It's Conference Time Again?!

I'm so pumped for conference this weekend! I feel more excited for it than I've felt in a long time. I think it has something to do with the fact that I don't have to worry and stress about how I'm going to get homework done... I can just enjoy conference. Also, I'm headed to St. George to watch conference and to support my sister and bro-in-law as they run in the St. George marathon. It should be a good weekend. I'm definitely looking forward to playing with my cute niece and nephew. :)

But seriously, how does time go by so stinkin' fast? It seems like it was just the other day that I was at conference in the media room. I can hardly believe 6 months have gone by. Whoa. Time sure flies when you are busy.

Anyway, I'm grateful we have a living prophet today and apostles to lead and guide us. I can't wait to hear what they have to say to us!

More Hiking/Outdoor Fun

My friend Brandi and I.

A view of the valley. By the time we were done it was dark and looked really neat. We could even see the temple.

I had the point-and-shoot with me, so the quality wasn't that great.

Tonight for FHE we hiked up to Battlecreek Falls in Pleasant Grove. It was an easy hike- only 1.5 miles each way and not too many steep hills. I've hiked it before several years ago. By the time we got to the falls it was kind of dark. It was still pretty though.

I'm really enjoying this nice weather while it lasts. Today I drove up Provo Canyon to see the Fall colors. I wouldn't say they are at their peak yet, there's still a lot of green up there. But, they are starting to change and are pretty. I stopped at Bridal Veil Falls to take pictures. (Those will come soon.)

"It'll All Be Worth It In The End"

17 Miracles was released on DVD/Blue-ray last week. There's one line from the movie that has been running through my mind lately and that is, "It'll all be worth it in the end." The faith of the pioneers was so great. I can't even imagine the trials they had to endure.

I'm reminded of a quote by Orson F. Whitney: "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our soul, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God."

It'll all be worth it end the end. Remember that!

Stewart Falls

I went hiking up to Stewart Falls (near Sundance in Provo Canyon) with some people from my ward yesterday. It was a lot of fun. The hike is supposed to be considered "easy," but there were definitely some rigorous uphill parts. I'm only a little sore today. :)

I didn't bring my camera because it had been rainy, so I didn't want to risk getting my camera wet. Also, I didn't want everyone to have to stop so I could take pictures. I'm a little sad about it, because it was really pretty up there. The leaves are starting to change. Oh well. A girl from my ward got the shot above.

Anyway, yay for happy times! I'm so glad I have friends in my new ward.

Photo Dump!

I was looking over some recent posts and I noticed I've been seriously lacking in posting pictures. So, here are a bunch of random ones from my phone recently.


He's so cute, isn't he? He loves this blue toy. We call it the "blue doggy," but it was actually a blue bear at one point.

All tuckered out. Using his blue toy as a pillow.

Silly girl.

Me.

This year we have about 7 lemons on our lemon tree! That's got to be record. And yes, that's a lemon. They never seem to turn yellow.

Mom, Dad, and I went to "Dickies" (a BBQ place) recently. These were actually PLASTIC! They look so real!

I've been enjoying walks/runs around my parents' house. The scenery is great. The mosquitoes and manure smell, not so much.

Another Exciting Day at DB!

17 miracles was released on DVD and Blue-Ray today. I got to meet the guy who played Albert. So exciting! "Albert" and T.C. Christensen (the producer) were signing copies of the DVD at the Flagship store downtown this morning. I was asked to take a box of DVDs to the store (the corporate office is just down the street a little bit) to get them signed. Well, too bad I tripped as I was going down the stairs in the store. Just my luck. This lowly intern is definitely being kept humble! :)

Also, Alex Boye (an LDS musician and member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) came into the office today and waved to us.

I've been working on some exciting projects, which I can't really talk too much about.

Today was just a very good day. I'm starting to get the hang of things. Working in the city is actually growing on me. I've never considered myself a city girl, but I'm kind of enjoying working in the city. It's also a huge bonus to see the Salt Lake Temple everyday. :)

Remembering 9/11/2001

A very moving video about a man who was affected by the attacks of 9/11.

Like many Americans, my thoughts have turned to remembering that tragic day ten years ago. I was 15 years old at the time. My family had just moved to Utah from California two weeks before. I had just started my sophomore year of high school at a new high school (new to me). I remember getting ready for the day that morning. I remember what I was wearing even. Before heading to school my dad mentioned that something had gone on at the World Trade Center. I didn't even know what the World Trade Center was at the time.

I headed to school. I remember sitting in my U.S. History class watching the news and video footage. Little did I know I was watching U.S. History in the making right there. It was then that I realized that this was something more serious than I had orginally thought it was.

This morning I watched at TV show where children of 9/11 were interviewed. One girl was born a few weeks after the attacks. She never knew her father. How tragic and sad. It made my heart break.

It's so sad that there is so much evil in this world. It's sad that this tragic event happened, took so many lives, and hurt so many families.

I'll never forget 9/11/2001.

Internship Adventures - Day 1

I woke up at 5 am yesterday. Not because I wanted to, but because that's when my body decided to get up. I stayed in bed for a little while. I eventually got ready to go and headed to the bus stop. When the bus came, a man looked at me and said "go ahead." I looked around and realized he was talking to me. So, I headed on the bus. I put my money in to pay for my fare, but the driver told me it was actually more money. That was a bummer, but luckily I had it.

I made sure I got to Salt Lake with plenty of time. It was a good thing too, as I had to run to an ATM to get more money for the ride home.

I got to the office and was told I had a bunch of e-mails (Keep in mind, this was my first day. I was kind of surprised about that!). So, I spent several hours sorting through e-mails! Also, I was given the assignment to listen to some music and a talk on CD yesterday. So rough. :) I listened to Jenny Oaks Baker's new CD and I am going to be starting on Carmen Rassmussen's new talk on CD soon.

The highlight of the day was helping work on The Forgotten Carols Tour project. We are promoting the 20th anniversary. (Speaking of that, we're giving away two tickets to each concert. Visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/forgottencarols for more info.) I sat in on a brainstorming meeting. Michael McClean came to the office yesterday. He waved to me as he walked by (yes, my little claim to fame). I was also able to peek in and see some of my co-workers filming some interviews with him. Pretty cool. There is actually another intern whose job is specifically to work on the Forgotten Carols project.

I learned so much yesterday. I learned that the things I learned in my classes are actually put to use in the real world. Imagine that! Remember that dumb excel class I hated with a passion? Well, I can tell it's going to come in handy (and that I need to brush up on some things). They are all about Excel spreadsheets at the Corporate Office. I was already asked to create one yesterday. I'll also be helping with marketing plans. I created several in my classes and now I'll help and observe real ones being put into place!

My lunch break was an interesting experience. I went to the food court at City Creek to eat. I brought my lunch to save money. I was surrounded by older businessmen. Women were definitely the minority. I felt so out of place. The whole day yesterday I definitely felt like a "greenie" to the working world.

The people I work with are all so nice. They are all so willing to help me. The girl in the cubicle next to me was an intern there over the summer and was just hired on. She helps me a lot. She gave me some tips about the bus system. She said most of the time the men will let women on first. I thought it was interesting that she said that, as that had happened to me in the morning.

I had quite the day yesterday! I was so exhausted last night. There was just so much to take in. Such a new experience. I got home and fell asleep at 8 pm. I woke up at 10 and went back to bed for the night at 11.

We'll see what adventures tomorrow brings!

Blessing in Disguise

Tomorrow's the big day! I like to think it's the day I'm entering the "real" world. I'm entering the corporate world. Wowzers! I'm an adult (I know... I've been an adult for over 7 years now). I'm scared out of my mind and excited too. I'm not sure what to expect. I just hope I can be the person they are hoping I am. I'm working on that whole faith in myself thing. :) It still blows my mind when I think about the fact that I got this internship. Heavenly Father must want me to be there. I trust that He knows what He's doing.

Remember how I felt so bad about having to tell my other internship that I would not be coming? Well, it turned out to be no big deal. I sent an e-mail expressing my apologies. I received an e-mail back wishing me good luck with my new position. It was from a different lady than the one who offered me the internship. The lady who offered me the internship (at the end of June) no longer works there! I'm pretty sure the new lady didn't even know I was coming, so they weren't even really expecting me. The blessing is the fact that I got the Deseret Book internship, as I may not have had an internship at all if I didn't get it. Also, I am being paid a small stipend from Deseret Book, which is such a blessing.

Well, life is good. It feels good to be opening a new chapter. I'll let y'all know how things go as I begin my internship!

My Heart Hurts

(Christi is 4th from the left on the last row, Sister Bentley is 3rd from the left on the front row.)

Last night we found out that two sister missionaries in Christi's mission were involved in a serious car accident. One of the sisters passed away. I can't stop thinking about it. My heart hurts so much for everyone. I hurt for the parents, the sister who is still living, the mission president and his wife, and the other missionaries. What a hard, hard thing. I can't even comprehend the pain. I wish I could talk to Christi right now and see how she's holding up. It must be hard for her. I know it'd be very hard for me. Losing a fellow sister missionary would be difficult. (And not to mention, Christi's had to deal with an earthquake, hurricane, moving, and now this in the past week or so.)

I guess the sister had another mission to fulfill on the other side. Dying on the mission is the best way to go. I'm sure the Lord is taking good care of her.

Please keep these people in your prayers. They've got a long road ahead of them.

Here's more info: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700175258/Sister-missionary-dies-in-NY-car-accident.html