another swig of felix

Every Sunday night, I conduct a planning session for my week, in which I write down my school assignments due for the week along with my non-academic to-do's and goals. This most recent Sunday, I made a comprehensive list for both this week and next week because they are all I have left before I go home for Thanksgiving. [Insert internal cartwheels, jumping, high-fiving, shouting, and heel-clicking] After making my list, I realized that much more than anticipation stands between me and my wonderful family. My list consists of four midterms, a computer programming project, two papers, and several assignments. Whoa.

Facing this massive list, I knew that I could only come off conqueror over this stretch with the Lord's help and direction. I've been praying that I'll know how to use my time because there are so many different things that I can be doing and I need someone to point me in the right direction so that I'm using my time in the best way possible. Monday and Tuesday were great days. Yesterday (Wednesday), however, was amazing. I had a day similar to this last March. On this day, like yesterday, I felt guided in exactly the right direction, even though I couldn't see where it was going at first.

Wednesday evening after work found me in the library, trying to immerse myself in studying for my English midterm. I have been dreading this test for a while because I do not like essay questions or this class. I didn't know how much I would need to know about the authors and their texts, and I was a having a hard time building up motivation to keep studying. This class is a GE and the assignment grading is extremely lax. However, I did not want to underestimate the exam and come out with a bad score. This is a class that I can actually secure an A in, and I don't want to mess that up by not studying enough for an ace-able test.

My lack of motivation was frustrating me because at the beginning of the week I felt so full of motivation and confidence that the Lord would guide me through every study session and academic endeavor. The day before, I spent three wonderful hours in a comfy chair on the third floor of the library, reading Hawthorne, Poe, and Dickinson, contemplating their works and the Gothic literary movement. Following my personal study session, I met with some girls from my class and went over the study guide thoroughly. I felt great about the material then, so why was I having such a hard time now? Sitting at my table on the fifth floor of the library, I said a prayer that my evening would be productive and that I would be able to stop dreading this test and continue my preparations. Soon thereafter, I was struck with the idea to go ahead and take the test that night. This caught me off guard because I was planning on taking the test Thursday night, but still thinking that I might need more time to study. Though unexpected, the idea of facing the test that night was thrilling. Filled with a fresh surge of literary determination, I reviewed for another 30 minutes, then made my way to the testing center.

From that moment in the library on, I was in a fantastic mood, which is the best way to feel heading into a test, and especially a test with an essay portion. I daresay that I was even excited to take my test! I was actually excited to sit in a giant room filled with uncomfortable desks and hundreds of fellow test-takers, identify excerpts from early American literature and then write about them. What the heck!?!

For those unfamiliar with the BYU testing center, there is a screen on the wall near the exit to the building that displays the scores to recently completed tests. More often than not, I check my score, then walk outside, shaking off feelings of disappointment and intellectual incompetency. Today however, I actually did a little cheer as I walked out, because next to the last five digits of my student ID appeared an actual 100%, accompanied by a "Perfect Score!" Any further studying would have been pointless, because I knew enough, and the Holy Ghost knew that.

I really feel that the Spirit kept me from my sought-after motivation so that I could take the test when I was ready and just didn't know it. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father loves his children so much and that He makes this gift of the Holy Ghost available to us for our daily use. He can see farther than we can, and by seeking and listening to the Spirit's guidance we can receive wisdom, power, and strength far beyond our own.

new cuisine

My friend Eric's birthday was last month, so I told him that I would make his favorite baked good. Of all the available options, however (cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cake) he chose Dirt Cake. My last experience with Dirt Cake was probably at my third-grade Halloween party, but it's construction is pretty simple. For those of you new to the concept of Dirt Cake, this dish consists of crushed up Oreo (or Oreo-like) cookies, chocolate pudding, and gummy worms, which gives the illusion of eating dirt. Hmm. I would rather have the illusion of eating a piece of heaven in the form of a delicious cupcake, but to each his own.

Please note the exclamation point after the 23, created by separating worm head from body.

Though not a personal favorite, Dirt Cake was easy and quick. Another bonus was that the process required no baking, thus eliminating the risk of explosion.

(a quick) two-less-than-seven for tuesday

I'm studying for accounting, but all I really want to do is read my Potok and knit. I want it to be Thanksgiving break, and I want midterms to be over. Alas, I won't have time to knit until Sunday, so I'm taking a quick homework break in blogging form since it is less engulfing than working on my new hat.

1. I got the new copy of the Conference Ensign! (The LDS church magazine, which in the latest issue contains the addresses from October's General Conference.) I re-read President Monson's address about serving others, and I can't wait to study the other talks.

2. I've been going hungry-ish on campus for the last couple of days because I'm out of sandwich bags, meaning that I can't pack any of my food for lunch/snacks. My creative problem-solving skills are being tested each morning as I try to figure out how to transport my Goldfish and celery sticks.

3. I need more winter skirts and tights and another pair of sneakers. My wardrobe needs must be tackled one paycheck at a time.

4. 7-Eleven runs for Big Gulps are a regular part of my weeks. Charlotte and I cheated on Raj (our favorite 7-Eleven attendant) today by walking down to the Sinclair station at the base of campus for "Big Swigs." Though pricier than the Big Gulp, the beverage selection was impressive. They even had Coke Zero! I hate that I have to go off-campus to get real cola. (BYU doesn't sell any caffeinated drinks. )

5. I am returning to my accounting endeavors. Wish me luck!

Will you be returning to or beginning any endeavors when you finish commenting on this post?
In what area of your life are you employing creative problem solving right now?

not so stylin

The goose has spoken. Autumn is in full swing in the Physics Department, which means that it's time for an update on the latest trends in decor found in the display cases of the Eyring Science Center.

What would a season change be without a new batch of festive fairies? This fall, our fantastical fairy family is joined by these fanciful friends.

Everybody is getting a piece of the leopard print this season. This pretty lady is sporting the print with pride, even throwing in a little glitter to her ensemble to make the look complete.

Rhianna isn't the only one getting in on the crazy hair-do's this season. This fall fairy is letting her locks fly as free as she does while suspended from fishing line in our Graduate Student display case.
One trend that's catching on faster than plaid this season is the swine flu. We seem to have caught this fairy mid gag as he works his way through a especially bad wave of nausea. (When I expressed the opinion that this particular fellow looked diseased, my boss responded by explaining that his expression actually expresses the joy of fall. Go figure.)

No comment.

And what could be trendier than having all three of these fashionistas in one display, flanked by festive teddy bears?

The other fabulous addition to our display cases this season are what I like to call Porcelain a la Contortion.

To the untrained eye, these figurines may look like victims of vehicular homicide. Never fear. These cute guys are "tumbling scarecrows and turkeys," just dropped from the sky to spread some Thanksgiving cheer. (This isn't supposed to be a link. I don't know how to make it go away.)

plans

I am nothing if not a pro at planning and brainstorming. This current semester has been as full of new plans and projects as those before, containing many flops, failures, and fantastic successes.

-I decided to make time for leisure reading this semester. I read a lot this summer and loved it and was afraid that my classes would push leisure reading out of the picture like it did last year. I decided, however, that school is a pretty stupid reason to give up reading. If I had time to keep up with several tv shows online last year, then I certainly have time to enjoy literature of my choice this year. My reading pace is much slower than over the summer due to my current obligation to watch accounting lessons and practice my Excel Pivot Table skills, but I love the few minutes I find to sit down with Potok. I've been working my way through The Gates of November for the last month or so, and am thoroughly enjoying the fascinating story and compelling historical setting. Some of my favorite on-campus moments this year have involved my finding a sunny spot in between classes to slip into the world of Soviet Russia and spend time with the Slepak family.

-Another activity I have refused to abandon during the school year is knitting. My needles and yarn were some of my favorite companions this summer and I just couldn't say goodbye. Like my leisure reading for the last couple of months, my knitting project productivity has slowed from the summer, but it is equally satisfying. I have discovered some new patterns and projects and need to get going on some Christmas knitting asap. I had grand plans for Halloween knitting projects, but my week took a turn for the crazy, resulting in my sending a pitiful two Halloween washcloths a day before said holiday. It's the thought that counts, right?

Other plans:
-When I'm a billionaire, I plan on donating a system of escalators to BYU to spare the generations that follow me from the painful mornings I spend huffing my way up to campus with heavy bag in tow.
-When I finally get my invitation to Hogwarts, I'm going to have someone teach me how to levitate objects so that I can stop damaging my spinal cord with my sometimes incredibly heavy bag.
-Wish for a camera for Christmas so that I can once more photographically document my life on a regular basis. I hijacked Charlotte's camera for a few days, the fruits of which will be coming soon.
-Work my butt off academically for the next three weeks because I have more than enough tests, papers, and assignments to keep me nicely busy before I head home for Thanksgiving.