The time has finally come. Sadly, I have avoided this moment for two years but I couldn't avoid it any longer. It is time for me to be completely GLUTEN FREE! Two summers ago, I was told that I was gluten intolerant, meaning (to me) that I wasn't going to be able to eat a darn thing for the rest of my life. So naturally, as any poor, independent college student would do: I tried it for a few months, gave up on the expense of GF products, and I continued eating pizza, cookies, sandwiches, cake, crackers, bread...but it has finally come to an end. On the first of June, I converted.
A Handful of Happy :)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
GF Life change
The time has finally come. Sadly, I have avoided this moment for two years but I couldn't avoid it any longer. It is time for me to be completely GLUTEN FREE! Two summers ago, I was told that I was gluten intolerant, meaning (to me) that I wasn't going to be able to eat a darn thing for the rest of my life. So naturally, as any poor, independent college student would do: I tried it for a few months, gave up on the expense of GF products, and I continued eating pizza, cookies, sandwiches, cake, crackers, bread...but it has finally come to an end. On the first of June, I converted.
As a Man Thinketh
Let failure find its false content
In that poor word, "environment,"
But spirit scorns it, and is free.
It masters time, it conquers space;
It cows that boastful trickster, Chance,
And bids the tyrant Circumstance
Uncrown, and fill a servant's place.
The human Will, that force unseen,
The offspring of a deathless Soul,
Can hew a way to any goal,
Though walls of granite intervene.
Be not impatient in delay,
But wait as one who understands;
When spirit rises and commands,
The gods are ready to obey."
The Legend of Pheidippides
The name "Marathon" comes from the legend of the greek messenger, Pheidippides. In the legend, it states that he was told to run from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC). Many historians believe that the distance was 26 miles long, that he did it in a time of three hours, and that he collapsed and died after proclaiming that they had won, some even state he said "nike", or "Νενικήκαμεν".
Monday, May 16, 2011
I love being an Oregonian
In an article I found online, (http://www.wilderness-programs-info.com), it said the following:
"Generations of brilliant minds, naturalists and authors have documented the many benefits of spending time in nature. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), an American author, naturalist, and philosopher best known for his book Walden, celebrated the therapeutic effects of nature by saying, "I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright." Nature has played an integral role in the quest for happiness and personal fulfillment of many other historical figures as well, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Muir and Charles Darwin. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), acclaimed architect and philosopher, advised, "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
There is a strong body of research confirming that direct contact with nature increases mental health and psychological and spiritual development. Benefits include stress reduction, a sense of coherence and belonging, improved self-confidence and self-discipline, and a broader sense of community"
At home, I lived on the River during the summer. The rogue was my relaxation, my exercise, my fun, my getaway. I love the outdoors but what I love more than anything is water. Rivers, Oceans, Lakes and hot springs! (That reminds me - Ryan and I found the tiniest little hot spring in the middle of nowhere. I don't know if we will ever be able to find it again, it was in the middle of a muddy field but it felt soooo good!) Being in Utah, I feel so far away from all of my water adventures! But that is why Ryan and I are going to do a lot of camping :) You won't be surprised to find out that Camping gear was the first thing we registered for. Our first camping date is set for June 17-19 at Bear Lake with my cousin Rachael and her husband. It is going to be a blast! My goal is to take advantage of this summer, to go on hikes, camp and soak up the outdoors as much as we can before the cold sets in here in Provo, Utah!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Some Sad News :(
I applied to BYU as soon as I moved down to Provo in January and eagerly awaited the good news I KNEW I was going to receive. I had good grades, I had been very involved at Utah State and had been in a couple rigorous academic programs. I was set! I also had the fact that I was marrying someone who attended BYU and played Football there on my side, and that all my family graduated from there. There was no reason for me to not get accepted as a Transfer student!
Towards the end of March I checked my application status...DENIED! I was shocked. I immediately made an appointment to speak with someone in admissions, ready to plead my case. They listened, but were quick to tell me that since I had so many credits as a transfer, they didn't have enough "resources" for me. He then told me, I was pleading a good case but they would only consider it when I was actually married. So, feeling misunderstood I sadly left the office but was hopeful to come back and slam my marriage certificate on the desk and say, "check it out!"
I decided to apply to the University of Utah just as a backup plan, and (thankfully) was accepted. That would have been a real hit to my self-esteem if they denied me too! I looked at the classes I had taken compared to what they accepted and it looked like I could graduate in a semester, so even though I would have to commute, it would be better. I met with them last week and they said the scary words, "we have just changed our curriculum as of February, including classes we accept from other universities!" My heart sank. Here it comes....so after going through my classes and new classes they are requiring, turns out I can't graduate for at least two more semesters, most likely three. They added an intro to business class that I have to take before getting into the Marketing Program, even though I was close to a business major at USU! So frustrating! So, it was time to check back in with BYU...
Bad news again. They barely even glanced at the certificate and said they had already accepted 600 extra students, and that my chances of being accepted as a transfer student with all my credits was slim to none. I started bawling. But in the long run it makes sense! They wouldn't accept the majority of my credits, it would take a while to get into the Business College and I probably wouldn't be able to graduate with Ryan.
I saw this sticker and it made me laugh, and it inspired this post :)