New Year's Resolutions

Here are mine, what are yours?
1. Finish my thesis!!!
2. Graduate from UNO in May 2009 with a masters in history
3. Lose 20 pounds (I can't remember a year when this was not on my list)
4. Purge my filing cabinet and get organized!
5. Finish scrapbooking for the past two years
6. Get a real job and begin paying back my loans
7. Read the Book of Mormon daily from cover to cover
8. Go to the temple monthly
9. Remember nieces and nephews' birthdays
10. Get the Pete out of dental school

Because Jews celebrate Hanukah, not Christmas

Its a sad day when you realize that all of your education is essentially feckless. Three days ago, I was in a mad rush to secure a retirement community for my Faith in God girls to sing at. I'm in charge of their bi-monthly activities and holly jolly, we were going Christmas caroling on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd! So, I'm calling around, anxious to get this done and off my list, when I find myself on the phone with an obstinate woman who won't let my girls come and sing! Why not? I ask her. "Well, she said, its a Jewish facility and Jews... celebrate Hanukah, not Christmas." Duh. Thats when I looked down at the phonebook and realized I'd dialed up the 'Jewish Seniors.' Yep, folks, guess you actually have to graduate with a masters in history before you can process the details and function properly in society. I won't graduate until May. So, big world, be patient with me! In the end, we did sing at the retirement center at Miracle Hills and had a marvelous time.

I have been tagged

Four random things about my husband:
He eats cold soup out of the can and out of his locker for lunch
He talks to himself in front of the mirror, A LOT
He likes living in the ghetto
He is meticulous about servicing the car

Movies I could watch more than once:
Chocolat
Gone With the Wind
The Happiest Millionaire
School of Rock

TV Shows I watch:
The Today Show
Occasionally Reba
Occasionally Oprah
Frasier re-runs
Occasionally the View (now thats embarrassing)

Places I have been:
the Netherlands
Italy
Austria
France

People who email me regularly:
Peter
Annette
Angela
Mary

Favorite meals/ foods:
McDonald's ice cream cones
Papa John's pizza
Curry
Matta's Mexican Food

Places I would like to visit:
Greece
Jerusalem
Egypt
China

Things I am looking forward to:
Finishing my thesis!
The Cope Family Variety Show
Seeing my Mom in January
Moving to NY???

Some of the best books I've ever read:
Wild Swans
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Book of Mormon
Escape
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families

People I tag:
Amy Makechnie
Hyeson Bang Busbee
Diana Housley
Judy Stowers

The Glories of Gingerbread

Here is our gingerbread display... in all its GLORY! We've got the Eiffel Tower out of Rice Krispies, the Birds Nest and the Great Wall from China, a Nebraska home and the Pyramids of Egypt. In the center is the Baby Jesus! My Faith in God girls helped out; my main partners in creativity were Mar-bear and Keri Pratt. We learned that a hot glue gun is way better than frosting.... not as goopy and dries much faster and clearer! Shhhh.... Anyway, please notice and appreciate the Ninjas that are supposed to be Burqua'd women, the frowning prisoner (Mary's genius) the guy with the broken foot/ crutch, Spongebob! and the Hawaiian hula dancers!

The scoop on the Pete

Peter recently applied to 27 different oral surgery residency programs. So far, he has two interviews: one at Long Island Jewish in NY (Dec. 15), and one in Kansas City (Nov. 22). We'll find out in late January if he got accepted anywhere. If not, he'll apply for one-year internships all over the country, then reapply to oral surgery programs a year from now. Its likely that after an internship, he'll get accepted somewhere! I'm hoping we get to live in NY for SIX YEARS. You're all invited to come visit if that is the case! Of course, if we get accepted to Kansas City, you're still invited, but my guess is that the odds are better for NY.

Stopping for caterpillars

My sister Meredith came to visit last month. My FIRST family member visit, I might add. It was great! We laughed, cried, stayed up late talking, pigged out, went roller blading. The Omaha Zoo is fantastic (I didn't realize how crappy the AZ Zoo was until I moved to Omaha), so I made her go with Peter and me. Here are a couple of pics from that adventure. We spent nearly an hour with the gorillas. They are fascinating. At one point, one silverback was staring into our eyes, the next he slammed his fist against the glass. It freaked us out, of course! We thought we had upset him, but the volunteers told us that he does that to make people scream, which greatly amuses him.

I love to see the world through my sister's eyes. For example, we spent 20 minutes watching these "penguin" creatures as they huddled around some random door, waiting for who knows what. Meredith hypothesized about their daily feeding hour, or maybe one of them went there and the other followed, but they were such conformists. When one looked up, the others looked up. It was so fun to visit the zoo with her! Also, there were hundreds of GIANT catfish (some weighed 50 pounds) just flopping all over each other to get feed by humans over this bridge. It was cool to watch them.

Anyway, another funny story is that my husband Peter is all about "keeping it moving" when we are doing anything - from playing a game to rollerblading. He just likes to be productive at all times. To illustrate my point, in August he and I were rollerblading around a gorgeous park/lake (Zorinsky for those Omaha people) and a DEER and her two TWIN fawns were all of a sudden flanking us, about 6-10 feet away. We must have startled them, because they were running alongside us, trying to figure out to dart ahead or stop or what. It was incredible to watch them, and I was riveted. Peter interrupts my amazement to say "keep it moving." I teased him later - what, we don't have time to stop and look at the deer? I warned him that when Meredith came to visit, she would want to stop and appreciate not just the deer, but even the caterpillars. True enough, when we went rollerblading last month, Merf and Peter lagged behind and he later told me that she stopped to observe a caterpillar crossing the path! Do I know my sister or what!? I love it. Reminds me of President Monson's comments on "enjoying the journey." NOT that Peter doesn't enjoy the journey. He is the most productive, self-disciplined, and organized person I know, and I appreciate his ability to be unbalanced when it is necessary - like in dental school. But, it makes me laugh to think of the difference between those two!

And then my hairpiece fell off

There I was, having a "good hair day" with the pony-tail, braided hair piece over my wimpy, flat hair. Dang, I looked good. So, I'm up at the board, in front of my Italian class last night, when I hear some giggling from the back. I turn around and there it is... my hairpiece lying on the floor. I froze for two seconds. I couldn't believe this had actually happened... and to me. It was like I was having an out of body experience - looking at myself and this nightmare - the professoressa who wears a hairpiece!? It gets worse. I tried to laugh it off, then I put it back on, only to have it promptly fall off again two minutes later. The humiliation was complete. I threw it on the table and moved on. An hour of night class to go... Gulp. Somehow, I got through it. After class, I got therapy from a few of my friendly female students who could relate. We all had a good laugh. But it is still soooo embarrassing! Of course, if I were them, I would be chortling up a storm and telling everybody, but alas, I was the clown for the evening.

Winter Visitor

I've been debating whether or not to go to AZ over Christmas break because Peter and I are driving to UT for almost two weeks, and its already a long time to be away from my thesis.... Well, my nephew, 2 year-old Theron broke the deal. All the pictures and reports I hear of him are just too cute , he's such the jokester, he's the party animal, etc. , that I couldn't stay away any longer!? So, Theron, I'm coming to visit you... and all of the other Reynolds clan. January 2 - January 11. Classes at UNO begin on January 12, so the professoressa has to be back by then! Looking forward to it! Yay.

A spiritual feast!

I love General Conference; it is truly an opportunity for revelation and refreshment. We don't have digital cable - the only way to watch it at home in Omaha - so we went to my in-laws, where they had a laptop se up. My favorite talks, quotes and stories include:

1. President Uchdorf's talk on HOPE. I love when he said that hope is both a principle and a commandment. It is manifest in confidence, enthusiasm and patience. Quoting Abraham, when times look bleak, "against hope we believe in hope.

2. Elder Oaks talk on appropriately partaking of the sacrament and preparing for sacrament meeting. "We cannot consistently retain the spirit of the Lord unless we consistently obey his commandments."

3. President Monson's reminder to "enjoy the journey!"

4. Elder Wirthlin's story about his daughter's blind date... who turned out to be there for her younger sister to go babysitting.

5. Elder Christofferson's talk on ZION, especially his thoughts on unity.

Of course, General Conference is ALL GOOD! As Brother Mecham, my institute teacher would say, these are our "marching orders." What are some of your favorites?

Here are a few pictures of us watching conference. Of course, we always maximize our time at the Nelson home. :)

The not-so helpful husband

Peter tried to fix my FAVORITE pair of boots when the heel and bottom came loose last week. I was gone all night, teaching my night class at UNO. With all good intentions, he pulled out the 'ol gorilla glue... and here are the disastrous results. For any of you unfamiliar with Gorilla Glue, it EXPANDS... a lot... so hopefully you'll learn from our mishap. Anyway, I'm grateful for Peter's willingness to help me. He's adorable. Poor guy spent all night trying to wipe it off. Someday it will be funny. But not quite yet. :)

A typical Saturday in Omaha

I took a long walk this morning, finishing up at the Farmer's Market, downtown, where I got some huge zucchini and six bell peppers. I'm concocting some vegetarian recipes because my sister Merf is coming to visit me in two weeks! Yay. Thanks, Edie, this means a lot to me (she has nearly six nicknames and I just realized that I used two of them in the same phrase). Peter and I are excited to see you and to show you a gorgeous fall in Omaha. Bring your jacket 'cuz temps are dropping! Peter and I usually go to the gym in the late morning or rollerblade on one of the many trails around Omaha, then go to the computer lab for a few hours (we don't have the internet at home). He studies and I work on my thesis. Later, we go to his parents for some free grub (we obviously need free food if we can't afford the internet at home). We spend the night at his parents every Saturday night for two reasons: they live right by the church and Peter walks to his 6:30am Bishopric meeting. Then, I can take our only car to church at 9am or so. Its fun to spend time over there with them in their big fat house all weekend. Back to the thesis... ugh...

Happy 1st Birthday!

Here are a few members of the Nelson clan with Pierre and Rachel's twins - Jordan and Morgan - on their first birthday!

Cancer sucks!

My thesis advisor, Dr. June Mecham, told me last November that she had breast cancer. The doctors had caught it early, although it was an aggressive form. At age 35, she's healthy and we were all optimistic about her chances of a full recovery. She underwent chemo all last year and her hair began growing back this summer. 3 weeks ago, they found a lesion on her liver. !? The doctors were afraid it had spread to her liver. She went in for another round of tests last week, and the verdict is that it HAS spread, not only to her liver, but to her bones and her lungs. It is at stage four, so terminal, and she doesn't know if she has a few months, or a few years. :( There are not really any words adequate to respond to someone when they deliver news of this nature. I was devastated and horrified. She has a 2.5 year old! She finished her PhD only a few years ago and with a 900 page book about to be published, she is at the beginning of her career. It is going to be a very difficult year for me, working closely with her on my thesis, watching her suffer and worsen, knowing that she knows that her days are numbered. I have been somber and pensive this week, reflecting on the plan of salvation and the gloriousness of the Resurrection. What a blessing to have the gospel. Interestingly, Dr. Mecham is teaching a class on the 'Medieval Church' this summer. We were lightheartedly joking about the Catholic church and its colorful history. She remarked that it is necessary to be able to laugh at all religion's history because, "all religions are man-made and men make mistakes!" Well, I didn't bear my testimony about a church that is definitely NOT man-made, at least not in that moment, but I'm sure praying for the appropriate moment sometime this upcoming year. The irony is that she specializes in women's spirituality in the middle ages. Its been difficult to perform an academic exercise on the subject, considering how I feel about my own religion and my spirituality. So, that's my life right now. I am sad for her. We're the same age. But, God is good. Of that I am sure. And He has a plan...

27 Applications

Which one is your favorite? We had to come up with a 2"x 2" picture of Peter to send in with all of his applications for oral surgery residencies last month. We took a bunch, but we selected one of these two. We got in trouble at Wal-Mart, because Peter was standing on a chair and I was taking pictures of him (it was the only solid background we could find!) The Wal-Mart employee was rather suspicious of our behavior, like we were spying on the magic of Wal-Mart or something...? Trying to steal the secrets. Anyway, Peter send in 27 applications to 27 different oral surgery programs. We find out in January. Here's hoping we get in... somewhere!?

Pizza, per favore...

School began last week. I teach Elementary Italian on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. There are 15 students, including a fellow professor from the Architecture/ Engineering dept. (originally from Turkey) and a P.A. who works at UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center). Random professionals want to learn Italian, and because its at night, it's convenient for them. Its a fun class, so far. Last week we were practicing our numbers, alphabet, addresses and basic conversation. Put 'em all together and what do you got? Pizza, per favore! We practiced ordering pizzas on the phone. Well, we did that a few times, then Peter showed up on cue with 2 pizzas in hand. My class was surprised and appropriately grateful.

Pansy Lab Rat

Addendum to Blood Money post: Well, I got kicked out of the medical study yesterday. I fainted 7 minutes after the first blood draw and there were 16 left to go that day... so they kindly released me. It was a mutual decision, as I don't think I could have handled it. I'm a pansy lab rat after all. Sorry Peter. Goodbye $900... I'll have to find other ways to pay for my jewelry.

Blood Money

For a decade now, Peter's been doing medical studies for cash. They pay pretty well, if you don't mind being stuck with a needle up to 15 times a day! Well, he finally talked me into doing one myself. How can you resist $900 for four days, when only two of those days are actually "needle" days? You can tell that we're hard up for cash when I'm getting sucked into stuff like this. AARGH! Anyway, so this week we're both at Qualia where we will perform our lab rat duties. Peter gets $1,350 for his study and I get the aforementioned amount. WHEN, oh when will I be a dignified dentist's wife and don't have to resort so such measures? Just kidding. :) The irony is, last weekend I spent $75 on jewelry and Peter didn't quite understand how I could "afford" jewelry when we are selling our blood!? Will somebody please explain this to him!?

Pioneer Day

Southern, central CO still celebrates July 24 in grand style. For three days, the small towns of Manassa, La Jara (where I was born - population 1,200) and Sanford (where my dad grew up, population - 600) are consumed with parades - including spiritual and secular floats, rodeos, carnival rides, and amazing food. Peter and I drove out for nearly a week long stay. It was great to reconnect with family on both sides of the family (Mom and Dad's). My cousin Leann had worked on a YW float two weeks before, proudly featured here - "Sweet is the work." Also featured is my brother-in-law Dave, comfortably observing the parade in daughter Alyssa's chair (age 3), and me with Leann & mis padres in line for Manassa's famous hamburgers.

Go fish!

Uncle Deeks (my dad's brother Alan Reynolds) took us to his fishing pond in northern New Mexico over the 24th of July celebrations in southern Colorado. What a treat! We got to ride four-wheelers, play games, hike, and fish, of course! Uncle Deeks created this pond 12 years ago by digging a 30 foot hole and diverting a nearby creek. He stocks it annually with 200-300 rainbow trout at $2 a piece. His grandkids come here often, and even 3 year-old Keegan can catch fish because once a line is in the water, he throws "chum" around it and a ton of trout emerge in a feeding frenzy and inevitably chomp on the fishing line. The best part was the landscape and chatting with family. Many thanks to Deeks and Brad for taking us out and to Macey for trying to tip over our raft on our pond cruise (me and Sam were freaking out the entire time, especially when she mentioned the muskrats). In the last picture, my dad (right) is with his sister Eloise and brother Deeks.

Happy 4th of July!

My friend Judy Stowers, licensed massage therapist from Arizona, was here this past week for the U.S. Olympic semi-finals at the Qwest Center. She got me a ticket into Friday night's event. Yes, I got to see Michael Phelps, Nick Lochte, and Dara Torres! Thanks Judy, it was great to see you!!!

Back with the Pete!

I'm finally back in Omaha after 7 weeks in Italy! Its good to still be happily married... and back with the Pete. Here we are on our all day-date in northern Omaha. We went rollerblading and then checked out some of the gorgeous parks on the north end of town. This afternoon, we went to Creighton to do lab work. Peter's world: he's working on getting fillings and dentures ready for his patients.

Biella è bella (Biella is beautiful)

Here I am with my good friends Ruben and Cecilia from Biella. We visited a nearby lake yesterday, which reminded me of how much I think Peter should buy me a boat. Just throwing that out there....

Gaia.... means joy

Gaia (pronounced Guy-uh) is the name of Giorgia's daughter, whose not yet two. It means joy in Italian! She's a whirlwind of activity and has plenty of demands. She has made my stay in Trieste a treat. She calls me 'Gnora', short for 'Signora' or Lady. Giorgia keeps correcting her to say Allison, but to no avail.

Please don't think my life is overly glamorous

So, I had to extend my stay in Firenze last week because my research was not going well and I needed a couple extra days. Unbeknownst to me, the two extra days I needed were the exact same as some Pitti fashion show, so all of the hotels were booked. The only thing I could find was a student housing arrangement where four rooms shared one bathroom with NO SHOWER CURTAIN! Plus, there was a big sign that said guests were obligated to keep the floor dry at all times... next to a mop in a bucket. Excuse me!? So, you can only imagine the primitive bathing experience, one hunkered over in a tub with the hose, afraid to touch anything because 12 other people share this bathroom - so who knows how filthy it is, not wanting to douse the floor with water, but taking a bath was out of the question. One morning I woke up and had to go, but the bathroom was occupied straight for over an hour. Ouch! It was disusting for other reasons I won't describe here. Then, if for one moment you think that I live glamorously, dismiss that thought and picture me, walking to the train station with extremely heavy luggage (because taxis in Italy are too expensive... for us students at 35 years old), including the rented laptop from the university, that keeps toppling off my rolly suitcase whenever I should strike a cobblestone at the wrong angle (every 10 seconds or so). I also have posters in tow, a purse, and a backpack, so the going is slow and tedious. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!! When am I going to be a dignified dentist's wife and I can afford taxis and reasonable accommodations!!!??? That day is not today, my friends. I can only hope that I have given you a litle laugh at my own expense.

Fat rat in Trieste's lovely sea

Here I am with my greenie companion, Giorgia Romano, from 12 years ago! We served together in Biella. She and her husband Davide and daugher Gaia live in Trieste, a city east of Venice, on the border with Slovenia. Today we went shopping (don't worry Peter, I didn't buy much) and although the water and main piazza were clean and breathtaking, there was a huge RAT in the water. I'm talking enormous, swollen, dead, and disgusting. It didn't taint my impression of Trieste, rather it was amusing.

Sardegna with Sara

Here are a few pics from my trip to Sardegna with Sara, June 1-4. Along with her car, we took an overnight boat from Genova to Olbia, the northernmost port on the island of Sardegna. Then we drove down to Cagliari, the largest, southernmost city on the island whee Sara served 5 months of her mission 8 years ago. At the beach, the water and sand were indeed pure and clean, much more so than any I've ever seen in the United States!