Thanksgiving in Utah

So sadly I will not be going to Texas for Thanksgiving but I am with my very best roommate Caitlin and her family in Provo and Salt Lake. So we left Thursday and Caitlin's friend Jewels drove us to Provo. It was a nice drive only took about 3 hours.




we finally got to Caitlin's older sister Erin's apartment. It was nice to be out of the car and to walk around. Well then Aaron Mendoza came over and we went for a walk and just talked for a little bit. It was really nice to see him after 7 months!!! Well then Caitlin and I went to sleep and got up and got ready for the day.. We went and explored and walked around campus it was pretty fun, we went to the BYU book store and looked at books for about 2 hours.. Yes we are nerds haha and yes we were in the Science section looking at books haha it was awesome!! Well then Erin met up with us and we went to the Creamery and got some delicious Ice Cream!!! Then after that we went back to Erin's place and just relaxed and then I went and hung out with Aaron! Went and saw Magda mind in 3D,which was hilariously funny! Then Aaron and I went and ate at 5 guys which was really good. After that we went back to his place and watched Ace Vachura which was even more funny, then Richard, Aaron's friend, wanted to hang out so we went with them driving around, and then stopped at a park with this swing that had 4 swings and swung around, as we swung around it turned! It didn't work that great so we went to the playground and then walked around the pond skipping rocks..


It was pretty fun! Then we drove around for a while and then Richard took me "home" (Erin's place. Then I went to sleep... Well the next day was very exciting we woke up got ready to go see the New Harry Potter Movie!!! Well Megan came by and Caitlin and Megan made these delicious Pumpkin Ice Pancakes, it was really good! We didn't have milk so they got creative!! Well Aaron stopped by for a little bit then left, and then the girls headed to HP it was awesome we all piled in we all sang the whole way there!! Then we all got excited waiting in line and the Cate, Jocelyn, and Caitlin went and took a picture with Harry Potter =)









Way cute then we all took pictures with the posters haha well after that intense movie we went to IN AND OUT which is soooooo good I have missed that place! Well it was Erin's first time being there so we got her a hat and everything it was awesome!


Well Aaron came by and picked me up and we went back to his place till Richard was ready to go bowling! So we watched Aladdin until Richard got there well bowling was pretty fun, Aaron walking his strut every time he got a strike haha and Richard beating us! It was a lot of fun!





Well then we went and drove around, and then went to Spoon Me, A tart ice cream place, it was really good! then went back to Aaron's house and played Blounko's, which was really funny because I beat Aaron 3 times.. He wasn't to happy about that haha, then we decided to watched Step up 2 which was fun.. Well I fell asleep and Aaron woke me up and then took me home!! Well then Caitlin and I got up at 3 in the morning to go to Salt Lake to Caitlin's Aunt and Uncles house, why so early you are asking well it was because Erin had to be at the airport early so they just dropped us off on the way!! Well I woke up to go to church at 8am we went with Amy to one of her friends homecoming talk which was really good, but I was so tired it was hard for me to stay awake.. Well then we went to her friends house to have food and mingle, which was really good! We talked with Danny's dad for a little bit then went to the Singles ward where they were having Nacho's and so forth then finally came home and had some amazing Sloppy Joe's! Yes I do not like Sloppy Joe's but Caitlin's Uncle makes some amazing Sloppy Joe's. After that Caitlin and I were ready to Hibernate for a few hours so we went and took a nap. We woke up at 6 pm and went over to Amy's to watch a movie which was fun then came home and went to sleep again!!
Well today was pretty fun, Caitlin and I got to sleep in till about 10 am and then got ready before Caitlin's Aunt got home to take us home to Temple Square! First we went to the Church History Library where Caitlin's aunt is a missionary!! We got to go and take a tour of the facility; it is truly amazing to see what the church has set up for us and our family history! In the place you can see journals, attendances rolls, magazines, books, pictures, and etc from all over the world about family members! It was really fun to see all of that! Then Caitlin and I went to the Salt Lake temple and walked around the temple and took some amazing pictures! I think it is interesting to be on such a spiritual grounds and Satan trying to put dumb songs in your head that you weren't even thinking before then! So Caitlin and I would start singing Hymns which helped a lot! Well once we got around the temple Sean, Caitlin's Cousin, met up with us and then went and took a tour with us of the new conference center which was amazing to see the facility and how big it is, to go on the roof and see the temple right across the street and to see all the original art work that we have seen our whole lives in manuals and in the church. Well after that we went to the Lion's House to eat dinner with Caitlin's Uncle and Aunt! Then we came home and now making Sloppy Joe's for her uncles thing tomorrow!! Lots of fun!!



























I will continue the Journey as the week goes! But here is a update in my life!
Shanel

November 15th, 2009 Best Friends

So today is probably a very special day for me! This very day last year was the day I told my best friend I loved him! I finally realized that everything I was avoiding a pushing away was something I needed in my life. I think he wonders sometimes why it took me so long to figure it out, but for me I think like most good things in our lives, it takes time and effort to find that love. When you are friends with someone for a long time you get to know them from the inside out, and you learn their secrets and everything about them, which almost helps you to develop a Christ like Love for them! When you know you can love that person unconditionally, when you can understand that person without them saying a word, when you don't judge thm for their weaknesses, I think that is when you know... I can't say this last year has been easy, and I know I have made mistakes but I do know that this day means a lot to me even at this time! By this time next year I will be very exacted because I will only be 6 weeks away from seeing my best friend after 2 years!
Receiving a letter on this day from my best friend was almost an answer to my prayers! Growing up is hard and confusing especially when its your life, and your decisions! You figure things out as they go and you learn. All I can say is no matter what I can always count on my best friend to be there for me, no matter what happens. I can't say I deserve that unconditional love or understanding, but I can say I appreciate it, and cherish it. You only find that love with time, Patience and effort. It's when you least expect it when something amazing happens and almost all your dreams come true. Don't be scared of love, love is what brings family and friends together. Cherish that love you have with friends and family and let that love grow!
Love Shanel
These are some pictures he sent me:

Winter Freeze!!!

So this past week has been a relazation of what I am putting myself through by staying here in Rexburg for Winter and Spring... I wake up November 8th to a winter wonderland! My roommates and I were like the little kids on Christmas morning running to the window and just so surprised!!! It was fun getting all bundled up and running and playing in the snow =) I still don't know how I feel about the snow it still is really weird to wake up and there is snow on the ground!...










Well then Thursday night Michael Bruan asked me to go out with him and his roommates and we went sledding up at the upper hills. It was a lot of fun and then running to pop balloons. Then we went back to there place to have hot chocolate and just chilled and all talked it was a lot of fun =)











So since I hurt my neck 3 weeks into school the cold makes it tense up pretty bad and it hurts, so I have to wear a lot of scarfs and bundle up a lot!!!.. But school is going great!! I love college it is a little stressful with school, projects, church calling, and teaching for the school but I love it. =)