Unofficial OH MY HECK SORRY GUYS

Hey guys! It's, uh, it's been a while! What's been happening? What have I missed?

OKAY I'M SORRY! I FORGOT I HAVE A BLOG? I LOVE MY BLOG AND I FORGOT ABOUT IT? I'M THE WORST? I NEED TO RETHINK ME LIFE?

Really. Sorry about that. It's only been, what, a year? Give or take a couple months? 

Let's be real for a minute - I think I might be the only one who reads this blog. Also, I write this blog, so it feels like cheating ... But whatever. I've been failing my faithful audience (raises own hand awkwardly and looks around empty room), and that is unacceptable. I'll do better. This I so swear.

Anyways.

Highlight reel of the last year GO

...

Okay, nothing really happened that y'all missed.

Soooooo ...

Um. Yeah.

Oh hey I'M AN AUNT FOR REALS NOW!

Samantha Rose Parkinson (alternately known as Sammi alternately known as Little Pickle alternately known as Who's It's alternately known as Goobie alternately known as Love Duck) is the cutest munchkin in the world and I love and adore her little face.

Enjoy.

That child is a blessing LOOK AT HER.

I mean COME ON. That face. (She doesn't smile in pictures. This is the best I could get.) We are best friends.

Also I went to the One Direction concert in Seattle with my Soul Sistah Elisabeth Anne. That was a delight.

Here we are looking like we aren't sure what to look like. Fitting.

What brought me to this moment in my life.
Why did I let myself become this.
I'm rethinking everything.

It was super fun and they were spectacular and I am a changed woman.

I'm going to school now. It's a riot.

The bad kind.

Like, Week One, a shaky success. I survived so woo hoo for that but I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR HOW MANY MORE WEEKS PRAY FOR MY SOUL I AM IN TROUBLE Y'ALL. Those are my feelings.

In Summary:

Sorry I suck at blogging.

I love my niece.

I also love One Direction.

School is the worst.

The end.

Unofficial Bandit

It's been an interesting Thanksgiving. Due to a vast amount of STUPID, I had to miss Thanksgiving with the Barnes Clan and my newly returned missionary grandparents for work. Yeah. I'm still bitter. But that is not the point of this post. The point of this post is my newly discovered skills as a bandit.

I got home from Thanksgiving with the Young Clan. I parked the car outside, where it goes. I got into the garage. I opened the door to the house to let release the hounds and let them into the wild of our backyard to do their business. The last sentence is a lie. I tried to open the door, but I failed. Because I locked it before I left. LIKE AN IDIOT. I figured since I was parking outside I wouldn't use the garage all weekend, so I may as well lock the door. That was dumb. So I tried all the doors to the house. They were locked. Naturally.

Cue Panic Mode.

I freaked out. I called Emily. She didn't have a spare key. I called Mom. Apparently we don't have a spare key either. Good to know. She suggested I try getting in a window. Cool idea, Mom. So I did what anyone would do is such a situation.

I cried.

It was pretty pathetic, actually. 

And then I cried some more. And then I called Emily in tears and she said she was on her way and stop freaking out. And then I decided I'd better pick myself up and try getting in a stupid window. Because I'm a fighter. (That was actually my thought process in deciding to try breaking in a window. I was like, "Shoot! I can't just sit here! That's stupid. I'm a fighter. I'm getting in my house, dang it!" So props to me for that moment of strength. Those babies are few and far between, you know?) 

So. I got on the deck. I cried some more (I'm a crier even when I'm trying to keep my crap together, apparently), and I pulled on the screen to the window for a LONG TIME and I finally pried it out. And then I pushed up on the window. And then.

IT OPENED.

Yeah. It opened. That was the most magical moment of my entire existence. So I cried and climbed into the very dark kitchen and wandered around blindly, feeling for the lights and crying. (I cried a crap ton.) 

You never know how strong you are until you're tested to your limits. (I'm totally joking.) 

But for reals. It was an intense Thanksgiving. And now I know I could be a bandit if I had to be. As long as all houses keep a convenient window near the deck unlocked. 

I'm an un[OFFICIAL] bandit.

Unofficial Fangirl

Oh my lands. I need a moment, my people. I need a second to fangirl. Because I'm VERY good at fangirling.

I fangirl about a lot of things. I'm okay with that.

A List Of Things To Fangirl About:

Sherlock.

Merlin.

The Hobbit.

The Lord of the Rings.

Harry Potter.

Benedict Cumberbatch.

Martin Freeman.

Hunger Games.

Marvel.

Downton Abbey.

The list goes on.

Like, Pinterest is my life. It's embarrassing but it's true, and I've accepted that.

But there is one fandom above all other fandoms. One left off the above list. One slightly more embarrassing than the others, but pretty much I don't care, because it's just that wonderful and if everyone would open their eyes and stop being biased and petty and snobbish, they would all understand that wonder.

That wonder that is One Direction.

Yes. So much yes is happening in this moment.

Yeah. I went there. And this whole fetching blog post is about to go there. So if you don't want to open your eyes and stop being biased and petty and snobbish, you should probably stop reading now. (Just kidding, that's super extreme. I still love you even if you don't love them. We're cool. ... But you for reals might want to stop reading, because this fangirling is going to be EPIC and off the charts. You've been warned.)

Things To Fangirl About

1. Four. New album. Oh my fricking lands it's musical genius. They sound much more mature, and much more awesome (like that's even POSSIBLE). I would listen to this album for the rest of my life if I had to make a choice about one album to listen to for the rest of my life. Please bless this is NOT a decision I have to make. 

2. Their Hair. Yes. I know. It's silly. But GUYS. Their HAIR. It's beautiful. It speaks to me on a spiritual level. (This is blasphemy, it is not true, but I do indeed love their hair.) 

Note the strong hair game by ALL OF THEM.

3. Night Changes. The music video. Also the song, which is beautiful, but oh my STARS that music video CHANGED MY LIFE and it made me want to CRY and then laugh and then probably cry some more and then hide under a rock for the rest of my life because my fangirl heart was left open and raw and basically destroyed. This is not an exaggeration. This is a true story. So please, everyone in the world, go watch that music video. And then you will understand both my great suffering and my great joy.

4. On The Road Again. The 2015 tour. WHICH I WILL BE ATTENDING with one LIZZIE LAWYER in PORTLAND in JULY. It's like, after that concert, I don't even care what happens for the rest of my life. (That IS an exaggeration, I very much care about my future.) But to say I'm excited would be putting it pretty lightly. I'm going to be in the same room as them. I'm going to breathe their air. (From a distance, but whatever, I don't even care.)  

5. AMA's. They won all three they were up for, INCLUDING Best Artist. So THAT rocks. And then they performed, and they were stellar (because HELLO what else could they even be but stellar?).

6. Night Changes. I'm still not over that music video.

7. Their Faces. Yes. Their faces. Second only to their hair in attractiveness. (Just kidding, I like their faces better than their hair. However, I've got to say I'm a BIG fan of both.) I mean, come on. Look. LOOK!

Note the faces AND the hair.

Oh my stars. Oh my lands. Oh my One Direction.

I'll stop now.

Mostly because if I don't I'll run of my feels and my fangirl heart will burst with over stimulation. That would be bad news.

I'm an un[OFFICIAL] fangirl.

I've got it bad.

Unofficial Auntie

Dang it.

I've been slacking again.

I just do that sometimes, you know? Sometimes slacking happens.

But it's okay, because my life hasn't been that interesting in the past two months, so we REALLY haven't missed much.

Except for this.

I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNTIE.

That's the best news of my life right now.

She (yes! She! She's a SHE!) is coming in April and her name is going to be Samantha Rose Parkinson (so naturally I've been doodling that crap all over everything) and I've decided I'm calling her Sammie Rose (and if you don't think that's the cutest thing ever just get out of here you wacko because it's so flipping cute) and I'm going to spoil her absolutely filthy rotten because that's what aunties are supposed to do.

My life is awesome.

Aunting is already my favorite activity, and the child isn't even here yet to be aunted.

I'm an un[OFFICIAL] auntie!

Unofficial Beehive Adviser

I guess, you know, technically, it's not official. I didn't get set apart yet. But guys, I got called as a Beehive adviser today.

And I'm freaking out.

Also, I'm crazy excited, because being a Beehive adviser sounds like a crap ton of fun! For realsies. I'm super dooper excited.

But I'm still freaking out.

No one even raised their hand as being opposed when I got sustained. What IS this?

A List Of Reasons For My Freak Out.

1. Under qualified. HELLO, I couldn't be more under qualified! What do I know about caring for the spiritual needs of 12 year old girls? Oh. Right. Not a single thing. So that's delightful! I don't know how to do this! I don't know how to do this! Oh no. The anxiety is kicking in. Hurry - someone get me a paper bag!

2. I'm practically a Beehive myself. ... That's an exaggeration. I've got, like, 8 years on the kids. But that's not very many years! I am so young! It's not like being a Beehive adviser is a high profile calling or anything - it's not a big deal - but still! I'm too young for real callings! I should be in Primary or something. This is nonsense.

3. Come on know. Who is going to take ME seriously as a YW leader? It just seems so out of the realm of possibility. I can't even take myself seriously! How will they manage it?

It's okay. I'm freaking out a little, but it's okay! I actually for reals am SUPER crazy excited. Gah! Young Women! I love being in Young Women!

So yeah.

un[OFFICIAL] Beehive Adviser. That's happening.

Unofficial Enthusiast: Jousting

I have a new favorite sport. As far as sports that aren't normal sports are concerned. Basketball will forever fill the Favorite Sport portion of my heart, with football as a close second. But that's not the point. The point is

JOUSTING.

Who knew, in this day and age, that jousting still exists.

Good news.

It does.

And it's flipping classy.

Horses, lances, full out armor. It's legit.

This is what jousting looks like.

I went with most of my family to Estes Park, Colorado last week for the Scottish Irish Festival which they hold every year, and it was awesome. Bagpipes playing every hour of the day, the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke wafting over the fair grounds, the unpredictable weather freezing you one minute and roasting you the next, the general acceptance and encouragement of kilt wearing - it's basically a dream come true. And at this most magical of festivals, I witnessed my first ever live jousting tournament. (Not like I sit around watching it on the TV or the internet at home. But I have seen enough movies about knights to have seen a fair amount jousting.) Flip, guys. It was SO COOL.

Lances were breaking, armor was coming off, people were falling off horses - it was intense. And we all got some sick sort of pleasure out of watching it. I felt a little like a barbarian cheering when someone was unhorsed, and a little classy because I was watching jousting like a flipping princess or something. It was conflicting. But I decided to go with the classy princess option, so I mostly enjoyed it. (Who am I kidding? I enjoyed it the whole time. I just felt a wee bit guilty about enjoying it for a moment or two.)

Look at those lances breaking! This is some sweet crap jousting right here.

So yeah. That's my new thing. Jousting. I am a fan. If you guys ever happen to be in a random place where jousting is happening, you should check it out. (You probably won't be in a random place where jousting is happening unless you're a total nerd and you go to Renaissance fairs or something of that sort.) But I'm serious - it's flipping sweet and super fun to watch. And it makes you feel like a G from King Arthur's court. So it's worth the nerd label you'll be stuck with into the eternities for liking it.

I am an un[OFFICIAL] jousting enthusiast. 

Unofficially Homesick

Well flip, guys. I miss Poland.

Like, A LOT.

Poland is as much my home as anywhere else. Which is interesting, because I've lived in Utah a considerably longer time than I lived in Poland. But, for whatever reason, that country feels like home. And I miss it.

Don't get me wrong - I love being home in my Utah home. Love the crap out of it. It rocks. But it's just not the same, you know? Something is decidedly less magical - less exciting. I mean, it's POLAND, for goodness sake. So much history. So much culture. So much adventure. (Define adventure. Adventure: living in Europe, more specifically, Poland.) I miss that. And I also miss the not magical and unexciting things about Poland.

Basically, everything. I miss everything about that blessed land. (Except, perhaps, the smells. But at this point, I'm so far gone I might miss those too.)

A List Of Things To Be Missed:

1. Banana juice. I'm barely surviving without that ridiculously sugary beverage working it's way through my system. It's the worst. I don't even know how I'm still alive, to be quite honest.

2. Ryneks. Yeah. Good luck finding a rynek in Layton freaking Utah. I want to see some old classy architecture and street vendors with overpriced souvenirs and Asians with cameras. We just don't have a lot of that here! It's very disheartening.

3. Cobblestone. Why are the streets not cobblestone here?

4. Trams. I know, I know. I hate public transportation. But maybe not because what do you know I miss trams. They're so convenient. (Actually, cars are a lot more convenient. And I really do hate public transportation. But I miss trams because they're so thoroughly Poland for me, and I miss everything Poland right now.)

5. Dopełniacz. I just want to wish someone a good day or "have fun working" without making it seem weird. Because I'm trying to make it work in English, but it keeps seeming weird. Not a fan.

6. Polish people. Glory, I love them.

7. Żabka. Because it's the most convenient convenience store of them all, and it's everywhere. And it has Milka chocolate and banana juice. 

8. Tiny branches. Church is a sensory overload in America. So many PEOPLE. Which, on the one hand, is super cool. It's like, "Oh look at the Church! It's so big! Good job, team!" On the other hand ... I miss my tiny branches. Because they're mine, and I love them.

9. Fake family. I miss my fake Poland family, made up of members and investigators and missionaries. I just miss them. 

10. Polish. In general. I love that crazy language. I love it, and I miss it. You know, I felt a certain sense of accomplishment in Poland for knowing Polish. But here, it's just not the same. No one gets it. Even if they know that Polish exists, they don't understand how difficult or beautiful it is. Maybe the Poles don't understand how difficult or beautiful it is either, because it's theirs, and sometimes we have a way of forgetting that the things that are ours are special. But at least the other missionaries understood. 

11. Pigeons. Those blasted pigeons. I hate them. But I also miss them.

12. Castles. Poor Utah. We just aren't old enough to have castles here. And since we haven't built any, future generations won't have them either. There just aren't castles in Utah. There's something terribly tragic about that.

There's more. But it's late, and I'm tired, and there are some things that haven't got words matched up to them because language is incapable of truly expressing them in all their glory.

I just miss Poland.

Yeah. This is Poland. I love her.

I'm un[OFFICIALLY] homesick.

Unofficial Public Speaker

PYSCH.

I HATE public speaking. It makes me want to jump off a bridge. Onto some railroad tracks. In front of an express train. ... Too much? Okay. Fine. It makes me want to jump off a bridge into a nice river where I can doggy paddle to shore without too much trouble, so it will be an uncomfortable experience, but not a life ending one. Better?

I'm speaking in church tomorrow. Apparently that is expected of newly returned missionaries these days. Silly.

I spent basically this whole entire day writing my talk. With an exception a couple hours spent shopping with my mom and sister. And the necessary YouTube breaks so my brain didn't fry from typing and thinking too hard about spirituality. Also, meals. But point of the story - I spent the better part of today writing the dang thing.

I hope it's decent. You know how you work really hard on something, and by the time you're through with it you can't even tell if it's decent or not, you just want to burn it in a bonfire? Hello, my day today.

That's all.

I just needed to type something other than a talk.

I am an un[OFFICIAL] public speaker. ... Lucky me. 

Unofficially Anna

Well. 

This is weird. 

I am back from my year and a half hiatus, and I'm blogging. 

And I'm Anna now.

I was Sister Young for a long time. Like, a REALLY long time. (Okay, okay. I guess a year and a half isn't THAT long. But you know. Whatever.) 

It's so strange to be Anna again. And I know, it's fine, because I'm me either way, but I think we can all agree that missionary-selves and normal-selves are slightly different selves. Not in a bad way, or a good way, but just a way that is slightly different because that's the way the universe operates.

I'm at peace with being Anna again, it's just WEIRD. Because Anna does things that Sister Young did not. For example, Anna listens to music. That's nice. Anna watches movies and spends time with her family. BIG FAN of that. Anna has her own room, and can be alone if she wants to. Score! But at the same time, there are things Sister Young did that Anna kind of can't. Anna can't walk up and down the streets, sharing the Good Word with all of God's children here at home. That would be a little bit socially unacceptable, and a lot bit awkward - besides, Anna isn't set apart to do that anymore (that sounds REALLY depressing ...). Anna can't speak Polish with the people around her, and THAT bites hardcore. Anna has to call people by their first names. It's weird.

I'm conflicted.

But, for better or worse, I'm un[OFFICIALLY] Anna now.

Unofficial Slacker

Unofficial (Blogger) Slacker

Well. Here I am. W Polsce. Pretty crazy stuff.

*Brief Message*

I fear the title may give the wrong impression. I'm talking about being a slacker as a blogger, not a missionary. I'm not just chilling in my apartment, counting down the days to coming home. I'm a pretty dilligent little soul. I just didn't want people to think, "Wow. Unofficial Slacker. What a lame missionary." Such is not the case. I'm just bad at blogging. Anyways. As you were.

I would first like to apologize for not being a more diligent and faithful blogger. It's just hard to be a blogger AND a missionary, as it turns out. There's a lot to do, and a lot of people to talk to, and before you know it - BOOM! Your time is gone! So. Apologies.

And now. Wow. I don't even know what to say, because there's so much I could say, and I've said a lot already to other people and I can't remember who's been told what, or what's even something people would find interesting, and here we are! Sorry, I know. I should just say something interesting and that would be good. But instead I'm talking about how I have nothing interesting to say, or I have a lot of interesting things to say ... Either way, this is no fun to read. Sorry. I'll stop.

Poland is good. I like her. She's a fun country.

There are pigeons everywhere. And they don't mind people. They just waddle around (they're huge because the people here feed them. So ridiculous. You don't FEED pigeons), flap their wings a little, do their pigion thang. It's so weird. And they are literally everywhere.

I ride on trams a lot. They're pretty fun. Sometimes the lights flicker on and off. I'm not sure if that's a normal tram thing, or if it's a special trams in Poland thing,

or an extra special trams in Kraków thing. Either way. Fun stuff.

I mostly eat normal food, because we cook for ourselves basically every meal. Which I prefer, because I'm rather picky. Cool stuff. I LOVE the juice. I don't know what's so great about it, but it's just better, as it turns out. My favorite is raspberry/carrot/apple. Sounds weird. And it is weird, because you can actually taste the carrots a little bit. But even so, I love that stuff. My favorite food I've found here is this stuff called Nuss Milk. It's a lot like Nutella, minus it isn't as hazelnutty (or maybe not hazelnutty at all), and it has white chocolate swirled with the milk chocolate. Can you say heaven? I can. Nuss Milk. Also, their yogurt is good. I don't know what's different about it, but I love it. And also, they have good cold cereal. And oatmeal. And this stuff that's kinda like Malt-O-Meal, but it's vanilla flavored. They do breakfast right here in Poland.

My companion is stellar. Her name is Sister Allen, and I just love her! She's so great. She's REALLY good at Polish, which is quite a blessing, because I don't really speak Polish. When you're in the MTC, they tell you you do, but then you get out, and you realize you don't. It's quite an adventure. Like, every waking moment is an adventure.

  

Let's see ... I can't think of anything else really interesting to say. So I guess this is goodbye.

Goodbye.

I am an un[OFFICIAL] slacker. And I PROMISE I'll do better in the future!

Unofficial First Real Email

Let's begin with the plane rides. Wow. SO LONG. Like, wow. I just don't even know what to say. But they were long, and I didn't sleep AT ALL. That was a bit of a bummer. Luckily I had enough adrenline pumping through my veins to keep me going. That was a blessing. I tell you, I never want to go that long without sleep again. It's just not worth it. Ugh. I don't even like thinking about it. I love sleep. 

So then we were in Warsaw, met the mission president, everything was great. My trainer is Sister Allen. Skipping ahead to our train ride to Kraków. We BARELY made the trian before it left (so that was a blessing). However, it was quite crowded because apparently there was some holiday last weekend. So there was no where for us to sit or to put our baggage. Hence we sat on our baggage in the little corridor thing. Yeah. This is also a true story. We literally sat in a hallway on our suitcases, my companion and I. And we talked to this FREAKING CUTE little boy named Kuba. SO cute. Oh my heck. And I tried to talk to him in Polish. He corrected me several times. However, when he asked what my favorite color was, and I said, "Róźowy and żółty," his mother gave me a thumbs up because I said it right. So that was a proud moment. A little bit later this lady with a cart of food and drinks ("Anything from the trolley, dear?" Yes - just like that) came by and made us move. With all our luggage. Which was a pain. So then we had to lug our luggage through, like, four train cars all the way to the front of the train. WHAT a nightmare. Luckily a nice boy named Piotr helped us, so that was cool of him. We taught him a first. He wasn't interested. But he was very nice, so whatever. Good enough. So then we got to Kraków and took our stuff onto the tram (also a pain), and had to pull it through some nice, cold, wet streets to our apartment. On the way I lost the back of my nametag. And then found it yesterday morning. So that was fun. Anyways. What an adventure. We finally got home, then we had to go get food (no one had been in the apartment the last transfer, so we had basically nothing. Like, not even dish soap. We lived like animals for a couple days).

So yeah. Here we are.

Fun story. We were out tractować-ing (when in doubt, add ować to the end of the word, and BOOM! It's Polish.) and we ended up in this building, yeah? So we knock on this door. Get nothing. However, the music in the room next to us stops and we hear someone talking. So we're like, "Yeah. Okay. We'll try this one." So Sister Allen knocks on the door, and this guy, wearing nothing but his underwear (yeah, that's right. You read it right. Super sketch), pokes his head around the doorway and is like, "Yes? I don't speak Polish. Let me get dressed." Yes. You do that. Here, I'll get the door for you. Just for PITY'S SAKE put on some clothes. So the guy gets dressed (and Sister Allen and I are just in the hall, trying to keep the laughter to a minimum) and then he comes back. So we said who we are, and he TOTES let us in for a lesson! Which was unexpected. And fun. And all a little weird. He was French (which explains the, "Oh, let me just answer the door real quick in my skivvies" thing. I mean, really. Why am I not surprised he's French?). So we had a lesson, it was fun. He was weird.

Things have been pretty crazy! Love YOU ALL SO MUCH!

New missionaries from the MTC arrive in Warsaw!

UnOfficial Super Bowl

Unofficial Superbowl

The Superbowl. It's a big deal. We all know this. Friends and family gather, they eat food, they talk - but most importantly, they stare intently at the television. Every so often, a cheer makes it's way through the group, but mostly everyone sits on the edge of their seats, watching in awe and amazement. When it's over, it's discussed in GREAT detail, everywhere, and with everyone. The Superbowl is big.

General Conference is the Superbowl of the MTC. For reals, though. We all gather, watch the tv intently, listen in amazement as the Prophet and Apostles preach. It's intense. And yeah, actually, every so often there's a little cheering (because we're still just a rowdy bunch of kids in their late teens, and no one's perfect, right?). Since there's about a gazillion of us missionaries, we were in four different locations throughout the MTC to watch it. All our classes were cancelled, so basically all we did all day was watch Conference and read our scriptures and talk and stuff. It was fabulous. I loved it so much. We did get to see the in between sessions thing on Sunday (kind of ... we were watching it in the cafeteria, and it was awkwardly turned off half way through for some reason I couldn't explain), and that was fun! Also really weird, because we saw REAL ACTUAL TV COMMERCIALS. Craziest moment of my life. When you go five weeks without seeing a commercial, and then BOOM, you see one, it's kinda bizarre. Sister Wendel and I were sitting with the Bulgars during lunch while we were watching it, and they were like, "Hey, Poland," so Sister Wendel and I were like, "WHAT?!" and looked over and saw it and it was super exciting! Poland Represent!

General Conference was AMAZING! I don't think I've ever loved it so much in all my life. Usually 8 hours feels like a REALLY long time to sit and get spiritual guidance (don't judge! It is a long time!). But now? Psh, 8 hours is nothin'! I spend pretty much every hour of every day now getting spiritual guidance and what not. This was nothin'. And it was SO good. Honestly, I'm pretty sure there were several talks in this General Conference written just for me, Anna Lin Young. Incredible. However, my FAVORITE part of Conference was actually the Young Women's meeting from last week. We got to watch it Saturday night while all the elders were at Priesthood (which I was SUPER grateful for, because I adore the Young Women's meeting! And I thought a lot about my sweet baby sister who is NOT a baby, because I remembered that she was actually there - it was like a little connection to her and my Mama). It was so good. And President Uchtdorf's talk - gosh dang it, I love that man. He is amazing. Absolutely beyond amazing. His talk was written for me. I mean it. Maybe you people were able to get something out of it too, but that talk was written for me. He was talking about our life journey (and of course, being a missionary, I thought of my mission journey), and he mentioned a couple different stories - The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Carol, and then, much to my joy, THE HOBBIT. Which is kind of the inspiration for my mission. He talked about how Bilbo Baggins wanted to stay comfortably at home and sit in his chair, but instead he went on a adventure and changed the world. Of course, I'm not thinking I'll change the world out there or whatever, but other than that, Bilbo and I are twinners. In our district meeting after we were talking about things we liked, and I brought this up. I said that my family and Lord of the Rings are like this (and crossed my fingers, indicating we were very close. Which is possibly the dorkiest thing in the whole world. But it is true. Don't be hatin' - the Young Family is one classy bunch). And then I said we went and saw The Hobbit the day after I got my call, and that when Bilbo ran out of his house, after the dwarfs and called behind him, "I'm going on an adventure!", both my Dad and I thought about my mission and the adventure I would be embarking on. Hello, Tender Mercy! I mean, really? What are the odds that President Uchtdorf would bring up The Hobbit of all things? Cray cray, right? But I needed a little reminder of what I'm doing here, and why I decided to come out here in the first place. It's because this is where the Lord wants me, and I just need to put my faith in Him and trust that He will guide me on this fabulous adventure. And then, this morning at the temple, one of the temple workers asked where I was going and I said Poland, and she said, "You are going to have a wonderful experience. What an amazing adventure!" These Tender Mercies - I tell you, they are coming out of the no where these days! And I love it so much.

I am so glad I got to be at the MTC for Conference. It was an amazing experience, and one that cannot be replicated. It's just such a different feeling, sitting with thousands of other missionaries, listening to our dear prophet together. And they talked so much about missionary work! It was incredible. Just, wow, you know? That's how it was. Wow.

General Conference is the un[OFFICIAL] Superbowl.

Unofficial Scolding

So while Anna is gone she has UNofficially left me (her dear mom) in charge ... I know you're wondering "what was she thinking?!" I have been Officially scolded for not posting. I am repenting. So here are her first two posts from the MTC. Enjoy!

Unofficial Tour Guide

Unofficial Tour Guide

Hello little ducklings! I offer an early welcome to you from the MTC! Before we begin our tour, a word. Don't worry. Really. This place is fabulous. And now - on to the tour! Fun, yes?

It's crowded. Just know that coming in. It makes things a little easier. There are people EVERYWHERE. Accept it - love it. If I can survive here, you know anyone can!

There are three places you will spend the majority of your time. The first is your residency. Which is MTC-Speak for bedroom. I don't know it needs a fancy name, but there ya go. It's a small room packed with three bunkbeds, two desks, and two dressers. It's snug. EXTREMELY snug. But really fun. In my limited experience. The second place is the cafeteria. It's crowded and loud and big and smells an awful lot like food. For obvious reasons. And while we're on the subject - food. It's okay. Not digusting, not amazing, Okay. And edible, so that's a plus. However, Fridays and Wednesdays they have ice cream from the BYU creamery. And that is good stuff. Mmmmmmmmm boy. The last place is your classroom. That's where you'll spend, like, 88.5754% of your time. Now, depending on your mission, this place will either be nice or super ghetto. Good news Annlie - it would appear English speaking missions get all the lovin' here. Your classroom is, like, three times as big as ours, and has nice paint on the walls, and pictures, and even a white board! Our Polish classroom is more of a glorified closet. And it's got a chalkboard. Yeah. Ghetto to the max.

There are a few things you should bring with you to the MTC besides all the obvious stuff. Bring a lanyard. I've got one, and it is SO nice. You can stick your little card and key on it, and you are good to go. Bring a robe. They're very handy when walking from the bathroom and showers to your room ... Basically, that's all I can think of. Sorry, not uber helpful.

But my BIGGEST advice - don't worry. Honestly. I was quite nervous about the MTC experience, and honestly, it's nothing to worry about. It's nice. Everyone here is nice, and life is good. So don't fret!

Unofficial Survivor

Title: Unofficial Survivor

The first post - I love it here. I really do. The MTC is awesome! So be excited, prospective missionaries! I'll write a "What To Know About The MTC" post in a week or two, once I've got the hang of it. But for now, don't even worry. It's really okay.

Would you like to hear a secret? I'm happy. So incredibly happy. Which is honestly so surprising to me! I really thought that I'd struggle being here, but such is not the case! It is so wonderful here! Honestly, if the MTC had my family and friends, snacking, naps, and One Direction, I couldn't ask for anything more! I would be living the dream, friends.

Polish is a beast. I love it SO much, but it really fetching (sorry - not a missionary word - please forgive me) hard. Here's your little taste of Polish - Ja jestem Siostra Young. Ja jestem misionarkam Kosciol Jezusa Christusa Swientich w Dniach Ostatnich. I know you can't pronounce that (what's google translate for, right?), but it means, "I am Sister Young. I am a missionary of the Church of Jesus Crhist of Latter-day Saitns." I can also pray in Polish! Supes cray cray, yeah?" I mean, the prayer is pretty basic, but still!

Thanks SO much for the letters! Annlie and Lizzie - PROPS. You get the points because you're darn sexy (eh, eh?). As a special note - if you want to write me (PLEASE WRITE ME MAIL IS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH!), use DearElder.com. It is the best thing ever because you email them and they print out a hard copy for me to keep that I can get any time during the week - emails get read on Mondays. So there's that for you.

My district is BEYOND amazing. I love them all so much! They really are the best. We have six sisters and six elders learning Polish. Fun fact - two of our elders are actually heading to Leeds, England Polish speaking. Weird, right?

Anyways. I just wanted to let you all know that I have survived - and that the MTC is awesome - and that I love mail (cough cough send me mail cough).

I am an un[OFFICIAL] survivor! Yay!

Unofficial Final Post

Well, this is it, guys! I'm headed out tomorrow! Tomorrow! Would you believe that? It is so crazy! And I'm strangely excited! Knowing me, that is quite unusual. I'd have thought I'd be a nervous wreck, reduced to tears by the mere mention of leaving. And yet, here we are! Possibly that will still happen tomorrow, but as of right now, I'm feeling pretty dang good!

Just so you're all in the know, my mother has graciously offered to keep the blog up for me (it was a while ago, but I believe the offer still stands ... Hopefully it does, or this will have gotten really awkward), so don't fret! I will make sure you're all kept well informed of my whereabouts and wanderings! I'm guessing (emphasis on the guessing part, because let's get real - I've got no idea what's going to be happening in a couple days when I'm outta here) I'll be updating the blog once a monthish? I'm not sure. But we'll see what happens!

I kinda still can't believe I'm leaving. It will probably sink in tomorrow on the drive down to the MTC. It's just the craziest! So crazy. It is so crazy.

This is my un[OFFICIAL] final post! Gah!

Unofficial Goodbye

Well, this is it, guys. The big goodbye. But we had a good run, didn't we? We had some good times. And I will never forget the time we spent together, and the joy you brought to my life. Farewell, Camilla and Bellatrix. May you find joy in Oakley. And may you not meet untimely deaths at the hands of feral ranch dogs. That would be a tragedy.

Yep. It's true. The chickies have to go. And we love them dearly (... well ... Mom and Abby love them ...), but they're just too noisy. And disgusting. Here's your disgusting story of the day.

This morning I was taking Trixie out of the garage and putting her in the coop. They're always a bit nervous when they're being held (understandable), and they're always a bit antsy to be down on the ground again. So I'm carrying Trix, I open the gate to the coop, and she flaps right out of my arms. And a little egg drops to the ground and bounces on the dirt. Yes. She laid an egg on me. I have had a fetching egg laid right in my arms. I'm sorry, NO. Fetching disgusting. So I just stood there, staring at it. I didn't want to pick it up, because it was covered in goo, and it would be warm, and that is simply not okay with me. But apparently Millie and Trixie found it pretty interesting because they started pecking at it. I shooed them away, but I still didn't want to pick it up. So they started pecking again. Finally, I gathered all the courage I could muster and picked up the wet, slimy, warm egg. Gross. It was so gross.

And for that reason alone, I'm really not that sad to see the ladies (as I have lovingly called them) head north to Idaho. Annlie was right. Dangit, she's always right! She told me. She warned me that I would love them as chicks, and then come to detest them as adult chickies. She was right. You're right, Annlie! Enjoy your moment!

You know, I was imagining the post would be a bit more heartwarming and tender. It's kind of sad that my goodbye post for the chickens I wanted so badly (see Unofficial Dreams, August of 2012) has turned to this. Eh, what the heck. It is what it is.

So this is the un[OFFICIAL] goodbye.

*Brief Explanation*

The chickies will be heading to Oakley with my Aunt Heidi and Uncle Steve (who own a ranch) after my farewell. Apparently we have visitation rights (though I'm not expecting my chickies will still be squawking in a year and a half when I get home ... I wasn't kidding about those feral ranch dogs).

Unofficial Mission Fest

My life is a Mission Fest right now. Like, everything I do is about mission stuff. It's awesome, but at the same time, it is freaking me out in a big way. Still. It's mostly awesome.

Yesterday my bestie since before kindergarten opened her mission call (San Jose California, English speaking, leaves June 12)! It was so exciting! I think it's amazing that my little friend group from high school, the four of us, will all be going on missions and out at the same time! It's just so crazy! A couple of years ago, heck, even six months ago, this would never have seemed a possibility. And now here we are! I just can't quite wrap my head around it!

Today I met up with a couple of girls going to the same mission as me for lunch, and it was so much fun! It was really nice being able to talk to other girls who are in the exact situation as me. It's like, I can talk about getting ready with my family, and even my friends who are also preparing for missions, but talking to girls going to Poland was so fun! It made me really excited to get out there! Which is good, because I'm leaving in a week and a half. Holy hannah! That is so soon!!!

My life is an un[OFFICIAL] Mission Fest!

Unofficial Success

And another Single Awareness Day goes down in the books. For the 19th year running, I have had a successful year. I am single, and I am aware. You can't break a streak like this one!

It seems the Universe is dead set on convincing me I'm single. Which is unnecessary, because I totally know I'm single. For some reason, it's not getting that. 

Example 1

So a couple weekends ago, Lizzie and I had the pleasure of partying, and no party is complete without chocolate. Am I right, am I right? So we bought some Dove chocolates. You know, the ones with the corny/inspiring sentiments on the wrappers. It being near Valentine's Day, they had the heart shaped ones out. Naturally, we bought that kind. Chocolate is good, but heart shaped chocolate is even better. Everyone knows that. So here we are, with our chocolate, chilling in my room, listening to 1D and chatting. I open one of my chocolates and read the wrapper, expecting something beautiful. It says, and I quote, "Be your own Valentine." Wow. Thanks for that. I mean, what do you even say to that? I know I'm single, no need to go rubbing my face in it. Lizzie also got one that said, "Chocolate will always be your Valentine." Honestly? Who is in charge of this marketing campaign? Fire them! Either that or give them a raise. Because actually, those messages are a little depressing, and inspired me to drown my sorrows in more chocolate.

Example 2

Emily and I were watching The Bachelor on Hulu (I know, it's ranked on the list of dumbest television shows ever created, but it's also awesome). During the commercials, we kept getting eHarmony ads. Like they're trying to tell us, "Hey! You're watching The Bachelor! You're obviously single! Allow us to help you out, there!" No thanks, eHarmony. And what is it to you if I watch The Bachelor?

I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not. I don't even want to be in a relationship at this point. Which is why all these singleness reminders seem a bit ridiculous. So listen up, Universe. I'm going on a mission. In less than two weeks. I know I'm single, and that's the way I want it.

And in light of that, it's another un[OFFICIAL] success!

Unofficial Soul Sistah

I would like to dedicate this post to Lizzie. My Soul Sistah. I'm just glad I've got a cousin who knows I'm a total knucklehead and still hangs out with me. Isn't that fabulous? I think it's fabulous.

Yesterday we had an Anna Lin and Lizzie Anne day. It was magnificent. Because when we're together, it's ALWAYS magnificent! Why? Why is it so magnificent? Maybe because we're the coolest people in the world! And also, for the following reasons.

Reason 1
We are hilarious. Honest to goodness. I don't know why more people don't think we're funny! Basically every word that comes out of our mouth is comedic gold (the other words are pure poetry, and should be written into a book or something). We are just funny. And it's very nice having someone to be funny with, you know?

Reason 2
Shared interests. All things that are amazing, we both love (i.e. food, One Direction, the UK, Labyrinth, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, clothes, music, Sherlock, One Direction, Bath and Body Works, One Direction, food ... you can see where this is going). And all things that are lame, we both hate (i.e. Taylor Swift - we did NOT appreciate that little stunt she pulled at the Grammys. Really, Taylor? Really?, Justin Bieber ... Uh, I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of it presently). When you have that much in common, it's hard NOT to be Soul Sistahs.

Reason 3
We quote things NON STOP. Which is great, by the way. We have conversations very nearly made up entirely of quotes. And we use the same obscure quotes that nobody else gets, so that just makes it even better. It drives me crazy when I use a great quote (that's totally applicable to the situation) and nobody gets it! I'm always like, "Dang! If Lizzie were here, she'd get it!"

Reason 4
We both like to write and read. Which is convenient, because I write things and she reads them, and then she writes things, and I read them. "It's like all the things!" (See? That's one of those obscure quotes I know she'll get) I totes love it.

Reason 5
We share a shnazzy vocabulary. Need I say more?

So Lizzie, my un[OFFICIAL] Soul Sistah, keep it real. I'm going to miss you oodles!