NEW MOON

Victor really likes his cell phone and often checks his bank accounts; the weather and the phases of the moon.  At such times, Victor will announce:  "It's a full moon tonight."  I reply back:  "No it's not; it's a New Moon."  He states:  "My cell phone shows a picutre of the moon and it's a full moon."  I respond with more firmness:  "No.  It is New Moon.  Go outside and look.  There is no moon out there." 

He never goes outside to look.

So, last Saturday the Victor and the sons went to the annual Turkey Shoot and the girls went to the movies to watch, you guessed it, New Moon.

The very beginning of the movie shows the phases of the moon from full moon to new moon.  As the moon transitions to the new moon phase the title of the movie phases in "NEW MOON".

I thought:  "HA! When Victor and the boys go with us tonight he will see with his very own eyes the difference between a new moon and a full moon."

Yes, I watched New Moon twice on Saturday.

No, Victor paid no attention to the giant Moon on the big screen.

Any way, bit of trivia:  During Twilight Stephanie Meyer appears during one of the cafe scenes.  A very obvious screen shot of her.  The waitress even addresses her as "Stephanie".  Check it out, you'll see.

Now it has become customary for authors to appear in their books turned movies.  I had two opportunities to watch the movie last Saturday and I am quite certain that she appears in the movie.  If I am right, the only part of your face that you see is shadowed by the red hooded cloak (no she is not red ridinghood) that she is wearing and she turns to look at Bella as she runs past her through the plaza to the fountain.  She looks at Bella and looks straight into the camera.  Check it out.  Tell me if I'm wrong.

The moon is currently transitioning to the full moon status.  Full Moon is December 2nd.

2 TAG-ARRIFIC

2 secrets: (1) I start Christmas Shopping in May (2) I used to count my steps; count stairs; count money... :)
2 regrets: (1) Not finishing college (2) Not pursuing an education in music and art.

2 things you spend money on and probably shouldn't: (1) Voltage Mountain Dew (2) PartyLite Candles.

2 things you don't like about your body: (1) my bad joints (2) my weight.

2 bad habits: (1) waiting until the last minute to do my homework (2) resting my hands on the piano while playing and resting my fingers on the sides of my clarinet.

2 fears: (1) I will not finish school (2) Not being successful.

2 spiritual gifts: (1) Faith (2) Discernment

2 pet peeves: (1) lip smacking (2) rude drivers

2 least favorite chores: (1) cleaning the bathroom (2) cleaning the kitchen.

2 favorite pastimes: (1) Music (2) gardening

2 events that changed your life: (1) Getting married. (2) Having children.

**I tag Chris and Mom


Tagged by Dara

GREAT COMPOSER QUIZ

Every morning on the way to Seminary and work I listen to KUSC.  I love listening to classical music and it usually sets the day off well.

Yesterday morning on the way to work I was listening and the DJ announced the daily Great Composer Quiz.  I love listening to the clues and try to guess who would be the composer.

I listened intently to each clue; sorting each into categories that I only understand. :)

The last clue included the following information:

This great composers younger brother (by six years) became wealthy by selling drugs to soldiers during the war (he had a contract with the army and he owned his own pharmacy).  The pharmacist and the great composer kept in contact via mail.  One letter sent by the younger brother signed his letter "Property Owner" (younger brother know for gloating...).  The great composer replied to younger brother's letter and signed it:

"BRAIN OWNER"

So, who was this great composer?

"Yo Soy"

Yo soy una madre amable
De donde los montes nevados
Y antes de morirme quiero cantar fuerte

 Canto de mi corazón

 Yo vengo de la sierra verde

 Y hacia la sierra verde voy

 Vida soy entre las vidas

 En los montes verdes, monte verde soy.

SWINE FLU IS BACK!!!!!

Both my employer and the kids school have sent out notifications regarding the SWINE flu.

There have been confirmed cases in Ventura County and the school has had two confirmed cases.

We have been instructed on the symptoms and have been told that if we have a temperature of 100 or higher or any member of our family has a temperature of 100 or higher we are not to come to work and to seek medical attention.

We are to stay home until we have not had a temperature for 48 hours and if a family member has been sick we are to stay home a minimum of 5 days and they have had not temperature for 48 hours.

So, this morning Aislyn and Allisa told me this morning that they didn't feel good enough to go to school. I dutifully checked their temperatures. Aislyn's temperature was 97.5. Allis'a temperature was 98.1. And then I checked mine and Evan's. Evan's temperature was 97.4 and mine was 98.1.

The normal temperature for me and my kids is around 97.6. So, I guess me and Allisa have low grade fevers... :)

My boss and co-workers were ready to ban me from the office when they found out that my kids school has had confirmed cases and that my children stayed home from school... I told them that no one in my family is running a temperature of 100 or more; I'm staying. No one is sick.

FIRST CONCERT IN 25 YEARS

Well, I have been participating in the Ventura College Symphany Orchestra since the end of August. I am not as good a music student as I was in High School - I do not practice as I should.

I have assigned myself the last chair in the Clarinet Section and have enjoyed not being in the lime light. The conductor/instructor does notice when I am not there (I missed a few rehearsals) and makes a point to come speak with me when I enter the music room.

I have told myself that I need to practice a little more if I truly want to become the principal clarinet. The principal in our section has heard me play and has told the conductor that I am rather good. :) Because I know my potential (and I am no where near it) I shy away from the compliments.

Truth be known: I really want to be the principal clarinet and have been a little sad that I don't play as much because the solos go to the principal. In addition to the desire, I know that the seat is earned and that I really have to practice to get back to the skill level that I had been at as a sophomore in high school.

With that said; we have our first concert this Saturday. I am both excited and nervous. I'm excited because we are performing and my children will be able to attend a concert for the first time. Where I am sitting they will be able to see me. :)

I am nervous because I have not practiced as I should and I am weak in my performance with one of the mendellsohn pieces; Symphany No. 4.

Since I plan to continue to pursue my musical career I guess I should devote some more time to musical study at home.

I wish you all could be here for the concert. We sound pretty good! :)

Youth Minister of 28 years Converted

Yesterday afternoon I had an amazing opportunity to attend (and play the piano) at the baptism of a 40 year old father who has been a youth minister for the past 28 years.

Julio Belzadua has a masters degree in Theology and has been teaching the Gospel for the past 28 years. Julio is the father of 5 children. Julio has been searching for more than the scriptural knowledge for many years and discovered it a year ago when he entered the home of a member of the church. He was looking for the spirit of God and the feeling of peace that so many members of the church have in their lives.

The talks and the ordinances performed yesterday touched the members of the Oxnard 1st Ward so deeply that each person walked out of the church building with tears. Julio even spoke and we learned first hand the great part Heavenly Father has played in his life. Julio has lived the life of a true follower of Jesus Christ and as a result recognized the truthfulness of the gospel and the true church of Jesus Christ when instructed by the missionaries.

I have not been touched so deeply by the baptism and confirmation of a convert since Victor and Devlyn were baptized and confirmed more than 12 years ago. Julio's spirit is true and his life has been conduct so that it is in line with the principles of the gospel. I believe that his wife and children will soon join the church and that their family will be a great influence for good in our ward.