I can't believe it's been this long!

In December of 1995 I wrote this entry in my journal: “Friday night I spent with Reggie. We watched Indian in the Cupboard, checked email, picked flowers, watched Wonderworld and went to the Dance. Reggie is my new best bud . . . He’s going home for three weeks. He fake cried when we said goodbye at the dance. I’ll miss the annoying punk.” I was 19 at the time and close friends with Reggie at BYU-Hawaii. Unfortunately, after college I semi-lost contact with Reg. This weekend we re-established contact when we spent Sunday together during a layover he had in LA. The journal entries I now write will be full of introspection for friendships that seem to span the phases of life. Reggie reminded me of the elements of friendship that are essential to sustain a quality relationship.
First, friends point out Christ like qualities in each other. During sacrament meeting he wrote me a note that pointed out that my feet are just like Jesus’. I was flattered and baffled. He wrote that the Christus statues in LDS temple visitor centers have a second toe that is longer than the big toe. Thus, my feet and Reggie’s are just like Jesus.
Second, friends make you laugh at new stories that are just as refreshing as old anecdotes. The antics we got into while in college were indicative of co-eds who were exploring the world without money or respect for authority (insert story of slumber parties, concerts and piercings here). The stories we told of life in the past decade were just as adventurous and funny. Of course there were stories of grief and pain to share, but our foundation as friends helped us build a stronger bond that includes those events of the past.
Third, when sharing some of the stories I wrote in my 1995 journal out loud to the person they are about I became embarrassingly cognizant of my inadequacies as a writer and young adult. Reggie’s presence while I skimmed my thoughts of those days gone past made me anxiously, nervously, hilariously, humbly laugh as I shook my head in embarrassment at my 19 year old journal writing.
Fourth, when a good friend has never eaten proper “Indian food” (insert any other respectable menu here) you must make it a quest of the friendship to share those delicacies together.
Finally, when an old friend re-establishes contact after a long absence both parties have the God given opportunity to openly and lovingly embrace the chance to build the friendship (again). I adored the time I laughed, talked, walked, read, ate, drove and teased Reggie on Sunday. I regret we didn’t take a photo together. I assume it won’t be long until our paths cross again…

Temple

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to go through the Newport Beach temple. This was a great experience. My parents flew in and also my friend Min, friends from the HB were also supporting me. It was peaceful and gave me a quiet assurance that I am on a path towards progression.

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." -Psalm 27:4-5

I will continue to go back and feel the love of the Lord.

to date or not to blog

A friend and I have toyed with the idea of a dating in your thirties blog for single women. Our blog would share the stories of the LDS dating dilemmas we face. The archives would include entries about dates like: the octogenarian who is still interested in a good dinner date and doesn't care that the woman is thirty years younger, the dentist who dates for weeks then gives up since he can't be sexually satisfied at that moment, the good friend who takes a woman out for consistent dates but is just killing time until he finds "the one" and the occasional great date with respect, humor and adventure...and so on. To add to my own dating frustrations I find it hard to date men shorter than me. Here is an article that helped bolster my outlook on height challenged available men.
http://msn.match.com/msn/article.aspx?articleid=6933&TrackingID=516165&BannerID=541888&menuid=6>1=26000

sink leak

A haiku for Apt 6's kitchen

The Sink has a leak
the Water spilled all over
We had to Clean up

Seal Beach Fun Run

This was my first 5K race! Those who know me, know I am not a runner, I enjoy yoga, pilates, aerobics with Gilad and walking to the ocean. But Jamie inspired me to run, I thought I would give it a try..I ran as much as I could. I developed a blister on my toe which hindered me a bit, but I felt great when I finished. As I was running I could see the finish line and heard the crowd screaming the runners on, I felt a surge of energy and thought "Yes I can do this!"

Cooking

it's no secret that I kinda like cooking. But in the kitchen I make a mess that includes flour on the counter and honey on the stove. It's kinda like I Love Lucy in the kitchen. I don't like the cleaning part, but if I want to be a responsible roommate for Liz, then I need to clean up at least 75% of my messes.
Last week I made a 40 clove garlic turkey with roasted vegetables and mushrooms while at my parents house. With the left over turkey we made a turkey stew that I took to work for lunch every day last week. Today I cooked some thai noodles with chicken to eat for lunch every day. Also, I made some bread rolls. It seems like it was left over cooking because I used a lot of the food that has been in my fridge and freezer for a long time. During the week I am too tired or busy to actually cook the food, so today I focused on cooking and putting meals in storage to eat later in the week.
Also, I'm preparing to cook a meal for Liz's entourage that is coming for her temple trip. I flipped through many pages of cook books today and finally chose a meal from my European Cookery book. I've never made this meal before, but since I need to cook it while I am at work (thus the crock pot comes into play) and I need to to be somewhat meat and potatoes cooking (Liz's family may not appreciate my curry creations with rice noodles) I feel as if I found the perfect Beef Pot recipe.

I'll name a daughter Elizabeth, if there are twins they will be Elizabeth and Mary

My favorite historical story is that of the Tudor clan in medieval England. I enjoy the characters of Henry VIII, Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots), Elizabeth (Henry's female heir), Anne (the deceiving socialite), Charles (the young King who died early), Catherine (the princess of Spain) and finally poor Arthur (the son who should have remained King, but died right after marrying Catherine) because they are wealthy, powerful, decadent, passionate, devout, calculating people who changed the course of medieval Europe. I am especially enthralled by the decisions and passions of King Henry. I like his rebellious side, which was the desire for power and women, which led him to rebel against Rome. This single act (encouraged and supported by his counselors and some of the Cardinals) allowed rebellion, which led to free thought and a break from the stagnated life in Europe at that time. I could continue to write my theories and reactions as spawned from reading literature by Churchill and historical fiction writers centered upon the reign of the Tudors; yet, instead I want to comment on my reaction to the movie The Other Boleyn.
I finally spent the time to see the movie that I've wanted to see since it was released, and it only cost me $3 since it's at the cheap theaters now. The cinematography was obviously trying to make us feel as an observer of things long past because they shot many scenes from behind a screen or behind a far building with fuzzy focus. I believe they did this to make us feel as if we are hearing parts of secrets and not to intrude on the private lives of royalty. But my biggest comment is the end of the movie. I can't believe they chose the incest portion of the Boleyns' lives and chose to behead Anne on that fabled action. It is true that George's wife insists that Anne would have slept with her brother to try for pregnancy after her miscarriage in order to save her position with the King. Yet, Churchill (the author I trust most) states that Anne was beheaded because of her alleged affair with Mark Smeaton. But history shows that Smeaton was a measly lute player who was the scapegoat that allowed Henry to kill his wife and take a new wife to produce the needed heir to the throne. My biggest problem with using the incest angle to finish the movie is the misguided information some ill educated Americans will discuss over dessert after the movie. Really Anne was set up with alleged affairs after George was killed and I think it's important to show that the King used the same trickery that Anne did to get her position as Queen of England to destroy her and her entire family. No matter what, the Boleyn's sold their family values for position in the Kings Court, but still when people ask me the standard getting to know you question, "If you could talk to anyone living or dead, who would it be?" I always answer at least one or all of the following: Henry VIII, Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots. I am passionate enough about history and the lives of these few people were recorded accurately enough for me to become obsessed with their past and future. My next reading will be The Wives of Henry VIII.