Sleepless In Seattle.......

(All the angles of my room now that I am settled in. Welcome to my life.)

Classes have been going for a couple of weeks, many activities and opportunities to learn have come my way, I have stayed out late many a night missing many hours of sleep and yet I still think I won't ever be tired of this place.
I guess I should probably start from the beginning because that is always a good place to start. First week of classes made me scared out of my freaking mind! College is worlds away from high school and it took me a whole week of stressing to realize that yes I am in fact expected to teach myself outside of the classroom where it is all too common for the lecture to get completely off topic. I am in three amazing classes as well as choir, voice lessons, and institute for a grand total of 18 credits. Quite the load for a first quarter freshman but hey I love it so until I call you crying that I have taken on too much just leave me alone. My Poverty In America class is possibly the greatest class ever. Not only is my teacher completely passionate about the subject but he also wants to learn from our ideas on the matter. I get engaged in the class like I never have before and suddenly I am fascinated by every person I pass in the street and I am wondering what has happened in their lives to bring them to poverty or wealth. My writing class is awesome as well. there are about 18 other students in it with me and we are all really good friends. Our professor sent us to a play called "The 39 Steps" and it was one of the funniest things I think I have ever seen. We have bonded as a class and in just the few weeks I have been to class I feel I have learned ten times about my writing style than I did throughout my entire high school career. My history class is Western Civilizations. A repeat of every history class I have ever had about ancient civilizations except for the fact that it is 10 times harder. I am learning new things though so I guess it is worth it.
My first voice lesson didn't go so well because I had no voice. I lost my voice the second week of being here and it still hasn't fully recovered. But my voice teacher is really cool and he used to play the cello and do Suzuki so we have something in common other than our desire to sing. I am still working on finding a work study position but I am hoping to get one this week as I had two interviews earlier and I feel they both went well.
My ward is absolutely amazing and filled with people who are ready to help me at any time. We even had a blow out BBQ for Conference at my bishop's house. I feel really lucky to be in the ward I am in and now I can't wait for institute classes.
Now like I said I have been learning all types of things since I got here. A friend of mine is a ballroom dancer so she has been teaching me things like the cha-cha, slasa, and swing. My highlight this week was going to a swing club on Saturday night and learning some great moves as well as how to follow. For some reason- most likely the partners I have danced with- I have never really learned how to follow, but the instructor at the place we went to really helped me out and just encouraged me to keep going out dancing as much as I can so I can really get better. I am beyond excited because there is a really big swing scene here so it shouldn't be hard to find a place to go every night that I am free.
A kid on my floor is a fencer so one night he started teaching me that too. I have always wanted to know how to sword fight and now that I am starting to I know why. Weilding a weapon like that makes me feel like I am back in medevil times learning a defensive art. It's kind of a big deal!
My latest and greatest idea is to join the Crew team. I have always wanted to learn how to row and be in regatta tournaments and now I have the chance. It starts tonight so I hope it goes well. We are suppposed to go and row on lake Washington later this week so I am both nervous and excited.
Although I love it here more than I can say, I do miss home immensely. I miss the mountians in every direction and the smell of the quakey trees in the air. Mostly I miss having my own room and my super comfy bed. Living with roomates after an entire life in a room of my own is one of the most difficult things I have had to do. I am never alone and that is the hardest part. I mean I am a very independent person and I need my space in order to think. But I guess it is al just part of the college life, that and losing sleep.
But hey this is Seattle. It's supposed to be sleepless right?.........
Love you all! Until next time!
Lata.

Rain, Rain I'm Getting Used To You....

So when I used to tell people I was going to be attending a school in the Northwest, the most common response was a blunt WHY?!?!?!
My answers were never probably completely competent sounding but now that I am here I know why. The simple answer is simple. Because it is amazing and beautiful up here.
I have loved every minute of my time up here and I have only been here for about a week. I honestly can say I understand the nickname of the Emerald City because every where I look is green. Trees in every direction I tell you! Out my window, across the bay, and every direction except straight up at the lovely gray sky.
While Mom and Don were still here I was lucky enough to tour around the Olympic Peninsula and see some really new and wonderful things like the Hoh Rain forest, Bainbridge, Hurricane Ridge, and all sorts of cute little port towns including Port Angeles. Oh yes that is correct I went to the Twilight places. I even had the pleasure to stay in the Forks Motel and see the infamous Forks High School. In all hanesty though, the town is not as cute as it sounds in the book- no offense to the town- but it just didn't live up to my expectations. However, I do have to say they have some pretty awesome Twilight themed stores. The best was called Dazzeled by Twilight. It literally had every kind of merchandise imagineable that could have some sort of Twilight inspred thing on it. Props to the people who came up with all of that stuff!
Adjusting to the idea of being without family has not been as beautiful as the city I get to live in. I held it together quite nicely when Mom and Don departed and left me in my room, but every time a family member calls I get all choked up and think how I won't see anyone until Christmas. It really is quite sad but luckily I have a nice big group of friends going to keep me company and keep my mind off of being away from home.
Since classes haven't started yet it pretty much just feels like I am at some neverending slumber party but with boys around. I have met some cool guys this week but like I said none I would be interested in dating. I really doubt I will date while up here so all you people who thought I would better look forward to losing that bet.
My drama of worrying about the boys has totally subsided because I have yet to have a boy see me in my bath robe or any other form of too little clothing.
Anyway, I thought I should update you all and post some pictures so enjoy these until I can take more!
Lata

I'm SURROUNDED by BOYS!!!

The most tragic news I have heard in a long time has just reached my eyes through the message of my dear new roommate. Apparently, unlike my previous beliefs, I have been placed on a coed floor. Yes that means boys will be walking in the same hall as me when I cross to the bathroom. I am scared beyond all belief and I think I am close to hyperventilating myself faint.
I don't like having my brother see me in a towel when I go from bathroom to bedroom let alone some stranger I clearly have no relation to and is around my same basic age!
Perhaps yes this may seem to be an over dramatic reaction but I am truly scared by this new found fact. This is not what I signed on for. All that's left to do for me now is to hope for the best and to try and prevent myself from experiencing a full blown panic attack. I don't think it would go well with the tremendous amount of stress I am already under.
Until next time.

Hot Summer Days

Now when I say hot summer days I mean it quite literally. It gets to be about 1oo degrees while I am working hard painting Uncle Dan's house. Luckily I am in a place where I know no one other than Grandma and Dad so being a sweaty pig covered with paint splatters doesn't really matter.

Anywho, I got my rooming situation worked out and I am now successfully placed in a triple dorm room and have two fabulous roomates named Sam and Georgia. They are both truely sweet girls and we have plans to pimp out our dorm room and all kinds of things. To say the least we are getting along very well.
We all learned a funny fact about eachother as we were talking online today, we have all at some point played the violin! Crazy I know but at the same time wickedly cool. We all have a lot in common including the fact that none of us want to sleep on the top bunk. We are hoping we will be able to "debunk" our room and all have floor beds but who knows how much space we will have.
Meeting them has made me even more excited for school although the fact that I can't get my schedule until I am up there makes me not want to go. It just stresses me out knowing that I won't be able to purchase my books until I am already in classes. Oh well though I guess I will just have to tough it out and make the best of what I have to work with.

For those who care to know, Nilly is having another boy and Chelsi is expecting another girl. Oh it is crazy to think how fast their little families are growing. I love the idea of having more little neices and nephews to play with, even if I will be a thousand miles away from all of them.

Ah yes life is going well for now. I had a great birthday last week and got to celebrate with everyone still around. Sushi with the familyand cheescake with friends. Definitly my idea of an elegant and fun birthday.
Hopefully I can keep up with all the goals I have made myself this year and do well in school, with friends, at my job, and in anything else that I might have the need to be involved in.

Well that about sums up my life at this point. I'll be sure to update you again when something changes and the need arises. Tata for now!

Paul's looking over my shoulder...

Oh so very much has been happening since I last updated. Learning to adapt to adult life is in many ways more difficult than I could have imagined. Responsibilities of getting ready for school and earning the money I need for school make me long for the days of childhood where I would spend everyday at the lake with no worries other than drowning if I fell when waterskiing.
I do feel lucky however because since my dad is gone on vacation for a while, I have been getting to spend some time taking care of my Grandma Ruthie and helping her with our family history. Learning all about my ancestors reall helps me to see the bigger picture in life. It also makes me realize how accomplished my whole family line has been and then I desire even more to become an outstanding name on the line. Like my grandma I want to be a good influence on all my descendants and have as many wonderful generations to follow me as she does. She truely is a remarkable woman and I am grateful to have this time to get to know her better.
Although I need to keep working and making the money I need for school, I fully intend to make this summer worthwhile by spending as much time as I can up at my cabin and waterskiing my little heart out. If i can improve by like 20% this summer, I won't feel as bad about not being able to snow ski while up at school. Well being up at the cabin as I am makes me not want to spend much time on the computer so I will write a full blog about my July later.
Lata!