FHE, School, and Football

We've had a few fun FHE activities lately. Our first one while here, we were put into groups and given a scripture story. Then, we had to take five pictures that portrayed the story and every person in our group had to be in the picture. It was so much. And last night was our first "family" night. We did the generic "get-to-know-you" and then played a game. We were in a circle with one person in the middle. The middle person had to say something they haven't done and everyone in the circle who had done it had to get up and switch seats. It was a lot of fun, especially when there were guys standing after someone said I've never....shaved my legs, plucked my eyebrows, and worn a dress. I was hoping for some stories but we didn't get any.

Anyways, school's going well. Jessica took her first test today and I have mine this week. This is the furthest I've ever gotten in a semester without taking a test.

We went to the first home football game this year versus University of Washington. It was a good game and everybody was screaming. I alm

ost lost my voice! It was especially great because we won and I could brag about it to people back home. At halftime, they had all of the former all american quarterbacks there along with LaVell Edwards. Elder Holland was also there w

ith some other people who I didn't know. It was funny because Elder Holland got a lot more cheers than some of the quarterbacks. But is was also cool to see all the guys I've only heard about from others.

School Again

So, we're back at school. Back at the Y. We are all moved into our new apartment (856 N 160 W Apt. 1 Provo, UT 84604). Our roommates are all pretty cool and we all get a long. Classes are challenging, as I suppose they should be, and we're both just working and doing homework most of the time. Jessica is enjoying having me around so I can help her with her calculus homework. I guess I picked the right major! :) Anyways, I think that gets all of you up-to-date with Jessica and me. Can't think of anything else so wait for more updates. I'm sure we'll do plenty of crazy stuff this year and you'll hear about it.

Shayli's Sleeping Habits

So, Brenda and Family have been here for a couple of weeks as I'm sure you all know. I figured, since they aren't updating their blog, that I'd stick this picture up on ours. Actually, I'm not even sure Brenda knows this picture exists. Enjoy!

This is what I found on my bed coming home from work one day. Oh Shayli, you are always making me laugh!

A Job....FINALLY!

Thought I'd let you all know that Jennifer and I were offered a position at Frito-Lay, pending a drug test. Its a part-time packaging position. If all goes well, we will start training on June 14th. This will be a great job for us because they will most likely hire us next summer too, because that is their busiest time. College students work well for their demand. Even over Christmas we might be able to get a few hours in. I'm so anxious to start now that I have the job. A little over a week is all!

For those who care

As some of you know, I'm taking a creative writing class this semester. So, for those of you who even care about this, enjoy. Here is some of what I've done so far.

I wrote a personal essay about my "first college date" when our apartment did a dinner night with one of the boy apartments in our ward. Since its 7 pages long, I wont post it.

For our poetry unit, we had to write five poems. Here is the elegy I wrote for grandma.

FOR THE LOVING DEAD

The bright Spring sun shines down upon the gathering,

A group of friends and family, some quietly mourning, others celebrating

A life of love.

In a quiet, calm cemetery, set in a lone countryside—

The resting place for our beloved awaits.

Most know the happiness awaiting the righteous above,

Others know only sorrow in their loss.

Beautiful lady,

Engulfed in linens, surrounded by her legacy,

Remembered by loving words and memories.

Earlier in life, love returned to a broken heart,

But all too soon, she’s left alone again, the result of

Fighting a losing battle.

Always diligent, always strong, never selfish—

Caring for those around her.

Each week, she cleaned the church she loved, making it sparkle

Never neglected, but always lit with brilliance, cared for by

A loving heart.

Teaching her young children how to work hard

And stay diligent to what is good and true.

Four hour drives just to see those she loves

Trips to the store, climbing trees, eating dinner.

Always waiting

Arms open wide for precious children to run

And be enveloped in a loving embrace.

But life takes a toll. Even one so full of service. All remember—

Loving moments, gentle hands, independent of others.

Defiant of death.

Nine long years drag on, each becoming a little slower

All at once, it becomes too much to resist.

Oh, but all can see it now! A beautiful reunion

Between husband and wife many years apart. Her perfect spirit

Part of heaven.

Sadness on earth felt uncertainly with the knowledge of her happiness.

Her influence remains for all to feel. She loves all, even in death.

I also liked this one I wrote about the Great Wall:

THE GREAT WALL

The landscape drifted by, unchanging.

My eyes searched every inch, straining,

Hoping beyond hope that I would be the first to catch

A glimpse of the ancient relic.

Sitting on the cool bus

Trees and bushes rushed by, obscuring

My view of the hilltops.

Finally, a glimpse—a section

Jutting up from the smooth horizon,

Overgrown by years of nature,

Reclaiming its hold on the scene,

All majesty of bygone years stripped by Her power.

Slowly, the sad remnant sank back,

Hiding within the hills that embraced it.

The bus slid to a halt and I stepped off,

Struggling to breathe in thick air.

The trail wound up, climbing ever higher,

The end lost somewhere in the hills.

Forcing my tired legs on, I reached the long stairs.

With each step, my legs protested, questioning

The logic in which I continued my quest.

Quickly—almost instantly—my shirt clung

To my skin. I stopped and looked up longingly,

Anxious to continue, I knew I must rest.

Trudging on, stepping on each worn step,

I reached the summit and walked out into bright sunlight,

Eyes stinging with perspiration. Before me spread

A wondrous sight. Extending on for miles,

The pile of stones represented a legacy,

All but lost to the historic country.

Flowing with the landscape, ever expanding,

The Great Wall stands proudly,

Its gray stone contrasting against the green background.

It has continued on for years long past

And will continue on when we are gone.

I also wrote a short story completely in dialogue, but I'm still editing that one. For my final project, I wrote the first chapter of a novel. Actually, it was suppose to just be a short story, but half my class thought it was a chapter, so thats what I'm making it. I'm a little stressed out about that one because its worth half my grade and I don't get a revision (like with all the other assignments).

Soldier Hollow

Last Saturday, our ward went tubing at Soldier Hollow. It was so much fun! We were on the mountain from 8:00-10:00pm, so it was dark except for the lights. On the "tow-trip" up, I would look up at the stars, which were really clear if you put your hand up to block out the bright lights. For about the first 45 minutes, they were playing the BYU vs. Kansas basketball game over the speakers. Although it was hard to hear clearly, we all knew they lost. :( Oh well. Most of the time we would go down in groups since there were so many of us (two wards were there). It was just a blast!

Update

This is just for you Brian. :)

Life here in Provo, Utah is continuing to roll on. Classes are going well, if sometimes a little boring (biology~cough). Jennifer and I finally signed a contract for housing next Fall/Winter. We will be staying at University Villa, not that half of you know where that is. I made banana cake and banana bread last night, and they turned out...barely. I was so excited when we went to the Creamary on Tuesday and they were selling ripe bananas for $.25 a pound. I've been wanting to make banana bread but the last bananas we bought went too ripe before I got the chance. Here was the answer! Bananas at more than half off and I didn't even have to wait for them to ripen! Perfect. What else...we went to our first rugby game last Saturday. First sport I've gone to in a while that I had not idea what was going on. We tried to prepare for it by watching "Forever Strong" but decided it was like trying to learn football by watching "Remember the Titans." It was still a lot of fun!

Well, thats about it from BYU!