Labor Day Weekend

So rare is a three day weekend at BYU that I decided to make the most of it and take a trip home to Washington. I know it was only a week after school started, but you've got to take what you can get. I took my friend, Marissa, my sister, Jillian, and her friend, Sam. On the way home I was doing 85 in Idaho, got pulled over and got my first ticket. Way to go. Usually Idaho is where we speed because no one lives there, the roads are usally good, and they don't patrol at all. I did not think that since it was a holiday weekend that there would be more patrols out. WRONG. Also, I used to think that the first time I got pulled over I would cry and have an emotional breakdown. In reality I was like, "no biggie." I am proud of myself.

When we arrived my mom fed us stuffed shells. Glorious. I then got to sleep in my own bed in my own room. I haven't slept that well since Marissa and I spent the weekend with Jessica and stayed at her house.

On Saturday we headed up to Seattle! (There's not really that much to do in the TC). I was worried that it would rain all day and be miserable but it only rained once for like ten minutes. It was overcast though which is too bad because it is gorgeous when it is sunny. There was a tad confusion over directions but we got there safely. I was a bit paranoid about getting towed but I think I did the pay parking lot correctly. (I am so not a city girl). We first visited Pike's Place Market. It's the third time I've been there in less than two years but it's a must in Seattle. I love the flower vendors the most. Huge boquets that go on forever. So colorful. Also they have plenty of vegetables and fruit, jams, oils and vinegars. Tons of things to try. It was packed because it was Saturday, but still fun. I didn't get mini-doughnuts becasue there was a mile long line. We did see the first ever starbucks, the restaurant used in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle," and the guys that throw the fish.

Me and Marissa at Pike's Place

Then we headed over to the Space Needle for Bumbershoot. I wasn't really sure what it would be like exactly but being Seattle I kind of knew what to expect. It was billed as a music and arts festival. I told the other girls that it would be the most hippie time of their lives. And it was. On the way in I saw a bumb selling bongs. Only in Seattle. There were a lot of vendors and things to look at. Jillian described it as "you know when you see things and you wonder where people get things like that?...well this is it." So true. Lot's of eccentric hippie/grunge attire. There was a fountain in the middle of the park where there were people interpretive dancing. Only in Seattle.

Jillian and Sam by the fountain

The real reason we (I) went was to see Eric Hutchinson. (You may know his song Rock & Roll.) It was in front of an outdoor stage that was standing only. I wish I had 9 inch platform shoes so that I could actually see at events like this, but I did ok. There were no old men bobbing up and down in front of me this time (James Morrison/Adele). I LOVED the concert! Eric's music is so fun and catchy. He is a great singer live and the arrangements were different than the cd which made it even better. During the show he made up a song on the spot about Seattle and how we almost had to watch the concert with our ponchos on. He was so good at ad-libbing. I had tons-o-fun and think the others did too. Afterward he came out for a meet and greet to do autographs. Never in my life have I been squished by so many people. Random people were touching me and I did not enjoy that. When we finally got to Eric there was a table in between for safety purposes so that's why the picture looks awkward. Then we left for home.

Eric Hutchinson

Me, Eric and Jillian

Sidenote-Bumbershoot is actually a big thing. Other singers they had included Jason Mraz, Sheryl Crow and the Black Eyed Peas. Jason was on Sunday otherwise I would have see him too.

Side story-The night before my dad was asking about Bumbershoot and seeing if we were going to go listen to grunge music. (Grunge music a.k.a. Nirvana started in Seattle). I explained that grunge is not a big thing anymore. Then trying to act like he knew something my dad said, "Yeah, isn't the singer like...Keith Cobain?" I started laughing. So close. It's Kurt Cobain.

On Sunday I went to my wonderful home ward where they are newly wed or nearly dead. Sooo many babies in church! Too loud. But my mom taught Sunday School so that was fun. After church Jillian and I took Sam and Marissa to all the TC high points. The Columbia River Temple, Richland High School, and the Columbia River. Not much, but I loved it and it's my home.

Sidenote-I would just like to say that my childhood is now nonexistent. Everything I once knew is now gone. My park has new toys, my elementary school has been torn down and rebuilt, my high school has been remodeled and don't recognize anything, and the library I used for 17+ years of my life has also been remodeled. I guess it's progress but it's changing what I know.

Monday we drove home. My car gets great gas milage. Then we all had to play catch up for school. But I'm glad I finally got to take Marissa to Washington!

Me and the Columbia River

Today I'd rather

sleep in than wake up

be outdoors than indoors

read my book than do homework

eat cafe rio than make dinner

drive my car to work than ride my bike

watch tv than be at work

be in Washington than Utah

work on my skills than use my skills at work

Here's to the second week of school. Only 14 more to go!

Last First Day of School

Today was my last first day of school. How do I feel about that? Kind of sad, no more classes and learning and being around people my age. Kind of excited because that means no more homework and I get to earn money and hopefully contribute to society. Here are few of my thoughts about today.

1. I LOVE seeing people on campus. It's been months or longer since I've seen some of these people and it's so exciting to see them.

2. People really need to walk faster, you can't just mosey along. I have somewhere to be and you and your cute little girlfriend are holding up traffic. Also, use the proper door and side of the sidewalk. Even if there is no one coming out the out-door, don't use it. You just cause problems thinking you are cool by going in the out-door.

3. Saying that you are applying to a major is not as legit as actually being in that major. So saying that you are a "pre-communications" major is not actually a major. Sorry. Let me know when you get in.

4. The freshman get smaller and younger looking every year. Seriously.

5. In my Shakespeare class everyone had to introduce themselves and say what their favorite book was. I was amused when everyone picked hard core classics like Jane Eyre and 1984. Then it got to the point where people would pick their favorite classic and then not so classic such as a fantasy book. It was like they were trying to impress the teacher by saying they read hard books. When it was my turn I was honest and said that I like to read Harry Potter. I'm not ashamed to admit it. That got a laugh.

6. I ALWAYS see someone I know in the textbook floor of the bookstore. Always. Although this year they didn't have free candy. Or notebooks. I blame the economy. I hope this doesn't affect the free BBQs they always do.

7. I might actually stay awake in my drugs and behavior class. This is a first for me.

I think I really will miss BYU...

Ridiculous

Everyone's getting married. Before you think I'm exaggerating look at this list I made. In order to keep track I had to write them all down. What followes is a list of 44 people I know that either got married or engaged from April 24-August 31st 2009. Usually it's only 4 or 5 people in the summer. It's kind of ridiculous.
1. Mandy Turner
2. Ashley Ha
3. Josh Perry
4. Kyle MacLean
5. Seth Dickson
6. Rachel Sauerland
7. Nellie Liljenquist
8. Marcus Gilson
9. Chase Egbert
10. Kenny Rhoten
11. Rachael Christensen
12. Adam Jones
13. Travis Adams
14. Kammie Willis & Jeff Lee
15. Tommy Montoya
16. Natalie Jackson
17. Jon Guynn & Amy King
18. Kate Sadler
19. Mariana Costa
20. Stephanie Raleigh
21. Sarah Small
22. Stacie Van Giesen
23. Crystal
24. Julie Bonifay & Andrew Nieven
25. Ben Sparks & Megan Kirk
26. Sarah Black
27. Kirk Steele
28. Sunni Rogers
29. Tashina Lowry
30. Ashley Johnson
31. Jenee Johnson
32. Emily Heiner
33. Angela Green & Jared Smith
34. David Bass
35. Cameron Lee
36. Lucas Simplicio
37. Lexi Thompson
38. Lauren Magelby
39. Cortnie Prestwich
40. Bryce Schetschlaar
41. Lauren Inouye
42. Matt Vickery
43. Chase Ficklin
44. Emily Carr

See I'm not lying.

Quoted

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."-Kurt Cobain

I've been pondering this lately. Thanks Kurt.

"A" Positive

I was in kind of a bad mood this morning. My roommate's alarm kept going off and I was kind of feeling sorry for myself for various reasons. Then it came time for me to donate blood at work. I went, I pumped, I gave. It took me a long time, 14 minutes. I'm not really sure what type my blood is but I think I am A positive. The phlebotemists kept messing with the needle, adjusting it so my blood would come out faster. Then my hand went numb. But that was just because the blood pressure cuff was too tight. Now I have a cool pink bandage around my arm. I saved three lives, possibly more depending on what kinds of experiments they do with my blood. And I felt better about myself and am in a much better mood because I helped someone out who will need my blood someday. I am "positve" (ha ha, blood pun).

Which brings me to my other thought for today. Organ donation. I am a big supporter of it. I don't have a family member that's needed one or some sad story like that, I just think it's a good idea. If there ever comes a time where I die, I'm not going to need those body parts anymore. So if they're still good, why not let someone else have them? In Washington you can choose to be an organ donor when you get your driver's license, they put a little red heart on it. I've got one on my license. Organs donated can include kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines. It's awesome. If you watch 30 Rock--Kidney Now!

Victory against The Man

I was bored today at work so I decided to check out my booklist for the upcoming semester. I had two books, one $105 and another $197 for a total of $302. That was outrageous. So I checked on amazon and half.com to see what they had. I ended up buying them for $21.50 and $93.93 including shipping, for a total of $115.43. Savings =$186.57.



I know the BYU bookstore is only a company trying to make a profit, but seriously? I always try to buy books online because they are usually cheaper. Sometimes it doesn't work as well because if you drop a class, you can't return it. Or you have to wait for it to come in the mail. But I've got three(ish) weeks until school, and I'm definitely keeping these two classes so it works great. I feel like I've won a battle against The Man.