3 Years

This past Monday marked the 3 year anniversary of my homecoming from serving as a missionary in the Illinois Peoria Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On the day I got home - with our late dog, Lucas (he remembered me!)

I never imagined that I would be a full-time missionary, but during a period of my life when I was feeling particularly unsure about the direction of my life, my bishop at the time suggested that I serve a mission.  Previously, whenever someone would suggest that, I would get a little freaked out - but this time, I knew that it was EXACTLY what I needed to do, and wanted to do with all of my heart.

About 7 months after deciding to serve a mission, I arrived in the Illinois Peoria Mission - which was the best mission in the world (I don't care what anybody else says!).

The plaque outside the mission office.

I never knew corn fields could be so beautiful....

For 18 months, I traveled throughout central Illinois and northeastern Missouri, teaching the AMAZING people there why we're here on the earth, where we came from before we were born, and where we go after this life is through - also known as our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness - which all centers around the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  It was the most glorious experience of my life as I grew to love the good people of the towns in which I served, and my Savior who was the reason I was there.  (For more about what Mormons believe, check this out.)

("Gentle Healer" copyright Greg Olsen)

I was blessed to meet the most incredible people, especially my "long-lost twin" Lisa, who was one of the other missionaries with which I served.  She became the best friend that I'd been wanting since my childhood - and she was definitely worth the 20-plus year wait!

(we seriously had so much fun together)

I also had the great blessing of serving under the leadership of President Brent L. Top and his wife, Sister Wendy Top, and serving with other amazing missionaries, like Elder and Sister Rich -

I was blessed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with some truly amazing people

With Laura on her baptism day

With the Browns - one of the greatest families ever!

There were times when I felt that I didn't quite measure up....

And found myself in some interesting situations....

But "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass", and I witnessed that the tender mercies of the Lord truly ARE over all of his children.
I really can't put it any better than the great missionary Ammon declared in the Book of Mormon:
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."



I can't believe that it was three years ago - twice the length of the mission itself.  It still remains one of the greatest, most cherished experiences in my life.

Three years later, and my mission continues to bless my life in the most amazing ways.  God truly has been so good to me - and so I "will praise his name forever."

"Walk with Me" by Greg Olsen

My life is awesome

So, I'm driving home last night, and as I drive by a local Verizon store, I see this guy

Actually, first I saw a whole bunch of bright lights in the Verizon parking lot, and a guy in full Jedi gear who looks like he took a wrong turn on his way to a Comic-Con.  I slow down a little bit just in time to see him (or it) - a lifesize R2-D2 is there in the parking lot as a crowd of fans look on in awe.  You would've thought that they were lining up to see a REAL celebrity......and according to myself and other sci-fi nerds, they were.

I got so excited.  I really, really wanted to get my picture taken with him (or it??), but I had the sister missionaries in the car with me (coming back from an awesome temple tour), and it was near their curfew, so we had to drive on by.  But my already awesome night just got a little bit awesomer.  *Sigh*  I love my life!

Turns out, the "celebrity appearance" was because of this

the new Droid 2 phone from Verizon.  I still don't entirely know all the stuff that it does, but it looks super-cool.

Just another one of those new gizmos that we've lived without for a bazillion years, yet now can't survive without them.  Kind of reminds me of a battery operated pith helmet with fan

(Can you guess what movie this is?  Click here to find out!)

 Or most of the items in Sky Mall.

You know, one of those items that make us wonder, "Why is this necessary in life?"

Because it's awesome.

"And that is all that love's about....."

I suddenly found myself in the mood to watch "WALL-E" this weekend.  And then, while channel surfing today, I found it was on Disney XD, and so I watched it AGAIN.  (I guess I was more in a "WALL-E" mood than I thought!)  So, since I've got WALL-E on the brain, and since it's about time for another blog post, I thought I'd dedicate this one to my favorite robot.  Enjoy the visual feast. :)

(Seriously, how can you not love this guy?)

 The first time I saw "WALL-E," I loved it - it's a Pixar film, after all, so not loving one of their films, is like saying I don't love oxygen - yet I couldn't see myself owning the movie because of it's "darker" undertones (i.e. the save-the-planet agenda, the dehumanization of the world through technology, etc.).  But, of course I caved and bought it.  And it totally gets better every time.

 The artwork is absolutely phenomenal - it's easy to forget the film is computer-generated.
Awesome fact courtesy of IMDB - 
The makers consulted with (totally amazing) live-action director of photography, Roger Deakins, to learn how Deakins would light and shoot scenes if it were a live-action movie.

Sure, there are the environmental themes of the film, but what makes the film so moving is the humanity WALL-E is endowed with - his quirks, his imperfections, his dreams, his yearning to connect to others.  I would assert that what makes WALL-E so lovable is that he is the Everyman........or the Everyrobot. :) 

Another fun fact:
"Director Andrew Stanton and the Pixar team watched every single Charles Chaplin and Buster Keaton movie (the short films and the features) every day during lunch for about a year and a half. This was to inspire the possibilities of pure visual storytelling."

Look at this face - so much emotion in those eyes!

Of course, being the romantic that I am, what I especially love about the film is the love story between WALL-E and EVE.  Just watching them together makes me want someone to hold hands with....

I want WALL-E as a boyfriend. ;)

Gorgeous artwork, adventure, romance, inspiring messages.....What more can I say?  This film just makes me happy. :)

And so, to echo the words from the song, "...it only takes a moment to be loved a whole life long."
Ok, so he's a robot, and - oh, yeah - he's not real.  But it's films like this that make me appreciate the simple joys in life - like love, friendship, and the beauty of the world.

All Growns Up

I finally did it!!!

After 2 colleges, one associate's degree, a mission, and many steps off the beaten path, I received my bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University! 

That's me!









Mom and Gina flew out to attend my graduation, and it was so wonderful to all be together to celebrate!

Me and Mom outside the Marriott Center after commencement.

With Gina before leaving for commencement.

Sisters!

It was so much fun having all of the "Gabriel Girls" together again!

With Mia!

Even my best friend, Lisa, came to convocation!

 Mia and Gina got me a present for graduation - a graduation cap and gown for Buddy, my build-a-bear.  (And yes, I took him with me to convocation.  But he didn't walk across the stage with me haha.)















Even though it took me longer than many to receive my degree, as I contemplate my path to graduation, I am so grateful for the people, places and experiences that have been a part of my life for the past 2 1/2 years.

I'm especially grateful to have received my degree from BYU.  Never in a million years did I imagine that I'd ever be a "cougar," but it turned out to be the exact place I needed to be.  I have been so truly blessed with the most AMAZING experiences and opportunities - and I'm so excited for what's in store for the future!

Cougar-Squared

It's a term that has been gaining in popularity: COUGAR.  I figured I knew what it meant, but after a recent experience, I wanted to find out what the actual definition of a "cougar" is....

So, to make a long story short, a guy from one of my classes asked me to go to a concert.  I'm not sure if it was an actual "date" (are we EVER sure?  "Is it a date?" "I think it's a date..." "[He/She] asked me to go to ______ with [him/her], so I think it's a date...is it a date?"), but it sort of seemed like one.  He picked me up and as we drove to the venue, I found out that he was, in fact, about 6 or 7 years my junior.  Whoa.  I suddenly realized to myself that I had, unintentionally, become a cougar.

But just what is a cougar?
Well, according to wowOwow's article on cougars, there are many technical definitions of what a cougar is, including this one: "older women who find themselves in romantic relationships with younger men."


Ok, so I'm no Demi Moore, but I do fit the "half-your-age-plus-seven rule" (a mathematical equation for determining May-December romances).

 





And when I do find myself in cougar-esque situations, I'm usually a "socially safe" cougar, a la Jennifer Aniston.

I may be just slipping under the wire in qualifying as a cougar (at the ripe ol' of 28), and while I may not be in the same league as these ladies mentioned above, or Elizabeth Taylor, or Mrs. Robinson, I am something these women never were - a cougar-squared!  That's a cougar to the 2nd power.  What made this experience so humorous to me (besides becoming a cougar without realizing it, along with becoming one under the age of 30) is the fact that I'm a BYU student (an alum, as of late), and our mascot is a cougar, our sports teams are the cougars, and we students are known as  - you guessed it - cougars. So that's why I am (as a friend coined the phrase) a cougar-squared.

It's experiences like this that make me think my life would make an interesting TV series....maybe "Welcome to Cougar-Squared Town"? :)

With a Little Help from My Friends

I'd like to introduce you to some friends of mine.

One is tap-dancing pharmaceutical salesman who agrees that what happened to Pluto is messed up.  The other is a psychic detective eccentric who looks good in jeans.

Oh, and did I mention their both characters from a TV show?.....

So, about 2 1/2 years ago, my sisters introduced me to the USA Network series "Psych" when I returned home from my mission.  It was actually the first TV I began watching (I finally caved and "broke the seal" after being home for a week and a half and not watching any TV), and once I saw my first episode ("American Duos" - see below)

 I was hooked.  Now in their 5th season, Shawn and Gus and the rest of the "Psych" gang have been my good friends through thick and thin, from the east to the west, continually keeping me smiling and laughing (and supplying me with the funniest quotations) no matter what life throws my way.

So, what is it about this show?  The friendship of Shawn and Gus?  Their endearing quirkiness to which it's so easy to relate?  The '80s references?  The pineapples?  The show's ability to find the humor and fun in every situation in life - from spelling bees, to high school reunions, to spanish soap operas?...

I know what you're thinking - "you are nuttier than a fruitcake and you need to get out and get a life and be with real people."  Ok, maybe you're right.....but, before you judge too harshly, watch a few episodes for yourself.  Then you'll know what I'm talking about when I say how I excitedly await each new episode every week and then watch them again on Hulu, or go through withdrawal when each season comes to an end, or buy each season on DVD, or feel like the world looks a little brighter after watching an episode.....


Yes, I am a BIG fan of delicious flavor. 

And to all my fellow "Psych-os", I give you the fist bump. :)