HUR BLAH! (I wish!)

Did you hear? My mom is the talk of BYU campus... :D

T5B: 1) I didn't have to teach today. 2) I got to direct the choir. 3) I got a ride. 4) I have an huge amount of awesome music. 5) I only have 22 days of teaching left! :D

basal temp: 36.28

A cool note about music: When I first arrived here and I got my iPhone, I wasn't sure what music I should load. I was inordinately worried about using up too much data and only put some 50 songs on it at first. Among those songs was an entire album by James Taylor because he was soothing and reminded me of home. When it came time for me to make the hour walk to church (my first time), I plugged in headphone and found out I had no church music! It was too late too put some one at that point. I looked for my most "reverent" music and settled on James Taylor. By next Sunday I had forgotten again to put hymns on my phone and so listened to James Taylor again. Later I eventually remembered to put more music. Now I have a Sunday playlist with James Taylor, Mozart, Jazz, Brahms, and Bach. Because I have listened to James Taylor nearly every Sunday I have been here, now when I hear his music I immediately feel more peaceful and reverent. It's been a cool experience. :) He still reminds me of home: specifically my parents, but it's been a joy to connect to that music in a different way.

Morning:
- woke up early (my bones and cramps were hurting me)
- got up, took a shower, asked for a ride
- got a ride to church (hallelujah)
- understood bits and pieces of the testimonies
- RS was good although I was distracted and feeling gross :<

Notes: I feel bad for my inability to pay attention today. I was going to skip church but the choir is singing next week. :/ In any case, I'm glad I was able to read the RS lesson during the week so I still had an opportunity to hear the message.

Afternoon:
- had choir practice (SUCH a great number - I'll record it for you! :D)
- was able to skype my parents
- sat on the floor near the heater hoping it would ease my back pain
- left the church
- got a ride home, broke my fast (for dinner)

Notes: The number is awesome! It's Come, Come Ye Saints and the fourth verse is half in minor! It's a cool arrangement! :D It was really nice to talk to my parents. Just connecting with home when more and more time passes since I've been there is great! :>

Evening:
- ate my hot dogs and mac (mac is becoming my sunday meal :D)
- read a little
- got to talk to Jerod (that was really nice :D)
- got to sit on the heating pad (no offense Jerod, but that was ALSO very nice)
- tried to relax and stop freaking out (I slept pretty well last night! 88%! So I was able to do it last night... ganbare for tonight!)

Notes: Well I ate my mac a bit soon and my tongue is burned. :/ LOL I'm still figuring out how to "Fast Sunday." Hope you all have a wonderful Sabbath - wish me luck for this week with my cramps. It feels overwhelming. Still, my love to you all! XOXO, A

blast from the past: I was known, growing up, for not sleeping. All my sleepovers would end up with me awake last and first. I just historically had a hard time sleeping. In any case, one sleepover, I was EXHAUSTED. I asked my friend if I could nap during the movie we were watching, and she said yes. Come to find out later, my dad happened across us and exclaimed to my friend, "YOU WON!" LOL

Today when I stepped out my door...

On the way to church...

There's the pond! It's completely frozen! There were geese walking on it, lol. I found out that in the 30s it was used as the site for a national ice skating competition. Pretty cool! :D Ice skating, I also heard, is not no longer allowed there. Hmm, wonder what changed.