Salt Lake with Sarah

Yesterday, Sarah had a brilliant idea, that may have turned out to be not so brilliant. We decided to ride the bus to Sandy, and the Trax to Salt Lake and then meet Dad and Brad for lunch. (Brad works with dad.) So, we found a stop and thought we had figured out how much money we would need total and headed to Salt Lake. Of course, we happened to get on the bus that makes a million stops. So, it took us like an hour to get to Sandy. Then it took like another thirty minutes to get to Salt Lake. FOREVER. The lunch with Dad and Brad was delicious and fun, but our troubles weren't' over yet.

So, we bought a ticket for the ride back at the Trax thing, and then when we looked closer it said the thing we had could not be used to get you on the bus too, which is what we thought would work, because going up the ticket had gotten us on both. Well, lo and behold, we didn't' have enough money to get us on the bus home. We owe a lot of gratitude to a gentleman you gave us 2 bucks so we could back to Provo. He wouldn't even let us write him a check to pay him back. So, the first part of the ride home we were both exhausted and no fun at all. But then we got slap happy and coudln't stop laughing about the pictures we were taking and texting to each other. The people on the bus probably thought we were crazy or drunk or something.

So, it was quite an adventure, and the stress of the bus was worth the fun we had.

The Search for the Trash Cans

So, the story begins with three girls in their apartment with not trash cans for their bathroom or kitchen. Such a tragic beginning. (let me explain further, those three girls = Kiera, Amanda J. and myself). Out of desperation I called my mother. She loves me so much she sought near and far (or the first store she went to) to find us two trash cans. Luckily her search was not in vain, and in handing them over to my cousin Megan, they began their journey to Provo, and to our apartment.

And this is where the real adventure begins. After Megan reached her apartment she gave me a call, and I told her I would come retrieve the life-saving trash cans. Enlisting the help of my two faithful sidekicks(roommates) we headed to the other side of campus in search of Megan's new living quarters. Luckily Kiera knew of the location because of previous visits to this place. We reached the abode of Megan in safety and found our prize: two trash cans! But he had walked far in hot weather, and decided we needed a sweeter award.

We looked around and lo and behold we spied "Smart Cookie" having treated myself to their deliciousness before I insisted we stop and get ice cream cookie sandwiches. Of course Kiera and Amanda agreed and so our adventure took another twist. Now these ice cream cookies sandwiches are hugely delicious, and if you have a chance to try one, do not hesitate. After our treats and some water from the refreshing water fountain, we continued on our journey.However, Kiera in all her wisdom had retrieved us a magazine full of entertainment for the long walk back. So, the three of us walked back, Kiera with magazine in hand, reading out loud. I myself was carrying my purse within the two trash cans. Lucky Amanda, she got to look normal. Anyway, let me share some wisdom fro the magazine. If you are single, try being yourself. Also, don't' propose at temple square, its too cliche. I totally agree with both pieces of advice.

So, that was the search for the Trash Cans. They now reside in our happy abode and are much appreciated. The search was worth it, especially with the ice cream and cookie additions.

Lost In Provo

No, not me. I know the area around campus well enough I wont' get lost but the other day mom got lost. On Monday after we got everything unpacked, the air conditioner did not work, so we decided to get a big box. I however needed to go to campus and print some things for my new work, so mom decided to go to the store without me, and I went to campus. So, I got done and tried to call mom, and she did not answer, for like ten or fifteen minutes. I figured she had left her phone in the car, but by this time she should have been done buying it. So. Sarah and I got worried. Well, mom had some delays at the store so she was okay. But, when we finally talked on the phone, we needed to find each other again. Mom doesn't know campus or Provo very well. So basically, she got lost. At one point and time though, we had a plan for where she would turn and come up to campus so I started to walk that way. However, (and this was partially my fault for getting a road name wrong) she did not end up coming that way. So, we were on the phone with each other for like 10-15 minutes while mom tried to find her way to campus per my instructions, and I turned around and walked back to where she actually ended up. It was quite and adventure and very entertaining. I told her by the end of the year we will have her more knowledgeable of the roads around campus. So hopefully this won't happen again. Though I didn't' mind the laughs.

New Home

So, Sunday night Dad and I packed my life into the Camry. It was so full that if I'd had one more box, it would have been on my lap for the drive down. Monday morning mom and I took off on our way to Provo. Last year it was just mom and I moving me in, and so the car year this year was quite reminiscent of it. But, we had help moving my boxes in because Sarah and Matt both were off work. After we brought everything up here we went shopping for food. mmmm, food. Then mom and I came back here and worked on unpacking some of my stuff. That night we had dinner with Sarah and Matt before Mom headed home. Kiera, Amanda, and Sara all got here Monday as well, so it was happy to see them here. Especially Sara whom I have missed so much since April. I am also impatient to see the other old Penrose 87 girls. But Rachel is probably too busy for us now. (congrats on that Rachel!)

So, I got partially unpacked on Monday, and decided I better try to get some sleep. But due to a broken air conditioner, it took forever to fall asleep, and I had to wake up at 4 am. However, I survived yesterday without a nap and was able to get most of my unpacking undone. It's great to be back in Provo, and although the Villa isn't' amazing beyond all belief, its not too crappy either. So, I'm happy in my new home, though I miss the fam.

How To get a Connect Pass

Simple, check out this website:
http://www.visitsaltlake.com/visit/connect_pass_attractions.php

Salt Lake City Connect Pass

Sometimes I wonder how in the world I got so lucky to end up with two such good friends as I have in Amanda Larsen and Kiera Beddes. Especially because it's kind of strange we are such good friends anyway, since we are all kind of different. I am super excited that Kiera will be living with me this year, and wish that Amanda could do the same, but since she is not fond of BYU, I doubt that will ever happen. I am going to miss her tons and tons, and if I come home often at all this year, it will be to see her. So, for starters, I love both those girls with all my heart.

That is why I had so much fun yesterday. The three of us spent the whole day together, starting at 8am and not ending until 11:30ish at night. But don't' worry, we love each other so much, I never even got tired of them. Hopefully they will say the same of me. So, let me tell you what we did, and tip you off to a great deal. You can buy a thing called the Connect Pass for only 20 bucks. this Connect Pass gets you into such places as Clark Planetarium, Discovery Gateway, The Living Planet Aquarium, The Lion House Pantry Restaurant, Red Butte Garden, Snowbird's Tram ride, Thanksgiving Point, This Is The Place Heritage Park, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah Museum of Natural History, Utah Olympic Park, and Hogle Zoo! All for TWENTY BUCKS! The only downer is that you have to use it one day, which means you don't' have time to do it all, and definitely no time for a breather.

So, we left Layton shortly after 8 and headed to the Zoo. I have not been there for years, and it was kind of fun to go again. Since you're in such a hurry, we were only there for like an hour, but you really don't' need much more time than that, unless you want to watch a show like the bird show or something, and those don't' happen till later in the day. I always love all the monkeys but it was cool to see the White Alligator, and everything else too.

After the Zoo we headed down to Sandy to the Living Planet Aquarium. I had never been there before, because my family just doesn't do a lot of the little things like that, and I really enjoyed it. It was cool to pet the Manta Rays and the starfish and sea urchin, etc. I also loved being there with Amanda, since she knows a lot more stuff about fish then I do, and could tell me what kinds of fish they were. My moment of glory came when I saw the fish that looked like coral, and she didn't' notice it was a fish.

Lunch time in the gateway came after and I ate delicious Panda Express, foregoing the packed Lunchable, for which I must apologise to my mother, because it got melted and hot and we had to throw it away today. It was fun to just enjoy some time to sit and relax while we ate and enjoy the atmosphere at Gateway. I've been there before but not a lot. After lunch we headed to the Planetarium and we watched Deep Sea 3D in the Imax theater. Kiera is pretty darn jumpy, something I found out during that film. It was fun to experience, even if I did have a tall bald headed due in front of me so his head was always in the middle of the ocean for me.


After that, our schedule kind of got thrown off so we could go visit Steve. He said he couldn't' join us for the day, and I guess I forgive him, he had already moved down to the U, so we went to see his new house. Then we wend to Jim's. Amanda and Steve met him last year, and Kiera and I heard a lot about their friends, so we figured we should meet him. Heather, one of Amanda's roommates joined us too. From there we went to the Fine Art's Museum, there were some good pictures there, but it was pretty crowded, and nothing that I was really drawn too. We weren't' there too long, but we did look at the entire exhibit they currently have.

Then we headed to dinner. So, the way the pass works for the Lion House is that it is good up to $9.95 and then you pay what you owe over that. So, I had some delicious chicken and potatoes, and beans, and an amazing roll with heavenly honey butter, and a big piece of chocolate cake. And I only payed $1.02. It was tasty, and their water was wonderful after running around all day.

We finished dinner around 6:00, and by then most of the places we could go were closed. So we spent some relaxing time walking around Temple Square and enjoying the beautiful gardens. We even went to the Church History Museum for about 20 minutes. the new exhibits on the Tabernacle and Relief Society are pretty interesting and I think we would have stayed longer, but we waited too long to head there, and they were closing soon.

After that, we headed back to the Gateway and just wandered into some stores there before we headed back to the Planetarium. We played around there for about two hours before going to the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon laser show. I had also never been to the planetarium before, so it was a fun experience for me to be there and have some fun. We took a lot of random pictures there due to the extra time but it was still fun, and good to be off our feet too.

After the laser show we headed home, I know I was exhausted and I'm pretty sure the other two were as well, but it was day well spent, mostly because I was in such great company. Once again I love Kiera and Amanda greatly and couldn't' ask for better friends.

P.S. I also played with my camera and found my black and white/sepia/cyanotype settings. Sweet.

Hello Early Mornings....

here I come.
So, I have a job lined up for the school year down at BYU. Which I'm kind of relieved to have taken care of. There is just one problem, the only one I could find that worked for my schedule is the early morning custodial positions. So I will be working at 5 AM every morning M-F! That means I have to be at work at 5, which means I will have to wake up at like 4!! no joke. But I guess I'll survive. Just expect me to have a scheduled nap time every day. Luckily I got it in the RB which is pretty close to where I'll be living so I won't have as far to go so early in the morning. And, Kiera is going to let me use her old Ipod, so I will have music while I clean. YAY!

My taste of heaven

Today I was down in Provo, which was tons of fun. But that's to what I'm referring to as my taste of heaven. After dinner with Sarah, Matt, and Heather I told Sarah and Heather we should get ice cream my treat. So for the first time in four months I got to have the Creamery's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream! MMMMM. I just want you all to know that I got to enjoy that deliciousness today.

I Made a Decision

To make a blog on blogger for my writings. I did this partly because I understand blogger better than what I have my writings on now, and also partly in hopes that more of you will read them and give me feedback. so, the link on the left will lead to my new page now. Just to get it in your head though, the site is http://lydiasliterature.blogspot.com so please check it out!

I am working right now on getting everything I had on my old site on there for you. Some of them are quite old, written for a creative writing class my senior year of high school, or during that class. However, I'd still love feedback on them to help me better my writing now. For the most part I write for myself, but I do want to strengthen what skill I do have, so your thoughts and impressions would be appreciated!

Another Recommendation

Okay everybody, I hope you all read my recommendation on the book The Chosen and are going to read it because you all should. And let me add that the sequel book, The Promise is just as good or maybe better, so if you like the first be sure to try.

My new recommendation is a non-fiction book. I hardly ever read them, but this one is amazing so far. It's called The Spy Wore Red. I mentioned it in my blog before, I bought it at the library book sale. Well, I finally got around to reading it and I'm about 3/4 of the way through. It is fantastic. Written by Aline, Countess of Romanones, it is a true story about her adventures as an undercover agent during World War II. I love it so much I have picked up her other two books from the library and will be sure to let you know how those ones are.

Happy First day of the Olympics!

Can I just say that I love watching the Olympics. Due to a previously planned shopping trip with Amanda, I did not get to watch the Opening Ceremonies today, but I wish I could have and I am super excited for the events.

Happy 08/08/08!!

Shopping Adventure

Tonight I dragged Amanda with me all over the mall, and Walmart to do some back to school clothes shopping. My mom loves me soo much, she is still willing to pay for that, so I am pretty darn lucky in the department. My parents are the best. But, dont' worry, that doesn't mean I get to go crazy, I still have a limit. Not to mention I am an expert bargain shopper, thanks to my excellent mother. So, I know how to find the good deals. So tonight, I spent probably around 45 bucks, and with that I got;
1 Pair of Pants
6 shirts, for about 4 dollars each in the following colors
Black
Brown
Navy Blue
A purple color resembling eggplant
a green color resembling olive green
and Dark Gray

But don't worry, the night was not all about me. We went to Petco for Amanda to buy a new tank that will hopefully help Floyd the Beta out. I hope so. Amanda is also a bargain shopper, we are so great at that game! While we were there and she was comparing prices etc, I wondered a bit, and they had a chinchilla there. So, by the way everyone, my family has a chinchilla. About half of you probably don't know that because she has sadly been neglected since the time we got Aussie basically. But, now that Aussie is gone, I feel an urge to take better care of her. After all, she is the only pet I have. So, I found the treats and bought her some good things to chew on.

Oh, I even let Amanda pick where we went for dinner and I wasn't picky.

So, that was our adventure. I would have put some fun pictures, but I forgot my camera was in my purse until I started to write this.

Do You Remember...

The Chosen?

I'm pretty sure almost every American kid had to read this during their school career. If you didn't, that's too bad for you because it's really a great book. About true friendship, and the relationship between fathers and sons, and about religion, and life. It's author Chaim Potok is basically a literary genius in many opinions, and I pretty much agree. I think what I love so much is his use of description in the book. He gives you lots of detail to set up what is happening, but not in a way that becomes boring.

Well, I never knew that there was a sequel book to The Chosen, but apparently there is! Because I found it at the library, and decided I needed to read it. So I just had the privilege of rereading The Chosen so I can now read The Promise. So, if you're looking for a good book, give The Chosen a try, because it's a great read!

Movie Recommendation

So, its summer time right? I don't know about the rest of you, but during the summer I seem to have more time to catch up on movie watching. So, for those of you who are in the mood for a movie day, let me give you an excellent recommendation.
Actually the "movie" is a DVD made of a T.V. mini series, released in 2005. Based on a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, "North and South" is a great movie in my opinion. I was introduced to it by my cousin Megan at my recent family reunion. The one large draw back of the movie is that is is four hours long, however, in my opinion it is worth every minute. The story is about a young woman ,Margaret Hale, whose family moves to Milton, England in the middle of the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the area. Milton is a town full of cotton mills, one of which is run by John Thornton. These two characters of the heroine and hero so to speak of the movie. For those of you who love a good romantic movie, this film will give you plenty of satisfaction. Those of you who don't like the cheesy chic flicks but still enjoy some romance will find nothing wanting in the movie because it's not cheesy at all. It ties in the social issues of the day with a strike of the mill workers, class differences, and raising oneself from poverty to wealth. Another facet the intellectual movie watchers can examine is the mother of John Thornton, as you watch the movie your opinion of her and their relationship will change.
I will admit that the movie has moments where the plot moves along slowly, but as it is four hours long that is not surprising. For the most part though it offers intellectual stimulation and a good romantic story at the same time. The cast is all well chosen to portray their parts in a believable way that draws you into the story.
So once again, you movie watchers out there, keep an eye out for North and South.

Ten Reasons....

I CAN'T wait to get back to Provo(not necessarily in order)

1. I get to see my roommates whom I miss so much!

2. I don't have to work at Walmart anymore

3. My sister and brother-in-law live there now

4. BYU boys

5. I hear my new ward is awesome

6. I get to buy new things

7. Intellectual stimulation

8. There is a pool in my apartment complex.

9. I won't be bored as much

10. BYU Creamery Ice Cream


I CAN wait to get back to Provo

1. I have to pay for housing

2. I have to pay for food

3. Homework

4. Moving all my stuff isn't easy

5. Paying for books

6. I'm not good at meeting new people sometimes

7. Tiny Kitchen

8. Getting used to a new bed

9. Paying to do my laundry

10. Walking everywhere

Attack of the Mosquitoes

This last week I was almost eaten alive by mosquitoes, and came to seriously fear the loss of blood I was incurring.....well not exactly but pretty close. I spent the last week in the Windriver Mountain Range of Wyoming on a backpacking trip with my dad, four uncles, and ten cousins. A summer trip to the Windrivers is a family tradition started when my dad was growing up. Grandpa would take all the boys once they turned 7 or 8, and they went most years of growing up. The tradition continued until 1992 when Grandpa's health kept him from being able to go. Then in 2002 they started the tradition again and took some of their boys in. The next year us girls insisted on being included and so I got to go. This summer was my third trip into the Windrivers, and by far the hardest hike in.

We hiked 12-13 miles in to the Cook Lakes. But it was all worth it. I am especially grateful that I have such a supportive and loving family so that we all got into camp safely. Special thanks to my Uncle Curtis for sticking with me the whole hike in and out, and to my cousin Megan for coming and taking my pack for me when we got lost and they had to find us and show us where camp was. I couldn't' have made it in without them. And without my dad who has always helped to believe that I can do it, and encouraged me to believe in myself.

This year the mosquitoes were all over the place, and the nights were cold enough to leave a frost in the morning. But it was all worth it because the fish were biting, the company was the best I could ask for, and the surrounding nature was beautiful. There is something about the Windrivers that offer you peace, and a closeness to God because you are up in his mountains.

Just to give you some details of the trip, I caught 41 fish in the three days I fished, climbed down the rocks by the side of a waterfall(this took an hour) got probably between 150 and 300 mosquito bites, ate oatmeal for breakfast every morning (I don't like oatmeal and only eat it in the Windrivers) swam in a lake with water that was coming from snow patches and glaciers, got scared half to death by a dear during a midnight bathroom trip, saw a badger hole, purified water every day, washed dishes in a pan over a camping stove, sunburned my bottom lip,and spent many fun nights with family around the campfire. There really isn't a way to describe a Windriver Trip to someone who hasn't been there and have them understand. But I'll tell you, the pain you suffer in carrying a backpack weighing between 40 and 70 pounds for miles in the mountains is all worth it.

Hirschi Olympics

At my Family Reunion we had our Hirschi Olympics. It goes like this: each family is in charge of coming up with an "event" and then we play all of them. Pretty much the most fun Olympic events you will ever watch, not to mention how entertaining I'm sure they are to watch. So just to let you know some fun activities to do with family we payed Human Fuzbol, Wiffle Ball, Frisbee Golf, did shot put with water balloons, and javelin toss with toothpicks. We had did discus with paper plates, and threw wet sponges, had cracker eating contests, and did a relay. Which I won for my team by drinking the Sprite bottle that had been the baton the fastest. Of course then i felt sick afterwards. But seriously, it was one of the most fun days I've had in a long time. You should all try having some family Olympics sometime.