Temple Walk

Clark had to study a garden/landscaping of some sort for one of his classes, so we decided to take a walk around the Provo temple. While he answered questions for his assignment, I took some pictures. It was such interesting weather that my pictures turned out a lot different than I expected (and I love result--especially the black and whites).

The east side of the Provo temple.

It was so dirty outside today, that you can see the specks of things (and bugs) that were getting blown around by the wind.

Once again, my favorite part of any temple that I visit: "The House of the Lord, Holiness to the Lord"

And here is a picture in color. Check out that slate-gray sky and the yellowness of the outdoor paint. This weather does crazy things!

Dear body,

I'm super grateful that I was able to find some part time work to do, but why did I have to wake up this morning (my "first day") with a temperature of 99.7°? Especially when my normal temperature is closer to 97.7° or 97.8°?

Captain Jim Lovell and the Apollo 13 crew

The speaker at today's BYU forum was Captain Jim Lovell from the Apollo 13 mission (which celebrates the 40th anniversary of its return next month).

I am so grateful I had the chance to attend the forum and listen to this incredible man share his experiences from the Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 missions. He related his experience of seeing the earthrise (this picture here) to knowing that this world was just that--a world where so many people lived. You can't see cities or country lines, just the beautiful continents and oceans on a very special planet.

He also shared quite a few stories from the Apollo 13 mission, and his attitude was incredible. He was upbeat, cheerful, and optimistic. Even when sharing facts like two of their oxygen tanks had gone out or they were about to lose radio contact with NASA headquarters, he had a smile on his face and shared his gratitude of so many competent NASA employees who were doing everything they could to bring three men home. What an amazing example of how we should look back on times of trial.

If you'd like to learn more about Capt. Lovell and the Apollo 13 mission, click here.

Roommate Pictures

Well, it is that time of year again--when we realize we really need to take some roommate pictures and post pictures of our beautiful selves all over the internet. So, for your viewing pleasure, here are some of the highlights:

Yes, that's a waterfall with the water turned off. BYU's so smart, eh?

This is one of our jumping pictures. We tried a few times and this one is still my favorite. :D

Last, but not least, the traditional, we-all-have-our-heads-in-a-cute-circle pose. I still think it's funny that just about everyone in the apartment has blue eyes.

Art Show!

Last Thursday (March 11th) I was able to attend the Art Ed show, where Kellie had two pieces on display. Here she is (I cut out Charlie in the picture, not with digital cropping) in front of her photograph (which I think is stunning). It was nice to see her and Mo in person (you, too, Ken and Charlie) and just chill for a while.

Also, to eat, like, half a dozen of those miniature double chocolate chip muffin-shaped brownies with strawberry slices on top. Mmmm . . .

So Sweet

Even if it's March 12th. :D

Insomnia

When the heck did it get to be 6 am?!

Music Fast

Our ward has been challenged to participate in a musical fast. We kicked it off tonight with a fireside this evening which included both Sacrament meeting appropriate music and some that is perhaps a little more off-the-wall but still Spirit-bringing. My favorites of the evening involved our second counselor playing "Follow the Prophet" on his tenor saxophone and my roommate Becca playing a piano solo. Beautiful stuff. Anyway, back to the challenge: for the next two weeks, listen to Sunday-appropriate music (so, not necessarily just the hymns, but a variety of other music, like what we heard tonight) and, at the end of the two weeks, re-evaluate the music we listen to and perhaps make some changes in our life.

Some of the music I'll be keeping in my arsenal for the next two weeks:

• Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time orchestral recordings
• Soundtracks (like LotR, Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Pride & Prejudice, Fantasia 2000, etc.)
• Mormon Tabernacle Choir recordings
  
• Inside Out (great a capella group)
  
• Michael Bublé
• Josh Groban
• some of my band recordings
• Copland (oh, bless his heart)
  
• Seminary soundtracks
• a lot of classical music (like Holst, Robert W. Smith)
• Jenny Oaks Baker
• the 5 Browns
• Paul Cardall
• Michael Dowdle
• some Broadway (especially what the MoTab has recorded and Disney stuff)
  

A few more pictures

So, we didn't match the decor at all (which I realized when we were helping set up) but I still like our outfits. And when else are we going to use the fedora, eh? (And a special thanks goes out to Mo who trekked all the way down to Provo with her six-month-old son just to do my hair--I love you!)



And for those of you wondering, yes, I am wearing my "Dumbledore's Army" necklace. I'm that nerdy--even for formal dances. ;)