This Is What It Has Come To

I counted.

During the month of June (30 days), between work, Ragnar, and a Havasupai trip, I showered a total of 10 times.

That's right, folks, 10.

Part of me wants to be completely disgusted in myself.

But the other part kind of just wants to be congratulated on going above and beyond expectations.

I'm a Hippie and I'm a Mormon

Oh how I love my job...

I've been meaning to give you all an update on how my summer as a hippie is going. I've been keeping track of the most outlandish/humorous quotes and was hoping to give you a good post about them. But the conversation I had last week seemed to sorta trump the rest of the quotes. And I, like a good blogger, decided that this took priority over the rest.

So my job (and the people I work with) is pretty liberal, especially for a born and raised Utah County Mormon, like myself. Most of my coworkers are from the east and they're very...not-Mormon (sorry, couldn't think of a better way to describe it). It's been a really enlightening experience (for real) and I've learned a lot about myself and my beliefs.

However, the nature of the program doesn't really allow me to be vocal about my religion and the things I stand for (can you imagine how those parents would react if they thought I was trying to convert their kids??? Uh, yeah. No thanks) so I generally keep that stuff on the down low.

Until last week.

At the beginning of the week, we crossed an unfamiliar plant. After the girls asked what kind of plant it was, a staff informed them that it was called "Mormon Tea Plant" which spurred the girls onto a conversation about Mormons. They asked us, "Have you ever met a Mormon?" "Uh...yeah," we replied and girls dropped the subject.

But later we got a new girl from California and when she found out I was from Utah she asked if I was Mormon. "Yeah," I said. As soon as that syllable crossed my lips, the rest of the students freaked out.

"What!?! You're Mormon??? You told us you weren't!"

-->"Um. I never said that."

"So you really are a Mormon??"

-->"Yeah. I am."

"Can you cut your hair?"

-->"Yeah."

"Are you allowed to wear make-up?"

-->"Of course. And we aren't polygamists either."

"You're not? I thought..."

-->"Nope. No Mormons are polygamists."

(collectively)"Ohhhhhhh..."

"What do you believe."

-->"We're Christians. We believe in Christ."

(again, collectively)"Ohhhhhh..."

"Well, I guess now that you mention it, you do look like a Mormon."

-->"What do you mean?"

"I mean, with your braid."

(I've also been told I look Amish at work because of the braid. I'm pretty sure I'm never wearing a braid into the field again.)

One of the students was from Utah as well, although she wasn't LDS. The girls switched and started asking her questions. My personal favorite was when one girl asked her, "Do Mormons party?" She answered, "No. Well, not like we party. They play night games in their backyards." (The girl did admit that she had done it before and thought it was really fun.)

So there you go, folks. I'm a Mormon. I cut my hair when I feel like it. I wear make-up if occasion encourages (which, this summer, seems like never). And instead of getting drunk on the weekends and pounding out a box of cigarettes, I like to play Kick the Can in the neighbor's backyard and end the night with a spontaneous Slurpee run. And you know what? I don't think I'm missing out on anything. Life as a hippie has taught me that. So bring on the Ultimate Frisbee! We can grab some stack'em yogurts at Maverick when we're done.

Reason for Never Posting #1

I decided to split this post into two parts so that you can all receive maximal information. Isn't that nice of me?

And Reason #1 for Never Posting is: My lovely new job.

The summer job that I secured (despite my lack of dreadlocks) is being a hippie.

Okay there's a little more to it, I guess.

I'm working for a program that backpacks with at risk youth. My schedule is 8 days on and 6 days off. And I'm not kidding you. Pretty much everyone I work with drives a Subaru, likely lives in that Subaru, and eats granola. Hippies. I rest my case.

So far, I've worked 2 shifts. The first shift I was working with a group of 5 girl students. The second shift was with 10 boys. Unusually, pretty much the only difference between the girls and boys is that the girls had tampons in their supply bags and boys swore more. That's all.

When I decided to write this post, I didn't know exactly what to write. I mean, the program has lots of different aspects and particulars and I don't really want to go into all of those. It'd be boring for everyone involved. So instead I decided to give you my favorite quotes from my last 2 shifts. These kids are a little ridiculous and they sometimes say some really smart things. I thought I'd share, so that you all can enjoy my work like I do. Here are my favorites:


"I just want to maintain my perplexion." --Sarah, while washing her face.

Brian: Okay, here's an unfair triv (for explanation's sake: if there's an extra divide of food, someone will ask a trivia question and whoever gets the right answer gets the extra div of food). What body part is the horn on a narwhal?
Max: Lord of the Rings!

"I don't really need goals." --Thomas.

"I am starving. I've been starving since breakfast!" --Jackson, while eating his second bowl of food for dinner.

"It just has really smart humor." --Liam, about Hot Rod.

Brian: Here's an unfair triv. Where did Andrew Jackson get the scar on his cheek?
Liam: Who's Andrew Jackson. Wait, he's an actor, right?

"Nobody likes the Yankees except for Yankees fans." --Max

"I want people to know that I party. I want people to know that I fist pump." --Ryan, while discussing stereotypes that might be formed by the music we listen to.


So there you have it folks. That is, in a nutshell, the beauty of my job this summer. Don't worry-I'll keep ya'll posted.

It's an Unhealthy Obsession

I went for a 7 mile run this morning. 6 and 1/2 of those miles were in the pouring rain.

The picture doesn't really give it justice. I was soaked. Dripping, actually. I could literally wring out every article of clothing I was wearing, even my underwear.

But I loved it. Every last sopping footfall.

And that, my friends, is the story of my obsession.

P.S. I am truly sorry that I haven't written for so long. Much has happened since the last time we chatted. And by lots, I mean LOTS. So basically, next time I post, prepare yourselves for an outrageously long and informative narrative of my life for the past month and half. Meanwhile, I will be rocking the life of an at-risk-youth-saving-hippie.

How's that for a cliffhanger?

My Job at the Library

When people find out that I work at the library here on campus, they usually snicker. Like working here would be so boring. And, sometimes it is. Sometimes any job can be boring. I mean, sure, lots of other jobs get some rocking perks like free food or 50% off merchandise...like clothes. And the perks that come with working at the library are limited (seriously, who thinks that checking out a book without the completely mandatory student ID card is a perk?) But in all honesty, I love working here. It's the best. And I will tell you why:

• I know what goes where, which comes in handy when I've gotta write 10 page research papers.
• I can change due dates (oooooh, aaaahhhh), for myself and others.
• I get to be the sexy librarian.
• I often get paid for doing homework, sniffing markers (actually, not that enjoyable) and daydreaming.
  
• I get to say to attractive guys, "I can check you out."
• I get to chat with the locals (which might be synonymous with crazies...like the guy who swears that Planet of the Apes (the pre-Mark Wahlberg stuff) will be the most historically accurate film sometime in the near future).
• I get the best movie/book reviews.
• I know where all of the best places to make out are (not that I've been able to use this very helpful resource...yet...)

There are tons of other reasons why my job is the bomb. But the best reason I can think of is portrayed most effectively through this lovely clip:



Oh man, Arthur is still rocking it.

It is definitely one of my goals to remake this awesome music video.

Or at least sing the song to some unwanting patron.

Moral of the story: Go to the library. More specifically, come to my library. That way, I can hook you up with the awesomeness.

Or, more likely, I'm bored and want a visitor who doesn't spend 10 minutes telling me that the Mark Wahlberg version sucks.

It's done!

Right after I graduated from high school, I decided that my summer project would be to make a quilt.

One year and 10 months later
(so much for "summer"),
having spent more than 200 bucks
(sewing, I found out, is not a very practical hobby
for a college student)
and after enduring lots of cutting
and sewing
and more cutting
and picking
and resewing...

I finished.

So here it is:

(sorry for the super attractive Ruby's Inn background).

A close up.

Another pic...just for the record.

So that's it.
I'm quite pleased with it. 200 bucks, 250ish+ hours and probably about 10 or so curse words was totally worth it.

My Insanely Awesome Family

I kind of just wanted everyone to know that my family is the bomb.

Really.

We have two major activities--reunions, if you will--within a month of each other.

And I look forward to, nay, anticipate each one. Every. Single. Year.

Most people would shy away from such an audacious display of family spirit. Many would feign sickness or work.

But not us. We love it. I love it. Because I really, really love my family. So here's a quick update of the last 2 Lifferth shindigs.

#1. Ja Jawohl! -The German Dinner

Once a year, we get together to celebrate our Germanic (and sometimes Irish) heritage. That's right, people: I am one quarter German, which is pretty awesome, if you ask me. Even if it only helps me in loving sauerkraut and saying my only known German phrase: "Sehr lekker!"

This year's dinner was especially yummy and entertaining.
Four delicious courses and some rocking company.
And what's a German gathering without some underage drinking???
(note the German flags in her hair. Now, aren't we festive?)

It was everything we could have wanted it to be, and more. Plus, we got to keep those awesome beer mugs!

Story for the event: We had the opportunity to sit at a table with my Uncle Karl and his sons. We were enjoying our pork chops and potatoes when Karl let out a swear (something that is not uncommon in our family...). Leslie, always observant and poignant, said, "You just swear?" (we all know how Leslie talks...). It was shyly admitted that he had. To which Leslie responded, "That okay. Sometimes my dad calls me swear words."

Yep. That is my sister.

#2. Ruby's Inn

14 years ago, my cousin left on his mission. We love missionaries, so the fam drove all the way down to Henrieville (this Podunk town in Southern Utah) to see him off. We loved it so much that we just kept going back.

This year was filled with pure awesomeness.

This year I had my first ever experience with the wii (I'm serious. Hadn't played it before. Ever).

Just Dance. It was awesome.

And it wouldn't be a real Ruby's Inn Retreat if there weren't some good hickish model shots.

We also got a rocking deal on snow shoeing.
And this is Ranger Jim:
He really loved to talk. A lot. We would snowshoe for 3 minutes and then stop and Ranger Jim would talk at us for like 15 minutes. So we ended up hiking about 1 mile. But it took us 2 hours.

That's okay. I didn't mind, really. If it weren't for Ranger Jim, I wouldn't know that I am an elk and not a mule deer, because I have large hindquarters and can snowshoe up a hill. Crazy, I know. He also told us that the copper color of this tree means something. But I can't remember what. Sorry, folks. (the tree really was copperish...just not in the pic)

I also just noticed how this photo really defines my elk-like features.

But we got to see some really pretty Bryce Canyon scenery.
So Ruby's Inn was definitely full of some good times. Luckily, a handful of us got the plaid matching shirts memo for easy family identification (sorry for the blurry pic).

And of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without our visit to the Henrieville ward. It was fast and testimony meeting. Unfortunately, only one person bore theirs on the high school's basketball team. Usually there's at least 3 or 4.

So there you go. That's why my family is honestly pretty freaking rad.