One time, we named our little goldfish after the roommates: Cheryl, Liz, Emily, and Amanda. They all died. Lesson learned: Don’t name your fish after yourselves. There is an interesting phenomenon, not scientifically proven, that goldfish are actually mood-fish. If you name them after people, they take on human characteristics. I know because of Li’l […]
My 9/11 Hero
“For people who have experienced personal tragedies, the one thing that I would want them to know is to stay true — to hang in there — and there will be a better day. It may not be when you want it to come, but if you’ll just hang in there, life will get better.” […]
Rejected!
I got a rejection letter the other day for a book I wrote. It’s not the first time my work has been rejected. Won’t be the last time. I am a writer, after all. Actual letter: Thanks so much for submitting When You Go on a Mission to [publishing company] for our consideration. I wish I had better news, […]
Best Excuse to Get Out of a Date
A few Sundays ago, at our “Feeding the Poor” event (aka-feast on the fourth, a monthly event where, for no reason, we get fed after church, just because we’re single–life is hard, right?), we had a questionnaire to fill out for an upcoming activity. It asked questions, such as how old you were when you […]
A Rainy Day Lesson and a New Missionary!
Nearly 6 years ago, I was serving as a missionary in the Colombo Branch in Brazil. The branch averaged about 20-30 members a week. The area was a much more humble area than where I’d previously served in the rich and buzzing city of Curitiba. Here the homes were much smaller–often only a room or […]
How the Annual Charity Garage Sale Began
Her name was Elisabeth Hillstrom and since we shared the same first name, it meant we were instant friends. She lived in the neighborhood and we were in the same ward. I was 13 and she was 7. She was a blonde beauty and had a radiant smile. But Elisabeth got sick: she had an […]
Why women should pursue higher education
As a young woman, I was encouraged to pursue a higher education. To me, this always meant a master’s degree. My mom has a master’s degree, and I was bound and determined to follow in her steps and be just as educated. To others, this may mean a bachelor’s, a technical degree, or a certification. […]
Be grateful for that worn carpet rug
For years, when my Grandma Helen told me about her wedding, I always heard about the story of the carpet rug. Grandma was married in 1944 and at the time, her family lived at 2097 East 2700 South in Salt Lake. In that era, the proper thing for women to do was to have the […]
First Date Anxiety
This is the only realsolution I found to FDA. Sometimes I complain because I don’t get asked on dates. But most times I complain when I do. Why? Because right before a first date, I get extreme First Date Anxiety (FDA). The kind where you make yourself sick enough that you think you’ll have to […]
China, China, China
First, one motorcycle entered a big metal sphere and started riding inside. Around and around, up and down, doing jumps and riding upside down. As if that wasn’t cool enough, another joined. And another. And then two more. All going in a circle, with an estimated 3 inches between one motorcycle and the next. One […]