A New Addiction

This week, I found a new show to watch during every free moment I have a home.  If I'm not a work or school, I'm watching Arrested Development.  I had heard about it from friends, but it wasn't until we started doing the free 30-day trial on Netflix that I had unlimited access.  The show has been pretty funny so far.  We just finished the first season.  Sometimes they cross the line a bit for me, but overall, I enjoy the show.

I guess they are gonna make for more episodes exclusively for Netflix that transition into the movie they are producing right now.  I still need to get caught up on the second and third season.  That way, I will be ready for the movie when it comes out.  I hope I can do it during the 30-day trial!

Buying a "Coke" for a Stranger

This week, I was assigned to "buy a Coke for a stranger."  Basically, I had to do a random act of kindness for a stranger.  I forgot all about the assignment until today and then freaked out because it is Sunday, and I couldn't buy anything for someone anymore.  I brainstormed with my husband for a bit and then suddenly had a brilliant idea.  I asked him "how much money do you have in your wallet right now?"  He said he had three dollars.  I told him to give it to me and I went for a walk with it, looking for a stranger to surprise.

I walked about 30 seconds before I spotted a teenage boy running my way.  He was dressed in his Sunday best and looked like he was in a hurry to get home after church.  I called out to him "hey," and he stopped running and hesitated before walking closer to me.  When he approached he looked really confused and nervous.  I said "hey can I give you three dollars?"  He said "Alright, thanks."  I told him to have a nice day as I walked away.  It was an incredibly awkward exchange.  I was so embarrassed that I walked around the neighborhood a bit before returning home, as to avoid letting him see where I came from.  I laughed to myself when I imagined what he would tell his family at home.  He probably told them some weird girl gave him three dollars on his way home from church: random.

Wedding Day Pictures

Well, today I got back my wedding day pictures and had some mixed emotions.  I love the Salt Lake Temple in the background and I love my family and friends in the pictures.  The thing that I don't like, is me!  I wish I would have done my hair the way I originally wanted to, I wish I would have worn the dress I originally wanted to, and I generally wish I would have followed my own intuition instead of listening to every one's opinions.  I don't look horrible in the pictures.  They are really nice.  It's just that I'm not representing the genuine me in the pictures. 

I originally wanted to wear a two-piece suit (with a pencil skirt) that was really old fashioned and classy.  I had a vision of me wearing a white cap with a net that would go over my face.  I had already bought the suit and everything, but when I showed it to some friends they all said that I would regret not wearing a "real" wedding dress.  After enough friends said that, I gave in and borrowed my friend's mom's wedding dress.  It was really beautiful, but not me.  I also wanted to wear my hair braided to the side with cascading curls in a side pony tail.  I was ready to do my hair that way the morning of the wedding, but my mom stopped me and persuaded me to just wear it up.  I did, and it wasn't me. 

In the end, the wedding was wonderful and the most important things were performed.  As far as the pictures and other little details, I would tell every bride-to-be that they should follow their own vision and not listen to the opinion's of others.  It really is your day, you only get one. Those people who give you their opinions either already had their day or will eventually have their own.  The things I was happiest with at my wedding were the things that I didn't budge on and stayed true to my vision, even with all the nay-sayers!

Raul's "Surprise" Birthday Party

This week I decided to throw Raul a surprise birthday party at his mom's house.  I got together with his mom and older sister to plan out the food and decorations.  Laura, his older sister, has two little boys (Lucas and Sasa).  Lucas is the oldest at four-years-old and Sasa is three.  When I brought the balloons over the boys got really excited and wanted to play with them.  I had to explain to Lucas that the balloons were for Raul's birthday and that it was a secret until the next day.  I made him promise to keep it a secret and not say anything to Raul when he came over that night.  When Raul and I came over for dinner later that evening, Lucas met us at the door and said, "Uncle Raul, uncle Raul!  Rachel bought you balloons!"  We all looked at each other, but decided to just move on with out acknowledging it.  Today, when we went over for the party, Raul wasn't super surprised.  He really like the decorations and everything though.  Next time, I won't make a big deal about keeping a secret with the little kids.  It just made them more excited to tell the secret!  

Genealogy

This week I started getting more work done for my family history class.  I decided to take a family history class this semester because my dad has always been into it and I'd like to start working with him.  Now that I am married, I also need to do more work connecting the family trees and researching more.  The program I am using for the class is "Roots Magic".  It is nice because it interfaces with Family Search, the Church's family history and genealogical records website.  My dad has already done a lot of research so I have a lot to work with!

I think the most rewarding part about doing genealogy is when I get to go do temple work for my ancestors.  This week, Raul and I did 21 baptisms and confirmations for my ancestors.  Next week we're going to start doing the next ordinances for them.  This work is helping me feel closer to my family in many ways.  I hope I continue to be diligent about it after this semester.

BYU's Luau practice

This week was my first practice for BYU's Luau.  I signed up to be in the Tahiti and Hawaii sections; however, after the 6am Tahiti practice, I decided just to stick to one section.  My legs were so sore after the Tahiti practice, that I couldn't find the energy to wake up for the 8am practice for Hawaii on Saturday morning.  Tahitian dancing is my favorite, so I feel good about staying with that.  I am not a morning person, but I only have the 6am practice once a week and it will be worth it.  I love BYU's Luau and it is so exciting to perform.  I performed in the luau a few years ago and loved it.  I also performed in BYU's Fiesta, the Latin dance performance, but I prefer the Polynesian show.  I think Polynesian culture is so exotic and enchanting. 

Dance practice is really demanding with all the leg and arm movement going on!  I had to do "duck walks" (when you basically dance in a squatting position for an extended period).  My legs are still sore!  It has been a while since I've used these muscles.  It is the good kind of sore though and I'm excited to get toned up for the big show in March!  

Our first full weeks back to school

This week has been our first full week back to school!  Raul is taking English, P.E., Math, and History this semester.  I'm taking Language Assessment, Writing for business, Reading acquisition, History of Creativity, and Family History.  It is crazy to think this is my last semester at Brigham Young University.  I will be graduating this April!  Raul, on the other hand, has a long way to go.  This is his second semester at Utah Valley University and he is studying to become a dentist.  We will be in Utah for a long time!  It's a good thing I love it here. 

Right now I am working at the Missionary Training Center and am extremely happy there.  Sadly, when I graduate I'll have to find another job.  The MTC only hires students for part-time positions.  I need to start looking for other jobs to prepare for the transition into the career world!