Life Update!

The semester officially ended yesterday, and thank goodness. I just need to not be in school for oh, about four months. Yes, after four months I should be able to handle it again.

All in all this semester wasn't too bad. Econ didn't quite destroy me like I thought it would, and my other classes were fine too.

The most interesting part of my life is that I am dating someone! His name is Matt, and I really like him. Matt and I actually both served in Hawaii as missionaries, but only crossed paths once that I can remember. There was a mission-wide conference, and I had heard a lot about him from a Tongan sister I served with. Matt speaks fluent Tongan, and so this sister loved him. Anyway, I went to introduce myself and tell him I had heard good things about him, but when I went to talk to him, he barely made eye contact and said maybe two words to me. I figured he was just one of those elders that didn't talk to sisters, and it turns out I was right. Also, Matt doesn't even remember this. So sweet, huh?

So we both got home, and I ran into his twin brother at the temple. I thought it was Matt, but this gave me an excuse to message him on facebook. He responded politely, but that was about it. Then, a few weeks later, I saw him again at a mission reunion. He talked to me a little more here, but it still seemed out of politeness. Later, he realized we had a friend in common (thank you facebook) and messaged me asking if we could all hang out sometime. I gave him my number, and would hear from him randomly over the next few months. Then another guy from our mission had a mini-reunion for missionaries who had served on Kauai. When I heard that Matt would be there, I decided to go, even though I had been camping that weekend and it was midnight before I could make it to the reunion. It turns out Matt had come because he heard I would be there, and had been waiting for more than two hours! So, after we saw each other that night, he asked me on a date, where I was really impressed by how nice he was, and how assertive he was. He asked me on a second date as he walked me to the door that night, called me two days later just to talk, and definitely made sure I wouldn't forget him over the next little while. Smart guy. :)

So, we've been dating for the past month, and it is good! I'm excited to see where things go, and for the moment am enjoying getting to know such a great guy. (For real- every person I ask thinks he's the greatest thing ever. I have yet to find a flaw!)

Matt came home with me at Easter- this is us displaying our bunny cakes!

Love

This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways.

We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”

-President Thomas S. Monson

Silver Lining

So a few weeks ago I was looking at my bank account, and realizing how poor I am. I prayed and told Heavenly Father I would only spend my money on things that were of worth if He stretched my bank account. I believe in miracles, and that seemed like a pretty good idea to me.

Weeks go by without my purchase of unhealthy foods or random songs I like, and I check my bank account and a significant sum is missing. I'll try not to be bitter about this one, since it is technically my fault, but- long story short, a purchase from a couple months ago went through that I thought I had cancelled. Definitely unexpected.

The silver lining? I had four dates this week (just when you think the freak show is ending, but that's just the way things work out sometimes), and an invitation to dinner at a friend's house for Sunday. Do the math- I didn't buy dinner starting Wednesday and won't till Monday. I usually hate when people tell girls that dates are a free meal if nothing else, because I'd like to think I'm above spending time with someone just for food. However, this week, it worked out in my favor.

And, for the record, I was open to the idea of all the people I went out with this week. I was also extremely grateful haha. So, God works in mysterious ways, but I'm not complaining.

And, because I love this song and it has a fitting title, please enjoy this music video by Rilo Kiley.

New Post!

My blog needed a new post- I was getting a little, or a lot, tired of seeing huge pictures of my face right when I got to my blog.

So, an update of my life- not a whole lot going on! I'm doing above average in Calculus, for a change. I actually get a lot of satisfaction from that- I really like math, and I like getting the right answer. However, I do not have a natural aptitude for it. :( And unfortunately, all the math majors at BYU do, so I could never join their ranks. But, I like my Calc class. :)

International Development has been one of the better decisions I've made. I was so uninformed as to how complicated it actually is to try and help a developing country. It's good to know, and I like feeling like I'm actually learning something valuable. Some day, I will change the world. Or my world. Or someone's.

On a rather positive note, I have a date next weekend with someone I am interested in! How exciting.

Also, I started working in the temple about two months ago. It. has. been. the. best. Things of a spiritual nature tend to invite more peace into my life by virtue of the fact that they are spiritual, but I really feel like working in the temple has kind of spread a blanket of calm in my life. Not that things are really that rocky, but the peaceful presence is definitely noted and appreciated.

Well my friends, that is all. To life!

Two Years

Two years ago, I went into the MTC. So crazy- I can't believe all of the crazy experiences I had and life-changing people I met in that time. I was talking with Cynthia, my roommate and former companion, about how these past two years have probably been the most impactful and ridiculous of our lives. She and I started and finished our missions together, and were roommates immediately after. It's neat to have someone that's been on the same roller coaster the whole time, and be besties at that.

Here's a little before and after for you guys-
My first day in Hawaii

Um, a few days ago

And these are my favorite pictures of Cynthia and I on the mission

The Omnipotent Shower Head

Looks so innocent...

My mornings start like most. I wake up, fairly groggy, and look forward to a warm shower to start my day and wake me up. I set the temperature to what I feel is appropriate, and I step in. Oh it's so nice- the water is so warm, I'm washing my hair, and then... AAAHHHHH!!!! Water at what must be boiling temperature comes out and I have to jump aside to avoid being scalded, or at least avoid being scalded any further. After its blast of wrath, the shower returns to normal temperature and I rinse my hair. I start washing my face, and suddenly ice water delivers its shock to my skin. I can't help but gasp my first words of the day- usually a combination of curses, pleading, and sometimes, let's just be honest, swear words. I violently shove the shower head to the side to be out of the way of its cruelty and stand, gasping and shivering, until it decides to return to the temperature I've humbly requested.

You would think there would be some sort of pattern, or at least cause and effect, for the shower's extremity. False. No one in the apartment, out of an attempt to be considerate, uses water while someone is showering. So either this shower is on the fritz, or it freaks any time someone in the whole of Provo uses water. I've decided this is the shower's way of proving its power. It is simply reminding us that IT decides what the temperature is, not us. Go ahead, use the temperature knob. It's useless- you will still be burned and frozen at least one time each, respectively, when you shower. Every time it does an extreme temperature switch, I want to say, "Ok! OKAY! I submit!! You are the Water God! The shower giveth, and the shower taketh away. I understand!"

Perhaps I should start presenting it with burnt offerings. (Maybe then it will spare my skin.) I'll put ice there too.

Either way there is no way I'm living here next year.

The Truth

Hilarious

I love cows and motorcycles. This seemed appropriate.

This made me laugh out loud. Courtesy of Laurie Banks