Finals, colds, and break!

I feel really quite disorriented in relation to time. It has been a very fast 2-3 weeks, and I will be home within a week. I am excited that I will be able to have more time this visit. It will be really nice to get away from the snow for a couple of weeks too. (I know you'll all be so proud; I haven't slipped on any ice yet!)

As soon as I got back to Cedar after Thanksgiving break it was crank time. This semester has been really quite tranquil, but I was feeling a little heat for finals. I am really excited that I finished yesterday, and I have a week to hang out with roommates, and not worry about anything really. On monday I woke up with a rather nasty cold, and was rather peeved that it decided to land on the week of finals. But thanks to Sonic milkshakes, and sleep I made it through!

As in other news, I dropped my minor, and am now doing Dance Education with an emphasis on costume design. I am really excited to explore that option, even though I think it is going to be a lot of work. See you all in like a week!

Turkey Break

So due to a wonderful change of plans, I am coming back home to Mesa for Thanksgiving break with Lauren and Erik's family! I am so very excited, to come home. That means I will get to see my family, and people that made Mesa home. I think I am really going to enjoy the more temperate weather as well. (It seems Cedar City can't make up it's mind whether to get cold or stay stuck in summer weather.) So in countdown today, I have only about 8 more days before I head home.

In other news, I am not sure if I will be able to do the ballroom team next year unless I come into a great deal of money, because some of the team members on the lower teams have told me that they have been practicing for 5 hours a night, and early 6 O'clock rehearsals in preparation for their showcase. That leaves no time for a job...and the cost is atrocious. But dance in general is going well for me; I feel as if I have broken past a couple of barriers this week. I'll see you all in about a week! (Boz, can we make peasant bread when we go home?)

Oh Mr. Shining Sun, Please Shine Down On Me!

So the Indian summer has finally decided to end and we are back to the cold, nippy, winter we started a few weeks ago...And the canyon wind is back too. (I am pretty sure one of the shutters from my house has been blown off during one of the wind storms.) To the suprise of myself and everyone else, I am actually not minding the cold weather. (Until it gets dark and I have to walk home, and you feel as if you stepped into penguin land...That's a little too cold for me.) We have had one snow storm already. I went grocery shopping, and thank goodness I had dressed according to the temperature outside, because when I exited the Smiths, I stepped into a flurry of snowflakes. It's a good thing mum sent me warm clothes and a space heater...my roommate live in AZ once upon a time, and so we are both happy to have heat in our house. School is school. I have to register for next semester in a day or two, and I am offically not stoked....the last time still gives me nightmares!

As for fun, my roommate, Krysta and I have decided once a month we will go down to St. George to escape Cedar City's lameness, and bask in a few degrees higher temperature, and a little less lameness. (I thought I could possibly live in St. George until we went to the mall. We looked for a second story, or some secret corridor, before we realized it was really only four tiny hallways, and a foodcourt with 2 restuarants....I didn't know malls were allowed to be that small. I guess I have just been way too spoiled with Mesa's fine selection.) Sometime, in the nearby future though, Krysta and I are talking a weekend up to Provo and Salt Lake to go Salsa Dancing at a salsa club I am definetely excited, because I will be staying the night at Rachel Lake's hotel and spending time with her, and possibly a few other people.

Dismal

So this is incredibly dismal...I have no way of loading pictures at my library with my current devices. So I will try to figure something out, because I have been saving drafts until I get the pictures up. Well in short news; It's been a good week. I had a very fun time in St. George with my roommate Krysta, and have been spending lots of time dancing and at the gym. The flu is going around, (crossing my fingers that I wont get violently ill.) and that is bad news. I think I will get to keep my long hair, (phew...my ballet teacher was threatening to cut it off.) and today I have to bake 21 loaves of pumkin loaf. (I think I like it better than cake...but don't worry, I won't be eating it all; most of it will be distributed out of my house.) I will figure some way to get pictures up I promise, and I will devote time here and not just facebook. (who would have seen the day that I got a facebook?) Tatta for now!

Here At College

So I finally made it. I am at the Thunderbird school. I live in a house with 12 other girls. We are known as "The White House Girls". We all get along pretty well. My own room buddy is such a sweetheart and we get along great. I will post pic. as soon as I can figure out my camera situation.

As for school: Lots of frustration and stress. And I'm not even talking about the curriculum. I can't figure out my classes. I have had to change my schedule like 3 or 4 times already. (They are making it so hard for me to be a dance major.) But I think I have it worked out. (Still keeping my fingers crossed.)

As for friends: I made 2 good friends at orientation, one who reminds me SO much of Rachel Lake (in appearance and personality). Overall I like the town and the school. That is just a quick little update. Pictures coming soon!

The 7 Year Project

Mom always says I start a million projects and rarely complete any of them. Definitely something I can't deny-however this one is to be a success. As the family already knows, I have been writing a silly little story for nearly 7 years now. Me and Astri used to write stories all the time together when we were wee little munchkins. (well Astri was tall and I was definitely ranked as midget status, but when we were young we wrote Ted and Ghosty stories). The difference between this story though is I plan on finishing it this summer and sending it in to get published. Even if it doesn't get published, I am still finishing it. If not; maybe my career in life will be to publish those Ted and Ghosty books for children. (Stridge, I may need to get a copy of the baby one...though we would have to do some serious editing.) I have literally revamped the plot 5-7 times and edited at least half of the manuscripts. This one is a keeper, even if it is only for posterity; I have finally (almost) got the plot sealed, have written a great deal lately and I know I am going to finish it. I'll dish out copies if it ever gets published. (cross your fingers)

THE DOC!

Congratulations to Erik Merkley, my bro who was just accepted into the medical school at University of Utah! I am so proud! I know he is so excited, and we (family) are all excited for him! Once again congratulations Dr. Merkley!

The Fabulous Dishware

This one isn't rotating...sorry

Okay this is it. This is the dishware you have so anxiously been waiting to see. They're ceramic (and heavy) The lighting is not great but it'll at least give you an idea. I can mix and match them, so in the end I have 3-4 different settings, and if I use all of them, I have enough for 6.

Crazy Good Luck

So I have had the most amazing luck, but more like a personal miracle. I was having the most difficult time deciding on my housing after narrowing it down to two options. I couldn't figure out which one I should go with, because they were nearly the same, but each had amenities I really wanted. Well my Pappi felt nervous about letting me walk a mile to school, and an inadequate busing system, so he did some searching. As I was searching for college housewares (also having spectacular finds), he found the place. It's a bed and breakfast during the summer, and rents to selective students. The spot I reserved actually opened up because 2 girls renting decided to go on missions and get married. It's cheaper and larger, and a block from campus. These are the only pics I have found so far, but I will put more up when I move in.

Work and Starch

Yesterday I started my first day of work at Bulldog Cleaners. Mom went to go drop some off and she asked if they were hiring, and they said, "send her in." It's pretty easy, just tiring because lots of standing, and arm-work. Still waiting on a second job. (hopefully Express or Supercuts)

As Ben Would Say...

...."We're going to have a wedding, we're going to have a wedding!" Well we just did, and it was lovely. My big bro Jon married Stephanie Quinton last Friday at the Rexburg Idaho Temple. That temple was absolutley gorgeous! It was a fabulous wedding and we spent a lot of time with family. The reception area was very classy and I definately ate way too much food. I will display more pictures when I can get them.

I have always been mesmorized with butterflies. Such an array of colors accompanied by delicate movement cannot be ignored. It's almost as if their flirtatious aura demands attention because it is so unique. I love butterflies.

First Post

I have created a blog!