Hello to my 3 readers, and hopefully anyone else who catches wind of this little blog of mine.
I've had something on my mind for a while now... and I would only be doing you harm not to share it. Please be open minded as your read this blog entry as this is something that affects you as well as me.
First and foremost, people often go around mumbling excuses on why they can't bring themselves to purchase organic foods. "It's too expensive" or "It's a hoax" or "There isn't an organic food store close enough to my house to entice me."
I understand that the daily grind can make purchasing the more expensive, further away produce seem like a daunting task...but what the conventional foods/produce are doing to your/our bodies is even more daunting. Even more than that, though, is what these conventional farms are doing to our economy.
GMO's - genetically modified organisms - are in 100% of commercially grown produce and 100% of commercial product (i.e. doritos, edamame, twix, coke, twinkies, lasagna noodles, pasta sauce, etc...). GMO's are injected into produce (two of the most popular victims being corn and soy) to make them resistant to pesticides (which attack the central nervous system) and to make them grow bigger.
That sounds alright... right? Wrong. To make produce (like corn which is used in 75% of commercial product) resistant to those types of things, they inject it with E-coli, antibiotics and other viruses. In turn, you ingest not only the pesticide sprayed on the food (you can't wash off what's been soaked in) but the E-coli (ever wonder how it ends up on spinach?), antibiotics and viruses made to make these things resistant to pesticides.
I happen to find that horrific, disgusting and mind boggling. Why would the government allow such a thing? Why would the FDA ever approve such a thing? How can we consciously feed this to our children? Well, the government is in on it. Clarence Thomas and other congressmen/seats in the White House have worked with corporations like Monsanto which pump these GMO's into all our food.
It gets worse, though. Aside from the THOUSANDS of negative health effects GMO's and pesticides and BPA and High Fructose Corn Syrup (the list goes on and on) have on us - corporations like Monsanto are suing small family farms whose crops get cross-pollinated with their PATENTED GENE for stealing/infringement. And guess what - these corporations are WINNING. They are wiping out the family farm (our only hope at not ingesting GMOs) and doing a disservice to the economy.
---
Anyway, Celiac is something I've struggled with now for quite some time. The other day I was thinking about it and it hit me like a rock..... could GMO's be the source of the upward trend in Celiac diagnosis (and other digestive/bowel diseases and disorders)? Turns out I'm not the only one who thinks this way. Scientists/nutritionists have been studying the effects of GMO's and they have found a correlation.
So... we are all allergic to GMO's in a sense. Could I eat gluten if my body hadn't been turned off to it because of the GMO's in the wheat?
I have so much to say and I can't even get it all out. It's so frustrating.
I guess my plea would be PLEASE buy organic for your health and safety. It has nothing to do with the fact that it's organic and everything to do with the fact that it's not modified. Maybe even just take a challenge. Eat for a month 100% organically and see what it does for you. There are SO many terrible things that can happen to your body/health because of GMO's. Please, watch the Future of Food and/or Food Inc. - or read a book about it. Find a way to educate yourselves on these things because they are SOOO bad for us.
I don't even care if I sound crazy or like I'm on a rant. The fact of the matter is that if we really love ourselves and our neighbors as ourselves, we will do whatever it takes to ensure their health and safety, the health and safety of their children, etc etc.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Planet Hansen?
0_0
If you ever walk into the Ron Hansen household, you may feel like you've left Earth and landed on some extra-terrestrial abnormality that just so happened to be in the shape of a house.
That sounds fun, right? =)
Well, maybe it is. Sometimes. But sometimes... not so much. For instance, the other day Precious was up really late. She kept asking me "Am I pregnant? My stomach hurts all the time, am I pregnant? Am I going to die tonight?" -- .uhg.
So I said, "No, Precious. You aren't pregnant. You can't be pregnant."
Her reply: (crying) "I'm pregnant, I'm pregnant. My stomach hurts so I'm pregnant."
Me: (finally losing it) "Precious, you have to have SEX to be pregnant. Are you having SEX, Precious?"
Her: "with boys?"
... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Other fun things have occurred at the house over the last few days as well.
Shannan came yelling into the house, plopped down on a chair and exclaimed to us all, "Ali's babysitter is a schmuck!"
Hilarious! She is only 8.
Other fun occurrences that have... well... occurred including Precious pouring milk on the top level on the fridge and trying to blame it on someone else (who is invisible, I might add), Precious making egg and tuna stew and Precious shouting at the top of her lungs while we all try to do yoga.
Oh yeah, let's not forget about Popsicle, the fish. Precious hasn't fed him in a few days, and she kept saying she had. Turns out, she just poured a lot of food at the top. When I explained to her that fish aren't like dogs - you have to feed them on a schedule, a tiny amount, once a day - she just shrugged and said, "Jennifer said if it died it's ok anyway so I don't care." 0_o
Also, the air conditioner broke and it was 94 degrees in the house. Oh yeah - and there was a power outage! 0_0
This is a crazy place.
----
If you ever walk into the Ron Hansen household, you may feel like you've left Earth and landed on some extra-terrestrial abnormality that just so happened to be in the shape of a house.
That sounds fun, right? =)
Well, maybe it is. Sometimes. But sometimes... not so much. For instance, the other day Precious was up really late. She kept asking me "Am I pregnant? My stomach hurts all the time, am I pregnant? Am I going to die tonight?" -- .uhg.
So I said, "No, Precious. You aren't pregnant. You can't be pregnant."
Her reply: (crying) "I'm pregnant, I'm pregnant. My stomach hurts so I'm pregnant."
Me: (finally losing it) "Precious, you have to have SEX to be pregnant. Are you having SEX, Precious?"
Her: "with boys?"
... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Other fun things have occurred at the house over the last few days as well.
Shannan came yelling into the house, plopped down on a chair and exclaimed to us all, "Ali's babysitter is a schmuck!"
Hilarious! She is only 8.
Other fun occurrences that have... well... occurred including Precious pouring milk on the top level on the fridge and trying to blame it on someone else (who is invisible, I might add), Precious making egg and tuna stew and Precious shouting at the top of her lungs while we all try to do yoga.
Oh yeah, let's not forget about Popsicle, the fish. Precious hasn't fed him in a few days, and she kept saying she had. Turns out, she just poured a lot of food at the top. When I explained to her that fish aren't like dogs - you have to feed them on a schedule, a tiny amount, once a day - she just shrugged and said, "Jennifer said if it died it's ok anyway so I don't care." 0_o
Also, the air conditioner broke and it was 94 degrees in the house. Oh yeah - and there was a power outage! 0_0
This is a crazy place.
----
Monday, July 12, 2010
Try, try again.
Recently, I've been trying much harder to be what I think an adult should be.
Rational.
Calm.
Educated.
Interesting.
Well Informed.
Cultured.
Collected.
Doesn't hold a grudge.
Organized.
As easy as it sounds to just "be" adult... it's not. I find that I have thin skin. Too thin to handle being a real adult. I feel (because I am) easily offended. I hold a mean grudge when I do hold a grudge (which isn't very often, but I do have one or two). I can be biting, mouthy, stubborn. None of these are adult qualities.
I feel hyper-emotional. Adults can't be hyper emotional. That's only for teenage girls.
I guess one thing I am is honest. I am here, after all, airing my flaws on the inter-web.
So what do I do about it? I almost feel like my ideal self would be un-moved. Have something mean to say? Doesn't matter, I can't feel. Going to do something you know is going to hurt my feelings? Whatever. See if I care.
Unfortunately - that's not me. I over analyze. I cry. I demand things. I even sometimes want to have control over a situation (also, not so often). I'm picky. I have a lot of questions. I'm not very patient. I hate being ignored. I sometimes even set myself up to be let down!
Doesn't sound like an adult, does it?
All I am is a mess! A young mess.
Rational.
Calm.
Educated.
Interesting.
Well Informed.
Cultured.
Collected.
Doesn't hold a grudge.
Organized.
As easy as it sounds to just "be" adult... it's not. I find that I have thin skin. Too thin to handle being a real adult. I feel (because I am) easily offended. I hold a mean grudge when I do hold a grudge (which isn't very often, but I do have one or two). I can be biting, mouthy, stubborn. None of these are adult qualities.
I feel hyper-emotional. Adults can't be hyper emotional. That's only for teenage girls.
I guess one thing I am is honest. I am here, after all, airing my flaws on the inter-web.
So what do I do about it? I almost feel like my ideal self would be un-moved. Have something mean to say? Doesn't matter, I can't feel. Going to do something you know is going to hurt my feelings? Whatever. See if I care.
Unfortunately - that's not me. I over analyze. I cry. I demand things. I even sometimes want to have control over a situation (also, not so often). I'm picky. I have a lot of questions. I'm not very patient. I hate being ignored. I sometimes even set myself up to be let down!
Doesn't sound like an adult, does it?
All I am is a mess! A young mess.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
A road trip to remember!
So, because I've been having cardiac and internal organ issues, my doctor(s) have asked me not to fly for the time being.
In order to get here, to Utah, to see my family, I had to drive!
At approximately two AM yesterday morning, I got in my car (in Minneapolis). Google Maps had estimated a trip time of 21 hours. I scoffed at the idea. How could it possibly take that long when I planned to drive 10 mph over the entire time?
And so my journey began.
I popped in the 1st disc to "The Magician's Nephew" (Chronicles of Narnia) and made way for Des Moines, Iowa. The drive was dark, and relatively boring... so having C.S. Lewis read to me was quite nice. By the time I got to Des Moines, I was ready to put in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." I also desperately needed gas.
So I stopped. I stopped at a place called "Kum&Go." Way to be, Midwest! I thought, hey, maybe I'll use the bathroom while I'm here. Of course, the only woman in the bathroom didn't close her stall door (she was quite large) - siiiiick.
I left Des Moines, with higher hopes for Nebraska. I hate Nebraska. For about 400 miles of my trip, I was stuck in one lane traffic behind semi's going 45. There went alllll my hopes for being early and cutting my drive! I stopped in Omaha, and then made way for North Platte (the creepiest town there ever was). I listened to The Chronicles of Narnia, occasionally turning it off to scream, talk to myself or pretend I was on the Battle Star Galactica as Kara Thrace. I also drove right into one of the biggest, freakiest storms I've ever seen.
Finally - Wyoming! Hoorah! I was elated to be in a decent state! I got some gas in a very small town called Kearney (I think that's in Wyoming) and made way for Laramie. At this point, one of my food containers that happened to be containing some amount of oil (because it was mixed with my black bean salad) decided to burst all over me and my food container, ruining my shirt. I was already loony as I had been in the car for 12 hours... so I laughed and then I screamed.
I thought, this can't possibly get worse. Then I got to Laramie for gas where I noticed a hissing sound from one of my tires. My tire was going flat! I tried 3 different car shops, the first one had a box of live crickets next to the consessions so I left... the second one wasn't interested in my car, and the third one was kind shabby, with a dog in it... but they fixed it. I ended up running into someone from Yokosuka there! (It's a smaaaaall world). That put me back about an hour =( but it got fixed and I was on my way once more.
At my final stop before making way through to the UT border, an energy drink in my cooler (also) exploded.... causing the top of the cooler to open slightly, spraying all natural steaze energy all over my phone, dashboard...face, arm, hand and cooler. Then my mom texted me and asked where I was. I wanted to cry and say I wasn't coming home, I couldn't drive anymore...
But I just ate my OTHER bean salad and got on to UT.
The last bit wasn't too bad, 'cept for the sun beating in and the smell of energy drink wafting through the car... maybe it helped keep me awake?
Finally, I got home at 10:00 pm. What a terrible and long day! Can't wait to do it again on July 1. :)
ps: I took some pictures of a few of these events. I will post them eventually
In order to get here, to Utah, to see my family, I had to drive!
At approximately two AM yesterday morning, I got in my car (in Minneapolis). Google Maps had estimated a trip time of 21 hours. I scoffed at the idea. How could it possibly take that long when I planned to drive 10 mph over the entire time?
And so my journey began.
I popped in the 1st disc to "The Magician's Nephew" (Chronicles of Narnia) and made way for Des Moines, Iowa. The drive was dark, and relatively boring... so having C.S. Lewis read to me was quite nice. By the time I got to Des Moines, I was ready to put in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." I also desperately needed gas.
So I stopped. I stopped at a place called "Kum&Go." Way to be, Midwest! I thought, hey, maybe I'll use the bathroom while I'm here. Of course, the only woman in the bathroom didn't close her stall door (she was quite large) - siiiiick.
I left Des Moines, with higher hopes for Nebraska. I hate Nebraska. For about 400 miles of my trip, I was stuck in one lane traffic behind semi's going 45. There went alllll my hopes for being early and cutting my drive! I stopped in Omaha, and then made way for North Platte (the creepiest town there ever was). I listened to The Chronicles of Narnia, occasionally turning it off to scream, talk to myself or pretend I was on the Battle Star Galactica as Kara Thrace. I also drove right into one of the biggest, freakiest storms I've ever seen.
Finally - Wyoming! Hoorah! I was elated to be in a decent state! I got some gas in a very small town called Kearney (I think that's in Wyoming) and made way for Laramie. At this point, one of my food containers that happened to be containing some amount of oil (because it was mixed with my black bean salad) decided to burst all over me and my food container, ruining my shirt. I was already loony as I had been in the car for 12 hours... so I laughed and then I screamed.
I thought, this can't possibly get worse. Then I got to Laramie for gas where I noticed a hissing sound from one of my tires. My tire was going flat! I tried 3 different car shops, the first one had a box of live crickets next to the consessions so I left... the second one wasn't interested in my car, and the third one was kind shabby, with a dog in it... but they fixed it. I ended up running into someone from Yokosuka there! (It's a smaaaaall world). That put me back about an hour =( but it got fixed and I was on my way once more.
At my final stop before making way through to the UT border, an energy drink in my cooler (also) exploded.... causing the top of the cooler to open slightly, spraying all natural steaze energy all over my phone, dashboard...face, arm, hand and cooler. Then my mom texted me and asked where I was. I wanted to cry and say I wasn't coming home, I couldn't drive anymore...
But I just ate my OTHER bean salad and got on to UT.
The last bit wasn't too bad, 'cept for the sun beating in and the smell of energy drink wafting through the car... maybe it helped keep me awake?
Finally, I got home at 10:00 pm. What a terrible and long day! Can't wait to do it again on July 1. :)
ps: I took some pictures of a few of these events. I will post them eventually
Monday, May 10, 2010
Letters
Nights are not good for me. It's dark, I'm alone. I was trying to find a disc to reformat my computer when I came across some letters.
Letters from Jamie while he was on his mission. I didn't find all of them - but I found a few, and that is better than anything.
So I opened them, read them and now I'm going to post them here. In chronological order :)
If you haven't figured out Jamie's personality yet ---- you will!
Letter #1: Written on 11.9.2006 but sent on 2.12.07 =)
Dear Nikki,
I am so sorry it's taken me so stinkin' long to write you a letter. I don't even know where to begin. How's college? Do you live at the dorms or at home? Roommates? How's life? Are you still going thru Japan withdrawal?
Mission is great. Of course, I'm way busy, that goes without saying. Something way cool happened this week. Well, first of all, I'm in Seoul right now. My last area was Incheon. So in my last area, my companion and I taught this lady named EE Jung Min. She's getting baptized this Sat. I haven't seen her in over 7 weeks, but she asked me to baptize her. I'm so excited for her, she's gonne be such a great member!! Hey, that remind me of [name removed for privacy reasons]! You remember her? How's she doing? Is she in Kansa? What about Shirley Gray? Have you heard from her? I wish I could stay in touch wih everyone, but it's so hard with no time and via snail mail. Not much longer now. Single digit months now. Crazy how fast it's gone. Speaking of which... I'm running out of time as usual.
Well Nikki, I hope you're doing great. Tell your family I said Hey.
Jamie
PS: Your song is still the best gift I've ever gotten. You rock!
(written on the back: Sorry It's way late. I was cleaning my desk this A.M. and I found it! Remember who you are!!!
-------
Written 12-28-2006
Dear Nikki,
AAAAAHHHH it's been soooo loooong! Thank you for staying in touch, even when I didn't. I hope you had a merry christmas. Wow, so one semester down, congratulations. Where ya workin'? I still can't believe you're in college. How's your family doing? Tell your folks I said hi. Kam and Shannan too. If you're looking at a mission as an escape from school stress, I wouldn't consider it. Missions are way fun and awesome, but I've never felt more stressed. Korea is okay. Don't even try to tell me Americans are crazy drivers!
Today is the first cold day of the winter....buuuurrrr....Christmas was way cool and way different. Well sorry this is short and kinda lame (you know I can't help that :p) but I'm swamped.
Hope you have a very happy new year.
Jamie
---------
1.18.2007
Dear Nikki,
What up?! Are you for serious?! Is Charlie really already home?! Man, it's so strange to me that everyone has gotten so old! So do you talk to K**** a bunch? If ya do, tell her I said, "Get outta my car!!!" Thx :) Were K**** and Charlie dating? Is he in UT or Japan? As for me, I'll be done in August, but I think my parents are going to visit and I want to stop in Japan on the way home and say, "hi" to some old friends. We had such a sweet branch!
Tell your parents I said hello. You can even say so to Kameron. Is he a senior?? So, have you readjusted to America yet? Do you still play guitar? You gave me such a sweet gift, it's still my favorite by far. Do you know anything about Chewy or David?
Well, if I were you, I'd be seriously considering a mission because they are so stinkin' awesome. Fo sho, I'm having a blast, learning/growing a ton, and helping folks. Hope you are doing well and getting the most out of life... cuz there's a lot!
Peace!
Jamie
-----------
6 - 7 - 07
Dear Sister Hansen,
Hello!
It's been a while.
Thanks for your email last week. It's so strange that you know Israelson. He was my mission brother. He used to be my zone leader too. I trust none of the pictures I happened to be in were inappropriate :)
Wow! Your first year of college, done! Congratulations! What are your plans for the summer? Why has your dad been so busy? Did you pass along my regards? You know, I was just talking to my companion the other day about you. We were talking about good gifts and I told him about the best present I had ever received. The song you wrote for me. He made fun of me, but I still think that was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you! I'm sure you can relate; it was really hard for me to leave Japan. Sometime I wish, after my mission, I would go home to our old branch and everyone would still be there.
Oh well. I guess that's what the celestial kingdom is for.
I was greatly saddened by your report of ******. Do you stay in touch with her pretty well?
Nikki, the fact that you not only have ducks, but that their names are Ella and Peking is very much a reflection of you. I read that and thought it was hilarious. Where do you keep'em? Do you have roommates? Do your potentially existing roommates want to eat your ducks? I can't believe Kameron is a senior! Tell him I said hi. Have a great day,
Love
Jamie
ps: if you're wondering, I'll be home in Sept. Laters!
-----------
7.5.2007
Dear Nikki,
Thank you for your emails. I don't know where you get off thinking I hate them! You should know I don't mind randomness. Thank you for your poem. I liked it very much. It's a good thing you're going to be an English teacher because you've definitely got some skills with literature. My former best friend is an English teacher, too. She works with 8th graders, I think. I say "former" because she got married, so we can't be "Best" friends anymore. That would just be awkward. This is - was - her first year teaching and she loved it. I imagine you'll be quite successful as well.
A new sister, huh? That's...interesting. I've got an interesting perspective on this situation. Anyway, before I go on you need to know something I do. Your parents love each other, and they love you. You can never be replaced. Never. I know this because I had an interesting <-- I need a thesaurus! This is what happens on missions, you lose your once sweet writing skills. Anyway, I had an AMAZING experience with your parents when we went to the temple one time. We were in the sealing room doing proxy sealings. Your mom was proxy mom, and likewise, your dad was the proxy dad. I was acting as a proxy son. I don't recall much other than that and the feelings I felt that night. The following fast sunday, all 3 of us got up during sacrament meeting and bore testimony about that experience and that feeling. To attempt to convey that feeling by words in ridiculous, but simply it clearly stated two truths to my heart: 1.) The family we were doing this for has accepted our work and 2.) brother and sister Hansen love each other and their family. To me there was no doubt, no second thoughts, no confusion. The spirit clearly bore witness of those 2 TRUTHS to my soul.
I didn't really know why then, but perhaps it was so I could testify of truth now, today. I will tell you the same thing I tell my investigators, do not believe my words. Go, ask for yourself if the words which I have spoken are not true. Because they are, I know the Lord will make it known unto thee.
Nikki, I pray this meeting with your sister turns out to be a wonderful blessing to you.
I will be home on 8/30. Your family and you are of course welcome to my homecoming :) I'll keep ya posted. Well, I hope you're happy. If not - here are some dumb pictures of me. Have a great day!
Love,
Jamie.
--------
Letters from Jamie while he was on his mission. I didn't find all of them - but I found a few, and that is better than anything.
So I opened them, read them and now I'm going to post them here. In chronological order :)
If you haven't figured out Jamie's personality yet ---- you will!
Letter #1: Written on 11.9.2006 but sent on 2.12.07 =)
Dear Nikki,
I am so sorry it's taken me so stinkin' long to write you a letter. I don't even know where to begin. How's college? Do you live at the dorms or at home? Roommates? How's life? Are you still going thru Japan withdrawal?
Mission is great. Of course, I'm way busy, that goes without saying. Something way cool happened this week. Well, first of all, I'm in Seoul right now. My last area was Incheon. So in my last area, my companion and I taught this lady named EE Jung Min. She's getting baptized this Sat. I haven't seen her in over 7 weeks, but she asked me to baptize her. I'm so excited for her, she's gonne be such a great member!! Hey, that remind me of [name removed for privacy reasons]! You remember her? How's she doing? Is she in Kansa? What about Shirley Gray? Have you heard from her? I wish I could stay in touch wih everyone, but it's so hard with no time and via snail mail. Not much longer now. Single digit months now. Crazy how fast it's gone. Speaking of which... I'm running out of time as usual.
Well Nikki, I hope you're doing great. Tell your family I said Hey.
Jamie
PS: Your song is still the best gift I've ever gotten. You rock!
(written on the back: Sorry It's way late. I was cleaning my desk this A.M. and I found it! Remember who you are!!!
-------
Written 12-28-2006
Dear Nikki,
AAAAAHHHH it's been soooo loooong! Thank you for staying in touch, even when I didn't. I hope you had a merry christmas. Wow, so one semester down, congratulations. Where ya workin'? I still can't believe you're in college. How's your family doing? Tell your folks I said hi. Kam and Shannan too. If you're looking at a mission as an escape from school stress, I wouldn't consider it. Missions are way fun and awesome, but I've never felt more stressed. Korea is okay. Don't even try to tell me Americans are crazy drivers!
Today is the first cold day of the winter....buuuurrrr....Christmas was way cool and way different. Well sorry this is short and kinda lame (you know I can't help that :p) but I'm swamped.
Hope you have a very happy new year.
Jamie
---------
1.18.2007
Dear Nikki,
What up?! Are you for serious?! Is Charlie really already home?! Man, it's so strange to me that everyone has gotten so old! So do you talk to K**** a bunch? If ya do, tell her I said, "Get outta my car!!!" Thx :) Were K**** and Charlie dating? Is he in UT or Japan? As for me, I'll be done in August, but I think my parents are going to visit and I want to stop in Japan on the way home and say, "hi" to some old friends. We had such a sweet branch!
Tell your parents I said hello. You can even say so to Kameron. Is he a senior?? So, have you readjusted to America yet? Do you still play guitar? You gave me such a sweet gift, it's still my favorite by far. Do you know anything about Chewy or David?
Well, if I were you, I'd be seriously considering a mission because they are so stinkin' awesome. Fo sho, I'm having a blast, learning/growing a ton, and helping folks. Hope you are doing well and getting the most out of life... cuz there's a lot!
Peace!
Jamie
-----------
6 - 7 - 07
Dear Sister Hansen,
Hello!
It's been a while.
Thanks for your email last week. It's so strange that you know Israelson. He was my mission brother. He used to be my zone leader too. I trust none of the pictures I happened to be in were inappropriate :)
Wow! Your first year of college, done! Congratulations! What are your plans for the summer? Why has your dad been so busy? Did you pass along my regards? You know, I was just talking to my companion the other day about you. We were talking about good gifts and I told him about the best present I had ever received. The song you wrote for me. He made fun of me, but I still think that was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you! I'm sure you can relate; it was really hard for me to leave Japan. Sometime I wish, after my mission, I would go home to our old branch and everyone would still be there.
Oh well. I guess that's what the celestial kingdom is for.
I was greatly saddened by your report of ******. Do you stay in touch with her pretty well?
Nikki, the fact that you not only have ducks, but that their names are Ella and Peking is very much a reflection of you. I read that and thought it was hilarious. Where do you keep'em? Do you have roommates? Do your potentially existing roommates want to eat your ducks? I can't believe Kameron is a senior! Tell him I said hi. Have a great day,
Love
Jamie
ps: if you're wondering, I'll be home in Sept. Laters!
-----------
7.5.2007
Dear Nikki,
Thank you for your emails. I don't know where you get off thinking I hate them! You should know I don't mind randomness. Thank you for your poem. I liked it very much. It's a good thing you're going to be an English teacher because you've definitely got some skills with literature. My former best friend is an English teacher, too. She works with 8th graders, I think. I say "former" because she got married, so we can't be "Best" friends anymore. That would just be awkward. This is - was - her first year teaching and she loved it. I imagine you'll be quite successful as well.
A new sister, huh? That's...interesting. I've got an interesting perspective on this situation. Anyway, before I go on you need to know something I do. Your parents love each other, and they love you. You can never be replaced. Never. I know this because I had an interesting <-- I need a thesaurus! This is what happens on missions, you lose your once sweet writing skills. Anyway, I had an AMAZING experience with your parents when we went to the temple one time. We were in the sealing room doing proxy sealings. Your mom was proxy mom, and likewise, your dad was the proxy dad. I was acting as a proxy son. I don't recall much other than that and the feelings I felt that night. The following fast sunday, all 3 of us got up during sacrament meeting and bore testimony about that experience and that feeling. To attempt to convey that feeling by words in ridiculous, but simply it clearly stated two truths to my heart: 1.) The family we were doing this for has accepted our work and 2.) brother and sister Hansen love each other and their family. To me there was no doubt, no second thoughts, no confusion. The spirit clearly bore witness of those 2 TRUTHS to my soul.
I didn't really know why then, but perhaps it was so I could testify of truth now, today. I will tell you the same thing I tell my investigators, do not believe my words. Go, ask for yourself if the words which I have spoken are not true. Because they are, I know the Lord will make it known unto thee.
Nikki, I pray this meeting with your sister turns out to be a wonderful blessing to you.
I will be home on 8/30. Your family and you are of course welcome to my homecoming :) I'll keep ya posted. Well, I hope you're happy. If not - here are some dumb pictures of me. Have a great day!
Love,
Jamie.
--------
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Hello Again, Friend.
Dear Jamie,
I still miss you every day. It's finals week - at this point in time we usually text about how we aced something, failed something terribly or whatever. I had a spanish oral interview yesterday. I shook in fear the whole time. I got so scared I stopped talking. I was almost crying. It was so ridiculous - you would have laughed SO hard at me.
I was going through my iTunes just a bit ago. Your music-thumbprint is all over my playlist. Sometimes I play certain songs over and over again like maybe they'll bring you back or something. Sometimes I find myself rummaging through the memorabilia I have from our funny times together. Pictures, letters, anything. I know that if I assemble these things together that it won't change anything, but I'm still not ready for you to be gone.
All of those problems I was having have mostly sorted themselves out. I like to think that maybe you're having fun up there, changing the outcomes of our lives with all of your new-found immense immortal power. Like maybe you chill up there with God and say things like "Hey, Nikki would do something really funny if you made this and this happen." Or like maybe you make song requests on the radio all the way from heaven :)
Mostly, powerranger patel, I'm not ready to face the fact that there are no more memories to be made. Not in this life. It's so hard. You have been the best friend and brother to me. YOU drove me to school, helped me with homework, had picture message text-offs with me... forced me to watch Seinfeld. I don't really even like Seinfeld but I watch it for you sometimes. :) But you already knew that. Remember when we watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? And we laughed so hard when the turtles were kept in a can?
I get sad when I know you won't be at my wedding, you won't make fun of my potentially ugly babies, you won't play anymore conference bingo with my family...you missed seeing Kam as a big bad missionary. Thank you for your words to him, by the way. He misses you too.
Anyway... I could write for ages but I think I'm making everyone sad and I know that you don't like it when people get sad.
Love,
Nikki
I still miss you every day. It's finals week - at this point in time we usually text about how we aced something, failed something terribly or whatever. I had a spanish oral interview yesterday. I shook in fear the whole time. I got so scared I stopped talking. I was almost crying. It was so ridiculous - you would have laughed SO hard at me.
I was going through my iTunes just a bit ago. Your music-thumbprint is all over my playlist. Sometimes I play certain songs over and over again like maybe they'll bring you back or something. Sometimes I find myself rummaging through the memorabilia I have from our funny times together. Pictures, letters, anything. I know that if I assemble these things together that it won't change anything, but I'm still not ready for you to be gone.
All of those problems I was having have mostly sorted themselves out. I like to think that maybe you're having fun up there, changing the outcomes of our lives with all of your new-found immense immortal power. Like maybe you chill up there with God and say things like "Hey, Nikki would do something really funny if you made this and this happen." Or like maybe you make song requests on the radio all the way from heaven :)
Mostly, powerranger patel, I'm not ready to face the fact that there are no more memories to be made. Not in this life. It's so hard. You have been the best friend and brother to me. YOU drove me to school, helped me with homework, had picture message text-offs with me... forced me to watch Seinfeld. I don't really even like Seinfeld but I watch it for you sometimes. :) But you already knew that. Remember when we watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? And we laughed so hard when the turtles were kept in a can?
I get sad when I know you won't be at my wedding, you won't make fun of my potentially ugly babies, you won't play anymore conference bingo with my family...you missed seeing Kam as a big bad missionary. Thank you for your words to him, by the way. He misses you too.
Anyway... I could write for ages but I think I'm making everyone sad and I know that you don't like it when people get sad.
Love,
Nikki
Saturday, May 1, 2010
She found herself in wonderland.
a gray cloud moves across a blue sky
a single shadow casted as it drifts by
not even the sun can penetrate this blockade
heat is gone, and colors start to fade.
a sun that sets and never rises
oh world of unhappy surprises...
give me rest.
a single shadow casted as it drifts by
not even the sun can penetrate this blockade
heat is gone, and colors start to fade.
a sun that sets and never rises
oh world of unhappy surprises...
give me rest.
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