Sharing the love

I have been in love with this song for the last few weeks. My roommates are sick of hearing it, I know, but I just love it. I don't know what it is about it that I like so much, but every time I hear it I can't help but smile. And that's a necessity when you're studying for finals. So I thought it was time to share the love. I hope you like it as much as I do :)

A birthday!

My sister's birthday is coming up and so I just wanted to talk a little about how grateful I am for her in my life. So Bri, here's a {very limited} list of some of the reasons why I love having you as my sister:

• I've always had a hard time with decisions (but only the inconsequential ones. With the big ones I seem to do just fine. What's up with that?) and I could never choose what to wear. So she would pick out my outfit pretty much every day. Something so small, but it really meant a lot to me

At a girls photo shoot.

• Growing up whenever I was upset and crying she would take me and let me lay down and just play with my hair while I cried and told her about my woes. She's always been so good at taking care of me.

Bri and Andy in Bear Lake this summer.

• Speaking of taking care of me, just this weekend she spent a few hours on the phone with me helping me study for my exam on Monday. I know that she had better things to do with her time on a Saturday night, but she took time to listen and help me understand. So thoughtful.

I love this photo of Bri and Daner in St. George.

• She's such a peacemaker. I've never in my life heard her even raise her voice. She's so even-tempered and patient. I've always admired that in her.

Bri and Andy in Jackson Hole.

• Bri is always willing to share her time and talents. Whenever she has a fun project she always shows me how to do it so I can share in the creativity that I lack :)

Bri's graduation from Nursing School.

• She's always so good at making people feel loved and included. Even from our childhood, she has always asked me how I'm doing and what she can do to help and would do little things without me asking to show she cared. 

Basically, she's the best. Bri, I've always looked up to you and I am so grateful for you in my life. I can't wait to see you so soon! Happy Birthday honey!

Positive Affirmations

My classmates and I have a Boston College Master's Entry group on Facebook where we can post activities, ask questions, and just generally connect outside of class. Yesterday my classmate posted this:

Told you my classmates were awesome :)

iLove

It's November! Hooray! That means I get to go home in 15 days......not like I've already been counting for 2 weeks or anything.....

And going home means I get to FINALLY meet the two newest additions to my family: Lucy (my adorable new niece) and Arya (my sister's gorgeous new puppy). Yay for family!

I've decided to dedicate this post to some of the things I am lovin' right now.

That being said, I am in love with New England in the fall.

Campus was already beautiful, but I think the changing trees make it even more so.

More things iLove:

• Hot cocoa
• My mom for letting me call her and "teach" her the material I've been studying to help me remember it better
• My space heater
• Spontaneous stress-relieving dance parties with my roommates
• The fact that I got a 98 on my last Pharmacology exam
• My classmates
• Did I mention I get to see my family this month?
• My favorite pair of red boots
• The fact that today I got an extra hour of sleep. Thank you daylight savings.
• Skype. Such a wonderful invention.

In good company

I really love the people in my program. They are all so nice and wonderful to be around. It's also good to know that we're all in this together. We're all having similar doubts about our abilities and going through similar trials. We've had a few conversations this week about how to deal with stress and just generally motivating each other to keep doing our best and know that it will all work out in the end. It's comforting to know that there are people who are going through the same things as me and who have got my back. We're a team and we're in this together until the end. It's really wonderful to be surrounded by people like that.

And on that topic, I appreciate all the love and support I've felt from family and friends as I've been trying to figure out this new phase in life. Thank so all so much for your love, support, and encouragement. I couldn't do it without all of you! It's challenging every day, but it's absolutely worth every single second. I love knowing that I am finally in a place to be doing what I've always wanted to do. And that's a good feeling.

A pick-me-up

Sometimes when I need a pick-me-up (on days like today), I watch this video and I'm happy again. Seriously, how can you not have a smile on your face while watching those little kids? They're amazing, and their singing is enough to take your breath away. I adore them and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet them and learn from them. And it's moments like these that remind me how good life really is. Even when you're home on a Friday night studying :)

Packages from home make Mique a happy girl :)

Have I ever mentioned how amazing my mom is? Cause she is. A.MAZ.ING.

Today I got a package from her with all sorts of goodies inside. Delicious things like recipes and cinnamon that resulted in an amazing dinner of pumpkin waffles. (To die for, right? I know. And I'm not usually a huge fan of pumpkin, which just tells you how dang good they were.) And things like warm socks because I randomly told her the other day that I was planning on investing in some to keep me toasty warm this winter and some hair products to try to make my hair behave in this humidity. And that isn't even the end of it!

It just goes to show you how thoughtful and wonderful my mother is. And I hate to break it to you, but she's just the best mother in the entire world. She really is the greatest. And I'm so grateful she's mine :)

When Mom and Daddy came to visit me in Jerusalem.

LOVE this pic of Mom and Bear

She's a dang cute grandma too.

Thanks Mom, for always knowing how to make my day. I love you!

New Hampshire

There's a kid in my program who's from New Hampshire and every time I hear about New Hampshire I think of a shirt he wears that says, "New Hampshire: better than the old one."

A few weekends ago we had a tri-ward campout in New Hampshire at a campground the church owns up there. It went Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but I drove up with two of my roommates Saturday afternoon and we stayed overnight and left on Sunday. It was only like an hour to an hour and a half away which was surprising to me. It was way fun though and we had a skit night on Saturday that was highly entertaining. The weather was nice during the day, but my heavens, I very nearly froze to death that night. I was wearing so many layers, but still I couldn't sleep because of the cold. So that wasn't the most fun thing of my life, but what can ya do? Just a note to anyone who wants to go camping in New Hampshire--you really will need a sleeping bag. Really.

Saturday night watching the BYU/Utah game. Still a touchy subject.

The dock at the lake

Sunset over the lake

Getting ready

When left over hair and makeup from the day before counts as getting ready and warrants mention from your classmates, you know you've reached a new low.

Ramblings

Since when did it get to be October? This is weird.

Speaking of weird, this post has no real purpose or cohesiveness. Just the ramblings of a mind taking a break from studying.

You know when you have experiences where it just feels like, "Why yes, I did choose the right major," or "Now, this is why I have this job," or "THAT is why we are friends"? Maybe it's just me, but I sometimes have those moments, and yesterday was one of those days. It was our second day of clinical and the first day where we were assigned our own patient to care for. I was slightly apprehensive because I've never had my own patient before and had no idea what I was doing. That being said, it was SUCH a good day. I felt like a real nurse. I was actually able to provide care to someone who couldn't do it for himself. Granted, I still have so much to learn. But with the help of a wonderful and patient supervising nurse, I felt like I was actually contributing to someone's well-being. I made a difference, even if it was only in one person's life. And that's a dang good feeling. And THAT is why I'm going to be a nurse.

Also, I'm grateful for my friends: old and new. (I told you this post was going to be random, didn't I?) "People say best friends are hard to find--that's because the best are already mine." *enter a random compilation of pictures of some of the best friends a girl could ever hope for*

Our last get-together before I moved to Boston

A gathering before I left on my study abroad

At Kate's bridal shower

A random In-N-Out run after a beastly Micro exam

Dance party freshman year

After Kate's vocal recital

And to round out the randomness, how about the song that I've been loving recently:

Alright, I think that's enough randomness for one day. Back to the studies I go...

When in doubt, wear rain boots.

That's my new mantra for Boston, because every time I think about wearing rain boots and then don't, I regret it. Take last night for example. The second we walked away from our house, it started POURING rain. I was soaked from the knee down. So, lesson learned. Rain boots are your friend.

Last night we had a girls night out while the men were at the Priesthood session of General Conference. We went to this restaurant named John Harvard's in Harvard Square. It was gooooood. There were 22 of us there, and it was so fun! Those girls are so cute. I was glad to continue the tradition of having a girl's night, even though I'm not home to be able to have one with my mom and sisters.

Also, any hints for doing hair in the humidity? They would be much appreciated. Come to find out, my hair hates me. Or at least hates the humidity. Last night I straightened my hair right before I went out, and this is what it looked like when I got home:

Attractive, I know. Note to self, save yourself time and energy and don't bother doing your hair, because you'll end up looking like an idiot no matter what.

P.S. I feel like I look like an elderly person in that photo. Squinting, even with my glasses on. Love. it. :)

We interrupt your program for a very important message...

Alright, so I'm not interrupting your favorite TV show. What I am interrupting is my studying, which is actually much happier than interrupting a TV show. I felt the need to take a little study break to give a shout-out to my sister, Lindsay. Her birthday is coming up (I won't say when for privacy purposes), so I just wanted to let her know that I love her. And here's just a few reasons why (with pictures that may or may not have anything to do with my list. That's how I roll :)

I love singing with her because she has the most beautiful soprano voice. Any day I get to sing with her is a good day.

We go on lots of road trips together

aaaaand she puts up with my incessant need to take pictures. Even when she's driving.

She's such a cute mother to two of the cutest little munchkins on the face of the planet

'Nuff said.

She's super crafty and awesome at cooking and doesn't even get mad at me when I have to call her for the millionth time to remind me how to cast on for knitting or exactly how to make a recipe she gave me. (This happens often).

 And sometimes when I am feeling crappy about myself she drops everything (everything, I tell you) to come help me, even though there's a million other things she could be doing.

This is a very condensed version of what I could say, but the point is I love you Linds. I'm so grateful that you're my sister. I'm sad I can't be there for your birthday, but I hope you can have an decent one without me there :)

Happy Birthday! I love you!

Wicked Wednesdays

You know you're in a Master's of Nursing program when your teacher starts class with 10 minutes of meditation to try to alleviate the anxiety felt by everyone in the room. Yeah... that's the kind of week this is turning out to be.

Everyone is freaking out because next week not only do we start having clinicals 2 days a week, but we also have 4 exams. So yeah..... that'll be fun...

In other news, Wednesday's and I are no longer friends. 12 hours on campus is too long my friends. Too long.

I'm a local! ...kinda...

Alright, here it is: my update on life in Boston, finally! It's been a crazy few weeks, and bound to get more so, I'm sure. But don't worry, I've managed to have plenty of fun in the process. Here's a glimpse at life on the east coast:

Mom and Daddy flew out with me to help me move in and get settled. Good thing they did, I'm really not sure how I would have managed without their help.

First getting in to Boston. Daddy didn't know how to focus my camera so the image is super blurry, but you get the general idea.

Why yes, I did check 6 huge suitcases jam packed with my belongings. What you don't see is my backpack and purse that I carried on and Mom's purse and Dad's two carry-ons as well. They were so good to me to let me use all of the checked luggage for my stuff.

We got in Tuesday afternoon and with a few mishaps (aka getting lost multiple times... navigating around here is hard!) we made it to Boston College to check it out.

Bright and early Wednesday morning I had orientation that lasted all day, and while I was at that Mom and Daddy were out running errands for me (aren't they the best?)

In front of the nursing school, my home for the next two years

We spent several days getting everything settled and my room set up (a separate post with pictures to come later). Then finally on Saturday we were able to get out and see Boston. We went on the Freedom Trail and it was really cool!

The cemetery where Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin's parents are buried

Paul Revere statue with the Old North church in the background.

We made a stop at Mike's Pastries, this famous Italian pastry shop in the North end. It was PACKED with a line going down the street for about a block.

This picture does not do justice to the madness that is Mike's Pastry

We also went on a Duck Tour and got a sweet view of the Boston skyline.

I WILL ride in a sailboat at some time while I live here

We thought the moon looked really cool behind this building, so we had to take a picture

Sadly my parents had to leave on Sunday, but I'm so grateful I was able to have them here as long as I did. Thank you Mom and Daddy!

Randomly on Sunday I ran in to my Jerusalem friend Rebekah at church and come to find out she lives in my house! There are two apartments: mine is the upstairs and hers is the downstairs! It was seriously one of the most random experiences of my life, but I was so happy to have a friend so close! And since Monday was a holiday, I went down to her apartment Monday morning to see if she would want to explore with me and she told me that she was going on the Freedom Trail and would I want to come? Why yes, yes I would. Also, her sister married my other Jerusalem friend B, and they were in town for the weekend so they were coming on the trail too! I was seriously so happy! B is one of my most favorite people, so I was stoked to be able to spend the day with him, even if I was crashing their family time.

This time on the Freedom Trail was a little different because we rented bikes and rode them around town for a lot of it. Seriously, so much fun. When you come to Boston to visit me (hint, hint), we will do this. It's that much fun. Riding bikes along the cobblestones made me feel like I was in a scene from a movie straight out of Europe. Loved it.

Rebekah, B, and Rachel on their bikes

B touring the U.S.S Constitution

The four of us chillin in the garden at Boston Commons

Anyway, that's Boston for ya! Oh yeah, and school stuff too, but those are minor details, right?

"Graduation"

I graduated from BYU on August 12, but was in Fiji until August 13. Not a bad trade-off if you ask me. Anyway, our last day in Fiji was Saturday, which due to the time difference meant it was Friday in Utah, the day of my graduation. We were sitting there at a debriefing meeting and out of nowhere Karen stands up and says that it was a big day and starts humming the graduation theme song. She pulls out a "graduation cap" and "diploma" and Brian calls me up to the front. He says "You know that when you graduate they give you a fake diploma, so as an officer of the school I would like to present you with this diploma and congratulate you on your graduation." It was hilarious, I could not stop laughing. It was so cool! And let's be honest, I think my graduation ceremony was the best anyone graduating from BYU had this summer: short, sweet, and in view of the ocean in Fiji. Awesome!

Brian giving me my diploma. People wear quick-dries to graduation, right?

One of the girls in my program got the whole thing on video, but I still can't figure out how to load videos on this thing. Help?

10 years

I am grateful to be an American.

Today my dear friend Jen invited me to go with her to the September 11 ten year memorial they were holding today in the Memorial Hall at Harvard. It was amazing. Absolutely amazing.

It was an artistic tribute to 9/11, so it was a reading and music and dance tribute. It started off with a powerful picture slideshow set to music that really set the stage for the rest of the program. The music was incredible, and so heartrendingly beautiful and simultaneously haunting. The reading consisted of some excerpts from poems, interviews of people like firefighters and cops, and letters from soldiers after the attacks, to name just a few. It was fabulously well-done and I am so glad I got to be a part of it.

Today is a somber day, a day to reflect on the past and how to rise above some of the horrible things in the world and combat it with the good. This article says it so well. I hope we never forget what happened this day 10 years ago. God bless America.

In my room

I'm sitting here in my room doing my homework, and I had to break out the space heater. Already.

It's September.

What have I gotten myself into?

Bula Vinaka!

First Fiji, then Boston. Also, just a few words about Fiji. Going on this trip I was SO stoked for Australia and New Zealand because they are places I've dreamed of for as long as I can remember, and I just thought that Fiji would be a sweet place. Little could I know that Fiji would steal my heart.

• The children (p.s. don't mind the fact that I look like Quasimodo, that's just my nice little eye infection...)

Samisae braiding my hair

The absolutely cutest little boy on the planet, I'm convinced (minus my nephew, of course)

Also I'm trying to upload a video of the kids singing which was one of my favorites but it's not working for some reason. When I get it to work I'll post it later.

• The villagers

Again, if I could load a video I would, but for now, pictures will have to suffice

They made the sweetest, most elaborate meals for us and they would stand behind the table, just so proud of their work and it just melted your heart.

They would dance and sing for us at our welcoming ceremony and goodbye ceremony

So much attention to detail in everything, from the flower necklaces they gave us when we first got there to this welcoming sign to the food. Everything was perfect.

Again with the detail. This was the archway they made at our picnic on the beach.

•  Lemon leaf tea

This stuff was goooooooood. So good that our director's wife tried to bring some leafs back with her to the U.S. for which she got stopped at customs and is now on the biodiversity watchlist. Note to self, don't try to bring leaves back from other countries.

• Our uninhabited island

Unbelievably and indescribably beautiful

•  And last, but definitely not least, our guides

Seriously, if you are ever planning a trip in Fiji you need to use Tamarillo. These guys did SUCH a good job and honestly made the trip for us. It would not have been nearly as amazing without them. I got so attached to them that I wanted to bring all of them back to the U.S. with me so I wouldn't have to leave them.  Love them.

Johnny letting me borrow his sunglasses for a picture on the top of our uninhabited island

The Tamarillo gang. Top Row (please note that I'm going to slaughter the spelling of their names, but what can ya do?): Gus, Juilian, Tox, Marina, George, Ratu's wife, Ratu, Tony. Bottom Row: Ravai, Thomase, Simone (with Ratu's son), Johnny (with Ratu's other son), Brent (with Ratu's daughter), and Katherine

My favorites: Gus, Johnny, Tox, and Simone

Other things that aren't highlights but that I should talk about anyway...

• My eye infection

This is me trying to open my eye as wide as I could.... epic fail.

•  Cava

It's this ...interesting... drink that they have ALL the time. It tastes like mud and makes your mouth tingly.

Me holding the cava root. They grind this up and mix it with water to drink.

•  Fish

So much fish. I'm pretty sure I've met my fish quota for the rest of my life

I could go on about Fiji for pages and pages, but this is it for now. Maybe if you're lucky I'll post more later :)