Class of 2009

BYU GRADUATING CLASS OF 2009! This is at the Senior Farewell Party. It was so fun! We got free food, karaoked in public (and made a fool of myself, it was ridiculous). Watched some awesome Polynesian Dances and Latino Dances by Living Legends at BYU. Those might have been the most attractive men I´ve ever seen...a little chocolate :) By the end we were exhausted after a round of bowling...so tired that Natausha walked out of the bowling alley and forgot to take off her bowling shoes. Hence the picture below.... Needless to say it was fun!

A beautiful distraction

I try to avoid bookstores because the moment I walk through the door, my eyes get caught up in all of the wonderful books and all the things that I want to learn. I love books! At walked into the BYU Bookstore at 2:15ish and left at 6:00. It´s a good thing that I don´t have an overwhelming amount of homework.
Some of the things that excited me in the bookstore today are:
1. The Portuguese Language Learning Books. Since one of my roommates speaks portuguese, I´ve started seeing a lot more similarities between it and spanish. I really have no reason that I shouldn´t or couldn´t learn portuguese. So, I got caught up looking for a good book or CDs to help me learn the language...after graduation (in 2 weeks).

2. I read a few very silly children´s books, for example, Llama Llama Misses Mama. As much as I love llamas, I certainly don´t recommend this book. It was incredibly foolish.
3. I found the book, The Giver, which I remember loving as a child! It´s been so long since I´ve read it and I couldn´t resist the urge to just pull up a comfy chair and get caught up in the book. I´m a slow reader, so I only made it through 120 pages, but luckily, that only leaves me with 60 which I will read tomorrow. I´ve been thinking about the book the whole way home and it´s really made me think about the greatness of our ability to choose. How sad would our lives be if we saw no colors, if we didn´t choose our destiny, if we knew no pain...and therefore no happiness. If you haven´t read The Giver, I highly recommend that you take a few hours to read it. It´s an easy read but a powerful book.

What catches your eye when you walk into the bookstore?

Happiness

1. I love my niece!
2. I love when she gets in trouble, or is tired, or whatever it is she calls out for me.
3. I love that my bro has taught her to say Beckycita.
4. I love my little sister´s clothes and that we were able to reach an exchange agreement!
5. I love being in a real home and neighborhood, not a student apt and area.
6. I love that the sun in shining (even if it does only come out for a few days at a time).
7. I love SWINGS!
8. I love letting my inner-child play.

Internship Fair

Natausha and I had the chance to present our Internship at an Internship Fair at BYU. We were hoping to win the Grand Prize of $750....which we didn´t win, but we still got $50, so I won´t complain. Plus, it was a blast talking to all of the people and encouraging them to do the internship. As I talked with everyone, I remembered how much I loved my experience in Ecuador! It was such an incredible opportunity. (this is a picture I took in Guayaquil, Ecuador of the bamboo houses.)

"Let the world change you and you can change the world" (Motorcycle Diaries). It´s such a true statement. Before I can attempt to do good, I have to understand, see, and feel what others are living. I wish everyone had the chance to see the world as I´ve been able to see it.

Mission Reunions

I love my mission president and his amazing wife! At every reunion, President always gathers us into one room and he shares a thought. It brings back wonderful memories of Zone Conferences and interviews and his inspired counsel. I was especially touched by his words on being brave and going forward into the future with bravery. Finals start next week and then comes graduation and the life of a grown-up. I need all the courage I can muster as I try to make decisions.
My good friends!! I always love seeing Pierson and Janina. They have been good and cherished friends since we met in the mission. Pierson still gives me Zone Leader counsel and cracks me up.