In memory...

Today is an opportunity to put aside our everyday and celebrate those who have sacrificed so much for us. I want to publicly thank every soldier in every branch of the military, as well as their families for the sacrifices they make to give us freedom. Those beloved freedoms of speech and religion, as well as every other freedom we enjoy, is possible because of those who are willing to devote their life to defending our country and our beliefs. Thank you.

I've been thinking about my Grandpa a lot lately (possibly because of Memorial Day, but maybe just because). He passed away about 2 months ago, and it's been somewhat of a journey for me going through the grieving process. His death was fairly sudden, but at the same time not much of a surprise. Due to a random visit home I had the opportunity to say good bye to him and that has been a huge comfort to me. After his funeral I had a tough time coming back to school because I didn't want to move on from mourning. I didn't really have a choice but to get over it (which looking back now I know that was the best thing). But every so often I just get sad at the fact that I can't call him or see him when I go home. I haven't had the chance to see his grave since the funeral, and that is especially hard today since that's something you do on Memorial Day.

My grandpa was such an incredible man, someone I can only hope to be like some day. He spent his life in service of others and appreciating all that is beautiful. I owe my love of art, dance, and theater to him. We would have the most incredible discussions about life and everything you could think of. He has always been someone I have wanted to make proud, and I will always want to make proud. I miss his counsel, his physical presence, and his reminders to me of my potential.

I saw a movie not too long ago that I think says it perfectly:

"When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies." And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies." but because of the life we saw prior to the words."
--Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

My grandpa never wanted anyone to make a fuss over him. He passed away quickly with no fanfare. But it's not his death that makes me sad, it's the most incredible life he lead before that. I miss him so much. On this Memorial Day I am thinking of all the past, current, and future veterans, but I'm also thinking of my grandpa. I want to live a life that doesn't take my freedoms for granted, but instead uses those freedoms for living the best life I possibly can, bettering myself and serving others always.

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Please take a moment today to think of and thank our military men and women. We wouldn't have anything without them.

Spoons

So I have been working at a cafeteria for almost two years now. I know everything about that cafeteria like the back of my hand (then again, I don't think I've ever stared at the back of my hand enough to have it completely memorized. I mean I recognize what's on my hand, but I don't know if I could give detail on the spot. But anyways...) Sometimes when I'm working a job that's more seclusive, my thought process can get pretty interesting. I don't know if it's because I'm bored or maybe I just try to be more deep and intellectual than I probably am :)

So today I was in charge of washing all the silverware that was used. Let me give you a brief explanation of the process: When the silverware is returned to the dish room it is placed into a bucket of soapy water. After soaking for a little bit it's put into an intense washer. I take it out of the washer, kind of throw it all onto a table, and sort the pile into knives, forks, and spoons. Once it's all sorted, then it's washed again and then finally placed into containers to be used again. Now, I have to tell you that when I sort the large pile I pick up all the forks first, then I pick up spoons, and save knives for last.

I decided tonight that spoons were my favorite utensil. However, once I decided that, I began to ask myself why (this is where I tell myself that I have been working there way too long...trying to find meaning in silverware). But really though--do I love spoons because I use spoons to eat the majority of my diet (cereal, yogurt, ice cream, soup, etc) or is it just because they are easier to pick up once all the forks are out of that big pile? I know that's kind of a weird thing to wonder, but it got me thinking even more... Are there things that I only like because they are easy and things I don't like just because they are hard??

Take running for example--I think running is extremely hard. But do I not like it because it's hard? Have I even given myself a chance to try and enjoy it? What about cooking? I have never been really good at cooking actual meals for myself. Do I do that because it's hard to make time or do I like eating "on-the-go" food all the time? And my Food Science class--same question.

I don't want to go through life not doing great things, not liking great things, just because they are hard. Hard things can be amazing, and finishing something hard is probably the best feeling ever. Life in general can be hard, but that doesn't mean it can't still be enjoyable. I feel a rejuvenation to go forward and not let difficulty determine my interests and my life. Here's to loving things that are hard!!

A special thank you to all the spoons in that cafeteria that made me see life in a whole new perspective.

called it!!

Congrats Olivia for winning Biggest Loser!! I'm off to the gym :)

sometimes loser = winner

I'm currently sitting at my kitchen table listening to Sweet Disposition and trying to decide what to post about. I have a couple of ideas, but there is really only one thing on my mind today ...

BIGGEST LOSER Season Finale. live. tonight.

I would try to express my excitement, but there are no words. I have watched this season from episode 1 and loved every bit of it. I got my good friend David addicted around episode 6 and we've watched it together ever since. Because of our random schedules, we would watch it on hulu so it wasn't necessarily every week, but we would watch an episode when we could. I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of sad its about to end because I've loved this season (but don't worry, SYTYCD starts on Thursday!!)

Just so you know, David and I are both rooting for Olivia (but David said he'd be happy with Hannah too).

Call me super cheesy, and maybe even weird, but I love love love this show. A lot of it is because it's a reality TV show that actually does some good. But mostly because the whole weight loss thing means a lot to me. My mother lost over 150 pounds when I was in high school and I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of her (she didn't even need a show! Yeah Mom!!). Her weight loss journey has really had an impact on who I am--I mean I'm going into Dietetics because of it. I haven't had to lose that much weight, but I've seen what that weight can do to a person and their family. And I have seen what losing that weight can do for a person and their family.

My friends may tease when I tear up almost every episode, but the hardships that the contestants talk about and go through are pretty real for me. That's why I love watching this show--watching people get their lives back, just like my mom did. So Yay for Biggest Loser!!

So I'm probably going to make a big deal about tonight and force my roommates to either watch or leave. And there will most likely be food...probably unhealthy with a run to the gym later. I'll let you know my reaction to the results. Go Olivia!!

Savy?

I decided to be semi spontaneous last night. I say "semi" because the event had been planned, but then I had in my mind that I was not going to go, but then only a couple of hours before I decided to go for it. I really enjoy being spontaneous. Now, I'm not the type who will decide to drive cross country for a month without planning anything (no, that would be my roommate). However, when it comes to random activities that are always happening around college I'd say I am good at participating. So are you curious yet what it is I did??

Well...




That's right. Pirates of the Caribbean midnight premier. Please don't laugh--I know it's not a crazy spontaneous thing, but come on. Who went to that? I know our theater definitely wasn't full, but we had a blast. Despite the skepticism, I really enjoyed this one. I also got super excited for a bunch of movies coming out this summer. Here are the ones that I really want to see:

X-Men: First Class
3 Musketeers
Real Steel
Captain America: The First Avenger

Yes I realize that these are all more "action" type movies, but I am allowed to be a girl and still claim my favorite movie genre as action ... savy?

Cure for long days

I just want to brag for a sec -- this morning I woke up at 7:46 am. I first class starts at 8am and I was totally on time. Impressed? Me too. Except for the fact that I looked like death. But let's not reflect on that too much.

So this term my Mondays and Wednesdays are nonstop from 8am-8pm. I have classes for 7 hours, then work, plus any reviews or homework afterward that need to get done. Needless to say, I'm exhausted at the end of the day. But I have found the best way to relax and rejuvenate:

Adele.

I am seriously addicted. She has such a gorgeous, full voice that I could listen to for hours (and I have). This is the first song I heard of hers. If I remember correctly I bought it right after I heard it and have listened to it multiple times a day ever since.



You've probably heard this one on the radio, but I thought I'd share it here because it's also a favorite in my apartment:

Hello world, it's been a while!

It was almost one year ago that I started this blog. I don't really remember what happened since August that has kept me from posting. Oh wait I remember: life. Luckily for me I now have an incredible roommate that has got me following all these really cool blogs. And I have to tell you, it's kind of embarrassing to admit I follow these blogs and then have to admit that I don't even keep mine up. So today I'm changing that. I am becoming a blog follower, as well as a blogger. (Let's just hope I don't bring dishonor to the title.)

This last year has been pretty incredible. Not too much has happened, except if there is one thing that I would categorize as incredible, and that would be getting into the Dietetics major at BYU. I feel proud, excited, and terrified all at the same time. I am going to be a Dietitian (though you could technically spell it "dietician" we professionals like the 't' better) and that is really nice to be able to tell people.

So other than deciding on my future, not a ton has happened. I actually chose to give my blog a little makeover to reflect my life right now: simple. Not simple in the sense that I'm not incredibly busy with homework and my job, but simple in the fact that homework and my job is about all I really do. Here's the typical reunion conversation I have:

Friend: Jette! What have you been up to? What's new?
Me: Um.... nothing really. Just going to school, working a bunch, doing more school, working a little more, and then finishing it all off with school.
Friend: cool.
Me: yeah.

Sometimes I get frustrated that I don't have the time or means to do more, but then I remember that this is the time for me to be a student and succeed in that. I know eventually I will travel the world and spend all my time learning new things. Someday I will, but not today and for right now I think I'm okay with that. So bring on the school work for the next two years!!

The last year has been great--hopefully I'll remember the highlights and give updates as I go. For now, I'm going to bed.