I Don't Care If Monday's Blue

Sunday I tried another singles ward. That makes three now. I think someone should write a book about the life of someone in singles wards. Adventures and Mishaps in Singles Wards. Maybe I should write it. Maybe I will. Anyways, there were maybe 12 people there. And the Primary from the family ward before came in and did their program for us. And Sunday School consisted of a teacher without a lesson planned. And Relief Society was a girl reading from the lesson book and sitting on the table with an all too short dress so flashes of red underwear were quite frequent. Sadly, it was still better than the Arlington one.
Monday... Oh Monday... I felt like nothing was going right. I had a job interview, and I was stressed. Good thing I got the position. Otherwise I probably would have broken down in tears right then and there. I mean, the rest of my day consisted of not being able to print my resume, it finally printing but coming out on two pages instead of one, and Vivien eating the paper snowflakes I had taped to my window. But, like I said, I got the job! It is only a seasonal job, but it is something. And, maybe it will give me a foot in the door for a job when this seasonal one is over.
The rest of the week went as usual. Vivien being a terror even though she has been sleeping more because it is so cold outside, errands, paperwork for my new job, and most importantly, talking to my friends. Julie Anne even wrote me a poem. I love all of my friends, and now that my picture board has pictures of all of them I love going in my room even more than I used to. It got cold here which means I can bring out the 2/3 of my wardrobe that has been hidden in a drawer or in the back of my closet. Winter!! It's like Utah, and it makes me smile. Wow. I never thought I would say that. Except, my feet do get cold at night because I don't like wearing socks to bed. I wouldn't mind it if Vivien, who is a little space heater, would let me put my feet on her. It's just bad because every time I do so she growls at me. This week I have also been cooking dinner a lot. I have been craving Cafe Rio. We don't have those in Texas so I made their pulled pork. Oh my yum. Dad said if it didn't get me a husband nothing would. It was that good.
Ryan got off school early today. Which obviously means that we made a pan of brownies and at it with forks while watching a movie wrapped in a blanket and later eating leftover pulled pork. If you want the recipe here it is!

A Fun Weekend and a Tired Adult

Today is hump day, and I am feeling it! Being an adult is hard. I don't think I have recovered from my weekend. Friday night we went to a bonfire. Aside from a few guys in our FHE group my roommates and I were the only ones there. It was way fun though, and needless to say I ate more than my fair share of s'mores and roasted Starbursts. By the time Saturday morning came I felt hungover. Are sugar hangovers a thing? Apparently. Saturday morning I went to the stake service activity. After cleaning out someone's flower beds I was SO ITCHY. I left a little early just to get away from all of the stuff. After a lunch of fried chicken, potato salad, and watermelon I almost felt like I was back home. Almost. If only the chicken and potato salad were homemade... I sat and talked with a couple of the same guys from the bonfire for a while afterwards. When we finally left the park Julie Anne came over for a while. She even stayed for our ward BBQ. Let's be honest. I love hamburgers and hotdogs when they're made on the grill and I am in a summer mood. Yeah so I ate my fill of those too... and more watermelon and some BBQ chips. We sat outside after the BBQ for forever! We laughed so much. My abs just hurt. They hurt so much from laughing. After two hours of sitting outside we decided we needed Sonic shakes since they are half-price after eight. We then sat down there for a while and enjoyed our shakes. We then went home to play SpotIt! I even won a round! There were going to be fireworks later that night, and after a couple too many rounds of SpotIt! someone came up with the bright idea to climb a mountain to see them. 1. I hate hiking. 2. It was getting dark. 3. I really hate hiking. We were booking it up the mountain for fear of missing the fireworks, and I swear if I have asthma you saw it as I wheezed my way up the mountain in the dark. We did make it, and it was worth it. But, oh my I thought I was going to die. Seeing the fireworks and the bustling city beneath us was truly spectacular. The stars afterwards were even BETTER. Going down the mountain was scary, but I felt much better going down than going up. Thank my lucky stars! We got down the mountain and decided to go and watch a movie. We watched World War Z. Edge of your seat movie? For sure. Edge of the footstool holding your friend's feet movie? Yep, that too. Jump when you see the crouching Jimmer poster in the corner movie? That too. Scream when you see someone creepy in the car beside you when you're driving home at two in the morning movie? You betcha. Sunday morning came too soon. Way too soon. With the help of Marriage and Family Prep class (which I oddly really enjoy) I somehow made it through church without falling asleep. I didn't get a nap. And, then I went to Ward Prayer. Oddly social for me, I know. I had so much fun though. I didn't go out to watch a movie with those guys again because I really needed sleep. And, I had a final coming up. So, this week hasn't been all that exciting, but I am done with my Women's Studies class. Seriously thank heavens. Now I get to start my last class!!! I'm so close... 

When in Rome... or Texas

Finals came and went in a blur along with Kaitlyn's bridal shower (the first one I had ever thrown) and the days leading up to me coming home. The day before I left, I went out for a sushi lunch with Julie Anne. Oh my. I never thought I would be so full from rice and a little bit of seafood, but three rolls later I could not have eaten the second round of three that they offer you for your "all you can eat" lunch. I don't think all of the laughing we were doing was helping my very full stomach feel any better either. I love her. Then, it was time for me to go home.

I needed to go home. I love Provo but sometimes the simpleness and monotony of the lifestyle I have here get old. I get tired of my schedule of school and work. As much as I love the people here it makes me sad when they all leave whether it is because of missions, marriages, or moving on with their lives. I needed a change. Once finals were over, I was out of Provo. It felt so good to see my family again, to get those tight hugs that mean so much, to be able to eat at my favorite places, and to see people I love.

The first weekend I was at home I got to walk a 5K with my momma. Her team at work had these shirts... On the front they said, "I pooped today." I'll be the first to admit that I was a little embarrassed to be wearing that shirt. I told her if I was going to wear that shirt I was going to look dang good doing it. Armed with new running shoes and matching shorts, I walked that 5K as quickly as I could. Afterwards, mom and I went down a giant blowup slide, drew on the sidewalk with chalk, and just had fun before going out to eat with some of her friends she from work. The next day was Sunday. I missed Easter with my family, but they made me the Easter dinner that I wanted so badly. Yum. Can you work food off ahead of time? Let's go with yes so I can say I worked all of the potato salad and blackberry cobbler I ate that day at the 5K.

My time at home flew by. Even the days I was bored at home while mom worked seem to go by so quickly. I don't really understand why or how. Shopping, errands, cooking dinner, cleaning out the house, starting Gone With the Wind, seeing how bad I am at video games, and other random activities filled up my time. Over my break I also had a birthday. I am no longer a teenager! My birthday was wonderful, and I got everything I asked for including sandals, nail polish, skirts, and a couple of books. I am such a girl. For my birthday I also got a lemon meringue pie made by my dad, and I got pictures in the bluebonnets. Mom and I actually found a good patch of them on the way to a friend from our old ward's house. At her house we went through a friend that died's jewelry box. As hard and sad as that was, I am glad to have a part of her to always remember her by.

I loved every minute I got to spend with my family whether it was eating dinner, watching a movie, going on walks with the dog and looking at the peacocks that live in our neighborhood, shopping, exploring antique stores, getting smoothies, or laughing with Ryan because I really am so terrible at my Mario games now. I love them even though they drive me crazy and I am sure I drive them crazy as well. That's what families are for, right?!?

As time got closer for me to come back to Provo, I got more upset and stressed. I was so sad that I had to go back, and even more upset that my last few days would not be spent with my family as much as with others. I had fun on those days though for the most part. My week started with class drama. Things can never go the way you plan. I got it all worked out with some help.

When I'm at home I always just wish I had more time. Mom did a bridal shower for Kaitlyn. The theme was breakfast at Tiffany's. I thought it was cute. The little old ladies from the ward made it even cuter. The next day, I went shopping and then to lunch with my grandma and grandpa. My poor grandpa. First we take him shopping where he is the designated bag holder, and then we take him to a restaurant where there are no milkshakes. The more time I am at college, the more I appreciate my grandparents. They bought me a beautiful shirt, and lunch was divine.

The next day I went to lunch with my best friend and her mom. I love and miss the both of them so much. Having them in my life ever since I was in kindergarten means the world to me. By the end of lunch I was a little stressed because I had to drive somewhere I didn't know in the rain to meet with Eric and Maddie who drove from Houston to see me. I miss them so much. So, so much. I met them and then we drove to the town square at Southlake for lunch and exploring. It is beautiful there, and my lunch of a giant chicken wrap was delicious. Most of all, I loved their company. I loved laughing like we used to.

Friday came all too soon and was Kaitlyn's wedding day. I have been waiting for this day for far too long! At the temple I waited anxiously for them to come out. While I waited, I talked to friends from my ward. It was Kaitlyn's wedding day, but everyone told me how beautiful I looked in my bridesmaid dress. I even had one lady tell me my eyes were mesmerizing. That always makes a girl feel good. When they finally came out, they were so happy. Picture time soon followed!  Once I was back home and out of my heels, I was happy to scarf down some food and watch a show with my mom. I don't know what I am going to do when I get married. I may starve to death and then die from lack of sleep or hurting feet on my wedding day... Anyways, then it was reception time! The church was decorated beautifully, and the bride and groom were still glowing with happiness. The bridesmaids and groomsmen made a survival kit of sorts for Kaitlyn and James. Each went up and gave the bride or groom two items to help the new bride or groom survive with the other. When I was done with my part, I went back to sit down. My mom told me I sounded just like my Aunt Diana. That made me so happy. The reception was entertaining, but when I got home at ten I could have slept for days. Too bad (but not too bad at all) I went out with my mom and a couple cousins and an aunt to get cheese fries and fried pickles. Mom and I came home and tried to watch a movie. I knew I wasn't going to fall asleep so at two in the morning I turned it off and went to bed and got to sleep with my mom and the spotted dog.

Sadly, the next day I had to leave. Since my flight was later my family had time for one more breakfast together. After that, spending time with my mom, and walking the dog one more time, we went to the airport. I swear, airports and I do not get along. I ALWAYS have to be patted down, my hands are tested for bomb residue or whatever else they swab my hands for, or my bags are opened and searched through. This time was no different. Annoying. I got to the gate just as we were boarding, and I got to sit by a skinny person unlike on the way to Texas. Someone in heaven loves me.

Now I am back in Provo. Back to college life. Back to remembering how I wanted things to be but facing how they have turned out. Back to worrying about what job I will be able to get when I graduate and what I should master in. My mom once told me that if I wanted to make God laugh I should tell Him my plans. He probably can't even look at me without laughing now. My plans never work out. He must have something completely different in mind for me. I may one day understand that and find out what they are. Until then I have to remember that some days life is all about your dreams, hopes, and vision for the future, but in others life is just about putting one foot in front of the other.

Do I Dare?

"Do I dare disturb the universe? In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse."
T.S. Eliot

Do I dare disturb the universe and say that finals weren't that bad this semester? I am exhausted, but I did well on all of my tests. That isn't normal. Could it be because for the first time I realized certain bricks of the testing center are carved with a crest and say "knowledge is power"? Could it be because I have had ice cream for three days in a row and polished off a bag of peanut butter M&Ms in a week? Could it be because I made going to the temple a priority and went with Meghan ten weeks in a row? I don't know. And honestly, I don't care if I disturb the universe. I definitely do dare! Thanks for reading, but I am going to watch a romantic movie and sleep now. 

Sorry Not Sorry

I am sorry that so many of my posts lately have been spiritual, but really, I'm not sorry at all. You see, in this time of beauty with all of the plants that seemed so dead before starting to bloom once again, it is hard to not see the hand of my Heavenly Father in my life. Everything that was so brown and lifeless has all of the sudden sprung to life with brilliant colors. It is interesting that Heavenly Father chose this time of year for the Savior to be resurrected. He too, once dead rose with new life showing himself not only to his old friends but to the people in the Americas. It is beautiful and perfect. 

Because finals are coming, life has been hectic. I did finish my last research paper though! It felt good. I wrote my last research paper of my undergrad career! And, later that night my roommates and I went to the creamery to celebrate. They had tin roof!! Tender mercies. I have also been working my tail off trying to get everything done for the three events we had this week. By Wednesday I was bumped, bruised, and my muscles cried in pain every time I moved. Stupid final survival kits. They help everyone except me survive finals. Thursday I left class a little early to go to our ward activity. It was at the Provo Recreation Center, and I will never turn down a chance to go swimming. After two hours of going down water slides, rock climbing, swimming in the lazy river, and soaking my sore muscles in the hot tub, I slowly walked away from the pool. So much fun. So worth missing part of class for. 

Friday I made the best decision I have made in a long time. I went to the BYU Easter Conference. I didn't even know that was a thing before. The theme this year was Our Savior's Love. Before it even started, the piano player played I Know that My Redeemer Lives. Before it even started I could feel the spirit all around me. Lloyd Newell, the voice of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Music and the Spoken Word, was the first speaker of the night. The first question he asked was if we could really change, and he answered it with a resounding yes. We can change and walk in newness of life. Change comes through the Atonement of Christ. It takes us to places we could never imagine without it. The plan of salvation is our ultimate adventure in life, and in times we feel we can go no further, we must remember that our testimonies helped us conquer in heaven, and they can help us conquer now. He quoted Elder Maxwell saying, "Our perfect Father does not expect us to be perfect children yet. He had only one such child. Meanwhile, therefore, sometimes with smudges on our cheeks, dirt on our hands, and shoes untied, stammeringly but smilingly we present God with a dandelion--as if it were an orchid or a rose! If for now the dandelion is the best we have to offer, He receives it, knowing what we may later place on the altar. It is good to remember how young we are spiritually." I loved that. We all have weaknesses, but sometimes seeing our weaknesses just means we are moving closer to our Father in Heaven not farther away. The next speaker was Kelly Ogden. He taught things I had absolutely never thought of before. He said without the event of the resurrection there would be no resurrection faith. Also, Christ could have easily left the tomb on his own, but angels rolled the stone away. Why? He left his burial clothes in their place to prove no mortal man could have moved the body. Again, why? He did is so others could have a testimony that the tomb was empty, and He is risen. I had also never thought where he had been when he told Mary not to touch him because he had not ascended to his Father yet. He was preaching the gospel of his resurrection in the spirit world. He was being a missionary. Wow. In some of his final remarks, Brother Ogden said that even for Christ a crown of thorns comes before the crown of glory. Even for Christ... The final speaker was Sister Dalton. We all know how much I love her. She asked a question I ask myself all of the time. Why did the Savior go through the atonement? She was kind enough to answer it. He did it because of love. He did it so he would understand every little thing we go through. In our sparkly and spectacular world we can sometimes feel broken, but we can still feel the spirit and know He is always there to help. He says, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." In reality it is MY yoke that is easy and MY burden that is light because He is on the other side. We never walk alone. When trials come we must endure it well. We must "hold on thy way..." because "God shall be with you forever and ever." She said to take the scripture John 21:16-17 and enter our names. Megan, lovest thou me? Do you love me more than all of this? In October of 2012 Elder Holland spoke of this picking up after Christ asked this of Peter for the third time. "To which Jesus responded (and here again I acknowledge my nonscriptural elaboration), perhaps saying something like: “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me." We cannot go back to our old lives once our testimony has changed by the gospel of Christ. Our calling is to bless lives, to try to be like Him, to be loyal to Him. He will run to us, heal us, lift us up, and help us stand once again when we are on the ground feeling broken. I hope to all those feeling broken I can be like Christ and help them stand once again. Sister Dalton talked about the song I Stand All Amazed. She also spoke of the song that had brought the spirit in to me in the beginning, I Know that My Redeemer Lives. My testimony continues to grow and change, but I will always know that my Redeemer Lives because what comfort that sweet sentence gives. 

Saturday came all of the sudden. What happened to my week? I threw my first ever bridal shower for dear Kaitlyn. It wasn't too shabby! I love her. I cannot wait for her wedding! That night I also had the Traditions Ball. Oh my. Getting all dressed up in a dress I have been saving for this special night made me happy. With my hair curled and makeup done to perfection I headed off. I am sad to say my prince charming didn't come sweep me off my feet at the ball. I stayed the working Cinderella even in my ballgown. By the end, I would have happily taken a tablecloth off of a table and slept underneath it. Being the true Cinderella I am, I would have also been happy sleeping by the fireplace. The ball was beautiful though, and it seemed to go well. I am  just thankful it is over! Let's be real here. Wearing heels for that long... Bleh. More pictures of the ball will be up in the next couple of weeks. I promise.

In this Easter season, even for those of us with work or school, I hope we never forget our Savior. When we feel inadequate, He is teaching us how to allow Him to work through us. When we are full of sorrow or feeling broken I hope we always remember there is no sorrow heaven cannot heal. I hope we always remember to choose to have faith. I know that He lives, and I consistently stand all amazed at the love and grace He always offers me.

 

The World is Our Campus or the Campus is Our World

I have been somewhat irresponsible this week. I only have six more days of school, and even though the sun doesn't always shine my senioritis does. Sunday I spent time with friends all afternoon and evening even though I did not feel well. Monday I still wasn't feeling well but decided to drown my sorrows in a mint brownie before Janessa and I headed off to a crazy (not in a good way) FHE. Wednesday I was running around all day and instead of doing homework when I got home I went to a party for work. Sitting on a very small couch with Amanda and Brody watching a movie made me laugh. I need more moments like that. Thursday I didn't do homework again and even missed class to go on a date. Um... Yeah I did that. Yesterday I went to the temple before the work and left work just in time to go out with Janessa, come home and watch a movie, go on a failed hiking adventure, and finish our night with a few episodes of "I Dream of Jeanie." Today was full of four hours of uplifting, spiritual light from the General Authorities of the church. Somehow, even with all of the fun, I have still gotten things done. I have still gotten enough sleep, and I am not behind in any of my classes. School is important, especially in my last real semester, but having fun is important too. 

Also, my boss is really mature and hides army men all over my desk. Every day I find a new one. It has become war.

 Now, we all know that naturally I started this. He just continues on with it. So, this week while he was in a meeting I taught him a lesson and did this to all of the plants he has on his desk. He may have won the small battles, but I won the war.