from the Democratic National Convention tonight:
1) Barack Obama is a very eloquent speaker.
2) I really don't like Barack Obama.*
*an explanation of statement #2 will come in a later post. I'm going to bed...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Au revoir
You know that old saying "practice makes perfect?" I always thought that applied to things other than sports or playing a musical instrument. Well, I've found a case where practicing does not make perfect, nor does it make it easier. Let me explain:
In the past 18 months, nine of my friends (who are all girls) have gone out on missions. Now, these aren't just acquaintances... they are close friends-- most of them teammates, some of them former roommates. You would think that after 9 close friends leaving on missions, you would be able to get down the whole saying goodbye thing-- that after all that practice it would somehow become easier to do. Well, I am sorry to report that that is not the case. Tonight I said goodbye to one of my dear friends and teammates, Rachel, who enters the MTC on Wednesday. I was hoping that saying goodbye to her would be easier than the previous 9, but alas.... it was not to be. There was still the depressing feeling when I got into the car and drove away, not really wanting believe I wouldn't see her for the next 18 months, maybe longer if I go on a mission. I know that she needs to be going on a mission, but that is small consolation... Rachel will be a fantastic missionary, but I will miss her when she is gone. I just hope 18 months goes by really, really quickly.
So sorry to burst the bubble, but saying goodbye just does not get easier or perfect with practice. And just think, I'll be saying goodbye 3 more times in the next few months....
On the left: Rachel, who will soon be serving in the Argentina, Resistencia mission. On the right: Jaime, who is currently serving in the Jakarta, Indonesia mission.
In the past 18 months, nine of my friends (who are all girls) have gone out on missions. Now, these aren't just acquaintances... they are close friends-- most of them teammates, some of them former roommates. You would think that after 9 close friends leaving on missions, you would be able to get down the whole saying goodbye thing-- that after all that practice it would somehow become easier to do. Well, I am sorry to report that that is not the case. Tonight I said goodbye to one of my dear friends and teammates, Rachel, who enters the MTC on Wednesday. I was hoping that saying goodbye to her would be easier than the previous 9, but alas.... it was not to be. There was still the depressing feeling when I got into the car and drove away, not really wanting believe I wouldn't see her for the next 18 months, maybe longer if I go on a mission. I know that she needs to be going on a mission, but that is small consolation... Rachel will be a fantastic missionary, but I will miss her when she is gone. I just hope 18 months goes by really, really quickly.
So sorry to burst the bubble, but saying goodbye just does not get easier or perfect with practice. And just think, I'll be saying goodbye 3 more times in the next few months....
On the left: Rachel, who will soon be serving in the Argentina, Resistencia mission. On the right: Jaime, who is currently serving in the Jakarta, Indonesia mission.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Farewell to Fo
In my time at BYU, there has been one constancy (besides trips to the library). My sister Anna, affectionately called Fo, has been there during my time in P-town to encourage me through classes when I wanted to quit, to proof-read my terrible French papers, to provide refuge from my apartment when I needed a break, and to feed me, sometimes along with Kelly, when I needed a good meal. I remember my first day at BYU when I got lost on campus and was almost in tears because I thought I would be late for class, I frantically called Fo and she calmly explained that the Thomas L. Martin Building was the MARB (duh) and I was standing right in front of the building I was supposed to go to. I have been lucky to have her at school with me through my first three years.
But this coming year will be different. Fo left this morning to head to South Bend, Indiana to attend the Medieval Institute at Notre Dame. Fo is one of six who were accepted into this particular Ph.D. program which is arguably the best in the country. While part of me is excited for her to be at Notre Dame so a) she can fulfill her lifelong goal of a Ph.D. b) I will have an excuse to go east and c) she can get me tickets to a Notre Dame football game, the greater part of me is very sad to see her go. But I know she'll do well because Fo is Fo. Good luck, schwesti!
But this coming year will be different. Fo left this morning to head to South Bend, Indiana to attend the Medieval Institute at Notre Dame. Fo is one of six who were accepted into this particular Ph.D. program which is arguably the best in the country. While part of me is excited for her to be at Notre Dame so a) she can fulfill her lifelong goal of a Ph.D. b) I will have an excuse to go east and c) she can get me tickets to a Notre Dame football game, the greater part of me is very sad to see her go. But I know she'll do well because Fo is Fo. Good luck, schwesti!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
On second thought...
My last post? Forget it for the time being. During the Olympics, the whole "understanding other peoples" mentality goes right out the window. And that goes for the French too.
So when a member of the French 4X100 Freestyle relay says something like this--
And the American relay team comes back and does this--
Damn, that feels good.
So when a member of the French 4X100 Freestyle relay says something like this--
And the American relay team comes back and does this--
Damn, that feels good.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Misunderstood
I've been at my new job for about a month now and while I still feel very inadequate and overwhelmed some/most of the time, I'm enjoying it. Will it be my career? Probably not, but it's fine for the time being. My official title is Aquatics Coordinator, but sometimes I feel like it should be the Offical Babysitter of 60 Lifeguards and 30 Swim Instructors. A good portion of the staff is still in high school, but who was the last 17 year old you knew that needed a babysitter? I just don't think I should have to constantly tell my staff what they should be doing-- they have been trained well, so they should just do it with out me riding their tails all the time! ANYWAY...
My current read is Suite Francaise and I'm enjoying it immensely. I have this thing for book about wars, especially WWII. This book is a great look into human nature and characteristics, both good and bad, especially in reaction to bad situations. Also, I have gained a greater insight into why the French people are the way they are today. Even though I don't necessarily agree with all the things France does politically, (though their use of nuclear power technology is arguably the best in the world, something the US could certainly learn from) I believe the French are incredibly misunderstood, especially by Americans. I will admit, I have made my fair share of French jokes involving white flags and the like, but after studying French and French culture/history for a few years now, and after reading this book, I would like to believe I am more understanding. For example, the French have a great pride-- most say to a fault. While reading this book, I have come to a partial explanation why, however elementary it may be. In the last 100 years, the French have been deeply affected by wars-- namely WWI and WWII. France lost an entire generation of young men during WWI and a mere 20 years later, was invaded by Germany and was under Nazi control until WWII ended. Here in the US, we have be blessed to never have experienced invasion and control by a foreign power. Yes, we've had Pearl Harbor and 9/11, but never have we been under complete foreign control. Imagine how the French felt as their dignity went right out the window after Germany marched through Paris. I would argue that with their dignity completely smashed and as the international community viewed them as cowards, their pride was the only thing they could cling to-- their pride in their language, food, culture, and lifestyle. I have heard numerous stories of the rudeness of the French, particularly towards Americans who try to speak their language (though I have never experienced it myself). So while I'm not excusing their behavior, I'm merely arguing that the French have endured things that we Americans have not had to, which may explain their pride. I assure you, I'm not trading in my American citizenship for French citizenship any time soon, (unless Barak Obama or John McCain wins the election. just kidding... sort of.) I just think it's important to try and understand the other peoples of the world. And in America especially, I think the French are widely misunderstood. So go learn about the French!
My current read is Suite Francaise and I'm enjoying it immensely. I have this thing for book about wars, especially WWII. This book is a great look into human nature and characteristics, both good and bad, especially in reaction to bad situations. Also, I have gained a greater insight into why the French people are the way they are today. Even though I don't necessarily agree with all the things France does politically, (though their use of nuclear power technology is arguably the best in the world, something the US could certainly learn from) I believe the French are incredibly misunderstood, especially by Americans. I will admit, I have made my fair share of French jokes involving white flags and the like, but after studying French and French culture/history for a few years now, and after reading this book, I would like to believe I am more understanding. For example, the French have a great pride-- most say to a fault. While reading this book, I have come to a partial explanation why, however elementary it may be. In the last 100 years, the French have been deeply affected by wars-- namely WWI and WWII. France lost an entire generation of young men during WWI and a mere 20 years later, was invaded by Germany and was under Nazi control until WWII ended. Here in the US, we have be blessed to never have experienced invasion and control by a foreign power. Yes, we've had Pearl Harbor and 9/11, but never have we been under complete foreign control. Imagine how the French felt as their dignity went right out the window after Germany marched through Paris. I would argue that with their dignity completely smashed and as the international community viewed them as cowards, their pride was the only thing they could cling to-- their pride in their language, food, culture, and lifestyle. I have heard numerous stories of the rudeness of the French, particularly towards Americans who try to speak their language (though I have never experienced it myself). So while I'm not excusing their behavior, I'm merely arguing that the French have endured things that we Americans have not had to, which may explain their pride. I assure you, I'm not trading in my American citizenship for French citizenship any time soon, (unless Barak Obama or John McCain wins the election. just kidding... sort of.) I just think it's important to try and understand the other peoples of the world. And in America especially, I think the French are widely misunderstood. So go learn about the French!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
There's No Place Like Brookville
My dad insists that I would get sick of living in Brookville, PA at the farm after 6 months, but I'd like to think I could live there forever. What I DO know for sure is one week there just isn't enough. I'm convinced there's enough beauty and fun wrapped up in this farm to last a lifetime. Here's the run-down on the trip--
I arrived in Cleveland 5 hours before Jules and Sophie, so I decided, with some coaxing from Sarah, to take the train into downtown Cleveland and walk around. So, suitcase rolling behind me, I ventured onto the train hoping to make it in time to go to the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Little did I know that everything in Cleveland closes at 5-stinkin' 30!!! Really lame. I rolled up to the Hall of Fame about 5:35 and was disappointed. Cool architecture though! Next door was the Great Lakes Science Center with an IMAX film on fighter pilots, which would have been awesome if it also hadn't close at 5:30. Rude. So, I was forced to sit on the edge of Lake Erie and read my book for a while... terrible life, I know. It was nice not sitting at the airport and to have a little solo adventure, even if it didn't turn out quite as I'd hoped.
After Diggs came and picked up Jules, Peeps, and me, we headed to Brookville which is about a 3 hour drive from Cleveland. We didn't get there until about 12:30 AM, so we went to bed, ready for some fun in the coming days. The first day, I spent 3 hours mowing the upper field, not with a push mower or even a riding mower-- with a Farmall Super M tractor with a 5 foot blade hooked to the back-- my kind of mower!!! That night we burned all the branches of a ginormo hickory tree. My job was to give the fire oxygen and after trying to blow on it for awhile and almost passing out, Uncle Chris pulled out the big gun-- the leaf blower. I strapped that sucker on and got 'er done. The fire got to maybe 20 feet tall and was ridiculously hot, but it made for a good roasting fire after it died down a bit. Cousin Sammy (aka Sammy 'da Bull) got hooked on smores after that-- I'm pretty sure he made them every night following the fire. He made his double smore, and after nuking it in the microwave for 25 seconds, well... the pictures say the rest.
The subsequent days were filled with 4-wheeler rides, crawdad hunting, tractor driving, flea markets, reading, napping, punching Sammy da Bull, and just a whole lot of relaxation and fun. Here are a few highlights:
1) 4-wheeling around the farm and down the old railraod line turned trail. It makes for great rides through some pretty fantastic small towns. Crossing the trestles is pretty scary because there aren't any sides, but if you don't look down, you're fine, unless you're Sophie. Sammy, Peeps, and I took a ride to some of the other towns along the route and found a mile-marker sign which Sammy pulled out of the ground and we hauled it home. Hope they won't get confused when the markers go from 36 to 38!
2) Riding tractors: Not only did I get to mow, I helped my dad disc a plot of land in the lower field to get it ready for planting winter wheat. Nothing seems like work when you're on a tractor!
3) Scenery: The best in the land. Utah officially needs more trees and green things.
4) Our final project before we left was the dam up part of the creek which runs adjacent to the farm. I love projects like these-- things that require work and physical labor, but are so fun to do. And of course, water just makes it that much better. Sammy, Peeps, and I started it on Friday and the rest of the crew helped finish it up on Saturday. After we finished it, things got a little wild and crazy, but that's to be expected when the Siebach clan gets together. Plus, it gave us lots of excuses to make lots of dam jokes, which inevitably turned into us using "dam" in reference to things other than a structure used to stop the flow of a river. :)
All in all, it was an amazing vacation. The trees, the farm, the machinery, the family-- it all made for a perfect week away. I was most certainly not ready to come back. You know, there are certain places that are just special-- places that when you're there, you feel like you're home. This farm and this part of the country is it for me.
I arrived in Cleveland 5 hours before Jules and Sophie, so I decided, with some coaxing from Sarah, to take the train into downtown Cleveland and walk around. So, suitcase rolling behind me, I ventured onto the train hoping to make it in time to go to the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Little did I know that everything in Cleveland closes at 5-stinkin' 30!!! Really lame. I rolled up to the Hall of Fame about 5:35 and was disappointed. Cool architecture though! Next door was the Great Lakes Science Center with an IMAX film on fighter pilots, which would have been awesome if it also hadn't close at 5:30. Rude. So, I was forced to sit on the edge of Lake Erie and read my book for a while... terrible life, I know. It was nice not sitting at the airport and to have a little solo adventure, even if it didn't turn out quite as I'd hoped.
After Diggs came and picked up Jules, Peeps, and me, we headed to Brookville which is about a 3 hour drive from Cleveland. We didn't get there until about 12:30 AM, so we went to bed, ready for some fun in the coming days. The first day, I spent 3 hours mowing the upper field, not with a push mower or even a riding mower-- with a Farmall Super M tractor with a 5 foot blade hooked to the back-- my kind of mower!!! That night we burned all the branches of a ginormo hickory tree. My job was to give the fire oxygen and after trying to blow on it for awhile and almost passing out, Uncle Chris pulled out the big gun-- the leaf blower. I strapped that sucker on and got 'er done. The fire got to maybe 20 feet tall and was ridiculously hot, but it made for a good roasting fire after it died down a bit. Cousin Sammy (aka Sammy 'da Bull) got hooked on smores after that-- I'm pretty sure he made them every night following the fire. He made his double smore, and after nuking it in the microwave for 25 seconds, well... the pictures say the rest.
The subsequent days were filled with 4-wheeler rides, crawdad hunting, tractor driving, flea markets, reading, napping, punching Sammy da Bull, and just a whole lot of relaxation and fun. Here are a few highlights:
1) 4-wheeling around the farm and down the old railraod line turned trail. It makes for great rides through some pretty fantastic small towns. Crossing the trestles is pretty scary because there aren't any sides, but if you don't look down, you're fine, unless you're Sophie. Sammy, Peeps, and I took a ride to some of the other towns along the route and found a mile-marker sign which Sammy pulled out of the ground and we hauled it home. Hope they won't get confused when the markers go from 36 to 38!
2) Riding tractors: Not only did I get to mow, I helped my dad disc a plot of land in the lower field to get it ready for planting winter wheat. Nothing seems like work when you're on a tractor!
3) Scenery: The best in the land. Utah officially needs more trees and green things.
4) Our final project before we left was the dam up part of the creek which runs adjacent to the farm. I love projects like these-- things that require work and physical labor, but are so fun to do. And of course, water just makes it that much better. Sammy, Peeps, and I started it on Friday and the rest of the crew helped finish it up on Saturday. After we finished it, things got a little wild and crazy, but that's to be expected when the Siebach clan gets together. Plus, it gave us lots of excuses to make lots of dam jokes, which inevitably turned into us using "dam" in reference to things other than a structure used to stop the flow of a river. :)
All in all, it was an amazing vacation. The trees, the farm, the machinery, the family-- it all made for a perfect week away. I was most certainly not ready to come back. You know, there are certain places that are just special-- places that when you're there, you feel like you're home. This farm and this part of the country is it for me.
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