OLIVIA IN PROVO

2010-09-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

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in case of confusion, this blog is now "closed."

i am currently blogging here.

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GOODBYE

2010-09-11T08:01:00.004-07:00

So Ben cleaned out his wallet the other day...

I couldn't throw them away.

I really, really like Provo, just in case you never knew. So, you must know I miss it.

I already miss—well, foremost on my mind lately is BYU Football! It may seem trivial, but I miss just the feeling of football season, even when we stayed at home and folded laundry as a family with the game on TV and the front door open because it was sunny, but cool, and outdoor chores were being done too. I miss the ambiance and the atmosphere of a BYU game—whether feeling like a queen in Grandpa's seats or in the crowd of hyper students (OK, some of those hyper students I don't miss), I miss the memories of meeting up with friends (Ben) at a game when we were in high school. I miss the traffic, even. And that's just what I miss about BYU Football.

I miss the mountains and hikes, the summer festivals and the Downtown eagerness to grow. I miss the variety of Hispanic joints and mercados. I miss the student-ridden grocery stores, and the MTC. I miss the very-last-minute-possible post office dropbox. I miss Robert's 40% off always, I miss Cafe Rio and I miss the Creamery's Kids Meal (with Cookies n' Cream on a sugar cone). I miss Provo Parks & Recreation. I miss the Provo River (Trail) and Utah Lake. I miss the trees—the fake one, the raining one, the oldest one. I miss driving Provo Canyon, and visits to Sundance (summer outdoor movies and the Film Festival). I miss knowing every street and the fastest route to anywhere (except from our house to University Mall... that takes long no matter which way you take). I miss knowing where to go for everything.

I miss my perk-y job at Nu Skin. I miss all Ben's plants on the front porch of Bishop Booth's house. I miss the Provo Peaks 11th ward. I miss living a block down from Mom's work or across the street from Papá's. I miss family Sunday dinners. I miss walks with friends, and Redbox walks. I miss temple trips. (We were so close to getting to all of them, Ben—just 2 more!) I miss my class, dear Class of 2KX. I miss Grandma Annie Claire's garden outside Adrian's room—most stunning when all those trees are goldenrod. I miss the studio and our "late-night social life" there. I miss the letterpress and the stock room and even the Bookstore. I miss 422-INFO and the HFAC and the Amanda Knight.

I miss the days of house shows and Velour nights. I miss the Annex—the girls, the wards, the bike-ride to school. I miss writing/making Ben letters. I miss meeting so many peeps after breaking out of (though still keeping) my High-School-friend-shell. I miss Beverage Club, and ROC!
I miss DT and that handy cafeteria. I miss my freshman routine of sack breakfast & lunch, 4 classes from 9-1, and my dear Law School Fishbowl job til 5. I miss that 'new freedom' to go out to the Hot Pots on a whim, and the epiphany that I could even see Ben every day.

I miss high school days, of course—there's way too much to say about that; though Ben, Student Government, and Soccer stand out most. I miss longboarding the river trail from just above Nunn's and jumping in the lake from the bridge before the dock. I miss Girls Camp at Mia Shalom. I miss middle school weirdness-but-fondness, which also was the time of my only "big move" I remember: from Northwest to Southwest Provo. I miss that little duplex spot—riding bikes to Little Dickens, sneaking into Branbury's pool, walking to "Double-time" for treats, movie-hopping during the summer at Movies 8, and the perfect climbing tree out back. I miss Timpanogos times—the teachers and the building and the commute, from Mom's "Don't try this til you've been driving 20 years"-U-turns to our bike rides along the River Trail. I miss the KFC picnics and pinatas at the park by the river. I miss Gymnastics at Timpview and our Friday-night browsing at Toys-R-Us.

Phew! I wasn't born in Provo, but it sure feels like my whole life! The cool thing is, I don't feel dead now that we don't live there.
I'm really excited to be here in the East. I miss all of Provo—especially the fam, but we've got a bit of family here too and it's already part of what I love about North Carolina. So, like Ben's cards, I'm tucking away this oliviainprovo blog and starting afresh—with Olivia in North Carolina! And, let's face it, I'm a sentimental sucker and I'll miss any good times once they've past even if they're out of Provo. . .

ANOTHER TIE-OVER

2010-08-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Ben didn't get what I meant about "lorem ipsum" and place-holder text on my last post. Ben's a smart guy, so I don't blame the rest of you if you didn't get it either. Sorry. I just meant something to take up space while I get the new blog together. It's coming soon.

But here's some inspiration via Smart Ben's handwriting until then:

i found this on one of the pages ben removed from his sketchbook in prep for the first day of fall semester. i assumed a teacher required something of it.
but no—after ben saw it on display on our fridge, he said he'd copied it from a documentary.
ben became an avid netflix documentary-watcher while we were apart. cool ben.

LOREM IPSUM

2010-08-16T12:03:00.002-07:00

{the bricks in the ground at nc state (or just "State" as they call it here) have the coolest swirly-whirly pattern}

OK, so I think this post is just plain going to be like greek text because I just need to "hold some space" until I get the blog situation to where I need/want it. i.e. a new blog? (And I'm writing in serifs, because "they say" serifs lead the eye better in long paragraphs. Prep-up friends, because this one will be long. And serifed.)

I have lots of thanks to give for all your farewells before I left Hometown. Lots more of you mentioned "keep your blog updated!" than I ever thought. That, in addition to all of your humoring me with my comment-plead makes for such a fun sort of connection that happens through blogs. I like it; I'm flattered; thank you! But to those of you (Colin) who aren't into personal posts, this isn't the update for you. Come back later when it's all photos. (Oh, such a chore to post photos...)

I'm just oozing out blog words in my head after a full morning of blogworld catch-up after

packing/leaving provo,

my second cross-country drive,

breathing again with my honey in grasp's reach,

and "vacation mode" with my family.

Then a weekend of "fake anniversary make-up" lounge time as if we were away in a hotel

and few have-to's before Ben snoozed his alarm thrice this morning

and ran away to his program's orientation day for fall semester.

I'm showered, but I put my nightie back on. And I was so whisked away with blogs (and some craig's list searches for free furniture) that I didn't even get hungry until just before noon. That is unheard of for me lately. Way more than morning sickness, I've just felt pregnant hunger. Hunger that comes on fast and hard til it hurts and even just four cheerios cure it. I think this is the very first morning I fasted as if I'd eaten. Weird.

On the pregnant note, I must admit much of my world this morning was maternity moments and thoughts and plunders. (I knew there was a secret to maternity garments and I'm so glad it was confirmed that the secret is none at all. That's what I decided too after my first pair.) But then there's a huge other sentiment—all "this" there is to know about the pregnant world. But somehow I don't want to get into it all—er, I do. But I just want to know what's right, even though a right doesn't exist, and the 'right' is different for everyone. I just want to already know my right, and be done with it. There is too much to know! Too much research! Too much to read. I know I'm already not a reader, but somehow I don't want to read all there is—but not because I'm not interested. I AM. Like I said, I WANT TO KNOW. But something in me is not up for the learning curve, or failed attempts. Why? That's how it's done; I know it. That's how all learning is done in life and I've never bucked before.

Hmm, but maybe I have. Mom says this trait is nothing new—that I've always wanted to be instantly good at whatever task/game/skill was ahead of me. What a sad commentary on my patience.

Anyway, that's enough to clear my mind of that for now. Man, even aside from the giant questions of midwife or doctor—epidural or natural, there are so many piddly (Ben doesn't think that's a word) details from every step of pregnancy and everything after. Do these debates and learning curves it continue on into parenting teenagers? Grandparenting? Eek.

Aside from the pregnant side, I am loving my new home. The apartment, and the surroundings, the city, the state! I just need to find my new "role." Other than mother, the only role I want right now, the budget is tugging for something in the other direction. What to do... All I can say is, blessings come from paying tithing. I've never had more direct blessings with this "give God back what's His" deal. BK and I had allowed some confusions of deposits postpone some phone calls and a sit-down to figure out what we owed. We settled it all the minute my family drove off, and within 24 hours of writing the check, we got two different big blessings whose financial value equal almost exactly the equivalent of what we wrote out in that check.

OK, enough personals for now? I've got a house to clean and unpack and order and love. I feel like a newlywed again. Staying at home resisting the internet in favor of organizing the cupboards during my first days away from Ben.

Oh wait, then there's Benjamin. I cannot tell you how cheesy I'm about to get. Looking into his eyes is really all I need in life. There are a lot of stinky things about being apart, but I didn't expect to miss staring at his eyes so much. And his hand on my back! And talking in person! He took me to his July stomping grounds on Saturday. I love him here, outside his studio.

I love him everywhere, but mostly at my side. I made him take an arm's length of us—together again, finally. A cheesy shot, I know. But his kiss pose took me so by surprise that my eyes wandered away from camera into a gaze. Has he even done that for a camera since 5 August 2008? Cheesy, but so worth it after his awkward first attempt. (He knows I hate the pics where the girl is the only one showing affection.) And not that I only love the pics where the guy is the only one showing affection, but that cheesy one doesn't count because I'm showing affection too. That smile and cheezy gaze is my love back at him. All for him.

OK. OK's done.

"THE FARM"—from the landscape architect's point of view

2010-08-03T10:27:00.001-07:00

FAMILY TEASING part II

2010-07-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

my family also made me a shirt

so i could tell you why they call me "ragú:"

not that i've been making excuses or anything...

it's just works for everything... it's why i can't clean, why i'm always hungry, why i can't eat more than 3 bites a sitting, why i have a double-chin and a pot-belly, why i have to nap, why i can't be on time, why i can be grumpy, why i can't fast, why i can't plunge the toilet (ashton doesn't believe that one), why i can't lift big things, why i couldn't get in the fun hot-tub with everyone at capitol reef...

it's also my excuse for glowing lately...

because i heard a little heartbeat this week; it is real!

(no, the 'discomfort' of the past 3 months didn't have me convinced).

super sad to be away from Ben-the-dad for all this, of course...

but let's just say that all my cravings have just been for HIM,

and he's been great to keep the shelves fully stocked with lots of long phone calls.

we are happy to announce a Baby Knudsen—Januaryish-Februaryish 2010!

*photo credits to devin ann!

FAMILY TEASING

2010-07-29T16:14:00.003-07:00

WE LIVE ON A FARM?

2010-07-27T23:18:00.005-07:00

So BK finally moved into our place—"our place" being

the apartment in the house on the same nine acres as a daylily farm.

Not too shabby. There's a giant private pond next door. NBD.

We heard about this place a while back (thanks, Preston), but it just took a while to come true for us.

I only ever got to see the place from the outside, but now that Ben's moved in and got the internet working, he could send me los fotos! We're going to start up a furniture search, but so far, I think HusBen has started a pretty good little Nor Car nest:

view of bamboo/trees/pond... and a little roof

He even stocked our first East-side fridge with milk dedicated to our 2nd anniversary.

But sadly, on that anniversary day of "first date 2002/marriage 2008,"

he'll be doing finals, and i'll be working away. oh, and we'll be 2,000 miles apart.

:'(

But that's OK because I get to move into that cute little hardwood house when I get there!

DEAR KATY

2010-07-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

"NOT DEAD, BUT DEFINITELY DYING"

2010-07-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

Re: Katy's smirks.

Really, thank you, Katy. It was ultimate therapy today for me to ponder what makes me grin.

THIS WAS WAY BACK IN LATE MAYISH

2010-07-19T07:15:00.001-07:00

I HAVE FLINSTONE FEET

2010-07-18T07:15:00.001-07:00

PRE-MOVE (JUNE 20-21)

2010-07-17T07:15:00.001-07:00

U-W-N-I-M-I-I-K-T-NC CONTINUED

2010-07-16T07:15:00.001-07:00

UTAH-WYOMING-NEBRASKA-IOWA-MISSOURI-ILLINOIS-INDIANA-KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE-NORTH CAROLINA!

2010-07-15T07:15:00.002-07:00

COW APPRECIATION DAY

2010-07-14T07:15:00.003-07:00

POST-IT POSTS

2010-07-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

well, i am really glad that someone finally and so graciously taught me how to find the deeply buried/hidden treasure of the "new post editor," except, now I don't have my camera or computer so I really have no pictures to post. (hint, hint, Ben, wanna send me some?)

so today at work during the meeting that really hardly ever involves me, i wrote a few blog posts on post-its.

if this counts as blogging, i will be ms. awesome-blogger.

be prepared.

MORE SHOW PICS

2010-07-07T21:37:00.001-07:00

*this post has been sitting, unpublished, since June 18 at 2:37pm. I was going to add more photos,
but Camera and Computer stayed in North Carolina with BK so I'll post as-is.

I can't get over myself. ;)

Or mostly can't get over that I actually am done with the BFA.

I'm sorry, but I truly believe it is as hard/intense as law school, everyone.

Now does it all make sense?

IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WILL GET ME BACK TO THE BLOGLAND,

2010-07-06T22:37:00.004-07:00

it's frida's birthday.

{substitute for image}

(my blogger is stubborn now about uploading images—another repellent—
in addition to the update build-up that grows out of procrastination).

SO, the answer to the question you've all been waiting for:

my blog name remains the same because, as it turns out,

olivia is
still
in provo.

luck and happenstance threw a curve ball
and it turns out we had to use our savings sooner than expected.
Nu Skin is a fine chap and offered some buckaroos if I stayed in my homeland.

only drawback? my honey is now nearly 2,000 miles away.

have you ever tried to breathe without air? sometimes it feels like that.

and sometimes it feels like I'm 18 again, the annoying bossy older sister/daughter.

sorry, dear family.
i'll work on being more like the guest that is so grateful for your lodging.

because i'm grateful for that, and all your other generosities.

(card games, movie quotes, rides to work, ashton's bed, minute maid pops,
river trail longboard runs and sean's dinner deliveries—to name a few.)

BEE. EFF. AY.

2010-06-08T21:41:00.010-07:00

welcome,

all y'all who couldn't come in person.

special thanks to ashley thalman.

really, thanks a ton. i know you like photographing people better.

(I DID IT!)

I finally just realized I needed to start, even just a little. It took me 3 sittings, but I posted a gazillion pix.
Pretty bummed I couldn't make them big-o, but it just wasn't happening for me.

UPLOADING PHOTOS TAKES SO LONG

2010-06-07T00:40:00.009-07:00

so here is just the beginning... (can i just hire a photo-uploader-to-blogger-er?)

photo courtesy: ashley thalman photograhy

... for those of you who missed my show...

DELAYED FROM MAY 16TH...

2010-05-25T20:38:00.006-07:00

SEVEN DAYS TIL JUNE

2010-05-24T08:06:00.006-07:00

FORGET MY LIFE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER!

I thought it was bad when there was snow in the mountains.

and apparently Downtown Provo's just the least of it.

Anyway, "seven days til June" also means seven more days of my show.

I am officially out of postcards and taking more up today...

and somehow maybe going to upload all the photos I finally took...

one day.

OH, AND P.S. - I'M DRINKING HOT CHOCOLATE!

NINE DAYS LEFT TIL JUNE

2010-05-22T09:28:00.005-07:00

and we're still seeing snow:

and yes, my BFA is done. photos on that to come... and a catch-up of e---v-e--ry-thing else.

COME SEE COMME ÇA

2010-05-10T15:28:00.004-07:00

This is my life lately:

You're welcome to attend, but you just have to promise not to be disappointed.
Or I guess you can be—it is my show, after all.
Aside from my wedding, this show is all about what I want... :) Cool, eh? Jealous?

If you can't make it to the opening, let me know.
I won't mind meeting you at the gallery if you like taking you through it.
But you can even go see it on your own. Then you don't have to pretend to like it.

ANOTHER HOLD-OFF TIL MY BFA IS DONE

2010-05-07T00:36:00.004-07:00

(and you are all invited to come see my BFA when it is done.
may 18-31.opening reception on the 18th, 7-9pm.)

let me tell you about a dream i had; a dream i entertained for over a year.

it was a vision of capturing the essence of my family-away-from-family
(AKA my classmates in the BFA program)
in a specific way—a magical way—a way that could only be done by

mr. jed wells.

i've looked up to this guy for a while. he probably didn't know me from adam—er—eve,
he just married my friend's older sister. he had a little comedy gig once
at the varsity theater and i attended—still a high school junior.
i remember thinking he and his wife were the coolest couple ever. ever.

then i lost track of them until blogland helped me out. coolest couple ever. still. read, you'll see.

anyway, long story short, jed made my dream come true, upon the event of our graduation:
(prepare to be amazed—and i know, i know, my blog isn't big enough for them, i'll fix it later)

john w. jensen

michelle sorensen

drew capener

k. colin pinegar

w. manasseh langtimm

regan fred johnson

rory bruggeman

laura tait

miriam altamira

jessi blackham

gloria pak

joey lasko

glori—i mean olivia juárez knudsen

gavin jensen

ryan hewlett

-------

aren't they just glowing with magic? much more worth my money than a cap and gown.
so, in case you didn't know how much I hung out at school,
i'm glad you can now vicariously meet my peeps.

two years solid with these kids.
i testify that i know this class is true.
and that we are the tightest class ever to come out of
BYU's graphic design program.

as jed said, we are the very hope and future of graphic design.

:)

love you guys!

oh, and jed freaked out over regan's grandpa's belt buckle:

thanks jayne for letting us steal your man. he's a magic-maker.

still the coolest couple.

FUN AFTER FIFTY IS NOT FOR WIMPS

2010-05-05T16:52:00.005-07:00

*So my computer is kinda broken,
and I couldn't get to an InDesign to make the tribute like I usually make 'em,
but thank goodness for TypeWriter™, which let me make something cool anyway.
(If you haven't ever played with ^ it, you really should go visit LineTo right now.)

And, I know, I know, I skipped my own husband's birthday. I really started doing one that night as he watched the Playoffs, but I got embarrassed or he got embarrassed, and so it has just not been posted I guess. But what's a blog without embarrassment? I'll post his birthday nice things as soon as my laptop is working again...

HUSBEN'S DAY

2010-04-27T00:09:00.000-07:00

HELLO AGAIN / AN ANNOUNCEMENT

2010-04-24T14:22:00.011-07:00

What a blog drought . . .

because the busy-ness did not stop after finals.
After all that came the busy-ness of graduation celebration,
and now the busy-ness of all Ben's family in town!

It's all been good busy-ness (what is the real word I'm looking for?),
but amid all the bustle, there's been another busy-ness going on in our heads:

—Ben's Master's in Landscape Architecture—

It's actually been in our heads for longer than just these past weeks. It started years ago, and came full-on over Christmas Break and into this semester. I've kept blog-quiet about it mostly so Ben wouldn't feel any pressure. But now it is time.
Maybe now I'll go back and re-cap it all in several posts. :)

THE DETAILS (for posterity's sake? scroll to the bottom if you're impatient) :

He applied to 6 schools. A couple "long-shots," a couple "for-sures," and a few in the middle.

We heard back from LSU (Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge)
in early February, just weeks after submitting the portfolio and application.
They are the #3 program in the nation, with a big emphasis on design and several faculty graduates from the #1 program at Harvard. Also home to my dear friend MJ, who I met in my early Graphic Design classes, and adored when we lived together at 27 Palace Court, London.

And then weeks passed with silence.
No letters—for months even!
A pair of rejections, but still nothing from the main LSU contender:
NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

LSU said "OK, we've already extended your deadline. We need to know now."

So we said "OK."

But they didn't ask for a deposit so we crossed fingers that meant no financial consequence for backing out. Then came phone calls and emails to the poor graduate admissions office in NC.
We finally got a faculty ally, and on Monday (19 April) he sent an email saying "You're in."
(Really! That's how it was worded!) And we'd need to accept or decline by May 1.

But then it was decision time. You see, we didn't favor NC over LSU;
they were equally good decisions for different reasons.

NC's program is #14, more expensive than LSU, but also, o-so-importantly close to family.
Jordan and hoodlums in Durham, and Kurt & Becky in Chapel Hill.

Monday, with Kurt and Becky close, just 3 days off the plane from Korea, we were feeling NC.
Tuesday, as we pondered LSU's credentials and the fact that they eagerly called Ben to accept him soon after applying (as opposed to being next off the waiting list at NC), we felt LSU.
Wednesday was back to NC after I had a dream about Jordan's kids not knowing me and a visit with a counselor who emphasized the art/craft and design culture in North Carolina.
Thursday I was invited to apply for a full-time designer position at a big stable company (where MJ works) meaning benefits, bonuses, and stability. Oh how we'll need that to get us through the jump in tuition from our cozy in-state private tuition here at BYU! Ben was also feeling LSU,

but he told me that day he didn't want to wait til May 1st. I asked when he wanted to decide.

"Tomorrow."

I asked if he knew that would be an NC day according to our pattern... ;)
Friday morning, Ben got a reply from a professor at NCSU that graduated from LSU answering Ben's questions about the differences and strengths of each program. He forwarded the reply to me at work and an hour or two later popped up on the chat asking,

I didn't see it for a while because I was working on something...
but when I read it, I smiled. It was so crazy, because I really was feeling it too.

I didn't feel anxious after, or worried, or lost. It was just right. Awesome.

He starts July 1st.

. . .

(When I told my family, Josie went to grab an heirloom that's been looming upstairs— GO FIG: Sean and I both did our 5th grade reports on THE TAR HEEL STATE.)

Sean's State Report poster. Maybe as I pack away my life this summer, I'll find my poster.

PHEW! NO MORE BLOG DROUGHTS OR ELSE I JUST BLAH BLAH BLAHG.

A HOLD-OFF POST TIL I COME UP FOR AIR NEXT WEEK?

2010-04-12T09:47:00.006-07:00

I love Mormon Messages, and I love the DR.
And the two together? I can hardly stand it!
I cannot get enough of their accent. Oh-so-Dominican!

(THANKS KURT, for the tip. What a thoughtful Father-in-Law, no?)

PEOPLE ARE NICE. AND FUNNY.

2010-04-08T11:51:00.001-07:00

got great gifts for that golden day:

———

awesome earrings—two halves of the same avocado. from jenny (who found them on some awesome etsy shop; the girl lived in isreal. do you remember the name, jenny? i've been killing myself looking for the link.)

———
accessorize—there is a line from the first olivia book that says "of course, you can always accessorize." i think i carry the pig's same motto. but i rarely use hair accessories. not because i don't like them but because i don't take the time to make/money to buy them, nor do i "do" my hair often enough. this pin from ann motivates me to change all that. when i wear it, i instantly feel fashion-y.

———

from ben—best magazine ever. it's almost overwhelming to read because i love every inch of every page. so much. (the ~~sad~~ really sad thing is i forgot to switch my address with them and i didn't get the other 2 issues of the subscription.) and earrings are my daily bread. he bought them on darlybird.

———

i ♥ mail—i think one of the best matches between me & ben's family is making cool mail. so obviously, i loved katy's "wrapping/packaging" as much as i loved the frida goodies inside.

———

packaging, again—devin gave me a cool wooden wall art of a decorative "O" (sorry no photo) but she says she knew i'd love the reusable giftbag just as much. its uses are endless, but the best one is probably for carrying lunches. so much better than a plastic bag and fits my big tupperwares better than a lunchbox.

———

great cards—people made really nice, cool, and funny cards for me. from ann, ashley, and cam, respectively. aren't these all amazing? they are.

this is not even everything, of course. but i felt it worth documenting even though i'm actually posting this a year later...

HE SAID IT'S "NOT THAT COOL"

2010-04-04T22:43:00.005-07:00

But you and I know better, right?

One cold night (a week or two ago?),
after parking near the MOA for our all-too-familiar late night stays at the HFAC,
Ben ever so non-chalantly plucked a branch from a tree and packed it in the car with us.

He came home, gave it a test tube of water and stuck it in the planter pot:

We got to watch the popcorn popping right before our eyes:

But we didn't have to look out the window!

Oh,

and side note:

He's taken up little Bonsai,
and found the best re-use for egg cartons!

MY SPOONDIFUL BUNNY

2010-04-01T17:36:00.003-07:00

Yeah, I'm entering a contest.

Believe it or don't.

How could I not when it is just fun, even if I don't get a precious wooly bunny?

And yes, these are basically my elves, but bunny-ified. Like I said, in the name of FUN.

HOPE YOU CAN SEE THIS FROM GUATEMALA

2010-03-31T17:44:00.007-07:00

PLANTIES CONTINUED

2010-03-28T14:39:00.003-07:00

It's fun to watch them grow!

Ben's photos a week ago:

Peas

Brussels Sprout

Tamaters

Photos I took today:

Peas grow fastest!

Brussels Sprouts have coolest leaves

Tall tomatoes...

And basil grows the slowest...

GIFT OF GIVING

2010-03-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

One of the best things in life is when you know a gift you gave is appreciated and used.

I stressed over designing and sewing this fleece together to make a blanket
for Ben on Christmas 2003. (It's over six years old?!)
Somewhere I think I still have my sketches... each shape representing something that meant something to him or us. (All I remember now is triple dot and the Radiohead reference).
I know, I know, I'm a sentimental sucker.
It is a little small for his long body, so I don't think he's used it too much,
but I was so happy to see him nap with it that day!
(It was some day in early March?)

TO YOU

2010-03-26T18:15:00.001-07:00

KINDA LIKE CHAO'S...

2010-03-26T07:49:00.001-07:00

except Indian!

I snuck these pics on my walk to work a few weeks back.
I finally got to actually go inside last last week with Ashley.
She got moth beans and I got a mint chutney yogurt sauce mix and frozen samosas.
(Which happened to be our dinner that night!)

POOR WEATHER

2010-03-25T09:27:00.000-07:00

Pretty sure this was the day after we had our lil' spring-y family night.

Hoping for better weather today!

YOU'RE INVITED

2010-03-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

to our house tomorrow
for some birthday snacks
because i will be

and if you want to play soccer at Kiwanis, I want to do that too.
At 5:30-ish.

And the birthday snacks are from 7:30ish to 11ish...

for this once-in-a-lifetime golden star event...

PLANTIES

2010-03-23T19:33:00.005-07:00

just days after scooter crash,
HusBen called the family (me) for a spontaneous non-Monday family night:

BK had gone to the greenhouses that day for garden supplies.
He decided to take the opposite direction from last year's flower garden.

This year, we get:

BASIL (the summer staple)

Red and yellow tomatoes.

and...
BRUSSEL SPROUTS!
(or is it brussels sprout?)

.

and can you guess what my job was?

to make use of my favorite Korea tape.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING BIRTHDAY!

2010-03-20T08:49:00.005-07:00

YES, IT IS JUST ONE MORE THING, BUT I FEEL BETTER ENDURING STRESS IF I JUST GET TO BLOG SOMETHING

2010-03-16T09:57:00.009-07:00

at times like these (times of 3am bedtimes  and 8am wake times),
i think back about times like those
(morning canyon  drives & private screenings at sundance)

and then i blog about them at 3:45 am

(fun winter saturday courtesy of nu skin, naturally).

LIL' ACCIDENT: PART II

2010-03-14T23:08:00.005-07:00

. . . So . . .
My dad showed up shortly and delivered us home in the middle of his morning rounds.
(Side note: Papá plays the stay-at-home dad role these days while applying consistently to jobs across the country.)

With our looming back pain, we both just wanted to lay down.
We examined Ben's open wounds, and I noticed a sprained feeling in my ankle.
When taking off my shoe I realized that ankle had been a point of impact.
Behold, one of my favorite "scars" of the crash:

I don't remember skidding enough to melt metal, but all I can say
is that it was a fluke (blessing) that I wore socks and shoes!
I think 90% of the time, I wear Chacos or flats.
I distinctly remember changing my mind that morning and deciding on socks and Simples.

Ben called insurance who said we'd get a call back from a Claims Rep within 24 hrs.
I made calls to Mom and Papá who gave good advice as to "what to do next."
(and to Nu Skin who gracefully dismissed me of work that afternoon),
And then as we prepared to get into the covers, Ben pulled out my laptop with the declaration,
"Well, if we're stuck in bed, we might as well watch some hulu!"
But his exclamation was quickly followed by an "Uh-oh. . ."

". . . your computer got dented."

When opened, the computer still worked, but the dent happened to be
on the one corner needed for charging.
In order to save battery for later when I could transfer files from it,
the dented laptop stayed closed.

So there we lay on our sunny bed, trying to relax, and recounting
the minutes before/during/after the accident
until our thoughts just stayed in our head and turned into dreams.

We didn't wake until later in the afternoon.
After those hours of still, our bodies ached now in movement!
My ankle and back/hip pain felt so intense that it was hard to walk to the bathroom.

I was just crawling around and getting dressed again,
(Ben agreed to take me to the Health Center to double-check for serious injury),
when Insurance Claims Representative Lady actually called.
Ben sat next to me while they recorded his version of the story and asked questions.

She said it was clearly her insured's fault and eventually it unfolded that:

Utah law prevents insurance from paying for bodily injury on anything less than $3,000
seeing as the price of a Vespa is pennies compared to a car, the insurance might prefer to replace the scooter all together instead of paying for the intense repairs that might accrue to the scooter's value all together.
Similar to the issue with the scooter, depending on the cost of repairs for the computer, they might choose to replace the laptop as well to avoid responsibility for any future malfunction even after the repair.

So, not confident that my mild injuries could reach $3,000, I settled on walking
around with a golf putter as a cane and we made the errands to get a price quote for the laptop repair, photos of the Vespa damage, and homework photos (of "his trees") for Benjamink.
While Ben printed tree photos at school, my family came to bring us Quizno's dinner,
include me in a Family Night, and to ask questions and give me attention
while I unfolded the whole story. Thanks Fam!

As much fun as stories are, I realize long blog posts are often not fun,
so, I practice my summarizing skills to describe the events since that day:

The pain and soreness has slowly decreased after that next morning. Blessing!
We made several phone calls, estimates, faxes, call-backs, and more,
and now know that they've decided to replace the computer.
(Apple store explained that the repair is classified as "4th tier"
or the very high-costing, intense replacement of the entire frame.)
!
They're sending us money for this one:

Another blessing.

Ben was just looking at these after reading the requirements for grad school.
Now, we've taken wire cutters to the bent aluminum to allow for my charger.
I still use my computer, albeit cosmetically challenged, and Ben shall get a freebie.

We have yet to hear about the Scootie since having it towed to the Vespa dealership
where an Insurance designee went to assess the damage.

Overall, we feel blessed from the lemonade come from this lemon.

HOPE YOU HAD THE BEST DAY TODAY

2010-03-08T23:40:00.001-07:00

LIL' ACCIDENT: PART I

2010-03-06T17:25:00.001-07:00

So we were all excited to say goodbye to February
(yes, I can spell that awkwardly-spelled/pronounced month, despite proof of the opposite on Ryan's birthday tribute...)

Ben and I had high hopes for March 1st,
particularly because it marked the end of "No-Spending-Month"
(we could hardly last through the shortest month of them all!)

But March's Monday had other plans for us.

Before we had even been awake for an hour,
our high hopes were shattered.

Crushed.

Mangled.

Thrown.

Along with our scooter, bodies, and all the debris from our little scooter compartment
when Mr. White Camry didn't see us after stopping at his stop sign, and crossed over 700 North right in front of us.

Ben braked as hard as safely possible, avoided swerving into the opposite line of traffic,
but we still collided with the very tail-end of the Toyota.

By that point, we had probably slowed to 10ish mph, and the other car really was hardly hit.
So it really isn't that big of a deal... just a lil' accident, but also a story.
That's why it might seem like a big deal, because it's a big story, and I like telling stories.

And drawing stories:

During a boring class the day after the crash, I drew out the scene,
just to see if I could figure some things out.

The little circle/dot in front of my hand is my button.
It is one of the first things I remember noticing after the fall: it popped off my coat. :(

The pain in my back was so sharp initially that I knew it would hurt more if I tried to move.
Ben was soon hovered over me and I rambled quickly, "I'm OK, I'm OK... I just feel like I fell out of a tree, but 10 times worse, and you know how you just need a little time before you get up?"
Several other faces appeared asking if I was OK, and luckily I was right—after about 30 seconds or a minute, the pain wore off and I could get up, back pack and purse on me too.
I tried to help the helpful passersby to clean up the debris, noticing the scooter
had already been wheeled to the corner by someone. (Thank you nice zoobies!)

Mr. White-shirt-and-tie came over to say he was so sorry and that he hadn't seen us.
We shook hands and smiled and waited as he called the police.
Along with two police cars came an ambulance and firetruck.
We signed some papers to verify that we didn't feel bad enough for a ride to the ER.
The big vehicles roared away and the other police car went with them.
The student traffic died down, now that class had started,
the sun came up and we filled out papers with our shaky hands.
Then it felt like a lot of waiting and wondering why.

Police Officer Man delivered a citation to Mr. Newly-wed-in-January,
who then gave us his insurance info, and we said goodbye.
Then Policeman lent us his cell phone because ours wouldn't work.
Luckily Papá answered the strange unknown number
and could drop everything to come give us a ride home.

Police car left and Ben, Deformed Scooter and I waited alone in the cold sun.

And we'll leave you waiting there by your warm computer until Part II of Lil' Accident Story.

FOR MJ!

2010-03-06T12:18:00.001-07:00

A while ago I was chatting with my friend MJ who I met in the early years
of my Graphic Design degree. We discussed little freelance projects—
I declared church design projects the funnest of them all!
Why is designing for church stuff so fun?

Mom was in charge of invitations for their ward's New Beginnings,
and she asked for my help. She knew she wanted to include the newly-released
Young Women theme "card" (seen above), and needed a companion card with the invite info:

so that's what I made...

BEST BELATED TO RYAN!

2010-03-05T21:31:00.008-07:00

*Sorry, Ryan, the 5 asterisks or 70's-looking daisies are not to represent your character/interest,
but your 5 darling daughters.

GROCERY TREASURES

2010-02-26T15:18:00.009-07:00

This week I've been LOVING 2 out-of-our-norm items Ben brought home from Smith's:

#1: chocolate milk
(Pictured above with a nice froth, just how I like. I'm not sure why I drank this week as if I'd never had it before.
My initial reaction: "it's like a chocolate bar with every sip!" It's probably just as good for me as chocolate bars.)

#2: boston/butter lettuce
(Pictured above in a yummy salad with another lettuce I liked, but didn't love as much as the Boston Lettuce.
You might also see a perfectly poached egg - Ben's first attempt—of course—perfect on the first try.)

PHOTO ESSAY BY BEN

2010-02-23T18:08:00.009-07:00

FEBRUARY'S NOT OVER

2010-02-22T12:16:00.006-07:00

*school = intense = not posting this Valentnice-goodness til now:

casidy...
(I 'd link to her blog, but she is one of those blog-o-phobes :) even though she is the perfect kind of person for a blog.)

...is the proprietor of my new-found outlook on Love Day as an adult.

She validated her beliefs: cards and cinnamon lips are fun parts of Valentine's Day.
We found just those things on our doorstep when coming home on the 14th.

- - -

benjamin...
...my Valentine, gave me just what I wanted (and No-Spending-Month-appropriate):

A bit of flowers for my desk at work all week - 'leftover' from the Dentist arrangement,
(except I didn't take the photo on their best day, so this picture doesn't do justice to the tulips' perkiness!)
and a LOVE LETTER. Of course, Sentimental Me prefers a love letter even if it isn't No-Spending-Month.

happyfebruary

still.

ARTIST'S BOOK

2010-02-16T14:11:00.009-07:00

red thread

In High School, I took a field trip to the University of Utah
where the I bound a red book in the Book Arts Program workshop.

I was mystified at this new-found genre of "artist's books."
I could stare for hours at everything in their gallery.

(In fact, Ben took me there on one of our first "dates" in High School and I DID stare for hours.)

With my plain red book, I came home and tried to make my own.
When finished, I shrink-wrapped it myself to submit to a Springville show.
It was rejected, and it remained shrink-wrapped for 7 years,
until just a few weeks ago that I unwrapped it in awe.

I did that? Really? I hardly remember doing any of it. :(

So that's why it's going on the blog (and not back into shrink-wrap).

I hereby dedicate this book to my grandmother,
mama jose,
seamstress maven and my embroidery inspiration.

I may not remember stitching this book,
but I remember almost every stitch I made
as she guided me on my first handkerchief.

HAPPY NEW-ISH YEAR

2010-02-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

So... this week, in spite of the loveness and the self-defined Valentnice spirit, I have kind of sunk into a "pit of despair," (to use a family-favorite term). Mostly I was just wallowing in self-consciousness about my design work in school and then it was basically confirmed by my teacher and classmates as reality. I don't blame them, they're just honest, and I agree with them. It's just a confusing thing when you work day and night and in between and then feel like you have nothing to show for it. What do you do? You can't really work harder because you've already been working hard and that didn't do anything. But working less surely can't be the answer either. I am stumped. So I spent lots of time on my knees, and I think my Heavenly Father has given me a few leads, so I'll try that as I continue to jump the hurdles to graduation.

I refrained from letting any of this out into Blogland because of the ongoing question in my head about the general purpose for blogs, and because of the "overexposure" discussion, not to mention my resolution last year to focus on the positive. Just weeks ago I was excited to announce that I think I really succeeded in my 2009 resolve. I was excited to relate it to Jeffrey R. Holland's address about focusing on the present and not dwelling on the pain, nor the 'better times' of the past.

But this week, I found comfort in Jordan's post as I was able to read her words and relate them to my own trials/feelings/situations. And I wasn't the only one who appreciated this kind of honesty. And so it seems: each of us have individual purposes for our blogs that span a wide range in style. I think the key, as Jordan said, is to be true to yourself. In truth, I'm overly-honest, and I bridled that for a sort of under-honest blog, but this must mean that an in-between-honest outlet is right for me. For some reason, I like writing to Blogland. Somehow, knowing people read this gives some sort of accomplishment to me. Somehow it makes me feel better. I'm already feeling better now and I haven't even clicked Publish Post.

Last year was good for my learning. I learned a lot, and I was mostly taught by deep trials (aren't we all?). I was not disappointed to say goodbye to 2009. I think I actually needed the rose-colored blog goggles to help train my over-honesty. Now, as I allow more of myself into blogland, aware of the overexposure, but also of the inter-wide relations possible, I realize that even sharing my current pit of despair fits in with Elder Holland's talk—it's living in the now; working out feelings now; and building faith that looks to the future. (My faith for the future, by the way, is that design school will work itself out, though not easily—simply because it is not my priority. My mom offered the comfort that my greatest success/priority right now has been my part in Ben's successful portfolio and grad school applications. I'm down with that. My "other mom" assured that my creative life is not school. My creative life is my life! So now, looking forward, I can only do my best to jump the final hurdles of school, and love it.)

This perpetual calendar is one of my favorite things.
I kind of made Ben get it for me at Moriarty's Antiques a long time ago.

I know 2010 is over a twelfth over now, but this was the right time to find my 2010 focus, and even to share it. Happy New-ish Year to you, Blogland.

VALENTNICE MADE EASY

2010-02-12T10:53:00.006-07:00

I found this last year and was so impressed that they employed a designer to communicate their message, so I donated five bucks. I know, I should have purer motives.

I'm about to do it again in an effort to "pay it forward" for all the nice things people have done for me/us. I'm grateful!

Did you catch the Valentnice bug yet?

VALENTNICE MARCHES ON

2010-02-12T10:19:00.005-07:00

I haven't seen these friends for ages.
They are some of the nicest and most-down-to-earth peeps around.
I have NOT been an awesome friend to them.
A week ago, after months of silence, I called them up to see if I could play/see them somehow,
then I basically backed out on them completely. That's right, I left them high and dry.

What did they do in return? Talk bad behind my back?
Maybe.
But then they killed me with kindness:

On the eve of what I knew was going to be a hard day, I was in the studio alone.
(Well, LOTS of other classmates were there, but my best mate usually joins me,
and that night he just wasn't in the mood. I don't blame him, but I missed him).
I came home late, by myself, only to find a plate of the best sugar cookies -
in heart shapes and with pink glittery sprinkles.
Oh, and a just a valentine that Mere designed/letterpressed herself.
(See above, is that FOUR runs?)

Anyway, thanks Hendricks. Hope to see you soon.

(Oh, and PS - it was a hard day on Thursday, as I predicted.
The cookies multiplied in comforting ability on a teary day. THANK YOU.)

MORE NICE / LOVE

2010-02-09T21:03:00.003-07:00

Inspired by the Dills, Ben agreed to take a shot with me at "No-Spending-Month" for February. With all the new books/new semester schedule (i.e. drive-thrus!), it felt like we were spending a lot, here's hoping February will balance it out? I've enjoyed being resourceful, but I'm a tight-wad anyway, so was bound to enjoy it. *I admit we've given in here and there, but it is only our first try...

On Saturday night, we spent hours at the studio until we were kicked out at 11. I still wanted to work on designs on the laptop, and Ben didn't feel like sleeping yet either. The No-Spending idea for late-night fun was the free monthly movie we get from Ben's Blockbuster Rewards program. Ben was so sure that Blockbuster would be closed... (at 11:15 on a Saturday night?) but luckily he trusted me, and we were in-and-out with another disc of The Office episodes. On the way home, Ben tempted, "ya can't watch a movie without a treat!" I think I whined in pain, because I agreed! We don't really have snacks/treats lately at home, but I think we were planning on a few chocolate chips from the Ghirardelli bag.

But we walked in the "foyer" to see a surprise at the foot of our door:

MOM GOT THE VALENTNICE MEMO!
KOOKABURA MANGO LICORICE FOR OUR NITE-O-FUNN.

My mom rocks.

VALENTNICE SPIRIT

2010-02-07T17:08:00.004-07:00

Thank you ten times over to the Bryners, who are nice.
They really exhibited what I have recently decided is the
"Valentine's Spirit."

I discussed the upcoming love holiday with Casidy last week.
She observed that most people don't like it... especially if they don't have a "lover."
I kind of agreed to the Valentine Dismay because I don't feel I get to
look forward to it much—even having the best love ever.
It's mostly because I don't really have time to enjoy it... School and work doesn't stop
like it does for 4th of July and Christmas—Casidy's poll says those are most people's favorite holidays—but it's because we usually have TIME to enjoy those!

I confessed there was almost nothing better when we were young...
we got to make those giant poster board mailboxes for our desks and then pick out our favorite cartoon-themed valentines (or better yet, of course, make them with glitter, confetti and doilies) and we made sure we had one for everyone on the class list, but were also careful to not give the boys cards with the word "friend" on it instead of "love" so they wouldn't get any ideas,
and you got cinnamon lips and conversation hearts.

Casidy argued that this fun should be continued now/forever.
It's a holiday that emphasizes LOVE, yes, but not always romantic love...
mostly it's friend LOVE too. It's kind of an extra excuse to be NICE.
As much as there is a "spirit" of Christmas, there should be a "spirit" of Valentine's Day,
and it should be on the theme of NICE, I think.

Everyone has time to be a little NICER, right? I think that is my February aim.

So, Happy VALENT-NICE WEEK. I love you all.

FOR YOU (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE):

2010-02-06T17:51:00.001-07:00

Ben told me that when they (Knudsen sibs) used to ask what you wanted

for your birthday/mother's day/etc, you would tell them,

"six happy children."

Ben's little smile, typically for photos

Me giving Ben a slight tickle so he'll smile bigger

click for clarity/to enlarge

well, here are 5 pictures of 1 happy couple (5+1=6?)
to wish you BOTH a happy 34 years, 1 week, and 1 day.

and

the photos are coming to you in print! watch the mailbox!

*special thanks to the bryners for the sort-of-spontaneous/sort-of-planned photo shoot up the canyon.
photos by jon bryner photography © 2009.
also, thanks to jon for lending me your north face jacket so i wouldn't look silly in that blazer.

WE KIND OF SKIPPED CHRISTMAS

2010-01-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Christmas shopping time falls right in line with the worst weeks of the semester.

So to remove the stress, Ben agreed to nix gift-giving to each other.

Because we basically gifted ourselves everything we ever wanted

while we were on our Thanksgiving jaunt to Seoul...

he wears them as wedding band substitutes

we persuaded each other to buy things we thought the other would like.

(That's the only reason I initially dissuaded the Panda hat... I didn't know he'd like it so much!)

Plus, we got stuff for our home...

So that kind of counts as gift-giving, right?

pink uniqlo hoodie and flexible oliver peoples-inspired frames

Either way, we were satisfied.

*But much thanks to Mom, who more than covered our "Santa gifts" and stockings!

I'm sure going to miss Christmas with my family...

and the rock band sessions that come with it.

--------

This shall be a "perpetual post" and I will update with more photos of our

Korean "gifts" as fast as I can take them/post them. Stay tuned...

HAPPY 26TH!

2010-01-29T21:32:00.004-07:00

...click for clarity...

* FORGIVE ME FOR POSTING THIS AS YOUR DAY OF BIRTH IS WANING. I'VE HAD SOME COMPUTER CHALLENGES THIS WEEK. BUT I PROMISE I'VE BEEN THINKING OF YOU ALL DAY! ;)

"LIFE-LONG DREAM COME TRUE"

2010-01-28T01:08:00.007-07:00

(That's what Ben called it).

Last weekend, I was the happiest girl on earth,

because I was married to the happiest/most excited boy on earth.

(REALLY - I don't ever think I've seen him this giddy.

For good measure, let's just say the last time he was this

happy was on our wedding day... when his other

life-long dream was coming true?)

Literally, it was his DREAM.

(After we got the "Row 1" tickets on Friday,

he woke up twice that night to mumble that

he'd had a dream that we'd left late for the game.)

(This is the ad I designed for the Jazz program - my first time seeing it in print!)

Thanks to the Nu Skin for making dreams come true.

HAPPIEST BOY, HAPPIEST GIRL.

TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW

2010-01-25T19:19:00.005-07:00

*sorry I'm a tad late on this!

And PS! People say great things about you all the time because you are great all the time.
Even today, my mom sent me an email with the following lines
(and I don't think she even knew it was your special day):

Becky is really the most amazing person in the world. You can feel HER love for ALL right away, and it warms me all over... and I don't want to leave her presence when I'm around her!
She is absolutely the coolest Mother-in-Law on the planet—(2nd only to Mama Jose, of course :)

BELATED: BEN'S AMAZING KOREA PHOTOS

2010-01-20T10:30:00.008-07:00

PLANTER N' BENCH

FRESHEST OF THE MOST FRESH BIBIMBAP. MMMMM.

THE GREATEST SHOPPING ON EARTH? ANYONE DISAGREE?

Oh, and Brian found Nu Skin Korea...
right across from the most amazing Buddhist Temple.

BRINGING HOME THE BACON—er, PRODUCE

2010-01-19T23:05:00.006-07:00

Last week Ben went shopping and when he came home,
we could fill two big color-coordinated bowls.

Needless to say we've been eating well lately.

(Minus today... dinner was 15 hard tacos on the
Del Taco 3-for-$1 special before we went to our Salt Lake Center classes...)

TONIGHT

2010-01-16T23:59:00.002-07:00

not pictured:

the most intense (like, involving screaming) game of pictionary ever,
and the collective effort for macho nachos with
habonera cheese, black beans, sour cream, avocado, salsa, and freshly chopped cilantro

thanks, seans, jess & hannah.

HAPPY 29

2010-01-14T10:53:00.002-07:00

GERM - AND A HEFTY DOSE OF ME

2010-01-13T09:52:00.009-07:00

here, i must be trying to explain something, like i'm about attemp in this post.
though this is a much less-gross version of me, and today i'm doing it with a gross cold.
(um, and even though that photo/memory feels like a year ago, it was in 2005. FIVE years past. What?)

OK... ladies and gentlemen, (or is there just one gentleman-Kurt-in my audience?)
prepare yourselves for the rambling me:

I have goobered eyes and my nose is housing a persistent drip
which means endless "almost-then-finally sneezes,"
and of course when they drip out of the nose, it is endless Kleenex.
Every third word I speak jumps to a raspy whimper as if I'm a boy in puberty,
my nostrils and lips are fighting for the title of "most chapped"
(though my tiny tube of Blistex helps to alleviate that battle).
Provo's worst air in the nation is not helping.
The pain is gone after just an hour of wake, but I'm still a gross mess for others all day.

i.e. CLASS where I need to be so I can get started on finishing this school thing.

Oh, and I caught another germ—also, not a good one to catch during school:
I want to be a mom. And I just want to do projects and go exploring.
And I want to do projects with kids. And worse, I want to blog about it.
I have no kids and I'm already aspiring to that 'Mom Blog' ladder?

I blame Jordan for posting this, which I saw on my slow work day on Friday.
I spent nearly all afternoon scrolling and scrolling through this Rebecca's weblog.
I started going backward, until Aug 2008, then decided best to read chronologically...
but only made it to Mar 2007. I still have nearly a year to learn about what she does!
Oddly, I felt like I could relate to so much when really I probably can't. But I was hooked.

And then I found out about this mama, and Katy, as always, and the links just kept going...
but, blogs aside, the monsters played a role in my fixation and fascination
and awakening of what has probably always been an urge in me. (Mom?)
I just want to make stuff. Oh man, and the Bryners last night fed my budding craving
with all their book-paper pom pom strings and bitty, stuffed owls and Shrinky Dinks
(Tallia was appalled we hadn't ever heard of them. Have you?) and sticky iron-on-paper for fabric pillows, and the ReadyMade book from their library or the "Modern Kid Craft/Design Book" they bought? (It teaches about Paul Rand and Charles and Ray Eames and then gives cheap awesome versions of the inspired designers for kidlets.
Ouch! I cry: I want to create stuff!

And yes, create a little human too. I always have, of course, but this week I had my first
"pregnant dream" (does anyone have those?) and it was a long dream and I was at some clinic next to a pro football field. I had to wait in the room while my family and Ben watched the game next door. For some reason that was the normal routine. The sad part is I was scared for the pain! Why? I boast a high pain threshold and sure, birthing beats all, but it was a dream.

Well, anyway this isn't a pregnant announcement. (Despite that our first day back in class,
Adrian led a string of jokes that I was, in fact, making such an announcement.)
I have always admitted that I'm scared of that: Mommy-ing while student-ing. No, thanks.

But still. I wish I had the germ of design student and graduation motivation.
And while wishing, I'm doing my best to avoid this germ.
(Skim that link for the F. Scott Fitzgerald quote, the article as a whole is for a long block of time).

Oh, and if you really are still reading, you can be amazed with me that,
appropriately, while my mind is buzzing and buzzing with what I thought was a germ,
Becky sends me the following, where Pearl calls it a curse:

The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive.
To them... a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death.
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create—
so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings
or something of meaning, their very breath is cut off...
They must create, must pour out creation.
By some strange, unknown, inward urgency
they are not really alive unless they are creating.

-Pearl Buck
US novelist in China (1892 - 1973)

And don't think I'm done yet. I'm sick, mind you. But not sick of typing... even while snotting,
(sorry, Ben, if you want to use my laptop, get some Nu Skin hand sanitizer from the cupboard).
And I have more to connect:

Dieter F. Uchdtorf calls it an inherent wish. O man, I get goosebumps every time:

And Levi said that very address above served an inspiration behind his search of the
"circle of life kinda thing" found within the realm of killing or destroying as part of a creation.
Woosh, there goes a "wholenuther" concept to contemplate. Thanks, Levi for doing it first:
(I designed stuff to advertise his show, sorry I'm only advertising here with one day left. Go see!)

Oh man, and I think that's it. I'm glad for the germ/fixation/obsession/curse/inherent wish.
I don't know what to do with it except pray that I can channel it into my senior portfolio
and BFA Final project and show. Pray for me too?—if you're still here reading. And wow, you must be sick too if you've stuck around. And to think, I'd just be leaving class.

2010-01-12T11:15:00.007-07:00

Master Hostess,
Decor Prima Donna,
Style Extraordinaire,
Whiz of Words,
& Graceful Mama:

(*click on those titles for proof thereof)

You can see I have a long way to go before I can live up to this role model,
but thankfully she's still young (so I can catch up?)—a modest 32 today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN!

(HERE'S TO NC STATE FOR BEN'S GRAD SCHOOL 2010?)

*if i'm wrong on either of those "i thinks" please correct me, ben or jordan...

CHRISTMAS BREAK + FELT FROM KOREA

2010-01-11T18:28:00.011-07:00

EQUALS MONSTERS

It's been a long time since I tried my hand at anything with a needle and thread.
But on the first Sunday of Christmas break (perhaps the same Sunday mentioned below),
I sat down with my Korea bag of felt and declared, "who wants to help me make a monster?"
Ashton was the volunteer. He helped me cut, glue, make design decisions and even wanted to try the blanket stitch. We put a little rattle in Alice's monster, and a squeaker in MD's.

Thanks to Ashley for encouraging me that
I could follow through with this
when I hesitated in front of the felt stores at Dongdaemun.
(She convinced me and then I did the opposite of hesitating...)

*please forgive the poor lighting. i was wrapping them up that night

and thus could not wait for the morning sun!

HUSBEN IN TWO THOUSAND TEN

2010-01-09T00:00:00.006-07:00

Ben enjoying the view from the POÄNG, cuddled in my high school quilt with a classic family boot mug
filled with Fresca (one of several sodas readily available to him at the Juárez home).

Most of his family is away, so it was nearly 100% Juárez time during the holidays.

Ben has embraced it in stride.

When we were invited to enjoy Christmas Eve with his aunt (Thanks, Lynn!), Ben was the one to remind me that this may very well be my last few months close to my family and he assured me that he wanted me to get in as much togetherness as possible.

What a dear.

My mother is the one to remind him that my family's home life is so opposite from his.
I assume it's apples and oranges to him. I know he liked his apple, (pork, saurkraut, gifts and a talent show), but he I think he really likes my family's orange (cleaning house, a Chinese dinner at Rice King on Center Street, and jammies).

I don't know if he'd admit that he ever wasn't, but Ben has become more comfortable around my wildlife sibs. He speaks up with quick comebacks and jokes with the kids til they laugh and declare that he is "their new favorite." He spearheads a session of Wii and even branches out during Beatles Rock Band from his default bass to guitar and singing! He doesn't mind if we stay at my parents all Sunday long. As he did comfortably on the day pictured above.

Tonight is another example, Ben didn't fuss when I left to pick up the film God Grew Tired of Us (to watch while he worked on a sculpture for his portfolio), but instead came home with the film, a vacuum and Josie, Carmen, Maya and Ashton. They sprawled on the floor for the movie, and Ben kicked back with them. He stayed calmly on his sculpture even the movie ended and a heel went flying into a nose for a bloody mess. They lingered for a game of charades, and it was Ben who called out, "Who wants ice cream??"

A dear, I tell you!

I love him more than ever these days. In HusBen's words, this coming year is going to be full of surprises, adventures, and, likely, more trials. But there's no other companion we'd rather have on those adventures!

So, in ca-hootz with my mama, I'm continuing a theme:
On my last New Years of the mission, I declared, "2008 is gonna be great!"
Last year, Mom was prepared with "2009 shall be divine!"

This year, I dedicate to Ben as he leads us on these surprises and adventures
(we graduate, we experience his internship—Orem? Chicago? DC?,
& we land somewhere for grad school—
Utah St? Kansas St? LSU? Toronto? NC State? UPenn?):

2010 means I LOVE BEN.

DELAYED GRATIFICATION

2009-12-27T21:54:00.014-07:00

Remember when I wrote about surprises? And then I posted about Ben's...

Well I never got around to revealing my surprise. So here it is:

CONFUSED? READ ON:

I have it upon good sources (see below)
that the first wedding anniversary is represented by PAPER.

So, after one year, I decided it was appropriate that I officially change my name on PAPER.
(I was Knudsen to him, and Sister Knudsen at church, but I had nothing official.)
You may recall that changing Juárez was kind of an issue for me.
But I also am very in favor of taking on Ben's name and all that it represents.

Also, I thought it meant lots to him. One of my favorite memories during our engagement was coming to visit at his house while he did stuff on the computer. He casually mentioned,
"It really hit me today when I put your future name into the honeymoon travel plans. I thought—she's taking on my name. That's kind of big."

(quoted to the best of my recollection)

So, enough excuses about school being more simple if I kept Juárez. I set to work.
(But in order to keep it secret, I did it on my breaks from my "real work"):

First, I had to acquire a new Marriage License because I don't recall ever seeing our first one. Good for me, the County Courthouse was between my work and my house at the time.

(had fun running into cousin Katie there who was changing her name!)

Second, I had to wait in line at Social Security where my mom works. But due to security, she couldn't hook me up so I ate lunch while I waited for my number to be called just like everyone else. However, Mom did witness me sign my new name for the first official time.

Then I could change my name on my Driver License.
This worked out because I needed a new license for scooter-riding anyway.
So a few lunch breaks involved trips to DMV, written/driving tests, safety & emissions tests, etc.
Sadly, they had to take a new picture and they didn't let me keep
my old license with the picture I loved so much.
(Photo shows a Traffic Ticket instead of my license because they'd kept my permit by accident at the DMV.
That's right: A day after getting my scooter license, I got a warning ticket a block away from my house for not coming to a complete stop at a right-turn red light...)

With my new Social Security card, I could officially change my name at BYU.
I needed a new ID there anyway because they were making everyone change.
I was ready for that new picture though. ;)

My bank made it easy. Somehow I could walk in with my documents
and they could give me a new debit and credit card on the spot.

Nu Skin was easy too. No new picture needed, just documents to HR,
then a swap for a new badge, and the IT people set up my new Knudsen work email in a jiffy.

- AND, JUST LIKE THAT, I WAS KNUDSEN ON EVERY PAPER. -

On the night before our Road Trip, I sat on the floor to put it all together as you've seen above.
I also included the classic married-name-signature-practice, a photo from our beginning
(and ticket stub from our first August 5: the Beck concert in 2002),
and a photo from our eternal beginning...

The names in black stickers on the "file cards" are various names (some nicknames) for me.
The last name shown above is the noteworthy new one... The box to contain it all was a cheap ebay order in reference to a desk he made in high school with a similar roll-back cover. Papá helped me spray paint it and Maya lent me some nail polish to decorate.

I wrapped it up and Ben opened it that night in Vernal. Suffice it to say I enjoyed making it a lot more than he enjoyed receiving it. He just said he didn't care much if I didn't change my name.

;)

Oh, well. It sure made for a good-n-long blog post.

ON CHRISTMAS EVE EVE

2009-12-23T15:35:00.004-07:00

*also scroll down to december 20th to read about who turned 22

A LONG TIME AGO...

2009-12-22T16:42:00.007-07:00

Before Finals and even before Korea, Nu Skin asked me to design for the annual Sub for Santa campaign. I got to bypass the typical clip art or stock photography route, and instead, I got paid

to draw.

and i drew elves:

the ornaments/tags people took to donate

elevator ads. i love elevator ads.

and this was a giant poster...

I hope I can get paid to have this much fun for the rest of my life.

INSPIRED BY JULIA ROTHMAN.

SPECIAL THANKS

2009-12-21T23:15:00.000-07:00

I think I forgot how to blog. I'm just going to say that up front.

But I want to give a shout-out to awesome friends and family. Without them, I very well would be dead.

Listen to how blessed I am (brag-blog-alert):

Throughout the gross weeks of Finals (yes, in BYU graphic design, we basically have two weeks of finals. If you want a detailed explanation, I can explain in person...), we received:

FROM ASHLEY: Superfood! Not the Naked brand. No, only the best from Ashley: Odwalla brand. I savored it in little sips over the course of a late night and a long day.
FROM DEVIN: Red pepper hummus, blue corn tortilla chips, blueberry-pomegranate sparkling lemonade, and guacamole from Sunflower. Yes, the beverage was as good as it sounds.
FROM JENNY: String Cheese, sunflower seeds, Tillamook cheddar bite-size slices, Vitamin Water, and clementines! Those sunflower seeds were miracle-workers for staying awake night after night. And Tillamook and clementines some of the best orange foods ever.

and,

FROM SEAN, MOM & PAPá: Rides, jumps, and car-loanings when our Protogé-5 went possessed and turned itself on and jumped a curb into a snow bank while we were in school, all in the middle of Finals. This kindness has continued until now. We are still waiting for the dealer to say they're ready for our pretty penny. (Well, actually more like one hundred sixty thousand pennies...)

and,

FROM YOU TRUE FRIENDS: Your comments on my last post kept me going. I could get the email that told me what you commented, and it would satisfy my craving to look at blogs. Just for a bit. I'm ready to feed my cravings more than ever while at Nu Skin.

and, speaking of Nu Skin

FROM MY EMPLOYER: A Christmas bonus, the Christmas gift of $100 Costco Gift Card and a Nu Skin-engraved iPod shuffle, and another Christmas bonus, and letting me work such skimpy hours during Finals with a smile and a "That's totally fine!"

----

Thanks to everyone, we finished our last ChristmasFinals and lived to thank about it. { To celebrate on Friday night, we made a reservation at Communal, then canceled it to eat in our own backyard at Bombay House, then fell asleep to a movie. Mmmm...}

*I forgot how to blog because I misplaced all the nice little notes from Ashley, Devin and Jenny. I was going to post them here, but too bad. No pictures. So now Michelle won't read this...

TO MY BROTHER

2009-12-20T14:25:00.001-07:00

PROCRASTINATION

2009-12-01T03:32:00.005-07:00

My classmates and I have been really into this lately:

We have two more weeks of work that might just be more hellish than my 12-hour plane ride to Korea in the back row in the middle next to Korean strangers.

But I think I figured something out: You can help me resist the urge to waste time blogging by commenting! Because if there's something new (comments) everyday, I won't feel I "need" to post something new, right? At least not until after school is over...

So pretty please. If you're not usually a comment-er, you can just type one word.
And if you've already seen it, just tell me your favorite part. And if I don't know you, even better.

Contribute to a good cause by commenting? So easy! :)

R. I. P.

2009-11-26T07:14:00.005-07:00

TO MY FAVORITE 5-YEAR-OLD KELLY GREEN GAP LEATHER GLOVES
(Well, one of them is somewhere in Seoul; the other is here with me, but what can I do with just one?)

___

in other news, we shared a wonderful traditional thanksgiving with the missionaries.

and tonight, we hit the streets of Myeong-dong for 12-inch mango cones and glasses for Ben.
(But Ben and I threw away our cones after a few licks. They weren't very flavorful).

*Notice that Ben's strawberry cone matches his new fucia Uniqlo zip hoodie. And the giant rainbow place is where he got his glasses... pictures of his new frames to come...

OLIVIA IN KOREA / BEN IN KOREA

2009-11-24T06:19:00.005-07:00

O, heeeeere we are together, together, together:

Ben is wearing Kurt's awesome tie, and I am a shorty-pants.

Ben played RingAroundTheRosies after the Temple session.

This is Pen Heaven where I almost fainted.

(Really. I really felt light-headed).

Mom gave me some special pen orders for the family, so I bought LOTS!

The ladies had to scan each of the 108 pens individually!

(Check out their uniforms, and my bald spot/scar from the 1999 Family Move)

Ben has made some awesome purchases. (Panda hat being one of them) But he held back on this red BYU sweat-shirt-dress and settled for just a good photo.

All this is not to mention the Japanese tape, MUJI, UNIQLO, the AMAZING missionary lesson where I was crying the whole time and missing my mission, glass milk cartons, inside-out salt shakers, fabric paper, turquoise nail polish, giant asian pears, fabric stickers, every color of felt, and pleated or polka-dot hole ribbon.

But none of it compares to being with Korean Knudsens again!

(For up-to-date images, click on the Master Father Blogger)

I 'DESERVE' IT

2009-11-16T23:46:00.004-07:00

(I know I have a load of things to do right now, but I'm telling myself I deserve to blog right now. I can hear some sort of authority in my head saying something like I never can deserve anything in this life; I think in the context of Christ, and my eternal debt. But still, for lack of a better word, I deserve this blog therapy right now.)

We got to school around 8 tonight, with the intention of staying for a good late night of homework. The Aytch-Eff-Ay-See, as Ben likes to call it, (H-FAC to the rest of us) closes at 11, but late passes are available by endorsement of a teacher. Ben spends so much time with me there that the Security Guard girl now considers him one of the rest of the design students with late passes.

Awesome.

Tonight we sat in a room not endorsed by the late pass. So at 11, Security Guard Girl asked us to pack up and move two doors down to the BFA studio. But it was full. It turns out there were 13 other students just as dedicated to the night of homework that we were. We awkwardly walked in, then walked out; there was no room in the Inn. But really it's probably better this way, the BFA studio is probably not for married people after all. We're the only marrieds that ever really stay late. (The others must know how to be productive at home or something?)

Ben and I are trying it. We each have a little desk in our "work room". Ben was a dear and, to make my small corner more inviting (after my mumble of complaint), he lit two candles for me. Now I'm so happy and comfortable, how can I not just write about it? I was just rejected from the Inn, I deserve to write.

I'm connecting my random thoughts on a theme: Gratitude (it's November).

I'm grateful for Ben being a dear. After compiling this flora to the beauty above, Ben did me a favor of gathering my school bag, and bringing me the car in exchange for the brrrr! scooter I took to work. After a full day of work then class, I came home to a clean house and dinner on the table. Parmesan salad, spiced hamburgers, spaghetti squash, then egg nog and fruit snacks for dessert. He was so happy and hot. He made good jokes all evening, and I asked him why I loved him so much today.

I'm grateful for my passport. I know, I already told you I found it, but was it anticlimactic for you too? (Ben mentioned, two minutes after finding it, "That place was kind of anticlimactic.") I don't know if you realize the miracle. I was pushed to the very edge. I had looked everywhere for days, then I made all the calls, looked up the online info, filled out the proper forms and printed them out. I had a folder with all the prices and phone numbers and appointments and requirements. I wondered if it was silly to make the post about it. But if I hadn't, Ashley would never have known of my dilemma, so she never would have chatted me with the long list of unthinkable places, mentioning 'endtable' in passing, and I might never have thought to open the bottom drawer on my way to bed. Now, Korea's stamp will be in the same book as England, Germany, France, and the Czech and Dominican Republics. And I can buy stationeries and pens and things in Seoul. I think of the analogy that the Lord requires us to take a few steps into the dark before he'll light the way. I'm grateful He lit the way after my steps in the dark.

I'm grateful for Nu Skin. In the past 2 weeks, the Nu Skin has payed me to taste nearly every item on Communal's lunch menu, to golf for 5 hours, and to draw elves with wide faces all day long. Not to mention: they pay me to get internship credit hours at school. One day I'll show you what Nu Skin pays me to design.

Oh, and this whole time Ben deserved to look for new Christmas music with the $30 of iTunes gift cards from none other than our good friend Nu Skin.

Now we are cracking down on homework. Nothing can stop us.

HURRY! BEFORE YOU MISS IT!

2009-11-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY TO:

2009-11-13T17:01:00.006-07:00

PRAYER + FAITH

2009-11-10T01:37:00.008-07:00

I'm sorry. I lied. I said I checked every drawer. I really thought I'd checked every drawer.

But I must not have checked inside the bottom endtable drawer (yes, I think I checked the top drawer), under the Sacrament talk papers, under the Bonds That Make Us Free book, under the Goonies DVD. At some point, months ago, I must have known a box or bag or bin was not a good place for a passport, so I put it in an undeniably safe place—even safe from myself.

Special thanks to ALL prayers, the blog, and Ashley Thalman who racked her brain over a good 30-min chat with me so I could rack my brain. I'd checked many places she suggested, but still had a new list to check when we were done.

The endtable was one of them. It's been sleeping next to me this whole time.

Korea and Knudsens: Here I come!

COLORFULLY EMBROIDERED + S.O.S.

2009-11-09T19:42:00.002-07:00

Did anybody else get this in the mail today?

-----

And, is anyone a passport expert? I spent the weekend looking in every box, bag, envelope, folder, bin, drawer, closet, bin, cupboard, car, and in every logical place and illogical place

for my passport.

And no luck.

My flight for Korea leaves in 10 days.

The Passport place in Provo said to pay $160 there, then take a sealed envelope to the travel broker in SLC, where for another $185, they might be able to get me a passport in less than 14 days. I told the lady that I have a 5-hour layover in San Francisco, and family there, but she said it would still be 14 days from there. What about the rumors that you can walk in to the office in San Francisco, and come out an hour later with a passport?

Anyone? HELP! I will pay the $345 because it's better than no Korea,
but if anyone knows the system in San Francisco, I wonder if I should aim for that.

And if you don't know, please just pray.

Thank you.

TO ACQUIRE SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

2009-11-07T12:05:00.008-07:00

Remember this?

It's kind of like this:
"(He) knew that you would face challenges
and be required to make some decisions that would
be beyond your own ability to decide correctly."

Here's more.

BIRTHDAY CATCH-UP #2

2009-11-05T22:27:00.004-07:00

Photo taken on 8 October, 2005. What? It's been four years?
Devin is still that photogenic.

---

I used to love saying that "Devin and I have been friends since we were born."
For our growing-up years, we'd only see each other every several months.
I remember it always took us a bit to warm up to each other,
but by the time it was time to go, we'd never be ready to separate.

Then after high school, we never really had to seperate. We were together at DT (RIP),
where she introduced me to her friends as her "fake cousin."
Appropriate, I thought. Her family is basically part of my Mom's family,
not to mention several other life-long significant connections.
The next three years of living together turned fake-cousin-ship to deeper friendship.

Happy 25th Birthday | a month ago | Devin Ann!
Thanks for your constant initiative to keep that friendship going! You're ever o-so on top of it!

BIRTHDAY CATCH-UP #1

2009-11-04T22:52:00.004-07:00

WOW. ABOUT ONE WHOLE MONTH LATE. AWESOME.

MY LITTLEST SISTER MAYA TURNED 13 ON 8 OCTOBER 2009.
BUT REALLY, WE ALL KNOW SHE'S 13 GOING ON 23.

WHEN SHE COULD BARELY SEE OVER THE COUNTER,
SHE WAS ALREADY THE MOST RESPONSIBLE IN THE HOUSE
(BESIDES MY PARENTS & I, OF COURSE).
WE COULD WALK IN THE DOOR AND HAVE A FULL ACCOUNT
OF WHO CALLED AND WHAT THEY NEEDED
AND IF WE NEEDED TO CALL THEM BACK.
(SHE STILL DOES IT BY SECOND-NATURE).

SHE KNEW ALL MY FRIENDS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE KNEW WHO WAS DATING WHO;
WHO HAD A CRUSH ON WHO;
WHO DIDN'T LIKE WHO;
WHO DUMPED WHO;
WHO WAS RELATED TO WHO;
(SHOULD ALL THOSE LAST WHO'S BE WHOM'S?)

SHE KNOWS HOW TO WORK THE SYSTEM.
ANY SYSTEM—SCHOOL, THE FAMILY, TRENDS, MONEY...

SHE'S EVERYONE'S FAVORITE BABYSITTER.

MATURE MAYA HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY GOOD FRIEND.
I LOVE WATCHING HER GROW.

HAPPY TEENS TO GABRIELA ISABEL!

Happy Birthday Ashley!

2009-11-03T22:19:00.001-07:00

I love this song but not as much as I love you!

DEAR ASHLEY KNUDSEN BAKER,

2009-11-03T20:55:00.017-07:00

please forgive the bluriness; i tried FOREVER to fix it. click to enlarge for clarity.

DREAM COME TRUE

2009-11-02T07:50:00.005-07:00

School during Halloween = my favorite Halloweenisms unfulfilled.
(i.e. corn maze, pumpkin carving, apple cider, roasted pumpkin seeds, playing in leaves)
But one long-time Halloween Dream did come true this year:

I got to be Frida.

Special Thanks to Elisa for helping conceive the idea o-so-long ago.
Special Thanks to Casidy for providing me the opportunity to dress up for something.
More Special Thanks to Hus-Ben for joining me.

OH, HEY.

2009-11-01T10:36:00.006-07:00

Thanks to the dear ones who said you miss me. I miss the blog(s).

Too bad I let blogging turn into another one of those always-behind-in-and-trying-to-
catch-up-on things. I could just let it be what it is and help relieve me of the stress and yuck building up from the rest of those a-b-i-a-t-t-c-u-o things.

So I'm trying again.

But special sorry's to those I've disappointed: most particularly the birthday peoples. (You see, I think that's why I didn't do birthday shout-outs in the first place, because how was I ever going to keep up? And what if I missed someone without knowing it? Guess what: I did. Dear Deborah thought I was going to tell all about the wonderful influence she's had on me and even my hobbies to this day, but alas, I let her down! And that's only accounting for the soul that was brave enough to tell me that I skipped her. So, we'll see if I can't make up for that too.

As an update in general, schoolwork is still hard, but I still love school mates and class content and learning. I've chosen handwriting as my subject of research for the next year, and the basis for my BFA Final Show, (currently scheduled for the first weeks of May; mark your calendars). I'm loving it, though still hating the never-sleep lifestyle, and always being behind.

My True Love has been supportive as ever. Thanks, Dear.

Adrian, my Australian professor for design, wrote this line on the board at the beginning of class. He asked what we thought and I blurted,"The story of my life!" I copied it with my Sarasas in my sketchbook.
I'm working on replacing fear with faith.

MIRACLES

2009-09-12T10:03:00.004-07:00

Like 3 weeks ago, two miracles happened and I selfishly didn't share them.

No blog-time anymore because I had to spend most of it trying and failing to edit the layout of the blog and then reverting and refreshing all my bad edits. (see previous post)

In summary:

MIRACLE #1: After over 5 years of no boating of any kind -- specifically no wakeboarding, I slipped in the water with a wakeboard and got up the first time with no trouble maneuvering in and out of the wake. It was probably to the water's credit. The lake was just glass.

MIRACLE #2: After a whole day of boating, and after sending the picture-text to Ben of the wake-boarding miracle, as per his request, I stepped off the boat onto the dock while my phone jumped from my pocket through the 3-inch gap between the boat and the dock. About ten minutes later, and several merky-water dives of mine and my boss, he came up with it in his hand. It was vibrating non-stop as if in shock. I took the poor battery out, and later put the phone in a 100° oven. That night, I tried again, and the phone worked. Still does.

*special thanks to Nu Skin for paying me for these miracles. Rah! Rah! Team off-site!

PRIDE

2009-09-12T09:54:00.003-07:00

I've longed to make this blog look the way I want it. I AM a designer, you know. But all the knowledge I gained in the web class has since been flushed from my memory. The html, xhtml, CSS... I barely remember what the acronymns mean.

If you hadn't noticed, the blog's been a little all-over the place lately. (If you're reading through READER, consider yourself lucky).

It's because I'm convinced I can teach myself how to fix what I want and how to do it without having to ask anyone. I have the internet. I can simply Google everything I want and learn, right? WRONG. And I just need to admit that. And it's kind of hard. I don't know how to put big pictures on the blog, and give the header more room, and tighten the leading (uh-oh, see my pride? I'm wanting to use fancy design terms to make myself sound more savvy) and I have been to stubborn to ask anyone because I figured I could do it easier myself.

But, with my tail between my legs, I ask any and all of you: Is there a way to post big pictures without using Photobucket, Picasa, or changing the width in the html of the post every time? There are more questions, but that's all my pride can handle for now I think...

OH, YEAH...

2009-09-07T14:54:00.005-07:00

Now I'm at school. Ben's idea. We already have homework catch-up to do even after the first week. But we're both hopeless. We've both done a share of homework. But I'd say 80% of our 3 hours so far has been our own internet wants. Sports for him. Blogs and Gmail for me.

I think it's official. I need a creative outlet. Blogging is serving that need. I don't think I can get on to school stuff (which, being a Graphic Design major, really should be a creative outlet in itself) without just 'letting it out'. What is it? I don't know. But it's just going to help, ok?

OK:

Thanks to long-lost middle school pal Caitlyn for my first real haircut in over 5 years. Yes. I know. I won't bore you with the details, but it was bad. I think this is a good sign though. My new step was layers, so really the change isn't that drastic when you see me, but this means that there could be good things in the future. Coloring? And maybe actually doing it? Or maybe I really should just be comfortable with my wash-n-wear self. Caitlyn was. Thanks again for your help. It was great to catch up and make so many crazy connections.

While running through Smith's grocery for ground lamb and feta at midnight, I happened to walk down the seasonal isle. I LOVED IT. I don't know why I love Halloween so much but I do. For some reason, it reminds me of Ben. My best Halloween memories are with Ben. Including, our first date. I'm excited for Fall and sweaters and football games.

Aah, yes. Football games. Somewhere along my Visual Arts education, and probably because my boy was overseas, I lost a football-going gene. I come from a family of avid fans. And growing up in Provo, it was a part of my fun high school memories to go to the BYU football games. It's not that important within the walls of the Department of Visual Arts. And I have been that exemplar for years. But Ben knocked some sense back into me. Late in the summer, he proposed the All-Sports pass. It is our last year here. I agreed. I am determined to not let education get in the way of school. I'm going to the football games and I'm going to enjoy them.

Just like I enjoyed Saturday's game. Along with the rest of Mormónlandia. Go Coug's.

Another biggie: This week I (and my very helpful, always-willing family) made some business cards for these peeps. I made them on a 12x18 C&P letterpress, that is mine. It was voyage #2. If you didn't see maiden voyage, go talk to Ashley. She's in-part responsible for my baby being up and running. Almost one whole year later, when I was missing a BYU football game in order to move it. You try moving 2000 awkward pounds from SLC to Provo. It was hard.

But it was worth it. I'm excited to steadily move along and use Ms. Letterpress. But she needs a better name. Suggestions? I don't know how I can fit that in with school and work, but I'm going to try.

Photos soon to come for both projects.

Soon. to. come. (I know, Jayne, but how else are you going to read it like I mean it?)

Typophile Film Festival 5 Opening Titles from Brent Barson on Vimeo.

Finally, on the subject of creative outlets and graphic design, this is a product of the pure love of typography. Over the summer, I was luckily invited to spend time on a project headed by one of our teachers. We created an opening credits/intro video for the Typophile Film Festival. This is year FIVE for them, so we based the video off the FIVE senses. We were given some typefaces to work with and took on the challenge to create everything--as much as we could WITHOUT the computer. So type was made of plastic, wood, clay, metal, incense, Jell-O, squash, potatoes, ham, etc. and we moved it around with mostly stop-motion. I wish I could sit with you as you watch and tell you all that went into everything, and what I hot-glued together, and the starring role of my Kool-aid-style pitcher, and my hands. (My hands got the part because I am brown, and diversity was preferred.)

WRITING

2009-09-03T11:05:00.003-07:00

Like a typewriter I'm just going to write because that's what this blog is for me.* A place to write & document (with photos, when the time permits); especially when it's not happening by way of journal or photo album.

Sad. But true.

FOR THE RECORD:

A Favorite: Typing away while Loved One naps beside me. But not just beside me, but touching me with his whole backside. I like the connection.

Last Sunday: In the dark I was with Loved One as he pulled to the side of the road beneath some Rain Trees to collect their pods. Branches and bunches of pods to include in the next morning's floral arrangement. Smart of him and oh-so fun.

This week: School. I was dreading it. All I could remember was the no time for anything else, the spreading myself thin, the feeling guilty for pausing to enjoy something other than homework. But this week I'm feeling all the good: the excitement of learning, the camaraderie within my class. (15 of us, all together - for 3 classes in a row that last all day long. Not to mention my English class--which takes me back to my days of typical lectures - but feeling so intrigued by the rhetorical questions and loving the exploration of the class discussion. And, loving writing. I'm glad I love writing.

The scooter: Like an ignorant disgrace, I never let the world of this blog know about the new addition to our family. Sorry. There will be an entire post on its birth and childhood (this summer), but the scooter is now in its prime-of-life now that it serves as our campus shuttle. Ben recently said with such emotion (when Ben shows emotion, it means something): "Can I just tell you how great it is to have a scooter!?" It's true. "You can do whatever you want!" Like go home for lunch if you want because you know you don't have to use the time of walking up to the car, driving home, driving back, parking and walking back down to campus. Or zoom past the big line waiting for pedestrians to turn left within the 8am parking lot. But, we need helmets. Shall we ask for donations?

Moneys: There are a few big things that have stripped us from funds. Tuition for Ben is one thing. (Special thanks to Olivia for being Multicultural so she can have a scholarship) AND our dive into newlywed travel across the world to KOREA. Yes! Another topic deserving a post of its own! Over Thanksgiving, we are excited to join Kurt & Becky in their mission land. However, with the transition of school, Ben has quit Blade HQ and I'm earning part-time at the Knuskin. It's scary and new but I'm excited for this time of employing alternative ways to earn and ways to save. Ideas?

*So how lame that I can't get over analyzing the why of this blog. I brought it up a while ago. Maybe more than once. It was all after Ben insisted it was all a competition. Then I learned Brian Collins' purpose was that designers have blogs that they might improve their writing skills, which we often lack. Then Brent said it was imperative that everyone have some sort of presence on the World Wide Interweb. (These are not direct quotes). But I like what all of you shared too. There are many different reasons, though I was looking for one universal reason why everyone should have a blog. I may still continue this, but for me, it is a journal. And for me, it has always been a shame that I write a journal if no one is to read it. That's why I'd gather my siblings as a 6th grader and read to them from my 1st grade life. Why write if it goes unread? Well I suppose writing is therapeutic for the writer sometimes... And yadda, yadda, yadda. Hmmm... maybe I smell a BFA topic.