Half-way

Last night I was discussing with my roommates how strange it is that we PAY money to put ourselves through the things that come with being enrolled as a full time college student: 

-stress

-sleep deprivation

-homework

-deadlines

-the list could go on, but I have more homework to do :) 

  Everyone always says that college is SO fun.  Tell me one fun thing about that list above. 

I have come to realize--THANKFULLY-- that the fun part of college isn't necessarily school (although I really do love my classes).  The fun partS are:

-living with friends

-fun late nights

-finding food

-becoming your own person

-learning new things

-meeting people

-becoming self-reliant

-intramurals

-visitors

-and this list could go on and on as well :)

So, really, college isn't that bad!  A wise brother once told me, "Don't let school get in your way of your education."  I believe it!  I'm learning a heck of a lot more down here than what they're teaching me in the classroom.  

People, don't give up!  All you BYU kids, we're officially half-way!  Keep it up!  All you other kids, you're farther than half-way, so you really better not give up!  Happy college days :)

The Internet

What are you doing with the internet?

Isn't he great?!

Whether you decide to participate in Socktober or not, do something good on the internet this month :)

All Kinds of Kinds

Friday morning Tess and I were about to walk into her apartment building when the National Anthem started playing on campus.  Without really thinking we both turned to where we knew the flag was and held our hands over our hearts and started to sing.  While we were singing I started getting choked up.  Right now our country seems a little crazy with all the crime, political rifts, immortality, corrupt people, and the hottest topic of late: the government shutdown.  Despite all of these things, I can't help but feel proud to be an American.  Even with all of these problems, it's still the best place in the world to live.  It makes me so sad when I hear people bashing our country or saying awful things about our leaders.  I know I don't have the answers or the confidence to do any better.  I always want to ask those who are making the biggest deal out of everything if they have the knowledge to do better?  Maybe they do, I don't know.  All I know is that our leaders are human.  They make mistakes, so do we, but I believe that most of them are doing what they think will be best for our country.  At least I hope they are.  So, I've decided the greatest contribution I can make is to pray for them.  I pray for the leaders of our nation to be guided by the Sprit.  I know prayer works.  My prayers may not affect the leaders of the nation, but I know they affect me and bring me peace when I hear troubling news.  I know that we'll be alright.  

I was reminded of a video that made me think of America.  We have so many different people from so many different backgrounds, doing so many different things.  I love Miranda Lambert, and she has a song All Kinds of Kinds.  I think it describes America very well and how it wouldn't be as great as it is if there weren't "all kinds of kinds."  Now the key (at least in my opinion) is to find it in us to love "all kinds of kinds." Our country will be a better place if we can all just be a little kinder.  

General Conference

Every year when General Conference comes around I'm so excited--excited to have an excuse not to work all day on Saturday, stay in my pajamas all day Sunday, and eat a bunch of food!  This year it's a little different.  I'm excited to hear the living prophet and apostles speak to us.  Yes, US.  The things they say are going to be counsel for all of us living in this day and age, facing the trials we are facing today.  

So, you might wonder, why the change in reason for my excitement?  It's because of a class I'm taking at the Y.  It's a Living Prophets class taught by Lloyd Newell, the voice of Music and the Spoken Word which airs every Sunday morning on radio stations around the world.  He has gotten me so excited to listen to the counsel of God's messengers called to direct us today!  Here are some of my favorite quotes we have gone over to help us prepare for General Conference.  

"Our times are turbulent and difficult.  We see wars internationally and distress domestically.  Neighbors all around us face personal heartaches and family sorrows....all face opposition and travail, and only the rod of iron- the declared word of God- can bring them safely through.  We all need that rod.  We all need that word."  -Elder Jeffery R. Holland.

"The main purpose of general conference, the main purpose of this conference, is to sound the voice of warning.  You who hear and are warned must warn your neighbors.  If we fail to warn our neighbors, we all may be lost."  -President N. Eldon Tanner

People.  It's important.

I don't know what counsel will be given in the next two days, but I know that I don't want to miss it.  I mean, 2 years ago in October they announce the temple in Star Valley.  The FIRST temple in Wyoming!  I was so pumped!  Then last October they announced a change in mission age.  What a wonderful announcement!  I'm going to be honest though, I've been praying that there are no announcements that big this October.  I don't know if I can take another one?!

But here's a little video to get you excited for Conference :)  And you can watch it Saturday and Sunday in any language by clicking HERE.  

Midterms are HERE

Here as in right now!  I have 4 midterms in the next 22 hours.  

8:30 pm - HIST 202

8:00 am - D&C

11:15 am Spanish Oral Exam

5:00 pm Spanish Written Exam

This is about how I feel right now.

It's a crazy time, but it's a good time. Tomorrow at this time will be complete bliss :) Just think of all the knowledge going into my brain!