unintelligent ramblings

The First Fruits of my Labor

2009-06-25T14:31:00.003-07:00

This is my first haul from my garden. There were 50 raddishes in total and some parsley and cilantro, however that grows back. YAY! It's a good start to a small first time garden. I looked around today and noticed that my pumpkins and tomatos and zucchini are coming in quite nicely. The potatoes are blossoming which is a good sign. I'm not really sure what to do with the lettuce. They are quite large and seem to be doing well but if I cut them will the grow back? The only way to find out is through experimentation!

the progress of my garden

2009-06-20T15:32:00.003-07:00

these are buds on the zucchini plant.

even caitlins dad got in on the garden fever and planted a few rows of potatoes!

cilantro is so tasty and smells so good.

i LOVE cucumbers.

i didn't think my lettuce would make it but it surely did!

my garden has been doing so well i thought i would post some pictures of it on here. i also have pumpkins, tomatos, parsley, raddishes, jalapenos and bell peppers. should bring a good haul!

(these are photos i took and my mom sent out to mostly the whole world but not me. i know i took them but geez! can't i get some love?)

Earth Day!

2009-04-25T17:13:00.003-07:00

I celebrated Earth Day and didn't even realize it! How cool is that? I think there is someone who might hate me for celebrating in the way I did (cough*Mom*cough). I think it may have been a little too appropriate.

I planted a little baby garden, (I have added more to the pictures you currently see) complete with head lettuce, roma and big beef tomatoes (weird name?), bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, parsley, cucumbers, zucchini, radishes, and pumpkins! We also have a peach tree, but technically I didn't plant that.

Not only was it fun, but I got some much needed sun. But as further proof my Mother hates me, every single time she came outside and saw me, without a shirt, she shrieked. No she didn't just offer a little sigh of disgust, or a snide "put your shirt on, you look emaciated" comment like usual. It was an honest to goodness, "Someone has blinded me slash gouged out my eyes with a spork!" shriek. Thanks Mom. Love you too.

{p.s. in our household, saying someone hates you is a way over exaggeration, in case you don't know us well enough}.

First Day of Spring...What Did You Do?

2009-03-20T19:15:00.003-07:00

First Day of Spring.

Equals Booty Shorts and frisbee.

Also Rockstars and Monsters.

I don't think Tiana enjoyed it though.

Mike and I sure had fun. Tiana and Zac had fun too. We tossed around a frisbee and a fox tail (haven't played with one of those since elementary school!) It was a great, sunny, first day of spring! And we celebrated in just the right way!
Also we got to play with a dog that would run after a ball and then drag it's hind legs the whold way. I'm pretty sure she was messed up and had hip issues. Her owners said she was stupid, I'm pretty sure they didn't know what they were talking about. Poor dog!
All in all, a GREAT, WARM, SUNNY day! Perfect for booty shorts and frisbee!

Innovation By Digby

2009-03-17T08:59:00.004-07:00

In one of my business classes, we were split up into groups and became "CEO's" of companies. These companies produced chips that go into many different technologies such as pacemakers, MP3's, engines, etc. Recently we were told to make a commercial to promote our company. Our company, Digby, decided to go with selling the brand name, rather than a certain product our chips go into. This is our commercial, that received high marks in class. ENJOY!

(p.s. this "company" is totally fake...so keep that in mind.)

Too Funny NOT To Post!

2009-03-05T22:35:00.001-07:00

I think I may have tinkled a little when I watched this clip.

Should this even be up for debate?

2009-02-27T16:47:00.002-07:00

As I was watching the famed MSNBC the other day, an interesting, and in my opinion, grotesque poll question flashed on the screen of the tube. "Should assisted suicide be legal?" Is this a serious question?

In my humble opinion, suicide is suicide. In the MSNBC article, Jerry Dincin (VP of the Final Exit Network) said that "If we point somebody to a book, maybe that's considered assistance in the courts. But we don't think so."

Let's go to the dictionary. (dictionary.com) "as⋅sis⋅tance /əˈsɪstəns/ Pronunciation [uh-sis-tuhns]
–noun
the act of assisting; help; aid; support.
Origin: 1375–1425; late ME "

Huh. Sure looks like the definition is pretty clear. Is there another definition of assistance?

"AssistanceAs*sist"ance\, n. [Cf. F. assistance.]
1. The act of assisting; help; aid; furtherance; succor; support.
Without the assistance of a mortal hand. --Shak.
2. An assistant or helper; a body of helpers. [Obs.]
Wat Tyler [was] killed by valiant Walworth, the lord mayor of London, and his assistance, . . . John Cavendish. --Fuller."

Oh look at that, still pretty easy to understand? Maybe another? Why not?

"assistance
noun
1.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "he gave me an assist with the housework"; "could not walk without assistance"; "rescue party went to their aid"; "offered his help in unloading" [syn: aid]
2.
a resource; "visual aids in teaching" [syn: aid]"

I see the confusion now! I see how THEIR definition of "assistance can, and obviously is, misconstrued by OURS. It's all so very clear now. (Did you catch the sarcasm? If not, that was most definitely sarcasm.)

Suicide is real. Depression, anxiety, sadness, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia. Those are all issues, very real issues that plague men and women. However, there are other ways to fight it. You don't give up. You find what makes you happy. You search for others who are willing and able to help you find happiness. You take medicine if you need to. You talk to a therapist. You do all you can and hope that in the future you will find happiness. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel for EVERYONE, regardless of race, financial status, religious viewpoint and "diagnosis".

For those who do help others in this immoral practice, I sincerely hope and pray that they are punished to the full extent of the law. Don't you ever sit here and play God. Throw the argument at me that they are only "assisting" in the suicide. They are merely there to "hold the hand" of the one who has "chosen" to end their life. Rather than support something that is irreversible and wrong, stand up and help these people see the goodness in everyday life.

To learn more and check up on my viewpoint, visit these sites:

http://www.assistedsuicide.org/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,500449,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29427092/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_suicide
http://noassistedsuicide.com/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090226/ap_on_re_us/assisted_suicide_ring
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/assistance

American Gangster & Burn After Reading

2009-02-22T19:19:00.002-07:00

Whoa. What a movie. It was great. And that it was a true story made it even better. Frank Lucas, Denzel Washington, was a heroine...king in Manhattan and was smuggling his drugs in from Bangkok for way cheap and way good quality. He is then able to sell them for way cheap and make a lot of profit. He runs into trouble when Richie Roberts, Russell Crowe, who is the Essex County narcotics branch of the FBI. Richie Roberts is able to bust the drug lord and his cronies and take down the biggest drug ring outside of the mafia. It's a good movie for more than one reason. If you are a person who likes action packed, murder ridden movies, this will do the trick. If you like a movie with a moral, this will do the trick. If you want to see people do drugs and go down for it, this is it. If you want to see Denzel Washington be a bad guy, this is your movie. If you don't want to see boobies, then you should definitely get this movie edited. With 125+ "F" words, I would reccomend the edited version...very strongly. (This information is according to pluggedinonline.com...naturally)

All in all it was a great movie. Worth watching, not with kids.

I also watched Burn After Reading this weekend. Let me tell you, that movie was stupid. It had it's moments, and it was a change of pace for Brad Pitt and George Clooney. It was ridiculous. I'm pretty sure they were mocking the American government during this movie. But that is just the impression I got. Don't take my word for it. Watch it!

MMMMM STEAK

2009-01-29T00:10:00.004-07:00

On Monday of this week, I was going through my fridge and found some jalapeno's, red onions, cilantro and lime. I then thought to myself, "Gee, I've got a food processor for my birthday and I haven't used it. What could I do with a food processor, jalapenos, onions, cilantro, and lime?" Instant idea! I threw everything in, and...processed?...it all up nice and fine like. I added some Sweet Baby Ray's plain barbecue sauce. Mix that stuff all together, season your steaks with a little bit of Salt and Pepper and douse them in this amazing marinade and let them rest for 2 days. When you grill them, make sure you let the steaks sit, don't move them. You want them to get a good crust and those grill marks just look oh so good! I didn't do it, but some cilantro as a garnish would be a nice touch. This is a wet rub, so it will make a bit of a mess when you cook/grill it. Don't worry, it tastes great and is oh so tender.

Recipe:
Handful of Cilantro
4 Jalapenos, blistered on grill (more or less, depending on spiciness of your mouth)
1/2 an red onion, grilled
1/2 lime, juiced
Salt and pepper to taste
Put all ingredients in food processor, and whip it up very fine
Mix in about 1 cup of Sweet Baby Ray's plain BBQ sauce

Place in freezer bag with 2 steaks (I used petite sirloin steaks, more tender).
Toss around to coat steaks thoroughly.
Open bag and smell.
Seal bags, place in fridge and let sit for 1-2 days.

Grill and enjoy!

p.s. I will continue to work on my photographing of food. Sorry the pictures aren't up to par!

Good Times in Rexburg

2009-01-27T17:17:00.006-07:00

Delicious.

Veggies.

Some classy records for ya! (Englebert Humperdink and Roger Whittaker.)

Brittany and Zach hard at work.

David and Tiana with their finished projects!

Daniel and Amy.

Brittany and Zach.

As per my sister Lindsey's request, I am posting pictures from a date I was on last weekend. My friends Daniel and Amy, Tiana and David, and my date Brittany came over and I cooked for them. I need to be better about taking pictures of my creations but let me tell you, these burgers were delicious! They were jalapeno/bacon burgers with this great sauce I made with mayo, katsup, cilantro, grilled onions, lime, salt and pepper (similar to the In'N'Out sauce). We also munched on some baked potato wedges (compliments of NAPPI Farms in Farmington, NM) that I also seasoned with the help of my lovely sous chef, Brittany. We took a look at my collection of seasonings and threw some on that smelled great! We had a salad that was ever so classy! A.K.A. it was store bought with some cucumbers and tomatos chopped up very quickly. Brownies and ice cream finished off a great meal. We, meaning me, thought it would be fun to decorate records. Sounds stupid I know, but it was a lot of fun! Well, Tiana and David didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of us, hence the reason they left early. It was a fun time and I promise to do better about photgraphing my culinary creations!

P.S. It was 18 degrees when I went to class this morning at 7:45 this morning with an ungodly "feels like" temperature of -37. Woop woop.

Wednesday's Inspiration

2009-01-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Tarak McLain is from Thailand but lives in Austin, TX. We all could learn a lot from him. He is seven.

Die Walkure

2008-12-26T23:56:00.003-07:00

You want to talk honor, courage, bravery, respect, love, sacrifice, and honor...go see Valkyrie. It is a fantastic, TRUE account of an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler's life. I don't want to give away too many details, so I will do my best to keep away from revealing everything.

Valkyrie is the story of a man who sees that Hitler's Germany has gone too far astray from "Sacred" Germany. He finds other men and women who believe the same way. They do their very best to get Germany back on the path of self-correction. They pay for it with their lives. Those men were brave. Those men understood the meaning of sacrifice. I am not a German. However, I still have much respect for those men and the cause they were fighting for. To stand up in the face of pure evil to bring back to power that which is good takes courage and strength that most men and women today do not possess.

What happened to Christmas?

2008-12-18T20:51:00.002-07:00

Number one, our family does a calender every year for our grandparents. I'm at the age now where I don't get to just enjoy the photos on the calendar, but I now get to go through the hassle and crap of constructing these babies. I really don't speak computer, not at all actually, so it was quite difficult for me. The thing that really...boggled my mind was this: the website that we used, prints all the holidays in the year on the calendar, except 2. Which holidays are not on said calendar, you ask? Christmas and Easter.

Number 2, where has Christmas gone? THIS is what some people have replaced it with. Do you really think this helps your cause?

If the show fits...THROW IT!!!

2008-12-16T23:12:00.002-07:00

This is just too funny! You've got to give President Bush one thing...he sure is QUICK on his feet!

It's Finally Friday!

2008-12-12T16:58:00.002-07:00

Well people, school is finally over for this semester. Actually, it went by rather quickly. I finished my last final today at 4:05. My favorite final was today in my propaganda class. We still hadn't finished our presentations of our projects so my professor had made up a "short-ish" exam for us. Five minutes before class was over we finished presenting and he walked up to the front of the room, grabbed the exams and looked at us all very seriously. "You don't think I forgot about this exam, do you?" We all dropped our jaws and gave out the most exasperated sigh, in unison, you have EVER heard. Not long after, Bro. Linford threw the exams on the table, and smiled as he said, "Just kidding!" He told us we all did such a good job on our exams that we all got 100's on them and we all got 100's on the final too!!! How awesome is that?!?!?!?! That class was my favorite, and not just because I got a perfect on the final without having to take it!

School this semester has been great. I have learned many great things. I have had my share of ups and downs this semester, school related and otherwise, but overall I am pleased with how it has turned out. I do love school, but dang is it stressful!!!!

O Krismas Tri

2008-12-08T17:02:00.002-07:00

These are not great photos by any means, but it gets the image out there. My Aunt Minda bought me a tree for Christmas as an early birthday gift. It's a wicker cactus that she covered in lights. It is AMAZING and probably the best tree I've ever had. The star is from...well...I don't even know where I got it. It's an Angel, but not just any Angel. It's an angel who's wings light up. Also these little fiber optic things hang down in the front of her. The skirt is also a random find. Totally ghetto, totally college and totally ridiculous. I LOVE IT!!!

Necessito Ayuda Por Favor Part Deux

2008-12-08T16:02:00.002-07:00

President George Washington said in his farewell speech, "Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world..."

I am confident that I have heard a 20th century president say a similar thing. I want to say it was Eisenhower or LBJ on their way out.

Can anyone answer this for me or get me on the right path? I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Choose Your Own America

2008-12-06T22:07:00.003-07:00

This is the beginning of my project. These are all the boxes I used to make my "canvas".

This is how it looked after painting.

The finished project!!!

The Preamble to the Constitution.

Wendy making a debut on my project!

This is for my Propaganda in the 20th Century class. In place of a final exam, we all had to create our own piece of propaganda (movie, script, story, painting, mosaic, etc...). Earlier in the summer I had wanted to do something with...something. I wanted to use a canvas for said "something" but I wanted to do it cheaply cos canvas is EXPENSIVE!!! I talked to my Aunt Wendy and she gave me the greatest idea of all time....use boxes to create a canvas and also let the boxes make their own statement! Thanks Wendy!!! So I went with that idea and came up with this. The boxes represent what America has become, the materialism we have all embraced. The flag, photos and preamble represent what America should be, what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they formed this country and what the soldiers have/are/ and will always fight for. This is NOT a piece against Capitalism or Corporatism (sp?). I've titled it "Choose Your Own America" because it is time we decide which America we will embrace; Materialism or Patriotism.

Thank You: Wendy, Grandpa, Uncle Bob, Uncle Todd and all service men and women who have fought, are fighting and will fight for the liberties we ALL deserve. Thank you.

Twilight Still Sucks.

2008-12-03T20:57:00.004-07:00

In the theater with about 7 other people, one a very old man, another a child that can barely walk, and a couple of college ladies whom I mistook for a couple of silly "older" ladies.

Kait and I looking so good before the movie.

Our shirts after painting them.

The paint brushes, pallet and paint itself.

My review is as follows:
1. Awful CGI (I'm surprised I even know that term.) Edwards skin looked ridiculous.
2. Awful dialogue. I mean really, it blew.
3. Awful actors/actresses. Edward was a freak. Bella couldn't stop shaking her head or sounding like she was out of breath.

Not my favorite movie. At all. The things I do...

This Thanksgiving I:

2008-12-02T12:29:00.010-07:00

Spent time with family...

...ate great food...

...cooked by these ladies...

...grew a mustache...

...took a nap...

...went bowling and brought back man capris...

...went on a scavenger hunt with these freaks (and won!)...

...jumped with my Mom...

...saw the lights...

...at Temple Square...

...and danced a little with my sister.

All in all it was a great Thanksgiving. I got to spend it with family and friends and make great memories.

Are you kidding me?

2008-11-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Also this made me laugh!

What the Deuce?

2008-11-20T22:30:00.002-07:00

I'm all for supporting your cause and promoting what you believe in. But have some class and respect and dignity PLEASE!

!Necessito Ayuda Por Favor!

2008-11-17T21:59:00.002-07:00

I am doing a propaganda project on American Pride. I need to know the dimensions of the American flag. If anyone happens to know that information off the top of their head OR can get me going in the right direction I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Thank you very very very very very very very very very much!

Everything is Illuminated

2008-11-17T10:47:00.006-07:00

Another great movie for ya'll: Everything is Illuminated. It is a great film about a kid who collects things from/for his family. He has tons of relics for each member; except his Grandfather, Safran. He takes a trip to the Ukraine after his Grandmother passes with a photograph of his Grandfather and some lady named Augustine and a cricket medallion that Augustine is wearing in the photo. On his "rigid search", he meets his tour guides, Alex and his Grandfather who pretends to be blind and has a dog named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr., "Grandfather's favorite negro singer". In the end, Jonathan "Jonfan" Foer finds all he needs to know and goes home completely contented. A great film about finding family and oddly enough the Nazi era and WWII. Great flick!

P.S. If you are interested, check it out on IMDB(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404030/)
P.S.S. It is also a novel that I want to read. "Everything is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer. (Who makes an appearance in the beginning of the film as the leaf blower, in case you were wondering.)

2008-11-15T09:23:00.003-07:00

My sister tagged me on her blog to do this so I shall. I don't know if my life will be quite as amazing as Lindsey's (i.e. braiding my hair, experimenting with eyeshadow, and reading blogs...all day:)

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. The Office
2. Heroes
3. ANTM
4. Grill It! with Bobby Flay
5. Iron Chef America
6. Paula's Home Cooking
7. Dinosaurs ("Don't hurt the baby!")
8. Doug

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. La Herradura
2. El Rosal
3. Fazoli's
4. Carino's
5. Jimmy John's
6. Craigo's
7. Cafe Rio
8. Asian Hooters (what my Mom calls the Chinese place in Dumas)

8 Things I Did Today: (or will do)
1. Science Group Project
2. Summer's Volleyball Game
3. Watched Dr. Strangelove (for a class)
4. Watched Secret Window
5. Cleaned House
6. Homework
7. Ate Meatstuff!!!!
8. Cleaned Humberto's bowl (my beta fish)

8 Things I Love About Fall:
1. Colors
2. Changing leaves
3. Changing weather
4. Scarves
5. Thanksgiving
6. Halloween
7. Fires
8. Hot Cocoa

8 Things I Wish For:
1. I
2. don't
3. like
4. these
5. questions.
6. They
7. make
8. me think.

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. The future of the country
2. Graduation
3. My career
4. My family
5. Christmas
6. I am
7. now done
8. with this list.

hope ya'll thoroughly enjoyed that.
i know i didn't.
thanks lindsey:)

Humanity Is Killing Me.

2008-11-14T16:50:00.001-07:00

http://abort73.com/HTML/I-case.html

Give me 1 good reason why this is okay. And I will give you 5 why you are wrong.

The end of the world...or is it?

2008-11-05T08:17:00.002-07:00

Everyone, mainly conservatives, are talking about the end of the world. Discussing about the new Socialist Republic of America. (In case you are wondering, I totally made that name up.) Wondering and speculating about what our new fascist leader will do to destroy us all.

I can't help to NOT have these same fears. I don't have these doomsday, dread, "we're all gonna die" feelings.

Let me make it clear, I voted McCain. I really did. Honest to goodness, I voted for John McCain.

I feel as though these next 4 years will be...interesting. I'd like to think I have more than 4 years of life left in me. I can see life beyond Obama. Call me crazy...

He is not MY choice. But he is OUR president. We ALL need to rally behind him and support him. We need to be unified as a country. We need to, as he has said time and time again (in different words), throw away any partisan feelings we might have and become one. I also agree with Thomas Payne when he said, "if government goes beyond it's authority to protect and secure the rights of mankind, resistance and rebellion are justified."

We need to scrutinize and hold our president accountable for what they do, regardless of party. IF Obama takes us down the road to socialism and destruction then it is our DUTY, our civic duty to resist and rebel. Then it is our responsibility to build everything back up again. We also need to support, stand behind, and comply with what our current leader sets in place, as long as it does not interfere with our rights. Our God given rights; Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

James Madison said, "Happiness without lilberty is comical." We must never forget that.

James Madison also told us, "If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men." (speaking of the leaders of our country and communities.)

It is our responsibility to elect men of virtue and wisdom. It is our responsibility to elect those officials who will do what is good for the people. We do not...rather...SHOULD not put our trust in the political leaders but in those who choose them. If our country fails, we can only blame the leaders to a point. There comes a time when we must take credit for our own actions, in this case, choosing corrupt leaders. (From whatever party.)

Also, if Obama does fail, I have every right to mock and scorn anyone who voted for him...I voted McCain:)

Grandma Litke...I Love You.

2008-10-21T10:40:00.002-07:00

She is...gone. She passed away this morning.

I have been trying to prepare myself for this. How can you really do that though? Hearing those words, "Grandma Litke died." is just so...final. It's worse than goodbye.

Having the gospel as a part of my life is such a blessing. It is great knowledge to know that families are forever. That there is life after death. That I will see my loved ones (Grandma Litke, UncleTodd) again. It is a relief to have that knowledge. It helps in the long run. But what about the now? How do I cope now? Grandma is gone. There are no more breakfasts filled with pancakes, cereal, OJ, milk, hot chocolate with 3 big marshmallows, toast, and cinnamon rolls made with love by Grandma Litke. There will be no more meatstuff made by Grandma. There are no more slippers to take home. There are no more quilts to be made with her. No more pajamas to be made and agonozied over. No more refrigerator cookies to be made. Grandma Litke helped me so much when I came home from my mission. When I was struggling and needed someone to lift me up it was she who did it. She told me I was still a good person. She told me it wasn't my fault. She told me I still had work to do. She told me I still had potential. She supported me when I decided not to go back out. She supported me when I decided to go to school. She gave me some of the best words of advice...words I'll never forget.

Now I have to rely on others to get me through this. I have to be willing to talk to others so I don't lose it. I have to not be afraid to cry in front of others. I have to not be afraid to face my emotions rather than run away. I have to let others in so I can cope. If I don't, I will fall. This could be the biggest obstacle I've had to face. But I will do it. I have to.

I can't say much now. I don't have the eloquence I wish to have. I miss you Grandma. I'll never forget you. I love you.

This isn't the end, only just the beginning...

2008-10-15T16:41:00.003-07:00

Since May of this year I have been faced with the prospect of losing my Grandma Litke. I first heard Grandma Litke has breast cancer through a text. My sister Lindsey sent me a text asking if I had heard about Grandma. I said no, cause I hadn't heard anything. She told me she has cancer. At that time it was not a big deal. Not a big risk. The survival stories out-weighed the...opposite. But the most helpful thing to me was not statistics. It was not hearing re-assuring words from kind people. It was the fact that I felt everything would be okay. It also helped that Grandma was positive. But i felt good about it. Granted, I knew it would be a rough road but I knew it would be okay in the long run.

A few months passed. Grandma was having a dose of chemo every 2 weeks. I only got to talk to her right before her next dosage because it took the full 2 weeks for her to gather the strength to talk. I went to Utah for the July 4th holiday, expecting to see Grandma, a little disheveled but mostly okay, considering. Instead, on my last day of being there I go see a Grandma who can hardly stand up and cannot stop shaking. She had to be taken to the ER and given treatment. That was the beginning of the...it just wasn't a good time.

Grandma recouped and was doing alright for a while, considering what she was going through. Then I got a phone call and found out Grandma had been taken to the hospital again. She wasn't doing so well is what I was told. She went to the ICU and there the problems just go worse. I can't even begin to list all her complications. It's safe to say that there are a lot of side-effects that come along with chemo. Baggage, if you will. Grandma stayed in the ICU for...I don't really know, about a month. They then moved her to the, "you're dying soon so we'll try to make you comfortable" ward of the hospital. That is where I last saw her.

I drove down, thanks to my great friend Tiana, and went straight to the hospital. I spent the day with Grandma not leaving her side for more then a minute to say hi to other family. I didn't really get to talk with her. I sat there holding her hand and trying to help her stay comfortable. My cousin Tara and I were there for a while with her. There was no one else in the room. Grandma gave each of us a piece of advice and told us to never lose touch of each other. Tara and I have always been close. Always. Why stop now? We all left the hospital around 9 pm that night. That was the worst.

I'm the kind of person that doesn't like to say goodbye. I hate that word more than anything. It's so final. That night was the worst goodbye of all time. Grandma kept telling us to be happy and be okay. Of course I put on the front, but how could I or anyone be okay with that? That was awful. I just didn't feel the same for the rest of the night. I felt as though...as though someone had filled my insides with cement and I was forced to walk everywhere, drag myself along. It was just the worst feeling ever. I don't know how Grandpa or Scott and Nancy or any of their kids have been able to do it for so long.

The next day, we went back to the hospital. Grandma was sitting in her chair!!! She was up. She had a bath that day. She was eating ice chips. She even licked a french fry that morning! doesn't sound like much but when she hasn't had any nutrition whatsoever in a month, licking a french fry is a HUGE deal. I got to talk to Grandma that day. She was happy. She was positive. She looked better. It felt better.

It was the next day, Sunday, that I had to leave. Tiana and I sat with Grandma for about 2 hours while Grandpa, Wendy and Greg showered and ate. Grandma was really tired from the day before but it was great to just be with her. When they got back, it was time for Tiana and I to leave. I gave Greg and Wendy a hug and then it was Grandma's turn. It was hard to give her a hug. I couldn't say goodbye. I told her I would see her soon. I still hope beyond all hope that I didn't lie to her. Then I turned to Grandpa Litke and gave him a hug. That is where the emotions came in. Grandpa started crying, I started crying...it just wasn't fun. It was nice however, to see some emotion from Grandpa. He is that guy that keeps it all to himself. The only other time I saw him cry was when I went into the MTC, but that is a completely different story. I just couldn't help it. I felt awful seeing Grandma like that. But seeing Grandpa...so helpless...so clueless...so sad was just terrible. But Grandma started to do better so I felt okay about it.

It has been almost 2 months since I was there. Grandma was doing really well for a long while, Grandpa too. She was doing so well, they got a feeding tube placed in her stomach and she was FINALLY getting some nutrients. She was walking a few steps a day. She was trying her darndest to get home. She was doing so well she got moved to a "rehab center". (Nursing home, but she doesn't like that name) She began eating, pureed foods only. She began physical therapy. She doesn't like where she is, so it was good motivation for herself to get home! She was doing so good. It seemed like she would be home and everything would be better. We would all have meatstuff and cinnamon rolls again!

About a week ago things started to turn. She got weak. She never felt good. Turns out her potassium was low. That is easily fixable. She still isn't doing good though. I hear she might have blood clots in her legs...again. It doesn't seem good. I called the other day to talk to her. It only lasted for 45 seconds. Just long enough to say hi and I love you. I don't know how I feel about that. If it is my last time talking with her, is that the way I will remember Grandma? A sick, sad woman? However, if I didn't get to speak with her would I regret that even more? I just found out today that Grandma is basically in a coma. I don't know if she is fully there, but she doesn't open her eyes, and she doesn't speak. She is just....there.

Grandpa isn't doing well with this either. He worries all the time. His wife is in constant pain and he can't do anything. He slept at the nursing home the other night...in a sleeping bag on the floor. A 77 year old man should not be sleeping on a floor, period.

I read my aunt Wendy's blog and I agree with her. It's tough to say, but I'm just tired of all this. I'm tired for Grandpa. I'm tired for Scott and Nancy. I'm tired for Wendy. I'm tired for Greg. I'm tired for my parents. I'm tired for Grandma. She has suffered greatly. I just want the pain to be over. I want my Grandma to be back at home with Grandpa where she should be but more than anything...I want her to feel good again.

Through this whole ordeal I've learned one thing: you have to trust in the Lord. I know Grandma will be okay, eventually. I know Grandpa will be okay, eventually. I know I'll be okay with this...eventually. That is the great thing about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through this church, I've come to realize that in the end we will all be together again. It might really suck now but I have the knowledge of a better someday....

Knowing there is a someday is better than nothing...

Such A Great Waste Of An Evening!

2008-09-22T20:25:00.002-07:00

Heroes season 3 started tonight. 3 hours of it!!! the first hour was a sneak peek/ review session. Then the next 2 hours were a treat for your brain!!! So far, so good. I am most pleased.

School and Stuff

2008-09-19T17:45:00.002-07:00

This semester is my second at BYU-Idaho. I am taking a good sized load of 14 credits. My classes are as follows: Science Foundations (Science 101), Middle East Foundations (International Studies 202), Foundations of Humanities (Humanities 201), American Foundations (American Heritage 101), CIT-138 (Microsoft Applications), Business 100 (Intro to Business) and Religion 121 (Book of Mormon 121, the first half of the BOM).
I'm really excited about all my classes. They are all lots of fun. My only complaint is all the reading, like 20 pages for each class lots of reading. Sure I only have class Monday, Wednesday and Friday but it still makes things difficult. I work 8 hours a day on Tueday's and Thursday's, I also have to work Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday watering plants on campus. (I work in the greenhouse and take care of some big plant containers on campus.) Also I have a calling for church too. I am the ward I-Learn specialist. (I-Learn is like an online site through the school, each class has a site and our teachers post things on it. The wards here on campus are getting them now too.) I have a lot going on during my day. AND I LIKE IT!!!

Now for my business class, we had to take a career aptitude test, and pay for it. (grrr) I hate them to begin with because it is such a sham. Can a test really tell me what I will be? Anyway, I took one. And it tells me I am in the wrong major!!! I am freaking out now. What if I am? What do i do? I am wiggin' out over here!
Here are the results, shortened of course. It says i should "pursue" the following:
attorney, financial planner, hotel manager, manufacturer's representative, realtor, CEO/ President, school superintendent, media executive, bank manager, insurance agent, retail manager, hospital administrator, nursing administrator, fashion designer, translator/ interpreter, restaurant manager, chef, electrician, agribusiness manager, landscape architect, and/ or an architect. The only thing it says to avoid is a systems analyst, whatever that is.

Now for the question portion of my blog. Do any of these sound like something i should do? Cause aparantly I am in the wrong major. Oh, I should probably tell you my major. I am a business management major with an emphasis in marketing.

Any helpful hints?

Barack Obama Sucks...a lot.

2008-09-18T18:34:00.002-07:00

I am trying this new thing of typing in complete sentences, with paragraphs and punctuation and correct grammar. I am new to this so be patient and kind to me as I experiment. Thank You. On with the blog!

I have always known that Barack Obama was pro-choice. I did not, however, know the extent of his...pro-choiceness, if you will. I had heard a rumor about a story where a baby was supposed to have been...there was an induced labor abortion and the child was not effectively aborted. What did they do? Care for the child? Give it immediate health care? No. They stuck it in a medical waste closet and left it to die. DO NOT BE ALARMED! They were kind to the baby and gave it a blanket so it wouldn't be cold as it died a slow and painful death. The nurse of one particular case, Jill Stanek, decided she would stick up for the now dead child in hopes of preventing more senseless and cruel murder. She spoke with the Illinois Attorney General about this horid act that was being conducted at one CHRIST HOSPITAL. (Really? Christ Hospital? Does anyone else see a problem with this alone? I'm just sayin...) Can you guess what he said to her? Here, let me just tell you. He said, or is REPORTED to have said, that this was not violating the law, that they couldn't do anything about it and there wasn't any law protecting these babies and that you would need a new law if you wanted to do this, you know, protect babies lives. Since there was no law protecting these babies, these living, breathing and vulnerable babies, it got brought before the State Senate, basically saying that the law needed to apply to those who were born premature due to abortions. Can you guess who voted AGAINST this bill? Okay, you've got me liberals. He didn't actually vote against it, you are correct. He voted "present", a.k.a. no. The bill came back before the State Senate again the next year and can you guess who voted "present" again? Can you? Here, let me help you out. It was the beloved Barack Hussein Obama. HE WAS THE ONLY ONE!!! Hillary Clinton and Barbara Boxer were on the opposite side as Barack Obama. Seem a little funny to you too?
Whether you are pro-life or not, this is wrong. There is no better way to say it. Oh wait. There are. Lets use the words of Barack Obama himself.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created [emphasis added] equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

… (T)he essential idea behind the Declaration — that we are born [emphasis added] into this world free, all of us; that each of us arrives with a bundle of rights that can’t be taken away by any person or any state without just cause; that through our own agency we can, and must, make of our lives what we will — is one that every American understands."

For refrences and to check up on my resources, please visit the following sites and then proceed to suck it:

http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000007034.cfm
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/429328.aspx
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/15318/
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Aug19/0,4670,ObamaAbortion,00.html

Suck It Twilight!

2008-09-13T14:59:00.003-07:00

Harry potter and the half blood prince,
the 6th installment in the series,
was SUPPOSED to come out on November 21, 2008.
BUT NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
In comes Twilight with it's fantastically placed release date of NOVEMBER 21, 2008!
Is that really necessary?
Harry Potter came first.
Harry Potter is better.
Harry Potter had it's release date first.
Now Harry Potter,
clearly the better series,
has had to push back it's release date back NINE MONTHS!!!
July 17, 2009!
Oh the humanity!!!
The whole Twilight series can officially suck it.

My Mommy Loves Me

2008-09-04T22:34:00.001-07:00

my mommy sent me a computer today.
it is nice.
and i like it.
thanks mommy.
i love you.
more to come...

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2008-05-15T06:21:00.003-07:00

thats right ya'll.
it's here.
the next installment of the Harry Potter series.
year 6 at Hogwarts.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
all the cast is back.
we'll get to see some great performances by Helena Bonham Carter,
Jim Broadbent,
and Timothy Spell as well as the usual Rupert Grint,
Emma Watson,
and Daniel Radcliffe.
i understand the movies are NOWHERE near as good as the books.
but im just as excited.
November 21, 2008.
only 6 months and 7 days.
mom,
send the robe,
glasses,
and wand...a.s.a.p.
there is no such thing as too soon.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417741/ (if you want to read up yourself)

Africa and Ireland

2008-03-31T16:56:00.004-07:00

this weekend i watched two spectacular movies.
two very different movies.
two moving movies.
1.Hotel Rwanda
2.Once
here goes nothing.

Hotel Rwanda
i had always heard good things about it.
it's won some awards.
one friend in particular has been really moved by it.
so i decided it was time to watch it.
i had just done 4 hours of homework and wanted a break.
a movie is the perfect thing.
i popped it in and sat down expecting...i dont know what.
what i got was completely the opposite.
i have known that the darfur/sudan issues have been going on.
i have known about the previous experiences iraqui's have had.
i know particularly about the fijian conflicts,
thats my mission.
and i'm sure there are other examples of genocide.
however,
i have never really seen anything quite like this.
how can someone or a group of people do that to another?
it truly was shocking.
and eye opening.
everyone can give money to help,
but i have two problems with that solution.
1) you don't know for sure where that moo-lah goes.
2) you're not actually doing anything.
its a cop-out answer.
i want to do something active.
something that will be fulfilling and rewarding,
not only for me.
there has to be an organization,
not just red cross,
that helps with this stuff.
like orphanages,
or habitat for humanity in africa or something.
i dont know,
i just need to look harder.

Once
every sunday here in good 'ole rexburg, idaho,
i have a movie night at my apartment.
we have watched such films as moulin rouge, romeo and juliet, and accross the universe.
this past sunday was this one...Once.
wow.
what a movie.
its an irish film.
and irish musical, to be exact.
only its not a "jazz hands" musical.
its a "we just walked into a music shoppe and started foolin' with these instruments now lets write a song." kind of musical.
so good.
it has a guy from ireland,
Glen Hansard,
playing one lead.
Marketa Irglova plays the female lead.
they meet,
fall in love,
never "consumate" the relationship and then go their seperate ways.
he to his ex-girlfriend and she to make her marriage work.
its a beautiful movei about the power of music and love.
its not typical.
and the ending would kill most people.
i, however, loved it.
the ending was perfect.
one of those,
like August Rush,
where you get to decide what happens.
its fantastic.
my one criticism is this: why the f-word so much?
the movie could have done without.
it was so all over that film.
the first scene was totally irrelevant.
(a guy steals his bag and they say "f-you" back and forth for about 5 minutes...?)
the film still would've had the same impact,
for me a better one,
without it.
it could be a great family flick...if you can get rid of the language.
if there is a clean flix or a dvd editor close by...i suggest this.
buy the movie and fix it up.
it is totally worth it.

also,
Christy Call...i'm not ignoring you.
i just had a few minutes to write this.
i will get back to you.
with school i can't get on as much as i would like.
all in good time though.
thanks for your thoughts.

A Hole in the World...

2008-02-29T21:56:00.004-07:00

what is it about family that can bring you so close?
while on the same hand,
it can push you so far apart?
what is it about the human race that makes people so judgmental?
thinking you have the right to say if someone is right or wrong?
sane or insane?
what is it about humans that makes us think we are better and above the other?
aren't we all the same?
aren't we all just people?
who cares about skin color,
religion,
beliefs,
sexual orientation,
or financial status?
why can't we as a people look past that?
why can't we see past their religion?
past their clothing?
past the person they come home to at night?
why don't we look at what they do?
why don't we look at who they are?
what the contribute to society?
what kind of mind they have?
what dreams and goals they have?
do we all have to be so shallow and smug?

i'm begging to think that morrie schwartz hit on the nail.
"love is the only rational act. love is the only rational act."

music.

2008-02-26T21:25:00.002-07:00

since being in school,
i've experienced a lot of new things.
my favorite has been all the new music.
oddly enough,
here is what i love listening to lately:

1. Bheetoven: Symphonies 1-9
2. Haydn: Symphony #3
3. Arvo Part (pronounced paaart...its a long a...imagine two little dots above the a)
4. John Cage: 4'33"
5. Billie Holliday

taking a music class has opened me up to new types of music,
that previously,
i never would've even considered listening too.
i've gone to a few concerts i probably wouldn't have gone to, also.
i.e. Vienna Boys choir
Idaho Bluegrass Night (I probably would've gone to that actually)
Red Priest (they are a Baroque chamber band)
i have even gone to a play,
Roshoman,
which was most excellent.
the thing i am most excited about is going to Motzart's,
The Magic Flute at the end of the month.
its one of his operas and i really cannot wait.
school has been a really good experience.
YAY ME!

whiny me.

2007-12-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

im going to school at byu-idaho next month.
for what, you ask?
i haven't the slightest clue.
im going because i've been told my whole life that college comes after high school.
don't get me wrong,
i am excited to go.
i just don't know what i will be doing.
my major is business management.
who doesn't have that as their major?
i haven't told this to but a few people...
my passion is music.
i feel it in me.
i see it in me.
i hear it in me.
its all around me.
life is full of music.
i want to record it all.
i want to capture it all.
i want to produce it all.
i want everyone to hear it.
the emotion that is in it.
the power it brings.
the drive it places in people.
the spiritual feelings it brings.
the connection others make.
the escape it offers.
the relaxation it gives.
the escape it can bring.
the overcoming of every emotion, if only for a moment.
the ultimate feeling of joy it brings to me.
all styles of music too.
im not a biased person.
music is amazing.
i want to learn everything i can about it.
how to read.
how to write.
how to play.
how to hear.
how to record.
how to mix.
how to dub.
how to produce.
how to finalize.
what each wire means.
what each nob does.
who started what.
who began this style.
who first created this instrument.

some people are more accepting of your dreams than others.
it is hard when those in your family aren't supportive.
but oddly enough,
it creates more of a drive than a negative energy.
it stirs within me a monster of rage and determination.
i want to do something with music.
i want to be involved with music for the rest of my life.
and thats where my predicament (sp?) comes in.
im going to byu-idaho.
wh...bu...?
how am i gonna be anything more than the conductor of my ward choir if i go there?

no worry...i shall figure it out.
everything works out in the end.
plus,
who knows,
i may be the worlds best ward choir director...ever.

Zach in Real Life

2007-10-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

i went and saw a movie saturday night.
Dan in Real Life.
i went to the movie because i love steve carell.
i dont make time for t.v.,
i never have.
but when it comes to the office,
don't even talk to me while its on.
you come over,
i won't even budge.
my focus and time,
from 8pm to 830pm,
and sometimes 9pm,
on thursday nights is totally given to the office.
in this movie,
steve carell plays Dan,
an advice columnist who goes to a family weekend getaway they have every year.
he has 3 girls and his wife died a few years previously.
he meets a woman at a bookstore on this weekend and "falls in love".
when he gets back to his parents house for the days activities,
he finds out the woman is his brothers girlfriend.
what happens throughout the movie after this revelation,
is a series of events in which they find out they both "love" each other and have to/need to be together.
she leaves the family trip and he chases after her.
blah, blah, blah...
they are in love so they get married and everyone is happy.
no drugs.
no alcohol.
no sex.
no inuendos.
no cursing.
no racial comments.
no sexist comments.
nobody makes movies like this anymore except disney.
it was great to see a movie with good, laughable humor.
good, CLEAN, laughable, funny humor.
it was a little strange at first,
a man steals his brothers girlfriend.
there were times when you could see "michael scott" come out in "dan"
(just in case..."michael scott" is steve carells character in the office, and "dan" is steve carrells character in Dan in Real Life.)
this was a very different role for steve.
he played a widowed, father of 3.
he played a normal guy who actually had good advice and wasnt an insensitive,
psychomaniac with off-the-wall (and usually off-color) remarks.
if i had to change one thing about the movie,
it would be this:
i don't like stereotypical romantic comedies.
Dan in Real Life was a good romantic comedy.
we knew at the end,
that dan and marie were going to get married and live happily everafter,
and have a great life.
i just didnt like the wedding scene.
its in too many movies,
and its too corny.
freaky friday,
guess who?,
the wedding singer,
and many more.
we just don't need it.
apart from that little bit of cheesey-ness,
it was a great movie that i would reccommend to anyone.
its great to see steve carrell play a character other than a loner,
insensitive,
suicidal,
rude,
or completely idiotic person.
(for those refrences see anchorman, bruce almighty, little miss sunshine, or the office.)
if i were a movie critic,
i would give this one a 4.5 out of 5.

The First

2007-10-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

well, well, well.
here we are.
zach litke on a blog.
i know, i know.
"but you always hated livejournal, what's the difference?"
i don't know.
this just seemed like a cool idea.
a "personal project", if you will.
this blog is for two purposes.
one: for me to be able to keep the few people who truely care about me updated on my life.
two: for me to write whatever is in my head.
if you dont like what you read,
deal with it.
i didn't ask you to read this.
you chose to.
keep that in mind.
here goes nothing...

i thought that for my first "official" blog,
i would just tell you,
the blog and the readers about myself.
my name is zachary mark litke.
i go by zach and don't ever call me zachary.
im 19 years old,
turning 20 in december.
my parents are Russ, 47, and Karen 43.
i have 5 siblings: Lindsey,21, Caitlin,16, Jensen,14, Theron,11, and Lydia,7.
i live in Dumas, TX...thats right.
i graduated high school in 2006 a Dumas Demon.
i went to utah shortly after graduating to help my uncle brandon make his movie,
parade.
it was the best part of my summer.
i spent 3 weeks down in Delta, Utah.
i was at first a PA,
production assistant.
basically, i was everyones "lacky", or "gopher boy".
i quickly moved up to the sound crew.
i was at first the boom operator.
i got to hold the big, fuzzy mic.
then i got to actually run the recording system.
in other words,
i pressed record, stop, rewind, and play.
i also got to hook up the personal mics on everyone and make sure those were bringing the best sound possible.
i also got to be an actor.
no lines,
just my pure good looks.
i was in the classroom scene and dance scene.
you can all ask me for autographs later.
not long after that,
i moved to Highland, Utah to live with my uncle and aunt,
Chad and Minda Renshaw.
i also moved in with my cousins,
Brooklyn, 14, Aubin, 13, Drew, 11, and Chloe, 10.
i was their official babysitter.
YAY!
that summer and for the months after,
we did so many great things and had lots of fun.
i even got to go to Disneyland with them.
so fun.
on October 18, 2006, i got my mission call.
i got called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Fiji, Suva mission.
wow, what a mission.
i moved back home in December and shortly after got a packet telling me i would be going to on February 14, 2007 i left to serve my mission.
i returned home on March 20, 2007.
since then i have done nothing.
i have been working and thinking about what to do with my life.
in May my sister Lindsey married Jeffery Shaw, 24.
the wedding was at the San Diego, CA Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
currently i am working at Lowe's,
a grocery store here in town.
i am checker,
a secret ambition of mine.
right now i am deciding what to do with myself.
mission or school?
school or work?
work or music?
mission or work?
mission or music?
music at all?
i dont know.
im weighing my options and will eventually make a decision.
i like the colors blue, brown, red, and purple.
i dont like carrots, eggs, peas, or football.
i do like music, photography, reading, and meeting new people.
i want to travel the world.
i want to be a hot shot record producer one day.
my friend and i,
matthew kemp,
(currently a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Texas, Lubbock mission.)
are going to open up a record company.
i want to open a restaurant, an internet cafe, and have my own family farm/ranch.
most importantly though,
i am a mormon and i love it.
life is hard sometimes,
a lot of the time.
makes you sad.
makes you happy.
makes you cry.
makes you laugh.
makes you want to hurt someone.
makes you want to hug someone.
through all these different and ever changing emotions,
the church is a constant in my life.
for those of you who quesiont what im saying,
people change and so do their...opinions.
i feel im a different person...in a good way.
life is crazy...
it will take you to places you never thought possible...
and thats a promise.