Thanksgiving and End of the Semester Surprises

When I was home for thanksgiving, we took the four-wheelers out and pulled doughnuts. It was pretty fun, really cold, and Joslyn tipped over a four-wheeler, it was kind of funny. This is where we filmed each other, and where we waited until our turn to drive. Thanksgiving was fun, it was good to be home and to get a break before I had to go back to school and face the end of a semester.

So the end of this semester had lots of surprises. Me and Mary are the only ones staying in our apartment, which makes me sad, because I love our apartment. But  I know that they are doing what they feel like is best and right for them, and thankfully they wont be too far away. 

I am still dating Preston and that has been going well. As in any dating relationship it has ups and downs and occasional confusion. But right now things are great. Before I left for Germany, we danced in a parking lot to a song, it was really cute.

 

This is from when Preston and I went with our ward to look at the Lights on Temple Square. 

It was really fun to go to Salt Lake and see the lights, We also got to see Jennie and Chris. Which was fun too.

The end of classes was really stressful for me, I am still recovering. It was a lot of work all at once, and in many ways I feel like I could have prepared more, but it is all over and done with. At least I got decent grades. I am getting better at school, but it still is hard, I guess learning is never really an easy thing to accomplish, all that matters is that I continue to learn and grow.I did enjoy my classes this semester, I learned a lot, and I learned about many things that I am going to need to prepare for so I can find a job with my major.

Madeline chewing up a piece of Orange.

Now I am in Germany visiting Geneil and Josh and Madeline. It is very cold here and the last couple of nights we have been adventurous and we have gone to a couple of Christmas Markets. Last night we went to one in Bavaria, which is part of Germany, it is like Texas is to the United States. It was really fun, but rather cold, there is a lot of snow here, which is beautiful but it makes it hard to be out for long. Madeline is talking up a storm, sadly we still can't understand her very well. There are some things we understand but most of her talking is gibberish. But she definitely understands us. It has been really fun to feed her real food. She really likes the little oranges, we give her half of a slice of orange and she chews it until the juice is all out, then she spits out the skin.
She also loves to laugh. Every time someone laughs she starts to laugh too. She covers up her mouth with both her hands and laughs away. It is funny because sometimes she laughs at things when they are not intended to be funny and she makes us all lighten up.

Church was canceled today because of the snow and the ice, and snow plows typically don't do much on Sunday because in Germany most people stay inside and enjoy quiet time.I am glad I still have lots of time before I go back to school. I am not really ready to start again. I honestly am slightly nervous about going back, and starting over. But, new starts are always nice, it just will take some time for me to get used to the idea. I will try to update this more with my adventures in Germany. 

The Last Month and a Half. GREAT!

So where do I start...
According to the sound of music it is the very beginning... so here goes, lol:

Since September 15th, I have been busy with many things.
School, has been great. Full of new ideas, and lots of tests but I am doing well and enjoying the things I am learning. I am still loving my Biological Anthropology Class which has been very enlightening to the truth of evolution. I still am not sure what I think about it, but I know that it is very intriguing. It is interesting in more ways than one, and that we really are much more advanced than monkeys or gorillas.

Reid, Curtis, Alicia and I went to General Conference

I had some awesome experiences being at the conference center for most of conference this year. It was very cool  to be there and feel the messages the Prophet and Apostles had for the members of the church.  Some talks that really stood out to me include: President Ucktdorf , Elder Richard G. Scott, Elder Bednar, Elder Packer, Elder Cook, Elder Eyring, President Monson. It was such a cool experience to be there.

Preston and I at Aunt Marilyn's House

Together at the Ward Halloween Party Oct. 30

I also started dating a marvelous boy, Preston Morgan. Today it has been three weeks that we have officially been dating. But since our first date we have seen each other every day and talked as well. He gives amazing hugs, and he is so humble. I definitely falling for him. ha ha. One of my favorite things that we do together is go for walks. We get to talk and catch up, it is really nice. I really am enjoying having him as a friend. He is growing on me each day. He always tells me adorable things, about how much he likes me and how great I am. I feel so lucky to just be dating him. I am learning and growing so much as I spend time with him.

I also am loving where I live. My roommates are great! Mary is awesome we talk each morning because she gets back so late at night. Heidi is just always so happy and fun, and she has helped me a lot when I have been sick this semester. Chanda is always so giving, she serves me all the time. Katelin always encourages me, and reminds me how important the gospel is. Sara is so fun to laugh with, she helps me be grateful for the simple things, and to recognize the happy things in life.
This is all of us but Chanda, having a random unplanned dance party in our kitchen. We dressed up like Thugs and danced away our stress all together it was awesome bonding time :) 

Also, It was great to have Geneil and Josh and Madeline come visit us. They came after General Conference for homecoming weekend at the beginning of October.  It has been so good to see them so much this year. I also really have felt a stronger relationship between me and Geneil. We have been working on talking each week, and staying caught up on each others lives and the things we each are facing. I am so grateful for her. I love her and her family so much. Josh has also been very helpful. He is always giving me dating advice, and being supportive of me. J-Dawg has always been there for me and that makes me glad. I also can not get over how cute Madeline is. She always laughs with me and it makes me so happy that she recognizes me. The other day Geneil was on facebook looking at my page and M started waving to my picture because she thought it was me in real life. We skyped and she waved again. It makes me happy that she knows who I am.

Reid and I also went to Harry Potter 7 the midnight showing. Which was really fun. It was fun to see with him. We didn't like this movie as much as the others but it was still fun. It still blows me away that he is here at BYU with me. But he is learning and growing and learning how to be positive, and it has been a great experience for him. I see how happy he is, and that he is growing and that makes me happy. He still is one of my best friends, and I love how well we get along with each other. It has been super nice to have him here to vent with, laugh with, supporting each other, and to just know I am not alone.

Overall, This semester has been the best I have ever had. Last winter is definitely pretty close to my favorite but this one is winning. I just am loving the things in my life, including my ward and the support and service they give everyone. I feel so blessed to be alive at this time and here at BYU. It is crazy how much the Lord blesses you when you are doing what is right. His hand is in ALL things. It is also crazy I have met some really amazing people in my classes and I have gotten to know them on deeper levels and in many ways I feel like we have been able to answer each others prayers. I feel so much hope, and so much love.

I am so lucky, and things are just GREAT!

Another Crazy Start here at the Y

Wow...
Time fly's by so fast. I cannot believe it is the middle of September already. It seems like just yesterday I went home for the summer, left for Germany, was an EFY Counselor, and was killing mosquitoes, was a the beach in Oregon, and then at Kelli's wedding.

I am doing well enjoying my classes a lot. Learning a bunch about applied anthropology, medical anthropology and evolution. It is interesting to learn at here at BYU and see how much of it really does influence the rest of the world. I also have been starting to figure out what and where I should do my field work. I also have decided to try to go to grad school and get a masters in medical anthropology. Maybe just maybe I can have an influence on the world by going into this particular subject or field.

We will definitely have to see, where this will take me, I am excited and nervous all at the same time.

Another class I am really enjoying is my Family History class. I am learning how to do research and learning a lot about my ancestors and the legacy they left behind. It is crazy for me to realize that these people are real, they once lived here on this earth. They wanted to be remembered, and they wanted to be happy too. It blows me away... they are not just a name, they really lived.

I am really happy. Enjoying my new ward, and meeting new people. This weekend I have a ward social which I am really excited for. It should be great! Overall, I have just been enjoying my life one day at a time, trying to focus on now and the things that I am faced with, and for the most part I have been really happy!

Here We Go Again!

I am trying not to think about the next couple weeks...
4 Tests
4 Papers one of which is 12 pages long
Moving/ Packing up
Cleaning Checks
Relief Society Lesson
Going home to kill bugs and be with family- this one makes me excited:) 

It doesn't seem like much but for some reason this year I am feeling a little more overwhelmed than usual. I think maybe it is because I will be packing up and moving and cleaning this year without my mom, she typically comes and helps me out. I think I will and already am realizing how much she does for me. Not only during my finals week, and my starting week each year at school, but the fact that she does so much more than just those things.
She teaches me, loves me, talks with me, laughs and cries with me. She protects me, strengthens me, and gives me hope. She truly has influenced and blessed my life, in more ways than she is aware. I am so glad I am able to know, and have a friendship with my mom. It makes a world of difference.

Recently, I have been working on a paper for my symbolic anthropology class, which is discussing the way that we physically show love, and the importance of showing and sharing that feel/emotion. It is through the actions of my mom and others that I see I am loved. Love cannot be seen or understood without the expression of others, or the actions, whatever that action or expression may be.

I am grateful for the ability to see love, and know I am loved. It will make the difference in the next two weeks of business, not be that bad and worth the reward. A break, time with my family, time in Germany with my sister and niece, and then a whole summer of enjoying my siblings and parents.

Exciting Adventures

So far this semester has been an adventure but my life is abut to get even more exciting...

I have been taking anthropology classes and figuring out my pre-requisites for a master degree in Occupational Therapy- which is a lot like Physical Therapy- I am super excited about this. This summer i have the chance to do some volunteer work with a neighbor of mine who is working with horses and kids with autism etc. I am excited to learn new thingsand see what this therapy technique is like.

I also am probably going to visit the beautiful country of Germany, for the first time leaving the country, I am thrilled at this chance of a life time, to see new things and love the world more than I already do :)

I also am going to just modge-pogde my whole summer together for work, riding on a scooter again doing storm drains to kill those mosquitoes, delivering phone books, working on the farm and possibly being an EFY counselor but I am still waiting to here back on that one, we will see, all I know is I am thrilled to go home, be with my family, get a break, and do lots of fun things. Including ride a scooter tons, get a tan, help my parents, be with my siblings, and see the stars and sun rises again. O the joys of living in the country, with no city lights or buildings in my way.

It is not long now until I get to begin this grand adventure, but I guess I am finishing up a grand adventure, getting ready to start the next chapter in my life. I am grateful for the chapter I am finishing. I have learned so much in so little time, I have learned to trust and love, to understand, to accept things I wish I could change, and to learn that knowing is different than seeing or believing, and I know that everything will be ok. It jsut takes hope, faith, courage and the motivation to keep trying.

It is so crazy how sometimes what you think is what is best for you turns out to not be the best but the option you did take was better. Its been good times, hard times, sad times, busy times, growing times, and amazing times. Heavenly Father is definitely blessing my life in so many ways!

Can you meet me half-way?

           Right up the borderline that's where I'm gonna wait...for you.

The semester is over half way through, and I really wish that I could be done, I am in need of a break, my brain is starting to get fried like french fries. ButI am learning so so much. 

I have been learning a lot about music, literature, art, symbols, and cultures from the 15th century up until our day. For my anthropology class I also have been reading a book called Let Your Words Be Few: Symbolism and Silence in Quaker Ideology, By Richard Bauman.  So far I have read about the importance of silence in their culture, and how they only speak if they feel if God is speaking through them. I wonder how much less we would say if we all did this. I also wonder if it would change how well we listen to each other and the spirit, would we be able to follow and hear promptings more? Is it important to take that quiet time each day to hear your own thoughts. Bauman also talks of how they believed that silence was a way to line your will up with God's, you are giving yourself to God. 

I am enjoying this book more than anything else, it is increasing my understanding of symbols and how real everything is in my life. Symbols surround us: words, language, sounds, pictures, our name, time, personality, personhood, colors, shapes, acronyms, light and darkness, right and wrong, facial expressions, body movement, and emotions/feelings. 

It is crazy to think about how these things are all around us, making it hard to know exactly how else we would express ourselves, share our ideas if we didn't have words or pictures.

I also am starting to feel homesick a little. Missing my siblings, and my parents, missing my older sisters and brother-in-laws, and my niece. I am ready to spend some more time with them, to laugh, to be me, to just be with them and enjoy their company. I sure love them and it has taken me a long time to see how important they are to me, I really could not live without them. They are a huge part of me, and I am so happy they are such a big part. As we have all grown up and changed, learned and grown, we have been able to support each other more, and love each other more. I wish they could meet me in Idaho for the weekend. lol. 

I feel a big change coming on in my life and I am not sure what it is. I hope I am ready for it.

More new to replace the old.

I guess this time in my life is all about the NEW...

I have been working through things that have been hard for a couple months now, finally letting myself feel things even if they are intense. And its working, I was nervous to let myself go, and just focus on what I needed to do to work through it but so far its helping.

I was talking with a close friend yesterday night about things and she introduced me to some new music. I am learning to love it more and more.

The song is called Rise up by Ben Lee. Some of my favorite lyrics include:

And every things weird
But soon they'll be gone
Cause our whispered words
are louder then bombs
so don't you lose faith
say its no fun
cause we've come to far to stop
before we're done

You and me are gonna rise up
and they will be surprised, yep
You and me are gonna rise up
and they will be surprised, yep
(They will be)

Sometimes we get lost
But soon we'll be found
This is far to important
To turn back now

I guess the main point I want to share is that even though things are hard and different than we plan or count on, we cannot give up. We have come this far and as long as you have something to hold on to even if it is a small thing hold on tight and hope for the best. Because 'Everything is okay in the end; If it is not okay it is not the end.'

So I guess its time to eat the elephant one bite at a time, and keep moving forward.