Yep, it's that time again - Pi Day! And no, I did not misspell that. March 14th - 3/14 - 3.14...
I went around at church today wishing everyone a happy Pi Day. Of course, I had to then explain it to them, and I think several people were still confused after I explained it.
We invited a few friends over to celebrate Pi Day with us this year. I made a banana cream pie because it's easy, and it's also one of Jeff's favorites. Before I served the pie, I shared pi trivia and answered questions about pi and the golden ratio (which was a lot of fun for me). We then sat around, ate our pie, and talked and laughed. It was a fun evening.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Jeff's Music
For a while now, we have had a goal to work on Jeff's music. First, we would like to re-record and copyright his existing songs. We found a website geared towards independent musicians where Jeff can then sell his music through digital downloads as well as CDs. In addition, we would also like to write out his music.
The surgery on Jeff's wrist kind of set us back on the first half of our goals. So this past week we started on the second half: writing out the sheet music.
We started with my favorite song, Mountain Breeze. Fortunately, we have a digital piano that allows Jeff to record his music. Unfortunately, we can't print it out straight from the piano because Jeff doesn't stay strictly on the beat (which is inevitable, of course). So, while we have the notes that he plays, we still need to figure out how to put it all together. Also, it doesn't separate his left hand from his right because he moves around on the keyboard so often, so it can be difficult to sort out all of the notes.
Jeff has a software program on his laptop for writing sheet music. Because I'm still getting used to how it works, I've decided to first write it out by hand (plus, it's good to have a hard copy back-up). So far I have one page completed by hand and on the computer. It is very satisfying to see it written out. It's slow going, but I'm hoping that I'll get faster the more I do it. I can't wait to have an entire song completed. I'm especially looking forward to the day when I can hear other people play Jeff's songs using the sheet music I helped to write out.
I'm grateful that my background in musical notation and music theory has prepared me to help Jeff. Thanks, Mom, for making me work on notation along with learning songs.
The surgery on Jeff's wrist kind of set us back on the first half of our goals. So this past week we started on the second half: writing out the sheet music.
We started with my favorite song, Mountain Breeze. Fortunately, we have a digital piano that allows Jeff to record his music. Unfortunately, we can't print it out straight from the piano because Jeff doesn't stay strictly on the beat (which is inevitable, of course). So, while we have the notes that he plays, we still need to figure out how to put it all together. Also, it doesn't separate his left hand from his right because he moves around on the keyboard so often, so it can be difficult to sort out all of the notes.
Jeff has a software program on his laptop for writing sheet music. Because I'm still getting used to how it works, I've decided to first write it out by hand (plus, it's good to have a hard copy back-up). So far I have one page completed by hand and on the computer. It is very satisfying to see it written out. It's slow going, but I'm hoping that I'll get faster the more I do it. I can't wait to have an entire song completed. I'm especially looking forward to the day when I can hear other people play Jeff's songs using the sheet music I helped to write out.
I'm grateful that my background in musical notation and music theory has prepared me to help Jeff. Thanks, Mom, for making me work on notation along with learning songs.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Funny Chats
I thought it would be fun to share a few g-mail chats that I've had with Jeff while I was at work. To find these clips, I started back when Jeff and I were dating. It was fun reading through them. Sorry it's kind of long.
10/25/07
Jeff: Work was okay today. I feel like I am on shaky ground. I am moving from something I do very well and enjoy doing to something I am poor at doing and don't really enjoy. I feel like everyone is speaking a new language to me that I don't understand.
me: Sounds frustrating.
Jeff: I am trying to make lemonade out of lemons, but I am low on sugar.
me: But at least you're going into it with that attitude. That's gotta help with the overall sugar level.
...
me: It's like you're stuck on an episode of the Office, but you're getting the raw end of the deal and there's very little humor. Office politics can sure be screwed up sometimes.
11/6/07 (Jeff was feeling sick and had stayed home from work. And by the way, this is the day that we started "officially" dating.)
me: So what have you done today? Watched any good movies?
Jeff: I watched tv and veged. Not any movies. I did some laundry and mopped the floor.
me: You mopped the floor?!? Wow, you're a much more active sick person than I am.
Jeff: with a swiffer quick and easy.
me: Oh, good.
1/28/08 (we had gotten in a car accident due to snow back in December)
Jeff: I was getting a lot of comments today about me dating. - Because we ran into my coworker at Boondocks.
me: oh yeah?
Jeff: One lady asked how my hot date was? I hesitated because I was thinking of you as my hot girlfriend instead of a hot date. She thought I was embarrased, but I wasn't.
me: :)
Jeff: She also said she knew because she heard that we had run into someone from work and everyone thought that meant we had been in an accident. Silly. Then my other co-workers reminded them that we had actually been in an accident a few weeks ago.
me: very silly. but hey - only off by a few weeks!
Jeff: Then they were asking me if I had made any big purchases lately. Them teasers. My coworkers knew i purchased a tv.
me: yep. coworkers can be funny like that
2/12/08 (Jeff was sick again. This was also the chat where Jeff came up with the phrase "much of bunches")
me: have you eaten much today? still sticking to brat and getting plenty of fluids, right?
Jeff: still on the brat. Bananas, apple sauce and toast. I will try rice tonight.
So I guess I am on the bat diet.
me: hee hee. :P
2/27/08 (Jeff was still feeling sick)
me: I hope you're having a good day. I'm having an ... interesting day. I've been very scatterbrained, and I kept getting frustrated and sighing outloud. I feel very disorganized. I'm thinking of going home early today.
Jeff: I feel a little scatterbrained after taking the pain pill.
me: hmm - what's my excuse?
Jeff: sympathy scatterbrainedness.
3/10/08 (we got engaged on the 8th, the Saturday before this chat; we're discussing signing Jeff up for Facebook)
me: no, you can't visit my site if you don't have an account. would you like my login info?
Jeff: I'll just set up an account later? Would I be able to view the stuff posted on your site then?
me: yes, after i approve that we're friends (you or i would need to request, and then the other would approve)
Jeff: I would hope you would approve that we're friends he-he-he;)
me: hmm, i might need to think about it ;)
Jeff: I'm glad you didn't say that Saturday ;).
10/7/08 (this was a week after I had surgery on my finger, so I had a splint or cast on my right hand)
me: it's cold at my work - i wish i had gloves
the heat doesn't work :(
Jeff: :( you could only really use one.
me: ha ha hadn't thought of that
thanks! u reminded me that i have a mismatched glove in my drawer
(i lost its mate last winter, but never threw it away) and it's the left one! :):):):):):)
Jeff: That's cool.
or warm.
me: :)
10/25/07
Jeff: Work was okay today. I feel like I am on shaky ground. I am moving from something I do very well and enjoy doing to something I am poor at doing and don't really enjoy. I feel like everyone is speaking a new language to me that I don't understand.
me: Sounds frustrating.
Jeff: I am trying to make lemonade out of lemons, but I am low on sugar.
me: But at least you're going into it with that attitude. That's gotta help with the overall sugar level.
...
me: It's like you're stuck on an episode of the Office, but you're getting the raw end of the deal and there's very little humor. Office politics can sure be screwed up sometimes.
11/6/07 (Jeff was feeling sick and had stayed home from work. And by the way, this is the day that we started "officially" dating.)
me: So what have you done today? Watched any good movies?
Jeff: I watched tv and veged. Not any movies. I did some laundry and mopped the floor.
me: You mopped the floor?!? Wow, you're a much more active sick person than I am.
Jeff: with a swiffer quick and easy.
me: Oh, good.
1/28/08 (we had gotten in a car accident due to snow back in December)
Jeff: I was getting a lot of comments today about me dating. - Because we ran into my coworker at Boondocks.
me: oh yeah?
Jeff: One lady asked how my hot date was? I hesitated because I was thinking of you as my hot girlfriend instead of a hot date. She thought I was embarrased, but I wasn't.
me: :)
Jeff: She also said she knew because she heard that we had run into someone from work and everyone thought that meant we had been in an accident. Silly. Then my other co-workers reminded them that we had actually been in an accident a few weeks ago.
me: very silly. but hey - only off by a few weeks!
Jeff: Then they were asking me if I had made any big purchases lately. Them teasers. My coworkers knew i purchased a tv.
me: yep. coworkers can be funny like that
2/12/08 (Jeff was sick again. This was also the chat where Jeff came up with the phrase "much of bunches")
me: have you eaten much today? still sticking to brat and getting plenty of fluids, right?
Jeff: still on the brat. Bananas, apple sauce and toast. I will try rice tonight.
So I guess I am on the bat diet.
me: hee hee. :P
2/27/08 (Jeff was still feeling sick)
me: I hope you're having a good day. I'm having an ... interesting day. I've been very scatterbrained, and I kept getting frustrated and sighing outloud. I feel very disorganized. I'm thinking of going home early today.
Jeff: I feel a little scatterbrained after taking the pain pill.
me: hmm - what's my excuse?
Jeff: sympathy scatterbrainedness.
3/10/08 (we got engaged on the 8th, the Saturday before this chat; we're discussing signing Jeff up for Facebook)
me: no, you can't visit my site if you don't have an account. would you like my login info?
Jeff: I'll just set up an account later? Would I be able to view the stuff posted on your site then?
me: yes, after i approve that we're friends (you or i would need to request, and then the other would approve)
Jeff: I would hope you would approve that we're friends he-he-he;)
me: hmm, i might need to think about it ;)
Jeff: I'm glad you didn't say that Saturday ;).
10/7/08 (this was a week after I had surgery on my finger, so I had a splint or cast on my right hand)
me: it's cold at my work - i wish i had gloves
the heat doesn't work :(
Jeff: :( you could only really use one.
me: ha ha hadn't thought of that
thanks! u reminded me that i have a mismatched glove in my drawer
(i lost its mate last winter, but never threw it away) and it's the left one! :):):):):):)
Jeff: That's cool.
or warm.
me: :)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Goals for 2010
I am going to post my goals for the year on my blog, so that I can look back on them next January and see how I did. Also, this will hopefully motivate me to look back on them regularly and maybe let you know how I'm doing.
1 - I want to use my Saturdays more productively. This past year I wasted too many of my weekends and would go to bed on Saturday night disappointed with myself. This year I want to have a specific list of things that I want to accomplish each weekend, and then actually do them. I started yesterday, and it felt great! I don't let myself watch any TV until I get my list done. This is what my parents tried to teach me when I was growing up and had to do Saturday chores. I know it's a bit late, but I feel like I'm finally starting to understand and value using my Saturdays productively.
2 - Kind of hand in hand with number 1, I also want to keep my house cleaner on a regular basis. This past year, I seem to let things slide for a few weeks, then I get in a cleaning mood and have to do some heavy duty cleaning. Usually, I'm motivated by having someone come over to my home, because I like to present a clean (or at least semi-clean) house. So this year I would like to make more of an effort to stay on top of daily and weekly cleaning and straightening so that it doesn't get so overwhelming. It feels nice to have a clean house, too!
3 - I hope to exercise on a more regular basis again. For a while, I was exercising in the morning with my co-workers. But we got out of the habit and never started up again. I know that I need to set some definite goals or it won't happen. I am open to suggestions, if anyone has any.
4 - I want to be better about planning date nights in advance. Jeff and I spend a lot of time together in the evenings and on the weekends, but we rarely plan ahead. Often, we sit at home and play kenken, watch TV, or play games. While I enjoy all of these activities, I would like to plan a specific date night at least twice a month. Once a week would be better, though.
5 - I have gotten too relaxed in going to the temple regularly. I have let illness and busy schedules get in the way of what is important. I want to get back in the habit of going at least once a month, but preferably twice a month. I know we can do it - we just need to make it a priority.
1 - I want to use my Saturdays more productively. This past year I wasted too many of my weekends and would go to bed on Saturday night disappointed with myself. This year I want to have a specific list of things that I want to accomplish each weekend, and then actually do them. I started yesterday, and it felt great! I don't let myself watch any TV until I get my list done. This is what my parents tried to teach me when I was growing up and had to do Saturday chores. I know it's a bit late, but I feel like I'm finally starting to understand and value using my Saturdays productively.
2 - Kind of hand in hand with number 1, I also want to keep my house cleaner on a regular basis. This past year, I seem to let things slide for a few weeks, then I get in a cleaning mood and have to do some heavy duty cleaning. Usually, I'm motivated by having someone come over to my home, because I like to present a clean (or at least semi-clean) house. So this year I would like to make more of an effort to stay on top of daily and weekly cleaning and straightening so that it doesn't get so overwhelming. It feels nice to have a clean house, too!
3 - I hope to exercise on a more regular basis again. For a while, I was exercising in the morning with my co-workers. But we got out of the habit and never started up again. I know that I need to set some definite goals or it won't happen. I am open to suggestions, if anyone has any.
4 - I want to be better about planning date nights in advance. Jeff and I spend a lot of time together in the evenings and on the weekends, but we rarely plan ahead. Often, we sit at home and play kenken, watch TV, or play games. While I enjoy all of these activities, I would like to plan a specific date night at least twice a month. Once a week would be better, though.
5 - I have gotten too relaxed in going to the temple regularly. I have let illness and busy schedules get in the way of what is important. I want to get back in the habit of going at least once a month, but preferably twice a month. I know we can do it - we just need to make it a priority.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Praxis Exam
For those of you who may not know, after three years of teaching you have to renew or upgrade your teaching license. My teaching license will expire in June of 2010, so I've been looking at the requirements for the past few months. I'm going to try to upgrade to a Level 2 license. The biggest benefit is that I will get 5 years to renew my license instead of only 3. I'm planning on keeping a current teaching license even when I'm not using it, so that I could fall back on it if I needed to.
One of the things that I have to do is take a Praxis exam. To get my teaching license initially, I took a math content Praxis exam. But to get my Level 2 license, I also need to take another Praxis exam that tests me on the Principles of Learning and Teaching.
At least, that's what the test makers claim. The test is made up of 24 multiple-choice questions and 4 case studies with three essay questions each. And you only have 2 hours to take the test. Basically, to pass the test you have to become familiar with the concepts and key words that they're looking for, and try to write really fast.
I took the exam last month at the University of Utah. Fortunately, I left myself plenty of time, because I'm only moderately familiar with the campus and thought I might get lost. Which I did. There was some construction that confused me and made it difficult for me to find the right building, even though I knew the general area where it should be. So after driving around campus for a good 20-30 minutes, I finally made it in to the test room right as they were shutting the door.
It was a miserable test. At the end of the 2 hours I had an awful headache and a horrible hand cramp. But it was over. I managed to answer every question, but I knew some of my essays were pretty pathetic.
I had to wait a month to find out my score and see if I passed with a high enough grade. I REALLY didn't want to have to take it again. But this past week I found out that I passed! I needed 160 out of 200, and I scored a 182. HORRAY!!!
And let me tell you, I am SO glad that I don't have to take it again. Now I just need to work on the paperwork for my Level 2 license. I have until June, but I'm going to try to get it out of the way earlier.
One of the things that I have to do is take a Praxis exam. To get my teaching license initially, I took a math content Praxis exam. But to get my Level 2 license, I also need to take another Praxis exam that tests me on the Principles of Learning and Teaching.
At least, that's what the test makers claim. The test is made up of 24 multiple-choice questions and 4 case studies with three essay questions each. And you only have 2 hours to take the test. Basically, to pass the test you have to become familiar with the concepts and key words that they're looking for, and try to write really fast.
I took the exam last month at the University of Utah. Fortunately, I left myself plenty of time, because I'm only moderately familiar with the campus and thought I might get lost. Which I did. There was some construction that confused me and made it difficult for me to find the right building, even though I knew the general area where it should be. So after driving around campus for a good 20-30 minutes, I finally made it in to the test room right as they were shutting the door.
It was a miserable test. At the end of the 2 hours I had an awful headache and a horrible hand cramp. But it was over. I managed to answer every question, but I knew some of my essays were pretty pathetic.
I had to wait a month to find out my score and see if I passed with a high enough grade. I REALLY didn't want to have to take it again. But this past week I found out that I passed! I needed 160 out of 200, and I scored a 182. HORRAY!!!
And let me tell you, I am SO glad that I don't have to take it again. Now I just need to work on the paperwork for my Level 2 license. I have until June, but I'm going to try to get it out of the way earlier.
The Saga of the Sweater
I have simple tastes when it comes to clothes. I'm not big into fashion or designer labels, and I enjoy wearing the same clothes for a decade or longer. I still have some clothes and shoes from elementary school.
I like having a few simple cardigans as part of my wardrobe. They can be either button-up or have a zipper. I usually like to have three: black, white, and cream/tan. They help me to expand my wardrobe in the winter, because I can still wear a short-sleeved shirt with the cardigan on top. They also help me stay warm, providing an extra layer of clothing so I don't have to wear my coat all day (I get cold really easily).
Well, the white sweater that I currently have is comfortable but a little thin and see-through, and doesn't provide much warmth. So I don't wear it very often. I have now stained my cream colored sweater multiple times and it's starting to look kind of ratty. This left my black sweater, which I wore all the time - up until a few weeks ago, that is.
That was when I noticed that I had a hole in the elbow of my sweater. Sometimes I'll still wear clothes when they have small holes or stains, but this hole is pretty noticable.
It's been really difficult not having a cardigan to wear. So for the past few weeks, as we've been out Christmas shopping, I've been looking for a replacement sweater. I especially want a black one, but I wouldn't mind getting a cream or white one as well.
I had NO IDEA that it would be so difficult to find a simple cardigan! I've run into the following problems in my search:
Hoodies (I want it to be nicer, something I can wear to church)
Shawls
Really big necks
Ties that go around the bottom (what do I need them for)
Too short (I want it to cover the shirt I'm wearing underneath)
Too long (looks more like a coat - not what I'm looking for)
Buttons that only go halfway
Writing or designs (I want a solid color)
Too big (is it too much to ask that it be in my size?)
Too tight (the sleeves of the shirt underneath would look bunchy)
Am I being too picky? I just want a simple, solid colored sweater to wear over my clothes. It should be long enough to cover my shirt, but not so long that it looks like a small dress. It can be either button-up or have a zipper. I don't want anything fancy or super fashionable - just a simple cardigan! Apparently, I am asking for the impossible. And any time I find something that comes close, they don't have it in my size.
I'm open to ideas, if you have any. But I don't want to order anything off of the Internet - I want to be able to try it on first.
I like having a few simple cardigans as part of my wardrobe. They can be either button-up or have a zipper. I usually like to have three: black, white, and cream/tan. They help me to expand my wardrobe in the winter, because I can still wear a short-sleeved shirt with the cardigan on top. They also help me stay warm, providing an extra layer of clothing so I don't have to wear my coat all day (I get cold really easily).
Well, the white sweater that I currently have is comfortable but a little thin and see-through, and doesn't provide much warmth. So I don't wear it very often. I have now stained my cream colored sweater multiple times and it's starting to look kind of ratty. This left my black sweater, which I wore all the time - up until a few weeks ago, that is.
That was when I noticed that I had a hole in the elbow of my sweater. Sometimes I'll still wear clothes when they have small holes or stains, but this hole is pretty noticable.
It's been really difficult not having a cardigan to wear. So for the past few weeks, as we've been out Christmas shopping, I've been looking for a replacement sweater. I especially want a black one, but I wouldn't mind getting a cream or white one as well.
I had NO IDEA that it would be so difficult to find a simple cardigan! I've run into the following problems in my search:
Hoodies (I want it to be nicer, something I can wear to church)
Shawls
Really big necks
Ties that go around the bottom (what do I need them for)
Too short (I want it to cover the shirt I'm wearing underneath)
Too long (looks more like a coat - not what I'm looking for)
Buttons that only go halfway
Writing or designs (I want a solid color)
Too big (is it too much to ask that it be in my size?)
Too tight (the sleeves of the shirt underneath would look bunchy)
Am I being too picky? I just want a simple, solid colored sweater to wear over my clothes. It should be long enough to cover my shirt, but not so long that it looks like a small dress. It can be either button-up or have a zipper. I don't want anything fancy or super fashionable - just a simple cardigan! Apparently, I am asking for the impossible. And any time I find something that comes close, they don't have it in my size.
I'm open to ideas, if you have any. But I don't want to order anything off of the Internet - I want to be able to try it on first.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
It's a Small World After All
There was a baby blessing in our ward today. I didn't think too much about it, other than noting that there were several rows of visitors there.
As I was leaving the chapel after Sacrament Meeting, I was making my normal rounds of stopping to make faces at cute kids. Near the door I came across a man holding a cute little boy. I didn't recognize either of them (and I know all of the kids in the ward), so I figured that they were visiting due to the baby blessing. The man acted like he knew me and asked me how I was doing. We stopped and chatted for a minute, and then he asked me what my name was. I told him, but he still looked puzzled. He said that I reminded him of a family that he knows, and when I asked him the name of the family, he said Alford!
After I told him that I was indeed an Alford, I asked him how he knew my family. He told me that his name was Dave, and that his wife Kathy was my dad's cousin. They were aunt and uncle to the mother of the baby being blessed today. So I've actually been in a ward with a second cousin for over a year now and didn't even know it! Her name is Heidi Simmons, and her mother Leslie is Kathy's sister. Kathy and Dave actually came to our wedding last year. I wouldn't have recognized them, but he recognized me.
So we were invited over to their home for munching and mingling. It was fun to visit with my extended family and find out a little more about them. I also discovered that Heidi has been researching the Alford family line and has been gathering and scanning photographs. She's going to give me a copy of the information that she has, and then I'll be able to pass it on to my family members. And I'm going to introduce her to Great-Aunt Ruth, who's she's heard about but never met.
It's funny. I was actually reading an article in the Ensign just this morning about the importance of being personally involved in geneology. I felt a real desire to study and learn more about my ancestors, and stop telling myself that "someone else has already done it." And now Heavenly Father has provided a way for me to learn more about the Alford side of the family. Turns out I didn't have to search farther than my own ward!
As I was leaving the chapel after Sacrament Meeting, I was making my normal rounds of stopping to make faces at cute kids. Near the door I came across a man holding a cute little boy. I didn't recognize either of them (and I know all of the kids in the ward), so I figured that they were visiting due to the baby blessing. The man acted like he knew me and asked me how I was doing. We stopped and chatted for a minute, and then he asked me what my name was. I told him, but he still looked puzzled. He said that I reminded him of a family that he knows, and when I asked him the name of the family, he said Alford!
After I told him that I was indeed an Alford, I asked him how he knew my family. He told me that his name was Dave, and that his wife Kathy was my dad's cousin. They were aunt and uncle to the mother of the baby being blessed today. So I've actually been in a ward with a second cousin for over a year now and didn't even know it! Her name is Heidi Simmons, and her mother Leslie is Kathy's sister. Kathy and Dave actually came to our wedding last year. I wouldn't have recognized them, but he recognized me.
So we were invited over to their home for munching and mingling. It was fun to visit with my extended family and find out a little more about them. I also discovered that Heidi has been researching the Alford family line and has been gathering and scanning photographs. She's going to give me a copy of the information that she has, and then I'll be able to pass it on to my family members. And I'm going to introduce her to Great-Aunt Ruth, who's she's heard about but never met.
It's funny. I was actually reading an article in the Ensign just this morning about the importance of being personally involved in geneology. I felt a real desire to study and learn more about my ancestors, and stop telling myself that "someone else has already done it." And now Heavenly Father has provided a way for me to learn more about the Alford side of the family. Turns out I didn't have to search farther than my own ward!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)