Daily Life and How to Chop Onions

I have a file folder for all my January pictures entitled, "Random" (creative, right?)...but that seems to describe life at the moment, lots of random (and amazing) things going down in Provo.

Julianne Dana left on Wednesday to enter the Missionary Training Center. She'll be serving in the Washington D.C. mission and speaking Spanish. I met her my sophomore year at BYU and we've been good friends ever since. I'm going to miss her...a lot, but she'll be such an amazing missionary. Hurrah for Israel!!!

Robb and I went on date to a packed Chili's. There weren't any tables free for the next 45 minutes, but there were two spots available at the bar. I've never sat at a bar before, but the hostess promised we didn't need to buy anything alcoholic, so we went for it. Cons of the seating arrangement: you are really, really close to the bartender/your fellow diners and you might be mistaken for a closet drinker. Pros: eavesdropping on the drunk man telling his life story to his date and watching two middle aged women play the field was immensely entertaining; twirly barstools are always fun; and the bartender kept our water glasses well filled.

Robb bought me a tripod for my birthday and it is wonderful to get pictures of us without having to bug innocent bystanders or resort to the huddle-and-try-to-aim-the-camera technique. These are a couple of pictures taken before our date (our smiles aren't completely candid because it was FREEZING outside).

And I made a revolutionary discovery this week. I was chopping onions for dinner and had to run to our bedroom for minute to relieve my streaming eyes, when I realized I had the means of protecting myself from the fiery vapors...my swimming goggles. The experiment worked, but it did require the loss of some dignity on my part and Robb may have started laughing so hard that he cried.

Further experimentation may be needed to see if benefits outweigh the risks :)

Robb Hays: Intramural Basketball player and Rocket Scientist

Robb started playing intramural basketball this semester with some guys from the ward. At 6 feet, 1 inch, Robb was our tallest player (by a long shot...we have a short, but speedy team :) ). He made a couple 3's and was the go-to guy on defense. Sadly, we didn't win, but there's always next time.

For Robb's capstone project, he (and his team) are entering a rocket in a NASA competition. The Frozen Finger's Launch was a practice run for the big day (and they weren't kidding about the frozen digits). The rocket went up great, but broke in half when the parachute ejected...so back to the drawing board. And that's what Robb Christopher Hays is doing these days!

Reader's Digest Version of December

I love the beginning of a new year. I get to take out all my good intentions that bottled up over the past twelve months and transform them into goals. Some will have to be recycled for a time when I possess more gumption and go-getter-ness, but on the whole I end up a better, more well rounded person from the process.

Anyway, in the year 2011 I, Lakin Marie Hays, will be a better blogger.

But I have to catch up on the past month first...

I got older (aka I'm now 23). Robb spoiled me rotten and my work party happened to fall on the same day. Woot for free parties!

We journeyed to Darby, MT to do some pre-Christmas celebrating with the Hays clan. We went sledding, ate amazing food, played board games, and got to soak up all of the wonderfulness of the season. I love family.

Unfortunately, we had to come back to Provo so I could work my scheduled holiday shifts. Someone has to be in the hospital on Christmas. I did get Christmas Eve off though and we decided to observe Christmas then. We got a pretty little tree, hung our stockings on Robb's pull-up bar, and cooked up a feast to share with Robb's brother, Brett, and his wife, Megan. It was Christmas on a smaller scale than I'm used to, but I think it helped me appreciate the blessings in my life more. I have a wonderful family and husband and we are all sealed together for time and eternity because of Christ's ultimate gift. And really, is there anything more important than that?

I managed to finagle four days off the next week to see my wonderful friend (or sister, she's pretty much part of the family), Erin, marry Nik Sorensen in the Medford, Temple (that, my friends, is why it's so important to be nice to the person in charge of your schedule). She looked gorgeous and absolutely full to the brim with happiness. It was so good to see old friends and family too. Medford will always be one of my favorite places in the world.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!