Sunday, September 27, 2009
"I have the hardest time getting this feeling to stay.."
Monday, September 21, 2009
"This back-breakin', bone-shakin', belly-achin', hard-workin' two more hours to go"
Thursday night, I went to the BYU Women's Volleyball game versus San Diego State. A girl from my freshman ward, Nicole Warner #15, was playing. She did a great job, and played a fair amount of the game. She was excited to see me there supporting her in her first game as an official player (she red shirted last season). *My friend Jimmy met up with me at the game so I wouldn't have to be alone, what a nice fella. :)
During the game Jimmer Fredette #32 (basketball) walked up and sat in the athletic seating right behind me two rows back. He is my absolute favorite basketball player ever, and it is especially exciting having him play at BYU. His high school record alone is impressive, and ever since playing in the NCAA-college level, he has excelled. Anyways, so he walked in and sat behind me. The whole game I was texting Natalie saying how I would love to get a picture with him, so at the end of the game, I turned around and asked him. His friend grabbed the camera, and he stepped down to where I was standing and got a picture with me. I thanked him and went on my way. But let me just say, that was one of the best moments of my college life. :) Its that special time of year-
Birthday celebration cheer.
At this moment i’d like to say:
"Happy Birthday today."
I wish you well, my heart of that could tell
I hope your day goes oh so swell!
So happy birthday to you!Saturday, September 19, 2009
"I'm on an emotional roller coaster, and I just can't get off"
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
"We Thank Thee oh God for the Prophet"
Today the Prophet Thomas S. Monson visited the BYU campus to speak to the students at our university devotional. I was lucky enough to have a third row floor seat literally 10 feet from the prophet. As the prophet stepped into the Marriott Center, thousands of students stood in silence and in reverence for the prophet of the Lord. The spirit immediately settled upon the audience, and you could tell by the way the students listened intently to the prophet's voice.
We first sung "Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice", after which the BYU combined choirs sang "I Stand All Amazed". The music was a beautiful way to start the devotional.

President Monson started out by reminding us that the Lord will provide the help we need. He then talked about his relationships with the prophets before him and discussed their unique characteristics. He encouraged us to work on developing these characteristics.
- Be persistent
- Be compassionate
- Stay on the Lord's side
- Be considerate
- Be kind and thoughtful
- Become a gospel scholar
- Stand in holy places
- Be in tune with and responsive to promptings of the spirit
- Let your obstacles become an opportunity
- Be dedicated to the Lord and living the gospel
- Serve the Lord
- Love one another
- Be like Christ
- Be courteous
- Be modest and look for the best in people
- Have reverence for the temple
- Never diminish others' beliefs
- Be studious
- Do your best
- Pledge your life, strength, and all you have to the Lord
President Monson promised us that if we develop these characteristics and follow the teachings of the prophets, we will have joy in our hearts and peace in our souls.
I add my testimony that I know that if we do everything we can to be more like Christ, follow His request to "come unto me", and dedicate our lives to serving Him, we will be blessed with peace, joy, and other blessings that we can't even imagine. I know Jesus is the Christ, and that He lives! Thomas S. Monson is the latter-day prophet who leads and guides Christ's church today.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Remembering 9/11

My Memory of 9/11:
As I drove to work yesterday morning, callers were sharing their stories and memories from 9/11. Eight years ago, I was in my hometown of Springfield, Virginia. Springfield is near Washington D.C and right next to the Pentagon where the third plane hit.
Eight years ago, I was in 6th grade at Orange Hunt Elementary School. As more and more students were pulled out of school, the school began showing Charlotte's Web in all of the classes. Finally the principal gathered all the 6th grade classes together and told us what was going on. However, we were given few details and no one even knew what the twin towers in NYC were. Since the Pentagon had been hit and so many students had been pulled out of school, we were sent home from school early. I was walking home with my neighbor Allison Van Gilst and my sister Molly, a second-grader. I was trying to explain to Molly what had happened, but it wasn't until I got home and saw the video footage from the planes crashing into the World Trade Centers that I truly understood what was going on. I was shocked as I saw the planes fly straight into the buildings, and was even more fearful when I saw them collapse. The two towers collapsing weren't even the biggest worry or shock for me. What scared me most was the fact that a lot of my friends’ parents, including my neighbor's dad, worked at the Pentagon. No one knew who had survived or if their parents were okay. I kept hearing word that certain families didn’t know if their parents had survived. Hours later, we were relieved to hear word that they were alive and well. Some had even walked home from the Pentagon.
The President urged all those who could help to do so. I was only ten years old when September 11 happened to America. I was only ten when nearly three thousand people lost their lives. I was only ten when firefighters courageously walked into the burning buildings to save so many lives that would have been lost. I did not understand how much this affected us then, but I understood enough. I got some of my friends and family to create a lemonade stand. We stood on the corner of a nearby street and sold lemonade and patriotic trinkets. We sat out there for days earning money. Some may say that we did not make a difference, but I believe we did. We earned nearly 300 dollars. It may not seem like much, but that is 10 cents for every victim. I felt so proud when we visited the Red Cross office in Washington D.C. and delivered the dollar bills and all the coins. I had helped the country just like the President asked.
This event didn't change me much as a ten-year-old, but every day, every year, every time I think of that day, I change a little bit more, become a little bit stronger, and become a little bit better.

What We Can Learn From All This:
During the next few months, people would smile and wave on the street, some would be found doing random but extraordinary acts of service, and others were donating blood. Some were more generous in what they gave to the Red Cross and other charities. Many were found going back to churches they thought they'd never step foot in again. Prayers were being offered. Patriotism shot through the roof.
Now when was the last time you smiled and waved to a perfect stranger?
When did you last do a random act of service to someone in need?
When is the last time you prayed to God or went to church?
When was the last time that you gave a little bit more to those who have so much less?
Have you recently showed support for your president and the decisions he is making?
Just because 9/11 happened 8 years ago doesn't mean that we have to forget the things we learned. People die every day protecting our freedom. Just because you don't know the people who die for this country doesn't mean they don't die heroes.
I encourage you all to stand up, stand out, and stand together. Remember how you felt that day. Remember how you changed, and don't let 8 years be the stopping point of those changes. You can still help others and be kind to those in need. Let today be the day that YOU make a difference. Make every day a day that you are grateful for—one that you would fight to protect. And never forget those who died and those who have yet to die for America, for you, and for me.
"I've Gotta Feeling That Tonight's Gonna Be A Good Night"


Anyways, I had a great ending to a very stressful work week. Then Saturday night Emily Tsai, Michelle Drennan, and Natalie came over and I made dinner. Broccoli and Potato side circles, biscuits, Baked Chicken Breast (natural chicken breast cooked in chicken broth, then topped with a breaded topping), and green beans. It was most delicious, everything, even the scraps were eaten :) My guess is that means a successful meal. Yay!
Anyways, thats all from this teenage drama queen. More confessions to come.
Monday, September 7, 2009
"This is What Dreams Are Made of!"
Thursday, September 3, 2009
All the Way Home
1- Went to a Nationals vs. Brewers baseball game. Brewers won, of course.
2- Went to Katie + Connor's apartment and spent the night.
3- Babysat at the Washington D.C. Temple, and was able to see a lot of familiar faces, including my home stake president, one of his counselors, and Bishop and Sister Stokes (Adam's parents), etc.
4- Visited with Sarah Wink tons! and I got to see Matt Ballew :)
5- Played basketball with Kim, Talia, Heidi, and her kids, and went back to my house for pancakes and a movie.
6- Dinner with the Beans (hadn't seen them in a while- gabriella was huge!)
7- Saw Bandslam with my family, it is one of Molly's favorite's, and was a GREAT movie :) There was this one REALLY awkward scene that got us all screaming.
8- Watched a thousand movies (almost) with molly, myself, and random other people.
9- Had family pictures taken! It was supposed to be outside, but it was storming...
10- We went out to eat at Olive Garden before bandslam with help from giftcards from Trent and Lyndi. Thanks guys!
So there are the 10 things I can remember. There was also that time when we played games with Trent and Lyndi, but Lyndi kicked my butt, so I'd rather not talk about that ;) And there was that time we met half way with Asialene, but she deserves more than a bullet, so here we go: We decided to meet up with Asialene, so she drove half way down from Philadelphia, and met them halfway driving up from Fairfax. We met in some random hopunk town, Molly was scared, and I enjoyed teasing her :) We finally met up at a T.G.I.Fridays cause iHop (where were planned to meet) had been closed for years... so that didn't really work. After we ate, we went to a neighboring park where we played all sorts of games my mother brought, and rode scooters. It sure was a good ole time riding those scooters. It had been too too long. Ha ha. Overall, it was an excellent day, especially since I got to see what an incredible mother, person, and friend Asialene is. She just awed me in how wonderful of a mother she was. Two thumbs up to her for sure.
So Monday the 24th I flew home after being in VA/DC for a little over a week. Natalie and I flew back together, and we had two flights. The first, she got me a high number, so I was able to board the plane as one of the first 20 people. I saved Nat a seat, and so we sat row 3 right side aisle and middle seat. Perfect. Then on our second flight if we wanted to sit up close to the front so we could get off quick when we landed, we had to split up. So we did, and I sat in a middle seat next to one scary scary man and one extremely nice gentleman. After the crowds were down, he turned to my sister and said, "Did you wanna sit with your friend?" And he traded her spots. What a nice man! So that meant I could lean on her and sleep some :) If I would've done that before the switch, that could have been extremely awkward. Ha ha. Oh goodness.
Now I've been back in Provo, Utah for a couple weeks now, and let me just tell you something. I miss having no one here like it was all summer. The streets are now crowded with a million people crossing all the time. Turning left on a green light is nearly impossible I must say. I pull out in the intersection and just wait and wait and wait and wait (I could go on forever) until the light turns yellow and you go. Luckily the people usually run away from your car when you do that ;) haha. Anyways, there are just too many people, too many cars, too long of lines. I miss the loneliness. Worst part of everyone coming back must be this though: All my "best friends" from freshman year are back (well the girls are, the guys are on missions) and not one has made any effort to see me. Well thanks friends. I'll just be here by my lonesome self. I guess I like that anyways. . .
Also, I got some good news when I got back to Provo. I was asked to open for j.wride, one of my favorite local bands. I will be singing and my cousin Jon Young will be accompanying me. There are two shows on September 18th, 2009. One at 7 pm and one at 9 pm. Tickets are sold at the door for 6$. Jon and I will be performing, opening for j.wride, for the first show (the one at 7) and will be performing for 20-30 minutes. We would LOVE your support if you are in Provo, or a neighboring area. The concert is at Muse Music Cafe (they have the most delicious sandwiches, kettle chips, and italian sodas) which is located at 151 N. University Avenue, Provo, Utah. If you have any questions about the concert, just ask me :) And i'll tell you everything you'd like to know.
This week all I really did was work. Thats all I've done the past two weeks. I work full time, so thats hard. But, I'm sure I am developing a work ethic that will stick with me and that's important.



