Learning Things

One week left until I move back to Rexburg! And I think I'm ready to get back up there. I'm ready to feel productive again. I'm ready for a much more social atmosphere. I'm ready for a free gym. I'm ready to run stairs in the Hart Auditorium. I'm ready to have a more scheduled life. I'm ready for homework. I'm ready for roommates. I'm ready for new faces. Can I get going already?

But life in-between the semesters were a much larger learning experience then I ever thought of having. I learned how to work with a 17 year old autistic boy. I've never been very good with kids with mental disabilities lets firstly point that out... and it was really challenging at times. There were moments when I would just sit and try to breathe, get my legs to stop shaking after Spencer would have one of his "freak outs". I'm not sure what to call it, but when he would get angry or frustrated, it would scare me. But I learned to take the pinches and the hits, I learned how to calm him down, I learned to enjoy little moments when he would sing, or be in a good mood. I learned a lot of patience. I learned to be more watchful.

I learned so much about simple gospel principles from my amazing institute teacher. I'm sad that I won't be able to attend the rest of the classes since I'm moving soon, but Bro. Robinson taught me a lot. I loved going to institute and my schedule Thursday nights would be planned around that class. I learned that a good teacher also makes all the difference...as shown with my other institute class that I never wanted to go to.

I also learned that going to institute munch & mingles will not kill you and will in fact bring about a great number of amazing friends. Even though I only went to one, it brought about me dating an amazing guy who I learned so much from. I've learned more on how to improve myself from him, than anyone I know in that short space of time. He truly is amazing and I look up to him so much. I learned from him how to better study my scriptures. I have gained more insights from his way of studying. He got me going to the temple again, and I've been faithfully going every Tuesday. I've learned more of what I want in my future husband. I feel like with the other guys I've dated, I've learned a lot of what I don't want, but this was such a needed change of air. He's helped me set my bar even higher. I learned to analyze and look at myself. I never really did that before and if it was something I didn't want to think about, I didn't. But now I've learned when I need to look, need to think, need to question. He's also introduced me to some great hysterical youtube videos, a hilarious tv show that I'm obsessed with now, great institute people that I'm friends with now, mangos, and some type of peas or green bean...I forgot the name of it. He's got me into instrumental music. I think in every way around, he's made me a better person and I'm grateful for meeting him and getting to know him.

My knowledge of weddings has expounded immensely ever since Heather got engaged. I know now a bit more of the wedding ring language, wedding dress language, photographers, receptions and the works. Thanks Heather for being the guinea pig of the family. :)

I've learned that my family is my closest friends. It was nice being able to tell my mom anything and everything. It hasn't ever been like that before. Maybe it's because I'm past all the worthless high school drama and things are a bit more serious now. I need her help more now.

I've learned how to tutor someone in math.

I've learned that 65 page speeches from Ayn Rand are extremely hard to get through.

I've learned that I still have a lot left to learn. And thank goodness for it.

Washington

This last week I was able to take a road trip with my two cousins Kent and Quinton, where we headed up to Washington to see Spencer before his mission and to hang out with family! I stayed with Uncle David and Aunt Lynette and each of the days I would spend time with one of the aunts and their family. There are so many young cousins up in Washington, it's so much fun. I haven't seen a lot of the family up there for a long time, so it was good to spend time with them. Most of the pictures I took involve my little cousin Mia, whose around 3 I believe. I took other pictures of my Aunt Jenna's kids, but she let me use her amazing camera, so she has all those pictures. I'll have to get them from her, cause I really liked the pictures.

So here are some of my favorites of Mia...

She is adorable and a chunker. Very cute. I was also able to play with Aunt Jenna's kids at the park. We fed ducks, played on the playground, they recieved countless under doggies from me on the swings, we went on a walk and ended with a movie at their house. I guess from not being around such young kids for a while, I've forgotten how much energy they have. But then they're able to crash once they sit in a car for over 5 minutes. It's great. I wish I had the pictures from Aunt Jenna's camera... dang. Oh well.

I spent some time with Aunt Jeanine watching a chick flick with 2 of her girls, and her 5 year old, Maddie, gave me a little foot massage. haha she's going to be awesome when she grows up.  I played racquetball with my Aunt Lynette and her racquetball buds. Those ladies are intense. I was definately intimidated but I had fun.

My cousin Aubrey, whose my age and roomming with me next semester took me to a little food place in the ghettos. haha it was crazy. There's a park across the street where only gangs go. Someone was shot there a couple years ago. It's a scary looking park I'll have to say. But the ice cream was really good.  The place is called Ron's Taco and Burger. There's just a little window where you order your food, or you drive thru. But at night they put up bars in the windows so you can't reach through... it's crazy. There are definately creepers out there. But it was fun.

But I love my family and I'm so grateful for them for letting me stay with them and hang out up there! I have the coolest cousins, and good luck Spencer with your mission at the Brazil Sao Paulo Interlagos mission. I'm so excited for you. :)

Let's Make Dessert

I may just become the most loved roommate up at college this spring semester... reasons?
1. Well for starters it's me... what more can I say? haha nah just messing.
2. But for reals, skookie pans. Brilliant.

3. And finally a crepe maker. I know. This is monumental.

Wisdom Teeth

Today was the removal of my wisdom teeth. Exciting no? I'd just like to say that I'm extremely glad I was put asleep. My two lowers were both impacted and part of the bone had to be chipped off, and my uppers were partial bone impacted. And with my size and weight, if I had stayed awake and they given me all the pain meds they could and if I could still feel pain, ohhh that would've been bad. I would've had to go back and have them finish up the job! Good grief no, lets get this done in one throw please.

But it did, so that's grand. I don't remember too much. Mom recorded enough of me to show what my true thoughts were. Firstly Jon, I just wanted to talk to him and make his day better. That boy likes to think that he can do everything all the time. He wears himself out. But he's amazing anyways, aced his test today. The other thing I was concerned with a lot while I was out-of-it was if the doctors talked about me behind my back while I was asleep... I was so sure that they did. I'll have to post the video once I figure how to get it onto my computer though. We all had good laughs watching it on the tv with the family... good times.

Trying to Figure out School

I love being able to put my college schedule together, plan out everything... how early I want to start, how late I want to end, who my teachers are... I love it. But this next semester is giving me grief. I don't know what brilliant idea I had to do my generals and prerequisites at BYU-Idaho and then transfer to Weber for the radiology program... I mean it sounds pretty good, but you see, BYU-Idaho has these little classes called Foundations, and they are HORRIFIC to try to transfer. Most schools won't accept them unless you get your associates. Which I'm not doing because I don't need it for my program. So I have to make sure all my classes will transfer and then work for the program, which is an obnoxious hassal to deal with. It was a long day yesterday to say in the least, I was on the computer way too long researching teachers and trying to figure out a schedule...I'm still not done. I also found out that I couldn't take the awesome sounding "understanding DNA" class because it won't transfer as a gen ed science... so I'm stuck with physics. blahhh That class will have to wait for fall semester because it's everyday for an hour plus a two hour lab, which I can't fit in my schedule without getting rid of math or bio 265... Oh well I get to fill in my credits with some whatever classes, maybe cake decorating!? How fun would that be. I know I'm seriously considering it.

Silent Film

So the song I've been loving this week is Wordplay: by Jason Mraz. I just love it.

Well, Heather and I thought it would be really fun to do a double date at The Organ Loft to see a silent film. My dad took the family along with the Lord's family and we saw a comedy there a long time ago, and it honestly has really fun. Well the organ loft was showing the Count of Monte Cristo, which we thought would be brilliant to go see. Well it turns out that it's almost painful to watch 2 hours of non-comedy silent film with organ music the entire time. That movie was so long and those chairs so hard, that date did not go as I planned. It was definitely an experience nonetheless. But we've come to the conclusion that if you are going to see a silent film at the organ loft, ONLY watch comedies. They're much shorter and more enjoyable. Plus, less confusing.

Updates

Well, right now in life I'm living at home, inbetween semesters at BYU Idaho. I go back to school mid April until the end of July. And thank goodness I've found things to keep me busy. Three days a week I watch my neighbors autistic boy and get paid from the state for that. Which is great, I'm making more money there then I did at my old job. The other two days of the week I tutor a girl in math. She's a junior in high school taking algebra 2. And then sometimes I fill in shifts at my old job when they need me too. So altogether it's been good having these jobs. I got a lot to earn to pay off my school loan.
I'm also taking two institute classes at UVU, which have been so great for me. I miss the school atmosphere so just being in a class learning something again is wonderful. I'm also dating someone amazing right now. He keeps my nights busy, but hey that's great. Before I met him I was bored to tears.
My birthday was last thursday, so I'm 19 now!
But yeah, I guess there's some updates for you.

Pinch

The job I have right now involves watching my neighbors’ autistic son, Spencer, who is 17. He’s a big kid, meaning height, but he’s also pretty severely autistic. He doesn't talk much and when he does it’s either a direct answer to whatever you asked him, or he’s reciting lyrics/lines from a movie he’s memorized. Spencer has a hard time expressing himself with his difficulty of speech so he finds other ways to get your attention… like pinching.
Now I’ve heard about this killer pinch and I’ve seen it in action but Friday, I experienced it. And yes it hurts.

Solitaire

So today I was playing Solitaire. And in one of the games I couldn't flip over any of the cards already down, and I went through the deck and after it flipped over the last 3 cards, it told me I lost. I didn't move ONE card. I didn't even know that was possible of happening. Not even a chance with that set up. Dang.

Crepes

My Europe friends and I were missing Europe, as we always seem to do. So we decided to make crepes. I found a great recipe and it ended up being really easy. And my love for Nutella has returned.

About to flip the crepe. I'm a professional crepe flipper didn't you know?

FRENCH CREPES

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tsp. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Sift together flour, sugar and salt: set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk together with an electric mixer. Beat in flour mixture until smooth: stir in melted butter and vanilla.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Coat skillet with butter or Pam. Pour or scoop the batter onto the skillet/griddle, using approsimately 2 tablespoons for each crepe (I used a soup ladle to pour the batter into the pan and I didn't measure it out, I just experimented but ended up filling the ladle halfway) Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. Brown both sides and serve hot. Re-coat pan with butter inbetween each crepe.

TO ASSEMBLE/FOLD:

With crepe still in pan - fold in half. Spread Nutella on the folded crepe, transfer to plate and top with ingredient(s) of choice. I topped with sliced strawberries and bananas. Fold in half one more time and finish it off with a dusting of powdered sugar.

And enjoy!

NOTES:

-If using different fillings such as shredded cheese, let the crepe stay on the heat for a few extra minutes until the cheese starts to melt.

-If your batter isn't thin enough, you may need to add a little extra milk to the batter. Just play around with recipe unitl you get the perfect consistency.

-You'll know the crepes are almost finished when tiny bubbles start appearing on the top of the batter.