December 9

That is the day I was born, and 29 years later I had a Silly Sock Soiree to celebrate. Please see the success of my par-tay in photo form.

The Food

The Friends

The Friends and Socks

And More Friends

And Even More Friends and Socks

The Games

Pin the Sock on the Foot

And Sweet Jamen Letting Me Catch a Shot of Our Silly Socks After Party Time

Gray Toe Socks and Striped Skull Socks
Who Could Ask For More?

Personality Analysis Based on Drawing

I did this with my left hand. My results: You are an open person and have a willingness to interact with others.

Arachnophobia

I was sitting on the floor, leaning against my yellow chair, wearing a green hoodie. Shalayne was sitting across from me. We do this every weekday morning from 7:00-7:30. We call it scripture study, but often we talk about life. Dating, work, studying for graduate exams, etc. come up in our morning discussions. Doctrinal questions and shared scriptures come up too! :)

Well, one particular morning last week another topic came up. It was the topic of, "Scare me out of my wits!" Shalane looked at me and told me not to move, which for me means I can only assume that there was probably a spider somewhere near or on me. This was the case. She came up to me and brushed something off my hood. I turned around and on my yellow chair was a HUGE spider. I think it was a common house spider, but they look enough like hobo spiders that I have been creeped out ever since. She told me she thought it was going to crawl down my neck. SICK!

Since then I have had two spider experiences.

no. 1
I had a dream where a gross, brown, hairy spider started charging me so I took my laptop and threw it on the thing. It bounced right off and the spider kept coming. I don't know what happened!

no. 2
This morning around 3:00 AM I felt something by my nose. I bolted upright in by bed while blowing air out of my nose and mouth and brushing frantically with my hands. I feel like I shot a spider from under my nose clear across my room. It was probably a hair, but I had an uneasy time going back to sleep.

Amber's "insert adjective" Dating Life

One day, my friend called me fine. I asked her if she would please inform a gentleman friend of mine that this was the case. She drafted a letter to send to him. Please see:

Dear _________,
I would like to bring something to your attention. I’m sure you are already aware but are just too ______(fill in the blank with your own adjective, i.e. shy) to notice. AMBER IS FABULOUS! Not to mention funny, quirky, brilliant, talented, beautiful, hilarious, and gifted.
PS She could be that best thing that ever happened to you. I think you should take her on a date.
The End

Wasn't that nice? I showed another friend that letter and she came up with the following madlib:

Dear ___________(name of gentleman friend),

You are ____________(adjective). I would totally ___________(emotion) to go on a date with you to _______________(place). If you would like to do this date, please meet me at ____________(place) and we will eat ______________(food), and have a___________(adjective) time.

______________(closing sentiments)

______________(your name)

Well, I am sure of one thing, I have GREAT and FUNNY friends. Thanks!

The Scariest Halloween Video of All Time!

How do you eat a Reese's?

Tasting Dishes Trial Run

I did it! Well, sort of. This was really just a dessert party, but I used my tasting dishes and it turned out well. Now I have acquired a few more tasting dishes and am planning a real tasting party very soon. This little dessert night though was fun. I had over some people from my temple shift. I do love the Tuesday Temple Team!

Tasting Party!

This is definitely something that could hook me. I have the mini shot glasses, two kinds of mini bowls, and the stacked glass tiered platters. Mostly I have them owing to my mother. Thanks for the gifts! Anyway, look forward to some tasting parties. I have two in the works already!

If you can answer the following questions correctly, you may tutor me in preparation for the GRE. Thank you.

1. PERENNIAL :: EPHEMERAL

A. volatile : evanescent
B. mature : ripe
C. diurnal : annual
D. permanent : temporary
E. majestic : mean

2. The intellectual flexibility inherent in a multicultural nation has been ____ in classrooms where emphasis on British-American literature has not reflected the cultural ____ of our country.

A. eradicated - unanimity
B. encouraged - aspirations
C. stifled - diversity
D. thwarted - uniformity
E. inculcated - divide

3.

In the figure above AD = 4, AB = 3 and CD = 9. What is the area of triangle AEC ?

A. 18
B. 13.5
C. 9
D. 4.5
E. 3

The Hand

I had an overnight work retreat on Thursday and Friday. I pretty much love the people I work with and it was fun to spend some good quality time with them talking about achieving our dreams both in the office and in our personal lives. Our theme was Dream Bigger. We had some good presentations and a lot of free time to play games and just chat. The food was also delicious. The most memorable moment though? Well, let's take a look at the following picture:

My friend Court and I got to share a room with 4 bunk beds wall to wall. I somehow lost track of Court and went looking for her. When I checked the bedroom I somehow got distracted by something in my backpack. So, there I am standing at the foot of my bed when this hand creeps out from underneath and I hear a creepy whispered growling sound. I YELPED! Ha ha! I'm so glad she didn't actually grab my leg. I'm thinking if she had I would have kicked leaving me with one less shin (the bed frame would have taken care of that) and her with one less half of a face (my foot would have taken care of that).

Oh, and if that wasn't enough . . .

I left my desk today for a moment or two and when I returned, she was hiding under it! Same creepy hand came out, same creepy whispered growl. I'm thinking revenge is in order. Any ideas?

Allergy Relief?

Medical science rocks! I have had sinus infections and allergies all summer! In fact, it has lasted so long I forgot what it was like to hear normally because of the liquid in my ears. Ew gross! Well, I finally went to the doctor and within hours of taking the prescribed medication I could hear again. Like really hear! And, I could feel the difference between having liquid in my ears and not. It was a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, within a few days I learned that there is a trade off.

SIDE EFFECTS:

dizziness
dry mouth
headache
nausea
nervousness
trouble sleeping

Don't worry too much though; I am only experiencing the last three. :)

FHE Poetry Night

We read some of our favorite poems for our FHE activity and a few of us brought some of our original works. Can you believe this activity wasn't my idea? I certainly enjoyed it! After some sharing we then wrote a poem or two. Ashlee asked for a prompt and Jason said "slingshot" so she and I both took it and ran with it. The following is what I came up with:

Fabled stories of rock and sling
often have me thinking
of heroes.
What does it take to become one such?
A bow? A sword? A cause?
Perhaps the courage to move ahead
when no one else will take the plunge.
My comforts keep my heart at bay
until one steps out of his way
to perform a noble deed on my behalf.
Then brave my head and heart become;
I desire to help another one.
And fabled stories now ring true
as you see in me and I see in you.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Making smoothies with my nephew
Watching my niece dance
Getting kisses from my little D nephew
Hanging out with my family
Late night chats with Ashlee
Making new friends
Evening walks with Debbie
Amazingly humble people
Great neighbors
My Garden
Utah County Fair corn on the cob
St. Andrew by Bedouin Soundclash
Laughing my guts out at work
The Cope Family
My bike
Wizards of Waverly Place
80s music
Snickers
Farmer's Markets
Honey
Good Dreams
Limahl

Hero's

I love rainstorms! I love the lightning and thunder. I love the sound of the rain on the roof and the feel of it on my face. The weather we have been having is totally dope in my opinion. There are problems though with this kind of weather. Lots of rain means lots of puddles and I ran into a rather large one last night. I guess I didn't really run into it, but I observed the following in regards to it. A young man on campus at BYU was trying to get his scooter out of a very large pool of water that resulted from the rain. I mean his scooter was in deep. When I came upon the scene (from a distance) I noticed he was on his cell phone talking to someone and assessing the situation. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a BYU police officer working his way in that direction. As he approached the young man hung up his phone (I'm assuming he had called for help) and the two decided together that they could lift the scooter up out of the puddle, over the grass and the sidewalk, onto the road. It was such a simple thing, and really something the student probably could have done on his own, but it was neat for me to see that officer so willing and happy to do something so simple. I would call it heroic really. It reminded me of a few lines from the movie "While You Were Sleeping" where Lucy and Peter are talking to each other. She says to him, "You give up your seat every day in the train." He replies, "Well-- But that´s not heroic." And she counters with, "It is to the person who sits in it." I concur. I think it's the little things in life that make up the character of a person which causes them to be a hero. Kudos to all of you hero's out there who take the time to lend a hand, speak and kind word, or lift a scooter out of a very large puddle.

Triplus No. 3

Ah yes, my other favorite painting. Well as stated by the scripture it references, Moses 6:59-60:

"That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified."

Of course, being the poet that I am I had to write something about this painting as I spent many a lunch hour walking over the the BYU Museum of Art to gaze and ponder. It has no title save I called it the same name as the painting, "Triplus No. 3."

Simple and almost unnoticed
But a transcendent beauty it holds
Though dark and gnarled the stock
The colors of the cross inculcate from first glance
Peace and purity signified by His courage and sacrifice for life
The water cleanses
The blood reclaims
The Spirit saves

Starry Night

There are two paintings I plan to own at some point in my life. Not the originals, of course. Unless I decide to pursue a much more lucrative career than I currently have in the works, but very well made reproductions. One of those paintings is the all famous "Starry Night" by Van Gogh. It is certainly one of the most popular paintings in the world, and loved by all for a million different reasons. I fell in love with it when I was sixteen years old and enthralled with the ABC TV series "Boy Meets World." Admittedly I'm slightly embarrassed, but only slightly.

Cory and Topanga are almost calling it quits after fifteen years of childhood romance, but a scene at the end of the episode finds them in front of this painting and just before Cory tells her that he has learned their relationship is more than a childhood romance and a masterpiece and gets all gushy, she tells Cory this about the painting, "God is protecting the people in this little town. They live there lives and they come out of their houses and they see the sky. And they know God’s protection and love. And that everything will be alright."

There is speculation that around the same time Van Gogh painted "Starry Night" he was finding religion and that possibly the 11 stars in the painting are representative of the stars mentioned in Genesis 37:9. There is much discussion on its astronomical significance. Commentary can be found regarding his thought processes, and why he would paint this as he was in the asylum at Saint-Rémy and his behavior was reportedly quite erratic. There are fascinating theories and beautiful insights. But for me, it's the simplicity that any person can take any of these ideas to make this image of pure brilliance their own.

I perceive the ominous foreground and recognize its possible threat, but am much more cognizant of the little chapel which leads my thoughts to God, then a realization that it is a peaceful night and at this point I have to agree with Topanga Lawrence:

"God is protecting the people in this little town. They live there lives and they come out of their houses and they see the sky. And they know God’s protection and love. And that everything will be alright."

Amber Jumps!

My Perfect Match

This is the exact same thing that happened with me and my perfect match!

A Cheer for Amber by Court

I just got a new phone and in trying to figure out the video recording I, well . . . didn't. So it's sideways and I don't know how to fix that. If you do let me know. I love it though so I will post it anyway, with Court's permission.

Your Turn

I just spent an entire month blogging poems.  Now, it's your turn!  I won't leave you to it completely on your own.  I'm posting a picture as your prompt.  I would love to read a poem inspired by that picture from all of my readers.  Post it in the comments, or on your own blog and I will totally link to it!

Day Thirty "Communication"

Communication

You spoke your mind, now your concerned
That what you meant just wasn’t heard
You’re so frustrated; things don’t make sense
And now you’re acting on false pretense
Dear why don’t you come and tell me
All of your troubles and sorrows and fears
If you are candid and I am sincere
I know both of our hearts it will cheer

You walked up to me, and we embraced
I saw the smile on your face
We talked about it, and then we kissed
And your frustrations they were dismissed
Dear remember that I love you
Even when we do not always agree
And your happiness is my only plea
Because you mean the world to me

Day Twenty-nine "Word Verification"

Word Verification

I got online to read a blog my friend had posted yesterday.
The things she wrote were so profound, I had things I wanted to say.
So I proceeded to leave a comment on her clever post,
But much to my surprise I had to type a word to prove that I was . . .
Human?
Well, croxisma and ochipent do they think that I’m a ghost?

It was a crazy comleac, but I figured I’d consent
To type a porkenry racra word and my opinion represent.
So, I tried wingsto and cattedi, I even tried splogdew,
But the words I typed would not prove that I was . . .
Human?
Well, ofunble and indedfor it would not let me through!

I really liked the post she wrote so I said a little prayer
That the imaritic and nalteria would finally get me there.
I typed slowly and deliberately that I might prove authentically
Despite the siturn mobefi, indeed I am a . . .
Human!
The word that let my comment post, “Sally.”

Day Twenty-eight "A Tribute to Casey"

A Tribute to Casey

I have this friend; we’ll call him Casey to protect the innocent
The other day he came to me and said, “Dear Amber, I must repent.
For I have been telling everyone that I am really cool.
I have been saying people have said that I totally rule.
But these things are so not true.
And lying kind of makes me feel blue.”

I thought about the things he’d shared.
I had to act like at least I cared.
And then I offered this advice
Hoping that it would suffice.
“Dear Casey, take a chill pill friend. You’re only kind of smart
But kind of is good enough. Well, at least it is a start.”

Day Twenty-seven "Miss Flopsterkins Canary"

Miss Flopsterkins Canary

Hinklemerry Dewberry confiscated a singing canary
From Miss Flopsterkins on a summers day.
He said that singing feathered fowl made too much noise and how
It was against the law to let such a sound display.

Miss Flopsterkins was quite put out
Her bird was such a pretty thing
And all the townspeople gathered round
When her dear bird did sing.

She cried aloud around the town in hopes her howling would be heard
But not a soul came to her aid for almost all were sleeping
Hinklemerry was awake and heard her sorrowed, saddened sigh
And in his heart he knew the law was not worth her weeping.

For Hinklemerry was in love with that mild mademoiselle
So, he took his quill in hand and changed that law that such sound be not banned
Then he returned that precious canary to that pretty gal and told her of his deed
And gracious Miss Flopsterkins said she did understand

Now as the town folk gather round to hear a lovely song
Hinklemerry Dewberry looked across at his elegant enchantress
He said I do, and she did too
And then the preacher of course their love did bless.

Day Twenty-six "A Man of God"

A Man of God

For a man who follows God
may all blessings be bestowed
For faith and hope and action
lead to love of God and all mankind.

The heart can only gather
what its given selflessly
and for such a man all praise would go
but he gives it to his maker.

The soul of such the pure in heart
will have eternal reward
for his is the gift of lasting life
as he has taught us with conviction to follow God.

Day Twenty-five "Take the Risk"

Take the Risk

Do something more.
Move ahead.
Take some risks, my mother said.
So, I did.

At first things went quite swimmingly.
Failure was foreign to me.
Taking risks made me feel free.
It did not last.

As I persisted on my way,
failure came and seemed to stay,
and it got harder day by day.
I wanted to give up.

But with each failure I learned better for my next deed.
The risk was worth the lessons of which I was in need.
So failure, correction, failure, correction is how one can succeed.
And, I do.

Day Twenty-four "Obtain"

Obtain

Isn't the cry of every human soul, to be delivered?
Are we not all in bondage and crying for relief?
Do we not all want freedom?

Then how to obtain deliverance, relief, freedom?

One step at a time.
One day at a time.
Moment by moment, with maybe only the slightest glimpse of what our next move should be.
We must answer the quiet nudging of the Spirit which directs us down unknown paths.
We must go and do, knowing that if we use the good we have learned, we will obtain.

Day Twenty-three "What the Future Holds"

What the Future Holds

Mark you my friend how days gone on the sun has passed them by its way.
Oh memories of days of yore, have longing left for sunshine’s warming ray.
Where is the laughter that I loved in my days of youth?
Yearning for a better time
Oh yes when I was living in my prime
How I want my childhood back, because it dearly holds my happiness in truth

What of today I gaze about and see the past is past
And as I make my memories new I wonder why must it go along so fast
Will time ever slow and me allow to live and love and be content?
Though everything is always changing the joy can stay the same
I suppose there is no shame
To be in the here and now and present

Yesterday has come and gone; today is drawing to an end
I wonder if my yesteryear's have been worthwhile because they're gone and what tomorrow holds is hard to comprehend
Shall I take my experience and wallow in what was, for fear of not knowing?
No, I will glean from old lang syne the pleasures I have had
Look up ahead and understand there is hope and faith and reason to be glad
For the future holds everything

Day Twenty-two "Succumb"

I'm glad I have written plenty of poetry in the past so on days like today when I just can't get the words to flow or I don't have the time, I still have a poem to share. On days like today having a pool to draw from is needed muchly. I hope you enjoy.

Succumb

Speaking in a cradled tone
Listen to the message clear
Moving forward with my options
Muted connections disappear

Retrieving the old lost written letters
I begin to understand
The more communications hindered
The more the end is close at hand

Frantically I dial the number
One hope gone, new hope to find
The services I try to offer
Speak volumes to my inner mind

But as I note the date and hour
I log the options I have lost
Redialing won't allow me back
And so I have to count the cost

It's time to change my old direction
Switch my settings to things to come
Display the strength that's learned from stretching
And to my new found spirit succumb.

Day Twenty-one "You Are My Joy"

You Are My Joy

In the morning I turn to see your beauty and as you smile butterflies flutter around in my chest and I think, “You are my joy.”

When we walk down a path I take your hand in mine and your touch sends warmth through all of me and I think, “You are my joy.”

We float across the ballroom floor and with you near I smell your sweet scent; my senses find delight and I think, “You are my joy.”

I pass by you in the hall as you hum a charming melody and as my ears are filled with the soft alluring tones I think, “You are my joy.”

As I lay down my head at the end of the day and reflect on the blessing you are to me, I turn to you once more and I think, “You are my joy.”

Day Twenty "Finals Survival"

Written for a phenomenal friend, Thanks J!

Finals Survival

It's finals week and finally I feel like I will die.
I wonder if after I'm gone people will hem, haw and sigh.
But as I ponder my eyes wander round, in the corner a package doth lie.
And I see the contents inside are things on which I can rely

There is food for my belly and drink for my thirst.
There's a stress reliever that my emotions don't burst.
There are socks in which feet can be immersed.
And suddenly I don't feel so cursed.

This finals thing is really a dread.
With all of this knowledge jumbled inside my head.
But this package of goodies has light on me shed.
Though I am tired, this gift from a friend has me thinking how cool I am instead.

Day Nineteen "Doughnuts"

I came home from work today and Debbie kept asking me what I was having for dinner and when I was going to eat. I was really busy with making her bridal shower invitations so I just kept putting it off. Finally she said "I'm so impatient, I just want you to come open the microwave because I left a surprise for you inside of it." I was a poem! So alas, today you will not be hearing my voice, but hers.

Doughnuts
By Debbie

Amber loves to eat doughnuts,
but she cannot eat wheat.

She opens a brand new package
and onto the plate it clinks!

I think to myself, that cannot be good.
What flour could they have used?

When into the microwave it goes,
and to myself I mused . . .

Frozen, clinking, gluten free doughnuts
leave a tantalizing aroma
as I now clean the microwave.

Day Eighteen "Peace and Love"

Peace and Love

I feel good just being here
sitting next to you in this place
where hope and love abound.

When truth is taught,
power flows into my soul,
and when I look at you I know you feel it too.

We get to choose our actions and emotions,
and when this peace is prevailing
I choose to do good to you.

So I will take with me these feelings
and my love for you.
Then, charity will flourish and together we'll reach higher ground.

Day Seventeen "Magic"

I'm cheating yet again. This time because I really messed up the rhyme scheme on the poem I was writing and my eyes are going a little computer crazy at this point so enjoy this poem I wrote in 2008. :)

Magic

A magician's act is not to write but a writer truly can conceive of sorcery and hocus pocus as the words created in his head travel down from hand to quill and quill to parchment with certain force and sleight of hand the writer's will becomes the magician's.

So the writer creates illusion through thought and mystical belief while the magician entertains the eye with showmanship and trickery both transforming our sensations evoking inimitable ideas and emotions.

A cheap little trick you can put in your bag of tricks is to learn how people feel conjuring with your savvy art the way into a person's soul so as to transform fantasy into knowledge.

Then the production will come forth, and exhibition that will flatter the mind, but reality is certain to remain and misinterpretation will vanish because abracadabra fills the senses but truth enlightens the soul.

Day Sixteen "Hit It"

Hit It

It beeps all the time.
How can I quiet the thing?
Stupid alarm clock!

Day Fifteen "The Fall"

The Fall

I am fast falling down the way
I try to stay
But I fall fast
And then at last

I land and take a look around
See what I found
A stunning place
I love this space

I’d like to live here I suppose
But the cock crows
And up I fall
Dream ends, that’s all

Day Fourteen "Heartache"

I'm cheating again. I also wrote this poem a few years ago.

Heartache

It aches.
There is an emptiness that cannot be filled because it cannot be found.
The pressure, the stress, frustration and strain engulf the whole of it.
Relief has long since been a hope.
Tired and forsaken, abandonment is the only key.
But, how can I abandon what is not there?

Day Thirteen "Playbill"

I'm cheating again. I actually wrote this poem a few years ago. I even submitted it to a contest. I didn't win anything, but I think it's pretty great.

Playbill

Peace and passion sound in style
Myth and mystery coincide
Enjoy this epic for a while
Fore death and drama are applied

The content constantly consuming
The scenery serenely set
Light and love are often looming
Fame and fashion don’t forget

We act and are oft acted on
Teaching technique learning art
The songs we write the cast is chosen
Our backgrounds known let’s do our part

This living legend of a life
Is real and ready to reveal
The singing staged and structured strife
The haughty henchman’s heavy heel

It’s simple in a pre-set venue
To know and feel and understand
This publication must continue
We can direct we can command

A new collector’s compilation
Though gifted it’s a grueling task
There’s failure and there’s frustration
But in bright beauty sometimes bask

So break a leg and stage a farce
Improvise and entertain
Performance of high class is sparse
Put on a show and there remain

Day Twelve "My Closet"

My Closet

It's where I go to pray this place
I ask for love and health and grace
I ponder and seek guidance clear
That I may finish this great race

The Spirit draws unto me near
The feelings inside are so dear
The warmth of his presence I embrace
And I know my good Lord doth hear

Day Eleven "To Err is Human, But I am a Captain"

To Err is Human, But I am a Captain

Beauty is in the beholders eye
And man cannot breathe without air
So I find my theory holey
That upon the highest seas
Pirates are taken for dollars and cents
Where X marks the spot on the site

Were it not for someone other than I
This conjecture is sure to err
And the ideas would wither and fail wholly
But thievery with direction leaves quite the prize to seize
And behind are left sweet scents
As the captains words I cite

I speak aye aye
And am certain, I'm soon to be the heir
For such a call in truth is holy
And every person sees
And every man can sense
It is beauty to their sight

Day Ten "Forbidden Fruit"

Forbidden Fruit

I ate an apple Friday; the doctor stayed away.
I ate an apple Saturday; the doctor stayed away.
I ate an apple Sunday; then at church I heard,
about a certain piece of fruit and circumstance it spurred.
Now in my head and in my heart, I think I understand,
that eating of that piece of fruit was previously planned.
But, it brought death and sorrow upon all humankind,
and now to eat an apple I'm not sure I'm so inclined.
If this food brings me death, will it keep the doc away?
Well, I will go without a week and see if I'm okay.
I did not eat one Monday; the doctor stayed away.
I did not eat one Tuesday; the doctor stayed away.
I did not eat one Wednesday; the doctor stayed away.
So I feel I am doing fine, what holds in store on Thursday?
I did not eat an apple, but I tried a lovely pear.
Who knew I was allergic? Now, I am aware!
I saw that blasted doctor and to my face he said,
"Pears are not for you, I suggest apples instead."

Day Nine "This is How I Define Love"

This is How I Define Love

I thought about you today and my heart sang.
My memory took me to a time when I did not fear.
I could tell you anything.
You did not judge me.
You did not make me feel inferior.
You laughed when I was silly.
You cried when I was sad.
You believed in me, even when I could not believe in myself.
To you, I could do no wrong.
You loved me in spite of, and sometimes because of my imperfections.
You are my best friend, and that is the best kind of beauty this world has to offer.

Day Eight "How to Kiss A Frog"

I chose today's topic from a website that offered prompts for creative writing. So, while the idea did not come from the recent Disney movie, The Princess and The Frog, I will put in a plug for it because I thought it was FANTASTIC!

How to Kiss A Frog

What a slimy mess he is,
but could he be a prince?
I would like to know;
however, my lips are very tense.

To touch my mouth to such a creature
does not sound too fun.
'Cause mucus is not charming
and is easily outdone.

Shall I risk the nasty warts
that true love might be found?
I could lean in and pucker up
and make that kissing sound.

I'll do it, I've decided,
because knowing is a must.
He could be handsome, or kind of cute?
Or, could this be a bust?

I close my eyes and bring him close.
He croaks and I'm surprised.
I quickly do the deed,
then realize I've been ill advised.

He's still a green and slimy fellow,
and now my lips are sticky.
So my advice to all young girls,
kissing frogs is very icky!

Day Seven "My Path"

I'm kind of cheating a little bit today. I have been sick (I even stayed home from work) so I haven't written a poem. It takes too much brain power for a tired body. Luckily I wrote a poem just a few days before April so I'm going to share it for today. I guess it doesn't really qualify because I didn't write it today, but it will have to suffice.

My Path

To walk the path unseen unknown
to most must seem absurd
but how to find the faith required
and so obtain the word
I'm called upon to take the way
the pain and toil I bear
but peace and hope are interspersed
and I am made aware
The road that I am taking now
is building up my soul
and though this world my heart will break
my God will make me whole

Day Six "Timeworn"

Timeworn

The large arched doorway, with nearly no support
Stood gallant in its sorry state
The ravages of time, though decaying, created an almost beauty
The open cracks gave way to light entering from the court

From the door to the majestic staircase there seemed to wait
A quiet and sad stillness
For years the grand entry was untouched
But the peeling paint and debris upon the floor could not desecrate

Kings and nobles had walked these halls and did bless
Many a soul who were found in their presence
No, the destruction wrought by forgetfulness and age
Would not destroy such grace, nor could it distress

Day Five "Nap"

The past few days ideas have just flowed and coming up with a poem has not been hard. Not so today. I spent way to much time coming up with this and it still doesn't have a title:

Brotherhood
Jovial kinship
In him there is safety and support
The most powerful ally
The most trusted friend
My brother

Then, my dear friend, Jared, sent me a text photo of him taking a Sunday afternoon snooze with his beautiful nephew, Derek. With his permission I have posted it and here is the poem it inspired:

Nap

Quiet, Precious, Still
The most peaceful moment in life
To hold a child against your breast
To smell their sweet fragrance
To watch them sleep
Then slip into slumber yourself

Day Four "Disconnect"

Disconnect

Things seem so well planned
But something does not click
I do not understand
The two are very thick
That should do the trick
Things seem so well planned
But they give to kick
Again, again against the prick
I do not understand
It would be fantastic
I guess it is ironic
Things seem so well planned
It was not quick
So it should stick
I do not understand
Though it should be harmonic
It is nearly catatonic
Things seem so well planned
I do not understand

Day Three "All Here"

All Here

Five toes upon his foot he counted
the right one not the left.
Then five upon his right he counted
of none he was bereft.

Five fingers on his hand he counted
the left one not the right.
Then five upon his right he counted
all ten were in his sight.

Two arms, two hands, two legs two feet,
two ears, two eyes, a nose;
and out of that one mouth he said,
"I'm perfect, I suppose!"

Day Two "Beautiful Words"

Beautiful Words

I was thinking of beautiful words today
A number came to mind
My favorite ones seemed to portray
Both light and love in kind

Ethereal, the heavenly, celestial joy entwined
Cherish, to hold dear to me and keep within my heart
Resplendent, shining radiant full luster so enshrined
Devotion, oh what loyalty and charity impart

Epiphany, illuminates and understanding start
Incandescent, brilliantly expressed and true
But all these words though beautiful one stood apart
The most beautiful word I found my dear, was the word, you

Day One "I Do Not Want To"

April is National Poetry Month and Poet's Market sent me an email this morning advertising an April PAD (Poem A Day) Challenge. Though I have decided not to participate in the one they were advertising I thought it would be fun to still take this challenge on my own. So, here it goes:

I Do Not Want To

I must have been a fool to think that I could get it done
The time it takes is far too much and I am on the run
Another time another day when easy it may be
But not this time and not this day it’s just too hard you see
The strain upon my back is not worth the slim reward
And walking round the stupid thing my feet cannot afford
It happens everyday, this mess; its pieces are wide spread
And I’m a bum so just this once, I will not make my bed!

Hair Ties and Branch Presidents

I am an ordinance worker at the Provo Temple on Tuesday nights, and I love it! I love it for a good number of reasons. One is that I get to work on the same shift as my friend Coral and she is amazing, and funny, and beautiful! Another is that I love seeing all of the people who come to the temple. It is pretty amazing the amount of work that gets done in Provo. We are definitely a temple conscious people. One more reason is that I often run into people I know. This past Tuesday that exact thing happened and it was so great I decided it deserved a blog post.

I was downstairs in the temple, just before my shift, and my hair was driving me crazy. I really wanted to pull it up, but I didn't have a hair tie, so I went looking for one. They always have some in the baptistry so the girls can pull back their hair if they so desire so that is the place I went. I don't actually ever go their on my shift so I don't really know any of the workers who are there on Tuesday nights, or at least I didn't think I did. Well, I walked past a familiar looking gentleman on my way in and between my seeing him at first and me finding myself on my way out I realized that he looked familiar because I DID actually know him. It was my branch president from the MTC! I approached him and told him I remembered him and we chatted for just a few minutes and my little brain and heart were very happy to have seen a familiar and friendly face.

Then, yesterday I was at work and I got a phone call from this gentleman. He told me that he had gone home and told his wife that he had seen me at the temple so they pulled out their memorablia from when he was branch president and found a picture of my MTC district with the branch presidency from 2003. Then we just reminisced about the missionaries in my district and how our missions progressed after the MTC. He asked me a few questions about what I was doing now and we talked a little bit about our work in the temple. He mentioned how he enjoys working in the baptistry because many times the youth who come are coming for the first time and he gets to make a big deal out of them and the experience and help them to feel special. As I thought about him sharing his opportunities to "make a big deal" out of someone, I realized he really is the kind of man who does that for everyone. Those are the kind of people who amaze me! This man took the time to go home and talk to his wife about me. Then he took the time to call me and talk about experiences in the MTC and find out about my life now. This is the kind of person who I want to emmulate. Thanks President Woods for reminding me that simple acts of remembering someone or taking the time to let someone know you care can make a world of difference and it's something that I can do too!