Blessed, honored pioneers!

Pioneer Day, celebrated on July 24th, is a state holiday in Utah. It is to honor the Mormon pioneers who settled this land and their sacrifices to make this desert bloom like a rose. There are parades, community breakfasts and BBQs and fireworks display throughout the state in celebration. In order to avoid the crowds, I opted not to attend the parade or the firework display and spent the evening at the Dauds with my Indonesian friends for a dinner party.

I am grateful for those Mormon pioneers who gave so much to build up this beautiful state. I would also like to acknowledge the modern day pioneers in my life. My parents were pioneers when they joined the LDS church in Indonesia in 1974. All present at the dinner tonight are pioneers when we emigrated to the US to seek a better life and to enjoy the freedom to worship as we see fit.

Tons of good food tonight. Tofu, chicken, fish, beef, green bean dishes, vegetable soup, grilled zucchinis fresh from the garden, sweet corn, refreshing cucumbers, cakes, banana bread, ice cream and sherbet filled our bellies.

What a great way to celebrate the day!

Arrival: The Music of ABBA

A beautiful summer night + the music of ABBA + good friends = FUN!!!

Julie's Threat

I just want this to be on record. Julie was kind enough to make me some cookies and left it in a little baggie on my car hood on Sunday. She didn't tell me that she left it there so it wasn't until a car wash and about 24 hours later that I found them. I, of course, had to throw out the cookies. Sorry, Jules! Next time let me know when you're leaving me a treat or leave it somewhere where I can see them. :)

Speaking of DUMB commercials ...

This one made me feel really sorry for the actors. I laughed at the strategically placed flags ... Imagine having this on your resume ... YIKES!

ShamWow!

So, there are a lot of annoying commercials on TV and one of the more annoying is the commercial for ShamWow. This weekend, however, this particular one came on TV that made me laugh out loud and I just had to look it up and watch it again online. What did we ever do without internet? I was recently introduced to Rhett and Link (a couple of internetainers) and they are hillarious. Enjoy!

Pet Peeve -- Rude Panhandlers

I was on my way to meet some friends for dinner tonight when I was approached by a panhandler. I don't remember if I just ignored him or waved him away, but he started to taunt me and then dropped a few F-bombs. I was already a few yards away, but when the F-bombs dropped, I turned around and said, "Excuse me? Why don't you get a job?" He continued on with his tirade and added racial slurs to his rendition of F-bombs.

Another instance a couple years ago ... leaving the office on a cold winter evening, a young man stopped me and my co-workers right outside the building and asked if we could spare him a dollar for some ice cream. We said sorry and walked on when he yelled out, "Might as well, you're all kind of fat anyway!" Huh?

Now, why would these able bodied men think that insulting me or hurling obscenities would make me change my mind and make me want to open my wallet for them? They're as able as any to carry a mop or broom or ask, "Would you like fries with that?"

Just a few weeks ago, I was coming back to the office, when I saw a heavy-set man standing in front of Temple Square carrying a cardboard sign indicating that he is hungry and homeless, talking loudly into his cell phone. I'm recalling my memories of the beggars I encountered in the streets of Indonesia, none of them were fat ... or talking into a cell phone (which by the way was fancier than the one I currently own).

I'm all about helping those truly in need. In addition to paying tithes and offerings to my church, I budget a certain amount of money to give to various charities each year. However, I REFUSE to enable these panhandlers by giving them money for nothing! Seldom will they take food or offer for a job. They sit there at street corners and prey on the people visiting Temple Square. UGH! It just bugs me to no end!

Cherries

Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, but it's not always the pits either ... The choice is ours!

Ringo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCyuq-ofnPc

Click on the link above to view the video. My boss, Steve, decided that he'll substitute "Ringo" with "Inge" and sing this to me each time he walks by my desk ... He's done it a couple of times already today. How does he come up with this stuff?

May the Fourth be with you!

Fireworks in Kaysville.

Bon Rico

Tonight we went to one of Edna and Roger's favorite restaurants in Evanston, Wyoming. That's right, we travelled 60 miles away into another state for some meat. Not pictured above are the french onion soup, salad, and homemade wheat/rye/white bread loaves that come with every meal.

Despite the recommended steak, I had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb ...