Justin singing Respect by Aretha Franklin

looking back....

i was just looking at my blog today and reviewing old post when i realized that i didnt put up any pictures from prom! i had the sweetest date...a young man by the name of Collin Bearnson who was such a gentleman. :O) his mum was also such a doll and got one of her friends, porshe [a professional photograher], to take pictures of us. here are the pictures...i hope you enjoy them :O)

Making friends………………is it really as easy as it seems?

Being at college is a whole new experience……you see people who come to school all by themselves…..they come from across the state, across the country, and across the world even. They know no one, yet they are able to quickly bond with other students…..usually bonded together by similar feeling, ideas, and standards. Here at BYU….you see a whole different story than you would at any other university….especially if you were comparing it to a university like cal state, or university of Washington or some other random university………. People here are brought together by the common thread of religion…..LDS religion to be more specific……it draws together kids with similar values and standards….students who are looking for the same thing in life…..that being eternal life….and happiness on their adventure striving for that :O)

It is really interesting to see how the different kids here from different cultures and upbringings react differently to the same situation. They are all being thrust into their futures…..they are alone [im not counting knowing kids at school as being not alone] you really are alone when you move out…you are no longer surrounded by the family and people you grew up with…….you are growing up….you are surrounded by people in the same stage of life that you are in…… it is really an amazing phenomenon the way that different people respond and act.

Most kids' responses are affected by their life experiences, the way they grew up, and really just on their own, personal, and original personalities. I see kids who go and sit by themselves at breakfast, lunch, and dinner…..you can almost see them hoping that someone will come sit by them….. then you see the kids who eat with the kids that went to their old high schools…..they aren't meeting new people….but they aren't shutting themselves against the world……then you see the kids that decide that they want to sit by someone new and different every meal….these are the ones that seem to have the best experiences and make the most and lasting friendships….

Sometimes it's better to have the later behavior and point of view….but then again sometimes it's better to make new friends but not be too overpowering….never be the first example! You may make friends because someone took pity on you and decided to sit by you….but you didn't do anything to earn that friendship…..the things that we work for are the things that we appreciate the most…..if you want to make good friends… you have to put forth the effort….and actually do something to try and make friends :O) don't be a sit-by-yourself-er….be a make-new-friends-because-you-went-out-of-your-comfort-zone-and-decided-to-work-for-your-friendships-er! Making friends is really not that hard….it's actually quite easy….just stay away from the dodgy fools and sketchy creepers….and you'll do just fine… :O)

byu

sorry this has taken so long for me update....as you can all tell....i struggle with updating regularly. :O) well i'm down here at byu provo... and i've survied my first week hahaha.... i've been enjoying my classes immensely and find them very interesting. i am taking 14 credits which include: anthropology 101, writing 150, psychology 111, greek and roman mythology, and religion 212 [which is a BOM class]....it's really been fun :O)
i enjoy being on my own, and have been having a fun time with new friends and old. there have been a few dances and activities which have been cool.... although i do miss mum's cooking. hahaha but who wouldn't right? anyways here's a pic of my roommate [allie knight] and i :O) love you all!

san diego trip pics

San Diego Senior Trip

just got back this morning at one'o'clock.....super long drive! my mum and daddy took to me to san diego for a few days as my senior trip. we got there on sunday evening and arrived back home yesterday....as i said above. we got to see sea world, san diego zoo, and wildlife park. it was way fun! we got to see all sorts of cool animals like lion, tigers, bears..........hahahaha
we also saw giraffes, baby elephants, a baby rhino, warthogs, a little panda bear, lots of monkeys, cranes, condors, wildabeast, and lot and lots of other animals. i'll put up pictures when i get them up on the computer :O)

we also walked around Old Town San Diego, the Gaslamp District, and Little Italy.... all of which had absolutely amazing food! in little italy we went to this restaurant call trattoria fantasica. it was right under the neon little italy sign and the food was completely divine! hahaha all super athentic and if you ever get a chance to eat there.... do it!

Heritage Tours

so i havent written in forever it seems but heres a little bit about what i've been up to in july.....



HERITAGE TOURS!!!!!!!!!!!! i was gone for three weeks on a church history tour where we visited church history sites all connecting to the pioneers and jospeh smith. we made a big circle driving up to winter quarters over to kirtland....then new york, where we also visted nyc and niagara falls....... to vermont, the birthplace of joseph smith.....to pennsylvania.....virginia.....nauvoo.....and adam ondi amon! we saw carthage jail, liberty jail, hill cumora pagaent, nauvoo pagaent...and lots more. it was a fun trip fill with the spirit... and friendships were made that will last forever.