BYUI Fall Semester 2012/ Off-Track

From left to right: Lexy Knowlton, Emily Nelson, Erin Clayton and Me

I started my first day of school on September 10th. The first week was stressful but over time it got better once I kept my chin up and spent time getting to know my roommates who were just great and fun to live with. Two of them came from the farthest places, Washington and Alaska. Emily and I have come from the same state; she lives next door to Provo. All three of my roomies were excited to learn that my original home is the Mormon Colonies of Northern Mexico. During our living together in the dorms, we grew to love each other as sisters.

We had a great opportunity getting to know our super FHE brothers.

Lexy and Josh baking homemade Pizza Pie Cafe

Our local chefs: Chaz, Moises and Mikey

Our last Sunday dinner together December 2012

I had the chance to visit the Rexburg temple. Felt like a princess when I was there. As little Princess Sarah says, "I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they are dressed in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us."

I spent Christmas with my family in Mexico. We went horseback riding in the mountains. I was sore after the trip but it was the best part of living in Mexico.

 Ellie enjoyed her first ride on a real horse! Sort of. It didn't last very long.

Other than that, we had a great time with each other. We were sad that we had to split for our daily routines before January arrived.

In February, I received roses from Bre for Valentine's Day. How did she know that roses are my favorite flowers? What can I say? She's been my sister for 19 years.

Two days after Valentine's Day, I took two whites and two reds with me to the cemetery where my dear friend, Christian Seamons, is resting. It was hard for me when I remembered his memories and his passing. But I still feel him everyday whenever a thought of him comes to mind.

In my life here in Utah, I've been working as a volunteer for Clear Horizons Academy, an institute for children with autism. It was hard at first, but my 2 months of working there got better and better. It has been a great opportunity for me to figure out what major I really want to study and what career I want to pursue. I will miss working there as a volunteer but I'm grateful for the experience of working with the teachers and the kids. After I finish volunteer work, it's back to school in Idaho. But not for a month.