Time for a facelift

Not me, of course (though, seriously, what is with the obsession with cosmetic surgery in this state?...) But I am putting this dear blog into retirement and starting a new one. It's time for a new creation...

http://cvdcpc.blogspot.com/

I almost forgot this little guy!

I forgot about my blog! So, what's been on my mind these days? Well...school. So, here's the funniest thing I've learned about myself moving back East. I love the history of the American West. And I even think Mormon history is interesting, especially viewed in the context of what else is going on around the country. Yikes... I never thought I would even utter such a thing!

Somewhat related (but not entirely) to that idea is the fact that I've had this guy on the brain. No, not that kind of guy... Maybe I can find a cute guy in a few weeks to enjoy the nice spring weather with, but until then, I'm stuck with this guy. This is C. R. Savage and he took a lot of pictures in Utah and the intermountain west in the late 19th century/early 20th century. My professor got very excited about the idea of focusing on photographs he took in the year 1869. So, that's what I'll be doing. (When your professor gets that animated, AND happens to be wearing a bolo tie, you can't say no.) I will be analyzing photos like the ones below. I'm actually really loving this paper...I am that lame. I just wish I wasn't bothered with other things, like a paper on the Pan-American Exposition of 1901 in Buffalo and how the Asian exhibits there affected American decorative arts in the years after. Or finishing a museum evaluation project. And that pesky little task of finding a job. In the meantime, fun photos of Utah. From 1869.





Collection at BYU: http://www.lib.byu.edu/dlib/savage/

[I wonder why spell check doesn't like the word intermountain? Don't tell my dad... he already has a complex about the West being slighted as it is!]

and just like that, I'm addicted to chapstick...

This afternoon, I reached into my bag to find my chapstick, and oh no! I couldn't find it! The most surprising part of this moment was the panic that set into my heart. How would I survive the rest of the day without it? And then I stopped as I realized: I am addicted to chapstick. When did this happen? I distinctly remember what seems like just yesterday when I didn't even own chapstick. It just happened, one moment, one use at a time. [This post isn't about addiction. Though that is about how those things happen...so it could go that direction easily, I guess.]

Just like the three feet of snow that seems to have melted in a moment. It just took one degree of warmer weather, one day at a time. It is those small things that happen when we aren't watching that add up to our future. I have been reading this book called A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle. This was an Oprah book club selection and I got it awhile ago. The book is not really what I would call normal. In fact, sometimes he is a bit out there, and I have to read it with an open mind and imagination to see how what he is saying might resonate with truth I know. Surprisingly, I feel that it does, for the most part. His purpose is to discuss overcoming our ego.

Anyway, the part I am loving right now is his idea of living in the present. Not a groundbreaking idea, I know. But for me it kind of is. For someone who studies and looks to the past, sometimes I get caught there. And often I am too worried about the future to be in the Now, as he calls it. But the only time that exists is now. It is what we do with this moment that makes our past okay and the future better. We only have this precise moment to work with. The past doesn't exist anymore as a moment we can do anything about. The future doesn't exist yet. It is just this moment that we have to work with.

Okay...I am going to be late for class. Yikes!

In the Spirit of the Olympics

I love the Winter Olympics. Don't get me wrong, I also love the Summer ones too...but honestly, how can you not just love the Olympics where Curling is a sport! I love watching that and so many other events (um, skiing!). Here we have athletes that generally aren't household names year round. I mean, without the Olympics, would many of us know about Lindsey Vonn? Maybe... Some, for sure. But now everyone is cheering for her. At the Olympics, these athletes have trained and given up so much of their lives for a few moments, however short. In those moments they hope that the hard work pays off, and in sometimes minutes and seconds they know. It is that great sense of accomplishment of the sporting world.

But sometimes, even with all the great Olympic spirit, I am reminded about the person beyond the sport. Take for instance Roberto Clemente. (How's that for abrupt jump in topic!!) As I was doing a project for my internship today, I ran across an exhibit they (SITES) have done about him and I re-remembered how remarkable he was. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the '60's and '70's and was an amazing baseball player, but his reach extended beyond that. He worked on many charitable endeavors and always hoped to instill in other Latin American kids the sense of pride and hope of being able to achieve their dreams. In fact, he died at the age of 38 in a plane crash as he was delivering aid to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. This is a pretty dramatic example of having a purpose beyond even sport. But can you imagine a professional athlete saying this today?:

"Anytime you have the opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't do it, you are wasting your time on this earth." --Roberto Clemente

I can't, actually. But it was a good reminder for me today and thought I would share.


Here is the traveling exhibit by SITES (don't ask...it's the Smithsonian, everything is an acronym) and more source info so you can check up on me!
http://www.robertoclemente.si.edu/

My plan: Hawai'i

As graduation is creeping up on me, the following question seems to turn up quite frequently: "What are you going to do when you are done?" Well, the thing that instantly comes to mind is to say, flippantly, "Get a job". But, that is probably just being sarcastic for no reason. My standard answer is: "I would love to be closer to my family, but if that isn't a possibility I would like to stay in Virginia. Or Hawai'i." Which doesn't make sense, I know. Hawai'i is much further from my family than DC. It has been kind of my own little joke, but no longer... the news confirmed that it is the place I need to be. Over the weekend, with snow dusting even the South, the only state in the US without snow in it was Hawai'i. I thought that was pretty amazing. 49 states at one time with snow! So, it is settled...I'm moving to Hawai'i. I've never visited, but I am sure I would adjust just fine!! I don't even care at this point if I'm at a museum. Who knew that living in DC would be the most memorable snow/winter of my life?

So, here's the source for my news:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100213/ap_on_re_us/us_united_states_of_snow

Since I haven't been to Hawai'i, I don't have any pictures (and don't feel like stealing one off the internet right now). But you all know what it looks like. If you don't, watch LOST. It's filmed in Hawai'i.

Miss Me?

No, not me... Remember him?









I think this is hilarious... and would love to see it full size on the billboard it resides along I-35 near Wyoming, Minn. (Yeah... I had to read the town's name twice. I was confused). I am not making any political statement by putting this up. I just thought it was funny.

Though I do think it is interesting how we (and by we, I do include myself...I am the worst culprit) rewrite the past and suddenly think it looks pretty good when our future may not be that bright. When, in reality, the past wasn't all that pretty either. Reminds me of the lady who called me at the Heritage Center and questioned the programs we taught for our school groups. Apparently we did not portray the pioneers quite like they did on Little House on the Prairie. She wanted THAT version of history. Ahhh... the good 'ole days!

Snow Day(s)

I know I am a very sporadic blogger. But out of what I am going to call official "cabin fever", I am going to start writing on this little blog again. And what better event to start it off with than Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse...call it what you will, it has been great/awful.

I love the snow. I love how quiet the world becomes. I love the chill on your face. I love being in the snow with a bright blue sky. I love being inside with a blanket, hot cocoa, and a good book/friends/ family/movie when you can hear the wind howling outside. After the excitement of the snowfall, however, I appreciate being able to do something with that beautiful snow. I prefer skiing, snowshoeing…things like that. Generally they require open space and mountains. Unfortunately, I don’t live in the mountains anymore.

So, DC got a lot of snow over the weekend. Hopefully everyone heard, because, well it feels like the world has come to a standstill. Oh, wait. I think maybe just we came to standstill. The rest of the nation is functioning just fine. But here, it seems like everyone is snowed in. Loads of snow everywhere. Schools canceled. Work canceled. Museums closed. Sections of Metro closed. Streets unplowed. Basically, all I hear is snow, blah, blah…weather, blah, blah… It hasn’t been that bad. Kind of nice, but definitely surreal. I dug my car out, but don’t really have anywhere to go. And even if I did, I would be scared because someone might take my spot. And then what would I do? So, I stay in. And shovel snow. And walk to Old Town with my roomies. And read. And shovel snow. And read.

On the street where Cornelius (my little car, there on the right) and I live.

So before I realized my school would be closed on Monday I dutifully read and read and read through the weekend. You cannot imagine how thrilling it is to read about American photography theory unless you really dig in to it, you know? That is what I would do. And take breaks to watch Alias. Or talk to my roommates. Or shovel snow. Or eat.

But, I can absolutely tell you what is bad to have happen on a snowed in weekend (quickly turning into week, apparently) is one of the below. I do recognize all of the below would be bad to have happen or hear. Only one happened to me this weekend, however.

A) Power outage

B) Power on; spotty internet connection

C) Unable to locate cell phone charger

D) Hear about ex-boyfriend getting engaged to someone seemingly perfect

E) Tree branch falls onto car

Don’t be fooled by E. That was LAST year. I am much wiser this year, don’t you worry! And yes, A would be bad. Luckily, we had power the entire time. B would almost be as bad as A. What did people do before the internet? I should remember; I am old enough to vividly remember. Luckily, we have good internet. Okay… it was D. Yep…that was fun. I am 1000% happy for him. I know we were not a compatible pair. But wow…news like that is always a bit hard to swallow (given he dumped me), but generally you have stuff to do to keep you occupied for a few days until logic sets in again. But what do you do when you can’t take a nice drive, or walk, or go to work/school/internship, go to church, go out and you are just stuck reading things like American photography theory or stuff about museum evaluation? Of course I am being a bit dramatic; I am doing just fine. But, needless to say, the timing of the news maybe wasn’t my favorite. But, bring on more snow, I guess.

Other than that…all is well in the snowed in(out) capital of our nation.

If you think you are having a bad day...

consider the Secret Service agents who let two attention grabbing, would be reality tv personalities "crash" President Obama's first state dinner. Although it is all kinds of ridiculous on the level of people trying to get attention--again (seriously, doesn't anyone just want to have a nice quiet life anymore?)--it is a little alarming. What if they weren't just attention seekers? I feel very safe in DC, but sometimes I also forget I do live in the nation's capital. With the president. So, obviously, it could get a little interesting. I still trust the security of the nation, however. But I do feel bad for those who had a little slip up in their job the other night. Reminds me of why I'm not doing anything connected to the safety and security of others. I would not handle that well. But I am grateful for all that do.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/us/politics/28crasher.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1259362833-r7cVU/4B7Mq+ZC/Dz0WYbA

Do All Counties Have This?

In my research I have discovered that Montgomery County, Maryland, has its own official Coat of Arms, Flag, and Official Bird and Blossom. I do not recall Cache County having the likes.I did a--very--quick search and found that the Sheriff has a flag in Cache County. No coat of arms that I can tell. No flag. No bird. No blossom. I guess the county could have a contest? Maybe an Aggie would be represented?

Montgomery County, MD
(No...I don't live here. I live in Alexandria, VA. They also, as far as I can tell, do not have an official flag, coat of arms, bird, or blossom. They have a seal, but I am sure Logan does as well. So, Logan shouldn't feel bad. Alexandria is pretty great and very old, as far as US cities go.)

Official Bird and Blossom: robin and dogwood

Official Flag:





Official Coat of Arms:

Desperate Times For All

Hey, even museums have to find a way through the difficult times :) Ha, ha...

To find out what The Met is doing about it!

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/struggling_museum_now_allowing?utm_source=EMTF_Onion

You Belong To Me

Surprise! Believe me, no one was more surprised than me when the song I had been singing along to happened to be a Taylor Swift song. But then again, life is kind of surprising. I am surprised I actually rooted for USC tonight. I am surprised that I love where I live so much. I am surprised that the thought of moving anywhere doesn’t scare me so much anymore. I am surprised I survived without living so close to family last year. I am surprised I enjoyed my collections management internship this summer. I am surprised that I am actually very scared to turn 31 next month and leave single ward status forever. I am surprised that I am still emotional eight years after September 11, 2001. Life is surprising. Whether it is categorized as a “good” or “bad” surprise, life catches me off guard all of the time. The trick is finding some contentment that in all types of surprises, I can rest assured I can never guess what will come next. I am also surprised I am done with my Monday assignments and it isn’t even Sunday night (or Monday afternoon!).

I Like My Fellow Commuters

It is official. I am now tired of commuting. It wasn't too bad for awhile...but now I am ready for it to be over. I have to say, though, that I really like my fellow commuters. I feel that those commuting north from Salt Lake are great. Whenever I hear of accidents, traffic problems, etc., they seem to be concentrated on the commute going SOUTH. Read into that what you will...but I have concluded that I owe everyone who commutes north a thank you!! Good job! There is only one little slow down spot in Kaysville and there have only been a couple of little accidents...but nothing major. So, I have been overall very grateful. I expected much worse.

Summer Reading

Ah...summer reading. Thinking of light hearted paperback reads? Ha. Well, apparently I have missed the memo entirely on what is appropriate summer reading. I will just blame it on grad school. I put off reading things I have wanted to read because of grad school, so the summer is when I do my "for myself reading." Don't judge, but these are two books I would recommend, though I must emphasize, not for any fun, or escape value. If you are looking for something to get your mind off anything of a serious nature, these books are most certainly NOT recommended.

I started my summer off with The Kite Runner. I really felt like The Kite Runner had an amazing story of confronting the awful things we do, trying to reconcile and sometimes hide from them, and finally reaching redemption and confronting the costs of our decisions. The hope of love, amidst the most awful of circumstances, was illustrated vividly in this well written story. Most people I have talked to really have liked the book, but be warned, it deals with some hard story lines and some intense violence. It is set in Afghanistan beginning with the Soviet take over. It follows the story of a wealthy boy, and his boyhood friend through a moment that alters their lives and friendship. I was riveted and could not put it down. I felt the book was beautifully and simply written.

I just finished Massacre At Mountain Meadows, and lets just say, this book makes The Kite Runner seem almost cheery. I mean no disrespect to the awful events in The Kite Runner, but at least there is a sense of hope in the power of love and redemption at the end of The Kite Runner. Massacre At Mountain Meadows just made me wonder exactly how much evil lies in each human heart. I am sure most are aware of the basic events of the horrific story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. I, however, somehow have never taken the time to learn the details of what happened and was horrified at the atrocity that occurred. The book is wonderfully researched and written and tells a very clear and gripping story. I was riveted by this book. I haven't read anything else on the Mountain Meadows Massacre to compare it to, but I felt the book was fair and balanced and painted a clear picture of what was happening in Utah at the time of the event. The authors really tried to explain the actions of the leaders in Southern Utah, and how the massacre was eventually carried out. It is very informative. However, despite the explanations of what was happening with the Utah War, society, mindsets of the time, etc., etc., I was left with the most sickening feeling in my soul about what evil must rest in each individual heart if allowed to be manifest. The authors really tried to explain how such mass violence occurs, and tried to explain the context, but at the end of the day, a group of men methodically masterminded the deception of emigrant men, women, and children and massacred them with their own hands, and the hands of ill-fated Native Americans. I was, and am more than ever, unsettled at how this happened. The book did not answer that question, and I am afraid no book ever can. But it was VERY informative, well written, and--I felt--balanced in the treatment of something so horrific I can't even comprehend it.

So, hopefully your summer reading is much more cheery, but I do recommend both of my summer reads thus far!

Summer Love

Things that go through my brain read a lot like news briefs from the radio these days. Wonder why? Ha, ha, ha. I have listened to a lot of NPR, it is true. I feel very informed, adequately alarmed, and cautiously hopeful for the future because of my news listening. And I like to pass on interesting things you may not hear other places.

Okay, this is why I love people. Since 1929, a giant red light has flashed on the Pittsburgh's skyline and spells out the name of the city. On July 4th, Tom Stepleton was watching fireworks with friends and realized there was a K in the morse code. It was not just an errant K...the spelling of Pittsburgh had become Pitetsbkrrh. On Monday, the name had become Tpebtsaurgh. They say the code still runs on 1930's technology. So, I'm thinking it is time for an upgrade.
NPR link: (there are You Tube videos of the blinking lights...and yes, I watched them) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106606968
I love this because a) Pittsburgh actually has a red light spelling out the city name, and b) someone actually knew what a K looked like in morse code.

[On the flip side...I don't love tourists and escalators. I thought maybe it was just a DC thing. Nope. It extends to all corners of the country.]

Other things I love this summer.
Convenience Stores. Yes, I love them. I am going to chalk it up to my drive across the country. But where else can you find only junk food, soda as far as the eye can see, snacks, and very interesting people? I find I feel compelled to stop at them now...even though my trips have not exceeded 2 hours one way thus far into my summer.

Almond Joys. This is linked to the above. When my dad shared an Almond Joy with me over the weekend, I forgot how tasty they were! AND he informed me they sell cookie versions of them. Though generally only at convenience stores. Thus, the conversation about c-stores. (And no, I have not found the cookie version yet, but I am actively looking).

21 Guns. The song (hence the italics), not actual guns. I ignore the blatant anti-war message [I will post about my views on our war(s) later...**]. I personalize the message to my own, personal, life. It speaks to me in a very bizarre way. A few songs have done so in the recent past...Viva la Vida, for example. 21 Guns is a bit depressing, so I won't quote any lines here. But, it is what it is.

Chex Mix. The kind you buy (I would never be ambitious enough to make it...). It is so good and has a much better zip than my old love, Goldfish. And I just realized a lot of my loves revolve around food. I promise I do not weigh 500 pounds yet...



**I am not pro-war (like I think war is an answer), but I am also not pro what Green Day is saying about war. I have other opinions I will share later, I am sure.

My Soap Box For The Day

I am sorry, but I just have to say it. $1.4 million for a funeral?!! Are you even kidding me with that? And from a state that is in such an economic mess that they had to issue IOU's to people! IOU's! I understand that Michael Jackson was a great musician. I really do and I appreciate his music and legacy to the musical industry. I value the creative process. I value the arts. Good job. But really? Coverage and tributes 24/7. We are fighting two wars, Iran and western China are in a bit of chaos, North Korea is lead by crazy town with nuclear capabilities, but please, lets focus on Michael Jackson every second of the day. My grandma was reduced to watching a dog show on tv because there was nothing but Michael Jackson coverage (and that was before his funeral/tribute)! I too like to escape this crazy time we are in, I really do. But consider this. We (myself included, don't you worry) love to hate Bush for the way America is viewed around the world. But $1.4 million for a musician's funeral. Could the rest of the world possibly dislike us for other reasons? And it is no wonder California is millions of dollars in debt.
[I am not supporting Bush, by the way, with the above comment. No worries, I could provide another post about Bush and how I feel about him. But I won't.]

Okay, I'm done. Sorry. I tried to refrain. But for me, someone who is just trying to make it through grad school, watching her family struggle in living honest, decent, good lives while trying to raise a kid, run a farm, and pursue their own creative ventures, it is just crazy to see the focus we give to music/sports/movie stars. How about a little attention to those giving their lives for our country, working to find cures for diseases, or participating in causes to help out the human race in very personal and real ways? I know...it is a soap box.

And understand that I do think Jackson deserves tribute and more than normal recognition. The bottom line is the over the topness of it all. But the media does overkill really well. I will always, in the end, blame it on the media! Ha... I won't even get started on Sarah Palin. Overkill. Okay, I'll just say one thing. She needs to disappear and quit talking. I am bound to never vote Republican again if they use her as their poster candidate. If she would just stop whining about being picked on! What did she expect?!!

Randomness

NPR tells me that the next “it” thing for movies will be making movies based on board games. I know… Who wants to see Monopoly on the bigscreen? However, as NPR reminded me, I will remind you: Remember Clue?

You think the internet is always going to be there for your news perusal, that you will be able to access it when you want and get what you want. But one person was able to cause internet sites to nearly overload and caused outages on some popular news sites. That person is, of course, Michael Jackson.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/index.html

And for things I did not know…Did you know Parley P. Pratt was murdered in Arkansas in a story full of drama? I am still a little fuzzy on how I missed this fact all my life. My dad didn’t quite know all the dramatic details either, so I feel okay.

Did you know Sir Isaac Newton at one time was also warden of the Royal Mint, and thus in charge of catching counterfeiters? Admittedly, I barely understand the science and physics behind why he is famous, but I do like to know randomness about people's lives!

Majoring In What We Need?

I had a friend mention the other day that she believed people major in what they need. Her example, she says, are the countless people who go into counseling and actually need counseling. I thought this was fascinating and immediately applied it to myself (When I tried it with things like my engineering majoring friends, or computer this or that, I started drawing blanks...go figure). Jenette's undergrad major: History. Jenette's grad major: Museum Studies. Is there something that draws me to these majors? Aside from the interest factor, I think there might be something to my friend's theory (for me, anyway...).

I am fascinated by the past. And particularly the material culture left by those in the past. You've heard the phrase, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." And so I ever so hopefully look to the past. But increasingly realize that the same mistakes are made over and over and over again--and often by cultures that study the past! Yet I am still fascinated. Fascinated enough to want to work in a museum where the aim is to NOT let go of the past. And so, here's the tie to my life... I am fascinated by my past. And I search my past trying to make sure I don't repeat the same mistakes, but anyone who has read my journal (which, incidentally, is no one but me), will see I repeat the same patterns over and over. And I don't let go. I don't let go of a lot of things I should. I wrote this little thing in 2004. It applies to my life in 2009 even more...

Letting Go
Holding on--until I cannot move
from what I thought would save me.
Fastened forever to an ideal that wasn't real--
Holding back from the beauty
that could be my life.
A flash of lightening--briefly--
exposes the mountains
To show me a new beginning.
But to get there,
I must let go.

So, amidst this lame attempt at poetry (?? ha--don't judge too harshly!), I find my dilemma. How do you learn, let go, remember, forget, and move forward, all at the same time? Impossible... but I am moving on from the year of two broken hearts and an uprooted life. Let's hope I have learned from the past.

Other random history quotes I found, which I enjoyed immensely:
"History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again."
--Kurt Vonnegut

"The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different."
--Aldous Huxley

"In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future."
--Alex Haley

"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past. "
--Edward Gibbon

"We learn from history that we learn nothing from history."
--George Bernard Shaw

Fail

It may seem like I'm obsessed with Google, and I might be just a little bit, but Google failed me. Usually, I'm quite confident I can Google anything and within a few minutes I can find my answer. It is how I can have credibility when I give my dad a hard time for still relying on his trusty encyclopedia set. Or when I tell my mom, "Oh, yeah we can find out how to tie a quilt without knots on the internet." However, I was too over zealous. Because my quick usual searching methods left me without what I was looking for. And so now, I don't know where to go for answers! Oh, to be a product of the technological age! It's a good thing I learned some survival type skills (i.e. starting camp fires, milking cows, etc.) at the Heritage Center, just in case the world's technologies really fail.

(Oh, I started my internship at the Church History Museum. I want to share fun stories, but I'm scared. I signed some confidentiality paper and so I am lost. What will I talk about? My best stories always seemed to come from work! Actually, I think I'm fine. I am an intern, let's be honest. I will not be in on any secret meetings. Though, on the second day I was standing guard for an original Book of Mormon, handwritten Book of Commandments, and other such interesting Church stuff. Ha.)

Poor Choice of Road Trip Snacks

As I was cleaning Cornelius (my car) today, I realized I made some poor choices for road snacks late in my trip across the country. Junior mints and powdered donuts are examples of such bad choices. If the junior mints get loose (which one may have in my car), they melt into a puddle of chocolate, mint goo. And powdered donuts, well, that speaks for itself. Mind you, those were my poor choices in Wyoming. By that point in the road trip, I was tired of the trip and wasn't thinking clearly. Up until then, my packed at home chex mix, apples, granola bars, water, and cherry tomatoes had served me very well (oh, and diet coke...well! I traveled over 2,000 miles after all!). I had cheerfully weathered the rain of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and the miles of nothingness of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. I got to spend some quality time thinking about my life. But by Wyoming, for some reason I thought, "Hey, powdered donuts! That is an excellent idea!" Ha. Not quite.

My Perfect Evening

Someone asked me this evening what I would do on my own free time in the evening (this was to gather what it is that I like to do). Right now at this time in my life? I asked. Yes. Homework. And for breaks I would do my chores, like grocery shop, do laundry, etc. But obviously, as much as I love school, this is not how I would voluntarily spend my time. So, anything in the world, how would I love to spend my evening, this evening? Maybe we always want what we can't have, but here is what my perfect evening would be:

I would come home from work (developing exhibits and educational programming, of course!), with my commute being no longer than a half hour. After some dinner and relaxation (Maybe write! Or read for fun!! How earth shattering!) I would breathe in the crisp spring air, throw on my walking shoes and head for the River Trail in Logan Canyon. Nothing grand, nothing monumental. A simple walk along the Logan River. That would be the perfect evening. The sound of the water, the birds and the smell of the fresh air and trees. And then, after the sun had set, and I was relaxing with friends, I would step outside to look at the stars. It has been too long since I have really seen the stars.

(Yes I am aware these are pictures of the Wind Caves Hike. I, sadly enough, do not have any of the River Trail that I could find quickly!! I will remedy that this summer...But it IS Logan Canyon. Close enough.)

I guess I will find a Logan Canyon/River Trail here in my new life. But to experience nature, alone, with relatively minimal people is something I miss. (I miss it so much, I am doing my entire exhibit on open space. Ha.) To be sure, there are chances for outdoor things here. It is all just so used. I can't think of a better word...but there are so many people, things just look worn out, from the city to nature. I am guessing I just haven't searched hard enough (a Logan Canyon equivalent is most certainly NOT 15 min away here...). I will find it; until then, I have my hope of the perfect evening.

[Please don't misinterpret what I am saying... I really like it here. I love the trees and the green and the moisture and the monuments at night and the hustle and bustle of the city and the amazing people I have met. But, if I am honest, I just want a simple walk along the Logan River.]