How the Bug Bites!

Well this has been a pretty flipping fabulous weekend. 

Fun and fabulous friends, fun and fabulous!

Friday Night- Friday the 13th didn't ruin my night. I had a blind date that night, and it wasn't with Freddy Krueger, so I can't complain! haha I went with a boy named Jacob Aaron Michael. Yep, went full name on that business. He's a pretty cool guy, goes to BYU, RM from Tonga, you know, the works. We had a good time talking together, but honestly the date was just set up really well! Karissa in our ward got about 12 couples together for games and a bonfire. The games were ridiculous and fun, they all had code names, so we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but to give you all an idea, we made human pyramids, dropped Mentos in Coke bottles, and wrapped our dates in cling wrap to play human bowling. Then we had a whole array of foods to roast on the bonfire from Corndogs, to Starburst, to pineapple. It was super fun! On the way home we went up to Squaw Peak to see the Provo City Lights from up in the mountain. We didn't stay very long because on a Friday night it is a total make-out spot. The lights were gorgeous. 

Saturday- I woke up early in the morning, walked to campus, and then made my way to the Mt. Timpanogos temple for a service project with the Landscape Management Club. We had worked on the tree rings shaping and weeding. It was quite fun and I got to know a lot of people better. I rode up with Melvin, Ron, and Ben. Melvin and Ron are both in a few of my classes and Ben is my TA for Living with Plants. We had a great time and then got Subway after #Subtember. :D

That night we went to a stake activity. Ben and I went at 6 and gave our friend Eric, who is also from Virginia(!), a ride! We played Swedish Twister (which I apparently was really good at). Some major hand holding went down there... of course, it was to keep our balance so we wouldn't lose. Then, we had a sidewalk chalk drawing contest. We got 2nd place and a big bin of Redvines, but definitely deserved first. The other one only won because it had a temple... just saying.

After the contest was a soduku race. Then we all got to eat J-Dawgs for dinner. For all you East Coasters J-Dawgs is a pretty big deal here, and I have to say, I was skeptical, but it was pretty good. I don't know I'll ever make that much hype over it, but it was pretty yummy. THEN WAS THE DANCE PARTY. I for real still got it. We had way to much fun breaking it down with other members of our ward and stake. I totally rapped for some of the songs and we did all sorts of craziness (including but not limited to interpretive dancing). A few members of the ward came up to me and told me that Ben and I are pretty much the best, so that was fun. Then we came home and I watched Starsky and Hutch with his roomates.

Sunday (Whatta Funday)- Today was our stake conference, which was BEYOND incredible. Let's just say that some exciting things are happening here as far as missionary work, not to mention just the incredible spirit that was present in the meeting. I also got a calling from my bishop, can't tell you what that is until I get sustained, but I am definitely looking forward to it! After church we came home and watched football/had scripture study. Now I'm watching Toy Story with Ben and Jose (who by the way, made me two salads today and homemade pizza). Too great. :D

Hope you all also had a swell weekend! Tell me how it went! :D

Proud to be a Cougar!

So I've survived my first monday of my Freshman Year at BYU! :D

I enjoy all of my classes (so far), and I am beyond grateful to be here at this time. I know with such surety that this is the place where I belong. I am so grateful everyday to be where I am. So here's the updates of how life is kickin'.

Apartment 17:
I really like my apartment and all my roomates. They are all super sweet! My actual roomate is Andrea. She is adorable, and we get along pretty swell. She makes me laugh constantly, and we have to do homework away from each other or we'll end up just having fun instead. She gets along great with Ben (who she has dubbed Ben Franklin) too, so we are quite often the three musketeers over here! This weekend I went up to Farmington with her to meet her family (and eat a yummy home-cooked dinner). She told me that later when her mom called her, she commented that we could be sisters, and we could. This is after one week people. Thus, no matter what happens, this year will be great because we will be rocking it. Another of my roomates, Julia, is a really cool RM from the Philippines. She is down to earth, easy to talk to, and a fun person to be around. Lauren is a sweet girl, I don'r see her very often, but when I do get to talk to her she is friendly and fun. Last is Susan. Susan is a seriously adorable Argentinian girl. She got engaged last weekend, so we wont be roomates for long, but we are all already having fun planning her wedding. I am going to miss this chick, but I really think that she's pretty great. She makes me feel super loved and she and her boyfriend  fiance made us delicious cinnamon french toast. Fabulous. Fun facts: our apartment loves to watch movies, Andrea can't cook and thinks I'm a saint when I make her quesadillas, also, she tells me that I'm nice when I help her eat her food.

Apartment 25:
This is Ben's apartment. I also spend a lot of time here doing one of the following activities: watching football, eating, doing homework, watching boys play football on XBox while watching football, making food, heckling Ben's roomates, sitting around doing nothing, eating, sucking at video games,  and watching football. Needless to say, I really like watching football hanging out with Ben in his apartment. Also, all of my girl friends that I bring here say it is too much of a boys apartment here. I can see where they would say that considering the TV that's too large for the entertainment system that is now propped on cinderblocks, the HD monitor with a great sound system Ben has hooked up, and the fact that the central focal point of the room is the XBox. Their kitchen/cooking is such a joke; I love it.

258th Ward:

I really like our ward. Everyone is super friendly and inviting. It will be interesting to see how everything develops, but for now I am enjoying it quite a bit. Our first break the fast we went $40 over budget. I love my Relief Society President. She made me laugh when she made her "keep your ears shucked joke." Confession: I did skip FHE tonight because I was having too much fun watching football and doing homework (yes I'm a nerd). I also didn't want to go by myself. So yeah. But I do like out ward.

The Class Schedule:

Monday/Wednesdays/Fridays:
Residential Landscape Design- I love love love this class, especially now that we've started working on designs. I have Dr Allen, with Zak as my TA and I met both of them at Orientation, so I felt right at home as soon as I got to class. I can't explain to you why I enjoy drawing tree symbols and practicing lettering so much, but I really do. I seriously love it and it reconfirms to me all the time that I made the right choice in my major.
Living With Plants- This is my Plant Biology course. It is definitely not as fun, but we have a good teacher with excellent systems in place. It's plenty of work, but the structure makes it so that I really don't even mind. My teacher spent a lot of his life working with tomatoes, so they come up in class a lot, and he wears ties with tomatoes and other veggies on them frequently. I find it amusing. I really like the exercise we do each class where he gives us a picture of a crazy looking plant and we have to guess why it developed the way it did. Way fun.
Book Of Mormon (M/W Only)- Honestly, there is a HUGE part of me that wishes I had this class every single day. Today we basically spent a whole class talking about 1 Nephi 1:4. You go look up that verse and tell me things about it for an hour. My teacher is incredible and loving. You can tell that he really cares about our spiritual growth and isn't here to make our life hard. I feel like just today my testimony grew so much  and I was learning things I'd never heard before. I am seriously already looking forward to having class again on Wednesday. Today we had a 300 word mini essay due and mine was 759 words without even trying. I actually stopped myself before I made it ridiculously long.
Intro to Landscape Management (F Only)- This is a class to introduce our major to us. I've only been once, but it seems like a chill enough class. I really like our textbook, we haven't been assigned to read any of it, but I'm pretty far into it. haha Since I don't know much about it, I'll write about my major. I really love my program and I've gotten to meet so many people in it already. ...Of course I keep becoming friends with people and then realizing they're married. Not that that's a bad thing, I just forget all the time that that's how BYU is..  Seriously, there's a lot of people I've met who are married. It doesn't actually freak me out, but yeah, it actually does.
Tuesday/Thursdays-
Beginner Volleyball- Well, there isn't much to say about this one! I love volleyball and I'm hoping to get better at it. I'm really irritated with how inconsistent my serves are, but most of my passes and sets are alright. The only time they're bad is when someone gives me a bad pass and I'm just trying to keep it from going out. Our time does a pretty good job though and I'm sure that we are going to keep getting better as the semester goes on.
American Sign Language- I really enjoy this class, even though it's the only one that stresses me out a tad bit. I think the only reason it stresses me out is because it's an evening class and it always seems to interfere with Landscape Management activities I'm supposed to try to attend. I love the way that our class is run. Our teacher never talks, ever, and we aren't allowed to either. We figure out what signs mean, which is awesome because then I actually remember them. The only problem is that I am awful at names and we practice asking people "Is your name (Blank)?" to practice fingerspelling names every class so far. I think it's going to be great though. I'm glad I signed up to for it and I'm hoping to keep getting better.

The Football!
BYU's game against UVA is not something I'm going to want to talk about for a long long long time, but the game against Texas was so flipping fabulous! Did you watch it? Because we balled so flipping hard. Also, Ben and I rocked the system, found out about the storm and delay from inside Ben's apartment, didn't wait in line at all, and got fabulous seats (not to mention that we stayed pretty much dry throughout the game)! I had an awesome time, and the fact that I got to watch with Lauren (MY FAVORITE) made it even better! I screamed myself hoarse, and the win was so victorious that I didn't even mind staying until 2am for stadium clean-up.

Well Hey Stranger

It's been awhile since I updated my blog.
Sorry about that, I'm not even going to make an excuse..

Here's some fun things that have happened this summer:

 I Graduated from High School and Seminary! #BallSoHard 

 Celebrated the Fourth by walking in the parade! #MeAndDaddy

The finish line of my second Trek. It was beyond fab.

Someday I'll get the pictures off my camera and update on the rest of summer, which was, fabulous, to say the least. 
And in a few days I'll be on my way to BYU.
Hopefully, I can get more consistent about blogging.
....Not That Anyone Reads This. lol

I haven't been on a computer in weeks.

I really haven't and I hate posting from my iPod.

Day 17: your idol and why you look up to them

Jesus Christ. He is the perfect example of unconditional love. For a greater understanding of why I love him, find my post on him on TeamAllForAll.Blogspot.com

Day 18: why you made your blog, why you still have it

I made my blog because I like to write and express myself. Writing is theraputic and words are beautiful and I think seeing something all written out reagardless of what it actually says can be art.

Day 19: your thoughts on your family

My family is so flipping cool. We are all hilarious and awesome. I feel like if people hung out with us when we're just being ourselves they would either love us or think we are insane. My family makes me crazy, but that's to be expected. I was born into my family for a reason. We are going to be together forever. My family is glorious, and better than yours. haha (:

Day 20: what you think makes someone beautiful

I mean, I think people are beautiful for their looks like anyone would, but once I start to really get to know someone and see them on the inside they can either become a million times more attractive or be ruined. I have a friend who I thought was absolutely gorgeous, but then started to do really unattractive things and got focused on the wrong things and he became way unattractive to me because I didn't agree with the way he was acting or things he was doing.

Day 21: everything you wish for in a significant other

...this will take too long, but hows this:
I want someone who knows and understand the importance of the gospel.
I want someone who will cuddle with me.
I want someone who I can have fun with doing absolutely nothing.
I want someone who will let me be wrong with grace.
I want someone who helps me feel beautiful when I forget.
I want someone who will sing to me even if he thinks he sucks.
I want someone who I can be utterly vulnerable, but totally safe with.

Those are just a few key points.

Day 22: how you judge intelligence

I actually try not to do this. I used to, then I realized that it's not my place at all. Everyone has different strength and weaknesses. When others judge intelligence it really bothers me now.

"Everyone is genius, but if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree it will live it's whole life thinking it's stupid." -Albert Einstien.

Day 23: a month/year of your life when you were happiest and why

Umm, how about we just say summer in general. I spend summer doing things I love with people that I love. The weather is always wonderful even if it's too hot. I just feel like I'm more of myself in the summertime, I really do.

Day 24: your favorite 10 people right now and why

this is not in order of favoriteness:
-Lauren-She is the best listener that I know.
-Ben-because he is my best friend.
-Clarky-because our shifts together are the best.
-Lexy-because she is my favorite.
-Bowen-because we are going to travel the world together.
-Leland-because he came late to class the other day so he could finish a poke'mon battle.
-Shawty-because he favorites all my tweets. (:
-Jesus-there's this thing called the New Testament, it has a fraction of the reasons.
-Whoever intvented blankets-because they made blankets.
-Sharon Baucom-because I love working out.

I gave everyone one radnom reason, and I am seriously not going to do this. It would take years.
I am far too lazy, and no one wants to know.

Day 25: a friend you have lost that you’re better off without/one you want back

I won't say his name, but there's this kid who was one of my best friends. He was always there for my and we had the most incredible fun together. Than he changed and I decided I couldn't keep being his friend, because it hurt too much to be with who he had become when I had all the memories of who he was. When he changed I lost a friend, and I am hoping that he'll come home soon.

Day 26: 5 things you’re looking forward to

SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER
Graduation
Beach Week
Trek
Working at Waterworks
Being Tan
Brown Family Beach Week
Driving Cross Country with my brother
College

Day 27: a person you wished lived closer and why

This is too flipping easy. I wish Bowen lived closer, for about a million reasons.
Here's a couple:
-we both suck at talking on the phone.
-we could lie on my back deck and look at the stars together.
-I would go to his house and watch Duck Dynasty.
-He wouldn't have to be in Texas with a bunch of hosers.

Day 28: something that makes you really angry

It makes me angry when people stop caring.

Day 29: a date you’d love for someone to take you on

I want to go on an adventure. Like we just choose somewhere to go and go. We spend the day together doing nothing and everything.

I also want to go to the zoo.

I also want to go to an amusement park.

Day 30: 5 favorite girls names, 5 favorite boys names

Boys:
Andrew
James
Mason
Levi
Carter

Girls:
Raliegh
Chersti
Autumn
Peyton
Kennedy

I honestly don't have favorites though, I just like these.

Day 31: a bit about your social life

What social life?

Day 32: whether you’d rather marry someone who’s rich but ugly, or poor but attractive

Neither of these are deal breakers to me. Anyone is attractive when you love them, and money doesn't matter. If they're ugly to me because they have an ugly personality, then I'd rather have someone poor. If they're attractive to me it means I love them to some extent.

Us, Trust, a couple things I can't spell without you.

Day 16: someone you trust

I like to think that I'm a pretty trusting person, but I know that in reality, that's not true. I have a pretty hard time really trusting people, I'm not sure why. I do my best though. I read a quote about how it's it's important to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I believe that people deserve a chance, a second chance, and even a third chance. However, there is one person that I can rely on through and through, in every circumstance, I know that He stands with me, and that person is my Savior. He gives me peace and comfort in my life, and I just decided instead of writing about Him here, I will do so on our new sibling devotional blog: http://teamallforall.blogspot.com/. #CheckItOut

Oh Dear...

So evidentally, I didn't make it online to blog each week.
I'm just going to take accountability and admit that it wasn't a priority while I was working every day.

So here is my: Super-Awesome-Lengthy-Week-Catch-Up Post!

Day 7: a show or a movie that has changed you, and how

Never Say Never. The Justin Bieber movie. Watching this movie allowed me to respect Justin Beiber as a musician. Previously he was a suject of heavy joking in our house and then we began to see his music as something more. This is such a lame response, but it did make me realize that I am often too quick to judge and everything else aside, people deserve to be respected for the fact that they are people, celebrities included.

Day 8: things that make you sad

It makes me sad when people make wrong choices, when my sister won't give me a hug, when I see people crying, when I see people give up or stop caring, when my brother says he hates me, when I have to leave a place or person I love, and when the state of the world wears heavy on my heart.

Day 9: things that make you happy

This is a never ending list:
music, singing, ukulele playing, learning new things, saying hello to strangers, when people laugh at my jokes, when I laugh harder than anyone else at my jokes, when I make someone smile, random texts, getting a needed paycheck, doing well at in-service, reuniting with friends, taking photographs, making memories, riding roller coasters, eating frosted flakes, late nights at taco bell, working out, making a three pointer, working somewhere that I love my co-workers, saying "Hey Jon Geronimo!" really loud at work, making people think i'm ridiculous, learning to love someone I used to dislike, making patrons happy, helping others, being asked to coach practices, watching funny youtube videos, listening to One Direction, going new places, looking through old photographs, jamming while I drive, harmonizing, doing nice things for others, baking, cooking a yummy dinner, when Kendall tells me I'm a thug, seeing how beautiful the world is,  dancing, bending over backwards, and the fact that this list would never end I I decided to keep going. I am so blessed.

Day 10: what you think when you hear the words “be yourself”

"Be Your[BEST]self."

Day 11: the worst advice you’ve ever heard, or ever been given

"You never know until you try it."

Day 12: the best advice you’ve ever heard, or ever been given

Faith and fear cannot coexist in the same heart. Which are you letting rule your life?

Day 13: your favorite quote

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."

Day 14: write about something you believe in, anything at all
Day 15: a song that makes you cry and why
Lots of songs make me cry, but none make me cry every single time I hear or sing them.
One song that makes me cry sometimes is "I Stand All Amazed" another is "Lord of the Small." Both of these songs illustrate the incredible and overwhelming love that our Savior Jesus Christ has for us, his children. Knowing that someone loves me so perfectly without condition makes me cry because it is a such a wonderful truth to hold.

You can Change.

One thing I'd like to change about myself. Day: whatever day I'm on.

Here's the thing. I'm not going to sit here and type a post about how I accept the person that I am and that I love me and wouldn't change a thing about myself. That's a load of crap. I do love myself, and I love the person that I've grown to be, but I'll never say I don't want anything to change. Even if I like life how it's there's always more I could do to be a better version of myself. The struggle to the top is what makes a height reached the greatest.

So here are some things I want to work on:
-Judging Others Less.
-Being More Patient.
-Not Jumping To Conclusions.
-Stop procrastinating.


On a totally seperate note, today was All-District, my last honors choir! It was an awesome preformance. I love music so much you guys. It's the best ever. #JustKeepSinging