2 Arizonans + Icy Roads = Not Good (Warning: LOTS of pictures)

"This is the story of how I died." (Name that movie!!!)

Well, almost died.

Kinda.

Actually, neither one of us sustained any injuries. The car?...well....

Let's just say it could have been A LOT worse, and we've got some seriously awesome guardian angels.

It all started early the morning of Thursday, October 6th. Remember how I said I was going home for the weekend for my friend's wedding? Yeah, well, she got married on Friday, so we drove down Thursday. We left around 9:45 in the morning, hoping to get into Mesa around 7 pm Mesa time, switching off drivers every hour or so as needed.

But of course that didn't happen.

We packed up the car in icy-cold, drizzly rain. But driving through rain is not a problem. We can handle that. So we said a quick prayer for safety and set off. Well, 10 minutes outside of Provo, the rain turned to sleet. I pointed this out to Maddy, who was driving, and advised her to be careful. She's fresh from Mesa this year and has never driven in anything more than rain. I only have minimal experience. But she was careful, and we continued on our way.

Meanwhile, outside became more and more foggy and grey; visibility was really bad. In another 20 minutes, the sleet became snow, and once again, I pointed this out to Maddy, and advised her to be careful of ice on the road.

M: "Can you see ice?"

K: "Not if it's black ice...."

M: pause...."Well...what do I do if we hit ice?"

K: "If we hit ice and start to spin, turn the wheel in the opposite direction you instinctively want to go. Steer into the spin."

M: "...ok...?"

So we drove on through the blizzard, which is what it had pretty much turned into. I updated my mom, and she suggested I use my phone to google "safety tips for driving in the snow" and read them to Maddy. So I did.

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
                                                                                                                 Maddy followed. Check.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

3. Turn on your lights to.................................

M: "OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And that's all I remember. No, I didn't black out. I think my brain has just blocked it out. All I recall is the jerking and centrifugal motion of spinning. Maddy only remembers 3 moments in time that are completely disconnected from each other: 1.) Hitting the ice, 2.) Facing backwards towards oncoming traffic, and 3.) jerking to a stop in the snow perpendicular to the road.

You can see the road about 15 ft. up to the right. We'd spun 180 degrees counter-clockwise, so we were facing oncoming traffic, sliding backwards off the road until we hit deep mud.

Awesome, right?

So we jerk to a stop, and sit in silence for a second as the cars pass in front of us. If they'd have been any closer behind us, well...that would NOT have been good. Maddy almost freaked out. I'm pretty sure she felt like crying, but I think I shocked her into not freaking out by talking before she could.

K: "Ok...ok....ok....Look. We're ok. You're ok. The car's ok. Good job. You handled that really well."

After I took the picture and Maddy saw it, she gasped, "You're SMILING?!?!?! Why are you smiling?!"
She was a bit incredulous. :)

I'm pretty sure she thought I was crazy. Having parents who can keep their heads when you've got blood oozing down your face and matting your hair and blurring your vision can really be awesome training. I'm glad it's rubbed off on me. I don't often freak out. Thank goodness.

Almost immediately, an old couple pulled over and called out to us. I got out of the car and trudged through the 6 inches of snow in my battered Converse to their car. I assured them we were ok, but that we were stuck in the mud. They offered to stop in Nephi, a mile south of where we were stuck, and get us a tow truck. Thank goodness for nice old people! So I gave them my phone number, and they drove off.

Meanwhile, I started digging the mud and snow away from the tires. I was hoping I could pack the mud down and clear it away enough to save us some cash with the tow truck, but that was some SOGGY mud. I even searched for rocks (my fingers were almost BLEEDING. keep in mind, we're doing all this in a blizzard.) to shove under the tires, but they only sank further into the mud. It was deep, soggy, stuff I tell ya what.





So then we just sat in the car with the heater. By this point, we were both wet and muddy with soaking shoes. Oh joy. A police man also stopped to check on us long enough to make sure we were ok and being helped. Also, I decided to take pictures and document the whole experience.

After a bit, the tow company called to verify our position and to let us know they were on their way. When I asked for an estimate, they said $60. Not too bad. So a super nice old guy came and worked in the blizzard to hook us up and haul us out. Once we were back up on the shoulder, he said, "So that'll be $60." He didn't have any sort of paper work and was waiting expectantly. "Uh...do you only take cash?" I asked hesitating. He nodded. "Well they failed to mention that on the phone..." I muttered. Luckily, between the two of us, Maddy and I were able to scrounge together $56, and he just took that, completely depleting our cash supply. Gee, thanks. As he finished recoiling chains, we cautiously pulled back onto the road.

A mile later, we pulled into a gas station in Nephi so Maddy could top off on gas and so I could replenish our cash supply. When I walked out of store back to the car, Maddy pointed at the rear passenger-side door and said, "Did you notice that?" I looked. The whole door was dented in under the window and the paint was peeled in two patches. That was really weird, since neither of us remember hitting anything. But the door could still open and close just fine, so we figured we were good to go. Before pulling out, I dug more mud and weeds from under the frame of the car and took the drivers seat.

I drove for the next 3 hours or so to Panguitch. We sat in silence most of the way. I don't want to go into too much detail, but suffice it to say that I was praying and praying HARD. Kind of a literal application of Carrie Underwood's Jesus, Take the Wheel. Essentially, I said, "Heavenly Father, every thought I have that has to do with making a decision while I'm driving, I'm attributing to you. Ready, set, go." Also, we'd said another prayer before we got started again, and Maddy asked for no more encounters with ice on the roads instead of just safety. I'd forgotten  you could be that specific in prayers. But guess what. IT WORKED! I drove, and it was like I could see the ice on the road. I knew exactly where to change lanes or hug the shoulder or slow down. It was probably one of the most...spiritually in tune...three hours of my life. Gradually, visibility increased and conditions cleared.

Arizona sunset as we pulled into Flagstaff. HOME!!!

We only drove through rain and snow twice after that, and by the time we pulled into Panguitch and switched drivers again, it was bright and sunny. PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED! The rest of the trip was uneventful, minus the cows standing in the road and the speeding ticket acquired coming out of Panguitch, and we pulled into Mesa a little before 9 P.M. (We won't go into how my family wasn't even home, and I was locked out...).

stupid stupid cows.... We tell people the dent in the door is from them.

So that was our adventure. I'll post about the actual trip later. And our return drive on Sunday went perfectly (I may or may not have hit 102 mph...........shhhhhh.) ;)

Hooray for guardian angels.

"I'm thankful for..."

In the past few weeks, my wonderful roommates and I have started a tradition of praying together each night and then taking turns talking about one thing we were grateful for during the day. We're not perfect and miss a few nights, but I love the fact that we are willing to bear each others' burdens and help each other to improve daily. It's been such a blessing in my life since we started it.


Sometimes our prayers and thankimonies are simple like, "I'm thankful for my family or for children or for education or for letters or for phone-calls, etc." Other times, we've sat and embraced each other in tears until the Holy Ghost can bring peace to the one we're holding. But every night is special and reminds me of all the things there are to be thankful for in my life.


Tonight I was thankful for tender mercies, specifically this one that happened to be floating around on Facebook right when I needed it most.

I am trying. And I am ok. And I am doing a good job.


Heavenly Father is proud of me. I can keep doing what I'm doing. And I'm ok because He makes it ok. I don't know everything, and sometimes things are really confusing, but I don't need to worry about it.


Words can't even express how much I love and miss President Gordon B. Hinckley. Hearing his voice again...I miss him. I can't believe he's already been gone for 3 years. What an incredible giant of a man he was.


So yes, I'm thankful for Prophets and the little occurrences that help me remember that the Lord is aware of me.

Playing Dress-Up

Why do I have such awesome friends? I don't know. But they really are awesome, especially because they'll dress up with me to go to the midnight showing of Harry Potter.

Luna, Bellatrix, and Professor Trelawney

I may or may not have spent two and a half hours crimping my hair for this. Epic? Yes.

And I found THE perfect Bellatrix Lestrange dress at Savers. LOVE that place. It's like D.I. but better. And more organized. I probably spent way too much on it, even though it was at a thrift store. I tried to talk them down on the price, but apparently they have a "specialized team of pricing agents." Yeah right. My mom has always talked them down. But it was much too good to pass up, so I got it anyway. It's an investment right? I can always wear it again for future Halloweens or Harry Potter parties. Am I correct or am I correct?

Oh good. Thought so.


Anyway, I also bought an old glittery/sequined/velvet and netting skirt. Not the most attractive thing ever. But as a Bellatrix cape?!?!?! Bombdiggetyawesomesauce, Baby!

bloody hands and a wand plucked from a bush.....

Too bad I don't have epic explosions behind me...

As for the movie, we all know how incredible it was. And Emma Watson is just such a fun, interesting, educated human being. And Snape is one of my all-time favorite characters, and Alan Rickman was stunning. He should get an Academy Award for that or something. Lots of love. An amazing end to an amazing saga. 
Well done, J. K. Rowling. Well done.

Ever wondered what Woodstock was like?

Go to the Holi Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork.

Loud music.

live band with huge speaker towers

Chanting Hindu prayers of Peace and Love.

"Holi hai! Holi hai!"

Random group hugs with strangers.

Selling, dealing, and trading little bags of "magic" powder.

Scented AND Edible...should I be worried?

Colored clouds of said powder enveloping thousands and thousands of irresponsible college kids all joining in the mass exodus to the Krishna temple in Spanish Fork.

the mosh pit

Witch burning.

Ok, so I guess the hippies didn't really burn witches... BUT WE DID!

And llamas, of course.

because hippies really do have those.

Peace, Love, Save the Hippies (and our tie-dyed lungs).

Eleanor, Erik, Tera-lynne, Me, and Kirsten- Crayola style
Also, that is in fact a Storm Trooper in the upper left.

Sidenote. It's an absolutely gorgeous day outside today. :)

Sportsmanship

I'm thankful for the people in my life who are a heck of a lot less prideful and better winners than me.

There's this funny (not really) story in my family of a certain game of Old Maid. I was 3. I lost. And my dad made me get up and walk around like an old lady. I. Was. Furious. For some reason, I get made fun of for it to this day. Even my little brothers who weren't even alive yet think it's funny to ask me, "Hey Karli, wanna play Old Maid?" and then they run away sniggering before I can slug 'em.

Anywho, so I sorta have this reputation of being a sore loser. It's gotten better. I promise. Yes, I like winning, but I no longer throw a screaming, flailing fit if I lose. I gracefully acknowledge the winner and move on. But I still really like winning.

This past weekend, I competed in NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing.....I think). It was rather short notice, but it's always good to get used to performing in front of other people. I was in the Beginning University Classical Division. I think only 3 or 4 people showed up for the first round, so the competition was pretty slim. Therefore, it wasn't a huge deal that me and my friend Tyrell (another extremely talented bass in my choir...we're freshman babies together) were chosen as the 2 finalists.

Saturday afternoon, we waited around to sing in front of an audience and all the judges in the Madsen Recital Hall in the Harris Fine Arts Center. Although we were about to compete against each other, Ty asked if I'd want to go to ice cream afterwards. See? That's what I'm talking about - the whole being nice even though we're competing. I could be better at it.

We sang. We both did well. I got 2nd place; Ty got 1st. And then we went to Coldstone where he bought me ice cream. We talked about our plans for voice (he wants to go on to some conservatory or young artist program...crazy), and never once were there any competitive, critical feelings. Weird.

I've definitely improved from the stomping, screaming fit of a three-year-old, but I realized that I'm not to the point where, if I win, I take the other person out for ice cream. It's a pride issue. But I think next time it happens, I'll try Ty's approach. Besides, free ice cream just makes everybody nice.

I've posted the video (thanks to my friend, Logan Bradford, who took first place in the University Advanced Classical division) on my Facebook for those of you (Mom and Dad) who missed it. It was having trouble loading straight to here.

Dear Mr. Mailman,

Let's cooperate.

I really hate it when I get a letter back that I sent several weeks ago with a little yellow sticker that says, "Vacant: Unable to forward." Don't play games with me. I know very well that's Jeff's current correct address because everyone else who's writing him said so, and they're not having any problems. I mean, he's only in Alabama. It's not like he's over seas or anything. You don't have foreign customs to excuse your folly.

Speaking of over seas, you seem to have no problem with that one, even if it does take a little long. Jono got his letter, and I had one in return from him within a couple weeks. Everything went swimmingly. FYI, I put another one in the mailbox this morning to be shipped off to England, so I better not find it returned in my mailbox after a month. If you can do England, what's the deal with Alabama?

Warning. In the next few months, I will have you traipsing your United States' Postal Service blue-trousered hiney all up and down Long Island, Staten Island, and Bermuda. And I expect no problems. So suck it up, and start making things work. Tucker will get his letters. Or else.

Do we have an agreement?

Thought so.


Love,
The girl whose friends are all leaving on missions cuz they're so awesome so she makes sure you're provided with a job.

Splurging

The picture really has nothing to do with the post, but I really love that girl. She may be pink and spoiled and ditzy and quite the stinker, but she loves to sing and dance and give loves (when she's not pouting), and plus, she really is cute... :)

Alrighty. Confession time. My name is Karli, and I'm a pen addict. I love pens. Fancy pens. I love how I can change my handwriting depending on the design. Some pens are good for making an assignment look typed when it's really not. Some pens are good for long, elegant, Thomas Jefferson style cursive. Some pens make even the worst handwriting look like calligraphy. Some are good for taking neat notes. Some are good for journaling. Some are good for writing letters. Some are good for drawing. Some are good for doodling. Some are good for addressing envelopes.

Yeah. I have a problem.

You see, this week I made a trip to the bookstore. I needed a hat for work, a new journal (on to number 6!), and only 2 new pens (because my good ones ran out of ink).

I got the hat. Forgot about the journal. Got distracted in the art supply section. And completely lost it with the pens. I ended up leaving the bookstore with a hat, a new paint-proof sketch book, conte (an art media similar to charcoal), and these...

Beautiful, aren't they?

Ok, so I didn't buy all of those, but I did buy most of them. All the pretty colors. The smooth gel, .05 precision. I couldn't resist. And those things are not cheap, lemme tell ya... Naturally, I ended up spending way too much money at the Bookstore. And I had to go back the next day and get a journal too. Hopefully, these will last me awhile. I hate spending money. But I can't really regret it when it was spent on such good stuff. Luckily, I rarely splurge like that. Here's to not buying anything "unnecessary" in the next long while.

On a side note, speaking of necessary splurging, this was me and the guys a few nights ago.

Ryan, Matt, me, Eric, and Mitch

You see, Ryan there was stressing because his mission call was officially at home (in Logandale, Nevada), and he was having trouble finding a ride, and he was completely sidetracked in all his classes, and just hadn't had a very good week. So I suggested what always works. A carton of ice cream. He was a bit reluctant, but finally gave in. 10 minutes before the Creamery closed, we rushed to the back freezer to peruse the sweet, creamy goodness. And then we sat in the basement and ate it. Ryan felt a lot better, found a ride, and has been called to serve in the Richmond, Virginia, Spanish-speaking mission starting April 27th. Woo-hoo! Oh, ice cream, how I love thee.

PARTY ANIMAL/CRY BABY

2 names that RARELY if ever   apply to me.

Why? 

Party Animal because I'm usually the one rolling my eyes at all the Freshman antics.

and Cry Baby because those who know me know I don't cry. Because I'm insensitive and cold-hearted and it gives me the most debillitating migraines the next morning....

But the world must be coming to an end or something, because this week, I've been both. Ridiculous, I know.

It all started last Friday when my bishop forced us all to go to the big dance. It was fun, but we were only there for an hour (yes, I went with a big group of guys because I'm bad at making friends, and guys are so much easier to hang out with...). 

Then on Saturday, I was hanging out with more guys when we decided to make cookies, so we did by "borrowing" ingredients from other people and played Super Smash Bros Brawl while we ate the cookie dough. That same night, we also went to Walmart after midnight and played with the Hula-Hoops. Plus, I needed a couple things, so I had an excuse to go.

Sunday was insane. Woke up and ran around like a crazy person getting stuff and making copies before church. We had Elder Sybrowsky of the 70 there and Bishop had asked for A Child's Prayer as our rest hymn. Well, turns out, Bishop Johnson was getting released, and he had specifically requested I lead the music. Basically, I was just up there bawling the whole entire time. Weird. But I guess it was pay back for all the times I made him cry. I had people checking on me all day to make sure I was ok since I was widely known as "his favorite." Whatever. :) That night, a group of us (me and 9 guys) went to the Marriot Center for Elder Christofferson's CES fireside. Very good. And later, I got to meet with our new Bishop Sybrowsky (the Elder's son). He's an incredible man. I already hold the record for most interviews....3 times in the last week, not counting the phone call.... Later that night, I was talking to my friend, the girl the ROTC dude had kissed, and found out that things were not going well with that. Basically, some phone calls had to be made to people who could handle the situation better, and hopefully neither of us will hear from him again.

Next couple days, I spent way too much time staying up late talking in the lobby. I cried again somewhere in there...I forget why. Maybe a song or something. Wednesday was ridiculous. It got time to kick the boys out (midnight) but they were hungry, so we went to IHop. At midnight. And it was delicious. And just for kicks, we made another Walmart run after that. Crazy college kids.

Thursday night we jammed on the piano downstairs til we got kicked off, and I had another talk with the Bishop for Ecclesiastical Endorsement stuff.

Friday night was epic. I came home from a voice lesson only to walk in on a game of Killer Bunnies (a really random card game). I joined. And then we all walked down to the Cannon Center cuz we were too lazy to make dinner and acted like we were back in 4th grade. And then we were in the mood for a movie, so we set up 4 couches (movie theatre style) and a mattress in the boys dorm, hooked up a projector, threw popcorn EVERYWHERE, and watched Inception (great movie, but WAY overrated). But wait! There's more! We (me and a girl) walked back to our dorm to hear our friend's date story, ended up watching a chick flick, and pulled 4 mattresses into the hallway for a sleepover. Yeah, I'm even scaring myself...

Saturday consisted of yet another Walmart run (for actual groceries this time) and driving around for no reason in particular. Also there was a "Stoplight Dance" (wear red = taken, yellow = it's complicated, green = single), and I wore white. It was SO much fun though. And my friend, Stewart, is a freakin good dancer. I actually waltzed and swing danced legitly, which also rarely happens. And then 9 of us squeezed into a 5 person car and took a scenic drive. Yeah, I'm crazy. And I cried again, being a typical teenage girl. Something I really try not to let myself succumb to.

Today was fantastic. I cried in the middle of sacrament meeting again when a girl played a special musical number on the piano. and I had another interview with Bishop for choir stuff, and I love him more and more. He's really an incredible man. and then at midnight, since it was Monday then, we went and collected hundreds of Krispy Kreme's reject doughnuts. And then gave some to some nice girls in the parking lot. And then I got to "chaperone" while 2 friends went on a midnight stroll. and I serenaded them with Latin sacred songs, an Italian patriotic song, and an Italian song where the girl singing is trying to seduce her ex-lover. Appropriate, no? :) 

And now it's 4 AM, and I'm going to bed. Crossing my fingers this week will be back to normal. Less partying, and preferably no crying. Geez, Louise. 

Goodbye, 2010!

2010...pretty much the most eventful year of my life yet. I think that's how it must be for most people at this age in life... I definitely grew in areas I wasn't expecting, and I realize over and over again how blessed I really am.

Here's the highlights in chronological order:

January
-I made the decision to go to BYU, despite all the pressure and promises and money from NAU. It was a hard decision. I prayed and prayed and prayed and still felt nothing. Well, Heavenly Father gives us best friends for a lot of reasons, and my best friend told me to pray one more time. So I did, semi-reluctantly, and got the answer I needed. I decided to take a leap of faith and go with BYU. Thank heavens I did.
-This month, I also hosted 2 Australians. One of them is coming back to visit in a few weeks. Hopefully, my parents can bring her up to Utah.

February (one of the most hectic months of my life)
-I was blessed to be able to meet and sing for a lot of the deans of the school of music up here.
-Encore, the small mixed jazz group at MVT went up to Flagstaff for a festival. Super duper fun, and I got closer with a lot of talented people.
-I was part of the Regional choir for my 4th and final year.
-Against all Karli-ness, I participated in the Arizona Junior Miss Scholarship Program (or pageant...). The girliness, the pink, the frills, the bling, the dance routines....totally not me. But it was all stuff I'm at least competent at, and I needed money for college, so I did it. Besides meeting some amazing people and having more fun than I'd expected, I ended up being the 2nd runner up overall, and got some scholarship money. woot!

March
-14th = one of the best days of my entire existence. That morning, I found out I had not only made All-State again, but that I got 1st Chair!!! I was sorta in shock for awhile. Later that afternoon (in the midst of a lot of drama that was unknown to me at the time), one of my long-time friends asked me to Prom. It was unexpected, but nice. However, later that night, my best friend also asked me to Prom. To make the story short, he used all these pictures of us from when we were like 13. After hearing the full story of the day's drama, he'd technically asked first, so I got to tell him yes. Good day? Um....just a bit ;)
-At the end of that month, Chorale traveled to SanFrancisco to tour and record in Skywalker Sound Studios on George Lucas's private ranch. Yeah, we're cool. :) and it was such a fun fun trip.

April
-went to General Conference for the first time.
-Prom = also one of the best days of my life. The day activity was ridiculously awesome, and of course we won cuz that's how we roll. The actual night of the dance was...indescribable. I got ready with some friends, I got to wear my dream dress (thanks to Papa), and I got to spend the whole night with my best friend. Good memories.

May
-AP tests...not really a highlight, I guess.
-being in charge of legit Lion King Broadway makeup for 80+ people. I almost died. But I loved doing the makeup :)
-Graduation!!!!! I don't think that needs any explanation.

June
-cabin trip with some of my best friends. It was probably one of the best trips I've ever been on. Thank you, Dones!
-started online college classes and institute while a lot of my good friends went up to BYU early.
-turned 18!

July
-Family Reunions galore.
-babysitting some of my favorite kids while their parents were out of town for 5 days.
-Junior Staff at Girls Camp- oh, my fun. :)

August
- moved up to BYU much earlier than expected to get a job. 2 blissful and fun weeks, and then it was time for college and hardships.
-Through some miraculous meetings and such, I made it into BYU Singers, the top touring choir here. The last time a Soprano made it in as a Freshman was 7 years ago, and she's still here, being amazing. I love her dearly, as I do all the other sopranos. I've learned so much from them and will continue to hopefully over the years.

September
- became Ward Choir Director...boy, has that been a learning experience...
-started my 5th journal (200 pages later, I'm almost done)
-I started to find my niche.....as a college student, as a Singer, as a roommate, as a friend...
-lots and lots of General Authority firesides and devotionals and such...
-went to the Provo temple for the first time

October
-got to go to General Conference again and see family!
-midterms...and papers...
-first time being really sick away from home. No fun.
-first "chastity" lesson I've ever been in where the bishop encouraged kissing and said nothing's wrong with making out...ummm.....
-attended the opera, La Boheme, in Salt Lake
-SNOW!

November
-I got a call from one of my old friends in the middle of the night, telling me he'd decided to make some changes and get his life in order to go on a mission in a year. I love those phone calls! and I'm so excited for him. and so far, he's stuck by his goals.
-I made 8 dozen banana bread muffins. oh. my. delicious.
-I pulled way too many all-nighters. talk about unhealthy.
-Some of my wonderful friends were able to pull off a visit. It was a much needed break for me as well.
-My ward decided to have a musical sacrament meeting. It was one of the most memorable, spiritual meetings I've ever been in.
-The apartment complex got flooded, and I got to spend the weekend at my Bishop's house. Oh, and I got to meet Donny Osmond ;)
-I recorded and submitted a dvd for the vocal program. I should find out in the next couple days....

December
-my family came for my Christmas concerts!
-My apartment almost burned.
-Finals... ended the semester with 2 As, 2 A-s, and 2 B+s....eh, it's enough for my scholarship.
-The ROTC dude got dramatic...oh well. He leaves on his mission in a couple weeks, and I'm not planning on writing him, even though I am his "truest friend" (yes that's a direct quote....after he yelled at me....over texting...whatever.)
-HOME!!!!! I loved it, even though I got really sick. It was wonderful.Saying goodbye to dear friends leaving on missions, seeing family, finding out I will be the oldest cousin to 3 more in June, July, and August (#41, 42, and 43....first cousins...on just my mom's side....love it!), all of it.

And now I'm back in Provo. for more school. Is it bad that I just want the next few years to hurry up and get over with already? This past year was great. So many lessons. Wonderful friends. Amazing memories. Faith-trying experiences. Miraculous tender mercies. My goals for this new year? Be consistent in writing my missionary friends and be nice, especially to boys. Here, we go, 2011. You've got a lot to live up to, but you will.