Why I Love Becca

This is a whole post about my love for one fantastic human being, Rebecca Ann Stenquist. Now, dear friends if you don't know her, you should. She's going to Bulgaria to serve a mission. I am sorry Becca, you may find this to be weird and creepy, but I don't care. I actually typed this out 3 weeks ago, but waited until the eve of her farewell talk to post it.

The first time I ever heard of this mysterious wonderful person, I was going in to sign my contract to live in Heather Cove. It was sometime in November, and I was taking the contract of another friend who was leaving on her mission. At the same time I was there, Becca's brother Ben was in the office signing Becca's contract for the upcoming semester. Obviously, this was fate. Then, again, as I was moving my things into my apt that December, I caught a peek of her and her brother in the neighboring doorway.

That winter, magic happened. Now, we had just under 2 years of marvelous experiences, which may lead you to think that our friendship was built out of those good times. And partially, it was. Let's be honest, a ton of the fun things we did were powered by Becca's organization and enthusiasm. However, what I love most about Becca (aside from her incredible cooking skills, craft skills, boundless positivity, hilarity, and wit) is how she will always be there for you. Be it a broken foot, broken heart, or broken GPA  she will get you through it. Just recently she flew down the freeway to Sandy on a moment's notice to scoop me off the floor and bring me back to life with some Chinese food, Marie Callenders pie, and snuggling. I really will miss you Becca. So much. I can't even imagine what it will be like. But, I guess it's our opportunity to be selfless and share you with the Bulgarians for a while. You are going to be such a good missionary, and you'll be getting a ton of letters... whether you like it or not...

future cabin?

Signs You're Underemployed (Or Why You Shouldn't Major in a Social Science)

Throughout my young adulthood, I have worked in almost every sector a 18 to 24 year-old with limited upper body strength can work. Currently, I am temporarily employed by unnamed campaign working for an unnamed local candidate. Generally, my work duties involve going to people's doors, asking them which candidate they support, then politely encouraging them to further investigate their preference if it's the other candidate. Sounds somewhat dignified, right? It isn't. Sadly, I have graduated from a respected university with a bachelor of science degree, and I find myself still woefully underemployed. These were the dead giveaways:

The only employment requirement is the ability to walk and ownership of a cell phone.  
After breaking my foot, I almost didn't even meet this requirement.

People face you with the same disdain usually reserved for a SWAT team invading their home or a bank employee informing them their house has been foreclosed.
Except for that one nice lady who invited me in and gave me a water bottle, I have been met mostly with unmasked hostility and some very colorful language.

You have to seriously calculate whether you are spending more commuting to work than you're being paid. 
But, really.

You Wonder if You Should "Forget" to List This Job on a Future Resume
Well, I guess in this case it depends on if this candidate wins or not... this is coming from the girl who still lists "dish washer" as employment.

There is no Dressing or Grooming Standard
One of my "Coworkers" came stumbling in the other day in an oversized jersey, sweatpants, and the overwhelming smell of alcohol and possibly an inexpensive brand of marijuana. I was wearing a sweater and wondering if my tennis shoes were too informal.

Now, I really am happy to have a job, no matter how sad it is. It's money, I'll take it. After scanning craigslist endlessly and wondering what exactly those creepy "sugar daddy" job posts are about, it's nice to get a response back and work a legitimate job. Hopefully my grad school saga will soon be over, and I'll find myself eventually qualified for and working a career. Until then, I can't wait to see what my next job is...

Wake Me Up When September Ends

Regardless of the fantastic weather outside, it is in fact the beginning of October. This makes everything inside of me want to run out in a sweater and make some caramel apples. Instead I was just out on my back deck reading a book and tanning. I have been thinking about the last month and all the knowledge I have gleaned. Let me share.

Nugget of Wisdom #1
Don't underestimate the power of an adorable animal.
Not only can looking at pictures of cute creatures increase your mental acuity, it can get you through anything. And I mean, anything. I have been lucky enough to have friends who share in my love for all things lovable, furry, and tiny. This has been a virtual panacea for all of my life's ills. So thank you. 

Nugget of Wisdom #2
Please don't bear your testimony of Mitt Romney, it won't make you look good.
I'm directing this towards you, elderly gentleman in the West Yellowstone ward. We were all impressed by your ability to represent Idaho at the RNC. However, during church I like to hear witnesses of the gospel, spirit, etc. When you become emotional talking about "clasping his hand as he passed through the multitude", it is difficult not to groan. You're making us look bad. 

Nugget of Wisdom #3
When you hear screams of terror and shouting from next door, it's probably no big deal. 
One Sunday, Kelsi and I were peacefully sitting on the deck when we were suddenly hit with a cacophony of sound from next door. The air was full of frenzied, frantic screaming coming from an adult male and two children. These sounds of horror reverberated through the backyard for at least a minute. Assuming someone was being murdered, mauled, dismembered, or some combination of the three, we ran to look over. Unfortunately, our view of this deliciously chaotic scene was obscured by our neighbor's giant tree. Eventually, the father screams to the children "Go! Go! Run! Get out of here!!" at which point I call over "Do we need to call 911?". No response. Just movement to the front. Kelsi and I run around to the front of the house and watch as a dramatic domestic scene unfolds. The mother is in the driveway ripping off the children's shirts screaming "How did this happen?!" while the father swats at his head and yells back "I didn't know they were there!". At this point everyone runs into the garage. Wondering if they were attacked by wasps, anthrax, or a flesh eating bacteria, Kelsi and I speculated throughout the day. Monday, the kids were out front playing like nothing happened. We may never know. 

Nugget of Wisdom #4
Rebecca Stenquist is awesome. 
More to come on this later. 

Nugget of Wisdom #5
Life changes fast.
Driving back from Sacramento to Sandy, I very nearly could have been involved in a very scary accident. One minute I was being passed by a car from Utah and let my mind drift off into wondering if they were BYU or U of U fans, and the next minute, they were swerving all over the road, completely losing control at 85 mph. Now, fortunately they didn't roll over, as it looked like they were about to, and I had been paying attention, so was able to slow. But, both they and I could have been involved in a very very bad accident. A girl from my freshman ward who I didn't know too well recently had her husband pass away in a scuba diving accident. She is only a few months older than me. Things will always change, but sometimes that change can be sudden, and jarring. When that happens, there is no predicting it. There is not much you can do to prepare for that exact contingency. No matter what happens to us though, we can always control how we react. Do we become bitter that things have worked out the way they have, wallowing in the unfairness of it all? We could. But that benefits no one. I have learned (once again) that I need to take advantage of what I have today. Yeah, things happen, people change, life is unexpected. But, there is much I have now, that I won't always.