A Week With Two Mondays, No Tuesday, A Double Date And No Free Yogurt

Monday: Happy President's Day! To celebrate having no school, Ben and his friends put together a Sterling Ward party.  We had a bowling tournament at the Wilk.  I didn't win, but I did get a turkey (three strikes) in the 10th frame of my last game.  That was pretty exciting :) After that we all went to Ben's house (since it is so huge!) and ate lunch and talked.  After lunch, everyone except Brooke, Gordy and Anna left and the five of us played Gordy's new game, Dominion.  I was actually just watching/on Ben's team and it seems like a game I could play and not embarrass myself too much.

Tuesday: BYU said it was Monday.  That meant five and a half hours of work, IP&T and Advertising.  Nothing else too exciting happened.

Wednesday: The weather was B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L! I wore sandals all afternoon :) When Ben was at class, I had a little outside party with Ashley and McKensey. We painted nails and talked.  It was great! After that, Ben and I went grocery shopping.  I used lots of coupons and felt awesome about saving lots of money :)

Thursday: Classes and work.  Pretty normal.  The exciting moment of the day was when I got a voicemail saying I had won a pearl necklace from jewelry store in downtown Provo from a drawing I had entered a few weeks ago.  Thursday  night, Ben and I went to the last women's basketball game.  There was a pizza party afterwards so we ate a TON of free pizza.  During the game Ben told me that if we scored 80 points, he would take me to Yogurtland.  He was quite surprised when we did score over 80 points and he ended up taking me to Yogurtland.  We tried a new flavor, Mango Mixer (or something like that) and it was super yummy.

Friday: I got a lot of homework done.  Jamba with Alex and Sydney was wonderful.  Our advertising meeting was great.  The weather was nice again so Ben and I went to Trafalga to play mini-golf.  We made dinner and got ready for our double date with my roommate Becca and Ben's co-worker Mark.  We went ice skating.  Now, if you know me at all you know that I absolutely hate skating of any sort and skiing and basically anything where objects (besides shoes) are strapped to my feet. But I ended up having a fantastic time.  I didn't fall at all and I ended up getting a million times better than when I started.  By the end of the night I could skate a faster than snail pace all by myself, without holding onto the wall or Ben's hand. Becca said she had a great time too! She loves ice skating and she said that Mark was super nice and was a great date.  The only downside was that I didn't wear tall socks because I wasn't thinking so I got a good sized blister on my ankle.

Saturday: I finished up the little bit of homework I had left and Ben, Josh (his roommate) and I went to Trafalga again since it seemed so nice out.  Turns out that it was super windy so we only played 9 holes outside before coming in to play the indoor course.  After we came back and had lunch, we went and picked up my necklace and ran to the grocery store to get a few things that we needed. Once we got back, we met up with Gordy (and later Brooke) at the last home men's basketball game.  We won! But didn't get 80 points (we only got 76, so close!) so we didn't get any free yogurt. We had a lot of fun talking to Brooke and Gordy before the game started (we were there for an hour and a half before the game.)

Sunday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!!
Church was lovely :) We had an FHE group potluck dinner.  Our group and another group got together and had breakfast for dinner.  It was very good with lots of food and lots of fun people. I Skyped with Hannah for a bit for her birthday.  I can't believe she is 9 years old!

This is my roommate Becca.  We decided to be twins today.  At church today we even got asked if we were sisters.  Becca is very sweet and I absolutely love talking to her. :) 

Valentine's Day

Monday: I was going to work with Ben when he told me I should go home because I still looked sick and looked like I was going to pass out.  I told him I was fine and went to work. I was there for a little bit before I really felt like I was going to pass out.  So, Ben walked me home where I drank lots of liquids and slept for a few hours.  I went to FHE and grocery shopping and shortly after, went to bed.

Tuesday: Happy Valentine's Day! I woke up to flowers and candy on my kitchen table from my wonderful boyfriend. :) I went to class then to Devotional which was great! We were lucky enough to have a Elder Kearon from the Seventy speak to us.  He is a wonderful speaker.  I went to class and work for the rest of the day until I got out at 8:00 that night.  Ben picked me up from school and took me to dinner at Cafe Rio.  It was so yummy :)

What I woke up to in the kitchen :) 

 And here is the cute Valentine I got from Ben's nephew, Aaron.

I got it last week but forgot to put up pictures :) 

Wednesday: I was exhausted all day.  I had my two classes in the morning then went home to have lunch with Ben and work on homework for a few hours before Ben went back to class. We had dinner and then I went to my late class and I got out over an hour early! Woohoo!

Thursday: I went to class then work for a few hours before going to an elementary school for my dance class.  It was so fun to be in the schools and to see the kids :) I got done way earlier than usual so I was able to talk to my friend Brittony from Marquette.  She's getting married! It was so great to talk to her. She was one of my best friends in high school and I miss talking to her. I picked up Ben from class and we ate the yummy chicken and dumplings I made for dinner before I took him to Star Wars in 3D for part of my Valentine's Day gift to him. We went with my friend Sydney and her boyfriend Jon.  It was very fun and Sydney told me afterwards that Ben was "just delightful."

Friday: I went to campus to work on homework while Ben worked. Then I did Jamba Juice with Alex and Sydney.  After that, I met up with Ben and our advertising group to work on a few things.  After our meeting, we went home and ate lunch.  I worked on homework pretty much all afternoon before we ate dinner and went to the Temple.

Saturday: After eating breakfast with Ben, we went to campus for him to work on homework and for me to study for and take an exam.  After that was done, we came home and ate a quick lunch before heading up to Lehi to go to Trafalga to mini-golf since the weather was so nice.  I won by one stroke :) We met up with my family after since they were coming up from Arizona.  We just kind of hung out before my parents took me and Ben to dinner.  We all ate too much and were very full but it was super good.

Sunday: Ben and I came up to Highland again to spend time with my family.  We ate breakfast and helped get stuff for dinner ready before eating some lunch and going to church. After church we just hung out for a bit and ate dinner followed by a birthday party for my aunt and little sister. After we cleaned up from dinner and dessert, we broke out some games.  We played Mormon Bridge (or Book of Mormon Thumps as my family calls it) and Pit.  I won both games :) After games we talked to everyone for a little bit more then Ben and I headed back to Provo because the weather was supposedly going to get bad.  But we made it back safe and sound.  No snow or ice on the roads.

Another Week Down

Monday: I went to an elementary school with McKensey for a class assignment.  We got to interview two kids who are English Language Learners (ELL students) and they were so cute! After our interview, the class was learning a folk dance and the teacher had me and McKensey dance with the kids and it was so much fun :) After that, I went to class and work and class and a review session for my Advertising class before our midterm.  I went to FHE and did some homework before finally going to bed.

Tuesday: Marriage Prep was fantastic. Devotional was great! It was given by Dr. Fletcher who is a chemical engineering professor.  He told us about his ancestors and told us seven things that he learned from them and their lives that we call all apply to our lives.

1. Be both good and great.
2. Do your best in school and at work.
3. Stay true to your testimony.
4. Serve faithfully in your callings.
5. Be devoted to your spouse.
6. Have a positive attitude.
7. Be humble and try to be like Jesus.

Work and dance were fine. My Foundations of Education class was interesting, as usual.  I really like how that class is driven by our discussion and what we want to talk about. After class, Ben walked me home and we studied for two hours for our Advertising midterm.

Wednesday: My Multicultural Education class was fantastic. I always look forward to that class, even though it is three hours long and starts at 8:00 in the morning.  It is so interesting and fascinating to me. At the end of class, we watched a clip from Freedom Writers and a clip from a primetime special on the story.  It was so powerful and showed what a great teacher has the power to do.  I was on such a teaching high, ready to go change the world one student at a time.  Then I had IP&T which is one of the most boring classes in the entire world.  It is even more boring than my Civ. 202 class or my History 201 class.  After class I walked home and met up with Ben so we could have lunch and study a little more for Advertising.  I dropped him off at class on my way to the grocery store.  It took way longer than I was expecting so I just parked on campus and waited a few minutes for Ben to get out of class then we took our Advertising midterm.  I did pretty well :) So I was happy. We went home and ate dinner before I went to my late TELL class. After class, I went to Ben's for a little bit before going home and going to bed. 

Thursday: Marriage Prep was awesome! I learned so much! Work and class were fine.  Ben and I walked home together and I made Shepherd's Pie for dinner and it was pretty good! I was pleasantly surprised. :) After dinner, I went with Ben, McKensey and our friend Mikayla to the mall for our community project for Multicultural Education.  The project we decided to do was to go to the mall and only sign.  Both Ben and Mikayla have taken at least one semester of American Sign Language at BYU.  McKensey took a few years of it in high school and since Ben signs all the time, I have picked up on it pretty quickly.  So, McKensey and I were interpreters for Mikayla and Ben.  It was very interesting to see people's reactions to us.  When we went into stores, the clerks were going to come help us but then they saw that we were signing so they turned away and tried not to stare at us. 

Friday: I went to campus with Ben at 8:00 to work on homework while he did TA stuff. And I got basically all of my homework done! I went to Jamba Juice with Alex and Sydney :) After that, Ben and I went to our Advertising group's meeting to start putting together some stuff for our campaign.  After that, we went home and ate a late lunch and worked on homework for a few hours.  We ate a quick dinner as I was getting ready for our Valentine's date to the ballet (since I have class late on Valentine's Day).  We went to see The Snow Queen on campus and it was so wonderful! The costumes were beautiful, the sets were amazing, the dancing was gorgeous.  It was a very fun date. 

Saturday: What a great, happy day! I slept in and after I woke up, I started doing some cleaning since cleaning checks are next week. Ben came over for lunch and then we went to the library for a few hours to finish up some homework. After that we went home and got ready for the Men's Basketball game.  We won! AND we scored over 80 points, so after dinner we went to Yogurtland with Anna and her roommate Cassie and got five free ounces of frozen yogurt.  It was delicious. After we dropped the girls off at their stake dance, Ben and I watched 7 Brides for 7 Brothers.  I LOVE that movie :) And I haven't seen it in such a long time. Oh, and we also got valentine's from Ben's mom. (Thank you Sis. Nielsen!)

Sunday: I woke up to lots of snow falling which made me super happy. :) It was ward conference today.  We had really good talks and lessons in all of our meetings. We came home and ate a quick dinner before picking up Anna and going to Brooke and Gordy's to see Mike and Amy and the boys.  Aaron gave me a valentine and I got to hold and play with Bradley a lot. :) After seeing them, Ben and I went to ward prayer.  I had to leave early because I felt really sick and felt like I was going to pass out.  So, I basically spent the rest of the night laying on the couch until I managed to go to bed. 

Just Keep Swimming

Yes, Dory from Finding Nemo has been telling me all week to just keep swimming. Why is it that Winter Semester always seems to drag on? I am ready for the springtime: sunshine, flowers, bright blue skies, my birthday, bright colors, birdies singing, cool evening walks that only require a light jacket.  Ah! I can't wait.

Here is another week's recap:

Monday: A day filled with work and class, FHE and homework.

Tuesday: A guy was hitting on me on my way to Devotional.  He was sad to hear that I had a boyfriend. Devotional was good (as usual!).  At work I listened to Conference talks all day. It was great! My classes were great.  After class, Ben, Anna and I went grocery shopping.

Wednesday: Class and no work! After lunch, I did some homework and worked on a few projects before Ben was done with class.  We went to dinner at Zuppas then I went to my really late, long class.

Thursday: I slept through my alarm and missed Marriage Prep :( That is my favorite class too! But, I made it to work on time and I won a $15 iTunes gift card in the Wilk. My dance class got out super early and the dinner I made turned out pretty good :)

Friday: Homework with Ben and Jamba with Alex and Sydney and more homework all afternoon.  Ben and I picked up our free pizzas from Pizza Hut for dinner and went to the Men's Volleyball game against Stanford.  They beat us.  After the game, we went to Ben's and watched Tangled :)

Saturday: I got up and went to the Temple with Ben.  It was packed! I have never seen so many people there before. After the Temple, we went to lunch at Firehouse Subs and got our free frozen yogurt from Yogurtland. Since it was nice and sunny, we went to Trafalga and golfed outside.  We came back home and did homework for the rest of the afternoon.

Sunday: Church was wonderful! I love going to church every week and I am so happy that I am part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! It is really where I find joy and happiness :) After church, Brooke and Gordy came to Ben's for dinner.  I made tomato basil pasta stuff that turned out pretty good.  I didn't burn the house down or totally destroy the dinner, so I consider it a success. After dinner we played Cranium.  Gordy and Brooke won.  Ben and I think it is because they are married. We drank smoothies and ate cookies then Ben got his hair cut (yay!) and Brooke and I talked about girly things :) It was a wonderful evening.