This is one for the record books

So, you may be thinking, "Wow, Katie, why in the world do you have a random picture of a blurry screen with random words on it." Well, I'll tell you why. If it was a little less blurry, you would be able to see the proudest moment of my college test taking life. Yes, that's right...my first A on a college exam (well, in the testing center. I don't know if I really count the exams I've taken on blackboard that are completely open book, note, google, etc.). Now, I don't know if I should be admitting this, because I have taken many, many exams here...But I was just overjoyed when I saw that 93%, and the words, congratulations, good job, way to go, etc. flash next to my name. Can I just say I stood there for about 5 minutes, basking in the glory of it all? I really thought that I had gotten a B,because there were a few questions I was iffy on (seriously, divine intervention must have been involved), but I totally pulled off a 93. Actually, last week I got an 89.56% on my Marriage and Family test, and I just found out a few days ago that my short answer responses brought that up to a 90% (woo hoo, a whole .44%), so technically that was my first A...BUT nonetheless, this Book of Mormon test was the first time I've seen an A flash on the screen at the testing center. Aha, I was so giddy afterwards.

(For those who remember, I talked about how I pretty much overuse the testing center late days and how I was afraid to check my balance. Well I did today. It was 35 dollars. Go me. And I'm about to go add 5 more to that, for a test that I've had two weeks to take!)

Where all my hard-earned money goes

In case anyone was wondering who funds the testing center...

That would be me.

I think this semester alone I have probably paid the salary of all the employees, and probably paid for the lights to be turned on.

Quite honestly, I'm afraid to look at my financial account to see what my running total is.

You might be thinking, Hey Katie, why don't you just not be lazy and study for a test BEFORE the test even begins?

I'll tell you why.

I don't know. Perhaps its because other things are much more alluring. What those things are? Two words. Jack Bauer.

But wouldn't you avoid a room like this as well?


Those late days are a procrastinator's worst enemy...but best friend.

(But seriously, why does American Heritage professors feel like they have superiority where they can charge 7 dollars, instead of 5, for a late fee . . . I feel like revolting.)

So this is why I had to suffer through early morning seminary...

It's no secret that early morning seminary was not my most favorite experience in the world. I mean, when I had release time seminary? LOVED it. And I'll admit, I had a few good teachers for early morning, and I may even go as far to say that I learned a thing or too, but for the most part, I did not enjoy it. Maybe because I'm not a morning person at all and I was always kind of grumpy. Maybe its because I hated driving home afterwards because the sun was always in my eyes and I couldn't see. MAYBE its because there were a few people in my class I couldn't stand. We may never know. However, yesterday was an eye opening day. I realized why I had to suffer..I mean, enjoy..those early morning years.

I had to learn how to get ready for the day in 5 minutes.

So, being someone who loves to sleep, I would sleep in as long as I possibly could before seminary, so usually about 10 minutes before I had to go. During this time, I learned how to get ready in 5 minutes. Did I look any good? Probably not, but at least I was presentable. Maybe this is why I had no friends. haha. kidding. I didn't do this everyy day, but on occasion I would (my senior year I had first hour off, so I went to seminary in my pajamas and hoodie every day...then would come home and make myself beautiful). 

Yesterday, this skill became very useful.

So my phone is really weird and it will go off at random times, even when I don't set it for that time. So it went off at 6:15..I was annoyed. So I turned it off. And being as half asleep as I was, I felt compelled to turn off my actual alarm. Well, if this had been Tuesday Thursday or Saturday...it would have been fine. If you sleep through a class..not a big deal. However, it was Monday. and I had work. So I slept through the time I was supposed to get up. By some miracle, and I'm sure there was some divine intervention involved, I happened to wake up exactly at 740 (seriously, I never wake up at that time on my own), 10 minutes before I had to go. So I jump up out of bed, go find the first skirt and shirt I can that matched, threw them on, straightened my hair (kind of), threw my hair in a pony tail, put on some mascara, brushed my teeth, in 5 minutes. Impressive...I know. I actually was out the door earlier than I usually was, and clocked in at 7:57. 

The first thing someone said to me was "Are you sick?"...I had coughed a tiny bit right before that, so I hope she was referring to that rather my looks, but I don't think how I looked, with my eyes likely red and baggy, helped much.

BUT if any of you out there are wondering why you have to go to early morning seminary, just remember, someday, four years down the road when you are in college, you might have an experience like this that will make it allll worth it.

Man, I should be a motivational youth speaker. I bet i'd inspire everyone to go to seminary. 

Draper Temple Open House

“Every temple that this Church has built has in effect stood as a monument to our belief in the immortality of the human soul, that this phase of mortal life through which we pass is part of a continuous upward climb, so to speak, and that as certain as there is life here, there will be life there. That is our firm belief. It comes about through the Atonement of the Savior, and the temple becomes, as I have indicated, the bridge from this life to the next. The temple is concerned with things of immortality. We wouldn’t have to build a temple for marriages if we didn’t believe in the eternity of the family. We build it so the family may be eternal. All of the ordinances which take place in the house of the Lord become expressions of our belief in that fundamental and basic doctrine. The temple therefore becomes the ultimate in our system of worship and therefore is of great and significant importance to us" ~President Gordon B. Hinckley

Today I had the awesome opportunity to attend the open house for the Draper Temple. My stake arranged a trip, and we had to leave at 615 to get there for our schedule time. That is, 615 AM. I never get to sleep in during the week, so Saturday's are usually when I try to catch up on my sleep. However, I'm so glad I went on this trip. I never have been to a Temple Open House before, so this was an amazing experience. The Draper Temple is absolutely beautiful. I mean, all temples are beautiful, but this is probably one of my new favorites (Just behind the Denver and Oakland). I can't even describe the feeling of peace that was present as we walked through all the rooms. Everything was so pure and perfect, and it made me so excited for when I one day will get to go through the temple and get my endownments. When we walked through the Bride's room, my roommates and I couldn't help but feel a little bit giddy about how pretty and cute it was, and feel excited about one day going in there before our own weddings! The paintings on the walls in some of the rooms were so amazing, I was in awe at how beautiful and intricate they were. However, my favorite part of the whole tour was the Sealing Room. I've seen pictures of sealing rooms, but there is nothing more cool than actually being in the room. While listening to one of the tour people talk, I just was overwhelmed by the spirit and it was reaffirmed to me how much I never will settle for anything less than a temple marriage. When we were told the tour was over, I just wanted to just stay in that room, it was so beautiful and the spirit was very much there. I am so grateful I was able to go today :) My love for the Temples grew significantly and just going through the tour made me even more determined to always stay worthy so I can one day enter ino a dedicated one and participate in those covenants. After the tour (well usually..we saw before), they had a beautiful display of pictures of Temples around the world in the Cultural Hall of a Stake Center, and they provided yummy cookies! This was such a great way to end the week. I love the Temple! :)


Three of my roommates and I in front of the Draper Temple

Reality Show Update

I just found out today that Blaine and Dane, and Sione and Felipe from the biggest loser are all Mormon! It's funny, because those were my two favorite teams. It must be that inner-mormon connection.

I just love when there are LDS people on reality shows. Like David and Brooke on American Idol? Best season of my life. I was sad that the Mormon girl who was in the top 36 (or whatever the number is) didn't make it through. She seemed pretty wholesome and sweet and she sang well! There's another girl from Sandy, UT that made it into the top 12 (er...13), but if she's mormon, pretty sure she's not active. Oh well maybe next year there will be some more LDS representation. But I'm really actually excited about this season..I think there are gonna be some great people. Last nights wild card show was intense. Can I tell you how excited I was that Tatiana did not make it through? Seriously..can't stand her. And it was so lame because when she didn't get through and the other girl did..they didn't even focus on the girl that got in! Tatiana took over. It made me feel bad. And I thought it was soo awesome when the informed Anoop that they actually were having a top 13 this year! I really like him. I also really like Jorge..He's so cool. But yeah. It's gonna be a good season. Without further adieu, here is my lineup, from favorite to least favorite.

1) Kris! Because I love him. And that should just make him win
2) Danny. I think he has a really good voice and a great (but sad) story. I think he'll go far.
3) Jorge. He seems very humbled to be on the show, and I think he has a great voice. He kind of reminds me of Mark Anthony with an Enrique Iglesias type voice.
4) Jasmine. She just seems very sweet, and I enjoyed the song she sang last night.
5) Adam. Even though he looks like he wishes he was part of the Jonas Brothers, I like him.
6) Anoop. Mainly because he has a cool name
7) Alexis. I don't remember much about her, but now that I look at her picture on the AI website...I think she did really well. So I like her. lol. Plus she has the same as my niece (is she your favortie Lexi?)
8) Megan. I like her voice and she seems pretty down to earth. (Pretty much from here on I don't really have a preference..just putting down random names haha)
9) Scott. I think he has a good voice, but he's not my very favorite. I think he'll do relatively well though. l.
10) Michael. He just seems cool.
11) Matt. Yeah, I don't really know what to say. I'm sure he's good.
12) Allison. I relaly don't remember who this is.
13) Lil. She has a good voice, but the dress she wore on her night to sing was a little bit too much for me. Plus I think its weird that she goes by Lil'. (pronounced like little)

Yep. That's about it.

If you thought I was a bad driver...

So I've gotten in two car accidents. That's no secret (side note: the beginning of february marked the three year anniversary of my first one..which meant...2 points have been taken off of my license...this august the last 3 will be gone! yay!). But for reals, watch this video...My co-worker Aubrey showed it to me today during work...Seriously, I'm glad no one was around when I watched it cuz I was laughing so much. I just hope I would never do anything to be on a video compilation like this ;-)

Too Funny

Check this video out....It's too true, and too funny. (All you facebookers out there will enjoy it)>

The truth of Facebook

My latest Obsession

If you can't tell what that is, it's my new 3-barrell curling iron. And I love it. As this picture clearly displays (or I look like a crazed maniac about to hurt someone with it . . . No worries, that's not the situation)

Especially when it makes my hair go from this:

okay maybe my hair does't look TOO terrible in this photo...But I don't normally take photos of my hair when its really nasty. And yes,that is a can opener. My wonderful mother bought me one after I continually mentioned to her how much I hate ones that aren't electronic.)

To this:

Aren't I beautiful?
hehe just kidding.

I do love hair appliances. Now that I have this three barrell iron, my collection is almost complete! hehe