Week of December 18-25

Happy Christmas 2007.
<3


This week was definitely an adventure. After getting rid of jet lag, (I flew here right after finals on the 15th) I hope that I don't remember how bad it was so I won't hate the next time I come out. It's been a wild time since we arrived. The parents have been taking the married couples around to the various sights to see, castles and churches and whatnot.
I got some flu bug, and so I was weak for a few days. Pretty soon I got my strength back, better enough to go to Paris Saturday. We took a midnight bus. We woke up to a beautiful sight of the Eiffel Tower.
I would put the picture up here, but I'm picture illiterate, and it hasn't been working as well as I'd hoped. But I have some other pictures from the adventures we had.
I've got to tell the readers, that even though I had such an amazing opportunity to go to Paris, and I saw many, many things that most people never get to... the Best Part was feeding the birds, and taking fun pictures with the family.


Here's Patrick. I lovingly call him Fatty. Among the birds he's known as "Sustenance".

Mike and Ben were more calm than Patrick, and I... I might've freaked out a little. Our feet were covered in them birds!

Notre Dame. Think: Gargoyle. I just don't think I was that convincing.

We paused on our way up the 70 meters of stairs.

Today was a great day. I admit, I started off a little grouchy.

Okay, I was a lot grouchy.
But, After I had a few moments, and said a little prayer, everything became clear, peaceful. I'm like a werewolf when I'm cooped up inside without much light or exercise for days. I get my cranky on.

But, good thing I was able to overcome. I don't know how my family is going to survive the next 3 days together. We're traveling around, going to various places.

I'll tell you what, reader... I'm excited to go to the castle. The very castle that inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle.

After all, my name does mean Princess.

just kidding;)

But seriously. My name really does mean princess.

I can't find my iPod.

So, I don't know what else to say, except that I got a pretty cool brochure of the towers of Notre-Dame.

It was free.

Merry Christmas, everyone. I think that I'm going to remember this one for years to come. Previous Christmasses I still have to heal over. It's been different every year, and I still feel pained every time I relive certain ones. But I'm getting better. I just need my space for awhile.

One more thing. I had a really spiritual moment with my mom this morning. I was really in the thick of my black cloud, when she came in to talk to me. She told me about an experience she had about realizing the meaning of Christmas recently. She has grown so much closer to her Saviour. I am glad that I could have that moment with her. It's one thing to listen to her voice on the phone. This was something special, something priceless. I could tell she really meant what she told me, and she really did experience the pain, then the hope and the joy of putting her faith to the test.

I have an amazing family. I take them for granted. I waste a lot of my time. Meaning, I don't use the precious time that I have now to the fullest potential. I'm trying to change, honestly. It's just hard to break a habit, and harder still to make a good one.

Regardless, I am willing to try, if it means memories are being made.

I love my Heavenly Father as well, and I am so grateful for Jesus Christ's sacrifice. My brother, my Saviour.
Happy Christmas, Jesus. Only you could make it so special.

Love,

Sarah Michelle

Friday, December 14 Ps

PS. Karin will KILL me if she found out this picture is on the web.

...........................................shhhhhhhh. Don't tell Karin.

Friday, December 14

So today is Firday and last night I had a wonderful date with a guy named Lorin. He's a pretty cool kid. We had "German Night" including Beef Stroganoff, beans (the green kind), German Chocolate Cake, Root Beer, and sausage all in the living room. It was such a thick dinner... so late at night, too. Haha. But it's okay. We both didn't eat much because while we were moving the table into the living room our food got cold, and it was freezing in his apt, so it didn't give us much of an appetite. Phew.

We both drooled water on ourselves throughout the course of the meal. And to complete this bonding moment, we both put hot sauce on out stroganoff. Highly recommended.

...made my upper lip sweat.

ANYways. Then Karin and I hung out after my date. We stayed up so late, because she was writing a song and I was baking cookies! These didn't turn out so bad, actually. I'm pretty proud of myself!

Well, we decided to feel mischeivous again and ding dong ditch some cookies. So we did. I had no shoes on. And instead of ding dong ditch we honked the horn. Then we drove back aroundthe block, and honked a second time. We were turning back to honk a third time and see if they got the cookies (which by now were frozen blocks, seeing it was 10 degrees outside...) and I realized that it was midnight.

And they live in a neighborhood.

With families. Families with little children who don't like to sleep.

My apologies to the families on 920 West in Cedar City, UT. I am a Moron.

So, I have a pretty picture from our night out.

Love you all. You've been a great audience.

-Sarah Michelle

Week of December 7-13

So ...

IT's THURSDAY THE 13th!!! AHHHH!

*ahem*

This weekend was a good one. I had our last Institute function for the semester on Friday. We had rooms with all the holiday traditions. I spent my time decorating for the event earlier on, and then went home to get ready for the dance. My good friend, Karin came over and we drove to the Institute Dance together. Jess was going to come, but she wasn't feeling well, even though she looked SO HOTT. lol. She bought some boots from me, and she was wearing them with new jeans and had some cute make-ups on. *yayyy*

After Karin and I got attacked by 3 guys after the dance, we decided to go home. (Mom, Dad, I'll have to tell you this story. It's quite the ..tale....)

I spent the night at Jessica's because the next morning we went to STG ...and SHOPPED! whoowhoo!

That was so much fun. Jess and I were about to pass out because we were so hungry after shopping all morning, so we went to Cafe Rio where we DOWNED a burrito. haha. Our faces were always a few inches above the plate the entire time. I'm sure the other patrons knew they were witnessing a magical event.

Sunday was a good day. It was the Fireside, and not only that but the family Christmas Party! Oh man, we had a great time! I didn't come home from the fireside until after dinner, and that's when everyone was passing around the $5 gifts Grandma bought. It was a white elephant party! But they were good gifts...:0)

Then we played a nice game of Catch Phrase. Grandpa had some incredible one-liners.

Grandpa -"It holds your skin together"

Us- "Cells" "shirts" "lotion"

Grandpa- "Bones!"

Jessica wrote them all down somewheres, but we just can't seem to find them... I half joked that I threw them into the fire. What if I accidentally did?

Ohhh welllll we'll never ever know!

So this week has been finals week. I had a good date on Monday night. We went to the Messiah. It's the first time I ever remember seeing it live. I can't remember if I ever went as a kid, ... I'm pretty sure we didn't... Still, it was good seeing it and listening to the beautiful voices! Especially the little boy in the soprano section...He's got some squeeky pipes ;0D heh heh

I have a few more finals, one today and one tomorrow. And then I'm done. I have a date tonight (We're going to cook a "German" meal. Homemade root-beer and Beef stroganoff. Is that German? lol. He's never made it before, and we all know I'm Chef Magnifique. This aughta be fun.

Then Friday I leave with Mike & Steph in the afternoon down to VIVA LAS VEGAS! I'm pretty stoked/excited/joyous about that. It's going to be one amazing trip these next few days. Let's hope I'm prepared to fly all by my lonesome. Still, I'm glad I'm going through San Fran. I pray that everyone else going through Chicago will be okay. There's a huge blizzard on the East Coast right now, and I pray it doesn't get worse... but passes right along.

In any case, I'm so glad that this week has gone so well. It's finals week, and it's a good one at that. I just take it easy, because I've been studying hard all semester. It's now time to relax and review:0)

Anyways, Mom and Dad and family, I hope you're all doing well. I'll keep you posted within the next few days, and hopefully this all goes well.
Love you All!

-Sarah Michelle

Ps. Grandpa had eye surgery today. Can you tell which one?