I love PBS and President Dallin H. Oaks!!!

Dallas and I decided to not pay for cable while we were in school. it really only takes away from precious studying time. There isn't really anything on that is that great to watch anyway.

Instead we have 'bunny ears', that kinda work. They do pickup the various PBS channels. Did you know they have 4 PBS channels? (create, world, just music, and another one I can't remember) I love them all!!

Today (while making flash cards) I watched an ethics panel called "Ethics of America" debate various ethical problems we run across in our lives. They were things like: would you tell the neighbors wife that her husband is having an affair, would you vote for the same man for the PTA. It was pretty interesting seeing these well known, highly educated people debate these simple things. The best part is that President Dallin H. Oaks was also on the panel of experts!!! What an amazing way to see one of the men we greatly respect talking about the ethics of these somewhat wordly problems. It was very interesting and I loved seeing his wisdom radiate from his demeanor.

I also watched a show where a modern day philosopher explains the philosophies of ancient philosophers!! It was actually quite insightful. He talked about many philosophers including Socrates and tried to interpret their philosophies into our modern way of living.

One philosophy I thought was really interesting was Seneca's philosophy on anger and anxiety toward things that we cannot control in our lives. This particular ancient philosopher said that if we were a little bit more pessimistic about the way our lives play out, we would not be surprised by things that don't quite work out the way we want them to, we wouldn't get angry or upset and in the end we would be happier. He thought you should meditate at the beginning of the day about things that would probably go wrong so that we wouldn't be so upset or surprised when it happened. For instance, I shouldn't be surprised if on my way to school I hit every red light, I have to go on a detour because of construction or a car pulls out in front of me and I get in an accident. It is an interesting way of looking at things. Makes you think...

Whirlwind Decorating!!

I made a goal to decorate my house during my week and a half break and I did it! I just decorated with stuff I already had for the most part. It was fun and I just finished!! I only bought a couple of things, most of this stuff is things I've had for a really long time. Dallas helped me out so much! There is no way I could have done it without him. He is so patient, even when I keep making him move everything this way and that trying to find the perfect position. He was great!!

This is my favorite wall in my living room. I thought it turned out really well.

I wanted a cute nook and this is what I came up with.

The sewing machine is from Dallas's mom.

This is actually what took the longest. I painted my old wooden table, my aunt gave me when we got married! It took a lot of paint... Dallas helped me a lot with the table, he did most of the sanding.

This is the only corner of the kitchen that's decorated, the rest will have to wait.

We already had tons of random pictures from one of our apartments we lived in so I decided to just hang them up going up the stairs. It's kinda fun. (I'm actually afraid they are going to all fall down when our washer is on. Crossing my fingers.)

During our vacation to Baltimore we bought this painting from a homeless gentleman who painted it on the bottom of an old dresser drawer! We decided to make it the theme of our downstairs bathroom. I was actually quite impressed that I was able to come up with all this stuff lying around my house! (The only thing I bought was the little ship... cus I thought it was really cute)

Dallas brought me home some of these things from his travels with his old job, science care.This little crab is one of them. In the little box is a hair pin(?) from Tonga that Jamie brought home for me.

*S*M*I*L*E*

I know I'm overdoing it on the posts today, but I'm just catching up!!

When you driving around cities it is not an unusual thing to see homeless people holding signs begging for food, work, help, or money. Driving around San Diego was no different. We often saw people walking up and down the median with a sign. On our way home from the beach we pasted one such man and I didn't give him much notice. Just as we were passing him I glanced at his sign that was just about as wide as he was long which simply stated, SMILE. I was a little surprised and a smile crept onto my face. I then looked up at his face and he was wearing the biggest, sincerest, cheeziest smile, the equal of which I've only seen on children. I broke into a giggle!! It was so funny. Dallas just turned to me and said, "It Worked."

It is funny how this man who I will never see again touched me so easily. It shocked me and I think I laughed about it all the way back to the campsite. He certainly made me smile and I think I smile every time I remember it.

SMILES

I will never get tired of seeing these cute boys!! Their smiles just light up the world!

Caleb tries to be such a good older brother it is sooo adorable. I was taking pictures of Kyson and he felt left out so he hopped up on the couch to get in on the action.

All you have to do is start talking to Kyson and he'll give you the biggest grin!! He loves attention.

Andrea was holding Kyson by his limbs and swinging him! Kyson just loved it.

San Diego...........relaxation............what else can I say???

Dallas and I had a blast in San Diego!! Nothing to exciting just hanging out and doing exactly what we wanted... doing almost nothing for 3 days straight. We went to the beach every day, went to the temple, and had way to much sugar. It was exactly what we needed.

Isn't this the best picture with the sun starting to go down!! It makes me ache to be back on the beach!!

This is us at our campsite! I've camped there 3 times now and I love it!

This is my very handsome husband! (The hat was actually meant for me but with my very small head it didn't fit, and it actually looks awesome on him! Dallas has discovered lately that he has to wear a hat in order to avoid sunburning the top of his head:) The sunflower is just icing on the cake ;)

Dallas's Dad also joined us!! Alison his step-sister brought along a friend! It was fun watching and listening to them. It's been a long time since I've spent time with 12 year olds!! They are soo silly.

One semester down!

I'm done with my first semester! YES!! I finished my last anatomy test today. It felt good. The real accomplishment is that I proved to myself that I can do it! I can't believe everything I've learned in only a couple of months! The professors at our school like to describe it as "drinking from a fire hose." I feel like there is so much I wasn't even able to learn because of the amount of information. At the same time I can't even remember some of the things I learned at the beginning of the summer. I learned it for the test and then forgot it as we moved on with new information! I here I'm supposed to "Trust the System" and everything will come together in the end. I've heard that phrase more times then I can count! So I guess I just go with the flow :)


I have met so many amazing people. The fun part is I still have 2 years to spend with everyone getting to know them even better. We all have the same classes together and see each other every day, all day! Its like a party every day (okay, thats pushing it) It is fun though, getting to know everyone.

Its been a good semester, and I'm ready for a break before we take off again! Here we come San Diego!

I can see an end in sight!!

Next Wednesday is my Anatomy Final!! Part of me wishes I could just take it and get it over with. The other, more sane part of me is saying that I need more time to finish studying for it! (I have another test on Monday) I really don't feel prepared at all. Its pretty bad when the TA starts quizzing you about information and you have no idea what the heck he's talking about!
It is exciting though I get a week and a half off before my next semester.

Dallas starts school in the middle of my break, I guess I'll actually have to get some things done in my house.... LIKE DECORATING.

There is nothing on my walls! Dallas hung a mirror upstairs but thats it. After living here for 3 months I think its time to pull out the hammer, nails, and pictures! I'll have to post pictures in a couple of weeks.