Day 1 April 26, 2011
11:36am. On the road
And we’re off. This is the grand record of the adventures of Russell and Erika as they drive through three states, two countries, and who knows how many water bottles. Yep, we’re driving home.
Brief history of us: Russ and I technically met at Youth Conference about four years ago. I danced the Gangsta Macarena with him. He doesn’t remember me at all. His loss. I knew who he was; I was friends with his sisters Jenny and Amanda.
Fast forward to Christmas 2010. We were both at the Y and heading home to Southeast on the same day. I met up with Russell and Jenny in the SeaTac airport and we watched The Transporter the whole plane ride home.
I’ll skip all the mushy details of how we met again in February and started dating in March. Suffice it say that start dating we did, but before we did, he invited me to drive home with him. Figuring that we’d be friends whether we dated or not and that the trip would ultimately save me money (not knowing that my passport was MIA and I’d have to pay oodles to get a new one expedited) I decided to come. And here we are. Adventuring.
Today the plan is to get from Clearfield, Utah to Rexburg, Idaho and then onto Idaho Falls. We’ll be staying the night with Russell’s aunt and uncle after we pick up Jenny at BYUI and make homemade macaroni and cheese with her milk. Tonight might involve a hot tub to soak out the muscles sore from sitting, and some good ol’ family time. (Okay, I’m not a part of this family. So sue me. Artistic license.)
So far, half way between the Idaho/Utah border and Pocatello, the hills are…well, were pretty: some rolling and soft and others jagged and rocky. Now it’s raining/snowing and we’re so enveloped in clouds that I can’t see any hills at all. In fact, it’s hard to see anything as we’re caught behind a truck and all the water coming off its tires is getting our windshield pretty well.
That’s it for now.
Much love from the road,
Erika
9:32pm Reed and Connie’s house
After racing through much of Idaho, passing nine government vans and semis, we made it to Rexburg and Jenny’s apartment. It was 2:03pm and we made it to the Devotional before the main speaker had begun. I felt a little unorthodox in the Center full of kids in Sunday dress. They were in skirts and flats; I was in jeans and moccasins. And then there was Russell in his fully-bearded glory. (Secret: I love his beard.) We stuck out a little amongst the ultra-clean-cut BYUI students, but as we go to Provo, we are allowed to stick out.
Jenny had chemistry class after Devo (a coinage that I’ve only heard at BYUI) so Russell and I explored (got lost in) the library and then picked up travel foods at Albertsons. We returned to Jenny’s apartment and made homemade mac n cheese then headed out to get Jenny shopping.
Side note: BYUI is cheap. I’m jealous. Jenny’s apartment is muuuuuuuuch bigger than my future abode and it’s muuuuuuuuuuch cheaper. And the couches are nice, the bathroom large and the roommates pretty cool. It’s a good deal.
Now we’re at Uncle Reed’s and Aunt Connie’s house (relatives of the Youngbergs,) well fed off Domino’s pizza and looking forward to a hot tub. After about three hours driving my lower back started cramping uncomfortably and now my shoulders feel out of wack. It’s time for a soak.
You’re probably sick of…well, whether or not you’re sick of me, I don’t have much more to say today that I want the whole world to have access to, so I’ll be passing the laptop to Russell now.
Goodnight, sleep tight, kill bedbugs, and sleep with the angels.
Erika
Hello all! Today was a great day. I slept in until about 9:00 and woke Erika up around 9:15. Grandma Wilcox had a sinus infection so she told us we were on our own for breakfast, which really wasn’t a bad thing. I had cheerios and Erika had some type of flake things.
After breakfast we synced my ipod with her itunes music (so we would be able to listen to it on the road) while she worked on getting ready for the day. We also made sure to check off the things on our list of things we needed for the trip and things we didn’t need so that we would be able to shop for what was needed.
After we had our list completed and we were both ready to go, we took everything out to the car, loaded it up, went back in to say good-bye to Grandma and then headed out the door to hit the road. Grandpa was just pulling up so we said our good-byes to him and then we hopped in the car and were on our way.
Once on the road we started cycling through the different ipods and listened to all sorts of different songs. We saw all sorts of beautiful scenery, got a truck driver to blow his horn for us, hit a few storms, and had a great time enjoying each others’ company. We drove a little over 100 miles and then stopped for gas, a bathroom break, and to get food out of the cooler at a place called “Freeway Oasis.” It was a nice gas station and a good, quick, uneventful break. (Sidenote from Erika: The bathrooms there were strangely good, clean etc. for a gas station.)
After that we got back in the car and continued our journey towards Rexburg. We went a little over the speed limit to do our best to make it to “devo” with Jenny which started at 2:00. We ended up getting to her apartment at 2:03 and walked straight from there to “devo” and made it just in time for the opening prayer. I felt a little out of place since I was probably the only person there with facial hair, but that’s ok. The whole point of making it in time was to spend time with my little sister though so it was ok.
After “devo” Erika and I had to kill some time while Jenny went to a class so we got lost in the library for a little bit and then we went on to the campus store. After that we went back to the car and then went to Walmart and Albertsons to get our shopping done. Then we went back to get Jenny
With Jenny in our company again we went back to the stores to get her grocery shopping and personal shopping needs taken care of. Then we went to a frozen yogurt place called Twizzleberry and had some incredible frozen yogurt. They have a promotion there that if you can guess the weight exactly you get it free… Jenny was only off by .2 grams! From there we took the yogurt in the car and came out to Reed and Connie’s place.
Here at Reed and Connie’s Uncle Reed showed us how he makes pens starting from the very beginning, which was totally awesome! He had Erika and I each choose a block for him to make us a pen out of which will be ready next fall. After that we ate Domino’s pizza and then Erika and I went hottubbing while Jenny worked on homework. I helped her where I could, but other than that we didn’t get to do too much unfortunately.
Now I’m sitting in Jenny and Erika’s room at 1:04 a.m. and, having brushed Erika’s hair, helped Jenny with homework, had a heavenly back massage from Erika, I think it’s about time to go to bed. I most definitely didn’t get sick of Erika in the least bit today, so we should be in for a nice, relaxing, fun roadtrip. But now I bid thee all goodnight. Dormen com os anjos!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Finicky Finals
I have all these wonderful dreams for sprucing up my blog. For one, I'm going to learn how to put pictures on it. Well, I'm going to find my camera, take pictures, and then post them. Then I'm going to add some nice music.
Then I'm going to write somewhat regularly.
Why the new resolutions?
Probably because I'm in the midst of finals.
AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!
Okay, not that bad yet. As of half and hour ago, I've become done with two of the six little buggers. I say "become done" because nobody showed up to give the written ballet final. Today at seven to eleven I entered the RB and started reviewing French vocab for the test that was to start at eleven on the dot. At eleven on the dot my entire class entered the studio and got cozy as the proctor wasn't there yet. And we waited. And waited. And waited. And talked about boys and husbands and missionaries and hands and standards and....yeah, girl talk. :) The MDT majors started playing the piano and singing. The nervous kids (yeah, we're still kids) reviewed vocab. The confident and slightly apathetic talked. Definitely me on that one. And at eleven thirty on the dot there was still no proctor. Somebody wrote all our names on the board with a note: "We were here for the test until 11:30. Suzi's 291 Ballet Class." And then we left. On the dot.
I guess that means they're going to drop the final. Could they really make us all take it after the appointed time? I doubt it.
I'm not too devastated at this turn of events. I studied for it, but got real satisfaction out of the dance final. Now that was AMAZING!
I'm not going to make my blog more snazzy after all. I'm going to go read The Book of Mormon. :)
Love,
Erika
Then I'm going to write somewhat regularly.
Why the new resolutions?
Probably because I'm in the midst of finals.
AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!
Okay, not that bad yet. As of half and hour ago, I've become done with two of the six little buggers. I say "become done" because nobody showed up to give the written ballet final. Today at seven to eleven I entered the RB and started reviewing French vocab for the test that was to start at eleven on the dot. At eleven on the dot my entire class entered the studio and got cozy as the proctor wasn't there yet. And we waited. And waited. And waited. And talked about boys and husbands and missionaries and hands and standards and....yeah, girl talk. :) The MDT majors started playing the piano and singing. The nervous kids (yeah, we're still kids) reviewed vocab. The confident and slightly apathetic talked. Definitely me on that one. And at eleven thirty on the dot there was still no proctor. Somebody wrote all our names on the board with a note: "We were here for the test until 11:30. Suzi's 291 Ballet Class." And then we left. On the dot.
I guess that means they're going to drop the final. Could they really make us all take it after the appointed time? I doubt it.
I'm not too devastated at this turn of events. I studied for it, but got real satisfaction out of the dance final. Now that was AMAZING!
I'm not going to make my blog more snazzy after all. I'm going to go read The Book of Mormon. :)
Love,
Erika
Friday, March 18, 2011
leading them on....vending machine style
I only have five minutes to write this before I have to head to American Heritage, but....yeah. You know.
Coming out of folk team today, I went to the vending machine. As I turned from the machine with my granola bar, a guy smiled at me. So I said hi. And then we talked for a couple of minutes while he microwaved his food. It was a nice conversation. Nothing too important (considering this was a vending machine conversation, that makes perfect sense.) When I was about to walk away he asked if I'd ever want to do anything and, "No, thank you. I just liked talking with you." I told him I have a boyfriend. He did not look happy (confused more like) and I felt a little bit like a witch. Leading that poor boy on by talking to him at a vending machine.
So I ask you, to spare all men that may want to talk to me in the future, should I just walk away because I have a boyfriend? Not talk? Who's more in the wrong here? Me or this culture?
Aggh.
And you can answer that question honestly. I won't take offense.
Coming out of folk team today, I went to the vending machine. As I turned from the machine with my granola bar, a guy smiled at me. So I said hi. And then we talked for a couple of minutes while he microwaved his food. It was a nice conversation. Nothing too important (considering this was a vending machine conversation, that makes perfect sense.) When I was about to walk away he asked if I'd ever want to do anything and, "No, thank you. I just liked talking with you." I told him I have a boyfriend. He did not look happy (confused more like) and I felt a little bit like a witch. Leading that poor boy on by talking to him at a vending machine.
So I ask you, to spare all men that may want to talk to me in the future, should I just walk away because I have a boyfriend? Not talk? Who's more in the wrong here? Me or this culture?
Aggh.
And you can answer that question honestly. I won't take offense.
Monday, March 14, 2011
A tidbit...
My blog is highly irregular. I know.
It's also not particularly relevant. I know.
But right now I feel like sharing one little tidbit about myself before I go shower:
When I carry my pink, plastic shower caddy into the bathroom, I will hang my lavender towel on the hook closest to the shower curtain, then set my red Wells Fargo iPod player on the little shower shelf. I'll set my iPod to random, then turn the music on. Every time a song that I don't want comes on, I'll reach through the curtain, dry my hand off, then change the song.
Tonight I'll probably listen to Reik's and Julieta Venegas' slower stuff, and maybe some Yellow Card and Dixie Chicks.
Showering is necessary me time. It's needed for the obvious reasons (baby power and dry shampoo only work on greasy roots for so long), but also for more empty-headed reasons. Mostly to empty my head. With my music playing and hot water everywhere, I don't need to think for twenty minutes. It gives my brain a break.
So that's all. Just a little tidbit.
It's also not particularly relevant. I know.
But right now I feel like sharing one little tidbit about myself before I go shower:
When I carry my pink, plastic shower caddy into the bathroom, I will hang my lavender towel on the hook closest to the shower curtain, then set my red Wells Fargo iPod player on the little shower shelf. I'll set my iPod to random, then turn the music on. Every time a song that I don't want comes on, I'll reach through the curtain, dry my hand off, then change the song.
Tonight I'll probably listen to Reik's and Julieta Venegas' slower stuff, and maybe some Yellow Card and Dixie Chicks.
Showering is necessary me time. It's needed for the obvious reasons (baby power and dry shampoo only work on greasy roots for so long), but also for more empty-headed reasons. Mostly to empty my head. With my music playing and hot water everywhere, I don't need to think for twenty minutes. It gives my brain a break.
So that's all. Just a little tidbit.
Monday, December 20, 2010
SeaTac musings
Semester's over, presents are mostly bought, and I'm on my way home. I mean that quite literally, as I'm sitting in the SeaTac airport waiting to get hungry so I can buy something before I go find my gate to hop an AK airplane and touch down two hours later on the rock.
I managed to find a seat right in front of the glass walls with a view of the tarmac. Outside, everything comes in shades of grey except for the yellow stripes on the ground. It's raining, and cold looking, and feels like home already. I have it on good authority, however, that the lake is frozen at home and that half the town is on it. I can't wait.
About ten minutes ago, two toddlers wandered to the window in front of me. The repeatedly laughed and shrieked with joy as the planes taxied around, landed, and blasted off. "Airpwane! Airpwane!" A third child, maybe just a year old, grabbed my iPod and water bottle before her father apologized and took her away.
She just came back. I had to switch my page to Facebook so her mom wouldn't think I'm a creeper, blogging about her adorable little daughter. She went for my keyboard this time and pushed a couple of keys. I only stopped her when she went for the off button. I switched my iTunes to We're Going to be Friends, the Jack Johnson song from Curious George. She danced the way only babies can make cute: squats and mini jumps.
I'm getting hungry now, but don't know what to eat. After a semester of Cannon Center food, I don't want to eat anything that's been commercially prepared. Don't get me wrong; the Cannon's really not that bad. But home cooking is going to be the star of my vacation, apart from my family and friends. I'm kind of thinking just a tuna sandwich (but don't tell my Dad.)
Have I told you how much I love airports? There's this bizarre sense of unity: everyone is trying to get everywhere. We're stressed, tired, and have airplane hair. This is a stretch, but it seems like barriers come down, because no matter what's home, you're still in an airport.
I'm also a fan of airport flirtations. Maybe there's a cute guy on the other end of the hall. He sees you. You do the "hey." He does it back. Maybe one of you smiles a little. And then you both walk away, feeling a little more attractive. No anxiety over whether or not he'll ask you out or if he already has a girlfriend. Or if you have a boyfriend.
I haven't had any airport flirtations today, for the record. I think the most memorable time was when I was flying out of Seattle to SLC a couple of years back and caught the eye of one of the baggage loaders. We laughed and made the "call me" sign and never saw each other again.
I'm hungry. It's official. I'm going to pack up my laptop, heave my ridiculously heavy backpack onto my back (dear Dad, you'd better love your Christmas present. It weighs a ton) and go eat.
Love,
Eri
I managed to find a seat right in front of the glass walls with a view of the tarmac. Outside, everything comes in shades of grey except for the yellow stripes on the ground. It's raining, and cold looking, and feels like home already. I have it on good authority, however, that the lake is frozen at home and that half the town is on it. I can't wait.
About ten minutes ago, two toddlers wandered to the window in front of me. The repeatedly laughed and shrieked with joy as the planes taxied around, landed, and blasted off. "Airpwane! Airpwane!" A third child, maybe just a year old, grabbed my iPod and water bottle before her father apologized and took her away.
She just came back. I had to switch my page to Facebook so her mom wouldn't think I'm a creeper, blogging about her adorable little daughter. She went for my keyboard this time and pushed a couple of keys. I only stopped her when she went for the off button. I switched my iTunes to We're Going to be Friends, the Jack Johnson song from Curious George. She danced the way only babies can make cute: squats and mini jumps.
I'm getting hungry now, but don't know what to eat. After a semester of Cannon Center food, I don't want to eat anything that's been commercially prepared. Don't get me wrong; the Cannon's really not that bad. But home cooking is going to be the star of my vacation, apart from my family and friends. I'm kind of thinking just a tuna sandwich (but don't tell my Dad.)
Have I told you how much I love airports? There's this bizarre sense of unity: everyone is trying to get everywhere. We're stressed, tired, and have airplane hair. This is a stretch, but it seems like barriers come down, because no matter what's home, you're still in an airport.
I'm also a fan of airport flirtations. Maybe there's a cute guy on the other end of the hall. He sees you. You do the "hey." He does it back. Maybe one of you smiles a little. And then you both walk away, feeling a little more attractive. No anxiety over whether or not he'll ask you out or if he already has a girlfriend. Or if you have a boyfriend.
I haven't had any airport flirtations today, for the record. I think the most memorable time was when I was flying out of Seattle to SLC a couple of years back and caught the eye of one of the baggage loaders. We laughed and made the "call me" sign and never saw each other again.
I'm hungry. It's official. I'm going to pack up my laptop, heave my ridiculously heavy backpack onto my back (dear Dad, you'd better love your Christmas present. It weighs a ton) and go eat.
Love,
Eri
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
My sister Brittany rocks. I love David and Olivia half to death, and miss them like crazy. I brag about them way too much because they're just so dang cool. But Brittany posted a new blog today.
http://thailandandi.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/brittany-is-asked-to-share-someone-elses-grass-and-is-chased-by-a-zombie/
Read it. Comment on it. Embrace it.
I'm just so blessed to have such a funny, talented, enthusiastic, brilliant sixteen year old sister.
My family rocks.
P.S. Sorry the link didn't work out. Just copy and paste it.
http://thailandandi.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/brittany-is-asked-to-share-someone-elses-grass-and-is-chased-by-a-zombie/
Read it. Comment on it. Embrace it.
I'm just so blessed to have such a funny, talented, enthusiastic, brilliant sixteen year old sister.
My family rocks.
P.S. Sorry the link didn't work out. Just copy and paste it.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Midterms and ADR!
More proof that I am *barely* on the go.
Midterms. Oh how I hate them. It's not that the tests themselves are that bad. It's just the time that it takes to prepare. Right now, instead of typing this, I should be preparing for my Business midterm. I'm a little worried. Cramming is only effective when you have enough time to cram, right? Well, I'm taking that test tomorrow, like it or...well, I definitely don't like it. Here's my plan for the next couple o' days:
Today: Study for Business midterm. Go to Farmers Market. Possibly get covered in blue foam. (What sadist* decided it'd be fun to put Homecoming and midterms on the same week?)
Friday: Cram for Business midterm. Take Business midterm. Start 4-6 page personal narrative. Sleep by midnight.
Saturday: Homecoming Parade! (I'll be dancing in it, so it's not negotiable and merits the extra sleep.) Take the bus to Bountiful. Finish 4-6 page personal narrative and email it to my Writing professor before 5pm. Go to my lovely cousin Sarah's baby shower. :) Start Spanish presentation, much to the annoyance of Angela, I'm sure. Sorry Ang, I'm not going to be much fun.
Sunday: Church. Family. Rest. Hallelujah. And if I finish all of that I could get a head start on my Book of Mormon homework....Or write some letters/postcards....Or catch up in my journal....or make some cun~apes for Spanish class.
Monday: Spanish presentation. Dangit.
Does it ever end? Not really. On the slightly less grey side, I have learned a little in my Business class. Here's an analogy to help you out:
College is like finance. You may be completely loaded down with debt (homework), but should NOT give up on your 401(k) plan (an enjoyable life, social time, and time to chill a little.) You can make taking care of your debts the only priority and put absolutely no money into your 401(k) until you're debt-free, but then when you are, you'll have missed out on years of tax-free, employer-matched money. I could give all of my homework all of my attention all of the time, but when it's finally done (after graduation) I will have no social life to speak of from my college years. No friends (except those that I study with), no silly memories, awkward dates etc. There must be balance in all things. In college, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But you can eat half of it and keep the other half.
Moral of the story: If you are in a position to open a 401(k) account but aren't because you're up to your nostrils in debt, you're being silly. Also, look into an Accelerated Debt Reduction plan. I almost** wish I had debt so that I could put an ADR to good use. That's how cool they are.
Love,
Erika
*If you are said "sadist," I was speaking figuratively. I don't really think you're a sadist. Don't be offended, please.
**If you're in charge of tossing the dice of fate, I don't really want debt. Again, that was me taking a bit of artistic license to make a point.
Midterms. Oh how I hate them. It's not that the tests themselves are that bad. It's just the time that it takes to prepare. Right now, instead of typing this, I should be preparing for my Business midterm. I'm a little worried. Cramming is only effective when you have enough time to cram, right? Well, I'm taking that test tomorrow, like it or...well, I definitely don't like it. Here's my plan for the next couple o' days:
Today: Study for Business midterm. Go to Farmers Market. Possibly get covered in blue foam. (What sadist* decided it'd be fun to put Homecoming and midterms on the same week?)
Friday: Cram for Business midterm. Take Business midterm. Start 4-6 page personal narrative. Sleep by midnight.
Saturday: Homecoming Parade! (I'll be dancing in it, so it's not negotiable and merits the extra sleep.) Take the bus to Bountiful. Finish 4-6 page personal narrative and email it to my Writing professor before 5pm. Go to my lovely cousin Sarah's baby shower. :) Start Spanish presentation, much to the annoyance of Angela, I'm sure. Sorry Ang, I'm not going to be much fun.
Sunday: Church. Family. Rest. Hallelujah. And if I finish all of that I could get a head start on my Book of Mormon homework....Or write some letters/postcards....Or catch up in my journal....or make some cun~apes for Spanish class.
Monday: Spanish presentation. Dangit.
Does it ever end? Not really. On the slightly less grey side, I have learned a little in my Business class. Here's an analogy to help you out:
College is like finance. You may be completely loaded down with debt (homework), but should NOT give up on your 401(k) plan (an enjoyable life, social time, and time to chill a little.) You can make taking care of your debts the only priority and put absolutely no money into your 401(k) until you're debt-free, but then when you are, you'll have missed out on years of tax-free, employer-matched money. I could give all of my homework all of my attention all of the time, but when it's finally done (after graduation) I will have no social life to speak of from my college years. No friends (except those that I study with), no silly memories, awkward dates etc. There must be balance in all things. In college, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But you can eat half of it and keep the other half.
Moral of the story: If you are in a position to open a 401(k) account but aren't because you're up to your nostrils in debt, you're being silly. Also, look into an Accelerated Debt Reduction plan. I almost** wish I had debt so that I could put an ADR to good use. That's how cool they are.
Love,
Erika
*If you are said "sadist," I was speaking figuratively. I don't really think you're a sadist. Don't be offended, please.
**If you're in charge of tossing the dice of fate, I don't really want debt. Again, that was me taking a bit of artistic license to make a point.
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