Hey guys! It's been a while since I've written, and I'm sorry. It's been a long month filled with midterms (successful and not so much), speed dating (success! - my friend and I ended up hanging out with two guys for five hours and we had a great time), talking/hanging out with guys, service projects, and numerous other endeavors. This post is probably going to be slightly shorter than the other posts that I have done.
About a month and a half ago, we had a missionary fireside where they talked about mormon.org and how we can use it to help people understand what we believe. Here's my account on that website:
http://mormon.org/me/7HP2/
I got to go home last week for Thanksgiving. The day of Thanksgiving, I didn't really think about what I was thankful for. I'm grateful to be at BYU, but other than that, I hadn't really thought about it. After spending the whole day with my family, I realized that I'm am extremely grateful for my family. That might sound cliche, but I really am. I have missed them and I was so grateful that I was able to spend time with them for the holiday. I'm grateful that I am going to be with them forever and that I've been sealed to them. That is what I am grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Yeah. That's kind of it for now. I'm going to go to bed - it's kind of late here in Utah. Even for freshmen in college, this is starting to push it. Good night moon! (and friends everywhere) =]
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Fall
I love the fall. The trees changing colors, the brisk/crisp air, the thought that semester is half over, piles of leaves, the noises leaves make in the wind, Halloween around the corner, Family Home Evening pumpkin carving competitions, General Conference thoughts still prevalent in your mind, and the thought that I get to go home in about a month. All nice stuff.
Here in Utah, there are actual season changes, whereas in California, you have summer, fall, more fall like weather with more rain, then spring-ish, then summer again. And summer isn't even summer. It's two weeks of hot, then two weeks of cold, etc.
But Utah, when it turns into fall, it turns into fall. There's definitely a difference here from the beginning of September to the end of October. The leaves change colors - in California, most of the trees keep their leaves...those darn conifers... - and the grounds crew puts them into piles. It's so tempting to jump into them, but they might not like my roommates and I if we did that. Summer mornings were probably sixty to seventy degrees. Somewhere around there. Late October mornings, not so much - it's like the weather is saying, "Let it snow already!" This morning when I was walking to class, I definitely saw frost on the grass that had not been touched by the sunlight yet. It was cold. Hooray for Land's End sweaters! Those are going to save my life this winter.
The weather here is just so diverse throughout the year. I've only been here since late August, but it's still really fun to go from sweating from just standing outside to maybe having to take a sweater in the morning to your roommates saying how they have to get to D.I. so they can buy more sweater, socks, jackets, etc. because of the coming cold weather. Personally, this weather right now where it's sunny but still chilly is my all-time favorite weather. It's amazing and wonderful.
And it helps that one of my favorite holidays is just around the corner - Thanksgiving! I'm so excited because I get to go home for Thanksgiving! I thought I was staying in Utah - which I would have been fine with - but I get to go home! I love my parents, so much.
Anyway, I hope all of you have a wonderful day today! Take time to think about the little things in life and how they make you happy! My happiness today is that it's my favorite weather outside right now.
Quote of the day:
Here in Utah, there are actual season changes, whereas in California, you have summer, fall, more fall like weather with more rain, then spring-ish, then summer again. And summer isn't even summer. It's two weeks of hot, then two weeks of cold, etc.
But Utah, when it turns into fall, it turns into fall. There's definitely a difference here from the beginning of September to the end of October. The leaves change colors - in California, most of the trees keep their leaves...those darn conifers... - and the grounds crew puts them into piles. It's so tempting to jump into them, but they might not like my roommates and I if we did that. Summer mornings were probably sixty to seventy degrees. Somewhere around there. Late October mornings, not so much - it's like the weather is saying, "Let it snow already!" This morning when I was walking to class, I definitely saw frost on the grass that had not been touched by the sunlight yet. It was cold. Hooray for Land's End sweaters! Those are going to save my life this winter.
The weather here is just so diverse throughout the year. I've only been here since late August, but it's still really fun to go from sweating from just standing outside to maybe having to take a sweater in the morning to your roommates saying how they have to get to D.I. so they can buy more sweater, socks, jackets, etc. because of the coming cold weather. Personally, this weather right now where it's sunny but still chilly is my all-time favorite weather. It's amazing and wonderful.
And it helps that one of my favorite holidays is just around the corner - Thanksgiving! I'm so excited because I get to go home for Thanksgiving! I thought I was staying in Utah - which I would have been fine with - but I get to go home! I love my parents, so much.
Anyway, I hope all of you have a wonderful day today! Take time to think about the little things in life and how they make you happy! My happiness today is that it's my favorite weather outside right now.
Quote of the day:
"Third, no matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.
"Fourth and finally, please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed.
"Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promises revealed to the Apostle Paul: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
"Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love."
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints (emphasis added)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
"I just had an apostrophe..."
"...I think you mean an epiphany." -Smee and Hook, respectfully, from Hook
I had one of those last night - I realized (with the help of one of my roommates) that I am now halfway through my first semester in college. Halfway done. Isn't that crazy? I find it extremely weird, considering that I still don't feel like an "official" college student. Even though I've already gotten through my first round of midterms, long nights with roommates, ward activities, and football games, it still doesn't feel like I'm really at BYU. It just doesn't, at all.
So, today, I've listened to probably an hour of straight jazz and I am starting to realize why I enjoy that genre of music so much. It's just so lively and it expresses so many feelings in a few minutes of sound. All music does that, but for me, it is especially expressed in the tones of jazz. I'm also realizing that I really need to get into music again. I miss it too much and I need to continue with it, in some shape or form. I love music so much. It helps me destress (not distress) and I love playing it.
I love Utah in the fall. How about I just say I love the fall? Here, it's awesome because on campus, there are so many trees that are shedding their leaves and it's fun to walk around (not that I really have time to do so...). And it's fun to wake up in the morning and feel the chilly air and breathe in the crispness of it all. I love it here. Winter's going to be a change, though...I've never lived anywhere where there is snow...it'll be a new experience, like everything else here.
The hunt for a major continues. I have about two to three majors that are really staying with me, but I'm still not sure what to do . Sometime this week I'm going into the career counseling center to take a test to see what I would be good at and what I would enjoy doing. I like to many things to pick on my own, you know? It's a frustrating process, but at least I'm working on it.
"TTFN! Ta-ta for now!" -Tigger from Winnie the Pooh
I had one of those last night - I realized (with the help of one of my roommates) that I am now halfway through my first semester in college. Halfway done. Isn't that crazy? I find it extremely weird, considering that I still don't feel like an "official" college student. Even though I've already gotten through my first round of midterms, long nights with roommates, ward activities, and football games, it still doesn't feel like I'm really at BYU. It just doesn't, at all.
So, today, I've listened to probably an hour of straight jazz and I am starting to realize why I enjoy that genre of music so much. It's just so lively and it expresses so many feelings in a few minutes of sound. All music does that, but for me, it is especially expressed in the tones of jazz. I'm also realizing that I really need to get into music again. I miss it too much and I need to continue with it, in some shape or form. I love music so much. It helps me destress (not distress) and I love playing it.
I love Utah in the fall. How about I just say I love the fall? Here, it's awesome because on campus, there are so many trees that are shedding their leaves and it's fun to walk around (not that I really have time to do so...). And it's fun to wake up in the morning and feel the chilly air and breathe in the crispness of it all. I love it here. Winter's going to be a change, though...I've never lived anywhere where there is snow...it'll be a new experience, like everything else here.
The hunt for a major continues. I have about two to three majors that are really staying with me, but I'm still not sure what to do . Sometime this week I'm going into the career counseling center to take a test to see what I would be good at and what I would enjoy doing. I like to many things to pick on my own, you know? It's a frustrating process, but at least I'm working on it.
"TTFN! Ta-ta for now!" -Tigger from Winnie the Pooh
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Fun Stuff
So it's my birthday today - I just learned that its one of the most popular birthdays. I guess it is - I know of two friends that have the same birthday. It's always fun.
My roommates are calling me "old" and I find it funny. We have a whiteboard in the kitchen on which we draw the next "event" that's coming up - they drew an old lady with a cane and said, next to it, "Happy Birthday" and then they drew on the window (with window marker) "Happy Birthday."
Last night was fun - I hiked the Y with my friend and we had an amazing time. I felt like I wasn't going to make it about halfway up, but somehow, I did. It's a wonderful view from up there. It was fun because I called my dad and asked, "Guess where I am?" It was fun.
So yeah - it's my birthday. One thing that happens in my Book of Mormon class is that the teacher has us say what we've "learned" in the past year. I've learned that it's not worth it to stress out over stress - it has taken a while to figure that out, but it's a good lesson to understand. I've also learned that music is good for the soul. I haven't really done any music since coming to BYU and I can feel the effect of it. Every time I hear a band play or a choir sing, I say to myself, "I need to get back into music." I have a shirt that says, "Without Music, Life Would Bb." So true - my life isn't flat, of course, but it definitely needs music back into it.
I love college and I'm so glad I'm here. I'm halfway through midterms, making new friends almost everyday, and I love my classes. Oh, and it's Homecoming week. That's always fun - my first college homecoming. I miss my family, of course, but it just makes the times that I get to see them that much more special (I'm not quite sure if that's correct grammar or not....) Anyway - fun stuff and go forth and serve!
My roommates are calling me "old" and I find it funny. We have a whiteboard in the kitchen on which we draw the next "event" that's coming up - they drew an old lady with a cane and said, next to it, "Happy Birthday" and then they drew on the window (with window marker) "Happy Birthday."
Last night was fun - I hiked the Y with my friend and we had an amazing time. I felt like I wasn't going to make it about halfway up, but somehow, I did. It's a wonderful view from up there. It was fun because I called my dad and asked, "Guess where I am?" It was fun.
So yeah - it's my birthday. One thing that happens in my Book of Mormon class is that the teacher has us say what we've "learned" in the past year. I've learned that it's not worth it to stress out over stress - it has taken a while to figure that out, but it's a good lesson to understand. I've also learned that music is good for the soul. I haven't really done any music since coming to BYU and I can feel the effect of it. Every time I hear a band play or a choir sing, I say to myself, "I need to get back into music." I have a shirt that says, "Without Music, Life Would Bb." So true - my life isn't flat, of course, but it definitely needs music back into it.
I love college and I'm so glad I'm here. I'm halfway through midterms, making new friends almost everyday, and I love my classes. Oh, and it's Homecoming week. That's always fun - my first college homecoming. I miss my family, of course, but it just makes the times that I get to see them that much more special (I'm not quite sure if that's correct grammar or not....) Anyway - fun stuff and go forth and serve!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
College Life at BYU...
...contributes to sleep deprivation. =]
...contributes to social life - you meet new people almost everyday.
...allows you to interact with people that are like you.
...is hilarious.
...is educationally sound.
...is musical - almost everyone here plays an instrument or sings.
...is streamlined when it comes to getting things done - you have to remember they've been doing this type of stuff for plenty of years.
...is spiritual - I still haven't gotten over the fact that we say a prayer to start classes and that the Provo Temple is right down the street.
...allows you to follow the Honor Code, which means that you can live the standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints without being criticized.
...is a life-changing experience.
I am so glad that I am at BYU to experience the different atmosphere that allows you to grow spiritually while growing academically.
...contributes to social life - you meet new people almost everyday.
...allows you to interact with people that are like you.
...is hilarious.
...is educationally sound.
...is musical - almost everyone here plays an instrument or sings.
...is streamlined when it comes to getting things done - you have to remember they've been doing this type of stuff for plenty of years.
...is spiritual - I still haven't gotten over the fact that we say a prayer to start classes and that the Provo Temple is right down the street.
...allows you to follow the Honor Code, which means that you can live the standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints without being criticized.
...is a life-changing experience.
I am so glad that I am at BYU to experience the different atmosphere that allows you to grow spiritually while growing academically.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11, 2011
September 11, 2001. 8:46 AM, EST.
It's been ten years. Ten years since the World Trade Center was hit by planes hijacked by terrorists. It's weird to think how much we - as a nation - has changed in those ten years. Stricter regulations for travel, different political views, and a change of how we remember.
My heart goes out to those that lost people that day. Ten years ago, America stood together as a nation in remembering what happened and in our purpose. Today, we again stand together in remembrance, but this time more out of respect for those that risked their lives and - in some cases - actually gave their lives to save others, and of course those that were innocent bystanders in that tragic occurrence.
For the past few days, this has been a heavy topic on my mind. I've been thinking about how I came downstairs to get ready for school, my mom was ironing, and the TV was on. A rule in our house - somewhat - was that the TV wasn't supposed to be on before school. I remember watching for a few minutes, not quite understanding what was going on. My Aunt was somewhere on the east coast for business and I remember that my mom was worrying about her. I went to school, kind of understanding what was going on, and I remember that my teacher did not mention what was going on. I later found out that the teachers weren't allowed to talk about it with us. It took me a few years to understand, but now I do, for the most part, and I know that I will never forget what happened that day.
A few years ago on this same day, my mom and I watched a documentary about this. I couldn't watch the whole thing. I will always remember those who died, helped, and suffered that day. I don't know any of them personally, but I still feel for them and wish them the best.
I've also been thinking about how I have changed in the past ten years. In third grade, I had a few friends that I really liked being around. I was an okay kid - I did what I had to do for school and I was an okay student. The rest of elementary school went without consequence - other than braces and glasses - and then middle school hit. Those were some tough years. Definitely. Again, a few friends and good in school, but other things made me adapt and change. I was also extremely shy and quiet. And then high school came around the corner. I have grown so much in the past four years - personality, outgoing-ness, lots of friends, mentally, spiritually, and musically. I wouldn't trade my experiences - even my bad ones. They have helped me to grow so much and learn even more. So as a nation and personally, we have grown. We've grown to accept certain things and to reject others - the things being good or bad.
We remember to learn and learn to remember. We learn from the past so that we can honor those who did what needed to be done and those that went before us to the next life. God Bless America and those that live in it.
It's been ten years. Ten years since the World Trade Center was hit by planes hijacked by terrorists. It's weird to think how much we - as a nation - has changed in those ten years. Stricter regulations for travel, different political views, and a change of how we remember.
My heart goes out to those that lost people that day. Ten years ago, America stood together as a nation in remembering what happened and in our purpose. Today, we again stand together in remembrance, but this time more out of respect for those that risked their lives and - in some cases - actually gave their lives to save others, and of course those that were innocent bystanders in that tragic occurrence.
For the past few days, this has been a heavy topic on my mind. I've been thinking about how I came downstairs to get ready for school, my mom was ironing, and the TV was on. A rule in our house - somewhat - was that the TV wasn't supposed to be on before school. I remember watching for a few minutes, not quite understanding what was going on. My Aunt was somewhere on the east coast for business and I remember that my mom was worrying about her. I went to school, kind of understanding what was going on, and I remember that my teacher did not mention what was going on. I later found out that the teachers weren't allowed to talk about it with us. It took me a few years to understand, but now I do, for the most part, and I know that I will never forget what happened that day.
A few years ago on this same day, my mom and I watched a documentary about this. I couldn't watch the whole thing. I will always remember those who died, helped, and suffered that day. I don't know any of them personally, but I still feel for them and wish them the best.
I've also been thinking about how I have changed in the past ten years. In third grade, I had a few friends that I really liked being around. I was an okay kid - I did what I had to do for school and I was an okay student. The rest of elementary school went without consequence - other than braces and glasses - and then middle school hit. Those were some tough years. Definitely. Again, a few friends and good in school, but other things made me adapt and change. I was also extremely shy and quiet. And then high school came around the corner. I have grown so much in the past four years - personality, outgoing-ness, lots of friends, mentally, spiritually, and musically. I wouldn't trade my experiences - even my bad ones. They have helped me to grow so much and learn even more. So as a nation and personally, we have grown. We've grown to accept certain things and to reject others - the things being good or bad.
We remember to learn and learn to remember. We learn from the past so that we can honor those who did what needed to be done and those that went before us to the next life. God Bless America and those that live in it.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Book of Michelle - Chapter Y (part 1)
So I've been at the Y for two weeks now and it has been an amazing two weeks. Late nights with roommates, meeting tons of people everyday, New Student Orientation, Carnival / Acoustic Explosion concerts, Divine Comedy shows, a football game, and so much more.
But the weird thing is that it still hasn't really sunk in that I'm at college. Not yet, at least. I know - consciously - that I am over seven hundred miles away from home, that I am now dependent on myself to actually eat and do chores and all that jazz, but my subconscious hasn't been hit with the "Wow - I'm away from home. At BYU. In Utah. AT BYU" even though I can say that my subconscious has realized that I'm "not in [California] anymore, Toto."
I think the coolest thing, so far, is that I can be sitting in my Family Finance class and, all of a sudden, my teacher can be talking about the Book of Mormon or the symbolic-ness of Financial Stewardship. And the other cool thing is that we actually take a religion course. My Book of Mormon teacher rocks. He is awesome and really gets into what he's teaching. Like today - I think the last person I saw get that passionate about the Book of Mormon was Jeffrey R. Holland a few General Conferences ago. It was great.
And everyone at BYU is so nice! Guys hold the doors open for you, your tutors want to help, your R.A.'s are enthusiastic about you being at BYU, and people want you to succeed in your educational career and your spiritual growth (if "succeed" is the right term for spiritual growth...)
Anyway, BYU is a mind-blowing experience. It is so unique and different from what I've experienced in the previous years of my life. I love it here - even though I wouldn't mind if the construction next to my dorm would stop... - and I am excited for the upcoming months and years at this university.
But the weird thing is that it still hasn't really sunk in that I'm at college. Not yet, at least. I know - consciously - that I am over seven hundred miles away from home, that I am now dependent on myself to actually eat and do chores and all that jazz, but my subconscious hasn't been hit with the "Wow - I'm away from home. At BYU. In Utah. AT BYU" even though I can say that my subconscious has realized that I'm "not in [California] anymore, Toto."
I think the coolest thing, so far, is that I can be sitting in my Family Finance class and, all of a sudden, my teacher can be talking about the Book of Mormon or the symbolic-ness of Financial Stewardship. And the other cool thing is that we actually take a religion course. My Book of Mormon teacher rocks. He is awesome and really gets into what he's teaching. Like today - I think the last person I saw get that passionate about the Book of Mormon was Jeffrey R. Holland a few General Conferences ago. It was great.
And everyone at BYU is so nice! Guys hold the doors open for you, your tutors want to help, your R.A.'s are enthusiastic about you being at BYU, and people want you to succeed in your educational career and your spiritual growth (if "succeed" is the right term for spiritual growth...)
Anyway, BYU is a mind-blowing experience. It is so unique and different from what I've experienced in the previous years of my life. I love it here - even though I wouldn't mind if the construction next to my dorm would stop... - and I am excited for the upcoming months and years at this university.
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