I haven't died yet... :)

A few weeks ago, my roommate's brother drove us up Alpine Loop (I think thats what it's called) up into the mountains. I'd never been that far up, in fact, I don't think I've been up in the mountains during the day other than when I hiked the Y (and by the time I actually made it to the top, I wasn't appreciating the beauty around me). Anyway, it was so gorgeous up there. I was completely in awe. We just layed out a blanket up there and read, and wrote in our journals, and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and our beautiful surroundings. It was Sunday, so it was a perfect activity.

So I came up with this great idea to make myself look forward to taking long, difficult tests. I'm kind of in love with Jamba Juice, so when I have a test that will take 2+ hours that I'm really dreading, I finish reviewing and then I go buy myself a jamba. My favorite is orange-a-peel and I substitute peaches in for the bananas. It is absolutely delicious. It immediately puts me in a happy mood, and then I swear I do better on my test. :) Okay, so maybe it's just a way to justify spending money, but I think it's worth it.

So I'm a TA for Math 113H, which is the honors section of calculus 2. It's been a really neat experience. I really enjoy it--I've gotten to know the students well, and I really care about them doing well. I usually enjoy grading (just not when it takes hours and hours on end), and I've taught a few times, and it hasn't been entirely miserable. My professor has 2 kids in his ward that go to Timpview High school, and he asked me to tutor them, so I've been doing that too. It's definitely been keeping me busy. I think I'd be busy even without a job. So basically all I ever do is homework, and I don't really do much social stuff. I don't know many people in my complex, so I don't know...maybe it'll come with time. I really just need to make a bunch of new friends, because right now my friends consist of my roommates and friends in my math classes. Not that I don't love them all, but I just want to do fun stuff on the weekends instead of sitting here listening to rascal flatts, posting on my blog, and eating pasta. Oh, and as soon as I finish this, it's homework time. Wahoo.

So this semester already has been a huge testimony-strengthener. I have just seen the Lord's hand so continually in my life. There have been many times I've come from a day of school completely frustrated and depressed and crying, feeling like I could "never understand," or "I'll never be good enough." But the Lord always is looking out for me--one day I had this impression to look in this little "peace book" my mom made for me last year, and I opened up to a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland about how we must NOT give up. The Lord loves us and does not want us to fail. We must see beyond this test or this class. We must see eternally. We cannot give up. That talk just really brought peace to my spirit, and I knew that God was looking out for me afterall and that it would all be okay in the end.

Okay, I don't mean to go off on a spiritual tangent, but I just have one more thought. This morning when I was reading the scriptures, it occurred to me that maybe "thou shalt not use the name of the Lord thy God in vain" could be referring to more than just using an expression such as "Oh my God" in casual conversation. I've always thought about it that way, until this morning. Remember how we took upon ourselves the name of the Lord when we were baptized? I think it's very possible that when we act in ways contrary to God's will, we are taking His name in vain. Yeah? Just something to think about.

This afternoon I watched High School Musical with a friend of mine that has never seen it! I was completely appalled and basically didn't give her a choice whether we'd watch it or not. But it's okay, because she enjoyed it, as I knew she would. I mean, who wouldn't? :)

Only a few more comments. I love Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood has a touching new music video out called "So Small." Check it out sometime. Well, I think this is enough of an update for now. I can't think of much else to say, except that abelian groups are my favorite. That's for all you math people out there. If there even are any of you. ;-)

p.s. Here is a random pic of me and my roommate Summer at the past home football game.