I donated blood this week! It was the very first time that I ever gave blood. I was super excited and nervous about it, but everything went well. It didn't hurt too bad, and didn't take too long. So, all in all, it was a really good experience. I had a really good nurse, too. I expected my arm to be really bruised and sore, but the only mark was from the needle. I tried to be really careful with my arm for the next couple of days, so I didn't get to exercise like I wanted to. I missed doing push-ups and pull-ups!
On Tuesday, I had a fantastic dinner. Alyson Holloway, one of my FHE sisters, helped me make chicken cordon bleu! It was way good! Jeremy took it to his choir try-out that evening and all of the guys said, "What kind of college freshman makes chicken cordon bleu?!?" He just said, "The awesome kind."
Speaking of the choir try-outs, Jeremy made it into Familiar Ring: an acapella choir that sings with Vocal Point. He was the only one of about thirty people to make it into the group. He was so excited that he couldn't sit down the rest of the evening!
I tried to be like Tanner on Thursday. I spent all evening, from about six to midnight, in the library. I didn't think it would be that good, but I got a lot of homework done and had fun listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtracks. They make doing homework epic! Every time you finish a math problem, it's like you just saved Helm's Deep from getting overrun with Uruk-hai.
Friday was Awesome Roommate Appreciation Day! I still had a lot of things to unpack and my side of the room had gotten kind of messy with all the things that are going on. So, I decided I would finally clean up my mess. Our room looked pretty good! I even folded Tanner's laundry because he was busy all day. He was pretty excited to come home to a clean room and pile of folded clothes!
Friday was also BYU's football game. We played against the University of Central Florida. We did a whole lot better this week, too! We actually one! Everyone was in a much better mood this weekend than last weekend.
All of the hard work I did during the week took it's toll on Saturday, though. While everyone else was out hiking the Y, going on dates, or just being generally productive, I was at home sleeping most of the day. I was only up until 12 the night before, so I didn't think I'd be that tired. However, I woke up at nine, stayed in bed until 11, and fell back asleep at noon for a couple hours. I felt useless!
I was supposed to have my first teaching assignment in Elder's Quorum today. But, Tanner, Bryan, and I all slept through our alarms. We didn't wake up until after 8:30, when church starts. Luckily, our awesome quorum president taught the class. I felt bad for not fulfilling my calling, but I guess I'll just have to do better next time. We also got our home teaching assignments this week! I am so excited to start doing that! My companion is Brandon Quinn, the quorum president. We're going to meet the people that we're teaching today, and I am looking forward to it.
All in all, this week was really busy. There were a lot of things for me to do, but it all got done. I felt so good being able to work hard!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
This week was fun! BYU had their first home football game, and even better, it was against our rivals! Yeah, we lost (which in this case means: got horribly trampled), but it was still fun to be in the "game day" atmosphere! Unfortunately, I was working as part of the event staff and didn't get to watch the game that much. Instead, I got to watch people and tell them not to throw paper airplanes, climb over railings, stand in the walkway, and other common sense things. I did get to wear a super bright orange polo and jacket, though!
I feel like I'm starting to do better at organizing my time. At the beginning of the semester, I didn't really have a plan for my day. I just floated along. But now, I started using my planner and it seems like things are starting to get done! I'm still not great at using it, but I finally see the benefits of having a great schedule!
I also took my first two tests this weekend. I was a little scared to go to the big testing center, but it's not that bad. It is absolutely silent. Someone compared it to the wizard prison, Azkaban, in the Harry Potter books, so I get a nice little laugh out of it now.
Last week, I told you that Elder Oaks and Elder Anderson were coming to campus. It was so cool to listen to them! The neatest thing was when Elder Oaks walked in. My group got to the Marriot Center early so we could get decent seats, so we weren't that far from the pulpit. As he walked in, everyone stopped what they were doing, stood up, and stayed silent. No one said a word until he motioned us to sit down. It was so cool! He talked about truth and tolerence. I'm a little scared to think about some of the things I'll have to stand against in the future. Elder Anderson talked about honesty. He stressed integrity and honor a lot in his talk. I am so grateful to my parents for teaching me to be an honest person!
I am really grateful for the opportunity I have to be at Brigham Young University. I feel like I am starting to grow (at least I hope I'm growing). It's been really good for me.
I feel like I'm starting to do better at organizing my time. At the beginning of the semester, I didn't really have a plan for my day. I just floated along. But now, I started using my planner and it seems like things are starting to get done! I'm still not great at using it, but I finally see the benefits of having a great schedule!
I also took my first two tests this weekend. I was a little scared to go to the big testing center, but it's not that bad. It is absolutely silent. Someone compared it to the wizard prison, Azkaban, in the Harry Potter books, so I get a nice little laugh out of it now.
Last week, I told you that Elder Oaks and Elder Anderson were coming to campus. It was so cool to listen to them! The neatest thing was when Elder Oaks walked in. My group got to the Marriot Center early so we could get decent seats, so we weren't that far from the pulpit. As he walked in, everyone stopped what they were doing, stood up, and stayed silent. No one said a word until he motioned us to sit down. It was so cool! He talked about truth and tolerence. I'm a little scared to think about some of the things I'll have to stand against in the future. Elder Anderson talked about honesty. He stressed integrity and honor a lot in his talk. I am so grateful to my parents for teaching me to be an honest person!
I am really grateful for the opportunity I have to be at Brigham Young University. I feel like I am starting to grow (at least I hope I'm growing). It's been really good for me.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Paper, after paper, after paper....
Greetings, programs! How's that for a TRON reference! It feel like this week, we have found our groove. Nothing really extraordinary happened.
Except.... I had to write so many papers this week! For my english honors class, I had to write four papers, all at least three pages, in six days. Not to mention the paper for my chemistry class. Or the five hours of reading for the same english class. Or the online homework assignments for my math and chemistry. Or the daily reading for chemistry.
But, everything turned out ok. I have definitely been able to grow my testimony of daily scripture study here! I remember a promise we were given at the beginning of the semester that said the hours will seem lengthened so that we can do all of the things we need to do. When I start my day with a prayer and good scripture study, I can accomplish so much more! I am amazed at all the work I can do and how good I feel throughout the day! Next, maybe I should work on my testimony of going to bed early...
This week, I think I finally settled on a career. I know that I still have lots of time to, and probably will, change my mind, but I think a doctor sounds good for now. I wanted to take a lot of different classes this semester. Some that I haven't taken in a long time. During my freshman and sophomore years in high school, I was in a lot of math and science classes and enjoyed them. They were easy for me. But, my junior and senior years, I took more english and history classes and enjoyed them as well. My senior year, though, I took a human biology class and that really fascinated me. I also got to spend time with some great people in medical school or a little farther in the process. I saw how hard it was, but the things they did were so amazing. So, I wanted to test which I enjoyed most this year. I went back to math and science to test an engineering career and discovered it's not for me. I think I'll stick with bones and muscles, thank you very much.
I love the devotionals here. Our first one was given by President and Sister Samuelson, the president of BYU and his wife. Today, I get to listen to Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and on tuesday Elder Neil L. Anderson! I am so excited to get to listen to these leaders of the church!
BYU also played their second game of the season this week against Texas. We won our first against Ole Miss by only one point. However, we were Ole Miss in our second game. We dominated the first half, but Texas came back with fire in their eyes and beat us by a point. Still, I think we played well. My favorite part was getting to spend time with my roomies and our fhe sisters. It was tons of fun!
I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be here. I am constantly being lifted up by the people around me. They are so great and help me to become better. Overall, BYU = a good experience.
Except.... I had to write so many papers this week! For my english honors class, I had to write four papers, all at least three pages, in six days. Not to mention the paper for my chemistry class. Or the five hours of reading for the same english class. Or the online homework assignments for my math and chemistry. Or the daily reading for chemistry.
But, everything turned out ok. I have definitely been able to grow my testimony of daily scripture study here! I remember a promise we were given at the beginning of the semester that said the hours will seem lengthened so that we can do all of the things we need to do. When I start my day with a prayer and good scripture study, I can accomplish so much more! I am amazed at all the work I can do and how good I feel throughout the day! Next, maybe I should work on my testimony of going to bed early...
This week, I think I finally settled on a career. I know that I still have lots of time to, and probably will, change my mind, but I think a doctor sounds good for now. I wanted to take a lot of different classes this semester. Some that I haven't taken in a long time. During my freshman and sophomore years in high school, I was in a lot of math and science classes and enjoyed them. They were easy for me. But, my junior and senior years, I took more english and history classes and enjoyed them as well. My senior year, though, I took a human biology class and that really fascinated me. I also got to spend time with some great people in medical school or a little farther in the process. I saw how hard it was, but the things they did were so amazing. So, I wanted to test which I enjoyed most this year. I went back to math and science to test an engineering career and discovered it's not for me. I think I'll stick with bones and muscles, thank you very much.
I love the devotionals here. Our first one was given by President and Sister Samuelson, the president of BYU and his wife. Today, I get to listen to Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and on tuesday Elder Neil L. Anderson! I am so excited to get to listen to these leaders of the church!
BYU also played their second game of the season this week against Texas. We won our first against Ole Miss by only one point. However, we were Ole Miss in our second game. We dominated the first half, but Texas came back with fire in their eyes and beat us by a point. Still, I think we played well. My favorite part was getting to spend time with my roomies and our fhe sisters. It was tons of fun!
I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be here. I am constantly being lifted up by the people around me. They are so great and help me to become better. Overall, BYU = a good experience.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Adventure Continues...
And we made it through week 2! I still don't have a camera, so there are still no pictures. Sorry, everyone. This week has been really tough! We started our classes, and boy are they different from back home! I took college level classes back home for the last two years of high school, so I thought I would be ready for the work load here. I was sorely mistaken! It doesn't help that I've forgotten a lot of the material for the classes I'm taking. I am excited and ready to work hard and do well in my classes, though!
At the beginning of the week, I felt very homesick. I went from being the "big fish" in the little pond called Huntington. Now, I'm a small fish in a very, very big pond. It's been tough not knowing very many people here, and then not seeing the people that I know very often. On Monday, I said I was homesick on Facebook. The next day, one of my roommates, Jared Crystal, found some letters in our hallway and they were all for me. They were encouraging letters from my Family Home Evening group "sisters"! They helped me feel sooo much better. I really felt like I owed them one. So, I fixed them popcorn and visited them for a little while, just so they knew I appreciated it. I taped them on my wall and look at them whenever I feel alone. It helps a whole lot to know that there are people here that care about you!
The guys dominated the service-war this week! We were practicing all week, then Friday came. We took all of our stuff over and set up in the lobby of the young women's dorm. They all came out and we played "Hey There, Delilah"! I played on a keyboard, Jeremy Romrell played acoustic guitar, Jared Crystal played electric guitar, and Tanner was our awesome announcer. They said it melted their hearts! Big score on that one!
I also had a neat spiritual moment this week. It didn't come while I was reading scriptures, praying, or any other typical spiritual moment. I was studying for my chemistry class. In my book, it said that scientific laws are rules that nature follows. Instead, they are descriptions of how nature works. I thought that statement sounded like how Heavenly Father works. He isn't restricted by the laws of nature, they just describe how he works. We, too, should follow the commandments so that they aren't a list of do's and don'ts, but they should just be a part of how we do things.
Well, that's about all that happened this week. A lot of going to class, studying, and hanging out with our FHE sisters. As usual, I would love it if you asked questions, or sent me messages, or comments or anything.
At the beginning of the week, I felt very homesick. I went from being the "big fish" in the little pond called Huntington. Now, I'm a small fish in a very, very big pond. It's been tough not knowing very many people here, and then not seeing the people that I know very often. On Monday, I said I was homesick on Facebook. The next day, one of my roommates, Jared Crystal, found some letters in our hallway and they were all for me. They were encouraging letters from my Family Home Evening group "sisters"! They helped me feel sooo much better. I really felt like I owed them one. So, I fixed them popcorn and visited them for a little while, just so they knew I appreciated it. I taped them on my wall and look at them whenever I feel alone. It helps a whole lot to know that there are people here that care about you!
The guys dominated the service-war this week! We were practicing all week, then Friday came. We took all of our stuff over and set up in the lobby of the young women's dorm. They all came out and we played "Hey There, Delilah"! I played on a keyboard, Jeremy Romrell played acoustic guitar, Jared Crystal played electric guitar, and Tanner was our awesome announcer. They said it melted their hearts! Big score on that one!
I also had a neat spiritual moment this week. It didn't come while I was reading scriptures, praying, or any other typical spiritual moment. I was studying for my chemistry class. In my book, it said that scientific laws are rules that nature follows. Instead, they are descriptions of how nature works. I thought that statement sounded like how Heavenly Father works. He isn't restricted by the laws of nature, they just describe how he works. We, too, should follow the commandments so that they aren't a list of do's and don'ts, but they should just be a part of how we do things.
Well, that's about all that happened this week. A lot of going to class, studying, and hanging out with our FHE sisters. As usual, I would love it if you asked questions, or sent me messages, or comments or anything.
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