Special thanks go to Philip Diehl who invented a tiny motor to replace the water-turbine system of old ceiling fans thus reducing the nighttime splash from above!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Ceiling Fan
According to the very reliable and always academic Wikipedia, “a ceiling fan is a device suspended from the ceiling of a room, which employs hub-mounted rotating paddles to circulate air in order to produce a cooling or destratification effect.” The whirl. . .clank, tap, tap, clank, tap, tap of my own destratification device has held my undivided attention for the past three nights, and I’ve considered what I would do without this fabulous invention. Seriously, my ceiling fan has kept me cool and sane in the near 80% humidity of Alabama summer nights. Invented in the 1880’s, the ceiling fan has evolved through energy crises and increased air conditioning usage, remaining a constant in many homes nation and worldwide. This little recognized fixture of decoration and convenience has never once entered my consciousness until this summer and for it I am grateful. Each night as I snuggle under the sheets in my air-cooled room I look up at my ceiling fan and wonder how I ever slept comfortably without it. So here’s to my ceiling fan with its consistent, and quite rhythmic, clank, tap, tap – thanks for keeping my dreams cool and my blankets needed!
Special thanks go to Philip Diehl who invented a tiny motor to replace the water-turbine system of old ceiling fans thus reducing the nighttime splash from above!
Special thanks go to Philip Diehl who invented a tiny motor to replace the water-turbine system of old ceiling fans thus reducing the nighttime splash from above!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
There Were Three
In the east, three searched
for a star, bearing gifts fit for a King.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
At Bountiful, three asked
to remain, to bring the souls of men unto Him, while the world stands.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
In latter-days, three testified
of a book sent to convince Jew and Gentile of a Savior and His marvelous work.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
In this dispensation, three bear
the mantel and keys of His kingdom and mysteries.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
That day, three served
in His house fulfilling the prophecy of prophets that some may have eternal life.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
In the beginning, there were three.
Honor them: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
for a star, bearing gifts fit for a King.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
At Bountiful, three asked
to remain, to bring the souls of men unto Him, while the world stands.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
In latter-days, three testified
of a book sent to convince Jew and Gentile of a Savior and His marvelous work.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
In this dispensation, three bear
the mantel and keys of His kingdom and mysteries.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
That day, three served
in His house fulfilling the prophecy of prophets that some may have eternal life.
In honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
In the beginning, there were three.
Honor them: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Friday, May 16, 2008
5 Important Lessons
These five important lessons were forwarded to me by a friend. So, in addition to these five lessons about how we treat each other that we should all work on, let me add number six. 6: Email forwards aren't all bad! :)
1. Cleaning Lady
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?' Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade 'Absolutely, ' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.' I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
2. Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3. Always remember those who serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked. '
Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.
'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.
'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins.
'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4. The obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boul der placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve o ur condition.
5. Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'. Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
1. Cleaning Lady
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?' Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade 'Absolutely, ' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.' I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
2. Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3. Always remember those who serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked. '
Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.
'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.
'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins.
'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4. The obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boul der placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve o ur condition.
5. Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'. Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Sweet Home Alabama
I know the title is cliche but. . . 'bama is my residence for awhile! First let me explain. This summer I'm working for Eclipse as an Office Manager for a branch of Pointe Pest Control. I share an apartment with my friends Phil and Maggi Wulf and work with a group of 15 salesmen and technicians. (Most single, RMs :) Let's just say, it's a pretty sweet job. Really chill and relaxing. I mean I wear basketball shorts in the office, aka my apartment! Since I can't yet drive a stick-shift car, I haven't been able to do much exploring but the area we're living in is very nice - full of stores, a huge mall, restaurants and hotels. There is a university down the road (with three libraries) that I hope to explore soon! Here are a few pics of my apartment complex. And yes, I am not in the Caribbean or Oregon although from the trees you couldn't tell!! It was very rainy today so they are a little dark- sorry!
The outside of my apartment building #300. It is huge, very nice complex. Notice Maggi
The outside of my apartment building #300. It is huge, very nice complex. Notice Maggi parked in the handicap safe space - lol.
The view of rainy Alabama trees from our balcony. Trees line every road and walkway - it's crazy green. 
The view from my window on the third floor!
The view from my window on the third floor!The view from the back of our complex parking lot.
A fabulous, newly watered flower!!
Hopefully I'll have more, sunnier pictures for you soon!! 'Night ya'll!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Because of you. . . .
When I try describe you mom, It’s hard. Sure, you taught me to tie my shoe, helped me with homework, and made millions of dinners. But that’s not enough.
There are so many hugs, kisses, smiles, complements, punishments, words of advice, and dreams that can’t be described in words. It’s impossible. But, because of all these things, because of you, I have become who I am and I hope it is enough. Because of you I learned to hit like a girl, I learned to laugh (especially at myself), I know what true beauty is, I can accomplish any dream, I can love, and I can have you forever. So mom, I could say thank you but that doesn’t cut it because I want to say more. I want to say I love you for every dream, every giggle, every tear, every moment of my life that has become so wonderful, because of you!
There are so many hugs, kisses, smiles, complements, punishments, words of advice, and dreams that can’t be described in words. It’s impossible. But, because of all these things, because of you, I have become who I am and I hope it is enough. Because of you I learned to hit like a girl, I learned to laugh (especially at myself), I know what true beauty is, I can accomplish any dream, I can love, and I can have you forever. So mom, I could say thank you but that doesn’t cut it because I want to say more. I want to say I love you for every dream, every giggle, every tear, every moment of my life that has become so wonderful, because of you!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Friday Night Flashback
There are only a few absolutely constant things in this life; like the fact that there will always be lint in your jeans pockets or, in my case, that the neighbor boy will always be shorter than me. Or so I thought. When I came home this week everything seemed normal, comfortable until this afternoon when I say Charlie who is now a mere 1 1/2" shorter than me and growing. There goes my lint theory! This phenomenon sparked a memory which is represented by the following glamorous Easter morning picture. The memory of when my brother Dallin was shorter than me. True story. There was a time, like in this picture that Dallin had to stand on a step to tower over me. I kind of miss those days!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
"Chiseled, that's what she said!"
Usually, finals week results in high blood pressure, more stress and less sleep. My finals week did consist of less sleep - a lot less sleep - but, needless to say, after taking my whopping two finals lack of sleep was not caused by late-night cramming sessions. Instead, I lost a lot of sleep watching movies, recovering from the Zion Challenge or caving, playing r-ball, or cheating with shaving cream! 
Diana and Sugar doing the same
Yeah for "Chiseled, that's what she said" the group who dominated the Zion Challenge in record time!!
Digestive position with a head tilt
No, Andy, Dave, Rach and I were not CHEATING when we shaving creamed the girls as they slept!
Movie night number 3, I think!
Post-cave exploration. It was super fun, we crawled, rolled, climbed, leaped, bumped, and glow-sticked all over the Bloomington Cave in St. George for four hours. Woo-hoo.
The Tuesday Night R-ball crew. And yes, Rach and I planned on wearing our team shirts. 
You can't really tell from this but. . . Rach and I have a chain of our r-ball wrist bands which number 68 in uno semestre.
The girls in our "team shirts" and with our power rings. (You can't tell but they are heart-shaped lip gloss rings!!) This year was inexpressibly wonderful with my Hurricane girls. So to Rach, Meg, and Diana -
"WE SHOULD GET JERSEYS CAUSE WE MAKE A GOOD TEAM!"
Friday, May 2, 2008
To My Friend
When you
Smiled,
Extended a hand,
Listened not heard,
Rolled your eyes,
Laughed hysterically,
Learned and taught,
Shared,
Teased and took it,
Endured,
Disagreed,
Showed patience,
Yelled back,
And loved
You took a piece of my heart.
Keep it.
You’ll love and treasure and protect it.
Because that’s what true friends do!
Thank you friend!
When you
Smiled,
Extended a hand,
Listened not heard,
Rolled your eyes,
Laughed hysterically,
Learned and taught,
Shared,
Teased and took it,
Endured,
Disagreed,
Showed patience,
Yelled back,
And loved
You took a piece of my heart.
Keep it.
You’ll love and treasure and protect it.
Because that’s what true friends do!
Thank you friend!
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