could i trouble you for a glass of warm milk?

For most of the world, December is a large glass of holiday cheer. For college students, December is a large glass of anxiety and suffering, garnished with a large dollop of stress and zero sleep; so hot, you might just have a meltdown.

The end of the semester and finals week just does that to you. For me, finals week consisted of a handful of exams and a new daily soap opera life.

I found eating ice-cream for breakfast and salad for lunch was a good emotional coping mechanism. However, my waistline thought otherwise.

Hayley was obviously concerned, when I walked into our room and exclaimed I was completely out of finals-studying-mode-comission when I reached the extinct of my ice-cream. She fancied my request and took me to the store to buy more ice-cream. She understands me.

But the deed is done. I finished my first semester of college post-mission. I did it. I remember still having months to go on my mission, and I couldn't even imagine myself strapping on a backpack everyday and sitting in a classroom, and yet, now it is first nature.

To be slightly serious for a moment--I completely attribute my good grades to having served a mission. I expressed with my mission president my 'education rebellion' i experienced my freshman year of college. (who doesn't? or maybe its just complete justification). And because of that, I made the goal to do well for the rest of college. He strongly encourage me and I felt equipped with a belt of responsibility and experience this semester.

Now, that i've had this break to enjoy sleeping in, and forgetting the regimen of school life, I anticipate this semester will be even better. I really want to get a 4.0. *gasp* Remind me thats my goal when we hit mid-terms.

For now, i'll enjoy my last few days of 'break' before the rolodex of school picks up again. Too bad I procrastinated all my research hours during the semester, and I've become a slave to it here and there during break. Heres to only 14 more hours of research...

in the meantime, I'll post super-low-quality iPhone pics of my best buds, my nieces. mostly, because the backlights in the ghetto bowling alley make our teeth look white.

why my life should be a book

its May 16th, 2012.

I've had a real treat of a day.

Sometimes I play a constant commentary in my head of things happening. I found that especially during high school when I was constantly doing journalism, I would think as if I was writing a news or feature story in that sort of tone. I'm pretty sure my life stories could be written in a form of a book....it would either be the top selling book--or it would just be a manuscript that the editor wanted to burn to ash.

Here is a story today that I would have added to that book:
After my class and lunch today, I had about thirty minutes to spare. So....doing what I always dream of doing...I took a nap before I had to leave for work on the grass outside the Wilkinson Center. After 20 minutes of being in a nice slumber and enjoying the not to cold-not to hot-just perfect for a light jacket-sort of weather, I was gently (or lack thereof) awakened by the sprinklers surround the perimeter of the grass. Why did I set an alarm clock on my phone when you have sprinklers to wake you up.

I immediately sat up, trying to grab my backpack and shoes to run off the grass when I see the grounds crew man who turned on the sprinklers just smile and wave to me. Thank you kind sir for your ever so thoughtful warning that you never dare mention to me. Why don't I offer my whole heart of love in behalf of your generous warning.

It probably didn't help that my hair was still wet from my morning shower hours earlier.
But it continues to get better.

I am walking to work now, and this car pulls up to the side of me, for about 2 seconds i was hoping it was going to be an attractive male species inside the car offering me a ride, but instead it was a woman about 28ish. She was asking me where something was located....and I slyly offered that I would be happy to show her precisely where it was because i was headed in the same direction! ;) So i got a free ride to work, which ended up being a tender mercy. She too happened to study communications at BYU and Purdue and she told me lots of good nuggest of information--so i was really excited to hear about it.

Anyways....I am tuckered out, entirely. And now, because of inventory at work, I have to be there way to early for the good of man kind...so I'll be back later.

p.s. You know Jack Waylend....the author of "Charly" and "Sam" and "Adam"....well, he is in the MTC right now with his wife. And not only did I put their missionary packet together last week, I also got to be their cashier. I just wanted to shake his hand and say....i'm a sucker for your books, thank you for winning my heart! :) but...alas, i didn't. Perhaps if I work up my 20 seconds of insane courage one day...i'll do it. :)

sunshine & star struck

I have three items of business to share with you.
First, a new season calls for a new reason to change the face-lift of the blog. so there. I did it. maybe its a winner, maybe its not, but for now...it will do.

Second, i've been officially star struck. The other day I was working at my register at the MTC and an Elder David Archuleta is in sight through my peripherals. I was about to go put something away, until i notice that he looked strangely familiar. Then i realized, oh yeah, I just drooled over him when he was on American Idol--no bid deal right? So i quickly placed the item back down, and promptly announced i could help whoever was next. He came up to my register--let the record show, he was much shorter than anticipated, he's off the list for sure now, but he was giving me a disclaimer that he didn't think he had enough money to buy his laundry bag. I told him that there was still a discount and that we could just check just in case. I mean come one...please stay at my register as long as possible. Ironically enough, he didn't have enough money to buy the laundry bag--shocker. I was promptly going to hand over my life savings or pay the difference or whatever but he said he'd come back on Wednesday and buy it. I was star struck to say the least. As soon as I got off work, i promptly called my mom announcing the news. I think she was more excited then I was. :)

yep, met him.  be jealous. 

Thirdly--and all joking aside--life is wonderful. Despite the finals, assignments, tests, I am just happy. I know that there is God in Heaven that loves us. There is no way that all the tender mercies I have been blessed with lately just happen by chance. nope, no way. It is just miraculous.
The simplest of things like--my professor extended a quiz deadline by 1 day, or how i was running late for work and someone stopped and gave me a ride, or how i make it out the door every morning, or the abundance in food we have. The beauty all around me just testifies that there is a creator. "Under the direction of His Father, He (Jesus Christ) was the creator of the earth. 'All things were made by Him, and without Him, was not anything made that was made.'(John 1:3)" --The Living Christ.
So...in our everyday life, find the sunshine that is there--in the real life--that we live in. As mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers. I came across a quote by Joseph Fielding Smith from 1905 that said...
"Those things which are extradionary, remarkable, or unusal may make history, but they do not make real life. After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be common lot of all mankind, is the truest greateness. To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman." 


p.s. i've officially completed 1/10th of my goal! only 900 more to go! (that should be easy, right?)
and if you don't want to read all of them...at least read #38. :)

happy friday!

if i've made it to friday, i feel like its my birthday, and i just get to celebrate and say happy friday to myself all day. today's friday is finally beginning after 11 hrs on campus. no beuno. but...i got things done. i am so close to being caught up. and once i am....wait i probably won't, so i won't get my hopes up.

its the first night i've come home before 11pm. that means success--because that means i'm not at the library! tonight my summer ward is having a little "reunion" but....i'm just skipping that. why? because i am reading a really good book, called MindSet. and right now, a book sounds more enjoyable then talking to people. crazy as that sounds coming from me. so far, i've been reading this book in sections, because it's not a novel. it was written by Dr. Dweck, from Stanford.

some funnies this week:

:: one night after going straight from work back to school, i decided to indulge and buy myself some dinner at the cougareat. I was hesitant. because i can count on my hand probably how many times i have actually bought food from there. i usually would rather starve, eat gum and drink water, then pay and arm and a leg...you get the point. i bought a wrap, and proceeded to sit down. as i began eating, i see Crismon walk by to get a napkin or something. he sees me too, and we start talking, and he brought his dinner over and we sat and ate together. it was good fun. its nice to not eat by yourself once and awhile :)

:: part 2 to this story, as we finished, he said he was on his way to the library. when i replied i was too,  he asked me where i like to study and i said the media center on the 4th floor, and to my surprise, thats exactly where he studies too.

:: part 3 to this story. then on wednesday night, of course, like my ritual, i went back to the media center to study, after being there for awhile, i had fallen asleep sitting up, and crismon happened to walk by to get something, and sure enough saw me....go figure. this truly means we are siblings since we eat at the cougareat at the same time (which is seriously a rare occurrence for both of us), and study in the same place at the same time unintentionally.

:: sorry, since all my time is spent in the lib, i really only have stories about it...but today, i was again in the media center, and i saw my cousin becca!!! one of my most favorite people ever. what i mean to be only a quick hello ended up being a 1.5 hr conversation! my checks literally hurt from smiling and lauging with her. i'm so glad she goes to school, because i love seeing her at devotional! :)

:: another funny. i walked back to the school after work on thursday and i was on the phone with Ondalynn, my sister. after awhile she handed the phone to sydney, my 8 yr old niece, she's my hero by the way, so we could talk, and then i told her i had to go meet up with a friend for institute. without missing a beat she said, "FINALLY!" and I kind of laugh, and said, "sydney, why is that...." and she responded, "well, every time we webcam with you, or you talk to my mom on the phone, you are always by yourself on a friday night! its about time you have friends." wow... reprimanded by my niece. :) i did nothing but laugh.

look familiar? this would be a girls bathroom counter space. 0% space whatsoever. typical.

celebrate GRINGO day....

...or...what most civil people like to call, St. Patrick's Day. I celebrated with my adopted fhe family. they're pretty tight people. i felt i needed to repay them for their generousity, as so as a peace offering i invited them over for a breakfast of GREEN crepes, green waffles and pancakes.

 absolutely great people. hayley and erin and i were also able attend the temple the night before which was great. we went at 9:45 on a friday night and were done at 10:20. woah.

someone forgot to spray the waffle maker......

and after spending many hours on campus--the best finale of the day was learning how to drive a stick shift. something i've dreamed of doing for years. i'm not saying i was a pro--but i sure felt like a kid again. oh and just in case you didn't believe me....here is documentation.

(See told ya)

Oh, and if you are in provo and you're smart. you will go to the Awful waffle and partake of such deliciousness. seriously. you can't go wrong.


And please, for my sake, listen to this talk. It is powerful.
I forgot how much i loved it until I was reminded of it last night as I saw this Mormon Message.
I shake my head at how i think my worries, troubles and problems are far greater than everyone elses, and then I watch these inspiring videos of others, and I am always humbled once again.

Life is Wonderful.
Just so you know. 

best of both worlds

let me explain. i first loathed the idea that i'd be working at the MTC again. i quit my job at the MTC cafeteria on a Monday. Got a call on Tuesday for a second interview for what i thought was the BYU bookstore. On Thursday, I interviewed, and realized it was for the MTC bookstore. Awesome. The MTC was the place I trying to get away from. I'd already worked there for 7 months. Friday morning, i found I got the job. I couldn't turn it down. I started work at the MTC the next week. I've never had to work 20 hours a week before. But now i see how the Lord has prepared other people to help influence me to take this job. I didn't want to take it. I was already feeling overwhelmed to the brim with 16 credits, church calling, living on my own, and other excuses, but my parents resentlessly encouraged me to take this job. So i did. And am I so grateful I did. I love the people I work with. They are an elite-down-to-earth group of girls. Not only that. But i feel pretty solid at the end of the day, knowing i served people that serve the Lord. Although it is time consuming, I am learning better time-management (or so i hope), and its truly been a nice "break" from school. For those hours I don't have to think about anything school related. And its just wonderful.

Now...to mention the part two.
I got another job for the summer! i'm thrilled. if i never get the chance to be an efy counselor, I think this is as close as it gets, and i'm stoked. I will be a byu sports camp counselor for this summer. i'll be attending spring term, then work as a counselor for summer, work education week, attend the reunions and then its back to school in the fall and winter. i have to get through spring--and that will be my first official break in like 2 years. i'm not tooo excited for being in the dorms again, or eating at the cannon center for every meal (but hey, free room and board, i can't beat that).

this has been far more of a journal entry than what I really meant to write about. but i find it ironic that because i work at the mtc, i'm required to wear church/business dress everyday. (and for the record, i never once in my entire life wore a skirt for the heck of it to school from K-12. thats the truth). Where as for the sports camp job, i'll be wearing shorts and a t-shirt every day. thats the best of both worlds. 

my one rebellious act

what would you think if i got a tattoo?

lucky for me, i think they are hideous, but....i did dabble in the art of henna on Sunday in the beautiful afternoon sun with my roommate Madeline--she is an amazing artist.

of all the things i could pick...like Luke 1:37, Alma 37:37 (kidding)
I chose the dark mark.

love it?
be jealous. its pretty wicked sweet. literally. 

recent beginnings

attention world: i just might have friends. 

proud of me? (don't answer that) me too. And sadly, i have no documental proof that any of the below listed events occurred, so you are just going to have to go on my word for it. 

its been a great couple of weeks, besides those two tests that i won't mention how poorly i did. 

Somethings worth mentioning:

-My roommates and a few members of my ward went to "The Seville"a retirement home in Orem and played 'bean bag baseball.' They kicked our trash. And i'm not kidding either. 

-I finally taught a few other friends how to play Acquire, and we realized at 10pm on Saturday night that it was Fast Sunday the next day, we decided to order in pizza and then watched a movie as just girls. 

-On Friday, I was able to do early morning baptisms before school with a few other girls. Naturally I went on into a full on dream and talking in my sleep in a matter of 10 mins sitting in my Writing Class. Then,  after attempting to study for 4 hrs for a midterm i had to take before I left for Farmington for Mckenzie and Brad's wedding dinner, I accidentally slept for 2.5 of those hours. Then Becca picked me up and we left for Farmington. I just love family. And was so happy to spend all weekend with the Smith Family. It made me really appreciate being where I am right now so that I can attend these family events. 

-A wonderful mom came to my Sacrament Meeting today--which was just wonderful. 

-McKenzie and Brad's wedding was beautiful! I am so thrilled and happy for them. Its quite alarming that my cousin (just a few months older than me), is now married....i didn't see that coming. 

-Today was the most beautiful Sabbath day. My roommates and I spent all afternoon sitting on blankets outside--and after a little bit we had congregated quite a few friends. We were out there long enough for  me to get pretty darn sunburnt. Then 2 of our friends came and played Dominion with us--a new game I am being introduced to and is super fun. 

-Overall life is great. Busy. Complicated. Beautiful. Challenging. but...definitely FUN. 

1 more month of school. 

speak to me, no, really

rather than me admit something to you, and totally swallowing myself pride, instead, i'm merely going to ask for your ideas, advice, and thoughts.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF MONEY?
HOW DO YOU STRETCH THE DOLLAR?

(the caps aren't me screaming at you, rather, its me freaking out inside and emphasizing a dilemma here....)

HOW DO YOU STRETCH THE DOLLAR?

fluffy

Okay, so this post really should be titled, "emily is a freak-of-sorts" but we just are going to let it be--and call it fluffy, for no reason at all.

Sometimes I feel people should be worried for me in life. And thats not an exaggeration if you were thinking it was.

Scenario 1.
Its a Saturday night in Provo, UT (a college town--better than Rexburg :), and Emily--a young girl and movie classic dramas enthusiast could be doing the following.

a. going on a date with one of the new 16 boys in her ward (10 of them are RM...ooohla la)
b. running in the snow. (an unfamiliar medium of weather for a native oregonian)
c. dancing to the jams at the tri-area (Wyview, Heritage, Heleman) 90's dance.
d. laying on the floor with no food for dinner doing math homework.

If you used both of your life lines and you can't decide your final answer, let me help you out. Its the big fat whoppin' D. (you're not surprised? neither am i. darn.)

i know it doesn't look like a ton--but because of the rain that came before its not really sticking. 

So basically I have decided to hibernate myself in my apartment in the midst of this winter for multiple reasons. like the fact that I am enjoying being anti-social, or i see this white blanket cover everything in sight---and just the thought of me getting cold and wet doesn't quite strick my fancy like it did when i was younger....when I basically peed my snowsuit for the chance to play in the snow.
now, i just hold my hot chocolate cup like it is gold and my soul mate.

in other news...
      --I got a second calling as Ward Organist in my ward. (no one, including myself knows why)

      --Its the third week of classes, yet today I still managed to walk into some class, sit down, look around, realizing I wasn't in the right class, got up and left. #socool

      --gem and i actually did something social. we invited 3 guys over for a sunday dinner. this was a big deal. in other words, gemma and i are actually going to try to make an effort to meet people. #beproud

     --I went to the housing fair and felt like a kid on halloween. got 3 byu shirts and too much candy.

     --I organized a small temple trip saturday morning at 7:30am. four girls came--even though the whole relief society was invited and i fed them a french toast breakfast at my apt. afterwards. it was actually quite fun, and we all decided to make it a tradition for every saturday from now on. there wasn't a better way to start my day.

    --I was interviewed today to be a BYU sports camp counselor in the summer #fingerscrossed

    --my 17 year old cousin is tutoring in college algebra. its doing wonders to my self esteem

    --julie b. beck came and spoke at devotional last week, and i got to sit by Crismon, Danielle, Lynette, Becca Smith and her roommate. did i ever tell you how lucky i am?

   --i've decided to minor in family and marriage studies.(okay so i don't know the official title, who cares)


  --the sister missionaries called me and asked me to go on splits with them, which to be called and asked to do such a thing is quite rare in provo. I put my name on the list back in June. But they quickly turned me down when they realized I didn't have a car. (hint hint mom!)

  --gemma and I have an apple orchard right in front of our apt. complex and so she went over and bought a 20 lb box of apples for $6. heaven. heaven. heaven. they taste like golden candy. #applecrispforlife

well I hope you've had an exciting week.
if i have any tragic experiences of slipping on ice or such...i'll be sure to let you know first.
ciao bella. 

words of wisdom

There basically isn't anything more I can say then...wow. I loved this talk to so much. This was the first CES Devotional I ever went to as a BYU student in the Marriott Center. It was absolutely wonderful. People always tell you to use your time wisely, well this is basically the best way you can spend 15 mins of your day. Enjoy. 

"Worldly honors and corporate success offer small compensation when compared with the joyous affection of family and children."--Sister Oaks

i guess i've been trying way too hard to think of something...or just anything to blog about. but, alas, all my creative juices have been squeezed out of me entirely.
i went on a walk tonight. no, i didn't want to. it was raining. i was home alone. i needed to do something.
so i listened to "The Spirit of Revelation," by Elder David A. Bednar (please listen intently to it, there is something about hearing it that has power rather than reading). I'm not sure why, but tonight I needed to listen to that talk more than ever before. I think a good deal of it was all this overwhelming business of 'what am i going to do with myself come summer and i've run out money, and i still have 2.5 years of college to go mentality.' then i thought to myself....shoot, i'm an adult. and i've always known this speck of knowledge, ever since i came to college in the first place, but, now....i just don't know. i'm still figuring everything out. now, i realize, how much I hope i have begun the autonomy stage,  (dependency stage-->autonomy stage--->interdependency stage) So i don't think i'm coherent in any of my thoughts here, but, i'm realizing my accountability now, more than before (i guess is what i'm really trying to say).  For some reason this Winter Semester has been off to a shaky start. I've forgotten about basically every assignment that was due (not in one class, but ALL my classes...and i'm not entirely sure why I just admitted that to my mother).  I can't figure it out for the life of me. I don't think i've ever had this problem. Well...anyways. now that i've burned this post to the ground, i'll go finish some more homework. maybe one of these days i'll figure it out and i can prove to everyone that i am mature, and a young sensible adult. or is this just an act, that we never stop pretending to play. 

via Home Cooking

i made it through the first week of winter semester. huzzah. only about 3 more months to go. to celebrate the event, gemma and I went to cafe rio (who needs a man in their life, when you have cafe rio. someone tell me please?) we went with her young sister and then we came back to enjoy the goods since we were literally waiting in line..OUTSIDE in the 20 degrees. worth it my friends, absolutely worth it.
We went to Wyview's "Nerd Dance" to burn off the calories, and then after we made our appearance, we made a grateful exit out the back door. We then decided we needed a movie and ice cream.
It is official, that Gemma and I are absolutely notorious for picking out the worst Redbox movies known to man-kind.  I kid you not.
We then enjoyed our Saturday eating crepes and have a relaxing Saturday. Gemma left and then I walked to the Temple and enjoyed the time there. It was neat to see Laura (Mitchell) Ferrin, and her husband.
Is it pathetic then this weekend has been one of the most eventful weekends to even blog about?
Probably because most of my weekends are by myself, folding laundry while i watch said DUMB movies.
Another exciting part of this week, was I was able to give a talk today in Church. I can't believe how nervous I was, probably because I haven't spoken in church for almost an entire year!
My assignment was from this talk in General Conference.
(which you should all be excited because General Conference is in 75 days!)
I was so grateful to be led by the Spirit on what to say, I felt I was extremely blessed. I was grateful for the experiences I have had in life to share with the congregation today. Sabbath days just make me the happiest, I just wish everyday was like this.
Happy Sabbath!


p.s. Downton Abbey is on tonight! Don't miss it!
p.s.s. I've also decided that at my wedding someday I will have a cereal bar, cafe rio, and crepes with ice cream.

freshman year, thats a wrap

guess what...emily can finally say one thing. 

1. I'm NOW A SOPHOMORE.
in college that is. not to be confused with high school.
i'm moving on to finer things in life.

do you know what.

do you know what...

the best form of procrastination of homework is making cookies, trying to take a nap, deep cleaning your bedroom and bathroom for 2.5 hours (you better believe my room is now immaculate) and sit at the computer pretending to do your work.

what is my deal?

in other news....

i'm pretty sure my roommate and I have an extremely unhealthy obsession with shoes. and i am quite certain this photo doesn't give it justice either. i don't even want to think of packing these babies up. someone shoot me now.

and...emily is no longer employed (for winter semester that is) at the MTC. oh darn. well there goes my green. once again, if you so desire to donate to the Emily Needs Money Foundation, i'd be more than happy to accept. Thats okay, i have big plans for where i'd like to be employed come Spring/Summer terms. (i can't believe that i'm accepting the fact that i'll be going to school year round for the next 3 years. someone shoot me again. oh well, i'm sure its better that way.)

....met danell, our apt. fish. okay, its actually gemma's, but Thursday is my assigned feeding day, so i feel part-parentship of this gem. he's technically an illegal immigrant in our apt. but thats okay, we love him no matter what. our RA came yesterday to check our smoke detectors and we failed to hide Danell before she came in, so in the midst of her doing so, we wrapped a dish towel around his bowl and stuck him in a cupboard. we just love Danell too much to give him up. And gemma has big plans for his birthday...perhaps buying him a castle or pretty rocks. be jeal.

and...lastly. 5 days until the big 1-9. when people ask me my age, i'm guilty of responding, "almost 20." and then they ask, "when do you turn 20?" and then i'll hesitate, slightly blush and respond, "after i turn 19." but low and behold friends, i can officially respond "almost 20" and it won't be considered a lie. I got to celebrate my birthday at home with the fam over thanksgiving break and i got exactly what I wanted! the book, "Teachings of President Thomas S. Monson" I'm so excited to really study it over Christmas break.

farewell my friends.
i have an art history paper due in 18 hours, and i haven't even started. no, i take that back, I haven't even looked at the prompt, or opened my textbook or notes....heres to no sleep tonight!

peace out, homeskillet.

thanksgiving part I

i've been putting blogging off, and avoiding it like the plague, but...all the nieces and nephews are in bed...so what else are you suppose to do!?

Words of Wisdom for the Ride Board:
          probably don't use it, if you can avoid it at all costs. the guy i went with figured it'd be a good idea to drive 95-100mph the entire way. (mind you Oregon speed limit is 65mph). oh...did i mention texting this entire time too. Yeah, good one man. I wanted to say, "i don't know about you, but i'd kind of really like to make it home alive. you know, just sayin." I think i forgot to breathe for the last hour as we were hydroplaning in the rain...and dark. overall we made a 13 hr drive in 8.5 hours. Thats not a good sign. Moral of the Story: reconsider putting yourself on deaths line when using the ride board. just sayin.

How to Have the best Thanksgiving Ever:
         come to OREGON.
i'm in BABY HEAVEN here.
here is the low down:
2 Parentals
6 Sisters
3 Brother in laws
12 Nieces and Nephews (# of kids beats the # of adults)

mom and i baked apple pies all day today. finishing a whopping 6 of them.

okay, and humor me for my most favorite pie i've made yet....

a Mac APPLE pie. get it?  cute, eh? yeah, steve jobs should love me or something.

and i maid a braided interlace (what are they even called!?) apple pie. it was pretty gourmet. i knew elementary school was good for something.

the highlights:

baking with miss kenna.
thanksgiving began with....
the Macy's parade on our 3 inch black and white tv--that you cross your fingers for it to work.
and lots of baking.

each person was in charge of making a certain food...but julia decided to ditch gresham and sleep over with the vances and williams in washington, so i had to take double duty and do the mashed potatoes and sweet potato pies. lets just say those are not minor technicalities of the thanksgiving feast. so i was under pressure for this to be the best yet. lets just say, i made a few mistakes that ended up making it the best overall potatoes i've ever had. i am probably a bit bias though.

 and we were eating like kings and queens as we used only the finest of china we had.

Thanksgiving is the best. 

God has been so good to my family this year, i just wanted to document a few things:

I'm so grateful  for my family; the Gospel that keeps me grounded on the strait path; trials that help us to grow and improve; being accepted to BYU; a solid hard work ethic; my talents; safety; the scriptures; books, books, and more books; the little things in life that make it so comfortable--toothbrushes, hot water, plumbing, electricity; technology--okay, i'm little obsessed with apple products, food glorious food, a job--even when i don't enjoy it, transportation that allows me to see my family. 

We have seen miracles this year as 3 babies were born, and 1 child will be married, and 2 grandchildren baptized. My parents also are also reaping benefits of their hard work in their business, that has allowed them to travel to various parts of the world. 

Forgive me for getting alittle personal, but...

Most of all, I am so grateful for my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I cannot begin to comprehend the love that He has for each individual, but I will be forever grateful for the perfect and matchless life He lived, so that He could atone and die for our sins, trials, tribulations, sorrows, pains, sickness, and all that we will experience in this life. I am so grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel in the fullness of times, I am grateful to know what I know and to have the Holy Ghost with me always. What a blessing and gift that is....I love this gospel, I love my family, and I love my life. 

God has blessed us so well. 

Part II to be continued. 

reunion of 156.

it snowed here on sunday.

and i admit that ever since then i have been celebrating this snow with copious doses of hot chocolate.

alright, so don't judge. 

to break the fast I invited my summer roommates from wells 156 to come over and eat lunch.
it was an excellent excuse for me to actually cook something--other then instant oatmeal (which is proving to work as a stable diet these days).
i made some corn chowder (but it was so much better than last time). or, maybe it just tasted so good because i was fasting.....i haven't really decided yet. :)

my roommates (i can't believe i forgot to get a picture of us) and i, headed up to the CES fireside to hear President Boyd K. Packer. I surely hope that was not the last time we will hear from him. He loves the doctrine so much--and he is such an example to me because of the amount of influence he has had with CES. CES has been a big part of my life---and will hopefully be my profession!

A few notes from his talk:

-he counseled to "keep our spiritual debt paid off"--don't postpone repentance. do it now.
-he began by saying, "he had an unquenchable desire to bear testimony of the Father." (am i the same?)
-if you at first stumble, do not give up. if you confess your sins, do not look back.
-don't avoid personal contemplation or guilt conscious. you can always be forgiven, you can always change.
-you are not perfect, but you are moving along and trying.
-"come unto Him."

i'm astounded that i was able to hear the Prophet last week, President Packer on Sunday, and Elder Ballard--as well as a member of the 70 next Sunday. God is so good to us.

don't you wish you were at this lunch?

life is great. i don't want to waste any of my time here on earth--and hoping that i am making the best use of time. i'm realizing i can't do it all....and thats okay, but thats why we have our Father in Heaven's help. (read this talk for more on that) i also realized, that there is no such thing as mid-terms. its just more colleges ideas of continuous test and projects due all at the same time, every time. only 6 more weeks in the semester. and right now, the word on my mind is: endure.

but remember, this life is not to just be endured but to be happy along the way.

a mid term love affair

school is great. i rather enjoy learning so many new things. but these mid terms--that have lasted for an entire month. can really die right now. lets just light it on fire and let them burn. 

pardon me. I should probably sensor my words and make this more PG.

but 4 of my hardest mid terms this week. 1 next week. and 2 last week. ahhhh.

did i mention that i completed my anthro mid term in the course of 1 night. The assignment was basically the equivalent to an assignment i had my junior year of high school. and lets just say our class spent months, and months preparing for that 10-15 page paper, when i cranked it out in 1 night. hmmm...i should've learned something by now. 

also, it was 9 pm on Friday night. I had a paper due at midnight. I thought to myself, well now is a good time to watch the movie i'm suppose to write about. watched it. wrote the paper and turned it in with 15 mins. to spare. 

is this method practical? no, not really. workable? i suppose so. College like? absolutely. 

i went out side to study since i didn't want to bike to school...and this is what i look at...BEAUTIFUL. 

i love that in UT, we get ONE tree that changes colors, and in OR, the leaves are changing EVERYWHERE. 

 i found the BEST spot in the library to study. a little cubicle. its awesome. i don't get cell service down there, and slow Internet connection so it FORCES me to study. i end up spending more time there in that chair then I do at my own apt. and I suppose just the act of studying in the library makes my intelligence factor go up about 60%!

and for posterity's sake....i made homemade corn chowder! it was delicious. and that night I also had homemade bread and homemade almond milk. (and broiled the asparagus). pretty domestic! 

okay. going to study now. 

live in fear, mid terms are here.

domesticity: how to make almond milk

if any of you know my name, lewis, you know that i love chocolate, newspaper, but most of all milk.
my dad was raised on a dairy, so by default my family raised me on the delicacy of milk, and i dare say, we never ate a meal without milk.
although, milk is not extremely budget friendly for the amount i consume. I swear, I keep the byu creamery in business because of number of gallons i buy. i'll always buy extra, just for good measure.

i've been trying to switch over to a life-style that allows me to connect with my inner-hippie-ness, since i hail from the great roots of Portland, Oregon. So now i believe in doing everything homemade. hence, the almond milk. (okay, sorta just kidding)

let 1 Cup of Almonds soak in water for 8 hours or overnight. 

rinse them off well in a strainer

place the 1 C of Almonds in the blender with 4 cups of water, 1/4 tsp. of Salt, 1/2 tsp. of Vanilla and a spoonful of honey. (I wish i would have added another spoonful of honey or a couple spoonfuls of sugar.)

Blend very well. My blender (since its a real cheap one) ran for maybe like 4 mins. on high.

once everything is blended really well. place your nut milk bag (you can purchase one here) in a large bowl and begin pouring the milk from the blender into the bag. I poured it in the bag 1/2 of the blender at a time. The really small almond chunks will not strain through so you squeeze the bag and get as much milk out as you can. Once that is complete...you're done!

basically why i love doing this so much, is because i know exactly what is going into what i am eating. 

nuts are rather expensive, so i need to break down the costs exactly to see if its worth it, but i like knowing that i made this myself and that it is safe, healthy, and nutritious. 

enjoy!