Happy Blog birth!!

"Have you ever birthed a blog?? I have!" Thank you Chelsea.

I was just writing in my journal, and I decided to play my favorite game. "What was I doing one year ago today?" So I looked back and that night we all wrote in our journals. So tonight Chelsea broke out her journal to look at what she wrote that night. Her journal has "there and back again" written on the front. THEN I realized that's where my blog inspiration came from! And I realized a year ago today I created this little beauty! And what a year its been! I've sure had some fun times documented. I can't say as I'm hooked on blogging yet, but who knows what another year will do! What adventures lie in store to be documented on these cyber space pages? Who knows?? I'm excited!!

I struggle

I don't know why I can't blog on a regular basis. I think it's because I get started on long tangents and think of it as a big investment of time. So I'm going to try and do short ones, mostly to just prove to myself that it can be done.

So here is my short thought:
I love my math class. A lot. Mostly because of the girls at my table. Shout out to Heidi, Mariah, Lisa, Sarah and Jaymie!They keep me so thoroughly entertained that I forget to hate math! We make up the best math problems and come up with amazing math jokes. I look forward to those two hour class periods more than I should :) And my uncle teaches it, and does a FANTASTIC job! And I got a 93 on my first test and one of the questions was about my mom. That's enough to make you love any class!

(This picture I drew for my art class, which I do not love, but I am quite fond of this drawing. Mostly because it took me like four hours to draw!)

And now I'm done. short and sweet.

"What's to become of me?"

Life's a funny thing. Well, ironically it's not usually funny when we use that phrase. Another funny thing. But unrelated to what I came here to blog about.....

So I feel like I keep going through these huge ordeals to make big decisions and then I decide and think I should be good for at least a couple of months. And then another big decision seems to pop up that needs dealing with. "I just cleaned up this mess! Can't it just stay clean for like, five minutes??" - Incredibles

My current life dilemma is what to do this summer. The good thing is I have a few things I know I don't want to do. Or can't do. So that knocks a few apples out of my choice basket.

I pretty much know I'm going to stay out in Provo and take classes at least Spring, probably summer.

But I just have that itch for change, which makes no sense because I LOVE my apartment, I LOVE my roommates, and I love my ward! So why would I want to change any of that you ask? Ok, maybe you didn't ask, but Chelsea has asked me multiple times. I DON'T KNOW!! I just have this feeling of inexplicable discontent. I need something to change; something to look forward to; some change in environment; some struggle for survival!! And plus what's the fun of staying with what you're comfortable with? I've gotta live up the spontaneity of college life while I can!


(First Roommate photo at our stake opening social- Sarah, me, Alice, and Chelsea)

So you're probably reading this saying, cool. Sounds like you've made up your mind. Just go move already. Therein lies my problem. I don't know WHERE to go!!! I kind of would like to try the foreign language housing, but its kind of pricey for the spring/summer. So if I don't go there, I pretty much have NO requirements! seriously. And Provo has no end of places to live! So I just get overwhelmed by all the options and decide to think about it later. Then when I get back to thinking about it, I start at the same logical starting race post and make it to about the same marker in my metaphorical racing logic analogy. which happens to be nowhere! :) In the past I've always felt really strongly about one place we've found and we just go and do. I haven't got that yet, so maybe I haven't found the right option. Blech....I'm too busy doing school to worry about where to live.

So I'm hoping by blogging my thoughts I'd make it to a new racing marker.

I think it might have helped.

I'm thinking the language housing is a good option. It'll force me to keep my Spanish up (and I've learned there's no better way to learn than by speaking immersion!) Then I'll get to see a new side of campus, meet new people, get home made dinners every night (required by the housing), I'll be closer to the temple. I like the sound of this!

Dang it. I just got myself sold on the idea, and found out you have to have completed Span 102. maybe I can get it waived.

Ok. Goal for tomorrow.


Anyway. Now for where you, my readers, come in.

HELP ME!!! Suggestions, advise, contract info, anything!!

kthanks. :D

Not your average.....wait...

I'm kind of cookie cutter. Ok, really cookie cutter. White bread. you know.

I don't have a problem with that, just kind of a fact of life.

I have, however, prided myself the past few years on not being your average college student. I didn't fall into any of the typical stereotypical college roles (in my mind). I went to bed at a decent hour (most nights) I did my homework at reasonable times, I never skipped class, I spent reasonable hours at the library, I ate healthily, I exercised, I had friends- normal but not typical.
(granted, writing this I'm realizing this may actually be the typical BYU....ignoring that....)

I guess the problem with pride. It has a way of coming back and nipping you in the behind with a dose of humility.

Then this semester. I don't know what it is, but I feel like I'm falling into the "college groove". I prefer staying up later and have a hard time going to bed early, I just eat whatever junk is laying around, I have hardly gone to the library, skipping class is more tempting (I still won't do it, but it sure is tempting these cold winter days), I pretty much just hang out with my roommates.....needless to say I'm falling into a slump. I need to find a ladder.

I have a sneaking suspicion it might have to do with the weather.

Winter- please go away, I need to be a better student. Thanks a ton.

-Kate

I love this picture. And I'm tired.

P.S. I'm trying to blog more. More isn't always more. sorry for the rant :)

Confessions of a negligent blogger

So, for as much as I like to talk, you'd think I'd be more interested into this "getting your thoughts out for people to hear thing". For some reason or another, it just isn't sticking with me. It might be due to the fact that I feel like the only person who actually reads this is my sister, and I talk to her everyday, so why take the time to type it? Or it might be that I prefer the audible version of communication. Or it might be that I'm too busy enjoying everyone else's blog to update my own.

It's entirely possible it is all of the reasons above.

However, I was thinking today about how I should blog more often and then someone in my ward told me she actually looks at my blog and noticed the lack of update-age (Thanks Judy (: ) and I decided to get off my lazy....horse? And ride off into my blogging sunset of happiness! Ok. corny. Possible reason I shouldn't blog...keep my corny humor from making it to the electronic world of blogging. Heaven knows I have enough of it to go around.

ANYWAY. Here goes....

I made it home from Peru safe and sound. My sister Kristen asked me what one word I would use to experience it and I provided her with my answer : growing.
It was exactly what I needed. I grew in my self confidence. I grew in my understanding of teaching and of the gospel. I grew new friendships. I grew new appreciations. I grew a knowledge of a new language. Oh, and I grew my waistline, but let's not dwell on that. You would too if you knew what Peruvian food tastes like! So, even though it was hard, I wouldn't trade that experience for the world!!! VIVE PERU! :)

(I love this picture because 1. its with the amazing couple who I lived with and 2. because Senora Clara took the picture and she couldn't see where we were and 3. it looks like Juan Carlos has a star over his head!)

Once I got home, my life was thrown into a whirlwind, what with getting home from South America, my sister Elizabeth getting married, my little brother going on a mission, my sister in law on bed rest for her pregnancy, my house under construction, and changes at work for my dad- It was eventful to say the least!!! I always love Christmas though, no matter how crazy it gets! (and it gets pretty crazy, believe me!!) But I love our family traditions and I just love being together!!

(Sisters at the Utah reception! What a beautiful bride!! So happy for her and Andrew!! (: )

Then coming back to school, the craziness followed me!!!!!!! Chelsea and I vowed productivity one day to be followed by a reward of a movie. However, we never got to productivity because we had a CONSTANT stream of people come to our apartment!! It was crazy!! And we have just had activities left and right to keep us thoroughly distracted from things like cleaning. (oh and our dishwasher decided to overflow and not work. Nothin like a good dose of reality like hand washing dishes. though i actually enjoy it...random tangent...stopping) One of my bestest friends also happens to be leaving for her mission next week, so we've had to celebrate before she leaves (because I am going to miss her terribly!!) So we've been dedicating some time to some bonding with the new roomies who lucky for us are sweet girls and look to be promising! :) To sum up, it's great to be back in the good ole crazy US of A.

(did I mention it is REALLY cold in Utah?? This pic isn't in Provo, but it gives you a general feel for the idea. I don't have any pictures from the last two weeks because I lost my camera, but despair no more for it is found and more pictures shall soon follow!)
(Kristen took this with her eyes closed! Impressive eh?)

So moral of this post is- Peru was awesome. Christmas was awesome. BYU is awesome. My life is awesome. And you will be sure to be amazed about how awesome the frequency of my blogging is going to be. (Hopefully)

Over and out.
Ciao

Blessed.

So I am a lame sauce blogger, but I'm in South America. Valid excuse? No. My alibi? Yup.

I managed to go the whole month of November without posting anything, however that doesn't meant that I'm not grateful. On the contrary. I feel like I am quite the most lucky girl alive at the moment. I mean how many people get to see this.....?

Not very many.
But that's not why I feel blessed
(not the only reason anyway).

I have a family who loves me. I have a knowledge of a plan of peace and happiness for this life. I have a healthy body. I have a Heavenly Father who knows my name and is looking out for me when I go gallivanting through South America. I have seen His hand in my life every day, and for that I couldn't be more grateful.

"What I've learned"

One of my friends on facebook posted this today:

Would you all be willing to take 3 minutes and write a quick paragraph for me? And for a 92 year old grandma? :) Just go to this google doc and it will explain everything! Thank you thank you!

Intrigued, I opened the document just to see what people were writing, not really feeling like writing a deep philosophical paragraph about my life. But as I read the explanation it started me thinking, and when I start thinking it makes me feel like writing. (kind of like when you give a moose a muffin....(: ) So I thought I'd share the story and my answer:

I have a favor to ask all of you. I have the wonderful opportunity of being a hospice volunteer to a wonderful lady named Joan Glad. I visit her weekly and am so honored I can help her be happy and feel loved! Joan is a 92-year-old woman who is extremely intelligent, charitable, loving, and endearing. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology and practiced it for many years. She absolutely loved her profession! I have loved learning about her.

Recently Joan decided she wants to publish a book titled "What I've Learned." Throughout the past year she asked people to submit a response to what they have learned throughout their life. She has received about 50 responses and told me she originally hoped to get 100 responses. When she told me this I saw how important this was to her and offered to help her reach her goal. I realize this is quite a task, as I will be pretty much publishing this book for her, but right when I saw the joy in her eyes as I offered to help her publish this book and more importantly reach her goal it made it all worth it! She would love responses from all ages--so if you are young and feel like you don’t have any experience or haven’t learned a whole lot, I bet you have!
I will be extremely grateful if you all just take 2 minutes to write a response to this so we can all help this wonderful woman reach her goal. If you are willing, please respond as soon as you can! I will keep you all updated as to when the book is published (by January 2011) so you can look at it if you wish. You will be in a book! :)

My answer:
Looking at the entries of the other people here, no one has said listed a fact they’ve learned in a book or a piece of information pertaining solely to their area of study or expertise. All of the lessons have come from living. Our time on Earth is all about learning, and while learning from books greatly enhances the quality of life, the most important things are learned in the doing. You can read about dancing in a text book, but you won’t know how to dance until you get out on the dance floor. You can read about the love of God, but you won’t really know it until you go and serve someone. Everyone has different life experiences because they need to learn different things. However, we need to have the courage to go and do. Trusting that each lesson we learn and every opportunity we have is not random. All of us have a loving Father in Heaven who puts things into our lives so we can live and learn. For better or for worse, life is for living!
Kate Erekson, 21 years-old, BYU student

I feel like my answer is very reflective of my Peruvian experience. Looking back this could have very easily not happened. I just knew it was right so I trusted the Lord and went for it, but seriously- coming to Peru by myself for three months not speaking Spanish???? Super crazy! But I couldn't be more grateful that I did!

What have you learned in your life? It's kind of a broad question, but I'd love to hear your response if you're feeling philosophical and I'm sure my friend would appreciate more responses! :)

Fireworks in Peru. Random? Yes. My life? Yep. Awesome? You better believe it!