My life... Recently

Alright people. I know you're dying to know what goes on in my oh so fabulous life, right? Probably not, but here it goes anyways! Um, this may be a little bit scattered... On Friday, I found out that we have a cadaver lab on campus... And I found that out in 2 different ways... On the same day. Imagine that. 1. My roommate posted about it on facebook, which made me curious about a cadaver lab, but not that curious. I just wondered where it was... Well I found that out in science class that day which leads to #2. My teacher told us where we would be meeting for class on Monday. Yup, you guessed it. The cadaver lab. super. I've always wanted to see a dead body. NOT!!! It's optional to go, but I guess I'm crazy, because I am going to try to go... even though I was getting sick just talking about it in class... In other news, it snowed last night. GROSS!!! And for those of you who will remember, I slipped on the ice in February and broke my leg... Well, guess who slipped today? Yup, that would be me... Luckily there were no broken bones. just a slightly sore leg... but all is good! I also went to this Rexburg expo today, which was pretty cool. My old FHE brother Paul is in a business class and they have to sell a product or provide a service, and that was his. My relief society president is in the group too. But I got my mom and little brother their Christmas presents there today. But even though they never read this, I'm still not gonna say :) I made my dad a pot in my art class though and that is his joint Christmas and Birthday present :) I hope he likes it! In other not-so-great news: I lost my credit card on Thursday... Cool... not really. But to lift my spirits, my mom gave the okay to buy Michael Buble's Christmas album on itunes :) So far I love it!! Oh, and last night, I went with my friend Kati to see The Help. It was such a good movie!! I definitely recommend it. Then, we went to one of my friend's houses for a movie party, but we still made it, and that is the important thing, right? It was fun. I love my friends so much!! They are basically awesome! Well, that's my life in a nutshell... Okay, not really... Those were the highlights of my week... I hope that you have an absolutely fabulous week!!

Wednesdays

Wednesdays are the pits. It means I'm only halfway done with the week, which is awful because by the time wednesday rolls around, I feel like it should be friday already!! On Wednesdays, I also have 4 classes... 3 are back to back, and one is 2 hours long. Just peachy. There were some highlights though. I got to have lunch with my friend Rachael and her roommate Danielle. And even though we are/were getting sick and having a crummy day, we still managed to laugh and have fun. After they left for class, my friend Jessica showed up and helped me study for my science test, which I failed anyway :(, and then we went to science class (the 2 hour one) and watched psych during every break we got. Maybe that's why I'm not doing so great in science... hmmm. Anyways, after class, Jessica and I went to the bookstore where she got a laptop case to match mine, and then I went to take my test. Let's not talk about that. When is radioactivity ever going to help me anyway?? Who cares, honestly... Maybe I have a bad attitude about things... probably... After class, we went and got ice cream to help me feel better. On the bright side, I have made a new friend every day!! Which is totally awesome because I love meeting new people!! That's why I signed up to help with Get Connected. And I love to serve :) Speaking of serving, my friend kylie and I made cookies last week and gave them to people as they left the testing center. It was kinda funny to see all of the different reactions. Some people ignored us, and others got super excited about getting a cookie. And others just looked at us like we were crazy... But I had a good time, and that's all that matters, right? And kylie, if you read this (which I know you do) I still owe you money for dinner haha. subway was super yummy :) Anyways, I hope you all have a great week!! It's halfway over. <-- That was me being optimistic. love you all!!

Thanks

2 blog posts in one day!! I think that's a record :) But someone totally made my night :) They brought over a plate of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with a note that said happy october. They texted me a little while later saying to check my porch. By this time, we had already found the scrumdidlyumptious cookies :) But if you ever read this, you totally made my day!!! Thank you so much!!

frustration

Will you please pray for me? I've got a lot of stress in my life right now, and I'm not exactly sure how I can handle all of it. I've got school stress and relationship stresses. I know I get frustrated easily, and that is something that I am trying to work on, but with all this stress, it's hard. Oh, and this whole thyroid thing is more trouble than it is worth. I'm on medicine that messes with my hormones, and I could potentially get the dosage upped tomorrow. awesome... It's gonna be a long week, and I could use a friend and/or a shoulder to cry on. Any takers? Love you all.

Annie was right

The sun WILL come out. Her time frame may be a little bit off, but the son does come out. Promise. I've had so many experiences this week that confirm that. And while it is nasty and rainy outside literally, the sun is figuratively starting to come out :) And I love it! :)

Things I hate...

Okay, I know hate is a strong word, but there are just some things that I REALLY hate...

1. Mornings. Why did I schedule a 7:45 class 3 times a week? Because I am dumb. I don't enjoy leaving my bed in the morning. There is just something inherently wrong about that.
2. Doing my hair. I wish I could just have perfect hair days every day... I don't have time to do my hair in the mornings. Especially since we already established that I hate mornings.
3. The Testing Center. I would much rather take my tests while sitting on my bed. I kinda freak out in the testing center. I might have test anxiety. possibly.
4. Failing tests... Especially when it's the first test of the semester, and you only fail by 2 points. Frustrating, right?

But on the plus side, tomorrow is Saturday, which means that conference is tomorrow!! I'm so excited! I love the prophet and apostles. I can't wait to be spiritually fed :)

Stars

So I'm taking this integrated science class right now. Science? Not my thing. It's 6 hours a week, 3 times a week. That's 2 hours per class. It's pretty intense. But for an extra credit opportunity, my teacher told us we could go to the planetarium on campus and see the show that changes on a monthly basis. It was so cool! I love the stars! Perfect date? A moonlit walk with stargazing. Cheesy? Yup. But I'm a pretty simple person. You hear that, guys? If you're even out there... I just gave you the perfect date idea. At least for me... Every girl is different. Anyways... This show was fabulous!! It was called "The Secrets of the Sun." Did you know the sun is the reason for the Northern Lights? Well it is. Pretty dang cool. Oh, and I've added "see the northern lights in person" to my bucket list. Do I have a bucket list? Not really... As of right now, that's the only thing on it... But back to the stars. I saw the big dipper for the first time. And when I say saw, I mean I actually recognized it. And then I found Polaris! (I think...) Apparently my schooling is paying off. It's moments like these where I get so excited about things that I forget how awful the rest of my week has been, and I get to marvel in everything that Heavenly Father has done for me. I love this campus because in everything I do, I feel so close to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I appreciate absolutely everything that they have done for me and given me. If you ever need a perspective of just how big this universe is, go to the planetarium. I'll be there every month. Would you care to accompany me?

When Life Gives You Lemons, Get Ready to Pucker

This title is courtesy of my amazingly wonderful and fabulous roommate, Jennifer Franzen. She sure is awesome :) Will she ever read this? probably not... But that's okay!
So this week. It's been hard. Like, really hard. Monday and Tuesday I felt like I was about to have a nervous breakdown. I had so much stuff to do, and it didn't seem like there was enough time to do it in. I was super frustrated. My mom, bless her heart, was telling me to prioritize and mark stuff off when I was done, but looking at everything made me freak out even more. And then wednesday came... And things seemed to be a little more bearable. And now it's thursday, and things are starting to look up. I'm almost completely done with 3 of my classes, and I don't have much to do in the rest of them. I'm so ready for this week and next week to be over. Then I can go home, and go to hawaii with my family :) Did I mention I was going to Hawaii before? Well, I am. Wish I could take you with me! Because if you read this, you're probably a big part of my life... Just saying. Thanks for everything you do! I love you, and you are amazingly wonderful and fabulous, just like my roommate :)

This Boot Ain't Made For Walking

I wrote this poem last semester when I was sick and tired of being in my walking boot due to my broken leg. I have also discovered that I quite like writing poems. Well, cheesy ones that is :)

Oh right shoe

I'm sorry you've been neglected

I didn't know what to do

But a break had been detected

They gave me a special boot

Of which I wasn't a fan.

It made me say, "Oh shoot"

And I wanted to create a ban

On mismatched shoes 

And special boots for a gimp

And from the break, there was no ooze

But there was a definite limp

But after 5 weeks

And lots of time on the couch

I can stop being a geek 

and emulating Oscar the Grouch

As long as I avoid the ice,

My life should be rather nice

Well, that's my attempt at writing poems :) Pictures? Of course. What's a blog post without pictures?

CAUTION: NOT FOR THOSE WITH A WEAK STOMACH!!!

Things I Love

Family

 Nature

   Lilies are my Favorite!!!!

 The sky right before and right after it rains

 Clean Kitchens

 Having my hair done (Even if it is in crazy styles just for fun!

 

Paper Airplanes

 Fireworks

 Sleepovers

Finding Joy in the Journey

Lately, I've been frustrated. With life in general. Homework, I've been sick, which is never fun, and nostalgia for home. Is the semester over yet? No? dang. And it seems like everyone is getting engaged. Taja and Tom, Colin and his girl Cora (who I have yet to meet), and I'm sure this is only the beginning of the flood of wedding announcements :) But I'm happy for my friends. And I enjoy the friends I have and the time I get to spend with them. Lately I've been hanging out with my friend Melynda to make up for the fact we hardly ever hung out last semester, and that we won't see each other until January after this semester. Dang. I'm gonna miss her.

One thing I find the most beauty and joy in is nature. I told my roommate that it is kinda my dream to be proposed to to at a waterfall. So, future husband, if you are reading this, remember the Waterfall!! I mean, I'm sure getting married will be absolutely spectacular, but being proposed to would be the icing on the cake. Would that make the wedding the cake? But I digress. Anyways, here's some of the beautiful scenery I've seen around Rexburg.

 The Sand dunes. Right before a storm

 Porter Park

 A flower on campus. There are actually a lot of flowers like this in various colors

Weekends just keep getting better

I know I already posted a blog today, but I told Colin he could have his own post, so here's my other post. This weekend was absolutely fantastic! On Friday night, Jenn was working, so I hung out with my friend Melynda. We felt like being chatty, so we mainly talked, but then we decided to get dinner because Jenn was hungry, but while Melynda and I were eating, Jenn texted me and told me that she got off work early, so Melynda and I went to get her, and we also ran into our friend Brandon. We went to the clubhouse at Melynda's apartment complex, and played pool (kind of) and airhockey, and then we went to the park and played there for a while. After that, we went home and went to bed. This is where it gets even better! At 9:30 yesterday morning, I was woken up by my mom calling me. Her words were: "We're coming to see you, and we'll probably get there a little after 10!" Now, I knew my mom and my dad were coming to visit, I just expected to be awake sooner than that... But I loved spending the day with my family, although I missed my little brother. My parents and I did some shopping (dad got me a blender!) we went out to lunch, did some more shopping, and then we went to Idaho Falls to see my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. Mom, dad, and I managed to get a nap in before Uncle Eric, Aunt Melissa, and the kids all got there. We went out to dinner at Chuck-A-Rama, which is a big deal when there are 12 people and 5 of them are 8 or younger. After dinner, we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We played there for a little, and then it was time to go home. Mom and dad brought me home and I hate saying goodbye!! I'm so bad at it!! I came in and put in Singing in the Rain, which is my feel good video. Towards the beginning of it, my roommate's friends came over, and they decided to paint each other's faces. After they were done with that, they commented on how I was the only one who didn't have a painted face. So I was kind of ambushed... But it was fun. I'm so grateful for weekends. They are just the reprieve that I need from the week.

My cousin Kassie

 This is my cousin Cameron or Cam-Cam

 This is my cousin Erica

 Me and cam cam

 I told my dad to smile, and this is the face that I got. I love my dad so much!!

 Me and my mommy!! I love her mucho!!

                                                                                                                  

Iakwe!

That's how you say hello in Marshallese! So, I have this friend, Colin. I've known Colin since September, and he has probably become one of my best friends. Colin lived in Greenbrier at the same time I did, and he was my FHE brother Winter semester. He served his mission in the Marshall islands, and as a result, I have heard many prayers in Marshallese. It's really quite a cool language. Whenever I was going through a hard time, he always had the best advice to give, even if he didn't know the whole situation. That's something my older brother is good at too. Colin actually told me that he was going to be my big brother, although I'm not sure that still applies since he is in ALASKA and isn't actually a blood relative like Mitch, who is my older brother no matter where he goes... But back to Colin. When I started my blog, Colin told me I should write about him, so I told him that when he went to Alaska to work for the summer, I would dedicate a blog to him. So here it is!

Colin broke his hand the day after I broke my leg, so we were gimpy buddies together. Of course we documented it. Colin said we had to take the pictures Marshallese style. I wasn't sure what that meant, so here is my interpretation of it.

 

It's not what it looks like. But it does basically describe mine and Colin's relationship.

 

I personally think I look sick in this picture, but Colin doesn't, and this post is about him

 

Colin was the best FHE brother ever. He got our apartment sick a lot fall semester, and as a result, he made us delicious soups a lot. I also mentioned to him how I had a migraine one time, and he brought me advil and made sure that I was feeling better. Over general conference weekend, we got whoever wanted to go for a picnic together and went up the fields on campus, and it was so windy!! After we ate, Colin and I picked up the blanket, held it up like a sail, and jumped. Pretty sure we actually moved too. It was THAT windy!! Colin became one of my best friends. I'm so glad that I have him as a friend.  And Colin, I hope you are having fun in Alaska getting paid to make fun of old people!! Ij iakwe yuk, friend! :) (see what I did there? Marshallese AND English!)

My life in a nutshell

I find it slightly ironic that I started a blog because I thought I would be better at blogging than journalling, but apparently I was extremely wrong. I am officially a sophomore here at BYU-Idaho, and I absolutely love it! I am starting to get into classes for my major, and they are the best! I am currently assisting in a 3rd grade classroom, and it really confirms to me that teaching is what I want to do with my life! It's the best feeling ever! Apart from school, I haven't really been up to much. This weekend has been great though! And it's even better considering that it's a long weekend :) On Friday night, my friend Melynda came over, and we hung out at my apartment and in the Snow building while we waited for Jenn to get off work because we were starving! Jenn had to pack because she was leaving for Utah the next morning, so Melynda and I went and got dinner for the 3 of us and brought it back to our apartment. Then, we spent that night at Melynda's apartment because her roommate was gone for the night. Jenn left the next morning, and I ended up spending the entire day with Melynda!! We kinda missed breakfast, so we went and got lunch, and we went to G's Dairy Delights for dessert. Let me tell you, I think I found heaven in there!! That was the best Ice cream I have ever had!!

My Ice Cream!! 

 

After that, Melynda and I went back to her apartment where we decided to watch a movie in their clubhouse's movie theater. We watched Mean Girls, and I actually stayed awake during it!! (For those of you who don't know, I have a real problem staying awake during movies...) Then we played piano and air hockey and talked for a long time. It was great! We decided to watch another movie later that night, but before we did, we went to Little Caesar's  for some breadsticks. No pizza, just breadsticks. yummy :) I'm totally fine with the no pizza thing, since I am not a huge fan of pizza anyways :). We watched The Covenant with our friend and Melynda's previous roommate Jessica. Afterwards, I went home and went to bed because it had been a long day!! The next day was Sunday, and I had church at 9:30. Both of my roommates had to speak, and Jenn was in Utah, so I ended up sitting by myself. No big... After church, I came home and did all of my homework until about Thursday... Yeah, I'm that cool :) My old roommate Taja called later that night and asked if she could spend the night, and since I absolutely adore Taja, I was more than happy to have her stay. When I talked to her on the phone, she said she had something to tell me, but didn't say anything else. I had my suspicions, which were confirmed by the diamond on her hand when I saw her! I'm so happy for her and her fiancee Tom! They are super awesome people! Anyway, Taja spent the night and this morning we did a little grocery shopping, and then we had breakfast right before Taja went to meet Tom for his lunch break. Great timing, right? A little later, I went to a family lunch at my grandparents. I LOVE spending time with my family!! It was so nice to just relax and talk with my grandpa and the rest of my relatives! And I can't wait for July 10th when I get to see my parents!! They are going to Las Vegas for a conference for my dad, and then they are coming to see me!! Being away from home makes me realize how much I miss my family!! I just wish my little brother could come too! He's such a cool kid, but I don't tell him that because he knows it all too well and I think it's already gone to his head. 

Me and Ryan! 

 

I am really  looking forward to everything in store for me! I applied to be an I-team leader for Get Connected in the Fall, and I hope I get accepted for it! It seems so cool, and it really helped me when I was a new freshman. I want to help people out and be able to serve them! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me! In the meantime, I'll just take life one day at a time :)

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

Last week was my last week of my freshman year of college. I'm so bummed it's over, but I'm glad for the break from classes. I have had the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends who have ultimately become some of my best friends! They have helped me grow and mature, and I'm so grateful for all of them!
On Saturday, my friend Loren came over and helped Jenn and I move all of our stuff from our old apartment into our new apartment. If he hadn't come to help, I don't know what we would have done. It took 3 trips with his car. And I don't think we could have carried it all over there! But we told him we owe him dinner when we are all back in Rexburg, and we fully intend to pay up! He was a HUGE help! After that, my grandparents came to get me for the weekend and I stayed at their house until Monday night when I flew out. On Sunday, we went to my Aunt and Uncle's for dinner after church, and my aunt, who teaches karate, taught me how to flip someone over my shoulder if they come up and try to choke me from behind. Then 3 of my cousins, who are 4, 6, and 8, and I all practiced on each other. It was really fun!
The next day, Monday, my Grandpa taught me how to drive a stick shift! I did pretty well, in my opinion... I had some difficulty starting out, because I kept stalling... But I hear that's to be expected the first time driving stick. Later that day, my grandparents took me out to dinner, and then they dropped me off at the airport for my 6:00 pm flight to Salt Lake. I spent about an hour and a half in the SLC airport, and then I flew to Los Angeles. I had quite possibly the most round about trip home ever. I don't even know how long I spent in the LAX airport... But I finally got on the flight to Atlanta! I think I went to sleep, but I'm not entirely sure. I got into the ATL airport at 5:45, and I met my dad at the bag claim. We got home around 7:15, and I went and joined seminary for a couple of minutes. After that, I got ready for the day, and mom and I went to her orthodontist appointment, kohls, target, and then we got some lunch at chick-fil-a. Oh how I've missed it! That night, I took Ryan to his mutual activity and got to see my friends! It was so good to see everyone after so long! Today, mom and I went to the mall and  I got some face wash and eyelid primer that I was running out of. Then, we met dad at his office and then we went to Figo for lunch. After that, mom and I went to the Verizon store because my phone had been freaking out, and I ended up getting a new phone. I took Ryan's upgrade and got the Iphone 4. How awesome is that? We came home, and my friend MaeLena came over with her daughter Eden and hung out for a little while. It was fun to see them again, and we're going to have dinner with them sometime before I leave again for school on Monday.
I'm so grateful for all of the friends I have made, and in case any of them ever read this, I wish them the best of luck in their endeavors and would like to thank them for the way they have impacted my life and inspired me. They were always there when I needed them, and for that I am grateful. So, thank you!                

Spontanaeity

The past couple weeks have been completely amazing! Last week, Jenn's family was in town to see Jenn's sister dance in Savior of the World, so we all went to that together along with our FHE brother Jake. It was an absolutely amazing show, and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to go.
This past Monday, I got my boot off!! I was so excited! Although I wasn't too thrilled about the snow that was falling that morning... But I got my boot off, and I've been so happy ever since! My FHE brothers made me a pinata in the shape of my boot as a de-booting day present. And in place of a stick, they let me beat it with my boot! It completely made my night!! I'm so grateful to be walking on my own feet. I'm not allowed to run, so I went and walked at the indoor track in the BYUI center while my roommate and FHE brother ran.

Jake is the one who made the boot pinata

 Me and the pinata

 Colin and Jake were trying to figure out the best way to string up the pinata

 It fell off the stick so I beat it with my boot while it was on the ground

This weekend has been so much fun! Last night, Jenn, Taja, and I were the only ones home, so we decided to have some fun. First, we went chalking and wrote motivational notes on the sidewalks of Greenbrier.

Me and my chalky hands

 Jenn drawing her flower

 Stairs with inspirational messages on them :)

 Return With Honor (We went bottom up)

 And Good Grades (A continuation of Return With Honor)

 Me with my notes

 Jenn had chalky hands too

 She got green chalk on my face

 It's pretty important

 Definitely a must for the testing center

 Can't really take a test without a pencil...

After we went chalking, we walked to Maverick to put air in Taja's bike tire, but apparently they charge for air, and nobody had $.50 so we walked back. But at least we got our exercise! When we got back, we decided to eat some dinner. So we packed a dinner and went to the fields and ate there in the dark. It was great! Afterward, Taja and I went to Beaver Dick park with my friend Loren and his friend Alex and skipped rocks (or attempted to). I'm not very good at skipping rocks. We dropped Alex off, and then we went to Loren's brother and sister-in-law's apartment and made peanut butter cookies. They were delish! We got home and then Taja and I crashed in the living room. I finally made it to my bed at 3:30 in the morning.
Today, we all slept until 10, and then we got up and watched conference. In between sessions, Taja and I went to Broulim's and got stuff for lunch, Walmart to get a kite, and then we came home and met our FHE brothers and drove up to the fields for yet another picnic. This one was an adventure because it was EXTREMELY windy! Colin and I held the blanket up like a sail and jumped. We actually moved. it was quite entertaining. After that, we watched another session of conference, and went to Broulim's yet again, this time to get stuff to make chili and cinnamon rolls for dinner. Both of which turned out delicious, and I will definitely be having a cinnamon roll for breakfast tomorrow.
I've been super busy lately, and that's why I haven't written in a while... It's finals week this week, so it may be a while before i write again, but next week, I go home!! I'm so excited to see my family and get to spend time with them! And I can't wait to see my puppy Licorice either! (Even though she's 7 and not technically a puppy, she's still my puppy!)