Power outage.

This morning I woke up to no power.

I walk down stairs and the first things my parents say is

"Chanel we've been waiting all morning for you to get up. The power is out and we want to play rook!"

I love my life.

So then I got miranda and Travis to come over and we played rook for 2 hours this morning.

Personally I don't think it's ever to early for rook.

Nor is it ever to late for rook since the last 2 nights we've stayed up till 12:30 playing. Never mind that I have work at 8:00. It's time for fun. Sleep can come later.

In case you are interested to know, the keys to a successful rook night are as follows

1. Start playing at 10:00. People start getting a little loopy then

2. Gummi bears from extra foods are a must.

3. Rod Beazer needs to be present at some time.

4. The rook must be played at least once at an inappropriate time.

5. 300 hands in 6 handed are rare but they add a little something to the night.

6. When playing the bird you must "Ca-Caw" and flap your hands.

6. Fun people who love to laugh and have a good time.

Oh and in case you can't tell from the pictures, the girls have been on a winning streak. If you total all the boys final points they still wouldn't beat one of our final scores. Kind of pathetic. But they get an E for Effort.

plague

Not your usual plague of deadly diseases but a plague of what if's, which in their own way are deadly. You know?

What if I had called earlier?

What if I had gone with them?

What if I would've been braver?

What if I said what I really felt?

What if I had stayed just a few days longer?

What if I had thought to give you a Book of Mormon?

What if I hadn't been blinded but what I thought I wanted?

What if I could go back in time and change these what ifs?

That would be awesome.

First Day

Today was my first day of work.

Usually on the first day you try to impress your boss by being early and looking real presentable.

I tried that. Epic fail.

I was suppose to start work at 8. I got up at 7:55...

So this is now the first impression.

"Hi my name is Chanel Beazer and my abilities consist of sleeping through 2 alarm clocks (I SWEAR they never went off) and getting ready in 8 mins."

Impressed?

Thought so.

I felt and looked AWE-SOME...ish.

{Not even joking about the 8 minute thing either. My dad woke me up at 7:55 (thanks dad but next time maybe you could give me more then 5 mins) and I pulled into work at 8:06.}

In other news in my life. The no internet/computer challenge is kind of a hit and miss it. I've definitely reduced my time sitting on facebook or playing online games, but I still use it more then I should.

But give me some kudos. I made a summer book list and I've almost got one of the books crossed off.

I helped my dad outside for 2 hours yesterday.

We burned what felt and looked like 500 pounds of branches.

Needless to say it was a great time. I really enjoy some manual labor. Seriously

And spending time with my dad isn't a terrible thing either. Seriously.

Also, a bird flew into our house yesterday?

It was pretty hilarious watching my mom trying to talk the bird into going back outside.

I tried getting it on camera but she stopped to soon after the thought came to my mind.

But it was fantastic.

It was like when you talk to a baby in that high pitched voice and you expect them to understand or respond to the things you say.

My mother was waving her arms in the arm saying "Come on little birdie, come this way. Go through that door. Come on, just fly down. You can do it."

Anyway we all left the room and did our own thing.

A few hours later he wasn't in the room and we haven't seen him or an evidence of his existence so it looks like he understood my mom and flew down and out the door.

Lastley, I got a 300 hand in rook last night. It felt so good.

I love Technology.

One reason why I love Mondays----- EVERYONE BLOGS SUNDAY NIGHT!

I wake up in the morning with about 10 blogs to read. I absolutely love it.

Welp I've been complaining about how bored I am lately and it's mostly because I've become to lazy to do anything. There are so many things I want to and even need to do but just put them off and sit on facebook or play online games.... Not so productive. I starting today, I'm going to reduce my computer time to only 1 hour a day. I had originally thought of going completely without but a friend brought up the fact that I wouldn't be able to keep in touch with my American friends since my cell (when I get one) will cost to text the States and vice versa.

I feel like technology has taken over the world. We don't really have conversations with people. I think some members of the opposite sex consider texting each other for 2 hours a date. Sure you get to know them, but you aren't really talking to them. There is something so much more personal about talking to someone face to face and hearing the emotion in their voices. Not going to lie, I miss my cell phone. I feel sort of lost without it. I'm embarrassed to admit it but after I left Rexburg I emailed my sister and asked her if anyone texted me after I left (I gave her my phone to use while she is down there). LAME!

Also I don't know about any one else but because I spend so much time on the computer I don't spend as much time reading the scriptures or other church articles. At the end of the night I usually complain how tired I am and read a couple of verses and call it good. But what did I do the whole day? Sit on the computer. I could've spent time during the day learning about the gospel. I don't know where I heard it or who said it but it goes like this "The first few things you do in the morning show the Lord what you consider important." I am so guilty. Often the first things I do in the morning are look at my cell phone, check facebook/blog, and sometimes workout.

One time in my effective living class we were suppose to go out into the hallways/lounge areas of the building and observe people. Blaine and I were just talking and watching people and we commented on how almost everyone in the building was using some form of technology. Students were on laptops, using their iPods, or on their cell phones. It's just part of our everyday life but I think because of technology it keeps us from socializing face to face. I believe at one devotional the speaker told us that when we are walking to our classes to take out our ear buds and put our phones away because we are missing chances to smile and say hello to other people. We are missing out on the chance to create friendships.

On the plus side though technology is amazing when you are in a different state or country from people and you can skype or call them. It does definitely keep us in touch, but from my own experience when I don't have a cell phone and I tell people that I do still have a HOME phone they can call, they won't. They just facebook my instead because for some reason we are embarrassed to just call their house and talk to them? (I'm totally guilty of this too)

Okay one last thing real quick. I can't believe that little kids, like ohh lets say under the age of 12 have cell phones...Really why in the world do you need one? And then going along with little kids a few weeks ago I was over at my Aunt's house and all her grandkids had ipod touches and they would all sit and play games on them. I was blown away with how efficient they were with using them. They asked if they could play games on mine and I was embarrassed to admit that I didn't have any games or apps on mine. I don't even really know how to access that stuff on there. I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing. I think they thought I was pretty lame.

Okay thats my rant. It's not very organized and all over the place but that's me. Anyway I have a feeling it's going to be super tough little challenge for me. Especially since my job doesn't start till Wednesday. But hopefully I get a lot of things done. I've started a list of everything I want to accomplish in the next week and fingers cross I get it all checked off.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY

My love for Elder Scott escalated after his fireside.

Who knew he was so witty and funny? I sure didn't.

I have been meaning to post this for over a week so that things he said in the fireside were more fresh in my mind.

Good thing I took notes.

Mind you they aren't perfect, someone else who was there probably remembers things differently, but it's what I got out of it.

He started it off as a question and answer period. First question went along these lines...

What worries you most as you travel around the world and visit other members of the church?

Young men who haven't and ought to have served missions.

Returned missionaries who haven't yet realized that their next mission is to get married.

{Come on young men, get with the program already;) }

What can we do as a YSA to further the Kingdom along, other then getting married?

The best way is by how you live your life and the example you share with others.

What is the most important role as a young sister in the church?

Be a worthy, happy sister, who serves others. It's important to not be a "pickle" sucker.

If we, as young women, aren't getting asked on dates or dating, what should we do in the meantime?

LIVE IT UP!!!...In a righteous way

If the second coming is going to happen soon, then why do we need to worry about the future, like dating and marriage?

Have confidence in tomorrow! I testify as an Apostle, that there are many more years to come and you should look forward to everything that's in store. Your generation is the best generation and you'll have plenty of time to get married and have children.

Enjoy the journey.

{isn't that the most awesome news you've ever heard?!}

Then here are just some cool things he said as kind of side notes to questions

• A date isn't the first step towards eternal marriage. It's a wonderful opportunity to get to know another person.
• Don't do things that are stupid on a date. Going to the movies is the STUPIDEST thing you could do on a date. How are you suppose to actually get to know someone when there is a movie going on. Do something INTERESTING.
• 2 people who really love each other and are willing to make changes can have a perfect marriage
• Don't be concerned with failure. You were prepared for this time in life. When a challenge comes say to yourself "I can do this, I've been prepared for this and I WILL do it.

Isn't he awesome? I loved hearing his wise council and I'm truly blessed to have been able to go.