Scooting on a scooter

So recently I have been contemplating getting a scooter ..... Hmmm so many decisions

This was just something fun I saw on My Cousin's Blog.

Makes me giggle everytime I watch it. Check it out.

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Black Fiday...Oh the Mania!!

It's pretty self-explanatory. Me and Pat got up very early....think 2AM and drove down to Wal-Mart for it's Black Friday sale. You see, Pat's computer had taken a poo on us so I found a really nice computer on sale at Wal-Mart's Black Friday sale. So we went down there, only to discover that they had given out "tickets" to the first five people to get there for that item. It was so lame! Plus, I hadn't read anything about this ticket-thing. I think they may have wanted to avoid another repeat of the incident that they had last year. You know, where someone got trampled to death. Kinda stupid if you ask me, but that's human nature for ya. We gotsta get our merchandise.

So me and Pat decided to wait, maybe someone would leave and we'd get their ticket. Well, that's actually what happened, but to no loss to the person who left. This lady who had been waiting since 10PM the night before (Yes, these were the pros apparently) had decided to give us her ticket since we were the only other people there and her sister had found another store they could go to for the same computer and be guaranteed it. It was a freakin' miracle and blessing. Truly. Especially since we still had the rest of the semester to go and both Pat's and my computer were down for the count.

I was so depressed when I found out that my computer couldn't be revived for less than $400.00. Devastated. I wish technology didn't cost so much and last so shortly.

Anyway, so now we have a brand-spankin'-new computer and absolutely love it.

Thanksgiving

Well, me and Pat decided to stay here in Utah for Thanksgiving. Not like we had very many options, seeing as how we're so poor. But it was a pretty good Thanksgiving, as far as Thanksgivings go. My sisters' fiances came over and participated in the day's festivities. The day before, my sister-in-law Cherie and I watched Pat and his brother Ben play football. I guess "turkey-bowl" is quite the thing to do on Thanksgiving. Something, growing up in a house full of girls, I wasn't aware of. Overall, we had lots of turkey and lots of fun.

Alrighty...

So I know I mentioned in an earlier post that I had a bunch of posts I would be posting. (I just laughed to myself about how that sounded. Tee Hee.)

Anyway, I promise that I'll post them....someday.....

It's just a matter of finding the motivation. Because, I'll be honest, I DO have the time. Occasionally. However, the motivation to pull the pics off my camera, crop and/or tweak them, and then post them in a format that looks pleasing to the eye, is severely lacking.

I do hope to MAYBE knock out a few posts this weekend. MAYBE. I really do have all the posts done. They just don't have pics. So if you follow my blog, be on the look out for a whole plethora of posts to bombard your dashboard.

This Mediation Stuff's Not So Bad After All

Well, it turns out that I actually do like mediating. When I got to the Orem Court, I found out that a lady that had been in my Fundamental Mediation class last semester was also there. Her name is Virginia. So we got together and divvied up duties and started to meet the New Fundamental Mediation students that would be our pupils. They were pretty cool and so NEW! WOW. But you know what, I think my own experience as a new mediator and not knowing who my mentors were really influenced mine and Virginia's decision to be play very active roles in these new students' learning and experiences. Virginia was constantly coming up with amazing forms to use so that we weren't having to write everything on notebook paper. We each took turns giving presentations on various mediation topics. In our debriefings we took extra care to address students' and each other's concerns. And we tracked each student's progress. I think we did an amazing job as mentors and we received a lot of great feedback from our supervisor, LeeAnn, and the students.

It was kind of interesting, upon self-reflection, to realize that I am pretty good at mediation and that I enjoy the process, problems, and people. I think the tool that really helped me come into my own was a book that was assigned for the class. It's called, Fundamental Negotiation. It's an amazing case-by-case book that gives the reader/mediator a lot of confidence. I started out thinking that the parties in the mediation had the power to move the mediation forward or stop it, but realized that I was the one with the reigns. This one principle put things into an entirely different perspective and helped me to "take control" per se and be of great help to the parties. And I can do this without losing my neutrality. I learned how to be COMPLETELY objective. And trust me, this is such a hard thing to do. Especially when you get a scummy situation, that is so horrible, and realize that one party is a sleeze-ball and the other is the victim. Such a shame. But that's where I, as a mediator, step in. Unlike a judge, who might not understand what the real context of the situation is, I get to know the parties better and this definitely helps in directing them to a solution.

Please note, I don't mean to make it sound like I make the decisions for the parties or influence them to a solution that I think is best for them. That's not what I do. I help them to understand each other, the situation for what it really is, and brainstorm to create their own solutions to their problems. I've come to realize that people, when they come to his point, are so frustrated by emotions that they can't focus on the problem and possible solutions. It's also that most people think there are only two solutions, either somebody pays or somebody gets sued. When emotions get involved, people lose their creativity. That's where I step in and help them come up with solutions that work for them. A lot of times, somebody just wants an apology and thinks that litigation is what will get them that. Well, technically, it does. But it's not the judge who orders it, it's my job as a mediator to make that happen.

All in all, I would have to say that I feel this semester has been pretty productive and that I've definitely grown to have an appreciation for mediation. I really hope to do more of it in the future. I truly believe that it can change peoples' lives for the better.

^^--^^ HALLOWEEN ^^--^^

So....Halloween......

Yeah. Me and Pat dressed up. I had made our costumes this year. It didn't start out that way though. My sister Clarissa is a Theater major at SUU, so one of the classes she gets to take has something to do with making costumes. Yeah. It's pretty nifty. Anyway, she volunteered to make us whatever costumes we wanted and, of course, Pat chose Link from The Legend of Zelda. (Huge Gamer, my husband)

This would have worked out great because, as I wanted to go as a couple, I could be Zelda. YAY! She's hot. Well, I started doing some research on her costume and discovered that, to make: MONTHS! and to buy: $300+. YIKES! So I talked Pat into going as something else. That "something else" wasn't to be decided until 2 days before Halloween and it was such a simple costume. Although, it wasn't anything ordinary that inspired him.

We got Netflix recently. Not that we have ANY time to watch a lot of movies, but it's 4.99 a month so when we do have time, we can watch a dvd or two.

Anyway, back to the story, we were watching all kinds of movies instantly online on Thursday evening, after we got home from school and discovered we didn't have to work on homework (Yay! A reprieve!) Well, one of the movies we watched was Interview With The Vampire starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise (and Antonio Banderes). So we watch this and Pat gets inspired. He decided that he would like to be a vampire as well. Boring you're thinking, right? No. Not Pat's way, at least. He decided that he should have cool makeup, to look dead but not like a ghost. And, after trying to tame his poof of curls, suggests that I put my hair extensions in his hair. All the more to look like "Sexy Brad Pitt". Yes, he fully admits that he thinks Brad Pitt is a Sexy Man in that movie.

So I put in the extensions. Yeah. My hubbs is a cross dresser. However, his bone structure (superb as it is) would never allow him to cross that threshold. He's too damn masculine. I have pics. You decide. I think he looks sufficiently sinister (and sexy).

I, on the other hand, to inspiration from Martha Stewart's Halloween magazine and decided to be the Gray Lady. It was a fairly easy costume, with the exception of all the hand stitching I had to do because I don't own a sewing machine. I now have a greater appreciation for all the seamstresses and dress makers of long ago, before sewing machines.

Anyway, we got dressed up and went trick-or-treating on Halloween and had many a good laugh. One, because we were the only adults dressed up and trick-or-treating and Two, because of all the drunk people we encountered. Who, by-the-way, made fun of us. Interesting, right?

Pat's Taking the GRE Today!!!

Everyone keep Patrick in your prayers! He's taking the GRE today. Then it'll be time to turn in those applications to the schools I mentioned. EEEEK! Big steps! The future is really close now.

Our Baby Making Project! (Yipee!)

So me and Pat are trying to have a baby. Being the thorough people we are, we had read that you should get a physical before you start trying to see if everything's working okay and what all you can do for a healthy start to your baby's life. So I went and got one...

Here comes the good part.....



I might not be able to have kids.



Yeah. I just wrote that.

PAT GOT A YOB!!

Yes! Pat got a job as a customer service representative at the BYU Independent Study Program. He has 20 steady hours and decent pay. Thanks for everyone's prayers, we're grateful.

SOC 320G: Race & Minority Relations

Okay. Please note the blog title. This class is about race and minority relations. This is definitely NOT my favorite subject. I thought that this would be a great class about how different cultures and races interact with each other. BUT NO. It's all about "White Man's Guilt". I'm so sick of having slavery and it being "my fault" shoved down my throat. It's complete bullshit. My ancestors were Irish for crying out loud! They were slaves at one point too. AND it's not like slavery was started here in America. Freakin' eh! Why don't people ever read. Slavery was going on THOUSANDS of years before America was even an accident in a Italian sailors head. GRRRRR. I mean, who do people think built the freakin' pyramids? Huh?

Most of the slaves we got from Africa heer in America were captured and sold by their OWN PEOPLE. Yeah.

I was a minority growing up also. I mean, I attended, for the most part, a very rural elementary school where most of the students were the children of migrant field workers. Where's the sympathy for me. Nowhere. Why? Because I'm White. People are such complete hypocrites!

So, I think the most racist person in my class is my professor. No, really. The first week of class he was telling us how he adopted a little baby boy.....who was Black. He couldn't just adopt any kid, he specifically wanted a Black baby and made a point of telling us this. And then he proceeded to tell us of the problems he faced with society because of this choice. (This was during the 1970s) I personally think that he knew what was going to happen to him and purposefully made himself a martyr. Ugh.

But, yeah. This is the class that is a REQUISITE for my degree. I'm grinding my teeth even as I write this blog.

Mediating (Please repeat: "It builds the resume!")

So, this semester I was looking at classes to fulfill my upper level elective credit requirements, and I realized that while Legal classes are offered, they aren't really offered....I know...you're probably scratching you head. After a lengthy discussion with my adviser, she informed me that classes are offered, but there's either nobody to teach them, or there isn't enough interest to keep the class open. I was pissed, to say the least. So I had very few options open for upper level classes. Mostly because they would require that I take the pre-requisite classes just to take them. That would just keep setting me back. I try to avoid set-backs if I can. So, of the few classes available to me, I chose to continue with the Mediation Program. Whatever. It fulfills my requirements.

SO....I really don't like mediation. Not really. BUT, I figure it builds the resume, so why not continue with it. I am currently in the Advanced Mediation class. I have to conduct a project where I monitor Fundamental Mediation students' progress, advise the Fundamental Mediation students, and overall help them with their mediation techniques. It should definitely be interesting. My professor told me there's an opening for a project at the Orem Small Claims Court. I hate court mediating. It's probably the most intimidating thing I've ever done. I'm not looking forward to it, but maybe I'll get a good partner for my project and we'll do some good work. Maybe...

Halloween Time at Wal-Mart (Good Times With Caitlin!)

Ahhhh yes...these would be pics from the wonderful 2 hours I spent at Wal-Mart, being bored and playing around. Yes....I still play around at Wal-Mart. Some things you just never grow out of. I personally think the clown pics are the funniest.

Candace's Homecoming Dance

These are just some pics of the hair and makeup I did for my sister Candace for her homecoming dance. I think I could have done something a little lighter with the eyes, but she liked it, so that's what counts.

Rocky Mountain Rendezpoo

So this past weekend I (Patrick) went out to Laramie, Wyoming to attend a job fair. It was put on by the University of Wyoming. The whole point of the things is for oil and gas companies to come and interview prospective students for internships and jobs. I was excited to have the opportunity to get an internship, so I decided to come out of my comfort zone and go to it.

On Friday the 2nd I got up early and loaded up in a van, (by loaded I mean there were 6 people in a 12 seat van), and we drove 6 hours to Laramie. The drive wasn't bad since I guess I was asleep for about 2 hours of it. Anyways we checked into our hotel and went to the university campus. This day of the "job fair" was a resume and interview workshop. The 4 hours I spent sitting and listening were pretty insightful. I was able to fix a few errors on my resume, and now it it a shining beacon of what future employers will learn about me when I am looking for a job. It was a good experience for me, and I hope I will be able to use what I learned from it in the future.

Ok, so after that we went back to our hotel and chilled, after we had dinner at Wendy's. MMMM Jr. Bacon Burger with Crispy Chicken Nuggets and a Frosty. Yum. The next day wasn't too exciting for me. Everyone else went on the field trips that were being put on by the oil companies. I had to stay behind because I had some homework I needed to do. Plus I didn't want to miss Saturday college football. It took me awhile to finish the assignment I had because I would work on it for like 10 minutes then go back to watching the game that was on at the time. Don't worry I eventually finished it.

Sunday wasn't a big day either. Basically I walked around looking at the various booths that the companies had set up. Most of the booths had sign up sheets for interviews, but only 2 of them were accepting undergraduate interviews. The rest of the companies were only interested in graduate students. Boo. Anyways I was able to talk to some of the recruiters there and give them my resume for future use. The rest of the time I spent sitting around doing nothing. They did have a dinner that I attended, but half the food was spicy, so I couldn't eat it due to my colitis.

The next day wasn't any better. In fact I would say that it was worse. The undergrad interviewers never showed up, so my only chance at getting an interview was destroyed. So me and a couple other guys left after we found out that they hadn't shown up. We left Laramie around 9 in the morning. About 11 a.m. we came to a dead stop. Turns out two semis had collided with each other blocking the whole two lane highway. It took two hours for the mess to get cleaned up and for traffic to start moving again. To make matters worse, an hour later we hit another traffic jam. They had shut down the highway due to a "car wreck", whatever that meant. So it took us an hour to get to the exit they were forcing everyone to get off at. Then we turned around and took the detour route. Instead of being able to head west on the I-80 we had to head south on the 191, loop around through Vernal, Utah, then head west back through Heber-Provo Canyon to Provo. In the end we basically doubled our travel time, spending 11 hours on the road.

All in all the experience wasn't that great. I understand that times are tough economically, but it would have been nice to know in advance that the companies were only looking for grad students. Basically I spent 50 bucks to go to a resume/interview workshop and spend 17 hours on the road.

COMING SOON...!

Alright, so this really isn't a "post" post, but more of a "coming soon" post. I haven't had time since the beginning of school to post anything, so I will have to catch up on things. On the list of blogs to come are:

- Palmer Reunion over Labor day weekend

- Candace's Homecoming game

- Halloween time at Wal-Mart (Good times with Caitlin!)

- Clarissa's faux B-day! The big 1-9!

- Mediating (Please repeat: "It builds the resume!")

- SOC 320G: Race & Minority Relations

And hopefully I'll get those up in the next two weeks. Maybe. We'll see.

So me and Pat have been in talks about which schools he should apply to for his Master's Degree and these are the top Schools for Paleontology. Starting with Top Ranked School, University of Chicago, then the other schools he's interested in, Harvard, Berkeley, and the University of Texas.

#1
University of Chicago

#2
Harvard University

#3
University of California - Berkeley

#4
University of Texas - Houston

We're really hoping and praying for Chicago. Not because of the cold weather, which we don't like at all, but because the opportunities and benefits far outshine the other schools we've looked into.

Wish us luck! We'll hopefully be applying in December and we'd love all the blessings we can get.

Back to School!

The exclamation point at the end of the title is more sarcasm than sincerity.

Well, I haven't written anything in a while. So...August was interesting (Understatement of the Century!), but the gory details are a little to personal for me to go publicly with so I'll leave it at, Me and Pat are doing okay.

Sorry about the teaser there. Anyway, I started back to school on the 26th of August, which made for an interesting start to the semester. I have to take 18 credits this semester and 18 credits next semester to graduate by April of 2010. That means I'm taking 7 class now and I'll probably be taking 7 class next semester. It stinks. NOT only do I have to take 7 classes, I have an internship that takes up my mornings and I'm in an advanced mediation class. So that means that I am a mentor for all the beginning mediation students. Yay fun.

Well, after spending the $600 plus+++ dollars on REQUIRED text books (Yes, a rent payment.) I got crackin on my homework. Now, if you really knew me, you'd know that I'm not unlike the 4 billion or so people out there who also STRONGLY dislike homework. But, I've been revamping my study and work habits to be more productive and I've figured out that, if I can turn in most of the homework assigned on the syllabi at the beginning of the semester, then I'm home free for the next 4 months. Yipee! So, I've started reading all the books and writing all the position papers for my Race and Minority Relations class, typed all the briefs for my Laws of Evidence class, completed all the tutorials and projects for my Computer Applications class, and pretty much drafted all the assignments for my Business Management class. The only thing I have to do for the rest of the semester is mentor/mediate and turn in weekly postings, and work.

I am, however, really starting to get pissed with my American Government professor. I spent a lot of money on the damn textbook and haven't used it once. Every class period is him (A Liberal Democrat Mormon, which he makes a point of announcing every 5 minutes) on his soapbox attempting to get the class to side with his and Obama's policies. I swear to Heaven above that I might turn into the person on the grassy knoll and shoot his ass. Yeah. I'm that upset. I hate that I'm paying to have someone constantly pursuade me to think a certain way instead of doing his job and lecturing me about the founding principles of this country. GRRRR!

Anyway. Pat's doing great. We were waiting until the end of the summer to see if he could get his old job at the museum back, but no luck. So he has decided to apply to any interesting jobs that come up on the BYU job board. He is taking 5 classes this semester and is so lucky he hasn't had to purchase any books. He sucks. Yeah. So his class load isn't too bad and he is enjoying his last semester of school.

Although, this whole situation puts me in a not-so-happy state of being and I feel bad for anyone who's been around me lately. I love and am grateful that I have a job, but I only work 12 hours a week,, which is nothing AND I do it all with a full class load and outside of school obligations. I'm a machine, as my husband once reffered to me, but that doesn't mean that I don't respond to it like a human. It's been hell on me and really hard on mine and Pat's relationship, but we're working on it and hope that the year passes quickly.

Summer 2009

Alas, I have no pics, and not much of a story to tell about this summer. Seeing as how we both were unemployed for half of it, which left us with no funds for extras.

So....the good part of this oh so sad story is that all of our bills are paid and we have started accumulating a little cushion cash. I'm hoping that this whole "move-in-with-the-parents-so-we-can-save-a-bunch-of-money" plan works out. I know it's only been a month and a half, but remember that I'm also impatient.

Plus, with our student grants and loans, we have been in talks with Pat's brother, Ben, and his wife, Cherie, about taking a trip down to Las Vegas. It's super cheap, super close, and would be a nice little vacay before school really starts.

I think it'll also be neat to go down to the family reunion that the family on my mom's side has. Ahh...the Palmer Reunion. One word: Interesting. But I guess it'll be cool to see all of my family from AZ. I can't wait to hang out with my cousin Kari. She's the best. AND my mom has planned out this whole "Amazing Race" day of events which should be totally flippin' sweet!

I guess that while my summer didn't amount to much, the next few months should hold some very cool and enjoyable events in them.

Temple Work

So I had the opportunity to go to the Provo Temple today with the sisters of my ward. It was so nice to get to know and talk with them. To be honest, I haven't been back to the Temple since I got married, except for my brother-in-laws wedding, and even then, I was only in the sealing room. I know, I'm lame. I feel pretty lame. Anyway, enough pity party.

I had a really good time and loved being with wonderful women. I don't know about you, but I always get nervous when I go to the Temple because I'm so afraid I'll mess up and completely bungle something so important. And then I go and realize how much I psych myself out. It's laughable, really.

So I went and did initiatories today. It was exactly what I needed right now in my life. To be reminded of my role in Heavenly Father's grand plan. To remind me that, while my husband is the Patriarch of our family, I am the Matriarch. Him Priest, me Priestess. And that without one another, we wouldn't be able to achieve much of anything. Kinda moot, ya know? I always say that God has a quirky sense of humor. TRULY!

I also was reminded that I'm a good person and am blessed for being able to carry out a good work. To be able to enter into Heavenly Father's house and do his holy work. That I'm worthy of his love.

I'm always reminded of the many ways Heavenly Father blesses my life.