Strawberry Tang didn't cut it

Can we please discuss Jon and Kate plus 8 and their recent decision to split up? Yes, they are splitting up.

I have been on this kick this week that whenever I'm in a bad mood, tired, any negative emotion, I mix up a glass of strawberry Tang. It always makes me feel better and pumps me up to get things done and do what I have likely been ignoring. I wish that Jon and Kate had the same insight.

If only they were able to drink a glass of strawberry Tang like I do, their problems would be fixed! Voila! Instead of having Jon minus Kate and the 8, we would be able to continue to enjoy Jon and Kate plus 8 under one roof! At least the ( did I mention the bear we saw in Yellowstone this weekend was in fact a real grizzly bear not some black bear) Duggars are still rolling strong on TLC! Go Duggars (They're the ones with 18 kids and are stuck dressing in the 1800's). Unfortunately, I think even in this situation the strawberry tang may not have fixed the surface of their relationship problems they are working through. Unfortunate.

This weekend my Dad and I went to Yellowstone. We left Rexburg on Thursday evening, and stayed until Saturday evening. The adventure began Friday morning as we entered the park. Determined to find a grizzly bear, I told my dad I WAS NOT going to leave Wyoming until I saw a bear. There was no way I was going to return to Rexburg a grizzly-bear-in-the-wild-seeing-virgin. Friday came and Friday went. We had no bear luck that day. We saw more bison then I have ever seen in my life though. Never need to see one of those again. We also saw a cute little fox on the side of the road. So, dismayed, we left the park Friday. That night we went to the Playmill theatre in West Yellowstone and saw Footloose. So much fun, next time you are up in this area definitely make it to the Playmill theatre for a live performance that is so energetic. I went to bed that night thinking of different ways to attract the bears. I came up with a couple ideas, and the next day we put those ideas to the test.

First off, who doesn't like peanut butter. And I think that if there is anyone that likes peanut butter it is grizzly bears. So on Saturday morning we were in the park and stopped for gas. I bought peanut butter M&M's and a Reeses FastBreak. Both packed with peanut butter. I knew that if I smelled like peanut butter and left a trail, the bears would flock to us. The next thing I did is keep my bear eyes open! I was ready with the binoculars around my neck and the windows rolled down. The determination was on fire inside of me! My dad and I decided that we would come up with a key word that we would say if we saw the "B" word (bear...). I suggested the word Subaru. Somebody (Dad) did not like that, so he suggested Legacy. I decided I could live with that. So we continued driving, and I was saying "legacy" continually in my head over and over again. I was determined to see a bear. After hours of driving around the highest areas in the park, where the grizzlies were, I had lost hope. The bonfire of determination inside of me was doused. It was unfortunate. So I did what any child...adult of my age would do. I said a prayer. Yes, a prayer. I prayed that we would see a grizzly bear in the park before we left! With that prayer in my heart, I went to sleep, continually chanting "legacy" in my mind.

Some time later I woke up to my dad telling me there was a huge pack of cars, and something worth getting out of the car to look at. He was right! It was a grizzly bear! About 100 yards away lay the majestic beast that rules the lands of Yellowstone. After pinching myself I ran out of the car through the pack of people up to the very front with the pack. I threw up the binoculars in front of my eyes and looked in awe. Trying to find something to eat, the bear went from log to log breaking them open searching for whatever food would satisfy him.

I must unfortunately report that there has been some speculation behind the validity of this story. Some people (mom...Jme...the boys in Rockland 209....my FHE brothers....my ward....my Bishop....) seem to think we saw a "brown bear". This is false. It was a grizzly bear. A grizzly bear is a grizzly bear is a grizzly bear. Have I made my point clear?

Somebody has to say it...

At BYU-Improved, there is a specific part of the honor code that states the following:

"Casual dress is discouraged on campus and is not appropriate for the classroom. Casual dress includes knee-length shorts, Capri's, T-shirts, PE-type clothing and flip-flop shoes"

There it is folks! The Honor Code specifically discourages wearing flip flops on campus. So what does one do when he or she sees a fellow student breaking the honor code? Well, the cool kids who let things roll of their back say nothing. Let me emphasize that I am a cool kid, but things do not always roll of my back. So, the other day I observed a girl wearing flip flops on campus. This was not the first time I saw this that day, and at this point it had really gotten to me. So as we passed each other, I looked deep into her eyes and smugly said, "I like your flip-flops." I went merrily on my way thinking I was doing a service for the school and making things easier for the Honor Code police (Yes, they do exist in real life). It was not until after I made this comment that my roommate who was walking with me, (she keeps me in line) asked me, "Did you really have to say that? She can do what she wants."

I hate to admit it....but she was right. I really did not have to say it. But, at the time, I was thinking, well, this is a crime! Somebody MUST say something to this girl! What could she be thinking ?!?!?!?! In the end, does somebody real have to say it....I think the girl knows she is doing something wrong. I'm sure she will feel guilty about it later from all the glares she gets from me and other students. Isn't that guilt enough? If I was having a rough day and wore flip-flops so my feet don't sweat (hey, I'm NOT saying they do!) the last thing I would want is someone saying what I said....

I caught them in the act!

It was about 6:30 Wednesday night. I was full aware that SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance....for those of you that didn't know, please try to catch up...) was going to begin in 30 minutes. I had timed it out perfectly. I would leave now, pick up Celeste, go to the store with her, allow plenty of time to decide between peanut butter and chocolate M&M's, then hit the novelties aisle, and then be in our places ready to watch by 6:59. It was a no fool plan. I knew it well. As I walked out the door I heared a squeal and saw two girls run up the stairs of our stairwell out of the corner of my eye. On my door was two dozen hearts cut out of construction paper and various colors taped all over. In the middle was a big pink heart that read "LAURA". Scattered on the floor were smaller confetti size hearts. It was so hilarious. I caught them in the act! The silly girls were doing this in the middle of the evening. I think that is the best part of all of this! So they quickly told me to shut the door, I did, and we continued on as if nothing had happened. 5 minutes later I heard a knock on the door, and then saw them run past our window. I was so surprised and thought it was so sweet of them. Moral of the story, DO NOT try to surprise me untill after 7:30 at night.

It's come to my attention that there really is such a thing as "being in the right place at the right time." As I have continued to be here in Rexburg and live surrounded by single college students dealing with an array of emotional and physical challenges, I have found myself doing unusual things at odd times of the day only to find someone in dismay in need of a listening ear. While my impact is often simply no more then a "sorry, I know how you feel" or "well, that sounds like that bites. I've never dealt with that but I'm sure it stinks" or even " I think you should talk to you Bishop," time and time again, I am reminded that we are not sent to life to further the progression of our selves, but in turn, help others reach their ultimate potential as well.

There is an overwhelming humbling sensation that comes to me after I do something that I typically will not do, and the effect is in favor of someone else. Whether it's walking home a different way to stumble upon a stressed friend, or staying a little longer after class to find someone didn't understand the teachers explanation. The examples of being there when someone needs me and I didn't know it go on. As I continue to recognize how often they occur in even every day to day life, I am amazed the impact I have on the lives of other people. Watching these moments reinforces to me that I cannot simply walk through life expecting and waiting for someone else to make a difference in my life , but I must strive to make a difference in someone else's life.

Reflections Over Cheerios...

It is impossible to make someone else do something they truly do not want to do. We can hip and hooray and give as many thumbs-up as possible, but in the end, we all have the ability to choose. Frustrating? yes. But, what if we really could not decide. The first thing that comes to mind in this situation is a communistic society I crinkle my nose in disgust at. I like choosing to not eat vegetables because I hate them and using a pillow that gives my neck no support. If there was a mustached-scary man telling me what to do, I would have to eat my vegetables and someone would make me use some stuffy pillow that would prop my neck at such an uncomfortable angle. Therefore I choose to choose. These no bake cookies I'm enjoying; I would be forced to put coconut and peanuts in simply because they are part of the recipe. That would ruin the cookie. Unless you are my mother.

So I ask myself, should we celebrate our ability to choose even when so many choose to booze themselves up every moment of the day and numb themselves to the adversity they must face with the fake "comforting" effects of drugs? Yes. I argue that from that choice they are making, eventually their concious will kick in and they will realize what they are doing and the other side of life that is awaiting them. So HOORAH to choices!!!!!! If you want to do something, do it. I decided today I wasn't going to eat anything healthy. I just didn't want to. So I didn't. 12 hours later do I regret the choice I made? Yes. Was it worth it? Eh, yes. Will I do it again? Not until my Birthday.

First Semester Grades!

READ 'EM AND WEAP!

Here are my grades for this semester. ALL A's! My GPA came out to

3.84

can you believe it?  I'm very proud of myself, and I kept my scholarship and will be able to get even more money for next year (hopefully!)  Let's see if I can keep it up for next semester!