Another year older and wiser too

The end of summer brings the first of the Zackrison Fall Birthday Series, with Christine turning 21 on August 30.

Woohoo!

We had a fun family gathering on Sunday night which included a delicious and deluxe grilled steak dinner along with a stack of coordinating gifts.

My favorite gift is the pair of dictionary earrings Sarah found on Etsy to go with the book of mystery and intrigue about the writing of the Oxford dictionary (The Professor and the Madman - waiting on CZ's upcoming book review). This gift was based on Christine's excitement over her visit to Oxford, England earlier this year (see the end of this post). Clever right?
But when CZ opened the gift, there was a bit of a denial a la Barbie-color-forms type* about her love for Oxford and dictionaries and earrings overall. So we'll see if she uses them. We had a great time putting the gift together, and that's all that matters right? ;-)

*There may or may not have been an incident in my childhood where a set of Barbie colorforms was purchased for me for Christmas which gift brought tears and accusations to those assumed to have added that item to my Christmas list. I still stand by my position - that was not my handwriting.




























Happy Birthday CZ! Here's to hoping it's your best year yet.

One last trip...

I owe Courtney's family a huge thank you for inviting me to CA with them at the end of August.

Kirstin (my new roommate!) had already started law school and wasn't able to join them for the week of family vacation in Newport. I was lucky enough to fill her spot!

On my first night in CA, we headed up to Malibu to visit the Frames for dinner. It was a lovely evening! And great to catch up with Haley before she heads out to DC for the semester. You really can't beach being right on the beach, outside, listening to the surf.

Courtney (former roommate) and I enjoyed walking around Crystal Cove, pedicures and plenty of time by the pool.
Zack and Ana were SO nice to come out of their way to visit me! It really made me feel special and loved. And great to see Jack! You can't help but smile when you look at that kid.

Kristen joined us for a night out to dinner at the hip and swanky Javiers. (Rumored to be a hot spot for cougars. It did not disappoint!)

After dinner was over, we contemplated what we should spend the rest of the evening doing... Thank you corporate perks for answering that dilemma for us! We headed up to Anaheim for an evening at Disneyland to enjoy the best part of Kristen's corporate finance job. It was tons of fun.

Little hands, big fun

I forgot to post these pictures we took on the last day of my moving. Wanted to be sure to put them up here. These kids are tons of fun. Thanks for all the help!
May I also introduce you to my new coffee table (from Pottery Barn, pictured here in Downeast Home where I found it). Isn't it cute? Pictures of the room it goes in to follow...

Can't stop thinking about Nienie

NieNieDialogues is one of the first blogs I started reading being referred by my sister Sarah. (Sarah was spotlighted as one of NieNie's Friday Faces a couple months after Scott was featured. Check them out!)

I was instantly captivated by her style and charm. (LOVED this collection of beautiful vintage things. I love secret glimpses into her life like this one. )

And inspired by her cheerful, yet realistic, depiction of motherhood. (All-time favorite story: the Lock Out. I plan to use this one, particularly during the hours of 4-6 when kids can't think of anything to do other than TV. I was pretty guilty of this as a child. I long for a feeling like she felt on this day:

Today's highlights included:

1. the deadly combo: listing to motab (love is spoken here) + changing a diaper = sobbing my eyes out. sobbing because of the confirmation i received that I know what i am doing in my life right now is exactly what i am supposed to be doing right now.its awesome.

And by her fun and flirty depiction of wifehood. (Have you seen their love letters?)

I'm jealous of her blog and how beautiful it is with such an established style. I can't imagine how she has time to edit all her photos and put together such fun posts.

And most of all, I LOVE her home decorating with silhouettes. Look at what a great idea this is!

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the plane crash Stephanie was in with her husband Mr. Nielson. It's quite surreal and really makes you think twice about your life and the path it will take. The life path of the whole family has been altered which makes you wonder, is there something huge and life-altering in MY family's path?

Anyway, I participated with the 100s of others who released balloons of hope in her honor. (More from Sarah here) And I was delighted to bid on the charity auctions held to raise money to cover the costs of their extensive burn treatment. I fell in love with these beautiful fabric banners. I'm not sure exactly what I'll do with the dream banner yet, but I'll find a way to fit it in.
I know I'm behind in posting about this, but I didn't want to let the time pass without adding my echo of love and support. You can follow the story on Nie's sister's blog cjanerun.

What would YOU do in this situation?

I have a small dilemma.

You see, I'm settling. Which means I'm baking.

I've noticed that when I move somewhere new or enter some new phase of life I tend to want to cook. Suddenly I'm overcome with new recipes I want to try, old recipes I want to recreate. I start watching the Food Network again and browsing through food magazines at the checkout line.

The problem is, I don't really have a kitchen set up yet. So I cook at Sarah's.

This is the basic circumstance surrounding today when I could not think of anything else nearly as important as baking some Carrot Cupcakes. (I'm sure my tax professors will understand why coming late to class was inevitable..)

But it's been several months since I baked this delicious treat, thus I forgot to half the delicious Cream Cheese Frosting used to top the Carrot Cup-o-Delicious.

Which brings me to the current predicament about which I ask your feedback. What should I do with the extra 2-3 cups of decadent cream cheese frosting? Don't hold back, I'm in the mood to try something complex. Or simple. Or both.

Just don't let me spend more time on allrecipes.com...

End of summer activities

Coming back from Jerusalem brought many things.

First and most importantly, it brought mexican food back into my life.

Second, it brought homelessness.

I moved out of my apartment and into a box truck with the help of an old friend (read: saint) Han. My box truck moved to a lovely spot in front of the Wiley's (read: angels). There the box truck held all my precious belongings for about 10 days, safely guarded behind bike lock and key. I kept it on the street just long enough for Wileys to get awkward questions from the neighbors. (Maybe Oliver can add Moving Truck Driver to Scott's resume of Wal-Mart greeter?)

The Wiley's were so nice to let me take over the guest room (and parts of the basement and garage) for a few weeks. It was so fun to hang out with them. June is a riot! I invite any of you to give crashing at their place a try. (Ha!)



In my first weekend back, three great things happened.

1. Jason & Annie got married.
   
   I like to say I had a part in creating this marriage. Because I did. (Story too awkward for blog-posting...)
   
   
2. I went boating with Courtney.
   
   One morning instead of attending my planned Education Week classes, Courtney and Dan decided to show me what I SHOULD be doing with my free time. I haven't been wakeboarding since some random family trip to Lake Powell years ago. It was fun to try it again. I didn't get any pictures of me behind the boat, mostly because each attempt lasted only seconds which is not very picture worthy. It was a lovely afternoon - much thanks to Dan, Courtney's brother who was so patient and drove slowly for me, the boat-chicken.
   
   
3. I went shooting with Jowy.
   
   This was so awesome! Jowy is my favorite friend from Jerusalem. He was nice enough to include me on his shooting trip with his friend Zach. They are quite expert at blowing things to pieces. Jowy brought a box full of old mission and Jerusalem memorabilia that he used as targets. My favorite target was a cup of Mountain Dew. Check out this video of me successfully hitting the cup, on the first attempt!
   
   

Needless to say it was so much fun and a great way to experience shooting a gun for the first time. I hope they'll let me come with them again. (I hear great things about shooting Shasta cans in the snow...)


Oh and also!! Sarah and I spend 5 hours organizing the storage unit! Sarah's face was priceless when I lifted the door for the first time as she caught a glimpse of the chaos and disorganization. Unfortunately I didn't snap a photo for a good before/after shot, but it's a huge improvement. We went through every item, threw/gave away tons, repacked into new boxes, labeled and dated each one, then repacked the unit. It was a hot and dusty process and by the end June was so over it but the feeling of accomplishment can not be beat! Plus it's great to get that off my mega to-do list.

It's hard to fully capture it, but this is a big improvement...

So there you have it! I'm back! I'll post about CA, CZ's Bday, and NieNie before I begin on the most exciting part of my current life - decorating my new house! And Downeast! And the Springville Antique Mall! I can't wait to get feedback from y'all on the many decisions I must make.


(Wait... am I in school? Oh yeah, minor detail.)

Once upon a time... I had a blog.

Hi, remember me?

Can I BE more annoying? Every time I post I talk about how I'm not going to be lame anymore, going to post more regularly, shoot for everyday.

And then I don't.

So sorry.

It's time you all realize I regularly fall vastly short of my personal expectations.

Yes my last name is Zackrison. And yes this trait is genetic.



Now, lets get on with things shall we?

Beautiful Welcome Back to America flowers. So glad to be back!

Jerusalem Close-out

Here I will post parting thoughts about Jerusalem. Mostly for my our record-keeping-sake.

Triclinium

Tonight's fireside rivals the one in the Shepherds field for one of the most peaceful experiences that I have had here. We went to the upper auditorium and reenacted the last supper. There we had the tables set us just as how they would have been. 13 guys reclined while our professors talked about the last supper and the meaning and symbols mentioned in the scriptures. A few people bore testimony about the last supper and its significance to them. People then bore their testimonies about Christ. A group sang "This is The Christ". I love that song and I love listening to groups of good singers, mostly because I really am not a singer myself. For the closing hymn we sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" while Brother Squires played the great organ in the Auditorium. It was a wonderful evening.

I stayed afterwards in the auditorium until it was quiet and I was alone. I reviewed the things they taught us from Jone 14, 15 and 16. Sometimes as I read a chapter and swear that I've never read it before, even though that's not possibly true. Jordan snapped a picture of me from outside the auditorium, if you expand the picture you can probably see me sitting there. I will miss that room more than any other at the Jerusalem Center. Luckily, that room is open for visitors if I ever am able to come back.

I am so grateful for the wonderful experiences that I have had here. They have put together a complete program and I am lucky to be a part of it.

Ugh

Sorry, no updates. Tomorrow we will take our last final. We leave here on Thursday. I can't believe it's already over! From there, I may or may not go to Greece for a few days with Christine. I can't determine the correct choice of action. There are good reasons to be back home and good reasons to stay...

Anyway, I'll be back to posting after tomorrow! There's my update.

Peace, Be Still.

Yesterday we took a boat across the Sea of Galilee. We read the account in Matthew where Christ calmed the troubled sea for his disciples. One of my favorite conference talks of all time was given by Elder Oaks on this subject, He Heals the Heavy Laden in Oct 2006. It was a unique and priceless opportunity to reflect on this hymn and talk while on the boat.

Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threat’ning
A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still, peace, be still.

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.

The scriptures contain many accounts of the Savior’s healing the heavy laden. He caused the blind to see; the deaf to hear; the palsied, withered, or maimed to be restored; lepers to be cleansed; and unclean spirits to be cast out. Often we read that the person healed of these physical ailments was “made whole”.

Jesus healed many from physical diseases, but He did not withhold healing from those who sought to be “made whole” from other ailments. Matthew writes that He healed every sickness and every disease among the people. Great multitudes followed Him, and He “healed them all”. Surely these healings included those whose sicknesses were emotional, mental, or spiritual. He expressly affirmed that He would heal those with physical ailments and heal the brokenhearted. He healed them all.

He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us. Like the good Samaritan in His parable, when He finds us wounded at the wayside, He binds up our wounds and cares for us. Brothers and sisters, the healing power of His Atonement is for you, for us, for all. His all-encompassing healing power is sought in the prayerful words of our hymn “Master, the Tempest Is Raging”

At times we may despair that our burdens are too great. When it seems that a tempest is raging in our lives, we may feel abandoned and cry out like the disciples in the storm, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” At such times we should remember His reply: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them like the Apostle Paul—is available for every affliction in mortality. I testify of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who invites us all to come unto Him and be perfected in Him. He will bind up our wounds and He will heal the heavy laden. At the end of the journey, an end none of us can see now, we will say, “Master, the terror is over. … Linger, Oh, blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more.”

Oh Galilee, Sweet Galilee!

Apparently there is a long lost primary song all about the Sea of Galilee. It really is a pleasant place. People say it's not what they expected but I can't say I've ever thought much about it until I got here. It's always a little odd to me when a sea has waves but when it gets windy in the afternoon waves pick up and crash on the shore. It's delightful.

Bougainvilleas grow all over the place! Galilee is warmer than Jerusalem since it's 700 feet below Sea level, but it's much greener and there is generally a nice breeze. These flowers press well in scriptures, I've tried to collect them at every site we've visited.

We've been here for a week now and have a few more days to go. We've been studying the New Testament and the teachings of the Savior that he taught while in this area. We've visited Capernaum, Caesarea, Nain, the Mt of Transfiguration Mt Tabor, etc. We have a field trip one day and the next day we stay at the Kibbutz have class in the morning and relax on the "beach" for the rest of the day. It's still hot, but I love the down time we have.

Rusty, Dave Kader, me in the synagogue of Capernaum right by Peter's house. Amazing!
We ate at a fish restaurant that served St. Peter's fish. Some people ate the eyeballs. Others opted out for pizza...

Nightlife in Tiberias. Feels very much like Balboa fun zone, except less fun and without Balboa bars..

After church on Saturday we stopped by another potential site for the Jesus' baptism. Trevor has made an effort to take a photo at every location pictured in the back of the Bible. He crafted this shot to look just like the one for the Jordan River. Check it out!


One of my favorite sites so far - Mt. Tabor the location of the Mt of Transfiguration.

P.S. Mom thanks for the package! You found some great items!! I'm wearing one of the shirts in this photo.

"Love is like five loaves of bread and two fish, always too little until you start giving it away"

This is the mosaic floor in the Loaves and the Fishes church. Supposedly that's the exact rock where the 12 baskets of leftover food were set. They've left the rock exposed and built a church all around. I hate to be skeptical, but can they really know the exact location?

We're staying at a resort Kibbutz (Jewish communal living center) called Ein Gev. There are bungalows all along the beach. The water is not saltly, the beach is sandy (I expected rocks) and there are TONS of little shells.

I love playing paddle ball! Current record: Rusty and me with 173 consecutive hits.

There's also been some good beach volleyball.
(Rusty, Trevor, Tanner, me)

If you look past Kader you can see my sweet pass.

Some people count their ski days, I count beach days. This summer has been such a success :-)


And of course, no trip to the beach would be complete without spectacular sunsets.