Nauvoo Student Tour

This past weekend was probably the BEST weekend ever. I loved every minute! Here's some photos of the trip:

They're all jumbled and out of order...but at least they're here. More will probably come up soon!

Far West Temple Lot

Liberty Jail

From the top of Independence Rock

Nauvoo Rendezvous

Amish Farmer

Blacksmith in Nauvoo. He gave us prairie diamonds : )

Group Picture at Liberty Jail

Martin's Cove

Nauvoo 

Trail of Hope

Nauvoo Temple

Nauvoo Rendezvous! Elder Lyman!

Tree of Life in Community of Christ Temple

In Nauvoo

Nauvoo Temple!

Mansion House 

Prodigal Son in Community of Christ Temple

Brigham Young's Home in Nauvoo

Martin's Cove. Pushing handcarts!

Winter Quarters Temple

Kansas City Temple! 

Nauvoo Temple from a distance.

Martin's Cove

Meet Brigham Young : )

Community of Christ Temple.

Carthage Jail

Count Your Blessings

Starting last January, I started keeping a journal with a list of things I am thankful for each day. I thought I'd share some from the last few days. So much has happened since I've been back at school and sometimes it's hard to remember all of the good things that I have in my life and the amazing people. Reading over these journal entries makes me happy :)

May 11th: 

Today I am thankful for mail. Especailly mail that comes from Germany. In big boxes! Chocolate, random toys, candy, food, perfume, clothes...everything! I love packages from home. Oh, and I just love my mother who sends these amazing things!

May 12th:

Today I am thankful for friends. I'm especially thankful for those friends who can tell when you're upset about something as you're trying your best to be "fine". 

May 13th:

Today is Mother's Day but it's also my mother's birthday. I love her so much! I don't think she will ever fully realize how much I love and appreciate her. I wish she were closer! On that note, I'm also thankful for my phone and skype! I'd die without them!

May 14th:

I'm thankful for this lovely weather. It's been super nice lately. Today, my roommate and I were able to eat outside in the park...without our food blowing away! That's pretty amazing for Rexburg. 

May 15th:

Jimmy Johns. It's my new addiction. I'm thankful for the fact that it can be ordered online and delivered to my apartment in 10 minutes or less. Oh, and the delivery guys are definitely the best.

May 16th:

My roommate is the best. I love her to death. I love our "meaningful conversations" that we have as soon as the lights go out at night. The lights have to be off. Otherwise it doesn't count.

May 21st:

I'm super thankful for the opportunity I had to go on the Nauvoo Student Tour. It has definitely been one of the best experiences I have had. I learned so much and met some amazing people. I loved every minute! With exception to the stops at McDonalds. Once was enough.

Be Bold

99 Random Things...

The ones I've done are bolded. 

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland (world)

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightening storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a (half)Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee 

Where I'm Happy

There are two questions that are unavoidable at the beginning of the semester.
1. What's your name?
2. Where are you from?

The first is easy. My name is Emily. Simple, sweet & common. I never hesitate on that question.

The second question is pretty much my Everest. Yes, I have trouble figuring out where I'm from. I was born in New York and many people who ask this question are looking for that answer. Then there is Germany. I love Germany. I really, really, really, really do! I've spent most of my life there and so many of my best memories come from there. I should be a lot more attached to it than I am. But there's one place that I love more than any other. New York.

Just a few weeks ago, I was visiting New York. I nearly cried when I had to leave. My last night there, I was sitting on a stone wall at West Point overlooking the Hudson. I could see the place where we went for a picnic when I was little, the place where my dad would take me on the way home from daycare to look at the water, the place where my mom and I took goofy pictures one summer, and the place where I learned potato salad did, in fact, have eggs in it. When I was looking out over these places, all of these memories came flooding back to me. Behind me was the field I used to run through to play in the sprinklers...even though it says not to walk on the grass. There's the Military Academy that I was convinced was a castle where the princesses lived and I, too, would live there one day. If it were clearer out, I knew I'd be able to see the bridge that I used to think the sun hid under during the night and the moon hid under during the day. Keep in mind I was three when I had that theory.

I kept thinking about how nobody can ruin New York for me. Or at least nobody has yet. There hasn't been any drama or fights between friends. There haven't been any stupid boys doing stupid things or horrible girls being all...witchy (not the word I wanted to use). It's a happy place that I never want to lose. It's mine.

I was not wanting to move from that wall.

"Emily, are you ready to go?"

"I don't want to leave."

"Come on, we have to pick up Parker."

"No."

"Fiine. I'll take more pictures & then we are leaving."

*10 minutes later*

"Are you ready?"

"Nooooo."

"Emiilly! You'll be back soon!"

"I don't care!"

And that's when I got pulled off the wall.

You're probably thinking I was being a baby at that point but it was my moment. New York is my home. It's where I'm happy.

You Know You're a College Student When...

Granola bars are a food group.

You get robbed...for paper towels.

Quiz due at 11:59? Sent in at 11:55.

Sink full of dishes. Always.

"I'm going to bed early tonight" "When?" "12."

Lifewater + chocolate bar = lunch

Healthy food is expensive. Tortillas & cheese FTW!

Calling mom to send the neccessities of life.

It's raining out? Avoid straightning hair.

Spending small change & saving quarters for laundry.

Skyping with every state.

Wishing, hoping, praying for a car.