two of a kind

tales from the sick bed

2012-02-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

i wanted you to know something. first. i've used the equivalent of 1 roll of toilet paper, just to blow my nose. don't believe me? i'll get you photographic evidence. (but naturally, for the good of all man kind, i left it off this site for all y'alls sake.) second. someone please just stick a freakin catheter in my body. I go to the bathroom every half-an-hour. so be grateful you are talking normally, breathing normally, walking normally, doing anything normally--because i can't wait until that day comes. The day i'm finally over this bronchitis*, i'm going to run for joy, i'm probably going to kiss the first boy i see, i'll probably learn another language, and i'll probably not go the bathroom for 1 whole day. glorious indeed.

i've missed some school, unfortunately....which really sucks but luckily my TA's were extra considerate and giving me a few extra days for everything. i swear that doctors note is the equivalent of willy wonka's golden ticket! **

the second thing you should know...is that hulu and youtube have been all too good for me in my time of sickness. i am beginning to fully embrace that inner child at heart in me. (for example: full house episodes on youtube...and then watching 2 Mary-Kate and Ashley videos on youtube.) i know. i know. please don't judge me. but who doesn't live the olsen twins at age 8!

thirdly, this was a scenario that went through my mind earlier today: "honey-flavored greek yogurt, meet Emily. Emily, meet greek yogurt, your tastes-buds new best friend." I'll speak for my taste-buds....that they [taste-buds] have never been happier. pretty sure all those calories are worth it.

p.s. for histories sake, I finally saw James "chummy" Ricker in the MTC. We are womb-friends. So its only natural that i made sure we got to chat for a minute.

*I went to byu's student health center for urgent care--and they gave me meds and stuff....but not even a sticker or anything. Bummer city. (p.s. thanks Crismon for the ride!)

**On the matter of missing school, mom texted me TODAY (its a Saturday) to see if i was feeling better, i responded, "ugh." and she responded, "did you miss school" at first i thought she was kidding but i responed, "mom, its saturday." #facepalm

sucks to suck

2012-02-16T22:30:00.003-07:00

If you listen closely you can probably hear my earth shattering cough (read: hacking lung, horrible roaring-sound coming from chest), all the way from the strange land of Provo.

sometimes it sucks to suck--like this week. wow, I didn't think sickness would ever be so humbling. But thanks to good and faithful friends and siblings, who have called me, given me rides, and just texted me as I lay on my death bed...they make it much more tolerable.

And i have to give it to my home teachers. I would say their Home Teaching work for the rest of the semester could be filled in the one day they helped me.

Its always convenient that sickness comes when in the middle of midterms and projects and everything else that is fun goes on. But I've realized that the Lord brings us low at times, so that He can bring us higher in the end.

On the bright side, a three-day weekend is around the corner...and i'm excited!

After this week I will have completed 1 full week at work.

I will be half-way through this semester.

And only 5 more weeks until General Conference.

Halleliuagh, and "thank the heavens," (in the Alabama accent of course)

P.s. I'm hoping to start putting inspiring things I find on another blog--we just need more internet sites in this world that uplift us--without all the bad ads, and stuff. Its not something I have time for right this second but hopefully by the weekend....

series of events

2012-02-12T23:26:00.000-07:00

i broil.

i bake.

i bake.

Baking to cooking ratio = 3:1
is that a sin?
Nah....college is all about gaining weight, right?
jokes!

So a series of events. In my spare (no longer in existences) spare time, I liked to cook. but now that basically looks out of the question. i just got a new job. and it requires me to work a mandatory 20 hrs a week, while taking 16 credit class hours. so basically death on a stick. but its going to be great. thankfully my bishop has been working for Franklin & Covey for about 25 years, so....he teaches people had to manage time. He gave me really good ideas to get my week and days structured out and I already feel less stressed. Unfortunately, being a college student doesn't give you time to be sick--and i have now acquired a sore throat and cough. relivs got my back, right?

I don't think anything else has been too dramatic in my life besides....i went on the most awful-train-wreck-worst date last night. turns out my step grandmother Julia, has a grandson who I happened to sit next to by chance in one of my classes---was accidently set up to go on "blind date" with me (but it worked out that there were 4 guys to 3 girls, so in my favor i didn't really 'have' a date. if that didn't make sense just understand that it was....bad.

Who's excited for single-awareness-day coming up!? :)
BRING IT.

for you and for me

2012-02-08T23:42:00.002-07:00

after failing a test (i admit, i automatically fail at math), even after studying for 3 hours in the math lab, 4 hours in regular class, and 4 hours for each hw assignment I still fail....so i walked out the testing center with no gloom, just disappointment, and laughing at myself, saying, "oh well, i'll try again tomorrow." (Thanks Pres. Monson.) I decided to teach myself more often to be happy now, despite my circumstances, despite my failures, despite when i totally misunderstand the writing prompt for class. but i'm reminding myself to be happy now. (i am tons happier now that i actually have a functioning phone! yay for #8 phone in 6 months, don't even dare try to beat me). i know we as LDS women are taught this over and over again, but i will be first to admit that I believe my teenage years/childhood was the best of the best and so i felt like 'being happy now' wasn't really an issue. i think i always was. now, i see why the repetition of 'being happy now' has been engraved in my head, so that when little things from the adversary or little mistakes we make begin to bring us down...we can remember its always better to look up.

"Adam fell that men might be,

and men are that they might have joy." --2 Nephi 2:25

(designed by em)

prof. emily speaks words of wisdom

2012-02-07T19:23:00.002-07:00

1. if i could sum up mycollege career in six words it'd be....cheerios, chocolate chips, and pb &j.

2. don't cook with the lightsoff...you end up burning your bacon (because you can't see...duh), and almostlightening the whole stove on fire from the grease of the bacon...oh and youfeel like you'll die from gas poisioning.

3. do your laundry--regularly.its been about a month and a half. when underwear runs out...you still haveswim bottoms to wear. tomorrow i'll just have to wear my full piece underneath.*sigh*

4. you can get by with onlywearing 3 outfits in 5 days. thanks to the MWF, T/TH class schedule. No onewill ever know you wore the same outfit on M and T, since its differentclasses!

5. always heat your apt. withgas heating. that way you never have to pay for the thermostat to rest nicelyat 90 degrees, 24/7.

the pathetic meal i consumed.

if only we were this cool...

2012-02-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

If i had birthday candles to blow out right about now...i'd definitely wish that Julia and I were THIS cool. Seriously. I don't know where we went wrong, but these girls are my idols.

all images via

super (not bowl) Sunday

2012-02-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

first of all...i apologize. i feel like alot of my posts have been pretty negative and depressing. i just want to say, I want to change that, and i truly have appreciated all your comments of help and advice.
although, i don't want to pretend to be pollyanna all the time and act as if sometimes life doesn't suck--but i'll just do my best from expressing it on the blog---because that just gets annoying.

today was a super sunday. and not the bowl kind. (ha, i crack myself up).
it was fast sunday, which i always remember my mom saying it was her absolute favorite day, and i never figured out why, until now, i see why. its becoming one of my favorite days too.

the nice thing about having the apt. to myself is i'm able to concentrate on my scripture study, without distractions. i love discovering new gems in the gospel and its a reaffirmation how much I love this gospel. I could tell you things that really impressed me...but that won't have the same affect on you--
so i'll just suggest a few new favorite scriptures.

D&C 21:2
D&C 11:3
Alma 4:15
D&C 111:8

finally...for records sake, I finally completed my goal! I memorized The Living Christ. It has taken a good 4-5 months (with on and off practice) but I am so glad that i'll always have it with me, and I have noticed as my day goes by, small phrases stick out to me that turn frustration, disappointment, and anger into peace, contentment and a changed attitude.

Happy Sabbath!

i suppose.

2012-02-03T01:29:00.003-07:00

i think, therefore i blog.

sometimes the main reason for me to blog is so that one day my kids can look back and say, "wow, my mom is was so cool." then...i think about what i might write about, and realize, no way--they would never say that. oh well, i tried.

is life suppose to be this low-key-boring-normal at 19?

last night i laid in bed and thought about my previous life. (well have previous and future lives right?)

my life back in high school.

i played 2 instruments. all IB classes. editor of the school newspaper. 4 jobs. orchestra. YCL president. social life. president of 2 clubs. church membership. -->my question is, how the heck did i do it!?

now, i'm ONLY in school. (as of monday I quit my MTC job *insert angel choirs singing*)

and i can't even seem to find time for JUST school.

okay, so maybe my life isn't super boring.

i have big decisions to make.

where i'm going to live. who i'm going to live with. where am i going to find a job. am i taking classes this spring/summer. what am i going to wear tomorrow.

see my point?

or have i already bored you to the point of tears.

because basically all my life consists of is....

-going to classes

-going to test reviews

-3 job interviews in 2 weeks

-look at national geographic photos during class

-do math hw to the point of almost vomiting (okay, in my mind that is)

-running to catch the bus, every.single.day. (i kidd you not, i think all of byu and wyview have seen mein all my glory running to catch the bus)

-listening to lectures on sex for a whole week.

-deciding when i'm actually going to do my laundry (i've be thinking about this for a month now. you do the math)

-cutting my hair at midnight (possibly a bad choice)

-eating copious amounts of cafe rio, brownies, and chocolate chips

-eating my roommates food because she said she's not coming back for 2+weeks.

so is that wrong? i feel like i'm not contributing much to society as i sit here on my be-hind.....*sigh*

i'm going to take a shower. maybe that'll be my first step into improving society.

1 idea and 1 hour later

2012-02-02T10:45:00.001-07:00

BEFORE

AFTER

did i conform? perhaps.
love it or hate it?

I'm still deciding.

i think i need to give it sometime.

Happy Birthday Meredith!

2012-01-31T18:03:00.001-07:00

Meredith--my friend, example, encourager, chum, pal, skyper, and most of all...my sister! I really lucked out, big time. Today, Feb. 1st in my sisters Birthday (25th to be exact).

She has red hair. Jealous? Always. Her dressing style is always the latest fashion--naturally. She has the best taste in food--cafe rio, chocolate covered almonds, seriously, who could say no to that? She entertainED (i saw "ed" because she moved to AZ for Bryan to go to med school in August. I was bummed. Provo's excitement dropped dramatically) me when I came to visit her in Provo--in the best of ways--eating a carton of ice cream (from the help of Bryan of course) with a redbox. She'd take me to the park, she took me to get my ID card (okay, so what if she did act like my mother bringing 2 kids in a stroller and walking to campus and all around campus with me, it was still fun :), She takes me rock climbing---enough said.

Basically, I love my sister alot.
Ever since I got a phone my sophomore year, I don't think there has been a day where i haven't texted or called her. Mark my words. #truesisterlove

Meredith, is one of a kind.

She is always happy. She is always caring. She is always the one people love.

She doesn't look a day older 21. (ask her for that story :)

And....she loves her kids and being a mom--which I absolutely adore. I sorta wish Meredith was a college student so i could live with her. It'd be a party and fun 24/7. And that'd mean I wouldn't have to send her picture messages anymore of outfits I try on and ask for her approval.

I don't quite remember when I became such good friends with meredith--but she is one of my best friends. And i'm so glad I can say that about all my sisters.

Meredith taught me piano--even when i was a punk. She drove me places. She helped me with my 6th grade roller-coaster project. She textes me when no else does. She helped me move into my first college dorm. She fed me meals when I ate cereal too much. She sends me money in the mail for my cheerio fund--what else could you want?

Thanks mere for your example as a mother, sister, friend, and member of the gospel. You inspire me more and more and I AM SO GLAD YOU WERE BORN. You make me so happy to have as a sister.

Love you,
bubs

Merry Christmas in 1 min & 35 secs

2012-01-29T00:26:00.001-07:00

this 1 min and 35 secs holds absolute truth and beauty. the 2 lewis girls wanted to wish you a merry christmas....1 month late :)

my brownie cake

2012-01-28T23:00:00.001-07:00

who ever said it was a good idea to have a "wedding cake" at your wedding. lets be real...who even likes cake? (i'll just answer for you...NO ONE). So why is everyone wasting their money to buy wedding cakes that a) taste like crap, b) are a total waste of sooo many calories c) they look fake anyways d) need i say more?

so, for my future wedding (years down the road, don't worry) i'm going to have a wedding brownie 'cake'. mark my words. and i'm declaring it now---like officially, and you can't change my mind.
(my mom knows from experience).

i feel that loving brownies is part of my civic duty being a beholder of the last name lewis. i carry a name that breathes chocolate (we all get it from our grandma lewis)--and so why yes, yesterday was national chocolate cake day, where is our national brownie day? don't worry--i'll take care of that. it'll be everyday!

there is a fine delicacy in the art of making brownies. you intense bakers my cringe at this, but yes, i prefer box brownies to scratch, so sue me? but if you put semi sweet chocolate chips on top, bake them 5 mins less than instructed, then they are absolutely heaven sent and absorbed in your mouth.
brownies should be fudgey--not cakey. there is a BIG difference. my brother seth, gave a 30 min lecture to his wife Tiffany about this (when they were dating), she still married him--bless her heart!

so. go eat a brownie. or two. because they are just basically the best thing ever.
especially when maceys has a special for 99cents. we're basically set for the next ten years.

via google

"Something Extradiordinary" --DIMK

2012-01-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, if everything goes as planned, Friday's will from here on out, be a day when I post something from "Daughters in My Kingdom." This book is simply wonderful. I admit, I have hardly opened it...but the times I have I have been amazed out how wonderful and inspired this book is for us.

As part of my calling I asked that we have one minute each Sunday during the opening exercises to have a "visiting teaching minute," and that they also have a "Relief Society history minute" taken directly from the Daughters in My Kingdom book. It has been absolutely wonderful. I was afraid that the sisters would get sick of hearing from me each week share a thought about Visiting Teaching--so I have a rotation between the Supervisors and I and it has proved to be effected--(our Relief Society has the highest stats in the stake! And these stakes mean...All of Wyview apts., part of another Apt. Complex.)

Do yourself a favor and watch this 2 minute film that really brought this Daughters in My Kingdom book alive.

This weeks short thought is taken from Chapter 1: A Restoration of an Ancient Pattern

"The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ."--James E. Talmage
It is interesting to see over the course of the New Testament how women played a vital role in the Saviors ministry. Although some were named and unnamed, they all exercised faith in Jesus Christ, "learned and lived His teachings, and testified of His ministyr, miracles, and majesty. These women became exemplary disciples and important witnesses in the work of Salvation."
The women of the church had great faith then during Christ's time, they had faith when the Relief Society was organized, and now we too can have a great amont of faith today. Faith is the foundation of which we build our testimony. Although we can't be like Mary and Martha who were active participants during the Lord's ministry--but we can do so today in our actions everyday. Are our actions moving us forward to becoming more like Christ and proclaiming His gospel. After all, we as members of the Church hold a responsibility to share His gospel. It is The Church OF Jesus Christ OF Latter-Day Saints. The "OF" indicates who's ownership it is..and I believe we hold a part in the ownership of Christ. We have a mandate to serve His children on earth--and we are so lucky to be here on this earth to do so.

happy 37th mom and dad

2012-01-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

I'll be frank. I have the best parents ever.
So lets just face the fact here.
I love them--and what I love even more is that they just celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary last week, and they are in even more love now then they were 37 years ago.

Because I am in a "Successful Marriages and Families" class it forces me to reflect on my parents and how they raised me and taught me--and I can only think of happy memories or feelings of love and gratitude towards them. They taught me the gospel--and thats all I ever needed.
But, because they were just the best parents they threw in....piano lessons, violin lessons, basketball, volleyball, and track fees, etc. and thats just the beginning.

Thanks Mom & Dad.
I am so glad you chose to live righteously, to be married and sealed in the Temple, and that I can be your daughter forever. I love you more and more each day.

Love,
Emily

As my gift to my parents--I needed the help from my siblings--because of them, this project really became what I wanted it to be. I asked them to write fond memories they had of mom & dad growing up. In all, there were over 50 memories written (28 pages, 7,358 characters, and 10,884 words of truth, memories, love, and beauty). Thank you siblings for your effort--I appreciated it! We filled 37 envelopes with about 3-5 memories and it was am absolute thrill to read everyones memories as it was on google docs. Julia and I called each other at midnight one night as we were both on reading the google docs balling because we couldn't contain how grateful we were for mom and dad.

Mom & Dad--
Words can't express how much we love you. And I feel I am failing for the right words to say--so, all i can say is Thank You.

Love you forever.

One Memory for histories sake:

Emily,19:
My last three years of high school were entirelydifferent than any other year of school. I was finally an only child. It mostdefinitely had its pro’s and con’s but, when I look back, I actually reallyenjoyed it. Mom & Dad became my best friends, although I probably wouldn’thave told them that face to face. Occasionally on Friday nights, they wouldentice me by telling me that they would “pay me” money to go to Football gamesor go hang out with friends. But, I would always decline. The most fun I hadwere always hanging out with mom & dad. I remember they were going on aFriday night date to a Mexican restaurant. It was the end of my senior year andI asked them if I could go with them. Being the gracious and ever lovingparents that they are, they accepted, even despite their disagreement. I went,and had the best time. It was nothing extraordinary. It was original, butdelightful. I just realized how grateful I was theirs, because being with themwere the highlights of high school.

i need your help

2012-01-23T18:30:00.002-07:00

i've been trying to do a facelift to this blog that has been running for sometime now, but just can't pick my favorite header. all originally designed by me, with a few free things off the internet.

please help by voting for your favorite one! :)

5a, 5b.

fluffy

2012-01-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this post really should be titled, "emily is a freak-of-sorts" but we just are going to let it be--and call it fluffy, for no reason at all.

Sometimes I feel people should be worried for me in life. And thats not an exaggeration if you were thinking it was.

Scenario 1.
Its a Saturday night in Provo, UT (a college town--better than Rexburg :), and Emily--a young girl and movie classic dramas enthusiast could be doing the following.

a. going on a date with one of the new 16 boys in her ward (10 of them are RM...ooohla la)
b. running in the snow. (an unfamiliar medium of weather for a native oregonian)
c. dancing to the jams at the tri-area (Wyview, Heritage, Heleman) 90's dance.
d. laying on the floor with no food for dinner doing math homework.

If you used both of your life lines and you can't decide your final answer, let me help you out. Its the big fat whoppin' D. (you're not surprised? neither am i. darn.)

i know it doesn't look like a ton--but because of the rain that came before its not really sticking.

So basically I have decided to hibernate myself in my apartment in the midst of this winter for multiple reasons. like the fact that I am enjoying being anti-social, or i see this white blanket cover everything in sight---and just the thought of me getting cold and wet doesn't quite strick my fancy like it did when i was younger....when I basically peed my snowsuit for the chance to play in the snow.
now, i just hold my hot chocolate cup like it is gold and my soul mate.

in other news...
--I got a second calling as Ward Organist in my ward. (no one, including myself knows why)

--Its the third week of classes, yet today I still managed to walk into some class, sit down, look around, realizing I wasn't in the right class, got up and left. #socool

--gem and i actually did something social. we invited 3 guys over for a sunday dinner. this was a big deal. in other words, gemma and i are actually going to try to make an effort to meet people. #beproud

--I went to the housing fair and felt like a kid on halloween. got 3 byu shirts and too much candy.

--I organized a small temple trip saturday morning at 7:30am. four girls came--even though the whole relief society was invited and i fed them a french toast breakfast at my apt. afterwards. it was actually quite fun, and we all decided to make it a tradition for every saturday from now on. there wasn't a better way to start my day.

--I was interviewed today to be a BYU sports camp counselor in the summer #fingerscrossed

--my 17 year old cousin is tutoring in college algebra. its doing wonders to my self esteem

--julie b. beck came and spoke at devotional last week, and i got to sit by Crismon, Danielle, Lynette, Becca Smith and her roommate. did i ever tell you how lucky i am?

--i've decided to minor in family and marriage studies.(okay so i don't know the official title, who cares)

--the sister missionaries called me and asked me to go on splits with them, which to be called and asked to do such a thing is quite rare in provo. I put my name on the list back in June. But they quickly turned me down when they realized I didn't have a car. (hint hint mom!)

--gemma and I have an apple orchard right in front of our apt. complex and so she went over and bought a 20 lb box of apples for $6. heaven. heaven. heaven. they taste like golden candy. #applecrispforlife

well I hope you've had an exciting week.
if i have any tragic experiences of slipping on ice or such...i'll be sure to let you know first.
ciao bella.

words of wisdom

2012-01-19T09:41:00.002-07:00

There basically isn't anything more I can say then...wow. I loved this talk to so much. This was the first CES Devotional I ever went to as a BYU student in the Marriott Center. It was absolutely wonderful. People always tell you to use your time wisely, well this is basically the best way you can spend 15 mins of your day. Enjoy.

"Worldly honors and corporate success offer small compensation when compared with the joyous affection of family and children."--Sister Oaks

2012-01-18T23:43:00.000-07:00

i guess i've been trying way too hard to think of something...or just anything to blog about. but, alas, all my creative juices have been squeezed out of me entirely.
i went on a walk tonight. no, i didn't want to. it was raining. i was home alone. i needed to do something.
so i listened to "The Spirit of Revelation," by Elder David A. Bednar (please listen intently to it, there is something about hearing it that has power rather than reading). I'm not sure why, but tonight I needed to listen to that talk more than ever before. I think a good deal of it was all this overwhelming business of 'what am i going to do with myself come summer and i've run out money, and i still have 2.5 years of college to go mentality.' then i thought to myself....shoot, i'm an adult. and i've always known this speck of knowledge, ever since i came to college in the first place, but, now....i just don't know. i'm still figuring everything out. now, i realize, how much I hope i have begun the autonomy stage, (dependency stage-->autonomy stage--->interdependency stage) So i don't think i'm coherent in any of my thoughts here, but, i'm realizing my accountability now, more than before (i guess is what i'm really trying to say). For some reason this Winter Semester has been off to a shaky start. I've forgotten about basically every assignment that was due (not in one class, but ALL my classes...and i'm not entirely sure why I just admitted that to my mother). I can't figure it out for the life of me. I don't think i've ever had this problem. Well...anyways. now that i've burned this post to the ground, i'll go finish some more homework. maybe one of these days i'll figure it out and i can prove to everyone that i am mature, and a young sensible adult. or is this just an act, that we never stop pretending to play.

2012-01-15T13:04:00.001-07:00

via Home Cooking

i made it through the first week of winter semester. huzzah. only about 3 more months to go. to celebrate the event, gemma and I went to cafe rio (who needs a man in their life, when you have cafe rio. someone tell me please?) we went with her young sister and then we came back to enjoy the goods since we were literally waiting in line..OUTSIDE in the 20 degrees. worth it my friends, absolutely worth it.
We went to Wyview's "Nerd Dance" to burn off the calories, and then after we made our appearance, we made a grateful exit out the back door. We then decided we needed a movie and ice cream.
It is official, that Gemma and I are absolutely notorious for picking out the worst Redbox movies known to man-kind. I kid you not.
We then enjoyed our Saturday eating crepes and have a relaxing Saturday. Gemma left and then I walked to the Temple and enjoyed the time there. It was neat to see Laura (Mitchell) Ferrin, and her husband.
Is it pathetic then this weekend has been one of the most eventful weekends to even blog about?
Probably because most of my weekends are by myself, folding laundry while i watch said DUMB movies.
Another exciting part of this week, was I was able to give a talk today in Church. I can't believe how nervous I was, probably because I haven't spoken in church for almost an entire year!
My assignment was from this talk in General Conference.
(which you should all be excited because General Conference is in 75 days!)
I was so grateful to be led by the Spirit on what to say, I felt I was extremely blessed. I was grateful for the experiences I have had in life to share with the congregation today. Sabbath days just make me the happiest, I just wish everyday was like this.
Happy Sabbath!

p.s. Downton Abbey is on tonight! Don't miss it!
p.s.s. I've also decided that at my wedding someday I will have a cereal bar, cafe rio, and crepes with ice cream.

2012-01-14T20:02:00.002-07:00

memories

2012-01-11T00:37:00.000-07:00

sitting in Grandpa Smith's chair, Sept. '93

A memory--this is a staple Lewis tradition, that has now earned the ranks of being the all time best tradition we have ever had as a family. That is...Pop-Up Pancakes for our Birthday Breakfast. First, it is automatically better than yours because we don't use the correct title of "german pancakes," and secondly, when it is made, it immediately becomes the most coveted food known to man kind. Thirdly, when mom makes it, it just tastes better than anyone else. Its just got the perfect 'mom-touch' to it. You know what i mean.

eating cake and ice cream past my bedtime Oct. '94

This one is simple. A no brainer. But one of my most favorite childhood memories occurs on family road trips to Utah, (which fortunately and unfortunately don’t happen anymore) but regardless, every trip dad would take us to this special Ice cream Shop/Shack where they served the most delicious soft served ice cream. Dad always requested us to pay for “tax” by letting him lick, or “fix” our ice cream. Dad, thanks to you, this will undoubtedly be a tradition I will have for my kids one day. (picture above might explain my ice cream feddish--since it started from a VERY early age :)

gaining rather than losing

2012-01-06T00:48:00.000-07:00

confession: I've thrown in the towel when it comes to healthy holiday eating, dieting and the whole losing weight thing and what not. Haven't we all? Or maybe, I should just speak for myself.
But in this new year when we are all about LOSING pounds, inches, wrinkles, basically everything. Maybe its time to turn our attention to gaining. What if everyone stopped worrying about losing weight and instead they chose to work on gaining confidence. What difference would it make in our community, state, society, world, and most importantly ourself? Think about this. If everyone was trying to gain happiness, courage, determination, confidence, self reliance, self control, individualism, love, patience, altruism, obedience, charity, humility...how much better our lives might be if we can focus on whats truly important. These life long characteristics that shape who we are as a a person, rather than a number on our clothes label. We should be more concerned about what we can gain from each other and for ourselves that will benefit us to become wholesome, enriching, uplifting people.

(post comment: i don't know. I am still thinking this concept through in my mind...I don't know if I explained precisely what I am getting at, and probably repeatedly things over and over again, but I hope it makes you think differently about this type of thing in life)

byu round 3

2012-01-03T16:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be the beginning of my first Winter Semester here at BYU. I'm not nervous. Perhaps excited, but also slightly hesitant, knowing i would very much like the break to last just one more week. Thats not too much to ask, right?

After this semester I will have all (okay, except 1 class) of my GE classes complete. Bingo! That in its self is some motivation to do well this semester. Forgive me if I get too personal, but I am convinved few people even read this thing anyway, so I wanted to record my thoughts, you know...for history's sake.

Last night in my scripture study, I randomly read Mosiah 2. However, after reading it...I realized it wasn't just by random, I really was able to glean from the chapter. In Mosiah 2:9, for me, was "The Formula of the Ideal Student", the latter end says, "hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view."

It is one thing to KNOW, but it is another thing to UNDERSTAND. I can learn alot of things intellectually, but to understand means you have greater depth of knowledge, you've felt, and experienced, and according to Neal A. Maxwell, experience is the most important principle of learning in life.

The rest of Mosiah 2 goes on to explain our nothingness without God. And although that is extremely humbling, I feel it is an empowering humbling...although we were created from the dust of the earth, it means we are our Heavenly Father's, with so much potential to become like Him. And its Temple focus really stuck out to me, I realized, literally where I am sitting is directly facing the Temple...yet are my thoughts, actions, and words? I wanted to rededicate myself to serving in the Temple.

And lastly, verse 41, a verse my dad encouraged me to memorize, and i failed to do so, so this semester I will. Its simple. To be happy, we must keep the commandments. "And if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness. O remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

1.first of 12

2011-12-30T00:30:00.000-07:00

it's still december 29th, but my first of twelve new years resolution begins now.......

APRIL 21, 2012
see you there with Gemma and I.
booo--to the---yah.

(p.s. don't worry, i'm only doing the half)

december lights: Crismon & Danielle's Wedding

2011-12-28T23:49:00.000-07:00

you'd probably all shoot me if i posted all the christmas break pictures at once.

so i'll spare you---or me--and divide this evenly.

i officially finished my first fall semester at byu. with transferred credits, and summer term credits, and now fall credits, i'm officially a sophomore. which--after talking to my IB friends and such, isn't really saying much. but...oh well.

I had to finish all my finals Wednesday night, since on Thursday the Johns, Crismon & Danielle and I would drive to Las Vegas for their wedding on Friday.

Crismon and Danielle were married in the "Elvis Chapel of Love"...wait, scratch that, the LDS Las Vegas Temple. It was a beautiful day--the bride and groom were perfect in every way, and it was such a special day to honor them in their righteous lives to be married in the Temple for Time and Eternity. I feel i am finally able to appreciate my siblings weddings--i've more gone through the motions for the previous 6, but this one was inspiring and uplifting to reinforce my deep desire to be married and sealed in the Temple someday.

i marvel at the outpouring of love and support from the family. It was so neat to have all 9 siblings together again--something that hasn't happened in years.
Seth, Alice-Anne, Vivienne, Ondalynn, Dad, Mom, Crismon, Danielle (SIL), Emily, Julia, Meredith, Dallin.

The wedding was beautiful, and the reception was the same.

gorgeous country club

a table dedicated to candy....BRILLIANT!

my first bridesmaid bouquet (after 10 years!) yes! :)

a table dedicate to cake...these people know how to do weddings!

now i see the family resemblance :)

mark my words, these are three of my most favorite people.

it was a crazy, hectic, but wonderful 3 days in Vegas. Can't say I loved the city that much--but it was an experience i won't forget. I mean, how can you forget that ghetto hotel.....

more to come!

pictures stolen shamelessly from my sister Vivienne's iphone.

a little extra holiday cheer.

2011-12-27T01:43:00.000-07:00

better late than ever.
if you would have seen our outtakes--it would be living proof to you of why we are both still single.
but ignorance is bliss right? or so they say...

merry christmas all!

my guilty pleasure

2011-12-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

I'm going to have Bubs give the post on Christmas and she wants me to post first so that people will actually read her post. :) And since it's almost the end of the year I thought I might blog for once and maybe the last time for another year...

So I'm a little obsessed with Downton Abbey. period. I could just end there. I know you're all into your "Office" or "Modern Family" or whatever is out there are on TV but I much prefer British shows for some reason....hmmm I guess that was no surprise.

I got hooked on this show while I was at the Vances over the summer. I got really sick and couldn't do anything except lie in bed and watch shows or sleep. So I had access to their netflix account and watched the entire first season in less than 24 hours. I loved it. Almost a little too much. I was so excited to hear that the second season was going to be coming out in September but only in England. Thank heavens for online streaming video so over this last semester my roommate and I would get pumped to watch it together every Sunday as our treat to ourselves. As Emily would say it, it's a "treat yourself" day. :) The writers were so good to leave us on the edge that after the episode they would always show a preview of the next one and I believed we screamed every time because we're like "what?!" we have to wait another week to find out what happens!

That being said, tonight was awesome because they had a Christmas special as an extension to the end of the second season and it was tight like unto a dish! Mom and Dad even joined in. Emily and I have already watched the ending several times because it was that good (we even compared it to the ending of North and South so that's saying something if you know what I mean! ;) Pretty darn fantastic but it's a bummer that we'll have to wait for the last season next September. ugh but I'll just have to keep watching the 1st season and parts of the 2nd (I will have to admit the second season was not my fav. and definitely not as good so most of my praising is about the first season really...sorry its sound contradicting but really not..haha let's just say it was overdramatic and you wanted to throw things at the characters sometimes). Oh yeah the first season, it even made it into the World Records Books. It's the biggest TV show hit in Britain with the most views for one show in over 12 years.

The basis of the story is the interweaving story of the Crawley family living in Highclaire Castle and their servants down below but of course there's a lot more to it....(oh yeah and it's got Maggie Smith in it...need I say more?!)

I'm just saying that if you're ever bored this holiday, check it out!

tribute to Crismon

2011-12-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

This evening I just returned from a fabulous trip in Las Vegas. It was a especially neat to have 9 siblings there again, for the most important event of all, Crismon and Danielle's wedding. What a beautiful, happy, loving couple they are. I'm so excited that they will be living within a 5 min. proximity of me and attend the Y with me this Winter Semester. It's lonely without family!

This now completes the 7th wedding in my family, and it has been absolutely wonderful to see them all married off and watch them create their lives. I feel lucky to be the last to learn from their examples and their goodness. But for Crismon's wedding, I finally feel "old" enough for the wedding to actually mean something to me.

I just wanted to share alittle bit about my memories with Crismon and the lessons he's taught me growing up. Crismon and I are 4 years apart. But that age hasn't distanced us from being good friends. Crismon and I have always been alot alike--even since birth--and so i admit I probably didn't try my best growing up to get along with him, mainly because our personalities are so similar. Our baby pictures look very similar and people at BYU say they can tell I'm Crismon's sister because of my smile. I guess it only makes sense that I tried to take after him in all that he did.

When I was little, my cousin Lynette and I would love to play "college." Yes, yes, yes, if you asked me right now that college then was SO much easier than it is now. Figures. One night, we asked Crismon to teach us. Oh...did he just take our pretend game to the next level. He went into his room, dressed in a shirt and tie. Pulled down his plethora of history, spanish, you name it books and began preparing lessons. Not only did he teach us, he even quizzed us, gave us homework and graded us (not even on a curve).

Lewis Family
(15 grandkids missing, 2 spouses missing)

Another memory, Crismon, Julia, and I by default did everything together. We created marbles mazes around the walls of his room by cutting toilet paper rolls in half and taping them together. We played Price is Right every Sunday after church. Little did mom know that all of her furniture and possessions were being sold away by 10 year olds. We held ping pong tournaments. We always jumped on the trampoline together and Aquire would be our game. A game that was Crismon and I's was Civilization. I distinctly remember both of us staying up until passed 3am playing Civi, because we knew that we would be driving to Utah the next morning and we wanted to play now so we could sleep in the car. I loved it.

Later on in years, I finally entered high school when Crismon had just graduated. However, he just as a student as I was. EVERY teacher knew Crismon Lewis. Saying the words "Crismon Lewis" was like a gold pass to having any teacher like you. It was instantaneously. Even my Spanish teacher, who Crismon never had said he loved Crismon (and his only interaction with him was interviewing him for the school newspaper...). Thats the other thing. Because I was Crismon's little sister, I was able to become the youngest Section Editor on the paper, and junior year Editor of the paper.

all 9 Lewis Siblings and Mom & Dad

While all of Crismon's secular and religious accomplishments are fantastic and I admire him immensely...I just want Crismon to know that I will always remember him for his love for service and his smile. Crismon never did the bare minimum in life. He was driving home from school one day and probably needing to do one of his million things on his to-do lists, yet He say and elderly woman down the street raking leaves and doing yard work. He parked the car and asked her if he could help her. He just did it--probably subconsciously just served out of habit. But he was blessed to right then be hired by them to do their yard work. Or he would be mowing our lawn on a Saturday afternoon, and would just find time to mow the neighbors yard as well, free of charge, just because thats what Crismon would do.

Crismon is just an all around "great guy." I have so many fond memories of him when we were growing up and always had a desire to be like him...and I still do. He is soo lucky to have Danielle as a wife. She far exceeds anyone I could wish for Crismon to marry. She is soooo good to him, and I admire their obedience and love and the sweet people they are.

Congratulations Crismon! I wish you the best in your marriage--because you sure deserve nothing less.
Thanks for you friendship and love as a brother.

love,
bubs

freshman year, thats a wrap

2011-12-15T00:25:00.000-07:00

guess what...emily can finally say one thing.

1. I'm NOW A SOPHOMORE.
in college that is. not to be confused with high school.
i'm moving on to finer things in life.

call me, Dr. Lewis

2011-12-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

i'll admit up front i don't know a ton about college.
but pardon me, as i share a few flecks of gold, or as i like to say, my wealth of knowledge.
and not to worry...this has nothing to do with academics.
because i'm pretty sure i'm the last one you want to talk to about that.
say the word "physics" and i might just hurl.

1. placing the roll of toilet paper on the dispenser, will take a house full of girls at least 1 month.
i wish i knew why....

2. the garbage will not be taken out on its own. only the rule of "nose-goes" is how its funcitoned around here.

3. laundry. need i say more?
all in all, we basically see who can go the longest without having to do laundry. i usually win. not by my mothers wishes though.

4. ever have a problem? chocolate is the solution

5. and 4 girls to one bathroom--mind you most of them are on their period, we consider ourselves lucky if we don't finish 1 roll in a day.

6. we can always count on having one true friend, Danell, our pet fish.

7. and from statement #6, emily goes to try to make new friends after ward prayer, but then says the wrong thing...and then oh look, everyone hates her. #classy

8. no matter how close our church building may be (in my case less than 100 yards), we (and others) are still always late to church. I blame it on the 9am time.

9. be mindful of what you are wearing when you walk around w/ the blinds open. you don't realize until the end of the semester that the guys apt. directly across from you contains two astrology majors, therefore they have super-power binoculars. awesome. just awesome.

10. freshman girls.
eh...just thinking about the estrogen level gives me a headache.

gemma sold her camera today. so in honor of such an event. we tried to take some roommate pictures.
i promise we really aren't that vain....

gemma and i playing in the bathroom. she needed photos to send to a missionary.
so why did she ask me why looking like white trash? good question...

in a drought

2011-12-09T22:01:00.001-07:00

i'm currently in a blogging hiatus because of the finals forecast approaching. looks like dreary cloudy skies. with a great chance of rain (tears), and perhaps some thunder and lighting. but that is not has highly anticipated. the dark clouds are looming in, and the days will just be will be just dreary and dark.

okay. my oh so clever forecast-final-symbolic-analogy ends here.
my brain feels like an overloaded and over used hard drive that is just about to crash. literally.

i have spent on average 6 hours a day at home, and that includes sleep.
my roommate gemma and i have often taken advantage of the library's extended hours until 2am.
and now looking back, i laugh at all the other times throughout this semester that I thought were hard and stressful.

okay, i'm not making any sense anymore. probably because i can't think any more.
and i sat in one chair at the library and looked out the window to see pure day light. to leave the library and walk out into pitch black. if i got paid for everyone hour on campus, i'd be filthy rich.

i need to go watch a movie before i go hang myself or something.
but all you need to know:
i'm alive.
my bike was broken. got it fixed. picked it up tonight. rode home at 10pm in freaking freeezing cold. and it broke again. (me 0, bike 1)
treated myself to J-dawgs tonight. by myself. like a date. alone. weird....
and now i just have so much to do in the next 5ish days until i got to....

LAS VEGAS. bring it on baby.

celebration of the escape from the womb (19 years later)

2011-12-06T10:43:00.001-07:00

12.05.92 and 12.05.11 was a fantastic day. and every december fifth in between has also been fabulous.

i would feel weird doing a self-absorbed post of myself (oh, wait, i do all the time...) but just to record for history sake, i want to remember why it was so memorable, and say a loving and forever THANK YOU for everyone who helped make my birthday special, and made me feel love, and most of all for those who have helped shaped me these past 19, and most of all to my mother who was willing to have children and sacrifice so much of herself to raise me and bring me into this world. Thank You doesn't even touch the surface of the love and admiration I have for my mother and father. So....thank you.

Sunday night: I was able to have Lynette & Jennie (our 2nd cousin) Lewis over for dinner, and then we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional together. It was bliss to hang out with them. I made them my birthday dinner including my favorite items of food: couscous salad with chips (easier version of cafe rio), sweet potato fries, chicken and a green salad. my roommate Hannah brought this tree and decor, and we had a blast setting it up. we danced to christmas music and hung lights on our window.

christmas is magical.

Jennie brought hot chocolate, and I made an apple pie, because lets be real here, who actually likes cake?

monday, the fifth. was absolute bliss. roommates gave me rides to and from school which is a beautiful thing when the weather is 15 degrees. my friend announced my birthday in my new testament class, entirely against my will, and turns out it was my professors birthday too. (and this isn't just any professor, this my absolute favorite religion professor that i had for Book of Mormon and he's helping me prep for the seminary program).

conner, my friend since we were 6mo. old, brought me hot chocolate and a donut to anthropology, which was just splendid, since i didn't have time for breakfast that morning.

someone offered to work for me, which was just a wonderful break. I studied for most of the day in the library and then cousin Harrison took me to the cannon center for lunch. I went back to the library for more studying, and once i start falling asleep at the computer, i decided to walk home, and Gemma picked me as she saw me walking.

i came home to a package from my favorite family in Washington, the Vances. I almost just cried looking at the box, but then i opened it and of course my heart melted with the sweet inside joke items and a few darling decorated cards by my neices and nephews. my favorite was from bryson. it was completely blank and on the inside said: love, bryson. precious :)

i also got a sweet card from my mom and dad! Thanks so much again for the Thomas S. Monson book. I love love love it!

my favorite part of the day was when my siblings called and left messages of their kids singing happy birthday. it was the best. thanks for thinking of me fam!

my roommates were so kind to take me out to dinner that night to California Pizza Kitchen. It was delicious. And free ice cream sundae is a plus always a plus!

then we came home, and i thought i was having the best birthday ever, until i walked in and there were surprise guests waiting for me. i'm pretty sure my pulse has calmed since then, but i was so surprised. i'm quite certain that my brother Crismon and I are the most oblivious people on this earth.

that was so sweet of them. they put up streamers, ballons, signs, and made brownies (my favorite).

cousin Harrison, summer roommates Sami, Amber (and Sara dropped by later), cousin Lynette, and friends Jorgen and Craig.

the 19th most valuable wish of my life. (do you see the M&M's spelling Emily? Lynette is the best!)

I seriously was overwhelmed by all the love and kindness everyone gave to me. It seriously was one of the best birthdays ever. I am so lucky to have such great friends and family who care so much about me. I am so grateful to be here--and to celebrate life on earth!

thank you again.

have the happiest of day, everyday.

cultivating a grateful heart

2011-12-02T22:52:00.001-07:00

was it just me, or did the month of November pass by way too quickly. i felt like i missed the opportunity to really reflect on what I was truly grateful for. so...I am proposing a plan, that is to "cultivate a grateful heart."

"We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to all of those, past and present, who have given so much of themselves that we might have so much for ourselves. Take things with gratitude rather than for granted."
--President Monson, "Doubt Not--Dear Not," BYU Commencement '03

In the Book of Matthew in the Bible, there is an account of gratitude, as an expression of the Savior. As He traveled in the wilderness for 3 days, more than 4,000 people followed Him. Christ took compassion on them, as they probably hadn't eaten for those three days. (read Matthew15:32-38). Christ showed that gratitude always proceeds the miracle. And in my life, as I "try alittle harder, to be alittle better," I realized, that I want to make gratitude the pattern of my life.

Some things to be grateful for....

:: be grateful to awake by the cry of a baby, because s/he's healthy, and depends on you to live.
:: be grateful for the clothes that fit too snug because it means you have enough food to eat.
:: be grateful for the monthly rent bill because it means you have a shelter from the storms.
:: be grateful for the mess after a party, because it means you were surrounded by friends
:: be grateful for the days that we physically suffer as women because it means we can have children
:: be grateful for laundry because it means you have more than enough clothes to wear.
:: be grateful for the utility bill because that means you have a warm home, and light to see
:: be grateful for the parking spot furtherest away from the store, because it means you can walk.
:: be grateful for tuition because it means you get to earn an education
:: be grateful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning because that means you are alive.

must-read talks
"The Diving Gift of Gratitude" President Monson
"Think to Thank" President Monson
"An Attitude of Gratitude"

challenge:
record 1000 things i'm grateful for in 6 months: end each day w/ 5 blessings in a journal
write 1-2 handwritten notes a week: this means cultivate a thankful heart and minister to others, we often to too much for granted, but how often do we take people for granted also.

do you know what.

2011-11-30T22:02:00.001-07:00

do you know what...

the best form of procrastination of homework is making cookies, trying to take a nap, deep cleaning your bedroom and bathroom for 2.5 hours (you better believe my room is now immaculate) and sit at the computer pretending to do your work.

what is my deal?

in other news....

i'm pretty sure my roommate and I have an extremely unhealthy obsession with shoes. and i am quite certain this photo doesn't give it justice either. i don't even want to think of packing these babies up. someone shoot me now.

and...emily is no longer employed (for winter semester that is) at the MTC. oh darn. well there goes my green. once again, if you so desire to donate to the Emily Needs Money Foundation, i'd be more than happy to accept. Thats okay, i have big plans for where i'd like to be employed come Spring/Summer terms. (i can't believe that i'm accepting the fact that i'll be going to school year round for the next 3 years. someone shoot me again. oh well, i'm sure its better that way.)

....met danell, our apt. fish. okay, its actually gemma's, but Thursday is my assigned feeding day, so i feel part-parentship of this gem. he's technically an illegal immigrant in our apt. but thats okay, we love him no matter what. our RA came yesterday to check our smoke detectors and we failed to hide Danell before she came in, so in the midst of her doing so, we wrapped a dish towel around his bowl and stuck him in a cupboard. we just love Danell too much to give him up. And gemma has big plans for his birthday...perhaps buying him a castle or pretty rocks. be jeal.

and...lastly. 5 days until the big 1-9. when people ask me my age, i'm guilty of responding, "almost 20." and then they ask, "when do you turn 20?" and then i'll hesitate, slightly blush and respond, "after i turn 19." but low and behold friends, i can officially respond "almost 20" and it won't be considered a lie. I got to celebrate my birthday at home with the fam over thanksgiving break and i got exactly what I wanted! the book, "Teachings of President Thomas S. Monson" I'm so excited to really study it over Christmas break.

farewell my friends.
i have an art history paper due in 18 hours, and i haven't even started. no, i take that back, I haven't even looked at the prompt, or opened my textbook or notes....heres to no sleep tonight!

peace out, homeskillet.

shake the dust // inspiration

2011-11-28T14:45:00.001-07:00

For the ones who are forgotten, the ones the amendments do not stand up for.

For the ones who are told to speak only when you are spoken to and then are never spoken to. Speak every time you stand so you do not forget yourself.

Do not let a moment go by that doesn't remind you that your heart beats 900 times a day and that there are enough gallons of blood to make you an ocean.

Do not settle for letting these waves settle and the dust to collect in your veins.

Shake the dust.

Written and performed by Anis Mojgani

pic via

"Shake the Dust"

the Lewis Family

2011-11-28T00:47:00.001-07:00

i am thankful. for my family. for the the love. for being forever. for being one. for being a family.

thanksgiving 2011.

thanksgiving part I

2011-11-23T23:25:00.001-07:00

i've been putting blogging off, and avoiding it like the plague, but...all the nieces and nephews are in bed...so what else are you suppose to do!?

Words of Wisdom for the Ride Board:
probably don't use it, if you can avoid it at all costs. the guy i went with figured it'd be a good idea to drive 95-100mph the entire way. (mind you Oregon speed limit is 65mph). oh...did i mention texting this entire time too. Yeah, good one man. I wanted to say, "i don't know about you, but i'd kind of really like to make it home alive. you know, just sayin." I think i forgot to breathe for the last hour as we were hydroplaning in the rain...and dark. overall we made a 13 hr drive in 8.5 hours. Thats not a good sign. Moral of the Story: reconsider putting yourself on deaths line when using the ride board. just sayin.

How to Have the best Thanksgiving Ever:
come to OREGON.
i'm in BABY HEAVEN here.
here is the low down:
2 Parentals
6 Sisters
3 Brother in laws
12 Nieces and Nephews (# of kids beats the # of adults)

mom and i baked apple pies all day today. finishing a whopping 6 of them.

okay, and humor me for my most favorite pie i've made yet....

a Mac APPLE pie. get it? cute, eh? yeah, steve jobs should love me or something.

and i maid a braided interlace (what are they even called!?) apple pie. it was pretty gourmet. i knew elementary school was good for something.

the highlights:

baking with miss kenna.
thanksgiving began with....
the Macy's parade on our 3 inch black and white tv--that you cross your fingers for it to work.
and lots of baking.

each person was in charge of making a certain food...but julia decided to ditch gresham and sleep over with the vances and williams in washington, so i had to take double duty and do the mashed potatoes and sweet potato pies. lets just say those are not minor technicalities of the thanksgiving feast. so i was under pressure for this to be the best yet. lets just say, i made a few mistakes that ended up making it the best overall potatoes i've ever had. i am probably a bit bias though.

and we were eating like kings and queens as we used only the finest of china we had.

Thanksgiving is the best.

God has been so good to my family this year, i just wanted to document a few things:

I'm so grateful for my family; the Gospel that keeps me grounded on the strait path; trials that help us to grow and improve; being accepted to BYU; a solid hard work ethic; my talents; safety; the scriptures; books, books, and more books; the little things in life that make it so comfortable--toothbrushes, hot water, plumbing, electricity; technology--okay, i'm little obsessed with apple products, food glorious food, a job--even when i don't enjoy it, transportation that allows me to see my family.

We have seen miracles this year as 3 babies were born, and 1 child will be married, and 2 grandchildren baptized. My parents also are also reaping benefits of their hard work in their business, that has allowed them to travel to various parts of the world.

Forgive me for getting alittle personal, but...

Most of all, I am so grateful for my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I cannot begin to comprehend the love that He has for each individual, but I will be forever grateful for the perfect and matchless life He lived, so that He could atone and die for our sins, trials, tribulations, sorrows, pains, sickness, and all that we will experience in this life. I am so grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel in the fullness of times, I am grateful to know what I know and to have the Holy Ghost with me always. What a blessing and gift that is....I love this gospel, I love my family, and I love my life.

God has blessed us so well.

Part II to be continued.

the julia of two of a kind

2011-11-20T16:55:00.001-07:00

the sister just left me.
.....tear.........

we probably had too much fun. it should be considered illegal.
we went bridesmaid dress shopping with Danielle's (future S-I-L) mom & sister. they rock.
we also went straight to Danielle's BYU senior violin recital. She basically rocked the house.
i was seriously stunned, amazed, in awe, and everything in between.
Danielle's bridal shower followed the recital, and in between I got to walk around byu with mom and julia. between all of these events i think i was fed the best that day than any other day in college.
moral of the story=wedding events bring about great food! :)
that night we went to the byu football game, basically dominated that too.

double proof that we went to the game.

below you'll see Cosmo dressed up as batman, directing the BYU Marching Band.

(they play batman's theme song)

julia came to church w/ me and i was able to play a piano arrangement of "For the Beauty of the Earth." (hymn no. 92). That was the first special musical number i've done since summer...so i was nervous. we had a great sunday block, and afternoon cooking together.
julia was awesome to have around.

she has gotta be my best friend.

it was so fun to have her hang out with me this weekend...and then to hang out with her this coming week at home. i've always looked up to julia since we were little. and i still do everyday.
she lives a life that is different than any other person. she is kind, sweet, gentle, doesn't speak ill of anyone, the best scriptorian, love for service and extremely compassionate.
after she left my roommate said, "there is no one that could possibly hate her, she is just way too nice."

i agree.

life in rewind.

2011-11-17T10:18:00.001-07:00

President Monson speaking at BYU Devotional

11.1.11 President Monson spoke to the BYU Students at our weekly devotional. Everyone skipped class to try to get good seats, but when i knew i had no chance, i went to my first class anyways. I enjoyed the 5th highest row in the Marriott Center. I didn't really care...I was there and that was good enough for me. This was the highlight of my freshman year.

Some highlights from his talk:
-Each of you is one of a kind
-1 Timothy 4:12--Followers of Christ should be as a lights to the world. Light is something that illuminates--just like a light switch in a dark world.
-"When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed. And changed me and women can change the world."-Ezra Taft Benson
-Knowing the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is the most important education.
-"You are more then you have become, Remember, remember who you are."- Lion King

At the end of his talk when he quoted Lion King....
I knew that President Monson+Lion King=profundity.
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11.13.11
This last Sunday we had Elder M. Russell Ballard, from the quorum of the twelve Apostles come speak to my Stake Conference, held in the HFAC on campus.

A few highlights:
-Perfection is a process, not an event.
-We are the future leaders of the Kingdom of God, we will be prepared.
-Get married. I'm not going to go on about this, because we can talk about it until the cows come home, and that won't solve anything. So do it, have faith.
-Rule your life with Faith.
-There are impulses in our life to call someone, or write a note to someone, don't ignore them. DO IT. Follow the promptings of the Spirit. When Pres. Monson gets a prompting, HE MOVES.
-Feed your Spirit by doing the simple things-pay tithing, read scriptures, pray, let the Lord know you are on His side, and He will direct your life. He will help you in your classes and to do well in this university.

-A really special part at the end was when he pronounced a blessing upon us as a Stake. It was powerful, and i'll share a few things he said,
"May your desire to know this Lord increase. May your ability to balance everything in life increase. Keep you safe from harm & protect you from the evils of the world, and may your family be blessed. May you be prepared in every way possible the leadership of the church. "

"Jesus Christ is for me the same for you. Our best friend."
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peace out, Provo

2011-11-14T22:16:00.001-07:00

my blog is where i post the most monumental events that are happening in my life, right? right. so let me to explain to you my plans in 3 words. PEACE. OUT. PROVO. emily is going to Belize come spring/summer terms. I know, i know, i'm sorta throwing all my plans out the window. but...lets just say i'm highly considering this. One of my best friends will be the Country Director for HELP International (the organization I would go through), so that be a double plus. don't judge or hate me too much.
if you want to sponsor me...i'd probably love you forever.

and for all my readers (hi mom!) don't fret. I still have time, so if things don't go as plan, maybe i can do this summer 2013.

side note

2011-11-10T19:09:00.001-07:00

p.s. i'm starting to update my "religion files" tab on the left. so check it out! :)
and let me know if you have any suggestions.

<------------------------------------------------------

the final stage of life....for my phone

2011-11-09T01:06:00.000-07:00

guess who's phone is just about to give up the ghost. yep. this one. after surviving a life of nearly 7 years, it has proven to be the most durable piece of machinery i know. oh my little kumquah, don't die on me yet. you've survived 4 other family members--please just last through me.

--thanks to my dad teaching us that duct tape fixes everything. i've been using a good deal of tape to hold this sucker together. although its no longer shutting properly, it still works for now. tape and all.

so please just call me so the entire world can see this hideous piece of crap when i pull it out of my pocket. you would be doing us all a favor.

reunion of 156.

2011-11-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

it snowed here on sunday.

and i admit that ever since then i have been celebrating this snow with copious doses of hot chocolate.

alright, so don't judge.

to break the fast I invited my summer roommates from wells 156 to come over and eat lunch.
it was an excellent excuse for me to actually cook something--other then instant oatmeal (which is proving to work as a stable diet these days).
i made some corn chowder (but it was so much better than last time). or, maybe it just tasted so good because i was fasting.....i haven't really decided yet. :)

my roommates (i can't believe i forgot to get a picture of us) and i, headed up to the CES fireside to hear President Boyd K. Packer. I surely hope that was not the last time we will hear from him. He loves the doctrine so much--and he is such an example to me because of the amount of influence he has had with CES. CES has been a big part of my life---and will hopefully be my profession!

A few notes from his talk:

-he counseled to "keep our spiritual debt paid off"--don't postpone repentance. do it now.
-he began by saying, "he had an unquenchable desire to bear testimony of the Father." (am i the same?)
-if you at first stumble, do not give up. if you confess your sins, do not look back.
-don't avoid personal contemplation or guilt conscious. you can always be forgiven, you can always change.
-you are not perfect, but you are moving along and trying.
-"come unto Him."

i'm astounded that i was able to hear the Prophet last week, President Packer on Sunday, and Elder Ballard--as well as a member of the 70 next Sunday. God is so good to us.

don't you wish you were at this lunch?

life is great. i don't want to waste any of my time here on earth--and hoping that i am making the best use of time. i'm realizing i can't do it all....and thats okay, but thats why we have our Father in Heaven's help. (read this talk for more on that) i also realized, that there is no such thing as mid-terms. its just more colleges ideas of continuous test and projects due all at the same time, every time. only 6 more weeks in the semester. and right now, the word on my mind is: endure.

but remember, this life is not to just be endured but to be happy along the way.

enjoying the small things

2011-11-05T03:00:00.000-06:00

Because i am a lover of all things beautiful...i wanted to share with you something that is truly beautiful.
This blog, is wonderful. Its the life of a sweet family in Florida with their adorable daughters, Lainey and Nella. Nella was born with Down Syndrome. Despite this, she is a beautiful and perfect little girl. I have so much respect for this mother---and all mothers for that matter. I had about 1/40 chance of being a down syndrome baby considering how old my mother was when she had me. And now I have made it my college major to help those that are born with mental and physical challenges--specifically autism--and other such disorders. But, if you have time, take a moment and read about the joys she finds in the small things in life. Read Here. I think there is so much we all can learn from this woman's life. She inspires me to see the beauty in the small and simple things in life that make life worth living.

frozen head to toe.

2011-11-02T19:47:00.000-06:00

in case you feel like your life sucks right now.
let me humor you on the dealings of my life currently, and you might, just might feel better about yours.

i just failed a test. legitimately. am i sad? yes. am i laughing? yes.
i currently only have 1 glove--probably due to the fact i haven't done laundry in about 3-4 weeks. so....what do i use instead. my ever so trusty one sock. (yep, can't find the mate to that one either. they must be a perfect pair.)
my lunch & dinners have currently consisted of vending machine grub. this is teaching me tolerance, thats for sure. too bad tonight, i was hoping for some good brain food for my test, and sure enough i bought a breakfast burrito. (stupid me, i punched in the wrong # code). if there are two words that i hate in this life, they are breakfast burritos. that is the one food item i seriously can not stomach. probably because someone made me eat one of my 18th birthday and i found way too many eggshells in my burrito to consider it healthy. my life expectancy just dropped dramatically.
every morning i find my bike seat frozen. entirely. it doesn't really help biking when it feels like -4 degrees. lets just say, i have a new found appreciation for the pioneers.
i still have yet to turn in a paper that was due on Monday at 5. time management is definitely in my favor thats for sure.
i was the last one working today. basically, no one cared that my job was finished so they let me stay 20 mins after the shift was over to finish my job. nice, real nice.
as a matter of food. i have 1 egg. 1/2 gallon of milk. stale cereal. and butter. those foods combined can seriously make a wondrous meal. (my pancake mix bag finally gave up the ghost a few nights ago. I had a ceremonial throwing away moment in my heart. only for a second.)
my "to do" list that rings on my computer of reminders of things i need to do, is currently at a whopping 15 items left undone. awesome.
yesterday it rained. all day. being the true oregonian i am...i wasn't worried. but alas, i was wet from 9:30am-6pm. that basically sucked.
after tomorrow i don't have a test until next thursday. huzzah. that is beauty.
it is currently no shave November (oh wait, i started that 2 weeks ago.) which is great for me. but i think my number of friends just decreased by half...i feel like thats being generous.

the one sock and one glove wonder.

so basically... life is splendid. i'm alive. i have eyes. ears. a nose. so i'm great. just life (and everything i didn't mention) don't seem to be working out in my favor. but let me tell you this....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

in honor of November. i'll be doing 5 things I'm grateful for each day.

TOUCH: I get to hold a pen in my hand which has allowed me to unlock so much knowledge from this world as I write notes over and over again from lectures and talks. the pen is a powerful outlet in my life.

EYES: I see the beautiful snow covered mountains encircling around me. That in itself is a reminder why I love this place.

HEAR: I heard the inspired, sincere, heartfelt words of the Prophet, President Monson as he spoke to my university, and through the spirit personally to me.

SMELL: I get to smell the crisp autumn air that is bitterly cold but always refreshing.

TASTE: I taste the sweetness of the holidays. I too often forget that i don't have any health issues that limit me from eating....anything.

God is good to us. So go and be happy. Serve. Be thankful and....

don't postpone joy.

hallows eve party

2011-10-30T01:09:00.000-06:00

i almost declined the moment to blog--because of being highly comatose thanks to the halloween candy.
but that would mean i have to do my laundry. and at midnight, that doesn't fancy me so much. (think i can get away with not doing laundry until i go home for Thanksgiving? we'll see....)
so i'll blog instead.

the dwelling place: em's apt.

(mom: thanks to reliv cans...we have a lovely display--who knew they would become so useful! :)

the attendees:
(keep in mind, alot of the people that were going to come, got sick, were out of town, or at another one of the 39472 halloween parties--so props to those who came)

ashley nelson. probably one of my kindred spirits in life.

gemma. she wins the best roommate award for driving me to maceys and DI today to prep for the party.

craig walker. if this picture doesn't make you laugh. something is wrong with you. he'll be serving in bolivia in december.

jorgen davidson. thanks to his sweet meal plan card....it has helped fund party goods and my pantry.
(and Zac his roommate, is not pictured)

in case you were wondering what i might possibly dress up....have no fear, i was an M&M. since it fits my name quite appropriately...eM.

although i hate the halloween holiday, it was nice to gather and do something "different." this fall has been sorta of semester of being anti-social, and to bring some chaos in our apt. probably did us some good. we made caramel apples, and demonstrated throwing-and-catching-in-peoples-mouth skills, and eating. of course. probably the most fundamental part of the party.it was splendid.

until next holiday....
(my personal favorite is coming up...an ugly sweater birthday party--i guess i'm just bias because it'll be my birthday.)

and ashley's roommate came too. and pulled some tae kwon do moves on me.
basically just imagine her standing there--and me wincing in anticipating, before she even does anything. thats how it went down. she claims she doesn't carry a rape whistle with her. me on the other hand, keep my whistle in my mouth when i'm biking in the dark. i can't believe i just admitted that in public.

tales from the sick

2011-10-25T18:40:00.000-06:00

there are a few things I've discovered in my lifetime about myself, and one of them is clear that i probably have the lowest immunity of all time. lets face it. I missed 1 month of school in 3rd grade because i had a series of a virus, then strep, then virus, then strep. the time i came home from the hospital after being tested for mono was probably the highlight of my year. (you want to know why? because i got a sick looking bandage on my arm where they drew the blood for testing.) I became accustomed to living a sick life. I probably watched the Disney movies more than any other child. I was a master at Lincoln Logs and Legos and the Beauty and the Beast 350 piece puzzle. But my sick days came to an end real quick when I started drinking Reliv religiously everyday. Lets just say that from then on, I never missed a day of school because of illness. Considering 0% immunity, I was able to be on the go from 5:30 am-midnight on a regular basis because i was taking reliv. So you get an idea of my less than functioning life I would have early morning seminary. Have school for 6 hours. Attending Private violin or piano lesson (depending on the day), go back to the school for Journalism Production, then Oregon Youth Orchestra or Beauty and the Beast --the High School Musical reherseals/Performances until 12pm, or my weekly babysitting job. That day didn't even include time to do HW or have a small extent of a social life. But that truly wouldn't have been possible without reliv.

Last week when I was in the heat of midterms I would end up spending 10 hour days on campus and work and failed to get in my reliv shake, and I paid for it. I got really sick for a couple days, then got better then last night I faced the toilet bowl head on, as it asked for my food from the night before. Its always the most unpleasant experience especially when you've gotten no sleep--and you know its inevitable. So today i've managed to lay in bed for probably a good 8 hours moaning in pain, crying like a baby, and wanting to cut my body off. I'm working on eating this entire package of Saltines and gatorade and reliv and water and sprite. My roommates are mandating that I wear a mask around my mouth so i don't germify anything else. And....they've deep cleaned the bathroom, and all the doorknobs so there are tissues next to the front door for people to use to open the door.

What you'll see if you come to our apt. :

pretending to be feminine

2011-10-20T11:50:00.000-06:00

i grew up a tom-boy.
fact: in the first grade, i refused to wash my favorite pair of socks for an entire month, because i was afraid of losing them amongst 8 other siblings socks.
solution: my mother told me that my 1st grade teacher--who i absolutely adored--called and said that my feet smelled and that i needed to wash my socks. i was devastated. and with that i handed over the rotten smelling socks to my mother.

fact: i wore a pair of over-sized basketball shorts, YMCA t-shirt, and byu sweatshirt, every single day of 5th grade. And I can recall my hair being pulled back into a pony tail everyday, with the exception of picture day. that was for my mother.

but, to my dismay, i'm afraid my tom-boy days have to be officially over. I'm at a university now. (laugh).
and thats what big kids do--dress and act their gender. Check out Deut 22:5.

so, i'm always looking for solutions to dress myself up--in the fastest, most efficient way possible. Because I do like my beauty sleep. So I came across a tutorial that has probably changed my life for the better. I'll post the tutorial tomorrow. but for now, i wanted to share with you the product of easiness at its finest.

the best part= i don't have to use a curling iron.

don't fret my thin-haired-sister, curls have never held in my hair for an entire day, okay, lets face it, an entire span of 3 hours, but this works. i even bike up and down hill and it still is holding. oh, alas, i am happy.

(sorry for the vain shot--but it was just so you can get a better idea)
okay. got to go to class. SEE YA.

a mid term love affair

2011-10-17T18:18:00.000-06:00

school is great. i rather enjoy learning so many new things. but these mid terms--that have lasted for an entire month. can really die right now. lets just light it on fire and let them burn.

pardon me. I should probably sensor my words and make this more PG.

but 4 of my hardest mid terms this week. 1 next week. and 2 last week. ahhhh.

did i mention that i completed my anthro mid term in the course of 1 night. The assignment was basically the equivalent to an assignment i had my junior year of high school. and lets just say our class spent months, and months preparing for that 10-15 page paper, when i cranked it out in 1 night. hmmm...i should've learned something by now.

also, it was 9 pm on Friday night. I had a paper due at midnight. I thought to myself, well now is a good time to watch the movie i'm suppose to write about. watched it. wrote the paper and turned it in with 15 mins. to spare.

is this method practical? no, not really. workable? i suppose so. College like? absolutely.

i went out side to study since i didn't want to bike to school...and this is what i look at...BEAUTIFUL.

i love that in UT, we get ONE tree that changes colors, and in OR, the leaves are changing EVERYWHERE.

i found the BEST spot in the library to study. a little cubicle. its awesome. i don't get cell service down there, and slow Internet connection so it FORCES me to study. i end up spending more time there in that chair then I do at my own apt. and I suppose just the act of studying in the library makes my intelligence factor go up about 60%!

and for posterity's sake....i made homemade corn chowder! it was delicious. and that night I also had homemade bread and homemade almond milk. (and broiled the asparagus). pretty domestic!

okay. going to study now.

live in fear, mid terms are here.

domesticity: how to make almond milk

2011-10-10T17:48:00.000-06:00

if any of you know my name, lewis, you know that i love chocolate, newspaper, but most of all milk.
my dad was raised on a dairy, so by default my family raised me on the delicacy of milk, and i dare say, we never ate a meal without milk.
although, milk is not extremely budget friendly for the amount i consume. I swear, I keep the byu creamery in business because of number of gallons i buy. i'll always buy extra, just for good measure.

i've been trying to switch over to a life-style that allows me to connect with my inner-hippie-ness, since i hail from the great roots of Portland, Oregon. So now i believe in doing everything homemade. hence, the almond milk. (okay, sorta just kidding)

let 1 Cup of Almonds soak in water for 8 hours or overnight.

rinse them off well in a strainer

place the 1 C of Almonds in the blender with 4 cups of water, 1/4 tsp. of Salt, 1/2 tsp. of Vanilla and a spoonful of honey. (I wish i would have added another spoonful of honey or a couple spoonfuls of sugar.)

Blend very well. My blender (since its a real cheap one) ran for maybe like 4 mins. on high.

once everything is blended really well. place your nut milk bag (you can purchase one here) in a large bowl and begin pouring the milk from the blender into the bag. I poured it in the bag 1/2 of the blender at a time. The really small almond chunks will not strain through so you squeeze the bag and get as much milk out as you can. Once that is complete...you're done!

basically why i love doing this so much, is because i know exactly what is going into what i am eating.

nuts are rather expensive, so i need to break down the costs exactly to see if its worth it, but i like knowing that i made this myself and that it is safe, healthy, and nutritious.

enjoy!

this one is for my mother

2011-10-05T17:48:00.000-06:00

warning: before looking at pictures below, you best be in a good health condition or serious side affects can occur.

mother, if you haven't gone into cardiac-arrest at the sight of this atrocious room, i commend you. don't fret, cleaning checks are on monday, so i will clean it....eventually.

mother, this has been the majority of my caloric intake for the past 3 days. did i mention i paid $6 for the large back of childhood-memory cereal? eating the first bowl was like tasting christmas all over again, for the past nineteen years of my life.
You may question if this was....
Ridiculous? Naturally. Economically Sound? Perhaps not. Healthy? Lets not even go there.
Delicious? Of course. Worth it? Most definitely.

and mother, this is what my hair can do too.....be a big mess. i'm afraid i'm going to go on a archaeological dig for random items i've been losing lately. oh, like my house key, every single day.

(some may never look at me the same after this picture....)

lastly mother (and all of you), i'd smile like this if you sent me something in the mail. believe me there is nothing more depressing then opening your mail box only to be given ads for things you can't afford to buy. shout out to the best sister award--meredith. you know how to win my heart----money to buy cereal! thanks for literally feeding my cereal obsession. I know we must be sisters.

oh and why you all go pretend to play house with children and changing diapers, i'm going to go attempt to read my 13974 pages of hw, and too many essays, and tests to study for.

did i mention that Provo rained (and still is raining) today. i attest that rain is the perfect cure for homesickness, probably because i am still such an Oregonian at heart. #lovemyorgin

F15 Formula

2011-10-03T21:44:00.000-06:00

tonight, we established the fastest--but best tasting--way to get your freshman 15.
let me illustrate.

add copious amounts of nutella to ice-cream.

apply nutella mustaches on face (aka: mexistache)

and done.

after tonight, BYU is changed for the better.
shoot, they should pay us.

oh, wait, otherway around. we pay them to let us eat ice cream, avoid papers, mock FHE groups, and get fat.
the ignorant life is bliss.

whats making me smile

2011-09-30T12:47:00.000-06:00

if this week was any indication of how the rest of the semester is going to be...then i'm scared.

phew. its just about over. but...theres still something to smile about. so humor me...

after a particularly exhausting morning...i walked to the Talmage Building women's bathroom--and sunk deep in the couch and slept. It was wonderful. I also studied. But lesson learned: if you don't turn your music up load enough, you'll be accompained by the sound of pee from the next room over.

mama: be proud! i made 2 loaves of homemade bread. that was my ultimate domistic-ity day. made bread. did so many dishes. cleaned. baked. studied. my brain/body was out of commission for a while.

I attended the General RS Conference....which gave me needed beautiful inspired direction in my life.

this doesn't technically make me smile....(since there is a good portion of my savings put into these books...) but...being at this university does.

and cousins! what else could you need in life!

and i met a new friend...Kristy Rich. She is a friend of Derek's, and he suggested we meet. Ironically enough, she has Bishop Syrbowsky as her bishop this year!

and on Sunday night i went and visited Kristy and the Sybrowsky family at their ward prayer--and it made my week!

a General--(specific)--Conference

2011-09-29T01:06:00.000-06:00

today in my new testament class we talked about that General Conference, and opportunity to listen to our Living Prophet on the earth today, is a time where the living Apostles speak to the World-Wide LDS church generally, and on general topics/principles of our gospel.

But, let us not forget that we can make this a Specific Conference for ourselves.

I am so excited about Conference this weekend, this weekend is better than Christmas, my birthday, and graduation combined. I live for Conference.

I always am inspired to improve my life in so many ways after conference, I am excited for new change, challenges, goals, and the motivation to become more like My Father in Heaven.

Its not enough for me to know that truthfulness of the church, i have to BE that example.

(i know its cheese...but.....you get the point)

happy birthday google!

2011-09-27T11:46:00.000-06:00

Happy 13th Birthday Google!

Thank you for gracing this world with your presence. Because you are the ultimate source of knowledge in this world. We'd be lost with out you. And although against your will, I existed for 5 years with out knowledge, until you were born. Because of this loss, i've been blocking those 5 years out.

And because of you google--let us bask in your wonderful glory.

Happy Birhtday...I think i'll go celebrate with a piece of pie, for you.
I'm so nice.

xo, ems

p.s. everyone google "chrome extensions" it'll change your life! plus if you go to googles main page, you can change the background--which i've never really been partial to because i like everything plain and original--but if you wanted you could even do a picture of your family. pretty sweet, huh?
yeah, we like google. you can stick around for awhile.

me and pepe

2011-09-26T16:54:00.000-06:00

say hello to pepe. my bike. (although this isn't my EXACT bike, just invision a girl version of it.)

but this is what pepe and i basically looked like as i biked home from the grocery store.

my backpack was filled to the brim--i swear the zipper was going to break.

it was quite a sight--one that won't be forgotten.

as i placed an item in my cart, i reconsidered the unfortunate fact that i would biking with it. and then i proceeded to quickly place said item back on shelf.

this method definitely kept my food cost down.

did i mention that i stood in the Yam section for good ten minutes trying to figure out what qualified as a good yam. and since i was at a lower end market (thats all my college budget can afford), flys and bugs flew around everytime i lifted a yam...

not sure if it was a pile of yams, or a pile of compost.

so this is what is like to live on your own.

everyday is an adventure to say the least.

but thanks to good ol' pepe...we get around Provo quite well.

i'm going to actually go cook something now (besides cookies or pancakes *gasp* thats a first)

BYU for the WIN

2011-09-23T22:48:00.000-06:00

it was friday night lights at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

and instead of leaving early from a horrible lost (last week is still rough),

we walked away skipping, happy, and thrilled to be winners!

Amanda and everyone else is an EMILY

oh beautiful summer/fall nights in provo. i love the weather here. (well, we will if i say that in the winter) but for now, its wonderful. i still find myself in awe that i am here, at this great university.
The hand of the Lord is present in all things.

SCOREBOARD. PROOF, that we can WIN!

This was probably the most wonderful 2 half I have ever enjoyed watching. And with the first TD we celebrated with some churros! I swear it was a good omen that let us win the rest of the game!

EMILY LYBBERT. one of the coolest emily's, besides myself of course.

HOW YOU DO YOU SPELL AWESOME? = EMILY (emily Lybbert, emily Lewis, emily Kelsey--our moms must be alot of alike. funny story, emily Lybberts and i are just exactly a month apart, and emily Kelsey and I donated our hair with in two days of each other this past April...weird!)

to my future husband

2011-09-22T22:50:00.000-06:00

dear future husband,

On our wedding day, i'm going to be this happy and more. not because you will be the next King of England, or because I will be wearing a beautiful designer dress. but simply, because I will be marrying you in The Temple. and thats whats important right?

xo, ems

(inspiration from Dear Future Husband)

i've found true love

2011-09-22T00:04:00.000-06:00

love. is the real reason we are at byu right?

agreed.

well, i have gasping, earth-shatteirng, hold the phone news.

i've fallen in love.

(and not to a person)

this is the part where you should be worried.

but alas, i present my true love....

its unfortunate we haven't met until now. but now that we've met. we probably wont separate. (hint hint, mom --my birthday/christmas is in 3 months!)

this is actually my friends kitchen-aid from my ward. but i promised her i'd let her eat a few cookies.

this is me making cookies at midnight, (and i can do that, because it has the quietist, softest hum you've heard.) because basically. my brain is out of commission for studying.

literally. and my body too. walking, running, biking everywhere.

so this is therapy.

so, mother, want to make me the happiest person alive....

and i'll love you forever. (well, even if you don't buy me this)

and this is true perfection. yummmm.

hold your applause

2011-09-20T19:39:00.000-06:00

remember how i promised a clogging video.
well, i really just promised to do social suicide. thats right.

but to appease you, i bring you humiliation in its finest form of 48 seconds.
so do me the honors and watch me clog.

thats right. you know i just rocked.

p.s. oh wait, i just watched it...and somehow, something got messed up--but you can't hear half the clogging. which was the whole point. :( so, someother day i'll try. but not today. i want to breathe first.

RED ALL OVER (byu lost)

2011-09-18T23:05:00.000-06:00

if you were wondering, i'm still mourning the loss of the tragic game of byu vs. utah. our school rivals.
this loss was a greater heartbreak then anything i've experienced.
but i have to say it was my first byu game ever, which was pretty epic. since we were on the 26th row of the North side of the stadium and even better, i got to be with ALL the cousins.
We had a pre-party at my apt. with some delicious grub and some pre-game watching.
it was so fun to see the streets lined with "Rise Up" flags & everyone on campus earlier that day was wearing blue. i loved it.

but, this was byu lewis territory.

sometimes gemma and i do weird things

2011-09-16T15:12:00.000-06:00

pardon if you highly sensitive to disturbing pictures.
this just happens to be my roommate, Gemma's ear.
oh, and a needle sticking through it.

wasn't my idea.

blame her.

okay, so what if i helped her.

don't worry. she took it out. we may be blamed to be on crack, but whats not to love.

randominium

2011-09-15T08:42:00.000-06:00

Its 8:28 am, i have class at 10am, and i'm sitting here, still in my jams. (thats pajamas for you non-so-clever-at-emily-lingo). i'm not worried. i just ate my ritual breakfast of buttermilk pancakes. it was probably my 30th time having it...which is alot considering i've only been in college for about three weeks. "you are not making pancakes again are you..." my roommate commented as she noticed i began liting the stove. yeah, well she's just jealous she doesn't have a 3LB bag of prepared pancake mix in her cupboard. today, i'm crossing my fingers hoping i won't see anyone i know since its going to be one of those days....you know just by the words "one of those days..." its going to be self-absorb post. pardon me for that.

Lets see. What've I learned this week.

-Drink straight from the milk carton. yes, when you have no dishwasher, it means one less dish to wash.

-assigned readings done after class are much more effective

-accept to go on dates 2 times in a week if it means free food. (i'm horrible, i know.)

-my skirt/curled hair theory was disproven this week. unfortunately.

-keep deoderant with you at all times. in all things. and in all places. completely necessary for a clogging student. or...just me.

-i have become the pro at jaywalking. seriously. college teachings you to be the champion of that.

-living at Wyview is fine. but, walking pasting by the stadium everyday, sorry jules, but the novelty is dying....real quick.

okay. ciao readers. i have a class. i have to walk for half and hour. and i don't want to fail.

p.s. THE HOLY WAR IS THIS SATURDAY. THATS WHATS UP.

for the record

2011-09-12T20:08:00.000-06:00

remember when i spilled my weeping wails of being homeless, friendless, foodless, and basically everything '-less', well, I just for my history sake, I wanted to mention some of my helps during my time of desperate struggle.

these are my good friends...the Sybrowsky Family. They are heaven sent. I love their family and they were so kind to host me for days. They even let me drive their mini van around to get me to church, and the stores. They are such faithful members of the gospel, and they inspire me to be better. Their daughters are the best! They called me their older sister and they were the younger sisters that i never had! They were so kind to take me out to dinner with the entire Sybrowsky Family (yes, the extended family, so basically, I ate dinner with a General Authority--and visited their house too--because Bishop Sybrowsky's dad is in the 2nd Quorum of the 70. ) What blessed people they are, and I will always remember their kindness. The "bennett" sisters: Rachel, Hannah, Eliza, Kate, Hope (just like Pride & Prejudice).

And the temple. My most favorite place in Provo, UT. I get the opportunity to attend the temple after each shift i work at the MTC. Since its sooo close, I never want to miss the opportunity. I love it. Love it. LOVE it. The only reason I would ever want to be married at this age, was so that I could be endowed and work at the temple weekly or more often then that. In OR we would have to drive 45 mins to get to the temple (only by appt. and now, I can walk 25 mins up from my apt. and i'm there!)
The temple is the best!

"When we live righteously and have

received the ordinances of the temple,

everything else is in the hands of the Lord."

-Elder Richard G. Scott

p.s. did i mention....I was present in the Marriott Center when Elder Dallin H. Oaks and his wife spoke to the YSA on 9-11-11, and tomorrow for devotional, I get to hear from Elder Neil L. Anderson...two general authorities in 3 days....i'm seriously loving life right now!

byu vs. texas

2011-09-11T22:01:00.000-06:00

so yesterday i had to work the lunch and dinner shift at the mtc yesterday. which is no beuno. because...that meant i wouldn't be able to watch the byu game vs. texas. but, i lucked out because the guy i was subbing for, also had another sub. so...i got off the hook. i came home just in time for kick off.
i invited my friend melissa over (knew her from summer term) and we made pizza and watched the game.
it was a sad day in provo town to see the cougs lose.
so we ate away our sorrow with ice cream.

proof and documentation that i can make things out of a can. :)

i even put on my byu shirt for the game. true dedication right there.

p.s. i might or might not have stolen that shirt unintentionally. :)

the glorious pizza that i made. and since i didn't have a rolling pin..i used a can of soup instead. genius.

melissa didn't like my selection of food.

i know that this a crap picture..but during the end of summer term they had graduation and they lit the Y. and since i didn't have a tripod...it came out quite blurry.

college lesson 101: a keeper

2011-09-08T17:43:00.000-06:00

fact: i live in wyview. the farthest housing away from campus to still be considered "on-campus" housing. its title of "on campus" is quite deceiving since its out in the boondocks of provo. literally.
to say you trek up hill both ways through the snow might be an understatement.

okay, okay, okay, maybe not that bad...but you get the idea. however, being a 30-40 minute walk (one way) from campus it makes it quite inconvenient when you're running late to class and you possess no form of transportation (bike, car, bus pass.) nothing, nada, zero.

so, i've been running an experiment as of late to test how i can best and most efficiently get from point a (wyview), to point b (campus). its simple.
the days i curl my hair and wear a skirt, i get picked up by boys in their cars. SCORE. (side note: I should add that i was quite surprised because I figured my outfit was fashion suicide today as i wore a Mexico blouse--compliments of the roommate, and a skirt, and chacos, rather unusual combination to say the least.)
the days i go in jeans, tennies, and a t-shirt, i don't even get smiles.
but, this theory and experiment has been proved successful twice now!

it bugs me to pieces when cars drive RIGHT pass you in the wyview parking lot while you're walking with your backpack that probably weighs 1/2 the amount as you...wait, that'd be 1/4 of the amount in my case. (just kidding).

so...college lesson learned.

p.s. funny, since this happened today, turns out the guy (from Ohio) in the car was in my cousin Whitney Lewis's ward his freshman year, and she was his very first college date. Go figure right.

p.s.s. did i forget to mention that i'm actually in my art history class right now, probably considered purpously failing since i've been writing this...but, not to worry...i'll live. :)

some recent happenings

2011-09-06T23:05:00.001-06:00

humor me, while i rack my brain of things i can blog about and enlighten (or humor) your life with. since that does seem like an often occurance...making fun of emily's life. furthermore. i have textbooks calling my name. but my bed is too. the soft sweet feel or jersey sheets make college livable. yes, they were a few extra dollars at target, but i assure you, they were more than worth it. (thank you mother.)

today, i indulged in cafe rio pork salad. and when i mean indulge, it really was indulging. after today, i swear to myself, i will only eat that platter of sweety delicious goodness on special occasions because i swear it just doubled my chance of a heart attack. just the thought of cafe rio makes my heart beat fast, or feel like butter sliding down a piece of hot toast. its undescribable.

on another note. i ate 4.5 cookies and a bowl of ice cream for dinner. so today better not be repeated for a long long time.
and humor me, a missionary friend (please, emphasize the FRIEND), sent me an email with pictures of his mission, so for histories sake, i'll share one. or two with you. feel honored.

okay. time to go study, even though in order for this study sesh, i took a 20 min. nap so i could bear all this reading. getting home at 9:30 from a work meeting, and having classes all day, just doesn't give you enough time in the day. so here is to being scholastic. something i'm trying to be.

byu womens resource

2011-09-02T00:31:00.000-06:00

so i am pumped. today has been one heck of a day.
i was on campus for 12 hours...and the thought that i have to be back there for a lab in less then 10 hrs is alittle discouraging. oh well. President Erying in his 1997 talk, "A Child of God", said that one of the main attributes of a leaner is to "plow through adversity."

but...the good news of the day is...

i applied and was chosen to participate in the Women's Athletic Research.
What this means is..

I'll be required to wear a pedometer for 6-7 months, and i'll be responsible for downloading the info of it on my computer every 2 weeks and submitting it.
I'm also asked to reach a certain number of steps each day for them
I will be tested monthly to see growth in muscle mass, healthiness, etc.
I will record a monthly food diet account.
best part...i get paid $150!!!!! (FREE MONEY!) :)

I'm stoked! i'm doing it with my roommate Gemma. So this should be way fun. I go in for my first test on Friday where i'll perform a series of exercise i suppose....so we will see how this all turns out :)

college therapy. photo booth status.

2011-08-31T19:37:00.000-06:00

contrary to popular belief. we do have lives.

here in college relm.

even amongst college classes and studying.

college is...

free ice cream parties

sleeping through first day of classes

tooo many people on campus (my goodness)

late nights & early mornings

bathroom episodes involving teethbrushing. (don't ask)

but its also alot of fun.

amen.

ready. set. college.

2011-08-28T21:49:00.000-06:00

wyview dorm #270

the byu college starting line round 2 begins in less than 12 hours.
em's musings of byu thus far:

:: i'm bias, and will be loving summer term way more than fall semester, unless fall pulls it together. so far, summer just can't be beat.
:: freshman girls fashion...they try so hard.
:: i feel like i'm at efy, but with 5,000 people.
:: i decided this week i'm going to get my masters. never thought that before.
:: i just like school. alot. i have never loved learning like this until now.
:: i haven't ate a bowl of cheerios and chco. chips in over a week. now that is an accomplishment.
:: my wardrobe just doubled in size. bingo. although, she is alot skinner, i will FIND things that fit. i love roommates.
:: wyview is different. and for the most part i'm still partial to heritage, but, i'm like this change and difference of experience.
:: i need to leave for work sooner so i will stop showing up to work, sweaty like a wet dog because a) i have to run the entire way (mind you at 6:45 in the morning), or b) i have to bike uphill super fast (mind you on a bike much to small for me).
:: after deep discussion with my roommate, i realized, i have had the perfect and ultimate life someone could have. my perspective on life and experiences has changed dramatically...and i feel so lucky.
:: this is no time to waste in my life. i have the resources, means, and ability with the Lord's help (only) to be something.

what goes down in lewis town

2011-08-25T00:55:00.000-06:00

we've had the delight pleasure of hosting my sister and her four beautiful children this week and the next week while they wait to move into their house since they just trekked across the country after living on the east coast for ten years.

but in the midst of them staying here, i am packing up my belongings again and set off for my byu fall semester. elated would be an exaggeration of how i feel at the moment...home was just too nice.

think about it. free food. free laundry. free everything. it just seems too perfect doesn't it. and now i shake my head confused why i wanted to leave so badly in the first place.
but i assure you, last night when i didn't park the car right, and dad scolded me (in a kind way of course), i complained under my breath--and thought--oh, this is why i wanted to leave.

but truly, it has been wonderful coming back. the 12 hour drive starting at 6 am does not sound very appealing at the moment. i'm going to miss the unlimited amount of ice cream supply and cookies (oh wait, i already ate those by 3 days ago).

1/4 of the Lewis Family at Dinner!

auntie ems ice cream parlor is in high demand these days.

official favorite aunt. bam.

the statute of liberty--bryson style

chocolate face kiddos :)

(i know i shouldn't be proud...but check out my tan! holla!)

the tale of the hopeless college employee

2011-08-18T10:43:00.000-06:00

is it just me, or does being homeless kind of suck?
understand that i only say kind of, because, being homeless implies that you get free food from people that have sympathy on you and your poor helpless self. also, it means that people just tend to give you a little extra love like letting them use your milk, shower, towels, hair dryers, okay lets face it, everything free of charge. or, it also means that the bookstore workers won't let you kick you out of their store for sleeping there on more then one occasion. so what if i am a familiar face of one that reads the entire book without buying it and taking advantage of the comfy chairs for a nap time....they understand.

now. because i have had the opportunity to be homeless, let me recount to you one of the more adventurous days i've experienced this past weekend.

you should know that in order to pay for college i decided it was best to work two jobs during my 2 week summer break. so job #1: i am working as an information aide at education week (aka: helping 20,000 lost old people find their way around campus). This requires me to sit out in the hot, hot, hot, utah sun for 8 hours a day. best part of the job. i get paid to read and get skin cancer. well, skin cancer on half my body that is. i fortunately sit at an awkward angle that lets half of my body get sun burnt....real cute.

job #2: MTC dining. but you all knew that.

so day 1 of working both jobs was quite the fiasco. i finished my Job 1 shift at 3:30pm, which meant, i literally had 40 mins to commute and change clothes. Nothing else. not to mention it takes 35 mins. to walk to the mtc from my friends apt. so...you would have seen me running all over campus (mind you i'm in church clothes and carrying a large backpack) to get to her apt. as fast as i can. i break the law a few times in the process, but it was needful. i go to open the door, to realize that it is locked, and i for sure do not possess a key--because its not even my apt! so i call my friend. at the moment she was being fitted for her maid of honor dress. so her rescuing me was out of the question. she began spitting out instructions on how i should properly break into their apt. but, i assure, breaking into apts. is not in my expertise of skills.

so i ran to the back of their apt. complex and furiously began popping off multiple window screens and peering inside hoping i would find the right apt. after much work, i did. i then pushed my hands as tightly as i could on the glass and began sliding it back. to mu astonishment, it began opening. holla! this was a miracle. and the thought occurred to me, i'm so glad their apt. is so secure!

i threw my shoes and backpack through the small opened window, and crawled myself through, and over books, beds, and desks and finally made it on the ground. i quickly changed and at this point at 20 mins. before my shift started for job 2. i ran out the door. wait, ran is an understatement, i went full out sprinting toward the mtc, which was way too far away at this point. so it was a lost cause. in my process of sprinting, a brown van drove right past me. luckily my education week instincts kicked in, and i realized that was an ed. week van. i hurried and ran after it, waving it down with my black chef hat, and they eventually stopped for me and rolled down the window. and through my huffing and panting and not to mention much persuasion and proof that i was an ed. week employee, they let me and drove me to the mtc. lets just say that it was impeccable timing...and i know that this was a huge tender mercy of the Lord. i am "seriously, so blessed."

okay. so now that i've been completely distracted from my ed. week job by writing this post...i suppose its time to get back to getting paid to get skin cancer.

oh...and p.s. it wouldn't be a post without the mention of cheerios...so i'll just say, this morning i had my 37527493rd bowl of cheerios & chocolate chips. and i almost thought i was in heaven for second.

amen. the end. el fin. done.

homeless

2011-08-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

so incase you were wondering. but i have been living the epitomy life of a homeless person. i kidd you not. Saturday morning at 10AM we were strictly to be out of the entire hall and everything. i attest, i was the very last person out, you may wonder why...and that is because i had no where to go. luckily, i called my bishop, and he and his family rescued me by picking up my suitcase, backpack and plastic bag of food and took it to his house, so that i could go to work at the mtc. my co-worker dropped me off at his house when i was done and i've been here ever since.

in the process of packing. yeah...i had to start as soon as finals were over, so this is all i did until like 2 in the morning.

and i got pretty creative with my packing. i'm scared to unpack i tell you. i stuck everything in random places. like measuring cups in my toaster oven and oatmeal packets in the blender.

amongst the business, Crismon and I had a fun time going to j-dawgs and the temple and the creamery on friday night after i moved everything into my apt. in Wyview. We got in and out of the temple in 16 minutes i swear.

okay, and i needed to use my food, and i was starving for something besides Cheerios (i know, i never though i would say that..) so i made OJ. And all my cups and pitchers were packed up...so i threw out the macaroni noodles that meredith gave me in this jar, washed it out, and made it as basin for OJ! :) best idea ever.

i went around my hall drinking out of the canning jar, i loved it so much.

and i finally said farewell to this prison cell mattress.

goodbye heritage. nothing with top your ghettoness. thats for sure. hello wyview! :)

byu college finale

2011-08-12T14:03:00.000-06:00

summer term is over.
finally.
correction, that is not a bad finally, but a satisified finally.

final memories in heritage wells, #156:

Ward Music Chair
FHE Mom
lived with Sami, Lynette, Taylor, Amber, Sara
my RA was one of my best friends
despite high immaturity in our ward, i really loved it
took Physical Science 100, Book of Mormon 121, Social Dance 180, RMYL 223 Nature Photo.
my favorite food item was POG (passion orange guava, a drink originated in Hawaii found only at the MTC and BYU creamery)
ate cheerios and chocolate chips religiously everyday
played more games of Aquire in 2 weeks than the past 2 years
Best Girl Friends: Ashley Nelson, Tinesha Zandamela (my 1st black friend! :), Lauren Meese, Melissa Layland, Elise Otteson.
Best Guy Friends: Paul Russavage, Zac Romero, Jorgen Davidson, Alex McCown, Nick Mena
Job: MTC Dining (w/Lynette, Nick, Sami, Tinesha, Andrea)
Average Time for Bed: 2-3 AM
Favorite Snack: Toasted bread with PB & J (ate religiously 2-3x a day)
Favorite Class: Book of Mormon
Worst class: Physical Science
# of Dates: 10
Competed in DanceSport Compeition: 7th Place in Cha-Cha
Most Played Game: Foose-ball, Aquire, Ultimate Frisbee (always at midnight of course)
Hiked the Y: once
And sometimes the little things we did were my favorite memories, going to cold stone, biking to DI & the grocery store (that was fashionable, riding with chicken, milk and spaghetti noodles sticking out of your basket), building forts in the kitchen, eating burnt cookies, setting the fire alarm off for boiling water, 4 girls on their period at once (wait, that wasn't a pleasant memory), roommate dinners together, Sunday dinners with friends, 4 hr Fast Sunday Testimony Meeting, playing in church violin and piano, and conducting the choir 4 times, learning a new aspect of time management, and doing laundry at 2-3 AM.

me and nick at DanceSport Competition (wilkinson center)

trying to get good pictures for my photography class at midnight, costed me a $65 ticket. baha ha.

playing with LED lights in my halls basement

tinesha. em. megan. (152 girls)

trying to have an arm-waxing party. and avoiding homework.

i've also experienced utah's monsoons. you better believe this is what i looked like after i walked hom from class. (i really haven't gained that much weight, even though the shirt is decieving).

i went to HP 7.with some of my favorite people. :)

went tandem biking...ah. i need one of those.

accomplished the feat. getting 19 people on one couch.

put on a 4th of july picnic with some friends.

had a bonfire with friends at Kiwanis park. and played ultimate frisbee with a soccer ball. epic.

and had our first real official roommate dinner.

that is in a nutshell the life and workings of wells #156.
next adventure: WYVIEW.
and i'm STOKED.

a thursday happy list

2011-08-11T14:57:00.000-06:00

is it me. or are thursdays a little challenging to be happy.
fear not. thats why we are writing a happy list.

last day of summer term. i did it. i survived my first term of college.
i move out tomorrow. (i'll be homeless for a day, but thats an adventure right!?)
i have a job. its not glamorous, but i'm trying to think positively here.
cheerios went on sale. HUZZAH.
my roommates have too much money left on their meal plan card--which means i am the grateful recipient of free food.
i got an A in Book of Mormon. Shocker, i mean, i have been a member my entire life.
i have friends i dont have to say goodbye to because i'll see them in the fall.
fall semester is next which means...byu football.
and, its sunny outside.

so lets be happy.

pardon my absence.

2011-08-09T10:54:00.000-06:00

now that finals have arrived at alas. (can you believe it. don't you remember me showing you the firsts post from the beginning of the semester? i know. weird.) After Thursday, I will have survived (not necessariy thrived) my first college term. that is a feat in itself.

but now that the deathly finals hanging over our heads, we end up trying to avoid the word 'study' as much as possible. and i have found a couple solutions for that.
1. roommate and friend go to redbox and coldstone. and splurge. yumm.. (its like 5 times cheaper here then in OR. score!)

coldstone with friends. i really wouldn't have enjoyed this luxurious meal if it hadn't been for the John's and their generosity. They gave me a gift card to Coldstone...that i cherish and still do. Thank you!

(p.s. that was my dinner at 9:30 pm. and just for the record, Paul got Strawberry Basil ice cream...sickest thing ever. Basil--thats right, the spice basil does not belong in lucsious ice cream)

Another thing you can do, is Denny's at 1-3 am. Yeah man.

156 sister friends.

learn to do the unbearable.

and as always, it wouldn't be a college post unless i did some planking. so there, you have it.

pardon my absence. i hope to be back frequently, so i can continue to procrastinate.
until then...

the meal of champions & life in 156

2011-08-04T14:33:00.000-06:00

i walked out of walmart a few nights ago. i looked in my bag one more time and took note of the three essential food items i purchased.

a. bread (not just any bread though--we are taking on the brim of expiring so its only going to be one dollar for a multi grain seeded bread.

b. a box of cheerios. need i say more. i needed them.

c. a box of brownies. in utah they are 50 cents more than in Oregon, but, i decided this is one essential item I can splurge on.

and so i give you....the meal of champions. each item has a special place in my heart and i just count them as their own food group, since i get quite a healthy dose from each of them daily.

and for some finals therapy...this is what my roommate and i do.

this is what happens when you avoid essays, reading assignments, and cleaning.

we made sure we still had access to the refidge, stove, and oven and cupboards...so breakfast in bed!

this takes skill...

this does too. maybe someday when i need a confidence booster, i'll post the video of me coming down. you won't have seen anything like it.

hardcore parkour planking.

i never said we were normal.

this is college life.

2011-08-03T22:26:00.000-06:00

there have been so many little fun memories happening these last few weeks of classes, i don't want them to escape my memory. even though this term has been really short, our ward has grown together immensely and its sad to see that we only have one more Sunday together.

highlights worth remembering:
-For FHE we went and visited the elderly at a retirement home in Provo. It was probably the highlight of my term. We were given a list of names of those we could go visit, and so, we just knocked on doors asking if we could just stop and say hello for a few minutes. We split up in two groups since their apartments are so small. I went with Alex and Nick. We visited elderly army men, they were so cute and had flags outside their doors and all sorts of patriotic items around their apts. It was these moments when we visited these two elderly men that I was so grateful I went caroling to elderly my entire life, and watching a father speak so fluently with everyone asking all sorts of questions. I felt bad, the only words Nick and Alex every said were the names....but afterwards they said, thank goodness I kept talking, because they couldn't think of anything to say.

-this week was filled with many, many more games of Aquire. And sadly, after winning 6 games in a row, some boy actually beat me. Lets just say i've been nice ever since, and lost everytime now, just so they can win. :)

-I had a photo art show tonight, where i displayed 5 of my favorite photos.

-Today I had the last Book of Mormon Class for 121 and I almost cried.

-I had a Cha-Cha test today, and kicked butt.

-We had choir practice tonight for the last time, bittersweet.

-And my RA, Lauren is becoming one of my most favorite people ever. She leaves post-it notes on my pads around my bedroom, and makes me laugh ALL THE TIME. Where has she been all my life!?

-And on Sunday I was asked at Date Minute again. Suprisingly. So that'll make date #9.

Well..its a Wednesday night, and i've had a He*& of a week, so I think i'm going to go to bed...NOW.
2 more days of classes!

episodes in the kitchen: vol. 1

2011-07-30T17:55:00.000-06:00

we all know me for being notorious as a chef prodigy...its practically my calling in life. so, i try.
over the next four years at college, i'll be doing a series of "emily's episodes in the kitchen." some will be entertaining. some will be useful. some will just be not blog worthy. but i need to document the fact that i am actually attempting to cook....or pseudo cook that is :).

i did get a cookbook as a graduation gift, so here is me putting it to good use, and my stomachs use that is too. be prepared to be amazed.

tonights dinner: rice pilaf--modified by ME. Instead of having three disctinct parts of a meal. The veggies, the main dish, and the side, i'd rather just make it a smoorgeshboard and put them all in one bowl. So thats what i did. Besides, when things are taking up too much space, or i think their getting old...well heck if they taste good together. just mix it. So here is rice pilaf, ground beef, and peas :)

just for your entertainment

2011-07-30T00:30:00.000-06:00

Here's just some random pictures I found on photo booth that I wanted to share.

"Julia's got new shoes, Julia's got new shoes on today!"I'm praying that these will give me motivation to keep running. Aren't they cool looking??

Isn't this the cutest poster? It's the guy from the little Pixar short film in a Bugs Life (I think?) That's what I heard. Too bad we put them all over campus to just take them down the next day because it had Disney on it. Stinkin laws ;)

Sorry Mere the next two you're going to kill me for... :)

Mere, should we be worried?

25 before i'm 25.

2011-07-27T01:28:00.000-06:00

i still have 7 years to go...but i've been a bit inspired by this blogger, who made a list of 25 things she wanted to do before she turned 25. and so...i've done the same.

enjoy.

read the entire Standard Works (Bible, Book of Mormon, D&C, P of Great Price)
run a half marathon (yes, i have no desire to do a full marathon, in case you were wondering)
graduate from college--that shouldn't be difficult, considering i'm starting at 18.
learn spanish or sign language fluently
publish 'something'--i say that very vaguely, so it could be music, poetry, talk, video...something.
go to BYU-Jerusalem Study Abroad
Visit every state in the country (21 to go)
fall in love
no college debt
establish a consistent exercise regimen
learn to actually "cook"
begin a book club
travel the Lake District in England. we all know its magical over there.
hike National Arches in Moab
visit D.C. again--best trip of my life.
attend at least 1 temple in every state.
establish a form of photography business
never stop smiling
dance in the rain--with a guy of course.
make the BYU ballroom, latin, or swing dance team
stop judging. be a woman like Marjorie Pay Hinckley & my mother.
serve always, because i love it.
begin a family.
control my competitiveness and anger
live.

state of emergency.

2011-07-26T16:51:00.000-06:00

i've reached a state of emergency. i need to teach myself and my body to make & eat more than pancakes (from a box nonetheless) and cheerios. and sadly, i only eat my cheerios unless i add chocolate chips to them. it must have been a time when i was on my period and i couldn't take it anymore, so i justified by adding chocolate chips, and now look what i've done.
help. but its just soooo tasty.

so for now....i'll go wash my 3 bowls of cheerios i accumulate in 1 day, and we won't discuss how many refills we had in each bowl. i'm going to go eat away my sorrows now.

stupid tests.

a peachy week

2011-07-25T10:37:00.000-06:00

I hardly do a "weekly letter" like my mother is notorious for.
But...just for history's sake, indulge as I record a few happenings from this week.
Lets pretent that someday my children find this entertaining.

Monday-we had FHE at our Bishop's House with games, food (free food is always a winner as a college student), more games, and talking. Lynette and I studied the book of Jacob & during our study my FHE son, asked me on a date, while the FHE dad, asked Lynette on a date....not really sure if thats considered incest or not....but.....we'll keep that out of the conversation.

Tuesday-I got a job at the MTC working in the cafeteria. So i'll be serving the line, and doing dishwashing. Its a very glamorous job. I invited Crismon over for dinner. It was good fun to catch up with him, and then we both went to the library to study together. totes cute right? brotherly-sisterly bonding?

Wednesday-best news ever! My Nature Photography class was cancelled, so I got to go home early. Only to find out we had cleaning checks that night. I also had Dance Practice for Waltz, and than went grocery shopping (goal in college: make friends with those who have cars).

Thursday-I had my Waltz test- and was so stoked to recieve a 94! Since, he won't ever give above a 95. I went to the library and ran into Crismon there so we studied a bit more, and then he came to my Physical Science Lab, and I went to a review session afterwards and then went to MTC orientation. I was so scared swimming through a sea of guys with white shirts. And...I was lame at 9:29 at night...i went to the library and studied with my friend. We had too much fun at the end of our study sess...we walked through an aisle...well that kept us laughing for a good few days to say the least.

Friday- I made cookies with my friend, and we delivered them to some girls in my hall. And then he asked me on a date. So, it worked out in my favor. Then....5 minutes later, Lynette and I went on our date with his roommates to Stewart Falls. Before we left we made homemade bread so that when we came home it would come right out of the oven! Delicious! Also, the guy i went with, makes his own yogurt, so i'm going to learn that aswell! It was BEAUTIFUL. After hiking up to the falls, I couldn't believe that anyone would NOT believe in God. It was just too Beautiful. We found a cave to climb up to, and have battle wombs to prove our tenacity. It was like rock climbing without the harnesses and gear. real safe let me tell ya. Unfortunately, Lynette twisted her ankle with in the last 400 yrds of walking back. And unfortunately for me, i had to go back to the library we got back from our date. Who goes to the library at 10:30 on a Friday night!

Saturday- Was wonderful. It was so productive. I had another practice with the mens choir that I accompanied for church on Sunday. At Midnight on Friday I felt really prompted to have the men in our ward sing "Come, Come Ye Saints" for this Sunday being Pioneer Day. So, of course, I went around knocking on all the guy dorms in my ward asking them to come sing. We only had 2 practices and it sounded not tooo bad. We also had a guy on the violin.

Also, I did all my essential stuff for the day, and felt like I was at home again, cleaning all day on a Saturday--it made me proud :)
I also went on a date to HUMOR-U. Its a stand up comedy group at BYU, it was hilarious. My stomach hurt from laughing for 2 hrs. It was good good fun.

Sunday--How can you not LOVE Sunday's. We had ward choir practice at 2. Which was a challenge since our pianist was gone, so i was leading, instructing and playing at the same time....pretty difficult. I am so pleased that we get such a big turn out to our choir practices--nearly 30 or more each time.
I took a nap, and then our apt was invited over to our FHE brothers apt. To my luck, my FHE bro. knows how to play Aquire, so we played and I whipped everyones butt pretty good! :)
We had Ward Prayer, and FHE Group Mtgs, and than I bonded with my RA, and dear friend Ashley in my room. It was good fun, and then went to the last 5 minutes of tunnel singing.

So life is well in college land. I love it. And so happy to be here and experience all that I am. Its been a great great great term. Only 2 weeks left of classes! Woo...that went fast.

alex & i.

cousins love.

lynette & nick.

let the post it note speak for itself

2011-07-23T11:55:00.000-06:00

"no woman is a more vibrant instrument in the hands of the Lord than a woman of God who is thrilled to be who she is."--Sheri Dew

I'm thrilled. Are you?
Now go change the world.

date a girl who reads

2011-07-22T12:57:00.000-06:00

Date a Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas, and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by God, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.

(source--unknown, i've seen it on various blogs)

the observer + exciting news

2011-07-21T11:32:00.000-06:00

i admit, i'm one who pays too close attention to minor detail in everything. that can be a good thing...or a bad, thing, and lets just says its probably more bad than good.

let me explain a few things I have observed while on the byu campus:
1. never never never (that was a Hebrew superlative, if you didn't catch it ;), consider asking any guy on a date, unless you know exactly how old he is--and his name.
(ex: I almost asked my test dancing partner if he wanted to go on a date, later to find out that he is getting married in August. Its not my fault he looks like he is 18!)
2. you begin to hate all the married people on campus holding hands.
3. everyone has DAKINE backpacks....its like you're a sinner if you don't have one.
4. sleeping ceases to exist when you come to college. How come no one warned me of that? I finally went to bed at 1 last night---best thing ever!
5. "cleaning checks"are a synonym for the devil. especially if it means you have to miss the "Harry Potter" Fest in Brigham Square. I totally brought my Firebolt and Nimbus 2000 for nothing!
6. Its cooler to have a date with the library than any guy. Just sayin...

lastly, i got a JOB! at none other than the MTC! Woot. Now that is classy. I start orientation today!

okay....thats basically all i have to say. chow.

I open at the close

2011-07-20T23:19:00.000-06:00

Can anyone guess what book that title comes from?

It seriously was the first thing that came into my mind when I was thinking of a title for this post about the closing of this semester. So I'm "opening" up "at the close" of the semester.

Just so you know, this has been one of my FAVORITE semesters ever! Why? Because I've done things that I thought I never could.

For example:

-I never thought I could do a lazy ironman (sorry I keep bringing it up but it was a big accomplishment for me!)

-I never thought I could just sign up out of the whim for a mini triathlon only a few days before the big day because I knew I was in shape for it (too bad I got there 10 mins too late to really sign up but it was the thought that counts)

-I never thought I could be a manager for a Adopt-a-Grandparent (I would have been way too scared! And it takes more work than you think).

-I never thought I could ask more boys on dates than they asked me (again, I would have been way too scared!)

-I never thought I could read a volume of The Mortal Messiah (by Bruce R. McConkie: need I say more?)

-I never thought I could ACE all my classes (ok except for one but it was an 89%!)

-I never thought I could be accepted to help start a financial literacy program here at school (think about it: I get to help create a program that Pres. Clark gave specific charge to get going. It will benefit the students at BYU-Idaho as we know it. From here on out. My kids might even get to be the beneficiaries of this program! :)

-And last, I never thought I could write more than one post in a semester (now that's true accomplishment :)

But what it so great is that I thought I could and I DID.

Bring on Fall Semester!!

(p.s. the title comes from the golden snitch in Harry Potter-best.book.ever.)

masquarade...paper faces on pararde

2011-07-19T09:38:00.000-06:00

i've never been asked to a school dance before.

ever. in all my life.

oh well, i'll get over it.

but its okay, because my philosophy, when I ask, I get to actually go with who i really want to. So, i've been doing it since High School...so its no big deal.

Paul and I were going for a "vintage" look...if you couldn't tell. For the record, I picked out his outfit, and I swear he got like 30 compliments on his bow tie. BAM.

These two are Jorgen and Tinesha from our ward. Tinesha is my physical science buddy too...i just love my ward.

We went to j-dawgs first for some delicious food.....probably high light of the night. No joke. We didn't even talk at dinner because we were so consumed in enjoying the deliciousness of the hot dog!

And that was about it! I went to BYU's first Masquarade Ball.
And i'll just leave how I asked him for another post....because its pretty clever. If i do say so myself.

forget BYU, I go to Hogwarts

2011-07-18T09:17:00.000-06:00

‎13 years, 3407 pages, 17 hrs and 48 minutes, the end is almost here.

can you believes it?

My childhood has ended as we close the last Harry Potter Book.

I grew up with Harry.

I wanted to be Harry.

I was in love with Harry.

And now its over.

So...in memory of my childhood, let us all remember the great and powerful influence Harry Potter had on my life.

we waited for 2.5 hours in the movie theatre for it to start. thats dedication.

despite what you think...i was suppose to be punching the popcorn, in reference to a hilarious movie you all need to watch at the end of this post. it changed my life.

okay, so staying up super late was so worth sleeping through my class in the morning :)

and lady and gents, that is wizardry at its finest.

warning. hold your stomach its so funny.

mid-term theraphy

2011-07-13T15:38:00.000-06:00

blogging.
i shouldn't.
but mid-terms don't stop me.

let me explain alittle about my life and its craziness, and it might just make you feel alittle bit better about your life. or so i think.

so, in my moments of in the depths of despair (name that movie) i often ask Lynette for some lovin hugs. and....this is how she deals with it. rude.

roommates can bond over electronic devices. (we may or may not have been texting each other)

and take the couch challenge and fit everyone on the couch. 18 people on there. 1 person taking the picture. beat that. yeah, thats what i thought.

and the fooooood was so good. probably because i made it. (jk) we all know thats a joke.

and even though they invented garbage cans for a reason....it doesn't mean we need to utilize them.

new solution: throw rotten watermelon off 15 ft. bridge and watch cars run over it.

yes, this is what happens during study breaks.

i'm NOT resting on the white boxes....believe me.

and the most EPIC PLANKING PICTURE EVER. Be Jeal.

okay, now i need to go finish studying.
chow.

all you really need to know

2011-07-11T09:19:00.000-06:00

allll you need to know is that i went tandem biking. and we had about 5 near death experiences in the course of an hour. but it was the best bike riding i've ever done. Even better. BJ and I competed in the water balloon throwing contest put on by BYU (they had activities going on before they played UP--the movie on the lawn by the SWKT), and.....WE WON! So we both got free shirts and a free bowling pass. WOOT WOOT. and we had some amazing shaved ice too. And even better, we had a picnic in the lobby of wells (not so romantic--phew) and we ate copious amounts of oreos with PB, and chocolate milk. So, it was pretty fantastic to say the least.

10 lessons i've learned in college

2011-07-08T13:35:00.000-06:00

always buy more toilet paper than needed. you'll never know when 4 girls in the apt. are on their period at the same time. talk about living he*%.
assigned reading is always better done after class.
take advantage of free food in every possible way. yes, even saving it for later if necessary.
you can wait 2.5 weeks to do laundry. just don't tell anyone.
eat a BBQ chicken spinach tortilla wrap on a particularly bad day, and the heavens will open up, and you will be so happy.
if necessary, bake three pans of brownies in one day. its okay. (remember, you're on your period)
avoid cooking at all costs, if it means you're stove will light on fire every time you do!
shower with the door open because you are too lazy to change the lightbulb in the bathroom. it makes sense.
the temple is beautiful. more than beautiful actually. and find every chance to go. yes, even when its closed. walk the grounds with your cousin. its wonderful.
lastly, Say YES to a spontaneous opportunity--everything in life can't be planned. Some of the greatest opportunities will knock on your door when you lease expect them to. Be flexible. Be spontaneous, and just say YES.

(oh, and dabble in the art of "drinking" every once in a while. its good for you.)

i'm a big kid.

2011-07-04T14:12:00.000-06:00

a) i went clubbing. *

b) we made dinner for 17 people

c) i took my first college test. lets just say it was far far far below 100%

d) its the first holiday to celebrate in provo, and i'm throwing a small party

e) i bought a pretty spiffy water bottle

f) was asked on a date at Ward Prayer

g) i'm probably eating more desserts than anything else

the sign of the 4th of July in Provo! I took these for my Photography class

and we like to test the max weight limit of our couch

we may have broken the fire hazard code for the number of people in our kitchen at one time...but who cares.

and the two boys that asked my roommate and i on dates.

i just thought i needed to document my new love affair. isn't she a beauty. i'm not going to tell you how much it cost, because, its a senstitive subject. but, just sit and admire her.

*not to worry, it was an LDS Singles Night--so no bad stuff happened. don't worry.

its a....VLOG!

2011-07-03T17:21:00.000-06:00

this is the real stuff inside the blogging sisters.
humor us, and watch it.
you might regret it.
okay, not might, you will.
but be amused anyways.

Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi

2011-06-28T10:13:00.000-06:00

I've completed my first week of college, and my absolute most favorite class is Book of Mormon!
I love it!
I just feel so enthusiastic about life after that class, and I've already talked to my teacher about the CES program, and he said he would personally introduce me to the CES Directors/Teachers here, so with a personal recommendation, I have a great shot at getting through the program!

but...since I am a lover of all things wonderful, insprining, and beautiful, I decided to electronically record all my notes that I took in my Book of Mormon notebook. (next class I'm just going to write them directly in my laptop--because three-four hours is alittle time consuming for me to re-record everything.

Hope you Enjoy and learn something new!

Book of Mormon NOTES1

the first

2011-06-26T23:06:00.000-06:00

first of all, you should know...contrary to popular belief, i am not one of those "freshman giddy girls."
i know, shocker right?

but, being in the college atmosphere has led me to dabble in the art of dating here and there.
and so, i bring you a documentation of my first college date.
humor me, please.

this is a very picture heavy post, because the whole plan of the date was to take pictures, get them printed, and place them in picture frames and photo books in wal-mart.
needless to say, it was quite fun, and i got some cafe rio out of it, which is always a plus.
enjoy.

meet the finest people at the Y: Shalia (AZ), Paul (CA), me-obviously, Erik (OR)

we be cool.

planking. its all rage here.

connecting with out inner selves.

stairway to heaven.

no, that really says Heck ;)

and i saved the best picture for last.

meet the crew

2011-06-24T12:34:00.000-06:00

(missing Sami)
but you should know this is what we do.
eat.
and eat some more.
2nd official roommate dinner.

and this was when my cousin Lynette and i dressed up in skirts for school, since it was nearly 100 degrees. we were pretty smokin' too. not that i'm proud or anything. :)
this was for documentational purposes only! :)

and the best part of this post.....

this little GIRL! Evelyn! cutest girl ever. she visited "aunt emmy's" dorm, and got into my stuff super easily.

the corridor

2011-06-20T14:17:00.000-06:00

i know you've been itching to see my new dorm...so drum roll.

here it is all pretty and clean.

perhaps the only time for the entire term....but i'm going to be hopeful.

(see the green sticky--that has my signature to solemnly swear to keep my room this clean for the entire term to my roommate)

my room is very much the same from home and that makes me really happy.
notice my Macbook Pro ( i get giddy thinking about her!), my Keep Calm and Carry On Mug (funny story of that to come), the Portland temple, the Map, and pictures from my friends.

And this is Sami...she's so cute. She is my roommate. She's from Hawaii. And, she's going to take me to the Polynesian Cultural Center someday, where she and her entire family works.

life is great as a college student!
And today was my first day of classes.
It wouldn't be the first day without getting lost 5 times.

(more info and pictures to come!)