When in Sweden...

I went with my friend Clary to the Annual Swedish Crayfish Dinner for the Swedish Heritage Society. As far as I know, I have zero Swede in me. But it sure was fun to pretend. There were people sitting next to me who were only speaking Swedish to each other. The food was of the Swedish variety and was delicious (except maybe the crayfish). And I stood up and sang the Sweden National Anthem with the rest of them at the end of the sing-a-long. Who knew there were such fun cultural events going on in Salt Lake City?

Clary's the second from the left.

The lady leading the Swedish sing-a-long.

Me in my crayfish bib. The food was good-definitely worth the thumbs up.

Clary and her new crayfish friend, which she then ate.

Graduate School: Day 1

I've decided that graduate school isn't going to be nearly as scary as I thought...at least, not yet. There are 7 or so different sites and we communicate by video and microphone. A little different than what I'm used to, but I'll get used to it. The other students at my site are awesome! There are 9 of us and they are just fun and sassy. And it's great that the teacher can't hear what you are saying unless your mic is turned on.

This is how it went down:

Class #1
My teacher is hilarious without meaning to be so. She's just a bit ditsy and off the wall--I love it! We went through each site, making sure we all had video and sound, and a quick role call. She then proceeded to walk us through the syllabus, which took close to an hour, and then showed us this video. Funny!

Class #2
He scared us a bit at first, but SUU took it over when then said they thought he was messing with them. No, he was serious. Oh well. He really likes the phrases, "Isn't it exciting?!" and "True story". My favorite was "Teaching after 10:00 is immoral." Thank you, Dr. Bush, I would have to agree. Oh, and the Ghostbuster's clip was pretty good, too.

A long night makes for a long day, but I think I'm going to like it.

Lollipops

My five-year-old nephew Jamison cracks me up. Yesterday he was telling me of what he wants, or does not want, to be when he grows up.

Jamison: I don't ever want to be a doctor; they don't make very much money.

Me: They don't?

Jamison: Nope. They only get $25 for each sucker.

Smart kid. He should know too, since he feigned sickness earlier in the summer just so he could be taken to the doctor's and get a sucker at the end of it. I'm sure his mom didn't appreciate the $25 co-pay, or should I say, sucker payment.

Goodbye Tuesdays

Friday I went to Logan to attend orientation for grad school. We sat and listened to people talk, went over program information, and met the other students in the cohort.

And I realized it: I am actually going to grad school. And I'm actually going to be a school counselor.

One day.

I'm a little bit excited.

No, I'm a lot excited

Too bad I'll never have a Tuesday night free ever again.

Speech Therapy

At my orientation today, they told us we need to practice saying, "Go Aggies!"

So, I'm saying it: Go Aggies!

But I'm not saying it as loud as I'm saying,

GO UTES!!!!!

I can't wait for football season!

Ji-Ji and the UTA

My little Ji-Ji went on a little adventure the other day. Having decided she had had enough of the inside of my pocket, Ji-Ji slipped out, and took a little ride on the train without me. How I missed my poor Ji-Ji! How I fretted over her, and mourned her when I thought her lost! And how happy I was to hear of her rescue by some wonderful UTA train attendant! How lovely was our reunion!

UTA, Ji-Ji and I thank you!

Dear Creepy Man on the Bus,

Leave me alone.

Don't sit by me, look at me, or talk to me.

And don't call me 'Baby Doll'.

Thanks so much,

--Lisa (Like I was going to give you my real name!)

Texas, anyone?

Saturday, I got to hang out with these two

Katie V. and Porter Long

as they traveled through SLC.

It was so fun to see them, even it was for just a couple of hours.
(And it's nice to know I'm not the only one with disintegrating Chinese)

Anyone up for a road trip?
I've been invited to Lubbock for harvest...

Deja Vu

The light in our bathroom is burnt out and we haven't changed it yet.

And so, I just showered in the dark.

It reminded me of my days in Taiwan.

It was great!

Tuition Woes

Dear Utah State University,

I am very excited to begin my studies with you. I have always wanted to go to graduate school, and finally that dream is about to come true. However, there is something we need to discuss: Tuition. I don't like your system. And your payment options are less than desirable. Let me enlighten you:

1. You insist that I pay tuition 2 weeks before school starts. What if I decided I don't like it? That I don't want to be in school anymore? What if I start but don't want to finish? Too late, you already have my money. You know, at the University of Utah they don't make you pay until after school starts. They give me 4 weeks more time to pool my resources.

2. You don't accept VISA on tuition. What is that all about? Don't you know that more people carry VISA than MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card combined? It's everywhere you want to be...except at Utah State. You are sending the message that perhaps people don't want to be at your school. Hmm, maybe you should think about THAT!

3. It's not until I pulled my AE card out of my wallet that you tell me you are going to charge me a 2.75% fee (of my tuition price) for using my credit card. Excuse me, but do you happen to know what 2.75% of $1470.00 is? It is over $40. Like heck I'm giving you $40 just to process my request. Not only are you hounding me for $1470, you are going to be petty and take $40 more? I don't think so.

I finally paid my tuition using your e-check option, but not until after I called the registrar's office to make sure it wasn't going to cost me my first born son.

If I didn't know better, I might think you were more interested in my money than in furthering my education.

Sincerely,

A Very Poor and Slightly Annoyed Student

Twenty-Something

This past weekend I went to a conference for young single adults. It was fun, with lots of food, music, and dancing. And there were tons of people there.

Considering the conference was for people spanning ages 18 to 30, I didn't feel particularly old until a new friend/potential date asked how old I was.

Looking back, I realize I should have been tipped off by the fact that he didn't own his own car.

I Admit it:

I have a thing for Ray Milland.

Sorry, Cary.

A Typical Day

I sit at my desk:
Not much to do.
These days it is slow--
Projects and people are few.

I stare at my screen:
Not much to see.
My eyes are a blur,
To close is their plea.

I type on my keyboard:
Not much to write.
Words come so slowly,
Restless thoughts, no sight.

I talk to myself:
Not much to say.
Don’t want to work--
Should call it a day.

I open my wallet:
Not much inside.
I sigh and keep going,
At the office must bide.

--Me

The World Needs More Sister Missionaries

Good Luck, Amanda, as you go preach the Word in Spain.

It's going to be awesome!

Jean Arthur is So Lucky

Something I have yet to learn is to never go to Costco when I'm feeling tired, ill, or otherwise in need of rest and relaxation.

I did, and as a result, last night I purchased Screwball Comedies, Vol. 1. And 2.

Whoops! Sometimes I forget I am poor.

Anyway, once I got home, I decided to watch one of my new movies. I chose this:

Too Many Husbands, 1940

It was pretty funny. And even though I coughed every time I laughed, it was worth it.

For, what girl wouldn't love having 2 men fight over her?

Girls Night

Me, Kathy, Stacey, Crystal, Jill, Clary
Utah Festival Opera
August 1, 2009

I love the fact that I have friends who are willing

to drive to Logan just to attend the Opera with me.

It is definitely an acquired taste.

And with our attractive left shoulder blades
and riveting right elbows,
I would say we were looking HOT!

Thanks, girls!

New Calling

I got a new calling today. I am now a member of the F.H.E. committee.

I guess this means I need to start going to F.H.E...

Slow Slow Learn

When in Taiwan, the natives would always say "man man xue" (慢慢學) to those of us learning Chinese. It means "slow slow learn"--a saying I've taken quite literally in my life.

And so, after a year and a half of ownership, I have finally learned how to take pictures on my camera in sepia and black and white.

Aren't the black-eyed susans pretty?

Who Said You Can't Have It All?

I bought my first pair of Dr. Marten's today--

and they only cost $12.99 before tax.

It's like my 8th grade dream come true!

And if you were wondering,

I now have the subscription and the shoes.

(Read this).