One Week

I have one left week of nothingness. Of laying around and reading random books. Of playing rock band with my siblings for hours. Of having crazy dreams about life that reveal both my excitement and hidden anxiety for what coming up. Of being fed by my parents. Of being in Idaho. Thats right folks, I start school in a week at my new school! New everything. Roommates, campus, town, friends, adventures. I really am excited despite the reoccuring stressed out dreams I've been having. Here is one I recorded right after I woke up...

I had a lot of blackheads on my face that turned out to be ants Benny and Emma were trying to save from being killed. They put them in my bed as a safe place and they burrowed in my poors. When I went to squeeze one, a red ant came out. Gross. I went to the beauty college to have my nails done for $15. We couldn't find a ride home. My friends all left me there. Luckily Becca showed up with her kitchen whisk key chain, and my dear friend Sharee called to make sure I was alright.

Basically my dreams have all been about trying to leave somewhere, but being stranded or stuck. Like being stuck at the movie theaters, or in Rexburg. What does this mean?

Interpretation: I believe that the ants represent success and happiness ahead. The beauty college represents a beautiful new start. The fact that I can't leave is symbolic the possibility that I won't have a car and will have to walk long distances. The part that my friends left me is symbolic of the move from the familiar friends I had at my old school. But Sharee and Becca's presence in the dream indicate that my dearest friends and family will always be there no matter where I am. Turns out all the dreams I've been having have been good ones!

So Ya

I'm here with my sister Becca,
She is such a recka.
We like to play games.
And sing silly songs about dames.

She is sometimes mean,
but hardly ever obscene.
I love her so so much.
And want to say how much.

Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much. Or more. Its anyone's guess.

Torn Heart

Sometimes I wonder a lot. Sometimes it hurts to think. I've said so many goodbyes in the past year. Each time it seems like my heart tears a little. Each time I ask myself, was it worth it? Is it worth it to keep starting fresh, loving new people only to say goodbye? Lucky for me, families can be together forever. Lucky for me. One thing I know is that this pain can be turned around into gratitude. I'm grateful I have loved enough for it to hurt to say goodbye. I'm grateful that my life has been enriched by these meaningful relationships. And I know that I will be blessed with the strength to do it again. To open up again, rather than bury myself away from the potential pain as well as inexpressible joy that comes with each person who walks into my life. President Monson expresses it better than I ever can, and the importance of loving and living today.

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-26,00.html

Home!

Many things have happened this past week.
1. I've graduated from BYU Idaho with my Associates Degree..
2. I've moved home sweet home for the three week break.
3. I've had a not so mid-life crisis, and changed my major again.

Basically, I'm still unsure of what my future in school holds for me. All that I know is that I'm going to BYU, and I'm going to try to do what I love, art. That right. I'm going to be a starving artist. I'm putting together a portfolio as we speak. I guess if I get in I'll know its right. If I don't, I'll figure something else out. I'm personally not against beauty school...

Besides the fact that my stomach knots everytime I even think towards next semester with both anxiety and excitement, it is so good to be home!

Freezing Bliss

As I left my apartment this morning to go to my 8:00 class I was greeted by a temperature of 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The kind of cold that you can't breathe in without covering your mouth. The kind of cold that makes your ears throb. The kind of cold that makes you cut through every building you possibly can on the way to your destination just to have a breath of warm air. The best part of this kind of cold is the freezing sensation of your nose hairs. All side effects of cold are worth it for this one, extremely fascinating phenomenon. At first you think that maybe there is just a rather large crusty boogy in your nose, but after a while you convince yourself that that can't be it. When you breath out, the little icicles on your nose hairs melt, when you breathe in they freeze. I will miss this feeling.

Can't

The wretched word used as the name of this post will no longer be apart of my vocabulary.

Today as I walked home from the gym in the glistening snow, yes it was glistening, I thought about life. Where I've been, where I am, where I'm headed in the next few months. I thought about how much I keep changing and growing. How my friends and acquaintances keep shifting and evolving. I thought about where I was just this September, studying in the library next to a gentleman who I had known from previous semesters. I told him about my plans to change schools and my hopes of getting in and getting a scholarship. He pretty much told me the latter was impossible. He told me that he had never received a scholarship offer and had an amazing GPA. Here is where I believed him for a second. Just a second. I fell into the trap of the "c" word. And here is where I am grateful looking back that I was only fooled for a moment and kept trying and hoping and working towards my goals. A lot of times people tell me things are impossible, or I tell myself the same thing. In default mode I am governed by past experiences. If I allow myself to only be governed by the past, who I've been, what I've done, how I've failed, how others have failed, then I enter into a dismal world of monotony and restriction. Here's to doing the impossible and being who I want to be regardless of what boys say.

Becca's Back!

Becca came home from India on Sunday, and I got to go with my family to pick her up from the Salt Lake Airport. It was a rather emotional event. I don't know why we all cried shamelessly. I think it was happy tears. My sister survived and is healthy and happier than ever. She chased her dreams and made a difference in the world. To me, this is amazing.



They also featured my family in the article they wrote for the Salt Lake Tribune. Pretty cute.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11108835?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com

My Friend Ty

Ty is my friend from high school. We shared some good times together like the time I walked 20 miles with him one night so he could get his eagle scout and he never did... :) Another occasion we were on an art field trip together. He was the only person I knew there, so we hung out. He met is sister in law at the gallery because she lived close by. She had a really cute baby with her. Ty decided I would like a chance to hold him, so he thrust him into my arms. Within moments the baby had puked all over me. I'm not talking a little spit up, I'm talking water fall. I smelled like baby puke for the rest of the trip. It was splendid.

I was Ty's editor. He was/is an amazing designer. I think I probably taught him everything he knew. Or at least a third of it. Maybe its an eighth now. Ty also got his drivers license before me although he is a grade younger. I guess only two months younger though. It feels like way more. The moral is, it was fun to be his friend. We shared special moments in the alcove. We desinged beautiful things together. We collected millions of pennies for penny wars with the help of our friend Adam. I think I promised to marry him one day, but I took it back. I feel bad for being so honest, but I think he'll be ok with it. :) Another funny thing, his whole family was convinced that we were in love. It wasn't really true. I was just nice and walked great lengths for Ty. I will miss him as he serves his mission in Italy. My he return with honor, and may he never forget the times we shared. The end.

Yum!

I am a poor college student with limited food supply at the end of this semester. Mainly because there are only two weeks left, I'm living out of cans I took from my parents food storage. I was wanting tomato soup, but I didn't have bread to make a sandwich. Tomato soup alone doesn't do it for me. I need some more substance to it. So I looked online for recipes and found a really good one. Its really easy, and really delicious. It reminded me of my mom's cooking if you know what I mean...

Sidenote- I just ate this without the tortillas and it wasn't so good. The tortilla strips and cheese made the dish.

Taco Soup- Thats what they call it. I think its more like tortilla soup.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup
1 cup milk- Borrowed from a roommate is fine
2 tbsp. (or to taste) taco seasoning mix
1 small jar green chiles
Tortilla chips- Instead of these I cut two corn tortillas into squares and heated them up until they were crispy. SO GOOD!
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:
Heat soup, milk, seasoning mix and chilies in a 2-quart suacepan over medium heat for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Place about 9 crushed tortilla chips in each bowl and top each with about 1 cup soup. Top with cheese.

Ak

I'm supposed to be writing a research paper right now. Its due at midnight. Online. Whoever invented online classes? You can never escape the grasps of the internet and online drop boxes! Well, I'm on page six of ten. And I bet that once I start working on it all will be well. Its the starting part that's hard. This blog is a physical manifestation of me doing everything I possibly can on my computer before I've run out of things to do and all I can do is my paper. I'm even running out of things to say about! When the words run out, I have to start writing things about the Transcontinental Railroad!! So I'm going to start now..or in a second... yep. I have nothing else to say here. Wish me luck!

Seven, Eight, Lay Them Straight

I've been tagged. In sets of eight. I don't know if my brain can think that much, but we'll see how it goes.

8 favorite tv shows

1. Psych
2. Monk
3. Sesame Street
4. Saved by the Bell
5. Wizards of Waverly Place
6. The Office when its not bad.
7. Boy Meets World
8. Sabrina the Teenage Witch

8 favorite restaurants

1. Cafe Rio
2. Coldstone
3. Gerty's
4. my Mom's house.
5. Pita Pit
6. Zupas
7. Jamba
8. Subway

8 books I'd recommend

1. The Book of Mormon
2. Ella Enchanted
3. Star Girl
5. Love, Stargirl
6. My Name is Asher Lev
7. Harry Potter
8. Elsewhere

8 things that happened yesterday

1. I did homework all day long pretty much.
2. I studied for my art history test and memeroized all the Islam Mosques that kindof look alike.
3. I studied for my stats test! Yay stats!
5. I went to guitar class and learned the intro to Dust in the Wind. I'm almost pro.
6. I ate four dinners. :) I've been hungry lately.
7. I got a letter! (actually it was today, but I was really happy, so I couldn't resist writing it here!)
8. I was on time and almost awake in 7:45 Doctrine and Covenants class. I can't miss anymore classes without being in trouble with the law.


8 things to look forward to

1. Going home tomorrow!!!!
2. Seeing Twilight
3. My scholarship money coming.
4. Payday.
5. Getting more free stuff in the mail.
6. Christmas.
7. Snow.
8. Being able to play Christmas music publicly.

8 things on my wish list

1. Millions of Dollars.
2. A scholarship.
3. Study Abroad
4. Taylor Swifts New CD
5. World Peace
6. New shoes.
7. A baby doll
8. Tweezers

8 things I love about fall

1. The part when it's still warm
2. Crunching leaves
3. That its almost Christmas time!
4. Cold nights
5. Thinking about hot chocolate but not drinking it.
6. Wearing leggings and dressing like a superhero
7. Soup.
8. Looking at the leaves! Its so beautiful and peaceful. I miss going on drives in the mountains. There are none here. :(

Dear Becca,

For everyone who doesn't know, Becca is in India for the next two weeks teaching in an orphanage. She is my hero. You can check out what she's doing on www.ymad.org . I decided to write her a note here, even though she won't read it until she gets home.

Becca,

I just read your blog on www.ymad.org . I am so proud of you and your desires to share love and light with the world! Also, thanks for the shout out. I really am sitting here in the midst of all the chaos of my apartment just imagining how cool its going to be to give you a giant hug in the airport when you come back and to hear all of your stories and miracles! I don't think I've ever missed you as much as I have in the past three minuets. You are such an amazing example to me. I literally look up to you! The way you express yourself, the way you are everybody's friend, the joy you find in life, the hard work you put into everything you do. I love you so much!

Love,

Mary



PS. Dear Family, I miss you guys too! Five more sleeps and we can party! I can't wait!

Stretch Pants

Some days when the weight of deadlines and English class is pressing heavily on me, I have to be silly. That's why I wore my lime green shoes and my M&M shirt to the library.

Today, when I got home from the library my very thoughtful roommate Jennifer had a surprise for me. She got me the most ugly ridiculous stretch pants ever known to man. Yet, she knew I had desired them for some time. I was elated.

So English class is the reason I am now wearing black stretch pants covered in pink blue and yellow flowers with a khaki mini skirt over top with an old lady sweater with roses on it from DI and my nails are hot pink. To be silly in the midst of anxiety. Its also why I'm rebelling from the English language and using run on sentences with incomplete ones following. Ha. I'll show you!

Spoons

Sunday activity- Go to FHE family's place and bring them delicous treats. What do you do though if they're not there, and leave all the lights on and doors wide open? Well go inside and leave a note of course. But that's not all you do. You can't leave it at that, such an opportunity can't go to waste. Therefore, you steal stuff. Not valuable stuff. Just all the spoons you can find. Then you go home and make a wind chime out of some of them. Put some in a giant bowl of jello maybe. And then since you are in charge of FHE activity you may even play spoons. For dessert you eat Jello. With the spoons on the inside. :)

Registration

I'm trying to register for Winter 2009 at my new college right now. Its midnight. The server all of the sudden got really really really slow. What else is there to do but blog at a time like this? Therefore, here are the classes I am currently registering for:

American Sign Language
Political Science
Into to Communication Disorders
New Testament
Creative Writing

I think this is all for now. Its 14 credits... Not too shabby. Enough to be a full time student, and enough to keep a scholarship if they decide to give me one. I have a hunch that this new school is going to be a little more demanding than my current one. Just a hunch. I guess I'll see in a the next month or two.

Another moral of this story is that I am very sleepy. I have class every day at 7:45 currently. Its hard to stay awake. I don't remember this problem in high school... I kept this in mind as I selected my new classes. They are afternoon classes. I figure this way, if I decide to get a job, I can work mornings. If I don't, I can get my 8 hours of sleep a day. Either way, not a bad idea.

Tender Mercy

This week I have had so many tender mercies. I now that I couldn't have endured midterms on my own strength. For the first time, school is hard. Its a strange phenomenon. Last week I had two major tests and an English paper due. I studied my very hardest, and prayed my hardest and left the rest up to the Lord. It has been a testimony strengthening experience. I can really tell that what's important to me, is important to my Heavenly Father. The cool thing is, I got 100% on my art history test. That is a miracle. I wrote my paper, but I assure you that the ideas were put into my head. It has been the coolest week ever.

Sweet Spirit

I carved a pumpkin for the first time in many years. I used a Sleeping Beauty cut out. It was supposed to be cute, but I kind of messed up a little. That's why I decided it would be better to name her "Sleeping Sweet Spirit."

Date

According to a number of talks given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, young adults need to stop hanging out and start dating. A date must meet the requirements of the three P's. Planned, Paid for and Paired off. Going along with this I have been issued a challange by my father to flirt at a level at which I will get asked out or go on 5 dates per semester. There is a small wager involved... So far, I have one down and four to go. However, I think yesterday may have been a date. I planned to go to a Halloween Concert in which I paid for tickets which a member of the opposite sex did indeed use. Sounds datish doesn't it? However, the whole paired off thing didn't really happen because I spent all night in the Library and simply gave him the ticket. :) I was thinkin' if I give him a pear, it should count right? What do you think Dad?

Basghetti

Spaghetti is what you call it when Mom makes it.
Basghetti is what you call it when Dad makes it.

I assure you that when I make it, it doesn't taste like Mom's; therefore, it is Basghetti. :) So Wednesday night for dinner I made a huge batch. Then I ate it for lunch yesterday, and dinner. And I assure you it could last me the rest of the week, as it will. Its whats on the menu for lunch and dinner again today. I'm not poor or starving or anything. its just that when you're only cooking for one, and you have a billion tests to take its convenient just to eat reheated pasta everyday. I personally like it. Mmmm.

Ode To Emmilie

This semester I live with one of my best friends ever from high school, Emmilie Buchanan. We go way back to the ninth grade, when she moved in. We went to the same bus stop, and we were in the same gym class. I wanted to be her friend, so I talked to her, and invited her over and we made bracelets. That was the extent of our friendship until our Jr. Year of high school or so, when we became really close. It was me, Kristen, Emmilie, and Stephanie. The four of us didn't have a whole lot in common collectively, but there were a few similarities that made our girly foursome a haven from the drama of high school. That was probably the key to our friendship, no drama. Well, graduation came and went, and we all split up into our different colleges. We swore we would stay friends forever, and we couldn't imagine our friendship ever changing. Strange looking back on it how much it has. Its the way life works I guess. Now Em and I share a room for the first time. Our differences are astounding. I don't think I have a friend who is more opposite me. Everything I like it seems, Emmilie passionately hates and vice versa. Its comical actually. Nevertheless, I'm so grateful to have her in my life despite our differences. She's always there for me when I'm down. She's a great listener, and she is so happy for me when I'm happy. This blog is a celebration of or differences, and a reminder of what we share in common.

Things we have in common-

1. A deep love for ice cream
2. A love of summer
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. A love of the Gospel
5. A passion for music
6. A tendency to be insane at times
7. Double stuff oreos
8. We like to write
9. We like to make fun times
10. We can both talk till we drop

What's cool about Emmilie, that I don't find in myself,
1. Em loves politics and knowing whats going on in the world.
2. Em is extrovert all the way. Pretty much the friendliest person I've ever met. Her ability to make new friends astounds me.
3. Em likes celery and other crunchy things.
4. Em likes movies and stories that make her think, no matter the ending.
5. Em likes hot chocolate. mmm.

I love you Emmilie and hope we are friends forever!

Coughing.

Coughing is gross. I can't stop doing it these days. I feel bad. I don't want to make people sick, but here I am spewing germs from heck to breakfast. That's why I'm on the couch right now. I didn't want my roomy to be stuck in a room with me and my germ companions. Also, the cool air helps me sleep. Cough cough cough, what do you want from me?

Friday Night Fort

I was reunited with my childhood Friday night when my Roommates and I build a giant fort in our living room. It was wicked sweet. We played games in it, watched a movie in it, and hid so when people came by we could shoot them with our dart gun. Oh, also, we slept in it. It was surprisingly comfortable. I guess that says a lot about the quality of our beds.

Vegas

I went to Las Vegas this past weekend for a marketing convention again, the same fifties getup required. The moral of the weekend was, I dislike strongly the city of Las Vegas. Being on the strip and night gave me the creeps. I got very little sleep the entire weekend there was so much work to do. The entire object of my job is to make friends, and give them pie and or coffee/Jones Soda. Its great! If for the rest of my life I was required to give away pie, it wouldn't be so bad. That aspect of the weekend was exciting. People would find out we were Mormon, and it was a chance to share our beliefs with them, and share the light of Christ. They could tell there was something different about us, and I don't think it was just our clothes. :) The tricky part with getting the right look for the boss man was the hair. I went through a few really bad hair moments this weekend where I had to shower to fix it. ha. Another cool moment, we also hosted a party at the Hard Rock Cafe. That was a first for me, a first cocktail party where I was a hostess. It was fun to wear a different dress, although I really wasn't a fan of it. I got home yesterday and was so happy to be back in the bubble, shaking off the yucky feeling I had in Vegas. I take for granted the environment where I feel safe, and can feel at peace. Now I'm just recovering, resting up like my mom said so I don't get sick. My traveling days are over for a while now. If I can just find a way to get to Europe next...

Bad Hair day, but a good laugh.


Hardrock, with our waiter friends and annoying dresses.


The booth again.

Tag!

* I am... not doing homework, and I'm not planning on it. Today is my day off.
* I think... that sometimes I need a hobby.
* I know... my Heavenly Father loves me.
* I want... to study abroad in Europe this summer. SO bad!
* I have... banana pudding. mmm.
* I miss... my family. A lot.
* I fear... silly things like being attacked in the dead of night, or getting an A- on a final. :)
* I feel...lethargic and stuffy.
* I hear... the maintenance man pounding on our dishwasher for the fifteenth time.
* I smell... coconut essence from the shampoo I used.
* I crave... steak. Red meat isn't apart of my college diet.
* I cry... when I'm over tired, sick, or during really cheezy movies. Also, when other people are really sad.
* I search... for new friends sometimes.
* I wonder...where I will be a year from now...
* I regret... all the time I've wasted that could have been used for cool stuff, but wasn't.
* I wish... for three more wishes! Ha!
* I love... my familia and my friends most. Also, I love cheese. So much.
* I care... about my grades a lot this semester.
* I always..sing really loud to the radio when I'm alone in my car.
* I worry... about my friends I know are struggling.
* I am not... brunette, nor am I of legal drinking age.
* I remember... when I was little and wished my name was Princess Rose Pedals
* I sing... alto. I had no chance of ever singing melody with a devout tenor father and alto mother.
* I don't always... like chocolate. It's been grossing me out lately. Weird.
* I argue... hardly ever. Just ask my mom.
* I write... constantly. In my journal, or just for fun.
* I win... in the games I make up. Like the purple car game. Every time you see a purple car, I win. Ha.
* I listen... to my heart.
* I don't understand... why growing up is so strange.
* I can usually be found... on the phone.
* I need... to have a few close friends near by. (introvert)
* I forget... to live in the moment like President Monson counsels us. When I remember,
* I am happy... to be alive, and to be surrounded by amazing family and friends who help me in so many ways.

Pearls

Today I'm wearing the pearl earrings I inherited from my Grandmother. I was saving them for a special occasion. At this rate I would have never worn them. I decided that today is a special occasion. You can't keep saving everything for another day. Eventually there won't be any more of those to wait on.

Friend Song

What's two weeks, two months, two years when there's eternity?
Right now my mind is clouded up with so much uncertainty.
The one thing that I know is that the love I feel is real.
I want to be your best friend, like 'Tink and Peter Pan.

So much laughter so much love yet so much to learn and grow.
I know that you must leave me now, its time for us both to go.
But take with you the memories of bare feet on the beach,
dancing under the stars.
Remember the mediocre, the great and the grand,
and when the time is right I know that we will meet again.

Right now my mind is clouded up with so much uncertainty
The one thing that I know is that the love I feel is real.
I want to be your best friend, like 'Tink and Peter Pan.
Thank you for this love I have, for teaching me to feel.

Admissions

23 Sep 2008

Mary Christine Carlisle


Dear Mary:

We are delighted to inform you that you have been admitted to Brigham Young University to begin Winter 2009. Through your preparation and personal achievements you have distinguished yourself from a very strong group of applicants. We believe you will make a positive contribution to the BYU community. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our campus to pursue your educational goals.

Please click on the links below to find answers to frequently asked questions ranging from scholarships to housing. Please review the information carefully.

We look forward to having you on campus. We encourage you to maintain the standards outlined in the University's Honor Code. You are to be commended for your accomplishments!

Warmest regards,

R. Kirk Strong
Director of Admission Services

Front Step

Friends stopping by
Cherry tomatoes gone wild
Phone conversations with sun beating hot
Intimate hugs and awkward goodbyes
Snow and salt mixed into mud
Red door turned into pinkish
Grandparents barely crawling up
Moms sharing gossip
Can Benny play
“Close the door it’s hot”
Slam Slam Slam
Mom standing by with a knife
Girls locked out by mischievous brother
I’m so glad when Daddy comes home
Family together again.


*this is a poem about my old house

Sober in a dry poor town.

I've been sober for two weeks from today. Its so hard every time I go to the grocery store to resist the urge to add a six pack to the cart. However, I know that if I start it will be hard to stop again, and its a rather expensive habit. Especially for a student on a budget. For now, I'll hold strong. Its not that I miss the chemical recation part of drinking, its the bubbly goodness. The cool, sweet feeling it has on my throat. The smell even. I'd like to give a shout out to my favorite beverage, "Dr. Pepper, you make the world taste better!"

Eyes

What is it that makes eyes so vulnerable? To look at someone in the eye for a long period of time while talking, or not taking for some reason, its not common. When someone looks me in the eye I feel exposed, and like the person can see into me or something. Eyes are like a gateway into who a person really is. When I walk around campus I notice myself looking at all the people that pass me by. Today, I realized that I would look at the person, and then pretend like I wasn't actually looking. Sometimes it feels like if people you don't know, know that you're looking at them, you lose, or your putting yourself on the line, or your making an attempt at friendship or romance. This is crazy. When I realized all the meaning I was putting into a single look, a single smile, I decided it was the end of an era. Why not smile and look directly at those I pass, simply acknowledging them as fellow human beings? I can share a little bit of me, with every person I pass.

On the way home from class, I continued to observe. This time I noticed that people were acting busy and like they had purpose. I know that lots were pretending not to see the passersby, but others just weren't looking. I guess we all have our days. Its just weird to think about all the possible friends, all interesting conversations that you pass by with out ever knowing. My mind boggles when I think about all the students here, and how I will only ever know a handful of them, yet we are all existing in the same space, with similar circumstances. Basically the moral is, I like looking into peoples eyes, and sharing small moments with the people I'll probably never get to share more with.

The Temple

As I decide I want to go,
Spirit flows within my spine
Circles around my heart and soul
And jets out from my eyes.
The feeling's all encompassing,
It settles deep within.
My mind's at ease, my thoughts are clear.
It makes me want to give.
Give more of myself, my heart, my time;
to Him who gave me all.
I thank Him for this holy place,
A window to his love.

Follow your heart

Yesterday was the first day of classes. The first one of the day was Physics 117-Acoustics. This fulfills the GE requirement for physical science. Funny thing is I already have six credits in that area from high school, but this specific class will go towards a communications disorders major. The class was full of music majors, or so the professor assumed. It seemed like the first while would be pretty basic, and then they would dive down deeper into more specific science. After the class there is an hour long lab each day. I met a nice girl in that class who wasn't a music major either. We did all the usual introductions, and I recognized a couple of people from the operas that I went to last semester. This was the real deal. The whole time I was in this class however, I just wanted to run out and never come back. I don't know what it was. I used to like science. I think it was just the thought of taking a third year of physics that made my stomach squirm. All I could think of was how to get out, and where to go when I did. Next was New Testament. My mind was running throughout that class too, thinking of physics. I don't know why. I got done with class at 11:15, and went home for lunch. I immediately looked at available classes. There wasn't much open, but there were some communications courses, and some child development classes. But nothing that worked. I dropped the lab. That was a start. Later that day, I looked again. Just for fun I checked guitar classes out, and there just happened to be a couple beginner classes open. Crazy enough, all I needed was a guitar. On a whim, I dropped physics, and New Testament and added the Guitar class, along with a D&C class. Ever since then I've been so excited! Its all I can talk about. I think this is what it feels like to feed your soul. To take a class that has no purpose whatsoever other than to feed an interest. I'm only taking 14 credits. Also, only 6 of the credits are immediately helping me towards my associates. And the best part is, it feels great. I'm done with class each day at 11:15, and so I'm picking up some hobbies. Today I'm applying to help out at Head Start! I'm glad that I watched Mulan 2, and learned that my duty, is to my heart.

Chef Maria

My new interest in life is cooking! I want to take the time to make good food, and enjoy it. Aunt Maggie has already given me a head start with two delicious easy recipes. This morning I woke up and made a vanilla bean ice cream pie. Delicious! This is plea to my fellow bloggers, please send your favorite delicious recipes my way por favor!

Fire Drill

We have church at 1:30. That is really late. At 12:30 today the fire alarm went off at our apartment complex. We all were evacuated to the parking lot. Also, I have a giant bruise on my leg, so I had to dress strategically as to not draw attention. The ails of life. :) Needless to say, my morning has not been boring.

Back to Business

I'm back at school! It is basically my second day here, and I've already been locked out of my apartment. That brings me here, to the library. I havn't gotten my new roommates phone numbers yet, and they went shopping out of town. Basically I went to pick up my books from the bookstore, which were really big and heavy, took them back to find the door locked...and I've been a wanderer ever since!

Basically, it feels good to be at school again. I can't wait to begin classes and homework and study. Today on my locked out journyings I applied for graduation for this December so I can wrap up my A.A. and head out of town. I will really miss this place though!

Another thing, the storage situation in my apartment is shabby. Girls have to put food in the closet, or the hallway. Yesterday I bought grocerys and had to eat 12 oz of corn in one sitting because it wouldn't fit in the freezer. Yum for the first 20 bites.

Well, I think I'm going to wander a bit more, but stay tuned. More info to come...

Roommate

I have a new roommate for the next week or so. He needs help. His parents are trying to teach him to drink from his special bowl, instead of the sink like a normal person. His name is chuck, and every morning he helps me get ready in the morning. He tries to hide his thirst, but every once in a while I catch him eyeing the sink longingly.



Chuck is the first human cat I have ever met. He is also the first cat I've liked. He's not allowed in my room, otherwise we would probably stay up too late, swapping feline stories.

In other news, my familia has moved away. It is sad to have them gone, yet it feels good to have some degree of normalcy back in life. Its easier to stay at work for eight hours a day when there isn't a house to pack up waiting at home. However, next week I'm moving back to school as well. I'm excited, and excited to be excited. I will be moving every four months for the next year. That will certainly be an adventure.

Gold

My life is complete. I got a gold medal in file box hurdles.

Hectik

Life is rather crazy right now. Or so I pretend. My room is almost packed. at least I like to think so. Next weekend the movers come! Life can change so fast! And there are so many changes coming at me right now sometimes I have to remember to chill. We're hanging in there, and mostly my Mom is the amazing one. I don't know how she does this whole organizing thing. I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

UFO's

Upper Floor Olympics. Thats whats new at work these days. Sometimes, I wonder if these guys have ever seen the show, because my coworkers are accidentally reliving it for me! There is never a dull moment with the blaring of chariots of fire during each event, and the medal ceremonies that follow. I received my first gold medal in invoice stuffing yesterday! Hurray! Here is the email they sent out:

Welcome to the first ever company sponsored “UFO-2008” Office Olympics. The UFO-2008 (Upper Floor Olympics) will be a memorable experience for all who participate and those who cheer us on! We will laugh, we will cry, we will die inside. This is our program:



Each day we will take 5 minutes to conduct the UFO-2008 event for that day. Additionally, we MAY provide treats to help commemorate each event.



Friday, 8-8-08: Opening Ceremonies. Whit and her Whit Wannabes (i.e. Steve) will be smattered thru the spectacular performance of ALL participating in the UFO-08. Hopefully the “man-prees” will also be a costume for the dapper man.

Monday, 8-11-08: Soda Guzzling “Swim”. This will be hosted by Jesica

Tuesday, 8-12-08: File Box Hurdles. This will be hosted by Jeff

Wednesday, 8-13-08: Invoice Folding Floor Routine. This will be hosted by Ann

Thursday 8-14-08: Paper clip Javelin Toss. This will be hosted by Gary

Friday 8-15-08: Rubber Band Archery. This will be hosted by Melissa

Monday 8-18-08: Waste Paper Basketball. This will be hosted by Susan

Tuesday 8-19-08: Trashcan Long Jump. This will be hosted by Rich

Wednesday 8-20-08: Gender-based synchronized swim routines. This will be hosted for the men by Jeff and hosted for the women by Ann

Thursday 8-21-08: Closing Ceremonies. This will be hosted by our very own HR department



We hope thru these events we can fully realize why we are not professional athletics. If you have any issues with this, please see the Ogio complaint department (Jenn).



Thank you!

The Beach is Back!!!

I spent this past weekend in Chicago, and Oregon. Chicago was a really interesting city, a bit humid for my liking, but really friendly. I love any chance I can get to see something new. The I was there from Sunday to Thursday. Thursday I flew to Oregon to visit my BFF's from college. It was a blast and a half. I tried my hand at crabbing, (more like I sat on the boat while the men did the work), played on the beach, played some more, and swam a little. It was basically the prettiest state ever. Plus, I truly could spend my whole life on the beach and never get sick of it. Especially with good friends. I'm so grateful to have been blessed with so many best friends who I can talk to, laugh with, and cry with when necessary! I love them more than ice cream!

Upside Down

When the going gets easy, things turn upside down. My parents always said they would love to move to Idaho someday, to be by our grandparents. We thought someday would come at the earliest, a few years. However, it just so happens that jobs for my mom and dad have opened up right by their parents. My dad has put in his notice at his current job, and my mom has an interview this Monday. So, I guess this means they're moving. They're going to find me a place to stay for the rest of the summer so I can keep working, but everyone else is moving away. Good thing is, we can definatly feel the had of the Lord in this. We are supposed to go, so we are taking a step into the dark, towards the light. My parents aren't sure how this is going to work. You could say we're all scared. My sibblings are giving up SO MUCH! Becca will miss her senior year. I admire their faith and trust in my parents and I will never forget the example they have been to me. I'm glad that families are eternal, and that I will never really be away from them. Even though they are moving, I know they will take me in their hearts, and save a spot for me to visit my new home. :) Please, include us in your prayers. We need all the help and guidance we can get!

Idaho Visit

This past weekend Grandma C., Benny, Emma, and I went on a voyage to the great land of Idaho. It was and exciting trip. I drove us up Friday morning, very carefully I might add as the car contained my parents most precious cargo. We giggled a little, Benny and Emma more so than necessary. Ha. We got to Grandma's house and she had a nap while we watched T.V. I paid Benny a dollar to watch only the last 20 min of Sponge bob rather than the whole episode. :) Then we set off to meet Grandpa Darrel at the air show practice! The blue angle planes where there. They are bombdizzle cool. At one point in time, they were only 18 inches apart! 5 planes that close is something to marvel at. We also saw a big plane "Fat Albert". Again, it was so much fun to spend this time with Benny and Emma. They are definitely in the category of my best friends. The following morning guess where we went!? The air show again! Admittedly, it wasn't as exciting the second time around. It was really really really really times infinity hot on the runway we were seated on. However, the corn dogs were good! Mmmm. They also dedicated a segment of the show to honor Grandpa, which he was so touched by. It was neat to be there for that. The best part of the entire weekend was getting to talk to Grandma about what she remembers about Grandpa C., and her childhood. I learned things I've never known before. I've recently felt a strong desire to get to know my grandparents better, who they are now, and who they have been in the past. It was a treat to get to hear their amazing stories. I love them. After the air show we went to dinner with Grandma Atkin. Had amazing Italian food! We went to church with her the next morning, had lunch and were on our way home! By that time, I was wishing we didn't have to make the four hour drive confined in a car together, but we survived.

Ha!

Ha! I sure fooled you guys! I'm going back to school just like all the other big kids on the block. And, I'm going to like it. You know why? Because I can choose. Thats why. I can choose how I feel, and I can choose how I experience life. I found this scripture yesterday and it summarizes this realization I have come to.

2Nephi 10:23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

The purpose of life is to learn to love and be loved as Christ loves us. It is for us to be happy. Trials may come, but they are for our good. I know that great things are in store for me this coming year, and that I will have to take chances to grow, and experience life. No more life in the safe lane for me! I'm choosing to accpet the adventure before me with opptimism and a big excited smile.

Predicament

Here's the deal. I like being home all of the sudden. I like it too much in fact. So much, that I sometimes I don't really want to go back to school...(Emmilie, don't worry, but you may not want to continue reading) The moral of the story is, that staying home and working for another semester seems pretty appealing. I could build up my savings, buy a car, not buy my own food, hang out with my family. All in all not a bad idea. My parents are no help in these situations. They support me full heatedly with whatever I decide to do in life which means they would be thrilled to have me around for a few more months. They won't give me an opinion one way or another. Agh. Why does home have to be so homey? Predicament.

Summer Lovin

So, the title of this blog is a misleading thing. This isn't going to be about some cute boy or anything. Its about how I love summer! It is my favorite season. I love the sun, the bright, the sweat, the heat, and the leisure. I love wearing shorts and flip flops. I love playing with my sisters and Benny and spending time with mi padres. I love sitting outside and reading a book. I love mowing the lawn. I love getting into a hot car. I love chillaxing and listening to music. I love going for long walks in the evening. I love running through sprinklers. I love coloring with sidewalk chalk. In conclusion, summer is great.

19 Reasons Its Good To Be 19

1. I'm almost 20
2. If I wanted, I could buy cigarettes
3. I am at the top of the feeding chain as far as teenagers are concerned
4. There is a certain sparkle that comes with age
5. I have 19 years of life experience
6. My metabolism is still pretty quick
7. I can still touch my toes
8. I have several years left before my body starts shutting down
9. I can still play little kid games if I want to
10. I'm elligable for more credit.
11. No curfew
12. I don't pay for my phone bill
13. I actually don't have any bills
14. I don't get grounded
15. I'm old enough to want to babysit for free
16. I'm not considered an old maid
17. I'm not too old to play dress up
18. I've got to spend all but ten months of my parents married life with them
19. My siblings think I'm cool.

Date of Birth

My date of birth is approaching within the next week. I am so excited! And does my excitement have just cause? No! I will be turning 19. No more privileges will be extended to me other than the opportunity to buy cigarettes. Will I? Gross. But it feels good to know that if I wanted to I could. There is something magical about birthdays. Last year was my first adult birthday, which means that I worked. Gross again. This year I get to go to church instead! AND fast and testimony meeting. So why am I so excited? Beats me. My family is about ready to tickle me to death I think. They are sick of hearing my excited bursts. So here, I am getting out my energy on the web. AAAHHH! If you are in the area, you are welcome to stop by and share my birthday icecream with me. Just give me a call!

Books

All of the sudden I have decided that my favorite summer activity is reading, (or listening to books). I have an insatiable appetite for a good read. I like a little fantasy, a bit of fairy dust, a little romance, a little mystery. I just like escaping into different worlds and living vicariously through the characters illustrated by authors imaginations. If you have any good book suggestions, don't be shy! Give me the scoop!

Color

As I sat pondering the question, "How are you today?", I decided that the answers of "good", "fine", "super", etc. are not adequate. We can not simplify humanity into these overused and confining words. Then my thoughts turned to color. Colors capture so much emotion and beauty just by being. They are complex, yet simple at the same time. I think they describe our existence here on earth much better than the short hand words so often used. Why else would art, which is the arrangement of color and lines, be analyzed over and over again for meaning, and feeling? Our lives are a piece of art as well, continually progressing. We will never finish our masterpiece. So when asked the question, "How are you today?" I will answer, "Oh, a little purple and light blue mixed with a touch of grey. And you?"

Poetry

As many of you know, I have invented a holiday for everyday through August. I'm not quite sure what today is, but I do know that it was write poetry day a few days ago and I missed it. However, I am the inventer, so I say today is make up day. I have promised my friends friend Jarom that I would write him a poem for quite some time now so here goes:

Jarom

To say that we are bosom friends
would not be so true.
To say that I dislike you,
would be a message the devil sends.

Jarom, I like you.
how could you ever doubt.
please stop this pout,
and say you like me too.

Now I do not speak of romance,
but of a friendship new.
Now if you find my heart is true,
then please give me a chance.

Lets be buddies, pals, friends.
We could share great adventures,
even steal some old ladies dentures.
If only you let me make amends.

Pandora

This is a plug for the coolest website in the universe. pandora.com is an online custom radio. You tell it what band or singer or song you like, and it plays that for you as well as a mix of stuff like it! It is great amazing fantastic and neato for this filer. It surely helps the time pass as I listen to music I like and discover more music I like. Try it. I dare you!

The Office

Sometimes, ok a lot of the time, I imagine I was on the popular show "THE OFFICE". It is my faviorite show. I think I could be on it. They sell paper at dundler Mifflin, and I sort paper! What more do we need in common than that! I often get urges to but peoples staplers in jello, or get a big pair of scissors and pop this girls excersise ball. Sometimes, I imagine that there are camera crews following me around, interviewing me periodically. Just call me Pam. She is the one I want to be. She is funny, smart, artistic, and Jim falls in love with her. I want to be her when I grow up if the whole elephant thing doesn't work out. :)

Creative Outlet

Work work work. This is what I do. I come inside and get all the papers. Lots and lots of papers. Then I bring them all to my not so homey cubical. Cubical. It is square. I clock in. I sit, and I organize the giant stack of papers into numerical order according to the account number. It is a five digit number and goes to the 64000's right now, but new accounts keep coming each day. I file and file and organize and organize. To keep entertained I listen to books, or movies, or music. When I'm done filing there is usually more filing to be found. Or invoices to be entered, or stuff to organize for my cubical neighbor David. I am his favourite worker and sometimes he brings me vanilla bean frappiccinos from Starbucks. My favorite. The moral of this story is that after 8 hours of this work business I need to let my soul flow again and speak its mind like it likes to. I haven't quite figured out what to do to air it out, but sometimes I go running. Or play outside. Or blog. So here I am. Recording my work experiences for my future prosperity.

Lions and Tigers and Bears

This was a magical weekend filled with nice friend folks who came to visit me! My friends Emmilie, Courtney, Brittany, Sharee and Maddison! Since I've been home, I've never been without a visitor to play with. This weekend we played hard core. I mostly spent my time with Maddi and Sharee...and we played and played. Friday night we made pizza and friendship bracelets. Saturday we got hair cuts and pedicures, and shopped our hearts out. We snagged some amazing deals and smiled almost every second. Sunday we taught the little 5 year old boys primary class. They were SO cute! However, an hour is a lot longer than I thought it was... the lesson was over leaving us 40 min to color, so we colored two pictures and talked a lot. They didn't seem to mind. After church we went to a grave yard and walked around, paid our respects. Then we laid outside on a blanket for the remainder of the day, enjoying the beautiful weather and swapping manly stories. Monday was probably my favorite day. We woke up early and went to starbucks for a vanilla bean frappiccino. MMMMMM. My favorite. We then embarked on our journey to the zoo. It was raining really hard, so we thought that not many people would be there. Surprisingly, there were quite a few people. I got an awesome animal poncho to protect myself from the rain. I love the zoo. I love it even more with my amazing friends. I want to be an elephant when I grow up. They can pick stuff up with their noses.

Update

It's been a long while! Quick update, I've been home from San Fransisco for about a month now. It was way fun to serve pie and coffee in fifties gettup. It made me want to be a waitress or a flight attendant. Boy would my mom be proud! :) Anywho, home life is great! At first it was hard to adjust to the sudden decrease in sociality; however, I have found a great many things to keep myself occupied. I work at Ogio again as a file clerk. My best friend is my ipod, Lily. I listen to books while I go about my tasks. So far my favorite is Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli. I highly reccomend it to anyone in the world. I loved the sequel even more. Currently I'm lisening to Little Women, an old favorite of mine.

In other news, I've decided what I want to do with the next few years of my life, a revelation that came to me while filing! Here is the plan: I'm going to finish up my assiciates degree this fall and then transfer to a bigger school for winter. I want to pursue a degree in Communicaions Disorders which is the undergrad for Speech THerapy/Audiology. I am so very excited! I want to squeeze a trip in to Europe as well next summer. I do hope all goes as planned! Well, this is me signing off for now. Wish me luck!

Conference

I had the opportuinity to attend conference this year. It was my first time ever actually going! A few of my friends came down and stayed at my house for the weekend. It was basically a giant slumber party. For Saturday we decided to go standby, however we got tickets by sending out people with signs. If you stand on the street corner and look nice enough people will give you their extra tickets. We actually got really nice seats. It was amazing to be able to be there for the solemn assembly and stand to sustain the prophet. I am a lucky duck! Another really neat thing happened when we went to the Sunday afternoon session. One of my favorite apostles just happens to be Elder Bednar, and I just happened to have a question about prayer and guess what! He spoke on that topic1 It was such a tender mercy. The moral of this story is I love conference, I love the prohpet and the apostles and I love the Lord. I also loved spending one last weekend with the amazing friends that I made. I'm saddened at times that our time is over, but I know more opportunities await me here at home. :}

Super Cleaners to the Rescue!

I forgot to post this...

One day my roommates and I were cleaning our apartment preparing to move out. This was a very sad occasion for us seeing the bond we had built was strong and wonderful:however, it was something that had to be done. As I was cleaning I came across my superhero outfit and I decided to put it on. One thing led to another and pretty soon my roommate Sharee and I were all decked out in our gear! What was the occasion? Cleaning. We didn't expect to be seen in our attire but such was not our luck. Our friend Ryan just happened to be visiting the neighbors during our short trip outside. :) No shame.

Prom

Ha, I know what you're thinking and no, It wasn't me that went to prom. Beautiful Becca did though, and she trusted me to do her hair and makeup! I was so proud of the job I did. It wasn't hard though as she has great hair and a great face to work with. She looked like a sparkling beautiful princess, my little sister all grown up. *)




* just a note, after failed attempts at pinning the flower on the poor boys jacket by my mother and Becca, I was the successful one :)

Home Sweet Home

After a treacherous journey of about four hours in a rented car stuffed to the max with all my junk/treasures I finally reached a place I once called home, and still call home. However, this was the beginning of the journey. On Saturday I played with my family and friends a bit and on Sunday boarded a plane to San Fransisco for a job. Now what kind of job you might ask. This was no ordinary job. This was a job working at a tradeshow in booth for the company Listfusion which adopted a 50s diner theme. Along with this my friend Terra and I dressed the part and handed out coffee and pie. It was really fun and I decided I want to be a waitress when I grow up. Another moral of the story is that I love love love San Fransisco. It is such a fun city. Maybe when I travel a bit more others will replace it in my heart, but for now, it's number one.

Finals

FInals are very final.
They are very fun.
Finals make me freak out.
They are nearly done.
I wish I were a mermaid,
So I could swim all day.
Finals how I'll miss you (not)!
Forgive me when I say,
"Audios senioritta! I'll rather do without."

This is a poem I just wrote after recovering from the stress of finals. I never knew they could be hard! Last semester they were cake. This time the teachers all made me do stuff. Like papers. What is this? College? But now I'm nearly done, and I go home! Yay! Actually I just go home until Sunday. Then I fly to San Fransisco for a small job. THEN I'm home for summer! Party on!

Bittersweet...

I am going to move back home in a week and a half! This is a sad yet happy thing. I have had such an amazing semester, and I'm very sad to be leaving all my friends here. I have about 5 1/2 months of school off! Ah! That is a rather long time to be filing! Anyways, I'm so grateful for the people I've met this semester, the friends I've made. The amazing roommates I've had! I have been so blessed. I heart college.

So to compensate for the lack of mi amigos back home, I decided to brainstorm ways to have an amazing summer.

1. Play with high school peeps
2. Triathlon
3. Learn to cook
4. Practice keeping my room clean
5. Write letters to my friends
6. Practice coloring/ art skills
7. Visit my Grandmas
8. Go on a date with Benny
9. Get a second job
10. Enroll in institute
11. Take long walks
12. Go swimming
13. Make new friends
14. Find someone's baby to play with
15. Side walk chalk
16. Watch The Office
17. Invent a new device to replace the tennis shoe
18. Learn to sew
19. Write my autobiography
20. Build a snowman out of freezer frost

If you have any ideas to contribute, please, feel free to share!

Holiday Update 3/26-4-10

Wednesday 26- Ashla Day (Pick someone special to Celebrate)
Thursday 27- Straight hair day
Friday 28- Camille day/ 5K day
Saturday 29- Eat a pickle day
Sunday 30- Coloring Day
Monday 31- Quote your favorite Disney movie day
Tuesday 1- Cake day
Wednesday 2- Brush your teeth for 10 min. day
Thursday 3- wear your socks inside out day
Friday 4- Pizza Day
Saturday 5- opposite day
Sunday 6- Sing your favorite hymn day
Monday 7- Hugging day
Tuesday 8- Dress up for school day
Wednesday 9- Green eye shadow day
Thursday 10- Cry Day

Sisters...

This wonderful easter weekend I had the privilege of being visited by Rebecca Ann. She came up on Friday, and went back Sunday. We had a grand time! It was so nice to have a member of mi familia here to spend the weekend with. I miss them. Newho, we had the time of our lives. Friday, we went to a dance concert so Becca could check out the cloggers. I hope she fell in love with them. Saturday was a special day as it marked the end of our not shaving legs contest. For Sharee and I it was about a month. Becca didn't remember the last time she shaved. It was probably one of the happiest moments of my week to be able to get rid of the manly fuzz that covered my shins. Gross. Sorry for sharing that. Also on Saturday, we went to the Sadie Hawkins dance. I found boo a date that was only 17, so it was perfect. I was hoping that they would fall in love, but I don't think they did. The theme we chose to go as was 50's. We got her costume at the DI for about $8. It was a great deal! I sewed her armpits so that they wouldn't be so baggy and presto! A pink dress with shoulder pads! What more could a girl ask for. The funnest part was probably getting ready. Sunday, the Easter Bunny came! We were all so surprised! I thought he for sure would avoid the frigid air of Rexburg! But no. After a delightful Easter dinner, I helped Becca to the bus and she went home. I will miss her dearly. It was a weekend I will never forget. Ever. Thanks again for coming! Love you!

Holiday Update 3/19-3/25

Wednesday is Pillow fight day.
Thursday is Stripes day.
Friday is make a new friend day.
Saturday is the last day of our not shaving legs contest day!
Sunday is Easter.
Monday is culture appreciation day.
Tuesday is drink water contest day.

Crazy

We did a lot of fun things this weekend. Mostly just goofing around, but we laughed until our ribs ached!

Jamba Juice day! Hooray! The best kinds we decided are the white gummy bear, pink star, and chocolate mood. MMM good.

I made this dinner all by myself mom! Instant marinade, instant potatoes, instant muffin mix, instant gravy, and frozen corn. That's as good as it gets.

"Let me see yo grill!"

I don't really know what to say about these next two pictures...Just another Sabbath activity I suppose...:)


This weekend was full of craziness and silliness. I liked it.

Holidays for the upcoming week...

Here are this weeks holidays.

Thursday is visit your neighbor day.
Friday is Eat veggies day.
Saturday is Jamba Juice day. (my personal favorite)
Sunday is call your other Grandma day.
Monday is pinch people who are not wearing green day.
Tuesday is wear pink day.

Thats all I have so far. Stay tuned! :)

Nerd Party

As you all should know, today was nerd day. In honor of this holiday we threw a party! It was probably the funnest college party I've ever had. Here is how it went down: The only requirement of our guests was that they dressed up (or down) in a nerdy fashion. I was embarrassed how many nerdy things I actually had here at college. I could have made anything work! Ha. Well, we had a good laugh getting ourselves nerdified. Sharee and I set the mood of the party by having cheeze-its and carrot sticks for our guests to munch on. Also there was the Disney Princess best of CD playing in the background. We played the game where you put the name of a person on everyones backs and you have to guess who you have. We used weird people like yoda, Hermione Granger, ET, Bill Nye and others. Then, we had a spelling bee. It was intense. Next was a multiplication worksheet contest. Everyone took it very seriously. The first five people done got Harry Potter tattoos as prizes. The final game we played was pictionary, using scientific terms. The most fantastic thing was how into it everyone got. We all were way too good at playing the nerd role. It was fun to go back to the days when we lacked severely in social skills and girls had cooties. Math and science were cool topics of conversation as well as Harry Potter and last nights homework.