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!

Sunday Dinner

Since Mom gave me a crockpot to bring down to Provo, I decided I needed to use it. :) So, when Sean took Jennifer to Walmart, she picked up some chicken (which is extremely expensive at the Creamary). Its taken me a week or two, but I finally made a big meal on Sunday. I'm going to post the pictures I took (yes, I took pictures). I want your guesses about what I made.

Merry Christmas!

This is a great video. Enjoy!