Visit to Park City

Mom, Dad, Christi, Buffy and I went to Park City on Saturday. (Not to be confused with Park City, IL, which was a city I served in on my mission.)

I, personally, am drawn to Park City because of its Outlet Mall (Although, I've only been there once). We went there today. I had some early birthday money and I was excited to find some good deals. Well, I came out with... nothing! Zip. Nada. Bummer.

It was a nice day though- sunny and around 40 degrees. It was fun to walk down Main Street and look in the shops and art galleries. Walking around, I could definitely tell who was a tourist. There were some people who were really bundled up- ear muffs, scarves and all. Whereas Christi, on the other hand, was in flip-flops- which was probably a bit too extreme-there was still a lot of snow up there.

All in all, it was a nice little outing!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Yep, that's right. I'm going to Connecticut for three weeks next month! My brother and sister-in-law are flying me out to help out (They are expecting their 4th child). It'll be fun playing with the kids. I'm so glad I can go. There's a positive side to not having a job at the moment!

Side note- I am no longer dizzy. Hooray! I still have the whisper in my ear, which is odd. But, I can live with that if I am not dizzy!

Gearing up for SpRiNg!

Spring is such a wonderful time of year. It is just around the corner (I hope)! I've been working on getting everything squared away for next semester. I am returning to Rexburg. (There was some debate about that, but I have decided to finish there). I reserved my spot at my new apartment. I'll be living at The Pines. I'm really looking forward to that change. I will no longer live at the seclusion captial of Rexburg (a.k.a. my former apartment complex). I'll now be living on the other end of campus. Plus, I already know two of my roommates. They are sisters. It should be good.

Also, I'm planning my classes. I can register in just a few days. Here are the classes I'm hoping to get into: Editing (as in print media), Visual Media, World Foundations 1, Color Photo, Practicum, and Family Foundations.

It should be a good semester. Busy, yes. But good. I like being busy. (I say that now, but ask me a few weeks into the semester and we'll see.)

By the way, I am hoping to graduate in April of 2012. That is the projected date. I will be 26 years old. I have to do an internship before I graduate and I am hoping to do it at the Church Magazines next winter. That'd be awesome. We will see.

A few words about Missionary Work

I've had missionary work and missions on my mind a lot lately. Now, wait a sec... I know what you are thinking... most of you know that I am still really obsessed with my mission, but these thoughts have been more along the lines of what I can do right now in my life. I think I've been slacking a bit on that "member missionary work." I know a few people who have just turned in their papers (or will soon) and I was just called as a ward missionary, so these thoughts and feelings have come to me.

Today I attended a meeting with other ward missionaries. It kind of re-lit the missionary spark within me. As we came up with a ward mission plan, my faith was strengthened that there are people even within this highly LDS populated area who are ready for the gospel or ready to come back to church. I think it's so easy to just slip into our own lives and our own routines. But, it is our DUTY to share the gospel. I think this needs to definitely be a serious and constant matter of PRAYER. The Lord will bless us as we do this. Who doesn't need more blessings in their life?

My week

I rode back with Christi to Rexburg on Tuesday. I was feeling pretty well- or so I thought. I actually started driving and made it to Salt Lake, but I was really dizzy/lightheaded so I had her take over. I wondered why I even said I'd come. I guess I over-estimated how well I was doing.

But, I still managed to have a good time. My dizziness wasn't all the time and it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed spending time with a lot of friends.


Me and my friend Morgan. We met in a COMM class last summer and became friends. We are going to be roommates in the spring and summer.

My Mom encouraged me to get a second opinion about my ear. She kept suggesting that I go to the health center while I was up there. I was a bit frustrated and discouraged with the whole thing. But, I went. Interestingly, the doctor said that she thought what I have is "eustachian tube dysfunction." Basically, there's probably a lot of pressure on that tube. So, she prescribed me Mucinex D, which is a combo of sudafed and mucinex. So far it seems to be helping.

Also while in Rexburg I was able to visit my friend Kelley and meet her new son. Her baby was born on Valentine's day. Her mom was there, so it was fun to see her too.

Christi and I drove back tonight and are now home safely. I love visiting friends, but it's definitely nice to be back in my own living space.

Update

I had the hearing test today. My hearing is 100% normal, which was no surprise to me. Although, the test was also to see how my eardrums react to certain sounds, etc.

There still was no conclusion as to what the problem is. Thankfully I haven't been as dizzy today. The doctor said that it could just be a virus. If the symptoms persist in the next two-three weeks he wants me to have an M.R.I. done. So, we'll go from there. Hopefully it is just a virus and I will get better everyday. I also hope this annoying "whisper" sound in my ear goes away!

Mystery Diagnosis: Prayers Needed

After visiting the doctor today, I feel like I could be on the show "Mystery Diagnosis."

I've had a "whispering" in my ear for about a month now. I've just assumed that it was water- that I have had "swimmer's ear." Well, upon visiting the doctor today I learned that that is not the case. My ear looked fine. The doctor said it could be hearing loss. Thanks doc. Way to scare me. It worked- I started crying right there. Part of the crying was due to the fact that he and the P.A. don't have any clue as to what is wrong with me. They said my symptoms were "strange," especially since I am "so young." I guess I should tell you that in the past two days I've also become lightheaded/dizzy and had some minor vision problems. My vision problem is hard to explain. You know how your eyes are when the light has been off and it turns back on- you see spots all over? That's kind of what it has been like.

So, please, pray for me. I don't know what's wrong, the doctor doesn't know either. This could be very serious. I'm going in for a hearing test tomorrow and then I guess we'll go from there.

Indy

You know, I've been spending a lot of time with the dog lately, so I thought I'd post some pictures. He is a cute little guy, but can sometimes be as annoying as heck. He loves attention and requires a lot of it! Something a little funny, he loves to be held. The trick is to catch him though. He doesn't want to be picked up, but once you are holding him he loves it. Funny dog! P.S. I still like cats better. When I get my own home I am going to have a cat (Only ONE cat!).

It's a Small World After All

Ever since I was on my mission I keep having awesome "small world" experiences.

For example, tonight Dad and I volunteered at the M.T.C. While there, I noticed a girl who looked really familiar. You know how that goes...she looked so familiar, but I could not pinpoint where I knew her from. I kept thinking, "Did I go to high school with her? Do I know her from BYU-Idaho? From the mission???" Well, as she was talking to someone she said she's from Chicago! That was it! It hit me. She's from the Northshore 2nd ward, a ward where I served. She came home for Christmas and during the summer, and I was in that area for 6 months, so that's how I recognized her. I have even been to her house before!

I love these small experiences. They make me happy. It just makes me feel like God loves me and is aware of me.

One other recent experience- Dad and some other family members got talking about the Valencia, CA area. I mentioned that I met a girl up at BYU-Idaho from Saugus, which is near there. I told Dad her last name and funny enough, he and Mom knew a couple by that last name. Sure enough, it was the same family. The parents' were in the same singles' ward as Mom and Dad.

It really is a small world after all. I guess it gets even smaller when you are L.D.S.

Sisters' Dinner Party

I have something exciting to blog about! AND there are pictures! Tonight a bunch of us Illinois Chicago North Mission Alumni Sisters had a dinner party. It was so great! I had a ton of fun! There is nothing in the world like getting together with a bunch of people who have experienced similar things and you can talk about those experiences and reminisce. Here are some pictures from the night.




Me with Sister Merriman. I never actually served with her (other than one day on exchanges), but it feels like I did sometimes!


Me and Sister Johnson. She drove to Provo from Logan to come to this shin-dig!

Oh, on another note, apparently in July they are combining the north and south missions into one. That is crazy. (Just another witness to me that things are moving on and changing and I need to as well.)

P.S. One more thing, I was just called to be a ward missionary! I am really excited. I have a "companion" and we go on "visits." I also have been asked to attend the "Preach My Gospel" Sunday School class.