Sometimes I like to use song lyrics for my status on Facebook or Gmail, as do many other people I know.
However, I was thinking the other day. If you don't cite the song, artist, etc...are you plagiarizing?
Also, what would be the correct format?
Just a thought.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Counting
I worked for the grounds crew this summer.
As a result, I encountered a lot of bugs. Bugs don't bother me too much, so it's not really a problem. For example, one day I sat and watched a spider lay eggs for a few minutes while I rested in the shade. And another day, I was picking up these really pesky seeds that are little black balls. And this is where my blog post came to be.
I was picking up these seeds, and it was in the shade and under a bush, so I couldn't see particularly well. I was picking up tons of seeds, and all the sudden I felt something moving in my hand, where I had put all the seeds. Apparently, I had mistaken a rolly polly bug (apparently also known to some people (weirdos) as potato bugs...don't know where that one came from) for a seed, which was totally legit, because a rolled up rolly polly bug and these seeds were exactly the same size, shape, and color. I touched the rolly polly, and he balled up again, and I watched and waited for him to come "back to life."
And this is where my thoughts wandered. Do rolly polly bugs have some kind of system of how long they wait until returning to normality? I mean, this bug was on a flat and unmoving surface and waited a good minute before moving again. Do they count to sixty? Then I got this image in my head of a rolly polly bug counting to sixty all rolled up, just waiting. And I'm not talking how you counted to sixty in the fourth grade while waiting for your turn on the swing. I'm talking counting Mississippily (one, mississippi, two, mississippi, three....etc). And then I realized that I wasn't working, and I was talking to myself again.
So I put the bug down, and went back to my weeding.
As a result, I encountered a lot of bugs. Bugs don't bother me too much, so it's not really a problem. For example, one day I sat and watched a spider lay eggs for a few minutes while I rested in the shade. And another day, I was picking up these really pesky seeds that are little black balls. And this is where my blog post came to be.
I was picking up these seeds, and it was in the shade and under a bush, so I couldn't see particularly well. I was picking up tons of seeds, and all the sudden I felt something moving in my hand, where I had put all the seeds. Apparently, I had mistaken a rolly polly bug (apparently also known to some people (weirdos) as potato bugs...don't know where that one came from) for a seed, which was totally legit, because a rolled up rolly polly bug and these seeds were exactly the same size, shape, and color. I touched the rolly polly, and he balled up again, and I watched and waited for him to come "back to life."
And this is where my thoughts wandered. Do rolly polly bugs have some kind of system of how long they wait until returning to normality? I mean, this bug was on a flat and unmoving surface and waited a good minute before moving again. Do they count to sixty? Then I got this image in my head of a rolly polly bug counting to sixty all rolled up, just waiting. And I'm not talking how you counted to sixty in the fourth grade while waiting for your turn on the swing. I'm talking counting Mississippily (one, mississippi, two, mississippi, three....etc). And then I realized that I wasn't working, and I was talking to myself again.
So I put the bug down, and went back to my weeding.
Monday, August 10, 2009
In the process of...
As events transpire in my life, I discover something about myself, and also about others around me. Oftentimes, I look forward to a certain event, feeling, activity, etc. However, I find myself so ready for the result that I forget about the process.
For example, I spent the first few months of my summer being ready for it to be over. I was looking forward to an event at the end of the summer, and I just wanted to be there. However, about halfway through the summer, that event fell through. And I realized that I'd wasted all that time being impatient for the event, I had hardly made anything of the first 2 months of summer! I'd forgotten to enjoy the process. Since then, I've done my very best to make the most of the rest of this summer, and now I don't want it to end!
I think I say too much, "I can't wait until..." I think those words are dangerous. Once you've said them, you've practically committed yourself to at least some small amount of apathy for all events occurring before what you are waiting for arrives. What makes that so dangerous is that you never know what can happen. We all know that life throws surprises at us, and often, they're quite good. And if you spend your time being apathetic, you may miss something wonderful. It makes me think of a scripture in Hebrews, chapter 13 verse 2:
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. "
I think this scripture not only has implications to us to be kind to others, but I can see it in a different way. Strangers can mean more than just people; it can mean anything unfamiliar, strange, new, etc. Let yourself experience new things, different things. If not, you may "entertain angels unawares."
As my summer draws to a close, I look back and see the process. We often don't realize it when we are in the process, but just about all the time, you're in the process. Of what this process is may change, but you're always in a process. I think the important part is realizing this fact, and remembering that change takes time, love comes softly, and happiness is a choice.
For example, I spent the first few months of my summer being ready for it to be over. I was looking forward to an event at the end of the summer, and I just wanted to be there. However, about halfway through the summer, that event fell through. And I realized that I'd wasted all that time being impatient for the event, I had hardly made anything of the first 2 months of summer! I'd forgotten to enjoy the process. Since then, I've done my very best to make the most of the rest of this summer, and now I don't want it to end!
I think I say too much, "I can't wait until..." I think those words are dangerous. Once you've said them, you've practically committed yourself to at least some small amount of apathy for all events occurring before what you are waiting for arrives. What makes that so dangerous is that you never know what can happen. We all know that life throws surprises at us, and often, they're quite good. And if you spend your time being apathetic, you may miss something wonderful. It makes me think of a scripture in Hebrews, chapter 13 verse 2:
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. "
I think this scripture not only has implications to us to be kind to others, but I can see it in a different way. Strangers can mean more than just people; it can mean anything unfamiliar, strange, new, etc. Let yourself experience new things, different things. If not, you may "entertain angels unawares."
As my summer draws to a close, I look back and see the process. We often don't realize it when we are in the process, but just about all the time, you're in the process. Of what this process is may change, but you're always in a process. I think the important part is realizing this fact, and remembering that change takes time, love comes softly, and happiness is a choice.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Whistlers
I always feel like people who whistle are mocking me.
Maybe that's because I can't whistle.
Maybe that's because I can't whistle.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Habits
I love watching people.
Sometimes, though, I watch myself. I'll catch myself doing something, and wonder why in the world I'm doing it. Not that what I'm doing is stupid or bad, but quite often, it's strange. What are some of these quirks, you may ask?
1. I talk to myself. I know everyone does this, but I'm not quite sure if most other people do it to the extent that I do. Most people probably make statements to themselves (I can only assume what others do, because it's not often that I'm in someone else's head). I do the same, but then I find myself explaining my statements. To myself. As if I didn't already understand them.
For example, the other day I was in the shower, where I find I talk to myself the most. I took more shampoo than I needed, but used it anyway. Then I proceeded to explain to myself that people only ever do things on purpose or on accident, and then I tried to decide whether me taking too much shampoo was on purpose or on accident, only to decide that it was purposefully an accident. See, I'd meant to take too much (which will be discussed in a bit), but I didn't anticipate so much coming out of the bottle. An accident, only on purpose...I still don't think I've managed to figure this one out yet. However, that is your small insight into the workings of my mind.
Now, this explaining doesn't happen on a rare basis. It happens daily. Multiple times a day. But that's just me.
2. As mentioned earlier, I always take too much shampoo. I know how much I need, but for some reason, I always take and use more than that amount.
3. Whenever I go to open a door, if at all possible, I will use my left hand. Don't ask me why.
4. If I'm listening to music, or have a song going in my head, I play the song with my fingers, like I'm playing the piano. My mom used to call it my tic, and I've done it since I was in high school. I never think about it, until someone asks me what I'm doing, to which I usually respond along the lines of, "I'm playing...the...song...? Don't ask."
5. Sometimes, when I'm really concentrating, I drool. It usually happens when I'm playing the piano. I just get so focused, and then next thing I know...*slurp!* I usually catch myself before anyone notices, but it happens on fair occasion.
6. When I'm cold, I put my hands in my armpits. Most people think that it's weird, but I say it's effective! I know, it reminds people of the movie Superstar, and they expect me to start smelling my hands or something. But I don't really sweat that bad, nor do I like the smell of sweat/B.O., so that's not what I'm going for.
I love discovering these things about me. It's like, even though I've been living with me for almost 21 years now, there's still stuff that I don't know about me, or that I surprise myself with! Most people who know me know that I'm not very predictable. And now you know it's not just you I surprise; it's myself, too!
P.S. If you've noticed me doing things that I'm probably not thinking about, but that could potentially be amusing, you should tell me! Like I said, I love learning these things about me. :)
Sometimes, though, I watch myself. I'll catch myself doing something, and wonder why in the world I'm doing it. Not that what I'm doing is stupid or bad, but quite often, it's strange. What are some of these quirks, you may ask?
1. I talk to myself. I know everyone does this, but I'm not quite sure if most other people do it to the extent that I do. Most people probably make statements to themselves (I can only assume what others do, because it's not often that I'm in someone else's head). I do the same, but then I find myself explaining my statements. To myself. As if I didn't already understand them.
For example, the other day I was in the shower, where I find I talk to myself the most. I took more shampoo than I needed, but used it anyway. Then I proceeded to explain to myself that people only ever do things on purpose or on accident, and then I tried to decide whether me taking too much shampoo was on purpose or on accident, only to decide that it was purposefully an accident. See, I'd meant to take too much (which will be discussed in a bit), but I didn't anticipate so much coming out of the bottle. An accident, only on purpose...I still don't think I've managed to figure this one out yet. However, that is your small insight into the workings of my mind.
Now, this explaining doesn't happen on a rare basis. It happens daily. Multiple times a day. But that's just me.
2. As mentioned earlier, I always take too much shampoo. I know how much I need, but for some reason, I always take and use more than that amount.
3. Whenever I go to open a door, if at all possible, I will use my left hand. Don't ask me why.
4. If I'm listening to music, or have a song going in my head, I play the song with my fingers, like I'm playing the piano. My mom used to call it my tic, and I've done it since I was in high school. I never think about it, until someone asks me what I'm doing, to which I usually respond along the lines of, "I'm playing...the...song...? Don't ask."
5. Sometimes, when I'm really concentrating, I drool. It usually happens when I'm playing the piano. I just get so focused, and then next thing I know...*slurp!* I usually catch myself before anyone notices, but it happens on fair occasion.
6. When I'm cold, I put my hands in my armpits. Most people think that it's weird, but I say it's effective! I know, it reminds people of the movie Superstar, and they expect me to start smelling my hands or something. But I don't really sweat that bad, nor do I like the smell of sweat/B.O., so that's not what I'm going for.
I love discovering these things about me. It's like, even though I've been living with me for almost 21 years now, there's still stuff that I don't know about me, or that I surprise myself with! Most people who know me know that I'm not very predictable. And now you know it's not just you I surprise; it's myself, too!
P.S. If you've noticed me doing things that I'm probably not thinking about, but that could potentially be amusing, you should tell me! Like I said, I love learning these things about me. :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Another addition to the list!
I had forgotten about the dynamics of a home ward. In student wards, you usually don't have the crazy old ladies, like the one who sings opera style every hymn so that everyone can hear her, or the one who tells stories for her Sunday School lesson that may or may not be a little sketchy, or the one who had brain surgery and says things at times that may be just a little inappropriate.
Or you have the old men falling asleep, and even the middle-aged men. And the young men, now that I think about it...
And actual 12 year-old deacons passing the sacrament, with 16 year-old priests blessing it!
And last, but not least, the noisy girls in the back row. The ones who are always laughing. I'll always fit in with those girls, whether they be 14 or 40. And now I know where I got it from - my mother. :)
Another thing that I love is how my niece says, "Grandpa". Somehow it turns out sounding like "Frawmpuh," and it makes me laugh every time. Kid has the cutest voice, I swear.
Also, just as a documentation of my life, I almost ran over a beaver the other night! I was driving home (it was actually about 3:30 AM; I was driving home from the Harry Potter premier) and I came around a corner, and it was crossing the street in the middle of my lane! I couldn't completely swerve and miss it, so I just aimed the middle of my car right over the top of it. I don't think I hit it, but that had to be quite a terrifying experience for the poor little guy. I'm not 100% sure it was a beaver, because it was rather small, but it was either that, or a very wet mole. I choose beaver. But cool to see, all the same!
Or you have the old men falling asleep, and even the middle-aged men. And the young men, now that I think about it...
And actual 12 year-old deacons passing the sacrament, with 16 year-old priests blessing it!
And last, but not least, the noisy girls in the back row. The ones who are always laughing. I'll always fit in with those girls, whether they be 14 or 40. And now I know where I got it from - my mother. :)
Another thing that I love is how my niece says, "Grandpa". Somehow it turns out sounding like "Frawmpuh," and it makes me laugh every time. Kid has the cutest voice, I swear.
Also, just as a documentation of my life, I almost ran over a beaver the other night! I was driving home (it was actually about 3:30 AM; I was driving home from the Harry Potter premier) and I came around a corner, and it was crossing the street in the middle of my lane! I couldn't completely swerve and miss it, so I just aimed the middle of my car right over the top of it. I don't think I hit it, but that had to be quite a terrifying experience for the poor little guy. I'm not 100% sure it was a beaver, because it was rather small, but it was either that, or a very wet mole. I choose beaver. But cool to see, all the same!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Love it!
I love being home.
Why?
I couldn't make a list that long. But here's a few reasons, which are hardly comprehensive, but do scratch the surface.
-Lakes. Oh, the lakes. And no pools! Getting home from swimming and *not* smelling like chlorine is glorious. Not only that, but the lakes are absolutely gorgeous.
-Driving home at night (in my car, by myself, another thing I love) and seeing a raccoon cross the street. Don't see that in Provo. Love it, even though I hate coons. Ha ha
-Watching my dad with his dogs. I love seeing people do something they love, and my dad is such a passionate person. He loves working with his dogs, which makes me happy. :)
-The sound of my niece laughing. Although she's not always here when I'm here, she is this time. And she has the cutest laugh!
-Time. Relaxing. Both of which I don't get a lot of back in Provo. Oh, and the whole "hardly any responsibilities" thing. I don't have to go to work! I still have roughly a week left, and I can't imagine going back to work.
-Old friends. I was talking to one of my best friends and realized that he knew me back in the days of my blonde hair. In fact, most of the people here have known me that long. I don't think there are more than 10 people in Provo who have seen me with blonde hair. It's just nice to know that I go back so far with someone, and that I'm still in constant contact with him.
-Talking with my mom. Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm always talking to my mom, whether it be on the phone or texting, but it's so nice to be able to talk to her in person.
-Living in a house. It's so great to not be in an apartment. I don't have to worry about not stomping on the floor for fear that the people below us will hear, nor do I have to wonder what the strange sounds coming from the ceiling could possibly mean the people above us are doing. Not to mention having my own room (how I painted it in high school, and with an actual bedspread), my own bathroom, and a piano in my house!
-Not living in a college town! Not living in a big town! So much less traffic! Anything related to there being less people here, and the fact that the people who are here aren't 90% college students.
-Seeing my brother. I hardly get to talk to him, and he's been around a lot, which has been so great.
-Denny's! Triple Chocolate Meltdowns! Both of which I can get in Provo, but I can't get them with Travis there. :)
For now, that's it. I still have a week left here, so I'm sure this list will continue. Until next post, you can be jealous of how wonderfully blissful my life is.
:)
Why?
I couldn't make a list that long. But here's a few reasons, which are hardly comprehensive, but do scratch the surface.
-Lakes. Oh, the lakes. And no pools! Getting home from swimming and *not* smelling like chlorine is glorious. Not only that, but the lakes are absolutely gorgeous.
-Driving home at night (in my car, by myself, another thing I love) and seeing a raccoon cross the street. Don't see that in Provo. Love it, even though I hate coons. Ha ha
-Watching my dad with his dogs. I love seeing people do something they love, and my dad is such a passionate person. He loves working with his dogs, which makes me happy. :)
-The sound of my niece laughing. Although she's not always here when I'm here, she is this time. And she has the cutest laugh!
-Time. Relaxing. Both of which I don't get a lot of back in Provo. Oh, and the whole "hardly any responsibilities" thing. I don't have to go to work! I still have roughly a week left, and I can't imagine going back to work.
-Old friends. I was talking to one of my best friends and realized that he knew me back in the days of my blonde hair. In fact, most of the people here have known me that long. I don't think there are more than 10 people in Provo who have seen me with blonde hair. It's just nice to know that I go back so far with someone, and that I'm still in constant contact with him.
-Talking with my mom. Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm always talking to my mom, whether it be on the phone or texting, but it's so nice to be able to talk to her in person.
-Living in a house. It's so great to not be in an apartment. I don't have to worry about not stomping on the floor for fear that the people below us will hear, nor do I have to wonder what the strange sounds coming from the ceiling could possibly mean the people above us are doing. Not to mention having my own room (how I painted it in high school, and with an actual bedspread), my own bathroom, and a piano in my house!
-Not living in a college town! Not living in a big town! So much less traffic! Anything related to there being less people here, and the fact that the people who are here aren't 90% college students.
-Seeing my brother. I hardly get to talk to him, and he's been around a lot, which has been so great.
-Denny's! Triple Chocolate Meltdowns! Both of which I can get in Provo, but I can't get them with Travis there. :)
For now, that's it. I still have a week left here, so I'm sure this list will continue. Until next post, you can be jealous of how wonderfully blissful my life is.
:)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Not as angry as it sounds...*
Looks like we've got a lot to worry about. How long has this swine flu epidemic going on, and we're at 14 dead in the UK? Sounds like something to really be worried about.
Guess what? 301 people under the age of 15 alone died in the UK between 2000 and 2002 of cancer. Maybe we should be getting our priorities in line, here...
*Yeah, the title is a disclaimer. I know this post sounds angry, but I promise it's not. It was just something I was thinking about.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Surprise!
It feels like it's been forever, although it really hasn't been that long. A little over a week I guess.
I've been thinking lately about surprises. This won't come as a surprise (Heh. No pun intended) to at least one of you (you know who you are), but that person is the one who got me thinking about it. He asked me what has surprised me lately. My initial reaction: nothing.
But I decided to start looking for them. Not like looking out to be surprised, but more like looking back to see what surprised me. And what I've found is that much of what I now call surprises, I've always called tender mercies before. Maybe those aren't always surprising, per say, but it does surprise me just how much I see the Lord's hand in my life.
I could go on about all the things I've been surprised about, but I'm gonna go with just this one.
I'm surprised, every day, at how something so complex as the gospel can still be so simple. Sometimes I feel like there is so much to know, and that I need to find a way to find it all out. But then I realize...I know so much already! And the basics...that's really what it's all about, anyway. As long as you stick to the basics, the "complicated's" take care of themselves.
Just a random thought.
I've been thinking lately about surprises. This won't come as a surprise (Heh. No pun intended) to at least one of you (you know who you are), but that person is the one who got me thinking about it. He asked me what has surprised me lately. My initial reaction: nothing.
But I decided to start looking for them. Not like looking out to be surprised, but more like looking back to see what surprised me. And what I've found is that much of what I now call surprises, I've always called tender mercies before. Maybe those aren't always surprising, per say, but it does surprise me just how much I see the Lord's hand in my life.
I could go on about all the things I've been surprised about, but I'm gonna go with just this one.
I'm surprised, every day, at how something so complex as the gospel can still be so simple. Sometimes I feel like there is so much to know, and that I need to find a way to find it all out. But then I realize...I know so much already! And the basics...that's really what it's all about, anyway. As long as you stick to the basics, the "complicated's" take care of themselves.
Just a random thought.
Monday, June 29, 2009
My new roommate!
She's actually not that new...she's been a part of our "family" for a few weeks now, but I just decided to incorporate her into my life.
Her name is Patsy. she's about 2'6", and she's made of cardboard. I found Patsy at work, and brought her home to stand in our window.
After a few weeks of Patsy being boring and only being made of cardboard, I decided to spice up her life a little bit, and it has turned into a weekly event (going for 2 weeks strong now).
This was her first outfit:
And this is the one I just made for her:
Patsy wears some of the funniest shirts around. I help her out a little bit, but in all reality...she's the genius behind it all.
Her name is Patsy. she's about 2'6", and she's made of cardboard. I found Patsy at work, and brought her home to stand in our window.
After a few weeks of Patsy being boring and only being made of cardboard, I decided to spice up her life a little bit, and it has turned into a weekly event (going for 2 weeks strong now).
This was her first outfit:
And this is the one I just made for her:
Patsy wears some of the funniest shirts around. I help her out a little bit, but in all reality...she's the genius behind it all.
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