One of my best friends loves Ghandi. Like, she’s obsessed with Ghandi. And I often hear the quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I always just thought, “Yeah, that’s nice.” Today I finally started to get it. Yesterday was not a great day for me, for many reasons. But early in the morning, while having a deeply spiritual talk with Alli, I realized that so many people around me ARE the change that I want to see in the world, and that I should start doing that too.

So thank you to Alli for sitting and listening to me rant, and always having the best spiritual talks with me. Thank you to my sweet mom for ALWAYS giving the best advice and always being ready to talk. Thanks to Sam for a text that totally made my day, thanks to Jon for helping me way more than he needed to, thanks to my amazing friends here who always lift me up. Thanks to my amazing FHE brothers and my other brothers who make me feel happy and important. To the girls in my Relief Society who make me feel like I can do anything, and make me want to be better. And a special thanks to my best friend who always makes time for me, always says the perfect thing, and makes me feel so supported even when he’s so busy.

I know I’m not the best at being the change I want to see in the world, but it’s something I’m going to work on. Starting with not complaining about the snow, and being supportive of everyone I love.

On a side note, these things happened:

The nicest waitress in existence served us unlimited soup and breadsticks at THE Olive Garden 

I love BYU. I love the classes, the campus, where I live, my professors, the huge library. But mostly I love the people I’ve gotten to know. I haven’t blogged in quite a while, so here’s the update.

I got to spend the weekend with my family (which was awesome, they’re honestly the best,) go to a few farewells of good friends, spent time at Gabe’s cabin with all my friends playing games and talking and eating lots of peanut butter M&M’s, all in all it was an awesome long weekend.

So back to my original thought. Heading back to school was no fun, and I wasn’t having the best week. But multiple times, things would happen that made me happy. Most of these things included my amazing friends at BYU.

• I got a really good parking spot. And I didn’t think I was going to get one.
• Kurtis played the accordion, Lincoln played his guitar/his mandolin, Jack played his violin, Dillion dressed all hipster to play his guitar, and the rest of us sang along to all the crazy stuff they played. Basically one of the best jam sessions ever.
• Rach, Lau, Sar, and Al made me spaghetti at midnight when I was having a really awful day.
• We talked about Bernini in Humanities. If you don’t know who he is, shame on you. Click here to find out about him and see his amazing sculptures. My favorite is The Rape of Proserpina.
• For my media writing class I get to do SO MUCH WRITING about things that I actually like! And my teacher works for KSL and really knows what he’s talking about, which is awesome.
• I found my other glove!
• Our apartment is CLEAN.
• Randy is having a great time in the MTC.
• My Book of Mormon class is so great, and my teacher always teaches exactly what I need.
• There is always plenty of candy.

I was sitting around tonight, unsure of what to blog about, when my best friends demanded I blog about them. So I’m sure you’re going to be sick of hearing about them, but here it goes.

Right now we are sitting on two mattresses laying on the couch and chairs making a huge bed. Sleepover? Every weekend? Yes please. So here’s a shout-out to the girls who have helped me get through the past week and a half, and the first semester of college. And will get me through the rest of college. To Rachel who always helps me look pretty, always tells me it’s ok to cry, always makes sure I know where the party is, and always makes me feel like she needs me. To Sarah who tries to care even when it’s hard for her, who always calms me down, who always helps me see the big picture, and who cares about how I feel more than anything. To Alli who lets me cry to her, who always wants the very best for me, who is always so sweet and loyal, who helps put things in perspective for me, and who is my little guardian angel. To Lauren who really loves to listen to me, who helps me not care what others think, who reminds me how lucky I am, and who understands and lets me know. To Kathryn who is the best mother ever, who always checks on how I’m doing, who makes sassy jokes at me, and who loves to make me happy.

There are so many other friends that I should write about, but it’s really early and I’m very tired.

Lastly, Elder Low is doing great! He is loving the MTC and has thrown himself in to the Gospel wholeheartedly. If anyone reading this would like to send me a Facebook message so I can send him a big package on his birthday full of friendly letters, that would be great! More updates to come!

Right now I’m in this weird state of limbo. Limbo between being happy and being sad. I’m, as Lauren so poetically put it, existing. There are moments when I’m really happy and moments when I’m really sad, but all the moments in between I’m just content. Just existing. It’s weird. But anyway that’s not the story I wanted to tell!

Last night I went to a BYUSA dance. It was actually really fun. I won the bet:) Which isn’t important, but still it was nice. Then we went to Jack and Dylan’s and talked, then took Cade’s TV into the activity room and watched Warrior. I’m just really grateful for really good friends who are here for me right now. Ya’ll are the best:)

So I don’t think I’ll have time to post tomorrow, and I want to put this up before Randy leaves. Basically this is a post just for Randy, but you can still read it. If you want:)

Yes, tomorrow is the last time I will see my best friend for two years. And that’s a very hard reality to accept. The good news is, he’s doing something he’s supposed to be doing. And the people in Japan need him more than I do right now. There is not a place in this world I would rather have him be. I am so proud of you Randy, and I’m lucky to have met you.

So now prepare for the really mushy part. No this is not goodbye, rather it’s “talk to you soon” or “see you soon.” But I just want everyone, and especially Randy himself, to know what this friendship has meant to me.
So, prepare yourself for a mushy, gushy post. If that isn’t your style, well then simply stop reading.

Randy is one of the kindest, sweetest, funniest, smartest, most spiritual people I know. Not to mention he’s good looking:) Randy cares more about other people than he does himself, and always puts those people first. Randy sat around waiting for me to get my act together, taught me more about myself than anybody ever has, has forgiven me time and time again, makes me laugh when I don’t even feel like smiling, listens to all my stories, gets excited over everything, gives me butterflies, is a perfect gentleman, is amazing at singing, playing the piano and playing the guitar, can out-dance anyone I know, helps everyone he meets, loves the Lord and His gospel, and a million other things.

Randy and I have had a million adventures. So Randy Low, thanks for all the Orange Leaf and Frosty runs, our Chili’s dates, temple trips, for telling me what to wear, for thinking I’m pretty even when I’m not, for believing in me, for putting me first, for treating me like a princess, for showing me amazing music, for making music with me, for bringing flowers, for letting me stand on your feet, for catching me when I fall, for sitting with me when I’m sick, for all the hours we spent doing homework, for painting my nails, for coming shopping with me a million times, for laughing at movies and shows with me, for every stupid fight and every last hug. Thank you for being my very best friend. I am going to miss you like crazy, and I have no idea what is in store for us, but I will never regret a second we spent together, because of all the things you have taught me. I love you!!!

I feel like this start of a new year is full of a lot of lasts. But today was a good last. Randy and I went on our last official date tonight. And ladies and gentlemen, it was perfect. Yes there were lots of tears, especially when he said goodbye to my family, but it was a perfect mix of our favorite places and things, a good long talk, a slow dance to a good song, everything. I don’t know how I lucked out to get that boy in my life, but all I can say is I’m one really lucky girl. Yes, expect the next few days to be mushy posts. Sorry. Anywho, it’s late and I should have been asleep hours ago. But even with all the crazy roller coaster emotions I’ve been feeling, right now, I feel really happy. So thanks Randy:)

So it is officially the second day of 2013!! So far, it has been a wonderful year. Hopefully it will continue to be a fabulous year for the next 363 days. I have a new look for my blog this year, and just thought I would jot down a few of my resolutions, and hopefully if I publish them for all to see, I’ll have to be better at keeping them!

• Read my scriptures and say my prayers every single day. I don’t struggle with this persay, but it’s such a good resolution and I’ve had it every year since I can remember.
• Be the best Relief Society President I can be. I could be doing so much better, and I intend to make sure that in 2013 I do the very best I can.
• Be incredibly supportive of my best friend who will be in Japan.
• Make a difference in someone’s life every day that I can.
• Spend time each day helping others.
• Be the best sister and daughter possible.
• Get good grades
• Figure out myself!
• Have lots and lots of fun.