Food, pictures, and caving! =)

Here at BYU-Idaho the students have a card called the Student Discount Card and there is a section on it where you can get free things from places in Rexburg. So, yesterday Katherine and I went around town getting all the free stuff to eat and enjoy, kind of like a progressive dinner. But It was good, we got chips and salsa from Bajio, then tatter tots from Sonic, Chocoloate cake from Gandalfo's, and Crazy Bread from Little Ceasers. All in all it was good and yummy. We had fun. While we were at Deseret book (next door to Bajio we decided to just stop by) we saw these new pictures from David Bowman (my Freshman year Seminary Teacher).


When I saw these pictures I could feel the spirit so strongly I was about to cry.
One of these days I will acquire these and put them in my house. I love them.

Last night I had my first experience going caving. It was a blast! At points it was kinda cold and there was ice covering the ground with little pockets of puddles randomly placed (one of which I was lucky enough to get my foot sunk into). We had a glow stick fight/fling where everyone was covered with glow stick stuff lol. It was fun. Jill and I got it in our eyes, but thankfully it wasn't too terribly hard to get out. We all had fun, and enjoyed our time out there. Before we left, Jill and I layed on the ground watching the stars looking for satelites, and shooting stars (of which she has never seen one before). But we had no luck before we had to leave. It was late. We ended up being a half hour past curfew. *oops*
Here is a picture of some of the ice cicles hanging off the rocks...
And this one is Jill with her hands covered in glow stick stuff with the sign I-love-you.

New Step in Life

As some of you may know by now, I have recently found a new job! The agreement with my parents was I had to have a job by May 16th, or my texting would be cut off. Well I did it. I found a job. It is also good in matters of paying for groceries, plane tickets, and other misc things that go on in life.
On May 3rd I was asking my Executive Clerk if our ward had an employment specialist.
He said "A what?"
"I will take that as a no."
"What is that? Why, are you looking for a job?" He was very confused apparently
"It is a person in the ward whose calling is to help find jobs for people. And yeah I need one."
He put his hand to his chin and was lost deep in thought, then slowly said "well, yeah, ya know, I believe we are looking for one more person to hire. I am a manager in the library for DCAM and I can definitely put in a good word for you."
"really that would be great"My eyes lit up with excitement!
So after that he took down my information and took it to his boss. Jeff (ex clerk) called me that Friday saying that I had an interview at 3 (right after my class). So I accepted.
After I got off the phone with Jeff I freaked..Oh wow, what do I wear, where is my resume? What do I ask, etc etc. Last but not least... oh no! I don't have slacks.. I found some of my nice pants (they arent slacks but they aren't jeans) They were completely wrinkled so I skipped my next class to get them ironed. It took 1/2 hour and still were not good, but I gave up and got ready with my resume, got dressed, then headed to my last class.
During class I kept looking at the clock. Our class finally released at 3:10pm I was late.
I quickly walked to the library down the hill and walked into the hall of administrators for the library and asked the Secretary if Tom Thornton was in his office, she said she would look, then escorted me back to his office. I was shaking with nerves but had peace in my mind from the Lord. I was anxious, nervous, calm, and excited all in one.
He invited me in and I took a seat. We talked, I filled out an application as he reviewed my resume. He was very impressed with all of my history with computers and thought I had good communication skills. (I thought this was very good).
He then told me he would take the weekend to think it over and get back to me on Monday.
I walked out and went to walmart. Lol I needed groceries. Over the weekend I couldn't stop thinking about how I could have said things differently what I should have asked, and what else I could have done. Odviously it was too late for any of that. It was up to him.
Monday came around and I got an email from Jeff saying:

"Well, I talked to Br. Thornton today. He told me that he will hire you. At least that's what he told me. He said that he will contact you, so maybe he has already. But anyway, congrats! I will talk to you about what you will be doing later."

I got so excited!! I forwarded the email to my mom, and Jared. Then I sent a text out to family and friends (those who knew about the job interview) and could not hold in all my excitement!
I wanted to go run! So I walked up to the temple. I kinda feel like that is where I can properly give my thanks to the Lord and talk to him peacefully and sincerely.

After Class Tom called me and asked me if I would come in and speak to him around 4-5pm-ish so I headed in at 4:20pm.
"Do you want a job?" apparently he didn't know that Jeff already told me
"I would love a job" I replied with a huge grin on my face.
"Ok well here is what I am going to do..." He went on to tell me my responsibilites, my schedule, and my tasks.

Here is the basic layout
I am a Library Assistant with $7.50/hr pay
Monday-Friday
3-5pm - Website Administration (making sure the school website is up and running effectively)

Wednesday&Thursday
8-11pm - DCAM, Red Vest. (counting the people in the library, walking around so that people can ask me questions, restocking the printers and copiers with paper and ink, and to see if there are computers left logged in but unattended.) (DCAM is scanning old documents and putting them on the internet for others to read)

After my meeting with him he told me I needed to go to the Student Employment Office and bring my SS Card and Driver Liscence to present to them. (I didn't have my SS card. I had to have my mom send it to me. And yeah she did. Sadly it took 4 days. That's why it took me so long to start my job.) We finished our conversation, and I left - yet again for Walmart (same reason).

Each day came and went and I checked the mail as often as I possilby could. Each day I was dissapointed to find it empty. Finally this morning it came! YAY!
In between my Geopgraphy class and my Tech class I came home to check the mail box. As I was walking up the Mail man was finishing up his job. I went up stairs and changed my shoes (I was wearing some that looked cute, but totally ate up my heels). I ran back down stairs and checked. IT WAS THERE!! I saw the envelope and started running toward the Kirkham so I could just take care of it. On my way up the big hill I opened the envelope and saw something colorful.
"Oh no!" It was the wrong thing! - well I took it out then I saw it was a picture that Arianna had colored for me and my mom had sent along with my SS Card. Thank heavens!

The picture is adoreable is it not?

I finally arrived at the Kirkham and found the Student Employment office on the second floor in the back. I filled out the paperwork and then left for my next class. I thankfully arrived to my next class on time. I even had time to stop by the MC and get something to eat (Banana Bread YUM).

So at promptly 2:30pm I left my apt and headed to the Library. I walked into his office, and he was not there. There was a sign on the secretary's desk that said "in meeting till 4" so I had to wait. I waited till about 2:50pm then I asked the front desk where he was. They agreed with the sign that he was also in the meeting. They also said that I should just go into the DCAM room. I walked in and met my new Coworkers. They are so much fun! Already I know I'm going to love this job.
There were two girls and two guys there. One girl was married and one of the guys were too (not to each other). The girls were sweet and helped me to feel comfortable. The guys were just being guys and goofing off. At that time they were just chilling waiting for something to do. One of the girls was on the Mac working on her blog, the other was eating, and messing around on her laptop. One of the guys were scanning documents (part of the job) while watching Star Trek(the old ones), the other was messing around on his laptop looking at park Air planes.
After being introduced to them one of the girls showed me how to clock in. Then we sat and talked for a while. Finally Tom came in and asked me if I had taken care of the paperwork and etc I nodded affirmingly and he told one of the girls to show me around.
So she did. She showed me where all the printers and copiers were and where to find the paper and ink (in the dungeon). She also showed me how to use the counters to count the people. There were 3 of them.
To count...
1)people on computers
2)people on laptops
3)people not on computers

I was in charge of the 3rd one. She took the other two. But people normally do this alone. How?! I was hard just doing one! Did I count too many people, did I miss someone, I was so nervous. But I knew that it was basically an estimation to see about how many people the library serves at a certain time of day.
We then went out and helped some people with their computer issues. (apparently people here really dont get a clue, they don't know how to use a computer, how to copy/paste, or print.) this will be fun.

After that we headed back to the lab and sat around again, waiting for a phone call to help someone. It was almost time for me to clock out (already). So she showed me how to do that too. I enjoyed it, but at the same time honestly there isnt much to do.
After she was finished with me, Tom came in and told me that I was alone tonight with all of that and I have to close up. Wow.. already? I guess he thinks I can already. Ok. I can do this. .... um maybe.

So now I am totally hyped and excited about doing this by myself, but at the same time, will I do it right, can I do this?
Anyway, that was my experiance. I am now awaiting my next shift at 8pm. Which is in like an hourish. So, yay! lol
*Wish me luck*

Lovely May

This last week has been eventful and a good start up here. I am finally getting into the drift of things. After Diana being gone for over 2 weeks Roza and I have been able to get along quite nicely. We make dinner for each other sometimes and take turns doing dishes. I made some fantastic Chicken and Rice the other night, and tonight she made a Mongolian dish
1. Homemade noodles, beef, carrots, and other stuff
2. type of salad with Hard boiled eggs, mayo, peas, carrots, pickles, sugar, and something else. I am trying to get the recipe on both so that I can share it, but oh it was delicious!!!
I also got a surprise postcard from Diana in the mail:

"Jenny, I miss you and hope you are surviving =) Ireland is beautiful and yes it is as green as the picture makes it." (the stamp covers up some of the writing so some may be missing). "Yesterday we went to Dun Aengus (the fort looking thing... of the cliff) the view was incredible once we arrived. Getting ...... exciting. We rode bikes 6 miles to get there. Riding through the lush green on the left edge of the very narrow road with cars passing on the right driving with the steering wheel on the right side of the car which is alway sa little weird. Even with all of the rain the view from the top and at the edge of the cliff was amazing. The 300 foot drop from the top to the water was absolutely not a cliff jumping height. Wow what a neat view. After pictures on what seemed like the edge of the world we sang hymns and a few commented and stopped to listen, which was a wonderful spiritual experiance. And soaked completely through, freezing and the most cold I have ever been in my life. Today we went and saw the grave stone of W.B. Yeats (a famous poet) tombstones in Europe are all very elaborate and fantastic. Say hi to the neighbors for me. <3 Diana Hancock"

That was very sweet and a lovely surprise for me today!

On sunday, I was called up to the bishop's office along with the rest of my Relief Society to recieve a ward calling and while I was standing in line I was speaking with my Executive Clerk and I asked,
"Do we have a ward employment specialist?"
"What is that?" he replied
"Ok nevermind, I guess not" I said odviously seeing that we did not.
"Why, are you looking for a job?" He inquired.
"Yeah desperately I have to pay my bills somehow" He looked at me and then got a deep thought look on his face.
"I think we are looking for one more person actually. I am the supervisor and I could put in a good word for you."
"That would be great!" I jumped!
"Do you know photoshop and Mac?"
"Not so much"
"Well, they aren't very hard to learn, you give me your info and I will see what I can do, and get back to you." I grew more anxious and hopeful in this quest to find a job.
Yesterday I wrote him and inquired if he had looked into it and he replied with this.
"Well, I talked to my boss today about it. He told me he would get back to me tomorrow about it" So today is the big day and I am praying that I get this job. If I have to take any other job around town I will required to work on sundays. Which I honestly have no desire to do.

BTW: My calling is now on the Enrichment Commitee. Im not exactly sure what that entails but I am sure I will be able to handle it with the aid of the Lord by my side.

Anyway, It's late, I just thought I would catch yall up on the happenings recently. Hope all is going well with you and your families. I miss you all. Love you!

Rexburg the Unpredictable

Up here on this hill I feel apart from the world. Knowing that this place is the House of God, and is a soul's place of safety and refuge.On this beautiful April afternoon, the sky is cloudy and one can see the rain pouring on the city below in the distance. As the clouds approach the breeze begins to chill. It will soon be upon me, I realize. I came today to do the Lord's work but the home was full, there was no room in the Inn. I shall come another day perhaps a bit earlier.
The clouds approach faster and faster! It seems as though it is racing time. The line of the rain touching the earth rapidly nears in my direction. Knowing that I too will soon be comsumed in heaven's blessed tears. With a bang of thunder and a clash of lightening the storm takes ground. With the droplets upon my face, I realize that there is not much time left. I must rush to safety.
Refuge! A lonely tree giving shade from nature I spot in the distance, knowing that this could be my place of safety, for the time being. I race toward it, but not fast enough. White, hard, cold, rain stones press against my skin with the aid of the wind. The black sea that once surrounded me is not utterly white.
I finally reach the saftey of that lonely tree and await the calming of the wind. But, BEHOLD! Yet, another place of refuge on four wheels. A servant of God appears to lend a hand, or wheels in this case. I jump in, safe from the storm...
...and arrive home in disbelief that this was yet another day of unpredictable Rexburg weather.

Yay classes =)

So ok it's been a long crazy weekend so I will just go over what has happened most recently I guess lol
So On sunday Diana and I went to a potluck with her friends and Diana made this fantastic creamy Jalapeno dip with cilantro, ranch dip, sour cream, milk, and jalapenos of course, and lemon juice.. and I can't remember if there was more in it, but oh! It was delicious! She also made a drink which was good too made of lemon and orange juice concentrate, smashed pineapple, mandrin oranges, and other wonderful goodness in it yum! I brought the chips haha.

After church our next door neighbors brought everyone their own bag of Puppy Chow! Yum~! what a good day!!Yesterday was my official first day of classes starting at 12:45 with Family History then Heroic Journey. I am super excited for both classes and am looking to a very productive semester. In Family history our goal is to learn the New Family Search program and then switch to the Newer Family Tree program later in the semester before it gets sent to the wards around the world to use, so we can show them how to use it. Yay! Also in Heroic Journey we will be studying many heros from the past and comparing Moses to Genisis and etc. We will also be studying Star Wars at the end of the semester! I knew liking it would come in handy some day. haha.

After a long day of classes and homework I settled down and painted my nails yay! lol pretty haha.

Also, we got some cleaning done in the apt. The walls in our apt now have themes, one wall is the random picture of christ with a monkey on the smoke alarm....


One wall is the princess wall...


One wall is the Eternal Marriage wall...

(if you can't tell what they are: going in order from top right to bottom left:)
Mesa AZ
Portland OR
Rexburg ID
Frankfurt Germany
Salt Lake City UT
Spiritual Wall with pictures of Christ, the First Presidency, and Joseph Smith and quotes

Here is all my lovely stuff....

my desk (workspace)


Our closet of which ...

...this much is mine (in between where the ribbons are) My bathroom shelf
My dresser/ room shelves
My bed =)
Now you can see what I have there, My Mr. Squishy, my little Jordan, My two pictures of Christ, and yes I am on bottom bunk.
Today I had three wonderful classes. I started out at 8am with Geography for ElEd majors Which will be interesting and kinda challenging since I'm bad with countries and state capitals, but we'll see. Then I moved on to Technology and Teacher Productivity which teaches you how to use the new technology that teachers have these days and how to create lesson plans and power point presentations. Apparently the new "openoffice.org" is the new microsoft, interesting I might have to switch at some point. So then I had my last class of the Day which was Vocal Instruction my teacher is pretty cool and assures me that I will be confident in singing solo two weeks into the class =/ umm yeah.. idk bout that one. haha. When I did my solo in High School I butchered it, so this is my chance to redeem myself. Lets see.
Then I had the opportunity to go to Devotional Where President Clark and his wife spoke on "Finding an Eternal Companion, and Creating an Eternal Family" It was very nice and he touched on subjects such as how families recently are just being destroyed due to Fathers being occupied, mothers being distracted, children being postponed, or abandoned, and how we need to bring back the meaning of family and Eternal Family! He said we need to learn from the parents of the 2,000 strippling warriors, Their fathers had repented of their ways and were so obediant and so valiant that they laid down their weapons and said "no more!" and the wives taught their sons of Christ and of faith in him and in time they too became Valiant men willing to fight for freedom and their God.
Anyway lots of moving in and moving out. My roommate Diana is leaving for England on Friday of which she will be gone till end of may-beg of June not sure exactly yet. But too long.
But, Roza will still be here to share the apt with me (when she is here, she works two jobs and has classes, she is 28, from Mongolia, and attends the local singles ward) It will be fun and kinda cramped still but interesting.
I have three cool neighbors next door who I talk to now and then (hopefully a little more once Diana is gone) and we had lunch with them today.
This afternoon two of the six guys in my FHE stopped by to say Hi and that they were in my family. One is the "Dad" and the other is my "brother" so we shall see how everything goes. Yay It's all finally starting!

First Day

So far my time has been busy busy crazy lol but still manages to be fun =)
So I was in line to load onto the plane when next to me were two ladies one was on her way to R-Burg and the other to SLC for a funeral =( The one going to R-Burg was Crystal and the other to the funeral, well I didn't catch her name but we had a good time talking. We were all pretty much outgoing and laughed a bunch. I didn't sit by either of them on the plane which is ok, cuz I fell asleep anyway and got to watch the view. Here are some pictures from the flight ... and a picture of Crystal.


Crystal and I sat together on the 4 hour trip to R-burg and in the airport while we waited 2 hours for our shuttle. It was nice. She was fun to talk to but sadly I kept falling asleep. I felt horrible, so I told her I was going to take a nap and talk later. So I did, but everytime I woke up it felt like we should have been there but it was only like 10 minutes later. DRAG! lol

When we finally reach Rexburg Diana came and met me at the stop to help me with my luggage to our top floor apt. I had WAY TOO MUCH lol see...














When I got into my apt.. well lets just say tomorrow is full of SPRING CLEANING! LOL we have a lot of work to do, just see for yourself...



After lots of cleaing I put my decorations on my post board and got some scripture reading in with Jared. It was very nice and I loved being able to feel the spirit so strongly before I turned in. All in all a good first day. Hopefully today will be just as good =)