the beginning

OneofthosesappyendoftheyearpoststhatIsupposeisnecessary

2012-01-01T23:30:00.001-07:00

Did anyone wake up today and think "HOLY CRAP it's 2012 already???!!!!

Yeah, I didn't, but it did dawn on me after my usual morning drowsiness wore off.

Seriously this last year has FLOWN by... so I guess I need to, for my own sake, go through some of its highlights:

Getting a full-time JOB. Whoa. Seriously? I've been a legit grown up for a full year now? Someone send me to Never Never Land before it gets too out of hand...

Getting my braces off: One word--finally.

Getting a Lagoon season pass. Pretty sure if I keep doing this I'll never really grow up. Wherever I was there was usually a good 5-year age gap within a 50-foot radius. It was super fun... but I'm pretty sure I'm doing Seven Peaks this year. Gotta work on that killer tan (aka see how many more freckles I can get...).

Traveling: Vegas, Idaho, Arizona, Idaho, California, Idaho... well, I could work on this one a bit...

Met Jimmer: Okay, 2011 was definitely filled with a lot of Jimmer obsession. A big highlight was getting to go to the end-of-the-season basketball banquet, and meet Jimmer. It was... yeah. Amazing.

Zumba Instructor: After many years as a dedicated Zumba STUDENT, I have now become the instructor. I was already in love with/addicted to Zumba... and if it were possible... I am now even more so. 2012 is going to be a BIG Zumba year.

Back Injury Recovery: I had my first real injury in a while... but luckily I was able to recover quite quickly. Some people told me I might never dance again... but luckily I had already dedicated my life to dance and was able to come back.

Dedicated my life to dance: This really deserves its own section. After discovering Zumba, Just Dance 2 & 3, and Michael Jackson the Experience, I discovered my true calling in life. Dance. I even got to perform Thriller at our office talent show. It rocked.

Justin Bieber: This year has been full of JB. I saw Never Say Never in theaters (even got a few people to watch it who later became beliebers), became an official JB follower on Twitter (I may or may not have created a Twitter account for that purpose. Well, I also wanted to follow Jimmer...), requested his songs at every chance possible (unashamedly), and even dressed up as him for Halloween.

Emily's wedding: We were able to have a special reunion as the first of my closest friends from high school got married this year. It was a beautiful ceremony, and so awesome to reconnect with my BFFs.

11/11/11: Classiest/most epic party I have ever thrown. Anyone up for 12/12/12?

Happy New Year!

Zumba Wear!

2011-12-28T20:46:00.018-07:00

Being a newly-certified Zumba instructor, I can now get Zumba clothing at wholesale price! Let me know if you're interested in any of the following:

Logo Cargo Pants

Color: deep black
Price: $50 plus shipping (regular price = $64.95)
Sizes Available: XS-XXL

Color: black
Price: $50 plus shipping (regular price = $64.95)
Sizes Available: XS-S

Color: blue
Price: $50 plus shipping (regular price = $64.95)
Sizes Available: XS

Color: gunmetal
Price: $50 plus shipping (regular price = $64.95)
Sizes Available: S-XXL

Color: lollipop
Price: $50 plus shipping (regular price = $64.95)
Sizes Available: S-XXL

Color: orange
Price: $50 plus shipping (regular price = $64.95)
Sizes Available: XS, M, L

Made With Love V-Neck

Color: black
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: S/M, L/XL

Color: lagoon
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: L/XL

Color: lollipop
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: L/XL

Fast Dash Racerback

Color: zumba green
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: L-XXL

Color: indigo
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: XL

Color: orange
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: S, L, XL

Color: black
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: S-XXL

Feelin' It Racerback

Color: green
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: XS, S, XL, XXL

Color: black
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: XS, S

Color: pink
Price: $15 plus shipping (regular price = $19.95)
Sizes Available: XS, XXL

Pretty much anything else available on zumba.com I can also get at a slightly discounted rate, so let me know if there's something there you're interested in! E-mail me at annarborg@gmail.com with any orders, or "like" my Facebook page (Zumba With Anna) and comment there. Happy Zumbaing!

ZUMBA LOVE!!!

2011-11-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

Anna Borgholthaus's Zumba Profile

thoughts

2011-11-08T00:03:00.002-07:00

I should be in bed

CORRECTION: I am in bed. I should be asleep.

I have lots of thoughts. Always. One time, my roommate asked me if I would rather have my heart make a sound every time I felt twitterpated or have my brain make a sound every time I was thinking pretty hard.

It was a hard decision.

I think I'm finally adjusting. I think.

Isn't it nice to talk? People. I love people.

There is no substitute for. Real. Life. People.

Some thoughts

2011-08-11T17:16:00.003-06:00

I love my food blog. It's so funny... every time I write a new post, I seriously read it... and reread it... and reread it... and stare at it... and stare at it some more. It sounds awfully narcissistic, but I suppose it's just like having a child. I bet some mothers just sit and stare at their children, amazed at what they've created. That's the beauty of creation.

Also... so I've been in an editor-type position for more than 6 months now. Something I've noticed is that it's one of those jobs where people don't notice when you do it right. It's sad. However, you do it wrong... and BAM! You are a crappy editor. Life is rough, I suppose.

But I still love it.

And if you find a spelling/punctuation/whatever error in my blog... just know I'm human too. And I speak real good (it's a joke people, A JOKE).

Last, but not least, I don't think I fit the normal stereotype of "editor." While I do cringe at the sight of a misplaced apostrophe, I will not correct anyone's speech. I think it is rude and unnecessary. I stand by the idea that if everyone spoke properly, the world would be kind of a boring place.

Seriously.

Random

2011-07-07T19:42:00.003-06:00

You know what is an overused word? Random.

"No one tells us, girls who don't go on dates, that remembering can be almost as good as what actually happens."

"Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above"

"So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do;
you see I've forgotten, if they're green, or they're blue.
Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean...
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen."

"To love another person... is to see the face of God"

"Love doesn't hurt, so I know I'm not falling in love, I'm just falling to pieces."

"I'm through accepting limits, 'cause someone says they're so."

"Did I say something way too honest that made you run and hide, like a scared little boy?"

I wonder if any of this makes sense out of context. Enjoy.

Ugh.

2011-06-16T23:19:00.001-06:00

SOoooo one thing I love about being single is that you get to hear a lot of theories about dating.

Seriously.

SO FUN.

But one thing I've heard is that boys are supposed to be really easy to understand.

(Don't look too much into it) they say.

I mean, I think I'm a fairly bright individual.

And I can't figure them boys out for the life of me.

Sunshine & Freckles: A charming account from a freckle-faced sun lover

2011-05-15T10:14:00.006-06:00

Okay, so I had a really angry post that I wrote while blogger was down, and maybe it's better that it's not posted.

Haha... (nervous laugh)

Anyway, summer is bomb. Let me tell you why.

SUNSHINE. Now, I KNOW I love sunshine... but I think when it's wintery and cold like death I kind of forget just how much I love it. Then I walk outside one day and feel its warm, comforting rays caressing my skin, and I just want to stand there and soak it up FOREVERRRRRRR. There is, seriously, nothing better than that feeling. I have GOT to live in California.. or Florida... or Hawaii... or Texas. Yeah, I think those are my options. I need summer to be the majority of the year. I guess I could go with Ecuador, too.

Sunshine also means that I get a lot of freckles. Now, I used to be annoyed by my freckles. I can't say I ever really HATED them... but I was definitely annoyed by them. I think I've told this anecdote before... but... once I had one of my relatives ask me if I ever tried to wash them off. I think I legitimately thought, for at least half a second, "Will that work??!" Figured that one out pretty quick.

I had another relative, however, tell me they were angel kisses. I like that.

There must be some angels out there that REALLY love me.

OMGosh maybe I should post something once in a while

2011-04-13T00:18:00.003-06:00

Well, it's been a while.

Maybe it's because nothing really changes in my life.

I wake up at 6:45. I shower. I read my scriptures. I grab a protein bar on the way out the door. I go to work.

I work.

I get off work at 5:00. I eat dinner.

I usually do some kind of physical activity.

Then I have time for one optional activity, such as hanging out with friends, watching a movie (or part of one), blogging, cooking, reading... and then I'm supposed to go to bed at 11 (which I am clearly not doing tonight).

Then I go to bed.

Repeat.

I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like

2011-03-13T10:25:00.004-06:00

Sometimes, when I look at the state of the world right now, I worry about our future. I mean, what happens when all our Henry David Thoreaus are playing Call of Duty instead of musing over the complexities of life at Walden Pond? Anyway, when I read these metaphors--real metaphors from real essays submitted by real (whatever that means) high school English teachers--my fears were washed away...

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.

2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.

5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.

6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a
surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.

9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.

11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 pm instead of 7:30.

12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.

14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 pm traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 pm at a speed of 35 mph

15. They lived in a typical suburban neighbourhood with picket fences that resembled Halle Berry's teeth.

16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.

18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.

19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.

20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.

22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from
stepping on a land mine or something.

23. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.

25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

ThoughtsthoUGHTSTHOUGHTSgetOUTofmybrain

2011-02-13T23:38:00.004-07:00

So, life. Life. Life is fun. Life is funny.

I just wrote a bunch of stuff about being grown up, and then I got bored with it. I've heard that to be a good writer, you have to be willing to throw a good majority of your writing out.

This blog is a good example. There are really only a handful of posts that I really love.

My mind goes a million miles per minute. I feel sometimes like writing is the only way to just EMPTY it out. I should be sleeping right now, but it just. won't. stop.

VISION. It's hard. Life right now. Elementary school: next step, junior high. Junior high: next step, high school. High school: next step, college. College: next step, graduation/job. Graduation/job: next step...

wait

Umm

What do I do with my life now? What do I work towards?

I mean sure, there's grad school. Or having babies. Or getting really rich.

It's kind of scary when you don't have a next step. Not scary in a oh-my-gosh-what-am-i-gonna-do-now kind of a way (though it was that kind of scary for a while), but scary in a oh-my-gosh-please-don't-let-me-stop-progressing-and-learning-and-being-an-interesting-person kind of way. It would be easy to just

become

complacent.

So, I'm going to live life fully.

What good is your life

if it doesn't affect anyone else's?

God's Army

2011-02-07T21:19:00.005-07:00

Okay, so I finally had some inspiration.

I can't take complete credit for it though. I got a letter in the mail today from one of my missionaries. There was a hilarious story in it. That made me think of another hilarious story from another letter... so I'm gonna share them both with you.

Missionary Story #1 (Elder C., South Dakota Rapid City Mission)
At the end of September, my trainer and I had invited a fellow named Jose to church. We met him in front of his apartment at 8:30 (he lived 3 buildings down from us) and were waiting for a ride from a member who also happens to live on our street. My trainer realized that we needed the "Deberes del Sacerdocio" book from the car. It was within sight and sound (I love how he includes this, you know, because I'm his MTC teacher), so I stood there with Jose. I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came. I looked down the street where Elder R was and then back at Jose, who started walking away from me. I looked back at R and when my gaze returned to Jose, he was running down the street! I had no idea what to do... so I just stood there. Jose disappeared around the corner and my companion came back.

"Where is Jose?"

"He ran away."

"What?!"

"He and his cowboy hat ran away and disappeared around the corner!"

"That's when you go running with him, Elder C!"

So yeah, that is the story of Jose who ran away...

Missionary Story #2 (Elder D., Utah Ogden Mission)
I'm sure every mission has their problems with drunks and druggies but Ogden seems to be a special place. And let me tell you something first - everybody knows who you are - member or nonmember. You knock a door and they know you're Mormon and a missionary.

But anyways - these people, as you've probably noticed, are attracted to missionaries. They sniff us out and find us or maybe it's just me. Maybe I smile too much or look approachable. It needs to stop. I'll share a story about this one guy we ran into.

So we were leaving a dinner appointment and started talking to this guy obviously enjoying life a little too much, if you know what I mean. He asks us if we baptize people and we say sure and then he tells us -

"That's good. Because I've already been baptized - in my dreams. I floated over a lake and then dropped and submerged myself."

He tells us he flies a lot in his dreams. I'm sure he does.

He then tells us one time he met the devil in one of his dreams. But like a multicolored devil. Like a rainbow devil. With three faces. Here's what his faces were - the first, the face of a wolf. The second, a monkey. And the third - the third was just a face.

He then explains that the devil bit off his fingers and when he asks, "Hey, what's up devil? Why did you bite off my finger?" the devil says, "Don't worry about it. It's just a dream."

Not as funny as the cheeses one... but still good.

Writer's block

2011-02-07T20:25:00.002-07:00

You know, sometimes I sit down to blog, and I don't really know what I'm going to write about.

But then, it just comes.

I'm thinking that right now would be a good time for it to come.

Yeah.

Any time now.

Confessions

2011-01-29T23:02:00.005-07:00

I wear a Hello Kitty onesie to bed.

I sometimes break the ten-second rule. Especially with dessert.

I listen to Justin Bieber. And I like it. Mostly to work out. But still.

I often break into dance in my bedroom while I'm getting ready. Especially if the Black Eyed Peas come up on my playlist. This occurs with varying amounts of clothes on.

I have a skinny mirror. Sometimes I pretend it is the real one, and that the other one is a fat mirror.

Asian stereotypes are some of the few that I still laugh at. I'm working on it.

I once beat all the levels of Sally's Spa on my iPod touch. It's not as easy as it sounds.

I dream of going to Harry Potter Land. I'm seriously considering it as a potential honeymoon spot.

I have a miniature version of la Virgen Guadalupe (Maria) on my keychain. I think she brings me luck.

I have a bigger celebrity crush on Jack Black than Brad Pitt.

I actually like grammar. And balancing chemistry equations.

Guess who's back?

2011-01-21T17:29:00.002-07:00

I know, I know.

It's about time.

Well, I'll skip the paragraph-long introduction that includes how SORRY I am for not writing in so long and how I really should have been posting more regularly and just how bad I feel... (well, I tried)

Anyway, I have started a new job!! Hurrah!!! I am so excited, that I am going to turn this blog post into a list. Who doesn't love lists?

Things that I like about being a full-time BYU employee that I never really thought about before:

1. Really cool BYU wardrobe. I know. I'm even excited about going to the mall and buying khaki pants. Who knew.

2. Lunch breaks. I don't know if y'all knew this, but it usually takes less than an hour to eat lunch. That means I get to eat lunch and sometimes even sneak in a nap. Or an episode of 30 Rock.

3. Parking in faculty/staff parking. I have been tortured by FOUR LONG YEARS by the "A" parking lots. I never thought the day would come where I could station my very own 1997 Isuzu Rodeo with the squeaky fan belt among such an elite fleet of employee cars. I will admit, I was still a little scared the first few days. Despite my scarred past with BYU Parking, however, I have been able to overcome my fears and fully embrace my parking privileges.

4. Benefits. Need I say more? Before this job, I thought a 401(k) was some kind of marathon or something.

5. My very own desk. And computer. With a password. I can put my post-it notes wherever I want. And I don't have to worry about some other random employee putting a weird cat background on my computer.

6. Being in Provo. I'm not trying to be sarcastic here. I am really really trying to be positive, promise. Though it has been a challenge, three things have made living in Provo still bearable: cheap housing costs, great friends, and proximity to Idaho (not necessarily in that order). There are definitely worse places to live.

7. Last, but not least, NO HOMEWORK!!!! Granted, this also means less Facebook and blogging time. I know you're thinking that doesn't really make sense, but let me explain. As I have begun this full-time job, I have noticed a significant decrease in both my Facebook and blogging activity. Why? Because I don't need to distract myself from doing homework! Hahaha. I'm not too worried about the Facebook thing, but I'll get back on the wagon with blogging. Because I really do love it.

Who wants boring friends?

2010-12-20T23:55:00.003-07:00

So, for my blog project I had to get consent from the people I interviewed to save their interviews in the BYU folklore archive. I was expecting just a "I give my permission" normal kind of thing, but I was very entertained by the various responses I received:

I,_____________________, give Anna (Insert correct spelling of Borglthause here) full consent and permission to disclose any and all information and responses collected from me both during our interview and in any other informal discussions that she may consider relevant.

* * *

Dear Anna,

You may use the interview from me about blogging for whatever.

Sincerely,

_____________________

* * *

I, _____________________ The First, hereby bequeath my right to complain, demand money, or in any other way be a pooface in regards to an interview I granted one Anna Borgholthaus. In so doing I present her with full right and freedom to utilize my well primed prose in any manner she see's fit. I do however reserve the right to put on a pouty face should said interview make me look less than stellar ;)

Most Sincerely,

_____________________ The First

* * *

I,_____________________, being on this day, the 15 of December of 2010, fully conscious of my actions and in possession of all my metaphorical marbles, do grant Anna Borgholthaus the right to publish my answers and any information conveyed in our interview, in whatever media she sees fit (barring only the burlesque and Times Magazine).

* * *

Thanks for making life interesting, guys.

This poem I wrote once for creative writing and it's kind of corny so don't laugh

2010-12-20T10:13:00.003-07:00

I hop up to the examining chair
Left then right then left again
Through the lenses I sit and stare
The doctor stops and clicks his pen

He tells me with a serious gaze
That my life will never be the same
The remainder of my mortal days
I will spend looking through a frame

I notice first the little leaves
Their outline against the bright blue sky
How much I've missed, I can't believe
That all of this has passed me by

And after years of aided vision
My world all clear and bright;
I have come to the conclusion:
Without blindness, there is no sight

Saddest day of my life

2010-12-17T10:00:00.004-07:00

Anna,

You are on our list for December graduation. US citizen and Permanent Resident students may work through Sunday, January 2, 2011. International students must not work after Friday, December 17, 2010.

Please see your supervisor for a termination form.

(This lovely email from the MTC was sitting in my inbox this morning)

:(

So, to cheer myself up, I decided to re-post one of my favorite missionary cartoons:

Hehehe. That helped a little.

Blogging Dictionary

2010-12-15T01:14:00.004-07:00

Here are some blogging terms (more than you probably ever knew or care existed) that I found defined on the Internet:

Archives - A collection of all your posts on one page. Can be categorized by month, etc.

Bleg - To use one’s blog to beg for assistance

Blego - Blog+Ego. Measuring blogger worth

Blog - Short form for weblog

Blog hopping - Jumping from one blog to another

Blogathon - Update your website every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight

Blogathy - I do not want to post today and I do not care about it

Blogger - A person who blogs

Blogger bash - A blogger party

Bloggerel - The same opinion posted repeatedly on a blog

Blogging - The act of posting on blogs

Blogiversary - Your blog birthday

Blogoholic - Addicted to blogging

Blogophobia - Fear of blogs and blogging

Blogopotamus - A long, long blog post

Blogorific - (aka blogtastic) - Something which a blogger says is terrific

Blogorrhea - Unusually high output of articles

Blogosphere - The internet blogging community

Blogroach - A commenter who rudely disagrees with posted content

Blogroll - List of links to other blogs in your sidebar

Blogsit - Maintaining a blog while the primary blogger is on leave

Blogsite - A web site that combines blog feeds from a number of different sources

Blogsnob - Refusing to respond to blog comments from “not-friends”

Blogspot - Free Blogger hosting blog at name.blogspot.com

Blogstipation - Writer’s block for bloggers. Can't think of what to blog about?

Blogvertising - Also called blogvert. Advertising on a blog

Blurker - A blog reader not posting comments, just lurking around quietly

Comments - Enabling readers to leave their remarks

Doppelblogger - Plagiarize the content of another blogger: to Doppelblog

GAD - Google Adsense Disorder. Repeatedly checking your adsense earnings

Hitnosis - Refreshing your browser repeatedly to see if your hit counter or comments have increased

Post, Entry - Individual articles that make up a blog

Reciprocal Links - Called link love. You link to my blog, I link to yours, to improve search engine rankings

RSS - A family of web feed formats used for Web syndication. Short form for Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0), Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91, RSS 1.0), RDF Site Summary (RSS 0.9 and 1.0). WordPress generates RSS 2.0

Tags - Labeling / attaching keywords to collect similar posts

Weblog - An online dated diary listing your periodic thoughts on a specific topic, often in reverse chronological order

Shafted by BEP

2010-12-09T11:46:00.003-07:00

Let's just remember who had this title first.

Making History

2010-12-07T19:07:00.002-07:00

I had to read Barack Obama's speech on race for one of my classes...

AND I LOVED IT.

Seriously, amazing. This is history in the making, my friends. I don't care what you think about his political actions, he has a way with words and has definitely made progress in the area of race relations and understanding. I recommend to every person, especially every American, this speech:

"A More Perfect Union"

<3

Let's fill the world with love and understanding.

Dream Job?

2010-12-06T20:19:00.002-07:00

I'm really hoping my post-grad experience doesn't end up like this:

We shall see. I'm on the second round of interviews with a job I really really really want at BYU, so maybe I won't have to go through all that post-grad jazz. If not, I suppose I'll just be like 75% of college graduates.

Fun!

Wish me luck.

Title

2010-12-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

random text

Why the heck would anyone ever want to be a writer?

2010-12-02T23:21:00.004-07:00

So, I'm trying to plan my presentation for my blog folklore project, and I've been looking up some quotes on writing. I'm trying to talk about why so many people feel the urge to write. I'm pretty sure anyone who has even attempted to write will relate:

"Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality and once in that mirror which waits always before or behind". -Catherine Drinker Bowen, Atlantic, December 1957

"If I don't write to empty my mind, I go mad." -Lord Byron

"Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted." -Jules Renard

"The writer writes in order to teach himself, to understand himself, to satisfy himself; the publishing of his ideas, though it brings gratification, is a curious anticlimax." -Alfred Kazin

"Writers are just people who have a whole lot on the inside that they need to get to the outside, with pen and paper as their preferred method of transport. Same with dancers, artists, and singers - all the same urges with differing transportation." Graycie Harmon

"You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won't be able to take a break from being a writer..." -Stephen Leigh

"Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up." -Jane Yolen

"The historian records, but the novelist creates." -E. M. Forster

"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." -Ray Bradbury

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. " -E.L. Doctorow

"And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." -Sylvia Plath

"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." -Toni Morrison

"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live." -Henry David Thoreau

"I do not like to write - I like to have written." -Gloria Steinem

"You may be able to take a break from writing, but you won't be able to take a break from being a writer..." -Stephen Leigh

Autobiographical Sketch: Barf?

2010-11-29T01:12:00.008-07:00

Okay, so I had to write an autobiographical sketch for the folklore project I just finished (more to come on that later). It is kind of crazy and all over the place, but I think that's fitting.

The "barf" in the title was because as much as I like writing about myself, I doubt anyone really likes reading about me. So, if you get a few sentences in and literally want to barf, just know I understand. And you can stop. Really. I won't ever know.

With that intro, I'm sure you're all kinds of excited to read this post now. So... Enjoy!

Autobiographical Sketch
How does one write one’s own story? I suppose I have to start somewhere, so I will start at the very beginning (which is a very good place to start). For the record, that was a Sound of Music reference, and I am a big fan of all musicals. However, I don’t think I was born loving musicals, so I am getting a little ahead of myself. As you can see, I’m kind of all over the place. But I really am going to (try and) start at the beginning.

I was born in Boise, Idaho to David and Jana Borgholthaus. I was the first child, grandchild (both sides), AND niece. Thus, you might say, I was kind of the favorite baby for a while. So, I grew up with a lot of attention, which might have made me into a kind of attention-hog. However, I was painfully shy most of my growing up years. I don’t really remember much before the age of 10, but my mom tells me I was a pretty well-behaved child. I saw my family grow into a total of 7 people; with three brothers and one sister. My brothers and I always got along really well. My youngest brother is 15 years younger than I, and has always kind of been my “baby.” My sister and I had some rough times when we were teenagers, but we are now really good friends. It’s hard to describe my family... I guess the only thing that comes to mind is that we have a lot of personality. Not one of us is alike, and not one of us is boring. My brother Reed is really quiet but extremely clever and fun to be around; my sister Lauren is really sassy and always ready to give her opinion; my brother Drew is a charmer and always knows exactly the right thing to say; and my youngest brother Bradlee is super smart and always surprising us with his creativity. My mom is very bubbly and loves talking to people; my dad is a hard worker and just downright goofy. As for me, I suppose my family would describe me as really smart and (they would probably lower their eyes, and say this next word as if it were a curse word) a liberal.

Quite frankly, I don’t think I would call myself a liberal. I don’t think I wouldn’t call myself a liberal either. It depends on what you’re talking about. Should we be liberal with our love and inclusive of all people, no matter if we agree on everything or not? Yes. Should we be liberal with our goods and help those around us who are less fortunate than us? Yes. Should we be liberal with the time we spend trying to make the world a better place? Yes. Should we be liberal with the judgments we make about other people (as in, give them the benefit of the doubt...)? Yes.

I don’t like saying I’m “liberal” or “conservative.” It is a very important thing to my family, and I think it drives my dad nuts that I won’t pin myself down as one or the other. I would describe myself as “independent.” I think that’s a good word to describe me all around, not just my political views.

I realize this sketch is not really going in chronological order, but I think I left off somewhere around 10 years old and being painfully shy. Well, the shyness continued throughout high school, where I had very few close friends; though I was generally liked by everyone I knew. No one had any real reason to not like me, and that’s how I liked it. I always focused a lot on my studies, and being a super student defined me quite a bit in high school.

Until I got to BYU. Turns out everyone at BYU was a super student. I signed up as a biology major, bent on going to medical school and becoming a doctor. Looking back, I’m not sure why I decided on that career. Probably because it sounded prestigious. Probably because it sounded like a challenge (and boy do I love a challenge). Probably because I felt like there weren’t a lot of female doctors (especially in the LDS culture, which I come from) and it would be kind of cool to break the mold.

Well, I struggled through endless science classes in pursuit of my goal. I continued to break out of my shell in college as I was forced to make new friends and was put in more social situations. I took a break from school to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Fort Worth Texas. I learned Spanish, and I had the time of my life. I had some of the most trying times of my life, but also some of the most rewarding times of my life. I grew so much on my mission, and I think it was then that I really found out who I was, and embraced that person (good and bad).

Thus, I feel like I was completely changed when I got back from my mission. My mind was more open to new possibilities, and I was more willing to voice what I thought about things. I decided I wanted to do something I was passionate about, and science and medicine was just not included in that. I turned back to the humanities, which had always had a warm place in my heart. I had always been a writer, but had kind of given it up in college as a not-so-promising career choice. Well, I decided to follow my passion and pursue what I thought was my calling in life. I changed my major to English, and had no idea where it would lead me. But I knew I would love every second.

And I have. I have learned so much studying the humanities and seeing the beauty that is in the world. I am extremely idealistic and have a desire to make the world a better place. I believe a great part of that is understanding the world around us. I feel like over the last few years, my understanding has increased immensely and I have grown so much as a person. Also, my writing skills have greatly improved, and I actually enjoy writing (as long as it’s something I like writing about).

My autobiographical sketch would not be complete without an inclusion of my belief in God. I grew up with a family who was very active in the LDS church, and I have since come to believe and embrace the teachings of the Church and of my Savior Jesus Christ with all my heart. He is a huge part of my life, and I know I wouldn't be who I am today without His help. I know that He is constantly guiding my life, and that He is the great source of love that has been planted in my heart.

So, that’s where I am. I suppose in fifty more years, there will be more to my autobiographical sketch. In a nutshell, I am kind of an eclectic person. I don’t mind being called a hippie or a tree-hugger. But I also shower and do my makeup and can spend hours shopping at the mall. I can discuss literary theory with big words that I don’t even really understand, and then turn around and chit-chat about the latest chick flick. I am what some might call a “feminist” and am all about women’s equal rights, but I can’t wait to be a mom and a housewife, and I LOVE cooking. So, there you go. The rest of my story is yet to be written.

Addendum: Latin Lover

2010-11-28T19:44:00.006-07:00

HOW COULD I FORGET LATIN BUZZ????

Toy Story 3 was epic, y'all. And Buzz speaking Spanish and Latin dancing just took the cake for me.

Bravo, Pixar. Bravo.

He definitely goes on my list of greatest Latin lovers of all time.

<3

P.S. ALSO, this is POST #100!!!!!!!!!! I have officially written 100 posts. That is exciting. I think I get some kind of award now. Like, being able to officially call myself a "blogger" or something. Or maybe a "seasoned blogger." Wow, that sounds prestigious.

Alzheimer's

2010-11-25T23:14:00.003-07:00

I remember you

he's not talking about the time
he forgot where I lived

or the time he forgot
I wasn't my sister

I remember you

he's not talking about my name
or the year i was born

I remember you

means he looks at my face
and remembers
the eyes looking up at him

he remembers that we had
so many sweet moments together

he remembers my smile
he remembers my laugh

he remembers that
he loves me

he doesn't remember why

but he remembers me.

Latin Lover... Again

2010-11-25T09:14:00.020-07:00

So, I need to explain my rationale for having this post on Thanksgiving.

Or do I?

Needless to say, even though actual Thanksgiving DAY is when you're supposed to be doing all the eating, I'm pretty sure I started like a week ago. So, I've been trying to keep up the exercise... which is hard when I'm at home, not close to my gym, AND it's a winter wonderland outside.

So, I had to resort to those exercise DVD's. Luckily, my sister has the Zumba DVD's, so I didn't end up having to do "Buns of Steel" or Richard Simmons or something.

Well, I stuck in the Zumba DVD and was slightly surprised to see the main instructor person was a GUY. Then I remembered this whole class I took about Latino/American literature and how we talked about the "Latin lover" stereotype. I'm pretty sure we decided it was a negative stereotype (like all stereotypes)... but to explore the idea a little bit, let's think about some of the best Latin lovers of all time... or at least the ones I'm familiar with.

Ricky Ricardo

Antonio Banderas

That guy from "Dance With Me" (apparently his name is "Chayanne")

Enrique Iglesias

Jack Black

Antonio Banderas

Ricky Martin

Cristiano Ronaldo

JLo (C'mon, you can't NOT include her.)

Shakira (or her)

The guy from the ZUMBA video

Antonio Banderas

So...though I generally do NOT approve of stereotyping, if you're gonna choose one to be in, I think the Latins did get the better end of the deal. Just sayin.

Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harry Potter LIVE

2010-11-20T13:03:00.015-07:00

There we are, Ashley and I, nestled nicely into our movie theater seats, when he enters the theater.

"Muggles of Theater 7!!" he cries. He is dressed in a black robe that drapes to the floor. "I am here in your theater representing the students of Slytherin. Is there a wizard out there brave enough to face me in a DUEL?" He says, and raises his wand.

SERIOUSLY??!!!! I think. Is this REALLY happening to me? I must be dreaming. Because this is seriously like a dream come true.

"Is there NO ONE?" he cries, continuing to point his wand out towards the audience. Finally, a wizard dressed as a Muggle steps forward.

I actually started videotaping at this point. The video isn't super good, but you can kind of see them dueling. The duel consisted mostly of "petrificus totallus" and "expelliarmus," but there is one point at the end where our wizard friend got creative and used "lumos" on him... apparently blinding him with light? The best part about that spell was that the kid took out his phone and flashed the light in his own face... oh man. Maybe you had to be there. As you can see from the video, the audience was thoroughly enjoying this very surreal performance:

[I couldn't get the video to load on Blogger, so check it out on YouTube]

At the end of this video, they chase each other around the theater and finally give up. I then hear someone in front of me yell out "VOLDEMORT!" and a large man with a long black robe, bald head, and pasty white skin stands up. "Voldemort!" more people begin to yell, and he goes after this young, pretentious wizard. There were some "avada kedavras" exchanged, but don't worry, no one really died.

Then a chant starts to come from behind me. "Hagrid," I hear softly, a few rows back. "Hagrid!" It starts to get louder. "HAGRID, HAGRID, HAGRID!" it echoes as the whole theater begins to chime in. I look back and all of the sudden, a monstrous man in a long brown trenchcoat and bushy hair stands up.

"It's Hagrid!" I turn and exclaim to Ashley, who's just as excited as I am. Hagrid begins to walk towards our little wizard friend, and he just begins to run. There is more chasing around the theater, and, as you might imagine, Hagrid catches up with the wizard and defeats him. I guess You-Know-Who isn't the most powerful one around any MORE!

The wizard, defeated, returns to the front of the theater. "If you wish to find me, I shall be in Theater 9 the rest of the night!" he says and races out the door, but not before the applause begins to roar.

Okay though SERIOUSLY... that might have been better than the movie itself. I love it when crazy stuff like that happens. I was just sitting in a boring movie theater, minding my own business, and BAM I enter the world of Hogwarts. Bless that crazy little wizard man's soul.

P.S. This is my official record for most blog posts written in one month. AND IT'S ONLY THE 20th!!! New realization... more stress=more blogging

P.P.S. The Harry Potter theme music doesn't sound the same when you try to do it with your car horn. Just random information, not speaking from experience or anything...

One More DAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-17T19:13:00.001-07:00

WHO SHOULD I GO AS??!??!?!

Provo Post-Grad

2010-11-16T21:28:00.003-07:00

So, because I've decided to stay in Provo, I've been thinking about how I'm going to spend my time. Here are some of my ideas:

1. Work in the temple. Now that I will have loads of free-time, I can fit in that 5-hour shift again. And I've never had a more rewarding experience than working in the temple. It's pretty much amazing.

2. Save $$$. This is something I really need to get better at. I actually have a savings account right now that I am not allowed to touch, and I've done a really good job not touching it. I will just need to keep it that way, and let it grow.

3. Photography. Okay, HOW long have I been talking about doing photography? While this may interfere with #2, I am going to get a nice camera and take some gol-darned pictures.

4. Exercise a lot. Okay, anyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to the gym. Now I will have LOTS of time to be there. I plan to get really fit. As in, I want to have abs. It's always been a goal of mine. I guess technically EVERYONE has abs, but I want nice ones. So that I can wear them under my shirt all day. And have the satisfaction of knowing they are there.

5. Write. I will have so much time to practice my writing skills! I will do some freelance writing, and maybe even dabble in poetry or fiction. We shall see. And, of course, I will keep BLOGGING!

6. Look into grad schools & possibly take the GRE. Depending on the program I want, I might not have to take the GRE. I may choose a grad program solely based on that criteria. I'm leaning towards a masters in Communication... possibly Journalism. Or Editing.

7. Become a Yoga instructor. It's official. It's happening. I've just got to decide when, and fork out the money to do it.

8. Do service/volunteer work. I figure I've been in Provo long enough, I might as well do something to give back to the community.

9. Finally take that cake decorating class. You and me Carly... you and me.

10. Start a furniture re-furbishing business. This is in the works. I am actually staring at a rocking chair that I am working on right now. I'm really excited about it.

Well, I can't wait. Hopefully I can squeeze a job in there somewhere, too. Still working on that one.

amor

2010-11-16T00:44:00.008-07:00

I was reading through some of my old posts again, as that seems to be what I do for fun now instead of sleeping, and I came across this poem. I still really like it. I think Pastan hits relationships/love right on the head.

love poem
linda pastan

I want to write you
a love poem as headlong
as our creek
after thaw
when we stand
on its dangerous
banks and watch it carry
with it every twig
every dry leaf and branch
in its path
every scruple
when we see it
so swollen
with runoff
that even as we watch
we must grab
each other
and step back
we must grab each
other or
get our shoes
soaked we must
grab each other

<3

Memory Lane

2010-11-14T23:38:00.002-07:00

Okay, so this is the most prolific blog night I've had in a while. I will have you note that this is my THIRD blog post in one day. New record.

This post is a result of me going back and reading some of my old posts. I forgot about some of them... and I just wanted to post some of my favorites. For new followers, and for old followers. Because in the midst of a bunch of crappy blog posts, there are actually a few gems.

Check these out for a good time:

Dumb it down a bit, would you?

My Hollywood Moment

OH Myyyyyy LIFE!!! (aka Texas & Hippie Girl)

Real World and Anna Fantasy World (both constructed) COLLIDE! (aka follow-up to Texas & Hippie Girl)

PCR (No, not Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Why we love MLK (ending hatred one thinker at a time)

Good Hair Day

Our Angelita

Acceptance

My Latin Lover

My Family (aka the sweet video of my parents dancing)

Well, that was fun. Enjoy.

UDS

2010-11-14T21:51:00.010-07:00

Ugly Duckling Syndrome:

1. Beautiful people who didn't get pretty until high school or later, and were nice because they were ugly. The niceness carries over through life.

2. A girl who grew up all her life unattractive until high school or college when she then "blossomed" into a really hot girl. Unlike naturally pretty girls though, her self-esteem is pretty low (as it'll almost permanently be for life) but, she has a good heart, personality, and soul because that's all she could afford to have when she was unattractive. Also, any girl with UDS, will go out with any guy cause to her "looks doesn't matter. As long as they have a good sense of humor." As long as they never realize that they're a ten, they'll always be humbled and down to earth.

3. A person who did not develop fully (therefore making them ugly) up until highschool or later and becomes pretty and they are really nice and have low self-esteem.

(these lovely definitions are from my friends at Urban Dictionary)

So, I feel like this post is going to be pretty honest. Number one, I have to admit that for the most of my life, I have felt unattractive. I'm not uncomfortable with that. It's a part of my life. You see your friends having crushes on boys and going through the high school boyfriend dramas and you've never even had a boy so much as look your way twice.

But you get used to it. You find your romantic outlets reading books or watching chick flicks, and you hope that someday you will find someone who thinks you are amazing, no matter what.

I guess it would be cool if I could say that happened.

It hasn't.

But I was watching "Shallow Hal" the other day and the guy on there (George from Seinfeld... I don't remember his name on the movie) was talking about "Ugly Duck Syndrome."

And I was like, I'm pretty sure I have that.

I mean, not like in the "Wow, I am SUPER HOT now" kind of a way, but sometimes I still feel like this girl:

And honestly, it doesn't feel that different from this girl:

I know... super hot, right?

So I guess what I'm saying is that even though I feel more attractive now that I've become more comfortable with myself, I'm still Anna.

Sometimes I do still slip into the whole self-esteem issue, but I think it helps that I've always known I've had intrinsic worth--that my value was never solely based on what I looked like.

I don't really have a solid conclusion that I've come to. Those are just some of my thoughts.

One thing I do think I've realized as I've matured a little is that I don't have to wait for that person who thinks I'm amazing. I already found that person. It's me.

Guess what? I'm amazing. And pretty. And, thank heavens I wasn't a beautiful teenager. I don't think I'd have nearly as much personality now, anyway.

P.S. Note the "ugly duckling" reference from The Swan Princess:

Update: update

2010-11-14T21:44:00.002-07:00

I'm staying in Provo.

I had mixed feelings about it.

But I know it's what I'm supposed to do.

And that's all I need to know.

update: nervous breakdown

2010-11-05T23:17:00.002-06:00

You know... my motto is usually "change is good!" or "I love change!"

But when it comes down to it, change is always hard. No matter who you are.

I have a lot of changes happening in my life. My life pretty much since high school (which is like a forgotten dream now) has been in Provo. And I love Provo. There are people I love very much in Provo. I have walked through the streets, I have run through the streets! I have had romantic, adventurous, and even heart-breaking episodes in this very same town. I have truly grown into adulthood here.

And so it will be hard to leave. It has been so dear to me.

But it is time.

I was reading an article by Elder Steven E. Snow called "Get On with Our Lives."

Here are some words of wisdom that have touched my heart tonight:

"Most of us do not seek or even welcome dramatic changes. But change is an essential part of life’s experiences."

"Too often we are reluctant to enter the next stage, begin the next challenge. Maybe we are too comfortable, fearful, or lacking in faith. Grandmother’s lap is often more comfortable than the trials of kindergarten. Our parents’ basement, with unlimited video games, may be more appealing than college, marriage, or a career."

Then, his advice for "moving on" and facing these inevitable challenges:

1. Follow the prophets
2. Keep an eternal perspective
3. Have faith
4. Be of good cheer

I'd like to add one more:

5. Be grateful. I truly believe that gratitude is pretty much the antidote for every challenge.

THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure someday I will be grateful for this time, as it always seems like I am when I look back on adversity. Most of all because I can say, "Wow. It was a miracle I made it through that."

And thus I can see miracles wrought in my own life.

No worries, just a mild nervous breakdown going on here.

2010-11-05T14:07:00.004-06:00

Do you ever just feel like you need to SCREAM OR YOU'RE GOING TO EXPLODE????!!

Do you ever have days where going through some form of mild torture would be a preferable alternative to getting out of bed?

Do you ever feel like crying but it will take too much effort?

Do you ever feel like if you have one more thing on your plate you will surely drop it along with the ten other balls you are juggling and all of the sudden your life will be one big, splattered, gross mess?

Do you ever feel like answering the question "How are you doing?" with "Horribly, actually. But did you really want to know?"

Do you ever feel alone even when you're surrounded by people... so many people?

Do you ever wish you could banish certain thoughts from your mind because they just WON'T GO AWAAAAYYY???

Do you ever just feel the need to write it all down, because you feel like it's going to ooze out of you one way or the other, and words are the only way you can rid your body, your mind, of the toxins that are infesting them?

My New BLOGGG!!!

2010-10-24T14:06:00.002-06:00

Alright so I have a new blog that ALL Y'ALLLLlll need to check out because I think you're really going to love it:

http://eatingwithanna.blogspot.com/

Also... I will be blogging soon about my adventures in Hawaii, don't you worry.

Emma

2010-10-14T22:10:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite quotes from Emma so far:

"My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming - one other person at least. And I am not only, not going to be married, at present, but have very little intention of ever marrying at all"

It's like she read my mind.

(Okay, I realize it's not the right Emma. But a good Emma still the same.)

Blogging pays off, literally.

2010-09-30T00:22:00.007-06:00

Okay, I just want everyone to take a second to appreciate how clever that title is. Sometimes I'm more proud of my blog post titles than the actual posts. Maybe I should just start writing titles instead of posts.

Well, today was the career fair my friends. I totally forgot about it and chose TODAY of all days to show up to school in sweats. Haha. Luckily one of my classes was canceled so I ran home and put on some more professional-looking attire (though I did consider telling prospective employers things such as, "Can't you hire me for who I am on the inside?" or "Nice clothes are just a cover-up for inadequacy" or... something along those lines).

Anyway, my POINT is that I was talking to one of the recruiters for a company that was looking for writers. Naturally I was drawn to her. She asked for a resume and I gladly handed it over. Then she told me they liked to see if people keep blogs so they can kind of get a sample of their writing. So I jotted down my blog address.

I realize now this blog could be read by future employers. Will it change the way I write? NO! (Okay, it probably will.) Maybe I won't ramble on so much about stuff that really doesn't matter all that much and no one really wants to ever read about ever ever in their whole life and gets tired of reading and starts skimming to the bottom right about now... Oh wait, there I go again.

Big, bad corporate world... here I come!

And... maybe someday... I will even get my dream job. As in, someone will pay me to do this.

Run Away!!!

2010-09-15T21:32:00.002-06:00

I finally got the internet at my place, so hopefully this means more blog posts!

Well, folks, I am doing a half marathon. I've been wanting to for like a year now, so I'm glad I finally found one I will actually do. It is the Halloween Half Marathon, and I am way excited. Leave it up to me to choose the race where you get to dress up :)

Here is the website for it if anyone wants to join!!

I think it's funny I'm running a half marathon. Even just a few years ago I would have heard anything with the word "marathon" in it and would have run away screaming, "Please no! For the love of all that is good DON'T make me do it!!!!!!"

However, I actually like running now. Maybe it's hard for anyone else to imagine how grand of an epiphany this is, but running was seriously always the bane of my existence in my growing up years. Even when I attempted cross country, I would run 3 miles and want to puke my guts out and slit my wrists.

If you would have told me that I, just a short 10 years later, would choose to run 13.1 miles out of my OWN free will and choice, well... let's just say I wouldn't have believed you.

All in all, I'm glad this day is here. Maybe in my childhood the rest of my life was so enjoyable that the pain of running was just not something I would choose. Now that my life is a bit more crazy, running seems like the easy part :)

Did I mention I get to dress up for this marathon? Any costume ideas?

Moving On

2010-08-16T20:00:00.000-06:00

Don't you love it when you realize you're FINALLY over someone?

Dumb it down a bit, would you?

2010-08-15T22:30:00.003-06:00

So... I feel like a lot of my posts begin this way.

OH MY WORD it's been FOREVER since I posted!!! I need to get better about that.

Hahaha... well, here's another one. Sometimes my blog posts just come at random times like this one where I have to get up at like six in the morning and should be sleeping.

I also think I have blog posts more often not necessarily when I'm less busy (I was considerably less busy in July than June, for example) but when I'm thinking more. AKA when I'm in school. I guess once I actually graduate, I'm gonna have to do my own thinking.

SO... for the post.

I got off work fairly late one day and was starving, so decided to stop by one of my favorite Mexican joints in Provo. I will keep the name secret as to protect identities of certain people in the story. The owner of this restaurant knows me and we often have interesting conversations (in Spanish) when I stop in. Contrary to what you may believe, this does NOT narrow down the number of restaurants in Provo I could be talking about :)

On this particular occasion, the topic of choice happened to be marriage. Or my lack thereof. The conversation in fact started with "Why aren't you married yet?"

I always wonder how to answer that question. Especially when it's coupled with the statement "You're pretty." (Reference earlier blogpost, "But You're Pretty!!!" for more discussion on this.) (Also, for the record, I think the "but you're pretty" statement is more of an observation on their part that you're not necessarily gorgeous but you're not freakishly ugly in a way that would ward off all potential marriage partners.) Anyway, I decided to answer with my fairly standard answer which is:

"Nada mas no he encontrado el hombre con quien me quiero casar."

In other words:

"I just haven't found the man I want to marry yet."

He then asked me about school and I shared with him some of my academic plans. He went on to tell me about a friend he used to have that reminded him of me. He said she was very pretty, but she studied way too much. That was why she had never been married.

"You've got to make sure you don't scare the men off. They could get intimidated by you if you study too much."

To which I answered:

"Well, I guess I will just have to find a man who is confident enough in himself that he won't be scared off by an intelligent woman."

He thought that sounded like a good plan. And we had a good laugh. Maybe about different things. Maybe he was laughing on the outside while privately thinking I would never get married. I don't know. I was laughing because it was a funny suggestion. A suggestion not entirely without grounds, but entertaining nonetheless.

I'll try not to dumb it down too much. But who knows, if this chronic singleness lasts too long, I might need to start doing something drastic. Watch more daytime TV or something.

*Side note: I realize a lot of my posts are about marriage/dating woes. I am content with my current station in life. I merely find certain attitudes and opinions about these subjects amusing, and therefore am prone to write about them.

A really funny (or should I say suave?) anecdote, for lack of a better title

2010-07-06T22:40:00.004-06:00

So, in order to tell this story I may have to do a brief Spanish lesson.

In Spanish, the word "suave" can mean "soft."

It can also mean "cool"... you know... like suuuaaaave.

Anyway, I was teaching pronunciation to my new missionaries on Monday. I was telling them that a lot of the letters, such as the "t" and the "d", are more "suave" in espanol. As in soft.

Well, one of the Elders raised his hand at the end of the lesson and said, "I just want to say that English is the language of strong men who built this country and fought for freedom (etc. etc.)" something along those lines. I kind of just looked at him like... okay... not sure where this is coming from.

"Okay, that's great, but what does it have to do with pronunciation?" I inquired.

"Well, you keep saying Spanish is more suave. I mean, English is cool too."

And then I just started busting up.

"Elder Dudley. I meant 'suave' as in soft. The letters are softer in Spanish. Not cooler."

"Oh... I guess I was thinking of 'suave' in a different way. Like my shampoo."

Some things just get lost in translation, you know? Gotta treasure those moments.

P.S. Elder Dudley is my new fave.

My Hollywood Moment

2010-06-29T09:22:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I've had my scooter for like 2 weeks now, and it is seriously the BEST purchase I have made in my life. I haven't bought groceries in 2 weeks either but guess what... WORTH IT. Anyway, I want to tell the story of the guy who sold it to me. And this is exactly how it went, I promise. Slightly reminiscent of my "Latin lover" post for those of you long-time followers.

"Meet me in the parking garage" he texts me, and I hesitate. This is a complete stranger. What am I doing meeting a complete stranger in a parking garage? But I decide to take a chance. My high heels echo as I walk down the stairs into the empty parking garage. "How am I going to even recognize this guy?" I think. All I know about him is his name. Nick. I begin to get nervous, and fidget with my long, flowing, luscious brown hair. Then I see him.

Nick. Wait... I'm here for the bike, right? I completely forget my nervousness.

"Hey, you must be Nick!" I say, giggling.

"And you must be Anna." He says, flashing a gorgeous smile. "Well, here's the bike. You wanna take her for a ride?" He says and begins to turn it on. He hops on the bike and smoothly pulls it out of its parking spot. That doesn't look so hard. "Here ya go." He says, hopping off. I jump on the bike and begin to go forward. Slowly. I go forward in quick spurts, and then get scared and slow down. I circle the parking garage and make it back to where Nick is standing.

He just laughs. "Here, let me take you for a ride." He says. I scoot back as he jumps on the bike. "You might want this." He says, as he hands me his helmet. I barely have time to buckle it under my chin as we shoot forward, out of the parking garage. My arms immediately go around his waist as I hold on for dear life. I can't help but notice how strong he feels as I hold on tighter to his stable body. I could get used to this. We speed down the street and even though I have my helmet on, I can feel the wind whipping my long brown hair around my shoulders. It feels so good. I begin to laugh and he smiles, picking up the speed. I wonder where he'll take me.

We ride around Provo, feeling free on the road. Just the two of us. The summer air rushing through us, the sun warming our skin. We finally end up back at the parking garage. I don't want this to be over.

I step off the back of the bike and pull off my helmet, letting my long hair fall down. "Anna, I would only let this bike go to someone as cool as you. Plus, if you buy it, maybe I'll still get to see it." He says, taking my hands. We look at each other's eyes, and he pulls me in close.

AHEM.....

Okay, so maybe this was my imagination. Don't you ever take moments in your life and kind of imagine them as if they were a part of a movie? Well, I do. Afterwards I was laughing as I pictured this event in my head and then decided to spice it up a little bit. Who cares if it really happened that way? I can pretend I did. And that's almost more fun.

P.S. The real story involves a little more of my brother being present and asking a bunch of questions about the scooter to make sure his sister doesn't get ripped off. It also involves a little less muscle, and a little less smoothness. While I did ride on the back of Nick's scooter, it was a lot more awkward. He still sold me on it though. That much of the story is true.

But you're PRETTY!!!

2010-06-16T22:08:00.006-06:00

FOR ONE today was one of the craziest (and by craziest I mean worst and by worst I mean so many things went wrong) that I have had in a LONG TIME. SO I hope that means somethin GREAT is just around the corner. That's what I hear happens when everything is going wrong :)

ANYWAY sometimes this thing happens with my classes at the MTC where they find out I'm single. It's inevitable. And what is also inevitable with missionaries is that when they find our you're single, it somehow becomes their job to make sure you get married.

This brings us to Sister Ramirez. When the subject of my singleness comes up, she said, "Pero hermana eres bien bonita y buena y como es que no puedes encontrar un esposo??!! Por seguro hay muchos hombres en Utah!!!"

Right. I should probably translate that.

"But sister you are really pretty and good and how is it that you can't find a husband??!!! Surely there are a lot of men in Utah!!!"

It's true. Apparently all you need are good looks (check) and goodness ... and a supply of men... and you're set. If only it were that simple.

Maybe it is that simple.

Am I complicating things?

Hobbies, anyone?

2010-06-13T19:15:00.003-06:00

Soooo you know that little space that you fill out on your Facebook profile or whatever profile that says, "Hobbies"? This spot always stumps me. I mean what really counts as a hobby?

Normally the first thing that pops to my mind is ZUMBA.

Cooking.

Also this is the time I could start listing off my incredible athletic ability and how I love every sport ever known to man
wait no I don't soooooo guess I'm leaving this part blank. Only losers don't have hobbies, I mean right?

Can I still have hobbies if I don't love football and/or underwater basketweaving?

Anyway this post may only make sense to myself but THESE are some hobbies I plan to develop this summer/year. And not just to be able to put something in the "Hobby" portion of my profile, but to enrich my life.

1. PHOTOGRAPHY

2. CAKE DECORATING

3. TENNIS

4. READING... wait okay I ALREADY have this hobby for reals!

But I've gotten really good at just reading the books assigned to me as an English major and not actually reading for my own enjoyment. SO I guess I should alter #4-READING for my own enjoyment. I plan on starting with The Hunger Games.

This pleases me.

Stream of Consciousness

2010-05-30T18:56:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I think about my life and I think about how aLLLLLLLLLLLLLL my stinkin life I've had goals and known what I wanted to do and then I grow up and it's like wait I didn't really want that HOLD ON what do I even want and normally I'm okay until someone asks me what I want to be when I grow up.

How come I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up when I was 7, but I don't know any more?

I know I have to have patience and faith and stuff but oh man sometimes IT WOULD BE SO NICE to just get a glimpse like God tells me hey Anna okay here's how it's gonna go

This is when you will get married

This is who. He's really great, really.

This is what's gonna happen when you graduate.

And you're going to be really really happy

I guess that's the only thing I can count on. I DON'T KNOW what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna go out in the real world and meet people. I'm gonna experience life. And the one thing that's sure? I'm gonna be happy.

The Adventures of Texas Girl and Hippie Girl

2010-05-27T00:07:00.002-06:00

I need a new camera to photograph my cooking endeavors

2010-05-26T23:18:00.007-06:00

So I kind of experimented with a few recipes today to make White Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Whole Wheat Yogurt Cookies. I know... they sound amazing, right? They are. Maybe I should come up with a new name for the recipe.

Like amazingness.

Or yum yum yum yum yum.

White Chocolate Cranberry Whole Wheat Yogurt Cookies

(aka amazingness aka yum yum yum yum)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup Craisins
1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.
In a medium bowl, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Stir in yogurt and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until incorporated, then mix in white chocolate chips, Craisins, and walnuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges begin to brown. Cool for a minute on the cookie sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

You can add as few or as many white chocolate chips/walnuts/Craisins as you would like. I went for more because for me, more is better.

EnJOY!

I think they're somewhat healthy...

P.S. I took the picture with my camera phone. Imagine how good they would look with a REAL camera.

Real World and Anna Fantasy World (both constructed) COLLIDE!

2010-05-25T00:26:00.003-06:00

So... hippie girl is really growing on me. I mean like really. Today I went to the library to print off my paper before class and I saw her. She was sitting cross-legged on a bench with her hippie boyfriend and smiled and waved at me. But that's not why I like her the most...

We were in class today and the girl doing her presentation brought cookies (props for cookie girl. I gotta get more creative with these names). Anyway, she had a big bowl of them and was about to start passing them on our side of the room when Texas girl yelled out, "Start them over here!" We all moaned as the delicious looking cookies were stolen from our grasp. Hippie girl looked down and mumbled under her breath, "Texas girl strikes again."

I nearly fell out of my seat.

I looked at her and said, "Did you just call her 'Texas girl'?"

"Yeah, I can't remember her name," she said, and we chuckled together.

Only she didn't know why I was really chuckling.

Could my life get any awesomer?

OH Myyyyyyy LIFE!!!

2010-05-18T14:29:00.007-06:00

Oh man it has been so so so so so so farrrrrr too long since updating my blog! I need to make some kind of goal for writing in my blog. How does 3 times a week sound? I think I've been hanging around missionaries too long... but that's not a bad thing.

SO FIRST OFF I wanted to write because of my class. I'm taking an adolescent literature class and LOVE IT by the way but anyway one of the most amusing parts of our discussions is just listening to the opinions of different people in the class and I totally know that was a run on sentence thank you because sometimes they are just fun to write you know?

Wait.

Back UPPPP.

Don't all Mormons have the same opinions?

I mean, I know we differ a bit, like... Who's better? Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh? ... but in the end we all hate Obama, right?

WRONG my friends.

First scene:

"I might be a little more pro-choice than other people in the room, but I don't think this book was necessarily leaning one way or the other," says the girl sitting next to me. I might have ducked for cover after throwing out such a liberal alarm word, but she holds her ground. "It might have been a little harder for me if I had had an abortion myself, but I really think the author leaves the issue open. He's trying to get us to think about it and form our own opinions."

You go barefooted hippie girl who sits next to me and wears long dresses and doesn't wear make up and sits in her desk cross-legged and giggles to herself while reading books. You gotta hand it to her for doing homework DURING class. And for openly exposing her more liberal self in the middle of class. Even if it is a literature class.

Next scene:

Me walking out to the vending machine to get a snack. I hit the wrong button and get the wrong granola bar, so I'm already a little shooken up. Well, Texas girl comes up to me. I'm gonna call her Texas girl because she loves Texas. I mean, I LOVE Texas but this girl LOOOOOOO-OOOO-OOOO-OOOOOOOOOOOVES Texas. We've talked about it before, as you might have guessed.

"That discussion made me a little sad." says Texas girl. Uh oh. I see where this is going.

"Yeah there seem to be a lot of people with a lot of different opinions in our class, huh?" I say, trying to pick up the pace back to class and avoid a conversation I don't really want to get into.

"Mmmm-hmmmm. All I know is some of us in that class are going to heaven and some aren't" she says and sighs. I look at her to make sure... nope, she's not joking. "Well, I guess that's just one less spot I have to worry about beating out up there!"

Luckily we've made it back to class and I can slip into my seat without having to respond. I mean, how DO you respond graciously to a comment like that? That's my personal conviction. Respond graciously to everyone, even if I don't agree with them. Which I didn't. Not with hippie girl or Texas girl.

It's just not easy being a not-sure-how-much-I'm-conservative-and-how-much-I'm-liberal kind of a person. I see why people go to one side or the other. At least you get like half the nation to agree with you.

So, I'm trying to figure life out... a bit at a time. This might sound a bit Bob Marley or the Beatles-esque (which is ok) but what it all comes down to is LOVE. Texas girl might be crazy. I'm fairly certain she is. I'm not all that sure about hippie girl's sanity level either. But I can still love the HECK out of both of them. I think that's what Jesus wants us to do.

P.S. The book we read is Unwind by Neal Shusterman. I loved it and recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. Also, it's not nearly as controversial as it sounds from this post.

Wednesday

2010-04-28T21:04:00.003-06:00

Today was pretty chill.

I assisted a hygienist all day.

Also did some yoga... in a foreign country... in the rain. That's gotta be on my bucket list or something.

Also I got my dad to do yoga with me... that's definitely on my bucket list.

I did get to meet a girl who has already got her mission call to Provo! She was so excited when I introduced her to like tons of people who were from there. We are going to meet up in Provo.

It's going so fast! I don't want it to end.

Neekarrraguwa, Dia Dos

2010-04-24T21:31:00.002-06:00

Nicaragua es LO MEJOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (the best)

Let's break it down:

#1 - super hot tropical weather + 99.9999% humidity + broken A/C + lots of bodies crammed into one cultural hall = Priceless.

No really. I loved the crazy hot sweaty ness of it all. I really felt like I was in Nicaragua (I could have been anywhere working in an air-conditioned dental office but TODAY noooo. TODAY I was DEFINITELY in Nicaragua).

#2 - new friends.

My favorite today was the first boy we worked on. Erick. He was 11 but looked like he was about 7. He was super brave and had his little HLJ ring on. He and his mom told me he can't wait 8 years to be able to go on a mission, and his dream is to go to Salt Lake City (precious). Every time Dr. Oyuela would get out the needle Erick would grip the sides of the chair and just yell. Then his mom would start to tear up because she didn't want to see her baby hurt. I'm not sure who it was harder for. But, both of them were troopers and we made it through.

Dr. Oyuela. The dentist I assisted. He is a young Honduranian dentist who has helped out with every one of these trips. We really had a fun time together, talking about everything from salsa dancing to Disneyworld to reggaeton to comida centroamericana. I was grateful for his patience with my lack of experience in assisting. I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a crazy white girl, but in all fairness... I am. We are totally gonna be Facebook friends.

#3 - food. so much food. I have to say, I like Central American food. Rice and beans... pretty standard (but still oh so delicious). For breakfast I had some fried platanos, a tamal wrapped in a plantain wrapper, a plaintain, and like 5 fruits I did not recognize and still have no idea what they were. For dinner we had some more delicious Nicaraguan food, but the best part was the salsa. Rafa (aka Dr. Oyuela) taught me how to say what the salsa was, but I already forgot. Gonna have to ask him that again... but it was kind of like the Central American version of pico de gallo. And coconut flan. yum.

#4 - my bed. I am seriously so worn out today. We worked on patients from about 10am to 7pm... and today was a light day. Good thing tomorrow is a day of rest... and then it's gonna be crazy! I love it though... the people are so beautiful and they are just so grateful for what we are doing.

I could totally do this the rest of my life if some rich relative I don't know of would just appear and decide to sponsor me to go on a bajillion humanitarian trips. That's likely.

Nicaragua, Day 1

2010-04-24T00:02:00.002-06:00

So I have this goal to blog every day (because I didn't have room to bring my journal to Nicaragua).

I have a feeling it might be a little rough... especially if I'm this tired at the end of every day. It looks like that might be the case according to more experienced people I've talked to. But it will be a good kind of tired. A we-helped-a-hundred-and-fifty-people-get-their-dental-work-done-today kind of tired. I can handle that.

It's my first time being in another country (and I'm not counting Canada). Canada is totally cool and all. But we were speaking English. And I really could have been walking down the street in the good ol' U. S. of A.

But not Nicaragua my friends.

#1 - it is SUPER hot and humid. I love it (and the fact I'm sitting in an air conditioned hotel room doesn't hurt).

#2 - everything is in ESPANOL. I can talk to people in Spanish and they don't look at me weird. Okay, they do look at me weird because I'm a gringa, but it's nice to be the outsider.

#3 - it is poor. This is the sad part. Seriously... just driving down the street and looking in people's casas... they just don't have very much. And when we would stop at stoplights little kids--seriously like 5-8 years old--would come up to the windows asking for money. I've never seen anything like it in my life, and it breaks my heart! I want to just take all those kids home with me and love them and give them new shoes and braid their hair and sing them to sleep... you know? I feel like every little kid should have that.

Well, that is the update for today. I really spent most of the day on a plane and my bum hurt from sitting so much. Watching The Blind Side in Spanish was super entertaining though ("Beeg Mike").

ANnnnnd I don't have any photos. I couldn't find my camera before leaving, so I'm using my dad's. I've designated myself the trip photographer because I saw how many pictures he took last time (aka zero). There will be pictures... but they will be posted at a later date due to a lack of USB hook up.

Well, I'm tired and am going to bed.

Buenas Noches!

P.S. Here's a map of Nicaragua in case you were like me and don't know exactly where it is :)

AyAyAy!!!!!

2010-04-20T15:48:00.003-06:00

Oh man I love my new work out clothes so much that they get their own blog post. That is imppppressive. I'm not even sure Zumba itself has gotten its own blog post. Anyway, I have posted a picture of me in them. No, the picture does not do them justice. But I mean, they make me look good in this picture so imagine how good they make me look in REAL life. Just sayin.

Confessions of a Food Addict

2010-04-15T23:47:00.004-06:00

I'm afraid this post is going to have to be brutally honest.

#1-Sorry it's been so long. I don't know why I haven't written lately but right now is one of those times I just HAVE to blog. The words are like vomit and if I don't let them out they will just make me sick.

#2-I have a confession. I am an addict.

So, I gave up sugar way back in February... and it was only supposed to be for like 6 weeks. I've done it before. Not ever for that long, but it felt good. I mean, I was still eating fruit and stuff... but the straight up chocolate cake or triple fudge ice cream--forget it. That stuff always makes me miserable anyway.

So seriously. I didn't TOUCH sugar for 2 months! It was amazing. I was impressed with my own willpower.

MISTAKE: I did this little psychological trick where I would freeze stuff if it looked really good. Not like it would actually taste good after being frozen (for example... cinnamon roll? Not so good frost-bitten.) I also saved candy from Easter and Valentine's Day.

Well, tonight it happened. I think all that crap was hidden somewhere in my subconscious, and my subconscious let loose

The stress did it

Finals + taxes + fixing my car + finding money for rental deposits + figuring out graduation + accepting 20 extra hours at work + figuring out what the H to do AFTER graduation + running... always running from one thing to another = WHERE IS THE CHOCOLATE??!!!???!!

I found it. I ate.... way too much of it. I don't only feel like vomiting words but I actually really, really feel like vomiting. I considered making myself do it, but I really hate vomiting and am kind of opposed to that whole making yourself throw up thing.

Then I realized... I really am addicted. It was as if I was a smoker who had given up cigarettes for two months and then went CRAZY and went out and bought 5 cartons and smoked them in one night.

So I did what anyone who REALLY wants to quit (and I mean it. I want to quit junk food) and I decided to throw it all out. That's right. I rounded it all up--perfectly good chocolate kisses. Reese's peanut butter cup. Frozen truffles and chocolate covered strawberries. It was... really hard. At first. BUT then it was ssoooooo good. Seriously.

Now there aren't any calorie-ridden cadbury eggs lurking in my subconscious waiting to exploit my weakness when I get overwhelmed. I will want them. But I won't be able to eat them because they are DESTROYED. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

well

This is probably one of the most intense (or crazy) posts I've ever written. I feel better now.

except for that whole needing to vomit thing.

Sharing the Love

2010-02-24T12:06:00.007-07:00

Yesterday we had the opportunity to hear from Cardinal Francis George of the Catholic church. It was an awesome experience! He is truly a good man with the same desires and hopes for our nation that a lot of members of my faith (the LDS Church) share. It is wonderful that these two faiths, which have not always been so friendly, can get together and work together on issues that are so important right now. Together we can fight to defend the family from the forces that threaten this fundamental unit of society.

We are not a society of individuals, but a society of families.

May fellow Christians not be passive or afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and work hand-in-hand with each other, rather than against each other.

This is the letter that we got from our Academic Vice President after the forum:

Dear Friends,

After Tuesday’s Forum Cardinal George expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception he received from BYU. He was impressed by the attendance, by your apparent interest in the topic, and by the courtesy you extended a religious leader from another faith. He asked us if we truly appreciate how remarkable you are. We do! I want to thank you for your attendance at this event. I hope and trust that you were enriched by your participation in the Forum.

Thank you!

John Tanner
Academic Vice President

El Proyecto

2010-02-22T22:43:00.003-07:00

Okay, so I decided to make a whole new blog for my Mexican food experience. I figured it might dominate my personal blog... so CLICK HERE to go to it!

I'm going to try and make it interesting, so you will still want to keep up :)

Love,

Anna

COMIDA MEXICANA!!!!!!

2010-02-20T14:46:00.008-07:00

Okay, so I have a new goal.

One of my favoritest goals I've ever had on my life and you are soon to find out why.

I am going to try and eat at EVERY Mexican food place in Provo. And yes, I'm blogging it. There will be beans. There will be rice. There will be pictures. There will be SALSA. Excited yet?

I'm going to start as if I hadn't eaten at a single Mexican restaurant in Provo. Here is my list:

El Azteca
Bajio
Cafe Del Sol
Cafe Rio
Casa Maya Taqueria y Grill
That one place on state street that I can't remember what it's called but it starts with a "C"
Chunga's
Costa Vida
Del Taco (Yes, it counts)
Diego's
El Gallo Giro
Grill Mex
Los Hermanos
Jacinto's
Joe Vera's
Lenito's
Mexsal
Ozz (it now has Mexican food...)
El Pastorero
Qdoba
Rancherito's
Rosa's Restaurant
Rubio's
Taco Bell
Taco-n-tent
Taco Riendo
Tacos y Mariscos Guanajuato
Las Tarascas
The taqueria on state street at the gas station

...and that's my list so far. I'm keeping my eye out for those little hidden restaurants, so this list could grow. Man this is going to be fun.

Life Plans

2010-02-17T14:14:00.004-07:00

So... what are my life plans?

I've always been a planner. Goal-setter. I've always been ambitious. I'm not trying to braaaag or anything... it's just always been me. I've never been one to wander aimlessly not knowing what I'm going to do in life.

1. Go to college.
2. Become a doctor.
3. Go on a mission.
4. Get married 6 months later.
5. Have 5 kids (maybe more, also adopt some).
6. Be an awesome mom/wife (not to mention good cook).
7. Be successful, live in a comfortable home, have a happy family.
8. Promote world peace.
9. Go on as many more missions as I can.
10. Die.
11. Celestial Kingdom.

It seems like a great plan. So, you might ask, where am I on that life plan? Well, I've almost got the first one checked off. Second one I realized was not for me... we won't even talk about 4 or 5... #3 I can check off! Yay! OKAY, so I've got one of those done. Hallelujah!

I know now, thankfully, I can't plan my life. Do I still try to? Yes. Are there some things I can plan? Yes. Are there some things I most definitely can't plan? YES! Am I okay with that? Sometimes. But I'm learning. There are things that I really want right now. Okay, fine. But there are so many things I have right now that make me so happy. I LOVE school. I LOVE my job. I LOVE my friends.

I don't want to get so caught up in planning or waiting for what's next that I forget what's happening today. I love that I just got my butt kicked on a Shakespeare exam. I've got one time in my life that I get to experience that. Now. I love that I'm running on caffeine because I didn't get hardly any sleep last night. Not sure if I should count on that never happening again... but still. I live once. I'm going to enjoy it.

I don't know exactly what's going to happen.

If you ask me, I'll probably tell you that.

If you ask me why, I won't.

I don't know.

But I love my life.

PCR (No, not Polymerase Chain Reaction)

2010-02-03T07:47:00.006-07:00

I had to define a slang word for one of my classes that is used particularly among a specific group, and so I picked on my missionaries. This was actually a really fun assignment, so I share it with y'all.

PCR: An acronym that stands for "Pop Culture Reference" (though it may stand for "Polymerase Chain Reaction" among biologists). LDS missionaries in the Provo Missionary Training Center use this acronym when identifying allusions to any type of popular culture--movies, music, TV shows, etc. The reason it may have become popular among this group is that they are young men training to become servants of the Lord, with their focus completely shifting from things of the world. During the transition, it becomes necessary to identify when one dabbles back in the things of the world.

This term may be used in several different ways. For one, it may be used as a corrective measure from one missionary to another, i.e., "Elder Smith, you need to stop dropping PCR's, at least in front of the teacher" (said following a recognizable quote from a popular film). Some may even use the term to self-correct, "I made a goal to stop using so many PCR's because it's distracting me from my purpose." It may also be used in exclusion of certain groups of missionaries, as some see a lack of knowledge of PCR's as equivocating social awkwardness:

Elder Johnson: "That was a sweet PCR Elder Smith!"
Elder Anderson: "I didn't even realize that was a PCR."
Elder Johnson: "Did you live in a hole before you got here?"

Though this term is generally used and understood among this group, newcomers are often confused by its use. Its use marks one as having spent sufficient time in the Missionary Training Center to understand the meaning. Some outsiders are also often confused by its use, especially when they don't understand why it would be such a big deal to use a PCR. It is a very useful term among missionaries, however, in that it helps them recognize when they are being secular rather than spiritual.

Doppleganger Week

2010-02-01T08:08:00.005-07:00

Doppleganger: German for twin.

That's why it's so crazy with the celebrity thing this week! Glad I understand. I thought the world was going crazy. Oh, Facebook.

My Celebrity Look-Alikes

2010-01-31T23:08:00.012-07:00

So... I know these Celebrity look-alike generator thingys are really just to make people feel better about themselves by saying "Wow look how much I look like this really hot movie star" OR even better having someone else say "Oh you are so much prettier than them" ... but I did it anyway.

At least I'm honest, eh?

Here were my results:

1. Jennifer Love Hewitt (the only one I'm proud of)

2. Gackt (Okay I lied. I'm proud of this one too. He's very pretty)

3. Katharine Hepburn (Not my favorite Hepburn... but will do)

4. Roy Dupuis (I know, uncanny, isn't it???)

5. Clara Bow (Kind of creepy.. but I think we have the same headband)

6. Amy Weber (apparently she's some kind of WWE Diva... haha... yeah, right)

Lesson learned? There is fun to be had and time to be wasted on these fairly inaccurate celebrity matching websites. Also: I'm just happy to be pretty little me.

Raw

2010-01-30T16:19:00.003-07:00

So, Alexander and I were having fun typing back and forth on my computer the other night and I was reading it again and thought some of the parts were quite entertaining... some clips:

Happy Birthday Alexander! In... like 17 days you will be DUH DUH DUHHHNNNNNN
23!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what is so special about 23?
You are a year closer to being as cool as me.
rude.
sometimes you are borderline mean.
At least it's only borderline.
Jesus Christ said---you are either hot or cold, but if you are luke warm, aka borderline, He will spew you out of His mouth!
Harsh bro
The guilty take the truth to be hard.
Satan quotes scripture.
Satan doesn't use real scipture.
Scipture? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that word. Yeah he does... just out of context
Ya, not real scripture.

. . .

Jesus is awesome.
That is using the word correctly actually.
really?
how do you use it incorrectly?
My shorts are awesome.
so you have to use it with a person?
Well it comes from the word "awe" so it has to be something like REALLY worthy of awe, you know?
where'd you learn that?
I'm an English major. I like words
so does jason mraz.
he has a song about words.
and rhyming words and reading pages and pages and pages of more words, more words than i have ever heard.

. . .

haha, who ever made up the sound of a laugh?
haha
Babies do it. I think it's just natural. Or maybe they copy people when they hear it.
ya i think its natural too.
so
So. I have to leave in 8 minutes. I almost forgot about that whole curfew thing.
ya and that whole getting booted thing
twitch.
right at 12
like exactly.
Lame! I suppose I should get going then. Thanks for reminding me. And the espagueti.
thanks for being here
and for cutting the veggies.
they were delish.
thanks for being in my life.
thanks for living.
YOU CAN THank my mom for that one
you used to only be a zygote.
It's true. I've grown so much. I owe her a lot.
whats up with excluding your dad?
It's true, he is a vital part of me living also.
not only vital
essential
integral
necessary
impokokokokok
important
ok
i get it
and then there was none
Not sure what that's supposed to mean
its a book

Why we love MLK (ending hatred one thinker at a time)

2010-01-18T22:54:00.005-07:00

FREEDOM

"Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-incurred immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one's own understanding without the guidance of another. This immaturity is self-incurred if its cause is not lack of understanding, but lack of resolution and courage to use it without the guidance of another. The motto of enlightenment is therefore: Sapere aude! Have courage to use your own understanding!" (Kant)

I remember listening to a talk that President Monson gave at BYU last year. He told us that we needed to become THINKERS. He said there weren't enough thinkers in the world... and I've been thinking about it ever since.

"Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think." (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Who or what do we allow to do our thinking for us? Our political leaders? The news? Our friends?

"It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance." (D&C 131:6)

Was Martin Luther King, Jr. perfect? No. But what made him stand out? He was a thinker. He thought about the world around him. He thought about the injustice he saw. He thought about it until he realized nothing would change unless people would act.

"Be the change you want to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)

There is a lot of good in the world. There is a lot of hope. There are a lot of good people in the world. We must continue to be good, but not only that. We must act. We have to defend those things, those values that are priceless to us. Our families. Our religion. Our freedom.

"The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict." (MLK)

I don't want to be neutral.

Sparknotes

2010-01-05T16:16:00.002-07:00

Does anyone else think it's blasphemous to advertise Shakespeare in "modern English?"

I think William would agree.

WWWSD?

Dream of Cali-chastity

2009-12-07T21:11:00.013-07:00

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sometimes your friends invite you to go to California and you say yes (P.S. who would say no to that? I wouldn't.)

Luckily, 8 of us said yes... and we had a blast. This is our story:

1. Day 1(ish) Highlights:
-8 hour car drive. A bit scrunched, but not too shabby. Scary stories were told, chocolate raisins were spilled, and gangsta music was played.

-Woke up at our leisure... DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES courtesy of Stephanie Morgan (lovely, really).

-Home videos. Some people say it's boring to watch other people's home videos... but that was sooo not the case this time. For one, Alexander Morgan and cousin dancing to "You're the One That I Want"=CLASSIC. Oh so fun. I even watched it twice and was just as amused the second time. Also, Alex's amazing gymnastic skillz don't get old... and let's just say I wouldn't want to meet Connor Morgan in a dark alley. Or a wrestling ring.

-MISSIONARIES!!!!!!!!! So, we found out that one of our group went to High School with one of the Elders who was teaching Shane who is the guy who is friends with Connor who was the one getting baptized this weekend which is the reason we went to California (did you get that?!). We all got to sit in on an AMAZING missionary lesson, given by Shane, and enjoy the Spirit of the Lord in great abundance. Seriously, I can't think of any other way to put it. Shane=amazing, and we were all very blessed to get to meet him and participate in his covenant-making this weekend.

-Carson (age: 2 years) learning how to edit Black Eyed Peas from his mama (BEEEP!)

-Getting to know you games with the fam. I'm sticking with "the fam" because that's how it felt. Also, I didn't participate, but some of our group had near death experience with a train tunnel. Let's just say... if you're in a tunnel shooting fireworks and a train comes, you might not be forgetting that experience soon.

2. Day 2 Highlights:
-BAPTISM!!!!! Baptisms are so fun. And this one was seriously PACKED!!! Connor did a great job baptizing (didn't even have to dunk more than once) and Shane shared an awesome testimony. And by shared I mean he volunteered to get up and share his testimony. That's right. He's that cool.

-Gymnastics lessons with Coach Alex

-BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. Connor turned the big 1-9 and we celebrated with style. And pizza. And cake. And good company. And adverbs. And he may or may not have been wearing a blue bow tie at some point.

3. Day 3 Highlights:
-Shane got his gift!!! That is, the gift of the Holy Ghost. Man, that boy was ready for it and he is going to do amazing things with it. Also, bore his testimony again. Did I say he was amazing yet?

-Okay, does HIGHLIGHT have to mean good? Because from this point on it may start going a little downhill... with a 16 hour car drive. Oh man. Still recovering (I should actually probably be sleeping right now instead of writing, but ya know...) Best part of the car ride? When Megan REALLY REALLY REALLY had to go to the bathroom and we gave her two options (we were stuck in snowy traffic... not just cruel): A bottle, or the side of the road. We convinced her the side of the road would be the best... and I will admit that those of us in the car watching Crystal and Jillann hold up the modesty blankets were cracking up. I didn't feel too bad about it however when Megan asked us to take a picture. We did make it home safe, though we were pretty tired of that car by the time we got to Provo.

P.S. Let's just say... the trip was HECKA amazing!!! (And yes, that will be the last time I use that word, so enjoy it.)

Idealism

2009-11-01T07:00:00.002-07:00

Here are some great quotes about writing/imagination I've picked up:

"Every word written is a victory against death." -Michael Butor

"The world is but a canvas to the imagination." -Henry David Thoreau

"There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds." -G.K. Chesterton

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." -Edgar Allan Poe, Eleonora

"Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures." -Jessamyn West

"I believe in the imagination. What I cannot see is infinitely more important than what I can see." -Duane Michals, Real Dreams

"All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers." -Orison Swett Marden

"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." -George S. Patton

"Some stories are true that never happened." -Elie Wiesel

"The man who has no imagination has no wings." -Muhammad Ali

"They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea." -Francis Bacon

"Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young." -Paul McCartney

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." -Henry David Thoreau

Party in the USA

2009-10-26T21:59:00.004-06:00

Liel and I were watching this video and it was the gr8est.

Click here! Click here!

The Flu (No, not of the swine variety).

2009-10-21T13:40:00.004-06:00

So, having the flu is fun. I forgot. Getting sick makes me realize some things about myself.

#1-My Protestant work ethic. Yes, I did still go to class on Monday despite waking up at 4:00 am with a splitting headache, a torturous motion-sickness filled 2 hour flight from San Diego to Salt Lake, nearly passing out several times both in the airport and on my way to class, and an admonition from the University to stay home if we were showing any signs of the flu. Not that it did me any good. I think I got 27.543% of what was said in class. I did, in fact, during that painful flight, finish my reader report which was due in class (not my best work, aka, total crap), and pick up my take-home midterm from my other class (and finished it on time again today-more crap).

#2-I like eating! Nothing like a good bout of nausea every time you take a bite of anything to make you long for the days when you could look at a big juicy hot dog without wanting to run the other way and hurl. Funny thing though... I don't always give it up. I figure out what I can keep down and eat a lot of it. Needless to say, I've had my share of Sprite and toast the last few days.

#3-I'm kind of a baby. I was reading this story about a lady with chronic pain who said when she cries it's not because of the pain but because there's no visible end in sight. Well, I'm not sure that's why I cry when I'm sick (it may in fact have to do with #2), but I tend to get a lot more whiny/helpless when I'm sick. I'd like to think it's something everyone does, and maybe it's just the fact that my mom was here. Although, instead of feeding me soup and rubbing my head she had me moving furniture. "It will be good for you." She said. Yep. Dr. Mom.

#4-I'm not invincible. I swear, every time people around me are getting sick I just think to myself "Wow, good thing I have such an amazing immune system" and then WHAM! I'm laying in bed wondering what happened to all those white blood cells. It seems the flu is hardly ever a respecter of persons (or deadlines for that matter!)

Well, I hope to get better in a few days. In the meantime, I'm gonna pick me up one of these:

BEST INVENTION EVER!!!!!

Go ahead. Judge me.

2009-10-14T23:24:00.002-06:00

So... being at BYU is fun. Let me give a few examples why.

I'm in a creative writing class. Yay! Anyway, we had a discussion today about the genre "Creative Non-Fiction." The last 3 weeks we have been reading, writing, and studying this genre. Apparently this week there was a discussion over Blackboard about whether the scriptures count as creative non-fiction. Evidence #1 why being at BYU is fun.

Evidence #2: The arguments for both sides.
ANTI: The scriptures have great value, but not necessarily in a literary sense.
PRO: The Book of Mormon has lots of good stories! And they're true!
ANTI: Nephi isn't the greatest author ever.
PRO: Yes he is!

What really gets me is one of the ANTI girls. Her argument was "Nephi isn't the greatest author ever" prefaced by "I read the scriptures, I have a testimony, I'm worthy to go to the temple..." Whoa. Why don't you just show me your temple recommend before giving your opinion? I don't know why some people are so scared of being judged.

And later she apologized again. "Now everyone is going to hate me and know me as the girl who hates Nephi." I assured her they wouldn't, but she insisted. NO really.... I don't think anyone's going to care. But I guess she just wants to be the Nephi-hating girl. There has to be one in every class.

Evidence #3: I love how it feels so naughty when we talk about things like (sex) or (feminism) in class.

Life is Short

2009-09-30T20:11:00.004-06:00

So today I had this thought. I mean, a lot of people say life is short.... but it REALLY is. I mean, I've almost lived a quarter of a century, and it feels like nothing. Just a few more rounds of that and I'm out of here.

And the other day I was thinking about dying. What if it really hurts? There are only a few ways to die that don't hurt. I guess I don't think about it much, because it doesn't seem close. But it could really happen any day. It's amazing how little separates us from death sometimes.

I don't know what brought on these thoughts of my own mortality. Maybe that's what happens when you get older. Not saying I'm old... but I'm not getting any younger :)

Good hair day

2009-09-30T20:10:00.000-06:00

Buddhism

2009-09-18T14:28:00.000-06:00

So, the more I read my last post, the more vain it sounds. Especially the two pictures... Hahaha. I couldn't help myself.

So, as I was walking home today, I had a random thought and wanted to share it. To preface, if you have known me over the past year... you know that I become obsessed with random things. The environment. Zumba. Oh yeah, and pretty much every religion known to man. I love them ALLLLLLL. I used to come home from my world religions class saying "I want to be Hindu." Next day, "I want to be Muslim." Next day, "I want to be Jewish." (You get the picture.)*

So, today, I was Buddhist. One of the central concepts of Buddhism is that of "mindfulness" which Wikipedia teaches us is "calm awareness of one's body functions, feelings, content of consciousness, or consciousness." Our teacher explained it to us as just being aware of what you're doing. Like the opposite of when you're walking across campus and you're so focused on going to class that you don't even remember crossing the quad in front of the JFSB. So, once in a while I have these moments where I just stop, and focus on every footstep, and try to be actually mindful of what I'm doing-in the moment, I suppose. And it was glorious. Do you know how beautiful the mountains look when the leaves are starting to turn red and orange? And also the trees that hang lazily over the sidewalk, offering shade to unacknowledging passersby... Yum. Life is delicious.

So, everyone should have a Buddhist moment. At least once a day, I prescribe.

*First of all, I love asterisks. I mean, just look at the name. Secondly... it should also be noted that I am completely 100% happy and content with my beliefs. That doesn't mean that I don't have a lot to learn from others!

Nothing like a little boost of confidence

2009-09-16T20:04:00.000-06:00

Okay, today was a self-esteem booster for 2 reasons.

1. A girl in my creative writing class asked me if anyone ever told me I looked like Giselle from Enchanted. I said no, but that it was my new favorite compliment. I may project that image as I feel like my childhood fantasy is to become every Disney princess in one... and Giselle is just that... but I'm not sure we REALLY look alike. That's okay, it still made my day.

2. THEY LIKED MY POEMS! THEY ACTUALLY LIKED MY POEMS! Last week I left a little depressed because we only got to read one poem and no one really liked mine (including me, but then again I'm pretty harsh on all of them). This week though, my group seriously loved my poems. They are posted at my new blog specifically for my writing (it's invite-only, so let me know if you want to be invited). Anyway, it made me have some more confidence in my writing poems... even though it's not particularly my favorite genre, at least I know I'm not completely incompetent.

More Cheese Pleese*

2009-09-14T17:03:00.000-06:00

"Matthew!" I called across the grass as I saw a familiar freshman face pass. He turned to look at me and displayed a flash of recognition.

"New Student Orientation, right?" he commented as he visibly rummaged through his memory bank. "That's cool that you remember my name."

We went on to discuss classes, his new ward, his social life, etc. I was glad to hear that there were no mental breakdowns (yet) and he seemed to be adjusting quite well to his situation. Fulfilling my duties as a responsible Y-Group leader (aka one of the leaders that helped out with the freshmen during New Student Orientation), I offered him some of my college advice. I mean, I am a wise and experienced Senior... so I can't keep it all to myself.

"Balance is the key. A social life is important, but you have to make time for studying." (Though I admit, when I was a freshman... I might have needed the opposite advice.)

Then he expressed to me his concern, as he feels like he is leaning towards medical school, but really doesn't want to be in school forever. I then gave him some borrowed advice (from one of the general authorities... I'm not sure which, but maybe Elder Oaks or Elder Nelson?):

"In 10 years, you're going to be doing something. You can be working a job you don't like, or going to school to do something you love. A few years won't make a difference."

He liked that, and heck, I felt good about myself. #1 because I've learned these things the hard way and was able to share from experience, and #2 he seriously seemed to contemplate them. Borrowing from my good friend Alex Morgan, "Just make one person's day better."

That is my new goal in life. At least one person a day. It was such a simple experience, but I was just feeling really good after it. Sometimes I feel like a pretty small fish in a big pond at BYU, but even one person can make a difference. Hurray for life. Now I think I'll go eat rainbows and dance on marshmallow clouds.

*I would like to acknowledge the fact that I purposefully spelled "please" incorrectly. It almost hurt me to do it, but I thought it looked more catchy. Wuldn't wahnt anywun theenking I doen't noe how too spelle.

Writing

2009-09-02T20:05:00.000-06:00

No one ever said that chasing your dreams was easy. Maybe if it were, it wouldn't be so fun.

I was introduced by my lovely neighbor today as an avid writer/reader who had traded in her scalpel for a pencil. Wow, did my creative writing professor have a field day with that one.

"So, you will have funding coming from independent sources in order to support you in your writing?"

"No."

"Do you expect to make money as a writer?"

"No. Well, at least not at first."

"Good. I like optimistic people."

Thus begins my career. I don't mind, because I'm the kind of person where that kind of fuel just feeds the fire. Tell me I can't do it more. Tell me. Great. Tell me I'm crazy. Ridiculous. Even better.

Our first assignment is to write four poems. While walking home I already had like a billion ideas running through my head, so I'll begin sharing some of those poems as I finish them.

It's going to be a great semester.

Our Angelita

2009-08-18T20:43:00.000-06:00

Phoenix: a mythical bird of great beauty fabled to live 500 or 600 years in the Arabian wilderness, to burn itself on a funeral pyre, and to rise from its ashes in the freshness of youth and live through another cycle of years: often an emblem of immortality or of reborn idealism or hope.

I can't pretend that finding out Audrey was coming into the world wasn't one of the most painful and difficult things that has happened to my family. I can say that during that time we definitely went through hell and back; and a WHOLE lot of humiliation (as in, the process of being humbled). There was not a member of our family that was spared some heartache. It felt like a mourning process--a kind of funeral service for hopes and dreams. There were some deep wounds that I wondered if would ever be healed.

But a miracle has truly transpired. Who would have known that after all that, we would be sent a beautiful angel? I am seriously weeping as I write this, because she is the most perfect angel I have ever seen. A touch of her tiny finger has healed rifts that were, to all appearances, beyond repair. The thread of love has begun to mend the tattered edges of our hope. In her was born a new life... not just her own, but for our family. And I can already tell she will be an integral part of it.

Thank you, Audrey.

Proud Tia

2009-08-06T21:19:00.000-06:00

Presenting my beautiful new niece, Audrey Ann!

Defining Me.

2009-08-03T15:24:00.001-06:00

This is somewhat of a continuation of my "Acceptance" post.

So, for the 3 weeks that I've worked in the Referral Center... it seems like each week has had its own "theme"... people that get on with the same kinds of questions.

The first week, I had a lot of people come on with questions about the Church's stance on homosexuality. Since I was sending the article to everyone, I decided it might be a good idea for me to go ahead and read it. REALLY good article for those of you who have not read it, by the way...

Anyway, there was a statement by Elder Oaks that really stood out to me... and has been on my mind for a while.

"We have the agency to choose which characteristics will define us; those choices are not thrust upon us."

Seriously, what a profound statement. We live in a world that is so quick to define people... The dumb kid, the smart kid, the athletic kid, the fat kid, the weird kid... But ultimately, it is ME who gets to choose who I AM.

It's definitely important to take a step back and see what it is that we are letting define us... And also how we are defining others. Who am I to put someone else in a box? Or myself? It reminds me of an invitation from Sister Thurston (my mission president's wife) to live life without limits.

My goal: LIVE LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS. Also, be FEARLESS!!!

MTC

2009-07-30T01:38:00.000-06:00

My mind is still reeling from work tonight. I LOVE MY JOB!!!

Reasons?

1. There are two missionaries (SPANISH) going to Fort Worth on the floor that I work on... and I get to go say hi to them every time I get to work. They love me, I love them... and I've got them so pumped up for Texas. We even got a picture together to show President Thurston. He will eat that up. We also figured out that I will be the sister's great-grandmother.

2. There are people that come to that chat to talk to me. YES! I am there for a reason.. and there are people that I just connect with... right away. It's so amazing being a missionary again.

3. I love the people I work with. They're all so good... and so fun. We're pretty good at keeping each other awake.

4. It keeps me on my toes. It's been a while since I've had to answer some of those hard questions!

5. I remember what's most important.

6. I get to share what I know and LOVE with the whole world!

7. Tengo mas oportunidades para hablar en español...

Those are just a few I can think of tonight. Looks like I'm getting really into lists... Liel warned me about this...

Acceptance

2009-07-27T00:55:00.000-06:00

So, sometimes I get these ideas and I can't sleep until I get them written down... tonight is one of those nights. I'd like to think it's the mark of a writer, but it could be that I'm just ADD.

I was just thinking about this complex everyone has about being "accepted." I mean, it seems like that's the main goal, right? No one wants to be the odd one out, or heaven forbid... Different. Even though I probably always pretended not to care, I'm sure it has always been a desire of mine (though not always a realization).

But the only person that really has to accept me is me. (Actually, that's not true, because I also need to be accepted by God, but that's in a different way and for a different blog post..)

At the same time, I can't just say "This is who I am, and I can't change." I limit myself when I do that. Why put myself in a box?

So I was thinking about some things I've just accepted about myself. Not saying I couldn't change them if I wanted... but this is me. I've accepted it!

1. I have freckles. I remember as a child one of my great-aunts asking me if I had tried to wash them off... I hadn't. And I didn't. I love them. Maybe it's because I had another great-aunt tell me they were angel kisses (I liked her better anyway).

2. I'm not a size 2. I'm over it.

3. I'm not exactly what you would call a "natural athlete..." I do, however, have a gift for getting hit in the head with soccer balls.

4. I like to read. Given the choice to read or getting hit in the head by one of those soccer balls... I will choose the former. Every time.

5. In reference to number 4... I'm a nerd. Accepted.

6. In reference to number 5... I have a dream of someday attending Hogwarts.

7. I really like being on time (even to the point of neurotic at times). I think this trend switches every other generation... My grandpa is a Nazi about being on time... and my mom is pretty much the opposite. Hence, it's my turn to get those punctual urges.

8. I'm average height... well, more like short. Pluses? I can pretty much always get away with high heels. All boys are tall to me. I never have to worry about my pants being too short.

9. I'm a lover. Not a fighter.

10. I guess 10 is a good round number... I'm pretty dang good at making awkward situations. And let's face it... I love them. (It's like the chicken and the egg... do I love them because I make them so often, or do I make them so often because I love them?)

And that's me.

Angels

2009-07-22T23:30:00.000-06:00

So, awesome night tonight at the RC. I was chatting tonight with this really cool guy who is going through a rough time. I will call him "Jim" for privacy's sake. We chatted last night also, and he is just really neat because he wants to learn all he can about everything.

Funny parts first.

Funny part #1-He tells me that he cannot keep secrets, or, in other words, he cannot lie. So he always tells the truth (and I honestly believe him about that one). So, when he tells me he will go to church every Sunday, it's true! I also get to have him call me out when I tell him he read one my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon ("You would have said that about any of them...")

Funny part #2-So, yesterday, I taught him a little about baptism. I taught him that part of baptism is that we cover our whole bodies in water. So, today, I guess he was feeling a little sick. He told me he got in his tub, and covered his body completely in water, so he would have God with him. Yes, he tried to baptize himself. Or something like that.

On a more serious note...

Well, he is Hindu, but tonight I was teaching him about Jesus Christ. As I was teaching him that Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins, because of his love for us, and Jim told me that he was crying. I asked him if he believed that Jesus Christ was real, and he said yes. It was the most amazing feeling ever. And then, on top of that, Jim asked me at the end of our conversation why God sends angels to the earth. I told him there were various reasons, including to instruct people, or to warn them. At that point he told me, "You are an angel for me too." Wow. Haven't gotten that one in a while :) Just thought I'd share the moment that made my life tonight.

Did I mention I have the best job ever?

Elder Maxwell & BY. They get it.

2009-07-18T01:55:00.000-06:00

"'Sometimes I think it quite strange that the children of men are so constituted as to need to be taught one lesson all the time, and again it is not so marvellous to me, when I reflect upon … the designed effect … of this state of probation. Men are organized to be independent in their sphere, … yet they have, as soldiers term it, to run the gauntlet all the time. They are organized to be just as independent as any being in eternity, but that independency … must be proved and tried while in this state of existence, must be operated upon by the good and the evil' (Brigham Young in Journal of Discourses, 3:316).

"So often in life a deserved blessing is quickly followed by a needed stretching. Spiritual exhilaration may be quickly followed by a vexation or temptation. Were it otherwise, extended spiritual reveries or immunities from adversity might induce in us a regrettable forgetfulness of others in deep need. The sharp, side-by-side contrast of the sweet and the bitter is essential until the very end of this brief, mortal experience. Meanwhile, even routine, daily life provides sufficient sandpaper to smooth our crustiness and polish our rough edges, if we are meek." -Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Enduring Well

Could I have a better job?

2009-07-16T18:32:00.001-06:00

The answer to that is: No.

Leaving

2009-07-13T16:28:00.000-06:00

So lately I've been thinking about the concept of "leaving." And not just leaving, but being left out, left behind, missing out, or just the concept of change in general. It's the whole "the grass is greener" or "you don't know what you have until you've lost it" mentality. It's quite the phenomenon, I think.

I'm pretty sure I tried to cherish every day of my mission. Granted, there were days that were more difficult than others. However, I knew the day would come that it would end and I knew that that would be a hard day. And I suppose that day came sooner than I thought it would. In fact, it came every time I had to leave an area. As soon as I would get that transfer call, I felt like everything was going on without me... that there were all these happenings that I helped to bring about, and that I wasn't going to get to be a part of them any more. It didn't matter if there was practically nothing going on; there was always something that I knew I would be left out of.

Seems that this is human nature! Looking back, I even felt that way graduating from high school! And heavens, I would not go back now for the world (though I would probably get that 4.0 I always wanted). Why? Because I've experienced better things. I was scared to leave, I thought I would miss out on things... but little did I know, there was so much more waiting for me on the other side.

And thus it is with my current situation. I have been working at a college advisement center for a year now. It's been a good job, but I've felt the need lately to move on. So I decided to apply at the Missionary Training Center (MTC), because it's been my dream, ever since I went there myself, to be an MTC teacher. And guess what? I got a job! I couldn't be more excited! However, then I started looking at my current job with this whole new perspective... (aka, how much I was going to be leaving behind). Then I had to stop myself! Of course there would be things I would be leaving behind... but amazing things are waiting for me at the MTC. It's time for growth. It's time for change.

Having fun with my Mac camera

2009-07-09T16:24:00.001-06:00

You might think... "Is she really that vain?"

No comment.

What Love Is

2009-07-07T13:54:00.000-06:00

Love is a certain inborn suffering derived from the sight of and excessive meditation upon the beauty of the opposite sex, which causes each one to wish above all things the embraces of the other and by common desire to carry out all of love's precepts in the other's embrace.

Thank you, Andreas Capellanus.

3 Poems that I like

2009-06-30T21:00:00.000-06:00

"Beber"
Gabriela Mistral

Recuerdo gestos de criaturas
y eran gestos de darme el agua.

En el valle de Río Blanco,
en donde nace el Aconcagua,
llegué a beber, salté a beber
en el fuete de una cascada,
que caía crinada y dura
y se rompía yerta y blanca.
Pegué mi boca al hervidero,
y me quemaba el agua santa,
y tres días sangró mi boca
de aquel sorbo del Aconcagua.

En el campo de Mitla, un día
de cigarras, de sol, de marcha,
me doblé a un pozo y vino un indio
a sostenerme sobre el agua,
y mi cabeza, como un fruto,
estaba dentro de sus palmas.
Bebía yo lo que bebía,
que era su cara con mi cara,
y en un relámpago yo supe
carne de Mitla ser mi casta.

En la Isla de Puerto Rico,
a la siesta de azul colmada,
mi cuerpo quieto, las olas locas,
y como cien madres las palmas,
rompió una niña por donaire
junto a mi boca un coco de agua,
y yo bebí, como una hija,
agua de madre, agua de palma.
Y más dulzura no he bebido
con el cuerpo ni con el alma.

A la casa de mis niñeces
mi madre me traía el agua.
Entre un sorbo y el otro sorbo
la veía sobre la jarra.
La cabeza más se subía
y la jarra más se abajaba.
Todavía yo tengo el valle,
tengo mi sed y su mirada.
Será esto la eternidad
que aún estamos como estábamos.

Recuerdo gestos de criaturas
y eran gestos de darme el agua.

(rough translation)

"love poem"
Linda Pastan

I want to write you
a love poem as headlong
as our creek
after thaw
when we stand
on its dangerous
banks and watch it carry
with it every twig
every dry leaf and branch
in its path
every scruple
when we see it
so swollen
with runoff
that even as we watch
we must grab
each other
and step back
we must grab each
other or
get our shoes
soaked we must
grab each other

"This Is Just To Say"
William Carlos Williams

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

Vegas, pt. 2

2009-06-17T16:47:00.000-06:00

Vegas was soooo much fun. For one, I hadn't seen Emily in like 2 1/2 years, so it was just neat to be able to hang out with her for a week! It was also really neat to see all the sites. I'm not sure which casino was my favorite, but I really liked the Venetian and the Bellagio.

The Venetian, mostly because of these guys

And the Bellagio because I got to go to Tiffany's for the first time (Audrey would be proud).

I also got to watch the sweet fountains at the Bellagio.

There was also Phantom of the Opera. Classic. Simply astounding.

And the random car that we saw in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Emily was laughing for hours about how crazy it was. I just kind of wanted to call the number. Haven't done it yet.

All in all, my Vegas trip was a success. The only thing that could make it better would be coming back married to a stranger or losing more than $1 gambling (yes, that was my gambling budget). I guess I'll just have to return!

Vegas, pt. 1

2009-06-16T23:22:00.000-06:00

Okay, so my Las Vegas trip merits more than one post. I will start by relaying my disaster day. And I will do it using lots of pictures. I love pictures. My disaster day was Friday. I told Emily that it was one of those days where it's just a test to see if you will be patient through everything. I believe I passed. So, here goes:

1. I woke up early to go with Emily to work. It started out well. We made it safely to her workplace, I met her co-workers, and she printed off a map of the strip for me, so I could explore a bit.

2. I started off on the strip. At first, I was a little nervous. I mean, the Las Vegas strip. Kind of scary, right? Not so much, it turns out. Though I did get to see a bum sleeping on the side of a bridge. It actually made me kind of sad.

3. I ate crepes. At a creperie. In Paris.

4. I know this isn't sounding that bad yet. Hindsight is 20/20.

5. I was getting kind of tired after walking around for a few hours, and decided to take a break and visit the Las Vegas temple. I've always wanted to go! I used Emily's little GPS guy and made it quite easily to the temple. And, I started getting cocky. This getting around Vegas thing isn't so hard after all!

6. So, I was still feeling a little tired after the temple, and decided to head back to Emily's house for a little rest and freshening up before our night out on the town. I got out the handy dandy GPS, and punched in her address, trusting that it would easily lead me to her house. Never trust in the arm of flesh! I made it to the general area of her house, after fighting through lots of Vegas traffic, and then I was lost. The GPS kept telling me to turn onto a street that didn't exist. And all the houses look alike, so I couldn't even tell where I was. I suppose I could have called Emily, but for some reason this didn't occur to me at the time. I drove around for about half an hour, until I finally found the original directions Emily gave me to get to her house and made it from there. Home at last (and thoroughly dehydrated, I might add. It's hot in Vegas!)

7. I pull into the garage, go to open the door and realize... it's locked. And I don't have a key. At this point I can get mad, or I can... go to Target. I choose the latter.

8. Two things I needed to do at Target: get refreshment and eye drops for my super dry contacts. Easy enough. And, I love target. If anything will soothe my nerves, it's shopping. So I spend some time perusing through the toiletries, and then on my way out I decide on a nice ice cold icee to drink on the way back to Vegas. I love the cherry icee, but, as fate would have it, it does not love me. I spilled it all over my white shirt. Why don't I learn not to wear white?

9. Okay, so, I have two options again. Get upset about going out to dinner looking like a ragamuffin, or buy a new shirt. Not a hard decision. I go back in to look for a new shirt, and they don't really have anything. So I end up buying a new dress. AND I found a $25 Target gift certificate in my purse. SCORE! I ended up buying matching earrings too.

10. I make it back to Vegas (barely) alive. The traffic on a Friday afternoon is not so friendly, and I nearly died several times. I got lost getting back to Emily's work too, but miraculously I made it back to the parking garage. And there I almost died again, as people were zooming around the corners trying to get out of there.

11. Needless to say, I was more than happy to sit back and let Emily take the wheel at that point. Moral of the story: If you don't get mad, you get a new dress.

I actually missed Provo

2009-06-10T21:49:00.000-06:00

I guess it's home for me now.

And I'm not sure how I managed to become a follower on my own blog. I can't remove myself, so I guess I'll just have to look vain.

More vacation posts to follow.

Forgetting

2009-06-01T10:10:00.001-06:00

So, this might be kind of a sad post, but I'm just in one of those moods. I suppose this has been building up for a while. Like, my whole life. Sometimes forgetting is good. In fact, I'm really grateful when I forget about those times I was picked on in elementary school, or how I used to wear stretchy pants with the little foot suspenders, or those times when I just felt completely and utterly alone. Forgetting is a very gracious act of nature.

However, there are some things I don't want to forget. Like the way my mom would help me get ready for my first day of school and give me a big kiss as I would walk out the door, or how fun it was to just be a kid and imagine that I could do anything (and not care about what pants I was wearing), or the times in my life when I have felt completely and utterly happy. Forgetting is painful.

Lately, I have been going through a very real transition of forgetting. I first started realizing it when I would start to speak Spanish, and I would get nervous and kind of tense as soon as I opened my mouth. Where did that come from? I haven't done that since I was a greenie in the mission field! So I started taking preventative measures, like speaking Spanish every time I get the chance. I'm still forgetting, however.

And then I was talking to Louis today on the phone. He's back in Chile after two long years, and has been doing a lot of remembering. In fact, I heard him speaking to one of his co-workers in Spanish, and he sounded like a genuine Chilean.

I started to get sad because I DON'T WANT TO FORGET! It's not just Spanish! It's an entire year and a half of my life that was the most difficult and amazing and eye-opening experience of my entire life, and I'm forgetting? I can't! I can't forget the names, the faces, the Spirit, the people, the love, the smells, the tears...

In the scriptures, the prophets are constantly exhorting us to remember. I suppose they have to remind us so often because we so often forget. So, remembering takes effort. I'm resolved to do so.

Mesa, AZ

2009-05-24T20:36:00.000-06:00

I guess I didn't know what I expected Mesa to be. Kind of deserty. Really hot. Well, it is kind of deserty, but more green than I expected. It is hot, but not as hot as it will be in a few months, I'm sure. I love the palm trees and the orange trees and the stucco houses with the clay roofs. And the fact that everyone has swimming pools. I told Carly that like one person in Mountain Home has a swimming pool. I guess I could get used to it here...

The Higginson's have been great too. I love it when you visit someone's home, and you just feel automatically comfortable. I feel that the Higginsons could be my second family.

Not too many stories this week. I can remember laughing a lot though... like when Mallory called said we were on "the road trip from hell" after missing about 5 turn off's before we actually were headed in the right direction... or this morning when Carly hung her bacon out of her mouth, put her hands up to her head giving herself moose antlers, and turned to Dave. That was great. Dave was so confused. Or when Dave told Carly she had a dusty old uterus. Good times.

That's it. I will think of you as I lay by the pool, sipping lemonade.

My Latin Lover

2009-05-16T10:50:00.001-06:00

"What are your plans for this weekend?"

"Let me check." I look at my agenda. "Nothing."

(Aside: For those of you who don't know, I actually have no life right now. As in, I have no job, no actual place to live, and no school. It makes scheduling quite easy and, in reality, nonexistent.)

Fast-forward to Friday night. The scene is a dark dance floor with a disco ball and colored lights. There are about five couples on the dance floor, including one of my home teachers. Small world. Anyway, then there's Liel and me on the sidelines. I've never actually been Latin dancing, so she's teaching me all the steps: bachata, merengue, cumbia, salsa, etc.

As the night progresses, the club slowly starts to fill up. Kira gave each of us a warning to stay away from the old creepy men, so Liel and I did our share of turning guys down. (Which actually made me feel horrible. It got better as the night went on.)

Then it happens. I look across the dance floor and see a tall, dark, handsome young man. Our eyes meet, and I begin to melt. I've never seen such beautiful eyes. We begin walking towards each other, and meet in the middle of the dance floor. He puts his arm firmly around my waist, and we begin to dance like there's no one in the room but us. We hold each other close and I giggle as he whispers sweet-nothings in my ear, in Spanish. The song ends, but we don't notice. We just keep dancing... I just don't want to let him go.

And reality sets in. There was no real Latin lover. I couldn't even write about my fake lover any longer because I was starting to gag a little bit. I haven't found him. Yet. There are still a lot of Fridays left. Who knows what could happen.

Overall, it was a really fun experience. I sweat a lot, moved my hips a lot (they were actually sore afterward)... but I have yet to get used to running into other people whilst dancing. It didn't seem to bother anyone else. Liel told me it bothers me because I'm American. That makes sense.

P.S. Louis, I know you changed my playlist.

I really do want to write something profound, honest.

2009-05-12T17:56:00.000-06:00

Haha, I'm just sitting here waiting for an idea to come about which I could write. I've had a few, but they're lame. It's kind of ironic - now that I actually have time to write in my blog, I have nothing to write about.

What I do lately is wake up, read, do some sort of exercise, read, get ready, make dinner, read, attend siblings' extracurricular activities, sleep, repeat. It's not too intellectually stimulating. Maybe it's because I've been reading the book "Body for Life: for Women." I've been thinking lately that I want to start lifting weights at the gym, but I have a fear of becoming this:

So I just usually end up going back to the elliptical, my trusty friend. Thus, this book's purpose is to help me get better workout ideas, without ending up looking like a female Arnold Schwarzenneger. Have I justified my reading of the book yet? If not, oh well. I'll start on Twilight next week (jk).

Lilacs. My mom and I were at Wal-Mart and these guys came up to her asking her where they could find lilacs. She told them they weren't to be found in a store, but that she could get some from my grandma's house for them if they'd like. So they exchanged numbers, in order to successfully coordinate the lilac delivery. Well, it turns out they got the lilacs on their own. I still hold that they were simply hitting on her (I mean, my mom is pretty hot), but she insists they weren't. It's funny, for the record. I'm waiting for her to get a text from one of them (any plans for tonight?).

Allergies. They stink. I have them. That's about it.

Well, sorry I couldn't come up with anything profound. That was just a journey inside the mind of Anna (a little ADD, I know). So that was worth it, eh?

My Family

2009-05-08T20:54:00.000-06:00

They are weird. I could stop at that sentence, but perhaps I'll continue to explain. Tonight was my lil bro's birthday party, so my mom decided to put on some music. I can't even remember what it was... something like my dad's jazz/pop music from the early 90's. Death. Anyway, I tried to look for something that wouldn't offend the kids' ears too much, and found some "top hits" CD including Sheryl Crow and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, which was the best I could find. However, my dad has a multiple-disc CD player, and after that CD we got into some 70's party music. Need I say more? Yes, my front room turned into a disco. "Hot Stuff" came on and my dad said "This is mom's theme song," to which I scoffed, but then turned to my mother and saw her nodding her head. Next thing I know they're in the middle of the floor gettin' down. As soon as I figure out how to download the video, it will be posted to the blog. Words alone just simply can't describe the scene that passed before me. And yes, I love them. I plan on doing the same thing to my kids.

My mom begged me not to do this... but I couldn't hep muhsef.

Curve Balls

2009-05-07T09:15:00.000-06:00

Lately I've had to come to a conclusion. For the most part, I think I expect my life to turn out as planned, or at least how I think it should go. I mean, I realize that there are some things you can't plan, but I'd like to think there are some things you can generally count on. Death and taxes, right? Is that really all I can count on? I realize that I can make a general plan, but I have to realize that the ball might not come straight down the middle, ya know? It seems to be I get thrown more curve balls than anything. And I feel like they keep hitting me in the stomach and knocking the breath out of me. It's actually an analogy I heard at Women's Conference (I don't usually come up with baseball analogies on my own). If you're not expecting curve balls, they will catch you off guard every time. However, if you're ready, you might actually be able to hit them and not end up with multiple injuries! So, what am I doing with my life? Being patient. It will all work out.

California Dreamin'

2009-05-03T10:54:00.001-06:00

Okay, this isn't actually a picture of a beach in California, but it looks really enticing. And I'm sure there are equally as enticing beaches in California too, right? Anyway, ever since planting the idea in my head of going to California, it keeps sounding more and more wonderful. I've been to California twice before, and loved it both times. Plus, I already know I love Kaci. And I know I love the SSUUUUNNNNNNNNNNN!!!! I'm going for sure. Even if I don't have a job. Woohoo! Update on plans to follow...