Post 99...bittersweet

Well folks... it's here.  I will be set apart in 2.5 hours for the next eighteen months as a missionary.  I can't believe that it's here and that I am even going.  It will be very bittersweet as with any big change.  I have to say goodbye to the people I love the most but I know that the Lord will be with me and will also be with those I love. And I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I have that I can see them all again.  With that said, here we go... off to Colorado for the next 18 months.

Last weekend

At least this weekend is Memorial Day... and we had an epic road trip the weekend before.  I'm excited to get out there yet I'm going to miss a lot of what I leave behind.  The only thing that makes it worth it is the knowledge that everything I love and hold dear will still be here when I get back and forever.  Let's get going!

Confusion

This is kind of awkward... I don't really know what to do with myself.  On one hand, I feel like I should be paranoid about getting everything done and taken care of but at the same time I feel like there's nothing to do.  Its a little difficult since my parents want things done on their time table but mine is a little bit different.  I do some of my best work at 10pm while they lean towards the morning hours.  It makes things kind of interesting.  I know there's a lot to do but at the same time, I feel like I've got it under control.  I'm sure next week will be madness.  But picking up a few clothes does not seem that important right now.  I'm terrible but I really have no desire to be cleaning right now.  Maybe it would be best if I went out and did my shopping today because I have a feeling nothing will get done otherwise. Hopefully I figure this all out soon.  UGH!

Stalling...

I'm totally stalling here but I really don't want to write my talk right now.  Anyway, I would like to ramble a little bit about razors.  It makes me laugh every time I think about how everything that happens to me goes against common sense... for example... I cut myself more when I shave with a 2 blade razor than a 3 or 4 blade razor.  Today, I was shaving my legs and its very difficult to shave soapy legs with a soapy hand... it just doesn't work that well at all... surprisingly, I didn't cut myself (that I know of) probably since I used the 4 blader... But I guess it's time to get back to work.

95...

So this is my 95th post... it's taken me awhile to get here but I hope to get 100 by the time I leave...  I should come up with some deep topics to blog about.  Most likely not.  So exciting news... I finished paying off my car!!! Sweetness!!! I'm so excited!!! And I'm super looking forward to my mini vacation with my bestie.  She's awesome!!! By the way, I am in awe of her awesome blogging skills.  Maybe one day I will come to half of her great skill.  I feel almost drunk right now.  But we've gotten a lot done as far as mission prep the past two days. Thank goodness but I still have a lot to do.  At least I have wonderful family and a wonderful bestie. That makes life bearable.

Two Weeks.... From Tomorrow

I should be posting more especially since I'm leaving in two weeks!!! AAHH!!! Let the stress begin.  Luckily I have an awesome family, both my immediate and my extended family have been FANTASTIC!!! Plus I am lucky enough to have a wonderful best friend who has been so supportive already.
My family has been so helpful in helping me move home and getting everything organized and ready to go.  My mom took me out shopping today.  It was a lot of fun and I'm so glad that I have an awesome mom that is willing and able to do that with me.  Plus my sis Erin has been great to move into Megan's room so that I can have my own room.  Jessica is basically awesome too.
My best friend has been so great.  Tonight she helped me go through stuff that she helped me pack so that we could repack it for storage.  She was amazing and always helps keep me focused.
With that said, there is only one thing left to say.....

JESSICA IS MY FAVORITE!!!

(she was looking over my shoulder) 

You are a friend of mine

You are a friend of mine,

Thank God I have learned your worth,

One of a royal group

The very salt of the earth.

Culled from the mighty throngs

That trek on the beaten ways

That cross and recross my path,

All through the hurrying days

Millions have come and gone

But by a law divine

Nature has deigned to segregate

All that I claim as mine.

So has your name been placed

High on the sacred scroll

With all who agree to barter with me

The merchandise of the soul.

All through the passing days

Swift in their hectic flight

I shall take time to think of you

Morning and noon and night.

I will be true to you

Till the last long slanting rays

Of life's setting sun shall gild the peaks

Of the world of other days.

Nothing can budge my faith,

Nothing can breed a doubt

Never till time shall cease

And the sun and stars burn out.

—Dr. Geo. W. Middleton.

29

days and counting...
There are so many mixed emotions about this whole thing.  I am excited to go and to experience this new part of life but at the same time, I don't want to leave the people I love behind.  I know they will still be here when I get back but things will never be exactly the same as they are now.
In addition to that, I came across a quote this morning that has made me think a little bit.

"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." -Kahlil Gibran


I definitely understand the generosity part, but the pride part is what caused me to think.  Growing up, I got the attitude that it was pretty much you give to others and expect nothing in return.  If you need something, ask a family member and that's as far as it goes.  But over the past year, I have learned that it's okay to take a little bit. Thankfully, I have had a wonderful friend who taught me that.  I am still not even close to perfect and probably exhibit a lot of pride in that aspect (as well as others).  However, I am learning day by day and am grateful for a best friend who is patient with me as I learn these lessons.
While I'm terrified in a lot of aspects of this new journey, I know that the people I love will always be there.  No matter where I go, they will always be a monumental part of my life.

BEST DAY EVER!!!

So I had the best day ever yesterday!!! Got up early and joined my family for scriptures and then did some shopping for my best friend's birthday president.  Got a little bit of stuff done for my mission and went down and helped my best friend move out of her apartment.  We scrubbed that apartment down.  Then after all the unloading was done, it was party time!!!  We went and saw Gnomeo and Juliet. It was super good although we were a little scarred by one of the gnomes.  It was just so much fun!!! I can't wait for the next time we get to do it again.  It truly was the BEST DAY EVER!!!

Gifts

Why is it that I can't focus on finals?!?!?!?!? I think the main thing is I get so excited when it comes time for birthdays.  I love shopping and making things for other people!!! Its especially fun when you know the person really well and can get them something that they will treasure.  That's what I'm working on right now... a scheming plot for a certain person's birthday.  I am so excited!!! I've put a lot of thought into what I want to do... however, the exact idea may not come out since I am limited by the materials available... I wish I could get my vision out on paper but alas... my brain and my artistic skills are disconnected... basically my artistic skills don't exist.  Anyway, I feel like I have been able to get most of my excitement out and can hopefully move on to focus on the more serious side of life... accounting :(  Oh well, one more week and I'm outta here for 2 years!!! Yeah baby!!!

Frustration!!!

This semester might kill me!!! And there's only basically 2 weeks left!!! But once it's all done, I'll sure be glad.  It's 55 days until I leave for Colorado for the next year and a half.  I'm super excited to get out there but at the same time I hope I survive this last part of the Jr. Core.  They really know how to challenge us.  I'm learning a lot besides the class material than I thought I would. But at the same time it's still super STRESSFUL!!! Anyway, I should get ready for my last Presidents of the Church class tonight.  3 years of college will be complete in 2 weeks!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

It's Real!

Sister Brady,

You have been called to serve in the Colorado Colorado Springs Mission! You leave June 1st!!! 

Nine weeks and counting!!! I can't believe I'm at this point! I'm super excited!!! Anyway, I think I should really hit the sack.  AHHH!

Brain = FRIED!!!

One day into the week and my brain is gone!!!  And I'm not feeling the greatest either!  Oh well, that's life for you.  At least I have an awesome friend who I know will always help me get through things.  But man this accounting core... so glad it's almost over... I don't think I could handle much more.  It doesn't help that I feel that this assignment we're working on is completely pointless! Just smile and move on... :)

Excited!!!

So I get to go to SLC with my bestie today!  It should be a great adventure!  Anything automatically becomes awesome when she is involved!!! I'm so lucky!!! I wish everyone could have a friend like her!  Thanks so much girl!!!

So the secret is out... my mission papers were turned in yesterday!!!  Now i just have to wait about 10 days to find out where I'm going!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!

AAAAHHHHHH!

I have this sinking feeling that I am going to fail this exam tomorrow!!! Tax! UGH!!!  Why must there be so many little intricacies?!?!?!?!?!?!  If I wanted to deal with legislation, I would have majored in political science.  Basic tax policy seems to be straightforward but all these depreciation life spans and the difference between real and personal and tangible and everything else is going to drive me insane!!! I understand the concept of testing and how you want professionals to know their stuff but really!!! Do professionals know every little twist and turn of the tax code?!?  Isn't that why they write out the tax code?  So you can refer to it!!!  I can calculate anything you ask... if you give me the information... my brain is fried... how am I going to do this?!?!?!?  Maybe sleep is the best medicine for now.  Hopefully, I can focus better tomorrow!  AAHHH!!! Dear government, let's keep things simple, for everyone's sake.  Do you really like writing all these laws and regulations that no one really understands fully.  Let's just keep it simple and then everyone would be happy.  And to think I considered going into the tax stem... doubt that will happen now... only 2 more tests!

14 boxes... 11 filled in... 3 to go...

Adventures of Marli and Kierstin

We finally took some pictures!!!  Marlisa was a sweetheart and curled my hair before we went to FHE with my family to celebrate my birthday.  Thanks girl!!!  Hopefully there will be more to come.

Admiration

I admire my best friend so much!  Life has not always been easy for her but she is still going strong.  I admire her so much for everything she's done and I know that she will continue to go far in life.  She has always been a great example to me and I hope to develop some of the characteristics she has exemplified so wonderfully in her life.

LOVE YA GIRL!!!

Epic Win Day!!!

So I was thinking earlier today that I should take a little different approach to my blog.  Not that anyone really reads it anyway but just for my own satisfaction.  I had a really good idea but I did my homework and I lost it.  Anyway, even though I forgot, I thought I would write about my epic win day today!

So basically my best friend rocks!!! We had a lovely spa night last night. Face masks, foot scrubs, painted nails, delicious food (see here) and one of the funniest movies ever!  Diary of a Wimpy Kid! it was awesome!!! After a good night's rest (just kidding), we headed up to Sundance.  I had never been but it was so much fun!!! We just hung out in one of the rooms but it was super relaxing!!! We played UNO and a couple other games but it was nice just to be up there away from everything and just enjoy each other's company.  I would definitely do it again some day.  So basically EPIC WIN DAY!!! the end.

Hi. My name is Kierstin. I am currently eating delicious food which consists of homemade alfredo and bruschetta. hate me. WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HACKED BY THE ALMIGHTY ROCK!

Test Week

So far this test week has been going fairly well.  One down, one today and then only one more.  It's weird how the week that would seem to be the most stressful overall is actually a lot more relaxing than a regular week.  I think it's mainly because they cancel classes so the only thing you have to do is take the tests.  I was surprised that tax only took me about an hour.  I was fully expecting to take at least two hours.  Hopefully that means I understand my stuff.  I'm pretty sure I got at least 12 points on the work out section, ironically on the part that I had not studied.  The Lord has blessed me immensely.  There is no way that I could get through this without a huge amount of help from Him.  I feel so blessed to be able to study here.  My years here will definitely always bring back fond memories.  The Lord loves me.

Workin' Hard

So I haven't been posting too much because I've been running around like a mad woman... I guess you can take the title literally... I usually only post when I'm hardly workin'.  Let's just say there are some big changes coming ahead... life changing changes such as applying for the master's program and such.  I don't know how things are going to turn out but for now I see a lot of work in the process.  So if I don't post for awhile, be patient... It will all make sense in the future.

Through Thick and Thin

I love how some people have the strength to be able to withstand things through the thick and the thin.  I have been able to watch a dear friend's family stick through something that could have been disastrous.  In addition, this same friend has stuck by me even through some crappy times on both of our ends.  I know she will always be there!  Thanks girl!!!

Taxes

Okay my first point has nothing to do with the title... I totally forgot I changed my background on my blog... guess I'm a little behind.  I'm not really sure what I expected it to be... probably something pink... but anyway onto everyone's favorite subject... TAXES!!!

So I am about a week into my tax class.  I always thought I would click with tax and after the first day I found out that I was mistaken.  It seemed a lot harder and more complex than I had originally thought.  But so far, it seems my imagination of the unknown made it so much harder. I found myself tonight being able to understand the idea of income tax quite simply.   I feel confident enough to be able to tell someone what to expect as far as a return or payment.  Who know I could catch on that quickly!?!?!?  Maybe I am meant to just do people's taxes for the rest of my life... but don't start asking yet!