Thanksgiving :)

Alright, so break is almost over, and it's been absolutely wonderful! Let me give you a run down!
Tuesday--Last day of classes :) I hung out with Stephen AKA eating pizza and cookies and pecan pie, and playing football on XBOX. Came home and hung out with Julie AKA had a sleepover in our living room with our matresses.
Wednesday--Woke up at....ya know what? It doesn't matter what time I woke up...I'm on vacation! I went running, then did some homework, then went to see NEW MOON with Lindsay...and Stephen haha. For the record, I invited Stephen to come along as a joke, and he said, "ya know? I might actually take you up on that!" So, he came BY CHOICE! Granted, he had nothing better to do because he's been at his apartment alone, so I will give him that :) Ok, New Moon was so great! I actually really liked it, and I'm very excited to have time next summer to read the books...hopefully hahaha
Thursday--I went to Santaquin with my brother and we had our Thanksgiving Feast with Grandma and Grandpa Larsen, and Uncle Tom and Aunt Jen and their family. The food was delicious, and it was nice to be able to be with family that we hadn't seen in some time. Thursday night, Stephen, Shelby (my adorable 13 year old cousin) and I went to Highland and spent the night and April's parent's house and hung out with the nephews :)
Friday--Shelby, April, Crystal (April's sister), Chad (April's brother) and I woke up at 3 in the morning and went to Walmart, Kohls, and Target...then back to Walmart because we forgot something...good grief I have never seen it so crazy! It was good fun though, and I got all my Christmas shopping done :) TADA! Then, I came back from shopping, hung out with my roommate Julie and her sister Laurie, went running, did laundry, showered. Julie was kind enough to invite me to her family's girls night out. She is part of a family with 7 kids, so she has 3 sisters, and 3 sister in laws (1 brother is still not married...yet haha). It was fun to hang out with her sisters, sister in laws, and her wonderful mother! We went to Olive Garden, then went back to her sister in law's apartment and just chatted and played games. It reminded me a lot of the times that all the Larsen girls are together, and how fun that is! It made me realize even more how much I love my mom and my sister in laws, and I love hanging out with them. Needless to say, I love Julie's family, and how they welcomed me to their girl's night out--it was such a nice break :) Thanks Jules!
Today--well...today is The Holy War...AKA BYU vs. U of U football game. I'm a bit nervous for the game, but hopefully if our defense shows up and if Max Hall doesn't through any interceptions, I think we can win...we'll see!

I have the best parents!

I know, I know, I've blogged about them before, but I'm blogging again about the 2 greatest people in the world...affectionately known as mama and papa!!! They are so great! Ya know, I try telling people that I'm not spoiled being the only girl and the youngest...but I totally am! This weekend, I asked my parents if I could come home for a number of reasons. 1) I need a break from school. 2) I miss them. 3) I won't be home for Thanksgiving. 4) I miss them. 5) I miss them. 6) I MISS THEM! 7) Jason (good friend) came back from his mission and reported this past weekend. Ok, so they decided to fly me home on Friday (the 13th for all you supersticious people haha) and I came back tonight--so it was quick, but wonderful! Let me just tell you about it!
Friday--Flew home. Ate at Qdoba with Nick and my parents.
Saturday--Went to breakfast with mom and Mariel. Watched football game with Reed and April and family and Mom and Dad. Went to a Ward Fall Party (where it was so great to catch up with everyone). Decorated the house for Christmas! Watched "While You Were Sleeping" and "The Nativity Story" with mom while we decorated and made home-made rolls.
Sunday--Went to Jason's ward and heard him give his report and had lunch with his family and friends from his ward. Visited my Grandparents and ran by the Crowthers to say hi :) Flew home.
To top it all off, IT SNOWED LIKE CRAZY!!! I totally loved every minute of it! For those of you who think I'm crazy for decorated for Christmas and already listening to Christmas music, let me just say that I need to get in the Christmas mood early considering the month leading up to Christmas is a nightmare with finals, school, finals, finals, calling, more calling, more finals haha you get the point...I need to get in the Christmas spirit to get me through this next month of madness!!! (It's really in December, not March!) Anyways, the point of this blog is to thank my parents for bringing me home this weekend and giving me a power boost to get through this semester. I love you both!

College Romance...

Oh my dear freaking goodness....I hate college romance sometimes. Now, don't think that I'm bitter just because I'm currently single because I'm not. I actually am enjoying this time of independence and freedom (although I will admit, having a boyfriend is much better than NOT having a boyfriend...ugh...). Anywho that's not the point. The point is....well....let me just tell this quick story. Today I'm sitting in my D & C class, and my brother went to a different lecture today, so I had a lot more time to browse the classroom and just observe people. One couple I have noticed before...mainly because they sit on the front room. Oh gosh, today it was SO distracting! Here's how it went down. Girl sits on front row, saves seat for boy. Boy walks up, sits next to girl, and they give each other the most passionate kiss known to freaking man...ew...boy puts arm around girl who then lays her head into what seems to be his armpit (hope you put on some deodorant). Through-out the class, boy and girl occasionaly kiss...actually a lot...girl is practically laying on boy's lap the whole time, whispering/talking sweet nothings (AKA cheesy lines that only seem cute if you're in a relationship) into each others' ears...blah blah blah. I noticed my teacher kind of look at them a couple times...I seriously was about to throw my pen at them (not even kidding about that either). I probably would have if I had another pen on me. Seriously, what's the point in them going to class if they won't even listen to the teacher and if they are going to put on a show...quite literally...for the rest of the class. I heard one guy whisper loudly to them "get a room!" but they were so lost in their own little world they couldn't hear. Whatever. Another amusing comment about college romance: The Daily Universe put out an article about the library being the place to get asked on dates....hahahahaha what?! Supposedly, they interviewed this girl who is a Senior majoring in English and ever since her Freshmen year has been hit on at least once a week, and given out her number to hundreds of boys, been on hundreds of dates...she actually gave tips of where to sit and what to do so girls will get hit on in the library...and here I thought the library was actually about...studying...doing homework. I will admit, I have been hit on twice in the library (that averages to about one a year hahaha), and I actually gave my number to one guy...who still hasn't called me hahahahahaha. ooooooooo maybe I should just switch my major to English and sit in all the right places...this girl they interviewed is right though. I usually go to second floor and she's never been asked out on second floor...she said most of her luck comes on fifth floor....maybe I'll start studying up there hahahahaha just kidding. Seriously BYU? I know that marriage is important and wonderful, but please get off of each other during classes, and if you are all over each other, at least don't sit in front row...

Parents

I miss my parents! I've realized (more so this year than last year) that parents are so great! They are the greatest thing in the world (ok...it's a toss up between them and chocolate ice-cream haha just kidding). I definitely missed them last year, but last year I had the Cannon Center (which made it so I didn't have to cook), I had Eric and Meg (Meg being my go to person for advice), and I was always in good health. Granted, I did do my own laundry, but I've been doing that since high school. Tis not so this year. I need to cook for my one-zie, still need to do laundry except this year it's WAY over-priced, I don't have an older go-to girl (Emily just HAS to be in Ukraine and Eric and Meg just HAD to move), and this week has been not so good as far as health goes. I don't think it's too serious, but I'm having a lot of symptoms of swine flu. Even if I did have swine flu, it's a very very mild case, and I should be well in a couple of days. I told Mom that it wasn't fun being away from them. Where else am I going to get a 24-hour on demand pharmacist and a 24-hour mom/nurse/someone to hold me when I need to be held person...NOT HERE! I guess this is where a boyfriend would come in handy, but considering I'm not dating anyone, that went out the window in...mmmmm....2 seconds. Needless to say, I miss my parents. I miss dad and all of his knowledge and wisdom about drugs (legal that is), and I miss mom and her compassionate heart. I know I sound like a 5-year-old and I'm being a big baby about being sick, but it made me realize how much I miss mama and papa bear. Granted, I do have excellent roommates who always inquire after my health, and an excellent Elder's Quorum President and Relief Society Secratary who brought me some herbal tea and cookies. Not to mention my brother Stephen and friend Patrick who willingly gave me a priesthood blessing. Ok, so life isn't that bad, in fact it's excellent! BUT, I still miss Mom and Dad and look forward to seeing them in T-minus 10 days!

I was opened up to a new world today!

So, my friend Cebre and I had a pretty funny experience today. We are pretty much the same person...she goes to BYU, is in Math Education, loves singing, and is straight-up dork :) We spend our lives in the Math-lab (others refer to it in more vulgar terms hahaha), and while in the math lab, you meet a lot of...interesting people. Now what I'm about to say should not offend those in engineering, math, math-ed, or any other major that requires upper-level math classes. For the most part, people in the math lab (whether they be TA's or students) are pretty normal with a few weirdies mixed in. Today, Cebs and I decided to go to the Tanner building to each lunch, and we ended up doing our homework in there. While sitting a table, we had some people come and go, looking all dressed up in their business attire, and the shocker was they actually talked to us like normal human beings--not a hint of awkwardness or hesitation. Cebre and I would just sit there laughing because 1) We could definitely see a difference between those in the math-lab and those in the tanner building (awkward vs. charismatic, etc. etc. etc.), and 2) We felt completely out of place because we were not dressed up at all and everyone else was. I leaned over and told Cebre that I wanted to start being more of a people person and start dressing up more. I could never major in accounting or business, but I like the people that do major in that kind of stuff...they dress nice and aren't awkward--great combo! I want to reform the math-lab...from now on we could dress up in business suits and ties or skirts and heels, and we actually talk to each other (in a very NON-awkward way)...naaaw...I'm still a nerd through and through...I just now need to come to accept the fact that as a teacher I will have to wear apple sweaters and pants that are too big for me :) Just kidding! While it was a fun and new experience, I'll stick to my awkward buddies and the organized chaos of the math lab!

Tender Mercies

I believe in Tender Mercies. For those of you who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you'll probably remember Elder Bednar's talk on the tender mercies of the Lord (he gave it right after he was called as an apostle). I've come to realize this semester more than ever the tender mercies of the Lord. I'd like to talk about one of them--friends. Friends are great! One friend in particular has been such a great sounding board for me. I feel like whenever I'm at my breaking point or just need a shoulder to cry on, she's always there for me. We are pretty much the same person...both obsessed with BYU football, love school, musical, out-going and fun-loving, but I think this person possesses a capacity to love...something that I'm trying to develop as well. She's a great example to me of being selfless, and she's always so aware of how everyone is feeling. I must admit, with school, church, social-life, etc etc etc of college, it's nice to know that the path we take, however hard or easy, long or short it may be, there is always at least one friend we can rely on, and always knows what we need--sometimes before we realize we need it. To this person--you know who you are--thank you so much for being there for me when no one else was. I love you!

An update on my life!

Holy cow! I sitting here with my roommate, Julie, and told her that I haven't blogged for about...ummmm...7 months. Ok, time to update my life! Winter semester turned out to be an epic survival of math classes and 15 ridiculous credits! I'm so glad to have that over! This summer was wonderful! I started up some independent study classes, hung out with my mom, worked, and hung out every night with Nick, Nate, Andrea, Scott, Matt, and other people from singles ward. All we did was watch movies, play scum, maybe get out of the house, but for the most part, we were lazy slackers! It was such a great summer. The only thing I wish I could've changed is that Meg and Eric moved down to Arizona, so now it's just me and Stephen and Brent in Utah...which is good, but football games aren't the same with Meg and Eric--I miss you both! Ok, this Fall, is freaking sweet! My classes are going very well, and keeping me very busy. I love all my roommates (Julie, Nikki, Andrea, Lindsay, and Patricia). We love apartment 99, and we're a very social apartment. I love my ward, especially my FHE family, and I feel like everyone gets along very well. I especially love the girls in my ward, and think they are all wonderful and beautiful :) Yes ladies and gentlemen, life is good, and I'm loving life right now! I'll try to be a little better about updating my life!

This is the life!

Ok, quick update on what I've been doing.
Friday night--My cousin Brittany got married and so we went to her wedding reception. My parents were in town this weekend and I mostly hung out with my mom. It was good fun.
Saturday--I was about Meg and Eric's until about...3:45 AM doing rockband with Stephen, Eric, Meg, Brent, Staci, and Mom...and when I fell asleep they weren't done yet...hahaha. I also went shopping with mom, Meg, and Scotty, did some homework and then on Saturday night a big group of us went up to SLC to surprise Matt on his birthday. We went to the planetarium to see one of the shows and we ended up seeing the light show to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"...I think what Garret said about it sums it up pretty well..."That was like the screensavor from Hell!" Took the words right out of my mouth!
Sunday--Mom came to church with me and Matt came with Andrea. We went to the Draper Temple open house which was awesome, and then Mom and I proceeded to play more rockband with Eric and Meg. Mom did awesome! She sang the song "Testify" by I don't know who, but I'll just say that's a side of mom I've NEVER seen. It's a good thing the drums part was pretty easy because I was crying I was laughing so hard. She also sang "Give it away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers...I think it's safe to say I have the coolest mom!
Ok, that's what I've been up to. More funny stories to follow soon!

Age differences

No, this isn't about the age difference between most married couples, those dating, or even the student population at BYU...I'm talking about the difference between a 5 year old girl who runs up and down halls screaming, and that same 19 year old girl who spends 10 hours on campus doing homework, going to classes, and giving service to the BYU community. Some of you might be thinking, how is this possible? If any of you have lived in the dorms, you know EXACTLY how this is possible. Now, I will admit, there are those nights when I just HAVE to scream out of excitement, or go bang on my friends' doors telling them about my amazing night, but when it is a daily(or should I say nightly) occurance, it gets a little old. I love the girls on my floor with all of my being(HAHA!), but the random outbursts every night could be toned down a little bit. For those of you who've been to college, please please PLEASE say that the apartment gets a little better!

What am I doing?!

Alright, alright, I've finally been talked into it! Everyone keeps telling me how amazing blogging is, and it's a great way to keep in touch with friends and family...we'll see how this goes! I'll start posting after this week is over(yet another jam-packed week...yay for BYU not having spring break!). Keep checking for more updates!