"Old Sports" and Regular Southern Bells

I have cool friends, some of which decided to start a book club this Spring and Summer. The first book we are reading is called "The Great Gatsby". I've never read it but aparently it's one of those books they make you read in grade school and that everyone but me knows about.

If you'd like to read the book for yourself, you can access the online version here.

In preparation for the book club we were to read the first four chapters (I read two) but there were few in the group who made it through them all. My dear friend Ashley and I decided to dress for the occasion complete with matching skirt and shirt, and adorable sun hats (I'd like to call special attention to Ashley's sun hat as we spent 45 minutes looking for it and were late to the book club meeting. As you can see, it was so worth it).

Book club was a huge success complete with stripped straws, plum colored cups, pleasantly pink lemonade, deep thoughts, thought provoking questions and a "butt load of bagels"-Andrew Lamprecht, club president.

April Showers Bring May... Ducks?

Once upon a time I was walking on campus and I saw two ducks sitting on the grass. A few days later as I was walking home from school, I looked to my right and there they were. Ducks, sitting right on the front lawn of my apartment complex (I'm going to assume they were tow of the same ducks I saw on campus). What a lovely and grin evoking sight. (And I'm so glad the Mr. and Mrs. travel in a pair.)

Hot off the Press!

Whoooo, well, as you can see, it's been a while since my last post. I finished finals but the next week I started school back up again with my Spring semester classes. I'm taking a media writing class and a principles of journalism class. It's busy because since the semester is shorter they pack a weeks worth of material into one class, and the classes are usually 2-4 hours long, twice a week. It's a bit exhausting doing that and working, especially at 7 and 8 in the morning, but I like it, I'm happy.

The content in the classes itself has been a little more difficult than I've anticipated. Writing's always come pretty naturally to me but in these classes you have to worry about all the rules and the story structure and the word choice and the way you phrase your sentence etc. etc. etc.. It's tough stuff sometimes. But it's not too bad and I'm learning.

The other thing that has been different for me is not being able to just write and write and write whatever I want. I like creative writing. I like taking words and manipulating them to say what I want them to say. I like being able to use big descriptive adjectives and trying to sound like I'm more smart and refined than I actually am. In Journalism, they just want the facts and they want it in as few words as possible.


The other day I got to report on a session of Women's Conference. I felt so cool walking right on up the the front of the line, flashing that fancy pass of mine and walking right on in. I sat right up front on the side so I could have a good view of the speaker as well as the audience. I interviewed a woman in the audience and I felt so cool being able to say "I'm a reporter..." although it felt a wee bit unnatural. I kinda felt like I was a little kid again, playing dress up, but it was still really fun!

Here's where you can view the article I wrote:
http://universe.byu.edu/beta/2013/05/03/collette-blackwelder-and-jennifer-rockwood-you-are-closer-to-heaven-than-you-suppose/

Finally Finished Finals!!!

Finals this time around were actually not too bad for me. I had 2 finals that I had to take in the testing center, which I actually took in the auditorium of the JSB (Joseph Smith Building). During finals week BYU turns the auditorium in that building, and a large room in the student center into extensions of the testing center, and there still end up being lines that are over an hour long. (BYU Testing center: the only place people will stand in line for hours to do something they don't want to do.) One of these finals went really well and the other, not so well. But, that's okay. I'm done, and hopefully I'll never have to take a statistics test again.

My other two finals, one I had to write a paper for, and the other I was able to choose from a list of 'activities' then write a 1-2 page paper on what you did and email it to the teacher. Neither of these finals were very hard, and I kind of even enjoyed myself while doing them. For the 'activity' one I chose to "strengthen intergenerational ties" by reading in my family history book.

I read about my great great grandpa and grandma, Johan Henrik Bergstedt and Charolette Marie Mathiasson Bergstedt. It was so interesting to me to learn more about their lives and their personalities. It made me appreciate them a lot more and want to learn more about them. I also would really like to learn more about my ancestors and ancestry in Norway, and take a trip there to go and see all the places I learn about.

Well, I have work today and tomorrow, then my sister's graduation on Friday, then moving Saturday, then dentist appointment Monday, then school starts back up again for Spring semester on Tuesday. What a relaxing break, eh? It's fine though because I actually really enjoy having things to do and ways to fill my time so I'm not just wasting it.

Anyway, that's it for this post! Good luck to the rest of you students who're still powering through the rest of your finals. I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Beyonce Ain't Got Nuttin' on Her

I just want to take a minute to express my appreciation for a girl in my life who has made such a difference for me and who is always building me up and helping me to become the kind of person I want to be. From puppying to soft kisses to hilarious texting conversations to family dinners and lots lots more. That's right ladies and gents, I'm referring to Miss Ashley Holt! (She's currently single boys, and the most eligible bachelorette in Provo so snag her while you can!)

Ash and I at the splendid b-day party she and Shea threw for me

Ashley is honestly one of the most amazing and inspiring people I know. She somehow does it all, and I mean that literally. She's a sterling scholar, a dating dynamite, church champ, an internship intelligent, a party planning pixie and she still manages to be pretty much the best friend in the entire world. I honestly don't know how she does it all and she does it all well.

Girls night at Ash's family's condo in PC

Ashley honestly always takes such good care of me. She makes sure that I'm invited to everything and encourages me, sometimes almost forces me to engage in social activities because she knows I'll love it and I'm grateful for that. She introduces me to so many good friends and always gives the best introductions, helping my first impressions go better, so long as I don't mess them up.

I don't know if I've ever been complimented as much in my life as whenever I'm with Ashley. She is honestly so great at seeing all the great things in people and letting them know about them. She definitely knows how to boost someone's self esteem and confidence, and she does it in the most genuine of ways.

Shea me and Ash at my B-day party. I am honestly so grateful for these two!

Ashley is one of the most driven and hard working people I know. Whatever she does, she puts her all into it. This semester, she's successfully been a top notch relief society president, a social guru, and done swimmingly in the academic area. She never fails to try her best and to give her all and that's something that I really admire about her. Ashley is also incredibly passionate and motivated to do whatever she can to achieve her goals and see her dreams come true. She's been offered plenty of internships and she's only 21.

Have I mentioned how hilarious Ashley is? I've never laughed more than when I'm with her or Shealeigh. Ashley's laugh and mine are honestly harmonious together. I swear. We seem to be so in sync we can even finish each other's sentences and say the same words at the same time without even meaning to. She is great at cracking jokes and is so incredibly witty that I can hardly keep up with her.

Ash planned an IPod Dance party in Jerusalem and she had the hilarious idea for us all to dress up as tourists

Seriously though, this girl never ceases to amaze me and to be there for me. She has made such a difference in my life and has changed me for the better. Her example encourages me to be the best that I can be. Ash has seriously always been there for me when I've needed her. Whether it be stresses with school, boy problems, concerns about the future, exciting news, etc. etc. etc. Ashley is constantly willing to lend a listening ear and to help me think things through and to feel better when I'm down.

Ash and I at a rope swing we went to on our Jru  reunion in Bear Lake

 Not to mention Ash and I have lots of similar opinions and agree on just about everything that's important in life. We get along so well, I have to believe that we were friends before our births. She's so easy to talk to and the conversation always just flows.

Also on the retreat to Bear Lake, our Volleyball team. Isn't Ashley hilarious and also stunning?

Ash and I getting ready to do the pudding drop at the Bear Lake reunion.
This is a dang cute pic if I do say so myself.

Ash and I after the pudding drop

Ash and I like to do funny things. 

Honestly though Ash, I am so incredibly grateful for you. I don't think you will ever know just how much you mean to me and how much of a difference you've made in my life. I plan to be friends forever, legitimately, so I hope you're planning on the same. I'm always happy when I'm with you and I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for being one of my heroes! I love you.

Love Forever and Always,

Your Sweet SB

Nostalgia

I know that I should be sleeping or studying right now but I can't help but feel a little nostalgic. It was a year ago that I left my home in Jerusalem and returned to my home and family here in America. They always tell you that home is where the heart is but who knew that your heart can be in so many places at once. Here are a few pics lol of my time spend abroad. If you want to learn more in depth about my experience, you can read about it here.

Hanging out with the Abu Lafi Family. These people are some of the most generous and compassionate people I've ever met.

Me and my Jerusalem roommates getting ready for Arab Culture night.

Me at the birthplace of Christ

Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre 

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Door to the Church of the Nativity

Inside the Church of the Nativity

Beautiful sunset on a hike in the Golan Heights

Me at the Dome of the Rock

A shop in the old city

She Was Called to Serve and Now She's Off

In case you haven't read my most recent post preceding this one, let me give you a little background. My best friend is named Shealeigh Smith. She has made the choice to serve a mission for the LDS Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), also known as the Mormons. Shealeigh does not have to dedicate these two years to spreading the gospel. No one told her that it was required of her or even requested that she do this. She personally made that choice with help from the Lord. If you want to know more about Shealeigh, and why she made the choice to serve, click here. Shea is such a good example to me of living the gospel and simply preaching it in the way you live, the way you love others and everything you do.

Here's a few pics we snapped before walking out the door and saying goodbye to the incredible Sister Smith for the next 18 months.

Ash, Shea, Me and Letty. Boy will Ash and I miss these Girls. Shealeigh entered the MTC yesterday to serve her mission in Las Vegas and Letty will be leaving on a mission to Bolivia in a few weeks.

Last Pic with SheaBay before she's off to spread the good word. I miss her a ton already (I've already sent her two letters and she hasn't even been gone a full two days) but I am so grateful for her willing sacrifice and I know that she'll be blessed for her courage and desire to serve the Lord.

If you are interested with meeting with missionaries like Shealeigh in your area, click here. Or, you can chat with them online by clicking here.

I am so grateful for the choice I've made to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to live by it's teachings, and to be obedient to the teachings and council of it's leaders. I know that it is the true church, established by men who were inspired by God and who acted as servants in his hands. This Gospel has brought so much joy into my life and it can do the same for you.