Sinus Infection

Apparently a whole bunch of water going up your nose is bad. I guess after all of my trips to Seven Peaks and tubing, my body gave out. So, naturally, I got a sinus infection. It is not fun. On Saturday night I got no sleep because it felt like I was still on the water from all of the nastiness built up in my head. I had a really bad headache, and I felt like I had to blow my nose every couple of minutes or I felt like I was drowning because I could not breathe. Other problems include nothing tasting right, I am always thirsty but even water tastes nasty, I get dizzy and feel like my balance is off, I have a sore diaphragm from coughing, and my nose is getting chapped from blowing it so often. The good thing is, a roll of toilet paper, a box of tissues, two hot and steamy showers, and numerous Motrin later, I feel a little better.  I haven't had a dizzy spell yet. I even slept all the way through the night after falling asleep during "Gone With the Wind." I just have to get better before my second Batman movie night, before having to move in to my new apartment, and before I go to FOL. All of those would be miserable with me coughing and having to blow my nose all of the time.

Adrenaline Rush

Summer classes ended. I got As in both of my classes. I say that is pretty good for spending so much time with friends, in the BYUSA office, and at Seven Peaks. It was a great semester. The only problem was when it ended, I did not know what to do with myself... for a while. Then, I realized I still had packing to do, I still have friends, and there are so many fun things I want to do before school starts back up. Monday, I went to an amusement park called Lagoon with Dani, Emilee, and Meghan. We had a blast, and we were there for most of the day. This was my favorite ride. We went on it four times.
There was something about it... We were all laughing and talking before it started. When it starts, it is FAST. We all burst out in screams. You go up that huge hill first. At the top, you pause for a minute before falling to your seeming death. Then, the screams start again. After that hill the ride really isn't bad. We just talked the rest of the ride about how scary that hill was. It was nice to have the adrenaline pumping through me, but it was even better to see my old roommates, enjoy their company, and get out of Provo. Tuesday was reading day, but no reading day is complete without an adventure so naturally we went to Seven Peaks again. Wednesday and Thursday were finals days, but Meghan and I packed and moved our stuff as well. Yesterday came yet another adventure. I went boating with Meghan and some of her friends. I love being on the water. So much fun. Utah Lake is actually rather warm too which makes it all the more enjoyable. Tubing is one of my favorite things to do. Why do I like it? I have no idea. When I think about it, I do not think the sore muscles, burns from the tubes, bumps, bruises, and stiff neck are worth it. But, then I think about how much fun it is. You are flying across the water holding on for dear life. When you fall off, you FLY. Then, you get back on and do it all again.
It was kind of an awakening experience for me. I read this book not too long ago. The main girl was up in the restaraunt in the Space Needle in Seattle. Looking down, she realized that her work in which she devoted her life toward was nothing in the grand scheme of things. I thought it was cheesy while reading it, but being on the lake and realizing how small BYU, which is my world, is nothing. It is so small compared to everything else I could see. I guess I need to work on my priorities. There are other things besides BYU and BYUSA. We were on the water all day.

Heaven, I tell you. After, I went to Janessa's to watch a movie. We watched "The Proposal." It is one of my favorite movies! I love it. I got home around 12:30 and had to clean because one of my roommates left for the weekend without doing her jobs. Fail. Anyways, I did it, and it was fine. Today, I am working on being able to move. It is rough. It hurts to do anything. We had our cleaning checks so I am technically supposed to be gone. I just have to wait until Friday to move into my new apartment that I am so excited about. It means a lot more work of unpacking and making it look like home before I have to leave on Monday, but I can do it. I am going to Seven Peaks once again. I have to get it all out of my system before it gets cold. I do not know what I am going to do when that happens. I am so excited. Tomorrow is our area dinner for BYUSA. I am going to make red velvet cream cheese brownies. So good! I have been looking forward to them all week. Our dinners are always fun, and this one is only with a couple of us. More fun? I don't know, but I cannot wait to find out!

Thankful Once Again

It is finals week. You would think it would be hard to think of something to be thankful for, but it really isn't. I am loving this week!

1. Two little girls came up to Meghan and me at Seven Peaks and told us we were pretty. It is nice to know other people besides my parents think that. It made me so happy. Here we are with absolutely no makeup on, our hair is braided, and I am wearing a navy swimsuit with black shorts. We are pretty. I am thankful for those two little girls for making my day. They are the sweetest. 

2. I am thankful for answered prayers. Everyone knows that the testing center is the building where the most prayers are said. I said one today, and it was answered. Thank you for that. I have one more final and I can guarantee two more prayers will be said in my behalf (one asking for help and one saying thank you no matter what happens). Then I will be done with summer semester!

3. I am thankful for textbook sell-back in the bookstore. Not only do they give you cash for your books, but they give you candy as well. Most of the time I get more money back for my books than I payed, so candy is just a bonus that made my smile even wider. 

4. I am thankful I have people from home to run in to on campus unexpectedly. After my test this morning I was tired and really hungry. Who did I run in to? Heidi Starr. She, just like her mom and dad, is always so happy and smiley, and I loved seeing her on my way home. I have also seen a few others this week, and my cousin, Becca, comes back in a week and a half! 

So, here are a few things I found to be thankful for on this finals week. There is always something no matter how dreary your week may seem!

I Can Do Anything Good

I do not know why, but the week of finals is when you get the least amount of sleep, you eat worse than you ever have, and it always feels like you did not study enough. Last year, I learned some survival techniques. are you ready?
1. When you are tired of studying go make home-made french fries. You get a break, and some fattening food to keep you going. You can also go to the creamery and get chocolate donuts and a gallon of milk. Not only will you laugh at yourself, you provide a laugh for others.
2. Do not put on make-up or make an effort to look nice. If you do, it makes you feel like you should go somewhere. You need to study. Don't tempt yourself.
3. After two hours of pure, dedicated studying, give yourself five minutes to look at happy pictures on Pinterest. You always feel better.
4. Change rooms for different subjects you are studying. It is a proven method to help you remember different topics for different classes.
5. If you have to pack the same week, do it after. I made the mistake of doing it today when I was supposed to be studying, and I feel like I lost valuable time.
6. Take advantage of the time you have alone if you are granted with it. I got some today, and I think I studied as well as I ever have.
7. Do not study on your bed. Sleep is important, but you have time to do that later. Study somewhere comfortable but not that comfortable.
8. Do something that de-stresses you when you take a break. In my breaks I drew and cleaned. So nice.
9. Talk to your friends and family. Not only are they simply outstanding, but they always offer words of encouragement for this seemingly impossible task you are about to embark on.
10. Remember to smile. I always hear that your day goes the way the corners of your mouth are turned. Even if you are tired and bored, if you smile, your day cannot go too badly. Just remember you can do anything good.

Last Minute Thankfuls

I have been as busy as always, so I am doing this post in the last half hour of the week. At least I am doing it right?! So, down to business, I am thankful for...
1. Chocolate. :) Sometimes I think it is what helps me get through my crazy weeks. The great thing is, it goes with anything. I can have anything for lunch or dinner, and chocolate goes great along with it. Something even better than chocolate is the chocolate peanut butter combo. Bliss. I am telling you.
2. Music. There is something about music that calms me down, makes me happy, and helps me enjoy life. Whether I am listening to church music or something that is new and upbeat, I love life.
3. I love the methods of communication we have today. I love getting texts from my mom or dad, phone calls from them, and Facebook messages or texts from friends. They always make my day. I love talking to people. Sometimes people from here drive me insane because they consistently text me when they see me every day! Calm down people! I do love getting messages though. It makes me feel loved.

There's No Stopping Us Right Now

I actually cried in the Olympics today. Normally it takes a lot to make me cry. Funny thing though.... I cried twice. 

The first time was in the 200M Women's Breast Stroke. I used to swim this stroke, so it is close to my heart. I love it. Her name was Rebecca Soni. She got gold in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics. No woman has ever been able to defend her title in this race, but I could tell she was going to be able to pull it off. The bleep went off for them to dive in to the water, and it was on. I do not know what made me cry. I was fine through the pure dedication and determination flowing through her during the race, the fact that she defended her title, or the fact that she broke the world record that she had set the day before with the time of 2:19:59 which had been her goal since childhood. I may have been screaming and white knuckling the remote, but I was not going to cry.Then, when she saw she had won and set a new record, she was so excited, as unbelief, happiness, and accomplishment rushed through her, she lost her put together look and showed the excitement of an Olympian. It was beautiful. Seeing her be so happy for all that she had done and worked for, I cried. It was only one tear that came streaming down my face, but it came no matter how hard I fought. 

Then came the women's individual gymnastics competition. I went in to this one not even having a favorite, but Gabby Douglas quickly won my vote. I loved watching her compete in each area. She was outstanding, and even with complete concentration, she smiled. When the time came for her to see if she won or not I was even nervous. She found out she won. She is the first African American girl to win gold in the women's all around gymnastics competition. She gave hope and inspired dreams for girls all over the world. A huge smile broke out. I was fine. I was ecstatic for this girl I had never seen before. Then the camera panned over to her mom. Her mom had burst into tears. I did too. 

 

The Olympics may be a time for us to be the ultimate in lazy and sit in front of the TV all day, but it brings a kind of excitement you cannot get anywhere else. Way to go U.S. teams! Way to represent and make all of us proud. 

Keeping it Classy

Today in BYUSA we had our pictures. Everyone looked nice, but as the Administration area, we kept it classy. I love these guys!

 

 

Pinkies up!