Happy Sunday: Learning Lessons the Hard Way

Welp, it snowed fo' realz.  High time.  The state with the "Greatest Snow on Earth" is finally living up to it's name.  Joyful skiers, boarders, snowman-builders, and towing companies abound!  This video was taken yesterday, up in Bountiful.  Had I a front porch with a view of this sort of entertainment, I would want for nothing.

I realize it is twisted, but this video gives me inexplicable joy!  I've watched it 3 times now and each time, I swear, it gets more hilarious!  'Tis sad that I get such pleasure from watching cars crash.  It's no wonder that I love demolition derbies so much.  Like, seriously.  Probably in the top 5 things I miss about living in Northern Idaho.  

Well with that segue into this week's Happy Sunday message...

Why do we LOOOOVE to learn things the hard way?  We totally do.  It's a pride thing.  In reality, our lives could be so much easier if we'd learn lessons from those who have gone before us.  Really people, we ought to learn from their mistakes than foolishly believe that we can somehow turn out better than the trailblazers who already tested the waters, figured out it's not worth drinking, and duly warned us.  But, like each car coming down that road of death, we tend not to heed the warning, or notice the signs of impending danger.  One would think that a mass of cars in ditches, in yards, and in the wrong lane would be adequate warning that, oh hey, this road is super slippery--slow down NOW.

As tempting as it may be and as humble as you are not feeling, don't do it.  Don't go down that road.  You know it yields nothing but pain, misery, disappointment, and increased insurance rates.  In the Book of Mormon, Nephi prays for resistance against aforesaid temptation.  His humility is particularly noteworthy.

May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!  (2 Nephi 4:32)

Happy Sunday, e'erbody.  Stick to the plain road.
With love,
Sarah

I Miss Jimmer (Part III)

Well we all know how much I wanted him on our football team.  But what about the men's volleyball team?  Now that's a thought.  I couldn't resist imagining Little Jim Jim setting and spiking as I watched our #1-ranked team playing crushing USC last night.  If only...

And to all of you nerds out there who are complaining about Jimmer's NBA performance, I'd like to see you go from college standards to professional (EVEN if you were the NCAA MVP) and maintain the glory you had at your alma mater.  Have patience with the young grasshopper!  Oy vey.

Happy Sunday: The Civility Experiment

I won't lie.  As much as I loved watching this video, I equally hated watching it.  Who do I profess to be?  A daughter of God.  A follower of Christ.  But do my actions, thoughts, comments always reflect that?  Not by a long shot. I am as big of a hypocrite that the woman in this video calls herself out for being.

And who isn't, honestly?  But that is no justification for un-Christlike behavior.

May we not be burdened with futile attempts to be perfect.  That is fruitless.  May we, however, seriously strive to embrace more fully the Golden Rule.  To seek out the good in people.  To see them as God sees them.  

What's in a name?

Welcome to Holden.  Population: weeds, trash, dirt, maybe a farmer or 2.  Located in the wastelands of Utah. I drive past this charming little...plot of land...on every trip to Southern Utah, Vegas, or California.  I smile for my name's sake.

Last week, whilst driving back from San Diego, on the final homestretch of the 11-hour journey, I was pulled over.  The Po-Po.  The Heat.  The 5-0.  The Fuzz. (That one's for you, Annie.)  They got me.  First time I've been pulled over since the week I got my license when I was 15, and a ginger version of Hitler asked for my registration and I gave him a receipt for a car tune-up.

But I wasn't even mad.  Why?  Because I was pulled over in Holden.  I was too impressed by the irony to be bothered.

Oxfords

I bought my first pair.  I need a wardrobe that will command respect on behalf of my students.  Nothing commands respect like a pair of Oxfords.  I feel my IQ increase every time I put them on my feet.  I feel so scholarly!  So academic!  Remember this?  Same effect. 

Happy Sunday: My New Year's Resolution

Adventures and Discoveries of 2011

The Adventures:

Hiking and camping in Zion National Park  

Heaven on Earth

Beating the system at Disneyland 

“Social Anxiety Disorder,” anyone?

Paragliding in Switzerland

  The Alps have a way of making me feel significantly smaller.  Didn’t think that was possible, did you?

Reminiscing Paris 

  Who knew crepes, baguettes and kebabs could arouse so many memories?

Shenanigans in London 

It’s what you get when you have a local as your guide

Touring universities, graveyards and castle ruins in Scotland

I can’t tell you which were more ancient

Pub hopping in Ireland

  The Mother Land. The Home Turf.  And still #1 on my list of favorite countires.

Film shootsin Moab and Tucson

  I have the greatest job ever

SummitingMount Timp 

I may have found Zion’s rival  

Four-wheelingin Mexico

  Cartel AND tourist-free!

A little Rogers, Hammerstein, and Tchaikovsky in San Diego

  I’ve lived in So Cal for over 14 years.  Why has it taken me this long to realize how great this city is?

The Discoveries:

Zumba

  How dancing can mask working out

Spinach smoothies

  How fruit can mask the taste of vegetables

Parks and Recreation

  The Office has seen its day

Oreos

  I’m addicted

Mormons arecool

 Jimmermania!  Mittmania…?

iPod

 It’s only taken me 10 years

Teaching

  An unexpected passion

Grad school

Perhaps I am cut out for it?

The Internetis a powerful tool

  My Cupcake Rob post went so viral that it ended up with the subject wearing my nickname for him on his name tag at work.  I deserve a year’s supply of cupcakes for all the business I brought The Chocolate. 

Crafting  

Still not into Pinterest, though…

Fishing

 Who knew it could be so enjoyable