So I have one more final today for ASL, and one oral final tomorrow for linguistics. Then I'm free as a bird, to find a second job at least. I applied for 4 secretarial positions online, and none have gotten back to me. I guess it's time to start looking for some plan b's. I'm also moving in about a week, and I'm pretty excited to get a new batch of people to know. It's just going to be sad when a bunch of my friends from this ward go home and move to different places. Roooooxxxxxyyyy, I'll miss you!

I've been working a lot on Tim's birthday present, as you know, and kind of been driving myself crazy with it. It's making me think of him a hundred times more often, which is a little distracting for finals week. He got permission to send me an email, so I got it today. He wanted to email because he didn't know where to send a letter since I'm moving in a week. It's weird to hear from him, because it feels like he just wrote me. Anyways, he mostly just told me about how he's getting his first baptism soon, and asks how Holly is doing. That's how most of his letters turn out, telling me a bit about the transfer and asking about Holly. WTHeck! Well, it's nice to hear from him, and I'm glad he's doing well. I'm really excited to finish his present and send it off, which looks like it will be happening this week.

Speaking of missionaries, Wayne broke his leg playing soccer!!! I felt so sad for him, and wrote him a letter right away. He's optimistic about it, which is lovely, and he gets to stay out, which is also lovely. He's so adorable.

I can't wait for Mommy and Daddy to come in two days. We're going to party like it's 1999!

I went on the Rex Run again Friday night, and it was beautiful!!! I actually took a little detour and went around the duck pond too. I don't know why I keep going down there. Anyways... Mile War: 48.
I went on two dates this weekend. One with the fabulous Elliot. We went and saw the Emma Smith movie (which was surprisingly awesome), got lunch, and came back to my place for games. I got him hooked to Buzz Lightyear! Then we played ping pong, and he is good. Turns out he used to be treasurer for the ping pong club in high school. We had lots of fun, and I hope I get to see him again before he goes.
Then yesterday, I went out with Quinn. We hiked the Y, and got to see the sun set. It was beautiful. Then we went to Trafalga (sp?) and played on the outside one. While we waited for one hole, we played horse on the one we'd just finished. He thought up crazy ways to do it, but never got a one. We had a blast. Then we got ice cream and had a great discussion on books and movies and stuff. Through the night he would ask me silly hypothetical questions, like what I'd do with a million dollars. Then we talked about our dream houses, and he wants a bat cave, an aquarium room, and some other crazy cool stuff. I said I'd have a shooting gallery, and a moving sidewalk. Turns out Quinn is a movie buff, and we have a lot of the same interests. We talked a lot of Napoleon Dynamite, Muppet movies, super hero movies... it was awesome. We also talked about how great Mr. Rogers was, and all his cool adventures. In the car he played me all this cool music, and I want to go find some of it. He did basket ball in high school, which doesn't surprise me. It was fun standing next to him, because I had to look straight up to see his face.
But at the end of the night I felt like such a doooooofus! He walked me to my door at about 11:30, and I really wanted to invite him in, but what would we have done for a half hour before I had to kick him out? So we were standing outside my door, and I was trying to decide if I should ask him in, when he just jumped in and thanked me for coming. I thanked him back for the wonderful night, and he gave me a hug. As he walked away he told me to make sure and take breaks while I study for finals, so I can do better. I really want to hang out with him again, so maybe he would like to join me for one of the breaks I'm sure I'll be taking. We can watch a movie, or finger paint. I just really want to finger paint. I just have to get to him before he goes back home!

Life at this point

Leesa and I went running last night. Mile War: 44. Can we have a party when I get to 50? It will need to be half as grand as Mom's party, though.
I cut my bangs today, and a picture shall soon be posted.
I went to the University Band Concert last night, and it was totally awesome! Roxy and Brittany and Katelyn (downstairs neighbor) all did great! Can't wait to talk to them about it.
Quinn called me a couple days ago, and we are set to go on a date Saturday. We're getting together at 1:00, and if weather permits, we might hike the Y or go mini golfing or something.
School is going well. I got some help from my professor today on my ling analysis project, and I'm feeling pretty good about it now. I'll also have an oral final for this class, which I'm pretty nervous for, but it'll be fine. I have 4 papers, a quiz, and a story to prepare for my ASL class. I have a poem to finish and two papers for my Eng 313 class, but they seem pretty easy. And dance... let's just say he'd better be pretty lenient on our Swing test, considering he started teaching it to us less than a week ago, and we've danced it twice. I sign up for Fall classes on Friday early morning. I'll prolly just do it after the Office party.
Now all I need to do is get a second job for the summer. I took the office skills test, and found that I'm not as skilled as I wish to be, but that's just because I have no reason to be skilled in that area. It's not like I've ever had any practice with that sort of thing.
I'm teaching my last lesson in Sunday school on Sunday, and it's going to be Gospel Essentials, which has always been challenging to me, so it's a good experience for me to grow from. I'll be sad to leave this calling, because I love it so much. It's been perfect for me this year in so many ways. I want to do clerical work in the Church for the rest of my life!
PS: I'm going to be starting Tim's birthday present this week, and if anyone wants to throw something in the box for him, I'd send it for you.
To all the world: Cheers!

Thank you World!

I would like to give a brief shout-out to my awesome big sisters. I am the luckiest girl in the world, and they take such good care of me. We made postsecrets last night, and laughed and laughed and laughed. Then Shelley drop kicked me in the face, but not before Holly gave me a bruise on the leg. Thanks! Now I'll never have to be scared of April 2nd again!
PS: Leesa said she played a prank on me and I died. She was right, I died laughing! Also, she is maybe going to kidnap me for conference on Sunday, and I am maybe going to let her, if I don't find somewhere else to watch it, and someone else to watch it with. I'm way excited for conference!!!

I got to spend some alone time with the track tonight, and it was beautiful. I'm betting I almost did 5 miles, which is pretty good, I think. But I'd better eat before I pass out. April fools, I won't pass out. Mile War: 43

Kellie Leesa Joel and I went running Thursday night, and it was real fun. Mile War: 38.5

I'm sitting here in the basement of the Wilk with Kellikins, waiting for Daddy to come pick us up, and we are already having a BALL! Right?!

David and I ran today, and I took him on the Rex Lee Run circuit. We had lots of fun, and joked and laughed the half hour away. It also helped that it was a beautiful day. Leesa called me at work tonight asking me if I wanted to run with her, and I just couldn't resist. Later I found the main reason she asked me was to get out of playing tennis with a boy (who I think is super cute) who she is trying to avoid. So we went to the track and had a blast. We sprinted a bit, which I haven't done in a long time. It felt nice, and we stretched real good when we got home. My total for the day is 5.5 miles. Mile War: 37!

Rex Lee Run!!!

So Shelley was such a sport today. She and Rick came to watch me dance in dance sport. But we didn't get called back. I looked up at the clock and it said 8:45, just enough time to get ready for the race at 9:15! So I went and found Shelley, and after a little pressure, got her to come run. We met at the starting place, and started a few minutes behind. Guess what Holly? I got a DOUBLE HIGH-FIVE from COSMO!!! He was running past and I screamed out his name. It was glorious! So we finished the race in about 40 minutes. Not bad for first timers! I'm so happy that I got to do the run with Shelley before she moves away forever. And I just realized something, we can totally count this for mile war. Hence... Mile War: 31.5

I ran at Holly and Caleb's yesterday, and it was pretty awesome. But for future reference, I'm going to be wiser, and not eat a bunch of pizza and soda right before I run. Mile War: 28
Also, a great big warm fuzzy loving greatful large and glorious thank you to Holly for helping me with my research paper. It is about a billion times better than it would have been had I done it alone. I think it has turned out nice, and if anyone wants to read about the effects of effectiveness of music in the classroom, then I'm your man!

Here is Ninja Rick for the masses.

Mile War: 26

So everyone in the world ditched me last night, but that's coo'. I still had my trusty music, and all the hot boys to look at on the track. I pushed myself a bit, and did my three miles a little faster. Mile war: 25.

Yesterday in my Dance 180 class, (Shelley, I think your teacher substituted. She's crazy!) we did the cha cha the whole time, and it was awesome. I got to dance with my dance sport partner for a majority of it, which was good practice. He is a swing dancer by trade, and it was really coming out. At the end of class, our TA yelled out for everyone to do one last move, and to make it amazing. Before I knew it, my partner (Steven) bends down, grabs me by the waist, and picks me up and spins me around. It caught me so off gaurd, that I let out a yell. Eveyone looked at us, and it was so funny. He looked at me and said, "you weren't supposed to scream!" Oh, man, it was totally awesome.

And Holly, because you said nice things about my etch-a-sketching, I drew you this picture of Cosmo. I hope you like it! By the way, everyone else, I need practice, so I take requests.

I made Leesa come running with me last night. We only did a mile, but it was still fun. Mile War: 22.

I forgot my backpack at work the other night, so I decided to run there from campus yesterday and get it. When I walked past the front desk in all my running gear, the girl gave me a weird look, and it was great! I got my backpack successfully, and had a delightful run. Mile War: 21.
Hopefully Leesa and I will be going running tonight! That would be so fun!

Mile War: 19. I had my last day of PE, which was only the test. I was done by like 10:30, and usually we're not done with the class until 11:40 ish. So I decided to go for a little morning run. The track was closed to runners because of the classes going on, so I just ran outside. It's a beautiful gloomy day, and not that cold feeling. I ran through the duck pond, and all around south campus. It was really nice. Maybe I'll do that more often when it gets a tad warmer.

Mile War: 16. I'm getting faster. I did 4 miles in about 40 minutes, and I would have kept going, but I didn't want to get locked out of the RB. Boomshadow!

This three day weekend was kind of roller-coastery. It was way fun, a tad intense, sort of lonely, a bit stressful, and emotions were running on high. Ward temple trip, ward ice skating trip, watching movie after movie, going to Shelley's house (thanks for saving me from my movies!), going to Holly's house (thanks for secreting with me; very cathartic), and Zupa's and the canyon with Jaren. Not nearly enough homework getting done, but that's to be expected. I feel like I just need to step away from life for a while. Maybe work can help me out with that.

PS: We finally played with the huge parachute today!

Mile War: 12

Jaren sent me flowers yesterday!!! I couldn't believe it, but it's true! They were delivered yesterday, and when I opened the door and saw the girl standing there with them, I wondered who they were for. When she said my name, I was floored. He put a cute little not with it, and they are soooo beautiful! He is so great!!!

Hip Hip Horray!!!

I always love getting my hair cut, and through all my trials and tribulations, I did it! "Long" hair was fun, but it was definitely time for a change. I didn't really tell anyone I was going to do this, so I'm pretty excited to see their reactions! I modeled these pictures after Sister Hull's when she got her hair cut. She is too cute!

Mile war

I spontaniously went running last night, and it was totally awesome. Plus I got the sweetest blood blister ever.

Mile war= 4.5 + 3 = 7.5 I'm climbing the charts!

Date... Double style

Last night was the double date between Jaren and I, and Cari and Bubba. I must say, it was pretty fun. We had dinner, with delightful contributions by Cari and Bubba. The Martinelli's were a classy touch. And the Oreo cheesecake was a hit as usual. We played Conga and danced to the music a little bit. Then we played Buzz Lightyear! It was pretty awesome, but I was the only one who didn't win any rounds. Curses! By some strange turn of events, we ended up watching Hotel Rwanda. It was really good, but at the end I just kind of said, "how did that happen?" Anyways, we ended the night with the Martenelli's and fantastic conversation, and vioala! A real fun evening!

I should have taken snow shoes...

Mike and I were planning on going running last night, but at about 8 he calls me, and asks me if we can run on the outdoor track. He's taking a jogging class or something, and that was part of the assignment. The first thing I said was, "you do know it's snowing right now?" And he said he was walking in it right then. I don't know why I agreed, but I said I'd meet him at the track across the street at 9, and asked him to let me borrow some running pants. So we get there, and I put on some warm ups that he brought for me (which I wanted to steal because they were so awesome), and we went to find the track. When we kind of decided where it should be, he made a starting line in the snow, and off we went. There was the hard icy snow, covered with a blanket of fresh powder. I have never run in snow before, or out in the cold for that matter. I just about died after three laps. We took a break after the first mile, but then we did another one. The second one wasn't so bad, because we'd already kind of beaten a path for ourselves. But after we were done, I wanted to die! I was so cold, and my legs were so tired. Running through that snow was like running on sand, accept like 10 times worse! He came back to my apartment to warm up a little and get some water, and ended up watching some Full House with me Jessica and Juliet. It was a fun night, but one I do not want to ever, EVER duplicate. ever.

Mile war=2.5+2= 4.5 But can I count it as more?

When mom called me last night, I was pretty excited to talk to her, because I thought she was calling me back from one of my earlier efforts to talk to them. But after the customary "how are you?"s, she told me she had a little bit of sad news. "President Hinkley passed away about an hour ago." At first I was in some shock, then I jumped out of my seat and went around the apartment trying to find a roommate. I just looked at Juliet, and she said she already head. When I sat back down, I saw Leesa walk past my door, and we looked at each other. She was on the phone too, and she had tears in her eyes. After mom and I got off the phone, I went and found Leesa who had gone to Lacey's apartment. We didn't talk much, but hugged a lot, and went to ward prayer. That was one of the most powerful ward prayers ever. The spirit was so strong. I didn't cry at first, because I was so happy for him to be up in Heaven. But the moment I thought of his reunion with his wonderful wife, my heart melted for them, and the tears wouldn't stop. All the boys at ward prayer were so sweet to all the girls who were crying. A member of the bishopric said the prayer, and he got pretty emotional. We sang Sweet Hour of Prayer, and We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet. I couldn't have sung more than a third of each hymn, because they were touching me strongly at that moment.
I'm going to miss President Hinkley, because he was such a great man. He was sweet and caring, and you could feel it every time he spoke. His humor was always welcome and enjoyed, and his council always wise. I am truly thankful for my prophet, and I am so glad to be a part of this gospel. It will be exciting to see what happens in the next conference.

I've been tagged!!!

Shyla tagged me in this game that I think sounds pretty fun! Here's how it goes down.

A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 years ago: I was 9 years old, in 4th grade at McKinley Elementary learning how to count in Japanese
5 things on my to-do list today: 1) Work on my mountain of homework 2) Call an elementary school to get an ESL student 3) go to sign language class 4) Find my classmate on Facebook 5) and finally... eat something delicious!
5 Snacks I enjoy: 1) Sushi (does that count as a snack?) 2) mini crunch bars 3) cupcakes 4) Oreo cheese cake 5) frozen hot chocolate
What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire: I would pay off all the debts of everyone I know, travel the world giving away money every step of the way, then settle down someplace and save the rest for my future, and my children, and my children's children, and my children's children's children. Then set up some kind of awesome foundation for cleft lip children. I would also prolly eat a lot of stuff on the previous list.
3 of my bad habits: 1) I stay up too late too often 2) I try and lead accidentally in Social Dance 3) I make some of my roommates feel uncomfortable with my lack of apparel
5 places I have lived: 1) Redlands, CA 2) Provo, UT 3) Umm... never mind. That's it
5 jobs that I have had: 1) Cleaning the Bishops' house 2) babysitting 3) TCBY 4) SAS custodial
5 Things people don't know about me: 1) I haven't played good ping pong in exactly a month today 2) I modeled for Juliet in my bathing suit 3) I make a mean fried egg 4) Someday I'm going to run the LA marathon 5) I secretly wish my boyfriend would do something with me on my half birthday.

Now I'm going to tag Mommy, Holly, and Shelley. I would tag Roxy, but she hasn't blogged in forever. So hop to it guys!

I got a letter from Kirk today, and it was pretty hard to read, because it was very beautiful cursive. It was so fun, though, and I can't wait to hear from him again. Unfortunately, I also got back the letters I sent to Charlie and Talmage. I guess there are special things I have to do for pouch letters, and I didn't do them. What a waste of my stamps!
Here is a little funny story from my dance class. For the boys, it is proper form to put their hand right under the girls arm pit and covering the shoulder blade. Well, yesterday I wore my shirt with the little hood on it, and there was a boy who felt the need to go under the hood. But as he was burrowing under it, he kept ramming his hand into my bra strap. I don't know if he noticed, but it sure made me feel weird.

horray for film class!

I went with Jaren to see a movie for his film class again this morning. This one was a silent film called Sunrise, and I really enjoyed it. Jaren and I had fun whispering jokes to each other the whole time. It's not like there was any dialogue we were missing. It was a veeeery dramatic film, but it had a happy ending. Well, maybe not as dramatic as mellow dramatic, but it was still good. When Jaren and I walked into the auditorium, it was raging hot, and I thought it felt so good, but I guess I was the only one. When we sat down, there was a couple sitting behind us, and all of a sudden the guy says, "Jaren?" The they talk about how they didn't know they were in the same class, and how it was pretty awesome. Then he asked a question, and it took me a few seconds to process that it was in Tagalog. Then Jaren answers back in Tagalog, and my name was the last word. So I turned around and said hi. Kind of funny.

I got my first response back from the round of missionary letters I sent out. It was from Kirk Hepburn, and it was just a little blip from a mass email that he sends to his dad, and his dad sends to us. When I wrote his letter, I guess I was feeling a little silly, so I dear Johned him. Then I told him that people thought he and I were dating during the summer, and it was just too funny! Here is what he said:

Julie, I understand that things change, especially feelings. Just be sure that he's worthy of you. [snicker] Thanks for you letter!

He's such a nice boy, and I can't wait to write him again.

Also, my PE teacher was gone today, so we had to join the basketball class. Worst two hours ever. But the beautifully crystallizing snow is kinda fun!

I AM NOT AN ANIMAL!

I am in a very analytical mood right now. I went with Jaren to see the Elephant Man for his film class. It was so sad, and so happy, and so good! We went to lunch afterward and discussed the various themes of the movie, because he has to write a paper on it. I could feel my AP lit skills kicking in, because it was a little tough at first thinking of what a theme even was, but once I got rolling, gems of analytical delight were coming out all over the place. Now all I want to do is write a paper on All Quiet on the Western Front or something. Also, I would like to go hot tubbing, but that has nothing to do with it.

Mile War: 2 miles

So, I think I have a boyfriend, but I'm not sure. Last night after the fun adventures at Holly and Caleb's house, he walked me to my apartment, but came in and finished a movie with the thousands of people that were there instead of going home and preparing his lesson for today. After the movie was over, I walked him home, and we stood on his poarch for a while talking. After a while he asked some off-hand question about some plants that are taking over his house. Then he said, "I just thought I'd ask, because that's what boyfriends and girlfriends do." Then we just looked at each other and smiled a lot, then started talking about something else. So I guess we're finally official... I guess. It's pretty exciting. And he had a very good Sunday school lesson today.

Some odd adventures

Here are some random things that have happened in the last few days that I think are pretty funny:
We were at Superstar video, and we were just browsing, when I hear a little gasp from Mom. She holds up the movie to me that she was looking at, and I say a little sigh/gasp. Then I take the movie and show it to Carlie, who lets out a little ooohh... and then to Kellie who says a little gasp too. What was the commotion all about? There were three people on the cover, and one of them happened to be Hugh Jackman. I don't remember what the movie was, but I liked all of our reactions.
We all went to David's Bridal, and I was engaged to Jaren for about an hour. We made an appointment to come back on Friday so I could try on some gowns, and my two brides maids could try on some dresses. The lady asked me for my phone number, and without even thinking, the number 792-7631 jumped out. Afterwards, I was a little baffled, and it was funny... believe me...
Carlie and Kellie and I were playing Nintendo last night, and I can't remember how we got on this subject, but Carlie started telling me this story of how I've scarred her for life. Apparently when we were little, we walked to school past Betty's house, and I told her that if she stepped on those huge cracks, that alligators would come out and eat her. Then when we got to school, she told her whole kindergarten class, and none of them would step on cracks. To this very day, Carlie will not step on a crack, and it's not for the sake of her mother's back. So after Carlie was done telling me this, Kellie jumps in and starts arguing that I had told her that it was alligator eggs, not alligators, and that she remembers thinking it was really funny that I told her that. Like Carlie would believe it, and not Kellie. I don't remember any of this, but it sure made me laugh last night.

Mile War: 2008

2.5 miles. Done.

PS: that movie made me cry

Mom and I drove the kids to Scandia last night, and she and I went to Ontario mills on date. We saw PS: I love you, (but don't tell anyone!) and it was so goooooood! Mom and I came out of the movie with tear-streaked face. We then went to Applebee's to drink something delicious and talk about our feelings. We mostly talked about Tim and Roy. The food was so good, and I haven't had good girl talk in forever. When it was time, we drove back to scandia and took everyone to their various homes. Then crashed in bed.

I love looking at Sister Hull's pictures, because the girls are soooo cute! Tonight we are going to have a Xanadu party, while Daddy conviniently has to go out for the night. Carlie is going to miss it, because she is babysitting the Hill children. They are moving in like a month, so no more new baby bed stories, or birthday panties. Sad times...
Today, I finished the puzzle that Dad gave me, the one that is like 3D, and it looks totally awesome!!!! It was a really fun puzzle to do, and I can't wait to paste it and put it up on the wall in my room. I hope my new roommate likes hot air balloons!
Now that Christmas excitement has settled down, I've begun to miss my friends. Although I have a lot more I want to do here, I would like to play with my new toys with Leesa and apt 77, the BN, and various other people, like downstairs Juli.
Being home is so nice. I don't think it's gotten below 50. Being silly with Carlie and Kellie is so much fun! They love Divine Comedy, and soon all the Chatfield girls will know the joys of quoting it. It is perfect here for running, and with the help of my running shoes, it is totally awesome. And Caleb, watch out, because I'm joining the miles war! Eating real home cooked food is so magical! I've gained like 5 pounds since I've been home, and I know I'll be shot for saying that.
Wow, Xanadu is going to be an interesting movie...

Christmas

After reading Holly's posts I'm always so inspired to write my aspirations, hopes, dreams, and other inspirational things, but then I just end up giving a summary of my life. I'll make the summary short (hopefully) and the aspirations deep. Maybe not long, but deep.

Home has been a whirlwind adventure of shopping, playing, sleeping, and an all around ruckus time. Judith and family were here, and those boys can crack me up non-stop. Justin in a hunk-o-chunk, Nathan is starting to warm up faster, and Aaron... well... he's a little boy. We went to Knott's yesterday, and I discovered my liking for roller coasters. We went on the Silver Bullet last, and I liked it so much that we went on it again. My marbles were mixed up, but it was still fun. I don't think mom really knows what she's talking about when she explains the marbles thing, so I wish she would stop spreading false knowledge. It's true there are things in your inner ears that help keep you balanced, but there are not little balls in your head that roll around and make you feel dizzy. Somewhere in the apex there, if I remember correctly...

Anyways, we had a fantastic time and it was totally chill. We came home and watched meet the Robinsons, and it was a cute move, very inspirational, makes me want to adopt. Today, church was good. It's kind of lame to be sick, if only because I can't sing the Christmas hymns properly. I wrote a letter to Tim today, and sent along some pictures. I hope he's doing well. I am so lame, because I haven't written Ben a single letter, and he's my cousin! MY cousin, not anyone else's. Oh, well, it's never too late to begin. One last thing, Christmas was official when I heard the melodious tunes of the Jackson 5 and All 4 One.

Well, not as short as I'd hoped, but not bad.

Aspirations (and the like):

Better fulfill my Sunday School calling. I think I'm doing all right, but I can always be better.

Get school affairs in order: pay tuition, get all the classes I need, apply for my major, strive with my classes, etc.

Get interpersonal issues settled. You know...

Go to the temple more often. You know... just kidding. But really, I didn't go nearly enough last semester, and I want to make that better.

Build up my food stalk. I guess I should start eating again. I think I've gained like five pounds since I've been home.

Be a better friend. I feel like I've neglected the people who I consider my real friends, and who have been so good to me. I just don't know how to become a better friend. It's brainstorming time.

Become a more considerate roommate. I want all of us to be comfortable in our home, and so I'm willing to do my part. Whereas before I was throwing trash under the couches, leaving a pile of nasty dishes throughout the house, letting the noxious fumes seep from my moldy towel, you know, normal stuff...

Get more sleep. My 8 o'clock will not be pleasant.

And an overall spiritual reboot. I'll be stronger, faster, spit farther, jump higher, read deeper, and actually concentrate in Relief Society!

I guess they're not really aspirations, just goals. But I must say, they're pretty sweet goals. Maybe I'll succeed in my endeavors next post.

My First Flight!!!

My first flying experience was pretty good. The whole thing went very smoothly, and it turns out I'm not terrified of it. Leesa drove me to the airport, and I thought she was going to walk me in and help me get started, but she just dropped me off. I went into the wrong terminal at first, and I walked around for a few minutes getting ready to freak out. But then when I got to the right terminal, I went up to these kiosks that people were waiting in line for and got my ticket, then checked my bag, and the lady told me where to go. The security check went well, and no police officers tackled me. While I was waiting to board the plane, I talked to Shelley for a while, then when I hung up, I decided to crochet a little. The second I pulled it out, I found myself surrounded by old ladies... literally. On either side of me there sat two old ladies at least 80 years old, both talking to me about their knitting adventures. It was kind of funny. So when we finally got on the plane, I got a little nervous about the flight, but when we finally took off, it was totally fun. I had this big grin on my face, and I was practically leaning out the window. I'm sure the guy sitting next to me thought that I was some kind of dufus. Anyways, I crocheted for a while, but I slept for most of the time. The landing was kind of cool. When we finally got off the plane, I had no idea where to go, so I kind of just followed people. It was weird being the one coming down the stairs, having people waiting for me. Usually I'm the one at the bottom of stairs waiting for someone way more exciting than me to come down. Now I'm home, and I slept forever, and it was fantastic!!! I like Carlie and Kellie and Daddy and Mommy!

Divine Comedy Date

Last night Jaren and I went on a totally awesome date! I thought back to when he'd invited me to see Divine Comedy, but I was previously occupied. So I invited him to go to this month's show, and it was totally hilarious!!! It was the highlights from all the shows of the year, so it had the Marriott School Musical, and the parade on Les Mis, and a ton of other completely random hilarious things. They did a whole music video set the the music of Sexy Back, but they changed it to Sexy Stach, and there were three guys walking all around campus with these fake mustaches, acting all "cool" and Jaren could not stop laughing. They did an interpretive dance to colors of the wind, and I could have been in some stuck-in-your-pants kind of trouble, because I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. So, all in all, incredible show. And he and I got glow bracelets and necklaces. Sweet! After that we went to Costa Vita's and had some tasty Mexican food. I felt so bad because he got way more food than I did, and still finished first. Oh, well, I guess it comes with the territory of being a girl. Afterwards we went back to his house, and talked for a while. He is so funny. When Jordan and Joel came home, they'd bought a fancy poster that Jordan had been wanting all semester, so they had a hanging party, making it all even and hanging their records around it. I sat there forever it feels like and watched them. Then Leesa came over and we all talked and laughed and had a good time. It was a very good night.

Oh, also, I taught the Sunday School lesson today and it went well. I was very intimidated, partly because peers are just intimidating, but also because I was teaching for Hannah and Jaren's class, so they were there, and it was scary a little. Also the new bishop sat in, but it was nice to have him there, because he just has a peaceful aura. We also had a meeting after church, and the stake Sunday School guys were there, and it was a great meeting. I love feeling on top of everything for my calling, and having the information at my fingertips.

I'm scared for finals. 'Nuff said.

This is a shout out to my Hollikins. Thanks for letting me steal Zoolander, because it was to cause of a very good evening.

summary of my life thusfar

I'm worried that I'm not going to get all the Christmas/birthday shopping done in time. I was going to send Tim a Christmas package, but that idea didn't seem to fly. School is picking up, and the stress is beginning. That stress is being dissipated with the help of some good running, good friends, and a cute boy. One of the most exciting things to happen to me today was that the pathway from Helamen to Campus is finally finished, so it doesn't have to bottle-neck any more. Also, one the indoor track, I saw so many people I know, a couple of which being Andrew Walker and Caleb Miskin, Myscan, MeescAn. It was pretty fun. Now I must go to bed. A wonderful day of rest/productivity/fun-ness/LAUNDRY awaits me. Horray!!!

I feel like such a sillikins sometimes. I got my test back today from Shakespeare, and it was one of those where you get a scan tron, but you also have to write on the actual test for essays and things. I'd forgotten about the scan tron part, and I saw that I hadn't circled an answer for many of the questions. I started freaking out, wondering why I hadn't answered so many of the questions. Lots of the m were the easy ones, too. When I finally realized the reality of it, I started laughing out loud. I don't know if professor Shakespeare appreciated that... or even heard it. Oh well, I like that class... efre nit! In a pumpkin!

My Country Dancing Boy

So yesterday I had absolutely no plans, and that felt pretty nice. I slept in, went to the temple. (shout out to Shelley. I walked all the way there, and right as I went through the doors, I realized I'd forgotten my recommend. I didn't really feel like making the hour round trip to get it, so I called Shell and she drove me. That was super awesome, so Thank you!!!) Anyways, it was really nice in there. It was a long wait, and I ended up staying there until about 1:15. And considering I left my house at about 10:30, it was a nice long break from home, and roommates, and homework, and life in general. It was just a really cool thing to sit there and think about life, and read the scriptures and whatnot. So when I went home and showered, I wrote my New Testament paper. It was pretty good (but I feel like a sillykins, because I sent my "draft" to our group. It was actually my Machiavelli paper for Music 201. One of the girls was nice enough to write me back telling me it was the wrong one, so I did eventually send out the right one). While I was taking a lunch break, the boy that I met country dancing called me. He gets extra points for actually using my number. Anyways, he asked me on a date, and it was actually a really fun night. We went to Fat Cats, and I had a resounding win: 74 to 50! Oh, man we were bad, but it was still pretty fun. Then we came back to the Riv and played a little ping pong. He stunk pretty bad, which deducted some points from him. Then we went back to our apartment, and Juliet, Bubba, and Dan were sitting there eating Chinese food and watching Divince Comedy. We did that for a while, then Bubba put in the Book of Mormon movie. I laughed the whole time, just because it is ridiculously bad. Then Jaren, Jordan, and Joel came over to borrow a movie, and ended up staying. Mike (country dancing boy) must have felt a little crowded, because he then asked me if I wanted to go on a walk. We did, and we ended up sitting on some of the rocks by the little duck pond next to the bell tower. We talked about a ton of stuff, and he's a music major, so we sang together, Coldplay, Lifehouse, Jason Mraz. It was totally fun. Then he sang me a song in Portuguese, so I sang him one in French, and it was cool. Then when we were walking back, he gave me his coat because he saw that I was freezing. Also, something that won him major points was, he asked me the question, "Do you like the book Frankenstein?" You've got to be kidding me! I'm reading that right now, thanks to Holly! Yeah, it was a fun date, and he invited me to hike the Y with him and his roommate and another girl next Saturday. It will be pretty cool if I go on two dates in one day, because next Saturday night will be the fateful night (hopefully) of my date with Ryker. And Roxy will get to meet my hot Shakespeare boy, Andrew. It will be totally awesome!

Country Dancing...

So I decided to be a little spontaneous tonight, and actually went with Leesa when she invited me country dancing. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was all right. A couple of boys asked me to dance, and one named Mike asked for my number. Crazy, no? I did a few of the line dances, and most of them were really hard, so I couldn't get them by the end of the dance. Leesa is so good at them, though. I didn't have enough fun to actually ever go again. Also, I just kept looking at all the people there and couldn't stop feeling like they were all totally lame. Maybe I shouldn't go again to prevent myself from judging. But, now I can say that I've gone country dancing, and Leesa can't use the line, "you'll have fun!" because I now know the truth of what I will have... not fun.
Also, I did not see Ryker today. Ryker day is a special day, but when you don't actually see Ryker, what is the point of Ryker day? No point. When I realized I wasn't going to see him, I should have just jumped back in bed. I saw a couple guys who looked like Ryker at country dancing, but then I knew it wasn't him, because Ryker is not lame. But he would still look hot in flannel.

Shout out to Cari: I am taking Shakespeare from The Shakespeare... not THE Shakespeare... But yes, I like his class.

I just ordered a shirt from Woot Shirt, and it should be here by next Wednesday at the latest. Maybe I should stop checking it in the middle of the night so I'm not so easily swayed.

I totally got an 85% on my stats test, and that may not sound like much, but I am totally excited!!! It might even go up a little because of an extra question and the written portion.

When I was walking to work from the testing center, I was talking to Mom on the phone, (which was really fun by the way), and I saw Aaron. I pretended like I didn't see him, and I'll bet he did the same to me. It still geeked me out a little.

I've resolved to ask Ryker on a date. Roxy and I are doubling on the 17th, and that sounds like the perfect opportunity. But I have an anxiety attack every time I merely think about doing it. So Shelley, be prepared to take some extreme life-saving measures after class on me. I will most likely need it.

I'm going to an elementary school tomorrow to present a minilesson to some kids on the water cycle. I hope it goes well. I'm sad though, because it will cause me to miss music 201, and most likely all of Marriage and Family. Which reminds me... I need to email my friends to send me some notes. I shall do that now.

PS: the picture is from Leesa's party. Nelson, Leesa, Bubba, and I are enjoying the nun-chucks that the boys gave her. It's name is Heratio.

So you know how I stalked that boy from 125 a while ago? I saw him again today when I was walking back from class. This time he was standing waiting for the cross walk, so I went and stood by him so I could get a good look at his face. At that point I decided stalking him wasn't really worth it. Plus it turns out that everyone is on team Griffin. (by the way, his last name is not Christmas. It's Weaver. But maybe I can hold out for the middle name) I sent an invite to him on Facebook to Leesa's birthday party. If he shows, you will all hear about it.
I took a bag of candy to Jaren last night and talked to him for a few minutes. He is so the cutest.
I also went running last night with a friend, and it was so amazing. I love running, and we were going at a good pace for about 30-40 minutes. I really need to go running more often. It's good for my body, but it's really good for my brain.
Now I must study for my Shakespeare midterm that I am going to take in about three hours. Here is the sonnet I had to memorize for it:

Sonnet 18

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of Heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair that thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eye can see,
So long live this, and this give life to thee.

Boomshadow! Punctuation and all. And I totally only started memorizing today.

Halloween Fun

Today was a pretty fun day. Doing my hair up in a Mohawk again was a good desision, I think. It was wierd, though, having people look at me. Everyone in my classes asked me how I did it, and by the last class of the day I had my answer down to, "Lots of hairspray, ratting, and bobbie pins..." That seemed to work for most. I should have timed myself, too, because the amount of time it took me was a FAQ too. My Ryker adventure wasn't so exciting today. I kind of just handed him the bag of Halloween candy with a huge grin on my face and said, "Happy Halloween!" He just kind of looked back at me with some surprise and said thank you. But it was pretty funny what happened after that. I was starting my notes off with the date, and I jokingly asked Shelley what the date was, and she jokingly said she didn't know. Ryker, just trying to be helpful, turns to me and with a completely straight face says, "the thrity first." I just look at him with another huge smile, but this one had some question behind it, and I didn't know what to do accept laugh a little and say thank you. The girl sitting behind hime laughed, and when he realized that we were just joking, he blushed. It was really cute.
But the best part of my day (so far) was when I was sitting in the courtyard of the JFSB. I was sitting on the fountain talking to Carlie on the phone, and while I was sitting there a boy kind of sat by me. I didn't even realize he was there until I had to suddenly hang up the phone and he started commenting on my hair. I thanked him, and he kept asking me questions about myself, and he was being really nice. Then we got talking about concerts in Salt Lake, and I said I'd never been to one, so he asked me if I wanted to go sometime. Later on he mentioned that he lived in Alta apartments right by me, and I said I lived in the Riv. Turns out two of his roommates are dating two of my next-door neighbors. He invited me to hang out at his apartment and throw water balloons, then I invited him to my apartment since he already knew where it was. Right before he left, he asked me for my digits, so we switched phone numbers and he was off. The best part of the story is: his name is GRIFFIN! Oh, my goodness...
So when he was out of ear shot, I called Carlie back, and told her this exciting story, and I about keeled over. It was cool.
Work was fun, but no one else dressed up for it, so I felt a little silly. Walking home, I went through the 88th ward territory, and there was a bunch of guys who had pulled their couches out from their apartment and were chilling out on the sidewalk. When I walked past, they called out to me as Mohawk girl, and I came over. I sat and talked with them for a few minutes, and one of the boys knew Scottie. It was pretty awesome. Now I'm waiting here for my Internet to stop being slow so I can listen to my stats lessons. Let's see if it will work...

Mohawk!

This is me and the other Juli, or downstairs Juli as she is sometimes referred to. Last night before the Stake Halloween dance, a bunch of us met down in 94 and hung out for a while. It was totally fun. But I must admit, I haven't been that sweaty in a really long time. Hey, I just realized that this was my first single adult dance! Cool... And I totally had a Mohawk for it. Tomorrow is Ryker day. Hopefully it will work out this time. Also, it is Shakespeare day, where we are performing our scene. I'm real nervous, because I'm not very memorized, so I hope it works out too.

Last night was another hard night I've had because of Tim. It's crazy, on Saturday it will have been six months since I've seen him, and I'm still having hard nights. Juliet's boyfriend just broke up with her, so I was laying in bed thinking about when Tim left, and all the feelings that I'd had came flooding back all too vividly. It took me about a half an hour to get myself thinking about something else, enough so at least that I could fall asleep. I think that it's good for me to have these times to realize how real feelings and stuff can be. I felt kind of bad, though, because Claudia was asleep, and I was trying to be as quiet as I could, but after a while I kind of couldn't hold it together. Oh, well, tonight's a new night, and I have plenty of school stresses to keep my mind busy. Thank heavens for papers and midterms and Shakespeare scenes and rock finals. Leesa and I are going to have a fun night on Friday. I think we're going to invite over a couple of boys, order take out, and watch a scary movie (for one of Leesa's classes she has to watch a bunch of movies. I figure as long as she has to watch them, she might as well have some friends to keep her company, and a cute boy to hold on to). Then Saturday is a Halloween dance for the ward, but I still don't know what I'm going to be. I'm thinking punk rocker again, because that was really fun last year, but maybe I need something new. Anyways, lets see if I can finally do my stats. Stupid Internet.

If I were ever to send in a post secret, it would be, "I wish that my blog posts could sound as intellectual as my oldest sister's." Well, I guess it wouldn't really be because it's not a secret. Every time I read Holly's blogs I feel literarily uplifted and enriched, whereas mine are just, "this boy talked to me today and I'm totally in love with him ::sigh::" Oh, well, our differences are what make them fun to read.

Anyways, Today was a good day. I actually got stuff done, AND had fun. I got to sleep in, then shower and shave my legs (albeit I totally missed some spots...) I studied for, took, and got an 89% on my Marriage and Family test, which I was pretty excited for. But when I walked to the testing center, it was windy and drizzly and freezing, and I was only wearing Capris. But obviously I survived. Then I came home and took care of some more business, like my stats lessons and quiz, which I also did well on. I also ate some good warm food, so don't worry, I'm not anorexic. And I kept it down, which means I'm not bolimic either. =) Then, one of the highlights of my day, I took a very refreshing nap, and I think I dreamed about Carlie during most of it. When I woke up, Shelley broke the news to me that Holly and Grandma weren't coming, which was so sad. I think they would have reeeeeeeally enjoyed it, because I sure did. (By the way, thank you so much for organizing the opera excursion, Shelley, because it was amazing. Now I need to pay you back, through moneys, or something equally as awesome, like a puppy) Anyways, Shelley told me I could invite someone, so I called Juliet's boyfriend's roommate, Jaren, and asked him if he wanted to go. He came along, and it was really fun, although we missed the signiture "Figaro" song. But that's OK, we already know what it sounds like. And it was Jaren's first opera experience, so it was fun to try and explain what was going on. We went over to his apartment and hung out with Jordan, Juliet, and Joal. So it was Julie, Juliet, Jordan, Joal, and Jaren. Then Taylor had to come home and ruin it. We stayed for a while, then Juliet and I decided to leave, and we walked outside, and as the door was closing behind us, Juliet yelled, "wait... Why didn't Jaren give you a goodbye hug?!" So he came out and gave me a nice hug and he said he liked it, then for some reason, Juliet ran back inside, so he walked me home, and it was nice, despite the fact that it was snowing. I moaned and sobbed when I saw it. A few minutes after he had left, and I was inside, Juliet and Jordan came back, and they started talking to me about how great Jaren is, and all his amazing qualities and stuff. It was really funny. Then Jordan went home, and I finished making my scarf! Altogether it was a really good day.

Here's another "boys are great" paragraph. It's just for my own record, so no one really has to read it, but if you're into girl talk, here you go. Last night at work I was feeling yucky, and I even left a few minutes early. I was just going to come home, study some Marriage and Family and New Testament and go to bed. But when I stopped to visit with Leesa, who was going to go out, she told me that Jaren had been over looking for me, and that he'd looked pretty nice. Juliet was already over at their apartment, so me, Leesa, and downstairs Juli who is totally amazing went over there and just hung out. Leesa and Juli left after a while, but I stayed. There were three couples there, so we all kind of sat around and talked, then we watched this ridiculously funny TV show called Stella for a while. Then came the fun/terrifying part when Jordan put in "When a Stranger Calls." Jordan Juliet Jaren and I were sitting on the couch, so it was pretty snug. The last whole hour of the movie, I was practically in Jaren's lap, because I was getting more and more into the fetal position, and screaming, and generally freaking out. He was really nice about it and put his hand on my shoulder to protect me. Yeah, it was a fun night.

The Shout Outs

Roxy had a shout out to one of the Spandex Girls, so I thought I'd give some well deserved shout outs. Not everyone who I will list actually reads my blog, but that's OK.

Mom-You're awesome! I am one of the five luckiest girls in the world. You are an amazing woman, and I am so thankful to have you as my mommy! I love you!
Dad-Goes to Church! =) Shelley and I were in our Marriage and Family class, and he was talking about what dads can do to be better daddys, and Shelley and I looked at each other with huge smiles because you do all those things. The one we thought of the most was how you used to give us baths. Anyways, you are an amazing daddy, and I'm so thankful to have you! I love you!
Holly- Hip Hip Horray! It has been so awesome having you up here at school. I know I can count on you to do things with/for me. It's always a party at your house, and that is a relief that is greatly needed sometimes. Plus, who else has such awesome Office Parties? I love you!
Shelley-You Rock! It has been a great blessing to have you up here, too. It's nice to just sit and talk about everything with you. I love having a class with you, so that you can save me a seat, and be a witness of Ryker's glory. =) Thanks for your sweetness, and friendship we have, even though we're sisters. I love you!
Carlie- Hoopla! First of all, can I just say that you are so beautiful?! I was looking at some pictures, and there was one where you are sitting on the fire car at Disney Land, making a classic Carlie face, and I just fell in love with you all over again. I am so glad to have such a wacky fun hot loving sister. I can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving! I love you!
Kellie- Lovebug! I think you are amazing! You are so talented in tons of stuff that I would never have a hope in doing. Plus you have a big old soft heart. I'm just glad I have you to show me how to be hecka popular!=) I love you!
Brothers-in-law- OH Yeah! Thank you guys for being awesome. It's nice to know that I have you guys there for me when I'm in need of anything. And thanks for letting me play with your wives! I love you!
Roxy- Boomshadow Eternal! I can't believe how lucky I was to have YOU as a roommate. You are so different than me, and yet so much the same that we have all too much fun together. I'm so happy that I can talk to you about anything. Thanks for putting up with me, and all my craxyness. I really can't tell you how much you mean to me, and how much I treasure our friendship. I love you!

Hard Day

Yesterday I was having a hard day. There were lots of things working against me. I was tired to start out with. I had five hours of classes. I had to study and take a Physical Science test, on which I didn't do as well as I would have liked. I had twenty minutes to be home and eat. I had to work for 4 hours. On the way home, I was thinking about my boy troubles, then I looked up at the stars and thought about how Tim and I used to lie on DT field and look at them, and it got me missing him a lot. I cried the whole way home. Then when I got home, I snuck into my room to compose myself. When I came into the kitchen, Leesa ran to me and gave me a great big hug, and it got me crying again. Then Hannah and Juliet joined in the hug, and Leesa's friend Patrick asked me what was wrong, and was real sweet to me. My roommates tried to cheer me up by having a dance break to the tunes of Hairspray, then Leesa made me sit on her bed and study with her while I ate. I love them all.
OK, here was another contribution to my poopy day. I hung out with Aaron on Sunday night, and after being with him, I'd made the decision to break it off. So I was thinking about that all day. At about 11 last night I started writing him a rejection email, and my roommates helped. I felt so terrible for doing it, but at the same time it's kind of a relief that I've finally done it. So I went to bed last night exhausted, feeling sad, and I didn't get any homework done because I wasn't home at all. Although I'm getting my blood drawn later, hopefully today will be better.

Stalkerism and the double whammy

I began my life as a stalker today. I was walking home from class, and I saw a boy who looked pretty hot, so I thought I'd follow him to see where he lived. I was glad to find that he lives in the Riv, but he didn't go straight to his apartment. He went to the front desk, so I went in through the other door to the lounge, and puttered around for a bit until he left the office. So then I followed him some more, and come to find he lives by me kind of. I watched what apartment he went into (125) and ran to my ward directory at home. Turns out that our ward boundaries end at 124. Curses!!! So I'll just have to continue my life as a stalker. I hope it's worth it. =)
Anyways, the double whammy: Bill invited me to watch the Office at his sister's house last night, so naturally I said yes. But when we got there, it hadn't recorded properly, so we only got to see the last few minutes, which were hilarious, by the way. Anyways, Bill had to turn in early because he had to study for a test. But he is so cute, as he was walking me to my door, I thanked him for inviting me, and he said, "I like doing things with you." In my mind I did the aaaawwwww, but out loud I just said I like doing things with him too. But when I got to my apartment, I got bored because it was only about 10 o'clock, so I called Aaron, and we went for a walk. It was the freakingest long walk ever, but it was fun.
Here's the punchline: I saw both my boys, and got awkward porch scenes from both of them. Well, at least I have my new boy to stalk.

Dreams?

So I had some crazy dreams last night. In one of them, I was with Kellie, and my little baby piglet, and we were between some portables somewhere, maybe Cope. Anyways, Daddy calls me and says he needs some help. There is a cat that is going to have kittens, and he needed it to come inside his classroom so that it could be out of the rain, but it wouldn't come. So Kellie and I get into the car, and we see a "pelican" which was really a HUGE goose. I'm talking, bigger and taller than me. Kellie and I sit there and wonder at its beauty for a few seconds. (here's what was going through my mind. You know how in real life, Daddy has a great appreciation for bees, and is sad when they're lost when it's cloudy or something? Well, in my dreams, he apparently had this same appreciation for "pelicans," so Kellie and I honored him by watching it) So we see the bird fly off into the stormy sky, and we start driving to Daddy's school. My piglet was in my lap, and when I looked down, it looked really sick and wasn't moving. By the time we got out of the car, it was dead. I was so sad, and I just stood there holding my limp little piglet. That's when I woke up (it was about 3:30) and I was crying. I had to calm myself down for a few minutes, and I don't know why it made me so sad, but it did, and it still does. Moral of the story, don't get me a piglet unless you know it's going to live.
But there's a happy ending: I did my first successful french braid to my hair today, and it looks really cute.

So I guess I should write a new post since some pretty fun stuff has happened this week. First of all, Bill asked me on Tuesday if I wanted to do something with him on Saturday. Of course I said yes, so I guess we're going hiking tomorrow. My plan is to ask him up to my apartment afterwards to watch a movie. I hope it works.
On Wednesday, I got called into an interview with one of the members of the bishopric, and I totally got a calling! Sunday school Secretary! I have no idea as to what I'm going to be doing, but I think they'll give me an idea. I'll figure it out. I'm just so excited because it's my first honest to goodness calling.
Last night Leesa and I went on the porch to eat some beans, and Juliet and a boy named David came and joined us. Then the guitars came out and people started singing, and the sidewalk chalk came to play. It was fantastic!
Today (or some day soon) is Mexican Independence day, so Claudia has invited us all to go to a big fiesta where there will be salsa dancing, and salsa eating, and Jorge! Maybe I got the spelling wrong, but he is still rock awesome.
This week I've gotten two letters from Tim, one containing some fun pictures! I got one of him and Monson Elder in front of the Provo temple, and another of them doing a Matrix shot. It looks pretty cool.
I'm super stoked for Sunday dinner at Grandma's house. I hope my rolls last that long. They've been doing pretty good all week, but I don't know. Bread can be fickle.
My classes are all going wonderfully. I have about 1 Billion online quizzes every week, and this week I did really well on all of them. I hope I can keep up the tradition. In Shakespeare, there is an extra credit opportunity where we can perform a scene from the play we're studying. Right now we're doing As You Like It, and I've volunteered. I am really excited. Yesterday, Leesa and this boy were practicing a scene for their drama class, and the inner-director came out of me. I feel a little bad for interrupting, and I know I should have let them do it on their own, but when I see a possible improvement, I have to say it. After the boy left, Leesa wanted some help, so I got to run though the scene with her a few times and it was totally fun.
Oh, today in my stats lab, we were going around introducing ourselves and saying something interesting about ourselves. When my turn came around, I said that I loved to play ping pong. This guy across the room whipped his head around and said, "are you good?" I had to give him the honest truth and say, "yeah, I'm pretty good." Then he got to talking about setting up a ping pong club at school and I could be the co president. Then when it was finally his turn, his interesting thing was that he had been the ping pong champion at the school where he did his undergrad. When he was saying it, he was looking right at me. The whole thing was pretty funny, and I hope I get a ping pong game out of it.
Holly, did you know that Bill is 6'2? Wowsers.

First of all, I apologize to everyone who has written Hecht Elder, and not received a letter from him yet. I thought for sure he would write back. Maybe there was some freak accident and all your letters got lost. I dunno.
So Brittany and I just went to the temple to do the family names, and it was a really great experience. It was fun seeing my cousin again, but walking to the temple in high heels was not a great idea. When we got to the temple, Brittany was to do the family names, and so she got baptized and confirmed at the waters edge. I was watching from the area behind the glass with the pews, and I noticed that she was doing four names instead of three. I thought they'd just given her an extra name from the temple, so I thought nothing of it and did some confirmations. Then when I went to the fount, they asked if I was going to do the other family names, and I told them that my cousin had done them. Tuns out, Brittany did another family's names. Oops! But that's OK because I got to do our family names and get confirmed for them. Altogether it was great.
So I am really excited for my classes. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have at least one friend in each class, so I won't be so lonely. Juliet and I are in the same Physical Science class, so it will be nice to have a study Buddy and someone to keep me awake. I'm excited that Shelley and I are sharing a class, and it turns out that Roxy and I are in the same New Testament class!! When I saw her walking past me in the hall, I grabbed her, then we went to the same class. What a welcome surprise!!! Stats is scary, but I'm gonna get help and do well in it. All my other classes seem pretty cool.
And Holly, I'm gonna ask Bill on a date tonight. Don't worry!

I've finally moved into my apartment! My kitchen stuff all has a home. The stray bags found a place under my bed, although I'll need to lower the elevation in the near future. I don't want to be queen of the room. Also, it was a little scary getting out of bed.
I got to do the family names in the temple today. I went and got baptized for the two girl names, then they confirmed me at the waters edge. After that they asked me if I wanted to do a few more names, and of course I did. Right after I got out of the font, a guy got baptized for the guy name. From the time I walked into the temple from the time I walked out was about 15 minutes. It was a really nice experience. But I felt a little silly when I walked out, because I didn't bring a brush or anything so I had the dripping crazy hair. Turns out a bride and groom had just come out. Someday, a couple will be watching their wedding video and see me dripping wet in the background.
I went running this morning at 7:30 and it was really great. I didn't even feel like throwing up. But it is really hard running in Utah because there is no air here. Oh, well. I'll get used to it.
Oh, also, I reeeeeeeeeeally need to write my missionaries. It's been a week since I've gotten their letters, so I really need to write them with my new address.

Horray for 98!

I just moved most of my stuff into my new apartment, and I am totally excited. For once in my college life, I feel organized. I know where everything is, and my room already looks cute. I decorated and everything. Turns out I love those little plastic hooks with the stickies on the back more than ever! My only question is, how did I acquire so many winter clothes? Seriously, I have like a million sweaters, jackets, coats, and an endless supply of thick socks and scarves. Where did they all come from? I'll be glad to have them in a couple of months, but for now they are all sitting on a shelf in a closet. All I have left to do to be completely moved it is find places for all my kitchen stuff, raise up my bed, and stick the random leftover stuff under it. I can't wait!

Miscellaneous

I was just reading Sister Flanagan's blog, and she said remember who you are at the end. This made me think of something my Book of Mormon teacher once said while everyone was filing out of the classroom after the bell: Remember who you are... and don't let it get you down! I loved Brother Swift, the hippie/convert teacher. I don't know, it's just a good story.
Mom and I went on a long walk this morning, and it was totally fun. It was also nice not to have slept in until 10 or 11. Holly Mom and I saw Hairspray today, and it is a really great, upbeat movie. I especially liked Seaweed, but that's a different story.
BJ and I went on a date last night. We went to this really nice Thai food restaurant kind of by ESRI, and we were going to go mini golfing afterwards, but we had to take Brother Laurence on some errands. So, we postponed the after dinner fun for today. We're going to sneak into the Johnson's backyard and play ping pong. You can tell who got to plan it. =)
The closer it gets to me leaving Redlands, the sadder I get about leaving. I'm also nervous about going back up to Provo and having to go to all my hard classes, and having to meet new people in my ward and classes and apartment. I don't have any idea as to who I'm going to be living with, so I hope they're nice. I am TOTALLY excited to see Roxy again. I've been thinking about her a ton lately, and telling Roxy stories and stuff. When we get up to Provo, I'm going to see if we can find her. Maybe I'll have to stalker-net her. Whatever it takes...

Last night was fun, because I got to make Mom a blog. It turns out that blogs are so much easier to get now then they were way back when I got mine. I tried to find the place to add links to her blog, but it took me a while because it's different than mine... and way easier. She is so funny though, because I was typing what she was saying, and she called me Boom Shadow instead of Julie, because she doesn't want someone to take her children. I said that it is nearly impossible for someone to steal your identity if you don't write all your personal information. But no, she is concerned about someone coming to our house and stealing her children away. She is silly.
So I am feeling 100% finally. My throat looks amazing, but I honestly think I'm going to have a scar on one of my tonsils. I'm not tired. Mom and I went on a long intense walk this morning, and it felt great. Kirk and I have gone running a couple of times. I have an appetite again, and I can eat more than two bites of food before getting full. I haven't gained my weight back yet, but I think a big part of that was that I lost a lot of muscle. So now that I'm active again, hopefully I'll be getting some of it back, and therefore, the weight back.
Yesterday I got to spend the day with Kirk and his friends. First we went and got sushi with the incomparable Kenny Brown. He is more dreamy than ever! It was pretty funny to hear Kenny talk about when Kirk was telling him about this "Julie Chatfield" person, and he said that he knew me. Good times. So then Kirk and I went back to his house, and we started making this Italian dish that sounded really good. I've never chopped so intensely in my life! But I did learn eggplant is really fun to cube. I got to watch Kirk and his brother give their dad a healing blessing, and it made me respect Kirk that much more. Anyways, his friend Diego joined us, and he brought over his Wii. This dude is really funny and chill, and he was very understanding when I was having difficulties with the Wii. I had to go home before I could taste the dish that Kirk and I were making, but that's OK. It was fun to help make. All in all, I'm really glad I have a hang out friend. I'm feel bad that I have to take a car to do it, since he lives in Yucipa, but I'll only be around for a week and a half more, so I've got to cherish this time we have together, before he goes off to...Prague... or wherever he gets called.

Getting Better

So I've seen three different doctors in the past two weeks. The last one was to get a prescription that the previous one had given me, but we lost it. You know it's got to be really bad for me to ask to go to the doctors. So we went, and she gave me the medicine. I got it at lunch, and by the end of the day I was already feeling better. It turns out, I love steroids!!! This is the end of the second day of my being on them, and I already feel soooo much better. My throat doesn't hurt when I swallow, and the puss pockets have shrunk a ton. I know that sounds gross, but I've had them for three weeks. It was getting old, and more and more painful. So thank you steroids! My rash is gone, by the way. I'm not as tired as I used to be. I've been sick for a while, and it feels great that I'm finally feeling better.

Horray for Wisdom Teeth

I went to the teeth doctor's office this morning and they took out my packing and stitches. For some reason the dissolvable kind never dissolve in my mouth. Anyways, I feel free! When the lady was cutting out the stitches, she said, "Don't mind me..." She was really funny and nice. So all I have to do is wait for the holes to fill in, and I'm good.
I'm going to the regular doctor's office this afternoon about my throat. Its been feeling kind of soar, and I've been feeling kind of tired. On Sunday, I started taking a nap at 1, and didn't wake up until 7. Then I went to bed at 10, and didn't wake up the next morning until 11. I think that helped, all that sleep, but I'm still going to the doctor's anyways.
We played ping pong at Daddy's school last night for family home evening, and it was soooooo much fun. I reminisced about the good old days when Tim and I would play, or when Roxy and I would play, or when Andrea and I would play, or when... you get the picture. I spent a lot of my life at that ping pong table in Q Hall.

My Exciting Adventures

Yesterday I had my bottom two wisdom teeth out. I was worried that they weren't going to touch me because I'd had headaches for the past couple days, and I found a white sore on my throat. But they looked at it and said I was fine. Mom made me take a jacket and a new era, because she thought I would be cold and bored. I wasn't either. Oh, well. Mom was just being a good mom. So we get there and we're in the waiting room, me reading my New Era, and Dad reading Harry Potter 7. I noticed that the lady next to me was reading a Harry Potter too. I had assumed that is was the 7th one, but then all of a sudden she looks up at Dad, and says, "You have the 7th Harry Potter?!!!" Then she goes on a silly rant about how she had ordered her copy from Barns & Nobel, but it hasn't gotten to her yet, and she almost bought it at Costco, but now she's just stuck here reading the 6th one because her copy hasn't gotten to her yet. She was really funny. You could tell she was a Harry Potter nut, though. Anyways, they called me into the back and the minute I sat in the chair, the lady started hooking me up to all there wires. She even put a thing on my ankle. Then she put one of those bibs on me, accept it was huge, and a hairnet. Then she was like, "we'll be right back, so you can read a magazine. How about Hanna Montana, 'I luuve my daddy!'" She was really funny. All the nurses were really funny. Anyways, I had finished the magazine when my doctor came in, and he asked me if I learned anything. He is funny. He was wearing cowboy boots, but the fancy kind. Anyways, after a bit, he and his army of nurses decided it was time for my IV, so then poked me in my right arm, but I'm tough on the outside, he said, so they tried my left arm. That was a no-go too. Then the smacked my left hand for a while to try and make something happen, but then they went to the right side again, and tried a different spot. This time it finally worked. And I'm happy to say, I never passed out once! I warned them about that, and they gave me a great tip to flex my leg muscles. It helped a lot. Anyways, when it was finally in, I said, "Now the hard part is over... for me." And the nurses laughed a little. Then I said, "my vision is kind of crazy." The doctor said, "yeah, getting a little weird?" Then I was out. It's odd that they didn't tell me to count or anything. So a second later I was sitting in a recliner with a blanket of, and a full mouth. I thought I was super swollen, but then a nurse came and changed the gauze that was in there. It was a relief. Anyways, I woke up really well, I got a frosty on the drive home, and I read Harry Potter for the majority of the day. My jaw was completely numb until the late night, so I felt ridiculous when trying to drink out of a cup or something. Anyways, I'm fine now, not even on any pain killers. I'm not noticeably swollen or bruised (yet), and I feel good. Can't really walk around that much, and I have no apatite, but I feel good.
So Harry Potter. I liked it, but I prolly would have liked it better had I not been completely lost about stuff I'd forgotten, and if I wasn't drugged up, but I liked it. I think that was the first time I finished a Harry Potter in daylight. I thought the epilogue was a little cheesy, because it was the happily ever after deal, but I like happily ever afters. I was tres confused at some parts, because I didn't see how they connected, but Carlie helped me out a ton.
Carlie and Kellie are very nice girls. All of yesterday they would help me with whatever I needed, and were very sweet. Last night, I was laying on the couch, and my head was throbbing because of my headache, and Carlie came and sat by my head and we held hands and talked about Harry Potter. That made me feel a lot better. Then when Kellie said the family prayer, she asked to make me feel better soon. But more importantly, I think, was that she blessed Carlie in her work. Carlie is worried because they only scheduled her for one day next week. And anyone who's talked to Kellie about Carlie, or in other words let Kellie rant about Carlie, knows that that was a big deal. Anyways, they are so great. And that is what I say, being in sound mind and judgement.
Oh, I forgot to say this. Once the feeling came back in my tongue, I felt around where my teeth used to be, and the stitches are so long. It feels like they didn't cut off the ends after sewing. That is kind of annoying. Oh, well, they'll go away soon!

Back in Redlands

Being back in Redlands has been nice, because I am able to do what I want and not have as many responsibilities. I've gotten to see some of my friends that I've been missing, like Bryson, Charlie, BJ, Adam, Courtney, Brandi, and I want to see more of them. I got to go to Shelley's and Ricks house for a few days, and it was totally fun. I got to be with Shelley and do fun things, and I didn't have to paint anything. Indeed, Grey's Anatomy is very addicting, and it kind of threw off my sleep schedule, because I would watch it until all hours of the night, but still stay up more to read my scriptures and all that. Being able to read my scriptures every night consistently has been really nice. Being able to eat different foods every day has been nice too. I must admit that I like sleeping in the same bed with Kellie, (I've bedded with Carlie once too) I don't exactly know why, but it's fun to be close to them.
So it has been a week and a half since Tim and I stopped emailing each other. It has been two days since Tim has gone into the MTC. It has been about a day since I wrote my first letter to Tim. It's all kind of weird. I really can't wait to start writing all my missionaries. I counted, and I think I'm going to have about 11. Talmage Blaine David Romney Tim Charlie RHBen Ben Kirk Wayne BJ Daniel. A very lovely bunch. My fast Sunday's will be busy. Dad came home from a meeting last night, and told me that a boy from my seminary class, Christian Carlson, is going on the Hungary Budapest mission. He is going into the MTC just as Tim is leaving, but I would not be surprised if they are companions some day.
So I am missing being in Provo, mostly for the social aspect. My Fall semester back at BYU is going to be crap-tastic. A crapulous mass, even. I'm taking Shakespeare, Music 201, Stats 221, Physical Science 110B, 2nd half of the New Testament, and LDS Marriage and Family. I can't afford to do badly in any of these courses, so I'm not going to have much of a social life. To anyone who is reading this, I will need all the help I can get with staying on task, so tell me to do my work when it starts coming. Boy, I'm nervous for next semester. I hope I'm still able to go on dates and stuff. Well, I'd better get back to painting the house.

I can't wait to go home, just because I'll be able to eat real food more than once a week. I think I will really miss my friends, and not having to work very hard to hang out with them. I won't have many people in Redlands, though. Most of my church friends will be leaving, because it just so happens that they are boys. Xinyi is staying in Provo. My BYU friends don't really live in Redlands. Tim will be going to the MTC, so I won't be able to email him. Roxy doesn't even have email, and when she does go online she won't even write on my wall. Oh, funny story. Mike came over last night, and was like "check out my way cool new shoes!" and when I look down, all I can do is laugh, because they are Roxy's sneekers. The green and silver ones. It was weird seeing them all new... and on a boy.
So Mikes friend Aaron, who is now my friend too, is totally awesome. We somehow started this joke that we are engaged, so whenever we see each other, we call each other pet names like honey and sweety and dear and stuff. It's pretty fun. I was sitting on the couch between them, and Aaron put his arm around me and everything. Right in front of Mike. I thought it was hilarious. Now, Aaron has taken to stealing a kiss whenever he says goodbye to me. He is so crazy. And he's really good at ping pong.
I am very not excited for finals, and everything that goes along with them. I just hope I will survive. As long as I know how to love I know I will survive. I got all my life to live, and I got all my love to give etc. etc.
So, I'm in the library right now, and there are two guys sitting across from me practicing their Russian together. It's pretty fun. Oh, I got to talk to Carlie the other day in french for about a half an hour. It was fun trying to remember my conversational french. n'est-ce pas?
Moral of the story: I'm glad it's the weekend, but I'm not glad that it is going to be occupied with homework, writing papers, and studying. The end.