So this past week, my company provided some training for my job. So I thought it might just be a few boring days of sitting in a room watching a power point presentation on medical manufacturing standards. Well, I was pleasantly surprised.
It would be hard to capture all the cool insights into human behavior and life that I learned, but I'll try and share a few of the quotes that I remember.
1. "You'll only be as good as what motivates you."
2. "Character is the measure of how far you will go with a decision long after the emotions of that decision have left." So when we have made a decision and we are moving towards it and then we have to sacrifice something, then our emotions fade. Think of how people get all hyped up about weight loss goals, then when they have to sacrifice some things, some of them will fold. Character is something that we have to continually build up by sacrificing the short-term rewards for long-term rewards.
3. There are three basic "phases" of human behavior. They are all driven by the need to "survive". In order to do that, we want to "stand out in a crowd". How do we do that? The three basic phases of human behavior. The first kind of human behavior we learned in grade school. We try to stand out in a crowd by putting other people down. What ever is different we put them down for it. People will even put down things that most people consider good. I thought about how once I got made fun of for going to college. People who behave this way often blame others for their problems.
The second phase of human behavior is the talent/intelligence phase. Again, motivated to stand out in a crowd we separate ourselves by being better at something than everyone else. How often do you have a conversation with people where they try to one-up an experience. Although this behavior is a little better than phase 1 behavior, people still feel bad.
The third phase of human behavior is what I call charity [the teacher called it lifting]. This is the best kind of behavior. It is the kind where we lift others up. It is the kind that makes us feel good about ourselves. This behavior will become the second phase of human behavior if we yell it from the roof tops. When we pride ourselves on how much we do for others, then we are only looking to lift ourselves above the crowd, not lifting others up.
He said stress is what pulls us from Phase 3 to Phase 2 to Phase 1 behavior and we often get so frustrated with others exhibiting phase 1 behavior that we react back with phase 1 behavior.
There was a whole lot of other great insights, but it would be a super long post, but you'll have to ask me sometime and I'll share more of what I learned.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
New Church Calling
I received a new church calling about a month ago, but I realized the other day that I never blogged about it. I am now the Primary President in our ward.
I'm really enjoying being in Primary again (when Jeff and I first moved into our ward, we were called to teach the Sunbeam class).
Some of the kids really make me laugh. There's one energetic little four-year-old boy who enthusiastically shouts out "Jesus!" almost any time you ask a question. One week, when someone was reading a quote that said something like "succor the little children to come unto me," he shouted out "Sucker? I want a sucker! Can I have a sucker?" Ahh, precious moments.
I'm really enjoying being in Primary again (when Jeff and I first moved into our ward, we were called to teach the Sunbeam class).
Some of the kids really make me laugh. There's one energetic little four-year-old boy who enthusiastically shouts out "Jesus!" almost any time you ask a question. One week, when someone was reading a quote that said something like "succor the little children to come unto me," he shouted out "Sucker? I want a sucker! Can I have a sucker?" Ahh, precious moments.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wii Gave In
Yep, we finally gave in and got a Wii. Growing up, I was never very big on video games. I enjoyed watching them more than playing them. So I never thought that I would ever want to own a game system. But I've really enjoyed playing games on the Wii. I think they're more fun and interactive.
We've started out with the basic sports package and Wii Sports Resort (thanks for introducing it to us, Rachel and Jeff!). We have one white remote (mine) and one black remote (for Jeff). The game system also came with one nunchuck. I guess we'll eventually get a second one, but for now we just take turns playing the games that use it.
Our favorite game is 100-pin bowling. We've gotten to the point where we get strikes or spares on almost every frame. I also really enjoy wakeboarding, and Jeff is really good at table tennis.
Another reason for getting a Wii is that, sadly, Jeff and I have kind of become couch potatoes, and when we play Wii games we're at least moving around. Sometimes I work up a sweat or get out of breath (especially on the swordfighting game - I get pretty into it). We may eventually buy Wii Fit, but I want to borrow it from someone and try it out first.
I'm glad that it's finally starting to get warmer (although I won't be surprised if it snows tomorrow) and look forward to being able to play frisbee, bocce ball, and sand volleyball outside soon. But in the meantime or on rainy days, I feel good being able to move around and get my heart rate up a little playing Wii games.
We've started out with the basic sports package and Wii Sports Resort (thanks for introducing it to us, Rachel and Jeff!). We have one white remote (mine) and one black remote (for Jeff). The game system also came with one nunchuck. I guess we'll eventually get a second one, but for now we just take turns playing the games that use it.
Our favorite game is 100-pin bowling. We've gotten to the point where we get strikes or spares on almost every frame. I also really enjoy wakeboarding, and Jeff is really good at table tennis.
Another reason for getting a Wii is that, sadly, Jeff and I have kind of become couch potatoes, and when we play Wii games we're at least moving around. Sometimes I work up a sweat or get out of breath (especially on the swordfighting game - I get pretty into it). We may eventually buy Wii Fit, but I want to borrow it from someone and try it out first.
I'm glad that it's finally starting to get warmer (although I won't be surprised if it snows tomorrow) and look forward to being able to play frisbee, bocce ball, and sand volleyball outside soon. But in the meantime or on rainy days, I feel good being able to move around and get my heart rate up a little playing Wii games.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Happy Pi Day!
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.
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 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.
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