Feeling nostalgic...

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today. And yesterday. I've just got to say, I really love my brother and sister.

I've had so many good times with these two.

And, I can't leave this lovely addition out.

Bobby's added a great measure of happiness to my life.

Sometimes I miss the days right after I returned home from my mission. Bobby and Kayleen became my best friends. We'd have family dinner every Sunday night, and then we'd go back to Bobby's place and watch a movie...every Sunday night. We had many nights of sushi or happy hour and Standford's. Those were good days. Many of my happiest days are tied to them. Sitting in the temple, watching them be sealed to one another and to God, happy happy day. That day was one of my best...which is funny, because it was THEIR wedding day. :)

And, of course, Perry's birth. Seriously another best day ever. I remember sitting down the hall from Kayleen's room with Kevin, and we could hear Perry's first cries. I'll always remember the look between Kevin and I as we heard her first cry. It was incredible...and I'm glad Kevin and I got to be there for our little niece's entry into the world.

I'm super thankful for my family. I love where I'm at in life. I feel confident, able and I feel like I'm progressing toward goodness. But I do miss my family, and I think...somewhere down the road, I'll end up closer to them again.

Try this.

I dare you. I DARE you to try this recipe.

You will be a changed human being. You will. I'm serious.

Stuffed Sweet Acorn Squash (or stuffed peppers)

2-3 peppers (cored)

1 lb ground beef or mix of beef, sausage and turkey

1 chopped onion

1 finely chopped apple

½ cup chopped craisins

¼ cup chopped nuts (I use pecans usually)

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp oregano

½ tsp sage  (I use 1 heaping tsp of poultry seasoning)

Coconut oil

Salt, pepper

If using squash, preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut the squash in half, and scoop out the seeds and any stringy stuff.  Place the squash cut side up in a large baking pan, and put a tablespoon of water in each “cup” and pour ¼ cup of water into the bottom of the pan.  Loosely “tent” the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes.  Prepare filling while squash is baking.

If using peppers, after cutting off the tops and coring them, place whole peppers into a pan of boiling water and cook for about 5-10 minutes.  Remove from water and place in a baking dish open side up.

Filling:  Chop onion, apple, pecans and craisins.  Saute the beef and onion in a little coconut oil for 2-3 minutes, then add pecans, craisins, apples and herbs.  Add salt and pepper.  Do not completely cook this mixture.  Fill peppers or squash; they will be overflowing and that’s okay.  Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes in a slightly reduced heat oven (about 375).

FYI: You do not need coconut oil. I used a little olive oil. AND, use a mixture of meat. It makes it that much tastier. (I use sausage and hamburger.) But if you don't use a mixture, no worries; it will still change you're life.

Open Doors

I've jumped on a wave, and I'm riding it.

Life is busy here in DC. Good and busy.

Here's the gist on my job.

This is not the job I talked about in my last post. No...this job is completely different. The job in my last post was a major long shot. I got the interview because of the LDS listserve. Someone posted the opening, I contacted her about it, she hooked me up, and I got an interview. I, however, was not skilled enough. It was an editing position in the marketing/advertisement department of Navy National Credit Union. Let's be honest. I'm not an editor. I do know many more rules of grammar than the average person, but it is not my favorite part of writing. It's the "math" of English and written communication...and I prefer the creative side of writing. Plus, this was editing of marketing material, which is actually extremely different from editing prose or articles. I really wanted a job in my "field" but I was apprehensive about taking the editing job (if it were offered to me) because I didn't want to get trapped in the math of of communication.

Well, I was not offered the job. But it didn't even phase me, because another, more appealing door opened before I was even supposed to hear back from the first door.

Last Monday I saw another post on the listserve. It was an invitation for a two-day temp. job stuffing envelopes at Morality In Media, a nonprofit organization that fights against pornography. I had seen a posting a few days earlier regarding an open position in that same organization. I had contemplated applying for it, but wasn't sure I was fully qualified. I decided to participate in the temp work, and while there I talked to the Executive Director about the job opening. It was still open. We sat down and had an interview right there. She liked me...a lot. So I sent her my resume that night. The next day, I showed up for day two of temp work, and she offered me the position, and she asked me to start that day.

I've wanted to work for a nonprofit organization for a while. It's been something I've thought about ever since starting my communication journey. Nonprofits provide TONS of opportunity for growth, learning different aspects of the business...and tons of chances to use communication skills. This job will open LOTS of doors and give me tons of experience. I'll be heading up the communication aspect, making contacts with the media, writing letters of inquiry and grant proposals, letters to donors, press releases and even articles for newspapers. I'll also be helping with the funding aspect of the organization, organizing funding efforts, researching different foundations and figuring out to whom we need to send grant proposals, who we should follow up with...so on a so forth. It's really going to push me, teach me...and I'm super excited about it.

Doors are opening...and I'm walking through them. :)

Oi to the Vey

TIRED.

I had an interview today.

It was far away.

I figured out the metro stuff...

But I didn't understand the bus stuff.

So I walked the rest of the way. For one HOUR.

The humidity and my sweat caused my hair to rebel.

The dew in the grass (and not enough sidewalks) caused my shoes to get wet and grassy.

But it looked like my mission, so that was fun!

Ant hills and everything. :)

I walked into the interview looking like a HOT MESS. Literally. I felt the need to apologize for my appearance, especially my hair. So...I did.

I then walked back to the metro station. I got lost, so this took me longer than walking to the interview....probably an hour and a half.

I found a 711 and bought these. Two for three dollars.

I then got off on the wrong stop. Had to wait several minutes for the next metro line. And finally made it home.

I left the house at 7:30 a.m. and made it home at 2:15 p.m. The interview lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes. My legs hurt.

But I'm happy!

And now I get to walk 30 minutes to look at an apartment I might possibly rent.

Between all the walking and no money for food, I'm gonna get sooooooooo skinny. ;)

I think I'm going to scream

Sometimes...okay, all the time, I get a little frustrated with the mindset of many people in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Let me preface this post by saying, I believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church Jesus Christ established on the earth when He walked the earth and the church that He instructed Joseph Smith to restore. I believe the Gospel that is taught within the church buildings (and outside) is true, and I believe God's authority resides in this church. I do NOT, however...do NOT believe the people of the church are perfect...or even know what the *hay* they're talking about half the time.

So, with that said, I will continue with my post.

This blog will probably make me sound extremely frustrated. In all actuality, I'm not half as frustrated as my writing will probably lead you to believe. But, my frustration does go in spurts, so...whatever that means.

Women are treated like ticking time bombs...or, maybe a better comparison, ripening fruit. Temple marriage, coupled with motherhood is the END ALL BE ALL of this life. You have arrived once these two things take place. Until then...each year that passes without these two things happening causes you to ripen, blossom...and ultimately rot. In everyone's minds (yes...I'm overstating), you're just filling time until those things happen. You can't honestly enjoy your life...you're just biding time...hoping, praying, yearning for these things to happen.

How many times have you heard someone give a talk or a lesson in church who says, "All our children served full-time missions and are now sealed in the temple." They say this as if it's some trophy they can raise up to the world. Look at how GREAT my parenting skills are!!! We made it! We got our children to the freakin' finish line!!!

First of all, that's not the finish line. Second, does that mean my mom is a horrible mother? One of her children was married in the temple, but the other two...I may never marry, and Kevin may never serve a mission. Does that mean we're bad? Does that mean my mom is a bad mother? My step-dad is a bad father-figure?

Once, I attended the temple sealing and wedding reception of a good friend. She's younger than I am. As I was mingling at the wedding reception, I heard the bride's mother say, "Finally, my last one is married. I can breathe now. She's off my plate of responsibility," or something to that effect. Quite disturbing...for a 27-year-old single woman to hear that.

I especially get tired of needing to explain all of my life choices to people...on a daily basis, it seams. Once I've finished my explanation of how I'm spending my time here on earth, I hear a lot of "good-for-you's"...with tones of "I feel sad for you, but at least you're trying to make something of your life, since your main purpose doesn't seem to be a possibility." Seriously...that tone. Ohhhh, how it erks me.

I'm going to be perfectly HONEST. There have been very few times I felt like the "marriage type." Even when I was younger, I couldn't really grasp the idea of ever getting married. And quite frankly, I've never had a ton of options. I'm not a girl who turns boys' heads as I walk past. I'm not someone who is frequently asked out on dates. I can get dates...and usually, when I do, the boy sticks around for a while. But it's not as easy for me as it is for some women. I don't, nor have I ever (except for a brief time when the prospect of marriage was a reality for me) thought in terms of "pre-marriage/post-marriage." I am not biding my time until marriage and babies come into my life. I do not measure my worth on how many dates I get per year. And I do not worry about when I will get married or have babies.

Usually, if I do worry, I'm more worried about what other people are thinking about me. That's my biggest weakness. I don't like people to pity me...or look down on me...or wonder why I'm not married. Those are my worries...the thoughts of others. BUT, I'm rarely EVER worried about the actuality of those things happening, because I KNOW they will happen in the Lord's time. Whenever I pray about it (which is honestly a rare occurrence, because seriously...marriage is not on the forefront of my mind) I feel peace. I feel calm. I feel like I do not need to worry or stress about it, because the Lord's got it covered. It will happen when it's supposed to...and I just need to focus on becoming the best me, for me. And for the Lord. Not for boys...not to be more lovable by boys. But to be more Godlike. More loving and understanding of other people. To be HAPPY with myself!

So when people approach me with that tone...that "gosh it must be hard not to be fulfilling your divine destiny as a wife and a mother" tone...I just want to scream. Either that or walk away. Because I just don't have the energy to try and educate 85% of the Mormon population on the fact that I'm seriously okay...and I don't spend every waking minute thinking about how I'm single.

Maybe, if you all print this blog post out, and read it to the people you encounter...you can do the work for me. :)

I'm so excited for D.C. I'm excited to live on my own far away from everything I know, to further my education in a field I'm passionate about, to make new friends and meet a diverse group of people...to live MY life...the life God has given me!

Updates on the life

Hey friends.

I'm moving to DC in less than one week. LESS than. ONE. week. What? How did this happen?

Weirdness. Craziness. Scariness. Excitingness.

Side note: A friend of mine and I used to say "burrrr" a lot, because it was cold outside. Then, for some reason we started adding "ness" to it. Burrrness. We even went as far as adding "nuh" to that, for whatever reason. Burrrrnessnuh. Weird. Anyway, From that point on, I've pretty much added "ness" onto every word I can come up with. Not all the time, just when it's appropriate. :)

Okay, enough with ness.

Life has been weird as of late. I feel kind of like I did prior to leaving on my mission. Weird. I don't know what to expect. I'm jumping into something without researching it, without visiting, without exploring it beforehand. I'm jumping in pretty alone. Although, I do have a beloved cousin in DC, eagerly anticipating my arrival. So, that's cool. But, my mom isn't even going there with me to help me get settled!!! What the heck! It's like I'm TWENTY SEVEN or something.

So. I'm leaving. Getting on a plane and starting my "big kid" life. In DC. Very far away from home. But I'm super excited! I have no idea what will happen...and how it will happen, but I'm so ready for this step. Good times ahead. I'm sure I'll have some mini break-downs...panic attacks...and big kid tantrums. I have a rough time with change, even when I seek it. But, I'm prepared for it, so I'm hoping the preparation and readiness will calm the panic attacks a bit.

*****

My grandpa is not really improving. I went to visit him con mi hermana on Sunday. I had been under the impression that he would not recognize me. But I firmly believe he did. Both the sister and I believed he recognized us. He seemed happy to see us and even tried to respond to us a bit. He won't talk much. I think it exhausts him. He tried saying a few things here and there, with not much luck. We'd ask him direct questions, and he'd say "right" a lot. He always did use the word "right" in place of "yes" prior to his strokes anyway, so that's a normal Grandpa Perry thing. It was good to hear.

Kayleen and I sang to him. The first song we sang was The Star Spangled Banner. She sang soprano, and I sang alto. I must say, we sound pretty darn good together. :)  Either that, or we sound awful...cuz we brought my grandpa to tears. He got very emotional while we sang the song, which made my grandma teary eyed as well. My grandpa did serve his country in WWII, so that could have something to do with his emotion. But the doctors say that music effects a different part of the brain, and stroke victims often respond to music better than just speaking to them. We sang him Happy Birthday, because that's a song everyone sings several times a year since we're born...and we thought we could get him to sing it with us. He didn't sing the words with us, but he did sing the tune with "Bum bums."

I think he may be getting a surgery to prevent more strokes from happening. My grandma and uncles were trying to make that decision yesterday. Tough stuff.

*****

We've published two podcast episodes. We're off schedule with our third one, because my co-host, J.R., had a family emergency this last week. So, the podcast is on hold until things are a bit calmer in his life. It's still there, though...so go take a listen and PLEASE subscribe to us. We're on iTunes. Check. It. Out. :) We're trying to figure out all the ins and outs in order for the sound quality to be perfect. It will involve a bit of an investment...good mics and an upgrade on skype, but we'll eventually make it happen. We're having tons of fun with it so far, so I'm excited to take it even further in the future.

*****

I'm trying to stay stress-free. But...however I'm trying doesn't seem to be working. My jaw is hurting so bad, it's beyond description. I've been feeling so much anxiety lately, about school funding, job searching, apartment searching, packing up all my crap...and all the stress has made its way to my jaw. I don't grind my teeth. I don't even clench my teeth...so I'm not quite sure how my jaw becomes so tired, but it does. And I can feel that it's from tension. It's causing some major headaches...and I need to learn some tricks to get rid of it. Any suggestions? When I allow my brain to relax...by watching T.V. or engaging in a fun conversation with friends (about stuff other than what I'm stressing about) then my jaw relaxes. But, I can't watch T.V. all day...nor can I have fun conversations all the time either. I need some suggestions on how to get rid of this jaw stress/tension.

*****

Okay, I'm done with the updates. Life is good. Aside from the stress, I'm pretty happy. It feels good to be happy. I love where my life is and where it's headed. I have wonderful people and blessings in my life...and I can't wait to meet more beautiful people while I experience new things in this new adventure I'm about to take. Bring it on!

Grandpa Perry

My grandpa has had two strokes in the past week and a half. He was rapidly improving after his first one. So much so, that we were supposed to meet my grandparents for dinner tomorrow.

But, he had another one today...much more severe than the last. It was hard seeing him after the first one. He struggled for his words, couldn't quite form sentences. But I guess this time around, he's fading in and out...staring blankly at people, and his chances of recovering are much lower.

I'm feeling deeply thankful for him. He's such a sweet, good, tender man. I feel very thankful for following the promptings I had to finally start my "dad project" when I did. Just a few weeks ago, I was able to visit my grandparents and record their memories of my dad. Timing. It's not my time. It's God's. I'm thankful for the promptings I had...and that I followed them.

Ahhhh life. It ends. I know this well. It's how it's meant to be. But, it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

He may improve. He may not. I don't know. I do know, though, that I love him dearly.