Finals

I only had two finals this term, thank goodness!

Design II: We were assigned groups (3-4 people) and we had to build a sled. There weren't any specifications. My group got a lazyboy couch for free off of craigslist, 4 pairs of skis at a second hand store for $8, and the professor supplied some 2x4s and some bolts and screws. The result? Sheer awesomeness. This sled FLEW and was actually easier than I though it would be to transport and push up the hill.

Me, Jesse, and Christina. Coolest group on the hill.

Digital Processes in Printmaking: The printmaking finals are pretty openended. We use one or more techniques learned in the term. I decided to do screen printing because that was definitely my favorite. It is also pretty fast, so I wanted to tackle multiple layers. You can also get the ink to be pretty transparent, so I wanted to play with that too (although the transparency didn't turn out completely how I wanted it too. I learned about organic/inorganic pigment transparency AFTER I did this......). I wasn't super crazy about the end result, but I learned a lot working on this final. I'm taking a screen printing course next term, so I'm excited to expand on what I learned. Here are some of the steps.

Layer 1 printed and layer 2 stenciled out on the screen

Layers 1 & 2, layer 3 on the screen

Layers 1-3 printed, 4 about to go down

Adding layer 8!

The final product! 

Last Day!!

Today was mine and Dylan's last day of school for the term. And let me tell you, it feels great. We have finals next week, then spring break (which, honestly, wont be much of a break) then it's just ONE MORE term for me! I am elated. Unfortunately, it is not the last for Dylan. I only have classes two days a week, and it's a ten week term, which means I only have 20 days of school left. Every. The end. I loooove school and it's been a great experience, but I am sure grateful to be done.

Hi. My name is Heather. I am a sugar addict.

It got this bad today:

Dylan literally hid the cookie jar from me. And I searched. And I got angry when I couldn't find the cookie jar. I was convinced I had looked everywhere (and I mean EVERYWHERE. It gave me some ideas for where I could hide things in the future) and I thought the only logical explanation was Dylan took it to work with him. He came home from work on his break and gave in to my pressure and showed me where he hid it. How did I not look there??? Needless to say...I had more cookies. I have some serious issues. Acceptance is the first step, right?

Something old, Something new

I got Dylan this hammock for Christmas. He wants it for camping. He got to thinking that while it eliminates the need for a tent, he still has to pack a sleeping pad (for insulation), a sleeping bag, and a tarp (when the weather is bad). He started doing some research and came across a video in which a guy had a snugpak hammock underblanket. There are all of these technical reasons why it's beneficial, how it prevents compression blah blah blah but since Dylan is the one who understands all of that and I am the one writing on the blog, I'll put it in terms that I understand. It's pretty much a cocoon for his hammock. The guy in the video said that he doesn't need an air mattress or a sleeping bag. One night (50 degrees F) he clocked the internal temperature of his hammock (no bag, blankets, etc) at 90 degrees! He goes camping in freezing weather like that. Needless to say, Dylan started to drool.

Prices for one of these toasty cocoons are anywhere from $100 to $250. Since our budget for preparedness/survival/camping(/Dylan's obsession) is about $10, that wasn't going to fly. However, never being deterred (one thing I absolutely adore about him), Dylan was determined to have one! He grabbed an old fleece sleeping bag from his parents, spend $9.80 on nylon fabric (on clearance for $1.96 a yard and just happened to be digital camo) and a few more dollars on velcro and nylon straps (barely going over budget), Dylan got to work. He cut the zipper off of the sleeping bag, cut the nylon camo into the lengths he wanted, hemmed it, and added the zipper to that. He is about halfway done with the project. Did I mention he hasn't sewn before, or seen a pattern for this? He is making everything up. And sewing better than me. I just showed him the machine basics and he took off!

Thanks for letting us borrow your sewing machine Carly!

 I'm so impressed with Dylan's resourcefulness and his ability to problem solve. He sees something he wants, and he finds a way to make it happen affordably. It was so fun to sit with him while he figured this out.

p.s. Dylan wants to start a man blog where he posts products he likes, tutorials, and manventures. We will give more info when we have more info! Stay tuned!

My quest to be a Gospel Scholar

I have set a personal goal to take a more active role in my spiritual learning. I have had this in the back of my mind for years, honestly, and never quite got the "active" part down. While attending institue these past months, there have been some habits, scriptures, and quotes that have helped me define what that meant, and how I was going to be active about it. I decided it came down to my desire to be a gospel scholar, and I am finally starting that quest. I have a list of 8 things I am trying to do to help me with this (taken from the Gospel Teaching and Learning manual for Seminary and Institute teachers)

1. Develop a habit of daily scripture study
2. Prepare my heart and mind for the influence of the Spirit
3. Discover and express doctrines and principles that are relevant to my personal life
4. Deepen understanding of the scriptures through diligent study, meditation, and prayer
5. Ask questions and seek for answers that help me better understand the gospel and how it applies to
    my life
6. Share insights, experiences, and feelings
7. Explain gospel doctrines and principles to others and testify of their truthfulness
8. Develop scripture study skills, such as marking, cross-referencing, and using the scripture study aids

Along with this list, I am memorizing quotes and scriptures that really stand out to me, and mean something to me in my life right now. Elder Scott said:

              "Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a
               scripture isto forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new
               individual who can helpin a time of need, give inspiration and comfort,
               and be a source of motivation for needed change."

Most of what I am trying to memorize comes from the Doctrine and Covenants, because that is what we are studying in institue right now. They are scriptures I have found in my studying or cross-referencing, and quotes from the institue manual or that have come up in class. I have already seen the power of this active participation in my quest to become a Gospel Scholar. It has also brought me so much peace and comfort.

Curious as to what I'm memorizing (or attempting to memorize) now? Here is a list. Feel free to join me on this journey!

The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done. -Joseph Smith “Man alone, of all creatures of earth, can change his thought pattern and become the architect of his destiny.” -Miracle of Forgiveness “We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.” -Pres. Monson “The future is as bright as your faith” -Pres. Monson Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. -Doctrine & Covenants 24:8 We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. - 2 Nephi 25:26 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. -Romans 1:16 If God be for us, who can be against us? -Romans 8:31 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:35, 37-39 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. -Doctrine & Covenants 25:12 Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive. -Doctrine & Covenants 29:6 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalms 118:24 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. -1 John 2:10 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. -1 John 4:18 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; and none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost. -Doctrine & Covenants 50:41-42 Gird up your loins and be faithful, and ye shall overcome all things, and be lifted up at the last day. -Doctrine & Covenants 75:22 My scripture board. Held up with thumb tacks so I can flip them over as I try to memorize them and can switch them out once they are permanently in my brain. (I learned while doing this that NO MATTER what, I can't cut straight. No amount of measuring, rulers, paper cutters could save these hah) My sleepy companion

TWO

These last two years have been amazing for us. So much has happened in our lives, and we both have grown so much. I am so grateful to have Dylan in my life and I look forward to many more years. By now you've realized I'm not super with words (Dylan is, why doesn't he ever post??) so enjoy a few pictures.

Bride Day!

(thanks Kim for letting me totally jack your blog post!)

Natalie is getting married! In October. And instead of a bachelorette party, she had a Bride's Day with all of her sisters, and her Mom. Beforehand, we couldn't decide what we wanted to do, and Dad in jest said "Take the boat out into Lake Union, through the Ballard Locks." We all looked at him and said "YES! That's it!" So, Dad came along to be our Captain/Chauffer/Tour Guide.

We woke up at 4am and launched in Lake Washington in Renton. We cruised through the glassy, smooth, silent water, and it was so fun being the only boat on the water. We went past UW, and into Lake Union, where it was so foggy we couldn't see the Space Needle or Seattle Skyline at all. In fact, if we didn't have electronics on the boat, the trip would have been absolutely impossible.

The Lovely Bride!

My momma braiding my hair for me

It was freezing cold, but fortunately we were prepared with blankets and hoodies. We got to the locks a little after 7, and were first in line. We only had to wait a few minutes before we were able to go in!

The Ballard Locks are what separate the fresh water of Salmon Bay, and the salt water of the Puget Sound. From the fresh water side, you boat into this cement box thing (the lock). They close the gates behind you, and the water slowly empties into the Puget Sound (the salty side), lowering you with it. When the water in the lock is the same level as the water in the Sound, the front gate opens, and you can cruise out into the Sound. The whole thing uses gravity to run. No pumps or anything!

Our trip

Me tying us up to the lock wall. The wall moves down as the water lowers. The whole thing was really ingenious!

This is a picture from the boat while in the lock. We are in fresh water. And you can kind of see how low the salt water is on the other side of the wall. On the left side of the lock (that you can't see) is a salmon ladder, that you can see the salmon jumping upstream to spawn. So cool!

The back of the lock. It's big enough for big boats, but I was surprised at how small it actually was. Going through both times, it was only us and other boat in the lock. But on our return trip, I counted 8 boats come out of the lock into the Puget Sound. I am SO glad we got there so early!

Jenny! 

 The lock door opening...

Natalie and Lisa 

I LOVE this picture of Lisa! 

I spy... a harbor seal. Can you tell how foggy it was? The water and the fog were the same color. It was so foggy, that we almost ran into a ferry. Literally. We were cruising (at a decently slow pace) when all the sudden we hear this deep long horn. Dad pulls off the throttle and directly in front of us, we can barely see a darkness through the fog. We redirected, and as we got closer we saw it was a ferry. (okay, maybe that is a little dramatic, but we were close!) Good thing they use radars and could see us, because we definitely could not see them!

It continued to be so foggy, that we almost literally rear-ended Seattle. We were cruising, and again, out of nowhere, we see this dark shape. We slow down and BAM! There's Seattle. 

It was almost eerie to be the only ones in the water, and to not be able to see any land or really even know where we were. It gave me a lot more compassion for those that immigrated across the Atlantic Ocean, and were on boats for months, not seeing any land. And, we knew where we were thanks to GPS!

The new HUGE Ferris Wheel in Seattle

The Girls! 

can you tell we like a certain color pallet?

The Captain

The fog burned off right as we got back to the lock. The rest of the day was BEAUTIFUL!!!

My amazing and beautiful parents!

 On our way back, we stopped at Ivar's Salmon House for lunch. It's awesome, because they have a dock for customers only. So we were able to dock up right in front, then walk up the stairs into the restaurant. 

The view was amazing. We saw several seaplanes land and take off, you could see the space needle in the distance, and the sun was finally shining down on us. 

Since we were at the Salmon House, I had to order salmon. I was SO glad I did! It was the BEST Salmon I have ever put into my mouth. Everything was so fresh! (I was a little disappointed in my chocolate inebriation dessert though :\ )

This is the entry to Ivar's. It was awesome! And just a glimpse of what the feel of the place was. SO FUN!

All in all, the day was amazing. Even though the morning was foggy, we made so many fun memories, and I am so grateful for my sisters, sister-in-law, and parents, that we can all get together and have such an incredible time! We have the best family ever!