Conference etc

I realize that we haven't posted for a while. You'll just have to accept that. For one thing, at least be grateful that I'm a more consistent blogger than journal writer. For another, this semester has been pretty crazy so far. Erik gets up around 5:30 so he can be at school and studying before 7:00. I have to leave the house before 6:45 or I won't make it to school by 7:30. When we get home, we still have a ton of studying to do, along with the laundry, cooking, and cleaning. I don't know how mothers do it sometimes - I guess I'll find out eventually. The last thing I want to be doing in my few minutes at home with Erik is blogging.

Here's an interesting side effect of medical school: Erik will be giving me a nice backrub or neck massage, and then I'll feel his fingers starting to measure off my spine or other body parts. Before I know it, I've turned into anatomy practice. Erik gets all excited and wants to tell me about every vein and artery in my body, and all I want is a little more rubbing. I've been told it gets worse, though; my mother-in-law related the time that she was stuck in a dark bathroom for hours while her husband practiced checking her ears, throat, etc. I guess I should be glad for the checkup - there will come a time when the last thing he wants to do is examine his own family.

Erik's probably got it worse, though. He gets to come home and hear about high school and history, two things he gladly left behind many years ago. I really love high school kids, and I'll tell you why.

• No matter what, I'm cooler than them. I no longer live with my parents, I have a car, I have a husband, and I'm done with high school. They just can't compete.
• Because of this, I get to tease them all the time. It's like having a lot of little insecure siblings in class all day that I get to mess with.
  
• I'm also smarter than them. Unlike college, where I may be only average, I'm the teacher and know what's on the test. I know, I know, it's not that impressive to be smarter than a high schooler, but hey, it's a self-esteem boost every day.
  
• They think you're not going to catch on if they are texting in the middle of a test, or writing a note when they should be working on homework. Come on kids, as you've frequently pointed out, I'm young. I remember. Give me your phone.
• They always suprise you. The tough kid is the one who comes and hangs out with you at lunch, and the jock aces the test. Sometimes when you think someone totally slept through your class, they recite your lecture back at you word for word on a test.
• And even though they try so hard to look and act grown up, they still care about doing well and gaining my respect. That's worth going back for, even if the money isn't.

I hope that didn't give you any painful flashbacks. I wish all high school students could see school from my perspective - maybe then it wouldn't be such a traumatic experience for some.

It was nice to relax this weekend at the Merkley house and watch the LDS General Conference. We were really struck by how focused the conference was on how to deal with stress, trials and difficult times. It sure sounds like things in this world are just going to get harder and more insecure, but we're grateful to have the guidance of modern-day apostles and prophets. Even if things keep getting worse, we know that God will take care of us as long as we do what we know is right. What a blessing to have the gospel in our lives.

Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Ahoy. Some families be gettin' excited for holidays like Christmas and Easter. In our family we all call each other and gather to celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day." Here be me favorite gags about pirates.

Where do pirates like to eat? ARRRby's.

Where do pirates go on vacation? ARRRuba.

What kind of movies do they like? ARRRR-Rated.

Favorite national park? ARRRRches.

Why are pirates so mean? Because they ARRRRe.

What is a pirate's favorite branch of the military? The Navy! (If you said ARRRmy your a land-lubber.)

May the spirit of this holiday last with ye all year long.

Cheese Blog

One of the things that we often find ourselves doing is thinking of names for our future children. (Please don't take this as any sort of announcement!) Some people like to have all of their children's name start with the same first letter, or name them all after Bible characters. We got to thinking the other day about what the possibilities would be if we named each of our kids after a type of cheese. So here is a list of our favorites:

Brie, Feta, Swiss, Asiago, Bleu, Colby-Jack, or just Colby, or just Jack, Pepper, Goat, Mimolette, Havarti, Cream, String, Mozzarella, Romano, and Gruyere.

The finalists include:
Jarlsberg Merkley, Munster Merkley, Gouda Merkley, and Ricotta Merkley.

Please take the time to cast your vote, the polls are open!
We are sorry if you find this post "Cheesey."

The Young (me) and the Restless (high school boys)

Today I missed breakfast and was forced to scrounge in the vending machine for the most important meal of the day. I know, I know; Erik has already reminded me of the importance of getting enough folic acid and other nutrients. If they'd only fortify quality breakfast items like pop tarts and animal crackers, I'd be set. While searching for pop tarts in the vending area, I asked a high schooler if the school even had any. He pulls his earphones out, brushes long shaggy hair out of his eyes, and says he doesn't know. He then offers me the extra Pepsi the vending machine popped out, and follows me down the hallway, chatting the whole way. I quickly assess: I'm wearing khakis, a polo, ponytail and no badge. Dang. He thinks I'm a student and he's hitting on me. Darn high schoolers never look for the ring like college guys do. I make my escape, and ask my supporting teacher if I look like a student. He doesn't even have to think about it. On goes my sister missionary name tag as I try to assert myself as an adult. Later a student comes in, sees me sitting on the couch, and asks my teacher why he has so many TA's. She never gets to sit on the couch anymore (what a rough life...). As I glare at her, she looks a little closer and sees the badge. "Oh," she says, "are you a student teacher?" Can't wait until I can assign her a grade. Oh well. Homecoming is coming up; maybe I'll finally get asked to go.

Sister Merkley

Today marked my second day of student teaching, and so far I am unscathed. Well, a few blisters from silly shoes, but thank heavens for Zappos.com and 24-hour shipping. New shoes tomorrow. My supporting teacher is really nice and very laid back, which is good for me - I need to learn how to not be a control freak and relax in a classroom. My brother Ben (the missionary) wrote that he visualizes me walking around with a yard stick and detention slips in hand. However, he also called me patient, so he clearly doesn't know who he's talking about. I start teaching US History and Psychology next week, so wish me luck. The kids mostly ignore me at this point. I've found that the difference between middle schoolers and high schoolers is that middle schoolers can't stand not knowing who you are, and high schoolers could care less (or at least have to pretend they don't). They'll have to acknowledge me next week, or I'll get 'em with that big yard stick... My best story so far (other than waiting outside in sub-zero temperatures for my tardy teacher) involves my name tag. USU issues a magnetic badge that we are required to wear all semester; it's rectangular, dark navy, and has my name in white lettering. Guess what that looks like in Utah. I was walking down the hall today and a random boy who I don't know peered hard at my name badge. As I walked by him, he broke the typical stoic silence and said "hey" with a wave. I was totally baffled. I figured it out in class when one of the students asked me if I was a missionary. Like sister missionaries wear pants and travel to classrooms solo. Maybe I should continue this misperception...missionaries are a lot more popular than student teachers. And in Utah, people feed them and give them rides. This could save me a lot of gas money. More stories later, I can guarantee that.

A Viking and a Ute

Thus begins the next era of the Lauren and Erik saga. We had a successful move to SLC from Logan with only a few minor injuries. We are living in the basement of a home right on 13th south. It is a nice place with plenty of room and good landlords. I started medical school up at the U of U this last week and it is safe to say that my studies are going to keep my "occupied." We have been in school for one week and I already have a test on this coming Tuesday. I didn't know so much material could be taught in so short of a time.

This is where I have my classes.

If any of you are wondering whether I will be cheering for the U of U football team while I am here I have to tell you that the "when in Rome..." mentality does not apply to college football. I did watch the Utes play for a little bit on Saturday though.

Lauren begins her student teaching on Tuesday at Pleasant Grove High School. She was slated to start at Murray High this Tuesday (much, much, much closer) but the teacher she was to be with quit last week. So USU scrambled and found her this placement out in P.G. She will be teaching two periods of US history and two periods of psychology. Between her commuting and teaching schedule and my school schedule we plan to see each other every other weekend, and maybe for dinner a few times a week. Other than that we will probably hang out over Christmas break.

We hope that everybody is doing well. Thank you all for your support and prayers!

Happy Anniversary!!

One year ago today Lauren and I were sealed in the Logan Utah Temple! The year has flown by and we have been very blessed by God through the trials that we have faced. We thank you all for your support and friendship!

(I had to remember the first dessert of our married life together!)