Roommate Withdrawals

So, pretty much I have the best roommate in the entire world. . .
Until she decided to abandon me for a week and a half to go on a cruise with her family. It's only day one and I've already almost started crying 17 times. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration... But this is ridiculous. No one to talk to before I go to bed, no one to yell at me to wake up and go to class, no one to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with. I understand the appeal of the warm sun and all-you-can-eat delicious food, but did you even stop to think about what you were putting me through? Selfish, selfish, selfish.
Anyway, have an awesome time on your trip and I miss you already.
-Jamie

Procrastination at its finest

Maybe I should write that freaking long paper that is due tomorrow, or go clean the bathroom, or read some of Dante's Inferno, or study for biology.... or maybe I could blog instead!

At the beginning of this year I had to read St. Augustine's Confessions for one of my classes. There was a classic quote in there that really struck me:

"The world is a book and those who don't travel only read one page"

Following this I read Eat, Pray, Love. For those who haven't read or heard about this book, it is about this woman who decides to travel the world after a devastating divorce to find herself. She visits Italy, India, and Indonesia. This novel inspired me.

I want to TRAVEL! I want to experience the diversity of culture, food, music, climates, cities, towns.... the list goes on and on. I want to follow Augustine's advice and read the ENTIRE book, not just sections, pages, or chapters.

A Utah Man, Sir.

It took a few days after fall break to get back in the swing of things, but now school is once again consuming my life. Don't get me wrong though, we still have our play time. Our recent activities have included Twister, playing in the snow, some poker, way too much Call of Duty, and even more homework. It's crazy to think that the conclusion of our first college semester is fast approaching. Already I can't wait for "real life" to start. 
The snow kind of put a damper on my weekend. I'm all for Fall, but when the temperatures dip below freezing and I can't walk to the HC without my feet getting wet, I have a problem. Hopefully I'll get used to this tromping through the snow thing fairly quickly. Now is about when I start wishing I went out of state. But WWJP, so I'll stop there. Anyway, wishing you a fantastic weekend and week to come. 

This was one of my birthday presents. My favorite wild thing. :] One of my other birthday presents, and may I say one of the sweetest I have ever received, can be found here...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150334484287966

At the football game. I think I've almost got our fight song down now. 

Inside enemy lines (my calculus class.) The ginormous blackboards are a little daunting, don't you think?

Twister is so much more fun when you're too big for the board...

Blackout game! A much-needed win for the boys. 

Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my Ma & Pa....

Fall Break.

Most everyone has gone home, including myself. It feels weird being back after living away for even just these past couple of months. It's like i'm living in this past life; something that I knew as a lifestyle has turned into merely a short vacation.

Yesterday I decided that I wanted to go for a run. I can't even remember the last time that I went for an actual run outside, not on the treadmill at the gym. The crisp, fall temperature was perfect running weather so I slipped on the old sneakers and headed out for my jog. The first thing that I remember thinking was "I missed this." Being alone with your thoughts is something that doesn't occur often in dorm life. I was having such an enjoyable experience being outdoors, I almost forgot I was exercising.

Almost. Then the shin splints kick in...

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

So a basic recap- school is going really well. I really enjoy most of my classes. I'm finally getting a little bit used to how uncomfortable these beds are. The food still sucks but it just makes me appreciate other food way more. Soccer is awesome. And, Brooke and I both talk in our sleep.

Last Friday, me and Brooke put on our lucky socks and went to work at our soccer game. Apparently they really are lucky, because we kicked butt. :]

Later, a few of us hiked to the "U" on the mountain. Breathtaking view and a great time for self-reflection. 

On Sunday, Brooke and I took a trip to that school down south to visit with some old friends. It was so good to see familiar faces, even if it was at the Y. We represented as well as we could.

Zachary's birthday. Cookie cake followed by an epic water gun fight. Many more to come.

And finally, homecoming night. Brooke and Jenni with their dates.

Football game tonight, a kind soul hooked me up with a ticket and I'm freaking excited. 

GO UTES!

Please don't hit me

Dear bikers, skateboarders, long boarders, scooter-ers, unicyclers, golf carts, trucks and any other type of wheeled mechanism that I may need to look out for,

I do realize that you are going faster than me, and may or may not be in a hurry, but please slow down. Especially when there are a million people around you that are scrambling not to get in your way. Or use the bike path. That would be great too. It's not the biggest comfort when someone comes hauling past you on a skateboard, barely missing taking you out, and then a mere 15 feet away totally eat it. In return, I solemnly swear to stay off the side they specifically designate for quick movers like yourselves.

Sincerely, that poor pedestrian that actually has to WALK to get to class.

(Anyone that does participate in any of the modes of transport explained above that happen to read this blog, don't take offense. We still love you :) )

Monthiversary

It's true. We have officially been living outside of the parentals care for one month exactly. These past 31 days have felt like months already though. It's really weird thinking it has only been one...

Update on the (Sassy) Sage Point Panther (Pup)s: We lost 2-1, but we put up a great fight! Considering only a select few of us really have any soccer experience, the team we were playing all had cleats (with shoelaces - you're welcome Sam) and intense soccer moves, and it was POURING rain, we did phenomenal! Here are a few snapshots of the event:

Captain Zach

Jamie's Epic Pose

College=Free T-Shirts

My first exam was a relative success. It definitely helped ease my qualms. I got some time with the fam this weekend which was awesome. It's funny the things that you miss, like the smell of the hand soap in the bathroom and the stickers on my dresser. But mostly I miss waking my mom up in the middle of the night trying to explain why it was SO imperative that I missed my curfew. Ha. Wait... Anyway, I have gotten a total of 4 free t-shirts since I've gotten here. Awesome. Pictures are worth a thousand words so here you go...

Since shaving in the shower is freaking impossible....

My "room." Messy as always.

SCOOTER RACES! Objective: ride to the other side of the hall, knock on some people's door three times, turn around and come back, without running into any walls or totally biffing it.

It's definitely harder than it sounds.

The puppy that we gave to our awesome R.A.

Her awesome thank you note.

Homework, Homework, Homework.

Ben... No words.

Mark, Zach, and Keefer

My cute grandpa.

An unexpected visit from Uncle Bryan. Showing off his mad guitar skills.

Felicidad.

-Jamie

Dream Big

Week two down. I'm sick. Go figure, right? But Niquil and Dayquil to the rescue and I'm well enough for class. I have my first physics exam this Friday so wish me luck with that. I've been studying a lot so I feel pretty prepared. I don't feel like college is as hard as everyone made it out to be. But maybe I'll change my mind after this test. Or maybe I just spend a lot more time doing homework. Yep, I'm pretty sure that's it. Right now I am in the lead of our "let's see how many times we hit our heads on the freaking bunkbed" competition. 9 to 6. I'm kicking butt. Our intermural team has been signed up and we've practiced a little. Watch out world, the Sage Point Panther Pups (you're welcome, Mark) are going to be the best all freshman team you have ever seen. Well probably not, but dream big, right?

It may look like we're having fun, but I promise I'm actually doing homework, Mom. :]

Everyone all dressed up for the President's Reception. I was too cool for school and went home for dinner instead.

We play cards. A lot. Loser in particular. 

Basically, I rock at it. 

Try and beat me, I dare you.

Ab workout. Clearly their form isn't up to par. 

There is such a thing as too much Pie.

Well, after just over a week, we got tired of HC food and decided to hit the pie for dinner.

The Aftermath...

So, we decided to walk back to the dorms. :]