Don't Stop Believin'

My life is ridiculous. But every once in a while, well maybe every day, Heavenly Father throws a little gem my way to remind me that things really aren't as bad/overwhelming/important as I make them out to be.

For example, I went home this weekend because my friend Erica was going through the temple. I showed up for the session a half an hour early in hopes of getting a good seat and not being rushed. As I was making my way to the temple from the parking lot, I saw this couple in jeans walking on the grounds. The distinct impression came that I should talk to them, so I did. It turns out they were from Belgium and were on their way to Wyoming. When they saw this crazy huge white building with a gold statue on top, they thought they might stop by. We talked for a little bit about religion while I led them through the maze of construction, etc., that led to the Visitors Center. We got to the Visitors Center, I handed them off to the sisters, and went back to the temple.

Because of the time this took, I ended up not making it to the session, but went and did sealings instead. First of all, I felt pretty grateful that I was in the right place at the right time to talk to the Belgium couple. How neat! And then this was my first time doing sealings. I kept thinking about how cool it was that regular people like myself and the others present got to take part in such a special thing. Here we were, making it so families could be united even after death. You know, just part of our Saturday morning.

Another cool experience I had was a few weeks ago at Temple Square. A bunch of us from the mission got together and went to Salt Lake for the evening. We were at Temple Square for a couple hours and stayed long enough for the sisters to be gone. My friend and I were walking around and ran into this group of people taking pictures. We offered to take a picture for them, and found out they were from New York, and wanted to know more about this church. It was so cool to be able to answer their questions and just share a few things about the temple and families.

I guess I just feel grateful to know that there are ways I can help people. I think that's one of the greatest blessings of the Gospel- whoever we are, we have something to offer that can help someone else. And who knows what happened to the couple from Belgium or the group from New York, but I think I'll let myself imagine a happy ending for all involved.

That's the Way We Get By

Just a typical Wednesday night- 1am, WalMart, getting Ben & Jerry's.

A Girl Has Got to Eat

It is Saturday night and I am at work. I think this is a good time to blog. And what should be on my mind, but dating. What makes a quality date? Well, some day I shall find out. But these last three weekends have certainly not led me to the answer.

All of these dates have two common threads, and I would like to discuss them.

Thread number 1- plans. When someone asks me on a date, I have in mind that there is something happening that they would like me to be a part of. I figure there is something they want us to do, hence them calling me specifically for the occasion.

When I get in the car/to the apartment, and he turns to me and asks, "So what do you want to do?" I have to bite my tongue before I say something rude. If I had no filter, I would say something like, "Well, now I want to go home. Why don't you call me when you have something planned, mm?" Instead, I say, "Um... well, um... hm. I'm not sure." What am I supposed to say?! I don't know what his price range is, and it catches me totally off guard. These things require advanced planning. I mean, what was he hoping for? That I would say, "Oh yeah! Sure I just so happen to have this perfect idea! You know what, I can't even think of what that idea would be while I'm blogging afterward about how dumb going on a date with you was!" I mean, I guess I can have some sympathy and figure they're trying to put me first and do what I want. They could have asked me beforehand though, so actually no- I have no sympathy. All no plans says to me is that you didn't put very much effort into taking me out, and I respect you less for it.

It would be funny if that hadn't happened more than once.

Thread number 2- dinner. If the date is between 5 and 8, I do not think it is unreasonable that I would expect dinner. I'm just saying. If you drop me off hungry, I won't be saying yes if you ask again. What I don't understand is how someone can ask me on a date, take me out at dinner time, be unsure of what we should do, and not take me to dinner.

Haha so I'm thinking of creating some sort of screening test for my dates (assuming I get any more, that is. The feast may be over, it could be time for the famine). It could be like a process of elimination though. "If you answer no to any of the following questions, then my answer is no for going out with you. Do you have actual plans for the date? Will you feed me? Are you going to talk about something besides your mission? Will you actually listen to what I have to say? Alright then. Your time, and possibly money, would be better spent elsewhere. Go find a freshman. Thank you."

I guess the good news is that it won't be too difficult for someone to impress me. If you have the date planned, you take me to dinner when appropriate, and can have a good conversation, haha I will think you are a rock star.

The Other Girl

One of the best parts about being back in normal life, and at BYU, is all the drama. I'm not sure if it was like this before my mission and now it's just a novelty to me, but good night there is a lot of drama right here in P-town. For the most part, I love it, and I think it's so funny. Sometimes though, it does get a little stressful.

Of course, the bulk, or probably about 99% of the drama is centered on dating. I happened to have totally lucked out this year and have the most awesome roommates ever, so no drama there. We're all different ages, at different points in our lives/majors/whatever, but it works. Maybe that's why it works.

So back to this dating thing. Gooooood night it's crazy. I could feel it as soon as I stepped on campus, especially during the first week of school. Everyone here is on the hunt. Everyone. I'm getting used to it, and kind of rolling back to my old self, except better because now I'm better at talking to people. (Thanks mission!) It's kind of fun though, almost like a game with a points system.

He stopped to talk to me: 2 points
He asked for my number: 5 points
He texted: 3 points
He called: 10 points. Make that 15. Nobody just calls! It makes me nuts!
He asked me out: 15 points
He never called again: lose all points
And, to transition to the title- it turns out there is another girl: Negative points. Must find other boys to break even.

Over the past week, 3 of us in our apartment have been thrown into the same boat, though at different extremes. Each of us had a certain someone we were thinking about, and then, one by one, each of us discovered the truth. Another girl. Someone else that he needs to resolve things with first, couldn't let go of, has liked since the dawn of time and now she's showing interest, etc., etc.. Oh these other girls. This is not new to me. She's always there, this other girl. You know, the one you scour facebook to find, and once you do, the analysis begins. Is she really cuter than you, or is it just because she wears so much makeup? And look at all these stupid picture of her and her roommates- she definitely is not very smart. And on and on it goes. In reality, you might be friends with Other girl. She's probably a good person, but you hate her by default.

I think my sister Elise put it best when she once said, "That's how it always is. Either you don't like them as much, or they don't like you as much. And when you like each other, you get married."

This is For Real

Funny/interesting/'signs that I'm one of those kids who can't quite get over the mission' tidbits of my life the past few weeks:

I went on a date last night, and when he was teasing me and I had no response, I shrugged and said, "I don't know, I'm just a missionary." Yeah... oops. He probably won't ask me out again, which is mutually beneficial anyway I think.

I left the house the other day and realized I forgot my tag... and then realized I forgot I didn't need one.

I give unsolicited advice!!! And I'm trying to quit.

If it weren't for the mission, I might not have friends right now.

I feel like my world is spinning circles around me, and even though I have a really solid plan for today, tomorrow, next week, and next semester, I still feel dizzy.