You know that sound you hear on the radio when the station goes in and out...that crackling sensation?? Welp, I'm pretty sure that's what my voice sounds like right now. I'll be talkin and then all of a sudden, my voice will completely cut out, sputter and crackle. It's unfortunate.

In other news,

I baked a pie. Yep, I did it all by myself...(with the exception of the crust, my mom helped me make that.) It was the most beautiful looking dessert I've ever made. I wish I would have taken a picture, it would've made your mouths water.

Also, I've decided that while Logan is fun, I'm kinda tired of it. Mostly cause I got a taste of what it's gonna be like to be a teacher, and I'd like to just skip the next two semesters and be finished. It'd be nice to just start my own classroom...no more school. I'm ready to move on. If only...

Also, have you ever wanted to get inside someone's head to try to comprehend how their brain works? I mean someone that you constantly go, "what could possibly make you do the things you do?" I've discovered several humans that must have fascinating patterns of thinking. I mean truly unique individuals who do and say things without a filter of any kind. I would like to develop a way to see their thought processes when they do and say these ridiculous things. I think it would provide some marvelous insight.

For Example: What makes the sister in my home ward decide to get up and share personal information about the woman she visit teaches that I'm sure that women didn't want to share with the rest of the relief society. I would maybe understand if it was related to the lesson in some strange way. Then I could justify it. But in this case the lesson had ended we had sung the closing song, and the dear woman stood up and said "If I may I'd like to share something about Sister ______." She then went into a very disjointed, unrelated story about sister so and so, who I'm sure would of been mortified had she been there for the meeting. I just giggled. Whatever made her decide to do that? What thought process did she have? I'd of love to have been in her head at that moment. Sweet lady!

Also, I've recently rediscovered how wonderful my imagination is. Just FYI

I met Kristi, my sophomore year at Utah State when I began my job as a teller at Deseret First Credit Union. Right away, I knew she was a kindred spirit. Her fiery red hair, not to mention her fiery personality made us instant friends. We had much in common, our majors, our age, our love of broadway musicals, our love for LOST and Gilmore Girls, our love of Harry Potter, and our addiction to Cafe Rio pork salads. Kristi was my savior at work, making the days more bearable simply by being there. I was then blessed to be able to have her as my roommate. What luck! I soon found her to be even cooler than was originally thought! She may seem quiet, but she's truly the most hilarious person I know.

For me, Kristi is proof that heavenly father knows me. He sent me her precisely when I need her! I cannot tell you how many times I've felt like my life was falling apart and had Kristi me step in and catch me. Between all of my roommates I'm sure she's seen us all do a number of stupid things. However, she is the one we all go to, because we know she will just listen and not judge us for our idiotic tendencies. She's coached me through, count em', 4 break-ups, the application process for the ELED program, drama after drama in my apartment, work outages and break downs, family troubles and many times where my testimony waivered.

Now she is leaving for the Houston Texas Spanish Speaking Mission. I am terribly sad she's leaving, but she will be the most incredible missionary. Kristi has extraordinary faith, and a strong, simple testimony of the gospel. Though I don't want to share her, I'm so excited for the people in Texas to be able to know the wonderful person that I've grown so attached to!

Kristi on the right...eating the ice cream. Courtesy of Amy's Blog. Love it!

Christmas Songs

Okay, so I'm a sentimental fool when it comes to Christmas music. Several songs almost bring me to tears, which is kind of a big deal for me. These songs include, but are not limited to:

• Where Are You Christmas: Especially the version with that adorable little girl singing it!
• My Grown Up Christmas List
• A Special Night: Rarely heard, and usually just in Sacrament Meetings
• When Christmas Comes to Town
• The Christmas Shoes
• Believe
• I'll Be Home For Christmas
• Were You There: Also usually performed in Sacrament Meeting
• Do You Hear What I Hear: When sung correctly with no fancy pop fanfare

I'm sure some of you laughed when you read these titles. But, I have no intention of letting you change my mind. I like what I like so sorry if you don't. So I'm a Christmas Song Sap, leave me alone.

As for my other favorites, that don't bring me to tears, but make me happy every time I hear them:

• A Wonderful Christmas Time: Paul McCartney, if you didn't know that, shame on you.
• White Christmas: The Bing Crosby version, really is there any other good version?
• Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
• Silent Night
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: James Taylor
• Santa Claus is Comin to Town: Springsteen....excellent
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ We Three Kings: Barnaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
• O Come, All Ye Faithful

Arguing

I've never been much good at arguing. In middle school when learning how to debate, I remember quite specifically standing up to make my point and forgetting everything I was about to say. I guess I'm not that great at confrontation.

Now, obviously this becomes a problem during long, lengthy and important arguements. I get rather flustered and am easily swayed to one side or another just to avoid talking about it any more. The more frustrating thing however, is that when I'm trying to pick a silly fight. For example last night when I was on the phone with my friend he mentioned that, of the two of us, he was always the optimist. I laughed, saying that there were several times he'd been the pessimist. The trouble came when I couldn't produce an instance where this was the case. For some reason when I'm fighting with someone, all details and facts immediately leave me.

Problems also occur when throwing insults, bantering with friends or working with 2nd graders. I'm good for one good retort, and then I'm out. After that, I have to start using generic comebacks such as "your mom...insert clever comment here" or "I'll...insert whatever they said here...your face!" Not really very original, am I? When fighting with my 2nd graders I was often challenged as to what the consequence would be if they didn't do what I said. On one occasion in particular I remember saying, "Well I don't know what will happen, but it won't be good." Oh yeah, I've definitely got them scared now!

Therein lies my struggle. I often lose the arguements because I know that I don't have the facts to back me up. I get too flustered, defensive or annoyed to remember.

My point is this, it certainly becomes infuriating when I'm the one who picks the fight and I can't even finish it!

I am not a big advocate for snow. Sure it looks pretty, as it's falling down from the heavens, blanketing the world with white. However, I have come to a very simple and logical conclusion about snow. It is INCONVENIENT.

I'm sure I come across rather harsh, but that my friends is the truth of it.

When I was little, I looked forward to the first snowfall. I would spend hours outside in my "snow bunny suit" (affectionately named by my Dad) building snowmen and forts, and making snow angels. I wouldn't go inside until I couldn't feel my toes. Now that's dedication! Snow and I always had an understanding before.

Then...I moved up to LOGAN.
Then...I had to start driving in the snow.
Then...I had to endure snow for 6 months out of the year.
Then...I had to walk to class in the blizzard (which is quite difficult at a 70% incline of ICE)
Then...I had to pay my sky high heating bill because of the snow.
Then...I had to cancel important plans with friends because of the snow.

So now snow has become a bother, and a hastle to me. I propose a new deal, snow over Christmas Break! Not Before, Not After! Who's with me?

"Me and snow, we're through."

Have you ever had those moments when you just want to say EEEEE!!!! You are so giddy and so excited that it's all you can do to contain yourself from bouncing of the walls. You find that you cannot sit still in your chair, nor can you focus on anything but the happiness building inside you. You are smiling all the time...big toothy grins...the likes of which are rarely seen outside of cartoons. You go to bed smiling, you sleep soundly and you wake up smiling. Moments like these can be the result of many things. I'm sure most people have had a moment like this! If not, I feel sorry and hope that you will experience it soon.

This my friends is pure happiness. This is being content with your life and excited about the challenges you are about to face. This is what it feels like to be truly, incandescently happy.

Try it sometime...

Checklist for Life

I've had a particularly busy weekend, that will continue to be busy and in fact, get busier. Apparently, the world decided that this weekend was the time to pile everything on Megan. Sure a lot of the load has piled on due to my total lack of preparedness. Everytime I realize I'm procrastinating, I think...' tomorrow I will stop procrastinating.' Pretty bizarre logic right? I find myself making these lists on scraps of paper that I find at home or at work, or at preschool. The problem is, I never remember where I put them, so I end up having to start yet ANOTHER list. It doesn't help that I am absent minded, and frequently misplace things...like my wallet that I just realized was missing today...It doesn't help that ON TOP of everything I have going on I also have personal issues I'm dealing with, not to mention other people's issues that I've been made aware of. When I know someone is struggling I want to help...and that's my problem! I can't be selfish and just think about myself, NO, I have to help everyone else first.

So here is my to do list for today. I post it on the internet, where I know it will be. Because let's face it, I'm going to loose my written one anyway.

• Go to Lee's to get Bread Bowls for the Linger Longer
• Go to Macey's for Soup and Salad.
• Get the keys to the Ward Building from Jordan
• Go to the ward to find out how many plates/forks/cups/spoons etc. I have to get.
• Call the Relief Society President to see if she can make some treats for Sunday.
• Make 2 dozen cookies.
• Pay my Questar Bill, that will be late if I wait any longer.
• Find my wallet. (Hopefully it's at the movie theatre I went to last night)
• Find 3 or 4 more crock pots for Sunday.
• Find SOMETHING to put on the tables so that they don't get all gross.
• Hollow out 100 bread bowls
• Taste test the soup to make sure it's actually edible.
• Make a cooler full of lemonade
• Get ICE
• Write my missionary friend, and the friend in the Military.
• Practice the song I'm singing in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.
• Pretend like this soreness taking over my throat is all in my head.
• 3 papers, 1 quiz and 2 sets of chapter notes...ick.

Maybe I'll sleep and eat at some point. But that stuff's overrated right?

You know you're a preschool teacher when...

• You come home with a paint handprint on your bottom, that you didn't know was there.
• You begin to praise adults with lingo like, "look at you! you are making dinner all by yourself."
• You see a toilet paper roll as an art supply.
• The song you have stuck in your head is Willaby Wallaby. No that is not a new rap artist, or a song by Katie Parry. It is in fact a highly effective children's song used to teach rhyming and alliteration. Let me demonstrate...

"Willaby Wallaby woo...an elephant sat on you. Willaby Wallaby We...an elephant sat on me. Willaby Wallaby wegan...an elephant sat on Megan. Willaby Wallaby wax...an elephant sat on Max." You get the general idea?

• You become more comfortable sitting on the ground than in your chair.
• You no longer blush when talking about body parts or where babies come from.

STORY: On the way into the classroom on Wednesday, one of the teachers was talking with Sadie (can't use her real name), one of our 3 year old students. While walking, Sadie was muttering something to her teacher very quickly, and quite incoherently. Figuring that Sadie was trying to ask her a question, the teacher asked "Did you say something about the grass?" Quite disgruntled Sadie said, "NO NOT GRASS..." She then repeated her original statement. To the astonishment of the teacher involved, Sadie had actually asked, "When am I going to get breasts?" The reason this teacher even realized what she was talking about was because Sadie was trying to locate them by grabbing at her own chest. The teacher quickly explained that she would get them when she got older, but that didn't stop Sadie. She continued to probe, asking why she couldn't have breasts like the teachers and her mom do, and was very upset that she was going to have to wait. Bless her.

• Bedtime is not only mandatory, but necessary. Personally on the days I'm in preschool I become so exhausted that I'm lucky if I make it past 10:30.
• 3 Triscuits and some grape juice can hold you over for at least 3 hours.
• Looking up at someone is a rare occurence.

AND FINALLY...

• You see children running around a grocery store screaming and flinch...wishing you could stop them. (Especially when you know just how to do so.)

The greatest part?

"Oh Teacher...I'm just thinking about how great preschool is..." AIDEN age 3

Yep...Totally worth it.

Dear Roommates

Last night I had a dream that our landlady had a major meltdown in our apartment. Our apartment was much cooler, it had a waterslide (I wonder if that was symbolic) at the top. In the dream we had BOY attempting to move in to our apartment! . The boy was faceless but supposedly really awful and was moving in to MY room. I'm not sure where Jessie was, I guess in this dream we were all in our own rooms. Regardless of where she was, we had a boy in our apartment...and he was ruining my life. As much as we protested the move our dear sweet Rosemary was more concerned about the dumb holes in the wall. We were in the midst of redecorating our apartment when she barged in and began screaming. "MORE HOLES FOR YOU, MORE MONEY FOR ME! AH HA HA HA HA!" Needless to say, it was scary and even more so because she kind of had a Gollum/Izma voice. However, the rest of you giggled about it, eventually getting me to giggle about it, and together we made the land-nazi FURIOUS.

That being said, thank you Roommates for being you. Thank you for riding with me on my Roller Coaster of Emotions this week. I'm sure I was quite impossible to live with, but thank you for sticking it out. It means a lot that you are STILL (even after the millions of conversations) listening to my pathetic problems and trying hard to help me get through them. It makes a difference to have you close by. Also, I promise that this next week will go better. The initial first week of school craziness is over. Just stick with me, it'll be very important to have you around.

Can you hear that? You know, the faint buzzing sound? It starts out soft and gradually builds to an annoying high pitched screach. That is the sound of a million alarms going off at once.

Hear that? Do ya? It's like a pounding sound, a smacking sound, a breaking sound... It's the sound of a half a million procrastinators hitting the snooze button. It can't be time yet. It just can't.

Now listen to that, that nails-on-chalk-board sound. That's the sound of thousands of little kids being dragged off to start kindergarten (or for some junior high...;) , they are clinging to every headboard, car door and mother's hand..."Please don't make me go to school. I wanna stay here with you!"

Okay, how about that one? Did ya hear that one? A million teens and college students just groaned at the same time, cursing under their breath, and pulling their covers over their heads.

The cheering sound is a hallelujah chorus of parents around the world rejoicing to finally have their time to themselves. No more entertaining, feeding, arguing, problem solving, picking up after or pacifying.

Hear billions of pencil sharpeners whirring; the sound of running on the blacktop, from the parking lot or up old main. Hear the jump rope rhymes, the giggling girls, the high fives, the cell phone rings, the iPod background noise. Hear the repeating question of "hey, how was your summer?"

You hear that? That whooshing sound...sort of like an airplane or a really really really fast car, or the wind coming from Logan Canyon...That is the sound of summer flying by.

Class is in Session...

Hence forth, Jessie and I will no longer be allowed to sit together in Sacrament Meeting...

For the summer, our ward has been combined with 3 other wards because there are so few people living in the area as of now. For this month, another ward is in charge of the sacrament meetings. Now I understand that choosing speakers and subjects is a difficult task, one that I would never want. I'm sure the bishopric of this ward was trying to get some excitement about their said subject, Missionary Work. Great...Fine...but let's be honest. When you instruct 3 college students to discuss the same topic, inevitably they will give the same talk in three different voices. Please, for the love of everything good in this world Bishop, please never do a themed sacrament meeting again.

One thing you have to understand about Jessie and I...sometimes when we haven't had enough Diet Coke, we do things we aren't proud of. This combined with the somewhat reckless decision to sleep outside the night before on the grassy knoll, cause it's just too DARN hot in our apartment, made us quite irritable yesterday. Yes, it would have been scary, sleeping outside alone, but Travis protected us girls by sleeping a good 3 feet away, cuddled up like a napkin. When I sleep, I don't mean really sleep, I mean wake up every five seconds cause bugs are crawling on you, lying on the grass, staring at the bug zapper as it eats giant winged creatures. So when we woke up the next morning I had a blinding spot dwelling in front of my left eye, and Jess had a stabbing pain just between her eyeballs.

Yes I realize that on SUNDAY there is no excuse for being grumpy at church. I mean, we brought these head pains upon ourselves with our silly fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants ideas. So I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for us. Actually, I feel sorry for everyone who had to be around us yesterday. We did however spare those who would have to sit with us in Sunday school...the caffeine monster was on my back and I could not take it anymore. (Hey jess, did you feel that, we just got judged)...

So back in sacrament meeting, Jessie and I just couldn't handle the same speeches over and over. I was going to fall asleep on the shoulder of the guy next to me, and I didn't even know him. In order to stay awake Jessie and I did what every young LDS woman does...We practiced signing our names Mrs. Megan/Jessie...... Shortly after that got boring, we did the second thing LDS women do...Wrote down baby names that we liked. Our favorite however, came from Travis who is going to name his son Espen, but spell it ESPN. I thought it was clever. We laughed and giggled all through the talks (some of our names and chosen spellings were hilarious) and for the life of me, I couldn't keep still. We also covertly awkward handed several people surrounding us, laughing because they had no idea what we were up to. We're sinners...

And then, the clincher. The one thing that could of save the meeting for us we completely blew. The choice for the last song was "Called to Serve." Our organist was playing it fast and snappy (as it should be) and we could not contain ourselves. Songs like this one bring out the primary kid in me. I began by sit-marching...making marching movements while sitting...and Jessie joined in. If you know the base line of this song, you know that there's a lot of fanfare. So we began singing the fanfare between verses, and Jessie did that thing where she slides up to the top notes right before they were to be sung. It didn't help that the people behind us were joining in. Apparently silliness is contagious in a singles ward. Looking around, a ton of people were engaged in similar actions, but none as obviously as Jessie and I. At one point I looked up and our Bishop was staring us down, although he started to laugh at the end.

I guess we won't be surprised when the Bishop asks us to speak next week.

Blink

I've never really explained my obsession with Lost before. I mean I'm sure I've mentioned it in posts gone by, but never have I admitted that in almost every situation I face in life big or small I can relate something in it to an episode of Lost.

In this case, I am reminded of an episode in Season 2 in which Kate finds the abandoned medical station. Long story short there is a light at the end of the hall that blinks and continues to blink and make that awful noise that light bulbs make when they're ready to die. This light bulb image is also seen on the disk menu of that Season. Yes I know things like that, pathetic maybe, but it has been engrained in my brain regardless. It's a flashing light at the end of a long, dingy hallway. I always think that the light will suddenly go out, but it doesn't. That lightbulb as since moved locations and now lives above my desk. Torturing me with it's awful florescent glow and screaching sounds. (If you are not familiar with Lost, but have ever seen Joe Versus the Volcano, you should know what I'm talking about.)

Of course it doesn't matter to anyone else, because my cubicle is surrounded by 4 empty cubicles, one on each side. So the possessed light doesn't affect anyone else. But I'm about 10 seconds away from shooting it with a rubber band, to put it out of it's misery forever.

So I'm pretty sure this light has decided to see how long it can keep blinking before I completely lose my mind. I could very well go into shock, have a seizure or get motion sick. I'm already seeing bluish spot whenever the light dulls. But I won't give in! You will not defeat me stupid light...you might be creepy and remind me off lost...but you will not defeat me!

Top Ten Reasons Why My Dad is Superior to All Others

Reason 10: People say my dad looks like Mel Gibson (pre-passion of the christ era). And my friends say he sounds like Kronk. A HUGE compliment!

Reason 9: He taught me how to drive a snowmobile at age 8. Though it was a painful and laborious process, he never gave up. Now when we go snowmobiling, I'm the driver, instead of the whimpy rider on the back. He also taught me the need...the need for speed. (and a love for the movie TOP GUN) Probably not always a good thing, but in this case much appreciated.

reason 8: He comes to my rescue when I pop a tire...even at 11:30 when I'm stuck in downtown Salt Lake. I hid in the backseat of my car until he came, but when he did....I don't think I've ever been so relieved. Sounds a little nuts, but I love that my dad will save me when I need him to!

ReAsOn 7: His favorite thing to ask is "Have I given you a hug today?" and even if you say "yes" he hugs you anyway.

Reason 6: He has an uncanny ability to hide 20 dollar bills in my car, where I won't notice them until I need them. Also...he seems to know exactly when I'm out of money, even when I try to hide it.

Reason 5: He somehow always manages to know when I'm having a hard day...even when I'm in Logan. On the hardest and most heart wrenching days in my life I always have either a message, an e-mail or a phone call from my dad. He always has the best advice for those situations, I value it more than anyone else's. He is so in tune with his kids.

Reason 4: He speaks Spanish to the workers at Cafe Rio, even though they look at him like " why are you talking to me you silly gringo. "

Reason 3: He's given me a pretty high standard when it comes to dating. To see the way he treats my mom, like a queen...has raised my expectations of what my future husband should be like. I won't for settle for anything less.

Reason 2: He's never missed a performance. I've performed a lot over the years, and even though it's not always my dad's favorite thing, he's always there to cheer me on. He even sang a duet with me for a Christmas Concert, even though he was super nervous. I'm sure he's filled is quota for a lifetime, but he still comes to everything important to us.

Reason 1: He's got a rock solid testimony. My dad converted to the church when he was in high school in Arizona. He turned around and went on a mission to Spain the next year with virtually no support from his family. His parents converted while he was gone, and have remained active ever since, though the rest of his family have continued to stay committed (broad term) to their other religions. Since he joined the church my dad has held many callings, fulfilled every obligation and never ever looked back. It's a trait I truly admire in him.

Writer's Block

I had an amazing idea for a blog today. It's been a few days since I last blogged, and I felt that it could use another update. The problem was, when I pulled up this page to type my amazing idea...I couldn't find the words. Do you ever get serious writer's block? I know exactly what I want to say in my brain, but whenever I go to type it, the words don't flow nor do they make sense. Maybe it's because I know what I'm going to say could upset some people...or could easily misconstrued by those who read it. Sometimes it's hard having a blog that people know about. I guess that's what journals are for, writing the things you couldn't say out loud. Places to vent...that only your posterity will read long after you're gone. No chance of repercussions there.

Speaking of repercussions...I don't always think about those when I make a decisions. I hardly ever stop and think, "is this going to come back and bite me in the butt?" and guess what? More often than not, it does! Now why does that surprise me? I guess I just get too excited at the grandness of the latest decision that I don't weigh what the outcome will be. I am easily carried away by the promises that the new decision will be. I mean, who wouldn't be right? It's new...it's exciting...To think about the negative consequences that would arise would be a downer. To constantly worry about how so and so would feel, or what I would do after, or how it would be financially possible would not be things that I think about. Especially when thinking about those things would cause me to miss out on the one thing...The BIG thing...the exciting thing!

I guess I'm selfish, but I can't stand to let something great go cause I'm worried about the repercussions.

Well, there it is I guess. It sort of came out...not in the exact way I wanted it to, but there it is.

Buenos Dias, Bonjorno and Bonjour Europe!

I have returned from my European adventure! My family spent the last two weeks traveling europe stopping in Madrid, Segovia, Barcelona, Pompei, Naples, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Nice, Monaco and Marseilles. 3 countries in 12 days. It was insanity! Honestly there isn't a blog post long enough to relay all of the amazing details of what we experienced. In these places we saw some amazing sights....that until now I'd only seen pictures of, and now, I was the one who TOOK the pictures.

The Prado The Plaza de Mayor

the academia (the site of Michaelangelo's David.)

The Goudi Church St. Peter's Basillica

The Forum The Trevy Fountain The Colosseum

La Valle de los Caidos

El Escorial

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pompei Mt. Vesuvius

Vatican City Princess Grace's House Monte Carlo

and SO MUCH MORE!

I took this the first day at the Plaza Mayor

It's the Leaning Tower of Pisa....

The Castle in Segovia



The Ruins at Pompei



The Forum

Gelato in Italy....Does it get any better?




It was an incredible trip!

General Announcements

I officially started my job at Extra Space today, they've taken me back for reasons I'm sure they don't even fully understand.

In exactly 14 days I will be on my way to Spain!

I am now living in Salt Lake for 4 days a week, Monday thru Thursday only to drive back to Logan to work 2 more. P*a*r*t*y in Logan on the weekends!

Carrie has now left for Hawaii, (insert fake and painful half smile here....) I realize that this doesn't really concern me, but I feel like it does. Carrie is my rock, and I wasn't aware that a ROCK could move away!

My younger sister Sarah just got the Lead role in her high school's musical, the Music Man. (also has nothing to do with me but I'm proud!)

The Hush Sound is now one of my favorite groups to listen to.

Lucy, my car is now 1~year~old!

Contrary to popular belief (thanks Jessie) I did not abandon my roommates. As was said above, the job in Salt Lake was calling my name.

It's weird to be back at home, I'm not always sure what to do with myself!

My hair is red, and I have BANGS.

My dog sneaks into the house late at night, and proceeds to snore outside my bedroom.

I've begun to date a very nice boy (I've never announced that on a blog before, hopefully a step in the right direction)

I am applying for my program this week, cross your fingers folks, this could be scary!

Ode to the Porch Swing

We have a Porch Swing....

Jessie created a plan to hang it and the boys next door

executed it perfectly.

It sits pleasantly near our front door

Hung between a railing and a tree that I'm certain we're killing.

It is a gathering place, A MECCA of sorts...

where the neighbors meet

Actually, most of us meet other people while sitting on it...

It's a conversation piece really.

We read, eat, sleep, cuddle, and talk on that swing...

among other things.

Also it's great for star gazing, cause there's a break in the tree

right where you look up.

Quite picturesque if you ask me.

Good times on that swing...

Overload

System failure......system failure.....brain crashing....imput overload....not responding....will not compute.........project terminated.....hard drive crashing....HELP!

Were I a computer, my wiring would be smoking and my screen would be turning lots of crazy colors. My brain simply will not function these days. With everything happening in my life lately, it is on constant overload. There is simply no room for more information...if you crammed anything else in there it would EXPLODE!!

I am at to the point where I can't think about anything else in my life, there are already too many jumbled up issues that need to be resolved on many different levels and subjects! Between school, and home and work and boys and stupid responsibilities and new apartments and new neighbors and change and roommates and choices and the future I am just swamped.

So do not tell me anything new, do not give me another assignment, do not ask me another favor, do not ask me another opinion, do not create more drama. Cause my brain will not handle it well.

Text me....I dare you!

The following is a list of reasons why I hate text messaging. Yes I realize that I am slightly hypocritical because I indeed text more often than I call people. Just because I do it however, does not make it right!

Reason #1...Because other than the little ;) there is no way to distinguish sarcasm and teasing from compliments or jibes. For example, someone could say "you're a jerk," but without the winking face is it serious or are they just kidding? This brings me to my next point...

Reason #2...People will say just about anything through a text. The whole reason that they do this is that they're too afraid to say these things in person. Let's give teenage girls another way to be vicious...because when things are said in a text they aren't nearly as hurtful as in person. BIG FAT LIE.

Reason #3...Some boys think it's okay to ask girls on dates through texting. "I'll text ya..." Is my least favorite phrase to hear from a guy. Guys, get some guts and ask in person, or at least over the phone. Yes, once you've been dating awhile or established that you're a couple, texting is appropriate. Also, please for the sake of girls everywhere do not tell a girl that you "like her" or even "love her" (Yes this actually occurs) through a text message. How impersonal is that? Is nothing sacred anymore?

Reason #4...Is there anything more annoying than sitting next to a snot nosed kid at a movie or play while they're texting? That lovely blue light shines in your eyes. What is this K-mart? You're trying to enjoy the entertainment you PAID to see! For some reason all respect for everyone around you melts away when your butt starts buzzing.

Reason #5...There is no real end to a text message conversation. On the phone, it is easy to say, "well I have to go, I'll talk to you later. Goodbye." However I can't tell you how many times I've been talking to someone over text and have suddenly stopped getting a response. Then the conversation is just out there....floating....waiting for someone to pick it up. Are you done talking to me...or did you just crash your car or something? The least someone could do is say, "welp see ya later." Even a "text ya later" would suffice. But no, we can't do that...it's going to take 6 seconds away from your life. Isn't the point of texting to save time? What are you doing with all the time you saved not calling someone.

Off my soap box now. I truly do like texting, and very much enjoy getting texts. I will admit I've been caught doing every one of the annoying things mentioned aside from the "I love you" comment. I am ashamed...but will most likely do them again.

Also....just text me....I don't care what....just do it please. You know who you are.

Procrastinating...

oops....


I can think of about a dozen other things I should be doing right now that should be a higher priority...

But I'm choosing to forget them....


Bad Megan

Not Out of the Woods Yet

3 Weeks

3 Finals

1 Quiz

At least 50 diet cokes

3 More Lost episodes

2 Snow storms

6 Beautiful days

and then...

SUMMER


Focus Megan

Lost in Translation

I don't know why, I guess it's hard for some people. Listening, an every day human function, is just hard for some people. It could very well be that something vital between their ears and brain is missing. Perhaps, others were not taught that as members of a society, it is polite to listen when someone speaks. A third theory is that it is physically impossible for some people to stop thinking about their own lives long enough to hear about someone elses life. I wonder how these people were allowed to be so self absorbed for so long?

For me, it is a compliment when someone wants me to listen to them. It shows that they trust me enough to hear what they have to say, without judgment. It also means that they care about me enough to tell me what's bothering them. Now I will admit when I was little and my parents tried to tell me to clean my room, or be nice to my sister, the message would sometimes get lost in translation. For some reason, "stop pulling your sister's hair" did not register as anything more than a suggestion. Now as an adult, I've realized a key to using this skill effectively is to RESPOND, to the talker. Whether it be by giving advice, sympathizing, hashing out details, defending your side, or simply doing what they ask of you, response is key.

So what is their excuse? How can people my age justify being bad listeners? Were they dropped on their heads as children? Do they know how to follow instructions? Do they respect the talker enough to do something about it? Is it honestly THAT hard?

Perhaps they are just hard of hearing. Maybe the rest of us just have to SPEAK UP.

Because That's What Roommates are For

These are my roommates. I don't know that I've ever introduced them before, but here they are. From left to right...Megan Stoddard, Mandy, Chari, Melissa, Jill and Me, Megan.

Megan Stoddard: or "The Other Megan" as I like to call her. She is the quiet roommate, but she's the nicest most considerate person I know. She is the constant in our apartment. Always kind, always happy, and always up for anything.

Mandy: Mandy Lee is my most recently happily married roommate. I guess she's not really a roommate anymore, but it still feels like it. She is the Mother, always making sure we eat, enough, sleep well and take care of each other.

Chari: My dearest Charissa is the sweetest person in the world. She has a need to make sure everyone is happy. I love that she cares about everyone else more than herself. She's friends with everyone and can listen without judgement.

Melissa: The human fortune cookie. Seriously, she gives the best advice ever. I look to her for all sorts of guidance and comfort. I've never been so impressed with a person my age in my life. She knows herself, who she is and her great worth. How rare that is.

Jill: Jill is my rock. Not only because she has rock hard calves, but also because she is my kindred spirit. She's the one I vent to when things get tough. She supports me, listens to me and keeps me sane when I'm at my wit's end. Without her I could not stand.

Then there's me, and I'm just...me.

I'm lucky.

Uniquely Logan

Let me take a minute to talk about the wonderful place I live. Only in Logan do you see the following:

• Men in cowboy boots and chaps going in to banks and restaurants
  
• College students in t-shirts and shorts during 50 degree weather. (Someone wore a bikini to class today)
  
• Kamakaze squirrels darting in front of walking students. (Yes this has happened to me)
• Old fashioned cars at a retro McDonald's.
  
• Box elder bugs in mass, flying into car windows and crawling up classroom walls.
• A sink full of ice cream being inhaled in an hour.
• A man in a cowboy hat and shorts riding a bicycle that was much to small for him. (he was serious.)
• Gym clothes mixed with flip flops and a cowboy hat.
• People riding their horses on main streets.
• A sold out spectrum (quite a sight to see, not to mention a death trap. Can you say fire hazard?)
• Cops giving tickets for going 30 in 25 mile an hour zone.
• A semi truck with a trailer carrying get this...mail trucks.
  
• Run-down homes, still incredibly beautiful despite their run-downness

This is what I love about Logan. It is constantly surprising with it's unique places and it's even more unique people. I live in a hilarious place.

Did you think that your feet had been bound,

By what gravity brings to the ground?

Did you feel you were tricked,

By the future you picked?

Then come on down....

All these rules don't apply
When you're high in the sky,
So come on down
Come on down.


Did you think you'd escaped from routine,
by changing the script and the scene?
Despite all that you made of it,
You're always afraid of the change.


You've got a lot on your chest,
Well you can come as my guest
So come on down
Come on down


We're coming down to the ground,
There's no better place to go,
We've got sunlight on the mountains
We've got rivers down below.


We're coming down to the ground,
We hear the birds sing in the trees.
And the land will be looked after,
We send the seeds out on the breeze.

Down to earth

Tubies and Cowboy Boots

You know what's thrilling? Wanting to do something for so long and not only finding out that you love it more than you thought you would, but also that you could potentially be good at it. I promise that this blog won't become a constant showing of my pictures, because it isn't a photo diary. But let me say that my best friend Jessie was way to fun to take pictures of it would be a crime not to show off what she does. Right? These pictures pretty much sum up mine and Jessie's relationship, as well as her personality in a nutshell. They demonstrate the many reasons why I love her and why she is my best friend.

She has the longest legs of anyone I know.
I am the short to her tall.

She will to just about anything for me, including walk along this
trecherous pipe in high heeled cowboy boots. Nice.

She is nice to everyone, and I mean EVERYONE!
Seriously, even when people drive her nuts,
she gives them her full attention,
and puts up with their annoyingness.
(Yes I am aware that isn't a word.)




She makes me smile. Enough said.


She's pretty...well gorgeous actually.

We are fwends....fwends are fowever.
(And she really is pretty. Really pretty)

~plus she takes great pictures~

Latest Passion

For the past few months I've been saving up for a new camera, and on Saturday I finally got it! Hooray! Since I started school I've discovered a passion for taking pictures. I love to capture moments that other people might not see. So to have this new camera has been such an exciting venture, and even though I'm not very good yet, I'm stoked about this.

Here's a taste of what I've done so far...

So as you can tell I'm still a novice but I sure had fun taking these. Hopefully there will be some more good pictures to come!

Carnival Town

Round and round,

Carousel
Has got you under it's spell
moving so fast
goin nowhere.

Up and down
Ferris Wheel
tell me how does it feel,
to be so High lookin down here?

Is it lonely?
Lonely
Lonely
Lonely

~~Norah Jones~~
my new favorite

Fine

Have you ever had someone ask you how you are and you responded with, "I'm fine..."? It's a pretty generic way to describe your feelings don't you think? If you are in a bad mood or something bad happens, you don't wanna say, "crappy, I hate life." That is too unsettling. And if you are ecstatic, very rarely do you say, "I am just ecstatic." It's too braggy. So I guess really my question is, how many of us say we are fine, and actually mean it?

When we are hurting, it is easier to brush questions like "How are you?" with said response. And let's be honest, for most of us, when we ask a friend or coworker how they are, we aren't looking for their life story. A short answer would suffice. I mean if I were asking, I would not want to hear about so and so's dog dying, their test going badly, or that their boyfriend/spouse is upset at them again. No one wants to know the hard things that are going on in your life, no that is too depressing. No one likes to be around depressed people. Depression is contagious, as is almost any other emotion. Therefore, we choose to spare the ugly details of what's really going on in our lives, and cling to the happy highlights of someone else's life, until we can form our own.

So what if you don't have any happy highlights to share? What if you are going through the hardest of times and the only adequate response to choose besides bursting into tears is "I'm Fine." I can say from experience, that sometimes the only thing that saves me from breaking down is to respond quickly with "I'm fine" and then change the subject. It's too hard to think about everything going wrong. It's too hard to think about what you had, or what you want again. It's too hard to tell everyone that you have no idea where to go from here. So "I'm Fine" will suffice for now. What more can you say?


P.S. This is not supposed to be depressing, I promise that despite all that's happening with me lately, I am happy. It's just something I was thinking about.

My Hilarious Life

So I just realized the other day, that my life is a series of hilarious moments. This realization came to me when in my family finance class of about 300 students, I had a T.V. sitcom moment. The class is held in the Eccles Science Center the best heated building on campus. However, it is also known to become a sauna in winter. This would be fine with me, but this class is not one you want to be overheated in. There is hardly ever an empty seat in class. It's full to capacity. I usually try to get there early so that I can scout out a seat, and look as if I don't want anyone to sit by me. (I am somewhat claustrophobic.) On this particular wednesday, walking in the room was like stepping out of a car during a hot summer in the south. It was muggy and humid in there! Disgusting! To make matters worse, I obviously wasn't doing a good job at seeming like a loner, because even before the rest of the row filled up, someone sat right beside me. The nerve! When there are still plenty of empty seats, you never sit directly by someone! This guy obviously didn't know the rules. He was nice enough, made small talk here and there, but he was HUGE! We're talking defensive line huge. I slid as far over to the other side as possible so I could breathe, and the class continued. But then, desperately searching for a seat another huge football lineman eyed the seat next to me. I prayed and prayed he'd find somewhere else, but lo and behold, he chose to sit on my left. So there I was, squidged between two huge football player sized men counting down the minutes until class was out. One had really bad breath, and the other had a really foul mouth. Both were sweaty, and overbearing. Yuck!

I was reminded at that instant of a sitcom I once saw with a similar situation. I immediately started laughing at the hilarity of the situation, which in turn caused stares from the linemen. But who cares! What a hilarious moment I was having! Sure it was a little uncomfortable but anyone who was watching us would have laughed at the tinyness of me in comparison to my huge friends. See my squished friends in the corner. That's how I felt.

Life is hilarious.