Dear Daniella,

This is how I feel about missionary letters.

Story Time

Last week was supposed to help the Elders in our ward teach this 18 year old girl at her house. So a half hour before the appointment they came over and told me what they wanted me to teach. Then they left and I would meet them at the house in a few minutes. SO I looked over the lesson and hopped in my car…it wouldn’t start. Turns out I was 100% out of gas. I drove it on empty the day before thinking I could make it to a gas station on what I had left, then my mom drove Krista to school that morning and KILLED it. So I went and grabbed a backpack and stuffed my Preach my Gospel and scriptures in it and grabbed a bike from the garage…the tires were FLAT. So I made my way with my backpack and my flat tired bike(feeling like a real missionary). I got to the appointment house (less than ten minutes late) and the missionaries are outside sitting in their car. Turns out, the girl wasn't home, and wasn't coming. One of the Elders being the prepared young man that he is, had a bike pump in his backpack and kindly pumped up my tires and saw me off. As I was riding home, I stopped, crossed a street and began pedaling again and one of my pedals suddenly felt weird so I stopped. It didn’t look like there was anything I could do about it so I started again. Two pedals later it snaps completely off. This came as no surprise to me seeing that nothing else that day had gone right. So, I walked the bike uphill, and sat on it and kicked my feet to propel myself on the downhill parts and laughed the whole way home. It was incredibly funny looking, especially as I was holding one of my bike pedals in my hand. Let’s recap shall we?
• Gasless Car
• Flat tire bikes
• Appointment doesn’t’ show
• Bike pedal BREAKS off!
What a day.

Mormons are like Werewolves

Yesterday I found out a young lady that has been in my Sunday school class since, well nursery got engaged. She is the THIRD girl from that Sunday School class that is getting married/engaged this year, at nineteen years old. I definitely don't want to get married any time all that soon, but I suddenly feel like I should want to. I feel like people in my ward are now waiting for me to be checked off the married list. It reminded me of that part in New Moon (silly I know) when Jacob describes the way Sam and others look at him waiting for something to happen, that is, for him to become a werewolf. So I imagine my three friends in their wedding dresses watching me, waiting for me to transform into a bride and join them in protecting the town from evil vampires.

Thanksgiving Week

I promised a Thanksgiving recap and by gum I will provide one! Thanksgiving week was pretty good, parts of it were better than others. There was some illness, there was some unpleasantness, but most of the week was an absolute blast. Devil's Punchbowl, Six Flags, being silly tourists in Hollywood, and lots of other fun things made for a darn good time. I am sad that it ended the way it did (that is where the unpleasantness comes in). I won't go into detail, but it involved mood-matching weather (rain). Now I'm just hoping I didn't lose a friend.

Song of the Moment

I absolutely cannot get this song out of my head. Plus Michael Buble' is dreeeeeamy.

Watch and Learn

LOVE it. This, and other AMAZING videos can be found on http://www.mormonsmadesimple.com.

Wondrous Things are Sure to Happen

This song popped into my head today. LOVE it.

Party City 2

I got to wear a costume today! I was wearing this over my Party City Uniform for almost 7 hours and at the registers infront of those big windows, it gets ridiculously hot. The death heat, and a nasty stomach ache were making for an unpleasant day at work when suddenly, these little girls come to my register, carrying the two cutest puppies in the world. Instant happiness. So all together, today was a great day.

Results

She was not upset. She thought it was funny. :) That's what I'm here for baby. Making life interesting for you.

Waiting Anxiously

Tonight, I decided I would pull a prank on my sister Krista. I am quite excited to see the results. I think she'll be a little angry, but she'll know deep down that it is infact, hysterical.
So I created this masterpiece and printed it out 6 times with the words in bold red letters "Edward is Mine." directly below it. I then proceeded to tape each marvelous sheet to the insides of her books, folders, and notebooks. I'm not sure what to expect, but I can't wait for school tomorrow. Look what you can accomplish when you don't sleep.

Cousin DJ

Man I miss this boy.

Danny&Isty

This is Isty Face. Baby Sister extraordinaire. We're going on a double date around Thanksgiving. Don't let her tell you otherwise.

If Making Me Smile was an Olympic Event, You'd be Michael Phelps

Last weekend I was able to attend General Conference with a very nice young man named Dexter Powers. Some of you may have heard of him, yeah if you're reading this you almost certainly have. But anyway, I flew out to Salt Lake last Friday where my aunt picked me up from the airport. He drove down from BYU Idaho and met up with me at my aunt's house, where we stayed for the weekend. It was a ridiculously fun time. He did hit me in the face with a birdie playing badminton, but I'm almost over it now so it's ok. We were able to attend his two mission reunions which were very interesting. I enjoyed watching him interact with his mission buddies and presidents and whoever else. I was very impressed. The next day we went to the Saturday morning session and it was AMAZING. I felt like a lot of the messages were prepared just for me. I absolutely loved it. We spent a lot of time with my Aunt and my cousins. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was hanging out with my 13 year old cousin Elise and her friend. They absolutely loved Dexter, and he was really good with them. We played games and watched them be ridiculous. It was hysterical and it's good wholesome moments like that with family that really stay with me. They are the warm fuzzies in my memory jar. That night was my favorite. The next morning we went to the morning session once again. It was once again amazing, but we were both very tired, so he was nodding off meanwhile I was totally wired and couldn't sit still. It made the whole thing quite comical. Later that day we spent some time at my other Aunt's house. Another good time. And then suddenly, the weekend was over and I had fake glass in my forehead. BUT the good news is, he's coming to Palmdale for Thanksgiving! and I am absolutely ecstatic. I can't keep it in. That will make for an interesing blog entry. Check in in about 2 months and you can read all about it. :)

Party City

Starting today, all of the employees at Party City will
get to either wear a costume at work, or have Halloween makeup plastered on their face. I think it is a great idea and it's lots of fun. It makes work a lot more interesting. My paint job up there, incase you couldn't tell, is supposed to look like I've got shards of glass in my face. I wanted a costume, and the idea of the makeup made me a little nautious at first but I got used to it and most people thought it was funny. It was a great conversation starter at the register. The only thing I'm not sure I liked was the fear I saw in the children's wide eyes as they gawked, tiny mouths open. One little girl pointed heedlessly and kept right on pointing as she held her mother's hand and walked out of the store, turning back to me to stare and keep that finger aimed right at my smiling bloody face. It was a pretty entertaining day. I always enjoyed people's reactions when they returned my question "How are you?" and I said simply, "I'm great." They just look and laugh expecting me to play up the makeup, yes well despite the deadly spikes protruting from my head, I really am great.
Love it.

Love this Song

Yesterday, Tomorrow, but mostly Today

My birthday is coming up in a few days. It seems like towards the end of every year lived, our age seems younger and younger. A year ago, 18 was the epitome of maturity and sophistication, but I never quite reached my 18 year old potential. I still feel young and immature, like I've always felt and I suppose I will feel for a while longer. I'm alright with that.

Looking back on the past year,I cannot believe it has gone by so fast. I can't ago that I was planning my birthday with Liliya and Kessia in Provo. I was working at Urban Trends, dressing manikins, and crocheting scarves at the front desk. My time in Provo was close to the best time I've had in my life, and it's fading further and further into my past.

Looking forward to a year from now is just as astonishing to me. I'll be turning 20! I will have come so far. I will be done with my second year of college, and hopefully be in the process of transferring to BYU Provo. I'll be looking forward to traveling to Denmark and Sweden with my family to pick up Kessia from her mission in Sweden, that will be an exciting trip. If I get the chance to be back in Provo with Kessia, and the next year my sweet little sister Krista, it will be more than I could ever ask for. And in just ONE year, I could be on my way there.

So here I am, right in the middle. 19 years old (almost). I'm not at a particularly pivotal point in my life, but I am so happy to be here, in this moment: home in Palmdale, working at Party City blowing up balloons and selling kazoos. I'm loving today and I'm extremely excited about events in the near and distant future. I am one lucky luck luckster. Happy Happy Birthday to meeeee.

This Just In

A man decides it's time to break up with his girlfriend. He rides his bike over to her house and calls her telling her to come outside. When she steps out, he rides up and throws a newspaper at her. He says "This just in, you're OUT!" Then he pops a wheelie and rides off into the sunset.
Ha.

Good Day

A few answered prayers today. I am feeling very grateful and content.
Welcome Home Maddie.

She gets the toy right after I stop filming.

Moving On

I suppose I should update the Tyler situation. He is of course on his mission, well actually he is in the MTC right now. He'll be heading off to Texas on September 22ND, ironically. Anyway, Tyler and I are no longer Tyler and I: not only in the way I was expecting to separate, but in a more permanent way. He officially broke it off over a month and a half ago, however we've technically been able to "see other people" (but haven't) for a year, and been "broken up" for several months. And although I doubt I could come up with a more idiotic time and place for him to end things, we have remained close friends. At least I got a good story out of it. I am doing much better than I would have thought. I am excited to start a new part of my life, be more independent (despite the fact that I am in fact living with my parents again for a few months), and honestly, not have to worry about coming home and calling someone, apologizing, and feeling guilty for being busy and having a good time without him, not that he would ever want me to apologize for that. Long distance relationships suck. I'm just going to throw that out there now that I won't be offending anyone. I'm not sad. I miss his companionship sometimes, but I'm honestly excited for this change and well, some new prospects *wink*. I know it was the right decision, and I definitely give Elder Scavo credit for doing what was right for both of us. He's where he needs to be and I'm still so proud of my dear friend.

Hold on to Let Go

"So bury your burning hatred like a hatchet in the snow
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know
If you have a broken heart or a battered soul
Find something to hold on to to let go
to help you through the hard nights like a flask filled with hope."
-Brett Dennen

Rain Makes them Crazy

This Squirrel almost attacked my foot.

And the Pavement Sparkles like the Snow Used to

I've never liked running inside on treadmills. There is nothing to look at but the amount of time that has painfully passed since I began, or if running in front of a mirror, my knees. After watching them bend and straighten countless times, they begin to look strangely foreign to me, like they don't belong to me. After that weirds me out, I turn to my feet. The initially mesmerizing rhythm the humming treadmill forces me to adhere to, eventually gets a little old and I return to my knees, and so it goes.
It has been warm enough to run outside for a little while now and I never want to step on another treadmill.
I'm glad I don't know Rexburg that well yet. I can still run out into an unknown area and just get lost for a little while. I keep my phone with me and I usually know about where I am, but I LOVE not quite recognizing my surroundings as I run by them. When I know where I am and exactly how far it is from home, all I think about is how far I have left to go. It sucks the fun out of it entirely. When I'm surrounded by unfamiliarity I feel like I can just run forever, further and further into nothing. I can become lost in my imagination as well as my surroundings. I close my eyes for seconds at a time and try to just feel myself run. I sometimes think I could fall asleep while still pumping my legs. I remember times in my life that made me laugh, or smile. Then I wonder what the good people of Rexburg think about a girl running down the street with a smile slapped on her face. I imagine what people I know and love are doing at that moment. I imagine conversations I could potentially have with someone in the world. I think of ways I could have said or done things better. If I had the choice I wouldn't change much. I think about my future. I occasionally wonder and hope I'll somehow end up back at my dorm at the end of my run. I see things and wonder how they came to be, like a bench sitting on the sidewalk outside a wood shop. It's massive, looks like it's made out of a tree trunk, and costs $250.00. Who would buy that? I don't say that critically, I really would just like to meet the person who buys it. Other times I move my lips along to whatever song is playing in my ears. I sing along in my mind and make the appropriate facial expressions, which I suppose also looks fairly silly.
I speed up as I get closer to home. My legs hurt. I go faster. I feel fast, but I'm not. I run past the door and slow to a stop. I don't go inside right away, instead I collapse on the ground. I lay on my back with my hands behind my head and feel like I'm absorbing something, but I'm not sure what. Maybe it's the endorphins talking. I wait for my breath to slow, until all I can hear is my heartbeat, I actually feel it pumping. I lay in the shade and stare at whatever is directly above me, occasionally closing my eyes and thinking about how good this feels, until I start to get cold and stiff. I suck whatever pleasure is left out of the grass I'm laying on, then I pick myself, drag myself inside, and start a blog entry.

Spring? I think not.

There has been a lot of talk of spring being on its way here in Idaho in the past two weeks. It has been warmer and a lot of snow has melted revealing smashed brown grass and mud. I like the warmer weather, but brown muck does not make me feel at all spring-ish; however, I know that spring IS coming, because I inexplicably break out in hives and swelling daily when the seasons change. If you're wondering, the bottoms of my feet are itching and slightly swollen at the present time. So, if you ever see me dragging my bare feet around the carpet, I am simply trying my best to satisfy the annoying itch that plagues my poor footsies. It is a difficult task for those who have not had the pleasure. You press your feet into the carpet and move around any way you can and as fast as you can to stop the itching, but if you press to hard or move to fast, your feet literally start to burn. Walking on swollen feet is almost as annoying. It is the constant feeling that something is stuck to the bottom of your foot and should be removed, but cannot be. My feet are not the only part of me that go through this. I frequently wake up with hives on my knees and or elbows. It all usually goes away in an hour or so and it is much more bearable than it has been in previous years and season changes, but it is a nuisance. Well the point of all this is to excuse myself from being too excited for spring to be on its way. Spring and summer are my favorite months, but brown muck and hives would bring anybody down.

Valentine '09

Well, today sucks.

More Golf Clubs

Today after practice, I walked into the sport's equipment room and I saw several sets of golf clubs. None of them appeared to be missing one club. The mystery continues.

Just Wondering

Today I saw a young man walking using a golf club as cane. I wondered what happened to his leg. I wondered where he got a golf club. Does he have a whole set? I assume he is a college student, so why did he bring his clubs to a place that does not have a golf coarse? Maybe he only has one club. Why did he buy just one? Maybe he just found it somewhere. I wonder who lost that one golf club. Would they be offended by its being used as a cane? I'm sure they would feel sorry for the limping young man. If they knew, would they buy him a cane? Maybe they would just demand the club be returned and leave the youg man to hop around in the snow. He could have stolen the club, but that is doubtful simply because he is at BYU Idaho. He is probably LDS. Maybe he stole it a long time ago and brought it with him to remind himself of his guilt and to never steal anything ever again. I wonder if I'll see the young man with the golf club again.

Good Friends

I was recently thinking about my good friends from highschool. Specifically from my Junior and Senior year. I think it was in my Junior year that my group of friends was dubbed the "Hollywood Blonds." The original Hollywood Blonds consisted of myself, Rachel Coulsen, and Michelle Varalay. I love those girls. My favorite part about our friendship i think, is our shared sense of humor. We laughed at the most ridiculous things. I remember Rachel and I started "The Blond Book." I wish we had finished it, but it was a precious collection of our ridiculous-ness. It was essentially an instruction book for those who sought to become blond, and thereby become more fun. The Hollywood Blonds eventually grew into five members.
The last two, Quinn Williams and Krystal Diaz were not blond, but we decided to keep the name. Our senior year we dressed up in the most ridiculous attention grabbing outfits.
We used the Spirit weeks at our school as excuses to wear whatever we wanted to school. Most of the time we got away with it, with one exception. On beach day we thought it would be a good idea to wear wet suits to school. I still think it was a good idea, but the Librarians of our school disagree'd whole heartedly. They decided it was inappropriate and Rachel and I, who shared all of our classes that year, were sent to "FAD,"
or the detention room for the rest of third period. After which, we continued to wear our wetsuits to class for the rest of the day. It was probably a good thing that Rachel and I shared so many classes, because we often expressed that we believed we shared two halves of one brain. I still have difficulty finctioning with only half of my brain.
Rachel and Michelle were the ones who made me decide to lifeguard last summer. We continued our outrageous escapades that summer.
We had so many adventures during our years of friendship. I am always going to remember those times very fondly. I love the Hollywood Blond girls with all of my heart and I can't wait to see how all of our lives turn out. They are and always will be my girls.

Theme song of Rexburg

Update

For those of my *coughs* readers who are wondering, Tyler and I are doing just fine. Actually, we are fantastic. We've been through some ups and downs, but overall I think we are kicking butt as a "long distance relationship." He will hopefully be able to come visit me sometime soon. After that I'll see him in April between my Winter and Spring semesters and after that he'll be putting in his mission papers! I am so excited for him, however I will not be "waiting" for him. The deal is, when he puts in his papers it's over, but if he doesn't it's really over. Isn't that clever? I thought so. Anyway he'll leave, I'll continue living my life and when he comes back if we are both still interested we'll go from there. I really don't want to be a distraction for him on his mission. That is no bueno. It's the Lord's time, not mine or Tyler's.
So that's the plan. It seems really simple right? And it is, but I know that doesn't mean it will be easy for me. I am currently doing my best to mentally prepare myself to lose almost all contact with someone I depend on a great deal. Like I said, I am sooo excited for him and I can't wait to hear where he is going, I'm just going to miss him...a lot.

Arrival

I am finally here. I have made the journey to Rexburg where I will be going to school for the next few years. I must say Idaho is not quite what I expected, nor the BYU Idaho campus. I expected cold weather and tons of snow, which I promptly recieved. I also expected to get lost, and I did. Other than that, I wasn't sure what to expect. I went walking on campus tonight, just looking for my classrooms so I would not get lost tomorrow and I was suprised at how beautiful and peaceful I found my surroundings to be. I had seen the piles of snow, sloshed through the brown muck that covered the walkways and streets, and I'd felt the icy wind numbing my face, but somehow the twilight made it all seem so meaningful. This is my home for the next little while and all of that is part of it. I found myself nearly skipping, and feeling like the buildings around me were echoing warm welcomes. I knew then that I would be able to feel at home here.

Oh, and it helps that the gorgeous temple in that picture up there is a five minute walk from my dorm.