Proven Wrong...Again

I had to go to Ogden for job training this week and since I'm horrible at arranging child care (picking up Soph from school) and neither of our cars are trustworthy right now, I decided to be all whiney about the training.

After my good friend, Natalie, agreed to take Soph from her school to Steve's school I decided I would go to 2 out of the 4 days of training. I felt I didn't need to go to the other 2 days because I'd done all the things that were being discussed.

Well, I ended up going the 4th day and it was good and I got some helpful materials and I was a big whiner for nothing! Darn.

Ishmael Beah

Ishmael Beah is the author of "A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier," and he came to Logan last night for a book signing and lecture.

I anticipated having to be disclipined to get through the book, but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It's difficult to read at times, not because of Beah's style of writing, but because what he writes about are the horrors he faced as a soldier in Sierra Leone, Africa, at the age of thirteen. He writes very factually about what he went through right before the war, during the war and then a bit after, when he was rehabilitated through a program run by UNICEF.

The lecture this morning was thought-provoking, inspiring and humorous...Ishmael has a wit about him that makes him instantly likeable. He spoke of what happened once he came to the United States and the importance of education, a valuable topic considering he was talking to about 1600 incoming freshman of Utah State University.

The final question during the Q&A was about Ishmael's personal views of God and religion, especially poignant in Utah, and his answer summed up my own beliefs: there is a God, but one doesn't get to that God through organized religion. Applause broke out, and I'm sure it might not have been such a moving statement in other towns, but in this town, religion is a huge topic and unfortunately, a huge divider.

I am so glad I attended this lecture and I look forward to attending more community events like this in the future.

Budget...Tourist Attraction

This is a photo of the set-up for our game of Car Rental Agency, inspired by our lengthy visit to Budget at the Philadelphia Airport. Sophie is an observer and she took everything in while we waited in an exceptionally long line and went through the process of renting a car. She duplicated the experience at home, complete with cars lined up in the parking lot and customer service representatives (played by Pokemon action figures). I couldn't resist getting in on the action and made each representative their own cubicle and if you look closely, you'll see the benches for those customers (again, played by Pokemon action figures) in the waiting area.

As always, it doesn't matter what attractions you take your kids to, how much money you spend on those attractions or how famous those attractions may be. Grab your local phone book and find the nearest car rental place (listed under auto rental in our phone book) and take your child there. The memories are just waiting to be formed!

Nine years ago

Nine years ago Steve and I were married at the First Presbyterian Church right here in Logan, Utah. One of my memories of that day is reaching him after walking down the aisle and seeing him sweat and thinking he must be really nervous, which I thought was kind of sweet. The truth is, we were getting married in a church without air-conditioning and Steve was wearing a wool kilt, so the sweating was a result of being hot, not nervous.

We've been through a lot in nine years, including living in 3 different states, having our daughter, job changes, graduate school, being broke and now, finally, feeling like we've settled down.

Steve is my best friend and I know I'll never have him fully figured out, which I love. He is truly a separate person from me, but he's chosen to share his life with me, and that makes me just a little bit giddy.

File Under Depressing

My African Quotes Calendar reads today: "Live patiently in the world knowing that those who hate you are more numerous than those who love you." Bummer.

Back Home Again

We had a lot of fun in Pennsylvania and of course all the things we planned to do just didn't get done! No Liberty Bell, no trip to NYC..just a lot of hanging out with family, which was definitely worth altering our plans. We did get to Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, the Herr's Factory and a trip to the Kennett Fire Station, so I feel Sophie got some cultural exposure (yes, Herr's is culture).

Sophie has 5 cousins in PA, Abby (12), Andrew (11), Ashleigh (8), Brandon (7) and Ryan (4). Playing with them was at the top of Sophie's list of priorities and a few sleepovers insured a needed vacation after our vacation, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I did get a chance to see an old friend, from way back in middle school, and it was great catching up. She leads a completely different life than I do, so it was fun to hear her adventures. She lives in Philadelphia, goes clubbing until well after midnight, while I'm out here in smalltown Logan, trying to keep my eyes open past 10:00 p.m.

We also visited Keith and Stephanie in New Jersey, saw the college where Keith is an assistant professor and we stopped at Whole Foods, so I could get my fix. They bought a really cool house and are in the process of fixing it up, built the same year as our house, 1953!

I am also pleased to report that every time I told someone we live in Utah they responded with, "Oh, it's beautiful out there!" instead of, "Why?" Utah is beautiful and it's got its quirks, but so does every place. It will be a bummer not to hear people say, "I'm running to the Wawa for a hoagie," but in exchange we get to hear, "Oh my heck!" and "What ward are you in?" and we know we're back home!

Hangin' in PA with the COOL PEOPLE

I am in Pennsylvania hanging with my very cool niece, Abby, and very cool nephew, Andrew. If they sent me digital pics, I'd put them on here!!