CSI: Birdland

On the next episode of CSI: Birdland...

Who was the cause of this atrocious deed? An angry acquaintance? A jealous boyfriend? Find out the story behind the sadness on the next episode of CSI: Birdland. Wednesdays at 8 p.m. CST on BVN (Bird View Network).

CrAZy DrEAmS

I know, I know. Probably the last thing you want is to log on and read about the weird dreams I've been having. BUT, when there's not much else going on, these dreams become the excitement in my reality. So, here goes.

Dream #1
Mark goes out of town on a business trip, and I fall for Kramer... from Seinfeld. This guy:

I woke up feeling guilty and really sad. Wouldn't you feel sad if you gave up my handsome fella for this guy?

Dream #2
Ok, now it's a war zone. Pretty much everybody in the world hates each other and we're in the middle of WWIII. Nuclear bombs are going off everywhere around me. Luckily, I can run really fast, and they're far enough away that they don't kill me, only knock me down. Then I see one headed right for me. I thought I could outrun it. I run so fast. But not far enough. Suddenly I'm a spirit, and I'm trying to convince some live girl to let me take over her body so I can talk to Mark. Then I woke up.

Dream #3
I helped some lady come up with the idea to put on a show - Hairspray (the musical). Except that this rendition of hairspray wasn't anything like the Broadway version. I think we only called it that so that people would come see it. It was very poorly done, and our actors were horrible. I think I snuck in and said a line somewhere in the middle of the play. My line was supposed to be funny (it was hilarious to me) but none of the audience laughed. I felt dumb and got off the stage. If I remember right, the play was about politics, and was trying to make a point/send a message. Funny thing is that in real life, I don't care much for politics and definitely wouldn't want to embarrass myself on stage just to make a point.

So, there you have it. This week's dreams in a nutshell. I hope you've been entertained! :)

Stake Conference Cuties

Today we went to stake conference in our new stake. The messages were great, but I just have to tell you about the kids sitting in front of us.

One of the little girls was drawing on a piece of paper. Turns out she was drawing the stone tablets with the 10 commandments. How cute is that?! Then, she turned the paper over and started writing... F A... "Mom, I'm trying to spell 'faith'. What comes next?" I T H. Under that, she wrote GOD LOVES ME. Under that it was I BLE... "Mom, how do you spell 'believe'?" ...I BELIEVE IN GOD. Finally, she wrote I LOVE GOD. This mother must be doing something right with her children. Also, I should mention that this little girl was drawing and writing with no prompting from anyone else - this was all her.

Her brother was also pretty cool. He first drew a picture of Jesus. Then the Albuquerque temple. Then Angel Moroni. Seriously? What did this mother do to teach her children to do these things for fun?!

Amazing. I hope my kids are awesome like that.

P.S. For anyone reading this who may not be LDS (aka Mormon): stake conference is a meeting when several wards (bodies of saints) get together and have church meetings. More info at www.lds.org :)

Dear Diary

I just got off the phone with my sister. It's been a while since we had a good, long talk about whatever. I love talking with her, because we always end up talking about members of our family and how much we love them. Specifically, we were talking about cousins who we helped raise. There's a special place in my heart for my younger cousins who look up to me. Just a few weeks ago, Mark and I stopped by my family reunion on the way to move to Albuquerque. When we got there, a couple of my cousins ambushed me (the sweet little things). They had felt bad that I couldn't stay and participate in the crafts, so they made some crafts for me. My sister was telling me about when they decided to make them. They heard I would be stopping by, and asked my sister what my favorite colors were so they could make something that I would love. What angels!!! I am just overcome with feelings of love and gratitude for the TRULY AMAZING family I was born into. I have THE BEST parents and siblings in the world. I have the MOST AWESOME aunts and uncles that anyone could ever have, and I was blessed with a lot of them! I have so many special cousins, both older and younger than me. And my in-laws are just as amazing! I wish you all had been born into my family so you could know what it is to be truly blessed.

I want to keep rambling on about how much I love my family, but I'm afraid that my language is not eloquent enough to express what I'm feeling, so I would just bore you all to death.

Thank you, Sister, for reminding me of how amazing our family is!

Albuquerque So Far

Well, my friends, my mom finally talked me into it. I always said that, "when I get to Albuquerque I'll blog more". I've made myself a liar so far, and my mother is trying to correct my evil ways. :)

Mark is enjoying his job so far. He doesn't have his security clearance yet (and probably won't for a couple more months) which means he can't really work on what he wants to work on. He's doing training and stuff, though, so that keeps him busy. By the end of this month, he will have taken 3 trips for conferences and classes. He's been to Austin and Denver, and has yet to go to Chicago.

I still don't have a job (I wish I did, but finding a job as a statistician isn't as easy as it sounds), which means that I am a stay at home wife, with no children to take care of. How do I keep busy, you ask? Well, for starters, I made some friends in our church ward who are also stay at home wives with no children. We get together every couple of days (including today, in about 5 minutes!) and figure out ways to entertain ourselves. Once a week there's a playgroup at the park for the mom's with kids, and we go crash the party. When I'm by myself, I read, practice instruments, watch tv, play computer games, play video games, go grocery shopping, clean the (small) apartment, and shop online for big ticket items that we can't yet afford. Yes, I am living the dream. I sometimes complain about how bored I get, but that's my own fault. As you can see, there's plenty to do.

Currently I am trying to learn tennis. Mark was on the tennis team in high school, so he's really good. He doesn't think it's fun to play with me (yet) because I'm really not very good. So, if you come to visit, feel free to challenge me to a tennis match! By the time you get here, I might be able to return a serve :)

Right now I'm going to set a goal: I'm going to blog AT LEAST three times a week. That means that ya'll will have to check back more and more often. It may encourage me if you left a comment so that I know you're reading.

Love and miss you, UTAH!!! (and all the people in it and wherever else you are)

When you come to visit...

Here is where you will enter our apartment.

Here is where we'll eat our meals.

Here is where we'll watch movies, or Futurama.

Here is where you can pick a game to play, or check your email. If you want hamburgers or grilled chicken, we'll walk out to the patio through that door.

That's your room at the end of the hall.

Here's where we'll make dinner and do dishes together.

Feel free to use any of the clean towels on the shelf.

This is where Mark and I will be sleeping. If you want to play the piano, just ask so I can make sure our room is clean :)

Here's where you'll stay. Sorry about the bad lighting in the picture.

This is the patio. The shelf won't be there when you get here, so it will be a lovely place to spend an evening.

Obviously, the grill. In the closet we have all of our recreational equipment (tennis rackets, camping gear, etc.)

And finally, here's what the weather is like. Pretty sky, no?

See you soon!!

Moving

As most of you know, Mark and I are in the process of moving to Albuquerque. We're very excited about this move, but very sad to be leaving our Logan home. We loved it in Logan and I wish we could live there forever. But as with all amazing small towns, there aren't the job opportunities we were wanting. So here we are, starting a new chapter in our lives. We're calling this the "Real Life" chapter. When I say "we", I really mean me because, let's face it, Mark doesn't help me write this blog, and he doesn't read it most of the time either. :)

For those of you who don't know much about Albuquerque, I'll lay down some facts for you. First off, it's in New Mexico, not Arizona. (I've had so many people say "Have fun in Arizona" or "Don't eat at this restaurant in Arizona". Too funny.) Secondly, it's at a high elevation in the desert, so it's not too hot and not too cold. The winter averages in the 40-50's and the summer averages in the 80-90's. They also say they have four seasons, and occasionally get snow. Third, each year Albuquerque hosts the largest balloon festival in the world. Hundreds of hot air balloons are launched into the sky throughout the festival, and I hear it's just lovely.

Now, I've never been to Albuquerque, or New Mexico for that matter, and I have no idea what it's really like. Mark says it's windy and hot. Several people I've talked to LOVE it there. Hopefully I will love it there as well. Once we get all settled in, I'll try to remember to post pictures of our apartment (which has tennis courts and swimming pools - yay!!) and other things that might be interesting. Also coming soon: The Europe Trip. Watch out, that one will be a long one. There's a total of 8 weeks of stuff to talk about there, and LOTS of pictures. After these messages, we'll be right back.

Graduation Invite!

The Craziness that is Real Life.

It seems there comes a time in life where it's time to move on. We're approaching that time. Our life together has been spent going to school. In the 4+ years we've been together, neither of us have worked a full time job, or even thought about it. Now we are both interviewing at various companies and trying to start a new life. In 3 weeks, we'll both be done with school, Mark with 2 Master's and 1 Bachelor's degree, and me with a Master's and a Bachelor's degree. It's crazy to think about, but a new life begins in less than a month. Mark is currently interviewing with a company in New Mexico. I am currently interviewing with a company in California, and a University in Wisconsin. We're really hoping we can find jobs in the same city, but so far we're not even in the same states. Of course, we won't live apart from each other, but it would be nice to start jobs at the same time. Crazy stuff.

*A big thanks to Kate Pease for taking this picture (and others used for graduation announcements), and to Cory for putting the announcements together.

Email Fail

An email I received from the Logan Institute (a church education facility):

Dear Students,
We have two request for interrupters.
One is from the Logan School district.  They need someone who speaks Mandarin Chinese.  If you are interested please call Tami Clark at 755-2337 Ext. 2.
Second, we need someone to help the missionaries interrupt Marshallese for a family they are teaching.  If you are interested please call Brother Curtis at 245-3278.
Thanks,
The Logan Institute

Too Long...

I've been out of the blogging scene for quite some time now because I spend so much time on the computer that when it comes time to write a blog post, I just want to shut down the whole computer. But, it's 9:30 in the morning, and I'm still fresh for the day. So here's my update.

I graduated last semester with my masters in statistics. I defended my thesis (which, for me, wasn't actually a thesis - it was a project - but it's easier to just call it a thesis) just after Thanksgiving. The topic was characterizing influenza movement through the U.S. Pretty cool stuff, but I'm glad to be done with it. If you really are interested, there's a copy of my report in the USU library :)

The math department at USU is allowing me to teach classes for them this semester. I'm currently teaching two sections of math 1010 (algebra), and two sections of stat 1040 recitations. I love it, most of the time. I love getting to know my students and watching them progress in their knowledge and understanding of mathematics. Most of them are a joy to be around. Since I'm teaching so much, a lot of my life consists of grading, which happens to be one of my least favorite things. In order to cope, I listen to movies on my computer while I grade. Yesterday was Corpse Bride - it has some awesome music.

I'm still playing bass with the Cache Symphony Orchestra, and I usually love going. The practices are once a week, on Wednesdays, which is a day that I teach for quite a long time. Wednesdays have become very long and tedious, but I don't teach at all on Thursday, so it works out.

Speaking of working out, I tried the P90X program last year, and wimped out. I got bored always exercising by myself at home, and it was hard to stay motivated. In the second half, I would either sleep through the time I was supposed to work out, or fall asleep in the middle of the workout when I sat down to take a break. So this semester, I decided to do the P90X diet hardcore, and for my workouts do the Fun Fit Forever program on campus. So far, I am loving it. I hope to lose 20-30 lbs before summertime when....

Mark and I are going to Europe! He decided that for his last semester (which happens to be in the summer) he'd do study abroad in Switzerland. He'll be gone for the month of June. The awesomeness happens between May 15 and June 4 when we will be touring Europe together and with some friends. I am so excited to eat the chocolate, fresh fruit, and gelato that I experienced 6 years ago with the choir group I went with before. Also, I'm really hoping to see Phantom in the London theatre (which I was supposed to see before, but didn't... blasted terrorists).


Well, that's it for now! Until next time...

Christmas Concert Tonight!!

The full Cache Symphony Orchestra will be playing a Christmas concert on Thursday, December 9 in the Logan Tabernacle at 7:00 p.m.  The concert is free.  Christmas favorites such as Mannheim Steamroller’s “Silent Night”, Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival” and a holiday sing-a-long will  be featured.  Local favorite vocalist Randy Smith will sing, accompanied by the orchestra in an arrangement by Jay Richards.  Please join us!

Great News!

I passed my defense! Now I've got a billion corrections to make on my thesis report, but at least I know I'm bona fide.

Defense *clap* *clap*

I thought the title would be fun because the word "defense" reminds me of going to a basketball game or whatever. But, that's not what I mean this time.

I defend my thesis today!! Assuming that I pass, I will be practically done with school after today. WEIRD! It starts at 3, at which point I will give a presentation for about 20 minutes. Then people (mostly my committee) will ask questions. And then? Then my advisor and committee decide if I am a master of statistics.

I'll keep you posted.

Cache Symphony Orchestra Concert

            The members of the Cache Symphony Orchestra would like to invite you to our Fall Concert that will be held Sunday, November 14^th at 7:30 pm in the Kent Concert Hall on the Utah State University campus.  There is no charge to attend. 

            Please notice that we have changed our name.  The orchestra has grown significantly in the last few years, and the old name, Cache Chamber Orchestra, no longer seemed to fit.  The group now consists of over 60 string players, and when wind players are added for the winter and spring concerts, our numbers grow to 85 or more.  We are now known as the Cache Symphony Orchestra.

            Dr. Robert Frost will direct the strings of the orchestra in pieces by Rutter, C.P.E. Bach, Corelli and Handel.  Featured will be an arrangement of the Shostakovich string quartet number 8.  This moving piece depicts the composer’s feelings about the horrors of war and will include a slide presentation.

            Plan also to attend our holiday concert on Thursday, December 9^th at the Logan Tabernacle.

http://cachechamberorchestra.wordpress.com/

Testimony

I learned something during church yesterday. In fact, I learned it as I opened my mouth to give a comment in Sunday School. We were talking about how the Lord helps us through our trials. During the past several weeks, I have made comments (mostly in Relief Society) about how my big trial currently is writing my thesis. I am not a writer - that is why I am doing statistics. But, I still have to write up all of my research in order to graduate. As I was relating this to the class, I realized how the Lord had helped me through this trial in the past week.

Last week I decided to start reading my scriptures. I have not been faithful in reading in quite some time (sorry, I'm not perfect), and it's often hard for me to read without getting distracted and wanting to do something else. On Monday, I picked up my scriptures and opened them to where I believe I had last had my personal study. It was in Mosiah. I started over at the beginning of Mosiah (because who wants to read 1st Nephi a million times?) and read for a half hour. I did that again on Tuesday, and Wednesday, and made it clear through Friday! And do you know what? I noticed a huge difference in writing my thesis. These two things seem totally unrelated to me, yet I know that it's because I'm making a bigger effort to keep the Lord's commandments that I have been blessed with a greater ability to write.

I missed my Saturday study (oops) but got back on track yesterday. I read this morning. Today I wrote another (somewhat short) chapter to send to my adviser for a little revision. And I am excited to read tomorrow, because I am falling in love with the story of the Book of Mormon. The sons of Mosiah are about to go preach to the Lamanites, and Alma the younger was just put in place as chief priest. I read through their conversion story, and it only makes me want to continue converting myself and becoming a better daughter of God.

There you have it. Keep the commandments of God and He will help you in any trial.

For the Sake of Jake

This is my cousin, Jake. I got an email from his mom (my aunt) with some information about Jake and a program in place to help him.

Jake Holladay is a 19 year old twin who has been diagnosed with stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare form of cancer.  He is currently on round eleven of chemotherapy and just finished his radiation treatments.  Despite his daily struggles, Jake is a normal teenage kid.  He likes playing computer games, paintball, swimming and golfing.  He loves hanging out with his four brothers, 4-wheeling, camping and ruining his mom’s laundry baskets while making home videos.  He hopes to someday become a computer programmer.

His family is handling the situation with a positive attitude.
His mom says,  “Many people have asked us why we can keep such a positive attitude about having to deal with cancer.  The facts are: there is cancer in Jake's body and we have to deal with it.  We aren't being punished for something, we don't have a lack of faith, and we are not bad people.  It's not fun, it's not easy- it is what it is.  If we get mad, sad, or angry, will that make the cancer go away?  No.  If we chose to have a positive outlook, to have hope, will that change the outcome?  No, but the journey will be much more peaceful.  It's much easier to see God's tender mercies when you’re not mad at Him.

As a mom, I want the best for my boys.  For me it's a no brainer:  I want the Being that knows how it’s all going to turn out to be in charge. He gave us friends, family and neighbors to help us bear our burdens.  He blessed us with awesome doctors and nurses who spent time learning about this cancer so that when we brought Jake to them, they would know how to treat it.  He put angels in our life to take care of our needs."

His parents have insurance, but with hospital stays every 3 weeks, weekly clinic visits, and daily radiation, their savings have been rapidly depleted.  No donation is too small; even $10 helps in a big way.  Are you one of Jake’s angels?  Reach out for the sake of Jake! 

To make a donation through paypal send it to forthesakeofjake@gmail.com or click the link below. 

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=forthesakeofjake%40gmail%2ecom&lc=US&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted

Visit www.forthesakeofjake.blogspot.com  for updates on Jake's condition.    Thank you so much!

Please, if you have a few moments, please help. 

Top 10

Top 10 Reasons to be a Statistician

10. Deviation is considered normal
9. You feel complete and sufficient
8. You always wanted to learn the entire Greek alphabet anyway
7. You can legally comment on someone's posterior distribution
6. You may not be normal but you are transformable
5. You never have to say you are certain
4. You are honestly significantly different
3. You never have to be right - only close
2. Estimating parameters is easier than dealing with real life
1. Statisticians are normal, everyone else is skewed

JSM Final Update

Well, in my last post I said I would let you know how JSM is going. And then I didn't write again. I have been home from JSM (Joint Statistical Meetings) for about a week and a half, and I figure I should keep my promise.

The hostel I stayed in was quite nice. They fed us breakfast every morning (and it was pretty good too) and the rooms and "washrooms" (as they say in Canadia) were clean and orderly. It was located in a convenient part of town, near quite a few restaurants and sources of entertainment. Of course, by the time I was through with my meetings every day I just wanted to eat dinner and go to sleep. So that's what I did. The food was pretty good, not much different than what you would find in the U.S. except that the fish there was much better than in Utah.

The scenery was beautiful. And being the me that I am, I didn't take a camera. Thankfully, my good friend, James, had brought his camera and kindly took a few pictures of me. The first two were on Sunday, and it was chilly. The last picture was on my last day, the day I presented my poster.

Ephraim and me. I didn't get a picture with James (oops).

Me and the cruise ship that would've been fun to go on.

Lookin' good, no?

My poster session went well. I got a lot of questions that I was able to answer, and a few that inspired ideas for the rest of my research.

Overall, the conference was a success. I had a great time and learned quite a lot. (Also, I met Lance Waller from Emory University. He's the 3rd author on my published paper.) Definitely successful.

JSM update

I am currently sitting in my room at the hostel. The smells of dinner on Granville street waft up and into my window. I'm hungry. This morning I went to a very spiritual sacrament meeting in an LDS ward not far away. I wish I could explain how nice it was to hear such powerful testimonies of Jesus Christ. It was wonderful.
I'm getting better at typing on the iPod but I'm glad it corrects my mistakes most of the time. JSM has been mostly interesting so far and I have gotten a few ideas to add to my research. Hopefully it stays as interesting in the next few days. I present my poster on Wednesday morning, so wish me luck with that.
I am out of time for now. It's time for dinner (finally). Hopefully I will have more to share later. For now, peace out.