Ja, Und?

"Ja, und?" is a common German phrase and literally translated means "Yes---and?" It is used on those occasions when one does not understand what all the fuss is about. Well, Saturday night was one of those occasions.

We had the opportunity to attend a posh affair. All-in-all, it was a very nice evening. The food was wonderful and the hosts were warm and attentive; and to show just how much they wanted us to feel pampered, they provided the guests with a caviar bar. There it was, a rainbow of delectable delicacies. Our choices were: Salmon Roe, American Black, or Ginger. It was difficult to choose. "Should I try the black or the pink or the yellow? Hmmmm." I thought it would be best to taste all of them so I could compare their delicate flavors. I tried a bit of the Ginger first--hmmm--"has a sort of salty-fishy flavor". Next I tried the Salmon Roe "It has a ---distinctive fishy-salty taste. Maybe the American Black will have a spicy Cajun kick to it or something." But, alas, it too had sort of a----salty-fishy flavor. I am told that caviar is an acquired taste, and it is obvious that I certainly have not acquired it. I understand that those elite connoisseurs who enjoy caviar say it has an "intense explosion of complex flavors", and that they "savor the luxurious texture and indescribably rich taste of the caviar berries." Well, good for them. However, I didn't experience any intense explosion of flavor or luxurious texture. This experience left me wondering, "What is all the fuss about?" As the Germans would say----Ja, und?

This Is Not Easy

OK, so I've had time to think about my quirks. Now you have to understand this is NOT an easy thing for me to reveal myself to the world, (however it was easy to come up with quirks, but I'm only required to reveal 6). So here goes:

1. I DETEST alarm clocks. I know, I know you are probably thinking, "Duh, everyone hates alarm clocks." But I REALLY hate them. Yes, I have had one on my nightstand most of my life, but I NEVER use it. You see, as a kid, I never wanted to play Hide-N-Seek because I didn't like people jumping out at me from shadows and scaring me. I view the alarm clock as a nasty little varmint that is crouching in the dark--waiting until the moment that I am enjoying my most peaceful and relaxing sleep, and then suddenly out of nowhere screams in my ear and scares the bejeebers out of me. On the very few occasions that my hubby talked me into setting my alarm, I did not sleep, but woke up every few minutes to glare at the clock so it couldn't surprise me, and finally, in exasperation, I turned it off. I always wake up at the crack of dawn anyway. (I taught early-morning seminary for 5 years and never used an alarm clock.) In my humble opinion, they are foul little contraptions designed for torture.

2. I CANNOT go to bed with a messy kitchen. The thoughts of waking up in the morning to a sink full of dirty dishes depresses me beyond reason. No matter how late or how tired I am, I have to do the dishes, scrub the sink, and clean off the counter tops. The kitchen floor?--not so much, I don't care how bad it is, I can always sweep in the morning, but the upper surfaces HAVE to be clean.

3. I DO NOT LIKE handwriting. The very act of handwriting (cursive) is torture to me, both physically and emotionally. I think it is the old family curse--the curse of bad handwriting. All of my life I have dreamt of being able to produce beautiful swirly letters and numbers, but try as I may, all I can come up with is chicken scratch. My letters are all different sizes and go off in all different directions, and, pathetically, I cannot even read my own handwriting. So I have resorted to printing everything--even my official signature.

The next three quirkies are the same as Shelly's. Remember, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree--and I had them first.--But the crossing of the toes thingy-I don't have any idea where she got that one, or those long toes!

4. I have an aversion to making phone calls. Perhaps it's because I feel guilty for bothering people.

5. That earring thingy. Yes, I too have to have earrings to match my necklace, but once in a while I can bite the bullet and put on a pair that is different, but it is tough.

6. The sleeping with a foot outside the covers thingy. It acts as sort of a wick that cools me down.

Well, there they are, six of my quirkies. Whew! I'm glad that's over. I guess that wasn't so difficult after all.
OOPS!.......ARGH!......Excuse me........I think I have to throw up!

I Am Quirkless...Aren't I?

So--to break me in to this blog thing, my daughter, Shelly, tagged me to reveal 6 quirky things about myself that people may not know. When she told me, I immediately protested insisting that I am completely quirkless. But no, being the observant, and brutally honest daughter she is, she immediately began to rattle off a list of my quirks. She didn't even have to think about it! I was in such shock that I can't remember what she said, so I am going to have to give this more thought before I reveal my oddities to the world. Until then, I remain quirkless.

How Did This Happen?!?

We had just enjoyed a leisurely Sunday dinner at Shelly's, and were having a great visit when suddenly, Shelly jumped up, ran out of the room, and came back with her new super mega-monster Apple laptop. Then, she looked at me--and used the "B" word. I could not believe what just passed through her lips--this from the little girl I had taught to never speak guile, obscenity, or blasphemy. I was horrified! She had the audacity to look me in the eye and inform me that I was going to start a------ B -B -B -BLOG!!!! (I have a hard time even writing the word.) While I was in a stupor of shock, and before I had time to protest, her nimble fingers moved over the keyboard, and with a few clicks of the mouse, there it was, my own piece of cyberspace--another responsibility, something else that would demand maintenance, effort, energy, thought and time.-------Just what I needed.

So here I sit face to face with this blank blog which is waiting to be filled. I struggle to put something intelligent out there that all the world will see. I guess the best thing I can do is introduce myself:

I am Zola, married for 38 years to the love of my life, Richard. I am a mom to 5 of the best people born on this planet (Lisa, Shelly, Mindy, Natalee & Rick), and mother-in-law to 5 more of the best people on the planet (Ossil, Dennis, Ben, Gary & Elizabeth). I boastfully and unabashedly state that I am grandmother to 17 of the most perfect, beautiful, smart, and marvelous grandchildren in this world (Alex, Nathan, Derek, Dylan, Hannah, Lorin, Andreya, Christyne, Joshua, Ethan, Avery, Caleb, Ayden, Luke, Brynn, Zach & Jon). Let it be known that I love all these dear ones to pieces, and that I am happiest when I am with my precious family.

Along with my family, the most important thing in my life is my knowledge and testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is an integral part of my life, it affects my decisions, my opinions, my values, my thinking, and the way I see the world around me. It gives my life purpose and meaning, and it helps me over life's stumbling blocks. In short, it has given me a happy, meaningful, and peaceful life here, and I know I can look forward to eternal joy in the hereafter. What more could anyone want?

I love to teach. Whether it is math or a gospel topic, or whether I am in front of a classroom of students, or teaching one-on-one, my heart soars when I look into the faces of students and see the light dawn--when I witness that glorious transfer of truth. For me there is no higher high.

Some of my other highs are: studying and discussing gospel topics, traveling, public speaking, paper crafting (as in stamping, card making, and scrap booking), reading, socializing with friends, people watching, learning, and singing in a choir.

That's all I can think of at this point. I am sure more of my idiosyncrasies, character traits, likes and dislikes will be revealed in future posts.-----I CAN NOT BELIEVE I'M DOING THIS!

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!?