The Best Worst First Date

          October has always had a special place in my heart. Growing up in NC, it is when the fall colors burst forth and it is time to pull out boots and sweaters, but it's not unpleasantly cold yet. October also happens to be when I met Garett for the first time.

          In a week it will have been 6 years since we met, and I just realized I have never written out our story and oh boy, I think it's a fun one.

          A little background to start: I was beginning my 3rd semester of college and was having the classic "I'm not dating right now, go work on myself" revelation that so many have before meeting their future partner. Dating was exhausting and I needed to get better at cooking, so I was just focusing on me.

          Garett was fresh off his church mission in Zimbabwe and on the opposite end of things. Him and his roommate had decided to try to go on (I swear the number changes every time he tells the story) at least 1 date a week. Though from what I heard from my roommate at the time, it was quite a bit more than that. He got off the plane from Africa, saw his family for a few days and then headed out to Idaho to start college.

          Because he had started the semester late, he was only taking one night class a week plus some online classes. In terms of dating, this made the pool rather small. He had church and this one class and that was all.

          Eventually he asked out my roommate Nikki. I need to note that I was the only roommate not home when when he picked her up, so he never saw me, and he still had some quirks from his mission. In Zimbabwe it was respectful to always face the person you were talking to and to clasp your hands together in front of you as a sign of respect. This wouldn't normally be so apparent, but I'm pretty sure they went bowling on their date. He brought her back and that is when I saw him. I think I was sitting on the floor and their farewell was brief so once again he didn't see me, but boy I noticed him.

          The next day her and I were talking about her date. She wasn't interested in pursuing anything and neither was he. I vividly remember that I was folding laundry at the time and I jokingly told her she should send him my way. After all you can't waste an attractive returned missionary. She asked if I wanted her to and I said sure, being certain that absolutely nothing would come of it. Time went on, a week passed and she asked if he had reached out and I said no. (Another side note, she didn't give him my last name, so he had no clue what I looked like or anything about me, so for all he knew I was some crazy lady, so he was hesitant to reach out) Another week passed and he finally asked me out, unfortunately my friend Rachel was coming up that weekend and then my parents decided to surprise my brother and I by coming up to visit, so we postponed it for another week.

         That weekend passed and at the start of the following week he asked if we could meet up before the date, feeling uncomfortable going on a date with someone he had never met before. I think that's when I gave him my last name so he could Facebook stalk me. He was free before Wednesday and I was free after Wednesday. I was going to school and working and my free time was Friday through Sunday. He insisted that he was busy later in the week though so I decided to squeeze him in between devotional, visiting teaching and work on Tuesday.

         We ended up taking a walk to the apple orchards since he didn't know where they were (funny story, his one class that semester was in the Ricks building....anyone who went to BYUI knows the orchard is RIGHT NEXT TO THE RICKS. In his defense it was a night class and hard to see...but still I laugh every time) So I went to devotional and then was headed to go visiting teaching after that. Normally when visiting teaching, I love to chat for hours on end (if you have ever visit taught me you'll know this to be true) but this time I was going to hang out with a cute guy, so I was dying to leave. Naturally the girl I was companions with loved to talk and so did the girl we were visiting (seriously no fault to them, they are both sweethearts) I was just impatient. It still took at least an hour and I booked it out of there as soon as I could.

         I got to my apartment and Garett was waiting on the couch talking to my roommate. We headed out for our walk towards the apple orchards. I don't remember much of the conversation. He talked about wanting to do a PhD and I think he mentioned he had a lot of sisters. I think I talked about photography and some about my family. Honestly I just remember it being very easy going and that the conversation flowed naturally.

        Garett knew I didn't have much time so he was expecting a 10 minute walk. Apparently after about 10 minutes he asked what I wanted to do, trying to give me an out if I needed to leave, but instead I said we could keep walking. We walked for an hour and a half, right up until I had to leave for work. He was impressed that I didn't mind taking such a long walk, despite being so busy. (Is anyone waiting on our first date still? Almost there I promise)

        I went on to work and came home and then if I remember right, I invited him over to watch Chuck. So he came over that night, then for lunch the next day, and then that evening and the next day as well. Finally it was Friday, our date!

        He was taking me to a haunted straw maze, which I'm not sure if I knew that beforehand....either way I hate haunted things, and I found out on that date that I do not like wandering around, feeling lost, trying to get out of a maze.....To add to the fun of that date, we kept running into my supervisor from work. Have you ever had that one supervisor you just loathe? They are just so obnoxious and rude and you really pray you never see them outside of work? Well that was THAT supervisor for me. So I was not only wandering around a haunted straw maze, scared people were going to jump out at me or chase me, but to add to the fun, I kept running into that supervisor. Garett was rocking this first date....

        Somehow despite that date, we still went on another date the next day and by Sunday we had decided that we didn't want to date anyone else. I found out later on that I was going to be his last date either way. After dating around for a month, he was burned out (if you don't know, Garett is very much an introvert) and that was probably exhausting for him. So it worked out that we ended up dating.

       It's fun to look back and laugh at what probably should have been nothing, because it truly was a terrible first date, but now over 5 years of marriage, 2 bachelors degrees, 2 kids, the start of a masters degree and having lived in 3 different states, we're still learning and growing together.

       It all started with me seeing a cute guy through a window and a terrible first date, but that is our story, I hope you enjoyed it.

-Meg

I Wish I Had It

Motivation.

12 hours of homework for one class over 4 a day period is not okay.

Especially a 100 level class that is an INTRO class.

I work part time and have 4 other higher up classes to do homework for.

I don't even have 12 hours for those classes unless I want to sacrifice an arm and a leg

which I can't do since my mode of transportation in 100% by foot.

Basically when given these assignments I get so overwhelmed that I feel like I can't do them so I do other homework instead.

Anyone know a good secret for handling huge projects that are online (which btw the internet here is terrible) without getting overwhelmed?

Tell me your secret please!

On the bright side I got to see the amazing Chellie today!

And take pictures of her ;D 

Also I am learning to love print making. It is SOOO much fun!

Hopefully soon I will get to show you some of the stuff I have done in that class.

It helps that we have some great people in that class.

 I am getting married in 6 weeks!

I can't wait!

 Rexburg from a night time perspective.

 

 Garett is pretty hard on himself.

 

Life is busy, but I can't complain.

Hope all is well for you!

After Tuesday my life will be MUCH calmer. =]

Megan

 

My 200th Post

Originally I wanted to do something cool or awesome for my 200th post. I thought of doing one about Rexburg and how I've grown to love it despite the snow and wind here. I thought of doing one on all my new cooking experiences. I thought of doing one on Garett since I am so fond of him. Even thought of doing one about Thanksgiving and my family. But looking through it all I could not decide so I came up with something else.

I like where I am in life. I am on my own. I am learning and growing academically as well as spiritually. I attend the temple weekly. I am learning to cook. I have a wonderful boyfriend that makes me happy beyond reason. I live in a cute little college town that Garett and I can explore to no end. I've discovered many cool things and places about my town. My family is close by whether around the corner or a state below.

I have not forgotten my friends and home back east though. North Carolina will forever hold a place in my heart. I have friends and memories there that I could not and will not forget, friends that have shaped me into the person I am today, friends I will love forever.

As I look toward the future  I see many blurred lines and colors. I have an idea of the future, a minimal outline, but I cannot see all the details no matter how much I try. I guess this post is not about trying to see the details of my life, but to see it as a whole. I chose the picture above for a reason. It is an overlook of the city of Provo, Utah at night, but without the details, you would never know, it would be just another city. But sometimes it is better to not see everything, enjoy looking at the colors of lights and how they merge and contrast with one another. You know there is something out there, you cannot quite see what everything is though.

Life is not about knowing all the details. Let us plan a little at a time, embrace the uncertainty and the adventures that lie ahead. Where I will be in a year, I have no clue, I have an idea, but I do not know. All the same, I am fine with where I am. I am content with the life given to me and as I make it my own, I'll become the woman I was meant to be.

-Meg

Unexpected

I love unexpected things.  

I love coming to the Academy of Comedy and being surprisingly entertained. 

(On campus comedy group; I expected them to be kinda lame, sorry!)

I love laughing my head off at said show.

I love meeting people in the most random ways

and then realizing hanging out with them is the best thing ever.

I love going to the Temple regularly.

I love when my classes get canceled.

I love Rexburg despite it being a high of 40 degrees here.

In general this week has been surprisingly great.

And I think it is only going to get better from here. =]

=] =] =] =] =] =] =] =]

What do you get when you

cross a snowman with a vampire?

 ...

Frostbite

Meg

Catching Up

Some things that have happened or been on my mind lately:

This talk here. I highly recommend reading it. It is one of my favorites. The image below is a small piece of it typed up and put with one of my favorite images of the Tetons last fall. I know I have showed this before, but this video (that goes along with the talk) is incredible and should be watched regularly.

It snowed last week. Not cool Rexburg, not cool.

Regardless, my roommates and I stood out in this for an hour to get sandwiches at Jimmy John's for a dollar.

Poor girl. Don't worry, the rain melted it the next day and it has been sunny all weekend (and actually feeling like fall now!)

This is what I miss it looking like:

I made pasta salad. It made for a great lunch, but bad breathe.
Guess who is going to brush her teeth before going to her New Testament class.
This girl! (What can I say? There are cut boys in that class and I can't be smelling like pasta salad around cute boys!)

For all those who heard about my fall in the caves, here is what my battle wounds originally looked like:

My knee looked better at first....

This was a few days later: This image doesn't do it justice.

It was much darker and more of a greenish/yellow/purple color.

I painted my laptop:

I went to conference with my family =]

Aaron slept in the corner of the room like a dog:

We thought it was pretty strange and funny.

I have had a great deal on my mind lately.

Pondering is essential.

"Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks."
-F. Enzio Busche

I just remembered I have
Izzes! Oh the little things in life!
Meg

In the Silence of the Night

It's late and I should be in bed. I'm pretty tired, but I am taking a moment to enjoy the quiet. Rexburg nights are the best because most EVERYTHING is silent and cool. Though it is COLD if you're actually outside. Either way, the apartment cools down and is rather comfortable and Rexburg becomes ghost town. It's a ghost town during the day too currently thanks to it being the 7 week break. Speaking of which...

Most of my friends are back home now in New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Colorado, Arkansas, Michigan, etc. I'm rather envious of them getting to see their families, but I can't complain because I shall be back in NC in a few days.

I'm wondering how it will feel to be back again. Last time I was there it felt weird, like I was a visitor/guest in someone else's home. I guess that's what happens when you grow up. Suddenly you have a new home, and as much as I would love to deny it, Rexburg is my home now and it feels rightly so. When I got back here in April it just felt right. Especially after being cramped up in Tyler's little Geo Prizm for 5 hours...

On a side note to that, isn't it funny how when you meet someone, you don't know the roll they will play in your life later on, whether big or small. You don't know when getting a ride to Rexburg, that you will become really good friends with the driver; that you'll go play at the park, slide down slides and climb buildings in the wee hours of the morning. You think, "oh just another person".

Like when I met Nikki, she was always with her old roommate and they were an interesting mix together. When I first moved in I didn't talk to either one of them, mostly because Janee was intimidating and as most may know, I am rather shy. But after Janee left, Nikki and I got along perfectly. Given, her and I are VERY different people and it's great. Together we kind of straighten each other out, keep each other sane. But when first meeting her, I had no idea that she would be my room-roommate and also one of my closest friends.

I guess the point of all of this is that I am homesick, but not for home, but for where the people I love reside. Funny, now I have people that I care about all across the country, heck even across the world. I miss you all, wherever you are. And whether I see you tomorrow, next week, in a couple of months, or in a few years, I love and miss you all.

I guess this is all part of life. Nothing stays the same for long, there is not much of a constant in your life. People come and go, classes change, moving around, relationships build or crash. You can only go with the flow and try to keep up.

Speaking of which, I can't wait to go canoeing again! I guess I should start working my arms out again so I don't kill myself on the New River.

Alright, I'm off to bed. Be safe and I wish you all the best. Sweet Dreams world!

I did NOT
fall off my bed today!
but I ate half the
food in the fridge.
Gym here I come
Meg

Where'd You Go? I Miss You So

Seems like it's been forever since you've been gone. Please come back home.

Though this song only has some relevance, it has been stuck in my head this evening.

I guess I haven't written too much on my feelings on my blog in a long time. It normally all goes into my journal. But I guess, what I am starting to miss is the little things. Like the quietness. Not to say back East that everything was ever quiet. But if I wanted quiet it was not hard to find.

Do you ever take time to embrace the silence even for 5 minutes? Those moments of self reflection, that suddenly things that have been fuzzy for so long now become clear?

I have been pondering over some ideas for quite some time now. I have been trying to understand things beyond my capacity. And though there are some things I still do not fully understand, I am learning little by little.

This semester has been unlike anything and everything I have ever experienced. I have grown spiritually, but not in the normal sense. I have grown to learn about myself in ways I never thought possible. Most of this semester I have been working to think less with my emotions, and more with my head. Anyone who knows me well, knows I am very in tune with my emotions and not that I cut them out, but I began to think more logically.

Given there have still been times where I was confused and unsure of what to do, but I knew what I could not do and then worked from there.

What I have learned is that those we surround ourselves with should make us want to be better. I have found some people like that this semester. Not that I feel inferior to them, but they make me want to work harder and be better than I am. I cannot fully explain it, but at the end of the day, I know I want to be worthy of their friendship and be the friend I know I would want to have.

Sometimes we have to stop and reflect. All semester I have been trying to figure out what I was supposed to be learning. And this semester I have learned to be content with my life. That good things come in time and that I can only work to be better until the time comes that I am worthy of those blessings.

I have learned that being straightforward with people can allow you to grow as better friends. That having people to talk to and understand and relate to makes all the difference. I have also begun to see who my true friends are, and the answers have been surprising. I have learned to trust in ways I did not think were possible. I have had conversations with people that have surprised me for the better. Have you ever had one of those? Those conversations that start off merely as fun and entertaining, but then end up having a heart to heart you didn't expect?

Those are some of the best conversations.

I guess what I am saying is that though I am severely flawed, I am slowly improving. It may not always be evident on the outside, but that is because I am still growing on the inside.

There is more I would share, but that is for another time and another place.

In other news, I am ready to visit NC for a bit. It will be nice to see my family and friends again. Though it is only for a week, that is for the better.

I have no singular home anymore. I have family and friend back East, and I also have family and friends here. I love all of you. I love my family, as well as Hannah, Lizzy, Kris, and Nikki.

I wish everyone back East could meet Nikki. I think y'all would love her. But maybe I am partial because she is one of my best friends. Not to mention a southern bell like myself. =]

I love all of you and miss all of you. I may not get to talk to y'all as often as I would like, but you're always in my heart.

Much love,
Meg

Pets Are People Too

This weekend has been one of the best weekends all semester, maybe by far THE best weekend of the semester? Why you may ask? Because of 4 reasons, family, puppies, friends and perfect weather.

Saturday Catherine and Jesse came to visit and Albert came over and the 4 of us went on a picnic.

Below is Albert in front of the Rexburg, Idaho temple.Yay for big brothers!

And of course my dear pregnant sister, Catherine =]
She thinks she is Asian...

And Jesse did not want to be photographed =[

Party pooper! xP It's okay, we still love him.

After a wonderful picnic with everything delicious and no spills, we took Catherine and Jesse to the I-Center to show them our "small and moderate" renovations to the campus. (P.S. It looks like a mini version of the conference center and holds 15,000 I believe, See below).I sit on this far left section, up towards the front normally for devotional (from 2-3pm every Tuesday).

And after a lovely day of fun, they departed back to where they were staying.

Sunday, however; Emily brought her sister's puppy over to play for the day. His name is Moose!

And Kaylin climbed up the balcony and caught Mini Wheats in her mouth from the floor above.

Isn't he so cute? (Please ignore the pasty leg that may or may not be mine...)

We played fetch with him, and ran with him.

And cuddled him when he was tired.

And made him soar like Superman!

He has this thing that when Emily laid down, he had to go lay by her head. I am not quite sure why, but it was cute.

I played with him lots!

Catherine and Jesse came for awhile and played with us, but alas they had to return back to Provo. =[ but I will see them in 6 months time.

On a happier note, Nikki and I made cookies.

And a guy in our ward stopped by and asked if we were coming to make s'moreos (s'mores in oreos) but we were not invited, so he invited us. We said we might came after we finished baking.

But since we didn't come over right away, he brought us a s'moreo and it was delicious!

And then we gave him a hot out of the oven cookie.

But then didn't want the rest of said cookies.

So we took them over to Albert's apartment.

He would've gotten more if he had been home when we said he would, so Nikki and I waited around for an hour until he got home. No worries, his roommates kept us entertained.

Nikki left after 45 minutes, but I continued to be entertained by apartment 203 (Albert's apartment) until him and Eric showed up.....with their nails painted.....

.....no comment.....

Needless to say, I quickly went back to my apartment and brought back acetone and cotton balls.....

And then enjoyed hanging out over there until curfew and I had to return to my home.

But all in all it was a great day.

I was able to spend most of the day outside and have lots of fun with family and friends.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

I woke up 13 minutes before class started today
I got ready and left in 3 minutes.
Made it to class with 4 minutes to spare.
I am thankful for a roommate that wakes me up!
Love ya Nikki!
Meg

For the record

I think I am FINALLY done changing my blog background. I am completely loving this layout so it is a keeper. =] I MIGHT change that picture behind my title on occasion buuuut..... it took sooooo long it get it right that I PROBABLY won't.

I realized today that some of my socks actually match, and I am NOT okay with that. Thank you Hannah for showing me the ways of none matching awesomeness.

Now to do art homework.....*Shutters at thought*

But at least now I have a printer that I can scan all my homework in on....tee hee hee =D

And I had 30 minutes of class today because my teacher was gone and we met in groups and the other girls had to rush out do to homework. So yah. 30 minutes of class the whole day. Awesome right?

I guess I will show you my art projects when I am done, if I don't totally hate them and shred them into a million pieces after I turn them in....not that I would ever do that or anything.....

We have grape Koolaid
And I just discovered
I have rice and hot cocoa
And Rexburg is deciding to be windy today
How rude!
Meg

It's Another Great Day Here at BYU-Idaho

I woke up this morning to a beautiful day outside! It was super sunny at 6:50am which is weird but awesome. And then when I walked outside at 7:25am it was warm!

(Image below was taken at 9:30am but still. It was SUNNY!)

And you can see the lovely I-Center from my window.
Mostly notice how sunny and warm it looks. A perfect 70 degrees!

And Jaide and Emily's plants are growing so nicely! Isn't it wonderful???So despite it being nasty hot in NC, I am rubbing it in y'alls faces because it is perfect her! Sucks for everyone else! HA! (This is getting you back back in April when it kept snowing here and being unpleasantly cold all through May).

But seriously, sorry it is awful there and it is perfect here. Hope you found a pool to jump in!
I am going to eventually, possibly, but not likely get tan.
But lets face it, everyone loves gingers and they're pasty so shouldn't we embrace the whiteness?

(The answer is YES, just FYI)

Have a happy June 1st!!!!!!!!!
Where 80% of the people I know have birthdays,
including this girl right here.
Guess what!
I have cinnamon bears!
And you DONT!
HA!
Meg

I think I may be going crazy...

It's a lovely Sunday afternoon and Rexburg is a ghost town due to it being "spring break/summer vacation" depending on what track you are on.

All the same, I was sitting on my couch minding my own business when I swear I heard the opening to "Lord of the Rings"!!! It was rather quiet and ghostly, probably because someone is watching it in a surrounding apartment.

But then it stopped....so maybe they turned their tv down?

Or maybe I am just going crazy.....

Either way, it's 4:40pm here and it has yet to snow!!! And there are no clouds in the sky to declare any chances of snow! =D

See? Sunshine! Notice the LACK in clouds =D
Yay for a day WITHOUT snow! =D

Also it got up for 45 degrees today! Woohoo! =D

So am I going crazy?
What do you think?
Meg

It's the small things that count

When was the last time you stopped to enjoy those small moments in your life?

Like enjoying some chunky peanut butter with a spoon and a blanket on the couch away from the cold.

Or the smell of lotion when you put it on.

And it reminds you of the beautiful day that awaits you.

Or the enjoyment of settling in to your new home.

Or at least getting excited about settling in soon.

The best is when you get a great deal on the best cheese.

Pepper Jack of course!

TWO pounds of pepper jack, what could be better?

(Aaron, I can just imagine you going to town on this block of cheese)

Getting some munchy food and lunch stuff (it's in the fridge, not pictured)

And getting a ride back from the store with 2 nice guys. Oh how I missed the nice people of Rexburg.

Finding a lost box is a great feeling!

Now to get pots and pans so that I can actually use this stuff is another matter..

The pretty day that awaits outside my window

Even when it turns into the largest snow flakes you have ever seen

I wish I could show you how large these snow flakes were

They were at LEAST quarter sized.

Doing laundry is rather pleasant and satisfying

Except for having to put it away...

Working out!

This is my "I'm going to feel this tomorrow" face but it's so satisfying knowing you're doing something good for your body. =D

And starting to pack up the few things you unpacked because you get to move in a few days =D

I am ready to unpack! I am ready to have a home again =D

The funniest thing by far is when my manger gives tours of the apartment or the girls (who will live here next semester) and their mothers/friends are moving their boxes in and they stop to look at this:

This is years of collecting/making earrings.

I am not a fan of subtle earrings. =D

I hope this makes you stop and appreciate the simple things in your life, whether it be the weather, a snack or two, the people you meet, a scent, finding something that was lost, future plans, clean clothes, working out or something you have created.

Crunchy
Peanut butter
is the
way to go!
Enjoy!
Meg