On suffering

"To draw an analogy: a man's suffering is similar to the behavior of a gas. If a certain quantity of gas is pumped into an empty chamber, it will fill the chamber completely and evenly, no matter how big the chamber. Thus suffering completely fills the human soul and conscious mind, no matter whether the suffering is great or little. Therefore the 'size' of human suffering is absolutely relative.

It also follows that a very trifling thing can cause the greatest of joys."

Viktor E. Frankl in Man's Search For Meaning


Sometimes I think people (usually me) shouldn't whine about their problems so much because someone always has it so much worse. But last night Carter decided it was perfectly acceptable to wake me up every hour and a half.

Do people have it worse? Yes they do.
Would I choose this problem over about 17 billion other problems I could think of? Uh huh.
Am I still suffering? Yup.

And yet...when I look at this face?

No Soup for You

Do you read NieNie? I do on a fairly regular basis.

I thought today's post was particularly fun...

She canceled dinner.

That struck me as laugh out loud funny

They had marshmallows instead.
What a fun house.

Thanks Columbus

#1 Angels Landing
#2 yummy dinner in Springdale
#3 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 3d at the IMAX

Yea for bank holidays!

Another cool one from Craigslist

iPod (Cedar City)

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Date: 2009-09-14, 10:51AM MDT
Reply to: sale-9sq2u-1373902100@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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I have an iPod that was stolen last December from somewhere in Cedar City. I realize that it's been a while, but it's really eating me knowing what I did.

It's yours if you can tell me where it was stolen and from what. If it's yours, you'll know what I mean.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT KIND IF IPOD IT IS [SIZE, COLOUR, ENGRAVINGS, ETC] SO I KNOW IT'S REALLY YOURS.
If the right person doesn't respond, I'm giving it to charity.

I moved far out of the area, but I'll ship it back to you, all for free, including the case it was in.

I'm sorry.

2 awesome things in 1 night

#1 I dusted off my yoga mat and went to a class for the first time in probably a year or so.

IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOD.

If you're in my town you should join me next week.

#2 I saw a commercial for $20 "cardi coats" at Old Navy. I stopped by to get one and they were also having a 50% off clearance sale. Let me clarify. That's 50% off the stuff that's already marked down. They were practically giving stuff away.

Very few things make me happier than a good deal.

Here are the goods.

I have a crush.

Li thinks it's creepy when I say that. But I can't help it. He's irresistible.

Serious inquiries only.

Ever heard of the best of craiglist? I hadn't until last night.

I'm very happy I stumbled across it.


best of craigslist > phoenix > Wanted: Taxidermist who watches a lot of Kung Fu Originally Posted: Tue, 26 May 17:37 MST

Wanted: Taxidermist who watches a lot of Kung Fu

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Date: 2009-05-26, 5:37PM MST

I am looking to hire someone with the means to obtain and stuff animals in fashions I choose, which will be Kung Fu for now. When I was younger I convinced a friend of mines dad to create two squirrels Kung Fu fighting. I still think about it from time to time and have decided to get my own Kung Fu animals, I understand this is a bizarre request. Serious inquiries only, please E-Mail me the species of animals you commonly hunt or can obtain and your rate for taxidermy of each in various Kung Fu poses. Mounting preferred. Once again I feel I must state this is serious. If you can show any of your previous work it will probably give you an edge on the competition. Please respond via/e-mail. Thank you.

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
• Compensation: There will be payment, decent pay. Depends on quality of work and product which will vary.

PostingID: 1190484174

Dear Carter and Li,
Thanks for hanging out together so I could go to the movies with the girls.
I hope you had fun.

Love,
Mommy/Jen

March is coming

It's almost March again and that means it is time for... March Madness-Book of Mormon style. Okay, so I've yet to come up with a good name for this event/activity, but it is pretty simple. Starting March 1st everyone is invited to read 17 pages in the Book of Mormon. On March 2nd you do the same thing. You keep doing this until March is over and you will have read the whole book in one month! Not only that, but you will be happier, your testimony and faith will be stronger and you will feel pretty good about yourself.

Don't worry, I'll post more info. later, including a schedule in case you get behind (I usually do). I'm posting this today so that you have a little while to toss the idea around in your brain and let it sink in until you realize that you really CAN do this and you WANT to give it a shot.

The Book of Mormon will change your life.

Leave a comment if you're in.

One o'clock and all's well

It is nearly one in the afternoon, we ate a yummy breakfast and went back to bed. Li is snoring beside me, and the occasional kick to my bladder from inside my belly reminds me that these days won't last forever!

A few reasons to smile...

A sweet husband who will sleep on the couch so I can get a good night's sleep in our itty bitty bed.

My new silly, fluffy, purple skirt courtesy of the freebie bin.
If this used to be yours--thanks!

A shower that spits out hot water. You don't realize what a joy it is to take a warm shower from the comfort of your own house...until you are denied that blessing for a whole entire month!

Jasmine rice--you can't ruin this stuff if you try. Believe me, I've tried. It doesn't matter how much water you put in, or how long you forget about it and leave it boiling, it is always yummy.

And guess who is coming to Hawaii in March. I think they are more excited about it than this picture would suggest.