For everyone not reading this (everyone), I'm sorry for my lack of posting.  There was absolutely no way for me to post last week.  It was just full of Education Week at BYU classes, visiting family and friends, and, when I wasn't enjoying life on the other side of the Mississippi, I was passing out onto the rock-solid dorm bed from the exasperated exhaustion my body was pressing on my eyelids.

So, let me take you through my week.

We got to Utah about an hour earlier than we were supposed to, but it was all good.  It was a little after noon.  We met up with Abby and Hernando at Gardener's Village.  It was such a cute place.  We at lunch at this quirky restaurant, and I had this thing that was basically fish and chips (fries), but it had a different name that I can't remember.  The last syllable was "but" and I wish I could remember to make me seem less immature, but such is life.

We walked around the little stores, and I had my first Dad's Red Cream Soda it was quite sugary, but good, nonetheless.  Abby enforced my trying it, and she too purchased one.

We then went to Temple Square and did all that we could do there, besides go into the Temple.  I definitely appreciated the whole experience more, now that I have the mental capacity to do so (the last time I was there, I was eight).  I kind of got silently emotional about it.  I was really tired, and just lacking in some self-control, but no one noticed, and I just got to have that moment with myself and the model of the Temple inside the visitors center.  I just have--over these past two years--gained such strength from the story of the Pioneers.  I feel like, if they can do all of that, and still remain faithful and true, I have an easy life.  When I'm struggling with something, I think of them, and suddenly, my problems are minuscule and my complaints unnecessary.

We weren't expecting to do all of this in one day, but I was glad we did.

When we were done for the day, we headed to Payson to stay with my Uncle Ken and Aunt Shelley.  We hit the bed after talking to them for a bit.  It was one of the most exhausting days of my life, but I did get a start on my summer reading, since school was to start the next Monday (tomorrow).

Sunday, we went on a hike at Sundance with Shelley and Kassidee (my cousin), which wasn't too bad.  We got to the top via ski lift, and the whole thing was supposed to be downhill, but there were one or two hills that left us flat-landers breathless.  There were also some downhill parts that were a bit difficult to stay stable on due to the loose rocks beneath our feet.  I only fell twice, and caught myself before my butt hit the ground, but of course, both times had to occur when my athletic aunt and cousin were walking behind me.  Super.  Although, Kassi did fall once, which was definitely scary in my eyes, because as we found out upon our arrival, she is two months pregnant!  Excitement!  (The fact that she's pregnant, not the fall.  haha.)

We then met up with Ken, Eric (Kassi's brother/my cousin), his wife, Lauren, their semi-new daughter, Zooey, and Dresden (Kassi's husband who isn't the most sociable, happy-camper) at Deer Lake Park/Reservoir.

Okay, sue me.  I didn't have my Sabbath Day Observance.  I did feel somewhat bad about it, but I also didn't.  You're supposed to spend time with your family, and sometimes the only time to do so is on Sundays in ways that will bring you closer in your relationships, but maybe not so much with your spirituality.  So there.

Whilst tubing behind the boat, my mom and Eric kind of flew, and my mom tore up her shoulder.  It's not broken, but it's still hurting her a week later:/.  My tubing experience was "leisurely" as Eric kept saying during the venture.  I guess I conveyed anxiety beforehand when I said I didn't want to do it.  I was honestly only waiting to see how difficult it would be for others to get back into the boat--even with the ladder.

My last experience in trying to get back on a boat after tubing ended up with me somewhat mooning someone who I was trying to get to sponsor me for this medical forum I went to last summer.  Not my most elegant moment.

It's taken me about two hours to write this post.  I keep taking breaks.  I then debate about whether or not just to continue this post tomorrow.  Then, I realize that I'll probably be ranting about something tomorrow that takes away from the amazing time I had in Utah.

I realize this blog in its entirety is one of those "I did _____ today, and it made me feel ____."  Then, a paragraph is written dissecting the matter at hand.  I'm sure others would rather see some political post about who is running in the next election and how much they suck for little reasons or some philosophical ideas comparable to Aristotle's, but with a modern twist.  You may even just want me to post a bunch of gossip about those in my life and in the Hollywood scene, but no.  I'm writing to remember these days of my youth.  To remember who was there, what I ate, when I cried, when I laughed, when my hope and joy was at its highest peak.  This is why I'm writing this blog.

I'm just going to continue tomorrow with the aspects of my trip, and give you the 411 on my first day of school.  I need to take a shower and attempt slumber.

It's 12:50AM.  I have to get up to get ready for Seminary and the start of my junior year of high school at 5AM.  I have rarely ever slept more than an hour the night before school starts.

I started and finished Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.  I just have no idea what time I started and ended.  I really loved it, but I think my English teacher really needs a hug based on the things she makes us read.  They have never had happy endings.

Sweetdreams, reader.

Utah, Here I Come!

Ugh, I accidentally watched a rated R movie.  Way to go, Jazmin.  It was Amelie, and I should have known it was rated R from the beginning, but I just erased it from my mind and fast forwarded where I thought necessary:/.

I also watched Paper Heart.  I liked it.  It wasn't awful, and it was an interesting concept, but I didn't love it.  Even if Michael Cera does consistently play the same role in each of the films he's in, I still love that character.  Sorry if you feel differently.  The chick reminded me a lot of my best friend, Gabby.

After that, I watched The Bumblebee Flies Anyway.  I probably only watched it because Elijah Woods is the main character, and he and Dominic Monaghan are all over my childhood diaries.  The movie was very Lifetime-esque.  Of course, ten minutes or so before the movie was about to end, my computer chooses to inform me that it will be updating itself within the next fifteen minutes.  I decided, since the movie was almost over, I wouldn't click the "Restart now" button, but wait for the countdown to hit zero.  Big mistake.  The computer started shutting down at the very moment when Mr. Elijah is deciding whether or not to jump (you'll know what I mean if you've seen it.)  I decided to just let it do its thing, and go to sleep.  It would be an hour before I've been going to bed (it was around 4am.)  I finished it this afternoon (I woke up at 2:15pm:/), but I won't spoil the ending for you.

Today, I did laundry and packed.  Of course, the washing machine decided to start leaking last night, so I had to "keep an eye on it."  It ended up leaking again today whilst my not looking.  Super.  My mom wasn't her happiest.

I also got my class schedule today.  Finally.  I am taking AP Statistics this year, and I am not excited about that prospect.

What I am excited about is the fact that I will be in Utah in about thirteen hours.  I'll be seeing Abby and Hernando (my friends who moved back to their hometown in Utah a couple of weeks ago) once again.  I'll also be seeing my Uncle Ken and Aunt Shelley, which is a definite excitement.  My Uncle Kenny is one of my dad's three brothers.  He's kind of been the one I've always admired and felt most at ease around.  I do love the others equally, of course, but Ken is just more light-hearted and intellectual in my eyes, but at the same time, he's this big teddy bear.  One of my favorite memories is when they were visiting Florida, and they were staying with us.  The morning they left, I heard someone coming into my room.  I played possum and pretended to still be asleep, and soon felt his hairy face giving me a goodbye peck on the cheek. I didn't just know it was him because of his scruffy beard, but because of the joy and comfort that filled my room once he entered it.  I love my Aunt Shelley, too, of course.  She talks to me like she's genuinely interested in what I have to say.  She's just one of those people that you instantly want to talk to upon seeing her.

It's going to be so freaking hard saying goodbye to Abby and Hernando again.  It was hard even when I knew I'd be seeing them in a couple of weeks.  Abby has just become what I feel a sister would be.  We can tease each other and slip sarcastically snotty remarks one moment, and in the next, explain how much we love each other.  Hernando, her husband, is kind of like a brother to me in many ways.  They both are such great examples to me, and I love them so much.

I've decided not to even attempt sleep.  There's no way I can make myself fall asleep, even if I was tired.  The thought of me seeing these people who I love so dearly within hours is just something that will keep my mind racing right through to the time my alarm goes off.

Yesterday, I spent the entire day reading some of Sense and Sensibility and a lot of The Bell Jar (It's one of my summer reading assignments, and I figured I'd better get it started.  It started reading it at 5:26pm), and reading about the Bronte family.  My favorite book is Jane Eyre, and the fact that there is a Charlotte in S and S, threw my mind into wanting to read about Charlotte Bronte again (I've read about her a couple of times before.)  Then, I became more interested in her other family members.  It kind of made me dislike Charlotte Bronte a bit.  She wouldn't let her sister, Anne's, manuscript of her second novel be published after she had died, simply because she thought it was too realistic for society to handle.  Even though her other sister, Emily's, Wuthering Heights probably possessed more violence.  The Wikipedia article said something about Emily's novel being more romantically dramatic than Anne's.  From all the reading of this family, I've come to the conclusion than Anne is my favorite.  I'd like to think I'm a lot like her.  Sure, she'll deal with the crap she has to deal with patience, but she still sticks up for herself.

Naturally, I logged into Netflix, and ordered every movie about the Bronte family.  I also searched for movie adaptions of Anne's novels, but only found one for The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.  It was three hours and on the instant play list.  So, I watched it all today.  I really liked it.  Though, I did skip a couple of parts because it seemed like they were taking a turn for the worst.  I'd really like to read it and Agnes Grey.

Funnily enough, the guy who played Gilbert Markham (the love-interest) also plays in my favorite film adaption of Jane Eyre.  This time he had a bit of a Scottish-sounding accent;).  That was quite nice.

What was also quite nice was the fact that there were no Edmunds, Edwards, Charlottes, or Janes.  Don't get me wrong, I love those names (with the exception of one when referring to a sparkly vampire.)  It's just a nice change.

Well, I'm off to bathe, and pack my toiletries.

Sweetdreams, reader.