On a clear day...you can see the ocean

My time in San Diego has flown by. I can't believe that I have been here for almost 3 weeks. Time flies when you are having fun.

Bryan and I went hiking up Mount Woodson, an incredible little hill with twists and turns around huge, oddly-shaped boulders. We started our hike around 9:30 a.m. with a plan to be finished in two hours time. Bryan took me up the only way he knew...and the journey began.

When Bryan doesn't think he is being funny, he actually says the funniest things. The hike began with him telling a story about feces. That's right, poo. He proceeded to point out every piece of poo on the trail. I don't know if this is a boy thing, or what, but I couldn't help but laugh. Not to be all gross on the subject, but we passed one area heavily infested with droppings and he said, "Is that what I think it is." I said, "Probably." We passed it, I-thinking that I should avoid it, and he-thinking out loud, "Either that is one extraordinary round poo, or there is a huge bunny somewhere." Honestly, I had to stop to catch my breath from laughing.

Not only did we discuss what animals we thought were up on Mount Woodson after analyzing (more like him analyzing) the droppings, we had to stop at every really big boulder so that he could pee off of it. *Smacking my head 'Oi'

While walking we had a very deep conversation about what he wants to be when he grows up.

Lindsey (L): Dude, it would be so cool to be like a trailblazer where you get to make trails and stuff. Don't you think?

Bryan (B): Yeah. That would be fun.

Then we started climbing uphill and he said,

B: Yeah, um trailblazing is out.

L: So, Bryan, what do you want to be when you grow up?

B: Well, when I grow up I want to watch all the episodes of the Simpsons, play games all day, stay at home, stuff like that.

L: Don't you need a job to help you make money so you can stay at home and play games?

B: I'm not going up that trail.

I think this my favorite thing he said,

B: Look at that boulder. It looks like a heart that has fallen over. Yeah, sometimes love sleeps.

We stopped every quarter mile and looked at the view. He would tell me about the lakes, and where everyone lives, and how far away the fire was. We sat on a boulder at one of our look out points and talked about the sky and the ocean and what a beautiful day it was and how you could see the ocean on a clear day. I asked him where he thought all those amazing boulders came from and he said, "I think they fell from Heaven." He was pretty serious about his answer, so I didn't provide any alternative.

The next day, Bryan and I went to the beach. It was gorgeous..and why should I be surprised, you ask? Well, it rained 4 of 5 days last week, so I have been relishing this amazing weather. Yes, it is 70 degrees outside :) We stopped at Jack in the Box, my favorite Fast Food. That's right!! We got lucky and found parking right next to Torrey Pines Beach. We laid out a blanket and a chair and he raced to the ocean. I brought my swanky camera and started messing around with it. Bryan entertained himself for 3 hours while I took pictures, read and napped. It was too chilly to sun bathe, but my skin was happy...and I was completely content.

He got out and we packed up the car, but wanted to walk along the beach to collect rocks for mom. And I needed to not be so lazy. So, we walked down the beach and this ranger/beach dude came up to us pointing at the ocean saying he saw a whale. We looked and as soon as he pointed in the general direction, we saw the whales come up for air before disappearing. He said they must have started migrating early this year. I have never seen a whale from the beach before. It was pretty awesome.

As we walked, we noticed that a huge fog was rushing over the water. The beautiful sunset disappeared behind this enormous fog. We watched down the coastline as people, boats, surfers and kayakers disappeared. It was like this big fog monster eating everything up. We stopped and stood still to see how fast it was going. Within 1 minute, we were completely overtaken. I don't know whose brilliant idea it was, but we tried to outrun the fog. The fog won by a landslide.

We got in the car, cranked the heat and went home to start the Star Wars trilogy. On the way he looked at his watch and said, "12 more hours till I'm a tween." Can you believe he will be 10 in 10 minutes!? Yeah, me either....

I remember leaving for college when Bryan was 1 year old. I thought that he would forget me, so I created this special book for him with a story and pictures, so that my parents could read it to him and so that he wouldn't forget me. I think my parents have done an exceptional job at making sure he didn't forget me. When Bryan and I are out together, people often think he is my kid. And to that I say, "Hey...who cares." I love being with the bro. He is so smart, sensitive and always good for a laugh. Happy b-day Bry...and Happy New Year!

Canvas of my life

I have never not believed in God. As long as I can remember, I can say that I have always felt Him in my life. There have been times where it has been a struggle to feel His presence. Not because He is not there, but because I have strayed away. It is always when I recognize that I need to be closer to Him that I find Him in almost everything around me.

Sometimes I get down, overwhelmed...feel a sense of inadequacy.

And then He sends me a sunset. Last night as I left my parents house to get out for a while, it was raining. In the distance, the sun peeked through the rain clouds, sending rays that gleamed with pinks, oranges and dark blues. I started to cry. It could have been for no reason until I realized that was one way God showed me He remembered me.

I began listening to a song. The song talked of love and wanting to be with someone just to serve them. Not as a slave, but serving because it is by serving that we feel the most love for someone. The song spoke of comfort in a trying world where true love is hard to find. Then I realized, God sends me music.

I was able to attend two sacrament meetings last Sunday in San Diego, where each meeting was set to Christmas music, celebrating and commemorating the life of Jesus Christ. How wonderful it was for me to hear, "Gloria-blessed is the name of the most high God." The words touched my heart as I heard of this magnificent birth of Him whose life I am deeply grateful and forever in debt.

And then God gives me family. What an honor it is to be in a family that rallies around happiness. Though our feet may be tied for a brief moment, my family presses on laughing all the way. No matter what I do or say, as prodigal as I could be...my family always loves. They are peace on this earth, my saving grace.

As I reflect God's artistic canvas of my life, I recognize life's miracles that surround me everyday. I finally begin to understand the mysteries of life and see Him in every aspect.

Glory to God on high. Glory to Jesus the Christ.

What a wonderful time of year.

He gives me reflection and allows me to express gratitude.

Advertising according to my 9-year old brother

I can't help it anymore...I just have to say, kids ROCK! Today we were driving from the grocery store and I heard a really dumb ad. I said to myself but really out loud, "That is the dumbest ad I have ever heard." Bryan and his friend Ethan started talking about what makes a good ad and what makes a bad ad.

B: I hate when I hear those dumb ads saying that their stores are better than everyone elses. I mean, duh. Why don't you just talk about the best things you have to sell. But when you say you are better than Wal-Mart or Target just by saying you are the best, that is stupid.

E: Yeah, I think that stores that say that because their store is bigger that they have better than the best bargain, that they really don't.

B: Yeah, I wouldn't shop there anyway. That only works if it is a hospital or something....where they say they are the best, then maybe I would believe them, but not stores...just hospitals and stuff.

Then a JCPenny commercial came on and Ethan said: Oh, now this a good ad. See they are not saying they are the best, but really they are. I love JCPenny.

I learned more from these 9 year old's than I probably could have in any business class :)

I have listed some of my favorite phrases that Bryan said that I want to remember.

• We were eating at a very fancy restaurant and my dad ordered a soup he has never tried before. He offered some to Bryan and upon tasting it, he scrunched his nose and said, "That tastes worse than barf on a hot day."
  
  
• We were driving around in the car and I made him converse with me without being so silly. He started talking about this animal he saw doing some pretty weird stuff and said, "Yeah, it was stupid and weird...swoop-id." Just put the two words together...like Brangelina. According to Bryan, it pretty much works with any word.
  
  
• My mom told me this one and I just love it so much. My parents went through the drive thru at McD's and Bryan ordered a Dr. Pepper. Upon tasting it he said, "This doesn't taste like Dr. Pepper." My dad then said, "Here let me taste it. I'll tell you if it is Dr. Pepper." Bryan said, "What you can taste stuff, but you can't hear!" My dad said, "What?"
  

Festival of Trees

This is a little late, but I was able to go to the Festival of Trees in Sandy before I came out here to San Diego. I didn't know very much about the process, but each tree was made in memory of a loved one who either survived or is associated with cancer. Actually, I think it is for children who were in Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake, but I noticed a lot of trees were dedicated to cancer survivor's. I have a couple of favorites and feel like now is a good time to post some of my faves. Um...disclosure: I am still messing with my new camera...so some of these are not as good as I hoped. Ah well....

Here is what I read about the festival of trees:

Gingerbread cottages, sparkly trees and baubles embrace the spirit of Christmas during the Festival of Trees at Salt Lake City's South Towne Exposition Center. Highlights include a visit from Santa and handmade treats.

Holiday crafts and live entertainment round off the seasonal fun at Salt Lake City's Festival of Trees, with proceeds (over US $1 million each year) going to patients at Primary Children's Medical Center.

First held in 1971 with 60 decorated trees, Salt Lake City's Festival of Trees now features some 600 decorated trees of all shapes and sizes. Get into the Christmas spirit early and help a very good cause.

Rain or Shine...Disneyland or bust!

Remember the time we were walking out of Disneyland and after my brother whined about his socks my dad said, "At least you will have this great memory of a time where your mother said, 'Hey, even though the forecast says rain, let's go to Disneyland.'" Then we all laughed...because rain or shine...we all thought Disneyland or bust? Yeah, me too!


I have been home for five days now. Home, as in San Diego. The logic behind this claim even though I consider my 'real home' to be in Sierra Vista, is that anywhere my family lives is home. AW...so sentimental, I know.

Disneyland really is magical. All of a sudden all the back problems, knee problems (Dad and Mom) and all other ailments seem to disappear. Especially with Disney's Christmas extravaganza. I have never been to Disneyland during the Christmas season. Not only is the haunted mansion just phenomenal, but everything to the littlest, minute detail has been all Christmased out. I think that my favorite part of the journey was It's a Small World extreme Christmas makeover. The ride was amazing. The lights, unbeatable. The music mixing, incredible. Thanks Disney for your legacy!

Another one of my favorite things - my parents act like they are 6 years old again! Mom was jumping up and down and ready to be a princess. Dad was giddy to go to Roger Rabbit and the shooting rides, like Toy Story where he gets points for shooting stuff. I think Bryan was the least demanding of all the kids ;)

We got to be pirates at least 4 times and ate at the Blue Bayou restaurant that everyone covets going to.

You see, there are some advantages to going to Disneyland two weeks before Christmas and while it is raining. We got on every ride we wanted to (waiting 10 minutes tops), we got to go into places we never have in order to get out of the rain, we got to bundle together to get warm (great date idea...Disney in the rain) and we got to drink more hot chocolate with no dietary excuses! Highly recommended. Nikki, now I get why your family went all the time.

Ah....Disneyland. Another great memory.

I have wireless!!

YEAH!! YAY!! YiPEE KEI YEI YAY!!

No, seriously. I don't think you all understand. When it comes to technology, I am cursed. Everything I touch that is techy all of a sudden gets a glitch, or stops working. "Wow, I've never seen this before," is often the sentence that many of my tech operators say. My tech un-savvyness has become so common...yet I still react poorly when I don't get it...or when something should work when the person on the phone or the person in store tells me it will.

I normally say something like, "No, I don't think you understand! I am cursed. I am poison! Everything I touch that is techy, breaks. If you can't show me step-by-step how to do this, I will be back in here with a receipt and I will return your high-techy thing and I will never come back or buy anything from you ever again!"

That's right. I react. The poor people who call me during these high pressure moments. I am so sorry!!

So, for those of you who are looking to buy a router to have your own wireless network and you are a Mac user...I am going to write up some basic instructions that will help you on your way to setting up your Mac to an un-Mac router, specifically the Linksys RangePlus Wireless Router

Helpful Hints:

• The Linksys 24-Hour Technical Support is 800-326-7114. When I went into the store (I will not name the store, nor talk about how ignorant the 'experts' were), they could not provide me with a hotline. They said I could go online and get it. Well duh...if I had internet, this wouldn't be a problem. Hmmm. Way to go geniuses.

• This particular system, made for Windows XP and Windows Vista, is actually compatible with Macs. Don't let anyone fool you. The only problem is that the CD-ROM that you are given is only accessible on PC's. Therefore, you are lacking the necessary steps to setting up your router. Really, it is so much easier to do anyway. I hope I can explain it well.
  

Setting up your Linksys RangePlus Wireless Router with a Mac

Step 1: Connect your router to your modem with the (blue*) chord.

• On the back of your Linksys router, there is an input for your chord labeled 'internet'. On the back of your modem, the chord input is labeled 'ethernet'. Connect both the Linksys router and the modem by connecting these two inputs with the chord. Router - internet, Modem - ethernet.

*Color may vary

Step 2: Plug in your power supply.

• As with all things electronic and not charged by the sun, things need power, therefore so does your router. Make sure to plug your router into your wall jack. Your modem's power supply should also be plugged into your wall jack.

Step 3: Your package will come with another 'ethernet' chord or wire. Plug that chord into one of the 4 inputs labeled 'ethernet. Any should work.'

Step 4: Turn on your Mac.
Step 5: Open your browser.
Step 6: Type in 192.168.1.1 where the URL typically goes.

• This number is just an IP address that apparently all techy people know or have. Don't worry too much about it or where it comes from.

Step 7: When you type this in a box will pop up asking for a username and password. Leave the username blank. Type in the password: admin. A Linksys screen will appear.

Step 8: Don't get freaked out. There is a lot of mumbo jumbo techy stuff all over the place. BREATHE!

Step 9: To get your router to recognize your Mac:

• Click on the tab 'Set Up'
• Click on the link 'Mac Address Clone'
• Click the option 'Enable'
• Then, click the button 'Clone My PC's Mac' (I don't know what the big deal was, but apparently without this, the router doesn't work. I can't tell you why or how or even what, but trust me....it works)
• Lastly, click 'Save settings' (I didn't do this and almost had a heart attack when it didn't work)
  

Step 10: If you want to make your system password protected so no one else can use your internet:

• First, name your SSID (I don't know what this stands for, but it is better than using linksys, which other users might have and it could get confusing). Click on the tab 'Wireless'
• Second, name your SSID in the section 'Network Name (SSID)'
• Third, click on 'Wireless Security.' Here you will have the option of what kind of network you are on. Under the 'Security Mode' option, I chose WPA personal.
  
• Fourth, leave 'encryption' as 'TKIP'
• Fifth, come up with a password
• Sixth, leave 'Key Renewal' at 3600.
• Last, save settings
  

Once you have saved your settings, you can now go to the wireless icon at the top of your screen that looks like a carrot and connect to your brand newly-named router and enter the password. It is your choice whether or not you want your computer to remember this password or not.

If you decide not to worry about the settings and don't mind providing internet for other people you still must follow some last helpful hints.

Last minute problems:

If you are still having problems with your router connecting to your Mac, try these options:

• Disconnect the power from your modem for 10 seconds and reconnect.
• Disconnect the power from your router for 10 seconds and reconnect.
• Shut down or restart your computer.

If your computer is still not responding...I am all out of solutions. I did the best I could!!

Oh...and just so everyone knows...I did NOT figure this out by myself. HUGE kudos to Mike Lyman...the man of the hour!! He is the IT dude at my former company and is a rockin genius. He so cool, he even made headlines.

Boys...how to get girls. Advice from a 9 year old!

Ok...thanks April for sending me this video. Oh my goodness, I just want to squeeze this little guy. I have a little crush on him! Oh, his interview just made me giggle at the little truths about dating. Boys, get out your notebooks. This is coming from one of your peeps. Enjoy!

Darlin' Do Not Fear

Darlin' Do Not Fear by Brett Dennen

When I arrived in my old set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
and I was hunted by the wolves
and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

Alongside my innocence I laid in bed awake
conflicted and in chains with the impetus of age
but like a phantom she crept across the floor and out the window
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

From its place on the mantel my heart was taken down
scattered in a thousand little pieces on the ground
and I below the streetlamp like an orphan with a halo
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

cuz it won’t last
worries’ll pass
all your troubles they don’t stand a chance
and sometimes it takes more than a lifetime to know
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

Your confidences fall as your faith etched in stone
neither could comfort you from the wild unknown
so bury your burning hatred like a hatchet in the snow
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

If you have a broken heart or a battered soul
find something to hold onto until they go
to help you through the hard nights
like a flask filled with hope
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

cuz it won’t last
your worries’ll pass
all your troubles they don’t stand a chance
and it always hurts the worst when it’s the ones we love the most
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

sometimes your path is marked in the sky
sometimes it falls too thin in between the lines
sometimes all you can do is say no
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

I said when I arrived in my old set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
and I was hunted by the wolves
and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
I said Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know

We said Darlin’ do not fear…
***

There is nothing like stepping into the unknown. And I am there again. Once more a future that was in front of me is now lost, gone...poof. Some say that circumstances are just circumstances. If they are JUST circumstances...then why does it feel so bad? A lot to live for, a lot to hope for....just not today.

Now is my declaration. Who am I really? What do I want to do? Have you ever noticed that when you meet someone new, the first two questions are 1. What is your name? 2. What do you do? Well...to answer those 1. My name is Lindsey 2. I am seeking great and incredible opportunities that will allow me to expand my horizons and help businesses/people in the world of public relations and communications.

In the meantime, I will take the advice of Brett Dennen: Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know.

Stinky Cologne

Someone once told me the quote "desperation is a stinky cologne." I remember laughing. Well, now it doesn't seem so funny. Here is my situation: I need (maybe not need so much as want) a date to my annual work Christmas party AND my normal 'work-party dates' are currently attached to other things this holiday season.

In the meantime I have come up with several solutions to this dilemma:

• Change the setting on facebook to say "Lindsey is looking for a date for her work party. Should you be interested, please send her an email via facebook. First come first serve."
• Establish a non-committal dating group where people can go online and find date to their next work party. I imagine the ad for this space would be something like: "Tired of going to work parties alone? Don't want a girl/guy to think that you are in love with her/him because you asked her/him to go to your work party? Well, here is the group for you....to all you people who just want a fun date to take to your work party with no future attachments, here is the website for you"....something like that. Maybe this is why I don't develop copy for promos at work...
  
• Ask a random guy at church.
• Finally out that I have a crush on *Bill, and invite him to come with me. Forward-schmorward.
• Write a book called, How to find the arm guy: Finding a man that looks good on your arm for work parties, who won't embarrass you, who will have a good time and who will be available any time you have any other kind of event that you need him for.
• Fly someone here from another city.
• Send out a mass email to friends and family looking for the ultimate set up (oh wait, I did that already!)
• Go alone.
• Go with a girlfriend.

Any thoughts?

*Names have been changed for identity protection and future embarrassment of both parties.