Suzy's Snippets

happenings

2012-02-04T22:41:00.005-07:00

Tonight we used a birthday gift card and went and got some tasty Chili's food for dinner. Thanks Mommie! (Corey's adorable grandma)

Corey is (brace yourselves, readers!!) READING HARRY POTTER!!!! An exact quote from five seconds ago, "Agggh this book is making me sick!!! I'm not going to sleep tonight, I've gotta read." OH BABY!!! Finally he's jumping on the bandwagon. Funny thing though, he couldn't sleep last night (he has had insomnia lately), and was tossing and turning at 6am when I finally woke up and realized he hadn't gone to sleep the whole night. Desperate, I grabbed Harry Potter and started reading it out loud. And guess who was asleep by the middle of the 2nd chapter? hahahaha and now he's hooked (already on p. 167). :) I'm so pleased. Also, to show he is a Harry Potter book fan, he watched part of the movie online but stopped because it was so insulting to the book. Also, he started singing the Harry Potter theme song in Solfege. (Think: Mi la do ti la mi re ti, la do ti si li mi....) I love my husband!!

And to top off the weekend, he's gonna do an awesome jeopardy singing time in Primary tomorrow so all the women can meet together during 3rd hour. What a hunk. (Thanks Janel for the genius singing time tips!) And no, the Harry Potter theme (Hedwig's Theme) isn't on the docket...although with Corey, you never do know for sure until it's happening. :)

Click here for the genius lesson plan. (not sure if it will work, I'm trying linking it to a google doc)

Spoiled Milk

2012-01-23T13:45:00.008-07:00

Spoiled milk is good as a substitute for buttermilk (and sometimes even regular milk) in a lot of recipes, including pancakes and muffins and buttermilk syrup. Especially if you're poor. Just in case you're wondering, though, it doesn't work too well as a substitute for regular milk when making a white sauce.

In spite of the obvious[to me]-bitter-taste-and-funky-aftertaste, Corey liked the stroganoff! (I didn't tell him I used spoiled milk, and tried to cover the bitterness with onions, green bell peppers, and cajun spices.) All in all, I'm grateful I have such a low-maintenance husband who will eat pretty much anything I put on the table (and that Cajun never makes a fuss, even when it's blander than bland).

I haven't disturbed the stroganoff leftovers which are, hopefully, molding in the fridge (along with a few other things we didn't get around to eating before they were past their prime. Although, in my opinion, the stroganoff was past its prime the moment I decided to use the rotten milk...). It's a trick we've learned well: if you're not too hot about a food item, just leave it in the fridge (or "forget about it") long enough for it to sprout stuff, and then you are perfectly justified in tossing the spoils. It eases both of our consciences. Somewhat.

Unfortunately, though, sometimes the It's Moldy! Where's the Trash? excuse doesn't work. We are the current owners of two butternut squash that have been sitting there for three months, and no sign of fuzzies or unnatural sprouts.

Then again, maybe it's just a chance for me to practice my patience.

It's Opera Time Again!

2011-10-14T23:07:00.004-06:00

This is what I posted on facebook today.

Come see/hear Corey in the opera ON THE 15TH (TOMORROW), 19TH, or 21st!, 7pm in the HFAC on BYU campus. He's one of the 3 wise men, so you'd be wise to come (har har).

Prices
Adults:
10/15: $10. (CHEAPEST NIGHT)
10/19: $14 (if BYU Alumni/Senior Citizen) or $11 (if student).
10/21: $14 (if BYU Alumni/Senior Citizen) or $12 (if student).
Children age 4-11:
10/15: $5
10/19 & 10/21: $6

"To celebrate Menotti's 100th anniversary, these two family-friendly operas are the perfect way to introduce children to the wonders of live opera performance."

I'm so proud of Corey for all his hard work and dedication to the opera. It's paying off as he was cast in a bigger role this time. Huzzah!! and also huzzah for the beautiful weather and fall colors!!!

Summer 2011

2011-09-20T17:09:00.004-06:00

I might be returning to the blogging world but then I realize I don't have much I feel like saying in this moment. So I'll post a few pictures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Corey and I made dinner using our new(ly acquired, thanks to Rich for moving haha) grill. Yum! Grilled chicken, turkeyburger, & zucchini; fresh tomatoes and chives

Our garden grew. :)

We went and saw Mary Poppins at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake. What a treat!!!! We both loved it. [My first time in C.T.]

My husband is good looking (and I can't get the underline off or get it to center!!! gotta love Blogger)

I painted a house (with a cousin's help)
this is the vanna white before picture...haven't gotten around to taking an after yet but I promise it does look better

we hiked the y (4 of the 8 sisters represented here) (+ a nephew)

Corey and Micah rode in a hot air balloon for the first time

Girls' afternoon out during the Wilson reunion (my personal favorite activity of the whole thing)

all 7 girls and 1 mama pictured

More Random

2011-07-13T23:10:00.001-06:00

I want to write a blog post and postpone the inevitable bedtime routine, but I don't really have much to say. So here's a list.

- The job search continues.

- Yesterday I did a batch (some people call it a "load") of laundry. Jeans were on the docket. I washed 7 pairs of jeans, and only 6 pairs were mine. Remind me why I think I need new jeans?

- Does anyone have a phone - an old school, plug in the phone jack, non-cellular, land line phone - that I can have? I'm trying out a thing called magicjack which requires an actual phone. I could probably buy one at DI, which is what I might do if no one coughs one up (or I could probably make a find if I hit up a yardsale or two come Saturday).

- Corey and I might be moving into another basement apartment just a few steps away from our current one. More on that later.

- The Brigham City Utah Temple had the statue of angel Moroni placed on top yesterday. The photos of the temple look gorgeous and are inspiring. You can learn more/see photos here.

- I'm still writing thank you cards for our wedding. Ridiculous, I know. Embarrassing, even more so. Ah me. Part of me hopes people can't do the math in their head and realize we've been married just short of 20 months. It may be tacky, but at least they are getting a thank you note, right? And even though we're nearing the two year mark, I still AM very grateful! And, I've become more grateful for everyone's service to us as I've been writing them.

Random

2011-07-11T20:21:00.005-06:00

The house next door has a swamp cooler attached to the side of the house, about 15-20 feet away from the window in our kitchen/dining area

Our windows are almost always open for ventilation

It sounds like we live next to a river. :D

Catching Up: May and June

2011-07-04T11:49:00.011-06:00

Happy Fourth of July!

Here are some of the things that have been going on.

Corey has been very busy with school. He is taking a killer schedule this term (9 credits during a summer term = 18 credits during a regular fall/winter semester). He even skipped the parade this morning and did homework and took a practice test during it! That boy is dedicated to school this term.

I graduated (need to post photos) am still unemployed and looking for a full-time job. If you happen to know of anywhere that is hiring full-time in Provo/Orem area or even Utah County, please let me know! Or if you have any suggestions / recommendations / connections, I'd be very grateful for them. At this point in time I am not attached to getting something in my field (speech pathology), although it would be nice.

Now for the photo catch-up.

Opera! Corey did a fabulous job. The director and other high-up people seemed very pleased with his performance. We hope there are bigger roles coming in the future! (I'll definitely keep you informed.)

(My thoughts: Getcher hand off of my man!! just kidding the two couples - Corey and me, and Laura (girl pictured) and her husband - have a great relationship that made it much less awkward that our spouses had to kiss each other!)

Corey's birthday!! It was a chill birthday, in part due to the opera being the following week. We went to the temple, a voice recital of some friends, and spent some time at my family's. I didn't take too many pictures during the day (oops), but here are two...of food...from the celebration (can you tell what my mind's on?? Sorry Corey!!!). Corey's family was good enough to each send me memories of Corey that I read out loud during our traditional "sunshine moment."

Janel made beignets (another of Corey's favorite, French pastry) - fancy scones with powdered sugar... heaven.

I made raspberry trifle (Corey's favorite), including real pudding. (It's the first time I've ever attempted non-instant/box pudding. I'm a major major fan of the taste, not so much of the nutritional facts of the 3 egg yolks. But so delicious!!)

We spent the night at the Williams' (a couple of times). One time was when we went to a Bells on Temple Square concert. Very cool. We also ran into one of our friends who is serving on Temple Square! Anyway, these next 4 photos are all very similar, but I just love them all! So there you are. Me with the Williams' kiddos. Notice Eliza actually smiling in the third one! A true miracle, right?

I went downstairs to get ready for bed and couldn't find Corey anywhere. I finally opened the door to the garage, and here's what I saw:

Yes, that furry blob on his shoulders is the Williams' new kitty. Corey wishes it were the Bennetts' new kitty. Corey adores her. (And I daresay she adores him.) Since she's an outdoor cat only (supposedly), he seriously considered dragging the futon into the garage and sleeping in the garage with her. (But was only deterred because Janel and Mark had sprayed pesticide or something and the fumes were pretty strong in the garage.) Can you tell I'm married to a true animal lover?

On the way home from the Williams', Corey and I went to the Draper temple! I have only ever been outside, during Kristen's wedding. (I was in Jerusalem during the open house). It is BEAUTIFUL inside. Especially the celestial room (my personal favorite). We did an endowment session. I'm so grateful to be able to perform that essential service for others who have passed on to the next life.

Baby Brooke! My sister Becca had Brooke on June 12. She had some breathing complications the first couple of days, so these pictures were taken when we visited her in the Newborn ICU at the hospital. Way to go Becca!!! Brooke is beautiful.

What a natural.

His fame continues to build...watch the byu devotional!

2011-06-16T16:57:00.005-06:00

First of all, thanks to EVERYONE who supported us (Corey) with the opera last week!!! I'll post pictures soon.

Secondly, Corey is singing a vocal solo in the BYU Devotional this coming Tuesday! Watch it on byutv on Tuesday at 11:05am Mountain Time. (I'm pretty sure you have to create a user name and password if you watch it online.) Or, if you want to hear him live and in person, hit up the DeJong Concert Hall in the HFAC on campus. Don't miss it! He'll be singing "I Stand All Amazed" during the first ten minutes or so (and I'll be accompanying)!

boy is he loving all this stage time he's getting... let's all make sure it doesn't go to his head... :)

A Letter

2011-05-26T21:19:00.004-06:00

Dear Readers,

My husband is in an opera at BYU in two weeks. Opera kind of scares some people. (I don't blame you if it does. It's probably because you don't know much about it. I didn't...before I met my husband, I lumped it together with ballet as one of those semi-unapproachable art forms.) But this opera is a comic opera, so it should be funny. And, it's based on a SHAKESPEARE play! (Much Ado About Nothing.) So obviously the plot will be excellent and witty. Also, the dialogue (and there's a decent amount) is in English. What's not in English (all the songs) is in French, but don't worry there are subtitles. And, if you go on Thursday (June 9th) it's only $6. (Saturday the 11th is $10.) AND: if you talk to me, I can give you a coupon code when you buy your tickets to get $2 off each ticket. And, if you watch the movie version of Much Ado About Nothing, it'll prep you to appreciate the opera even more.

So, there's my plug. I hope you can come! Corey even has a legitimate role this time! (Claudio)

Sincerely,
A Wife Who Would Be Sad For No One To Come Support The Opera Because She Knows How Many Hours of Work Her Husband Has Spent On It And Besides It Will Be Fabulous So Go Buy Your Tickets To Beatrice et Benedict Right Away!!!

indecision, a road trip, and a post-script

2011-05-06T00:45:00.005-06:00

Currently my husband is signed up for no less than FIVE religion classes for the fall.
They are: Doctrine & Covenants (2nd half), Living Prophets, Pioneers & Persecution (1846-99), Doctrines of the Gospel, and Old Testament (1st half). It'll be interesting to see which ones make the cut, cause he ain't taking them all. (this semester)

In other news, I'm going to Las Vegas with mom and sister for SIX DAYS!! to party with other sister. Husband is left behind at school. It'll be interesting to see how this separation goes - the longest ever (by far) in our history of engagement/marriage. (Personally, I think we'll weather it quite nicely.)

PS: I graduated from college! Here's one teaser photo until I post more.

photo courtesy of Linda Wilson Photography

News.

2011-05-03T15:31:00.001-06:00

Go to my family's blog here to read of our latest news. And by "our" I mean "Corey." :)

Goodbye, student status

2011-04-19T22:38:00.004-06:00

I'm graduating this week from BYU. It is pretty unreal. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with myself after I no longer have school that so heavily influences my life. I have 3 more finals left (I've always been great at procrastinating) and then a bunch of ceremonies, a geeky-looking outfit, probably some pictures so we can reminisce later, and a dinner at my parents' house to celebrate. Then - it'll all be over.

And I'll no longer be a student.

Part of me is elated! But part of me is frantic. I feel like I'm losing my identity - like someone is tearing it away from me. I picture that someone as an evil green ogre with long fingernails and lots of warts. I guess I just need to remember that I'm the one that applied for graduation in April, after all. And, if I feel like I've lost part of my identity, maybe that's just a sign that it's time for me to discover a different part of my identity that has been in the shadow of the "student" identity for the past sixteen years.

Little Things

2011-04-05T14:23:00.004-06:00

Lately I have been especially grateful for little things in my life. These include:

- The overhead light in a car that turns on when you open the door

- The satisfaction of conserving paper by using no more than one-fourth a sheet of lined paper for in-class quizzes (ha ha I'm so stingy)

- Milk that lasts long past the sell-by date (thank you Costco milk!!)

- Functional windshield wipers

- I'm not anemic. Story: When I gave blood I was worried that I'd be anemic because we hadn't eaten red meat in weeks, and I never eat raisins, I'm a girl, my sisters and mom get turned away for low iron, etc... The good news is that I'm not anemic. How? Thanks to Dad and the huge bag of spinach he gave to us.

- Functioning computers

- An old journal entry I forgot about

- BYU Info

- Telling others you are praying for them

- Space heaters that turn on when you tell them to

- Zippers that zip

- The silverware organizer that my Aunt Carolyn gave us

- A mouse for the laptop

- Being a conscientious citizen

- Boots that double as snow scrapers during random snow storms

- Batteries that last longer than they should (just one more picture! and another! and another?!...)

- Text messaging

- A mechanical pencil I found on the ground

- I haven't lost my BYU ID card all semester!!!

- Homemade (not by me) pizza for breakfast

- The grass turning green

- [This is a big thing but I am really grateful for:] A caring husband who loves and supports me so much.

Shabbat Shalom

2011-03-18T14:20:00.004-06:00

It's Friday afternoon. I'm majorly craving challah bread. And the Jewish souk. And Jerusalem. And open air markets and streets signs in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, and Sacrament meeting in the Holy Land with pita bread and the best view of your life. And dried pineapple. And shabbat bread.
Click here to see hundreds photos of this heavenly Jewish sabbath bread; make sure your mouth is closed though, because your salivary glands are gonna be working overtime.

And if they aren't, it's high time you made a trip to Jerusalem. :)

Shabbat Shalom!

Messy

2011-03-01T15:26:00.002-07:00

Lately I have been struggling with messiness. Sigh. My goal for this week (made Sunday night), is to put away the clothes I take off right away. And? Let's just say it's obviously a goal for a reason...

It's not just clothes that I have a problem with either. I cleaned up all the random stuff in our living room on Sunday afternoon, and by Monday afternoon stuff was somehow strewn all over again! Corey and I know we're not the neatest people ever, but we don't consider ourselves total pigs (aka really messy people).

We were brainstorming and maybe it's just that we don't have specific places for everything. Hence, our backpacks are always out; our scriptures are always out; the laptop and power cord are always out in random places; etc etc etc. Also, we have too much stuff so that complicates the matter as well.

How do you keep your living quarters neat and clean? I'd love any pointers (other than annoying ones that suggest throwing away all our stuff, because I admit that I am a pack rat and fairly attached to a lot of it).

Photos

2011-02-16T16:30:00.006-07:00

The David Archuleta concert! We almost missed it due to taking our last finals and awful traffic, but we made it into the overflow room just in the nick of time. They closed the doors three people after us. The music was beautiful.

(Mark, Janel, me, Corey)

(ha ha I'm laughing my head off - for some reason Blogger won't let me make this picture smaller!!!)

Before heading home from the concert, thanks to a coupon, we hit up a cupcake shop (forgot the name). (Corey took advantage of his Southern drawl...a story for another time.) Anyway, these cupcakes were delish! The coconut took the (cup)cake, in my opinion.

After the concert, we slept over at the Williams' and had snowman pancakes for breakfast. Apparently Eliza loved them - a lot...

(Eliza, Corey)

Thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law, we went out to eat in SLC and I tried eggplant for the first time - and loved it! sooo... good...
(We forgot to take a picture until we had the to-go boxes. Oops.)

Katie got married! Woot woot! We've all grown so much since those Bowen 11 days three years ago.

(Amanda, Katie, me, Lauren; not pictured: Kristen & Melissa)

We loved this show at the Hale Center Theater! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Joy is awesome at making French bread (thanks for the recipe, Krista!)

Bennett cousin dinner

(Josh, Melody, Joy, me, Aunt Melanie, Corey, Uncle Bill, Amy)

the brave little camera

2011-02-14T22:26:00.007-07:00

My camera. I haven't seen it since Dec. 25 (which turns out is when I left it in the car...oops), and I had assumed that it had gotten stolen since I had possibly left it in our car overnight. It hadn't turned up in weeks (my room is messy....but not THAT messy...okay maybe it is but I knew it wasn't in the house). Anyway, I very sadly resigned myself (is that proper grammar?) never to see it again. It wasn't that expensive ($75 I think! on major sale, and I got it right before I went to Jerusalem over 2 years ago), and it's not super high quality or fancy, but still! That little thing has been a lot of places with me! (Jerusalem, Egypt, Sea of Galilee, Jordan, Mediterranean Sea, Louisiana, California, and more.) And our current budget is such that it cannot accommodate the purchase of a new camera ... Also, a blog (at least, mine) without any pictures is kind of boring (in my opinion). And, what's the fun of cooking or baking a masterpiece if you can't at least take a photo of it?? Actually, Corey is just awesome at reinforcing my efforts at just about anything I try, so truthfully, that is enough. I like taking photos to remember it though. Anyway, so I had just given myself up to a picture-less blog and boring emails back to family in Louisiana until some vague point in the future when we'd get another camera.

BUT:
Good thing Dad for some reason was cleaning out the van and he found it! I guess I left it in the car when we drove somewhere on Christmas. Huzzah!!! I picked it up at his office on campus today, and in celebration this was the first picture I took.

Don't they look studly? And Dad is wearing his pink shirt in honor of V-day, of course. :)

The second photo was food (naturally): the breadstick heart (aw, cute) I made tonight so we could have something to dip in our spaghetti sauce + homemade alfredo = tasty sauce. Thanks for the recipe, Mom.

More pictures to come!

addicted...in a good way I hope?

2011-02-12T22:13:00.003-07:00

I just counted up the number of blogs I'm "subscribed" to on Google Reader.

Yes, it's official

I am addicted.

I really love checking blogs.

Following someone's blog makes me feel like in some way I'm being a good friend - even though I may not have seen or talked to that friend in months.

It's also a lot of fun.

To those of you who have blogs out there,

thanks for posting!

I'm especially excited that my brother recently joined the blog bandwagon, as the last of the Wilson siblings to succumb to plog pressure. (haha) And it's a recipe blog (at least for now). Yum. He really likes cream cheese, though, so I think I might need to invest if I ever want to make any of his recipes.

Ready for the confession?

Here we go.

Drumroll please....

I follow

no less than

SEVENTY-FOUR blogs.

While I realize I could be doing other things with my time rather than reading blogs, they give me a nice respite from homework and an excuse to procrastinate; I feel like I'm a good friend; for those who post often, I feel like I get updates on your lives; and it's a fun hobby (or at least I console myself by believing that vigilantly reading blogs is a hobby). Also, most of these blogs have maybe one post a week (or less), so it's actually not like I'm reading 74 blog posts every single morning for an hour as I eat my cereal. Just, like 10 or 12.

So thanks.

Keep posting, please.

PS - I personally know the blogger of every blog I follow, with the exception of www.cjaneprovo.com, nieniedialogues.blogspot.com, provomayor.blogspot.com, byuwsr.blogspot.com, preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com, and sisterscafe.blogspot.com.

Also, to be totally honest, I actually am currently subscribed to more than 74 blogs, but some of them are outdated/no longer in use and I didn't count those.

Perspective

2011-02-09T21:54:00.002-07:00

Look familiar? photo by Josh, the mayor's son-in-law

This view of Mt. Timpanogos infuses my soul with spirituality and thoughts of heaven. There's nothing like a little perspective to get you back on track.

And you thought I was the one that slept a lot.

2011-01-22T10:08:00.003-07:00

Corey has been in bed - sleeping - for the last FIFTEEN HOURS. And still he sleeps. (he's giving my email address a run for it's money)

Needless to say, it's been a looong week and we are super grateful for the weekend and chance to regroup. And catch up on sleep, of course!! :) :) :)

Have a great day everyone!

easy clean-up

2011-01-22T00:08:00.006-07:00

When you realize that the only dish/utensil/plate you've used the entire day is a paring knife, a few assumptions can be made.

Assumptions:
you're a busy college student (who's gone all day)
or
you're poor (toast is cheap)
or
you're lazy and/or rushed (lazy in French = paresseux, or paresseuse if you're a girl)

(or...all of the above?)

One result:
you're not eating healthily

Qualification:
at least I ate three oranges. and no fast food.

Goal for tomorrow:
use a plate.

Exercise Our Agency In Righteousness

2011-01-18T18:54:00.004-07:00

Tonight I listened to Elder Hales' talk from the October 2010 General Conference. His powerful testimony and closing remarks marked me. I ask you to read it slowly.

"I bear my special witness that They live. When we exercise our agency in righteousness, we come to know Them, become more like Them, and prepare ourselves for that day when “every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess” that Jesus is our Savior. May we continue to follow Him and our Eternal Father, as we did in the beginning, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

When was the last time your testimony was strengthened of your personal faith and life in the premortal world? I encourage you to really ponder on how you personally "follow[ed Jesus Christ] and our Eternal Father, as [you] did in the beginning." If each of us does that for just 5-10 minutes, I do not doubt that we will be motivated to continue to follow Them - and on the path to ultimately come to know Them. For indeed, we will be exercising our agency in righteousness.

Click here to read an incredible scripture about the power of testimony in the premortal realms (Rev 12:9-11, esp. v. 11)
Click here to read Elder Hales' full talk

Tender Mercy

2011-01-17T11:32:00.005-07:00

For our Christmas present, my sister Janel and her husband Mark gave us tickets to The Christmas Carol at the Hale Center Theater. We loved it. The acting, costumes, music, story line, and overall atmosphere were so refreshing. It is crazy how the arts bring Corey and me closer together. In fact, we had even come directly from the temple to the play, and I was astounded to realize that the play brought us back in sync with each other more than attending the temple did. Now, this is not to say that the temple didn't have a positive effect on us, because it did. But in this case, the power of the arts on us was also undeniable. We won't be totally happy if we only ever go to the temple and do nothing else. We won't be happy if we go to plays and musicals all day, every day (although we would probably be bankrupt). For us, it's a matter of balance. Isn't that what life is really all about, though?

Speaking of the power of the arts, enjoy this thirty-second ditty. We quote it frequently around the Bennett household. :) Gutentaaaaaaag!!!!!!

ps: We got a photo of us at the theater, but I have currently misplaced the camera. Ah me.
pps: This is the first video clip I have ever successfully put on my blog. This is a big day, people.

Strange.

2011-01-15T19:07:00.005-07:00

This week in the BYU Bookstore I noticed a small black bag made out of the skull and crossbones pattern. The sign over it read, "Scripture Totes."

Is that weird to anyone else besides me?

Press Forward Having a Perfect Brightness of Hope

2010-12-10T07:40:00.008-07:00

I'm just very, very grateful for my life this morning. I hope you are too. It is a wonderful day to be alive. I challenge you to find something good about this day. (I promise you can. Even if you're having the worst day of your life.) Today is our chance, right now, to use our agency and become who we must become.

I've been reading the Book of Revelation. Oddly enough, I love it. I love thinking about the 2nd Coming and all the wonderful things that will happen then and before then. And just think of it - we're seeing many of those miracles come to pass! I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the privilege of living in the last dispensation and preparing the earth for when the Savior comes again. Sure, lots of awful things are happening during this, the seventh seal, and unfortunately they will just get worse. John tells us that before the Savior comes, and during the seventh seal, there will be many calamities and natural disasters, men shall seek death and shall not find it, and mankind in general will still not repent (Rev. 9:20). And many other terrible things will happen.

BUT. We know who wins in the end. We know who will save us - if we live up to the promises we have made and continue to make. Jesus Christ, the Almighty, Faithful and True, the bright and morning star (Rev. 1:8, 19:11, 22:16). Just make sure you're fighting for the right side, and definitely don't be caught sitting on the fence post trying to decide who you're for - that's akin to standing in no-man's land during a crossfire: no one is going to protect you. This is not a time to be lukewarm, people! The Lord says that he'd rather us be hot or cold rather than lukewarm. The penalty for lukewarm-ness? He'll spew us out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16). Pretty vivid imagery. I don't know about you, but that scripture makes me want to keep my covenants.

Just five days ago, in the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional, President Uchtdorf admonished us to "Look steadfastly for His coming." He continued,

Our work is to prepare ourselves and the world for the coming of the Messiah in glory... Let us look forward to that blessed day when the King of Kings descends with a shout, takes away death, dries up tears, and ushers in a new era of peace, joy and learning. ...[I]t seems to me that [the Christmas season] should also be a time of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for that blessed day when He will come again... And may we look steadfastly forward to that blessed day when the resurrected Christ will walk the earth again as our our Lord, our King, and our blessed Savior. (click here to watch the full talk)

On this tenth day of December two thousand ten, I declare that I look forward to the return of the Savior to the earth. As Joshua of old, I proclaim that "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15). I challenge you to carefully examine your life, then do the same.

Merry Christmas to you all. :)

Chicken is on sale

2010-11-10T14:17:00.002-07:00

If you're low on chicken (boneless skinless), you should stock up at Provo's Buy Low by Saturday. It's on sale for $1.39/lb! What a steal.

(Heather, you can get a ride with me so you don't have to bother parking when you come back. :)

And as long as you're there, you might as well hit up the other sales. Click here to see more of their sales this week.

The Opera and A Birthday

2010-11-10T14:06:00.003-07:00

Corey as the 2nd Priest
(no photography allowed during the performance unfortunately)

Here he is as the 2nd Man in Armor

Can you see his smiling face??? (look close)
Good job Corey!!!! And thanks to all who came and supported him - including 1 parent, 4 sisters, and 2 brothers-in-law! We wish his family lived closer so they could have come too.

For my 22nd birthday, which was a great bday by the way, Corey and I went for a walk on the Provo River Trail. After my nap, of course.

Sisters Becca and Janel made me a special S pizza
(and of course Sage and Suzy had to have an S picture together :)

and a delicious!!! hippo cake. For those pictures, go here. :)

ow

2010-10-26T20:45:00.000-06:00

I just accidentally scratched my eye. Ouch.

This is a shout out to how cool my husband is

2010-10-06T08:13:00.004-06:00

Come see Corey in Mozart's Magic Flute put on by BYU! Performances start next Saturday and run for a week (excluding Sunday and Monday). Corey actually has two different smaller roles.

Oct 16, 20, 22: 2nd Man in Armor
Oct 19, 21, 23: 2nd Priest

With the 2nd Man in Armor role, he doesn't come out until the end of the opera - so don't leave early! It'll be worth the wait because he has a cool costume and gets to sing 3 songs (not solos unfortunately). But, you won't be able to see his actual face b/c he'll have a mask. :(

With the 2nd Priest, he makes his appearance earlier in the play, and has dialogue lines (i.e. just him speaking). This is nice because you can see his face (and know that you're looking at him!) and hear him individually speaking. Unfortunately with this one he only has one song. But this role has him (as you may guess from the title) as a spiritual leader - which if any of you know anything about Corey, well, it fits him perfectly.

They are practicing a TON (3-6 every day this week, 1-5 this Saturday, and 3-7 next week and then performances at night). Tickets are a leetle expensive (sorry) but remember that I did warn you to save your pennies in this post!

We'd love to see you there! Thanks for all your support.

PS - Operas are good places to go on dates. Corey and I held my hand for the first time during BYU's 2008 opera, Don Giovanni. :) Thanks to my home teacher Dave Stevenson for giving us tickets at the last minute. :)

Breaking a Social Norm

2010-10-04T13:05:00.007-06:00

Have you ever seen anyone riding a bike with a backpack strapped onto their chest and a guitar strapped on their back? Well, you would have been able to check this one off your bucket list if you had driven down 700 East today about 9:45 am.

I had to ride bowlegged because the backpack banged against my knees as I pedaled. I was quite a sight to behold! Then (of course), my waterbottle fell out of the netting pocket on the side of my backpack and banged on the ground. Luckily a nice girl picked it up for me so I didn't have to get off my bike to get it (which would have been quite the ordeal). Ha ha ha. I did get some weird looks from other people walking to school.

Up until a year or two ago I would have died of embarrassment from doing this. I did feel like the man in this painting (except on a bike).

"The Burden of the Responsible Man" by James Christensen

In fact, I almost got off and just walked my bike but I decided to stick it out and ride - plus I didn't want to be late for class. The thing that really kept me pedaling one rotation after another, though, was the phrase, "It doesn't matter what other people think, it doesn't matter what other people think." And it worked - because it's true! :) At the stop light two girls made a comment about how much stuff I had (I wouldn't let myself even imagine what they were thinking). I told them it was my goal just to get to school without dying. :) And I did.

Although I can now check doing this whole bike off my bucket list, I don't think I'll be doing it on a regular basis. I'll stick to walking to school on Mondays and Wednesdays when I've got that guitar class.

Laziness.

2010-09-10T08:28:00.004-06:00

I've read a lot of blog posts recently but have been too lazy to come up with my own.
So you know. But all you bloggers out there, keep it up! ... so I have something to do in my spare (or not-so-spare) time.

Campus.is.so.stinkin.crowded.and.crazy.

2010-08-31T15:39:00.005-06:00

-Gone were the days where I could ponder and meditate as I walked from class to class.
-Alas.
-It's fun to see friends who have disappeared for the summer though.
-I'll be posting some pictures from the summer soon. I finally put them on the computer.
-I'm glad Heather moved into the dorms!! So fun and I hope she has a great year.
-Corey and I are taking both Statistics and a Joseph Smith class taught by Susan Easton Black together. Should be fun!
-The apples on the tree are getting bigger.
-Corey's book list spilled onto a 3rd page. Never a good sign. Hopefully we don't have to buy them all...
-Our garden is flourishing. I picked a cucumber today.
-After thirty years, my parents are officially empty-nesters. Good thing we just finished the addition onto the kitchen. (And by we I mean everyone who helped, ie not me.)
-My bike's front tire is kinda flat, so I walked to school this afternoon. Normally I never have time to.
-On the last day of my two-week summer break (Friday), I got up on the wakeboard for the first time!!!! Pictures coming.
-I love having a visiting teacher who comes regularly. I'm actually going to shadow her mother-in-law who is an SLP (speech-language pathologist) at an elementary school in Springville next week.
-My sister Krista is having a baby BOY!!! Huzzah!
-The tenants are almost all moved in (at last). Now we just need to cart away the junk that we pulled out of the houses from previous tenants. We did inherit some convenient stuff, though. :)
-I'm looking for a job on campus.
-I have two canker sores. One is quite large and hurts a loooot. The other one also hurts a lot, but it's smaller. Corey tries to get me to put on the numbing stuff but it stings so I don't like to.
-Corey started Magic Flute rehearsals on Saturday!
-Becca makes good banana cream pie, Kim takes us to the Cannon Center a lot, Danielle calls for help on Primary lessons, Heather gets fun callings, Krista calls and asks when we're having a baby, Janel makes me feel good about managing the house of renters. And Rich...well to be completely honest, I haven't heard from him since the reunion. But Rich has surprised everyone with dang good cooking skills and a marinade recipe that I'm really wanting to try.
I love my siblings.
-The end.

(PS - This post is dedicated to Aunt Carolyn.)

Walmart, here I come.

2010-08-18T10:17:00.004-06:00

Please enjoy the lovely view and peaceful neighborhoods as you drive. And the severe lack of stoplights. Not only is this route faster than University Parkway, it is much more pleasing on nerves and on brake pads. You won't regret it!

Head west on Bulldog Avenue. Go through the light on 500 W/State Street. The road turns into Columbia Lane; continue through next stop light (Grandview Lane) and up the hill.

At the first roundabout, turn left onto 1700 N.

Go through the second roundabout (road turns into 1730 N).

Go straight through the third roundabout.

When you come to the 2-way stop at 2100 W, go straight through (now labelled 1700 N). It's a smaller road; the fields on your right and llamas on your left will prove it. J

Continue on this road. It will eventually curve to the right and you’ll be driving parallel with the freeway. Go for a mile or two.

Then, WHABANG! Walmart!

*Feel free to spend a little extra at Walmart to reward yourself for braving the new route and for the abundance of good feelings you still have toward others (ie lack of road rage from avoiding Parkway). And for saving on gas. It's totally worth it, I'm telling you!

*If you don't totally believe me and want to try out the route via google maps, type in "columbia lane, provo, ut." I won't be offended. :)

Better than BYU's New Spice parody.

2010-07-26T11:21:00.006-06:00

So. BYU's New Spice parody, "Study like a scholar, scholar" is exceedingly clever and fun and cool. (Click here to see it.) And everyone is obsessed with it, as they should be. :) Make sure you've seen the original Old Spice commercial "The man your man could smell like" (Smell like a man, man) first, though, or it won't be nearly as funny.

But. Forget Old (or new) Spice.

This
is
better.

The NEW lds.org!!!!!

This site is sweet. Check it out. I dare you. I have it on reliable information that this is going to be completely up-and-running very quickly. Right now it's just the beta version and a lot of features aren't available yet, but it's still sweet. I love the Church!!!

Visit beta.lds.org and prepare to be swept away. :) :)

My favorite features so far: a new search engine!!!!, a study notebook which will allow you to highlight and make electronic notes on Conference talks and save your work, the new Directory format under "Tools," and "beta-maps.lds.org" which lets you see where people in your ward live. (The maps don't work right now but I got in a few days ago.)

For those of you who take me up on the invitation to check it out, I'd love to hear what you're most excited about. (aka comment.) I'm sure the Church would also appreciate your feedback, too. (There is a feedback button at the bottom of each page of the website.)

Home Sweet Library

2010-07-26T11:13:00.004-06:00

I love BYU's library, especially in the summer. Hundreds of empty computers to choose from. Countless vacant chairs at totally empty tables to pick from. And, it's quiet. No waiting in lines in the bathroom or to check out books. No traipsing to different floors after searching unsuccessfully for an empty table or cubicle. Also, the couches in the bathroom are usually vacant! So if I want to sleep, I can. :) (Note: I have never slept in a BYU bathroom, but I'd like to some day before I graduate.) Anyway, the library is just nice. The atmosphere of learning and productivity is a good influence on me. The view as you walk out from the main floor is beautiful. In short, I love hanging out in this library. (Especially when I'm not frantically working on some assignment.) :)

PLUS: They filmed THIS here this summer!!! (see next post if you're confused)

Random note: This weekend is the first official Keith and Linda Wilson family reunion. HUZZAH!!! Let the games begin!!

Flies and Flyswatters

2010-06-29T17:20:00.004-06:00

So yesterday we had dinner...and it got more than a little smoky, thanks to some overheated oil. :) We opened the door and the windows and turned on fans and hoped it would clear out soon. It did, but it also cleared in a fly or two. Or seven.

I detest houseflies. BLEGH. Especially, as I have learned recently, ones that whiz around the kitchen or my ears (or both). They really bug me (no pun intended), and I've seriously had to pray to not get mad at everyone and everything when the pesky flies are at it again. Anyway, Corey killed six of them -- with my hotpad!! (We don't have a flyswatter.) However, one eluded him. And it's been whizzing around our house for the past 21 or 22 hours. I know, nasty. But, finally, I was able to corner him, and I just smacked him to his death. With a rolled-up newspaper, not a hotpad, might I add.

So, yeah. I'm cool. Go us. This was kind of a lame post.

So long, farewell

2010-06-16T17:01:00.003-06:00

I recently finished a final and left the classroom, walking slowly to the library. I felt a weird mix of emotions, none of which were happy. What the? I realized that I was actually sad about this class ending.

This does not happen to me. Usually I'm ecstatic, or just plain relieved that I survived the course. However, this semester I have absolutely loved taking my first American Sign Language class (ASL101). I've learned about a language and culture that fascinates me, and that I am itching to know more about. One of the reasons this class was so fabulous was because of my teacher. Marlene Malm is an incredible Deaf woman who has inspired me. I really do love her. I relished in the smaller class and the more intimate atmosphere. Also in a professor who knows me by name and is invested in her teaching. We had class Mon - Thu for an hour and a half, so we got to know each other pretty well. She has the cutest sense of style. :) And best of all, I feel like I'm better equipped to be a kingdom builder. Boo ya. :)

The other class I took this semester, Western Humanities 201 (antiquity to Renaissance), was great as well. I'd say I enjoyed the 202 class (Renaissance to present) that I took this past Winter semester more, but 201 was great as well. I read stuff by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle for the first time in my life. We also read Virgil's Aeneid, Dante's Divine Comedy, and Homer's The Odyssey (I understood a lot more this time than when I had to read it in 10th grade!). Okay, all those books makes me sound really impressive, but we actually only read excerpts. Still. I probably never would have read some of these classics on my own (I still don't understand why some of them are labeled classics!), and I probably won't read most of them again. But I feel more educated and cultured and informed about the history of Western thought.

Also, I have a triumph to announce. I actually went in to this professor and disputed a couple of grades on some assignments I felt were graded unfairly. (This is a big deal. I've never done that before!) And, she gave me back some points! Huzzah! If I have any advice for incoming college students (Hez), I would tell them that professors are much less scary and intimidating when you talk to them alone, in their office. So take advantage of it. Even if you're scared (I was) and have to say a lot of prayers before you go in (I did) and even if you're afraid they'll just think you're a point-monger who slacks off until the last day of the semester (I did), think Nike. Just do it. And sometimes they even have candy, too. :)

On a sour note, I just checked my book list for this next semester, and the BYU Bookstore estimates that I will fork over no less than $289.10 for books this semester (if I buy them all new). I'm only taking 6 credits, people!!! Sheesh!! I'll have to take out a student loan to pay for these books. Either that or buy them all used and tattered and falling apart off the internet, and have them arrive halfway through the six-week semester. (I'm leaning toward the latter.) Maybe I'll start up a personal collection basket and send it around church this coming week. I think our bishop would go for that...after all, he was my high school chemistry teacher! :) I'm sure I could pull some strings...

Spam

2010-06-14T14:40:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I happened to look at my spam folder in my email account. I had no less than 834 spam messages!! All arrived within the last 30 days!! Yeesh! Gmail does a great job of catching spam (and they even delete unread spam messages after 30 days), for which I am exceedingly grateful. I promptly deleted all the messages.

Today I noticed that I have 19 new messages in the spam folder. What?! In a mere 15 hours? I opened the folder to delete them while making sure I wasn't blocking emails from someone I know. Amongst attempts to woo me to many disgusting websites, one in particular caught my eye.

Sender: me (huh? I have no idea how I'm sending spam to myself without knowing it...)
Subject Line: Reminder for Mr. Suzysnoozy. 80% lowered prices all week. having...

Mr. Suzysnoozy, huh? :)

Delete.

Introduction to the Doctrine & Covenants

2010-06-11T10:49:00.007-06:00

You always hear the Introduction to the Book of Mormon quoted, especially the "most correct of any book" and the "keystone of our religion" parts.

I don't remember the last time I heard someone quote from the Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants (officially titled "Explanatory Introduction"; Click here to read it in full). Since I've reread it recently, I've included some parts that impressed me.
(And I'll be legit and say, "Underlines added.")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Although most of the sections are directed to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the messages, warnings, and exhortations are for the benefit of all mankind, and contain an invitation to all people everywhere to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking to them for their temporal well-being and their everlasting salvation."

"These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people."

"In the revelations ... the testimony that is given of Jesus Christ--his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power--makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the whole earth."

The Explanatory Introduction also lists some of the doctrines of the gospel that are set forth in the D&C:

nature of the Godhead
origin of man
reality of Satan
purpose of mortality
necessity for obedience
need for repentance
workings of the Holy Spirit
ordinances and performances that pertain to salvation
destiny of the earth
future conditions of man after the resurrection and the judgment
eternity of the marriage relationship
eternal nature of the family

And from the Testimony of the Twelve Apostles to the Truth of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants (I didn't even realize there was such a thing!):

"We, therefore, feel willing to bear testimony to all the world of mankind, to every creature upon the face of the earth, that the Lord has borne record to our souls, through the Holy Ghost shed forth upon us, that these commandments were given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for all men and are verily true."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The doctrines expounded upon in these sacred revelations have touched my life to the core in ways that I don't think I have fully appreciated throughout my life.

Happy Friday. :)

Warning: This is not a motivational post.

2010-06-07T16:48:00.004-06:00

So I have to write a decent-sized paper today (right now, to be exact). 5-7 pages for my Humanities class, and it's due tomorrow. And right now I have a 92.3% in the class, so I need to do pretty well on this paper if I want an A since there's just this and the final exam left to contribute to our grades.

In spite of that knowledge, however, suddenly I "have" to check my email, go through my inbox to categorize emails and sort them into folders, answer Relief Society emails, check Google Reader again to see if anyone has posted in the last ten minutes, login to Facebook, check random people's blogs, text my husband, login to Blackboard to see what my grades are, etc. etc. etc. If I had a twitter I'd probably get on that, too. What's the weather going to be like tomorrow? Or I haven't checked our online bank account balance in a few days.... and if I were at home I'd go into the kitchen and open the fridge.

It's a little frightening when no matter how hard you attempt to motivate yourself you can't seem to do what you need to do when you really need to do what you need to do.

(Insert long sigh here.)

It's gonna be a long day and a long night and a long next day.

We've Got An Announcement!

2010-06-05T20:42:00.018-06:00

(And it does not have the word "baby" in it.)

Try to guess the big news by putting together the following picture clues:

Have you guessed it yet?

The news is:

(drumroll please...)

Corey auditioned for and received a role in BYU's Fall Opera!!! He will be the 2nd Man in Armor in Mozart's Magic Flute. Performance dates are October 16, 19-23. Mark your calendars and save your pennies cause you won't want to miss it!

Congrats Corey!

this photo gives you an idea of what greatness and glory you can expect from the performance, + some great music

pretend this is the 2nd Man in Armor

When was the last time you read it?

2010-06-03T10:26:00.001-06:00

Occasionally, a few in the Church let the justified caveat about the Bible—“as far as it is translated correctly” [A of F 1:8] —diminish their exultation over the New Testament. Inaccuracy of some translating must not, however, diminish our appreciation for the powerful testimony and ample historicity of the New Testament.

--Neal A. Maxwell

Just a plug for this incredible book of scripture.

11 Things You Might Not Know About Corey Bennett

2010-06-01T22:12:00.002-06:00

Recently I came up with this little write-up for our Criddle Family Newsletter (my mom's side). We were spotlighted (if that's a word?) on the front page! of the five or six page "book" crammed full of cousin/family news that my cousin Tearsa puts together twice a year. Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meet the In-Laws: Corey Bennett

by Suzy (Wilson) Bennett

I thought the ever-growing Criddle melting pot could use a little more southern spice...so I recruited (and married!) a southern gent named Corey Bennett. :)

Eleven Things You Might Not Know About Corey Bennett

1. "Y'all" is a legitimate word and should be used at least once in every sentence.

2. College football is practically a religion in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Please don't call during a Louisiana State University football game.

3. Before college, he was in the cast of Oliver and Oklahoma!, and played roles as Bert in Mary Poppins and Arab in West Side Story.

4. He served his mission in the France Toulouse Mission (southern France) and speaks that language of love mighty well!

5. If you haven't eaten anything with Tony Chachere's spice seasoning, you haven't lived.

6. He recently switched his major at BYU from business to music (vocal emphasis) with a business minor.

7. He is currently serving as the Elders' Quorum President in our family ward and loves it.

8. The Princess and the Frog, set in New Orleans, recently became his favorite Disney movie - an incredibly accurate representation of Southern culture! (Suzy: "I had more fun watching Corey watch the movie than actually watching the movie itself! He was laughing his head off the whole time. Corey: "I felt like the whole movie was an inside joke with myself!!!")

9. He and Grandmother Criddle served as Provo Temple workers at the same time, and Corey continues to enjoy this calling.

10. He is a wonderful spouse and treats me as a true southern gentleman would. When we're together, it's a rare door that I open for myself!

11. Corey has a great memory for people and names and is doing very well with remembering all the many Criddle cousins and aunts and uncles!

Barbeque

2010-05-17T18:16:00.003-06:00

After a day of class and studying, I am really looking forward to the barbeque we're having with Becca and Jordan tonight. Perfect BBQ weather, a freshly cut and edged lawn (thanks to Corey), burgers Louisiana-style, tasty pasta salad, and great company. What more could I want?

Losing stuff.

2010-05-12T16:27:00.007-06:00

Huzzah for honest people and for the BYU Lost and Found!! Some time last week I left my two ASL textbooks on campus, and some kind soul (bless them) turned them into the Lost and Found. I don't even know where I left them (!) but I am extremely grateful that I was able to get them back, and promptly at that, in spite of my name not being written in them. And, unfortunately, this isn't even the first time in the past 2 months I've graced the BYU Lost and Found with my presence! On March 24, I received an email with this as the subject: "From BYU Lost and Found -- PLEASE READ!!" Boy was that email an answer to prayer - someone had turned in my school binder with notes and projects in it (I don't know where I left that either). I am seriously so spacey sometimes. It is very, very fortunate that I live in a place where people are generally honest and generally don't take things that aren't theirs. Corey very rarely misplaces things (no fair). It seems like I'm destined to lose something and everything.

Supporting Evidence (the list kept getting longer and longer as I kept typing!!)

We have yet to make a copy of the key to Corey's car. (It has been on my to-do list for months. Don't judge.) The lack of multiple keys is annoying sometimes, but it just requires a bit more coordination of schedules, planning, and passing around of the key. Corey has admitted to me that when he takes the key off his key ring and gives it to me, he's always a little wary and worried that he'll never see it again (and therefore the car will be useless). And I can't blame him. I'll forget about the key and leave it in the bottom of my bag or in my coat pocket.

I go to school without my textbook, I leave things at my family's, I leave jackets at parties, etc etc etc.

One time in high school I had no clue where my wallet was for 5 or 6 months. Then one day I found it - in the backseat of my car. (he he)

Last summer, I lost my keys the week before I moved out of Monticello Apts and couldn't find them so I had to pay a $50 key replacement fee! Boo. I never found that set of keys.

I've lost my driver's license, social security card, my BYU ID, and my jump drive multiple times. One time I found my jump drive in my makeup/cosmetic bag with all my hair stuff. ???

Once Dad was giving a fireside up at Aspen Grove, and my sister Becca and I went up to play a musical number. I didn't realize until we pulled into the driveway to our home that I had left my flute on a picnic table back at Aspen Grove. My only consolation was that since Becca had her permit she was able to get another hour or so of night driving in for her driving hours...

A couple weeks ago Corey, Kim, and I went up to Sandy for a Jerusalem reunion at one of the service missionary couple's home. I forgot my jacket and my camera there. Luckily, Angie, who hadn't left yet, was kind enough to bring them back safely for me.

One time last fall when I was engaged I looked down and my ring wasn't on my finger. My stomach dropped. I searched, Corey searched, two or three of my roommates searched, and we eventually found it - in my box of Jerusalem souveneirs. We promptly got it resized (I haven't lost it since :).

I used to misplace my temple recommend all the time until Corey kindly suggested to me that if I ALWAYS kept it in my wallet, I'd never not have it. (Unless I lost my wallet, which is entirely possible and has happened many times before.) Always keeping your recommend in your wallet sounds so easy and logical...I guess it's just too easy... Since making it one of my New Year's Resolutions to keep it in my wallet, I haven't misplaced it once this year! (Except for when I've lost my wallet, which doesn't count.) I'm pretty sure that's a record streak, thanks to Corey's logical influence. :)

I'm really grateful Corey decided to marry me even though I lose stuff all the time. I can easily imagine that it would be pretty annoying having to ask, "Where was the last place you saw it?" and "When was the last time you used it?" multiple times a week. What a gent - and an extremely patient one at that.

Spotlight

2010-04-28T18:38:00.011-06:00

Wow, third post in one day. I'm on a roll.

This past Sunday I was the spotlight(ed sister?) in Relief Society. These are the nice things they had to say about me. :)

~~~~~~

Suzy was born and raised in Provo, Utah and is the sixth of eight children. She loves to take naps, blog, bake, get good deals, send out mass emails to the Relief Society, go on walks, and serve. She is currently attending BYU. She is going to summer school this summer because admittedly, she would rather do that than work. :)

Suzy has been married for five months to her husband Corey. They met in a singles ward and lived in the same apartment complex. Corey is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and served his mission in Toulouse France. He loves to sing and we all had the privilege of hearing him in sacrament meeting a few weeks ago! He is also currently attending BYU.

Corey and Suzy have been in the ward since November 2009. Suzy is serving as the Relief Society secretary and does such a wonderful job! She is very grateful for the friends that she has made in this ward, particularly in the Relief Society. We love having the Bennetts in the ward with us!

In All Thy Ways

2010-04-28T18:14:00.005-06:00

I debated posting this post, just because I don't want to sound like (or be) a bragger. But, this is something that means a lot to me, and I think most people who read this blog hope to receive a general update with what's happening in my life.

I just checked my grades from Winter 2010 and ...

... 4.0!!!!

Boom baby! This hasn't happened since freshman year, the semester that I took Career Exploration and two "Intro to ___" classes. :) Let's just say another Wendy's run for a couple of Frostys may be in order. Or maybe we'll "just" hit up Baskin Robbins (see previous post). And, I would be completely in the wrong if I did not acknowledge the active involvement of the Lord in my life, and gratitude for a loving and extremely supportive husband who put up with breakdowns, continually stressed-out and grumpy me, and those all-nighters I unfortunately pulled. And a family who loves me and gives me food and makes me dinner and leaves me muffins when I'm uber stressed-out. And friends who don't mind that I forget to call or email them back.

It all works out.

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths"
--Proverbs 3:6

Lastly, I realize that this is a blessing from heaven (and from my professors). I also realize that there have been other semesters where I've tried harder and been more dedicated to my schoolwork, and haven't come out with these kind of grades. I'm not exactly sure why this semester it turned out the way it did. I still procrastinated, stressed, and worried. I still said prayers in the Testing Center before beginning all my exams. I still slacked off in some, many, yes, all of my classes. Perhaps the Lord knew I'd need a little booster before tackling an entire spring and summer chock-full of more textbooks and studying. Or, maybe my brain capacity is increasing extremely rapidly. Maybe my faith has grown in ways that I haven't even been consciously aware of.

Whatever the reason(s), I'm grateful. I hope I can learn from this experience what I'm supposed to learn. (Even though grades are posted I'm still not done learning - no, I'll never be! Kind of an extremely exciting thought.) Okay, I'm done. For now. :)

seis meses

2010-04-28T16:02:00.005-06:00

As of today, I'm closer to turning 22 than I am to turning 21 (absolute-value-speaking). If that makes any sense.

aka,
Happy Half Birthday! to Amy Nielsen (1.5 yrs) and to me (21 1/2 yrs). :)

What to do to celebrate? Studying sounds good...I actually am really loving Spring term this year (more on that later, perhaps). Huzzah for school!

ps - in celebration of Amy's half birthday, I hear there's a 31 cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins tonight from 5-10pm. :) Enjoy

Stinky.

2010-04-20T17:45:00.005-06:00

I am in a computer lab on campus, and I smell stinky feet. (They're not mine.)

It's hard enough to focus on studying as it is. Come on people.

post script - 6:44 pm: It still smells, and I noticed the guy next to me has bare feet! The culprit. He's also the same one that's been playing computer games and watching movies online since I sat down next to him around 4 pm. I think it's time for him to leave (my nares) in peace and do something more productive. Like, possibly, wash his feet and throw out those sandals.

French Bread

2010-04-18T21:09:00.010-06:00

I made French Bread today. :) Thanks to Krista for the yum yum recipe. It's supposed to be quick and easy...but it did take me a while. Hopefully with time I'll get faster...cause I'm definitely going to be making it again!

After Corey's first bite he said, "This reminds me of my mission. This tastes wonderful, Suzy! You've outdone yourself again....Is there anything you can't do??" Let's just say...ultimate compliment...especially considering he served in France...French Bread...huzzah!

(I tried to make the pictures look glamorous, but hey, it's a flat-ish looking loaf of bread and I can't disguise it.)

If you care, here is the recipe.

French Bread

3 c. flour
2 Tbsp yeast
2 c. water
2 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt

Egg wash:
1 egg white
1 Tbsp water
Whisk together and brush over bread.

Put water in mixer. Dissolve yeast. Add other ingredients. Mix well. Continue adding additional flour until the dough cleans the side of the bowl. Knead 2-4 minutes. Divide in half--if making loaves. Using oil, roll out dough into a 9X13 rectangle. [Not too flat.] Roll the long way, tucking ends under. [Skipped this step...b/c I didn't really know what it meant..] Sprinkle pan with cornmeal. [I didn't have any so I just sprayed the pan.] Place loaf on top of cornmeal and using a sharp knife, cut diagonal slits on top of loaf every 1 ½ to 2 inches. [This makes it look fancy and legit. :) ] Brush with egg wash. Let rise until double approx 20-30 min. Bake 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes until brown.

Then...DEVOUR.

a Monsonian trait

2010-04-17T16:54:00.003-06:00

Last night I discovered (to my joy and surprise) that I can wiggle my right ear while keeping the left stationary!!! (The ability to wiggle both at the same time is old news.)

What's more, I found out that Corey can wiggle his ears too! It's settled, then, we really are meant for each other. Our kids are going to be so talented.

quotes from the Head TA during the review for the final exam

2010-04-15T18:33:00.004-06:00

- [walks in 5 or 6 minutes late to at least 50-75 waiting students] "sorry I'm late guys"
- "sorry, I'm really spacey today"
- "I'm sure you all already know this" [skips to the next slide]
- Student: "Um, I think we covered this in our last exam. Is it going to be on the final too? [the final is not comprehensive for this class] TA: "What? Oh, um, you're right... [under her breath] This is the review from last semester. Ok, ignore all that stuff. [Clicks to next slide]
- rushes through a lengthy problem with five parts and says, "Any questions? it's all on Blackboard. Okay, next slide, these are good definitions to know too, [next slide] ..."
- "Guys, I haven't seen the test. I just want you to know that. I don't have it so I can't give questions away."

I decided not to grace her with my presence anymore and took off. I really wanted to hear the President and Sister Bateman speak to our Stake RS tonight anyway. :)

Mr. Disposal

2010-04-14T12:30:00.007-06:00

The smell was pretty pervasive. Whenever we'd walk in the door, it hit us like a soft, warm blast of putrescence. Not overpowering but definitely there. Nasty. It was a combination of what smelled like old socks and wet towels and rotting food and stale air (only two of our five basement windows open).

So, Saturday we took apart the house. We picked up clothes, folded laundry, and put away random junk. We moved the furniture and vaccumed the entire house. We took out the mini fridge that has been sitting empty (and unplugged might I add) next to the desk for...(dare I say it?)...3 entire months... I switched candles on the candle warmer and left the door open to air out the pukey-smelling Bennett Residence. We took out the trash, Corey cleaned the tub (a couple days earlier he pulled out a ton of long stringy hair out of the shower drain...who could that belong too??), I wiped out part of the fridge and we threw away old food.

But it still smelled. After washing some dishes I ran the garbage disposal as an afterthought (something I forget to do on a regular basis). Nothing happened. Just a low, soft hum.

Hmm. Had I found our problem? My macho husband dove in with bare hands...after which he required little to no persuasion to don a surgical glove I had left over from my Anatomy class. Plunge after plunge into that dark abyss in the sink proved very revealing! Five minutes later we had quite the collection, including but not limited to: most of a strawberry, black and jellified, chunks of rotting chicken; stringy who-knows-what; and lots of little black and green untochables that looked like they could have come from last month's school lunch.

May I mention one thing here. My mom brought us some strawberries about 3 to 4 weeks ago. Okay, moving on.

Disgusted but proud at our courage to brave the Pit of Rotting Food, we immediately turned on the water and flipped the disposal switch, anticipating the loud roar and clanking to immediately fill the house.

Hummmm, the disposal replied quietly.

No, really? Come on! We dug all that nastiness out of there for nothing? Really, Mr. Disposal. You'd think you'd be overjoyed to suddenly be able to breathe, having been (unbeknownst to us) forced to be nestled up to a decaying strawberry for the past 4 weeks.

Suddenly a scene flashed into my mind. It was a snapshot from this past December. My dad, sprawled out on my inlaws kitchen floor, was fixing their garbage disposal with a small little tool that looks like a screwdriver but has five or six sides instead of two. I also remembered him saying it was really simple to fix a disposal, sometimes you just have to give it a nudge or two. Like a quarter-turn. My mind was racing. I ran to the desk where I keep the tools Mom gave me (for lack of a better place) for my bridal shower. I grabbed a screwdriver, opened the cupboard door underneath the sink, and stuck my head in. Unfortunately, the screwdriver was too small to do anything, so I ran back and grabbed the biggest screwdriver of the set, crossing my fingers the whole time.

Interruption: For those of you who have never closely examined the device taking up half the space under your sink, here is a picture of the underside of a garbage disposal.

Ignore the Reset Button, just pay attention to the white arrow pointing to the hole. This hole is the important part.

I stuck the screwdriver up the hole and tried to turn, it didn't budge. I tried turning it the other direction. Nothing. So I rolled up my sleeves (figuratively speaking) and showed that disposal who's boss.

I yanked it a quarter turn (90 degrees, that is), jumped up, turned the water on, flipped that switch, and --

I never thought the roar of a garbage disposal would be so heavenly. I kind of wanted to let it run for at least a couple of minutes just to revel in my joy. Instead, we decided to treat ourselves to Frostys at Wendy's. It was a wonderful end to the evening.

Funny, the simple pleasures we find in life (and I'm not talking about Frostys). I'm convinced it is directly connected to living providently and learning to act for ourselves instead of being acted upon. Thaks to my parents for both enabling us (Dad through teaching and Mom through the tools) to conquer the garbage disposal.

(D&C 58) (2 Ne 2)

yum

2010-03-04T11:23:00.002-07:00

I'm eating pretzels and chocolate chips for breakfast. Yum. :)

Family Finance. Best. Class. Ever.

2010-03-03T23:46:00.002-07:00

So I'm up late studying for a Family Finance exam I have to take tomorrow morning. (It's kind of depressing staying up late studying as a married person because you know your husband is sleeping in there without you. Hmph.) Anyway, when this happens for other classes, about this time of night I start calling the teacher names & muttering threats under my breath & getting really annoyed at them for giving their students a midterm that we actually have to study for....

However, I'm not doing that tonight because Dr. Craig Israelson ROCKS. If any of you have the option of taking his class (SFL 260), or auditing it, or even just sitting in on one class period, it is TOTALLY worth your time. Highly, highly, highly, highly recommended by me. This guy is hilarious, knows his stuff, ties in gospel principles like few teachers I've had, and everything we talk about is applicable to real life. And even though the class is so popular that he teaches it in the huge SWKT auditorium, it is one of my top two classes this semester and probably one of my top five at BYU.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it. Well it's not. :)

This is the stuff we talk about:
Record Keeping
Budgeting
Credit/Loans
Taxes
Life Insurance
Health/Auto/etc. Insurance
Housing - how to buy your own house

At first glance it seems like it could be a really boring class. But no. That is far, far, far from the truth. And in actuality, I didn't really know much about any of those topics, and now I feel like I am a much more prepared citizen and wife. If you're recently married or engaged or single take this class. Dr. Israelson is an incredible teacher. So there. Except his tests - especially the 2nd midterm - are hard, so I need to study now. But...I rocked the last one. :)

So yeah. SFL 260. Ask anyone else who's taken it, and you'll get the same response. They all know what I mean.

untitled

2010-02-24T15:00:00.001-07:00

I've got a craving to blog.
But don't have anything to say.
Maybe I'll turn into a frog.
Maybe I'll eat some hay.
My brain feels like a log.
(sigh.)
I'll try this another day.

Our trip to Louisiana

2010-02-15T21:56:00.006-07:00

One of my favorite places in Baton Rouge.

Beautiful LSU campus

Corey's grandma, "Mommie" at our LA wedding reception. She is a sweetheart and we stayed at her house one night.

One of my all-time favorite signs. Never pronounce it with an "O" down there or you'll be shot...

Corey, his two sisters, Codey and Chelsey, and I spent one day in New Orleans together. My first ever visit to an aquarium! It was incredible! Who knew (among other things) that the male seahorse is the one that gives birth?? We were able to pet a shark and a sting ray, which was very cool (and slimy).

(Codey, Chelsey, me, Corey)

One Eternal Round

2010-02-09T09:44:00.004-07:00

"The divine delight in what seems to us to be mere repetition is one clue to the sublime character of God. Since we must, at times, accept what appears to us to be routine, repeated experiences, we too, if we try, can find fresh meaning and fresh joy in the repeated experiences. God's course is one eternal round but it is not one monotonous round. God is never bored, for one who has perfect love is never bored. There is always so much to notice, so much to do, so many ways to help, so many possibilities to pursue."
--Neal A. Maxwell (A More Excellent Way, p. 84-85)

It kind of puts a new light on, well, going to the temple, for example. Or going to church. Or studying my scriptures. Or being a student.

I can do this. :)

the eleventh hour... or rather, the twelfth (ha)

2010-02-05T00:30:00.008-07:00

I just wrote my thesis and intro paragraph for a 6 1/2 page paper that is due in 11 1/2 hours. (and I'm celebrating my remarkable progress by posting. :)

If you know me well, you may know that papers stress me out almost like nothing else. I have been very fortunate that my major doesn't require any papers. Like, ever. But, alas. GEs. They will be the death of me. (or at least their papers will be.)

On the bright side, I got a 92% on my Finance exam yesterday! And when I got to the Testing Center today, the line was only down the stairs and almost going out the front doors. As opposed to when I left, there were people were standing in line (in the freezing cold, might I add) all the way to the Brimhall Building. They must have waited in line for over an hour. And it's not even finals week.

The weekend will bring a welcome and much-needed respite. :)

Another bright side: I feel so lucky to have such an incredibly caring husband. I don't know how much fun it is to be married to a continual stress-case, but he still seems to like being married.

Okay, back to the grindstone. If only I had Chelsie's knack at writing kick-trash papers. :) As it is, I have to rely upon my not-so-awesome ability (or lack thereof) to spew out some intelligent stuff about Hamlet in an organized manner.

In spite of it all, I am surprisingly hopeful! (Maybe I should blog more often..)

p.s. we are driving a Lexus for the weekend. you know, everyone's doing it. (promise, this is not a joke.)

Summer School :)

2010-02-01T15:14:00.002-07:00

I'm signing up for classes this spring and summer, and I have a couple extra credits I need to take. Any recommendations for classes? I haven't taken a whole lot of "fun" classes recently. The thought that I can this summer is pretty exciting.

if only...

2010-01-28T11:01:00.003-07:00

From: University Communications

Date: Thu, Jan 28, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Subject: [*] Classes in Clyde Building canceled today
To: EVERYONE@listserv.byu.edu

Because of a power outage all classes in the Clyde Building will be canceled today, Jan. 28 2010.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Struggling Student
Date: Thu, Jan 28, 2010 at 11:05 am
Subject: Please
To: Power Plant Guy

Dear Sir,
It was very kind of you to give such an unexpected gift to those students in the Clyde Building today. Can you help me out and schedule power outages in the McKay and the Library today as well? It would be much appreciated. You are such a Good Samaritain, or you will be, if you follow through with this.

One left, and one year ago

2009-12-17T17:34:00.004-07:00

One final left. (I saved the hardest for last. Wise, I know.)

Reminiscing:
This day last year was the day before I left for Jerusalem. What a night (it was one of the worst days of my life). Take two finals, rush home, pack my stuff, do my cleaning check**, check out of the apartment, pack what I needed for four months in the Middle East. I ended up not sleeping that night. And I missed my flight the next morning.

Thankfully, Dec. 17, 2009 has been MUCH calmer, for which I am extremely grateful.

**correction: I realized after I wrote this post that my heaven-sent roommate K-bob did my cleaning check that day. I didn't clean a square inch of the apartment. Kristen Zimmerman (now Skidmore) did it all. And during finals too. May she be blessed forever.

5:2

2009-12-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

this ratio just keeps getting better. I'm on the home stretch

And then...

2009-12-16T17:32:00.002-07:00

And then there were four finals (done).
And then there were three finals (left).
And then there were two (days to take them).
And then there will be one (happy husband).

three to four

2009-12-15T16:35:00.003-07:00

Dear Professors,
I'll only get married once.
To my coursework it certainly was a hindrance
And I know my scores portray me as a dunce.
Not getting C's is my preference
(after all, learning is of the essence)
And I tried. Whaddayathunks?

two down, five to go

2009-12-14T15:45:00.002-07:00

I'm going to keep a running total of my finals. And I'm going to update the world of cyber space via this lovely blog.

bragging rights...I don't have them. yet.

2009-12-14T09:21:00.006-07:00

I have 6 finals this week. :( I just took one. :)

And the fire alarm in the library just started going off. GAH!!!! Someone is going to die. (and it's not me, and it's not anyone by fire in the library either, I'm pretty sure.)

-----------------

Update: I miscounted. Let's make that 7 finals. (good thing none of them are math-related or I'd be in real trouble)

This talk is worth your time.

2009-12-10T10:58:00.002-07:00

Last night I read this talk by President Eyring for one of my classes (my last reading assignment of the year!!). It was the perfect thing to end the semester on. He gave this talk, entitled "The Family," in a CES Fireside November 5, 1995, and reading it had a powerful impact for good on me. Anyone who needs a pick-me-up, a bit of heavenly perspective, or loves the family and the proclamation will want to read this sometime. I strongly encourage it when you have a few minutes.

Oh the Joys of Being a Student

2009-12-08T13:13:00.007-07:00

This is pretty much how I feel right about now. (except I probably wouldn't go so far as to use the verb "hate")

Except, I'm not being forced to go to public school. I'm putting myself through this torture of my own free will. Why??

I'm so glad for finals week. ... To be over. :)

Louisiana here we (almost) come!!

Words from Washington

2009-11-19T08:24:00.004-07:00

"Fathers and mothers, if you have children, they must come first. You must read to your children and you must hug your children and you must love your children. Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House but on what happens inside your house."

--Barbara Bush

(Washington Post, 2 June 1990, p. 2)

Eternity

2009-11-18T01:43:00.004-07:00

Advice

2009-11-17T01:19:00.003-07:00

As many of you know, I'm getting married on Friday. (woo!) Having never been married, I do not consider myself an expert in the field. So this is an open blog post. Any advice, suggestions, thoughts, or anything else you have regarding marriage are welcome and appreciated - and thanks to blogger, you can leave it easily in the form of a comment! (ps - It's not hard to leave a comment, you know. You can even leave it anonymously if you desire to remain unnamed.)

While there are no guarantees that I will take your advice, I'm nevertheless looking forward to hearing your thoughts, whether you are married or single or whatever. :) I need all the help I can get, after all...

as she looked upon her children:

2009-11-12T08:20:00.001-07:00

"You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky."

--Anne Campbell

Our Greatest Gift and Greatest Joy

2009-10-27T10:46:00.000-06:00

"Your personal knowledge of God is not only the greatest gift you will ever give, but it will bring you the greatest joy you will ever have."

--Elder Robert D. Hales

Fun at the Zoo

2009-10-24T15:42:00.007-06:00

New baby elephant and mommyHomemade bread (by Janel) to starve off starvation during our zoo escapades

Lily

Liza's favorite animal
Liza's favorite mommy

Corey wants to marry me why? :)

Sage busting out dance moves for Eliza ... and the porcupine ... ?

the best part about the zoo

a closer look

(I told Sage to look scared)

lookalike contest?

Eliza

Sage and large gorilla friend

gorilla fun, with crazy child on my left
(click to enlarge, I promise it'll be worth it)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

2009-10-22T17:12:00.007-06:00

"My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. '[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.' On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal."

Elder Holland's full talk

The Ride

2009-10-22T00:00:00.015-06:00

Some days he climbs. It's hard work, but he makes considerable progress, feels satisfaction, that he has something to show.

Some days he coasts. These days are easy. Envied and sorely desired in the midst of the climb. But, ultimately, boring.

Other days he goes off-roading, intentionally. Days like this don't happen very often.

Still other days he careens down the road, all the world a wobbly blur around him. Forgotten faces, bubble sheets, golden trees on fire, phone calls - all demand attention amongst the whirpool of colors, noises, and smells threatening to engulf him. And the steering wheel has taken a holiday.

help

2009-10-12T15:50:00.003-06:00

-Although the engagement photos may suggest otherwise, I do in fact need a haircut.

-Said haircut needs to be in the next week or two so it doesn't look like I got butchered the day before the wedding.

-I don't have a ton of money to spend on a haircut. ( ie, $30 seems like a lot.)

-However, I think I am willing to spend a little more than usual on a haircut in order to eliminate worry or self-consciousness on Nov. 20th.

-But: I haven't been completely satisfied with the past few haircuts I have gotten in different salons. (mostly because I'm not willing to spend a fortune on product or an hour fixing the hair itself)

-Thus, I am not willing to spend $30 if it is going to be disappointing again.

-So...I'm asking for your help. (many of you have offered to help, here I am cashing in.) If you know of anyone who cuts hair well, isn't too expensive, can get me in quick, will help me get a style that doesn't require a pound of product, is in the Provo/Orem area, and with whom I won't be risking my life - or wedding pictures - with, please let me know. Grazie.

I have a BOMBDIGGITY support system! Boo ya.

2009-10-06T17:27:00.008-06:00

We've found a temple, a date, a place to live, a wedding dress, engagement photos, colors, and now bridesmaids' dresses. Huzzah! And, thanks to Aunt Ruth, we'll have a quilt for our bed. Now for a bed itself... :)

Next up: Choose my favorite photo for the invites (verrry hard), select invitation style, compile guest lists, get addresses, finalize photographer, decide on flowers, figure out insurance details, and pick pictures and music for wedding video.

And, try not to fail 16 credits worth of classes while I'm at it. And make time for personal enrichment and time with the Lord. And prepare for the temple. And be a good roommate. And a good fiance. And sister. And friend. And daughter. And visiting teacher. And cousin. And employee (I'm getting pressure at work to put in more hours). And stranger. Oh, and sleep occasionally and maybe even exercise every once in a blue moon.

It seems as if November 20th is barreling toward me, yet crawling at the same time. To all of you whose plates I have let crash to the ground during this slightly insane time of my life, please accept my apology. I certainly am trying! And I am (and will continue to be) so grateful to all who have helped, are helping, will help, and have simply offered to help. And to those of you who don't hold grudges. :)

ps, If you'd like an invite and I haven't pestered you for your address already, please leave it in a comment or call me or send it to me in an email! Love to all! :)

Too Many Choices

2009-10-04T01:07:00.011-06:00

We have approximately 337 pictures to choose from for our invitations. Mom is such a pro photographer that she was able to make us look (deceivingly) good in not only one photo but many! Thanks so much, Mom!! (even though it makes our - my - job exceptionally difficult...) Here's a sneak preview to what you may be receiving in the mail in a few weeks.

Cast your votes on your favorite (taking into account that lighting and sunspots and such can be adjusted):

#1
#2

#4
#5
#6#7
#8
#9
#10 (after 3 hours of posing...)
#11
#12#13
#14

(ok, not really... but the photographer deserves to make it in at least one photo :)

Quite the photo shoot, no? And a heartfelt thanks to Tahitian Noni and Provo Canyon (near Squaw Peak) for providing the beautiful backdrop scenery!

ahem.

2009-09-13T20:11:00.006-06:00

Name: Corey Heath Bennett

Place: Provo Temple

What: Marriage for time and all eternity!!!

(Date & Time: TBA)

school

2009-08-31T08:04:00.001-06:00

bring it on. throw everything you've got at me. i am ready for the challenge.

boo ya.

four firsts

2009-08-27T23:24:00.002-06:00

today I:

1. Used a paper shredder for the first time in my life

2. Used an ATM machine for the first time in my life (I know, I should get out more. but isn't it kind of cool? :)

3. Cooked a meatloaf pattie in a 9x13 (and splattered it all over the clean oven) ... for the first time in my life (and hopefully the last)

4. Ate Cranberry Almond Crunch for the first time in over a year, thanks to Kim, who knows of my love for afore mentioned cereal, and her big heart

a truth.

2009-08-20T11:37:00.001-06:00

There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

-Washington Irving

call me rosie

2009-08-15T00:44:00.015-06:00

I'm claiming a brag/whine moment. (This is my blog, after all, and as such I have inherent rights.) I worked approximately 12 hours and 35 minutes today at three different jobs. It was a looooong day and I just barely got home. Technically, it should have been a 13 1/2 hr day but I absolutely could not find my keys this morning when I went to leave for work at 9 am. So, after much searching, a prayer, and more searching, I finally found them an hour later - on my roommate's desk - and no clue how they got there... Only 2 more Fridays (after today) like this one! Huzzah! Yes, it's true, I put in my two weeks for both Terra Mia jobs (office and restaurant). It certainly is liberating when you take actions that involve being true to yourself. And, you know you've either been away from school too long or you've had an undesirable job - or both - when you're looking forward to putting in 12 hour days of studying. Ha! Well, I just have more appreciation for school now. :)

Picture of the Day

flowers atop the Conference Center

i love to see the temple!

2009-08-13T23:01:00.006-06:00

I'll go inside someday

I'll covenant with my Father

I'll promise to obey

Press Forward Saints!

2009-08-06T13:33:00.001-06:00

"Our responsibility is not trivial; it is not by chance that we are who we are; the keeping of our covenants in these days of destiny will be a badge of honor throughout all the eternities."

--Neil L. Andersen, “Come unto Him,” Ensign, May 2009, 80

R.A.O.K.

2009-07-19T20:30:00.003-06:00

Random Acts of Kindness. A nice little acronym. Perhaps R.A.O.K. will become my new motto.

A few weeks ago someone washed my car, inside and out.

Wow.

Not only had it been on my list of things to do since I've been back from Jerusalem, but the sad state of Baby Blue had become increasingly bothersome to me. But - not quite enough for me to buckle down and wash it. And vacuum it. And wipe the dust off the inside dashboard from when I leave the windows down. And collect the leaves, old receipts, half-empty waterbottles and balled-up napkins from underfoot.

To Whom It May Concern: Thanks for leaving the glaring absence of a note! If the kind soul who saw my need and filled it reads my blog, then please accept my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. You increased my optimism of the human race in general. You make me want to do just such things for other people. You are a great example of the Savior and what He would do if He were here. Thank you!

currently

2009-06-21T00:08:00.007-06:00

Current time and place: 12:09 am on a Saturday night, sitting on the couch in my tidy living room (cleaning checks this morning and company tonight)

Current mood: blogging mood. also contemplative.

Current state: contacts dry and sticking to my eyes, pajamas are all the way under my pillow in the other room, mellow Jim Brickman music playing on the laptop, getting sleepier with every word

(only a few of my many) Current thoughts: There's nothing in this world quite like piano music. And band naps. My cousin Stephen went through the temple today. Tomorrow I'm going to hear him speak in church. It will be the second week in a row I've gone to the E7 ward, and the third time I'll have been in the church building in two weeks. Weird since I don't usually go back. I hear people socializing outside my apartment in the fishbowl. Too tired to go out, but I can hear their conversations. So I get the gossip without actually participating... Exhaustion is threatening to overtake me, but I really want to blog. Plus I can maybe get a nap tomorrow. My Sundays are less busy than they used to be.

Current calling: Compassionate Service Leader. I love it. Mom totally called it, too. I was at home and said, "So, guess what my new calling is?" She thought for a moment and said, Compassionate Service?" Mother's intutition I guess! Wow. I hope I can do a good job. It's not too overwhelming in a singles' ward, and we only have 2 new girls moving into our Relief Society for summer term. I think we'll be able to take care of them. :)

Current job: So I have a new assignment at Terra Mia. I work some hours in the office doing random jobs for them. Basically I do whatever they need me to do. Example: the other day at work I wrote a writeup for a newsletter, mailed some bills, called a printing company to verify the printing of a bunch of business cards, and learned how to do web writing (it's going to be fairly difficult for me). Anyway, I think that's how most days will be - random projects and miscellaneous tasks and such. But, it's nice that I'll be doing more than just ringing up pizzas and pastas and salads and telling people sorry we don't have a kids menu yet and rolling silverware and getting sent home early because there aren't enough customers to make it worthwhile to have me there. (On the plus side, employees get unlimited gelato samples.)

Here's the paragraph I wrote for the newsletter (I hope no one at Kids on the Move is bothered that it's on my blog before they've sent out their newsletter. The way I see it, it's good publicity for them, right?). I'm (geekily) pretty proud of it. I wrote it from scratch (if that makes sense), and my boss seemed fairly pleased with it and didn't tell me to rewrite the whole thing, just had me edit and change some things. I do enjoy writing. In fact, it made me want to blog more. Anyway, for kicks, here's the write-up, and maybe it'll help you get a better idea of the place where I'm hanging out these days.

Are you hungry for some authentic Italian cuisine, but not looking forward to the wait that comes with a regular full service restaurant? Then Terra Mia Ristorante is the place for you – where authentic, Italian pizzas, pastas, and salads are served in a “just-in time” experience – generally around 5 minutes, all freshly made when you order!
Terra Mia, located across from the new Cinemark Theater by Orem’s University Mall, officially opened its doors last month on May 20th. Since then, residents of the area have been delighted to discover the flavors and aromas of Naples, Italy in our own Orem, Utah. With a wide variety of traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas, as well as flavorful pastas and salads, Terra Mia provides guests with a healthier dining alternative. The experience is highlighted by our wood-burning oven, imported directly from Italy, that will cook your freshly-made pizza in about 45 seconds! And don’t forget to save room for dessert; the refreshing gelato is made on-site daily... But beware – you just might never settle for “normal” ice cream again!
Whether you’re looking for lunch, dinner, or dessert, Terra Mia has something for you. Stop by anytime between 11 am and 11 pm to experience the cuisine of Naples! As a friend of Kids on the Move, from July 1 – July 8, Terra Mia will donate 10% of the ticket total for anyone who comes in and mentions they were sent by KOTM!
Terra Mia Ristorante
1050 S 750 E
Orem, UT 84097
terramiaonline.com (the website is still a work in progress...and will be bomb awesome when we're done with it)

nice.

2009-06-15T23:51:00.005-06:00

I am obsessed with this duet arranged by Jon Schmidt for piano and cello. If the two songs are already familiar to you, you'll probably like it. If not, well, whatev.

Love Story (Taylor Swift) Meets Viva La Vida (Coldplay)

thanks maggie

2009-05-27T17:23:00.007-06:00

eight things i am looking forward to

1. Yellowstone trip next week!

2. wearing my new shorts

3. downloading pictures from my camera
4. knowing everyone's name in my ward
5. making bread on a regular basis this summer
6. vacuuming my car
7. making pie tonight!!!
8. blogging more often :)

eight things i did yesterday

1. cooked for dinner group
2. learned how to make salsa
3. slept in dreadfully late
4. fed my sister's fish
5. played the piano at Institute
6. felt homesick for Jerusalem
7. began the monolithic task of cleaning my room
8. ate a few too many samples of gelato at work :)

eight things i wish i could do

1. speak Spanish fluently. gah.
2. remember details about people. like their name, for starters.
3. go back to Jerusalem (not permanently), see Istanbul on the way
4. improvise on the piano
5. have a job I really love
6. be the favorite aunt
7. get into bed at a reasonable hour
8. download pictures from the past month from my camera but it won't work :(

eight magazines i like

1. Conference issue of the Ensign!
2. I don't read any other magazines ... kind of pathetic, I know. but I don't really care so it's all good :)

eight things on my wishlist

1. a laptop. ha, yeah right.
2. skydiving???
3. a magic fairy to clean my room
4. all my siblings and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews back in Provo
5. a kitchen aid
6. a scooter?
7. a fridge all to myself
8. that I didn't ever have to take showers or shave my legs

eight bloggers i am tagging - no pressure now

1. kim
2. becca
3. heather
4. sarah w
5. amanda
6. katie
7. natalie
8. camille
9. anyone who wants to be tagged

feel the love

2009-05-14T17:40:00.003-06:00

I love my family.
I love Provo in the spring.
I love feeling productive and active.
I love sleeping. I also love sleeping in my own bed, but it's not a requirement for an exceptional sleep.
I love new callings.
I love my 5 nieces and 2 nephews and the new one (gender TBA) on the way.
I love serving others.
I love Mt. Timpanogos. Talk about gorgeous these days.
I love catching up with friends.
I love progressing and feeling like I'm becoming more like the Savior.
I love the satisfaction of taking a great picture.
I love reading a good book.
I love the House of the Lord.
I love feeling happy.
I love being home.

til we meet

2009-04-22T13:32:00.003-06:00

The Call
Regina Spektor

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before

All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

all things denote there is a god

2009-04-20T16:20:00.001-06:00

Emmaus

2009-04-19T15:36:00.001-06:00

Heather, Dad, and me reenacting the road to Emmaus scene...don't we look legit in our levis and everything??

hope you've got a camera nearby

2009-04-17T03:14:00.006-06:00

here are the rules:

once you're tagged, you must take your picture right
then and there.

no editing.

no changing clothes.

no adding makeup (Rich, this includes you.)

that's right, we wanna see the real you.

take 1

...oops

take 2

...that's better. not that Kim doesn't have a beautiful neck,

but her face is pretty cute too :)

If you read this, consider yourself tagged. (ha I wonder how many of you will actually do this. one? two? maybe more, considering it's finals and no one wants to do what they're supposed to be doing... he he.)

no title needed.

2009-04-17T03:06:00.001-06:00

jerusalem fun

2009-04-16T14:39:00.005-06:00

what a good lookin bunch

the first glimpse of the sun during the Easter sunrise service on Mt. Scopus

During Passover, which ends tomorrow, the Jews aren't allowed to eat anything with leaven in it. And they mean business. Enforced obedience - in Jewish grocery stores they literally cover up merchandise that is against the rules for the 8 leaven-less days of the holiday. (It doesn't matter if you aren't Jewish. You still can't buy it. In fact, one of my friends tried to buy a certain kind of chocolate before we leave. Turns out this chocolate was banned for the week of Passover! (leaven...?) The shopkeeper took pity on this obviously non-Jew and snuck her into the back and sold some under the counter while no one was looking!!!) Anyway, check this out - in this grocery store they completely blockaded the cereal/cracker etc aisle with a plastic sheet and stacked toilet paper in front of it (what, in case I get an urge to buy crackers I might get distracted with the rolls of TP??) Ha!

Rules? huh, what? (he always was the rebellious one..)

it's crunch time

2009-04-15T10:07:00.006-06:00

I'm writing a paper that's due tomorrow for my Ancient Near Eastern Studies class. Now, I enjoy writing - for my blog. Creative writing is fun, especially because I do it when I feel like it and I don't do it when I don't feel like it. On the other hand, I do not enjoy writing papers. They stress me out. I never feel like I have anything to say. I do not feel original. I cannot collect my thoughts. I often discover my thesis is pointless (or that I don't have one) and have to start over. I usually procrastinate them until the last minute. All these combine to give me a negative, sinking feeling whenever I discover I have to write a paper. (Miraculously, I didn't have to write a single one last semester! Heaven on earth. But of course I didn't become a better writer because of it.)

Anyway, here's the paragraph that I'm proudest of at the moment - if only the entire paper were like it! (I even read it aloud to Heather. I think she thinks I'm a little weird but I know she loves me in spite of it. :)

The temple was central to Israelite culture as well. The Lord gave very specific instructions to Moses as to how the tabernacle should be constructed and the ordinances and procedures conducted therein. Later Solomon built a magnificent, expensive temple; Israelite culture basically revolved around this house of the Lord. Men were commanded to go to Jerusalem to the temple for the major feasts at least three times a year, if possible. Under the Law of Moses there were also three types of sacrifices which were offered in the temple: sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings. Israelite culture revolved around the temple and the temple in turn elevated Israelite culture. According to class lecture, the building of the temple in Jerusalem elevated Israelite society to the level of Egypt and other temple-building societies. Simply put, the temple was an integral part of life. With this backdrop, it is no wonder that the Jews were devastated when the temple was plundered by Nebuchadnezzar II, ecstatic when Cyrus sent them back and encouraged them to rebuild the temple, and enraged when Antiochus IV later replaced the temple with a gymnasium in 167 BC.

WIB (Women In Black)

2009-04-14T03:02:00.003-06:00