The main reason I keep reading books by Jim Butcher is because of the above author photo. Awesome.
It reminds me of this picture:
Which makes me laugh.
You know he has to have a sense of humor, because I also found this picture:
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Best. Picture. Ever.
The main reason I keep reading books by Jim Butcher is because of the above author photo. Awesome.
It reminds me of this picture:
Which makes me laugh.
You know he has to have a sense of humor, because I also found this picture:
Friday, June 5, 2009
Looking Forward to the Future
It's been awhile since we've provided an update, so here are some things we've been up to lately, and some things we're going to do soon:
I (Emily) am still in school during the summer. I am also still working as a mental health counselor at a drug and alcohol residential rehab. It's been challenging. Pretty much every time I see a client I have to quell a mini internal meltdown because I get a little worried that I will never be able to help anyone. My supervisor constantly reminds me that I can't make anyone change, but I can at least provide support and make an effort to learn more about each client and why they are the way they are. I am fascinated by my clients. Some are nice, some are mean. Some lie, some manipulate, but some genuinely want to change. I love it (most of the time).
I am also volunteering at a place called Homeward Bound, which is a center for adults with brain injuries. It's located on a farm in Cornelius, which is totally in the middle of nowhere, but it also means that they have chickens, a llama, a hourse, and a goat. The volunteering is related to a class I am taking this term called Human Diversity, which is about diversity issues that clients may have and how to provide adequate therapy for different diverse groups. On the first day of the lab portion of the class everyone talked about which groups we would be the most scared to work with, and I admitted that I would have difficulties working with mentally or physically disabled populations. Everyone was assigned volunteer work based on these diverse populations with which we were worried about working. I have to admit that most (maybe not all) of my fears were unwarranted. The people who work there are exceptionally nice and completely helpful. They have encouraged the clients to talk about their various brain injuries and the resulting disabilities. It's fascinating.
Josh is continuing to work as the PR and marketing director of Hoodoo Family Recreation. Right now it's camping season, so he's spending this weekend at an RV show in Albany. He is suffering through allergy season, which has been much tougher for him this year than last. In his free time he has been working out. We joined 24-Hour Fitness, so he works out at the oddest times. Like, right now he's at the gym. He has lost so much weight, his pants just fall off! I always tell him to buy new pants, but he ignores me. He doesn't like to shop. Josh has also been enjoying his calling as Scout Leader/Young Men's Leader. He's the sole member of the YM adults who did not attend BYU, so he feels like it's his duty to let the YM know there are other colleges in the universe.
My term ends in July, and after that I am taking the year off. We're really excited because it means we can do all sorts of travelling. We've been wanting to go to Washington DC forever, but have instead taken various other trips (well, we've gone to Disneyland twice, as per Josh's request). We're also going to drive from DC to Philedelphia to visit the various US history sites. We also already have plane tickets to Southern CA to go to Disneyland (for the third time in two years) with my family, then we're going to spend another week and go to the Hearst Castle to take another tour (we visited there during our honeymoon tour through CA) and then stay at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. We're also planning to go to Austin, TX again sometime this winter to visit my sister and her family, and I've been begging Josh to take me to Hawaii. So many plans!
I am so excited about taking time off, it seems like sometimes I completely forget that I'm still in school. Instead of reading textbooks, I've been reading mystery novels, and instead of preparing a presentation, I am writing a blog post!
I (Emily) am still in school during the summer. I am also still working as a mental health counselor at a drug and alcohol residential rehab. It's been challenging. Pretty much every time I see a client I have to quell a mini internal meltdown because I get a little worried that I will never be able to help anyone. My supervisor constantly reminds me that I can't make anyone change, but I can at least provide support and make an effort to learn more about each client and why they are the way they are. I am fascinated by my clients. Some are nice, some are mean. Some lie, some manipulate, but some genuinely want to change. I love it (most of the time).
I am also volunteering at a place called Homeward Bound, which is a center for adults with brain injuries. It's located on a farm in Cornelius, which is totally in the middle of nowhere, but it also means that they have chickens, a llama, a hourse, and a goat. The volunteering is related to a class I am taking this term called Human Diversity, which is about diversity issues that clients may have and how to provide adequate therapy for different diverse groups. On the first day of the lab portion of the class everyone talked about which groups we would be the most scared to work with, and I admitted that I would have difficulties working with mentally or physically disabled populations. Everyone was assigned volunteer work based on these diverse populations with which we were worried about working. I have to admit that most (maybe not all) of my fears were unwarranted. The people who work there are exceptionally nice and completely helpful. They have encouraged the clients to talk about their various brain injuries and the resulting disabilities. It's fascinating.
Josh is continuing to work as the PR and marketing director of Hoodoo Family Recreation. Right now it's camping season, so he's spending this weekend at an RV show in Albany. He is suffering through allergy season, which has been much tougher for him this year than last. In his free time he has been working out. We joined 24-Hour Fitness, so he works out at the oddest times. Like, right now he's at the gym. He has lost so much weight, his pants just fall off! I always tell him to buy new pants, but he ignores me. He doesn't like to shop. Josh has also been enjoying his calling as Scout Leader/Young Men's Leader. He's the sole member of the YM adults who did not attend BYU, so he feels like it's his duty to let the YM know there are other colleges in the universe.
My term ends in July, and after that I am taking the year off. We're really excited because it means we can do all sorts of travelling. We've been wanting to go to Washington DC forever, but have instead taken various other trips (well, we've gone to Disneyland twice, as per Josh's request). We're also going to drive from DC to Philedelphia to visit the various US history sites. We also already have plane tickets to Southern CA to go to Disneyland (for the third time in two years) with my family, then we're going to spend another week and go to the Hearst Castle to take another tour (we visited there during our honeymoon tour through CA) and then stay at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. We're also planning to go to Austin, TX again sometime this winter to visit my sister and her family, and I've been begging Josh to take me to Hawaii. So many plans!
I am so excited about taking time off, it seems like sometimes I completely forget that I'm still in school. Instead of reading textbooks, I've been reading mystery novels, and instead of preparing a presentation, I am writing a blog post!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Our Newest Addition
Meet our new kitten, La Fleur (aka Mr. F):
Isn't she the cutest ever? She joined our family yesterday and has been following me around ever since. She loves sitting in my lap while I type on the computer, watch tv, and/or read. Yesterday we took a nap together on the couch, but Josh was asleep upstairs so he missed the photo opportunity.
Yes, we're now crazy cat people. The third one makes it official.
Isn't she the cutest ever? She joined our family yesterday and has been following me around ever since. She loves sitting in my lap while I type on the computer, watch tv, and/or read. Yesterday we took a nap together on the couch, but Josh was asleep upstairs so he missed the photo opportunity.
Yes, we're now crazy cat people. The third one makes it official.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Some of My Favorite Things (in Alphabetical Order)
Asprin
Bedtime
Chanel
Diet Dr. Pepper
Egg Salad
French
Google
Hula hooping
Ice cream
Josh
Kittens
Lambs
Moustaches
Novels, Mystery
Olives
Packing
Questions
Reading
Sunglasses
Turkey Bologna
Underwear
"Veronica" by Elvis Costello
Water (to drink)
Xericity
Yellow
ZeitgebersThursday, April 16, 2009
HEY YOU! PLEASE HELP!
For those of you who do not know, I am currently working on my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. Along the way, I am also getting my Master's degree, which means that I need to write a Master's thesis. I am currently working on this.
Because my area of interest is Couples and Marriage, my thesis is related to variables that are correlated with marital satisfaction.
Therefore, I need those of you (both male and female) who are older than 18, are currently in a heterosexual marriage, and have been married for at least six months to take my survey by clicking here.
This should only take 15 minutes of your time. Absolutely none of the information can be linked to your identity. I will never know how you have answered, so please be as honest as possible.
Again, this is EXTREMELY important to me, as I need to finish my thesis by the end of the summer. Please take the survey as soon as possible. It will be available until the end of May.
Thank you so much!
Because my area of interest is Couples and Marriage, my thesis is related to variables that are correlated with marital satisfaction.
Therefore, I need those of you (both male and female) who are older than 18, are currently in a heterosexual marriage, and have been married for at least six months to take my survey by clicking here.
This should only take 15 minutes of your time. Absolutely none of the information can be linked to your identity. I will never know how you have answered, so please be as honest as possible.
Again, this is EXTREMELY important to me, as I need to finish my thesis by the end of the summer. Please take the survey as soon as possible. It will be available until the end of May.
Thank you so much!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Emily's Books Read in 2009: First Quarter
Earlier this year, I made a resolution to write down all the books I read this year, and I've kept it. Here are the books that I have read so far this year:
1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (finished 1/7)
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (finished 1/10)
I think I liked this one better than the first one, but now I can't remember why.
3. sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling (finished 1/11)
An easy read, but interesting. I was a fan of the short-lived Tori Spelling show "So NoTORIous," which featured Zachary Quinto (of the new Star Trek and "Heroes" fame).
4. Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie by Barbara Goldsmith (finished 1/22)
This book was a manageable length for a biography. Normally I get about 3/4ths of the way through a biography and then get distracted, but I was always interested in this book. It made me remember why I will never be ridiculously successful-- I do not have the necessary insanity and drive. Marie Curie was NUTS.
5. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (finished 1/29)
This book was okay, but not great. I think it was an Oprah book. Someone recommended it to me, and I enjoyed it but I'm not sure I would recommend it to other people. I don't know. It's a forgettable book.
6. The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at its Peak by Jason Surrell (finished 2/1)
This book is about exactly what the title says. It's interesting, has pictures, and was written by someone who worked as an imagineer.
7. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (finished 2/7)
8. hypocrite in a pouffy white dress by Susan Jane Gilman (finished 2/12)
This is a funny book about feminism and the female experience, but definitely Laurie Notaro (The Idiot Girl's Action Adventure Club) is much funnier.
9. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (finished 2/13)
I read this book to screen it for my 11-year-old niece. It's a book about a dystopic alternate reality where everyone is required to get plastic surgery at age 16 so everyone is beautiful and no one can be jealous of each other based on looks. It is a very interesting concept and was a very interesting book, which is why I read the other two in the series.
10. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (finished 2/17)
11. Specials by Scott Westerfeld (finished 2/21)
I guess there's another sequal, but I haven't read it yet.
12. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich (finished 2/24)
Technically I read this for my practicum, but I thought this book was excellent and I highly recommend it! Ehrenreich goes undercover in different minimum wage jobs across America to see whether she can live on that wage. Spoiler alert: she can't.
13. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (finished 3/5)
I unwisely finished reading this book instead of studying for an important test (which is why I'm having the worst term in school that I have ever had), but I became very invested in the denoument. This is a re-imagining of Hamlet in a loose way. Also, I imagine if you like dogs then the dog-training aspect of the story will strike a chord.
14. Electric Blue by Nancy Bush (finished 3/16)
The author is from Lake Oswego and the series is set in the Portland area. This is a detective story with a female protagonist, which seems to be the type of book I read most often. I liked it better than the first in the series (Candy Apple Red)
15. Ultra Violet by Nancy Bush (finished 3/21)
The third book in the series. The events take place directly after the second book, and you can't really read it and understand it without reading the second one.
16. Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot (finished 3/22)
Meg Cabot wrote the Princess Diaries series (which I haven't read). This is another female detective series where the female protagonist is a former teen pop star whose mom embezzled all of her money so she is forced to work as a college dorm parent. I thought it was entertaining.
17. Vi Agra Falls by Mary Daheim (finished 3/25)
This is the latest in a long series of mystery novels featuring the proprietress of a Bed & Breakfast in the Seattle area. I like this series because of the clever titles, such as Snow Place to Die and Silver Scream. This book is not the greatest.
18. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (finished 3/30)
I don't think that Stephenie Meyer is the worst author ever like Stephen King has claimed. Obviously I'm not huge into the whole Twilight thing, otherwise I would have read the series before now (and seen the movie), but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Some books that are in my queue for the next three months:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Plum Spooky
Bright Lights, Big Ass
1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (finished 1/7)
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (finished 1/10)
I think I liked this one better than the first one, but now I can't remember why.
3. sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling (finished 1/11)
An easy read, but interesting. I was a fan of the short-lived Tori Spelling show "So NoTORIous," which featured Zachary Quinto (of the new Star Trek and "Heroes" fame).
4. Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie by Barbara Goldsmith (finished 1/22)
This book was a manageable length for a biography. Normally I get about 3/4ths of the way through a biography and then get distracted, but I was always interested in this book. It made me remember why I will never be ridiculously successful-- I do not have the necessary insanity and drive. Marie Curie was NUTS.
5. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (finished 1/29)
This book was okay, but not great. I think it was an Oprah book. Someone recommended it to me, and I enjoyed it but I'm not sure I would recommend it to other people. I don't know. It's a forgettable book.
6. The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at its Peak by Jason Surrell (finished 2/1)
This book is about exactly what the title says. It's interesting, has pictures, and was written by someone who worked as an imagineer.
7. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (finished 2/7)
8. hypocrite in a pouffy white dress by Susan Jane Gilman (finished 2/12)
This is a funny book about feminism and the female experience, but definitely Laurie Notaro (The Idiot Girl's Action Adventure Club) is much funnier.
9. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (finished 2/13)
I read this book to screen it for my 11-year-old niece. It's a book about a dystopic alternate reality where everyone is required to get plastic surgery at age 16 so everyone is beautiful and no one can be jealous of each other based on looks. It is a very interesting concept and was a very interesting book, which is why I read the other two in the series.
10. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (finished 2/17)
11. Specials by Scott Westerfeld (finished 2/21)
I guess there's another sequal, but I haven't read it yet.
12. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich (finished 2/24)
Technically I read this for my practicum, but I thought this book was excellent and I highly recommend it! Ehrenreich goes undercover in different minimum wage jobs across America to see whether she can live on that wage. Spoiler alert: she can't.
13. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (finished 3/5)
I unwisely finished reading this book instead of studying for an important test (which is why I'm having the worst term in school that I have ever had), but I became very invested in the denoument. This is a re-imagining of Hamlet in a loose way. Also, I imagine if you like dogs then the dog-training aspect of the story will strike a chord.
14. Electric Blue by Nancy Bush (finished 3/16)
The author is from Lake Oswego and the series is set in the Portland area. This is a detective story with a female protagonist, which seems to be the type of book I read most often. I liked it better than the first in the series (Candy Apple Red)
15. Ultra Violet by Nancy Bush (finished 3/21)
The third book in the series. The events take place directly after the second book, and you can't really read it and understand it without reading the second one.
16. Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot (finished 3/22)
Meg Cabot wrote the Princess Diaries series (which I haven't read). This is another female detective series where the female protagonist is a former teen pop star whose mom embezzled all of her money so she is forced to work as a college dorm parent. I thought it was entertaining.
17. Vi Agra Falls by Mary Daheim (finished 3/25)
This is the latest in a long series of mystery novels featuring the proprietress of a Bed & Breakfast in the Seattle area. I like this series because of the clever titles, such as Snow Place to Die and Silver Scream. This book is not the greatest.
18. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (finished 3/30)
I don't think that Stephenie Meyer is the worst author ever like Stephen King has claimed. Obviously I'm not huge into the whole Twilight thing, otherwise I would have read the series before now (and seen the movie), but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Some books that are in my queue for the next three months:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Plum Spooky
Bright Lights, Big Ass
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The MAGIC is in the HOLE!
As a longtime fan of the CBS reality series "The Amazing Race," I was quite excited last season when the contestants' final destination city was right here in Portland. As they raced for clues, Emily and I recognized most of the landmarks. Then, the racers had to find a clue hidden by one of the food cart pods right in front of Emily's school on SW 10th street between Alder and Washington. They found the clue, but where would it take them? (hint: watch this video)
Ah ha... Voodoo Doughnut.
Now, when we watched this episode, we had never heard of Voodoo Doughnut; but, Emily and I are from Eugene and Hermiston, respectively, so I suppose that's OK. Though, we did see Ben Lee play at Berbati's Pan, which is Voodoo Doughnut's immediate next door neighbor. They actually are only separated by a wall; They're so close, in fact, if they were siblings, they'd be conjoined twins.
Anyhow, we'd never been there, but had heard from several friends that we should totally check it out. So, earlier this week, I headed downtown to the PCPA Box Office to buy tickets to see "Wicked" at the Keller Auditorium in April. After I was done, I decided to head down there and grab some confections to bring home (Em loves anything with sugar, so I knew she'd be a fan.).
Their selection is quite diverse... and some of it is just plain weird (a maple bar with bacon on top?!?). Here's what I ended up buying:
This is the shop's signature item, the Voodoo Doll Doughnut. A chocolate bar injected with raspberry filling, it's delicious!!
This one's called the "Old Dirty Bastard." Actually, I think it's just called "Dirt" on the Voodoo Doughnut Web site, but the woman at the register called it ODB. It was good regardless of its name.
This little guy is called the "Portland Creme." Emily said it was fantastic!
Sadly, the Voodoo Doll wandered into a bad part of the ShepAlder house... and well, we're still waiting for the results from the "CSI: ShepAlder's Kitchen" team. Our prayers go out to his wife and little Voodoo Doll kids.
One last thing: While I was in there, a woman from Hawaii came in and asked if we knew how to get to Sonic. The woman at the counter assured her that there wasn't one nearby... but, luckily for the Aloha State lady, there was a Sonic fanatic in her midst. She'd seen the commercials and wanted to try it out (as they are apparently not blessed with them in Hawaii), so I directed her to the only Sonic in the Portland-metro area over in Hillsboro.
The woman at the counter told her she should try Burgerville, but I told the woman that lots of people are willing to drive out of there way to go to Sonic (see: Josh and Emily driving in California whilst furiously searching through the "Exit Points of Interets" on their GPS). I was glad I could help.
Ah ha... Voodoo Doughnut.
Now, when we watched this episode, we had never heard of Voodoo Doughnut; but, Emily and I are from Eugene and Hermiston, respectively, so I suppose that's OK. Though, we did see Ben Lee play at Berbati's Pan, which is Voodoo Doughnut's immediate next door neighbor. They actually are only separated by a wall; They're so close, in fact, if they were siblings, they'd be conjoined twins.
Anyhow, we'd never been there, but had heard from several friends that we should totally check it out. So, earlier this week, I headed downtown to the PCPA Box Office to buy tickets to see "Wicked" at the Keller Auditorium in April. After I was done, I decided to head down there and grab some confections to bring home (Em loves anything with sugar, so I knew she'd be a fan.).
Their selection is quite diverse... and some of it is just plain weird (a maple bar with bacon on top?!?). Here's what I ended up buying:
This is the shop's signature item, the Voodoo Doll Doughnut. A chocolate bar injected with raspberry filling, it's delicious!!
This one's called the "Old Dirty Bastard." Actually, I think it's just called "Dirt" on the Voodoo Doughnut Web site, but the woman at the register called it ODB. It was good regardless of its name.
This little guy is called the "Portland Creme." Emily said it was fantastic!
Sadly, the Voodoo Doll wandered into a bad part of the ShepAlder house... and well, we're still waiting for the results from the "CSI: ShepAlder's Kitchen" team. Our prayers go out to his wife and little Voodoo Doll kids.
One last thing: While I was in there, a woman from Hawaii came in and asked if we knew how to get to Sonic. The woman at the counter assured her that there wasn't one nearby... but, luckily for the Aloha State lady, there was a Sonic fanatic in her midst. She'd seen the commercials and wanted to try it out (as they are apparently not blessed with them in Hawaii), so I directed her to the only Sonic in the Portland-metro area over in Hillsboro.
The woman at the counter told her she should try Burgerville, but I told the woman that lots of people are willing to drive out of there way to go to Sonic (see: Josh and Emily driving in California whilst furiously searching through the "Exit Points of Interets" on their GPS). I was glad I could help.
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