Christmas Spoils and Lessons

I had a really good Christmas this year. This year at Christmas my presents reflected the fact that I am growing up. Even though inwardly I cry over the fact that I no longer receive for toys, instead I am now the benefactor of practical things. Still I did come away this Christmas with some pretty cool things.

• TI-89 Calculator
• Hiking boots
• A cast iron skillet
• Lots of socks
• A graduation book
• A cool calender
• Snowshoes
• Dress pants
• Gloves
• Candy :)

Though these were not the best part of Christmas. Most of all I enjoyed being with my family and the good food that is served around Christmas (like prime rib). Also I enjoyed giving presents to all my two nieces and nephews. Natalie loved her new dance skirt, Annelise got a cute new scarf, and I made Dallin the cutest monkey cube. I also gave my Mom and Dad presents to say how much I appreciate all their help.

One thing about College I have noticed is it is all about me. It is hard to serve when you are so focused on furthering your education. I am not putting down my pursuit for education, but I have began to realize I need to do better at seeing and meeting the needs of others. As this Christmas season comes to a close I need to be more mindful of others needs just like the Savior is mindful of each one of us. I know that each one of God's children deserve love and help everyday, and I hope I can provide that in the coming year.

Christmas Tree

This Christmas I decided to make my own Christmas tree for my apartment. Since I had bailing wire hanging around I decided to use it to create my master piece. Sometime I am thinking of making one like this but bigger for Festival of the Trees. Here are some pictures of my tree.

The Grand Canyon

School got out on Wednesday for Fall Break and so Mom and Dad picked me up and we went off to the Grand Canyon. The first day we decided to go on a hike and then realized to was 10 miles long. So as crazy as we are we decided to do it. It was an easy hike with just a little ups and downs, but had gorgeous views. We even got Dad to let us sit for 30 minutes at the end, which is an amazing accomplishment. We just sat on a rock and looked out and enjoyed to breathtaking view. Another amazing thing is we did not hike to water, just a beautiful outlook. Let’s just say the Grand Canyon is a big hole. It is amazing to think that scientists think it took millions of years to create the Grand Canyon, when Christ could have shaped it by his words. I think the beauty of the earth around us is really a testament of how much Christ loves us.

The next day we did something even crazier. We did another 10 miles but this time we hiked 5 miles down into the Grand Canyon dropping about 3,000 ft and the had to hike back up. The best part was I had blisters from the day before, because I had bad shoes. Also I pulled a muscle in my hip that made it hurt to walk. So I was basically in pain the whole way, and still I had a blast. The whole way was one gorgeous view after another. At the end of our hike we stopped at … water (big surprise there). In the bottom there was a big waterfall where water just gushed out of the side of the rock. It was a little oasis in the middle of the dessert. After we finished that hike though I could barely walk, and it still hurts two days later. It was a great trip and I have to thank Mom and Dad for dealing with me and all the noise I made. Still even with all that noise we saw a four dear up really close and where able to just watch them for 5 minutes. Well it was a great vacation and just a good break from school, especially when I did not get much of a vacation this summer.

These cliff looked like pajama pants with all their stripes.

Love the fall colors!!!!

All of us at the tunnel

Soaking our feet after a long hard hike down into the canyon.

This is Ceder Breaks.

The best picture of Mom ever!!!!!

Cove Fort!

Play in a Day

Yesterday I participated in play in a day, and had a blast. So what happened is the writers began writing at 6:30 pm on Friday and finished at 6:30 am. At that time all the actors, me included, came and were given our parts in the different plays that had been written. There was a total of eight plays that we performed at 6:30 pm on Saturday. Because I was little know in the group and had not previously been in any plays I got only one small part, and three other appearances. Though I had to admit it was one of the best parts. I got to scream at the top of my longs, knock over a cute guy, drag that same cute guy of the stage, and try to punch him. Quite enjoyable to say the least. The best thing about it was I was able to make new friends, make my face known in the theater circle, and just simply having something to do on Saturday besides homework. By the end I was very loopy and was having way too much fun. Just ask Brie about what state my mind was in after the show. Of course some interesting things happened but that is drama people for you. I hope I can do it again next semester. Maybe I will write something, who knows.

Life at Snow is fabulous!!!

I got to thinking about all the wonderful things about Snow College and I thought I would share them with everyone... The list I am making is not in order, so you can guess which ones I like the best.

1. Small town environment, which means not worrying about getting ran over on your bike while crossing the street.
2. Tons of nice people who randomly say hi to me.
3. The best institute ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. The greatest classes at the institute with speakers every week, and free food!
5. An awesome new library.
6. Scholarships!!
7. Small class sizes
8. Great professors
9. Professors that will flip burgers for you!!!! I went to a science, math, and engineering club activity where we hiked up to the S and got free burgers. Three of my professors were there.
10. There is also a lot of free food at everything.
11. A great math lab, basically I have been living there.
12. A not busy activity center, where I can swim and lift weights for free.
13. Great club activities
14. A great temple, where no one is rushing in and out, not to mention it is gorgeous
15. All the eating places you can want (if you have money for them). Who needs more than two eating places on campus, and then Italian, pizza, Chinese, steak, and american restaurants.
16. Being able to have a small job on the side (I grade math homework for three classes).
17. There are a lot more things I just cannot think about right now.

Now I want to share the highlights of living on my own...

1. Cooking my own meals (this one is #1 on my list), which means choosing what I want to eat and when. The prime example is the other night I was able to have salad and cookie dough for dinner.
2. Keeping my own schedule, including when I go to bed.
3. Having great roommates.
4. Going shopping for myself.
5. Having my own computer!
6. Going to a singles ward
7. Having to be self motivated
8. Lots more opportunities to make new friends.
9. And lots lots more that I can not disclose here or I would get in trouble.... haha

One great new thing I found out this week is I can get my bachelors at Snow College through Utah State!!!! I can stay here for three to four years if I wanted too. Who knows what will happen but I am excited for it all.

Ball gown pictures

I finally got pictures of me in my ball gown. Enjoy!!!!

Off to Snow

Friday, I moved out to Ephraim. It really is a farm town, and to prove it I saw two tractors on the road in 24 hours. I moved in to Creekside Apartments and found out that I no longer was assigned to a shared room. Also there was only going to be six people in the apartment. I decided to move in early so I could get the best spot, but three volleyball girls had moved in two weeks before. So they got the two of the shared rooms, and the other girl who paid for a single room got a shared room all to herself. The happy thing is I have my own room. The bad thing is my room is half the size of Dad’s office. Luckily I was able to use Dan’s high-rise bed or I would have been out of luck. I am surprised how much stuff I have been able to fit into that little space. So I should be able to live even though my bed is less then 2 feet from the ceiling. In my room I have a wood dresser, a small dresser, a shelf unit, my desk, and my wardrobe and somehow it still seems roomy… ish. I had prayed that my roommate at least would be wonderful, and I got my wish because I am about as wonderful as they come. I am so kidding, but not having a roommate will be nice.

I met three of my roommates, two of them for only 15 minutes. They are all on the volleyball team. I got to know Elle longer and she is from Washington and seems really nice. April and Taylor are the other two and with my brief exchange with them they seem great too. Well I guess I will see. The fourth volleyball player has not yet arrive because she is from the Dominican Republic and what is really fun is she does not speak English. I think she speaks Spanish. Then my last roommate, Heidi, had not arrived yet when I left Ephraim Saturday to head home.

I am really excited to try new experiences and enjoy life. With that is the regret of what I am leaving behind. Saturday I went to a party with all my friends and basically all of them are going to BYU. It was a little annoying to hear them all talk about rooming together and chatting about who was in each of their wards. Well at least I did meat one person I know down at Snow. Who was Bri Lebaron, one of my friends from Junior High who went to AF. Even with lack of friends I am expecting to dive into school with 16 credits. My classes are Calc 2, Physics, Computer Science, PE, and Dance Improv. Also I signed up for Teachings of the Prophets for Institute and I am hoping to get into the auditioned show choir that the institute has, otherwise I will be without choir :( . The people at the Institute were really fun and I even met my Stake President who I think is the president of the institute. I will continue to go to church, read my scriptures, and pray so don’t worry about that.

I found this really good poem from Emily Dickinson I want to share with you. Here it is:

I know as much about God and the world

As a creature with two eyes must;

What I do understand I love,

And what I don’t understand, I trust.

Isn’t that amazing and not just because of who wrote it but is says so much. I trust God will help me through college and I know that he will be there when I need his help. I know this because I love God and I know that he loves me.

My Ball Gown is Finished

I finished my civil war ball gown, finally. I have promised myself to finish it for the Pemberly ball, then for preference, then for prom. So now it is finished and I do not even have a picture to share. I wore it to the Brigham Young ball on Friday. I went with Adam and Robin who wore Lara's dress. Adam and me basically danced every dance and had a fabulous time. Robin found another guy to go with and ditched us. We tried to include her and then she disappeared. I am so glad I went to the ball. The dancing was great, even though it took me some time to figure out how to not trip over my gown. The hoop skirt was annoying but I soon got the hang of it. Luckily I never fell down. I wish that high school dances had been like the ball. Then people might have actually learned how to dance, instead of the bobbing around they do now. Well I hope I can get some pictures soon.

Summer Life

I have been working up at This is the Place all summer. It has been hard and hot but lots of fun. I love my job and feel sorry for those who don't get the fulfilling relationship between animals and people. The sad thing about that is when the animals you love die, like they did when the Livery burned down. Now that it been over a month since the barn burned life is continuing on as it has before with all the animals. Form this tragedy I have formed stronger bonds with all the animals, especially three little lambs. Also I have been able to learn more about myself. When I am not working I have given over to laziness. Namely reading more than I should, and actually taking long laps. My one accomplishment is that I have been riding horses more than ever. I rode Tango for the first time (first time doing more than a walk, trot around) and actually did some jumping. I even feel off for my first time gracefully. Did not even get my bum dirty for once. Also we have worked up to 4 1/2 hour trail rides that have left me sore but happy. There is nothing better than being on top of a mountain, completely alone (except two horses and mom), with a 360* view of everything and no civilization in sight. This summer I have been more alone than ever. I have been moving from house to house (Grandparents to parents homes), going to a new ward, and making new friends at work. As bonds form slowly. I have realized just how much I like being independent. I love finding my own way and I have found I can make it on my own. I am ready for Snow College and I leave in a little over a month. I hope that I can stay strong and positive. Jeffry R Holland said and I repeat. “Don’t give up, boy[/girl]. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it... You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

Family

My tibute to being a VL

I have not done this

or this even got close like this

or done it cute like this

or done a simple one like this

or got into it like this

or made a mistake like this

or made spaghetti an excuse like this

and my dreams of letting my foot pop like this have not come true

but someday maybe this will happen

and I will have my moment like this

then I won’t be disgusted like this

but will enjoy it like this .

Here is to in my high school life.

The First and Last

As my high school years have come to a close there has been a lot of firsts and lasts. My life has been changing for the better. Yes there is a few regrets, but I am happy with where I am now. I am living my life to my fullest and enjoying the good moments as they come. I have a general plan for my life now. It includes working at This is the Place this summer, then going to Snow College studying mathematics education, and then going on a mission. I am excited to begin a new life but right now I want to remissness a little. Last...

• Day of seminary
• Day of high school
• Dance concert
• Yearbook Day
• Week at home for a while
• Time seeing many of my high school friends
• Dance lesson at the Dance Conservatory
• Riding a yellow school bus
• High school choir concert
• Being in a high school play (also my first time)
• AP class
• Time listening to Mrs. Woolsey's tangentsFoods class
• High school awards ceremony
• Class in Young Womans
• Time going regularly to my home ward
• Having senior pictures (and first)
• Taking an electronic high school class (thank you)
• Taking an AP test
• School assembly (again thank you)
• Time hearing announcements at school
• Assignment of busy work for stupid teachers in high school
• Time getting school lunch (that will help my health)
• Time hearing about high school drama
• Chance to avoid high school drama
• Time walking down the halls of Lone Peak as a student

First...

• Time graduating
• Time working for This is the Place 4 days a week
• Time living away from home (I am living with my grandparents)
• Time going to a singles ward
• Feeding a goat
• Taking care of a dead animal
• Time giving hundreds of pony rides
• Time doing baptisms at the Draper temple and the Oquirh Mountain Temple
• Picking up a duckling
• Time being truly independent (out of courtesy and safety I still tell my parents where I am)

As the days go by I expect this list of firsts to grow longer than my list of lasts. I am opening up a new page and welcoming the new things in life. Wish me luck as a go off to face the world, because I am livin' right and lovin' life and it is goin' be a sunny happy day.

Peter Pan

Peter Pan was a blast. I loved it so much and just had too much fun for my own good. Here are some pictures of me as an Indian and also some of the highlights of the performance. I think it is the best thing I could have done for my senior year! All the people were amazing and loved all the performances. I wish I could go back to Neverland!!!!!!