My Eyes

Since basically the beginning of the year my eyes have been having a hard time with my contacts. I get bad headaches, feel light-headed and my eyes will hurt, become sore, and cause red irritation. I dealt with it a lot last semester until one day the infection got so bad and sensitive to light that I couldn't be outside because it was so bright.

Well I had finally "caved" and went to the eye doctor and got eye drops and that helped a lot! I thought it was all taken care of, but unfortunately not. Even after 2 weeks of wearing my glasses, as soon as I put my contacts back in, my eyes flared up again. No bueno (I'm practicing my Spanish tehe ;) ) The other day it got so bad again that I couldn't go outside because of the brightness. I basically lived (and slept) in my room all day which I nicknamed The Cave.

Last weekend, I went to the eye doctor (for my mission) and told him all that was going on and how I really didn't like these contacts and he said we'll try another brand. I'm not sure if it was the new brand or my eyes already sore that made the infection worse...lets hope it's the first. But he said to call him if my eyes gets worse and he'll give me a prescription. Well, when I called, he was out of the office which turned into being gone the whole week...awesome. NOT! Luckily my eyes are doing MUCH better now without the drops that I can probably try wearing my contacts again in a couple days or so....

Also, can I just say how much it stinks having astigmatism??? The contacts cost SO MUCH money and they only end up just annoying my eyes. So, what's the point of this whole post, writing about my eyes?

* It's late. I'm tired, but I don't want to sleep.
* I'm really sick of wearing my glasses
(I don't know how I did it all day, every day, for 19 years).

OK, thanks for reading :)

Time Rolls On...

So, it turns out some people actually read this thing! I was informed that I hadn't updated in awhile (haha 2 weeks is way better than 4 months ;) ) I should be doing homework right now, but I'd rather do this. I'll post some pictures that I have available right now which is limited to email and my phone (I can't get on Facebook from a campus computer and I don't have my camera with me right now). However, for those of you who read this, thanks! :)

Well folks, I'm endowed!!! It was an overwhelming experience but a great one. I LOVE the temple. ;)

I had the opportunity to go to some of the church sites with my school which included Nauvoo. I wanted to do a session there but time restrictions made it difficult. I still did work there and got to the Celestial Room. Going inside, along with visiting Carthage Jail was the highlight of my trip.

This picture is a little old...I made a paper chain awhile back that countdowns to graduation and my report date...it's getting smaller! 43 days til graduation and 48 until I enter the MTC :)

When I was in Utah Memorial Weekend, my mom had some professional missionary photos taken of me. I swiped them from online (hence you can see some of the logo) but here are some of my mom and I's favorites.

This was a fun outfit :)

I think this one will be on my missionary plaque.

This one is my favorite :)

It feels awkward posting all these photos of myself....

Yeah, still awkward...

...

This is my mom's favorite.

Well that's a quick update about me. I have been better at keeping busy now with going to the temple and weekend trips. First it was Utah, then Nauvoo, this weekend it's Arizona, then back to Utah. Before I know it, the semester will be over and I'll enter the MTC....I can't believe it!! Nervous, absolutely. Anxious, definitely. But above all, eager. However, until then, I guess it's back to the homework...eventually ;)

My Life by Exhibits

Lately Sundays have been challenging for me. I'm not exactly sure why but regardless, today was one of them. However, last Wednesday my roommate, McKenna, took some photos of me for my mission and she showed me one she just finished editing of me this afternoon and it made me happy. I canNOT wait to be a [full-time] missionary :)

Exhibit A:
On another happy note, I was listening to music on my mp3 player today and one of my favorite hymns came on, #219 Because I Have Been Given Much. It's a little different than we usually hear (see lyrics below). My old roommate introduced it to me; the artist changed the last verse, which makes me even more excited for my mission :)

Exhibit B:

Because I Have Been Given
by Kenneth Cope :)

Because I have been given much, I too must give
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from Thee, with every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me

Because I have been sheltered, fed by Thy good care
I cannot see another's lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter overhead
That, he too, may be comforted

Because of Thy life's mission, Lord, I too will serve I'll leave the comfort of my home to teach thy word I'll seek Thy sheep who've gone astray and those who've never known the way I will make Thy work my work today

I shall give love to those in need
I'll show that love by word and deed
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed


It definitely is not fun being in this transition period, but I'm grateful for the knowledge that I have and am eager for what is ahead.

Exhibit C:

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple
(I'm just want to brag that I took this picture :) )

In just 5 1/2 days I will enter!! Saturday, May 28, 10am session. I cannot express the joy that fills me that after working so hard for so long to be able to enter, I am worthy to accept His invitation to enter the Lord's house :)

I'm Going CRAZY!!!

Hello folks :)

Well guess what? I'm slowly losing my brain! I'm so bored and need to learn how to keep busy or else the next 10 weeks are going to go dreadfully slow...

However there are some things to look forward to:

- Going through the Oquirrh Temple next Saturday!
- Memorial Weekend in Utah (finally start checking off things I need on the missionary list!)
- Nauvoo Trip through the school with my roommate Rachel
- Weekend trip to Arizona
- Another trip to Utah to see friends
- Stadium of Fire!!! (Yet another trip to Utah)
- GRADUATION!!!
- My MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Now if only the ball would get rolling! I know, I know, once the time flies and I start running out of it I'll freak out and wish I had more. The problem is I don't have much homework and it's hard to keep myself busy because then I wig out haha I don't necessarily mind not having homework but I wish I had people to hang out with more (they all have homework!)

P.S. For those of you who I'm friends with on Facebook, I did upload all the photos from New York there :)

Anyways, this is my life right now...hopefully my sanity sticks ;)

CALLED TO SERVE!!

Hello everyone!

Well my call was waiting for me in Rexburg which was the best end to a great vacation I could have ever asked for!

I have been called to serve in the NEW JERSEY MORRISTOWN Mission!

My mission does cover more than just the city of Morristown. Based on the map the church sent me, it goes a little bit into New York (on the main land...not the islands) and goes as far south in New Jersey to a little bit below the "kink" of the state on the left. I'm pretty stoked!! I'm so glad to finally know where I am going! I love saying and hearing my mission...I don't think those 3 words, "Morristown, New Jersey" will ever get old :)

I report the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. I graduate from school the prior weekend so it will be a REALLY quick turnover but I'm glad that there will be less waiting :)

Also, I will be sharing the gospel in the Spanish language. I'm really nervous! I'm eager to learn yet so nervous. However, I know that God and Jesus Christ are on my side and the Spirit will help bring things to my remembrance.

So in just over 3 months, I'll be heading out for an 18-month long service for the Lord...can't wait! :)

Too Cool to Pass Up :)

Hello all!

Guess what? I'm 36,000 feet in the air! Currently flying to SLC as we speak and the plane is one that offers WiFi...probably wasn't worth the $5 and debated it, but wanted to say I was online during a flight :)

Well it was an amazing trip! I'm so glad I was able to spend so much time there and be with my mom. We had too much fun...you know my mom = party animal ;)

I'm hoping I make it to Rexburg OK...my flight was late leaving so we're anticipated to arrive 20 mins late at 11:35am and I'm trying to catch the noon shuttle to Rexburg but need to get my bags first. I could always run out there and tell the driver that I'm here and to wait for me; I've known others to do that... Ah well you know me, always worrying about something...

I can't wait until 1:30 because my roommate will text me if my call is there or not (thats when she arrives) Man I hope so!!!

Well, I''ll try to post soon about my trip...the next few days are going to be hectic. Today alone has been madness: We had a 6am flight and woke up at 3am (keep in mind thats 1am in Idaho), I'm hoping to arrive in Rexburg by 4:30pm, check-in, hurry and get stuff out of storage, probably go to FHE, start unpacking, get ready for school tomorrow (some readings are already due :/ ), and oh yea...OPEN MY MISSION CALL?!?! All this before my busy school day tomorrow and my first class is at 8am...looks like no sleep tonight for me ;)

Exciting Times Ahead :)

So, I fail at blogging. And what I have to update on may be surprising for those who I don't keep in the best contact with... So sorry. But here you go anyway...

The semester is ALMOST over!! Last day of classes are Wednesday and I'm aiming to leave by Friday morning. This has been by far one of the my most challenging semesters and I am really excited for it to end. I have 6 classes, and have already completed everything for 2 of them...4 more to go :)

I have only ONE semester left until I'm done with undergraduate work! My anticipated graduation date is Friday, July 22, 2011 and yes I have had a countdown for too long...111 days to go :) I decided about 2 weeks ago that I am going to move to another apartment complex my last semester. I wasn't anticipating this but seems like a good decision. It's not far and hopefully the people who offered to help me move can still deliver...I will miss my ward and current roommates but we've all agreed though that we'll see each other so much, it's like I'm the 7th roommate ;) But my favorite part is about moving...I'll have a private room! Finally :)

BIG NEWS: My mom and I are so close to embarking on the greatest vacation ever! (Well maybe, going to England in 2005 for Christmas will be very hard to top!) But next Saturday, just a WEEK away, we are going to New York! We are going for 9 days and get to see so much...We're first going upstate to Palmyra and see some of the Church sites, then we're going to Niagara Falls, and the remainder of the time will be spent in NYC! We plan to see (but not limited to) the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station, 9/11 monument, Manhattan Temple, and 3 BROADWAY plays: Sister Act, Mamma Mia!, and WICKED!!!! It's going to be AWESOME!

I'll get back to Rexburg Monday, April 18, at about 4:30pm leaving me with just enough time to check-in. It's going to be crazy because the next day school starts with an 8am class...gross. Plus, all my stuff I can only move to the storage facility there so I'll have to find time to get all my stuff and unpack (remind me why I'm moving again? Sometimes I can't remember...) but the BEST PART is...perhaps my MISSION CALL will be waiting for me in the mail box!

Yes, I have taken the leap towards going on a mission! I am super excited and yet freaked out of my mind! I never imagined myself going on a mission nor does it seem real now...perhaps it won't even when I have my call and know where I am going...maybe it will finally feel real when I'm in the field...that sure is a lot of taking steps not knowing, but I have faith I'll be where I'm supposed to be.

So my interview with the Stake President was this past Tuesday night and he said he would be submitting my papers the following (Wednesday) morning! So, as far as I know, they are submitted to Salt Lake City and waiting for one of the Brethren to look at them (hopefully) this coming Tuesday. If they are reviewed on Tuesday then there is a chance that I will receive THE big, white envelope before I leave on Friday which would be cool because then I don't have to wait so long, but if not (which will probably be the case) then I'll have until I come back a week and a half later to know...Hopefully it doesn't come later than that! Waiting is the worst (as in painful) test of patience ;)

So, that is me as of now... I'm excited for my last semester of college. I only need 9 more credits to meet graduation requirements but am taking 14 for my scholarship. My classes will include:
- Public Economics
- Marriage Skills
- Family Foundations
- Foundations Capstone
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Beginning Bowling
- Doctrines of the Gospel
There's obviously some "fluff" courses in there but I'm excited :)

Since I promised last post (way back when for those of you who are old enough to remember...) that I would post pictures I still will, but kinda. I will post just a few so you can see how I am...more to come, especially of those from adventures in New York :)

I'm surrounded by great people...4 of my current 5 roommates...

Left to right: Sasha, Arisa, Laurie, Nikki, and Me

I have great friends (and roommates)
Above: Nikki, me, and Hannah dressing up just because we CAN! :)

Above: Halloween 2010 -- Apartment contest: Wizard of Oz
We know we're awesome ;)

Lastly...what I think of most often currently...

I really hope this comes soon!