Full Day

It was such a full day today that I don't understand why I feel kind of sad, and yet I do. We had a stake conference this weekend. This conference was kind of special because the stake presidency was released and a new stake presidency was called. I wasn't expecting to know the new presidency, but one of the former counselors was called to be the new president, and the director of the Institute was called to be one of his counselors. When the new presidency was called, I felt that they truly are the men the Lord would have serve at this time - it is so comforting to receive assurances like that.

After the conference, a couple of my roommates and I, as well as a few friends, went to my roommate's parents' place for lunch and dessert. Apparently, someone had given her parents a lot of lemons, and Roommate's dad is an amazing lemon-meringue pie maker. And I have to agree - the pie was great! So was the lemonade that he had made to go with lunch. Not only that, but I love Roommate's parents.

Later in the afternoon, Bookend Boy and I went to visit a friend who is sick. She is a riot, and we had a fun visit with her. I also went visiting teaching this evening. Last of all, my Roommate unveiled the cheddar cheese she made a month ago. It tasted great!

So, why feel down after such a day so full of good friends, conversation, church, etc? I don't know (I mean, I have some guesses, but they're not good reasons). I guess I just need to count my blessings and feel better.

Valentine's & One Month of Emilee

It is late, and I really need to go to bed, but I had such a great Valentine's yesterday that I wanted to write about it. It didn't start out so well, which was my fault, but from about 7:00 p.m. on it was fantastic. These are the reasons:

1) I got to hang out with Emilee who was one month old yesterday. I read The Giving Tree to her. I'm sure you can imagine how attentive a one month old would be for that, but I thought I might as well start now. Emilee is so cool, and I'm so glad she is a part of my life. While I was holding her yesterday I thought about how I could just stare at her forever. She's great!

2) On my way home, one Bookend Boy called and asked me where I was. I was heading to Walmart, which I don't like, at the time. However, I knew why he was calling, thanks to a comment made by one of my Roommates earlier in the day, so I told him a street I was near. He replied, "So you're heading home?" "Yes." "Good. Your instructions are to continue driving home." Which I did. When I got home, I heard Bookend Boy and three of his friends at a different apartment. I hurried up to mine, wishing I had made myself more presentable that day. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. When we opened the door, four cute boys dressed in red shirts stood and serenaded us with several songs. Well, that certainly made my day smile. If I can figure out how to upload one of the videos from it, I will. Umm . . . strike that. I guess I will post a picture of them. When I figure out the video thing, maybe I will upload it.

3) My Roommate and I had a dance party. We danced for a couple of hours in our living room, and it was great! We called and invited some friends, but most of them left after a few minutes. However, Roommate and I danced the night away. It felt so good to just let loose for awhile, you know?

Valentine's Day is going to have to try pretty hard to beat this year's day.

Two Valentines

I think I have two Valentine's this year - isn't that . . . great! or something. When I was a missionary, two of the elders brought my companions and me each a long-stem rose. That was super nice. I don't think I've ever received one other than that besides the card that my parents give us each year. I haven't received one yet this year, and unless there's one in the mail, I think those days might be over. 75% of my siblings have permanent Valentine's anyway, so maybe that's good enough. Today the Case Manager at my school asked me if I would be his platonic Valentine - because he's already married. I was going to content myself on that, but later today, at home, my roommate told me I had a package. It was from that long-distance guy I've been writing for a long time. Enclosed was a card and one of those huge Hershey's Kisses. I feel kind of bad because the thought didn't cross my mind to send him anything. Oh well. It was thoughtful of him, though, and it kind of made my day smile.

About Hubcaps

I've been sick for close to a week now, and it's killing me because I haven't been able to see Emilee due to that. I just wanted you to know that I'm not lazy about taking and posting pictures, it just hasn't been an option for awhile.

A word about Hubcaps . . . one of my friends commented to my previous post that the next thing that happens to me will be losing a hubcap. I've already lost one or two, so it wouldn't surprise me, but as far as I know, those last few are still there. Good guess, though! We will see what happens.

Also, any suggestions for how to get through the next couple of days of teaching without being able to see?

I hope life is treating you well (and honestly, I know I shouldn't complain. My life is really pretty nice)!

Things that Have Broken on Me Starting Monday

Heart
Health
Microwave
Glasses

Any guesses for what's next?

And the Dagger Twists

Today I listened to such songs as "The Rainbow Connection," "Gee, I'm Glad it's Raining," various songs from "My Best Friends Wedding," and I am currently listening to "Remember When it Rained." If my blog wasn't public, I would explain in greater detail, not that you care to know, but I probably would. Anyway, I figure those of you who are a little intuitive will figure it out.

Happy February!

Can you believe it is a new month?! The first month of 2009 is already gone. Whoa!

Here's the way I spent the last week of January:

Monday - Happy Chinese New Year!! It's the Year of the Ox.

Tuesday - Austen Night begins! We started with "Persuasion" and had a great little debate after the movie. It was just like "girl time" after, only with a guy there to give us his perspective, which was pretty different from mine regarding one of the scenes.

Wednesday - Missionary Coordination - I love our meetings!! Doesn't that sound like an oxymoron - loving a meeting? But, I do! Also, Emilee is two weeks old! The picture was taken that day.

Thursday - Practice with the band and attend New Testament class, which was great (for more reasons than one)!

Friday - Variety Show - my little bro. did an amazing job with his one-man "Princess Bride" sketch. Several people have commented on how great it was. The band did alright. I don't think we did as well as we could have, nor did it go exactly like we had planned for it to go, but we had the audience participate with us, and I think that went over really well. The show was too long, but I really liked most of the acts.

And now for a little note about the radar, since I'm sure you want an update. I was recently reminded how impossible it is. I would say the odds are a million to one on one of the blips. Now, I've known that for a long time - I just haven't been able to let it go yet. However, the other one is pretty aggravating because I had no idea what I was getting myself into with that one. I thought there was a much closer to even chance, but now I'm not so sure. My sister told me not to give up, though, so I'm trying to see what I can do anyway. Providence even seemed to help me out today. One can't go wrong with that, so I will try to be bold and we will see what happens (which will likely be nothing, but as nothing's going on right now anyway, it's not like there's much to lose, right?).