Humbled

It has been a rather long week. My semester has been going great... until this week. All of the sudden every one of my classes surprised me with something huge that was due. It started with Tuesday's surprise exam in ASL (it might not have been totally surprise but I think I didn't understand some of the signs I thought I did...). I had a Psychology paper due, a history paper due, an exam in Geography, and a quiz of Psych as well. All of this was due on Thursday and Friday... So my week was spent trying to keep up with the work and not let the readings fall behind. Needless to say, the stress made me a little less-than-happy...

Thursday was a long day and I couldn't wait to be finished with it. After I worked on my paper and some reading I went to work. You know its bad when going to work is a welcome break from what you are already doing... but it makes for a long day when I know I have hours of homework to still do. When 5:30 came around I finished up and went out to my car. When I opened my door my heart jumped into my chest. There was something florescent yellow sitting on my seat. At a second glance I saw that it was a little elephant! Underneath him was a little note explaining that it was "Special Stress absorbent material designed especially for Jess. When she needs an extra hug. Love- Bryce" On the back was a little inspirational quote and scripture telling me how I could make it. I named the elephant Theodore. He is possible the cutest elephant EVER! :)
He was successful in cheering me up and I realized how blessed I am. My friends and family are absolutely amazing! They care about me even if I feel like I don't deserve it. I went to bed with positive ideas about the upcoming stressful day and felt like I could do it. Unfortunately... I had another lesson to learn this week...

Yesterday was one of those "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days." Alexander and I seem to have a lot in common...
I woke up, got ready and went to campus. I had a little trouble printing my paper for history but it eventually came out... but made me in a rush to make it to my psych class. I had my geography book with me so I could study as much as I could without the study guide I was supposed to pick up from my professor's office. The plan was to go from history to the SWKT (Spencer W. Kimball Tower) to pick it up, go home to grab some lunch, and study to take my test by about... 5:00... *sigh* Lets just say... that is not how the plan went today. I was pushed to the point that I just wanted to give up. I went to history and forgot to turn in my paper. When I went back to give it to my professor, he wasn't there. I couldn't find my geography professor or TA where they were supposed to be to find the new study guide for the exam I had to take. I was interrupted over and over again while trying to study... the list goes on... finally at 8:00 I went over to the testing center to take the test. When I got it, I realized I forgot to study a very important part of the material... it was on another sheet... and I couldn't remember what numbers I needed... *sigh* that was when I decided I needed to give up for the day. It was just too much for me to handle. I finished my test and called Bryce who wanted to come pick me up. So I went outside into the cold to wait for him.

As I went outside I saw a light. (no I am not dead... nor was it a near-death experience) It was on the side of the mountain. I also heard a helicopter. The light was scanning the entire face of Y mountain! I believe they were looking for someone... my heart stopped cold. Immediately my day did not seem so bad. I was about to get into a warm car and go to my warm apartment and there was someone on the mountain as it got later and later in a very cold night. I said a quick prayer for them and for those on the helicopter. I thanked Heavenly Father for my newest humbling experience.

No matter how bad I think I have it, its not. There is always something to be grateful for and I am definitely one of the most blessed. I have no reason to not be happy or feel sorry for myself. I need to serve and recognize all that is good in my life! So thanks to all of you who are each a blessing of the best!

Ice, Bryce, and Spice

After I posted the last entry Bryce decided to spice up the weekend with a little creativity. While I was filing he was formulating a plan. Friday night deserves a special date-night activity. Something a little more exciting than a movie at home.

Our adventure started with a trip to the MOA. (for those who don't understand the acronyms of BYU [Brigham Young University] the MOA is the BYU Museum of Art) The current exhibit displayed is an exhibit of... garbage... literally. There were black garbage bags fused together and attached to a fan (so they ballooned out). There was also a panel of little honey packets attached in rows to a wall (see picture to the right), a wad of balloons blown up and tied together, a room where they had hooked up a row of flickering lights, and my favorite... a corner of packing peanuts with a fan blowing them around. Who knew you could get rich and famous off my garbage?! (well ok, maybe not so famous... but really?) Seriously... I should have thought of it. Someone beat me to it... It was kinda cool though...


The original plan was to go from the museum to the dollar store where we would find an item that best described the other and take it home to cave said object out of a block of ice. As it turned out, the dollar store was closed (all part of the adventure) so we ended up at Smith's. Instead of buying the objects we took pictures of random items we found that had significance or described the other person. It was pretty funny when we got back together and found that we had both taken a picture of an Ibuprofen bottle... :) That is, consequently the item he chose for me to carve. I made him carve a giant kiss.


The ice carving turned out to be a cold experience (one could imagine). We split an ice block in half and brought out the screwdrivers. By the time our ice had shape the kitchen was soaked with ice puddles... (it was cleaning check the next morning, we figured it wouldn't be too bad if we helped start it...) but the sculptures turned out better than the previous expectations. Well... Bryce's did... mine fit expectation almost exactly... :)Bryce was rather pleased with himself and rightfully proud of his creation. We set them outside and commenced the clean up. All-in-all a very exciting adventure!

A little note, a little lost, and a lotta love

You know those days where an hour seems like a week and no matter how hard you try, all efforts to be productive seemingly float out the window? Those days that, despite your best efforts, nothing just seems to go your way. It is difficult to see the sunshine behind the clouds on days like this. But I learned a lot about sunshine yesterday and it all came about with a little note, a little Lost, and a whole lot of love.

My day started just like any other day. Ica's alarm went off way earlier than it should have... Although I did not arouse into complete consciousness, I was awake enough to recognize the migraine that took residence overnight in my right temporal lobe of my brain. A very promising start to any day... it set the stage for all following events as well. It was as if each event felt added pressure to make my life just as frustrating all the while having the migraine encouraging constantly.

When 4:45 finally came around I was completely exhausted and only wanted to go home. I had plans set up and considered calling it all off on account of my sour mood. By the time 5:30 crept up I picked up my stuff and practically ran out the door to find my Jeep and get home. I was anxious to see my boy and eat dinner in desperate hope that I would find a smile. I didn't make it far, however before the first ray of sun broke through the clouds. Stuck behind my door handle on my Jeep was a little note. Inside was a note of appreciation and attempts to make me smile. Who from? You guessed it, Bryce. I got in my car as my tears tried to decide if they wanted to escape. They must have decided that it was too cold to make a break for it this time and I drove home to my warm apartment, dinner, and my wonderful boy finally able to smile about something.

The long awaited night had finally arrived. I don't just mean that it was a long day... it was the night that I have been waiting for since summer started. January 21, 2009... the premiere episode of season 5 of... yep you guessed it again... LOST!!!

Although yesterday was the 22nd, it was still long awaited. (we had more pressing priorities on the 21) Bryce consented to come with Ica and I to my family's house to see the newest twists and turns this show held for us. Yes, that's right, we spent our 2 month mark watching LOST. Romantic eh? Surprisingly, this premiere was not as emotionally draining as most. It was more of a brain teaser/challenger... (which for one with a migraine makes it even more interesting). We talked about it and pondered about the difficulty of time... and comprehending it... and made our way back home to make it back by pumpkin time.

Even in the darkest days Heavenly Father will bless us if we're trying our best. It takes a lot of effort to stay positive on days like those I described... but there is always something to smile about. I lost sight of that (teehee... lost...) but now realize that I have so much to smile about! I am surrounded with the most amazing people who love me for who I am (at least that's what they say... :] ). What a blessing to know that I'm being watched over by those here and by those upstairs... that right there can bring a smile to my soul!