"It's a small world after all...."

It seems that my world just keeps getting smaller and smaller. One of my first days at this temp job I was being introduced around and one of the guys said I looked familiar. He told me his name but I couldn't quite place it (he did look familiar to me too) and then it clicked...we were in the same ward at BYU my freshman year. We've had fun last week getting caught up and then today going through our old Deseret Towers dorm directory. Now I'll have to bring in my photo album from that year to see if I have pictures of him or his wife (she was an RA on the floor below me but still in our ward).

Also, I was getting somethings reorganized here and typing up a list of people who might still get mail here but no longer work here. I came across the name of a guy from my last family ward when I lived in Quailbrook. His wife and I worked together in the Primary on the music, she played and I lead. I sent her an email letting her know about this second connection between the two of us (one of her college friends is a former co-worker of mine).

Prior to these two reunions, I've had a few more "small world encounters." Out of the blue I've reconnected in some way or another with the guy I liked my first two years of high school - Paul, a roommate from BYU - Chris (and her husband too, who I also knew), a roommate from the U - Michelle, my best-friend from high school - Tina, to mention just a few more.

Some friends have said that I know half of Utah and am related to the other half....I don't know that I would agree with that comment but I would say that I am fairly well connected. It's fun to see these friends from so long ago and get caught up with each other since we were last in the same place at the same time.

What's in a name?

I learned today that my name means "God has answered." One of the men here said his daughter's middle name is also JaNae (not sure how they spell it though). He said they had a hard time getting her here and chose her middle name to reflect that their prayers were answered. He said the "Ja" is a derivative of Jehovah. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

Eye Candy

Ok, so my blog is very text heavy....on this Friday afternoon (with super fast internet rather than my slow connection at home), I thought I'd change that. Hope you enjoy these few random & fairly recent photos.

Cute 3½ year old Shayla took this one of me, can you tell?

I asked for a new style at the What Women Want convention. It looked cute, just felt a little young for me.

Cool white crocodile at Hogle Zoo. Legend has it that if it looks at you you'll have good fortune and good luck. Sadly, no eye contact with me. :(

Shayla and Cameron are sharing the stroller while we were at Hogle Zoo, until Shayla decided she'd had enough.

Me with Boston in the background.

Cute Cameron & I at the Dodo with the UT fam for my birthday.

Misc Updates

Well, I now have a temp job for the next 6 weeks or so. I'm working as a receptionist for a company in South Jordan. There was some confusion with the temp agency and my availability (it's so great to have them not listen to me) so earlier this week they'd told me the position went to someone else. Well yesterday I received a call asking me to come in today for a working interview. I expressed my confusion and the agency explained that the final decision wouldn't be made until after I'd done this working interview too. The HR manager just came by a few minutes ago asking if I would be ok to come back tomorrow. At least I have something to bring in income other than student loans.

The person I'm replacing is so surprised at how quick I'm picking things up. I don't want to be rude but it's not really that tough of a job. Basically I just needed to learn the phone system, which is way easy since it's computer connected, and that's about it. The other duties are typing up Fed Ex labels, sorting mail, and the other miscellaneous requests that often come to the front desk person. No copying, emails to return, faxing or anything tough like that. Nice thing too, they are ok with me bringing in a book or something if things are done and it's quiet so I might even be able to study and get paid for it.

Also, when the agency called me yesterday they said to plan on 8:30-4:30. Surprising since I don't have the job. Then they called back and clarified to come for 2-3 hours for the interview and the decision would be made by the end of the day. Well, after I got here I informed the staff what was going on, working interview and all that, and then they asked if I was staying till 2:00. A little surprising to me but that's ok. So now it's 1:30 and I'm here alone while they're doing the good-bye lunch for the receptionist till 2:00. Since I didn't know if I'd be back or not, I figured no biggie to stay longer than expected. Guess now things are all set.

Update on student loans. I was approved for 100% of what I could get for summer term. After trying to be patient, and succeeding somewhat, one of the checks finally arrived yesterday. (Now I can send off my rent check.) It's nice to have some money in the bank even if it's just loan money and also give me a little to save up for future trips, Japan, Italy, DC, Chicago....yes, all 4 are in the works....

Worth a reread...

...Last night I finished reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Bloom. I suppose I should say, rereading, it was at least my second time through the book. What an amazing story! As I reread it I found other "truths" I'd not noticed before which I've marked to find easily the next time I read it. Even though I'd read the book before, there was enough I'd forgotten or confused that the story almost felt new. (If you don't know the story, Corrie and her family hid Jews in their home and were part of an underground network in Holland during WWII.)

I've read a few other WWII stories, mostly others about LDS individuals or families during WWII in Germany. The thing that amazes me the most are the miracles that occurred during a time of such evil and wickedness. It's so great that miracles never cease! I saw a quote recently that said, "Look for the small miracles and you'll find they're everywhere." That seems like a great way to live and an honor to those who did just that at at time when wickedness seemed to be taking control of everyone and everything.

Reader's Digest Favorites

Throughout the years I have occasionally picked up an issue of the Reader's Digest or had a subscription. The humor sections are my favorites and often have me laughing out loud I find them so funny. Well, I thought I'd share a couple good ones I've read recently to share the laughter. Enjoy!

First by Kay Strayer, Aurora Nebraska:

"There are women whose thoughtful husbands buy them flowers for no reason. And then there's me. One day I couldn't stand it any longer. 'Why don't you ever bring me flowers?' I asked.
"'What's the point?' my husband said. 'They die after about a week.'
"'So could you,' I shot back, 'but I still like having you around.'"

Second, by Dana Biscotti Myskowski, Henniker, New Hampshire:

"Like a typical teenager, my 15-year-old son dreaded our family vacation at a seaside cottage in the middle of Boring Nowhere. But his eyes brightened when I said, 'Did I tell you we'll be buying lobsters from Pamela Anderson? We'll even bike to her house to pick them up.'
"His face grew dark as the horrible truth dawned: 'There's more than one Pamela Anderson, isn't there?'"

Have a fabulous day! :)

My US Travels

Yes, I'm following the crowd on this one, but I think it will be ok....Here's my map of states I've visited. Clearly several holes, more if I'd not worked for Creating Keepsakes, and several of the states are on my list of places to visit someday. Now I do need to clarify that my visit to Texas was a layover, however, after a 7+ hour layover in the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport I think I can count that state. No other layovers but a few states I've just driven though as well...



create your own personalized map of the USA

Poor New Mexico, all there by itself. Guess I need to plan a road trip there soon so it's not such an island....

How do I fit the whole map????!!!!