COPS

Geoff and I have lived in the Orem ghetto before, we know what the ghetto is. Our current neighborhood is not the ghetto, so I have to wonder why we see the cops around here as often as we do. Like today, as I drove up there were two cop cars - parked all skeewampus in the middle of the road - and one officer asking questions from four guys standing around, and taking notes on a pad. I noticed as I walked from car to house, that the cop asked a question and they all turned around and pointed in the general direction of our building. Yikes. Yet we see the cops a lot.

We saw a stakeout once, a couple years ago. Coming home from something, I noticed lots of cop cars parked in each little parking lot turn-in, all just sitting there with their lights off. If they were trying to be inconspicuous, they failed. Anyway, I happened to be out again, some time later that night, when they all suddenly turned on their lights at the same time and quickly drove over to one spot. Curious, I took "the long way" out to see what happened, but all I could see was that they were all parked at one guy's house - in front of his house, in his driveway, on his lawn, like six or seven of them, with their red and blue lights on. Weird. Maybe it's cuz we're just off the freeway and it's a great spot for someone to try and hide. I like living close to the freeway though, the quick access is great.

Well, we got more snow dumped on us. Geoff and I switched cars today so he could take mine in for an oil change. I think his car is worse on the snow than mine!

To liberate, not to conquer

I DVR'd the Meet the Natives short series and finished watching the final episode tonight. My dad's friend Bill had some interesting thoughts about one of the episodes. Here's what the show is about: "The show is called “Meet the Natives” which has these tribesmen going across America exploring what our country’s all about. These men have one goal or “mission” in mind, and that is to deliver a message personally to President Obama. Their message is simple, yet crucial in their minds, otherwise their mission is a failure…..but the message is simply, “bring about peace throughout the world.”

Anyway, for their final week in America, they stayed with a DC family in which both parents are soldiers. The chief asked the father why they go to war. The soldier's answer was basically that he doesn't really know, but they just go because they're told and they don't ask questions. They just do what they're told.

Individuals decide to what extent they follow the politics of war, but I wondered if there was a better answer out there. It almost seems like too big of a question to try and grapple with, and I really don't know the answer either. One thing I do remember though - a couple of years ago, my ethics professor showed a black and white video of the London Blitz of 1940. I guess Hitler thought he was going to conquer the world and thought he would demoralize the British by leveling the city of London to dust. And level it, he did. I remember watching the intense struggle the British underwent in defending themselves, being totally outnumbered, hit over and over again and yet not giving up, though the people had to live underground to survive amidst the constant fear and terror.

My professor was a staunch pacifist, hating everything about war. I think he showed the movie as an example of the awful effects of war. The movie touched me so much, but the one big question on my mind was, "why was there no one helping them fight to defend themselves?" They needed help so badly. My question was answered simply, "The US wasn't involved in the war at that point."

So, war is never a good thing, but is it sometimes necessary? In my high school dance class, there was a German foreign-exchange student. I once asked her what the general opinion of America was, as far as she knew. She said the opinion is that we stick our noses in everybody's business and we should just keep to ourselves and mind our own business. That could just be a german upbringing, or it could be more widespread than Germany, my perception is that it's more widespread than that. But there are differing opinions on what our involvement should be.

Going back to the show - the five men found themselves in the heart of D.C., trying to spread their message of peace, and found the following engraving on one of the monuments: "Americans came to liberate, not to conquer; to restore freedom and to end tyranny."

"Say goodbye"

I hope what I'm doing is the right thing to be doing with my life. Things don't feel the same tonight. Maybe it's just now without this big huge goal to work on I feel a little lost and I'll get used to it. I just hope we're going in the right direction.

The man in the pod

Had a totally weird dream about three days ago - it's unusual that I remember a dream that long so I'm just gonna write about it.

I was standing in the road - about halfway up the big hill on Center Street in Spanish Fork, when all of a sudden a soccer-ball-shaped metal pod, about four feet in diameter, fell down from outer space and crashed into the ground in front of me.

The scientist of the pod, who was standing next to me, said there was a man inside it, who was probably injured and would die if he didn't get help right away - although there was no urgency coming from the scientist. He just shrugged his shoulders and started walking away. "Wait! He's going to die!" I called after him, but no response. I pulled out my cellphone and tried to call 911, but could not get my phone to work.

I considered running down to the police station on Main Street but knew I wouldn't get there in time to save the man's life, so I ran across the street instead, to where three guys were hanging out. Panicked, I told them the man was going to die, and could I please use their phones? They didn't seem to care about the man in the pod, but one gave me his phone anyway. It was an iphone, and I couldn't figure out how to use it and gave it back. Another guy gave me his phone. "He's going to die if we don't get help!" I yelled over and over again. I punched 9-1-1 into the other guy's phone, but the numbers 5-0-6 showed up on the screen instead. I knew at that point that something was very wrong and I was going to fail and the man in the pod would die. Then I woke up.

The general feelings of the dream were frustration, because I couldn't believe no one cared about something as vitally important as the man's life - fear, because I alone seemed to carry the responsibility for saving him - and helplessness, because I was failing to do so.

I've got some general ideas about the meaning of this dream, if there is such a thing, but I just don't feel like getting into it right now.

Geek weekend

This is our fridge after Geoff cleaned it out, like two days ago. It still looks like that- maybe we should go grocery shopping.

Lookey what I got for Christmas!! "Freakin' sweet."

This morning we went to see Avatar in 3D. It was so good; we both really loved it. Then we went to lunch at Tuchano's, mmm. We've also decided to geek out with our fantasy books and an all-night Lord of the Rings marathon, again. Two happier geeks I'm sure there never were.

It in a nutshell

This is over $300 worth of stickers. And now it's time to scrape them off.

Yep, grades are posted, I'm officially done!!! Wahoo! A huge weight off me. And now that Geoff has found a job, it's a huge weight off him too. So, one marriage proposal and five years later, we are finally resting a little bit.

There has never been a time in our marriage when at least one of us wasn't in school. Things will probably be different for us now, but we are ready to start a new phase of life together - at least for a little while!

I don't plan on getting bored with all this new extra time on my hands! Here are some goals for the coming year:

-Lose the 30 lbs I've gained since starting the back-to-back schedule, by late June
I'm a little nervous to try since I've tried and failed so many times in the last three years, but there's so much more time now than there was before! Not to mention energy!

-Spend time with Geoff!

-Keep a clean house
no more once-a-month whirlwind clean

-Read!
I want to read all about American history; I want the nitty-gritty starting all the way back before Columbus ever sailed away. I'm not interested in conspiracy theories or political bias - a book with a point to prove. Just pure history, that's all I want. If any one knows any good ones, I'd appreciate suggestions! :) Also, I read a book by Pete Hammil called Forever, and it was fictional, but it touched lightly on ancient Celtic history and culture, and was really interesting, so that's the other thing I want to read about.

I've got at least another year at my job, according to the tuition-reimbursement contract which my amazing employer provided me. I actually think they're doing me a favor by keeping me in one spot for at least a year - it takes some of the pressure off. I'm going to start studying for the GMAT on January 1st, and then take it in late February/early March. And after all of that - I've decided to get a CPA license and do taxes. It's going to be a long road - at least a year left at my employer's, then at least another year of school, then two years working under a CPA. My CPA friend at work says it'll probably take me about a year to complete the test, but that can be done while working under the CPA. But, there's really nothing standing in my way, at this point. Taxes intimidate the crap out of me, but if other people can learn them, then I'm sure I can.

The only setback I see in all of this is that I'll be limiting my choice of schools to those that accept a bachelor's degree at face-value, as opposed to the ones that want specific prerequisites. I wasn't able to take all of the normal prerequisites at UVU since they are only offered during the day. But, as Scotty says, "setbacks are not debilitating to me." I'm sure there are still lots of good schools to choose from. I can go anywhere in the country I want, as long as I get accepted. Which I don't plan to have a problem with, just have to study up well for the GMAT.

Tonight though, we takin' it easy, brother!

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, and Happy Hannakah!

Done

Oh my gosh, I'm blogging! It feels like it's been like, two weeks! ha ha. I am a journaling addict. Anyway, my friend Angie took me out to lunch the other day to "celebrate being done with the damn school." Ha ha, I so love her! Mom & Dad gave me the most beautiful vase of flowers I've ever seen - so bright and colorful! I wish I'd taken pictures of it! We also went bowling last Friday night with the family - and they got me some books and a CD of the Beatles greatest hits. I'm not real familiar with the Beatles, other than everybody and their dog loves them, so I'll give it a listen!

Erik's birthday

Erik's birthday today. All he wanted was to go to Red Robin with the family for dinner. His cute girlfriend came too. During dinner, Danielle asked Dad if he'd had a girlfriend in high school. Mom answered something like, "who didn't he date?", which prompted Danielle to ask dad if he was a player in high school. And dad replied, "what, you mean did I play football?" ha. I love my family.

Our December

So much fun stuff happening! A couple weekends ago, we went to the Festival of Trees in Sandy with Ashlee and Jared - our last time hanging out until they come back! Or until we go there, whatever!

Last weekend was our company Christmas party - the locale changed to Thanksgiving Point this year. (The Grand America was really nice but it was even nicer to be just a short drive away!) We had live entertainment this year - a guy named Jarrett. He was on American Idol season 8, and since I didn't see it I'm not sure how far he got, but he was amazing! He had a female guest singer and together they were stunning!

Need a 5-hour energy

Sigh. It's really hard to focus on homework (finals) when you just want to crawl under the covers and hibernate. Unfortunately, I really cannot put this off any longer. I'll post some actuall stuff in a few days once all the schoolwork is done.

Lizards don't really eat paper

Okay so, I already know I'm a geek - no need to point it out - but I really want this...

Michael Jordan who?

I had no idea this was going on at UVU that night... no wonder traffic was so horrendous on my way to class.

Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

Oh. What an exhausting week. There've been major to-do's in work, in school, and in personal life this past week. I'm just physically and emotionally drained right now. I really need to be working on finals tonight, but Geoff and I are thinking about Cafe Rio and a movie at home. I'll just hit it hard tomorrow. Ta-ta for now.

He ate my heart

It snowed!! Big time! It came quite late this year, but I'm not complaining about that. Just have to get used to the slippery roads again. I get scared of someone pulling out in front of me without giving me enough time to slow down - my car does not have good traction on snow. I went 25 mph all the way to work this morning though - so far so good. Geoff wants to get an SUV for me to drive cuz they handle so much better. That'll be a ways off though, I'm thinking. Anyway.

I bought the new Gaga album. She's kind of weird, honestly, but I can't get enough of the tunes. This one's a total dance album. It feels like 80's electropop mixed with Ace of Base (Alejandro's a total Ace of Base song. And I love Monster). So, simply put, I love it.

Tonight I turn in a paper and give a presentation on item PO2 of COBIT: Define the Informational Architecture. (Scintillating, let me tell you). Then tomorrow night I have to give a group presentation on our group's "journal article," and Thursday my portfolio thing is due for Fraud class, which is going to take some time to put together - that will have to be done Tues. and Weds. night. THEN, FINALS!! And I'm done with homework forever if I want to be. Yessssssssss. If we can just make it through the next two weeks. :)

Quote

It's been since Wednesday? Wow where has time gone. Anyway, I just read this most awesome quote on a friend's blog:

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sigh

I pumped myself full of caffeine today. We had a training meeting from 9-11, then from 2-5. It wasn't that bad, really (thanks caffeine). The rest of this week, especially tomorrow, then probably all of next week and maybe the next few months, are gonna be crazy! You know, in sort of an exciting way, for the company. But crazy. I worked a little late, then did homework for an hour, then went to class. Geoff went to a sub for santa thing while I was at school. We are tired. Came home and watched the Biggest Loser together. I don't know but this last season wasn't as good as the one before it. Last season was, well, kinda inspiring. This season, well, it tries. (It's really corny!) But anyway.

Geoff interviewed with a guy today. I think the guy was psycho - if angry and completely delusional counts as "psycho." Eck.

We miss you guys

Last night we got to see our old friends Ashlee and Jared!!! They are spending Thanksgiving up here in Utah and they spent last night with us. It was so good to see them and we seriously miss them sooooooo much! Well someday we might all live in Texas huh? :) Until then, we're just going to plan our next trip together... we're thinking a cruise, at some point. Anyway, we ordered pizza and just stayed in, playing Battle of the Sexes (we made up our own rules, does anyone really know the rules to that game?) and watched a little Scare Tactics since they've become fans too. They were here until 1 a.m. and it was a blast! We seriously laughed our heads off all night long.

Our hubbies and their shared love of spicy condiments:

They are so funny.