The Beginning of the End

This past week, I began my last semester of Graduate School. That's right, I graduate in May, this coming May. It seems like only yesterday, I began my program. I was filled with apprehension and unsure what to expect. A year and a half later, these feelings have dissipated. I am where I am suppose to be following this path that I really do not know where is going next. Come May, uncertainty exists because I am in the process of job hunting and I could end up anywhere. The most concrete answer I give to people when they ask me where I am going after graduation is "I don't know" because I really do not know. Some days I feel the pressure more than others to answer this question, but I am job searching and trying to find the best position possible. I really want to be working as an archivist, but I can always be a librarian.

So the countdown begins. I think I am developing a case of senioritis, but the end is almost here and I will have my Master's. It's such a great feeling to have and I am fighting the urge to rub it in some people's faces who thought I was on this pointless path in my. What is sad about it, is that some of these people are related to me. I do not say family because I really do not consider them that. Oh, well. I am trying not to freeze to death, but it cold. I just witnesses my first snow squall the other day. It was crazy.

Also, I want to wish my nephew a happy birthday. He is turning 4 tomorrow!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This weekend I decided to make a pineapple upside down cake for my friend. He told me how much he loved eating it growing up, so I thought I would tackle it. It was not that hard to make and it tasted good.

Bluest of Blue now streaked with Red!

Massachusetts is one of the most liberal democratic states in the country.You feel it here. Every major politic post (i.e. U.S. Senators and congress members) are Democrat. Most of the times Republicans are not even on the ballot for local government elections. This state is really blue, through and through, until last night. Oh, last night changed everything and showed how upset the people are with the current situation in our country. We are living in a recession and losing jobs and it seems not much is being done to fix it and that the current health care legislation will just send us further into debt. I am all for overhauling health care, but not with this bill because it was too hastily put together with too many special favors to different states. They need to begin again and the Congress and Senate Democrats and Republicans need to work together.

So yesterday, a special election for the late Ted Kennedy's senate seat was held and it was won by Massachusetts state senator, Scott Brown. He is a Republican. He beat Martha Coakley, the democrat. I was shocked, but not really surprised as Brown gained much momentum in the past two weeks. The Democrats thought they had the race won. The Democratic primary which was held in December was almost like the election itself. Whatever democrat won the primary was basically winning the Senate seat. This democrat was Martha Coakley. This was front page news and leading stories on the news. I think Scott Brown's victory in the Republican primary was mentioned in a one minute segment and I think they showed his picture. He was not a problem. How could he win? Coakley had a 30 point lead in December.

Well, what happened? Coakley did not really campaign, but Brown did. One of Brown's first ad defined him as Scott Brown from Wrentham who drives a truck. This truck became part of his campaign in some weird way because he drove it all over the state campaigning. He did not start with much money and had volunteers. The Republican party did not provide him with any help. They shied away from him though Senator John McCain met with Brown and provided support along with former Massachusetts Mitt Romney. Also, Doug Flutie and Curt Schilling endorsed him. FYI, did you know Doug Flutie has a band? Slowly, Brown's campaign gained momentum and the Democrats finally took notice when the polls started showing he was closing the gap on Coakley.

Oh, the t.v. ads were malicious on Brown. I stopped watching them. But they didn't work. In the past week, former President Bill Clinton and President Obama came to Boston and campaigned for Coakley. They pulled out the big guns, but it did not really do anything. Brown, whose two main endorsement were Senator McCain and Mitt Romney, just moved forward and waited to see what Massachusetts wanted. The people wanted Brown. He won the election! This blue state, this very blue state all the sudden had some red infused. The people used this election to show they need better changes. We all need to come together and find solutions to the ongoing problems of the economy and jobs. We can't cling so solidly to either the left or the right. It is hurting our country. Lets find some common ground and work for good solutions that hold our leaders accountable to us. They represent us! We need them to do good work for us.

Also, it probably didn't help Coakley that she said on the radio that Curt Schilling was a Yankess fan. You just don't say that here in Boston!

So now Massachusetts has some red. I wonder if red and blue can exist here in Massachusetts?

Family!

These past few weeks, I have been thinking about family and the ties that bind us together. What defines us as family? I have reflected more upon this the past two weeks as in church, during relief society, we have been discussing Heavenly Father and our relationship with him. He is our heavenly father. He loves all of us as we are his children. He sent us down here to have earthly families though their are some days I wish I could have chosen different members of my extended family, but I will not go into that here. I love him! I truly do. But it made me just ponder family even more maybe because being part of my family is not easy sometimes.

Again, it comes back to what binds us together. While I know one strong tie is blood, I don't think it is the most essential tie in defining a family. I love my immediate family with all my heart. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. My parents are loving, wonderful, and supportive. They truly are. I have great relationships with my brother and my sister. I love them very much and I love and adore my two nephews. They melt my heart every time I see them because it's only a couple times a year. However, my immediate family has extended twice over the course of these past six years. I gained a new sister and a new brother and have developed good relationships with them. I love them. They are my family and I find them very brave for wanting to be part of our family because it's not always easy. They're incredible. Nathan and Renee are so lucky.

I have many friends, especially out here in Boston, I consider my family. I love them dearly and they make me not want to leave here when I graduate because I don't want to lose these connections, but I know they will continue for a long time. Back in California and Utah, I have other friends who are my family. I love them dearly. Then it hit me the other day about what ties us together, what makes us have these familial connections, they are always there through the good times, bad times, and boring times. When something goes wrong, they offer your support and listen and when times are good they celebrate and laugh with you. There are not ifs, ands, and buts. And when things are just moving along, they are still their. Asking how things are, going to lunch or hanging out to trade stories and laughter. They are not deceptive and are not out looking for ways to use you to hurt others. They do not try to paint you as a liar to your own parents or put you down because you are not like them or trying to live out their Perry Mason fantasies on you. I love my family so much. They are my support system and have helped me through so much.

I don't know how much this post will make sense to many people, but I just want to get across that family has no essential defining characteristic. I love all of you!!!

The Bachelor and other reality tv!!!

So, I already know that I am going to get made fun of for admitting that my newest viewing pleasure lately has been the new season of the Bachelor. I have never really watched the Bachelor in all honesty, but I ended up watching the first episode with some friends and then of course had to watch last week to see the girl get kicked off for having an affair with the producer. She so had something going on with him. She did not even look surprised when confronted by a clearly uncomfortable host, Chris Harrison.


I have seen a picture of the producer she had an "inappropriate relationship with" because apparently the Bachelor does not like to use the word affair or sexual relationship though they love showing their bachelors making out with women in hot tubs. You know, you just have to keep some morals in tact! The show is so awful, but I don't know why I can't stop watching. Okay, I know why. I spend the majority of the show laughing at the girls. They are so ridiculous and so is Jake, though he is hot!!! I'd make out with him, but probably not a in a hot tub. Maybe in a pool or lying next to Renee on a bed, but not the hot tub.

On the other hand, my favorite show besides the Bachelor, is the Biggest Loser. I love this show because it is just so good and I always cry. Especially this past week because Michael (who is 500 pounds) and his mother earned a two pound penalty after losing a challenge. This meant that they probably would be the bottom two and the week 2 weigh-ins are known for little weight loss. So Michael and Maria were the last team to weight-in and they needed to lose a combined 13 pounds to stay on the show. Guess what, they lost a combined 21 pounds and I was just in tears. I love them, well I love Michael! I am totally rooting for him. They get to stay another week! So watch the Biggest Loser. It comes on Tuesdays at 8:00.

Also, another show I started watching, I have been sick and spent four days in bed last week where I slept and watched T.V., is TLC's One Big Happy Family. All four family members weight over 300 pounds and they decided, well the mother took charge and put them all on a diet. The following is a clip from one of my favorite moments because apparently Norris, the dad, only thought spinach came in a can.


Have a good week!

So excited!

Growing up, I loved (and still love) watching the A-Team. How nerdy is that? I just really love this show and am so excited for the movie this summer. So here is the trailer (it comes out June 2010):

Toothpaste and the State Senator

In Cambridge, we are (well, were as he resigned today) represented by Anthony Galluccio in the Massachusetts state senate. What lead to this resignation just a series of stupid decisions he made while drinking. His journey to his resignation began on October 4, 2009 when he rear ended a mini van and fled the scene. However, the drive took note of his license plate and reported him to the police. While investigating this hit and run, it was revealed that 13 hours before the hit and run, the police had given Galluccio a ride home because they believed he was too drunk to drive himself. In December, he pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene of a crime and was sentenced to six months home confinement but was allowed out to attend church and cast senate votes. That's right, he didn't resign from the Senate. However, within 72 hours of beginning house arrest, the court ordered breathalyzer detected alcohol on his breath at least four different times. Galluccio blamed these results on his toothpaste.

He actually called witnesses to testify about his toothpaste and how it caused him to fail these tests, but the judge did not buy it and sentenced him to a year in jail. He then resigned. However, the toothpaste's inventor said Galluccio's claim was unfounded. It never ceases to amaze me what levels some politicans will go to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. Lying and deception is never okay. However, I find the whole situation incredibly funny. So next time you decide to drive you car, remember do not brush your teeth because in case you get pulled over you might get arrested for a DUI!

Happy New Year!!!

First, I want to begin this post by wishing everyone a happy new year. I am so excited for 2010, especially after a kind of rough 2009. However, I realized that many incredible things occurred in 2009. First, the year began with the birth of my second nephew West. He is so incredibly cute and smiley and laid back. His laugh just melts my heart!!! Second, my sister graduated from the University of Utah! Go Renee!!! Then the highlight of the whole year was her wedding. She is so incredibly happy and Lewis is such a great guy. I am so lucky to have him for a brother. I love you Renee and Lewis! You guys are going to make cute babies one of these days! Fourth, I got hired to work at the JFK Library. I love my job!

What else happened during 2009? I flew on a bunch of different airlines in my attempts to get back to California and Utah. Overall, I flew 7 times, which comes out to about 42,000 miles or so. My math is not exact. I did not always have the easiest times getting out of Logan and was banned from ever stepping foot onto a Jet Blue flight by my dad after they canceled and delayed a few of my flights. I love American Airlines and Virgina America.

School was difficult this year, but I made it. I want to say I survived, but I made it. Through this incredibly difficult experience, I developed a closer relationship with my cousin Jessica. She has been in my same exact position and has provided me with comfort, advice, love, support and so much more. Thanks is not enough, it will never be enough. I love you Jessica! Now, i have on semester left. I will graduate in five months, on May 14th to be exact! It is such an exciting time. A time for new beginnings and possible a new move. Who knows where I will go and who knows where I will be working!

So I did not exactly make many resolutions for this year. I have a few like being done with toxic people and being more positive and realizing certain burdens are not mine (they never were) to carry. I am removed. I am going to continue working on staying healthy and jump starting my non existent social life! To continue spending time with my friends, who are so awesome out here. I could not ask for better friends! Here is to a great 2010!