One of those moments.

I had one of those NNNOOO! moments today. It was not at all fun.

I went in today to the admissions office and spoke with someone important about applying for my Associates Degree. She went down the list of my required classes and assured me that I had taken or was enrolled in all of the necessary classes. ...And then she stopped. "Oh, it looks like you have an English course that you still need to take." ..And that's when the long drawn out NO! comes in. My stomach sank. Registration ended a few days ago and there was nothing I could do but wait until July rolled around so that I might be able to finish off those three measly credits.

As I sat there, utterly bummed, I tried to reason out why in the world I could have possibly overlooked that one class. And then it struck me. "I think," I said, giving my thoughts a voice, hoping that somehow that alone would fix everything, "I overlooked that class because I had taken one similar to it before I transferred."

The important lady looked into it. I watched closely, my fingers mentally crossed, as she reviewed my transcript. "Oh," she finally said, "You took a 101 class there, which transferred as our 111 class, which is now equivalent to our 101 class here. It looks like you're in luck. All of the requirements are met!"

I leapt off the chair and hollered. Uh, mentally of course, I wouldn't really have done that in real life. I was so relieved! I raced downstairs and turned in my application. If all goes well (meaning that I pass all of my classes) I'll be getting my Associates Degree in the mail after April. And, even though I didn't really do anything, I feel as if I've actually accomplished something today.

Sunday January 24, 2010

Hi, my name is Julia. I'm nearly twenty years old. I'm attending a university and I'm three months shy of earning my associates degree. I am majoring in English Literature with an emphasis in Creative Writing and I'm minoring in Marriage and Family Studies. I love my life right now! Sure it's tough and at times utterly annoying, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I have a large family, and even though I'm not always the best sister, I'd have to say that my siblings are some of my greatest friends. I wouldn't change them for anything. I'm not the brightest person in the world, nor am I easiest person to get along with. I dislike doing homework with a passion, but I love to learn. I procrastinate on nearly everything, except for writing letters. I work as a sort of janitor on campus and I have to wake up super early. I love my parents. My cousins are some of my best friends. And my best friends are awesome!

...I was talking to one of my cousins a while back about keeping a journal. One of the things she mentioned was that it was hard for her to start a journal because she always felt the need to re-introduce herself. To re-write nearly her entire past. Of course, I told her that she was being utterly ridiculous and said that there was no need to introduce yourself again when your other journals do it for you. ...However, two days ago I had the extraordinary privilege of starting a new journal. The first entry in my journal was a tie-in, a continuation, of my last entry in my old journal. I felt convinced that I could simply continue as if my new journal was connected in some way to my old one, as if the binding made the two books one. But reality doesn't work that way. The two journals were, and are, and will always remain separate. So. I re-introduced myself just as I demonstrated in this post (excepting the fact that in my journal I took up half a dozen pages instead of one paragraph). So, dearest friend, about your statement on journal writing, I suppose I must agree. I think I just have this fear that my set of journals will be separated and if someone were to find this one journal where I didn't even say who I was, that might be a little unusual. But yeah, that's all I have to say about that.

My Typical Day.

3:00 AM - I hit my alarm and roll out of bed. I try my best not to wake my roommate, but it's late so I'm not too worried. I throw my hair up in a pony tail, dress for the day, and debate on whether or not to continue wearing my retainer. I find that whenever I wear it in public people tend to stare at the my mouth and I am so very tempted to just say, "Yes! There IS plastic over my teeth. So, stop staring!"

3:30 AM - I leave my apartment and head to work. It's dark and cold outside, but at least I can see the stars. That's a plus.

3:50 AM - I clock in at work and start on whatever job I am assigned to that week, be it classrooms, offices, bathrooms, or whatever other task I'm given. Then, for those three hours I'm working I listen to the same old songs I've had on my mp4 for ages (which actually gets annoying) or I listen to a book. Though, to be honest, it's not the easiest thing to do while vacuuming.

7:00 AM - Work ends, I clock out and wait for my first class to start. I usually use this time to eat a small breakfast, read a book or write in my journal, or race to the library in case I have homework I didn't have a chance to finish from the night before. I like having this time to myself, even if it isn't for very long.

7:45 AM - School begins. And depending on the day, my last class of the day is either at 4:15 PM or 12:30 PM. If in the case of getting done at 4:15 I have a break of two hours. I usually spend this time either in the library (if it's Thursday) or in one of the chapels on campus studying and waiting for the weekly Devotional (if Tuesday). If in the case of getting done at 12:30 I either just go home (if Wednesday) and take a nice LONG nap or (if Monday or Friday) I stay on campus a while longer to work on a few things or visit the temple.

4:30 PM - Finally, I am able to go home! ...And, of course, as soon as I get there I start on my huge pile of homework. I'm lucky if I make a dent before dinner.

6:00 PM - I go to the gym with my roommates. The time usually varies depending on the day, but for blogging sake we'll just say six. I usually stay at the gym for an hour or so, depending on me and my roommies. After that I hangout with my roommates some more and we either watch a movie or just talk about random things. I try to go to bed early but I'm lucky to be asleep by ten. Oh well.

So yeah. That's my day.

Dance.

Right now I am enrolled in a social dance class. To put it plainly, I'd say that I have a love/hate relationship with the class at the moment. I really dislike being shut up in a gym because, let me tell ya, when you've got forty-plus people all doing the triple swing and the promenade, it gets REALLY hot!

On the plus side, however, you get to hold hands with dozens of guys! No, just kidding. It's really not that great. Everyone's hands are always super sweaty. But I've got to say, I sure love dancing! When you've got a guy who can lead, your frame is good, and you actually know what you're doing; dancing is one of the funnest things in the world!

On the other hand, when you get a partner who can't lead, who has no ear for rhythm, you have a sloppy frame, and he keeps running you into other couples... it's just not as fun.

Perhaps the one thing I am looking forward to the most is the day when I can hold a conversation or think of absolutely nothing while dancing and not have the constant chant: Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow spinning through my head. That'll be nice. I'm sure my partners think I'm really weird because I concentrate so hard on stepping in the right direction and I'm not even the one leading! ...Anyway. I guess that's about it for now. Happy blogging!

Workshop.

Alrightie then. Well, today in class I did a most horrific thing. I allowed my creative writing class to review one of my stories, or part of one anyway. It was for an assignment and I had to give each student a copy of the story during the last class period. I can honestly say that I've never been more frightened to come to class in my entire life! (...well, maybe on the first day of kindergarten.)

Today was my day for workshop. Today the students were going to take my story in their iron hands, bite down on it with their razor sharp teeth and tear it to shreds! As the workshopie I was not permitted to say anything throughout the entire massacre. Instead I had to sit there, my face the shade of a overly ripe tomato, nod my head and write down as many words and tips as the students jabbed into the story. My story. My poor, helpless story. I felt like one of the members of the senate as they watched those sixty men plunge their daggers into Julius Caesar's chest. Into a good thing gone horribly wrong.

Well, it wasn't as bad as I expected. With several wounds and a number of name-brand pain killers, my story survived. It was not as disliked as I dreaded it would be. In fact, if I am not mistaken, there were several students who wanted me to go on. To write more. To finish. But then again there were many you desired a complete makeover.

With all that being said, I'd like to make a request. I'd like to post my story, unchanged (i.e. exactly as the class saw it) and ask for YOUR input. What do you think? Does it stink bad? What should I change?

Many of the students wrote comments to me as they handed me back the story. I'll post those as well. I know it's kinda long, but it would be helpful. Anyway, I guess that's the down side of reading a blog written by someone with a Creative Writing Emphasis. Oh well. I'll post the story below if you feel like reading it.

The Story.

Keanoto opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was a beard, followed by a smile, which was followed by a pair of eyes.

“Hello, my child,” said the smile from beneath the beard. “Welcome to Life.”

Keanoto leaned up on his hands and stared around the room. He was sitting on a table, covered with wood-shavings. Large, silver tools lined the walls of the small and cozy room.

“Where am I?” Keanoto asked, standing up. His legs were wobbly and he soon fell back onto the table.

“Careful now,” the old man said, helping Keanoto to his feet. “You just might break yourself.”

Keanoto brushed himself off and stared up at the man. “Break myself?”

The old man smiled. “Yes, my son. You are very fragile. Hickory is strong, but you still have to be careful.”

Keanoto thought for a moment. “How do you know so much about me?”

To Keanoto’s surprise, the old man laughed. “I know,” he said with a smile, “because I made you.”

“You made me?” Keanoto asked in surprise.

“Yes,” the man answered, “I carved and fashioned you perfectly. Here,” the old man pulled a large round mirror from somewhere under the wood shavings, “have a look.”

Keanoto looked. He was small and thin. His face was round and his clothes were painted a fair shade of blue. Keanoto turned sideways to get a better look.

“Do you like it?” The carpenter asked.

Keanoto smiled, “Oh, yes.”

Suddenly Keanoto became very curious. “Are there more like me?”

The carpenter pulled a large red book from the table and opened it up in front of Keanoto’s little body. The carpenter turned the pages, one at a time.

The book was filled with drawings. Each drawing was of a different carving, a different figure. Keanoto cried out with joy when he saw a familiar figure.

“It’s me!”

The carpenter laughed. “It certainly is you.”

Then Keanoto stopped, noticing the drawing next to his. It was a figure unlike any he had ever seen. The figure had long curly, woodshaving-gold hair. A beautiful orange dress was carved and painted on her tall slender body.

Keanoto starred at the book. “What is this?”

The carpenter spoke in a soft voice. “I am a carpenter. These are figures I have made and will someday make.” The carpenter pointed to the drawing that Keanoto had been studying. “Do you like this one?”

Keanoto nodded. He liked her very much.

“Then I shall make her next,” the carpenter stated, turning the pages of the book.

Keanoto liked the drawings. He liked them very much. Each figure was so different and so unique that it made each picture worth looking at. And yet, as Keanoto watched, he noticed something. These figures were different from him. They were tall and strong, or gentile and beautiful. None of them looked quite like he did.

Keanoto looked down, sad at what he was seeing.

The carpenter stopped turning the pages and looked at his newest carving. “What is it? What is wrong, my little one?”

Keanoto shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t look like these drawings. I am small. My face is round. I am not like the others. I am not perfect.”

The carpenter shut the book and pushed it aside.

He rested his hand around Keanoto’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “I made you, Keanoto. I carved and fashioned you myself. I do not make mistakes. I do not make things that are not perfect.”

Keanoto nodded. “I am sorry.”

Just then the door opened.

Keanoto starred as a new figure walked into the room. It wasn’t like the figures he had seen in the book. This figure was tall and there was something about him that reminded Keanoto of the carpenter.

They were not carvings Keanoto noticed. They did not have nails or hinges. They were not made of wood.

“I am your creator and this is my son.”

The boy leaned forward on the table, resting his chin on his folded arms. He smiled at Keanoto.

Keanoto studied the boy’s face. He saw the way his eyes moved in swift soft strokes. His body did not click and clank when he moved. He could breathe and feel and smell things that Keanoto was sure he alone could never imagine.

Keanoto walked over to the boy. A sudden desire swept through Kenaoto’s small wooden body. The desire was so strong that it made him shake. He wanted to have a body, like his maker and the maker’s son. He wanted to breathe. He wanted to smell. He wanted to feel things. He wanted to be real.

“How?” Keanoto asked. “How can I become like you?”

The carpenter smiled warmly. “Here, my child, let me show you something.”

The carpenter stood up from his chair and held out his hand. Keanoto walked onto his palm, bracing himself. The carpenter carried the little wooden boy to a long and wide window. The carpenter set Keanoto down on the sill of the window.

Keanoto’s eyes opened wider. What he saw was magnificent. The world stretched out before him, green and beautiful. He longed to be a part of it.

“To become like me,” the carpenter explained, “you must go out there into the world and find yourself. There is a place where you can be made human.”

Keanoto rested his little wooden hands on the glass of the window, longing to be outside. “What must I do?”

“Find this place,” the carpenter instructed. “Go to the Builders. They will make you a body.”

Keanoto smiled with hope. He could have a body all of his own!

“My child, I must tell you,” the carpenter said intently. Keanoto looked at the carpenter, listening carefully. “In order to make this change permanent, you must come back to me so that I may seal the two together. You and your body.”

Keanoto looked concerned. “But why would I not come back to you?”

The carpenter leaned down and looked Keanoto in the eyes. “When you are out there in the world, things will happen. You will become distracted. You will want to stay. You will think things are quite other than what they really are. You will forget me.”

If Keanoto could have cried, he would have. “I won’t,” he said in a shaky voice. “I won’t forget you.”

The carpenter sighed. “You will. You will my child. But I promise you that I will not forget you. I will look out for you. I will wait for you to return.”

Keanoto glanced out the window thinking. “But how will I know the way back?

“I will send my son. He will go and make a path for you. He will show you the way.”

Keanoto looked down at the wood carvings on the table. His eyes trailed over to the open book and a thought entered his wooden head. “What about the others?”

The carpenter smiled. “He will show everyone the way.”

Now it did not occur to Keanoto, nor did it really matter, that he had not been with the carpenter for very long. He knew that his maker was very special and that they shared a deep connection to one another. It seemed that it did not matter that he had spent only a matter of minutes with the carpenter; Keanoto loved his creator as if he had known him for a thousand years.

A few quiet mimutes later, Keanoto found himself slippping his arms around the carpenter's neck as best he could and, speaking into the thick white beard, saying, "I will miss you."

He did not want to go. Not really. Not after what the carpenter had said about forgetting. But more than anything, more than staying, more than leaving, Keanoto wanted to obey. He wanted to prove himself, to prove his love. He wanted his creator to be proud of him. And so, all too soon, Keanoto waved goodbye and set off on his quest.

A Dull Life Makes for a Dull Blog.

..Hmm. What to blog about. What to blog about... I have no idea. I think, what happens with me is that if I don't talk about my day or write it down then I am more likely to blog. However, since I now have five roommates and I write in my journal just about every chance I get, I no longer feel the need to blog. Nothing fun or exciting has happened to me. But I do have some information that my family might be interested in hearing.

I was sitting at school the other day (I am always forty-five minutes early to my first class because I have classes in the same building that I work in and the earliest class starts at seven forty-five) and I was mapping out all of the classes that I have to take and how long it will take me to finish my degree. I discovered that I have eighty-two credits left (that's twenty-nine classes). So, if all goes as planned, I should finish my degree in July of 2012, shortly after my twenty-second birthday. I was a little disappointed at first because I had figured I would finish much earlier. But, the more I thought about it, it really isn't that bad. If I add up all the time I'll have been at BYUI it will even out to exactly four years. Which is prefect for a Bachelor's Degree!

...So, anyway. That's about all that I have to say that's even remotely exciting enough to blog about. I can't think of anything else. My life is pretty boring right now, at least for any kind of audience. ;)

Sculpting Your Shoulders.

On January 11th I took a trip to Wal-Mart and bought myself an exercise ball, two five pound dumbbells, and a long green water bottle which I take with me everywhere! (And I bought them all for less than $5.00 a piece!)

Well, for these past six days I've been using these four items to their full advantage, and I can honestly and truly say that I can see results. It's pretty cool. I don't think I've really stuck with any exercise routines long enough to see results.

The exercises I've been doing, at least for the dumbbells, is to 'sculpt my shoulders'. There's just three exercises and they are super easy!

The first exercise is to... No. Actually I think I'll just let you watch the podcast that I found on Youtube, if you want. It would be so much easier for me just to let you watch it than to have to explain everything. So, here it is. These are all the arm-related exercises I've been doing for the past week and I think it's turned out great!

Is it July Yet?

Well, yesterday I started my day off by practically jumping out of bed to go to work. No joke! I was ready. And then all my classes I was totally pumped for. And even this morning I was telling myself that I was going to be making straight A's in every course. ...Then something happened. After I got done with school at twelve-thirty I came home and took a nap. (Turns out the only nap-day I have is Wednesday and maybe Sunday.) After my nap I was done. I didn't want to go to work in the morning. I didn't want to do my homework. I didn't want to trudge through the snow anymore. I never wanted so even see the school website anymore. ...And I thought naps were suppose to be good for you.

2010 Resolutions.

I am very excited for the new year! I am now all tucked in at school and I am totally not ready for school to start on Tuesday. I still have to go grocery shopping and book shopping and I still need to unpack and all that jazz. Well, as I was traveling up here with my cousins I made myself a list of New Year Resolutions, which I prefer to call Goals. Goals seem to be more reachable than Resolutions. So, here is a list of my Goals (most of them) for this year. I understand that I will probably not get to completing all twenty of them, but if I continue to feel as excited as I do now all year, then I should be good.

1. Read Scriptures every morning and night.
2. Get my Associates Degree.
3. Say my morning prayers.
4. Write more letters.
5. Read four books a month that I've never read (or 48 books a year. I'll be happy to reach 30)
6. Get out of debt (or as much of it as I can).
7. Save for a mission.
8. Exercise daily (at least an hour).
9. Run daily.
10. Go to the temple once a week.
11. Don't hit the snooze button.
12. No soda.
13. No junk food (or a considerable amount less of it).
14. Drink 64 oz of water a day.
15. Write a book.
16. Get all A's (I'd actually be happy if I didn't get any C's or below).
17. Only watch pre-approved PG-13 movies.
18. Call my family on Sunday.
19. Give my service more readily to others (particularly my roommates and coworkers).
20. No complaining.