This morning, I pulled socks out of my drawer. One was mine. One was Jonah's. While I often mismatch my own socks with Josh's, this is the first time I have mistaken a toddler's sock with my own.
I'm awesome.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
the new pretty building with the glasses
Josh's classes are mostly in one of two or three science buildings on campus. Yesterday, he had a new class in a building he'd never heard of. We looked it up and it's part of the Business School. This was Josh's description: "I was really curious as to why we were meeting there, and then I walked in the room. It had two huge television monitors and a podium with a mic. The seats were long tables and each chair had a microphone in front of it. There were probably four cameras all around the room and it even had a tech room attached." Turns out, his class is being team taught with a professor at another campus. Both classrooms, Josh's and the one on the coast, are equipped with mics and cameras so that the students can hear/see each other and both professors. Cool, huh?
His description made me think about my own experiences with classes in unusual places. University buildings all have their own feel. When I first started at BYU, the college of Humanities was scattered around campus while the new building was under construction. That, added to the fact that most of my classes at that point were GEs and entry-level language classes (which were all over the place), I had classes in most buildings on campus. By my last 2 years, though, my classes were almost exclusively in the JFSB (the new pretty building with the glasses, as Josh's Spanish professor called it, because it had a huge glass front). In fact, almost all of my classes were in one room. Granted, not all departments are that small, but mine was. I also developed a route through campus buildings that could get me from one side to the other (almost...after the JSB, there's not much cover until the Maeser building). I hate being cold, so in the winter, it was worth the detour to stay warm. Let's just say I had a pretty good handle on most campus buildings.
The Eyring science center had exposed ceiling beams and hard surface everything. It also had signs like "No admittance without closed-toed shoes" or "Hydrogen drop off". The building where my math classes were held (back before I saw the light and changed majors) had special computer labs for programming and who knows what else. Becca and I used to eat lunch in the business building, and were often the only ones not in suits. My favorite was an Italian class in the music building. It was neat to be walking to a test and pass a cellist practicing or to see all of the studio art downstairs.
The only places I never got super familiar with were the athletic buildings. Quintin did, however. We used to play a game while we walked across campus where we'd count how many people we knew. We got extra points if they said hi, called us by name, and if we knew their names. Over by the JFSB, I won (obviously). Same with the honors building. Around the rest of campus, it was usually a wash. Down by the athletic buildings, however, Q knew (and was known by) more people than I've ever met in my entire life. I wonder if I went to visit him today, if he could introduce me to Jimmer.
His description made me think about my own experiences with classes in unusual places. University buildings all have their own feel. When I first started at BYU, the college of Humanities was scattered around campus while the new building was under construction. That, added to the fact that most of my classes at that point were GEs and entry-level language classes (which were all over the place), I had classes in most buildings on campus. By my last 2 years, though, my classes were almost exclusively in the JFSB (the new pretty building with the glasses, as Josh's Spanish professor called it, because it had a huge glass front). In fact, almost all of my classes were in one room. Granted, not all departments are that small, but mine was. I also developed a route through campus buildings that could get me from one side to the other (almost...after the JSB, there's not much cover until the Maeser building). I hate being cold, so in the winter, it was worth the detour to stay warm. Let's just say I had a pretty good handle on most campus buildings.
The Eyring science center had exposed ceiling beams and hard surface everything. It also had signs like "No admittance without closed-toed shoes" or "Hydrogen drop off". The building where my math classes were held (back before I saw the light and changed majors) had special computer labs for programming and who knows what else. Becca and I used to eat lunch in the business building, and were often the only ones not in suits. My favorite was an Italian class in the music building. It was neat to be walking to a test and pass a cellist practicing or to see all of the studio art downstairs.
The only places I never got super familiar with were the athletic buildings. Quintin did, however. We used to play a game while we walked across campus where we'd count how many people we knew. We got extra points if they said hi, called us by name, and if we knew their names. Over by the JFSB, I won (obviously). Same with the honors building. Around the rest of campus, it was usually a wash. Down by the athletic buildings, however, Q knew (and was known by) more people than I've ever met in my entire life. I wonder if I went to visit him today, if he could introduce me to Jimmer.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Happy Birthday, Viginia Woolf
(whose name I thought ended in "e")
I heard this interesting tidbit about her on the radio this morning:
From an early age, her father gave her access to his extensive library, and he taught her "to read what one liked because one liked it, never to pretend to admire what one did not."
Sometimes, as a Comp. Lit. major, I feel like I have to like certain masters and pretend not to like some mainstream stuff. I think I'll take this as a new motto.
I heard this interesting tidbit about her on the radio this morning:
From an early age, her father gave her access to his extensive library, and he taught her "to read what one liked because one liked it, never to pretend to admire what one did not."
Sometimes, as a Comp. Lit. major, I feel like I have to like certain masters and pretend not to like some mainstream stuff. I think I'll take this as a new motto.
the ladybug fly and the crocodile
Jonah grabbed one of my library books and asked if he could read us a story. He then proceeded to tell this story:
My Favorite Ladybug
Once upon a time there was a ladybug. He was a nice ladybug fly. And then he crossed the street. So the ladybug went to the house and he was a good friend. One day, there was a crocodile in this rope on this street crossing to the ladybug's house. So then the ladybug crossed to the peanut butter, is that right? For the peanut butter. And so he went to sleep.
First, the ladybug went to the house and drink all the juice and break his house and crossed to the peanut butter. He was all done with his snack he want to go to the store like I do.
Oh, there's the last page! I gotta read the last page.
I think this page is open.
So, he went to his nap. And he was all done yet for his nap. The ladybug was falling down was so sad, like I do. Like Jonah's nap. So, the ladybug crossed the street and fall down.
I got a great idea, to read 1 2 3 4 books.
So, he went to the crocodile from this ladybug right there and crossed to the fly there and they buttered the ladybug and so scary at the fly.
So, the fly went to a ball. There was a crocodile and four of those letters. For the ball. For those letters. And those letter went to that ball.
The End
My Favorite Ladybug
Once upon a time there was a ladybug. He was a nice ladybug fly. And then he crossed the street. So the ladybug went to the house and he was a good friend. One day, there was a crocodile in this rope on this street crossing to the ladybug's house. So then the ladybug crossed to the peanut butter, is that right? For the peanut butter. And so he went to sleep.
First, the ladybug went to the house and drink all the juice and break his house and crossed to the peanut butter. He was all done with his snack he want to go to the store like I do.
Oh, there's the last page! I gotta read the last page.
I think this page is open.
So, he went to his nap. And he was all done yet for his nap. The ladybug was falling down was so sad, like I do. Like Jonah's nap. So, the ladybug crossed the street and fall down.
I got a great idea, to read 1 2 3 4 books.
So, he went to the crocodile from this ladybug right there and crossed to the fly there and they buttered the ladybug and so scary at the fly.
So, the fly went to a ball. There was a crocodile and four of those letters. For the ball. For those letters. And those letter went to that ball.
The End
Sunday, January 23, 2011
what Jonah says these days
Warning: nothing about the adult family members here. This was written with grandmas in mind. Proceed at your own risk.
When Jonah wants to correct something I've said, he will say, "I mean...(and then what he thinks I should have said)". For example, if I call a fire station a fire house, he will say, "I mean, it's a fire station." He's quite particular about that designation. Here are a few other recent corrections. Most were during a recent reading of The Very Grouchy Ladybug.
What I say...What he says:
bee...bee fly
sparrow...sparrow bird
boa constrictor...boa constrictor snake
notebook...yes book
propellers...propeller wings
coconuts...coconut apples (thanks, Jo Anne. :P)
He has also started informing me that "we can't drive to grandma's house, but we can fly on an airplane and go to Arizona and it's going to be my birthday!" I told him that we could go to AZ for his birthday. He's already decided he wants strawberry cake with strawberry icing with strawberry frosting. We'll see how he feels in May. One of his new favorite games (other than the mama/baby game*) is to "pack all our things to go on the airplane." I think he enjoyed his trip.
*This is how you play: Jonah adds an animal (favorites: dog, cat, frog, elephant, snake) to whatever he says to me, as often as he likes and at any point in the day. Example: let's play bubbles, mama snake. We then pretend to be that animal until a) I get bored, b) he gets bored, or c) he changes his mind about what animal we should be. Recently, he's added mama/baby firetruck to the mix and we drive around the house parking at and leaving various fire stations (the kitchen fire station and the Jonah fire station and the bathroom fire station). This is a favorite on mine because it can be played standing upright.
When Jonah wants to correct something I've said, he will say, "I mean...(and then what he thinks I should have said)". For example, if I call a fire station a fire house, he will say, "I mean, it's a fire station." He's quite particular about that designation. Here are a few other recent corrections. Most were during a recent reading of The Very Grouchy Ladybug.
What I say...What he says:
bee...bee fly
sparrow...sparrow bird
boa constrictor...boa constrictor snake
notebook...yes book
propellers...propeller wings
coconuts...coconut apples (thanks, Jo Anne. :P)
He has also started informing me that "we can't drive to grandma's house, but we can fly on an airplane and go to Arizona and it's going to be my birthday!" I told him that we could go to AZ for his birthday. He's already decided he wants strawberry cake with strawberry icing with strawberry frosting. We'll see how he feels in May. One of his new favorite games (other than the mama/baby game*) is to "pack all our things to go on the airplane." I think he enjoyed his trip.
*This is how you play: Jonah adds an animal (favorites: dog, cat, frog, elephant, snake) to whatever he says to me, as often as he likes and at any point in the day. Example: let's play bubbles, mama snake. We then pretend to be that animal until a) I get bored, b) he gets bored, or c) he changes his mind about what animal we should be. Recently, he's added mama/baby firetruck to the mix and we drive around the house parking at and leaving various fire stations (the kitchen fire station and the Jonah fire station and the bathroom fire station). This is a favorite on mine because it can be played standing upright.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
while discussing friends of ours
Josh: How is he done already?
Me: They left BYU a whole year before we did, so in 2006. That was 5 years ago.
Josh: Yeah, but...
Me: Law school is a 3-year thing, so he would have graduated in 2009.
Josh: What?! Law school is only 3 years? I should have been a lawyer.
Ha. Ha--if you change your mind now I will shoot fire from my eyes*--Ha.
*At one point last week, Josh told Jonah to behave or I would shoot fire from my eyes. Oh please.
Me: They left BYU a whole year before we did, so in 2006. That was 5 years ago.
Josh: Yeah, but...
Me: Law school is a 3-year thing, so he would have graduated in 2009.
Josh: What?! Law school is only 3 years? I should have been a lawyer.
Ha. Ha--if you change your mind now I will shoot fire from my eyes*--Ha.
*At one point last week, Josh told Jonah to behave or I would shoot fire from my eyes. Oh please.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Hungry Monkey by Matthew Amster-Burton
I made a goal to read 15 non-fiction books this year (I know, so many! But really, sometimes I feel like my brain is rotting.) and this month I've already read 2. Yay me. I'm not even counting cookbooks, yet. Hungry Monkey does contain recipes, but only 2 or 3 at the end of every chapter. It's mostly the story of a stay-at-home dad (also food critic and columnist), his 4-year-old daughter, and their food adventures. It made me laugh and I'd recommend it from the library for sure. I'm also scoping out his blog now to see if it's good enough for a permanent addition to Google reader*.
The two** main reasons I'm bothering to post about it, though are 1: I plan on making his homemade pretzels tomorrow (assuming my cold goes away, of course, and I actually feel like cooking). They look amazing. 2: Burton is his wife's maiden name. If I were to hyphenate, I would do it that way. Rather than just hyphenating the kids' names, everyone still gets the same last name. While I have a healthy respect for all kinds of couple and family last name choices, I also had a friend in junior high whose last name was Borel-Kelley. It caused me more stress than I'd like to admit to be around her parents. I'm not a first-name-for-adults sort of gal (even now sometimes, which gets awkward) and for a while I could not remember which parent was Borel and which was Kelley. It made asking for a glass of water uncomfortable. I may possibly stress more than is healthy about social situations, though, so it's probably more my issue than an issue with their last names. That is all.
*Meh, we'll see. This post was worth a chuckle, though.
**I guess there's a #3: The older Jonah gets the closer we are to actually cooking together, which is both exciting and terrifying. Granted, the author also spends more time in general in the kitchen than I do, but he had some really great ideas for cooking with kids. For example, a kitchen scale (which I've been wanting anyway since I'm a Alton Brown fan). That way, when child is measuring out flour, it's much easier to figure out exactly how much he dumped in there. Second, an electric skillet. Apparently he plugs it in and they cook everything from pancakes to pasta sauce on the floor. Did I mention the three of them (his wife being the 3rd) share a 700 square foot apartment? Time to get rid of some junk around here.
The two** main reasons I'm bothering to post about it, though are 1: I plan on making his homemade pretzels tomorrow (assuming my cold goes away, of course, and I actually feel like cooking). They look amazing. 2: Burton is his wife's maiden name. If I were to hyphenate, I would do it that way. Rather than just hyphenating the kids' names, everyone still gets the same last name. While I have a healthy respect for all kinds of couple and family last name choices, I also had a friend in junior high whose last name was Borel-Kelley. It caused me more stress than I'd like to admit to be around her parents. I'm not a first-name-for-adults sort of gal (even now sometimes, which gets awkward) and for a while I could not remember which parent was Borel and which was Kelley. It made asking for a glass of water uncomfortable. I may possibly stress more than is healthy about social situations, though, so it's probably more my issue than an issue with their last names. That is all.
*Meh, we'll see. This post was worth a chuckle, though.
**I guess there's a #3: The older Jonah gets the closer we are to actually cooking together, which is both exciting and terrifying. Granted, the author also spends more time in general in the kitchen than I do, but he had some really great ideas for cooking with kids. For example, a kitchen scale (which I've been wanting anyway since I'm a Alton Brown fan). That way, when child is measuring out flour, it's much easier to figure out exactly how much he dumped in there. Second, an electric skillet. Apparently he plugs it in and they cook everything from pancakes to pasta sauce on the floor. Did I mention the three of them (his wife being the 3rd) share a 700 square foot apartment? Time to get rid of some junk around here.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
the plague has spread
Since May 2008, most conversations with our moms have revolved around Jonah. I don't mind at all. In fact, I've heard it said that grandmas are the only people who care to hear the boring details of what your child ate and the blow-by-blow account of his almost first step so first-time moms should save those stories for grandma and not bore all their friends. Thinking of it now, I told my mom a 10-minute story last night about saving a few bucks on some clothes for Jonah that was boring even me as I told it, but she was nothing but attentive.
Josh and I have joked how his mom doesn't listen to a word he says because she is always asking about or listening to Jonah instead. Well the disease has apparently spread. The following email exchange took place just today:
Eric (my nephew) emailed: Hi Josh! How's Alabama? How's Jonah?
Josh replied: Jonah is super. He said he had a really good time in Arizona and told me all about seeing everyone at your house. I'm glad school is going well for you. Do you like your teacher? What have you learned in school so far? Are your little sisters getting sooooo big? I can't even believe how big they look in the pictures.
Eric replied: School is great. How's Jonah?
Josh and I have joked how his mom doesn't listen to a word he says because she is always asking about or listening to Jonah instead. Well the disease has apparently spread. The following email exchange took place just today:
Eric (my nephew) emailed: Hi Josh! How's Alabama? How's Jonah?
Josh replied: Jonah is super. He said he had a really good time in Arizona and told me all about seeing everyone at your house. I'm glad school is going well for you. Do you like your teacher? What have you learned in school so far? Are your little sisters getting sooooo big? I can't even believe how big they look in the pictures.
Eric replied: School is great. How's Jonah?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Jonah update
Some pictures from Jonah's trip to AZ. Warning: only one of these is even a decent picture. Proceed with caution:
At the airport in Birmingham (pulling his own little suitcase. Dang, he's cute):
Fishing with grandpa:
Talking to us last night with grandma on Skype:
He's there until Thursday and we miss him. On the other hand, I slept in until 9:30 and took a nap this afternoon, so I'm going to have to get my tail out of bed a bit earlier to get ready for his return.
At the airport in Birmingham (pulling his own little suitcase. Dang, he's cute):
Fishing with grandpa:
Talking to us last night with grandma on Skype:
He's there until Thursday and we miss him. On the other hand, I slept in until 9:30 and took a nap this afternoon, so I'm going to have to get my tail out of bed a bit earlier to get ready for his return.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Books, of course
Before the books, a plea for help. On short notice, I get to pick the book for January's book club. This club is a nice mix of tastes and we actually talk about the book (yahoo!). That being said, it's not the world's most intense book club as there are varying levels of time and interest in literary things. I'm torn between a classic favorite, something nonfiction (we've not read any yet since I've been involved) or one of my favorites from the past year. Do I choose something easy, which I always enjoy or something a little deeper for variety? Also, some of the women are limited as far as purchasing books, so if the library had a few copies of and I owned one (or was willing to purchase), that's always a plus. I'm accepting any and all suggestions.
Some I'm considering, in no particular order (and providing they don't tell me they've already read it): Gone With the Wind (too thick, maybe?) Dairy Queen, Finnikin of the Rock (too fantasy?), If I Stay (too teen-y..even if it did make me cry), These is My Words (probably already read), The Disreputable History..., Jellicoe Road (while not my favorite Marchetta [and that's not saying much because I think everything she does is fabulous] I think it would provide a lot to talk about), Bonk (though not crude, can I really suggest a book about sex with a straight face?), Dracula (would anyone even try?), Walk Across America, um this list is getting too long. But what about something from my Comp. Lit days? Some Lope de Vega or some such?
Finally, so I have it written down someplace (since I've updated the side bar), the 2010 book list. I definitely slowed down in December. Never fear, I have 4 books on hold as I write this.
5 stars:
Finnikin of the Rock: I will read it again, which is the highest praise I can give.
Gregor the Overlander: The first was the best, but the whole series was great.
If I Stay: It made me cry.
Saving Francesca: I love Melina Marchetta.
4 stars:
The Bartimaeus trilogy: Fast-paced and cleverly written.
Bonk: Funnier than I expected it to be.
The Castle Corona: Quick and cute.
The Chosen: This and My Name is Asher Lev both brought up some serious issues but didn't try to solve any. It was frustrating but realistic at the same time. The endings were satisfying but not too neat.
Clockwork Angel: Great because I knew what to expect.
Dairy Queen 1-3: These made me laugh and cry.
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Franweiler
Graceling
Jellicoe Road: I'm still slightly jaded since I had to buy a replacement copy for the library.
The King of Attolia
The Midwife's Apprentice
Mockingjay
My Name is Asher Lev
Once was Lost
The Thief: I was surprised I'd never heard of this. Very well done.
Towers of Midnight: Brandon Sanderson is the best thing to happen to this series (other than it's inception, of course).
The Underland Chronicles
Wake
Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series
3 stars:
All's Fair in Love, War, and High School
Bloody Jack
The Boyfriend List 1-3: As clever as The Disreputable History but a bit more vulgar.
Catherine, Called Birdy
City of Ashes
City of Glass
A Conspiracy of Kings
A Curse Dark as Gold
The Dark is Rising 1-3
Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls
Enter Three Witches
Financial Peace: I enjoy Dave Ramsey's radio show much more than his writing.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Glass Maker's Daughter
The Goose Girl
I am Scout: I learned more about Alabama than I did about Harper Lee, but all things considered, that's not a bad thing for me.
The Lightning Thief 1-2
Looking for Alibrandi
The Luxe: I just loved this. The sequels left me a bit sad, however.
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Mistborn series: Very well thought-out, but a little too deep into fantasy for me.
Nine Days a Queen
The Queen of Attolia
Real Boys
Revenge of the Cheerleaders
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Speak: I've read things that actually deal with rape on a deeper level, but this was still pretty good.
The Winter Rose
2 stars:
Acacia
The Eternal Ones
Forget Her Nots
Rumors, Envy, Splendor
Serena
Slam
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
Not worth finishing:
Born of Night: Ugh.
Some I'm considering, in no particular order (and providing they don't tell me they've already read it): Gone With the Wind (too thick, maybe?) Dairy Queen, Finnikin of the Rock (too fantasy?), If I Stay (too teen-y..even if it did make me cry), These is My Words (probably already read), The Disreputable History..., Jellicoe Road (while not my favorite Marchetta [and that's not saying much because I think everything she does is fabulous] I think it would provide a lot to talk about), Bonk (though not crude, can I really suggest a book about sex with a straight face?), Dracula (would anyone even try?), Walk Across America, um this list is getting too long. But what about something from my Comp. Lit days? Some Lope de Vega or some such?
Finally, so I have it written down someplace (since I've updated the side bar), the 2010 book list. I definitely slowed down in December. Never fear, I have 4 books on hold as I write this.
5 stars:
Finnikin of the Rock: I will read it again, which is the highest praise I can give.
Gregor the Overlander: The first was the best, but the whole series was great.
If I Stay: It made me cry.
Saving Francesca: I love Melina Marchetta.
4 stars:
The Bartimaeus trilogy: Fast-paced and cleverly written.
Bonk: Funnier than I expected it to be.
The Castle Corona: Quick and cute.
The Chosen: This and My Name is Asher Lev both brought up some serious issues but didn't try to solve any. It was frustrating but realistic at the same time. The endings were satisfying but not too neat.
Clockwork Angel: Great because I knew what to expect.
Dairy Queen 1-3: These made me laugh and cry.
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Franweiler
Graceling
Jellicoe Road: I'm still slightly jaded since I had to buy a replacement copy for the library.
The King of Attolia
The Midwife's Apprentice
Mockingjay
My Name is Asher Lev
Once was Lost
The Thief: I was surprised I'd never heard of this. Very well done.
Towers of Midnight: Brandon Sanderson is the best thing to happen to this series (other than it's inception, of course).
The Underland Chronicles
Wake
Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series
3 stars:
All's Fair in Love, War, and High School
Bloody Jack
The Boyfriend List 1-3: As clever as The Disreputable History but a bit more vulgar.
Catherine, Called Birdy
City of Ashes
City of Glass
A Conspiracy of Kings
A Curse Dark as Gold
The Dark is Rising 1-3
Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls
Enter Three Witches
Financial Peace: I enjoy Dave Ramsey's radio show much more than his writing.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Glass Maker's Daughter
The Goose Girl
I am Scout: I learned more about Alabama than I did about Harper Lee, but all things considered, that's not a bad thing for me.
The Lightning Thief 1-2
Looking for Alibrandi
The Luxe: I just loved this. The sequels left me a bit sad, however.
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Mistborn series: Very well thought-out, but a little too deep into fantasy for me.
Nine Days a Queen
The Queen of Attolia
Real Boys
Revenge of the Cheerleaders
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Speak: I've read things that actually deal with rape on a deeper level, but this was still pretty good.
The Winter Rose
2 stars:
Acacia
The Eternal Ones
Forget Her Nots
Rumors, Envy, Splendor
Serena
Slam
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
Not worth finishing:
Born of Night: Ugh.
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