My New Addition

I've been wanting a pet for a while. A dog in a small apartment seemed cruel, both for me and the dog, and I don't like cats. I thought about a hedgehog for a while-they are adorable! Unfortunately, they are illegal in several states, and as they have a long lifespan, and since I don't think I'll stay in Texas forever, I thought it wise to pursue a pet that wouldn't have legal problems. So today I added a Fisher's lovebird to my apartment.



I borrowed cages from a friend-a small one for transport, and a larger one what I'll move him to when he's calmed down a little. Meanwhile I'm shopping for cages and waiting for the bird show at the end of September. I'm told it will be a great place to find a nice cage.



While telling the sex is difficult, I think I have a boy, so now the naming saga begins. I'm not good at naming things, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. So far, he's pretty quiet. I expect that's because moving today gave him quite a shock. He squawked a little when I caught him to clip his wings, and I gave up after one wing...he drew blood twice biting me. Looks like I have my work cut out for me...Bird-2, Janelle-1.



I'm thinking about clipping the other wing tomorrow; or maybe I'll give him a little more time to get used to me. If he decides I'm not really a threat, maybe he won't bite so hard!

Score!!

After I don't know how many years of playing soccer (for teams and pick-up), I finally scored a goal last night!! Just wanted to share the good news.

Happenings

So I know I have tons more to write about my vacation, but life seems to get in the way. I started this post thinking of a few of things to post, and now I can only remember two.

First, I heard the best song lyrics today..."Hey there cutes put on your dancin' boots and come dance with me" Made me wish I had the opportunity to use it :0)

My second observation is a little more long winded. I've been reading Jane Eyre for a book club some friends started. Having read the book ages ago, I contested the choice, but was out voted and promised I could pick the next book. I've been trying to decide whether to pick a dorky science book I know I'd love, or try to find something that everyone might like. Probably the latter will end up happening. Don't be shy about commenting if you have a recommendation! I'm always looking for a good book.

The other day when I was reading, though, I was surprised to find a passage I liked! I'm putting it here for the benefit of anyone who thinks like I do, or to start an animated conversation between the two people who actually comment on my posts.

To set the scene, there are some visitors at a house, and they are entertaining one another. One of the ladies is sitting at the piano and pontificating as she plays. The following are her observations:

"Of, I am so sick of the young men of the present day! Poor, puny things, not fit to stir a step beyond papa's park gates: nor to go even so far without mamma's permission and guardianship! Creatures so absorbed in care about their pretty faces and their white hands, and their small feet; as if a man had anything to do with beauty! As if loveliness were not the special prerogative of a woman-her legitimate appanage and heritage! I grant an ugly woman is a blot on the fair face of creation; but as to the gentlemen, let them be solicitous to posses only strength and valor: let their motto be-hunt, shoot and fight: the rest is not worth a fillip. Such should be my device, were I a man.

"Whenever I marry I am resolved my husband shall not be a rival, but a foil to me. I will suffer no competitor near the throne: I shall exact an undivided homage; his devotion shall not be shared between me and the shape he sees in his mirror."

Interesting thoughts about gender roles...

Inception

I finally saw Inception last night. I really liked it, I found it interesting and complex and full of action. I may need to see it again to understand fully. Amazing what comes out of people's imagination.

My favorite conversation went something like this (to set the scene, there are several people in someone's dream...when the dreamer realizes there are others sharing his dream his subconscious [i.e. the other people in the dream who are neither the dreamer nor the sharers] start looking around for the imposters. Arthur and Ariadne are imposters trying to look inconspicuous.):

Arthur: Quick, give me a kiss!
(they kiss)
Ariadne: They're still looking at us.
Arthur: Yeah, it was worth a shot.

I'd like to try it some time...

Worst day

So I may be over-reacting, but I think today might have been the worst day ever...even worse than when I broke my collar bone, and possibly worse than the day I had to leave Australia. From getting scolded by the mail man (it's _my_ mail, why can't I take it...I don't want to wait a half hour for you to finish, I intend to be gone by then), to the worst Mexican food ever for lunch (yes, even worse than what I had in Brisbane), to my cherries falling out of the truck when I opened the door to get my groceries, all-in-all, it was a pretty frustrating day for me.

If you see me tomorrow, I may need a hug. Or several.

Change

After two weeks off, I've come back to live as it was. Monday was soccer, Tuesday I went to the temple, Wednesday was soccer again, and the list continues so that as I look at the weeks ahead I realize that my weekends for the next month are already planned. I might get a free night next Wednesday only because my Bible study class is on break for a couple of weeks. Don't get me wrong, I like to be busy-it keeps me distracted (mostly) from the things I'm unhappy about in life but can't change at this moment.

I took some time last night after soccer to chat with a friend I haven't seen in some time. We talked about some of those things, and as I reflected on our game (and the friends I've made playing and my gratitude for them, and the changes that may happen before next season arrives), and thought about the things we were discussing, I came to a realization that wasn't really surprising, or new.

While there are some things in my life I really want to change, there are other things I would like to keep the same. Now, this may seem intuitive, but here's the problem. Changing the biggest thing I want to change in my life right now would cause several other changes that I see as undesirable. Because of that, in spite of my desire for a change, I'm afraid of it too. This realization makes me wonder if my attempts to change this aspect of my life have, in fact, been half-hearted. I have been making attempts, but have had little success. This lack of success could be a product of many things I have no control over, but what if it is also a product of my fear?

Does anyone know why we are so afraid of change, even when we think it will be a good thing?

Norway, post 2

First, here's some proof that I did go wading in the fjord...smiling through my chattering teeth. How many people actually get the chance to stick their toes in such beautiful water?



Jared is here having a Cinderella moment and communing with Norwegian wild life. I love the look on his face!


This is along the river in Trondheim. I thought the buildings on stilts were picturesque and quaint. The water was perfect for good reflections that morning.


This is in front of the church building in Oslo. Lucky for us, there were people there who could translate the service-otherwise it would have been a long three hours!


And, a delicious Belgian waffle to end this post. I wish I knew how they got the sugary, crusty outside and the fluffy sweet middle all in the same waffle. We could smell them from 1/2 a block away, and decided that no matter what they were when we got to them we would buy one. Needless to say, they smelled amazing, and tasted just as good.

Norway, post 1

This is just a post to show off some pictures...the first is the fjord in Trondheim. We took a little drive to have a BBQ and do some swimming here with Mari, Nikolai and some of their friends. Jared actually got in and swam around a bit. I waded in until my teeth were chattering, which meant I only got knee deep.




Our second stop was a town called Fredrikstad. Jared's great-great grandfather came from Fredrikstad to America, so it was a must see, even though there's not a lot there. Pictured below is the menu from where we had dinner. We stared at them until the waiter came. We asked him if he spoke English, and when he said yes we asked if he could translate for us. He had something better...menus in English!




We visited the Cultural Museum in Oslo, where we saw lots of old buildings. I love the way the wood weathers, and the grass on the roof. We were told it's for insulation. There are actually some places (where my friend Mari's family has a cabin) where it is mandated by law that you put grass on your roof. In their case, it's because they are near a national park, and the park service wants the valley below to look natural.




Outside the Viking Ship museum there was a man selling reindeer burgers. We decided they were worth a try...they weren't very good :( I should have opted for another Belgian waffle for lunch!



So there's just a taste of Norway. I'll keep posting as I go through my pictures, and get the film developed from my SLR.