Monday, Monday

Confession time: I love Mondays.

Let me explain myself, before you think I'm completely crazy (although, if you read this blog, you already know that I am crazy).

I love Mondays because:

1. It is pretty much the only day of the week when I cook a real meal.

2. I like the fact that Mondays are the beginning of a new week. A clean slate. A fresh perspective.

3. This is connected with #2, but I feel like I have a lot more time than I actually have. I strangely don't feel as stressed on Mondays on say, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

4. This is the most important one: I GET E-MAILS FROM MY GIRLS OUT IN UKRAINE! 

And by girls, I mean sister missionaries with whom I served. I just love hearing from them so much. So, so much. I love hearing about how they're doing, and how the work is going, and just . . . everything. I love hearing about mission news, like finding out today that two of the girls I trained are going to be whitewash training this transfer and how a city that has never had sisters before is getting sisters! So wonderful. Ah. Love it. The work keeps moving on.

Mondays. I love them. :)

What makes Monday worth it for you?

Check THAT one off the bucket-list . . . well, kinda

Once upon a time, I made a bucket list. I wrote it Spring Term, 2011. And I realize now, after my mission, that there are some things that need to change, as some of my goals have changed.

But one thing was not going to change:

#34 Talk in the Marriott Center (again).

The "again" is there, because when I was one of the speakers at my high school graduation, and our high school had our convocation ceremony at the BYU Marriott Center.

And, being the bright, ambitious young thing that I am, I decided it would be awesome to speak there again. How, I didn't know. But it was going to happen.

When there's a will, there's a way. Especially when it's my way.

Once upon another time, I was asked to give the opening prayer at a university forum:

It was really cool, actually. And I was just glad that I didn't give the prayer in Russian.

Fifteen seconds of fame.

And, until further notice, I'm saying this counts for my bucket-list. I think it counts. Doesn't it?

Another Awkward Moment

You know it's just one of those days when . . .

-- You start talking with a person you think you know (and she thinks she knows you), but then mid-conversation you realize that you don't know each other, but it's too soon to walk away and too late to state the obvious. So after some empty pleasantries you just look at your watch and say, "Oh! Time to go to class!"

-- You think you see a guy from one of your classes, so you start making eye contact and smiling, only to realize that it's actually said-guy's twin from a parallel dimension* and neither of you have any idea who the other is. But he still smiles at you and is probably thinking, "Score! A cute girl just smiled at me!" Never mind that she smiled awkwardly and semi-creepily at you and that you're not as cute as the real guy from class.

-- You jump and nearly knock over your books when the library intercom goes off: "It is now 10:45. The Library Circulation Desk closes in 15 minutes." I forgot it did that. Missions do things to you.

-- You try to have intelligent conversation with your peers and you keep staring off into space. must. keep. my. eyes. open.

-- Oh! And one more thing. Because I was just that good today. When you pass out your intro letter to students you're going to be tutoring, and accidentally also pass along a short story you're reading for your British Modernism class. It's even better when it's avant-garde feminist literature.

Yep. I am the Queen of Awkward.

Is it only Wednesday?









*Could also be the guy using a Time Turner. Wearing different clothes. And with a different haircut. Also, could be Polyjuice Potion wearing off. Totally a possibility.

Loyal, Strong, and True

I'm not going to talk very much about the game, because it is embarrassing. Just my two-cents: It was ridiculous because were so many bad calls, but at the same time, we should have played better. Add those together and you've got: kashmar. (Russian for nightmare.)

Still, there were some good moments.

Like having a roommate who knows football lingo better than I know Russian.

Seeing old friends and making new ones.

How beautiful Utah Valley is. Could there be a more beautiful place for a university?

 Our backdrop is Timp. Gorgeous.

I also love how clever BYU students can be. We really can be, when we put our minds to it. And when we're feeling competitive:

 Yes, he is holding a Brother Brigham head. 

Yes, that says, "This is the place." 

I will always be a loyal BYU fan. No matter the outcome.

And I will stay 'til the bitter end.

Singing the very last fight song.

Sporting the royal blue.

Building the Barricade

We've gotta protect Karl and Brother Brigham.  

Ready for battle. Bring it on. 

Rivalry Week. 

Also, remember this? 

And this? 

It's not just a game, people. 

Go Cougars! 

"I don't want sunbursts or marble halls, I just want you.”

Just had to share this again. Because it's perfect. And the Anne with an "e" in me is nerding out. 

These are probably my favorites from the shoot:

[jessicazaisblog.com]

Go to this link. Just go to it. No questions asked. Anne of Green Gables Inspired Wedding Shoot

Bliss.

Culinary Achievement

Just a little bragging's got to be done.

About a week ago, I bought a butternut squash. One of these guys:

I was determined to cook it.

So I did.

I saw. I cooked. I conquered.

Thank you, Google and the 94.7 million cooking blogs out there.

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

And, I have to say, it was pretty tasty.

Domestic quota for the semester? Done. 

Go me.