What would you put on it? Haha, that has got to be the best question I have heard all month (given by my wonderful roommate Erica). It was funny because she brought up the idea when we were both in the kitchen being all "homemaker-ish" and making food. But anyways, how funny (yet kind of scary) would it be to have to make a resume to be able to date someone. I guess for you it might be kind of nice to get a paper with someone's full skills, education, talents, interests, etc all written out right there in front of you--- but how would you match up? Just something to think about I guess. :)
Well, I am definitely enjoying my relaxing conference weekend. Sitting around in pajamas all morning, getting homework done, and just trying to relax and do whatever I wa... oh wait, that's what I do every weekend... silly me! No, no, but seriously, this weekend is made even sweeter by the opportunity we have to listen to the prophets and apostles give words of advice, encouragement, and direction for all the Saints. It's interesting to hear their knowledge and the thoughts that they share, because at times you can really tell that they have had to make their message really broad in ways so that it applies to everyone all over the world. But then again, if you're really in tune and listen even closer, you can pull out tons of little things tat just apply to you. Gotta love the gospel!
Speaking of spiritual things, I definitely had an answer to my prayers this month. I got my internship with Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield. Unfortunately, it isn't in Portland, but working in Salt Lake won't be bad. It's just not as ideal since I won't be able to be around family at home and will now have to keep paying for rent and food and continue taking care of myself all summer (yes mom, I was expecting to be somewhat taken care of still when I came home... I probably wouldn't be able to cook all the time). But, it is so great to just have a job lined up! It is just overall fantastic and I am so excited because I know it has a TON of great benefits and opportunities for me including great experiences, a possible full-time offer, more job opportunities in the future, great pay, and just a full-time job to keep me busy all summer! I was really worried that I wouldn't be offered anything, by anyone and that I would have to go home and work fast food this summer. REALLY worried. I mean it actually was a definite possibility that I would have to do that seeing as how the job market stinks so bad. But now, I don't have to worry about that, and I am just determined to prove myself at this job and do my best so that I can reap all the benefits from it. I say I won't be able to see Portland family, but I don't start until Monday, May 4th and I can be done working in August whenever I want (I think she put me down to be done August 10th (? Maybe?)--but that can change). But anyways, these two breaks mean I get to go home! PLUS, she mentioned that at some point during the summer they are going to fly all the interns to the corporate office, which just so happens to be in Portland! So, I mentioned that that would be fantastic so that I could see my family, and she was like "oh, well maybe you could take an extra day off and we could turn it into a weekend or something." ... joy! ... But yea, I guess they are flying the interns there so that we can all meet each other and do some activities as a group. I'm not entirely sure.
I have decided to stick in Provo for the summer and just commute every day the 45-50 minute drive up to Cottonwood Heights (South Salt Lake City). Let's just say: Books on tape! But, staying in Provo seems like the right thing to do, just so I don't have to move stuff up there and back in the fall, and also so I can get myself set and established in an apartment down here, in a ward, and hopefully make lots of good friends. But, the dilemma is actually choosing a place to be! Why is it so hard?! One place I felt really good about, until I went to look at the apartment and talked to the girl and she said that the place wasn't very social at all-- well, that it takes a lot of effort to be social since the ward is kind of more spread out in houses around the area and then really far away down in University Villa. But, I loved the apartment-- great deal with my own private room that's is huge, and then my own walk-in closet and bathroom! That was called Riverside Condos. The girl there suggested Santa Barbara Villas which is south of campus. But, they are a lot more expensive, with one private and one shared room and then I think there might be two bathroom (I can't remember- but one might be the private's own), and the rooms aren't as big either. BUT, the social life is said to be fantastic and super fun---with a big grassy quad that everyone hangs out in, especially during the summer. I haven't really found any good deals for that place yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open. Finally, there is place called Summerlynn Condos. They are also south of campus, but more southwest than Sta. B. It would be 3 private rooms, good rates, still smaller rooms, and then two small shared bathrooms (I think). I still would be paying more here, for less physical space than I could get at riverside, but I guess I would be paying extra for the (hopefully) better social life- which is something I would like to mention, you REALLY never know what the social life ANYWHERe is going to be like. There is such turnaround everywhere, that things could change at any time. So, I guess you really just have to take a leap of faith and hope that you can make the best of any situation you find yourself in.
Other recent happenings? Well, yesterday I made my second loaf of bread, and this one did require some kneading (although we have a mixer, so I let the machine do the majority of the work). But this loaf came out a lot more like a loaf of bread than that first no-knead bread that I made. This loaf was part wheat flour, part all-purpose, with some flax thrown in too. It tastes really yummy, and I'm excited to try and make a sandwich with it today for lunch. It was definitely delicious warm and with some butter last night. I'm also going to post some pictures of some other meals I've made, you'll notice they are all basically stir-frys or one-pan meals... gotta love 'em--- they are basically all I make. Although, I think my favorite of all of these pictures would have to be the foil dinner. I marinated chicken in a garlic-lemon sauce, and then put it, with some veggies, on top of uncooked couscous, poored liquid in the foil pouch and baked it at 425 (?) for 25 minutes or so. oh my, it was REALLY good. My mom was so nice to bring me whole-wheat couscous from trader joes when she last came from Oregon. That stuff is way delicious. OK, well that's all for now folks! Have a great sabbath!
A couple of these have occurred so far in the Fall 2009 season…
A lot of this…
Fortunately the weather was pretty superb for a jet boat adventure on the Rogue River!
And finally, the Oregon Caves! FREEZING inside, but pretty darn amazing!
So if any of my family members remember, I DID try and make rolls over Christmas break... let's just say that was a complete failure. But, I tried to get over my fear of yeast and tried once again to bake something today. And, it wasn't terrible! OK, so it was a recipe for a no-knead whole wheat bread, and I don't think it was supposed to turn out like a loaf of highly risen bread that you see normally, so actually I'm quite pleased with the results! I even added my own changes and additions, including some flax seed and ground almonds. It was fun! It took a very long time, but it tastes yummy, especially warm and with some butter! Oh, and did I mention how great it made the kitchen smell!? I think a reason why I probably don't enjoy baking as much as just cooking is because you have to wait to see and taste results! I mean it's super hard putting all these ingredients together, seeing them and smelling them and then having to put them into the oven to cook for a super duper long time! And then bread is even worse because you have to wait for rising times and all that jazz too! I took a couple of pictures, but now that they're on my computer they look awful! They're all blurry! Oh well, you can at least tell it's bread I think! Alright, I've got a lot of homework to get to, so I will chat more with you later!
