Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Tragedy

I dropped the laptop on the way to Ohio. It still works, we just have to plug it into a separate monitor. So writing away from home means going to the library, or back to old-fashioned pen and paper--which I think is a good thing. I feel like writing on the laptop provides too many distractions for an undisciplined soul such as myself (i.e. the internet and the blog).

But someday a book will form! I'm determined! And without that day job, I have no excuses. Go team go!

Ducky's Oregon Adventures

My friend Liza forwarded me a rubber duck in the mail, to which I first thought, somebody got the wrong address. But after reading the notes in the envelope, I figured it out. An elementary school class in Iowa is seeing the world through little rubber ducks by sending them all over the country/world. (I suppose this is how Iowans experience culture beyond the Great, Expansive Plains. I can dig it.)

Up above is Ducky in the wet and wild forests near one of nineteen Lost Lakes in Oregon. So, I'm not sure which Lost Lake we were at, but it was on the way to the beach--we were looking at campsites for Sam's Boy Scout troop (he's the new Scoutmaster).

Me and Ducky @ the Willamette River.

This was like passing on fermenting Friendship Bread or forward-this-spam-or-you'll-never-find-love-and-will-die-young e-mails--only more fun and without fatal consequences. We were instructed to introduce this rubber duck to Oregon and send some photos to the class. Sam and I were really excited to take Sully out to see the world so here are more adventures with Ducky in our beautiful Oregon home:

Ducky in the twiggy winter woods.

Ducky in a mossy nest.

Ducky in the Oregon jungle.

Ducky at the Willamette River park near our house.

Sam saves Ducky from floating away down the river.

No, we're not burning Ducky. He watched Sam build a fire to heat up our lunch. Smokey homemade pizza warmed on the rocks = deeelish.

Ducky at Lake Oswego's historic Iron Smelter.

And, of course, we took Ducky with us to get surfries at the Giant. See him in the corner?

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Ohio's Skyline Chili

Aunt Toni, me, and Janet for lunch.Janet tried looking up things to (and things to eat) in Dayton, Ohio, where we were in late February visiting relatives on our dad's side. As I suspected, she didn't find much. (However, we did miss out on the Wright Brothers' museum.) The only local eatery recommended was Skyline Chili, included in my French Fry Review.

If you need any more convincing about the insane amount of cheese on practically every item on their menu, here's the proof. Check out this blueprint of the chili-topped spaghetti dish because it just looks . . . oy. It looks like too much, if the pile of cheese doesn't already frighten your beating heart to stop.

Three little Conies, sittin' on a plate.

Me and Janet and the empty Greek Salad Plate--remnants of what I hoped would cancel out the following:

Chili Cheese Fries

And to "top" it off, we did not order this spaghetti dish, but marveled at its existence nonetheless.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

French Fry Reviews

Sam and I started a tradition maybe a year ago that revolves around spontaneously going out for French fries, my favorite food. Say we’re driving home and nothing good is on the radio and the weather isn’t conducive to utilizing the features of a convertible top and you think to yourself, you know, a hot, crispy French fry would take this moment from Average to Very, Very Good.

When you get that feeling, you simply say, “Surfries!” and we go to the nearest, tastiest, or most convenient fry-producing institution. Last night we went to The Giant, a hamburger place in Lake Grove that has really great fries. They’re always hot and fresh, and something about their room temperature fancy ketchup packets is just right.

I’ve been recommended to visit Potato Champion, which is the next fry institution on my must-try list. Potato Champion is in that cart city—that parking lot full of food vendors downtown—and they serve something called Poutine: fries smothered in gravy and fresh cheese curds.

I want to go! Arrr!!! I want fries!!!! [I’m not done.] FRIIIIIESSSS!

In Portland's great food scene, I have yet to explore some superb institutions I know are waiting for me with a hot basket of sliced-up potatoes. Don't worry. I'm on my way.

Here's my rating of ten popular fry-makers:
(10 = least fav, 1 = most fav)

10. Applebee's - Just because I'm listing this institution does not mean I support it at all. This is a warning: I like nothing about Applebee's, including their cold stale fries. I'm sticking my tongue out right now.

9. Carl's Junior - Yes, these battered fries may have spice, but are always too greasy, leaving that filmy oil-coated feeling in your mouth.

8. Wendy's - Usually served nice and hot, these fries are a good shape and size, but aren't the most flavorful and can sometimes taste kind of fake.

7. Skyline Chili - I have more to say about this Ohio chili chain. I had a great time there with Janet and my Aunt Toni. The fries weren't bad--a good cut between shoestring and Wendy's-size. But Skyline, I just want to ask you about that monstrous pile of cheese. Is this some kind of trick? What are you trying to say? More importantly, what are you trying to do? With cocoa and cinnamon in this famous chili, I recommend going for the experience. If you can't decide between the famous coney or chili-cheese fries, flip a coin . . . or just get both. That's what we did.

6. McDonalds - That nostalgic shoe-string fry tastes pretty good, as processed as it may be. It will stay crispy on your car floor forever. I like to eat a wad of them dipped in McDonald's BBQ. Growing up, we called this "bubblegum." Don't know why. Props to this chain, my alma mater.

5. Del Taco - Gotta love the non-oven-baked-but-deep-fried crinkle fry served in a large soda cup. I'll go out of my way for fries here. It's like going to the circus.

4. Red Robin - Thick steak fries that taste so good (although are not consistantly well-prepared or hot depending on the service). But I love that all-you-can-eat-fry-basket idea. It keeps me loyal.

3. Lake Oswego Creamery - The service was excellent. A side of fries was not on the menu, but after an exhausting day and a painful trip to the dentist, I boldy asked for a side of fries and got it. Hot steak fries smothered in ketchup just hits the spot.

2. The Giant - I don't know why, but the two times I've had these fries I've felt extremely satisfied afterwards. This local delicassey is served super-hot and tastes amazing. Love the ketchup in the longer, black foil package at the table. Good pick.

1. That One Fish & Chips Place on the Coast of Whitby in the North of England - Yes, please. That's all I have to say.


Who makes your favorite fries?


Photo by Alicia Griffin.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Covenants: Why?

Here's a quick blurb as I haven't written in a bit. These are responses to a friend's survey for a talk on keeping covenants.

What is it that I do to remember the covenants I've made?
I try to keep the simple commandments like prayer and scripture study to remind me of who I am and my relationship to God. I try to attend the temple regularly and read my patriarchal blessing often.


What do I do specifically to keep those covenants?
I keep trying to discover every day what the Lord's plan is for me and what I should be doing with my life. I stay loyal to my husband. I try to be kind to others, do family history, accept and fulfill callings, pick myself up when I make mistakes, and find out and live what God's plan is for me.


How does keeping my covenants bless me?
I find a great sense of peace in knowing I am where the Lord wants me to be, doing what I feel He wants me to do. A member of my bishopric shared this quotation I like: "No man can have peace who is untrue to his better self." I feel that keeping my covenants is the only way (a way I could never figure out on my own; i.e. the Plan of Salvation) to become my best self and thereby have peace in my life.


If I realize I'm struggling, what do I do to get back on track so that I'm keeping my covenants?
I talk with trusted friends, family, mentors, or my bishop: people who sometimes have a clearer vision of my best self than I do. I seek encouragement, I pray, I turn to the scriptures, I read old journal entries of times I felt motivated to make positive changes in my life, and I repent (i.e. I make an effort to change). To spend time in the temple, in nature, or on my own in a state of meditation helps me to refocus on who I am and what my responsibilities and obligations are.


What makes keeping my covenants hard? What makes it easier?
To me, I find it difficult sometimes to take a general commandment and figure out how it applies to me or what specifically I should be doing. For example, the principle of sacrifice: what do I need to sacrifice in my life to be closer to God? Or service: I know I need to serve, but who needs my immediate help right now?

It makes it easier for me to keep an eternal perspective. I reflect at the end of the day or an era in my life and look for ways that the Lord has been there guiding me. Sometimes looking back in retrospect and realize that oh, I (or we) accomplished something and I didn't even see it. Then I'm more motivated to keep going in that direction towards goodness.

How does keeping my covenants help me?
As a convert, I was very drawn to the Church because of the high standards my high school friends kept (Linda, Laura, Lindsay, Steve, Adam, and so many others).

I had never had a specific set of moral standards laid out for me. I wanted to be a good person, but didn't always know specifically what to do to become a good person. My friends didn't swear, dress immodestly, drink, smoke, or get in trouble with boys, but even more than that, they understood the reasoning behind those standards of virtue. They understood who they were: children of God with a desire for purity. They knew sin would drive the Spirit of God away.

Now, as I'm older and I don't review the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet as often, going through endowments, sealings, and ordinances at the temple is more like my "For the Strength of Me" experience, and it's even more comprehensive. Through my temple covenants I've made a promise to keep specific standards of virtue and purity in the same way I committed to keep those youth standards as a young, newly baptized convert.

And just like the standards for the youth, the temple helps me understand who I am so I have an understanding of why keeping those covenants is so important. I feel a lot of strength in having a foundation of specific moral standards to uphold throughout my life.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

My Views on Un-health: Our Favorite Fatty Foods

After writing those health posts, I just want to clear up the fact that here in the Lambson Jr. Home, we are by no means the perfect or most disciplined eaters. I am happy with the habits I’ve picked up in the past decade of interest in general nutrition, but let’s get real. I definitely have my vices.


EDIBLE VICES

• *Buttery Apple Crisp w/ Vanilla Ice Cream
• French Fries! (My favorite food!)
• Homemade Best Cocoa Brownies
• Seafood Linguini (at any Italian restaurant)
• *Sam's Cheesy Cream Sauce w/ Sausage, Mushrooms, and Red Pepper (tossed with pasta)
• Fish and Chips
• Anything at Screen Door
• Spicy Pork Teriyaki (at that place in Lake O.)
• Free Food
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• *Schezchaun Noodles
• Bread and Olive Oil at Macaroni Grill
• Cheesy Enchilladas
• The Mondito Burrito at Taco Del Mar
• Godiva Chocolates (just ate a whole box in the last 24 hours . . . heh.)
• Pot Stickers
• Anything Deep-Fried and Breaded
• Dark Chocolate Raisinettes
• German Food! Juicy Bratwurst on a Roll (piled with mustard and sauerkraut), Schnitzel Sticks w/ Creamy Dip, German Chocolate Cake, Hot Potato Salad, and a variety of sausages--all consumed last weekend at Mt. Angel Oktoberfest (see below). Five Star Mmmmm!

*Our Lambson recipes. E-mail me if you want to try any of them!

PHYSICAL VICES
(I.e. Things that keep me from the gym.)

• Excessive Blogging
• Excessive Sleep
• Facebook
• Sewing Projects
• Looking for Work
• Rolling Chairs
• Cooking Fatty Foods
• Soft Couches
• High School Musical Marathons
Working Out Too Much So I'm Too Tired to Work Out
"Meditating"
Google Analytics
Netflix
Lack of a Day Job
Shopping w/ Chronic Indecisiveness
Having the Internet


Apple Crisp photo by christ-o-phile.
Sleeping Cat photo by hilali.

What Are You Going to Do With That?

This question could apply to two things: my music degree and this outfit.

Yesterday I bought this ridiculously expensive ensemble for a job interview today.

Pearl Jackie Cardigan = 2 Rehearsals*
Loulie Ruffle Cotton & Silk Top = 2.5 Rehearsals
Neapolitan Pencil Skirt = 2.75 Rehearsals
Flowerette Sash = 1 Rehearsal
• Black Oxfords = 1.5 Rehearsals
• Total Outfit = 1 to 4** Week's Worth of Gigging

*Based on typical pay per service in Portland's semi-professional orchestral community.
**Based on unpredictable consistency of sporadic gigging.


Okay, so as the links give away, all of this is from J. Crew. You can add up the prices and shake your finger at me. Go ahead. Do it. I've already paid the bill and cut the tags, hoping this interview outfit will pay itself off.

These are the first items from J. Crew on my side of the closet, although a fashion consultation for Sam with fashion gurus Kali and Zack over Christmas break lead to Sam's what-to-wear prescription for this store.

Sam looks eatably good in his J. Crew outfit! The chocolate brown sweater and lavender oxford shirt are so schoolteacher cute with the khakis and Sperry canvas shoes. And although in general I don't think J. Crew is my style, I sure love the outfit I got yesterday. I plan to wear it on special occasions like speaking in church or simply to feel well dressed.

[For you frugalistas, I just want to defend myself by saying we don't buy clothing very often, but when we do, we want it to last. Every item I've purchased from Forever 21 (cute as each is) has fallen apart or worn out after approximately one to three wears or washes. Cheap shoes (but not necessarily cheap, but well-made, thrift shoes) tend to drift towards the same fate. It's the quality/quantity thing.]

But to get back to the big question: will killer outfit get me a job?

Today's interview doubts it. Killer outfit did not help the fact that my resume says "music" on it. I hope writing about this won't come back to haunt me, but here is the summary as follows:

Interviewer in Scrubs vs. Myself:

"So you're a musician?"
"Mmm hm."
"So are you going to do anything with that?"
[Blank expression. Thoughts say, "Did you really just ask me that?"]
"Actually, yes. I am." [I'm not going to do something with that, I am currently doing something with that.] I mention my current gigs.
"So do you have any experience in healthcare?"
"Not . . . well, no."

The interview winds on a little, going in a few very, very short circles and lasting only a couple minutes. I am asked more about my history as a musician while I try to steer the conversation towards my credentials in office administration, editing, copywriting, and leadership. This goes nowhere quickly.

The assistant says she'll be right back and takes my resume down the hall to the doctor. I image she steps into his office and whispers, "She's a musician."

The doctor scrunches up his face as she hands him my resume and references. He takes the painstakingly prepared documents with other not-so-dangerous words such as "specialist" and "office" and slides the sheets effortlessly through the paper shredder.

This may or may not have happened. I hope it didn't.

The assistant returns to the room where I sit posed in my woven pencil skirt with my ankles tucked to one side like I learned from Princess Diaries. I am dismissed very quickly without an invitation to meet the doctor.

Dear Potential Employer,

I realize that while I have a background as a classical musician, I promise I have other valuable and marketable skills I hope to contribute to the success of your organization. I appreciate your taking the time to review my resume and interview me today and hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Lambson