Christmas Wish List

Please do not think of me as selfish or anything of that sort by posting a blog like this, I have just had several people ask me what I want for Christmas and I figured this would be the best way to communicate it to everyone. If you want to get me something, woohoo! it is Christmas! If you don't want to (I am not expecting any of my family because that is what the service project is all about), then, woohoo! it is Christmas!

• Gift card to Down East Outfitters
• Gift card to American Eagle
• Gift card to Famous Footwear (or any shoe store other than Payless, those don't last for me)
  
• iPod Nano G2 case
• Digital Camera
• Tape adapter for iPod (my car is music-less)
  
• New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (hardback)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (paperback)
• Manicure or Pedicure (or anything to help me relax :D)
  
• Aroma Diffusers (Vanilla)
• Slippers (Size 9.5)
• Pride and Prejudice (book)
• Pride and Prejudice (movie with Kiera Knightly)

If you find something you want to get, then you can just leave an anonymous comment claiming it so there aren't duplicates. But again I stress that I am not expecting anything, I just wanted to make it known for those who want to know. Merry Christmas!

Engagement Story

I know many may have already heard the story of K.C.'s proposal, but that was a reader's digest version. He has wonderfully written out all the details that make the story so great, and also included some pictures taken that night that are awesome! Instead of simply copying his version (because he tells it so much better), I ask you all to go to his blog and read it there. Enjoy!

Somewhat Tagged

I am such a slacker I have decided. K.C. and I do so much fun stuff up here in Logan, and I think about writing a post about it, but I get busy, don't have any pictures, or just completely forget. So when I saw this post K.C. and two of our friends did, I thought I would join in. The 6th picture in my 6th photo folder is...Ha ha!! I guess K.C. and I are way more alike since our pictures are organized the same way! Well, it actually makes sense since I get all my pictures from him pretty much (can you guess what I am asking Santa for Christmas?) Anyways, this is Amanda Bell, K.C.'s younger sister, after playing the flour game.

I tag: Carrie, Steph, Meredith, Britni, Callie, and Jami (I figured I'd stick with the theme of six)

New Addiction

Lately I have been on a crossword puzzle rampage. I tried my hardest on the one in the Statesman, but did not get many boxes filled before giving up. I bookmarked a website and go there multiple times a day for a quick round and actually get most of them figured out. Sadly, many of the words are repeats so it is simply a matter of remembering them from previous puzzles, but it is still very entertaining. When I was younger I was amazed at Steph for being so dedicated to finishing the crossword puzzle each day in the newspaper. Now I understand her addiction. I don't think I could ever tackle this one though...

New Songs

I heard this song on Jay Leno and I really enjoyed it. It is called "The Show" by Lenka. It is on my playlist. You should listen to it. I think you will like it too.

I have decided Abby has the best music. My iTunes library hasn't been hitting the spot for me lately. So instead I go to her blog to listen to the songs she has on her playlist. Some of my favorites are

"One Step at a Time" by Jordin Sparks
"February Song" by Josh Groban
"Samson" by Regina Spektor
"Say" by John Mayer
"Because" from Across the Universe
"Orange County" by Stefy
"Shine" by Anna Nalick

and so many more!!! Thanks for having such great taste in tunes Abby!

Sushi

Sushi: "In Japanese cuisine, sushi (寿司, 鮨, 鮓, sushi) is vinegared rice, usually topped with other ingredients, including fish, various meats, and vegetables. Outside of Japan, sushi is sometimes misunderstood to mean the raw fish itself, or even any fresh raw-seafood dishes. In Japan, sliced raw fish alone is called sashimi and is distinct from sushi, as sashimi is the raw fish component, not the rice component."

K.C.'s coworkers in Logan would often go out to lunch together. One place in particular was a favorite with K.C. and he wanted to share it with me. I was hesitant to go to Happy Sushi because raw fish simply did not sound appealing whatsoever! He assured me sushi is actually just seasoned rice, yet I still wasn't convinced. Still, he surprised me one night, not only where we were going for dinner, but with one of my newest favorite foods!

Enjoying the miso soup

I struggled with the chopsticks but I was determined to not ask for a fork!
I tried biting the sushi in half, but it would just fall apart. I eventually gave up trying and had to stuff the entire piece in my mouth!

Our plate of delicious sushi!

We ordered edamame, a fried and a fresh sushi roll, and some dinner boxes including California rolls, vegetables tempura, and sushi! My favorite was the fried only because the fish eggs in the raw roll made it too spicy! Overall it was delicious! My one recommendation is to not try and keep sushi and eat it later... it isn't very good unless it is fresh!

Home?

I'm laying here in a bed that isn't mine, with covers that just don't feel right. The walls aren't stark white and there isn't another girl lying five feet away. I'm home, but I'm not home at all. I love Salt Lake, but Logan is my home now. I belong up at Utah State and I am having a really hard time with moving away from Merrill. Once Monday comes around, reality might begin to set in that I'm home for four months before returning to my beloved Cache Valley, but I doubt it.

I am done with my first year of college. One year. College. Me. Done. I don't know what happened to it, because it went by way too fast for me. It feels like yesterday that I was driving through Sardine Canyon to move in, yet already I've packed up, turned in my keys and driven back though the opposite way. There is now way I'm going escape the withdrawals--late night conversations with Rachelle, playing games into all hours of the night, peering out the blinds praying there isn't more snow on the ground, chastity couches, everything! Oddly I feel like my life has changed more moving back to Salt Lake than it did when I went up to school in the first place.

For the first time in my life I am actually excited for August to come fast. If I could I would move back up there tomorrow. School can't come soon enough, yet it is going to come and go faster than I want. Only 112 days left!

Wedding

K.C. proposed to me on April 12th and I accepted. Sadly I didn't get a chance to post a blog with the story of the proposal or pictures of the ring, but those will be coming along at some time in the future. After discussing things, lots of thoughts and prayers, K.C. and I have decided to break off our engagement at this point in time. We still are very sure about each other, but feel that we have things we need to work on and become more mature with before we take on the responsibilities of marriage. The time wasn't right but we feel that we have made the right decision because we have felt really good about waiting. We are going to keep dating and are planning on living in separate apartment complexes when we come back up to school in the fall. We'd like to thank you all though for the support we have had and the excitement everyone exhibited. We think Summer 2009 will work better for us and hope that time continues to fly by.

Charlie Bit My Finger!

My friend Abby showed us this video and I thought it was hilarious! Some of you have already seen it, but I thought the laughter should be shared with everyone! Such funny kids!

Back in Business!

After a week and a half of being simply "friends," K.C. and I have decided to get back together. But before you go assuming it was only because we missed kissing, holding hands, and cuddling, let me defend my case. As we both strove to do things with each other that only friends would do, we found ourselves increasingly acting less like ourselves. Day after day we were getting frustrated, feeling jealous, and struggling to really even talk like friends would. Essentially, we both felt completely empty and dark. Over and over each day we tried fixing what was wrong by making adjustments towards things that friends would do, but nothing worked. We were simply going through the motions, but did not have any motivation behind them. So Tuesday night we talked, and after many tears and apologies to each other, we decided it would be best for us to date again instead of getting our relationship torn apart. Now we are taking things very slow and making sure that we go at the right pace. Everything is as though we just first started dating and it is awesome and wonderful!
Despite being extremely tired that night, it was the happiest I had been in a long time. I was just glad to have my best friend back.

Happy Birthday K.C.!

January 23, 1986, Kenneth Christopher Bell was born. In commemoration of that great day, I decided to have some fun...

I picked K.C. up from next door for a date, and chauffeured him around town in his car. We went to Hamilton's Steak and Seafood Restaurant where we had a candle-lit dinner. Sadly, we forgot the camera for this portion of the night, but it was beautiful! K.C. had his first creme brulee, and I'm pretty sure he loved it! All of the food was delicious!

After dinner, we stopped by Deseret Book to look at CTR rings since K.C. was wanting a new one. We did not end up getting one, but there were lots of neat, new designs that we liked.

We came back to the dorm and I had him open his presents one-by-one. I had so much fun shopping for him throughout the week and tormenting him with my many secrets!

While he was at work, I got a little bored and decorated his room. I decided to be nice and hold off on the confetti though. Two of our friends hid in his roommates' closet and jumped out at him. Even though I knew they were there, I was more scared than K.C.!

His friend had sent him the bottom sticker to wear all day. Sadly, people would only ask where he got it instead of reading it. Instead of being ignored even more, I made him another sticker to go with the first.
We played a round of Rummikub as well since it is one of his favorite games and I had not ever played on my own before.
Let's just say I need to practice a bit more...
I eventually got it right though!
Happy Birthday K.C.! I hope you had a fabulous day!

Cuddle Buddy

Since K.C. and I aren't cuddle buddies anymore, I figured I should share a picture of the man I share my nights with! Isn't he just a stud?! ;) For future reference his name is C.J. (Calvin James) And NO, I do not have a thing with initials...at least I don't think I do :D He is the bear that K.C. and I created at Build-A-Bear together over Christmas break as part of my gift.

Best Friends!!!

Many of you know that K.C. and I have been dating for two months now. And most of you were extremely concerned about how fast our relationship had progressed and urged us to step back and not be too hasty. Well I'm here to say that K.C. and I have talked about things and we have decided to take that step back. Before we were open to dating other people if the opportunity arose, but we are very open to that option now. For now and the next long while we are just going to be friends- no kissing, no hand holding, no cuddling, none of that boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. It is going to be hard and such, but not impossible. Things actually have worked out really well the past couple days that we have tried it. We want to make sure that we have a strong foundation based on friendship before we completely commit for life and this seems to be the best way to do it. Both of us are extremely determined to make this work as friends and not simply give up, so believe in us and it will help! Funny thought though that K.C. had: many people have a relationship that is simply "Friends with benefits." K.C. and I are more like "Boyfriend and Girlfriend without benefits." I thought it was funny :D

P.S. Sorry about the picture! It isn't the best quality, but it is the one I had. Handsome, isn't he? It was taken the night of our first date.

Sacrament Meeting

One night this week I was just relaxing over at K.C.'s apartment with a couple of his friends and roommates when my phone started ringing. I checked the number and I had no idea who was calling me (it was a 435 number) but I figured I would answer it anyway. The man on the other end turned out to be Brother Kirkman, the 1st counselor in my bishopric. He greeted me warmly and I returned the salutation, mentioning his name so the guys I was with would know who I was speaking with. The moment I said his name though, all their heads turned and stared at me with looks of horror. I just laughed at them completely expecting he was calling about the next upcoming blood drive for the stake. After less than a minute on the phone with him, I understood their looks of horror. I had just been asked to speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday. In past circumstances this had never been a problem for me as they were only youth talks expected to last less than five minutes. I realized then that I was an adult and am expected to give adult length talks. My topic: repentance. My time: ten to thirteen minutes. Can you even imagine how excited I was? If you can't, that is good, because I wasn't excited. In fact, I was simply dreading it.

Well I kept the topic on my mind all week, pondering what I could say, scriptures I could read, and stories I could tell from conference talks. Each night I always had something better I could be doing rather than writing my talk despite knowing the Lord of the Rings marathon was going to occupy my entire Saturday. Friday I finally decided to start on something and looked up different talks and ideas listed on the "Prepare a Talk" feature on www.lds.org. (FYI: this option worked great! I highly suggest it!) The talks were insightful, but I was still not sure what I was going to say for ten whole minutes! Sunday morning rolled around and I still had not written anything concrete down. The night before I had pulled together some scriptures, but did not have any real organization to what I was going to say. Needless to say I did not get very much sleep Saturday night/Sunday morning.

K.C. was great to me this morning and made me breakfast so I could keep writing my talk instead of coming up with something to eat. It was delicious comprising pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and orange juice. Man, he is an amazing cook! Sacrament meeting came around and I delayed for so long going up and sitting on the stand. Luckily, K.C.'s roommate Dave was also speaking so I had a friend up there to sit with. Abby, Megan, Tessa, Rachel, and K.C. all sat near the back as we always do so I wasn't concerned. Halfway through the prelude music though, they all stood up and moved to the second row. Yah, that isn't intimidating at all. Surprisingly, I was not very nervous as the meeting started, but did not expect that feeling to last. Brother Kirkman was conducting and with it being the beginning of the semester, took up much more time than normal doing various announcements and ward business, which was awesome.

The songs were long, and with the passing of the sacrament, my nervousness did not increase at all. Emily first spoke on faith, and then it was my turn. I got up in front of the microphone and began. The words seemed to just flow from me and I hardly felt scared at all! It was wonderful!! Oddly enough now, I think I would rather give a normal talk instead of a youth one anytime! By the time we sang the intermediate hymn, Dave only had about 5 minutes left to speak which he was perfectly fine with. Anyways.....overall, this was not as bad of an experience as I was expecting. I think the best part of it is the fact that it is OVER!! Woohoo! I'm so excited to be done with that for the year! Woot Woot! And if you care, I just had an outline of my talk and I would be willing to send it to you if you would like. The Church is true!

Lord of the Rings

Ever since the Lord of the Rings trilogy came out on film I have always wanted to have a marathon watching all three extended editions of the movie in one day. Luckily for me, K.C. had the extended editions and also wanted to have a marathon. So last semester we spread the word that sometime in the spring semester we would do it! Yesterday turned out to be that day since we aren't very far in school and figured people wouldn't be too swamped with homework and studying yet and could waste the entire day up in the lounge. Well we started at 10:30 in the morning and dove into the adventure. With hour breaks in between each of the films, we finally finished them all around 12:30. Sadly once I ate lunch, I couldn't keep my eyes open for the first disc of the Two Towers. Determined to better, I sat up for the next disc and stayed awake. The Return of the King was started and I was so excited to watch my favorite movie of the three. Yet again, I got too comfortable and could not stay awake once the second disc was put into the DVD player. K.C. tried his hardest to keep me awake by pulling on my ears and tickling me, but nothing worked. I was out until the movie ended. Now I could say that I finally did the Lord of the Rings marathon challenge, but I simply would not be satisfied with myself, so sometime in the future I will have to pull out those movies again and waste another day all over again. It is worth it though, those movies are amazing!

Updating on the past forever

Wow I have been such a slacker! I didn't post anything new at the end of the semester because I was too preoccupied with studying for finals. Then I didn't post anything again during the three week winter break simply because I wanted to play. Well now I finally have some time on my hands and I figure it is time to write something new. Recap on fall semester: everything tied up really nicely. I was able to finish my seven page research paper on margarine and my grade was in the A- range. That was totally fine with me since I wrote 98% of it the night before. The last 2% I wrote an hour before the class started! :-D My finals went really well: I stayed up almost all night studying- got only three hours of sleep- and it paid off. I got an A and that kept my percentage in the class high enough for an A overall! Chemistry I did okay on and ended up getting an A-, but I did not mind. The rest of my classes were just easy credits so I was able to get A's in all those as well.

Winter Break was wonderful! The night I was studying for my biology final, Diane Poulton called me and asked if I was interested in working at all over the break. Was I ever!! Being a poor college student, I will take any opportunity to get a job and earn a little extra money, especially with having to buy Christmas presents and books for the new semester. K.C. and I spent a lot of time together, with his family, and also with mine. We had a great time going shopping together, playing, and simply enjoying our free time. I think of all I love his Christmas present the most! He took me to Build-a-Bear and we got to design something for me to cuddle with at night. Sadly though, we went on Thursday so I had to endure several days of knowing what my gift was, but not being able to have it. When I finally did get C.J. on Christmas, K.C. had attached a small bottle of his cologne (it smells SOOOO good) and a poem he wrote. It was so cute! I know I'm 18, but I've never had my own teddy bear, so this is lots of fun for me.

School has now started again and I am really enjoying this semester. I'm only taking 15 credits this time around instead of the 18 I had last semester. Biology and Chemistry are the same, then add in Stats for Scientists and English 2010. I haven't bought all my books yet, but luckily I didn't have to get one for Chemistry or English (she is posting the reading material online! wahoo!) and I'm debating on whether I should rent the Biology book again. Stats is the only book I have to get and it is sadly $150. Blah...oh well. Sacrifices must be made I guess.

The weather has been pretty crazy. Lots of snow and even more wind and too much cold to even consider! For FHE this week we went sledding and it was so much fun! It was snowing at the time so you would just get a face-full while zooming down the hill. I crashed a couple times, but it was okay. Life is just great being back here in Logan. I missed it a lot and it is really nice to have a schedule I can lean on when I don't know what to do. More to follow when something actually happens here in this frozen valley.

P.S. I was called last night by the 1st counselor in the Bishopric. Pretty much I'm speaking in sacrament meeting on Sunday....oh jolly. What a wonderful opportunity!