Get Ready St. Louis

I have a brother.  He's cool.  He makes me laugh.  He does stupid things.  He does really nice things.  He let me use his camera.  He's in the MTC.  Since yesterday.  And soon, he'll be in St. Louis.

You see, I know how awesome it is that he's going on a mission, bringing people to the gospel and serving the Lord.  That is AMAZING!  But I'm also really sad that I'm flying solo for 2 years.  I'm sad I have no one to look at with that look and know exactly what the other person is thinking.  I'm missing my "people are annoying, I can only hang out with you or I'll punch someone" friend.  I've already written him two letters.

Six months ago, I would have told you I was glad he was leaving.  He bugged me like no other.  He drove me crazy.  And his friends.  His friends.  I would have given anything to get rid of his friends... :)  But then he got his call.  And I realized he was leaving for two years.  The kid who helped me with my technology issues, snuck into my room for late night conversations, told me I would do awesome with my tryouts and was generally there for support (generally) was leaving.

We went out for lunch before we dropped him off.  He wanted Thai food.  I almost started crying in the restaurant.  I almost cried in the car on the way to the MTC.  I cried when he opened his door.  I told myself "it's not going to help if he sees me crying, so I'll just stay in the car."  That thought lasted for two seconds until I jumped out of the car and ran for a good bear hug.  I turned around and got back in the car, trying not to bawl.  That's what my parents would be doing, and I couldn't be like my parents... But I cried.  And that was the quietest car ride I have ever been in.

But I have no doubt in my mind that that boy is going to be one heck of a missionary.  People will be desperate to be baptized when he teaches them of the gospel and he'll touch so many lives with his love and light.

So here's to you bro, do me proud.  And don't get used to me being all nice and stuff, it's weird.

The Story of a Senior and Her Random Doings

Once upon a time there was a girl named Tacie.  She had just started her senior year of high school and she was excited/nervous/in denial/pumped/crazy/slightly scared.  After her first three days of high school, she was ready to graduate.  You see, she already had 18 pages of statistics text book to read, Spanish grammar to study, a shirt to design, photos to take and was anticipating more in the week to come.  Much. Much. More.  So decided to take a look at BYU's wonderful webpage and look at what she wanted to do with her life after this wonderful year of high school.

She pondered studying Russian.  You see, when in the Russian program, you have to go to Russia for at least one semester.  Then I could work for the CIA and spy on the Russians... hopefully no one dangerous reads that and takes me seriously... Cause you know I wouldn't really spy on you guys.... heh heh...

Then I decided to take a look at Astronomy.  I like stars.  I like telescopes.  But I HATE math.  And do you know how much math and science you have to take to become an Astronomer?  A whole stinking lot.  I might as well become a nuclear physicist for that much work...

So I looked at International Relations.  Wow.  Rough.  Enough said.

Graphic design looked interesting, but of course I already knew that... So onward.

Photography looked cool too.  But you don't get a whole lot of money out of photography.  Unless you work for Nat Geo.  And getting a job as a photographer for them is like trying to get into Oxford with a 2.7 GPA.  Almost impossible.

So by this point, Tacie is getting more and more stressed out trying to figure out what in the world she wants to be when she grows up.  So I stopped looking because you know what?  I have no idea.  At all.  But if you know about a way to get paid to travel and do cool stuff, let me know about it, ok?  Thanks.  You're the best.

Oh and by the way, we have 177 days of school left.

Welcome to the Grand Canyon State!

Arizona is cool.

Well, it's actually SUPER HOT.  But cool nonetheless.

And it's got some pretty big dams.

But above all, the coolest thing Arizona has to offer is Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch.

We fed ostriches.

We fed goats.

We fed ducks and rainbow lorikeets and donkeys.  It. Was. Awesome.

Yes, that goat is doing exactly what you think it's doing.  Yum.

And this is Baby Nate.  We're best buds.  :)

And this is Jorge.  AKA the coolest bird ever to have existed.

You can also go on a monster truck tour at the ranch of Rooster Cogburn.  Apparently, monster truck tours are really good at getting babies to sleep.  Who'da thought, right?

Ostrich fishing.  Awesome.  It's okay to be jealous.

Overall: Arizona is awesome.  And the family there makes it even better. :)  Thanks Rich and Lyndi (and Nate) for a great trip.  I'm counting down until next year!