in recap

I feel like I hit the ground, running, ever since I've been back in Rexburg. I've been working non-stop at the alumni office and it's good to be back in the swing of things. I spend a ton of time with the girls I work with, which is equally nice, because they are the only people (besides Symone and Trish) that I know in Rexburg right now.

I got my hair done yesterday in a final attempt to fix the damage that the Chinese did to it while abroad. I love it. And, to top it off, I got the sweetest note in the mail from Dustin and I got to hug my favorite Puerto Rican grandma. Camie came over later and Melissa joined us for watching really sappy love movies late into the night. Welcome to a quiet life in Rexburg during the seven week break.

Not only did I get to take a nap today, but I got to catch up with Juli and Brett and my Mom, have homemade Pizza Bread with Symone and Ryan, read some Jane Eyre and then video chat with Joe, my cute third grader from my homeroom!

I miss my students every day; and it drives me nuts at times to not know what they are doing. It was so awesome to have a piece of China and the love that I felt from my kids during my funny conversation with Joe. His English has gotten rusty from being on summer break, but he showed me pictures of his family and his grandparents and proceeded to tell me that it wasn't bed time and show me how bright it was outside in China. I had to explain to him that it was night time in America (and only got the point across with a translator). Regardless, it was wonderful to chat with him and to feel like I can still keep in touch with my kids. I love them. 

Tomorrow is pot luck monday at work (hawaiian haystacks). Symone and I are going to work out. I'm going to read and put a letter in the mail.

Life is good here. 

Let's talk about

How I'm leaving for Utah on Saturday to see Jules and Jord for a while before I leave for China. And how all of a sudden I'm realizing I have to say goodbye to my car, my home, New England and my family in a day and a half. Not a fan of that.

Let's talk about how I'm going to CHINA in LESS than TWO WEEKS! And how I still have a buttload of stuff to do; like organizing my paperwork, school work, additional training, last minute shopping, and crafting and typing out detailed instructions for my mom about how to access my different accounts.

Let's talk about how packing to live across the country is basically impossible to do in two suitcases under 50 lbs. Especially when I have to pack for winter and summer. And when I'm expected to bring one suitcase full of supplies for my kids and how I'm pretty sure I have more than that and I still don't think it's enough.

Let's talk about how fantastic my grandparents are. They took me to AC Moore today and helped me finish buying supplies for teaching. And then we went to TJ MAXX and they helped me find some nice dress pants. And then they took me out to lunch. And I love them a lot.

And finally (although I already blogged about this) let's talk about how today marks the half way point for Dustin's mission. And now it's all down hill from here. I'm so excited to know that starting tomorrow, it will be less than a year until he's home. And let's talk about how I have a package from him waiting for me in Utah. And let's talk about how much I love that man of mine. I love him.

okay. with that all said and done, I'm going to bed. I have a ton to do tomorrow.

CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA!

On a lighter note:

Let's talk about these rad sunglasses I got from Forever21 the other day for 5$

Or about this classy watch that my Auntie Renee gave to me five years ago when I got sick and it was too big for my wrist and how my dad took it to work today and used his super high-tech aerospace machine to take a pin out and make it smaller so it now fits my wrist!

OR ABOUT HOW BATH AND BODY WORKS CAME OUT WITH A WHOLE NEW SCENT COLLECTION CALLED "INTO THE WILD!" (blog title, ya dig?) AND HOW IT ACTUALLY SMELLS FANTASTIC AND HOW I GOT THIS SPRAY ON SALE FOR 4$! I now smell like my blog. so cool. 

Also, Sister Chen (A sister missionary serving in my church from Taiwan) taught me how to each with chop sticks. I'm now completely prepared for China.

This was an awesome hair/bang day. I wish it cooperated like this every day.

So long. My hair is getting to be so long.

Let's talk about this song, which is currently stuck in my head and how I'm totally okay with it, because it is brilliant (and this music video is awesome):

And how today, Bruno Mar's "It will rain" was playing on all four of my favorite radio stations. At the SAME time! ENOUGH, PEOPLE! I've had ENOUGH of that song.

And finally, let's talk about how great it is to open my photo booth up and see this lovely surprise that Jillise must have left me during Thanksgiving break.

She's so cute! I like her a lot.

Happy MLK day, people. I spent today with Kaleb and Jack while scraping wallpaper glue off a wall at the Kelly's, taking Cazz for a long drive up to Merrimac to pick up my camera charger at my Auntie M's and then taking a nap on my grandparents' couch before coming home to a warm fire and a lovely family.

And you know what else?

In a couple of weeks, I get to start writing to my best friend again.

<3

Until Sunday

I know, I know. I have utterly failed at blogging over the last couple of weeks. I have been on. the. go. So much to do, never enough time to do it. Heck, my last letter to Dustin was a paragraph a day for almost a week (and that is saying something). I'm focused and exhausted and entering my last push for the semester, so I probably won't be writing anything for the rest of the week. Just wanted to say that I'm alive. I'm kicking. I love my life and everyone in it. I know who I am, and I know where I am going. I'm loved. and I'm going to be home on Sunday.

Peace, Love and Chemo!<3

Thai Thursday and other things

Let me tell you about today.

First, I walked to school, because my phone hates me and didn't tell me that Symone was willing to drive me. So my face was pretty much burned off with the cold by the time I got to work. But then I got to work. And I was productive, which is good, because I'm still a month behind in Jenzabars. Sam and I got hot chocolate. I went to class. Then Paige picked me up and we went to get Thai food. It was delicious. If it is possible to inhale food, then that is what I did. Within 20 minutes, my plate was empty and my tummy was full and happy. I love Thai Thursday/sometime Tuesday. And I am never missing it again.

Anyway, then I went to a work meeting. And Sam and I got in trouble because she tried to draw a hand turkey and the feet came out like an upsidedown umbrella that got blown inside out. and we laughed hysterically. And my boss gave us a look, but she wasn't really that mad.

I then proceeded to hang up Sam's picture in our office, so that everyone could appreciate her work of art. 

I came home and took a shower. And got ready. And then Sam came over and we walked to Northgate and got her car. And then we went back to the BYUI center and had dinner with a bunch of snobby AV people. But that's okay, because the food was really good (minus the fruit bars) and then Kathy and Jeremy came and sat with us and we talked about hiring for next semester and acne. And then we went upstairs and answered phones while President Clark did a live webcast. And Sam and I laughed a lot. So that was cool. Then she took me home in time for me to watch Grey's Anatomy with Whitney. And then right after, Symone kidnapped me so I could meet her favorite returned missionaries that used to serve in her ward. And then she came home and Paige came and kidnapped me and we went and froze our little bottoms up while we watched the soccer championship game that her man was coaching. And we laughed some more.

And then I came home to a nice email from my mama bear and the promise of a letter tomorrow. Not too bad of a day, if you ask me. Not too bad of a day.

glasses and hair cuts

I'm trying desperately to grow out my hair ever since it started growing back five years ago. 

it is a losing battle on a general basis.

I finally got it past the awkward hair length stage a year ago and was doing really well until December when I decided I needed a trim. 

Apparently "trim" means two-three inches off.

so I haven't cut it since that fateful December, until last week when I realized that my ends were so fried, that I needed to do something about it.

But once again, a trim apparently means "two-three inches off."

and also, "reshape my side bangs" means this concoction: 

I have learned that when you go for a hair cut, you need to be VERY specific with your hair dresser about what you want. So, I came up with a list of things to keep in mind when going to get your hair cut.

1. Specify how much hair you want off. Don't say things like "trim" or "take off the dead stuff" because that is basically saying: "cut whatever you the heck you want, I don't care." Specifically state "only a half inch off" in order to preserve length.

2. Bring in pictures. Having something specific to show your hair dresser will always help them see what you can't put into words. As an English major, I'm often describing concepts instead of physical attributes. "I want edgier ends instead of whimsical." Yeah, that doesn't get you ANYWHERE, let me tell you.

3. Never say words like "heavy" when referring to your bangs. Ever.

4. When getting your bangs recut or shaped, ALWAYS pick a spot on your face that is lower then where you want your shortest piece to be. For instance, I should have said "below my eye" instead of "below my eyebrow" in order to have the length of bangs that I wanted.

5. Remember that hair grows back. 

IN OTHER NEWS! My grandparents took me to see Captain America today. I'm still completely unsure about what I think of it, but I was excited that I got the 3D glasses and remembered to keep them. I always thought that the "nerd glasses" fad that is going on right now was a bit ridiculous, but when I popped these babies on my face, I was hooked. I wore them to dinner and all evening. And, my sister now owes me five bucks because I bet her that the first thing Mom would say to me when I came home was how ridiculous I looked. Her words exactly were: "What are you doing with those silly things on your face, you goober!"

Five bucks richer!

in numbers

27 days until Juli comes home

38 days until I get to write a letter


53 days until I'm back in Idaho

3 hours i spent sleeping this afternoon

34.3 minutes i spent talking on the phone with Jillise

25 auto correct entries read

12 fried zucchini chips consumed

3 different kinds of Poison Ivy treatments used

6 bracelets on my wrist

17 photos taken today

2 fans currently blowing

1 kitty sleeping in my room.

on Poison Ivy and Kitties

once upon a time, there was a mama kitty with four kittens living in the basement of the dinning hall at camp. they were precious, but when camp started to become active, the mama kitty moved her babies somewhere else. there hadn't been any sight of them over the last few weeks until last night. as dad and i went to check the status on some poison ivy by the Fayette cabin that he had sprayed a week ago, the mama kitty (a precious orange and black spotted thing) came crying out from behind the cabin. cautiously, i approached her and had to climb through a bush to get to her, where she started to purr and rub against my legs and hands. i spent twenty minutes petting her before she got spooked and scampered off. i spent the rest of the evening with my parents at the testimony meeting that the Springfield Stake held at the amphitheater, and feeling inspired and close to God.
today, i noticed that i had some how contracted poison ivy all along my scar-poison ivy that my father sprayed last week and was supposed to be dead. so that stinks. good thing i live with my mom who is a walking drug store and came in with five different kinds of lotions to help take care of that little situation.

in other news, my sisters, mom and i are all currently obsessed with Toddlers and Tiaras (TLC show about beauty pagents) and we've been watching it on demand all week. we had breakfast for dinner tonight and it was fantastic. i'll be back in idaho in approx. 55 days and i'm excited. i just like my life.

making plans and stuff

Today I called my boss at school and confirmed that 1. I still had a job there and 2. I would be back in the fall to work. I sent her my schedule and talked about when I needed to be out there (she's hiring at the beginning of the semester and might need my help). THEN I did all my loan stuff for school and got that going. After that, I printed out my housing application and signed it and have it ready to be mailed in tomorrow (just need to call and see if I can use my credit card for the deposit). I figured out my schedule for classes and called to officially change my major. (I'm declared a history major and an english minor, but I've been taking classes for an english major since my third semester at school and just never changed it officially. Apparently, I needed to be on top of that sooner, because I now have too many credits for a simple switch and need to petition to change it). But at least I have that process started now and I'll finish it when I'm back in Idaho. I called Symone and talked about living together again (and praying and crossing my fingers that it works out!). I started looking at flights and hopefully will have that booked by the end of the week. I also wrote letters to Elder Geddie and Sister Moore and have them addressed and stamped, along with applying for a Southwest Credit Card (should have done that years ago because I fly them soooo frequently) and I did my visa paper work for China. AND I joined a gym so that I can 1. work on my knee for the next seven weeks and so that I can also tone up a little bit. 

ON TOP of that, I worked at camp ALL day, helping with check-ins, orientation, and sawing an old bench in half and lugging a chainsaw around in the back of the ATV. It was close to 100 degrees today and it was HUMID! After doing all that work, Mom, Bishop, Ed and I sat in the office with the fan and talked for a couple of hours. It was honestly so great. As I sat there, listening to them all tell stories and make jokes, all's I could think of is how lucky I am to be able to serve with these people every day, and how lucky I am that they all love me and support me and care about me. I'm so humbled to have such a small part in working at camp with these incredible people who truly inspire me and have shown me Christ-like love and service. I am going to miss them (my family, the Bratts and the Yorks) the most when I go back to school. 

So, all in all, it's been a busy and productive day. Tomorrow I need to make a few phone calls to my apartment complex, my credit card company and ILP to make sure everything is in order. And I'm going on a kayaking adventure with a new friend! yay!

Happy Tuesday! 

opening day at camp!

First Day of Camp, First Day of Camp! And I got to officially unlock and open our front gate!

The first stake girls camp started today, and after a month of hard work and long days at camp, we were ready to welcome in our first group (thankfully our home stake, so we know all of the people we are working with the first time around!). Today (for me) consisted of hanging out in the office with Sheba baby, the camp dog, while they paved the office parking lot (lot's of loud machines makes a very scared puppadog who just wanted to cuddle):

Gassing up all camp vehicles: our three trucks, lovingly named Goliath (the F250), Zeke (our '86 GMC) and Old Blue (our ancient dodge), along with the golf cart, tractor and the ATV.

Running around camp with Mom and doing errands, like bringing recycle bins to the dining hall, unlocking the health lodge and eating Papa Kane's amazing camp meals! (tomorrow is sweet rolls and Wednesday is PIZZA BREAD DAY!)

AND! Bishop taught me how to ride the ATV because I am no longer a risk to myself with this brand new knee of mine! IT WAS AWESOME! I AM OFFICIALLY HOOKED! AND! I loved being able to do something I never thought I would be able to do-I loved feeling LIMITLESS instead of LIMITED!

Serving at this camp is such a eye-opening experience and I am learning so much every day I am up there. I don't worry about things in my life when I am focused on helping out here. I feel so much love for the people I am working with, who teach me every day! 

And, I have the wonderful opportunity to go up to camp for the rest of the week and to be a REAL LEVEL LEADER for the 4th Years (I'm old enough! WEIRD!)

So grateful. So happy. So in love with my life.

This fight was so worth it. 

hi-lites from today:

1. Symone: "I cried in the store because I was skinny."
2. Katie: "Ashley, it is your fault that I don't have any good poop literature."
3. Mom: "I'm going to pretend I'm shopping and you are going to text me."
4. Elysha: "I'm writing Sebasthian, what do you want me to tell them?"
5. Geoff: "I love you, and I know you can do it."

Grateful Monday!

I really liked everything about today. Seriously.
I woke up and watched a movie while I crafted.
Sheila came over to have breakfast with me and I got to give her a surprise. I loved seeing how happy she was at getting it!
I wrote letters to my brother in Seattle and to Sister Moore and burned mix cds for Paige, Tara, Misao and Jillise, which I need to mail this week!
After that, I worked on a huge service project for my parents/the stake for hours, and I loved feeling like I was helping out and putting so much time on my hands to good use. I loved knowing that the work I was doing was going to lighten a burden of my mom's shoulders and that it would bless the many stakes of New England this summer. I loved being able to give back to the church and I'm so excited for the opportunity I have this summer to keep giving back and serving.
I took a shower and then mom and I went to my first physical therapy appointment. I love my new physical therapist; she really knows her stuff, she makes sure I understand what is happening in my body and she doesn't talk down to me. And then I rocked my physical therapy appointment, because I was determined to, despite the pain and anxiety. Everything about learning how to use my leg again is hard HARD work. After a few minutes of just trying to squeeze my quad, I started to get muscle twitches and shakes. There is so much thinking that goes into moving my muscles in the right way and strengthening them. But I am determined to keep on rocking physical therapy and to learn how to walk correctly again. I'm going to walk limp free one day, no matter what.
Mom and I came home, and I called ILP and went over all the forms and visa applications for CHINA! AHHH! I have to start filling it all out this week and find my passport! I AM SO EXCITED TO GO!
We ate dinner and then Dad took us all out to an early evening showing of Pirates of the Caribbean 4 and we had a blast; laughing and being a happy family.
Came back home, and watched the season finale of M.I.O.B.I. with my little sister and now I'm going to eat some peanut butter m&ms and finish watching Harry Potter before going to bed.

I love being busy. I love living life with a purpose. I love how big service has been playing in my life right now and how extremely happy it makes me. I love seeing how being home right now; although it definitely has had it's set backs, is the right place for me right now. I love seeing plans for China coming together. I love my family and for the love and support I have here. And I love that I'm going to the beach house this weekend with Sheila and Gov and have three beautiful days of reading on my favorite deck, with nothing but the ocean and sea breeze and sunshine to keep my company.

I'm in love with life. I'm in love with living it.
Happy Monday!

iLike

hi.

i really like eating honey-nut chex, reading books, editing prom photos and napping.

i also like the sound of the rain pounding outside my window

and the craving for hot lemon herbal tea, a hoodie and one big braid down my back. 

i like kind emails, words of encouragement and answered prayers.

and i like being alive.

kbye!

Listing

I used to blog a lot in lists, way back in the day. And now I'm back in a listing kinda mood. Lists make me feel organized. And help me see what I am doing and where I am going and feel productive. Sometimes, I make to-do lists with super minor things, like "Brush Teeth" just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it off. I also have a million post-its on my desktop with random thoughts, songs I want to buy from itunes, blogging ideas, photograph plans, quotes and movies and books to watch. Basically, I can always count on myself to have some kind of list somewhere.

anyway. here are five things about today:

1. I've lost 10 pounds from my surgery, and I can tell! It's exciting and I've been working really hard to eat healthy to keep it off. So far, so good. But, I had a little lapse in judgement today and had my sister buy me chili and cream cheese and fritos so I can make my favorite dip. I figure if I eat it in small quantities, it won't be so bad, right?

2. I can now have a very simple, basic conversation in French.

3. My mom texted her friends more then I did today.

4. I am starting to feel inspired again.

5. Everyone in the world should read "The Time Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews. Seriously. It changed my life.

on a scale of 1-10

1. realizing that I bought the SVU season I had already watched on netflix.
2. getting anxious about unanswered emails
3. my grandfather nailing his fingers together with a nail gun
4. craving chili and cream cheese dip
5. baked potatoes
6. falling back asleep after the kids got up for seminary
7. Texting working pretty well today, despite the black hole
8. Glee!
9. Facebook messages
10. Knowing that I am loved.

unpacking is dumb

wanna know what is weird? everyone in my house going to bed at nine. Last night, I tried to go to bed with them, because it was weird being awake for hours after everyone else, but I just laid on my back for hours until I finally fell asleep.


so, it's now midnight here and I'm still in the process of moving my room around (I need my bed against a wall for my left leg's protection next week) and I still haven't TOUCHED anything in the trunk of my car (minus my nintendo 64, because that is needed in order to bond with my brother). I thought to myself: "hey, put on Harry Potter on tape and unpack and clean" and then I got sucked into my China book and I just remembered I have to get up with the family tomorrow at 5:30 to take the kids to seminary. good thing I took a shower tonight.

Notice how I have NO clothes hung up yet. 

messy bed. 

Good thing I'm a believer of naps and weekend cleanouts. Also, my new phone should be here tomorrow! And. I printed out some of my favorite shots from this last semester and framed them super nice to put on my wall and my dad came in my room last night and asked me where he could find the prints because he really liked them and I got to say: "I TOOK THOSE!" yay! Sadly, I haven't taken a single photograph since I've been home because I don't know where my battery charger is packed and I also can't find my SD card. Oh the joys of moving home from across the country.

this is all. goodnight!

new england bound tomorrow

I am all moved out and school is finished. I'm currently sitting on the couch with my best friend, Julianna and her husband (the big brother that I never had), and laughing super hard about everything, after eating a well balanced meal of macaroni and cheese, french fries and green beans. Cazz did beautifully today on the way to Utah. and I get to hug my dad tomorrow. Plus, I start the long, epic drive home tomorrow and I will find myself on New Hampshire Soil in just a few more days.

It's Snowing and I wore my Sunglasses

Rexburg weather is bipolar.

Cazz needs an oil change

I'm finished with all but one class

I get to see my Daddy on Saturday

I got a letter in the mail today from Sister Moore,

so the mailman is back on my Christmas list.

I want to take a nap, but I think I might pack up the rest of my stuff instead.

I will be in New Hampshire on Monday.

I am currently digging a mix of The Script, The Fray and Linkin Park.

All totally random, but all so good.

I love everything about today.

Today was a transformer kinda day

I wore my new transformer t-shirt, with my transformer belt buckle and drove Cazz around, who has recently been decked out with a transformer decal. I even spent a good hour and a half cleaning him out! I threw out all of the trash, vacuumed the heck out of the carpets and seats, washed down the dash and consol, put in new mats, cleaned out the trunk and took him to the car wash. He just needs a tire rotation and balance and oil change and he is set to go for next week.

On a completely unrelated note, I've been putting together a blog for my photography. I'll let you all know when it's ready to be viewed, but I'm excited about it! I have a few family sessions lined up for when I come home, and I'm stoked!

I should be hearing back from ILP about china soon. Tomorrow is my last Friday in the Burg.

I"M COMING HOME SOON! I CAN'T WAIT!
NEW HAMPSHIRE, HERE I FREAKING COME!

Birthday Weekend

Birthday Weekend in Photos!

Misao and I at Cafe Rio:

The car crew! Misao, Sylvia, Luke and Pablo!

After dropping off Luke and Pablo in Logan, we picked up Jillise in Salt Lake!

I got to spend my birthday evening with my best friend, Juli, her husband, Jordan and his parents, who are like second parents to me. They made me birthday brownies and got my favorite icecream!

Beth and Bishop got me a book on China to help me get ready for teaching there next year!

Juli and Jord got me a "Grow Your Own Butterfly Garden!" So precious!

This is my best friend. 

some things never change. Especially after we've been separated for a few months

Jillise and the best frosting ever!

Jillise and Symone made me my favorite cake! Yellow with Chocolate frosting!

Saturday, Juli and I spent a couple hours in Hobby Lobby. Typical for us.

Then Bishop and Beth took us all out to Pizza Pie Cafe for lunch!

We met up with Ian and Heidi, who are also from my home ward!

Then, Juli and I picked up Symone and Jillise and we went to the festival of colors in Spanish Fork, UT!

This is us all clean, waiting for the shuttle to take us to the Hindu Temple

We were splattered with chalk within a few minutes of getting to the temple! People couldn't stand us being clean!

This is us before the throwing. 

And this is me after the throwing! 

And this is me at the very end of our day! Covered in chalk!

Jillise, Symone and I went to Ihop later that night to eat dinner. It was a sucky experience with the waitress, but we had fun drinking chocolate milk and pancakes.

This is Misao, laughing at something.

best birthday weekend. ever.

plus, i got the most beautiful lilies from my missionary.

he remembered that those are my favorites. so precious.