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.
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).
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!!!
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!
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!
Well. Here we go. This is a wee bit embarrassing, but it's gotta be said.
I love One Direction.
There it is.
And there they are!
Now here's the thing. One Direction has this stigma of being lame because a lot of their fans are little tweeny boppers. That's so dumb. Because they're really talented. Quite recently, I was among the number that mocked them. Just because they have a million fangirls. Who are often obnoxious. Admittedly, fangirls are obnoxious. But hating something because of annoying fans is almost as dumb as being an annoying fan. If we all hated things because of annoying fans, would we ever like anything? Once my family went to a Harry Potter movie, and these people sitting next to us were likely the most irritating people in all the world. Honest to goodness. We still talk about how irritating they were. But do I hate Harry Potter now? No, I do not. Because Harry Potter is better than it's fans, and the same could be said of One Direction. So consider this your official call to repentance. No more judging. Read the rest of this post with an open mind. Because dang it, they are so amazing.
"When did this happen?" you ask. "Good question," I answer. It started one night on a drive home from work. I was listening to the radio, and Little Things came on. I was like, Boo! One Direction! That's for thirteen year old girls who need something to be fangirly about! But I listened to it, because I'm a sucker for accents (as we learned in a previous post). And then I was like, Hey. This is kinda cute. NO! Wait! Stop, Anna! You aren't thirteen! You don't need to be fangirly! And there it ended. Fast forward a few weeks to New Years. Me and my cuz's (yeah, it's a word) were getting our groove on with Just Dance, and I jokingly suggested we dance to What Makes You Beautiful. Turns out that is the BEST dance on the whole dang game. So me and my Soul Sistah Lizzie were like, "Wow. This is good." And then we were like, "Hey. Maybe we like this song." Which then turned into, "Hey. Maybe we like this group." Which then to turned into, "Ermagersh One Direction is the best thing ever!" This is where we're at.
Yes. They're dressed as sailors. Don't even question it.
There are so many reasons I like One Direction. So many.
Music. Obviously. Their music is really good. Some of it is super catchy and up beat, but there also softer ballads and sad (yet beautiful) soulful ones - really, they're quite versatile. If you've only ever heard What Makes You Beautiful, One Thing, and Little Things, you should really consider listening to some of their other stuff. I mean, those ones are good for sure, really they are, but they aren't even the best stuff they've got. I would suggest listening to Heart Attack, Gotta Be You, More Than This, and Tell Me A Lie. And for sure Kiss You. And Summer Love. And Last First Kiss. Heck, just listen to all of them. It's ridiculous, trying to narrow it down. But because of time restraints (I doubt you're just sitting around, looking for a way to waste away a few hours), if I were picking just one for you to listen to, I would go with Kiss You. Because it's super presh. And just to make it easy for you, I'll put the music video here for you. That's how much I love you.
Second thing to love. They're basically the most beautiful boys in all the world. I mean, just look at them.
Left to right - Niall, Louis, Liam, Zayn, Harry
Right, right? They are beautiful. You honestly cannot look at that picture and tell me you don't find them in the least bit attractive. It's not even possible. You'd have to be a robot or something. With no heart. Or eyes. Something would need to be wrong with you.
And the best part is, besides being inhumanly gorgeous, they're really hilarious. And quirky. Like, they have real personalities. Here are your explanations (of course I couldn't pass up an opportunity to explain their awesomeness!). Also, more pictures. You're welcome, kids.
Niall - He's Irish, so his accent is especially adorable. And he has this thing. He spends, like, 90% of his time eating. He's got this food obsession. In fact, he once killed his pet fish because of overfeeding. It's quite endearing, actually. I mean, minus the part about the fish. That's sad. He's such a normal person, you know? I mean, as normal as an international boy band sensation can be. And look at his kooky little hat in that group picture! I love it. Also, he writes some of the songs, and they are beautiful, and always gives himself the smallest solos.
Louis - Louis is the funny one. And my goodness, is he funny. If you watch any of their video diaries (I know, I know, so pathetic - but really, you should watch them, because that's what really convinced me they're amazing), you will see what I'm talking about. He's the most random soul. And so funny. And in spite of being obnoxious (in a really really good way!) he is so charming! It does not even make sense. And he's gorgeous. Did I mention he's gorgeous? Look at that top picture of them all together again. Those eyes are staring straight into your soul.
Liam - Liam is the responsible one of the bunch. They call him Daddy Direction. Isn't that precious? It is totally precious. He's the really cute, sensible one. He's scared of spoons. I don't think I could explain that one. But I will forgive him his spoon phobia on account of he is beautiful, and he sings like an angel. He also has (had?) two pet turtles. Named Boris and Archimedes. I'm sorry, but those are the best turtle names I've ever heard.
Zayn - Oh my. Just ... Wow. Look at him. He's surely the most beautiful soul ever to walk the earth. The eyes, the jaw, the hair ... I'm sorry. It's just not even fair that people this beautiful exist. Apparently he's the "mysterious" one. And he seems really chill, in like, every picture ever taken of him, but if you watch the music videos and the video diaries, you see that he really is a goofball. Just like the rest of them. Albeit, a very handsome goofball.
Harry - Harry Harry Harry. What to say about Harry? He's the flirty one. I'm pretty sure they're all flirts, because they're attractive as all get out and famous. But he's been dubbed the flirt. Also, he is funny. I like him. And he has a beautiful voice. But he talks really slow in interviews. Half the time I love it because it's just funny, and the other half the time, I'm like, "Dang boy! Get a move on!"
All together now!
Yep. That's that money shot.
There you go. 1D (in case you didn't catch on, that's shorthand for One Direction. See how that works?) in a nutshell. If that hasn't convinced you, at the very least, to give them a chance - I don't even know what to say to you. Except that you are an insane psycho-freak, and I hope you get hit by a bus. (Ignore the bus part - I don't condone or endorse violence. But you really are insane and psycho and freakish.)
I have an un[OFFICIAL] confession, and it turns out I love One Direction.
Now, I know I'm not the only one. Surely I'm not the only soul who is insanely jealous of Britain. I'm mean, I'm proud to be an American. I fly those stars and stripes with pride. But dang it, Britain is awesome. Let's go over the reasons, yes?
1. Accent
Why is it that everything, literally everything, just sounds better when you're saying it in a British accent? Honestly. Why, for the sake of all that is good in the world, did we decide to ditch that accent back two hundred years ago? We should have kept it. If I became president, the first thing I would do is require British accents to make a reappearance. Anyone caught using an American accent would be sent straight to the gallows. Or maybe just spend a day in jail. I haven't decided which, yet. But come on! Those accents just sound so classy.
2. Classy
Those Brits are classy. From their accent to their choice of afternoon snack (tea and crumpets - don't tell me that isn't the epitome of class). It just never ends with these people! In my mind, British and Classy are basically synonyms. I love America. But I don't think "class" when I think America. I think fried chicken and Honey Boo Boo (which is truly unfortunate). When I think Britain, I think of the Union Jack, of classy-class-classy accents, and Shakespeare. It's not even fair, really.
3. Attractive
I've heard tell that your average Brit isn't all that much to look at. This may or may not be true, I really couldn't tell you. I've never been to Britain, much to my chagrin. But those Brits that I have seen (you know, movie stars, musicians, the like) are all fetching ridiculously good looking. What is with that? To name a few: Eddie Redmayne (we could end the list here, and it would still be worth it), Jamie Bell, Richard Armitage, Christian Bale, Gerard Butler, Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Ed Stoppard - for the sake of time, we'll end that here. But there are more. So many more.
4. TV
They do TV right across the pond. Well, at least, the stuff we see over here that came from over there. Upstairs Downstairs, Downton Abbey, SHERLOCK (it gets all caps because it really is just that great) - let's just agree that everything (almost everything) Masterpiece is ah-mazing. Let's add to that list Robin Hood (classy classy classy) and Dr. Who (which I haven't seen a whole lot of, but liked what I saw). And basically all those remakes of classic literature done by BBC. And classy makes yet another reappearance in the description of Britain.
5. Accents
They have such great accents!
I am un[OFFICIALLY] jealous of Britain. Dang, they're classy.
