Glee

Glee (n): open delight or pleasure; exultant joy; exultation.

That is exactly what the show does to me! I want to tell everyone about it!
If you don't watch this tv show, you should.
Glee is about the the glee club at William McKinley high school and the struggles and triumphs they go through with trying to stay sponsored at the school, defining themselves, and their own personal lives.
The characters crack me up! I have fallen in love with them.
My favorite characters are Rachel [lead girl] and the guidance counselor, Emma Pillsbury.
Rachel has an amazzzzing voice! She was on Broadway before the show started. I could listen to her sing all the day long!
It's kinda quirky sometimes, but the songs and the people make the show so worthwhile!
Here are some clips to just brighten your day! [youtube only has a few unfortunately!]

Seriously one of my all time favs on the show! Their cover of "Take a Bow" originally done by Rihanna.


Hello! No Air!


I could only find the shortened version, but the end is the best part. Oh well. It's still great!


Seriously awesome.


I laughed. hard. and long.


My other favs include: Halo/Walkin on Sunshine Mashup, Keep Holding On, Maybe This Time [feat. Kristen Chenoweth], Alone [feat. Kristen Chenoweth], & of course Don't Stop Believing!

i think Charlotte is a great friend.

So I have 2 jobs. I have worked at the restaurant Magleby's Fresh for over 3 years now. I am entering my 4th school year at "the fresh." And i really do love it. I have great co-workers, my General Manager is chill, I get free food on my shift and discounts when i'm not working, I get to see LDS celebs like David Osmond, Harvey Unga, & Susan W. Tanner [among others], and it gives me extra brownie points with people [mostly because they want to use me to get cheaper french toast.] Almost a year ago I decided I needed to get a 2nd job if I was going to pay more of my bills and not worry about money as much. So Heavenly Father led me to the right place at the right time...Charlotte Russe.

Now I have loved Charlotte since I was a freshman. There wasn't a store near me on the east coast so I discovered it when i came out for school. I fell in love with their products! Whenever I had extra money to spare i would go to Charlotte 90% of the time. So Charlotte was where I applied. It was right before Thanksgiving so thankfully they were about to hire on more people for the Holiday season. I still remember walking on campus between classes and getting a phone call from one of my managers, Tiffanee, to ask if I could come in that day for an interview. I was so nervous! Karly was actually in town and took me over to the mall. My interview went well and shortly after Tiff called and offered me the job. My first day of training was the day before Thanksgiving and my first real day was yes...black Friday! I was scared out of my mind...I didn't know what I was doing! I've only ever worked on boats, in a restaurant, or performing. So if I could've dressed up as a mermaid to offer customers a stuffed breadstick on a sunset cruise I would've been set. But no....retail is a new kind of beast. It's a new kind of fun though. I got the hang of it pretty quickly. Before I left for Christmas break I felt comfortable enough.

I returned 2 weeks later after the break and really got in to it. Thankfully they asked me to stay after the Holiday season and I became a regular member of the staff. I fell in love with my managers: Janelle [store manager], Amy, Tiffanee, Crystal, & Emily. I looked forward to work mostly so I could hang out with them! Janelle would always schedule me and Christina on Friday nights so we could have pretzel fridays! If we beat the amount we made on that same day the previous year she would buy us pretzels from PretzelMaker. We would be selling machines so she'd have to pay up! Janelle was also great because she would sing to us in the headsets...always a pleasure. Amy is just straight up. She will be a snot if she needs to be and it cracks me up! She's so great though and we have the best time dancing at the registers together. Tiffy is the cutest thing. Ever. I admire her a lot and she and I had many talks where she gave me a spiritual boost when I needed it during my hard times. Crystal and Emily are fabulous too and I seriously love working with them.

Janelle, Tiffanee, & Amy

Now for some technical terms. ADS [Average Dollar Sale] UPT [Units Per Transaction] LY [Last Year] We have the goals of keeping our ADS at $30, UPT at a 4, and we always want to do better than LY. What our ADS and UPT are for those hours reflect those working...both managers and associates. If we're doing our job as in telling people about the promotions, adding on items in the fitting rooms and at the register, and just showing interest in the customers then our ADS is usually higher. It is the most exciting thing when our ADS and UPT are so high! And the opposite effect is not quite as fun. But I can still remember the day we got the reports in and under associates with the highest ADS in the region was my name! Kaycie - Store 320! YES! That is motivation enough to work hard to get your name on there again and again, week after week!

However, I think the real reason I enjoy this job so much is not getting my name on a report, but just loving fashion. I really do love it. It brings me joy. I love getting shipment in and seeing what the latest is. But my seriously favorite thing in the world is when people want me to shop for them! OH MY GOSH I LOVE IT! It is the greatest thing when someone walks in and says, "I don't know what I want. Can you help me?" Oh gracious...can I ever?! So from there I get to pick out all these outfits for the body shape and what their personality is. And the most rewarding thing is when they walk out of the fitting room and they love what they have on. They feel confident with their appearance. Like I'm smiling just thinking about it! And then the best is when they don't care how much money they're going to spend and they walk out of there with a new wardrobe that I personally picked out! Now there are definitely the days where I think if I have to do any more "go-backs" [putting clothes back from the fitting rooms] I'm going to throw up or if people can't learn to pick up the clothes they clearly just dropped and didn't bother to pick up I will just chuck it at them but...that's ok because...

I have a love affair with Charlotte. I've falling hard. And I'm never falling out of love.

As I Have Loved You.

So Sunday was a great church day. The talks were awesome. The people had good comments. The Spirit was there. But I just felt so much love and appreciation for my life and all the good that it has in it. Sometimes I can only think about the things that I struggle with or wish I had, but on Sunday I got to take a step back and look at the things I do have and the things I am so blessed to enjoy. Here are some of the things I got to think about and appreciate for having in my life:

My Amazing Parents.
My Beautiful Sisters & Studly Brother-in-Law.
My Island Home.
My Friends.
My legs so that I can dance.
My voice so that I can sing.
My hands so that I can play piano.
My 2 Jobs.
The college education I am getting at BYU.
My 4Runner, Neil. [even if he gets a temper from time to time.]
My Wardrobe.
My Bed.

Just those few things I listed a lot of people do not have...even here at BYU. Not everyone has parents that are still in love. Not everyone has siblings they are best friends with. Not everyone can go home to an island for Christmas vacation. Not everyone has the incredible friends I do. Not everyone can dance, sing, or play the piano. Not everyone has one job, let alone 2. Not everyone has a car or more clothes than they know what to do with. As I sat in Sacrament Meeting literally thinking all of these thoughts I became so grateful to my Heavenly Father. Yeah the last year was a struggle and there were definitely times where I would've traded the list above to make it all go away, but it didn't. Heavenly Father knew that I could handle those trials in my life. I am flattered that he knew I could take it. I am awed that he gave me that responsibility to shape me as a person. I could not have gone through it without the love I felt from Him though! I felt more love as a divine daughter of God last year than I have in my entire life combined.

I also became a lot more grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and just how universal it is. I think sometimes we think of the power of that sacrifice only extending to us when we've done wrong in the eyes of God. But I didn't need the Atonement for that purpose. Not that I'm perfect and never have a need for repentance, but I needed it for something different. I needed it for comfort. I needed it for direction. I needed it for peace. I needed it for purpose. I needed it to draw closer to my Savior. The closing song in Sacrament Meeting was "Love One Another." The words read: "As I have loved you, love one another. This new commandment, love one another. By this shall men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." That's it...the song is so short and I've heard it countless times in my life. But it really hit me on Sunday. The Savior loves us so much and I am grateful for the experiences in my life that helped me feel that love ten fold.

...Love One Another.

Club Style saved my life.

My friend, Tyrone, really provoked a huge thought process in my mind last week. So because of that trigger...here is the corresponding blog. [if you get to the end of this blog you will hear what Tyrone had to say to me. sorry this is long.] Club Style is the hip hop dance club on campus that I have been a part of since I was a freshman. I auditioned in January of 2006 and made it on the performing team. From then on my life would never be the same. Friendships were made, bonds were formed, and memories were created that semester that changed my BYU experience. The President that year was Laurel Matsuda. She is an amazing person and you can see that through her dancing and her personality. I was terrified of her at first because let's face it...I was a little freshman and she was a cool, older senior. She would never want to talk to me or be my friend because I just wasn't at her level. Boy, was I wrong. She welcomed me every week and bit by bit I became less and less "scared" of her and then I treasured every time we had together and we became great friends. I still love hearing about her life and I wish I could see her more. Other people were responsible for making that first year incredible for me like Shellie, Char, Austin, Claudy, Tyrone, Brian, & Steph. These were the people I looked up to, the people I laughed with, the people I called my "best friends."

Sophomore year [06-07] was drastically different than freshman year. Laurel graduated and passed the torch on to Lindsay Egbert. Lindsay made Claudy & me the VP's and Club Style took a whole new turn for me. From then on I would no longer just go to practice and dance. Now I had responsibility and now I had a lot more to do than just learn choreography. I loved it though. I loved contributing to the mechanics of the club and getting to know people in a different light. Lindsay offered some great new choreography and the club continuted to grow in number. We gained great talent that year like Ashley and Danielle. I felt like Club Style was really beginning to gain campus recognition and it felt good to be a part of that.Junior year [07-08] was drastically different once again, but in a good way. Lindsay could no longer be the Prez due to intense nursing school studying. So the mantel got transferred to yours truly. I was terrified slash honored slash excited slash terrified once more. I suddenly realized that the fate of the club now rested in my hands. It was my job to make sure the club continued every week. It was my job to make sure we were out there among the student body. It was my job to make sure people were happy and taken care of and having fun at practice every week. It was my job to create choreography and it was my job to make 07-08 the best year of Club Style yet. That's a lot to worry about...especially when it's all volunteer hours. :) Thankfully, I had Austin, Shellie, Char and others who were so willing to help with the needs of the club so that it didn't all fall on my shoulders. It was a fun year, at least in my opinion. We had fun choreography and we once again gained new talent. Char headed up club activities like the tumbling gym, Thanksgiving dinner, and pizza nights. Our end of the year showcase was the biggest it ever was. We had it in the Varsity Theater and had 400 people in attendance. We had an opening act, an intermission act, and lots of dances full of choreography by all the talented people in the club. We had club track suits for the first time and our performing group got really tight. I would say it was a successful year. I didn't even scratch the surface of all I wanted to do, but I figured I would have the next year.

Then it came to Senior year [08-09]. Usually you're only the President for one year, but I decided I wanted to take what I had learned from the previous year and apply it to the next year to seriously make the club awesome! However, some unexpected life events happened the summer before my senior year. I was engaged. I was seriously engaged and I was seriously in love. More than I've ever been in my entire life and have still yet to experience again. However, the Lord had other plans in mind, which I'm ok with. I wasn't for a long time and I fought it, but I'm ok with it now. Anyway, I'll spare you the details, but basically my fiance didn't want to live up to the Priesthood responsibilities, get married in the temple, or raise a family in an LDS home or lifestyle. Those of you that know me well, know that that ain't gonna happen. From that day on he and I wanted total opposite families. He still loved me and wanted to marry me, but didn't want my religion. But what he didn't get was he loved me so much because of my faith. My faith has made me who I am. So I had to make a choice: the man I was head over heels in love with or Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. I chose happiness. It was the hardest, yet easiest, decision of my life. Funny how those two can be so closely related. That all came down right before the school year started. So on top of school, jobs, running a club, and church callings...I had to put the pieces of my life back together at the same time. There were a few things that helped in that process including my family [support system to the max], the scriptures [got way close to them], President Hinckley [yes I know...he'd passed through the veil many months previous], friends, my new roommate, Leah, [angel sent from heaven, that one], and honest to goodness...Club Style. Club Style gave me drive. Club Style gave my life meaning. Club Style made me feel needed. Club Style boosted my self esteem when I felt like it had dropped below bottom. Club Style made me feel loved and appreciated. Club Style helped me feel closer to God. Those people in the club will never know how much of an impact they had coming every week, smiling, saying thank you, telling me they loved my choreography, etc...Now I will say that my personal life did get in the way sometimes. There were weeks I wasn't all there or focused. I was literally fighting the biggest internal battle of my life. There wasn't a night that went by from August 08-April 09 that I didn't cry into my pillow wondering why I had to go through that. Wondering when I was going to fall out of love. Wondering why Heavenly Father had chosen me to have this trial. Why? Why? Why? Because of those preoccupations I wasn't always in the game as far as the club went, so to those in the club last year...I do apologize! However, much good came from last year. Thankfully I had Ashley & Shellie to help me as well as Austin, Char, Tyrone, & McKell. Those people will never know what a blessing from heaven they were. The club as a whole did really well. Our showcase was a success, we got another slew of tracksuits, and many fun, laughing moments were had.Well...now I've passed on the President torch. Tyrone Hatch is now the President. Four years ago I could've put money on it that at some point he would be. I must say, I shed many tears knowing I wouldn't be the President anymore. It had become my life for 2 years. I put a lot of time and energy into the club, but at the same time I felt like I didn't accomplish everything I had wanted to. However, if there was any person I would want to pass it on to, it would be Tyrone. Tyrone is an incredible person. He is creative, fun, easy going, friendly, a leader, energetic, and he'll be able to take this club to a whole 'nother level that I could only dream about. Tyrone sent me a text the other day that said, "Club Style saved my life." I was confused at first, so I asked him to explain his statement. The next day we chatted on the phone for a few minutes and he told me what he meant by that. Basically he said after our first practice for the school year he was overwhelmed with the amount of people that came and he realized he was part of something bigger than himself. This club is about more than just dancing. It is about narrowing the student body. It is about helping people feel a part of something. It is about making someone's BYU experience a greater one. He said Club Style has made his time at BYU. Then he so graciously thanked me for keeping up the club while he was on his mission and that he's grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it again. I had to give the thanks back though. Without Tyrone I probably wouldn't have stuck with it my freshman year. The first few weeks Tyrone was really the only one to say hi to me or smile at me when I walked in. Tyrone kept me coming back and he didn't even know. There are many people I owe, including him. I can only hope that I have done the same for someone else.So I know this post is super long and if you've made it this far...you're awesome. I'm getting off my soap box now, but I just wanted y'all to know that Club Style saved my life. It literally did. Maybe not in a physical sense, but definitely in an emotional sense. Not many people know the deep deep chambers of my heart and just how much of a struggle it was to get out of bed every day last year to face the world. But here I am. I made it out on top and I couldn't be happier now! I can't imagine my life without that trial...I really can't. I'm so grateful and I never thought I'd say that, but I am. And I can't imagine my life without Club Style. My life was never the same after January 10th, 2006...

Club Style changed my life.

EFY Book of Mormon Challenge

so we all know that EFY rocks my world.

that's no secret. it's quite out there.
well, because i love EFY so much i, in turn, love my fellow EFY counselor friends.
before i came back to school i had a bunch of EFY friends over at my house.
some of us were discussing the scriptures and decided to create a project.
we were going to read the Book of Mormon together as a group.
now obviously we all can't be together physically cause we range from Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Idaho, Utah, etc...so that's kind of impossible.
we decided to create a group of Facebook and we would all read the same material every day.
then if we felt so inclined we could write some things we felt impressed by on the group's page.
i set it up and we started on September 1 and if we read 5 pages every day, we can be done by 2010.
what a great way to end 2009. [which by the way can't believe ends in 3.5 months.]
anyways, as i have been reading I've come to love Nephi even more.
i think this time through i was really trying to apply his life to mine.
and it's awesome how much we can take from the scriptures and put them into modern day use.
but seriously...Nephi is a stud.
I have learned a lot from him while reading 1 Nephi, but I would like to share two things that have stuck out in my mind while reading.

The first one is in 1 Nephi 2:20. It says, "And inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise: yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands."
As I was thinking about that it made me think about how Heavenly Father has already prepared a land of promise for us. He knows our course of life, He knows where we're headed, He knows the people we are going to meet in our lives and the experiences we're going to have. He already knows. But the thing that hit me the most was that He has prepared the land of promise for us and it is a land that is choice above all others. He has a huge reward waiting for us if we can just keep the commandments and choose the right path. How cool is that? Oh i loved it.

The second one that got me was 1 Nephi 7:17-18 and that reads, "...I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound. And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren..."
Now hopefully today our siblings aren't binding us with ropes and wanting to cause death upon our heads...I hope.
BUT...there are things in this life that bind us.
It is different for everyone. Everyone has a different struggle, or "rope," that's holding us down.
For a good long while it was a relationship for me.
But I love how Nephi asked for the Lord to release the cords according to his faith and strength.
How many times do we have things in our lives that could be lifted up, but we're too busy trying to do it on our own?
We just need to ask in faith and be believing and all things will work together for our good.
That's the promise.
And I know that promise is real.

I am so grateful for Nephi and the lessons he has been teaching me.
I love reading the scriptures and I know they are true.
They were written for us to draw strength from and I can't wait to thank those who came before me someday.

Go read the scriptures...you'll have a better day today. i promise.

You say "Tomato" and I say "Yuck."

So I've kinda had this on going battle with tomatos.

I hate them.

Think they're disgusting.
I have honestly tried to like tomatos for some time now.
I keep hoping at some point my taste buds will rejoice when a tomato hits them, instead of hating me for putting such a creation in my mouth.
I try so hard because as many of you know...I am obsessed with ketchup.
Now ketchup I love.

I'm pretty sure I could find a way to incorporate ketchup into every meal.
I get made fun of a lot, but I simply don't care.
I like all tomato products really: spaghetti sauce, tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, salsas....ooo i love salsa!
So you see...I'm not totally hatin on tomatos.
I think their main problem is their texture. Bleh. It makes me gag.
I have that same issue with onions and coconuts. [two other foods I can't do.]
I dunno...but it is what it is.

Yesterday my amazing sister, Krista, made dinner for some friends and me.
During the making process she had my roommates go out and pick some fresh cherry tomatos from her garden for the salad.
Once again, my sister made me try one.
Krista's made me try many things in my life.
Like when she told me biting into a ginger root was a good idea. [BAD idea.]
Or the time she gave me a spoonful of salt when I thought it was a spoonful of sugar. My cute, little "Mary Poppins" attitude was altered in a rapid manner.
I should just know that when Krista says something will be good, I should run the other direction.
But no...she's my older sister and I trust her opinion so I relented and said, "Fine...I'll try one of your tomatos."
I really didn't want to, but I did it.
I popped that sucker in my mouth and didn't chew...just let it sit there.
Then when I bit down I about wanted to spit it over everyone.
Oh it made me ill.
My teeth broke the skin and juices squirted all over the inside of my mouth.
I immediately went to the garbage and spit it out.
I tried. But I don't think tomatos will ever be pleasing to me.
So I'm sorry, Kris. Don't take it personal.
I liked your cucumbers-does that count for something?

Priceless.

Tickets: $40

Parking: $10
Hot Dogs & Bottled Water: $10
Souvenirs: $53
McKell falling in love with Turner Field: Priceless

Tickets: $15
Parking: $10
Diet Coke Flip Flops: $8
Coke PJ Pants on Clearance: $18
Taste Testing & Polar Bear Hugs: Priceless

Gas from Atlanta to Hilton Head: $35
Sunset Dolphin Watch: well...free
Hudson's Seafood: $80
Kayaking: $25
Giuseppi's Pizza: $12
Sea Pines Gate Fee: $5
Lighthouse Climb: $3
Matching HHI Shirts: $11
Rita's Italian Ice: $4
Spending time with McKell in this paradise I call my home: Priceless

I love you, Kell.

Here Comes the Bride

well...she's done it.

Karly Quilhot Maurer is now Mrs. Johnathan Barksdale Jr.
Karly Barksdale...that has a good ring to it.
She really is Karly Barley now.
The wedding festivities were AWESOME!

It all started on Saturday, July 18th, when I came home from a baptism in Atlanta and Julie flew in. Jules and I had some fun before everyone else arrived, like bike riding to Wal-Mart...


Then on Sunday Krista flew in just in time to hear Karly's and my talks at church. That day we went to enjoy God's creations on the beach and hung out.

Monday was more wedding finalizing and such.

Tuesday was nail day at the salon. All the girls went to our favorite nail salon to get manis and pedis! Then that night my family and Julie came to see me perform at the mermaid show! Lots of fun as always! I get SO nervous performing in front of my family, but it's fun too. We brought them up on the stage to dance like divas for "I Will Survive." Then the night ends with dancing and fireworks.


But the fun wasn't over there. We had a night of dancing and singing in the living room and then headed off to get Joshua Ross Blade at the Savannah airport. I decided to stay in my mermaid costume just cause it'd be funny, but then Karly & Julie joined in on the fun and dressed up too. Karly came as Glenda the good witch and Julie came as an 80s hooker. We were quite the sight at the airport. Everyone coming off that plane wished they were Mr. Blade!


Wednesday was the day before the wedding! We went out on Karly's last trip as Captain Karly, Crabby Captain of the Crabber J and then headed to the beach for a few hours. JJ and his family drove in town and then we had our rehearsal dinner out on our sunset cruise boat for a beautiful evening meeting and joining families! JJ's family is awesome! His Nana [grandma] is the cutest lady I've ever met and everyone was so loving and welcoming. I love my new family!


Thursday = WEddING DAY! [goin to the temple and we're...gonna get maaaried!] Our closest temple is in Columbia, SC. So that's where we gather. Karly couldn't get in the temple until 9 at night! We left Hilton Head around 3:30 and got there with some good lighting to take pictures before the sealing.


Then everyone [but me] went in to the temple and Karly & JJ were sealed for time and all eternity! I hung out in the waiting room with some of JJ's family and talked with them about the temple and what goes on and why the temple is such an important and necessary part in our path back to the Father & Son. It was fun talking with them about the things I believe in. A lot of our ward members were there for the sealing so it was nice to see the support they have for our family.


Friday was a big day cause getting ready for the receptino was a lot! We had it at this place in one of our gated communities called Moss Creek. It's a circle pavilion with windows all around. The back deck has a view of the ocean, marshes, docks, boats, and big 200 year old oak trees. It was a GORGEOUS day! Absolutely perfect. The ring ceremony started at 6:30. My daddy conducted it and my mama sang. Karly & JJ said some words to each other and it was all great! After that was more picture taking time!


That went in to reception time! Lots of food [chicken salad, meatballs, chocolate fondue, caesar salads, desserts, and of course the amazzzing cake Krista made], lots of tears [happy tears], and lots of dancing! My dance teacher from high school and her husband [Holly & Ross] are the best DJ's in the SouthEast so of course the party was rockin!


Saturday was used for resting and hangin out with the family that was in town! I love my family! I wish we could hang out more often! Then Sunday was the reception up in North Carolina for all of JJ's family and friends. It was really fun meeting everyone in JJ's town and seeing where he grew up! He's a true southern boy with a true southern town! It was awesome! I love my new brother and all he comes with!

The wedding festivities were great! I can't wait for whoever gets married next...we shall see...

EFY = my favorite thing.

efy

Hello Everyone! So I figured I should put up some pictures of EFY and for those of you who have never been to EFY, give a run down of what all happens there. It is so so great and I wish I could do it all year long! Here is how the schedule goes:

Monday:
11-1:30 Registration & Check In
1:30-3:30 Meet with your counselor [about 10 of the same gender] & then company [a mix of boys & girls]
3:30-5 Orientation
5-6 Dinner
6:30-9 FHE Lesson & Games
9-10:30 Counselor Devotional, Scripture Study, & get ready for bed

Tuesday:
7-8:30 Breakfast
8:30-9:30 Scripture lesson with company & personal study
9:30-10:30 Morningside with the session director
10:30-12:30 Classes
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:40-3:30 Classes
3:30-4:30 Free Time
5-6 Dinner
6:30-9:30 Dance
9:45-11 Counselor Devotional & Journal Time

Wednesday:
Day time the same as Tuesday but once we get to 6 it is...
Cheer & Banner preparation for your company!
7-9 Games Night & Cheer Off
9-10:15 Pizza Night
10:15-11 Counselor Devotional & Journal Time

Thursday:
morning is the same, but after gospel study they split up the boys and girls
girls go to their own morningside and then an activity
boys do the same but flipped
after lunch is the Variety Show!!
then after dinner is the Musical Program!
which then goes directly into the Fireside and lastly Testimony Meeting

Friday:
full of activities including:
For Strength of Youth Activity, "Dating" Morningside, Service Activity
There is a special banquet with yummy food and all the kiddos get dressed up
and last is a dance! woot!
After that we have a little "Taking It Home" message and we sing some songs, all cry, hug, cry some more, hug some more, and send them on their way to have company devotional.

Saturday:

say goodbye :[

It is a full week, but it is so great! Some of those terms might not make sense, so if you have any questions how this wonderful program works you let me know! EFY is truly an inspired program though! It shows the youth that being good in this day in age is still so much fun and not "uncool." It has the perfect amount mix of spiritual and fun so that they understand you can still be a cool person, but be grounded and religious. I love seeing some kids come in that are just punks and by Wednesday they are smiling and having a great time! I've seen this program change lives over and over again, and I'm so grateful that I can be a part in that process! EFY is my life and I will be forever thankful that it has brought such joy to me. I can't wait for next summer! :]

The Life of Me

Ok...so my life is pretty funny. I just seem to be blessed with an in sane amount of unfortunate, yet hilarious, moments. My latest have happened while I've been here at EFY. More importantly, in a matter of 72 hours. Lots happened, but I shall highlight the most memorable.

1 - It's Friday night of session 2 in Georgia. Stephanie, my fellow BC and friend, love lights out time! We didn't like it so much as counselors, but being a BC has its definite perks for things like lights out. You want to know why? Because the kiddies are scared of us! They will be our best friends during the day, but they will run like the wind when we storm through the hallways. Seriously, on Thursday night Steph and I were goin through and we saw a light under the door. Steph yells, "I see a light," and it was out in literally 2 seconds! It was awesome! Anywho, let's go back to Friday night. We were going back to our dorms after checking lights out and I was bounding around cause I was very hyper. I opened up the door to one of the dorms, called Bailey Hall. I was wearing my flip flops that are straight from Brazil, courtesy of Andre Abamonte. I opened it with such gusto that my foot did not have time to clear the blow. My 3rd toe on my right foot got rocked! It immediately started gushing blood. I laughed/cried. I hobbled over to my house and called Cami, the health counselor. Thankfully she lived next door and saved my toe. It hurt like a mother. She wrapped it up like crazy to prevent bleeding so it seriously looked like I had broken my toe. Oh good times.


2 - We drove down to St. Petersburg, FL from Gainesville as a BC/Coordinator team and got there at about 7 in the evening. We got changed and decided to go downtown for dinner and hopefully catch some fireworks, considering it was the 4th of July. We went to dinner at this seafood joint and then decided to go to a movie. Rachel gave us some gum and I love making gum wrapper rockets! [if you don't know how, ask me. they're great.] I shot mine at Jake and it hit him right in the chin. He wasn't mad or anything, but I still went over and gave him a hug. He decided to spit his gum on my hat, but instead it rolled off the rim and fell down my shirt! I thought it was the wrapper so I go down to fish for it and instead of finding a wrapper I find a newly chewed up, wet piece of gum! Jake about doubled over! It was so funny. Gross...but funny! Oh my luck.

3 - Ok...this one is the best of all! So shortly after my gum incident we get back in the van and the boys are gonna drop off the girls at "My Sister's Keeper." [not as good as I was hoping it was going to be.] So all the seats in the van are taken. Driver, passenger, two in the middle, and 3 in the back. Two boys in the front and 5 girls in the back. Traffic is crazy cause it's the 4th. We're at a red light and the theater is up ahead so Jake says we should probably just get out now and walk the rest of the way instead of trying to stop in front of the theater. So Rachel opens the left door and Meghan opens the right. Meghan thought that those of us in the back would go out the left side. She was mistaken. I definitely am right behind her with intentions to exit through the right door. Meghan is still oblivious, grabs the handle, and tries to slam the sliding door behind her. One problem. My head is preventing the door from closing. Yep...sure enough my head got slammed in the door! I am stunned that this has happened and because of this shock I don't know what to do next so I literally sit there with my head in the door for about 5 seconds and finally muster out, "ow...my head." It finally registers that I should push the door away and Stephanie helps me. I stumble out into moving traffic from there. Thankfully people saw me and didn't run me over. From here I am running to the sidewalk, still slightly unaware of what has just happened to me. I catch up to Meghan and Rachel and Stephanie is behind me. We all double over dying of laughter!! We're trying to run to catch the movie, but Stephanie and I still have to stop every 10 feet or we'll pee our pants from laughter. [which we almost did another time, which I will save for another blog. another awesome story!] All Steph could keep doing was putting her hands up to her head [pretending it was the door] and saying, "ow...my head." Oh mercy it was hilarious! The next 4 hours were spent randomly laughing about it cause I could reinact it in my mind. I had quite the headache and where the door slammed into my head it caused the back of my earring to slice my skin behind my ear. I also have a bump on my jaw. All worth the amazingness of the story, however! It was one of the funniest moments of my life! We're going to take a reinactment picture sometime soon, so look back in a few days for it! So next time something happens to your cranium just say, "ow...my head," and think of me.