First Day of School Fall 2010!

So it has finally arrived. After a wonderful summer, it is time for school to start!

This morning I awoke to the sound of rain. (It was a good thing too because I set my alarm for 'PM" instead of "AM"...) I am not super excited about going out into the rain, but it is nice and waking up to the sound of rain outside my window was delightful. (We live in a basement apartment, so all our windows are just above ground level.) My first class today isn't until 10:30am so I sat in bed for a while pondering life and thinking about this school year then I prayed and had some gospel study time. I want to read the Conference talks again before General Conference in October so I read another talk this morning:

The Power of the Priesthood By President Boyd K. Packer President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I read it in Indonesian though. I am really trying to stay up with that, I don't want to forget how to speak Bahasa Melayu. Then I continued on of my reading of the Doctrine and Covenants  - I am up to Section 29 now. I have been reading the sections in chronological order so that has been really interesting.

A couple of weeks ago I bought one of those small Book of Mormons so I could carry it around in my purse all the time. A friend of mine inspired me to make a fabric cover  for it also. I found a pattern and I have some sarong fabric that my Dad brought me back from Thailand so now all I have to do it make the pattern. But anyway I figured today was a great day to begin reading that Book of Mormon and mark certain things I will look for this time. So in following the colors of my colored pencils I will be looking for scriptures about the Atonement, Repentance/Forgiveness, Hope/Joy, Resurrection, Prayer, "Remember", Commandments and the Spirit. I am really excited about this. I have been trying to come up with a new way for me to study the scriptures and I think this is going to work out well for me. 

Well I'd better go get ready for class ^_^ I have Weight training and Architectural Systems today! So fun!

Scripture of the day: Doctrine and Covenants 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

German Apple Cake

Lately I have become a little bit obsessed with finding new recipes after I discovered TasteSpotting  and FoodGawker also I was STOKED to find my little black book of recipes. It has the famous Banana Cake recipe (I lost this book and tried a recipe for banana cake I found online... that was a sad day) So anyway I brought this little book up with me to school and while my roommates were away I made the German Apple Cake that I discovered on my mission. I don't know how many times I made it but it was always a hit. So here is one of the most delicious cakes ever:

German Apple Cake

Ingredients:
3 Eggs
1 Cup Oil (You can use 1/2 Cup oil and 1/2 Cup Applesauce instead)
2 Cups Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 Cups Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 to 4 Apples Grated
2 Cups chopped nuts (optional)

Method:

1.Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (approx 350 degrees F)
2.Grate Apples
3.Beat Eggs and Oil until foamy
4.Add Sugar, Vanilla, Flour, Cinnamon, Baking Soda and Salt (I add a pinch of nutmeg too)
5.Add Apples and mix well (I leave out the nuts)
6.Pour batter into a 9"x13" greased pan and cook for 45 minutes (I always check it at about 30 min to make sure it doesn't over cook)

Apple cake goodness

LOGAN!

So I haven't been very good at updating my blog lately, I have been super busy.

One neat experience at work I forgot to post was, I was sitting in the main lobby doing a quick sketch of the furniture floor plan so I could go draw it up in CAD later, when a Veteran came up to me and said "I want to shake your hand, thank you for all you do for us Veterans". I was really touched, and definitely felt unworthy of the compliment. I said thank you for all you have done for us, and he said that he would go back and do it all again. That was definitely a highlight of my week.

My last week of work was really good. My two offices I have been remodeling are done, minus a tack board and a flipper door that are back at ASI's warehouse to be recovered. But they turned out great, I got all matching Haworth product for the desk and storage, then had the flipper doors and tack boards recovered. Awesome!

Also got really close to finishing off the Privacy screens I have been designing with the help of the local 3-form rep. I LOVE 3-FORM! (Just had to get that out there) I hope that we get the funding and things to be able to order it. Oh that reminds me, the furniture orders I put together are on hold until next fiscal year, so maybe in October we can order them.

I loved working at the VA over the summer! I got to pick paint colors and furniture, learned how the systems furniture works and planned a bunch of offices and spaces to accommodate more employees. I got to call vendors and contractors to give us quotes and then follow through with some little projects. I learned how our metal frames work, cut plexiglass and replaced frames, ordered phlebotomy chairs and other medical equipment, I went on a road trip to the Henriksen Butler showroom to help Paula pick out materials and chairs for the new Mental Health Out Patient building, and on a road trip to ASI's warehouse to pick out fabric.

Always lots to do!

Last week I drove to work on Friday and then I dropped off a frame for Alpine Art Inc to fix for us. The I drove down to Payson. After dinner and making dessert with my cousin, we went to a wedding reception in Orem. It was of one of the Assistants to the President so I saw a bunch of Elders that I served with. It was fun. Super crowded and a little awkward, but overall a good time :) The next day I went to school with my cousin and got to help her out with her class. Then I had lunch with an Elder I served with and his roommate, then a quick shopping spree to Burlington coat factory. Where  I got some awesome things. I love my little side table, which of course Bright orange! -although you would never know I wasn't working because I kept getting calls from vendors. It was cool though. Thursday I made sure things got done and Friday I compiled everything I had done, and made notes of what yet had to be done.

My last day was kinda sad. Just wrapping everything up. But my boss took me to lunch at this awesome trendy Asian place called Sapa. It is really awesome from an Interior Design stand point. And the food was pretty good ^_^ Then when we got back I had to go around the campus and get signed out basically. I was sad to have to give up my badge, but what to do?

Friday night, traffic was horrific, and then it was super windy and rainy. I was happy to be driving the van! Then when I got home, I ran down stairs grabbed my bag and then my brother and I went over to our Grandparent's house. We had a family BBQ because our cousin is going to the MTC next week.

I spent the night there then was able to go to the Ogden Temple to do sealings. I went with my Grandparents, Aunt and cousins. It was really nice. Then we all went up to Maddox for lunch. YUM! I got their homemade Cream Soda = fantastic. Then I moved up to Logan!

It has been a full week, but a great one. I am looking forward to classes starting tomorrow and to finally move forward with my major. ^_^

Rain burst

So today was a great day!

My Boss is off until next week (no that's not why it was a good day! Although good for her to have a break) so I'm holding down the fort so to speak. ASI came today to finish up two office spaces I am working remodeling. So we spent a while down in storage picking out the desk tops and things needed. Then I left them to it. I found out that Tori was going to use the three chairs I had picked out and so I needed to be creative. I found two matching chairs and had to switch out another one. That was fun. Then I was going to put some old chairs kicking around our office into storage and get the ones I had found.... well today was supposed to be hot and then we were going to get some rain.... Yeah, well the weatherman was right. As I was loading up the Ranger it was super windy. By the time I started driving it started to rain... and by the time I backed up to the dock and got out to unload.... it was POURING! I worked as fast as I could but I got SOAKED!! I was laughing so hard. What to do? At least I can take comfort that I provided entertainment to two Police Officers having a smoking break outside T1. I am sure that it was a sight to see, a short blonde chick standing in the bed of a white Ranger, furiously moving chairs and things all the while getting drenched! Awesome.

After that I took lunch, ran around to check on ASI putting up my offices and rearranging the front lobby furniture AGAIN! I am going to draw up a floor plan tomorrow and give it to housekeeping. I am getting a little tired of the magic furniture circles that appear every couple of days. Ridiculous.

Tomorrow ASI is coming back to finish off the job. Also, I'm the only one riding from Roy on the van pool so I get to drive the UTA van to Centerville. ^_^ It is so big! I enjoy driving it though.

This weekend should be a good one, it's my brother's birthday so I'll get some good family time for my last weekend at home before I move to Logan! (I am super excited to get up there!)

Oh, on an awesome side note, I watched last weeks Psych on Hulu.com - the drag racing one, I quite enjoyed it! Then we watched the second to last episode of Season 4 Doctor Who = awesome! I can't wait to see the ending!

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

So first news worth sharing is a new recipe that I tried today: Chocolate Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread I found it through www.tastespotting.com new favorite food website, and the best part is, there are new recipes added all the time!

In other news... I had a fabulous weekend with the return of my darling cousin of mine. She spent her summer out in Virgina but now has returned to Utah. I picked her up from the airport on Saturday and then we stayed at our Grandparents house. A weekend of movie watching (The Mummy and Mickey Mouse 3 Musketeers) and girl talk ensued. It was fantastic! I missed hanging out with her, and am SO glad she is back!!

Monday work was good, things are still moving forward on my projects so that is a good feeling.
Tuesday I took the day off for my Dermatologist appt. again. I took my brother over to my Grandparents so he could mow their lawn, ran to the distribution center, then went to my appt. and then made it back to my Grandparent's house for lunch. Then I decided that I needed to drive up to Logan and turn in a scholarship check that I recently received in the mail. So my brother and I took a quick trip up there, got some Aggie Ice Cream, then on the way home stopped at the Fruit and Veg stand across from Maddox. Oh man their corn was SOO good! Also had some squash which was pretty delicious too. ^_^ Then watched the third to last episode of Doctor Who:Season 4. Major Rose Tyler saving the day ;) haha I Love Doctor Who... this version that was started in 2005. Maybe it's just David Tennant. That could be it haha j/k I like the story, there have been some awesome episodes in this season. But I am stoked for the last two episodes... not sure how I feel about Season 5 with a new actor playing the Doctor. But the story must go on.

Well it is getting past my bedtime... I might need some Cherry Coke to get through the day tomorrow, we'll see how it goes. ;)

Have a wonderful night ^_^

Provo Trip!

Well Friday I was able to borrow the car so I drove myself to work. I actually don't mind driving to work, at that time in the morning the traffic is light so it's fine. Also, my Boss and I went to the Henriksen Butler showroom and I ran into a girl that I was a Sophomore with last time! Such a small world!! It was great to see her. We were there picking finishes and fabric for furniture to go into the new building which could be finished by October! Sweetness! I can't wait to see it all completed!

After work I made a pitstop at IKEA! It was awesome! I got some super cute kitchen stuff at great prices and even managed to get a cute orange blanket! Orange makes me happy. ^_^

After that I continued on my way to Provo. If I was a little more familiar with Provo I would have gotten off at the University Pkwy exit and found my way from there... but instead I was directed to Center St in Provo.... O_o traffic was terrible. Super frustrating but I survived and made my way to my friend's apt. I brought my stuff in and then we looked through my Malaysian cookbook and decided what we wanted to make. Then we went out and got gyros for dinner. Delicious. After a Wal*Mart run we picked up garlic, ginger, chilies, meat, eggs etc. On the way home we picked up a couple of Cannolis. After we made it back we made the dough for Murtabak and then went swimming! Her apt has a pool and a hot tub so we took advantage of it. We had it to ourselves! It was awesome. The hot tub was especially nice!
Then we went back, changed in PJ's and then made the rest of the Murtabak. Beef, garlic, ginger, green onions, cumin, chili powder, two finger length chilis... oh man it smelled soo SPICEY!
  Then we talked 'till the wee hours of the morning. It was awesome.

The next morning we slept in then had the Murtabak for breakfast. They were DELICIOUS! Then we took our time getting ready and chatting then off to lunch with our friend. We had to go to two different Indian restaurants because the first one didn't open until 4pm or something. Afterwards I took Erin to work and took a trip to the distribution center to get a travel size Book of Mormon, the last General Conference edition of the Liahona in Bahasa Indon, and some more Articles of Faith cards in Indon. Then I got a hold of my cousin and went over to his place for a while. I met his roommates, we talked about mission stories and I got my 'PORTAL 14' sign back. I love signs! This one has traveled from Utah to the UK, to Alabama, and back to Utah. Awesome!

Then I went back to the MTC, met up with Matt and volunteered at the teaching appt. It was so fun! My Malay was pretty good... although my English was failing me in the end haha!

Then I took Erin to 5 Guys and Some Fries for dinner. We conquered those burgers and ate a whole 'regluar' fries. I got the bacon cheeseburger of course - with grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and BBQ sauce. Delicious again! ...then we walked around the University Mall to help feel better about downing the fries too. Looked at cute clothes, went into Bath and Body Works and smelled all the candles, and critiqued engagement rings - no I'm not looking for one, but I like a certain couple of styles so it's always fun to look. What can I say? Diamonds are my birthstone after all.  Although probably my favorite piece of jewelry I saw was a flower pendent with pink sapphires for the petals.

Then we made a quick Wal*Mart run again since we were right there, to check on movies on sale. There were tons on sale so we each bought a couple. Then we went back to her place, made chocolate chip cookies and ended the night by watching Inkheart. We first saw a billboard ad for it in KL so we though it would be fitting to watch it. I thought it was very interesting. Glad we watched it.

Sunday we slept in a bit, then got up and got ready for church. I went to church with her and then had a quick dinner and drove home. The weather was beautiful, such a nice drive.

Work is going well this week. Things are getting done! The rooms that were cleared our on Friday, were painted yesterday, and tomorrow are getting recarpeted. Then hopefully the end of this week will have the furniture put in and we will be finished! The big room which was part of the project I got on my first day, finally got patched today. My Boss and I picked the paint and base colors so that is moving right along as well. Fantastic! Also I am still working on designing a couple of privacy screens for two different reception areas. Tomorrow I'm going to try and make a 3D model in AutoCAD. ^_^ SO FUN!

Today I had a great quote from 'No Doubt About It':

'No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character. He is an unchangeable being; the same yesterday, the same today, and He will be the same throughout the eternal ages to come....We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His commandments' - President George Q. Cannon
 

The weekend is almost here!

This week has been really good. I have been working on lots of little projects. Meeting the with 3-Form rep was awesome! I LOVE 3-Form products and possibilities! I am working on some designs for a couple of screens to provide some privacy to two different reception areas. So many ideas!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. We have ASI coming to do a bunch of little jobs for us, including helping me move some shelves in our office so that I can organize some more books and things! Next week I have some painters and carpet guys coming too. Busy busy!

Tomorrow I am heading down to Provo to stay with one of my former companions from my mission. :) I am SO excited! Some of the weekends events are going to include eating at the Bombay House, me volunteering at the TLC while my comp is working, possible game playing and pie making. And Sub Zero may also be involved ^_^ Sweet! If I am making good time on my way down there then I am going to stop at Ikea! Last time I was down that way I stopped and made of list of things I want to get for my apt. YAY for Ikea! I was excited with the things I found there!

Next weekend is going to be awesome too because my cousin is finally coming back to Utah! I get to pick her up from the airport and then she's staying up here all weekend! Awesome!

I'm still reading 'No Doubt About It' by Sheri Dew. It is such a good book. I have really enjoyed reading it this week. Later I will post some more quotes but I need to pack my bag now!

Ruby Tuesday

Today I had a great time at work. In the morning I got to meet with the 3-Form rep for Salt Lake. I am working on a privacy screen project for two spaces and wanted to explore my options with 3-Form. Also they have a super great product called 'Gecko' where you just apply it to glass and it stays. But it's not a sticker, if you remove it there's not any adhesive. I was super impressed, and might be able to use it.

 Another highlight today was going into the construction site of the new building. My boss was busy so I got to wear her Pink hard hat and go check on the paint. They had put them all side by side in a room so we didn't have to walk everywhere to see them. The colors looked great but they were all in a semi-gloss finish.. which isn't what we wanted. So my boss got to chat with them about that.

I got to switch out a chair, hang a picture, got the furniture quote for the N. Star order, called some vendors to schedule a few things for next week... also I got to do some consolidation in our office and found a place to move a bunch of the binders from one side of the office to another so we can make room for the Interior Design area which has to be created. It's quite the task but I try to work on it a little every day. Hopefully by the time I head back to school I will have made some major progress there, we'll see.

At lunch I read some more of 'No Doubt About It' by Sheri Dew

Here's today's quotes:

"President Gordon B. Hinckley has said that 'if there is any one thing you and I need... it is faith....To have faith in Christ is to believe in Him, follow Him, and rely on Him. And it is to be blessed with the peace of conscience and mind that the Apostle Paul spoke of when he said, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me' (Philippians 4:123)"

"I work as hard as I can,  and I do my best to be obedient so that the Lord knows I am mindful of Him. Then I have the faith that He will make up the difference between what I am able to do, and what I am not able to do. And He does."

"Is it possible to be happy when life is hard? Can we feel peace amid uncertainty, or hope in the midst of cynicism? Is it possible to change, to shake off old habits and become new again? Is it possible to live with integrity and purity in a world that no longer values the virtues that distinguish the followers of Christ?
  Yes. The answer is an unqualified yes because of Jesus Christ, whose Atonement and Light ensure that we need not bear the burdens or the darkness of mortality alone....'whatever Jesus lays His hands upon lives. If Jesus lays His hands upon a marriage, it lives. If He is allowed to lay His hands on the family, it lives....The Savior will do for each of us what He has promised to do- if we will have faith in Him and receive His gift."

"I take prophets at their word. And our prophet believes in us. He believes in our spiritual strength and our resilience, in our faith as well as our faithfulness. Regardless of your marital status, your age, or the language you speak, you are a beloved spirit daughter of Heavenly Father who is destined to play a critical part in the onward movement of the gospel ..."

Suddenly Monday

Today work was really great. I did a little framing, sent off for a bid for some new furniture, e-mailed, made phone calls, found the Radiology certificates, drove the truck and dropped off a framed picture to the Dental office, and I got a TB test. I got an e-mail telling me that all VA employees need to get a TB test once a year and that I didn't have one. So off I went to Employee health and got the test. I have to go back on Wed to get it checked. I got to sit in their new phlebotomy chair, like the one I ordered for Nuc Med a couple of weeks ago. It's pretty cool.

Also, in an effort to make the Gospel and scriptures a bigger part of my life, I decided that 'No Doubt About It" by Sheri Dew is the next book I am going to read. I have started reading it several times but never been able to finish it. So I started it again today. I always read on my lunch break. So far, so good. She is a great writer and speaker.

Here are some quotes that stuck out to me today:

"President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed... You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And that good that is in you must be spread to others."

"Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing, nevertheless they give up their lives to that little or nothing. One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it, and then it is gone. (Joan of Lorraine, act 2)"

"...See that ye fall not out by the way" (Genesis 45:24)

"It is in moments of disappointment, heartache, and loneliness that we often make the decisions that forge our faith, mold our character, and fortify our convictions about the only source of strength and solace that satisfies. And that is Jesus Christ. How do we know if we are honest, unless our honesty is put to the test? How do we know if we are filled with virtue, unless there are opportunities to choose a non-virtuous path that we then resist? How do we know if we can bear up under challenge and trial, unless we have challenge and trial, and taste the pure sweetness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, meaning specifically the power and peace of the atonement of Jesus Christ, unless there are time in our lives when we desperately need and seek that peace and power?" 

August Already!?

Well the rest of the week went by fast as usual. It's been pretty hot. I like it that way :) They predicted rain for us but I didn't see as much as they were saying would come.

Highlights from the work week were: picking chairs for N.Star clinic, organizing some fabric samples and picking the fabric or the back of those chairs.. just need to settle on a vinyl for the seat. Rearranging the furniture in the main lobby by myself, borrowing the framed certificates, and switching them with the new ones. (I'm getting pretty good at framing things)...finally having the counter replaced up in Old Dental.. nice to see some progress there! Friday was pretty intense, my task was to start organizing and cleaning the back of the office where we store the maintenance binders and our material library along with random chairs and things. Some of the books were super dusty! It was pretty intense :)

Friday I drove the van to Centerville to pick up the rest of the ladies. (Everyone from my stop had the day off, so I got to drive the beast) Then after work, and parking the van back in Riverdale, I hopped in the car and drove out to West Valley for a bridal shower. Then a bbq/triple date. That was interesting. I was the first one there and didn't know any of the guys. But I was proud of myself, fearless just went right in. Haha good thing I went to the right house or that could have made for a great story. So there's not much to tell, the bbq was good, but took forever to cook. We had chicken and grilled corn on the cob :) I was on dog duty, one of their dogs was super sneaky about stealing food. But I took care of him and he didn't make off with anything. I was glad I went but so tired towards the end of the night, then had to drive back to Ogden. Yay for music to keep me awake! I had left a mixed cd from my old roommates. So that was a fun blast from the past!

Saturday I got up early and took my brother to work then went over to my Grandparents place. I got to help them clean up the front room and dust and put Old English Lemon oil on all the wood things. I love the smell of it. And I love making the wood things shine again. They have wood carved things from the Philippines, Thailand, Malyasia, and Fiji. My Grandpa brought the things from the Philippines when he was in the Air Force, my Dad, my cousin and I brought back the other things from our missions. I brought them a carved shield that I got in Kuching. ^_^ Then I went back and picked my brother up from work and then my Mom and I went up to Logan. I needed to pay for my apt. and don't like sending large checks in the mail so we were heading up there to do that. On the way, my Mom surprised me and took me to Mattox for lunch. Oh man that was fabulous. Definitely top on my favorite places to eat list. I had the Cheese and Veg soup, Lamb with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob and their home made cream soda. *Bliss* It was awesome. I love lamb. Then we went up to Logan, I payed for my housing and then we went to the temple. It was really nice.

That night back in Ogden, had dessert and then watched the first two episodes of Doctor Who: Season 4. Awesome! Good weekend. ^_^ This week should be good, and next weekend should be fabulous as I'll be heading down to Provo to visit friends!

PS. I'm not sure how great of a movie it will be, but I want to see Eat.Pray.Love. I like Italy, and I want to go to India and Indonesia! Actually I have a long list of places to visit, Going back to Singapore and Malaysia is at the top, Morocco, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, after reading The Bread of Angels, I want to head over to Jerusalem - I'd like to learn Arabic. I'd love to go back to Europe and stop at lots of random small towns. What can I say? I guess I have the travel bug and a fascination with culture, language and ethnic foods. I hope my future husband enjoys it as much as I do.