Gentelmen

Let me tell you about work this morning. For those of you who may be unaware: I wake up at the unearthly hour of 3:30 in the a.m. in order to be at work at the BYU fieldhouse at 4. I clean a certain area, as well as anything else that may need attention. Despite the lack of sleep caused by the time I have to be at work, I love my job. I love the people I get to work with. I love the fact that I don't have to look nice. I love that I can take off work whenever I want. I love that I never work weekends or holidays. I even take a sick sort of satisfaction from scrubbing something until it shines.

Anyways. This morning I was attempting to unroll a large mat. Now, I can unroll those wretchedly heavy mats all by my lonesome, but it's difficult to get them straight. They are a lot larger than I am. I think people sometimes feel pity for me as they watch me wrestle with them, because occasionally I get offers of help from passer-by. I usually turn these offers down, maybe this is prideful stubborness on my part... but it isn't their job to help me, and if I really am struggling I do have coworkers I can call upon. But anywho. I was moving a mat into position this morning when a handsome stranger walked up to me. He stated simply in a very kind voice, "I'll help you with that." It wasn't a request or an offer - it was a statement of how things were to be. His tone of voice was not one to be argued with. I was taken off guard by the matter-of-fact tone he used, and before I knew it, he was instructing me to pull on one end while he manuvered the other. When I looked at him with a grateful, "thank you." He replied with a "No problem. See you later!" and off he went. Just like that. And I thought to myself what a nice fellow he must be.

Not 20 minutes later I ran out of vacuum cord in the same hallway. I turned around to go to retrieve the plug and noticed an elderly gentleman bending over, holding the vacuum plug as he looked at me with an inquisitive smile. He asked if he could unplug it for me, and observed that it looked as if I had run out of cord. Once again I was not offered help, I was just given it. Usually vacuuming is one of the dullest projects of my morning, but his jovial smile brightened things considerably.

And I was supremely grateful that no matter where one goes there are undoubtably lovely people everywhere just waiting to be met. Also. I love it when I meet a man who exudes the arua of a true gentleman.

Ok. So BYU may have a few redeeming qualities. I did just admit that.


USU is still better.

Sister Johnson

Tonight I had the opportunity to with my dear friend Sharlee to watch her be set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She will be serving in Cambodia. I am so excited for her it is slightly ridiculous.
Sunday when I went to her farewell I had a lot of people ask me if I knew her very well at all. I would chuckle and say "we were best friends in third grade." But really, that doesn't even begin to cover it. Sharlee has always been there for me - she is such a bright spot in my life and I feel so grateful to have known her and seen her genuine goodness. She loves everyone around her, and her patience is neverending. I can testify to this because she's put up with me for years and years. From being my first real elementary school friend, to my locker partner in highschool, and then eventually my roommate in college, she has always brightened my day when I have been graced with one of her smiles. She's taught me a lot about chairty and selflessness and hard work.
I shed a few tears tonight when I had to say goodbye to her. I am such a proud roommate. I wept during her talk on Sunday when she spoke of a very special moment I was able to share with her last semester at school. I feel like a basket case, but those tears are a testament to how much I love her - I don't cry over just anybody.
When she first started the mission paper process I thought we'd be going through it together. Right now the Lord has different plans for me, and for a while I was slightly jealous of her. But I can honestly say that since the moment I watched her open her mission call I haven't felt jealous. I've only felt excitement and love for her. She is on the Lord's errand, and she let's nothing stand in her way. One day I'm going to be like her.

But anyways. Dear Sharlee, or Sister Johnson (since that's what you'll be for the next 18 months) I love you. I can't wait to see you in a year and a half, and I want you to know how much I adore you. Thanks for being there for me. You don't know how much you've blessed my life.

Those Cambodian people sure are lucky that she'll be there with them for the next year and a half. Good luck Sister Johnson!

Thoughts from the Trail

Antelope Island here we come!

Perfect day! Yay! Not so many bugs this time.

Sego Lillies! Wow!

Steph and I are going to be pro at practicing this romance thing. Horseback riding throw the meadows of wildflowers.... hehehe.

I am SO glad I don't have to use the restroom right now. No wonder women stayed home more when this was the primary mode of transportation. I don't blame them one bit.

Well Chelle, you're horse has a hard time keeping up because he's the fat slow one ;)

Silly horse. Quit trying to cuddle with me. You're far too big for that.

Golly Grandpa, this is a lot of food --- typical. Haha.

Freak child. You have a lopsided canter. Either that or you're just trying to throw me off...

You walk until I say otherwise: you eat. You canter and toss me around: you starve.

Oh my goodness! That buffalo is freaking close... woah. woah. woah. If you throw me off I swear... I can just see tomorrow's headline: Girl gored by buffalo. What a painfully fantastical way to die. Wonder who would actually show up to my funeral?

Real prancing ponies are not very comfortable to ride no matter how innocent the title sounds...

I am so glad that Grandpa brought me, Stephanie and Michelle to do this.

Starting to understand how it was possible for cowboys to fall asleep in the saddle... so tired...

I love riding downhill... it makes me feel so... wait. Slow down. Holy crap. WoAh! I think my respect level for that dude in Man from Snowy River just increased about 10 times.

Is it really a good thing Grandpa trusts me with the most difficult horse?

I think this grass is taller than I am.

I'll take the cold wind over those blasted mosquitos any day!

Wow, that salt breeze really clears up those sinuses.

Ten miles! I feel pretty legit.

Holy Crap. Note to self... leave stirrups slightly longer next time --- I don't think I've ever been this saddle sore!

Just because I know it's good for me doesn't mean I want to do it

AKA: things may be too easy for you, and the chicken counting is stopping.

Because really. I think about things too much. Because sometimes when you are shoving a vacuum around in the wee hours of the morning, you have lots of time to think. And sometimes the thinking is productive. And sometimes it's just confusing and you come up with way more questions than you have answers. Actually, that second thing happens a LOT to me.

But then sometimes you talk to someone and they say something, and because you have figured out one of the questions, all of a sudden you see things more clearly. And then you feel happy because you know that your thinking session tomorrow morning will probably, and very hopefully, be much more productive and fulfilling. Or at least more interesting.

Also. Sometimes I wonder about chickens. Not real chickens silly goose. But yes. I wonder about chickens. And then sometimes when I come up with a good question, then the chicken wondering becomes appealing in an extremely different sort of way, because my pride steps in and takes over. Hostilly. (Yes I just made that word up.)

So yes. Hostile pride is halting the chickeney musings. I am less inclined than I was before. However.... this could potentially mean I will get a swift kick in the pants from a Heavenly source soon. Maybe. Either that or I just got smarter.

We'll see.

Institutionalized

Thursday I went with Dora on a mini road trip to Montana. Nevermind why. Suffice it to say that we spent a LONG time in the car. And whenever one spends excessively long periods of time in a moving vehicle, bathroom breaks become necessary. So we stopped at a gas station in the Idaho Falls area, and she and I happily skipped inside (we were very grateful to be out of the car) in order to use the restroom.

As we walked in and followed the signs directing us to the ladies room, a man wearing casual business attire (he was probably in his late 40's) stopped me with a question. This was because he had noticed my shirt. I was wearing a USU Institute t-shirt. On the front the shirt says 'Institute' in bold lettering, the back features the Aggie A and the words 'a priority.'  Noticing me and the front of my shirt, he halted my progress towards the bathroom with the question, "Wait, you belong to an Institute?" Thinking that he might be LDS and was just appreciating the fact that he could easily recognize my religious affiliations by my getup, I proudly answered him with a resounding, "Yup! I go to Institute."  He looked back at me with a concerned expression on his face and said, "Hm. That's usually not something people advertise on their shirts." I shrugged and proceeded on my way.

While I was washing my hands and thinking about this incident, it occurred to me that the kindly-intentioned gentleman was not referring to the same kind of Institute that I was thinking of. So I turned to Dora and mentioned that the man had probably thought I belong to a psych ward. She and I chuckled over it as we exited the restroom, and as we approached the exit, the same gentleman stopped me again.

You know those times when you can just look at someone's face, and you know what they are wanting to say, even though they aren't saying it very well? Well --- this was one of those times. Because this guy looked at me with this queer expression, and I just knew that he was dying, yes, simply dying, to know what I had done that would cause me to be sent to the loony bin, and what on earth was I doing in a gas station in the middle of Idaho. He  asked me in a controlled sort of voice what kind of Institute I belonged to, and when I explained, "It's an institute for religion...." he looked at me with a dubious glance and said sarcastically, "I've never heard it called that before."

And it was all I could do not to bust up laughing as I explained that it was a USU t-shirt. I am an Aggie, and that the institute there really is for religion. He then proceeded to quietly explain to himself, "Oh. You're one of those Utah people...."

And I just laughed. Because he is in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Which, while it may not be Utah, is definitely not that far from USU, Mormons, Aggies, or other such similar things.

So yes. I had a random stranger try to ask me why I'd been institutionalized. Haha.
 Best gas station experience ever. Hands down :)

He Used the Word 'Date'

I received a phone call early this afternoon, in which a handsome young man asked me if I would go on a date with him. And he actually used the word date. And I was surprised and impressed by his frank non-ambiguousness. Because really, I don't even remember the last time a boy called me and said that he would like to take me on a "date." I've been called and asked if I'd like to go with a young man to a dinner or activity or something, and I knew it was a date... but I don't remember the last time a gentleman used this particular word when asking me.

Why is it that for some reason that particular word is frightening? Sometimes I feel everyone slinks around and avoids the use of the term until after the date is over. (Am I the only one who feels like this happens?) I guess it's kinda scary sometimes to put yourself out there in order to ask someone on a date, but still. It is sooo nice to know what is going on. It was completely refreshing today to know that whatever upcoming activity he has planned will be classified as a date - and I don't have to wonder about it beforehand.

I was proud of him. And impressed. And if he ever reads any of these silly musings of mine he should know that I say kudos to him.

Now I just have to decide what to wear :)

Camille tells me stories to cheer me up.

"once,

there was a beautiful girl named Krystal

and there was a handsome prince named ping. and he was from china. and he wasn't dumb like most boys are

and Krystal went to China, and there was a chipmunk there named Larry

And Larry said "Krystal, guess what? normally when i'm around, it means you have to do a lot of waiting or fighting or whatever so you can receive they key to the heart of the one you treasure

But Ping is so madly in love with you, that he already did all the work for you, so you don't have to do it. Because he loves you lots and lots

And so, Krystal was so happy. and she met ping, and he was everything she hoped for and more. and he was good at chasing girls

and he asked girls on dates

and he was really funny

and teased Krystal a lot

and they lived happily ever after.

the end"

I like that girl. And her stories too :)

Silver Linings

1. I have the funds to pay for the car repairs needed.
2. The deer didn't kill me.
3. I think the deer was ok.
4. I got to go to institute with Jen this evening.
5. My Dad knows how to replace side view mirrors.
6. I have a full time job.
7. I like my full time job.
8. I get to go to the temple tomorrow afternoon.
9. I got an almost 4 hour nap this afternoon.
10. I got to talk to two of my favorite boys last night.
11. My thyroid test came back and said my thyroid is healthy.
12. One month from today my St. George and Bear Lake adventuring will begin.
13. Camille sent me funny quotes this afternoon.
14. I got to jump on the trampoline.
15. Jen knows how to cheer me up.
16. I'm getting better at being patient.
17. I get to have a brand new windshield.
19. There are people in the world who will just listen when I vent. They don't fix it, they just listen.
20. Jen and I have a play date to watch Mulan and go running.
21. Heavenly Father loves me.