There it is.

Okay, here comes the first of MANY embarrassing college stories. Ohh man! This is rough!
SO. Today was Sunday and of course, that meant church. I got SO lucky that all of my roommates are LDS and wanted to go to church too! When does that even happen?
We headed to church and members of the Stake Presidency spoke to us and things were all fine and great. Then we split off into wards and I have...you know...8 boys in my ward? Yeah...not getting married this year.
Then the bishop asks if there was anybody that had their entire room at church. My roommates and I, of course, raise our hands. So then a counselor comes over and asks us if we would lead Ward Prayer tonight. We agree and he explains what we need to do. He says, "So, someone will play piano, someone will lead music, someone will give a spiritual thought and someone will sing or something." Shoot. Of course, when singing comes up, everyone looks at me.
But gotcha! I brought NO music with me except a little tiny Hymn book and I don't know anyone who can play the piano or anything. So I spend the entire afternoon moping around my apartment wondering what in the world I am going to do.
Finally, I pick a song, and then I find a nice boy down the hall who said he would play it for me. Score.
We practice, life is great.
Ward prayer starts and the counselor comes up to us, SHOCKED that I'm singing. Hello??? Did you not just tell us we needed to do that? Whatever. I tried to get out of it, didn't work. So the situation is already a little embarrassing.
Things go along fine until it's time for me to sing my song. I introduced it first, so it went like this, "So..I guess we weren't supposed to have a talent or something...but I prepared it and there's no going back now. I chose to sing "Where Can I Turn For Peace" because, you know things are getting really stressful and we're starting high school tomorrow and it's...." I pause here because everyone is snickering. Finally someone says, "Are we starting high school tomorrow?" I turn BRIGHT RED and exclaim, "OH MY GOSH THAT IS SO EMBARRASSING! Oh this is rough! I promise I'm out of high school, everyone! I moved on, I swear!" More laughter. More embarrassment. So I just sing my song and quickly leave.

Oh I can't even tell you how hilarious it even was! Only would that happen to me! Oh man.

So yes. I just told my entire ward that I'm nervous to start high school tomorrow. SHOOT.

It's a good thing I have no one to impress.

The Smiles and the Streets That I Love

GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE!!

Or Logan. That too.
You guys. I love it up here. This is the place.
Last night was this lovely even called "Taste of Logan". We walked up and down Main Street and all the shops gave us free stuff! I got a peach, an apple, top ramen, a unicorn poster, some soda, Creamies, COLD STONE, stickers, pens, and of course, french fries. It was kind of amazing.

Today is Saturday...and I'm feeling a little homesick. Trust me, I love it here, but sometimes you miss the people who got you this far. I'm just ready for school to start so I can be a little more involved in things. This whole college thing feels so surreal still. I don't feel like I'm old enough yet!

I'm making new friends, but I really miss my old ones. 

Such is life. Keep on keepin on!

So..this is weird.

Thank you for those who have been patiently waiting for the news of my arrival! I made it here to Logan, thank heavens! My car ran into some transmission problems on the way up and the second we got to my apartment, my super cool dad ran the car to the shop. Mom and I were tough women, carrying all my things up by ourselves.
Once we had everything at least in my room, we picked up Dad from the Auto Shop and got some lunch. ((IHOP, for those of you who are wondering, gives a 15% discount to USU students. SCORE)) After lunch, we went to Lowe's to pick up some tubes to see if we could raise my bed. An additional trip later, the tubes did not end up working, but some bed risers from Walmart did the trick and now my storage fits comfortably under my bed.
After a trip to Walmart, Mom, Dad, and I said our goodbye's and parted ways. I wanted to really keep it together -  we'll save the emotional breakdowns for later.
At that point, I was super hot and sweaty ((My apartment doesn't have any AC. Fail.)) So I jumped in the shower and went to dinner with 2 of my roommates. We picked up a few other people on the way and all had a great time eating dinner. It was fun to get out and get a feel for the people I am going to be around, etc.
After dinner, my roommates went to a dance, but I opted to stay home and finish unpacking. Plus I wanted to wait for Sarah to come. We did a lot of unpacking and I think I pretty much have all of my things put away. It's an interesting feeling to go into a kitchen and force myself to use dishes that are apparently supposed to be mine and eat in a kitchen that also seems to have my name on it. I'm keep saying that I'm waiting for the 'vacation' to be over. It will be nice once I feel more comfortable in my own surroundings ((I still feel like I'm living in a hotel)) and I'm ready for real work to begin.
Sarah doesn't quite have her portion of the room set up yet, so here's what I have so far. We're still working on decorations and stuff so I'll post more pictures later.

It's all still a work in progress. But soon enough I will feel at home.

This morning I met with my counselor and ironed out a few kinks in my schedule. I'm feeling much better about it. Though my credit hours are probably a little more than I wanted, I think it will be good. 

After that, I had a job interview with the Events Staff. I don't really want the job...but if I get it I might just have to take it. The search continues..

This afternoon Sarah and I took a trip to Walmart to pick up some things we forgot. We are still in DESPERATE need of a fan. No AC is basically killing us. I just keep telling myself that the heat will be gone in a few weeks anyway and I'll want it back...sigh. 

Stay tuned for the next episode! Thanks for the prayers and support that got me here! Love you all!

Happy Face

This morning, I finished my last morning shift at Farr's Fresh. ((I still have one more night shift, but then I will be outta there!)) Those morning shifts were a blessing and a curse. They didn't start too early ((9:00)) and got done at 2, so I still could have productive day. They required a lot of cleaning, but that was fine because it made time go by quickly and cleaning feels like something I feel okay about being paid for.
 However, I was always all alone. And those of you who know me, know that I get scared really easily. Every morning I would walk into that scary, empty store, and my imagination would run wild! I was positive that I would find someone lurking in the corner, or dead in the bathroom. It sounds foolish, but I was terrified. And sometimes I couldn't even move because I would hear a noise and get worried. My dad gave me a blessing, but I was still a little unsure. I knew if anything happened, I would be fine, but I was still very afraid of something happening.
But, as I finished my shift this morning, I just started feeling so proud of myself! Those morning shifts were HARD. Physically and emotionally. But I stuck with it and I made it! I am definitely a better and stronger person. I am really thankful that I had the experience and that I did it....I just would never like to experience it again. ;)
But then I got thinking of all the things I've accomplished in my life. I am an AMAZING person!! It just made me feel like I CAN do this. And everything will turn out okay.
And even though I woke up crying the past few days, it's okay. Being sad is normal and fine! But I can still be happy at the same time.
I leave in one week and I am so scared. I had to say goodbye to my best friend last week and that was heartbreaking. Now I'm getting ready to go and my life seems upside-down. But I am so excited and ready to go! Weird times...
In other news. Here is my new haircut. 10 inches, my friends. Eat it.

What is this feeling?!

Guys. I have a job that I actually like... what is this???
For those of you who don't know, last summer I spent my time making smoothies at Jamba Juice. It was an "okay" job, but I actually kind of hated it. I really liked the people I worked with, it was upbeat, good, hard work. I didn't really like the manager though, and when I finally quit in October we didn't leave on the best of terms. I did NOT want to go back to Jamba this summer.
As I began the application process in April, I applied for Thanksgiving Point Gardens in Lehi. My dad has worked as the Gardens Director for YEARS and almost all my siblings have spent a summer there. I got the job, but when it came down to it, things didn't feel right. I was not comfortable driving on the freeway quite yet, I would have to leave RIGHT after school if I wanted to make it to a shift, and honestly, I just wasn't ready for the commitment.
I spent Spring Break applying everywhere else in Orem, Utah. I NEEDED a job. I got some calls to interview at several places. My top two were Coldstone and Farr's Fresh Ice Cream. I got the job both places, but decided to take the one at Farr's ((because I thought it would be easier;) )) I also had a job at a small business called atly. Things were looking great.
BUT
Then I started working. Having too jobs got really stressful, especially while I was still in school. Once school got out, things with atly fell through so I was stuck with Farr's. Farr's is a really hard place for me to work. I love the people I work with, but I only work with people if I work the night shift...which is only like once a week. I would go into detail, but all you need to know is that I don't really like it.
Plus, I wasn't getting enough hours which is no bueno because I kind of have to pay for school. Whatever.
After searching, I found out that Thanksgiving Point was hiring again! Thanks to my connections ((no but really. THANKS)) I was able to get my job back.
SO a couple weeks ago, I started working at Thanksgiving Point. And let me tell you, it is AMAZING. I just sort of gave up on life and thought that I'd never get a job that I didn't hate. But all my horrible thoughts have been dispelled! I love the people I work with ((SHOUTOUT to my homegirls, Karen and Kellie :))) and I love the people who come in. This job is so relaxing compared to my others! It just has been a good few weeks. Unfortuantely I leave in a week and a half and have to enter the job search again...poop.
Hopefully I'll be back next season though!
Thank you Thanksgiving Point.