Mormons: Not Just for Utah Anymore

My current rotation for my internship requires that I ride along with several dietitians to various clients homes all over Harris County. I have gone to several different homes since I've been at this rotation for the past week. Well last week I was riding along with one of the dietitians and we only had 2 visits that day. We are driving to the initial visit and the dietitian was talking to me about the child we were going to see. As we pulled in the driveway she says something to the effect of, "Oh by the way, there are 5 kids in this family and they are all home-schooled. So there might be a lot of kids running around." 5 kids and home-schooled?? Who does that? Well my first thought was I bet these people are Mormon. If they aren't Mormon they are just plain crazy.

So we go into the appointment and I'm looking around for any signs of them being Mormon. My first sign was the picture of her and her husband on their wedding day - the key is that she was wearing a long sleeved wedding dress. Even though this is unusual it still wasn't a tell-tell sign. The next sign was the picture of Jesus that was hanging right by the kitchen table. Sure many people have pictures of Jesus Christ in their homes but usually only Mormons tend to have Greg Olsen prints. But again not a sure sign because I did meet a woman on my mission who wasn't a member but had a painting that usually only Mormons have. The next sign was because I was paying very close attention I saw what could be garments on the mother. She wasn't being immodest but I was looking very closely. But again I wasn't positive because I only saw a very slight bit of white. Next I was looking around the den and I saw what looked like the Proclamation to the World with pictures of their family around it but it didn't have the title on it and I didn't get to look close enough to see what it actually said. By this point I'm pretty sure they are Mormon but not positive. I was so tempted to just ask the mom but I figured that that would be considered unprofessional etiquette. The final sign was as we were leaving I looked on the wall and there was a framed copy of The Living Christ. Then I knew my suspicions were right. As this was happening I was thinking how weird it was to have randomly go to a Mormon families' home for an appointment.

Well then we continued on to our next appointment - I'm still amazed that the last one was Mormon but what are you gonna do. Well we get to the next appointment and the mom lets us in. As we walk in I see a sign on the wall that says "Families Are Forever". This again is a very Mormon saying to have up in your home. So once again I start looking for signs. The first one I saw was the mom's garments - her shirt had come up a little bit in the back and I could see them. The next was again a Greg Olsen looking picture of Jesus Christ hanging over the fireplace. Then as I looked closer to the books that were on the fireplace I saw that the titles were talking about being disciples of Christ and then one of them was Gordon B. Hinckley's biography. The next sign was their wedding day picture - she was wearing long sleeves. Then next to the picture was a little glass temple with a gold angel Moroni on top. By this time I knew she was a member. Again I couldn't say anything but I did happen to drop the fact that I went to college in Utah. So she may have suspected that I was a member but again not professionally accepted.

What are the chances that 2 of the families that I would happen to observe would be Mormon - even stranger that the 2 of them were on the same day. I felt like I was back in Utah where you assume everyone is Mormon. Those have been the only 2 Mormon families that I have visited (or at least I think) and I've visited quite a few now. It has made me look around each home I go to just to see if I can see any signs that they are Mormon. What else it made me realize is how unique we are as a people. The families didn't have to say anything but I could tell by the atmospheres in their homes and a few key decorations that they were members of the Church. It made me resolved to surround my future home with those things that really matter, such as pictures of Christ, temples, The Proclamation to the World, The Living Christ, and so many other uplifting pictures and decor. Hopefully then when others come into my home they will be able to know that I am a Mormon just like I noticed with these families.

My Dietetic Life

As you are all aware I am currently working on getting my Master's and completing a Dietetic Internship. I decided that it was about time for me to show some of the work that I've done as dietetic intern. This bulletin board was for Head Start, which is a government funded preschool for underprivileged 3 and 4 year olds. I was quite proud of myself for thinking it up and then making it happen. The kids can mix and match the different foods to show what they ate for breakfast that day using the velcro on the back of the foods and on the plate. I loved having the opportunity to do something creative. I got all excited and felt like I was being productive. So here's a taste of what my internship consists of. (Sorry I don't have more pictures)

A True Texan

I always knew that I was a true Texan (I mean I am a 6th generation Texan) but something happened yesterday to confirm this fact to me.

I have a class that is in the Woodlands (roughly a 40 minute commute) and I've started recently commuting with two friends of mine. Well last night our conversation ended up taking a turn into how one of the girls feels that big hair on a woman is a symbol of power. I told her that if that's true I'm out of luck because my hair just can't be big, even though I love big hair. She then turned to me and said, "Girl, you need a Bumpit!"

A visual of the Bumpit in action.

Then the two girls proceeded to tell me the pros and cons of the Bumpit. For example, it works well when your hair is down but once you try to put it up in a ponytail it gets more difficult. My favorite thing is they talked about the Bumpit as if every girl should have one. Now comes my confession - I've always wanted to try the Bumpit. There I said it. I LOVE big hair & would kill to be able to get some volume in mine. Every time I've seen the infomercial for the Bumpit my friends would crack jokes but I was secretly wanting one. Hearing my friends talk about the Bumpit and how to get big hair confirmed to me that Texas is where I belong. My love of big hair runs deep in my blood. No, I have not invested in the Bumpit yet (yes I said yet), but I will be sure to wear my Bumpit with pride when I get that privilege.

Because I know you all want easy access to it here's the website where you can purchase your very own Bumpit for only $9.99 plus shipping & handling: https://www.bumpits.com/Index.dtm

River Wakeboarding: My New Love

This weekend we had a camping trip planned to a nearby lake. Unfortunately Mother Nature didn't get the memo and decided to rain all weekend, especially where the lake is (there was flash flood warnings in that area). So instead of camping outside in the rain a friend of mine decided we should just rent a hotel like room on Lake Livingston which is connected to the Trinity River. After some reluctance we decided this was a good idea.

Although the day was full of rain (the annoying kind where it was just drizzling/misting all day) the water was smooth as can be. I love rivers! Everyone had awesome water and we all got up. What more could you ask for? Ok maybe a little bit of sunshine would have made the trip better but nonetheless, I have been converted fully to river wakeboarding.

Here we are freezing & yes that is a trash bag poncho - you do what you gotta do.

Hiding out under the bridge so we could take a break from the rain - yes Chris and I are sporting ponchos.

Midnight Yell

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So this past weekend I had the honored privilege of attending the Midnight Yell. This is a big pep rally or sorts that happens at midnight at A&M the night before home games. I have heard of these traditions from the Houghton's but wasn't able to experience any of them until now. I was warned that after attending Yell Practice I would think A&M was a cult - not quite but they definitely are dedicated fans. I had a friend who was also a midnight yell newbie and a fellow BYU Alum. We both agreed that something like this would never fly at BYU. I found this explanation of Yell Practice online and thought I'd share in this intriguing tradition. I did not participate in all the traditions that are talked about - you'll know which one I'm talking about.

Yell Practice began as a post dinner activity in 1913, when different corps companies would gather together to "learn heartily the old time pep." However, it was not until 1931, that Yell Practice as is known today, was held before the t.u. game. It began, when a group of cadets were gathered in Peanut Owen's dorm room in Puryear Hall. Someone suggested that all of the freshmen should fall out and meet on the steps of the YMCA building at midnight. The cadets notified senior yell leaders Horsefly Berryhill and Two Gun Herman from Sherman, who could not authorize it, but said that they may just show up. Well, needless to say, the word spread quickly, and when the freshmen began to arrive, there were railroad flares and torpedoes stuck in flower pots around the YMCA building to light the area. The first Midnight Yell had begun!!!

Today, Midnight Yell is held the night before a home game in Kyle Field and at the Grove on Thursday nights before away games. Also for away games, a site is designated for a Midnight Yell in the city of our opponent on the night before the game. For example, for the t.u. game, it is held at the Texas Capitol in Austin. For a yell at Kyle Field, yell leaders lead the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and the Twelfth Man into the stadium. The yell leaders lead the crowd in old army yells, the singing of the fight song, and tell fables of how the Aggies are going to beat the everlivin' hell out of our opponent for the next day. Lastly, the lights go out, and Aggies kiss their dates. If they don't have a date, all they have to do is flick their Bicks. As the story goes, the flames make it easier for two dateless people to find each other, and maybe they won't be dateless anymore!

The purpose of Midnight Yell is to pump up the Twelfth Man for the next day's big game!

I'm Pretty Much Amazing

So this past weekend I was graciously invited to join the lovely singles of College Station on a camping/lake trip. We left Friday morning and spent Friday and Saturday at the lake. There were 2 boats, good people, food, and wakeboarding.

I've never wakeboarded in my life. I have water skied and snowboarded, so I have a little bit of experience using a board and with water just not together.

Well I'm apparently a natural. I got up on my very first try no problem. Thanks to the helpful coaching of Chris. Then on my first run I was cutting in and out of the wake, just doing my thing. When I finally fell, the girl who owns the boat told me that there was no way that was my first time. She didn't believe me. I guess I'm just that good.

The only down side is the intense pain I'm experiencing now. I face planted pretty hard Saturday afternoon and so now my neck, back, arms, abs, and head are in pain. Most of it is just soreness but my head has been throbbing for the past 3 days...probably not a good thing.

I plan on having more trips to the lake and more shots at wakeboarding - who knows maybe I'll try a flip this next go around since it just comes so easily to me.

The Land of Sam Houston

I feel like this city was founded on the principles of the Relief Society or at least Sam Houston thought they were pretty important.

This giant head is in front of a small amphitheater where I'm sure many lectures are given on Sam Houston.

In case you need some incentive other than seeing my beautiful face, this is what you can look forward to as you come to Huntsville. This lovely statue of Sam Houston welcomes you as you are driving in on the freeway. In case you didn't notice, that little spot at the bottom is me standing in front of the statue. It's ginormous! Did you know that Sam Houston was a Master Mason? I like to think he and Joseph Smith were chums. All other important Sam Houston facts can be found on this wonderful plaque.