I had a physiology test today. 

I have studied countless hours for it.

I got my results this evening.

I am pleased. 

I have a love/hate relationship with that class. 

But now it's turning into more love than hate.

Which is good because I still have 5 1/2 week of it. 

Oh physiology, it's taking over my life. 

But it's ok. 

Studying pays off. 

One day I'll be fully grateful for it.

That day might come later than sooner.

But for now, I'm just pleased with my test results.  

A couple years ago my family was sitting around the table during the holiday season playing the game "Imagine If". For those of you who have never played this game I highly recommened it. Basically you have people's name drawn on a dry-erase board and a question will come up that will say something like,

"Imagine if.... ______ (person's name) was an animal, which would he or she most likely be?

a. Dog

b. Monkey

c. Rhinosourus

d. Bunny

Everyone chooses which one they feel that that particular person is most like and to advance in the game you have to choose the same answer as the one who the question is about. Pretty simple and really fun!

Anyways, that night we were playing as a family I was the one the question was about, the question was..

"Imagine if... Natalie was a brand, which one would she be?"

a. Kellogg's

b. Nike

c. Revlon

d. Clorox 

I remember everyone being so confused on which one to put, and I myself was confused. I couldn't decide between Nike and Revlon. I love sports. I love hair and makeup. What to put?

I can honestly say I don't even remember which one won. 

Since that day I have thought about that card more than a handful of times. 

Yesterday I received my answer. 

I was walking home and just randomly watched a city lacrosse game for a few minutes taking place on the hyper field (school field). While watching this I though of some of my favorite sounds. The crowd going up in cheers when something good happens in a game. The sound of the net when it's "nothing but net." The sound of the baseball hitting the bat at the very first of baseball season.  The squeaky sound of basketball shoes on the court. 

As you can tell, the answer is Nike. I think it's because this is what makes me, ME. Don't get me wrong, I love the girly stuff, fashion, makeup, nail polish, jewelry, fun underwear, and perfume. But those things didn't make me up for who I am. I never had to learn discipline with the girly stuff. I never learned that loosing is okay with the girly stuff. I never felt the joy of winning with the girly stuff. I would have never gone to physical therapy if it wasn't for Nike. I wouldn't be studying exercise science if it wasn't for Nike. 

Next time that question comes up in the game of Imagine If, I know that I will select "B: Nike."

Friday night I went down to Sandy, UT and stayed with my roommate Jen for conference weekend! All I can say about conference is WOW. Seriously, talk after talk after talk was just SO good. I couldn't believe it! I decided though that I must be growing up because I don't ever remember when I was younger being this impressed with conference. I'm sure it's always been this good, but I guess thats what happens when you grow up... You really begin to like and look forward to conference!  

between sessions on Saturday we went on a pretty hike!  

Me, Madison, and Jen at Conference Sunday Morning. 

afterwards we walked around Temple Square! 

I received an email last Thursday from the Institute. In the email it explained how the week prior they had a speaker, Elder Kikuchi, come and talk to the institute. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend when he spoke but I heard he was just AMAZING. I continued to read the email from and it said...

"We extend to you the invitations he gave Friday.

DIVINE HOLY FELLOWSHIP
-- Seek DAILY to establish and maintain a “clear vertical line” with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by: 
-- Arise 15-20 minutes early for prayer and scripture study (at least 5 minutes of Book of Mormon study) 
-- Prepare to be alert for that valuable study time by first exercising, showering, and dressing for the Lord as we would for the Prophet.  
-- Elder Kikuchi left us his promise that if we follow this counsel, we will experience a total change in our personal lives with clearer minds and better recollection in our academics."

A few of my roommates and I decided to take on his challenge. We started yesterday and I can honestly say I feel a difference in my studies and just how I feel in general. I've been waking up earlier to study the scriptures (I can't get up that early for exercise, but it'll come) and it is SO much more enjoyable and I'm not just rushing to get through them to go to bed, I feel better throughout the day, and its only been 2 days. I cannot wait to really have this form into a pattern and something that I don't think about, it just happens. I love how that if we listen to the brethren and their challenges they give to us the things they promise will happen. Just having these past 2 days makes me SO excited for General Conference and all the advice and guidance we will get to hear. 

study hard, play harder... right?

CES broadcast

Hockey Game

Logan Farmer's Market

Boating

Poetry and a Beverage