Mormon Hogwartz

Hello my loveliest Family!

I finally get some time to email everyone. It's six am on my first p-day (Thursday's) and Sister Nelson and I got up early to do laundry. Turns out everyone and their dirty G's get up early to do laundry....dumb Mormons. :) So this is seriously Mormon Hogwarts. A few comparisons. Instead of little wizards everywhere practicing their spells, there are little missionaries practicing the invitation to be baptized in their language (Which lets be honest, most of the time sounds like a spell coming from us newbs). Instead of dementors (creepy ghosts that still souls at hogwarts), I reside among glorificators--always happy, free-compliment-giving, zealous missionaries. It is a grand ol' time.

Anyways....here are the details. After saying goodbye some elder passing in the hall said, "Sister, you'll live dry your tears." Um hello, I just said goodbye to my family jerk! Mostly though the tears were dried and into the work I went. I was ushered through a bunch of rooms where they draw your blood, label you with a tatoo number...jk....it just felt like that. I got my tag, rooming assignment and books (17 lbs worth!!!). I dropped my stuff off at the room and was ushered to the classroom.

Thus it Begins

Hi folks,
    This is my last post as Christine. From here on out Sister Alley will be doing the writing (how strange, it kind of feels like an alternative personality...). I definitely have no idea what the next 18 months will be like but I am grateful for this amazing opportunity; that the Lord trusts me to teach His children. Naturally, I am anxious but I am completely at peace. Saying goodbye to those I cherish has been ridiculously hard, and oh mercy how the tears have flown, but I am blessed to have so many wonderful people supporting me. Thank you awesome people!!!

Stay tuned. Thus it begins.

Love always,
      Christine

Called to Serve

Hi folks, 

Upon the request of many homies, my personal blog has been converted to a mission blog. It will be updated weekly with stories and pictures by my fantastic, technology savvy sister Liz. Mad props to her. However, this does not mean that you can read all about me without sending me updates about you, yes I'm talking to YOU. I promise to respond to every letter and let's be honest, who doesn't love getting mail! 

We will start at the beginning- How/when did I decide to serve a mission? 

Over this past summer, I began to seriously dread the approaching semester. I procrastinated registering for classes somehow convincing myself that perhaps if I did not register for classes the summer would be endless. This was highly unusual for me. I usually LOVE school. In the past I had taken 18 credits each semester and loved my pre-med track. Somehow, something had changed. My parents encouraged to register for a light load of easier classes. Being the oh-so-obedient daughter that I am, I registered for 12 credits and school started once again.

However, I still wasn't happy. A relationship I valued was not going where I thought/hoped it would,  and I was beginning to feel very lost. One night I fell upon my patriarchal blessing and felt myself being nudge in the direction of a mission. I decided to read the entire Book of Mormon within the semester with one question in my mind; to serve or not to serve? I highlighted in yellow anything I felt was an answer to my question. By October 1st, my Book of Mormon was completed highlighted in yellow. I had my answer.

Single Cruise #2

Hello again,
    My last post was about the Party Cruise (almost 1 year ago...what?!?!) so I figured I might as well just follow that up with Party Cruise #2. My older sister Liz and I decided to be brave and booked (thanks, Mom) a Singles Cruise with ~350 other single adults. We stopped in Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; Isla Roahtan, Honduras; and Grand Caymen, UK. Besides these awesome Ports, my favorite aspect of the Singles Cruise was how warm, welcome, and overall accepting every single person proved to be. I felt 100% comfortable walking about to a group of random people, introducing myself, and tagging along. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and am grateful I shared this adventure with my sister!

A Vacation of a Lifetime - Cruisin' on the Splendor

Last October, my older brother had the fantastic idea of giving himself a cruise for graduating college. This idea grew, and together we planned and committed 140 other groovy adult singles to the idea. We set sail May 6th aboard Carnival Splendor to the Mexican Riviera with ports in Cabo San Lucas and Puerta Vierta. The week I spent on the boat was definitely one of the best weeks of my life. In effort to keep this post short, I will highlight just a few of my favorite memories and people.

 Leah (left) and Karlee (right) are my best friends, partners in crime, and wing-women. We made memories to last a life time during the 8 days we spent together.

A Hopeless Romantic and the Titanic 

On April 10th, 1912 the Titanic sailed from Southampton with 2,200 passengers and crew, four days later the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank. 1500 people died and 700 survived. 85 years later, in 1997, writer and producer James Cameron released a fictionalized account of the sinking of the Titanic, exploring the relationships of members of different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during the its ill-fated voyage. My fascination with the Titanic started as a young girl and my crush on Jack Dawson has held me captive for many years. Beyond the sociological and socioeconomic tragedies that decided fate aboard the Titanic, the love story written by James Cameron is just as fascinating to me. 

In April, to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the sinking, the film Titanic  was re-released in 3D. Hello, best decision ever made by Hollywood. So maybe, I've seen it four times in theater since the releasing of the 3D piece of passion and perfection. Judge me.

Don't judge me. I only went once by myself. The other 3 occurrences random people accompanied me:) 

Recently, I had a conversation with a man friend who questioned my sanity after learning that I have "an obsession" with a fictional, over dramatic and sappy film. Although many parts of the film are accurate, many of the relationships are fictional but that is Hollywood, nothing new. It may be over dramatic but I'm pretty sure I would be THAT DRAMATIC if a ship sank right out from under me and I was headed straight for the deep, dark abyss of an ocean. One word- Sharks. I'd be the most dramatic person every, matey!  And it yes it is sappy but that is what makes it wonderful. 

Now that I feel I have adequately defended this wonderful film, let us explore it further...

I believe that I am drawn to the film so much because of the relationship between Jack and Rose. He lives off the seat of his pants and therefore, creates the outcome of his life daily. She, on the other hand, is the prime product of finishing school and a perfect, pristine example of a privileged up bringing.  Ironically, society is drowning her; until she meets Jack. In just a few short days (and in about 2 1/5 hrs of showtime) Jack saves Rose's life multiple different ways.  

Isn't this what life is about- isn't this what love is about. You meet one person and suddenly you've changed. You see life differently, breathe deeply, and question yourself- all the while growing into a more passionate and sincere person. Now I'm no love expert but I can imagine that when I've found that ONE person- the one man that makes me want to pose nude for him with a heart shaped necklace while he awkward draws me.......just kidding, I just couldn't resist....When I've found that ONE person, perhaps my life will change just as Rose's did. Perhaps, he may save my life and I'll see the world differently. Although Jack sinks to the bottom of the ocean (seriously, worst moment of my life), I'd bargain if I were Rose, I'd feel like knowing him and loving him was the best thing that has ever happened to me. 

anxiously awaiting my own Jack,

Christine Marie   

Attempt 2 : My Redemption...

Dearest Blogging World and/or dedicated followers,

     Hold onto your chairs homies, for I have returned! Gasp. I shall not pretend to ignore the giant elephant in the room and call myself out for my epic failure at blogging, especially the 30 day challenge. I am putting this failure in the past and attempting, for the second time, to blog and this is why-

Recently I have experienced a handful of adventures, enjoyed numerous enlightening conversations, and envisioned sharing my life with as many wonderful people as I am blessed to. This blog, as remedial and redundant as it may be, is an electronic journal and storage unit for my thoughts and experiences. 

You may choose to jump on this rollercoaster of blogging and follow me or you may politely grumble about my immaturely but either way, you've read my post so I am the winner. Comment if you wish, laugh if you want, cry if you can't help it, but most importantly, I hope you enjoy getting to know me :)

attempting to rekindle my relationship with my readers,

Christine Marie