Not Doing The Greatest

Sick.
I'm sick.
Literally. Like...have the annoying nose thing where it's either stuffy or runny and can't decide which to be. Plus a slight cough. Bleh.
But the good news is that I'm still able to function like a somewhat healthy person. :)

As....like 95% of my coworkers...are not.
Something hit Starsmet this past week.
Everyone has been decimated with a sort of stomach bug. :S
One that causes you to be friends with bathroom constantly for like 6-10 hours. Yikes! Added to a headache, and cold like symptoms... it's not good.
We've barely managed to keep a skeleton staff to hold down the fort. :S

So I count myself very lucky that It's a slight cold I have. :)
*fingers crossed* that it doesn't get worse. :S

I may have gotten a head start on it, by eating Zupas Chicken Enchilada Chili for a couple of days. ^^ That seems to have helped. Plus getting a bit more rest.

But, something odd happened this morning.
Where I woke up and my left eye was all...swollen/puffy.
O.o
(literally my eyes looked like that. o.O one bigger then the other, cus the other wouldn't open all the way.)
It's still slightly puffy, though not as noticeable.
And I have no idea what happened. O.o
I mean...I had trouble sleeping last night, as both sides of my nose stuffed up making it difficult to breathe and therefore difficult to sleep.

But when my manager saw it when I came into work this morning...
She thought I may be having an allergic reaction to something.
Which would make sense...
Only I'm not allergic to anything that I'm aware of. :S

Seriously. Unless I overdid it getting a full cup of Chicken Enchilada Chili instead of my usual 1/2 cup...I haven't done anything different.
Plus..it wasn't itchy.
...kinda. It was a 'well, I wasn't itchy until you asked if I was itchy so now my brain thinks I need to be itchy, itchy' sort of itchy.

Who knows.
I just hope me, and everyone else gets better soon. ^^

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

Where's Christmas?

So you know how everywhere has been playing Christmas music for at least a month and a half now?
Well...
I kinda expected them to keep playing Christmas music until New Years Day.
I mean, that's how it's been for as long as I can remember.
Hi Mirleki. ;)
And I totally thought I would be hearing Christmas music for the rest of the year.
My thoughts were proven right when I woke up the day after Christmas to the radio playing it.

But then. >.>
<.<
It disappeared.
The music of Christmas faded like a White Ninja into a snow storm.
Never to be seen -heard- again.
My work is no longer playing it.
The radio stations in my car no longer play it.
Only my radio alarm clock plays it. O.o

This is rather weird.
And hard to comprehend.
My senses are complaining.
I've been hearing Christmas Christmas Christmas!
For the past month!
To have it suddenly disappear, unexpectedly.....
So. Weird.

I wonder why... It makes snow seem more dreary without the Christmas Spirit making it a winter wonderland. :(
Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Honest Path

A friend related this experience her husband had while attending medical school.
"Getting into medical school is pretty competitive, and the desire to do well and be successful puts a great deal of pressure on the new incoming freshmen.
My husband had worked hard on his studies and went to attend his first examination.
The honor system was expected behavior at the medical school.
The professor passed behavior at the medical school.
The professor passed out the examination and left the room.
Within a short time, students started to pull little cheat papers out from under their papers or from their pockets.
My husband recalled his heart beginning to pound as he realized it is pretty hard to compete against cheaters.
About that time a tall, lanky student stood up in the back of the room and stated: 'I left my hometown and put my wife and three little babies in an upstairs apartment and worked very hard to get into medical school.
And I'll turn in the first one of you who cheats, and you better believe it!'
They believed it.
There were many sheepish expressions, and those cheat papers started to disappear as fast as they had appeared.
He set a standard for the class which eventually graduated the largest group in the school's history."

The young, lanky medical student who challenged the cheaters was J Ballard Washburn, who became a respected physician and in later years received special recognition from the Utah Medical Association for his outstanding service as a medical doctor.
He also served as a General Authority and is now the president of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple.

James E. Faust -Honesty--a Moral Compass -October 1996 General Conference

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

Presents!!!

Merry Christmas!! :)
It's finally here!

^^ I have to say, I may have gotten a bit carried away getting presents for everyone this year.
I totally spent waaay too much money.
But it was totally worth it. ^^
To see the expressions of surprise, joy, excitement on people's faces?
Totally Awe-some!

Hehe,
and I did something a bit different this year with presents.
At least with my family.
I actually got them stuff they wanted.

O.o
I know. Weird right?
Or...at least I got them presents and they already knew what they were getting.
As...>.> Some of my family, are very good guessers.
And others...I was like "I'M TOTALLY GETTING YOU THIS FOR CHRISTMAS!" Over text. ^^;;

But don't worry.
I haven't gone completely mad.

I gave two presents.
One they were able to guess right off the bat.
The other.. *grins*... well, they were harder to guess.
^^ Hehe.

Yes. I love giving presents.
I love getting them in return.

And I gots lots of presents! From books, to sketchbooks/pencils, to giant chocolate bars, to movies, to games, to posters, to more candy, to magic tricks, to clothes. Ah. The list can go on and on and on.

Like...I got a new Laptop! And I'm typing from it now! ^^
Can I say it's taking a bit of getting use to? Because it is. Like...my leg keeps imagining that it's getting hot...because it's used to my old laptop's fan getting hot. This one though...has no fan. O.o So I'm having like...imaginary 'hot flashes' from the other laptop. O.o
There, but not forgotten. lol. *shakes head*

But you know the oddest thing I got?
An Amazon gift card. O.o

lol Why do I consider this odd?
Because well...I've never gotten one before.
...I'm not quite sure what to do with it. What to buy with it. I'm afraid of buying the wrong thing actually. O.o Honestly...I've given these to family in the past, but I've never got one for myself before. O.o What do I do with it?!!?

Buy something of course. I just need to figure out which thing to buy..... :S Choices. Choices. Choices. AAAAHHHHH!!!!...

^^ lol
Yes, the next few days should be fun. ^^ Weeeeee

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

I was walking past this path..in a tunnel maybe? But it was a path with green plants and such, when I happened to look over and see a whole bunch of old gold and silver coins laying in a puddle of water...a stream? I started excavating them, worried that I wasn't going to be able to keep them....

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

-S.N.D

Almost Skipped...

There's an unofficial tradition in my neighborhood.
I think it's traditionally a tradition in most neighborhoods,
Where, before Christmas, the neighbors start giving gifts to each other.
Usually it's food. Cookies, bread, cheese ball (oh how I love that cheese ball ^^) among other things. :)
It's a fun tradition, one where it has it's moments in 'liking it'

My family has done various things in the past. From homemade suckers to fruit baskets and nuts.

But one of my favorite memories involves a moment when we didn't give.

You see, each year we have a set of houses we give stuff to. Depending on funds, time,  and who's already given us gifts, we give presents in return. As well to most of the houses on our street.

But one year, we decided to skip a house that hadn't given us anything in return (that I can recall) since we first started leaving stuff for them on their door.
I don't remember the reasoning behind why we decided to forgo giving a gift... maybe the one stated above, maybe something completely different.

That year. We skipped their house.
And, to our surprise.
They actually reached out to us and gave us a gift.
O.o
Seriously, we were surprised.

lol and of course we scrambled to give them a return gift. -luckily we had extras of whatever we were giving that year. For which I'm extremely grateful. I dislike not being able to reciprocate gifts in return.

And since that one year,
they have continued to give us a neighbor gift each Christmas. ^^

It's been awesome really.
I mean, my family hardly ever...if almost never interacts with this home. I know very little about them. Beyond their name, and who lives in the house.
-And that their driveway makes a great runway to get your bike going really fast down the street...

Yet, every Christmas, we take the time to give each other a little something.
And it seriously brightens my day. ^^ 
lol Since that one year I've made sure that we've included them in the list.

I mean, our gifts must mean something to them,
It's probably something they look forward to each year.
As when we don't do our neighbor gifts in a timely fashion, they've tended to fuel the 'we must send out neighbor gifts!' passion. At least for me.

It's just made me think...that sometimes, little acts. Like giving a plate of fruit or suckers to a quiet home in the neighborhood, can mean the world to someone.
It also is a lesson to me, that even if it appears we're getting nothing in return...it's a good idea to continue to give to others.

This story ends happily because they were spurred into action that one year. To give back to us.
But, what would have happened if they hadn't been?
Would our gifts to them be a forgotten joy?
One thought fleetingly, wishingly about every Christmas time?
Would we have given them a gift next year? Or written them off?

Who knows.
But I do know that, that didn't happen.
We've continued exchanging gifts.

And I think it brings joy to both sides. ^^ Happiness, Smiles.
"They remembered us!" I'm sure both sides exclaim. :)

It's a great feeling. One I hope to continue for years to come. ^^

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

...involved a tree house. Building one? Wanting one? I don't remember, but I do know that we had to wander through our whole backyard to try and find the perfect tree, and the guy looking to build first thought that one of our Almond trees was great, until he realized it was a split trunk, and that would make it unstable. Then he went to the busy hazelnut tree -so me and my dad thought, suggesting we build there. I didn't like that idea, it wasn't a 'tree house' location in my mind, but the guy had actually meant the huge pepper tree we had in between the almond and hazelnut trees. (that we don't actually have) and that it was perfect for building in...which he commenced building...

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

-S.N.D

October 1997 General Conference Priesthood Session

M. Russell Ballard -Standing for Truth and Right

• It may not always be easy, convenient, or politically correct to stand for truth and right, but it is always the right thing to do. Always.
• Standing for truth and right is not solely a Sunday thing.
• If we are not careful, today's secret combinations can obtain power and influence just as quickly and just as completely as they did in Book of Mormon times.
• Many of you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood may find yourselves on the front line of a battle against those who intend to do things that are morally wrong. I do not believe that you can stand for truth and right while wearing anything that is unbecoming one who holds the Priesthood of God.
• I know it is sometimes hard to stand for truth and right. Yet we need to be positive examples if we are to help others find a better way.
• Dealing with crime is very complex. However, there are some simple things that we can do in our day to prevent others from drifting toward gangs and crime. We can avoid the temptation of being cliquish at school or at church. All of us can refrain from finding fault or alienating anyone by our words or actions. Nothing is more hurtful than to feel left out or made fun of. therefore, we must never do anything that may drive others toward being accepted by a gang because they feel rejected by us.
• Make friends with your neighbors, watch out for each other.

Keith B. McMullin -"Behold the Man"

• Hold fast.
• Those who are "faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods ... and the magnifying their calling ... become ... the church and kingdom, and the elect of God."
• The world uses age as a means of defining one's readiness for manhood.
• The world also uses age to establish when a man is sufficiently wise and responsible to vote, to make contracts, to be held fully and legally accountable. We call this the age of majority, the time when one ceases to be a minor.
• Because youth and age are so visible in the Aaronic Priesthood, we could mistakenly assume they somehow determine the powers and effectiveness of this priesthood. Remember, please remember: In the Church, it is worthiness and the power of God that qualify men for the work. Expectation, opportunity, and service contribute more to one's growth than do birthdays. In the kingdom of God, the age of majority begins with ordination.
• How we view him has a bearing on how he views himself
• In the eyes of God, there is more power and authority in the hand of an Aaronic Priesthood bearer than there is among all of the world's rich, famous, and influential people. Their works will end; his will not.

James E. Faust -Pioneers of the Future: "Be Not Afraid, Only Believe"

• Become pioneers of the future.
• Action is inhibited by fear.
• Seeking acceptance from the wrong source brought untold misery and pain.
• We can overcome all of our fears, not all at once, but one at a time. As we do so we will grow in confidence.
• Believing involves faith and good works. We cannot be passive; we must actively avoid evil.
• Families in this day and time should not only avoid evil but avoid the very appearance of evil.
• How corrosive is the daily diet of pornography, immorality, dishonesty, disrespect, abuse, and violence that comes from so many sources. If we are not careful it will shake our spiritual moorings. Once we internalize these evils, it is very difficult to purge ourselves of them.
• The brain won't vomit back filth. Once recorded, it will always remain subject to recall.
• My dear brethren, all of us, young and old, must constantly guard against the enticements of Satan.
• We are the pioneers of the future. Let us go forth like the armies of Helaman and build the kingdom of God. like the royal army, let us be "united, bold, and strong, ... marching forth to conquer on life's great battlefields."

Thomas S. Monson -Home Teaching-- a Divine Service

• "Where the President is, there is strength, and to know that he is with us and is presiding is a strength to the entire Church."
• In performing home teaching responsibilities, we are wise if we learn and  understand the challenges of the members of each family. A home teaching visit is also more likely to be successful if an appointment is made in advance.
• "If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend."
• "Above all, be a genuine friend to the individuals and families you teach."
• A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend listens. And a friend reaches out.
• "People are somewhat like the coals of a fire. Should they absent themselves from the warmth and spirit of the active church membership, they will not contribute to the whole, but in their isolation will be changed. As with the embers removed from the heat of the fire, as they distance themselves from the intensity of the spirit generated by the active membership, they will lose that warmth and spirit."
• "People are more important than the embers of a fire."
• Live not to be served, but to serve; not to receive, but to give.

Gordon B. Hinckley -Some Thoughts on Temples, Retention of Converts, and Missionary Service

• We are determined, brethren, to take the temples to the people and afford them every opportunity for the very precious blessings that come of temple worship.
• There are people who are joining the Church against the advice of friends and family. This is a big step for them, and they should be supported at this critical time.
• You cannot disregard the converts.
• Walk in the sunlight, strength, and virtue of self-control and of absolute integrity.
• Education is the key that unlocks the door of opportunity.
• I say what has been said before, that missionary work is essentially a priesthood responsibility. As such, our young men must carry the major burden. This is their responsibility and their obligation.
• We do not ask the young women to consider a mission as an essential part of their life's program. Over a period of many years, we have held the age level higher for them I an effort tot keep the number going relatively small. Again to the sisters I say that you will be as highly respected, you will be considered as being as much in line of duty, your efforts will be as acceptable to the Lord and to the Church whether you go on a mission or do not go on a mission.
• I certainly do not wish to say or imply that their services are not wanted. I simply say that a mission is not necessary as a part of their lives.
• May you look upon the Church as your great and good friend, you refuge when the world appears to be closing around you, your hope when things are dark, your pillar of fire by night and your cloud by day as you thread the pathways of your lives.

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

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Dream

I was at work, dealing with all the crazy customers, and our shipment of bugs and reptiles had just come in, a towering monstrosity that was nearly double my height. And then to add to it, my manager got a call saying that the corporation had decided that our store needed to change locations, and move down the street to where the old Banfield hospital had been. Now. Immediately. I couldn't understand it, why were we suddenly being forced to move when our location had been great before. Plus, I was totally left at a loss of what to do with the bugs and reptiles. They couldn't stay in their boxes indefinitely, but if we were moving...they wouldn't do well with the cold, and besides, none of the mangers were telling me what our plan was. Were we moving right then? Or later?

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

-S.N.D

Able to 'See'

My family has a gift.
For guessing gifts.

Particularly my Father and my Brother.
Seriously, it's like they look at the present and they know. O.o Even if you hide it in something that looks totally nothing like it. They know. O.o Crazy!

Well, tonight, I was able to channel this little gift.
When me, Kikay and friends did a little gift exchange.

Lol it was with nearly every present that I would get it in my hands and go "Oh, it's this."
And then I'd open it.
And it would be that!!

O.o Totally crazy!
But fun.
But crazy! :D

And the gifts were all totally awesome!! ^^ Hehe.
I can't wait to use/wear them. ^^

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

-Sarnic Dirchi