SUPER-

BOWL... The Packers are in the Superbowl again!!!  The last time they won, I was in first grade and in second grade they went but lost.  Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's our time again!!!  Usually I couldn't care less who was in the Superbowl and wouldn't waste my time watching it but I think this year I will make an exception.  I mean, I lived in Green Bay for eight years so it's hard not to.  I miss the craziness of that town.  Our McDonalds has a green and gold roof instead of red and yellow, players would routinely come to our elementary school during lunch and give us trading cards of themselves (even though I had no idea who they were), and Friday's were green and gold days where everyone would dress up.  I just got a letter from my grandma telling me that when the Packers were in the Superbowl in first grade she was babysitting me and I tried on a bunch of different green and gold combinations and couldn't find any that I liked so I sat down, cried, and refused to go to school.  She did finally manage to get me to wear something and go but I think it's funny that I cared so much about looking cute on green and gold day.

FHE ACTIVITY...  I played in the snow for the first time in a few years last night and it was wonderful!  Ohio is not too conducive to sledding (you can go to the reservoir or....the reservoir) so I haven't gone in a while.  BYUI is on a massive hill so if you want, I'm pretty sure you could sled from the top to the bottom of campus in one long ride.  I only went down the hill once because there were massive jumps at the bottom and I'm a scardy-cat.  BUT, I kicked some butt in the snowshoe races...kicked my own butt that is.  I raced three times and I fell three times.  More like totally biffed it three times.  Running in snowshoes is much harder than it looks.  You can't put your weight forward like normal racing, you have to stand straight up and run...it's hard.  I raced Jamie so that I could beat her at something and we were neck and neck until the very end when I started pulling away so she tried to push me down.  But I outwitted her and dove for the finish line!!  Yeah, that was funny.  Needless to say, I was sore the rest of the night and today I don't have full function in my neck back.  But it was worth it for the hour or so of fun I had.

TARDFRAG*...  Dear Tardfrag,  Do you know how big of an idiot you are?!  Do you realize how lucky you are that you picked the sweetest, more forgiving girl at BYUI to play?  Because had you done to me what you did to her, you wouldn't act so happy and you would be scared to show your face anywhere near our apartment.  Love, your secret dis-admirer.

This is the only picture that google images came up with for "tardfrag"....

 ROOMMATE...  I have been so blessed to have four awesome room-roommates since being at school.  Castellia, Audra, Whitney, and now Alexis.  This is my third semester living with Alexis and we decided we liked each other enough to share a room.  What an adventure it's been so far!  You know what's weird?  We're practically opposites in everything.  If someone asks which pair of earrings we like better we choose different ones.  We have opposite tastes in boys (ahem)...men.  We get along fabulously but just can't seem to have the same opinion about anything.  I think it affirms the law that opposites attract.  The one thing we agree on is Steve.  No worries, as I said before, we don't like the same guys and will never have that fight.  Steve is a pillow.  A long, slender, cozy, fuzzy, practically-perfect-in-every-way body pillow.  His permanent residence is on Alexis' bed but sometimes he comes to mine for sleepovers :P  Speaking of bedtime, it's going to be bad next semester when we have to get up early for classes because we spend an hour every night before bed just talking...about anything and everything.  That's what roommates are supposed to do, right?  Oh, and we spy.  A LOT.  So if you see four eyes through the blinds of 217 they're probably ours.  You wouldn't believe all the stuff we find out just by watching people late at night (or early in the morning, or in the middle of the afternoon...)!!   

    
TIRED...  Goodnight all :)

*Note: The phrase "tardfrag" is used with permission from Whitney Nebeker.   

To Be or Not To Be?

Funny.  After posting yesterday about how nothing important happens, something important happens.  And again, important is a relative term.

I'd seen posters all around campus advertising for an open casting call for campus videos and decided to check it out.  I've done theater for years and had a lot of fun so thought "why not?!"  I didn't even have to prepare a monologue or anything, just show up and give it a shot.  I figured it didn't really matter what happened.  If I got a part in something it would be really fun, and if I didn't, I wouldn't be any worse off then when I started.  

Let's just say the whole experience really made me miss the stage.  I couldn't believe it!!  I haven't done an actual show in over a year and a half and I honestly just miss getting on stage with my friends and having fun.  

Pacing in the lobby before an audition.  Anxiously waiting the posting of a cast list.  Reading the script for the first time and laughing 'till my abs hurt.  Having a million and one inside jokes with other cast and crew.  Doing a scene over and over and over and over because it's supposed to be serious and I can't stop laughing.  Crazy directors.  Crazy stage managers.  Heavy costumes under hot lights.  More makeup in one night than I wear in a week.  Butterflies in my stomach before taking those first few steps.  Getting to be someone else for a few minutes.  Frantically looking for a prop or anything that resembles it to take with me.  Frantically waiting for someone to appear, and if they don't, frantically thinking up fake lines so the audience doesn't know.  Saying a line so many times, the once funny joke is hardly funny to me anymore.  Presenting our hard work to an audience the first night and hearing them laugh at that joke until their abs hurt, and remembering why I love the stage.  Thunderous applause.  Closed curtains.  Tearing a set to smithereens and watching the only evidence of my past three months disappear.  I miss it all.  

They said they'd give me a call sometime if they needed me.  It might be in two weeks, it could be next semester.  Whatever happens is okay with me although I can't imagine how much fun it would be to be a part of something again.  Granted, film is nothing like the stage so it would be a challenge for me.  But that 1 minute audition reminded me of something I once loved to do and something that I will forever be grateful to have had in my life.  To be involved with anything remotely similar would be an amazing experience.        

A post for the sake of blogging

I will apologize a head of time for this post...there's really nothing funny about it.  Usually I wait until I have something important to say before I blog.  Actually, looking back, I rarely have something important to say.... interesting? naive? time-wasting? completely random?  That's more like it.  But since I am also trying to use this blog as a journal of events, I feel I should write for the purpose of writing and recording my happenings.

I'm back in Rexburg after a two week vacation at home (well I got back on the 5th).  School is wonderful!!!!  With two religion credits (and ONLY two religion credits) my work load has been quite a bit lighter than last semester.  I've had a lot of time to do things that I only dreamed of doing in the fall.  I've been to the gym almost every day (one day I worked out next to Jack Weyland (a well-known LDS author) who wrote Charly which has been made into a tear-jerking movie) and my muscles yell at me constantly for not using them the past few months.

I've cooked a few meals although I hope to do more as the semester goes on.  I still enjoy my calling in Relief Society and am looking forward to getting to know all of the girls better.  I baked delicious polar bear cupcakes!

 
Last Wednesday I was dragged to country dancing by my old roommate, Lexie, and have decided to go back every week.  I'm pretty awful at it at the moment but I'm really hoping that if I keep going I'll someday figure out what I'm doing.  Hillary and Alexis came to the instruction with me last night and we learned a few things.  The problem is that more girls show up than guys so I didn't have a partner for most of the instruction which complicated things only slightly.  I was the stereotypical bad dancer who stepped on too many toes and could not follow half of the twists and turns I was supposed to do.  But I will get better and by the end of the semester I will rock the country dance floor...or at least not break as many toes.  

Alexis, me, and Hillary all ready to rock the dance floor!

We had our first FHE (Family Home Evening) on Monday which was a blast and a half.  Usually the first one is super awkward because you don't know many people and no one knows what to say but this time we all hit it off right away!  It felt like an fhe from the last month of the semester.  This is good news and hopefully we'll all enjoy going and getting to know each other.  

I'm an usher for devotionals again this semester.  We're in the new BYUI Center which makes it a much more difficult job because there are new rules and most students aren't aware of them and when they are made aware they don't want to comply.  I still love doing it and I feel like I'm able to give back to the university by volunteering some of my time to make it a better place.

BYU-Idaho made an amazing lip-dub/ flash mob movie at the end of last semester that I was able to be a part of.  I got on a committee to organize another one for this semester and am really excited to get to do something like this!  I miss theater productions from high school and making movies with Eli so by helping with this I am able to get part of that back and enjoy the creative process again.

Last weekend I got a surprise visit from my Tucker grandparents and cousins from North Carolina.  My cousin, Kimberly, left on her mission to California for two years on Tuesday and they stopped in Rexburg so she could say bye to a bunch of friends.  I loved seeing them all and even got to give them a tour of the new parts of campus.

Today I've been so lazy it's embarrassing.  Alexis just took a picture of me writing this so I thought I'd post it...for memory's sake....

Thank you, Alexis, for reminding me how pitiful I look today.  I promise that this is the only day I've been in my pjs at 11:30 am!!!!  I'm usually up before 8:30 and headed to the gym.  Today was just not my day I suppose.

I'm getting my butt in gear now.  There's real things I need to accomplish today that require exerting energy.

Tikki-Tikki-Tembo

My family has this obsession with baby names, I think.  I found this baby name book a few years ago at a garage sale and it's the best purchase I've ever made.  Maybe not the best but it was a pretty good purchase.  Anyways, I had Meredith bring the book to North Carolina for Thanksgiving so I could take it back to school with me because I missed it so much.  My uncle laughed at me for obsessing over a baby name book and then I told him to read it and he was sucked in for a good half hour.  I told you it was good!  It's not a normal baby name book, that's for sure.  Meredith was depressed that I took the book, so for Christmas she got another copy of it.  A newer edition but I'm not jealous.  Mine is the original!

The other night, Eli, Meredith and I sat in my room for an hour looking at names.  Please don't judge us.  It's quality time together.

Now I'm going to take some time to reflect upon my own name.  Abigail.  I haven't always gone by Abigail.  Through my senior year of high school I went by Abby.  For some odd reason in eighth grade I changed the spelling to "Abbi" but that only lasted a year.  Although one friend still calls me "A-B-B-I" and spells it out for me.  I decided that college was a new chapter in life and since no one knew me I could go by whatever the heck I wanted.  I could have gone by Fransisca and no one would really know the difference.  It took some time to get used to introducing myself as Abigail because the name was new to me too.  But I like it and I stuck with it.  When people asked if I preferred Abby or Abigail I would say Abigail, although for some reason I always felt a little guilty...like I was making them work more because it's an extra two syllables.  I'm over that now.

I really like my name and now it feels weird coming home and calling myself Abby.  It doesn't feel weird having people call me that because that's how everyone knows me.  But if I introduce myself to people it takes a second to make sure Abby comes out.  If I say Abigail, I get strange looks from my friends.  And I don't need more strange looks than I already get!

According to my trusted baby name book, Abigail is an old-fashioned and intelligent name.  I can live with that.

I think I'm going to call my kids their real names from the get-go so they don't have to do this whole "what should my name be?" crisis.  And I like long names.  Not Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo long but they're going to be solid.  Not like Chang.  That's just wimpy.  No offense. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about you should wikipedia "Tikki tikki tembo" or just become better acquainted with Children's literature...it's one of my favorites).

Last Christmas Zach got me a book about preparing for marriage.  This year he got me "What to Expect When you're Expecting" (Next year I think I'll get him a book on retirement...).  I'm not going return it since someday it'll be useful, but I definitely won't be bringing it to school with me.  I don't think it would look good to have that sitting next to a baby name book in my room....

Moral of the blog post: If you're ever bored, try reading 1) 100,000 Baby Names and 2) Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.

Ode to a Dog

I regret to inform the rest of the world that our 15-passenger van, Clifford, will be with us no longer.  He died and we are choosing to not seek outside medical help to bring him back to life.  I'm not sure if he signed a DNR before he left us but my parents are just going to assume he did.

Clifford was a great van for us.  We got him back in 2001 (?) when our family expanded to five children.  My parents had the choice between a gray or red one and we obviously chose red.  We were the only large, red van in Green Bay so everyone that saw our van somewhere knew our business.

First picture I could find of him.

Clifford has caused us some problems in his life but I guess that's what happens when you become a member of a family.  On our way back from our big family vacation to Idaho and Utah, his transmission died in Idaho Falls, ID and we were towed to Blackfoot, ID.  Very long story short, we were stranded in Blackfoot for an entire week waiting for him to get fixed.

Getting Towed

Our family stranded in Blackfoot.  At least there's a park there....

 He's hauled us to Utah, Idaho, Wisconsin, Ohio, North Carolina, Niagara Falls, Georgia, and numerous other places.  He's been on high adventure, to girls camp, on a 50 mile bike ride (as the medic, of course), and to Seminary and back a hundred times.  Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prophets have ridden on his noble seats (well maybe future ones...).  When gas was enormously expensive a few years back, the pump wouldn't let us fill the whole tank because it cost over $100.

In Green Bay, about to move to Ohio.

Our family with a couple who's name was Clifford.  They wanted a picture with our license plate...duh.

I loved driving him because he made me feel powerful!  I was five heads above everyone else on the highway except the semi-truck drivers.  When the bigger car got the right-of-way it was always me.  We would turn heads, he and I, because we're just that cool.  Once I backed into a parking spot in Wal*Mart and the guy whose truck was next to me came back and inspected his truck because he thought I hit it.  Idiot.

I know I have been "changed for the better" and not just "for good."

Well this past weekend has been an emotional roller coaster for two major reasons.  I guess the best thing to do is start at the beginning...Friday morning.  

BYU-Idaho has been growing and changing for so many years now.  We celebrated our 10th anniversary of becoming a four-year university last spring.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this great work that is taking place!  I don't think you can truly appreciate it until you have experienced it for yourself.  On Friday, the new BYU-Idaho Center was dedicated and there aren't words to describe how awesome it was to be in that building during that sacred event.  The building seats 15,000 people and is modeled after the Conference Center in SLC.  

President Eyring speaking in the new BYU-Idaho Center during the dedication

One of the reasons I love BYU-Idaho is the fact that living prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ come to speak to us so often!  President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the first presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the one to dedicate the building (as well as the addition to our student center).  In addition, we heard from Elder David A. Bednar, a former president of BYU-Idaho and current member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Russell M. Nelson, also a member of the Twelve.  I know that these men are apostles of our Savior.  They lead by inspiration and they teach us the things that He would have us know.  How wonderful it is to know that Christ not only had prophets on the earth hundreds of years ago to lead his people, but they are on the earth today!  And I have been in the same room as them so many times and heard their words of comfort, peace, and joy, along with their words of warning and caution.  

The words spoken at the dedication made me even more grateful for the university and its mission.  I didn't cry but I sure came close to it a few times.  No offense to anyone who goes to BYU but sometimes I wonder why I ever even considered going there.  I can't comprehend the things that I would have missed had I not gone to Rexburg.  It is the best decision I have ever made and I have not regretted it once.  

The people here are great.  The students, the professors, the administrators, and the community.  There have been multiple times where I've walked into the testing center to take a test and there's a few students holding a large bag of Jolly Ranchers and wishing people good luck on their test.  Last spring, during national hot dog month, the librarians had a huge grill outside the library and were giving away free hot dogs. I randomly walked up to a girl that I did not know in the library and studied bones for anatomy with her for an hour. During midterms a few girls came by in the library and gave me a cookie while I was studying.  I can't walk to a class without seeing someone I know.  I only open doors for myself half the time...if there's a guy around he'll get it for you 95% of the time.  Most of my professors know my name.  My religion professor asks about my roommates by name (that may also have to do with the fact that I roomed with his daughter...).  My Biostatistics professor shares mini-devotionals with us before class.  All of my classes start with a prayer and a few have also started with a hymn.  The list goes on and on and on and on.  I love that I go to a school where we can combine secular knowledge with spiritual.  We can read talks from old sessions of General Conference for homework in ANY class, not just religious ones...biostats, general science, essentials of human nutrition, etc.  I love that professors trust the students to do what is right and to be honest.  I love everything and can't believe how blessed I am!

I know that it's because of the sacrifices of so many people that I am able to attend this university.  Everything here is funded by tithing money from members of the church all over the world.  Many of those members live in situations where they will never see a building as wondrous as the BYU-Idaho Center, they will never see a campus this beautiful, they will never receive the kind of education that we receive while we're here.  And yet, because of their willingness to keep the law of the tithe, I am part of a select few that has so many opportunities and blessings.  I will always be indebted to them and I hope that I can make them proud as I continue on through life striving to live it in Christ's footsteps.

Saturday I again got to go in the BYU-Idaho Center for Whitney's graduation.  HOLY CRAP!!  She graduated!!!  And I am so proud of her.  She's done what so many people in this country don't or can't do.  And even better, she's going to be a teacher and feed the minds of the coming generations.  It was a hurried goodbye but that's probably for the best because I just would have had longer to cry.  

A word to the wise- don't watch Toy Story 3 the night you say goodbye to one of the best friends you've ever had.  Tears will come.  I thought I was going to be fine but of course they came even without my permission!  I think I'll be okay in a bit but it really is going to be hard not having her around this winter.  We promised each other we'd go to our weddings so I'm trying to hurry her along so I have an excuse to come see her.  Sometimes I think we think a little too far ahead.  We've already planned that our kids will get married so that we can be grandma's together...it could happen.  

After our "Wicked" performance in the ward talent show.

I tell her I love her all the time so I don't think it's really necessary on a blog.  And whoever reads this is probably sick of hearing about our random adventures.  I'm sure we'll find ways to have fun even when we're hours apart!  Although I am quite excited that I can take showers in peace without worrying that a cup of sugar or ice cubes will be dumped on me...         

PS- sorry for the font on here...it changes and I can't figure out how the heck to fix it.... 

      

Smelly Pee??

My favorite part of college life is getting to buy my own groceries.  I can choose to eat WHATEVER I want.  A blessing and a curse at the same time.  I am pretty good about eating all my fruits and vegetables and come close to death when I don't have fresh, ripe, bananas in a bowl on the counter.  Ask my roommates.  I eat at least one a day.  Sometimes I eat one for breakfast and one for a late night snack with peanut butter.  Try it.  Love it.

(The only acceptable PB to use is JIF.  NO EXCEPTIONS.)

Well two days ago I went to the store and was going through the produce section when I saw some bright green, asparagus just calling my name.  I've had asparagus once...at band camp.  And it was delicious.  So when I saw that it was on sale I couldn't resist and bought a bunch.

(I have heard asparagus makes your pee smell funny...hence the title)

I had bought a bunch about a year ago but forgot about it and it went bad before I could cook it.  This time I was determined to cook my asparagus before it rotted!  So yesterday I got online to find a recipe.  I ended up coating them with olive oil, sprinkling on a little salt and pepper and baking them in the oven.  And for a finishing touch I added some lemon juice and parmesan cheese (not my idea, thank the internet).  My asparagus adventure was a success!