Happy Sunday Everybody!

Its been a successful Sunday if you ask me! I went to an Interfaith Community forum. They are my absolute favorite. I get giddy about them! Last week was sexual morality, today the topic was evolution. It was kind of confusing for the most part; much too vast of a subject to cover in a few minutes per religion. Nonetheless it was a fascinating experience as always. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the Baha'i faith representative. He was so sincere, truthful, and purely awesome.

Also today was the Primary Program. Bishop Rose explained the reason we have the primary program once a year is to remind us who we need to become like, little children. I loved that. In my singles ward my testimony was confirmed once again of the power of the scriptures. Also I am so exciting to have a visiting teaching companion more proactive than I am! So sweet!

I am hoping to take up French again. J'adore cette language (English, whatevs).

It's About Time!

So I apologize for being the ultimate slacker blogger. But, what can I say? I've been relatively busy. Some weeks its non stop work, other weeks are more slow. I have four jobs. Those include but are not limited to DSW, School Photography at Capture Studio, Henderson Pavilion, and odd jobs for my Mom at Journey Education! The Lord is really taking care of me. Every week its a surprise and I never really know what it holds, but random things always turn up and save me! I've been attending the best institute class ever. Old Testament with Brother Fatheringham. I've been wanting to take his class since I was a senior in High School! I am loving it so much. Every Tuesday my mind is blown, similar to how I used to react to my philosophy classes. So needless to say, its the greatest.

I've been enjoying a few British shows like Dr. Who and Sherlock. Too bad British shows are so short! My mission friends are sorely missed by me. I talk about them a lot to my friends here in Vegas. I'm worried their getting sick of it. Belle and Sebastian have been greatly comforting lately. Las Vegas is sometimes impressive. The weather is decent. I miss the snow. And Rexburg. I detest the desert just as much as I always have if not more. Time is flying though! And soon I'll be back in my frozen paradise!

Goals for Las Vegas

I know this sounds crazy, but I am actually looking forward to moving home! Who would have thought! Needn't you worry, I am still loving Rexburg and always will, but a change in scenery is welcome.

Upon my return to my home town I will do the following:

-Finish the Book of Mormon for the year (some of which will be read in French)
-Make enough money for the following year of school
-Do my visiting teaching!
-Go to the temple once a month
-Serve my very best in whatever calling I have
-Attend mission prep on Wednesday nights
-Attend Old Testament Institute Tuesday nights
-Attend FHE Monday nights!
-Redecorate my room with the sista's
-Exercise at least three times a week
-Make all my dresses modest by employing my sewing skills
-Read one large intense book (TBD, any suggestions?)
-Run a 5k and a 10k
-Follow a budget!
-Serve wherever I go!
-Photography (which should be easy because I'm officially a hired photographer...daunting? very)

I've noticed when I stay in one place for a long period of time I'm become kind of complacent...especially here where all the crap loads of pressure I used to have with school has dissipated and now all I have to do is go to work! I've spent a lot of time playing and not enough time reading, frankly. Though, I am reading What I Wish I Knew When I Was Single by John Bytheway (Its pretty interesting).

Alright, good day to you sir!

Need. Work.

In my life I have had numerous jobs. Mostly short term obscure jobs. Consequentially, I almost always have more then one job at a time, except for when I am in school (in which case I have one glorious library job). It has become somewhat of a joke among my friends how I always manage to have 4 or 5 jobs at a time. And whats funny is people see this and think "wow, what a hard position." The sad reality is those 5 jobs amount to about 30 hours a week. Soon the time will come to leave my simple full time job in Idaho and return to the complicated web of work I've never quite grown accustomed to in Las Vegas. 

Yet, if there is any one truth I have grown to know in my years of college experience, is that everything always works out. Its just the process to get to that point that is a bit painful.

This last semesters finals were the hardest I've yet to encounter. Averaging 5 or 6 hours a sleep a night. Stress like I have never experienced. And the thought came to mind on more than one occasion "I have no idea how I am going to get this done, well time to sacrifice sleep" or "This is the most work I have ever had to do." After multiple mental breakdowns, poor grades (well B's), a new Dr. Pepper affinity, and too many days without a shower, I'm here to say I survived! And if I could survive that heck of a week, I'm sure I can survive a few crappy jobs!

Why I Want to Live in France

In light of the recent most patriotic day of the year, 4th of July, I would write a little entry about why I want to live in France! My French teacher was born and raised in the south of France. It has been incredibly interesting to hear her thoughts about America and France, both good and bad. Here are some negative points I've learned about her life in France: her life was crappy, for a time they lived in the ghetto, you don't look people in the eye in France, it is incredibly worldy, its nearly impossible to find a job, gas is nearly ten dollars a gallon, it is very expensive to live there, and people don't go out to eat as much as we do because of it. Positives about France: she loves history and misses seeing castles and midevil villages every weekend, her home was ancient and gorgeous, France is gorgeous, its her home, its more democratic than America.

Some specifics differences:

Education:

France-you graduate high school with a bachelors, university (medical, law, business, all of it) is free and nearly everyone is admitted, you take an average of 30 credits a semester, college is HARD and competitive, everyone gets an hour break for lunch every day, classes always have over 300 students

America-High School graduation rate is incredibly low, even worse is college gradation. We pass through with bare minimum education in order to make the grade and get out of here. Standards are lowered so more people can graduate. Classes are over-sized too, but not as competitive. We take an average of 15 credits per semester in college.

Health Care:

France-Health care is all free (provided for by the tax money), no one pays for health, doctors get paid about a fourth of what they are paid here, they make in house visits, its more likely doctors are sincere and caring because they are paid less, medical school is twice as long in France (8 years) as it is here and its free. I have a secret wish to use the French health care system...sorry to smooch off their taxes...

America-Insurance companies rule your health, your life always has a price tag, many doctors and people working in the medical business are solely motivated by money

Food:

France and America-Each public school usually has a chef who buys organic food, the kids get full course balanced meals, my teacher is frequently disgusted by what we eat here, if the schools in France served kids what they do in public schools here, they would be sued. Or as my teacher says "Why don't they just give them poison!" In France people usually eat every four hours and eating time is sacred to all.

National Debt:

France and America are both in a huge economic recessions, probably more so in France. But America is in debt for getting in war, France is in debt for helping its people. What is more noble than caring for your people, giving them the best education and health possible? Unfortunately its lead to their downfall with scarcity in work and very high taxes, but the principles of France remain the same and those principles I admire greatly.

Darn you Social Norms!

So I've been a little frustrated lately with something I like to call social norms. Here are all the problems I'd like to blame on my socioeconomic situation.

1. My lack of dating. Who cares if I go on dates? What does it matter, really? I have lots of friends, lots of guy friends. I have a lot of fun. And I'm independent financially, so who needs dates. Why do I feel all this pressure to be on dates? Thanks culture.
2. Getting a degree. If someone could explain to me the intrinsic value of an associates or bachelors or anything, that would be awesome. I love learning, why do I need a label to prove to the world that I am educated?
3. I need good grades. Who cares? I certainly do. But it drives me crazy. Thanks for the outside pressure.
4. I need to be super skinny, petite, and dress way girly cute. Who am I trying to impress? And why do girls need to dress super girly to impress boys.

Ok I think its obvious I subconsciously would like all these things, but I don't appreciate the outside superficial pressure.

This Week...

This week has been one of those weeks that will go down in the history of my life. It goes a little something like this:

Starting Sunday I woke up with a full blown fever. Most likely upwards of 100 degrees. I was dying. Chills and sweaty at the same time. I was sore, exhausted, and it bit the big one. But the service that was all around warmed my heart immensely. Throughout the day my roommates were more than encouraging and caring. Then my dear friends Rachel and Eric brought over a soft blanket, a movie (which they watched with me), soup, apples, and a water bottle. Rachel was so kind and scratched my back and breaded my hair...which is my favorite, what can I say? It was so nice. Then that night I finally left the house and walked to the park as the sun was setting. It was beautiful outside. Idaho in the summer...words can hardly describe. Then Sunday night my roommate asked if I wanted to get a blessing. I decided on yes, and at 11:55pm two of my friends (one FHE brother), graciously came over in Sunday dress to give me a blessing. I love of having priesthood members so close. I feel like that is the ultimate service.


Ok so I'll blur through Monday-Thursday. I was struggling with fatigue, fever, a serious cough, mucus, and on and off chills. The havoc this week has let lose on my GPA is daunting to say the least. So I'll do a quick list of the damage:

-missed Christian History (losing, attendance, participation, and homework points)
-missed Humanities (not missing much, I just really like that class)
-only worked an hour and a half...so I essentially missed an entire work week at the library
-didn't do the Christian History homework missing those points
-didn't do my Literature journaling, also losing points
-turned in an incomplete blouse for sewing that took me without exaggeration over 24 hours to make and its our biggest project
-didn't to do the reading for sewing, getting a 0 for homework that week
-didn't finish my French homework
-most likely failed a French test

Alright so there you have it. I'm a little numb to how bad that all is, but I can only imagine. This semester has been awfully hard. I'm more than certain B's are in my future and not to be melodramatic, by my future hopes and dreams are also in the toilet if I get B's. Not a big deal.

OK, so in the positive, here are some more random acts of service I was the recipient of this week:

-My work was more than understanding of my being sick. They were very kind and just wanted me to get better.
-Lots of people expressed a sincere wish for my speedy recovery.
-I secretly like it when people say I don't look so good because it makes me feel vindicated for feeling crappy. Like they aren't saying "hey suck it up your fine" they say "yikes, you don't look so good, you should get some rest" or as my French teacher said "you look like you just got digged out of the grave" :) one of my personal favorites.
-I was walking around the pines clinging to my French book and looking for a classmate who lives in my building as a guy (the manager or the manager's husband) was fixing the vacuum. He asked if I was ok and I said I was sick. He said do you need medicine? We have all sorts of medicine! And ran up and got me a whole box of flu medicine!
-Someone told me they like my comments in Literature!!! :)
-Everyone was so kind in the sewing lab. They were all very patient and helpful. My teacher even came till 9pm to help us finish up. I was a little embarrassed for being so far behind with the project and the due date so close, but she didn't let on at all that she was disappointed.
-I called the pharmacist and nurse at the Student Health Center looking for guidance. They were totally empathetic and helpful.

Ok and to finish, Friday. So today I woke up and resolved a trip the doctor was in order. I called my friend Becca and she was more than willing to drive me to the student health center and her boyfriend, also my friend, said he'd pick me up. It was so nice because I've been having a lot of trouble breathing, especially when walking any sort of long distances.

I get to the doctor. The nurse informs me I have a 100 temp and 92 blood oxygen level (it should be between 94-100 and she is concerned). The doctor comes in and feels my breathing and can't hear much, which is also concerning. He deems it necessary to have chest x-rays. Which I do and afterwards we discover there is an infection in my lungs, they are inflamed and a patchy mess from what I see. I do a breathing treatment. And he decides to treat me for pneumonia. He prescribes a steroid, anti-biotic, inhaler (my personal favorite), and I'm taking mucinex and regular pain killers. It all makes sense now!

Its been so difficult to breathe and function, but I am so grateful for the service I have been the recipient of this week. This has been a long post but I hope a helpful life update. I rarely speak of actual events in my life on my blog, so hope you enjoyed it!