Just a "See ya later"

Some people have a hard time putting themselves out there to meet new people, then others struggle with pulling themselves away from the people when it's time to leave. I'm defineatly dealing with the 2nd part, "Sexy Rex" Separation Anxiety. (It's real, look it up.) This first semester has taught me so many things. It showed me how fast things change, and that "adapting" isn't just a phrase used for the zoo animals.. Even though I have met some pretty wild creatures.. ehemm I mean kids here. I feel like my heart has grown 10 times bigger because there is so many people to love on this campus. Today, for example, I did a little experiment.. I smiled at everyone I saw walking across campus. Every single one who I caught eye contact with, smiled back! Where else in the world would that happen?! I love being able to feel the Spirit wherever I go here. My testimony has grown so much. I'm forever grateful to every person I met, every teacher who taught me, and every peaceful feeling that the Spirit blessed me with. This has been an unforgettable semester! :]

Lunchtrays+dorm hills= our new hobby.
Don't worry, we found way better hills and real sleds.. but hey the lunchtrays served us well.

My ward is amazing! We have the coolest guys, and the funnest girls. I've loved serving as Visiting Teaching Coordinator for all my sweet girls. 61st ward is the best!

p.s. Knitted sweaters from D.I. are totally in this season. :]

Old Year's Resolutions.

So I know there's only 1 more month until I will be making New Year's Resolutions, but I learned over Thanksgiving Break that it's never a wrong time to start fresh with some good goals! (Thanks to my incredible best friends Mae and Jon.) It's high time I make a few changes for the better. I'm ready for a challenge, bring it!

Here goes my Old Year's Resolutions:
1. Finish strong-Take time to study, REALLY study. No distractions!
2. Go to the gym or run every SINGLE day. Bring on the 6 pack! :]
3. "Mix n Mingle"-Meet at least 5 new people everyday, and hang with a new crew each weekend!
4. Switch my scripture study to A.M., starting out my day with the Lord's words.. perfect.
5. Temple twice a week with Mae. Even when we have to walk through feet of snow..
6. Learn something from EVERYONE that I meet.



"In life, like football, you won't go far unless you know where the goalposts are."

Man, starting fresh feels so good! So Thanksgiving Break was amazing; I had the best time! I had a minor set back when my flight got delayed, and it made me miss my 2nd one.. but a sweet flight attendant got me on the next flight home, and Mae and Amanda surprised me by decorating my room with tons of cute signs. They stayed up late to take me out when I got home, I have the best friends! The whole week was a party, filled with christmas light drives, my first ASU game, golfing, hot tubbing, climbing to the top of the world in the orange groves, temple lights, Black Friday shopping, eating my weight in pumpkin pie, and hanging out with some of my favorite arizona people. Mom threw an amazing Thanksgiving dinner with my family and some aunts, uncles, and cousins. Everyone is growing up so fast! My friend Elyse and her mom came too. She is a super cute, sassy girl. Oh how i've missed chatting with her. The food was amazing, the company was even better. There is so much to be thankful for!

Instant Replay.

"Losers quit when they're tired. Winners quit when they've won."

Last night our boys Jake, Jared, and Jordan won their championship volleyball game. Their team, the Knights slayed the Hawks! We owned the front row and screamed until we were all lightheaded. No embarrassment, we were loud and proud.

Best of our fan highlights:

"Next time he gets close, grab him and give him a wedgie!"-Brock
"Go back to Footlocker, ref!" -Me

"How high's the net??"-Mae "Too high!"-everyone

"Kimbo!" "Slice!" -our special call for Jake :]

"Hi Lynn!"

Our studly friend Jake. We love you Kimbo!


K for Kari, Knights, Kindness, King, Kaleidoscope, Kangaroo.. basically K is legit.

Taylor's got mad hops! May be the reason why I don't play volleyball??

Plaid buddies. Love ya brock!

___________________________________________________

Today has been really chill. Lots of packing, practicing piano, and studying for my math test that's tomorrow. I can't believe I will be in AZ tomorrow, i'm so excited! A whole week with my family and friends back home. I'm loving Sexy Rex, but let's face it.. i'm a Valley girl. Shorts, flip flops, and In N Out, here I come!

DONE being sick.

Dear body,
Please stop being sick.
I know you like to lay in bed,
pop pills, and drink Vitamin C all day.
But i miss our adventures together.
Please oh please feel better soon.
Love,
Kari
_______________________________________
Being sick isn't very fun. But it has given me a chance to catch up on chickflicks, work on homework, and shown me how blessed i am to have caring friends.






The last 2 weeks, i've been fighting a nasty cold. Just ask anyone who listened to me talk.. i promise i really do have a girl's voice! This morning was rough, so Mae took me to the Health Center to get checked out.

3 things i learned about the BYUI Health Center today:
-If you dare cough, you get the "privilege" of wearing a face mask. Most attractive accessory ever!
-Some people's backpacks weigh almost as much as them says the scale.. Hm could be the reason your in here with "back pains", lady.
-Needles and me still aren't very close friends.. but i tested negative for mono! :]


Basically, i just have a case of "extra long flu virus". The doctor's Rx for me is rest and some cold pills i have to take twice a day to push my mucus (whoever invented that word? yuck..) and sinus infection out of my system faster. I should be healthy in a few days! But until then, the Dean of Students has excused me from my classes. Hmm what to do with this extra time? Become an artist of course! Jake and Jared surprised me tonight with a paint kit, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and a sweet original poem. They're amazing! Before they came over, Shannon, Janee, and Becca stopped by to visit. We ended up getting in a 2 hour discussion about life and how much the Gospel has helped us all out. Seriously, we are SO blessed to be at the greatest school and a part of the wonderful, true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love deep talks like that!


It's 2 AM, i'm pretty sure that qualifies for bed time. In the words of my fellow sick-mate Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." Nighty night!

Thankful Thursday.

A couple years ago in seminary, a girl gave the idea of "Thankful Thursday". Every Thursday, she would only say "thanks" for things in her prayers. It stuck with me, and with it being Thanksgiving time too i feel like i should get out a couple of thankful....nesses. (Sometimes my thoughts sound better than my words. :] )


I'm thankful for siblings. Whether it's shooting hoops with my brothers, sharing clothes with my sister, or quoting "Saturday Night Live" with all of them around the dinner table; there isn't ever a dull moment! My little brother Chris (picture above) is my hero! He is the most loving, ready to laugh boy out there.. and ladies he's single. :]







I'm thankful for nieces and nephews. We love to color, get wet, jump on the trampolin, and play Tickle Monster. Playing with them reminds me that i'm still a kid! They are my little stress-relievers. :]



I'm thankful for silly time. Letting go of cares and worries and just being crazy! It's the best. :]




I'm thankful for gorgeous temples. I love everything about it: the beautiful flowers and reflection pools, the peace of the baptismal font, the sweet old temple workers. I can't wait until it's my time to go inside!



I'm thankful for life. The hard times that build and shape me, the exciting times when I reach a goal, the fun times when I hangout with friends, and the peaceful times when i realize life can't get much better than this.


"There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for."
What are some things that you are grateful for?

"God sends angels in the form of friends." TRUE. These are my 2 best friends. Mae (the one with the dark hair) is up at BYU-Idaho with me right now. I don't know how i could handle the college and moving away transition without her. We met at a New Year's Eve party last year where we danced the night away, story of our life. :] Anna (the blonde in the middle) was a foreign exchange student from Denmark. We knew she fit into our world perfectly when we saw how she loved to dress up in crazy costumes and go to QT all of the time. I miss her dearly! That's it, the Three Musketeers. Oh.. but they're MUCH better than the candy bar.