September 29, 2010

Sam and I decided last week that it would be nice if he laid off on the Optometry school thing for a while. He's already got over ninety credits, and has to take almost all of his major courses still. If he were to try to take all of the pre-reqs for optometry school, that'd be like another major as well. So that's kind of nice! I think he's been a lot more cheerful since making this decision.
He is also, for right now, planning on becoming a helicopter pilot after graduation. I know that might sound...fake, but he's serious about it. I'm proud of him: he's done a lot research with it, and he thinks it'd be something he enjoyed. It's a tentative plan, of course-we have two years to decide if he's really going to fork out enough for the schooling, but for right now the decision seems to suit us.
I also am really tired of school. It's not that I'm ungrateful, or that it's a waste of time. It's a huge blessing! But I'm not good at keeping up. I'm grateful I have such a supportive husband: no matter what happens, he'll be supportive. He wants me to be happy, and be proud of myself. He has suggested maybe I should take fewer classes than most people at a time, as I've said I might do in the past, and I've been considering it. It's just hard right now, since I still at minimum have 3 semesters and an internship after this one left already. Part of me wants to get done as soon as possible, since school is so hard for me so I should stick with it to be sure I finish.
I'm getting to be really sick of people my age. Weird, eh? I suppose I should be more accurate: students. BYU students. Particularly those in my anthropology class/lab, and a few in my math lecture yesterday. I hate the idea that we only go to school for a grade. Though it's hard for me to do it for much other reason, I think we should go to learn. But in my anthropology lab last week, this loud kid said "None of what he lectures on, we will be tested on. Since all we have are assignments and papers in this class. So none of it matters."
None of it matters? Really? That's a really rude thing to say about our professor, and about the subject-none of it matters. This will probably be the only anthropology class any of them ever take: why not get the most of it?
Or another person said we shouldn't discuss anything that wasn't directly related to our paper. What? What about curiosity? Shouldn't discussion of the subject material be encouraged? Sheesh!
In my math lecture, we were going over new material that was SUPER EASY! I don't know how she could have made it any easier. It's simply plugging things in: nothing complex about it at all. But these girls sitting behind me just criticized her teaching and complained/whined about their lack of understanding the entire hour. Maybe if you spent less time whining to each other, and asked actual questions you wouldn't have such a hard time!
It's made me feel even more that I could never be a teacher. Students are merciless! If they don't understand, it's all your fault and that's that. If you have any kind of personality, they will find a way to make fun of it. Sheesh. Aren't teachers people, too?
I guess all of this made me really grateful for a story Sam related to me that his D&C teacher told the class today. He said when BYU was first starting out, back when it was "Brigham Young Academy," one of Brigham Young's daughters was a teacher. But the academy struggled so much, they couldn't pay the teachers. The only way the teachers got paid was if students brought them things, like potatoes and chickens. They were struggling enough that this daughter of Brigham Young went to the prophet of the time, John Taylor, and told him about it. He told her "Don't worry. Christ has this school in mind, and everything will be fine."
Sam's teacher's point was that this is a special school. How many universities could say Christ is watching over it? And because it's a special school, everyone should remember how privileged they are to be attending. He said for every student enrolled, there are five to ten people out there who desperately want to be a student, but weren't able to. Who would give anything to be.
I guess it just gave me some peace of mind. I shouldn't say it made me 'smug,' but the message seemed to say to me "You aren't the only one with this in mind, and you're right. Time at BYU should be taken advantage of."
Now I just have to take advantage of it myself! I'm trying-I just have to try harder.

September 19, 2010: Gettin some digits

...that title probably sounds pretty weird, considering I'm married. But for the first time since January, when it happened then, a guy asked me for my number! Awkward...


In January it was this guy who I quite literally ran into on the stairs at BYU-I. He sure was hasty-he said something like "What, a girl bumps into a guy and he doesn't even get her number?" Check the finger, man.


This time I was chatting with this kid I had a crush on in elementary school who'd just gotten back from his mission, when another kid I knew in high school who also just got back from a mission came up. We only talked for like 2 minutes and he had to get to class, which was fine...but then he asked that uncomfortable phrase, "Can I get your number?" I just kinda stood there gaping like a fish...but I didn't know what to do! I didn't want to make him feel like a moron, but I thought if I said "I'm married" he might have been like "...I wasn't trying to ask you out, or anything." Looking back though, why else would you get the opposite sex's number? I guess old friends to keep in contact kind of, but ones that are married? Not so much.


So yeah...I gave it to him! I'm such a weirdo. I felt really uncomfortable for the next twenty minutes, thinking "Did I just do something unfaithful? My heart wasn't in the wrong place, and I'm not attracted to him at all...oi!"
Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and texted the guy and said "Um, I'm married, just so you know." He was a good sport and texted back "That explains the weird look you gave me when I asked for your number!"

So all is well again. I'm not some adulterous hoochie mama, don't worry.

Actual date this was written: September 14, 2010

Sam and I are trying to save money. We have been since we've been married. Not like save up for anything, just try not to spend too much since we're poor.

It's become a new interest for me, finding deals in food so we get to save more money. It's almost a hobby: I love it when we can find things on sale, in bulk or ways to make things from scratch that are WAY cheaper than what we would have spent buying it at the store.
One good example: guacamole. I have a passion for guacamole, and we always make it ourselves. Yum!
One bad example: Tortilla chips. The first time they weren't so bad, but the second time was a nasty fattening disaster.
Some things to make from scratch are more adventurous than others; anyone could agree. But I thought bread was a common thing to make at home rather than buy it at the store, so thought I'd give it a go.

Never again!

Attempt one: I started with a simple recipe I'd found online. "Amish White Bread." Where can you go wrong? I like following recipes-it's very easy to do correctly. But I pour the stinky, brown yeast into the water and...nothing happens. ? What? I stir and stir, but to no avail. I finally check the expiration date on my yeast, and find that it should have been used up four years ago. Yikes! (It's pretty funny considering I got that yeast as a bridal shower/wedding present...in December 2009, already three years past it's expiration date.) I laugh, and think 'no biggie, I'll grab some good yeast next time I go shopping.'




Attempt two: I got the new yeast at the store, and went back for another shot at it. I get to the same road-block, expecting to this time coast past it, and...fail! The yeast still would not activate! Whaa??? I'm kind of frustrated now, thinking "Seriously? This is ridiculous." But I calm down, and think for a moment...and realize the water probably wasn't the right temperature! I smile, relax, and go waste my time facebooking for the next hour.

Attempt three: This time I could almost taste the success. Bread. Successfully made bread. I heat up the water to the perfect temperature, measure the exactly correct amount of brand new yeast, and...that stupid mass in the bowl will only turn into a thick brown paste! It will not rise to save it's life!

I toss my hands into the air, grab a carton of ice cream, and sulk on the couch.

Good thing my husband is more resourceful than I am. He called his mom, who after a few other suggestions tells us we could pour in sugar and that might help.
Annnnndddddddd.....................

It finally worked! Yayyyy!
The only final problem was that we didn't have two pans to bake them in, so Sam spread them out on a cookie sheet and made 'french' bread instead. And it tastes great! I have such a talented husband. :)

But I still hate yeast. urg.

Actual date this was written: September 12, 2010

Well, Sam and I are now two weeks into our first full semester at BYU. And good gravy, it is way harder than BYU-Idaho. Maybe that's partly because I'm taking 16 credits and working (though only working like 7 1/2 hours each week). I've never taken that many before so it's rather challenging.


Sam had a really hard schedule too, and he was working almost 20 hours per week at the same time. That's not easy! He was really un-happy and stressed all the time, so I talked him into dropping his physics class for now (which was just a repeat anyway) and taking a D&C class instead. I'm so glad he did! I think it's working out a lot better.


We're currently trying to decide what career path my Samuel Don should take. He's planning on continuing to take Pre-Optometry classes as well as his Linguistics courses, for the rest of his stay here at BYU. But for one thing I'm not sure if they'll let him, considering he's only starting the major now and already has 90+ credits, and for another...as he put it, Optometry, along with a lot of other careers, is only like an 8 on the scale of 1-10, 10 being what you're most passionate about. He doesn't really care about it all that much, but he likes that the hours are consistent and often you can set them yourself (if you own your own...practice? business? whatever it's called).


What I think would be perfect was if he could actually find a career that was sticking with Linguistics. I think he has a passion for languages, and would enjoy that immensely.


We have also talked about him being a helicopter pilot. His parents his stared at him when he said that, almost like he was joking, but they said they were supportive and I'm sure they would be if he did indeed decide to pursue it seriously.


I too have no idea what I'm going to use my major, Psychology for, since the more I think about it the less I want a job in the field. But who cares, I'll figure it out.


We had kind of an interesting discussion on Friday about Utah Valley. We went to the wedding reception of a childhood neighbor/friend of mine, and there were all these other young people there, wearing the latest trends and with the hottest hairstyles. On the car ride home, Sam kind of explained that people like that make him feel bad. Not bad about himself, or bad in a guilty way because he's judging them. Bad because they aren't living the way the Lord wants us to. The best way I could understand was thinking in terms of like 'Sunday Mormons.' I think he was suggesting there are a lot of people he sees constantly in Provo who seem to fit this. Who have their hearts set on the things of the world, on wearing the most expensive clothes and having the most money and the best smile.


It was kind of sad for me to think about, because it's true, I see people like that all the time. And it's frustrating for those of us who try not to be that way: they give us a bad wrap. Both as Mormons to non-members, and as 'Utah Mormons' to members who don't live in the state.


But I guess it's also an opportunity for Sam and I, and that's how I've been trying to see it. First, to resist looking down on people like this. It can be easy to do. Self-righteousness is easy to fall into-hello, it's pride. Look at the Book of Mormon and you can count how frequently the people became prideful.
And second, to set an example. To love everyone, and dress and act in a way the Lord would approve of. To focus on what counts, and try to ignore what doesn't.


I think that's enough for the day. Happy sabbath -Ariel

Actual date this was written: September 5, 2010

Well, we started school this week. We're running with the big dogs now at BYU! When I was in high school this seemed to be the easy, not-challenging-yourself school for all the smart kids in my classes. But having spent the past two years up at BYU-Idaho, I felt pretty intimidated to start.
Now I'm more just excited. It is going to be harder, but I think both Sam and I are plenty smart enough to be attending here. In fact, I felt pretty good about myself when I explained this question we had to answer in my new anthropology class to all my classmates since nobody understood it. Is that vain? Probably, but I liked it anyway.
We've been living in our new place for almost a month now, and we both really think it's great. We were stupid, though: we thought there was no swamp cooler or air conditioning, so just suffered through a few nights until my parents lent us a fan. But this past week we discovered a swamp cooler: surprise!
I've decided I need to set a goal to re-connect with all the many friends I've lost contact with, since being married. I only have because I'm selfish: my own needs were being satisfied, so I stopped seeing if I could keep being a friend. Lame. So even though I stink at being a friend, I'm hoping I can have lunch with a few girls from high school and maybe some people from BYU-I who moved down here as well, just one at a time and catch up. Then STAY caught up. Goal.
It's kind of fun that all of Sam's friends have been getting married this year. Now we can double with more people! That's another goal: to make friends as a couple. Normally we're just anti-social and do our own thing.
Changing the subject: I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time this past week. It was really a neat experience. I'm so glad now BYU and BYU-Idaho require you take the Book of Mormon class, because it got me to read! Yay! I learned a lot, and my testimony of the Book of Mormon was just re-confirmed. It was pretty cool: it wasn't like I heard a voice whispering "this is true" or anything. It was more just as it got closer to the end, I had the feeling, "you've known all along this is true. Because it is. Simple as that."
That's it for tonight, just felt like writing. tata-Ariel

...Three months later!

Ok! So lots has changed since the last one.

First: that's the only picture pretty much we've taken since April, so I decided to include it. Sometimes I tuck in my shirt now to look older. At least that's the goal. :) this was me trying to growl, but I ended up laughing. Slightly reminds

me of the bad guy in the Dark Knight, what's his face?

Joker? Because his face looked smiley but he was evil.

Anyway...

I'm not sure if I'm going to major in Psychology anymore, just because I got to thinking how much school we have ahead of us for Sam. I enjoy learning about Psychology but can't really do much with it, so I've actually been considering going into nursing. This would provide me with a job that permits people to still have families, and could help support us in the many school years ahead. But can I do it!!! I guess we'll have to wait and see. I don't have a very strong stomach,

but I've read you can get over that. And I've had a lot of different people/sources tell me I would make a good nurse...we'll see if I try to prove them right, or stick with Psychology at BYU (nursing would mean transferring to UVU or Provo College).

Sam, in the mean time, is a Linguistics major for now but may switch to Speech/Language Pathology. And after undergrad, he may try to get further degrees in Speech/Language Pathology, or go to optometry school. Again...time will tell!

As I said last time, I'm grateful to have a job. But I'm kind of at my wits end with it. I k

ind of clash with one of my supervisors, and there's so much to do all the time we've been behind since I started. I hate that there is so much room for human error: it's not just one process you have to memorize, details and all, its like twelve. With ten details each. Of course I mess up!

I may leave before school starts, my main excuse being my whole "ADD-does-not-go-well-with-too-much-to-do, no-time-to-do-it". Thing. Particularly if I try to pursue this nursing option, which would require lots of science classes. Which have never been my cup o' tea.

But how will we save up for a new car and pay the rent if I have to do this! hmm...well we'll see.

As to our car, it's driving us crazy. (oh man, that was a good one. Not even on purpose.

:D) Since we have been married, it has broken down once every month with a significant repair required to get it functioning proficiently again. arg...oh well, Murphy (its name) is a stud, and if it can just last another year I think we'll have other options we can take then.

Our housing situation: we found a place! This will be our third time moving in eight months of marriage. Woo-ee! But I think we'll be here to stay, at least for a year.

It was kind of a crazy situation, how I found it. Being a worry wart, I was on craigslist and KSL every day, clicking like crazy trying to find a place that we could move to in August. In the mean time, I got on the waiting list for Nate & Derry's old place (which was 2 bedrooms for $450: snap!).

Come mid-June, I found one that would be available Aug

ust 2nd. We went to check it out, and both liked it quite a bit. After some thought, we decided to go with this place. We filled out an application and after they checked it out, we told them we'd be in the next day to sign a contract.

THAT same day, the guy who managed the Teuscher apartments (the ones where Nate and Jandel used to live) called us and said one had opened up, and we could take it if we moved in that weekend.

What!! What?!?!?!

How does that even happen? Seriously.

So that night I went and knocked on one of the apartments at the Teuscher's place, and asked if I could take pictures. Super awkward of me I know, but I wanted a visual to compare the two.

So here's the Teuschers apartment (of course it wouldn't have been furnished, but still gives you the layout:

And here is the other place (notice my shadow in this first one- nice):

So we chose this one,

because: we didn't want to move right that weekend and have to pay rent for two places for TWO months; it was a little bit bigger; the carpet wasn't dark orange; and it was a little bit closer to campus than the other. It is more each month, but not by that much and probably our biggest thing is we don't think we'll feel the need to move for the rest of our time here in Provo, which is awesome. Moving is the pits.

In other news...Sam's family started a book club, and switch off an educational/classic book one month, a session of conference the other month. May was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' June was the saturday morning session of conference, and July is 'The Real George Washington.'

I also took on some house projects for my parents this summer-organizing their home to make it more efficient/get rid of junk, and putting their VHS home videos onto DVD. The former is

highly dependent on my mom, because I can't throw away anything she doesn't want me to, and the latter just takes quite a bit of time. But I figure I can do as much as possible now, and keep working on it throughout the fall/the next year. (Hopefully it won't take a full year, but you never know. )

I think that's about it, in a nutshell! Oh, I guess I can say our callings: Sam and I are, yet again, on the Activities Committee. Last time all we did was decorate the gym for a Valentine's day dance, but this time we're helping with a bigger activity-a ward camp-out. Fun fun! I got work switched this Saturday so I can go, but Sam will have to work till 6 Friday night (well me too but still) and work again at 8 the next morning, so we'll spend the night but he'll have to leave again

early the next morning. He may play the bagpipes Friday night! I'm hopeful. He's such a cutie. :)

I never said Sam's jobs, either! In May he got a job doing this guy's yard work part time. I didn't think it'd be that great a job, but it actually pays more than his other, is super flexible and his boss is a real character (which keeps things fun).

In June, he started his other job at the BYU library as a...I don't know what they're called. Person that sits behind the desk to answer questions. But I was so happy he got that job! Though the hours aren't great, and he doesn't do anything all day, I think it's a nice change of pace for him and will be a good job to have during school.

Ok! That's it! I'll just include one of my favorite pics of Sam, from before we were even dating exclusively:

Good night!

New adventures!

So we finally get to move into our new place on Monday. Considering we moved out of our wonderful first home over two weeks ago, it'll be nice to have a place of our own again. And to have different clothes to wear: I'm sick of the seven shirts I packed for three weeks of wear.

I just think I should say the Lord is really looking out for Mr. Sam and myself. I wasn't really sure how we were going to finance the next few months, but then one of my old jobs took me back. Though it's been hectic, since it's at an apartment complex and contracts are just ending so there has been lots to do, I'm extremely grateful to know we need not worry where the money for rent will be coming from. This also means Sam doesn't need to be as desperate for a job, so I'm hoping we can find him something he'd actually enjoy that isn't a labor job. Everybody needs change.

On another note, I started six of my last eight credits at BYU-Idaho online this past week, and will be starting my first credit at BYU this upcoming week.

I'm kind of having a hard time deciding what to do about school. At least I'm almost positive I want to stick with the Psychology major I decided on back when I first began college, but I'm not sure if I want to try to get it done ASAP, or if I want to take half the amount of credits to get more out of them. The second option would work well with my new job, considering I've only gone to school and worked at the same time for two months ever and it could take some time for me to learn how to be more efficient so I can get everything done. BUT...I'm not sure. We'll see.

Oh! I haven't said anything about our visit to California! Yeah, we drove down to Pleasant Hill, CA on the 12th and drove back on the 19th. It was a wonderful week! We went to: San Fransisco and walked all over the place; the Oakland temple; the Jelly Belly Factory; a Six Flags; the Oakland Zoo and we saw the new Alice in Wonderland. Probably best of all though was me getting to meet Sam's sister, Jessiann, her husband and three kids. She was the only sibling I hadn't met yet, and she's closest to Sam's age so it was really nice getting to know her. And her kids are adorable! What fun, having 24 nieces and nephews now. :)