Prepared for takeoff!

Every morning on the way to daycare, we cross over some railroad tracks that have a fair sized hill leading up to them - the kind that you might possibly get air off of if you were going fast enough. The kiddo pretends that we're an airplane taking off when we go over them so he gets his arms ready to fly (after putting his hands over his mouth and saying, "we're cleared for takeoff... CHHH" like he's talking on a radio). This morning, he had a rice cake in his hands, but didn't want to let it hinder the initiation sequence, so he left it in his mouth as he stretched out his wings and held it for a half a block until we had reached "LIFTOFF". I scrambled to grab my camera phone in time. Excuse the blur.

"I love the name of honor, more than I fear death." - Julius Caesar

I'm rethinking why I decided not to use my real name on this blog. I guess it was for security reasons. I cringe whenever I see someone posting information that would make them easy to stalk, but I'm pretty sure that most people who take a minute to look at this page already know at least my first name. I've wondered if it threw you for a loop when they see "Honski" if you don't know it's a nickname mostly used by my family members. I think I've concluded that if someone didn't already know my name they probably don't care enough to require such level of anonymity. I don't mean to have an invincibility complex, but even if someone knows my last name, I'm pretty much unGoogleable. It'd turn up a bunch of references to scouting events and court cases.

My name is Honor.

I've never met anybody else with the name. I think the most well known Honor I've heard of was the Bond girl named Honor Blackman. I've enjoyed having a unique name. It's a little more simple than some attempts I've seen parents make in hopes that their child's name will stand out. It's a relatively straightforward spelling unless your CanadiUn or EuroUpeUn and then you expect to throw U's in anywhere just for fun. I've wished that I could hear it with fresh ears to know other people's first impression.

I've never felt made fun of for my name. People try to joke about it, but it's never felt condescending. The most common response is probably, "It's an honor to meet you Honor! Hahahaha!"

Followed up by these other popular groan-worthy lines:

"Were you on the honor roll?"

"Do you honor thy father and mother?"

"Are your sisters named Faith, Hope and Charity?"

"You should be a judge, Your Honor."

I laugh. It's not really annoying. People are hearing it for the first time and I can't hold that against them, but my levels of genuine laughter vary. It's an ice breaker really, and I think most everyone I've met has meant it as a compliment. I really do enjoy people who are creative with it and I have had my dorky moments when I laughed to myself at jokes, phrases or quotes I've run into, which include:

The chorus of Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love"

"What is left when honor is lost?" - Publilius Syrus

Song from Disney's Mulan "Bring Honor to us all"

"Ici l'honneur m'oblige, et j'y veux satisfaire.(Here honor binds me, and I wish to satisfy it.)" - Pierre Corneille

"Honor does not have to be defended." - Robert J. Sawyer

There was one missionary that served in my singles ward in California. When he heard my name he said, "Hey, I've got your name on my arm!" as he proceeded to pull up his sleeve and revealed a Return With Honor tattoo. I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or smack him upside the head first.

I know it sounds immature, but when Jessica Alba had a baby girl and named her Honor Marie, I had a moment that I'm sure most of you experienced and got past the first day of kindergarten, when you realized that you weren't the only Katie, John, Elizabeth or Mike in the world. I was thinking, "That's SO not fair! My parents picked it first, and now SHE is going to get the credit for it just because she's famous!" Thankfully, it only lasted a minute, but I'm sure I'll have to relive something similar if I ever meet another Honor. I'm just used to being THE Honor and never having to refer to someone else as such. Does that make me a name snob? In a way it makes me feel very naive. Did you ever think that if you have a more common name, you'd be more well adjusted at an earlier age?

I'm often asked how my parents came up with my name. Honestly, they each claim the credit. When my mother was pregnant with my older sister, she came across it while doing some work in the temple. She says that she suggested it to my dad but he kinda shrugged it off and didn't think much of it so she let it go. Then 5 years later when they were expecting me, he came home and said he'd thought up THE BEST NAME EVER! I can imagine the exact look on my mother's face. He had no recollection that she had suggested it before and to this day denies that she did. By then, my mother was campaigning for the name Claire. For the first 3 days following my birth, I was referred to as Honor, Claire or The Baby. Eventually, my mother relented, but I will forever give the credit to each of them. My younger sister ended up Cambria Claire, which I think is an adorable combination. I think it works better for her than it would have for me.

For being so uniquely named, I sure have accumulated a lager collection of nicknames than my parents might have guessed:

Hon ("On")

Honorski

Honski

Honker, which then became Honky, which then became Cracka

Honor Mitch (soon thereafter shortened to Mitch)

H

Honow (started by my younger sister who couldn't pronounce her R's and carried on by 4 year olds to this day)

Nonner

Ogre (ok THAT one was meant to ridicule, but it was from one of the shortest kids in my graduating class and I chalk it up to his own insecurities since I hit 6' my sophomore year and well.... he didn't)

What are your likes/gripes about your own name and what are some of your nicknames not everyone knows about?

My cool hot date!

Well, where do I start? We decided to go ice skating. He let me drive. We went to the Olympic Oval. I was surprised to find that I still had a little bit of skill left from the last time I went skating. Was still able to feel somewhat graceful, turn around, skate backwards, cross over into turns. Didn't fall down once. I wish I could say the same for him, the poor guy. He didn't seem too embarrassed though. Very confidant and positive. Loved every minute of it. I'm glad he doesn't take himself too seriously. He held my hand most of the time. It was really sweet. Thankfully, he didn't take me down with him every time he fell.

After our feet were DONE with the skates, we grabbed dinner at Panda Express. He fell asleep in the car as I drove him home. It was kinda sweet. I didn't want to wake him so I carried him to his room and gave him a kiss goodnight. Good thing I don't have a room mate anymore or I suppose I'd be owing her ice cream! I'm posting a few pictures below that I snapped with my phone. Enjoy!

(He got mad when I wouldn't stay sitting on the bench and let him take off by himself)

Sore feet, but full jar!

Ice Skate / CC BY-NC 2.0

My little ray of sun on dark days

Despite my being sick and down for the count the entire weekend, we turned up some pretty sweet moments.

We read the book I'll Love You Forever at bedtime on Friday night. You know, the one about the woman who breaks into her son's house when he's all grown up because she insists on singing a lullaby to him? Okay, okay, it's kind of a sweet book (minus that part - it kinda makes me want to say, "Cut the cord lady!"). ANYWAY, it's just about a sweet relationship between a mother and son. Soooo even though I'm usually thinking sarcastic thoughts, I started crying. The kiddo tried to give me a side hug from where he was laying next to me on the bed. When it didn't seem to cheer me up to his satisfaction, he climbed up to sit on my stomach, took my face in his hands and said while wiping my eyes with his thumbs, "It's okay Honey, it's okay."

On Saturday, he was sweet enough to let me lay on the couch and fight my cold while we watched movies and he played on the living room floor. There were several moments when he'd come and lean on one elbow on the couch next to my head while watching the movie. We were watching My Fair Lady (his choice, I swear!) and I started quietly singing along to one of the songs. He casually lifted his hand up and covered my mouth without breaking eye contact with the screen. It's like he'd expected and prepared for it!

In the car this morning, we listened to one of our Brite Music CD's (I cannot say enough about this company - I grew up with them and my child(ren) will/are as well). Kiddo is doing a great job of singing along with most of the songs, but the one that cracks me up the most is #10 (you can preview the exact part here) when he says, "Well lil V.I.P. fends. Time fo one mo song. Bout a MARCH! TEN HUT! DA DA DA DA DA HEW WE GO!" He puts all the energy he can into it. I love it! So committed! I know this isn't as good as a video, but maybe someday soon I'll capture it.

When I picked him up after work today, I walked in on him pointing a finger with a stern look on his face at the new assistant and saying, "Mom said to be good. Understand?" Then he noticed that I had walked in and came over to me, looking WAY up at me, but still with finger wagging and repeated, "Understand?!"

I'm sure someday the roles will be reversed and I'll be wagging my finger up at him.

And with that thought, I'm taking my worn out jar and self to bed - full of happy. Goodnight Friends!

Music That Moves Me

Massenet's Meditation from Thais

I've heard my mother plays this all my life. It's quite possibly her favorite, and mine as well. It will forever belong to her in my mind. I know exactly how she plays every note, although I didn't realize that I did until i went looking for a version to share. You guys have NO IDEA how many versions of this there are on the net and so very few of them have the bittersweet emotion that it does when she plays it. I could hear in the first six notes if it was what I was looking for. Thankfully, the choices I had from playlist.com included one that is just about as close as I could find, even if this one is still a little rushed. There is a sense that every note is being held onto. Their sweetness being savored. Anytime I hear this piece, I close my eyes, take in a slow, deep breath and fight back tears. If you know my mother, maybe you'll understand. I sure can't find the words.... maybe that's why the music says it all.

Puccini's Nessum Dorma from Turandot- Pavarotti

I remember sitting on the floor of my Grandfather's front room, watching a special on PBS with the Three Tenors and hearing this piece. While I got goosebumps when I heard Paul Potts belt this one out, there will never be anyone who can rival the power it has when it was sung by Luciano Pavarotti.

Ooo, bit of a side note. I believe the particular concert we were watching was in 1994 and I remember watching this moment (which I know they repeated a couple times). Something about watching these amazing men ham it up and try to outdo each other made me love them all the more.

Bach's/Gounod's Ave Maria

This is another piece from my mother, but it's one that she and I have played together many times, and still play at least once every time I make it home for a visit. Ohhh the memories that I'd never trade for anything!

The Man You Love - Il Divo

Ok yeah I really went back and forth about even admitting to this one. Here's my sappy side at it's worst. I don't know why I feel so embarrassed every time I have a typically girly moment, but I always do. SO, I'm counting this as a step toward embracing the girly girl in me. I, Honski hereby admit that I melt when I hear this song.

MOVING ON!

Michael Nyman's Impromptu for 12 fingers

AKA Schubert's Impromptu in G flat major Op. 90 No.3 + a few notes

Mr. Nyman's version was arranged for the movie Gattaca - a science fiction drama from the 90's with it's story based around a futuristic society caught up in the ability to manipulate the genetics of children before they are born. This piece is played by a man with 12 fingers. The notes that Nyman added supposedly made it impossible to play with 10.

Hey, did you know that Gattaca was filmed at the Marin County Civic Center in California? Did you also know that the building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright?

If you've driven past it with ANYBODY from the area you'll hear it again!

(or maybe that's just me, I think I tell everyone)

Samuel Medley's I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Arranged by Michael R. Hicks

Yeah I know this is changing pace a little bit, but I couldn't leave this one out. It is the most beautiful arrangement of this hymn that I've ever heard. I was introduced to the music of Michael Hicks (as so many of us were) when I sang the EFY Medley at my 1998 session. Soon after I returned home, I found the sheet music for it and also bought any of his other arrangements that were available. This one happened to be the 2nd. I've played it 100's of times and never tire of it's beauty. I had the great experience of meeting Brother Hicks in 2002 when he came to give a fireside at the University of Utah at which my ward choir was singing a few of his songs. He and his wife happened to be walking in the building at the same time as I was and we started talking. I found out that he'd served in the mission that I grew up in. A few days later I joined the mailing list from his website and over the next few years received updates about his music. In early 2007, (as he has done for a few years) he sent out an email letting people know of areas of the country he'd be visiting in the months to come just in case anybody would like a musical fireside or presentation without having to pay for his travel costs. I was, at the time, living in Las Vegas and noticed that he'd be heading our way the following April. I talked to my ward Relief Society President to see if we wanted to have an Enrichment Activity where he would speak. She referred me to the Stake Relief Society President, saying that it should be on a grander scale. The Stake RS President then referred me to the Stake Music Chairman who thought that we should turn the event into a Stake Youth Fireside. By the time I called Brother Hicks, I had a Stake Youth Fireside all lined up and just needed to know what date would work. He was so kind in being willing to take the time for us and it worked out perfectly. We picked him up from his hotel and he had dinner with our small family before the fireside. He even recognized me from when we met before which totally blew my mind. He played on our floor with Grant and told us about his own son who was about Grant's age, jokingly calling himself "Uncle Mike".

All around great guy and his music... AMAZING! Check out his website.

And lastly

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - performed by Richard Elliot

This performance was the 2009 Pioneer Day Commemorative Concert given by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. I was there. I got tickets and a friend was going to go with me, but then weren't able to at the last minute so I went alone. Check me out, being all brave and stuff, I know. It was a thrilling experience. EVERY piece of music was incredible and I kept wishing that my mother was there with enjoying it as well. I know she would have been getting goosebumps right along with me. Now, if you'd told me that my favorite part of the entire concert would Swing Low, Sweet Chariot performed on the organ, I would have laughed. HOWEVER, having been called to serve as my ward organist two months earlier without any prior experience, I had a newly found respect for ANYONE with talent as an organist. This one completely caught me off guard.

I was speechless! I wanted to jump up and grab the stranger next to me and say, "DO YOU REALIZE HOW CRAZY THAT IS?!" But instead of convincing them of my OWN insanity, I was the first on my feet, cheering as loudly as I could. One of those moments where I didn't care if I was calling attention to myself or who was watching. I just knew that I was even more awestruck by Richard Elliot than I was before.

Not even taking into account all the times these pieces have done the trick before, tonight especially, they filled my jar.

Marin Civic Center Photo / CC BY 2.0

Chugga Chugga Woo Woo

The Kiddo's daycare provider (a wonderful woman that we consider a dear friend) gave him a train set as a Christmas present. He's been doing nothing else since we got home today. He's in heaven.




Kiddo's Jar = full (which means his mom's is as well)

Diggin the New Digs

All moved! Whew! What a weekend! I got sick on top of it, but still was able to get the new place together enough for when the Kiddo came home from the Christmas weekend spent with his dad.He was so excited to see that he had his own room with all his toys in it.
He had presents from many friends and family members waiting for him to open and he wasted no time. There aren't pictures of all of them, but thank you, thank you, thank you to ALL of our dear loved ones who thought about him/us this holiday.
The evening was spent with his toys, followed by watching movies together before bed.
Quality bonding time if you ask me!

One part of our bedtime routine is where we "talk". He sits on my stomach and we talk about his day and often sing songs together as he tries to prolong bedtime. Last night we sang a few songs that I learned back at Girls Camp 15 years ago (excuse my voice, the cold isn't gone).