New Nephew!!

As of last night, I am the proud owner... I mean I am the proud aunt of a new nephew! YAY! Candace and Kevin welcomed into their family Joseph Olivier last night about 7pm. He was 6lbs, 8oz and 19 inches long. And such an adorable little thing! I am, of course, biased, but he's a cutie. To me, Joseph looks a lot like Jonathan and Ashley as far as facial features go, but as far as complexion and hair, he looks much more like Jeremy.

I would think that as my 5th nephew/niece (why don't we have one word that covers both? like children, grandchildren, parents...) The whole anticipation of the situation would be reduced. But its not! I was still waiting all day to find out the news and I was ecstatic when I got it.

I had already decided they were having a boy, even though it was a surprise for everyone. He doesn't follow the "JMB" rule as initials, so Candace and Kevin might have to worry about that later! He's a rule-breaker already! ;) And I'm glad they didn't pick Olivier as a first name since I want to name one of my children Olive (or a middle name).

Welcome to the family Joseph Olivier! It's gonna be a crazy ride!

I need more exercise...

I thought I should post something a little less dramatic since the last one was a bit of a tirade.
I worked out today for the first time since Wednesday and just about died. I couldn't even run a mile straight! I was quite upset with myself, so I ran/walked 3 miles to try and ease my conscience. After all the junk food I ate this weekend, I'm not surprised I felt horribly. And my foot hurt something fierce.
It was GREAT to get out of the apartment and into another atmosphere. I love working out at the gym on campus because I don't have to wash my own clothes when I'm done. I also don't have to worry about what anyone else is doing. Its some of my relaxation time :) I might go swimming tomorrow night if I feel up to it.
I will meet with a fitness consultant (for FREE!) Wednesday to get some ideas on weight-loss and toning, and muscle building. I feel like all I'm doing is cardio, which is good, but I need some toning too. Although my calves are starting to look amazing. Nothing like Hannah's, but good for me :)
It felt AMAZING to work out today. I LOVED IT!

Emotions of the Emotionless?

It was great to get out of Rexburg this weekend, but it was also exhausting! I'm used to getting to sleep in on Saturday, and it most definitely didn't happen! I got to sleep an extra hour Sunday morning, but it was still a tiring weekend. I'm glad to be back in Rexburg, in my own room, in my own bed, and getting to sleep in tomorrow morning since my class doesn't start until 3pm (don't worry, I'll only sleep in until 9 or 10...)
I enjoyed going around with the roommates shopping/ being treated to lunch by Marisa's parents/ tour of BYU/ "blind date"/ visiting Stuart/ making crepes/ playing poker/ visiting Kathryn/ seeing Jess and Amy. It was a pretty good weekend.
BUT
I've had multiple friends tell me that I "have a stone heart", "am tear-duct-less" and so forth. And its somewhat true. After-all, I have built walls, and I don't cry.
I've decided I'm back to where I was a month ago. Past the point of caring. I've been building up an emotional wall for years now. I think it started when I saw someone crying, and I thought of them as weak. I started building a wall around me so that I would never become that person. It has led to building an emotional wall to other things as well, especially feeling the spirit. Sometimes I feel as if I don't even WANT to feel ANYTHING. As if I'm bored with life. Bored with my surroundings.
I realized I've become emotionally detached from the world around me. But the thing is, I'm content being moody, or angry. BLAH! I don't mind being by myself, and sometimes I prefer it because it keeps me from saying harsh words to people who I would prefer they just shut up. I actually LOVE my time to myself. Its most likely a selfish gesture, but I love not worrying about other people, what they're doing, or where they're at. If I could live my life one way, I would live in a flat by myself and read books all day.
There are times that I love to be social as well, but I've found that unless I'm well rested, these settings are never enjoyable. I find more and more that I prefer the social setting where there is no emotional investment made. Marisa showed us a movie clip in which one character says "I'm in a Glass box of Emotion" - how true.
I'm not trying to go all depressed and psycho here, but this semester has really truly been different. It has been full of so much roommate stress and emotional roller coasters in our apartment that its exhausting. And its not just someone else's fault - its definitely mine too. I don't have many emotional tirades, but lately I feel like I just want to scream stuff at the top of my lungs, but have refrained from saying it. "if you only knew how many things I want to say and don't." - Anne of Green Gables.
I'm pulling into my shell of anti-socialism again, and anti-boyness. Maybe I've just been so tired this weekend, but I can't even seem to take a joke anymore. Especially when its the same old line over and over again.
I can't wait to go home for the summer and find a job, or sell all my belongings and hitch hike across the nation, and become like the guy in "Into the Wild" - how fascinating!
I need an army to march around my emotional walls of Jericho and make them all tumbling down. haha. good luck.
Oh well, I get to see family in less than a month! HALLELUJAH!!!!

Rings, Rings, Rings!

For enrichment, our Bishop invited us out to his store to try on rings after hours. It was awesome! We got to try on any engagement ring we wanted and could take pictures/ ask questions.

I didn't realize how expensive wedding rings are! Did you know that one average, a wedding ring will cost 2 months salary for the average person? (College kids its more than that cause they are stinking poor!)
I had a few favorites tonight. I always thought I wanted a small simple ring, but I realized that my hands are not very feminine looking (could be worse) so I like the bulkier...

This first one I fell in love with, despite how large it is. I love the intricate design on the sides and this picture is absolutely breath-taking. But the ring itself (no diamond included) was about $2,300...



This second one ended up being my favorite (and it is less expensive). I really like the simpler design and that it lets you focus on one stone instead of a gazillion. This picture doesn't show the ring as beautifully as the last, but its gorgeous...

Pondskimming cont....

So after last night's pondskimming, I thought I'd try my hand at some more writing (not to mention I had just written 15 leads, so the whole "story time" thing was working out for me).
Remember, this is just me, an amateur writing here, and as everything else, my opinion ;)


Pondskimming Honor Code Appropriate?

REXBURG, Idaho - Pond-skimmers were skimpily clad last night as they rushed down the slopes into freezing cold water on the Lower North Fields as part of BYU-Idaho’s Spirit Week.

On-lookers were happily surprised that it wasn’t too windy or cold last night as they stood on the hillside, but what they weren’t ready for was some of the disturbing outfits.

I’m not trying to be an honor code Nazi, but the question begs to be asked – “What makes pond-skimming different that the dress code of BYU-Idaho doesn’t apply?”

My idea of fun is not watching a 20-something man board down the slope with nothing on but black spandex and a white diaper; or seeing Adam reincarnated while he wears a nude colored onesie with a green leaf covering the basics.

The show wasn’t a let-down, even if there were a few uncomfortable moments when participants were wearing less than appropriate clothes.

With over 100 participants in the show, it was full speed ahead and there was never a dull moment waiting for the next pond-skimmer. With a light set and microphones, the crew provided witty remarks, and commentary.

'date' night?

Hannah and I had a 'date' tonight (Friday night). Our roommates were all busy with other events, so Hannah and I took our "Starving Students Cards" for a night out on the town.
These starving student cards have some good deals, and an entire section dedicated to FREE stuff. So we went to Uptown Bagel, BRC Frozen Custard, and Little Caesars.
We came back home, settled in with our not-so-healthy snacks, and watched "Yours, Mine, and Ours". I didn't realize how many innuendos there really are in that show! Afterwards, we watched "The Prince and Me". Overall, it was a fun night!

I took a picture of my leg I thought I'd post for those of you interested...

So today started out much like any other, but ended oh so differently. ;)

I don't have class until 3pm on Thursdays, which is hecka nice when it comes to sleeping in and doing homework and laundry. So I did all those things today and felt quite accomplished.
I also went running, which is a little crazy since my leg is all banged up, but when I'm wearing shorts and nothing is rubbing against it, it feels pretty fine. Plus, running starts those endorphins flowing through your body.

I'm pretty sure all my classmates hate me, since our teacher almost let us out 1/2 early, before I told her we didn't get out until 4:30. But hey, we're paying for this education aren't we? And if I had to walk into that class and lay $10 on the table for tuition money, I'd want to get everything out of it. Since I've already paid the tuition, doesn't it make sense that I get the full potential?

Tonight we went to watch POND SKIMMING. It was pretty cold, but I'm glad I wasn't one of the pondskimmers. Here is how pond skimming works - People sled/snowboard/ski or whatever down a steep hill that has a pond at the bottom. They try to make it to the opposite end still skimming the water. If they do, they get a prize. Some of the outfits are ridiculously funny, some just gross, and others boring. Best outfit tonight - a man wearing an outfit that would make it look like he was doing a handstand on his snowboard. The two grossest - one man wearing a diaper (EWWWW) and the other wearing an Adam's costume, with just leaf (he was fully clothed, but it was nude colored).

My Question: WHY DOESN'T THE HONOR CODE APPLY WHEN PONDSKIMMING?

blind dates and icy sidewalks (not together)

Well, the weekend went well. My friend set me up on a blind date, and miraculously, it was fun! We ate out, then went to BYU Vocalpoint, which is an amazing a capella group. They sang quite a few songs I am familiar with, and that always makes it fun. After the concert, we headed out to the Rex to bowl a few games. I only lost by a total of 18 points, not too bad!

Sunday was busy, the presidency did interviews of every girl in our R.S.. Thats a lot!

Today started off good! I got to sleep in which is always a highlight.I went running and managed 2.5 miles in 33 minutes (a new record for me, but please don't laugh around me ;) ). But when I was finished running, I jogged down the apartment stairs and made it out to the sidewalk in front of our buildings. It was warmed today and alot of ice had melted, but then re-froze. I slipped on the ice to the left and landed on my leg. I smacked my waterbottle that I just bought about 2 weeks ago onto the sidewalk and it now leaks. I got up and could feel the burn! When I made it to my apartment I had some nice skidmarks on my leg and then a gusher right under my knee cap.

I'm not very good with blood. In fact I hate it. And having this kind of cement burn is gross too. Needless to say, my roommates all think I'm a freak because I've got 4 extra-large bandages covering MOST of the injury. And I'm wearing leggings to bed so my bandages don't rub against my PJs.
Yup. I'm weird. ;)

Two Little Sisters

My younger sister has always been a significant part of my life. Without her, I wouldn't be me. It's just that simple. She is my best friend and my other half (well at least until I get married, then she'll be my other 1/3...). We share clothes, stories, good times and bad times.
I miss her like crazy when we're not together!
My roommate found this absolutely cute song and I fell in love with it, then decided to make a movie to go with it. Enjoy! And I love you Alyssa!