Oops

After being unceremoniously informed by my sister that I suck at blogging, I've decided to update the masses on my incredibly easy and relaxing(<- sarcasm) life. Since my last entry a lot has happened. My mother, one of my heroes, completed her second triathlon and she did amazing. Truth be told, I was afraid I was going to have to rescue her during the swim, but it turns out she has some Nemo blood in her. She totally rocked it and it was awesome to see the family. Last week I turned 19. 18 was quite the adventure, but I had no idea being 19 could be so stressful. It seems as though I worry about everything now, but, oh wait, nothing new there. I got to see my family again for my birthday and we had quite the time in St. George, including card nights with dad's snores serenading us in the background, Samarrah proving she is still allergic to peanuts (excuse me, intolerant to peanuts), and getting lost on a circular loop in Zion's before my mom pointed out that a certain cell tower looked familiar. It was a blast and I got the best present in the world. School is, well...school-ish? Whoever said Mormons have no sense of humor never looked at any of my mid-terms. Cause I sat in the testing center wanting to stand up and yell, "are you kidding me!?!" Yes, this includes Book of Mormon. I swear I studied to. Case in point, I am on very intimate terms with the library and have been threatened with ex-communication if I e-mail my teachers one more time.
On a happier note, I start orientation at the hospital next Wednesday. It only took them two months to process my application, but I still love Intermountain Health Care. Yesterday, I got drug tested, got a flu shot (free!!!), a TB test, and was poked five times in an attempt to draw blood. They looked at my arm for ten minutes before trying for a vein, and consequently, missing. Then they tried my hand and got a vein, but blew it, creating quite the hematoma (that just sounds cool), missed again, collapsed a vein, and then gave up and decided to try testing the sample they had. Unlike almost every other person on the planet, I have no fear of needles (which is a good thing cause apparently I'm a "hard stick") and found the whole thing quite funny. Especially cause one of the girls kept asking if I was going to pass out every five seconds.
Now all I have is very bruised hands, a hole in the elbow, a very sore deltoid because the muscle spasmed when she poked me and caught the needle, and a funny look bump on my arm from the TB. I don't mind though. Being such a hard stick makes me feel special. Anyway, today I got my "salmon" volunteer jacket and official badge. I'm all set for orientation and so excited.
I think that is pretty much all I have. I'll try to do better for those three people who read my blog (especially you Kelly). Much love to all and keep on truckin'.

Homecoming Week

So, two weeks ago was homecoming week, my first as a freshman at the Y. Ok, my only as a freshman at the Y, but it sounded cool in my head. On Tuesday night, a large group of us went to the Hinckley to jump on giant buses with everyone else to head up and hike the Y. Somewhere along the way we got split up though, and it just became Brad, Emily, and I. We had a blast! Of course, we were all exhausted and had glow sticks, so that helped to add to the excitement. As the weekend rolled around, it became FREEZING!!! Saturday morning, a large group from our building met up at the Creamery on 9th for the traditional blue pancakes and the amazing homecoming parade, where I am told a very excited being occupied my body as I screamed for candy and treats from all of the passer-bys and yelled randomly and very loudly at the participants. The homecoming game went pretty well, although I should have known that game was a precursor to BYU's next game and consequent loss. I was at the game with Brad and his brother-in-law Tyler, who also doesn't know to much about football, but was an absolute blast to hang out with. That night, I went to the volleyball game with Emily where we were absolutely smashed by UNLV. Again, though, exhaustion led to a blast at the game as we laughed at one of the ball boys who had a near coronary at every point we scored (especially while they were few and far between.) At the behest and threat of beheading by my sister, here are a few pictures from that awesome week.

This was our group going to the Hinck. Next to my multiple chins is Taylor and behind us is Emily and New-Mexico-Brad.

This was our group just before we began our (very steep) ascent. We all got seperated on the way, but we had a blast. No idea the Y was that steep though.

Emily twisting in our light bulb. We were the right side near the top of the Y at the corner where the end top part goes out. And yes, you're supposed to understand that.

Emilie (different one), Dahe, Ellie, Taylor and me waiting for our blue pancakes at the parade.
BLUE PANCAKES!!!
Tyler, Brad, and I at the homecoming football game (notice my first ever winter jacket!!!)To cap off my first homecoming week, Emily and I at the volleyball game where BYU got crushed, but we had a good time laughing at pretty much everything.

Decorating the Apt.

My roommates and I have skills. In fact, put any other mere mortals together and they would be incapable of accomplishing the predicament that we find ourselves in. We never see each other. I'm talking no passing hello's, no late-night-bleary-eyed waitin' for the bathroom seein' each other. Okay, that may be a slight exageration. I think the standing record is three days with no hide or hair of Ellie. Anyway, because of this phenomenon, our apartment lay decidedly generic. But no more. On a rare night home together, we decided to put an end to this blasphemy. And now we have the greatest wall in Wyview Park, nay, in all of BYU housing. Take a look.

Taylor and I plastered the wall with posterboard in completely random fashion, while...Ellie very proudly cut out pretty little fishes from our unused colors, and thenWe topped them off with our favorite quotes (particularly Taylor's Incredible's quote's), giving you the best apartment wall this side of the Mississippi. Thank you very much.

Best Friends For Life - Sisters Forever

The Ride

So, as well meaning as all of my intentions have been, a week has passed with no update on my marvelous sojourn. Of course, the fact that i super glued my hands together on accident shouldn't be considered. Nor should it be taken into account just how long I walked around without realizing that my insoles were in the wrong shoe. And I just know that it doesn't matter that some of my professors make me want to find a tall cliff and a strong alibi. None of that matters, cause I'm living the dream.

Anyway, for those who don't know, this past weekend, my sister and only non-married sibling came and stayed with me for three awesome days. We went to a rugby game, played in the library, saw the ugliest looking goat-thing in the world, and watched movies on my 15" laptop on the floor of my tv-less dorm room. And it was GREAT!!! In fact, as soon as I have the time and motivation to move, I may just put up every single picture we took in a slideshow. Of course, I have to figure out just how to do that, but I'm working on it.

Seeing my sister was truly amazing, but it also made me realize something. I have been at college for over a month. In fact, I have semester midterms for all my classes in a couple weeks. Where has the time gone? I suppose it's relative. The older you get the more time you have experienced and therefor can be called upon to shorten the current experienced perception of time, but still. Before I know it, I might just be on that front porch swing. Darn it though, the spot next to me is still lookin' pretty empty :)

Anyway, I guess my parting wisdom in this post is that sometimes life is hard. Sometimes, things just don't go right at all. Then again, sometimes they do. But the whole point is, life is going. It is a fixed construct completely unstoppable in this earthly coil. So why not jump on, hold on tight, and enjoy the ride.