I must post before December ends....

Okay, so this is going to be a monthly blog. Obviously. I just don't have exciting things to report on, really. So we'll see where this goes.

So fall semester has ended. It was a great semester, but quite difficult. But I made it through, and got pretty good grades after all. This semester, as you probably know, I was a TA for Math 113 (calculus). It was fabulous. I absolutely loved the job, and the students became good friends of mine. I'm really going to miss that class. My professor is teaching a big lecture class next semester where they have grad students as TA's. So yeah, it's sad...no math 113 TA anymore. But, good news...I got another job! I'm going to be a math 334 T.A. (as a sophomore!) with my friend Erica, and it's going to be a good experience. I just took the class this past semester, and it was hard, but I think I'm pretty qualified to T.A. the class. I'm excited...it just might be a little awkward since almost every student will be older than me. Haha.

On thursday night (the last week of finals), a bunch of kids from my ward went to IHOP at like 10:30. I had a final the next morning at 7:00 and had to get up at like 5:45, but I really wanted to go, and my mom told me to (she encourages me to go out and be social since I tend to think I need to do homework 24/7). I had a really good time, and my final the next morning went well. It was my last final any way, so I could be a total bum the rest of the day. So yeah, after the final was over, I met up with Cort and Linds (my cousins on the Smith side) and we had breakfast and talked. Then I went home and cleaned, packed, and watched full house. Then I went out to lunch with Katie and Connor which was really fun, and then I came back and did some more bummish stuff like napping and more full house watching (I'm quite a fan--in fact I got the whole series--8 seasons!!--for christmas!). Then Katie and Connor came over for dinner and then we went to the basketball game since my cousin Davis (on the Baker side) was playing on SUU's team against BYU. He did really well--played almost the entire game and was tied for the leading shooter on his team. I was in the BYU cheer section since I have a BYU student all sports pass, so I think a lot of people thought I was really confused or knew nothing about basketball since I'd cheer really loud whenever BYU scored AND whenever Davis scored. It was fun. :)

My trip home on Saturday was pretty gross. K&C dropped me off at the airport around 7 for my 8:30 flight, but it ended up being delayed because of Chicago weather (FOG), so we didn't leave till 9:30. We made up some time in the air, but once we got to Chicago, we couldn't land, so we ended up circling around for an HOUR and then finally landed....but then we had no gate to pull up to, so we had to just sit there for another 30 minutes. So an hour and a half layover turned into a "the plane is leaving in 10 minutes" freak out, running frantically through the airport moment. But then even tho the screen said the plane was boarding, it wasn't. It turned out that our crew had just landed (their plane was delayed too), so we left an hour late. It was intense.

So I came home for christmas and it has been fun, but crazy. I'm not used to so much noise and intenseness. Also, the weather here is insane!--it's averaged about 50 degrees every day here, and it's like 15 degrees in Utah. Much different. It's nice to have warm weather (although my sisters are constantly saying it's freezing, yeaaahhh right), but it sure doesn't feel like winter time. I miss the mountains and the snow. But I really really like having access to a car. I can like....drive places! If I want to go get something, I can! I don't have to beg someone to drive me somewhere. It's so nice. Soon I will buy a car and it will be fantastic. I like not feeling stuck.

My friend Amy (from high school) got baptized a little over a month ago, and so just yesterday we drove up to the temple and did baptisms. It was a great experience. We then went to the visitors center and looked around, and then went to the little store near the temple that sells pictures, books, jewelry, and all that other churchy stuff.

So I think that is all my random updates for now. Maybe I'll add some pics later. We'll see.

the dullness of school and excitingness of weddings

Okay, so maybe excitingness is not a word, but I like it. It's been forever since I've posted, but school has kept me plenty busy. If any of you are not thinking straight, the wedding I'm referring to is KATIE's, not mine. Because a wedding is not even somewhat in the future for me--I kind of need a boyfriend first. Unfortunately.

So yes, school is dull. Although, I'm not going to lie, I find some of my homework fun. My math homework, of course. Even when it takes me an hour to do a problem. I'm not saying it's free of frustration, but it definitely can be enjoyable at times. I even actually enjoyed taking my last differential equations test. Not that I did particularly well on it, but I did have fun taking it. Because I'm a serious math nerd. Really. I took a quiz on blackboard last night, but before taking it, I looked at the class average. It was 3.8 out of 5, which is particularly low for the class. Then I took it, and was extra careful, so I got a 5. Then I looked at the average and it was a 4. Most people woule be like, cool...okay. But not me. I am a math nerd. I look at and think, hey, I bet that by knowing the average before and after, and how I did, I could figure out how many people have taken the quiz so far. I almost started trying to do that, but then I realized I should probably be a little more productive. But yeah, so my math classes are way hard as always, but...I'm doing okay in them. I don't really like my honors 260 class, which is like wildlife biology, but it's okay, because it's almost over.

Okay, so I do have a few more exciting things.
1. I really enjoy this delicious salad, and I have no idea where the recipe came from (other than the fact that my mom gave it to me), but I make it very often and basically people think I'm an intense cook just because it looks so yummy and cool, but it's really not hard at all, and I love it. With a passion. So I'm sharing the recipe.

The recipe is actually more intense than I use (I just use a bag of romaine lettuce, strawberries, and then I make the dressing, and it is fantastic. But if you want to be more intense, you can follow the recipe below).

1-2 c fresh spinach
strawberries, sliced OR 1 can mandarin oranges
1/2 c slivered toasted almonds
2 or more heads romaine lettuce
1/4 red onion

DRESSING
3/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. vinegar
1 c. oil
1/4 t. salt
1 t. dry mustard
2 T. poppy seeds

put the dressing in the blender, mix, and then pour over the salad mixture.

OKAY...
2. I competed in dancesport (www.byudancesport.com) yesterday--(I'm in social dance). I performed the cha-cha. At the beginning of the competition, there were 220 couples. They have 6 rounds, and eliminate about 1/3 of those who compete each round. Then that night, they have quarter finals, semi finals, and then the finals (with 6 places). Anyway, my partner and I made it all the way through the quarter finals--and only 24 couples out of the 220 made it! We got out before the semi-finals, but I was pretty excited nonetheless. So yes, that is my most exciting news. Here are a few pictures from the competition.






...Okay, wedding stuff now.

Last weekend (the first weekend in November), Katie, Connor, Connor's sister Erin, and I went to D.C. for the weekend. The whole weekend was full of crazy adventures, which I won't go into detail about. But Katie went through the temple and we had an open house on Saturday night. It was really fun to see my family, but crazy busy the whole 2 days I was there. Anyway, so here's a few pictures of the decorations at the open house and a picture of Katie with Connor and with the bridesmaids (all my sisters and Erin). Enjoy the pictures!









p.s. One quick story. On the way home to D.C., Erin, Katie, and I had a layover in Chicago. We got some food and then went to the gate way early so we'd definitely be able to sit next to each other (we were unable to on the flight from SLC to Chicago). We sat there, and were having a good ol' time, not really thinking about the fact that we had been sitting there for a really long time. Then we heard "Last call for flight...," and he announced our flight number. We're like, what?! And we look up, and we're sitting one gate over. We totally were oblivious to the fact that everyone on our flight had already boarded the plane. So we got our stuff and ran over, and boarded the plane less than 8 minutes before it took off. Yes, we are losers.

I haven't died yet... :)

A few weeks ago, my roommate's brother drove us up Alpine Loop (I think thats what it's called) up into the mountains. I'd never been that far up, in fact, I don't think I've been up in the mountains during the day other than when I hiked the Y (and by the time I actually made it to the top, I wasn't appreciating the beauty around me). Anyway, it was so gorgeous up there. I was completely in awe. We just layed out a blanket up there and read, and wrote in our journals, and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and our beautiful surroundings. It was Sunday, so it was a perfect activity.

So I came up with this great idea to make myself look forward to taking long, difficult tests. I'm kind of in love with Jamba Juice, so when I have a test that will take 2+ hours that I'm really dreading, I finish reviewing and then I go buy myself a jamba. My favorite is orange-a-peel and I substitute peaches in for the bananas. It is absolutely delicious. It immediately puts me in a happy mood, and then I swear I do better on my test. :) Okay, so maybe it's just a way to justify spending money, but I think it's worth it.

So I'm a TA for Math 113H, which is the honors section of calculus 2. It's been a really neat experience. I really enjoy it--I've gotten to know the students well, and I really care about them doing well. I usually enjoy grading (just not when it takes hours and hours on end), and I've taught a few times, and it hasn't been entirely miserable. My professor has 2 kids in his ward that go to Timpview High school, and he asked me to tutor them, so I've been doing that too. It's definitely been keeping me busy. I think I'd be busy even without a job. So basically all I ever do is homework, and I don't really do much social stuff. I don't know many people in my complex, so I don't know...maybe it'll come with time. I really just need to make a bunch of new friends, because right now my friends consist of my roommates and friends in my math classes. Not that I don't love them all, but I just want to do fun stuff on the weekends instead of sitting here listening to rascal flatts, posting on my blog, and eating pasta. Oh, and as soon as I finish this, it's homework time. Wahoo.

So this semester already has been a huge testimony-strengthener. I have just seen the Lord's hand so continually in my life. There have been many times I've come from a day of school completely frustrated and depressed and crying, feeling like I could "never understand," or "I'll never be good enough." But the Lord always is looking out for me--one day I had this impression to look in this little "peace book" my mom made for me last year, and I opened up to a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland about how we must NOT give up. The Lord loves us and does not want us to fail. We must see beyond this test or this class. We must see eternally. We cannot give up. That talk just really brought peace to my spirit, and I knew that God was looking out for me afterall and that it would all be okay in the end.

Okay, I don't mean to go off on a spiritual tangent, but I just have one more thought. This morning when I was reading the scriptures, it occurred to me that maybe "thou shalt not use the name of the Lord thy God in vain" could be referring to more than just using an expression such as "Oh my God" in casual conversation. I've always thought about it that way, until this morning. Remember how we took upon ourselves the name of the Lord when we were baptized? I think it's very possible that when we act in ways contrary to God's will, we are taking His name in vain. Yeah? Just something to think about.

This afternoon I watched High School Musical with a friend of mine that has never seen it! I was completely appalled and basically didn't give her a choice whether we'd watch it or not. But it's okay, because she enjoyed it, as I knew she would. I mean, who wouldn't? :)

Only a few more comments. I love Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood has a touching new music video out called "So Small." Check it out sometime. Well, I think this is enough of an update for now. I can't think of much else to say, except that abelian groups are my favorite. That's for all you math people out there. If there even are any of you. ;-)

p.s. Here is a random pic of me and my roommate Summer at the past home football game.

blahness

So...it's been awhile since I've updated this so I thought I'd procrastinate my homework and cleaning.

School is going well--but its really really hard. My math classes are difficult and take a lot of work. But I guess that's what I get for majoring in math ed. But it's nice because I made a few friends during winter semester in my major, and I have a lot of classes with them this semester too. We do homework together, which really helps.

My roommates and I get along well, which is nice. Our apartment is definitely cheap student housing, but it's comfy and I like it a lot--other than the weird loud noises that occur when water is turned on (I think our pipes are ancient). Plus, our apartment is literally across the street from campus (and near the math building), so that is convienent.

Last night I went bowling with a friend of mine who is reporting to the MTC on Wednesday. He's going to Ecuador. It's pretty cool to have all my friends spread across the world serving the Lord. It's hard not having them here, but I know they are doing the right thing.

I wish I had exciting things to report on, but I really don't. Sorry that I'm not exciting. Some day I shall have children and I will have cute stories to tell. For now, my life is full of work and homework and classes and sleep. And that's about it. The end.

the sad life of a college student

I'm back in provo. I got here Tuesday night and spent the night at Dave and Carol's (my aunt and uncle). I stayed there on Wednesday and did some studying for my online class, and then Wednesday night I kind of moved in--i.e. I got a key to my apartment and got sheets on my bed. I still have a lot more work to do. But I did take my midterm for my online class this morning and got a 90%, so I was pretty excited. Now all I need to do is stop procrastinating and study for my final that I have to take tomorrow. Ugh! But it'll be so nice when this is over. Then...I just get to start school all over again. And it will be much, much harder. Wahoo. But I can have fun decorating my apartment and the such.

So my apartment is pretty nice--there's lots of space and it's close to campus. My roommates are great, too. The only problems: No dishwasher. No drawers for clothes. No internet cable in the room (it's in the hallway). Nothing I can't deal with, though. It's student housing--what can I expect?

Okay, so I just thought I'd let you all know that it's ridiculous that a 1 inch thick textbook costs over $100. Um, yes. I've gotta go study now. And eat like...a peanut butter sandwich. Or maybe I'll be extravagant and put some beans on a tortilla.

College life is thrilling, let me tell you.

Ready or not, here I come!

My friend Summer (from BYU) had this on her blog, and I got "tagged" (see the end). I figured it was kind of fun, so I did it. I don't really expect anyone I "tagged" to do it, but...hopefully this will be a somewhat enjoyable read. :) Here I go...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Thinking I was cool in Mrs. Bigby's 4th grade class.
2. Going to the pool every day during the summer.
3. Playing with American girl dolls.
4. Riding my bike for transportation.
5. Having a crush on Keegan, and dreamily talking about him afterschool with Julie.

5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Read my scriptures.
2. Visit Shirley, an elderly woman in the ward.
3. Write my critical reviews for my online class.
4. Hang out with my friend Elise.
5. Get icecream with my friend Rachel who I haven't seen in a year.

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Strawberry smoothies.
2. Cucumbers with Italian dressing.
3. Ritz crackers.
4. Fruit leather.
5. Icecream.

5 songs I know the lyrics to:
1. Primary songs.
2. Girls camp songs.
3. All the High School Musical songs.
4. Leave the Pieces.
5. Want To.

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Buy cute clothes for my future children.
2. Donate to charity/the church.
3. Save.
4. Buy lots of yummy food.
5. Travel.

5 bad habits:
1. Not keeping in contact with old friends.
2. Biting my fingernails.
3. Going to bed late.
4. Procrastinating.
5. Checking facebook over 10 times a day.

5 things I'd never wear again:
1. I agree with Summer--leggings.
2. Bodysuits.
3. Those jelly sandles.
4. Huge ponytails on the top of my head.
5. Slouch socks--you know, those big thick socks.

5 favorite toys:
1. My laptop.
2. My cellphone.
3. My colorful arrangement of hair ties I use as bracelets.
4. My large "vaseline intensive care" container of lotion.
5. My digital camera.

People Tagged:
1. Jehn Baker
2. Asialene
3. Janae
4. Denise
5. Cara

icecream and crickets...just not cricket icecream

I feel like I can't title my post until I'm done writing--kind of like when you write an essay or story. Anyway. So, I got surgery on July 11th and it went well, despite lots of problems (it was a re-do of the laparoscopic nissen fundoplication, dealing with a hiatal hernia and acid reflux). The recovery was really hard--much worse than we imagined--but, it's basically over. This Tuesday, I can start eating whatever food I want again. For 6 weeks, I was on a diet basically consisting of pasta and soft foods. But...I've kind of broken rules recently. I just got so hungry! Even having icecream twice a day, I was losing weight. So there's my new diet idea for everyone who can't give up chocolate or icecream: just eat that and nothing else. You'll lose weight--guaranteed :).

So anyway, I'm doing pretty well and I'm enjoying being home for the summer. Since it's finally hit me that Katie's getting married, I've been more focused on making good memories with my little sisters. Jene, Molly, and I have spent too many days recently staying up way too late, but we've had so much fun...eating icecream, fighting crickets, watching high school musical, dressing up crazy, and the such. Actually, I have to elaborate on "fighting crickets." One night, around 1 am, we decided we really wanted to get some icecream, but it was in the freezer in the garage. The light in the garage was out, and if it's nighttime and the light is out, the garage becomes a cricket home. Big crickets, little crickets...they're everywhere. They're these nasty spider crickets. That we are afraid of. But sometimes, when you have a big craving for icecream, and it's late at night, you do crazy things. So Molly, Jene, and I got brooms, mops, etc. and walked slowly into the garage...step by step...hitting the brooms and such on the objects in front of us, trying to scare the crickets away. It's a good thing everyone else was asleep, because we looked ridiculous. We were huddled together, in complete fear of these small insects (also known as scary, jumping, huge spider crickets)--but there is a happy ending. We scared them all away, got the icecream, and happily ate the night away. :)

So anyway, last night, my whole family was busy except for Molly and I, so we went to a National's baseball game. Molly hasn't been to too many baseball games growing up, but I remember my dad teaching me about baseball when I was little and our family would go to Baltimore Orioles games. So Molly and I bonded on the hour ride up there on the metro, and back, and at the game--where I helped her understand what was going on in the game. So yes...that was fun.

High school musical 2 came out on Friday so that was pretty much the highlight of my week. Just kidding. Actually, I don't think I am. It was fun...but, I don't know, I still have mixed feelings about the movie. I think I need to watch it again. But in any case, it was very enjoyable. Anyway, so that was fun, and oh...earlier on Friday, Connor (Katie's fiance) came over and we played some board games. He just got back from Bolivia (was there all summer), and he brought us each a little gift. He joined Katie in Utah on Saturday so that was happy for both of them. Katie's starting teaching 5th grade next week. I still can't believe that she's so...old. And since I'm only a year and a half younger, I've gotta be pretty old too. ;) It's really kind of weird how time flies. I remember thinking people in college were so old...and now, well, I'm just a kid. Just somehow I'm in college too. :)

Well, I won't bore you too much longer. I think this is all for now. I fly back to Utah in 9 days--and then I've got about a week before BYU starts to unpack, get books, and take 2 tests (from my online class this summer--it was cheaper to just wait and take them at BYU). So that shall be fun...

it's my turn...

Okay, so I've given in to the blogging craze. I don't have any adorable children to write about, and I don't really go on any exciting adventures...but if you want to know what's up with me, here's how to find out. :)