Hawaii

The whole vacation was really like living in a week-long dream---the best dream I've ever had. Despite having a broken foot, every day was the best day ever.

On the vacation was me and Chris, his parents, his mom's friend, his grandma and grandma's step-daughter. Everyone was really fun and really kind, I got to know them all and grew very fond of them. They were also very helpful in helping me get around and taking care of me. Chris and his mom were very adamant about keeping my foot iced and elevated. 

In some ways I think being broken for the trip was kind of a good thing. I definitely witnessed Chris's nurturing side and learned that he's good at taking care of people.

There was nothing very extravagant happening any of the days. That would have driven dad nuts! All of our family vacations have events scheduled out so every day is packed full of activities.

Most of this vacation was just spent sitting around the pool, laying in the sun, just hanging out. We went out to dinner a few times and to the beach a few times. One day they drove Chris and I to Waikiki to go to the zoo (Chris had to push me around in a wheelchair--that was a little embarrassing).

The 18th was Chris's birthday, so him and Wendy (the grandma's step-daughter) went to a tour of the Lost filming site. I would have liked to see it too, but the tour was a bumpy off-road bus ride, and that wouldn't have worked out very well. But he had a good time seeing that.

The next day was his parents' anniversary, and they decided to share it with Chris's birthday celebrations, so them and Chris and I went on a double date and went to dinner together.

On our last day, Chris's mom took us in to town and dropped off me and Chris for a date. We walked around the beach a little, then went to dinner and got ice cream after. It was a great way to end the vacation.

I think about Hawaii every day and miss it so much. It was such an amazing time!

Broken Foot

I got home from school on the 9th, and was happy to see Chris every day that week. However, on Friday night, we had a little get together at my friend's house and I ended up rolling my ankle and breaking my foot. Talk about bad luck, especially because I'd be leaving for Hawaii just over a day later. The first broken bone in our whole family and it happens right before a dream vacation.

FHE

Today was the last day of FHE this semester. I've really really enjoyed my FHE group this semester. It was just our apartment and an apartment of guys, and all of the guys were really fun to hang out with! We all got along really well :)

I'll definitely miss them :)

22 Years!

Today is my birthday! I woke up and opened my present from mom. Thank you for the candy and lotion and earrings and money :)

After, Rikke and I went tanning. I didn't burn at all this time! The plan to tan so I don't burn up in Hawaii is becoming a success!

Then my roommates (minus Ferrell and Hannah) and some of our friends went to Wingers for lunch.

After that, I got a call from Chris while we were on the way to Kari's house. We never ever talk on the phone because I really don't generally like talking on phones, so we've only gotten to talk on Valentine's Day and today. It was really nice to hear his voice :)

We got to Kari's and hung out with her and Brent and the kids for an hour or so. I got a present from Ranae with my favorite candy and a gift card to McDonalds (I wondered if mom had hinted to her what I liked!) and Kari got me some candy and Alexis drew me a picture. Thank you!

After visiting Kari, Rikke and I went to the mall and did some shopping. I got a few things from Wet Seal. Stores are starting to prepare for Summer and seeing those clothes make me so excited for Summer and Hawaii!

Then we drove home and now I have a lot of homework to do.

I heard Computer Essentials was supposed to be a really easy class, and it's only 1 credit so it should be easy. But it's turned out to be nothing like what I heard. I have a heavier workload for that class than I do for any of my others, even my 4 credit one. So now it's time to do homework for the rest of the night.

Spring is on its way!

A while ago, L. Tom Perry came and spoke at devotional, so nearly the entire BYU-I Center filled. Also, this past Sunday Elder Cook came and gave a CES fireside, so we went and saw him. That's two apostles in one semester!

This was actually taken a month or so again. I just thought it was the cutest little snowman ever!

Last week we had a big snowstorm. The snowflakes were really big and fluffy and the wind was crazy. We got a lot of snow piled up that day.

Walking home today I saw this written in a patch of snow and it made me happy :)

It was a really nice and sunny day today, which was a very welcome break from the windy coldness of yesterday. There is hope for Spring!

My Weekend at Home

Being in China for a semester was a little easier because me and Chris's relationship has just started, so we didn't really know much different. But after spending the two weeks at home for Winter vacation, being away again was really hard.

I was losing concentration and having a hard time motivating myself to work on school because I was just so homesick. So mom and dad were kind enough to get me a plane ticket to come home for a three-day weekend. Chris and I didn't really do anything extravagant, we just hung out like we had over winter break. But even still, it was one of the best weekends of my life. I love spending time with him, even if we aren't doing anything.

On Sunday he agreed to go to church with me. Afterwards, we hung out at my house and watched TV for a while before we worked together on peeling and cutting potatoes. While washing the knife afterwards, I cut my thumb pretty deeply. That was kind of an adventure :)

So we all ate dinner together, and mom and dad got to officially meet him.

Ryan called and wanted to Skype, so Chris got to participate in that and meet Ryan as well.

After we left the house to go meet a friend, Chris commented that our family is absolutely adorable. I'd have to agree :)

Sadly I forgot to take any pictures. But mom brought out the camera on Sunday and got one of us together.

And now I've been back in Idaho for a week and I'm already facing the homesickness again. My heart has been left in Washington. I just need to find some way to motivate myself to work hard and get through the rest of the semester.

First Week of My Last Semester

I've been in school for a week or two or something now. I've lost track, but I don't think it's been very long.
I've been very very very busy this semester so far. Lots and lots of reading, lots and lots of homework, lots and lots of classes. But it's all interesting, so it's worth it :)

I really like all of my roommates. I think that this might be the first semester without any drama!
Still though, it's really hard to be away from home. It's probably a really good thing that I'm so busy, because it doesn't leave me as much time to think about and miss Chris.
So busy I will stay!

Also, it was 4 degrees today. So so so cold :x