Oranges

I just had the most succulent orange I've ever tasted for lunch. It was sweet, and juicy, and just the right ripeness. It worth every stinging jolt to my canker sores. As I ate the orange I couldn't help but feel like it was a last meal. I'm not sure why, but I've been feeling like every meal is my last meal lately. On Sunday before I left my home in Idaho I ate an extra tamale, knowing that this would be the last opportunity to eat my mom's delicious cooking, and who knows if they have Mexican food in England! Who knows if they have succulent oranges, or diet coke for that matter! Saying goodbye to America, not knowing exactly what things I'm actually saying goodbye to is an interesting sensation. All the things I love seem to be teasing me, without the promise of them being there next week. Or the next...So I tease back. I eat an extra lard filled tamale. I look past the sores on my tongue and enjoy another orange. I give a toast to the world, and drink another diet Coke.

10 Days

I leave the country for the first time in ten days. Ten days. Only ten days. Crazy.

Love

Things I've loved in 2009

1. Idaho sunsets. Beautiful.
2. All ten of my new roommates.
3. My best friend sibblings
4. Yoga
5. The Harold B. Lee Library
6. The English Language and it's literature

New Diet

I've lost ten pounds in the past semester. My mom says that my thighs don't touch anymore. She didn't think this was possible for someone in my gene pool. I'm not sure if I believe her. Well, I thought I would try to sell my new diet and make millions of dollars. For those interested, here is a sneak peek.

1. First thing you need to do, stop exercising. It may be good to have a gym membership, but stop going to the gym. If this is hard for you, you can get away with going once a month.
2. Meals for the first month should be as follows: breakfast- two pieces of toast with peanut butter and a banana (or yogurt, you choose). Lunch: turkey sandwich (make sure to use the cheap lunch meat that doesn't really look like meat) with only mustard to relish, pretzels, carrot sticks, string cheese. Dinner: Lynn Wilson bean and cheese burrito with pace salsa on top. No snacks.
3. For the second month, it is important to become more lazy. For breakfast, cut out the yogurt. You can keep the banana. Lunch: you can add in PB&J rather than the turkey. Alternate to add spice to your lunch hour. Also, rice cakes or granola bars can be added. You probably should run out of string cheese by now. Dinner: Keep eating those burritos! Or, eat fast food. Mmm. Subway foot longs were a personal favorite.
4. For the third month, breakfast should be reduced to toast only. Lunch changed to the burrito, or Lean Pockets. Mmmmm. Don't believe the things you hear. They really are delicious. The other option is to have the favorite turkey sandwich, cheezeits, and a granola bar. You'll be tired of pretzels by now. Dinner, anything you can find. Cereal, noodles, fast food, quesedilla.

I promise that if you follow this four step program, you'll have results.

*results may include side effects that may or may not be desirable including inability to donate blood.

Dream List

In the summer of 2003 I went to EFY for the first time. Our session director was a man from New York city. Something he taught has stuck with me. Well the gist of it anyways. I came away thinking I could accomplish anything. He encouraged us to make a list of our dreams, and to live to accomplish them. As a 13 year old getting ready to begin high school, I took what he said very seriously. I made a list, and I have kept it in the back of my mind for the past seven years, and especially these past few weeks. I got the list out today, and laughed a little, but was also surprised at how many of the dreams I've already accomplished, or am on the path to accomplish. Here's the list word for word, Don't laugh.-

• Attend West Point
• Shake the hand of the Prophet
• Learn to do a backbend from standing
• Be a lifeguard
• Know the scriptures like the back of my hand
• Write and publish a book
• Have a beautiful home
• To be an accomplished artist
• Know many languages
• Go to England (*two weeks!)
  
• Go to Disneyland
• Visit exotic places
• Return to him
• Be a mom
• Go through at least 4 years of college
• Go through Beauty School
• Get nothing lower than an A- (this will never happen, and I'm ok with it.)
  
• Be a lunch lady
• Live in New York
• Be 120 yrs old
• Be a garbage man* (I counted being a middle school janitor for this one)
  
• Be on a high school sports team
• Own a light green VW Bug*
  
• Be like Sister Smith
• Be an Astronaut, Visit the moon
• Marry in the temple
• Never divorce
• Work as a cashier*
• Work at a place that makes sandwiches
• Own a tank full of tropical fish
• Rebel jk*
• Be totally and completely satisfied with me*
• Touch someone's life
• Help to convert someone
• Fly in a hot air balloon
• Fly a plane

*these dreams have already happened to some extent, or at least enough for me to be satisfied with it.

The Wuffwiders

This semester I have had the best calling ever. I was the FHE mom. Our family was called the Wuffwiders, and we had a whole lot of fun. I loved getting to pretend like I was the mom each week, and having an excuse to love so many people in my ward.

I made these by myself. Tye-Dye cupcakes. Deeeelicious.


This was apart of a photo scavenger hunt.


The mutalation of a pumpkin. May he rest in peace.


Family pictures in our new clothes we got for back to school shopping! Gotta love Savers!

This isn't my family. It was just at a halloween party.

Reward

Today I have officially completed my 6 credit english class, Transatlantic Literary History. It has consumed my life, or a large chunk, for the past four months. Yipee! I really liked it....really. To reward myself for this great accomplishment, I have taken a bite out of every chocolate in the box of chocolates my friend gave me yesterday. Yes, just one bite. Except out of the really good ones. I come back for seconds on those ones.

OhBoy.

Last night I was planning on staying at the library until I had my paper done that is due today in class, but at 10:38 pm somebody pulled the fire alarm. I've never seen such an angry/irritated group of students! We all had to pack up and leave, into the freezing cold night. My paper wasn't done, it was cold, I didn't know what to do though, go home and do it? or wait around for the library to reopen? I was cold enough to just run home. When I got there, I didn't write my paper right away. I put my sweats on, ate chips and salsa, talked really loud a little, and then sat on the couch to write. But I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to. So I wasted some time facebook chatting. And then I started to write. I don't know how long I made it before I conked out. It all started when I decided to write while in a reclined position. My roommates encouraged me not to, they said wake up! Wake up! It was no use. I fell asleep with my laptop open on my lap, and slept that way all night. I don't understand how I didn't move, or stir at all to realize, "hey! I'm asleep on the couch! I should go to bed!" I guess I was really tired? I woke abruptly at 6:30 am, and cleaned the bathtub, ate toast, went to Walgreen's, and made it to school before 8:00 am. Now It is 8:39 am and my paper is done. This has been quite the adventure. The end.

Magical Room of Requirement

I have always dreamed of being a student at Hogwarts. Alas, the Owl from Dumbledore has never come. Its is a little depressing to look back on all those hours I wasted waiting by the fireplace or the mail slot for the blessed acceptance letter. Well, I had a realization today. There is one element of the campus here at BYU that is like Hogwarts, the room of requirement- the girls bathrooms. I am amazed every time I enter into one of the bathrooms on campus. They are magical indeed, and seem to expand to fit the needs of the users. For instance, on the fourth floor of the Harold B. Lee Library, there is a bathroom with a huge room attached that is larger than the actual bathroom part of the bathroom. This room is carpeted, with large mirrors, and leather couches! The couches are new, replacing some old ones that were there. These magical bathrooms are scattered through out the entire school. Upon entering you may find nursing mothers, people taking naps, people talking on their cell phones, eating lunch, or even doing homework. Personally, I haven't taken advantage of these rooms for any of the purposes above, I still find it odd to hang out in the bathroom. Nevertheless, its cool that if I wanted a hide out or something, I would totally have a place to do it. But for the record, I won't ever eat in there. That is gross. Even if it is a separate looking room...some people these days...By anyways, who knows, maybe at the end of the world when it is the last battle between good and evil, we can use these secret bathrooms as hideouts for God's Army, just like Dumbledore's Army...Don't be surprised.

I do believe in miracles, I do! I do!

It's crunch time folks. My housing contract is sold, I move out on the 19th. I have purchased my non-refundable plane ticket. I have my passport. I'm registered for classes abroad. There is no backing out unless I want to lose millions of dollars. So now is when I look for a miracle. The balance of my tuition is due this week, and I am really close to being able to pay for it all, but not quite there. I am hopeful though. The Lord helped Moses to part the Red Sea, which is a pretty big deal. That is altering the face of the planet. My needs are not so big in the broad scheme of things, although big to me. This is an exciting adventure though. The bravest thing I've ever done in my whole 20 years. And now I'm proud of myself, if you will allow me to say so, because I'm not even freaking out, or having an anxiety attack about the whole thing. *deep breath*

Thanksgiving

I just got back from the best week ever. I got to go home for the holiday, first time home since August. I laughed so hard with my best friend siblings that my sides ache. I ate so much that I actually gained 5 lbs. I held cute babies. I played with James my other best friend. I watched the BYU vs Utah football game, and swore that if they didn't win I wasn't going to go back to school. Unfortunately they won. I didn't think about real life. Or I tried not to. I helped my grandma set up her Christmas tree. I went to singles branch with Becca...that was an experience. It was a good weekend. Thanks family. I love you.

Red Wall of Menstruation

When I moved into my new apartment at the close of this August, the first thing I noticed was the wall painted a dark red color in our living room. I thought to myself, "Wow. That is a red wall. it's kind of homey." And that was that. My roommates didn't really like it, but we are all to lazy/poor to do anything about it. And so it remains. I haven't thought much about it until recently, as I've visited other apartments with different colored walls. They just are so much more peaceful. I've been noticing how much noise there is in my apartment, and how much pent up anger seems to boil to the surface, just in the presence of the wall...Also it seems to amplify girl hormones if you know what I mean. Just sayin. I think teenage/young adult girls shouldn't surround themselves with angry colors is all. Maybe a nice purple would be better...

Rudyard Kipling

When you’re supposed to be writing a paper, it is so tempting to do everything in the entire world EXCEPT write you paper. Here I am imagining what it would be like to be Rudyard Kipling, a man from England who visited the utah in 1899. He thought the Mormon’s were something else… I think that he was something else…If I were him, I would probably have facial hair. Also, I would be a man. Also, I would be dead right now. Hm. If I wasn’t dead, I wouldn’t be writing this paper (technically doing everything BUT writing it). Aye. I wonder if in 100 years kids in school will read stuff I wrote and have to analysis it and make stuff up about me, and what my intent was, and what my problems were and stuff. I hope so. I hope they understand the depths of my lack of sanity. ☺

Dreams

Last night I had a really strange dream. I was wandering around in a world made of those plastic blow up toys. It wasn't a world really, it was just a giant building and I was a little embarrassed to admit that I had a season pass because it was just for little kids, yet at the same time I liked it. I had my blanket with me, the one from when I was little. I was walking around, really enjoying myself. At one point, I was trying to climb up this slide, but couldn't. It was the dreamy feeling of trying to reach something, but being unable to no matter the effort exerted. A little girl walked past me, noting I my age, and climbed up the ladder to the right of the slide. I hadn't even noticed the ladder.

Yes, this is a prophetic dream. Watch me now as I step to the right to use the ladder.

Fisherman's Princliple

Elder Oaks explained:
“None of us should be like the fisherman who thinks he has been fishing all day when in reality he has spent most of his time getting to and from the water, eating lunch, and fussing with his equipment. Fishing success is related to how long you have your line in the water, not to how long you are away from the apartment. Some fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and have their line in the water for ten hours. Other fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and have their line in the water for only two hours. This last type may wonder why they do not have the same success as others.
“The same principle applies to missionaries, whom the Master called ‘fishers of men.’ A missionary’s line should drop into the fishing water the moment he or she leaves the apartment” ( Introduction [address at seminar for new mission presidents, June 20, 2000], 6).
* This is from the Missionary Prep Student Manuel, CH 12

No Thank You John

Funny story. So, in my freshman English class I get bored. I feel rather bad about the whole thing...but I've basically already taken the class twice already. I'm just in it because it is required for all English majors to take- no exceptions. Well, I use this time as creative time. I write poems, or write to missionaries, eat my lunch, plan my week, etc. One day I wrote this poem:

Ode to the Man Downstairs-

I sit upon my seat and twist and squirm and squeal.
My head is spinning fast, as if tethered to a wheel.
I cannot find the words to say, to make you understand.
I'm looking for a studly prize, yet you are not that man.

Please stop calling, texting, and stopping by.
I'm busy will be my constant reply.
I wish I had some kind of reason to give-
But I don't. Just friends is all that there is.

A few weeks later in my other English class that I actually pay attention to we read a poem by Christina Rossitti called "No, Thank You John". She wrote some of the first "anti-love" poetry. As I read it I could help but laugh and note the similarities with my poem. Hers is better of course but maybe mine will end up in an anthology someday, even if it is just my mom's. :)

Here is hers:

I never said I loved you, John:
Why will you tease me day by day,
And wax a weariness to think upon
With always "do" and "pray"?

You Know I never loved you, John;
No fault of mine made me your toast:
Why will you haunt me with a face as wan
As shows an hour-old ghost?

I dare say Meg or Moll would take
Pity upon you, if you'd ask:
And pray don't remain single for my sake
Who can't perform the task.

I have no heart?-Perhaps I have not;
But then you're mad to take offence
That don't give you what I have not got:
Use your common sense.

Let bygones be bygones:
Don't call me false, who owed not to be true:
I'd rather answer "No" to fifty Johns
Than answer "Yes" to you.

Let's mar our plesant days no more,
Song-birds of passage, days of youth:
Catch at today, forget the days before:
I'll wink at your untruth.

Let us strike hands as hearty friends;
No more, no less; and friendship's good:
Only don't keep in veiw ulterior ends, And points not understood

In open treaty. Rise above
Quibbles and shuffling off and on:
Here's friendship for you if you like; but love,-
No, thank you, John.

Mito de Smores

....En el año 1388, había una niña pequeño. Ella era rubia y baja, con ojos verdes. Ella era muy bonita. Se llamaba Princesa Pétalos de Rosas. A ella le gustaba ayudar a otras personas y hacer lo bueno. La mama de princesa pétalos de rosas era muy gorda y baja con cabeza rojo. Su papa estaba muerto.
....Princesa pétalos de rosas tenía un secreto. Ella era una bruja con poderes mágicos. Una día ella fue a la casa de su tía. La princesa y su tía querían hacer un arma nueva para matar el dragón malvado. El dragón se llamaba Señor Dragón. A él le gustaba comer los bebés y los conejitos.
....Primero, Princesa Pétalos de Rosas recogió muchas cosas. Ella fue a la tienda. Allí ella compró galletas graham, bombones, y chocolate. Finalmente ella mezcló las cosas. Cuando Señor Dragón las perseguía, él paró porque olía un olor mejor que los bebés y los conejitos. ¡El olor era la mezcla de Princesa pétalos de rosas! Después, Señor Dragón comió la mezcla. Princesa nombró la mezcla “smores”. Todas las personas eran feliz y Señor Dragón era feliz.

Post

Today I went to school, work, then home. I ate a bean burrito. Then I went to the library. I almost hyperventilated just thinkin about stuff. Then I read the Book of Mormon and I felt better.

1Nephi 17:
3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

13 And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

51 And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?

Toilet + Headphones = No Bueno.

The title says it all really.

LONDON!!!!!

So, I got in! As of last night I have been accepted to study at the BYU center in London for this coming winter semester. Basically from January through April. All I can say is, yipee!!!

Lists

I am the queen of lists. Today I made a pros and cons list comparing the options of going to London for winter semester vs. staying in Provo. I was highly emotional at the time... Looking back I think the list is funny.

Europe Pros-
Cultural Experience

Europe Cons-
millions of dollars
Away from home
Have to move
No phone
Behind in School

Provo Pros-
Save money
Make friends

Provo Cons-


Ha. If you will notice, I didn't have any cons for Provo, also, only one benefit to going to Europe. I made a rash decision after looking at the list to retract my application. I thought about it though, and realized that I was being irrational, and driven by my fears. The cons to Europe are really minor compared to the amazing experience it would be. I love the emotional rollercoster we call life. Or PM freakin S.

To Whom it May Concern:

There are many pressing issues on my mind that this given moment. The date is the 14th of September. The time is 9:39 PM. I am in the library at a table facing east. The beautiful but oh so confusing words of William Wordsworth are before me. A pink highlighter to my right, my shiny silver cell phone to my right. It is in this setting that I list my concerns for the moment:
1. I'm taking freshman English this semester. It is easy as cake. We had to write a short paper to show our teacher what skills we had, and let him know how we would like to be graded and stuff. We got the papers back today, and all he wrote on it was, "It looks like this assignment was easy for you, so there's really no way I can help you improve right now. We'll see if I can give you pointers later in the class." Nice. Why am I in this class? Because it is required of all English majors. The two AP Englishes classes I had don't count, nor does it matter that I've already taken advanced writing. Another concern, today this teacher wore baggy jeans studded with gold sparkles.
2. I love school! I love my classes, I love studying English. I've officially declared as an English Teaching Major and although this means I have three years left of school, I'm excited.
3. I wasn't completely honest in #2. It's more of a frustrated relationship. I love learning, but I haven't ever felt myself stretched quite as much as I have this semester, and it's only been three weeks. I'm already in the library more that I am at my apartment. To cope with the work load, I chew bubblegum. Sugar free so my teeth don't rot, but it is a small dose of happy.
4. No hablo espanol. Enough said. This morning my professor surprised us with a pop quiz on last nights reading. I got 1/5. That is failing. Whatev. He said, "Well class, this should be good motivation for you all to do your reading!" I said, "But what if we failed, and we did our reading?" He thought it was a joke I guess, as he just chuckled.
5. I saved the craziest for last: On Friday I hit the submit button on an application to study in London for the winter 2010 semester. This would be a dream come true, but I'm not sure it is really the right time to do it. Also, it costs $10,000. Surprisingly, I haven't inherited this money yet, so perhaps it will be better for me to wait on this dream. Regardless, I'm proud of myself for applying.
5 1/2. I like my new ward. I'm the FHE mom which means I get to boss people just like old times. Also, I get to play the piano at ward prayer, which will be good use of the billions of dollars my parents put into my lessons.

If I were a superhero...

Today at FHE I asked my fake brothers what kind of a superhero they would be if they could choose any thing in the world. They laughed and knowingly looked at each other sharing some kind of inside joke, then one of the three said, " I would be a man, with a fire truck hose for an arm that shot out ketchup." They continued to laugh and look at me expectantly, as if I were in on the inside joke. Well, I continued to stare forward blankly, waiting for an explanation. Another brother said, "Don't you remember? You said that the first time we met you." Hm. Apparently I made an interesting first impression. The other thing I supposedly said was, "What if our sweat was acid, and had to sit still all the time to avoid sweating to the point that we all became morbidly obese?" The moral of this little story is I don't remember saying any of these things, but other people are quoting me. Perhaps I should choose my words carefully, because people may just be writing them down to use against me in the future. Would I take these to anecdotes back? Absolutely not. Even though I don't remember saying them, I will claim them.

Back to Life

Summer is drawing to a close. It was a great one. Probably one of the best ever! I got to hike to the top of a mountain, go swimming everyday, listen to good books, work and work and work, make super cool friends, and visit my family!

At this moment in time I rest on my bed, which is only my bed for a few more hours. My things are in a garage somewhere in Provo, or in my car. There is nothing in my room except furniture, and me. It is a strange feeling. I kind of feel like, "what now?" I'm homeless for a week, I move into my new apartment on Monday. This is my first time not living with a friend at college. Its a new side of town, new ward, new everything!! Ready, set go!

Summertime

I love summer. If it was summer all year round nothing could make me happier. Here are the reasons I love summer-

1. The sun!!!
2. Swimming
3. Beaches
4. Hiking
5. Tan skin/ light hair
6. Did I mention I love the sun?
7. The absence of snow
8. No school!
9. Road Trips
10. Snow Cones and all cold treats

This may seem shallow, but It from these small delights I gain mucho joy.
Before school starts, there are things I want to finish up. For starters there is the rediculous goal of reading 6 more books. Good luck to me. Also, of exercising at least three days a week, hiking Mt. Timp, cooking something, kissing 17 boys, and going home one more time. I think I can I think I can...

Date of Birth

As I awoke yesterday morning everything felt different. The colors were slightly dingier than they had been the previous morning. Everything was slightly more out of focus. Gravity seemed to be pulling on me an extra 3% causing my joints to stress, and wrinkles to form around my eyes. Yesterday morning was my first morning as a twenty year old. No longer a teenager. Yesterday was the day that I crossed over officially in the realm of adulthood.

..and yet the gifts I received from my comrades could have been given to a five year old. As I was blowing my new grape scented bubbles, I thought to myself, "I wonder when will people give be grown up stuff for my birthday?" The voice in my head responded, "When you act older than a five year old!" The voice and I had a good chuckle at that one and continued blowing bubbles.

Everyday life.

Sometimes I am stumped when I try come up with stuff to write about. I don't feel particularly clever or insightful lately. Nor do I have cute kids to post pictures of. Nor do I go on huge adventures and stuff. But for the sake of history I shall record a small impression of what I have been up to lately.

Every morning I wake up around 6:45 to the Cold Play song, In My Place. I have tried changing the alarm to other songs for the sake of my poor roommate but nothing else lets my body know it is really time to wake up. I've also started showering at night, because it is easier to stay up later than it is get up earlier for some reason. In the morning I always eat breakfast, and make a lunch before heading off to work. I leave between 7:30-8:00. It takes about 35 min to drive to work. I stay in the fast lane the whole time and go as fast as traffic allows, but no faster than 80 mph. I work until I have worked for 8 hours, or as close to it as I can stand. During a typical work day I file, file, make new file folders, move folders around, apply any payments we receive, print out invoices, put invoices through the envelope stuffing machine, and sometimes I do random projects involving very little brain activity. All in all, it's a great job for a student like me. I'm learning tons of office skills which will be good down the road in my professional career, whatever that turns out to be. After 8 hours I drive home, again in the fast lane, and then comes the time where I do whatever I want. This week I went on a hike, I made my friends dinner on numerous occasions, I colored, I went running a few times, I went country dancing for the first time, I watched a scary movie, and I wrote to missionaries. After partying, I go to sleep. Then the whole cycle repeats. It is a good life.

When I grow up...

The day is drawing nigh when I shall look in the mirror, and no longer see a teenager staring back at me. Does this mean I'm grown up now? Does this mean I have to give up Disney channel, bubble gum, otter pops, loud music, temporary tattoos, coloring books, and my secret alias of Princess Rose Pedals? Well, I sure hope not. That would be boring.

HP

Today I received an email. It was the Harry Potter newsletter sharing the first look at the new website for the new moving coming out July 15. After I read this email I laughed at myself a little remembering how much of a fanatic I was about Harry Potter. One year for lent I remember giving up surfing my harry potter fan club websites. This is no joke. They consumed my life. I got every book that that was released the day it was released and didn't put it down until I was done reading it. I had harry potter trading cards and Bertie bots every flavor beans. I was tragically in love with the actor who played Oliver Wood in the first movie through middle school. I remember begging my dad to buy that movie. I played the computer games through to the end. I never could beat he who must not be named at the end, but I surely spent all summer trying. And by all summer I mean ALL SUMMER. I looked up recipes online for butter beer and pumpkin pasties. I have drawn a lightning bold scar on my face for more than one occasion. I have read the Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter. Basically, I was surprised to reflect on how much this one wizarding community has encompassed my life. I am officially a nerd.

Leftovers

Everyday for lunch since January I have had the same thing, with slight variations. It consists of a sandwich- either PB&J or turkey, a yogurt or applesauce cup, an apple or bannana, and pretzels. Depending on the week some of these elements may or may not be present. When I run out of things I improvise, and just bring what I have. Well, this lunch is good. It fills me up. Gives me the energy I need to do what I've got to do. However, today when I was in the break room getting a spoon for my yogurt I realized what I've been missing out on. I saw a lucky boy putting his leftover lasagna in the microwave and an intense feeling of jealousy swept over me. I pictured his loving mother who probably made it for dinner the night before, and how good it must taste. I miss eating interesting hearty foods. I miss variety in my diet. I miss you Mom. I miss your cooking.

Song of the Day

This video describes better my heart today that I can. Warning, it is pretty EMO.

Clarification

I do not have the flu of any kind. I am as fit as a fiddle. :) Also, I'm taking a preventative medication perscribed by my very kind family doctor just in case. Thank you, and goodday.

H1N1

This weekend I was a volunteer at MDA summer camp. It is a camp for kids ages 6-17 who have any form of muscular dystrophy. These kids are too cute for words, but also very fragile. I was all ready to give my week up for these kids, to play hard so that they could have a great time. I had all my costumes, water guns, coloring books, sun screen and bug spray all packed up. I drove to camp as soon as work was over, sat through 5 hours or so of orientation and training, and finally found myself sitting alone in my room unpacking for the week. It was kind of lonely in there. A text message broke the silence. It was a message from a friend in the ward. Apparently there is a reported case of H1N1, or "swine flu" in my ward. Apparently it is my good friend Shelly's roommate. Apparently at this point I was frreaking out, remembering how I had just eaten at her house a few days prior. After calling to make sure that these guys weren't just yanking my chain, I realized they probably didn't want these cute kids exposed to this crazy media crazed swine flu. I walked down the long long long hallway, and turned myself in. The adult leaders had really worried expressions as I explained that I had just found out there was a possibility I had been exposed to swine flu. At first they were going to put me in the infirmatory over night to think about it, but then they real quick like changed their mind. The camp director escorted me out of the building.

For you worried persons, allow me to let you know that I personally feel fine. Also, I was with Shelly the day before she actually experienced symptoms, so there is a good chance I missed the contagious time frame. Also, I'm not going to work since I already took it off, and I'm sure they don't want to risk it either.

Thinking

When I watch movies with a group of people there is usally someone in the group who gets frustrated with me and my questions. I always have to know going into the movie if it has a happy ending. Same with books. I'm a reader who almost always reads the last chapter of the book when I'm only half way through. This desire to know the ending and dislike of the unknown transfers to my real life. Oh how I wish I could skip to the end of my book of life to just skim the last chapter.

Excuse my behind...

I file stuff. Every day actually. The office is arranged with the filing cabinets all lined up in front of the customer service cubicles. Therefore, they pass me while I'm working constantly. This never really bothered me until this week. I had an epiphany! As I was bending over to but things in the bottom drawer of one of the zillion cabinets I realized that if they gave awards at work I would probably receive the most recognized back side award. Its always up in the air for everyone to observe! Thinking this made me slightly self conscious, and a little weirded out. I told my thought to the HR manager who also happens to be my old next door neighbor. After laughing with/at me she said that people had been mentioning to her that it looks like I've lost a lot of weight this past year (not that its true, but hey, it makes me feel good!) So at least along with noticing my behind they are also noticing it shrinking I guess.

I'm in love.

I just wanted to announce to the world that I am in love! I've finally found someone perfect for me. Actually, Dad picked him out for me. (I've always been pro-arranged marraiges anyways) We spend hours together everyday. He always knows just what I want, and does exactly as I would like for him to do. I feel safe when I'm with him, he's an excellent listener, knows how to party, and knows when to be quiet too. He is quite a bit younger than me, but love knows no boundaries. His name is A.C. Slater, and he's the greatest thing since the ipod. I will be bringing him to the family reunion this year, so everyone get ready to meet the love of my life!

This morning I threw my plate out the window

It was a good morning I must say. I ate my quesedilla for breakfast and noticed the plate I was using was covered in crumbs. I just had my car detailed, and didn't want to just put the plate onto the nice and clean seat. This is where my logic comes in. Of course it would be smart to just stick the plate out the window and allow the crumbs to blow off naturally. Of course. Too bad all the physics classes I took in high school didn't cross my mind. Turns out the second I stuck the plate out the window I flew into the air, and onto the street. Luckily I was only going 35 MPH and luckily there weren't any cars too close behind me. Luckily this provided me with many many extended seconds of laughing at myself. Ok, laughing with myself.

Home Sweet Jerome

I'm at one of my homes right now visiting the fam. I get to do fun stuff like get shots, have my teeth cleaned, do my laundry, and laugh with my best friends aka my sibblings. Since I've been home both my sisters have peed in their pants. Ha. That is not a joke.

Trick Dates

Scenario 1: Over Texting. Boy afraid of the word "date".

Boy- What are you doing tonight? You should come bowling with us.
Girl- Ha. I'm the world's worst bowler.
Boy- Its ok. You should come! I'll pay!

Next Day

Boy- So how do you feel about a comedy show instead?
Girl- That sounds fun. What time?
Boy- We'll probably meet around 8:45.
Girl- Who all is coming?
Boy- Well... it's kind of a date lol so 3 guys and 3 girls.
Girl- Kind of a date?

Scenario 2: Boy takes advantage of casual preconceived movie watching.

Boy- Movie tonight?
Girl- Sure!
Boy- Ok, call me whenever you're ready.

Later

Girl calls boy.
Boy- So you ready?
Girl- Ya. Lets watch!
Boy- I was thinking we should go get Jamba juice before.
Girl- I like Jamba.
Boy- Ok, I'll come by and pick you up.

Later
Boy pays for Jamba and opens all doors. Looks a lot like a date.
Girl thinking wow, this looks like a date. Good thing I didn't invite all my friends like I almost did.

Who's there?

A blog is different than a diary. It has to be. The purpose of a blog is to entertain or inform people. Sometimes about your own life, and sometimes about other stuff. Often I'm warry to write about real life on my blog because I never know who reads it. I have a secret fear of blogging about recent current real life events in fear that the subjects of the posts will read it, or find out about it, and know that some girl is posting things about them on the internet. For now, I ju

Update

Yesterday, and today, I enjoyed work. Please, ponder with me the seriousness of that statement. This means that as I sat at a desk for eight hours straight I thoroughly enjoyed it. To organize the large stack of paper by account number made me smile. Clearing accounts was much like flying a kite. I am a lucky girl. I figured that as long as I am going to be spending so much time at work, I might as well enjoy it. Why waste life away counting the seconds until 5 o'clock? Now it isn't easy to enjoy the job of an accounting clerk but with more practice and prayer I'm sure I'll be a pro sooner than later!

In other news, tomorrow I sign to close on my very first car loan! I almost qualified all by myself! I am soon to be the proud owner of a 2002 Grand Am. It's a white sedan. That's all I know about it. I think it has a CD player...and I KNOW it has cruise control. That was one of the deal breakers for me and a Toyota Carolla I almost loved. This is a shout out to my parents who have let me borrow the Buick all month while I car shopped. They were also really patient with me and my entitled attitude. At first I just wanted my dad to do everything for me. That didn't change, but I did take more responsibility towards the end of the search. Dad found this car for me and checked it out and everything. He's the best dad in the world.

On the home front, (Provo life) I am having the time of my life. I'm so glad that I stayed here for summer! Every night is a party. Everyone is way more laid back that during the school year, there is always something going on, there are way less people, way more boys than girls (wink wink), and a glorious out door heated swimming pool as previously mentioned.

In honor of this blessed time known as summer I have set some goals. There are many important things I would like to accomplish this simmer. They are:
1. Work out 4 days a week
2. Study scriptures 20 min a day
3. Learn to make 3 new dishes
4. Read 10 books
5. Go camping

Thats all for now folks.

The Road

Today I finished reading the book, The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I highly recommend it. It is a apocalyptic story of a man and his son as they journey to who knows where. It is really intriguing with beautiful descriptions of the interactions between father and son who only have each other. I wish I could describe it better. You don't have to take my word for it...(reading rainbow reference)

Taco Bell

Today I skipped lunch. Well, I ate a yogurt and some pretzels, but that's it. We were all out of bread, so I didn't know what to bring so naturally I made a quesedilla thinking I would bring that for lunch. As I was putting the crisp hot tortilla filled with melty cheesy goodness into a plastic bag I suddenly paused as the temptation to eat it overcame me. I literally just stood there for five seconds weighing the pros and cons of eating it for a second breakfast. I talked myself into eating just half of it now, and half later, I also reasoned that it was all going to be in my stomach at some point, what difference does a few hours make? Long story short it was all gone before I got to the freeway on my way to work. :) Because of my small lunch I found myself starving after work, and yet again I searched for motivation to make something other than a quesedilla but found none. Shortly after pulling out various cans of beans even that motivation left me and I was left with hunger. What to do now? I could only see one path ahead of me, and that was the short walk to taco bell. I got $2.88 worth of food and began walking home. I barely made it as the hunger hallucinations began to grip at me. Just as I was seeing lights I ate a taco as quickly as I could. Then a chicken burrito. I know that now is the part of the story where you are awaiting the happy ending, the hunger satisfied. Well, it didn't end well. Before I was finished eating I already had various pains shooting from my stomach. I forgot that my stomach hates taco bell. It isn't going to forgive me no matter how many antacids I consume. Blast you taco bell!

Work

I'm back at work. Back at Ogio for the third summer running! Lucky for me I'm doing much less filing and much more other stuff so far. Its so much less boring than in past years. Despite the occational migrane life is lookin good. S

Wanted: Wing Girl, second Pea to Pod

New semesters bring new adventures and this brings me to the here and now. Provo. With an engaged roommate. I'm looking for a new comfort zone. Someone to go the the grocery store with. Someone to walk to the park with. Someone to go knock on strangers doors to make new friends with. Someone to stand by me while I talk to the tall dark and handsome stranger. Someone to plan parties with. Someone to color with. If you, or someone you know, meets these qualification, please contact me. I will be holding interviews all week.

Swimming

Today was the first swim of the season. I got home from work around 5, ate some pizza, and then heard the news that everyone was going swimming at six o'clock. How could I resist? I even practiced being brave and asked some new kids in the ward to come too. It ended up being 3 girls, and 7 boys. I learned really fast that boy's ideas of swimming are extremely different than girls. Personally I like to jump into the pool, splash around a little, and then get out to soak up the sun. Boys like to swim laps for hours and call it a game. They called this particular lap session "Sharks and Minnows" or "Marco Polo." Who said swimming around with your eyes closed trying to feel around for people was fun? It was in a way, but quickly wore me out. Next time us girls decided we are going to have a girl swim party.

Talent Show

I was in my very second talent show this week. The first one was in sixth grade. I played the piano while my friend Nikki sang a song. So it really was her talent. But this time it was just me, all by myself. In front of my whole entire ward. It was something I did because I knew it would be good for me to work on overcoming my strong dislike of performing. So there I was, in front of everyone, just me and my guitar. I sang a song I wrote last semester called "Envy." Most people call it the Lunch Lady song. I pretended like I was a natural up there, and only had to take one quick stop because my leg was shaking so hard I couldn't play the guitar. But I think I pulled it off. :) I am not afraid of performing I decided. Its just that my body detests it and has natural reactions that some might say are signs of fear, but I think they are just natural reactions meaning too hot to handle or something. I am proud of myself. And I know my mom would be proud of me too. :) I'm growin up!
This is a picture of me right after. I wanted to always remember my first real talent show.

Prop 1

To the owners of The Buick:

I have carefuly developed a plan and program that will make the lease of the Buick in question to your eldest daughter for the duration of the summer a benefit to you as well as to the rest of the family. I cannot begin to mention the benefits having it will provide for her, however you may find yourselves asking, "How on earth will this be a benefit to me?" Well, here is what I propose:

If the car in question is loaned to your eldest daughter for the duration of the summer she will-
1. Pay a monthy amount to the parents who can use it for whatever they like. Whether it be to make happy the carless daughter at home, or to go on hot dates. The amount could vary anywhere from $25- $50.
2. Visit the family home in Jerome, Idaho at least once monthly to increase family bonds, and provide amiable sociality.
3. Do the dishes endlessly whenever she is home.

These terms and conditions are subject to negotiation. Please ponder and consider these things thoughtfully. Much love has been used in developing this plan.

Sincerely,
The Eldest Daughter

Easter

Growing up easter wasn't a big production in our home. We mostly just went to church, and ate dinner as a family. My mom would usually give us ten bucks or so the day after easter to buy as much candy as we could. It was nice. Because if this there are good and not as good consequences. The good thing is I have low expecations for what Easter should be like, and it does provide opportunities to really focus on what the holiday is about rather than the commercial side of it. There really isn't a down side to it. This Easter I didn't even think about going home until all but one of my roommates went home to be with their families. I then said, "Hey! Whats the big idea?" I missed them a lot. Not just because everyone was gone, or because all there was a ton of fun stuff going on at home with visiting cousins and cute babies. :) I missed you!

In the absence of my family we did have a nice Easter of our own making. The bishop had the whole ward over for lunch which was amazing. mmmm. We also made our own dinner. We did an experiment and tried to make the cafe rio pork, which we cam really close. Too much cumin... We also made frog eye salad, and Marie Calendar's peach pie. The best part of the whole day was when I got to fly my new kite! Better than that was when I got it stuck in a tree! I can't imagine a better tragedy to befall a kite. We did manage to rescue it for more fun later though. This was the Easter celebration of my creation. I'm so grateful to have holidays to remind us of family, friends, and more importantly the Savior Jesus Christ, and his life and death on our behalf.

Mrs. Clean

I am probably the strangest person I have ever met. Last semester I spent my free time learning to play the guitar. This semester the guitar has spent too much time under my bed and I have spent my free time cleaning. Not all of it, but a lot lately. Its so therapeutic! I love doing dishes and vacuuming the best. Today after school I deep cleaned my room and organized it all so that I have a nice place to study for all my finals. There just seems to be something empowering about cleaning and pretending like I'm domestic. We'll see if I still like this stuff after having 20 kids or so...

Bubblegum Machines

So many different crystal glass bulbs
Full of kaleidoscopic iridescent spheres
At this point my adult tendencies
Are taken over by an inner five year old.

Yellow, red, pink, blue;
Ones that paint your mouth
While you blow bubbles the size of Australia
Causing your jaw to ache after a while.

For as long as the flavor lasts
The world of deadlines and appointments
Are replaced by the sweetness of childhood
Soothing the realities of life.

Old

I woke up this morning and this is what I thought I saw. I blinked twice and realized it was just my imagination. But holy cow. I feel old!

Who decided that when kids turn 18 they are legally adults? Who in their right minds trusts these kids with their own lives? Here I am, 19 years old (almost 20, but who's counting) and I'm living with a bunch of other kids my age. My family doesn't play the same role in my life that they did for the first 18 years. Its weird. I think about how I'm not going to live at home this summer, and how that kind of is a bigger deal than I thought. It means that going home is really just a kind of vacation. I'm too young for this! I look at my cousins living on their own, and I'm not as old as them! What the? When did this happen? Will someone please pinch me? I want to stay 19 forever!

Superhero

So I have this friend who on the side of being a full time student is also a superhero on the side. She has blond hair, is about 5'3'', really attractive, and super fun to be around. Yesterday, I just happened to be with her when she got a secret call of duty. I think she thought I wouldn't notice her leave, go inside of the porta-potty on the side of the road and come out in a hot pink spandex outfit of some kind. And to think that she thought I wouldn't recognize her with the tiny little plastic mask she had on. Honestly, what is it with super hero's and their eye masks? Do they honestly believe that those who know them won't be able to identify them? Anywho, within three seconds of receiving the call she had changed and began running down the street with the speed and grace of a cheetah. I decided to grab my bike and follow her. We ended up in an abandoned shack where there was a bomb set to go off in thirty seconds. I watched as she worked agilely to cut the right wires, I can't remember if it was the red one, or the blue one. It doesn't matter anyways. It was all a set up. These dumb boys thought it was funny. They didn't think so after she gave them atomic wedgies for their punishments though. Making a long story short, my best friend is a superhero! How cool is that! I'm not supposed to tell anyone, so I just thought I would put it here. Mum's the word.

Dear Mom, (and Family, but mostly Mom)

Thank you so much for the amazing weekend. It was just what I needed. I feel like going home and being with you and Dad is the fastest most effective way to charge my batteries. Thank you for treating me like the powerful individual you know me to be, and for not accepting anything but my best. For not giving into my stories and sad songs. I left Jerome feeling empowered, feeling like there was no question in who I am, or where I'm headed. I am a member of the Carlisle family. A beautiful young woman who is decisive, and smart in making my life decisions. I am never alone, nor am I ever left on my own. Thank you for being my support network, and for reminding me of these things. Thank you for your spiritual, emotional, and temporal support. Thank you for having a home where I can feel the spirit, and always feel this love. Thank you for raising me and for all the sacrifices you make and have made for me. Thank you for the frog eye salad, the cheezeits, the pretzels, the rice-a-roni, and the spaghetti sauce. Thank you for saving a room for me for when I come home. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for knowing when to listen, and for giving great advice, and for letting me struggle when I need to struggle. Thank you for the way in that you and Dad show each other that you love each other. I hope that I can have a best friend like you have in each other when I grow up. You are the best mom and best friend I could ask for. I love you!

Mary

Alma 56:48 "...We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

Spring Break!!!

Disneyland was awesome! Dreams really do come true! I can't imagine a better way to spend spring break.

Oh wait....

It was just a dream.
There is no such thing as spring break at BYU.

Back to the books I guess.

Hot Dang

I almost died tonight. So there I was, in the hot tub with the cool rain falling oh so softly on my face. Lets face it, I got hot in the hot tub. So hot I thought I was going to puke or something. There was the pool...screaming my name...beckoning for me to test its waters. I should have considered the fact that it has been snowing, or that they just barely uncovered the pool last week, or that there was a sign saying "pool closed". None of these initial warning signs let on to how cold the water would turn out to be. I gave in to the sirens of fun and darted from the hot hot tub and plunged into the pool only to find it was cold cold cold. Like ice water cold. And I couldn't really breathe in it, and I kind of panicked and lets just say its a miracle I found the side of the pool and pulled myself out! I returned to the hot hot tub and my body kind of felt like I was being cruel to change its temperature at such a rapid rate. I'm sure there something in a book somewhere that warns against such frivolity.

Tapatio again...

My Tapatio died again. Same story. See the previous post. This time it was a mini bottle that I bought for 89 cents. Same story, it fell from the shelf shattering into a billion million pieces. I was overwhelmed with grief and depression in the instant that I heard the earsplitting crack of the bottle hitting the title. I would have collapsed to the floor but Allison was there to catch me in her arms and comfort me in my grief once again. May you rest in peace Tapatio.

Funny Story

For fun on Thrusday night Maddison and I decided to get in some trouble. The evening consisted of dreaming up ways in which we could prank the guys that live across the complex from us. We gathered some good ideas....(evil laugh)

One idea that I have always dreamed about but never actually brought to pass became a reality for us. We started off by going to DI, where we found a bowling ball for $2. What a steal! This was followed by a quick trip to Walmart where we purchased hot glue and Vaseline. We then proceeded to fill up the holes of the ball with the hot glue, and then cover the whole ball with Vaseline. Ha. aha ahaha. We put it in a plastic grocery bag, and then put that bag into a back pack. The rest was easy...too easy... The apartment we wanted to inflict this prank on only had two guys home, both of whom were not really that attentive to the environment around them. So Maddi talked to them while I went back to the bathroom and carefully placed the ball in the toilet. Yes. The toilet. I then wrote on their mirror with a dry erase marker, "You've been punked!" Then we laughed. A lot.

We also looked for this chemical called Methylene Blue, which apparently you can add to brownies turning the victim of your seemingly kind act of sharing's pee blue. However, in doing the research for this it turns out it can be dangerous, and some people are allergic to it. So we're putting this one on the shelf for now.

To get us back, the guys didn't really inflict any damage. They just stole Maddi's keys and put them in Jello. It was kind of weak sauce. They also moved her car around the corner. That had us worried for about a second. But only a second.

Sun

I am elated. Can you guess why? Well, I'm wearing a tee shirt, shorts, flip flops, and looking out off my balcony at the pool! Which is open!! I can go swimming every single day for the whole summer! It is a dream come true. It does pose a potential threat to my studies though...I would rather play outside than do anything else. Did I mention that there is a pool right out side my door? Or that I am wearing shorts? I am happy.

Water

This is gross, and I hate to publish graphic stuff like this, but there are a few things on my mind. First, there are new space tech bathrooms on campus with automatic everything. Even the toilet paper despenser is automatic. I just wanted to say, its a nice idea and all, but really, I prefer to pull out my own sheet of toilet paper. It freaks me out every time I go to grab some. I think technology has finally gone too far.

Second thing, I have been exercising my little heart out. Walkin everywhere, running about 11.5 miles every week, lifting weights, all that jazz. Yet my stomach is huge! I've figured it out today. Its my friend water retention. I looked it up on google to see how to fix it. Apparently having a diet with a lot of sodium will do this to you. Next I looked up a list of foods that are high in sodium. Sure enough, the list was exactly my diet. Plus apples. Apples are probably the only good thing I eat. Everything else is cheap, and therefore processed, (now I'm not taking potato chips but pretzels just so we're on the same page) which will eventually cause me to suffer death by bloating. Or death by sodium. I'm going to try to put more green things in my diet. Or more natural things at least. I don't want to feel gross anymore.

Oh if I were a fish

If I were a fish I wouldn't fail in my creative writing class. And by fail I mean lose a point on each assignment because I don't follow directions exactly.
If I were a fish I would never stub my toe or jam my finger. Also, I wouldn't really ever get paper cuts. If I did get cut I don't think it would bother me.
If I were a fish there wouldn't be room in my tiny brains to worry about stuff. About my future. All that I would need to watch out for would be hooks and fake worms and rubbery boots.
If I were a fish I wouldn't get bored. I could find a mermaid and become her best friend. We would go everywhere together and sing songs together.
If I were a fish I would have big creepy eyes that I could use to creep people out who I didn't like very much. And if I did like them I could try to seduce them with my opulent stare.
If I were a fish I would be a vegetarian. No more cows would I consume. Also, I don't think I would eat shell fish anymore.
If I were a fish my body would always be sleek and ready for swim season and the beach. No more dieting. Just a day full of swimming and sun.
If I were a fish I wouldn't live in Idaho. I would be a tropical breed where the water was always warm. I would probably live in a small secluded pond somewhere without sharks or pollution.
If I were a fish I would never have to shave my legs again. I wouldn't have legs actually.
If I were a fish I would live in a school of fish so that I didn't ever get lonely and so that I always had someone to play with who understood me completely.
If I were a fish I wouldn't be human anymore. It would be fun for a day probably, but then I would miss things that only people can do, like eating ice cream.

Salsa Battle

The one thing that I know how to make as good as Momma makes it is Salsa. I can replicate her salsa exactly. I take great pride in this. For some reason it came up in conversation with some fellow ward members. One young man decided to tell a nice boy named Choco that I talked smack and claimed that I could make the best salsa in the world or something. Choco approached me and we set up a time for a battle of the salsas to see who's was best. It was official. Choco is from Mexico and I really didn't think I had a chance, but it was too late to back out. Pride dictated that I should back out before I lost, but something made me follow through. Turns out I did lose... bad... but I'm convinced that judging was flawed although we had a very complicated system. Each judge was randomly selected from a group of applicants. They then were blindfolded as they sampled each salsa, rating it on a scale from 1-10, and finally cleansing their palate between each one with a piece of tortilla. My roommates still liked my salsa best. So there.

The Salsa

The Judges

Choco Himself

I did it.

I made the cut that I've always wanted to but have been afraid due to a bad experience in seventh grade. :) I like it because I've already used half the shampoo and conditioner that I used to.

Run

Whoa. My legs are burning, but the pain is somehow wanted and welcome. Sweat drips from my brow, and down my back. All I can see is the music video playing on the screen in front of me yet all I hear is the rhythm of my feet pounding on the treadmill. Everything else doesn’t exist right now. School, friends, life’s stressors aren’t real. Its just me, my feet, and my endorphins.

WANTED

So far my plans for the summer involve staying here in Provo and working. The only problemo is that I don't have a car at this point in time and it would be necessary for me to get to work in Bluffdale each day. Therefore, I just thought I would put this ad up. I'm in the market for a car if any one has extra ones laying around. :) *wishful thinking*

Lent

Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter of fasting and prayer representing the time the Savior spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by Satan. In many religions it is a time of self denial and worship. in celebration of life and of the savior I am going to give up my greatest vice and self indulgence, worrying. So here I go, day one. I already started worrying right after I decided this, but I caught myself and stopped. I think its going to be a great 40 days.

$5 sub my eye

Today after eating first lunch of PB&J I was still starving and the Subway in the Cougar-Eat downstairs was calling my name. I was debating whether or not to get the foot long or the six inch. I knew I could only eat the six inch right now, but if the foot longs are just five dollars than it would be crazy not to get it. So I go for it. Foot long roast beef on honey oat with pepper jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, banana peppers, mustard and oil and vinegar. Perfect. I get a cookie for my roomy. The blond gal with the strange hat rings me up. $8.17. I hand her my card. "Wait! Why is my $5 foot long suddenly $8?" Apparently the deal ended on Saturday. I guess I saw that sign when I went into Subway but I didn't know the date today so how could I know that Feb 21 had already past? I was angry. More angry that ever before. I didn't want to eat my sandwich anymore. But I did. I ate half. I gave the other half to Katelyn bless her heart. Somehow having someone else eat the other $4 worth makes me feel better.

Semester Cuarto

My Friend Maddison Capri-

Maddi is my partner in crime. We do everything together. Laugh, cry, dance, sing, drive, walk, study, and eat. She is my trusted confidant at school. I don't know where I would be without her this semester. She always knows what to say, she is very wise, very loving, and very tender hearted. She is beautiful, humble, and always considerate of others. We have great adventures together. Here are some that we've had so far this semester:


Maddi and I like to make pizza. On this occasion we, ok I messed up. You can buy a pizza dough mix from Walmart for 27 cents. It calls for 1/2 cup water for every packet of mix. I misread it to say one cup water to one cup mix. It was a mess. By the time I kind of fixed it, it was not so good. We used it anyways. The result was a tough pizza. Not so good. Luckily we invited a bunch of hungry boys over to eat it all gone. They didn't even like it. That's how bad it was.


Wear whatever you want day. I wore my favorite ugly sweater. Maddi wore her hippie outfit. It is so liberating to do what you want.



Latin dancing night. We went to legitimate Latin dancing. I couldn't even understand the dj. It was however the coolest thing ever. I practiced moving my hips so that they were sore the next day. The Latin boys were such great dancers/teachers. I felt like a real latina for a moment. This is Maddi and I after the event.


So Washington. We road tripped to Washington so Maddison could visit her family and friend Esme, and so I could visit my friend Sharee. 20 hours in the car. Long time. However, it was worth it. Sharee and I just laughed and laughed and did girl things. It was so nice to be with my dear dear friend. The best part of the whole trip was stopping to visit my family on the way home. Thanks for dinner Mom! Also, Grandma came to say hi too. It was better than Christmas.

Random Details

I liked Rexburg. I love Provo. Ok, I don't so much love the location as I do the experience.

In Rexburg eating was the cool thing to do. Everything revolved around food. For roommate night we would go to eat, or buy food to bring home. We would bake cookies all the time. I would come home for every meal, breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner. The difference here is that we don't live right across the street from campus. Also, its not as culturally centered around food here in Provo. I would forget to eat were it not for the hunger pains that remind me that I need fuel. Its a great mind shift to eat to live, rather than to live to eat. Along with this, I owe my jogging class a great thank you. Although I have sold my soul to Gold's Gym for two years in membership fees, its great to be back in the habit of physical activity.

Today was amazing. I walked from the Wilk to the Kimball Tower eating my cheetos, with the warm sun touching my face for the first time in six months. I saw my best friend from 3rd-5th grade for the first time in years. It was like the twilight zone, yet so cool to have my life come in a kind of circle. Also, tomorrow I'm going to Washington to visit my friend Sharee. I haven't seen her since August. Making my excitement at an even higher level, I get to stop by and say hi to my family on the way home. I heart them.

Once upon a time I went on a blind date. No, he wasn't blind, his vision was quite normal with the help of vision correction technology. Make a long story short, he was really funny. Also, he threw up a couple times due to car sickness. This wasn't his fault. It was the fault of the lobster bisque and crazy driving up the canyon. He felt so bad, and awkward I think. I thought, hey, better he get sick than ask me to pay! hardy har har.

Tapatio

My favorite thing to do is add hot sauce to everything. And by everything I don't mean fruits and gross stuff like that, but pretty much everything. My favorite kind of hot sauce is Tapatio. Mmm. However, my special bottle of it had an incident this morning. Maddison had asked me to make her some toast for breakfast because she was running late. I was rummaging through our cupboard looking for her bread when there was a loud explosion followed by an ear splitting scream (that was me). I looked at my feet, and to my horror my bottle of sauce had fallen and shattered into a million billion pieces on the floor. It was a big mess. I cleaned it up, and everything. We held a moment of silence in it's honor, and I tried not to cry. I will miss it. My hands still smell like it though and the smell makes me not miss it quite as much. :)

Home

Some days I get a longing to be home. I miss my family. That means I love them. :)

25 Random Things

1. I'm OCD about fingernails. If I chip one painted nail, its only a matter of hours before I take it all off.
2. I have reoccurring nightmares about co-ed bathrooms with no stalls, or moving toilets.
3. I love really ugly stretch pants.
4. My favorite movies are the ones made for pre-teen girls.
5. I would give anything to be latina.
6. I never had braces but I had a hot pink glow in the dark frog retainer.
7. When I was little I fed my brother gross bugs and mud and stuff.
8. I can bench press 55 lbs. Oh yeah!
9. I was the science club president my senior year of high school.
10. When I was 10 I refused to wear v-neck shirts in fear of being immodest.
11. I love hippie bluegrass music.
12. I can't sleep at night without removing my eye makeup.
13. Sometimes spending large amounts of money makes me physically ill.
14. I give myself anxiety stomach aches that can be removed only by one of three ways: 1. Sleep, 2. Yoga Breathing, 3. Headstands
15. Every time I go to the eye doctor they give me a weaker prescription. I think its because I'm getting better at reading while squinting.
16. I have had a total of 17 roommates since leaving my home. Now that is an adventure. I have loved every single one.
17. I want to write and illustrate my own children's books when I grow up.
18. My favorite food is cheese. I could eat it all day.
19. I hate celery. Hate hate hate. Unless it's covered in cheese, but even then...
20. I have a missionary that I'm waiting for. Her name is Brittany!
21. The one thing I know how to make is salsa. I have the taste for it.
22. My new hobby includes making up my own songs on the guitar with bombdizzle lyrics.
23. I compulsively have to get the mail everyday. Even if I'm not expecting something. I think its a disease.
24. When I was in sixth grade all I wanted was to get a part in the play. I was assigned scenery director. It may have been the best thing that ever happened to me.
25. Art galleries cause me to get teary eyed.

All Keyed Up

Picture of Me found in Google Imgages


I am now going to relate myself to a car. If I were a car, I would be an old one, not high end. I would have a hard time starting up some mornings but once you scrape the frost off my windshield I'm good to go. However, I think that last night, I was high jacked. And someone sat in me an kept on pushing the breaks and the gas at the same time so my stomach/engine was churning, but I wasn't going anywhere. Finally this morning we got to drive around the block and I'm hoping to get back to my normal pace soon. The moral of this story is that I had my first BYU test today. And I was so nervous I almost threw up. And passed out. Both were looking really good. The reason why I was all worked up is that I really just like multiple choice straight forward tests. None of this come prepared to write one of five possible essays and have stuff memorized to answer the questions covering a billion pages in your book stuff. I guess you could say I was overwhelmed. Basically last night I gave up outlining, and just decided to memorize as many works of art as I could, so I had a bank of them to draw from for the essay. This morning, still freaking out, the voice of my mother echoing in my head that she would pay me 10 cents if i didn't do well on it, I gave up studying and started praying pretty much. I prayed that a we would get to write on question one. Even though I didn't deserve it, and I should have studied early. I prayed that I could perhaps calm down. I get to class. Guess what! Question 1! Hallelujah. I pretty much dance inside my heart and began writing fast and furiously. Now, I can breathe a little better, but I'm still keyed up. I take school way to seriously if you ask me. Also, I am blessed far beyond what I deserve.

Macy's

Maddi and I stepped in through the sliding doors feeling the warm air trying to escape behind us. The light was dingy and unfamiliar emphasizing the fact that we were strangers to this grocery store. The chaotic air of the store made me instantly want to go back to the super centers I’d come to know and love. Adding to the chaos, this seemed to be yet another place for social gathering and ulterior motives. It would appear that bread and milk weren’t the only things on the shopping list of the men present. Testosterone seemed to swarm from between all the isles, waiting for opportune moments to strike their prey. It was at the cereal isle that we were first approached.

“Hey! You use shopping cart. Good idea. Can I share with you?”
What do you say to that? Quickly he added,
“You got bread! That’s the other thing I need. Thanks for reminding me.”

I just gave a small smile and a quiet, “You’re welcome,” moving on to grab my box of Honey-Ohs. Strange. Do people really have cases where disgustingly cheesy pickup l lines and conversation starters have worked for them? Honestly, the girls that fall for that stuff are the reason girls like us can’t wear our yoga pants to the grocery store anymore. :)

i love to Partay

It turns out I've been less studious at a school with a more rigorous academic realm. Silly. There's just so much fun stuff to do! This week I went to the basketball game against UNLV. We lost, but I sat so close I could see the sweat of the players faces. It was pretty exciting. Then last night we went to a concert for a band "Love you Long Time". It was pretty sweet. It was at a small venue here in Provo. I'm going to do my homework. I am. Just later. Also, my whole body likes to be sore all the time. It could be because I go jogging everyday, or my weight training class, or possibly the yoga? ha. Its the most amazing feeling to lie in bed late at night when you know you've played hard, and you've worked hard. I'm going to be as strong as a ninja soon.

Creative Writing

My Pick

is about the size of a polar bears eye.

is slightly darker than bubblegum pink.

is adorned in scratches like the scales of a fish.

enjoys making music and an occasional trip to the beach.


Bubblegum machines

So many different crystal glass bulbs
Full of kaleidoscopic iridescent spheres
At this point my adult tendencies
Are taken over by an inner five year old.

Hair

OK, so I've been tempted for about six months now to dye my hair brown. Yes. Brown. Or cut my hair into an A-line. Yes. A-line. Something drastic. I'm only young once. However, I'm scared.

Euphoric

Isn't it great when you do something because you feel like it is the right thing to do, despite being unsure about the whys and the whats?
I transferred schools, and a few weeks ago I was freaking out, not knowing what I was thinking, and what was in Provo for me that wasn't in Idaho. The first week of school I was still tentative, but I've fallen nicely into the groove of things. Its amazing. Now don't get me wrong, I loved Rexburg, but I just seem to fit here. Its easier for me to make friends, its easier for me to be myself. I'm loving my classes. Every single one of them. My roommates are amazing and it is effortless to live with them. I'm grateful beyond anything I can express for the ease of this transition. I'm grateful for all that I learned in Rexburg and all the people I met, and I'm grateful to be here now.


This is Maddi, my new roommate and I being cool.

A Whole New World

Snap. People are boy crazy here. Ok, I should say people are boy/girl crazy. Its insane. Also, people date more here. All I hear is girly talk about who likes who and who wants who to hold who's hand and who wishes who would ask who out and yadayada. If I even hint to thinking someone is attractive, just attractive, not even considering or knowing personality, just from first glance, then I am attacked from all sides with shrieks and giggles and plotting. :) Cute. Overwhelming.

Twas the Night Before School

Twas the night before classes and all through the house,
6 nice girls were stirring, (of course there was no mouse)
The outfits were laid near the closets with care,
In hopes that cute boys would look and not stare.

Ha. That's my first day of school poem. I'm official now at this big school. I found all three of my classes, and only needed help once (or twice). Its not as scary as I thought it would be. The only scary thing is how far apart everything is. Also, the hill covered in a billion stairs. Now THAT was a work out! When I got out of my last class, I nearly cried when I saw how much it had snowed. Nevertheless, I walked home! If I had been wearing good boots it wouldn't have been anything to write about, but I didn't wear sensible shoes. I wore cute ones. From now on I will not wear cute ones. :) I'm smiling. I like it here. The end.

Ps. Pictures will soon be added. I just forget to take them sometimes.

The New Year

It is a new year. Its 4 am. Forgive whatever it may be that doesn't make sense.

This time last year I was with my friends Emmilie and Kristen. We had just watched the Singles Ward 2. I was getting ready to go back up to college to begin a new semester with all new roommates. I wanted to be an English Major or an Art Major or something. I had know idea of the amazing friends I would make this year, and all that was in store for me. In contrast I spent tonight with some cool kids I just met today a half an hour before the singles dance. We partied at the local college and when I say party I mean in the Mormon way. I'm getting ready to begin a new semester with all new roommates yet again, and at a new school. I still don't know what my major is. So much has happened/changed I can't even begin to imagine what's coming in 2009! Here is the top 10 list stuff that happened in 2008 in my small world.

1. I made at least 5 new best friends.
2. Visited the Oregon Coast for the first time. Pretty pretty.
3. Learned the basics of playing the guitar.
4. Completed my Associates of Science.
5. My family moved to Idaho.
6. I worked in Vegas, San Fransisco, and Chicago serving pie and coffee.
7. I cut my hair short.
8. I purchased over 200 items on itunes.
9. I learned to love to write and filled 1 3/4 journals.
10. I got a new shiny bike. It's cute.
11. I accidentally tried tea and coffee. A year of firsts. ha.