Dear Ottis-

I've recently begun grad school and am really enjoying my year.  It's been a nice change for me.  I'm in a family ward now and I'm a primary teacher for the 6 and 7 year olds.  Thus, I'm not around a lot of single students anymore.  In conflict to it being a nice change, it also means I'm not moving toward dating or marriage. I realize that's a rather obvious outcome, but I think that I need to change more about myself before just being around singles will work for me (i.e. will end up in me actually dating). I'm realizing that I need to be more active in this area of my life, and it is for that reason that I want to ask you a question. You can be totally honest. As a strong, confident, independent woman, what kind of impression ought I to give to men.  I don't really date much, which doesn't horribly bother me, but sometimes bothers me- have you seen the April Ensign yet? It's about marriage. Anyways, it made me all emotional and I realized that I need to do something. Is there anything off-putting I may do or anything that I should do more of, etc. You are one of the more observant men I know, so I thought I'd ask you. 

I hope all is well,
Confused Grad Student

Some more Lee-isms

"What are you doing? What what what are you doing?"

-from Sassy Gay Friend youtube clip

"Oh, stop yourself!"

-Lee

"You are not consididate. Not consisidate at all, SHOOT!"

-from Push-up bra will help me get my man youtube clip

"And thatssssssss bad. . . ?

-Lee

"Girl, you trippin?"

-Lee

A few of my favorite things...

In no particular order. . .

1. Watching the rain from inside, where I remain nice and dry

2. Trips to the farmer's market

3. Getting an email from someone

4. Listening to great music

5. Gourmet cooking

6. Going out on the boat and camping

7. Laughing really loud

8. Glee/Modern Family/Will & Grace/Law and Order: SVU

9. Seeing that people other than me looked at my blog. . . lol

10. Catching people flirting

11. Road trips

12. Singing

13. Talking about about gourmet food

14. Awkward moments

15. Writing music

16. Friends

17. A hug

18. Going home to Oregon or California

19. My niece Rebecca and my two nephews William and Andrew

20. My family

Notice

I am now an uncle. . . again!!!

Andrew Collin Spindler was born at 8lbs and ??inches. Both mother and son are happy and healthy. This is my older brother's 3rd child. He is to be given a name and a blessing on July 4th, for which I'll be heading west to attend. I'm so excited to meet the little guy. I'm guessing as the 3rd child, he'll be more like me: calm, quiet, caring, decent, mature, and of course ridiculously amusing. Here is a pic too.

East Coast Extravaganza: Conclusion

After Savannah, we headed back to Blythewood and Columbia. We spent the last couple days there with his family, and seeing Columbia. We also saw the Greenley family, Blythe and her family, and James' grandma.

East Coast Extravaganza: Savannah

Savannah was one of the quick stops on our trip. Apparently, Savannah was a big pirate place. They even have the statue of one of the pirates in one of the many squares. I was excited to go to there because it is Paula Deen capital. I really didn't know too much else about it, but it was exciting to go.

East Coast Extravaganza: Dinner 3 - The Peninsula Grill

Our last stop in the amazing, expensive, top quality dinner tour is the Peninsula Grill in Charleston, South Carolina. Now, this place was made famous because of an episode of Throw Down with Bobby Flay. The challenge was based on the legendary coconut cake that the Peninsula Grill and chef serves. I just had to try it.

East Coast Extravaganza: Charleston

Charleston is an absolutely lovely town. It was an absolute delight. This was definitely one of our low key areas where we just kinda strolled around the city, taking pics as we saw fit, and looking at what interested us. That is definitely my kind of vacation.

East Coast Extravaganza: The Plantations - Boone and Magnolia

One of the highlights of this trip for me was seeing two of the many plantations in the south. I have often felt that this was the life I was mean to lead. . . not that I want to own a plantation, just a plantation house. They are neo-colonial renaissance style houses that fit me wonderfully. What was very interesting to me was to learn that both of the plantations that we visited are still privately owned, with the family still living on the property, and sometimes in the house.

East Coast Extravaganza: Dinner 2 - Butter

Butter is one of the best culinary experiences of my life. The food was beyond amazing. It was perfectly seasoned, brilliantly cooked, divinely presented and was just all around incredible. For those of you who don't know, Butter is one of the city's chic places to eat. Its got a nice ambiance, and you need a reservation a month in advance to get a seat. Its not uncommon to see various NYC celebs there. Chef Alex Guarnaschelli is one of the Food Network chefs. She is one of the intense judges on the show Chopped and has her own show Alex's Day Off. She's great.

East Coast Extravaganza: NYC - The Sites

After leaving wonderful DC, he headed up to New York City. After paying like $35 in tolls to get there, we parked in New Jersey and headed to the Statue of Liberty. We also went to the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Butter, Chelsea, Central Park, 5th Avenue, and Broadway. Even our hotel was exciting. The Wolcott was exquisite.

Glee Assignment

In this weeks episode of Glee, the group had to become more theatrical. To do this, they called in the best of pop music today: Lady Gaga. The girls of the group. . . and Kirt loved this assignment and went all out. The boys on the other hand were a little uneasy about the assignment. They didn't want to sing a girl's song (since obviously they have never done that before. . . ).

Well, as usual, I shan't be singing, but just found my favorite Lady Gaga cover. This is a 13 year old kid that became famous after his rendition of Paparazzi went viral on the internet. He's quite good. His piano playing is pretty flawless and his voice. . . well its that of a 13 year old. However, the changes that he made were wonderful, dramatic, and very inventive.

Here it is. I hope you all enjoy it!