heather and i didn't even see each other this morning...
but somehow we both ended up wearing pretty much the same outfit.
weird.
see?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
i finally found the words: the st. helena branch
i have been searching for years for words to describe the st. helena branch to my friends. i haven't been able to find them until today.
for those of you who don't understand the basic set up of the church of jesus christ of later-day saints, each meeting house where we attend church services is split up geographically. where i live in calistoga, my family and i happen to attend a "branch," or a very small meeting house for smaller groups of people. there are also wards, which are the larger groups that meet, with sometimes over 500 people. but a branch is where i grew up, going to church with about 50 or 60 people each sunday.
at byu, people are often shocked to hear that i didn't go to a ward. almost everyone here met in a ward growing up, and they always want to know what it was like to grow up in such a tiny branch.
many words come to mind:
and that's what i could think of. i could think of thousands of stories to tell people, some of them happy, some of them hilarious, some of them spiritual, some of them tear jerkers.
all of the stories are great, but even through those experiences, i have never quite been able to get across the point that the branch is the best place in the world. it really is. i've been in wards before, and don't get me wrong, they have all been fantastic (i really have loved my wards!), but the branch has a very special place in my heart.
today in my foundations of education class (with the crazy professor, remember? it's #4 if you feel so inclined to look at the post), we were privileged enough to hear the conversion stories of dr mayes and a girl in our class, jamie. ("conversion stories" is mormon lingo for the story of how a person was converted to the gospel of the lds church.)
while jamie was talking, she told us all about the branch she was a part of in upstate new york. she said something to the effect, "i think that the celestial kingdom will be like my branch."
it made me stop. it made me think. and then came the tears (tenderheart...). she is so right. my branch is exactly how i picture the celestial kingdom. not the hijinks and the entertaining moments (though i think that things will definitely still be funny in heaven...), but the close-knit nature of all of our relationships and the deep love that we have for one another.
let me explain a little bit. take a group of 50 people. they meet together every sunday for 20 years. they share their joys and their sorrows. they become your family. everyone in this family is vastly different, with a wide range of backgrounds, a variety of lifestyles, and many different senses of humor. but you love everyone for their differences, as well as the similarities - the main one being the shared love of the gospel and for our father in heaven and his son jesus christ. going to church on sunday feels like a family reunion. it's where all the people you love are. it's where you go to grow closer to your heavenly father and your savior, and to do that with your whole family? it's indescribable.
i think that we have this idea that only a certain type of person can get into the celestial kingdom. but why would we think that? we are all so different, and that's what's beautiful about us! god does not make mistakes - and he made us all different on purpose, so that we can learn from and grow with each other. i think that is what will make the celestial kingdom such an amazing place. we will have learned how to live with and appreciate and truly love each other's differences.
it is going to be one big patchwork quilt of humanity.
just like the branch. on a larger scale.
so now do you understand a little bit of just why i love the branch so much? i love it for the family and the home that it is. i love that i grew up there and that i was able to grow up with isabel, olivia, and cammie, that i had the chance to perform in the primary production of "goldilocks and the three bears," that i was able to be in the young women's program with my mom as my teacher and that we could heart attack people on valentine's day, that i had seminary in sister kenworthy's living room and painted scenes from the old and new testament every friday morning, that i was able to go to hoedowns at the garate's and pioneer day activities with donna morgan's biscuits and chili, that i was there for all of the baptisms of the little children, that i got to listen to brother malin give his famous "jumping mouse" talk, that i was able see the flowers that sister cross brought to church every sunday, that i was present for the telling of the "hoo hoo" story (michelle and sebastian :) ), and that i was a part of it all. i wasn't just someone sitting on the sidelines watching this big family. i was an active part of it.
i am so glad that i finally have the words to describe the st. helena branch. thank you, jamie, and thank you, dr mayes, for telling me your stories and helping me to say what i've been wanting to say for all these years.
this is me, sending all my love to my family back home at the branch.
love,
sydney
for those of you who don't understand the basic set up of the church of jesus christ of later-day saints, each meeting house where we attend church services is split up geographically. where i live in calistoga, my family and i happen to attend a "branch," or a very small meeting house for smaller groups of people. there are also wards, which are the larger groups that meet, with sometimes over 500 people. but a branch is where i grew up, going to church with about 50 or 60 people each sunday.
at byu, people are often shocked to hear that i didn't go to a ward. almost everyone here met in a ward growing up, and they always want to know what it was like to grow up in such a tiny branch.
many words come to mind:
intereseting
different
entertaining. highly entertaining.
small
cozy
family
love
home
different
entertaining. highly entertaining.
small
cozy
family
love
home
and that's what i could think of. i could think of thousands of stories to tell people, some of them happy, some of them hilarious, some of them spiritual, some of them tear jerkers.
all of the stories are great, but even through those experiences, i have never quite been able to get across the point that the branch is the best place in the world. it really is. i've been in wards before, and don't get me wrong, they have all been fantastic (i really have loved my wards!), but the branch has a very special place in my heart.
today in my foundations of education class (with the crazy professor, remember? it's #4 if you feel so inclined to look at the post), we were privileged enough to hear the conversion stories of dr mayes and a girl in our class, jamie. ("conversion stories" is mormon lingo for the story of how a person was converted to the gospel of the lds church.)
while jamie was talking, she told us all about the branch she was a part of in upstate new york. she said something to the effect, "i think that the celestial kingdom will be like my branch."
it made me stop. it made me think. and then came the tears (tenderheart...). she is so right. my branch is exactly how i picture the celestial kingdom. not the hijinks and the entertaining moments (though i think that things will definitely still be funny in heaven...), but the close-knit nature of all of our relationships and the deep love that we have for one another.
let me explain a little bit. take a group of 50 people. they meet together every sunday for 20 years. they share their joys and their sorrows. they become your family. everyone in this family is vastly different, with a wide range of backgrounds, a variety of lifestyles, and many different senses of humor. but you love everyone for their differences, as well as the similarities - the main one being the shared love of the gospel and for our father in heaven and his son jesus christ. going to church on sunday feels like a family reunion. it's where all the people you love are. it's where you go to grow closer to your heavenly father and your savior, and to do that with your whole family? it's indescribable.
i think that we have this idea that only a certain type of person can get into the celestial kingdom. but why would we think that? we are all so different, and that's what's beautiful about us! god does not make mistakes - and he made us all different on purpose, so that we can learn from and grow with each other. i think that is what will make the celestial kingdom such an amazing place. we will have learned how to live with and appreciate and truly love each other's differences.
it is going to be one big patchwork quilt of humanity.
just like the branch. on a larger scale.
so now do you understand a little bit of just why i love the branch so much? i love it for the family and the home that it is. i love that i grew up there and that i was able to grow up with isabel, olivia, and cammie, that i had the chance to perform in the primary production of "goldilocks and the three bears," that i was able to be in the young women's program with my mom as my teacher and that we could heart attack people on valentine's day, that i had seminary in sister kenworthy's living room and painted scenes from the old and new testament every friday morning, that i was able to go to hoedowns at the garate's and pioneer day activities with donna morgan's biscuits and chili, that i was there for all of the baptisms of the little children, that i got to listen to brother malin give his famous "jumping mouse" talk, that i was able see the flowers that sister cross brought to church every sunday, that i was present for the telling of the "hoo hoo" story (michelle and sebastian :) ), and that i was a part of it all. i wasn't just someone sitting on the sidelines watching this big family. i was an active part of it.
i am so glad that i finally have the words to describe the st. helena branch. thank you, jamie, and thank you, dr mayes, for telling me your stories and helping me to say what i've been wanting to say for all these years.
this is me, sending all my love to my family back home at the branch.
love,
sydney
 |
| isabel, me, cammie |
 |
| goldilocks and the three bears. i was mama bear, cammie was goldilocks. |
 |
| sorry these are so small... i don't really know why. |
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| ninja of love in safeway. |
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| the girls watching persuasion. |
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| seminary at buttercream bakery in napa. |
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| beirut concert |
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| the little ones carrying on the tradition of the heart attacking |
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| happy birthday, corky ♡ |
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| the morgan girls and i this past summer |
i am pleased to announce
i have mastered the art of roasting marshmallows over the electric stove.
see?
okay, so this one is not the best looking one i've ever roasted. but you get the idea.
OTHER THING TO ANNOUNCE
i have discovered how to put music on my blog. so just so you all know...
there will be music playing now!
OTHER THING TO ANNOUNCE
i have discovered how to put music on my blog. so just so you all know...
there will be music playing now!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
i gave my cookie to a homeless woman and steph gave her a buck
saturday was just a good day in general. all around. wonderful.
so saturday morning, i slept in a little, got up, did some homework, and showered.
then we went to lunch at tucano's. haven't heard of tucano's? it's basically a brazilian steakhouse. there is an endless salad bar, and all the waiters walk around with mass amounts of meat on skewers. they ask if you want some, and they'll just plop some on your plate. it's wonderful.
my three favorite parts were the grilled pineapple, the fried bananas (who knew? i don't like plain bananas, but i'll eat them fried!), and the fact that karen's parents paid for the whole thing for her birthday!! whoo! the five of us, and karen's brother robbie, and his wife cammie all got free lunch at one of the best restaurants in provo :)
then, steph and i decided we wanted to go to h&m in salt lake (ok, it's not really salt lake, but it's somewhere around there...). so we went. it was wonderful and i got myself a light coat. it's great and comfy and i like the color and i like that i can layer sweaters underneath it or wear it just plain...ok enough about my wonderful coat.
then we went to a couple other places so steph could look for longer length dresses and skirts because she's going to jerusalem this summer!!
when we were done with that, we went to paradise bakery to get cookies. it was a very smart move on our part, because those cookies were DANG good. we each got two cookies. steph got a ginger molasses and a chocolate chip. i got a sugar cookie and a chocolate chip. we each ate one in the bakery and then saved the other for on the way home.
on the way home, i was driving because steph was having coughing attacks and she didn't want to crash and die. i didn't really want to either. ha. anyway, so we pulled up to the stoplight before the freeway entrance. steph had already eaten her second cookie, and i was just reaching my hand into my bag when i looked up and saw a homeless woman on the side of the road.
steph said she watched the whole thing play across my face. the realization that i had to give up my cookie. the realization that i was giving away my COOKIE. but i really wanted my cookie. but she needed it more. but it was my COOKIE. let me tell you, it was one big internal struggle.
in the end, i gave her my chocolate chip cookie and steph gave her a buck. i don't know if she found shelter for the night, or got enough money to buy dinner or something, but at least she had my cookie. because we all know cookies are the best way to show someone you care :)
then because we were all so tired we decided to go to bed somewhat early-ish, but i ended up watching "that thing you do!" on netflix while i was snuggled in my bed. it was a good movie, and i was very warm and comfy.
and then i went to bed right after heather got home. i was mostly asleep so i didn't really understand what she was saying about her date, but she had a good time. and then i fell asleep.
it was a very nice day.
so saturday morning, i slept in a little, got up, did some homework, and showered.
then we went to lunch at tucano's. haven't heard of tucano's? it's basically a brazilian steakhouse. there is an endless salad bar, and all the waiters walk around with mass amounts of meat on skewers. they ask if you want some, and they'll just plop some on your plate. it's wonderful.
my three favorite parts were the grilled pineapple, the fried bananas (who knew? i don't like plain bananas, but i'll eat them fried!), and the fact that karen's parents paid for the whole thing for her birthday!! whoo! the five of us, and karen's brother robbie, and his wife cammie all got free lunch at one of the best restaurants in provo :)
then, steph and i decided we wanted to go to h&m in salt lake (ok, it's not really salt lake, but it's somewhere around there...). so we went. it was wonderful and i got myself a light coat. it's great and comfy and i like the color and i like that i can layer sweaters underneath it or wear it just plain...ok enough about my wonderful coat.
then we went to a couple other places so steph could look for longer length dresses and skirts because she's going to jerusalem this summer!!
when we were done with that, we went to paradise bakery to get cookies. it was a very smart move on our part, because those cookies were DANG good. we each got two cookies. steph got a ginger molasses and a chocolate chip. i got a sugar cookie and a chocolate chip. we each ate one in the bakery and then saved the other for on the way home.
on the way home, i was driving because steph was having coughing attacks and she didn't want to crash and die. i didn't really want to either. ha. anyway, so we pulled up to the stoplight before the freeway entrance. steph had already eaten her second cookie, and i was just reaching my hand into my bag when i looked up and saw a homeless woman on the side of the road.
steph said she watched the whole thing play across my face. the realization that i had to give up my cookie. the realization that i was giving away my COOKIE. but i really wanted my cookie. but she needed it more. but it was my COOKIE. let me tell you, it was one big internal struggle.
in the end, i gave her my chocolate chip cookie and steph gave her a buck. i don't know if she found shelter for the night, or got enough money to buy dinner or something, but at least she had my cookie. because we all know cookies are the best way to show someone you care :)
then because we were all so tired we decided to go to bed somewhat early-ish, but i ended up watching "that thing you do!" on netflix while i was snuggled in my bed. it was a good movie, and i was very warm and comfy.
and then i went to bed right after heather got home. i was mostly asleep so i didn't really understand what she was saying about her date, but she had a good time. and then i fell asleep.
it was a very nice day.
POST OF EXCITEMENT
OK EVERYONE.
here's the thing.
i went bowling friday night and i got my first strike ever *without bumpers.* i am so excited. i then proceeded to get three more, and one was even with my opposite hand. wahoo!!
here are some photos of the evening.
here's the thing.
i went bowling friday night and i got my first strike ever *without bumpers.* i am so excited. i then proceeded to get three more, and one was even with my opposite hand. wahoo!!
here are some photos of the evening.
 |
| tom, me, and tommy. yes they are friends, and their names are tom and tommy. hahaha. |
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| i'm mario. look at frame SIX. also i got a strike in frame one, but it only counted as a spare. pshh. |
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| no one wanted to cooperate for photos so i made a face. |
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| cutest roomies evah. |
Saturday, February 4, 2012
fruit tarts
yesterday was great. sundays are golden. here's why:
1. sleeping in
i don't have church until 1 pm. that means we get to sleep in a little bit, eat a real breakfast, take our time getting ready, and do some reading before church starts. i love it.
2. dinner with my aunt maryn
yes. love these days. we went to chili's for dinner and i ate as much of my food as i could and i was a happy girl. i brought home all my leftovers and i can't wait to eat them when i get home.
3. fruit tart
my aunt maryn is a wonderful person. because i got accepted to go to paris, she got me a HUGE fruit tart to celebrate! it was delicious. we pretty much ate the whole thing yesterday. she also got me a travel guide book to paris, and i have been looking at it non-stop. it's wonderful.
4. pillow talk
one of the things i am going to miss the most this coming summer and fall is pillow talk with heather. i know, i know. we're such girls. but we're such good friends. we talk about anything and everything. sometimes we are ready for bed by 10 pm (cause we're old women), but actually don't fall asleep until like 2...oops.
5. the rain
the rain does interesting things to my hair, but i really do like it. it reminds me of winter at home. it just doesn't make sense in my head that when it is sunny, it's freezing cold. it works better when it is cold and grey and rainy. that makes sense.
6. ice cream
tonight i tried to make a shake. it didn't work out quite as well as i had hoped...but it was still good. i sure do love ice cream.
7. flashcards
i have this application on my computer called iflash where i can make flashcards quickly and easily. i love using it, especially for my french vocabulary. i've been using it today for physical science, since i have a vocab test tomorrow. excellent.
**so i just found that i never posted this. whoopsie :) well, here it is! (none of these things happened this week, by the way. it's all from last week haha.)
1. sleeping in
i don't have church until 1 pm. that means we get to sleep in a little bit, eat a real breakfast, take our time getting ready, and do some reading before church starts. i love it.
2. dinner with my aunt maryn
yes. love these days. we went to chili's for dinner and i ate as much of my food as i could and i was a happy girl. i brought home all my leftovers and i can't wait to eat them when i get home.
3. fruit tart
my aunt maryn is a wonderful person. because i got accepted to go to paris, she got me a HUGE fruit tart to celebrate! it was delicious. we pretty much ate the whole thing yesterday. she also got me a travel guide book to paris, and i have been looking at it non-stop. it's wonderful.
4. pillow talk
one of the things i am going to miss the most this coming summer and fall is pillow talk with heather. i know, i know. we're such girls. but we're such good friends. we talk about anything and everything. sometimes we are ready for bed by 10 pm (cause we're old women), but actually don't fall asleep until like 2...oops.
5. the rain
the rain does interesting things to my hair, but i really do like it. it reminds me of winter at home. it just doesn't make sense in my head that when it is sunny, it's freezing cold. it works better when it is cold and grey and rainy. that makes sense.
6. ice cream
tonight i tried to make a shake. it didn't work out quite as well as i had hoped...but it was still good. i sure do love ice cream.
7. flashcards
i have this application on my computer called iflash where i can make flashcards quickly and easily. i love using it, especially for my french vocabulary. i've been using it today for physical science, since i have a vocab test tomorrow. excellent.
**so i just found that i never posted this. whoopsie :) well, here it is! (none of these things happened this week, by the way. it's all from last week haha.)
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| behold the beauty. |
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| yes, i did eat a piece this big. don't judge. |
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