Flagg Ranch

I spent one wonderful month this summer working at Flagg Ranch Resort in John D. Rockefeller Jr. Plaza, Wyoming. During my time there, I met the most wonderful group of people that I have ever encountered. The people at the ranch are nothing short of extraordinary.

As a Rexburg native, I had never encountered many of the things that are considered commonplace in other places. After the initial culture shock had worn off, I began to see the world around me with new, open eyes. Instead of seeing people for their lifestyles and

decisions, I began to see who they really were. I learned to love them in spite of the things that they chose to do that I maybe didn't agree with.

The LDS kids were really great also. I learned some fun new skills from the "cowboys" in the trail ride corral. They taught me how to ride a horse again (which I hadn't done since I was a tiny, tiny kid... and never liked) and did their very best to teach me how to rope. The thing was, though, that the LDS kids, however special and wonderful and unique they were, didn't have anywhere near the influence on my character and life with their good examples as my interactions with the others.

I will genuinely remember my experiences at Flagg and the people I met there forever. And I hope I get to see them again someday!

Love you guys! :)

Jess

I got a D!

In yesterday's post i mentioned how things weren't going well for me on my journey back to BYU-I. The reasoning behind my glum outlook could be attributed to the sure knowledge that I had that my Modern Europe credits were going to be lost. All my work over the semester added up to be not nearly enough to get me a passing grade (turns out that history isn't my best subject), and the As and Bs that I had earned in my other four classes were going to go to waste because of it. Today I got my report card and much to my delight (i never thought I would say this...) I got a D! So my hopes are not dashed after all. With the help of an incredibly sincere letter, a transcript, and some short paperwork, I will be back at BYU-I in no time. And this time, two years after my suspension, I am going to do much better. I have learned a lot of things in the past 22 months. When I received notification of my suspension, I was angry and childish about it. I blamed it on my past, my teachers, my track placement, anything I could think of but myself. Since then I have realized some of what being a grown up is about. I do not even pretend to know everything, but I do know this:

1. Sometimes you don't get off easy.

2. Sometimes it doesn't matter who you know.

3. Sometimes you have to do things that you don't enjoy, because it's good for you.

4. An occasional saturday off, although not a necessity, is good for the soul.

5. Stocking shelves is not a career.

6. The best friends love you no matter what...

7. But family is where it's at.

8. You might miss some fun times if you want to reach your goal.

9. You still might not reach your goal.

10. The only thing that gets you further than sweetness, is sincerity.

11. You hardly ever get exactly what you want, when you want it, but if you do, be sure to thank the people who made it possible.

Anyways, I have done a lot of growing up. And I still have a lot of growing up to do. But I have been to the other side of life, and I'm not going back.

Trying New Things

Hello World.

Apparently I spoke too soon. Maria, thanks for reading and commenting on my post. To answer her question, I'm still not sure about BYU-I. Things aren't really working out and I'm starting to feel a little like Martin Harris. I have tried so many times to make things right and failed that I am beginning to wonder if I'm not supposed to go back. I will keep trying, and hope that God doesn't curse me for my persistence. ;)

I no longer work at Porter's. I decided that it was time to move on and try some other things.

I made some really wonderful friends at ISU this past semester(against my will). I find that as I have tried to go into situations with a much more open mind recently that I have run into some really special people; the kind of individuals who have the potential to shape you into a better person simply by knowing them.

Es mi. Lo siento.

So, it has occurred to me that I haven't updated this silly thing in ages. I looked back at my old videos and felt like a dork, so now they are gone. :) I'm certain that my one (1) follower who is now on her mission will be devastated. Ha!

This blasted change of seasons is kicking my butt. I have been sick for a little over a month, which is odd to me, since I am usually pretty resilient. Hopefully I will get over it soon and then I will cruise around on the motorcycle and enjoy the nice weather we have been having!

Everything is pretty stable right now. I am still working at Porter's, although now only three days a week, as I am attending school two days. I was taking an additional day of class which was snowboarding, but that one is over, so I think I will continue to take that day off to be used to catch up on homework and all of the cleaning that seems to go undone when I get too busy.

I hope no one ever reads this, as it must be dreadfully boring. But here I go, Sending it out into cyberspace.