Growing up in Ohio provided me with a healthy appreciation for snow. It's fun, it's beautiful and if we were lucky, it provided a day off of school. As time went on, snow no longer delivered it's same excitement, what with it's snowmen and angels and days to do nothing but bundle up for a an hour (Moooooom, where are my snow boots??? or I can't find my other mitten ... seriously every time) only to go outside for 10 minutes until our mittens were sufficiently soggy, followed up with drying out by the furnace while mom whipped us up some hot soup.

In college, it still provided some fun, but school went on with or without snow and working full time proved just the same! Commuting takes triple the time and no one at work offers to make you hot soup!

Then there's the car issue. Bless my good dad and brothers for always scraping off my windshield and warming up my car on those early, blustery days. They always shoveled the steps, and created a clear path down the driveway. Then they'd drive to grandma's house to do the very same. I always just thought they liked it, until I had to do it myself. Turns out it's HARD. Do you know how heavy snow is to move with just a shovel? Do you know how long it takes to shovel a driveway with 3 feet of snow? Yeah, approximately 6 hours.

Yes, the beauty of snowfall has somewhat been masked in recent history because it creates such a hassle.

But not this year. My appreciation for snow has returned, maybe even to a higher level than before. And gratefully so because the DC area has received record breaking amounts. It turns out that I really like being snowed in. It's so cozy and fun!! We've played outside, watched movies, cleaned the house, taken walks, played games and even had a slumber party, dance party included. It forces life to slow down, which is perfect because I hate to be rushed.

And as an added bonus, SNOW DAYS!

I thought I liked snow days as a student, but I find them even sweeter now that I'm a teacher (I feel the same way about weekends). Here I sit, enjoying the 4th snow day of the year. Nothing beats waking up at 5:30 only to find you can go right back to bed.

Oh snow, you glisten and sparkle in the sunshine out my window. You adorn the roof, the trees picturesque with your touch. You are lovely to me.

When you're my size having a good tailor is very important. Clothes are made for the average sized woman, which I am anything but. Thus, having a tailor is not only a good idea, it's a necessity.

When I lived in Ohio I went to a woman that I liked who charged me barely anything. Maybe that's why I liked her.

Then I moved to DC and I was appalled at the prices!! But seeing as my legs didn't get any longer, I paid them anyway.

Once I moved to Maryland, I found a guy that was reasonably priced and did a good job. Except for that one time when he hemmed one leg shorter than the other, but no one's perfect.

Then, I met Jerry.

Jerry puts all other tailors to shame. Walking in his quaint little house is like a step back in time. A time where local services reigned and the owner of such local services knew each customer by name. A time where you didn't rush in or rush out, but actually spent a few moments visiting and exchanging good news. A time where you were invited to the back garden to grab some of the overflowing bounty.

That's our Jerry.

If that wasn't enough, Jerry makes you feel like a million bucks the minute you walk through the door. He raves about the many wonderful things about you until you can't believe he likes any customer better than you. Then when you leave, he stands at the door and waves good-bye as if you were family.

The last time I went to see Jerry was simply to pick up a pair of pants. We talked for forty-five minutes. He told me about his love for potatoes and his hometown in Peru. He asked about the "men that come to call on me" until I assured him I would not make any decisions without first consulting with him. He told me how he met his wife, stories of their travels together and showed me pictures of his beautiful granddaughters. We shared his lifetime of experiences, my life of hopes and dreams and there was understanding.

Before I left, he said, "Remember this:" then he spouted off a beautiful message in Spanish which I wish I could have understood. I waited for his translation.

"If you want to cross the river, you have to be willing to get wet."

I've thought a lot about those few words in the past month, and the many ways it applies to my life right at this moment. It's given me a new perspective and is shaping the decisions I make every day, big and small.

And so it goes. Anyone can hem your pants. But there's only one Jerry.

Once upon a time I was a blogger.

Or at least I was a girl who sometimes posted on a blog.

And then one day, I became a girl who teaches.

And no longer a girl who posts on blogs.

It's not that I've forgotten, nor that I've lost my desire. 

But you see, right now I'm a girl who is very, very tired. 

And I keep waiting for my energy to return to normal levels.

In my dreams I have energy. My lessons are perfectly planned. My class assignments are done weeks in advance. I never miss a day of exercise and I always have fresh, home-cooked, healthful meals. I have extra time to read classic novels and study deep doctrinal truths, practice the piano and fiddle around with my camera. I don't forget to buy stamps for 5 consecutive days and that check on my desk actually made it to the bank. I don't fall alseep on my knees. I make it to the temple once a week. I make time for the people who matter the most and keep in good touch with all those I care about. Yes, in that dream my hair is perfectly coifed and my clothes neatly pressed and I most certainly don't have dark circles under my eyes.  

Now if only I could wake up.

Mama, you know I love you!

I have the best mother around. 

And I'm lucky to get to spend Mother's Day with her (and the rest of my wonderful family).

In honor of her, I'm posting a video, taken last Thanksgiving during an intense game of "Would You Rather." Mom would apparently rather rap, so here she is, rapping her heart out.  Just a small preview of exactly how awesome she is...

Happy Mother's Day!

Checkin' It Twice

Not to take away from the Earth Day celebrations, but today is also another very important day.

Today is my half-birthday. So, in honor of turning 26 and 1/2 I am checking in with my list of 26 things to do this year.

1. visit somewhere new, outside the United States 

Not yet! Oh, I do hope I can squeeze this in somewhere. Anyone up for a little trip?

2. get back to my college weight (and maintain it)

Pretty darn close, though not completely at my goal. However, I feel more energized and healthy than I have in ... well, maybe ever. It feels so great!

3. buy a digital SLR camera

Not yet, but soon. My 3 year old point and shoot just isn't cutting it anymore.

4. get those glasses/contacts the eye dr. said I needed

Really, really close to checking this off the list. And let me tell you, it has not been easy. Did you know glasses are expensive? And, it is really hard to find ones that look super hot! But, with some help from Kristy, I was able to find an awesome pair....now I just have to wait for them to be delivered. Be anxiously awaiting photos of my sophisticated side.

5. run a marathon

This has not happened. And I'm not sure that it will before my next birthday, though it is still a goal. I have, however, maintained an active running schedule since the beginning of the year (going along with number 2) and it has been fantastic. I have worked really hard and now am very comfortable at a ten minute mile. To some, this is very slow. To me, this is a great accomplishment. A few weeks ago I ran in our ward Fun Run and completed the 5K in 30:12. It obviously doesn't compare to completing a marathon, but I was happy about it.

6. read my scriptures every day 

This is an ongoing one, but so far I'm doing well. I know I've missed a few days here and there, but overall I'm learning a lot!

7. watch the 6 hour version of Pride and Prejudice

Done! Finally! I'm not sure how I put this off for so long, especially considering how many females I've lived with who adore this movie. And now, I finally understand, as I too adore this movie. Granted, it took me at least 5 days to get through the whole thing, but I was strangely disappointed when it was over b/c I loved watching every part. I then watched the newer version with Kiera Knightly and ugh!!! I know these version are so different so I shouldn't even compare, but her rendition of Elizabeth Bennett was disappointing at best. I will be sticking with the 6 hour version.

8. plant my own herbs

I probably should get on this....but who am I kidding? My thumb is the opposite of green...

9. take a dance class

My little sister Abbie willingly taught me some stuff from her dance classes, so I got a little start. But, it only whet my appetite...I should get on this too.

10. learn how to use photoshop

I forgot this was on my list. I guess I've got something to look forward to in the next 6 months

11. visit Nashville (perhaps while doing number 5)

I really really really really really still want to do this....not sure when I'm going to make it, but seriously, I really want to go. Lori and Jackie...I'm coming for real!

12. get married

uh......maybe this was put here for positive thinking, but as of now I'm currently accepting offers

13. continue my education

Yes, in a way that I hadn't originally planned. I will be completing a teaching fellowship starting this summer/fall. I am going to be teaching elementary school and it will definitely be a daily education. More updates on this soon.

14. learn and perfect one challenging piano piece

Man, I need a piano...

15. give away a Book of Mormon

Yes, I did this. Actually I did this twice. Both were very positive experiences. 

16. try out for American Idol (just once)

No, but there's still time to meet Simon Cowell...

17. learn to make homemade ravioli

Yes....see here. Can't wait to continue this tradition 

18. give up resetting my alarm in the morning

I plead the 5th

19. see a need, fill it, repeat

Trying

20. start the personal history of my mom and dad 

Briefly started....and it looks like it is going to be a major project but one I am looking forward to working on

21. learn italian (at least start)

Briefly started....by listening to some cds in the car. Maybe in a few more years I'll get the hang of it :)

22. give up wasting time

Depends on the day...am I wasting time right now?

23. go parasailing

Not yet

24. hug and kiss more often

Wouldn't you all like to know :)

25. sacrifice 

The more I learn about sacrifice, the more I realize how completely selfish I am. This is a lifelong lesson, but one that I'm really trying to implement on a daily basis. 

26. live my life 

I'm doing it!

I feel pretty good about my list, and I'm looking forward to another great 6 months. 

Happy 1/2 birthday to me.

Today

Tonight our ward had an open mic night. I had originally signed up and then forgot to prepare anything. Yesterday at church I was reminded and encouraged to still perform, so today I put something together and did just that. It's the first time I've performed the guitar in front of people besides my family and close friends so I was a little bit nervous as clearly my guitar playing needs some work, but it was fun anyway. We have some great talent in our ward and it was a great activity.

Thank you Ginette for the lovely video.

Two Weeks Without You

I've been on a blogging hiatus. Actually, I've been on a media hiatus. I have an extreme love/hate relationship with the "instantaneous information at our fingertips" age. I've recently become aware of the many ways in which the media sucks up my time and I have also felt that I am incredibly desensitized to the messages of the media in a way where I have a hard time distinguishing the effects.

This I did not like. And so I took a break, or tried to anyway. It was a lot harder than I expected but I have learned some valuable lessons about myself and the positive uses of the media in my life. I hope knowing the positive will help me eliminate the negative.

My rules for my "media fast" was to consume no media that wasn't spiritual in content. No movies, no TV, no radio, no magazines, no books, no blogs, no facebook, no nothing....oh wait, except email. I was allowed to use email because it would basically be impossible for me to get the things done that I need to do without it.

Here are some lessons that I learned

#1 Unnecessary media forms and choices breed laziness and a lack of productivity.

#2 Media choices that add useful knowledge (not just spiritual) create within me a productive mindset.

#3 I cannot run without pumping music. Thus, the ban on music was lifted much sooner than other forms of media.

#4 My focusing problem is so much better when I have a productive mindset.

#5 Wholesome yet useless media choices, when shared in a social setting, serve a good purpose for me.

# 6 I don't spend nearly enough time each day contemplating and learning spiritual truths.

I want to hone in on how to best use the media in my life and how to eliminate the unnecessary things. As of now, blogging remains on the best uses list, or maybe just the good uses list...

Either way, I think I'll continue writing.