I hope you're happy

All of you people who have been praying for snow for the past six weeks better be pretty pleased with yourselves. Really. All I have done this whole weekend besides school and work is lay in my warm bed and read and watch movies.  I will continue to do so all night. I hope you're happy.  Most people say, "If it is going to be cold, it might as well snow." To that I say, "You're Insane." In all seriousness. If it is simply cold (with no snow) I can still do things. I can go outside and run and drive around to places and visit people. If there is snow I have zero motivation to leave my room. It makes going places ten times harder than dry weather. I must admit though, it is BEAUTIFUL to watch - and Old Academy has an amazing view

Companeros

OR, in my case, companeras - because I don't have an eternal companion yet. BUT I did serve a mission. Sister Judkins AND Hermana Bullock came down to visit from Rexburg this past weekend. AND the hermana formally known as Talakai and her husband just moved to Provo from Cali so she can finish school. It was so good to see them all and to catch up. No wonder the Lord's inspired program is famlies and that we are told we need to preach the gospel two by two. Nothing like being forced to be together twenty four hours a day to make you learn to appreciate someone, because if you don't learn to appreciate them then you will be pretty miserable. Lucky for me these ladies are pretty easy to appreciate.



This is my mission Daughter la Hermana Adaoag. She is still serving. YAY HERMANA! Keep up the good work. She is my little Firecracker. She is with Lindsey Porter. Lindsey and I were companions for a "mini transfer," which consisted of two days in her area while I was waiting for my hija to arrive. This was right before I went home mind you, so it was basically two days of intense "You can do hard things" thearpy. Lindsey is a very good therapist. She's very wise.

 

I am standing next to my mission mom, Lady Ailsa Lillywhite, and she is standing next to my little blonde bombshell twin from way back in the MTC, Miss Jenny Bullock. We went to stay with Madi Taets in Arizona this summer for President Hansen's Homecoming. She was a most excellent hostess. We adore her.

 

Katy Missionaries with Hermana Erika. She is such a sweetheart and was so good to us all. She came to Utah in November.

 

Here we are this weekend. Aren't we cute. Sister Talakai and I were quite the team in College Station, Texas. I have missed her so much.


 

HAHAHA! Yes, that is Justine. She is my companera de quarto. SHOUT OUT TO JUSTINE! She's awesome. Hey, Justine!

Wishful Thinking

Do you know what I would do if I had one million dollars? - OK, so I would need several million dollars. Maybe I could do it if I had one billion dollars. The only thing I really need is a wish, which is MUCH more likely than me getting a billion dollars. 

I would buy this building. I am in love with it.

I have always had a vivid imagination, which I am sure my parents thought I would grow out of as I got older. It hasn't really happened yet though, and since I am done growing I guess I will always have my imagination. I want to own this place so that I can play downton Abbey with my friends. We would all move into this one big property and throw lavish dinner parties and speak in British accents and have lady maids and refer to each other as "her ladyship." Handsome men would come and court us and they would most definitely wear World War One uniforms.

Sometimes when I look at The Provo Library it reminds me of the Hogwarts Castle. On those days my friends and I would use it to cast spells and plot the death of an evil dark wizard while flying around on broomsticks. 

Mostly I would just like to own it so that I can read every single book in there...or at least the ones worth reading. Like in Beauty and the Beast when Belle gets her own library. If it is good enough for her I should be able to have one right?

Almost Perfect...

“Almost perfect… but not quite.”

Those were the words of Mary Hume

At her seventh birthday party,

Looking ‘round the ribboned room.

“This tablecloth is pink not white—

Almost perfect…but not quite.”

“Almost perfect…but not quite.”

Those were the words of grown-up Mary

Talking about her handsome beau,

The one she wasn’t gonna marry.

“Squeezes me a bit too tight—

Almost perfect…but not quite.”

“Almost perfect…but not quite.”

Those were the words of ol’ Miss Hume.

Teaching in the seventh grade,

Grading papers in the gloom

Late at night up in her room.

“They never cross their t’s just right—

Almost perfect…but not quite.”

Ninety-eight the day she died

Complainin’ bout the spotless floor.

People shook their heads and sighed,

“Guess that she’ll like heaven more.”

Up went her soul on feathered wings,

Out the door, up out of sight.

Another voice from heaven came—

“Almost perfect…but not quite.” 

Another New Year Resolution: Be a glass half full kind of person. Don't complain. 

Is it too late to add resolutions for the new year? I feel like because it is January it is still fair game. I read this poem by Shel Silverstein today and it really made me think about how I view the world and others in it. Sometimes the simplest things make the most sense. We should be less critical - because aren't we all almost perfect, but not quite?  

I leave you with the words of Elder Holland..

    

     "Is this something we could all work on just a little? Is this an area in which we could each try to be a little more like a “perfect” man or woman. We should honor the Savior’s declaration to “be of good cheer.” ⁷ (Indeed, it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other!) Speak hopefully. Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly. As someone once said, “Even in the golden age of civilization someone undoubtedly grumbled that everything looked too yellow." Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse."

Bull in a China Closet

That's me. I have always been that way...too small for how much strength and energy I have. If I had a New Years wish it would be that I could be tall and graceful and regal. Look at these beautiful women! Look at their posture. Look how graceful they are. They probably never slouched or slammed a door because they don't even know their own strength. They didn't clomp around. They are the very definition of a lady.  Not that I don't like myself for who I am. Maybe dainty  is over-rated. I am just saying, I don't exactly have a Stealth mode. 

Mi Vida Loca

Well...the Holiday's have come and gone once again. Isn't it so nice? Seriously. I love Christmas. I almost cried when I pulled up to my grandparent's home in SLC and my parents suburban was NOT there in the driveway. No matter how old I get I will 1. always be sad when my family leaves for Washington after a visit to Utah 2. always be sad when I leave Washington after a trip home and 3. HATE seeing the Christmas tree taken down. BUT - I love having a schedule and knowing what I am going to do each day. I love normal life. Normal life is so good right now. Here are a few pics from Navidad y Ano Nuevo.

Aren't we so lucky to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ to give us purpose and direction so that we don't have to wonder or feel lost or rely only on our current feelings to guide us?! We can always be happy. We always have reason to rejoice and be merry, even when the tree comes down and the lights come off. 

Here are a couple of reasons why life is good right now...

1. I have been so domestic as of late, mostly due to my new crock pot and rice cooker. I am a cooking machine. Look at those beautiful chicken wings in the pictures above. I made those for New Year and they were a HIT! I love crock pots. All you have to do is throw some meat and veggies in there along with some some seasoning/sauce and you have a wonderful meal...five hours later. It's like a potions class but even better. Because you can eat it without strange side effects.. I have to tell myself constantly that I don't need to cook today because I have three days of left overs in the fridge. Then I get depressed because I don't need to cook. WHAT IS THE DEAL? I am turning into my sister, only not nearly as heath conscious. That will come in time I hope...

2. Remember this girl here?

She is coming home from her mission to England in ONE MONTH. Operation reunification: Commence. Then I can start counting down until Jace comes home. WOW. Here's to many more memories of being crazy Besties and Roommates.

3. It's official. We have skipped winter this year. Let's tale a look at these GORGEOUS mountains...

BARE! No snow. I was seriously walking to campus today and it was perfect outside. It could be March. Really. Spring in January. I know that as soon as I press PUBLISH on this Post a huge winter storm will come just because I said that it was nice. OH WELL. Let the record show that the first day of school in Winter Semester was beautiful.

4. Alyssa and I are rededicating ourselves to being gym buddies. YAY! I can run two whole miles now without stopping. That is a starting point.

5. I was able to read several good books over the break. Even since I got Mae Mobley (my beloved Kindle) I have been reunited with my love of reading. These are the books that I read over the break...

Right now I have taken to checking out a few of may favorite children's classics en espanol from la biblioteca.  I have The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe AND Little House on the Prarrie in Spanish right now.

6. I have a real job at the MTC! I am making money. That is always a good thing. I am most looking forward to buying a Seasons Pass to Seven Peaks Water Park and chilling in the lazy river EVERY DAY after studying for the G.R.E. And buying The Royal Wedding on DVD. And lots of Sonic Diet Cokes with mucho lemon.

7. Disney Parks are open 24 hours on Leap Day. Whose with me? ROAD TRIP TO CALI!