A 'Colorado Thing' Called Responsibility.

I feel like I have learned a lot of little things the past few days. I guess it is time to write a few of them down on this blog of mine...

14ers. I always thought that "Fourteeners" was a universal term. Guess what. It's not. Turns out it is a Colorado Thing. Who knew, right?

Broulim's. Things are looking good. I think I have actually been to the store 3 times this semester without a single old man cornering me and hitting on me! (In case you were wondering... this is an unusual occurrence for me... Just ask Quinci. She enjoys educating people about this phenomenon.)

Remember that time when Quinci made me eat at the Cross Roads for the first time and I was really scared? Well I am a pro now. She kindly took this picture of me "loving" the Cross Roads. It's hard not to when you have an hour and a half of quality lunch date there everyday with great folks.



This next one may shock some people... Like you, Mom. Make sure you are sitting down, ok?

I have done this crazy thing this week called not procrastinating. It means that I have done my homework on the day it was assigned instead of waiting until the last minute. It's weird. I feel all accomplished and smart and like my time is being used wisely... I don't know how I feel about it yet. I'll let you know.
Oh yeah, and I made 55 note cards last night to help me study my classical pieces... What is happening to me? I'm not allowed to be this responsible...

I hope you got through that ok, Momma. ;)

Yesterday Rexburg was face-hurting-ly cold. Today it is worthy of tears. The worst part is actually the wind. I think it can actually penetrate any material no matter how many layers you wear. (The weight college students in Rexburg gain is pure cotton and polyester...) And those toe warmers that are supposed to last for 6 hours... They've never met Rexburg before. Try 3 hours... Maybe. Sorry toes!
But I have decided that wind is partly a blessing. You don't have to feel like a lazy, yucky person for not doing your hair because everyone's hair is all over the place! It's great! And it makes the beautiful days seem that much better. Thanks, wind!

But mostly I have re-learned that my Father in Heaven loves the people around me. And He loves me too. That knowledge is invaluable to me. :)

Much Love!!

Sammy's, Meet Wendy's.

Beauty and the Beast = AMAZING. The music is fantastic, the story is inspiring, and the prince is especially scary (when he first turns around to show his human face) in 3D! Haha
(But I do have to admit that the book is better.... I would recommend Beauty by Robin McKinley to everyone!)


Gorgeous glasses.


After BatB we went to Sammy's. Sammy's is the happenin' retro diner where bands play. But Sammy's is kind of pricey... So we decided to bring Wendy's to eat there...


Highlights? When a couple got engaged. Typical Rexburg. Oh yeah, and there was that part where Tanner whipped a pencil out of his pocket and drew Spider Man on a napkin...


Sunday was fantastic! After church and a nap, Quinci and I decided to play Scrabble.
We played.


And played....


For 3 hours. Haha The last game we played was "anything goes." We could not use real spellings of words. It was harder than we thought, but really funny. :)


Then Ashlyn's FHE family adopted Tanner and I officially. We had dinner and made cookies out of "doe." They are nice folks. :) Thanks, guys!


The night was finished off with a goofy late-night laugh off with my 2 room mates across the hall in my apartment. Phrase of choice: "Ow yu duen!?"

Today I was assigned a David A. Bednar talk for a class. I was listening to it when I realized how much I needed to hear this talk right now. I just don't think this assignment was a coincidence. This is a fantastic talk about scripture study and making decisions.

http://lds.org/media-library/video/ces-firesides?lang=eng&id=2007-02-01-reservoir-of-living-water#2007-02-01-reservoir-of-living-water

If you're looking for a good talk, I'd recommend it. :)

I am amazed every single day at the way everything fits together in my life and at the blessings of all kinds that come into my path. The Lord really does love us. I know it.

Much Love!!

Classical Domestic Goddesses... In a Box.

I have become a classical music fiend!

I listen to it as I walk to class. I listen to it as I do my Semi-weekly, crazy, kitchen scrub downs. (SWKSD)

And guess what. I am even listening to it RIGHT NOW.

Mostly because I have to memorize the names, composers, styles, etc. of 25 pieces (Not to mention 30 classical art pieces...) for my Humanities class.
But guess what. I like it. It is calming and it helps me feel super productive. I can do homework, walk AND chew gum all at the same time!!!

This week, Ashlyn and I have found time in our SUPER busy and exciting schedules... to become domestic goddesses. AKA We made some brownies from scratch...

Meaning we scratched the lid off of the box with the mix in it.



Ashlyn, Tanner and I all got nicknames this week... This is Ashlyn displaying hers. Tipsy Billy.


Tanner and I have had to make the terrifying journey through the Pit of Despair almost everyday this week! Apparently Tuscany is in a really scary part of town...


For one of my English classes, I am reading a biography of Abraham Lincoln. In Elementary school he wrote a short little poem like this:

Abraham Lincoln
His hand and pen
He will be good
But God knows when.

Quinci and I decided to try our hand at poems. Quinci was kind enough to post mine on my FB wall and she composed a beautiful number of her own that can also be found there.



"Cannon in D" - Johann Pachelbel - Baroque - Track 3 ?? (That is the wedding march, isn't it?)
Truth? Mmmmaybe. I guess we will find out someday. But one thing is for sure a FACT. Quinci Whatcott does blush.

Word of the day: Concise... or copious... or voluptuous...

Beauty and the Beast tonight... in 3D!!!! I just have one things to say to that:

"Messiah: Halleluiah Chorus" - George Friedrich Handel - Baroque - Track 50

I am grateful for the ability to laugh at myself and all of the fun and embarrassing things that happen in life. That truly is a blessing. When we step back, it is plain to see that we have so much to be grateful for and even more to laugh about. Thanks for being raisins in the bowl of mushy bran.

Much Love!!

The Profound Art of Oven Toast

So I live in the ghetto... And our apartment doesn't have a toaster.
But I have become a professional oven toast maker.
Broil and flip.
Such complexity. I think I will be putting this on my resume.
My room mate, Erika, made some cinnamon butter and so I taught her the art of oven toast. It was quite the bonding experience. ;)


Speaking of the ghetto... I am thinking of moving out of the ghetto for Spring and living with Ash in a nice apartment where you get your own washing machine! ... But I had a dream last night that this place was not all it was cracked out to be. In fact... If you have ever seen "Little House on the Prairie," you kind of know what my dream looked like... Ash, I love you, but I don't want to share a bed with you even if it does have a patch work quilt on it. :)

Devotional was so great today. So great. We walked out of the warm fuzzies of the first devotional and into the cold flurries of the first snow... This is what the parking lot looked like after 30 minutes of light snow. It is crazy how snow sticks so quickly up here. And unfortunately, Rexburg is such a classy place that it doesn't like to melt away.


I got to talk to a ton of my siblings today! It was awesome! Thatcher is a crawler now. Liam was very excited because apparently my ceiling looks like it has a dragon on it... And Jackson ate muffin mix straight from the box. Oh how I miss my boys. :)


I am really starting to feel my 4 English classes... I think I spend more time in a day reading than sleeping. But life is good, learning is great, and Rexburg is crazy.

Scripture of the day: D&C 6:36 Simple, yet profound. :)

Much Love!!

Peculiar Rexburg

Soooo...
What is there to actually do in Rexburg? ...







I guess you know now. We compared the blood pressure machines in Wal Mart and Albertsons. (Machines may cause bruising or loss of consciousness.) Verdict: Wal Mart wins. Exciting... obviously.

My new ward seems really wonderful. Great Bishopric, great people, great spirit.
When we started to sing the closing song (How Firm A Foundation) in Sacrament Meeting, the thought, We really are a peculiar people came to my mind. How many college aged students choose to wake up in time to be presentable by 9 in the morning on a Sunday and spend 3 hours sitting in church? All while fasting! Not very many. I am so grateful to be up here at such a wonderful place where the Spirit is always close by. And I am grateful to be peculiar.

For Sunday dinner Ash and I made chicken pillows and mini apple pies! We were walking out to meet Tanner when a group of guys walking by decided that mini apple pies were "actually pretty impressive" and yelled things like "Call me!" Oh Rexburg...



At a fireside, Quinci and I learned that we have the same finger callous from writing. Yeah, we are ex-room mates. AKA maybe sisters in a past life.


Today Quinci made me be a big girl and eat in The Crossroads. (BYU-Idaho's big cafeteria) This is my 3rd semester and the thought of eating there was always scary to me because it is so big and there are so many choices! So here I am being afraid.

In case you wanted to know, the chicken quesadilla was exquisite. Thanks, Quinci. :)

I could not list the many blessings and tender mercies being poured over me if I tried. I know without a doubt that this is where I am meant to be. And that makes it a lot easier to be here away from my sweet family. Miss you guys!

Much Love!!

Why yes. I am easily entertained.

So I just don't know how life gets better than this. ... Hot sauce, juice, quesadilla (with the love of my life, Don Julio), and my amazing cheese grater. Oh yeah, and my librarian sweater. :)



Only in Rexburg...


So unfortunately it is back in the boot for me. My foot couldn't take the heat... or rather the cold. But on the upside, I got to take a library tour for one of my classes with Ash last night before our party with Tanner. Let me tell you, that was sure exciting. I even got a little ticket for proof!


Here is a picture of our typical Tann and Ash party. It was quite an exciting night, as you can see. (We were anticipating someone scary opening the door.) Ashlyn's FHE brothers even stopped by to give her kisses... And she didn't resist. She just wanted her freedom. And we did NOT go to Beaver Dick Park, but we played a lot of truth or dare (Tanner style.) It will be a good semester. Haha


All is well... I don't really have a ton of exciting stories to share. ...
I have an English class this semester that is actually going to be a challenge for me. It's great. The textbook takes me like an hour to read 10 pages because it requires so much focus and brain power. So I am pretty excited to learn some new and complex stuff regarding literary theories, criticism, and interpretation!

Last night I was really tired and I was trying to tell my room mates that they should not eat my frozen vegetables because I use them as an ice pack and the thawing and refreezing is not good. So I told them that they shouldn't eat them or they might "get dead." ... One of my brighter moments. ;)
Love my room mates, love my classes, love my friends, love my life!

Much Love!!

Breakfast of Champions

No turning back now. Let the adventures begin. :)



I'm in the Burg. I am almost all organized and moved in. I have spent a night in my new bed. AND I suddenly find orange food in cartons irresistible.


Flavor Blasted Goldfish and Orange Juice.
I just couldn't resist.

Welcome back to college.

Much Love!!