Papes! (And not the Newsies kind.)

As of this morning, my LDS missionary application has been
officially submitted!

My availability date is April 24, 2013.
My call should arrive in the mail in January.

I am excited to see when and where the Lord needs me to serve!

There are a lot of things motivating me to serve a mission. First and foremost is my love of my Savior Jesus Christ, and all the happiness His Gospel has brought me. I can honestly say that EVERYTHING good in my life is somehow connected to my membership and belief in

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

I want to do what small thing I can, give my widow's mite back to the Lord, to show my gratitude for all He has given me. I love Him--and He commanded those who love Him to feed His sheep. (John 21:15-17)

I believe Elder Russell M. Nelson said it beautifully:

"All missionaries... serve with the sole hope of 

making life better for other people."

Finally, my favorite scripture and a key motivator:

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" 

(Doctrine and Covenants 18:10). 

What more can I say? I love God and I love His children. That's why I, and so many others, choose to go. I can't wait!

********************************************************

P.S. Your Christmas season is not complete until you've seen this. Beautiful.

Merry Christmas, my friends! 

Fine! (Fee-nay!)

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. I can relax. With another semester of college under my belt! I took my last final this morning, and now I can truly rest easy until January 7, 2013!

This is how I feel:

It has been such a great semester though; I have learned a ton about our society, our minds, our past, our bank accounts, our bodies, and our Savior.

PLUS I have had the most fun semester of my life (out of three. yeah.) I made some incredible new friends and strengthened relationships with my old friends. You know how sometimes you just find new friends, and you don't know how or why, but it just works out perfectly? Like you have all been friends since birth, even though you've only known each other for a few months? You just CLICK? That happened to me this semester. Nothing beats a good BRO-DOWN. Nothing.

I got to play soccer with my old high school teammates again on an intramural team--that was glorious. I've even picked up my cello a few times too!

After saying goodbye to almost every male friend I had, I have seen SO MANY of my gal pals decide to serve full-time missions--and this was supposed to be the year that all my friends got engaged! I am so excited for all of these ladies because missions are wonderful things!

And now? I get to watch Phantom of the Opera to kick off my 3 week break. Life is good, and don't you forget it!

But it's THANKSgivin'!

Since July of this year, I have been keeping a Daily Gratitude Journal. I haven't been perfect--sometimes I cheat a little bit and write three days' worth on one day, but it has been a very rewarding exercise. And it's so fun to go back and read little happy snippets of my life! Leaving out the more personal ones and many of the ones that specifically mention names, here are a few of the things I have been grateful for these past few months:

I’m grateful that I can feel the Spirit every time I go to church.

I’m grateful for my mom... she is an absolute champion...

I am so so so so grateful that Zach Brown has been a significant part of my life since the beginning of 8^th grade (2006!)

I am grateful for my extended family, and the love they all show to me and to each other.

I am grateful for letters from missionaries. Got my first one from Zach today. J J J J J J

I am grateful that people who need help or service from me occasionally cross my path. I need to be better at seeking out the ones who need my help, but I love it when someone makes it easy for me to help them. 

I am grateful that my friends and I do fun, crazy things, such as wrestling a pig in the Utah County Fair!

I am grateful that Sara, Kelsey, and I arrived home safely after a fun trip to Cedar City!

I am grateful that I get to teach Relief Society.

I am grateful that I got to play some pickup soccer today.

I am grateful that school has started! It’s going to be a challenging but very rewarding semester.

I am grateful that the Church takes such good care of its youth. Elder Holland’s CES Devotional talk was, as always, powerful and inspiring. I love being a part of this amazing, worldwide Church.

I am so grateful to be playing 7 v. 7 Intramural Soccer with my best friends from Timpview Soccer! Friends are amazing!

I watched “Titanic” tonight with Heather, Trina, and Sara. I love my girlfraaaands. I’m also really super-duper glad that Zach is not dead. (Like Jack. From Titanic.)

I am grateful for my flexibility class. It is great to have time to just unwind.

Even though I wish I was not sick today, I am grateful that I had time to come home and try to sleep it off. I’m not completely better, but that 4-hour nap had to have helped a little bit.

I am grateful for Fridays.

I am grateful that I can vicariously enjoy other people’s romances, while mine is on a 24-month sabbatical. Congratulations, you cute couples. You make life fun. 

I am grateful that I got a calling! I am a member of the Ward Activities Committee. I think it will be a lot of fun, and it will force me to go to the ward activities… the Lord knows me so well.

I am grateful for pizza.

I am grateful that I got so much done today.

I am grateful for movie quotes.

I am grateful for new friends!

I am grateful for personal revelation.

I am grateful that I got that reading done. 

I am grateful I can laugh at my silly mistakes.

I am grateful for my dad. I love spending time with him, laughing at him, laughing at other people with him, him making me laugh, and just being around him in general.

I am grateful for the TWO letters that came to me today from Ben Jacob! He is such an uplifting and kind friend. Couldn’t live without him!

I’m grateful that I get to go to bed early tonight.

I’m grateful for good TAs and good test reviews.

I am grateful for our kind FHE brothers who made us dinner tonight.

Today I voted in my first Presidential Election. I am glad to have a voice in my country, however small it may be. 

I am thankful for… what else?? THANKSGIVING!

This is a great little clip, but the most important part is 0:25-0:27.

I am grateful to all of you for reading this far. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

May we continue to be grateful all year 'round. 

Clive Staples

(What a great name that is.)

An interesting thought on how we should try to relate to others from a brilliant Christian writer, C. S. Lewis (Mere Christianity):

"Christianity thinks of human individuals not as mere members of a group or items in a list, but as organs in a body--different from one another and each contributing what no other could. When you find yourself wanting to turn your children, or pupils, or even your neighbours, into people exactly like yourself, remember that God probably never meant them to be that. You and they are different organs, intended to do different things. On the other hand, when you are tempted not to bother about someone else's troubles because they are 'no business of yours,' remember that though he is different from you he is part of the same organism as you. If you forget that he belongs to the same organism as yourself you will become an Individualist. If you forget that he is a different organ from you, if you want to suppress differences and make people all alike, you will become a Totalitarian. But a Christian must not be either a Totalitarian or an Individualist.

"I feel a strong desire to tell you--and I expect you feel a strong desire to tell me--which of these two errors is the worse. That is the devil getting at us. He always sends errors into the world in pairs--pairs of opposites. And he always encourages us to spend a lot of time thinking which is the worse. You see why, of course? He relies on your extra dislike of the one error to draw you gradually into the opposite one. But do not let us be fooled. We have to keep our eyes on the goal and go straight through between both errors. We have no other concern that that with either of them."

 All I have to add is "Amen."

V-O-T-E VOTE!

Today is Election Day!!

I know it's a hassle, but if you have not yet voted, take the time to go to the polls today.

Because if you don't, you lose all rights to complain about politics for the next four years!!

Just kidding, you should vote because, as an American citizen, it is your privilege and responsibility to do so. Make an informed decision and then do your part by participating in the political process. Even if your vote doesn't count.

Because let's be honest... mine definitely won't.

You can't stop the Beat!

I love the Beatles. So very much.

Now I don't wanna hear it about their lifestyles. Yes, they made some silly choices with drugs and whatnot, but to be perfectly honest... I don't really care. Does that make me a bad person? I wouldn't emulate them, but I just love their music! 

And pictures of them. 

Here are some of my favorites:

 

Umbrellas!

 

From the best album.

 

My first Beatles poster. 

 

Clearly I love the Beatles with Umbrellas thing.

My favorite songs: 

-Eleanor Rigby

-In My Life

          These two switch off at my #1 spot. The rest are in no particular order. 

-When I'm Sixty-Four

-Hello, Goodbye

-Rocky Raccoon

-If I Fell

-All My Lovin'

-I Should've Known Better

-Baby You're a Rich Man (just cause Ben Jacob loves this one.)

-A Day in the Life

-Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

-Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

-Within You, Without You (the song for which this band was named)

-Strawberry Fields

-Here Comes the Sun

-Act Naturally (just kidding, David & Marilyn)

-The Fool on the Hill

-While My Guitar Gently Weeps

-I Am the Walrus

-Come Together

-Blackbird

-Let It Be

-Hey Jude

-Penny Lane

-Twist & Shout

-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

-And, honestly, so many more!

This list got a bit long, but I just love their songs, unconditionally (almost--there are a few exceptions). 

Ringo is my favorite because he's just lucky to be there. 

I guess you could say I'm a fan. 

And, because it's my BFF Cousin Marilyn's birthday and she loves the Beatles nearly as much as I do... a photo tribute to you. 

Combing out my hair

We were more excited about being together than about seeing David again. 

This may have been her first time sledding. Sunshine is from California. 

Babies together

And... the classic Al&Mare thinking they're the hottest things. Rockin' those stunna shades. 

Love you Merlin! HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY!!!

FAAAAAAAAIL.

Hahahahahahah okay I just have to start out here with laughter.

Background: Heather got a DVD player from her cousin, but for some reason there was no cord to attach it to the TV. So naturally, we went to Wal-Mart to find the necessary attachment. We got home and kind of struggled to attach it. So what do we do? We text our FHE father Bryant because obviously boys understand technology.

Unfortunately, I texted Bryant from work, not Bryant from FHE. Good move, Bradford.

Me: Bryant! Can you or your most tech-savy roommate come solve our technical difficulties? 
Bryant: Maybe. Who is this? [I was thinking that was a little weird, but whatever.]
Me: Rough... This is Allie. We have texted before.
Bryant: Oh sorry. Thought I would have had you in my phone. Sure. What's going on? 
Me: Nevermind! We figured it out. Heather's a genius.
Bryant: I bet she is. Good work Heather. [The work Bryant does not know who Heather is...]
(an hour later)
Me: Heather, Mitch, and I are about to start our favorite game of True Colors! Do you or any of your peeps want to join? [Heather and I had previously talked to Bryant and his roommate Austen about playing this game we love called True Colors. So they should have known this was coming. Bryant from work has no idea what that is and why I was inviting him to play.]
Bryant: [after quite a delay] So this is Bryant's wife. Can I ask who this is? [I'm thinking: okay, Bryant and his roommates are just being dumb. Bryant doesn't have a wife! And then it hit me... WORK BRYANT.]
Me: Hahaha oh my goodness I am so sorry!! Okay this is so embarrassing. This is Allie from work and I thought I was texting another Bryant. Total accident--haha please forgive my absentmindedness. 
Bryant: Oh got it Alice. Elly and I were just wondering why you were calling her my tech-savy roommate. Good luck with other Bryant. Not that we wouldn't love to hang out with you and your friends, but we're on a date. 
Me: Haha reading over that conversation, knowing who you really are, is super funny. Tell Elly sorry for creepin on her hubby. You two have fun this weekend! 
Bryant: Elly says no problem, you have good taste... You have a good weekend too Alice, stay out of trouble.

Of course work Bryant was super nice about all of this because he's just a nice person. But my roommates and I (and Mitch) were laughing sooooo hard! Heather was crying. My favorite part? I referred to my co-worker's wife as his "tech-savy roommate." I will never stop laughing about that line.

Meanwhile, FHE Bryant has no idea any of this has happened. Sorry you didn't get to hang out with us tonight, bro.

But I did take precautionary measures for the future: I took Heather's advice and changed FHE Bryant's name to Kobe Bryant in my phone.

Never again will I fail like this. But it was worth the laugh.

A Quote

I saw this quote in the FHSS Advisement Center today:

"Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?" 

It reminded me that I really need to involve God in my decisions as I'm trying to figure out the rest of my life. My family, friends, and even the advisement center provide great advice and support, but if I'm not paying attention to God's will for me, then I'm completely missing the mark.

Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. It's true.

All this time...

Ever since I could read and hold a pair of scissors, I have been reading the brand name printed on the blades of my scissors as "Fisharks." 

Just today, I realized it actually says "Fiskars." 

Oh, life's simple surprises. 

182nd Semiannual General Conference

Semiannual. Stare at that for a minute. That word is so weird-looking.

I love General Conference! It is such a blessing and a miracle to us all.

And can you believe the news?? I was so shocked about the mission age changes--boys can go at 18 which is not a huge deal to me but girls can now leave at 19 if they choose! I never even imagined this option happening in my lifetime, and at a time when it directly affects me! I'm not making any announcements at this time, but this change could directly influence the course of the rest of my life. I love the words that Elder Nelson spoke of missionaries: "They serve for the sole purpose of making life better for other people." (Or something like that.) It's so true. They are among the most selfless of all people on earth. They put everything on hold for the God and the people they love.

I love the emphasis our Church places on the importance of families, and their critical role in our societies. Several talks from this Conference reminded us of this, and in 1995, the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a Proclamation to the World. Have you read it lately? It's good stuff. The final paragraph reads: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." At times it feels that our world and our country are going downhill, or that some things are just getting out of control, beyond hope of repair. But I know that if our families are strong, we have nothing to fear.

What President Uchtdorf said about finding joy in the journey today so we don't have regrets tomorrow was beautiful. "To avoid the deepest of regrets in life, it would be wise to make some resolutions today."

I was touched by Elder Holland's remarks about our Savior. He needs us to feed His sheep, save His lambs, preach His Gospel, and defend His faith. He needs us to love Him.

Remember: "First Observe, Then Serve."

I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.

Rocket Science

"Several years ago, a reporter for National Public Radio had an idea. He considered the stock phrase "This may seem difficult, but it isn't rocket science!" and wondered how rocket scientists expressed the idea that some subjects were simply beyond their ability to comprehend. So he asked a rocket scientist how he would express this same notion. His informant told him that rocket scientists often said, "This may seem difficult, but it isn't theoretical physics!" Naturally, the reporter then posed the same question to a theoretical physicist. The response: 

"This may seem difficult, but it isn't sociology!" 

Theories of Social Order: A Reader 

edited by Michael Hechter and Christine Horne

Stanford University Press

And so it is written.
Proud to be a Soc major.

La Escuela

Well...

After my last blog post, it's hard to know what to say. I feel like I have to say something good. Let's see..

My LIFE is good! Really, truly. I'm starting to really love my classes and stress about them at the same time. The first wave of midterms is going to crash upon me in just a couple of days, but I'll be pretty much mostly hopefully ready for them.

My favorite class, this week at least, is Sociology 310: "Foundations of Social Inquiry." It's a classical sociological theory class and it's really quite fascinating. I love learning about how people thought/think about people, our social world, how it affects us, etc.

I also love my Social Psychology class. I like how it explains the mind in the context of its outside influences. I like that it puts an official name on all those quirky little things you've noticed in yourself & other people. I guess I chose the right major.

In my Humanities class, I learned that there is a difference between nudity and nakedness. (It's all Greek to me! Ha. Ha. Haaaaaa...)

In my Personal Finance class, I learned that if you spend less than you make and start early with a 401(k), you will be better off than if you don't. (Actually, I have learned SO MUCH new information/resources for planning my financial future in that class that it's quite overwhelming. Especially since a lot of it is stuff that I can't really apply to myself now.)

My New Testament class is amazing. Our teacher made a packet that combined the 4 Gospels so that the Savior's life is actually in chronological order. I learn new things about Jesus Christ and His life every time I go to class. It's awesome. He lives!

And last, but not least: Flexibility. We get together twice a week and stretch for 30 minutes. It is the best idea Sara has ever had--an amazing stress-reducer!

So, there is my life in a nutshell. Because, yes, school basically defines my life.
Here's to another excellent semester.

'Nuff Said.

My roommates and me on any given Friday.

50

Friends, Neighbors, Countrymen:

Celebrate with me! Today marks the FIFTIETH day that Zach Brown (aka Zachy Pooh) has been on his mission.

You know what this means... Only 680 days left. We are 6.85% through. 50/730 = 25/365 = 5/73. We are Five Seventy-Thirds of the way done. The glass is SOOO half-full right now.

For all you who hate love and romance and cuteness, or if you've been Dear Johned or sent a Dear John, or if you are a doubter or a "waiter hater," or if you just don't care about my love life, there is a nice red 'X' (or circle) in the upper right corner of your screen. Direct your mouse toward that button and click. See ya next time.

For the rest of you... Behold. "A Celebration in Photos."

Cutest picture ever!!! I have had this picture on my phone since before I even liked Zach. Even before I was biased I thought it was the most adorable little kid picture in the world.

I don't know who took this picture, and I wasn't there when it was taken, but I love it of these two. Whoever you are, photographer... thanks.

With a few lads from the A Cappella Choir, in SLC. 

Zach & I really started being Zach & I (Me'n'Zach) on our choir trip to Disneyland... the Happiest Place on Earth.

This is us... imitating the sign on the wall at Zupas. It's too bad it's blurry... 

Senior Ball... Need I say more??

Even though he was way the heck out at Duke last Valentine's Day, he sent me roses. It was a delightful surprise. For those of you who don't know, Zach is pretty romantic. 

Don't tell him I said that. 

The best chums a girl could ask for. 

Hahaha he's always trying to place my hair where it belongs... I'm afraid it will be a lifelong battle. 

Kolob Canyons. 

 The trio. (Just an hour or so before Ben's Setting Apart as a Missionary) 

"You say third wheel, we say tricycle." 

If you guys don't understand the Zach/Ben/Me relationship, just know that the three of us have been best pals, at least most of the time, since 8th grade. During our junior and senior years of high school we became even better friends and then Zach and I became even better friends (wink wink) but the three of us continued to be a triumvirate (I love that word) of BFFs.

The time I gave him a Mohawk. It lasted about five minutes. (I'm totally opposed to Mohawks but he sorta pulled it off...)

I don't know why I'm so obsessed with this picture of us... probably cause we look like total dorks. 

At Zach's farewell open house thing. This might have been the last (most recent--not last EVER) picture we took together. I love his dimples.

 For those of you who appreciate "Waking Ned Devine," Ben, Zach, and I have decided we are retiring to Ireland to be just like these guys. Minus the alcoholic beverages. (Except we don't know who the young'n is yet. We are accepting applications.) 

No explanation necessary for this bad boy. Cuteness.  

So, there is a little bit of our history in pictures. But honestly, no pictures can really describe our relationship, or make anyone understand. You just have to know us, I guess. We are perfect for each other. Take my word for it. 

My time with Zach over the past couple years has made me so tremendously, joyously happy. The movies, the food, the athletics, the texting, the walks, the Skype dates, those glorious one-week periods he would come visit from Duke, the sitting and talking about the deep things of life... Every single day, I think of a funny/cute memory we've had, usually of things he says. I've started writing them down because I don't want to forget them. "God gave us memories that we might have June roses in the December of our lives."

It was really hard (understatement) to say goodbye to him for 2 years--quite honestly it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, and the most hopelessly depressed I have ever felt. But the beautiful thing is that the despair didn't last long. I am happy. I'm carrying on with life, staying very busy, and learning and growing in so many ways. And it's not like he's totally GONE... I write him every week. (And be proud that I have such restraint; I could write every day if I chose to.) He writes me every week (so far). I live for love his letters. 

But of course I miss him. Every single day. I am and will be counting down the days until I see him again. (Which actually helps.) But I wouldn't want him to be doing anything else right now. Serving a mission is exactly what he should be doing at this time. I have felt so much strength and love from family and friends and especially my Savior Jesus Christ. I have grown closer to Him by leaning on His outstretched arm when I need comfort and strength. I couldn't do this without Him. I am so grateful for my testimony of the Gospel, which helps me understand and truly find joy in Zach's choice to serve a mission. 

So, as for the two big questions everyone asks: 

"Are you waiting?" Not passively. I'm not wasting my precious years of youth. But yes, as in I won't be getting married before he gets back. Which leads me to the next question...

"Are you going to marry him?" Honestly? Probably yes. I'm aware that unexpected things happen. I also know as long as I am faithful and righteous, God will lead me to what is best for me. He wants me to be happy. And I'm pretty sure about this one. 

"Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away." 

-Elder Holland 

This got really personal. Maybe too personal for my blog, so I apologize for that. But I just wanted to get that out there. Thanks for putting up with my lapse into SUPERMISSIONARYGIRLFRIENDMODE. 

50 days down, people. 

I'm really scared to hit "publish." This is the inside scoop, the whole, raw truth about me. 

Don't judge me. 

Here we go... 

3

2

Smack Talk

Tip for Success #207

People should not know you are chewing food unless they are looking at your mouth.

Hypothetically, if a girl was sitting 15 feet away from me and I could tell she was eating fruit snacks by the smacking sounds she was emitting, and I then became very irritated that I couldn't focus on my reading, she would be chewing too loudly.

Make someone's day--Chew with your mouth closed.

(Thank you for allowing me to get this off my chest.)

Two Reasons

Two reasons to be happy today: 

1. "The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

2. "And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind. In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


You, my friend, are awesome. 
Happy Tuesday.

Heath

Heather: "I think it's time for you to update your blog." Very well, Heather Bitter, I will blog about YOU.

But this is the hard part... I have no idea how to describe Heather. Basically, here in Madison #12, we all love each other and have lots of fun and laugh a lot... mostly at the things Heather says. Two classics:

“Can we all just calm down like 2 inches??”
“I felt so… homozygous looking at her lips.”
(It's okay we don't understand either.) 

Sometimes we stay up into the wee hours of the morning wrestling, eating, throwing food, trying to get up and brush our teeth but not quite making it. Sometimes we try to carry each other to bed and then end up laughing on the floor. Sometimes we extract each other's "true laughs" and it's funny EVERY TIME. Except for Sara whose fake laugh is super boring and lame and silent. 

Sometimes... not like every Sunday... we sit around planning our weddings... or rather, Heather plans my wedding, which I think is a normal 19-year-old girl thing to do. 

Heather bakes delicious things and loves to share them with us... and others... boys, usually.

Heather is a good driver. As long as you're not a pedestrian. 

Heather and I will be attending Institute together this semester. 

Heather is going to become my tennis buddy and under her tutelage, I will become a master tennista. 

Heather lets me call her "Heath."

Did I mention she's very nimble and coordinated? Because she can't even get on her bed without stepping on her desk. But neither can I so it's okay. 

Heather sat next to me and watched over my shoulder while I wrote most of this.

We all love Heather and we are so glad she is our roommate! Hooray!

By the way Sara, Kelsey, Elise, and Trina, I love you all too. 

Blue Moon

I love the moon. I know this is not unique or hipster or anything. I'm not trying to make a statement. Everyone loves the moon. But I still love it. And last night was a BLUE MOON! 

Once in a blue moon, we get to enjoy two full moons in one calendar month. Two for one. Buy one, get one free. Win-win. 

So here's my joke of the day: 

Grandpa: "Alright, kids, now this is a graduate level joke. I'm not sure if Gabe can get it but Allie and Louisa probably can. What's better than one full moon?"

Any young cousin pipes in: "I know! TWO full moons!!"

Grandpa: "Right!! What a scholar! You got it!" (pointing in wide-eyed delight at the beaming child genius)

Hearing the phrase "Blue Moon" also makes me think of an E-4 Laurels trip to Lake Powell. What a nice houseboat that was. I probably won't elaborate anymore. Ask Tara Clark for more details. 

But Sara, Kelsey, Heather, and I spent last evening in the light of the blue moon at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. There could not have been a better setting to sit and watch it rise up over the mountains, lighting up the clouds, and eventually becoming so luminous that I had to shade my eyes. For those of who who are underware, the TSF is a big deal. Basically, some of the best storytellers in the world (or at least the English-speaking world), including family favorites Donald Davis and Bill Harley, gather in Orem, Utah to tell stories. It's such a fun event. I've been almost every year in my memory. Donald Davis's North Carolina voice has accompanied all family road trips and is as familiar to me as any family member's. There is something so wonderful about sitting on the grass on a warm summer night and listening to the experts tell their favorite stories. There is often singing or dancing involved, and laughter is just part of the package. Last night's theme was "Our Favorite Stories" and somehow they were all hilarious, entertaining, and touching at the same time. Bill Harley ended the night with a story about the moon, which was absolutely perfect. 

The best part? I'm going again tonight with my family, and the theme is "Laughin' Night." That's sure to be a deLIGHT. 

(That lame pun was a tribute to you, Ben Jacob.)

Busy Beeeee

Best part about the first week of school: everyone updates his or her Facebook status to let me know just how busy his or her schedule is. I'm going to think outside that box and blog about it instead...

This first week has been so busy/stressful that I don't even have time to blog about it. I must go read The Iliad instead. That's how busy I am. And I love it.

More later. (Maybe.)

Bradford out. 

P.S. Last night, Sara made her DELICIOUS rich moist chocolate cake, which I had for breakfast and dinner today. hashtag college. (Don't worry, Mom, I drank all my milk.)

ROAD TRIP!

Yesterday, my two besties and I set off for the distant and exotic land of Cedar City, Utah. Why, you might ask? JUST FOR FUN.

Monday, August 20, 2012
First stop: The Big Chair at the Gas Station in Beaver. (I know my legs are short, but they're not THAT much shorter than Sara's and Kelsey's. I was sitting way back in the chair because it wasn't quite big enough for three sets of woman hips right in a row.)

Next: Wal-Mart, where Sara found the bicycle helmet of her dreams...

...and we found the ultimate lunch food. Yes, we went where no other women have gone before: we actually bought Smucker's Goober--peanut butter and jelly in the same jar--and ate it.

Next stop, Sand Hollow for some fun in the sun! Sorry I don't have any actual pictures of us at the water... my camera stayed in the car. But this was the most important part: SWIMMER'S ITCH. And we all got away healthy and happy! (Only 7 in 100 actually react to the parasite, so we figured it was worth the risk.)

Next, we went and visited some of Kelsey's SUU friends, all of whom were very nice people. Then bedtime.   We were exhausted.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012
On the second (and final) day of our journey, we started off right with some huge breakfast burritos--Kelsey's midnight cravings as an SUU student. Then we were off to Kanarraville, for a beautiful slot canyon & waterfall hike.

After that, we headed back to the Northernly land we call Provo. But first... a quick stop at Cove Fort, a historic and inspiring Church History site.

This is Elder Crow, who ensures the success of the amazing vegetable garden, which is pretty much the same as the Hinckley family had it back in the 18-somethings.

Sara and I atop a covered wagon--just like real pioneers!

Kelsey, our sweet tour guide, Brother Keller, and I playing the classic stick-n-hoop pioneer child game. (I think they played with these as they sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked... aaaaannd waaaaaaaalked...)

I'm clearly a natural.

Other important memories:
Kelsey's prime quote: "Something's biting my armpits!!" (...? We didn't understand either.)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (The Beatles)
Wannabe (Spice Girls)
Piano Man, and We Didn't Start the Fire (Billy Joel)
FUN song (Spongebob) --they actually LAUGH the last chorus of this. 1:28 or so. It's good.
Kelsey and Sara ordered Pad Thai at spiciness levels 7 and 8 out of 10... they were struggling. I thoroughly enjoyed my 2.
Sara picked up dead fish from the water.
It was so so so so so fun!!

And then we came home! More photos will be appearing on Facebook in the near future, I'm sure. This was just the thing we needed to recharge our batteries before the start of Fall Semester 2012!

Helen Keller, Leo Marvin, & Almer the Younga

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." -Helen Keller

I like this quote a lot. Maybe it was the situation I was in when I first heard it, maybe it's because I like cheesy one-liners, maybe it's because it is a great way to look at life. I'm about to start my second year at BYU, and with that comes time for some serious decision-making. I need to start planning for THE REAL WORLD and THE REST OF MY LIFE. Both very daunting prospects! But I need to stop worrying about what I'm going to make of myself, how I'm going to save the world, and where I'll be in ten years. All that will work out as long as I keep doing the little things right. While I was pondering this, I came up with the fun little idea to make the following list: Here is my ten-minute brainstorm of...

The Things I ACTUALLY Do Every Single Day:
(This is different from the list of things I SHOULD be doing every single day.)

• Brush my teeth
• Check my email
• Check my Facebook
• Climb hundreds of stairs—down 32 then up 147 every morning, then down 147 and up 32 every evening. That’s 179 stairs each direction, for a total of 358 stairs in all on my way to and from campus. Yes, I counted.  
• Decide what to wear
• Eat
• Fuss with my hair
• Get in bed
• Laugh
• Look in the mirror
• Make a list (either on my phone, my computer, or on paper)
• Make an entry in my Daily Gratitude Journal
• Make mistakes
• Pray
• Read at least one verse of scripture (more, ideally)
• Send and receive texts
• Smile
• Sub-consciously hum a song
• Think about the people I love

I'm not saying I need to make lists and get in bed at night as if these tasks were great and noble. (Although sometimes that's exactly how they feel.) It's just a cool thought exercise to be aware of all the little things that make up our lives--some that we never even think about. In the end, it's the little things that define us. It's the way we live our lives every day. There are things I spend time on every day that I shouldn't; there are things I should do every day but don't. 

I definitely plan/worry/stress too much. When I'm trying to do better or make progress or get something done, I need to remember Leo Marvin, who said it well: "Baby Steps."

But the Prophet Alma said it better: "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." (Alma 37:6).

Shakin' Bacon

Well, peeps. I believe I said in my last post that nothing about this blog would be particularly exciting. But as it turns out... I wrestled a pig tonight in the Utah County Fair. And it was probably one of the most exciting things that has happened to anyone... ever. 

Before:

After:

Unfortunately we didn't actually succeed in getting the 160-pound pig into the barrel in the allotted 60 seconds, but we had the time of our lives.