life has gotten a little weirder

My life has been relatively strange lately. For the longest time, I was complaining about my lacking in a dating life. It looks like it is or is about to take off. Oh joy.

I was supposed to have something of a blind date this weekend, but I guess my "matchmaker" got busy and didn't get around to it. He told me that both his friend and I are "highly skeptical" of this whole set-up. Maybe this means we're perfect for each other? Ha ha.

But on Saturday, I spent a good three or four hours with a guy friend of mine. It was bizarre. He came by to give me some CDs he had burned for me and he stayed so he could give me the track names for the music on them. We took a trip out because his dad was at Lowe's and needed the truck and then we stopped at his house after Lowe's so we could pick up his 160 MB iPod. There was some stuff on it he wanted me to listen to. We came back to my apartment, uploaded and listened to some more music, and talked about random things. Then he had to leave. But he called me a few hours later because his former zone leader (kind of a mutual friend of ours, long story) called and he wanted a phone number for a missionary they both knew that I knew from my freshman ward, but I didn't have it. I've got it now, thanks to facebook messaging.

So yeah, this guy has called me about six times in the last 11 days and I've called him maybe three times. And he's talked about things we could do together. I still say we're just friends, but my roommates and my little brother think otherwise. Honestly, I don't know how I feel.

Maybe I shouldn't have complained so much about my dating life after all.

I don't have classes on Fridays...

So, I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie today! There were only about four or five people in the theater. My verdict on the movie? It's really good. I could hardly take my eyes off of it, except for a couple of gruesome parts. The casting was good. The acting wasn't bad. I loved that they brought back Karen Allen in the role of Marion. Marion is one of my favorite characters--she's my kind of woman. Well, almost. I'm not rugged like she is, but I can be pretty feisty.

I don't have classes on Fridays this term. I believe this day will be for study, going to matinées, perhaps go do baptisms at the temple. Don't worry Mom, I'll make good use of my time! Plus, I only had to pay five bucks for a movie ticket. Score.

I also might get a job this fall. I wasn't originally planning on working, but a friend of mine told me of an editing job at the University Press Building. It would be such a great opportunity--I will definitely apply, at the very least. If I get it, I'll probably drop a class. I'm still thinking about getting certified in Family History, but we will have to see.

summer term

So, now I am taking summer classes. I'm taking a cooking class and a Masterpieces of English Literature class. I think I'm going to enjoy both. In my cooking class today, my group made gingersnaps, which were pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of ginger snaps. One of the other groups made cherry jam tarts, and they were SO good! I am definitely downloading that recipe. And there's a girl who lived on my floor freshman year in my class, so that's pretty fun. She just got married. You know what's funny? There are four people in my group (all girls) and I'm the only one who isn't married. Amusing. I suppose I'll be more prepared to cook for my future husband after taking this class, ha ha!

My literature class should also be fun. I've already read a lot of the stuff we're reading when I was an English major, and I am counting my blessings that we are not going to be talking about deep, abstract concepts. All we're doing is discussing why these pieces are considered masterpieces and such. I like that. When I did IB English and the English major, we had to analyze all these ridiculous things. I called it: "analyzing what doesn't exist". I love to read, but I don't like analyzing. I already do enough of that in my regular life with regards to the opposite sex *laughs*. Actually, I'm getting better.

I've been invited to be part of a dinner group in my ward, hooray! This will give me a chance to practice my newly learned cooking skills. This will also make it so I don't have to cook for myself every night. Last night, I made a stir fry, but I don't think I made quite enough. It was fine though--not many people came. I have a lot of leftover rice. And I must say, I'm getting pretty good at this Japanese rice thing :)

Oh, and this is a video of my cousin Luke singing "We Will Rock You". This was the last time I saw him and my other Busby relatives before they left for Keith's internship in New York. I miss them. I also miss their washer and dryer, but that's beside the point. I'm excited to see them in just a few months. I hope my mom will be able to see this.

4 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. finishing fifth grade
2. worrying about starting junior high
3. playing my violin
4. probably reading some too

4 things I was doing 5 years ago:
1. getting my wisdom teeth out (good heavens, was it that long ago?)
2. Paul came home from his mission
3. Sending Craig off on his mission
4. getting a nasty throat virus right before girl's camp

4 things I did yesterday:
1. went to class
2. talked on the phone
3. traded CDs with one of my friends
4. played ultimate frisbee for FHE

4 shows that I like: (these are just the shows I watch right now, I love many shows but have already seen them many times over so I had to find new shows to watch)
1. What Not to Wear
2. Golden Girls
3. Seinfeld
4. .....

4 Biggest Joys of My Life Right Now:
1. my family
2. my friends
3. developing more talents
4. the Gospel

4 things that you might not know about me:
1. I don't really like mixing fruit and dairy together
2. I like kitties
3. I love Star Wars and fantasy films
4. I want to have five or six kids

4 people I tag:
If you want to do it, go ahead

yesterday was an interesting day

I finished finals yesterday, yay!

After I got home, Laura and I decided to go to the mall because we didn't have anything to do. While we were walking to the bus stop, we ran into a former crush of mine while he was pulling out of a parking lot. I was pretty shocked because I hadn't seen or heard from him in six months. I will not disclose my reasons. I was starting to think I'd never see him again, but obviously that theory was debunked. He parked his car and I got to chat with him for about an hour. It was fun--I'm glad it seems we are friends again. And I am glad to hear he is doing well--I had been concerned about him.

At the mall, I bought a few things. Laura joked about trying on wedding rings, and then I said something about the fact there is a wedding dress shop in the mall. Laura had the idea of going in and trying on wedding dresses. I was hesitant because I didn't want to get in trouble. But I relented. I even lied about being engaged--I felt bad. Actually, I told them I wasn't engaged "yet". It was kind of fun trying on dresses, I even found one I liked. I'm kind of tempted to buy it because it's on sale for less than $300. I know it's kind of weird to pick out a dress when you're not even dating someone, but I have been told that trying on dresses is more fun when you're *not* engaged. And the dress was gorgeous! My mom bought the pattern for her wedding dress years before she even met my dad.

All in all, a very interesting day yesterday.

Here's the dress from the website:


Please don't think I'm weird. And males who actually read this, do not be afraid. I really don't have anyone in mind right now to marry, so you are good :)

decisions, decisions...but do they need to be made now?

So, today my mom told me that while she and my brother were looking at classes on the BYU website, they happened upon a Family History--genealogy minor program. I have been slightly interested in studying some family history, partly because someone in my family will have to keep track of it someday. On my dad's side, one of my uncles has been doing the genealogy and my mom's side, my grandfather and his brothers. I'm a seventh generation Church member on both sides of my family, so like many other seventh generation Church members, I have been complacent about doing family history work because for the most part, it has been done.

It's a little late for me to start another minor, but I could get a certificate. The thing is, I don't know if I want to delay my graduation even more. I might not graduate until next December, or even April 2010. To be honest, I want to get out of here as soon as possible! I had just recently accepted the fact that I wouldn't be graduating until next August.

It's too early to decide, but I'm thinking about it. I just don't know what to do. I actually thought about getting a minor in TESOL, but again, that would delay my graduation even more.

I'm kind of going through a "what the heck am I going to do when I graduate?!" panic. I suppose I shouldn't worry so much because it's not like editing is an extinct profession. Pretty much the only reason I'm going into editing is because it's probably the only marketable skill I have.

Excuse me, I'm slightly pessimistic at the moment.

an amusing day

Laura moved in last night. So far, sharing my room hasn't been as much of an adjustment as I initially anticipated. My room is bigger than the one I was in in my last apartment, and that makes things easier. She's going to start working early morning custodial, so she'll be getting up at three a.m. I hope she doesn't wake me, but she promises that she'll do her best not to.

I had a busy day even though I didn't have classes. I went to a review for my French final. I know, it's a 100-level class and I'm making good grades in the class, but I figured that I might get a leg up so I can get a really good grade in the class. Also, there was food. My teacher brought different kinds of French bread and French cheese. Tell you what, I could get addicted to French cheeses, if they weren't so expensive and so unhealthy. I've been really enjoying cheese lately--I used to hate cheese! I've actually been enjoying many things that I didn't used to like. Stir-fry didn't used to be my favorite, but now I like it. I'm developing a taste for yogurt. And if cooked the right way, I like mushrooms. I also like cashews, which didn't used to appeal to me.

After the review, I grabbed lunch at the Cougareat. A few days ago, I received an e-mail about paying for a summer meal plan, and I had thought that I had ordered a summer meal plan at the same time I ordered a spring one. So, I went to the ID center and paid for one, only to find out a few hours later that I had indeed paid for a summer meal plan in April! I got a refund. The girl in the ID center told me that she had never dealt with something like this before, and neither had her supervisor! I made history at the ID center, ha ha! Actually, I've probably made history for how many times I've replaced a lost ID card. Yeah, yeah. Now I'm home, watching some TV and debating whether or not to walk to the grocery store. It's so hot outside!!!

Tomorrow is going to be pretty busy too. I'm planning on taking my Marriage Prep final tomorrow morning, studying for my French final, volunteering at the MTC, and I don't know what else after that. We don't have Institute this week because of finals. Thursday morning, I take my French final. I miss my classes, this was one of the funnest terms I've ever had! My professors were great and I met some great people in my classes. I also learned a lot--maybe I should have mentioned that first :)

So, after Thursday morning, I'll have pretty much nothing to do until Monday. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. I'll probably continue working out in the early morning like I have been. I guess I can do some reading. Maybe I'll go to the temple to do baptisms--I haven't done that in months. Last fall, I managed to go almost every week but last semester, I didn't have a lot of time. I could also go to the mall. I need to plan--boredom and I don't get along very well at all. It's almost a lethal relationship--just ask my family.

the last few days

On Friday, I went to the BYU fair with some people from my ward. There were a lot of activities and booths there, one of them being a "best pick-up line" booth. What you had to do was write down a pick-up line you know on paper and submit it. The winners would be announced later that evening. Well, I participated and I won third place. My pick-up line? "Well, I'm here. What are your other two wishes?" Ironically, I found that in a top ten WORST pick-up line list. Maybe I should use it...yeah, right. After the carnival, some of us went to Burgers Supreme. I'd never been there, but their burgers are pretty good. But for me, not good for late-night eating. Blegh. I went to bed at ten-ish that night because I had a splitting headache and was tired.

Saturday was uneventful, except I ran some errands, did laundry, and prepared my Relief Society lesson. Sunday, I went to church, gave my lesson, went home, ate, called home, baked cookies, and went to a game night next door.

Today is the last day of class. Tomorrow is Reading Day, then finals will be Wednesday and Thursday. I'm not too worried about my finals--I only have two and I'm getting good grades in both classes.

I ran into a guy from my freshman ward today at the Wilk. It was pretty funny. He stopped me and I didn't know who he was at first. Then he said, "You're Laura...used to be Slack, right?" I smiled and answered, "It's still Slack."

these surveys can be interesting for some reason

A- Attached or single: single
B- Best Friend: they know who they are
C-Cake or Pie: Pie. Specifically, Mom's cherry pie :)
D-Day: everyday
E- Essential Item: laptop
F-Favorite Color: blue, green, purple, burgundy
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: gummy worms--especially in those chocolate pudding desserts with crushed oreos on top, yum!
H-Home town: Houston, TX
I- Indulgences: chocolate, chips, chips and salsa (or queso, when I make it)
J- January or July?: In Utah? Oh boy. January is too cold and snowy and July is just so hot!
K- Kids: None.
L-Life is incomplete without: Family
M- Marriage Date: Not married...not even close
N-Number of Siblings: three
O-Oranges or Apples: apples
P- Phobias or Fears: I'm afraid of snakes.
Q- Quote: I'll get back to you on this one.
R- Reason To Smile: Don't have very much homework! My friend Laura moves in with me in a few days. And I'm just a few months closer to seeing my adorable cousins Kayla, Luke, and Darren again! I miss them so much.
S- Season: Spring in Utah--it's gorgeous
T- Tag Four: Hmm, Camille and Anika (sorry, only two, but you guys don't have to do this)
U- Unknown fact about me: My last name is a bad word in Pidgin English
V- Very Favorite Store: Forever 21, Maurice's, etc.
W- Worst Habit: I'm not the most organized person
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: I've only had X-rays, no ultrasounds yet.
Y-Your favorite food: Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, my mom's home cooking, but I am doing better in the kitcehn
Z: Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

stir-fry

The stir-fry turned out all right. But I did set off the smoke detector on accident after I put the chicken in the saucepan. But my roommate said that she used to do that a lot, so I didn't need to worry. I didn't follow the directions for cooking rice quite right, so it came out a little bit chewy. But I tried again last night when I had the last of my chicken dumplings (frozen, I'm not *that* good), and it turned out very well and had leftovers. Excellent. Now I don't have to cook more rice when I eat my leftover stir-fry tonight. Look Ma, I can cook rice! I'm interested in trying other stir-fry recipes.

I read the nutrition label on the rice, and gasped. 300 calories per 1/4 cup uncooked serving? I made a half-cup last night, so 600 calories, yowza! But I didn't eat all of it; in fact, I don't think I even ate half. And a half-cup yields maybe two cups of cooked rice. Yeah, rice is weird like that.

Spring term is coming to an end. It's gone by so fast, but I actually enjoyed this term. The last few spring/summer terms I stayed for weren't quite so fun, but it's probably because of the classes I took.

And I just received word that my friend and soon-to-be roommate Laura is moving in on Monday! When she called I was afraid that she was moving in today, and the room isn't very clean right now. Glad she gave me fair warning.

She can cook!

I cooked again. Yesterday, I made tomato basil soup. The recipe called for fresh tomatoes, but I decided that canned diced tomatoes were good enough. I bought a blender a few days ago, and let me tell you that it was a wise investment. You can work many miracles with a blender. The soup turned out to be delicious! It was easy to make too. It was also low-fat. I will never go back to canned tomato soup. I'll make this stuff in bulk come winter time...or do I need to wait until winter? I found an easy pizza crust and pizza sauce recipe online, and I might attempt that too.

Tonight, I will attempt to make a chicken stir-fry. It looks simple enough, and I bought frozen stir-fry vegetables. I will get to make my Botan Japanese rice for the first time ever. Japanese rice is the best. But wish me luck in handling raw meat. I don't have a lot of experience with that.

I believe cooking may soon become a passion of sorts. I'm going to take a cooking class in the summer and I can't wait to learn more!

Mom, cancel the DNA tests...I am your daughter! *laughs*

Oh, and I received rave reviews about my peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. One friend is quoted as saying that my cookies are "amazing".

Privileged?

From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. If you participate in this blog game, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright.

Bold the true statements.

1. Father went to college.
2. Father finished college.
3. Mother went to college
4. Mother finished college
5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor..
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers..
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home..
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.. (I think)
9. Were read children's books by a parent.
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.
11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18.
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs..
16. Went to a private high school
17. Went to summer camp (does AFA count?)
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18..
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels..
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18. (actually, I had a lot of hand-me-downs as a child, but they were always nice ones. My mom also made a lot of my clothes too, and she's a great seamstress)
21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them..
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child..
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house..
24. Your parents owned their own house or apartment before you left home..
25. You had your own room as a child. (I shared with my younger brother from the time I was four until I was in third grade)
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18. (only in the house in West U., not in the Katy or Highland Village houses)
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school.
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16..
31. Went on a cruise with your family.
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up. (yes, but mostly to symphony concerts, and they were mostly free or discounted)
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.

I guess I've been very privileged, but I don't like to think of myself as spoiled. Whenever people find out that I'm the only girl in my family, they assume that I'm either a tomboy or a spoiled brat. I mentioned this to a former roommate, and she said: "You're really neither!" Thank you Kelli :)

I can be domestic!

On Sunday, I made my mother's famous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and they turned out well, except I might not have portioned the chocolate chips evenly in the cookies themselves. I was pleased and I guess this means I can cook :)

My brother graduated from high school yesterday and had his Eagle Scout project on Saturday. Wow!