A Disciple's Life

I am always reading a book, though it takes me weeks to finish them. I carry one around in my purse so I can read it whenever I have extra time. This works well for me since I am barely at home and rarely have hours to sit and read. My latest book is the biography of Neal A. Maxwell called "A Disciple's Life". Elder Maxwell has always been a favorite of mine so I was excited to get to know him on a more personal level.

Another goal I had when I started this book was to find similarities and things I had in common with Elder Maxwell. I like to be able to connect somehow, on some level with everyone and having common interests is a gateway to making a connection. I am only on page 100 and there are 600 pages but I already discovered two ways I am like Elder Maxwell.

1. The author says about Maxwell "...reflecting his habit of tracking the details of other people's lives so attentively that it often surprises them." I remember everyone; their names, where and when I first met them, something about them, etc. I come across as a stalker at time when they don't really remember me. Haha!

2. He says he doesn't like to wait around and has a "let's get on with it" attitude that repeats itself often through his life.

This week has been a very sad and devastating for our single's ward. While I was reading the book a few days ago, I came across a part that made me cry and brought immediate peace to me. Elder Maxwell was talking about his experiences in Okinawa and with leukemia. "He has described both traumas as "a great spiritual adventure, one I would not want to have missed" - because here, at the perils of his life, he came to know God."

What the Flight?

I would just like to give a little shout out to Allegiant Air for having the cheapest flights ever! I just bought a ticket to Idaho for $4!! No, not $40 or $400 but $4. Have you ever bought a plane ticket for that cheap? Sure that price doesn't include tax but still I was so happy!

Even though I love Allegiant's prices, there are many things I do not like about them. I'll warn you before you go booking a trip with them. You have to pay for any drinks or snacks and they are way overpriced, they charge you to check any bags, you have to pay extra to pick you seat before, and they try get you to pay an extra fee so that your flight can be changed at any time. Most of these are hidden fees they try to trick you with on their website so watch out. In the end, the price outweighs the other negatives.

Thank you Allegiant Air for making it possible for me to fly for only $4!! What a steal of a deal!

Barf Date

Last weekend, I was set up on a date. I wasn't really looking forward to it until I heard what we would be doing. The plan was to first go fly an airplane around Vegas, then dinner at a Brazilian restaurant. I was so excited to fly! His friend was a pilot and was going to take us flying.

The thought crossed my mind that I sometimes get motion sick but I figured I would be fine. My date bought me some ginger pills and got me a barf bag just in case. I got into the tiny 4 person plane and I got to sit up front and be the co-pilot. The pilot let me help him take off and steer the plane once we were up in the air. This was one of the coolest things I've ever done!

After about 15 minutes I started to feel a bit nauseous so I made sure I had my barf bag ready to go. Then I threw up and threw up some more! It was all over me and I didn't have any tissues or napkins. The pilot quickly turned around and headed back to the airport. I felt bad that I ruined the fun.

Once we landed and I cleaned up, I still felt horrible. I asked my date to take me home because all I wanted to do was lay down and die! So the date was cut short, very short. I went home and felt so sick until the next morning.

Sometimes I forget how weak my stomach is. I go on roller coasters, skydiving, and off roading then end up throwing up and feeling sick the rest of your day. Here are some pictures of me happy...it was all downhill from there...

"Crushes"

Have you ever had a crush on someone who was kind of ugly? I have a few weird celebrity crushes. I know these guys aren't really good looking but there is something about them that I am really attracted to! Don't ask me why. I am beginning to notice that I find men more attractive when they are doing something they excel at.

Here's some of my weird list and as I write this I'm seeing a long hair and eye liner trend. Gross!

1. Mr. Darcy (the new one only) - he's who I imagine when I think of the perfect guy!


2. Steve Nash - especially when he had his longer hair


3. Steven Tyler - I grew up listening to him and thinking he was smokin'!


4. David Bowie...Jareth in "Labyrinth"...gray, tight pants...yummy!


5. Pete Wentz - I don't like his music. I don't like his wife. Maybe it's the eyeliner?

Where to live?

My imagination is very overactive. This morning was spent imagining myself in a new city. I started with asking myself, "If I could live anywhere in the U.S. where would it be?" Two of my favorite cities to visit are San Francisco and Seattle but they weren't where I wanted to live. Ever since I visited this city last year, I have been dying to go back! I have had many irrational moments where I wanted to pack up my stuff and drive there right then.

I want to live in this townhouse on Beacon Hill.


Then every morning go out my door and walk across the street to Boston Common!


Then maybe I'll walk the Freedom Trail a little ways, head over to the Museum of Fine Arts, or even stop by Faneuil Hall Marketplace.


I am in love with BOSTON!!! Someday I hope to live here even if it is only short term. This city speaks to my heart and makes me feel alive! Haha! Where would you live if you could pick any city in the U.S.?

Man Haters!

I think the females in my family don't really like men. Why would I say this? Well, for as long as I can remember, whenever we ask my Grandma Cope if she'll ever get married again she always says the same thing. "I will only get married if he's rich with one foot on a banana peel and the other in a grave."

This morning I talked to two of my funniest sisters, Megan and McKenna, on the phone. McKenna is only 11 but has always thought and acted like she's twenty-something. We were discussing her maturing and the best part of the conversation went like this:

Steph: So do you think boys are cute yet?

McKenna: No! I hate them! They have no respect for women!

Then later I talked to Megan who is 21 and has been "anti guy" for a couples years now. I like to bring up guys during our conversations so get her mad but today I didn't even have to. The first thing she said to me was "I want you to know I now hate men more than ever! Ninety nine percent of them are idiots!"

Poor men! Where is the love?