Assembly Required.

I know I don't blog nearly enough to satisfy the wants for updates from mi familia and various others, so I'm sincerely sorry. So without further ado, here is some of what has been going on in my life for the past month...please enjoy!

-I gave blood again!! I have no idea why I did, especially after I almost DIED last time (obvious exaggeration, but still). However, whenever the sign up sheet came around at church to donate, my name somehow found it's way into an open slot. I am happy to announce that this experience of saving 3 lives was worlds better than the first. This time I didn't almost die (the whole needle and blood comin' out thing went rather swimmingly)...my blood bag however got too full and apparently almost busted, or at least that's what one of the doctor/nurse people said frantically as they all rushed to get my arm undone while my machine was making panic noises. Good times. But again, I received my [red tape bandage] badge of honor, and that was worth almost spilling my blood for...literally.

-I have experienced many firsts out here in college...first time living on my own, first mountain hike, first job, first kiss, first semester of college. But far surpassing these seemingly insignificant firsts (sarcasm), I have experienced firsts that will remain ingrained in my memory forever...or I guess in my stomach because they all deal with food now that I think about it! Such as:
             ~First time eating Panda Express

(We frequently order take-out...college life<3)

             ~First time eating Ramen Noodles

                                    (No picture, sorry)

             ~First time eating a Twinkie

(Yes, I did make a Twinkie tower in class)

 

-I was able to attend General Conference for the first time in person!! That was amazing beyond measure. To be able to sit in the same room as general authorities who are called of God...WOW. Let's just say the spirit was definitely there, and I was in party town. Even though it was really awesome, I think I'll stick to watching general conference at home...it's too dark and warm and comfy at the Conference Center. My narcolepsy was havin' a hay-day in there, if you know what I'm sayin. Anyways, the speakers were so inspired and the music was wonderful as always. Did anyone have their mind blown by the missionary announcement?!? Of course you did, you fool. It's so crazy, but so perfect at the same time. All my plans are now thrown out of wack, but it's all good. Weird to think that I could be gone this time next year, huh? Moral of this tangent: I HEART GENERAL CONFERENCE. It's my favorite [semiannual] time of the year :)

                                                         

(I of course got the traditional temple picture after conference)

 

-I BUILT A BOOTY-KICKIN' FORT in our living room/kitchen area. BOOYA. (Pictures to come on Facebook). But seriously, it was so much fun. We pretty much lived in there the whole weekend...naptime, movie nights, music jam sessions, the works... it was pretty amazing. I should go into the fort assembly business...I hear it's a growing market and let's face it, I've got skills!

(Canopy View)

 

(Chillin' like Villains)

 

-I guess it was about a month ago now...my roommate Katie snuck into our FHE brothers apartment and stole their precious stuffed antelope, Gallaheed. When they noticed he was missing, WAR ERUPTED...consisting of fly swatters, ransom pictures, brassieres, laundry baskets, chucking flowers, a cameo snuggie, and the chastity line. Needless to say, the brothers now always have their doors locked.

 

-Speaking of our FHE brothers, I would like to take this moment to say how awesome they all are. THEY ARE AWESOME. Seriously, I love hanging out with them. Growing up with only brothers around, and then coming here and living with only 5 other girls has been a really strange adjustment. Luckily, my brethren don't seem to mind too much when I hang out at their place. I need my daily dose of brotherhood every once in a while. They have done so much for me and my roommates. Through blessings, food, talking, and simply being around (among other things), they have become some of our best friends out here at the Y. So thanks you guys, we love y'all!!

 

 

 





-ZACHARY AND MARISSA ARE ENGAGED. Finally. Long story short, I helped and photographed the whole affair from behind a minivan at 6 in the morning. Creeper status. [She said yes, by the way :)]

 

-We went on a spontaneous hike two Sundays ago to Bridal Veil falls. We were all sitting around at our place, and next thing we know, we are in Jessie's car drivin' through the canyon. I love random adventures. Our explorer group consisted of me, Hayden, Austin (Texas), Jessie, Mady, and Katie. It was so nice and beautiful out there. And honestly, it was probably one the the highlights of my college experience so far...even though I ripped my pants...and when I say ripped, I mean RIPPED...like 8 inches down the crotch ripped. But I guess that just added to the excitement of the evening!

(So amazing!)

 

(Austin posing like champion next to the falls)

 

(ONE RIP TO RULE THEM ALL...there she blows)

 

-Campus is so beautiful, so here are a few pictures I've snapped with my phone while walking on campus. Feast your eyes.

(Snow topped mountains after the first snow fall!)

(One day it was super foggy, and you could barely even see the mountains...so cool.)



(The flag at half mast on September 11. The ROTC stood on guard next to the flag all day long, which was so amazing. God bless America!)

 



-A few things I've realized while being out at college: I love root beer floats; LOVE THEM. I want to learn to speak Hebrew one day. Bed-side tables/desks are the bees-knees. I hate alarms...hence the reason I snooze them a kagillion times before finally getting up late. I love simply cruising in the car with the windows down, heaters up, and music playing while driving through the canyons(or anywhere for that matter); it's one of my favorite feelings in the world...especially when James Taylor is playing! I love everything about autumn. It's colder back home in the winter than it is out here; thank you frozen humidity for preparing me so well.

 

I hope you all enjoyed that...my tangents were very out of chronological order, so sorry about that.

 

Carry on my peeps, and may the force be with you.



Rest In {REESE'S} Pieces

Here lies Abigail Nicole Page

May 1, 1994---October 3, 2012

Great roommate. Fantastic daughter. Giving friend. Booty-kickin' cafeteria lady.

Cause of death: College. [homework]

 

Hark! The bells are ringalingin'

So Friday was a wonderful day, but also an interesting one as well. The one main thing I wanted to focus on is that after work, I was sitting in our kitchen just pondering my life and the tiny problems I have that sometimes seem like the Himalayas to my meager mind. As I was sitting there, the BYU bell tower (which is right outside our window) began playing "Come, Come, Ye Saints." It is one of my favorite hymns. (For all you non-Mormons reading this, listen to it by following the link added to the word 'listen.' It is a song that can really change your heart.) The parts that hit home on Friday was the last few notes/words at the end of every verse that say "All is well!" I have always loved that part, and since I was going through a particularly difficult point in my day when the bell tower rang out this lovely tune, I was reminded of a few things. First off: I love my Heavenly Father. The simple fact that I was able to hear that song when I needed that spiritual and emotional up-boost was such a testimony-builder of His hand in my daily life. From helping me find my keys to sending me reassuring nudges through songs and people, I am constantly reminded that my Heavenly Father loves me :) I'm so glad I know that and that I know Him. Second: The Mormon pioneers were the most kick-butt people I know! Seriously though...they left their homes and all of their fancy possessions behind in order to cross thousands of miles on foot (and mostly by handcart) into unsettled territory simply because they had the most steadfast faith in the gospel and the restored church. Many of them died and lost loved ones along the way, and they suffered more hardships, sufferings, and persecutions then most people can even begin to imagine...and yet, as they walked all that way, they sang out strongly and proudly "All is well!" They are truely inspiring examples in my life. Sometimes I wish I had a fraction of the faith that they possessed.. I guess that's one for the bucket list!!

Every Day Is Gameday

Howdy everyone. Lots and lots and LOTS of things have happened these past two weeks, so this post should be a doozy...but it is also 1:30 in the morning time that I am working on this bad boy, so let's see how far I get!
First off: Random fact of the week is I was super sore for atleast 3 days over the weekend/the beginning of the week. On Friday, I went to the gym for the first time since last semester ended. (Don't worry, I haven't been getting fat; I ran around the streets of Provo. I just haven't really had access to the gym since then.) But anyways, I went to the gym after my classes were over, and I ran and lifted weights and used tons of the fancy machines for over an hour and a half. Moral of this pointless story: I love to sweat. Weird, but true. And it's not that I love being sweaty in normal life. I like sweating when I go to the gym. I think it is a very rewarding feeling. Call me weird, but that's just how I roll. But yes...ANYWAYS.
Moving on. A week ago today, BYU had it's first home football game of the season. The recently spiffed-up stadium was jam packed by the time I got there after work. Everyone was all decked out in their cougar gear, which was awesome to see! My friends and my brothers and I were directly behind the goal post on the second row of the student section. Talk about flippin' awesomeness at it's climax! Things that happened right in front of us: The cheerleaders did all of their funky stunts; the Cougarettes shook their groove things; attractive males ran around with BYU flags and signs; many a touchdown and field goal occurred; Cosmo (our mascot) jumped up into the stands!!

I GOT A PICTURE WITH HIM.

 

(Please enjoy this image of me and mi amigas surrounding Cosmo the Cougar)

 

Funny side story about this picture: Cosmo jumped up into the stands down a little ways in our row. He was slowly making his way towards us while getting attacked for a gazillion photos. RIGHT when he got to us, he turned to jump down back onto the field. I screamed "NO Cosmo!! I HAVE to get a picture with you! You can't leave yet. Baby, come back!" I then preceeded to grab his arm while he was in mid-jump over the railing and turned him around so I could fulfill a major part of my college life and get a photo with that dang cougar. (Don't you see me gripping his arm? ...tehehe :)) All I have to say is "CHECK. Off the bucket list." Booya.

So another thing that happened at the game that fulfilled a life-long bucket list item is... I caught a tshirt!! Ya know how at sporting events and at other such things, people throw tshirts and stuff into the stands for the fans to jump and snatch at like it's the last bit of manna from heaven and we are about to go into the Great Drepression? Well, guess what. This girl won big time. I was jumping up and down in place yelling repeatedly, "Please I wanna shirt! Please I wanna shirt!! Please, oh please. Goodness gracious that's all I ask of life! PLEASE! I'm jumping around and I wanna shirt. Oh please Ms. Cheerleader lady. Please throw one to me!" And BAM. All of a sudden my annoying chants were cut short by a tshirt flying at my face and landing in my hands. It was honestly really funny cause I wasn't expecting it, and then I looked down and there it was in my hands! Sighh... I caught a shirt. I can die happy now.

 



Beware the swamp cooler!

After a [two week] 'summer break' filled with movies, moving, shopping, gatherings, phone calls, movies, interesting evenings, more shopping, sleeping, and more movies, I am very ready to begin fall semester. I miss having a schedule and having to work around things. I get more done when I have more to do...if that makes any sense? I'm just ready to get this show on the road! Classes and work and friends, oh my!
Starting today, all of my roommates are officially moved in! It's kinda weird sitting in my dorm and someone other than my past summer roommates walking in. I miss them a lot, but I am super stoked to start fresh. I can already tell that my new roommates are awesome, and we probably have the cutest apartment/dorm on the block!
Word to the wise: when you are about to move in somewhere and the only source of air conditioning is through a swamp cooler, look elsewhere for living arrangements. At times, it's brutal. But luckily, past development in technology has given us the invention of the electric fan. Thank you Schulyer Wheeler (inventor of the electric fan).
I'm going to end this post by saying the first five things that pop into my head: Scooby-Dooby-Doo; my CTR ring is German; everything in Utah is Utah-like; vintage bottles are the best; rain is a good thing.
That's all folks.

I simply remember my favorite things

So this past week, I have been in a form of homelessness; however, a pair of one of my adopted parents was kind enough to take me in during the semester break. I have been shown more Brazilian love this week than most people know in a lifetime, and for that I am beyond grateful :)
Zachary came out to Utah today!! It was really awesome to actually see him in person for the first time since he has been home! It was the first time Matt had seen Zach since before Matthew left on his mission, so it was super sweet to see them pick up right where they left off. Gotta love bromance.
Okay, so I know this post is so random and pointless, but I can't sleep, so I figured I would type a few words. Slightly similar to Fraulein Maria, I like to think of a few of my favorite things. This usually happens around beddy-bye time for me, when my mind wanders. Since I can't sleep, I figured I would share a few; sadly though, it will not be in a sing-songy manner with Austrian children jumping on my bed during a thunderstorm..

I LOVE: pillow pets (especially my giraffe one, Greg); bedside tables; slight stubble on men; awkward tan lines; sidewalks; temples; MTC's; benches for poppin' a squat; secret smoothies at Jamba Juice; missionary homecomings; curly hair; pretty eyes; autumn; walking signals; little baby ducks; camouflage; 'save' buttons; keys; Jedi; chargers; face wash that smells good; football; accents; bagpipes; CTR rings; Vans; dollar bills; getting emails; Captain America (all day, everyday); tabs; root beer floats; receiving texts; plaid; sliding on hardwood floors with socks; fake fighting; pictures; retro bikes; back scratches; when people play with my hair; when people harmonize while singing; and TV shows streamed online for free.

So when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when my social security card gets lost in the mail, when I jam my pinky toe, when I can't sleep, when I'm feeling sad... I simply remember my (random) favorite things, and then I don't feel sooo baaaaaaaddddd!!

~~Please enjoy this picture of me laughing at who knows what~~
~I felt that it was very fitting for this post~

I got a nickel HEY HEY HEY HEY!

The last night of my college freshmen summer was quite the way to end the best summer of my life. Let's just say Kendall, Kali, Kenzie, and I went out on a bang. Since we were some of the very few that were still around last night, we decided to go to California Pizza Kitchen and then to the Nickel Arcade!!! Talk about most fun night ever. Due to Kendall's rather large jar full of change, we gamed all night. I had forgotten how awesome it feels to win tickets. For those of you who may not understand, it is the closest thing to sheer joy you will feel in this life. So after we traded in our hundreds of tickets for some sweet High School Musical sweatbands and candy, we moseyed on over to the little waterfall on campus by our dorms that leads to the duck crick and chilled there for a bit. It was all great fun, and it will definitely be going down in my book for one of my most memorable nights ;) Things I learned: I should go on 'Deal or No Deal' because I'm awesome; Skee-ball is still the best arcade game ever; I like the tops of waterfalls; ducks sound like people at one in the morning; I can pin guys twice my size; and I'm a ninja at chameleon-fly-lick-knocking-downing.