Let's Hear it for the Boy

This will make for two posts in one day. I have so much to say lately! I just have to mention my brother, Bryan--the Boo Boy.

Story:

When I was around seven years old, my brothers, Bryan and Steven, and I would play a game called "Good Guys and Bad Guys." This game was usually played outside in good weather or inside if the Fresno heat made it necessary to stay inside in order to live. This game was played by the three of us who played the "Good Guys" and the completely imagined "Bad Guys." Every day made for a new episode where the Good Guys struggled to overcome the evil plans of the Bad Guys. I can now remember it being a lot like the Star Trek: Next Generation episodes we'd watch as a family.

The game would start by someone saying, "Hey, let's play Good Guys and Bad Guys." Game on. Our brother Steven, who played "Steve," would tell us what was happening around us and what to do to fight the Bad Guys. I, "Karate Girl," would follow along with his plans until I had a great idea of my own. Then we'd argue and Steve would inevitably overule Karate Girl.

Bryan, who played "French Punch," was also very good at following along without question. But then one day our younger sister really wanted to play with us. By that time we had run out of super creative character names, so we wanted to throw out her request. Since Bryan has always been a ladies man, and a bit of a softie, he encouraged us to give her a try. We put her through a rigorous skills test in the backyard--it's true, because we had to figure out what her skill would be in the game. In case you couldn't tell by our names, Steve had all-power and strength, I had amazing karate moves, and Bryan had a glove that gave him a hard and solid punch. Kathleen needed a skill too. I think we named her "Spiller," or "Silver" or something close to it, because she could lay flat on the ground. We imagined this as her turning into liquid form. So we let her play.

She only played that one day, but I'll never forget Bryan's encouragement and his advocacy for her. He was always good at looking out for his younger sisters...and the older ones. :)

The End.


Today is Bryan's birthday and he has reported to serve in the Texas McAllen Mission. He has been in the MTC for one whole week and he's already complaining about not getting enough letters. My roommates tell me this is normal but I don't recall my older brothers complaining so much. Perhaps they suffered silently.

I was trying to call my dad earlier today while he was at work and thought I'd try to call Bryan to see if it was a busy day. Before pressing the button to call, I realized that I probably wouldn't be able to get ahold of Bryan seeing as how he's, ya know, in the MTC. They make phone calls a little difficult there.

I'm so grateful to have Bryan as a brother. I'm also grateful for his exemplary decision to serve the Lord. Dang, I miss that kid. That's all...

beck

All About Reading Day

Today I was wishing I could go back to college just to have a Reading Day. Of course, I never really studied or read on those days, but it'd be nice to have the time set aside for that purpose. I suppose I'll just have to be patient, because as it turns out, I don't have to work on Friday since we get a day-before-the-holiday holiday. Reading all day long? Sounds pretty good to me.

I met up with my group of Russian librarians today for their meeting at the Library of Congress. They met with the Center for the Book. That meeting is what really got me energized about reading and inspired this post.

I need more books. I have plenty of books on my shelf to keep me occupied for a few weeks, but I want to be able to grab some fresh meat from the library. I've been meaning to get a library card for a while now. After work I ventured toward the MLK Library for the sole purpose of attaining the desired card and found that it closes at 5:30pm. I was too disappointed (and surprised since I had been there at a later time before) to check if those hours were unique for this week. Now I'm determined to swing by again during my lunch break.


beck

The Power of Heaven

"The Power of Heaven"

Heaven's light flows through the windows
warming even walls of stone.
In the refuge of the temple
I find strength beyond my own.

I can feel the power of heaven as I stand on holy ground
And the Spirit whispers what I long to hear.
Eyes are touched with understanding.
I can see beyond this world.
It's the place I reach for heaven, and it reaches in return.

Filled with purpose, filled with power,
Granted gifts to lift the world.
In God's house and in His presence
I am filled with strength to serve.

I can feel the power of heaven as I stand on holy ground
And the Spirit whispers what I long to hear.
Eyes are touched with understanding.
I can see beyond this world.
It's the place I reach for heaven and it reaches in return.

Tonight I did baptisms for the dead at the temple with a group from my ward. It took me 275 days since the time I arrived in DC to finally go to the temple. Above are the lyrics from one of my favorite songs about the temple. I underlined the phrases I like, but I think my favorite is "Eyes are touched with understanding." This is how I always feel at the temple. I feel a peace and clarity that helps me to understand the Lord's plan and my place in it. The temple is His holy place and He wants it to be a refuge for us.

I also love seeing my friends and the people I love dressed all in white in the temple. As I relished in the image of all whiteness tonight, I was reminded of when my family was sealed in the temple. I can't remember a day in my life when I was more happy. I remember that my mom even asked me if my smile could get any bigger--not likely. I felt pure joy in knowing that me and my family could be together with God for all eternity. This could not be possible without the temple. I look forward to spending more time there.


beck

From Point A to Point B

I like living in Washington, DC, because it is a walking city that thrives on public transportation. It is ironic though because I feel that I have a love and hate relationship with the WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority).

I appreciate that it can save me time getting from Point A to Point B and that I can do most anything I need without a car. However, I don't appreciate that it can be expensive and also terribly unpredictable. And actually since it is on a radial system, it is quite annoying, because it can take a lot longer to get places since you have to go in towards the city just to transfer lines. Oh I miss Paris!

Looking on the bright side--the optimist that I am--I do suppose that the unreliable timing can make for quite the adventure. And so...here's the little travelogue of today's adventure:

Today I got on the phone right after work and talked to my sister until I reached Farragut North Station. Since her and I were still conversing when I reached the station, I decided to walk up to Dupont Circle and get on there. By then we were finished talking and I went down into the station. I found hundreds of people on the platform waiting for a train.

this is just one terrible view (sorry the pics are blurry)

When the train finally arrived, it was already packed. Bah! Only about a third of the people on the platform made it into the cars--if that. I gave up and exited the station. I decided to venture away from the underground system and find my way home by foot and/or bus. I walked and walked and walked up Massachusetts Avenue past a whole lot of embassies until I found a bus on Wisconsin Avenue that could take me up to Friendship Heights. This was a transfer point so I could head towards home on a different bus. From Friendship Heights, I took a bus up to the Bethesda Station. From there, I hopped on the train in a car that was uncrowded and had good air conditioning. I was able to take that train to my station without any trouble and arrived safely at home around 8:15 pm.

The whole adventure lasted about two and a half hours from the time I left work to the time I arrived home. It only took walking about 3.5 miles, three metro stations, two buses and one metrorail car. I had actually never walked up that far on Massachusetts before. I had also never been so lucky to take a random bus that took me to a place where I wanted to go. I tend to be impulsive, so I often find myself hopping on the wrong bus when I'm tired of waiting for mine. This time it worked to my advantage and got me to the right place.

Public transportation is still my friend. But it's a dang annoying one! I miss living in the district and being able to walk to work. Hopefully I'll be back down there soon!

beck

Can't Help But Love this Man

Every girl who wants to get married has made The List. You know the one. It has the qualities of your future spouse. I think they made us create them in more than one Young Women lesson growing up. The List evolved from there so that it could delineate the must-have, would-be-nice and great-if-he-does-but-no-matter-if-he-doesn't categories. Recently I felt I should go over the list to remind myself what or who it is I'm trying to find. For your enjoyment and perhaps my horror, I've included my list below. It's a mix of all the categories, but this would be the ideal guy. It's still pretty broad, but it's helped me narrow down the field. The order has little to no significance. Gimme a holla if you find anyone who fits.

My man:
1. Has a current Temple Recommend
2. Loves God and the Gospel
3. Attends Church meetings
4. Serves faithfully
5. Gives charitably
6. Lives honestly
7. Prays always
8. Hopes for things
9. Loves children and wants to have lots
10. Appreciates music at all times and in all things and in all places
11. Has a strong work ethic and can get his hands dirty
12. Likes to travel and willing to travel with the kids
13. Enjoys going to the theater (movie, ballet, concert, etc.)
14. Enjoys a good read
15. Can shake his groove thing
16. Likes driving and road trip excursions
17. Practices frugality and can manage finances well
18. Engaged in good causes in the community
19. Willing to live abroad
20. Laughs often
21. Listens with the intent to understand
22. Walks for leisure and reflection
23. Honors his priesthood
24. Tries to heed the counsel of the Church leaders
25. Loves me

***I should also note that I don't expect anything from my husband that I wouldn't be trying to do myself.
beck

So Long, Farewell, See You in Two Years

This is the song I think of when I have to tell someone goodbye...like I did today :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzu3Ihyq50c

beck

Babysitting for Ballet

Last night I got an email with a last minute request from a mother for babysitting.

I babysit periodically for her and today she needed some help watching her three-month-old baby and two-year-old monkey (well, he's actually just a crazy boy) while she packed for their trip. I was hesitant to agree to the gig since I had a ticket to the Royal Ballet. After much struggle and research, I agreed to help out and give up my ticket. I was hopeful it would work out since I get paid to babysit and there were tickets available for the ballet tomorrow night (the research).

At the end of the evening I concluded that I made a good choice--despite the lackluster ending when I got to wash out the diarrhea from the baby's pajamas. I made enough money to cover the cost of both tickets, tithing, and a little extra. So I basically broke even AND was able to help a mother in need. I also had the pleasure of playing with a sweet little boy who gave me a hug and a big wet kiss when I left.

After babysitting, I proceeded straight to the Kennedy Center and purchased my ticket for tomorrow's performance with the money I earned. I read online that tomorrow's show will be the last performance in the United States for the ballerina Alexandra Ansanelli due to a shocking early retirement from her brilliant career (see photo). I am looking forward to the evening.

beck

She looks equisite. Read about her here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202914.html