Feeling a little LOST

When LOST ended I felt a little empty. I loved all the nuances, profound meanings, symbols, mythology surrounding the show. I was one that was satisfied with the ending. I enjoyed the hope it symbolized for me.

All these many, many months after the fact, I am still missing the LOST characters.

So it's really no surprise that my DVR dutifully records:

V - Juliet (abc)
Lizard aliens, the fifth column, red rain, mining our DNA... what's not to like?


Hawaii 5-O - Jin (cbs)

Poor Jin - they don't give him much to do while the two white, male leads make eyes at each other. No, wait, they let Jin have a bomb strapped around his neck. Now that's drama. Fine, Caan can be funny...but he plays the same character in every thing he's in. Also, bring in Sun...she can guest star!


Mr. Sunshine - Chandler (because I love FRIENDS) and Hurley (abc)

I love Chandler, I always will - he was always my favorite Friend, but come on... give Hurley more to do! Hurley is funnier than that dumb, large kid they have interning.


Good Wife - I love this show already, but guess who guest starred? Miles! (cbs)

So weird hearing him speak with a Chinese accent. Also... kept waiting for him to speak to the dead. Miss his quirky character on LOST.


Fringe - I love this show and Hurley is coming to visit. (fox)
Can't wait to watch! Love Walter and Peter - such great actors and perfect chemistry.


Grey's Anatomy - I already watch this show, and I was thrilled when Rose guest starred. (abc)

Rose - always the calm, in control lady.


I'm hoping I get a glimpse of Sun, Sawyer, Locke, and Ben soon.

If you hear of any other LOST pop-ins - I'd love to know.

I would like to say it is unusual for me to be so entwined with a TV show, for pete's sake - but I'm still an avid FRIENDS fan/viewer. It's a habit I started when the show debuted at BYU, and well - it's fun.

Do you have any shows that have stuck with you?

ps. Have a great FRIDAY!

Kindling

Sometimes I feel like it's so easy to set me off.

Two weeks ago I had gone to the doctor (in another office - not our normal one, who was out on an emergency) to check on my 2 yr old's throat... she'd been complaining again, and I was worried it might be strep. We went, they swabbed - it came back negative. But, the Dr wrote out a prescription for antibiotics anyway. I had asked him to send the swab to the lab for the culture test...he didn't do it. I even called him back to ask him - he never returned the call. I did not use the antibiotics. She didn't even need it.

Last week my 2 yr old was bouncing on her sister's mattress when she konked her nose on the window sill. I called the Doctor's office. They said that if I left in 10 minutes I'd be able to be seen at my regular office before their lunch break.

I was literally 3 minutes away from their office when the receptionist called to say the nurse practioner that was on duty (the one that told me I was breast-feeding too long ...yeah I don't like her) wanted me to come back in an hour, because she had an errand to see to.

I. Was. Pissed.

Don't tell me to run like the wind, just to tell me to go back home. Doctors always make the patients wait forever in the waiting room anyway. The nurse practitioner can't wait 3 minutes? Seriously?

So we went all the way home, without time for a real nap, just to turn back around. Turns out it was just a bump - nothing broken. Thank goodness. The nurse practitioner acted sheepish. She said she had to drop off her car at the body shop.

Then my 4 yr old asked to have her ears checked. She said they were bothering her. She is prone to ear infections. The nurse practitioner checked and said it was iffy. But she wrote a perscription for antibiotics anyway.

What is the deal? I didn't give my girls the antibiotics, not one drop. Both didn't have any problems following their Dr's visits... and clearly didn't need the meds. Why on earth ... is writing an antibiotic perscription a knee-jerk reaction in the medical profession? Honestly!

I was ready to write scathing letters to the ped office about the free dosing of my kids, and the rude behavior regarding my possible broken baby nose... but I didn't. I actually calmed down. I know myself... I am like kindling...the littlest thing can set me off when it comes to my girls.

I love an inteview

I have a confession. I'm a pro at fantasy interviews. I've been doing them my entire life...at night, in bed... with reporters. They are always interested in some new achievement I've accomplished, or illuminating opinion. It's my own little, nighttime fantasy. Sexy...isn't it? I stopped doing interviews for the last few years...and I remember having one recently... apparently I had directed my first documentary film.

What? You don't have fantasy interviews at night? Well, what neurotic things do you do?

My husband will ask me every now and then, "So, any interviews lately? Why not? You need to get your people on that."

So...because I love interviews...I was a broadcast journalism major, you know... My friend the Greek Goddess sent me some questions. If you want to be interviewed, make a comment and I'll email you five or so questions. Make sure you write "have your people call my people" if you want an interview.

So, here are the questions, and my responses.

What are some things that are important to you that you are trying to instill in your children? (Can be small or big)

Simple things... like not picking things up and sticking them in our mouths. Or, stick with Mommy, I’ll keep you safe. Picking up after themselves, doing the dishes, folding clothes, saying please, thank you, you're welcome, bless you... etc.

Big things ... that we will always love them, no matter what they do, or how tired or grumpy we are. I want them to know that we aren’t perfect. That we make mistakes and we want to do better. I want them to know that they always have God on their side. I want them to have confidence in their youth, I want them to be their own person, not give in to peer pressure..and silly crowd mentality. I want them to know that when they pray - God listens. I want them to be happy.


If you were a fairy godmother and could "bless" a baby with any trait (think Sleeping Beauty) what would you give them?

Wow, I think I’d bless them with enduring hope/faith. I think if we always had a spark of that burning within us, we’d be able to endure our trials better, and enjoy the good times even more.

What 10 books would you read immediately if you had loads of time?

I love books...so to narrow it down to 10... HOW? Do you mean ones I’ve never read... or ones I want to reread?

Gone With the Wind
Little Women
C.S. Lewis writings both fiction/non
The Woman in White
Atlas Shrugged
Bible (haven’t read that all the way through since... college)
Book of Mormon (working on it again)
Freakonomics
Wild Swans
The Last Chinese Chef
Jane Austen writings
Rebecca
Wuthering Heights
Steinbeck

...there’s more... but I better stop now. If any of you have books you love and/or want to read - please SHARE. I’m always adding to my list.

What are some family traditions you have with your husband and children (not just holiday ones) that you really like?

We go on a lot of after dinner family walks around the neighborhood.

I always ask the girls “GUESS WHAT?” and the answer is always “I LOVE YOU”.

Making up verbal stories about the two Princess sisters...and telling them to each other in bed.

We like trying new restaurants and haunting our favorites together.

Picnics.

When Ry gets home from work he goes to the front door and calls out each daughter’s name in turn. They take turns running pell-mell into him. He swoops them up and spins them into a hug.

We dance in the kitchen, family room... we sing... we have family cuddle time.

If you could find the cure to one disease in the world which one would it be? I'm not sure if that is a fair question...

...heart break. But since that’s not possible... cancer, in all it’s forms.

If you could pick one talent for yourself that you don't already have what would it be?

This is hard to pick just one... I am just not as talented (in the traditional sense) as most of the people I know... I’d love to be able to sing... master an instrument, speak more languages, do complicated math in my head...

But to pick just one talent... to be calm/patient.

What is your favorite color and why?

Burgundy... a deep wine red. It makes me feel sassy, sexy, deep. Plus, it’s a great color on me.

What is your dream menu for a day-from breakfast to dinner and snacks in between?

Hot chocolate (like the kind my friend Brooke had) and a croissant from Paris
Fresh fruit... summer fruit
Asian fusion or sushi/terriyaki ...shark fin soup
Afternoon tea with all it’s accouterments
Indian food, perfect sea scallops, crab and a heavenly chocolate souffle
Freshly picked veggies (like the Parcel 104 restaurant in San Jose...)

If I could really have a dream menu...I’d have a gourmet chef create wonderful dreamy tastes all day, from the freshest ingredients available.

What are some things you like about yourself?

I’m friendly... the thing is, I wasn’t always outgoing and friendly. I used to be painfully awkward and shy. I had to choose to be the way I am, and work at it constantly. I do it because I remember, and often still know what it is like to be ignored...disregarded. So I reach out because I don’t want other people to feel that ache. Sure, I still feel that way now and then, and yes, I want to give up being the one to reach out... but if I don’t do it...no one else will. It helps to know I have control over something, and to take responsibility.

I’m curious. I love learning new things, experiencing new things. I’m a planner. I am intensely loyal. I’m passionate and thoughtful. I’m generous. But...with these traits...come weaknesses too. Lots of weaknesses.

Where do you get your inner strength from?

Sometimes I wonder if I have strength... or if it’s all just wishful thinking. I hope it doesn’t sound too cliche... but even when I was a child, feeling utterly alone and unwanted... the hope that God was there for me, even if he didn’t deliver me from my pain... helped me survive. I think the fact that I wasn’t the only one, that I wanted to protect others too... made a big difference. I guess at my core I’m a big huge Momma bear, always ready to pounce for those who are hurting.

Tell me something about your journey as a woman in the church.

I grew up in the Church. Despite that I’ve had the ebb and flow of commitment and rebellion. Most of the times these happen within my heart...and aren’t necessarily exhibited. There were moments where I felt a great sense of purpose and belonging...and moments where I felt left alone, some strange child-experiment, meant to be poked, prodded and hurt to see how much it would take to break her. I’ve also felt doubt. Now I’m mostly confident...and sure. Peaceful. I know I don’t have, or understand all the answers - but I’m okay with that, because I here to learn, and improve, bit-by-bit.

I have always felt that as a woman I have an incredible power for good or ill. I’ve always thought an educated woman was more effective, than an uneducated one. I’m not talking about just a degree...although that is a big deal to me - I’m talking life experience. I think it’s important to have a desire to learn new things, meet new people and listen to different ideas. I think that as women, with the important role of shaping young minds, we have a responsibility, to be interested in the world around us. I think we ought to be curious, yearn to learn more...because when we are like that - then our children will be like that. If we constantly say “I can’t do that, I don’t know how to do that” our children will reflect that back to us. But if we say “I don’t know, but I want to learn” or “I can figure this out”... our children will discover that there are no barriers, except the ones we place in front of us.

I don’t fit into the general mold of mormon woman... and I am okay with that. That just means I find myself trying to help others realize that they don’t have to conform to that mold. That means I teach my girls to be true to themselves.

I believe that if we have questions, we should ask them. We should ask the questions of those we know are “strong” in the Church. And if one or two or more don’t have the answers - keep asking. But ask the right people. You don’t ask someone who’s shaky on foundation building to teach you how to pour one. You ask the expert. Same with faith.

Also... I often have to remind myself that my testimony must be founded on Christ. If I believe Him - then I can stand tall. No matter what other people do... my testimony is not dependent on them...but on Him. People are flawed. From family members to friends and neighbors...ward members... we are all flawed. So if we want a sure testimony we can’t depend on family, friends, etc... we can only depend on Christ. “I can do all this through Christ, which strengthenth me.” Phil 4:13 (One of my lovely roommates Holly Gilliland shared this verse with me when I was a sophomore at BYU - I have repeated it to myself... many times over since then)

Show yourself...

If you wouldn't mind terribly... would you please click follow on the side bar to the right?

I have friends that have been asking me if I know someone in *insert city/state* who found their blog from mine...and I have no idea who is reading this blog... except for the few that have commented.

So... to save me the curious questions... please... if it's not too scary - show yourself.

Cheers!
QS

Extracting my wisdom

... Teeth.

Three of them.

Tomorrow.

I'm terrified.

The only stories I hear are about pain, lot's of pain. Sockets... and pain...giant chipmunk cheeks. OH... AND PAIN. And... I hate medications...drugs... going under. Yeah... so... does anyone have any good stories? If you have horror ones... feel free to share those too... (my brother before his mission had his out... he threw up blood after he got home...you wonder why I'm terrified?) because... at least I've been forewarned.

Does it help that my wisdom teeth erupted after I got pregnant with K...back in 2004? Will it be easier... or does the fact that I'm older... you know... everything goes down hill after you're 30...

Two things

If you're interested - check out the Gimme Gimme post here.

And... I'm looking for nicknames for my girls.

K is 4... our resident drama queen, boss, fashion guru, never stops talking, music/dance,theater gal and sensitive heart.

M is 2...my little Momma's girl, mischievous comic, tough girl, singer, dancer and the quiet one.

Please leave your suggestions in the comments below. ;-) THANKS!

Superstition

I often scoff at superstition.

Chinese people don't like the number 4 or the color white. Both of which symbolize death. As a child I was never allowed to wear a white hair band, clip, etc.

Chinese also believe that if you don't clean your bowl at mealtimes, as a child, you'll marry a pock-faced spouse.

In the middle ages, anything unexplained would be considered witchcraft.

Friday the 13th seems to always illicit another stupid horror movie. (I hate commercials for them... they freak me out)

Beware of black cats that cross your path.

Don't walk under ladders.

I was sitting in the family room today and realized, I have my own... superstitions.

When my hubby used to go on business trips, I'd be extra jumpy. At night, after the girls were in bed I'd shower and then jump into my garments as soon as possible... because I believed that if I wore them - no harm would come to us.

We're supposed to keep the Sabbath Day holy. So even when I have to take my daughter into urgent care and buy her medicine on Sunday - I feel as though I'm tempting bolts of lightening.

I know I have more like this...but the exhaustion of this entire week is... weakening my ability to form coherent thought. So... what about you? What superstitions do you have? Help me jog my short-circuiting brain.

Making a Mess down Memory Lane

I've discovered that when I get the itch to organize, purge and file around the house - I also discover things I totally forgot about.

I think it's day three of organizing the study. I found these photo proofs from my wedding... a little over 7 years ago. I realized that I don't have the requisite professional wedding photo hanging on a wall in our home. So... please help me pick 2-3 that would do. They were taken on film...

My... to look young, svelte and glowing again.


A.



B.



C.



D.



E.



F.



G.

Drawing faces

Guess which one my 4 year old daughter drew....and which one I drew.

What are you playing?

It's been ages since I bought a new game... so I'm curious...what games do you like to play with a group of folks?

I have the standards:

Catch-Phrase
Taboo
Cranium
Mexican Train
Spoons

Snow Gear

Ok... bloggers so we have a goal of taking our girls to the snow this year. One reason I love living in Calif - that I can go to the snow when I really want to ... it never comes to me. YAY!

Anywho - I'm looking for places to get some snow gear for the girls. Any recommendations? I get the Land's End catalogs and am not sure if I should get those or find something else.

Advice? Suggestions? We honestly have no snow gear. I don't even have any. I think I abandoned it all after leaving Utah...10 years ago.

Just thinking...

Would it be so bad not to have a two party system?

Book Group

ok... so we're restarting our book group in my neck of the woods.

Anyone with suggestions on books we should be reading?

The best parts

A month ago... a couple girlfriends and I went to see Mama Mia. After the movie we were outside the theater talking and we started talking about our bodies. Shocking...I know... women... griping about their bodies... weird. Then one of the gals said we had to say nice things about ourselves. We had to pick what we thought were our best parts.

I bought a bikini bathing top after that conversation. Not because I think I have great boobs or a great stomach post pregnancy... but because I remembered I've only worn a bikini bathing top twice in my life... on my honeymoon. I should've worn it more often when I had that perfect bod...well perfect compared to now. ;-)

So... in honor of our best physical parts. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.

I think I have great:
Hair
Eyebrows
Forearms
Hands/Fingers/Nails
Calves
Back
Ears

Your turn...