Maine '09

This Christmas break my family and I took a trip to Maine to spend Christmas with my cousins and their family. My grandma, mom, my brother, and I all rode in the car together (a recipe for…well…some interesting situations). We took my grandma’s CR-V and attached the car-top carrier to allow us to have more room to bring more junk with us. The CR-V doesn’t have a roof rack, so I had to settle on attaching the carrier to the frame of the car and wrapping a black strap all the way around the car (which went around the roof of the car as well). We left on Wednesday at around 3:00 despite my mom and grandma’s best efforts to leave earlier. I was doing a lot of packing not only for the trip to Maine but also for my move to Idaho (more on how that’s going later). I drove for the first 4 hours or so, despite not getting nearly enough sleep the night before, and got us through New York with no problems (even though there was some major traffic, and several slightly confused “navigators”). I tried to sleep for the rest of the ride, and we made it to Maine by 4:00 that night (four in the morning), which doesn’t sound like very good time, but keep in mind we hit some major holiday traffic). Christmas Eve was enjoyable, good food for dinner, and good company. Then most of “the cousins” sat down in the family room and watched a few movies together. I was tired so I laid down on the couch and fell asleep until I woke up because I was feeling nauseous. I quickly realized that this was not going to be a passing feeling, and darted for the guest bathroom where I promptly got sick. I was up the rest of the night with food poisoning. It wasn’t as bad as a previous case, however, I was very tired for Christmas day and slept through most of it (only being awake for opening presents, per request of my mom, and movies that night with the cousins). I mainly received presents that would be things I would need at college (which was exactly what I wanted and needed at the time), but my mom was also helping with money to get me out to Idaho, housing, etc. The day after Christmas, I was feeling much better and was able to eat and have fun with the rest of the family as usual (that, I am very grateful for). We left early Sunday morning and stopped in Freeport to do some shopping. I’m glad the L.L. Bean store there is open 24 hours because I was able to buy a new fleece jacket, boots, and gloves all at one place at 7:30 in the morning. Remember, I mentioned that we strapped the car-top carrier down through the car? Well, the straps evidently compromised the waterproof design of the door, and made the seat, and the door soaking wet. My brother was in the back seat at the time and completely miserable. We got some towels to try to absorb the water and keep it from dripping (even though I think we should’ve used a silicone or Teflon coat instead….but that’s just what I would’ve done). I drove from Maine to Albany, NY that day (about 9 hours). We hit major traffic at some parts, but no accidents (since that’s what’s important), so the trip back was good. When I got home, I chilled with my brother and his friends until it got late, then went to my bed and slept in it for the last time..

BYU-Idaho

I was recently accepted into BYU-Idaho and plan on beginning classes in September of 2009. I am on the winter/spring track, which means I have full time classes during winter and spring semesters only. I can take evening or online courses but I’m not sure if I want to pursue that option yet. I am looking into the prospective missionary program right now which is a program for prospective missionaries who are on the winter/spring track, and have a birthday between Nov. 1st and April 30th. Basically, it’s a way for people who are going on a mission to complete as many classes as possible before they receive their mission call. I’m hoping I can finish winter semester too though because I probably won’t get my mission call until, at the earliest, February of 2010, so hopefully I won’t have to report to the MTC until after finals (last day of winter semester is April 10th).

Through the PMP I’ll take several religious classes and a communication class as part of a core mission preparation course which will help prepare for a mission. The courses are:

Religion 130 - Mission Preparation (2 credits)
Religion 221 - Book of Mormon for Prospective Missionaries (4 credits)
Communication 150 - Interpersonal Theory and Practice (3 credits)

I didn’t even really know about this program until I read my acceptance letter which mentioned it, which is surprising because I was all over the BYU-Idaho site when I was researching for my essay and application.

I’m still doing everything I can with financial aid. I’m almost done with my FAFSA application so once I finish that I should be able to register for the PMP and classes for fall semester in June..

Graduation

My graduation in on May 29th. Some of my family are traveling down for the graduation and for the wedding of my Grandpop to his Fiancée, Iris. My Aunt Lisa and Aunt Mary are coming as well as my Mom and Grandmom. The wedding is going to be on May 30th so it’ll be a busy week..

Spring Break (April 12th - 19th)

I was going to go to Jacksonville, Florida for spring break but plans changed and only 3 people were going so I decided I would't either. We had been planning the trip for a while but things fell apart about a week before we were supposed to go so we’re just staying here and maybe going camping or to the lake for a few days. I want to go repelling at least once, so I’m trying to make those plans now. Either way, I’m sure it’ll be fun and relaxing. It also gives me time to find a summer job here and possibly start working (which would be the best outcome). I’m thinking that the best-paying and probably most interesting job I could have here would be something in boat repair so I’ve been preparing a resume and cover letter to present to the parts and services manager at a local Marine when I go in to apply..

Laptop

I just got a laptop so now I’ll be able to update this more and actually be connected to the rest of the world..

Its an awesome early graduation gift and it will be very helpful for the rest of the school year.

I should be able to get a good wireless internet connection at my flat in town in the next few days.

More New Pictures

I recently added new pictures to my Picasa Web Album. These are of prom and trips to overlooks with Ashleigh and a few other random pics.

New Pictures

I just added new pictures from about two weeks ago when I stayed over at justice's house...
this is my whole online album, but its a sub-album in there....I'll try to update this as soon as I can...