randomly, beastly, kissingly decisions

Sad news. The nurse from the famous V-J Day photo died on Tuesday. She was 91 years old. The story behind the picture--she didn't know the sailor who grabbed her and kissed her. What a kiss from a total stranger! I would be okay with that! This photo was deemed the best "kissy" photo of all time by the girls of Colonial Apartment 501. And we were pretty much the experts on kissy photos and movies.

Last weekend I had the unique opportunity to have a makeover done, and it was for FREEEEEEE! (reference to Bedtime Stories). Mom entered me into a contest, and I won. I guess she wrote something about me, but she hasn't let me read it yet. The stylist was Audrey Lynn Fuller, who my mom used to babysit, though she is now Audrey Pentico. I was there for three hours in which time she cut and styled my hair, did my makeup, and gave me a heavenly facial. It was a little nerve-racking at first, but I warmed up to it. I am very happy with the results, although it means I have to wake up earlier in the morning to do my hair and makeup. I haven't been so good at that this semester.

I had another unique experience just yesterday. I received a phone call from a student from the University Relations Department last week, and she invited me to Tuesday's devotional luncheon. The school hosts a luncheon every Tuesday before devotional, and it's only for a small group of people. There were about ten (randomly selected) students there, along with a woman from the University Relations Department, Kevin Miyasaki (the Dean of Students), President and Sister Clark (BYU-I president), and Elder and Sister Winkel (former member of the Seventy and the devotional speaker). We sat around a big table and introduced ourselves. It was pretty intimidating to be sitting in the company of these seemingly untouchable "celebrities" and sharing my life history. President Clark then asked for questions. The conversation immediately turned to... you guessed it... dating and marriage. What else? That's all we talk about at BYU-Idaho! Actually, the conversation was really good. One girl said the she is frustrated because guys just want to hang out, and she wants to date. She asked what she can do to encourage boys to date instead of hang out. One of the Winkels (I don't remember which one) said that it's okay to refuse when boys want to hang out, but that we also need to say things like "How about we just go on a date instead?" and not give them the option to fall into the hanging out rut. It makes sense, I guess, but easier said than done. Sister Clark, however, said that the most important thing we can do is be happy. I thought this advice was great. She went on to say that boys are attracted to happy girls. She encouraged us to not sit around and wait to get married, but to pursue education and careers, and marriage and family will fall into place; of course she also cautioned us against getting totally consumed by education and careers. I guess what I appreciated most about her advice is the fact that she didn't meet and marry President Clark until after she had graduated from BYU. It gives me hope, and it reconfirms my decision to continue working for my degree and career.

One more month of school. The summer weather is upon us, and to use a phrase coined by my nephew Talmage, it's "beastly hot." I am SOOO ready to be done with this semester! Love it. But must end it now before I die of summer-itis!

where i've fallen

Somewhere in my incredibly busy life (to be said with incredible sarcasm) I found time to clean my room. Who knew that I had a floor! All this time I thought that if I were to remove the clothes and papers and books and empty orange G2 bottles (by the way, my FAVORITE drink, besides Barq's of course), I would fall right through what should have been the floor and land in the downstairs bathroom. I forget how big my room really is--it's really not big, but when the floor is clear, it seems a lot bigger. Instead of falling through my floor and into the bathroom, my life has taken some interesting turns, and I've fallen in some unexpected territories.

As most of you know, last week I made a quick trip to Washington. It was definitely too quick. I had so much fun playing with Sierra, Sophie, Rochelle, and LaMar. I also forget how much I miss Sarah, Brian, Justin, and Jessica. I had just as much fun with them as I did with their kids. I also forget how much I miss Grammy and Pa. I went to their house one night and had such a good time watching Dancing with the Stars with Grammy, our favorite past time when I was living there. And--SURPRISE!--I went on a date when I was there! The first one since Senior Ball. No, not a big deal, though, so don't get your hopes up. I went to Jamba Juice with Nathan, a friend that I've known since third or fourth grade. We had a great time talking until we were kicked out at closing time. I've never been kicked out of somewhere before. What an experience! We had a lot of fun, though.

In less than two weeks I'm going to San Antonio. I'm SOOO excited to see Aaron's family. I haven't seen them in a while. I have been rotating through pictures of my nieces and nephews on my desktop. Here are the featured pictures so far, starting with the first I put on, down to the one I have on their now:

No matter how many times people ask me, I cannot pick a favorite niece or nephew. I love them all equally. So these pictures are in no particular order. In a few weeks I will put this picture up of Sierra, and then I'll start all over:

I am putting a new feature on my sidebar--on the desktop. That's where I'll put my current desktop background.

For those of you who haven't heard yet, I'm officially changing my major this next semester. I have been a creative writing English major since I first started at BYU-Idaho. Not much is changing though. I'm just going into English education with a focus on creative writing. You all know how much I love writing and reading, so I've decided to share that love with other people. This way I'll be able to have a steady job, and I can spend my summers writing. I think it's a good arrangement. Now the issue stands with what language I'm going to learn. In high school I studied Japanese, but BYU-Idaho doesn't have a Japanese program. So, look to the sidebar poll and vote on which language you think I should study!

I am going back to school in a few weeks. It's coming up fast! I can't believe how the time has gone, but I'm glad. I'm ready to dive back into school. I can actually say now that I will miss Utah. I have become very active in the Singles' Branch, and I will miss that. But I'm also excited to be a student again.

Until next time...

calendar girl

Today I changed my calendar from January to February. Since Stephanie has been making family calendars, each month's end always presents a certain excitement. What will the new month look like? Which family pictures made it into this year's edition? I have looked through this calendar several times, but I am still excited when the pictures of the new month proudly overlook my occasionally-clean bedroom. As you may or may not know, I turn 22 on Sunday. I decided to give my own version of how my 22nd year of life has played out. I hope you enjoy:

FEBRUARY
~ A visit from Mom and Dad in Rexburg to take me shopping for new shoes (thank goodness!) and a meeting involving an assessment of the temporary living arrangements with the Samuelson family.
~ The sudden passing of President Hinckley and welcoming in of President Monson, just in time for the Rexburg Temple Celebration (I was one of seven from my ward to go) and the Dedication (a truly uplifting and enriching experience)
~ A lot of panic attacks and mixed emotions, counseling, medications--basically a nightmare.
~ Trip home for a weekend with Grammy and Sierra. The best part--shopping for a blessing dress for Sophie! Dad is right in Grammy's eyes.
~ The decision to medically withdraw from school. Again, a nightmare.
~ Acceptance into the NULC (National Undergraduate Literature Conference) at Weber State in April

MARCH
~ A tearful farewell to Rexburg and the move "home." For the first time, I actually live in Syracuse
~ A week of hell, followed by a two-week trip to Seattle to see newborn Sophie. Despite all the struggles, a definite highlight.

APRIL
~ General Conference in Rexburg
~ Opt out of the NULC for health reasons
~ Begin therapy in Utah--demanding and exhausting, but on the whole, a good experience.
~Another Rexburg trip

MAY
~ Fly to Utah for a flash-family reunion and the blessing of Sophie. Family pictures that turned out FABULOUS!
~ A week with Aaron's family in Utah. So, so fun! Oh how I love my Talmage and Anya!

JUNE
~ A bunch of stuff that I don't remember (or maybe nothing really happened, which is quite possible!)
~ I think another trip to Rexburg

JULY
~ Independence Day in Rexburg
~ Brent and Nancy and their family drive out and spend a week in Utah. Lots of pool time, a little bit of sunburn, and AMAZING Oreo milkshakes.

AUGUST
~ Sarah's family in Utah, which slightly overlaps with Brent and Nancy's stay. Sophie is a doll. Sierra is a wonderful big sister.
~ Camping trip in Vernal. I'll admit now that I was a definite party-pooper.
~ My half-birthday (more important than the actual birthday, I think), Steph's birthday
~ Visit from Grammy over her birthday. Dad's right again! Who would have thought?
~ I'm sure another trip to Rexburg, but I have no idea.

SEPTEMBER
~ Back to school. Glad to be back, freaking out. Thank you, Brother Stoddard and Dr. Zohner!
~ Visit from Mom and Dad to help me buy a laptop. Most unsuccessful. Thank you, Brent, for helping me get a great deal through Boeing! Welcome to the Lindsey Kay Family, Benjamin Franklin Pierce!
~ A lot of homework, 27th Ward activities ("Are we a family? Yes! We're a family! Name of the family? 27th Ward!")

OCTOBER
~ Sick with a bad cold, the worst medication side effects, and a lot of missed class. Oh brother, here we go again...
~ A trip back to Utah for the release of HSM3. Good, but I'm just not as big of a fan as I once was.
~ More homework, FHE, and 27th Ward Activities. Visits from Liz and Kathryn Moore, the RSP and my VT. Both wonderful girls who definitely looked out for me.

NOVEMBER
~ Unsalvageable semester. Attempt to medically withdraw, major backfire, and back to Utah we go...This time without a spot saved for next semester. Tearful farewell.
~ Andra is home from her mission! It's about time! Eighteen months is just too long!
~ Fabulous Thanksgiving with Jason, Paul, and Heather. Rockband, a little Hokey 6, Brian Regan, and a newfound favorite--ventrilaquist Jeff-fa-fa Dun-ham (dot com).

DECEMBER
~ Initiation into the Meadow Park Branch. Such a blessing.
~ Santa gigs as "security officer" (see Paul Blart: Mall Cop). At last I can speak Elf! Problem: I can't stop!
~ Weekend trip to Rexburg to surprise Elisabeth at the end of the semester. Scary roads, but it was still worth it.
~ FHE with the Branch, Linger-longers, and various activities, as well as some Syracuse Junior High concerts and their production of It's a Wonderful Life with Stephanie.
~ Christmas Eve--visit to the Barnes' house to give the kids gifts and to see baby Kate, followed by our fancy dinner, and finished off with a nativity reinactment, treats, and matching jammies with the Palmers. By far the best Christmas Eve in Utah.
~ 5:00 Christmas Morning. Opening gifts, calling family, and an episode of the original Get Smart show before a dash to the airport, a long wait, and then a flight to Washington.
~ Santa appearances at Brent's and at Grammy's. Finally we get to see Sierra, Sophie, Rochelle, and LaMar. Oh...and their parents.
~ Sleeping at Grandma's house, Zoo Lights at Point Defiance, cabbage rolls with Grandma, sleepover with the grandkids, Olive Garden and party at Brent and Nancy's for New Years Eve...All so fun! Definitely the best Christmas season I've ever experienced. Perhaps the same next year only with Aaron and Brandon as well? ;-)

JANUARY
~ Day trip to Rexburg with some of Brianne's things.
~ Our hunt for kittens, and at last we have success! Welcome, Pip and Scrat! I didn't realize how much work they are, and how much trouble they can get into!
~ A week-long trip to Rexburg, compliments of Elisabeth. Such a great trip full of all my favorites: Jack-in-the-Box, MST3K, RocketMan, AFV, Whose Line, Champagne Thursday, Sims, late nights, laughing hysterically, Sunday dinner, cuddling with Isaac (a Samuelson grandson), playing with Ethan (another grandson), long conversations with Mom and Dad Sam and Paula, Applebee's, American Idol...I know I'm forgetting things, but this is all that comes to mind. And of course a few new favorites too, such as Sleepless in Seattle and dinner at The Backyard with Brianne, as well as a much-needed visit with Andra.

If you are still reading this, apparently you have nothing better to do with your time, and you are probably bored out of your mind. What I see as I look back over this exhausting year is a lot of the unexpected, some disappointment, attempts to feel even a little better...but I see so many good times with good people. I have made some amazing friends (Elisabeth, Mom Sam, Paula, Ben, the Moore sisters, Michael), developed new interests (watercolors, pastels, guitar, a great love of M*A*S*H), created memories that will forever remain among the best (time with the my siblings and their children, trips to Washington and Rexburg, church activities), and found help in some of the most unexpected places (Brother Stoddard, Samuelsons, Paula, Ben, Kim, Jane and Gerry, Liz, Bishop Mickelsen, President Moyes, the ever-talented Yoko). Family relationships have strengthened (Paul, Jason, Brianne, Nicole, Gary and Kina, Pamela, my grandparents) and passions have grown (writing, reading, painting, music-making). I have loved (new and old family and friends), lost (pride, self-worth, difficult goodbyes), and made up (strengthened relationships with my immediate family, reapplied to BYU-I, therapy). It has been awful, wonderful, difficult, exhausting, mind-boggling, crazy, fun, exciting, excruciating, and enchanting. I've experienced the my lowest moments, as well as some of my highest moments.

Thank you for helping me through the year. On to the next...

Frostbitten

Yes, I am alive! I know it's been forever since I've updated my blog, and I haven't been so great about keeping in contact with people. The guilt finally got to me, and I figure this is a much easier way of letting everyone know about my life than trying to track down everyone. Maybe one of these days you'll get a personalized email, or if you're really lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), a phone call.

Rexburg has definitely seen its share of cold fronts, although we may not yet be done for the year. This last Tuesday I walked from my apartment to class in the Hinckley Building, a joyous half-hour walk, in -27 degrees, though according to weather.com, the wind made it feel like -36. The news stations were reporting that it hasn't been this cold since 1987. All the schools in the area were canceled--oh, but of course not BYU-Idaho. There is a group of students working on trying to make it so that when it gets to a certain temperature classes will be canceled, but I don't think anything will come of it.

If you haven't been in weather this cold, consider yourself lucky. I am grateful for layers and for the warm new coat I got for Christmas. Down is warmer than you'd think, though once you get down into the negatives, it doesn't matter what you wear--it's still just plain cold. Your fingers, toes, nose, ears, eyelashes--everything--feels as though it will fall off. Your hair freezes if it's close to your mouth. Your body groans, every inch in pain, and you're sure each step will be your last. No matter how many layers you wear, how long you bury yourself in the library, how many cups of hot chocolate you drink or bowls of soup you eat, you can't escape it. So far I have been able to dodge the frostbite demon, but I did have a few little scares a time or two.

For now, we have lots of snow, about two feet in the places where it hasn't been scraped or walked on, and the sun is out. Actually, we're lucky enough to be at 24 degrees right now! I'm tempted to put on some shorts! I almost didn't wear a coat to Scroll this morning. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. After it's been so cold, 24 degrees feels like summer.