I Should Be Sleeping.

It is currently 1:42 AM. I have seven pages of my essay written, but probably still have another three or four pages to go. I also have a math assignment to finish. Want to know what I can't stop thinking about? Food. All I want to do is eat. I'm seriously contemplating sneaking into Thing 2's bedroom and stealing the package of Double Stuf Oreos she bought yesterday. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! I wonder if she's a heavy sleeper...

Bad, Rachel. Bad.

This is For My Sister...

...Because we both have a weird obsession with duck jokes. And because I don't want to do my homework. Boo finals!

Obnoxious? Yeah. I know.

I love overhearing snippets of other people's conversations.

Thursday as I was walking to institute, I overheard this gem come from a guy talking to his friends: 

"Man, I want Brad Pitt look-alike sperm!"


Priceless. If only that's how it really worked...




Then during the sacrament in church on Sunday, from the family in the row in front of me:
Boy:(Excessive talking)
Dad: (mouthing) "Will you shut up?"
Boy: (still talking)
Dad: "Will you SHUT UP?! Really. Shut up."
Boy: "Dad don't swear! We're in church!"


I laughed. It was a spiritual experience.

Tastes Like Summer

Friday I roasted marshmallows over a fire in the canyon. Yesterday we ate dinner outside. Today (after a long afternoon of relaxing on the lawn), we had a barbecue at our 1st Counselor's house for FHE. I love the taste of summer!

Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from Dora the Explorer

This semester in Institute, I have been taking a "Writings of John the Beloved" class and we are currently studying the book of Revelation. Today when we were going through chapter 9, Brother Irwin* (name may or may not have been changed) got a little sidetracked and we began discussing emergency preparedness and what we would do if there was an earthquake. He then told us about a meeting he and the rest of the faculty had to go to where they learned that if there was a sniper in the building we were supposed to lock the door and hide behind the piano. It was decided that I was not allowed to be in charge if there was ever an emergency, because my idea was to have everyone stand in the halls and say "Sniper, no sniping! Sniper, no sniping! Sniper, no sniping!!" in hopes that it would make him change his mind.

I still think it was a good idea.

Oh, What a Day

Today I...

• was late for my first class for the 80th time in a row.
• lost my balance walking down the trecherous snow-covered sidewalks.
• walked under a tree at the exact moment that it decided to drop all of the snow off of its branches. Twice.
• hit myself with the door.
• tripped up the stairs.
• wore shoes that really didn't go with my pants.
• couldn't breathe out of my nose.
• unconsciously made many hideous faces at people while breathing out of my mouth.
• accidentally used shampoo twice instead of conditioner.
• cut myself shaving.
• spent way too long painting my nails instead of doing homework.
• ruined my newly painted nails by trying to wash my dishes.
• got caught staring at a boy out of my window as he walked down the sidewalk.
• failed an anthropology quiz.
• spilled chocolate on my shirt.
• tripped over myself. Several times.
• postponed going to the grocery store, AND doing laundry. Again.

AND...

• got a stomach ache from eating half of the brownie batter before Brooklin could get it into the pan.

BUT I...

• got to talk to my daddy, my mommy, and little Meka on the phone.
• ate brownie batter straight from the bowl with a big spoon.
• had a snowman doorbell-ditched on my porch.
• drew pretty spring flowers on my window with window crayons.
• listened to great music.
• walked through an awesome exhibit put on by Housing about prejudice and stereotypes.
• made a real dinner for the second night in a row. (Macaroni, yum!)
• got to dance the cha cha, the mambo, and the rumba.
• felt really good about the physics test I took.
• laughed.
• had a peanut butter sandwich with homemade strawberry jam.
• went to Institute.
• finished my assignment in time.
• remembered that Glee starts again next week.

AND...

• started my day by reading the Ensign.

I may make it through the end of this semester after all.

Sometimes someone else has already written my song

Song of the day: Too Good For You (So Sorry) by Sara Bareilles

(Sorry, no music video. Just a glorious song.)

You claim your innocence, but I blame your reticence
For why I never knew no, never knew how you play.

One love has two equal parts, but you leave your love with your mark
On your unfortunate prey.

But there is no excuse, I don't like being used.
And someday it's gonna get back to you.

You're so predictable man. You hit the ground and you ran.
Ran as if I, if I would chase you.
But your dear delectable prize 'neath your near electrical skies
Is damn near disappointment at most.

I didn't know I paid for merely a masquerade.
So I want my money back, hey.

You're sorry that you hurt me so bad,
Sorry if I thought you were madly in love.
You only just pretend to start something that you can end.
Sorry you're addicted to cruel.
Sorry has nothing to do with you

Go on play your games cause I'm sorry I'm too good for you anyway.

How is it up on your high horse
You know we miss you of course

But if a moment ever rolls around you may be interested in looking down
Cause you're not so far from the ground.

I was a fool for you but you were foolish too. And fools never get the last laugh.

You're sorry that you hurt me so bad
Sorry if I thought you were madly in love
You only just pretend to start something that you can end.
Sorry you're addicted to cruel
Sorry has nothing to do with you
Go on play your games cause I'm sorry I'm too good for you anyway.

You were an open book, but after a second look
I realized I was wasting my time.
I know how the story goes and everyone looks for a hero
And here we are one at a time, standing in line to tell you you're not mine.
But you're sorry.

You're sorry that you hurt me so bad
Sorry if I thought you were madly in love
You only just pretend to start something that you can end.
Sorry you're addicted to cruel.
Sorry has nothing to do with you.
Go on play your games cause I'm sorry I'm too good for you anyway.

Follow the Prophet

I love primary. Want to know why? For the past month, Diva's favorite song (which was of course quickly picked up by Meka) has been "Follow the Prophet" from the Primary Children's Songboook. I love this song, especially when it is sung by the world's two most adorable children, complete with hand actions and a little sassy hip movement on the line "don't go astray." But more than that, I love the eternal truth that is taught in this song: Follow the Prophet, he knows the way.

What a great song to have filling our house during Conference weekend. In our house, General Conference is almost as much of a celebration as Christmas. It is filled with family and wonderful food, but most importantly, it is filled with inspired words from living prophets who act as God's mouthpiece to the world.

I watched the final session of Conference* (for explanation, see below) with Diva in my mom's room. Coloring and doing puzzles and games in her new coloring book throughout the session, Diva wasn't really paying attention. Whenever President Eyring got up to announce the next section of the program, she would ask if it was over. When he got up and announced the final speaker to be followed by the closing song and prayer, I told Diva "The Prophet is going to talk, then they're going to sing a song and say a prayer and then it will be over." Satisfied by that, she went back to her coloring. But as soon as the Prophet got up to speak, she looked up at the TV screen and said excitedly, "Oh! That's President Monsonie!" I was surprised and touched that she recognized God's Prophet and knew exactly who he was. "Follow the Prophet" isn't just another song that she sings--it's a song with important meaning that she understands. I hope she will always continue to recognize the Prophet for who he is and always follow him.

Now we have a world where people are confused.

If you don't believe it, go and watch the news.

We can get direction all along our way,

If we heed the prophets -- follow what they say.

Follow the Prophet, follow the Prophet.

Follow the Prophet, don't go astray.

Follow the Prophet, follow the Prophet.

Follow the Prophet, he knows the way.

*Note: Twice a year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds a General Conference which is broadcast to members all around the world. Each conference is divided into four two-hour sessions, two on Saturday and two on Sunday, with an additional two-hour session on Saturday evenings for priesthood holders. During these conferences, we are taught by general authorities and officers of the Church, or, in layman terms, the head haunchoes (the Mormon Prophet can be compared to the equivalent of the Catholic Pope when it comes to position in the church). We believe that their counsel and guidance comes directly from God as inspiration and we value the words taught in General Conference as scripture. To learn more about the LDS faith, General Conference, and what we believe, click here. Or to set up an appointment with the full-time missionaries in your area, click here or send me an email and I will be glad to help you set it up.