winning at tetherball, and an assortment of other things

Well, this was a good weekend. For the most part.

On Saturday I spent a good amount of the day on adventures with some friends.

We may have gone to the Pepperidge Farm place.

And it may have not impressed me that much.

But I may have gotten some goldfish and cookies anyway.

(What? They were cheap.)

And then while there, Kjarinda and I may have had the idea to drive to Bear Lake.

And then we may have gotten chocolate milk at the Gossner's cheese factory (or whatever it's called).

And then we may have grabbed our jackets and driven to bear lake.

And enjoyed sights like this, on the whole 40 minute drive there.

that's just a sample.

And then perhaps we made it to Bear Lake.

And you could probably bet that we got dinner.

And you never know... Maybe we went to a park after that and played on the swings and dominated a tetherball court?

But I can neither confirm nor deny any of this information.

this doesn't confirm or deny anything.

Anyway, you never know. All of that could have been fun.

Not so fun? Saying good-bye to this lady. You can bet some tears were shed.

Just a little depressed... See you in 18 months!

p.s. why is it so hard/bad to say "we need to talk"?

somebody told me

Tomorrow afternoon, I will get in the car, pick up my little cousin and his friend, and drive to Logan, UT. This will be the beginning of many trips back to Logan. All so I can teach the gospel to the youth of our church. I am so excited, but secretly dying of nerves as well. This was possibly the best experience of my life when I did it last year, and I can't wait to jump back into it for this summer. But there is always that nervous feeling of not knowing what to expect! Will I have any crazy kids? Will I know what to say to them? Will I be a good teacher? Will I be the "cool counselor?" Will I be able to show them the most important thing in the world, and make them understand how much they need it? 

I can't wait to try.

p.s. my little sister abi is trying her hand at photography. Click here to see her lovely photos of yours truly. (that's me!)

waking up is the hardest part

Yesterday I wore a yellow skirt. I went on a field trip with my fourth grade class. I told a little boy to please stop elbowing my knees and stepping on my toes. I told another little boy to stop putting his freezing cold water bottle on my head. And I had to explain over and over to another little boy that tomorrow my time was up, and I wouldn't be coming back to their class anymore. The little girls clung to my arms and legs, and asked me about my life and my family. And I stood there shivering, wishing I had worn pants, and smiling at them. Because I wonder what it will be like to be a real teacher.

And later I broke the laminating machine.

p.s. have i mentioned i love other people's birthdays more than my own? 

you and i collide

Guess what I did today?
Clue: It was fun.

p.s. relay for life is a good thing.

i'm not in it to win it

Random Thoughts Recently 

(because I know you're DYING to hear them)

1. So, I was thinking. Most people say that they have the best. The best mom, the best dad, the best overall family. (as if it was a contest... what? because I would win.) We usually get overly defensive (see previous sentence in parentheses...ha) and start verbal wars about what our particular family does that makes them better than every other. And I thought to myself as I was thinking this, isn't that a GREAT, AMAZING thing?? How lucky are so many of us to think that we have the best? There's a whole ton of us crazy people walking around, defending our families honorary bestness, and that is awesome. That means that there are tons of great people out there showing love to their family. That gives me a little hope for humanity.

2. I had a thought that I don't spend a lot of time studying. I get all of my homework done, and review a little before tests... but studying? What is that supposed to mean, anyway? I'm pretty sure I missed the lesson on how to study successfully. I take a quick glance at my notes before tests and snag decent grades. Usually above average. So I just wondered... what if I DID know how to study? I would probably be a genius.

3. I pondered the fact that I should give seminars on writing papers. Cocky? Yes. There is one talent I will for sure brag about. And that is writing papers. Sure... it's a boring one. But I'll bet all you college students who have papers due are wishing they were me right now. Case in Point: I wrote ten papers in a week last semester, each one in 30-45 minutes. And I still had time to hang out and go on dates. And I got a pretty decent grade. Need tips? Give me a call.

4. I think I would hate to rule the world. There would be so many people complaining to me all day. And it's a well known fact that well known people are not always well liked. And it's not like I'm all for being the most popular girl in school (elementary school dream? yes. but you can't help it if you're at the bottom of the food chain... if you know what I mean. *elbow nudge*) but I definitely would appreciate it if people didn't hate me for ruling the world, ya know? It would be stressful.

5. Ok, maybe this isn't a thought, but I'll share it anyway. I had two tests on Monday (see Monday's post) and they were both in the same classroom. One was at 2:30, and the other at 4:30. So, in true Madeline fashion, I finish the first test in 20 minutes. Hmm... Not even 3:00 yet. I find a comfy seat in the lobby of the building and ponder my cell phone. (WHY is no one texting me? Don't they KNOW I'm bored right now? Ugh. Friends these days.) After about an hour of trying not to look like a loser (the other people are in study groups for the next test... uh... did I not get the memo?? Not like I want to study with you people anyway.) I decide to go get a drink. From the vending machine. Which I NEVER do. EVER. I meander on in and peruse the drinks. ($1.25? That's preposterous. At least I have cash for once... might as well spend it!! Yeah!! Money!!! WOOO!!!! ok.) I decide on Sprite. Because I'm boring like that. I jam the money in, and press D7, The anticipation making my hands sweat a little. (exaggeration!!) The little machine's arm reaches up and then stops, suddenly grabbing... a... SQUIRT??! That isn't what I asked for! A million scenarios fly through my head, including trying to sell the Squirt for more money to buy a Sprite, and trying to hand the drink back to the machine... it will take it, right?? So there I am, with a chilly Squirt in my sweaty palm (jk. no sweat.) Do people even drink Squirt? What is this stuff? Is it caffeinated? I squint at the machine, trying to laser it into dust with my eyes. And that's when I realize... Sprite is B7.

So I drink the Squirt.

p.s. yeah... i'm procrastinating homework right now.

the cave of doom

I have never climbed so many rocks in my life. I spent the majority of this past week scaling the red cliffs of St. George. I even fell down one. I have a huge battle wound on my left elbow from this terrifying time. Picture in your mind the scene of me trying to scramble up the side of a smaller cliff. My hands are straining, my feet are grasping for stable footholds. I'm already worried that I won't be able to make it, even though my friends are offering words of encouragement above me. Suddenly my feet are flailing, searching for anywhere to land, my fingers can no longer support my weight, and I slide down the remainder of the cliff. Arms stinging like crazy, I clamber down the rest of the rock quickly and stand on the ground, pathetically looking up at the good climbers who actually made it to the top, defeated.

It was lucky for them I wasn't willing to give it another try... I took great pictures of everyone instead.

After I got over the shock of sliding down a cliff, I spent the rest of the day spelunking, scaling more cliffs, and watching my friends cliff dive into the freezing turquoise waters at Sand Hollow. And as I stood there at the top of a petrified sandstone mountain next to my best friends, I couldn't help but feel a little bit happy. Happy to be free, happy to be warm, happy to be surrounded by beauty.

And that is just a snapshot of the trip... let's just say I never wanted to come back.

p.s. you're reading the words of a returning EFY counselor... bring on the summer :)

lost at sea, memories

Things on my mind at this moment:

1. Text message

2. The joy of Disneyland

3. Spring Break!!

4. Going home today

5. The irony and coincidence of yesterday's post

6. The house

7. how i had to pose at the same time as a nude model yesterday

8. what i should wear

9. food

10. What happens next...?

p.s. don't judge me. i don't know what happened.