A Pony Surprise

It started the other evening,
at our last roommate dinner at Texas Roadhouse.
We were bored.
As we hit the restaurant at the dinner rush.
So therefore had to wait.
Somehow I mentioned that Kikay had never shown me how to draw a Chibi (Big headed person with a little body -cartoon) As she's really good at drawing them, and making them look like the person she's referencing.
And we ended up being mesmerized by how well and quickly she drew 'ourselves' doing what we wanted our cartoon selves to be doing.

I wanted to do it too.
Came up with many cartoon ideas,
didn't draw any.

Until today at work.
I had this concept.
Of surprising Kikay.
I love surprises.
and Kikay had had a difficult day yesterday.
So, therefore I would surprise her!

By drawing a chibi!
It was a quick little thing, and actually nearly as easy as Kikay made it out to be when she was drawing.
of course, my first concept didn't work out so I had to adjust it.
But I drew it!
Saying "Hi Kikay!"

But, I went a step further.
Kikay had gotten me a little stuffed animal dog for when I moved.
So therefore, I wanted to get her a stuffed something in return,
just to bring a smile to her face.

After work, I went to the local mall.
Concept gift in my head.
Though I visited a couple other stores first, just to make sure there wasn't something better then I was thinking.
Of course, how can you beat Build A Bear?
More particularly when they have Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony there.
-That's one of Kikay's favorites.

Going there was an adventure in itself.
As I'd never been there before.
Never 'built' any stuffed animal.
It was really entertaining actually. lol.
I had fun there.

But the fun part.
Was giving it to Kikay.

You see, I was going to drop by anyways to grab a couple more items, that I'd left behind that I figured I had room for.

Which meant I had the perfect opportunity to give her her pony.
Without her realizing it.
yep yep. Being sneaky.
How did I do it?

Well...I put the Pony in her car. On the passenger seat. With my little chibi drawing on top of the box that the pony came in. -I had added a note "And you thought I'd just dropped by to get my stuff :P" to the drawing.

Before heading up to the apartment.
lol I hope she didn't think I was too....cheerful?
As I was really excited to know that she had a gift waiting for her in her car, but she didn't know yet, and I didn't know if she would see it before I would be able to 'get away'
Hopefully I didn't seem too wide eyed and excited....
Anyways.
I was going to just come and grab my stuff and leave...all in one trip.
Only I couldn't do it in one trip.
So Kikay helped me down.
I was totally on tenterhooks hoping she wouldn't randomly decide to go to her car before I could pull away.
Luckily she didn't.
I was able to get home without her any the wiser.
Only...she did find the pony about 2 1/2 hours earlier then I thought she would.
For she decided to go into work earlier then usual.

lol I wonder what she thought when she found the box.
It would have been fun to see her expression.
But there was a theme of door bell ditching going on everywhere this week.
And I wanted to be a part of it.
lol

She sent me a text "Oh. You are sneaky." when she found the pony.

hehe ^^ Thank you.
Thank you very much. ;)
I'm glad I was able to complete my agenda in order to give her a surprise. :D lol

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

Castle and Beckett were facing off a shooter. One was going to die. The gunman shot...and Beckett fell to the ground...dead...only she wasn't dead. Her spirit was still there, connected to Castle. It was like their life forces were tied together, so that neither could die while the other was still alive. They were going after the shooter...but suddenly it was Castle who was the one who was dead. He'd died and not Beckett. They needed to stop a sort of ghost apocalypse from happening, and managed to kill the gunman...only the ghosts -which Castle was one...needed a leader so that they could be of use, because without a leader they wouldn't have guidance in order to help with the right side. Castle had the idea to go to this woman with black skin, she had been helping Beckett and Castle understand what was happening between them, and asked her to become their leader. which with some hesitation she conceded in doing...

Then the unholy tones of daylight pulled me away....
and I became myself again. :)

-S.N.D

October 1994 General Conference Saturday Morning

Gordon B. Hinckley -The Solemn Assembly Sustaining of Church Officers

• It is proposed that we sustain Howard William Hunter as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• It is proposed that we sustain Gordon B. Hinckley as President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles and Boyd K. Packer as Acting President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.
• It is proposed that we sustain as members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, James E. Faust, Neal A. Maxwell, Russel M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, and Jeffrey R. Holland.

Howard W. Hunter -"Exceeding Great and Precious Promises"

• I come before you humbly and meekly, saddened by the recent passing of our beloved  prophet, President Ezra Taft Benson.
• I have prayed to be worthy to bear the assignment which thirteen other men in this dispensation have borne.
• My greatest strength through these past months has been my abiding testimony that this is the work of God and not of men.
• "The Lord never did intend that one man should have all power."
• To those who are hurt or are struggling and afraid, we say, let us stand with you and dry your tears.
• It would please the Lord if every adult member would be worthy of--and carry--a current temple recommend.

Dallin H. Oaks -Worship through Music

• The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord.
• I believe some of us in North America are getting neglectful in our worship, including the singing of hymns. I have observed that the Saints elsewhere are more diligent in doing this. We in the center stakes of Zion should renew our fervent participation in the singing of our hymns.
• Sacred music can help us even where there is no formal performance. for example, when temptation comes, we can neutralize its effect by humming or repeating the words of a favorite hymn.

Michaelene P. Grassli -Helping Children Know Truth from Error

• He prayed again, received strength from God, and  commanded Satan again to depart.
• If we read the scriptures and the words of the prophets and heed the whisperings of the Spirit, we are learning from the source of all truth. If we oppose the Lord's appointed teachers of truth, then we oppose truth. But if we honestly desire to know what is true, it follows that we would want to learn from the source of truth.
• A...way we can help children learn to discern truth from error is to give them opportunities to practice discerning the truth and choosing righteously.
• When our children are familiar with truth, they can face opposing voices with confidence. No one can tell them the Church is not true, because that will sound wrong to them. When they make mistakes or have questions about doctrines as we all do, the feelings and memories of truth from their childhood can help draw them back.

David B. Haight -Solemn Assemblies

• When we sustain the President of the Church by our uplifted hand, it not only signifies that we acknowledge before God that he is the rightful possessor of all the priesthood keys; it also means that we covenant with God that we will abide by the direction and the counsel that come through His prophet. It is a solemn covenant.
• "Where [the President is] not, there is no First Presidency"
• "No true angel from God will ever come to ordain any man, because they have once been sent to establish the priesthood by ordaining me thereunto;... the priesthood being once established on earth, with power to ordain others, no heavenly messenger will ever come to interfere with that power by ordaining any more. ... You may therefore know, from this time forward, that if any man comes to you professing to be ordained by an angel, he is either a liar or has been imposed upon in consequence of transgression by an angel of the devil, for this priesthood shall never be taken away from this church."
• The instructions by the Prophet Joseph Smith and Elder George Q. Canon should be a warning and testimony to any "pretender" who claims apostolic authority on the basis that he has been visited by angels. It should also be a warning to anyone who may be so deceived as to follow these false shepherds.

L. Tom Perry -Heed the Prophet's Voice

• "But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known"
• The word prophet in the Greek language means "inspired teacher"
• In Hebrew, the word prophet means "one who announces or brings a message from God."
• "A prophet is a teacher. That is the essential meaning of the word. He teaches the body of truth, the gospel, revealed by the Lord to man; and under inspiration explains it to the understanding of the people. He is an expounder of truth. moreover, he shows that the way to human happiness is through obedience to God's law. He calls to repentance those who wander away from the truth. He becomes a warrior for the consummation of the Lord's purposes with respect to the human family. The purpose of his life is to uphold the Lord's plan of salvation. All this he does by close communion with the Lord until he is 'full of power by the spirit of the Lord.'"
• "The Lord Almighty leads this Church, and he will never suffer you to be led astray if you are found doing your duty. You may go home and sleep as sweetly as a babe in its mother's arms, as to any danger of your leaders leading you astray. for if they should try to do so the Lord would quickly sweep them from the earth. Your leaders are trying to live their religion as far as [they are] capable of doing so."

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Strongly Tied

You Know....
I held it together pretty well.
This moving thing.
Wasn't emotional about it at all.
In fact looking forward to it.

But then....
I lost it.

You see my 'old' roomies LaKai, Kikay, Yetni and I decided to do a roommate dinner at Texas Roadhouse. To celebrate our last 'offical' day as roommates.
For I moved out.
LaKai got a job near her parents so she's only going to be at the apt on weekends.
And Yetni will be gone in a monthish to a camp out of state.
Leaving Kikay by herself (hopefully not all summer) in the apt.
So we celebrated.

Totally didn't think much of it.
Until...I had to leave.

Before this point, it felt more like I was just heading out on vacation.
The feeling that I would be returning...even if I wasn't.

But then as we left Texas.
Kikay gave me a stuffed animal doggie and a hug.
And the tears just came.

It hit me then.
This was 'Goodbye'
Even though I knew that I would be seeing them again today....

It totally reminded me of my first time moving out.
As Kikay had given me a small horse statue as a reminder of her.

lol I barely managed to keep my voice steady.
and the tears in my eyes.
But driving away from my roomies, from Kikay, from the apartment.
lol I cried the whole way to my new place, tears running down my cheeks...but luckily not smearing my mascara so I didn't look like a site, when running into strangers in the hallways. lol.  

Yah....
It's hard to put it into words what I'm feeling.

I guess...the best way to put it is....I'm a Cancer.

To quote from a random website:

Cancer is the astrology sign that is packed full of contradictions so when it comes to independence, they possibly can or can not be independent. On one side, they have the perseverance and drive to do what needs to be done, they are self-sufficient and do not need to depend on other people for the material and physical things in life. On the other hand, they depend on people for emotional support and encouragement. A Cancer that is not fully self-actualized will need the constant support of others and will not be very independent but the Cancer that is 'evolved' and has properly harnessed their emotional issues will be wildly successful as an independent human being. They crave attention and comfort from other people and they are happiest when they have a small, close knit group of friends or family.

lol it basically describes me.
I love being independent and on my own.
But I really love to have that emotional support nearby.
Basically I love being near family and having their presence.
And it's heartbreaking to me to leave my family and not be able to walk three steps and knock on the door to talk. Yep...strongly attached to the family. Particularly Kikay as we can stay up all night talking about this and that. And I love doing that...it will just have to be in a different way now...probably through texts or something.
It's also probably because I already did this once. When I moved away to college and didn't have Kikay there. Then she moved with me....and now I moved again....
*sighs*
Yah...once more I need to get used to being a bit more independent then I have been for a bit.
lol but that was the point of moving wasn't it?

It will just take me time to do so...
Probably seven months or so...
;)
-I say 7 months because that's about how long it took me to relax at Starsmet and feel comfortable with all the coworkers there.

Yep.
Here's to another new beginning.
I wonder what adventure it will bestow upon me while I'm here. :)

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Moving Day!!!

Whew.
Talk about exhausting!!
Do you know how much effort it takes to move?
Alot of effort.
Alot
Alot
Alot

And in the end....no matter how well you label...you still have no idea where most of your stuff is among all the boxes. ;) haha.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Guys!
I moved!
Do you know how freaking crazy/scary/awesome/woweeeness it is?!

It's like all of the above.

I mean.
For one...I had to pack up my room.
And with work...I had like two 8 hour shifts two days before I was supposed to move.
Graduation Ceremonies to get to.
And only like a day and a half to do it!
AHHHH!!!!
But I managed.
Mostly.

lol. I'm supremely thankful that Kikay is staying in my old apartment (as she is/was my roomie) so I could 'leave' some things behind as a) I didn't have room for it and b) didn't know what to do with it yet.
It allowed me to focus on getting my bedroom, and half of the bathroom squeaky clean.
While allowing me to leave most of the kitchen and living room stuff behind.
As I wanted to see what my new roommates would have in the new kitchen and living room, as I didn't want to bring a bunch of stuff that was already there. :)

Anyways.
I got everything packed. -In the end just throwing things in boxes and hoping a cute boy would walk by and help me carry the heavier boxes. :) lol.
(One did...so HA!)

But I'm also glad that Kikay was there....
as she was the one who ended up moving me...basically.
As she is the stronger of us.
-Kinda makes sense....she's taller...so she must be stronger right? lol.

But luckily we/she/I was able to save her arms from totally being pulled from their sockets all black and blue, by a helpful girl walking by who told us that the new office had a trolley that we could use.
Totally Amazing!
I mean Kikay and I had to take like six bazillion trips up and down the elevator of my new place...carrying one box at a time....because I didn't have the strength to do it myself.
It took SOOOO much time.
And then at my new place...we just stuff all the boxes and things on the trolley and One trip later....everything is upstairs!
A-MAY-ZING!

Total benefit to my new place.
Trolley access. :D
lol...I wonder if I could use it to bring groceries up four flights of stairs....
meh...that's what the elevator is for I suppose.

-That is a difference for sure.
Instead of just going up one flight of stairs...
I now have four. :S
Sooo I've kinda gotten into the habit of walking down the four, and riding the elevator back up the four. lol.

In any case...
It's so weird being in a new place!
I mean I lived at my old place for Five Years!
And to suddenly be in a new place.
Wow.
Totally felt like I was heading off for my first year of college again.
Odd as it was a year ago that I graduated from college.

But everything is different!
I mean the rooms are smaller.
With less shelf space...
which means I have to pick and choose what knick knacks to bring out of my boxes.
I'm going to be doing a lot of picking and choosing actually....
But I suppose that's good as it allows me to set things up differently.
Give my room a new vibe.

lol I just need to get the energy to do so.
Right now...
I've only unpacked one box.
My bed stuff.
Soo...I could actually sleep on my bed. lol.

Now...why do you ask....did I move?
Because I felt like I was stuck in a rut.
Kinda how I felt after graduating from High School.
I was secure in my situation...but stagnant.
I needed to do something different to get me out of my 'calm quiet place'
Plus...I couldn't really connect with my wardies anymore.
I mean...after 5 years...I'm the 'oldest' person living in the complex.
-Not in age...just in time consecutively living there....as most people only stay two years or so...I'm ancient. lol.
And with most of my ward being the 18 and 19 year old freshmen from college...and most of them going on missions now. (The Bishop told us that 25% of ward has received the call to go on a mission)
It's not really the ideal situation to make friends.
As they will be leaving in a month or two anyway it seemed like.
Sooo I chose a different place.
One that hopefully has more of the social aspect of get togethers.
As it seemed like my old place...had become rather closed off.
Probably my introverted point of view...but it was my point of view. ;) lol.

In anycase.
I took the plunge...and moved. :)
lol
I did have a moment of "WHAT AM I DOING?!?!!  I'M SO CRAZY!!!"
When I met two of my roomies...
as they're different from my other roomies.
But meeting the third.... I relaxed again as she had a sort of personality I could connect to.
lol. I haven't said much more than "Hi my name is Sarnic, what's yours" to them....barely seen them actually. So I don't know them well yet...or how long they're staying...as we haven't talked much.
But yah.
Fun stuff.
It's going to be an interesting adjustment.
Namely....my drive to work has gone from 2 mins to 10-15mins depending on traffic. :S

Still...I'm liking the place.
Even if I'm going to procrastinate packing for a couple of days in order to recuperate and recover (my immune system shut down a little bit so I'm not feeling well)
from all the packing and stress and cleaning that I had to do last week.
Let's just hope I can find what I need without having to dig through too many boxes in the mean time. ;) lol..

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Another Walks Across The Stage

One Year.
It's been One Year since I was the one walking across stage and graduating from College.
How.
Weird.
Is.
That?

Extremely weird.
To not be the one in cap and gown....
instead watching my cousin walk across stage...
Weird.

A year ago, I had no idea what I was going to do with my life.
I'd just failed my performance test for ASL Certification for the second time.
I didn't have a job.
Wasn't sure how I was going to pay my bills.
Yet...excited for the unknown future.

In many ways....things stayed the same this past year.
In others....not so.
I got a job for one.
Didn't have to go to school for another.
And my concept of what I want to do with my life has drifted from signing.
Plus!
I've been writing more!!
You know...when I'm not consumed with packing. ;) haha.

Yah....
A year ago....
I was a graduate.

Now...I'm a year out of college.

Weird!! :)

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Are you Looking at Me?

A grieving young father and his two children sit before a television set in their home after a makeshift dinner.
The children have been staying with Grandmother while their mother has slowly slipped away in a lingering illness; now they and their father are home again after her funeral.
The little girl drops off to sleep and is carried to her bed.
The little boy fights off sleepiness until he finally asks his father if tonight, just tonight, he can sleep with him in his bed.
As the two lie silently in the dark, the lad speaks: "Daddy, are you looking at me?"
"Yes son," the father replies, "I am looking at you."

The boy sighs and, exhausted, sleeps.
The father waits a time and then, weeping, cries out in the dark, in anxious anguish: "God, are you looking at me? If you are, maybe I can make it. Without you, I know I can't."

Marion D. Hanks -Changing Channels - October 1990 General Conference

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

May I Interest You In The Escargo?

I'm a picky eater.
Sooo I suppose I that it will make sense that my pets end up being picky eaters as well.

Recently we haven't been having the best of luck with betas.
As pets.
Here in my apt.
Or in general....the betas seem to be going through a stubborn streak with many pet owners in the area.
And maybe I know why.
They're being too finicky with their food.
And end up starving to death because they don't eat.

Currently, we have a beta called Phantasmic.
He's a beautiful blue and orange beta.
There deserving of an awesome name.

In any case.
We've been trying to feed him...but he's refusing to eat any of the food we already have.
Flakes.
No.
Dried Blood Worms.
No.
Pellets.
No.

But then Kikay hit upon something he would eat.

Snails.
You see, we have a few snails in a different fish tank holding a different beta called Dr. Seuss.
Well, randomly today, Kikay decided to put a few snails into Phantasmic's tank.

He totally went on the hunt!
Biting and tearing at them.
Hopefully that means he ate a few pieces as well.

Problem is...we don't have many snails.
Soo my own hunt continues for something he will eat.

Onward!

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

A Bittersweet Goodbye

It's been a dark day at work.

Why?
Because Tawl has left. :(
My morning buddy has been like a grandfather to me.
But due to him moving upstate a couple of hours.
The commute became a bit much.
So...Tawl has left.

And I really miss him.
Like I said. He's been like a grandfather to me.
Spoiling me like crazy. lol.

He basically took me under his wing and looked out for me when I first started working at Starsmet.
He's always been sweet, good natured, and loved to spoil me.

For example.
It wasn't his duty to clean the floor of the cat area in the store.
But, he did it anyway.
He would wait until I was done with them, and then go in after me to sweep and mop the floor to make it look nice.
If he saw me trying to carry the garbage bags to the back, from bedding changing, he would literally grab the bag out of my hands.

We had a fun relationship.
I would do what I could to make his tasks easier.
Try to clean up the bedding mess before he got there with his broom to do it.
Move out of his way so he wouldn't have to go around me and double back.

lol It was a fun time. I enjoyed being with him and silently being in competition with him.
To be done with my tasks before he reached me with his.

He's a sweet guy.
Always looking out for me.
lol and giving me cookies alot.
Not just one.
But like half a dozen at a time.

Work always went better when he was there.

It was bittersweet saying goodbye to him.
He kissed my forehead and gave me a hug as he left. Just like a grandfather would.

Yes.
I definitely missed him this morning.
Seeing another doing his jobs.
Not in his order.
Not in his way.

It was heart wrenching.
And made me miss him more.

Yah...it's going to take a bit to get used to him not being there.
My adoptive grandfather.

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

At work, Bob was accusing me of not doing my jobs. That I was slacking off. I was arguing with him that I wasn't. I was doing what I could under the circumstances. I was doing different duties, but he wasn't having any of it. He didn't think I was doing my job.

Then the unholy tones of daylight pulled me away....
and I became myself again. :)

-S.N.D

April 1994 General Conference Sunday Afternoon

David B. Haight -Jesus of Nazareth

• "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. ...
• "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me [but] whither I go, ye cannot come. ...
• "A new commandment I give unto you,, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
• "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Robert D. Hales -The Unique Message of Jesus Christ

• "Each time a new assignment in the Church came to him (Elder LeGrand Richards), it was like the shaking of an oak tree: when the tree shook, an acorn would fall and be planted, allowing him a new beginning in that assignment. "You know, my life has been like a great oak tree. From a tiny acorn, I would grow a great oak tree." then he said, "I did it in business, and the oak tree shook. An acorn came down, and they sent me out as a mission president. then I grew another oak tree; they sent me out a second time as a mission president, and then a third."...Each time the oak tree would shake, an acorn would be planted.
• At this time, I understand the oak tree has shaken. An acorn has been planted; it is a new beginning.

Gerald E. Melchin -Decisions

• It is the uncertainty that makes decisions so difficult. When decisions are made in haste or without contemplating the end result, we may find ourselves wishing we could turn the clock back.
• "I will not leave you comfortless."

F. Melvin Hammond -Trying to Be Like Jesus

• Now during these last few minutes we have focused on Christ's love. Did we feel His Spirit burn within us? Have we felt a greater love for Him? Are we really trying to be like Jesus?
• First, do we love Jesus Christ enough to follow His chosen prophets and Apostles, giving heed to their counsel and guidance as if it came from His own mouth?
• Second, do we love the savior enough to forsake our lovely home, our precious family, and accept a call to proclaim His gospel in any part of the world?
• Third, do we love Christ sufficiently that we will be true to our mates, casting out all our unclean thoughts and never betraying their sweet love for us?

Ruth B. Wright -Teaching Children to Walk Uprightly before the Lord

• Our children are eager to learn. They want to be taught.
• Four Goals to help us focus on children
• One, to recognize the worth of our children;
• Two, to activate children who are not participating in the blessings of the gospel;
• Three to teach children the gospel in such a way that they will understand and live it;
• Four, to ensure that children are prepared for and give the opportunity for baptism and ordination.
• The word upright is defined as honest, honorable, straightforward. Thus, to walk uprightly, our children need to choose to live in an honest, honorable, straightforward manner.
• "It's important to stay with something once you begin it, especially when it's hard. You need to work and try to do your best."
• When our children first know they are loved, they are more likely to listen and be taught.

Hans B. Ringger -"What Shall We Do?"

• The Lord understands us better than we understand ourselves.
• They should not rely on their own strength when they served but on His name and His calling.
• First, be true.
• Second, keep the first of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
• Third, distinguish between essence and appearance.
• Fourth, rise above selfishness.
• He will provide His strength to meet our challenges, and many things will take care of themselves. The Spirit of God strengthens us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It is now up to us to choose the way!

Neal A. Maxwell -"Take Especial Care of Your Family"

• "To seize the value and perspective of passing things. ... We want to know that the little things are little, and the big things big, before it is too late; we want to see things now as they will seem forever--'in the light of eternity.'"
• "If truth does not exist, relativism cannot take itself seriously."
• There are no perfect families, either in the world or in the Church, but there are many good families.
• We should make course corrections and fix the leaks, not abandon ship!
• Unfortunately, it is easier to praise the family than to create a successful family. It is easier to talk, as I am doing, of family values than to implement those values. It is easier to rejoice over our rich memories of a good family than to provide the rising generation with its own rich memories.
• How can we value the family without valuing parenting? And how can we value parenting if we do not value marriage? How can there be "love at home" without love in a marriage?
• When parents fail to transmit testimony and theology along with decency, those families are only one generation form serious spiritual decline, having lost their savor. The law of the harvest is nowhere more in evidence and nowhere more relentless than in family gardens!

Thomas S. Monson -What He Would Have Us Do

• We have missed Elder Marvin J. Ashton and another familiar soul at our conferences, D. Arthur Haycock, each of whom has passed away since our last conference. Our hearts and our prayers go out to Sister Ashton, Sister Haycock, and all who have loved and lost someone during this period.

General Young Women Meeting

Virginia H. Pearce -Faith Is the Answer

• Could faith be the answer? We all know that more faith won't make our problems disappear. But I believe as our faith increases, we become more able to not only survive the hard times but become better because of them. I believe faith is the answer.
• Listen with your ears and hearts.

Patricia P. Pinegar -Increase in Faith

• Choosing to increase our faith in the Savior isn't easy. It takes work, but the feelings inside of peace and joy and love are worth all our efforts.
• Sometimes when we try hard to make changes--good changes-- we have a lot of distractions and obstacles.
• "But without faith it is impossible to please him"' and to please him we must "believe that he is."
• Faith is a gift, but it must be sought after.
• Harder than asking is listening. We can listen in our hearts and hear Their voice. We can listen in the scriptures and hear Their word. We can listen to our prophet and leaders and hear their testimonies of faith. We can increase our faith by "hearing ... the word of God." 

Janette C. Hale- Growing Up Spiritually

• "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."
• Growing up spiritually requires faith, great diligence, and patience.
• Growing up spiritually requires us to see beyond our own desires and to enlarge our way of seeing things.

Dallin H. Oaks -"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

• The first principle of the gospel is not "faith." The first principle of the gospel is "Faith in the lord Jesus Christ."
• Faith does not exist by itself. Faith requires an object. It must be faith in something or someone.
• In that respect, faith is like love. Love cannot exist without an object.
• Love is meaningless unless it is directed toward something or someone.
• Faith must include trust.
• Faith, no matter how strong it is, cannot produce a result contrary to the will of him whose power it is.
• "Security is not born of inexhaustible wealth but of unquenchable faith."
• In times of trial you need the comfort offered in the holy scriptures, which assure you that when you have the shield of faith you will "be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

I was at work...which was like half a petshop and half a....department type of store where we were sailing workout equipment, tvs...etc. Though they were all getting rearranged. So every time I walked by a place...it would look different as different objects would be in place. I walked in from the back heading to my department, to work with the animals, when I ran into Reth...she had me off doing some sort of project, but I got interrupted by a woman asking to by crickets. So I went over to the cricket boxes we had...randomly outside in the blazing sun, and picked up a bit of egg crate that happened to be out, I did a quick glance and saw that here were crickets underneath it. So I knocked a few into my hand to put in a bag, only...to get stung. I opened my hand to have the 'crickets' to fly at me....only they weren't crickets. They were bees. like the whole cricket keeper had bees in it though I could see some crickets there as well. I thought that was weird, and was a bit annoyed now, as our cricket thing had been inside a tight little space...where bees couldn't get at it. I told Bob about this...and we plus Reth noticed that there were now honeycombs on the cricket keeper...the bees were building a hive there, making it difficult for us get at the crickets, but we weren't quite sure what to do to get rid of them without getting hurt that way as well....

Then the unholy tones of daylight pulled me away....
and I became myself again. :)

-S.N.D

Money is a Bonus, Not A Requirement

It seems to be part of human nature.
Not to be content with what one has.
But always to search for that 'better life."

Oddly enough...I am content with what I have...
But others don't seem content that I'm content.

It seems like whenever I tell someone about what I'm currently doing....
They aren't...happy about it.
Happy isn't quite the word...but it's close enough.
Instead...they want to know when I'm going to do something 'more.'
"Oh you've done this? Why not this? Why not do this? Shouldn't you be doing this?"

It gets a bit annoying.
"Can't you just be happy for me in this moment? I'm happy about it. Please be happy about it too and not move on to the 'next thing that should make me happy.'

For example...

I never wanted to work at a place just for the money.
I'd seen how discontent people are with jobs they don't like, they just have them to pay the bills.
Since I was young I wanted to always worked at a place that I looked forward to going into work.
That I didn't dread.
I found that at Starsmet.
It may not be the most impressive place on the planet.
Not the highest paying either.
But I love it there.

Now...why can't other people love that I love it there?

lol for example, I got into a conversation,
where I was asked why I wasn't moving back closer to my hometown.
For one thing....it would make my commute to work....like an hour longer.
And working the morning hours...I really didn't want to have to get up at 3am in order to get to work on time.
"But you have friends and family up here. You can get a job up here." was their response.
....but I have friend and family all over the state, I wanted to respond.
Don't get me wrong I love my family, and I enjoy going up there....but I left my hometown because I felt like I was stuck in a rut. I needed a change. I needed to grow. Returning home now...feels like I have to return to who I was...and I'm not quite that person anymore. I don't want to be confined into an image that doesn't fit me anymore.

Anyway...I responded to the second part of their comment. "But I love my job here." I replied.

And suddenly...I was being grilled.
Question after question.
How much do you make? Are you working part time or full?
I answered the questions....totally not liking this Q&A session. It totally made me feel like I was somehow in the wrong.
You work in a petstore right? There are three or four up here you could apply at here, including a Starsmet, you could even get a full time job.

o.O For one. It's not 'a' Petstore. it's STARSMET.
For two. I LOVE it there. Why would I quit a job I love?
For three. There would be no guarantee that I would get a full time job at another pet store. They're more of a part time place with a couple of full time positions. And my job at Starsmet is probably going to give me a full time position when they have one open up.

Going back to two. Seriously. I love my job. I'm not in it for the money. I'm there because I want to be there. I enjoy being around the animals, helping out customers...and more importantly, I love my coworkers. They're a fun group to be around, and switching to a different 'petstore' could mean that my environment wouldn't be as fun. I love working with my coworkers and dealing with their quirks and such. Why would I leave when I'm so happy there? Just to earn more money? Ha.
Money in my mind...makes people more miserable. Especially if they focus on it.
Not my focus. Fun. Happiness. is my focus. The Money is a nice bonus.

I then got a response...that got my back up. If my eyes could blaze...they would have been blazing. Daggers.
"You'll have to move home eventually. What you're making is not going to pay the bills when you're not a student/your parents are helping you pay them.

>.< Excuse me?
Newsflash.
I am not a student. I graduated a year ago.
My parents aren't helping me to pay bills. I've been paying rent. paying utilities.
For.
A. 
Year.
 Now.
With my own hard earned money thank you very much.

Beyond that.
In who's world is it that one goes off to college only to move back in with the parents when you graduate? (
That's not how the world works for me. You move out, and hopefully never move back in with the parents. (I know that isn't always the case, and it's becoming more common to move back in. but..)
To insinuate that I can't take care of myself and that I would need to move back home at some future point.
ooooo
>.< Blazing Eyes.
I do not need to!

They took the news that my parents weren't helping me with surprise.
"How are you able to do that?!"
Apparently making what I make...it shouldn't be possible that I can live out on my own.

Honestly.
It's called budgeting.
I make this much a month.
Half of that goes to rent.
Another hundredish goes to food.
Another fifty to bills.
Another fifty for gas.
Put some into savings.
Pay tithing.
And actually have some fun. go see movies, go out to eat, go shopping.

I'm living within my means.
Sure, sometimes I can't spend as much money in the 'fun' category as I'd love to.
But Patience is a Virtue. :)

"That seems a bit...tight" his response. "But as long as you're happy..."

Yes. It is. Especially if I have a bit too much fun in the fun category.
But in the end. I make ends meet. :)

Personally,
I feel that I can do this because of my parents.
When they were helping me while I was in school.
They just didn't hand me money whenever I needed it.
No.
They gave me a set amount a month.
And that was it until the next month.
Half of it would go to rent.
The other half would be up to my discretion on how to spend it.
And if I overspent...the consequences would be on me.

It's been a huge blessing in my life.
To know how to budget.
that my parents chose to give me one in the first place
And a blessing that I can make enough from work now to be able to make ends meet and have a little extra as well.

Basically.
I'm content. Happy even.
It never was about the money for me.
But that I would be able to have a job I love.

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Ever Changing Schedules

There is a method to the madness.
How my work shifts...work.
Because it seems like they're consistent for a period of time.
Where I can judge about when and what days I will work.
Before it suddenly goes weird.

And then...there usually is a reason I find during the week.
That just makes this odd shift change great for me.

Take this past week.

I ended up getting sick.
But the worst days...were on my days off.
Which meant that I could recuperate enough to survive the days I did work. Even if I wasn't feeling the greatest.
and working that late shift...I was able to get a date. ;) lol.

and this upcoming week...
Also worked out in my favor. :) oddly enough.
I totally thought that it was just ruining everything.
But it's not.

Oddly enough, this messed up this schedule this week,
means that I have less stress on what could have been a stressful day.
I can go to a few graduation things,
and of course I can go on a date. :)

I find it amazing how it all turns out.
it's gotten to the point that when I look at my schedule next week.
And see some oddities.
That I know something is going to happen.
Good or Bad I don't know.
But something is going to happen that makes me grateful that I work when I work, or have the day off that I do. :)

So here's to seeing if it all works out as it should this upcoming week!

A new adventure awaits!

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

I was at work. (surprise surprise) and Reth was having me go through the fish tanks to clean them, when an older woman came up to me wanting help with something down a different isle...way down the field...the isle towered over us. And I don't really remember what she wanted, but I ended up with Bruce Wayne, and we were walking and talking. As Taar came by and mentioned our stable. For we were building a stable to house horses, so we both stopped to check it out. The framework was in place and the dirt had been laid, so it was a work in progress, and progressing.

Then the unholy tones of daylight pulled me away....
and I became myself again. :)

-S.N.D

An Evening Shift Surprise

It's been a long day.
That's why I don't like working evening shifts.
Because it makes the day waaaaay longer.
It's even worse when I have a normal early shift the next day.
For it means I basically go to work, go to bed, only to go to work again.
Blehhhhh

But.
There was a bright spot in my day today. ;)

You see...I was kinda halfway helping one of my coworkers to adopt out a lizard of ours that was missing a leg. Adding in tidbits of information before breaking away to go help other customers...as I was customer service today. -Totally makes the day slow as I have no animal tasks to make the time go by faster. :(
Well, a little bit later, after they had adopted out this lizard,
the couple came up to me. -I assume they were a couple.

"Hey can we ask you a question?"
"Sure." I replied.
"It has nothing to do with lizards or animals actually."
O.o. I had no idea what they were going to ask then. I mean...it is a pet store. What non-related question could you ask?
"Alright?"
"Don't take this weird, but...are you single?"
O.o I smiled. "Yes."
"Oh good." She glanced to the guy she was with. Then back to me. "Would it be weird if I sent my brother in here in a bit to ask for your number?"
Yes. Yes it would lol. "No?"
"Okay, good. Wait...how old are you?"
I told her.
The guy nodded in approval. "Good good."
...Yah totally feeling like a horse for auction.
"Okay, he'll come in a bit later tonight. He's a bit awkward so that might tip you off."
lol. "Alright." -I'm sure I said more words...I just don't remember. "Sounds good." I actually had half the mind that this kid wasn't going to show up. So I wasn't too concerned.
"Oh and one last thing...are you Mormon?"
I nodded and smiled. "yes I am."
"Great! That's very important to him and I thought I would make sure you were....see you later!"
I waved goodbye and went back to work.

So weird.
That's the first time that's happened...at work.
I've had a lot of people say "I'm going to set you up with so and so...." only to have it never really happen. So I put the matter from my mind -easy to do when the store suddenly has a hundred and three tasks that need to get done.

Then a while later, near when I would take my last break of the night....
I was in the middle of cleaning up a doggymess with my bucket and mop....
I looked up and saw this guy, he looked cute. light blonde hair, checkered blue shirt. Friendly smile.
lol I have no idea how long he'd been in the store.
As I remember seeing him briefly when moving my mop around, and just as I was finishing,
he approached.
"Hello." I said.
"Hi."
"Can I help you with anything?" -Cus you know...it is a pet store...people sometimes need help.
And he was like "No" gestures wide. "Just looking around."
"Okay."
"Actually....I was looking for you."
Click click.
OH!! So this was the brother!

When the sister mentioned awkward, I totally pictured the brother as the type that sits at home playing video games all day long, totally lost in the virtual world.
No, he's just that shy awkward. And cute! :)

So I was like "Oh! you're the brother!" and the conversation started from there. lol.

One of the benefits of working in a store that requires you to talk to people.
Is that you can totally get away with talking to people,
when it's not necessarily work related, as you look like you're talking to a customer and trying to help them solve their problems.
However, when Tocc walked by for like the third time,
I decided that I couldn't stand by the registers anymore,
and told the guy to follow me to the back so that I could put the broom away.
Luckily enough.
My manager passed by just as I reached the back and told me to take my last break.
Which meant.
I could talk and not have to look like I was working.
lol. So we stood behind the partition that hides the entrance to the break room.
And were able to talk without me having to be distracted with other people in the store.
That also gave me the opportunity to remember that I might actually be seeing this guy again.
Soo...I really should ask for his name.

lol. As my mom says: "You're the only girl I know who can talk to a person for an hour (not that long) and not know anything about them."
^^;;;
Heh.

At least I remembered to ask for his name.
It would be really sad if I walked away and didn't know it at all.

Anywho.
At the end of my break -when the sister and boyfriend showed up again....apparently they bought another lizard for their lizard friend. O.o
He finally asked for my number.

and we're going out next week at some point. :)

This should be interesting.

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

I entered into some caverns that were partially underwater. Meaning that I was waist deep most of the time in water. It was like a maze in there. And pitch black. We didn't have flash lights. It was just adventuring around in the darkness. Filling your way through the place. I had a sort of flashback at one point where I got the history of the caverns. How a young American male came to this foreign land and ended up trying to woo an Arabian princess. However, the prince that was also wooing her as well as marrying her -I think it was arranged- didn't take well to that, and the American ended up getting tossed into the caverns. Where he found a bit of solace and strength in an old stone book/statute guardian. It kept him sane and when he tried to move it some time later...it revealed an exit with old boards around it. I crawled out to escape....only to end up back in the caverns. With a group of others, showing them the way into the entrance. Only...this waterway entrance was different. There was a secret gate to lock, and the place was like an old sunken home. With dusty furniture and lights and such. But danger was coming. We didn't want a group to get in so we shut the door, and for good measure I tried to lock the gate...only the gate wouldn't stay locked. I messed with it, and suddenly it was part of a gate of a theme park ride of haunted proportions where you sat in the seat and the gate was like lace...but with needles sticking out of them. It was scary, as there was actually a hint of danger to them.

Then the unholy tones of daylight pulled me away....
and I became myself again. :)

-S.N.D

Trust Jesus

Katie Lewis is my neighbor.
Her father, Randy, is my bishop; her mother, Melanie, is a saint.
And her older brother, Jimmie, is battling leukemia.

Sister Lewis recently recounted for me the unspeakable fear and grief that came to their family when Jimmie's illness was diagnosed.
She spoke of the tears and the waves of sorrow that any mother would experience with a prognosis as grim as Jimmie's was.
But like the faithful Latter-day Saints they are, the Lewises turned to God with urgency and with faith and with hope.
They fasted and prayed, prayed and fasted.
And they went again and again to the temple.

One day Sister Lewis came home from a temple session weary and worried, feeling the impact of so many days--and nights--of fear being held at bay only by monumental faith.

As she entered her home, four-year-old Katie ran up to her with love in her eyes and a crumpled sheaf of papers in her hand.
Holding the papers out to her mother, she said unenthusiastically, "Mommy, do you know what these are?"

Sister Lewis said frankly her first impulse was to deflect Katie's zeal and say she didn't feel like playing just then.
But she thought of her children--all her children--and the possible regret of missed opportunities and little lives that pass too swiftly.
So she smiled through her sorrow and said, "No, Katie. I don't know what they are. Please tell me."

"They are scriptures," Katie beamed back, "and do you know what they say?"

Sister Lewis stopped smiling, gazed deeply at this little child, knelt down to her level, and said, "Tell me, Katie. What do the scriptures say?"

"They say, 'Trust Jesus.'"
And then she was gone.

Sister Lewis said that as she stood back up, holding a fistful of her four-year-old's scribbling, she felt near-tangible arms of peace encircle her weary soul and a divine stillness calm her troubled heart.

Katie Lewis, "angel and minister of grace," I'm with you.
In a world of some discouragement, sorrow, and overmuch sin, in times when fear and despair seem to prevail, when humanity is feverish with no worldly physicians in sight, I too say, "Trust Jesus."
Let him still the tempest and ride upon the storm.
Believe that he can lift mankind from its bed of affliction, in time and in eternity.

Jeffrey R. Holland -"Look to God and Live"  -October 1993 General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Sinus Painfulness

I haven't been sleeping well the past couple of nights...actually like three nights.
The first night was the usual drama of a headache/muscle tension making me toss and turn.
But the two nights after that...
have been for an entirely different reason.
Pain.
But not headache pain.
It's more like being punched in the jaw pain.
As the day after my headache night,
I basically succumbed to whatever Kikay has had.
And it involves...aching gums.
Which basically means I have a sinus cold.
As it started in my gums on the right side of my mouth -where a sinus is. and has worked is way down around to the gums on the bottom of my jaw and is slowly moving down my neck...kinda... as my neck has been tense for the past couple of days as well. Staring with that headache it moved from the left side to the right and hasn't budged since then.
So a tense neck/shoulder.
Aching gums...
and nothing seems to help for long.
Tylenol, Advil, Aleve....all seem to only work for a couple of hours....before the pain comes back.
Putting cold helps...until my mouth unnumbs and then it's twice as bad.
Eating helps to relieve some of the pressure I'm feeling...but still makes it hurt.
Heat...has been my best option so far.
But heat packs only stay warm for a couple of hours.

So overall...I've been tossing and turning all night long, trying to get comfortable...and not succeeding for long.
I'm not sure how I'm managing to function actually.
I guess I get enough interrupted sleep to be rested.
So I can function at work and such...
until the pain pills wear off.
Then all I can think about is my aching mouth.

I hope it fades.
Soon.
I'm tired of feeling almost normal only to have to go run to my heat pack and hold it to my head for a couple of hours until the pain fades away.

....I really need to do something that distracts me from this....

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

It was another spy sort of dream. There was this tall guy. Short buzz cut hair, shadow beard. He worked at a restaurant that sold food for the 'skinny' and food for the 'fat' -portion wise. It was weird. Skinny food would be like a two bite hamburger. While 'overweight' food would be a humongous nacho salad type of thing. Really controversial. Anyway, the guy was like a vigilante, working to keep the streets safe, only the cops didn't approve and they were after him. They caught up with us -him, me a couple of others- at my grandparents home. But we ran across the street to escape from their notice. We tried a diversionary tactic that had worked in a different dream, but the cops followed us...only they didn't find us. We had laid down in the grass...which had been cut....but the guys following us acted like it was ten feet tall, stepping over and around us, not seeing us at all even though we were in plain sight...we weren't in plain sight to them. That allowed us to escape....

then the unholy tones of daylight pulled me away....
and I became myself again. :)

-S.N.D

Winged Feet Forever Running

It gets numbing after a while.
Hearing about disaster after disaster.
How people's normal lives were forever changed.

I'm at a loss.
Who in their right mind would want to cause people pain? Death?
Why would they decide to hurt the innocent?
What makes them so selfish. So insensitive to others?

Being a writer....
Alot of reasons can be found for why such an action has been taken.

Overall though, it's to take away someone else's joy. Their peace of mind.
The instill fear in the general public.
To make one wonder if going to an event actually is safe,
or will it end up with a life forever changed.

Yesterday....they tried to take away our feet.
The will to run.
To support others.
To reach life goals.

It's not going to happen though.
We'll come back from this stronger.
With a new reason to run the Boston Marathon in the future.

In remembrance.
In support.

Our feet will aways be running.

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

I was with this group of cowboy/girl esq people...we were preparing for something in a warehouse type place. When we discovered a couple of rattlesnakes. The others went for them....as they were professional rattlesnake wranglers. And caught them taking them inside the house to put them in a safe spot for removal later. But they just kept coming. Appearing by the twos and threes and fours. Some were normal rattle snake colored, others albino like, others having the red, black, yellow banding of another poisonous snake even though it was still a rattle snake. I only saw one of those. I called my cat Flare away from the door as well as Sadie and Pepper. One woman came up to me with a rattler in hand, and I backed away not wanting to get bitten. My dad had joined in on the catching as well. But suddenly Pepper ran out to the yard, I called her back. She came back, but then immediately ran out again towards the fence/cactus area. Where some rattlers were. They attacked Pepper and I screamed in panic. My Dad ran out to rescue her, grabbing rattlers left and right, but they overwhelmed him. Started biting him all over, he fell back onto his back, unable to get to his feet.

-I started awake, unable to take the scene. Hours later I dozed off....

It was the beginning again, when the snakes were just starting to come and the wranglers were out catching them. There was a head guy in charge and he wanted me to go after the snakes. I told him no. I wanted to avoid them. I wasn't going to be bitten by a rattler. This girl with blonde hair came up to me with a snake, and was...teasing me, bringing the snakes fangs close to me. At one point I snapped and pulled out my pocket knife and scored her on the thigh drawing blood. I wasn't messing around, I didn't want that snake anywhere around me.
It didn't phase her though. She kept the snake at me. Bringing its jaws near my skin. Until...she stuck me with the snakes fangs, and pulled it out. I didn't feel pain, beyond the sting of being stuck, and she said that she knew when the venom was flowing in the fangs and when it wasn't. She began pulling the little bee stinger like things from my leg....

and then the unholy tones of daylight pulled me away....
and I became myself again. :)

-S.N.D