Family Reunion Picnic

I've been working same as usual. I did have an interview at the Day-Riverside library for a library assistant job - and hopefully I'll hear soon about that. It would be the same hours, but a pay increase and more opportunities to learn how to be a librarian.

This weekend was the Eli Hope Reunion and it was fun. We went to this park in Sandy and it was a nice hot day. But, also very windy. A lot of of our Hopes are in town, including the Tufts, and it was fun seeing almost everyone. The reunion was fun, but it was mostly our family who went - and some of Arthur and Golda's family. After we ate our KFC, we did introductions, and then Dad got up and related a quick history of the Hope family - then shared stories about Grandpa James. He sounded like a neat man - very happy.

This morning, we had the opportunity to go see Emily Juett set apart as a member of the Tabernacle Choir. We went early, a little before 8am, and everyone who was in town was there. They took us all into a small room and then President Mac Christensen came in, you know Mr. Mac. They talked about how important the choir is and then they set her apart as a singing missionary. I didn't know that was actually what their calling was - I just thought Harv Wilhelm made that up. (hehe, my mistake) Afterwards we stayed for the broadcast and it was real nice. They had a visiting soloist, a opera soprano, and so the songs were a little more serious. I admit I fell asleep during the actual broadcast - which was the second time we were seeing the program. My favorite song was A Child's Prayer - such a touching song.

Music and movies

I've been spending a lot of time at Mom and Dad's this last week. Mom taught the Presidency lesson on Sunday about coming unto Christ and she wanted me to find a song for her to share. It's called "Come unto Him" and the lyrics are based off the Matt 11, the last verses. It's my favorite scriptures and so naturally I love the song. I orginally had it on a mix CD that a member burned for me on my mission - but it got stolen with my other CD's and stereo. (Don't leave original CDs in the car - make copies!) Anyway - I was curious to see if I could find it online to download and I was successful. That LDSAudio.com (an LDS Itunes) had just the one I wanted, sung by the BYU University Singers, and it only cost a dollar to download. Mom was happy and I was glad to have that song in my possession again.

I found the newest X-men movie at the library and Andrew and Dad wanted to see it. So, we watched that Sunday afternoon. Andrew enjoyed seeing the extra mutants and their powers. Then afterwards we watched the first Star Trek movie. It's so cheesy - but you have to love it. Did I tell that I saw this show about these people who had possession of the props and costumes from all the Star Trek shows and were planning a big auction for them? Well, they went through and cataloged them - showing a few examples of the object in the show and they had some of the actors making commentaries, etc. Well, the auction was over 3 days and some of those props, including the big model ships they used to film, went for thousands and even hundred thousands dollars. Can you believe that? Can you justify owning a costume that Patrick Stewart wore, or a chair from the bridge, for that much money? I was flabbergasted.

We had an interesting lesson in Relief Society. The topic was having confidence in ourselves and having good thoughts, etc. Hannah, the teacher, did this object lesson with this girl. Hannah had her put her arm up, at a 90 degree angle, and then attempted to push it down while the girl tried to keep her arm up. Then she sent Liz outside and told us to think negative thoughts about her, and then brought her back in. She tried the same thing, but it was easier for her to push down her arm - her strength was gone. Hannah sent Liz out one more time and told us to think positive thoughts about her. She did the test again and this time Liz was able to keep her arm up, drastically showing more strength. The moral of the story? We need to keep our thoughts clean and pure and uplifting, about ourselves as well as about others. They really make a difference.

So, my bishop told us that the EFY program is starting a somewhat different program to help those who can't pay the full amount. They are doing day classes here in Salt Lake and it's cheaper, or something. Anyway, they were looking for volunteers to be counselors for at least a week or more. It's only lasting 4 weeks total. I gave my name to the bishop, for one week, and I got a quick email for the director and it provided training booklets to read and wanted to know my shirt size, etc. I was shocked, I thought I would need an interview or something. I guess I'm in for the week of July 16-20th at the UofU. I am excited for this opportunity - I always wanted to go to EFY! When I told Mom about it, she got excited that I meet some nice guys! (hehe) Leave it to Mom to think of that!

Pirates 3

Andrew and I went to see the 3rd Pirates movie. It was almost 3 hours and it was jammed packed with quite a story - with a sort of melancholy ending. I think this is the last one, but Andrew heard somewhere that they are making 3 more. I don't know about that - I think they are done. I'll tell you one thing - Orlando Bloom is a very beautiful creation of God. Yessireee! (hehe)
Not much going on with me. I've been working and stuff. I did have an interview for an assistant job at the Day-Riverside library. It would be a promotion if I got the job. It would love to work there and it would give me more "reference" experience. That just means that I'll have time to talk to patrons, besides just checking out their books, and asking them questions and helping them find materials, etc. Well, I keep praying that Heavenly Father will guide me to a good job that will give me experience, insurance benefits and (quietly) more money. I still have a few applications out and I've had a few interviews, but nothing seems to be "biting". I'll let you know about the Day-Riverside job. Maybe that will be the place for me.
I just scheduled my flight for Portland for July to take my last class. I'm excited to go to Portland again - and also relieved to be almost done with school.

Car Trauma

Well, I've had small trauma this week, in three parts.
1) As you know, Mom and Dad went to Arizona this last weekend and Mom asked if I could stay at the house and keep Andrew company. I told my friends I was house-sitting, not babysitting. Anyway, I ended up spending the weekend alone for the most part because Andrew went off with Anna and Kade on Friday and Saturday, to get some driving time. That was ok, I got some down time and I enjoyed having the T.V. all to myself. I did just finish my last class, so it was a stress free time. BUT, Friday afternoon I had a job in West Jordan and my car wouldn't start. This has been happening since I've been back, but eventually the car would start. This time it wouldn't budge. I had Dee help test the battery, which was good, then he played around with the starter. So, our conclusion was that the starter needed to be repaired, etc. Well, I was in luck (if you want to call this lucky) because Kade was able to take me over to a car shop (flukishly we got it started), and I had the van to use for the weekend. Well, the car was supposed to be done the next day, but they couldn't find the right part and needed to send it out to get rebuilt. Ok, fine, as long as it's done by Monday afternoon (when Mom was due back and would need the van again). Everything went to schedule and I got my new starting car back just in time to to go work.

2) So, I finally had my appointment for the doctor, about my vertigo problems, and to get a referral. When I got this appointment I had the impression that I would get a discounted pay, etc. Well, they looked at my meager pay checks and it turns out I make too much and would need to pay for my visit in full. I was so upset, I almost started to cry when the nurses left the room. How can I afford a $100 visit, especially after paying $200 for the new starter in my car. Well, the doctor was nice and she gave me a referral to see an Ear, Nose, Throat specialist next week. She also had the nurse take some blood and take a sugar test. Well, I had eaten a donut in haste for breakfast, so my sugar levels were a little high. Then, the nurse took my blood and used the wrong tube. So, they asked me to come back the next morning for a fasting sugar test and the correct blood test. Fine fine, I'm just glad it didn't cost any more money.

3) So, later after work I went to the store to get some milk. On the way home, driving uphill towards my house, my car just stopped. The light had just turned green and I pushed the gas and the power went out. I tried desperately to restart it but it just revved the starter and wouldn't start. It was a different sound then it stopped last week, so I was totally confused. Well, the car behind started honking and I put on my flashers and kept on trying to start the car. It wasn't a busy intersection, so I wasn't in danger of blocking traffic. Two girl joggers came by and asked if I needed a push. They pushed me to the nearest curb around the corner and made sure I had means to get some help. I thanked them and told them I had a cell phone, etc. Now mind you, it was already after 10pm, but I decided to call Dad. He had me call David to get his opinion and he would check on getting the AAA to come help tow. David had a few ideas, including the new starter, but could do nothing to help. I called Dad back and he arranged for AAA to come and he hurried up to meet the tow truck. So, I just sat in my quiet car (no stereo remember) and waited. Dad finally made it and helped push the car in the nearby Little Cesar's parking lot. The tow truck took forever and by the the time he finally got us to the car shop, it was already 1am. I was slightly stressing out because I had a two-day conference in Provo for the Utah Library Association. I would have skipped it, but the city library had paid for my registration and also paid time off to go. Dad nicely offered to let me take the Stratus. I spent the night at home and then went to Provo as planned. During the day, through many calls to David and Dad and the car shop, they figured out the problem (some coil that was NOT relevant to the new starter) and they got it fixed by noon. Unfortunately I couldn't pick it up until Friday morning, but at least it was done. ARRRGG! What a stressful week!

So, I did see some blessings this week. First, I was grateful that I was at home when my car stopped (the 1st time) and that I had Dee to help me out and also the van at my disposal. Next, I was stressing about about all this financial strain and I was checking out my bank statements and it turns out, miraculously, that I got my county pay check a few days early and it was just enough to cover the 2nd car shop payment. (Those checks usually vary) So, I'm not going bankrupt just yet. I know the Lord is mindful of me and it humbles me to see the small and big way he takes care of me, and all of us.

New calling

So, I have school this weekend (which I'm not too crazy about) but it is the last weekend this semester and that's good. I got clearance to apply for graduation, so I'll be doing my LAST class next semester and that one is just a recap of what I've learned. It's called a Capstone. But, I also found out that Emporia State University is NOT having a summer graduation ceremony. Mom and Dad were planning on going with me and then they would send me home on a plane and take a rental car for a church history tour, for their 30th wedding anniversary. Anyway, they will have to just go without me this summer and I have to wait to "walk" in December. I really want to walk at commencement because I'll get the cool Master's hood. Well, it's not really a hood, but a sash thing. Anyway, you've probably seen pictures of Dad. So, I'm bummed that I have to wait to graduate, but I'm excited to be done next semester! I can't even tell you how ready I am to be done with school! It's been 10 years since high school, but 8 of those years I have been in school! Yikes! I'm burned out! I could never have been a medical doctor! (hehe)

I got a calling in my ward. Yes, I was called to be the (drum roll please) APARTMENT COORDINATOR! Isn't that something else? I love made up callings for singles wards! In brief, my duties will be to keep information about apartments available in our ward, so people can move it, and also info for people wanting to move into the ward. Yes, I know, this is really important. Well, it seems to be already because I have already had a few people come up to me with their room information. Well, I'll tell you more about my experiences as this goes along. I guess they need me! (hehe)

No word on my stolen car stereo, like there would, and so I've started doing some price checks for a new one. I think I'll keep it simple and hopefully get a good one for under $100. In the meantime I have been using my little MP3 player - with an earphone in one ear. I do keep the volume down so I can hear traffic, but hopefully I won't get pulled over for it! I can't remember if that is illegal.

Librarian

The break in

So, I have a sad story to tell. Just yesterday morning I went to my car and found it unlocked, and I then realized that it had been broken in to. Yes, they took my stereo and my burned CD's. Also, they took the ashtray drawer, that was filled with pennies. Can you believe that? I'm not sure if I left the door unlocked the night before, I was carrying groceries. I can tell they rooted around the car and even in the trunk. I'm trying to remember if I had anything of worth in there, but I don't see anything missing. I am so frustrated, especially about having to replace the stereo. I did call the police to report it, but you know they can't do anything.

Well, on a lighter note. Our ward had a goal to have a 40-day fast and they wanted to have someone from the ward fasting and attending the temple on each day. So, I signed up for temple attendance every week. It's been so nice. I went yesterday and did an hour's worth of initiatories and it was great. I have loved going weekly this last month and I want to keep that up and go weekly, or every 2 weeks. The temple is so close, I need to take advantage of it more. I vowed I would after living in Taiwan and having to travel two hours to the temple.

I might be promoted to be an assistant in another department. I had an interview, for the 3rd floor, last week and then just today I had a call from the Sprague library wanting to interview me. So, the advantages of becoming an assistant would be that I could learn more what a librarian does and maybe become a paid librarian when I graduate, which is soon.

Vertigo

I started out with a heavy work load - the I got sick. First, my Vertigo came back, which I hate, then I got a head cold - then the Vertigo came back really bad. I was down for two days. It was horrible. Anyway, I have decided to see a doctor next week to get rid of the dizzy head. I think either a Ear,Nose, & Throat doctor, or a Neurologist. Anna and Kade, and myself, believe that it's something with the fluid in my ears. Anyway, I'm just sick it coming back and nothing being able to deal with it.

I gave a talk to day in Sacrament mtg and it was a recap of a General Conference Talk. So, I didn't want to tell the bishopric member that I only got to see once session, because of school, but Elder Uchtdorf's talk about repentance came to my mind first thing - so I thought I would use that one - and not tell anyone that I missed the rest of conference. I just printed out the talk and highlighted the key points of the talk, adding in a few comments here and there. I think it went well, and I got many compliments on it - so there you go.

Summer Graduation

My sister, Anna, had baby Emilia last weekend and I was on babysitting duty Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday. I went to see the baby on Tuesday and she's so cute! I just saw them yesterday at their house and got to hold baby Emilia for a while.

So, later that week I had to scramble to finish up some assignments for my upcoming class that weekend. Class went well enough. I did hear some good news from my adviser. So, I did some graduate classes at the UofU a while back and I was hoping that I could get them transferred for credit towards my degree. So, I finally got the paper work done and my adviser told me that she's confident that those will transfer over successfully and if that's the case, then I have more than enough credits to graduate. Yippee! I still have to complete a Capstone class, which I am nervous about, but if I only have that to worry about next semester - I'll be fine. So, I'm hoping to graduate at the end of the summer and Mom and Dad are interested in going with me to Kansas for a graduation ceremony. You have to get the Master's hood! Well, I might be jumping the gun at this point. The "intent to graduate" deadline already passed - but my adviser is looking into seeing if I can slip in for next semester. I can't even tell you excited I am about that! I am so ready to be done with school! It's been 10 years since I graduated from high school and 7 of those years I have still been in school!

Gorilla Librarian