“All right, people,” Badger said as soon as they were gone. “While we’re waiting, I would welcome any suggestions you may have in case we have to get out of here fast. Lieutenant S. Reed, keep an eye on those ships around us. Ensign Hills, prepare a coded message to Starfleet Command relaying our position and a request for assistance. We’ll send it if we end up having to fight. The USS Voyager should be in the Gamma Quadrant somewhere nearby.”
“Yes, Commander.” Hills immediately got to work.
“Lieutenant J. Reed,” Badger continued, giving orders as they occurred to her. “See what you can find out about the make of the pirate vessels. Look for weaknesses we can exploit. Lieutenant Duenas, load torpedoes and be ready to raise shields.”
Duenas and J. Reed set about their tasks.
Badger paced the bridge, too restless to sit. She noticed her nervousness spreading around the room and forced herself to sit in her chair, going over the controls for the USS Ranger, the Magellan’s remote-controlled starship. The Ranger was equipped with light weaponry only; it was intended for use more as a science vessel. But it could still be of some use in a fight.
“Commander, if the negotiations fail, how will we recover Captain Springer and Admiral Djurich?” Lieutenant J.G. Garner asked.
Badger hesitated. “If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to beam them back to the Magellan, or Mad Dog will do the honorable thing and return them to us.”
“And if the pirate keeps them prisoner and raises his shields to block the transporters?”
“Then we may have to leave them behind.”
There was a stir in the crew. Badger stood to address them.
“I don’t like that idea any more than you do,” she said firmly. “We’ll do our best to recover them from Mad Dog, but if all five of his ships attack at once, we can’t hang around hoping to rescue our people.”
“Suggestion, Commander!” Lieutenant J. Reed called from the counterintelligence station. “I could program a sensor probe to follow the Dragon. Then we’ll be able to track the flagship and hopefully rescue them later.”
“Good idea, but I doubt Mad Dog would miss something as large as a probe following him,” Badger said. “However, the Ranger has small trackers for keeping tabs on interesting phenomenon. Lieutenant A. Springer, would it be possible to boost the tracker’s transmitting range?”
Springer looked up from the duty engineer station. “Probably.”
“Go to the hangar on Deck 3 and do what you can with a tracker. If you are able to boost more than one, do so and let me know the final count.”
“On my way, Commander.” Springer saluted and left his station for the turbolift. Lieutenant W. Springer, the Magellan’s structural damage control officer, moved to fill in at his station, monitoring and adjusting the ship’s power.
Badger turned her attention to the other damage control officer. “Lieutenant Henrie, is warp drive back online yet?” The pirates had damaged the Magellan’s engines prior to surrounding the station with ships.
“We’re working on it, Commander,” Henrie said calmly. “It should come online in a few more minutes.”
“And the shields?”
“Second priority after warp. Right now they’re at 40 percent, but we’ll work on them next.”
“Good,” Badger said. “Let me know when both systems are operational.”
“Of course, sir.”
--
Mad Dog greeted the negotiation team personally, accompanied by three burly humanoid guards. He was less intimidating in person, partly because he stood barely five feet, seven inches tall. His appearance was balanced by his worn leather eye patch and the two gun holsters strapped across his chest. Lieutenant Commander Springer stiffened, but Admiral Djurich merely held out her hand to the pirate captain.
“I am Admiral Djurich. Thank you for welcoming us aboard your ship, Captain.”
He ignored her hand, turning to walk away instead. “We’ll talk in the conference room.”
Captain Springer and Djurich exchanged an uneasy glance before following. Mad Dog’s guards went too, surrounding the group. The lieutenant commander walked a pace behind the admiral and captain, keeping an eye on the guards even as they eyed her.
They walked a short way down one of the hallways. Mad Dog stopped short outside one of the doors and turned to face Djurich.
“We will speak alone.”
“She requires a guard,” Captain Springer said instantly. “Both of us.” He indicated himself and K. Springer.
Mad Dog glanced at the insignia on his collar and then looked him in the eye.
“Because you are captain of the DSS Magellan, I will allow you to accompany the admiral. But your chief of security is neither needed nor welcome.”
“Will you guarantee her safety if we leave her here?” Djurich demanded.
“She is your chief of security. I doubt she needs my guarantee of safety.”
“I need it.”
Mad Dog’s calm exterior faltered to reveal his irritation. “As you wish. She may remain outside the door, and I guarantee none of my people will attempt her harm.”
Djurich relaxed a little. “Then lead on.”
Captain Springer briefly squeezed his cousin’s shoulder before following Djurich and Mad Dog into the conference room. Lieutenant Commander Springer changed her position so her back was to the wall and stood at attention as the door closed. Mad Dog’s guards stayed with her. They remained silent.
Inside the room, Mad Dog and Admiral Djurich sat across from each other at a heavy oak table. Captain Springer took up a standing position just behind Djurich.
“I’m glad we ran into one another, Admiral,” Mad Dog said without preamble. His casual manner was back. “You have something I want.”
The dilithium, Djurich thought. But how can he possibly know we have it? “And what is that?” she asked aloud, keeping her tone light.
Mad Dog leaned across the table. “Don’t play the fool with me. I want your warp cores. All of them.”
Djurich had to bite the inside of her cheek to hold in her surprise. “Warp cores?” she repeated.
“This ship runs warp drive, same as yours,” Mad Dog said impatiently. “Yes. Warp cores. A deep space station must carry such cargo.”
“What would you do with them if we gave them to you?” Djurich asked, curious.
“That is not your concern.”
“What would you trade for them?”
“The lives of your crew and the safety of your vessel.” Mad Dog sat back with a smug expression on his disfigured face.
“And if we refuse?”
“I will take them by force.”
There was a pointed silence. Then the admiral said, “Why?”
Mad Dog almost choked on his own smile. “What?”
“Why do you want our warp cores?”
The pirate glared at her. “That’s my business. All you need to know is, if we don’t get them, your entire station will be destroyed.”
Admiral Djurich wished she could turn to exchange a glance with Captain Springer, but her eyes held the other captain’s as she leaned forward. “I’m sorry, Captain, but we can’t deliver the cores without some kind of assurance that you won’t use them to harm the Federation.”
Mad Dog laughed. “Then I’ll track down some other ship that will give me what I want after I’ve destroyed you. Surely the Federation would send vessels to investigate the Magellan’s destruction. Even your deaths would serve my purpose.”
Djurich studied him, gauging his sincerity, and then heaved a deep sigh. “Fine,” she said, putting some reluctance into the word. “My party and I will now return to the Magellan and give the order to prepare the cores for transport.” She stood up.
Captain Springer stepped beside her, giving her a sidelong glance that said, I hope you know what you’re doing, before refocusing on Mad Dog.
The pirate captain also got to his feet and swept his arm toward the door, inviting them to exit the conference room. Admiral Djurich swept past him with dignity. The atmosphere outside seemed tense. Lieutenant Commander K. Springer, surrounded by Mad Dog’s guards on either side, was unharmed but relieved to see them exit the negotiations.
“We’re going back to the Magellan,” Djurich told her as they stepped into the hallway. “We need to prepare some warp cores for transport to the Dragon.”
“Warp cores?” Springer echoed, but she didn’t voice the question that was in her eyes.
“On to the transporter room,” Mad Dog said impatiently. “Security, come with us.” He pushed ahead, leaving his guests and guards to follow.
Captain Springer touched his comm badge. “Magellan, this is Captain Springer. We are returning to the station shortly.”
Commander Badger responded immediately. “Copy, Captain. We look forward to having you back.”
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Daydream
“I won’t talk over intercom. We will talk in person or not at all!” Mad Dog snapped.
Admiral Djurich frowned at the pirate warlord. The DSS Magellan was in a dangerous position. Mad Dog had five warships surrounding the station, including his flagship, the Dragon. It was an imperial-class Romulan warbird, and Romulans didn’t skimp on their weapons.
“Admiral,” Captain Springer said, a warning note in his tone.
“Ensign Hills, turn off the audio feed for a moment,” Djurich ordered.
“Yes, Admiral.”
She turned to Captain Springer, who looked intense and serious in his red captain’s uniform. “Admiral, you can’t go over there,” he said immediately.
“I agree.” Lieutenant Badger, the executive officer, took a step forward to join the conversation. “Mad Dog will only use you to get the dilithium shipment.”
“Mad Dog shouldn’t know about the dilithium.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t,” Springer said. “Lieutenant Badger is right. If Mad Dog wants to talk, he’ll have to come to us.”
“That will give him an opportunity to discover what we’re carrying,” Djurich argued. “Captain, those crystals have to make it to Earth. You have standing orders to fight your way out of here and leave me if the negotiations fail.”
Captain Springer was silent for a moment. “Lieutenant Commander K. Springer and I will accompany you if you insist on going over to the Dragon.”
“I will not allow-”
“I am the captain of this station, and I have a duty to protect you,” the captain interrupted smoothly. “That is final.”
Djurich was quiet for a moment. “We are surrounded by five ships. The only way out of this is to negotiate.”
“Agreed,” Captain Springer said. He raised his voice. “Ensign Hills, restore audio!”
“Wait-” Djurich broke off as Mad Dog’s impatient voice resounded through the ship’s speakers.
“Enough stalling, Admiral. Are you prepared to negotiate?”
Djurich opened her mouth to reply.
“We are,” said Captain Springer. “But the negotiations must take place on our vessel.”
“Impossible,” Mad Dog growled. “The admiral will come over here or I will order my ships to attack."
Djurich shot Springer a dirty look before addressing the pirate. “I require an honor guard to accompany me to your ship.”
“Naturally,” Mad Dog said. “You may bring one guard.”
“Two."
The pirate blew out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Two. Prepare to beam aboard. Dragon out.”
Djurich took a deep breath as Mad Dog’s face was replaced by an array of stars and two enemy ships. “Let’s go."
“Commander Badger, you have the bridge,” Captain Springer said. “Lieutenant Commander Springer! Let’s go.”
“Stay on your toes, Junior Grade Lieutenant Garner,” the deep space station’s chief of security warned her deputy. Then she fell into step behind the admiral and captain.
“Three to beam to the Dragon, Lieutenant Colledge,” Djurich said when they were in the transporters. She gave the next order quickly, before she lost her nerve and jumped out. “Energize.”
Admiral Djurich frowned at the pirate warlord. The DSS Magellan was in a dangerous position. Mad Dog had five warships surrounding the station, including his flagship, the Dragon. It was an imperial-class Romulan warbird, and Romulans didn’t skimp on their weapons.
“Admiral,” Captain Springer said, a warning note in his tone.
“Ensign Hills, turn off the audio feed for a moment,” Djurich ordered.
“Yes, Admiral.”
She turned to Captain Springer, who looked intense and serious in his red captain’s uniform. “Admiral, you can’t go over there,” he said immediately.
“I agree.” Lieutenant Badger, the executive officer, took a step forward to join the conversation. “Mad Dog will only use you to get the dilithium shipment.”
“Mad Dog shouldn’t know about the dilithium.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t,” Springer said. “Lieutenant Badger is right. If Mad Dog wants to talk, he’ll have to come to us.”
“That will give him an opportunity to discover what we’re carrying,” Djurich argued. “Captain, those crystals have to make it to Earth. You have standing orders to fight your way out of here and leave me if the negotiations fail.”
Captain Springer was silent for a moment. “Lieutenant Commander K. Springer and I will accompany you if you insist on going over to the Dragon.”
“I will not allow-”
“I am the captain of this station, and I have a duty to protect you,” the captain interrupted smoothly. “That is final.”
Djurich was quiet for a moment. “We are surrounded by five ships. The only way out of this is to negotiate.”
“Agreed,” Captain Springer said. He raised his voice. “Ensign Hills, restore audio!”
“Wait-” Djurich broke off as Mad Dog’s impatient voice resounded through the ship’s speakers.
“Enough stalling, Admiral. Are you prepared to negotiate?”
Djurich opened her mouth to reply.
“We are,” said Captain Springer. “But the negotiations must take place on our vessel.”
“Impossible,” Mad Dog growled. “The admiral will come over here or I will order my ships to attack."
Djurich shot Springer a dirty look before addressing the pirate. “I require an honor guard to accompany me to your ship.”
“Naturally,” Mad Dog said. “You may bring one guard.”
“Two."
The pirate blew out a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Two. Prepare to beam aboard. Dragon out.”
Djurich took a deep breath as Mad Dog’s face was replaced by an array of stars and two enemy ships. “Let’s go."
“Commander Badger, you have the bridge,” Captain Springer said. “Lieutenant Commander Springer! Let’s go.”
“Stay on your toes, Junior Grade Lieutenant Garner,” the deep space station’s chief of security warned her deputy. Then she fell into step behind the admiral and captain.
“Three to beam to the Dragon, Lieutenant Colledge,” Djurich said when they were in the transporters. She gave the next order quickly, before she lost her nerve and jumped out. “Energize.”
Saturday, December 10, 2011
From enthusiasm to obsession
I was in fifth grade, Mrs. Holbrook's class, at Sego Lily Elementary.
It was the day before what I had heard would be the best field trip of the year- maybe even the best field trip of my life.
The same field trip my friend Alisa (since she was in a different class) was just about to return from that day.
It was afternoon. I was walking down the main hall with my classmates on our way to music class when the school buses pulled in and kids began streaming off. Alisa, red-faced and excited, with adrenaline still pumping through her veins, spotted me near the edge of my group and ran towards me at full speed. The flat-out charge ended in an enthusiastic bear hug that lifted me off my feet.
"Jessica! IT'S SO FUN!" Alisa shouted. She was bouncy and all smiles. Her wild-eyed euphoria was contagious. I started bouncing too.
"I can't wait until your class goes," Alisa said. "You'll love it!"
And I did. I loved it from the moment I stepped onto the bridge of the U.S.S. Voyager. I loved it more when I went back the next year with my sixth grade class. I love it more and more every time I go.
Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever grow out of it. I used to be afraid I would grow out of it.
But I've finally decided: I'm never going to grow up.
Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever grow out of it. I used to be afraid I would grow out of it.
But I've finally decided: I'm never going to grow up.
Friday, December 2, 2011
It's like we're students or something
It's that time again: the biannual stay-up-all-night-so-you-can-do-the-assignments-you've-procrastinated-all-semester party week!
I'm not as busy as I was during winter semester, but that doesn't mean I don't have a list of things to do before finals. Everyone has a list of things to do before finals. On my way to work this morning, I overheard a guy joke to a girl, "It's like we're students or something!" One can only assume they were talking about red-rimmed eyes and burned out brains.
It made me smile to hear the joke. And as I passed them, I muttered, "Or something."
I'm not as busy as I was during winter semester, but that doesn't mean I don't have a list of things to do before finals. Everyone has a list of things to do before finals. On my way to work this morning, I overheard a guy joke to a girl, "It's like we're students or something!" One can only assume they were talking about red-rimmed eyes and burned out brains.
It made me smile to hear the joke. And as I passed them, I muttered, "Or something."
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
It's been a good week for publication
A thought from atop the proverbial soap box
There's a definite sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you see your name in print under a paper, article or even blog post and you know it's destined for the eyes of somebody besides you, who wrote it. I don't think I'll ever tire of it. I was so excited about getting published in the Deseret News on Saturday that I've been showing practically everybody who's set foot in our apartment since then - Kelly, Holly, Lynette, Sara, Mara, my visiting teachers... Not to mention announcing the accomplishment on Facebook. It feels really nice to work hard on something and have somebody notice what you did. Like when Kelly won a Kindle from a blogging contest a few weeks ago (she writes really well; check out her blog - it'll be well worth your time). Or when Sara was in the newspaper because she was a Sterling Scholar. Or when Graig and Tyson advanced to the national history fair and both families got to visit Washington, D.C. for a couple days.
With journalism, I am keenly aware of the added responsibility I have to publish the truth and its relevance to people within the typical "readership" of the publication as well as all over the world (thanks, Internet). I take that challenge seriously. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to gather enough information for each story that you can write it in context, with minimal dramatization, representing each voice the best you can. I don't expect to please everyone, but I do expect to please myself. If I can satisfy my journalistic conscience that I portrayed the story the best I could, I can withstand any reasonable criticism.
Even though sometimes it's hard to live with that responsibility, I love what I am doing. And honestly, what kind of job doesn't have some degree of responsibility? Each worker bee is important - the trick is recognizing the good that can come from your contribution.
There's a definite sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you see your name in print under a paper, article or even blog post and you know it's destined for the eyes of somebody besides you, who wrote it. I don't think I'll ever tire of it. I was so excited about getting published in the Deseret News on Saturday that I've been showing practically everybody who's set foot in our apartment since then - Kelly, Holly, Lynette, Sara, Mara, my visiting teachers... Not to mention announcing the accomplishment on Facebook. It feels really nice to work hard on something and have somebody notice what you did. Like when Kelly won a Kindle from a blogging contest a few weeks ago (she writes really well; check out her blog - it'll be well worth your time). Or when Sara was in the newspaper because she was a Sterling Scholar. Or when Graig and Tyson advanced to the national history fair and both families got to visit Washington, D.C. for a couple days.
With journalism, I am keenly aware of the added responsibility I have to publish the truth and its relevance to people within the typical "readership" of the publication as well as all over the world (thanks, Internet). I take that challenge seriously. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to gather enough information for each story that you can write it in context, with minimal dramatization, representing each voice the best you can. I don't expect to please everyone, but I do expect to please myself. If I can satisfy my journalistic conscience that I portrayed the story the best I could, I can withstand any reasonable criticism.
Even though sometimes it's hard to live with that responsibility, I love what I am doing. And honestly, what kind of job doesn't have some degree of responsibility? Each worker bee is important - the trick is recognizing the good that can come from your contribution.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Heat like unto a dryer
I didn't have enough quarters to put my clean clothes in the dryer on Saturday, so I hung them up wet all over Mara's and my room to air dry. The last time I resorted to this, it took a full 24 hours for most of the items to dry, and I went to sleep expecting the same result this time.
BUT! (if you buy three completos...)
Apparently my Arizona roommates keep the heat on high, because by the time I woke up Sunday morning everything was dry - even my jeans. (Or maybe my upstate New York roommate who repeatedly walks through snowdrifts in flip-flops is the one who keeps it so toasty warm inside.) I think the temperature feels nice. It did save me 75 cents.
BUT! (if you buy three completos...)
Apparently my Arizona roommates keep the heat on high, because by the time I woke up Sunday morning everything was dry - even my jeans. (Or maybe my upstate New York roommate who repeatedly walks through snowdrifts in flip-flops is the one who keeps it so toasty warm inside.) I think the temperature feels nice. It did save me 75 cents.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Food! My favorite topic
There are several reasons why I spend less than five percent of my income on food (as calculated by USAA's handy spending calculator):
Then today after my Spanish conversation lab ends, Sara, Mara and I are having a Cannon date! The Cannon Center is an awesome all-you-can-eat place right next to Helaman Halls. They have delicious fruit drinks, if nothing else.
- The mass production and industrialization of food in los Estados Unidos, which significantly lowers its cost
- Work sometimes has extra food
- My roommates share all kinds of yummy food
- My mother sends all manner of frozen leftovers and other goodies home
Then today after my Spanish conversation lab ends, Sara, Mara and I are having a Cannon date! The Cannon Center is an awesome all-you-can-eat place right next to Helaman Halls. They have delicious fruit drinks, if nothing else.
Soaking up the sun with my buddies the boxelder bugs
Anytime the sun shines through the window into my lonely office, I receive a host of small visitors that come out of hiding to soak it in. My rule about the boxelder bugs is the same with spiders- if they don't bother me, I don't bother them. This one's name is Sara- isn't it cute?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Mara was in my dream last night
“Can you fly with someone holding on to you?” Corrie asked Mara.
“Maybe. Let’s try it.” Mara turned her back toward Corrie and waited.
After a few failed attempts to wrap herself securely around Mara’s waist, Corrie settled for the piggyback position, using her legs and arms to hold on tight. As soon as she stopped wiggling around, Mara leaned forward, spread out her arms, and began to run.
Takeoff came slowly with her labored gait, but almost twenty seconds after she started her sprint, Mara felt the magic kick in, lifting her feet off the ground even as they continued to churn, running in midair. Corrie clung to her tighter as Mara flapped her arms, lifting them ever higher until they were over the castle wall.
“No fair!” Ben, who had just vaulted the same wall, shouted up at them from the forest side. “How come you get to fly?”
Corrie whooped as Mara glided down to land in front of him. “You did it!” She slid off Mara’s back and grinned foolishly at Ben. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Just then, all three of them heard a shout from the castle. “I don’t have time to be jealous,” Ben said. “I’m too busy running!”
By the time the castle’s occupants had lowered the drawbridge and sent men to look for the three vagabonds, Ben, Corrie and Mara had disappeared into the forest for good.
--
Mara landed silently and dove behind the largest cluster of rocks she could find. Immediately after she was hidden, a swarm of electronic insects buzzed noisily overhead. Their needle-like pincers flashed dully in the dusky light. Mara winced, thinking of what would have happened if they had caught her. Angering that magician had been the stupidest thing she, Corrie and Ben had ever done on purpose.
Dr. Reed has some explaining to do, she thought darkly. But unfortunately, she couldn’t confront Reed until she found him. That llama.
She shifted slightly to a more comfortable position while she waited for the swarm to end. Something caught her eye. A dark shape.
Spies and assassins forgotten, Mara rolled to her knees and peered at it. It looked like the entrance to a cave, but the cavity was so overgrown she hadn’t noticed it at first. She glanced once at the sky, where the swarm had finally begun to thin out, and then crawled over to it, ducked under the lichens and cobwebs and entered.
The cave was large enough for her to sit up straight but not enough for her to stretch out on the floor. However, even if Mara were claustrophobic she wouldn’t have cared. There was a small pool in the middle of the floor, perfectly circular and about a foot wide in all directions. On the top of the water was a sheet of ice, frozen so still it looked like glass. It glowed with a pale blue light Mara instantly recognized as magic.
She went closer, moving slowly and with caution, until she was staring at her reflection in the pool. Her face was thin, her hair windblown. She glanced to the side and saw a stack of parchment paper, a feather pen, and a jar of black ink. A thrill went through her. This is a magician’s postal station!
She had only heard of magician’s post in stories. Most didn’t believe in it. Mara certainly hadn’t. Until the night she’d unwittingly received the power of flight, Mara hadn’t even believed in magic.
It was said that any letter placed in a magician’s postal station would be sent and received instantaneously by the intended recipient. Mara couldn’t even imagine such speed of communication, but she was eager to try it. Seizing the pen and ink, she selected a piece of paper and wrote,
Corrie. I’m still alive. Searching for Dr. R. and B. to help rescue you. Hang tight. M.
Holding her breath, Mara picked up the letter and set it gently on the surface of the pool. A flash of blue light startled her and seared her vision, but when the spots cleared, she saw that the letter had vanished. Somewhere, Corrie had just received a message of hope.
I hope she was alone, Mara thought suddenly, and her stomach clenched with worry. What if she wasn’t alone?
Outside the cave, a single electronic insect hovered low to the ground. One of the last in the swarm to pass overhead, a muddled bright flash had caught its attention, sending it sweeping down to investigate. Buzzing mechanically, it zipped forward, scanning the clusters of rocks for anything suspicious. It noticed what appeared to be a cavity in a rock and headed toward it. As it got closer, the insect glimpsed a shadowed figure partially illuminated by a dull blue glow. The figure’s head swung suddenly toward it; one hand, clenching something, moved quickly.
The insect went into full reverse and narrowly escaped being struck with what looked like an ink bottle. Switching from a buzz to a loud, blaring siren, it lifted into the air and flew after the swarm.
I opened my eyes and smiled to myself. "Wow, that was a super awesome dream." Then I looked at the clock. "Wow, I should be leaving right now."
“Maybe. Let’s try it.” Mara turned her back toward Corrie and waited.
After a few failed attempts to wrap herself securely around Mara’s waist, Corrie settled for the piggyback position, using her legs and arms to hold on tight. As soon as she stopped wiggling around, Mara leaned forward, spread out her arms, and began to run.
Takeoff came slowly with her labored gait, but almost twenty seconds after she started her sprint, Mara felt the magic kick in, lifting her feet off the ground even as they continued to churn, running in midair. Corrie clung to her tighter as Mara flapped her arms, lifting them ever higher until they were over the castle wall.
“No fair!” Ben, who had just vaulted the same wall, shouted up at them from the forest side. “How come you get to fly?”
Corrie whooped as Mara glided down to land in front of him. “You did it!” She slid off Mara’s back and grinned foolishly at Ben. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Just then, all three of them heard a shout from the castle. “I don’t have time to be jealous,” Ben said. “I’m too busy running!”
By the time the castle’s occupants had lowered the drawbridge and sent men to look for the three vagabonds, Ben, Corrie and Mara had disappeared into the forest for good.
--
Mara landed silently and dove behind the largest cluster of rocks she could find. Immediately after she was hidden, a swarm of electronic insects buzzed noisily overhead. Their needle-like pincers flashed dully in the dusky light. Mara winced, thinking of what would have happened if they had caught her. Angering that magician had been the stupidest thing she, Corrie and Ben had ever done on purpose.
Dr. Reed has some explaining to do, she thought darkly. But unfortunately, she couldn’t confront Reed until she found him. That llama.
She shifted slightly to a more comfortable position while she waited for the swarm to end. Something caught her eye. A dark shape.
Spies and assassins forgotten, Mara rolled to her knees and peered at it. It looked like the entrance to a cave, but the cavity was so overgrown she hadn’t noticed it at first. She glanced once at the sky, where the swarm had finally begun to thin out, and then crawled over to it, ducked under the lichens and cobwebs and entered.
The cave was large enough for her to sit up straight but not enough for her to stretch out on the floor. However, even if Mara were claustrophobic she wouldn’t have cared. There was a small pool in the middle of the floor, perfectly circular and about a foot wide in all directions. On the top of the water was a sheet of ice, frozen so still it looked like glass. It glowed with a pale blue light Mara instantly recognized as magic.
She went closer, moving slowly and with caution, until she was staring at her reflection in the pool. Her face was thin, her hair windblown. She glanced to the side and saw a stack of parchment paper, a feather pen, and a jar of black ink. A thrill went through her. This is a magician’s postal station!
She had only heard of magician’s post in stories. Most didn’t believe in it. Mara certainly hadn’t. Until the night she’d unwittingly received the power of flight, Mara hadn’t even believed in magic.
It was said that any letter placed in a magician’s postal station would be sent and received instantaneously by the intended recipient. Mara couldn’t even imagine such speed of communication, but she was eager to try it. Seizing the pen and ink, she selected a piece of paper and wrote,
Corrie. I’m still alive. Searching for Dr. R. and B. to help rescue you. Hang tight. M.
Holding her breath, Mara picked up the letter and set it gently on the surface of the pool. A flash of blue light startled her and seared her vision, but when the spots cleared, she saw that the letter had vanished. Somewhere, Corrie had just received a message of hope.
I hope she was alone, Mara thought suddenly, and her stomach clenched with worry. What if she wasn’t alone?
Outside the cave, a single electronic insect hovered low to the ground. One of the last in the swarm to pass overhead, a muddled bright flash had caught its attention, sending it sweeping down to investigate. Buzzing mechanically, it zipped forward, scanning the clusters of rocks for anything suspicious. It noticed what appeared to be a cavity in a rock and headed toward it. As it got closer, the insect glimpsed a shadowed figure partially illuminated by a dull blue glow. The figure’s head swung suddenly toward it; one hand, clenching something, moved quickly.
The insect went into full reverse and narrowly escaped being struck with what looked like an ink bottle. Switching from a buzz to a loud, blaring siren, it lifted into the air and flew after the swarm.
I opened my eyes and smiled to myself. "Wow, that was a super awesome dream." Then I looked at the clock. "Wow, I should be leaving right now."
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Margaret and the righteous midterm
I belong to an unofficial novel writing club composed of some former Creative Writing classmates from last fall and friends. Yesterday on Facebook, Tyler informed us he wouldn't be able to make the weekly meeting because of "evil midterms," to which our teacher Margaret responded, "If there are evil midterms, there must also be righteous ones because there is opposition in all things." This post, written by Margaret, followed.
Young, Margaret. Untitled. BYU Book Club. Facebook, 8 Nov 2011. Web.
Righteous midterm: Time limit: 2 hours. Begin immediately. Art: Given one eight-count box of crayons and three sheets of notebook paper, recreate the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Skin tones should be true to life. Biology: Create life. Estimate the differences in subsequent human culture if this form of life had developed 500 million years earlier, with special attention to its probable effect on the English Parliamentary System circa 1750. Prove your thesis. Chemistry: You must identify a poison sample which you will find at your lab table. All necessary equipment has been provided. There are two beakers at your desk, one of which holds the antidote. If the wrong substance is used, it causes instant death. You may begin as soon as the professor injects you with a sample of the poison. (We feel this will give you an incentive to find the correct answer.) Civil Engineering: This is a practical test of your design and building skills. With the boxes of toothpicks and glue present, build a platform that will support your weight when you and your platform are suspended over a vat of nitric acid. Computer Science: Write a fifth-generation computer language. Using this language, write a computer program to finish the rest of this exam for you. Economics: Develop a realistic plan for refinancing the national debt. Trace the possible effects of your plan in the following areas: Cubism, the Donatist Controversy and the Wave Theory of Light. Outline a method for preventing these effects. Criticize this method from all possible points of view. Point out the deficiencies in your point of view, as demonstrated in your answer to the last question. Electrical Engineering: You will be placed in a nuclear reactor and given a partial copy of the electrical layout. The electrical system has been tampered with. You have seventeen minutes to find the problem and correct it before the reactor melts down. Engineering: The disassembled parts of a high-powered rifle have been placed on your desk. You will also find an instruction manual, printed in Swahili. In 10 minutes, a hungry Bengal tiger will be admitted to the room. Take whatever action you feel necessary. Be prepared to justify your decision. Epistemology: Take a position for or against truth. Prove the validity of your stand. General Knowledge: Describe in detail. Be objective and specific. History: Describe the history of the Papacy from its origins to the present day, concentrating especially, but not exclusively, on its Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Be brief, concise and specific. Mathematics: Derive the Euler-Cauchy equations using only a straightedge and compass. Discuss in detail the role these equations had on mathematical analysis in Europe during the 1800s. Medicine: You have been provided with a razor blade, a piece of gauze, and a bottle of scotch. Remove your appendix. Do not suture until you work has been inspected. You have fifteen minutes. Metaphysics: Describe in detail the probably nature of life after death. Test your hypothesis. Music: Write a piano concerto. Orchestrate and perform it with flute and drum. You will find a piano under your seat. Philosophy: Sketch the development of human thought. Estimate its significance. Compare with the development of any other kind of thought. Psychology: Based on your knowledge of their works, evaluate the emotional stability, degree of adjustment, and repressed frustrations of each of the following: Alexander of Aphrodisis, Rameses II, Hammuarabi. Support your evaluation with quotations from each man's work, making appropriate references. It is not necessary to translate. Physics: Explain the nature of matter. Include in your answer an evaluation of the impact of the development of mathematics on science. Political Science: There is a red telephone on the desk beside you. Start World War III. Report at length on its socio-political effects if any. Public Speaking: 2500 riot-crazed aborigines are storming the classroom. Calm them. You may use any ancient language except Latin or Greek. Religion: Perform a miracle. Creativity will be judged. Sociology: Estimate the sociological problems which might accompany the end of the world. Construct an experiment to test your theory. Extra Credit: Define the universe, and give three examples. |
Young, Margaret. Untitled. BYU Book Club. Facebook, 8 Nov 2011. Web.
Friday, November 4, 2011
President Samuelson sighting
This morning as I arrived on the edge of campus (by the Tanner Building), I saw a familiar-looking silver-haired man chatting with a university policeman. One of the girls who was standing by me gave me a nudge and said with a big grin, "Look! That's President Samuelson!"
She was so excited to say good morning to President Samuelson, it made me excited too. When the light changed and we could cross the street, we walked right past him and said good morning. He smiled and said hello.
"I've never seen him up close before," my new friend said happily as we continued on our way.
"He came to a women's basketball game once," I said. I was pleasantly surprised when the girl answered enthusiastically. Apparently she attended several women's basketball games last year (they usually don't get very good attendance), so we were able to talk women's basketball until it was time to go our separate ways.
She was so excited to say good morning to President Samuelson, it made me excited too. When the light changed and we could cross the street, we walked right past him and said good morning. He smiled and said hello.
"I've never seen him up close before," my new friend said happily as we continued on our way.
"He came to a women's basketball game once," I said. I was pleasantly surprised when the girl answered enthusiastically. Apparently she attended several women's basketball games last year (they usually don't get very good attendance), so we were able to talk women's basketball until it was time to go our separate ways.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Maintenance came by yesterday
Great news: our sink and dishwasher are fixed! Sara and I walked in the door yesterday to find Lynette going after the pile of dirty dishes with a vengeance. (We offered to help but she said she didn't need it.) So thanks for the offer, Mom, but we won't need any paper plates. :)
Also, my fingers are almost completely unjammed, although it's entertaining to watch them slowly turn black and blue- they're a little bruised.
I love Wednesdays! They're the day I get to go home the earliest. Although today I have an examen escrito en español- but I've been studying and it shouldn't be too bad or take too long.
Also, my fingers are almost completely unjammed, although it's entertaining to watch them slowly turn black and blue- they're a little bruised.
I love Wednesdays! They're the day I get to go home the earliest. Although today I have an examen escrito en español- but I've been studying and it shouldn't be too bad or take too long.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Stories
Hmm, which story to tell today... I can't decide, so I guess I'll summarize the most interesting ones.
Our garbage disposal broke on Sunday. We got Josh to try to fix it, but the poor thing was beyond his help. While he was poking around, he discovered the other side of the sink was also draining incorrectly. We are currently banned from using the sink. Then our dishwasher broke- it's not draining either! Kelly (I think it was Kelly) duct taped a sheet to the ceiling, forming a makeshift wall between our living room and kitchen so we can invite people over without fear of judgment. The sheet will remain until we are able to tackle Mount Dirty Dishes and clean our counters.
I jammed the middle and ring fingers of my left hand in basketball class yesterday morning. I've never experienced a jam that lasted more than a few minutes, and by two o'clock they were hurting so bad I ended up getting x rays to make sure they weren't broken. Mom and Dad really took care of me there. The official verdict was, not broken. I'm hoping they'll be unjammed by basketball class tomorrow.
After I jammed my fingers, I was a little worried about how much it would hurt to play my saxophone. I soaked my fingers in Epsom salt prior to practicing last night and they were fine. I played for the whole half hour (I know seven scales now!), enjoyed myself thoroughly, and decided it was time to go back inside. (I practice outside so I can blow hard.) I got out my keys and started walking to my stairwell, where lo and behold there was a make out session going on about three feet from my door. The couple didn't see me at first because I hightailed it back to my spot on Alta's front lawn and plunked out some more songs, hoping they would be gone by the time I went back. Five minutes later, I tried again. They were still there. I left again and played some more. Five minutes after that, I decided to jingle my keys a little to announce my presence and then march right up to my door and ignore the couple as I went in.
It almost worked. I was scraping the key in the lock when they awkwardly broke apart. True to my plan, I ignored them. I didn't recognize the guy and I didn't care to find out if I knew the girl. As I was crossing the threshold, the guy said something I didn't register until I was all the way in.
"Sounded good."
"Thanks," I mumbled and shut the door behind me. Apparently I should be more careful about who is in earshot of my dazzlingly romantic sax scales in the future.
Our garbage disposal broke on Sunday. We got Josh to try to fix it, but the poor thing was beyond his help. While he was poking around, he discovered the other side of the sink was also draining incorrectly. We are currently banned from using the sink. Then our dishwasher broke- it's not draining either! Kelly (I think it was Kelly) duct taped a sheet to the ceiling, forming a makeshift wall between our living room and kitchen so we can invite people over without fear of judgment. The sheet will remain until we are able to tackle Mount Dirty Dishes and clean our counters.
I jammed the middle and ring fingers of my left hand in basketball class yesterday morning. I've never experienced a jam that lasted more than a few minutes, and by two o'clock they were hurting so bad I ended up getting x rays to make sure they weren't broken. Mom and Dad really took care of me there. The official verdict was, not broken. I'm hoping they'll be unjammed by basketball class tomorrow.
After I jammed my fingers, I was a little worried about how much it would hurt to play my saxophone. I soaked my fingers in Epsom salt prior to practicing last night and they were fine. I played for the whole half hour (I know seven scales now!), enjoyed myself thoroughly, and decided it was time to go back inside. (I practice outside so I can blow hard.) I got out my keys and started walking to my stairwell, where lo and behold there was a make out session going on about three feet from my door. The couple didn't see me at first because I hightailed it back to my spot on Alta's front lawn and plunked out some more songs, hoping they would be gone by the time I went back. Five minutes later, I tried again. They were still there. I left again and played some more. Five minutes after that, I decided to jingle my keys a little to announce my presence and then march right up to my door and ignore the couple as I went in.
It almost worked. I was scraping the key in the lock when they awkwardly broke apart. True to my plan, I ignored them. I didn't recognize the guy and I didn't care to find out if I knew the girl. As I was crossing the threshold, the guy said something I didn't register until I was all the way in.
"Sounded good."
"Thanks," I mumbled and shut the door behind me. Apparently I should be more careful about who is in earshot of my dazzlingly romantic sax scales in the future.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Found!
Last Tuesday I left my jacket in one of my classes and didn't realize it was missing until later that evening when I was cold and wanted to put it on. I was bummed about losing the jacket, but after thinking carefully about what must have been in the pockets, I decided it wasn't the end of the world. That was before I realized my keys were missing.
As soon as I figured out my keys had also been in my jacket pocket when it went missing, I started hunting for it in earnest. I'd just lost my Student ID card the week before, and after checking the ID Center for it in vain I found it buried under a ton of stuff in my backpack. So I emptied out my backpack even though I was 99 percent sure my jacket wasn't inside. I scoured my room and desk at home. I prayed I would at least find my keys - I could live without one jacket, but I really needed those keys - but no luck. I went to the custodian of the building where I thought I lost it and visited Lost and Found twice, but nobody had it.
Every morning as I left for school, I prayed for the safety of our apartment and those still asleep inside it, because I couldn't lock the door behind me like I normally would. (As far as I know, there was never any problem.)
This morning I got to school early and decided I might as well drop by Lost and Found again while I had time. After I gave two employees a detailed description of my jacket, I prayed once again that they would find it. Although I wasn't overly hopeful, I wasn't panicked either- Heavenly Father must have been speaking peace to my soul. When one of the employees came back to the desk and asked if my jacket had a bee on the front of it and stuff in the pockets, I got really excited. "Yes and yes, I did have stuff in the pockets. You mean all of it's still there?!"
So. I recovered my keys, little copy of The Family Proclamation, and the Pound Puppy (Little Spot, for those of you acquainted with him) who lives in my pocket. Everything I lost, I found! What a great way to start a day.
As soon as I figured out my keys had also been in my jacket pocket when it went missing, I started hunting for it in earnest. I'd just lost my Student ID card the week before, and after checking the ID Center for it in vain I found it buried under a ton of stuff in my backpack. So I emptied out my backpack even though I was 99 percent sure my jacket wasn't inside. I scoured my room and desk at home. I prayed I would at least find my keys - I could live without one jacket, but I really needed those keys - but no luck. I went to the custodian of the building where I thought I lost it and visited Lost and Found twice, but nobody had it.
Every morning as I left for school, I prayed for the safety of our apartment and those still asleep inside it, because I couldn't lock the door behind me like I normally would. (As far as I know, there was never any problem.)
This morning I got to school early and decided I might as well drop by Lost and Found again while I had time. After I gave two employees a detailed description of my jacket, I prayed once again that they would find it. Although I wasn't overly hopeful, I wasn't panicked either- Heavenly Father must have been speaking peace to my soul. When one of the employees came back to the desk and asked if my jacket had a bee on the front of it and stuff in the pockets, I got really excited. "Yes and yes, I did have stuff in the pockets. You mean all of it's still there?!"
So. I recovered my keys, little copy of The Family Proclamation, and the Pound Puppy (Little Spot, for those of you acquainted with him) who lives in my pocket. Everything I lost, I found! What a great way to start a day.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Ah, juice boxes
Ode to the Juice Box
Small, quick, convenient, tasty
Best accompanied by a granola bar or cookies
100% juice, composed of a dozen things I've never heard of
I love lunch
Disclaimer: I wrote the above poem in about 2 minutes... yeah.
Small, quick, convenient, tasty
Best accompanied by a granola bar or cookies
100% juice, composed of a dozen things I've never heard of
I love lunch
Disclaimer: I wrote the above poem in about 2 minutes... yeah.
Monday, October 17, 2011
It's National Chemistry Week!
There are several times of year when my job is especially exciting - the fall, because of Homecoming and the department picnic; the end of a semester, because there's usually lots of free food; and National Chemistry Week, because of the magic show, liquid nitrogen ice cream, and symposium!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
True Blue
Hate to break this to you, Tyler... I went down the I LOVE BYU! slip n' slide today. (They ran it with blue foam.)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Mourning with those that mourn
There are a couple things I could write about - the weather, a cookie story from two Fridays ago, plans for this weekend, a summary of last weekend... the list goes on.
Mostly I just need a quick break from article writing. (I've done 1 3/4 in the past four days and am currently working on two more.) So I think I'll share a thought about friendship.
Yesterday as I was on my way to work from basketball class (meaning I was hot, sweaty, happy and had just climbed the heart attack stairs), I passed a girl sitting on a bench wrapped in a boy's arms (probably her boyfriend, but that's not the point of this story). She was holding a packet of stapled papers and crying. It appeared she'd received a disappointing grade on homework or maybe a test.
Her friend wasn't saying anything, but he didn't need to - it was enough that he was there and he cared. The scene was so perfect I wanted to stop and take a picture. I was touched by the strength and concern he showed his friend in a time of need, and I was reminded of past times in my life when I felt like that girl, and my friends or family acted the part of the boy. I know there will be many more situations in the future where I will seek comfort, as well as opportunities for me to administer comfort and I believe strongly in the power of friendship and Christlike love.
Mostly I just need a quick break from article writing. (I've done 1 3/4 in the past four days and am currently working on two more.) So I think I'll share a thought about friendship.
Yesterday as I was on my way to work from basketball class (meaning I was hot, sweaty, happy and had just climbed the heart attack stairs), I passed a girl sitting on a bench wrapped in a boy's arms (probably her boyfriend, but that's not the point of this story). She was holding a packet of stapled papers and crying. It appeared she'd received a disappointing grade on homework or maybe a test.
Her friend wasn't saying anything, but he didn't need to - it was enough that he was there and he cared. The scene was so perfect I wanted to stop and take a picture. I was touched by the strength and concern he showed his friend in a time of need, and I was reminded of past times in my life when I felt like that girl, and my friends or family acted the part of the boy. I know there will be many more situations in the future where I will seek comfort, as well as opportunities for me to administer comfort and I believe strongly in the power of friendship and Christlike love.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Dream 10-5-11
In the dream, I was an astronaut.
Mara, Sara, Jill and I were the crew on a new line of spacecraft. NASA had a fancy, official-sounding name for it. We just called it "Marshmallow."
The unique thing about our ship was the giant sail made entirely of marshmallows (the big kind). It worked just like the sail on a boat- don't ask me where the wind came from once we were out in space. Dreams don't have to make sense.
The maiden voyage of the Marshmallow went like a charm. Mara, Sara, Jill and I got to go to the moon and play Frisbee in its lessened gravity for a few hours. When we re-entered the atmosphere, however, our already-singed sail just burned up completely. We managed to land the ship in a field somewhere in Russia, but in order to get it back home to the States we had to go out and buy more marshmallows, go back into space, and return to the right place the second time. (Russian marshmallows must be tougher.)
In the middle of the dream, I dreamed (or did I?) I woke up because Mara was saying something about marshmallows in her sleep and I was all excited- "Are we having the same dream?" "...the moon..." "Maybe you're having the same dream, but from your perspective!" (I asked her about it the next morning and she told me I was crazy.)
Later that day, I drew roughly what our ship looked like in my head.
A closer look at the marshmallow spaceship...
Mara, Sara, Jill and I were the crew on a new line of spacecraft. NASA had a fancy, official-sounding name for it. We just called it "Marshmallow."
The unique thing about our ship was the giant sail made entirely of marshmallows (the big kind). It worked just like the sail on a boat- don't ask me where the wind came from once we were out in space. Dreams don't have to make sense.
The maiden voyage of the Marshmallow went like a charm. Mara, Sara, Jill and I got to go to the moon and play Frisbee in its lessened gravity for a few hours. When we re-entered the atmosphere, however, our already-singed sail just burned up completely. We managed to land the ship in a field somewhere in Russia, but in order to get it back home to the States we had to go out and buy more marshmallows, go back into space, and return to the right place the second time. (Russian marshmallows must be tougher.)
In the middle of the dream, I dreamed (or did I?) I woke up because Mara was saying something about marshmallows in her sleep and I was all excited- "Are we having the same dream?" "...the moon..." "Maybe you're having the same dream, but from your perspective!" (I asked her about it the next morning and she told me I was crazy.)
Later that day, I drew roughly what our ship looked like in my head.
A closer look at the marshmallow spaceship...
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Taking sleeptalk to the next level
I'm pretty sure I've always talked in my sleep. Friends I had sleepovers with have mentioned it, girls at Girl's Camp every summer mentioned it, and my roommate going on two years now, Mara, tells me weird things I say from time to time. Not to mention all my siblings (I don't know about my parents) talk in their sleep.
However much I've talked before, however, I've rarely been in a position to actually converse with another person in my sleep- mostly because I had my own room for 10-ish years at home. Apartment life has allowed my sleeptalking to go to the next level. Mara and I have had at least two conversations so far when we were both asleep. Maybe three- last night I dreamed we were talking to each other in our sleep again, and it's hard to say whether that was all in my head or not. :)
However much I've talked before, however, I've rarely been in a position to actually converse with another person in my sleep- mostly because I had my own room for 10-ish years at home. Apartment life has allowed my sleeptalking to go to the next level. Mara and I have had at least two conversations so far when we were both asleep. Maybe three- last night I dreamed we were talking to each other in our sleep again, and it's hard to say whether that was all in my head or not. :)
Monday, October 3, 2011
"I hope this brightens up your day."
One of the chemistry professors just came into my office and gave me a small candy. Dove® raspberry and dark chocolate swirl.
"I hope this brightens up your day," he said as he set it down on my desk.
Food always does. :)
"I hope this brightens up your day," he said as he set it down on my desk.
Food always does. :)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
A fairy tale for the conference break
Sir Marcello was a royal knight in the humble kingdom of Provo. He was loyal and kind. His horse was small but sturdy and reliable. The horse was small because Marcello was small.
Marcello was one of the king's most trusted knights. He had been sent on many a dangerous mission and returned to tell the tale. He was instrumental in keeping the peace the kingdom had enjoyed for many years.
"Marcello, you've worked hard," the king said to the knight one day. "Take some time off. A week or two. There are many ladies I know who would be delighted to attend a dance with you, if that's how you want to spend your time."
The king often held dances and festivals for the people in his kingdom to enjoy themselves.
"I think I'll go home," Marcello said. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Sir Marcello hadn't been home for more than a week in all the past year. He packed light and left that afternoon, enjoying the feel of the wind in his hair and anticipating a cheerful reunion with friends and family he'd left. He arrived home as the sun was setting, transforming the western sky into a glorious painting of red and gold.
His mother ran out of the house just as he was dismounting and threw her arms around him. He hugged her back automatically and was surprised when she pulled away after only a second. There were tears in her eyes.
"You've returned at the perfect time," she said.
"What's wrong?" Marcello asked.
"It's your sister. She caught a chill a few days ago and it's gotten bad. I was just about to send a message to you when old Nelson down the road heard you were on your way. I don't know why the king chose this time to give you a vacation, but I'm grateful he did."
"Tell me what I can do."
His mother smiled broadly at him. "I knew you would say that. You're a good boy. I'm proud of the man you have become. I know the apothecary in the capital has the medicine Laura needs. I hate to ask you to go back just when you've returned, but-"
"You don't have to say it." Marcello glanced at his faithful horse. "Just give Bertha a moment's rest and I'll be on my way."
A bright harvest moon lit the way as Marcello rode back. Despite the urgency he felt, he could almost forget the nature of his errand in the dazzling array of stars winking happily at him from the black night.
The apothecary was closed when Marcello arrived around 2 a.m. He had expected it.
"Come on, Bertha," he said tiredly, sliding off his horse's back. "We've got about four hours to rest."
He slept in the stable with Bertha, and in the morning he was there when the apothecary opened. He paid for the medicine and threw his aching body over the horse again.
It was high noon when he got back to his childhood home. After he stabled Bertha, his mother sent him in with the medicine to his sister, lying miserably in bed with a fever and racking cough, and fed him a satisfying and delicious lunch after he delivered the medicine.
"Thank you again," his mother said as she washed dishes afterward. "You saved her a lot of misery."
"It was no problem," Marcello said. He enjoyed the rest of his vacation thoroughly.
Marcello was one of the king's most trusted knights. He had been sent on many a dangerous mission and returned to tell the tale. He was instrumental in keeping the peace the kingdom had enjoyed for many years.
"Marcello, you've worked hard," the king said to the knight one day. "Take some time off. A week or two. There are many ladies I know who would be delighted to attend a dance with you, if that's how you want to spend your time."
The king often held dances and festivals for the people in his kingdom to enjoy themselves.
"I think I'll go home," Marcello said. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Sir Marcello hadn't been home for more than a week in all the past year. He packed light and left that afternoon, enjoying the feel of the wind in his hair and anticipating a cheerful reunion with friends and family he'd left. He arrived home as the sun was setting, transforming the western sky into a glorious painting of red and gold.
His mother ran out of the house just as he was dismounting and threw her arms around him. He hugged her back automatically and was surprised when she pulled away after only a second. There were tears in her eyes.
"You've returned at the perfect time," she said.
"What's wrong?" Marcello asked.
"It's your sister. She caught a chill a few days ago and it's gotten bad. I was just about to send a message to you when old Nelson down the road heard you were on your way. I don't know why the king chose this time to give you a vacation, but I'm grateful he did."
"Tell me what I can do."
His mother smiled broadly at him. "I knew you would say that. You're a good boy. I'm proud of the man you have become. I know the apothecary in the capital has the medicine Laura needs. I hate to ask you to go back just when you've returned, but-"
"You don't have to say it." Marcello glanced at his faithful horse. "Just give Bertha a moment's rest and I'll be on my way."
A bright harvest moon lit the way as Marcello rode back. Despite the urgency he felt, he could almost forget the nature of his errand in the dazzling array of stars winking happily at him from the black night.
The apothecary was closed when Marcello arrived around 2 a.m. He had expected it.
"Come on, Bertha," he said tiredly, sliding off his horse's back. "We've got about four hours to rest."
He slept in the stable with Bertha, and in the morning he was there when the apothecary opened. He paid for the medicine and threw his aching body over the horse again.
It was high noon when he got back to his childhood home. After he stabled Bertha, his mother sent him in with the medicine to his sister, lying miserably in bed with a fever and racking cough, and fed him a satisfying and delicious lunch after he delivered the medicine.
"Thank you again," his mother said as she washed dishes afterward. "You saved her a lot of misery."
"It was no problem," Marcello said. He enjoyed the rest of his vacation thoroughly.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Paper shredder
It's four feet tall and devours everything you feed into it with its dozens of tiny, grinding, zipper-like teeth. The following warning is displayed above the machine: ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE LAST VICTIM, with a small red bag about six inches long and two inches wide.
Sue let me use the beastie yesterday when I asked if she had anything I could do at work. :)
Sue let me use the beastie yesterday when I asked if she had anything I could do at work. :)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
The long-anticipated day has come
Friday.
Oh blessed September 23, Day of Free Food. Today we had una fiesta en la clase de español with frijoles, queso, arroz, lechuga, chips, galletas and doughnuts. I had two helpings. The food was delicious each time. I'm still not sure why el profe decided to have a fiesta, but you won't hear me- or anyone else- complaining. Ahh, it was good.
Later today, tengo una otra fiesta para español- this time with the entire Spanish and Portuguese Department. Before that, there's an ice cream social at 4 which I can't attend; but Mara and Sara can, and Sara promised to save me some helado. La comida continues tonight with shaved ice and a movie (or the game, we haven't decided which) with Mara and Josh at Josh's apartment, and tomorrow for lunch with David, el hermano de Sara, followed by una cena antes de the Relief Society broadcast. And then, to cap it all off, vamos a tener "break the fast" el domingo (we're fasting this week since Conference is next week).
Estoy feliz.
Oh blessed September 23, Day of Free Food. Today we had una fiesta en la clase de español with frijoles, queso, arroz, lechuga, chips, galletas and doughnuts. I had two helpings. The food was delicious each time. I'm still not sure why el profe decided to have a fiesta, but you won't hear me- or anyone else- complaining. Ahh, it was good.
Later today, tengo una otra fiesta para español- this time with the entire Spanish and Portuguese Department. Before that, there's an ice cream social at 4 which I can't attend; but Mara and Sara can, and Sara promised to save me some helado. La comida continues tonight with shaved ice and a movie (or the game, we haven't decided which) with Mara and Josh at Josh's apartment, and tomorrow for lunch with David, el hermano de Sara, followed by una cena antes de the Relief Society broadcast. And then, to cap it all off, vamos a tener "break the fast" el domingo (we're fasting this week since Conference is next week).
Estoy feliz.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Saxophone class
I finally got in touch with my saxophone teacher fifteen days ago or so and had my first lesson last Tuesday at 6. My teacher's name is Jory. He's a graduate student, he's a really good player and he's really nice. My first impression was a positive one.
This week, I accidentally wrote down the wrong time for my class and missed it altogether. I showed up about two minutes after it ended thinking it was due to start. When Jory found out I hadn't intentionally blown him off, he rescheduled the lesson and arranged for a substitute teacher. And so my second private sax lesson ever was yesterday at 5, with another amazingly kind, patient grad student named Ben who seemed worried I was getting bored with playing scales. (Jory taught me one last week; Ben added two more.)
"I'm happy to play scales," I told him. "It's more than I walked in here knowing."
"Well, I'd recommend finding a recording of a sax player you like and using it as a reward for playing your scales," Ben said. "Try to figure out the songs; try to figure out some other scales on your own. You'll learn so fast if you do."
It's so exciting to hold a saxophone in my hands again and actually begin to feel I know what I'm doing.
This week, I accidentally wrote down the wrong time for my class and missed it altogether. I showed up about two minutes after it ended thinking it was due to start. When Jory found out I hadn't intentionally blown him off, he rescheduled the lesson and arranged for a substitute teacher. And so my second private sax lesson ever was yesterday at 5, with another amazingly kind, patient grad student named Ben who seemed worried I was getting bored with playing scales. (Jory taught me one last week; Ben added two more.)
"I'm happy to play scales," I told him. "It's more than I walked in here knowing."
"Well, I'd recommend finding a recording of a sax player you like and using it as a reward for playing your scales," Ben said. "Try to figure out the songs; try to figure out some other scales on your own. You'll learn so fast if you do."
It's so exciting to hold a saxophone in my hands again and actually begin to feel I know what I'm doing.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Chain of ignorance
Last night Mara and I and three boys from our ward went to the BYU hockey game. Our presence was a tribute to how much Mara loves hockey; the Cougars got killed by the Aggies, 2-12.
We started talking about the big rivalry football game today against Utah and how none of us had tickets, but we'd probably be able to hear it from our "backyards," considering the stadium is right across the street from Alta.
"A bunch of people in the lounge usually watch games together," Josh said.
"We could watch it on TV and hear it live at the same time," I quipped.
"We should do it," Mara said. She turned to me and asked, "what time is the game?"
I turned to Josh and asked, "What time is the game?"
Josh turned to Tanner and asked, "What time is the game?"
Tanner looked at him and said, "I don't know."
Josh looked at me and said, "I don't know."
I looked at Mara and answered, "I don't know."
On the other side of Mara, Chris started laughing. But he didn't know the answer either.
We started talking about the big rivalry football game today against Utah and how none of us had tickets, but we'd probably be able to hear it from our "backyards," considering the stadium is right across the street from Alta.
"A bunch of people in the lounge usually watch games together," Josh said.
"We could watch it on TV and hear it live at the same time," I quipped.
"We should do it," Mara said. She turned to me and asked, "what time is the game?"
I turned to Josh and asked, "What time is the game?"
Josh turned to Tanner and asked, "What time is the game?"
Tanner looked at him and said, "I don't know."
Josh looked at me and said, "I don't know."
I looked at Mara and answered, "I don't know."
On the other side of Mara, Chris started laughing. But he didn't know the answer either.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sara's proposal
"I have a proposal for you," Sara said last night to Mara and me as we stood in the kitchen watching her wash her dinner dishes. Mara's face lit up with a devil-innocent grin.
"Oh Sara, the answer is yes!"
"Oh Sara, the answer is yes!"
Thursday, September 15, 2011
There are few things more satisfying than work well done
... Actually, there's probably a lot of things more satisfying than working, but here's what I've been up to the past few days...
The computer network was down at work for three days in a row (Monday through Wednesday), which was frustrating but fun when I discovered ways to get work done without My Documents. (Hooray for my flash drive and e-mail, which I used heavily as places to save and transport the work I did!)
Article #1: PhD student takes third in new ACS symposium, published Monday
Article #2: Lots of fun and food at annual department picnic, published Wednesday with pictures
When I wasn't sorting through 165 pictures (I got a little trigger-happy at the department picnic), revising articles, or finding creative ways to update the digital signage, I was catching up or getting ahead on school assignments... All told, a productive couple of days even though the odds were stacked against me!
Even so, I was very glad when I arrived for work today to find the network up and running once again.
The computer network was down at work for three days in a row (Monday through Wednesday), which was frustrating but fun when I discovered ways to get work done without My Documents. (Hooray for my flash drive and e-mail, which I used heavily as places to save and transport the work I did!)
Article #1: PhD student takes third in new ACS symposium, published Monday
Article #2: Lots of fun and food at annual department picnic, published Wednesday with pictures
When I wasn't sorting through 165 pictures (I got a little trigger-happy at the department picnic), revising articles, or finding creative ways to update the digital signage, I was catching up or getting ahead on school assignments... All told, a productive couple of days even though the odds were stacked against me!
Even so, I was very glad when I arrived for work today to find the network up and running once again.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
10 years ago today
The morning began like any other. I awoke, dressed, ate breakfast, and was on my way out the door to go to school when my dad called to tell my mom to turn on the TV news. Always a television magnet, I hung back to see what was going on before leaving. The reporters were recapping the story of the first plane when their guy on scene said, "Wait- there's another plane! There's a second plane!" and the video immediately cut to a live feed of the Twin Towers in NY, NY, just in time to capture the second crash. I was transfixed. I could tell my mom and the reporters were stunned.
My mom stared at the screen for a minute, then remembered I was still in the house and turned to usher me out. I walked to my elementary school, which is right next to our house, not fully comprehending what I had seen or the scope of the tragedy that had just occurred. When I got to school, my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Evans asked how many children had heard the news. Quite a few had. We talked about it for a little bit. I don't remember specifics of what was said, but I recall that was the moment I realized these two crashes were more serious than I thought.
In the years that have passed since then, I keep realizing more and more what a shocking, terrible thing this was to happen, the incredible heroics of the emergency personnel that were called to the scene, and the phenomenal feelings of unity and patriotism as our nation rallied around the tragedy.
My mom stared at the screen for a minute, then remembered I was still in the house and turned to usher me out. I walked to my elementary school, which is right next to our house, not fully comprehending what I had seen or the scope of the tragedy that had just occurred. When I got to school, my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Evans asked how many children had heard the news. Quite a few had. We talked about it for a little bit. I don't remember specifics of what was said, but I recall that was the moment I realized these two crashes were more serious than I thought.
In the years that have passed since then, I keep realizing more and more what a shocking, terrible thing this was to happen, the incredible heroics of the emergency personnel that were called to the scene, and the phenomenal feelings of unity and patriotism as our nation rallied around the tragedy.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Timp hike
Sara invited Mara and I to hike Mount Timpanagos with her family yesterday. We spent Friday night at the Djurich house so we could all get up at a whopping 3:30 a.m. (so we weren't hiking in the hot part of the day).
Sara read us a bedtime story, "Where is My Cow?" by Terry Pratchett
(This is Rachel's room, where Mara and I slept. We were excited and very entertained by the wide expanse of glow-in-the-dark stars covering the ceiling. Also she has a super comfortable bed. "We pretty much died in that bed," as Mara said.)
Sara on the trail at 5 a.m.
Mary and her friend Savannah- 5 a.m.
Mara. 5 a.m. I had to take a picture of this.
Sunrise from the mountain
Sunup
Hiking- Mr. Djurich, David, Mara, Mary
One of the many waterfalls :)
Pretending to eat moss at Emerald Lake (Sara)
Emerald Lake
Mara, Mary, Sara, David, Savannah
Mara
Small waterfalls (to the side of a big one, which is not pictured)
Everyone was pretty tired on the way back down
Mary surveying the waterfall
Mara and I were super sore when we finally got back to the Djurich house. Everyone was tired. Mr. Djurich fed us fried chicken, which we devoured. Everyone showered and then Mara and I crashed while Sara and Mary veged playing Legend of Zelda. We woke up in time to go back to Provo with David, and Sara crashed while Mara and I did laundry and swam for a bit. (We needed the weightlessness to give our muscles a rest.)
After church today, we went and visited Jill at Wyview. She serenaded us on the guitar outside for a little while, and we talked a little bit. It was nice.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
How I became a human anthill... and the first day of class
I was rightly nervous about the workload in store when I signed up for three writing classes and Spanish (although I think the knowledge gained will be very helpful long-term). I'm excited about basketball, which I acquired as kind of a creativity/sanity booster (just forget about writing for an hour) and saxophone class of course. I also really like all my teachers and classes except one, but there's still hope for that class to be awesome.
I also keep running into people who know my name and I only vaguely remember theirs, and where I know them from. The latest example occurred last night with a girl named Katarina (or was it Catalina?). Who knows...
At least the girl I ran into about four times today was familiar to me. Her name is Melissa and I know her from my Wyview ward last year. I saw her for the second time right before noon. I was just setting my stuff down on a nice grassy hill in the shade of a tree, excited to eat and read while taking advantage of the good weather, when she walked by and stopped to say, "Jessica, you're crawling with ants!"
"What?" I jumped up quickly and looked down. Sure enough, there were black and red ants swarming all over me and my stuff. (Luckily I hadn't gotten my food out yet.) There was no warning- I hadn't even felt the slight tickling sensation of dozens of little legs crawling all over you- but in the five seconds I had been sitting in the grass, about thirty ants were all up and down my legs, shorts, and shirt. Thirty more were exploring my backpack. "Oh, thanks!" I said to Melissa while furiously trying to brush myself off. They were very stubborn ants. Some may even have been trained in the secret ninja arts of Avoiding the Hand.
"No problem," Melissa said, watching with no small amusement. "Well, I'm on my way somewhere- see you."
I moved inside after she left. And killed three more of the ninja ants I found crawling on my backpack or on me before I felt safe taking out my sandwich.
I also keep running into people who know my name and I only vaguely remember theirs, and where I know them from. The latest example occurred last night with a girl named Katarina (or was it Catalina?). Who knows...
At least the girl I ran into about four times today was familiar to me. Her name is Melissa and I know her from my Wyview ward last year. I saw her for the second time right before noon. I was just setting my stuff down on a nice grassy hill in the shade of a tree, excited to eat and read while taking advantage of the good weather, when she walked by and stopped to say, "Jessica, you're crawling with ants!"
"What?" I jumped up quickly and looked down. Sure enough, there were black and red ants swarming all over me and my stuff. (Luckily I hadn't gotten my food out yet.) There was no warning- I hadn't even felt the slight tickling sensation of dozens of little legs crawling all over you- but in the five seconds I had been sitting in the grass, about thirty ants were all up and down my legs, shorts, and shirt. Thirty more were exploring my backpack. "Oh, thanks!" I said to Melissa while furiously trying to brush myself off. They were very stubborn ants. Some may even have been trained in the secret ninja arts of Avoiding the Hand.
"No problem," Melissa said, watching with no small amusement. "Well, I'm on my way somewhere- see you."
I moved inside after she left. And killed three more of the ninja ants I found crawling on my backpack or on me before I felt safe taking out my sandwich.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Bringing the saxophone back into my life
I really wanted to play the alto saxophone in seventh grade band. They made me take a semester of clarinet first, which was great, but I was super excited to get my first sax.
That was the only year of band I took, but I missed playing saxophone after we took it back. I always wanted to pick it up again (not that I was very skilled at it in seventh grade) but had neither the time nor opportunity.
My chance came with a music minor requirement, which stipulates I must have so many hours of instruction in an instrument. I've already taken a piano class at BYU; this time I wanted to try sax. They say there's no minimum skill level required to sign up, so I'm going for it. I sold my soul to Summerhay's yesterday in return for a student model and I've been doing my best to brush up on what I learned six/seven years ago. My accomplishments so far: remembering where my hands go, one scale, and parts of a few songs I just played by ear such as the Star Wars theme, Amazing Grace, the U.S. Navy song and taps.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The concert!... and the Asian Pearl
I'm really tired right now so I hope I can do the stories of today justice.
The 10 Piano Concert went well. The K. 545 was a little rushed but still good, Tyler's group did awesome at the Happy Farmer, and Nathaniel was the best bower on stage. Saying goodbye to Hannah afterward was the hardest part. Lindsay especially will miss her roommate, I think. I'm glad I get to hang with the Drapers a little longer.
Shannon, Scott, Tyler and I also went to the banquet at Asian Pearl Restaurant after the concert. It was a super nice place. Shannon, Tyler and I got a little nervous when we walked in and saw an aquarium filled with a variety of sea creatures, all obviously on the menu for whoever asked for fish or crab or lobster (or whatever). We were even more concerned when we saw the labeled pictures on the walls highlighting certain dishes available at the restaurant. The most notable one was the intestines of some animal I can't remember (Shannon says goose). We found our table and joked about what we were about to eat until the banquet began.
Our fears were put to rest when the servers brought out a huge plate of something very similar to chips and orange sauce. Next came eggrolls (when the server brought them to our table, Tyler said loudly and happily, "Yum! Taquitos!" to which we replied, "No," after which he guessed, "Tamales?"), then candied shrimp and walnuts, a small cup of soup with shrimp and hickima (jicama) and green peppers (Shannon said, "Great, now we get to eat shrimp that's floating!" She's not a fan of rubbery textures), rice, orange chicken, beef and broccoli, tofu, fried rice, noodles and small sea animals including more shrimp and palm-sized octopi, with orange slices for dessert. With the exception of the orange slices, the food got less Americanized the farther through the courses we got. There was SO MUCH FOOD. My favorite was the candied shrimp; I was full by the orange chicken. I did eat an octopus (tastes just like shrimp, but more rubbery) just so I could say I've done it.
But the night wouldn't have been complete without a small humbling experience for me and a noisy wedding in the room next door (Scott got the giggles over the live Asian rock music they were playing). It was really hard to hear all the speeches and stuff at the end over the other party, but really by then I was too tired to care. Shannon felt bad for the Japanese teachers and everyone who put a lot of work into the concert, though, and I see her point.
The humbling experience came when one of the servers offered us styrofoam containers to take some of the food home. Tyler and I really wanted to bring home an octopus to show Lindsay, Nathaniel and Matthew, but there weren't any left on the plate on our table. Tyler glanced over at the table beside us and saw they had two octopi. It seemed perfectly natural for me to go to that table and pick the octopi out of the noodles for our container - everyone was done eating over there, after all. Unfortunately it didn't occur to me to ask permission before I helped myself to their serving dish. Two ladies I either didn't see when I took the octopi or walked up a heartbeat after I did it were kind of offended.
"Excuse me," one of the ladies said, causing me to turn and see them for the first time. "That's our table. We were going to take some of that home. Weren't you sitting at that table there?"
I was pretty embarrassed. I also felt pretty bad. "I'm so sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to - do you want them back?"
The ladies looked at me like I'd sprouted two heads. "No, that's okay," she said. "Keep them."
I apologized again to one of the ladies right before we left because I still felt bad. She knew exactly what I was referring to when I said, "Sorry again."
"Oh yeah. That was kinda weird," she said. I tried to explain but I have a feeling I'm still on their bad list because she didn't respond. Good thing the charges aren't more serious than stealing octopi. Shannon thought it was funny. Nathaniel and Lindsay were sufficiently impressed. So at least I didn't do it for nothing.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Dress Rehearsal
Got a go-get-'em talk by the Japanese teachers that basically consisted of "Play like this tomorrow!" after the K. 545 group rocked our dress rehearsal today! It took some work to get to that point, so that's what we'll be practicing individually before the concert tomorrow - SINGING the melody. When we play loud (which they encouraged us to do), we can hear our own sound bouncing off the walls of the hall. We ECHO!
I have LOVED being here for my second 10 Piano Concert in Sacramento, with the Drapers and Hannah! It's been great, and I'm looking forward to putting the culmination of everything I've learned and practiced into our piece tomorrow. Following that (and the banquet), I'm both sad and thrilled to be returning home Sunday.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Cafe Rio!
Today was Cafe Rio wraps day! I tended the pork last night before bed and today before and after my and Hannah's rehearsal (Tyler had the day off). It turned out great! Hannah made pink lemonade ice cream cake, which is one of her favorite desserts. That turned out well too. After dinner (and before dessert), we went to a local pool and played hard for two hours! Now I'm tired and I reek of chlorine. But I had a blast.
Humorous story of the day: Lindsay had a violin lesson this morning and Shannon took all her kids from about 9:30 to noon so Hannah and I could have a golden opportunity to practice piano. After we both ran through our skill spots, played the song through a couple times and finished our practice, we put in a movie and watched the first hour of it. I knew we had a lot to do once Shannon and company returned, and I didn't want to deal with trying to drag not only myself, but four other kids away from the TV, so at noon I asked Hannah to turn it off. She did so without question and we turned off the TV and put away the movie as if nothing had happened. I even went back to the piano and started a second practice, so when Shannon and everyone came in from the garage a few minutes later, she made a passing remark like, "Wow, you haven't moved in the whole three hours we were gone!" (To which I replied, "Trust me, I've moved.") I wasn't trying to hide the fact we'd been watching Ever After, just make it as un-obvious as possible.
Later that afternoon, when Scott took the boys to a park and after Hannah and I had finished all we could do on our respective dessert and dinner dishes, we popped the DVD back in and finished it up. Lindsay and Shannon were surprised when they came in from the other room to find us in the middle of the movie.
"Sneaky, Jessica," Shannon said to me. "I guess I DID tell you before I left the house you could do whatever you wanted. But it was pretty sneaky to get back on the piano before we came in... I think I'm seeing a dark side of you." (Later, she teased me about something else, but similar: "Wow, Jess, you DO have a dark side. I'm glad to know you're as human as the rest of us!")
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Today's rehearsal
Rehearsals started again in full force today on the huge Mondavi Center stage (at UC Davis). The Japanese teachers told us to keep practicing with the metronome and watch the clarity of our notes but overall didn't seem too anxious. We've really improved since our first rehearsal.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Fun at 6 Flags Discovery Kingdom
Today was 6 Flags day!
The bad news - my camera will not turn on at all, even with the new/old batteries Scott tried to give me. The good news - Lindsay brought a disposable camera!
Hannah, Lindsay and I had a GREAT time at the park. We started with two roller coasters (I went on a roller coaster!), then rode the flying swings a few times and did bumper cars. We made sure to get seats in the Splash Zone for the killer whale show at 1 and very much enjoyed getting soaked. After the show, we basically spent all our time looking for a place to eat that wasn't super expensive (which was difficult) - clear up until we had to meet back at the front gate to get back on the bus. We got lost a lot.
There's one story that I have to share because it was so funny: After wandering the park for a good half hour or so on our hunt for food, Hannah finally bought a giant pretzel with cheese on the side, which she graciously shared as we sat at one of the shady tables by a very expensive hamburger place.
We'd just polished off the last of the pretzel when I saw Hannah's face light up at something behind me. Before I knew it, she was reaching into the trash can right next to me and lifting out a cardboard platter full of French fries and a single untouched chicken strip from the hamburger place we were sitting by.
"Did you just get that out of the trash?" I asked in disbelief as Hannah immediately picked up a fry and chowed down. Lindsay looked shocked for a moment, but then she dug in too. I looked the plate over suspiciously. "What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing," Hannah responded with her mouth full. "A lady just barely threw it away. You just didn't see because your back is to the garbage can."
That was all the reassurance I needed. I gave the food a last, quick once-over before accepting a piece of the chicken strip (which Hannah had divided in three).
"She didn't really even throw it away," Lindsay said. "She just set it in there. Some people are so wasteful."
"This food isn't wasted," I pointed out. "We're eating it."
"Will you go see if they'll give us some ketchup?" Hannah asked, referring to the hamburger place. I jumped up from the table and brought back a couple ketchup packets and a little tub of really yummy barbecue sauce in response. We devoured everything on the plate in about three minutes, and walked around the park very giggly and satisfied for a while after that.
Lindsay couldn't wait to tell Shannon and Scott what we did, but we convinced her to let Hannah tell the story at dinner when the whole family was there. Hannah is a master storyteller. She told it exactly as it happened while dramatizing it a little bit for effect.
(Shannon and Scott - thanks for letting us take Lindsay, and for making it possible for Hannah and I to go!)
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Progress
Word has it (and again I quote the music grapevine) that the Sonata K. 545 is the most improved pianist group in 10 Piano. The Japanese teachers gave us candy at our rehearsal yesterday; we were the only ones I know of who got some. So, either they were handing it out as a reward or they're moving on to bribery.
Hannah also spent a good hour and a half meeting Lindsay's request to crimp her hair Friday morning. (I think it was Friday.)
Yesterday was a pretty busy day: Hannah and I had a rehearsal at 12:45 and Shannon took us, Lindsay, Tyler and Nathaniel to the Jelly Belly Factory afterward. My camera ran out of batteries recently and I accidentally packed the wrong kind of extra batteries so I was glad when Shannon took lots of pictures with her camera. Right now they're still on her camera, but I'll post them when she or Scott has time to download them to the computer.
Hannah holding Snowball, the Drapers' rabbit
Hannah also spent a good hour and a half meeting Lindsay's request to crimp her hair Friday morning. (I think it was Friday.)
Yesterday was a pretty busy day: Hannah and I had a rehearsal at 12:45 and Shannon took us, Lindsay, Tyler and Nathaniel to the Jelly Belly Factory afterward. My camera ran out of batteries recently and I accidentally packed the wrong kind of extra batteries so I was glad when Shannon took lots of pictures with her camera. Right now they're still on her camera, but I'll post them when she or Scott has time to download them to the computer.
Hannah holding Snowball, the Drapers' rabbit
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