About Me
- Sarah
- I was born and raised in San Diego. Currently I'm a grad student at SDSU (class of 2013) studying Rehabilitation Counseling to help people with disabilities get the accessability and accomodations they need to achieve their potential! I'm an alum of Helix High, Rick's College & BYU. Yes, I'm a Mormon & I served a mission in The Texas Dallas Spanish/ASL Mission. Although it wasn't always true, I'm now successfully living with Schizoaffective Disorder. I've been blessed with a great family and many friends. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Trying to think, but nothing happens!
Greetings and Salutations!!
Here it is the first Sunday in December and I am actually writing on my blog!! Don't you feel special?
The title of this blog is something a high school . . . or was it college . . . computer repeated over and over again when it froze. Recently, I have been thinking it frequently!
This week has been an interesting one. My brain has hit the end of the trail. I don't know if it's the end of the semester or . . . the end of the year. I don't know what. Last Sunday I had the opportunity to go and hang out with a dear friend. We chatted, laughed and had a lot of fun. Then she took me home. I left my phone on her table. She lives about 20 minutes from me. If I were to drive. Two hours from me on a bus. Gratefully, my loving parents came to my rescue and took me up to my friends house, and back. as they drove away my mom quipped that she hoped I had everything. I laughed, got out of the car . . . and promptly left my cell phone in the car. I didn't realize it until after they had driven away. My parents brought it back to me. Oh but wait, it gets better!
So Thursday I took the bus to school. I met a really nice bus driver. It was just he and me on the bus. We chatted. He dropped me off. I had a huge presentation that night in class and so I was keyed up. (I'll have to tell you about that later.) The next morning I was getting ready and couldn't find my planner which doubles as my wallet and triples as my BRAIN! I wasn't all that surprised because my room is a disaster. So I searched. I searched. But, I couldn't find it ANYWHERE! My friends were with me and we prayed. Hard. We went to school . . . hunted. I called the bus people and they had me call back 2 hours later. They had it. They said I could either go up to Miramar . . . which was a three hour ride on a bus. Or I could pick it up at the bus stop, from the driver who picked it up. The only problem was that I was in the middle of the bay on the Coronado ferry and I was with someone from out of town who had their schedule planned so well that we really couldn't get out to where that bus goes. AGAIN my loving mom saved me! She went over to the bus stop. waited for that bus and then talked to the nice bus driver and retreived my lost brain---showing her ID which has the same address on my ID. Gosh! Oh wait, but that's not all!
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the temple. As I was leaving I was walking away and . . . thought, "So do I have my planner?" I searched my bag for the silly thing. Didn't find it! So I went back into the locker room and, Lo and behold . . . there it was on the shelf in my locker! Ta DAH! (That would have been a three hour bus ride. AND it saved my loving mom from driving somewhere else to find something I'd thought I'd had, but didn't.)
Today I couldn't find my sunglasses anywhere. Bummer. They're prescription. I am basically way beyond just blurry vision. I don't have money to replace them either, which is unfortunate because since all that ECT my eyes have been very sensitive to light. VERY sensitive! I'm talking more than just squinty because it's bright outside. I'm talking hurting. When you walk everywhere during the day. Wait for buses for long amounts of time . . . well, you get the idea. Gone. (sniff.)
This morning I had the opportunity to interpret for a one on one RS training meeting with the Stake RS Presidency. She picked me up at 8am. I wasn't ready, so I brought my makeup and put it on in the car. When I was finished applying the face, I couldn't find my glasses. Blurry! I looked through everything . . . and surprise . . . couldn't find them. Looked . . . finally I found them in my makeup bag. I guess I need to get a smaller bag!
Anyway, the meeting was very nice. Our new RS president is amazing. She was a member of the Church for 3 weeks when she was called (one . . . maybe two months ago). It is an exciting experience to watch the Lord work through her and with her as she grows into her calling.
On my way home from Church I was asked to make a call, but I can't find my phone. I searched all through all my backpack and . . . you guessed it! I couldn't find anything. AGAIN! the Branch President's wife, who was taking me home, called her hubbie and asked him to get the number for the RS President's video relay number, so I could call her when I got home. I think I left my cell in her car, I thought I remembered turning off the phone's ringer so I wouldn't disturb the meeting. The branch president looked for my phone at the building. The wife gave me a nice big handful of nuts to snack on while she ran inside somewhere and handed me her keys to wait for her. I threw something in my mouth . . . from what I thought were the nuts and came down hard on a mouth full of keys. Man, I'm grateful I have strong teeth. It must be something to do with that wonderful dentist I told you about in August . . . or was it September. FLOSS!
When I got home I found the phone!! It was on my bed. I couldn't believe my luck! so I contacted everyone and let them know, so no one was worried. Then . . . I got a call. My friend had found my sunglasses! YAY! And much to the relief of my loving parents, my friend brought them over, so I didn't have to ask anyone to retrieve them from anywhere.
Things are going great out here. I love school. This semester has been so fun! There is nothing like learning about what you are already passionate about. I can't believe that this semester is almost over. This coming week is the last week of class. Just a test and a research paper left to do. (But I'll tell you about that later)
So didn't you love the First Presidency's Christmas fireside. I was laughing that Pres. Uctdorf quoted Dr. Seus . . . extensively.
Anyway, not to be commercial . . . but . . . okay I will be.
I opened up a little store online at Etsy.com It is a place where I can sell some of the jewelry I've made. You might find something you or a loved one would love for Christmas. Look at voces.etsy.com It's just something I've taken up that I've thoroughly enjoyed.
Well, I want to share something with you guys . . .
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the temple. Attendance was very low. The session I went to, I was the only person there. I guess it was because so many people are busy with the holidays. Anyway, as I sat there in the assembly room looking around, no one came in. I was sitting there and a temple worker came up to me and said, "if we can find a brother, would you mind . . . ?" I smiled. Later, this little old, wrinkled temple worker with a huge smile on his face came in and sat next to me. He was a man I'd served with a lot in the temple and one of my favorite people. The longer I sat there in the session, thinking about how they had searched for someone at the close of the shift to do a session with me, it occurred to me that even if I (or anyone) were the ONLY person to come to earth and have a mortal experience, our Savior would have gladly come and sacrificed for me to give me the opportunity become exalted like our Father. I literally just stood all amazed at the end of that session. It was a wonderful experience.
Keep that in mind as you think about your Christmas season, remember who you are and why our Saviour came. And have fun with your family!
Love, MOPS
Here it is the first Sunday in December and I am actually writing on my blog!! Don't you feel special?
The title of this blog is something a high school . . . or was it college . . . computer repeated over and over again when it froze. Recently, I have been thinking it frequently!
This week has been an interesting one. My brain has hit the end of the trail. I don't know if it's the end of the semester or . . . the end of the year. I don't know what. Last Sunday I had the opportunity to go and hang out with a dear friend. We chatted, laughed and had a lot of fun. Then she took me home. I left my phone on her table. She lives about 20 minutes from me. If I were to drive. Two hours from me on a bus. Gratefully, my loving parents came to my rescue and took me up to my friends house, and back. as they drove away my mom quipped that she hoped I had everything. I laughed, got out of the car . . . and promptly left my cell phone in the car. I didn't realize it until after they had driven away. My parents brought it back to me. Oh but wait, it gets better!
So Thursday I took the bus to school. I met a really nice bus driver. It was just he and me on the bus. We chatted. He dropped me off. I had a huge presentation that night in class and so I was keyed up. (I'll have to tell you about that later.) The next morning I was getting ready and couldn't find my planner which doubles as my wallet and triples as my BRAIN! I wasn't all that surprised because my room is a disaster. So I searched. I searched. But, I couldn't find it ANYWHERE! My friends were with me and we prayed. Hard. We went to school . . . hunted. I called the bus people and they had me call back 2 hours later. They had it. They said I could either go up to Miramar . . . which was a three hour ride on a bus. Or I could pick it up at the bus stop, from the driver who picked it up. The only problem was that I was in the middle of the bay on the Coronado ferry and I was with someone from out of town who had their schedule planned so well that we really couldn't get out to where that bus goes. AGAIN my loving mom saved me! She went over to the bus stop. waited for that bus and then talked to the nice bus driver and retreived my lost brain---showing her ID which has the same address on my ID. Gosh! Oh wait, but that's not all!
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the temple. As I was leaving I was walking away and . . . thought, "So do I have my planner?" I searched my bag for the silly thing. Didn't find it! So I went back into the locker room and, Lo and behold . . . there it was on the shelf in my locker! Ta DAH! (That would have been a three hour bus ride. AND it saved my loving mom from driving somewhere else to find something I'd thought I'd had, but didn't.)
Today I couldn't find my sunglasses anywhere. Bummer. They're prescription. I am basically way beyond just blurry vision. I don't have money to replace them either, which is unfortunate because since all that ECT my eyes have been very sensitive to light. VERY sensitive! I'm talking more than just squinty because it's bright outside. I'm talking hurting. When you walk everywhere during the day. Wait for buses for long amounts of time . . . well, you get the idea. Gone. (sniff.)
This morning I had the opportunity to interpret for a one on one RS training meeting with the Stake RS Presidency. She picked me up at 8am. I wasn't ready, so I brought my makeup and put it on in the car. When I was finished applying the face, I couldn't find my glasses. Blurry! I looked through everything . . . and surprise . . . couldn't find them. Looked . . . finally I found them in my makeup bag. I guess I need to get a smaller bag!
Anyway, the meeting was very nice. Our new RS president is amazing. She was a member of the Church for 3 weeks when she was called (one . . . maybe two months ago). It is an exciting experience to watch the Lord work through her and with her as she grows into her calling.
On my way home from Church I was asked to make a call, but I can't find my phone. I searched all through all my backpack and . . . you guessed it! I couldn't find anything. AGAIN! the Branch President's wife, who was taking me home, called her hubbie and asked him to get the number for the RS President's video relay number, so I could call her when I got home. I think I left my cell in her car, I thought I remembered turning off the phone's ringer so I wouldn't disturb the meeting. The branch president looked for my phone at the building. The wife gave me a nice big handful of nuts to snack on while she ran inside somewhere and handed me her keys to wait for her. I threw something in my mouth . . . from what I thought were the nuts and came down hard on a mouth full of keys. Man, I'm grateful I have strong teeth. It must be something to do with that wonderful dentist I told you about in August . . . or was it September. FLOSS!
When I got home I found the phone!! It was on my bed. I couldn't believe my luck! so I contacted everyone and let them know, so no one was worried. Then . . . I got a call. My friend had found my sunglasses! YAY! And much to the relief of my loving parents, my friend brought them over, so I didn't have to ask anyone to retrieve them from anywhere.
Things are going great out here. I love school. This semester has been so fun! There is nothing like learning about what you are already passionate about. I can't believe that this semester is almost over. This coming week is the last week of class. Just a test and a research paper left to do. (But I'll tell you about that later)
So didn't you love the First Presidency's Christmas fireside. I was laughing that Pres. Uctdorf quoted Dr. Seus . . . extensively.
Anyway, not to be commercial . . . but . . . okay I will be.
I opened up a little store online at Etsy.com It is a place where I can sell some of the jewelry I've made. You might find something you or a loved one would love for Christmas. Look at voces.etsy.com It's just something I've taken up that I've thoroughly enjoyed.
Well, I want to share something with you guys . . .
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the temple. Attendance was very low. The session I went to, I was the only person there. I guess it was because so many people are busy with the holidays. Anyway, as I sat there in the assembly room looking around, no one came in. I was sitting there and a temple worker came up to me and said, "if we can find a brother, would you mind . . . ?" I smiled. Later, this little old, wrinkled temple worker with a huge smile on his face came in and sat next to me. He was a man I'd served with a lot in the temple and one of my favorite people. The longer I sat there in the session, thinking about how they had searched for someone at the close of the shift to do a session with me, it occurred to me that even if I (or anyone) were the ONLY person to come to earth and have a mortal experience, our Savior would have gladly come and sacrificed for me to give me the opportunity become exalted like our Father. I literally just stood all amazed at the end of that session. It was a wonderful experience.
Keep that in mind as you think about your Christmas season, remember who you are and why our Saviour came. And have fun with your family!
Love, MOPS
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Changing the tide
Greetings!
This past week was a hard one. A very hard one. I don't know about you, but a combination of stress, time change, cold weather and . . . well the list could go on and on . . . added up to some serious depression. Finally on Tuesday I decided I needed to take control of the situation. I realized I could sit at home alone, hide in bed, or I could get out, move around in the sun and go do something productive. I decided to go and volunteer at the Bishops' Storehouse. I hopped on the bus and rode it over to the Storehouse. I think I cried all the way there. On the way, I made an emergency call to my counselor and talked to him. I talked with my nurse about maybe changing the dose of some of my meds . . . but when I finally arrived at the storehouse the Sisters working there just came out and gave me HUGE hugs I put on an apron and I tried to focus on someone other than myself. I have to admit I was only able to be there for an hour, and when I left I didn't tremendously better, but I did feel better. I know that if I would have stayed home all by my lonesome It would have gotten more and more depressing.
I have to admit, when I'm starting to really feel bad . . . it normally gets worse, but this time I asked myself what I could do (on top of talking to my Dr, getting better sleep and slapping on a smile . . .) that would help me and suddenly I remembered all those lessons I had growing up about serving others. Bingo. I did.
This week with the stress of all that is going on in your life, especially with those Holidays on the horizon, try to take time out and do something for someone else. Maybe it's like what I did and going out to volunteer somewhere. Maybe you can do for someone else what that beloved sister did for me, give someone who looks like they need a hug, a well needed hug. Maybe you can write a note of gratitude to someone who you may have been taking for granted. Maybe it's smiling at someone who just might need that extra boost in their day. Whatever it is, DO IT! It took me about three days to get back into the swing of things, but I did. I know part of the quick turn around was because I started looking for other ways to serve people, if only so I could focus on them and not on myself. I am grateful I was able to turn the tide of depression from getting deeper.
This past week my brother, Klint, started a secret group for me about family memories. It is an absolute riot to read things that I have absolutely no memory of. Some of the things that they have brought up I can't even imagine that I did, but I guess I did. There are funny stories about Fourth of July parades, and pranks I pulled on people. They mentioned when I went out for 6th grade president and all sorts of silly things. If any of you have any memories of our friendship, please let me know so I can work on rebuilding my holey memory. (ha ha, love that pun!)
My friend, Amy, came out this past week and I had the opportunity to hang out with her and see her family. I loved having her near and having the opportunity to laugh with her. I'm sad she had to come out for a funeral, but I'm grateful she was able to come!
The other evening I had the opportunity to sit and watch a TV show about ducks and geese. I learned about why they fly in formation. The bird in the front of the V in the sky takes all the wind and breaks it down so that it is easier for those other ducks in his formation to take a break. When the front duck gets tired, he slips back and someone else takes his spot. Ducks are also interesting because if one of the ducks gets wounded or sick, another duck stays behind with him to help him later catch up with the flock, with less wind resistance.
This made me think of Two things.
First, Christ is our leader in the flock. He takes the resistance of affliction and suffering and allows us to follow him and fully benefit from our strength.
Second, in this life on earth, it is impossible to always be the strength of the flock. It is important to allow others to be the leaders at times and support them by flying behind.
I know that we all have a burden of some sort. They are heavy and they are hard. Remember, our Heavenly Father allows you to have them because he knows you, your personality and your strength. He has full confidence in you that you can overcome whatever trials come your way as you depend on our Saviour, the Holy ghost, our priesthood leaders and on that potential that is just bursting within. When we reach out to one another we can carry our burdens together.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm thankful for you and the strength I get from each one of you.
Love, MOPS
This past week was a hard one. A very hard one. I don't know about you, but a combination of stress, time change, cold weather and . . . well the list could go on and on . . . added up to some serious depression. Finally on Tuesday I decided I needed to take control of the situation. I realized I could sit at home alone, hide in bed, or I could get out, move around in the sun and go do something productive. I decided to go and volunteer at the Bishops' Storehouse. I hopped on the bus and rode it over to the Storehouse. I think I cried all the way there. On the way, I made an emergency call to my counselor and talked to him. I talked with my nurse about maybe changing the dose of some of my meds . . . but when I finally arrived at the storehouse the Sisters working there just came out and gave me HUGE hugs I put on an apron and I tried to focus on someone other than myself. I have to admit I was only able to be there for an hour, and when I left I didn't tremendously better, but I did feel better. I know that if I would have stayed home all by my lonesome It would have gotten more and more depressing.
I have to admit, when I'm starting to really feel bad . . . it normally gets worse, but this time I asked myself what I could do (on top of talking to my Dr, getting better sleep and slapping on a smile . . .) that would help me and suddenly I remembered all those lessons I had growing up about serving others. Bingo. I did.
This week with the stress of all that is going on in your life, especially with those Holidays on the horizon, try to take time out and do something for someone else. Maybe it's like what I did and going out to volunteer somewhere. Maybe you can do for someone else what that beloved sister did for me, give someone who looks like they need a hug, a well needed hug. Maybe you can write a note of gratitude to someone who you may have been taking for granted. Maybe it's smiling at someone who just might need that extra boost in their day. Whatever it is, DO IT! It took me about three days to get back into the swing of things, but I did. I know part of the quick turn around was because I started looking for other ways to serve people, if only so I could focus on them and not on myself. I am grateful I was able to turn the tide of depression from getting deeper.
This past week my brother, Klint, started a secret group for me about family memories. It is an absolute riot to read things that I have absolutely no memory of. Some of the things that they have brought up I can't even imagine that I did, but I guess I did. There are funny stories about Fourth of July parades, and pranks I pulled on people. They mentioned when I went out for 6th grade president and all sorts of silly things. If any of you have any memories of our friendship, please let me know so I can work on rebuilding my holey memory. (ha ha, love that pun!)
My friend, Amy, came out this past week and I had the opportunity to hang out with her and see her family. I loved having her near and having the opportunity to laugh with her. I'm sad she had to come out for a funeral, but I'm grateful she was able to come!
This is Amy and me at the luncheon.
Heather, Libby, Amy and me.
(Heather and Libby are Amy's sisters. They are all great friends. Many a laugh escaped out of these lovely ladies!)
Me and Amy had fun at the Mission Beach as the sun was setting.
I have to admit I had a LOT of fun with her! It was nice to be with someone who knows me and accepts, me warts and all!
The other evening I had the opportunity to sit and watch a TV show about ducks and geese. I learned about why they fly in formation. The bird in the front of the V in the sky takes all the wind and breaks it down so that it is easier for those other ducks in his formation to take a break. When the front duck gets tired, he slips back and someone else takes his spot. Ducks are also interesting because if one of the ducks gets wounded or sick, another duck stays behind with him to help him later catch up with the flock, with less wind resistance.
This made me think of Two things.
First, Christ is our leader in the flock. He takes the resistance of affliction and suffering and allows us to follow him and fully benefit from our strength.
Second, in this life on earth, it is impossible to always be the strength of the flock. It is important to allow others to be the leaders at times and support them by flying behind.
I know that we all have a burden of some sort. They are heavy and they are hard. Remember, our Heavenly Father allows you to have them because he knows you, your personality and your strength. He has full confidence in you that you can overcome whatever trials come your way as you depend on our Saviour, the Holy ghost, our priesthood leaders and on that potential that is just bursting within. When we reach out to one another we can carry our burdens together.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm thankful for you and the strength I get from each one of you.
Love, MOPS
Monday, October 25, 2010
What the . . . where did October go??
Greetings!
Here it is, nearly the last of the month and I can't even remember what's happened. so . . . here it goes . . .
This month I was able to go to my classes and get all my work turned in ON TIME. I got a 29 out of 30 on my midterm in one o my classes!! Wahoo! I'm really enjoying school. It's a challenge in a good way. I've done well on all my assignments. It's been a lot of fun working with new people and seeing the different personalities. I love the things I'm learning about the access available to those with disabilities and the amazing things people are able to do if given the right tools. Now I just need to organize my skills and put my time to good use.
I had fun going to Arizona in September to see my niece get baptized. It's always fun to visit the family. I've been collecting nail polish colors for a long time. My nieces love painting their nails!
Then this time they wanted me to do their make-up. When I finished with theirs they wanted to do mine!
One niece did one side of my face ...
and the other niece did the other side of my face!
Never can have too much blue eye shadow!
This coming month I am doing a group presentation on autism. It was an eye opening experience creating this presentation. I learned about the different aspects of Autism, how it effects families and the helpful adaptations. AND, as an added bonus, I learned how to make a PowerPoint presentation.
I am working on getting my jewelry online. My friend took a whole bunch of pictures of my jewelry. They look really nice.
I am doing a research paper on ECT and its effects on cognition, memory and functioning. My outpatient doctor agrees I have some major deficits and is now requesting I have neurological testing done. I am happy about that because if they can pin point the deficits that I have, they can help me get the rehabilitation and help that I need to get back into mental shape . . . if that's even possible. Ha ha! My testing will take place over 4 hours on November 10th. Pray they can accurately assess my situation and get me he help I need.
I have taken up cooking . . . kind of. I've starting trying out different smoothies. I have also made zucchini bread and tried my hand at Banana bread. I need to work on those skills.
I had a date last week. I had a lot of fun. The guy was really nice, and told me he'd call me this week to go out again, but then yesterday he sent me an email saying that he was "going to keep looking." I told him to have fun and that I have friends, so if he's looking for anything specific I may be able to help. LOL Ah well. I got all excited about the date, got all beautified and everything. I looked hot! But . . . he wasn't interested. I guess it takes a special guy to recognize all my unique characteristics. For that reason, I am back where I started.
I have started going to the SDSU CES Institute. I really like the people I've met there and the class that I'm taking. It's called "Easy answers to hard questions". I like it because we learn about a topic that nonmember ask us about and then each student works on a 20 word or less answer in their own words. It sure puts things into perspective.
I'm still volunteering at the Bishops' Storehouse and loving it! Right now I'm working on obtaining a summer internship somewhere---hopefully at a college---to help people with disabilities get the accessibilties in their classrooms. We'll see. I think I need to write up a proposal for an internship and decide what I am really looking for as far as experience is concerned.
My Grandma celebrated her 87th birthday at the beginning of this month. we had a nice dinner at my grandparents' house, complete with lemon creme pie---Grandma's favorite!
and then my grandparents celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary the 17th.
Congratulations! I find that truly amazing! It takes a lot of good communication, sense of humor, flexibility and respect to make it 68 years! I'll be celebrating my 67th in the eternities.
Anyway, I am off to the temple! Take care! Love, MOPS
Here it is, nearly the last of the month and I can't even remember what's happened. so . . . here it goes . . .
This month I was able to go to my classes and get all my work turned in ON TIME. I got a 29 out of 30 on my midterm in one o my classes!! Wahoo! I'm really enjoying school. It's a challenge in a good way. I've done well on all my assignments. It's been a lot of fun working with new people and seeing the different personalities. I love the things I'm learning about the access available to those with disabilities and the amazing things people are able to do if given the right tools. Now I just need to organize my skills and put my time to good use.
I had fun going to Arizona in September to see my niece get baptized. It's always fun to visit the family. I've been collecting nail polish colors for a long time. My nieces love painting their nails!
One niece did one side of my face ...
This coming month I am doing a group presentation on autism. It was an eye opening experience creating this presentation. I learned about the different aspects of Autism, how it effects families and the helpful adaptations. AND, as an added bonus, I learned how to make a PowerPoint presentation.
I am working on getting my jewelry online. My friend took a whole bunch of pictures of my jewelry. They look really nice.
I am doing a research paper on ECT and its effects on cognition, memory and functioning. My outpatient doctor agrees I have some major deficits and is now requesting I have neurological testing done. I am happy about that because if they can pin point the deficits that I have, they can help me get the rehabilitation and help that I need to get back into mental shape . . . if that's even possible. Ha ha! My testing will take place over 4 hours on November 10th. Pray they can accurately assess my situation and get me he help I need.
I have taken up cooking . . . kind of. I've starting trying out different smoothies. I have also made zucchini bread and tried my hand at Banana bread. I need to work on those skills.
I had a date last week. I had a lot of fun. The guy was really nice, and told me he'd call me this week to go out again, but then yesterday he sent me an email saying that he was "going to keep looking." I told him to have fun and that I have friends, so if he's looking for anything specific I may be able to help. LOL Ah well. I got all excited about the date, got all beautified and everything. I looked hot! But . . . he wasn't interested. I guess it takes a special guy to recognize all my unique characteristics. For that reason, I am back where I started.
I have started going to the SDSU CES Institute. I really like the people I've met there and the class that I'm taking. It's called "Easy answers to hard questions". I like it because we learn about a topic that nonmember ask us about and then each student works on a 20 word or less answer in their own words. It sure puts things into perspective.
I'm still volunteering at the Bishops' Storehouse and loving it! Right now I'm working on obtaining a summer internship somewhere---hopefully at a college---to help people with disabilities get the accessibilties in their classrooms. We'll see. I think I need to write up a proposal for an internship and decide what I am really looking for as far as experience is concerned.
My Grandma celebrated her 87th birthday at the beginning of this month. we had a nice dinner at my grandparents' house, complete with lemon creme pie---Grandma's favorite!
and then my grandparents celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary the 17th.
Congratulations! I find that truly amazing! It takes a lot of good communication, sense of humor, flexibility and respect to make it 68 years! I'll be celebrating my 67th in the eternities.
Anyway, I am off to the temple! Take care! Love, MOPS
Saturday, September 11, 2010
What exactly did I get myself into?
Greetings!
When I applied to obtain a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, I looked forward to learning how to become a Master of Rehabilitaion Counseling, not a Master of the English language! Friday, my class was asked to complete a program evaluating our ability to write properly. Evidently, reading the textbook isn’t as important as speaking like one. Now, I ask you, did I sign up for a writing class? No. Did I sign up to pass or fail a computer-generated test on standard English usage writen by a non-native English speaker? No. Did I sign up to teach English as a second language? No. Yet, there I was analyzing sentence structure to determine whether a sentence was complex, compound, simple or complex-compound. Does it really matter whether I can identify parts of speech within a sentence? Not if I can write it correctly! (Yes, for those of you savvy readers, that previous sentence was a fragment! Writers often use them to emphasize a point.) And who in the flying-freak cares? (Did I just begin a sentence with AND?) I’m not studying linguistics, editing or grammar. (Yes, the previous sentence was parallel.) I am studying Rehabilitation Counseling. My last degree was in English. Do I remember how to speak using standard English? I never used it in the first place! I can, however, use proper English. (Which, by the way, received an incorrect mark because I didn’t choose the “standard English” response, opting for the proper English one. Yes, folks, I was deducted for using the word “amongst” instead of “among”. Two words, used interchangeably these days, unless you are being evaluated on standard English usage, in which case you are not amongst friends for writing like a Jane Austin novel! (Boy, I’m just running on and on!) If I need to decide when to use lay, lie, who or whom, I’ll do it on my own time! I mean seriously, when discerning between two restaurants, are you deciding which one is “more” casual or “most” casual? More than what? Most of both? Does it really matter? Yes, evidently it does matter, because I was deducted on that question as well. Goodness, that’s what happens when you over analyze something. Maybe it is better that I didn’t become a copy editor. Obviously, I wouldn’t have been a very good one---especially with all this passive voice! Phooey! Ahhhhh! As I run screaming from the room, I leave you to fend for yourselves amongst the weary world of weirdos wielding wacko, wannabe weapons with whithered words! I mean hey, if I can't get my word across, alliteration always aces ALL! ;) Need I say more?
Love, MOPS
When I applied to obtain a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, I looked forward to learning how to become a Master of Rehabilitaion Counseling, not a Master of the English language! Friday, my class was asked to complete a program evaluating our ability to write properly. Evidently, reading the textbook isn’t as important as speaking like one. Now, I ask you, did I sign up for a writing class? No. Did I sign up to pass or fail a computer-generated test on standard English usage writen by a non-native English speaker? No. Did I sign up to teach English as a second language? No. Yet, there I was analyzing sentence structure to determine whether a sentence was complex, compound, simple or complex-compound. Does it really matter whether I can identify parts of speech within a sentence? Not if I can write it correctly! (Yes, for those of you savvy readers, that previous sentence was a fragment! Writers often use them to emphasize a point.) And who in the flying-freak cares? (Did I just begin a sentence with AND?) I’m not studying linguistics, editing or grammar. (Yes, the previous sentence was parallel.) I am studying Rehabilitation Counseling. My last degree was in English. Do I remember how to speak using standard English? I never used it in the first place! I can, however, use proper English. (Which, by the way, received an incorrect mark because I didn’t choose the “standard English” response, opting for the proper English one. Yes, folks, I was deducted for using the word “amongst” instead of “among”. Two words, used interchangeably these days, unless you are being evaluated on standard English usage, in which case you are not amongst friends for writing like a Jane Austin novel! (Boy, I’m just running on and on!) If I need to decide when to use lay, lie, who or whom, I’ll do it on my own time! I mean seriously, when discerning between two restaurants, are you deciding which one is “more” casual or “most” casual? More than what? Most of both? Does it really matter? Yes, evidently it does matter, because I was deducted on that question as well. Goodness, that’s what happens when you over analyze something. Maybe it is better that I didn’t become a copy editor. Obviously, I wouldn’t have been a very good one---especially with all this passive voice! Phooey! Ahhhhh! As I run screaming from the room, I leave you to fend for yourselves amongst the weary world of weirdos wielding wacko, wannabe weapons with whithered words! I mean hey, if I can't get my word across, alliteration always aces ALL! ;) Need I say more?
Love, MOPS
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Can You Believe It?!
Greetings!
I got a call this morning. My friend at the Bishops' Storehouse could hardly wait for me to answer. When I did . . .
"You didn't tell me it was going to be the front page!" she laughed.
"What was?" I was puzzled.
"It looks great! We're the only story on the front page!" I could practically see her grinning through the phone. It was then that it dawned on me. My story about the Bishops' Storehouse. It went to press this past week. I hadn't seen a copy. I'd completely forgotten I'd even written the story.
"The FRONT page??" Oh my gosh! I seriously don't think I've been on the front page since I was editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper. And honestly I don't know if I was ever on the front page then either, but at least then I would have had the leverage to swing it! I didn't really believe it, so I called my mom. IF it was true, she would have already called me, I was sure of it. Turns out, she hadn't seen it yet either. But she said it was . . . FRONT PAGE!! HOLY COW! I can't even believe it! I'm ready to bust my buttons! So here it is folks . . . my front page article!
By Sarah Price
“Even the best financial planning cannot prepare us for unforeseen bumps in the road. Maybe you know someone who is employed, but still struggles to provide for their family’s basic needs. Perhaps you may even stare at your own situation and wonder what tomorrow holds when you can’t even put food on the table today. It’s for this reason inspired church leaders established the Welfare Program during the Great Depression.
Former Church President, Heber J. Grant saw the disparaging effects of the Great Depression seeping into the lives of church members and wanted to help people regain independence and self respect. He wanted to get rid of growing reliance on government programs and assist the members in building their thriftiness and increasing their talents. In 1936, his growing concern led church leaders to establish the Welfare Program. It was instituted to help members get back to work and provide for themselves. “It’s a great program,” Sister Lois Townsend, a service missionary and member of the Encinitas Ward said. “I’m sure it’s inspired of the Lord. It lifts your spirit to know we care about one another.”
Unlike other government programs, the Church’s Welfare program is not just a handout. It’s a hand-up. Bishops and Branch Presidents can offer members different assignments in exchange for the assistance they receive. Assignments can range anything from cleaning the building to using a particular talent to serve another person. In this way, members often regain self-respect because their assignment builds skills to move on with self-sufficiency.
There are several branches of the Welfare Program, all of which are funded entirely by fast offerings and other donations. One part of Welfare Services in San Diego is the Bishops’ Storehouse. It not only helps some members put food on their tables, but it also gives everyone an opportunity to come unto Christ by serving each other. Volunteers from San Diego County’s wards and branches stock the storehouse daily, hourly even, in an effort to better serve their brothers and sisters. Members keep coming back to volunteer, inspired by everything from restocking tomatoes to helping fill food orders. Some serve as part-time missionaries, some serve on assignment from leaders and others serve just because they’re looking for a fun and productive way to spend a couple hours.
Brother Richard Quiggle and his wife, Marianne, of the Poway Stake are serving a 24-month service mission as managers of the Bishops’ Storehouse. Sister Quiggle often talks about how amazed she is because everyday things “work out just the way the Lord would want”. Sometimes unassigned volunteers pop in to work a couple hours and it’s they who are needed to serve a particular person filling an order.
Sister Barbara Carpenter of the La Mesa Second Ward said, “[My husband and I] were asked to serve a weekly, three month assignment and really enjoyed it from the first night.” They are now serving an 18-month service mission at the Storehouse.
When asked if she would feel uncomfortable going to her bishop for a food order, Heidi Harris, a newlywed service missionary from the West Hills Ward says, “before I started volunteering here a year ago, yes [because I didn’t understand the program]. But now [that I do] I wouldn’t feel embarrassed at all!” Echoing the same sentiments, there are times when a brother or sister comes in feeling awkward or ashamed to fill their first order, but after they’re greeted by friendly, loving servants, anxieties melt away.
The benefits of service were described by David S. Baxter, a member of the Seventy in the October 2006 General Conference when he said, “stretching our souls in service helps us to rise above our cares, concerns, and challenges. As we focus our energies on lifting the burdens of others, something miraculous happens. Our own burdens diminish. We become happier. There is more substance to our lives.” (David S. Baxter, “Faith, Service, Consistency” Ensign, Nov 2006, 13-15.) Sister Quiggle enjoys that extra substance, “feeling the spirits of those who come in for assistance and of those who volunteer.” Since she began working in the storehouse, she has “an increased appreciation for the gospel, the Plan of Salvation, and seeing how the Lord works to bless each of us.”
Located in Clairemont Mesa (just off the 163), the Bishops’ Storehouse is open to anyone who would like to volunteer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm and on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm. Come focus your energy on lifting burdens and watch your own disappear!
Sister Quiggle said the Bishops’ Storehouse welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer to help meet the ongoing need for service. If members would like to serve regularly, they can be called as service missionaries and serve eight or more hours a week.”
(The Seagull asked me to add a paragraph at the end. I would have loved for it to have gone as the second to last paragraph, but hey! I still made the front page!)
I got a call this morning. My friend at the Bishops' Storehouse could hardly wait for me to answer. When I did . . .
"You didn't tell me it was going to be the front page!" she laughed.
"What was?" I was puzzled.
"It looks great! We're the only story on the front page!" I could practically see her grinning through the phone. It was then that it dawned on me. My story about the Bishops' Storehouse. It went to press this past week. I hadn't seen a copy. I'd completely forgotten I'd even written the story.
"The FRONT page??" Oh my gosh! I seriously don't think I've been on the front page since I was editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper. And honestly I don't know if I was ever on the front page then either, but at least then I would have had the leverage to swing it! I didn't really believe it, so I called my mom. IF it was true, she would have already called me, I was sure of it. Turns out, she hadn't seen it yet either. But she said it was . . . FRONT PAGE!! HOLY COW! I can't even believe it! I'm ready to bust my buttons! So here it is folks . . . my front page article!
Bishops’ Storehouse Lifts Burdens
In More Ways than One
By Sarah Price
“Even the best financial planning cannot prepare us for unforeseen bumps in the road. Maybe you know someone who is employed, but still struggles to provide for their family’s basic needs. Perhaps you may even stare at your own situation and wonder what tomorrow holds when you can’t even put food on the table today. It’s for this reason inspired church leaders established the Welfare Program during the Great Depression.
Former Church President, Heber J. Grant saw the disparaging effects of the Great Depression seeping into the lives of church members and wanted to help people regain independence and self respect. He wanted to get rid of growing reliance on government programs and assist the members in building their thriftiness and increasing their talents. In 1936, his growing concern led church leaders to establish the Welfare Program. It was instituted to help members get back to work and provide for themselves. “It’s a great program,” Sister Lois Townsend, a service missionary and member of the Encinitas Ward said. “I’m sure it’s inspired of the Lord. It lifts your spirit to know we care about one another.”
Unlike other government programs, the Church’s Welfare program is not just a handout. It’s a hand-up. Bishops and Branch Presidents can offer members different assignments in exchange for the assistance they receive. Assignments can range anything from cleaning the building to using a particular talent to serve another person. In this way, members often regain self-respect because their assignment builds skills to move on with self-sufficiency.
There are several branches of the Welfare Program, all of which are funded entirely by fast offerings and other donations. One part of Welfare Services in San Diego is the Bishops’ Storehouse. It not only helps some members put food on their tables, but it also gives everyone an opportunity to come unto Christ by serving each other. Volunteers from San Diego County’s wards and branches stock the storehouse daily, hourly even, in an effort to better serve their brothers and sisters. Members keep coming back to volunteer, inspired by everything from restocking tomatoes to helping fill food orders. Some serve as part-time missionaries, some serve on assignment from leaders and others serve just because they’re looking for a fun and productive way to spend a couple hours.
Brother Richard Quiggle and his wife, Marianne, of the Poway Stake are serving a 24-month service mission as managers of the Bishops’ Storehouse. Sister Quiggle often talks about how amazed she is because everyday things “work out just the way the Lord would want”. Sometimes unassigned volunteers pop in to work a couple hours and it’s they who are needed to serve a particular person filling an order.
Sister Barbara Carpenter of the La Mesa Second Ward said, “[My husband and I] were asked to serve a weekly, three month assignment and really enjoyed it from the first night.” They are now serving an 18-month service mission at the Storehouse.
When asked if she would feel uncomfortable going to her bishop for a food order, Heidi Harris, a newlywed service missionary from the West Hills Ward says, “before I started volunteering here a year ago, yes [because I didn’t understand the program]. But now [that I do] I wouldn’t feel embarrassed at all!” Echoing the same sentiments, there are times when a brother or sister comes in feeling awkward or ashamed to fill their first order, but after they’re greeted by friendly, loving servants, anxieties melt away.
The benefits of service were described by David S. Baxter, a member of the Seventy in the October 2006 General Conference when he said, “stretching our souls in service helps us to rise above our cares, concerns, and challenges. As we focus our energies on lifting the burdens of others, something miraculous happens. Our own burdens diminish. We become happier. There is more substance to our lives.” (David S. Baxter, “Faith, Service, Consistency” Ensign, Nov 2006, 13-15.) Sister Quiggle enjoys that extra substance, “feeling the spirits of those who come in for assistance and of those who volunteer.” Since she began working in the storehouse, she has “an increased appreciation for the gospel, the Plan of Salvation, and seeing how the Lord works to bless each of us.”
Located in Clairemont Mesa (just off the 163), the Bishops’ Storehouse is open to anyone who would like to volunteer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm and on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm. Come focus your energy on lifting burdens and watch your own disappear!
Sister Quiggle said the Bishops’ Storehouse welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer to help meet the ongoing need for service. If members would like to serve regularly, they can be called as service missionaries and serve eight or more hours a week.”
(The Seagull asked me to add a paragraph at the end. I would have loved for it to have gone as the second to last paragraph, but hey! I still made the front page!)
Friday, September 03, 2010
School's Back in Session!
Greetings!
This past week I made the plunge and went back to school! Not only that, I'm going full-time! I haven't gone FT---and completed the semester---since 1995. Um. So, I'm excited about school and nervous about the load. It was interesting because I went to each class and none of them seemed all that hard. I mean, read a chapter or two a week, interview a few people and write a big paper at the end of the semster? Big deal! Then, I started reading. I sat down today (at 9:30am) to read. I was sitting at the kitchen table. I was alone. The seconds were clicking away and I wasn't paying all that much attention to the noise of that silly clock. I read. I read and I READ. After 2 hours I'd read eleven pages! ELEVEN! HELLO!! Good grief. speed. I am just to the point where I was able to read a 300 pg novel in a little over a month. That's better than how long it ook me to read one in Jan. AND I really worked on my reading comprehension. I've been able to increase my vocabulary. (Started working hard on it last year when I saw a free class on culinary art and asked someone what kind of art it was, "because I love art!" She just kind of looked at me. Paused, then asked if I was really an editor in college. I couldn't even give her a real answer to that one. I called one of my professors and asked them if they knew. Come to find out I worked as the student editor for the linguistic/grammer professor. He had me read papers submitted by other professors for publishing nationwide. My other professor said I was an editor for the honors dept. nice.) And culinary means . . . ? I had to go home and look it up myself! Cooking? and come to find out that's a common word! but, if you're reading this, you probably already know that . . . and I'm feeling like a goof right now. ;)
Anyway . . . I've got my work cut out for me!
Today did turn out well though. This afternoon I went to a Deaf Branch primary activity. POOL PARTY! Aside from the frequent comments about my glowing white legs. It was so much fun! Something about doing cannon balls, having water fights, screaming your guts out, teaching kids how to float on their backs, tread water and swim new strokes. Throwing them up in the air as they scream, laughing into the water while others are pulling at me for their turn. Yes, by the end of the evening I was smiling from ear to ear. Something about having 7 screaming kids tell me how AWESOME I am---went to my head. That, and a little sweetheart guessed my age as TWENTY-SIX! What more could a girl want? Faster reading comprehension? Naw, I'll take the kids. Afterward I was thinking about it. I doubt parents get told how awesome they truly are on a regular basis. So, Mom and Dad, you are SO AWESOME! I love you to pieces and then I love all your pieces! -MOPS
This past week I made the plunge and went back to school! Not only that, I'm going full-time! I haven't gone FT---and completed the semester---since 1995. Um. So, I'm excited about school and nervous about the load. It was interesting because I went to each class and none of them seemed all that hard. I mean, read a chapter or two a week, interview a few people and write a big paper at the end of the semster? Big deal! Then, I started reading. I sat down today (at 9:30am) to read. I was sitting at the kitchen table. I was alone. The seconds were clicking away and I wasn't paying all that much attention to the noise of that silly clock. I read. I read and I READ. After 2 hours I'd read eleven pages! ELEVEN! HELLO!! Good grief. speed. I am just to the point where I was able to read a 300 pg novel in a little over a month. That's better than how long it ook me to read one in Jan. AND I really worked on my reading comprehension. I've been able to increase my vocabulary. (Started working hard on it last year when I saw a free class on culinary art and asked someone what kind of art it was, "because I love art!" She just kind of looked at me. Paused, then asked if I was really an editor in college. I couldn't even give her a real answer to that one. I called one of my professors and asked them if they knew. Come to find out I worked as the student editor for the linguistic/grammer professor. He had me read papers submitted by other professors for publishing nationwide. My other professor said I was an editor for the honors dept. nice.) And culinary means . . . ? I had to go home and look it up myself! Cooking? and come to find out that's a common word! but, if you're reading this, you probably already know that . . . and I'm feeling like a goof right now. ;)
Anyway . . . I've got my work cut out for me!
Today did turn out well though. This afternoon I went to a Deaf Branch primary activity. POOL PARTY! Aside from the frequent comments about my glowing white legs. It was so much fun! Something about doing cannon balls, having water fights, screaming your guts out, teaching kids how to float on their backs, tread water and swim new strokes. Throwing them up in the air as they scream, laughing into the water while others are pulling at me for their turn. Yes, by the end of the evening I was smiling from ear to ear. Something about having 7 screaming kids tell me how AWESOME I am---went to my head. That, and a little sweetheart guessed my age as TWENTY-SIX! What more could a girl want? Faster reading comprehension? Naw, I'll take the kids. Afterward I was thinking about it. I doubt parents get told how awesome they truly are on a regular basis. So, Mom and Dad, you are SO AWESOME! I love you to pieces and then I love all your pieces! -MOPS
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Brilliant Read
Okay, right now I am in the middle of reading a captivating autobiography which accurately details living with schizophrenia. It's called "The Center Cannot Hold" by Elyn Saks.
In reading this book I am amazed at how vivid and true it is. Not many people have endured psychosis, depression, paranoia or delusions and yet are able to communicate the experience in a way others can understand. The truth behind so many of her simple statements is what got my attention.
Saks should be applauded for opening up her mind to others in a way that hopefully will work to dispel the stigma associated with living with a "severe mental illness".
Obviously every individual with Schizophrenia lives with it differently. Thoughts are as unique as the individual. I have to admit though, Elyn's process in dealing with her illness is much the same as mine has been. I highly encourage everyone to read this book. -MOPS
You can find it in your local library or on amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/Center-Cannot-Hold-Journey-Through/dp/1401309445/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282622733&sr=1-1
In reading this book I am amazed at how vivid and true it is. Not many people have endured psychosis, depression, paranoia or delusions and yet are able to communicate the experience in a way others can understand. The truth behind so many of her simple statements is what got my attention.
Saks should be applauded for opening up her mind to others in a way that hopefully will work to dispel the stigma associated with living with a "severe mental illness".
Obviously every individual with Schizophrenia lives with it differently. Thoughts are as unique as the individual. I have to admit though, Elyn's process in dealing with her illness is much the same as mine has been. I highly encourage everyone to read this book. -MOPS
You can find it in your local library or on amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/Center-Cannot-Hold-Journey-Through/dp/1401309445/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282622733&sr=1-1
Sarah-dipitous Jewelery
Hello all!
I've been making jewelry since about 1998. At first it was just fishing wire and seed beads, but in the past year I've launched into much more. I found a local supplier with amazing prices, colors, stones and glass allowing my jewelry quality to increase exponentially.
Many of you have asked me to post my jewelry on the blog so you can see it. My friend Heidi is a photographer and is building a light box to take professional pictures of the jewelry. Until then, you'll have to put up with my pictures. (Grin)
So, that's a sampling with more to come! -MOPS
I've been making jewelry since about 1998. At first it was just fishing wire and seed beads, but in the past year I've launched into much more. I found a local supplier with amazing prices, colors, stones and glass allowing my jewelry quality to increase exponentially.
Many of you have asked me to post my jewelry on the blog so you can see it. My friend Heidi is a photographer and is building a light box to take professional pictures of the jewelry. Until then, you'll have to put up with my pictures. (Grin)
Gladly Green
This necklace is made with dyed turquoise, glass and dyed shell with a silver, toggle clasp. And no, it really isn't shaped in a heart, only for the picture!
Sunshine Burst
Made with dyed shell, dyed turquoise, and rock. It has 14ct. gold plated earrings and toggle clasp. A friend of mine fell in love with this one and couldn't wait to buy it.
Friendly Flower
My aunt commissioned me to make this piece for her. It is actually made of amethyst & glass with a silver flower pendant and toggle clasp.
Sea Peacock
Made with cut, simulated abalone and peacock colored wooden beads with a silver, toggle clasp.
Sensual Saturn
Interesting in design because each shell circle has a black agate bead in the center. This design is completely original and very labor intensive. However the finished product is well worth it.
I've never gotten so many compliments on any other piece.
I made one with purple glass beads in the center. It was sold the very next day!
Tenacious Turquoise
Made of genuine turquoise and wooden beads with a brass clasp.
I love the rugged earthy feel to it!
(Also has matching earrings.)
Zany Zebra
(I made this piece for a dear friend who had just returned from her mission to Madagascar. That stone is actually called a zebra stone and when I saw it, I knew instantly it was a perfect commemoration!)
Who learns most when teaching lessons?
(This is an entry I wrote back in July and never posted)
Okay, so today I have been working on the Relief Society lesson for tomorrow. (for those who don't know what relief society is, it's the Women's organization of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any lady 18 or older can participate. It's a lot of fun, and I love doing things with the RS) I've been reading the article (Developing Good Judgement and Not Judging Others" by Elder Schwitzer I'll put the link at the bottom of the page.) over and over again since last Sunday and I really don't know how to approach it. I think I have taught two other lessons in the past ... ten years ... and gee... this is a tough topic. Probably one I needed to teach in order to put the appropriate amount of reflection into allowing myself to change.
Judging others is a weakness that I've been trying to overcome for a LONG time. I've realized I have no business making a judgement about someone else because I have no clue what experiences they've had and what has brought them to where they are right now. I mean, when I think about it, my high school friends and I had this running joke about an imaginary Mountain View Mental Hospital and how we were going to ship different people off there because they were obviously insane. None of which I remotely understood and therefore felt completely comfortable making fun of others with those types of problems.
How wrong I was! Enter my illness. Suddenly I found myself shipped off to several very real institutions and realizing that these people were just as normal as I was, they were struggling with life in a way I would only come to understand through years of going through it myself.
It's often easy and often more comfortable to make fun of something we don't understand than to put forth the effort necessary to comprehend it.
I've made some very dear friends while living in group homes, crisis houses, hospitals and institutions. Some of these people are absolutely hilarious and really have a way of lifting my spirits. All of whom I would have never even met had I not experienced a mental illness and the anguish, joy, humiliation, peace and down right bizarre life that can accompany it. All of whom I had completely discounted as a teenager.
Now when people do things, the first question I ask myself is why? What's their motivation? It's interesting because we can honestly never know. The only person who can see the whole picture is God. He's the only one who can truly not look on the outside appearances of a situation but instead look at our hearts. That doesn't justify our good or bad behaviour. But it does at least give us leeway for those things that not a single other person can understand in this world. And only He can take a step back and, if we let him, lead us to a better place in our lives, relationships, beliefs, hopes and expectations. Love, MOPS
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=1810de009da38210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
The interesting thing about this lesson is it just didn't come together until the very LAST minute.
The entire week I was preparing for this lesson, I kept getting caught up in how many times I've been judged by hundreds of people because of my illness.
I've even had friends call others and forbid them to let me become a roommate because I was too ill. However, at that particular time in my life, I was stable. It made me boil with anger because that old friend hadn't seen me in two years and had no clue how well I was doing.
As I was thinking about being judgemental during Sacrament meeting (the day I was to teach the lesson) I realized something very important. Here I was judging someone for judging me. The irony of the situation was mind boggling.
I had gotten mad and frustrated with people for making rash judgements about me and in the process I was judging them.
They were making judgements about me because they'd seen me ill (in a completely debilitating manner) for nearly 11 years. Yet, because they hadn't been around recently & and able to see my stability, they assumed I was still ill. If I had been around someone who'd been ill for so long, I would assume they were still ill too.
I judged people just as harshly as they had judged me. Lesson Learned!
Okay, so today I have been working on the Relief Society lesson for tomorrow. (for those who don't know what relief society is, it's the Women's organization of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any lady 18 or older can participate. It's a lot of fun, and I love doing things with the RS) I've been reading the article (Developing Good Judgement and Not Judging Others" by Elder Schwitzer I'll put the link at the bottom of the page.) over and over again since last Sunday and I really don't know how to approach it. I think I have taught two other lessons in the past ... ten years ... and gee... this is a tough topic. Probably one I needed to teach in order to put the appropriate amount of reflection into allowing myself to change.
Judging others is a weakness that I've been trying to overcome for a LONG time. I've realized I have no business making a judgement about someone else because I have no clue what experiences they've had and what has brought them to where they are right now. I mean, when I think about it, my high school friends and I had this running joke about an imaginary Mountain View Mental Hospital and how we were going to ship different people off there because they were obviously insane. None of which I remotely understood and therefore felt completely comfortable making fun of others with those types of problems.
How wrong I was! Enter my illness. Suddenly I found myself shipped off to several very real institutions and realizing that these people were just as normal as I was, they were struggling with life in a way I would only come to understand through years of going through it myself.
It's often easy and often more comfortable to make fun of something we don't understand than to put forth the effort necessary to comprehend it.
I've made some very dear friends while living in group homes, crisis houses, hospitals and institutions. Some of these people are absolutely hilarious and really have a way of lifting my spirits. All of whom I would have never even met had I not experienced a mental illness and the anguish, joy, humiliation, peace and down right bizarre life that can accompany it. All of whom I had completely discounted as a teenager.
Now when people do things, the first question I ask myself is why? What's their motivation? It's interesting because we can honestly never know. The only person who can see the whole picture is God. He's the only one who can truly not look on the outside appearances of a situation but instead look at our hearts. That doesn't justify our good or bad behaviour. But it does at least give us leeway for those things that not a single other person can understand in this world. And only He can take a step back and, if we let him, lead us to a better place in our lives, relationships, beliefs, hopes and expectations. Love, MOPS
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=1810de009da38210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
The interesting thing about this lesson is it just didn't come together until the very LAST minute.
The entire week I was preparing for this lesson, I kept getting caught up in how many times I've been judged by hundreds of people because of my illness.
I've even had friends call others and forbid them to let me become a roommate because I was too ill. However, at that particular time in my life, I was stable. It made me boil with anger because that old friend hadn't seen me in two years and had no clue how well I was doing.
As I was thinking about being judgemental during Sacrament meeting (the day I was to teach the lesson) I realized something very important. Here I was judging someone for judging me. The irony of the situation was mind boggling.
I had gotten mad and frustrated with people for making rash judgements about me and in the process I was judging them.
They were making judgements about me because they'd seen me ill (in a completely debilitating manner) for nearly 11 years. Yet, because they hadn't been around recently & and able to see my stability, they assumed I was still ill. If I had been around someone who'd been ill for so long, I would assume they were still ill too.
I judged people just as harshly as they had judged me. Lesson Learned!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
School is ALMOST here!!
Greetings!
Yay! School starts on the 30th and I am SO EXCITED! I have all my books and all my pens ready! I've even had this hankering to begin reading those books .... so I did! Weird huh?
I've been looking to move to somewhere nice and peaceful that would be closer to school and I think I found it. So ... I've got to start packing. My parents are taking me over tonight to just solidify things. Can I just tell you I am looking forward to this move in ways no one can understand! No more yippy dogs ... Did I ever mention I'm NOT a dog person? Dogs are nice to look at from afar.
I wrote an article for The Seagull again and I am working on another one!
Work has been going okay. I am realizing the insanity of working with a company who has a computer system of the dark ages. Our computers are constantly down or kicking us out and then telling us when we sign on again that our passwords are invalid. (sigh) BUT I will only be working there until school starts and then I will be a starving student! (I'm accepting donations! ha ha!) Of course I may be one in the literal sense because heaven knows I can't cook! Anyone have tips for ways to plan a weeks worth of food for one person. Ideas for a meal plan? In this new place I will not be sharing groceries. Which is good because I won't run the risk of offending my roommate for not eating her scary meat dishes and BAD because my roommate really had a knack for pulling together recipes I'd never tasted before. In someways I feel like this move is probably akin to when I left home for the first time because I had no idea how to cook or plan meals then either. Anything I had learned food-wise was completely erased with the ECT. Too bad they don't have classes for these things. I really could use one!
Anyway! I'd better get to the packing! Love you guys! -MOPS
Yay! School starts on the 30th and I am SO EXCITED! I have all my books and all my pens ready! I've even had this hankering to begin reading those books .... so I did! Weird huh?
I've been looking to move to somewhere nice and peaceful that would be closer to school and I think I found it. So ... I've got to start packing. My parents are taking me over tonight to just solidify things. Can I just tell you I am looking forward to this move in ways no one can understand! No more yippy dogs ... Did I ever mention I'm NOT a dog person? Dogs are nice to look at from afar.
I wrote an article for The Seagull again and I am working on another one!
Work has been going okay. I am realizing the insanity of working with a company who has a computer system of the dark ages. Our computers are constantly down or kicking us out and then telling us when we sign on again that our passwords are invalid. (sigh) BUT I will only be working there until school starts and then I will be a starving student! (I'm accepting donations! ha ha!) Of course I may be one in the literal sense because heaven knows I can't cook! Anyone have tips for ways to plan a weeks worth of food for one person. Ideas for a meal plan? In this new place I will not be sharing groceries. Which is good because I won't run the risk of offending my roommate for not eating her scary meat dishes and BAD because my roommate really had a knack for pulling together recipes I'd never tasted before. In someways I feel like this move is probably akin to when I left home for the first time because I had no idea how to cook or plan meals then either. Anything I had learned food-wise was completely erased with the ECT. Too bad they don't have classes for these things. I really could use one!
Anyway! I'd better get to the packing! Love you guys! -MOPS
Sunday, July 25, 2010
THE EXTRACTION!
Okay, so this past month, I went to my friendly dentist and what to my horror, I had an absessed tooth! It was tender, but, as far as pain goes it didn't feel all that bad. It was a baby tooth I never got to trade for some cash. I'm sure the tooth fairy was quite disapointed at the time. What she didn't realize was she'd be paying big bucks for it later.
My dentist, Scott, was very kind and told me that he was learning how to extract teeth and put in implants and that he was willing to give me a good price if I'd be willing to let him practice on me. HA! That's that last thing you want to hear from your dentist. Images of jawbreaking pliers and loud drills just sort of cloud out the better judgment of getting it done for a deal. So I called around, too cowardly to let him practice on me. The cost of the average extraction and implant? 4,500 DOLLARS!! Um hello?? I said extraction not extortion! So I went back to Scott and asked him how much he was going to charge. $2,000. I didn't even have that kind of money and so I basically just left it at that. Living on a fixed income is hard, and unfortunately I couldn't pay him off 25 dollars a month. But then my parents stepped in to my rescue and said they were willing to pay for the proceedure. By that time the tooth had become pretty sore and I was ready to pull it out myself and make an implant out of paper mache'. I mean they probably had a RS lesson on it at one point in my life and .... well, I can't remember how to do it . Maybe it wasn't paper mache' but recycled lace table cloths ... that actually sounds more familiar! ;)
You have to understand, Scott is the Hubbie of one of my YW leaders and they've known me for a long time! He is an angel and his wife is serioulsy a walking celestial being. Nearly up there with my parents and family. Can you get higher than celestial? Hmmm ... I'll have to think about that later.
Thurday arrived. I went to Scott's office and he numbed me up. I think that was the most painful part of the entire thing. The drilling wasn't all that bad and pulling the tooth, well, it seemed to just pop right out. And the tooth fairy had prepaid!
Then Scott was looking in my mouth and he turned the reigns over to the supervising Dr. That dr was nice and he seemed to have no problem doing what he was doing. Then all of a sudden he says, "this is a LOT worse that I thought." then Scott starts looking in my mouth and says something like, wow that infection goes a lot deeper than it looked on the x-ray. So they started asking each other what size ... 10mm? 11mm? 11.5mm? No, 12mm! I think they were debating the size of drill to use. I honestly have no clue. But suddenly they both lean back and tell me, "whatever you do, don't close your mouth!" I was thinking ok, whatever. They wanted to get another x-ray taken. So, I got up and on my way to the x-ray room I glanced in the mirror and stopped short. I had a drill bit stuck in my jaw where my tooth had been!
I just started at it in disbelief because it looked horrifically painful, but I wasn't in the slightest bit of discomfort! Weird! so after they took the drill bit out, they let me take a picture of just how big the metal bit was:
Anyway, the tooth is gone. It's interesting because I am really working on keeping my mouth washed out and using the rinse that they gave me. Gratefully it really doesn't hurt. It tastes awful, and I'm sure that the people sitting around me at church today were leaning as far away from me as possible because my breath is so bad, but the pain is gone and I am happy. Honestly it looks like the Dentist used my mouth as a quilting project.
I'm still on soft foods. I've been eating a lot of soups, yougurts and smoothies. If anyone else has a good idea for a little one like me, please pass it along.
August 23, 2010
The other part of the story is that I popped those carefully placed stitches that weekend and then went back into see Scott to have them replaced.
He stitched me up even better than before and we talked for a bit afterwards while I was still reclined. Everything was GREAT until he sat the chair up. Suddenly it was as though the chair was spinning on hyper warp speed. I told Scott I wasn't feeling good. In a moment I felt like I was sinking into a heavy darkness. It was like I could hear all the around me, but couldn't respond. (Scott said I was repeating over and over again, "I'm fine. I'm Fine" I'm sure he would have loved to smack some sense into me, gratefully he didn't. Instead he ran and got smelling salts.
Man, I don't know if you've ever smelled those fragrant salts before but it is a JOLT of smell --- worse than having your nose stuck in a bottle of bleach!
When I came to (if you could call it that because I was still unable to really respond appropriately) I could hear the ambulance coming to get me.
Imagine my confusion when I realized I couldn't move the left side of my body. People were wondering if it had anything to do with the dental procedure, but Scott had worked on my right side, not left. I was rushed to Grossmont Hospital where they immediately sent me through the CAT scan before even checking me into the ER.
It was an odd feeling to be half paralyzed. But what was even odder was that I wasn't panicked, scared, anxious or anything of that nature. For whatever reason I caught myself kind of joking about it. I think joking must have been a natural instinct of some sort, because it really wasn't anything to joke about. I could talk better out of the right side of my mouth that was all shot up with Novocaine!
Slowly I regained my feeling and ability to move the left side of my body. My eyes lined up again.
My dad and Grandpa came to give me a priesthood blessing, during which I was promised that I would be healed completely and there would be no residual side-effects.
They ran a whole bunch of tests and couldn't find anything to explain what happened. They finally said it had to be a TIA, or mini stroke.
I was transferred to Kaiser Hospital and placed in a room. The Dr came in and did some things to test muscle strength. I couldn't walk on my own so he said that I would have to stay over night.
That night, Scott and his wife came in to visit me and see if I was aright. He said there had been a little boy in the waiting room who completely freaked when the fire engine and ambulance pulled up and dragged me out on the stretcher. His mom rescheduled the appointment. Going to the dentist will never be the same for that kid!
When I woke up the next day I was perfectly fine, and VERY tired! I was sent home.
I talked to my parents about it after I was released. The Dr's had determined it wasn't a side-effect of the dental proceedure or a conflict of meds. Basically they said they didn't know why it happened, what caused it or even what to call it. There was no indication of a stroke or TIA on any of the charts. I had normal blood tests including sugar levels, cholesterol, liver, you name it! My parents and I decided it was truely a blessing that it had happened while I was in the office and not on my bike somewhere, at work or on a bus or trolley. That could have been disasterous! Instead Scott had swung into action, even calling over the MD in the office next door and emergency crews were able to get to me within 10 minutes of dialing 911. It is a miracle I was not permanently effected. Man! I am grateful for fast acting dentists, priesthood blessings and prayers!
Love you guys! -MOPS
My dentist, Scott, was very kind and told me that he was learning how to extract teeth and put in implants and that he was willing to give me a good price if I'd be willing to let him practice on me. HA! That's that last thing you want to hear from your dentist. Images of jawbreaking pliers and loud drills just sort of cloud out the better judgment of getting it done for a deal. So I called around, too cowardly to let him practice on me. The cost of the average extraction and implant? 4,500 DOLLARS!! Um hello?? I said extraction not extortion! So I went back to Scott and asked him how much he was going to charge. $2,000. I didn't even have that kind of money and so I basically just left it at that. Living on a fixed income is hard, and unfortunately I couldn't pay him off 25 dollars a month. But then my parents stepped in to my rescue and said they were willing to pay for the proceedure. By that time the tooth had become pretty sore and I was ready to pull it out myself and make an implant out of paper mache'. I mean they probably had a RS lesson on it at one point in my life and .... well, I can't remember how to do it . Maybe it wasn't paper mache' but recycled lace table cloths ... that actually sounds more familiar! ;)
You have to understand, Scott is the Hubbie of one of my YW leaders and they've known me for a long time! He is an angel and his wife is serioulsy a walking celestial being. Nearly up there with my parents and family. Can you get higher than celestial? Hmmm ... I'll have to think about that later.
Thurday arrived. I went to Scott's office and he numbed me up. I think that was the most painful part of the entire thing. The drilling wasn't all that bad and pulling the tooth, well, it seemed to just pop right out. And the tooth fairy had prepaid!
 |
| My cute little baby tooth which turned out to be not all so cute! |
 |
| drill bit! |
 |
| the drill bit salvaged from my jaw |
I'm still on soft foods. I've been eating a lot of soups, yougurts and smoothies. If anyone else has a good idea for a little one like me, please pass it along.
August 23, 2010
The other part of the story is that I popped those carefully placed stitches that weekend and then went back into see Scott to have them replaced.
He stitched me up even better than before and we talked for a bit afterwards while I was still reclined. Everything was GREAT until he sat the chair up. Suddenly it was as though the chair was spinning on hyper warp speed. I told Scott I wasn't feeling good. In a moment I felt like I was sinking into a heavy darkness. It was like I could hear all the around me, but couldn't respond. (Scott said I was repeating over and over again, "I'm fine. I'm Fine" I'm sure he would have loved to smack some sense into me, gratefully he didn't. Instead he ran and got smelling salts.
Man, I don't know if you've ever smelled those fragrant salts before but it is a JOLT of smell --- worse than having your nose stuck in a bottle of bleach!
When I came to (if you could call it that because I was still unable to really respond appropriately) I could hear the ambulance coming to get me.
Imagine my confusion when I realized I couldn't move the left side of my body. People were wondering if it had anything to do with the dental procedure, but Scott had worked on my right side, not left. I was rushed to Grossmont Hospital where they immediately sent me through the CAT scan before even checking me into the ER.
It was an odd feeling to be half paralyzed. But what was even odder was that I wasn't panicked, scared, anxious or anything of that nature. For whatever reason I caught myself kind of joking about it. I think joking must have been a natural instinct of some sort, because it really wasn't anything to joke about. I could talk better out of the right side of my mouth that was all shot up with Novocaine!
Slowly I regained my feeling and ability to move the left side of my body. My eyes lined up again.
My dad and Grandpa came to give me a priesthood blessing, during which I was promised that I would be healed completely and there would be no residual side-effects.
They ran a whole bunch of tests and couldn't find anything to explain what happened. They finally said it had to be a TIA, or mini stroke.
I was transferred to Kaiser Hospital and placed in a room. The Dr came in and did some things to test muscle strength. I couldn't walk on my own so he said that I would have to stay over night.
That night, Scott and his wife came in to visit me and see if I was aright. He said there had been a little boy in the waiting room who completely freaked when the fire engine and ambulance pulled up and dragged me out on the stretcher. His mom rescheduled the appointment. Going to the dentist will never be the same for that kid!
When I woke up the next day I was perfectly fine, and VERY tired! I was sent home.
I talked to my parents about it after I was released. The Dr's had determined it wasn't a side-effect of the dental proceedure or a conflict of meds. Basically they said they didn't know why it happened, what caused it or even what to call it. There was no indication of a stroke or TIA on any of the charts. I had normal blood tests including sugar levels, cholesterol, liver, you name it! My parents and I decided it was truely a blessing that it had happened while I was in the office and not on my bike somewhere, at work or on a bus or trolley. That could have been disasterous! Instead Scott had swung into action, even calling over the MD in the office next door and emergency crews were able to get to me within 10 minutes of dialing 911. It is a miracle I was not permanently effected. Man! I am grateful for fast acting dentists, priesthood blessings and prayers!
Love you guys! -MOPS
Friday, July 16, 2010
Holy Cow! It's July!
So here it is the third week of July and I honestly can’t remember anything that I’ve done in the past couple of months … so I’ll try to stick to the basics.
I was officially called to serve in the San Diego Deaf Branch. (Otherwise known as the University City 3rd Branch.) I am an assistant interpreter. I been interpreting in the branch since February I think. I do it for sacrament mtg and Young women’s almost every single Sunday. I got to interpret for Stake conference last month. It’s a pleasure to work with these faithful people and I really enjoy the education I’m receiving from the experience.
I've interpreted for two brethren who are Deaf and Blind. It is an amazing experience to be someone’s eyes and ears. It takes a lot of physical strength because they have to rest their hands on yours as you are signing. It can become quite heavy, but I hope my arms and shoulders are working up to it.
Last month I interpreted for a High Council member who only spoke Spanish. It was a LOT of fun! For once the deaf knew what was going on before all the Hearing people and I loved that experience! Who would have thought serving a Spanish Speaking/ASL mission would have such practical application!
My Aunt Sid, Uncle Bill and Grandma Mueller when they came for a visit this past month! They are looking great and I sure had a great time being with them.
I have also been trying to relearn how to cook. I’ve been making desserts once in a while and sharing them with my grandparents. They don’t seem to mind that I am practicing on them. ;) I've moved so many times that I have lots a lot of things in the process. I seem to have lost any cookbooks I once had (Including my Aunt Lorraine’s!) and with the ECT I am effectively starting over. The one cookbook I have, my mainstay is a recipe book I was given by my friend Judy. If any of you have any good recipes I would love to have them. Just email them to me!The more the merrier!
I am still working at H&R Block until the end of Aug, when school starts. My hours have been severely cut though, so I have also been cycling and bus riding up to the Bishop’s storehouse to help out up there. It’s been so rewarding to see the people and watch the Lord’s Humanitarian process at work. There are so many people who need our support. Plus, it has air conditioning, something I don't have at my house! :)
We’ve been having a lot of earthquakes in these parts. A couple of days ago, while I was at work, we had a 5. 4 or 5.9 something. It really shook hard. I was on the phone at the time and it jolted the person I was talking with. I guess the increase of earthquakes is only natural since we’re approaching the final chapters of the earth . . . but we’ve had more in San Diego, and larger then I can ever remember having in my entire life. But I guess given my faulty memory that’s not saying much! Ha! ;)
I have been able to hit the LDS singles scene a bit this past month. It was easier because my friend let me borrow her car while she was out of town. So I went to a fireside, a dance and couple activities. It was a lot of fun to meet a whole bunch of new people.
I wrote an article about my Grandma Price and her needling pursuits for The Seagull (a local LDS newspaper). I got a copy of it this week and loved seeing grandma and grandpa’s smiling faces in it. It was fun to interview Grandma and it was also fun to have something published. I have to live up to my name and email right??
I had fun celebrating my Aunt Chris’ 60 birthday with her, the family and a whole bunch of friends! And it was great to finally meet Katheryn! I am so blessed to have such a great family!
My Aunt Lorraine is here and I've been having a blast with her! Yesterday she taught me how to make 2 pies. I learned how to make a no-roll pie crust and then I we made a coconut creme pie and an apple one with a crumbly crust and caramel all over it! Look at that beauty!She even taught me how to make the crust and everything. When all was said and done, I had a blast and then never even got a piece!
Like I've told you, I make necklaces, earrings and bracelets. But, get this ... I've started selling my jewelry! Yay! I have sold quite a few. Aunt Sid bought a couple when she was in town. I’ve also been able to sell them to people at work. My boss even went to my supplier and bought the beads she wanted and then she paid me to make two necklaces. I just love to test out different color combinations and bead sizes. I have a great source to buy my beads and right now I’m just enjoying the creative process. I'm way excited because My friend, Heidi is making a light box. She is a photographer. I've taken pictures of some of my necklaces with my phone, but they don't really look like anything great. I'm excited to have her take some pictures. If any of you have any requests, or if you’d like to see what I have, just email me.
When I was a kid, one summer my parents took us on a ride out East San Diego County. It was our vacation for the summer. A day vacation. My parents said that we could go and stop anywhere we wanted, we did. We stopped at a HUGE bridge. We wanted out pictures taken at it and so my dad lifted us up onto the bottom rung. We sat down in the hot sun on the metal, burning our butts! The bridge was dubbed Burning Butt Bridge. My parents weren't all that fond of us using the word Butt over and over again so we called it BBB.
Over the July fourth weekend my parents and I went for a drive. (thus the picture of the back of my dad's head!) It was quite a long drive in the same direction we went when I was a kid.
We stopped at BBB and at other places, including a place called "Desert View Tower" It was so much fun. Evidently the Tower was built in the early 1900's by a man who really liked to carve, if I understand correctly. Do we stopped and climbed the tower and then explored all these carvings made into the rocky mountain.
Mom and Dad (above)
Well, I am working on writing more often. Writing in general that is. I've actually been in the mood to write and I have to take advantage of that, right? I shelved the "thorn in my side" novel and have taken to writing little tid bits of information about my past life, yes, I'm reincarnated from a duck. (Thus all the dreams about flying, right???) too funny!
So much for covering just the basics! Hope you're having a fabulous Summer! Take care! Love, MOPS
PS. Last week I think the temperature high in San Diego was 65 or 70. Today it got up to 110 in a community called Santee---pretty close to my house. So, my parents were kind enough to donate their house to me this afternoon as a place to rest while everything was melting outside. My house doesn't have an AC. AHHHH Thank goodness it hasn't really been all that hot until today. Love ya!
The Spreadsheet Tells All . . .
On a tour of the Price’s home atop Mt. Helix the first thing you’ll notice is Sister Price’s infectious smile, sparkling eyes and then you’ll feel the spirit of testimony and love. Take one step farther and your eyes will be drawn to the masterpieces hanging from the walls.
When many people think of needlepoint they envision a painted canvas someone has stitched. However, trammé needlepoint is quite different, instead of painted canvases, the patterns are made with an underlay of colored yarn placed over the horizontal meshes of a double threaded canvas. The purpose is to indicate when the color and design changes. “Usually there are about five shades to each color in the tapestry,” she explains.
When looking at the finished pieces from afar they appear to be an actual oil painting. Reproductions of artwork by Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and many others dot her repertoire.
Watching Sister Price needle away has added to Brother Price’s knowledge that she is a “very patient lady. I’ve noticed when she does needle point she’s very happy.” When asked what Muriel has learned from her needlepointing she says, “it’s relaxing for me.” As her granddaughter, Sarah Price puts it, “watching her finish a reproduction of so many famous pieces one stitch at a time helps me see life from a different perspective. Our life tapestry requires the same patient and persistant effort. She’s been needlepointing for as long as I’ve been alive.”
The Prices are interwoven with the LDS San Diego heritage. As a child, Muriel remembers sitting on the lap of President Heber J. Grant. Other apostles visited her home as well because her father, William Arthur Tenney, Jr. was the branch president for 16 years. (At that time the branch included the entire San Diego County). Muriel’s sisters Louise Smith and Gwen Brown live in the University City tenth ward. David and Muriel’s children, beginning with the eldest, are William D. Price of North Salt Lake, John A. Price of La Mesa 1st Ward, Christine Sharp of San Diego 8th Ward, Lorraine Johnson of Dallas, TX and Marla Foulger of Potomac, MD. They have 23 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.
When Sister Price left that London tapestry shop 35 years ago, little did she know she’s be creating beauty for a long, long time to come.
(This article was first published in the July edition of "The Seagull", a Mormon San Diego newspaper.)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Is May really almost over?
Greetings and salutations!
Hi all. I was looking at my things in my room and laughing at a whiteboard that's sitting in front of me. It says, "How fast can you clean your room?" I guess it's a never ending battle. I remember when I was a girl my parents would tell me and my brothers we couldn't come out of our room on Saturdays until we'd cleaned our rooms. I remember stuffing things under my bed, in my drawers and closet, only to have one of my parents come up "to check" and find everything I had so slyly hidden! They'd pull it out and make these piles in my room and I would sit there and cry thinking my parents were so cruel to not let me go outside and play with my friends on a beautiful San Diego Saturday! I don't think it registered until I was much older that the way I could go play with the kids in the street was to clean it right the first time, let alone just keep the silly room clean to begin with! So here I am, on a beautiful Saturday with the fan on. I've made a vow that I will clean the room by 5:30pm . . . I have less than an hour! I guess I'd better just let you go and save this for later!
You will be happy to know MY ROOM IS CLEAN! Dusted, vacuumed, organized and . . . get this . . . drum roll please . . . if you opened my dresser, the stuff in the drawers are even folded and neatly stacked! Ha ha! To make it even funnier I invited my parents to come over "to check." So far they haven't taken me up on the offer.
I cleaned out my closet of all the clothes that are 16 or larger. At my largest I was 247. Now I am a more slender 185! Last weekend I even tried on a pair of size 14 jeans. They were too big! So, since I had the money, I bought the same pair size 12 jeans that FIT! I think I bought them just because they DID fit!
All the time people ask me how I lost the weight. I answer, "Sell your car to pay the bills and walk, bus or trolley everywhere! Cut the soda, juice and make smaller portions." What I don't say is change your psych meds! When I was on the other meds I was hungry ALL the time. It was as though I never got full. I'm still on one that causes hunger, but I think I've balanced it with another that doesn't. Happy Equilibrium!
Yesterday I got my hair slaughtered. I spent a lot of money to have it done too. Today I went to my dear friend Renee and she cut it again and styled it and . . . basically I'm back to the short hair again. It's a different cut though and she taught me how to do it so I look like a HOTTIE! If I may say so myself. ;)
Well, I've been working at H&R Block. I really enjoy the people I work with. My boss has a sense of humor much like my own and it makes me laugh.
I was accepted to the SDSU Rehabilitation Counseling Master's program!! Yee-HAW! If you're interested in what I'll be studying check out this link: http://interwork.sdsu.edu/arpe/web_education/rcp_sdsu.html You'll have to scroll down a bit, but you can see what types of classes I'll be taking and what kinds of jobs I'll be able to apply for when I'm finished. I'm passionate about this field. Those who've worked in this field have helped to rehabilitate me and give me hope for a brighter future.
Well, I'll have to catch you up on the rest later. Until then, MOPS
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Big 35!
Greetings and Sautations!
I am now 35! (and we see kermit the frog Wildly waving his arms as he dances off stage cheering, "Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhh!"
This past weekend was the BEST! I can't remember a birthday where I have had more fun!
It all began on my birthday-eve. After work I went with my friend Cat to a Bead warehouse called Suncoast Jewlery. They are amazing! Everyday they have a tent sale outside and Friday was no different. AND everything was a whopping 75% off. I was able to use disgression and not buy too much, but boy was it fun! I have been thinking about the jewlery that I make and I will have to show some of it to you. I'm thinking of putting some of it on Ebay. I think it's unique and fun.-MOPS
I am now 35! (and we see kermit the frog Wildly waving his arms as he dances off stage cheering, "Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhh!"
This past weekend was the BEST! I can't remember a birthday where I have had more fun!
It all began on my birthday-eve. After work I went with my friend Cat to a Bead warehouse called Suncoast Jewlery. They are amazing! Everyday they have a tent sale outside and Friday was no different. AND everything was a whopping 75% off. I was able to use disgression and not buy too much, but boy was it fun! I have been thinking about the jewlery that I make and I will have to show some of it to you. I'm thinking of putting some of it on Ebay. I think it's unique and fun.-MOPS
Sunday, March 21, 2010
She's BAAACK!!
My Pageant Days!
Greetings and Salutations to all!
Just a little update. My friend Xochie wondered what the plans were for the birthday . . . so let me tell you. I have NO CLUE!! I am turning the big three-five on Saturday and I have no clue what I'm going to do on that day, but my friend, Deanna H (a YW leader from my youth) is throwing me a party the Saturday after conference/Easter. She is sending out invites and all sorts of funny things. The theme is something like "SHE'S BAAACK!" since I am doing so well, acting like I once did and living life as it should be lived again. She is using that picture on the invite.
I know, none of you knew I was in pageants. I wasn't. But my mom loved helping me dress up and I was a Toys for Tots Princess and got to wave in parades and such . . . I personally wasn't a fan of the entire hair piece and makeup thing. (although I would have loved to have curly hair, the reality was I didn't. Mine was straight as a piece of bamboo. That's straight right? I can't remember how you say that . . . anyway! That's one thing I hate and love about having ECT. I can't remember all the idioms and people stare at me funny when I say something they've never heard before. But recently my brain has cleared to the point that I am able to use some vocab that I learned growing up and actually remembering it on the spot. (I guess dreaming at night has taken on a whole new level now that I'm using the GRE test vocab in the dreams. I guess I sub consciously I am learning it! Too bad I can't take the test while asleep. I'd probably do better)
Boy! This post has lost it's point and I'm only on the 3rd paragraph!
I learned tonight that my mom's in the hospital. She was admitted after having been severely ill for a few days. Honestly she has been very ill for quite sometime, but she won't admit to me how ill she really is. Like all moms, she doesn't want to worry her children. But the hospital can't figure out why her body is riddled with infection when she's been on massive doses of antibiotics for 3 months now. No, that is not a typo. She's been on antibiotics for 3 whole months. Today she was too the point that she wasn't able to walk or stand well without aid and she just plain doesn't feel good. So, if you could keep her, her Doctors and my dad in your prayers I would really appreciate it.
I was able to go to the Deaf Branch today. I really do enjoy the branch so much. Today two men who are Deaf and Blind passed the sacrament. There was something about it. Something about them passing the sacrament, being led with a hand on their leader's shoulder, going around to the congregation that made me think about our Savior's atonement for me in a completely different way. Like these two men who each had their own guide, I cannot live this life without the Saviour to guide me. Like these two men, whom others have pitied because of their "limitations", I can achieve more than I know, because of the Saviour's strength in my life. Many people pity the Deaf. They really pity the Deaf and Blind. But, as these two men so regularly demonstrate, they aren't limited! They are beyond smart! When I interpret for them I sit in front of one man and he rests his hand on my hand as I am signing. He understands everything just from feeling me sign with one hand! I love seeing them at church because often members of the branch will sit in front of them (one person in front of each man) and they will copy what is being said to the men who are Deaf and blind. The Deaf have the opportunity to interpret and feel what it is like for the interpreters who listen to the English and interpret into ASL for them. The Lord gives us so many opportunities to learn and serve one another. Back to the Sacrament today. I felt so grateful today for the opportunities I have been given because although many people view my illness as a severe disability, with the right tools (meds, therapy, ECT, your support and who knows what else . . .) I can live a normal life just like these men are able to participate fully in their lives.
It's interesting because what most the world's population considers a disability is actually an opportunity to be creative and learn how to do something in a way other's haven't even imagined.
My ASL teacher, Vadja, grew up in a situation where his parents wouldn't learn sign language to communicate with him. They only used gestures. When Vadja was 9 (I think) his Deaf uncle came to visit and Vadja had never seen sign language before. Only the home signs that his dad had created. His dad grew up with his Deaf brother and didn't learn sign language to talk with him either. So when Vadja's uncle arrived, Vadja just stared in disbelief as his uncle started teaching him sign language. He said that within a few weeks it was like he'd known sign all his life. I just can't imagine going all my life with parents who couldn't or wouldn't talk to me.
Vadja taught the Deaf for 30+ years. He said that 75% of all deaf kids have hearing parents. Of those hearing parents only about 70% (or more) have parents who refuse to learn sign. Can you believe that? He said that most often deaf kids are behind because (for example) some hearing kids can ask easily 500 questions a day, wondering what things are and how they work . . . but a deaf kid with parents who don't know sign will ask the same questions and realize their parents can't answer them, so they just stop asking. It's not because they're any less curious. It's simply because they can't get the answers they need, so they stop asking.
I think about my friend Laurel (who is Deaf) who's parents who were both Deaf (which is VERY rare) and with siblings who were all Deaf. I bet she had all her questions answered. Okay, not all, who can have all their questions answered??? But still, she was very fortunate her communication wasn't limited. Today I met a young woman who's mom is Deaf, yet the girl can't communicate with her mom because she refuses to learn sign. I just don't get that.
That situation was interesting. I went to dinner after church at the Riddle's house. That girl was there, visiting from Tijuana and spoke no English. She was relying on her sister to interpret for her what her mom was saying and what the English speakers were saying. Then I look at one of the missionaries there and he is completely Deaf and doesn't understand what other's who didn't know sign language there were saying. I was interpreting for both. In an instant I actually remembered something from my mission. I remembered that when I was in the Missionary training center learning Spanish I was scared I was going to forget my ASL since I wouldn't be with my friend Laurel everyday, or with other Deaf friends like I was before my mission. So I started saying my personal prayers voicing them in Spanish and signing them in ASL at the same time. I think I may have even done that after my mission to remember my Spanish because I wasn't using it everyday and I was back to interpreting for my Deaf friends.
Well, thank you all for taking the time to read this. I am working on updating it more often . . . we'll see how that works ;) I love getting your comments, because then I know you really are reading this and I'm not just sending it out to a void. I love you guys! -MOPS
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