Journey to the Front Porch Swing

2009-07-23T09:27:00.001-07:00

Did you know it has been a month and an half since I last typed on this thing? Or that the letters from missionaries that I have been meaning to return have been sitting on my nightstand for two months? Or that I go back to school in five weeks?

This summer was supposed to be a time to spend time with family, relax and have fun. I guess there is some of that in there too, but come on. This summer has FLOWN!!!! The nursing program at BYU-I is year round, so if I get in next winter, this will be my last time living at home. Possibly forever.

In three months I turn twenty. No longer will I be a teenager. I will never again be a freshman in college. I am turning into my father as I worry about every possible twist and turn in life for the next...well, forever. The bags under my eyes from lack of sleep now have there own zip code. I have to sacrifice classes that I want to take at college for classes I need to take.

I guess you could say that I'm growing up. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?

It's On

2009-06-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the words someone said but have no idea what they're asking? Better yet, you know what they are asking but believe the answer to be blatantly obvious? And if you're answer is no, then me neither, definitely. However, if this were the case it would go something like this...

The Dentist: Do you grind your teeth at night?
Me: Um...I don't know cause I'm sleeping.

The Man at the Carwash (very loudly): Lower your *%&#($% antenna?
Me: Seriously?

*Side note-My car is older than me. With the exception of Helen Keller, there is not a person on the planet who would look at my car and assume it has an electronic control to lower my antenna.

Then again, it may be a genetic thing...

A woman at Enrichment: What did you stuff the blocks with?
My sister: Stuffing?

Just a buzz

2009-06-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

So, quick updates because if I don't do them now I will forget them forever and that would be bad and then the world would cease to spin on its axis and Martians would use it as third base in their kickball game and then we would all get motion sickness and (BREATH)...yeah.... So, I certified as a frickin' lifeguard. It was way too much fun, I needed a summer reminder of how much I love the water. The class was also taught by a man who is really a long lost identical twin to my cousin Johnny, which was intensely creepifying. I went to Los Angeles to look at hot men in kilts all day long and loved every minute of it, except for the sunburn till ya blister and ignored at Dairy Queen part. Oh, and the part where the people who's couch we were sleeping on had a Rottweiler. Upon hearing any sign of the aforementioned beast, I would curl into the fetal position to protect my face from the imminent maiming. Needless to say, long night. I also drove in LA traffic but am conviced that I was the scariest thing on the road with my sister playing navigator and alerting me to exits as we passed them. I went to Newport Beach, squidged my toes in the sand, and found the hospital I want to intern at when I graduate. It's two blocks from the beach. Heck yeah!!!

Hmmm...what else? What else? Well, I'm still working at the appraisal office and got onto a resort at Lake Las Vegas for a full-time lifeguard position. I have secret plans to implement, which I can't tell you about cause they're, well, secret. DUH! Anyway, I think that covers my life in a nutshell. I'm working on more clever comebacks to questions I won't likely ever be asked and, if I am, probably won't remember in the moment, but it keeps me busy.

I feel as though if I were to say any more, I would be wasting more time of those poor saps who read this blog for some reason unbeknownst to the cosmos and the punishment for that is severe papercuts in a shower of lemon juice. I submit no. Therefore, the end.

And then some...

2009-05-17T20:42:00.001-07:00

So much has happened since my last update...an amazing military ball, sad farewells to freshman friends, two-day road-trips to Idaho and back, lifeguard training, family slave labor, and the list goes on, but that's not really what I wanted to say. I know I am a week late and probably more than a dollar short, but here is what I want the record to show about my mom.

All throughout childhood and even occasionally now, I have horrible night terrors where I wake up and cry for hours, then sneak down the hall to my parents room to crack the door and make sure my dream wasn't real, that my parents are still here and, hopefully, breathing (not hard to confirm with my father, he sounds like a logging crew). As I have try to cope with these scenarios, realizing that the day may one day come, although hopefully far in the future, I play out my response in my head.

Should anything ever happen to my mother, I would be inconsolable, because the world would have lost the greatest woman to ever grace it. The saddest part, however, is that people would scarce realize what a priceless treasure had been lost. My only consolation is knowing that, should I live in her image, as I should, I can be with my mother forever.

My Mother:
...the woman who drove me to North Las Vegas and back every Wednesday night for a year and a half during rush hour traffic
...the woman who gives more love and joy to the people around her than anyone to walk the Earth
...the woman who works at a job where she is scarcely underappreciated but entirely devoted to those who often refuse to acknowledge her overwhelming contributions
...the woman who pretends to like my crazy choice in movies, watching them with me when no one else will
...the woman who listens to my late night and all-hour rants, listening patiently till I figure out the answer myself
...the woman who practices the organ with time she doesn't have so that she can play on holidays when no one else wants to
...the woman who changed her entire life to help me train for a triathlon and did it better than I did
...the woman who never sits down, never says no, never takes a break, never stops serving selflessly
...the most amazing woman to ever grace the face of the planet, and leave her own invisible mark on every soul she contacts

My mother is the most amazing woman I know and likely, the most amazing woman I will ever know. Would I have one wish, it would be to mirror her influence in my life, and be as amazing a woman, wife and mother as she is. Every good thing I am or that I will ever be will be because of the most selfless, loving, simply amazing person I have ever know, a woman I get to spend forever knowing...my mother.

Random rantings...

2009-04-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

Much to the disappointment of those who are related to me, this a random rant for me and I will not be posting pictures from our last get together. In fact, I don't quite understand your pull for this because you were all there, too. Anyway....
I have been having random thoughts in my head and wanted to spill them out, so here it goes. Oh, and before I get to that, when I stole my friend's computer during devotional to play on the Internet, I saw that she, and many others apparently, have been to this blog, so I'll do my best not to completely embarrass myself.
I am so torn with the prospect of leaving school in just under a week and a half. Home will be nice and I need to earn some money because it makes the world go round and apparently doesn't grow on trees (which is slightly ridiculous cause its made out of paper which is made outta trees), but I am going to miss Provo so much. I will miss the sounds of room mate dance parties and rebellious study breaks at four in the morning. I will miss walking through the Wilk and watching the dance classes in the ballroom. I will miss the explosions and minor quakes in the Benson (chem) building and the funny smell that can always be found in the Marb. I will even miss a fair load of my professors, truth be told, although not the work they assign. I will miss the sociality and smiling to random people without being considered insane. But I will miss more than that.
I once read a poem about people coming into our lives and quickly leaving, but how changed we can be. I'm learning, rather fast, that this is a perfect description of college. I have made so many friends here (special shout-out to Dr. Prusak's beginning swimming class, except Benji, I'm still partially mad about you pushing me into the pool in my clothes and then trying to flip over my inner tube while the lifeguard laughed). As the semester closes and I try to find words to express my gratitude and love toward these people who, in all likelihood, I will never see again, I find myself at a loss. But I can't hang on to everyone. And that's okay. The people that I have met here in Happy Valley have completely changed the person I am and the person I want to be. So, without getting too emotional, I get it. I'm grateful for what I got and I'm moving on, never forgetting the effect they had on me.

I will eventually get around to posting those pictures and even let you know how the move home goes. Oh, and I've recently developed a nasty habit of Blogstalking when I don't want to write my report on the benefits of pediatric brain plasticity, so tell your friends to beware!!! :)

Because my sister made me......

2009-03-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

As is implied, I am posting under duress. I didn't specifically say what sister, but you can pick from the two and you'll be right either way.

I really have nothing to report. School is...going? What am I supposed to say? The days kinda blend in to each other, one assignment to the next; the tests stand out, although I would rather they didn't. I'm still having a blast, balancing nights on the town (in Provo???) and nights with a good book or chick-flick in my apartment.

I only have four weeks left before I am no longer a freshman in college. In all reality, this is the last time I will ever be a freshman. EVER!!! No pressure, though, right? I'm looking into some jobs for the summer already, preparing for my last round of mid-terms this week before finals, and being forced to register for fall classes before this semester is even over. Oh, and I get to go home this weekend. It will be my first time home in three and an half months, although you would never convince me that it has been that long.

Recent developments: I am an official romantic slob, usually with characters that are immortal...darn. The calendar in my room is still turned to October of last year. Guess I'm stuck being 18 forever. My music tastes have become somewhat more eclectic. I hear a song, I like it, I get it. I am pondering taking a water aerobics class this summer. I miss my best friend. I miss my dog. Only one of them is coming home and not for a long time yet. I have officially decided that sleep is a giant waste of 1/3 of my life, which sucks as I require more of it to function than my normal college buddies. I have so many things I want to do in life, to experience, to learn, and yet, here I sit. Maybe sleep has its benefits. At least I still have my dreams.

:) I will post some pics of the fam when I see 'em. Till then...

GO BYU!!!!!

2009-02-22T17:55:00.000-08:00

You know, sometimes people tell me I can be slightly cynical with a hint of pessimism, and I'm like whatever, just call me Ray of Sunshine, so take this post in context.

Went to the BYU gymnastics meet and the hockey game. The gymnastics meet was fun, those girls are insane!!! It made me want to watch stick-it and do the tumbling I used to do for diving. I love back flips! Of course, if I tried one in my advanced age I could very well die. That, however is beside the point. It was a meet between San Jose State, BYU, Utah State, and the Boise State Broncos. Somehow, we managed to come in second, which is interesting considering that we have a very young team and were competing against other really good teams. Plus, we were in the front row, right in between the beam and the floor, with the vault behind it. We saw some amazing routines and some amazing wipe-outs (Go Broncos). It was pretty awesome, not going to lie.
GO BYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and random Bronco girl)

Yesterday, the day after the gymnastics meet, for those of you who are keeping a calendar, Tim, Brad and I went to a hockey game. Not only that, but there was free ice skating before the game if you were a student. I'm a student. Therefore, I went ice skating before the game. I was in the middle, skill wise. I almost killed poor Bradley with a viscious check into the boards (not really, but he did almost die), I almost killed myself on the dullest blades ever with ice that hadn't been zambonied since the dawn of time and felt like the rythym section of a motor cross race, and Timmy skated circles around us, forward, backward, and turning in a circle. Seriously, he's amazing. I'm trying to get him to teach me, but he was content to strut his stuff last night and I enjoyed watching all the cocky kids following him and trying to do what he did, then almost dying at mach 5 into the boards. It was a blast, although I felt like my feet were falling off by the time I got them out of the world's dullest, most uncomfortable, FREE ice skates.
Afterward was the hockey game, which we were creamed in and I may have gotten slightly violent with the taunting, but it was all in good fun. Except I think I scared Brad and Tim. Except they left for an entire period to get dinner, which I thought would be from a drive through. Turns out Brad ate an entire pizza in the car. But Tim bought me a licorice rope (my favorite!!!!) to make up for it. Other than that, our captain was in the penalty box seven times, I believe the ref's son was number 17 on the other team, and we lost horrifically. All in all, a perfect night. Oh, and my ward played Human Foozball/Soccer, but my lawyer says I can't talk about it until they find out if the other kid is going to live :)

Timmy and I. Brad managed to skate over and stop to take this picture and I believe Timmy is actually holding me up. Notice his uber-aura of confidence on the ice.Timmy is actually skating backwards to take this shot. Brad and I were skating forward but I believe we were in the process of almost dying when this picture was taken.Timmy doing something amazing... backwards. He's my hero.

The Three Musketeers. Don't know what I would do without 'em. GO BYU!!! And Brad, I'm really sorry about almost killing you.

The Cabin of Doom

2009-02-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

So, my parents are here in Provo, and they're like, hey, the Rose's invited us to their cabin in Duck Creek and I was like, dude, no way? Well, it wasn't quite like that because we are educated and didn't walk out of Legally Blonde (which is a great show), but that was the general gist of it. We had a blast! Mike tipped over the snowmobile with us on it, their cabin was huge, seriously, and I road a 4-wheeler. Best of all though, my family was there!!! Oh, and Mike and Cindy. They were there, too. Cause it was their cabin...

Me and Alyson on the 4-wheeler. I think I'm in back in this picture, but I did get to drive!!! Scratch that off the bucket list.
My parents on the 4-wheeler. Look like they walked out of a James Dean movie. Or something like that. My camera almost exploded from their overwhelming coolness, but they were gone for over an hour (doing what???) so it had time to cool down.
Alyson stole my camera and took this picture which I found five minutes ago when I was uploading them. The Roses huge cabin with me on the bean bag and the old"er" people playing Mexican Trains.
Riding my chariot down the hill. The only time I actually made it to the bottom without dying. P.S. if Cindy ever tries to tell you to go down face-first, just say no.

Alyson on the Rose's deck, preparing for the stairs of doom. Or it could be me. It's hard enough to tell us apart when you can see our faces...
My awesome family. Well, part of it anyway. We hiked an awful long way for this picture (apparently the snow if front of the Rose's cabin wasn't good enough???) so enjoy it. I do.

Miss Me?

2009-02-22T17:40:00.000-08:00

It's me again!!! Yay me. Anyway, when my parents were here, in Provo, we had fun doing a little bit of everything. We went to IKEA (it's okay to be jealous), played around in the BYU bookstore, got lost...somewhere, and went sledding on the ice hill of death in jeans and t-shirts. Yes, my friends, it was all that and more. And it was a BLAST. It was so nice to have my parents here. And Alyson, too, I guess. Just kidding, she's amazing too! I can't wait to spend time in Vegas this summer. It's going to be a blast.

P.S. there may have been some AMAZING stroganoff and french toast involved (not at the same meal, that's disgusting). Again, it's okay to be jealous.

2009-02-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

So, it may be my mood, or the weather, or perhaps a misalignment of the planets, but today, more than ever, it seems like that front porch swing will never come. Don't get me wrong, things here are going great, just, well, different than I expected. I guess that is how life works though, isn't it?

This week was one of excitement and happiness; I had a blast. I had two tests this week and, suprisingly, did well on both of them. The first test of the semester is always the worst because you never know what the teacher has up his sleeve, but these were bearable. I went to my first BYU hockey game, not realizing that we were playing the best team in the country, but still had a blast through our horrific loss. I went and saw a modern dance performance on campus and loved it, even though I could find no one else with anything positive to say. I figure that if I don't understand the beauty of their artistry, it is not my place to criticize out of ignorance. I also went and saw Australia with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman (my future husband!!!!). It was absolutely amazing. I, as a rule, love all movies, because, as stated above, everything has worth to someone, why not to me, but this was truly a wonderful movie. Although not a family flick it was incredibly family-centric. It was quite long and traffic (I know, traffic in Provo) prevented me and my party from arriving on time, so we were in the front row!!!! After lengthy icing and rehabilitation, my neck and back just might recover from the two and an half hour movie. Regardless, it was definitely worth it.

Things are going well in Provo. I am beyond excited to see my family this coming weekend and have missed them terribly. I'm working my rear off in school to try to prepare to spend time with them, but six days work wasn't meant to be done in four.

Regardless of my blue mood, the weather, or the planetary alignment, tomorrow will be a wonderful day. I will look around in awe at the God-given blessings I receive and take time to appreciate all of His wonderful creations. No matter what tomorrow may or may not bring, it will truly be a beautiful day.
Though the game was a blow-out for the other team, there was an AMAZING fight in the second period. The refs blew three calls and it was then all-out war. I love the primal brutality!!!!!!
I really didn't expect this picture to turn out at all, but I waved my camera in the air, Timmy jumped in behind me, and this is what came out. Not bad for a boched joke, eh?

An Interesting Dichotomy

2009-01-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

So, I thought I would actually create a semi-serious post... and then I decided not to. Anyway, this is me not creating a serious post just to fill you all in on stuff.

I have begun sorting out responsibilities for this summer to be ready to apply to the nursing programs of BYU and BYU-Idaho for the next winter semester and it seems as though a year is not enough time. Classes are going, well, they're going. Interestingly enough, my English teacher thinks my writing sucks, not a direct quote cause he wasn't born this century and thinks only a vacuum can do that, but he doesn't like it at all, so I have decided to pester him relentlessly until I get a decent grade. I love my Bio-Organic Chem class, oddly enough, and just took my first test for it yesterday. All other classes are not quite worthy of note, but I'll try to create something excitement worthy this week.

This week I have attended two swimming meets and a basketball game. The swim meets made me want to swim better, harder, and faster, while the basketball game made me want to take ice hockey lessons. Go figure, huh? But I've learned to follow my heart and will be dutifully registering for the ice hockey class at the Y next fall. And SCUBA diving.

New interests this week are in the above sports and a sudden, inexplicable attachment to opera that can be explained with a Three Tenors CD checked out from the Provo Library at Academy Square. My thanks to all those faithful Utahns letting me use their tax dollars. Anyway, I think that is it for now and see ya next week!!!!This is a really cool picture that I am not sure you can tell, but I found this while exploring Utah County and as the snow melts and sublimates, it takes on this wave shaped appearance. You can kinda tell because of the white sections facing right. Thought this was super cool cause I miss the beach!!!!!! (Hint...Wink)

P.S. I have no idea why the above was posted as a link. Please disregard and chalk it up to the inefficiencies of technology or "kids these days." Peace and Love <3

to BE or not to BE

2009-01-19T17:08:00.000-08:00

So, I sat in my apartment today, depressed by the fact that the university pool was closed and having a general apathy for anything that involved movement. So, as I sat contemplating the universe, it dawned on me that I had a choice that could not be procrastinated any longer. There were two options...Did I do laundry? or did I go to the store to buy more underwear? As college would have it, the latter was too expensive and I hauled my clothes to the laundromat where I was somewhat comforted in the fact that the girl next to me was on her EIGHTH load. Holy crap. I don't even own half that many clothes. Nor my sisters and that is definitely saying something. Anyway, the laundry is now done and I soon go to pick it up, but in the meantime, here are some pics from my awesome day exploring yesterday.

I drove out to Utah Lake after church and it never occurred to me that the lake would be frozen, but indeed it was. I had a blast on my first frozen lake ever and it was soooooo pretty.

This is the lake (can you tell?). I loved walking around while trying to avoid fishing holes.
This is me WALKING ON WATER!!!!!

Oops...Forgot

2009-01-11T19:13:00.001-08:00

Oh, and in case I forget, my family got a musical doorbell that plays twenty-five songs. So, please, ring the bell.

The Best Christmas Ever

2009-01-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

Just to be clear, I had a great Christmas. You know how you don't appreciate things till they are gone, well, family is definitely no exception. Were my mother around, I would not have lived on Marshmallow Mateys and Swedish Fish for finals week. Were my father around, my definition of "dirty dishes" may have been a little more strict. With my sister around, I would have always had a person to hug and squeal about Michael Weatherly with.
I didn't take a whole lot of pictures at home, but these are a few of my favorites. Hope you enjoy.

Ayo's engine obsession was in overload when we took him to play at Bass Pro Shop. He couldn't stop smiling.

Alyson just had to try on her life vest for the numerous world travels that are ahead of her.

Here's just one for the sentamentalist in all of us. This is right before I left (notice dad's glistening eyes), and yes, my hair, for the time being, is red and definitely a lot nicer than in this picture.

Games, Games, Games

2009-01-11T18:53:00.000-08:00

Just to be clear, when I say that Nevada Power has a monopoly, I ain't talkin' about the game (which I've never played because my mother has bitter feelings about it). One of the last nights of my joyous trip home for the holidays had me experiencing my first memorable power outage. I don't know what people do without cell phones, but I used mine to call Nevada Power and give them a piece of my mind. Actually I got into a wicked fight with a recording, but don't fear, I gave her a swift talking to. I just had to write a post on this because my father saw this as the perfect time to use his spelunking lamp. Just like a kid in a candy store...

Me. Snow. Sweeeeeet.

2009-01-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

So, for those of you not fortunate to live in the Mormon bubble that is Provo, Utah, I should inform you that it snows here!!!! Go figure, right? Well, it was a little startling at first, but I can now confidently say that boots are my friend, black ice only refers to when ice is see-through and that is usually on asphalt (which is black), and that feeling when you know you have no control of your car in snow is both liberating and terrifying at the same time. I am keeping warm and surviving, however, if only by the fact that cleaning our oven turns the entire apartment into Bermuda. It's also cost-effective since we pay for power but not gas. GO US!!!!! Anyway, for those of you wondering, this is typically what I look like on my way to school. Well, when it's snowing. Which it does. Awkward...

Not a bad day, just one I hope you never have...

2008-11-19T21:52:00.000-08:00

So, I was telling my roommate about my day and she demanded that I write it down. Since I am well over two weeks tardy on my blogging, this will kill two birds with one stone (poor birdies...)

We will start at eleven o'clock last night with an emotional break-down. The usual, but also included my frustrations with a ten page research paper I am writing for Book of Mormon that is due tomorrow. Turns out I hated it. All of it. So, I hit the shiny delete button and started all over. Somewhere around two this morning, with the help of my father's amazing English skills, I shut my laptop with eight of the pages of my new essay done. Woke up this morning in time to realize that I didn't want to wake up. So, I didn't. I missed my first class (yes, I know I'm horrible), and got to my second class with little time to spare. Made it through my classes without falling asleep, although the concrete floor in the Benson was inviting enough that I succumbed to its wiles and ended up with a very sore neck. Then it was onto chemistry where we heard the delightful news that the class average on the test I am taking tomorrow is a 60%. Yes, that's right. And does this teacher curve? (with how this day is turning out, that is totally rhetorical) After chemistry I ran to the car to achieve the numerous things I had planned for the day. Things were going great on my hike to my car until said car would not start. Yes, my battery was dead. Called dad. No answer. Started crying. Called mom. Called dad. Got an answer. By some miraculous power, my car started on the seventh try and I drove around while a parts store was located for fear that parking would be the end of me. Went to Checker's in Orem and was helped by a very masculine, very large lady. In a mystery of fortune, she got called away and Trevor helped me select my new battery, pay for it, and installed it with his lovely set of tools, although I was totally ready to get the pink ones out of my trunk. I finally made it home, where I started working on my essay again. I worked until a lovely shift volunteering at the hospital where I only got lost in the ER once (room 2 is hard to find). I rushed home to get a calling, you know, the ones they make up in student wards so people feel special. I then finished my essay so I could get it sent of to my mother, so that she could use her English skills to make it pretty. I then had tithing settlement, a trip to Brad and Tim's apartment for help on calculus homework, and somewhere along the way, lost my phone in the expansive grass of Wyview Park. I located my phone and returned to my apartment where I read ten chapters of Mosiah, because fourteen were assigned between yesterday and tomorrow (thank you Brother Judd). I now sit typing away while waiting for my mom to call back to fix my essay, so I can then study my butt off to get a 60% on tomorrow's test. YAY!!! Not to say that isn't exciting, but maybe next time some chocolate and a warm bubble bath will suffice for my tomorrow's great day.

Halloween

2008-11-02T15:13:00.001-08:00

Halloween was a smattering of running around this year. I didn't dress up for class, but claimed to be a sadistic serial killer who looked just like everyone else. At night, however, the party really got started. The two eighties twins are Emilie the blonde (whose make-up and hair I did) and Amy, my RA. In front of us were my roommate Taylor, and a girl from our building, Jessica. I was band security. This was our band picture. Taylor in the orange was the lead singer, Jessica in the leather was the drummer, and the Richard Simmons twins were the groupies.

We went to the stake dance and had a blast. After three hours of dancing and getting very, very hot with the crowded room, this was who was left. From the left, Amy, Emilie, me, Emilie, and Sariah. We had sooooooo much fun. Las Vegas isn't going to recognize me when I bust the moves I have learned here. Emilie is the president of RHA (resident housing association), so we had to leave for a little bit to check out Helaman and Heritage, and let me simply say that Wyview kicks...well...um...a word that I can't say cause I could get kicked out of college for using it. Suffice to say WE ROCK!!!!

This was me by the end of the night. Totally beyond sweaty, although I put my jacket special for those of you who see this. I had a total blast for Halloween and saw some awesome costumes. Here's hopin' next year is just as awesome.

SAC Triathlon

2008-11-02T14:55:00.001-08:00

It seems like only yesterday I was trying to talk my mom into doing a triathlon with me. Turns out, however, that was over a year ago. The woman who swore she would never be able to do it has long since become my hero, not necessarily for how many she finished or how fast she goes, but for how many she starts. The most recent endeavor was the SAC triathlon in St. George, which she did with one of my friends moms, yet another one to jump on the triathlon bandwagon.This is Leslie and my mom setting up transition. It was a quaint, little, neighborhood triathlon, so I was even allowed in transition with them. They were a crack up before the race started.

I was terrified for my mom to do the swim. As far as I was concerned, I might have to jump in and rescue her with how well I thought she could swim. Of course, such is the purpose of parents, to prove their children wrong. MY MOM IS A FRICKIN' FISH!!! She was amazing and awesome.

Turns out I am a really sorry picture-taker-person, so apologies to Leslie for this being the only decent picture I got of her as she jumped out of the water. I tried super hard to get a picture of her on the bike, so if you want to pictures of her front and back tire, respectively, feel free to request them.

Here they are in transition one, mom just heading out and Leslie getting everything together. They both worked it in transition and kept T1 under two and a half minutes.

This is my mom on the bike during the second pass. My skills with a photographic a non-moving object are adequate at best, so I am extremely proud of this picture of my mom, even with the random guy in the middle.

This is my mom looking super attractive on the run. And yes, she knew this picture was coming, so it wasn't cruel of me. Congrats to both Leslie and my mom for an amazing race and consequent 2 and 3 finish.

My mom is the most amazing woman I know. She constantly inspires me every day to try harder and be stronger. For turning her life around and working so hard for every event, she is my hero. For being on the course next to me for my entire life, she is my best friend.

My Birthday

2008-11-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

In honor of the one person who reads my blog, I decided to put up some pictures of the book I wrote as a previous post. For my birthday, I headed down to St. George and met up with my family. We spent a lot of time in the hot tub at the hotel, although a request was made to not post a picture of that. Saturday morning we went shopping and, true to tradition, we all shared a tiny dressing room, where Alyson wanted to try on this really cute turtleneck sweater that she swore was going to fit over her big ole' Martin head. She is actually screaming quite loud in this picture, but Kelly just couldn't resist a photo op in what has become my favorite picture of my darling sisters.

We went hiking in Zions, well, out of Zions, but it was listed in a Zions book. Anyway, we got lost on what my parents later found out was a loop, much to their chagrin. Alyson and I thought it was pretty fun.

It was like pulling teeth to get my parents to take a decent picture, they're like 2-year-olds (no offense, Samarrah) but they finally pulled themselves together long enough for me to hit the button. Of course, then my mom organized us into a four part round of Frere Jacques, but that is a story never to be told again.

P.S. My parents are the most amazing, wicked, awesome, perhaps even, most buck people ever.

My sister is my other half. The lone Martin siblings make quite a pair.

Oops

2008-10-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-10-12T18:47:00.002-07:00

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

2008-10-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

The Ride

2008-10-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Tessa June

2008-09-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

At the risk of being sacrificially
beheaded by my sister for not do
ing this at two in the morning, when
I got these pictures, here are finally
some pictures of my latest niece.

Tessa June Martin

7 lbs. 13 oz.
Born 12:45 a.m. 09/23/2008

Say what?

2008-09-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

So, I have a theory. My theory is that some people just don't get it. My test subject is me. So many things are happening in a fury around me and I don't get any of it. Well, ok, I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt and say that I get somethings, here and there, but that is still a stretch on the best of days. It's like I am stuck between two worlds, Las Vegas and Happy Valley (that's what some wierd wacko calls it here) and I don't have enough grasp of either to understand anything. I don't know, now that I try to explain it, I am at a loss for words.

Despite this post, life at college is going well. It's terribly busy and the honeymoon period is definitely over now that the add/drop deadline has passed, and things aren't going slower. Of course, I sat down and crunched some numbers (ok, not really crunched) and I only have about two and a half months of class left. Can you believe that? In high school, in fact, in my entire public education, it has taken a year to get a grasp on any one subject enough to claim it complete and even then, there was usually a part two. Here, it takes exactly three and one half months to completely put any given subject (GE's at least) completely behind you. Pretty impressive stuff, huh?

Anyway, I apologize for this random interlude. Not that any of my other posts had a particular purpose in the eternal purposes of life, but still. So, in keeping with the tradition of random posts, here is some random picture that I have dredged up out of the darkest corners of my computer. Love ya and enjoy.I went to a summer camp called OYA and for one of our challenges, we were given fifteen pieces of wood, three barrels, and a ten foot piece of rope, with which we had to Macgyver a ship to sail us across the pond. Our group fit fifteen people on this contraption and WE WON!!! It truly is the simple things in life. Well, this wasn't simple. Trust me. Maybe you should go out and try it to see what I mean :)

Makin' Momma Proud

2008-09-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

So, since my insurance doesn't cover a shrink in Utah, I feel compelled to let you know that I am doing awesomely! I am learning what it takes to succeed in college, even if it is twelve hours on campus everyday. Some of the most important advice I have gotten about college comes from my Father when he sat me down and said, "Son, one day, all this will be yours." Oh wait, wrong memory. No, really, my dad told me never to study in my dorm room and to finish all my homework during the week so I can chillax on weekends. I have done just that and it has benefitted me in so many ways. Oh, and if you guys ever get a chance to go to the BYU Royden G. Derrick planetarium, DO IT!!! Anyway, back to the real purpose for today...

My mother, as any well-meaning college mother would be, is constantly concerned about what I do or don't eat. And the fact that my constant joking about living off yogurt is slowly coming to fruition probably doesn't help. So, in honor of my mother tonight, I made a feast, for a college student, that is. The fact that I passed the oven time with a little ice cream need not be mentioned, of course. So, in light of this revelation, I invite you all to bask in the grandeur of my amazing culinary prowess, but try not to be jealous.

*Disclaimer: I really do know how to cook, I swear. I simply choose not to.

Ups, Downs, and Not One Piece of Middle Ground

2008-09-15T19:24:00.001-07:00

Today has been crazy. Absolutely, absurdly crazy. The feeling of immense terror as my classes grew to the size of my own personal Goliath was, at first, quite humorous. Sure, bring it on. What do I have to worry about? If I can't cut it, I can always become a squator in Indonesia, right? Well, that was then. Now, as I look back on the fact that I fell asleep in my study carol in the library, wasting one hour of study time, started awake not realizing I had gripped a page of my textbook and ripped it out mid-jump, after walking the mall for an hour to not find one single pair of jeans that actually show I have a butt, living off of chicken nuggets for the second straight week, and still not finishing my homework, things look pretty bleak.

But it's all going to be okay. Somehow, in a way completely foreign and inexplicable to me, I'll get that slingshot and take off someone's head. Metaphorically, of course. Anyway, as I leave this horribly depressing story to soak in your mind and create another guest at my personal pity party, I wish to show you something. My bestest friend at college and roommate. Apparently the nieces and nephews like him, too. So, when you want to send me money cause you feel sorry for me, go ahead, but just remember that I've always got Ted.

Blue in Provo on Gameday? Heck yeah!

2008-09-14T21:20:00.001-07:00

So, it was to be the game of the year. Two rivals took the field. The scene was tense. The ball was placed. And then it basically all went down hill from there for a little team we like to call UCLA. They were absolutely crushed in what is being considered BYU's best game of the decade, easy. At 59-0, with second and third stringers playing the entire second half, I would say humiliation was complete. But here at BYU, we strive to be Christ-like, so they're not losers, they just didn't win.

This photo was taken in respect to a pretty awesome formation, but mainly out of glee because victory was already assured.

So, this was my crew for the football game. Not my typical seat or group, but I thought I would expand my horizons. On the left is Tim and next to him is his little brother Brad, who is proving to be the only person I know from Vegas at BYU. Tim was great fun to chat with about the game, while Brad, bless his Kansas heart, doesn't know so much about football. That's okay though, he's going to be a cardiologist. Who really needs football when you get to cut people open for a living. As for the rest of us though, BYU football is THE way to go. GO COUGARS!!!

Mi Casa/Apartmentito

2008-09-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

So, at the insistance of my family and following absurd technical difficulties, I present to you, my humble abode. I live just over a mile away from BYU campus in an apartment complex called Wyview Park. It used to be married housing, but they had to find a place to stick all of us single folk when they demolished Deseret Towers (tear for dad). Anyway, I live life up at the corner of University and University, less than a block from LaVell Edwards Stadium, home of the Cougars and the fight song that I still don't quite know (sorry bishop). Welcome to my life.So, from this picture, you can see my two front windows. We are the very top in the grey (apparently we don't get brick), and those stairs sure can be a blast after twelve hours on campus.This is my room. Well, the important part. All you're really missing is my super-amazing rug and the closet doors. We all know how those can be a blast. Noting that my apartment is not home to a tv, that little laptop on the desk proves to be my only connection with the outside world and my personal 12-inch movie theater.

Just Mel

2008-09-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

Because I am just learning about this, I thought that maybe I would just experiment while also telling a little bit about what make me tick. So, here we go and pardon the randomness, I'll actually get pertinent pictures up later.

This is a picture of the sunset at Ocean Beach, San Diego, California. You can see the pier in the background. My sister and I took a trip there in April and I haven't stopped missing it since.

This picture is of my lovely sister, without whom it would just be me and the parentals. This is, in my opinion, the cutest guy to ever kiss her. So far, that is.

So, now that I kinda know what I'm doing, I'll see if I can get some real pictures up and let you know how that front porch swing journey is going. Love ya.

The Wait

2008-09-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

So, I know this address has leaked out now through some unknown means (mom) and I feel the need to apologize that, as of now, this is all there is. I promise to try and upload a picture or two tomorrow.

After I left today to go to the football game, I was wondering if BYU was going to make me eat my words about the game against UCLA. Quite the opposite, in fact, BYU smashed, smothered, crushed, abliterated, etc. UCLA. Final score 59-0. A complete shutout. I even remembered to take two pictures which I will post tomorrow if I can figure out how. I then went to the women's soccer game, where we beat Idaho State by deux (that's two for you non-bilingual people out there). Of course, as I was driving away, I remembered that I forgot to take one single picture. Darn. Anyway, as I end this completely meaningless rant, I warn those reading this that they will probably continue and, in fact, become regular fixtures on this blog. Love ya. :)

The Frugality of College

2008-09-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

So, I'm going to the football game today where BYU will smash UCLA and bringing my camera to take pictures for sending to parents. And to grandparents. And to siblings. And to friends back home. So, you see my predicament. My logical (cheap) solution was this. So, forgive me as I try to fit figuring out blogging into my crazy life, and enjoy.