Hot Showers

And so the training trip begins. It is only Monday and I can't lift my arms over my head. Too much swimming for one day. I am enjoying it here, though. A condo with two of my favorite freshies; Margot and Alicia, good times.

Today I swam, ate, slept, slept, slept, swam, ate, and took a wonderful hot shower. Mmmmm I love hot showers like I love naps. Part of me wants this week to go by quickly, but part of me doesn't because we just have to go back to school. Lame, but that's life. What can ya do?

What are you to do in tough situations? I don't really know, but I do know that I am in the toughest situation I have ever been in my life. It's okay though, I think I will be okay.

I miss my family, but I am so grateful for friends who make life so enjoyable.

Here's to friends.

Allie Pal

Finals Week!

This week has not been too bad! I am just as surprised as you are. To be honest, this week has been one of the least stressful weeks of this whole semester at BYU. I didn't have any homework other than to study, only 4 finals, no school at all, all day to study, and optional practices. I have really been enjoying this week.

Last night my sister spontaneously decided to come down and visit me. I love it when she comes down because we laugh, and talk about funny things, and I forget about all the homework or studying that I have to do. I lectured her on how she needs to do something with her life, and stop dating dudes and find a real man! Haha. I only do it because I love her so much and I want her to have all the happiness possible in her life.

I have two more finals tomorrow and then I will be homeward bound! I am soooo excited! The idea of going home for a whole week, and not worrying about ANYTHING will be the best feeling ever. I will be done with all of these classes FOREVER! Unbelievable. My heart just wants to sing.

This Christmas is going to be all about family. Not that it isn't that way already, but I am going to make an extra effort to always be with them, and to forget about all the material things during this holiday. I just want to bake cookies, sing Christmas songs, and sit by the fire and watch a good movie. I realize that not many things make me happier than sitting around the couch just talking or playing games with my family. I miss being home during the month of December, but I know that having been away will only make this next week even better.

Dirty Bit

This weekend has already been grrrrrreat! The weekend started last night because we had no school today. We are given "reading days" in preparation for finals. How silly to devote a whole day to studying. I slept, per usual.

Last night was date night for the girls swim team! I had tons of fun with my date plus everyone else there! We built an epic gingerbread castle. It was a winner, really. Thanks to Nikki on the dive team for putting it all together. She is the BEST!

Today I went to practice, slept, and then went out for the night. I went to a Jazz game against the Magic with my favorite people! It was a lot of fun, and I got to see my beautiful sister whom I may not be seeing too often :(. I love her so much, and I am so excited to spend the holidays with her and the rest of my family!

The Jazz won which made the night even better. Then we drove back to Provo listening to Black Eyed Peas, Brad Paisley, and Christmas music. What good times and hopefully more to be had :))))))

Long live,

Allie

Grateful

What a wonderful past 24 hours I have had. Yesterday and today have been some of the best days of my life. Yesterday my roommate, teammate, and friend was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so proud of her decision and it is amazing how much this experience has obviously blessed her life, but mine as well. Seeing her grow spiritually strengthened my testimony so much, and made me appreciate the gospel that we have on this earth today.

At both the baptism and confirmation the spirit was so strong, and I knew in my heart that what she was doing, and what most of us sitting in that room had done was the right thing. I felt so much happiness at that moment, and I am still so happy about everything that has taken place.

I am so grateful for missionary work, and for all the worthy priesthood members of the church. Seeing God work through men in the church is such a blessing, and I am thankful everyday for the power that men hold in the church. I hope to continue to grow and become a better person everyday. I am grateful for this week and all that I have learned because of it.

Have a loverly day,
Allie

Patience

I am finally home from a long swim meet in Long Beach. I am here in Provo for 2 days and then it is off to Henderson to see my family! I am soooo excited! It doesn't even seem real that I will be going home and seeing everybody and staying in my old house and sleeping in my old bed. It feels like I have been gone a lot longer than 3 months.

Not only am I excited to just see my family but also to eat Thanksgiving dinner with them and to watch the dog show with my brother and sister. It's always a good time with my family during the holidays.

So, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here. It snowed, and it was so beautiful. My friends and I were walking back from church in the snow and we were singing Christmas songs. It was so great. I could have kept walking but it got a little too cold. I have never lived in the snow so I don't really know what to expect, but so far I just think it is so pretty and festive.

This weekend I realized that I should appreciate what I have now, and should not dwell on what I want to have or become. I am grateful for who I am today. Although I may want to see results now, everything takes time. Patience is a great quality to have, but sometimes the waiting is hard when others get exactly what we wanted in no time. But with time the rewards are greater.

My Book of Mormon teacher shared this with our class and I liked it a lot:

Long walks on the beach

It is going to be a short week! Tomorrow is my last day of classes for the week, and then the team leaves for California. I am stoked, other than the fact that there is so much to be done between now and Wednesday, and not a lot of time! It must be done, though.

Today was a pretty good day! I had a really good talk with a friend today. I appreciate those people who are willing to listen, and know just what to say to make things alright. I am perfectly happy, I just had a lot on my mind today :)

I just got back from a walk. I have a thing for walks. I am not sure what to call it. Obsession? Fad? Hobby? All I know is that I enjoy them. They help to get my mind off of things, and the night air is just really refreshing.

Have a loverly day,

allie pallie

No stress, no stress, no stress

It has been a good weekend so far. It makes up for the awful week that I had. So stressful, but it's all good now! I went to the BYU basketball game. I love basketball, and I am so excited that the season has started. I really hope the team does well this year. Anyways, it was white out so all the students wore white. It looked awesome, and there was a super cool introduction before the game started. Sweeeet.

Earlier today I went to a service project at the pool. Some of the swim team played with kids with disabilities in the pool. It was such a great experience, and all the kids are such sweet hearts. I loved talking with them and just seeing them have a good time. I am so glad I ended up going.

Then I took a 3 hour nap. Felt so good. It was much needed. I think I always make up for all the sleep lost during the week on Saturday. But what else have I to do on a Saturday afternoon? Homework and laundry maybe, but sleep tops both of those.

Everything seems to be going great in my life, and I am thankful for that. I'm praying for a stress-free week next week, but we all know how unlikely those are.

Have a wonderful day my friends!

ALLIE