Yin-Yang Philosphy: Opposition in all things...

Faith Like Potatoes

2007-01-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

What a great inspiring movie! I recommend it to everyone!

FEAR

2007-01-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Isa. 41: 10, 13: "Fear thou not for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Famous Mormons

2007-01-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

I was told about this site and thought I would check it out for myself. It was interesting to read see cause you always hear rumors of so-and-so being members of the church, some are actually true, some are partly true and others downright not! :)
The Christina Aguilera one always got me, I have since discovered her parents were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (met at BYU and married in the temple) but split up while Christina was a young girl.

The site Famous Mormons is an interesting read and got me thinking. Enjoy!

Prison Break - I LOVE FOX!

2006-12-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

This is the best show around! I LOVE it! Although Sara never got this close to Michael in the episode, I LOVE the picture! MiSa to the end!

South African English

2006-12-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

These definitions are great! I love South African English!

Freezer

2006-12-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Since it started snowing on Monday, pretty much the trencd since I have been living here, right after the Thanksgiving weekend luckily.
Tuesday there was a blanket of snow covering Utah, and it was pretty col.
However, it was Wednesday that was REALLY cold - hence the tile freezer. Being from Africa (where is gets cold - but not THIS cold) I am still no used to this kind of weather. On Wednesday night I thaught I saw a sign that said it was -10 degrees Celcius, however last night I found I had seen the sign wrong and it was about -15 degrees Celcius. This is most definitly the coldest I can remember it being! Since I will be going to Chicago soon, I think this is just preparation (or so I hear).
It's hard to find the right combination of colthing though. In my apartment I am warm, then I get dressed with some extra layers cuase I know I'm gonna either freeze of thaw outside. I grap my jacket as I leave and everything is snug until I get on the Bus. I need to then remove the jacket so as not to oveheat. Then I put it back on as I leave the bus. However as soon as I get into class or work or a building, I feel like I need to remove more that just my jacket. Its like I am burning up. Yesterday I had to roll my pant legs up and take off my shoes.
It becomes like a dance I think, clothes on, some off, back on, come off, back on, some off.... etc.
I guess I just need to find the right combinations?

STOP Child Pornography

2006-11-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

This evilness must stop. Pornography can be monitered better by governments and institutions world-wide! We need to stand together and let our voices be heard. Light a million candles is a site where you can show your support to erradicating child pornography.

Gordon B. Hinkley, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has said, "It grows increasingly worse. It is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful. I speak of pornography in all of its manifestations."

To learn how to overcome pornography, click here: COMBATING PORNOGRAPHY.

Writing plainly

2006-11-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

In my history class today we had a speaker come in to spoke about writing. we were showed a website

There are some humerous quotes and some good guides and examples on how to simplify writing. It reminded me of a scripture from The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31: 2: "Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying."

I like the idea of plain writing and speaking. I am going to aim for this.

Support 16 of Activism against Abuse in South Africa

2006-11-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is a great project. You can go to MWEB.co.za and sign a ecard that will help in the process! South Africa has SO much potential! Viva Afrika!

LDS Custom CD's

2006-11-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

I like this, get just the songs I want! Cool! Check out the site.

Morning Ritual

2006-11-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

I discovered a site today full of tips to do in the morning.
It is supposed to help you have a better more productive day.
I am excited to try some of them!

Invisible Children

2006-11-21T20:05:00.001-07:00

"In the spring of 2003, three young Americans traveled to Africa in search of such as story. What they found was a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them. A story where children are weapons and children are the victims. The "Invisible Children: rough cut" film exposes the effects of a 20 year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda. These children live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as a part of violent army. This wonderfully reckless documentary is fast paced, with an MTV beat, and is something truly unique. To see Africa through young eyes is humorous and heart breaking, quick and informative - all in the very same breath. See this film, you will be forever changed."

A friend told me about the Invisible Children site and WOW. I also watched the DVD on Google Video and man somthing needs to be done about this terrible war. Watch this movie.

There's a first time for everything!

2006-11-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a week!
I did the following for the first time:

1. I went on one of those golf carts that BYU takes prospective students on tours with!
2. I showed a friend from South Africa around campus.
3. I went to the batting cages (I have a huge bruise to show for it)
4. I recorded a song I wrote for the first time - it was exhilarating!
5. I went with some friends to the "Pudding on Rice" place and it was actually cool and really good.
6. I was in a car accident (with another car, previous accident involved a deer) and I'm really lucky that I'm okay - we were close to rolling and then almost went through the wall of Chaka Rama! (seriously, I'm not making this up).

It was eventful and fun :) who knows what next week will involve.

My Passion: Singing

2006-11-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me the other day if I was keeping up with my singing. For a moment I thought, "You know, I don't perform and do as much with my singing as I did a couple years ago, okay I have changed countries, started college, live on mt own, work part time and do my best to maintain my fairly good GPA, cook, clean, do laundry, date, socialize blah blah blah! So as you can see I am so busy that I was neglecting my music. Granted I had kinda kept up playing guitar and had learned to play a few songs from friends, but my SINGING had come to almost a halt, with exception of once or twice a year in church and once a year in the International Talent Show held at BYU.

Well, I am proud to say that this will no longer be the case:

A couple of weeks I was part of a womans choir that recorded 2 songs for a upcoming Jenny Phillips project! It was fabulous. We recorded at SOLARIUM RECORDING STUDIOS in Utah. Tyler Castleton produced the songs.

Secondly, 2 weeks ago we began recording a song I wrote inspired by a tragic event that happend earlier this year to two Sister Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in South Africa. The song is titled "Why". In a few weeks I will record the vocal for the song. A good friend and great singer & songwriter Brian Rhodes assisted in writing the music for this song and played the piano for the recording.

Last week, I sang in our Universities version of Idols. it was a lot of fun. Ieven made it onto the final round in December. I sang "Who I am" by Jessica Andrews.

Next week, I will be singing at BYU's "World Fest" International Talent Show for the third year in a row. I love representing South Africa!

I continue to play the guitar and have written a few songs that I would like to record in the near future. Singing is my passion!

Kids, Trees, Trampolines and Fear!

2006-11-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

What is it about trees that attract kids so much? I came home early to day (4pm instead of 9pm) and since it was such a nice day today I lay on a bench under a tree and read. As I looked up at the sky I had falsh back of me as a kid playing in my front year. There was one tree to the side of our property that me and my siblings and the neighbour kids always played in. It was a tall tree, not one that you could built a tree house in, and yet we loved it. We spent many an afternoon climing, hiding and just having fun in it. I think we even made up stories or games in it.

It got me thinking.... Why is it that kids take every oppertunity to climb trees and once you hit your teens you seldom ever do again? Maybe its cause we get to fat :) or that it seems like a childlike thing to do? Or maybe its because we get cautious and realise how painful a fall could be or what climbing a tree does to our clothes?

On that note, it's funny for me to remember but every Sunday after church all the kids at church would run out to the big tree in the back. It was a SWEET tree, because there was this perfect branch that you to jump too and swing and then hop down. It was kinda high, but hey we were kids and we were fearless.

Even though I was still a tomboy at that age, I was not the only girl climbing this famous tree in my dress. (I don't know how we geot away with it, I'm sure I came home with holes in my clothes).

Well, the funny story is one Sunday, we stayed for a baptism. At one point my mom asked me to go find my younger sister. I being the mature oldest walked around and couldn't find her, but what I did find was the oppertunity to climb my favorite tree as no other kids were around. So, I did my usual thing but something happened this time and as I jumped to swing and grab hold of the 'swinging branch', I slipped and fell and landed on my arm. It was quite sore, so there I was, dam*, how was I gonna go back inside and have to tell my mom I hurt my arm while looking for my sister?!?!

I did and lickily we there was a lady in our ward that was a doctor. I had broken my arm (supposedly green branch break), and now that I think of it, I think I didn't climb many trees after that. So is it fear then?

We used to have one of those big trampolines in our yard. I had been a gymnast, and so when we got it I started out doing back and front flips right away. I loved it! Jumping was the greatest feeling. Until one day I guess I got tired, I did just one too many and re-bounded off it falling into our makeshift washing line of two ropes strung across the back yard. It was painful and humiliating. It was after that that I didn't do many back flips. Recently I took a gymnastics class and it took over an hour for me to get over my fear of doing back flips, I was doing them, but not correctly because I was scared. I still have a few issues doing them, I arch and puch back too much before I rotate: all due to fear.

There must be other things in my life that I don't do out of fear. Should fear stop us? I try not to let it, but it really affects a major part of the brain. I find that fascinating! Maybe I should do dome sore of survey or study???

Flickr

2006-11-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love taking pictures, sometime I think I should have studied photography. Much to my chagrin I have a cheap (it was my first digital) camera, but I am buying myself a Canon A530 for Christmas - I can't wait!

Anyway, with all the pictures I took over the summer in the UK & Europe and my past 2 years in the USA, I have accumulated quite a large collection of pictures, stored on my different computers and CD's and DVD's, however, I barely look at them as it is hard to find a specific picture or just plain too much hard work.

A couple months ago a friend told me about flickr. I investigated adn foudn out that you can get a free account (with limitations). I tried it out for a bit and WOW! I love it. So, on Monday I decided to upgrade to a PRO account. It's one small payment every year adn you get 2GB upload capacity a month! It is awesome! I am currently archiving all my pictures on it. It is fabulous! You can do alot more with the paid version.

Rest in Peace Mopsy

2006-10-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

Mopsy, my doggie, that we've have for about 15 years, died last week Thursday! She was truely a best friend and she will be missed dearly.

My Favorite Show: Prison Break

2006-10-31T21:54:00.000-07:00

I have come to love FOX. This is the greatest show! I have watched it many times over again. A friend bought me the first Season on DVD and now Season 2 is now playing. You can stream season 2 online. I am definitly a MISA (Michael and Sarah) shipper!

Mattie J. T. Stepanek

2006-10-26T22:40:00.000-07:00

A friend copied this poem in a letter she wrote to me when I was 14. I have remembered it through the years and found the words today. Believe it or not this poem was written when Mattie was only 5 years old. To read more of this extraordinary boy and more of his inspirational words visit his site.

For Mr. Thompson

"The people who like poetry are special.
They are the same people who hear
Lullabies and wind chimes
When the birds are noisy together.
They are the ones who see
Star-gifts in every season-
Tree-stars in the fall,
Snow-stars in the winter,
Dandelion-fairy-stars in the spring, and
Lightning-bug-stars in the summer.
They are the ones who have
Favorite colors that are wonderful gifts
Like sunset or rainbow or treasure.
They are the ones who have
Songs in their hearts and
Words in their minds that
Come together and slip out
Into the air or onto paper as a gift
To someone else, or even themselves.
The people who like poetry are probably
The ones who really like life,
And who know how to celebrate
Even when things are sad or happy.
We remember that sometimes,
Even if we don’t understand why,
That the rain falls for a reason.
We remember how important it is
To play after a storm, just because
We need to keep playing and living.
And, we are the people who remember
To say thank you to God for our gifts."

-Mattie J.T. Stepanek May 1996

Baz Luhrmann - Everyone's Free

2006-10-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite songs, if you can call it that. It's more of a great message! Here are the lyrics: Kuddu's to Baz Luhrmann, this is inspirational stuff. Thanks...

Everyone's Free:

"If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience...

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; Oh never mind; you will not understand the power of beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at the photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked...

You're not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind...the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life... the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary...

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either- your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can... don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance... even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time it's 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen..."

Real Beauty?

2006-10-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

Wanna look "beautiful"? All you need is a few hunderd dollars, professional hair and make-up artists, photographers and a wizz on photoshop! Sound real? Check out the DOVE Campaign from real Beauty. The quick film is AWESOME! You can also see it on YouTube or clcik on the link above! Enjoy!

Sundance Fashion Shoot

2006-10-16T00:12:00.000-07:00

Some friends and I were up at Sundance this weekend. We had a little fashion show up there! It was such fun. I loved telling the guys what to do and being the photographer. I really would like to pursue it more. I will put some more shots up here sometime. Its funny, these guys look like a music band don't they? :)

Changin the World

2006-10-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

I love this site so far. It has a great message. Check it out for quotes and inspiring content.

Genealogy Books

2006-10-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

Here are of 3 self-help Family History & Genealogy books that I have read or used recently that are fantastic and I highly recommend.

1. Val Greenwood, A Researchers Guide to American Genealogy.
2. Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence! Citation and Analysis for the Family Historian.
3. Ancestry's Red Book

Mormon Wiki

2006-10-10T23:01:00.000-07:00

I have come to not only use but LOVE Wikipedia. It is soo useful and has wonderful information on it. I came across the Mormon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Wiki today while reading LDSWebGuy. It looks great and I am excited to read it. The internet is wonderful!

Aerial View of Cape Town!!!

2006-10-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

This is my city! I love it. Click on the link above to see a great view of Cape Town, South Africa!

Potato or Patatoe?

2006-10-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is a great website. It has people all over the world reading the same sentence and you can hear their "accent". Accent though is such a biased word. I don't think I have an accent, but when I go overseas people there think I have one, while I think THEY have one! :) Check this site out its great!

Virtual ipod

2006-10-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

So, I don't have an ipod, so what I can hear anything I was for free through this virtual ipod. It's sweet. It was made by our friends in france! Merci beaucoup mon amis! It's one for my favorite sites right now!

Missing for 7 Years

2006-10-03T21:58:00.000-07:00

Macfarlane Family:
Missing since 6 March 1999 Ian Macfarlane, Frances May Macfarlane and Boyd Wallace Macfarlane never arrived in Cape Town after flying down from Pretoria in their own helicopter. After months and even years of searching by hundreds of volunteers, family and friends, a Knysna forestry worker(on a ten year vegetation clearage) discovered the wreckage in April this year, with all three remains nearby.

Finally closure could be had for friends and family. I have many memories of these wonderful people and I still miss then dearly.

Older News

Makeean Polymers

Life of a cell

2006-09-29T08:59:00.001-07:00

This is so awesome! It gave me goose bump (it may just be the awesome music). I wish I had of had such cool stuff available to my when I was in high school studying Biology! For instance I found a great site www.johnkyrk.com yesterday that had visualizations of cellular Biology. It was sweet! I LOVE BIOLOGY!

You Tube - EVERYDAY

2006-09-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, I discovered YouTube this summer and I love it, you can find clips of almost ANYTHING - no joke - if you think man I wish there was a clip of ________, chances are you can find it here - however WARNING!!!!! it is highly addictive!

Anyway I just wanted to share a clip I came across yesterday - its called Everyday, and this guy, Noah, a photgrapher in New York, took a picture of himself EVERYDAY, yes everyday for 6 YEARS!!!!!! He streams them together with cool music and its really crazy - check it out!

BYU Broadcasting

2006-09-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

You can download the text or audio of past BYU Devotionals, Woman's Conference talks and Sperry Symposium Talks. It is a great site!

Speed Reader

2006-08-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is one of the coolest things I have seen. You paste the text you want to read in the box, and then select the speed at which it will flash the text. You can also change the alignment and the size or text as well as how many words are displayed at a time.
Since I read slowly, this is great cause if I have to read long emials or articles or whatever I can just past the text in SPREEDER and get throught it in about half the time than if I have just read it.
Check it out!

Have you ever been in Love

2006-08-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

I was watching a DVD about Celine Dion yesterday, and I was amazed (I have always admired her as a singer and person) not only her talent as a performer, but at the person she is and has become. I would LOVE to see her show in Las Vegas, unfortunatley I don't think it will happen. First of all tickets are very expensive and I don't see myself going to Vegas again before here show. I guess Provo isn't THAT far, but as a poor student with no car, chances are slim.

Anyway, to get to the reson I am posting. I heard here singing "Have you ever been in Love" - WOW! I this would be the perfect wedding song. It is very romantic and beautiful :)

I think I am going to learn the lyrics and I think I could sing it to my future spouse - hee hee.

Author Signing

2006-08-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just met Mark Chamberlain, author of "Wanting More" at the BYU Education week book signing.
It was great to speak to him about his book and especially the concepts of pornography, agency and addiction. I have seen some of his other books "Confronting Pornography" and "WillPower is not Enough" and they are on my reading list, although after our discussion I am tempted to forget my school work ;) and read read read for the next week :)

He has an institute in helping people with destructive habits... which plague this modern generation.

Bushman bum!

2006-08-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading "A History of South Africa" by Frank Welsh. I am very impressed so far. He has a great style, and while it is a think 558 page volume I am quite into it! Not at all like the other two (French and Dutch) history books I am yawning... I mean reading ;)
I have already learnt so much from this book. I would highly reccommend it to anyone really wanting to understand South Africa, where its been and where it is today - from an unbiased Englishman.

I also just wanted to share a quick giggle I had. So my mom has always told me I like her (and her mother... ) have bushman bums. I'm not sure if anyone reading this knows what that looks like, but lets say that the rear is not proportionate to the rest of the body... so when Welsh brought up the anatomy of the Khoikhoi and San (native 'yellow skinned' people, who the white Europeans later inter-married with) and described them as having "remarkably protruding buttocks" I had to laugh, and feel a little relieved that its not my fault - althought ice-cream I'm sure doesn't help ;)

Since I am a family history major, I am now very intrigued as to my "native" blood. I must have a Khoikhoi or San bloodline somewhere, I just have to find it!

Wanting More?

2006-08-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

I saw a book on sale the other day at the Bookstore and thought... mmm, that looks interesting. A few days later I saw it again and this time I bought it. The title of the book is WANTING MORE: The Challenge of Enjoyment in the Age of Addiction written by Dr. Mark Chamberlain.
I began reading that very day and before even getting to the main text I was touched by his dedication. It reads ...

"To Helen Keller
You taught us to walk with more awareness
on the path we thought we knew"

This is a profound observation, which inspired me to learn more about this remarkable woman. I have heard stories about her before but I think now is the time to learn from a remarkable individual. Furthermore it has made me to do some "stock taking" in my life.

Regarding Chamberlains book, the introducation itself was astounding and I'm currently in chapter one, it may take me a while to finish it as I am in the middle of numerous books right now and I'm a full time student that works part time, but I am learning to find reading a joy again and books great teachers and friends.

For give the pun, but in my books this is a must read!!!

I love my bike

2006-08-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

So I just thought I had to write down how much I love my bike and how much I enjoy my adventures on it, making me feel like a kid again. I often explore roads and areas that I never would on foot, and I like to ride the curns and also a very reliable means of transportation, no need to worry about it running out of gas, or if the engine will start after a cold night... I can park it almost anywhere and I dont have to really worry about vandalisation or it getting stolen :) and i wont even mention that I got this bike for FREE!

I love how I feel riding imy bike, I not only get excercise, but I get to experience more of the OUT DOORS. I seem to always discover news routes and ways of getting to my destination. If Im in the mood for sun and more adventure (traffic and stop lights) I go one way or if I'm in the mood for nature and shade I go another. There is nothing better than the wind in your hair, a little sweat down your back and your muscles pumping.

I was recently in France and the Netherlands and I rode a bicyle a couple times while there there. These countries have the necessary infrastructure (for lack of a better word) for cyclists, however I have found you can ride a bike anywhere in the world, sure it is a bit more dangerous when the cars turning right forget to look for cyclists (lets say I had a painful education of that), and while the scenery may not be the same as Europe, the experience can be :)

I also realised something yesterday. My tires we a bit flat and so I took it to the gas station and pumped up the wheels. All of a sudden my pedeling became so much more effective and I felt like I was going faster and further. So it made me realise that one day when I do have a car, I must keep the tires full and I will get further on less gas!!!! See all these benefits - you should get a bike :)

GOALS

2006-07-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

2006:
Travel: South Africa, England, Scotland, France and the Netherlands, USA!
(I just did this in the Summer! I have now been to all the countries (and big cities) that I have ALWAYS wanted to go to. I will have to start a new list now) .

Speak: Beginning conversational French at the end of the year!

Listen: To Introducation to Russian MP3's & remaining Work and the Glory!

Read: Da Vinci Code, Atlas Shrugged, the Miracel of Forgiveness, The Book of Mormon (again), the Pearl of Great Price, The Kingdom and the Crown (3 vol.), The Dutch Republic, Cambridge's French History, South African History books.

Publish: Dutch Genealogy Guide, South African research articles and blogs.

See: Bryan Regan's comedy show

School: Complete my junior year of college.

2007-2008:
Serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(Serving, reading, loving, teaching, growing and ALWAYS learning)

2009:
Complete my undergradate degree - BA - in Family History and Genealogy.
Possibly persue a graduate degree in History or Library Science or Computers (SYSTEMS)???

Get a "GOOD" job! (lol)

Continue learning French & Russian!!!

2010:
FAMILY :)
Publish my first book - Motivational ???
Go back to Europe, esp. France and spend a month (at least) reseaching my family history and speaking FRENCH!

2016:
WOW, it's weird thinking where I want to be 10 years from now. I will be in my 30's!
Married (happily) with (a few) children :)
Doing some that contributes to the good of mankind. (maybe idealistic but I think everyone can contibute.
(Teaching, Serving, always learning!)

Rebelution

2006-07-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

I was just interoduced to THE REBELUTION (thanks Ben) and read the most amazing article. I had been struggleing recently with myself, and this article seemed to tip the scales. What was I fighting with myself about? - PROCRASTINATION and WASTING TIME! I have recently found myself getting more and more sucked into the internet. Spending hours a day blogging, watching online movie clips, talking on messenger, checking my email 5 times an hour (I wanted to be sure to get my mail ASAP) and mind-numbing-web-surfing! My subcoucious mind knew i was out of control, but it was like I could not help myself. I would wake up, and turn on my laptop - for no pressing reason or purpose except to catch up on Prison Break fan fiction, or discover some new website or see how many friends in my IM were online. Funny thing, its not like I had nothing better to do, infact I have a TON of stuff I need to do, and yet, I found reasons to ratiaonlize my current obsession and addiction.

After reading Brett & Alex's post Stop Wasting Time I began really thinking about the situation I was in, and realise that I needed to make a change.

I decided to blog about my goal to use the internet in achiving growth and increasing my talents and skills and less as a means of entertainment. I heard once that a goal not written is only a wish - so now I have written it down (ok typed but same idea). I really think I am going to try that sticky note holder - I have been looking for a better way to organize my thoughts and "to do's" and this seems like an GREAT way!

"If you fail to plan - you plan to fail" (Anonomous).

Immigrant Ancestors Project

2006-07-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

I actually work for this project, so i guess you can say I'm biased, BUT this really is becoming a great place to not only search of names, but has some great links, and resources as well as Bibliography! Check it out.

Bloglines - Subscribing

2006-07-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

I have found some blogs I like, however it is tedious to go to each site and look for and read new or interesting posts. Bloglines allows you to subscribe to blogs, therefore minimizing time, so you can spend more time reading and less surfing!

Coding language

2006-07-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

My friend Ben, just showed me abit about how coding works. Basically there are different "languages" where you specify things that you want to happen and not happen and then it is translated into HTML and can be see as a website. I am very interested in this. I have learned alot about HTML having a blog and find it fun to explore different application. HOWEVER, it takes alot of time, but is fun none the less.

LuLu Publishing

2006-07-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

Publishing for the common "Joe". For people who just want to publish "on demand" inexpensively. This is the place for you!

Del.icio.us

2006-07-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

This is such a great invention - keeping track of sites, like a favorites list, except it's not limited to the computer you favorite it to - its all web based. You add a url and a description and tags, so that you can easily find the site in your account! I LOVE this!

British Slang

2006-04-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Hee hee - make sure you read the "F" entires.

HOW STUFF WORKS

2006-04-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

Codex & Downloads

2006-04-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

www.downloads.com
Technology is wonderful

Check-in & Carry on Weight Limitations

2006-04-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

CHECK IN
Continental to Europe: 2x 50 pounds (23kg)
SAA: 2 x (70 pounds) 32kg

CARRY ON
Continental: 40 pounds (18kg)
SAA: (25pounds) 10 kg

Meebo

2006-04-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

Online chat without software! Goodle talk, MSN Messenger & Yahoo all in one window on meebo.com
This is awesome especially when you want to chat on a computer you cant download software to!!! And man am I gonna use this when I'm in Europe!

Martin Luther

2006-04-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

"The Church authorities have excommunicated me for heresy; I excommunicated them in the name of the sacred truths of God. Christ will judge whose excommunication will stand." -Martin Luther

PS: The movie LUTHER is awesome. Ralph Fiennes does an amazing job! This is a move for all faiths! Altough I am not Lutheran I feel a kinship with people who are willing to question and then stand up for what they believe to be right~!

Cape Town, South Africa

2006-04-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

Cape Town - "The fairest Cape" and the Mother City! It is probably the most beautiful city in the world, from Table Mountain to the beaches to the amazing history.

Mother Theresa - Wise Woman

2006-04-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of having selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kinds anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight;
Build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough;
Give the world your best anyway.

You see in the final analysis it is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.

- Mother Theresa -

Easter Bunny!!!

2006-04-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Check this out an Easter Bunny that can rap!

Cape Of Good Hope Castle

2006-04-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Castle is an amazing piece of history. Check it out!

BYU resources

2006-04-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Storage YEAH

2006-04-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

http://web.sois.uwm.edu/Intranet/
French home!
http://websites.usu.edu/UWM430/
me school

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

2006-04-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

So, I finally braved it! I ventured out of JFK International Airport with the goal to see all the sites in 6 hours. With map in hand and a knot in throat, I bought a metro pass and jumped aboard the subway. Surfacing at Ground Zero was quite surreal. There were tourists representing half the worlds countries :) taking pictures and looking on in awe.
After refusing to kiss a vendor for free merchandise, I made my way down towards the ferry. There I fulfilled a dream of seeing the Statue of Liberty, I even got a picture with an "impersonater". Back on the saubway and on to Times Square, where all my senses were bombarded. It is the most exciting part of New York, which is probably why they hold New Years Eve here every year.
Oh, I bumped into Whoopi Goldberg... ok, it was her wax self, but it looked damn real!
By now my arms and shoulders were dead from lugging my 10 kg backpack and purse around. The knots in my back were getting tighter form my "somewhat paronoia" of being mugged...
Taking a break was easy in the extravagantly decorated Macdonalds, there I enjoyed a "low calorie" salad :)
After catching my breath I made my way up Broadway Avenue, looking at all the show advertising, these people sure know about entertainment. Walking on a few more blocks to the infamous Rockafella Center, I enjoyed looking on at the New Yorkers and wondering what it must be like to live there.
I must mention everything touristy is really cheap on the streets: Hats, T-shirts, postcards, even watches that look like they should be costing hundreds of dollars are sold for ten. I saw yet another NY "bum" next to the LOVE sign... he know how to advertise! A few more blocks up and I hit Central Park. it is so beautiful, even in the winter... I can hardly imagine what it must look like in the Spring...
Making my way back to the airport and reflecting on my rushed visit through the city, feeling somewhat like a dream, yeat I know its real because I have these pictures to show :) I hope I can return to this exciting city.

Extreme Ironing!

2006-03-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Check this out - it's weird but funny!

4me

2006-03-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

yeboYES: 0768581111
jCAPS#

Good Advice

2006-03-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

SACRIFICE

2006-03-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

Sacrifice is a very interesting subject, I have been thinking alot about it lately. These are some thoughts and things I noticed...

"Lay it Down" by Jenny Phillips - "It's not a sacrifice"

Joel Giddy - Stake Conference talk in March
"To give up something you value for something of greater importance"

Enough? to change, make a difference, evaluate & improve?

Papa and ice-cream - see journal

My Computer Requirements

2006-03-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

Pentium 3 Processor (M)500Mhz (1GHz)
256 RAM (512), 20GB Hard Drive (min 12GB)
XP, Wireless, USB 2, DVD, CD Writer

Masada

2006-03-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

My geography teaher Mr Wright once told us of this story. It stuck with me through the years, and when we went to George a few years ago, my dads friends estate was called Masada, I remember the History lesson I received in Geography class...

Shows I love - Past and Present

2006-03-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

Past: MacGuyver,Murder She Wrote, Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, Who's the Boss, Golden Girls, The Nanny, Married With Children, Growing Pains, Rescue 911, Louis and Clarke, Full House, Stargate SG1, PS I love you,FRIENDS

Current: Prison Break, Opera, Extreme Makeover - Home Edition, One Tree Hill, Surface, Supernatural, The O.C.

Humor - McNabb

2006-03-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

Damn Funny! Check out the Outpost clips and some his essays. I found this site when searching for BYU housing in 2005.

http://www.mcnabbs.org/andrew/

Paul Graham - Good stuff

2006-03-24T03:16:00.000-07:00

Great Essays, sspecially "Hackers and Painters" and "Good and Bad Procrastination". This is a must read.

Ben Crowder - Blank Slate

2006-03-24T03:01:00.000-07:00

This is a great site with links to his interesting blogs. Especially all the computer stuff and I love the Plan of Salvation PDF cards - check 'em out. Ben you're amazing - I have learnt alot from you! Thanks

Google Writely - Word on the Web

2006-03-24T02:57:00.000-07:00

Not currently open for registration, but look promising. I am excited to do some exploring once they open.

HTML

2006-03-24T02:54:00.000-07:00

Hopefully this will prove useful and a good educational tool.

Paper Sourcing and Citing - Made Easy

2006-03-24T02:24:00.000-07:00

Halleluja! I found this through WindowsLive, you get tips for sourcing and citing essays and papers online. There are 4 categories: Humanities, Socail Sciences, History and Science. Teh Sample papers are awesome as there are comments on the reasons for certain layout and citing. This is an AWESOME site!

http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/

Downloadable LDS Music - This is the Site

2006-03-24T02:14:00.000-07:00

Yeah, finally, "i-tunes" for Mormons or any Christian faiths that enjoy this great music. Check out some of my favorite artists: Mindy Gledhill, Katherine Nelson, Jenny Phillips, Cherie Call, Hilary Weeks, Kenneth Cope.

www.ldsaudio.com

Movies - You gotta love 'em!

2006-03-02T23:03:00.000-07:00

My Favorite modern movies based on the past!

Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte (1992 - Juliette Binoche & Ralph Fiennes)
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte (1996 - Anna Paquin & Nic Knight)
Tess of the d'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy (1998 - Justin Waddell & Jason Flemyng)
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen (2005 - Kiera Knightly & Matthew Macfadyen)
Nicholas Nickleby - Charles Dickens (2002 - Charlie Hunnam & Anne Hathaway)
Horatio Hornblower - CS Forester (1999 - Ioan Gruffudd)
The Count of Monte Christo - Alexandre Dumas (2002 James Caviezel & Dagmara Dominczyk) Robin Hood Prince of Thieves - (1991 - Kevin Costner & Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio)
Ever After - (1998 - Drew Barrymore & Dougray Scott)

Literature Classics

2006-02-12T23:56:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! I saw the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice on Saturday! It was spectacular. Jane Austen is an amazing author and the screen version her novel is a must see. Kiera Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen are wonderful.
However, the English ending (released to most of the world including S. Africa) is different to the American ending, I was confused about this but found the answer on the Jane Austen Society of North Ameirca :
http://www.jasna.org/info/P_P_movie.html

“They changed the film for America, because they decided that America needed a sweeter film. . . . The ending that is released world-wide has Mr. Bennet saying, ‘If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure.’ Joe [Wright] prefers the English version, but the tests in the United States said that the audiences preferred the version with Darcy and Lizzy together.”

Links: www.Literature.org and www.bibliomania.com are websites where you can read many literature classics online.

Metabole - Healthy Living

2006-02-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Natural, Alternative, Holistic Medicine is where our future lies...We should all become more aware of the effect of nutrition on our lives... Naturopath, Charl Durant writes about the problems with modern medicine in his book "Deamonised Doctoring".
You can even download it for free by going to this link: http://www.metabole.com/FormReader/ebook.pdf

Rocco's Scouting Achievements

2006-01-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

My brother, Rocco, is amazing! When he sets his mind to something he does it! Such is evident in his recent achievements in scouts. I will miss him when he leaves for a two year mission for our church, The Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The truth about Root Canals!!!

2006-01-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

I was told about 3 months ago I needed a root canal. I had come to the dentist in excruciating pain and that was his prognosis. I asked if if there were alternatives. He said no, and that if I waited I risked losing the tooth which would mean extraction. I burst out crying and did not know what to do. I called my mom in South Africa waking her up at like 2am and she told me it was my decision, but that she didn't think it was a good idea. She had heard root canals were bad for you and that there were underlying causes of such tooth decay. She said that having a root canal was removing the symptom, but not dealing with the problme or cause. (I later learned the cause is nutrition and not so much dental hygeine).
I told the dentist my decision and he still tried to sell me the idea of a root canal. I felt pressurized almost as if he was a salesmen, and we know how much we love salesmen who push us to make a desision NOW!
Finally I got him to give me antibiotics and something for the pain. I said I'd come back after the weekend, so that I could get away, but all I really wanted was a second opinion.
I spent the rest of that day researcing online. I obviously found sites that were Pro but just as many if not more Anti! I was shocked to read the affects that some dentist and doctor believe root canals can have.
I ordered a book online "Root Canals Exposed". I called the local health food store, GOOD EARTH, and they gave me a number of a dentist that was more holisticlly, or naturally minded. I made an appointment with him and told him of my situatuion. He said he did everything he could to avoid doing root canals, but that my situation was problematic. My decay was right up to the nerve. He said he could try to remove the decay and then put in a nerve cap and fill the tooth. There was only a 50/50 chance that it would work in the long run, and if he hit my nerve while removing the decay, it would be all over. I said I belived he could do it. He also said the rest was up to me. I had learned through my research how much nutrition, exercise and rest played a factor in even our teeth. Sugar is literally POISON, that I am addicted to. I lay there the entire time praying, pleading that my tooth could be saved. I was so anti root canals now that I would rather have the tooth extracted, which would cost more in the long run, adn I didn't have money for stuff like that!
He was able to fill the tooth - it was a BIG filling, but it worked. Here I am 3-4 months later feeling great about my decision. I won't lie, sometimes the tooth is sensitive, and it took 2 months to feel normal again - it was very sensitive to heat and cold and too much pressure, but it is almost normal now. Whether this tooth will last for years to come who knows. HOWEVER the moral to the story is that there is alwasy an alternative. Furthermore, I have become more and more health concious. What we put into our bodies is going to affect our health, strength, intelligence and overall quality of life, whether we believe it or not.

TWO WOLVES!

2006-01-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all.One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Chain Mail Revealed!

2006-01-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

I always wondered about these kind of emails, so i asked my genius friend, Ben, and he referred me to this on his blog...which I decided to put on my blog too! ENJOY!

I seem to get chain mail on a regular basis. Half the time I delete them when they have that nonsense about - "If you don't send this to .... you will have bad luck and it tells me what a cold heart I have for not sending it on." But sometimes I wonder if it really is true that if I send the email on some girl dying from Cancer will get 5c for each time i forward it. I got another chain email today so I decided to ask my genius-compter friend and colleague if there is any truth to it all. I got this chain e-mail from him and laughed so hard I cried, while learning the answer. ENJOY!!!! I want to thank all of you who have taken the time and trouble to send me your chain letters over the past two years. Thank you for making me feel safe, secure, blessed, and wealthy. Because of your concern... I no longer can drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains. I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans. I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer. I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS. I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day. I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me. I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al-Qaeda in disguise. I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our troops. I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a stupid number for which I will get the phone bill from hell with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. I no longer eat prepakaged foods because the estrogens they contain will turn me gay. I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers. I no longer go to bars because someone will drug me and take my kidneys and leave me taking a nap in a bathtub full of ice. Thanks to you, I have learned that God only answers my prayers if I forward an email to 7 of my friends and make a wish within 5 minutes. I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl who has been dying for the past seven years. I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program. I will now return the favor. If you don't send this e-mail to at least 1200 people in the next 60 seconds, a large bird with diarrhea will fly over your head at 5:00 PM and the fleas of a thousand camels will infest your armpits. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of a friend of a friend's neighbor's cousin, and he's a lawyer!!!!

Dave's Pics

2006-01-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

This guy's stuff is awesome! Check it out for a refreshing perspective on life and nature.

South Africa

2006-01-04T22:06:00.000-07:00

I have now completed my sophmore year at BYU! Whoo! I will now spend Winter Semester
at home in Cape Town, South Africa hanging out and chilling in the sun, since it is Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Cool ha? I got to snowboard, for the first time, last month and then I'll go surfing at the beach this month!!!
For those of you that don't know about South Africa, please remain ignorant no longer and do a little googling! It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, sure we have our problems - but who doesn't. It is the place I will always call home!

Resolutions

2006-01-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

2006, a new year, a fresh start. Who doesn't like new beginnings, resolutions...change?
I hope this year to focus on change. Changing bad habits into good ones.
Changing my awareness and certain priorities. Doing things that make a difference...spending more time reading, pondering, praying. Changing... spiritually... physically and mentally! This year is going to be amazing. The fact that I turn 21 makes it even better! I am taking control of my life as I cross the plains of mortality and become and adult.

Website

2006-01-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to create my own website, but for now this will have to do. I am still learning how html and website design works, but it is cool.