it to the lovely Carrie Graham's house, and it is lovely as well. We stopped twice; once for breakfast in Cedar City, and again for (late) lunch in Barstow. Well, not really Barstow, but that's a story for another day.

I'll leave you with an amazing quote on dear Carrie's wall. Read it a couple of times for full effect, and then you'll realize why I absolutely adore her.

"Cultural engagement is crucial, but we must remember that authentic engagement is never condescending. It's not "top down" it's shared knowing marked by equanimity. In the most intimate of dances, there is no leader and no follower. Instead, there is a gracious mutuality, a learned sensitivity to the movement, personality, and mood of the other. If we are truly going to incarnate the gospel in this new world, we as Christ-followers would do well to learn the spiritual rhythms of non-Christians and a dance that is, first of all, fully human. As we seek humble engagement instead of power, we will earn the right to draw others into the subtle rhythms of grace."

-Sally Morrgenthaler

Society as family in German film: Fritz Lang's M and Wolfgang Becker's Goodbye, Lenin!

2008-12-19T00:47:00.003-07:00

at least that's the title of the paper that I should be writing right now.

Instead, I think I'll tell you about some of my favorite places in Provo. Here goes:
(disclaimer: this list is not all inclusive, and of course, includes many places of sentimental value)

Gloria's Little Italy. I love Gloria's because of their delish pasta, pesto with pine nuts, and delectable desserts. It's a perfect place to get authentic Italian food, spend time with your friends, and don't forget, eat amazing gelato. Definitely worth the pretty penny for a meal or dessert every now and again.
The Provo Bakery. Love their sugar cookies, and the buttermilk bars. My arteries can only handle this place about once a year, and it's a perfect place to take a spring-time stroll to when you're trying to avoid finals in April.
The Provo Library. Beautiful architecture and comfy, airy, light study spaces. Not to mention, high-speed wireless internet. The ballrooms have beautiful wooden floors and amazingly tall ceilings.
The Joseph Fielding Smith Building. I love the spiral staircase and the cozy study spots that look over the courtyard. The fourth-floor balcony has a must-see view of the campus, and is a perfect place for late lunch and study when it's a little warmer.
Diego's Taco Shop. Only been there once. Had the carne asada burrito. It was amazing. I absolutely recommend this if you're looking for a less-greasy Mexican alternative.
(this probably doesn't qualify as "in Provo", but hey, it's my list.) South Fork Park. Take the turn to Vivian Park, but keep heading south on the windy road. It has a little stream running through it, and it's absolutely the best place to see the stars (within a decent drive, that is), and a perfect place for an evening walk. Don't forget the bug spray, though!
Kneaders. Great all-you-can-eat french toast with real whipped cream and strawberries. For lunch, try the turkey-bacon-avacodo sandwich on foccacio bread. Or, just stop by for delicious cinnamon rolls, fruit tarts, and other goodies. I also happen to love their cinnamon chunky bread (or whatever it's called).
Bombay House
Thai Ruby
J-Dawgs

Well, I think that's a pretty good list for now. Any suggestions to add? What did I absolutely forget? What should I try next? I love trying new food, so I'll take suggestions!

(p.s. if you're having trouble commenting, email me at sadler dot kate at gmail dot com; i've been having comment troubles, and i need to know if it's working!)

can you comment now?

2008-12-17T16:06:00.005-07:00

I can't wait to be done with this semester in two days! Blech. I'm a little disappointed with my motivation and performance, but I'm also willing to admit that I just haven't tried my hardest. unfortunately.
In good news, I got a URA for 10 hours per week next semester, and Dr. Buskirk has agreed to pay me for 10 more per week. And I'm going to work all 20 of those hours. And I'm going to get things accomplished around here.
besides, next semester is going to be way easier. thank goodness, i'm going to be busy with Interfaith Hosting and volunteering at the Sundance Film Festival!

What they thought. What do you think?

2008-12-16T15:53:00.004-07:00

This was a fun exercise that we had to do for a student development class I took. It was really insightful to hear from mentors about these types of questions and to consider them myself.

1. Who am I today? What makes/made me the way I am?

(Dad)

Motivated
Driven
Wants to achieve
Wants to break out of her mold, to some degree
First child, had lots of adult attention when little. Because of this attention is very verbal at a young age. By age 4, one neighbor claimed she would be a talk-show hostess b/c of vocabulary. Another evidence of adult attention is that she read at an early age and became enthralled with reading. Ability to read and be verbal lent itself to achievement in school.

(Elise)

Sincere
Competent
Problem solver
Performance—what you can do
Sensible, quality person, cares what others think, but only to a point.
Committed and not flighty
Honest, lots of integrity
Soft heart and nurturing
Brave

2. What do you think may have been some of my most defining moments? What did they define?

(Mom)

Decision to go to BYU—hard to come by—fasting, tears, thought, prayers, testing, applying, deciding—shows that follow spirit, value parents' opinion—try to please others. Chance to talk to Dr. Jellen—emotional answer post facto.
Moves—three elementary schools. At age 8, made a difference in acceptance by friends—never felt like belonged in the neighborhood. Sought friends elsewhere quickly.
Violin—gave direction to go in jr. high—goal.
Singing—different circle of friends in choir—set a goal to make madrigals
When I came to understand what Greg's bone disorder was—defining moment in decision to study genetics and science fields. b/c of love for him and concern, became old enough, I understood and wished I could understand and do something about it—summer biology
Change of major—being a TA and teaching college
Quickwater Ranch—socially and emotionally, EFY
Friendship with Lindsie—spiritual motivator
Patriarchal blessing & related factors—faith in process
I prayed that King Herod would change his mind and be nice when I was young—be kind and help others be kind. I cried when I got too big to sit on Jesus' lap when he came.
Seminary—Brother Wilde, who encouraged getting patriarchal blessing, Sister Hill, Jeannie Nay, Sister Muhlestein—teaching wise.
I resented mom because she said I wasn't going to be a prima ballerina and she pulled me out.
Navi—politics, democrat, involved in issues—politically rebellious

Lindsie—Prayer for Mike, deciding to go to the Y

Elise—Camille Cleverley, meeting the Evangelicals

3. What are five things that identify me or make me unique?

(Dad)

Although I may have fear, but I don't let it intimidate me (for good or for bad), I have courage about what I want to do. (i.e. race at rodeo, age 4, always tried to do things whether successful or not (color guard, running for office)
Not afraid to look at different issues that some people would consider important (involvement with Evangelicals)
Not a shy wallflower—willing to inject into situation (for good or for bad) despite father's counsel to be demure. Don't fear taking on issues and projects—able to overcome
Curious—always been interested in learning and books
Not afraid to be involved in male conversations—sports, outdoors issues, fly fishing—willing to watch and be involved in sports—NCAA b-ball and football—interested in things not traditionally feminine.

4. How well do I know myself? Do you think my self-image is accurate?

Elise—Good idea of how others affect you
Kristie--I think you know yourself pretty well. For example, freshman year you would wake up 2 hours before you had to leave for class just so nothing could go wrong and you could get everything done that you needed to w/out stress. You know how impatient you are with boys and that's funny to me. You know your abilities in school and how much you can realistically do. The one thing you are not accurate about is how much you mean to other people. I think everyone struggles with that. You are a fantastic girl, smart, driven, funny, caring, etc.

Lindsie—You know what you want to know, and there are some things you don't want to deal with, so you don't. Some things you'd rather be confused and frustrated about—guys and relationships. Feel like you need a guy, but no one can tell you why—something I haven't settled about myself—better to ignore and deal with confusion and drama rather than settling.

5. Are my life purposes clear? What do you think they are?
Mom--Quite clear—desire to live gospel, live POS, settle down and raise a family, serve the Lord.

Lauren says they are, more so than her. Know what want to do, stick to it, don't regret and bobble back and forth. Know who you are.

6. What do you think are some things I should know about myself?
Jeff Dutson--I think that you are a very outspoken person who is well informed on both sides of an issue, out going and not afraid to try new things

7. Am I an optimist, pessimist or an improver?
Pessimistic, more than optimistic, but able to get in and do something about it. Overall an optimist, sometimes a pessimist (cynical, expect Mormons to be judgmental) improver, but sometimes impatiently.

Elise—Improver

8. What are some changes you think I could make in my life?

(Kristie)
I would say that one thing you could change is to have more fun but you've gotten waaaaaay better about that. You could be less dependent on boys. Boys are gay and you're better than having your heart ripped out

9. What are some of my strengths? Weaknesses?

Mom—Sometimes you can be sharp with others, Impatience

Anson—Strength—gorgeous, weakness—not next to me.

Chantelle—Genuineness and kindness—not having enough confidence in amazingness

Jarrett—Get 'er done, take charge—weakness—focus on one thing and let others slide, headstrong

Kristie—strengths- patience. you put up w/ your dad, you put up w/ me, you put up w/ your roommate until she didn't deserve it. you also are very resourceful w/ problem solving

Kent—Chemistry and outgoing, weaknesses—too studious and…um…chocolate?

Elise—in control of situations—can make things go the way I want, but sometimes they don't and I get frustrated. Willing to discuss anything, good at not being materialistic. Happy, and if moody, will talk about it. Good at reading body language

Ben Buchanan—caring, considerate, and patient; weakness—let things bother me too much, get frustrated about things.

Kamille—open to relationships and love; weakness—too exuberant and can freak boys out.

Bobby Gibson—Faith and Friendship, testimony, help people feel relaxed, safe, and welcome,

Jordan Cox—Compassionate and intelligent

Dave Healey—Integrity and virtue; weaknesses—impatient and stubborn

Cami Williams—interaction b/t strengths and weaknesses—sometimes strengths become weaknesses—sometimes hide behind strengths. Strengths—Independent spirit—don't like to be told to do things—want it to by my choice—put soul and heart into it. Excited to be with family—more than happy to be friends w/Cami—Excited about life, truly, to see the world, learning and growing—maybe holding back b/c of desire to be independent, but afraid inside to break away. Care about people—esp. family, evidenced by my relationship with Jackie.

Bryant—pragmatic and loving; sometimes too trusting.

Anson—smart, dedicated to school, hard-working, perfectionist, impatient—with stupid people, people that don't get it. Don't take things personal when other girls are being retarded.

10. Anything else?

(Dad)

Reading—made a big difference in education, favorite role-play is "smart girl" catch on that I am smart and that I can do things.

(Kristie) well I think a lot of you

you helped me grow up a lot freshman year and still allowed us to have fun

and forgiveness

and spying on people

What are your education plans? Do you want to work or be a stay-at-home mom?

2008-12-15T21:09:00.001-07:00

I'm graduating in April with my BS in Biochemistry. Right now, I'm applying to graduate schools in four different states in biochemistry as well. My opinion is as follows: It is important to prepare for marriage. I want to be married and to raise a family more than anything. I also want to pursue an education. I know that the Lord has a plan for me, but that does not eliminate the importance of me having a plan for myself. I cannot plan to get married or have children at this point. I can, however, plan to make my plan flexible so that if that opportunity does present itself, I can be ready for it. When I have a family of my own, I would like to stay at home and take care of them. I have noticed that this has made a big difference in my life, as my mom has stayed at home. That being said, even though I won't be working, I'd like to be active in the community, perhaps even in local politics, school community councils, etc. I may even considering tutoring in the sciences as a part-time supplement to income. In the words of one of my favorite chemistry professors, Jennifer Nielson, "Almost any career is an option as a mom, you just have to think out of the box."

For now, though, I look for value as I serve in the church and volunteer in other venues, as I learn and further my education. I think that education is so important in having a family. I want to be able to be the primary teacher in the family. I want school to supplement learning in the family, not vice versa. I am also working to improve myself so that when marriage opportunities present themselves, I will be ready. This includes physical improvement, mental improvement, intellectual improvement, etc. One example of this improvement (for me) is getting in the habit of making my bed every day. I know that it is small, but that that small addition to tidiness will one day make a bit of a difference in my home. I try to be the best person I can be outside of a marriage, since I cannot plan for that. When it comes, I am prepared to change my plans and be flexible, and that's about all I can do at this point in time.

excerpt from Dear Elder Moon, 30 November 2008

2008-12-11T00:05:00.002-07:00

The thing I am most excited to do over Christmas season is to focus on my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love the feeling of joy, kindness and warmth that fills the air at Christmas time. My idea and view of Jesus Christ has changed so much over the last year as I have been more involved in interfaith relations. I love having the chance to build and reflect on my relationship with my Savior. I love Him so much. He is my guide and my anchor. He calms the stormy seas in my life and brings me a deep peace. He fills the emptiness in my life and imparts joy and happiness. He helps me do each day those things that I cannot do for myself. For that I am eternally grateful and promise to follow His teachings through the scriptures and a latter-day prophet.

my favorite article (and image of the campaign): What The Silence Said

2008-11-06T00:18:00.005-07:00

Greene: What the silence said
Posted: 01:30 PM ET

From CNN Contributor Bob Greene

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN)– There was a moment last night– this was just before Barack Obama and his family walked onto the stage in Grant Park for his first public appearance as president-elect– when the throngs of people in the park fell almost completely silent.

In one respect this was a product of an explicable glitch in the proceedings. During the long campaign, the timing of Obama’s entrances at rallies was meticulously coordinated– the preliminary orators (usually local government officials and candidates) spoke, the music and its pacing built up with the intention of quickening the pulses of the crowds, and then, at exactly the right moment, Obama, the candidate, would make his entrance.

But by late last night Obama was no longer a candidate, and there was no need to pump up the sense of anticipation, and the evening’s events– the concession call from John McCain, the congratulatory call from President Bush– were being dealt with as they rapidly occurred on a timetable Obama’s staff could not control. So there was some dead time in the park before Obama appeared on the stage.

And the crowd, for just those brief few moments, became all but mute. They weren’t certain what was going to happen next.

What happened next, in the crisp and clear night, was the Obama family suddenly coming into sight. Then, the cheers reached the sky. But in the quiet that preceded…

In that quiet there was the recognition:

Here comes the part of this drama that is unknown and unknowable.

Here– in the days and weeks and years ahead– comes life; here comes events that know no schedule, that can’t be planned, that will appear on no carefully constructed itinerary.

The silence from the crowd was like an intake of breath.

The silence said:

Here we are– we, the people in Grant Park; we, the people of the United States; we, the people of the world. Here we are, and none of us– not even and especially the man on the stage, the man just elected to be the 44th president– can be sure of what lies ahead.

If some in the audience– those of us in the park, and those watching around the world– sensed perhaps the slightest sliver of a subdued tone in Obama’s voice, a perceptible difference in his timbre, if not his words, from how he had sounded on the campaign trail, the shift was understandable.

It may have been his own version– intentional or involuntary– of that sudden silence that fell over the crowd. He can’t be silent, in any sense of that word– he is going to be the president. But during that same span late last night when the audience, in its brief hush, seemed to be acknowledging that everything– everything– had just changed, so, too, Obama appeared to be sending the signal, to the rest of us and maybe to himself, that he was well aware of the change, and was already beginning to deal with it.

He is no longer a candidate seeking something. Last night’s Chicago weather– so warm and inviting for November– was deceptive; it will not be warm here very much longer. Obama, of all people, knows that; he has lived in Chicago long enough to realize that balmy days with winter coming are the most predictable of teases.

The silence of the crowd ended and the roar greeted him, and as he, a man just hired for a new job, looked out at the people and at his city’s glorious skyline, you asked yourself if the thought may have been crossing his mind:

There will, in my life, be other good nights. But none of them will ever be as good as this one.

Three Days

2008-11-01T15:20:00.001-06:00

until this incredible man is elected President of the United States of America. Huzzah.

700 billion dollars

2008-09-26T08:00:00.003-06:00

what would you do with it?
how about giving it to the middle class that is suffering because of poor choices by monster financial institutions? I don't think that the government should be bailing out the huge financial companies from failure when the failure is a consequence of their own choices; just a hunch. It reminds me of a child who makes a wrong decision; if parents continually bail them out, they keep making those decisions, never having to own up for their own mistakes.
I sure hope that doesn't become the case here.

for more interesting ideas on the bailout, check out this link.

there's no goal like peace of mind

2008-09-25T23:00:00.003-06:00

gracias, john reuben.

I tried to communicate
I tried to relate
Now all I want to do is escape and vanish into fantasies
I ventured out of the galaxy into the outer regions
Where folks believe in something much much bigger than their demons
And aren’t controlled by their circumstances
Sounds romantic well dance with it slowly
In here my failures don’t control me
It’s a place of solitude but I’m not lonely
And it’s beautiful but lets be reasonable
It’s just not real it just plays with your imagination
And for a moment or two can make time stand still
But when it’s over all you have is a memory
I had to leave cuz the real world was calling me
I left my youth in pursuit of the truth and gained a world of dishonesty

(chorus)
I see your innocence and envy it
I reminisce of mine and remember it
Full of peace full of hope full of truth
I remember when I used to be you before you became me
I see your innocence and envy it
I reminisce of mine and remember it
Full of peace full of hope full of truth
I remember when I used to be you before you became me

Man it’s sort of overwhelming
It didn’t seem like I was storytelling
But you didn’t believe me when I told you that I could see my
Hopes and dreams come alive as it seems
But there’s a time and place for everything
Well I left my imagination there
Now it’s only what I can touch see taste and hear
With my natural senses I wish I could stretch the limits
But my defenses keep me limited from the boundaries I set
So I won’t get burned again
Sure I’d like to be optimistic but that doesn’t line up well with reality
So I’ll go to sleep now and dream of a younger healthier better me

(chorus)
Don’t mistake innocence for ignorance
Don’t mistake purity for inexperience
Don’t mistake humility for weakness
I sincerely mean this
You understand more than you know
There's no goal like peace of mind
So what else are you trying to find
What’s left except regret and heartache
And yes your heart will break and go numb lots of times before this life is done
You’ll look for answers but there’s just one
Patience one day it will make sense
But waiting is a pinch waking you up from the worlds you’ve made up
The one where you dream and the one where you gave up time
To create a new atmosphere where the boy and the cynic can both play fair

October 26, 2006

2008-09-23T20:45:00.003-06:00

dear spencer
hey what's up? i was just thinking about you and wanted to say hello. how is your life? i also wanted to thank you for being such an amazing friend. i seriously am so thankful for the time we have spent together and the fact that we are still able to be good friends. sometimes god knows that you need someone there for you to see you through, and for some reason, you have been that person for me. you are an amazing person; i have been able to see that for myself. had it not been for a September night, a friend magazine, and two m-azing bars, my life would never have been the same. thank you for the wonderful times and i am so glad that we are cool enough to let them continue. thank you for being patient with me and loving me for who i am. thank you for holding me when it was cold. thank you for calling me when i was lonely. thank you for driving in the rain randomly to see me. for kissing me during a basketball game. for being honest with me. for telling me i am beautiful. even in pajamas. for making me laugh. and cry. for saving me from psycho stalkers in Illinois. for the time when all i wanted to do is talk to you. and be with you. and the times when i can look back on those times and smile, laugh, sigh. you are irrevocably entwined in my life, and it is more beautiful because of you.
kate.

Heroes, Season 3 Starts

2008-09-22T20:16:00.000-06:00

and I'm watching it right now.

Honor Code, Shmoner Code

2008-09-19T22:41:00.001-06:00

I want someone that follows the Honor Code because he signed it. All of it. You can't pick and choose which parts of the Honor Code you sign. Clean shaven, hair off the ears. Not because of how he looks, but the way he treats his word of honor. Enthusiastic to be obedient to the promises he's made.

Dear Anziano Sadler

2008-09-12T15:29:00.001-06:00

Just remember, my friend, it's not about the numbers.

Love,
your big sister Kate

Dear Mrs. Obama

2008-08-27T00:09:00.000-06:00

Your speech resonated wonderfully with me. I love your enthusiasm for the family and the importance of it. I love your acknowledgment of faith and God's role in our lives. Thank you for your stirring words and the hope that they impart to me, as a young college student who aspires to go to graduate school and raise a family of my own in this wonderful country and to my God. I met your husband last August in Park City, and now I wish I had the chance to meet and learn from you. Blessings, Michelle

Kate

Why am I passionate about Interfaith Dialogue?

2008-08-26T23:53:00.000-06:00

[A question from a dear friend of mine precipitated this message that I thought I'd share with all y'all]

I am passionate about interfaith dialogue because it's challenging; it really makes me examine what I believe. When I'm done with a dialogue, I don't just finish and stop thinking about it, instead, I go home and ponder it. I search the scriptures. I talk to my roommates and friends from the LDS and other faiths. I think and think and think on it; it consumes my mind until I feel like I have found the truth and come to a correct conclusion. and each time that I participate in a dialogue, I come out with such a solid testimony of the LDS faith. What I have learned and know from the LDS theology is so peaceful and beautiful and comforting and sensible; I always come back to it. I hope you understand this and don't think that I'm trying to be preachy, but it's one reason I love it.

The ultimate reason I love to participate in these dialogues, however, is because I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. He commanded us to love our neighbors. not just the neighbors that are LDS or Evangelical or Christian or Muslim or Jewish. all of them. Jesus gave His love to me, and the best way that I can give it back to him is by loving others. My heart is full of love for each of the people I interact with at each dialogue, and this gives me such a spiritual high. It's like an amazing cycle; Jesus loves me and gives me the strength and ability to love others, and as I do this I feel more of Jesus' love. What an awesome thing! I love each person for what they believe; I learn so much from students of other faiths about how to love Jesus more and how to give my life to Him. My vision and idea of Jesus has grown so much as I've participated in these dialogues. He teaches me so much through these experiences and I can't help to go back again and again for more.

to erik

2008-08-22T11:54:00.001-06:00

why, you ask?
because otter pops make every summer day better, sleeping under the stars helps you remember God, and service helps you forget yourself
because after running a couple of miles, you forget that your legs hurt
because fireflies in a corn field are incredible, wild sunflowers grow on the side of the freeway, and dancing in the rain is one of the best things ever
because nine year-old sisters convince you to take a crazy day-trip home, eat hard-serve ice cream, swim, and play arcade games with them
because a good meal with family and/or close friends reminds you of what really matters
because i never expected it
because i know it will all work out
because i know Jesus Christ is my Savior
because i know God is my Father

She said she needed a break...

2008-07-22T18:10:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've posted, and a lot's been happening. Here are the highlights:

I've started working in a lab again. Pros: I get to be on my feet and do something active. Cons: I get to be on my feet. Pro/Con hybrids: my hands smell like latex and the lab smells like growing bacteria. Pros because I miss working in this type of lab, cons because who likes to smell like bacteria, honestly.
I went on a road trip to Phoenix with Elise. Pros: I got to see my cute little cousin Hailey. I got a cool ASU t-shirt. I got to hang out with Elise. Cons: It was really hot. We had to worry about having a place to sleep. We were in the car for a long time. Pro/Con hybrid 1: We found somewhere for Elise to live. Pro because Elise needs somewhere to live; con because it means that Elise is actually, in fact, moving to Arizona. Pro/Con hybrid 2: We ate TONS of junk food in the car. Pro because junk food tastes good; con because when all you eat is junk food you feel really gross.
I finished Leviticus!!! Pro: that means that I'm done with three books of Moses. Con: that means that Numbers is next...
We've started watching weekly Bollywood films at our apartment. Pros: Bollywood films are awesome. There are musical numbers at least every thirty minutes. It gives me an excuse to invite boys that I like over to my house. Cons: There are at least four musical numbers per Bollywood film, which puts running time to over two hours each. Sometimes boys don't come when they're invited.
Jeff made it to Italy. Pros: He gets to meet people and start the work; he's not in the MTC anymore. Cons: My little brother is in Italy. I won't get to talk to him until Christmas.
Interfaith Dinner/Dialogue. It's tonight, at Steve Pierson's church in American Fork. I'm really excited for this, as I love Pastor Steve and the mission of interfaith dialogue.
Pretty much, I'm just extremely blessed!

I'll be running into you later.

2008-07-02T12:30:00.000-06:00

Happy July! I'm happy that the summer is here; the Fourth of July seems to make it truly and officially summertime!

I'm bored silly at my job. We are doing some cool stuff, but I get really tired of sitting at my computer, listening to Pandora until I finally feel like I can leave.

I'm starting a new book by Bob Millet called A Different Jesus?. I'm excited to do some more recreational reading. I finished Mansfield Park just the other day, and now I'm on to my interfaith list, supplied primarily by Brother Millet.

I'm loving the random things I get to do during the summer, including having Debbie over for dinner while Vance is in Teach For America training. I'll miss her when they move to Denver in a couple of weeks. This is the other hard part of summer--having to lose friends when they move away at the end of the summer. I also love watching movies. For example, Elise and I just borrowed Tarzan from some way cool girls in my ward. Now we're watching Tarzan; something that I'd rarely have time for in the school year. Too bad we only have two plugs and therefore must choose: air conditioner or movie. Thus, movies are only allowed at nighttime because it's so bloomin' hot.

Things I'm in the habit of missing...

2008-06-30T14:16:00.000-06:00

It' s summer here in Provo, and I'm missing some things that come with a full campus and over-populated south of campus (and some things that are in no way related). I'm definitely missing seeing my favorite professors frequently. I miss classes, and skipping classes to see way cool speakers (of which there are few during the summer). I miss being a TA and making friends with my students. I miss L&T being open on Saturdays. I miss my little brother who is on his mission to Catania, Italy. I also miss my best friend, who is on a mission in France. I miss always having someone to hang out with and late night conversations with a roommate (of which I don't have, currently). I miss my family, and especially my siblings (as opposed to my parents); they keep growing up, and I keep missing it. I miss my science friends; Lauren, Katie, Geoff, etc. I also miss homework (which I much prefer to work) and religion classes. I miss interfaith dialogues, which are few and far between in the summer and fall. I miss the opportunity that the full campus affords me of meeting new people every day.

I'm not saying summer is bad; please don't mistake me for that. Just know that as fun and relaxing summer is, my shoulders and neck hurt from sitting at a computer all day and that I wouldn't mind sitting in on a lecture or stay up finishing a book for a class. I guess the seaweed is always greener in somebody else's lake, eh?

Things To Do Ten Minutes Before Your Date Comes

2008-06-27T19:05:00.000-06:00

Eat a yogurt
Change your undershirt
Brush teeth
Grab lips
Make sure nothing is in your teeth
Brush hair
Put lotion on
A couple squirts of perfume
Practice smiling in the mirror
Write a blog post

There's a ladybug in my shoe!

2008-06-21T10:57:00.000-06:00

It's a strange thing, growing up is. I really like it, though. Even though it is very hard, and very sad sometimes, I'm definitely a fan.

Even though I'm grown up, sometimes things surprise me; like my g-chat conversation with someone who shall remain nameless.

You see, I love chemistry, and often, people that I know call me to ask me questions about their chemistry assignment or MCAT or DAT or whatever they may be studying for. Recently, this individual texted me for help on an assignment and I gladly helped him, over g-chat. Which is great; I love helping people with their chemistry--as much as it may be a false way of having friends, I do love being able to help. So this morning, you won't be surprised that I believed he was going to ask me about a chemistry assignment. But I was surprised when he said he was working on a chemistry assignment, but that he would figure it out and just wanted to say "hi".

So I was super surprised, and although I can't read into it too much, I must admit that it definitely made me feel good about my life and myself. This individual is buff, attractive, and someone that I would not expect to be even remotely interested in having lunch with me. What a day-brightener!

Home is good; I love my family and hanging out with them. I miss Provo, though, and will be ready for it after my weekend here. I really love Jackie, especially. She was so cute in her ballet recital and we have a fun time together; she's part of the reason I'm home--she turns nine tomorrow and she's a good little girl.

Other than beautiful weather, an amazing family, and stellar friends, I don't know what else to ask for; maybe, as Elise and I decided while shopping with Erica for engagement picture outfits, a man to dress in nice shirts and khaki pants.

You're a part-time lover and a full-time friend

2008-06-16T21:42:00.000-06:00

It's funny how turned upside down your life can get in a single day. Things seemed pretty solid until I started looking at graduate programs that are not in chemical education, but in molecular biology or biological chemistry. If I wanted to be competitive in applying to a program like this, I would have to write a personal statement that will "give evidence of a strong commitment to research," which I'm not sure I have. So I think, unfortunately that I'm going to have to give up my job as a TA (which I love dearly) and take a job in a research lab so that I can perhaps write a statement of commitment to research.

This has been an interesting thing to be thinking about; a program in traditional biochemistry or molecular biology would give me a lot more latitude as far as where I want to go for graduate school, and it wouldn't be hard to transition into a teaching profession with no research responsibility. I don't know. Nothing's in the bag, and the decision is far from being made.

I watched the film Juno yesterday. Definitely my favorite film so far. I laughed and cried and it was beautiful. I now have a copy of it being mailed to me from amazon.com. Love it.

Ring By Spring

2008-06-11T17:21:00.000-06:00

Or so goes the saying at BIOLA, an Evangelical university that some of my close friends go to. I guess one of my roommate's will make it, as spring isn't officially over until 21 June! It's fun having a soon-to-be engaged roommate, and I really like her fiance-to-be.

Spring term is almost over! After that, I'll only have two semesters left! I can't believe that it's coming so fast. I'm doing a paper on collagen and Osteogenesis Imperfecta for my biochemistry class, and it's been really interesting to learn more about the molecular cause of the brittle bones that my little brother so excellently handles.

[This is Greg & I at our grandpa's 80th birthday party]

I also finally heard from Indiana Jones boy. I'm not sure if he's just spacey or if he's trying to avoid me. Currently, I'll be positive and hope for the prior--I'd like the option to be a little persistent, and I don't think that I should give in quite yet. He's having surgery next week, so he's really busy this week, but maybe I can make an offer of dinner on Sunday...

In other news, well, I guess there's not too much other news...but there is a list of things I'd like to do this summer:

Get through as much of the Bible as I can (currently, I'm in Exodus 25)
~~Finish Jane Austen's Mansfield Park~~
Ride my bike more often
Kiss a boy through my bedroom window (which currently does not have a screen)
Finish Barack Obama's Dreams from My Father
Road-trip to the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August
Go camping (either with friends or family) to Southern Utah (Zions or Moab)
~~Buy lemonade from kids at a roadside stand~~
Watch a meteor shower
~~Convince my parents to let Patti come down for a week or so~~
~~Attend "hot-dog fridays" at the Liberty Square pool~~

So that's my list. I don't think that I'll have time to do it all, but at least I'm shooting for the moon!

Vested Interest

2008-06-04T21:25:00.000-06:00

It was definitely rainy today, but this is the greenest it's been in Utah for a long time. I love this cool springtime weather, and I'm definitely taking advantage of it by trying to be outside as much as possible. It's hard to be outside when it's raining, but hopefully, the rain won't really last for too long. Went on a nice hike last night up Rock Canyon; we didn't start hiking down the mountain until about ten o'clock at night. It was nighttime, but not too dark; a fun little excursion for a beautiful spring evening. I wonder, though; I just met him on Sunday, and I have a vested interest in Indiana Jones boy. I hope to just play things out a little longer.

On a different note, Barack Obama has enough delegates to take the nomination now! I hope that Hillary will be lady-like and concede soon; the longer she stays in the race, the more difficult it will be for the Democrats to take the general election in November. I love Barack Obama's inspiring politics and I've supported him since the day he announced his candidacy.

I got a letter from Anziano Sadler today; he seems to be surviving the MTC decently; his Italian is coming, and he loves the gospel. Hurrah for Israel!

I am a Party Animal (sometimes)

2008-06-03T14:45:00.000-06:00

It's been a really great week, and I'm so excited to see more of what spring brings. It was my roommate's birthday yesterday, and we had a dinner for her on Sunday and a surprise party for her yesterday. It was way fun to celebrate and have a reason to throw a par-tay. I have a feeling that life's about to get really interesting, and I'm really excited to see that happen. It was funny, as I was talking to a long-time coworker today about grad school, I realized that I want, specifically, to find someone that wants to get a job and work that will follow me to grad school wherever I (we) decide to go. This may be picky, but it also is flexible. That, of course, would be the best option, in my opinion; however, I do realize that flexibility is demanded and that I may have to change my plans for the greater good. I guess I'll take that fork when I come to it, eh?

Something Clever to Say?

2008-05-31T23:47:00.000-06:00

You said, "Let me get that for you." I thought you meant the door, so I, being a lady, stepped aside, and you were already getting the door by the time I realized you meant "Let me get your empty gelato cup." at which point, I handed you my gelato cup as well. I felt pretty lame, but laughed inside, and hope that you did the same.

"Have a Sicilian pizza on us!"

2008-05-21T19:22:00.000-06:00

Today, we got to take Jeff to the MTC. It was a bitter-sweet time for our family, but I'm really excited that he gets to go to Italy to serve the Lord & the Italian people! We had a fun weekend going to the temple and farewell festivities. Spending a little time with just the family before (eating lunch at Magelby's Fresh and ice cream at the Creamery) was really good. I love Jeff and I'll miss him, but he'll be a wonderful missionary, and he'll definitely grow up to be a man of God as he serves Him. Woot woot!

Us at the Bountiful Temple the night before Jeff's Farewell

Eating lunch at Magleby's Fresh

Dropping off luggage at the MTC

Family picture at the MTC

It's official, Anziano Sadler!

huzzah for spring!

2008-05-19T21:46:00.000-06:00

Why, you may ask, am I blogging on a school night? Because it's Spring Term! This means that I have much less homework and more time to waste! I love my new apartment and my new ward. I get a new calling this weekend! Spring is by far the best time to be in Provo; there are less people and it's much more social. I love sitting outside on the lawn in front of my apartment, reading Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and talking to everyone that walks past. Bike rides in the evening are best, especially with good company.

I'm working for a professor right now, writing for a multimedia textbook (chemcompanion.googlepages.com). I write script, we film my professor speaking the script, and then animations that go alongside the script are developed. It's all presented at once, in a pretty powerful, dynamic setting. I'm really excited about this job, and I really love the people I work with.

I'm also taking two classes this term, physics and biochemistry. That's about all there is to say about that...

I can't believe that college is almost over. I only have one year left before my bachelor's degree. Who knows what will happen after that...I'm hoping to go to graduate school and study Chemical Education.

I'm also busy reading the Bible this summer. Because of all of my good Evangelical friends, I've been persuaded that it's been far too long since I've read the Bible. I'm in Genesis 40-something, and I'm a big fan of it. I don't think I'll finish this summer, but it's a goal, at least. It's definitely part of my effort to be more involved in inter-faith relations. I'm in the process of organizing an inter-faith service project where families, both Evangelical and LDS, get together to serve one another. It's coming slowly but surely. I really hope that it takes off.

Jeff leaves on his mission on Wednesday. It's going to be a bitter-sweet time for our family. He's the first to go from our immediate family, and it's been quite the experience as he's prepared to serve the Lord for two years. I'm really excited to see the growth that comes from serving a mission. I also hope that I'm around Provo when he comes back. Patti will be a freshman that year, and it would be oodles of fun to be at the Y with two of my siblings. In short, I love him a lot, and although I'll miss him, I'm so proud of him for choosing to serve the Lord in Italy.

Well, I guess that's all for now!

valentine's shmalentines

2008-02-13T22:23:00.001-07:00

Boys do have this perfect way of making you agonize over whether or not they will call you or how soon, etc. etc.

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and I'm not sure what to expect; I know that at this point in time, too many assumptions could cause a ruckus in the newly formed not official relationship. But Valentine's Day is a day you do something to show someone you care. And I do. I'm just not sure how to break from the "I see you every weekend and we go on dates and I really like you" to "we're dating and I'm going to see you daily and casually during the week." Thus, my dilemma. I did, however, make some amazing Valentine's Day sugar cookies with pink frosting and red sprinkles. Yum.

a shoe, salt dough, and caroling

2008-02-10T07:56:00.000-07:00

On December 15th, 2007, Steven had no idea what he was getting into when he picked my shoe from a pile of shoes from girls in my ward at a blind date arranged by the RS president in my ward and the EQ president in his. He was shy, but that was okay with me; we had a good time, but I waited until late January for another date. We've been out several times since, and I do believe that we're dating. Tall, skinny, and nerdy, he is probably the most considerate person I've ever met.

Oh a smile is on my face when his friend asks him in Mandarin, "Is that your girlfriend?" "Close," replies Steven.

Fridays shouldn't be this long...

2008-02-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

It's true; they shouldn't be. They shouldn't include failing biophysical chemistry tests because your teacher is an idiot and confused and stubborn all at the same time. What a combination. On an up note, Steven called yesterday and we're going on a date tomorrow to the Chinese New Year's festival. I'm really excited for our date, even to the point of possibly giddy. I'll keep you posted on that. I'm also mentoring a middle school girl named Tonia (taw-nee-iah); she is from the reservation, and in 8th grade. I'm excited to get to know her. Well, off to an exciting Friday night...not sure what it brings, but I'll be sure to enjoy it.

folk dancing

2008-02-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure what to do with this blog thingie. But tonight, Jeff (my brother) and I went to a folk dance rec night. It was really fun until I didn't know any more of the dances...but nonetheless, it was a fun night, and I love spending time with him. I am also super impatient about a boy that I really want to call me. Also, school is starting to pick up, and I'm not sure I can hack it with a graduate-level course and 20 hours per week. It is hard because all of the graduate students have no classes besides this one, and no life besides grad school; it is their job, they're paid 28 grand a year. I, on the other hand, have seven classes (15.5 credits), and have to work 20 hours a week to try to pay the rent and bills. That leaves me with very little time to actually do homework or study. I just want to spend my excess time (i.e. when I'm not in class or at work) with my roommates and playing with my friends. Thus, I feel like I shirk my studies, but only for sanity's sake. Oh well, I guess it will all be over soon, after three more semesters, when I'll finally graduate! What am I doing after I graduate? good question. I'll keep working on that one for next time.