100 Most Influential

I saw a list today of the 100 most influential Americans. Wouldn't you know it, two Mormons made the list. Joseph Smith was number 52: "The founder of Mormonism, America’s most famous homegrown faith." Brigham Young was number 74: "What Joseph Smith founded, Young preserved, leading the Mormons to their promised land." I thought that was pretty cool. I've never sat through an American history class where these two weren't mentioned. They play a major role in the shaping of America and made significant contributions to not only their religion, but also to the nation as a whole.
So, I was glad to see their names on the list with the likes of Abe Lincoln, Lewis and Clark, Thoreau, etc.

Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200612/influentials

"Turkey for me, Turkey for you...

Let's eat the turkey in my big brown shoe." ~Adam Sandler

Yeah!! It's turkey time! I love to eat...Thanksgiving dinner. I love the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Purina Dog Show (the Norwegian Elkhound never wins!)
I am so excited to eat on Thursday with the family. It is the Cowles extended family T-giving dinner this year which equals chaos!!

CHAOS #1: There is always a ton of food and a ton of laughter and a ton of people. But the more the merrier as long as the little kids eat on their own table.
CHAOS #2: My cousins don't seem to understand that just because we are in a church gym, they don't have to play basketball while everyone else is still eating! Every year the basketball ricochets off the rim (due to numerous missed shots) and hits the table with the food on it at least five times before they figure it out to maybe wait until the tables are put away. I love watching the cousins play...the Cowles don't seem to be the most athletic. To be honest, we're not horrible, but none of us are really very good. A couple cousins think they are really good, but it is not so. In the words of Grandpa Lee: "I think the NBA is safe."

After the feast, GAMES!! My personal favorite is Trivial Pursuit, but I think the name throws the family off: Trivial. However, there are six cousins who either majored or minored in history. On top of that, almost all of us have a bachelors degree. You'd think we would do better. We also play Mad Gab, Axis and Allies (I don't think this one will be brought out this year, it took way too long), Uno, Speed, and other games. We normally are introduced to a new game each year that someone brings to the festivities.

So, I hope everyone has a stupendous Thanksgiving!

Hang on a second...Hello?

Cell phones..."I use it, but I hate it." Cell phones are taking over the world. I have one just like the rest of us, but I must say that I don't really like it. I like the convenience of a cell phone, but I hate knowing that if I don't answer it, people think/know you are screening phone calls. You know, sometimes you don't have to answer your phone. Sometimes you can't answer, like in a meeting, or on a date and texting is not the answer.

You know there are just a few places where cell phones are NOT appropriate.

1. The restroom: INAPPROPRIATE! That is personal time for you and for others in the restroom with you...bottom line, don't bring it in there! I hate listening to people on the phone while doing their business. AWKWARD!! I would dare say that 99.9% of people that have home phones don't have one in their bathrooms. There's a reason for this! Think about it...that's why there is such a thing as leaving a message. People will call you back.
2. Church: unless you are a doctor, paramedic, on-call nurse, etc. I do not understand why people bring their cell phones to church. It is my biggest pet peeve to hear a phone start ringing in the middle of a lesson or even sacrament meeting! Talk about detracting from the spirit! If you absolutely must have your phone on your person at all times, at least have enough respect to turn it off or put it on silent. You are in a holy edifice for crying out loud! Are you at church for a reason? Wow!
3. The Temple: Wow again! Why do we even need to be reminded to turn them off or put them on silent while we are there? Think about where you are.
4. Standing in line: I hate being behind someone in line who is on the phone and the cashier is trying to serve him or give him his change, etc. It's just plain rude! If you're at a restaurant, get the order before you get in line, not while you're in line.
5. In the company of other people: if you are with people, give them the respect and attention they deserve. They are physically there with you, the person on the phone is not. Unless you absolutely have to take a call, I think the "leave a message" rule comes in to play again. You can usually call someone back and it is just fine. Be with the people who are there with you.
6. Movie theaters: you know before a movie starts, not a big deal, but during the show? Why did you pay $7+ to sit through a movie and talk the entire time? Why should I have to pay $7+ to sit through a movie that I can't even enjoy because someone is talking on his phone the entire time? Plus it's annoying to everyone around you.
7. Texting in the car!! This is my biggest pet peeve while driving! I thought putting on mascara was bad! Texting is ten times worse! It's normally a girl doing it and of course, she is going at least 10 mph under the speed limit! Obnoxious! Talking on the phone isn't half as bad as texting in the car. Although I think talking can be just as bad, especially in a stick.

So there you have it, my gripe for the day. Please be responsible with your cell phones!

We pulled your number, we work today!

So, I have two weeks left before the mishky! Wowser, where did the time go? It feels like yesterday I told Tara I wanted to go. I am excited, nervous, anxious, scared to death, want to throw up most of the time, and happy as can be! Are all of these emotions possible at the same time? The answer my friends is...YES. I have six more days of work, Thanksgiving, my Sunday Farewell, two prep days, and then the REAL work begins.

I can't wait for the opportunity to meet so many new and interesting people and converse with them in Spanish. I am excited to learn Spanish again and be able to really use it. I loved it in school, so I am glad to be going Spanish-speaking.

"!Holas Hermanas!" (You have to say it in a shrieking high voice).

Hike School: The Explanation

So, Brooke wants to know why Darby and I say "hike school" instead of high school.
Well, of course it is a movie quote from...Billy Madison. One of the kids in the elementary school states to Billy that he wants to go to hike school to which Billy replies "stay here as long as you can." The other reason we say "hike school" is because our freshman year our friend Ali always said it. It just kind of stuck with us and I hated high school, so any chance to make fun of it was a welcomed opportunity.

So, Brooke, there you have it the reasons we say "hike school" rather than high school.

"In a moment you're going to feel a little bit of pressure."

Shots! I've decided I hate shots, not so much actually being poked but the after-effect. OUCH!! My arms hurt so bad yesterday! For my mission I had to get a Flu shot and a Typhoid shot. The Typhoid shot was worse (physically and financially-it was $55!!) I can't believe how bad these things hurt. For my mission papers I had to get other shots (Hepatitis AB, Tetanus, a TB test and a hemoglobin test). I was pretty sick of getting stuck that day. I remember playing croquet that night and Tara inadvertently grabbed both of my arms. I calmly reminded her that I had had my shots that day. After which, she gave me a hug which made up for it.

I guess it's a lot better now than when I was little. I had to get all of my shots in my legs because my arms were too skinny. So my legs would be throbbing in pain for the rest of the day and I would normally "cry myself to sleep on my huge pilla." I hope that I don't have to get too many more shots. I think I got all the ones the packet said, but I haven't been to the MTC yet. That could be interesting.