Update on my crazy life

Last week was Thanksgiving break and I went down to Utah for the week. It was a good break from school. I took homework with me to do and did a total of 2 1/2 hours of homework all week and now I am paying for it. I am trying to find time to get everything done. I know, I know. I shouldn't be playing online but sometimes you just have to take a break. Anyway... back to last week. I left Rexburg late Saturday night and got to Ron's about 10 that night. Sunday we went over to Jason's for his birthday party (well just brownies and ice cream). Monday I attempted to do homework while the girls were at school and did some but then I decided to get ready and figured I made a good dent into my paper. So I Missy and I went to go play. That night Emily came and picked me up and we went to her FHE with her ward. It was pretty fun. Some of the guys used to go to school up here and some of them knew my old roommates. It was a small world. Tuesday came around and Missy and I went and did some Christmas shopping and errands, then played volleyball with Ron that night. Wednesday came and Missy and I went and saw Twilight while the girls were at school. I thought it was good but I don't know if I would go and see it again, well at least not buy it. I like the books a lot better. So Thursday ALi and Jason picked me up on the way to her uncles house for Thanksgiving. We hung out up there for a while and then came back. Ali and I went to go see Mama Mia. WAY GOOD movie! I can't wait for that to come out! Friday we got up early and hit Target movie sales, hit Ulta, and then Kohls. After we were all done shopping we kept up with tradition and went to I-Hop. Afterwards Ali and I took a nap and then went to try to find fabric to make me a purse. We found some but didn't want to stand in line for 2 hours! So we left and then got ready for the hockey game. Jason, Ali and the kids and I went to see the Grizzlies play. They ended up losing in OT. Sat we went back to the store to get fabric, made the purse and then I went to Emily's and Rachelle's. We went out to dinner and then to the lights. It was a fun week but super busy. Now I am even busier trying to get everything done. I have 2 state exams (one tonight and one tomorrow) plus other tests for my classes. I can't wait to be done with this semester. Only one more week!

I think I found it...

I think I found what I have been looking for. Volleyball ended Saturday afternoon with winning 2 games in the tournament and getting out by double elimination. We won the first and last game. It was a good season and lots of fun (most of the time), but I am honestly glad it's over. I now have a lot more time to do homework and hopefully I can finish off the semester! Besides volleyball being over life is just getting better by the moment. This weekend was so much fun and something I have been needing for a while. Today we had stake conference and I learned so much from it! I am so grateful to be here at Brigham Young University Idaho. I have learned a lot from being here and am grateful for the friends I have made. This weekend Emily came up and I forgot how much I have missed that girl. She is amazing and I owe her big time. I am just so grateful for everything right now and for all that I have in my life. I am so glad that I have found the happiness that I have been missing for the last few weeks. I hope you all can find it.

Armed and Dangerous

What a good way to start off the month. Learning how to shoot multiple guns. My roommates and I went on a group date yesterday and went shooting. Out of 10 people there, 3 of us had never gone shooting before (me included). We started off by shooting 22-Rifle/Pistols. Then we added others shotguns, magnum bullets, skeet shooting, 9mil pistol, revolver, and a few others I can't recall. There was a lot we'll just say that. It was fun, but my shoulders/arms kill! Here are some pictures of the date.


Marne and Me shooting pistols
Watch out... I don't have very good aim

My date Steven and me
He was showing me how to shoot a gun (a rifle to be exact)

The gang

I just don't know what to do with myself...

I really just don't know what to do. I am having a blast up here at school but am frustrated with tests. AHH! Here is a little update about what's been going on since conference.

First off, volleyball is in full swing. We started off with a win in game 5 by 2 points. It was an amazing game. It was the first time the girls had played together. Then match 2 was last Friday. We lost in 3 games, but they were close and an exhilarating game. Then Sat we played match 3 and it appeared that everyone forgot how to play. It was horrible! So hopefully we can come back and win our match tomorrow.

On October 9 mom and dad came into town for the weekend. It was Mother's weekend and their anniversary so they both came down. Thursday mom and dad picked me up then went to Chris'. Friday we did a little shopping. Saturday we came up to Rexburg watched my game, then headed to Mesa Falls. On the way back from Mesa Falls, we went to go check out the Cave Falls. What we didn't know was that we were headed into Yellowstone National Park. It was pretty but I don't think I would make that drive again. Then Sunday mom and dad brought me back up here and headed off. It was so good to see them again. I wish I lived closer to them, but yet still far enough away to have my own space.

Then last weekend I hung out Kylie and her apartment. Saturday we went to Aaron's football game, took pictures with a handdrawn picture of Derek Richmond, decided we wanted to make pizza, went to a concert, came back finished the pizza, got into a powdered doughnut fight (well Candice and me vs. Kylie), and then ya. It was pretty fun.

So I have been busy between social life and school. I hope everyone is doing well and hope to see everyone soon! Oh and somewhere in my life we had a birthday party for 2 of my roommates. It was fun. I will post pictures soon!

General Conference Weekend

This last weekend was a blast! I went down to Utah and took Kylie (Cara's niece) with me. While there we spent time with Jason, Ali and the kids Friday and part of Saturday. Friday night we had a bowling tournament against all of us (Ali, Jase, Chandler, Kodie, Kylie and me). It was fun there were prizes for everyone! Ali was quite entertaining :) Then Saturday morning Kodie had LaCrosse practice/game. We went but only stayed for like 20 minutes since it was freezing cold outside and her coaches didn't even show up. After we left LaCrosse we headed towards Murray and tried to do some shopping but places weren't open yet. So we hit up Costco before Chandler's hockey practice. While watching Bubba play hockey, I was quite impressed with how well he does. We'll have to wait and see until game time to find out what he really is like. After freezing my hiney off at hockey, we went shopping at a bunch of random stores. When we decided we were done, Ali dropped Kylie and I off at Ron's. While at Ron's we played the Wii, played with the girls, watched movies, and ate tons of food. I am making up for it now. Then Sunday we watched conference and then headed back to Rexburg. Conference this year was amazing! I love President Eyring's talk about unity. I made so many different connections with what I am studying, with coaching, and in my own personal life. It was by far my favorite one so far. I can't wait to read them next month. But this last weekend was good break from school. Definately a much needed one.

What time is it?

It's crazy time! This semester is insanely crazy. I am coaching competitive volleyball on campus, taking 14 credits, studying for state exams, and trying to stay sane! I am starting to think I am overloading myself. I was so ready to go out of town this weekend but I couldn't because of vball games which got cancelled yesterday. So here I am. In Rexburg, trying to avoid drama and get everything I need to done. I can't wait until this next week is over. This week I have 4 tests to take by Friday and then Friday I am heading down to Utah to get out of Rexburg! I can't wait! Then the next weekend Mom and Dad are coming down. This semester is going quick but almost not quick enough sometimes.

I am ready to be done and out of here. One a half more semesters and I am out of Rexburg! I pretty much just had to vent and get everything out. Well I am going back to studying, studying, and more studying.

Ryan Shupe time

So tonight Alex and I and a bunch of BYU-I students/public people went to the Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband concert. It was amazing! Alex and I both went 3 years ago when they were first getting their name out. Anyway.. it was still loads of fun and after the concert Alex and I got their new cd and then their autographs and a picture with them. It was fun and much needed!

Alex and I waiting for the concert to start

With Ryan Shipe and the Rubberband after the concert

Journey to Rexburg

Our view in Washington
Alex and I after sitting in the car for many many hours... we were ready to be done and out of the car
The sunset by Dillon, Mt.

before and after... excuse the unmade beds

Alex's bed is the one of the right, mine is on the left


So I just moved into my new apartment the other and am finally done unpacking everything- I hope. When Alex and I walked in we asked ourselves why we moved here. But it's not that bad it just has some really ghetto appliances, crappy mattresses/bed frames, and carpets. I guess we can't really complain, but since they said they remodeled them recently I thought that they would have been more updated. The pictures are of our room and how crowded we were in our bedroom with all our crap. Now that we are all set up we have a nicer place to live. So we start church today in our new ward... we'll see how that goes. We have church at 1:30 we thought we had it all 11 so we were a little disappointed and are really still hoping that church would be earlier.

As far as roommates go. One of them won't be here for a while. She is on a history tour with the school. The one that is sharing rooms with her hung out in her room all day and hasn't said much. Whenever she comes out of her room she is always on the phone. She seems to be a little interesting. Then I have a roommate from Rexburg who is shy and really laid back and easy going. She is a sweetheart. She comes and tags along with us, but Alex and I don't mind. Then we have a roommate from Enumclaw. She was here for like a day moved her stuff in then headed off to Spokane and will be back today. She seems like a fun girl. Then there is Alex and I. So who knows how this semester will be. It looks like it will be good, but I am kind of scared about two of the roommates (the first 2 I mentioned).

Classes start tomorrow bright and early at 7:45. ugh.. what was i thinking? I think this semester will be good. It will be very interesting, but good I hope. I am taking 2 special ed classes so that will be fun and interesting to learn about the that. Then I have a world civ class, biology and math. But after this semester I am hoping that I only have one more left. I still have a bunch of state exams to take... hopefully I can pass them they are holding me back. If I would have passed and not missed by 1 or 2 points then I would be almost done and not have to worry about them.

Well I guess that is it for now. I will try to keep this updated.

Palmer Lake

This last week I was up at Palmer Lake with the Grimmer family and some kids from New York. It was tons of fun. We went up Monday night and came back late last night. While there I learned to play tennis-thanks Laura! I even beat her once. I also learned how to wakeboard. I am pretty sure that that is my new hobby. It was tons of fun but I am really feeling it today. The lake was kind of cold for about 2 minutes and then it was nice and warm. I also went fishing with Lynn Dickson and caught 5 silver salmons- I limited out. It was so much fun, I almost didn't want to come back home and face 'reality' again. Yesterday was by far the hottest day and I am burnt to show it. It was the prettiest day while there. The view from the lake house is gorgeous and is so peaceful. I made a new little friend while there, Renae's little guy Gunnar. He is a doll and reminds of Tate. Anyway... pictures are to come soon!

Trip to the hospital

For the last month and a half I have been getting really bad headaches that last at least 2 days but usually go 4 days. Nothing I take works. So Friday I went to the doctor to see if she could figure out what was going on. Of course not, story of my medical life. So she wanted me to go get an MRI/headscan and gave me some medicine to see if that helps. The first time I took it, it helped but made me sick for 2 hours. So I tried it again Monday after work and it helped a little bit but I still have a headache. Well yesterday I finally get a phone call telling me that my MRI was scheduled for Wednesday at 11. I couldn't make it because of work. So I rescheduled for next week. Well today I go into work my head is throbbing the entire time so I finally found my supervisor and asked him if I could leave early. So I worked a 5 hour day and ended up getting my MRI done today. So hopefully they can find something that is wrong but I hope that it's not something horrible. I guess I will have to wait until next week.

Perry Creek Day Hike

Saturday a friend of mine came up and then I called someone in the home ward and the four of us went hiking up to Perry Creek just past the ice caves. It was beautiful day (about 70) and the hike had a gorgeous view. On our way up the trail we saw a gardener snake, well two, beautiful flowers, and lots of waterfalls. The hike itself was steep and rocky, but worth it in the end.

Part of the waterfall at our final destination...
the water was freezing cold

Yes! I am a tree hugger!
One of the many waterfalls along the way in the distance

View from one of the stopping points

At our final destination the waterfall

Kayak Point

The week everyone left here Ron and his family stayed. The weather finally got nice enough to go out and play somewhere so we headed out to Kayak Point one day and Camano another. It was fun, the girls had a blast. At kayak we found a bunch of clams and got sprayed by them. That was disgusting at first but then cool when you could see them shoot water up and know exactly where they were. We also found a bunch of crabs. The girls and I went into the water and it was freezing cold! Then they found a teeter-totter made out of driftwood, flew some kites (well attempted), and had some fun!

Wishin' and hoping and thinking and....

So I just need to rant. I am so ready to be done with here! I am ready to go back to school and finish and move on with life. I am sick of people, the branch and work. People call me anti-social.. haha yeah right. I guess I am just ready to move on and have fun with people who seem to care that I am around and who are truly my friends.

Anyway... I just wish that I could leave right now and go somewhere and not have to worry about people being stupid towards me. I just hope that life will work out the way it is and that people can accept me for me and my decisions that I make for myself. And I am thinkin... that anywhere but here sounds good.

White Water Rafting

On Saturday I (along with 27 others from the branch) went to Wenatchee and did some white water rafting down it. I was honestly scared to death to go, I had never gone white water rafting. 2 summers ago I went rafting but nothing like Saturdays. However after going over the first set of rapids called Rock-n-roll I figured I could handle it. Our guide was Mormon so that made the trip really fun as well. He was telling stories and just chatting away with us. In between some of the rapids we would play water games, including water fights with other rafts. Needless to say, I was soaked very quick. One of the games we played was called rodeo. We tied a rope to the front of the raft (well the tube thing towards the front) and then tied a rope around it. Then my friend Ryan got onto the very front of the raft and held onto the rope while the rest of us in the raft started spinning the raft in different directions getting him to fall off. Well, one time we did and I almost fell out. I started laughing really hard and turned to my friend Megan, who was sitting in front of me, I told her I just almost fell out well she started laughing and then did fall out. It was very funny. Then another game we played was to have everyone hold hands and then stand on top of the raft. This took many attempts to just get this far. Once we got up and we still held hands and then started walking around the raft in a circle. We took a complete step and then 5 out of the 8, including the guide, fell in. It was quite entertaining. We all had a blast. I would love to go do it again sometime.

Out with the old, in with the new

Out with the old...

... in with the new

So after a few weeks of looking online for cars and debating what to do about one Dad and I went looking for a car at Dwayne Lanes yesterday. We found an Aveo and a Cobalt. After test driving both of them and getting a price for each we thought about it. So today we went in to see what payments would be and whatnot and I ended up getting it. So I got a 2008 Cobalt LS with absolutely nothing in it besides an automatic transmission and a cd player/radio. But I love it. It works for me and was a lot cheaper or just as cheap as a used one.

Mom and Dad's blog

Hey just to let you guys know mom and dad had to start a new blog. Their new address is jgdickson.blogspot.com

Back to JanSport

Just so you all know... I am going to back to JanSport. I start on Tuesday. So if you want anything so you can take it home with you when you come up in July, let me know.

I made it, but did the luggage?

Last night I flew home from Idaho Falls, had a quick layover in Boise and then got into Seattle about 9 last night. The flight from IF to Boise was quite rough and I had a first time pilot. Glad I didn't know that until after we landed. Boise to Seattle was a lot better except I sat right above the tires so when they went up and down I could hear and feel the weird noises they make, freaked me out a little. So mom and dad met me by the baggage claim and I was trying to find my luggage. It was not marked very well where it was supposed to come out. Eventually I found it and only one of my two pieces of luggage came out. I was hoping the other one came down a different claim, but no it didn't. So I went to go see where it was and low and behold it was still in Idaho Falls. I laughed and was kind of mad. I laughed because IF has 3 gates and they couldn't get it straight, wasn't busy at all and my bags went out right after each other. So now I have half my stuff, and the stuff I really need to get ready for the day is somewhere on its way here, I hope. But on the plus side, they are going to deliver it to the house.

I'm a survivor

I made it! I made it through another year of college. 3 down, 1 to go and then student teaching! Woo hoo! This last week has been insane. I have been working on projects, daily homework, and finals, but I somehow I made it. I am pooped and am ready to finally get some good nights sleep. Now I am just packing, doing white glove and getting ready to head to Chris' then home on Monday!

Snowmobiling

Here they are. I finally got them! They are taken in West Yellowstone.

Emily's brothers and me
All of us that rode into together. (Emily's 3 younger brothers, parents, and aunt and uncle)
Em and I

We were admiring being able to stand and the view of the town.

Easter Weekend

Over Easter weekend Emily (my old roommate) came up from Utah and explored Rexburg, saw some of her old friends and just hung out. Then Friday we headed up to Island Park to her grandpa's cabin and spent the rest of the weekend with her family. It was tons of fun. Friday we just hung out and went to bed early, well attempted but her brothers kept talking and making us laugh until 1 in the morning. But nevertheless it was still fun. Then Saturday we woke up and went snowmobiling all day. We rode into West Yellowstone. It had been a long time since I had been over there. The town had some beautiful buildings and the ride was gorgeous. On the way back down we stopped by this hill and played on it for about a 1/2 hour. Then Sunday we went to church and then her mom made me an easter basket and we (Emily's siblings and I) went on a scavenger hunt for our baskets. It was way fun and a cute idea. Thanks Em! I'll post more pictures when I get them.

We attempted to go to the planetarium, but it was sold out! Sad day

We found a map and was pointing out where we are from, it looks like I am from Canada

Volleyball Champs

So our ward volleyball team made it to the championships. We lost one game the whole season and ended up fighting for the championship game last night. As the game started we were holding it together, kept the game close, and then lost the first game. Then we went into game 2 and was pretty close until the end we finally got it together and the other team was getting tired, prideful, I am not sure what happened to them. So we took game two. Now it was 1-1 and going into game three. We started off with serve and lost it after 1 point, but gained it back after the serve. From there we took it to be 8-4 us. We switched the side of the net, for some reason they do that here after one team has 8 points in the last game. We kept the ball and continued fighting for the game. We ended up slaughtering them to 15-4. That was game and all 5 of us on the team were jumping up and down and the our ward was going crazy. It was an exciting and good game to end the season with. So we went up to get our T-shirts and found our guys team with shirts. It was cool to have both volleyball teams take the championship. Our ward is awesome and we had tons of support. So to make a long story short, we won!!!

Our small team that took it all!

We are the champions!

Sex or Olive Garden???

I don't even know where to start! So last night there were 11 of us that went to Olive Garden for my friend Alex's birthday. While we were there we laughed, talked, enjoyed the delicious food, ya know.. it was a normal trip to the restaurant except it was a birthday so it was a little different. Anyway. So Alex wanted a picture of everyone and asked the waitress if she would take a picture of us. The first picture was taken of us around the table, but you couldn't really see everyone so she took another one if front of the fireplace. So we all move by the fireplace. Me and my friend Stephanie kneel in the front and the to left of us is this older couple. They were watching us and after we all got situated for the picture the guy told us to say "sex". Stephanie and I started laughing really hard, I am pretty sure everyone else was too, but I couldn't hear them cuz I was laughing so hard. So the waitress took another picture, but before she did that another waitress walked by and was like say "Olive Garden" I thought it was cheesy so I didn't say anything. Then right after that the old woman at the table, in a deep manly voice said "sex is better." By this time I was laughing even harder. Really who says that at a restaurant to random people. It was funny. So we go back to the table and Stephanie and I were talking about it and she was like I thought it was a woman the whole time until I heard her talk, then I realized it was a man. I was thinking the same thing. So I was laughing even harder and was about ready to pee my pants and was crying from laughing so hard. Stephanie and I kept looking over at "it" and it totally looked like a transvestite. It was definately a man wearing women's clothing, had a purse, make-up and short hair. It was the highlight of the day yesterday! OH man, it makes me laugh everytime I think about it. Oh, so as we were leaving the restaurant one of Alex's cousins turned to me and was like "boxers or briefs?" Then I replied with "or a man thong". It was hilarious.

It's kind of small cuz it was from my phone. But there "it" is in the background.

5 weeks left!

So school is out in 5 weeks, but who is counting. After that I head home for the summer to work somewhere. Not quite sure yet. Just trying to get through the last little bit of school with not as much stress.

Last week I started a new class and I am at one of the elementary schools here is Rexburg working with 2nd graders. They are so fun! The school is a little country school, not as small as Trafton, but same kind of idea. The school looks like a castle kind of on the outside. I believe there are 2 classes for each grade, but there may be one. It is a K-4 school.

Besides starting a new class I am keeping busy with school and sports. My basketball team finally won a game, that was last week. We have kind of struggled a little bit, but doesn't every team? As for volleyball we are rocking the house. We've only lost one game and we totally should have won, we just got to cauky playing a bunch of married pregnant girls. But nevertheless it is still fun!

Last weekend, I took a road trip down to Utah. Saw Ron's family and Jason's. Celebrated Ron and Bubba's birthday with them. Chandler wanted to go skiing, but that didn't work out so we went and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks instead then went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner,that's where he wanted to go eat. Then we went back to Jason's and hung out. Once the kids went to bed, Jason,Ali and I went to the movies again and saw Enchanted. That is way cute! Then Sunday we slept in, went to church, played a game of Life, Kodie wanted to play then headed to Ron's for dinner. It was fun and good to see everyone. I am glad that I live close enough to 4 of my siblings so I can go see them whenever.

That's about it in my life, just keeping insanely busy and trying to stay sane.

Exploring Idaho

Last Saturday we couldn't find somethingd to do so one of my FHE brothers and one of my roommates and I went out towards Mesa Falls and went exploring out that way. We ended up by Warm River, just right there. It was gorgeous out there and so quiet.

This view reminded me of home

The sun was out and we thought our shadows looked cool.
It looked like the river just ended. We don't know if it actually did or where it ends up.
An old railway along the Warm River. It was cool.