"Ode" to Utah

Congrats, Utah. You've just earned an all-time low score in my book. So many people have told me for years how superficial you are by their opinions and experiences, and I've always tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, saying that there are still good people there...somewhere. Disregard the lip-suction billboards that I haven't seen anywhere else; or the tales of young folks getting married in Vegas (to make it legit & moral, of course) just to have sex and then get a divorce shortly thereafter; or even the fact that my sister who lived there said she felt like she was doing something wrong going out in public without makeup on (the horror!).

But FP?? I had never heard of this term until I read my brother-in-law's cousin's blog (which I love; I'm a total blog stalker) about it. Fat Potential. And the fact that some guys actually take this into account when dating girls. Perhaps it's all a joke...but I really doubt it given the history.

All I have to say is this: I VOW that I will raise my boys better. If they even go off on how someone looks in a superficial way I will (theoretically) smack them in the head. Of all the guys out there to be so shallow, how did it end up being the LDS ones?? Someone care to explain it to me? Cause last time I checked, our religion teaches to follow the example of Christ, who looked in the heart of people and not just judge by their shell. Amazing.

I felt for a long time that I should have gone to BYU instead of BYU-I, simply because it had the reputation of being a better school. But after years of hearing how it really is and seeing it for myself, I am so glad I went to little ol' BYU-I. I would have wanted to shrivel up and die to be subjected to such a population of super-model/Barbie wannabes.

I still have hope that there are some genuine, non-shallow folks in Utah. But I am slowly losing faith. And I'm sure I'll feel bad about posting this later; but I can't hold it in right now. ARGH!!

Uh...Okay....

You know your husband is really obsessed with Star Wars when you actually dream that Storm Troopers are swarming around your parents' home to raid it.

A Bit of This and That

So I'm sitting here on our couch waiting to leave for church...and have about 40 minutes. I have nothing exciting to report, just writing for the sake of writing.

Because some may be wondering, Niklas hasn't had any other heart episodes since his second catheter ablation done on his heart Dec. 1, 2009. We will fully believe it is gone once a few more months to a year have gone by, but I for one am feeling pretty positive about it all. Unfortunately, Niklas has been suffering from some severe headaches frequently and upset stomach since the second surgery. I tell him he should get himself into a doctor soon to see if anything is up. And something else unexpected: he actually is mentioning that he should probably get his eyes tested since his vision isn't as clear as it used to be. Talk about a shock to me! He's always been the one talking about having 20/20 vision which I have always been envious of since I was born with bad vision (wear contacts). Plus he has some cavities he needs to get filled...looks like lots of doctor appointments in his future. :)

All in all, things are going well on our end. I am still working in Idaho Falls and doing my online Master's program (will graduate May 2011) while Niklas continues to work towards his undergraduate degree in English. We were thinking of moving out of our apartment recently for a change in scenery, but after looking at a very humble basement apartment yesterday...we changed our minds. I don't mind staying put in our apt. for another year+ simply because the thought of moving while being in school makes me a bit stressed.

And one of our very small dilemmas: we've been thinking of getting a new digital camera with some of our tax return money this year, but have no idea what kind. Probably not an SLR since I am no photographer, but we want something that can take nice pictures and some video to capture memories. We'll be scanning the cameras at Best Buy this weekend to see what is out there along with some much-needed grocery shopping. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know.

And that's our life right now: plugging away at work, school, and accumulating some savings. It would be an understatement for me to say that I am looking forward to having a family someday. It seems like everyone is having babies (well, mostly at work) and let's just say that I would LOVE to jump on the bandwagon in this instance. But my practical side has taken precedence, so instead of recklessly plunging in, I'm planning, planning, planning for the future. I've decided that even though I am an accountant, I hate money. How do people even afford to have children at all, or to buy a house?? It boggles my accountant brain; but underneath the boggled mass I also know that things seem to work out in the long-run, especially when we are doing all we can to help it work out. So instead of facing that financial/secular mountain and focusing on the summit, I should instead focus on reaching one height at a time; the progression.

And that goes for life, too. My mom has always told me that I often wish my life away; as in, always wanting to fast-forward to a future time in my life. And she's partially right, except that I know that if I had my wish and fast-forwarded my life to when I had children...oh, how much learning and joy I would miss in the journey to that particular spot. Thank goodness I had the time I did to grow individually before being married to my wonderful Niklas! I've always felt like a late-bloomer in my life: that I was always behind in some way. And even now, as odd as it is and probably not 100% true, I still feel often that I really don't belong in my generation. I have no other thoughts to compare mine too, but I am always thinking about life, the people in it, how God affects everything, about the future and our children, about my own weaknesses and emotional battles. I also think a lot about money; not because I love it, but how to best utilize and manage it for the future.

For now I am in the present and will continue to enjoy this time I have with just Niklas and I. It is nice to have some time to work out the quirks in your marriage and become more as one instead of constantly fighting against the other because they are not you. :) We have a long way to go...but we have made progress, and as far as I'm concerned, that's what matters as long as it is on-going and doesn't cease.

So for a while yet I will continue to work away at school and work, and bear all the loving-kindness my boss bestows on me through his actions and speech, such as smacking me in the head with a miniature sticky pad and frequently telling me that I am "a freak." ;)