Friday Night Cosmic Bowling

So there is a bowling alley on base that costs $2 per game and like $1.50 to rent shoes. So we decided to go bowling on Friday night (last night). The girl sitting next to me in the picture, Rachel Anderson, is 3 months pregnant and beat everyone else every single game!! She was the 2-time state champion in Nebraska, so she's pretty good!! Turner (far left) beat Ryan (middle left, obviously) every time except the last time, when he threw his first gutter ball of 4 games to leave it tied. I made a bet with the guys that if any of them could successfully knock down a split, I would buy them anything in the bowling alley. Ryan's last frame was a split and he threw the ball and missed it by probably an inch or less. It was hilarious. I didn't bowl because I can't. Ever since I broke my hand (that one time by hugging someone, I'm sure everyone remembers), I can't lift a bowling ball with my hand upside down. But anyway, it was a great night and I had a ton of fun. With everything going on, I was surprised to find that I am still happy. :)

My friends and I are planning on going boating today, hopefully it doesn't storm until later so we can go for longer. I'll take pictures and upload them. That's all for now.

From beaches to deserts...

Well....I made it to Texas! It is so hot here, I can't believe it. It will take a while to get acclamated to the weather, but other than that I love it here! My class is going well, so far I've only missed 4 questions on 4 tests! So that is good. I love the branch here. We had stake conference this last weekend and for the Saturday night adult session, we had to drive 2 hours to get to the stake center. 2 HOURS!! I'm definitely not in Utah anymore haha. It was really good though, and afterwards a few of the members, my good friend Ryan, and I went to Cracker Barrel for some dinner. I got mashed potatoes and gravy, pork chops, apple sauce, and homemade biscuits all for under $8 !!! I'm not in California anymore either!!

In other news, for those of you who didn't hear, JT got his mission call!! He leaves on October 7 for the Concencion, Chile mission! I can't believe he is old enough to go on a mission. We are all getting so big. Also, Ashtyn is pregnant!! I'm so excited to be an aunt!! Well, there's not much else to report. I hope this was good enough for you, West :) For now.

gay referee

Oh my gosh. I could NOT stop laughing! This is soo funny. haha

Hey Everyone

Hey guys.

Just thought I'd update. I'm not very good at doing this regularly because I have a facebook (much easier to update lol). But anyways...I just got the results back from my Unit 8 test. Unit 8...wow the time here has gone by so fast. I'm in week 41/63...so I'm getting there. I got one of the only 2 A's in the section. I got it on listening and got B's on reading, translation, and transcription. Then I got an A- on Speaking. So that is good.

Life here has been pretty miserable lately. We had big inspections this week and it was pretty rough getting ready for them. Hopefully things will return to normal now. I had to take a Physical Fitness Evaluation yesterday. You have to get above a 75 to pass, above an 80 to get Phase Grad, and I got a 89. So that is good.

I'm still getting married. The date is April 11. Hopefully everyone can make it. Don't worry though, we'll send ya invitations. By the way, this is one of the pictures we're thinking of using, what do you think?

I'm on the basketball team here, too. It's not coed like soccer was, so the competition isn't nearly as good. We've had two games so far. The first game we tied 31-31. I had 17 points and 5 assists. The second game we won 29-28. I had 18 points, 4 assists, and I scored the winning 3 pointer. So it's pretty fun. It reminds me a lot of Church Basketball, so I'm not complaining. :)

Anyway, I think that's all for now. Hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all!!

Exciting update!!

Hey Everyone..

Sorry again it's been so long. I've been busy with school, military stuff, and David. I have good news, though. We've decided to get married!! ..April 11 is the day we're shooting for and it's going to be in Utah so I hope everyone can make it!

In other news, I get to come home on December 19! In like, 5 days! I can't wait! Christmas is going to be hectic, what with Christmas Day, my best friend's rehearsal dinner on the 26th (I have to give a speech, oh no), my best friend's wedding on the 27th, David flying in on the 28th, my 20th birthday on the 29th, my Sister's wedding on the 30th, New Years Eve on the 31st, David flying out on the 1st, and me flying back on the 2nd!!! But it will be fun. I can't wait!

PS - The picture is just of Dave and I being dumb. haha

Updating my life....

Hello Everyone.

Stacey says I need to update so this is especially for her haha...Let's see..

I'm now in Unit 6 of my Arabic course and so far, so good. I feel like I know so much about the language, and yet its still overwhelming how much is left to learn. I'll get there, though.

Monterey is great. I love it here. Besides the weather being extremely temperamental, and the outstanding number of hills that are beginning to pay a serious toll on the brakes of my car, this is an extremely nice place to live. I have lots of really good friends here, all of them guys because girls in the military are kind of flakey.

I am also sort of dating someone...its not serious or anything but yeah..his name is David Dryden and he is from Missouri. I have included a picture of him and I when we were at the beach for our first official date. :)

Other than that, nothing else is really new. I'm mostly busy with Arabic, military stuff, friends, and my Relief Society calling. I hope everyone else is doing well!!!

Immersion

Well, I just got back from my first immersion....I spent all day speaking only Arabic!!! It was crazy. I was really nervous at first because I didn't think I knew enough Arabic to spend an entire day speaking it but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a great experience and I feel much more confident in my Arabic-speaking abilities. We also got to dress up in traditional arabic clothing, the picture is (from right to left) me, my teacher Ustath Daoud, my classmate Samir, my teacher Ustath Ellowendy, and my classmate Murad.