Pink chalk and crowd serfing

Today we went to the HOLI festival of colors - a Hindu celebration of the welcoming of spring. We aren't really sure of all the details of the celebration, but we did chant and sing:

Hare Krishna Hare Krisha
Krisha Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare!



Interpret that as you like, but apparently the Jehovah Witnesses across the street were not happy about this celebration that the covered the Hindu temple with thousands of people. They estimated about 10,000 people and I'm sure at least half, if not more, were BYU students. We left our apartment around 4:15 expecting to get there in time for the throwing of the colors at 5:45. Little did we know that most of Provo was also headed to Spanish Fork along with us and it took us a good two hours to get there when it should have taken no more that 30 minutes. We were in bumper to bumper traffic and walked from our parking spot for at least 20 mins. But when we got there we were welcomed by thousands of other people our age who were covered in purple, pink, green, and orange chalk (we missed the throwing of colors). We wanted to get in the action and jumped into the crowd to dance and also be covered in chalk. They were all out when we got there, but every once and a while someone had a bag and ripped it open and threw it into the crowd. At this point everyone near mobbed the poor guy with the chalk to get as much chalk on them as possible. Luckily we were in the right spot at the right time and were able to at least get some color which was the entire purpose of the trip. Overall it was awesome, another successful year at the festival of colors. Hare Krishna!

And in the words of Tate: "I have purple snot..."

I Turn My Head to the North, Swallow that Pill that They Call Pride

Look at the glass half full.
Find joy in the journey.
Come what may and love it.
Nothing is as constant as change.

This morning was a great morning as I really took the time to look at my life and see what the Lord has in store for me - what does He want me to do. I read through my patriarchal blessing and the conference talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" by President Monson, I studied my scriptures, wrote in my journal, and talked with my parents and was uplifted and strengthened. Sometimes it's hard to see things when you're the one experiencing them, but as we listen to the guidance of the Lord, prophets, and loved ones, our eyes are opened and suddenly we can see. Sometimes I look at my life and think, what am I doing? I don't see anything in my future and I am scared. So many roads to travel and decisions to make and you want it to be the right one, the one that's best for you, but you don't know which road that is. But I know that the Lord loves me and has a plan for me. He allows me to travel down the road I think is best and then will push me another direction if it's not quite what he has in store for me. I think of the things I want and then the Lord shows me what I can have which is better than what I ever thought. Life is hard, life is great. Keep your head up and eyes to the Lord. I have much to be thankful for. Sometimes we need the trials to send us where we need to go. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love my family and my friends. It's great to be me.



Washington D.C. = Golden Plates
- Thanks dad!

Sumos, birthdays, and roomie fun!

Wow there has been a lot of fun stuff going on for the past month. Maybe it has to do with the weather being divine! Spring is so close I can smell it! This winter actually hasn't been too bad and I haven't frozen to death so I'm feeling ok about it. Well here are some of the fun events going on. My roommate Crystal gave me some of her pics today so I can upload those. First let's start off with my birthday. We had a way fun party laser tagging and came back for cake and ice cream. On my actual birthday day my roomies took me out to Spark which is a little non-alcoholic club type thing in down town Provo so that was fun! They have live music a lot and it's just a fun social gathering type place.

Spot the birthday girl! :-)


Fun at my party.



And Hayley came down to come celebrate with me!



It was also our friend Laura's birthday about a week and a half ago and we went to the power tumbling gym. This last time we went there were Sumo Suits and I'm pretty sure that was my favorite part! Laura and I fought and it was awesome! Those things are heavier than I thought. haha!

We had just watched Kung Fu Panda recently. We were karate chopping like crazy!



Sumo twins!







Everyone in the foam pit. They replaced some of the old foam so there weren't as many little particles flying all over the place. It can't be sanitary...



Today we had stake conference at the Provo Tabernacle and it was so nice outside that my roomies and I decided to color coordinate in spring colors and go take pictures after stake conference at the Provo Temple. There weren't as many flowers as we were hoping, but hopefully they'll plant some soon. But it was fun and we love taking pictures together! Any excuse we have to take roommmate pics we do!

I love my roomies!



The beautiful Provo Temple. I love going there! We had a ward temple trip Friday and it was awesome!



Aw... I just wish there were more flowers.






Mike was taking candid shots. I love us!



Of course I've been doing other things too, but that is what I have pics for. School continues to be a little crazy right now. I have a 12-15 page paper for my English class, a Spanish paper, and tons of little papers to write for my ESL classes that end this week, so that's all a little stressful. But life is great right now besides that. I am truly happy and the people in my life make me happy. I hope they all know how much they mean to me.