Weekends... Are for the warriors!

I love weekends.
I love how they really start Friday at 12:00 (when my class gets out).
I love how they seem to last longer because I stay up late.
I love how everyone has plans for the weekend.
I love getting invited into people's plans.

Yesterday was CRAZY!
I had class, it was interesting. I got voted off the island with my psychology group (two of the girls said that four people is too many in the group. The other girl was absent so they told me to make a group with her. But our question was due yesterday. So I made one up really quick. Hope it works out).
Then I went to dollar lunch which was good. Then I went home with Bethany and Ben and Brittany and we prepared potatoes for the YSA activity.
A LOT of potatoes.
Bethany washed them, Brittany cut out the bad parts, Ben stabbed them with a fork, and I wrapped them in tin foil.
Then Bethany, Lyndsay, and I went to Super Target to get groceries.
Bethany's car alarm thingy wouldn't work. So after like 45 minutes of getting the battery changed and it still not working we just drove home with the alarm going off.
It. Was. So. Funny! I was laughing so hard I was crying. People we passed (or were stopped next to) were laughing so hard at us. It was hilarious.
Eventually we got to the church where my car was and these four boys came over and took the plug for the horn out. So the alarm was still going off but we couldn't hear it which was good.
Then I drove home really fast (Brittany had started the potatoes cooking- she is so wonderful) and I drove her to the airport.
Then I drove home really fast (again) and put my groceries away and changed into my costume and took the potatoes out of the oven. That was quite the dilemma, how do you bring like 40 giant HOT baked potatoes to your car?? I put them in my little metal trashbag and this cardboard box I found. It worked.
Then I went to the activity. It was like real-life Clue. Which was pretty cool. Tons of people dressed up! It was awesome.
After the activity I went to Amy's house with Jenkin, Kirstin, and Bert (and of course Amy) and we watched Inception and Bert bought us ice cream and Reese's.
Funny story: Bert and I were wearing matching socks. It was like boy/girl version of the same sock at Target. HAHAHA. They're argyle. :)
Then I went home (I fell asleep watching the movie hahah).

So many potatoes. How do I turn this? No idea..

Awwwhh. I love this picture! Lyndsay, me, Bethany, and Victoria!

Victoria, Bethany, Lyndsay, me. (I made my costume!)

Bert and Jenkin

Kirstin and Amy

My hair piece. Fantastic.

Jenkin, Kirstin, Amy :)

It was a good Friday. I'm excited for Saturday :)

Chanda C.

PS. Crazy thing- Bryce and Lyndsay were in the same "council" at Student Council camp when Bryce and I went. How seriously coincidental. What are the chances that out of the less than 20 people in his council that year I would become best friends with one of the girls, four years later, at a university of like 20,000 people without even knowing that they knew each other!? Crazy. Wonderful. <3

What the junk?

I've been busy this week.
Not the overwhelming I want to crawl in a hole and pass out til summer kind of busy.
But the never-ending to do list making running around always doing something kind of busy.

I think it is helping me keep up with all my homework because it puts me in the right mode.

I have this nagging fear that I'm forgetting to do something and in three weeks I'll remember it and then drown in the depths of the forgotten project (that will probably be due the day I remember it).

Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Today was a good day. I had to wear my stretchy pants to school which made me feel like I was in pajamas all day. I had my movement session class. We pranced around like fools. The other people in that class have been taking dance since they were young. They looked like happy little fairies. I looked like a monkey that had gotten shot in both legs.

That's okay though. It was fun. And hopefully by the end of the semester I won't look like such a special soul.

I made delicious breakfast this morning. Potatoes, onion, spinach, and turkey bacon all cooked together with cheese and FRANKS hot sauce!! :) I love hot sauce. Particularly that kind.

This afternoon I made bread, dinner rolls, and cinnamon rolls.

I have an Italian test over chapter 1 tomorrow. I'm nervous. I bake when I'm nervous. Haha.

I'm gonna gain a billion pounds.

I've changed my facebook language to Italian. And I listen to radioitalia all the time. Hoping to learn through exposure. Plus its an awesome language to listen to. Their music is.. good. I enjoy it.

This weekend I'm hoping to get my hair cut.
I'll also be going to a YSA mystery dinner.
And hopefully watching a movie at Amy's.
And hanging out with Becky on Saturday.
And I need to do laundry.

Social everything is still weird in my life.
It seems to be good?
But I don't want to get my hopes up.
Because I feel like something is still amiss.

But perhaps I'm just being overly cautious.

Chanda C.

Just call me Leader

I had a great weekend!!

On Friday I went to Buffalo Wild Wings with Jenkin, Brittany, Bethany, and Victoria.
Jenk and I both got 3 "Blazin" wings to eat.
I schooled him.
Tears came out of my eyes but it really was no big deal.
But Jenkin's lips swoll up and he was shaking and kept telling us that it was burning his mouth.
It was so funny.
I'm thinking about taking the challenge. 12 Blazin wings in 6 minutes with no drinking or wiping off your face.
I think I could do it. But the only prize is a tshirt and its free.
I'm thinking about trying it out.

Then on Saturday I volunteered at the Priest/Laurel Conference as a counselor.
It was SO FUN! I loved it. My group was purple and had 47 (yes, three less than FIFTY) children in it. It was weird because I really didn't feel older than them. But it was blast.
A few of the kids made me want to strangle them. :) one in particular, I didn't ever learn his name, but he was so frustrating. He had such a big ego and was a show off. He called me leader all day. Oh goodness, he was a tender soul that I was ready to send back to heaven.
After workshops and other things (about finances and disgusting "dorm cooking" ew) I went with the other counselors and slid down this slide that is in the music building.
Yes.
A slide.
IN the music building on campus.
FANTASTIC!!
It was so fun. Then we went and found a geocache on campus which was really cool!

Then we went and helped shepherd the children to a lecture hall on campus where President Shelton talked to them about education. After his talk a group of the counselors left and he joined us on our walk back.
That was when it happened.
I punched him in the arm.
Like a typical Chanda being friendly punch.
But he's the president of my university.
And I punched him.
Idiotic.
But hilarious.

We ate and then went and found ANOTHER geocache on campus (Ben knows whats up). Todd brought his longboard and I learned how to do it. It really made me want a longboard. It was so enjoyable.

It was a fantastic Saturday all in all. I loved it.
Today was good. Church was enjoyable.
My cochair was called for FHE.
And we had Linger Longer which was great. It was Luau themed! So tasty.

Anway, I'm gonna go get ready for bed.
Sweet dreams.

Chanda
PS. It is not HOW busy but WHY busy. The honeybee is praised while the mosquito is swatted.

Habit Broken

So it has been a long time since I last posted.

I became really close with several people in my YSA branch in Avondale.
Went on a few dates with different people.
Hung out almost every night with a group.
Jason visited me.
Then I came back to Tucson.
My classes are going well-- but this is the first real week.
I'm terrified that I won't be able to handle everything.
But I'm having faith that I can.

Also, I got a calling in my ward in Tucson!!
I am Ward FHE Coordinator.
WOOHOO!!
I'm super excited.
Sarah and I have the same calling. :)
I don't know who my cochair is yet.
I will hopefully find out this week.
Last night was my first night in charge.

No one showed up to open the building til 7:05.
HAHAHA.
We just had a game night and it was really fun.
I made cookie bars.
Lydia (relief society president) brought cookies.
People said they enjoyed themselves.

I'm looking for more ideas for FHE.
I want to do creative things that people will remember.
Derrick suggested Rock Band Concert. :)
I'm looking into that.
This will be easier once I have a cochair to bounce ideas off of.

I will be able to remember names and faces and handle schoolwork and still be able to put the time necessary into my calling.
Fantastic blessings.

I'm looking for a new car to purchase.
Scary.
I don't want to get screwed over again.
Enough car problems for me. :)

Friendships have changed a lot over break.
Weird.

I'm getting a lot closer to Bethany, Lyndsay, Victoria, and Jenkin.
I feel like I'm getting further away from everyone else though.
Which is strange.
Because I really like all of them.
But I am hoping it is just the beginning of the semester and everyone is busy and stressed.
Hopefully it will calm down.
I also wish Derrick was still here.

My friends from Avondale might come up to visit me in February :)

I have now seen Inception.
Good movie.
But not the mind bending alternate reality that I was expecting.

Now I have to start looking for housing for next year.
Bethany, Lyndsay, and I are talking about getting a house together.
That would be really fun.
But I want to live with my dog and Bethany doesn't want a dog..
So that puts me in a bit of a quandary.

My schedule this semester is hard.
Very busy.
I'm praying that I will learn to be a better student through it.
I'm a terrible student.
This semester will teach me a lot.
I'm loving Italian.
I hope I continue loving it.

Last night I was stressing about school and social stuff and I started doing Italian homework.
Haha, my professore probably thinks I'm a nerd.
But it totally calmed me down.
Maybe because I was doing something productive.
I hope I keep enjoying it.
That would help my grade considerably.

Anyway, I am gonna go be social.

Chanda C.

YSA Wards

I love YSA wards. Seriously. I wasn't going to ever go to one. But I'm glad I did.

I went to the one in Avondale today.

It was fantastic.

I had looked it up online (lds.org ftw) and it said that it was at 9:45. So I went at 9:45 and there were only old people and small children. I decided to just go back home and wait to go with my friend Lyndsay to her YSA ward instead, but once I got home I remembered that I was locked out. Grumble. I tried to call my mom but she was in church, I tried to go to her church building but couldn't remember what the intersection was. I drove around Avondale for awhile (meanwhile, my gas tank light came on) until Taryn called me and gave me directions. Once I got to my mom's ward I found her and she asked her ward clerk what time the YSA branch met. He made a phone call and found out that they actually met at 11:30. I waited around her ward with her watching this adorable baby, Kaiya, until 11:00 and then went to the singles branch.

I walked in and only like 10 people were there. The branch president came up and introduced himself to me. I sat in one of the back rows and soon a guy came up to me and introduced himself (his name is Wayne). He asked if he could sit by me after he was done blessing the sacrament (smooth move eh? As Jenkin put it: "showing he's worthy enough to pass, letting you know he's spiritual"). I said yes, but then the Relief Society president, Amy, introduced herself and invited me to sit next to her and some other girls, an offer I accepted. They were all really nice and I wish I could keep their names straight.

After Sacrament meeting Amy introduced me to some more people. I followed Rachel to Sunday School (lucky eh?) and enjoyed that and Relief Society. Then we had break the fast. It was quite tasty, delicious salad, french bread, lasagna, pie, and brownies. I sat by a bunch of girls and Wayne (he had saved a seat at the table). It was great getting to talk to them, they invited me to FHE tomorrow (we're playing dodgeball!). I really wish I could keep their names straight. There were two Michelles, Rachel, .... thats all I remember. This is terrible. Anyway, then we cleaned up and talked to some more people. I met a guy named Alan who is friends with a lot of people from Show Low and Round Valley. He is going to BYU-IDo (as is Rachel). I also met Hyrum who lives with the bishop of my mom's ward. He and I are going to carpool to FHE tomorrow. Another boy named Tay introduced himself to me, but we didn't talk much unfortunately.

I love that I went to church by myself and managed to meet people. I used to think I was really shy and too socially retarded to meet people, but this semester has improved my confidence in that area significantly.

Random story that someday I want to remember:
I was sitting in Biology with Davy and Gina and I got a text from my dad that said: "You didn't tell me Airborne isn't chewable."
I laughed until I cried. In the middle of Bio. It was stupendous. I couldn't even manage to tell other people what I was laughing so hard about because I was laughing that hard.
For those that don't know, you put an Airborne tablet in water and it bubbles and dissolves. The mental image was hilarious.

Happy 1st Sunday of the new DECADE!! :)

Chanda C.

2011- the year before the Zombie Apocalypse

I'm back in Avondale!!! (After hanging out with Kalee and Bo and going to Five Guys in Boise). My flights went fine, they were both delayed but it worked out. I got home at about 11:00 last night (New Years Eve). I spent the next hour talking to my mom and starting laundry. Welcome 2011! :D
2010 was probably the best year of my life so far. (At least it was the best year that I remember.) Significant things happened and I don't regret any major decisions that I made.

January 2010: Started off the year with Jisella, Elizabeth, and Bryce Addison. Began the best semester of my high school life. Loved English UP.

February 2010: State Convention at North High School- amazing.

March 2010: 900 cupcakes made with Deanna, Kelly, Kendra, Amanda, Natalie, and other StuCo kids for the assembly that I was in charge of. That assembly could have been awesome. Hahaha. Accepted into a billion schools with considerable scholarships to all of them. Won $500 at Hatch Toyota.

April 2010: BEST TWO WEEKS EVER!!!!! Physics club trip to Six Flags with Bryce, Cami, Elizabeth, Jisella, and a bunch of my other close friends. That trip was amazing. Every single part of it. KeeganJ flew in to take me to Prom at Bodyworks which was great. Won Prom Queen. Spent every afternoon with Bryce Addison.

May 2010: Graduated from Blue Ridge with a 4.0 GPA. Sent in my letter of intent to Boise State. Found an apartment in Boise. Adopted sweet little LunaBug (first trip to PHX without a parent, had SOOOOOO much fun with Kim). Added up my various scholarships-- I was worth approx $750,000 according to all my schools. Got KFC scholarship, changed plans and sent letter of intent to UA instead. Registered for orientation. Fantastic grad night (I won pots and $100).

June 2010: Started working in San Carlos. Met amazing coworkers. Orientation at UA. Decided to room with Lucia. Said goodbye to Bryce Addison (cried. haha). Broke up with Keegan (cried.). Had tons of fun exploring Globe with William.

July 2010: Invited to eat lunch with Rainy and Nicole (best feeling ever, I was included and they are amazing. I miss those girls). Camped practically all month. Got lice twice (disgusting). Became all pro'd out as a baller. Got rezzified. Adopted as an Apache by my coworkers/children (I really miss them incredibly a lot). Moved my mom to Avondale.

August 2010: Started fixing Jane. Moved to Tucson. School. Found my classes. Becky talked to me at my first class of the year (huge blessing, my biggest fear was that I wouldn't make friends. But I did.). Stalked Reid after it. Met amazing people at Institute. Started washing my laundry at Tammy and Steve's. Met Kathleen (my mentor for a scholarship).

September 2010: Met more amazing people at Institute. Became friends with a lot of them. Jason visited Tucson. Met Taylor while walking Luna. Got Jane back. Jane was stolen. Became close with Bert, Amy, Kirsten, Ariell. Derrick drove my car to me and we worked a football game together. First time eating Taco Shop.

October 2010: Got to drive a rental car. Started dating Bert. Became close with Bethany, Lyndsay, Sarah. Had tons of fun at the Halloween dance as a unicorn. Became close with Matthew and Grace and Becky. Saw Dracula (so good). Temple trip with Bethany.

November 2010: Fantastic birthday celebrations. First time eating Five Guys. Thanksgiving was delicious. Got Sir Galahad (love love love love love). Gave Luna to my mom for safe keeping. HARRY POTTER 7!! Met a UA basketball player. Watched a UA basketball game. Kara Lareemae got married! Saw BRYCE ADDISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love him. Bought Stella! Visited Lakeside.

December 2010: End of 1st semester. Got decent grades. Lucia moved out. Brittany moved in. Went to Boise (happy happy happy happy happy). Became close with Sam and Chris. Met Kalee and Bo and Tim (big fan, but didn't spend much time with them unfortunately). Wonderful Christmas. Best finals week ever (two all-nighters, several food nights, Derrick's graduation). Became close with Jenkin and David and Dillon. Broke up with Bert. Discovered my love of Left for Dead. Visited Lakeside.


Seriously: amazing year. I thought I would be in Boise. But I'm not. And I'm okay with that (temporarily). I love my friends. I love my dog. I love my apartment. I love my roommate. I love my family. Life is good.

I can't wait to see where 2011 takes me.

Chanda C.