update

i got a call back from Isis Dei (the company I ordered my laptop case from). They were really, really great. They apologized for the mix up and told me to keep the case that was mistakenly sent! I was so surprised. I expected to need to send it back. The right case got sent out today! Iʻll be so happy to get it!

ughhh

Iʻm irritated. I got the case for my mac, but the wrong one was sent. I wanted to the white one, but they sent the black. I want the white one because it can stay on the computer while open. The black one doesnʻt do that. LAME! And I was so excited to get the package today.

Yesterday all my emails were deleted out of my inbox, and I got a follow up email today telling me that it was because my account was dormant. Funny thing is that I log into that account every day, so dormancy seems a little far fetched. The worst part is that all the emails I lost cannot be retrieved now. I am not very happy about that at all.

Today though, I went to Honolulu with two of my good friends Meghan Harrison and Eliza Hanza. We went to a big thrift store, had an awesome Gyro picnic, and went to the mall and Target. I got all my major grocery shopping done for the semester and had a fun time all around! I am exhausted though...I shopped til I dropped for sure.

today...

...a package came from Old Navy.

I was so excited because my very first cardigan. I have been looking for my very first cardigan for a very long time, and since I am pretty picky, itʻs taken me a long time to find it.

This is it! Itʻs nice and pretty light, which is great for Hawaii, but it is also really pretty. I think it will be ok to wear to church and stuff. Which will be great, since my ward meets in one of the coldest rooms on campus. I absolutely love it. Iʻm seriously considering buying one in black too.

Anyway, I am super excited, so I guess I thought Iʻd share my joy with cyberworld :)

oh, wait...what?

I had a fairly startling realization this past Friday: I am taking 17 credits. In a normal school, this would be no big deal. BYUH, however, is a unique institution with a unique academic schedule that is two to three weeks shorter than the average university semester. So for me, 17 credits is very nearly an attempt to cheat death, haha. And Iʻm sure everyone out there in cyber world is dying to know what classes Iʻm taking (since I apparently I liked them well enough to not look at how many hours I was getting myself into). So Iʻll tell you.

Religion 325: This class covers the second half of the Doctrine and Covenants, starting with Seciton 76. Iʻm really excited for this class since it is taught by one of my favorite religion professors and because I havenʻt had a chance to really delve into this book of scripture.

International Cultural Studies 251: Introduction to Cultural Theory. This class covers the philosophies on what makes culture, how culture effects us, etc. etc. This is a hard course with quite the reputation as a "bootcamp" class. Iʻve got a head start though, since I took a similar class in Provo. Hehe.

Communications 454: Conflict and Culture. I love studying conflict and I love studying culture. Combination of the two: priceless! This class is going to be really enjoyable, but Iʻm a little nervous about the final project: I have to do an ethnography (anthropologic record of research and observation) on the conflict resolution tactics of one of my cultures. This is the first semester this assignment has been given, and Iʻm not exactly sure what to choose as my topic, since all my cultures seem either too broad (American, Mormon, Female), or so specific that observation and research would be totally out of the picture (tutoring, Honors students, etc).

History 202: World Communities from 1500 to the Present. This class is another interesting one. All the sections for this class meet together for lectures on Tuesdays and split up for classes on Thursdays. Weʻve got some good texts to read and I think this GE wonʻt be a drag--like some Iʻll be taking in future semesters (Anyone have an extra Physical Science credit theyʻd like to give me??).

English 495R: "Tutor Class". I take this class as part of my job as a Reading/Writing Center tutor. This semester we are learning how to be reading tutors rather than just writing tutors. I think I will really enjoy this new perspective. Iʻm not a huge fan of writing, but I love to read and I am looking forward to learning about the best ways to spread that enthusiasm.

Intercultural PeaceBuilding 400: This is the second class in the IPB peacebuilding certification program. Iʻm super excited about this experience to be part of my life. This certification teaches and trains students to be mediators both in a professional sense but also in our personal lives. I think that this will be one of my favorite classes. I love doing the roleplays, the readings, and talking about aspects of conflict transformation with my fellow students.

And thereʻs my 17 credits. Best 17 credits ever.

OH, and #1 experience I couldnʻt have anywhere but in Provo was to hear the prophet of God speak live at two different meetings: a BYU devotional and the Relief Society General meeting. There is no feeling like being in the same room as a man like Thomas S. Monson. The Spirit entered the room with him. It was amazing.

personal climate changes.

happiness is...

island air.

palm trees.

small classes.

nature-powered air conditioning.

chatter in chinese, samoan, german, russian, spanish, and more...all day long.

pidgin.

fresh, homemade sushi

poke. (POH-kay: raw marinated fish)

familiar faces, familiar places.

tutoring.

sand and sea.

...and 10 things I probably would have never done if I didnʻt go to BYU Provo last semester:

1. Buy a 3 gallon bucket of Creamery Ice Cream (with friends) and consume it over a couple days.

2. See "The Lion King" Broadway Musical with my cousin Matt in Las Vegas instead of seeing the Osmonds with the rest of the family.

3. Get swine flu AND adenovirus (? I think thatʻs what it was called. I had swine flu while the doctor was telling me this. Not much computed.)

4. Play with my favorite faux nephew Mason all the time (heʻs my cousinʻs kid, but thatʻs the closet Iʻve got!)

5. Attend a BYU football game with my Dad

6. Attend class while it was snowing so hard outside that looking out the window was useless. The tree three feet away was hard to see.

7. Get into all sorts of trouble with my wonderful roommate Jasinda.

8. Visited Rexburg for Thanksgiving.

9. Had a cousin sleepover at Grandmas on Halloween.

10. Visit the temple multiple times in a week.

i miss my puppies.

every semester about this time, i start to really, really miss my dogs. i never really thought iʻd be that kind of person. but there is something wonderful about having a 10 pound furry lap warmer that cuddles with you all the time. or two as the case may be.

and you know, i miss my family too. but i can talk to them on the phone. and they donʻt cuddle.

being landlocked.

some people complain about being on an island, and how they miss being able to drive all over the place. i miss being able to walk to the ocean. but on a happy note, iʻm looking at flights and housing for next semester. and getting my byuh account hold taken off. apparently no one knows that i am an endorsed student. how frustrating.