Lauren's Happenings

My life has a pretty set schedule now, and because of that I feel like I don't know what to blog about. It's pretty consistent everyday, but I guess there are fun little things everyday. I will try to remember all of them so I can relay it here.

1. I have been to MY real STUDENT ward two times now. I absolutely love it. They start with Relief Society, sunday school and then sacrament meeting. I was really leery about this and thought it sounded like the worst thing ever. I surprisingly loved it. I wish all of our wards could meet in this order. It's nice because all the classes prep you for the last hour- the most important. Plus I know when I arrive to church, I'm always in a hurry and not thinking about spiritual things. Relief Society is always quite the social part, so it's nice to have that first as everyone sprinkles in.

I'm going to be real honest here. I have made some friends but I was still praying to have an actual "group". Like if there was an event going on, or if I wanted to go out to eat, I had people I knew would want to come. I was hoping church would be the place to meet those people. Lucky me, my prayer was answered the first 2 minutes of church. Of course the RS president came up to me first and was super friendly. But after I met the sweetest girl. We started talking and just became instant friends. You know, like those people that you just click with? And have the same humor and everything? It was great. We have since become BFFs.

Of course another important aspect of every ward- the dating pool. All the boys in my ward are "local". Which means they live at home, and are students or off track. I am actually pretty happy about this because they are more in the same boat as me. I have a bit of "FOMO". All the girls in my ward live in the same apartment complex. I was worried about being forgotten and missing out on activities because i'm not their neighbor. Having the boys also live away kind of balances it all out. It's perfect. Anyway, each week I've found a few more cute boys. So I am in luck.

My FHE group doesn't have the best attendance. The first week we had 5 girls and 1 boy show up, so we just combined with another group. It ended up being super fun and we played my favorite game "4 people on a couch". We will most likely combine with them here on out. Last week we tried to do our thing one more time and only 4 girls showed up. We decided to make cookies and leave them at our "brothers/sisters" houses to get them to come. We ended up reverting back to our junior high days and we "door bell ditched them". It was exhilarating.

2. I had to interpret devotional. I wasn't really nervous about looking out to thousands of my peers. I was more nervous about all the interpreters taking notes on my interpreting. Luckily, in my interpreting training, we always had peers evaluating us and giving feedback. So it didn't stress me out too much. Getting all the feedback later was worth it :) Oh and the actual devotional message was so great. When we aren't interpreting we are supposed to be taking notes about the interpreters, but sometimes I take my own "spiritual notes" about the speaker. #rebel

One more fun thing about interpreting in front of the whole school- a lot of my friends came up to me after- like missionaries that served in Tucson, my BIL, old elementary friends, etc. It's always fun reconnecting!

3. It has been birthday central around here! Payson's sister had a birthday last Wednesday, so we celebrated at Olive Garden. Of course Rexburg doesn't have "fancy" restaurants, so we made the trek to Idaho Falls.

Yesterday was my roommate, Angela's birthday. It was her first birthday away from home (besides on her mission), so we tried to make it special. We surprised her with a decorated house, flowers, birthday cards, and a birthday pin. In the evening we went to Buffalo Wild Wings (also in IF) and eat way too many wings. Plus the best mozzarella sticks I've ever had! As soon as we got back, she blew out her candles, and then I had to run to a study group (to interpret) so I missed out on the cutting of the cake.

4. I had some hours added. Now on Thursdays I interpret for BYU-Pathway via skype for students in Virginia and Hawaii. But because of the time difference, I interpret 7pm-8pm and then 11pm-1am. BUT I get paid double for the "inconvenient time". It's the best thing ever.

5. Last Friday I went on a date with one of my "FHE Brothers". We doubled with another "brother" and a girl in his class. We got to explore Idaho a bit. We went to Cress Creek (which is also practically in Idaho Falls), and go on a mini hike. You could really see fall coming in and it was DREAMY. After our baby hike, we had a cute little picnic by the water and chatted until the sun went down. It was a fun date of exploring.

6. The women's broadcast was so great! Per usual tradition, I treated myself to dinner before hand, and then ended with a "treat" (at only the best, Coco Bean). I went with my new BFF from church and one of her friends. They both had a lot of homework they needed to do, so after our dessert, we went our separate ways. I bombarded Morgan and Payson and watched the UofA game at their house. I was all decked out in my UofA gear, but it still didn't end too well.

I have been the absolute WORST at taking pictures. I'm going up to Provo this weekend for conference so I'm sure I will greatly compensate then!

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Before I got here, I was told there were 5 deaf students, so that is what I've been telling everyone. I just noticed the other day that there are actually only 3.

One has a cochlear implant and decided he doesn't need an interpreter.

Another student is off track, so we won't have her til next semester.

Anyway I get to interpret such diverse classes.

Student 1 is a business major, so I get to see what the life of a business student is all about.

Those classes are kind of boring, but the plethora of cute boys make up for it.

Student 2 is a health science major.

These classes are mostly made up of girls.

My team interpreter teases that he is interpreting Relief Society.

The hardest class within this major is the drug abuse class.

There are so many big words and signs that I didn't remember.

Luckily I kept my "drug sign" book, so I've been reviewing.

Student 3 is a family science... major.

Each college has their own title for this major so I never remember the actual name.

Anyway, these classes are so fun. The content isn't too hard and I can have fun with it.

Almost all the classes I interpret are teamed with another interpreter.

We each interpret 15 minutes, then trade off.

I like all the interpreters, and deaf students. We are a little clique.

Devotional was a real treat. It was the inauguration of the new president.

It was very "official". Pres Uchtdorf, Oaks, Holland and Bednar were all there.

The spirit was so strong when they all walked in. I got the chills.

I luckily didn't have to interpret the whole meeting, but I still got to sit in the front.

Hearing Pres Uchtdorf talk about BYU-I and all it has accomplished, made me feel so much pride.

I'm so lucky to be a part of this school.

I've always been kind of annoyed that the BYU schools are so "exclusive" and use tithing money.

But you could tell the leaders of the church do not take this lightly. It is sacred to them.

It was a great meeting.

Pres Uchtdorf was silly.

When they were all exiting, he waved and blew kisses.

Then he stopped and made the other apostles do the same.

Also while he was talking, his wive came up behind him and straightened his "sash".

It's fun to see them as normal people.

**I get to interpret devotional next week- Wish me luck. :)

It is so nice coming home from "work" and being done. I hear all day about all the homework assignments, quizzes, and readings that need to be done. But I come home and have nothing. It's great. I learn what the students are learning, but I have no "responsibility". Quite the treat.

The temple finally opens on Tuesday, so I will definitely use a lot of my time there.

For the most part this week, I enjoyed catching up on my journal, working out, watching Parks and Rec, and going to sleep at a decent hour.

Morgan and Payson had me over for dinner one night, which was a real treat.

We ate soup, watched tv and drank hot chocolate.

Well and I talked forever about my first few days.

I am really enjoying this stress-free life. It's healthy for me. Haha.

Last night was probably the most fun I've had in awhile.

Mallory and I got tickets for the David Archuleta concert in Idaho Falls.

It's 30 minutes away and basically the "big town" that has everything that Rexburg doesn't.

We took advantage of all the restaurants and went out to dinner while we were over there.

It was so fun to chat and talk about girl stuff.

We got to the concert pretty early, only to find out they don't open the doors til an hour before.

The venue was super vintage and cute though. It's also an art exhibit, so we explored.

We ran into a million people Mallory knew from school.

Once the concert started, a cute 17 year old girl opened. Her name is Gracie Schram. Look her up.

She was your typical, bubbly, happy mormon girl. She has some real talent though.

David Archuleta FINALLY came out an hour later and we fan-girled so hard!

In 8th grade, Mal and I were BFFs and we LOVED david archuleta. So it was fun to finally see him in concert. Our 14 year old dream came true; hearing him sing "Touch My Hand".

I was surprised how well we both remembered all his lyrics! It was SO fun singing at the top of our lungs and dancing in our seats.

I especially loved hearing the background to all his songs and why they were written.

I joined the club of girls that want to marry him.

Smitten.