I've lost my marbles

Things I've lost in the last week, all of them being abducted (ok fine, misplaced) in about the same ten foot area:

• My debit card
• My phone
• My keys (luckily I found those)
• Important papers
• My mind ;)

FINALS ARE OVER

WOO-HOO! My career as a 1L is officially over, and I can tell you there is no love lost between me and Contracts, Civil Procedure, or any other of my first year classes.

Though, I will have to take the second half of Property, but let's not dwell on the negative.

And in honor of such a momentous occassion, I thought I would take the color personality test.

Here's the link to the test I took: 

http://www.angelfire.com/ky/kyliew/test.html

And the result is.............................................................................................

REDS
Reds Are Hungry for Power
Simply stated, Reds want their own way. If they have been raised in environments where they were able to manipulate their parents and siblings, they become difficult to manage as they get older. When the have gotten their way for too long, Reds find it almost impossible to relinquish their power and freedom when they meet authorities in society (teachers, bosses, police, clergy, military officers) who refuse to grant them the total control they demand.
Ummm....Me?  Manipulate my siblings?  Manipulate my parents?  *looks around nervously* How did they know?
Reds Want to Be Productive
Reds like to work-in school, in their careers, and in their relationships. Just don't expect them to attach the same importance to things other people care about-like other people's schooling, careers, and marriages. But give them a reason to produce, and watch them take off. Reds like to get the job done. They are often workaholics. They will however, resist being forced to do anything that doesn't interest them
HAHAHAHA, really!  Don't expect me to care--that's awful!  Unfortunately.....I'm not going to say anything more about that.
Other than, I have had an emotional crisis, certain that my life held no purpose because I was off school for a week...
Reds Want to Look Good to Others
Reds need to appear knowledgeable. They crave approval from others for their intelligence and insight. They want to be respected even more than they want to be loved. They want to be admired for their logical, practical minds. When you deal with a Red, be precise and factual. Reds are unmoved by tears and other displays of "weakness."
FINALLY, someone acknowledges!  I am a genius!  Praise me!
Reds Shouldn't Be Taken Too Seriously
Reds are often just stating the facts as they see them, despite their antagonistic demeanor. They seldom say "in my opinion" before stating their opinions. I have seen too many Blues, Whites, and Yellows become greatly concerned over issues raised by Reds, only to discover later that were simply interested in debating. Reds enjoy a good power play. But once you get emotionally involved arguing issues, you may be disappointed and frustrated to find that a Red is no longer interested.
Uh, can I tell you how often this has happened?  That I start an argument and people come back days later and....by then, who cares?
Reds Seek Leadership Opportunities
Despite the rigidity of the military, many young Red men and women select it as a career in order to experience leadership. Reds are often "control freaks." They like to be in the driver's seat. Red children are often frustrated in school because teachers (often Blue per) won't let them take charge. If a Red can get the upper hand, he or she will. Reds are willing to pay any price for an opportunity to lead.
I WILL HAVE THE UPPER HAND!  Muwahahaha (maniacal laughter)

It's finally happened...

I have tried my entire life to avoid this...but it finally happened.

I have officially become my mother.

My visiting teachers came over and had to throw something away.  This is when I realized what I had done.

And I'm a little terrified.

Yep, that's right, I've got not one but TWO plastic garbage bags in the kitchen.  And where is my garbage can?

Where it should be....in the bathtub.

It has officially happened.

Thanksgiving Is Where Gratitude Begins, Not Where It Ends

It was either at General Conference or Stake Conference this week that someone said the quote above.  I've been thinking about this alot, the things I am grateful for, and thought I would make a list (because that's what I'm good at).  Now, I realize it's past midnight and I'm just sitting down to write something, so this list is by no means comprehensive.  In fact, I'm going to try to add items to the list until Thanksgiving.

• My family.  Honestly, how could I not start out with this one?  I mean, truthfully, we're a wacky bunch of people.  But I have been so blessed to be a part of a loving family.  Sisters that are outstanding women with so much ability to do good in the world.  My father is an amazing man (who is by no means perfect) that has always treated us children and my mother with the utmost love and respect.  My mother is a woman who puts everyone else before herself, often foregoing much needed personal attention in order to care for someone else.  I truly have been blessed.
• The gospel.  Recently I was talking to a Jewish friend of mine and we were talking about how she had been assaulted earlier in the year.  We talked about the gospel for a moment, and I felt a surge of appreciation for the Atonement that allows us to not only recieve a remission of our sins, but helps us to be strengthened in our adversities.
• The Savior.  In the same conversation with this friend, she told me that if it "wasn't for the whole Jesus thing, then Christianity kind of makes sense" (or something like that).  I kind of shook my head at that, because really?  Like how do you begin to describe who Jesus Christ is?  How do you describe what the Atonement feels like?  How do you explain the hope of the Ressurrection?  Or the power of the priesthood?  Jesus Christ is way more than "a thing" he's everything.  I've also been reading "Mere Christianity" by CS Lewis and "Jesus the Christ" by James E Talmage (along with my scriptures that I should focus more fully on).  But really, how can you explain the importance of a Savior?  Easy.  You bear your testimony.  I am so awestruck at the pure joy that comes from implementing the Atonement in my life.  I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ was my personal Savior--and really, that is the whole Jesus Christ thing.  Again--the Savior means everything.
• School.  Wow! I never thought I'd say that one ;)  But, I read a study recently that talked about the divorce rate of students in law school--it's astounding.  I will forever be thankful for the opportunity I've had to go to school and fulfill a dream I've had for as long as I can remember.  This feeling--this absolute joy at being able to accomplish something that I've always wanted to--it's indescribable.
• Stuff.  I know, this one sounds stupid, but hang in there with me.  I know that it's bad to covet, it's wrong to obsess over material things...but I don't think it's wrong to be grateful for my laptop.  Or my used furniture that I got off Craig's List.  I am grateful that I have the opportunity to live in a time with electricity and fun stuff that I get to utilize to further my education or learn new things.  Television, the internet, computers, fall into this category.  My sheets (that I love) fall into this one too.
• Peanut Butter M&Ms and Pretzlels.  Among other things, this has become one of my favorite snacks of late.  It is an amazing feeling to find joy in something so simple.  I would have to lump other foods into this category--spinach, tunafish, egg-drop soup, dumplings--I will admit that I absolutely adore certain foods.  I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy, to experience, and to relish in tasting healthy (or somewhat less so) food.
• ARIZONA.  I love living in Arizona!  The best part?  THERE IS NO SNOW!  Now I believe snow is a good idea in theory, but I've lived in Utah way too long to have much affinity toward the cold white fluff.  I mean, driving in it is a monstrosity.  Walking around, even if you are walking on a cleared path, your shoes get wet, your pants get soaked...it's miserable!  Not to mention the fact that SNOW IS COLD.  I don't like being cold.  SO, I am so completely thankful that I live in Arizona where I would have to drive out of my way to find the snow in November!  I don't even have my heat on!
• The ability to read.  This one might seem so trivial, but I assure you it is not.  I lived in Taiwan a year and a half where I couldn't read, and it was the most frustrating thing in the world.  I am thankful for the educational opportunities where I've been afforded the chance to learn this vital skill, and that I've been capable of it.
• The Piano.  I remember being 14 years old and having my mother tell me that one day I would regret not practicing the piano.  I scoffed at her, looked her dead in the eyes, and retorted "No way.  That will never happen."  As usual, I was wrong and my mother was right.  I wish I had learned to play the piano masterfully.  Alas, this error is something I will always be thankful for, because it--along with all the teams I quit or the things I stopped trying for--remind me that I hate being a quiter.  And because I hate being a quiter, I feel driven to actualize dreams that I once believed were only lofty, hazy wishes.  I am grateful for ambition that drives me to accomplish goals.
• My nephew.  I'm not one to brag--okay, I am, but that's beside the point--but I would be amiss to leave my little Buster friend off this list.  Sometimes, I'll go over to Kristen's house to babysit and Joel will just grin.  He's so adorable, and I am grateful that I get to know this precious little boy.

Well, that's all for now folks, I'm starting to feel sleepy and I have to get up for Ward Council tomorrow.

Moth Wars

So it begins.

After school yesterday, I was struck with the "brilliant" idea to clean my apartment top to bottom, sanitizing as I went. I'm normally a pretty clean person, but when I looked at my bathroom countertop, I realized I had let myself go.

(This really does have a point)

Amid my gusto, I forgot that I left a pan full of potstickers on the stove.

Therefore, when the soft billowing smoke began setting off my smoke alarm, I first cursed the fact that my now fresh apartment was going to smell all smoky.

But wait, there's more.

In an effort to save my lungs from the potsticker smoke, I opened all my doors and windows--standard procedure in my almost fire, right?

Unfortunately, two guests decided to join me.

Yep, you guessed it, moths.

Now, I recognize that many people might think, 'a moth, really? who cares?' Answer: I do. I don't remember who, but I had a friend that was afraid of moths. I laughed at them then, even mocked them.

But the fact remains, moths are annoying.

And dusty.

And fly around the lights--man! That is so annoying!

One moth was easily cornered and captured in a flood of paper towels. The other? Well, lets just say he's a little more clever.

I'm too cheap to buy bug spray, and I know that if I can get him with the kitchen cleaner (because that is where he's living now), I can kill him. But I've also accidentally sprayed myself in the face, sprayed my entire kitchen with bleach, and stayed up until two in the morning trying to catch a moth.

But don't worry, I am determined to win.

Even if it kills me.

Which...it might. So if you find my bleached away carcass on the floor of my kitchen, just don't tell anybody that I died from a "Moth Related Accident."

That's far too embarrassing.

I Saw Dead People

Is there anything that screams Halloween like a Ghost Tour?

Ok, that's probably a rhetorical question.

BUT I know, Skeptics out there might scoff at the idea of wasting $13 to walk around a hotel. In fact, I take all of this with a grain of salt because I don't ACTUALLY believe that little orbs are a sign of paranormal activity.

Nor do I believe that a spiritual vortex and quantum physics can easily be understood by a part-time teacher, part-time ghost tour guide to where she could explain to me (a person who has actually taken classes in quantum physics) how "spirits" can cross dimensions through a vortex and how this woman could teach me a lot about quantum physics. I literally snorted with laughter, because honestly, does this woman even know what quantum physics is? Or a vortex? A vortex is like a whirlpool, a tornado, etc and I guess it's possible for an electromagnetic vortex to exist allowing energy to focus into a singular...Alright, I get it, nobody cares. Suffice it to say, that all credibility Julie held--not that it was a lot since she had us sing her phone number before the tour began--flew out the window.

However, in the spirit of full disclosure, I'll admit some weird things happened. Two weird things happened, actually.

1. They took us down to the basement and told us how the hotel was built on an old Indian Graveyard...kidding. Actually, it was built over a school that was built over a Native American spiritual well--which is "quantum physically" why the hotel is haunted. But there were claims of little kids (ghost kids) that played in the basement. The tour moved upstairs, and while we were waiting for an elevator, I heard what sounded like a little kid singing. I thought it was just someone in the group until another person pointed it out. Then, I remembered there were NO little kids in the group under 13. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I was standing by an elevator shaft, but I SWEAR I heard a little kid talking/singing.
2. In the Manager's suite the tour guide said for men to take pictures of women and look for strategically placed orbs. Now, I'm not sure what was creepier: the thought of ghosts, or knowing men I didn't know could be taking pictures of me and staring at places I might not want them to.

All in all, it was a very terrifying experience.

Ahhh, what a relief!

What would you do for a Klondike Bar?


Seriously, because right now, I have plenty to spare.


Don't believe me? Fine, I'll prove it to you.

Why do I have a freezer full of 174 Klondike Bars? Interesting question. I'll leave you to speculate.

Speculation complete? Suffice it to say that I don't think I've ever been so happy to have a Ward Activity finished with. Ever.

At least they were on sale, right?