Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Ka-Cha!

You know how teachers always tell you to title your paper after you write it? I hate that. It's next to impossible for me to start a blog post (even if I know exactly what I want to write...which most of the time isn't the case by the way) until I've titled it. It's always a challenge. So "ka-cha!" - it has a double meaning:
1. I'm listening to a playlist I named "ka-cha!"
2. I had bruised knuckles earlier this week. I'm assuming I fought a ninja in my sleep.
Classes were really good today. I enjoy class. Outside of class work...not so much. But class? Love it. Here are some fun/interesting things I learned today:
  • For 2 centuries (I think it was the 3rd-5th century) everything was written in all caps with no spaces between words. Brother Johnson showed us an example from one of the earliest manuscripts of the Bible. It was in Greek, so obviously I wouldn't have been able to read it anyway, but it looked super confusing. Just imagine translating that! GODISNOWHERE is one example Bro. Johnson gave us. God is nowhere, or God is now here? Big  difference!!!
  • Theoretically, if you shot a cannon ball fast enough from the top of a high enough mountain it would never hit the ground because gravity would pull it down and the curve would be the curve of the earth, so the cannon ball would just orbit the earth.
  • The 3 doctrinal pillars in the Plan of Salvation (the creation, fall, and atonement) can be used as a metaphor for relationships/marriage. The creation is, of course, when the relationship is formed. At first the relationship may be Garden of Eden-like. Then comes the fall. Things don't go perfectly, and that's God's plan. He wants us to have experiences to help us grow. The atonement in the relationship/marriage metaphor is making up. Reconciling.
Haha, I thought about adding another bullet point about how I learned I'm not athletic tonight at our ward activity, but then I realized I didn't really learn  that today. I've known that for a looooong time. But the activity was still fun! We had a fire/smore/sports night up in the canyon. The more I meet people, the more I love my ward. It's going to be a great year :)
Except for Thursdays. Thursdays will be rough. Here's to being on campus from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.! At least there's a football game tomorrow to look forward to :)

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Per Jessica's Request...

Jessica sent my the sweetest message to wake up to this morning. She's the greatest. She told me to have a great day and to blog about it, so here I am blogging away just for Jess.

I only had one class today: Survey of World Religions. I am super excited about the things I will learn in this course, but also a tad nervous about understanding the professor. Dr. Choi is Korean...like very, very Korean. As in, moving back to Korea after this semester. But if I can understand through his accent, I think he will be an awesome teacher. He is a convert to the church and has lived in a part of the world completely foreign to me.

After class I had my first full shift at work. It was super, oober busy. But it went well. I'm getting back into the swing of things.

Since I work "closer" to the temple, I decided to head to the temple as soon as I got off work. Have I mentioned how walking all over the place is killing me? I'm pretty sure by the time I have a degree I'll need foot and knee surgery. Anyway, that was like a 20 minute walk. And it was hot. I talked to Mom and got the scoop on Hurricane Isaac and updated her on my life. Finally, I made it to the temple. It was so nice to be back at the Provo temple :)

On my way home (which was a 45 MINUTE walk!!!!!!) I talked to Grandma and Mom...again. If you ever want a phone call, just let me know and I'll put you on the "oh my gosh I'm so bored of walking" call list. I felt like such a pioneer treking to the temple and back.

Don't fret, I did eventually get home. I've been trying to get some reading done for class, but I keep getting distracted. A girl in our complex, Sandra, came over for a bit. And then Greta, Chloe and I started talking. We tried to do 20 minutes study sessions with joke breaks, but I think we failed within the first minute. So now I'm alone in my room, because being alone helps you focus...right? Except really I'm just blogging...

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Numero Uno

I am in the 1st ward. That's right, #1. Of the hundreds of wards, I am in the very very first. That MUST mean it will be fantastic. Our church is oh so cute, but I haven't met very many people. I had to miss ward prayer because I had to work :( I was bummed, but then Caroline  came and suprised me at work! It was a joyous reunion.

It rained today (of course while I was walking to work) and it made me a little sad that I'm missing the hurricane in Louisiana! I like the excitement of hurricanes. But if the power goes out then I won't be jealous any more. I rather like air conditioning.

First day of classes tomorrow :)

So You Think You Can Dance?

After a fun-filled and productive day, Megan talked Greta, Sharnell and I into going country dancing. We got there early for the instruction part and learned 2 line dances, but then it was all this couple stuff...blehhh. When the instruction ended and the real dancing began there were no line dances. NONE! For the entire first half hour!!! We just stood in a back corner and watched people and there amazing country dancing/acrobatic skills. Finally, FINALLY, there were a couple of line dances. But then of course it went right back to couple dances (welcome to Provo - the marriage factory).

It was also extremely hot. Like...Louisiana hot. So we took a break outside and cooled down. When we went back inside we were more towards the front and not in our little back corner. Turns out, if you don't hide you get asked to dance a lot more. Thanks to many good teachers, I learned some pretty sweet moves. I did all kinds of fancy turns and this leaning move and a thing where I had to jump into this guys arms and even a dip where my feet were in the air (Okay...so that one kind of freaks me out. I mean, trusting someone you just met not to drop you on your head is a big deal).

On a completely other note, my church doesn't start until 2:00!!! Can you believe that? And we have sacrament last. Weird. The good news is we don't have church on campus. We are in one of the only actual church buildings and it is oh so adorable. Seriously one of the cutest LDS churches I've seen. I'll have to post a picture of it....eventually.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

24 hour party time

Well, I am definitely back to college living. I woke up at 5:15 a.m. to catch my flight (4:15 Utah time)....and it is currently 2:45 a.m. I am completely moved in! But not checked in...so shhhh ;) I spent the day catching up with friends and unpacking. Mostly unpacking. Then we did a little grocery shopping - much needed or else we would STARVE. Megan and I went to return the car to her brother, and ended up staying to play games until 1:30 a.m. Oh yes, I am definitely back at college.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Leaving home to go home

Well folks, this is it. My last night in Lousiana (until Christmas). I can't say I'm exactly sad to leave. Yes, this is home. But Provo is home too. And yes, my family is here. But I have a Provo family as well. It's time to go back to school and boy oh boy am I excited.

Some highlights from this summer:

Girls's Beach Trip

BABIES!

Sabra
The Unck girls...and the princess who did not fit in any of the dress-up dresses

my personal favorite, Pierson (my nephew)
 Mom's 50th Birthday


Sweet Southern Storms


The fire alarm going off for THREE HOURS due to above pictured storm

Dad's remedy for the fire alarm problem
 Lots of Letters
note: not all letters are pictured
Brownies and a sweet card from this girl
Lauren...the new me at the attorney's office I work worked for
Livia's Homework

This summer also included reading a bijillion books, getting my wisdom teeth out, getting glasses, finally buying new red heels (sigh...it was time to move on), and a ton of other fun adventures.

But now it's time to move into my big girl apartment. I am about to burst with excitement to see all my Utah friends. This time tomorrow night I'll be with Jessica! And then Saturday I'll be reunited with Megan, Greta, Chloe and I'm sure Caroline will pop in too! 

THE END (of summer that is)

Monday, August 13, 2012

I'm Southern Ya'll

Jambalya by Boxcar Willie on Grooveshark
Okay, so really I'm a total faker. I moved to the south in 5th grade. My parents are by no means Southern. So classifying myself as a southerner is a huge exaggeration. However, I do have my moments.

Yesterday for dinner Mama and me, we made us some homemade fried chicken, biscuits and gravy. Now, of course we made da whole meal straight from scratch. And we was real careful to speak real Southern while we done it.

Yes, it is a fact. When making a Southern meal one most speak with a thick Southern accent. And boy was it yummy!

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Half a Century

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

Today is my mom's 50th birthday! Can you believe it? That's a loooong time to be alive. I've been giving her grief about how old she is all day, but it's only because I love her. If we didn't get along so well, I wouldn't dare tease her. But because she is not only my mother, she is also my friend, I feel 100% comfortable dishing out the old woman jokes.

To celebrate Mom being "over the hill" I wore black. We went to lunch (although that was also a celebration of Liv's last day of summer...school starts tomorrow!). The real celebration started once I was home from work. I cooked dinner (chicken tortilla soup - her request) and Liv made her a yummy cookie cake. Joe, Kori, and Pierson came over to join in the party. Pierson loved  the '50' balloon I got for Mom. We enjoyed a lovely dinner, sang, and watched Mom open her present. After presents I quizzed the family on some 1962 trivia. It was fun to see how much things cost 50 years ago compared to today! Fun fact: The Beverly Hillbillies was the new hit show the year my mom was born, hahahaha. After the blast from the past trivia, I surprised Mom with a slideshow/video I had made of pictures of her. While she was in Indiana with Grandma, I broke into her memory trunk and scanned a bunch of old pictures. It was fun compiling my 50 favorites to set to music and suprise her with.




Happy 50th birthday to the best mommy a girl could ask for. A mom who not only does my laundry, but listens to me whenever I feel like talking. A mom who will stay up as late as I want her to just because I have a funny story to tell. A mom who cleans the house and cooks yummy dinners. A mom who gives advice, but isn't pushy. A mom who cares, but doesn't smother. A mom that understands I don't want anyone to talk to me, hug me, or really interact with me at all in the morning. A mom whose smile lights up the room. A mom who is a great example. A mom who serves others every waking moment. A mom who showed me what love really means.

Happy birthday Mom. I love you.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Stressin'

This Olympic stuff stresses me out. Gymnastics is my favorite to watch, but man oh man does it stress me out. I'm always worried they're going to get hurt. And even in sports where I'm not as scared about the athletes getting injured (such as swimming) I get stressed out when it's a close race. I guess this is why I could never be a serious athlete. Well, that and  the fact that I'm not very coordinated.

I love the Olympics, but my blood pressure feels otherwise.

Happy Mother's Day to Me, a Plant Mom

I really love my plant babies. I didn't know how much I would enjoy being a plant mom. In the past, I've basically killed e...