Friday, December 12, 2008

For those of you who can't think of anything better than living in Hawaii

Think again.

http://newsroom.byuh.edu/?q=node/2041

This is what's been happening here lately. Craziness. Just before graduation too. My boss told me that when they informed President Eyring (actually, I suppose there is a possibility that President Eyring was here when it happened, but I don't think so) what was going on he said that we would hold graduation even if we had to have it on a boat.

Anyhow, today it had all drained; we do live on the beach, so it doesn't take long to drain once it stops raining, and people are trying to salvage their homes. If you walk through Laie today, driveways are full of belongings that were ruined.

And, it's raining again. Pray for us! Graduation is tomorrow and people are suppose to be celebrating not grieving over their losses.

PS- we're gonna die- you should hear this thunder- it sounds like and shakes our hale like an earthquake.

:)

For all the Mormons out there

This morning as I was getting ready for work, about 7:30 am, someone pulled up in front of the Hale, with their music playing very loudly and their base even louder. It was really pounding. Guess what song they were playing? . . .


"Popcorn popping"

The Feeling

Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times. ~Kate L. Bosher

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home. ~Carol Nelson

I think both these quotes capture something about the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is about Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is about families. None of us have perfect families and my own family leaves something to be desired. I think that at Christmas, which is associated with all the best things on earth, we long for all the best things of another time, when we lived with Heavenly Father before, and the perfect family we had then. I think that maybe the veil thins a little this time of year as we spend our time thinking about, cherishing, and expressing adoration for He who makes it possible to return to our first family and our first gifts.

More so than any other time of the year, I cannot think about any blessing I have without also thinking about Him who makes all my blessing worthwhile, for without Him none of them would be eternal.

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:23)


I include a picture of the Portland Oregon Temple here because in the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), we believe that in the temple we can be united as families eternally. Since Jesus Christ is all about families, and the work done in temples unites us together in a big "chain" as a human family, I thought it appropriate for a post about the best gift from the Savior and our longing for our Heavenly Home.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Was he a boy like me?

It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas when its mighty Founder was a child Himself. - Charles Dickens

I wish I could have found a link to the Veggie Tales song "Was He a Boy Like Me?" or "This Baby" by Steven Curtis Chapman, but I couldn't. But I love it because it's a reminder that the Savior was born as a baby and had to learn and grow just as all of us have to. If you have access to those songs, you should listen to them.

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Luke 2:52 (not exactly a "Christmas" scripture, but it discusses what I was trying to show).

CHRISTmas Spirit

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints publishes monthly magazines. The first article in each month’s Ensign is written by either President Monson (the prophet) or one of his two counselors (kind of like his closest advisors). The December article was written by President Monson and is titled “The Best Christmas Ever.”

President Monson quotes a past prophet of the Church, David O. McKay:

“True happiness comes only by making others happy- the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring ‘peace on earth’ because it means-good will toward all men.”

Going on, President Monson says, “ Giving not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends are remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the ‘spirit of Christmas,’ we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the ‘Spirit of Christ.”

It is my hope and prayer that all of us, while enjoying the holiday season to the fullest, remember to retain the Spirit of Christ.

Mele Kalikimaka!

The True Meaning of Christmas


In light of the Christmas season and the fact that I really ought to make better use of my blog, I've decided to try to make regular posts about the true meaning of Christmas. The first one will follow shortly.




Sunday, December 7, 2008

This was fun- 40 (I never get the same number when I count) things I've done...

1. Started your own blog- obviously
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii- another obvious, kind of- I don’t really “visit” per se
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen an eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Friday, November 7, 2008

Alooooohhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Long time, no update. I’m still here at school just plowing along. It has been an insanely busy semester for me. Sometimes I wonder how I haven’t fallen over from and passed out from lack of sleep. For the most part, I continue to enjoy my classes, and my love for this school, the church, the gospel, and the Islands grows every day.

I can’t explain how much I enjoy living in an apartment. I love being able to cook for myself and not having to eat in the cafeteria. It is so much cheaper and so much better. I love my roommates, though having nine of them can be hard at times.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I was accepted to the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near-Easter Studies for winter semester but after a lot of thought and prayer, I decided that it just was not what Heavenly Father wanted me to do right now. That was an extremely tough decision and realization, but I feel confident that it was the right one. I am sure that because of my obedience, there must be a much better blessing in store for me right here in Laie.

With the sharp drop in flights for Christmas plane tickets, I was able to afford to buy a ticket to go home for Christmas. I just bought my plane ticket last Friday, so I’m excited. It was quite inexpensive; barely more than I paid last year. While I wasn’t upset about having to stay here for the holiday, I’m more excited to be able to go home and see my family, friends, snow, and my doggies, of course.

I was offered a job a Camp Bloomfield again, but I just don’t know what to do. I hadn’t planned on flying home next summer, so it is hard to rationalize spending half my summer salary on a flight to get to work. Plus, I also have opportunities to do an internship in some really amazing places, but I know I will miss my camp friends desperately if I don’t go there. What is it with all these tough decisions in life? :p

I continue to think constantly about which grad school I want to go to. I really need to take the GRE but I hesitate to register when I don’t even have time to study. I really want to take it during Christmas break, since I’ll be back here on December 31.

They are about to kick us out of the library- almost midnight, so I gotta go. I continue to enjoy reading everyone else’s blogs even though I never update mine.


No time to proofread so please forgive my errors.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

I'm disappointed . . .

because the Twilight movie looks really lame.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Short Update

Hi all!

Things continue to be so busy for me that sometimes I’m not sure how I can handle it. It is very unlike me to be unorganized or forget things but stress has gotten to me lately . . . I did an assignment for my finance class but didn’t print it out ( I did it way ahead of time and didn’t see a need to print it yet); when I got to class yesterday I realized I still hadn’t printed it. I ran to go do that really fast but there were too many people ahead of me at the printer and it took too long. I made it back to class but not before he collected the assignment so I couldn’t turn it in AND I was late so I lost my attendance points for the day. I was so sad. It would be one thing if I was just an irresponsible student and did this a lot but I’m not . . .

I had a neuropsychology test yesterday- I did really well. I think I got a 98% but I won’t know for sure until Tuesday. For the most part, I’m actually not enjoying my classes this semester, but I do enjoy my major and they’re required for it, so I’m plowing through. I do LOVE my finance class though.

I received an acceptance letter to the BYU Jerusalem Center this week for Winter 2009. However, it is so expensive to go that it is actually more stressful than it is exciting. I really have to figure out a way to get the money because I have to go- I can’t imagine missing this experience. So I’m applying for every scholarship I can.

It’s getting to the point where I really have to figure out which grad schools and programs I want to apply too. I keep thinking that I’m just gonna skip guide dog training and go for a masters as a TVI with a dual program in O&M. My future family is super important to me and the lifestyle of a GDB licensed instructor is not conducive to the family life I want to have, so I keep thinking that TVI is the better choice. But then I hear or read about someone working their guide dog and I long for that opportunity too. The only thing I know to do is to apply to the SFSU program as well as several TVI programs. Then at least I’ll know I did my best to try and do it and if it doesn’t work out, I really do want to be a TVI. It’s hard decision!

I keep looking for good deals to fly to PDX for the guide dog family reunion. That would be too much fun. Maybe I’ll get to see some of you then.

Lacey

Friday, August 29, 2008

I Might Seriously Be the Worst Blogger in the History of the World

I remember when I first started this blog, I was super excited about it, and now I never update. I guess I think there’s nothing interesting to write, but I do sometimes get a kick out of going back and reading, so I try to update for myself once in awhile.
A lot has happened. Like the rest of camp, LOL. I really enjoyed the summer. Family camp one and multi disabled camps were hard, but the rest of them went pretty well. I had a lot of fun in arts and crafts. We made some cool things: ice cream, more ice cream, shaving cream paint pictures, bird feeders, rainmakers (those were a lot harder than I expected), picture frames, Halloween masks (you know, for Halloween in July), duct tape beach bags and wallets (a huge hit- Lindsey (Tonks) made the coolest one, which, BTW, I ended up with, not Shamy), stained glass, antennae toppers, wind chimes, more ice cream, and more. As you can probably guess, Ice Cream was pretty popular. I enjoyed being an activity leader. It gave me more time to interact with staff, which means that I developed stronger friendships with staff than I did last year. I really miss them; we had an awesome staff this year. I again fell in love with the campers at teen camp; there is talk of a visions trip to Hawaii in February- I hope so, because then I’ll get to see some of my favorite campers again. I really enjoyed all our special events (Panda did a fantastic job): the Halloween Dance, Christmas in July (my personal favorite), and all the regulars- Luau’s, dances, picnic games, carnival, pajamara, and awards dinners. I got to go deep sea fishing during teen camp. That was lucky because I wasn’t suppose to get to go, but Blue Jae told me to be ready as the alternate in case someone was late. No one was, but Taz took pity on me and let me go anyways. I had a lot of fun. I didn’t take Dramamine (I don’t know how to spell that) this time and I still didn’t get sick.
Breaks were a lot of fun too. During some breaks, I mostly hung out at camp, with excursions to Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Camarillo, and Zuma beach. But I also went to Sea World, Magic Mountain, Laser Tagging (not a big deal, I guess, but it was my first time and it was fun), GDB Fun Day (lots of fun), Hollywood, and jet skiing. I had entirely too much fun spending my off time with the other amazing staff. I’m gonna miss falling off jet ski’s with Whale, getting beat up by the ocean during staff swim, massages at campfire, harassing Whale in the shower (funny how so many of the funny stories involve Whale), laughing at Tater-Tot when she has to change because she laughed so hard she peed, searching the whole cabin for that horrible smell and the reaction when we figure out it was the dead clam in Tater’s bag, watching the end of the year slideshow together, and reading my Camp Bloomfield “yearbook” for the first time. I love you guys!!!
We had a great group of dogs this summer. They got along great with each other and the kids. They were all easy to handle, which made it easier for everyone to get them out. I wish them all the best in their future guide work training.
I also learned to read Braille this year. Last year, I knew how to use a Brailler, but this year, I could actually do my own proof-reading too, although I felt a lot better when Tonks proofread it as well. I was pretty excited about that accomplishment. Now I just need to do numbers, and then it’s time to move onto Grade 2 Braille.
On Thursday, after we (Lilo, Panda, and I) stopped crying long enough to tear ourselves away from everyone that hadn’t left yet (we were in one of the last groups to actually get in the car and leave), we headed up north to Panda’s house. Mine and Lilo’s mom picked us up there Thursday night about 11:30. We went straight to Bend without stopping. But because my mom was on fire assignment in Roseburg, we only stayed in Bend long enough to put the stuff I didn’t need to take to school in storage, and grab the box labeled “Lacey’s school stuff.” Then we ran to the house, took showers, did a few loads of laundry and went to the DMV so I could get a new drivers license. Mine was going to expire while I am here, and I didn’t want to change to Hawaii residency. Then we drove to Roseburg Friday afternoon. On Saturday, Lyndsey and I (we had a hard time calling each other by our real names) went shopping- we both needed clothes quite desperately and I needed a few things for school. That night we went to dinner with our grandparents and one of our cousins. We had a good laugh at Nicki’s humor and at our crazy grandma (only we didn’t let her know we were laughing at her). On Sunday I went to Church. I always look forward to going in Roseburg because they are my “original” church family. Then bright and early on Monday morning we headed to Portland because my mom had some appointments up there. We dropped her off and then Lyndsey and I took our stuff to the motel (The Sheraton, courtesy of my good shopping skills). After our mom was done, we did a lot of shopping. I got a few more clothes, and my mom bought me an IPod as a very, very late birthday present. I don’t have it yet though, I left it with Lyndsey to load music onto (we had the laptop with us, but somehow ITunes had been emptied, so now she’s got to put everything back on). We met up with Stephanie, Ryan, and Steph’s brother for dinner at the Cheesecake factory. At about 8:50 pm, just before they closed, I ran to Penney’s to buy shoes really fast. They didn’t have a good selection but I didn’t have the luxury of waiting- I had already thrown my other tennis shoes out. I stayed up all night trying to put music on the IPod (this was before I decided to leave it with Lyndsey) but in the end that worked out ‘cuz it meant that I slept the whole flight. Nice.
I’m still not done unpacking. I’m in new room from last year, and while I miss my roommate, I love my new unit mates. I’m in a hale that has apartments. Four bedrooms, two girls per room, share a kitchen, living room, and bathroom (with 2 showers, 2 toilets, and 3 sinks- weird, I know). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, having a kitchen and cooking for myself. I’m lucky to be in a unit with other girls that care about keeping it clean so that we don’t get cockroaches. I haven’t spoken to my roomie much, but we’re getting along.
I’m excited about a few of my classes and scared about biopsych and research methods. I probably shouldn’t have taken them the same semester because they are going to be hard. Oh, well, too late now. I already purchased my textbooks. I’m extremely excited about my folk dance of the pacific and personal and family financial management classes.
I just like being back here in general. Now, if only my financial aid would go through. I don’t even have the money to get hangers to unpack my stuff J
So, this was a super long blog, and I just kind of skimmed the surface on most things. Hope you’re still with me, but if you’re not, it’s okay, because I am.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

I'm at camp now

Hi all. . . . Here we are at Camp Bloomfield . . . just kidding (for anyone who might possibly know the song).

I’ve been here for a week now. We are on break between staff training and family camp #1. Staff training has been crazy. We have staff this year that aren’t’ content just letting things stay the same- they are committed to improving camp so this last week has been extremely busy and tiring cleaning out areas that haven’t been cleaned in years and years. But we’ve had a lot of fun. The staff seems to get along really well for the most part; we seem a little less clique-y than last year.

Last night we went Ventura to do some camp shopping. The life guards needed matching suits, I needed arts and crafts supplies for the first session (we’ll order the rest online), and we all needed some food that wasn’t made at camp, so we took a trip to CPK and Cold Stone (pretty much my two favorite places to eat).

We started the summer off with six dogs. Last year we only had two in the beginning and it took like eight weeks before we got to six. We have FBL Miata, MBL Spanky, MBL Sherwood, MYL Frisco, MBL Daughtry (I don't know how to spell his name), and MGLD Godfrey. They are all very good dogs. They'll be good for the campers.

It has been amazingly hot this year (as those of you who keep up with the news might know) and that has made the bug problem worse. Both major inconveniences, but we are still enjoying ourselves. This really is a fun group of people. We’re making plans for our summer trips: Sea World, Wicked, Disneyland, Fun Day, and Magic Mountain. Fun stuff.

I know this isn’t very long, but to give you all the details might start to get annoying and I’ve been on the comp for awhile (I had 136 new emails to read and our internet is super, super slow).

I’ll update later.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Going ons

I'm home from school now. And I wish I wasn't. It only takes about two days for my family to drive me crazy!!!

I'm trying to get a job but it’s a little challenging because I'll only be here for six weeks or so before I head off to Camp Bloomfield again. So, I'm spending my time planning arts and crafts activities for camp and hoping that I'll get a guide pup to take. I'm also spending a lot of time taking care of my dogs (bathing, cleaning ears, brushing teeth, etc. and I bought a furminator). Jacoba drives me crazy. I'm taking her back to GDB. Speaking of which, I think I might go to the graduation tomorrow and to the Portland Temple while I'm there. It's kind of weird being three hours away when at school I'm only a five minute walk from the Laie Temple.

I went to a GDB meeting on Monday at the Redmond airport. No one was there. So I called the leader. She forgot to tell me it was canceled. Sad.

So, mostly I'm just kind of bored a lot. I'm really hoping someone will decide to hire me. But if not, I got some information for my family history and will start working on that soon.

Hope everyone is well!

P.S.- I'm not really getting rid of Jacoba. She's my girly. And my Mom would kill me. She loves that dog. I think she's annoying though.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Happy Easter

I can't believe its been nearly a month since I posted. I thought I had better add something so you don't all think I'm dead. But since I don't have much to say, I thought I'd remind you all about Easter. (I wanted to include a picture of Jesus speaking to Mary at the empty tomb but I'm using my friend’s computer. She is from Hong Kong so almost everything is in Cantonese. When I go to save a picture to upload it, I can't tell where it is saved is at!)

Although I am a Christmas-a-holic, Easter really is the more important holiday when you think about it. As our late prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley taught, we wouldn't celebrate Christmas if there hadn't been an Easter. If the Savior hadn't atoned for our sins and been resurrected so that we could all have eternal life, we wouldn't care that He had been born. He would have been the same as any other person. But He wasn't. He came to the earth to fulfill the will of His Father and to save all mankind from death. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He bore all our sins, sorrows, temptations, sadness’s, and all other "unhappy things" so that He could fully understand us. On Calvary, He was crucified for our sins so that we wouldn't have to pay the debt that they require. But most importantly, on Sunday, He was resurrected. While it is important that He died (just as it is important that He was born) that is not the real miracle. Jesus didn't save us from death by His death. The hope of a glorious resurrection came when he became "the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Because Jesus Christ was resurrected, we will be too. As President Hinckley also taught, the reason we don't use the cross as a symbol in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is because our message is a message of the living Christ, not the dying one. We rejoice in His resurrection.

"And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ" (Mosiah 16:7-8).

So, while you are all out having a good time finding eggs, opening baskets, and eating ham (all appropriate Easter activities just like gifts at Christmas) remember that Jesus is the reason for this season as well and take some time to thank your Heavenly Father for His matchless love and the gift of His son.

Happy Easter!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Thought this was awesome- better when read out loud though

I hadn't heard this one before. Elder Tingey shared this joke at Sunday's Fireside. It was pretty funny because he didn't read it like a joke and it just kept getting better and better with every line. Hope you enjoy it.


A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned on staying in the same motel where they had spent their honeymoon 30 years before. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel plans. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email. Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who suffered a heart attack.The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My loving wife

Subject: I've arrived

I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to family. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then.Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. sure is hot down here!!!!!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Funny Thing I Just Discovered

When I was puppy sitting Galvin over Christmas break, I knew I knew of him since he was started in the Roseburg club and I was there about the time he arrived. But I didn't think I had ever met him. Just now I was looking through old posts and apparently in June I threatened to steal him because he was so cute.

LOL. I am such a space cadet sometimes.

So, for Valentine's Day, I served the food at a wedding. How's that for lame?
Happy Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Poor Me

My blog is proof that I have an incredibly boring life. I always think about posting and then I'm like "what will I say?"

I have a statistics test I have to take by tomorrow (yikes!). I'm worried . . .

As soon as I'm done I'm celebrating. I don't know how, but I'll figure it out. Then I have a Book of Mormon midterm, but umm, it's the Book of Mormon; pretty sure I can handle it. And then no more tests for like three weeks. I don't know how that worked out but I'm not complaining.

Other than that, not much is happening. I've made the decision that when I come back in the Fall I plan on staying until December of next year (including taking classes spring and summer of 2009) so I can graduate when I had planned on (since I'm not staying this summer like I had originally thought, it set me back a bit). I should be able to do it if I carefully watch what I spend and save all the extra to pay for myself those two terms (since financial aid only covers two semesters).

About the only thing in my life that ever changes is the novels I read for fun when I finish one every two or three days.

That seriously is the update on my super exciting life. Pathetic I realize, but I take some hope in the fact that many college students have supremely monotonous lives.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Lindsey- You'll be proud

I went to the beach twice yesterday. Once at midnight (we had to wait until it wasn't Sunday anymore) to catch crabs and then again in the afternoon. Aren't you proud? Swimming in the ocean in Malibu doesn't even compare to the ocean here. Malibu is pathetic after this!

However, I'm definitely not addicted. I'm still just as dedicated to straight "A"s as I was before. But it was fun. I might decide to go again sometime.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Just Because. . .


Since Beverly has been neglected in the recent posts about female black labs, and just because I wanted to, here is a picture of Beverly (now known as Brodie) in her career change home. This picture is kind of old, but I think she has an ageless quality anyways! She is pretty much the sweetest dog ever. I have never seen, nor seen since a dog with such awesome eye contact. It was amazing. And out of all my PITs, she was the only one that ever liked to cuddle. Unless you want her on your lap, you might as well stay off the floor.


Monday, January 14, 2008

Woot!

I heard from Phantom's career change adopter today. I had never had the chance to email them before because of the timing of the career change, so I wrote him a Chrismtas letter and had GDB forward it.

This is the email I got back, along with pictures. Isn't he gorgeous?


Lacey,

I just received your letter and wanted to thank you for taking the time to write. It’s nice to hear a little more about Phantoms life before he became my dog.

As far as Phanotm, he has been an absolute love. We have gotten to know each other the past year and half and are still figuring each other out as he grows up. He loves to swim, hike, fetch, play with other dogs, bark, talk, cuddle and sometimes just be a big ole goofball. People will always say one of three things when they meet him 1) Wow, that’s a big dog…. 2) What a sweetheart…..3) He’s very well behaved….. I am not sure about the well behaved part, sometimes he seems to have a mind of his own but it seems more just out of being curious or strong willed. He doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body. He is very vocal and loves to talk or complain about things when he feels he is getting the short end of the stick. Another of Phantoms favorite things is to go into the woods and come out with the largest fallen tree he can find. You would not believe the size of some of the sticks he has retrieved. He almost drowned himself onetime while we were fishing together. He swam across the river and without getting out on the other side pulled this tree off the bank and tried bringing it back across the river. It was probably over 20 feet long and 3 inches thick at the base. I watched the whole thing in fascination until he started sinking about halfway back, damned if he wasn’t going to the bottom with his stick!!!! He did not want to let go, but did. Things like that just make me love him to death.

I have a number of friends who have dogs and Phantom is now good friends with them all, including my sister and her very large Doberman. We have been to and completed an obedience class together, come to find out I needed more help than my dog!! My parents have adopted him despite my mother’s fear of large dogs. She watches him when I go out of town; Phantom seems to enjoy watching over the old folks at their home. Other than that I feel so fortunate to have been able to adopt him. He makes my home complete and comfortable.

I have included some pictures for your review. Thank you again for getting in touch and your efforts in raising Phantom.

Warmest regards,
Todd




Thursday, January 10, 2008

Back in class

So, classes started yesterday. Yesterday I had Special Ed (for all of you little sisters out there who are tempted to crack up like mine did- this is a class on teaching special ed, not my "special-ed" class), cultural psychology and ICS (international cultural studies). This morning I had statistics. In 25 minutes I have religion (the second half of the Book of Mormon) and tonight (my only night class) I have ASL.

I'm really excited about my special ed class! I can't wait until we get to the unit on visual impairments! I expect to be the star pupil. I probably shouldn't- who knows what experiences others in the class have had?

ICS seems like it could be difficult but very fun; I'm honestly not too excited about cultural psych, Book of Mormon is . . . required, ASL should be fun- I already know a lot. And although I'm really super worried about my stats class, no one was lying when they said that you don't want to miss the lectures- the teacher is enthralling! He didn't say a single thing in the whole 1 1/2 today that wasn't fascinating! So, really, I expect that class to be fun too, if also amazingly difficult.

Just a side note- my birthday is tomorrow. I'm getting terribly old! (23)

Happy Birthday to me!