Benadryl

It's been tested: marked drowsiness may occur with the use of Benadryl!

I slept most of the day today because of taking one Benadryl tablet. Not expecting to get very tired from one tablet, because I usually don't get drowsy with two. So most of the day I was zonked out. It's nine o'clock and I am eagerly waiting to get back into bed.  

But today was the last day for me to sleep in. My friend and I are going to the gym at 6:00 a.m. This is good for multiple reasons. One, I will get into the habit of waking up again. Two, going to the gym will hopefully build up my stamina. Three, I'll feel better. 

I still have a load to do before I leave in July. For instance, I still need to get my typhoid shot. But I am getting it on Friday the 13th. I also need to find a couple more shirts, a pair of shoes, a coat (but I think I have that covered), and some random essentials. I'm tired of shopping. This is a good thing, because for the next 18 months I wont have to really shop!  (Oh, I also need to finish applying to college and get that settled out!)

I bought a new scripture bag which is less bulky. BUT, there isn't a place for me to put my pencil and pen! Goodness gracious, what am I going to do!!

Random fact: I just watched Hook for the first time in ages. It was very entertaining. It was like watching it for the first time because I don't think I caught anything from it when it was littler. It was very interesting!  

I also bought a portable CD player. Archaic, I know! There weren't that many options for me to choose from. But it will do its job nicely.

Yesterday I took my little little sister to a parking lot and let her try to drive my car. It was definitely an experience. My car probably aged a good ten years. ;) It's really weird to think that when I get back from Albania, she'll be driving and probably have her license. Weird!

But life is great! I still need to watch all of Star Wars, and the Lord of the Rings again. Seeing Prince Caspian again would be great but not really needed. I also need to go to the zoo and see the pretty animals.

But all will happen!!!

Summer is Slow

I have decided that the Summer has been going by way too slow.

Everyone might disagree with me. Normally, I would disagree with myself. I mean summer is always super fast. But I have never been waiting for one of the most amazing adventures of my life to begin! I can finally see the end of the waiting but I've still got about 50 days till the beginning of my adventure. To pass my time though, I still have a ton to buy and get prepared for the mission. 

I have been working at LPA for the past month as well, which has kept me somewhat busy and kept my thoughts elsewhere. The last week or so have been rather hard because there is not much to do in a school the last couple of weeks of school. As I have worked there this summer it has been beneficial. I have decided I could not be a full-time 2nd or 3rd grade teacher! Dealing with 25 2nd graders takes a lot of energy and herding skills. Don't get me wrong, those kids are adorable. I love hanging out with them. But they have no desire to be in the classroom for eight hours, and they let you know it. True, it might be different being an actual teacher rather than a random substitute. I remember using Substitutes to get away with a lot of stuff during my elementary days! Elementary students are a blast to be around though. They have an addictive energy for life! There is one 2nd grader who made me smile every time I saw him. We had an eternal game of Tag going on between us. Every time we'd see each other in the halls, he's come up and tag me. It was adorable!  There was also a 3rd grader who was such a blast to be around. She was so enthusiastic and always had a smile on her face. I decided that her lost twin was in the other 3rd grade class. She and this boy looked so similar that I could have sworn they were related; but alas, they are not!  

There was also this 2nd grader who would have to come and give me a hug every time she  saw me in the hall. It warmed my heart! Then there was a 1st grader who knew he was awesome, and it was to die for. His little attitude was awesome!!!  He made me smile. As a kindergartner last year, he and his friend showed off their little muscles to me. It was so cute!  I'd wait for him if I could. ;)

But now the school is empty of all the cute and crazy kids. Sad. So hopefully I can find just as entertaining as amazing things to hold my attention at the school for the next month. 

I went down to the Sister Missionary Mall today with my darling mother. I showed my emotional, hormonal side to my mom today on the way down to the mall. It would be really great to blame my outbursts on my haywire hormones but I don't think I can. I just need to learn to control my emotions and keep deep thinking to things that should be thought deep about!  Let's just say it was a crazy ride down to the mall and it really was my fault! And I feel dreadful about screwing up with the exciting venture my mommie and I were on!

We finally got to the mall and walked into a store full of long skirts, collared shirts and sweaters. It was beautiful! I bought some of my clothes today and it was way exciting.

The next 5o or so days will be full hopefully to help me quickly pass the time. I know of at least one night I'll be busy. I am going to go out with our ward's Sister missionaries and see them at work. I'll be able so see what I'm kind of getting myself into. Now, before you think I'm just doing this to satisfy you Mom, know that I was thinking about this on the way down to the mall. And I really did realize my reasoning for not wanting to do it was very illogical to say the least! :) It'll be exciting to get a glimpse of what I'll be doing for 18 months - even if I'll be doing it in Albanian and 1/2 way across the world.  It'll be thrilling! (Those text messages in the car were telling Sister McFall that I'd love to go out with the sister missionaries as well.) I'm really excited to do it!  I think fear really was a major part in not wanting to do it and I didn't want to admit it!  

So that is one thing I'll be doing.

I also really want to go to the Zoo one more time before I go. We'll see if I can persuade (or bribe) anyone to go with me! No one else seems to like the Zoo as much as I do. But we'll see what we can do about that!  I've also had the dying desire to go Ice Skating! 

I'll probably take my dogs out for a few more walks. I also have a day at Lagoon to look forward to. 

All in all, the time will probably go by quicker than I'm thinking it will. 

I'm super excited!!! It's gonna be a great adventure!

A story/ idea that popped in my head...

The Origin of Closet-Monsters

Since the dawn of time, magic has permeated the world. Before the world as lived now, there was a world full of magical creatures, spells, wizards and witches. Slowly though, the magical world died away due to a loss of belief and passion for the magical realm. Nevertheless, magic still permeates every part of our world today: from the changing of the seasons, to the laughing of newborn babies, to the dark creatures of the deep forests, to the sparkling of lovers' eyes, to the roots of bedtime stories and, most importantly, to the root of every child's dreaded fear of going to sleep at night because of the monster living in its closet.

Parents might think they created that myth to keep the children at bay and in their beds at night, but the parents got the idea from their own repressed memories of hearing the creaking and jostling in their closets during the deepest, darkest moments  of night. The real origin of closet monsters lies within the parent of our world, magic. Our life today is full of magical creatures. However, because of our nearsightedness, phasing, and faithlessness, our eyes and hearts cannot see what really surrounds all life.

Take the mysterious creature of Big Foot, for example. Ever wonder why he is sighted all over the world? The creatures (for there are more than one) "Big Foot" are descendants of the great mountain giants that have lived in the forests of the world since the beginning when the trees talked amongst themselves. Butterflies were not always mute to the ears of human folk either. They were once great faeries who ruled the air. The disbelief and destroying nature of the human race slowly forced the faeries to withdraw themselves from all life into what we now see as just beautiful colorful moths. (My dearest dream is to see the faeries unleash themselves again and take the sky. I have read it is a sight not to miss.) The world we live in today is not so unmagical as everyone believes. In reality, magic is what makes this world go round. We would see it if we took a step back and looked hard enough.

Within this magical world, the creatures now known as closet monsters started their lives of fear. These monsters do exist. The slow creaking in your closet at night is real. The loud banging, the glimpses of fearful things when your closet door is cracked open: these are not just extremely great uses of the imagination. Way back when the world was vibrantly awake with faeries, trolls, witches, broomstick flying wizards, giants and unicorns (which are now horses: silent dull creatures) there was a creature feared amongst all: the Bogart. Bogarts lived in the dark recesses of logs, underneath rickety old bridges, abandoned homes, wardrobes, and chests. Those who found one were soon face to face with what they feared the most. Bogarts, to protect themselves, change shapes and become the worst fear of whomever faces them. Bogarts live off of and relish fear. Some magical creatures in the early days could battle them with simple spells, but as magic dwindled into near existence, so did knowledge of how to get rid of these creatures (which is dreadfully sad because the true way of victoriously getting rid of a Bogart is hard, true laughter). 

As the world grew smaller and smaller with technology and urbanization, the Bogarts' living quarters diminished to closets and sometimes the space between beds and floorboards. Eyes and ears do not usually see and hear magic today because of the chaos and trivial distractions, but in the dead of night, when one's imagination is on fire, the locked magic hearing parts of our ears unlock and you hear it all.

Since the dawn of time, magic has permeated our world. We've just been too daft, dull, and busy to see it.

**Thanks for J.K. Rowling's The Prisoner of Azkaban for instigating the idea.

Crazy Life

Well the last 7 days have been ... interesting.

I have to admit that I have become addicted to two Michael Buble songs: Everything, and Call Me Irresponsible.  They're just fun!  

I have worked for a grand total of 32 hours so far this week. By tomorrow at 4 pm that total will be 40 hours.  

I witnessed my little sister, Laura, tap and hip hop. Didn't realize what she could do. Talented is too small a word to use to start describing her.

My little sisters and I had a head banging, dancing, make-up doing, crazy party in Shelby's room. It was here that Shelby and I watched Laura's dancing talent up close and personal. She's amazing. So full of energy, charisma and personality. 

And for a limited time, the music movie we made.

I just realized that I completely ignored my Visit Teaching Supervising responsibilities. My mind has completely left Logan. I was mass released almost two weeks ago so I don't feel that bad. ;)

My little sister is now 17 and is still a doll!  She wants to wear suspenders one day soon, and I know she'll look drop dead gorgeous while doing so.

I went to the library and rented 7 (i think) DVDs. Most of which are old movies that I had never even heard of. But so far, my random, high on boredom choices haven't turned out to be that bad. How could you get wrong with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby singing all together? And Shirley Temple is always exciting to watch.

Zeus, my massive Maine Coon cat, has found a new best friend in one of my greatest friends, Maria.


Too bad Ashley.  You should have come home. I doubt Zeus will remember you after such a great night of cuddling.

I sleep on an air mattress on the top bunk of a bunk bed. I share a room with my 14 year old sister which is especially interesting when she is high off Rubber Cement. 

I am crazily proud of my grades for the Winter semester. My BYU application is getting done. All I have to do now is get my Ecclesiastical Endorsement. 

I received a letter from my Mission President which boosted my excitement for the now nearer next adventure of my life. I was totally disappointed by "Made of Honor". Twice now, kindergartners have asked if I am a boy or a girl. I have been told I have orange hair. I have bruised my rear by my friends massive Suburban.

I have dyed my hair to a chocolate brown color that reminds me of a Tootsie Roll. My hair still has a red tint to it, but it is now darker and browner.  

I have officially realized I have a lot of stuff to do in three months. 

I have taken upon myself a massive job at work with next year's registration. No matter how big of a project it is, it will keep me busy.

Tomorrow will be a blast! I get to spend the whole day babysitting Junior High students in math classes. Happiness!

Well as one can tell my life has been crazy, but totally awesome!  

Due to coughing, and sore throat,

I sound like a man! 

I've decided that being sick incredibly stinks!

Great Dream

Tonight, I found myself dreaming about a nonexistent, very far into the future reality.  -my own apartment.

It's going to be lovely.  Someplace where I can walk into the kitchen for salsa and chips without worrying about my state and appearance. where I can not be stuck in a 15 ft by 15 ft cube all day, because the rest of the apartment is so not anything exciting and calm. where I will be able to know where my dishes are at all times.  where my appliances can hang out on my counter. where I will know if the dishwasher is clean or not. where my fridge will only have one gallon of milk rather than four that I have to juggle around to get to my own. where I can go in my living room, sit on my couch and read a book and not feel utterly exposed, and odd. where I can close my doors, make breakfast and use kitchen equipment without being on edge all the time wondering if I am doing something "unallowed". where my walls will not be white. where the scent of candles will be constantly. where I can play my cello in the living room and not worry about anything. where I can really walk around and have a mix of scenery.

It will be great fun to have my own place. My own dishes. My own pots and pans. My own couch. My own bookshelves. My own television and DVD player.  My own fridge. My own throw pillows. It'll be beautiful.  I'm not complaining about my present situation. I am just stating a fact and dreaming about having my own apartment. Or rooming with a kindred spirit- my bosom friend!  It will be so joyous to enjoy walking into the apartment, shouting "I'm home." (if I am living with someone) Or if not, being able to turn up my country music and sing throughout my apartment!  Gracious me. This dream and vision just keeps getting better and better!!  As I said earlier though, it is a dream that will come true, but for the time being, a dream that will be locked in my memory for a far away future.  

Don't you love my new blog template. Tinkerbell is so cool.  The background makes me smile every time I see it. I have been coming back to see it time and time again today. It has really brightened up my day. 

Well I probably should go to bed for I am waking up at 5 in the morning tomorrow which is Saturday. Anyone who knows me, knows that is a rare occurrence and something I try to avoid at all costs!

Random

I went home yesterday with my brother who needed to get his little car back.  He had been driving the monstrous family suburban around. (Doesn't he look like he is enjoying it so much!!!!)When I drive that thing, I feel gravity's pull somewhat less.  I feel excessively high from the ground, and that I am driving extremely fast, and my wheels aren't catching the ground very well.  Let's just say my brother was very happy that he has his little Mazda Protege back. While we were home, we learned a new definition of the sport body-surfing. It was rather humorous to see my brothers standing on top of each other. Travis even was trying to do push-ups while Justin was standing on him.  Needless to say, he didn't get to far with that plan. The trip was a blast.  I love my family!  They're so great, and fun to be around.  I spent a couple of hours helping my mom be secret Santa in April.  It was great.  She couldn't stop smiling, or giggling which made me smile and giggle.  My little sister threw flour at me which spilled all over my precious computer.  Not cool - but all is cool.  I realized that I complain a lot when I'm around my mom.  It's like I hold it all in until I can talk to her and then I unleash the horde of complaints.  Weird. I will do better on that.  We had pork chops and mashed potatoes which filled my belly with warmness.  I drove around town dropping my little sister off at tap, and then picking her up.  Even with the random snow on the way to pick her up, I had my iPod on, the windows unrolled, and me singing the music.  It was great. It's been so long since I drove with my window unrolled. It was exhilarating.  My car window can't unroll (well it can unroll, but it wont roll up again), so I never get to have that exhilarating feel of wind blowing on my face as I drive down the street. My dog, Sophie, came with me to pick my little sister up. With the weather changing drastically yesterday, Sophie was shaking uncontrollably until I got her sidetracked with a car ride. She was sticking her head out of the window just like me.  She was definitely enjoying my serenade.  As we were about to leave, I caught my cat's eccentric personality in action.

He is in a box. Why, is he in a box? 

It was great fun to see my family again!!

But we had to come back to frigid Logan. The sun likes to pop out some times. Today is absolutely glorious. The sky is blue, the clouds look like cotton balls, and the sun is shining magnificently. But it hasn't been like this for a long time.  

It usually looks like this, especially at 7:30 in the morning as I'm walking to class. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it is freezing.  BRRRR... My feet are frozen as I type.  

Why?

Why do I sit on my floor exhausted, yet unwilling to go make the effort to go to bed? Why do I just keep looking at my computer get slower and slower, showing its own signs of sleepiness and yet I still am unwilling to get off my butt, clear off my bed, and go to sleep? As I type my eyelids are falling, my brain is stumbling for words.  Why have I been pushing back my bed time for the past couple of days? Nothing is stopping me from getting to bed on time. All I want to do in the morning is stay under my nice soft covers, so why don't I make sure to go to bed on time instead of spending time on facebook "trout slapping" my friends?

Why?

Why am I posting this instead of being deep under my covers asleep? Why am I thinking still? Why do I not turn this time waster off, and do what I should be doing -sleep? 

My little sister is writing the greatest story.  It feels like a romance in the making. Her main character has met a boy; definitely going to be a part of the story. It's so entertaining. It reminds me of my weird past in which I read Star Wars fan fiction online where I had to wait impatiently for the next part of the story.  One, I don't do that anymore. Thank goodness. That was a definite weird phase of my life. And, two, my sister's story is by far better than anything I read back then. It's excellent. I think she should ignore her High school career and just finish that story for me.  But, I guess High school graduation is an important thing to accomplish.  

My other little sister was trying to curl her own hair this afternoon.  You know, putting your hair in sponge curls. She had to do this by herself because no one else would show their love for her and help her out!!  But I hope it turned out okay.  It's a good thing to learn how to do; just like the ability to french braid your own hair.  I miss the days when I had long hair that I could french braid!  

There is part of me that wants to grow my hair out again. I like my short hair, but sometimes it just seems there is little to do with it. Also, it starts to grow out, and looks extremely psychotic. Not at all exciting. And when you are a poor college student, paying to get your haircut by an amazingly talented hair stylist is way out of your price range.  Going to Great Clips always causes anxiety so I am trying to stay away from salons such as that. 

Why am I sitting here rambling aimlessly about my life? I need to go to bed!

Facebook is an interesting thing. So random, and somewhat pointless. I had someone throw a sheep at me on facebook.  How odd!  Why do we find this facebook thing so irresistible? Why? It's probably the same reason my sister is obsessed over World of Warcraft.  We find it so exciting and spend all our time on it, because it is just weird. (This doesn't make since because my brain is slowly closing down for the night.)

I now know why I tend to enjoy going places by myself rather than bringing people along with me.  The chore of merging the two schedules together is tiresome. We each have our own priorities and desires - it's hard to find a middle ground.  

Okay now that it has reached the 11th hour of the night, and my eyes are almost glued shut, I think I am really going to call it a night.

I have noticed that when I say I am going to quit, some other random bit of news or memories pops into my head and I just keep writing. It's the same in my journal, and while I am writing letters.  I think I ended one of the letters I just wrote at least 3 times before I actually said goodbye and then I even added a PS at the end.  It's a crazy phenomenon. 

In my english class our last project is a group project on a medical subject. Whenever I think medical, I think House MD. (The greatest show ever aired... Well airing right now.) Ever since I was told about this project, the sentence that keeps popping up in my head is "It's never lupus." I have decided that lupus is going to the subject of my group project. It's going to be great. Hopefully my group is cool with it as well. I don't really like working in groups. You have to do that merging thing with schedules, ideas and research. There are so many confounding factors.  Grr...  But all will be well.  

Okay now I must bid farewell.  Because I have seriously fallen asleep.