Monday 17 November 2008
Beaten, Battered and...
Kidney stoned. I had my third kidney stone this week. Really not so fun. But, I am grateful for hospitals, emergency rooms and modern medicine. I think I might have died without them (of pain that is...). I've also decided that I can't eat nearly as many nuts as I'd like to any more, and apparently I need to cut back on the spinach. Who would have thought? Oh and not so much chocolate either, darn. I'd be completely fine going at least another two years without having that experience again...
Friday 31 October 2008
Monday 20 October 2008
Welcome to My Crazy Life
Ok, I know, I know. It's been way longer than I promised since I last posted. BUT, I have good excuses, my life has really been crazy. My life seems like it's always crazy but believe it or not, I think this last month or so takes the cake and there was some tough competition. Anyway, I'm back.
So obviously some of this craziness has stemmed from the whole applying to law school process. A lot of people (ok almost everyone) I talk to asks me what I want to do with a law degree and why I want to go to law school. So, we've got the obvious answers like, I love history, I like constitutional law, and it just seems to fit my interests. But, today at the forum here at BYU, I came to a better understanding of the core reasons that I want to study law. The forum was given by a man named Robert George who is a professor at Princeton. I loved the things that he had to say; he talked about the sanctity and fundamentality of the family and marriage in our society and he asked us to be willing and do what we need to do in order to feel able and ready to defend those fundamental principles that our country is built upon. Ideally, this is exactly what I would love to defend on a legal level. I would love to be involved in legal counsel or legal spokesmanship for the Church.
In the past few months I've really become involved in the politics and issues (particularly in Utah) behind this upcoming election. I've been working for a state Senator, on her campaign committee, and I've come to understand a lot about the importance of our own political input, interest and desire to understand. I've been able to form my own opinions and realize the power of the individual if they are willing to put themselves and their opinions out there. This too has helped me realize the kind of involvement that I someday want to have and the reasons I want to have a law degree to back up that involvement.
One final note, I just want to add my own support for Prop 8. I hope that anyone who can vote for it will, and that anyone who can't will show their support in other ways. Even if that just means voting for your own local representatives. Ok, enough of my political views, I promise that'll be the last one of this kind--but surprisingly being involved in that whole process and thinking about the issues has sure helped me realize some important things that I hope will become major goals for the next few years of my life.
So obviously some of this craziness has stemmed from the whole applying to law school process. A lot of people (ok almost everyone) I talk to asks me what I want to do with a law degree and why I want to go to law school. So, we've got the obvious answers like, I love history, I like constitutional law, and it just seems to fit my interests. But, today at the forum here at BYU, I came to a better understanding of the core reasons that I want to study law. The forum was given by a man named Robert George who is a professor at Princeton. I loved the things that he had to say; he talked about the sanctity and fundamentality of the family and marriage in our society and he asked us to be willing and do what we need to do in order to feel able and ready to defend those fundamental principles that our country is built upon. Ideally, this is exactly what I would love to defend on a legal level. I would love to be involved in legal counsel or legal spokesmanship for the Church.
In the past few months I've really become involved in the politics and issues (particularly in Utah) behind this upcoming election. I've been working for a state Senator, on her campaign committee, and I've come to understand a lot about the importance of our own political input, interest and desire to understand. I've been able to form my own opinions and realize the power of the individual if they are willing to put themselves and their opinions out there. This too has helped me realize the kind of involvement that I someday want to have and the reasons I want to have a law degree to back up that involvement.
One final note, I just want to add my own support for Prop 8. I hope that anyone who can vote for it will, and that anyone who can't will show their support in other ways. Even if that just means voting for your own local representatives. Ok, enough of my political views, I promise that'll be the last one of this kind--but surprisingly being involved in that whole process and thinking about the issues has sure helped me realize some important things that I hope will become major goals for the next few years of my life.
Wednesday 1 October 2008
Reagan Thinks I'm Boring
Dear Reagan and anyone else who reads my blog,
I promise that after Saturday I will once again become a regular blog poster and fun person. The LSAT is on Saturday at 8:00 am. I can't wait for it to be over. That's all for now! I promise to be back soon!
I promise that after Saturday I will once again become a regular blog poster and fun person. The LSAT is on Saturday at 8:00 am. I can't wait for it to be over. That's all for now! I promise to be back soon!
Sunday 10 August 2008
The Ancestral Homeland...
London and Scotland with my parents was so much fun. I was so excited when they got there and it was so fun to spend a couple of days with them in the city that I love so much and then to go to Scotland to do some family history. I think the Scotland part was a dream realized for both of them, that had been a long time coming. I'm not sure that my dad would say that it was worth the twenty hours of travel both ways for a week...haha...no he probably would. But it made my whole trip to see them there. It was fun to have them visit the center as well and my dad even did a little jig during the talent show to end my program. Hard to believe...but true.
This was one of the old churches we visited in Scotland where my 4th great grandparents were married. The cemetery was FULL of Murdochs and Steeles.
This is the church where I became inbred. I'd better explain that...haha. My mom's 2nd great grandma and my dad's 2nd great grandpa married eachother here. Basically Anne Steele, the woman that was married here, became both my 3rd great grandma and 3rd great aunt that day...haha which still kind of confuses me but it's cool anyways. I guess...
We drove into the Scottish countryside to the area around where the Murdoch/Steele family probably homesteaded. It was beautiful and it looked completely unchanged and untouched over the last 200 years. I loved the rolling hills, all the sheep and cows and the beautiful clouds.
This was one of the old churches we visited in Scotland where my 4th great grandparents were married. The cemetery was FULL of Murdochs and Steeles.
This is the church where I became inbred. I'd better explain that...haha. My mom's 2nd great grandma and my dad's 2nd great grandpa married eachother here. Basically Anne Steele, the woman that was married here, became both my 3rd great grandma and 3rd great aunt that day...haha which still kind of confuses me but it's cool anyways. I guess...
We drove into the Scottish countryside to the area around where the Murdoch/Steele family probably homesteaded. It was beautiful and it looked completely unchanged and untouched over the last 200 years. I loved the rolling hills, all the sheep and cows and the beautiful clouds.
Monday 9 June 2008
Stourhead Garden
Stourhead might be my new favorite place. It was one of the most pristine and just beautiful places I've ever been. They filmed some Pride and Prejudice scenes here, in particular Darcy's proposal in the rain. It was such a fun place to just walk around and explore, and it was an absolutely beautiful day to do it.
Perfectly formed lichen thought bubble. My thinking face.
Jane and I by the lake.
There it is, the Temple of Apollo proposal in the rain temple itself.
My long lost twin.
Look at those clouds!
My pillar pose in the Temple of Apollo. Couldn't pass it up.
Perfectly formed lichen thought bubble. My thinking face.
Jane and I by the lake.
There it is, the Temple of Apollo proposal in the rain temple itself.
My long lost twin.
Look at those clouds!
My pillar pose in the Temple of Apollo. Couldn't pass it up.
Stonehenge ROCKS!
After Bath we took a little drive and came to Stonehenge. It was really interesting. What I found most intriguing about it was the flocks of people who come to see it. I couldn't believe how many tourists were there. It was funny to me because it's all roped off and people just walk around it and ponder what it possibly could have been used for. Kind of a must see in England I guess. I thought it rocked!
I'm sacrificing Lindsay to the sun gods. Druid style.
Recreating our own Stonehenge. We played missionary tag right after this for a good hour just on the lawn in front of it...haha.
I'm sacrificing Lindsay to the sun gods. Druid style. 
Recreating our own Stonehenge. We played missionary tag right after this for a good hour just on the lawn in front of it...haha.
Splish Splash...
Bath was our first stop on our excursion this past week. It's a pretty great place. They have lots of ice cream, lots of hills, some really cool architecture, and of course, the Roman baths. It was a great little place to be.
A view of the Baths from the top. Aren't they a lovely color?
My thinking face. I was learning lots about Romans and bathing from that little audio guide.
I didn't really go swimming, but I thought about it more than once.
Tasting the water. Not so good, really.
The sunset was really cool from the top of the hill our hostel was on. This picture just doesn't quite capture it.
The Royal Crescent. Dad, I checked out Real Estate prices. You can buy one for 500,000 pounds. That's only a million dollars, wanna move to Bath?
Stopping to play at this playground made my whole day. They had swings! The clouds were really cool too.
A view of the Baths from the top. Aren't they a lovely color?
My thinking face. I was learning lots about Romans and bathing from that little audio guide.
I didn't really go swimming, but I thought about it more than once.
Tasting the water. Not so good, really.
The sunset was really cool from the top of the hill our hostel was on. This picture just doesn't quite capture it.
The Royal Crescent. Dad, I checked out Real Estate prices. You can buy one for 500,000 pounds. That's only a million dollars, wanna move to Bath?
Stopping to play at this playground made my whole day. They had swings! The clouds were really cool too.
London's Funniest
I've started a collection of all my favorite signs I've seen in London. Here they are...I think they're pretty funny.
And NO FUN!
Don't touch the water? Really? Why ever not?
Are the cyclists and pedestrians supposed to beware? Or are we supposed to beware of the cyclists and pedestrians?
Mmm...my favorite.
We tried to pass for unemployed...they said we didn't count.
These signs are everywhere. I really don't know what they mean or what the danger is...but I try to be especially wary as I walk by.
I've never heard of anti climb paint. Mom, maybe you should invest in some, it might keep the boys off stuff.
I bought five of these. Guess what my presents for my family are going to be...
True.
Should have eaten here.
And NO FUN!
Don't touch the water? Really? Why ever not?
Are the cyclists and pedestrians supposed to beware? Or are we supposed to beware of the cyclists and pedestrians?
Mmm...my favorite.
We tried to pass for unemployed...they said we didn't count.
These signs are everywhere. I really don't know what they mean or what the danger is...but I try to be especially wary as I walk by.
I've never heard of anti climb paint. Mom, maybe you should invest in some, it might keep the boys off stuff.
I bought five of these. Guess what my presents for my family are going to be...
True.
Should have eaten here.
Picnics and Paddle Boats
Picnic in the park with our EAT and Pret sandwiches before we headed to the lake.
View from the lake.
Jane and I paddling away. I just kept thinking of my family in Lake Powell. I bet I was having just as much fun...
Becoming British
So last week we went to visit the home of Samuel Johnson, who wrote the first comprehensive English Dictionary. The house and the tour were great ...but we couldn't wait until our guide finished so we could rush back and try on the children's dress-ups we had seen in one of the rooms. So here we are. They definitely weren't the most flattering clothes I've ever tried on...especially not the padded dress. No, I'm not just saying that, it really had hip pads :)
The picturesque English family. Obviously I'm the head of the fam. I have a cane. I'm actually a little scared by how genuine I look, minus the capris and tennis shoes.
The picturesque English family. Obviously I'm the head of the fam. I have a cane. I'm actually a little scared by how genuine I look, minus the capris and tennis shoes.
Monday 2 June 2008
"Britain's Greatest Medieval Experience"
Warwick Castle was one of the coolest places I've been so far in England. I thought it was incredible. It was a bit like a theme park Castle and definitely touristy but way cool anyway. We got to climb up to all the turrets and the view from the top was incredible. They also had a some really cool "shows." There was a bowman shooting arrows and targets, a birds of prey show, the launching of the Trebuchet, and, my personal favorite...the Great Joust.
Quick rundown of the pics: the Castle, me and Jane in the stocks, all of us and the archer man, view from the top, the joust, the Trebuchet, me after I broke a fence (I think I've gained more weight than I thought), a sweet video of the Castle and me and the queen. Yes, that is the queen. At least...in a wax form. But it was good to meet her since I'll be taking her job in a couple of
years.
And a couple videos of the day too. The Castle from the highest tower and footage of the Great Joust :)
Quick rundown of the pics: the Castle, me and Jane in the stocks, all of us and the archer man, view from the top, the joust, the Trebuchet, me after I broke a fence (I think I've gained more weight than I thought), a sweet video of the Castle and me and the queen. Yes, that is the queen. At least...in a wax form. But it was good to meet her since I'll be taking her job in a couple of
years.
And a couple videos of the day too. The Castle from the highest tower and footage of the Great Joust :)
Shakespeare Town
This past weekend was our free travel weekend for the program. A group of six of us decided to go to Stratford-upon-Avon overnight because it was one of the main places that we are not traveling to altogether. It was a super fun trip. We stayed at this little Bed and Breakfast complete with Brambles the cat and a full English breakfast (that really did keep us full until 6:00). We made laps around the town of Stratford, saw all there was to see and then planned a day trip to Warwick Castle. Stratford was William Shakespeare's birthplace and hometown and I think they basically worship him there. For example, the church he is buried in is called "The Holy Trinity Church (Shakespeare's Church)." So we saw all the Shakespearean houses and a few other cool things there...here are the highlights.
We met this man dressed as Shakespeare on the street and he took us up to the schoolroom where Shakespeare went to school. It was really cool because it's usually not open to the public but he was hosting an art exhibition there that night. The top picture is Shakespeare's initials carved into a window pane in the school. The bottom pic...um, the Shakespeare guy wanted to do a dramatic pose. I think he was pretending to be the headmaster...and we were the students. It works right?
The best part of our whole meeting up with Shakespeare's double was that he invited us to be his "personal guests" at the art exhibition that night. So of course we went and walked around and looked at all the art holding our wine glasses full of apple juice (lucky they had apple juice). It was really cool. The best part of the whole night...one of the original founders of the Royal Shakespeare Company had been invited as an honored guest and he performed a scene from King Lear. It was so cool. He was really really talented and just blew the roof off, even though I'm pretty sure he was close to ninety. It was a pretty cool random thing. I think we make new best friends everywhere we go. It's great.
Shakespeare's birthplace
All of us along the river Avon. We hung out here for quite a while after the art exhibition.
The Creaky Cauldron: Museum of Witchcraft and Wizardology also makes its home in Stratford, right next to Shakespeare's birthplace, so of course we had to go. Here I'm being sorted by the Sorting Hat...and I was definitely Gryffindor. Woohoo!
I made some friends at the museum. This is Matilda. I don't think many people like her much, but I decided that she probably had some good qualities. Come to find out, we have a lot in common.
Me, making potions and other such things. With my hat I sort of look like a Newsies boys making potions...but I guess it works.
We met this man dressed as Shakespeare on the street and he took us up to the schoolroom where Shakespeare went to school. It was really cool because it's usually not open to the public but he was hosting an art exhibition there that night. The top picture is Shakespeare's initials carved into a window pane in the school. The bottom pic...um, the Shakespeare guy wanted to do a dramatic pose. I think he was pretending to be the headmaster...and we were the students. It works right?
The best part of our whole meeting up with Shakespeare's double was that he invited us to be his "personal guests" at the art exhibition that night. So of course we went and walked around and looked at all the art holding our wine glasses full of apple juice (lucky they had apple juice). It was really cool. The best part of the whole night...one of the original founders of the Royal Shakespeare Company had been invited as an honored guest and he performed a scene from King Lear. It was so cool. He was really really talented and just blew the roof off, even though I'm pretty sure he was close to ninety. It was a pretty cool random thing. I think we make new best friends everywhere we go. It's great.
Shakespeare's birthplace
All of us along the river Avon. We hung out here for quite a while after the art exhibition.
The Creaky Cauldron: Museum of Witchcraft and Wizardology also makes its home in Stratford, right next to Shakespeare's birthplace, so of course we had to go. Here I'm being sorted by the Sorting Hat...and I was definitely Gryffindor. Woohoo!
I made some friends at the museum. This is Matilda. I don't think many people like her much, but I decided that she probably had some good qualities. Come to find out, we have a lot in common.
Me, making potions and other such things. With my hat I sort of look like a Newsies boys making potions...but I guess it works.
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