Sunday, February 28, 2010

26 days, 18 hours and counting!

Yesterday was a special day! Yesterday was February 27th.

Which, in case that date does not ring any bells or strike any chords for you.....

MARKS ONE MONTH UNTIL OUR WEDDING!! Yay!

In two weeks, we'll be able to begin moving things into our 4-plex apartment. In under four weeks, we'll be sealed for time and eternity in the Sacramento California temple.

In terms of news, there's not much to tell. This week we've both been busy with work and Thomas has been spending lots of time on various projects for school. We attended a dance lab (basically a huge party made up of all the social dance students) on Thursday night, fulfilling a requirement for our class. On Friday, of course, we attended our dance class. The past few weeks we've had substitute teachers, as our regular teacher has been involved in some dance competitions. Our waltz is coming along pretty well.

Yesterday we made it to the temple. Saturdays seem to be ridiculously busy at the Provo temple. We also attended a performance by BYU’s Philharmonic Orchestra. We were tired, but it was beautiful.

And now a word about cell phones.

At some times and places, it is inappropriate to have in your possession (and especially to use) a cell phone. Etiquette says you probably oughtn't use your cell phone in the restroom or at the table. Common sense says your phone should be turned off (at least silenced) in the library, in the theater, or in a class. Yesterday, I was unsettled to find that some folks think it's ok to have a cell phone turned ON and even to TALK on it while in the temple!

I sincerely hope that none of my dearest LDS friends, family, or associates would ever consider using their cell phones in the temple.... especially since it is acceptable to use cell phones outside on temple grounds. It was disconcerting to overhear that a young lady was speaking to friends on her cell phone from inside the temple, and deeply saddening and distracting when another's cell phone rang in the Lord's Holy House.

I believe that the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sacred places. In them, worthy members can escape the worries and cares of the world and focus on important things of an eternal nature. When cell phones - which have their use and importance in other venues - are imagined to be permitted there, the sacredness of the place is diminished.

Please, please, learn when and where it is rude or distracting or inappropriate to have or use your cell phones, and refrain from keeping them turned on or at your fingers at those times and places! Encourage others to do the same! It is tragic to be the one who disregards common courtesy and social expectations in such a way, and it is deeply frustrating for those who have to suffer the consequences of others' addictions to cell phone usage.

That's about all I have to say, but I feel I'm ending on a harsh note...

...to lighten things up a bit, here's a joke: What do you do when you're being attacked by a circus troupe? (see comments for the answer and feel free to leave your own jokes or two cents there)

Sunday, February 21, 2010

新年快樂!

Happy Belated New Year (for those that are curious)! The fourteenth of February ushered in the year of the tiger (thanks, Marina!)


But first, we should rewind a bit. Earlier last week Lisa cooked a lot, with the main dish featured being a improvised "bacon pizza" (link). On Saturday we set up many an appointment to look at potential apartments, and found one that was particularly appealing. After some deliberation and time, we penned our names to paper and we're excited to soon have a fourplex to call home (and we enjoyed the 5+ mile walk that day too)!

(a contract of sorts)

We suppose we should mention the coincidental holiday of St. Valentine. As 14 February was on a Sunday, we decided to have a dinner at P.F. Changs (link, thanks to Saki and Liz). Lisa also received some Peruvian lilies from a not-so-secret admirer. Then on Sunday we went to church together then spent an enjoyable few hours with Thomas' grandmother, where Lisa received a corsage.

(an interesting couple (why else would you read this blog?))

(Peruvian lilies)

(corsage)

In other news, Lisa's new job began and she is quickly learning the threads that make the ropes that run the place. Hope all is going well for our readers. Feel free to mention your three cents or more (we could always use the change) in the comments!

(a satisfied blogger)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Free Oreos and Other Great Things

Today, for the first time, Thomas and I decided to use some coupons when we went grocery shopping. SUCCESS! It felt so very good to watch the dollars come off the total! We've decided this should become a habit.

Also, due to Thomas' faithful following of blogs like Hey, It's Free! we were blessed with coupons for free Oreos! Yes, folks, we each got a free package of Golden Double Stuf Oreos. Hey, I'm not complainin'!

In other news, we toured 2 apartments today. Up till now we've only been looking online for housing. It was nice to actually get to see some places we could call "home" in the not-so-distant future. If anyone knows of cheap married housing in the Provo area, let us know! We're still shopping at this point.

We're keeping up pretty well with our temple attendance. Thomas and his roommate haven't missed a Thursday since the beginning of the semester, and I've been taking the opportunity to go on Friday mornings.

I've been thinking about random things outsiders wouldn't know about Provo:
  • Just about everyone jogs. Seriously, even in crummy, cold weather, you see crazies out there in shorts jogging on just about every sidewalk. At all hours, too, it seems.
  • Unicycling is a pastime enjoyed by more people than you'd think, and the percentage is probably near what you'd find amongst circus performers. No joke. This past week, I saw a kid unicycling his way off campus while reading a newspaper.
  • At least 90% of drivers are really bad at driving. If you drive much, expect that for every 3 red lights you are stopped at, you will see one car run a red light. Pathetic!
  • Parking - especially south of campus - is horrible. If you get home after about 10:30 PM, you might need to circle the side streets for a while to find a spot.
That's about it for now. It's been a long day and I'm ready for some shut-eye!

oxox