The above photo showcases Conlin's latest invention--tear-catchers. He was kind enough to make me a pair upon my brother's departure. They are both functional and flattering (as you can see)...and...I mostly included the photo because lately I've been feeling pressure to include photos. To make up for my scrambled writing, mayhap? Anyway, there's a photo--take it or leave it.

Um. Next. Today is Monday. (Yes, feel free to quote me on that). And though I should be feeling completely overwhelmed (four 15-page papers due next week and a couple nasty projects--nasty as in time-consuming, not nasty as in inappropriate and honor-code breaking), I'm not. I am feeling delusionally up to the remaining madness. Thanksgiving break was just what I needed.
I was with Conlin's family this year and we drove down to Las Vegas to spend time with their (now my) extended family. Oh, and in case you're in need of a visual: we rented a bright orange dodge caravan for the excursion. Aaaaahhhh yeah. The trip was lovely and provided the Gull family will ample opportunity to get sick of me.

And I can feel my organization starting to spiral so, to simplify things, here's a list of thoughts I've had in the last week:

-praise be the weather is no longer warm enough for student A to expose his hairy and seemingly moist toes daily in bright yellow flip flops.
-I have delightful in-laws. (seeing as the odds are stacked against this, I am incredibly lucky).
-I am going to design a clothing line that caters to people with freakishly long torsos, giant butts, and "athletic" legs. So, to the four other humans who were born with this particular set of features, ya welcome.
-I love coaching and my team is comprised of adorable human beings.
-Mashed potatoes and gravy are underrated.
-Hoorah for an NBA season.
-Do my jeans make my butt look big? Right. That's just my butt.
-I wish I was eating milk duds.

This goes without saying, but if it wasn't on the list, I didn't think it.

And oooh good heavens. THAT PICTURE. I SELECTED THE SMALL OPTION! DO YOU HEAR ME BLOGSPOT? I ASKED FOR A SMALL DISPLAY OF MY FACE- argh.

Will someone pahlease teach me how to blog? I'll make you cookies. That is not a jest, I will seriously make you cookies if you teach me how to make my face not life size. No one needs to see that.

Elder Bailey

I almost started crying today at school (praise be I didn't--I'm a horrendous crier). I looked around my classroom and saw eager faces discussing the latest project, and realized that I hadn't felt passionately about a school assignment in...probably a year or so. And it's not because my assignments aren't engaging, I just feel too worn out to fully invest, and too pressed for time to do my best on anything. I hate turning in work that I'm not proud of, but that's all I seem to do lately. Anyway, I walked to my car contemplating my own mediocrity and indulging in self-pitying thoughts, when I remembered that I am a lucky person. A really, really lucky person.

I have a family who loves and understands me. Every time I'm with them, I feel lucky. It's okay that I'm not the best at anything. It's okay that I got an 88 on my last paper. It's okay that I had milk duds for lunch, and don't find poetic analysis all that fulfilling. Everything's okay.

Tonight my brother was set apart to be a missionary. I'm still registering how I feel about this--I know it's what he should be doing, but will miss him terribly. He is one of the good ones. I'm excited for him to learn and grow, and excited for other people to be blessed by his infectious laugh and optimistic outlook. Iowa will love him (cougars and adolescent girls included). He's always been a great example to me, and I think following his lead will help me endure the coming months with a better and healthier attitude.

I love you, brother.

Side note, I chose the 'large picture' option (obviously, you may say). But look below at the picture of a red bull can--that's the medium option. Um. No in between, blogspot? Goodness.

Oh, and Holden rocks. In case I didn't make that clear.