Dime-sized Documentary

Good Morning! And what a good marnin' it is, laddy! (Scottish accent, right there). I just got done swimming with the gals and eatin' a harty breakfast in the Cannon. Yumm. Mom, I should also thank you for dining plus.

It was a slap-happy birthday for Catherine yesterday who turned 24!! I took her to Gandolfo's and we toasted in her next year with sparking pear cider and I went to her house later that night for a par-tay with Lind-say. I also got to wrap my presents that I bought when I was out with Fern, for kids in Ecuador (sp?)-- it was our FHE activity.

My runs on the parkway are dwindling-- we had record lows here in Provo on Monday and the mountians are dusted with a thin layer of white. I have nothing but homework going on: I have to meet with a group today and tomorrow and I have presentations in almost every class. Cathereine informed me yesterday that there are only 7 more day of actual school left.
Unbelieveable.

My stake president said he was "surprised" to see gardening and reading among my hobbies. That comment inspired my next top ten list:

-All- time favorite winter activities:

• Full moon snowshoe hike at Mesa Falls
• A blanket, soy&cinnamon hot cocoa and a book (reminescent of my bus-days, ahhh)
• Carving the mountian through the trees in shin deep powder at Targhee
• Seeing the fir trees heavy and drooping from the snow-- it reminds me of Wyoming!
• Exam-time studying followed by Christmas relaxing (the idea of mental earned exaustion)
• Snow-mobiling-- especially when you jump it (and that one time a baby moose was running ahead of Blaine and I-- and then the mom came out and was running next to us . . . sort of surreal)
• Dancing in the living room-- when my energy builds up and I'm about to explode

PS: Ryan-- check out the comment some dude left in response to your opinion on Santa-- what a psycho.

Goodies, Gab, Games and Grandma

Well, Thanksgiving proved to be a success! I spent all day Tuesday working on homework and I got a ton done. I spent some time with Lindsey and then hung out with Aubrey (my roommate) and cleaned house. The next morning, Aubrey, Lindsey and I did a 7-mile run to the lake and back (it was so chilly!) and then we took off for Idaho.

After chatting with Grandma and uncle Richard, L and I went to Reed's Diary, my all-time favorite ice-cream place (unfortunately my favorite ice cream flavor was not there). Then later that night we went to go see the movie "National Treasure" with Robert and his family. Lindsey and I got to stay in the Austrian room, and I think that was my first time sleeping in there. The feather bed and pillows were so comfortable and Grandma left the traditional plate of goodies on the counter. The next day was Thanksgiving, so we slept in, took a run, and helped bring everthing to Creekside (the office complex that David owns. . . we had thanksgiving on the top floor). It was great to see everyone! We spent the rest of the day at Roberts' place-- playing ping-pong, pool, jumping on the tramp and watching Harry Potter III on the big screen projector.

Friday we helped Grandma sweep off the roof and rake pine needles-- then we went to Applebees. I took a trip up to Rexburg later that day to put something on Carrie's door step (it was her birthday the day before). That night Grandma, Lindsey, me, Tyler, Andrew and Dave played games until midnight. I drove home in a 'minor snowstorm' and arrived back in Provo at about 5 pm. . . then Carrie-JO came into town and we got to hand out at the Cannon center with Deaner for a bit.

Well, that's about it! I was sick all day yesterday, but I feel a lot better today. Hope everyone had a super Thanksgiving holiday!

The marrow of Life

This past weekend I had a sudden realization that I only have a few weeks to see everyone before I leave. Carrie left for this whole week to California, and so that means I will get to see her for a few hours on some weekend when we're both stressed out with finals, say bye for the next year and a half, and that's it. Fern decided to leave early for Seattle (thanksgiving), and I am just mulling in my self-pity knowing that Jo is probably rock climbing over the pacific ocean right now. I don't know why, but I really get an unsettled feeling inside of me if I don't do something difficult, exciting, adventurous, risky or challenging every so often and Provo just has not been offering it to me lately. I miss the recklessness of BYU-Idaho. . . there was a certain 'irresponsibility' that I could get away with up there.

Okay, that was yesterday's post and today has rather different undertones. My frustration has been lifted and I once again feel happy and free. After I wrote this, I had a good 5 1/2 mile run with Lindsey through the cows, rivers and fields and it reminded me that I have so much to be grateful for during this holiday season. Then, I talked to Catherine on the way to the airport (I dropped her off for Boston) and she eased some of the pre-mission jitters that had recently crept into my mind. I do feel lucky to have so much, and I when I look back at the things I have done in only the past two years, I have no reason to feel that my life is void of adventure. I am excited to go see grandma this weekend!! I have a lot of last minute things to work on, so this will be brief-- but before I go, here's my thankgiving gratitude list:

The core of it all: Family-- I have been so blessed! What an amazing group of people! I love you guys so much.

The next layer: Friends-- I am grateful to have such loyal friends who have really stuck by me through the years. Each one adding something new and teaching me something wonderful.

Education: I am so happy to be in school, learning things and trying everything! I feel lucky for this time in my life where I have relatively little resonsibility and tremendous opportunity.

Nature/Outdoors: I am amazed at the difference in seasons-- the way a rising sun or a setting sun can make the world look compeltely different. I love the leaves as they scurry behind me when I run in the fall. I love the silloette of the bare trees against the dark blue sky during winter. I love the sloppy juxtaposition of the man made city and the majestic mountains!

I am grateful that I can move! I love to run, jump, bike, climb, swim, dance, turn, bound and walk! I am grateful that I can excersize and that it restores equilibrium/balance in my life day after day.

From my blog I am sure that you can tell that I am grateful for food, so I won't ellaborate on that one. But more than that, I am grateful for mom's cooking and I am looking forward to Christmas break.

I am grateful that I can SERVE A MISSION! I realized yesterday how many times I wrote in my journal "I'm thinking about serving a mission. I wonder if I will serve a mission. Will I serve a mission?" I am grateful to know now, that I will! YES! This is a new exciting different sort of adventure than I have conquered in the past, but I am ready and willing to accept whatever I am offered.

This is a long post, and I could go on forever. HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone and I LOVE YOU ALL (unless I don't know you and you're reading this-- in which case I would like to ask you that you not to come back).

The Eye of the Beholder

I have been writing so much lately that my blog hasn't had a single picture. After browsing Brian's website, I came across this one and here's the story: the photo was orininally taken because on spring SUMMIT we SPOONED all night on the desert survival to keep warm and we wanted to email to everyone who came on the trip. Once I saw the photo, I decided that I looked fat and told Brian not to send it to anyone. Well, he took it upon himself to show me what fat really looked like (check out Carrie's behind) and this is what we got!



This is a Jo and I outside the Nauvoo temple-- we had just gotten done watching the BYU dance group on tour, and I was very excited and in the "dancin' mood" so I jumped up on the benches and Jo and I did a little post-show jig. Sorry these photos are so old!

HO HO HO or a fatty NO?

Okay, so last night I stopped by Fern's house after getting my Hepatitis A shot and her house was full of Christmas cheer. So naturally, our conversation soon steered in the direction of Christamas' past-- and we started talking about Santa Clause-- a tradition that was completely avoided at my house on purpose. Fern shared with me about the devestation of learning that there was no Santa, but adamently stood by her decision to have Santa as an important Christmas tradition. The conversation kept getting funnier as I told her of my childhood santa-envy and my crusade to shatter this fantasy for all of the 2nd grader's at Parkwood Elementary. I decided that I did not want Santa to be part of my children's Christmas traditions in the future. After we were both laughing, she told me that her kids were not allowed to play with my kids (a joke, I presume). I was just curious what the rest of you guys thought on the subject of Santa. . . is he

a) a harmless fantasy that teaches kids about cause and effect (I'm good and Santa brings me toys), and the Christmas spirit-- or
b) a lie perpetuated by parents that shatters their children's trust when the truth is revealed--and a deterant from the true meaning of Christmas.

As for me, I have been doing very well! Mary and I had a fabulous bike/run this moring up to Rock Canyon and on Bonneville trail. I had my physical done today and, in the words of my doctor I am "perfectly healthy, athletic and good to go" -- HOO RAH! Now it's on to the bishop and those puppies will be in before thanksgiving. Hallelujah. Hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving .

it's just Tuesday Talkin'

Wow! It was great to get so many comments on my blog. Sometimes I feel like nobody every checks this thing, so THANKS! Last night was the first time that I had formally announced that I was going on a mission (besides email), at FHE. It was funny, because actually one of the bishopric members announced it for me and it felt very strange. This might sound funny, but I think I need to think about something besides the mission. . . it is always on my mind-- to the point that I lie in bed at night and think about it for hours.

I went to the doctor yesterday and I got my blood work-- Thursday will be my last appointment, so I will be meeting with the stake prez. on Sunday. Last night I went running to pick up my bike, and then biked up in the hills under the "Y"-- it was completely dark and I was in all black. It was probably a bit dangerous, but those roads aren't traveled that much and I really liked it-- being somehow invisible made the hills seem less daunting. My legs were burning, my hands were freezing and suddenly I could see the whole city. Exercise is the only way to clear my mind these days. I feel lucky to have such beautiful weather!

My plan tonight is to bike back up there, then hike up the mountain with my sleeping bag, hot cooca and read for a while. We'll see if it actually materializes. I just want to go camping so bad!

Morning Frost and Hot Cocoa

The weather outside has turned cold, the leaves are falling, Christmas music is playing on the radio and I have eaten enough sweets to give me cavities for the rest of my life. It looks like the holiday season is definitely approaching and approaching FAST! I can't believe Thanksgiving is NEXT week. I have decided to go see Grandma Collette and Co. next week with Lindsey and Tyler.

Although I had made no plans for the weekend, it really turned out great! Friday, after finishing my homework, I made my way to Fern's house and we had a 'girls night'-- we talked (I ate an entire jar of Clausen pickles-- man I love those things), we put on a mask and watched a very girly movie. I hadn't done anything relaxing and just fun in a long time (Fern has been gone for about three weeks) so it was really fun! The next morning Randy picked me up and we made breakfast at his house before the football game-- then we went to the game. Unfortunately we lost, but it was the last game so I was glad I got to go. Then I went to visit Grandma at the hospital, Lindsey and I raked Grandpa's leaves and then that night I hung out with Megan.

I am excited because today I get to get my TB test! YES! Okay, I know that normally this wouldn't be that exciting, but these are my immunizations for my MISSION PAPERS! I am so excited to go. Nicki (my Badger Creek friend) came and brought me cookies and the new Mission Handbook last night. I got so excited just looking at it.

Biking as a Betterment

This morning at 7, mary showed up at my door (looking rather awake and cheerful-ha) to go biking and running. We biked up the foothills of provo and overlooked the valley. The sun was reflecting through the clouds and a pinkish-yellow hue was swirled throughout the gray overcast morning. I loved it! Then we biked around the perimeter of the city and on the Provo River Trail to Utah lake. Once there, we locked our bikes, stretched our lead-like legs (check out that alliteration!), and ran four miles. Then we biked to Becky's, ate breakfast, biked to the library and read adventursome magazines and biked home. It took about 4 hours to complete this, but it was well worth it.

This morning while I was reaching for my toes in a stretch, I noticed a strange leaf that had these spikey things on it. I had never seen anything like it! I was suddenly thrown back and I remembered how closely I used to examine everything as a kid-- looking under logs, rocks and in the garden. The other day I was at the gas station and I saw a praying mantis that had been hit by a car. It was a female and she had several eggs spilling from her side.

my karma ran over your dogma. . . ugh

I am trying to write my religion paper, and for some reason this is harder than any paper I've ever written. Trying to search religion on the internet has proved near impossible since religion is so subjective. Everyone has thier own "unauthorized" opinion on pretty much everything from Allah to Kami. But procrastination is not on the agenda since I am going on a feild trip tomorrow and the next day with my Careers class (we get to go out to eat twice and stay at Aspen Grove Family Camp).

This weekend was pretty uneventful. I had fun on Friday with Cath and Curtis-- we rented a movie (Chariots of Fire), talked and played guitar. The next day I had to wake up early to volunteer with the Boy Scout Pow Wow . . . I thought I would be directing people where to go in the hallway, but instead I taught 50 boy-scouts about Crime Prevention (surprise! your the teacher, Angela!)-- it acutally went pretty well. I told them the stories about seeing people get beat-up, the psuedo-school shooting and "getting harrassed". We role-played and then discussed how to prevent crime in your neighborhood.

I have to say though, that my favorite day was Sunday. I had a great day. I felt so good!! Cath and Lindsey were over with Mary and we sang hymns while playing the guitar, went to eat a big dinner at Megan's farm house (home cookin') and then went back to our place.

Getting My Ducks in a Row

After all is said and done, I am happy that Pres. Bush was re-elected. I was awake at 7am this morning making chocolate chip pancakes for Megan's(myroommie) birthday breakfast and I grabbed the paper from out of the hallway. I was NOT surprised to see that the election was still undecided, but I was surprised that only a few hours later the results were in. I expected another two weeks of Ohio ballot-counting and re-counting, so I was grateful that Kerry did not pull a Gore-repeat. Now instead of hearing CNN discuss who the next president will be (like they've done for two months straight), now we get to hear them analyze the polls, Bush's tactics and re-hash the whole election one more time. Goody. At least I feel at ease about our nations future (morally speaking), and hopefully this means no more eerie-election dreams.

This morning I woke up and we had an early-morning party for Megan who turned 19. She is such a fun roommate . . . I feel like we're always laughing. It was very successful!

We have been blessed in Provo this week with very beautiful weather again. I have been taking advantage of it by running on the Provo City trail, which goes right next to the river. It has been really nice to go run, reflect and get thoughts in order. Classes are good-- I've had two tests this week and I think I came off conquer-- Yippee!

OH! I forgot to update my last weekend. I went to Idaho and we had a mini "Summit reunion" and stayed at a cabin in Victor, Idaho. The next day we hiked up Targhee mountain, which was in about three feet of POWDER-- everyone snowboarded down, but I didn't have a board, so I ran down the mountain instead. We ate chili and watched a movie when we got back. It was a great weekend and it was fun to see Carrie (Jo) again.

The only Living Girl in this Place

I have been running non-stop this morning, surviving on Halloween candy (which prompted my new goal of no sweets until Thanksgiving-- although that will probably prove to be a let-down with no Mama Hatch pumpkin pie). I just finished my World Religions test, and I think I rocked it. Yesss.

I realized today when I was walking around campus that I am in the habit of de-humanizing the people I am around. They seem like identical paper dolls dressed in a different color polo, chatting on their flip-phone or sifting through their i-pod tunes. I was thinking about some of the woman in our Relief Society at home and I found it so strange that they went to BYU also. I forget that this isn't just one big homogenous group of breathing flesh with me on the outside. It threw me off when I saw Catherine today on campus.

I am doing some research on the Ironman-- so I'll post some more information on it (and its affects on the body) soon.