Phantom Hair

No, I did not grow my hair out to look like Gerard Butler...

But I did, however, cut my hair! It was getting really annoying. It kept touching my ear and tickling it and being... well... annoying!

Does anyone know what a phantom limb is? Well, I learned about it while I was getting my CNA. It is defined as: The perception of sensations, usually including pain, in an arm or leg after the limb as been amputated. The brain still gets messages from the nerves that originally carried impulses from the missing limb. Phantom limb syndrome is relatively common in amputees, especially in the early months and years after limb loss.

So, after chopping my annoying hair off, I still get the annoying feeling of it brushing my ear and tickling my ear. So chopping it off did nothing. It's just even more annoying that I can't brush my hair away from my ear!

Anyone else ever experience phantom hair?

Random Openings

So, as I write my talk, I have been trying to figure out how to start it. I'm probably going to just start right into it. I know that "mandatory jokes" annoy some people but I couldn't help but think of a few. So I've had many things go through my head and here are my two favorites that I'm still not going to use but I thought you might enjoy them.

#1

I’ve always been grateful of going to Church at the Stake Center. We have a great multi purpose room that we can use for activities, lots of rooms to split up how ever we needed, and it's been great. But now looking out at you, I realize: a bigger meeting house means a larger chapel. A larger chapel means you can pack more people in to listen to you give a talk that is 140% larger than any talk you’ve given before due to the fact that you were just promoted from “youth speaker” to regular “speaker,” which, by the way, does not come with a larger wage or more benefits, it’s just a better title and more hours. But regardless of this brothers and sisters I am excited to speak to you because that means I am that much closer to leaving on my mission.

#2

Well, right now my nervous system is making it very apparent that it is alive and kicking. In fact, I'm just grateful that I'm not frozen in fear. When frightened you're brainstem takes over and you have a "fight or flight" response. So right now I'm just fighting my brain to not punch the microphone or bolt out the door.

I know, they're kinda lame, but hey! What are ya going to do?

My Favorite Things

Recently Centerville has been receiving moisture. It's been pretty awesome! Now for those of you who didn't know already (which apparently is way more than I thought. I thought you all knew and I come to find that my own mother didn't know!) I L.O.V.E. the rain! I don't know how to express my love for it. It's awesome!

Anyway, I also love books as I'm sure you know! At least I really hope you do... Seriously... I can sort of understand the rain thing, but books? They are such a part of my life!

And this love you must know. You have to know it! If you don't, then you don't know me at all. I know it's harsh, but it's true. But I'm positive you know this I mean come on it's me! Anyway I guess I should reveal it so you're aren't worrying if I should shun you forever. It's music. Easy, right?

Anyway the reason why I talk about those things is that recently I have been able to combine these things and provide wonderful afternoons for myself. With Centerville's recent rainfalls I have had the opportunity to grab my current read, my ipod, and myself and head to a park (I've gone to Smoot, Founders, and Island View), sit myself under a good tree (but would usually have to move to a firmer shelter, such as the bowery), plug in my ipod and read. Man I love that feeling! It's awesome. The only thing I wish more is that I could be out in the rain, but that would ruin the book...

I wish there was some kind of invention to make it possible for me to be in the rain and nothing happen to my book, that would be perfect, but I can't think of anything that can happen without magic, haha.

I also love showers probably because it's so like rain... But the ipod and book would be destroyed in such conditions... *sigh*

If you have any genius ideas of how to keep my book from ruin, I would love to hear them!

Warning!

So, I recently read that that institutions are being erected all over the U.S. where you can go for torture. These places aren't new either! They first appeared in ancient Greece but disappeared until the 19th century. In modern times you have to get a membership just to enter! But this deters very few. I haven't found any stats saying how many people have these memberships but I would guess it's at least in the tens of millions.

Now, I have a question: How, how did America allow these institutions to become so popular? How was it not stopped before now? Well, I read a study that says that it's good for you! Ha! Can you believe it? Torture, good for you! I recently read a study that says these places are especially popular January through March! There is a torture season! What is the deal, people?! Well I must admit I have gone to one of these places... actually multiple times... But I've never felt better afterward! And yes I have a membership for express torture.

Oh, and guess what? You have to torture yourself! Yes, you pay to get in to the place and they give you all the tools necessary to torture yourself. Isn't that sadistic? Seriously! How have these places become so popular?!

Well my visits are soon to be over because once I'm on my mission, I don't believe missionaries are allowed to visit the gym.

Vlog!

Cabin Trip!

Ok, I am so sorry it's taken me so long to post. It seems I go on spurts of posting. It's either feast or famine. Anyway, a few weekends ago I was able to go to my friend Austen's cabin. It was way super fun! 

We left on Wednesday and they waited for me to get off work to go to the cabin! (isn't that nice?) Well as a result we got to the Cabin around 1:00 a.m. So we trudged off to bed after relieving the Yukon of it's baggage and taking the four wheelers off of the trailer. 

I don't recall my head hitting my pillow that night.

Well we woke up bright and early and headed off to a stable nearby where we rented horses! We all got a horse to ourself and headed for the trail. My horse was named Candy and she was the coolest ever! She totally could have beat the other horses in any type of competition whether it was racing, kicking, or whatever (not that we really tried that...) but she didn't feel the need to show others how awesome she was, so she let others win when we started running and stuff.  But she did like to go in front of the winner after we  stopped running and release some flatulence. :D

Anyway we went to the half day trail but got through it so quickly, we went on the full day one as well and got back right on time! 

We then just hung out at the cabin, played card games, watched movies, and ate lettuce! (well, I did anyway) Cody (another of Austen's friends) came up later that night and we watched a movie and went to bed. The next day we blew up the raft and loaded it onto the trailer and headed for the snake river.

On the river Austen's mom tried paddling for all of thirty seconds but decided she felt safer in the middle of the raft. So we had four rower's and three dead weights. We lost no one going down the river but Anita's (Austen's little sister) nerves were shot. As we got to the end of the river we rowed as hard as we could to the take-out point but when we were almost ashore we were told we couldn't come to the first ramp. That was reserved for commercial rafting. So as we tried to get to the second ramp a back current took us back to the middle of the river and it was impossible to get to either of the ramps and we were washed downstream. We found a place to let one person on shore and he hitchhiked it to the car and started driving up and down the highway looking for us. We meanwhile rowed the raft (because there was hardly a current left) and looked for a good spot to drag the raft up the bank. We found one and after dragging the raft up a steep hill we eventually made it to the highway and Cody found us and we headed to the top of the river and did it again! (Anita and her mom stayed behind this time)

We got back to the cabin and Austen's uncle, aunt, and cousin were there. We hung with them for a while and then Austen, Cody, I went fourwheeling. Super fun!

Well, we pretty much did the same stuff the rest of the trip but on the way back the Yukon broke down. So we had to add an extra day to our trip and without service was unable to inform mom and dad of the extension... mom was a little worried to say the least...

I'll post pictures if I can get a hold of them later.

Half Way!

Ok...

so I thought I'd let you all know that I am now down 22 lbs from when the doctor weighed me and only need to lose 22 more! Of course I'll keep going, when I reach that goal, but I'm excited to be getting closer to my mission!

(not being able to listen to my Broadway music for two entire years while on my mission)

Thanks Keith and Jen for giving me such an awesome start on my weight loss and giving me some good ideas to think about for continued weight loss!

Ok, so this is a random thought that I had walking home from Jameson's tonight. So I wanna see what you think is going to be one of the hardest things for me while on my mission. Please do tell in the comments!

(I have one that I thought of and if you guess that one... well congratulations... I can't really give you more than that but I'll tell you what it is at a later time.)

My Final Final

Cleaning.... You know me.

I lothe cleaning. Cleaning was invented to make me angry. I keep clean in general. But deep cleaning has no place in my life and I have avoided it pretty well in my life thus far. Well now... I'm doomed. I have to clean to move out. And it is intense! I'm going to share my portion with you. (My portion is actually one of the better ones)

I am in charge of my Bathroom and part of the Kitchen.

BATHROOM:
-Wipe inside and outside of door.
-Wash walls, especially near light switch. Wash toilet paper holder, towel rack, and behind sink.
-Clean shower and tub, removing all soap scum and hard water buildup off shower walls and chrome (The office will sell a professional cleaning product for $1.50 a cup that will remove soap scum and hard water)
-Wash walls and ceiling above shower.
-Clean toilet, including base. Use toothbrush on toilet seat hinges, base hinges, and around base on linoleum.
-Clean wall behind toilet.
-Clean light fixture and replace. Change lightbulbs if burned out.
-Shine mirror, toilet paper holder, and towel rack.
-Clean shelves inside mirror cabinet.
-Remove and clean fan. (Stand on toilet base, not toilet seat or the hinges may break.)
-Wash ceiling if needed. (Use bleach if there is mold)
-Clean sink. Get hard water deposits off.
-Wipe cupboard doors off.
-Clean under sink.
-Mop floor

KITCHEN:
-Wipe table and chairs
-Clean inside of dishwasher, especially door, use toothbrush if necessary.
-Clean sink. Remove hard water spots with Lime Away. (The office will sell this to you for $1.50 per cup)
-Scrub and mop floor. All black or gray should be scrubbed with a scotchrite pad and cleanser or a floor striper. (Floor striper and wax will be sold in office for $2.00 per cup) Do not wait until the morning of checkout, it takes time to dry. The cost for a professional to clean your floor will be between $40-45)
-Remove ALL garbage adn food (if all roommates are moving out).
-Wipe off light fixture.
-Wash walls, ceiling and doorways where needed, especially around switches, closet doors, and outlet covers.

Yeah... I hate cleaning... Anyone want to come help? ... please?

Finals

Ok, so I know I haven't posted in a while, but I've been freaking out over finals so give me a break! I posted a bunch of stuff so I hope you enjoy it!

Seriously... I have a ton of finals: 9. That's right 9. That is no typo. Nine! Well I have done 5 and only have 4 to go and I'm feeling good but that is the reason I haven't posted anything in a while.

I decided to include a clip of my percussion ensemble that I had to arrange for my percussion techniques class. The dynamics are a little off, but you can only ask so much from a computer program. :D

It's a little quiet, make sure to turn off the blog music!

Wicked

Ok, so as many of you know I was able to go see Wicked the Saturday before last and seriously, it was amazing! Can I just tell you that I love Wicked?

And this I'm not telling you this as one of those girls who flounce about in their pink "Popular" Shirts saying, "Oh, my heck! Isn't Popular, like, the greatest?" I truly love this musical from the core of my soul.

This musical has so many layers.

First of all I must say that the music is out of this world! Steven Schwartz really outdid himself this time. I've always loved his music but this is phenomenal!

Ok, second, the story is amazing. How Winnie Holzman took Gregory Maguire's filthy book and made it into an amazing and clean story is beyond me and I love her for it. Also, the story supports the songs and the songs support the story in a way that I cannot describe. Listening the soundtrack is awesome but with the story interlaced with it the music soars to new heights... which one would seem is impossible, but guess what? Apparently, it's not.

Third, the characters are amazing. They're personalities are so strong and their ideals so a part of them that any actor would have a hard time interpreting their character differently. You can't really play around with the character and make them less then they are. They are what they are and have a different life above that of the musical.

Fourth, Defying Gravity.

That song still gives me chills when I hear it. (When live it's 87 times stronger) When Elphaba emerges from the back of the room that she and Glinda are in to hide from the guards and rises into the air... Oooo! I wish I could feel like that constantly! (except then I would get used to it and it wouldn't be as cool)

Side story: Actually when we were watching it a lady two seats from me stood up and started to leave saying something about needing to use the restroom literally 30 seconds before Defying Gravity started and I almost reached up to grab her wrist and tell her that she should hold if I had to choose between peeing my pants and not seeing Defying Gravity, I would definitely choose to pee my pants. But I thought that would be a little creepy and so I didn't...

--->Here<---'s a clip of Defying Gravity that will give you a very small taste of the amazingness that is Wicked. I would have embed it but it was disabled and this is the version you must see if you don't see it live.

Ok, I could go on forever and if you want some other thoughts I have about Wicked just click --->here<--- to hear about my first experience going to Wicked.

One difference between Utah Wicked and California Wicked: No Good Deed. The Utah Elphaba took that song and made it hers. She did such a fantastic job on that song I can not even describe. That song is now a very, very close number two from the musical now. (Defying Gravity being number one of course)

Seriously, everyone needs to see Wicked. If you get a chance, take it.

Kindness

So, I believe it was Easter weekend when this happened because I went to Dick's for Dad because he forgot a few things that he needed at the store, so I went for him. However, as I arrived at Dick's everyone and their dog happened to be shopping there. It was kind of crazy. I went and got what I needed to get for Dad, got a few things for myself and then Dad called me to get a more things that he thought of while I was at the store. As I got those things I realized I probably should have gotten a basket or cart (But baskets are awkward and I feel slightly feminine with one, which is weird I'm sure, but it's who I am! Oh! And I hate having a huge cart with only a few things in them). So while carrying my groceries in probably the most awkward way possible, I headed to the check out...

Every line was open and every single one had a long line. I got into the closest one that seemed shorter than the rest. I figured out why it had seemed shorter... because the little old man in front of me had a cart overflowing with groceries!

Actually it wasn't that bad it was filled to the brim, but I've seen much worse.

I remember being in a hurry and I don't remember what for (it might have just been my desire to put down the groceries before I drop something), but I remember doing my best not to show my impatience. And as I recall I did exceptionally well! I really did!

I do this thing when life hands me little challenges where I see if there's anything I can change at the present moment to help the situation. If there is nothing I can do I start thinking of the consequences of the "challenge" and start to except them then. I don't give up looking for things I can do to help of course, but it has kept me calm in the most stressful of situations. It's kinda nice. So I started my routine.

The little old man in front of me looked behind himself and we made eye contact and I smiled at him (it was genuine too! Cute old people and babies always make me smile!) He looked at the groceries I was carrying in my arms.

"Why don't you go in front of me?" the man smiled.

"Well..." I started but then he interrupted me. (I was going to accept but I never got it out)

"I insist," he said and he literally got behind me and shuffled me up to the register and help me set my stuff down on the shelf for the checker. (Apparently he thought I was going to decline)

This seems like such an insignificant thing to do, but seriously it made my day! I was so grateful for that man. Well, on my drive back up to Logan, I realized how happy that little thing had made me and decided to try and do something like that for someone once a day if possible.

I usually have been holding doors open for people and I've picked up a few things people have dropped. Nothing too big, but it makes me feel better. In the past week and a half, I have been doing poorly but I'm trying to start it up again and encourage all to try it with me!

Vitamin D

(I am writing as though it was current)

Ok, so Logan was not very nice to us recently. We had a few days of awesome weather! The sun was out and shining and it was awesome. Everyone started making plans of what they could do outside. Well soon after that I looked out my window in the morning and I saw...

Mother nature was out to make enemies, that's all I can say! Almost no one was happy (Ryan was but he's weird so let's not talk about him). Well after a week the sun was up again and no one was going to let it go to waste and as I walked home, I saw this...

Students soaking in vitamin D while studying.

So yeah, outside is the new in everybody! :D

Enjoy it while the weather is nice because it is perfect now!

Broadway Solo

Ok, so I finally get to sing Broadway in voice and I want to sing something really cool! Ok, well I have picked out a few Broadway solos and I want you to tell me which one is the best. And if you have any suggestions of your own, I would love to hear them!

Option - 1



Option - 2



Option - 3



Option - 4



Option - 5



Option - 6

So, yeah! Any help would be great! :D

Thanks!

Sonora Give Away

Soooo...do y'all remember Amanda's obsession with Sonora Grill? Let me refresh your memory. If you have forgotten what Amanda has said about Sonora Grill, please click here. That should bring you up to speed. Well Sonora is now doing the give away of all give aways. If you enter their Ultimate Blog Give Away then you are entered to win dinner for six people. Now if you don't want to enter because you're just sure Amanda or I are going to win, then you can just leave me a comment to tell me why I should choose you as one of the 3 (I've already promised Amanda that I'd take her and Jared) that I will be taking with me to enjoy the magnificence that is Sonora's food. Bon appetite!

(Haha! Amanda I totally stole your post! :D)

Holy Cow!

Ok, just moments ago, I clicked on the button "Submit Mission Papers"! Ahhh! It's actually going to happen! Kinda weird, I know, but holy cow! My mission papers are now in the hands of my Bishop and Stake President and are being reviewed! Wow! It's just so exciting! (By the way, I was playing the Hallelujah Chorus as I submitted them :D)

Ok, so now a little game: Where am I going?

The history of our immediate family is thus:
Dad: Southern Far East Mission (Phillipenes, mostly)
Keith: France, Bordeaux Mission
Nate: Taiwan, Taipei Mission

Not much to go on, I know! Alright where am I going?

(the pictures are not the only options, they are just to generate ideas)

Ode to the Old(est)

Ok, for the past three months I have talked to Christine everyday. We have set goals together and help each other reach those goals and such. Well we are on our third goal and I have found it is so much harder than the other two! The only two things that I can think of that makes this goal different than the others are that 1: It takes time to complete this goal and 2: CHRISTINE HAS NO MINUTES LEFT! That's the major problem... I have no one to answer to day to day and I realized that I miss Christine so much!

More than that though, she's the oldest sister, the one to whom you go to for advice and just vent to. At least that's what I do with my oldest sibling... I don't know what you do, but that's what I do. There have been many times where I want to talk to someone about my day, a stress that just happened, a good test score I just got back. And now I don't have that person...

At least I get updates from you guys with blogging, but she doesn't blog nearly as much anymore and I'm saddened... :(

Anyway, love all you guys, I can't wait to see most of you on Sunday! YAY!!! :D

Sympathy-Tenderness

Rules:

1. Put your iPod on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 3 friends who might enjoy doing the meme as well as the person you got the meme from.


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
I Feel My Saviors Love - By: Insideout (Um... Always look towards the Lord?)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Etre pretre et aimer une femme (I'm a Priest) - From: Notre Dame de Paris (What can I say I'm just that good. Actually... It means I'm pretty dang sinful and I'm going to hell... but that's depressing...)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
In the First Night - By: Vocal Point (I can usually read someone and figure out what I like about people by the first night? Nothing more...)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Ode to Divorse - By: Regina Spektor (I'm apparently like Mrs. White from Clue. I'll get married, kill my wife, get money, and repeat)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Once Upon A Dream - From: Jekyll & Hyde (Always move on from dreams that don't work out?)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Pharaoh's Dreams Explained - From: Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat (I am gifted! What can I say... either that or I am going to be very fruitful for the next 7 years but then suck... for the next seven...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree - By: Insideout (What can I say? Food is on every guy's mind)

WHAT IS 2+2?
Rocky Raccoon - By: The Beatles (Interesting...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND(S)?
Tentative d'enlevement (Attempt to Take Away/Abduct)- From: Notre Dame de Paris (I kidnap people and force them to be my friends)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Bridge of Kazhad Dum - By: Howard Shore (It'll be a hard journey, but worth it)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
This is the Moment - From: Jekyll & Hyde (I have a lot of defining moments)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Trail of Blood - By: Nobou Uematsu (Apparently I'm striving to be dead...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Un Matin du Dansais (The Morning Dances) - From: Notre Dame de Paris (That's Joyful!)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Unchained Melody - By: Il Divo (I can't be confined and I'm musical!)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
We Can Work it Out - By: The Beatles (Apparently we will already be having problems...)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Yellow Submarine - By: The Beatles (It'll be a happy funeral... either that or the surface of the earth will be covered with toxic gas and we really will all be living in a yellow submarine)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Trio Sonata for Organ No. 4 in E Minor Andante - By: Johann Sebastian Bach (Tada! Classical music rocks my socks off!)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Taken Up - By: Insideout (I'm in love! Apparently...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Piano Fantasy - By: William Joseph (I fantasize about having better friends... jk! haha)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Curse of Dance - By: Yoko Kanno (I'm telling ya, dancing could kill you!)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Here Comes the Sun - By: The Beatles (Stupid Skin Cancer! Or maybe it's just talking about my eyes...)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Overture - From: Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (Uh... dang intros... I guess I regret being born?)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Never Never Land - By: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Well I laugh every time I think of Michael Jackson)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Mass (Requiem) - From: Jekyll & Hyde (I guess Catholic mass is just so boring that I cry... also someone just died so...)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
I Want to Hold Your Hand - By: The Beatles (I could be holding the hand of my wife! Or maybe I'll just be stuck in relationships that don't go anywhere the rest of my life...)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Banana Pancakes - By: Jack Johnson (beware that combination... Bananas: good... Pancakes: great... Banana Pancakes? Evil-psycho-murderous-breakfast-food!)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
The Ring Goes South - By: Howard Shore (I guess that's a bad sign...)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Come Spirit, Come Charm - From The Secret Garden (interesting...)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Wonderful - From: Wicked (I'm so wonderful it hurts)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Sympathy-Tenderness - From: Jekyll & Hyde

WHO ARE YOU TAGGING?
Jen, Camille, Christine

Engaged!

Haha! Ok, so today there was a bridal show up at USU and C2 wanted to go. We wanted to hang out so we decided to tag along. Well while we browsed the different booths, people started assuming that Tressia and I were a couple and we decided not to dissuade them. It was a very fun few hours going ring shopping, looking at different caterers, photographers, and places to register at. Tressia and I are getting married in the Logan Temple on May 28th (three days after her 19th birthday, she didn't want to get married at 18) Our colors are red and yellow. And I can't think of anything else we thought of. If you ask I'm sure I'll remember. Josh and Ryan also got paired off. It was definitely fun!

Josh and Ryan also got paired off. And later we got together and had a group date together and had dinner and a movie. It was quite the Saturday!

Here are more pictures we took:

3 Posts

As you know, I completed my goal of not drinking milk for 21 days. What you may not know, is that Christine completed her goal as well and as a result I must post as well. So, here they are Christine! You deserve them! :D

Mental

Ok, well obviously there is some mental stuff going on in my life since I literally live at an institute of higher education. I love my classes!

The courses I'm taking this Semester:
Individual Piano Instruction
Individual Voice Instruction
Keyboard Harmony II
Aural Skills II
Music Theory II
String Techniques
Percussion Techniques
University Chorale
Basic Nutrition
Lap Swimming
Mission Preparation

Wow! That seems like a lot more when it's written down! And this semester, I'm taking less credits! Wow!

Well, I am busy as you can see but it's awesome! I love what I'm doing. For my technique classes, I am learning a number of different instruments in those respective sections. Currently I am learning viola and the snare drum but will eventually learn the violin, bass, and marimba (or another mallet percussion instrument but most likely marimba). I was told I would not be able to play the cello since my professor learned I had played the cello before.

Now more than ever, I miss my cello so much!


Cello is one of the most beautiful instruments ever created and well I'm going through a mini-depression without it... Anyway. Love school and I'm glad it's started again.

Physical

Ok, the physical aspects of my life. Well, the two non-music classes I am taking this semester are nutrition and swimming so I guess I'm thinking about my physical self quite a bit. This wasn't even that much of a conscious decision. I didn't purposely say, I'm going to take health classes and become awesome. I guess it's just sort of second nature to me to try and be better (I hope that came out right. And doesn't sound pompous or soemthing... if it does, I didn't mean it that way! Promise!)

Well, in addition to these health classes, I am also doing another 21 day (ish) goal with Christine. 5 days a week I will be drinking this for breakfast:


That's right! Green Drink! I can't believe I'm actually doing it! I know! Me! Weird! Ok, so anyway, my first one wasn't bad. But I totally forgot to put banana in it, which made it taste... not so good. The next day I added a banana and boom! I loved the stuff! In fact that was the day I got both Ryan and Josh to try some as well. Ryan thought it was a little bland but Josh said it was alright! Well later that day, Ryan decided to make a smoothie (I put everyone in the mood for smoothies by the way, Melissa just barely made a smoothie today and Brian went to Jamba Juice to get one today) Everyone was trying some, but I decided not to have any. Well everyone told him it was pretty good, but there was only so much to go around and when it was gone Ryan asked if he should make some more. Josh turned to me and asked me to make a green drink because it tastes so good! Yay! Can you believe it? My green drink, rocked the socks off a fruit smoothie! Yay! (I didn't make it though, because of the price of ingredients and such... but still!)

Spiritual

Happenings in my spiritual life is what I will be focusing on mostly for this post.

Nothing particularly exciting is happening for me... Ok, that is a complete lie. In fact, I don't know a time when it has been more exciting! As of December 30, 2008 I am working on my mission papers! I know! Super exciting, right?

I am taking a Missionary Prep Institute class and it seems intense so far. But there are some really interesting things that I have been learning because of this class and I've only gone once so far! One of the more interesting things we are doing is creating these sheet thingy-ma-bobs (I forgot the actual term for them, sorry) And what we do is get a gospel topic and put that at the top of the page. Then we summarize the topic from Preach my Gospel (if it's in there). Next thing we do is write down scripture references that correspond to that particular subject. After that, quotes from General Authorities and such and last we write down personal experiences about the subject. It's very cool and whenever we are asked about subjects we will know we have a resource sheet of information at our disposal! Very cool, huh?

Well, as I was in voice lessons the other day, my teacher told me that I should try out for the Jazz Band that plays at the Skyroom on campus and she thought I would love that. They only have auditions in the fall, but next year maybe? Well then I told her I wouldn't be here next semester, and she was like, "What?!" I told her I would be out of state, maybe the country for the next two years and she just looked at me and said, "Mission, huh?" I confirmed and she forbade me to go unless I choose to go to either France, Germany, Italy, or Spain so I could be fluent in one of the languages I'd be singing. She particularly forbid me from going anywhere that would give me a hick accent and said Japanese and Chinese would just be a waste for me. I just laughed and told here I wouldn't be the one choosing where I go and she informed me that she knew, but she could hope.