Yay October!!!

This blog is long overdue.

First of all, I can relate a funny story. Not so much funny as completely humiliating to me. I have a cold. I caught a cold from Carrie and have been suffering from all aspects of it since Thursday. Yesterday I took a day off and missed church and sat on the couch, blowing my nose, coughing, in pajamas for the whole day. Picture it, will you? I didn't brush my teeth. I didn't do my hair. I didn't change my clothes. I lay on the couch watching a rerun of Saturday morning conference and movies all day long. (I did bake the potatoes for the Break the Fast. Well, my mother did most of the work but I helped put them on the oven rack. So I did do something for my YSA responsibilities.) My family came home from church and we were about to sit down to dinner and....there was a knock on the door. I am between stages of consciousness and I hear two men at the door. No, not missionaries. Ryan Kent and Jubal Stewart!!! Came to see me and wish me well! Did I mention that I looked like crap?!
It was a nice visit. And I refused to look in the mirror the rest of the day. I refuse to know what I really looked like. My hair wasn't standing up in awkward places. I do know that. As for the rest of me, I can imagine- and it isn't pretty.
FYI to those men that really are being gentlemen like my two friends- CALL FIRST!!!

Second- I turned in my monstrous portfolio for my possible internship at the Church Magazines. Ah! I hope I get it. But I can't really get my hopes up too high because I've been burned too often before. Keep the prayers coming...

And it is FALL BREAK! YAY!

Life is a Rollercoaster Ride.

There are moments when I sit back and take a good long look at life. Every time, I'm surprised by what I see. Good times. Bad times. Those when you can't help but laugh and giggle. Those where all you can feel is pain. Mom always says, "Life is hard, and then you die."
Every time I start to feel this way, I try and look at the good things, at my tender mercies.
Today, these are my tender mercies:

My friend Pixel! If I started to explain, I'd go on forever. I simply LOVE this girl to the moon and back. (I love this picture. It is so us. I can't even remember what we were laughing about, but something must have been funny.)

YELLOW!!!! Thanks so much for the chat the other day! It made my week. I love you Yellow, more than words can say :)

My hero! I don't know how this girl does it, but she can always bring a smile to my face. She is the toughest girl I have ever met. Just sitting on the couch and watching Gilmore Girls for an hour becomes my favorite part of the day.

My London Friends! They are what made London worth all the trouble. I wouldn't trade it for anything.



And Last but most definately NOT least- My amazing family! They are always the tender mercy that brings me through. I love you!

I love people. They are the ones that help me become a better person. They are the ones that change me for the better.

BAH!!!

So, I'm two weeks into school and already I can feel the pressure building. I'm graduating. Soon. The more I say it, the more I think it will be real. It hasn't worked yet.
I walked into work today thinking that I had a long night of a wedding dinner ahead of me. Then realized that the wedding dinner is tomorrow. I feel like a dork. Good thing, because I am a dork.
Walking on campus gives me a funny feeling. I feel like it is where I should be, and then I go a whole day without seeing anyone that I know! That hasn't happened to me before. Not trying to brag about popularity or anything, because heaven knows, I've never had that.
I keep having thoughts that life is good, but once again, it isn't what I planned on. I just keep swimming. Too bad that it is swimming upstream.

Still, in all of that, there are moments when I get a glimpse of the good things in life. I just read a friend's blog where she listed all the little things that keep her going in a day. So here are some of mine:
-Only paying $147 for my tuition instead of the thousand that I was worried about. Pell Grants are great miracles!
-Getting butterflies
-New music on my iPod
-Running (Never thought I would list that as a positive)
-Catching up with highschool friends
-Knowing that I'm special to someone else, even with my dorkiness.

There are dozens of negatives that I could share. But who really wants to know all about those? A small nugget of wisdom that I have tried to live by: Smile before bed. You'll sleep better.

My Last First Day of School (at least for now)

in a word? SCARY!

But it actually felt like I never left. I don't know how that is possible because a bunch has happened since last spring semester.

Today I completely redid my schedule. Two hours in the library and the only thing that stayed the same was a class with Kaufman and friends. But this means I will be a member of Singers for another semester. (well, hopefully)

             AND FOOTBALL STARTS NEXT WEEK :)

Thoughts...

I haven't seen a sunset for three days. Why? Because I've been locked in JSMB for everyone's wedding luncheon or reception.  I have no idea why August is the wedding month in Utah. I keep thinking it should be June, but then what do I know?After 3 straight days of double shifts:

Is it really worth it for $8 an hour?

My feet hurt.

All my muscles are tight. A bubble bath sounds good right now...

I haven't seen family or friends for 3 whole days. JSMB- you're killing my social life.

Good thing I don't have to go back until Tuesday. We need a break from each other.

And I'll be watching the sunset tonight! Maybe with friends :)

Happy Birthday to Me...in 19 days!

I am almost 23! Scary!!!

Sadly, this year, I'm afraid that it is going to be just another day. My mother usually gets after me to make a birthday list but I think this year, with everything that has gone on, I'll just keep wishing for things instead of giving a list. But---if I were to make a list, this is what I would wish for:

-a pair of Toms

-a day off work

-tuition money

-a party with my friends

-a haircut

-a pedicure

-new clothes

-a mode of transportation

The Highlights

It has been a crazy long time since I've posted. Reason being that my blog went on the fritz and I couldn't figure it out. Thanks to my wonderful sister Maggie, I'm back in business!

* First of all, Carrie is doing great. She is the miracle constantly in my life. Pretty soon, she'll be running circles around me.

* My best friend is engaged! Pixel (aka Jessica Taylor) is marrying Data (aka Doug Hendrickson) on November 19 and I couldn't be happier. I was priviledged to be able to go dress shopping this past week, and all I can say is that I wish I looked that good in a dress. I have gorgeous friends.

* Banquet Serving is a constant adventure. I'm so happy that I am meeting such wonderful people. Every event makes me smile. Well, almost every event. Either smile or grimace. And whenever my day happens- I want my luncheon to be on the 9th floor in the Harmony room. Seriously! How perfect is that??? It has my name and it has an AWESOME view of the temple. The room is smaller but more intimate. The kitchen is a beast on that floor, but I'm sure the servers working WHENEVER I get married can deal.

*BRIGHTON REUNION WAS AMAZING!!! I love that fact that even though I don't work there this summer, Brighton goes on forever. I'm always a part of it and it is always a part of me. Sounds a little cheesy, but I'm being completely sincere. I helped out some and felt a little bit of that ownership that I felt last year as a Program Director. I switched shoes with Splash so that she could climb up the perch- now that's true friendship. Love her! I was next to the Pixel as she led the Brownie Hike and it was amazing! Love her too! I hiked up Clayton's Peak (Jibber's Peak) for the sunrise and the sky was a BE-U-tiful shade of red. I bonded with Jeep and Kim who worked up at camp in the early 60s. I watched a 77 year old lady climb up the perch and realized I have no excuse for anything. If she can do that without a fret, I can do hard things too! I finally painted my name next to Rally in the Nibik from last year. I still have to paint it in the Pine, but I'll get to that sometime later. I loved when the committee did a "Remember When..." and we all sang songs together. All meaning- everyone that has ever worked at camp that was there. It was life changing. Quoting Pix- I love this moment! Then to top it off- the massive Shadows Creep that encompased the entire space between the rock and the barn. We even walked on the grass! (gasp! Don't tell Floss :) ) I love my Brighton friends, so dearly! And I will forever! Thanks gals and Maintenance men for constantly changing my life "for good."

*I spent Pioneer day with my best friends Darling and Jibber. We spent the weekend up in Logan at Willow Park and the American Heritage Center. I learned how to throw a tomahawk. Turns out I'm pretty good at it. The lasso throwing- not so much. We were able to go to a free Peter Brienholt concert. Usually he isn't my favorite, but I really liked listening to his music. More watching Jib's face when she figured out the song that was coming next by the first few notes or the intro. Sorry Peter. Your music's okay. Then to end the night and a great weekend we watched fireworks at Willow Park. We saved a spot but were too into the concert that we didn't have time to go all the way back to our chairs. We just laid down on some grass and truly had the best seats in the house.

So I guess- all in all- life is good. I'm still trying to figure out school and money and the job situation. And how NOT to fail in my calling. And boys...(what else is new...) But as my friend Asia says, "Everything comes out in the wash." I just have to work on my patience. Crap.