My camera is fixed! Now my posts will be REALLY exciting! (to me at least..) :)

Merry Christmas!!!! (EVE!)

we spent our Christmas Adam hanging out with Heather and Maryjane. Dallin politely played taxi, while Heather courteously bought dunch (lunch and dinner). Emily attended a Christmas party and watched "Forever Strong" (she also HIGHLY recommends it to anyone and everyone). Now Emily spends her first few hours of the greatly anticipated Christmas Eve by blogging and sewing buttons onto pillowcases while Dallin catches his z's. Merry Christmas Eve!

{picture taken before Dallin fell asleep, obviously.}

You know when you've anticipated a great week and as the week passes you continue to hope for really great, super days, and although the week is only 2 days from being over, and you haven't witnessed one of those days yet, you continue to hope and wish for it??

I'm having one of those.


...and yes, I am willing to let you help. These are the things I'm sure would get these last two days to fall under the "really great, super days" category..
1. Flowers (any kind, but I'm loving RED right now..)
2. Ski passes
3. A really fuzzy blanket, a dark room, and no noise for at least 6 hours.

feel free to call or email me to let me know you will be giving me any or all of these things, or if you don't want to go to the trouble of that, just drive all the way out to my house in the snow that won't stop falling. {I love the snow, LOVE LOVE it, but on a day that I'm supposed to be going on errands, it's making me nervous, and slightly grumpy.}

treasures in my pockets

Last night when I got home,
I was changing into my pajamas and out fell a
yellow crayon!
I'm not really sure how it got there.
I have never had something that random
fall out of my clothing.
{I don't remember it getting in there,
but it wasn't too hard to figure
out where it came from.
When Dallin and I were volunteering,
one of the little girls dumped all the crayons out.
She was sitting on my lap. :) }

Tonight when I got home, I was changing into a skirt
to go to the temple with Carrie, and
out fell a
green pea!
{again, not exactly sure how it happened,
but at least this time I remember losing
one green pea while eating them for dinner!}

I wonder what cool treat I'll find tomorrow...!

Happy Birthday to me! I just wanted to say thanks to my friends and family who made my birthday special this year. I know this is late, but like I said, most my posts will be for awhile. My birthday was perfect. I was able to see Twilight with Teresa and I loved it. After the movie Dallin took me on a romantic date to "The Garden Restaurant" in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and then we walked around temple square and looked at the lights. It was such a great night and Dallin really put a lot of thought into it. He knows me very well and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you Dallin!

GoodBye Gamma

Sad, Sad, Sad day. I went to my last Gamma activity last Thursday. I acted weird the whole time. I know I did. It's mostly because I've been in denial this whole semester that my time here is almost up, and now it's here and it hurts. I don't understand how my path doesn't continue with my Gamma girls. I have made so many great friends, and I am very sad to be leaving it all behind. I have loved every minute of Gamma (except maybe some of the stressful officer meetings, ha ha.. but seriously). I hope next semester I will be able to get some time off of work and make it up to Salt Lake on a Thursday night to see all my best friends. Thanks for everything you have given me Gamma. I have truly learned a lot, and I am very grateful for all the experiences I have had and for everything I have learned. I will miss the Spirit residing in our Thursday night meetings as we passed the little angel figure around the circle and discussed our blessings with each other. I will miss the ftgots and the hilarious embarrassing stories. I will miss knowing everyone at the institute and feeling on cloud 9 when I receive 10+ hellos on a swift walk to the Gamma room. I will miss the retreats, especially the one in Midway. I will miss the exchanges (but not really..). I will miss my amazing, and devoted advisor, Debra Hunter, she is a truly amazing woman. I will miss having my Thursday nights planned for the whole year. I will miss that part of myself that I know I will be leaving behind. Gamma is such a blessing in my life. I am so sad to be leaving. I hope I remember my experiences always, and that my experiences remember me.

Although I..

went to bed at midnight and woke up at 6:50am ish

-and drove to Provo and back
-and panicked about a sister in a car accident
-and washed sheets from 2 beds
-and picked up a niece from the hospital because ANOTHER sister is sick
-and bought ingredients for a pie
-and went to three grocery stores looking for a rolling pin
-and did 5 loads of laundry
-and made 25+ phone calls
-and played mom all day
-and studied for a final (while baking the pie)
-and didn't sit down at all, except for when in the car

I am still awake. Today I learned that it's important to have a plan, but it's more important to be flexible if the plan does not work out. It's more important to help someone else out, than to check off an item on your to-do list. It's more important to say I love you, than to feel regret if something happens. It's more important to wear a seatbelt, than to harm yourself or someone else. It's more important to rely on God than yourself.

Today was a DAY! One of those one days, where you remember why you love your family, why you say your prayers, and why you help those in need. One of those days that reminds you what is most important.

Here it is 1:30 am, my alarm is set for 7:30 am, and I am uploading pictures because I can't sleep. These pictures were taken at the Hammond Christmas Family Party on Saturday night December 6. Enjoy!

Grandma Mable, Beautiful Mother, Lovely Sisters

Grandmother and 9 Daughters

Mother, Brothers and Sisters

a little late..

I'm pretty late with posting this. I blame my broken camera. I finally got a CD made with all my pictures though, so bear with me as I post old pictures and write about things already written. This is the night before Thanksgiving. These are my first pies. (first pies without a store-bought crust and cool-whip). I made 2- a pumpkin, and a turtle pumpkin, and yes, I am obsessed with pumpkin. Charlotte gave me the recipe for the crust. I was really nervous. I have never even attempted to make any sort of dough (besides cookies, cakes, etc). They turned out good though. (and yes, I do realize they look prettier than me.. it was late).

Day off..

Today I have a day off. From work AND school! Labs are over, and Heather didn't need me today. I have to admit, I was sad when she sent that text that said, "Friday-off". I truly miss my three adopted children when I have a day off. I especially like Friday's because Ashley has short day and it's more fun since it's the beginning of the weekend. I should just stop making to-do lists for days off though. This isn't the first blog about this either. I just don't get the list done. I sit around too much. Today I've been blog stalking and now my blog will take a turn. Please try not to laugh when you total the amount of blogs that have been written today.

another thing I just spent at least 10 minutes doing is this. Note: You CANNOT mock me until after you've tried it, because trust me, if you're anything like me, you'll laugh at first, go to push the little red X on the top of the page, but quickly hit one before you do, AND if you spend more than 15 seconds doing so, you will finish it............................. and then continue.
ps. make sure the sound is up, or it won't be as fun.

ring, riiiiiiiiiiiiiing

E: Hello?
D: Hi. The next bus leaves at 1:15, but I think Dan might be coming home, so I'm going to call him.
E: Ok.
D: K, Love you.
E: Love you too.
D: You're beautiful.
E: (giggle) thanks..
D: even when you're sick.
E. (more serious now) thanks..
D: K, I love you.
E: Love you too.
D: Love you.
E: Love you too, bye..
D: K, bye. Love you.
E: (giggle again) Love you too.

CLICK.

...and that is why I love him. I am so lucky.

cut, glue, cut, glue, DONE!

I finished my Interior Design final notebook!!! Finally!!! I have to say, this class could have been much more fun! I learned a lot, but I didn't get very many chances to put my creative mind on and create things! The final notebook was probably my favorite! We got to design a room and fill it with furniture and accessories, and I loved it! My new favorite fabric is toile! I have already purchased fabric to make pillow cases and I'm looking for sheets so that I can make a comforter cover! If anyone knows where some are, let me know! I'd rather do that than buy fabric, cause sheets are softer!

Happy December!

It's been a year!! I know you usually consider the year over in January, but for me, it's been a year since I've lived in Salt Lake with my Dad. I can't believe how fast time has gone! I remember how excited I was to be moving in with my Dad and Jessica. I was excited to have people to take care of me, I was excited to let go of some of the stresses that come naturally when living on your own, I was excited to get to know my Dad and Jessica better, but mostly I was excited because it felt SO right! I was really nervous about starting at a new school, starting a new job, and going to a new singles ward. School was surprisingly better than I thought, work was fun because I worked with my lovely mother, and somehow, magically, I found the best singles ward, with the best bishop in the whole valley! I have loved living here in Salt Lake and really grown to love the house I live in. I realized the other day that this is now the place I claim as my home. I wish I would have soaked up every ounce of it, because sadly I will be returning to Provo in January. I'm not ready to leave Salt Lake. I have made so many good, close, life-long friends in Gamma and come to know so many people who have truly impacted my life. I don't feel ready to leave at all, but I know that it is time to pursue my college degree and get in line for graduating and obtaining a career. The good thing about moving to Provo is my best friend Dallin lives there. As I lay in bed last night tossing and turning and dreaming of Provo (but not really dreaming, I'm pretty sure I was awake) I relived those nervous feelings I had before I moved to Salt Lake. They were a bit different this time, mostly because I'm now taking on stresses of living on my own as opposed to leaving them behind, but also because I'm never 100% sure I've made the right decision until after it's already made. I'm nervous to move to Provo, I'm not very excited, and chances are I will go kicking and screaming, but I'm confident I will recieve that reassuring okay at some point. Happy ONE YEAR, and I'm excited to enjoy another December!

Christmas Eve last year.

Christmas Morning last year.

Kara and I with Santa last year.

I'm late again..

The months are flying!!! I know it's not the most important thing to keep a monthly blog record of the month we're at, but since I've done it so far I think I should continue! At the year mark, we'll stop doing every month though. Seven reasons I love you,
1. It's unexplainable, and I'm always baffled at the extent of it, but you love me.
2. You take care of me. It seems like you always put me before you. Sometimes I feel guilty and wish you'd take care of YOU first, but you never cease to amaze me with your selflessness.
3. I love the way you bite the inside of your lips when you're not 100% comfortable with whatever situation you're in.
4. I love the way you call me Emi.
5. I love the way your eyes look when you tell me you love me.
6. I love the way you work hard with all you do.
7. I love when you share your testimony with me.

I love you.
xo, Emi

You know you're out of shape when...

YOU HAVE TO BUY NEW WORK-OUT CLOTHES, because the ones you currently own don't fit.

Wow! I didn't even think that could happen! I guess I must take into account that they were purchased in highschool... my post-highschool body (of 3 years.. ha ha) is obviously much different. I think most people's are though.... right?? (please say yes, please say yes)

Take home message:
Buy work out clothes frequently and purchase a few sizes up so that when you've been slacking, you don't notice it because they still fit. :)

time flies...

even when you're not having fun! I usually am though.... seriously..

age 16 (ish..)

age 17
age 18

age 19

age 20

It's weird how you don't even notice everything is changing. Change physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I still feel like I'm 16. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was driving to the DMV to get my driver's license. I remember how cool it felt to DRIVE! I thought I was so old... the victory only lasted a couple hours, and then I ran my first red light, proving I might not be that great of a driver..

Turning 17 was a great surprise! My friends threw me a surprise party at the Marriott Hotel. We spent the night swimming and talking to the "older sister in-law" about kissing. (kissing: something that non of us 8-10 girls had experienced at the time. Also something we kept secret, because we were certain we were the only ones still "VL" in the High School). That really does feel like a long time ago.. age 17 was boring at first. There was nothing exciting because I could already drive, and I wasn't legal yet, BORING! I did however, receive my first kiss at age 17 on Thanksgiving day. It was only 3 days before I turned 18 though. This is the first year documented that I realized life was changing.. I was growing up, AND making decisions, but I hadn't quite figure out how to do that yet, it's coming though..

I don't remember much of my 18th birthday. I was a senior in high school.. I don't remember that, but I know that. Oh! That was after receiving my first kiss.. I do remember, I received a gift from "the boy" (body spray, and a candle.. I still remember. And yes, it was lame then too). His mom and younger brother gave me a gift too. I think we ordered Chinese take out and I got some new running shoes. That was the year I was in shape... I'm still hoping for that year to come back.

When I turned 19, I took my first day of work off (after having a real job, that is). I planned on driving home the night before so that I could enjoy the birthday morning "service" of 'happy birthday's' from the family and royalty treatment. I quickly drove home from work that night, parked (Heather's borrowed car) in the handicapped spot for no longer than 5 minutes and returned to an empty parking space. I thought I had lost my mind, I really thought I was losing it, but after rushing upstairs to report to my (older, and... not so wiser, but more experienced?) roommates realized the car was towed. At the time I didn't own a debit card, I didn't even have a checking account. I retreated to my room, my empty room, in an empty apartment on my birthday eve. Come morning I would find a ride to the bank, retrieve $120.00, hitch hike to the car lot and retrieve my car (that wasn't really mine). I made it to Farmington that day, it took 2 hours instead of the usual 1. All I remember is eating Chinese food, napping, and going to the U of U basketball game with John. I was honored to spend my birthday with a great older brother.

Birth, Day number 20. I DO remember this one, as it was only last year. I lived at Liberty Square. I had 5 roommates. I woke up to Happy Birthday's (gratefully) and took off to school to take a math test ( I got 100%- first time ever, and I do believe it was my gift.. from who you ask? The math fairy of course!) I took work off this year too. After school I drove to Salt Lake (to meet my family HALF WAY this time, and I was in my OWN car this year). I went to Teresa's and was greeted with an angry cousin of a former.. "fling". He told me "you will never find anything better! No one turns down Dallin Marchant!" I cried on the way to dinner. We ate at the Mayan... and then I went back to Provo. My roommates had gifts waiting for me. I went to bed that night worried that I'd turned Dallin down, but knew it was the right thing, for that moment and time, anyway (any readers who aren't aware, Dallin is now my Best Friend and wonderful boyfriend, that story will have to be another blog).

Number 21 is just around the corner. I didn't begin this blog to write about my birthdays, but what a great way to remember the past years. I suppose I have been thinking a lot about my birthday this year. Not because I'm excited, not because it's a day different than the rest, but just because I'm realizing Brent Redd was right when he said, "There's a big difference between 18 years old and 21, you'll see...". I was offended, but now I see, he is right. I hope my year of 21 is a great year. I'm happy to say I'm happy. I may not be as excited as 16, and bored as 17, as "mature" (or naive, either one.. ha ha) as 18, as absent minded as 19, or as sad as 20, but I am gratefully learning and growing each day. I'm starting to realize life is hard, but life is good. Bad days don't mean I'm a failure, or that I'm a bad person. Good days don't mean life will never be hard again, or that I've got it all figured out. I am just me, just (almost) 21, and just learning! (and stalling currently for studying for an anatomy final..) So, until next time..age 21 (almost)

too late for blogs..

Confession: I have been listening to Christmas music since the day after Halloween, and....... I LOVE IT! Christmas music is the best thing, ever! I love it because it is so exciting! It seriously gets me pumped and puts me in a good mood. It brings such a great spirit with it! The spirit of Christmas, but also another kind of Spirit. (some songs anyway.. not Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer).

Dilemma: I have troubles blogging. Ever since I started looking at other people's blogs, I just can't do my own. I have started comparing my blog to all the other extravagant, funny, and WAY cool blogs out there. I get bored looking at my own now, it's really quite sad...

And now for the real blog...

I went to the temple today. I used to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead all the time. Some of the workers used to know my name, I loved it, it was one of my favorite places to be. I hate when my life shoots me in a whirl-wind and I forget to do things that I love. This morning I set out at 10am for an extra-credit "field trip" for Interior Design. Plan A, suddenly turned into Plan B. Plan B happened to be remembering I had a skirt from 3 weeks ago still in my trunk, and an extra couple hours on hand. I'm not sure how the thought got there, but suddenly found myself driving towards the temple. I was so excited to be going that I completely forgot to take note of my car driving itself into the carpool lane, leading toward the carpool exit, and just me and my backpack sat as residents. SHOOT!! I quickly searched for patrol and turned onto 4th South, hoping, praying that my accidental law-breakage (that's a word, right?) would not be seen. Don't fret, I was not caught. (Not being caught is almost worse though.. it's like when your parents are mad at you, but they don't say anything. Silence is DEATH).

I proceeded to the temple and loved every minute of it. It was a beautiful, mostly warm, and partly cloudy morning. I was one of three persons, besides the temple workers, doing baptisms. I received the undivided attention of all the temple workers, and I loved it. So did they.

Afterwards, I took at walk around the temple grounds. I stood starring at the enormous and magnificent, holy temple for a good amount of time. Long enough to catch a few confused stares and overly friendly hellos from passing missionaries. I realized it was time to go. I also realized how much I love the temple. I'm so lucky to have a safe, brilliant sanctuary right in my city.

G is for Gratitude

I'm taking Mckensie's challenge and writing about things I'm grateful for. I'm only going to do one a day though. That way there will be more of an emphasis on that one thing. Today I am grateful for Journaling! I love writing in my journal, reading my journal, and a newly discovered, cool thing about journals, I love reading other people's journals! I know that sounds somewhat creepy, but fear not, I was given permission. It's such a great way to tap into that persons life and feelings. I'm all about feelings, as we all know, so it's so wonderful to me! You can read details about how that person was feeling, you can see what they did for that moment in their life, you can feel like you really know that person. Journals are so great. I'm grateful for a journal in my own life, and for other people who journal and document their lives. Happy November!

"Every Journalist has a novel in him, which is an excellent place for it." -Russel Lynes

attention! :)

I've been thinking I want to make my blog private. I've heard horror stories about blogs lately and stalkers and decided to protect mine! haha! Please leave me your email address in a comment so that I can add you, if you would like! Thanks!

Tech-Tard

Don't even worry... I figured out how to get pictures off a disk and onto my computer! It only took 2 times! maybe 3... or 4.. definitely no more than 5. Here are some pictures of Barn Dance finally!Dallin proves again, he is good at everything.
I found out swing dancing is fun, with him.After sitting in traffic from the Provo commute,
we finally made it!Matt and Mckensie.
Some of our favorite friends.I wanna be a cow-girl, baby!

We've hit six

That's right, six it is! Yesterday, anyway. I received my first "love letter". It was perfect, I could not have asked for anything more. Embarrassing though, I truly felt like my mom and dad when I started crying. Something I will keep forever. Six seems unreal, but it's hard to remember my life before. I love you!

Corn and Costumes

This weekend was a blast! I always get excited for the weekends because I love when Dallin comes home for a couple of days and we can see each other whenever we want to! On Friday, as I've previously written about, we went out with Mckensie and Matt. We made dinner together, I made some pasta with cheese and broccoli (it was really good!) and Matt made some chicken (which was also, really good!). After dinner we went to the Crazy Corn Maze in West Jordan. I haven't been to a corn maze since High School, and now I remember why. I am positive we were the oldest couples there, and probably the only ones that were there for the first time. We made it through the maze in no longer than half an hour, it was still fun though! The original plan was to carve pumpkins afterwards, but due to getting home past 11pm, we decided to do without that activity. Instead, we ate some pumpkin pie and chatted by the fire. The night was, all in all, a great night! (Next weekend, HOPEFULLY we'll finally carve our pumpkins, or I'll be really disappointed.)

On Saturday we went to the BYU vs. UNLV game. Dallin was able to find me an extra ticket so I could go too! I was really excited! The game was fun, and thankfully BYU won (not that I care all that much, but I was relieved to know those around me would keep a stable mood after the game). After the game we had the Annual Hammond Halloween Party to attend. Dallin and I decided to go as Nurse and a Doctor. We thought it would be funny, considering the fact that Dallin is planning to go to med-school, and I am (hopefully) going to nursing school. Dallin had a great idea however, and that was to switch! Yes, you heard it right, Dallin wore the nurse costume, and I wore blue scrubs as a doctor. It was hilarious!


Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Caramel ice cream topping
Pie Crust
Pecan Pieces
1 c. Milk
2 pkg (3.4 oz) JELL-O Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 c. canned pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon (I think I used almost 2 tsp of cinnamon instead)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tub COOL WHIP (thawed)

1. POUR, 1/4 c. caramel topping into crust. (the recipe says to sprinkle 1/2 c. pecans onto the caramel, but I skipped this, because Dallin doesn't like nuts, and it was still way good!)

2. BEAT, milk, pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk until blended. Stir in 1.5 c. cool whip. Spread into crust.

3. REFRIGERATE, at least 1 hour. Top with remaining COOL WHIP, caramel topping and pecans just before serving.

I recommend this recipe if you like cream pie and pumpkin pie, because it's basically a cream-pumpkin pie! It's really sweet, but really good. I think I still like classic pumpkin pie better, but it was a yummy way to switch it up!

Provo: The City of Excitement

Place your vote!

And, I don't mean your political vote! (Well, yes, you should do that too..) I mean I want to know what you think! I'm trying to decide if I should change my major! Yes, I know.. it's risky!! I'm so close to applying for Nursing school, but yet so far. As I've thought (in depth, I might add) about Nursing school the last few weeks, I realized I don't have a strong desire to work as a Nurse anymore. I can't imagine myself in the hospital for the rest of my life! I want to work with people, and talk with them. I know I'll see plenty of people as a Nurse, but I don't want to be the one in the back passing meds and charting! I'm taking an Interior Design class this semester. I'm not really sure why I registered for it. It has NOTHING to do with my major, I don't need the credit, and I haven't considered Interior Design since about age 10. The class is not what I expected. I was hoping to have a fun class where I could be creative and make pieces of art through decorating. Unfortunately this class follows along with most other classes in the college setting, we actually LEARN about styles and designing... BORING! The class however, has gotten me thinking that I could be good at something like this. I'm sick of studying for Anatomy all the time and not doing REALLY well! I kinda want to do something I would be good at (do you blame me?). I need to decide what to do, and soon! I guess I feel like it would be hard to stop Nursing after I've taken hard classes and gone so far. Interior Design would be harder to get a job after graduation, but I know I'd love it! I just can't decide, so I want to hear what everyone else thinks! Interior Design, or Nursing?? vs.

Monday, the boring.

Okay, so I have blogger's block. I think this is the reason I haven't been able to blog lately. That, or the fact that I'm really busy, but for the sake of trying not to become more tired, I'll just say it's that first option. I have to admit that in the last couple of weeks I have thought about blogging, but I have nothing to blog about. So here's what I've been up to,
1. School! Anatomy is a really hard class, for anyone who is interested, DON'T DO IT! I had my second test today. Surprisingly I felt good during the test, but immediately after turning it in I was feeling worried. I will get my score on Wednesday, wish me luck!
2. Work! I'm just glad my job is not really stressful. That's not to say it's not hard, and tiring, but luckily, it really is a pretty low-key job. I've been working for Heather for 5 months now. Time flies, but then again, as I see how much the girls have grown, it seems weird it's only been a few months.
3. Play! Okay, maybe another word would work better here. I honestly don't think I've been doing much playing, but don't get me wrong, I have had fun.... I'm sure I have....
This is my "play" list:
-Gamma had Barn Dance. I've been trying to get the pictures uploaded since, obviously, unsuccessful. While discussing plans in the previous weeks I had made a mental note not to swing dance, but once I was there I had to try, and yes, it was fun!
-I made Dallin dinner. He requested chicken Alfredo. I don't cook often, but often enough to know that trying to make Alfredo taste good is difficult. I ended up making angel hair noodles with a 4-cheese Alfredo sauce. I sliced some zucchini and squash and added them to the sauce. Dallin grilled some chicken and we added that to the sauce also. I had no idea what I was doing, but it ended up being really good. I also tried making my first pie. Since it's Fall and I love pumpkin treats, I made a pumpkin pie.. it was definitely nothing great, but not bad I guess.
-I went to Dallin's Unicycle "performance". Rickie and I went together to watch Dallin, Christian and Karl ride their unicycles around the Ball Room in the Salt Palace for a Nursing Convention. I definitely didn't expect what I saw, but it was fun to watch the boys do their tricks.
-We had pizza and played Wii at Esther and Nick's house. It was a lot of fun to hang out with all the Marchants. (and there's always good food!) Thanks Esther!

This is all I can think of right now, but I'm sure I did more than that. This coming weekend is one I'm really looking forward to. I love all the Halloween festivities. Mckensie, Matt, Dallin and I are planning on doing a Halloween date night. We are planning on carving pumpkins and going to a corn maze. I'm also hoping to make a pumpkin roll, but we'll see if that happens! Well, here's my boring blog. I think half the reason I'm not motivated to blog is my lack of pictures. My camera broke, and being the picture-crazy person that I am, I feel like blogging is boring without them. I need to get that fixed, until then, my boring blogs will continue!

Fortune Truths

You will bring sunshine into someone's life.

-This is the fortune cookie I received the other day. I usually throw them away, but I liked this one, so I kept it. My mom would like it too, because she calls me her ray of sunshine.

need, want, wish... most importantly, DO!

I want:

-I want to do well in school.
-I want to be able to play beautiful music. (doesn't matter which instrument, any will do)
-I want to be happy.
-I want to know "the plan". (I realize this isn't always possible, but I want it)
-I want strangers to feel like I'm their friend.

I need:

-I need to read my scriptures more frequently.
-I need to study more often.
-I need a new job.
-I need more than 24 hours in a day.
-I need to work on my physical activity.

I wish:

-I wish life was more constant.
-I wish Stephen wasn't moving across the country.
-I wish I lived closer to Dallin, but still close to friends in SLC.
-I wish I could be on time. (to anything, anything would be great!)
-I wish answers to prayers came more clearly. (but I'm grateful for the learning experience)
-I wish after somebody left your life, you could just forget about it.

I apologize to anyone who might read this. I am normally opposed to 'downer' blogs, but because I recently decided my blog is my new way of journaling (is that a word?), I had to write about these things. Life is great, it really is. The sun is shining! I have a house to live in. A Dad that protects me and takes care of me. A school to attend and learn. Friends to have fun with. Nature to admire. Prayer to speak to Heavenly Father with. Scriptures to read the words of God. Prophets to be guided by. Feet to help me walk. Eyes to help me see. Music to calm me. (specifically Cori's music) Family to be involved with. How come it's hard to remember these things all the time? That goes back to my I wish life was more constant. I should make a list of all these things and put it above my bed, but you know how that goes... a few weeks of being there and it becomes part of the bed and you don't even recognize it anymore. Anyway, this is just my venting. It's amazing how writing (or typing) things out really helps me to sort my thoughts and makes me feel better. I've started to feel embarrassed about the amount of people that read my blog and make comments. A lot of the things I put on here are personal and I don't really expect people to read them, but now that I know they do I find myself thinking about it more, which is kind of irritating. So, if you find yourself sitting in front of your computer and stalking blogs and somehow run across mine, I apologize... No, I'm not married and I don't have pictures of my cute children and updates on how my family is doing. I'm just a single girl, going through school and trying to figure life out and where I fit in to it. This particular blog is more of a complaint, which I'm already feeling guilty about, and I'm dragging it on way too far, so here is the end.

Ps. I will Do:

-I will smile more often. (at least if it's not real at first, it will become real soon enough)
-I will go to the temple more often.
-I will pray harder and longer and more sincerely.
-I will fast on Sunday. (after conference)
-I will make sure anatomy is a priority.
-I will fulfill my church callings. (especially gamma)
-I will serve others.
-I will look around and see that life is good.

F-I-V-E

I'm a little late on the fifth, but here's a picture of our first date..

We ate at Leatherby's and went to Hollywood Connection.

That was in March.

In September,

We ate at Sampan's and saw Hancock at the dollar theater.

Heather and Glenn came with us!

(Come to think of it, I wore that same pink sweater both nights!)

Memories of Ms. White

Tonight I found out that I actually have the ability to help someone with homework! A few weeks ago my Gamma advisor mentioned that she had a job opportunity available. As I sit and tell myself week in and week out that I am going to get a new job, my ears perked up a bit and I sat to listen. A girl in her ward is trying to graduate this coming Spring, and she needs some help with packets to make up for some classes that didn't go so well a few years ago. I was told I'd get paid for doing two, two hour sessions a week. I was immediately interested. I told Debra I would like to do it, and she told me she'd give my number to the girl's mother. A few days ago I got a call and was reminded I had said I'd tutor the girl. The blue in me really shines through at those moments when I realize, once again, that I've told someone I can do something that I actually might not have time for. Then, the guilt prone-ness of my BLUE kicks in and again, I commit to something I most likely shouldn't. At least this story has a good ending, because low and behold, I found some time to go and help this girl with her homework. So far, only Monday nights after school and work are working for us, I feel bad I can only do one session, but, what can ya do? Anyway, today was my first day going. I wasn't too nervous, because something inside me was honestly drawing me to this girl. Like usual, I don't know what it is, but it's a pretty common occurrence for my, over the top "feelings", to tell me how to run my life. Once the front door opened and I was greeted with silence and a dark room, I became a little nervous(and rightfully so). I sat in the dark for approximately 3 minutes, until an almost invisible girl sat in a chair next to me with her hood pulled up, making her even more un-noticeable in the dark room. She tossed me the notebook which read, "Math" and I grew even more nervous as I remembered all those hours I spent in the Math Lab trying to pass my own math class. Because I couldn't even see the numbers on the paper I asked this stranger of a girl to turn a light on. She turned on one small lamp and went back to starring at the floor beneath my feet. That prayer I said early today about helping me tonight, was answered when I realized how easy this math was!! Thank goodness this whole thing didn't end up being an embarrassment if I didn't even know how to help! We spent 2 hours doing simple math equations. Now I know how my past teachers felt when it took me forever to figure out a question. Part of me wanted to tell her the answers, and I found myself literally biting my tongue and trying to remind myself that I'm here to help her LEARN it, not just get it done. We finished a good few pages and decided next Monday, same time, I will return.

Literacy Leader

You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness.

-Henry B. Eyring

Musical Chairs

Today I had the opportunity to participate in a Carnival Service Project. My initial feelings were thoughts of this carnival just taking up time that I needed to spend on my Interior Design project. It was held at Woodrow Wilson Elementary for underprivileged children. I have decided I'm the type of person that falls under the category of "slow to warm up". When I first got there I was a little nervous and wanted to go home, but I started working on signs for the stations that would be running. Shortly after I sat down and started writing the letters, multiple children huddled around me and asked to help. After hanging out with the kids for a little bit I began to be more comfortable. I was put in charge of the Musical Chairs station. It was so much fun! I was supposed to leave early so that I could make it to my class at 6:00, but because it was so much fun I couldn't get myself to leave on time. I ended up being half an hour late to my class so that I could spend more time with the children. It was such a great experience, the kids loved it, and I did too! I was reminded today why I love service so much! It makes you feel great!

Waste Not. (whoops)

It is EXTREMELY late! Today was a really full day! My alarm was set for 8:00am, and although I didn't actually get out of bed until almost 9, I've got to say- today was hectic! About 930 I started reviewing some anatomy. Can I just say anatomy is NUTS?? I love it, don't get me wrong, but come ON! There is no light at the end of the tunnel! The work is never-ending! That is something I am not used to for school! Promptly at 1040 I set out for school. After attending just one morning class I drove to work. Work is feeling overwhelming lately. I can't figure out if it's me that has up and down days, or if work just has a way of making that kind of pattern. Anyway, work was not my favorite day today. After work I drove home for a quick 5 min to change clothes and grab my Interior Design notebook. I then set out for alphagraphics, only to remember I had forgotten Carrie's birthday card, so I immediately turned around and ran upstairs to retrieve it. After purchasing 50 pages of resume paper I continued down 33rd South to Robert's Arts and Crafts. My confession for the day is this; I could LIVE at Robert's. Dallin informed me today that when I take him to Robert's with me he gets a little bored. I was immediately offended, and he could tell, so he helped me understand that it would be like him taking me to a skateboarding shop, then I could see what he meant. So Robert's... I found Carrie's birthday present and discovered my second confession for the day; my new obsession is making jewelry! I also love ribbon! Is that weird?? My secret ambition is to have a craft store, or do some type of decorating as a profession, but sadly, it feels like it could not ever happen, partly because I'm too far into nursing, but mostly because I'm a too much of a chicken to take that kind of leap. Back to my day though, I then drove up to Cafe Rio to meet a group of friends for Carrie's birthday. (try tying beads onto a string and cutting ribbon while doing so, it's not too easy!!) Directly from Cafe Rio my car drove me straight to the Miles' home where I was reminded that my best friend is in Ecuador for the next 3 months and I miss her like crazy! After using the computer (because of the printer) for 2.5 hours I finished my Interior Design project. It was only midnight at the time and I felt relieved as I drove home and realized it was much earlier than I would have predicted. Now, instead of using my time wisely and studying for my anatomy test, I just read blogs for the last 2 hours and 17 minutes of my life. Sleep of all things would be a better substitute at this point. One thing I was reminded of while I read was how much I appreciate my sweet Dallin. As the clock continues to tick and the hour gets closer to 8:00am, when my day will start again, and my anatomy book will seemingly SCREAM my name, I must say this is my farewell. Goodnight cyberspace!

running low on study skills

This beautiful image is what I have spent my weekend memorizing. Don't worry, it wasn't just this view, it was all views of the skull, superior, inferior, medial, etc, etc! Not only that, the spinal cord, and appendicular skeleton were on my list of memorization. Don't forget all the types of tissues and a whole chapter on the integument! My head hurts!! The part I was most amazed at was the skull, I never knew it was so complex! Did you know that every bump and groove in the skull has a name?! At first I just thought it was pathetic, but as I studied it more I realized that every bump and groove has a name, because every bump and groove has a function! Whoever discovered all of this must have been some type of genius!! Can you imagine the type of patience and time it took to figure it all out?? These are the type of questions I began asking myself after my brain was maxed out. The thought that finally went through my head was this; whoever took the time to figure out what every nook and cranny in the body does must have been a very smart fellow, but then I realized, whoever CAME up with it must be even MORE of a genius! Sorry to get churchy and cheesy, but seriously, God made our bodies right? That means HE came up with all of this! That was a really great thing to realize! The body truly is an amazing thing! As much as I want to pull my hair out because there is so much to learn, it fascinates me to know how complex the body is. I'm grateful for my body, and I'm glad I'm learning all of this information, I just hope my test on Wednesday is a success. Wish me luck!

unfortunate necessity

Feet are gross!! I am not a huge fan of feet, and I never have been! I think they are gross looking and I hate having to take care of them. I didn't realize how much I must hate them until recently, two, very close childhood friends told me that when we were little I told them they had ugly feet! What a mean little girl I was! Actually, I don't think I was trying to be mean, I must have just felt the same way about feet then, as I do now: GROSS! The point of this is not to discuss the gross-ness of feet, but to sadly confirm that my feet are now in pain. Because feet are so yucky to me, I have made sure to pamper mine and make sure they are looking nice and pretty (most the time) so that I can handle them a little bit. Thanks to an unmentioned name, and some unmentioned brothers, my feet now ITCH, BURN, ACHE, and feel really weird, like canvas or something! Now I really can say what I feel about feet, I think I deserve it,

GROSS!!!!!

is it 2012 yet??

Is my dream of becoming a Nurse ever going to come about?! I've just spent the last 2 hours comparing Nursing schools and going over prerequisites! Call me crazy, but I swear they change the prereq's DAILY! I've been planning on doing Nursing since the Fall of 06. Since then I've met with an advisor every semester and done my best to be aware of what is expected of me. Somehow though, every time I go researching, everything has changed! I have just found out that I must take Math 1050 BEFORE March comes around, or I can't apply for Fall of 2009! One good thing I discovered though, I can substitue my Anatomy grade for Cell Biology!!! Yay!! I STINk at cell biology! I'm really excited about that! Anyway, this is my venting! I just want to get into Nursing school!! It's time they stick to one list of prerequisites so I can get there someday!! That is all!!

Humph!

My bad day is warping into a bad week! I hope it

doesn't go much passed that! This girls face

shows it better than anything I could say.

Normally I'm the one to give advise on how to feel better.

If anyone has any, please share.

Grow with Gamma

YAY!! Gamma is up and running once again! Yesterday was RUSH for Fall of 2008! It was a lot of fun being with each other again! Thanks to Kelly we had beautiful tables, a really cute back drop, and AWESOME t-shirts!! I'm really excited for Gamma! Here are some cute pictures from RUSH last night.