Everything Has Changed

I should be in bed.

Ya know when you plan something and you think it'll go one way but ends up being flipped around and turned inside out? Yeah. I got here at like 9:30 and I'm still on here two hours later. Expectation: go research your talk and possibly start writing your lesson plan. Reality: researched lesson plan, did not write any of it, but I did finish my missionary letter to Harmony.

I was looking through last years' posts around this time. Everything has changed! This time last year, my best mates were just moving in. I was going to school as a sophomore, and I have changed quite a bit. I look through the photos and see how far I've come yet again. I am thankful for the progress I've made.

Speaking of progress, I feel as though I've improved in the sense of my spirituality. I have been more mindful of my scripture study and attending all the church meetings. I watch the missionary life videos on lds.org and from reading all my friends letters, I want to serve a full time mission someday. As far as reaching out to those around me, I feel like I've improved. Anyone who semi knows me usually notices my level of shyness. Maybe it's just what the situation is, but sometimes I'm very outgoing. I think I usually keep to myself but I have opened up a bit. It's like when you're happy with yourself, you get this desire to make others feel that way too.

School officially starts again next week! So here's to another two semesters! 0.o I'm returning this time as a JUNIOR. Freak. It just blows my mind. I'm excited to see where I'll be by the time these next two are all said and done. I really should just enjoy the beauty of the present time though. I feel like I look way too far ahead because right now I want more than anything than to have my friends come home...a bit selfish, really. But all at the same time I want to grow and take what I've learned from them and have their influences in my life. I guess I miss them way more than I should.

I'll just say that I'm pretty sure I have a talent for finding good friends. Coping with the whole separation thing for 18 months has been one of the hardest things for me. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss them. Back to the friends thing...I never thought I'd have the friends that I do in my everyday life as I do now. Before I talk about that, I am positive that who I have now isn't merely by a coincidence. I honestly believe that our Heavenly Father watches out not only for me but for each of us. People are there for a reason. Some stay for a time, and others for a lifetime. "In my life, I've loved them all." :) Anyway Jaye and Kenzie, I feel honestly lucky and blessed to have them. We even work well together in our little trio. It brings me back to the good days with me and my girls. The last few times we all hung out together, I felt whole. And there's nothing that I'm more grateful for.

Honestly, without the gospel of Jesus Christ, I know I wouldn't be half the person I am today. There's nothing that brings greater happiness. I know that by living by its principals, we will gain the promised blessings. We have to do our part before the Lord will do his. I also know that we are loved by a loving Father in Heaven who is ever mindful of our needs. All we have to do is be obedient in doing as He asks of us. The book of Mormon is real. I have a testimony of its teachings. Prayer is the way in which we pour our whole soul to God and earnestly seek Him. There's no greater comfort and peace than that.

Well...

It's now the middle of August guys. I am seriously amazed by how time seems to go by, although the days seem longer than the weeks do.

Gosh, a lot has happened since I got back from Cali. K that trip was fab. The drive was absolutely terrible, to and from. I still think that was the lamest idea to leave at 11pm cause we got there around 6am our time. It's pitch black outside and we can't even check into our hotel til 3pm. So we wonder around aimlessly in the dark trying to get a view of where we were. Laguna Beach is where we were-for the first two days. We end up on Huntington Beach since it was the only place open at 6 in the morn. We crashed right there on the sand for a few hours. The snooze wasn't that great since it was freezing.

Laguna is a nice place. The beaches there are also. My only real complaint I have is that everything seems to be so smooshed together. It's like the city ran out of space. Kind of how jeans that are too tight fit around you. Uncomfortable. Anyways the shopping there is neat. Everywhere you go there was an art gallery of all sorts. Didn't look at those, though. We did find a really legit music store that had A TON of Beatles merchandise. Vinyls, stickers, pins, remastered records...yup my kinda place.

Huntington had better places to shop, but the beach wasn't quite as fun as Aliso. The beach there never ends. Our hotel room in both places was pretty decent. 

We spent about 86% of our time on the California sands. We consequently all got really dark. We'd spend around four hours just lounging out and occasionally walk around in low tide. As much as I loved that place, there really isn't a place like home. Home is where my hair is doable. HA! All while I was there, it poofed like a big fro. Thank you humidity!

We've sure spent a lot of time with our inheritance toys! aka 3 four-wheelers. I've also spent a good amount of time with Kenzie. Me, her and Jay went to the paint dance last night. AHH so fun. Never been to one before and wasn't sure what to expect. Kenz and I wore white shirts and shorts. We looked like we were on drugs after all was said and done. It's fine. :) I'm glad everything turned out so well cause I feel like it's a bit awkward sometimes when you and your friends haven't really met each other and you're all together. We apparently had a knack for attracting weirdos though cause we each had people come talk to us. No one we'd even consider, but hey if we're cute enough for that I guess that's something. :)

Then I've been keeping up with all of my sister missionaries. I update both of my best bud's blogs. Their pictures and everything they tell me make me want to go that much more. Kinda makes me sad because I cannot just yet. :/ But I know in due time I'll be able to! School starts up again in just over a week. Cray Cray. But I'm excited. :)

Some Practical Tips-

Things your mother should have told you….

1. Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

2. Use a meat baster to “squeeze” your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you’ll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time.

3. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

4. To prevent eggshells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.

5. Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan and the marshmallow won’t stick to your fingers.

6. To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.

7. To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on the stovetop.

8. Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces and there won’t be any stains.

9. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won’t be any white mess on outside of the cake.

10. If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it’s still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant “fix me up.”

11. Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

12. Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

13. Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it.

14. When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn’s natural sweetness.

15. To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh, but if it rises to the surface, throw it away.

16. Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

17. Don’t throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

18. If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

19. Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.

20. To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

21. Ants, ants, ants everywhere … Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

22. Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

23. When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

24. Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china. Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets. Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary). Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

Well, Gee

It's August. 0.o But I'm pretty okay with that.

Ah, the life. I'm currently writing four of my friends who are serving missions. I love writing letters and waking up to a reply in my inbox. :) There's just something special about handwritten notes though. It's like they take their time with them. When missionaries reply via email they only have like 30 minutes to write everyone. I'm honestly just glad I get any reply mail at all!

Umm...well this month so far:

1. nonslip shoes are neat. Why didn't we enforce them sooner at work?

2. I'm becoming photo-obsessed. I love improving and editing. And Photoshop.

3. I miss my friends way more than I probably should. But I do get emails and letters. I also update their facebook pages and their blogs.

4. We're going to California really soon. Like, twenty minutes soon. We'll be spending four days on Huntington and Laguna Beach.

5. I'm excited to go back to school, really.

I'm getting by, thankfully. I mean I make the most of the time I have. I miss school for the thing of always having a filled schedule.