Being Cami

Since my birthday is this month, I thought I would just write about who I am--because I am a very interesting person.  I can say that, now that I have more than two people who read my blog.  I have three!

So, here is a list of ten things that you probably already knew about me.  I figure that most of the people who read my blog know who I am and are fairly familiar with my character.

1. I'm a flight risk.  I run away a lot, which really means that I go places without telling people where I am going.  People don't usually notice that I am gone, so it takes away the excitement.  I think my family members are still learning about one of my adventures from a year and a half ago.  (I might have to answer some questions after writing this.)

2. I have an unrelenting desire to be different.  I have this joke (that nobody else thinks is funny) that I am actually hipster because I don't want to be like everyone else. So hipster.  I should wear my mom's vests from the 80's again.  I haven't worn those in a while.

3. I don't consider myself blonde.

4. I'm the awkward child.  You know how there's the genius, the classy one, the controversial child, the engineer, the popular child, etc.  I am none of those.  My siblings are those.  I'm the weird child about whom my parents and siblings just say, "Yeah, she's weird.  We decided to keep her though."  I am predictably unpredictable.  They know I will do weird stuff, but they don't know exactly what that stuff is.

5. I'm what is considered a jack of all trades.  And, I'm seriously a master of none.  In the last year, I have been on a Frisbee team, a  few basketball teams, and a softball team.  I'm not the best, but I have a basic knowledge of how they all work. It's also the reason I have so much stuff that I can't seem to get myself to throw away.  P.S. the picture only shows a very small number of the things that I do/have done.

6. I used to be really bad at answering phones.  Now, I am only mostly bad.

7.  My siblings used to refer to me as the human garbage disposal. There was a period of time when my sisters wouldn't finish all of their dinner, so they would hand their plates to me.  Also, I have eaten a box of pistachio pudding in one sitting.  It was only four servings.  It was during my freshman year of college.  I was known to eat a lot during those days, okay maybe now too.  But, at ward activities, whenever the bishop needed food to be eaten, he would turn to three or four of the boys and to me.

8. I make bird noises.

9. I pretend that I don't cry, but I actually do every few years.

10. I have a large family.  And, my love for them grows every day.  I'm still getting to know half of them because I am from a blended family.  I'm thankful that I am given time to do so.

Journals--A Remembrance of my Oddities

Today marks a special occasion.  I started my 12th journal today!  (Also, my dad and stepmom have been married for 5 years.  Happy Anniversary!)

You read that right: 12.  I have been writing in a journal since I was eight.  However, it took me over a year to write my second entry.  But, I have become more avid in my writing over the years.

I just wanted to say that I am glad that I have kept a lot of journals.  I have been able to read about how I have overcome troubles.  I have read about lots of stupid mistakes and realized that I can change.  I have written about how my faith has increased which helps in time of doubt.  I have also written lots of negative feelings which has been a blessing because it keeps me from saying them to others and hurting them.  I have been able to use my journal to think through problems.  I have been able to write down my adventures.  I have had a lot of adventures.  (This blog has a great history of some of them--mostly from my mission.)

And lastly, I think I am hilarious.  (It's a good thing because I have to live with myself forever.)  I write stupid stuff that cracks me up.  I am so weird that it is impossible for me not to laugh when I am reading some of the things that I have written.  This also includes all of my dreams.  I dream almost every night and remember them.  I like to write my dreams in my journal.  Some of them are just weird.  But, it's great for telling stories.

I know; my 12th journal is awesome.  My sister said it was "high class."  Oh yeah.  Let's just say I have an interesting assortment of journals.  Never leave me alone in the journal aisles of stores.

To read more Journal Epiphanies, click here.

Riding Bikes in Provo

Riding a bike in Provo is rough.  Some streets actually have bike lanes, so that is nice.  (Durham, NC does not have bike lanes.)  But, those bike lanes usually come to an abrupt stop.  This gives you a few options when riding.  Some streets have parking lanes.  The parking lanes can be pretty useful when there aren't any cars parked.  A second option is to just use the car lanes.  Some streets have the "share the road" signs, so this is completely legal.  It isn't completely safe, however.  If you are slow like me and decide to ride on the road, you're pretty much a goner.  A helmet won't save you there.  Or, you could ride on the sidewalk.  Most of the sidewalks in Provo are big enough for one and a half people to walk on.  So, if you are riding a bike, it's all you.  The sidewalks in Provo are also an obstacle course.  They have really good bumps and cracks.  If you go fast enough, you could get some sweet airtime.  I usually just biff it and get a bruise that covers the entirety of my knee.  Another option are the few trails in Provo.

I frequent those few trails.  They are nicer than riding on the wretched Provo sidewalks. However, I find that these paths are also frequented by roamers.  What are roamers?  Roamers are walking people who love the middle of the trail. They believe that the trail is for them.  If they are walking toward you, they move to the side.  Even if there isn't enough room for the both of you, they stay on the trail, so you get to balance on the edge, hoping you don't end up in the mess of tree stumps and roots.  The ones walking in the same direction as you are the worst.  You can usually find a small gap that would be just right for passing.  Just as you are about to pass them, they close the gap on the very side you are on.  Then you slam on your slightly working brakes to make sure you don't run into them.  You slide off your seat, and then come the terrors of the top tube.  And the roamers hardly ever notice.  They usually wear headphones, so they can't hear you yelling "On your left!" four times (or the bell that your friend has).  Those are roamers.  I usually end up startling them when I do happen to pass them.  I've heard a few shrieks as my friends and I have passed.

Now would probably be a good time to tell a story.  Here it goes.  Once upon a time, I was riding my bike to an interview.  Yay, nice clothes while riding a bike; it's already a good story.  (Nice clothes on a bike ride is just a way of telling nature that you are ready for the worst.)  Anyway, I came to a very narrow bridge.  I had to transfer from road to sidewalk because the trail I was taking ended abruptly.  At the bridge, I found a cement blockade on my right side, and a chain link fence on the left.  And a very slow man in the middle.  I decided to let him pass across the bridge before I started.  Then out of nowhere, there was another woman coming.  Both the man and the woman were walking in the direction that I need to go.  The woman was also slow, but I needed to get across before she started.  So, I decided to just ride very slowly across the bridge.

However, the man noticed me and moved to the right, so I could pass him.  I didn't want to pass him because there wasn't enough space.  But, he was slowly coming to a stop, so I had to.  So, I tried to pass him.  As I did so, I got really close to the chain link fence.  I tried to push myself away with my left hand, and it worked for a second.  I tried to push again to no avail.  And then, my handlebar got stuck in one of the holes of the fence.  The fence pulled my handlebars away from my hands and twisted them 180 degrees.  This means that my tire went the same way.  And, I kind of did.  But, my other tire was still going forward.  So, I landed on the ground.  The man was just standing above me staring at me.  My tan pants had a nice black smudge on them and a small tear by the bottom hem.  I quickly got back on my bike and told the man that I wouldn't try to pass him anymore.  I rode away.

I made it to the interview.  It was fine.

Though there are lots of things that I complain about, I really do love riding my bike.  It is my recreation of choice.  I'm not fast, but I love it.  It's my therapeutic recreation.  It gives me a lot to think about.  And it gives me ideas for my blog posts.

Also, here is a video by BYU Divine Comedy about Provo's transportation problems.

The Dreadful Month of May

May is an interesting month.  It brings Mothers' Day, which we celebrate this weekend.  It also brings the anniversary of my mother's death and a few other important life events in my mom's and her family's lives.  My life has had lots of changes since the May that my mom died.  My family has experienced a lot of changes because of that one May.

Because of that one May, I had a brief experience acting as mother.  And let me tell you, it was hard.  I failed miserably (which is a reason I am afraid to get married and have kids).  I was mean, my siblings didn't listen to me, and I forgot a lot of things.  

Because of that one May, I gained more experience listening and observing.  I watched family members and mentally noted how each reacted.  I found patterns, and I listened to conversations about the patterns that others had found.

Because of that one May, I eventually gained a step family.  I have learned a lot from them.  They have had to deal with my nonsense and bitterness.  We all have had to learn how to adapt and love unconditionally.

Because of that one May, my support group was solidified.  I had many aunts, uncles, and grandparents come to my aid and to the aid of my siblings.  They provided meals for my family.  They helped us go clothes shopping.  They listened to us and tried to teach us life lessons.  (Sorry if you felt I wasn't listening.)

Because of that one May, I learned to turn to God always.  Because people aren't permanent and sometimes don't care, I detached myself from others.  (FYI, that's another reason I am afraid to get married.)  The exception is that I know God is there.  He listens to me and laughs with me when I say stupid stuff in my prayers.  I know that I can receive answers from Him.

Altogether, I don't think that you have to be a biological mom to be the needed help of a child, and you don't always have to be sad about losing a parent.  That might sound completely awful, but losing my mom has forced me to learn new skills (mainly interpersonal).  I may still be a bitter young adult, but I am learning.  I am gaining new skills and attitudes, hopefully for the better.

I probably haven't said thank you enough, so this is an attempt.  Thanks to my dad for being strong.  He lost his wife and dealt with five weird kids.  We were ungrateful and annoying.  Though it's Mothers' Day, my greatest thanks goes to my dad.  Thanks for trying to rebuild a relationship with me.  Thanks to my stepmom, for also putting up with the five weird kids.  Thanks for also putting up with my weird dad.  Thanks to all of my aunts and uncles.  Every one of you has helped tremendously.  Because of you, I have been able to see life in different perspectives.  Thank you to my siblings for not punching me more than once.

And just to end things on an awkward note, a little riddle/joke/verse about May:

April showers,
bring May flowers,
for the brides in June.

What else are May flowers for?

Pilgrims!

I Actually Played My Game

Hey Friends,

Guess what!  I am still alive.  I survived finals and will be working over the summer.  I finally had lunch again with some friends.  All of the following lunches were actually last week, but I decided to read my books that my finals would be about instead of writing about my lunch adventures.

My first lunch contestant a few weeks ago was Tara.  Yep, we are really good at taking pictures.  She is my roommate.  Wait, not anymore.  She has been in the process of moving out yesterday and today and probably tomorrow.  She lost the game.  Below is the picture that I liked a lot better.  It captured my good side. Also, Tara's face is a lot more intense.

My next lunch was with Ayelen.  We used to be roommates.  She also lost.  I guess I am just too funny.  Or words just pop out of my mouth that I'm not even expecting, and then we laugh because we don't know what just happened or what to do.  It was great catching up with Ayelen.  I think I also would have lost the game if I wasn't allowed to laugh at anything that she said.

My last contestant was Brady.  He didn't like the first picture we took.  We were actually smiling, but he felt that this one pertained better to the entire lunch experience.  He also lost.  Surprise!  I think out of all my contestants, he has laughed the most.  We were in the same group for a class last semester, and it was quite entertaining to reminisce about our group project.

Altogether, I haven't had any winners in my game.  I just eat with a bunch of losers.  Ha!  Okay, I don't really think they are losers personality-wise.  Just no one has won my game.  I am going to have to get a really really good prize for whoever wins my game.  I need to be better at having my game more regularly.  I also need to make friends, so I can ask more people to play my game.

Thanks to everyone who has played my game.  I am thankful that people are willing to talk with me and spend time with me.  I am still not quite out of my comfort zone yet for asking people, but this is helping me to be more social (not necessarily socially acceptable).

That Crazy Kid

There have been many comments to me about my busy schedule and unorthodox means of travel.  Among these has been the question, "How do you do it?"  To which I reply, "I don't."  However, the most common comment has been, "You're crazy!"  I know.  I know I am crazy.  It makes life interesting.

 If you have been one of these commentators, this post is dedicated to you.  If you have not, this portrayal of my usual week may increase your likelihood.

Monday
Wake up at 6:30 AM.  Maybe go to the track with my friend.  Go to a club officer meeting at 9 AM.  Sort things out until noon.  Go home.  Start laundry.  Try to read my Psychology textbook.  Clean my bedroom.  My room is a mess.  I can't find my desk.  Try to read other books for my classes.  Go to FHE.  Try to read some more but get distracted.  Go to bed around 11:30 PM.

Tuesday
Wake up at 5:30 or 7:20 AM depending on if I go swimming with my friend.  Go to class at 8 AM.  Then go to my second class at 9:30 AM.  11 AM means eating lunch while watching devotional or trying to read for my Humanities class.  Go to Humanities at noon.  It ends at 1:20 PM.  Walk home and eat a snack.  Try to read the Rec Management books.  Get distracted.  Talk to my roommates.  Try to find something for dinner.  Settle for cereal.  Check email and get distracted again.  Realize it is 11:30 PM.  Remember that I should read scriptures.  Start writing down a question for a scripture.  End up writing 30 questions.  Go to bed around 12:15 AM.

Wednesday
Wake up at 7:20 AM.  Get ready.  Go to class at 8 AM.  Class is until 10:45 AM.  Take care of club business until 11:30/:45 AM.  Go home and eat lunch.  Accidentally fall asleep while reading my Humanities book.  Good thing I have an alarm at 2 PM.  Get stuff together.  Walk 20 minutes to my car.  Drive 15-20 minutes to work.  Work 3-10 PM. Get home around 10:45 PM.  Find a snack because I am always hungry after work.  Read scriptures and write down lots of questions.  Go to bed around 12:30 AM.

Thursday
Alarm goes off at 5:10 AM, and 5:19 AM, and 5:28 AM, and 5:37 AM.  Let friend know that I am super tired.  Debate about going swimming.  Perhaps go swimming at 6 AM.  Every first Thursday of the month, have a meeting at 7 AM.  Go to class at 8 AM.  Same class schedule as Tuesday, except no devotional, just reading.  Try to read book for 30 minutes before walking to car.  Work 2:15-10:00 PM.  Get home around 10:45 PM.  Get to bed around midnight.

Friday
Wake up around 6:30 AM to go to gym or the track with my friend.  Come home. Fold clothes that were washed on Monday.  (Sometimes they get folded the same day as the washing.)  Go to the temple.  Remember my assignment that was due yesterday.  Stress for a few minutes, about 30.  Realize all I can do is do my next assignments.  Decide that I need to relax for a little bit.  Watch a movie or take a nap.  Start riding my bike at 2:10 PM because my brother has the car for work.  Work until 10 PM.  Ride home.  Yes, in the dark.  By myself.  (On a few occasions, I have walked.  It takes about an hour and a half.)  Actually get to bed by 11:30 PM.

Saturday
Wake up at 7 AM. Do my job for cleaning checks.  Maybe shower.  Maybe go grocery shopping.  Drop my brother off at work.  Do my hair.  Surprise!  I know it is hard to believe that I sometimes do my hair.  Work 3-10 PM.  Check email.  Reply to the seven new necessary emails.  (Someday, I'll get to those 100 unread.)  Bed by midnight.

Sunday
Wake up at 7:20 AM.  Be to work by 8 AM.  Work until 3 PM.  Drive home.  Take a nap until 5 or 6 PM.  Eat dinner on my own or with my brother.  Play games.  Get to bed by 11:30 PM.
OR Sleep in until 9 AM.  Go to church and then go to work 3-10 PM.  Get to bed by Midnight.


I realize that there are lots of things omitted, like hygiene.  I sometimes have okay hygiene.  Also, I usually have a test each week.  Or a paper to write.  Or two papers to write.  I also realize that I don't use a standard time notation.  Please forgive.  Third, I realize that I have omitted much social interaction.  This is actually true.  As an exception, I did something with other people this Friday.  I was so proud of myself.

I hope I didn't bore you too much.  I hope you have the guts to get through your stress.  It only makes things bad if you let it.  Have a great March.

How to be Super Single at BYU: A Self-Help Guide for Practically No One

In the past semester, I have had lots of random thoughts that I think are hilarious.  Others may not think that they are funny, but I do.  I just thought I should share some with you in the form of a "How To..."  My random thoughts are in italics.  Have fun.

Becoming Super Single

1. Realize Your Potential
You may start out with thoughts that you may want to date and find a future spouse.  But, let's not get too hasty.  Remember that your worth does not depend on your relationship status.  Remember that there are so many great things that you can do.  There are many things that you can be.  You have the ability to create or lose relationships.

One day a boy will think, "Hey, this girl might be fun to be around."  And then he'll ask me out, and I'll decimate that belief.  I think I already did that once.

There is a lot of power in showing people how "fun" you can be.

2. Remember Who You Are
After you realize your potential, live up to it.  Whenever a temptation pops into your head, remember the progress that you have made.  Remember what you have decided to be.

The other day, a boy had a picture quote on his Facebook that sad boys like it when girls sometimes text first.  I wanted to text him just because of that post.  But he would probably think, "Uh! Not this girl."  Be careful what you wish for.

3. Dress Modestly
This step may seem a bit confusing because people are told to be modest even if they do want to be in a relationship.  But, you need to go the extra mile.  This step is especially for girls.  You need to wear clothes that don't hug your curves.  I'll give an example, with this picture.

Oh hey, that kid has the same shirt as me.  Oh, wait.

If you thought the person on the left was a boy, you are wrong.  That is me.  And, I am definitely a girl.  So, dress like a boy.  This is definitely one way to not get asked on dates.  If they don't know what gender you are, they won't bother.

**The other girls look like girls.  Maybe you still thought that I looked like a girl.  I don't know.

4. Be Grateful
There will be people all around you that have boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, or engagees.  They will talk to each other about them.  These people are showing gratitude for what they have.  Although they may be in a different relationship status than is desired, you can still learn from them.  I was able to do this the other day as I was sitting in class.

When classmates open their computers and have pictures with significant others as their home screens, I just think, "I've got poptarts!"

Gratitude will help you come closer to your goal of super singleness.

5. Spend time with Family
Your family right now is all that you need. No matter what other BYU students say, you don't really have to have another relationship.  Family is so great that you should spend lots of time with them.  And then, post pictures together on social media.

Also, if it is your sibling that is the opposite gender, you should especially post those.  But don't tag your sibling or mention anything sibling related. People might think that you are in a relationship and will leave you alone.  I mean, people who want to be in relationship with you will leave you alone.  People who want a wedding announcement will not.

6. Work Hard

Go to school and work to pay for school.  These two things can take so much of your time that you won't have time to develop a relationship (or find any friends for that matter).

I don't have time for friends.  I don't even have enough time to do my homework.

As you stay busy, you relationship status will surely stay at the single mark.

Staying Super Single

Eventually, you will come to a point where dating seems a foreign idea.  You will hear a conversation from the table next to yours about how one of the girls is having a hard time deciding what to do because she went on four dates last week, each a different boy.

People go on multiple dates per week?  Wait.  People go on multiple dates per semester?

Then added by my brother:

Wait, people go on multiple dates?

At this point, you can finally realize that you are completely cut off from the ideals of BYU dating.  You have probably been single for a while now and plan on being that way for another while.  You have reached Super Singleness.  Congratulations!

Although you are Super Single, you constantly be bombarded by the need of other BYU students to be in a relationship.  You will be bombarded by the need of other BYU students to know your relationship.  They will want to set you up.  They will ask you your type.  They will ask you if you think anyone is cute.  They will tell you to flirt (which by the way, shouldn't come naturally to you now that you are super single).  If this gets into your subconscious, don't worry, it happens to the best of us.

I had a dream last night that I was getting married.  Then I woke up and was like, "Whoa whoa whoa, I'm note even dating anyone."

Your dreams do not define who you are.  (Else, I would also be married to a jedi.  And, my family would have been eaten by a tiger.)  Don't worry.  As you continue to follow these steps, you will remain super single for the entirety of your BYU years.

I congratulate you and wish you the best of luck.


P.S. It might also help if you wear shirts of sharks in space while pretending to have a lightsaber in grocery stores.  That could help your singleness.

Or if you are the annoying person who presses all the buttons in the elevator.  That could also help.

Am I still doing Lunch with Cami?

The answer is kind of.

It has been a stressful semester.  I cannot seem to be able to remember to do my homework or get it done.  I work a lot more than I used to.  And, my brother and I both work off campus, so we have to figure out ways to share the car to get to work.  If this were Arizona, I would just ride my bike because it would be fairly warm, and there wouldn't be any snow.  So, hopefully when it warms up, I will just be able to ride my bike to work again.  I know, spoiled Cami.

I can't remember what week these few lunches were.  I think it was almost three weeks ago.  Sorry.

The first is a friend named Vikram.  He was in a few of my classes last semester.  And we were in the same group for projects in the classes that we did have together.  Another kid from one of our groups also joined us for a little bit, but he didn't make it into the picture.  I think I did more laughing than Vikram.

Second, my aunt was up in Utah for the weekend.  So, I had breakfast with her.  I think I was also laughing more than my aunt.  Or at least she laughed at things that she said and that my brother said instead of at what I said (or did).  But, it was good.

From the evidence in both pictures, I think that it is safe to say that I don't smile normally for pictures.  I will try to continue to have some lunches with people.  I haven't been as diligent because the stress from school has really been pulling me down.  Which means that I should probably eat lunches more, so that I can balance the weight of the school stress.

Thanks for being my friends.  You all are great.  Have a wonderful Saint Valentine's Day.  (If you celebrate that kind of thing.)  You should watch this video and read this article: Saint Valentine's Day

Lunch with Roommates

Hey Family and Friends,

I have just completed week three of "Lunch with Cami."  I had two wonderful contestants that participated this week.  Both have been or are currently my roommates.  And, they have both been roommates with each other.  Woot!

My first contestant this week was Astri.  She is from Indonesia.  She laughs at every other thing that I say, so sadly, she lost rather quickly.  She also tells me often, "Cami, you make me laugh every day."  So, this was my time to shine.  It was a really good lunch.  She gave me presents.  (She paid me back for buying something for the apartment.)

 

My second contestant this week was Ashley.  Emmett was my guest host for Ashley's round.  Ashley asked if she would lose if Emmett made her laugh.  It was a tempting offer, but nevertheless I succeeded in making her laugh on my own.  Though we all three had some good laughs together.  It's good to be with friends.

I am grateful to get together with friends and make them lose.  Okay, really I am grateful that I just get to spend time with friends.  I think it has been helping me get through classes this semester.  I may not be doing well in my classes, but I have this time to forget about the negative aspects of school.  I look forward to more lunches with friends.

I also ate lunch with Cherise this week, but not as part of the game.  I just thought I would make a shout-out for her since people like being "famous" on my blog.  It was good to see her.  I don't get to see her as much since she has moved to the Salt Lake area.  We don't have compatible work schedules.  Bummer.

Have a great last week of January.

Another Week, Another round of Lunch with Cami

This week, I had three participants in my game.

The first was Jocelyn.  After we played the game, she told me that she tried not to laugh.  I didn't realize that anyone would actually take this game seriously.  She told me that once she saw me she had to hold down her laughter.  I guess it isn't my personality that is humorous, it's my looks.  Bummer.  (Jocelyn said that she wasn't laughing at my looks though.)  And, obviously we love taking pictures together.

Next was Chalese.  This lunch is the record breaker for the most laughing.  I must have been more boring during the other lunches. 

Fumi and I ate lunch together last this week.  Fumi was another tough contestant.  I think she almost won, but we had a few good laughs about the adventures of wedding planning.  Sadly, her fiancé couldn't eat with us this week.  Hopefully soon.

If anyone else would like to sign up, there is still lots of time.  If you are too afraid that you will lose, don't worry, you won't be alone.  Come challenge my wit.

Lunch with Cami: Week 1

Well everyone, I know you are all anxious to hear about how my new game is going.  It is quite interesting.  And, I think it is fun.  However, I may be getting out of my comfort zone a lot more than I thought.

I have had a few people comment on the idea and say that they would be willing to play along.  And, I am not sure how many people have actually seen my post on Facebook.  I may be making some awkward calls to people that I slightly know.  Here is why I think my phone calls are awkward: I don't have high self-esteem.  I don't really think that people want me to be around them.  In high school, I never waved at people first because I was afraid that I would embarrass them in front of their friends.  I viewed myself as the weird, awkward, nerdy kid.  I didn't believe that peers would want their other friends to know that they knew me.  So, that is the reason that I put it in the hands of others to request eating lunch with me.  It will be awkward for me to call people because I still slightly believe that others don't want to be associated with me.  I don't want them to be embarrassed to have people see them around me.

BUT
I need to step out of my comfort zone.  I need to face my fear of rejection due to my belief that people will be embarrassed to be around me.  So, in a few weeks, I need to start making phone calls, or messaging people on Facebook because I don't have very many phone numbers.  I need to be more assertive.  But, I don't want to.  At least I have a few weeks to muster the courage to ask people to eat lunch with me.

I am sure you wanted that extra drawn out explanation of how the game is going.  That took a turn that was unexpected, even for me.  I think it is good to add a little more explanation to the game though.   This game isn't just for fun.  This game is a learning experience.

WEEK 1
My very first contestant was Sarah!  Yay, she gets a special prize.  She got a prize even though I provoked her to laugh.  It was a good lunch.  I think she made me laugh more than I made her laugh.  But, I am glad that there was laughing involved.

My second contestant was Emmett.  As we ate lunch, he was a difficult one to crack.  He laughed a lot at his own comments, but I was rather dull.  Finally, I made mention of that fact, to which he laughed.  So, he also failed to make it through the game without my provoking laughter.

To all who might be considering playing this game:

It is highly likely that you will be sent home with a prize.  I have found that I am not entirely amusing.  So, if you want a prize, come eat lunch with me.  Or, if you want to see me laugh at my own jokes and not think the jokes are funny, this is the game for you.

Have a great week.

P.S. It's been an interesting first week of school.  I work a lot.

An Exciting New Game

I have accepted the opportunity to be the host of an epic new game.  The game is called "Lunch with Cami." And yes, the invitation to host was given to me by myself.  But that's beside the point.

The Game:

I will eat lunch with someone for approximately 30 minutes.  It depends on how much time the contestant or I have.  During this 30 minutes, we will eat lunch and talk and have a few laughs.  If by the end of 30 minutes, I have not provoked the other person to laugh, then this person will win a prize (maybe a mint from the cannon center).

Really the game is simple.  All you have to do is sit by me while you eat and make sure you don't laugh at any of my corny jokes.  And then you win.  It would be nice if you talk to me too, but I guess that is technically optional.

The Reason:

So, you might be asking yourself, "Why?! Why is Cami doing this?"  Well, because I need to stop being a loner.  

Yep, that is pretty much it.

I have a hard time reaching out to people. A saying I have heard much: "There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone."  I am kicking myself out of my introverted comfort zone.  However, I find this way a lot more comfortable than just calling people up randomly.  So, there may be a bit of comfort in this plan.  I do anticipate that not many people will volunteer for my incredibly amazing game, so I will have to make some phone calls.  Making phone calls will be putting me in my growth zone.

How to Participate:

"Lunch with Cami" will take place on the BYU campus.  The game is open to anyone who is willing to come to BYU campus for lunch time.

You can leave a comment on this post or message me on Facebook to let me know that you are interested in eating lunch with me and possibly receiving a prize.  

There's a catch: you bring your own lunch.  I don't have the funds to purchase lunches for people.  (It's also why the prize might be a cannon center mint.)

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Throughout my university experience, I have worried a lot about funding.  In response, some of my peers have told me to ask my parents for help.  However, I have been taught to be independent by parents and by church leaders.  My family members know that I can be too independent for my own good sometimes. I also have four other siblings that have been or will be at university at the same time as me.  And, I have been taught the value of hard work.

I have worked to help me pay for school.  I have stuck with jobs that weren't much fun because they paid better than other campus jobs.  (This means that I cleaned toilets.  You'll have to ask me about some of the fun things I have found.  Like wiping up beards.)  As I have worked, I have made just enough to pay rent and for groceries and for new pants because my brother didn't like that I was going to school with quadruple patched pants that were once again tearing.

I wish I had this many quarters.  Then I could do my laundry.

Because of my worry, and because it is a smart thing to do, I have kept track of my money and have projected my expenses and income.  I have used my beloved spreadsheet to easily change estimates on my projection. Every time I calculate, I find that I don't have the funds to continue for the next semester/year.  And so, I constantly worry about school the next year, sometimes just the next semester.

After these morbid projections, I become frantic and look for more ways to fund my schooling.  I make plans to get a second job: I start searching and reshaping my resume.  I apply to jobs.  I apply to more scholarships.  I think about getting loans but am always afraid.  (I have a consistent fear that I won't be able to pay them off.)  Also, last month, Elder Hales talked about not obtaining debt.

Today, I looked at my bank accounts again to make sure I had enough money for groceries this week. My millisecond look at the numbers sent me into shock.  My bank account had a 1 in the thousands place!  My first thought was, "What the heck is my family doing? They are not supposed to put that there."

So, I loaded the summary to find a refund from BYU.  I didn't believe it.  I knew that something was wrong.  I hadn't paid for anything recently.  Tuition was due a whole semester ago, and I hadn't dropped any classes.  I remembered that I had received a message from BYU.  So, I went to my account to read the message that I hadn't opened because it wasn't one of my five group projects.  This is what I found:

I almost cried.  And if you know me well, I don't cry.  Even when I look like I am about to cry, I don't cry.  A few weeks ago, I had projected, on my beloved spreadsheet, that after tuition and January's rent next year, I will have $11 in the bank.  The timing of this message was impeccable.  My belief throughout university is that if God wants me to continue to school, and if I work hard to pay for it, God will make up the difference.  He will help me get the funds that I need.  This has only been one of hundreds of times that this principle has been true in my life.

In these moments that I have realized that I cannot come back to school, I have always received help.  I have received cards in the mail from a grandparent with some cash.  I have looked at my bank accounts to find a little extra money from my dad or grandparents.  During Christmas breaks and summer breaks at home, I have gone through my stuff and have found cash from past birthdays or Christmases.  (Being at home also means I don't have to pay for rent or groceries.)  Aunts have sent packages of food.  My sister and I realized we could trade books, or that I could use her old books.

I thoroughly believe that God has a plan for me, and going to school is part of that plan.  He has provided means.  I am thankful for His help.  I am thankful for the family that He has given to me to help me.  I hope that I can be as much help to them as they are to me.  I am thankful for the moral support that my family gives to me.  I am sad that I have to be so far from all of them, but school is almost done.  I can come closer soon.  I am thankful for school.  I am thankful that my mind has the capacity to learn.  I am thankful for family.  Still.  I am still thankful for my family.  Four sentences later, and I am still thankful for my family.  I love all of you.  Have a wonderful December.  It starts tomorrow.

We Choose Each Day

On a run that I took this week, I listened to a General Conference talk by Kevin W. Pearson.  The talk was given in April this year.  He had two really great quotes that I wanted to share.

Quote 1

The first quote reminded me of a conversation that I had with my sister.  She expressed her displeasure of Mormons not being accepting of people.  The quote helped me understand why we don't accept the values of some groups or individuals and sometimes even stay away from those same people.  We should never stop trying to share the truth, but we should also be cautious of what we are taking in.  Elder Pearson said,

"Heeding those who do not believe in Christ will not help you find Him."

Quote 2

I just like that this quote is a reminder as to the constant need to work hard.  It always make a very lofty goal seem a little more attainable.

"Our daily discipleship will determine our eternal destiny."

The Gift of Silence

Today, I made a comment in class and shortly afterward remembered why I don't usually do that. 

"Long pause, no answer."

I think I really did hear the crickets chirping.  And, my teacher just stared at me for a little bit.  

It really reminded me of a quote that my dad is quite fond of.  It has been attributed to Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln, but the version that I remember hearing goes something like this, 

"It is better to stay silent and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Thank you.  Thank you.

Hold your applause.

(I guess for forever.)