Sunday, August 12, 2012
A Close Encounter
I'm MARRIED!!!!!
- Ryan completed his nursing capstone at IMC in Murray in their Emergency Department.
- I taught Evolution at BYU for Winter and Spring semesters.
- Ryan graduated from BYU's school of nursing AND passed the NCLEX making him officially a RN (REAL nurse).
- We went on a honeymoon to Florida (yes, we went to Disneyworld!...and yes, we went to the beach!)
- We fixed our sprinkler system and have done several other little house projects since.
- We returned to the Southeastern United States for a insect collecting trip. This was for my research on scorpionflies.
- Ryan was hired as a window-washer to bridge the gap between graduation and finding his first nursing job.
- I am finally getting some results back in my research after a year of not finding anything really.
- We are LOVING our pass of all passes and the fun things we can do with it.
...oh, and no blog is complete without some pictures, right?
Sunday, January 29, 2012
January 23rd...what a great day!
So…the engagement. Ryan worked a night shift last Sunday and so had slept in Monday afternoon. He always calls/texts when he wakes up, as he did this time as well. We planned to meet up on campus and he told me to meet him by the “family statue.” I will have it known that I arrived exactly at the time he told me to find no Ryan. Come to find out, he was on the other side of the statue. That is when he gave me a single flower, a daisy, and we went back to his house. Since it was Monday evening, we decided to do our own FHE. I gave him the lesson based on the religion class I have been going to (church history). We did this in front of a fire that Ryan built. He also suggested that we make tin foil dinners in the fireplace, which was one of our favorite meals we had done before. They were SO YUMMY. Then Ryan tried to make me come up with a FHE activity…but I had just given the lesson, so there was no way that was going to happen. He just smiled and said he would take care of it, and suggested we do one of the things on the date idea list I created a few months ago. We settled on driving around Provo reliving some of the memories we had there. We drove past Memorial Park where Mel and Dave got engaged. Looking back, I think Ryan may have paused there…just in contemplation. We eventually drove past the Indian Restaurant where we had his birthday dinner, when he asked about the “historic tree” that where we had our first kiss. I directed him to it and we stopped there. Of course we had to get out to reenact our first kiss. Ryan’s memory is a bit fuzzy because he recalls grabbing my shoulders, pulling me in, and laying a big one on me as we dipped. I recall the peck that I could hardly get out because I was so nervous he would notice I had never kissed anyone. So we “played” around for awhile. Then out of his pocket came a surprise, as he said, “something came in the mail today.” To this point, I had been completely oblivious. Ryan made he seem that we were just having a casual night and that I was helping to decide where we were at any given point. I quickly realized that I had been blind. He got down on one knee and said, “Katherine Fager, will you marry me?” I of course said yes, we hugged, kissed, and all that jazz. And that was it. We drove home and just enjoyed the night. I loved it! Simple, secluded, and special. He couldn’t have done a better job of tailoring a proposal just for me. When he dropped me off that night, I found a bouquet of more daisies on my bed with a note that said, “I figured in a few months I'll have to ask your permission before I spend money on you. Since I already know the answer to that I'll just have to spend what I can now.” That just reconfirmed everything I already knew. I just LOVE Ryan.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Everyone, I would like you to meet...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Practice Doesn't Always Make Perfect
First day, they call role and the teacher explains all the different events we will be expected to learn. He went through the floor, trampoline, uneven bars, vault, and beam demonstrating multiple skills with ease. In my mind I was thinking, "how hard can it be?!" Immediately we start to warm up and he has us start on strength training. This is where I quickly learned that I am not as strong nor flexible as I thought. Neither can I do one single pull up. Following the class, my arms were so sore that I could hardly open my binder in my next class. I didn't dare tell anyone that it was because I was attempting, not even accomplishing,
That is about how the entire semester went. About half way through my time, my goals changed. I no longer was aspiring to do a black-flip, but a handstand. If I was aiming high, I thought I might even be able to accomplish the "pull-over" on the uneven bars. Just look:
Six year old girls can do this trick....ugh! Well, by the end of the semester I still couldn't do a back-flip, nor a pull-over, nor an effective handstand. But let me tell you...I am a champion at somersaults!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Discovering New Love
A few weeks ago, David and I set out to hike Mt Timpanogos. After my experience on the mountain last year (nearly falling off a glacier covered cliff) I didn't know that I would become a Timp fanatic.
When David and I began the mountain we were prepared to take it on. However about 4 miles up, we ran into snow...sad day! We couldn't go much further without putting ourselves in danger (like last year) so we we descended. Feeling a little like a failure because I had failed to summit my goal, I suggested that we then hike Squaw Peak...and so we did.
Poor David really didn't want to, but for the sake of spending time with his lunatic of an older sis, he came along. By the time we reached the top (another 4 miles up), he was dying...shorts were soaked to the ends with sweat and he could hardly move one foot in front of another.
But we did it and it was awesome! The view was definitely worth it. After coming off Squaw Peak and looking back to it, we had great satisfaction in knowing we can conquered it. Hence my love for it.

This last weekend, my family decided to take on two more hikes in Jackson, WY. Unfortunately, not all of us in prime hiking condition. All did the "nature walk" around the lake and got back much later than anticipated. So the next morning when I still wanted to take on Snow King, mom joined me. It was a great time. It was difficult and a little exhausting and a little like hiking the "Y" with shade on the trail. Again, so satisfying to reach the top and see the beauty beneath.
We will see what other adventures await!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Goodbyes to Hellos!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Back to Life...of the Provo Variety
...DAVID IS HOME...and such a stud! I loved playing all of last week with him. I do admit, he is pretty weird, but I love it. I wouldn't have him any other way. I think I clung to him just as much, if not more, than he clung to me last week. And after many wrestling matches, debates (mostly about science and evolution), and laughs we are still great friends. It is just nice to know that although we grow up (kind of) some things never change.
Now, I am back to BYU and trying something new...research. This could be an exciting experience! I have been attempting to cram as much information as possible into my brain these last few days. I am not sure any of it is sticking but I can't imagine that it is possible that my brain hasn't gotten a few more wrinkles in it. I am extracting DNA from insects and then taking it through a series of reactions until it is ready for sequencing. After that I have to learn to use computers (MACs specifically...yikes!) to break down the DNA and essentially label the parts of it. COOL!!! I am sure none of this makes any sense to anyone but me but if so...I am sure you love it too!
Well, like I said...back to normal life. Wish me luck :-)
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Long Haul!
Well, my favorite part of the students is definitely their attitudes. I even catch myself throwing in an accent or phrase every now and then that I never would have previously used. I always knew I could have an attitude but Wilson High School just brings out the spirit in me.
Oh, and I just realized that I haven't mentioned my family coming in town. It was SO awesome. We played, played, and played some more. After being spoiled for a week, they left me and that may be the reason the last month has been so slow. It is hard to recover from a weekend with your favorite people in New York. But now I just have to look forward to the summer and all the fun times to be had.
Well, I know this post is completely random so I thought I would just add in the most random picture I have that incorporates most of the things I have talked about....me with an M&M in New York...

Sunday, February 20, 2011
Becoming a Columbian
CAKE MAKING/DECORATING:
Em's (one of my roommates) birthday was this week. For her birthday, I decided to make my debut as a baker. This is the beautiful purple carrot spice cake that I made from scratch! The icing didn't turn out as expected and I actually have no idea how it came to be. It was kind of a failure because Em's only instructions were "not purple!" Oops!!! I will have to keep working on that talent.SPINNING:
Next, is ice skating. This is Holly and she is one of those accomplished people that can do just about anything. I am trying to learn from her and I thought I would start with spinning on the ice.
Whenever I go ice skating, I spend the first two rounds with my chest to my knees just to make sure I keep my balance. After that I feel a little better and am able to skate with ease. So once I had made it past my anxieties of being on the ice, I decided I should do something more. Here is Holly attempting to teach me how to spin. Key word...attempting!
As you can tell from me reverting back to my very flattering chest to knees skating position, spinning makes me nervous. I did get a little better, but once again, I need to keep working on that talent.PHOTOGRAPHY:
I have worked on this talent for awhile. Photography is something that I enjoy. My only problem is that I just like to take pictures of EVERYTHING...beautiful or not. Ben always told me that my talent in this area is lacking...I guess these picture are just further proof.
I do like to capture things I think are interesting. Like here...find the insect! Hint: it is almost smack dab in the middle. I guess that is a talent I have...finding weirdness.Well, as all can see my talents are works in progress. It will just take some time before I really fit in our here in D.C. As one friend told me, "persistence is the key to getting anything you want." Of course that was in reference to something completely different but I still think it applies.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Trying New Things!
The first...my inability to appreciate art. I have been exploring every Saturday so that I can see as much of DC as possible in my short stay here. It is amazing what I have already done in the short four weeks I have been here. I have seen most the of the memorials, Mt Vernon, all the "important" buildings like the capitol and white house, multiple museums of the Smithsonian, the botanical gardens (indoor of course), the zoo, and a few more things. Until yesterday, I had yet to enter any of the numerous art museums in the area. I had just convinced myself that I was saving them because of my appreciation for their beauty and culture. However, deep down I knew I was just putting it off until the other sites to see where few in number or I had limited time to be there. I figured since I am merely an appreciator and not an expert in art that it would be a pleasant stroll through the museum. And it was...for the first floor, which is really just a half a floor. However, as I reached the second floor, which is where most of the art was displayed, all the pictures started to look the same. There are only so many displays of the crucifixion, the virgin Mary, and the naked body that I could handle. Eventually, I resorted to simply sticking my head in each room just to say that I had seen them. I may have done more but art galleries and I seem to be incompatible. About half of the security staff at one point or another approached me to tell me that I was breaking one rule or another. If you ever want to know what is or isn't allowed in an art gallery, just ask me. But, I can now say I have seen one of the art galleries, and I will probably visit the rest just for the sake of saying I did. Maybe one of these trips it will click that my life long calling is to be a potter. I wouldn't mind except that since my art skills are lacking, I wouldn't be very successful. But then again, they may name me the next Picasso because my art is so different that it is genius. :-) But who am I kidding? Really, the one thing I did "take home" from yesterday's 1.5 hour peruse of the National Gallery of Art was that my favorite forms of art are either sculptures or nature scenes. Both were beautiful to me.
The second...my deep rooted desire to save every penny I possibly can. As of late, I have set a new goal to pick up every penny I find. Half the time I probably look crazy to passers by who watch me quickly walking down the road, coming to a sudden halt, picking up some random object off the ground, and then continuing on with my brisk walking. It has proved to be quite handy. I have used all of those pennies, except for one. But this isn't really what I wanted to write about. On Friday, we had the sister missionaries over for dinner at 6. I got on the metro about 4:45 which gave me plenty of time to stop by cotsco for some of the dinner we were going to make and get home. However, I couldn't resist getting off one stop early to pick up a small Bath and Body Works lotion that was on sale for $1. On my way to the store, in the mall, I passed by one of the booths where the sales people stand in the middle of the walkway with a sample of something and eager to draw anyone in to make a sale. You know the kind! Well, this happened to be one of those stations where they were selling these great organic salt exfoliating hand, face, and body washes. I caught the girl's eye and could tell that she was sure I was her sell for the day. I had hardly time to speak before I was pulled over in order for her to demo to show me how great her product was. She introduced herself as "Debby from Brazil" and started. Knowing that I was not going to buy anything, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of my exfoliating hand wash that made my skin SUPER SOFT. Debby was sure she had me after that but was surprised when I told her that "I LOVE this!!!... but I am not going to buy anything today." At this the gloves were removed and the real battle began. She then showed me the lotion and body wash. She asked if I knew how many weeks there were in a year, to which I proudly replied, "52!"Her rebuttal, "this container has 60 scoops...so you see, more than a year." Did I mention her thick Brazilian accent? It just added to the splendor. Well, seeing that I still wasn't convinced, she asked if I had a boyfriend and explained how wonderful this all would be for him. Then she asked about the condition of my feet, and explained how those can even be soft. After that was the reduction of prices. She was going to give me the originally priced 45$ container of salt for 20$, after I had refused the 30$ and half price offer, plus give me some of the lotion for free. After I still didn't budge, she looked carefully at my face, whipped out the strangest machine which had some sort of camera on it, and stuck it to multiple areas on my face pointing out EVERY blemish that I had. (Side note: this is not a way to make friends) Even after all of this, which I was still enjoying to the utmost degree, she did not have a sell. I told her that she was wonderful, I loved the product, but she had picked the wrong girl as far as impulse buying goes....and that I was a poor college student. I did say I would think about it though, and if I decided it was something I really did want (which I do), that I would come back. She said, "Okay, I give you a card...when you come back, I will give you same deal. But you come to me and can't tell anybody else. I make you my customer!" I just smiled and said I would and almost got away but she had one more trick up her sleeve. She pulled the pity strategy and said that since she had spent so much time with me and demonstrated so many things, that I at least needed to take home some soap for $9.99 (orignally priced $29.99). I just smiled once more and said sorry and RAN!!! I quickly picked up my $1 lotion from Bath and Body Works (my favorite store in any mall), stopped by Costco to pick up the food, and got home just as the sisters were walking into our building. So, while time consuming, I definitely count that worth it. I just might have to stop by that little station again when someone else is working, just to get another free demo that makes my hands super soft! :)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Washington D.C. Rocks My World!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A First For Our Family
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Finally Finished Finals!
21 Orders, 102 Families, 435 Specimens
Additionally I took the GRE and Biology PRAXIS test. I will say that GRE was not quite my cup of tea. Since grad school was a last minute decision, I didn't really have time or desire to put of lot of effort into studying for the test. When I got in there, the math portion wasn't too bad though I definitely guessed on a number of questions. The verbal portion was something else. I was convinced after the first few questions that there had been some horrible mistake and I was being given a test in Sporishenese (a combination of Spanish, Norwegian, Finish, and Chinese). Eventually I started to recognize a word or two but it was not pretty. Lest you know think I completely failed the test, I actually did fairly well...extremely well considering the amount of study I put into it. Let's just say I am glad to have that over with.
And as if the GRE wasn't enough, Dr. Whiting also wanted me to apply for this prestigious fellowship from the National Science Foundation. I pounded out my proposal in about two weeks and will hear back in April what they think of it. It was so satisfying to put that together and be a little ambitious in trying to do something new.
Now, I am home, the semester is over and I am just enjoying the Holidays. Just to prove my festiveness, this is what I have been up to over the breaks.
Beautiful Vegetable Trays for Thanksgiving--They couldn't have picked a better job for me.
A Single Strand of Christmas Lights--First time in years they have been up...I am quite proud of them!
...OH!!! I almost forgot the most exciting news of all. I fly out to DC in two weeks for student teaching. It won't be stressful as far as academics (due it's pass/fail nature) but I am sure it will be plenty challenging and grand!!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Good Night's Rest??
Going back to my younger years, I could toss and turn in a bed as good as anyone. Many mornings I woke up on the floor because Melanie would shove me off. Evidently she didn't appreciate having my feet in her back. Our move to Boise afforded me my own bedroom with a single bed. It was here that I learned to sleep peacefully without moving. Many mornings now, I just slip out of bed with the covers hardly ruffled. I thought I had been cured of my restless sleeping, until this last summer.Seeing as my phone is my alarm clock, it rests on the table next to my bed. However, when there is no table or I check the time in the middle of the night, it ends up on the bed with me. It happens many times that I wake up in the morning, check the recent calls in my phone and see that I have called such numbers such as *432050832 or 520344. Rarely does anyone answer when I call. Thus, I decided to try calling real people. Fortunately, it has always been close friends who understand that I can be a bit quirky at times. This last week, however, it went too far. I woke up at 4:53 to my phone reading "Dialing Kara Martin..." Kara is a great girl, but only a class friend. She may not appreciate my subconscious thinking of her at such an early hour. As quickly as I could, I ended the call...cutting it off at a mere six seconds. Of course, when I told Kara about the incident the next day, she laughed with me. But I realized I need to tame my sleeping habits before I become much more talented. It has happened once that I have texted someone in my sleep. Once again, it fortunately was a good friend and only said something to the effect of "s820zd830". My next endeavor will be to train myself to stick simply to sleep talking. However, it would be nice if I could get other things accomplished in my sleep, such as my homework, showering, and getting ready. We will see what we can do...
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Simple Things!
Super glue--evidently band-aids don't work all that great for cuts on your thumb. I reverted back to the mission habit of supergluing all my cuts. It worked within a day...like magic!
Bugs--I have found and identified some of the smallest bugs there are this week. It took me 30 minutes to identify one of my bugs but was I was determined to do it simply because my TA suggested I should just give up. But no worries, I did it! Waste of time? Not for my pride :-)
Dictionary.com word of the day--there are some great words out there. I am always tempted to throw them in even the most casual of sentences but then I remember how weird that would be and I refrain.
Parents: okay, so they aren't that small or simple but I was so happy that they visited me this week. They brought me pumpkins and just played with me. The greatest laugh of the week was watching mom try to pin a cicada....just look at the thing! To her credit, she did it.
There is oh so much more I could say, but for now this should suffice! Till next time.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A Happy and Hairy Halloween!!!!
I wore the hair like this for two days. The second day it was much better than the first because I got to sport it around to a volleyball game, the library, and walking down the street. The matted mess has strings of fuzzy kinky hair sticking out. I couldn't wait to get it out. But that is the second problem with this hair. To get it out I sat on the floor of my shower with some (A LOT) of a conditioner and a comb. Half hour later and no more hot water, the mess was gone...along with half my hair. So was it worth it? I am not sure. I think I just may start planning now for next year's costume. But then again, what is the use? 99% chance I will once again meet the Mr. Hyde in me.








