Computer Crashed

Computer crashed week before finals

Finals this week

Home Friday/Saturday

Update coming soon

Booklist!

I decided that I need to make a list of books I want to read, that way when I get a chance to read I'll be able to remember which ones I wanted to read!

My goal is to make it a list of 101, right now it's at 25...

So that's where you come in!

What are some good books you've read lately?

I know this is horrible but I'm really just not into the old classics.

I'm more into modern classics.

But I do want to know what your favorites are and what you think I should read!

What Color Are You?!

Misheel, one of my roommates, turned 22 last Thursday so on Sunday we had a birthday dinner for her over at Monica's house. After dinner Monica's friend Fetu came over with her four little boys. Lea wanted to color pictures so I got out the crayons and sat down on the floor with her and of course Fetu's boys wanted in on the fun (who doesn't want to color?!)! Now I should tell you that Fetu and her family are all Samoan. After coloring for a while one of the little boys looks at me and asks "What color are you?" I told him "I'm white." He looked at his white piece of paper and back at me and asked, "How do I draw you??" I gave him a peach colored crayon and told him that would work! It was cute!

Just Curious!

We did this activity the other day in my international communications class.

I just wanted to see everyone's opinions.

After you read the (short) story leave a comment ranking the characters in order of whose behavior you MOST approve to whose you LEAST approve.

The Parable

Rosemary is a young woman about 21 years old. For a long time she has been engaged to a young man named Hernando and she is coming from a great distance to meet him for their scheduled wedding. The problem she faces is that between her and her betrothed there lies a river. No ordinary rive mind you, but a deep, wide river infested with hungry crocodiles.

Rosemary ponders how she can cross the river. She thinks of a man who has a boat, whose name is Sven. She approaches Sven and asks him to take her across the river. He replies, "Yes, I'll take you across the river if you'll spend the night with me."

Shocked at his offer, she turns to another acquaintance, Lee Pai, and tells him her story. Lee Pai responds by saying, "Poor Rosemary, I understand your problem, but I don't see how I can help. It's really your problem, not mine."

Rosemary, in desperation, decides to return to Sven, and spends the night with him. In the morning Sven takes her across the river. She completes her journey and arrives in time.

Her reunion with Hernando is warm, but on the evening before they are to be married, Rosemary feels compelled to tell Hernando how she succeeded in getting across the river. Hernando responds by saying, "I can't believe you would do such a thing. I wouldn't marry you if you were the last woman on earth." And he banishes her as a soiled woman.

Finally at her wit's end, Rosemary turns to our last character, Seiichi, He listens to her story and says, "What a terrible thing to happen. Rosemary, I don't love you, but I will marry you." And that's all we know of the story.

What do you think?

Remember to rank them in order of the character you MOST approve, to that you LEAST approve.

Shout Out to Sis Stocking!

During my last semester at BYUI, I took a class from Sis. Stocking....so much fun! I mean what other college professor takes you to get frozen yogurt for your final?! She's definitely the first (okay, probably only) professor I'll visit next time I'm in Rexburg (which might be sooner that we all think)!

One day she wanted to show us a picture of her family, so she pulled up her blog and found one. Later that week I was supposed to be writing a paper, but of course I was procrastinating. I had read all of the recent posts on the blogs I follow so I decided to try and find...success!! The last week of school I finally admitted to her that I had been reading her blog all semester!

She recently gave me a shout out on her blog! So I thought I'd do the same.

Hi Sister Stocking! I do love it here in Hawaii! It's nice and warm (I had to throw that in there since it started snowing for you guys this week!). The classes are definitely different...a lot less rigorous!

No, I don't think it's weird that one of my old teachers is following my blog! Well, not any weirder than one of your old students following yours! I do miss you! You were definitely my favorite teacher at BYUI (and not just because all of the food that you brought us...although that was a plus!). Our class was the best! I doubt you'll have another class as good as ours! ;)

My original plan was to graduate from Hawaii, but I don't know anymore. I have a few different programs I'm looking into and yes one of them is back at BYUI. But we'll just have to see where life takes me! It's definitely been a blast down here though! It's been like a little study abroad...only cheaper! :)

I haven't met a Lindsay. But! On the first say of classes I ran into Zach, from our English class! He's married now! He married his girlfriend who had transferred here from Idaho earlier. She was actually in my French class back in Idaho, and I have a few classes with her here...it's a small (Mormon) world!

Anyways. It was good to hear from you! Have a good semester!

Love,

Danielle W.

Living Without a Plan

For those of you who know me, you know that I have to have a life plan.

Granted, my life plan typically only lasts a few months before I have to come up with a new one. But I have to know where my life is headed, and exactly how it is going to get there.

I stumbled across a blog post someone had written: "Sometimes, you don't need a plan." It really made me realize that it's okay if my life plan doesn't work out. Sometimes it's even okay if there is no plan.

So, here is to living without a plan!

Kahuka Football

On Friday night two of my roommates and I went to the local Kahuka High School football game.

It was actually a lot of fun! But oh dear am I white or what?!?

Everton, Me, and my roommate Raquel

Me and my roommate Vanessa

It was their homecoming game which was pretty cool! It brought back some fun memories! It actually kinda made me miss high school. Man! I never thought I'd say that!!

Not gonna lie though. My favorite part was probably this ref who wore his backpack on the field the entire game!

Rain

It's raining today and I love it!

It's cloudy, cold (ok it's 75 but I get to wear a sweatshirt, so we'll call it cold), and wet!

It reminds me of home.

Plus, I just love the smell of rain! Not a better smell in the world.

Some Simple Thing

As I've been stressing out the past few days over school, and what to do with my life I've just kept thinking, Isn't there some simple thing I can do to help all this?Can I just stand up, twirl in a circle three times, and hop on one foot to have my problems go away? All my life I've been taught to read my scriptures, go to church, say my prayers, and on and on and on. But those things seem so simple. Could they really be the answer I've been looking for?

Since coming back to school I've rededicated myself to truly studying the scriptures and faithfully praying to my Heavenly Father about everything that is going on in my life, instead of simply reading my scriptures and saying my repetitive prayers. I've been amazed at the difference it has made. I've always believed in the scriptures and the power of prayer, but for some reason I continue to fall into lapses where I don't do them as often and as faithfully as I should.

As I was avoiding my homework today ;) I was thinking about this. And again thinking how nice it would be if there was some simple thing we could do to help us out in our lives. Like stand up, twirl in a circle three times and hop on one food! But then I began to wonder if I would faithfully do that, or would I again assume that something so simple wouldn't make a big impact in my life. I thought of the story in the Old Testament and I began to understand why some of the children of Israel wouldn't look at the brass serpent while they were suffering in the wilderness. Could something that simple truly heal them? It could and it did. And it will heal us.

Hawaii, Here I Am

I love Hawaii.

It’s warm – borderline too warm, but by far way better than cold!

It’s pretty. It’s funny though. It’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been, and one of the ugliest. I’m not quite sure how that works. But it does.

The people are friendly. My ward seems really cool; we’re having FHE tonight so I’m excited to meet some new people.

My house is your typical college house, or your typical Hawaii house. Either way you want to look at it. I like it! Except it gets really hot in the afternoons, my clothes literally stick to me. Apparently I’m going to have to start going to the beach every afternoon…poor me! ;)

Classes are different than I thought they would be. I’m taking all intro to International Cultural Studies and intro to Anthropology classes. They’re all really easy. I’m not really feeling a challenge, which is a bit frustrating. I don’t know if it’s because they are all lower level classes, or if that’s just how the university is. I’ve heard the classes are pretty laid back and easy down here, so I’m not sure which one it is.

Let’s recap my past majors for a moment, shall we? I started out as a music therapy major. It wasn’t long before I decided that since music is my outlet, I don’t want it to be my full-time (and sure to be stressful) job. So then it was off to computer science. Have you ever seen the TV show 24? (If not, google it!) I want/wanted Chloe’s job. I took my first CS class and quickly decided that real life is most definitely not 24. So it was onto early childhood special education. Perfect plan. But then…I decided that I was done with Idaho, so it was just early childhood development and education. I applied to BYU-Hawaii as a special education major. But then I found out they have an international cultural studies program (pretty much a longer name for anthropology) so it was onto that. Now here I am trying to decide what to do. I was thinking that my anthro classes were going to be more philosophical than they are. I’m trying to decide if I want to stick with anthro, or go back to early childhood special education (I would want to do early intervention with that degree), or go get my paralegal certificate (I love paperwork).

I hate not having a life plan. It stresses me out.

My whole family came with me to drop me off. That was really fun. Probably the best family vacation we've ever been on.

Well, the girls had fun...

It feels good to write again.

More to come on the family vaca...

Goodbye Idaho

I have said goodbye to Idaho (hopefully forever). I have to say I will not miss the snow...














But I will definitely miss my roommates/my best friends! Especially these two...

Kya (My kids will call her Auntie Ky Ky)!

Kristen (My kids will call her Auntie Krissen)!

I miss them already!!

I even miss Kristen's blue retainer!

But this is what I have to look forward too...

Writing

I feel like writing something insightful, not my English paper.

This is Why You Don't Take Naps...

Dad is always getting on me about how I shouldn't be taking naps. I should just go to bed earlier so I don't have to take naps. Well today I learned out why he is right.

I have 45 minutes between my first two classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. It isn't really enough time to go home so I usually sit in the hallway and finish my reading for the next class. If I get done with the reading I set the alarm on my phone and treat myself to a nice little nap. This is what I did today. I guess I was a little more tired that I thought, and pressed snooze a few too many times. I woke up 10 minutes after my class had started. I looked at my phone, got up, and ran into the classroom still half asleep.

I guess Dad is right. I should just go to bed earlier and not take naps.

Football Part II

Well, I've made my decision!

It turns out I still won't have football games to go to.

But there's basketball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, volleyball!

And SUN!

What more could I ask for?!?

Liar

Why do people lie?

If you don't want to share something don't lie and say you don't have any.

Just say you're saving them for something. Or you don't want me to have any.

You'll look a lot better in the end. ;)

Sun!

The sun is shining today!

It's the first time in a few weeks and it makes me oh so happy! :)

Super Bowl

I forgot how much I miss football.

My roommates decided to have a super bowl party, and it's reminded me how much I miss going to football games.

Yay for a new college that will have football games! :)

P.S. I'm rooting for the colts!

BYU...

BYU - Idaho
Last semester I decided that I am done with Rexburg.
Now don't get me wrong, I love the school, I love the people.
But I hate the weather! And I'm just ready for something new; the next stage of my life.

I took on 19 credits this semester so I could finish my AS degree in general studies with a cluster in Early Childhood. And come April 10, I will be done! I set out filling out college applications...again! Stressing since I can't gain residency in a different state since my parents still claim me as a dependent in Washington. How do people pay for college? Seriously?

I prayed last night that things would work out and I would be able to finish my bachelor's degree without taking out a loan.

Today after my classes I came home and checked my email hoping for an admissions decision...no such luck. I decided to check the application website just in case they decided to be sneaky and not email me. Sure enough a decision had been made.

I have been accepted to BYU-Hawaii!

I'm still waiting to hear back from BYU in Provo, but knowing that I have one option that I can afford has set me at ease! Plus it's a warm option!! :)

Books!

I always wish that I had more time to read books (well good books - novels!) during the school year. These are two really good books that I've read lately. I would definitely recommend them to everyone!

#1 - My Sister's Keeper

Definitely better than the movie! An amazing read!

#2 - The Lovely Bones
I can't wait for this movie to come out! I really want to see it. The book is absolutely amazing!

I Won't Fall For The Same Mistake Twice!

Betrayed: to deceive; to disappoint.

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Gym Tomorrow!

This semester I have class at 7:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I don't have anything until 11:3o on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
I decided it was probably healthier to get up at the same time everyday instead of sleeping in one and getting up early the next. So for the past two weeks my goal has been to go to the gym at 7:00 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday....it hasn't happened yet.

I was reading my friends blog the other day where she said that she had the same goal! Finally some incentive to go! We made plans to meet at 7:00 the next morning. My alarm clock went off and I turned it off and went right back to sleep! She texted me at about 9:00 and said, "I didn't wake up." At least we failed together! :)

My assignment in one of my classes is to come up with a healthy eating and exercise plan and implement it. I guess I'll be going to the gym tomorrow morning! Hopefully this really will give me enough incentive to go. I actually really do like going to the gym, I just don't like waking up in the morning. But I am determined to do this. I will be going to the gym at 7:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at least by the end of the semester I will be!

Squirrel Squirrel...

...shake your bushy tail!

Tribute to Jaci!

To my surprise (and total enjoyment) this semester has not been near as cold as the end of last semester. December (the few days of it I spent in Idaho) was completely miserable because it was so unbearably cold.

I mean look at this poor fellow....

He literally froze mid-stride while running across the road in front of our apartment complex. Poor guy!

We decided to go save him from his misery and give him a proper burial. I voted to put him to rest in our friends barbecue, Kya and Jaci voted for their front porch. We chose the front porch, deciding that was slightly more sanitary.

Please don't let Rexburg get as cold as it was in December. Thank you!

New Favorite Quote

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
— Marilyn Monroe

My Venture to Obedience

Obey: to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of.
- dictionary.com

"All BYU-Idaho students are to be in their own apartments by midnight every night of the week except Friday, when curfew is 1:00 a.m."
- BYU-I Honor Code

Stupid rule right? My 16 year old brother has a later curfew than I do!
I took me a year to realize that, for me, this was only a matter of obedience.
I ask God for so much on a regular basis. How can I expect to get those things if I cannot follow simple commands that I have been given.
It's not a bad thing if I'm watching a movie, or doing a wholesome activity after curfew.
It's a bad thing if I'm being disobedient.
A few hours isn't that hard of a thing to give up, especially when I think of all the things I can get in return.
Why do the simple things take so long to find out?

Surgeon?

Why do I have such a knack for finding entertaining things when I should be doing my homework?

The other day I was sitting on our lovesac kicking at the mess on our floor when I found a shower cap from a white elephant gift exchange, and a mask from our swine flu scare. I decided to see if I would make a good surgeon! What do you think?

Winter 2010

My schedules set! (Finally...)
And this is my last semester here at BYU-I!
I never thought I'd see the day! ;)

Since moving over here I've discovered that I am a warm weather person!
I definitely do not like the cold!
Whether my mom likes to admit it or not - I get it from her!

So I am finishing up my Associates Degree this semester! It's a degree in general studies, with a cluster in Child Development - not really sure what all I'll be able to do with it, but I'll have it!

The plan is to transfer (not exactly sure where to yet!) and continue to get my Bachelor's in Early Childhood Special Education.

Although today I dyed four of my roommates hair, and I again discovered that I love doing hair! So I started thinking about going to get my license, but I don't like the idea of not having a bachelor's degree - so maybe the hair license will have to wait for another 2 years or so!

Anyways - I'm off to finish my paper on DAP, so I can go to bed, so I can get up for my 7:45 class. Not the best idea I've ever had. Surprisingly I haven't had a hard time waking up for it though.

A Blog Worthy Shopping Trip

Sorry this has taken so long, but here it is Kristi.

What better Christmas present could a girl ask for than shopping?
All of the girls got gift cards to Kohls, so they day after Christmas we woke bright and early (ok 10:30 - but that's early for vacation!) and hit the stores.
The blog worthy part?


I've learned to shop off the clearance racks.

• I spent $44.00 but saved $108.00! Yes that's right I saved more than twice of what I spent!

Blog worthy fact number two?

Clothes are so expensive! Why is it that girls clothes cost more than boys? And the older you get, the more expensive they get? Well I found an easy solution to that - buy the cheap clothes!

• I discovered I fit into juniors sizes, misses sizes, and little girls sizes. The little girls are the cheapest! So all of my sweaters came from their section! Now I'll match all the little girls in my preschool class...joy!
  

Definitely a blog worthy experience! I love finding new ways to save my money! :)