Sometimes all I can do

is write. I get so many emotions raging around and they've got to come flowing out my fingertips. I am at work, it's true. And one thing that I love about the bookstore is that so many people pass through, especially when I'm here. It's great. And today I had the distinct privilege of meeting Mr. Nielsen, Stephanie Nielsen's husband from the nieniedialogues. Their whole family was here, and after directing them to the "Y" stickers, I decided that I needed to say something. I couldn't see Stephanie, so i went up to Mr. Nielsen and told him that I checked his wife's blog and that I was thinking about them, and that I bought a vaNIElla cupcake. Looking back I feel silly at how uncomfortable I must have seemed with incessant shoulder shrugs and attempts at expressing how emotional I felt about the whole situation. He was very gracious. He said he'd tell Stephanie, and he asked my name, and said it was good to meet me, and was so genteel. And by the way, he is smokin'. What a stud, he looks great.

What amazed me was that they were real people. I mean I always knew that, but I saw them, here, I talked to them. What they went through changed their lives, and I vicariously have felt of the difficulty and have been truly affected by all that they've done, and all they stand for. Stephanie is inspiring. I called my mom to talk to her about it (i had to) and she asked how she looked. I saw very little, but she looks . . . different than her old self, obviously, and you can tell that she's had skin grafts over 80% of her body (that stat may be wrong, forgive me, but still so dramatic) but she looked good. She was looked cute, and like she was living a normal life; looking at children's books with her kids and hanging out with her hottie husband.

At first I really wanted to talk to her, and tell her how inspiring she is, but looking back I'm a little glad that I didn't talk to her. First of all, I probably would have started bawling, I'm on the verge of tears now, and also, I would have felt bad. I'm a naturally curious person, unafraid of unabashed people watching. This combination could have been bad talking to someone whose face has been transformed by burn scars. I can't imagine what she goes through. Besides the pain and emotional trauma, just going out in public would be difficult. Looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing someone else - better or worse - would be strange, but . . . I can't even imagine. I felt almost bad at the idea being a normal person. I am so grateful for all I have, and I'm not assuming that that blessed family would be bitter or anything, but . . . I am so blessed, and I guess I just wish I could relate somehow. Empathy can sometimes be difficult when you have no idea what the person is actually going through. I've caught a mere glimpse at a shadow of their life, and I just wish there was more I could do than eat cupcakes. But for now, that and helping them find a sticker, may be all I can do right now.

{on a wholly unrelated note, john bytheway called this desk earlier today. i wasn't here. oh well.}

mes nouveaux neveux

Aren't they the most precious pair of boys you've every seen? Well, above is Mr. Daniel Morris Anderson (i'm planning on calling him morris, as in zach morris, sweet) and his day of birth was May 20th 2009. Cute.
And this little guy his fresh out the chute. Born today around 6:00, and he is known as Jarom Spencer Cornwall. Holy moly what a cute kid, with a cute name. I really like them both. I plan on becoming both of their favorite aunts, but sssshhhh, don't tell.

I love pancakes

Guess who else was an Anthropology major? Hmmmm? No guesses, well I'll tell you - Kurt Vonnegut. (i just found out he graduated from cornell in chem, but then went to grad school for anthro) 

There are actually quite a few authors who majored in anthropology. Not too many household names but, you know, it's a start. And, apparently Mick Jagger majored in anthropology as well.

Well I Declayah!

Not actually, but I did some research at work, and anthropology with a socio-cultural emphasis looks very exciting. And the fact that I am legitimately excited is exciting. I still don't really know what it means for life after graduation, but at this point, I admit that I don't care much. So, there's the update, at least for today .  . .{and seriously, the fact that i would kinda be 'living' in anthro is swoony. seriously?}

I just need to add a picture.

This isn't him, but I have a brand new nephew!!!! He was born into my brother-in-law's hands. He's an eager kid. Soon I'll have photos and a name, until then . . . hooray!!!

Did I mention . . .

that I'm going to Cali? Yes. I'm ecstatic. That means less work, and more play. I really don't have anything to say other than that. Oh, but I did also put down the next payment toward Paris. So, yeah, I'm going.

Friday is technically the last day to back out, and this past week I've been asking myself, just to make abso-flippin-lutely certain that this is my choice. And every time I asked, I just kinda laughed to myself and thought "Rachel, you silly, of course you're going. You think about Paris way too often to pretend like it isn't a HUGE deal for you right now."

So, that stamp in my passport . . . she's coming. Oh boy.

No more a housekeeper

I realize I never came out and said it, but I was hired to be a housekeeper at Marriott Fairfield Inn. It's true. And frankly, I was a bit ashamed (although it's good news, I kept it very much to myself. The level of hilarity and shame were dead even) but now, no more. I am no longer an employee of Fairfield Inn in Provo (nor was I ever, to be honest) but now, I am an official employee of the BYU bookstore. Hooray.

Very respectable. Something to shout from the rooftops (the image above is what i think of when i imagine shouting something from the rooftops, or the scene from newsies, when brooklyn comes with their sling shots, and pop out of chimneys everywhere, ha ha ha!)

Suffice it to say, I'm excited. Best of all, I had an interview just this morning, but I got paid this afternoon for an orientation meeting, I start work tomorrow, and I have two more meetings this week, AND I got to see the basement of the bookstore (including the break room and lockers, i'm really excited about this, not sure why) AND I got a t-shirt and a pin, AND I get a cool looking lanyard and nametag. Boy, am I living it up. Well, now I can walk to work, and have a more regular schedule, so I can find another (well-paying ahem) fun evening job.

{"Things are lookin' up, I've been looking the landscape over, and it's covered with four leaf clovers, la la la laaaaa" - this song always pops up when things work out.}

News

*please clicky-click on the photo to see the whole image*

Though I'm sure most individuals are well aware of what people are saying about Garance and Scott. And may I just say how thrilled I am? No two other individuals have influenced me more than these.  And now, so it seems, they have found each other. What joy and exhilaration. In my head, I'm picturing these photo shoots where these two are a power couple that captures every glorious thing to be had. And these thoughts eventually lead to power-shot babies . . . oh the possibilities. 

Bonjour Paris!

Hooray! I've been accepted to the Paris Fall 09 program! Although some things still need to work out {you know, like money} things are looking beautiful from here!!!

HOORAY!

October 1st has been on my calendar for quite some time as a big day because of the new season of Pushing Daisies. Unfortunately last night I was preoccupied and thereby kept checking today to see if it had come up, and it did . . . and it was mah-velous. Despite my high expectations and aspirations, I was not the least bit disappointed. I continue to be awed by the aesthetic, the wit, and the sheer brilliance of this piece of tele. It's going to be a good fall.

Shout For Joy!

It was announced that there will certainly be a season 2 for Pushing Daisies. The whole writer's strike was certainly a hit at the end of season 1, but I hear that season 2 will be complete, and inevitably-magnifique!