...i want to go to there...

So I have wanted to do something wicked-sweet this summer like a study abroad or some sort of service organization and go somewhere awesome. Well, the last week of February I got an E-mail about a Study Abroad program that had extended the deadline till Saturday March 7th in the freakin’ Caribbean! Hahah So, I called my mom to ask if I should even try applying- unfortunately she had just seen the movie Taken (Oh and lets remember how I had to sleep in Russell’s room for a while after Elizabeth Smart got kidnapped …yeah biggest fear right there) needless to say, my mom was pretty nervous, but was like “eh whatever you want.” Anyway, I didn’t really think about it that much…Until I think Wednesday (March 4th)…And I just up and applied! Why not right? I was bored that day… haha
So I had an interview Friday afternoon (the 6th) with a Humanities professor and it went pretty well I thought, except there is a prep class I have to take the second block of this semester – a.k.a. the next Monday! So the professor was sayin that I have to go get an Add/Drop card and come back and have him sign it, then run it to the registration office. So I did all that and get there and apparently the deadline was the day before…so I had to go to this petition place and write something about why I needed to add the class and why I should be an exception. SO, I still had to meet with another professor that was going to be at the first interview-but was teaching class… I e-mailed him saying that I could have my interview anytime after 4. I went to the library around 2 and just studied and kept checking my e-mails. I finally got one around 4:20 saying that he was in his office and that I could go over right then and talk to him. This guy was an art professor of some sort and was really chill and way nice. Anyway we were talkin for a few minutes about my admittance essay, my major and what not and he just says “so…do you know that you got accepted?”

“…umm…WHAT?! I just had my interview with the other professor” and he’s like “He e-mailed me after your interview and accepted you already” hahahahhahaha WHAT THE CRAP! HOW DID THAT JUST HAPPEN TO MY LIFE!? Me and that professor were talking for a while about the classes (that can work as GEs p.s.) and the prep class I’ll have to take, and about other random things. OH MY WORD! HAHAHA I was honestly still in shock! My program goes to Trinidad, Tobago and St. Lucia... :)

World, I’m full on going to live in the Caribbean for about a month. Well, June 22-August 10 and the first 2 weeks of class are down in Provo. I guess I’ll just live with Rob and Rachele during that. (sorry guys…Good thing I like sleeping on couches!) Anyway how crazy is that?! Just sign up for something on a whim and it totally works out! I’m gonna live on 3 different islands this summer what the heck. Lol So I will be taking a watercolor painting class…just going to different beaches and painting. Haha It isn’t an advanced class at all or anything, and I’ve always wanted to get better at painting. The reason why it’s in the Caribbean is because this world famous poet Derek Walcott lives in St. Lucia and we are going to study his poetry and meet him! That will be difficult, but pretty sure it will be worth it! The funniest thing about all this is that I didn’t tell anyone I had applied. My mom and dad didn’t even know because they were still in Mexico! So I just called and left a message…bah! Mom was kinda worried (again with that Taken movie…) but dad seemed pretty excited! St. Lucia is a small island that mom and dad have been to before and they say it’s probably the best scuba diving they have ever done! So maybe I’ll talk them into getting me certified, and coming down to visit sometime Hahaha Don’t think it’ll be too hard to talk them into that huh?! I mean seriously…who wouldn’t want some of this…

my missionary boys

Well reader I am in that special time of life where all my amazing guy friends leave me for 2 years to serve the Lord. I have sent some of the greatest friends out and am about to send out another bunch of them coming up here pretty quick...buckle up Linds.
My whole life I have grown up with boys to play with...many of which are these boys I sent/am sending off. These amazing young men have made me the way I am (uhh...not sure if that is good or bad to say...sorry if that hurts your feelings boys). Honestly I have looked up to each of them as examples throughout each of our friendships. But nothing impresses me more as these last few years as these boys draw closer to their missions. I was lucky enough to be the "it" for them. I got this title because i'm not a guy to them...but i'm also not a girl to them either.
Some may think this is an insult, or something that I shouldn't just throw out there and be proud of. But I am.
I am proud to be the one they would turn to for advice, they could completely be themselves by, someone who they knew they still had to be a good example to, the person that expected so much out of them- because I saw so much within them.
These boys have helped me in so many different aspects and different times in my life. They have made me recognize what is important in life. They have showed me how to truly be happy, no matter what is happening at the time. They taught me the true meaning of friendship. These boys have strengthened my understanding of the gospel and have helped me build on my personal testimony through sharing theirs. They have taught me that serving the Lord is one of the greatest things we can do on this earth. Their excitement about serving a mission helped give me a true assurance that the young men of this generation are strong and valiant.
I am forever grateful for the friendships that i've had with these valiant young men, and for the influence they have had in my life. They are and will be incredible missionaries.
Look out world! You're gettin' the best!

Alma 53:20-21
"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all-they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."

lots to work on for 09...bring it on!

Gotta have a picture...

So this week as I was waiting for classes to start...I decided to stop doodling and make some goals! Well I have a LOT to work on and had lots of time to think of things...So here is my monster lists of goals for 09! (in no particular order mind you...)

1. Get good grades
2. Don't fall behind on reading and homework
3. Fix my sleeping habits! (almost posted this late last night- but i'm doin fairly well on this)
4. Spend my time wisely
5. Do better at writing missionaries
6. Be more kind-stop teasing
7. Do more service
8. Read and study regularly and earnestly
9. Exercise vigorously and regularly
10. Get in better shape
11. Focus more on the Gospel and learn lots more!
12. Apply for Jerusalem or Romania this year!
13. Focus more on others
14. Be more patient
15. Don't gossip
16. Stop over-eating!
17. Sincerely care for and help others- don't give up
18. Be more grateful and SHOW it!
19. Stop focusing on the past
20. Stop over-thinking things that aren't a big deal
21. Branch out- make more friends
22. Don't be reserved
23. Challenge myself
24. Be positive
25. Gain a greater desire to LEARN
26. Keep in touch with friends
27. Work more on physical appearance
28. Don't miss a day of scripture study and personal prayer- ever!
29. Don't just settle
30. Be honest
31. Stand by my word
32. Go home when I NEED to - not just want
33. Cook!
34. Be more independent
35. Don't procrastinate
36. Keep a spiritual journal
37. Maybe even keep a normal journal
38. Make sure everyone is included and happy
39. Be a better example
40. Help boys want to go on their missions
41. Be on time
42. Make people feel special and so good about life
43. Take more pictures
44. Get my notes and markings from my old scriptures to my new ones
45. Work on my quote book more often
46. Be more helpful
47. Never show that i'm having a rough day- make people guess! hehe
48. Teach swimming lessons
49. Prepare for a mission
50. Love 2009!

Just had to get to 50....ocd haha If there are other things you think I should work on- let me know! haha

Slumber Parties!

A couple weeks ago I had the best weekend in Provo ever!
My niece Ashlyn came down and we had such a fun slumber party!

First we went to J-Dogs with the family and had a tour of my little apartment.
It was funny because I had drawn on our huge whiteboard
Welcome to BYU Ashlyn!
And Ty-guy saw it and just started erasing....we asked why he was doing that and he just said
"It just doesn't have to be there" haha he was a tiny bit jealous, poor guy.

While we waited for my roommates to all get home Ashlyn and I made a trip to the Creamery and got about $15 worth of snacks! Don't worry, we shared and there was a lot of leftovers! We played a few games like Jenga and brought out the 10 piece game set but didn't play much of that... We played computer games instead. hehe Gotta keep up with the times.
Oh! Also uncle Robbie came over and we went to the Creamery again and got a little ice-cream. Gotta love the Creamery. :) Then Rachele came by for a little bit. It was fun to be with them!

Holy smokes we danced the whole night away! We put 4 of our matresses in the kitchen and had music on and just started jumpin and dancin!
It was so much fun! And boy was it hot in there...haha

Here we are dancingn to Bet On It from High School Musical 2 :)
Good times with that one.All for 1!
(from High School Musical 2 once again)We also danced to a lot of David Archuleta. Lots of Ashlyn's favorite songs :)Here is our bed set up :) After coolin down for a little we settled down and watched Enchanted before falling asleep. This beautiful girl is really one of my best friends! I was so glad she got to come down! My roommates all loved her too! What's not to love right?
Thanks again Ashlyn! :)

Also this last week was Thanksgiving break! Oh praise it. haha The first night all my girls got together and we had a fantastic slumber...wait...we didnt sleep! These pictures were takin at about 7 am :) Worth every minute Oh, we think we are funny because this is Russells bed.
This will get him back for all the pictures he and the boys would take in my bed when I was gone. Basically, i'm a firm believer in slumber parties.

big hair cut

Well world, Big Linds got a hair cut. Bangs and all...
All that hard work in the second grade of growin those suckers out...haha
My beautiful cousin Allie cut it. She is the BEST!

best friends

So, I am in this Human development class...It is my favorite! It is a class for those people going into education or nursing, so I am in it with my roommate/best friend Christie and a TON of girls! haha (only a handful of boys in there- props to them)
Anyway... We are currently learning about the social development in children, and oh my word I loved the material we learned the other day! I'm gonna look really nerdy putting my notes on here- but stick with me world...

Relationships:

1. Influenced by past interactions and expectations for future interactions.

2. Closeness of relationship determined by:
A. Frequency and strength of influence
B. Diversity of influence across different behaviors
C. Length of time the relationship has endured.

3. Defined by emotions experienced within them

4. Commitment (to continuance)

5. Uniqueness
-How interchangeable the person/relationship is

6. Like larger social organizations, they include role differentiation, specialization, division of labor, sense of shared membership, and shared culture.
-Nicknames, inside jokes, special things/places, something you do JUST with them

Think about your best friends...I'm sure they fit into these categories.
I looked like the biggest nerd when I was taking notes that day...I just had the biggest smile on my face and would even start giggling occasionally!
It is so interesting to look at the relationships you've had throughout your life and how different they are with each person.
You can be in the same "group" and will have different specific things with each friend. It is so fun to really focus on what makes each relationship unique!

I am lucky enough to be able to say that I have quite a few best friends in my life. I am so grateful for the relationships i've made. I have the BEST best friends ever!
I honestly couldn't have asked for any better. I could go on forever on different things that make my friendships unique...but that would take forever...besides, you know what we do ;)

Oh, haha I'm retarded and cant figure out how i can post this....So here is a link to an awesome episode of the classic Saturday morning cartoon- Recess. :)
Enjoy! (oh come on, it's only 10 minutes)
Recess- "the break up"

college tour...wait... little late for that

Last weekend Christie and I made our trek up north to have what felt like a college tour!
First we dropped off our friend Jordan at Utah State and quickly said hi to Brooke and Abbey..
then were off to head up to Idaho State!

We didnt get there till around 10, and I was SO stinkin hungry I was in pain. So once we met up with Ellen we made a quick run to ihop. Then we got back and just sat and talked for a while- bueno! Missed my late night talks with Ell Bell. Christie even stayed awake the whole time! Monumental moment for sure.

So the next morning Ellen's awesome friend Cyndal made us a delicious breakfast, then Ell had to go get ready for her game. It was awesome getting to know Ellens good friend, I have heard a lot about her and she was a great girl! Want to get to know her more..
Anyway, Christie and I got ready for the day and then decided to look around campus and take pictures heheYeah...oops hehe
Good ol' Lola the Corolla worked so hard that weekend. Proud of my baby :)

Love that BengalAt the soccer stadiumWicked sweet blow-up bengal the team runs throughRoss the super-fan. Pretty much ISU wont ever need a mascot with this dude around. haha
He is hilarious. Wish I could have gotten a better picture of him.
Ell Bell about to sub in! Ellen is the one on the far right. hehe After the game went to Texas Roadhouse with her family, went to Walmart for some shoppin and then we met up with some boys to play ultimate frisbee! We could only play 3v3 but it was so much fun to finally play with my better half again!
That night Christie and I made our trip to Utah State to stay over at Brooke and Abbeys for the night. We visited Amy Hansen real quick and then went to Brookigails for the slumber. It was so fun to be with these girls again!
It was such a fun weekend to finally be with all of my best friends again! Even though it wasnt for very long, it was so worth it! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Thanks for letting me spend some much needed time with you girls!
I miss ya like crazy!
Basically I have the BEST best friends ever!
Couldn't have picked better ones.