End of 2013 Adventures

Remember that time when I never upload pictures and I post about things three weeks after they happen? Yeah, I remember that time, too.

ANYWAY. Nicole came out to Utah again for a visit. While she was here, we had some great adventures. Like exploring the Ice Castles in Midway, Utah.

 Yes, I have seen Frozen. Yes, I was singing "Let it Go" the entire time. 

 So, so cool. 

 Now I am Lucy in Narnia. 

 Corridors of Ice. 

 I honestly don't know what I'm doing here. I think I was trying to pretend to be Anna or Elsa from Frozen, but I look like a fool. It's normal. 

Nicole and I also went up to Temple Square to see the lights. 

But my favorite part had to be finding the Russian light lanterns: 

It was hard to get the entire lantern. But it says loobov. That means "love" in Russian.

Svet. It means "light" in Russian. 

Love and light. 

Ice and snow. 

Friends and adventure. 

It all goes together. 

English Nerd

Sometimes when I'm in the library researching Louisa May Alcott, Goethe, Emerson, and Transcendentalism, I inadvertently stumble upon Emily Dickinson's Collected Works.

And then I open it up at random and find something beautiful:

"When Night is almost done--
And Sunrise grows so near
That we can touch the Spaces--
It's time to smooth the Hair--

And get the Dimples ready--
And wonder we could care
For that Old-faded Midnight
That frightened but an Hour."

Never fear, I am alive.

Even though school might eat my soul this semester.

I didn't even know it was possible to have so many research projects.

Ahhhhh.

Breathing. Just treading water. I can do it.

[repeat until I believe it.]

Good thing I have professors who have senses of humor.
I found this on my BYU Learning Suite announcement page for my 8:00 class a la "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie":

Announcements

You don’t want to take this class. It starts at 8:00 am.

If you take an 8 o’clock class, you will probably be late.

If you are late for class, you will miss announcements, explanations, assignments.

If you miss information, you will do poorly in class.

If you do poorly in class, you will not like the class.

If you do not like the class, you will look for someone to blame.

If you need someone to blame, you will blame me.

If you blame me for your failing the class, then you think I am responsible for you.

If you think I am responsible for you, then you think I am your mother.

If you think I am your mother, you will expect me to read you to sleep.

If I read you to sleep, I will read theory.

If I read theory, you will think and think.

If you think and think, you will stay awake all night.

If you stay awake all night, you will not wake up in the morning.

If you don’t wake up, you will be late for class.

If you are late for class, you will do poorly in class.

If you do poorly in class, you will lose your scholarship.

If you lose your scholarship, you will have to work an extra job.

If you work an extra job, you will stay up late to finish your homework.

If you stay up late, you will be late for class.

If you are late for class, you will do badly in class.

Don’t take this class.

If, despite my wise advice, you decide to take this class, it’s not my fault; it’s yours.

If, despite my wise advice, you decide to take this class, don’t be late.

But, I'm taking the class. Despite the friendly warning. Yay for English critical theory in the morning. 

ALSO. *Warning. Commentary on dating life at BYU coming up. If you don't want snarkiness, passive-aggressiveness, or cynicism, then you should probably do something else. Like make and eat brownie batter. You have been warned.*

Okay, but can anyone explain to me what it is with the overabundance of Lavender Browns running around BYU? 

And what is it with guys choosing Lavender Browns over Hermione Grangers? 

 Lavender Brown: cute, flirtatious, and fun . . . but also moody, needy, and a gossip girl. 

VS. 

Hermione Granger: smart, brave, and independent . . . but intense.

There's just a little frustration and angst over here (can you tell?)--but I'm not just speaking for myself. I've talked with other girls, too, and this is how many of them feel. Why are there so many incredible, incredible girls who are getting passed over for girls who just want to make out? (And I know that this is an over-generalization. And I know hormones are involved. And I know that this doesn't happen all of the time. And I refuse to believe that the good, smart guys just want someone who will make out with them. But still.) 

I mean, yeah, Hermione is hard-to-get, but that's the point, isn't it? She doesn't play hard-to-get. She is hard-to-get . . . because she's worth it. Not that Lavender Brown isn't a great person and not that she doesn't fight and not that she isn't brave . . . because she has great qualities, too. 

But really, guys? Dude. When you have the possibility of dating a Hermione (and when there are so many Hermiones at BYU), why would you go for Lavender Brown? 

Anyway. Rant over. For now. But if anyone can explain this to me, I would appreciate having a good, long conversation about it. Preferably over brownie batter. 

kindred spirits.

Sometimes, there are just no words.

Good thing pictures are worth a thousand.

Anne and Diana.

Poppies and sunflowers.

Mother and daughter.

Sisters.

Welcome back, Cectpa!

The Christmas Story

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Mary, Henry Ossawa Tanner 

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

The Annunciation, J. Kirk Richards

 The Annunciation, Henry Ossawa Tanner 

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

                                                Blessed Art Thou Among Women, Walter Rane 

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. [. . .]

Annunciation to Mary, Joseph Brickey 

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. [. . .]

The Annunciation, Carl Bloch

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

According to Thy Word, Elspeth Young 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Joseph's Dream, Anton Raphael Mengs

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Joseph's Dream, Rembrandt 

And she shall bring forth a son, and though shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Joseph's Dream, Gaetano Gandolfi

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [. . .]
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

The Road to Bethlehem, Joseph Brickey

Journey, Liz Lemon Swindle 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Joseph Seeks a Lodging in Bethlehem, James Tissot

 There Was No Room For Them in the Inn, Eugene Higgins

The Journey to Bethlehem, Joseph Aubert 

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 The Nativity, Goya

 Mother and Child, J. Kirk Richards

 Silent Night, Liz Lemon Swindle 

Nativity, Brian Kershisnik 

And she brought for her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And This Was the Manner of Christ's Birth, Eugene Higgins

 And She Wrapped Him in Swaddling Clothes, William Ladd Taylor 

 Nativity, Heidi Malott

 She Shall Bring Forth a Son, Liz Lemon Swindle 

Behold, the Lamb of God, Walter Rane

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Shepherds, J. Kirk Richards

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 Angels Appearing to Shepherds, Henry Ossawa Tanner

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 Good Tidings of Great Joy, Walter Rane

Shepherds, Carl Bloch 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 Angels, Brian Kershisnik

 Three French Horns, J. Kirk Richards

Three Angels With Trumpets, J. Kirk Richards

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 Nativity, Correggio

 Birth of the King, Michael Dudash 

 

The Nativity, Ghiraldaio                                                            

 The Nativity, J. Kirk Richards

 Nativity, Dore

 Adoration of the Shepherds, Rembrandt

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

 Nativity, Carl Bloch 

 Bearing a Child in Her Arms, Elspeth Young 

Be It Unto Me, Liz Lemon Swindle 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

 Kissing the Face of God, Morgan Weistling

For Unto Us a Child is Born, Simon Dewey 

Merry Christmas.