Friday, May 27, 2011

3rd Wheel or Solo?

That was my question tonight. Two of my roommates are out of town. Two of my roommates had dates. And the third had a friend come in from out of town. She got here a little later, so we tagged along on the date (after being invited by the roomies of course) to play laser tag. But then her friend got here, and I felt like a 3rd wheel with those on the date, and I felt like a 3rd wheel with she and her friend. So instead of being awkward, I went dancing. Alone. It was okay though. There weren't a lot of people, but I danced a few times. But I decided this weekend that I need more friends. Where I'm going to find them, I don't really know because almost everyone I know is either dating someone or married...and that's just awkward. So until then, I'm gonna play it solo.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Nothin' Like a Hug

It's been a good week. A long week, but a good week. I've been up super late every night doing homework...and obviously tonight is no different. But tonight I've got a good reason...I went on a date. It was great! I learned that I really can be myself around a cute guy. Yes, that's always a good thing...because as far as I knew I was about as socially awkward as they come. So anyway...I'd asked this guy in my ward to go to the Paul Cardall concert with me last weekend, but he wasn't able to go. So he came over Sunday night and we arranged to do something tonight. He served his mission in Mexico, so we decided to make a Mexican dinner. We made tortillas and salsa fresca and tacos and buñuelos. It was super tasty! I had a great time talking with him and getting to know him. We had a great Spanglish conversation, because let's face it. I miss speaking Spanish. He misses speaking Spanish. But sometimes English is just so much easier. After we ate, he helped clean up the kitchen then left, but not before giving me a hug. And for all of you who watched (or experienced) my first awkward hug with a guy (or first several) I was perfectly normal! I was so proud of myself! And it felt good to get a great big hug. Yes, that was definitely a plus.

To be honest, I'd forgotten how it really feels to have a guy hug me. I mean, it was completely off-limits for 18 months of my life, and then I was too awkward to want to hug a guy. So now that my missionary shell is flaking off and revealing a new and improved Kira who's ready to conquer life and all of it's many adventures I was able to remember how it feels to get a good hug. And I must say...it's definitely a plus in my book to have a guy who's willing to give a girl a hug after a date...and initiates it. Because I'm always (or at least am now) ready for a hug, but don't want to be the one to initiate it...at least not after a first date when you're not quite sure how to react. But it's all good!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

I love Sundays!

I absolutely love Sundays! They're pretty much the best day of the week! I love going to church and learning everything the Lord has for us to learn. I love spending time with the roomies. Eating Sunday dinner. I even enjoy them laughing at me as I attempt to make cinnamon rolls...but they turned out yummy so I don't care. I enjoy watching Disney movies (this week's movie of choice was Tangled--LOVE it!) I enjoy going Stadium Singing. I pretty much love everything about Sundays.

And to make this one even better...my baby sister has been composing a song (lyrics and music) over the past week, and pretty much finished it today. She's got to do a few finishing touches then I'll post it for all to see...but for those who are interested now, go check out the lyrics on her blog at www.lakeshagood.blogspot.com. Yeah, she's pretty much the coolest sister ever!

Yeah. It was a good day. I am in a super good mood! And I have a feeling that it's going to be a VERY good week!!!

Honestly...the whole weekend was good. I was off work. I went to the Paul Cardall concert Friday night. And goofed off and did absolutely nothing productive on Saturday. I did go to my FHE brothers' baseball game. That was good. Heck, it was just plain good to be able to sleep in! Yes, I'm going to greatly enjoy not having to work weekends so I can have that time to unwind. This was my first weekend off in over 2 years...so it was needed.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Season Finale

I have NEVER been a person to get hooked on a TV show. I hate TV. I've never been one to just sit down and watch a show. But when I got home from my mission, my family had a few shows that they watch religiously. None of them really grabbed my attention...except one. Yeah, I'm hooked! Every Monday night, I rushed home from FHE to be able to watch my show. Every Monday night I've been glued to the TV from 9-10. And Every Monday night I've been left dying to find out what will happen next week.

But tonight...tonight was epic. Everything that you didn't expect to happen, happened. And the closer it got to the end, the more I could tell that this was going to be a royal cliff-hanger. And it was. It ended in the middle of a climax...and said "to be continued." But we have to wait for that "to be continued" until SEPTEMBER!!! BAH! I have been replaying those final scenes over and over and over again in my head...and am going crazy to find out what happens next!

I have absolutely no choice but to wait until September to find out what comes next...but you bet your bottom dollar that on the opening night for the next season I'll be glued to the TV for that hour of my show...and every night all season long.

Until then, adieu my dear show, adieu.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, Please Shine Down On Me!

I have missed the sunshine SO much! And it's back! I spent my class break yesterday sitting out in the sun doing homework. And right now I"m doing the same thing...except I was on some sort of freaky motivation kick last night and got all my homework that's due up until Tuesday done. So I'm just sitting outside enjoying the sun. It is so refreshing! I have had some serious withdrawls from sunshine for several months now. It probably didn't help anything that I had all sorts of sun all winter long until I came home from Texas, and then came home to gloomy weather and such. But the sun is finally back! I feel so refreshed in everything! While having the sun out makes it harder to be sitting in class, it also gives me so much more energy. I feel like I can conquer the world. And I feel super happy! I could get used to this. I have an hour long break every day, and I've found places on campus where I can sit outside and still have an internet connection, so those will be my every day break spots so I can enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, before winter sets in. So if you're in Rexburg and looking for me, check the rocks in front of the Hinckley or the Spori quad. Chances are pretty good that's where you'll find me!


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Student Teaching, Here I Come!

Okay, so not quite. I've still got this semester and fall semester left here in Rexburg. Do don't freak out yet. I'll be here for a while yet. But after Christmas I'm moving to Utah to do so. But today I went to the preparation meeting for student teaching. I feel SO much better about everything. Everything is clear in my mind. I understand all of the new procedures and all that jazz. I've got everything done...there's a bit of updating I need to do in my application process, but I've got it all done (and already have my placement too).

So basically what I learned is that the Partnership Schools (that's new since i left on my mission) are schools that were hand picked by the people over student teaching here at BYU-Idaho because they are such great schools with a great faculty, and good diversity. That will help to give us the greatest experience, and also the largest variety of experiences. Really, it's a good thing. Granted, I didn't get my placement in my first choice, but I am excited for the experiences that I'll be able to have.

I also learned that when we do our student teaching in one of these Partnership Schools, WE are hand-picked by the administrators to do our student teaching in their school after they interview with them. I don't think I ever mentioned...the DAY after I interviewed up here with those school districts, I got an e-mail telling me that I have been selected by one of the schools I met with. That school is Silver Crest Elementary in Herriman Utah. It's a brand-new school, only in it's second year. And i have been very impressed by everything that I have learned about the school.

It is a great honor that I have been selected to do my student teaching there. And we were told that as of now, there hasn't been one student who did their student teaching in one of the Partnership Schools that hasn't been offered a job upon graduation. And throw my TESOL minor in there and things are definitely looking up for me :)

So, with just 2 semesters more and one more Praxis test (because I need to do one for TESOL), I'm ready for student teaching, and the real world. Woo-hoo!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

*Sigh*

As I sit here, I don't know what to think. I guess you could say that I'm feeling a little down tonight. It probably sounds dumb, but I'm frustrated that I never get asked out on dates. Yes, I know that I've only been home for a little over 3 months and don't really know anyone yet. But when I go dancing I never get asked to dance either, or at least rarely. And I've got friends who rarely aren't dancing. Really, I want nothing more in my life than to be able to have a family. But right now, that's the thing furthest from my grasp. How am I supposed to fall in love and get married if no one turns his head twice? Okay, okay. I admit...I'm not exactly doing much to try to attract boys either. I don't have time. But honestly, if one were to ask me, I'd make time. Seriously boys. Let's follow the counsel of the Prophet and ask me out so that you can eventually get married too. And it would surely help a girl's self-esteem.

This is something that has always frustrated me. I have gone through semester after semester of roommates going on dates, and me staying home or going dancing alone on Friday nights. All that has brought with it is frustration and hurt. Or, even if roommates do go dancing with me I stand alone while they dance. I am an introverted person, and I rarely step out of my comfort zone to ask a guy to dance. That is one of the few things about me that didn't change. But I was really hoping that something would change this semester: I was hoping that I would be able to go on dates. Now, I realize that we are still early in the semester, but with each day that passes, the more cynical I tend to get in my head toward boys. I know that sounds ridiculous and irrational. It probably is. Okay. It is irrational. But it really is hard on the way a girl sees herself when she never, ever gets to go on dates. I'm not looking for a relationship. I just want to have fun. Get to know some people. Is that so much to ask?