Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Ahem.... May I have your attention please?
Friday, December 11, 2009
Hodge Podge
Monday, November 9, 2009
Obsession Confession
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Lessons that I learned while playing Dr. Mario
Sunday, October 11, 2009
When I grew that foot or two
In the middle of my third semester at college (Fall 2008) I came across ILP, an international program that places young adults in different parts of the world to teach children English. I received multiple emails about it and talked to a few friends who had been in the program. After doing some extensive research I decided to apply for the program in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was so excited to have some direction and a plan that I called my mother to inform her of my new road map. In a few minutes time I could tell my mother did not like my plan, when I asked her why she explained she just didn’t think it was right. Taking her advice to heart, as I pondered and prayed about my plan, I began to be hesitant as well. So I let go of my dreams with ILP in Russia and looked for a new plan.
Later that semester I was introduced to a study abroad program through a USU study abroad fair. I jumped on it right away. I met with a study abroad representative (Winter 2008) and asked him what locations were easiest to get into, what the cost was, and which international school would best cater to my major. Once again I called my mom later that day to tell her my excitement, this time for applying to the study abroad program for the Netherlands. After spending a half an hour telling her my plan I could hear silence on the other end of the phone. She again told me that she didn’t really feel it was the right thing for me, but that she would support me in my decision. I hung up the phone frustrated with her telling me she “didn’t feel it was right”. However later that night as I knelt in prayer I felt it wasn’t right either and so my search for a plan continued.
I considered staying in Logan, but I almost instantly felt that wasn’t right either. It was then I realized that the possibility of a mission was only a year away. As I pondered that option and prayed about it, I realized a mission was something I really wanted. I’d wanted to serve a mission for a long time, but now was the time where I could make it a reality. I again went to my mother with more apprehension than with any other plan. I was more excited for this plan than any other and I wanted her support. As I told of my mom about my decision to serve a mission I was relieved to hear her words of encouragement.
Finally I had found my map, I just didn’t know quite how to get there. I knew I still had to go to school and I knew I had some debt from living on my own, so I did the only thing I could do to be able to put in my papers by the winter of 09. I moved home, transferred to SLCC and worked at getting an associate’s degree before I left. I planned to spend the summer in Provo with my sister at some part time job, but another dream was laid before me then too. I was able to be an EFY counselor over the summer while living in Provo. And I can honestly say that the training I received then has been invaluable preparation for my mission.
While working as an EFY counselor I came back to my Salt Lake ward to get my mission papers out. The process to actually get them started was almost more difficult than filling them out and getting ready to turn them in. Even still, I moved back to Salt Lake this winter and was able to put my mission papers in last month. I have now received my call to the Washington Tacoma Mission and will report to the Provo MTC on January 13, 2010. I can’t begin to express how excited I am to serve, but even more than that I feel incredible gratitude for the opportunity that I have to serve. There have been countless tender mercies along this year long path that have allowed me to be able, worthy, and ready to serve.
This post will introduce to all my readers (so basically three of you ;) my missionary blog;
sarasmissionaryletters.blogspot.com
My sisters will be blog administrators along with myself and will post my weekly letters home and maybe a picture every once in a while :) I’ll have my mission address on the side of the blog if you want to write me or you can just follow the blog and keep updated on my mission. I’m so excited to serve and hope that I can continue to grow as I prepare to leave.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Just call me Clark Kent, cause I have a super power
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
It's official! There IN!
Oh goodness I have so much to say! I'm so excited and happy that I haven't been able to keep a smile off my face for the last two. I'll find myself alone in my car and I'll catch my self grinning. I'll be eating lunch and wont notice the smile that has appeared while throwing down some food. I can be in bed (this is my favorite) waiting for sleep to come when a smile comes with a few escaped giggles! Who knew I giggled!? I can't help it. The best part is its so incredibly natural. I'm not trying to notice it, but it just jumps up on me and I realize how incredibly happy I am.
So why am I so happy? My mission papers officially went in this week. I couldn't stop smiling in my interview with my Stake President. I thought I'd be worried the impressions I might leave or get caught up on his opinions of whether or not I'm ready, but I didn't. I just kept smiling and all I could say was that I'm so excited! I left the interview slightly nervous after the fact. My nerves were made calm later that day when his wife came up to me and said, "He came home so excited. He said, 'She is so ready to go." I don't think any statement in my entire life has brought me more joy that those words. I know I shouldn't need other people to think I'm ready when I know I am, but all the same they are sweet words of comfort that I value.
If I get thinking about it for too long I get a little bit twitchy with anticipation. I'm so incredibly excited. It feels so right! Not even school or work has been able to bring down my spirits. Feel free to write your guesses! I should have a call within three or four weeks and that post will exceed even this post in excitement!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Opening up shop?
Being put under was easily the weirdest experience of my life. I remember the ceiling and then nothing. About 30 minutes later I woke up and could feel and see hands still in my mouth. I might have slightly panicked at this point. The only real fear I had going into the whole thing that I was going to wake up in the middle of the procedure, so when I woke up with two pairs of hands in my mouth, I attempted to yell "I'm awake, I'm awake!" Just too make sure they were aware I was fully conscious. However, it turns out they were just shoving 10 strips of gaws into my mouth, which made it slightly less embarrassing because they of course had no idea what I was yelling at them wide eyed with a mouth full of cotton.
A nurse walked with me to a plush recliner where I sat for ten minutes trying to get a handle on my brain, which at this point seemed a little elusive. My mom came and sat with me, but apparently all I could say was, "That was so weird." The nurse briefly described the medications and what to do for dry socket and helped me up to go to the car, when I immediately fell back down into the chair. She put me in a wheel chair after that. According to my mother I was very ornery, but I claim that she was being patronizing. I mean seriously, you can't tell a drugged person hey don't know what they're talking about! I was drugged for goodness sake! Just nod and smile!
I spent the next two hours sleeping with an alarm set for every 30 minutes to wake me up so I could change out my gaws. And so I could rotate between the plethora of prescription drugs they gave me. I finally got feeling back in my entire face around four 0' clock at which point I ate soup. Basically I was back to normal the next day. I may or may not have eaten Cafe Rio the day after I got my wisdom teeth out. I can't really remember.
Fast forward to three days later (today) and here I am with dry socket in the bottom right hole in my mouth. Luckily, I have enough pain killers for that and more. What a lovely experience it's been.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Yes, I listen to Paul Cardall and play Spider Solitaire on my Friday nights...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Out with the new and in with the old
Let's just examine my life for a moment. I spent the first two years out of high school living in 3 different apartments and a house, I've had 4 different jobs, none of which I quit for any reason other than to move, I've lived in three different cities, two of the cities I've lived in 2 separate times, and I've been to two Universities... well one university and one college. Seriously? So either I REALLY love change or I am severely restless person.
I think it may be both equally, for that matter there are probably dozens reasons why I change my blog every other month and why my life is basically crazy. I do love change. I love the new. Is it weird that I absolutely love that nervous feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when your doing something new. It doesn't have to be scary, thrilling, or even fun. I just love that feeling. I don't really love it while I have it, but I crave it when its gone, kind of like eating a Big Mac, if you know what I mean.
The more I think about it the more I realize that I am an extremely unsettled person. In other words I have commitment issues. Who new? I can't commit to a school, to a major, to an apartment contract, to a city, to a job, and don't even get me started on a boy. What's crazy is this is a total epiphany! How did I not realize sooner that maybe it all stems from commitment issues. Which leads to the question, Why? Which is funny, because I realized the other day, not even thinking about any of this commitment, unsettled, background changing business, that I'm a highly suspicious person. I don't really trust very many people and I might even be more than a little paranoid about people lying to me.
And I know all about lies and liars. I used to be a chronic one...(along with being a slight kleptomaniac, but that's a story for another post.) As I was eating grapes at the counter yesterday, it struck me . There are only two reasons why people are suspicious and distusting. Either A. They used to be (or are currently) a liar or a thief and there by they know what it looks like to lie or steal, even if someone is a pro. or B. Someones lied or stolen from them one to many times. And I guess there is the possible C. They hate being GULLIBLE, but I think this is large part because B has happened too much. So which am I? I'm pretty sure I take down the whole alphabet on this one. Go figure I can't trust anyone... and you thought you had commitment issues?
How did my chronic lying, kleptomania, fear of commitment, and my disdain for Big Mac's all get in one post? All because I changed my blog background a few weeks ago. Today I looked at it and realized I had to have the old layout back. I stayed up til 2am trying to make it look just like it had (I feel as though something is still different about it) all summer. Why did I want it back so bad? I really did like the new one. I wasn't bored with it. I liked the title. The colors looked good. For some reason I had to have the old one back. Out of the dozens of blog layouts over the past two years I've never gone back to a previous layout. It's always been out with the old and in with the new, and I've LOVED it.
Now it's out with the new and in with the old and I feel so GOOD about it. Maybe I'm coming to terms with my commitment issues. I might just becoming less adventurous. Or possibly I'm starting to learn to love familiarity. Who knows what it means. But I think it's more significant that even I realize.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
EFY: "Putteth Off"... the lost week
As I was looking through my blog archives I realized their were only five EFY entries. I thought there has to be some sort of mistake in the google blogosphere. I most certainly worked 6 weeks of EFY. I searched high and low for my missing post and it was no where to be found. Was it deleted? Was it ever created? Surely I wouldn't skip a week, but how else could this tragedy have happened? I'm a little more than sad and am mourning the lost post (if it really ever existed). So this is me attempting to give it some justice.
- sometimes its ok to be a girl
- the power of positive thinking is quite impressive
- don't be proud, your not doing much
- don't try to play cupid at efy... (for counselors of course)
- set goals
- if your bishop's calling you after 9, he's asking you to speak :)
- i love my parents
- praying aloud, for people by name, with a friend can make a world of difference
- it's ok to cry... really
- the Lord makes up for what you lack when your doing all you can
- always follow the promptings of the spirit, eve when they don't make sense... they will
- having curled hair is the bomb
- you probably shouldn't use the kitchen, even if the door is unlocked
- any problem can be fixed with a prayer
- sometimes four counselors work really well together and things just jive
- 40 kids is a big group, but you can still have everyones name memorized by fhe
- the morris center is still disgusting
Just me and my girls.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
life in deja vu
Its an odd concept to wrap your mind around. As I've been recently experiencing an intense amount of deja vu in my life, I've talked to various people about it and realized that some people have never experienced the strange phenomena that is deja vu. How does one explain it? Sure that definition supplied by wikipedia is perfect in explaining the logistics of what it is, but some how it doesn't really do the strange sensation justice. I imagine it's like a blind person trying to explain what music looks like to someone who can see.
I mean whats going on in your brain when this crazy deja vu happens anyway? Why does your brain recognize the exact situation and associate it with familiarity. Its like a scratched dvd skipping in your mind. It starts to get a little crazy when you have deja vu about having deja vu in a certain moment.
Deja vu has plagued my life the last couple days and I can't help but wonder why. I think it may have something to do with walking down memory lane a little to often... but even then I don't have the deja vu at moments when I'm looking a pictures or reading old posts, just at the strangest times... but even then I don't have the deja vu at moments when I'm looking a pictures or reading old posts, just at the strangest times...
Sunday, August 30, 2009
What now?
I'm currently enrolled in a golf course for this fall and I couldn't be more excited. I went to my first class and swung a club for the first time in a year and I drove it about 200 yards! I'm paying the price for my over excitement three days later with calves and thighs that are still sore. I'll definitely be blogging in the future about my accomplishments... or my failures, I'll let you know ; )
My mission papers are completely filled out. I have my dentist appointment this Thursday and my doctors appointment a week from Thursday and then I'm done! I plan on putting them in sometime around the 1st of October or sooner just depending. Which basically means I could have my call with in 6 weeks! I could try and express my excitement, but I just wouldn't be able to fully encompass how I feel.
So you ask, What now Sara? Well it goes a little like this; school, work, graduation, mission, and school. It's kind of like one big three year school sandwich. I feel really good about it. Don't you?
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Now this is how you do Disneyland
Who doesn't love Tower of Terror!
- I met some of the coolest people ever
- I loved being with first timers and seeing their faces after/before each ride
- Flash dance parties in Tomorrowland with 74 EFY counselors is the BOMB
- Being able to give away a pass along card and the articles of faith
- Eating at the Mexican Resturant in FrontierLand
- Riding the train and seeing the dinosaurs
- TOWER OF TERROR (we road it like 4 times)
- Watching people fall in love
- Holding hands
- Going body surfing at Huntington Beach
- Eating at In N Out Burger
- Overheating in Death Valley
- Sharing everything
- Denny's ice cream and hashbrowns and 1 am
- Tinkerbell face cards
- Driving for the first time in Orange County (we all survived!)
- Indiana Jones is still one of my favorites
- Smiling and laughing for 5 days straight with some of the coolest people I've ever met
Friday, August 14, 2009
EFY: "Ponder Still"
McKell, Some girl I don't know, Belle, and me making the Cingular bars ;)
I can't believe how awesome this week was. I know I know, I say that every week, but I couldn't think of a better way to finish off my summer of EFY. These girls were so fun and talkative! Pizza night was a definite success. The boys and the girls really clicked well together and I've never had a company that listened as well as this one. Are you ready for this...? I actually had so much fun at games night this week! They actually listened and didn't talk when I was explaining the rules! It was amazing! Not to mention they actually listened to each other when they did their cheer for games night. My girls actually ate breakfast with me and dinner too. It was a lot of fun. And I did something I've never done before! Music program! I loved it. I even got about 8 of my youth to do it with me. It was a lot of fun and I really felt like it was worth it. Singing hymns is amazing, even if I am partially tone def. What a week...
My last list of lessons learned at efy:
- No matter what I end up loving my roommate
- Wheat Thins aren't as magical as I thought they were
- Games night can be fun!
- There is a group of 38+ youth that can listen: miracle
- I get dehydrated when I don't bring a case of water
- BBQ pizza is definitely the best... but only from Papa Johns
- Jumping pictures are freaking cool
- You can get along with anyone if you pray a lot
- The $9 watch from Wal-Mart was priceless
- The tent is still pretty rad
- Its a lot more fun if you don't care what anyone thinks about you
- COW's can ruin an entire summer of efy if they get out
- Playing cupid isn't always a good idea
- I love spirally bound conference issues of the Ensign
- Country Time Strawberry Lemonade is delicious
- The shaved ice place across from Helamen Halls is delicious
- The more you teach, the better you get at it
- I LoVe EfY!
SisterS! Elyse and me.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
100th Blog Post
Friday, August 7, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
EFY: "Beareth all Things"
- Team algae is the bomb
- I love having dances in the JFSB square
- Jumping for three songs straight is a bad idea
- Jesus wants me for a sunbeam :)
- You need to drink 6 bottles of water a day and get 6 hours of sleep
- Bubble wands are an instant cool factor
- Kids love 3D chalk
- Sometimes its not worth 15 minutes of sleep to have to drag yourself back out of bed.
- I LOVE the Cannon Center
- I finally learned all the dances!
- Still no lock box duty :(
- Eric D. Stokes + girls batheroom + plunger = priceless
- I'm always better friends with my roomates than with my co's
- I love the little fridge in Helamen Halls
- I know a kid that can balance a vaccuum on his chin
- I'm still known as the weird girl with the jacket
- Disneyland is in 3 weeks!!!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
EFY: "Might Be"
Me and my lovely girls
Kip and the boys GQ-ing it
- Your life experiences are more interesting then random peoples stories
- 8 girls cannot even finish 3 pizza's
- Kids like to be in their element when they teach
- The green fan rocks my socks
- I LoVe ASL (I re-learned how to do my abc's)
- Straightening my hair is a waste of time
- Yay for Polka Dots
- Cruiser duty is the best!
- Set an alarm for head count
- John Hilton the III is basically awesome
- Girl drama doesn't have to be drama if you don't give it attention
- My brain has a limit when it comes to learning new names...
- Pray, pray, pray
- Getting to bed on time will make a world of difference
- I still can't do the PB&J properly
- Slow dancing is over rated
- Dance duty is bomb
- Using different kinds of media for devotional is fantastic
- I can live off Wheat Thins and Beef Jerky
- Dasani water is the best water
- Uncrustables are still gross
- Wear aviators and Converse and your instantly cool
- Sticky notes and note cards are a must have
- Everybody loves colored pens
- It's a small world after all
This week was basically magic. I wouldn't say it was better than past weeks, but it definitely was a lot of fun. Only three more weeks left, my heart is already breaking a little on the inside. I sometimes wish I could do this all the time... then I remember I would die of lack of sleep, but the desire is still there. I love teaching and realizing the words that flow out of my mouth are often not mine. I love seeing the image of Christ in my girls countenance as the week progresses. I love listening to their insights and learning how far ahead they are of me in spiritual maturity. I love seeing the change of heart they have. I love seeing them excited to read their scriptures. I love listening to their testimonies and having mine strengthened in the process. I do wish I could do this all the time, and then I realized I get to do 18 months of this. The desire I have to go on my mission has intensified 10 fold. The urgency I feel to have my papers in is surmounting. I'm excited more than words or pictures can express :)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Manti, Miracles, and Midnight
The Mormon Miracle Pageant takes place on the hill seen here where locals re-create history. With stories intertwining from Joseph Smith, to Samuel the Lamenite, and a sweet story of Robert and Mary. It was really fun. I haven't seen the pageant in full since I was really little and couldn't remember hardly anything. Despite the fact that I laughed a little at some of the dancing and funny moments with the pre recorded audio it was a great activity.
Some of highlights of the trip:
- Learning how to play contact
- "Kick trash yo... did that just happen?"
- Having the torrential rain stop minutes before we arrived, a true miracle
- Playing jello in Casey's back seat
- Rocking out to Weezer for over 100 miles
- Hanging out with Besties, Wardies, and Roomies :)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ode to the lost Chaco
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Why I'm a Daddy's Girl
What I love to do with my dad
- play golf
- go to California
- be at the beach
- go on drives
- watch Jazz games
- walk along the coast
- special time ;)
- He tells me "I'm proud of you." The 2nd sweetest words a daughter can here.
- He gives the best hugs.
- My dad is definitely a lifter, not a leaner. I've leaned on him many times in my life.
- He is generous with all aspects of his life; time, money and talents.
- He's an amazing teacher, whether its a church lesson, life lesson, or his example.
- He is always willing to compliment me when I succeed.
- My dad is a great conversationalist and gives honest and valuable advice.
- Dad can find the positive side and laugh when times get rough.
- He's never made me feel stupid, embarrassed, or humiliated at my expense.
- I never questioned if my dad loved me. He tells me "I love you" everyday. The sweetest words a daughter can here.
- Traveling with family is one of the most valuable uses of your time
- Mercedes Benz suck and Toyota's never die
- You should always be progressing in life
- It's always best to swallow your pride and apologize first, no matter whose fault it
- Prayer and scripture study are a vital part of everyday
- Speak kindly and speak softly
- Love can be unconditional
- It’s okay to cry
- The gospel
- Conserve in everything you use
- Be patient with those who are not patient with you
- Always have a Book of Mormon on hand
- Making goals, striving to achieve them, and attaining them
- Read as much as you can
- Attend the temple as much as possible
- Always say I love you
My dad has been one of the greatest examples in my life and one of my biggest heroes. I hope to be more like him some day. I'm grateful to have him as my father and as my friend. Happy Father's Day. I love you dad.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
EFY: "Judges"
My gorgeous and MODEST girls.
My studly and stunning boys.
Me and the co co's (Jac and Paul).
- do not tell your 14 and 15 year old girls your REAL counselor crush
- Mormon kids love their slow dances
- who knew boys actually liked to slow dance
- 9 girls cannot eat 4 pizza's.... impossible
- its good to be prepared to teach, but even better to be prepared to testify
- it really does hurt when boys step on your feet in a slow dance
- dance duty really isn't fun
- a flower in your hair makes all the difference
- uncrustables are gross
- water is still the elixir of life
- chaco's are bomb
- sticky notes are basically magical
- when your stressed, praying is the best possible solution
- prayer works
- sometimes no matter how much hand sanitizer you use, people still get sick
- a camera is a priceless investment
- Jonas Brothers is like instant bonding music
- spandex rocks
- I love efy more than I ever thought possible
Currently I only have two more sessions of EFY for the rest of the summer and I'm a little more than slightly heart broken. Even though its the most exhausting job I wish I could be there all the time. I hope I get more. Cross your fingers!