tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5600614624777251052024-03-05T07:26:13.515-06:00Joy in the JourneyNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-75694655283425161432010-12-26T19:02:00.016-06:002011-03-29T13:00:40.323-05:00Engaged!!That's right, folks. Phil has finally popped the question! For two weeks straight, following finals, he disappeared into secrecy and covert operations. I thought I would see more of him when he was out of school, but alas! We would go into a store and be wondering around, suddenly he would say "Ok, you need to go wait outside now!" Um, okay. So, after two weeks of this type of behavior he finally let me know that he was finished with his project and was ready to ask me. He picked me up after work on Thursday (I got off at 7:45 pm) and we drove to Salt Lake City. He made reservations for us at Tuscany. We arrived a little early and he kept ensuring that the restaurant knew we were there for a special occasion! I was getting a little nervous, but I shouldn't have worried. We order dinner: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa5wCk7P7m5QrV0VUYqZY9Z-fRsaR17zb6H-KElHVXom5PtdJKyVUZLYkP8G1jZBR2ti-yQQu-OEOdCU8m9fQXCDupvE7WnRyDUEP8yFc2S0ShKRerkdiLploYoESJY0_RMdfaButqw6I/s1600/Hawaiian+Sea+Bass.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555162625739068418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa5wCk7P7m5QrV0VUYqZY9Z-fRsaR17zb6H-KElHVXom5PtdJKyVUZLYkP8G1jZBR2ti-yQQu-OEOdCU8m9fQXCDupvE7WnRyDUEP8yFc2S0ShKRerkdiLploYoESJY0_RMdfaButqw6I/s200/Hawaiian+Sea+Bass.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me with my Hawaiian Sea Bass. Delicious!! Although, I thought the Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup may have been even better. (Gasp!) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eyMYhhdh5WpKiMDldekXAOfP7MGUtQ5p3_es2dRTD_ZWYUMrYYJo8cSaGZg1sLwKw2OFlDbYmh0EMpArE-uvwdKysC8fbOxgLvOuXaZiT6LP6kHr1l6oBOiD0tYDaB_9romqdLGxsY1V/s1600/Up+Scale+Meatloaf.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555163458650750066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eyMYhhdh5WpKiMDldekXAOfP7MGUtQ5p3_es2dRTD_ZWYUMrYYJo8cSaGZg1sLwKw2OFlDbYmh0EMpArE-uvwdKysC8fbOxgLvOuXaZiT6LP6kHr1l6oBOiD0tYDaB_9romqdLGxsY1V/s200/Up+Scale+Meatloaf.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH7WDj3u49SpNz11uNF9QSunDH4kPGxgZfSExBUqxkiACe3ISaKvXRJgQjzuit8t-dPBKEwg3p1Zw90F0-MQwjJ6at-z9wuDOwGP-GfEewGBhPNQ3g2g-DulWwGtNgBqaG4M_-pwrL2qp/s1600/Reading+Book.JPG"></a>Here is Phil with his Up Scale Meatloaf! That's right, folks. Meatloaf. <br /><div>When we were done eating Phil came to sit by me and pulled a little wrapped gift out of his pocket. "This is for you, but open it carefully."</div><br /><div>I unwrapped a little book . . . as I opened the cover I started to realize that this was a very unique book. Phil had written the story of our dating experience. It was witty and charming. But, not only had he written up the highlights of our years of dating he had figured out how to paginate the page segments, sew them to the binding, create the cover and publish the entire thing from scratch! He was even very careful to make sure that he used all acid free products so that the book would be preserved over time. It is totally impressive. In a later post I will document the process he went through, as he was good enough to document his efforts with pictures. :) </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zsjGlZckZ2yKrjZuAmz4C8VKBwDI7S1Fwb6loixW3gXol3Ieq-kBPNZEODrNc3I-Kl4bJUTPq8v1u-7z-rzLv44z7hYMdjj-J9u4XjjPGU5-SCXRxB3klna9nrAI_WKU7UGCZ0fap2Wq/s1600/Opening+Book.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555163438100281154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zsjGlZckZ2yKrjZuAmz4C8VKBwDI7S1Fwb6loixW3gXol3Ieq-kBPNZEODrNc3I-Kl4bJUTPq8v1u-7z-rzLv44z7hYMdjj-J9u4XjjPGU5-SCXRxB3klna9nrAI_WKU7UGCZ0fap2Wq/s200/Opening+Book.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is me opening the book.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH7WDj3u49SpNz11uNF9QSunDH4kPGxgZfSExBUqxkiACe3ISaKvXRJgQjzuit8t-dPBKEwg3p1Zw90F0-MQwjJ6at-z9wuDOwGP-GfEewGBhPNQ3g2g-DulWwGtNgBqaG4M_-pwrL2qp/s1600/Reading+Book.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555163441371887586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH7WDj3u49SpNz11uNF9QSunDH4kPGxgZfSExBUqxkiACe3ISaKvXRJgQjzuit8t-dPBKEwg3p1Zw90F0-MQwjJ6at-z9wuDOwGP-GfEewGBhPNQ3g2g-DulWwGtNgBqaG4M_-pwrL2qp/s200/Reading+Book.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>This is me reading the book. I had strict instructions not to go past a certain place in the book. When I got to the marked place, Phil took that book and turned it a couple more pages. Inside the book he had created a hidden compartment. Inside the compartment he had tied my ring! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VaIL2FM4agWPwVI_bKLPdqt5p9VS17FQbiGdSx9qx7V7OVBdXExfcBrCn_nMI-rLFHJGxaT8GyiZwGdeKj0Uf5SiiyUfCVxs_2O_v0W6ofYeQSvgoq_TMe5SW6fRlZ4xEgAQdZzfOrV2/s1600/Rind+in+Book.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555173465149064402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VaIL2FM4agWPwVI_bKLPdqt5p9VS17FQbiGdSx9qx7V7OVBdXExfcBrCn_nMI-rLFHJGxaT8GyiZwGdeKj0Uf5SiiyUfCVxs_2O_v0W6ofYeQSvgoq_TMe5SW6fRlZ4xEgAQdZzfOrV2/s200/Rind+in+Book.jpg" border="0" /></a>It is so beautiful. He took the ring out of the book and knelt down . . . right there in the restaurant! I said yes, of course! He gave me a hug and said, "We're getting married!" "It's about time," I responded. :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFIWgY5zCfwQmTGAyI24EbDSgVvHym__3v7X7saE1Z27iaHCm4IaffKKqVNWgOGWcCmqTl6ywbO9T5FX4VmFsBkVJzcHIdjI7OH0bGGLmsOSYBKyrMSCoCGW3MZpsxAF_2-8DMzbajQk/s1600/Hand+and+Ring+Glamour.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFIWgY5zCfwQmTGAyI24EbDSgVvHym__3v7X7saE1Z27iaHCm4IaffKKqVNWgOGWcCmqTl6ywbO9T5FX4VmFsBkVJzcHIdjI7OH0bGGLmsOSYBKyrMSCoCGW3MZpsxAF_2-8DMzbajQk/s1600/Hand+and+Ring+Glamour.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555162614142775970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EFIWgY5zCfwQmTGAyI24EbDSgVvHym__3v7X7saE1Z27iaHCm4IaffKKqVNWgOGWcCmqTl6ywbO9T5FX4VmFsBkVJzcHIdjI7OH0bGGLmsOSYBKyrMSCoCGW3MZpsxAF_2-8DMzbajQk/s200/Hand+and+Ring+Glamour.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Ring on my finger! <br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC7NS6bEnEx0MsYEro3d3Me5Me7-SgVdpxemw_4n84_2D_5mR0VlmEOvZ7Uc1YYrouMbGYc-mwkAPBjBrx8fbTHO5QFyPkS_5peBk6oxJ08IBGL1ahCJPH4OiEKnSAh98SJ8cm-6uD9ml/s1600/Happily+Engaged.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555162618939196306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC7NS6bEnEx0MsYEro3d3Me5Me7-SgVdpxemw_4n84_2D_5mR0VlmEOvZ7Uc1YYrouMbGYc-mwkAPBjBrx8fbTHO5QFyPkS_5peBk6oxJ08IBGL1ahCJPH4OiEKnSAh98SJ8cm-6uD9ml/s200/Happily+Engaged.JPG" border="0" /></a> Room where we got engaged. Our adorable waiter took this picture! <br /><p></p><br /><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewuFnD6lE_qH81XgI7kr4dL_u54TCCe7V_Gk_Fb-tGEaICjmLuv5htcdwj0YUcKbHajSzWkg5_LfWZUPiWq6C_KhxLFeuGvJBlxBKC4F6sfXP93JJ8NwopD8DO2PfcB1KrVuBczc9rZU7/s1600/Blown+Glass+Chandelier.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555162612624055746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewuFnD6lE_qH81XgI7kr4dL_u54TCCe7V_Gk_Fb-tGEaICjmLuv5htcdwj0YUcKbHajSzWkg5_LfWZUPiWq6C_KhxLFeuGvJBlxBKC4F6sfXP93JJ8NwopD8DO2PfcB1KrVuBczc9rZU7/s200/Blown+Glass+Chandelier.JPG" border="0" /></a> Beautiful blown glass chandelier, Tuscany entry way. Below are some more glamour shots of the ring! I am so blessed. Phil is the best guy I have ever known. He is so patient with my flaws and makes me feel like a gorgeous and dynamic woman. I am so in love, and I have the distinct impression that I am only scratching the surface of how in love I will fall with Phil. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbI1JZGtfUqZfxu2b3t_QmHEXpuGqa_rFX23WgAf_3pYAnafZ5IBQh8T6NZvNMg80wG5Y7o0mldAeasgNbQYGodOsKhyphenhyphene4moZaC6_pF5PvLONJG4Mt7CpWyYe17PDD660Bmcpz8ZqvzmQ/s1600/Ring+Close+up.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555163446442644402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbI1JZGtfUqZfxu2b3t_QmHEXpuGqa_rFX23WgAf_3pYAnafZ5IBQh8T6NZvNMg80wG5Y7o0mldAeasgNbQYGodOsKhyphenhyphene4moZaC6_pF5PvLONJG4Mt7CpWyYe17PDD660Bmcpz8ZqvzmQ/s200/Ring+Close+up.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCclttcSy5HM6Z-o8SDSZzY7jEf5PsZNIivOeNMTnux3gWOlqNPK91Fm4DJLrWBElkut1bggMM8W3SwgnP5356BlrCjUE-vv6_ZfxMAJvbSZEPu5hS1W_aKKnos93lxZRloHLWcxMLU7gO/s1600/Ring+in+Box.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555163448931028258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCclttcSy5HM6Z-o8SDSZzY7jEf5PsZNIivOeNMTnux3gWOlqNPK91Fm4DJLrWBElkut1bggMM8W3SwgnP5356BlrCjUE-vv6_ZfxMAJvbSZEPu5hS1W_aKKnos93lxZRloHLWcxMLU7gO/s200/Ring+in+Box.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7SMoy1KjeST9eiFVyi5HhoqL_hfHnVHhw_4CsVLU4by_Nj0S7i5tSwBzsUwwLpcplHAFmuiKDr4Dlri8GClEwnx2hbbipJY-oOxHFmXqUGvKKEypfRBr1QvFPDm6XULG0SIjMy0GtVT0/s1600/Beautiful+Ring.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555162601274487970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7SMoy1KjeST9eiFVyi5HhoqL_hfHnVHhw_4CsVLU4by_Nj0S7i5tSwBzsUwwLpcplHAFmuiKDr4Dlri8GClEwnx2hbbipJY-oOxHFmXqUGvKKEypfRBr1QvFPDm6XULG0SIjMy0GtVT0/s200/Beautiful+Ring.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">For More On Nicki and Phil, Wedding Style, Visit our Website: </span></strong><a href="http://philandnicki.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">philandnicki.blogspot.com</span></strong></a></div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-63406187730813689602010-05-26T15:20:00.008-05:002010-06-08T11:31:21.904-05:00Since we last talked . . .Dear Readers, <div><br /></div><div>So many things have happened since I posted last. I know this would not happen if I wrote more frequently. I am a flawed soul.</div><div><br /></div><div>In December Phil's parents took us ice fishing, where I caught my first fish ever! Behold:<br /></div><div><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475676888465788978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV7K-IxkTr2BMy2k5c_Yxa3jzVSoYLDeELK3AitIie-iTz2G1ORBaUKlXP_ADGsmb1vVio1TKBHGwQpSZ-4629m5yJ5mI5s5_itRF70K2YoHWXJTDOVfsbjCMnmWPZkI4nfF8LtPS5x79/s200/DSC01248.JPG" /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE59NcmESd4hV_TpYcC5KxskqIC_e0ArjM6m-C7-j1fvnjBadl4uDMGKFmMDycIAH7EwuMUXRMtTIpa_AX4B_tZHrD0HJ7Rm_NpGnMkgyao_SYaUT9VDpAUNA46Y518mkCQAue1BGGUlg/s1600/DSC01253.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475676899697366642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE59NcmESd4hV_TpYcC5KxskqIC_e0ArjM6m-C7-j1fvnjBadl4uDMGKFmMDycIAH7EwuMUXRMtTIpa_AX4B_tZHrD0HJ7Rm_NpGnMkgyao_SYaUT9VDpAUNA46Y518mkCQAue1BGGUlg/s200/DSC01253.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p>It was a lot of fun and not as dramatic as I thought it would be. ;)<br /></p><p>When I was struggling to find employment a great friend of mine offered me a position at the Maverick he manages. I have had requests for visual proof of this so here it is:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mztIDNSBYMvXlLAgPsHHmDytqGdkn71topmXa-ugsqetu2huFygJUcuVStQba1tFwXtgRUXkHL3TUfXKn4uWFki0KxH6s88iyN2nzYuyBCzw2Dgg6NLG7Z-ZB5H13vq_eZILopIdlbsi/s1600/DSC01268.1JPG.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480436970578571810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mztIDNSBYMvXlLAgPsHHmDytqGdkn71topmXa-ugsqetu2huFygJUcuVStQba1tFwXtgRUXkHL3TUfXKn4uWFki0KxH6s88iyN2nzYuyBCzw2Dgg6NLG7Z-ZB5H13vq_eZILopIdlbsi/s200/DSC01268.1JPG.JPG" /></a><br /></p><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I actually learned a lot of interesting things while I worked there, not least of which is that I have very good, very patient friends!</div><div> </div><div>I have since moved to a part-time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">postion</span> with the Davis County Library System where I have been given the Young Adult <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">reposibilities</span> for the Bountiful Library. I am loving the position. There is so much opportunity for growth and I am excited to help improve YA services.</div><div> </div><div>In April I went to a baby shower for my good and wonderful friend Mary. I was overjoyed to see so many good friends there and pictured below are two very adorable ladies who are both expecting additions to their families!! Mary is on the left and Heidi is on the right. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoJx6yAwlCun5K6k1iG8htK5GTonlzA2As0bART0uxwlPpVqN3YCYFrIFgMkEsJa5oD4sAwF06DCTd6TCAXRfktjgM7M8YDlXbiSheBl3VptBDcfiYiKjeGLkHqcvJZPmJ9t9tSkB2Yml/s1600/DSC01264.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475677662892722818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoJx6yAwlCun5K6k1iG8htK5GTonlzA2As0bART0uxwlPpVqN3YCYFrIFgMkEsJa5oD4sAwF06DCTd6TCAXRfktjgM7M8YDlXbiSheBl3VptBDcfiYiKjeGLkHqcvJZPmJ9t9tSkB2Yml/s200/DSC01264.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Mary actually had her baby boy the same day that this young lady tied the knot:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1PHCD0eI1ZkJNXwnnU5gU-LoQVG4ZFzMXqOOG2Gy8UbSJhwAY2LOzA8_ppaVUCB820qgd9hzl3dsZZf_tqwdQ2YLqkUwd5MRf-bS8FiiRSo7bvpgdj7ymuTMmmRXTTOJTnuknYfOyJaD/s1600/Krystle.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 101px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475677689466597314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1PHCD0eI1ZkJNXwnnU5gU-LoQVG4ZFzMXqOOG2Gy8UbSJhwAY2LOzA8_ppaVUCB820qgd9hzl3dsZZf_tqwdQ2YLqkUwd5MRf-bS8FiiRSo7bvpgdj7ymuTMmmRXTTOJTnuknYfOyJaD/s200/Krystle.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This is the best picture I had. Not to say that it was the best picture taken, but I think (even cropped) it is beautiful.</div><div> </div><div>Congratulations Krystle!! Everything was gorgeous. It was so great to see everyone and I was continually impressed with the talent of yourself and those helping you to decorate, coordinate and capture the event.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Now, certainly and by far the least. I got my hair cut. Here is what I look like now.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiUTd1MjxS-cDpmCDC4lQj_VFpPY2dFZQ0-VYw_vGW79ab0erUsdWdOKPpiU6jq6xFKLYLlADwA_I08mcBYNRwqCaTnTOjLRp0guRcEXrtpAUg6j9qf8MOJvqln280mVDWRpu1_B0T5ET/s1600/DSC01271.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475677681346696018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiUTd1MjxS-cDpmCDC4lQj_VFpPY2dFZQ0-VYw_vGW79ab0erUsdWdOKPpiU6jq6xFKLYLlADwA_I08mcBYNRwqCaTnTOjLRp0guRcEXrtpAUg6j9qf8MOJvqln280mVDWRpu1_B0T5ET/s200/DSC01271.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />This is a little longer than when I first got it cut and I can finally pull it up in a pony tail without looking like a three year old! </div><div> </div><div>Thanks for reading and I'll talk to you soon!</div></div></div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-53663754485893781342010-04-03T12:07:00.007-05:002010-04-13T17:05:57.109-05:00Fun Tidbit:I have published an article that I wrote during my Master's work at the University of Iowa. It is an electronic Jornal entitled B Sides. It is about Young Adult Services in Public Libraries. If you want to take a glance you can find it here: <a href="http://ir.uiowa.edu/bsides/2/">http://ir.uiowa.edu/bsides/2/</a><br /><br />Or, type: <strong>ir.uiowa.edu</strong> in your browser's web address line. Next use the search bar to search for <strong>b sides</strong>. Finally scan the page for the article title: <strong>Raising the Bar in Public Libraries</strong> and my name.<br /><br /><br />Happy Reading!!Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-732133676710400872010-03-23T12:52:00.009-05:002010-03-23T14:14:43.661-05:00Master's GraduationI graduated!! Three months ago. Here are some of the things you missed. Don't feel too bad, I feel like <em>I</em> almost missed them!<br /><br />In December of 2009 I graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master's in Library and Information Science.<br /><br />In order to do so I had to present a poster in November (this was <em>not</em> a smooth process):<br /><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451890611069487298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dkz9QS0FlviBswp8IJIrS-zqNNGQcKx6BBx5up_eR0fmw5W-2tUCDKhCmdYV6E8jdViPrOFYL7SRsD_ndTbR24p9YmSPtc7C9pWoMF0-o8dTZeLm77xLZSyBo9W547rVM5tK5-DnR011/s200/Grab+Bag+013.jpg" /> <p>(Don't too closely, there is a lot I would change.)<br /></p><p>Here are some of the people I captured supporting me at this event:</p><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aOmkjZzHFyi4XD2A4EzWiXHACGWDkYfzIUtMAfj7yuCZEnciyihNYg94bb8T4KG7zl-wBhnnLae6YirK39eiW6vsJdCinGSCbjQ6BdwOgi2qvsDNZw0uSIIcp8Y6_TjaJrhChXG7CW4c/s1600-h/Grab+Bag+015.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451891330103903186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aOmkjZzHFyi4XD2A4EzWiXHACGWDkYfzIUtMAfj7yuCZEnciyihNYg94bb8T4KG7zl-wBhnnLae6YirK39eiW6vsJdCinGSCbjQ6BdwOgi2qvsDNZw0uSIIcp8Y6_TjaJrhChXG7CW4c/s200/Grab+Bag+015.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>Left to Right:</div><div>Amber Skoglund, Angela Murillo, Jim Elmborg (Program Director), Me</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_So6hyphenhyphenqjZdVY-x-uTgdrP4jmGetCA4LAxz0rTqGUM3a3Ffe75jt68mP4R1WhUnYmbxhF6w3gPoE5X6zhdiYmhFU6m0H8al1hkMQ5R3vndaO9ST821KJdAfgn74Cc2wxm9EMzmAL7haHJ/s1600-h/Grab+Bag+014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451891318886265810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_So6hyphenhyphenqjZdVY-x-uTgdrP4jmGetCA4LAxz0rTqGUM3a3Ffe75jt68mP4R1WhUnYmbxhF6w3gPoE5X6zhdiYmhFU6m0H8al1hkMQ5R3vndaO9ST821KJdAfgn74Cc2wxm9EMzmAL7haHJ/s200/Grab+Bag+014.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />Left to Right: </div><div>Katie Pauls, Me, Annette Bramstedt<br /></div><div> </div><div>My roommates also showed up between the busy events of their day. And my family and boyfriend were helping from a distance. Don't underestimate this statement, they went through a lot to get this done. I felt so supported and blessed. It almost made the misery worth while!<br /></div><div>Graduation was December 18th, but I did NOT walk or get all cap and gown-y. There are many reasons for this</div><div></div><div>1) My family and boyfriend were in Utah</div><div>2) My good friends and roommates were busy enough with finals and winter break depatures (moving, vacation, etc.)</div><div>3) I didn't want to pay for the event</div><div>4) I was moving to Utah the day after the event.<br /></div><div>All in all is just wasn't going to be worth the added headache. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Instead I decided to spend time with the people fell in love while in Iowa. </div><div> </div><div>Here are some picutres:</div><div></div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQNG3l6aPHeIxhdQ9_vrIacSmpRQCQTPWUiNTFdVuteDgfpeu-5aeCA_Y47tCXGyxp6Up_ipU4SIrJlrCs0BKqnh7VaQjyBEfMa3PMjPQuAEdDu1m7GkiMLu9MC8535N7145VeWI8uPIb/s1600-h/Grab+Bag+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451899777986984626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQNG3l6aPHeIxhdQ9_vrIacSmpRQCQTPWUiNTFdVuteDgfpeu-5aeCA_Y47tCXGyxp6Up_ipU4SIrJlrCs0BKqnh7VaQjyBEfMa3PMjPQuAEdDu1m7GkiMLu9MC8535N7145VeWI8uPIb/s200/Grab+Bag+001.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div> </div><div>This is my fellows group. Nine of us were awarded a fellowship because we wanted to make Digital Librarianship the focus of our degree. The man on the right is our advisor: Paul Soderdahl. One of our cohorts (Minglu) is not pictured because she had already gotten a job. Two others currently have jobs. The rest of us are still looking.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz0iyi_YD-7MfmOrzKLYHAEmbebbEQRI2Dip-K8d6mA3N4EdBmaYQ0GIg1mp89Out2oVAtmrqpEXEpzm_g_a9Ns79CpWq2UReDEqHKolS-47skQHWORdCwLeL00YkR8MVT3ukQvWoDnck/s1600-h/Grab+Bag+010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451899798268391346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz0iyi_YD-7MfmOrzKLYHAEmbebbEQRI2Dip-K8d6mA3N4EdBmaYQ0GIg1mp89Out2oVAtmrqpEXEpzm_g_a9Ns79CpWq2UReDEqHKolS-47skQHWORdCwLeL00YkR8MVT3ukQvWoDnck/s200/Grab+Bag+010.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div>This is the picture of the group of December graduates who decided to show up for a party and pictures along with some of the faculty of the department. Patricia Katapol is the one hiding her face.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5bSDgLebmoM_x9YNA0i5SggRl-oftsEQve2RNu-YSafJx58sNv7BRg11Ps2LLMOzSz-xr0LuGLVP49r8f5AOOVX18z4xGfo2yFWHhb88ip_dyfCgWASX4ncCn5VcQNXLWUW70Gli4F6i/s1600-h/Grab+Bag+005.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451900026428179730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5bSDgLebmoM_x9YNA0i5SggRl-oftsEQve2RNu-YSafJx58sNv7BRg11Ps2LLMOzSz-xr0LuGLVP49r8f5AOOVX18z4xGfo2yFWHhb88ip_dyfCgWASX4ncCn5VcQNXLWUW70Gli4F6i/s200/Grab+Bag+005.jpg" /></a> </div><div>I had a going away cupcake party at our beautiful historic home and invited the LDS Iowa City Singles Branch. Here is a great picture of my roommates (minus Heidi who is elusive).</div><div></div><div>Left to right: Amy Scott, Kristan Sorenson, Lina Feirra, Me in front</div><div></div><div>There are many, many more. They are on my other computer, but I believe they are on my facebook page as well.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBkAOg-57HxN_dYc7tdYKpNxXTLWmM2bY4XZEm2hwPOMAJyDSUNbdBMp4tCGSO3yu19v6psxpoDIRKEtMPx6o9QZBDvSCqOPObHTWtFlminjnTF2slbGwg_whcpyvTyWw_MyEOXNVRpTl/s1600-h/Grab+Bag+009.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451899789947926114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBkAOg-57HxN_dYc7tdYKpNxXTLWmM2bY4XZEm2hwPOMAJyDSUNbdBMp4tCGSO3yu19v6psxpoDIRKEtMPx6o9QZBDvSCqOPObHTWtFlminjnTF2slbGwg_whcpyvTyWw_MyEOXNVRpTl/s200/Grab+Bag+009.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Here are two of my best friends from the program, Annette and Katie. They are scheduled to graduate this Spring. Yay!! Yay, them!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>There are many more people of which I did not get the pictures I wanted. I guess there just weren't enough hours in the day.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Within 24 hours of when several of these pictures were taken I had myself and the rest of my belongings (most of them made the journey in a moving truck over Thanksgiving break), along with Lina and Kristan and their luggage piled into my car for the journey back to Utah. We made the trip with a good friend, German Ellsworth who was also moving back to Utah. Two cars, two people moving and two people coming to visit family for Christmas. What a great adventure!! I couldn't have found better people to make the drive with.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Next week I will post another backdated update to let you know how Christmas and my brithday went! Stay tuned.</div></div></div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-21528109697176863722009-10-30T00:44:00.004-05:002009-10-30T00:49:31.171-05:00After such a long absence,<div>Feast on this quality content!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Which Disney Princess Are You?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOiUbom4NjWqGLW1_JDbFvmfbaDnHJn37UL2kevjfjxHap0QAStnSJtMlRV4In0azhymlG0R6KBLo-xXfEkpggkgcJCSqHULjVF2yChsjPixZZShBI2t-qzOVXvmsVXE2Uy97140U2cad/s1600-h/Belle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398265177816246770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOiUbom4NjWqGLW1_JDbFvmfbaDnHJn37UL2kevjfjxHap0QAStnSJtMlRV4In0azhymlG0R6KBLo-xXfEkpggkgcJCSqHULjVF2yChsjPixZZShBI2t-qzOVXvmsVXE2Uy97140U2cad/s200/Belle.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#333333;">You are Belle.</span> You are strong, deep, and you are not a slave to petty superficial things. You are independent and allow yourself to see inner beauty without sacrificing your values. You are almost too good of a person.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Find out which Disney Princess you are!! <a href="http://www.brainfall.com/quizzes/which-disney-princess-are-you/">http://www.brainfall.com/quizzes/which-disney-princess-are-you/</a></div><div> </div><div>(Yep. This is what I've come to.)</div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-34760914557080545432009-06-23T13:00:00.003-05:002009-06-23T14:21:07.367-05:00And now . . .Highlights for those not wanting to read the whole thing:<br /><ul><li>I survived another semester</li><li>I took an art class (picture), and learned CSS (link)</li><li>I spent three weeks in Utah and got to see a great many friends, but not as many as I wanted to!</li><li>I'm now in Iowa figuring out summer plans around moving into a new cute house! (Picture)</li></ul><br />Whew! I managed to make it through Spring Semester! I was a little worried at the end because I took off for Utah before things were really finished. Phil had been invited to an honorary party for his work. He was the only one of his level in the company to be invited and I really wanted to support him . . . even though I still had a 15 page paper to begin and finish before the end of the following week! Don't worry, it got finished and turned in and I still passed all of my classes.<br /><br />Some highlights from the semester are that I signed up for a Drawing class (art for non-majors!), and really enjoyed it. Below is my favorite piece from the class. I called it "Tick-Tock." <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi7hTvMCChhJQkalmWxKEv6v24_mxko3sM44CgVSxSdq_SPO2f0R5Cno3A4QVCjrtp6-T3-nOuze7KbI9grLrfObOtDyaptRsCy5XViPge2be-0XZSIJ84IhexGB3Pj0dTlYnKK153Pn3/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350593075193553794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi7hTvMCChhJQkalmWxKEv6v24_mxko3sM44CgVSxSdq_SPO2f0R5Cno3A4QVCjrtp6-T3-nOuze7KbI9grLrfObOtDyaptRsCy5XViPge2be-0XZSIJ84IhexGB3Pj0dTlYnKK153Pn3/s200/004.JPG" border="0" /></a> For the class we got to work in three different mediums: pencil, charcoal and color pastels. It is hard to say which of these three is my favorite. They all have the draws (no pun intended). If you would like to look at more of my art from the class you can do so by following this link: <a href="http://dynamic.slis.uiowa.edu/nblair/artista/">http://dynamic.slis.uiowa.edu/nblair/artista/</a>. <br /><br />This site, incidentally, is a project for another class. Using WordPress, I was able to create all the visual elements of Artista Nouveaux using CSS. It makes me feel tech savvy to be able to say I can write CSS! That class also introduced me to Drupal, taught me the importance of a project plan, and enlightened me to the fact that you can do almost anything for free with open source software . . . as long and you are doing it for educational, non-profit purposes only! (Which category libraries usually fit into, by the way.) Here is a link to a site created for a team project: <a href="http://dynamic.slis.uiowa.edu/jshank/drupal-6.10/">http://dynamic.slis.uiowa.edu/jshank/drupal-6.10/</a>. I am responsible for the design and user accounts. The map is interactive!<br /><br />This semester I also learned that libraries are boring to research and write about, but still awesome to actually work in! Crazy. I always suspected there would be a gap between what one likes to study and what one likes to do.<br /><br />During my month long vacation to Utah the first week was spent writing that nasty paper mentioned above. (Which the professor wrote A Excellent! on the first page, and NOTHING more. Grrr.) I was then able to visit the prepossessing Gerber family with Phil in tow. Sophy is adorable and Phil and Troy battled it out on the shooting game in Wii Play. There are some awesome pictures, but they are currently trapped on my phone. :(<br /><br />Phil and I also went on an impromptu two hour long hike up Bear Canyon to an amazing waterfall with surprisingly <em>cold</em> water. The sites and the smells (when there were not overweight middle-aged men smoking-oh the irony there) rejuvenated my soul. There are some fun pictures from that too, but they are stuck on Phil's iPhone. :(<br /><br />I also had a hot dogs and s'mores night at the outdoor fire place at Phil's grandpa's house. It was lots of fun. Phil's parent's and grandma partied with us! And, I got to see Curtis Jex, Mary Dirks, Kimberly and Johnathan Bradbury and Jake and Vicki Gold. It was great! I'll have to have another similar get-together soon.<br /><br />I am currently back in Iowa putting some time in on my Fellowship work. If you go to this link: <a href="http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/vwu/">http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/vwu/</a> you will see some of the product of my labors. Most of what I have done can be found under the link 'Live From Prairie Lights.' If you enter 'niblair' in the 'Search This Collection' box you will see the 99 files I am responsible for creating the meta data for and uploading to the Internet. Meta data creation, in my humble opinion, sucks. But, the rest of it is very interesting. I got to learn all of the little glitches that crop up in the process of converting analog data into digital data and then making that digital data accessible on the Internet. Very cool. Just a couple of weeks ago the office got an e-mail from a lady in Venezuela that found some of the audio recordings of her own literary readings from when she was in the University's International Writing Program twenty years ago. She was charmed and enchanted and her e-mail was very heart warming. (The nice thing about uploading data for writers is that they can express their gratitude beautifully!)<br /><br />Finally, I am in the middle of trying to figure out the rest of my summer plans. I would like to visit Utah again before the summer is through. I also want to visit Phil while he is in New Jersey, and I have a friend living in New York that I would like to see very much. I also need to figure out the details surrounding my up and coming move into a house in Iowa City! Behold it's adorableness:<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZKD_J26fOGZ-BLzj5_zVNxM_33acDS228JihVCQ_vYxz12E1agB7RWLelt7S7SN7FcI6s7mjyRaynhMU4ttmdCQKm3CAOT5ACJaQAIs1nxNJcSrnm_VoRKASarmztHhQP2dIhx3TigMM/s1600-h/house+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350586275221130002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZKD_J26fOGZ-BLzj5_zVNxM_33acDS228JihVCQ_vYxz12E1agB7RWLelt7S7SN7FcI6s7mjyRaynhMU4ttmdCQKm3CAOT5ACJaQAIs1nxNJcSrnm_VoRKASarmztHhQP2dIhx3TigMM/s200/house+015.JPG" border="0" /></a> Oh So Cute!! No? </div><div> </div><div>I am moving in with my current roommate, Amy Scott, and our good friend Emily, Amy's former roommate Lina, and a spunky girl coming to us from Logan named Kristan! I am so excited. We are going to be a power house of LDS girls, taking Iowa by storm. Just you wait and see!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>One semester left to go and I am back in Utah for good . . . with a Master's under my belt!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-5021747354721234792009-04-21T20:53:00.002-05:002009-04-21T21:14:52.987-05:00Lefou, I'm afraid I've been thinking . . .I have been reading some blogs of some really good friends. Ups, downs, averages-successes, failures, blahs-disappointments, rejoicements, just plain ments. And through it all, I am charmed by you. There is strength and courage in each of you that makes my heart sing and my eyes misty. You make me grateful because you remind me so much of my Savior and His miraculous and powerful charity.<br /><br />I spoke in church about "Charity never faileth" and among my post Easter musings I have found great comfort in the this phrase, which contains the only true hyperbole I have ever come across. The more I muse about charity the more I think my muse is charity. It inspires me. The impression sinks deep into my soul that charity can heal all wounds, bind all breaks, mend all tears and generally do the impossible. Hatred crumbles to ash and disperses to the wind. Bitter souls find solace. My bruised and broken soul finds heaven. What could possibly be more miraculous?<br /><br />The love in Christ redeemed mankind. He embraced us and this one act continues to rescue us each and every time we fall.<br /><br />Your lives are my charity, making the pain worthwhile and the joy more joyus. Thanks for the love!Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-70544050486266087092009-04-14T23:02:00.005-05:002009-04-14T23:37:57.921-05:00I have been remiss.<div><div><div><div><div><div>Hello again, blogging community! Sorry I've been missing for so long. Life got the better of me. I will try and offer a comprehensive, yet brief, summary of my to-dos since I last posted.<br /></div><div><br />I finished my first semester of grad. classes (glory be!), and enrolled for Spring classes, all of which looked more promising than the ones I had just finished. I went home for Christmas break and enjoy the redicolously long four and a half weeks that U of Iowa gives its students. I was marvelous. Christmas was beautiful and the whole family was home.</div><br /><div><br />New Year's day came and went and I had the great fortune to spend it with Nikki Barkume, Kim, Curtis and Phil in Cedar City. On New Year's day Papa Barkume took us out ice fishing, and it was my first adventure of this kind. I had a blast!! Behold the pictures:<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3NsVO095JyGFMBs9xjX661nLOYcDek458B9fjnPRfYE3hIvXBivpLEYh2b9HQpJa0mJd90RaDb-CoH2ct4skekupQv3rKy_UAtSNY_y6rhm3PAPexRGdhZuhKTLZiKztzO4sZ5vdwY8t/s1600-h/Misc+073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324766333571460722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3NsVO095JyGFMBs9xjX661nLOYcDek458B9fjnPRfYE3hIvXBivpLEYh2b9HQpJa0mJd90RaDb-CoH2ct4skekupQv3rKy_UAtSNY_y6rhm3PAPexRGdhZuhKTLZiKztzO4sZ5vdwY8t/s200/Misc+073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc9YfjTPzLUa-6XLRKZng96kfF5nRzWcVnYtKyGPyaBM30ploWAQu0k9Fer0vrl-adZZ0Oe-Cz5qcsuVxnn-RS4oKcqvuJ2V5wSTLbYBPFMiBMKk8P0oTF6uNq1WEQYpv28Dob1VvLh8b/s1600-h/Misc+077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324766338689755202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc9YfjTPzLUa-6XLRKZng96kfF5nRzWcVnYtKyGPyaBM30ploWAQu0k9Fer0vrl-adZZ0Oe-Cz5qcsuVxnn-RS4oKcqvuJ2V5wSTLbYBPFMiBMKk8P0oTF6uNq1WEQYpv28Dob1VvLh8b/s200/Misc+077.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJot79eRdr5TZLn4PHiClMb5fG_-f3NGFnsdj7YyZaBEqtnFaifP2uA5BbHLwoXOpD83wIvy3_ihUzYlAl-ynwUL2QIY-1jwDhBQjmzLeq-ClL8uzRZMRIoE3myYy7dsEAKBJrB9ZfhNm/s1600-h/Misc+078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324766342715253074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJot79eRdr5TZLn4PHiClMb5fG_-f3NGFnsdj7YyZaBEqtnFaifP2uA5BbHLwoXOpD83wIvy3_ihUzYlAl-ynwUL2QIY-1jwDhBQjmzLeq-ClL8uzRZMRIoE3myYy7dsEAKBJrB9ZfhNm/s200/Misc+078.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxmdxHqi8SUVq6at1usKf0_UYnhkdR_0KDFAR3e1-Ojot_mujhkt9QKtyChw10iawWdIsHTNs_ZHXvp7R9bG3p0eIIvUXSlt03SYg3cAb9sulmjaHaIUA0gaP9jOpKED7PX0_mKNkLtVR/s1600-h/Misc+080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324766344045255842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxmdxHqi8SUVq6at1usKf0_UYnhkdR_0KDFAR3e1-Ojot_mujhkt9QKtyChw10iawWdIsHTNs_ZHXvp7R9bG3p0eIIvUXSlt03SYg3cAb9sulmjaHaIUA0gaP9jOpKED7PX0_mKNkLtVR/s200/Misc+080.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5hLzstc0JSd7VaaW8ti13d1i1Xdsr9fFOPuFb4Px1VfwaaziTOwKKtcDvVm5kLPpFjEb7pa7m3XI7YKOhvMxAICShl8hDib6GKHoJrtIGrrF4X1kP41JFoHVqlJ-ir4l2EoFe32kuMjj/s1600-h/Misc+084.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>I then went back to Iowa (just missing a week of sub-zero temperatures where people were advised to not be outside longer that 10 minutes) and commenced a much better semester than the last one.<br /><br /></div><div>Work, work, (Phil came for Valentine's Day, awww . . .) work . . . Spring Break!!! I came to Utah and expected to spend a week there when Phil declared: "Let's go to Vegas!" To Vegas we went. Behold the pictures:</div><div> </div><div> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnpADNptH1NVIQQPV7UQcHFP7ef5oo_NCOwNtJMazApvWLuYE1PkiTR01yH7Xh9Y5pEii5vwbjoGxTfecRWay0zkmQg0FZhhI4MxAdo0cnelNOD_vT_oDJguemAR9CnpBoOobPmxCBJ-N/s1600-h/DSC00714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324771082834113394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnpADNptH1NVIQQPV7UQcHFP7ef5oo_NCOwNtJMazApvWLuYE1PkiTR01yH7Xh9Y5pEii5vwbjoGxTfecRWay0zkmQg0FZhhI4MxAdo0cnelNOD_vT_oDJguemAR9CnpBoOobPmxCBJ-N/s200/DSC00714.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJpolzAK1Usdi8ZUFFi1fC5SMJVGTWMXQOt05teZ5Bka4V-Av5J3pNVUf0XgBPDK3MFd3yApAVZ1AfrU2F2SmR2iwXXAnQeCKLTXLHyrDPdrsFQvP7g2O7Pus2FBKfiXuSfOclwnSi7JI/s1600-h/DSC00721.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324771077675156930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJpolzAK1Usdi8ZUFFi1fC5SMJVGTWMXQOt05teZ5Bka4V-Av5J3pNVUf0XgBPDK3MFd3yApAVZ1AfrU2F2SmR2iwXXAnQeCKLTXLHyrDPdrsFQvP7g2O7Pus2FBKfiXuSfOclwnSi7JI/s200/DSC00721.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzOEI3eqBzZo-_83UWZRTnlItS5z3uGLChyphenhyphen-XrJuZhyphenhyphen9JSQO_DKZon7Ww0was0TUCUW43Bk_zp7gJJ_xXqlux0fuz3fv1jYGcDXZJG3m3EiSOMlkL6r1jwOSBjnKdbSyY9-fbcylGQPcL/s1600-h/DSC00741.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324771075117633650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzOEI3eqBzZo-_83UWZRTnlItS5z3uGLChyphenhyphen-XrJuZhyphenhyphen9JSQO_DKZon7Ww0was0TUCUW43Bk_zp7gJJ_xXqlux0fuz3fv1jYGcDXZJG3m3EiSOMlkL6r1jwOSBjnKdbSyY9-fbcylGQPcL/s200/DSC00741.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Now I am slaving away in that end of semester crunch where everything is due in the next three weeks, and where did the rest of the semester go?!?!</div><div> </div><div>I love you all. I love the Lord. I really enjoyed listening to the words of the Apostles and Prophets in General Conference and then remembering the Atonement of our Savior, without which all is for naught. I am blessed beyond reason, and am more grateful than I can say!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-38323314874692154802008-10-28T22:23:00.034-05:002008-10-28T23:33:06.588-05:00Midterms<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxBKG0aQHtoZIMnc-X3mXXu_ifOnsJUAg0NWlw-fhHCJrKESTnZa19x6GLyAcbzImLbexvitvadn2T-cttnCd2Mqfi9DsDEjjynAjumWcQp-SOohU2LfRKzvKTWiR0etyoJl0tiamyjCM/s1600-h/10-2008+Katie%27s+Big+Day+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262428023002339938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxBKG0aQHtoZIMnc-X3mXXu_ifOnsJUAg0NWlw-fhHCJrKESTnZa19x6GLyAcbzImLbexvitvadn2T-cttnCd2Mqfi9DsDEjjynAjumWcQp-SOohU2LfRKzvKTWiR0etyoJl0tiamyjCM/s200/10-2008+Katie%27s+Big+Day+001.jpg" border="0" /></a> I went to a good friend's wedding this weekend. I suppose a wedding can count as a kind of midterm. You've been molding yourself with special characteristics through this life, hopefully ones that will blend well with someone you choose to spend the rest of it with. The great middle ground is the wedding day. The test? Will everyone make it out alive!<br /><br /><br />This one was no contest, it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever seen. Katie was beautiful, her husband was 10 ft. tall. She had to tilt her head expectantly and wait for the kiss!<br /><br /><br />As any good friends do, Annette and I heard all about pre-wedding planning and anxiety. I was worried I would find Katie is a state of near hysteria-or at least developing the early awakenings of her very first ulcer. But, no! In fact, I believe she is my idea of a perfect bride. She was well aware that her D.J. was a middle-aged woman whose hair declared her to be an '80's enthusiast and whose musical selections reflected as much. However, she was content with the evening and her self, without exuding an over-bearing sense of self-importance. As the dance floor opened up for all married couples Katie wondered, "Now, where is my husband?" (1st, but certainly not the last time she'll say that. Also, hint: check the bar.) Then, her eyes lit up and "I have a husband!" was her simple and satisfied pronouncement for the evening. I still get goose-bumps as I remember how happy they were.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQfnI1kTXc5Ifi04jaxgUhY4M6xFPafwEYLdH3K4aetqM7QTVddIPM-L2std6UVGxvm9j512aNcXfRqo-bMlh5FwStORNrFQe2yC9nOBAQl6HOAbVWeE3XFBU-g4PFfj7VFRxwDHIanOp/s1600-h/10-2008+Katie%27s+Big+Day+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262428026442263410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQfnI1kTXc5Ifi04jaxgUhY4M6xFPafwEYLdH3K4aetqM7QTVddIPM-L2std6UVGxvm9j512aNcXfRqo-bMlh5FwStORNrFQe2yC9nOBAQl6HOAbVWeE3XFBU-g4PFfj7VFRxwDHIanOp/s200/10-2008+Katie%27s+Big+Day+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJXF5tT0Hiq_A_mSt1ZhUGRHT8v9qaRpTJ5L3X5MFN2z7IV18cMsSSWyObeEBKAfxUbHCohlUzRWzUIQVvbuGPETYqyp_F9U_vMZKBRHmKvmODJgED1_6735G7K0MhIHXGoa6tlSwYgl4/s1600-h/10-2008+Katie%27s+Big+Day+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262428035052884146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJXF5tT0Hiq_A_mSt1ZhUGRHT8v9qaRpTJ5L3X5MFN2z7IV18cMsSSWyObeEBKAfxUbHCohlUzRWzUIQVvbuGPETYqyp_F9U_vMZKBRHmKvmODJgED1_6735G7K0MhIHXGoa6tlSwYgl4/s200/10-2008+Katie%27s+Big+Day+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Speaking of goose-bumps . . . here is a seasonal piece that a few of us wrote at F.H.E. last night (Lyrics written to replace those for the song Part of Your World, The Little Mermaid):<br /><br />Our theme was Slasher Films--<br /><br />Look at those knives<br />& all their sheaths<br />That stupid girl's just under those sheets!<br />Wouldn't you think she could hear . . .<br />The sinister breathing?<br /><br />He's done slashing and hacking aplenty,<br />He's got a mad obsession with gore.<br />If it's goose bumps you want, you'll have plenty.<br />But, who cares?<br />No big deal<br />Where's the gore?!?!<br /><br />I wanna see where the crepos are<br />I wanna see<br />Wanna see em killing<br />Lurking around in<br />(what'd call it?) 0h- plain sight!<br />With romance you don't get too far<br />Kinves are required for slashing and hacking<br />Cutting up girls who are<br />(what's the word again?) Blonde.<br /><br />Out where they hack<br />Out where they lurk<br />Out where they kill all night in the dark<br />Creepy & sick, wish I could watch . . .<br />slasher movies.<br /><br />Lyrics by: Nicki, Kim, Luke, Trevor and Elder Anderson (I won't tell the mission president, if you don't.)<br /><br />Happy Halloween!<br /><br />PS I just finished my Computing Foundations Midterm, and I can't think of anything more horrific . . . I definitely deserve a treat.Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-26448080046273742872008-10-20T13:26:00.007-05:002008-10-20T14:11:46.859-05:00Phil Came to VISIT!!Anyone who knows me knows how exiting this is! I miss the boy too much to express, and while saying goodbye never seems to get easier it will always be worth whatever time I get with him.<br /><br />We had a great time while he was here and I'll share my favorite pictures and favorite stories.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLOhkqIB9vOGGCt0x5Ppddu1-OGWM2b7RY23irFbzY1xg6S8pf0e-6-SHlh_ZipR-ik8BwtbTOmTlgCpuHYLdu7gkJeacdxPT-UhQkxoBJBEpOWPlLX1MXc1OSWUecAMx1BD4UzS8sfd3/s1600-h/Phil's+October+Visit+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259314220777395746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLOhkqIB9vOGGCt0x5Ppddu1-OGWM2b7RY23irFbzY1xg6S8pf0e-6-SHlh_ZipR-ik8BwtbTOmTlgCpuHYLdu7gkJeacdxPT-UhQkxoBJBEpOWPlLX1MXc1OSWUecAMx1BD4UzS8sfd3/s200/Phil's+October+Visit+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On the Saturday after his arrival we helped a friend of mine host a Latino celebration/carnival for her work group. We had a great time, but apparently I did not understand the fundamentals to the three-legged race. Check out that bruise! It wraps around the front too. We also learned to dance the salsa, Phil is a master in the making.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzknD92Mb-_SmfHDf2in5PwebrQbWhHFQqnEWmzCreX8WqMgqTGXTAZatOnmODRhW3rH12NyXFrrwCgOmqkmzQFIoUN38OfFG6GC5DZUHOHx2uoqRB4fWttsIkC2LD0TFtqpRxSOZfgzX3/s1600-h/Phil's+October+Visit+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259305646430141938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzknD92Mb-_SmfHDf2in5PwebrQbWhHFQqnEWmzCreX8WqMgqTGXTAZatOnmODRhW3rH12NyXFrrwCgOmqkmzQFIoUN38OfFG6GC5DZUHOHx2uoqRB4fWttsIkC2LD0TFtqpRxSOZfgzX3/s200/Phil's+October+Visit+009.jpg" border="0" /></a>My roommate gave us a hot tip on an apple orchard where you can pick as many apples as you want and only pay 10 cents a pound. So on Monday (or maybe Tuesday) we hopped in the car and headed out! We got 6 1/2 pounds, a well spent 65 cents. The apples seem to have discoloration on their skins, and Phil suspects some sort of mold in the after math of the floods. But, it wipes right off and the apples are yummy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATA3EFqhfQ27GK6NyRsurwmFkxLGsRlkylgcCvMH3xRIax-WDtnXFQDbKjlBmKMqhlxLhl1v9cuoPI-wvo2CSpVH2yTer5H2WL9r8nIYuyGiXKvpC_Hm3uI1EuFpEEiPJgZxY7AJFHuXP/s1600-h/Phil's+October+Visit+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259305649120168546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATA3EFqhfQ27GK6NyRsurwmFkxLGsRlkylgcCvMH3xRIax-WDtnXFQDbKjlBmKMqhlxLhl1v9cuoPI-wvo2CSpVH2yTer5H2WL9r8nIYuyGiXKvpC_Hm3uI1EuFpEEiPJgZxY7AJFHuXP/s200/Phil's+October+Visit+011.jpg" border="0" /></a>Phil made a special request for "Nicki mashed potatoes" which apparently included a country gravy. Don't ask me, I have no idea. But, what the man wants the man gets . . . I guess he wasn't kidding. That pile is half the plate! (P.S. After all the fuss over the gravy I had to remind him it was there, you know, in case he wanted some. ;) My favorite part was the Cajun chicken he whipped up. Delicious!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259305652328827090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQM63GoG4AZH4L5lZ77kNzf_i5mPYxAhXuA4UYkK8k7SKh8pKdVo2HmNpvtjL6_O26oZS9SBR-yWCB_InBBxhf1rB0F_SUND2e8Wp4gmsJkyn5CdAI7bcEjfMCMxM_IcpU_UU8MwG1iD0/s200/Phil's+October+Visit+013.jpg" border="0" />I wanted cake so we baked a yellow cake with vanilla frosting. We ate a little (it was 2 am by the time it was done) and went to bed. I covered the cake with a towel so it would not dry out. The next afternoon I was making lunch and asking Phil what he wanted. He came to stand by me and leaned on the "counter." He put his hand on the towel and rested his weight into the cake! He, he, he, he. I think this is so funny! In the picture you can kind of see the towel-patterned hand print. He, he.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAQyNyr-Pj1Oxq0vqQi1GKH8JY7ic7ROEtCaXvIlkX_WScX5hve46P4pukmjSUZwgymiMs5ES0K8-oVJQ2mX-pgXC1fim2AkvBk4L1do_HF72XoCV5F5dJtt-qrYEuanWo1sSZs8PJpOV/s1600-h/Phil's+October+Visit+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259305658941388210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAQyNyr-Pj1Oxq0vqQi1GKH8JY7ic7ROEtCaXvIlkX_WScX5hve46P4pukmjSUZwgymiMs5ES0K8-oVJQ2mX-pgXC1fim2AkvBk4L1do_HF72XoCV5F5dJtt-qrYEuanWo1sSZs8PJpOV/s200/Phil's+October+Visit+017.jpg" border="0" /></a>On Friday my roommate Amy and her date let us crash their party and carve pumpkins with them. It was so much fun!! Our perfectionist natures showed themselves and we were only able to carve one in the time it took them to carve two, put we're rather proud of that jack o'lantern. We put a flashlight inside to see what it would look like . . . pretty scary.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now, I'll end with my favorite story for the week. There is no picture because I didn't have the heart. One morning I woke up and checked up on Phil on his Coleman air mattress (what a trooper). I asked him how he slept. He reported that he didn't sleep well because he was cold all night. In his groggy voice and with a groggy face he informed me that he was just too tall for the blankets I had put on his "bed." What? How is this possible? I made one of those blankets myself . . . "See. My feet stick out the end." Yep, folks. Somehow during the night he had managed to turn all of his covers horizontally across the bed. Poor guy. I tucked him back in properly and didn't laugh until later! I must be the best girl friend ever.Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-14806042869577857512008-10-02T12:02:00.013-05:002008-10-02T12:38:10.487-05:00Field of Dreams!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252604004823358194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyau-trOHX-YNOEswDJf87XJ9LfKllo_iCcSmuhZXjknqy5hN_OdRGXpNKnRHANxj6JzsB63NLH4-h9jYW3jwpN3HaFq2iraWr3JhyhGnw7UObDa16AismOhPiw0u3vBZIe7D14FcAq02E/s200/Field+of+Dreams+002.jpg" border="0" />Here are some pictures from this grand adventure!!<br /><div><br /><p>To the right is my roommate Amy. Yep, they've added a baseball concession-stand-style gift shop next to the charming, white picket fenced, farm house. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252605181401545826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBIwz20b0dT-De4uW-SEdSRIwKHHm9npU2aIwtX7zD8lAJHiiMYtCsX2fbuE798nxN1FOVFKt6Qd1BW6IiTdKA4PzPpw3NRxd3-fqUZppOomKZ933YmfWiXdQbB_N6WackSymVCVRVVmu/s200/Field+of+Dreams+008.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>"If you build it, they will come" . . . oxygen tanks and all! Adorable!!</p><br /><p></p><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMh6abO0Rav0LQlkFm-lNXcqGL-4FhYGWTfczVijTsMdk7pmf52A5JXODDGgXkuRYv4l0cXDZ81reFcs_jvJoXITtipNAIa7Hyv_dN2PX_Zf5zSQaHCEWe-0CWNXcmVyaq-2ovA1DUhy0/s1600-h/Field+of+Dreams+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252605798959515922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMh6abO0Rav0LQlkFm-lNXcqGL-4FhYGWTfczVijTsMdk7pmf52A5JXODDGgXkuRYv4l0cXDZ81reFcs_jvJoXITtipNAIa7Hyv_dN2PX_Zf5zSQaHCEWe-0CWNXcmVyaq-2ovA1DUhy0/s200/Field+of+Dreams+010.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here I am, testing the corn-y air, James Earl Jones style!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252606538988791554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54cxGIDUy-vN-Gc9En2UezMsBS4UKIdk7O-8JDNn6pS19KEcVRjIOdbY4mwmlcHzX1tbstNo55B0-v7x7Wn5j47_E3kA0EQbiq3RD8yK7fyzAUYbc1IFo4bb2bklb-k9tdySBaKaQfysU/s200/Field+of+Dreams+012.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Here Kendra (a good friend) is just taking a picture. But, Amy knew what to do to create the perfect shot.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkBapqhFF5gysvWqbeaNSU-eY8vd4-IDgyWaZnBGvtlmOUvWyEn2aCMM364HkPihNoN5Wm53PS_9lTGoEB_iYlAQAclVl7GIa7p_6ByM0wH_C4_IUni1LNxXwxlAWzoVYuyXQ9KswIT5b/s1600-h/Field+of+Dreams+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252607549658661138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkBapqhFF5gysvWqbeaNSU-eY8vd4-IDgyWaZnBGvtlmOUvWyEn2aCMM364HkPihNoN5Wm53PS_9lTGoEB_iYlAQAclVl7GIa7p_6ByM0wH_C4_IUni1LNxXwxlAWzoVYuyXQ9KswIT5b/s200/Field+of+Dreams+014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>What wonders do beset my eyes? And they can be yours, all yours! for a small fee.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCwCCLyqysglgev4LMfSRoBbtTZMnrrTdXK2cFu_8nQ5VTL6ftf2d6eQ9b-9M1icEVOD46p619NSEqCI3oPfSrtUA2RHm56yUpRIl8iDddqlYcCVM70oJtHcGb9zXxOEAGsmv0Mru9e4C/s1600-h/Field+of+Dreams+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252609006506023746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCwCCLyqysglgev4LMfSRoBbtTZMnrrTdXK2cFu_8nQ5VTL6ftf2d6eQ9b-9M1icEVOD46p619NSEqCI3oPfSrtUA2RHm56yUpRIl8iDddqlYcCVM70oJtHcGb9zXxOEAGsmv0Mru9e4C/s200/Field+of+Dreams+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Last, but not least . . . Country Junction! It is absolutely the only place to eat, dah-ling, after the Field of Dreams. (But, really. It's the <em>only </em>place.) </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-39987858098289194332008-10-01T15:31:00.002-05:002008-10-01T16:03:05.123-05:00Sigh . . .As some of you may know, I was able to take a fairly impromptu trip home!! My classes are held on Wednesday, Thursday and every other Monday. With a Monday off approaching I figured I could skip out of town for the long weekend without doing any harm to my studies. I was right!<div><br /></div><div>I left on Thursday (Sept. 11) after my night class. I drove from 8:00 p.m. straight through the night and morning to arrive at my parent's house around noon on Friday. My family then drove me to SLC to have lunch with Phil. I was so happy, and I think my family and Phil enjoyed making fun of my delirious, sleep deprived state. I saw no one but Phil, his family, and my family . . . and it was just what I needed. I miss Phil terribly and living in Iowa makes me feel a bit trapped and a bit unconnected. I know there are lots of people who will be upset when they get this news, but I only had 3 1/2 days to soak up my boyfriend. I am so lucky to have so many people that love me . . . and I will insist on seeing you all in my month home during winter break! (Including Nikki Barkume, who is due to arrive Thanksgiving week!!!)</div><div><br /></div><div>After my trip home, I became less bitter with Iowa. I think I may even actually like it. ;) Iowa City has a charming feel, and it's nice to be surrounded by so many green and growing things. Fall weather has set in, but the trees are still very green. It's a bit strange. I'm used to more fall colors by this time. And, it's chilly.</div><div><br /></div><div>I certainly love my little singles branch. I feel so happy with all the people. The are all very quirky, but they are also very loving and accepting and not afraid to do the Lord's work in all its variety. It is refreshing to be among them. If the Lord has brought me here for a purpose, it may very well be this love-filled Iowa City 3rd Branch.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am learning quickly that all I need to learn in this diverse field of librarianship will never entirely reach me through my course work. It is a dually frustrating and invigorating discovery. I wish my instructors were giving me more, but there is also an under lying challenge for me to find the information and opportunities I need on my own. And, as a Library and Information specialist the skill is a must. So, I guess in a way, this program's lack is providing the impetus I need to develop necessary skills that may have gone under nourished. You never know, I may just conquer the world yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>PS My roommate, Amy, and a friend Kendra went on a Tuesday's in Iowa trip to see the Field of Dreams movie site. How funny is that?!?! It's still there, looking creepily the same as it did in the movie. Ah, Iowa.</div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-62887340440763649282008-08-28T14:30:00.006-05:002008-09-01T11:37:26.247-05:00To the Starting Line<div>On your mark.</div><br /><div>Get Set.</div><br /><div>Um . . .</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>This being the first week of class I kept expecting to get busy. Hmm. Waiting . . . waiting . . .</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I'm sure I'll regret saying this in another week's time, but so far it has been decidedly anti-climactic. Oh well, another day, another dollar-spent.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I met with my advisor for my Digital Fellow project and I will be working with a collection of readings from a locally broadcast program called Pairie Lights. This will involve digitizing the recordings from their original format (sometimes reel-to-reel!), and then finding the best way to sort them, store them and make them available to the public via a website linked to the Virtual Writing University.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I have learned three things in the last week, though. 1) Being alone is difficult for social butterflies. 2) Keep your boyfriend as close to you as humanly possible. 3) Don't read Priscilla Presley biographies when you are relatively alone and relatively unoccupied. Earth shattering, I know. You should be taking notes.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>On a lighter note--my new roommate has arrived!! Enter Stage Left: Amy Scott. She is great and amazing, and has already made our little pad more of a home. Yeah, thanks Amy! Amy is in the non-fiction writing program working on an MFA and is coming to us from California, then BYU where she completed her Undergraduate degree. She just finished up a year interning with the Smithsonian in Washingon, D.C. (Not the State, Aunt Connie.) She pretty much rocks.<br /><br />Amusing Story: I was at the Coralville Public library working at a computer station when a cute Asian family of three gathered to use the one across from me. Mother, Father, three year old (ish) daughter. The mom was working on the computer, occupying the chair and effectively ignoring the child's prattle, which went something like this: "Mom, would you please let me use the chair? Could I get in the chair, Mom? I need to get those (presumably the pencil and paper) and I can't reach. Mom, can I? Mom?" The precocious, and adorable young thing continued in like manner for several minutes. Mom: "Um-hmm. What dear? umm . . ." Next, the sly young thing is asking "Mom, can I use the bathroom? I need to go to the bathroom. Mom . . ." Mom: "Okay, just a minute." Then, the moment mom gets up for the errand where do you think the three year old re-locates? Quite miraculously she no longer needs to use the bathroom!! Parents beware. This is the generation of the future!<br /></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>That is all. Scroll down for food for thought.</div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-81760597035168499512008-08-04T11:08:00.010-05:002008-08-04T11:38:44.061-05:00Settled At LastI am finally in my new place, and it's adorable! I love it to pieces.<br /><br />In a rush-rush week I finished up my two summer classes, moved into a new apartment, said good-bye to three great friends, and taken over the Branch Relief Society.<br /><br />I got the keys to my new place last Tuesday night and that very night my beautiful friends and I moved a majority of my things in. That night we played games on the empty floor of the front room. On Wednesday I helped clean the old place until the moment I had to run to class. I handed my keys over to Tina and Gloria and <span style="font-style: italic;">they moved </span>my furniture in <span style="font-style: italic;">for me</span>!!! I am truly blessed in my friends. That night I was equally blessed with the opportunity of having them both stay over. Tina stayed the next night too! But, by early Friday morning I was alone again.<br /><br />Saturday I did essential things like unpack my belongings and getting my library card for the local public library! Everything went smoothly and here are some pictures!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZyBM5k7oMTF4OzBuwYzN84orE6_Dfc4CgYZyu83HJ1hmWpt2KzAEZrsPAhZt0MrelZkErcjPSfUyoGPUDVBanaXaPhAJeZInGpOgmN39kVE0sKqw_I74lK8Je73el1C-B3iTvJTXFVy_/s1600-h/New+Place+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZyBM5k7oMTF4OzBuwYzN84orE6_Dfc4CgYZyu83HJ1hmWpt2KzAEZrsPAhZt0MrelZkErcjPSfUyoGPUDVBanaXaPhAJeZInGpOgmN39kVE0sKqw_I74lK8Je73el1C-B3iTvJTXFVy_/s200/New+Place+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230701202043057522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LPCsJoSxA6ye-0adSL0Aj7ZmIISwBfwbknSo6Dciy-9BhbloWzSa2XtZ7N1OgLrIo8NqRbCfj_0QJdyy2m2FoQ3GbecSiNU0wV8ZKf5BruVT_O0YrQnHZi3u9CrnltKaClfGNW4ofVNF/s1600-h/New+Place+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LPCsJoSxA6ye-0adSL0Aj7ZmIISwBfwbknSo6Dciy-9BhbloWzSa2XtZ7N1OgLrIo8NqRbCfj_0QJdyy2m2FoQ3GbecSiNU0wV8ZKf5BruVT_O0YrQnHZi3u9CrnltKaClfGNW4ofVNF/s200/New+Place+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230701491938227266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKypSzDNcDbKYDRtJMjd4XiH0VLmfcP_Y1GPe0dZT9UzH07CPcyrdQNP4tPi0Z8dhPx3W4UsFQhuX85rR7jY9WB29Tkf0BRXUhPKPAceX8e9HIUXAAuqxq6E1xpxdujTbw3HP9VDTIrDt/s1600-h/New+Place+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKypSzDNcDbKYDRtJMjd4XiH0VLmfcP_Y1GPe0dZT9UzH07CPcyrdQNP4tPi0Z8dhPx3W4UsFQhuX85rR7jY9WB29Tkf0BRXUhPKPAceX8e9HIUXAAuqxq6E1xpxdujTbw3HP9VDTIrDt/s200/New+Place+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230700129071557682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sunday most of the branch had gone to a young singles adult activity in Des Moines that lasted all weekend, leaving me with the run of the show-as far as Relief Society goes. There was confusion and tardiness that caused me to miss the PEC meeting (blush), but the Spirit was strong in the remainder of the meetings and I was able to conduct and teach the lesson without incident. I hope the sisters have had enough of me for a while, though! (Or, maybe not. I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting next week.) ;)<br /><br />I picked up another good friend at church on Sunday who was passing back through before she moves to Atlanta, Georgia and she'll be with me until tomorrow morning. Which only leaves me a couple of days before Phil comes to visit!! Yay! Yay! Phil is coming to visit! And, then my roommate will move in! All-in-all, I am truly blessed of the Lord. (If you scroll to the bottom you'll find some food for thought.)Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-560061462477725105.post-348769345460092032008-07-22T20:35:00.000-05:002008-07-22T22:08:06.280-05:00Ahhh . . .<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, I finally got 'round to it. Here is my blog. I anticipate it will change drastically, or at least semi-drastically.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">To start I just want to state that I'm still torn on this new state. Iowa seems to have many charms, but I'm not feeling them on a daily basis just yet. I made a few truly amazing friends, but sadly they have found new direction just as I have. Only their new direction is away from Iowa while mine is to stay. Bye-bye new cool friends. Hello square one.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A brief synopsis of my adventures thus far: Arrive in Iowa and tour it up with family and boyfriend. Family and boyfriend leave Iowa and I commence crying myself to sleep at night. Within the week a fellow fellow is ousted from her apartment owing to the epic flood of '08 and is sleeping on my floor. At week's end classes are canceled owing to the epic flood of '08 and I find myself on the road again to Sioux Falls, SD to enjoy the security and calming promise of electricity and untainted water. Welcome to Iowa. (View Slide show of the epic flood of '08 , right. The images don't do justice to the destruction.)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Commence week of boredom and attempting to complete as much homework as possible so as to not get behind, and feeling very blessed by the presence of my webcam so that I can still see Phil's charming features.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Once back in Iowa I attempt to establish a comfy living environment without unpacking too much as I will be moving again at the end of July. I miss Phil . His beautimous father offers to help fly me out over the weekend of the 4th. Yes, please? Blessed weekend of the comforts of home and boyfriend (which seem to be more and more synonymous with each passing day).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Cue pain of separation all over again. Cue boredom with classes all over again. Sigh.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Nonetheless, I have enjoyed learning some new things, meeting some amazing people and getting my new calling as 2nd counselor in the Branch (yes, Branch) RS presidency.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I move in exactly one week. Whirlwind set of months. (Or, should I say tornado? There have been plenty.)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh, and ps: I saw fireflies for the first time ever!! Thank you Tina and Jamie !! And, of course, Phil. Always Phil.</span></span><br /></div>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663653790329432276noreply@blogger.com7