From Utah to Idaho...then Rome!

Ok, life has been a tad bit crazy this last week. I flew home for a surprise visit (which went really well and my sisters were all shocked and had now idea. It was a must needed trip!), nannied Thursday morning, worked like a mad woman to finish my homework for my Europe trip, pack somewhat for my Europe trip, watch Heroes season 2, and pack my whole room up while trying to pack for my week and two-day stay in Rexburg. Man was I a stress case. It then didn't help that I woke up Sunday (the day I was leaving for Rexburg) feeling sick...so I was delayed leaving by like 3 hours.

I finally made it to Rexburg though Sunday night. My dear friend Ashley (roommate from Freshman year) and her roommates are being so kind to let me sleep on their couch and stay with them while I'm here. I am very grateful to them because I don't know where else I would've gone!





OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN: ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! I WILL BE ON A PLANE ABOUT TO LAND IN ROME BY THIS TIME NEXT WEEK!!!

Things have been going great here at BYU-Idaho where I have to attend my on-campus class in preparation for Europe. We started this past Monday and we go from 8-5 everyday. Now before you moan and say "oh I'm so sorry..." relax, it's not bad at all! We get a stretch break every hour and then a 20 min. break every 2 hours. Then we get an hour for lunch. It's actually not that bad and the teachers are all amazing and funny, which helps a lot!

I've already learned so much and I get more and more excited everyday to go! During the last hour and a half of class each day one of my teachers, Brother Sturm, goes over some of the places that we are going to and the art that we are going to see. The one I'm most excited for right now...The Sistine Chapel. What a breathtakingly beautiful place, and I've only seen pictures! The only bummer is we can't take pictures in the actual chapel :( but my teacher recommended buying a postcard instead. So that's what I'm going to do!

I can't believe I leave in a week!! I am getting so excited and I've met and gotten to know a couple of people pretty well. I think we have a great bunch of students and teachers going, which will make this experience that much sweeter.

I'm hoping I'll be able to blog before I leave, but seeing that my access to the blog site is limited that might be a bit of a challenge! So if I don't I will make sure to take LOTS of pictures and post them when I get back. Until then...Arrivederci!

p.s. For those that are wondering where all I'm going (if I didn't mention already in previous posts) here's the list: Italy - Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre; Germany - Berlin, Wittenberg; France - Paris; England - Liverpool, Preston (visit Preston Temple, River Ribble Valley, Castle Frome, Cheltenham, Gadfield Elm, Oxford University, London; Denmark - Copenhagen (visit Copenhagen Temple).

Florida Girls Sleepover and Some Conference

I had by far one of the BEST weekends I've had in a long time. All the Florida girls got together and had a big sleepover at Kate and Peter's house. Thank you Pete for putting up with us all night long! It was so fun to be together. It's been forever since we have ALL been able to get together and just catch up. The next morning we got up a few hours before general conference and made a wonderful breakfast and all those that had boyfriends or boys that were friends invited them over and we all ate breakfast. Then we settled down for the first session of general conference.


Our delicious breakfast :)

What an amazing General Conference we had. I was touched my many of the talks given. Some of my favorites were Elder Robert D. Hales (Living Within Your Means), President Henry B. Eyring (Dealing with Adversity), Elder Richard G. Scott (Temples), Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Not Being Alone), Elder Dallin H. Oaks (Selfless Service), Elder Gary E. Stevensen (Making Our Homes Like the Temples), and of course President Thomas S. Monson (Being More Determined).

What amazing words of reassurance these men told to help us through these troubling times. I was very blessed to attend the Sunday Afternoon session with my roommate Aly. We were able to sit only 15 rows away from the front. I could feel the warmth of the men on the stand clear out where I was sitting. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was sitting straight in front of me and I'd like to think we made eye contact a few times. What a powerful feeling filled that conference center as President Thomas S. Monson spoke to us. I love General Conference and how every time I listen to the words spoken it makes me want to be a better person. It's time I put that into action and do my best to become better each and every day!

More Photoshop Fun

I was helping my friend Chelsie this past weekend with a photography project she had to do. She needed to take portrait shots but needed someone to take them. So I decided to bring my own camera and take some pictures too! Here are the best ones that I got touched up in Photoshop. Enjoy!