There is a trial that is going on through the University of Utah that I am going to participate in. It's called the EAGeR (The Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction) trial. They claim a woman has a greater chance of conceiving and having a successful pregnancy by taking a baby aspirin every day. The aspirin is supposed to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs and help create a richer, thicker uterine lining for a fertilized egg.
The website says that there have been some studies of aspirin use and pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Available data suggest that low dose aspirin (LDA) may have the potential to favorably impact several aspects of reproduction including:
*Conception (getting pregnant)
*Implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterus
*Miscarriage
*Late fetal death (stillbirth)
*Preeclampsia (a condition during pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, swelling in the legs and protein in the urine)
*Small for gestational age fetus (SGA; weight of the baby at a given number of weeks of pregnancy)
*Placental insufficiency (a complication of pregnancy in which the structures that help bring oxygen and nutrients to an unborn baby develop abnormally affecting the growth of the baby)
*Preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
So far it's been very successful with their participants. I don't know if I will be taking the baby aspirin or the placebo every day, and neither will my nurse, but hopefully with their monitoring and direction they can help either way. I'm pretty excited to help them with their research.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
april 26
I would've been a mom today. At least, it was my due date. It was hard for me yesterday and I know it'll be even harder today. The hardest since the miscarriage happened. Send some good thoughts my way if you have a moment.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
that is good news
I have had an amazing transformation. I visited my bishop about two weeks ago and just had a good talk. He helped me get some of my thoughts and feelings in order and turned me in a good direction. I needed to reset my life- I've had a bit of trouble with my spiritual well-being, and wasn't quite sure how to go about fixing it.
I think the thing that helped me the most was reading an amazing piece of literature called Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson. I had the copy for a while, but just forgot about it and never picked it up. Then, as I was about to go out the door for work one morning, I had the impression to snatch it off the bookshelf and stick it in my purse. That morning I had a few hours before waking the girls up, so I read. And whenever I had a spare few moments I'd pull it out and read a bit more. Nothing I have read has ever had such a powerful and immediate impact on me. It's made me want to start believing Christ, not just believing in Christ. There is a huge difference, and I strongly suggest you read the book to find out what it is.
At a really hard time in my life this helped me find light. I am so grateful to be carrying that light with me constantly now. It's just like the analogy with the light switch- sometimes you can be in a dim room and not realize how dark it is until a light is turned on. My light was turned on, and I never want it to be dimmed again.
I feel that this was the perfect timing for a re-conversion for myself. It's Easter, the symbol of Christ's Atonement and resurrection. I couldn't think of a better time of year for this to happen, and even though I'm far from knowing even a fraction of the Atonement, I'm closer to understanding than I've ever been. I'm so grateful for Christ's sacrifice, a sacrifice that allows me to feel His love constantly, know that I can't be perfect and not expected to be perfect, and be forgiven of my shortcomings and sins.
There is a parable in Believing Christ that I'd like to summarize. It really helped me understand what is expected of me. The author's son really wanted a bicycle. They were a young family, and Stephen didn't have a lot of money to spend on a bicycle for him. So he told his son to save up everything that he earned doing chores, and that one day he'd have a bicycle. A few weeks passed, and his son diligently saved up everything in a jar, until one day, Stephen told him they'd go looking at bikes. After looking for a while, his son found the perfect bike- but it was a little over $100. The young boy saw the price and started crying. "I'll never be able to save up for this bike! I won't ever be able to buy it." Stephen asked his son how much he had saved the last two weeks, and he saw he had just under one dollar. Knowing his son had worked his absolute hardest to save up his money doing extra chores around the house and working for his mom, Stephen knelt down to him and told him that if he used his 90-some cents toward the bike, that he would pay for the rest of it.
We are not expected to be perfect- we'd never be able to save up our "$100" in life, and that's where Christ steps in and says, "You pay whatever you have and I'll make up the rest." It doesn't matter how much we have- 2 cents, 50, or even a whole dollar, we still need Christ's help to get to that $100. We are still indebted to him. As long as we work our hardest and give our all, we will make it in the end. And because we all owe Christ, we should not compare ourselves to other people. It doesn't matter if your friend has a whole $2 more than you do. And it doesn't matter that someone else only has a few cents. We should never look down on them, and we should never put ourselves down.
What made me feel a lot better about how I was doing was reading about perfection. There is a scripture that I loved that was quoted in the book. It's about keeping the Commandments. We have been commanded to keep the commandments. But, that's impossible, right? That's expecting the whole $100, which is impossible to achieve in life. We should always do our best- that much is true and will never change. But there is a scripture that really opened my eyes in Doctrine and Covenants 46:9 that says, "They (the gifts of the Spirit) are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep my commandments, and him that seeketh to do so" (italics added). The intentions of our hearts are just as important as our actions. We cannot keep all of the covenants all of the time. Luckily, God is just and merciful.
"Another of the great promises of the new covenant is that all those who really want and work for the kingdom of God with all their strength, however great or little their strength may be, will inherit the kingdom.
"And that is good news."
Yes, good and very comforting news.
Happy Easter!
I think the thing that helped me the most was reading an amazing piece of literature called Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson. I had the copy for a while, but just forgot about it and never picked it up. Then, as I was about to go out the door for work one morning, I had the impression to snatch it off the bookshelf and stick it in my purse. That morning I had a few hours before waking the girls up, so I read. And whenever I had a spare few moments I'd pull it out and read a bit more. Nothing I have read has ever had such a powerful and immediate impact on me. It's made me want to start believing Christ, not just believing in Christ. There is a huge difference, and I strongly suggest you read the book to find out what it is.
At a really hard time in my life this helped me find light. I am so grateful to be carrying that light with me constantly now. It's just like the analogy with the light switch- sometimes you can be in a dim room and not realize how dark it is until a light is turned on. My light was turned on, and I never want it to be dimmed again.
I feel that this was the perfect timing for a re-conversion for myself. It's Easter, the symbol of Christ's Atonement and resurrection. I couldn't think of a better time of year for this to happen, and even though I'm far from knowing even a fraction of the Atonement, I'm closer to understanding than I've ever been. I'm so grateful for Christ's sacrifice, a sacrifice that allows me to feel His love constantly, know that I can't be perfect and not expected to be perfect, and be forgiven of my shortcomings and sins.
There is a parable in Believing Christ that I'd like to summarize. It really helped me understand what is expected of me. The author's son really wanted a bicycle. They were a young family, and Stephen didn't have a lot of money to spend on a bicycle for him. So he told his son to save up everything that he earned doing chores, and that one day he'd have a bicycle. A few weeks passed, and his son diligently saved up everything in a jar, until one day, Stephen told him they'd go looking at bikes. After looking for a while, his son found the perfect bike- but it was a little over $100. The young boy saw the price and started crying. "I'll never be able to save up for this bike! I won't ever be able to buy it." Stephen asked his son how much he had saved the last two weeks, and he saw he had just under one dollar. Knowing his son had worked his absolute hardest to save up his money doing extra chores around the house and working for his mom, Stephen knelt down to him and told him that if he used his 90-some cents toward the bike, that he would pay for the rest of it.
We are not expected to be perfect- we'd never be able to save up our "$100" in life, and that's where Christ steps in and says, "You pay whatever you have and I'll make up the rest." It doesn't matter how much we have- 2 cents, 50, or even a whole dollar, we still need Christ's help to get to that $100. We are still indebted to him. As long as we work our hardest and give our all, we will make it in the end. And because we all owe Christ, we should not compare ourselves to other people. It doesn't matter if your friend has a whole $2 more than you do. And it doesn't matter that someone else only has a few cents. We should never look down on them, and we should never put ourselves down.
What made me feel a lot better about how I was doing was reading about perfection. There is a scripture that I loved that was quoted in the book. It's about keeping the Commandments. We have been commanded to keep the commandments. But, that's impossible, right? That's expecting the whole $100, which is impossible to achieve in life. We should always do our best- that much is true and will never change. But there is a scripture that really opened my eyes in Doctrine and Covenants 46:9 that says, "They (the gifts of the Spirit) are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep my commandments, and him that seeketh to do so" (italics added). The intentions of our hearts are just as important as our actions. We cannot keep all of the covenants all of the time. Luckily, God is just and merciful.
"Another of the great promises of the new covenant is that all those who really want and work for the kingdom of God with all their strength, however great or little their strength may be, will inherit the kingdom.
"And that is good news."
Yes, good and very comforting news.
Happy Easter!
Monday, April 18, 2011
best "dear john" letter i've ever read
I found this on dearelder.com in their Dear John section. Best I've ever read.
Dear John (alias Elder Davis),
To introduce myself, my name is Elder Nebeker. I am writing on behalf of a mutual friend, her name is Karen Jackson. I have had the opportunity over the last little while, to become very well acquainted with her. She is as I am sure you will agree, a very special young lady. Karen has asked me to write and tell you about the latest commitment that she has made in her life. She just didn't know how to tell you!
Over the past little while, Karen and I have developed a very special relationship with Christ, and with each other. We have united forces and faith, to help fulfill her desires and my goal. Two days after the birth of our Lord (April 8) I posed a question that will no doubt, change the path of her mortal probation. And eventually the state of her eternities.
It is a decision that came after much time and communion with our Heavenly Father. This major decision in her life will no doubt, bring much happiness to the three of us. I'm sure that you know of the covenant that is mentioned in the 132nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants where it says, "For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then ye are damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory." Elder, now I hope that you don't think that we have done this without you in mind. We have wondered how to tell you this for quite some time. So we just decided to stop beating around the bush and tell you. I'm sure that it shows in the letters. The commitment has been made, the date has been set, and we are going to go for it. We hope that we have your best wishes.
Elder, this is something that must happen to the best of us. I am sorry that it had to happen while you were out on your mission. But, I hope that this will not affect your missionary work in a negative way. Karen and I have been seeing each other 3 to 4 times a week. As we have met, we have had those special feelings that must come in order to make the decision that she has. Elder, I wish that I could tell you in person, I feel that this is the right thing for us to do. I am sure that as you pray to our Heavenly Father, you will also come to the knowledge and the conviction that what we are about to do is the will of our Heavenly Father.
I hope that you are not getting the wrong idea. We are already starting to prepare for the event. She has started to invite people to it. The date that we have set is May 13, 1982. This will be the day that Karen Jackson will become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Elder Davis, in other words she is going to be baptized a member of the church.
She is ready and more than willing. Maybe what I should do is to tell you a little bit of the background of what has been going on up here. On April 6, Karen called us here in the mission office and asked if she could take the missionary discussions. We said we would work her in. The very first night that we met with her the spirit was one of the Lord. That of truth and peace. She accepted the invitation to follow the Savior into the waters of baptism. Elder, you are very fortunate to have a girl like that. She will be ready and fully prepared to be yours for the eternities.
She will be baptized in your ward, and your father will perform the baptism. Elder Burk, another missionary that has been working with her will confirm her into the church. Congratulations on your diligence in the field. You have been a very effective and influential part of her life. I can see that she is very much in love with you and what you stand for. May this bring much happiness to your day, and may you find and share the blessings of this with a new investigator.
Buddies in the Gospel,
Elders Nebeker and Burk
P.S. Sorry for the Dear John on the front.
~The letter was received 2 days before her baptism. We were married 3 months after I returned home from the mission.
Dear John (alias Elder Davis),
To introduce myself, my name is Elder Nebeker. I am writing on behalf of a mutual friend, her name is Karen Jackson. I have had the opportunity over the last little while, to become very well acquainted with her. She is as I am sure you will agree, a very special young lady. Karen has asked me to write and tell you about the latest commitment that she has made in her life. She just didn't know how to tell you!
Over the past little while, Karen and I have developed a very special relationship with Christ, and with each other. We have united forces and faith, to help fulfill her desires and my goal. Two days after the birth of our Lord (April 8) I posed a question that will no doubt, change the path of her mortal probation. And eventually the state of her eternities.
It is a decision that came after much time and communion with our Heavenly Father. This major decision in her life will no doubt, bring much happiness to the three of us. I'm sure that you know of the covenant that is mentioned in the 132nd section of the Doctrine and Covenants where it says, "For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then ye are damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory." Elder, now I hope that you don't think that we have done this without you in mind. We have wondered how to tell you this for quite some time. So we just decided to stop beating around the bush and tell you. I'm sure that it shows in the letters. The commitment has been made, the date has been set, and we are going to go for it. We hope that we have your best wishes.
Elder, this is something that must happen to the best of us. I am sorry that it had to happen while you were out on your mission. But, I hope that this will not affect your missionary work in a negative way. Karen and I have been seeing each other 3 to 4 times a week. As we have met, we have had those special feelings that must come in order to make the decision that she has. Elder, I wish that I could tell you in person, I feel that this is the right thing for us to do. I am sure that as you pray to our Heavenly Father, you will also come to the knowledge and the conviction that what we are about to do is the will of our Heavenly Father.
I hope that you are not getting the wrong idea. We are already starting to prepare for the event. She has started to invite people to it. The date that we have set is May 13, 1982. This will be the day that Karen Jackson will become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Elder Davis, in other words she is going to be baptized a member of the church.
She is ready and more than willing. Maybe what I should do is to tell you a little bit of the background of what has been going on up here. On April 6, Karen called us here in the mission office and asked if she could take the missionary discussions. We said we would work her in. The very first night that we met with her the spirit was one of the Lord. That of truth and peace. She accepted the invitation to follow the Savior into the waters of baptism. Elder, you are very fortunate to have a girl like that. She will be ready and fully prepared to be yours for the eternities.
She will be baptized in your ward, and your father will perform the baptism. Elder Burk, another missionary that has been working with her will confirm her into the church. Congratulations on your diligence in the field. You have been a very effective and influential part of her life. I can see that she is very much in love with you and what you stand for. May this bring much happiness to your day, and may you find and share the blessings of this with a new investigator.
Buddies in the Gospel,
Elders Nebeker and Burk
P.S. Sorry for the Dear John on the front.
~The letter was received 2 days before her baptism. We were married 3 months after I returned home from the mission.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
blankets
I promised to post pictures of the baby blankets I've made recently. I just learned how to do these, and they are really fun and really easy!
(Rachel, I didn't forget to put together the step-by-step guide for you! I'm working on it).
This is a blanket I made for my friend that I visit teach. She just had an adorable baby girl last month! This was the first blanket I made.
This is the next one I did, for my brother and sister, Drew and Christina. She's having a baby boy in May! He's almost here!
I also just finished one for John's cousin, who is also due in May with a boy, but silly me forgot to take pictures before I gave it to her! But here is the fabric that I worked with.
Suki was my little helper
So, pretty much, if you invite me to your baby shower, this is probably what you're going to get unless you tell me otherwise! But who wouldn't want a cute, lovingly-made baby blanket? You can even pick out the colors or fabrics.
And Jennie, I already started working on yours so I hope you want one. I do have two sets of fabric you can choose between, though.
(Rachel, I didn't forget to put together the step-by-step guide for you! I'm working on it).
This is a blanket I made for my friend that I visit teach. She just had an adorable baby girl last month! This was the first blanket I made.
This is the next one I did, for my brother and sister, Drew and Christina. She's having a baby boy in May! He's almost here!
I also just finished one for John's cousin, who is also due in May with a boy, but silly me forgot to take pictures before I gave it to her! But here is the fabric that I worked with.
Suki was my little helper
So, pretty much, if you invite me to your baby shower, this is probably what you're going to get unless you tell me otherwise! But who wouldn't want a cute, lovingly-made baby blanket? You can even pick out the colors or fabrics.
And Jennie, I already started working on yours so I hope you want one. I do have two sets of fabric you can choose between, though.
Friday, April 15, 2011
summer teasing
It's been warming up lately (minus the few cold days that have scattered snow), and the weather its been driving me crazy! I can't help but think about all the things I wish I could do once John is done with school until this fall!
I really want to go to Disneyland. I've even gone so far as to look up dates we could go and start thinking about how much I'd need to save from each paycheck in order to go. If we did, we'd be there for our actual anniversary on June 20th.
I'd love to make a trip to Arches. I know that would require a night or two of camping outside, but I think it'd be fun to hike around the rock formations. I've been once and have always wanted to go back.
I want to lay out on a warm beach. I don't know when I was able to do that last. When John, Amanda and I went to So. Cal. last year we went to the beach, but it was cold and windy and not very much fun.
I want to put potted plants out on my back porch. There were some gorgeous flowers for sale at Costco in hanging baskets and big pots this week, and I was so tempted to take some home with me.
I doubt much of this is going to happen (besides the flowers. I know that will happen). But I can wish!
I really want to go to Disneyland. I've even gone so far as to look up dates we could go and start thinking about how much I'd need to save from each paycheck in order to go. If we did, we'd be there for our actual anniversary on June 20th.
I'd love to make a trip to Arches. I know that would require a night or two of camping outside, but I think it'd be fun to hike around the rock formations. I've been once and have always wanted to go back.
I want to lay out on a warm beach. I don't know when I was able to do that last. When John, Amanda and I went to So. Cal. last year we went to the beach, but it was cold and windy and not very much fun.
I want to put potted plants out on my back porch. There were some gorgeous flowers for sale at Costco in hanging baskets and big pots this week, and I was so tempted to take some home with me.
I doubt much of this is going to happen (besides the flowers. I know that will happen). But I can wish!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
the journey
I've had a new job for about a month now, and it's turned out to be quite an adventure so far.
I'm a youth mentor at a drug rehabilitation center for teenage girls. My job is mainly to watch them, make sure they follow the rules, get them to where they need to go, etc. At the end of my shift (each shift is 8 hours) I write in a log how each girl behaved. There's a rating system: green, yellow, or red. Greens are assigned to girls who really made an effort that day, yellow if they behaved but could've done better, and red if they broke any rules. Reds also assign more service hours to their time, and they have to spend Saturday afternoons working those hours off by doing extra chores or working outside. It's much better than it was at first, and I'm starting to actually enjoy it. There are three houses- two hold seven girls each, and the third has three. They are all ages 15-18.
My first few shifts were horrendous. I came home crying, I went to bed crying, and I woke up sick to my stomach with anxiety. I didn't know the rules well yet so I couldn't really watch over the girls, so they knew exactly how to get away with stuff, and were really disrespectful. I was a new staff, and they hate all new staff and make it a game to try to drive them away. They are usually successful, so I really had to prove to them that I was going to be there for the long run. It just took time for them to realize that I could be trusted and dependable.
Now that I've been around for a while and gotten to know most of the girls, many of them like me and I've really liked getting to know them and hear their stories. Some of them are unbelievable for many reasons. Most girls have broken and unreliable families and crazy stories to match. Hearing these break my heart, but also makes me so happy that they are there getting help. It's really touching to see them progress in their treatment and admit that the program is the best thing that has ever happened to them.
During process group this week (we split into two groups and have group therapy with one of the therapists there) a girl finally admitted that she was the only one in charge of making sure she got better, and wasn't going to let anyone tear her down. She had repaired her relationship with her father and finally felt comfortable and loved by him for the first time in years.
All of the girls have learned that I'm a human hose-pipe. I cry all the time. They have asked me many questions about my personal life, and when I talk about John or milestone events in my life, I cry. I cry because when talking about these, I know I've been blessed by Heavenly Father so much and realize His hand in my life. I feel the Spirit so strongly with me while at work it's impossible to not cry at times like these. I've cried when girls have made progress, and I've cried in empathy when they get emotional and upset about something. They all think it's cute that I cry, and a few of the staff say that some of the girls need to see that free flow of emotion (I think they're just trying to make me feel less embarrassed) and one of the therapists, since I cried during a therapy session, said that when coupled with tears, my words feel really genuine, and I hope that I have helped the girls.
The part that I dislike most is that I have to be to work at 6 AM. My shifts are generally mornings: 6-2. I get the girls up in the morning, make sure they get ready, take them to school, and bring them home for an hour and a half group session, then I'm done. Pretty simple, unless one or a few of the girls are having a bad day and cause trouble.
That's what my life has been lately. I bought Tangled from Amazon last week and own that now, Suki is still sweet and playful and sleeps on my head at night, and John is still in school. I'm trying to read Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy right now. Key word, "trying." I'll be 22 in a few weeks on the 29th. I've taken to making baby quilts for the plethora of people around me having babies (pictures to post soon), and John's parents and Beth came for a visit last week. That was a lot of fun! Beth toured campus and Helaman Halls, we ate out a few times for some amazing food, and just had a good visit! John and I are excited to have both Beth and Jake here in the fall!
I'm a youth mentor at a drug rehabilitation center for teenage girls. My job is mainly to watch them, make sure they follow the rules, get them to where they need to go, etc. At the end of my shift (each shift is 8 hours) I write in a log how each girl behaved. There's a rating system: green, yellow, or red. Greens are assigned to girls who really made an effort that day, yellow if they behaved but could've done better, and red if they broke any rules. Reds also assign more service hours to their time, and they have to spend Saturday afternoons working those hours off by doing extra chores or working outside. It's much better than it was at first, and I'm starting to actually enjoy it. There are three houses- two hold seven girls each, and the third has three. They are all ages 15-18.
My first few shifts were horrendous. I came home crying, I went to bed crying, and I woke up sick to my stomach with anxiety. I didn't know the rules well yet so I couldn't really watch over the girls, so they knew exactly how to get away with stuff, and were really disrespectful. I was a new staff, and they hate all new staff and make it a game to try to drive them away. They are usually successful, so I really had to prove to them that I was going to be there for the long run. It just took time for them to realize that I could be trusted and dependable.
Now that I've been around for a while and gotten to know most of the girls, many of them like me and I've really liked getting to know them and hear their stories. Some of them are unbelievable for many reasons. Most girls have broken and unreliable families and crazy stories to match. Hearing these break my heart, but also makes me so happy that they are there getting help. It's really touching to see them progress in their treatment and admit that the program is the best thing that has ever happened to them.
During process group this week (we split into two groups and have group therapy with one of the therapists there) a girl finally admitted that she was the only one in charge of making sure she got better, and wasn't going to let anyone tear her down. She had repaired her relationship with her father and finally felt comfortable and loved by him for the first time in years.
All of the girls have learned that I'm a human hose-pipe. I cry all the time. They have asked me many questions about my personal life, and when I talk about John or milestone events in my life, I cry. I cry because when talking about these, I know I've been blessed by Heavenly Father so much and realize His hand in my life. I feel the Spirit so strongly with me while at work it's impossible to not cry at times like these. I've cried when girls have made progress, and I've cried in empathy when they get emotional and upset about something. They all think it's cute that I cry, and a few of the staff say that some of the girls need to see that free flow of emotion (I think they're just trying to make me feel less embarrassed) and one of the therapists, since I cried during a therapy session, said that when coupled with tears, my words feel really genuine, and I hope that I have helped the girls.
The part that I dislike most is that I have to be to work at 6 AM. My shifts are generally mornings: 6-2. I get the girls up in the morning, make sure they get ready, take them to school, and bring them home for an hour and a half group session, then I'm done. Pretty simple, unless one or a few of the girls are having a bad day and cause trouble.
That's what my life has been lately. I bought Tangled from Amazon last week and own that now, Suki is still sweet and playful and sleeps on my head at night, and John is still in school. I'm trying to read Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy right now. Key word, "trying." I'll be 22 in a few weeks on the 29th. I've taken to making baby quilts for the plethora of people around me having babies (pictures to post soon), and John's parents and Beth came for a visit last week. That was a lot of fun! Beth toured campus and Helaman Halls, we ate out a few times for some amazing food, and just had a good visit! John and I are excited to have both Beth and Jake here in the fall!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
apology; or more like a rant
I know it's been a long time, and I apologize. A lot has been going on with my life and figuring things out, looking for a job, taking care of John (not to mention having us both be sick with flu, one right after the other- that took up a month of time.) I've also been feeling like I have nothing I've wanted to write about.
But I do have something to say now. I want to apologize for being grumpy, angry, frustrated, or just plain depressed. I know my miscarriage was over six months ago but it still hurts me sometimes. I'm generally fine, but whenever I am around a family with a tiny baby, or a pregnant woman, or women talking about their babies or their pregnancies (which is pretty hard to escape in Provo), sometimes I just want to scream. Or cry. Or be rude. Or all of the above. I'm trying to be nice and I am truly happy for the new parents out there. Really, I am. It's just hard when I hear people talk. "Oh yeah, my husband and I were only off birth control for two months." "Getting pregnant was so easy!" "I had all my kids exactly when I planned and wanted. I don't get it when people complain about getting pregnant. It's like, just do it." (Yes, someone actually said that.)
I guess another thing could be said here. Ladies, if you're pregnant, or have kids, just try to be sensitive. Not everyone wants to hear every single little detail about your kids. I don't mind hearing a little about other people's kids. If you want to tell me something truly interesting about what your kid did, or share a story, I would love to hear it. But don't go overboard, and please, don't turn your Facebook page into a shrine about your kid. I might just be bitter right now, but there is still a line.
Anyway, in all that rambling, the general idea here is I'm sorry about my foul moods. For Lent this year, which actually started about 3 hours ago, I'm deciding to not say anything bad about people. I'm hoping that this will increase my overall mood and make things better for me.
But I do have something to say now. I want to apologize for being grumpy, angry, frustrated, or just plain depressed. I know my miscarriage was over six months ago but it still hurts me sometimes. I'm generally fine, but whenever I am around a family with a tiny baby, or a pregnant woman, or women talking about their babies or their pregnancies (which is pretty hard to escape in Provo), sometimes I just want to scream. Or cry. Or be rude. Or all of the above. I'm trying to be nice and I am truly happy for the new parents out there. Really, I am. It's just hard when I hear people talk. "Oh yeah, my husband and I were only off birth control for two months." "Getting pregnant was so easy!" "I had all my kids exactly when I planned and wanted. I don't get it when people complain about getting pregnant. It's like, just do it." (Yes, someone actually said that.)
I guess another thing could be said here. Ladies, if you're pregnant, or have kids, just try to be sensitive. Not everyone wants to hear every single little detail about your kids. I don't mind hearing a little about other people's kids. If you want to tell me something truly interesting about what your kid did, or share a story, I would love to hear it. But don't go overboard, and please, don't turn your Facebook page into a shrine about your kid. I might just be bitter right now, but there is still a line.
Anyway, in all that rambling, the general idea here is I'm sorry about my foul moods. For Lent this year, which actually started about 3 hours ago, I'm deciding to not say anything bad about people. I'm hoping that this will increase my overall mood and make things better for me.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
my best of police beat 2010
There have been some good ones, but here are my favorite Police Beat stories of 2010.
Jan. 12: The driver of a white pick-up truck reportedly whipped into a handicap stall, parked and ran to class. Officers confirmed that the running person indeed had a handicap permit.
Jan. 26 A mother called from Wymount. Her son, age 14, had locked himself in the bathroom. The call had been made for an argument over a video game and TV time. The officer was able to mediate the situation and the problem was resolved.
Feb. 14: A concerned mother called in because her 13-year-old daughter was threatening her with a stick. Officers responded and mediated the situation.
Feb. 19: An officer witnessed a male suspect kick one of the light posts on campus, causing it to go out. When the officer confronted the male, he apologized. Luckily, the light came back on and the male’s frustration didn’t damage the post seriously.
Feb. 24: Police received a call about a possible fight in progress in lot 16. Upon arrival, five individuals were separated. One was uncooperative. The two parties were arguing over which party deserved the parking stall. One party claimed his wife was sick and pregnant, but the other party wouldn’t give in. Police found another parking stall for the party.
March 4: A caller with a Jamaican accent made a call to the police department trying to reach basketball coach Dave Rose. He wanted to inform the coach that he won a contest and to receive his prize he simply had to send them a cashier’s check. Being familiar with the scam, the officer told him to stop calling; the caller was persistent and continued his calls. By coincidence ,the coach was in the office during one of his calls and told the secretary to give the caller his number. The coach then took care of the problem by blowing a very loud whistle into the mouthpiece. The caller has not called back since.
May 21: Graffiti was found on a pavilion by the Wilkinson Center bus stop stating, “Utah is infested with Satanists. Awareness is power.”
May 25: A man was reported to be carrying a gun in the HBLL. After an investigation, police found it was a cell phone case.
June 3: A cat was found in the Clyde Building. The incident was reported to police who arrived on the scene. The exterior doors were opened and the cat was herded outside of the building.
July 7: A man was reported drawing circles on the ground and throwing balls into the circles. The man was gone when police arrived.
July 8: A student reported a sex offense occurring at Wyview Park. When an officer arrived, he found a male and female making out. Both parties were clothed. The officer suggested they find another location to continue such activities.
July 9: A man was reported running outside in Army fatigues, holding a gun. When police arrived, they found the man was an ROTC student and the gun was a replica.
July 19: BYU Broadcasting reported receiving a suspicious letter. The letter was dismissed as being unsuspicious.
Aug. 16: Belongings were reported stolen from Stover Hall. The person who reported stolen items realized he was in the wrong room. When he returned to his room, none of his belongings were missing.
Sept. 8: A sanitary napkin dispenser in a women’s restroom in the FOB was broken into and all of the cash was stolen.
Sept. 9: Another sanitary napkin dispenser was broken into. All cash was reported missing.
Sept. 10: Another sanitary napkin dispenser was broken into, this time in a Smith Fieldhouse women’s restroom. All the money from the dispenser was reported missing.
Sept. 10: A student called to report a rock being painted at the ROTC building. Upon arrival, officers discovered two ROTC members painting a rock. The members explained that it is a tradition among ROTC members to paint a rock every month; on the month in question, the members chose pink. The officers decided it was not an offense and left.
Sept. 13: Several items were reported stolen from a female residence hall, including a wallet with contents worth over $200, and a batch of homemade cupcakes.
Oct. 5 Two male students were arguing over dating. One was having a difficult time getting dates and was telling the other student about it. The second student joked that he didn’t have a difficult time getting dates and he could date the other student’s mother. The first student took offense and slammed the second student against a wall and brandished a knife. Upon arrival, the police arrested the first student for aggravated assault. However, the second student decided not to press charges, so the first student was released.
Oct. 5 A suspicious individual was knocking on apartment doors in Wymount Terrace wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. When the officers arrived, Guy had once again eluded the police.
Oct. 5 A person has been seen in the Widtsoe lab leaving suspicious notes on green tape on the lab counter. The notes have said things like “super nice,” “nice,” and “good job.” The man has entered the lab and left these suspicious notes several nights in a row. Officers suspect he might be the boyfriend of one of the lab workers.
Oct. 19 A student called police when he discovered his motorcycle was continuously moved to different spots in a parking lot. The student was irritated.
Oct. 20 Three males were seen entering the Wilkinson Center. One of them went and suspiciously changed his pants. When officers arrived, they searched the area that the student changed in and found nothing.
Oct. 29 A woman was seen suspiciously looking in car windows in a parking lot near May Hall. When asked what she was doing, she said she was just passing the time while waiting to meet her daughter.
Nov. 5 Officers received a call from library security that reported a student lying on the floor of the HBLL atrium. The student refused to get up and leave. Upon arrival, the officer discovered the student was an anthropology student conducting an experiment. The student apologized and left.
Nov. 6 A lawnmower was reported tied to a tree. Furthermore, the report stated the lawnmower had been running for a while. When the officer arrived, the lawnmower had run out of gas and turned off.
Nov. 13 A concerned citizen reported seeing a bag of alcohol near the Wilkinson Center. It was actually a bag of groceries and the owner got onto the bus and left with it.
If you'd like to see all of the Police Beats, you can see them here.
Jan. 12: The driver of a white pick-up truck reportedly whipped into a handicap stall, parked and ran to class. Officers confirmed that the running person indeed had a handicap permit.
Jan. 26 A mother called from Wymount. Her son, age 14, had locked himself in the bathroom. The call had been made for an argument over a video game and TV time. The officer was able to mediate the situation and the problem was resolved.
Feb. 14: A concerned mother called in because her 13-year-old daughter was threatening her with a stick. Officers responded and mediated the situation.
Feb. 19: An officer witnessed a male suspect kick one of the light posts on campus, causing it to go out. When the officer confronted the male, he apologized. Luckily, the light came back on and the male’s frustration didn’t damage the post seriously.
Feb. 24: Police received a call about a possible fight in progress in lot 16. Upon arrival, five individuals were separated. One was uncooperative. The two parties were arguing over which party deserved the parking stall. One party claimed his wife was sick and pregnant, but the other party wouldn’t give in. Police found another parking stall for the party.
March 4: A caller with a Jamaican accent made a call to the police department trying to reach basketball coach Dave Rose. He wanted to inform the coach that he won a contest and to receive his prize he simply had to send them a cashier’s check. Being familiar with the scam, the officer told him to stop calling; the caller was persistent and continued his calls. By coincidence ,the coach was in the office during one of his calls and told the secretary to give the caller his number. The coach then took care of the problem by blowing a very loud whistle into the mouthpiece. The caller has not called back since.
May 21: Graffiti was found on a pavilion by the Wilkinson Center bus stop stating, “Utah is infested with Satanists. Awareness is power.”
May 25: A man was reported to be carrying a gun in the HBLL. After an investigation, police found it was a cell phone case.
June 3: A cat was found in the Clyde Building. The incident was reported to police who arrived on the scene. The exterior doors were opened and the cat was herded outside of the building.
July 7: A man was reported drawing circles on the ground and throwing balls into the circles. The man was gone when police arrived.
July 8: A student reported a sex offense occurring at Wyview Park. When an officer arrived, he found a male and female making out. Both parties were clothed. The officer suggested they find another location to continue such activities.
July 9: A man was reported running outside in Army fatigues, holding a gun. When police arrived, they found the man was an ROTC student and the gun was a replica.
July 19: BYU Broadcasting reported receiving a suspicious letter. The letter was dismissed as being unsuspicious.
Aug. 16: Belongings were reported stolen from Stover Hall. The person who reported stolen items realized he was in the wrong room. When he returned to his room, none of his belongings were missing.
Sept. 8: A sanitary napkin dispenser in a women’s restroom in the FOB was broken into and all of the cash was stolen.
Sept. 9: Another sanitary napkin dispenser was broken into. All cash was reported missing.
Sept. 10: Another sanitary napkin dispenser was broken into, this time in a Smith Fieldhouse women’s restroom. All the money from the dispenser was reported missing.
Sept. 10: A student called to report a rock being painted at the ROTC building. Upon arrival, officers discovered two ROTC members painting a rock. The members explained that it is a tradition among ROTC members to paint a rock every month; on the month in question, the members chose pink. The officers decided it was not an offense and left.
Sept. 13: Several items were reported stolen from a female residence hall, including a wallet with contents worth over $200, and a batch of homemade cupcakes.
Oct. 5 Two male students were arguing over dating. One was having a difficult time getting dates and was telling the other student about it. The second student joked that he didn’t have a difficult time getting dates and he could date the other student’s mother. The first student took offense and slammed the second student against a wall and brandished a knife. Upon arrival, the police arrested the first student for aggravated assault. However, the second student decided not to press charges, so the first student was released.
Oct. 5 A suspicious individual was knocking on apartment doors in Wymount Terrace wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. When the officers arrived, Guy had once again eluded the police.
Oct. 5 A person has been seen in the Widtsoe lab leaving suspicious notes on green tape on the lab counter. The notes have said things like “super nice,” “nice,” and “good job.” The man has entered the lab and left these suspicious notes several nights in a row. Officers suspect he might be the boyfriend of one of the lab workers.
Oct. 19 A student called police when he discovered his motorcycle was continuously moved to different spots in a parking lot. The student was irritated.
Oct. 20 Three males were seen entering the Wilkinson Center. One of them went and suspiciously changed his pants. When officers arrived, they searched the area that the student changed in and found nothing.
Oct. 29 A woman was seen suspiciously looking in car windows in a parking lot near May Hall. When asked what she was doing, she said she was just passing the time while waiting to meet her daughter.
Nov. 5 Officers received a call from library security that reported a student lying on the floor of the HBLL atrium. The student refused to get up and leave. Upon arrival, the officer discovered the student was an anthropology student conducting an experiment. The student apologized and left.
Nov. 6 A lawnmower was reported tied to a tree. Furthermore, the report stated the lawnmower had been running for a while. When the officer arrived, the lawnmower had run out of gas and turned off.
Nov. 13 A concerned citizen reported seeing a bag of alcohol near the Wilkinson Center. It was actually a bag of groceries and the owner got onto the bus and left with it.
If you'd like to see all of the Police Beats, you can see them here.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
the pilgrim's journey home
Happy Thanksgiving! In order to celebrate the holiday fully, I recommend that you all watch BYU choir's recent show "The Pilgrim's Journey Home." You can watch it online here:
http://www.byutv.org/watch/480-403
Or, if you have BYUTV, it will be broadcast on there on Thanksgiving day at 9 A.M. and also at 8:30 P.M. Keep an eye out for my handsome husband- he's in the Men's Chorus. This was the performance that they filmed for many hours over four evenings in spring of 2009.
My favorite is "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and also "Going Home."
http://www.byutv.org/watch/480-403
Or, if you have BYUTV, it will be broadcast on there on Thanksgiving day at 9 A.M. and also at 8:30 P.M. Keep an eye out for my handsome husband- he's in the Men's Chorus. This was the performance that they filmed for many hours over four evenings in spring of 2009.
My favorite is "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and also "Going Home."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)