Dear Ottis,

I have an important question. I am a member of a minority ethnic group here in Provo. Recently I have noticed a guy who is of similar ethnic origin but has more knowledge of the culture than I do because I was adopted. I went to high school with this guy and now he has returned from his mission and works at the bank I go to. I want to approach him and talk to him but I am too scared to do it. The easy way is to avoid him by going to the teller that I'm familiar with and just avoid talking to him. So should I approach him or not?

Sincerely,

Very Shy

Dear Very Shy,

Thank you very much for writing in. I've enjoyed pondering your question. I think the answer is simple: yes! Go for it!

Now, it seems to me like you're a pretty shy person, though I could be wrong. I have my very shy moments myself. But, I hope you realize that you can take great confidence in yourself as you approach a guy. This is actually an ideal setting, if I do say so. You have this added bonus of a legit reason to go talk to him. Ask him about your shared culture. You can learn a lot about yourself that way, and get close and flirty with a guy all at the same time. And if you can approach that situation with confidence, then that will come off as even more attractive. I know that it can seem like a daunting task, but its one that gets easier with time, practice, and confidence. So, just go up there, and be you.

I hope you have wonderful success in this. Please keep me updated on the situation, and I hope I can offer you more advice in the future! Happy Flirting!!

Ottis

Notice

I've once again been asked to be a judge, this time for BYU Idol. It will be taking place Wednesday January 25th, 2010 in the Varsity Theater at 7pm. Everyone should come!!!

Rolled Pork Florentine

10 pork chops

1 pkg. frozen spinach

1 small bag pine nuts

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup bread crumbs

salt and peper to taste

olive oil

Preheat oven to 375. With a mallet, tenderize and flatten 10 pork chops. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Set aside. In a small frying pan, toast pine nuts. Make sure not to burn or over cook them, just allow them to get nice and toasty. You should be able to smell that beautiful nutty smell. Once they are toasted, remove from frying pan and place them in a bowl to cool. Also microwave the spinach as directed on package. Allow to cool. Once cool squeeze out all excess liquid. You can use a cheese cloth for this. I just use my hands.

In a mixing bowl combine spinach (thawed), cheese and cooled pine nuts. Combine well. Drizzle in olive oil (about 1/4 cup) until you reach your desired consistency (this should be just on the wet side, with out becoming soupy). Place a tablespoon of the spinach mixture onto one end of flattened pork chop and roll. Secure with twine or tooth pick. Place in casserole. Continue with all 10 pork chops. This should take about half of the spinach mixture.

Once all chops are rolled and in casserole, salt and pepper the tops. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Spread remaining spinach mixture over the top of the pork chops. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 30 min. Allow pork to rest before serving.

Tips: Using a white roux, you can make a bechamel sauce. From there, you can add parm and make a cheese sauce that would accompany this dish wonderfully. If you make your bechamel just after putting the pork in the oven, it should take about 15 min. Once done, poor bechamel over pork in the casserole and let pork continue cooking the remaining 15 min. Serve warm, but remember to let the meat rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meet wonderfully moist and succulent. Enjoy!

What the heck???

So, this week when I got back from break and took a peek at my blog, I was made aware of something that scandalized me to the very core. Indeed, something so shocking, so disturbing, so unfathomable I felt I should blog about it: someone un-followed my blog! Now, I realize that to the unexperienced reader, this may seem like something as simple as un-friending someone on Facebook that posts too often. You know...something that happens, and should remain discreet--and--unless you're Zach--non confrontational. This, however, is substantially more severe. Allow me to explain why.

Right off the bat, we do need to remember that this is not Facebook. You'll notice that there are not 800 friends following this blog like we all have on Facebook. Rather, we have a mere 20. Every person counts! Especially because I'm in a secret war with Sydney to have more followers on my blog than her on hers...so secret in fact, that she doesn't even really know about it.

Secondly, the fact that someone has un-followed my blog means that I've bombed, and bored this person so desperately that they couldn't even stand to remain a follower. Now, lets remember that following a blog does absolutely nothing for you...no emails, no reminders, no alerts, no nothing...indeed, it does very little. It just puts blogs in your dashboard, which I have yet to truly understand. So, basically I failed so miserably as a blogger that it wasn't even worth that.

Thirdly, and most importantly... Ok, I don't really have a third point. But, if I were able to think of one, it'd be dang good! Suffice it to say, I'm on the slightly perturbed side of the spectrum due to this issue, but hey...such is life!

P.S.

Speaking of the secret war between Sydney and I, let me just say how happy I am to report that team Lspin is ahead by a few people...so, that is a good thing. We cannot however loose this war! We need to do some recruiting methinks! Get on it people!

-----------------

Update- This once secret war with Sydney has now become a full out battle of the bloggers. Here are the terms: Who ever has the most followers by the end of the semester wins. Judge: Yvonne (to keep things civil). Prize: homemade dessert by the loser for the winner.

Bring It ON!!!!

More Lee-isms

"I can read you like a book! Like a children's picture book!"

-Lee, speaking to Sydney

"Do you know how much of your soul is in my phone?"

-Lee, referring to the pictures of Sydney on his phone

"Do you have a list Suzy? And if so, can I borrow it?"

-Lee, talking to Suzy about list of desired traits in a spouse

"I always pronounce my final consonants."

"Why?"

"Because I LIKE them!"

-Lee and Syd, a conversation

"I'm not optimistic. I'm a realist. The glass is neither half full nor half empty; the glass is simply twice as big as it needs to be."

Lee, from a conversation with Chuck

"Boo hoo...a boo hoo"

Lee, stolen from my dear friend Kelly McBride, who conversely stole it from her sister

Notice

As was promised: Today is Christmas! Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Christmas Eve

Joy to the world, for the Lord is come on this silent night, o holy night, when the stars were brightly shining on Judea's plains where the shepherds of old heard the joyous strains sung by angels we have heard on high. After all, away in a manger in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed where the virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin Mary had a bay boy, the virgin Mary had a baby boy and she said that his name was Jesus. But, one has to wonder: Mary, did you know that when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God? So everyone, fall on your knees because the first noel that the angels did sing was going on at the same time that with wondering awe the wise men were led by the light of faith serenely beaming from the Orient land. In short, I'm trying to go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born...tonight!

So, tonight is Christmas Eve. As tradition dictates (and anyone that knows how I feel about tradition, then you'll know that it dictates mucho for me-o) we went to a long-time family friend's house. When we got there we began by having our traditional sub sandwich dinner, or as I like to call them, Hogie sandwiches. I was sitting on one of their oversized chairs in the front room where I saw a little toy. It was one of those Transformer toys from the smash hit movie, Transformers. It took me 30 min. just to figure out how to get the stupid thing to turn into the car. Why are kids toys so hard for me? I'm 25 (MLIA)!!! Anyway, once I was frustrated with that, I went and ate.

Then we began practicing our songs. You see, every year we gather as friends and family and pick several people within our ward/lives that we'd like to go carol to. We bring them treats of goodies and sing to them and try and share some jolly Christmas spirit. We had our four families selected. Usually we sing some traditional Christmas carols that every one knows. This year, we sang some little diddy that one of the kiddies sang in school: "Here comes Santa, here comes Santa, here comes Santa, Santa Clause." Than of course, we sang "We wish you a merry Christmas" as tradition dictates we do (Christmas is so wonderful, so many dictating traditions...it's almost like you don't have to plan anything!!!).

So, once we were all brushed up on our music we headed on our way. At one of the houses, a family drove by, saw us and decided to stop so that they could listen to those sweet, melodious strains. In the group, there are at least three pretty trained choral singers, and a few others that can carry a tune. You'd think us to be a wonderful ensemble. These joyful strains however are nothing to the belted bellowings of our tone-deaf fathers and the children not blessed with properly functioning ears. As we got back into the rhythm of singing together after a year apart, I began to wonder: Why haven't we had more doors slammed in our faces? Isn't the joy that we're trying to bring to these poor souls actually just agonizing to their ears? Sarah put it best as we got into our cars after the final house: "Lee, you know if you ever try for the Tabernacle Choir, this will be a huge check against you!" Truer words have ne'er been uttered on this sacred day since the Holy Family was in that little stable and the angels sang Glory to God in the highest!

After our caroling conundrum we headed back. There we did our (once again) traditional reading of Luke 2 and our traditional singing of Silent Night (for, it is the only Christmas hymn I can play on the piano). Then, when we got home, I got to watch White Christmas for my first time ever. What a joy it was. Now we have to get ready for tomorrow: presents, big breakfast, big lunch, missionaries, Sister Spindler calls, movie, Amory skypes, big dinner. Such a relentless day but...Such is life!

Notice

For those of you not aware...today is Christmas Eve Day! Therefore, one can deduce that tomorrow is Christmas day... For those unable to make such a mental progression, I will notify you tomorrow when it is Christmas.

Such is Life

This week I was boasting to my family about my web-book. Its one year old, and working great. Thank goodness for Acer. As I opened it up to show all that it can do to my dad and brother it crashed. It hasn't been able to start since. It goes through a vicious restart cycle. Oh, and there is no system restore that I can access...since there is no DVD drive...Such is life.

Dear Ottis,

I've just recently split from my boyfriend of 10 months. While there are no hard feelings and we broke up for mutual reasons, I am still very much heartbroken. We would like to continue to be friends but I'm not sure where to draw the line between just friendly hanging-out and people starting to talk behind my back like-- what the heck is she doing? Yknow what I mean?

And then in the midst of all this, how do I pick up flirting again? Personally I'm not crazy about dating people right now but I know that it is probably essential to help me move on... but I can't remember how to flirt! I've got a very strong, opinionated, loud personality and so I've had guys tell me before that I'm intimidating to ask out on dates... this one guy once told me that I come across as a maneater.

Obviously I am in need of some serious help/advice.
Thanks,
Jordan Renee


Dear Jordan Renee,

Thank you very much for you letter. I've spent some time reflecting on it, and I hope that I'll be able to offer some help/advice for you. Let me first begin by saying how sorry I am that you are hurting. Breaking up with someone after a long relationship, no matter how mutual it may have been, is always hard, heart-wrentching and painful. I wish you the best of luck as you move on in your romatic life.

Let me begin by addressing your current situation with you and your ex. Becoming friends after breaking up is one of the most challenging inter-relational challenges there are, in my opinion. The difficulty lies in effectively redefining the relationship between not only the two of you, but also for you in the various circles of friends that you both have. Let me offer a few points of advice on this. One thing of utmost importance is re-establishing rules and boundaries. You've spent ten months being more that friends. Redefining normalacy in friendship can be very hard, but is incredibly necissary. One tactic to help with this is limiting the time you spend together. This helps each of you to move on emotionally. It also helps limit the inevitable "talking behind [your] back" to which you referenced in your letter. The other important thing to do to continue your new friendship is to date other people.

I realize that dating again after a breakup seems daunting. The idea of being close to another guy unfathomable. Believe me, its gonna happen. Go ahead and get your flirt on. Flirting is a natural, subconscious, necissary part of our everyday lives. It really is just playful interatactions between members of the opposite sex, with the intimation of interest. So, go ahead, have fun and be playful, go and date. The more you date, the easier it'll be for you to reconnect with men, and the sooner you'll be able to see yourself getting interested in guys again. And hey, you get free food, movies, ice creat etc out of it...so, what could be better? :)

Regarding your maneater status. I have varied thoughts on the matter. The first thing I'd like to tell you, as that no matter how outspoken, loud, opinionated and crazy you may be...there is a guy out there that can handle it. Not only that, they'll enjoy it every step of the way. Why I don't deny that many men are attracted to a certain submissive attitude, there are many that are not. Confident is always attactive, so take pride in who you are, and don't change for anyone. I heartily believe that the only reasons people should change themselves is for personal growth and intimit spiritual progression. Otherwise, God created you to be happy in who you are. So, embrace that.

Well, this letter has turned into me rambling on. I hope that some of the thoughts that I shared will offer some insight and help in the romantic future that is to come for you. Remember, the right guy is still out there and looking for you. Just live your life with no regrets, and in a manner where you can be worthy of his companionship (and we'll pray he is doing the same). I wish you all the best. Feel free to write back for more advice or for clarifiaction on what I've written here.

Thanks,
Ottis