I think I'm Turning Japanese

Happy three day weekend everyone! We celebrated the festivities with an Asian food night. Jeff and I like to try new foods and different foods, so dining in the Orient was the theme this weekend. We ate delicious Lo Mein noodles and egg rolls. For dessert I introduced Jeff to the fabulous Pocky Sticks. I ate these all the time when I was a kid and loved savoring the chocolate flavor by eating them exactly one stick at a time. It was fun to celebrate together and he enjoyed them. We also had Coke Zero because that's totally Asian too. Right?  ^_^

We also celebrated with a trip to the Dallas Temple. We have a monthly temple date and this was a great start to a new month ^_^ (Today I have to use the asian smiley face in honor of Asian food night).  This sweet old lady took the picture for us and then I tried to get a good shot of the temple. Those spires are so gigantic. Can you see Captain Moroni on the top?

Once a Lion, Always a Lion

Wow, it's been ages since I've last posted. Hmmm..since March I have lived in the anatomy lab, sequenced grasshopper DNA, learned to play some tunes on the ukulele, lost my car, eaten a foil dinner, cut my hair, biked at critical mass, found my car, moved back to Austin, cut my hair again, went to a hockey game, traded my pants for skirts to become a missionary, learned Hungarian, moved to the great land of Hungary, rode on a train, ate kaposzta, taught english class, cut my hair again, saw castles, flew back to Austin, got engaged, married my best friend, became a Richards, had a tea party, transferred schools, and became a...lion. Hmm... De Leon > Richards > Lion... Well, once a Lion, Always a Lion.

So yeah. :) This week was the first week of school. I traded in my BYU blue and gold for some....oh wait, blue and gold. Heh, looks like I can keep the clothes in my wardrobe after all. So, I think I pretty much upgraded from the BYU cougar to the A&M-Commerce (note the commerce, because we're different) Lion. Lions are intense. 

We've had some interesting assignments from my art teachers. My painting teacher told us to bring in 20 images next week so we can gather ideas for our painting projects. He said to just bring in images of things that capture our eye and well, after sitting in the library for two hours pouring over Anthropology I took a break, walked over to the shelf and grabbed a random book, flipped open the pages and found this beauty: 

Ok, I know what you're all thinking, "Oh my gosh, seriously? Nina, those are gross!" But let's be real, blood cells are sooo cool looking. And these are healthy. I have recently started a photography class, so hopefully my pictures will look better than this one. In real life they were really quite lovely. Just tilt your head to the left and you'll see what I mean. 

Internship

Got an internship today! So cool!!

Also, I read today in my medmicro book that there's a "carina" in your body. It's almost my name. :)

One more thing, held a heart and a lung a week and a half ago in anatomy lab. I haven't been to lab in so long :( i think i'll hang out there this weekend and I'll throw in a dose of grey's anatomy.

Quote of the Week

"It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome"-William James

Home

Half Way Home

This week marks the halfway point in the Fall semester and since I am not fortunate to attend a school that supports a "Fall Break" I have created my own. This past weekend was the annual Texas Party and the lovely ingrid michaelson concert - two of my favorite things to remind me of what I love about life: my family, my friends and good music. Seriously, I've been working like crazy and since the semester has started I've been balancing school, crutches, work, prescribed drugs, mission papers, doctors appointments, and a church calling. My one mega fun thing was this saturday and I think it was time very well spent :) Can I just say that when I saw Ingrid come on stage I was in shock and I had to tell myself, "this is not a youtube video!"

Anyway, in approximately two months from this week I anticipate taking my last final and being on the road to the lovely rolling hills of home. I can make it through the next 8 weeks with Ingrid in my iPod and Salt Lick BarBQ sauce with every meal. I'm half way home :)

God is Love

I love, because God loved me first.

There is a perfect explanation of God's love for us in 1 John 4:16-19. People always ask me why I'm so happy all the time and this scripture defines it. I am happy because God loves me and he loves all of us and his love for all of his children, all of us, is manifest everyday. For me his love is present in the beautiful fall foliage, in the smile of a friend, in the helpful hand of a passerby, in the scriptures, in my family, in music and in art. I think if you go around and look for ways God shows his love for you, you'll be amazed at how aware he is of your needs and how much he loves you. Try it :)