Read My Mind

My friend asked me today whether I prefer being alone when I'm having a bad/sad day or if I have to feel connected to people and be around others when I'm feeling pooey. I think, looking back on my bad days, I really need to connection with others because I'm usually having a bad day because I feel alone. Talking about my concerns makes me feel a lot better, but even just being in the same room as someone, knowing they want to be in my presence, makes me feel a lot better. I find the people who are most helpful to me in those situations are my bestest friends. I'm kind of surprised it's not my family, but sometimes I just feel like I can open up to my friends better because I feel like they are going through the same situations and can really understand what's happening and why I'm feeling that way (whoa, run on sentence!). I should try to talk to my family more. They're really busy though and probably don't have time to hear about my little problems. And I'm not saying that I have all of these huge issues that I need to talk to someone about- it's just that sometimes we all have bad days and need to vent about the craziness of life.

Something I discovered today: One unfair thing I expect from those around me is that I want them to be able to just look at me and read my feelings at any given moment. I just wish people would look at me and know exactly what I needed, that I needed to be comforted, and know exactly how to do it. I definitely don't possess this extraordinary talent when it comes to any of my friends and their feelings, so I shouldn't expect it of them. But, come on, wouldn't that be amazing? Ah, only in a perfect world.

Just a little plug dealing with the gospel: I'm so thankful that I do have one person who knows exactly what I'm going through, how it makes me feel, and what to do to make me feel better. This knowledge has helped me through a lot and I wish that everyone knew of His comforting power. I know I'd have a lot more sad days if I didn't have Him.

Tagged by Mindy

Jobs I've Held:
1. JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts
2. Watermelon/Corn/Other produce stand salesperson
3. BYU Bookstore- Framing Desk
4. BYU Women's Services

Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
1. Elf
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Oh, Brother Where Art Thou
4. The Italian Job
5. 10 Things I Hate About You

Places I Have Lived:
1. Provo, Utah

Shows I Enjoy:
1. AFV
2. The Office
3. The Simpsons
4. Lost

Places I Have Been on Vacation:
1. San Diego
2. Many National Parks in Utah
3. Nauvoo
4. Michigan
5. South Carolina (I don't know if this counts as a vacation)

Favorite Foods:
1. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
2. Those cheeseballs at Tucanos
3. Swiss Steak
4. Anything that doesn't have mushrooms, peppers, or onions

Websites I Visit (almost) Daily:
1. hotmail.com
2. byu.edu
3. facebook
4. blogs
5. wsr.byu.edu
6. pandora.com
7. istockphoto.com

Body Parts I Have Injured:
1. right ankle
2. left ankle
3. back
4. right knee
5. left knee
6. right middle finger
7. right thumb
8. right shoulder
9. joint where leg connects to hip (left)

Nicknames I Have Been Called:
1. Pike Ide Sine
2. Brain
3. Nickerbocker
4. Nickerdoodle
5. Doodle
6. Nik
7. Nikki Jo
8. Nikelobe
9. Lobe

I'm tagging (to blog this):
1. Debbie
2. Ali
3. Tye
4. Teri

Isle of Palms, South Carolina

I drove to South Carolina from Alamogordo, New Mexico with Shaylee, Shawn, and Ian. This was the fun part of the 9 day trip.

Debbie and I went on a fabulous trip to San Diego and the surrounding area at the end of last month. Man, was it a blast. I highly recommend the weather, relaxation, and many fun activities that the area has to offer. We went to the San Diego Zoo, which was utterly amazing. Here is a photo of Daniel, me, Sam, and Alex trying to imitate some creature (possible a meerkat).

Here is a picture of me jumping in the air at the beach. Debbie, the master photographer that she is, captured this after many failed attempts that were probably because I can't jump very high. But look at my face. So choice.

And here is a picture of me and Debbie at the San Diego temple. So gargeous. We got to go do baptisms. Sam's friend was married here the day we went (which was, essentially, the whole point of the trip).

We also had the amazing adventure of going to Tijuana, Mexico. It was my first time out of the country and I was pretty paranoid that I wouldn't be able to get back into the U.S. because I didn't have a passport. Luckily, they haven't really started enforcing that new law in that ghetto, marvelous area yet. Let me tell you, that place was crazy. Very crowded and interesting. Also quite strange to hear Spanish everywhere, instead of English. I think it was a good experience for me. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of this portion of the trip because no one dared to bring a camera to Tijuana.

Another fun thing (at least for me) that we did was go visit and stay with my cousins Mark and Paige and their 4 children. It really was fun to get to know them better and actually stay in a house again after living in a motel for 4 days. Good times.

I'm sort of glad to be back in Utah, especially because there are a lot less skanky girls, but the weather here is horrible compared to there. It is just so unbearably hot here! I'm still adjusting. I'm not taking any classes, just working a lot. It's kind of boring. I need to get a crush on a boy, or something- anything that will make my life more exciting. Any suggestions?

Finger Painting

Yes, I'm still alive, but I just don't have the energy to write insignificant things on this here blog when I am so engulfed in Facebook. That's right, I joined a few weeks ago and it is quite overpowering. Plus, I'm always on the computer at work, which makes me never want to look at a screen again, if I can help it. That is the reason for the lack of posts. I'll try to do better. All I have to say is that it is a great joy to be living with Debbie again. What a fantastic roommate. She even tries to not hit the snooze button as much because she is so kind (Ali, as well). I think we might stay at The Court for Fall/Winter. Big decisions, my friends, big decisions. More updates soon, maybe, if I ever actually decide anything.

I am a server of women.

That's right, folks. I work at Women's Services and Resources in the Wilk on campus. The office is always full of estrogen because only females work there. It's pretty fantastic. I love my new job so much that I'm starting to hate my old job, which I am still doing (BYU Bookstore). Also, I am taking D&C 325 from a crazy Bro. Richardson who embarrasses himself in front of us all the time- on purpose. I swear it's his goal in life to make us all think he's gone mad. With every class period being 2 hours long, however, it's a relief that he keeps us awake so efficiently. I am learning some great stuff about the early history of the church and the doctrines and commandments that the saints were educated on. Basically, this term is going to be pretty fantastic. Whoa, the most important news of all: I moved to a different apartment complex, Bountiful Court, with Ali and Micquel. I have seen Micquel awake in our apartment twice. I certainly hope she decides that she has time to be friends with us still. I feel pretty lucky that I get to go on a double date with her, Jeff, and Jeff's friend tonight. Blind date for me! We'll see how that goes. I certainly hope he isn't anything like Uncle Pennybags.

Just to Appease You

I totally switched this blog over to the new Google Blogger, but it doesn't think I did anymore. This whole switch over thing was supposed to be easy, I think, but I must just be retarded. I have battled it for quite some time and will continue to do so until I am satisfied.

So, General Conference was pretty amazing, wouldn't you agree? All of those talks on repentance really got me thinking. At least I don't feel complacent anymore, right? I guess that's what Conference is supposed to do for you though: make you feel uneasy so you can change to make yourself better. I am very excited to start.

I got to GO to conference for the very first time today. It was dang awesome, in the Conference Center with the prophet and everything. I think it was definitely worth all of the traffic and parking fiascos we had to deal with. Also, I got to drive my brother's Impala there- what a smooth ride! I love driving in cars that are nicer than mine.

I resolve to not be such a slacker in the blogging department, even IF no one decides to comment (that can put a damper on sharing things).

happy happy

I was going to say why I chose these images, how I felt about them, what I liked about them, etc. but I think you should view them with your own eyes and interpret them for yourselves.

Where did that come from?

I've been spending a lot of time with my family during this Christmas break. Some of the fantastic things we've done together: shopping, eating out, playing Silent Football and other games, having a How to Host a Murder party (including dress ups), rock climbing at The Quarry, etc. It's been pretty great, I must say. Yesterday I bought my textbooks. You know what that means: school's going to start real soon. Ah man. To brighten our spirits, though, I have posted some treasures below of my 60's-ish costume. What the heck?