Email to LynAnn Bates (Dean's daughter)

8/22/12

Hey LynAnn!

I have been thinking of you, and wondering how you are too. I'm doing really well. Yes, I was in school all summer, finished my first semester (of 4) at the beginning of August and then just got done with our 2 week break, which was so needed. Did a lot of family stuff and just got things done. The semester went pretty well, but I was sure glad to have it over, it was pretty intense. This semester we start clinicals in the hospitals, and my first official day of clinicals is next Tuesday. This week we've been doing orientation and getting ready to be in the hospitals. I'm slightly terrified, but also excited. I'm at the U of U hospital this semester, and I'm excited to be there, it seems like a really great hospital. As far as liking nursing school..? There are definitely parts that I love, like the friends I have made, and learning more about the medical world, and how to actually do things like start IVs, give shots, start catheters, etc., but also parts I haven't loved, that are just tedious and have felt like busy work. But the good comes with the bad, right? So overall, yes, I like it. I'm really excited for the day that I actually feel like I know what I'm doing (maybe years, but here's to hoping it's sooner..). :)

I miss talking to you too, and I certainly miss Dean. Sweet Dean. I think about him often. 

Speaking of which, I'm sure you're wondering, so I will just report that no, I'm not dating anyone. Ha, story of my life. But I absolutely love my singles ward, to my surprise, and have made a lot of really good friends there. Mostly the girls are awesome, but there are some good guys in the ward as well. There was one guy who I was incredibly impressed with and interested in, but then he moved to Provo just recently. Bummer. There's another one that I am interested in and we went out last week and had fun, but he seems very shy and nervous about the whole girls thing, so we'll see if anything ever happens.

But how are you doing? I talked to your mom a week or two ago and she said you have been pretty sick, so much so that you had to quit your job! I'm so sorry! How are you doing now? You working again, or taking a deserved break?

And how are you holding up without your dad? I don't doubt it's still really hard.

Thanks so much for the email, I was so excited when I saw it in my inbox!

People I don't ever want to forget

These are people that I've met or known at BYU or elsewhere, who I never got a picture of or with, but who I don't ever want to forget. I will add to this periodically.

Lacey Arens--Physics friend at BYU; she, ___, and I were physics buddies; She was from TX, is a convert, served a mission here in UT, knew David Archeleta on her mission before he got famous
_____--another physics buddy, loved him; he was married, kind of a bummer sometimes, we got along really well. He thought I was cool for wearing hats some days (baseball hat), he said I was the only girl that did that. I liked that.:)
Leslie--Biomechanics friend; She, another girl, and I were another threesome of buddies in that class, with Dr. Seeley. In fact he's another, a professor, but one who I don't want to forget. I loved having him as a professor, he was really good at teaching, and really friendly and fun. I would love to marry someone like him. One day he commented on my shoes, that he liked them. That made me like him even more. :) But Leslie was darling, she was one who made me want to start wearing side messy buns because I sat behind her most days, and she often did her hair in one, and they were so cute!

So blessed with friends

It is so late, and I need to go to bed. But I just had to write real quick about how blessed I am. Specifically with friends.
I love my ward, the Wilford YSA ward, and it's not because of the guys, it's because of the GIRLS. I have made some really great friends already, who I feel so loved around and have so much fun with! To name some, Necia, Nichole, Wendy, Jamie Walker, Katie Stuart, Liz Stitt, and Cheryl Johnson. There are so many awesome girls here, and I love going to social functions because I always have so much fun! Tonight I went over to Necia and Nichole's, and Wendy came over, and we had our own little game night. I took, and we ended up playing "Things." I love that game. And it was a blast. I still have a headache from laughing so hard all night.
Wendy had to leave first because she has to work early in the morning, and after she left, Necia, Nichole, and I watched Kid History videos on YouTube for a while, because Nichole had never seen them! They were hilarious, as always. And there are even new episodes I haven't seen yet! I had no idea! We didn't watch any of the new ones, I'm sure I'll be doing that soon...:)
Anyway, I love these girls. The worst part about this all is that Necia is going on a mission in five weeks. She has definitely become one of my best friends here, and I'm SO excited for her, of course, but also really bummed that she's leaving. I feel like this keeps happening: I move or something, make a new really great/best friend, we become really close, and then they leave. Whether it's to Jerusalem, or on a mission... This has now happened three times in a row: Elise Beckstead (now Powell), then Amy (who is still in Jeru), and now Necia. Bummer. But I'm very grateful that I keep making new friends and for the ability to make friends easily.
I love living here, and I love my ward (two pleasant surprises from what I anticipated). :)

The good and the bummer about David Hall. And now he is gone. But Nick Anderson...he's here at least.

So..man. Where to start.

Well, in a nutshell, this week took a turn for the better with Mr. David, and then not so much. So by Thursday, I was pretty much totally distressed, anxious, and getting hopeless about anything happening with David. I just wanted to hang out or talk to him one more time. Or heaven forbid, go out with him (that was sure hoping).

I ended up going to our ward softball game Thurs night, despite really needing to study, in hopes that he would be there. I knew that it could be the last chance I got to see him, I wasn't totally sure when he was moving and would be gone. I facebooked and then texted Necia, my sweet new friend in the ward, to see if she would be going. I wanted to maybe have someone who was going just text me if he came, and then I would go. Otherwise I would stay home and study.

So I confessed to her that I was hoping to see him there, and she actually offered to do that, but by then I just really wanted to go anyway. I love this ward and have made some good friends here. I feel really liked and welcomed, it's been so amazing. So as I was driving there, she texted me that he had just arrived. Great, now I was nervous.

Anyway, I got there and said hi to some people, and then headed over to sit with Necia. I passed him on the way and we said hi. And can I just make a note that, I don't know if it's just me, but I really have felt that anytime we say hi and make eye contact, like when he was leaving the devo last Sunday night and said bye, I feel like there is something there, like I'm surprisingly not just another girl to him. I feel something, and it seems like it's there for him too. But I don't know.

Anyway, then I went and sat by Necia and Wendy and Sister Gregory, and a few minutes later Necia and I went back to the other side and hung out with the team, including David. The others were in the field, and he was too many, so he was hanging out by the dugout.
I went up and started chatting with him. The first thing he said to me was, "why aren't you out there?" or something. I thought that was cute.:)

We chatted for a minute, about softball not being either of our best sports. I love to bat and run the bases, but I am so un-confident about throwing a softball, I don't like being in the field. I also asked him how moving was going, and asked if he needed help (he declined. Bummer.).

Anyway, after the game we all went over to the pavillion and ate hot dogs that were being grilled by the stake (so nice). When I got my food and water, I headed over to the table with everyone, and he was on the end, conveniently, so I casually sat down a foot or two away from him. But next to him.:) Necia was also conveniently across from me.

Then Liz Stitt came and Cheryl Johnson, both of whom I love. They are fun girls. So many fun girls in this ward, I love it.

I started chatting with Necia about her 24th, and a few min later someone wanted to sit on the other side of David somewhere, so he scooted toward us and was now basically right next to me.
So we all just chatted about the 24th and rodeos and mutton bustin'. David heard we were talking about rodeos, and he turned to me and was like, "you went to a rodeo?" I told him no, that Necia had. But I liked that he directly asked me, when he heard what we were talking about.
So we all just kept chatting for a while, and then it ended up being just Liz, Cheryl and I, and this other guy from another ward came and sat by us and chatted. He was pretty cool. But David was chatting right behind me with someone. I was quite aware of this the whole time, of course. I was ready to go, but I wanted to go when he did. So I kept chatting with Liz and Cheryl and this guy, slowly getting ready to go, putting my purse strap over me, etc. Oh, at one point David had his foot up on the bench right next to me. I kind of liked that. I had this small urge to untie he shoes or touch his leg. But alas, I resisted.

Then David mentioned that he was going to head out, so I then decided to as well.:)
I got up, said bye, and threw away my garbage. He was right there at the fence, and I was like, "You heading out?" And he was like, "Yeah, you parked over (in that other lot)?" The other parking lot was the farther one where we both parked, making it a longer walk together, which was nice. I said yes and we both headed that way.

As I asked him how his 24th was and he started to tell me, he put a baseball hat on, which I love.

Sidenote: have I talked about on here things that are so attractive in a guy to me? Well, a few things include:
-workout clothes, i.e. gym shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes
-baseball hats, especially backwards, mm.
-glasses
-good flip flops

So yeah, the hat just added to his already-attractive outfit of red gym shorts, t-shirt, and tennis shoes.

We chatted to our cars, about what he did on the 24th, and then about his calling he's had for the last year and a half (ward mission leader), and how the work is around here. I asked him about sisters in the area, and he gave me their number. Now I need to call them and go out with them.
Once we got to his car, I asked if he was going to the game night (at Necia, Nicole's, and Rebecca's) on Sat., and he said no, that he had a family reunion that night. Then as I was heading to my car, I was like, "Well, good luck moving. Let me know if you need any help." I had asked him during the game how moving had been going, and did he need any help. That time he said no, that he was good or whatever. That Junior was coming the next day to help him.

So when I said that, I was really surprised when he kind of paused and said, "Do you have a job?" "No, I'm just in school." "Are you available tomorrow at 2?" And I thought for a second and said, "Yeah, actually." Then he was like, "I might call you then" or something. And I was like, "Yeah, do" or whatever. And then we said bye and I got in the car and started freaking out in my head. As I drove out I of course wanted to share this amazing news with someone, and the first person I wanted to tell was of course Elisa, my good friend in my nursing class. She is 32, has two kids, and totally loves all the boy drama I've been having lately. She is so nice to listen to and be interested in all of my rantings and frustrations and nervousness and excitement and anxiety over these boys lately (specifically Steven, and then David). She's even better than Sally at listening to it all, and that's impressive.

So I called her right away and after she told me about the excitement that was happening in their apt complex with a fire having just been put out and the firetrucks being there, etc., I told her what had just happened. I was freaking out and she was really excited too! I couldn't believe it, it was almost like I had a date with him! If I had written in here that day, it would have looked something like this:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! He said he might call me tomorrow!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

So that night I was all kinds of excited. And of course I thought about him a lot and about helping him move.

Then, the next morning (Friday, no school, study all day), I tried to be very efficient with my time, in studying, getting my scripture reading in, showering and doing my hair so I didn't look like a scrounge for him, did some dishes, and studied some more, basically until he called me.

Well, that's when the story turns. He never called me. And I'll be honest, a small part of me was relieved, for multiple reasons, one of which being that I had more time to study. But it certainly would have been worth it to me to spend time with him and not study. But I was kind of bummed. But I also know how moving goes, and that it doesn't always go as scheduled, and maybe the timing changed or he ended up not needing help or something. By the end of the night I wasn't too upset about it.

Then I wasn't sure if he'd be in church today, but I walked in (on time for the second time!), sat by Wendy and Necia and those girls, and looked around to where he would usually sit, no David, and then looked up on the stand, and there he was. Of course, speaking on his last Sunday here. So I got to look at him throughout the meeting, which was nice. And it seemed like he may have looked my way some too. But I couldn't tell for sure because my left eye kept watering so it wasn't real clear most of the time.

He was the last speaker, and gave a really great talk. Really great. One thing he talked about was a reason why our testimony is so powerful, and that is because it is what we know, which is the antithesis of doubt, which is a major tool the adversary uses on us. So we combat his tool of doubt with our conviction of what we know, and that is why it is so powerful. (He didn't say this, but) Thus, the more we know and have a testimony on, such as our divine worth, or that we will get married someday or whatever we are doubting, the less power Satan has over us. Hm.

After Sac. Mtg., a bunch of us were just hanging out, chatting, and he eventually came down the aisle, and I turned to say hi and tell him good job. He kind of stuck out his hand, and I wasn't sure what to do with it, so I shook it. Ha. But even just that "formal" physical contact seemed real, meaningful in a way. I told him really great job on his talk, and couldn't think of what else to say, but he kept moving to the others, basically to tell them he was leaving, then, like not going to the rest of church, and to say bye. He was heading up to Washington, not sure why. I was bummed that he was leaving right then, and he made his way to the doors of the chapel. I looked back at him, and it seemed like he had been looking at me.

When he left, it literally felt like a part of me..broke. That probably sounds really ridiculous and cheesy, and maybe it's because I have just thought about him so much in the last while, but I really feel something about him, and hope this isn't it. That I will get to see him again, or something will still miraculously happen between us. I was very sad inside, about him being gone. Just like that. I certainly wasn't really able to focus or got much out of sunday school after that. RS was better because it was on missionary work, and I always like that topic. Plus Rebecca did a great job teaching. But yeah, major bummer that he's gone.

I've been praying for help to not be sad, and for something to still be able to happen between us. I studied "hope" in my scripture study today, right after church. I felt better after, knowing and being reassured that I just need to have a hope in God, and that He has my best interests at hand, and knowing that I need not be "cast down" (Ps. 42:11). I asked Heavenly Father to help me not think about him anymore, to be able to let him go, if nothing is supposed to or will ever happen between us. But I also asked that something could still happen. But I also asked that if nothing was ever supposed to, that I meet or be shown other guys that can hold my interest to the level that David has. Because honestly, that will be the hardest thing, is measuring up to him. I still have not seen anything that I haven't liked about him. He is slightly on the thin side, but not bad. And he is tall, which helps, plus everything else about him is so great that the slight thin-ness is no big deal.

But speaking of other guys, so that guy, the EQP, Nick Anderson, and I did meet. I think I may have written about it in here, maybe, but it was at FHE last Monday, at the White's house. We watched The Sandlot as a ward and he ended up sitting next to me on this little bench, and we joked and made comments back and forth throughout the movie. Even flirted some. It was fun.

Well, he added me on facebook on Thursday, which really brightened my day when I got home from school that evening. I was kind of down and drained, from school and the whole David situation all week, and seeing that perked me right up.

So last night, at about midnight, I got on fb for some stimulation so that I could stay awake and study longer (for our huge Pharm exam 3 tomorrow), and hopefully gather some energy/motivation to do so. Not too long after I got on, I heard the chat box noise. I went and looked to see who was trying to talk to me, and it just so happened to be Nick Anderson. Ha! That made me a little excited, woke me right up. So we chatted and joked back and forth for the next while, about both of our sunburns (his was lateral thoracic, he let me know..:), and about the pass of all passes to Seven Peaks, etc. I might get one. Seems like lots of people in the ward go there, and it would be so fun.

So that was fun to chat with him, and feel like a cool guy wanted to talk to me. But I must say, he just hasn't caught my attention anywhere to the degree that David has. This is why I'm worried about it being hard to find someone to measure up to him. But, this Nick Anderson is probably next in line. Or the only other one really on the radar, I should say. Ha.

So I was kind of excited to see him at church, because I felt like we were definitely friends now. But when I saw him before RS and said hi, he said hi, barely. And then after church I was chatting in the hall with Liz Stitt (I love her) and he walked by and I was like, "Nick Anderson. How's it goin'?" And he very seriously said something small, like, "Good." And went on his way up the stairs. I was confused at that. He basically acted like he didn't even know me. I kind of pointed to him in confusion, as he went up the stairs, and Liz asked me about it. When he was gone, I told her that he had added me on fb this week, and we had chatted it up on there last night, and then he just acted like he didn't know me. Then she was like, "It's probably because you were talking to me." I thought she was kidding, but then she told me briefly about how something had happened between then a long time ago, and things had basically been awkward ever since. Sometimes things could be normal between them, she said. Ha. She wouldn't tell me what he did, because she said she didn't want me to think ill of him, which was very nice and mature of her, I thought. I am really curious, but part of me would rather not know either. Whatever it was, she said he felt really bad about it.

Anyway, so Nick is kind of my fall-back-on right now. He hasn't been super impressive to me, a fun guy, but hasn't really impressed me yet. I would like to get to know him better though. People say he's really cool. I am grateful though, to at least have someone to think about, and distract me a little from the current David tragedy.

Hopefully this saga will be continued. With either of them, really.

Distressed about this David Hall

I'm starting to wonder if I am being way too dramatic or irrational or obsessive about this. But I can't stop thinking about David Hall. And he is supposed to be moving to Provo this week! I am seriously slightly distressed about this. And here's why: I don't think I've ever felt so extremely and immediately compatible with someone as I did with him, that night that we cleaned. Whenever I like a guy, I am usually still hesitant of the idea of actually dating him, because that may eliminate possibilities with other guys (totally irrational right? As if I date so many guys or something..), and since hanging out with him last Friday, I honestly had no interest in going out with another guy, ever. And I don't think I have ever felt that way. Even with Steven Davis, who I went out with a couple weeks ago, with Beckee and company. I was totally interested in him after, and really was hoping that he would call me again, but I still had that hesitation about dating, for that very reason. Even though he is so awesome, my mind couldn't dismiss the possibilities with certain guys in my ward that I've had interest in getting to know, David Hall being one of them.

But yeah, with David, after Friday night, no interest in ever needing to go out with any other guy. Seriously. And it really felt like there was a mutual interest going on that night, but who knows.

So since then, I decided to try to go to all ward activities this week, in hopes of seeing him as much as possibly before he moves. He wasn't at church on Sunday, but I went to the Sunday night devotional that Liz Stitt's house holds every week, in hopes that he would be there, and he was! I was one of the first people there, and he was the first person I saw when I got there. We made eye contact and I smiled and said hi, and he smiled. Junior was there too, and started talking to me from across the room. Then I was too nervous and never really talked to David the rest of the night. Lots of people came, and Nicia, one of my new good friends, sat by me (David sat on the other side of her, I may have been slightly jealous, and mostly because if I was a guy, the first person I would go for is Nicia, she is so awesome). Anyway, Nicia and I chatted and chatted before and after the devotional. After it was over and people were just hanging out, David was kind of wandering around, checking out the bookcase, hanging out in the kitchen. Eventually he was about to leave and kind of walked toward the door slowly and said like a general bye to the crowd of us socializing there by the door. I looked at him and we made eye contact and smiled and said bye. I felt like there was still possibly something there. Oh, during his wanderings though, when I was still chatting with Nicia (she is a nurse, about to go on a mission, and I am an RM, about to be a nurse, so we have lots to talk about with each other, and she's so fun, I love her. I'm kind of sad she's leaving soon), David came over our way (there were others by us chatting too) and I could have sworn he glanced at the seat on the couch next to me like he wanted to sit there, but then didn't. Maybe I was imagining it, but it seemed like maybe..

Then I went to FHE last night, where we watched Sandlot outside in Brother White's backyard as a ward. I of course was hoping to see him, and sit by him, ideally, but he wasn't there for a while. Instead, I finally actually met Nick Anderson, my interest #2 in the ward. He and Ryan Ramsey (who I also basically met last night) sat behind us before the movie. We (they and Nicia and I) were chatting and joking around, then Nick got up and went to the back of the crowd, then Danny came and took his seat I think, then when Nick came back he came up and sat next to me on the little yard bench I was on. I was loving that..! He seems like a cool guy, and we kind of joked around and flirted throughout the evening and movie. It was fun. So fun to flirt with someone, and them to flirt back--man, it's been a while!!

THEN, partway through the movie, who shows up and sits right behind Nicia and Nicole, but David Hall. Dang it, and I'm sitting next to Nick Anderson. I turned around to see who it was, and saw David, then turned back around and he looked at me and we said hi. And that was all the David interaction I got last night. He left before it was over, dang it. I was hoping to get to talk to him after, but no luck there. I didn't even know when he left.

So I took the next step and added David on facebook last night, at like 11 pm. After deliberating for a minute before clicking on "Add friend," I did it. He accepted me today. ...I can't believe I'm actually writing about all these ridiculous details. I really hope I marry him, because I'll have to probably delete all these journal entries later if I don't. Ha.

Anyway, I just feel like there's probably no way he has felt as strongly about me as I have about him, and that he's moving, which doesn't help anything. I so badly want to do something with him.

I honestly feel like I miss him. Today is the 24th of July, a holiday, and all morning as we were doing the breakfast and family stuff, I kept thinking about him and was so wishing he was here with me. It just feels like that's who I should be with. I can't really describe it. Not so much as like a prompting, so I can't say I know or anything yet, but just a really strong desire. Besides Sean Rutschke, back in the day, I have never wanted to be with someone so badly.
The logical and realistic part of me thinks that there is no way anything is going to happen. It never does, but on top of that, he's moving to Provo this week, which lowers my chances even more.

But then I think, then why did I get the chance to get to know him last Friday? If nothing is ever going to or supposed to happen with him, why was I given that night to get to know such an awesome guy, who I felt like I fit so well with, if that was just going to be it? All I got. I feel like that would be cruel of Heavenly Father, and that He is kinder than that. But then I also know God works in mysterious ways, and sometimes we just can't understand why He does things, or why things happen.

I know everything will work out, and how it should, and how I will be happiest in the end. But I honestly am getting distressed over this. I just want to be with him so bad, and for him to want that too. If he has had no desire in getting to know me any more, or never really had interest in me, like it seemed like he did, I would also like to know that, and then I could stop thinking about him. Because I think that is partly why I feel so into him, is that it seemed mutual, and now I feel like time is literally slipping through my hands.

But it is good to remember that this is not really in my hands. I do what I can do, and I've got to let God do the rest. I know He knows my heart and my desires, and He is kind. And He always answers my prayers, and He can make anything happen if it's supposed to. So I just have to trust in that, and be patient. It's just that it's really hard to be patient when you feel like time is running out and you want to be with someone so much.

Oh man, I am a case, aren't I?

Cleaning with David Hall..!

If I were asked if I thought I already knew the person that I would one day marry, as of just tonight, I can now say that I hope I do. And that I hope it's David Hall.
So we just got done cleaning the Conference Center, as well as the JSMB, and David Hall, the guy I've been wanting to know basically since I moved into the ward, and I basically hung out the WHOLE TIME. It was amazing, it was like a dream. We had all kinds of quality date-like conversation, without the pressure of it actually being a date. We rode in the same car there and back (Brandt's), and both sat in the back seat. Then when we got there and all got split up, he and I got put on a floor of the JSMB alone, just us, and we vacuumed and dusted and wiped a bunch of the rooms. In between his vacuuming we would chat some more. He's great at conversation, and really easy to talk to. We seem to have similar senses of humor, which was fun and is awesome, and everything about him I really like so far. Just a really good guy. Those are hard to find these days. I like how he dresses, he is very kind, polite, a gentleman, oh and he smelled SO GOOD. Even at midnight, after we were done, he still smelled really good. Maybe even more so than at the beginning. Maybe I was just totally crushing on him and noticing it more.
Oh, and just from some things he said, it seems like he has really good standards, like with media, movies, etc., which is HUGE to me.
The thing was though that he seemed just as interested in getting to know me as I was in getting to know him. Though maybe he's like that with everyone he meets.
But the bummer about the whole situation, about him, and me feeling like something could really happen with a guy like him, is that he is MOVING to PROVO next week! Ugh. Seriously? Talk about terrible timing. We were in the car on the way there when he told me that, and I felt my heart kind of drop, like something good was slipping through my hands or something. Maybe not, that sounds dramatic. But I was totally bummed about it, and still am. He's starting the MBA program down there, which is two years long. So that stinks. Not about the program, but that's he's moving.
But I would really really like to go out with him before he leaves. Provo isn't that far. For someone as great as he is, I would totally be willing to do a long distance relationship. Hm, that would stink though, really. That would be lots of gas...
Oh well, with my luck and track record, nothing will happen and I won't have to worry about that.
And kind of by accident (maybe by fate..?) I discovered tonight that he lives on Connor St. Right south of 27th, which I run right by sometimes. I think maybe I should run by there every day for the next week... :)

My email to Amy--updates: TX, pharm tests, end of semester, my social attendings, 3 guys of interest

Okay, so really sorry this time that it took me so long. I guess we should both stop apologizing, since we're both obviously busy, and it just happens, ha. But in response to yours, you are FINE!!! I wasn't offended even for a second ever, just wondered if you were okay after a while. I figured you were, but just had to make sure.:) But seriously, don't feel bad, I didn't, so no worries at all. Don't let emailing me stress you out.

I'm so happy that you are so happy! I can only imagine you are having the most amazing time of your life! That is ironic about your roommate, Natalie, and that boy that you liked. Bummer too. But that other kid sounds great! When I first read your email a couple weeks ago I immediately looked Mr. Grover up, and his privacy settings are unfortunately about as private as they get, but he looks great from what I could tell from his profile pic... :) What else has been going on with him?? Are you secretly dating under the table? If he's lucky, you are. Update me on this, please.

Oh, and I'm so sorry about all your health issues! That totally stinks!! But that's also really neat about the blessing and how you've been able to do everything. Thanks for sharing that with me. I'm always amazed at how much my testimony is strengthened through priesthood blessings and the reality of them.

That first Pharm test went really well actually, got a 93. But then the second one not so much, ha. There was about double the amount of info to know on it, maybe more, and I tried a different study technique. So between the two factors, I kind of bombed, ha. 73. But it's okay, I haven't really been worried about it, it was a good learning experience, not to study that way again, and I'm already in nursing school, so I'm not so so worried about grades as much as I have had to be in the past. Don't get me wrong, I still definitely work hard and like to do well, but I'm just not stressed about it. I feel good about the next one going much better though.

My weekend in TX was so fun!! The drive down took about 30 hours, it was kind of crazy, an adventure, but totally worth it. It was SO good to hang out with my siblings and whole family, even if it was only for about a day and a half. I feel like as I get older, the importance of family and keeping family relationships strong becomes greater and greater. We arrived at the beach house at about 10 or 11 pm on Friday night, stayed up for a while eating cereal and chatting with my siblings, then hung out on the beach most of the next day (Sat.), went to church down there on Sunday, I packed up, we had dinner, and three of my siblings drove me to the airport in Houston (an hour north), and I flew home. So it was a pretty short trip, but I was so glad I did it. Then I was home alone for the next almost week, which was weird at first, but then it was really nice to have the house to myself.

And to answer your question about school, yeah, I've been able to get more into a groove and organize my time better, partly by prioritizing homework, and having figured out what we really need to do, and what homework we can get by without doing. I've also had a better balance in my life, specifically socially. My ward has multiple activities to go to each week basically, and for a while I didn't hardly go to anything because I felt like I didn't have time. But I made a goal to go to one thing each week. And I've decided I need that. I need sociality in my life, for my sanity and happiness. I've realized even more than I knew before (I've told you some about this) how social I am and how important the social aspect in life is to me, to have positive social interaction. And I love my ward, I'm getting to know more and more people, and making some good friends, it's fun. I feel very blessed to be in this ward. And there are now (as of tonight) three guys I am interested in getting to know. I think that's pretty good. :)

Speaking of guys, no, I am not dating anyone of course, but I went on the first date I've been on in more than two months, since moving up here, last Thursday! Ha. And it was actually really really fun. It was with this kid I actually went to high school with, Steven Davis. You actually might know one of his siblings, John, or Johnny, they call him. Anyway, it's kind of a long story how this came about, but we were basically set up. I thought it was going to be awkward, mostly because I had just seen him at this pool party, totally randomly, the week before, and we had chatted, caught up (hadn't seen each other since high school--7 years), and it was fun to talk to him, but he definitely didn't ask me out there, and then his sister-in-law, who is one of my good friends from my home ward growing up, set us up. So that was kind of funny. But it wasn't awkward at all, he is an awesome guy, and I would really love to hang out with him some more. But haven't heard from him yet, so not really planning on it. THAT is the story of my life: no second dates. But oh, well. We move on.

So we only have less than three weeks left in our semester, which is CRAZY! I am very grateful too, I (along with my classmates) am getting burned out of this semester. We're all ready to be done with it. But then that means clinicals is next, which I'm basically terrified for. I feel like I don't know anything, and we're going to be in real hospitals touching and working with real patients. Aaaa! My assignment is at the U of U hospital on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and then we just have class on Thursdays next semester, so that will be nice. But holy moly I'm nervous about clinicals.

And your country music question--there actually is some good new (I think new, newish at least) music as of late. I'm loving it. Also, have you heard of the band One Direction? They are this boy band from England, and they are like one of my new favorites! Not country, but just fun, cute music, you would love them. Also, I just discovered Hunter Hayes. He's country, and I really like his music. I think you would too. He sings "Storm Warning," maybe you've heard it. It's great. :)  PS, sometimes when I hear The Band Perry songs or Taylor Swift, I think of you and our jam sessions...so fun.:)

Anyway, hope you are still so happy! And when exactly to you come back? I'm guessing the middle of August, that is about when my friend got back last summer it seems... 

Send me an update when you can, but no worries, no rush! 

Love you!

Melissa

PS. I'm totally jealous you got to ride a camel! How was it?? And I am NOT jealous of the heat you are having. Holy moly, that sounds hotter than heck. I am so sorry. I should be worried more that you will over heat to death, not about getting mauled by camels...! :)