$250

So at the BYU-Utah game (which, I might add, BYU won), I found a gift certificate under my seat for $250 off of a minimum $1000 purchase from Sierra-West Jewelers. I have been trying to figure out what I want to do with it. Some of my options are:

1. Find someone I can get engaged to in a hurry;

2. Buy a ring now for the future;

3. Buy a diamond now to be fitted for a ring in the future;

4. Try to sell the certificate somehow.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Basic History Classes

I am sick and tired of basic history classes. I have not yet (and considering the amount of time left in the semester, this means 'will not') bought the textbook for my American History class; I routinely skip it; I don't study for it. I got an A on the test and wrote an "excellent essay (the only comment on my essay)."

In my World history class, my teacher gave me an A- on my book dissection just to be mean and nasty and in order to keep me coming to class, since she takes roll (which I think is stupid. After all, this is college). The only way for me to have made that essay better would have been to actually read the book and not write the essay the night before it was due, and those suggestions seem ludicrous to me. Who does she think I am?

I think that the History Department needs to have some kind of test-out exam, or offer an accelerated class where you can take both classes at once. After I finish my classes, I am going to go complain to the department; that way it will be clear that I am doing it because I think the department will be better for it and not just to demonstrate what a super genius I am (there was never any DOUBT of that).

In other news- Mommy said that I was accepted for the French Huguenot Scholarship, which is nice, since I am following in such massive footsteps.

Die Zauberflöte

I have been listening to Die Zauberflote this week. I really like it, especially Papageno's parts; one of the few examples of really good baritone parts. It made me remember the time Crystal and I went with a group in High School and we saw it performed. I remember enjoying it, but I don't know if I really appreciated it the way I do now. I was discussing music with my freshman students, and many of them had never even HEARD of The Magic Flute, and those who had hadn't seen the opera. I hadn't really considered how lucky I was to have had the opportunity to see it. I feel the need to thank Mr. Wills for arranging the trip and for encouraging me to go. I would love to go see it again-- perhaps I will go after I learn German. :)

More Pictures...

Halloween Pictures!

So, I have no pictures of my own extremely cute little chiddlers to put up, so I'll put up pictures of me...

German and Thiemann

I decided that I want to take German. Why, you ask? Well, in all actuality, I don't have a really pithy explanation. I like German. I think it's a very interesting language, and I think it would lend itself to some of the classes I am planning on taking.

I am somewhat worried that I will just sign up for it and then not be committed enough to follow through. How can I assure that I really do want to learn?

On a different note, I just found out that my MTC companion and good friend Marcus Thiemann is engaged. His birthday is tomorrow (he'll be 22), and so I am sure he'll be doing a lot of celebrating this week. He is a very good guy, and I'm happy for him. Makes me feel a bit old, though. :)

The Saga of the Stocking-- Dinner and Dumpster Diving

My mother is absolutely amazing. Not only is she extremely intelligent and kind, but she does lots of cool craftsy things. One of these is making stockings- she has made stockings for her children and grandkiddies, and spends lots of time making them beautiful. She sent up my niece Evangeline's stocking with my birthday gifts, asking me to take extra special care of it and give it to Crystal, my sister. I pulled my gifts out of the box, put the stocking back in the box, and placed the box carefully next to my presents. I then semi-forgot about it, secure in the knowledge that it was with my presents and therefore safe.

My birthday rolled around today, and I went to eat a sumptuous repast at my sister's house. My mother called me that morning and reminded me to deliver the stocking. My sister mentioned in the course of arranging rides to her house that my mother had called her and told her to remind me to bring the stocking. I smiled knowingly at my mother's overprotective worrying and nonchalantly went to where I had piled my presents. The box- and the envelope with the stocking- were gone. I felt a chill slide up my spine. A hole opened in the pit of my stomach, and the canaries in said crevice (if there were any) would no doubt have stopped their cheerful chirping.

I spent the next half an hour ransacking my apartment, interrogating my roommates, overturning couches, and weeping bitterly. I even went out to the dumpster, looking vainly to see if it had been just tossed out-- the dumpster was nearly filled to the brim, and I was once again overcome with horror. I was sick with fear and agony and despair and guilt. I fell facedown on the couch and was miserable. I was also, unfortunately, rather uptight with my roommates, who reacted kindly despite my powerful gloom. I went to my sister's house, where both she and my brother-in-law were kind and supportive, and my nieces were, as usual, insanely cute. Abigail in particular prevented me from remaining in a bad mood (hooray for neiphen. They are so cute and wonderful!) I returned home with a commitment to find the stocking no matter how hard or how long I had to look. Having exhausted the possibilities of my room and the apartment, I turned to the only place I could think of- the dumpster. Armed with a flashlight, I went out, and after stirring around for a bit, I summoned my courage and climbed in.

The smell was-- well, it was a dumpster, so it smelled like what you'd expect. After a few minutes, I had nothing to show for my efforts except sticky hands and the dry heaves. However, I must admit that it was, on some level, fun. I had never been dumpster diving before, and there was a degree of newness to it. Even with that, it was awful. It was gross, and sticky, and made me sick, and I was still filled with despair, because I knew that there was no reason for me to assume that I'd even find anything. I knew that I could go all through the dumpster and it still might not be there. This was almost enough to convince me to give up when I had gotten down to knee-deep in trash (I threw the bags out the side of the dumpster). However, I came to the commitment that if it wasn't there, I would know it, because I would be scraping the last bit of trash off the bottom of the dumpster if necessary.

I had hit bottom on the back half and was making my way down the left side of the front when I found the box.. I grabbed it with trembling hands and looked inside. there was the envelope. I let out a shout of joy and relief, and scrambled to the lip of the dumpster, still whooping- just in time to see a really confused pedestrian shoot me a very strange glance and hurry on his way. I didn't even care. I jumped out of the dumpster, dropped to my knees, and said a very sincere prayer of thanks. Then I jumped up and began tossing the trash back in, happily calling my mother and telling her what happened (she had called earlier and asked how my day had gone I had answered that it had been both good and bad, and that I would tell her why later. She remarked that it was good I hadn't told her, because she would have been stewing the whole time).

A number of things have occurred to me about this experience. First of all, I had a great birthday, with emotional lows and highs and ending on a great note. Second of all, I have a great story, and one I look forward to telling during Christmases to come ("Evie, you see your stocking right there? Well, your uncle Court loved you so much that he..."). On another level, I had a very spiritual experience through this search. Never in my life have I felt closer to how Joseph Smith must have felt after losing the 116 pages then when I could not find that stocking. I was racked with how much love was contained in the stocking, how hard my mother had worked, and how she had entrusted it to me, who had let her down with so many other things... and I had lost it again. I felt utterly miserable and heartbroken. I also felt a great outpouring of love, both from my sister and her family and from my cousins, who supported me even as I was in the dumpster and (except that they were in Sunday clothes) would have been in the dumpster with me. I had some of the most humble and heartfelt prayers that I have offered in quite some time. I also had my testimony strengthened that the Lord blesses us when we are willing to work. I know that I found the stocking both because the Lord blessed me and because I was in the dumpster searching for it. I learned the importance of perseverance and faith; it was hard to stay in the dumpster, but the payoff is enormous.

And, just as a note- it was NOT MY FAULT that the stocking was lost. I did not lose it this time. I didn't (as I secretly feared) put it away somewhere and forget it. Someone else did, in fact, take it from where I placed it and threw it away. In a strange way, it is nice to know.

New Collection

I have decided to start a collection- not of anything material, but rather of grammatical errors. Most of you have probably heard my favorites from my students so far, but here are some of the gems I've collected this semester as a T.A. for Philosophy 201:

"Prometheus, a ravaging young man..."

"In fact, it was emphallically important."

"This was explained by Zuno (Xeno) in praise of his master Pearindes (Parmenides) in order to fight against the disparage."

Please feel free to add.

Happy All Saint's Day- Blog Resolves.

I have decided to try to make at least a weekly post on my blog. It is my new goal to do so. I am now 22 years old, give or take (I am not quite sure how crossing the international date line works with days). It has been a good year in lots of ways. I am taking four history classes- my favorite class is World War Two, which has lead to an interesting development. I am signed up for History 202 next semester- I don't feel like I should have to take it, especially considering I tested out of it and how easily I understand 201, but thus is the History Department. So I am signed up to take it from my World War II professor, Aaron Skabelund, who I like a lot. I just got an email from him asking if I wanted to be his T.A.- for History 202 next semester. I wrote to him and explained the situation- I am hoping he'll let me take the final immediately, so I can ace it and be his T.A., because I'd really like to be.

I'm Goin' Noooooorth (he's still goin' North)

So, I bought my ticket today. I will be flying back to Salt Lake on the 27th (the day before school starts). I went online and had my ticket picked out as of Friday. Then, when I decided that I would not be able to drive back down, I clicked to buy it- and it didn't load! It said that the price had changed. I was somewhat bummed; I still needed to buy the ticket, but I was sad that I had waited. Then I saw that the price had, instead of rising, dropped by $30. I was very grateful, and my Consumer Surplus was raised! Hooray!
For context- this is about my trip up to see Catharine in Alberta right after this semester. I am very excited to see her- she is an incredible girl and we have a lot to talk about! I will have to take lots of pictures there and post them here later. If anyone wants to send me stuff to take up to the Jensens (who are in the same area), or to Catharine, or for me, that would all be fine.

I haven't posted since December! That really surprises me!
Well, I've been busy. and I am trying to figure out whether or not I really want to major in History. If not, I may move on to either economics or something.
One of the biggest reasons for my reconsideration is this ten page paper I have been working on. It has not been fun!