the watter bottle.

This is an obituary for my old water bottle (may it rest in peace).

At the beginning of sophomore year, I went to Target in search of a water bottle.  After researching all my options, I chose a stainless steel bottle with a greenish tint, flowers on the outside, and a red lid that popped open with the click of a button.

May you rest in peace.

That water bottle has been with me through thick and thin.  It endured all of fall semester with me, chose to go on a study abroad with me, and traveled all through Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and England with me.  I used that water bottle all summer.  It was perfect.  I never spilled when I was drinking from it (unless I was laughing).  It always kept my water nice and cold even after being in a hot car for a long time.  I love that water bottle.

And now I take you back to that fateful day: August 6, 2011, in the Atlanta airport.  I had accidentally left a tablespoon of water in my water bottle but failed to realize so until I went through security and they told me I had two options: empty the water bottle and go back through or throw it away.  Obviously, I wasn't going to throw away such a prized possession, so I went back, emptied the bottle, and proceeded through security.  I put the water bottle back in my backpack that was about to burst open because it was so full.  I got on the tram and headed toward my gate then headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face (it was like six in the morning).  As I reached back to take a drink of water, my beloved water bottle was nowhere to be found.  I searched the whole bathroom and then backtracked all the way to the tram and found nothing.  I started panicking a little bit and tried to think if I had heard it fall out.  Nothing.  My precious water bottle that had been with me through so much was lost forever.  I almost cried.

Creating new memories with the Camelbak.

Anyway, I have since purchased a new water bottle that I am satisfied with.  It's a purple camelbak--BPA free.  But nothing will ever quite compare to the experiences I shared with that perfect first water bottle.

because it's an assignment.

I keep procrastinating writing on my blog and it's becoming a problem.  The truth is, I just can't think of anything to write.  My life hasn't been too interesting lately.

My roommate has been out of town all weekend.

BYU lost the game (miserably).

I thoroughly embarrassed myself in front of my entire class.

I have done little to no homework this weekend.

I just really want to move to Peru and escape the awful winter that is soon coming.

My parents have bought their tickets to come for Christmas.

But overall, I am happy.

I was reading the Ensign today and came across an excellent article about missionary work.  It inspired me.  My favorite part was this quote by President Thomas S. Monson:

"Some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to the call to serve.  Remember that this is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help.  The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."

Happy Sunday!

decisions, decisions.

As most of you already know, I just got back from a study abroad in Spain this April.  I had the best semester of my life this past winter living in Spain and traveling to France, Portugal, Italy, and England.  I came back to Provo grudgingly but prepared to take on the next two years in Provo until I graduate and am home free.

But after visiting with my director from Spain the other day, I may have revamped my life plan yet again.

First of all, I decided that I think I want to go on to get an MPA.  I had never even considered graduate school before now.  I just wanted to get my Bachelor's degree and be done with school forever.  But then I realized that I will still be young when I graduate so why not keep trying to get as much education as I can?  Plus, I don't really know how to live my life without school, so I kind of want to prolong it as long as I can.  And on top of all that, an MPA will help me take my business degree and channel it toward something more productive than looking good on a financial statement.

The second thing I discovered is BYU's student exchange program.  The Marriott School has a program through which you directly enroll in a business school in a different country and live there for a semester or two.  And here's the best part - the only extra costs are for airfare and visas.  Aside from that, I just have to pay BYU tuition, food, and housing.  So, needless to say, I have been unable to focus on my classes this week because all I can think about is moving to my grandparents' house in Peru or creating a whole new life for myself in Portugal.  I really just don't think I was ever meant to stay in one place for too long.  But if it means I get to live in a different country again, I think I'll take it.

mockingbird.

So remember how my last post was all about how I can't write so I let others more talented than myself do all the writing for me?  Funny how things work out.  I have now been given the assignment by my M Com 320 professor to not only blog every week but also to "tweet" on a regular basis.  Hopefully this won't be too bad of an assignment.

To begin with, I'll just make it known to the entire blogosphere: my favorite book of all time is To Kill A Mockingbird.  I'm reading it right now for the millionth time and it just gets better each time.  I love reading about life in the 60s from the perspective of a young girl such as Scout.  I love reading about the adventures of Scout, Jem, and Dill and comparing them to my own adventures from when I was a child.  Basically, just everything about this book makes me happy and I am very emotionally attached to it.

Okay, that's about all I have to say for tonight.  Till next time!