How Pepperton Celebrated Christmas

Every Page (& Goniea)

Down in Pepperton

Liked Christmas a lot…

All the Page girls slept in slightly

ready to make their yearly southern breakfast. They'd rush around brightly!

And then! Oh, the joys! Oh, the joys! JOYS! JOYS! JOYS!

It's one of the only days you'd see Arica happy in the morning! The JOYS! JOYS! JOYS! JOYS!

Then the Pages, young and old, would sit down to a feast.

And they'd feast! And they'd feast!

And they'd FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!

They would start on liver-pudding, and most things you find only greased!

Which was somethings the Johnston children couldn't stand in the least!

And then

after a couple of people say "let's go, y'all"!

Every Page down in Pepperton, the tall and the small,

Would snuggle close together, enjoying the pleasants.

They'd sit side-by-side. And the Pages would open their presents!

Arica Page exclaimed: "How could it be so?

They included all I wanted! It included amazing things!

It came including running clothes, a poetry book, and matching remembrance rings!"

And she left her home; yes, she left through the door.

Then the Arica recalled something she heard once before!

"Maybe Christmas," she thought, "doesn't come from a store.

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And why did she think this as she walked away?

Well…in Pepperton, they say

That the Arica's heart

Grew three sizes that day!

And the minute she got to Trevor's house, her heart was ignited,

She was greeted with warmth and felt so invited.

She spent time with her boy! And enjoyed her blessing feast!

And she…HERSELF…Arica Page…

remembered her Savior, who was never last, nor least. 

To Spell it Out: 

*I hoped to make this post fun. To clarify, I want all to know that I count my blessings daily. I'm so grateful for my Savior, for His birth and also His sacrifice. He has given me so much and helped me through everything.  It's through Him that I was born into the most amazing family in the world. It's through Him that I can be with that family forever. It's through Him that I became closer to Trevor and the whole Baker family. It's through Him that I have my employment and an understanding of what I need to do with my life. I owe Him everything. 

I am grateful for all of my gifts, but really I'm grateful at the thought everyone put into their present to me. The thought really shows me how much you care.

 I love you.*

It's a Psychobelly Freak Out

Henry Faust Goniea.

My Nephew.

So over the last month I've learned more about the birthing process than I ever thought I'd want to know before I have my own children. Okay, let's be honest…I was freaking out a little bit.

I've always been someone who thought pregnancy was beautiful and giving birth was natural. Then Ashleigh got pregnant and it started sounding weirder and weirder. I wasn't sure I could handle it. 

Ashleigh made all kinds of plans before she delivered Henry. She asked me if I'd be in the room with her. I kindly told her HECK NO! The nice image of pregnancy was fading over time and in came reality. 

As it worked out, no one was waiting in the waiting room, and I didn't want to be in there by myself…so I stayed. Ashleigh had been in labor for over 24 hours and was so tired but not ready to push. I was on the side of the room just minding my own business so that I didn't have to get too close. Then the nurse said "How about your sister comes to hold your hand…" Of course I did, I wasn't going to leave Ashleigh hanging. I got closer….and you know what…it wasn't bad. 

The reason it wasn't bad is because there was a bigger goal here than pushing through some pain…she was working for Henry. After he came out he was given to Ashleigh and the look on her face told me…it was all worth it. After hours and hours of her saying, "I can't do this." to the nurse….she realized why she'd worked so hard. She said, "I did this." Henry is so adorable and I'm so glad to be his aunt. 

I'm sure there will still be things that freak me out a tiny bit (medical things in general aren't my strong suit), but now I have something I didn't have before: perspective. 

Sadly This is Not Fictional

Gently turning back and forth, she wakes from a deep slumber. She was out for the count! After incomprehensible dreams, she sits straight up in her bed, she screams in her head "I over slept and I'm late for work!!!" Strangely, it's not work. It's apparent something went awry when she noticed her light still blazing above her.   She looks at her phone to check time and the damage. It's 4am. 

4:00am EST.

Why was she panicking about 4am?

If it wasn't work, then why did she feel like she was late?

Looking once at her phone she new. She'd received three text messages and one phone call…from him. 

At 11pm the night before, he mentioned that he'd be off work soon. Naturally, she wanted to see him, and offered for him to come over after he was done. He concurred with this plan. They were pretty like-minded in most things. 

He ran home, changed, and came over….and waited.

From the time he got off work, to the time he came to her door, she had fallen asleep.

 She'd fallen in a deep sleep. 

She didn't hear the texts, the calls, and I'm sure the knocks.

And when she realized this….she was mortified.

Now she sits up at 4:30am wide awake, wishing she'd never laid her head down.

BLAH! Worst way to wake up ever! 

My Life As of Late

Unexpected twists and turns

Never staying the same

Life isn't what I thought it'd be,
it isn't just a game.

You wonder if things are right
but they turn out how they should.
I never thought after a loss so great
I could feel this good.

Blessings are everywhere,
I cannot count them all.
It does not matter what their size
some are big and some are small.

People of each variety.
Look at the sight to be seen
friends, family, and fellowship
but some are in-between.

Rising to the occasion
to make this holiday sweet.
I can't stop beaming
and my worries take a backseat.

They ask me the reason,
of this I have no shame.
But I will give one hint...
it's all in a name.

A Rant Before Thanksgiving

Lately I've had spiritual things on my mind and my posts have been pretty inspirational due to that. So I'm warning you that today I'm taking a turn.

It feels that everything goes back to my brother, but as my mom has said, "I never want to go back to who I was on October 9th." Since Andrew passed I've been thinking 'What is the point of the daily struggle?' I'm talking about the day to day small things like going to work, coming home, paying bills, and all the humdrum of life. What's the point of all of that when I know what the most important things are in life? Family and the gospel. As I've been pondering this, I think God cares about what we dedicate our life to…and I think He'd like us to go through out our day and still be able to remember Him and do as He would do amidst trials and even the ordinary days of life. 

That being said, since I have found that temporal things do matter, I wanted to talk about Obamacare. Yes, that's what all this was leading up to. I've always been interested in politics and I've always had an opinion, whether shared or not. I want people to see how it's directly affecting my life. 

I am a single 25 year old woman. I will be 26 in January. Ding ding ding…I'm on my mom's insurance until that point. I have a job as a special needs teacher for a private school. Yes, I got my degree and I'm putting it to use. But I work 29.5 hours per week, therefore I do not receive benefits with my "part time" job. I need to figure out something fast and it's weighing on my mind. I could go the route of just not caring about the fines and just go with out insurance.

Oh wait…yeah…I have Type 1 Diabetes.

Something I couldn't have prevented with diet and exercise, just to debunk any myths about that. I can't just take the penalty and hope for the best on my health. I need quarterly check ups, yearly eye exams, prescriptions, and insulin pump supplies. It would be very costly with out insurance, and already is WITH insurance.

More and more businesses are cutting back hours so they won't have to provide insurance. More and more jobs are less likely to have benefit options. It's all because of the "affordable care act". I'm sure there are more out there who's job options have been limited because of Obamacare. There are a lot more people who work two part time jobs with no benefits to make ends meet. It's "helping" those who don't have employment but hurting those who do. The job market is suffering because of this tax, because it is a tax, to help those who are NOT working to get coverage. Obamacare: "No job required!"

So why shouldn't I just get Obamacare? Are you kidding me!?! Have you seen the glitches in the website?? You know why? They're trying to cover up the cost. I'm opting out. If I don't have to get it, I won't. All in all, the federal government shouldn't have any say over my health and the cost of it.

Now I'm in a pickle. It's either seek new employment, or pay out of pocket for individual insurance.

It'll all come to pass too soon…

Just being me,
Arica

Waiting

Before I even start this…I want everyone to know that I did not come up with this  entire analogy, but I did come up with a portion. I had to share it though, people need to know about it.

I went to a CORN MAZE last Saturday. I've been wanting to go for months, and my good friend made it happen per my request. We got a group of seven people to go through the maze together. It was the official Amazing Maize Maze. I like this one because it's not just, go in and try and find your way out, they have little stops along the way that allow you to gain map pieces so you can eventually lead yourself back out of the maze. My family used to go every couple years and got way into it. My goal is always to complete the map, even if I could get out of the maze with out all of the pieces, I love finding all of the mail boxes and having a complete map at the end.

My group came up to the beginning of the maze and there was a guide there to instruct us on the rules and our objective. He said, "No running, no smoking, and don't cut through the corn. Your objective, get out." He handed us a map that was essentially blank, but had spaces for twelve squares. My friend compared this to the pre-mortal life: we're given instructions before we come to this earth, some of which we forget, but we are given the commandments to follow. We're also given a way to come back to the start, but we need to live our lives to find out where we've been and where we need to go. The map pieces could be a number of things: our scriptures, patriarchal blessing, or counsel of the prophets.

We entered the corn maze, which is the a symbol of the world or our earthly journey. We were given a flag to communicate with people in the tower above (the maze master). They could see the entire maze and we'd wave the flag up and down or side to side to indicate that we needed help. This was compared to prayer and receiving answers to those prayers. The point is, we had to ask for the help.  As we went along we also could see kernels of knowledge, which tell you a little history of the area. I would liken that to personal revelation, where you get those "aha" moments in your life. We also walked around and searched for each map piece, as a group or "family".

At one point we were trying to get the last couple map pieces and we sought guidance from a maze volunteer (who could be your bishop, the prophet..etc.) and he told me to go down a certain path. I hurried and told my group, but not all of them followed me. We got separated. Sometimes in life we are going to be separated for some time from our family members. The four of us that followed the  path suggested, finished faster (1:07) and had a little old man write down our time. It was like coming to the gates of the heaven. We crossed the bridge and headed to our destination.

We had to wait fifteen minutes for the rest of our group. It was an interesting concept to me, to wait. I thought about Andrew, as I often do, more often then I might say. I sometimes think I talk about him too much. I don't want people to get tired of it quickly. But I did think of him. I thought of Andrew….and how he finished the corn maze before me…and now he has to wait on me. Both sides must wait. Being on the side waiting for the others who were behind us…it kind of let me know that he's okay, and I should be okay too. He's just waiting, like me.

Then the other half of our group rejoined us and after some bantering back and forth, we all laughed and went to lunch.

I know when I come over that bridge it will be even more exciting and joyous. And I'm sure Andrew and Dad will say, "We've been waiting!"

My corn maze family! They're awesome!

I love you,
Arica

The Secret to the Red Sox World Series Win

As I look back on the baseball season, I realize that all of my superstitions don't mean anything. They didn't help the Red Sox win.

I wouldn't wash any of my Redsox stuff from the first game of the season thinking it would wash away our luck. Call me gross...but baseball/Red Sox fans are hard core.

I also, had Fenway Park on my Facebook cover photo and believed if I changed it, that it would hurt their mojo.

All of those supersitions don't matter. Someone accidentally washed a shirt of mine, then I washed one myself, and then I just decided it didn't matter because we kept winning anyways.

When Andrew passed I didn't want to change my cover photo, but I thought better of it. I changed it. I knew it was just a picture and it didn't really matter. I wanted a picture of my siblings all together and that was more important.

What did help us win? What was the true key factor in this season? My family. We have been united in our love for the Red Sox for many years and even with the tragedies that have come, the Red Sox remain an uniting passion. (Of course besides our faith.) We watched as a family when they won in 2004, we watched together in 2007, and we watched together in 2013. The Red Sox are more than just a team we love, it's the uniting and love of a family. I will always love them for bringing us together whether we're all present or not.

Red Sox nation.... Boston Strong. Family Strong. Gospel Strong. 

I love you,

Arica

More Lessons to Come

I have learned one thing, okay two things:

1. You never ever know what is going to happen in your life. You can't make your own plans. Our life is truly in the hands of our Creator. We never know when we are going to leave this life.
Are you prepared?

My good mission friend and college roommate posted this on Facebook the other day:

I heard a knock on the door and instead of yelling, "come in" I decided to answer it. I opened it and saw my apartment manager standing there, she asked "is your apartment fit for a tour?" I hesitated as I saw a couple of pans on the stovetop and some dishes in the sink. I said, "Well we have some stuff here and there, but I can clean it up real quick" she said, "oh don't worry about it I will go check in another apartment"

As she left I was taught by the spirit this: "Is your life fit for a tour for the Savior? If He knocks, will you answer? And will your life be clean or will you always have some stuff laying here and a little there?" 

I am so thankful to know that my baby brother was ready. On October 10, 2013 Andrew, left this life. I have no doubt that he was living his life in the best way possible. Of course, I am so sad and I really really miss him. I do take comfort in those painful moments because of the type of person that he strove to be. This is one of those fastballs of life and it came out of no where. Now I'm thinking, and I'm thinking hard.

What do I need to change in my life? What is most important? Am I doing the daily necessary things that will bring me closer to Christ? How can I be more kind? How can I effect someone's life for the better? What would people say at my own funeral? How prepared am I?

So many things to ponder, and ways to be better, it's overwhelming. I take comfort in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that I am forever being carried, sustained, and completed by Him. So the real question to ask yourself is: Am I effectively using the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life?

2. The importance of keeping a record of your life.

Since the day Andrew passed I have cherished words by friends, family, and complete strangers in their condolences. Everyone has been so loving beyond what words can express, and I love you all. Just know that. All who have reached out, brought a meal, organized something, just sat with us, shared funny stories, and started a movement in his name...THANK YOU! There's really no other way to say it....oh wait...I like all of these to describe how I feel:

grateful, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, indebtedness

The best things (and sometimes the hardest) to read are from Andrew himself. Rereading his emails, letters, and journal make me feel closer to him. He wasn't writing to any one person in his journal and didn't know his audience, but it caused a comfort that I can't explain. I remember reading my Dad's mission journal a couple years after his passing and it was amazing to get into his thoughts again. Their words leap off the pages and it's like they're in the room with me. Then the war inside starts after reading these things, I love feeling them so close, but it also makes it harder to accept that they're not here. I think over time it will get easier, but I still see the importance of writing. (Hence, the reason I'm writing on my blog again.) Take note of your thoughts, the people in your life, and what you learned from your experiences. 

Your posterity is NOW...not just with your great- grandchildren. 

I want to testify that I know that there is a God in heaven; He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins AND to succor us when we're hurt, alone, or sick. I know that it's through the power of that sacrifice that families can be bound together in the temple for time and all eternity. I will be with Andrew and Dad again. I know this because of the promises I've made with my Heavenly Father. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has so many answers to offer. If you have eternal questions,  PLEASE ask me or go to mormon.org. This experience has only strengthened my faith in Christ and it has changed the rest of my life. 

I love you,

Arica

The Wait is Over

I have been waiting, waiting, WAITING...for this summer. It's finally the second week into my summer schedule and I'm loving every minute.

Let's go back to February when my the parent of my student (Will) was talking to me about summer plans. His mother wanted to know if someone would be interested in watching Will from 1-5 after day camp. I immediately knew it was something I wanted to do. We hashed out the details and then we finally told Will this would be happening. He was stoked. (He even has a shirt that says that very word.) Then we started making all kinds of plans for this summer and guess what, this kid hold true to his word.

We've also gone on adventures! Will mentioned he wanted to get a smoothie, I was totally down for that, so we went to Smoothie King and the walked around the shopping center. He mentioned to me that there was "treasure" by a lamp post. I told him to lead the way and show me what he was talking about. We went up to a random light post in the parking lot and he lifted the cover on the bottom and a pill bottle drops out. I'm thinking 'DON'T TOUCH THAT! RANDOM PILLS!?! HOW DOES HE KNOW ABOUT THIS!' But before I voice any of this, I see that its an official Geocaching Game Piece. Inside the bottle is papers filled with peoples names who have found it. Will showed me where him and his sister had written their names. It was pretty cool to see and made me wonder where other things like this were hidden. So we found treasure, he knew what he was talking about.

Another thing I discovered about Will these last couple of weeks is that he knows directions so well. If you asked him to get a place he's familiar he could direct you right to that place. He needed a haircut so he directed me to his normal barber shop. I needed to get some bread and he directed me to his neighborhood Food Lion. This kid has it down.

Will has discovered things about me as well. He came to my house, found out we have two Wiis, a lot of movies he approves of, and apple juice. He helped me cook dinner for me and my roommate one night and came back over another day to play some games on the Wii. Watching him play "Starwars: The Force Unleashed" is probably one of the funniest, cutest things I've seen him do.

Will and I just jam. We jam in the car on the way to every place and I set up his very own playlist on Spotify. Mostly we listen to the main title song from Superman The Movie. I heard it at least once a day. The best songs we've jammed to are from High School Musical 2. We both know all the words and it's amazing. Plus, we have car dance moves that we do with each song.

My favorite picture of Will. 

He loves catching "lizzies" when we can find them.

Funny quote: As I was watching him a little later than usual this week, I asked him if he had a bedtime and he said "It's like on High School Musical 2." I believe only I would have gotten that because there's a lyric in one of the songs that says 'We can stay up as late as we want to...' HI-LARIOUS!

More Will stories and adventures to come,
Arica

On A Totally Unrelated Note

Haters can hate...but I'm watching "Ready For Love" on it's first season. The only difference in this dating show is the matchmakers they use to really try and find the best match for these three men. The rest of it's the same, the girls all seem desperate and are just vying for some attention from this one guy that is being spread thin by the number of women around him.

Here's what I think they need...a spin off version:

Ready For Love: The Middle Class.

Give 3 average guys who are hard working, good people, who haven't found love yet, a real chance. The chance of a life time to where they can't afford a match maker and these amazing date ideas they might have, but they can finally experience and share with someone. That would be more real and genuine to me. All three guys are loaded.

Next, the girls all have long flowing hair and are dressed in their high-faluting heels and strapless dresses. Let's get some girls on here that are average too. They weren't Ms. Puerto Rico or USA or they aren't super successful business owners themselves. I'm not saying let's have rednecks and hillbillies on the show, but there are plenty of nice people who aren't super posh and snooty that are "ready for love" too. 

Give people a chance who would never be able to afford it. Then I'd feel like you were REALLY helping someone. 

Ready for Happiness,

Arica

One Pearl and Five Stones

I feel that we often get in the way of our own happiness. We look around for things that are imperfect, misplaced, or not up to par with what we think our life should be. I was able to attend at fireside tonight where Elder Trip Meredith spoke and he spoke about the most important things. Things that can make us the happiest, if we will do them.

First he spoke of the Pearl. The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ is the pearl of the Gospel. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the gospel. By faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That is the Pearl. It's what we are most focused on.

But like David who was going out to slay Goliath...we have five stones. The way that David slew Goliath was very simple. It was a stone to his head. Elder Meredith pointed out that there are five stones in our lives, simple things; that if we do them, our life will fall into place. Often times these five stones are simple acts or ideas that can make a big difference. We hear about a lot of these things and just think "oh that's too easy to work".

Much like the example of the Children of Israel who were bitten by the snakes. The Lord told Moses to make a staff and carve a serpent into it, and if the people look they will be healed. Many did not look, thinking that it was too easy of a solution.

Much like the example of Naaman who needed to be cleansed, was told to bathe seven times in the river. He thought this was too simple of a request. He can't be blessed that easily. Sure enough when he went off and did the thing required, he was healed.

Much like the five stones we carry in our life will be able to heal us. Five simple things that will make it easier to live the gospel; to focus on the Pearl.

You might think the five stones are "read your scriptures, say your prayers, go to church..." Elder Meredith says that the five stones (those simple things) are different for everyone. He did ask us to make one stone the Book of Mormon.

So here's the challenge:

Choose 5 simple things that you can do in your life to make things easier to focus on the Pearl. 

1. Read the Book of Mormon
2.
3.
4.
5.

The rest are up to you. They are private and they are personal. They are between you and the Lord. You may feel comfortable sharing them, that's great too!  I will share my five with you for examples sake, and because I'm okay if you know my stones.

1. Read the Book of Mormon
2. Pray Morning and Night
3. Stop Complaining
4. Be Where I Need to Be, When I Need to Be There.
5. Get Enough Sleep to Be a Functional Servant of the Lord.

These are five simple things I can do to be a happier person, and stop getting in my own way. Distractions come so easily. I want to focus on the Pearl.

Simply Happy,
Arica

Who Would You Rather Be?

Me, Me, Me.

My little sister has roped me into a couple of different shows, claiming "you'll love it." Some of them she acts are like a personal favor to her since she watches the shows I always suggest. This is how a couple weeks ago I started watching New Girl. Arin was right, I liked it. I started watching and Jess Day (the main character) is what people describe as "adorkable", which I haven't made up my mind if I like that word. I'm leaning toward not liking it. It describes her to a point. I thought I didn't like her at first but you get used to her idiosyncrasies and come to understand why she acts the way she does. I found we're more alike than I might have originally thought.

As I watch New Girl, I sometimes wish I could be a little more like Zooey Deschanel or Jess Day (who is basically the same person), but I made list as to why I am or am not like her.

I am Jess

We love to make people feel happy.

We can be very random and find the silliest things funny.

We like people to think we're funny.

I usually want to be "in" on the joke. Jess always tries to relate to her roommates, even when she can't.

We enjoy making things fun when they tend to be boring.

We hate being alone. We must always have plans, even if it's sitting at home watching a movie...it was in the plan.

We are teachers.

We don't mind talking about our feelings.

I like what I like and don't care who knows it. Popular or not. Jess isn't a hipster, she watches Dirty Dancing and likes popular sitcoms from the 80s. Most people who are hipsters will claim they only watch indie films. "Film purists"

I am Arica

I don't care so much about fashion. I enjoy looking nice but I definitely don't have the flare for what's hot and now in that industry. I sometimes wish I just had a knack for knowing about fashion or even a desire to know. I really don't care, if it looks nice on me I get it. I have my own understanding of what I like. (to my fashion demise? I'm not sure. Don't worry I ask my friend girls and that helps.)

I can't sing. I do want to take voice lessons some time in my life but that's too be determined. Also, I'm kind of sensitive about the fact that I can't sing, I'm not sure why.

I'm not trying to be mean because I like Jess, but she's kind of an airhead. I don't feel like I'm an airhead, maybe naive, but I have more sense.

I could never have a model as a best friend. My friends are beautiful, but models are a different breed and I don't think I could ever really trust their judgment. Models = untrustworthy.

Even if I wasn't Mormon/LDS, I don't think I could live with 3 guys. Maybe one...we'd be such great friends that we could wear matching rings on our left hands. :D (See what I did there...)



I often say, "don't compare yourself to others" because it's a huge life lesson I have applied to my life. So when I get a thought like "I wish I was more like Zooey/Jess" I have to really think "Do I?"
No. I don't. Of all the things we have in common, which I think are the better traits of us both, they don't out weigh the fact that I'm me and she's her. And that's how God made it. I can admire certain characteristics and some things I just am not passionate about. At the end of the day, I'm happy with how my life has turned out and the person I am. I only hope to improve upon it.

Happy about me,
Arica

Monday's with Ms. Arica

Almost like Tuesday's with Morrie, even though I never read that book I thought the title was fun. :)

Today was a typical Monday, where people complain that it's Monday. I'm not sure WHY people feel the need to blame a difficult day on what day of the week it is, it's not completely fair. It's an excuse as to why we can have a crappy day. It's like saying "Oh the sun came up...dang what a bad day." Everyone is overly crabby, sleepy, and sluggish on Monday claiming it's all because it's Monday. Let's be clear here; it's because it's not the weekend anymore. Leave Monday alone. It's not the day's fault that if comes right after a short weekend and for some people too many drinks.

Keep in mind I'm not blaming Monday for the off day my student had, but the weekend must have done something to him. See to the following example:

We are reading the book Holes as a class. The books that are used are not labeled with names, you just get one. They're identical. My student claimed one book was his specific book. How could he tell the difference?

Student: "Mine is the medium size one and this one is too small."

Me: "They're all the same size."

Student: "My book was bigger. Look it's not mine."

Me: (Holding the books beside and then on top of each other to show that the sizes are the same).

Battle won.

Why he thought they were different sizes is beyond me...he also tried to explain why Wreck-it Ralph is real.

He's one of my favorite people.

Happy Mondays,
Arica

Then and Now

I actually like these little survey things, this got too long for a status on facebook, so here it is...Then and Now.

Age I was given: 20 

Where I lived: Rexburg, Idaho
What I drove: Nada
What I did: Going to school. I had an awesome group of friends who'd go to the dunes, ice caves, off roading (maybe with a little thievery and getting pulled over by the cops...), and doing random things like finding a shopping cart and making it our go cart. Oh it was the best times with many in store for later.
Who had my heart: no one person in particular, I had crushes but they really meant nothing (and don't even get me started on the difference between a crush and liking someone...I could write a whole post on that...)
Fears: never finishing college, knives, scary movies

Age Now: 25

Where I live: Charlotte, North Carolina
What I drive: Lafawnda Honda
What I do: Teach Special Education, help the missionaries, hang with my fam, plan things with friends, read, blog, stay fresh on my shows, stay informed on my politics, drink Coke Zero, and stay up late only to say I'll go to bed earlier the when I wake up. (ps. that never happens.)
Who Has my heart: "Cowboy take me away..."
Fears: heights, falling, knives, scary movies, and surgery


Like this on Facebook and I will give you an age. (No pressure)

Plans vs. Laziness: A Battle Fought Each Day

My plans for when I got off work today:
Go to the Mint Hill library and get some work done. I have progress updates due for my students tomorrow. Technically I can do them tomorrow but it'd be nice to get out of there sooner than later.

Also, make a Jeopardy game for my students to review things. Learn to make awesome popsicles so that I can look like I know what I'm doing for Fun Friday!

Spruce up and organize the missionary meals calendar.

Fold my laundry. (It's a mountain on my bed...I hate it...I resent it)

Then enjoy my evening.

How my plans turned out:
I  lost my flash drive, containing everything important, for most of the day and couldn't work on my students progress updates.

My Jeopardy template is also that flash drive.

So I came home in search of my flash drive and I couldn't find it anywhere. I figured no flash drive meant I didn't really have much else I could do with out it.  This turned into Andrew coming home and us playing a tournament of Super Smash Brothers...which he again defeated me at, I wonder why I play sometimes. I was so close to demolishing him, and it really came down to the last hit.

Then because my laziness had started, I had to follow it up with a couple episodes of Community...which is pretty much my new Office! It came out when I was on my mission but it took me a while to get around to watching it...I can't get enough..it's so hilarious and original. (Watch it Thursdays at 8pm on NBC)

After two episodes of the best show out there, we promptly fell asleep until Mom got home and we had dinner.

It's 6:45pm and I have done NOTHING with my time. (Oh I DID buy the new Josh Groban album on itunes...that was pretty productive. I have to celebrate the little things right?)

I found my flash drive...in my PURSE before dinner. I came upstairs to work on my things (see above list) and I got distracted by blogging and the internet and oh this article in the newspaper that was written about my singles ward...I was quoted in it.

So...yeah...I'm leaving now...I'll see if I get around to all of that stuff.

Still happy...even if I was a little lazy,
Arica

Wishes at Disney World

This is the official twenty four years old, first time ever to Disney World blog post! Yes my friends, if you don't already see my excitement on facebook you will see it in this post.

The trip from start to finish was phenomenal! Like life altering. As in I will never be the same.

You know you want to go as a kid and you wish you had gone as you get older...and the longer it is the longer it seems...inappropriate to want to go? So I had dashed all my dreams of EVER going to Disney...and I even was in denial "I don't need to go to a theme park for children...I liked the movies as a kid and that was it."

That's what the world does people...it squashes your dreams and wishes. Don't let it do that! Disney is the opposite of that...it says if you can dream it you can do it...if you wish it then why shouldn't it come true!

I arrived at the Orlando airport at 11:45 on a Friday morning. My best friend and college roommate Valerie (visit here for a history of the friendship) found me at baggage claim. I did a slow motion type run toward her while she ran at me with her arms outstretched. We hadn't seen each other in over a year! We got my bag and headed for her townhouse. We basically dropped our stuff...I had to change out of my long sleeved shirt to a short sleeved one because it was so hot and humid. Oh and I had to pull my hair back because it was already getting frizzy. And we hit the ground running.

We went to all four parks in 2 days. It was a marathon...and we were beat by the end....but let's not get tired yet...

Day One

First stop: Animal Kingdom

I learned about fast passes pretty quick and how they work. It's an amazing system and I'm kind of surprised how it works. We got a fast pass for Expedition Everest and then got in the regular line for Expedition Everest. I like roller coasters but it the initial getting on them that psychs me out. Well Valerie didn't tell me anything about it and I kind of freaked out at parks and she said I was screaming the whole time. I'm not a fan of heights so I closed my eyes a good part of the way as well. So we get off the ride and even though I was scared, I loved it at the same time. We used our fast passes to go again quicker...and we went in the front row. Scary...but I actually love the feeling of overcoming my fears.

Going up...it was the beginning so not the scariest part yet.

We also went on a safari ride had a great tour guide...but we got to see a ton of animals...one of which rarely comes out...

I have way more pictures...but let's move on.

Second Stop: Hollywood Studios

We were starving by this time and Val said to pick any place to eat...so where did I want to go?? 

Basically pizza or meatball subs...I got the later. And they could have made it a little more like the one in the movie, but it basically had a bunch of arcade games. It was fun to go. Then we met up with Valerie's parents and grandparents to see the Christmas light show! SO AMAZING! 

 Over 500 million lights!

 Mickey Premium bars...a bit of heaven. Dark chocolate with ice cream inside.

Waiting on Star Tours. It was a fun virtual reality type thing...but the only ride that made me sick.

We went on one more ride and then we were beat...we went home and went to bed! It was a great first day...then day two happened.

Day Two

Third Stop: Magic Kingdom

This is where I geeked out the most...I was like a little kid...I saw the castle and then I had to buy the ears and jumped down the street toward the castle. It was surreal! I am so thankful that I was able to visit Valerie and for her to help me have such a great experience!

Valerie got a first visit button for me! 

 Valerie's mom told me if I loved Beauty and the Beast...they just opened up New Fantasy Land and you could EAT IN THE BEAST'S CASTLE! It was stupendous! You wait in line but it was worth it...the ambiance of the castle's detail...flawless. We ate in the west wing! Not forbidden to us! :) 

The main room of the Be Our Guest.

 

The West Wing...legit with these pictures and even a wilting rose, which wilts a petal every 15 minutes. 

Gaston. He's absolutely primeval.

Conversation: 

Geeky First Visit Arica: "It was nice to meet you."

Gaston: "The pleasure was all yours"

BAHAHA!

We also went to the Mickey Philharmagic Show...really fun! Brought me back in time to all my favorite Disney films. We hit up Ariel's place too and went under the sea with her. We timed everything perfectly.

Fourth Stop: EPCOT

I made a few visits to some friends! 

 Minnie was so cute! 

The Mouse himself! Who you hope to meet your entire Disney trip!!!

 Talked to Belle about books I should read, she suggested Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin. She also was thankful I didn't mention her name when I saw Gaston. 

 We went around the world to nine different countries and met Donald in Mexico. He's kissing my cheek here...he was completely smitten by me. ;)

That night we went to Valerie's ward activity for Christmas. It was a lot of fun and I got to see Toffer, who I also went to college with. We hadn't seen in each other in a loooong time.

 Can you see how excited we were to see each other again?

 It was a great dinner and program, then a bunch of people went to see a firework show called Wishes. It's in Magic Kingdom but we went to a resort and watched it from the balcony. It was a fantastic display and had great themes of wishing from a bunch of different Disney movies. A great great way to end my stay at Disney, remembering that if you wish it...it can come true. And I needed that reminder. Go for your dreams...why not? 

And my dreams did come true. I visited my best friend, had the experience of a life time, and know that it's available to me more than just this one time. So much more to see and do...and not a enough time in two days, but I did so much more than I thought we would be able to squeeze in...Thank you again Valerie.

Wishes and Happiness,

Arica