Notes from My Crazy Life

Ole Miss...

2011-09-18T22:36:00.002-06:00

It's time again for another football travel log....oh my life. Thanks once again to my aunt and uncle I was able to go to the BYU @ Ole Miss game in Oxford, Mississippi with my cousin Kaylee. I was a little more exciting for this trip than the Florida State trip because I felt a little family connection. My mother's mother (also know as my maternal grandmother) was born and lived in southern Mississippi until her family moved to Utah to work in the mines...or at least that's how I understand it happened. Anyway....Even though it wasn't the exact place that my family came from, I felt like it was a chance to get to know my heritage a little better.

So on Friday Kaylee and I headed up to the Salt Lake airport and got on our flight to Memphis then on to Tupelo, Mississippi. The airport always has it's own little adventures but luck for us nothing too exciting happened. We landed in Tupelo around 8:30. Now I thought the airport in Tallahassee was small, but the Tupelo airport was much much smaller. It was a building with one door for departures and one door for arrivals, a baggage claim, and a car rental desk. Yep it was a hopping place. We were met at the airport by my aunt and uncle and a couple of other BYU folks who were at the fireside with the team. We were of course in time to eat the team snack and head off to bed.

In the morning I got my first good look at Tupelo. Tupelo and the surrounding areas fits the basic look that I think of when I think of small town southern USA. It was oh-so-very green and humid. As it turns out, Tupelo is most famous for being the birthplace of one Elvis Presley....one of the city councilmen gave Coach Mendenhall a guitar pin to commemorate this historic event during the Friday evening fireside. We got a good look at the land and culture as we took a 30 minute drive to Taylor a tiny town outside of Oxford where the game was to be played. We went to Taylor because there was a Cougar Club luncheon. The restaurant we went to looked like it hadn't been in business for years...and yet it came highly recommended by people in the area. Turns out the building had been there for years....since the town was established and the people had just kept it going from a store to a restaurant. As you can see it's a little rough around the edges but the food was pretty good. I had my first catfish eating experience which was pretty decent tasting as it turned out....partially because you couldn't taste anything but the friedness of it all. So our menu options for the lunch were fried catfish (which this place was famous for), grilled catfish, fried chicken, fried okra, hushpuppies, coleslaw, and potato salad....basically fried or mixed with a lot of mayonnaise. I wasn't really sure what I was eating at first but it was one of those eat this and hope it turns out okay. Obviously I survived. The luncheon part of it all was very interesting; there were people from all over the south ready to cheer on the cougars. There was a brief state of the team address from Chad Lewis (perfect pep talk if you ask me) and then President Samuelson gave a quick thought. Once that was over we were off to the game.

So we set out from Taylor and headed out to Oxford where....two hours before the game....people were up and tailgating away....because my aunt and uncle and the Samuelsons have to do lots of meet and greets and such, Kaylee and I were left to our own devices so off we went to discover the gems of the Ole Miss campus. As I was preparing for this trip, I heard a lot about this place call "The Grove"....turns out it is a 10-acre plot in the middle of campus where people do their tailgating. It was packed with people. Tent after tent after tent. Through our searching we finally found it....we actually didn't have to work that hard to find it....we just followed the people and there we were.....So many people.....such a great football tradition. Before each home game the team will walk through the grove under an archway called "The Walk of Champions". The team works its way through the people who stand aside and give them high fives along the way....if only we could institute something like that in Provo.After all of that sight-seeing we headed into the stadium with an impressive amount of BYU fans to start the game....it was a bit of a stressful game....eventually BYU won 14-13 thanks to a great fumble recovery and touchdown by linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

See Link: http://youtu.be/LwP8kdA-bkw

After the game, we caught the team buses back to the Tupelo airport where we waited until the team could take off. I took a little bit because the plane was running late so we just hung out in the airport and watched football with the team which was sort of funny. It was funny to hear the comments that football players had when watching other football players play. They brought up things that I had never seen in plays before...very educational. Because my aunt and uncle flew with the team, Kaylee and I were left in the charge of what I call the BYU advance crew. It's two guys who makes sure everything goes smoothly during these football trips. They had to wait to go back to the hotel until the plane went wheels up. So Kaylee and I waiting in the airport until everyone was gone....basically they left and locked the doors behind them....we could still get out so we just waiting alone in the airport until the guys knocked on the door to let us know they were ready to go....it was pretty funny...

We had a hard time going to bed that night...after a whole day of eating fried foods our stomachs were angry at us.....so we stayed up for a while sort of in denial that our flight left Tupelo at 6:40 in the morning.

So early up we were and we headed to the airport. Like I said before Tupelo is a very small airport so when we got there we were welcomed by the same security guards that were there the night before. They all laughed at us because we had stayed there later than they had and there we were bright and early in the morning....it was pretty funny...we just make friends wherever we go!!

The rest of the trip was uneventful....we flew from Tupelo to Memphis...Memphis to Minneapolis...and Minneapolis to Salt Lake (because that's the logical route to Salt Lake of course).....

That wrapped up the trip....I realize a lot has happened in BYU football since then but it was an excellent way to start the season....

Oh Summertime.....

2011-08-14T12:28:00.000-06:00

So this has been a bit of an interesting summer.....at the beginning of the summer I decided that I would try things that I've never tried before. Mostly my decision was based on the fact that I needed to be more social so I decided I would just do the things that people around me were doing or take the step to invite people to do what I was doing. Much to the delight of my roommates, I have made great strides in my social self. So here's a quick recap of summer events.

After March Madness was over I had to find something to do with myself....so I turned to the NBA finals. And continued to watch basketball...but I watched with other people...that counts as being social, right??

In June we had a ward social at our bishop's barn. It's not really a barn in the raising animal sense but definitely a barn in a big red building shaped like a typical barn way. His property includes the barn, a house (not their full-time house just a mountain home), volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts, a pond, and a giant hill. What more do you need for a great ward activity? So I mentioned the giant hill....yeah it's great for a giant slip 'n slide. Now I am a pretty worst-case-scenario so when I see people going down a giant hill at high speeds I think of broken bones and hospital visits....no wonder I had never tried one before....but before I went I decided I would just have to do it. So I stood at the top awkwardly...waiting for the moment and then...I went....and then I went again and again and again. It was a pretty good things that I decided to do. No injuries but lots of fun and adventure. There was also a zipline into the pond...I didn't try that...I'll have to wait until next time!

Another adventure came in the form of frisbee...my roommates are obsessed with playing ultimate frisbee. This game is a little foreign to me. You see frisbee is not really popular in New Mexico. Apparently in Utah, California, and Arizona is it very popular. My roommates usually play twice a week and I decline to come...we had a good little pattern going until we played frisbee for FHE...and then I had to join the madness. So I played and it was fun...and my roommates have been trying to get me to play ever since but I'm not sure I'm good enough to play with their legit friends so I'll have to improve so I can play more. They also keep talking about this game called gatorball.....but everytime I go to play it doesn't work out....maybe it's just not meant to be.

So those are the major moments....well they may not seem major to anyone else but they were to me...just doing things outside of my comfort zone with people who are outside of my comfort zone. It was all pretty good for me as it turns out. Hopefully there will be more advances to come!!!

The Jimmer Experience....

2011-05-15T11:27:00.008-06:00

Those of you who know me best....okay those who know me at all....know that I love BYU sports. My obsession began during the 2001 football season and has only grown since then. My obsession has definitely shifted during the years (from love of cute boys to a love of the actual sports) but one thing has remained the same....the respect I have for BYU athletes. These are college athletes who are asked to live a higher standard. They are asked to live an Honor Code that most find ridiculous and most of them do it well. Many of the men served two-year missions where they became out of shape and out of practice and then came back and have to fight twice as hard to get back into shape. I have seen a lot of athlete's give interviews and there is just something different about a BYU athlete. It is clear that to most of these athletes it is important to be good people than to be good athletes. One good, very national, example of one of these athletes is Jimmer Fredette.

Over the past two years I have had lots of chances to see Jimmer play. I have also watched dozens of interviews he has given to local and national media. Each time I am impressed by his calm, confident demeanor.

Jimmer is the best player I have ever seen play live. I now watch basketball games expecting someone to pull up and shoot a three when his defender gives him the slightest room. That doesn't happen....that is a Jimmer thing. I remember talking to my family after the first time they watched Jimmer play live....they were quite amazed. It's something to watch highlights....you think they just show the good stuff...there are so many more great plays they just can't show. I think part of the magic that makes Jimmer who he is is the support of the fans....the undying love for Jimmer. Obviously there have been signs made, chants created, and videos produced about him but there is a quiet respect that people have for him. Almost as quiet as the respect he has for others.....

I have heard multiple accounts of Jimmer in good times (after a big win) and in bad times (after a big loss) and each report comes back telling me of a respectful and kind individual. My grandma wanted to see Jimmer play. After the game she had the chance to meet him...and boy did he make an impression. Jimmer is a look you in the eye kind of person...that's something you don't see everyday...especially from a player who was just celebrated as one of the best players in BYU history. His interviews are always professional and calm. He says what he means to say. He loves basketball but he realizes what is really important.

Mostly there will be the memories.....I can say I was there when Jimmer scored 45 against TCU....I was there when you had to wait 4 hours outside the arena to get seats in the lower bowl of the student section (and that was just the waiting outside...there was another 2 hour wait inside)....I was there when Jimmer made shots from way way beyond the arc....I was there when Jimmer scored 52 against UNM when he broke Danny Ainge's scoring record and then made his way to Dariese Gary, UNM's injured point guard, with cameras all around him to wish Dariese the best. I was there.....my parents have Danny Ainge's shot against Notre Dame....I have Jimmer's half court shot against Utah.

Someone will probably come in and break the records....someone will come in and dazzle the crowd and excite the nation with their play....that someone will be another generation's Jimmer. For now I remember The Jimmer Experience......

Korean Exchange...

2011-04-13T20:35:00.001-06:00

About a month ago my dad got an e-mail from one of his mission companions who is currently a mission president in Korea. He asked my dad about a woman who thought my dad had baptized her while he was on his mission in Korea and she wanted to get in contact with him. My dad okay'd the release of information and soon heard from Sister Koo. He didn't recognize the name at first but after some more information he started to remember. After more information my parents found out that her husband was a general authority so they were coming to Salt Lake for general conference. Sister Koo wanted to see my dad and so my parents came to Salt Lake for conference. (Now this has a double bonus for me because it means homemade cinnamon rolls for me....not that everything is about me...) Before they came up my parents went through the cedar chest in our house and dad got a good reminiscing moment with all of his mission things. One of the most treasured things he found was a Bible he had everyone that was baptized while he was a missionary sign. He looked and found Sister Koo's name and then was sure that he had in fact baptized her.

Friday afternoon was the day appointed to meet with Sister Koo. I picked up my parents at my sister's house in Farmington and we headed to the Marriott Hotel in downtown SLC. There have been very few times where I have seen my dad get this nervous/anxious/excited. It was pretty cool. When my mom saw her in the lobby I felt such a surge of joy. When she saw my dad both of their faces lit up. My dad doesn't look much like he did when he served a mission so I think she had a hard time recognizing him at first. In the e-mails she talked about the sparkle my dad had in his eye and once she saw that I think she knew.

It was an amazing experience to see my dad relive part of his mission. Being the youngest, I didn't hear much about his mission. It was so far away from the time I was born. I had looked in the cedar chest a few times and seen the things in there and sometimes he would tell stories about how he only had to knock on 7 doors his whole mission and he got in every single one. He never said much about the people who had come to the church because he taught them. In that moment I felt so proud of my dad and his decision to serve a mission. After Sister Koo was baptized the rest of her family was baptized (her brother was a member before she was). She then helped fellowship her future husband's family into the church. Elder Choi (her husband) is a member of the area 70 in North Asia.

On Sunday we were able to go to a fireside that the Korean ward in Provo had for all of the Korean General Authorities. I didn't understand much of it seeing as it was in Korean and sometimes the translation wasn't the best but the Spirit was amazing. Sister Koo pointed out my dad (it was a bit of a delay because of the translation....kind of a funny moment) and you could see those missionary feelings come back into his heart.

I am so grateful I was able to experience this with my parents. My dad talked about how as a missionary he didn't have the ability to really keep up with the people he taught. It's not like today where everyone has facebook and can contact you. Sister Koo looked for "her missionary" for 40 years. The timing of her finding him couldn't have been better. Everyone likes to know they've done something to help someone else. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!!!

The Not so Crazy Life.....

2011-04-07T15:27:00.003-06:00

So the title of my blog has become a bit misleading in recent months. I find myself with more lazy days than crazy days. When I graduated last April I gave myself a year to figure out what I wanted to do with my life....that year is about up. In two weeks I'm supposed to have my life figured out....not likely to happen. I applied to grad school and so far have been rejected by all but one....not a pleasant feeling. So while I wait for the final word from Utah State I spend my time working and hanging out with people and hanging out a lot by myself.

This sounds so depressing....I'm really not depressed about life...more just sick of waiting for answers that I have no control over....so to put some spunk back in I should go into what I have been doing over the past few months since blogging has not been one of those things.

In February the whole family headed home to watch the musical Wicked....I was a bit concerned that because of all the hype it would not be as good as I anticipated....luckily it was that and more. I suppose I shouldn't have been too surprised that I like it given my love for all things musical and cheesy. It was fun to be with the whole family....a bit overwhelming but fun nonetheless. We did the normal family things while we were home....taking family pictures, eating at all of the ABQ hotspots (ok just our family hotspots), watching sports with the guys (explaining sports to my mom), and other moment of general merry-making. Our family is basically chaos when we are all together. I don't know how families with more kids handle all of the noise and activity....

In March we took our annual MWC tourney trip to Vegas. I've decided that March Madness is the best invention ever....okay not ever but it's a very good use for the month of March. So basically this is how this trip goes....wake up, eat, watch basketball live, watch basketball on TV/nap, eat, watch basketball live, sleep and repeat...can you say best trip ever?? This trip was a bit of a different one because it is the last year BYU will be in the MWC. I made sure to savor all of the fans from the different schools. Each has it's own unique personality and fan base. It was a little sad to think this is the last time we would play some of those teams but once they started booing our team I became less sad. This was also the year of the Jimmer. I will not go into too much detail about the Jimmer now but will instead save that for a later post which I have committed myself to write. Pretty much he is amazing. Watching him score 52 points against UNM and break Danny Ainge's record is something I will not soon forget. The rest of March was filled with watching more basketball. BYU made it to the sweet 16 and was just a point away from reaching the elite 8....what a great time to be a Cougar fan!!!

The month of April is pretty much a post in itself so I will have to save that for another time...one thing I did this semester that I thought I would never do is play on an intramural basketball team....thanks to my cousin Kaylee I had the chance to put my sharp basketball skills into play (ha....sharp....). It was one of the funnest things I have done in a while and I am so glad I got the chance to do it....we'll see if I can sneak my way onto another team next year if I'm still living in Provo....

Well that's a good wrap-up....more posts about specifics in life coming soon!!!

2010 in Review....

2011-01-13T18:06:00.001-07:00

So I've been trying to think of a creative way to catalog (and remember) what happened the last year of my life and bullet points were the best I could do....

I started my last semester in college....scary....
I finished my last semester in college....
I GRADUATED FROM BYU!!!! (woot woot)
I spent extra time with my sister and her kids....what a blessing....
My best friend and longtime roommate Laurel got married...
I moved out of the Villa for the last time.....for real....I'm not moving back....
I got released from the most rewarding calling ever (Relief Society President)....I have missed those girls like crazy since then
I moved to a new apartment complex....Alta Apartments....
I had some crazy summer adventures with more interesting roommates....
We had a nice flood in our apartment....fun stuff
New roommates came and the others left.....I love the girls I live with!!!
I got to go to Disneyland and Tallahassee, FL in the same week!!!
I turned 23....the best part is I keep forgetting how old I am....
I got to go home before my birthday so I got to spend time with my parents (not to mention the ABC cake)
I turned in my first grad school application...
I took a trip to Arkansas to visit the lovely Laurel and her husband Nate....
I went home for the New Mexico Bowl....gotta love a BYU bowl game where I can sleep in my own bed...my house bed not my apartment bed.....

Whew.....it was a whirlwind of a year.....it doesn't seem that exciting to the outsider but to me it was yet another crazy here....2011 will bring a lot of changes....grad school, job, bum...whatever comes my way I'm ready....

Arkansas Adventure....

2010-12-30T20:18:00.003-07:00

I know it's been a little while since my last adventure....or since I've written anything....but I'm going to catch up...eventually...we'll start with my little trip to Arkansas...

So your first thought may be....who takes and trip in Arkansas....what is even in Arkansas??? I mean those were my thoughts before last July when my dear friend and roommate of three years got married and moved to Arkansas for her husband's job. So after my Tallahassee adventure I knew I had to follow it up with something exciting....so I chose Arkansas. I decided if nothing else Laurel will be there to watch cheesy and Nate (Laurel's husband) would be there to watch sports so it couldn't be a complete disaster. I bought a plane ticket to Tulsa, OK and I was on my way.

My trip started early early early Friday morning. I thought I gave myself plenty of time to get to the airport and get to the plane....yeah....make that barely enough time. I got to the parking place and it took them forever to pick me up and take me to the airport, then I realized I forgot my boarding pass so I had to print another one. Not a big deal....until I got to security. So I got into the security line at 6:15....my flight was leaving at 6:45....and the guy at the back of the long line said it would take at least 30 minutes to get through security...yeah I was a bit panicked. Then he said we could try terminal 2 because their security line was only 15 minutes long. So I, along with some other brave travelers, made my way to terminal 2....knowing time was limited I starting preparing myself for security...you know...taking off shoes and jacket taking out liquids....praying I didn't have some hidden weapon in my backpack. I got through the line fine and took off back to terminal 1 to get to my flight. I had the brilliant idea to run without my shoes on because it was too hard to put them back on...yeah that was silly....you run faster in shoes than in socks....just in case you wanted to know. I'm sure people thought I was crazy as I weaved my way through the terminal toward the gate but I made it....at 6:40....yeah I was one of the last people on the plane....the last was a guy who was behind me in security line. Now I mentioned before that my flight was early...so I was hoping to catch some sleep on the way to Phoenix (yeah it was one of those Southwest flights) but since I had a nice little walk I had way too much energy to sleep...oh well....

The rest of the flying was pretty uneventful...although I will use this time to talk about the birds in the Phoenix airport. I have no idea what this is all about but there are birds that seen to live in the Phoenix airport. I have never understood why they don't do anything about them. The first time I was there I thought it was funny but after that I just felt like it was weird and unclean. So bizarre....

Anywho....I arrived in Tulsa ready for adventure. Laurel picked me up at the airport and we made our way back to Bentonville, AR. This is the part where I praise Laurel for picking me up and not making me find some sketchy shuttle....yeah she's awesome like that. We arrived in Bentonville and I immediately knew who everyone worked for....Wal-Mart...there is even a Wal-Mart museum....I didn't get a chance to go inside but it was there I promise. We went to Laurel's cute house and hung out until dinner at our classic spot, Olive Garden...so good. Laurel and Nate were in a Christmas program things so we went to that next. It was really cool. They had a live nativity along with all kinds of nativities set up on the gym of the church. Then they had a program with all kind of people from the community singing and playing instruments. They had some middle school choirs and an acapella group of older ladies (which was my favorite act). Then they had a huge Ozark Mormon Choir which was pretty legit. There were way more people in it than I thought there would be. Apparently Wal-Mart hires a lot of Mormons....who knew???

Then we went back to the Shepherd house and we watched Laurel's Christmas present to me....a fabulous Hallmark movie. Nate wasn't really into it but Laurel and I loved it!!!!! I just can't get enough of those cheesy movies....sigh....

The next day we went on a hunt....not an animal hunt but a people hunt....well more of a house hunt which sounds way less creepy. The Duggar family...from the TLC show 19 kids and Counting live a mere 30 minutes away from Laurel's house. How could we not go and look for it?? Apparently Laurel had been wanting to go but Nate wasn't really into it. I was so game! So with the help of Tom Tom (the GPS) we made our way out. It was quite exciting when we found it. There was a security guard out front so we thought it best not to stop and get out so we took pictures from the road. The house was just like on TV......amazing. And they had so many cars!!! I guess if you have 19 kids you have to having something to transport them in. After our successful venture we headed to Wal-Mart. This wasn't just any Wal-Mart it was the Wal-Mart where the Duggars have been spotted. Laurel called it the "Duggar Wal-Mart".

You really do have to specify which Wal-Mart you are going to because they are everywhere. I went to three different Wal-Marts during my stay. Store 100, which is the 100th store, the Duggar Wal-Mart and a Wal-Mart grocery store. So many Wal-Marts so little time!

After our adventure we made Christmas treats and watched the BYU basketball game. The game was followed by another Hallmark movie. Yeah Laurel and I are that into Hallmark....Nate....not so much.

Sunday was filled with Sunday like things....we went to church, ate a delicious dinner prepared by Laurel and then Laurel and Nate had another concert which was just the Mormon choir and once again it was fabulous!!

Monday I packed up and headed back to the airport. It was an uneventful trip back....except an hour delay in Denver.....and I made it back to Provo safely.

So just so you know Arkansas is a great idea....especially if you love Wal-Mart....but seriously it was such a blast. It was nice to do things just "Erin and Laurel style". I'm sure Nate wasn't super excited but what can you do?? I was so grateful for the chance to go and have a fabulous host and hostess!!!!

Coming next.....a year in review....which I will write once I remember what happened this year....

Cross Country Adventure....

2010-10-20T00:22:00.002-06:00

So the title of this post makes it sound like I daringly trekked the country in a car with only a few provisions to sustain me....that is definitely not the case. A few months ago I decided I wanted to go to Florida for the BYU vs. FSU game. It was kind of a long shot because tickets were so expensive and as it got closer I thought all hope was lost until when my aunt and uncle graciously gave me some of their frequent flier miles to come with them to the game. During this time my sister asked me if I wanted to go to Disneyland with them as their nanny of sorts. Of course I said yes to that one in a heartbeat. As plans were made and flights set I realized these two events fell in the same week. How crazy is that???

So the week started with a trip to Disneyland. Because of the second trip of my week, I was going to have to leave Disneyland earlier than everyone else so I headed up to Salt Lake and met the Paulson family at the airport. Getting through the airport with children is always an adventure no matter what the child/adult ratio is. (ok that's not necessarily true...if the ratio is like 4 to 1 you should be good) We made it to LAX and then took the shuttle to the Disneyland Hotel. This was the first time that I had stayed in a Disneyland property and it was very cool.

We headed into the park the next morning and I didn't know what to expect.....I mean I've been to Disneyland plenty of times but never with little kids so I didn't know how they were going to react. We had so much fun!! So many rides and so little time...Nikki had planned the trip so that we would be in Disneyland with her friends Kelly and John and their two kids. So basically there were five adults and six children. We weren't with Nikki's friends the whole trip but it was fun for the kids to go on the rides together.

So now we get to the major theme of trip....the bathroom. For those who are a little queasy (or a lot queasy) you may want to skip this paragraph. So on the trip we had three kids who went to the bathroom (Kate, Ashley, and Rachel) and only one diapered child (Sophie). Turns out having the diapered child was the easiest to deal with. Now Kate didn't have any problems but it seemed that as soon as we got to the front of any line Ashley or Rachel had to go to the bathroom. Okay that's a bit dramatic but it seemed that way. We had other miscues, including a crying child on the plane who decided she needed to go to the bathroom right as we starting taking off, one having lack of pooping troubles, one wetting the bed, poop on a bathroom floor, and someone having to wear a 3-6 month jumpsuit who wasn't Sophie (some happened after I left).

So after that adventure...which included 4 rides on Dumbo and fabulous water show at California Adventure, I packed my bags and headed back to Salt Lake to start on the second leg of the adventure.

The next adventure dealt with a lot of flying, a lot of humidity, and a football game.

Early Friday morning Aaron, Kaylee, and I drove up the Salt Lake airport for our trip to Florida. We spent most of the day on a plane or in an airport. From Salt Lake to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to Tallahassee (one educational thing that came out of this trip was that I am now able to spell Tallahassee, yep it counts as an educational trip then). We got to Tallahassee in time for the football team snack which is their last meal before bedtime. It was about 8:30 in Florida but I was still on California time so it was a perfect dinnertime for me. We ate and then my aunt invited the Samuelsons and Brother Atuaia to come see a laughing alligator she had purchased at the gift shop in the Tallahassee airport. It was one of those things where you walked by it and it starts laughing and rolling around. It was a hoot and a half.

Anyway.....we get in the elevator to go up to our room and two other people join us in the elevator. One of them, an offensive lineman from the team, joked about how when he was in the elevator previously and it had gotten stuck....we all chuckled and I hoped the same thing wouldn't happen again.....yeah of course it got stuck. It was kind of an awkward moment. There we were in the elevator with no A/C it was like one million percent humidity and we were all sweating bullets. We called the people downstairs and luckily we were in there too long. As we got to the bottom of the elevator our two new friends (or awkward acquaintances as the case may be) left and the rest of us continued up to the room looked at the alligator and continued to bed.

The next day was game day. Now Saturdays in the fall always have a special place in my heart because it means you can watch college football pretty much all day long. So we got up and ate breakfast, chilled for a while and then headed to the football game. Because of ride situations, we ended up on one of the team buses to the game, which meant we got there like two hours early. As we drove through Tallahassee it was interesting to see the fans realize who was in the bus and then either flip us off or do the "tamahawk chop". The stadium was BEAUTIFUL!!! It was like a shrine built to college football. I had no idea. As we were pulling up one of the players sitting behind us said "man, I should have brought my camera". It probably wasn't a good sign that the players were as mesmerized by the stadium as we were.

It was an amazing experience to watch something that you see on TV in real life. I loved it!! It was so hot and so humid that I'm surprised more players didn't go down with cramps or something. As we were getting to our seats, FSU fans just kept telling us to drink water....and lots of it...and they were so right!! I'm glad I had had a lot to drink that day (even if it did mean frequent trips to the bathroom). The game, as we all know, was not so great. I didn't expect us to win so that wasn't a major disappointment. Even though it was a lousy game it was fun to see all of the BYU fans that showed up in support. Even Coach Edwards was out there battling the sun with us. It was awesome!!!!

After the game we got a ride home from someone who works for BYU and trekked up to the Waffle House for dinner. Little did we know alot of BYU fans had the same idea. It was kind of fun to see the post game crowd come in still wearing Cougarblue and still smiling. By the end of the day we were tired, sunburnt, and craving more college football. Since we were on the east coast, football games lasted until 2 in the morning so we all fell asleep to the sound of college football....and what a pleasant sleep it was!!!

The rest of the trip was not eventful. We got to the airport in Tallahassee with all of the other remaining BYU faithful and staff (including I might add Greg Wrubell, who was also on our flight to Tallahassee) stopped in Atlanta and then headed back to Salt Lake.

After such an eventful week it was nice to be back in the comforts of Provo. It took me a couple days to get back into normal life and I had tons of work to catch up on but I wouldn't have traded that week of experiences for the world....

Raining Chaos....

2010-08-12T10:16:00.004-06:00

I'm normally a big fan of a good thunderstorm....thunder, lightening, the smell of rain these things make me happy, until it starts raining outside and inside. It's even better when it rains inside on one of those days when you just want something to go right.

I came home from work expecting to pack and clean so I could go to ABQ the next day. When I got home my roommate's stuff was everywhere and I knew something was up. She informed me that there was water leaking into our apartment. Nice....I thought it would just be a little water, no big deal.....huh....yeah.....I was wrong. A steady stream of water had come through her ceiling for the two hour previous to my homecoming. Also the sliding glass door had water coming through it. It only got better from there. Eventually there were three leaks in River's room (yes, it's somewhat ironic that the biggest leak was in River's room) and the living room was like a water feature. All we could really do is sit and watch water fall from the ceiling. The onsite maintenance guy kept coming over and poking holes in our ceiling to keep the whole thing from collapsing....awesome. Eventually water worked it's way into the other two rooms in the apartment through the windows. Luckily that damage wasn't extensive....well the damage to my room wasn't bad....I'm not sure what happened in the other room other than a lot of things getting wet.

After a while I realized that I wasn't going to sleep in the apartment so I called my sister and thankfully she let me come stay at her house. I quickly packed a suitcase and got the heck outta dodge. So obviously I'm a person who likes to be in control of a situation. I like knowing where my stuff is and that it's in good condition. So me leaving all of my things while my ceiling is leaking is NOT something I would normally do, but there is always room for change. I left for home from my sister's house with no clue how things had ended up the night before. I told my roommate's fiance that if my stuff needed to be moved to move it....yeah I did that. It was one of those pray and have faith that everything works out for the best situations. Luckily it did...

I arrived back in Provo not knowing where I was going to sleep or if I was going to have to guy all new stuff or what the deal was. I walked in to a new ceiling and the assurance that the leakage was fixed. My other roommates moved out sometime after the flood happened. My stuff was all there and untouched....well except for the paint dust everywhere. Yeah...they apparently painted my ceiling without moving anything....whatever. My apartment was supposed to be painted over the break anyway so they are just starting a little early. It's sort of strange I'm just in my apartment and random people keep showing up.....but if I get a freshly painted apartment with new carpet pads and clean carpet I can live with that.

Throughout this whole process I have remained very calm and optimistic which is definitely a blessing. From the reactions of the people I've talked to it seems like I missed some drama with my former roommates threatening to sue and such. I'm glad I wasn't there. Hopefully this will all be over soon, until then I live among boxes, paint, tape, and furniture in random places......

Post Graduation Life....

2010-06-30T22:37:00.002-06:00

So I have officially entered the "real world". I'm not sure what world I was in before but not that much has changed....except for the no homework thing...which I miss at this point. I moved into a new apartment and a new ward and I'm currently trying to make the best of it. Tonight obviously is not going well. I've learned a lot about myself in the past year and am so grateful for every opportunity I have had. No it's time to put all that learning to use. I am determined to make the most of the new adventures I've had...no matter how hard or lonely that road may be. One thing I'm grateful for is that my parents haven't completely kicked me out on my own. Which is a double bonus because I haven't quite gotten the whole working full-time thing down. I will figure it out eventually. Luckily I've been able to pick up some work baby-sitting for my sister and driving my parents around Utah. Yes, I count driving my parents around as a job....part-time but the pay is fabulous! Soon I've got to figure something out and find some kind of future in life. I can't just expect things to magically appear in life....it's time to make decisions....so scary...and hopefully so rewarding....

5 Things....

2010-02-28T20:38:00.002-07:00

I just returned from a fireside where Richard Paul Evans spoke. He is the author of a lot of books including The Christmas Box and Grace among many others. He gave 5 things that every person should know...

1. Know who you are
2. Forgive Others
3. Do it--go after what you want--if you fail, fail big
4. Appreciate Adversity
5. Choose to Love

Okay so I'm normally not the person to say this but this talk was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I have been so confused lately about my future and why things aren't working out and what I've done to deserve all of this and such. He helped me, along with the Spirit, to realize that no matter what I have to go forward and do what the Lord has planned for me. I know it will be scary but I will learn so much if I just do what the Lord wants me to do. I have learned so much throughout my life and will continue to learn so much more from my trials. He said that we aren't who we are despite of our trials but we are who we are because of our trials....simply AMAZING!!!

So Tired......

2010-02-02T14:04:00.002-07:00

You know when you are so busy and stressed and then so not busy and stressed and you crash...yeah I'm so there. For some reason I've haven't been sleeping well. I mean I've never been the best sleeper but last semester I slept so well. Now I haven't had a good nights sleep in about five days....and today it hit....hard. I'm sitting in class and I am soooo tired I can't believe it. I keep having these moments where I feel like I'm pulling out of it and then I crash again....definitely no bueno...

The Last Semester.....

2010-01-11T22:38:00.003-07:00

So holy cow....I can't believe that I've finally got here but here I am. The only thing is no one really prepares you for what you do after you graduate. I suppose I should have been more proactive than I was in the whole graduate school process but I just couldn't fathom going to school anymore. There isn't much I can do about that now so I am looking forward to a little time off to work and just plain have some fun. The past four years have been crazy. As I think of myself when I was a freshmen and who I am now it's amazing how much I've changed. Within that I think of how many things have stayed the same. I love the same things, although my priorities may have shifted a bit but I still them. As I serve in my calling I have these random "wow I'm really old" moments....I'm really not that old but everyone in my ward is so young. They are so sure that life is going to turn out exactly how they plan it....it's kind of refreshing. Anyway....we'll see what the next few months holds but I'm sure it will have some major changing and growing for me....as every semester does....

The Gameday Experience....

2009-12-01T10:55:00.001-07:00

Let's begin by remembering that most of the time I make responsible decisions...This was not one of them. After BYU beat SDSU, I started getting pumped for the TCU game. I was a little nervous for the game (which it turns out I should have been) but excited nonetheless. On Sunday night I got an e-mail announcing that College Gameday was coming to Provo. I was so excited. For those of you who don't know (or don't care) College Gameday is the weekly college football show that travels around (mostly on the east coast) to important football games across the country. They haven't ever come to Provo before and so it was quite the honor. Let me also explain that at one point I wanted to be these broadcasters. The four people who do the show are Lee Corso, who is kind of wacky, Desmond Howard, who I'm pretty sure is there to be a cool kid, Kirk Herbstreet, who is so good looking and a good football analyst, and Chris Fowler, who is the host and also a great analyst.

As the time came closer I realized how big of a deal this actually was. People started camping out early Thursday for this event. We were thinking of just going that morning but decided that we wanted to get in sooner and got there at 6 on Friday night. Three of us prepared with one blanket (to cover the ground), two thermal ponchos (thank you Aunt Peggy), a sleeping bag, two little blankets, a down comforter, a pillow, two coats, and three sweatshirts. I realized this is a rather obnoxious list but it paints the picture for later. So equipped with all of these things and 3 Little Caesar's Pizza's we began the campout around 6 on Friday. Now our timing was pretty sweet because we got an awesome spot that allowed us to meet a lot of interesting people.

We decided to spend the first hour or two making signs that we could use for the show the next morning. Aaron came up with some pretty great signage: "evEn frogS can't stoP Unga" and "Cougars eat Frog for breakfast" (although the second was more Katie and me, Aaron made all of the letters for the sign). We were pretty proud of those signs and even got a few compliments on them from people who were wandering around. Most of the time we spent talking and walking around and such.

Once we finished the signs we were lucky to have a string of visitors to our little campsite. First my roommate Laurel came by and we had a blast! I showed her around the Gameday set and such (which she totally didn't care about but pretended to be excited about). As we were sitting and talking an man and his son (both dressed up in slacks and nice shirts) wandered by our little place. I think we were a pretty open target for people to talk to because there wasn't much that separated us from the outside world. Anyway, this man was a Fiesta Bowl representative who had come to see the game. He and his son (very good-looking I might add) were bored and thought they would come out and see what was going on. We talked to him for a bit and Aaron talked about his dad being in the administration at BYU and such. We also talked about how his son was applying for BYU and how hard it is to get in and such. I was funny because for some reason the whole time we were at this Gameday thing, I would talk to anyone. The whole shy thing was totally gone. Laurel and Aaron just laughed and me and wondered what in the heck was going on. Anyway it was a pleasant chat and it was kind of cool to know that other people thought the game was important too.

After that we decided to take some pictures of the whole experience. And it was all things cheesy (also something I don't normally go for). We took more pictures than I have for a while and enjoyed every minute of it. After a while Laurel and I wandered off and took more pictures and talked about the general splendor of it all. In our wanderings we had two very interesting experiences. One was as the Fiesta Bowl guy and his son were leaving. We saw them walking past and just politely said "bye" and "have a good trip" and things of that nature when he starts walking toward us. He then asks us to take a picture with his son....talk about awkward. His son just stood there inbetween Laurel and I while his dad took a picture. I tried to laugh it off but he did not seem amused. It was a pretty funny thing. Then Laurel and I met a dad and his son who came down to look at the Gameday stuff. It was so cute to see the dad interact with his son and try to show how important it was to share the experience with his son. We even got to be on the video he was making. It was pretty funny.

After we finished our wanderings, we played a few rounds of Catch Phrase with a few more visitors. Laurel's friend Nathan and his friend Zach (maybe I think but I can't really remember what his name was...oops!!) came and played with us for a while. We also had the chance to be on Channel 2 news. I called my sister and told her to tape it and she was so excited to. We ended up being in the front of the crowd, with our sweet signs. It was so much fun. I've never been willing to do anything like that before. Just another example of this being the craziest thing I've ever done. Pretty soon Laurel and her crew left and Lane and Audrey came to visit. They stayed until about 1 a.m......when the rain started. That's right rain.

Now look back at the materials we had....notice....no tent....or semblance of a tent....yeah...

It rained for a good while. Katie, miraculously, slept for about three hours. She bundled up in her sleeping bag and slept. She stayed pretty dry too. Aaron and I had our ponchos and huddled inside them in an attempt to sleep. The rest of the night was pretty uneventful....it was dark....and wet....and the parts of you that got wet were cold....I had the thought multiple times to go to the car and sleep while Aaron and Katie stayed out. They seemed to be able to handle it....but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Finally around 5 a.m. we got up and packed up our stuff to get ready for the broadcast. Now the next two or so hours were kind of a blur of not so great things. There was chaos when the people came to let the people who had camped out in and people cut in line and such. I choose to skip this part because I like to focus on the positive....the good things that happened....

We finally got our spots in the crowd and it was so cool. I could see something live that I had seen over and over again on TV. I got to see the National Championship trophy. I got to be a part of something and tell a story that no one can take away from me.

By the time it was all over (10 a.m.) we were exhausted. We headed back to the car and we were so grateful for how comfortable the seats of the car were compared to the asphalt. I got home and knew I had to do homework. I started and lasted for about 10 minutes before I was too tired to even function. I slept for a few hours and then moved on with life.

BYU ended up losing the game that night (which I didn't go to because I didn't want to be cold again) but I will remember that experience for the rest of my life. I will probably never do something like that again....but it was definitely worth it!!! Yay for random adventures and fun times with fun people....

Just a few things I'd like to say...

2009-07-28T23:04:00.003-06:00

Every once in a while I'm amazed at the sporting world...it has the power to bring the most amazing moments and then, in the blink of an eye change into something surreal and bizarre....

The Good:
-White Sox pitcher Matt Beuhrle threw a perfect game...as a follow up he continued the perfect streak through the sixth inning of his next game retiring a MLB record 17 batters in a row. He didn't end up winning the second game but it was amazing nonetheless...

-Josh Willingham of the Washington Nationals hit two grand slams in one game becoming only the 13th player to do so in major league history...

-I found a new sports show today called SportsNation...it almost made me want to major in sports broadcasting again...almost...needless to say it's an awesome show...

The Bad:
-Lamar Odom can't seem to decide whether he wants to play for the Lakers or not...and now the Lakers have lowered his contract from their previous offer...just sign already so we don't have to hear about it any more.

-People are becoming more accepting of steroid use among athletes....I knew the time would come but it still makes me sad

-Michael Phelps lost his first major race in four years...and everyone was quick to blame it on the winner wearing an ultra-sleek swimsuit....I don't know about you but I'm feeling that one major loss in four years is nothing to complain about...

The Ugly:
-Plaxico Burress will testify in front of a grand jury facing I think a illegal possession of a weapon charge....I think he deserves it....why is it even in the news anymore...I mean the man shot himself in the leg...

-Michael Vick is back...NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him but he'll have to miss a few games...T.O. thinks the penalty is too harsh....I think T.O. is a whiner....I think Vick should have to sit out a whole season...and maybe he will anyway because no one will touch him with a 9-foot pole...talk about a walking PR nightmare...

-Lance Armstrong didn't win the Tour de France....and the guy who did doesn't like him...and said so...and now looks like an idiot for hating on of America's heroes. I'm not sure what he was trying to accomplish.....

-And I end with Brett Favre....America's favorite quarterback has finally retired (at least today anyway)...I'm sure the Vikings thought he was going to show up for camp in a few weeks....it's gotta make the rest of the team feel good that their coaches and trainers spent so much time on someone who just decided to retire...oh crap...(don't get me wrong I have great respect for all that the man has done...but when it's over it's over...didn't you learn anything from last season??)

So these are my thoughts....with all of its maddness I love sports anyway...and college football is so close...

Lessons Learned...

2009-06-20T20:33:00.002-06:00

So since I last updated I have learned a lot about myself...I finished summer semester under a whirlwind of activity. Moving into my new/old ward. I was called to teach Relief Society and I was stoked. I taught my first lesson and apparently that was the kiss of death. The Tuesday after the lesson the Bishop wanted to meet with me for some reason....I was a little nervous....I thought maybe I had preached some false doctrine or he was going to talk to me about my roommate leaving and me living alone for the rest of the spring....so not the case. In case you haven't heard...he called me to be Relief Society President....how bizarre is that. I couldn't believe it. But here I am about three weeks later trying to figure out how to be an effective leader....it's quite the trip.

So along with that I had my school work....and it was a pretty good semester. Aside from my psychological testing class (darn statistics strike again), I took a Sport Psychology class that was well AWESOME!!!! It took my two favorite topics and combined them into one class. I think I made more comments in that class than any other...well minus the Newswriting class...but these comments were definitely more productive!!

Now after a killer winter semester and a crazy busy spring term, I am ready to kickback and have a nice relaxing summer....we'll see how it goes. Right now I need to find a few hobbies but I have a feeling I'll have plenty of things to do!!

ADD and Moving...

2009-05-03T20:34:00.002-06:00

I'm going start out by saying that I am officially the worst mover ever...It's been over a week since I was supposed to be "out" of my old apartment but I still have stuff there. It's almost like I have moving ADD or something....or maybe it's just general ADD. Thankfully my old roommates have been kind enough to keep the stuff until I get my act together. Moving really is a painful experience. Somehow...I accumulate so much stuff throughout my life. I actually got rid of tons of stuff before I moved but seriously...how can one person have so much stuff. Along with moving out goes the whole moving in thing...not fun. I'm pretty sure I injured my hip moving boxes up the stairs. Luckily I seemed to have recovered and can officially walk normally again. Also another problem with the moving moment was having to move most of my stuff twice. Because of the gap between moveout/move in dates I ended up moving half of my stuff to my sister's and leaving the other half on a roommates bed while I went home for the weekend. While I had a good time at home is was a little bit down played by my anxieties about having to move again when I got home.

So I've decided, with the help of my mother of course, that I not only have moving ADD but ADD in general. I probably should have discovered this a long time ago. It probably would have been helpful in previous years of college...so I'm trying something a little bit different for studying...it's the 30, 30, 30 program. I do one task for 30 minutes and then switch to another. I used it during finals and it worked out very well...hopefully it'll still work out in the future.

Another semester has begun and I'll have a class update soon...

Looking for Summer Adventure...

2009-04-16T18:17:00.002-06:00

With the days of winter semester coming to a close ( I would just say winter but it snowed 5 inches here yesterday) I turn now to the summer and the adventures it can bring. As previously mentioned this semester has been somewhat of a whirlwind and I'm ready for a little slow down. I am back down to one job, which I love most of the time. I'll take classes during the spring but not summer which lends time to having adventures...and I'm pretty pumped...

A week and A Day....

2009-04-05T19:11:00.002-06:00

Whew....so I didn't quite reach the week mark...one day too long..dang it. Oh well, close enough. So basically the run-down of my life is this...I feel like a chicken (with it's head fully intact) being chased by a fox. With the end of the semester closing in there is so much to be done and so little time in which to do these many many things. It's at times like these that I wish sleep wasn't a necessary part of life.

I'm excited for the end of the semester. I think this semester was a true test of my abilities to survive under the craziest of circumstances...sometimes I even feel like a real grown up...shhhh...don't tell

So looking back one of the highlights of my semester that I forgot to mention is being able to go out to lunch with my sibling without their kids. This has happened on three occasions this semester and I have loved every minute of it. Because of the age gap in my family it's been difficult to get to know my sisters well. They were all gone by the time I was 8 or 9 so it wasn't like I had the "big sister" to help me get through those teenage years. I'm so grateful that they live close now so that I can learn from their examples and see what I want out of life. I'm so grateful for you are and the examples you are to me...

The Update...

2009-03-28T08:59:00.002-06:00

So I made this resolve to update my blog once a week...not only for my sake but just so I have a record of my thoughts and feelings in life. We'll see how it goes. So here we go on the update. I've almost completed yet another semester of college....woot woot. While the semester hasn't gone exactly as I would have liked there were a few things that went rather well....

I still have awesome roommates!! While we have our moments of tension and irritation we all have a great time together...
I have successfully contributed to three groups projects. While two of them aren't quite over yet, I've been able to expand my horizons and learn that I have the ability to lead a group. It means I'm growing up...
I've been able to handle my course-load/work schedule and haven't died. There have been some weeks were I have felt close but nothing too bad...
I went to Vegas again this year. This time Aaron was back and it was a blast!! We even made friends with at UNLV fan who I'm pretty sure was drunk the whole weekend. Simply awesome....

While there have been ups there have also been some not so fun moments:

For some reason I'm feeling really disconnected from old friends. I'm not really a fan...
I've only been able to go home once this semester and that was in January. Yes, I realize I've been in college for 3 years and I should be over it but I just love home....
There were moments where I was not so nice to my roommates because of the crap that went on the day/week previous. I'm glad they will put up with me and my dramatics....
Running experiments is really hard....running two in one semester is ridiculous...
Then there is whole toilet freaking out we've had to deal with. The latest involving lots of water and a subsequent kitchen leak, oh fun times...

Basically, I've learned a lot about myself this semester and am ready for it to be over....group projects are definitely not as fun as they are cracked up to be but you learn a lot from them. Hopefully you'll get more musings from my life as time goes on...it will be awesome....

It's Time....

2009-01-21T22:52:00.002-07:00

Cougar fans IT'S TIME.....time to sit down....time to walk out...time to sell those beloved season tickets you've always dreamed about....time to move on....pick a new team....time to admit your fair-weather fanness.....time to sell the blue paraphernalia and change it to re.....ok....I'm getting carried away....let's start over

Cougar fans it's time...time to rally....time to gather around your team...time to use you all-sports passes and season tickets to their greatest extent....time to rise and shout....it's time to be a real fan...

Losing two games at home is not the end of the world. It's like little league, or YAFL, or junior Jazz, or whatever....if you had good parents they didn't leave you at the game because you lost yet another painful game to watch....it's time for the fans to step up...be the proverbial parents and keep cheering the team on....be there....or don't....but if you are there....be there. This is a call to stop being that fairweather fan....the obnoxious fan that throws things onto the court and ends up hurting out team more than proving any kind of point.

And while I'm at it...remember that we all human...athletes and coaches are no different.....

My Year in Review...

2008-12-15T12:31:00.003-07:00

I've been thinking back on this last year and everything that has happened in my life....
1- In January I met the famous Shayla Matthews who revolutionized my world
2-I went to Vegas again for the tournament and this time my mother came along as well
3-I picked up a second job at Comedy Sportz
4-I moved out of the Villa....which was a very sad event. After living there for two years it was really difficult...I still wonder about that decision to this day....
5-I moved into Park Place which is not as glorious as it's Monopoly component.
6-I took a trip to Nauvoo and my dad took a trip off the bed and into a broken femur...
7-I brought my roommate Laurel home with me...she now says she understands why I am the way I am...I'm not sure what that means but I'll take it.....
8-Boy Aaron got home from his mission...woot woot...finally someone who gets what I'm saying at least part of the time
9-The Dark Knight came out....one word...awesome...
10-I got to go to Ohio to see my brother and his family...it was quite the adventure
11-I started another semester and finally had a normal roommate situation...well as normal as it can get...it is me after all
12-I turned 21!!! woot woot....I've decided it's not as exciting to turn 21 if you don't drink...although the oreo ice cream cake was very worth it...
13-I went home for Thanksgiving for the first time in ages. It was upon this occasion that I realized that I'm now older than all of the missionaries....awkward and weird...don't ask me why it just is...
14-I completed said semester...yay!!!
15-I spent yet another Christmas in Utah

Well this may not be very exciting to you all....but it is to me....good to know I actually did something this year...

Welcome to the Facebook World.....

2008-12-04T08:40:00.002-07:00

So I've noticed as of late that I've stopped added people who are my age on facebook and are beginning to add my older sisters, their friends, and even my parent's friends....oh what has this world come to?? Well at least now I know I have no secrets......

Sports Ticker.....

2008-11-23T16:06:00.002-07:00

Okay....it's the end of the football season and here's a review. In the beginning it was good....well except the Northern Iowa game which was a little sketchy....and the Washington game....whew...weren't they a great team?? (just in case you didn't know Washington didn't win a game all season) The wins over a not so great UCLA team and Wyoming were exciting....finally a little football. In my opinion...that's when we got a little too cocky. The rest of the season was riddled with unnecessary mistakes. Now....I don't want to criticize too much. I really to think this season was a step in the right direction. If nothing else it gives our team motivation to improve next season. The loses to TCU and Utah were painful but needed. I now compare this to real life. Sometimes we just float along in life....events occur where we have to suddenly snap out of it and actually do something to help ourselves out.....and sometimes that waking up comes a little too late. I still love BYU football and I always will. I still think Bronco Mendenhall is a great coach and more importantly an outstanding individual. His priorities are what BYU football should be about. Let us as fans rally around him and the team....and help them reach their potential....

Check up....

2008-11-23T15:57:00.003-07:00

Well it's been a few weeks since I last wrote.... Barack Obama is the new president and the now infamous (is that like super famous?? if you don't know it look it up) Proposition 8 passed and all in all the world hasn't totally fallen apart. I wish I had some awesome story of everything that has happened the past few weeks....but I don't really. I went to Ohio to see my newest neice be blessed. This time two of my sisters came along, which was a lot of fun. I definitely haven't spent a lot of time with them without their children and husbands seeing as I was like 11 when that all started. School is still school. It's a lot of work.....well stats is a lot of work the rest is the normal amount of schoolwork. I'm ready for Thanksgiving....a chance to once again step into the brown desert that I call home. Oh....I just remembered something kind of exciting. As those who have talked to my mother about the quality of the apartment I live in I must talk about some recent improvements to the complex. There used to be these cage-like edifices that were in front of the apartments... I am pleased to report that those are now gone. We've upgraded apartment status from Mexican prison to just plain Mexican ghetto.....awesome......

Politics and such....

2008-10-28T09:48:00.002-06:00

It's that dreaded time the rolls around every 4 years...presidential elections. Maybe I'm just a little older and wiser now but it seems that this election has been particularly grueling. While it does have some merits for its many historical "accomplishments" for women and blacks it will be a brutal race to the finish. Can I just express how excited I am for next Tuesday to finally be over?? Which ever candidate wins there will be no moral victory...it will just be a victory. I think I have been somewhat hidden from the heat of the political race because let's face it...I live in Utah and John McCain is going to win here. The only information I get is from national media sources and each has their own opinion about the candidates.

The next president has enough to worry about. I honestly don't know if any man or woman can "fix" the issues facing our nation. There is so much at stake in this election...let's just hope that we choose the man who can best follow the plan that Heavenly Father laid out for our great nation....

Why I Need To Become Less Obsessed with Football....

2008-10-17T11:17:00.005-06:00

In middle school I had very few things going for me. Let's just say my mom was pretty much my only friend in those days....and it was a long three years. Another other "friends" I had were few and far between. I had to find something to occupy my life and that thing was BYU athletics. Luckily my sporting love began with the 2001 football season. That was a great year that culminated in a very very cold and sad....and cold...football game in Memphis, TN. I would call myself a bandwagon jumper, but I was still a fan during the following seasons of the Crowton reign....I think that makes me a true fan. Also during this time I found out that I had a cousin of sorts (my mom's cousin's daughter) on the women's basketball team. Together with boy Aaron and Kaylee we formed the biggest women's basketball club. It was awesome....oh the dreams that came true.

Moving on to high school....I was still the obnoxious BYU fan just a little more docile....okay so selectively docile. In high school I moved past the drooling stage and more into the analytical side of sports. Sure...the player were still men and good looking men at that but I realized that I was approaching their age and that was somewhat stalkerish...Soon I got into BYU and onto the current stage.....

So the whole point of this post was to talk about my obsession with football. I didn't realize until this Thursday during the infamous BYU v. TCU game. After the game, I was totally numb. I drove home....went to bed....got up the next morning and remembered the pain of watching the game....sitting in Aaron's apartment wondering what in the heck happened. I went to work Friday morning not willing to face the truth. I refused to look at CougarFan, ESPN, CBS Sportsline or anything remotely connected with football. I hoped that the drug reps who like to talk football would avoid the office. (I'm still sure one of them was sitting in front of his TV wondering what in the heck happened.) The whole day was blown...totally depressive and sad....and it wasn't even that bad of a day.

It was at this point I decided I didn't want to do anything about my "habit". I mean other kids are hooked on drugs....I am hooked on BYU athletics....to cap the week off I watched the volleyball team get swept by Utah....it was all good....numbness overruled any sad emotion I could feel. I am now in anticipation of the next football game....yay team!!

P.S.-"The Quest" isn't over people....it just extends on until next year. I mean should we continually be on a quest for perfection anyway?? Way to inspire us all to be a little better Bronco.....

Update on the semester so far....

2008-09-29T06:55:00.003-06:00

So this is more of a journal entry...rather boring but meant more so I can remember. This semester has been an interesting one already so far. This semester I have five roommates, instead of three, which is kind of a huge change. Almost always having someone home is both a blessing and a curse. I have still been able to find my precious alone-time moments but they aren't as frequent as they used to be. Thus far there have been no dramatic moments and I am grateful for that.

School is school. I am determined to stop my procrastinating ways and actually get assignments done in a timely manner. So far it's a success but sometimes I get a little distracted...like right now when I'm sitting the library and instead of studying I'm blogging....oops.....I have officially chosen a major (psychology) and will hopefully finish in April 2010. I've also added a minor...yay??....because I took so many communications classes that I'm only three classes away. I need the credits anyway so why the heck not. Yes, I understand that psychology and communications aren't usually correlated together but....I'm just that special.

Work is work. I still work for Nikki...or Dave...or someone. I call medical billing my "real people" job. It's the impressive thing I can say to people about me. Though a series of very strange events I picked up a job at Comedy Sportz which is an improv comedy club in Provo. I do all of the menial labor there (picking up trash, taking reservations). Pretty much everytime I tell people about my two jobs I feel very odd. Talk about very different ends of the spectrum...once again I'm just that special.

So between 14-credits and 30 hours of work there isn't time for much else in life. I do find time to do some things with the family as well as trying to keep in contact with friends both near and far. Lots of fun updates to come I'm sure.....peace....

A little different kind of temple story.....

2008-09-19T20:21:00.004-06:00

Today started like any other day....work, studying you know the usual college type stuff. That all changed when my roommate Tess and I decided to go the Provo temple and do baptisms. Normally in Provo, the process is pretty smooth. Depending on the crowds I have been in and out in about 20 minutes or so...not so tonight.

We got to the temple at around 4:15 after I picked Tess up from playing at one of my other roommate's voice lessons. We walked in and it seemed a little crowded but we weren't too worried because we both wanted a little time to think and just relax in the normally quiet waiting area. Soon after we arrived a ward came in with about 20 youth. I'm pretty sure it was just a Beehive and Deacon activity because they all seemed to be very young children. This caused me a little anxiousness because I knew the temple would put them ahead of all of the people who had just walked in. Not too much of a big deal so I continued to read and contemplate life. Things all changed once we went to do confirmations and the recorder decided that he wanted to give a little talk about the temple...quite loudly. I found out later that he was hard of hearing and so it made a little more sense...but it was still really odd. So we go along about 10 of us in the room just going through the process. After a few people come a new, younger guy comes in to do some of the confirmations...and wow...if he would have been in a race he would have won...he was going through names like he had someplace to be. I think I've come to the conclusion that this much just be part of his personality (you'll understand later).

So after that step we went back into the waiting area to wait for the actual baptism part. I go and sit by Tess who assures me that she was told by someone to sit there....the only problem was...it wasn't the right person apparently. Soon we see people who were confirmed after us go to the front of the chapel and sit in what was really the line for the baptistery . Finally, after about 6 people get in front of us in line we move up to the right line....the ward was still working on getting their boys through the line and for a moment we were content to sit for a moment again.

When we finally got called to go into the baptistery a whole new game began. To get from the waiting area to the baptismal font you have to go back through the dressing room...on our way through a temple worker stops us and tells Tess that she has earrings in and Tess assure her that it is okay because she has worn them before and there hasn't been a problem. Not happy the lady insists that they don't allow any jewelry in the font so Tess looks and me and then of course I have to have something wrong. For the sake of my sanity...I had chosen to put bobby pins in my hair...apparently not so much okay with this particular temple worker...ah...so close...so Tess and I headed back to our locker and put our contrabands away.

On our way back to the font there is a lady there looking desperately for a temple worker. Uhh....let's not really go into this part....we'll go with she needed a article of clothing and we helped her out....end of story...

Finally we get to the waiting bench. Only the problem now is that we have all of these couples coming in to do family names. First the wife goes (who was wearing her wedding ring...) and the husband baptizes and then a temple worker steps in and baptizes the husband. It was quite the process. Meanwhile, the people who are there on stand-by...at this point that's how it feels....keep moving up the bench down the bench. Right before you go into the font there are three chairs away from the benches...that's like golden territory because you are almost there...Tess got the to chairs and then they told us all to move back to the benches. It was an interesting move because one of the witnesses wanted us to move and the other rolled his eyes at him...I sense some hostility there....

Okay so we are sitting on the benches and all of the sudden this guys comes out from the men's locker room and heads down to the bottom of the font area. If you haven't been to the Provo temple....the font sits on the back of 12 oxen and the oxen are on like a different level than the normal floor. The benches were we were sitting are up on the top level and there is like a glass railing thing that keeps people from falling off....anyway...it's some random maintanance guy going to check on something. It was the straw that broke the camel's back....I am somewhat ashamed to say this but I start laughing histerically....quietly but histerically...my whole body was shaking and I was tearing up. Just so you know I'm not crazy Tess was laughing too. Meanwhile, I'm thinking "I've got to sing a hymn or something...Deep breaths..." Unfortunately the only song that came to mind was "In Our Lovely Deseret"....the chorus....hark hark hark tis children's music...the laughter continues....I finally regain myself and we move up...things are looking up for an ending to this experience...and then....

The girl two people in front of us was finally going when one of the witnesses tells her that she has to get out...confused and I think a little embarrassed she starts to get out when she realizes she has a bloody nose....I'm not talking like a single strand of blood here...it was like a fountain...the man hands her a towel and she of course bleeds on it...and the lady who hands out the towels freaks out like the towels are made of gold or something. The worker starts looking for a rag while this girl is standing there...wet, cold, bleeding profusly and I'm sure as embarrassed as heck. I can't help myself...laughter ensues...I mean seriously...this is insane.

Now this is a somewhat gross part and I hope that that girl's blood is clean....instead of cleaning the water like is normal procedure they just keep doing baptisms!!! The girl who they called up seemed almost surprise...revolted...I don't know...scared. So finally it's my turn....I put aside the fact that about 15 minutes before a girl had been bleeding in the water and brave the waters. Okay remember the guy from the confirmation room who was in a race?? Well somehow in the mayhem he had come in to do the baptisms and this is were the theory of his personality comes into play. Let's just say the dunking was a little intense...did I feel like he wanted to drown me...a little...luckily I only did 5 baptisms or else I would have have to stop him....whew...he was one intense man.

Okay...so this basically the end of the story. Tess decided to forgo taking a shower after the baptismal font and went straight to change into her normal clothes...not really realizing wet she truly was...eventually a pool of water formed at the bottom of the locker space and yeah...it was a traumatic moment for her...the perfect ending to this crazy experience. As soon as I walk out of my locker...Tess is standing there and says..."Let's get out of here". I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that about leaving the temple. We quickly headed out and got into the car and went over what just happened.

We were just looking for a little quiet, spiritual moment in the temple. What we got was a whole adventure....what ended up to be a three-hour adventure....

What in the world have I done....

2008-08-23T18:08:00.003-06:00

So lately I've been having a hard time connecting with my "friends". It seems as though all of these people who have promised to be there for everything suddenly have no time. No matter how far in advance I plan or how I hard I work to make it happen it just never does. I'm wondering if this is a problem with me. Maybe I have enabled people by always planning the activities or making time to see or contact others. That must be it....I am too accommodating to people. I spend too much time trying to fit my life into others schedules so that they will talk/or hang out with me. It's not that I blame them. I understand that people have other lives but would it really kill anyone to be with a friend for just an hour or two. I supposed it might be...sorry, I'm ranting...this has been a serious issue on my mind though. A serious issue mostly because it has happened time and time again and I just can't seem to stop it. This is a vicious cycle of life for me and I'm wondering what in the heck I am doing so wrong....any advice would be great....maybe I'm just to whiny or something but I try not to be....

Just a Glimpse....

2008-08-06T14:53:00.001-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about the course of my life. When I was a kid I wanted to be a million different things. Now I have no idea what I want to be. This issue does not only frustrate me but also my parent's greatly. I've tried to get into liking something as a career and I just can't do it. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't much matter what I choose to do as long as I like it and I do it well. There is much trusting in the Lord that all will work out according to plan. During the past two years, I have met so many people and grown so much. There is very little doubt that the Lord has placed every person in my life for a reason and while sometimes it hurts to think back on things of the past I am grateful for the moments I spent with people who taught me more about myself. One thing I know for sure, no matter what lies in store for me in the next year or years to come I can always know that I am one thing....a daughter of God. No matter how hard the world will try to take the knowledge away from me I cannot falter and lose sight of that. There are so many things ahead of me and I cannot give up. Whatever I choose to be in life I must remember to keep the Lord in my life. He will direct me to good and lead me away from those things that will only harm me. He has not lead me astray so far....that is not to say it has always been easy in life. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of a living Savior in Jesus Christ who is willing to intercede in my behalf. He has already made up for my mistakes if I will but to my part I can be clean at the last day and stand before God to be judged. I will not give up and I cannot give up.....

A Lovely Story....

2008-07-17T09:59:00.002-06:00

Inspiration: I went to a Salt Lake Bees game with my sister Shelly and observed a little scene while sitting in the grass of the outfield....

Man, I'm doing my best and she just won't notice me, thought John as he sat looking at the blonde girl of his dreams. With the blond hair and bubbly personality, Jessica was basically anyone's dream girl.

She had shifted around during the game, flirting with almost all the guys present about six total. Her friend Casey had sat by her side and made some minor progress with the fellows but basically ended but serving as a good wingwoman.

Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, John saw water being poured. As he looked over to witness the scene he notice that Jessica was wet and Chuck was very smug. Jessica of course was very concerned about being wet and somehow her attempts at payback were very unsuccessful. (the fact the Chuck was big enough to make a pretty good linebacker probably didn't help the 5'4" girl any)

Jessica came and sat down up the hill from Chuck.

"You probably shouldn't have done that," John said as he took a seat next to her.

"He's going to get it," Jessica said reaching for the last remaining bottle of water not listening to the quiet of John's reasoning.

As she started to open the bottle, John in his quick thinking grabbed the bottle to stop her from making a fool of herself. She fought back and eventually John let go knowing that he could do nothing more.

Chuck suddenly felt a lot of water fall on top of him. Being the proud man that he was, he took the attack in silence, waiting until the water stopped to dry off is expensive phone. John stepped to Chuck and helped him dry off his phone.

In a rage Chuck stormed off, Jessica was quick to follow leaving her high heels behind so she could find Chuck easier.

"Seriously," John said, frustrated at his position in life, "why would she follow after him." At this point he was seriously regretting his nice guy status in life.

Soon Jessica returned, for her shoes. After taking off the second time, John could see Jessica trying fervently to make amends with Chuck and Chuck staving off any attempt.

"That's it...let's go, " John began packing up all of the blankets and things for the group and the others helped with hesitation.

They walked off the grass and into the abyss of life....

Note: This is not great piece of fiction. This is a true story. Names have been changed to protect both the innocent and guilty. Actually, these could actually be their names...seeing as I have no clue who those people actually were I could have nailed them right on the head....

Article from High School...

2008-07-08T22:39:00.002-06:00

I promised some old school stuff....here is a good one....don't judge....

Katie Hnida made history at University of New Mexico by being the first woman to play and score in a Division I-A football game. However, before her historic feat at UNM, Hnida faced another challenge, which she was unprepared to handle.

In 1999, Katie Hnida, not yet a New Mexico Lobo, was instead, a Colorado Buffalo doing what she had always dreamed of doing, playing football. Hnida was recruited by then Head Coach Rick Neuheisel, who soon left Colorado for Washington. Gary Barnett took over and immediately life became miserable for Hnida and her dream became a nightmare.

According to Barnett, "None of the players wanted her on the team. Basically we were doing her a favor." Greeted with that attitude Hnida was harassed by the players from the first practice. She claims that during practice five teammates surrounded her and verbally abused her, making sexually graphic comments.

That was not the end for Hnida. She endured unimaginable taunts during practice. The worst came at the home of a fellow “teammate” where Hnida claims she was raped. Hnida left Colorado and quit kicking for two years. She was depressed and although she told her family about the harassment, she never told her family, or anyone else, about being raped.

In 2002, Hnida braved her fears and walked on to the UNM football team where she was welcomed with open arms. ”I have not had a single problem with any of my teammates at UNM. I have not received any special treatment, nor did I request any. That's a credit to the type of program that Coach (Rocky) Long is running at New Mexico,” said Hnida in a press release telling her side of the Colorado story. .

It seems like a long time since that Colorado experience and Hnida is just recently able to tell the world of the Colorado nightmare. Apparently, Hnida was not the only woman to have a bad experience with the Colorado football program. Since Barnett took over in 1999, seven other women have come forward with allegations against the university claiming that they were sexually assaulted by Colorado football players. "Because all the news sent me back into that nightmare," she says. "It made me literally sick. I realized that until I tell my story, I can never heal."

Hnida picked an opportune time to tell her story. She was being interviewed by Sports Illustrated writer and Colorado alum Rick Reilly and told her story at Colorado. Word quickly spread and Colorado was put on the defensive with the school initially backing Barnett. Then Barnett broke under the pressure and shot back at Hnida; “It was obvious Katie was not very good. She was awful," he said. "Katie was not only a girl, she was terrible. OK? There's no other way to say it." Barnett was placed on paid leave and an interim head coach was put in his place.

There have also been reports that Colorado has called an escort service and strippers on multiple occasions to “entertain” during recruiting parties. These parties have also contributed to some of the sexual assaults allegations the university has faced and does face.

The status of CU has left colleges around the country scrambling to change their recruiting tactics so this will not happen to them. Miami has faced a similar problem where two of their recruits were arrested after leaving a recruiting party. While some universities are scrambling to catch up to the modern world of sexual harassment and underage drinking, some universities appear to have already addressed the issue.

Maybe the answer lies in the players themselves and their abilities to control their actions. Many critics have ridiculed Brigham Young University’s strict Honor Code, but now some are starting to think that the base idea of a signed Honor Code agreement would be appropriate. Sports writer Dennis Dodd says, “BYU's Honor Code would be a good template if the NCAA and its members were serious about cleaning up college sports.”

The real question comes down to this should women play football, and should recruits and athletes be allowed to romp on campus without consequence. Still the fight rages on and the alumni of Colorado can only do as Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly, hope for the best and “Hide [their] class ring[s].”

A little bit of Thanks....

2008-07-08T22:19:00.002-06:00

So lately I've been thinking a lot about my youth and growing up. You know they say it takes a village to raise a child. I think it took a city to make me into who I am today. I owe so much to so many people...sometimes the pressure is overwhelming. Over the past two years I have learned so much about my self and everything it takes to make a person successful. I definitely didn't do it by myself. First of all, my parents are amazing. I know, I know, I complain about them being a little bit over-zealous about my life but as I grow older I understand that most of their nagging is truly for my good. Secondly, there was my ward family throughout the years. Those people are AMAZING!!! I have been so fortunate to come in contact with people who, from my birth, have been rooting for my success in life. Every time I go home I feel more support from those people than almost anyone I have met in Provo. They all want me to be the best person that I can be. Next, teachers. I have had my fair share of teachers throughout the years. Some have made me want to give up but others have harbored me has a fugitive and otherwise guided me through my life. Especially in high school when there were so many times that I thought my whole world would just collapse right in front of me. They took me in and cared way more than they had to. Finally, there are the friends who have seen me through thick and thin. This is a very small and elite group....friends have not been the greatest commodity in my life. Thank you to those who have stuck through everything that I have tossed out at them.

I have so much to be grateful for in life and I understand that overall I must thank my Father in Heaven for placing such people in my life. I could not have made it this far without them. I am so grateful for my Lord and personal Savior Jesus Christ. I am so glad to know that no matter what I am going through there is a perfect, living being who know exactly what I am feeling because He has felt that pain and is willing to help me carry my burdens. There is no way one can make it through life alone, so don't try. I have and it doesn't work and it isn't worth the pain that trying even causes...

Home...

2008-06-27T10:02:00.002-06:00

I would just like to state for the record that I love coming home. Living in a crazy college world there is so much liquidity in life. You move usually once a year...the people around you are constantly changing and you are always trying to impress someone. I came home on Wednesday for a little vacation and man am I feeling good. While being home is not always perfect (nagging parents, lack of social scene) it brings me back to some solid ground. I don't have to try to impress the people here...the already know and love me. I wish I could find somewhere like that in Provo. I have good friends but even that seems to be a little fluid these days. I am grateful for my roommates and Shayla for keeping me on track but there is never anyone who can match the security of home. Every time I go to leave home I always want to cry because I am once again leaving my safe nest and going off into the dark lonely abyss that I call college. One thing is definitely for sure....I never would have missed home if I had never moved away from it.....

Missionary Homecomings....

2008-06-19T16:50:00.002-06:00

I went to the airport to pick up my mom today and was surprised to find a number of families anxiously awaiting the return of their missionaries. One family didn't seem quite right to have a missionary and I soon realized that they were actually waiting for a serviceman to come home. The serviceman came home first and it was so amazing to see his wife run to him....his kids had been asking their mom every 10 seconds when their dad would be there and she kept telling them 10 minutes as if that would stop them from asking again. The youngest daughter wouldn't let the dad hold her which was a little sad but so true of most young kids with dad's at war. That was when the tears started....not a full on cry put I had tears....it was somewhat embarrassing. Then out of the floodgates came the missionaries. The first person to hug every single on of the missionaries was their mother. Almost simultaneously the mothers started to cry as their suns came out from behind security. Once again I had to hold myself together....it was truly a beautiful sight...

The Return of Me....

2008-06-11T12:48:00.000-06:00

So I've been feeling a little out of character lately and so have not found the time to update this amazing piece of work called blog. It's been a crazy couple of weeks....It started with a trip...the details of which will eventually be posted as well but for now just know that there was a trip...to Missouri/Illinois where my dad fell and hurt his hip...eventually it cracked and all "heck" broke loose. Everything is on the mend but it was a tough couple of weeks but we all got through it. I've decided that more than anything I hate making friends...that sounds stupid I realize but the whole process is just a little bit crazy. You move to a new place and basically have to start all over...and well I'm just going to say I suck at making friends...I am just no good. I always try to be witty but end up saying something stupid instead. Luckily I move with people who have skills and hence latch on to their friends....I hate socialness....

A Tornado Through the Midwest.....

2008-05-28T08:33:00.002-06:00

I thought this would be a perfect place to do a play-by-play of my trip to New Mexico, Missouri, and Illinois.....

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

So I got up for work like any normal day...except I was leaving early to fly to Albuquerque. Yes I understand that is not exactly close to the intended destination of St. Louis but I flew home to help my parents with my 2-year-old nephew on a plane. So after a few short hours at work I headed up to the airport. Of course I was early because I always am but it was alright. The flight went on with little event. For some reason I was so glad to see the brown ground below me as I landed in Albuquerque...very strange feeling for sure. It was good to be home. I watched part of the finale of American Idol and then grabbed some Denny's with some friends. It was a good time and I really wished it would have lasted longer. When I arrived at the house, Chad and Darbie had already taken off for St. Louis where we would meet them the next day. Jay and I played hardcore until we put him to bed.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

It was a race to the airport...for anyone who knows my mother you might understand that getting out of the house and to the airport on time was not an easy task. Adding a 2-year-old to the mix didn't help much. We did however finally make it to the airport where we met my dad and began the actual vacation. The airport was a bit of a tramatic experience (as everything with a 2-year-old is) but the flight was relatively uneventful...thank heavens for that one. Once in St. Louis it was time to figure out how to get all of the luggage along with all of us to where it needed to be. St. Louis has a little bit of a southern flair and I LOVED IT!!!! The people were very laid back and for some reason I fell in love. We made it to a hotel where we were met by Chad and Darbie and handed off Jay. This is where the real fun of the trip began.

Friday, May 23, 2008

I was sleeping quite cozily in my bed when suddenly I feel someone tugging on the sheets and eventually getting into bed with me. A little bit confused I look over and ask my mother what she is doing. She says she can't sleep....so apparently moving to my bed would help her sleep better. The only problem with her brilliant plan is that I now can't sleep because she is all over the place. They used to complain when I was little about moving around a lot and now I know where that comes from!! Losing a few hours of sleep isn't a big deal....the big deal happened at about 6:30 when all the sudden a shout comes from the other end of the room: "I'm Dead". A little confused I open my eyes and see my mom looking on the floor next to the other bed in the room. "I think I broke my hip" was the next pained cry. All my mom could say was "Pray" and that's just what I did. I turned onto my knees in bed and prayed...for what I'm not really sure because I didn't really know what was going on except that I was scared for whatever it was. Eventually my dad got up and moved which was a relief to all, well kind of. Later that morning the full realization came to play. My dad had tried to get out of bed by supporting himself on a chair that was next to the bed. Unfortunately that chair had wheels and whoosh....there went the chair and my dad.

The plan for Friday was to drive to Hannibal, MO which is the birthplace of Mark Twain. If you don't know who Mark Twain is....don't worry about it you still won't know if I tried to tell you....Hannibal was an interesting little tourist traps with lots of antique shops and craft stores. The main historic street also had a few museums and such. The only thing my mom wanted to do was to go to "Injun Joe's Cave"....which once again if you don't know don't worry about it. I kind of liked to walk around the little stores and actually bought something from one of the craft stores. I know calm down...I bought something that was already made. My mom took my dad into the urgent care clinic (which I'm sure must have been a hoot and a half) and they took X-rays and said that there was no breaks or cracks and he would be okay if he just walked with a cane. In her true fashion my mom tried to get pain meds for dad that would work well with his liver. The people at the clinic wouldn't give them too her...they probably thought that she was a drug pusher, but she really was just trying to look out for the poor man's liver.

So cane and all we pushed forward through to the steamboat ride at night. At this point I should probably clue you in on who all is on this trip at the moment. Right now it's the parents, me, my brother Chad, his wife Darbie, and Jay. Also along for the trip are the Turners who are some family friends who live in Pullman, WA. Apparently, the Turners met my parents when they lived in Albuquerque and joined the church. The Turners have a daughter named Erin, who is about my age so you can only imagine how cute everyone thinks that is. So the crew heads onto this steamboat where we enjoy a fabulous meal and watch some dancing. Jay decided he wanted to dance and headed to the front of the ship where some older couples were dancing. He gladly joined in with them and entertained the whole ship. Man, I love that kid!! It was an overall good time. We then headed back to the hotel and slept....peacefully....thank heavens.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

This was the morning of all mornings....the day we got to go to Nauvoo. In the morning the adults went to the temple while Erin, Jay, and I stayed in the lobby of our hotel and waited for them to finish. Once they were done we relaxed a little and then went to dinner at this buffet at the Nauvoo Hotel. One thing that is interesting about Nauvoo is that the people in the west part of town are not members of the church...It's all residents who sell Mormon paraphenalia to tourists. The east side is divided into the LDS and the Community of Christ churches....it's all very interesting. Anyway, this is the point in the trip when everything blends into one. After dinner we walked on the main street in downtown Nauvoo and got some chocolate from this really good shop and then looked in a couple of other stores.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

We got up and went to the Illinois, Nauvoo Mission sacrament meeting, which was pretty awesome. It was only an hour and a half meeting and the speakers were missionaries who were about to come home. Most of the missionaries there were older couple missionaries so it was interesting to hear their experiences serving on the many sites and in the temple in Nauvoo. After the meeting we went back to the hotel and took a nap (blessed day!!!). After the nap we headed over to Carthage where we visited the place of the Martydom of Joseph Smith. Even though it was my third time being there I still loved to feel the Spirit and know that someone so great had died there. Then we headed off to see some of the sites in Nauvoo. I LOVE Nauvoo...there is nothing better than to be there and to feel the spirit of the early pioneers and all of the sacrifices. Every time I go there I can feel the spirit of Joseph Smith so clear and it helps me to press on in the midst of all of my afflictions and trials.

Monday, May 26, 2008

I knew the today would be my favorite part of the trip. We started the day doing baptisms in the temple. What a perfect way to start!!! I have decided that I really really want to get married in the Nauvoo temple...I know cliche or whatever but I just love it! After the temple we headed to the visitors center to get our tickets for the shows that we were going to see that day. We then went over and visited some of the houses, including the Browning Gun Shop and the Scovil Bakery. Then we headed off to see Just Plain Anna Amanda. It was a cute children's show put on the by the young performing missionaries in Nauvoo. Even thought it was for kids I've got to confess that I kind of liked it. Then we saw more sites....while this may seem to be getting boring to you it really wasn't to me!!! Then we went to the visitor's center to see our second show High Hopes and Riverboats. It was also performed by the young performing missionaries and has a little bit of romance in it so we all know that I loved it!! After that show we ate dinner and did some shopping in the newer part of town. Then we went to see Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo. This show was done by the older missionary couples. It is always hiliarious because some just aren't really the performing type, but they all get up there and do it anyway!! To cap off the trip we went to the night show called Sunset on the Mississippi which is kind of a variety show of all of the missionaries. It was the perfect way to end the trip!!! Walking back to the car was a little scary because the show was outside and it was dark and dad can't see in the dark. Mom and I (with the help of some sister missionaries) had to lead him to the car. It was a scary experience because not only could he not see but he wasn't very stable because of the bad hip...(you probably forgot about that but it will come again later)...

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Mom and Dad's anniversary!!! I think this was their most special anniversary...well to me it was the most special of their anniversaries. During the day my mom would look at the clock and tell me things about their wedding day that I hadn't heard before. We got up in the morning and went to the Lyon Drug store, which for some reason I had missed my last two times in Nauvoo. Then we headed down the road to St. Louis. When we got to St. Louis we decided to drive up to the arch (we had a lot of time to kill). It was kind of a cool little structure although I was more interested in downtown St. Louis. We also saw the Rams' Stadium....which is the first NFL stadium I think I've seen that close. Then we headed to the airport where we sent dad off to Albuquerque and Mom and I went to Salt Lake.

Whew....I finally made it through the trip log. After the trip dad's hip gave out and cracked completely. Mom immediately flew home and dad called an ambulance to come get him and take him to the ER. Nearly 15 hours after he got to the ER that transferred him to the Presbyterian Hospital downtown. He had a very successful surgery on Thursday and was sent home Monday. His mom flew down from Utah to help take care of him. He's going a little stir crazy but is finally starting to heal.

Genius

2008-05-14T11:45:00.000-06:00

So I've been reading through my old journals/story notebooks and I have discovered one thing....I am a genius. Every one of my stories has original content, never been seen by others before. I wonder why I didn't rush to the publishers right then so I could have the rights for those story ideas. Ok, ok, I know what you're thinking...there is no way that I could be right...how could a simple girl have the most original ideas ever....well she didn't. The truth is the stories I wrote were the same as every other story I could see on TV. Of course there were some original thoughts brought into my stories but most were a mixture of afterschool specials and Nancy Drew books. I do have to say that I was insanely consistent in my storylines. Some kind of boy/girl drama, one boy good the other bad, girl has to choose, chooses good guy but bad guy somehow steals her away (not her heart but quite literally steals her), and then heroic good guy comes to save the day. It is somewhat disappointed that I spent hours of my childhood writing the same story over and over and over again....I could have done something productive like had friends or something...oh well it's over now.....

The Beginning

2008-05-12T15:52:00.000-06:00

Ok, I am the WORST journal writer ever!!! I thought this might help. Plus this summer I'm completely bored and Shayla's suggestion drove me to this. Not only will I update with things from the modern day but I will dreg through the writings of the past. I promise no high quality entertainment but it should produce a chuckle every once in a while. If anything in my past offends you or someone else...deal...this is my life as I see it. It truly is my crazy life!!!