Too Lazy

If you had to pack 4 months of your life in 2 suitcases what would you bring? Keep in mind that you have to make room for your tent, sleeping bag, wet suit, hiking boots, and nalgene bottles (16 oz.). Also keep in mind that you can buy a lot of things once you get down there like a blow dryer so you're not bringing that. What would you bring?

I'm done with school for the semester except for finals that is. I'm headed out of the country Jan. 10th but first my ENTIRE family is coming to visit after Christmas. I can't wait because that only happens like once a year.

Kameron is doing well. He's serving in a town called Cameron, Missouri. Ironic isn't it? Basically he's excited about being a missionary. I was a good little "girlfriend" and sent him a Christmas package which he thoroughly enjoyed. Cameron is a pretty small town: population is 10,000 4,000 of which live in the prison. Down Town Cameron looks like my backyard with an automart and post office put in it but mostly it looks beautiful. Kam got to go to Far West the other week at night with just he and his companion. Far West is one of the early settlements that a lot of the Mormon pioneers or the parents lived in during the early days of the church. Kameron said he could feel a great spirit about the place considering it's historical significance to our church.

No pictures. I'm too lazy.

You're So Vain

I got a new haircut. I like it.

I wasn't ready for this one (above)... how can you not be ready for a picture when you take it yourself?

Beautiful Blogger Girl

I needed something cool to post on my blog so last night I went to a Thai dessert party. It was at my friend Jenna's apartment. She works with me at the good ole' HBLL. Anyway I told her I was going to bring my camera for a new blog post so right when I walked in she took my camera and took a picture of me and these strangers. I guess they aren't strangers because I had known them for a whole 3 seconds. One of them called me beautiful blogger girl. It was great because I always struggle trying to find a title for my post and that was perfect. Fitting isn't it? :) Anyway, the dessert was really good and then I stayed up with Jenna and her roommate Lindsay watching 13 going on 30. I haven't stayed out that late in about 3 1/2 months. When you have a boyfriend with a mission call who was asked to be in at 10:30 everynight by his stake president, you don't have many late night movies like that. I don't have a letter from Kam yet but it should come in the mail today!

This is my new Post

Well I have been having a lot of fun lately. My family signed up to have a 14 year old Japanese student stay at our house for a week. His name is Yuya and we really enjoyed him! He brought us Japanese food and candy and tried to teach us how to do Oragami. We went laser tagging, bowling, and to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point while he was here. He really liked playing card games with us and dad said he loved pancakes. We told him to come visit us again sometime and he said "okay, and you come visit me in Japan sometime." That would be fun. Caleb, Yuya and I carved pumpkins together. You can probably tell from the picture who did which pumpkin.

Kameron leave for the MTC on Wednesday! I can't believe it is finally here! I've been anticipating this day for over 2 years now. I'm sad but I'm not sad at the same time. How can I be sad that he is leaving to serve a mission? I know the Lord has a great work in store for Kameron. But I'm going to miss him. We went shot-gun shooting yesterday. I liked it, but I didn't like the sore shoulder I had afterwards. I'm not very good at shooting. I might have hit 2 clay pigeons but we couldn't tell if it was me or not. We also went to the BYU football game on Saturday. It was Kameron's last football game for 2 years. He was really happy to go and I was happy to be there with him.

I only have a month and a week left of this semester, and 2 months from next saturday until I leave for New Zealand. A couple who lived in New Zealand for 18 months came to our prep class and showed us pictures of the area we'll be living in and of people in the branch. It made me even more anxious to be there. I'm excited to learn to love the people in Invercargill and the people from BYU who are going with me.

This is Kameron, his brothers and one brother-in-law. They were heel-clicking so we took a picture. Talk about a manly thing to do at the shooting range. :)

Me Jumping.

Kameron got a 12 gauge shotgun for his birthday. He is the one closest to the camera, his sister Lexi is in the middle and then in the back is his brother Seth. Seth was bald when he came home from his mission and so was their oldest brother. Kam doesn't have a chance.
Kameron and I went 4-wheeling with his parents last week. It's hunting season so we had to wear orange! Kameron's shirt is very attractive don't you think?

I was a butterfly for Halloween and Kam was a redneck cowboy. This is us at Kameron's house with our good friend Mickey and his girlfriend Kiana.
The one in the middle is Yuya's. Doesn't it look like a Japanese pumpkin?

Sisters

I made this in Photoshop because I was bored. I wrote the poem all by myself. I had to say that or else someone might think I plagerized seeing as how the quality of my poem is high. If you click on it you'll see a more clear picture.

Link

I posted a link to a website on the side of my blog (under Visit these other blogs) that will tell you what time it is and what the weather will be like where I'll be in Invercargill New Zealand. Obviously I'm not there yet but you can refer to that often once I leave so you never miss me too much.

I'm a Movie Star: No Really.

Last week the YSA in my home stake had an Academy Awards night. The week before we got in groups and filmed movies to watch and judge at the Academy Awards. I edited my movie and it got best overall film AND I got best actress. The Academy Awards were spray painted Mrs. Butterworths (which came filled to the brim with syrup.) It was a lot of fun. I put tons of work into getting the decorations, flyer, and movie ready, but I'd say it was worth it. Oh AND I was defintely the best looking one there. Just kidding. I used the grandkid's dress up gloves and mom's spare sun glasses and gaudy rings to top the outfit off.

I purchased a wetsuit for $33.40 off ebay, a zero degree mummy bag on sale for $20.00 and my next buy is hiking boots. Hopefully there won't be much more to buy after that. I'm getting really good deals though because I don't care so much about the brand like some people in the group do. This is a picture of my actual sleeping bag.

Kameron bought me the new Rascal Flatts cd and I'm in heaven. I listen to it at least twice a day so I can master all the songs. If you are from Utah (or if you are my dad) you will probably have a hard time saying the name of this album: Still Feels Good. Or is it Still Fills Good or Steel Fills Good or Steel Feels Good? Kameron was lucky he got the cd on sell, I mean sale.

The other day I was walking down the stairs at the library to go into my office. I looked over at the bathrooms and saw a girl walking out of the girls bathroom....and then I saw an old man walking out right behind her. He walked out the door and made the turn into the boys bathroom. It's a mistake we've all made right? I don't know why but it was hilarious. I think it was the look on the man's face. He was wearing a Mr. Roger's jacket with his pants up past his belly button and just a hint of a smirk. It made my day. It just reminded me of the time I went into the men's bathroom at the movie theater just 2 years ago. The people outside tried to warn me but it wasn't until I saw the urinals that I knew I was in the wrong place. Luckily the bathroom was empty.

California

I went to my first New Zealand prep class. I learned a lot about the program and I'm totally psyched. I met some really cool people and I volunteered to be in charge of the service committee. I'll get to work with a man who lives in NZ right now in order to figure out what he thinks the service needs are. We get to choose if we want to go to Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, or Austrailia after the programs done. It's only about $200 to fly to any of those places from NZ so I figured I better do it.

I'm in California with Kameron's family right now. It has been really fun. Saturday we went to the BYU vs. UCLA game, Monday and Tuesday we went to Disneyland and today to the beach. Vacation is the life. I've been doing some homework to make sure I don't get behind, considering I'm missing a week of school.

Okay, so the results of my poll:

Ben=3
Joe=3

Abby=3

Hannah=2

Sarah=2

Caleb=2

Betsy=37

Russell, we are all trying to figure out how you did it? I thought for SURE I would win considering I'm mom and dad's favorite. Dad said he didn't vote and I bet mom voted for Caleb because he doesn't have a significant other to vote for him. I guess Betsy is the winner. She is everyone's favorite sibling. I know Sarah voted for her because she saw that her name was colored a little lighter than the rest of us and she thought that meant Betsy didn't have any votes. Sarah wanted to make sure Betsy got at least one vote. Little did she know that a light colored name meant Betsy was blowing everyone out of the water. I guess if Russ is the only one smart enough to figure out how to vote multiple times than his wife deserves to win. Sorry everyone. From the moment I sucked Betsy's big toe she has been my favorite sibling.

Bear Lake

Today I went to an Owlz baseball game and for the first time ever caught a shirt. I've always tried my hardest to catch free things that are thrown at me- even if it meant tackling the little kid next to me to try to get it. Today I didn't even have to fight. I just looked at the girl throwing t-shirts and new it was coming straight for me. Okay, so it's an extra large and goes down to my knees, but I caught it on my own.

I took a trip to Bear Lake for my first time a couple weeks ago. It was really pretty and I had a fun time with my camera. There was a terrible wind storm that was strong enough to lift poor Hannah almost over the 2nd story deck of our cabin. Luckily we caught it on camera. I've never seen such blue water. I wonder what the water looks like in New Zealand?

Called to Serve

Kameron got his mission call yesterday! : Independence Missouri It covers most of Kansas too. He'll be speaking english and he leaves November 7. He will only have to spend about 3 weeks in the MTC. He is the first one in his family to serve in the United States and to speak English! 4 of his siblings served in South America-ish, all speaking spanish. He has one sister-in-law who served at Temple Squre though ,so I guess he's not really alone. He is so excited and he knows that Independence is exactly where the Lord needs him. I'm happy because it won't take letters a million years to get to him and his mom is excited that she can send all the packages she wants. I'm so proud of him and grateful that he gets the opportunity to preach the gospel in Independence, and I'll miss him like crazy.

This is us with his call. My hair is straight.


These are some giant faces that used to be on a billboard. Now they are leaning against a building near the Exxon gas Station by the freeway. I'm
picking his nose. That is Morgan McAllister with me.




At the Park with an Icee.

Family Reunion

Today we went to the Dickson family reunion. It was pretty cool. There were a lot of people that I didn't know but who are apparently related to me. It was held at the Dickson Family Farm, kind of in the backyard of my grandma's brothers sons house. Man, the area was beautiful. It was surrounded by huge trees that offered shade, there was a slight breeze and an awesome creek. Even better than the creek was the hand made bridge that went across it. The bridge was just barely wide enough to allow two people to stand right next to each other (of course depending on the size of the two people.) The only thing to hold on to was a thick piece of telephone line type wire that went from one side to the other. What would a creek and a bridge be with out a rope swing? All the kids were in their swimming suits swinging off the bridge and in to the creek. I didn't have a swimming suit but decided to try it anyway.
Luckily the creek was shallow so I didn't get too wet. The little boys thought I was pretty tough. And I guess I am pretty tough, what can I say?


The best part of the reunion was that we got to hear my Grandma and her siblings read a short autobiography that each of them took the time to write. They included memories they had of their parents, my great-grandparents. My grandparents won the prize for having the most decendants out of all my grandma's other siblings. Crazy how that happened considering they only had 3 kids themselves. I love my grandparents. They are the best!

The Mountain

I hiked Mt. Timpanogos today. We started at 5:00 AM and finished at 12:30 PM. The hike up to the top was nice but on the way down I wanted to die. My feet are blistered and my rear-end is sore. I finally got my camera so here are the first pictures I ever took on my new camera!

Crime in Provo

In case anyone has ever thought that nothing bad ever happens in Provo Utah, Here is a copy of the Police Beat from the Daily Universe:

Criminal Mischief

July 3: A 47-year-old man was reported to be sleeping in Riverside Park. When police arrived, they found him to be intoxicated from drinking listerine and upset at the disturbance. No further action was taken.

July 3: An individual was reported to be arguing with a Wendy's employee late Tuesday night. The individual was upset because the employee would not accept his walk-up order. The officer backed up the employee and sent the individual home.

July 6: A man was reported soliciting females in the BYU Bookstore to be models. The man said he was an artist for the art museum in Springville. Police found that the man was who he said he was, but still questioned the actual intent of the soliciting.

Traffic Offense

July 6: BYU police were called out to assist Provo police who had pulled over a man for a traffic offense who did not speak English. Upon arrival of the Spanish-speaking officer, the man realized he was getting a ticket despite the language barrier and was able to speak english fluently.

Boy am I glad the BYU and Provo police departments are watching out for me.

The No Camera Blues

It's hard to have a blog and not have a digital camera. No worries, I'm going to use any money I get for my b-day and purchase a digital camera. It's about time. I need one especially for New Zealand, but it will be nice to have now too. Then my blog will be happenin' with all kinds of pictures. Deep down inside I am one of those camera happy people who like to take a thousand pictures of every outing. Unfortunately I have never had the right kind of camera to be camera happy on the outside. I tend to forget to bring my camera with me when I go places, which is another obstacle to becoming outwardly camera happy. I'll figure it out eventually.

Highlights

My sister Hannah recently had her hair highlighted (by her husband, surprisingly). It looks geat so I decided to do the same thing to my hair. It took me awhile to find the right stuff but at the end of the shopping trip I thought I had done a pretty good job. I got home and opened the instructions which said I needed developer to mix the color with. I forgot that in the particular box I purchased the developer didn't come with it. My mom had some leftover developer but not the right stuff. We tried it anyway and the Ash Blonde highlights didn't even show up. Too bad. It was a waste of money but I looked pretty cool during the process.

Game Room

I got hounded for not updating my blog often enough. What the alleged hounder (Russell) doesn't know is that I was using how often he updates his blog as an example for how often I should update mine. As soon as he put a new post, I was going to too. He posted yesterday (after not posting for eleven days) and yelled at me (although it's only been 10 for me) so I figure it's about time to post.

I'm headed to a bridal shower. This is the first bridal shower for one of my friends that I have ever been to. It's funny how girls organize things. I got a room assignment on the bridal shower invitation--which I actually over looked at first and wondered what on earth I was going to get my friend.

Gratefully, my mom saw the assignment, "Game Room" which made my job a lot easier. I didn't know if game room meant a room that you play games in or a room that you hang stuffed deer heads that -you -killed-yourself in. Anyway, I took a wild gander and started out looking at Games People Play in the mall. I could have gotten a deck of Barbie face cards for 5 dollars, or a regular old UNO deck for 9 dollars. It was a tough decision, but I decided to go to Wal-Mart instead. I got a 1000 piece puzzle, Rook, Mancala and 2 disc shooters (and a basket to put them in) All for less than 20 dollars. Hopefully my friend and her future hubby will enjoy playing my games. In all reality they'll probably take them back and by a sweet door mat or something.

I'm happy for my friend. She is lucky to be getting married although I'm not sure I would like to trade her places (At least not right now).

I'm wondering what kind of equipment I'll need to take to New Zealand. I'm excited to go but I've been getting nervous that when we go on our backpacking and kayaking trips, I'll have to go to the bathroom in the wilderness. I've done it before, but that doesn't mean I liked it. I don't like the idea of burying my own bowel movement in the ground hoping that no one stakes their tent or builds a ditch in the same spot.

Wooo Hoooo

Good news! I'm going to NEW ZEALAND!!!! Not until January, but still, I'm going for sure!

Out on the Lake

Kameron and I and some of our friends went boating last Saturday. This is us in a tree while we were waiting for our turn to go out on the lake. I tried the wakeboard and got up on my first try. I couldn't get out of the wake though so it was boring and I ended up just letting go of the rope. We were at Utah lake, home of the gooey, nasty, black mud/fish poop/dead people. Gratefully, no one caught any diseases.

My Favorite Place

Well, as we approach the end of the semester I am of course scurrying to finish all my projects. The biggest project I have ever undertaken was to redesign Caleb's triangle room (for my Home and Family Living class). It looks pretty good, I'm proud. I felt like we were on trading spaces. School's almost over! yay! P.s. Photoshop is one of the least user friendly, and most complicated programs to learn on your own.

Rascal Flatts

Yes you're seeing things right. This is me and Stevo at the Rascal Flatts concert. And the picture on top is Jo Don, Gary Levox and Jay Demarcus themselves. I had probably the best night of my life so far. I woke up and told stevie that I had a dream that we went to the Rascal Flatts concert....and then I realized it wasn't a dream it was REAL. Stevie is pretty cool,I love her. It's lucky that we hit it off so well because we kind of had a hard time getting used to this place. (Our dorm that is). Now we are looking forward to living together again in our 3 bedroom, huge bathroom, 2 refrigeratored apartment located directly north of the Football Stadium. I can watch the games from my back yard! Well at one point I was less than 20 feet away from Rascal Flatts and it was a dream come true!

School

I love being a college student; especially at BYU. I feel like the education I am gaining is "top notch" and I'm greatful to be here. However, this week has been AWFUL. After 5 Tests, one book and 1 paper I am ready for a break. I think it's incredible that you can study so hard in a class and learn so much, but then completely bomb the test. Too bad your grade depends on the test score not on what you felt like you learned. NDFS 100 has 3 teachers that teach the same class at different times. One teacher writes the test that all three classes take. Sometimes Dr. Brown might not get to the same information that Dr. Christensen was able to, but the students still have to take the same test. I haven't slept longer than 6 hours in one night for about 2 weeks. I guess that's what weekends are for. And, I guess I'm not alone. There are 28,000 other students who would probably make the same complaints. As my Home and Family Living teachers always says, "Life is hard but we can do hard things!"

Jazz Game

Yesterday I went to my first Jazz Basketball game at the Energy Solutions Arena (aka Delta Center). We played the Lakers so I got to see Kobe Bryant pull some sweet moves. The Jazz lost, but it was so fun! I couldn't help but think about how I will be in that very same arena watching Rascal Flatts in just 10 days!!!!

New Blog

Hey everyone! I am helping with a program at work which will enable the Library Faculty to become a little more familiar with the technologies of the day. One of the available trainings is about blogs, so I thought I'd set one up to learn more about it.