Well, today was an interesting day. I had hoped that I would find something to do at work; I hate it when I'm twiddling my thumbs and thinking too much. I like to 'escape' to work. I was able to do just that today, because I spent most of the time trying to find a way to swap a .css style when a button is pressed on a webpage. I could easily create a script in Flash to do so, but the point in using HTML and cascading style sheets is Acessibility, accessibility, accessibility. I was aiming to recreate a tab-navigation using pure CSS rather than images (or Flash buttons), which activated an internal frame (called an iframe) and also, at the same time, changed the color of the tab to make it active and make the others inactive. Well, I did it. I was so excited I eagerly called Les over to look at my handiwork. Ok, so it looks like nothing big, but I accomplished something absolutely marvelous. This code is totally reusable and will enable us to quickly reproduce such a navigational interface in the future; plus it's easily editable by someone who doesn't know HTML or CSS for that matter.

Ok, most people have no idea what I just said, LOL. But basically, I'm a genius. HAHA, no really. It's funny, because this kind of stuff, in high school, was what I liked the least, but whenever I figured out something technical, or some difficult chemistry equation, or solved that seemingly impossible proof in calculus or physics class, well, I have to say, I just loved the way I felt. The subjects I enjoyed more, such as English and foreign languages, and art...the subjects where I excelled, excited me too, but I never had to actually put forth much effort to get those A+'s. In my science and math classes I did. The fact that my job requires me to both be creative (yes, my art background) and logical (good thing I learned all those proofs!) is exciting. I get to use both sides of my brain.

Anyway, I left work late because I wanted to get it implemented and tested in the various browser/platform settings. But then I came home and we took Cristina out to dinner. Cindy pretty much moved out today, although she still has some stuff here, but her room is completely cleared, so we moved Cristina in there. After dinner we went to Wal-mart and mulled around, and Cristina bought a lamp for her new room. It was fun spending time with her. I had decided after getting emotional with her on Saturday (because I was so darn worried about her) that I wasn't going to give my opinion anymore; but just try to be her friend and ask questions, but not give advice. Just as my mother had advised me to do. She informed me today that she was not going back to church. She says she loves God and the gospel, and she knows God will love her despite her decision. I didn't say anything. What could I say? It's not like I'm unfamiliar with this situation in not only my own life but also in the lives of family members. I just hope eventually she'll grow out of it; slowly but surely, like I did. Perhaps just going to sacrament after a few months of not going, period, will help her get there. She needs to learn to disassociate the people with the church, but she will need time to do that. I guess I was lucky to have had such a bad experience with church members at the tender age of 13. It was horrible, but at least I began to get it out of my system then. I don't feel any bond with my current ward, either, but it doesn't prevent me from going. I'm going for the Lord and my own spiritual needs; not to socialize and/or date. My bishop may think I need to do that as well, but I find that when I concentrate on the more spiritual aspect of church, I get a lot more out of it. I prefer it that way. Are most of my friends LDS? Yes. Are many of them from my ward? A few. I obviously have no serious qualms with anyone in particular in my ward -- but I don't connect with barely any of them, either, except my home teacher and a few choice others.

So I can empathize with Cristina. I'll just keep my mouth shut. I might stay home on Sunday and listen to conference with her rather than going to the institute building. While the atmosphere is casual and social, I prefer to listen more intently from my own home. We have a tradition in Madison where all the single adults are invited to watch conference at the institute building. They can dress casually, and they are fed well before and between the Saturday and Sunday sessions. The sisters are even welcome to see the Priesthood meeting. It can be nice, but again, I get more out of it when I'm on my own. This way Cristina and I can listen/watch together.

Well, it looks like my internet has slowed down. I received a letter from Charter telling me that since September I had been upgraded for "free" to their 2 MB high-speed service. Now that's as fast as a T1 LAN. No wonder things had seeemd equal at work and here. They told me, however, that that free offer expired April 1st, and they would downgrade me to their lowest - 384 K speed (typical cable modem speed) because that was the price I've been paying. If I want the 2 MB service back, I have to pay $10/more a month. Considering they get like $120 a month from us for the internet AND digital cable, I think they get enough. But man, I'm really noticing the speed difference, and it's bothering me. I see their little marketing ploy here; don't tell the customer they are getting the best service until it expires, and then they won't be able to stand the slower speeds. Hmmmm....nice little trick.

I am reading the last installment of the "Left Behind" series, called "The Glorious Appearing". I'm already almost done with it. I have all the books, and i love them. Granted, I don't believe in the "Rapture", the way Baptists describe it, but what I like about these books is that they don't single out any particular Christian sect. It's about Christians, period, surviving the last days. They are really good books. The scriptures quoted in them are from the King James version of the Bible, the one I'm used to. The authors interpreted Revelations very literally, and I don't think everything that is going to happen is going to be so overwhelmingly literal, but that isn't important. What I find fascinating with these books is the personal struggles that the characters go through to find Christ in their lives, and recognize Him as their personal Savior. It's also interesting to read the interpretations of the 2nd coming as written by the authors'. I think many things are very close to the way it will probably be (although no one knows for sure), at least, they are along the lines of how I view things will become (like the world-wide monetary unit, world-wide government, one leader (evil), just to name a few). But this final book is the one in which Christ finally comes to reign. I'm at the part where he has finally appeared and is speaking to all the people on the earth. To read his words (taken from the Bible, of course) just fills my heart and makes me want to be there for the 2nd coming myself, despite how much this world is going to go through to get there. I probably won't be alive for it, but I have a feeling either my children or my grandchildren will.

Well, I better get to bed. I want to read a few more chapters before I zonk out, anyway. Buenas noches.