since Wednesday

Well, last Thursday I got an e-mail from Close to My Heart (I interviewed with them on June 26) telling me that they had chosen someone else for the job I had applied for. I was pretty upset about it, to say the least. I'm mostly fine now, but I really don't want to keep looking for work. It's depressing. And I don't like telling employers that I am still a student (I'm less than six weeks away from graduating, people) and that I'm getting married right after I graduate. It's a good thing I'm not telling them that my transportation is extremely limited. I almost don't want to look for work until I have really graduated and have finished all my wedding stuff. I'll be completely free to work then! But unfortunately, Stephan doesn't want me to put off the job search.

I really wish I didn't have to work. I don't understand women who love working; I am not one of them. But as it is, I am going to be a student's wife. He has a job, but it's part-time and it doesn't pay enough for both of us to survive. I'm only grateful that he's not TOO far from graduating.

On Friday, Stephan and I went to lunch at Quizno's. Then we went to Big Lots because we heard about a great mattress sale. We found a queen sized mattress (Serta!!!) and it was so comfortable! We also went to DI for a comparison, and we decided that the Serta at Big Lots was the one we wanted! It was $400 on sale. We called Stephan's dad because he has a pick-up and asked him to meet us at the store. We bought the mattress (the box spring was included in the price), loaded it onto the pick-up, and drove home. Stephan and his dad unloaded the mattress and box spring and stored it in a spare bedroom in the basement. We were so excited! The Andersons also have a queen sized bed frame in the basement, so we're going to use that. Yay! But the mattress is most likely going to be the only new piece of furniture we'll get. I don't have a problem with that. We decided a comfortable bed was our highest priority. Besides, it's going to be hard enough adjusting to sharing a bed--why not make it at least a comfortable bed?

Saturday, the Andersons had a really nice dinner. Heather (Stephan's older sister) came with her little family. It was so good! Ginny (my future niece) was very happy to see me, and wanted me to read her a story. She gave me lots of hugs that day. What a sweetie. Tavin was kind of fussy--I accidentally woke him up from a nap. I still feel bad about that. Then there was fireworks and Alex and Natalie launching fire crackers. It was a pretty good night.

Sunday, the usual. Church and then going to Stephan's house. Kathy gave me a cranial release (alternative massage technique--it works wonders), and then we watched "Support Your Local Sheriff". That's a good show.

So that's what I've been up to.

Honest Scrap

Here are the rules for this award:
a.) List 10 honest things about you - and make it interesting, even if you have t dig deep!
b.) Pass the award onto 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scap.

1. I spent more than ten years of my life living in the Katy, Texas area. However, I don't really claim it as where I'm from, except when I say that I'm formerly from Katy. I consider myself to be from the Galleria area (not far from downtown) even though I only lived there during high school.

2. I absolutely HATE ditzy teenage girl behavior. HATE HATE HATE! I don't hate the girls themselves, but it annoys me that they think they have to act that way. If you're not stupid, don't act like you are.

3. I do not like the use of the word "like" as a filler. You know..."like", I was "like", going to "like"...you get the picture. The linguist in me tells me I must be tolerant, but it still annoys me. Unfortunately, it's far too commonly used among Mormon girls. I do not know how I managed to mostly escape its use. My highly literate parents? Growing up with brothers? Being the bookworm I am? IB English teachers who reprimanded the "like" over-users? We'll, like, never know. Whoops...

4. I HATE being teased. While I do have a good sense of humor (ask people about my wit), I cannot stand being teased in the slightest. I feel like it's a sign that the teaser does not like me, even though it's a sign of the contrary in our culture (why must people be so complicated?). I try my hardest not to tease, because I just don't think it's nice at all. You have to understand that I was picked on a lot when I was younger. I was socially behind until recently, and I think that was why I was picked on. I didn't learn to talk until I was three and a half, and talking is a big part of social development. I don't think I was socially up to par until I was almost 21. I'm still working on it.

5. I absolutely love babies. I'm serious, if someone holding a baby comes around me, I automatically go "awwwww!!!!" I have made myself known at family gatherings for always holding someone's baby. I'm also known by people in my home ward (at least, those who still live there) for my baby-holding. I come from a family of baby-holders. I also have very strong maternal instincts. They have been present ever since I became mobile. Ask my mom.

6. Throughout middle school and high school, the fact I played the violin was a big part of my identity at church. I was usually asked to perform with some of the younger violinists in my ward (well, sometimes forced to by my dad). It was such a big part of my identity that people assumed that I would major in music. The BYU School of Music would probably have laughed me out if I had bothered auditioning. Plus, I do not have it in me to practice several hours a day.

7. My mom plays the piano, the organ, and she sings. My dad is a violinist. My older brothers both took piano lessons, but it didn't last. Growing up, people assumed that I would be a pianist, organist, and singer like my mom. Imagine the shock people experienced when I announced that I was going to play the violin. I was a semi-competitive violinist in middle school and high school. I was actually one of two freshmen who made region orchestra one year. I was also the first Junior Varsity orchestra member in the orchestra's history to ever make region, I think.

8. I am afraid of salt water. While I love the view of the ocean, I just cannot bring myself to swim in it. I don't like the idea of swimming in salt water. I also do not like the thought of swimming with life forms that could possibly bite, sting, or even eat me. I'll take the swimming pool any day.

9. I don't like dogs. Especially big ones. We lived across the street from a doberman when we lived in Tokyo. It was chained up in the front yard, but it would always growl and show its teeth at us when we walked by. Of course, I don't remember this, but I think it's the root of my disliking for dogs. We also lived across the street from a Russian wolfhound when we lived in Katy. It was huge. I was terrified of it. It chased me up my driveway once. Yeah, me no like dogs. Although the little ones (schnouzers and such) are okay. I prefer kitties. I also hate snakes *shudders*

10. I am anti-tanning. Whenever I see people lying out in the sun getting a tan, I want to say: "Yeah, you'll have a great tan now, but you'll pay for it later." I sometimes feel tempted to demonstrate in front of tanning salons. I also call them "cancer breeding salons." Well, not only can tanning lead to skin cancer, it can also lead to premature aging. Yeah, I wear sunscreen everyday. Best anti-aging product ever. And the best skin cancer prevention ever. I like my fair skin.

ode to the best fiance ever

So, we're getting married in 47 days. Holy moly. I love Stephan so much; he's the most wonderful fiance anyone could ask for. Here's why he's the best:

(1) He stayed up late talking to me on the phone one night when I was upset. This was not even a week after we had officially started dating. What happened was I found out some very disturbing information about my ex-boyfriend (I know he wasn't technically my boyfriend, but that's the most accurate thing to call him). I was upset because some of the details of this information were going on when I was dating him. And the said ex-boyfriend was contacting me at unacceptable levels considering I was in a relationship with Stephan, and I was annoyed. Stephan couldn't come down to Provo because his brother had the car, but he called me as soon as I was home from doing laundry at my cousin's. He just let me talk and he did his best to comfort me, and he helped a lot! It was a serious bonding night. I ended up deleting the ex-boyfriend from my friend list a few days later. Boy, was he upset.

(2) He always tells me I'm beautiful. When Voldemort (that's what we call my ex) uttered his infamous phrase when we stopped dating, it pretty much wrecked my self-esteem for a while. Stephan does know about this, and he has always told me how beautiful he thinks I am. And I know he is sincere. The first time he ever saw me "dressed down" was last April. I was cleaning out my room, so I was dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, my hair was yanked back, I was wearing my glasses, and I was wearing no makeup. He still told me I was beautiful. I've often asked him if he'll still think I'm pretty when I'm pregnant, and he says, "Yes!"

(3) He is always kind to me. I told him when I started birth control in case I had any mood changes. It's a good thing I warned him because I did in that first month. Nothing drastic. I cried more. I was ticked off more often. But Stephan has always let me cry on his shoulder and he always tells me how much he loves me and that he thinks I'm so wonderful. Even when I flipped out when we were talking finances (who knew that was such a heated issue?), he was still kind to me. He was actually prepared for me to flip out. I know that sounds like birth control made me crazy that first month, but I assure you it wasn't drastic. And now that I'm in the second month, I'm much much better. Although I get cravings now....weird.

(4) He listens to me. If I'm happy, sad, angry, whatever, he will always listen to me.

(5) He has been helping me so much in the job search! He has helped me look for jobs. He drove me to my job interview. He keeps telling me that I would be an asset to any employer.

(6) He is a gentleman. He always opens my car door for me, both getting in and getting out. He insists on getting my chair when sitting down for meals. He gets glasses of water for me, no matter how much I protest that I can get my own. When it's cold, he gets my coat for me. And when it's raining and he's wearing his leather jacket, he lifts a side of it over my heat so I can be as dry as possible (and warm!!).

I know this doesn't cover every aspect of his wonderfulness, but this is an attempt. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but whatever I did, I'm glad I did it!!!

I love you Stephan :)

string quartet

My dad e-mailed me Saturday night asking me if I would be interested in having live music at my reception. I had an idea of what he meant, but I asked for clarification anyway. His idea was to have a string quartet. I thought about it and talked it over with Stephan. We decided that we liked the idea. Originally, we were going to have a dance with music provided by a playlist I would create on my iPod. But, we are going to have a string quartet. Neither of us really knows how to dance. Stephan cannot dance (I love you, Stephan) and I'm merely okay. The only reason why Stephan wanted to have a dance is because it's traditional. And his sister had one at hers, but you see, she met her husband in a BYU dance class. They CAN dance. I also do not like the idea of people staring at me for a dance. Eek. Plus, a quartet suits us better. We both love classical music. I grew up hearing chamber groups rehearsing in my house. I also grew up hearing my dad play classical music full blast on our stereo system.

I also get to choose what music I want performed. I WILL NOT have Canon in D at my reception. I think it is far too overplayed. I'm also a violinist, and we string players have come to despise Canon in D. People who love it obviously have never played a string instrument ;) I'm looking at the quartet's website and they have some good stuff.

Yep. I'm excited about a quartet. It will add the ambience of Le Jardin.

Marriage

I'm coming down to 59 days until I'm married...holy cow.

Why I'm looking forward to getting married (in no particular order):

(1) No more "long-distance" relationship.

(2) No more "I have to take you home now" or "I need to get home now"

(3) Having our own place. And decorating said place within complex regulations.

(4) Human bedwarmer in the wintertime (ha ha)

(5) Calling him "my husband"

(6) Putting a ring on his finger

(7) Temple dates :)

(8) Having a husband to cook for

(9) Having little kids in my ward

(10) Having a man around the house to do manly things.

(11) Having a tall person reach for things I can't :)

(12) Being Laura Anderson; that will take some getting used to.

no more fast food!

For the majority of the time I've been at BYU, I have eaten lunch in the Cougareat. It was convenient. My freshman year, it meant I didn't have to walk all the way back to DT to get something. When I started living off-campus, I didn't have to walk all the way back home to get something and I didn't have to pack a lunch.

Well, it wasn't exactly healthy. I mean, I started trying to eat the healthier fare at the Cougareat: Subway, L&T (salad and wrap place), and getting vegetables on my orange chicken from Teriyaki Sticks. Unfortunately, I got sick of these items and started going for the unhealthier fare again, but trying to uh, eat smaller portions. And L&T has started using a chicken that tastes really gross.

On top of the Cougareat, Stephan and I had lately been going to fast food places to get food.

I was tired of fast food. I decided to stop eating it.

And boy am I glad! I now use my meal plan to buy food from the Creamery, which is just five minutes from my apartment. I eat lunch at home, which is conveniently very close to campus. Last week, Jessica asked me if I had lost weight. And on Sunday, Stephan asked if I had lost weight because I was lighter when he picked me up...heh heh. I guess I have lost some weight, but it wasn't my motivation behind my fast food ban. It's a nice perk, even though I've never been overweight.

I also feel a lot better. I don't feel so groggy anymore and I'm happier. And I don't think I'm very moody these days,but that may be my body getting used to the birth control.

Now, I know that there are times I might have to resort to fast food rather than starve, and I don't mind that. Just as long as those times are few and far between.

And there may be times I have a craving. Like for a chicken sandwich and fries. Or a pizza.

a callback? yes!

I felt a little bit crabby this morning. I think it was leftover from yesterday, when I didn't get a good grade on my ELANG test (and I studied too!) and my editing teacher was disappointed with one of my editing assignments. *sigh*

But, I started working on things. I started doing some homework. And then I decided to do some cleaning, and I felt better. Who knew cleaning could be therapeutic? And then it started looking really stormy outside, and I decided to run to the Creamery to get some milk before it started raining. I got lucky. It started raining lightly as I walked home and then it really started pouring right after I got into my apartment. Hurray!

Then I started to make cookies. I just felt like making my famous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (okay okay, my mom's). Then I heard my phone go off in my room--it was Stephan's ring tone. I barely missed that call, but I noticed I had a voicemail. 

Backup: on Monday, I found a job listing on craigslist for a copy writer/copy editor at a scrapbooking company in Pleasant Grove. I hadn't been looking much in the writing/editing section because there aren't always new listings. But that job was posted on Monday! The job included dental, vision, and health insurance and a 401 (k). They also asked me to send in my salary requirements with my resume. So, I decided to apply for it. And I was really hoping this was an answer to my prayers.

The voicemail was from a woman at the scrapbooking company. She wanted me to come in on Tuesday or Wednesday to take an editing test, which was the next part of the hiring process. Eek! I called Stephan back and told him the good news. His response: "SCORE!" Then I called the woman back and now I am scheduled to take the test on Tuesday at 10:45 a.m.

I am REALLY hoping this could be the job I am meant for! It's in Pleasant Grove and it wouldn't be too far to drive from where Stephan and I are going to be living. It comes with amazing benefits. And I hope I would be paid well. It also looks like if I do get the job, they would work with me with regards to school because I won't graduate until August. I did mention in the cover letter and my resume that I will be graduating this August. I'm still looking for other jobs--I can't put all my eggs into one basket here.

So folks, be hoping and praying that I get this job!