Greetings.

We use them almost as often as we write our name. Some people are even desperate enough to use them on imaginary people (hint: Mr. Fong "hey, how's it going?").

There are many ways of greeting people.

If you want to be grouped with the socially awkward I recommend saying, "Greetings Homo sapiens." to everyone you see, especially with a lot of tone inflection when you're around cute boys and girls.

If you want to join the group of boys who are befuddled and don't even know why they say it, yet continue to do so, say "Hey, What's up" as it especially makes girls baffled and confused how to reply. Should "What's up?" be taken literally, so the reply would be something along the lines of "the ceiling", "the sky", "clouds", etc. Or should girls realize that boys would grow tired of being taken literally and that this is an invitation to spill all their problems and life story upon the unsuspecting questioner. Or, is the perplexing boy not even asking a question but rather declaring a statement of who-really-knows-what, yet that's what they mean. Some boys say that this is in fact, not a question and they don't really want an answer, yet they put it in question format – which leaves English conscious girls like me puzzled in how to respond to this juxtaposition. Does one answer with the "Good", "Hello", or the "your-just-saying-this-to-be-polite-and-don't-give-a-penny-what-is-up-with-me" mutterance. There are many other ways to answer this seemingly simple yet complex three word phrase/question/statement.

There's also the most embarrassing, yet happens frequently greeting. This is when you're walking down the hall and someone says, "Hi." And you respond, "Good!" and after 1.47 seconds you do a double take and realize that yes, you responded, but with the wrong reply. Hopefully, they've passed you by now, and can't see your crimson face.

Then, there are the less verbal greetings. Most commonly used at public schools is the "smile and wave" technique where one sees a friend, glues on a huge grin, and starts waving frantically like they've been shipwrecked. This is great - if no one else is around, otherwise, as I'm sure we all know from personal experience, the friend may be waving to their real friend - behind you. This is always exciting, as you return a smile and frenzied wave to someone who looks past you, or, even better yet, looks at you like you're the newest thing from outer space.

Lastly, there's the plain "Hi", "Hello", and "Hey" greetings. These have tremendous use in the world in which we live. We are so busy and health-conscious that to say anything more than a one-syllable greeting would risk laryngitis. These short salutations are just the thing in the hectic, technological yet environmentally-friendly world in which we live as you can even say it to your pet in such a loquacious way, "Hello, Kitty" .

My DAY -Yesterday (Actually, It was tuesday, I just didn't get to finish this post wednesday)



So, it started off as any normal day does - uneventful, mundane and utterly boring. Don't let that fool you. I went to work bright and early at 6 am, singing and skipping the whole way. (Actually I was sitting in the car eating breakfast the whole way, but that doesn't matter - it's all for a good story.) So I go to work and talk to co-workers Amy and Heather who are great fun as we swap horror stories of dates-gone-wrong. Around 8 o'clock the phones start ringing off the hook and for the rest of the day, we talk non-stop, spouting our spill to everyone we speak as we try to save the world, one student at a time. (With a 90% accuracy rate, might I add.)

So, I work like this until 3:02 and head off to start my journey of Ed Week '08. I trekked across the construction (whose purpose is confidential to everyone on campus) towards the center of campus, debating what class to go to. I decided to venture to the WSC Ballroom to hear "Doing the best you can - a little bit better" for Women - which, I soon found out, was all about surviving your mid-life crisis. I stayed for all of 3 minutes.

Then I decided I'd like to go to the leadership class in the MARB. Well, me being me yesterday, I somehow thought the MARB was the Maeser Bldg. So I make the expedition all across campus down to the Maeser Building, climb up 2 flights of stairs, realize there is only room 420 (no room 446) and there is no one in this building. Then I finally have the sense to look at the map and realize, "duh! the MARB! oh my! how could I be so stupid!", so I walk down 2 flights of stairs, back across campus and head towards the MARB.

Then I realize the class is half over and probably full, so I decided to visit Rob working in his BioChem Lab discovering miracles with feratin. This, was a great idea, except for the fact that I didn't remember what building it was in, let alone the room number (hey, at least I knew it was 200 something). So, I went around quite a few science buildings, wandering in and out of hallways trying to find a hallway and room that looked familiar (I had been there once before). I did this in quite a few builings (actually, all of them, except the one he was actually in), but after getting some stares and 20 minutes later, I abandoned my quest to say hi.

By now the class was over and I was sweaty and tired. I decided to head over to a speaking class, but lo and behold! I head over there, find the classroom and there's no room in the end (inn). Suprise, Suprise. What else could I expect on a day like today?
So, then I decide to go to Bro. Gubler's (my old seminary teacher) talk on Journey's - let's just say I could relate after today's experiences.:) By now I had developed a serious blister, but I wouldn't let that get the best of me, so I headed down to the Smith Field House to hear John Bytheway and Brad Wilcox. It was a great talk on how "If you can laugh at it, you can live with it" (and boy was I ever laughing at my blister, hoping it would get the message - but to no avail!). Afterwards I saw cousin Hyrum and he gave me the will to "climb every stair", up to the WSC. Really, I had to climb those stairs one way or another - they have no sympathy for blisters, but still, it was good to see Hyrum even if his efforts weren't quite that heroic.

So I make my quest all the way from the SFH to the WSC to get a band-aid, every step chafing my blister. I go to the information desk to ask for a band-aid, but whaddya-know? it's closed! so I look around, and all those student advisement centers are closed too! I provoked my blister just to end up staring at dark glass and closed doors - I don't think so! So, I head to the ever-busy BYU Bookstore and ask a cashier if she happens to have a band-aid at her checkout. She informs me that 'no, she does not have a band-aid, but I can buy one at the twilight zone.' (oh really??? how nice. I guess she was just doing her job, but I, a wealthy college student does not want to buy a WHOLE pack of band-aids in an overpriced store, so I can stick ONE band-aid on my foot. thanks, but no thanks.)

So now I'm tired, hungry and band-aid-less. How low can you get?!? I decide that I can't do anything about the band-aids, but I can do something about being hungry and loosing weight. So I decide to multi-task and burn 10 calories while I stand in line for Terriyaki stix for a mere 20 minutes. Then I eat at least 300 calories of a chicken rice bowl and feel like life is complete, as I just gained back whatever calories I had lost. (food does some strange things to you - makes me wonder what they put in it).
After dinner, I decided to be brave and walk band-aid-less to a close class, in, of all places - the MARB. (what else is new?) Luckily, I learn from my mistakes and only had to walk 200 feet instead of 800. I went to a brain development class with lacy. I got a ride home with Reed at 10:15 .

At 10:17 I looked for a band-aid, thinking that 'hey, my dad's a doctor - we got boxes of 'em to spare', but surprise again (i should have seen it coming), we were out! At 10:27, after 10 minutes of tearing about the bathroom and any other place I've ever seen a band-aid, I ever so gently put a beautiful band-aid on my burning blister. At 10:45 my head hit my pillow and I laid awake, trying to fall asleep.


And that, fellow bloggers - is an account of my day.

What I love most about my Job!
So, in case you haven't heard, I got my first ever REAL job this summer. I work at BYU Independent Study at the Front Desk. Basically my job description is that people call in, I say, "BYU Independent Study this is Marie, how can I help you today?" and then the people tell me their little spill and then I help them with whatever problem they have. I do this every Monday thru Friday 8 am to 5 pm - and I love it. So, in honor of my cool co-workers who have been encouraging me to blog more than once a year, I dedicate this blog. :)
What I love about my job:
The Sticky Notes in vibrant neon-ish colors
The scanner that I send emails on
Sending Faxes to People
My head-set
My Lunch Breaks
When I take their credit card information and they say the card expires in " 'O10"
The awesome people I work with and the interesting conversations we have when we're not on the phone.
My awesome Supers and the relaxed work place
Talking to people from all over the world and listening to their awesome accents, including a man from Australia, A man named Raja from the UK (his accent was especially cool as it was indian/british), and of course, The Georgians from that southern state who, especially if they are black, speak their own version of English.
Looking up proctors in London, China and sending packages to Jerusalem and thinking that I am cool. :)
When people are hanging up and say, "Love you too, Bye."
When you're taking their credit card info and you miss a number cuz and they you say, "can you repeat that for me?" and then they repeat the whole credit card number extremely slow like you are a slow-witted animal ("8......9.....4....5.... you go that right?" - yep, i got it)
Or when they want you to confirm after every number (8 - yep - 9- uh-huh - 6- yes - 7 - ok -......)
Or that slightly awkward silence that comes after you say "how can i help you?" and then you realize they already hung up....

......more to come :)

Okay--- I admit it. I finally googled "Marie looks like" and found some interesting responses. After getting tons of things that sounded like porno sites (don't worry, I did NOT click on them!), I found some that weren't too bad. :) So I decided to take some and then add my response.
It is as follows:

Marie looks like the best barbie ever. --- This is the way I like it! Oh yeah! Barbie Marie!
Marie, looks like a fun day. ---I like fun days
Hey Marie, looks like you are doing really well! ---Appearances can be decieving...
Marie looks like they're having a marvelous vacation. --- suddenly I became Schizophrenic
Marie looks like she is bigger than my 4 year old! --- Well hopefully, I'm only 4^2
Marie looks like she ate a bug all of a sudden.---And just tell me, how exactly does that look?
Marie looks like she's stoned --- what else is new? (jk!)
Marie looks like a Teletubbie. --- whoa. that is harsh!
Marie looks like a typical happy and healthy 17-year-old.--- Finally! Something that's slightly close to the truth, except I'm not 17
Marie looks like she is totally grossed out by Sebastian --- I don't like Seafood, but I've never been freaked by a cartoon crab!
Marie looks like a *very* happy little girl.--- I'm glad someone else thinks I am *very* happy
Marie looks like a burn victim. --- let's just hope I never see this side of me
Marie looks like such a big girl! --- Yeah! I'm a BIG girl now Mom! You just made my day! :)
MARIE LOOKS LIKE A PROUD MOTHER! --- whoa! not quite sure I'm ready for this quite yet!
Marie looks like she's pondering --- I'm stumped as usual.
marie looks like rosie o'donnel --- I don't quite see the resemblance, but hey, someone obviously does!
Marie looks like she's doing well---it's so cool to read about her. At 2:00 PM, Annie said... --- I'm glad I look well, even more excited that someone's reading about me (I'm Published!), and my favorite part "Annie Said..."
Marie looks like the Swiss Miss girl, but she's really Dutch. --- technically, I'm part Swiss (and I infact have been a Swiss Miss)
Marie looks like her Dad. ... --- I'd rather look like my mom, but hey at least there's some genetic resemblance.
Marie looks like an option --- well that's good to know
Marie looks like yet another story about a geek with the perfect robotic girlfriend --- well at least I'm not the geek.
Ever wondered what Marie looks like out of her wetsuit? --- I sure wonder!
Marie looks like she is 40-45 years old --- well thanks! (isn't the first time I've heard this before, see prior blog!)
Marie looks like a rabbit cornered by a dog. --- well at least I'm not a dog cornered by a rabbit!
MARIE Looks like somethin' you slapped together at the last minute. --- I won't deny, there's been many a day where this has been literal
marie Looks like a saucepan to me... ---Well at least now I'm useful.
Marie looks like old woman in her dress. ... --- I'm just glad the old woman is IN the Dress
Marie looks like she was going to get some groceries, and stopped along the way to play some bowling. ... ---wow. this is intense, I might not come back from the grocery store ALIVE!
Marie looks like a midget linebacker in that dress. --- I knew I need to loose some weight, but still...
Marie looks like an eggplant --- Well this is Definitely a First!
Marie looks like she is crying --- Can't say I haven't heard this one before
even marie looks like a genius ---Finally something true!!! I love it! (except for the part that says "EVEN", what's that supposed to mean?!?)
Marie looks like any other woman --- thanks for the compliment (hey, at least I look like a woman!)
Marie looks like her sister! --- well, what else is new? we are, after all, related.
Marie looks like she has been rolling around in and eating coal. ---finally! I can be friends with 101 Dalamations!
marie, looks like your having a gr8 time --- how did you know?
Marie looks like Elvis. --- is that acompliment?!?
Marie looks like she is being squashed into the camera frame --- oH, I'm sure that's just lovely
Marie Looks like my dad won --- your poor dad.
Marie. Looks like I'm not working after all. --- this was personal stylist speaking :)
MARIE Looks like divorce --- I am so, so sorry
Marie looks like she is laughing. ---Yeah! Let's just end on a happy note! :)

Hope you've enjoyed this intellectually stimulating blog, and if you haven't googled "(your name) looks like", I highly reccomend it, as it is very educational!
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) ...

P.S. Besides reading Harry Potter today....
I turned 16! (finally!) :)
"I'm lovin it!"

I just finished the last Harry Potter book.... when someone else finishes it too, let me know, so we can discuss...... I need to talk to someone about it super quick! aaaaaahhhh!
-marie

Can I just tell you how much I love people?!?!
So, I know that school is over, and I don't have to write blogs anymore, but for some reason, now that they're not required I've been dying to write a blog, and all the time, something happens, and I think, "This would make a great blog.".... so now I'm finally writing one.
:) Happy day! :)
So this blog is about people. Specifically strange people. Now, this is not strange as in "wack-o", but strange as in I've-never-met-this-person-before.
So, the other day, I'm at MV in the office and this lady came in and looks at me, and says, "Are you an Olsen?" and I was like "yes," (this isn't the first time this has happened), and she said, "I saw your family in the Utah Valley Magazine", and I was like, "Oh, how nice." and she went on to explain that she was from a big family too, etc. while I just smiled and nodded. It was great fun. :)
Then, like a half hour later, I'm walking home, and I'm by the REC center and this cute little asian lady comes up to me and she said, "you remind me of my daughter suzie." and I was like, "Oh, how nice." And she said, "Yes, the way you walk, and your hair-do, your clothes and everything just remind me of her. " I said, "wow. that's really cool." (as sincerely as I could.) And she said, "Yes, she is a little bit older than you, she's 40, ( a little?!? try like almost 3 times my age), and she lives back east with her husband and kids, and she just looks a lot like you." (And I'm thinking great, I look like I'm 40, married, and have kids. I also did not previously think I looked like an asian, since all my ancestors are from northern Europe, but, hey, I guess you never know! :)) (Mark, don't be offended, Asians are cool.... I just thought I never looked like one. ) And she continued to tell me all about her daughter and I continued my smile and nod, and then we went our separate ways.
Now, today, less than 24 hours later, I'm at UVSC standing in this line-thing, and this kid walks by wearing a MVHS senior shirt. And at first, he just walks by, but then he comes back and said, "did you have fun at graduation last night?" and I was like, "yes" (as I was there to sing in the choir), and he goes on to tell me what pose he made under the M as he walked through, (it was the peace sign, by the way), and I just continue to smile and nod of course and then he's like, "did you go to the dance last night?" and I was like, "no... I didn't." And he's like, "Oh, it was fun." And I was like, "Oh, that's good." And he continued to talk for a bit while I continued to smile and nod, and then he finally left. The funny thing is, I've never seen him before, and I don't know how he knew me, because, I wasn't even wearing anything Mountain View-ish, and, I'm not a senior.
So basically, I thought it was freakin awesome that these 3 conversations happened within a 24 hour period. Now, these aren't the first times this has happened to me. Just the most recent. :)
Basically, People are really cool. I love that random people come up and tell me their life story. It is great fun! It really is.
P.S. If you want to know a prior story where someone asked me if I was an Olsen.... here it is. A few months ago, I was at the Orem REC center and I was in the Bathroom washing my hands. Soon two girls come in and one does the normal routine, but the other girl, just looks at me. Now this was not just just a look, it was a full on stare for a good 30 seconds (but it felt like 5 minutes), and she says, "Are you can Olsen?" ("What the heck," I think to myself, "They're everywhere. Plus, I've been exercising, I don't even look cute, and this is a Bathroom! ") But then she went on to say that she knows one of my siblings at BYU, and was in my other sisters Dance Class or something. It was way random and it totally made my day!

Today, I am going to answer the analytical question of why Mr. Rich is such a good teacher and why we will miss him next year.
1.) He is amazing
2.) When he SPEAKS he uses commentary (SO GOOD!!!) along with concrete detail (I called my mom to cry).
3.) He serenades us with beautiful songs (Outta my League)
4.) He is passionate about what he teaches
5.) He loves life and the world around him (as everything is SO GOOD)
6.) Basically, he's the BEST English teacher I've ever had
7.) He takes off his shoes
8.) He sits on desks when he teaches
9.) He blends in with the rest of us (half the time when an adult comes into the room it takes them a minute just to find him)
10.) He taught us all to be analytical ( a word, before this year I thought I knew something about, but now I know all about)