These are just a few of the never ending, inescapable, questions asked by literally every person I associate with:

What have you been up to?
Are you still doing nursing?
So what are you doing in the fall?
Shouldn't you be graduating this year?

How much longer are you going to be in school?

Where do you want to go to nursing school?

Why don't you go on a mission?

I thought you applied to BYU-Idaho's Nursing program?

Wow its the middle of August and you don't know what you're doing in the fall?!

Ya... all those questions make me feel real cool when I don't know the answer to any of them! Oh the freedoms of being young.... :/ But I am proud to announce that I am starting to figure out a few of those answers! Here's the background explanation of whats been up with me and school and life the past few years...

I started BYU-Idaho as an art major. Eventually I realized I did not want to pursue art as a career. I love it as a hobby and outlet for myself, but life as an artist has little promise of money or job security. Halfway through my Sophomore year I made the decision to pursue nursing. It had always been in the back of my mind, but had finally made its way to the front. I was scared but felt it was right and started the pre-reqs.

I applied to BYU-Idaho's nursing program for Winter '09: REJECTED. I was fine with that though because I went to BYU-Hawaii instead and that was AMAZING! However, the day before I start classes in Hawaii, I wake up to 4 voicemails from the BYU-I nursing department. I called them back and they said that a girl dropped out. 80 applicants, 10 spots, I was #11. I had to be in Rexburg for orientation at 8am the next morning to start the program. I realized there was just no way for everything to change that fast and I knew Hawaii was where I was supposed to be. I couldn't defer or anything, just reapply. With high hopes, I stayed in Hawaii and I applied again: REJECTED. That was ok because I had zero money and needed to go home and work. So I apply for Fall '09, thinking this is it, 3rd times the charm: REJECTED. That one was not OK!!!! So at this point, I've missed all the deadlines for other schools until Fall 2010 because I was banking on being in Idaho's program for fall 09, (Stupid of me, I know) and wasnt informed of my REJECTION until last month.
During all that, I turned 21 and had always wanted to serve a mission. After lots of thought and indecision, I started my papers, but eventually received my answer that now is not my time to be a full-time missionary.

So thats why all the questions this summer have been haunting me. I thought of a million different plans of what to do for the next year, but everything felt wrong. One day while figuring out what credits transfer to other schools, I realized I need Chemistry 105, not 101 to be able to apply to Weber and some other schools. So....

I'm headed back to BYU-Idaho in the fall!!! I'll be taking some extra pre-reqs that apply toward other nursing programs.I was actually really excited that I have to take the dreadful chemistry course, because that gives me a good reason to go back to Rexburg this fall. (And the math course that is the Chem Pre-req YIKES!) And I actually got into Darren's photo class, which will be fun. All summer I have been trying to figure out what to do with myself while dreading another few months of living at home, doing the singles ward thing... It will be good to go back!

Reasons I LOVE Idaho:

Devotionals - Waking up Tuesday morning knowing I will see ALL my friends at 2:00 in the usual seating area. Whatever is on my mind seems to be powerfully addressed by that week's speaker. (The speaker's quick intro given by President Clark always makes me laugh. The speakers seem to have accomplished more than anyone could in 79 lives! I feel like what he's really saying is "Brother SoAndSo will probably be translated tomorrow because he is so amazing, so listen up")

Roommates - I have had some roommates who were anti-hygiene, socially awkward or drama-driven, but they just make for good stories! The crazy ones come and go but the good ones have stuck. Strong bonds were forged with girls I probably would not have initially sought to be friends with. Time has produced some unreal memories!

The Rexburg Temple!

Meeting up with friends for lunch

Being a disco ball for Halloween! Although I'm sad to say that Sam, (Chubaka) won't be with me this fall.

The classic boy drama: awkward dates, creepo stalkers, major crushes, hook ups and break ups.

Helping each other out: the inevitable overwhelming stress that comes from so little time and much to do, personal insecurities, struggling siblings, separated parents, poor health, scarring events etc. Oddly enough, its strengthened my friendships.

Feeling like I'm learning SO MUCH everyday

Competitive Soccer last year was awesome - Titans

The regular occurrences with roommates and friends that I've come to love, and laugh about: playing cards and talkin trash, smothering whatever is left in the cupboard in BBQ sauce and calling it a meal, Heidi's utter disgust for hair, and her over usage of the word "ew", all 6 girls getting ready at the same time, biffing it on the ice, fighting for the shower's hot water on Sunday mornings, trying to go to bed earlier (0% success rate if Kelsey is around, her gangsta motto is "I run the streets all day, I can sleep when I die" - she literally jumps on me and wakes me up to ask me what I'm doing!), our intense annual spelling bee- competing for the coveted trophy, the injuries the boys inevitably acquire while pulling pranks... I could go on forever.

Intramural Sports! - Photo: Last winter, our flag football team "Snaggletooth"

I'm kind of nervous that things won't be as great as they were in the past cuz I haven't been in Idaho for a year so things/people have changed. You can't try and repeat memories ya know? But hopefully I can make some new ones. There's my plan. At least for the next 3 months... Then, who knows!