You Say Goodbye, and I say Hello

The last two days in Sedalia finally came. People brought in food our last day (11/16) to give a warm Mid-Western goodbye. It was sad to leave because everyone is SOOO NICE! They are so warm and friendly. We were so full from all the food people brought in, we were snacking all day, so we didnt even take a lunch break. We eventually started our goodbye tour around the facility. It was sad and lasted about 2 hours...much longer than anticipated. Eventually, Lindsay and I walked out of the Sedalia facility for the last time together. We went home early so we could start packing. Well...I started to pack, Lindsay took a nap. Then we re-grouped to go out with some of the guys from work as a farewell party.

I had been debating on going all week because they wanted to go bar-hopping. (Bar-hopping in Sedalia consists of going to Fritters, the sports bar and then to Dukes 'N Boots, the western bar) I decided to go and eat with everyone and then leave if they were getting super drunk, because I hate being around drunk people. So we went to the place a little late...only for Lindsay to forget her ID. We ran back home and decided to pick up Sage as well so we wouldnt have to drive seperate cars. We went and arrived around 7:30....everyone had been there since 6. #fashionablylate We all hung out. I was really confused when the waitress asked to see my ID for ordering a strawberry lemonade, and she apologized and explained there is an alcoholic strawberry lemonade too. #heckno so we chatted and hung out before going to Duke 'N Boots. Can I just say....it was quite the experience, and I ended staying till midnight because we were having SO MUCH FUN! I had shirley temples all night long as we hit the dance floor. Lindsay and I finally line danced together! It had been a goal of Lindsay's to line dance ever since we got to Missouri. Mika was soooo funny and kept asking us to dance. I didnt realize that two-stepping is not like riding a bicycle, I didnt remember how to do it very well. Sage made a new friend. But it was great on the dance floor. We even saw a guy from work there on a date, and he photo bombed 2 of our pics, because Sage found a disposable camera from years ago and we all decided we would take pics with her camera all night. The guys wanted to go cow tipping after the bar that night, but I drove us girls home and they stayed behind. Lindsay told me the next morning they went, but all the cows ran away when they got somewhat close, so they gave up. But I went home, and ended up doing wash because my clothes smelled of cigarette smoke. I hate cigarette smoke. Truth be told, it was a good last night in Sedalia.

Saturday (11/17) I did my last minute packing, dropped off my recycling and the city recycling bins, and I dropped off my extra food at Cody's , where she gifted me a really cute blue necklace she made me. SOOOO SWEET! That's after she made me a really cute flower that she left on my door last night. She's too nice. I then picked up Lindsay and we met Sage for our last meal together. We went to Kayde's where i got a root beer float for my drink...yes....and i got their delectable baked beans as a side dish. Seriously, some of the best baked beans ever!!!! It was sad that we were leaving, but we went home to do last minute things, and waited for sage to finish running some errands before packing up the car and heading to Kansas City for the night. It was a sad goodbye....and we had just got in the car to drive away when Sage wants another round of hugs and starts to cry. Truth Time: crying girls make me nervous. seriously. Poor Sage. She's going to be left all alone in Sedalia. So we drove up to Kansas City and went straight to dinner for some sushi as our last meal. The second time we're saying goodbye to a place together. It was a chilly autumn night as we walked from the restaurant to the movies so we could see Skyfall. So good. We drove to the hotel and as we were going to our rooms, we realized it was going to be the last time we're together till who-knows-when. It was sad. After 6 months of being together everyday, working and playing together, it was time to part ways. It didnt feel like goodbye; it felt like we were going to see each other on Monday.

When I woke up Sunday (11/18) morning, I felt like i was going to meet Lindsay in the hall...but she was gone. She had an earlier flight and took the hotel shuttle. It was up to me to return the rental. I drove there, and luckily because of my huge luggage, a Hertz guy drove me and some other business guy to our terminals. I flew back to Houston and my big broseph picked me up at the airport. We went back to his place to chilax and have brunch together. He then drove me to my new home...in a hotel. Yeah, did i mention I live in a hotel now? yeah. I dont feel grown-up enough to be living in a hotel. But, he helped me move and and once again (germany déjà vu) I needed hangers. On our way out to church, I asked the front desk to get me some more hangers. the lady asked "how many?" and I said, "about 20 or 30" and she looked at me like i was crazy until realizing that I was living there for the next few months. At church, saryah had drove up too and all three of us were at church together. it was so nice! The best part was, the peterson's were there! and i sat next to them. they are too funny. After church they had a little mingle session over rice crispy treats. yum. i love rice crispy treats. We had our first new tradition of having family Sunday dinners at home. I had a really good first night back and had to take a taxi back to my place so I could be there to pick up my rental car they were dropping off for me. 

Monday (11/19) I woke up super early to be ready to get my car and drive to a dentist's appointment back home. The car people were late, and couldnt figure out where I live. There is only the hotel and a BBQ restaurant on the street I live on. Really guys? So I got the car and drove to my dentist appointment late. Then I went home and knew someone was home but no one was answering. It freaked me out, so i hid in the game room under my HP blanket for protection....only to have my dad come in from the backyard and I realized it was him who was home. I then fell asleep for 3 hours of the floor until my dad woke me up for my doctor's appointment. I'm a genius. I got there late, and the doctor was even later to see me. I got some kolaches for lunch for me and my dad. We hung out and I eventually went back to my place and a B&N to get a NOOK cover, because I already scratched my NOOK screen...oops. 

Tuesday (11/20) was my first day at work, and I felt awkward and alone....pretty much all week. No friends for Natasha. And I sit with my back to the bosses and it's awkward. I found out that my boss (who isn't even at my same office) couldnt meet with me till next week. So i had nothing to do all week. I was taken out to lunch by the plant manager and some other people in charge, and i felt so awkward, but tried my best to be social. Normally it's lindsay who is the social one, and i just get to benefit from the fruit of her social labors. Soooo much work. The only good thing about my first day in my new location was that I got to spend it with Lindsay anyways; we kept each other company through work IM all day, so i didn't feel so lonely. At the end of the work day, I tried to leave only to have my car keys stuck in the ignition (sedalia déjà vu). The car wouldnt start or anything. I called Enterprise, and they sent a new car over. I was so annoyed. 

When I got into work (11/21), I tried to get onto my computer and it was locked. I couldnt get access. I had to call the IT office to get them to unlock it remotely. Ridiculous. I realized last night that I left my leather jacket in the rental car and wanted them to unlock the car for me so I could get it out. When I called, they said that they couldnt get the keys out and had to leave them in last night when they left. I double checked and there were no keys in the ignition. Everyone was really confused. Plus, I had been calling so much, the car guy, Reid, recognized my number now. It turns out when one of the guys at work came in the car had somehow started itself and it was on, so he turned the car off and took the keys. Ridiculous. I left work and went shopping for a bit only to not buy anything because it was one of those days where everything made me look fat. So I went back to my hotel and laid out to get some much needed Vitamin D. YAY! It was so nice and relaxing. then I made the drive to my Aunt Son's house. I haven't been to her house since I was much younger. I honestly cant remember the last time I was there. #enoughsaid I got to see my grandma which was the best! she's too cool for school and my uncle john! yaya! Then my family showed up. It was nice. My mom and grandma saw the Gangum Style music video for the first time. (luckily i saw it about a week ago, so im cooler). My grandma said it was scary and she didnt like it. lol. I wasn't tired on the drive home, so saryah and i went to go see Pitch Perfect that night. #win

it was a HAPPY THANKSGIVING (11/22) when we went back to the Woodlands to have thanksgiving. it was nice and calm. the most strange thing that happened was my dad watching american football. me, him, and ron watched the Texans game. #strangethanksgiving but it was nice. we went back home and spent the rest of the night chillaxing. I spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with my parents and it was a lot of fun.

las hermanas came over for dinner! one of them was from new zealand #win

 Monday (11/26) I was able to meet with my boss, Addy, and talk about my project. I came here really not even knowing what my project was going to be. I had a general one-liner description, but that was it. He's super nice and cool. I was happy to get started working. We literally had about 4 hours of conference calling that afternoon. It was crazy. I had my first meeting after work with a personal trainer to get fit. I went out with my new friend Brittany to Bible study downtown on Wednesday and had nutella crepes at my fav crepe place. that was probably the best part of the week. Sadly, the week went downhill from there as my mid-life crisis depression started worsening.  I almost got to hang out with my scottish high school friend, Calum, but he had to go back to scotland before we made time to see each other #sadday That's right...i said mid-life crisis. Which means, i'll probably die in my late 40's, early 50's. #clairvoyant But seriously. Life was sooo boring and without meaning. I never realized how important it was to have purpose and direction in your life until you are without it. I was bored at work and bored with life. I wasn't sleeping much because all i could think was...oh no...if you go to sleep it starts all over again tomorrow! All I wanted to do was make it through the week so I could go home Friday night.

Finally/Miraculously, Friday (11/30) came around. I got a new rental car with a USB port and a working phone charger part. After work and after the gym, I drove home. And my dad had bought ice cream...Blue Bell ice cream. The magical cure-all. We ate and I talked. He suggested we go walk around the mall. While we were there, I decided to get him so grown-up casual shoes, something my dad has never owned. Luckily, we found something, and they joy of helping others came back into my life. lol. When we got home, i started feeling inspired from our conversations, and I goals started coming into my mind. It was great! It started getting late, and mom insisted that i stay the night. Doneskis. Also, unlike dad previously told me, mom wanted to go to costa rica with me. yay! And i found out that two friends from high school live in Houston and want to hang out! Friends!

Athena reminding me, you're never too old
to climb on kitchen counters :)

Saturday morning (12/1) I booked me and mom's flights to costa rica!!!! We are set. Then I started the drive  to Austin for my sister date with Athena!!! YAY! We had this on the calendar forever. I was so excited. I got there and we went on a walk around the city and had lunch at whole foods. It was really nice. we just chatted and walked together. We got back to her place after a while and watched some alias. #yesplease We then went to pick up her new bike, which is too big, and biked to whole foods to pick up some ingredients for dinner and dessert. At one point, she stopped suddenly and i swerved to miss running into her...however, my foot was not so lucky and hit the basket on the back of her bike. A week later, i still suffer from bruising. lol. it was fun. even if we bought green onions and thought they were chives. hahaha. we biked back, and i did surprisingly well suppressing my fear of the bike going out from underneath me as I make turns (cue flashback to my first and only mountain biking attempt). We went back and I got to watch Athena make us a meal. The dinner part wasn't as good as it looked in the recipe book, but the bread pudding was GREAT! We had a lot of fun before I drove back home. The best part was her advice. I told her about my lack of purpose and drive in life...she suggested a bucket list for 2013; little things i can do over the upcoming year. I'm excited and inspired.

I already have 3 things on my list 

             German class -

                golf lessons -

Tai Chi in the summer -

This past week was much better. I was a busy little bee. sunday (2/2) was good, especially since mom made an English roast and dad made an apple rhubarb crumble. yum yum. Monday was nice, and i had a personal FHE with myself as i went to see the Houston Temple. Tuesday, I had to go back home to pick up something from the dentist, so i spend the whole evening at home, and it was super fun. saryah is determined i need an expensive adult purse. personally....i would rather spend my money on travelling than on expensive personal items. but i should try to do better. As Kevin reminded me so kindly on Wednesday morning...YOLO!!!!!!! I've been planning the trip to Costa Rica all week and trust me....it's going to be Legen-wait for it-dary! That's right guys. I have even booked our surf lesson for Christmas morning. I'm going to spend Christmas surfing the waves in Costa Rica. I. Cant. Wait. I'm also looking into repelling in waterfalls. traveling to from Monteverde to Arenal on horseback. It's going to be adventure filled. If this doesn't break up the monotony of my life....i dont know what will. A couple times this week, i feel like im channeling Dena, who is my super adventurous, outdoorsy, super hott friend. aka...she's me, but adventurous and a red-head :) Life is looking up. I'm feeling more inspired and goal-oriented. I once again, I have direction in my life...and that makes me happy.

A Quote from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland: 
Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to
Alice: I don't much care where.
The Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.
Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.
The Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.

Happier Than A Bodybuilder Directing Traffic

Sometimes at work you got to keep things interesting. This is a convo Lindsay and I had on work I.M. after I left a little Post-It note on her desk (can i tell you how much i like IMing people i work with? it's awesome. super convenient too because if you just have a simple question, IM someone...you dont even have to loose time getting up and walking over there)
Lindsay : lol. did you leave #stalkeralert??
Natasha: no.
   ◄       that's weird
   ◄       maybe you have a stalker
Lindsay: hahaha it is SOOOO your hand writing
Natasha: rofl.
◄         tricked you!
Lindsay: haha you stalker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Natasha: SOOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cody, Rachel & I decided I'm channelling Snow
White with my dark hair and red lips. #legit

Last Friday (9/28), I was planning on seeing Pippin in Kansas City...until I started reading reviews and realizing the plot line might not be 100% appropriate. So I went to work looking up other stuff to do. I found two acceptable options. 1. See a community play production of Annie. 2. See Boys Like Girls in concert for only $20. Both were good options, but i'm a sucker for the theatre. So Rachel, Cody, and I got dolled up to go to Columbia, MO to eat. We were planning on going to a nice little jazz restaurant ..but we left a little too late. So we managed to get to the theatre with 15 minutes to spare, and since there were some reservations that didn't show up, we got tickets. The best actress award goes to the perfectly ridiculous evil orphan keeper, Miss Hannigan was. However, I think the best part of the night was the end...when the whole audience joined in with the cast to sing "Tomorrow", so I got to belt out the song with my new friends. It was legendary! Then we met up with Cody's sister and her friends to get some frozen yogurt (yuck). But it was nice. We ended up getting back to Sedalia at 1-ish. I felt like a bad influence keeping them out so late :)

Saturday (9/29), I was planning on going with Sage to Kansas City to meet up with Lindsay & her boyfriend, Alex, who came in for the weekend to visit. However, I couldn't get a hold of Sage, so I didn't want to leave without her. So I turned on my computer only to discover that Alias had come to Netflix. #dreamcometrue So i sat on my couch relaxing and watching Alias. By the time I decided I wanted to do something, it was too late to go to Kansas City, so I continued watching Alias :) Then Sage responded. She had slept in. lol. We decided to make plans to meet up with Alex and Lindsay at DQ that night. It was a lot of fun. Alex is a cool guy and super nice. He surprised Lindsay with a couple's massage #lucky I told him if he ever wanted to give surprise me with a massage, I would love one :) lol.  Afterwards, Sage came over, and I introduced her to Scandal. I know, right? We stayed up till 3:30am watching Scandal. SOOOO GOOD! Then I had to get some sleep for church.

I got a calling at church. Gospel Principle's teacher. aka my fav calling EVER! I'm super excited. Church was good, but I was a tired. I had trouble getting to sleep that night because my throat was hurting too. But Monday morning (Oct 1st), I woke up feeling terrible, especially at 4:30am in order to get to work by 5am. Why was I going to work so early? Inventory week. If it wasn't inventory week, I would have called in sick because I felt terrible, but I went in anyways. What is Inventory Week, the first week in October in the Sedalia facility, we do a physical count of all the inventory in our factory for an audit to check that the computer is correct and to account for lost or misplaced inventory. Our area "misplaced" about 125 motors...really, it was just shipped to China, but that information got lost a few weeks ago. But it was a great time to really get to know the guys in my area. There are about six total who work on a regular basis in my area. We bonded. The first day, we finished counting out area. Seriously. 2.5 more days of sitting around. So we talked a lot. I learned a lot from them too. I learned:

• how to cook raccoon meat. you got to boil it first. then bake it with lots of bbq sauce.
• turtle meat is tough like goat
• what Noodling Catfish is
• there is a man called Turtleman with a tv show called Call of the Wildman (which is supposedly amusing, more because of what the two main guys say more than what they do) who likes to catch wild animals with his barehands.

Basically, lots of good things. Tuesday morning, the company brought in some Papa Jake's donuts....SOOOO GOOD! At one point, I was up at my desk and Sage messages me to tell me I'm in trouble because I came in a little late. (aka, Sage took me to work because I didn't have to come in till 7am and Lindsay had to be in at 5 again). She looked all serious and I started freaking out. Then she told me it was a joke. #trickysage
And speaking about being tricky, another guy came into my area while we were sitting around bonding. He asked me who I was, and me and the guys were just talking about how I did welding in high school, so i responded, "the new welder". He looked at me like i was kidding and asked one of the guys, "is she really?" and one of the guys said, "yeah, she's really good." lol. #practicaljokesatwork

While I was down there, one of the guys from Lindsay's area found me to tell me more info about the dodgeball league they're having. I told them I couldn't this Wednesday because of the Presidential debates. He looked at me and said "you're a nerd, aren't you?" it normally takes people a little longer to figure that out, but i responded positively :) I told him how I wanted to make cupcakes and have a little party. The debates were hysterical. Cody let me borrow her food dye. I had a little trouble getting the red to look red...it looked pink #sadday but I continued. Marjin said my cupcakes look like they're Israeli. The actual cupcake is supposed to be red, white, & blue. but either way....im super impressed, and i did the little icing decorating with a little plastic snack baggie that i bit a hole into a corner. (new item on my Christmas Wish List: icing tips)

The rest of the week I was still sick but slowly improving. As soon as I left work on Thursday to start my 3-day weekend/holiday, I donned my awesome red lip gloss and began the long drive to Kansas City. It was cold so I got a hot chocolate as soon as I arrived, and of course spilled on myself shortly after. With my sinuses all out of whack, I still managed to survive a flight to Salt Lake City on Thursday night. I caught my shuttle to Elo's house, and managed to stay up to socialize for a bit, as the exhausting week was slowly catching up to me.

lo mejor!

Friday (10/5), I woke up and read a bit from my NOOK, and eventually one of the 9 roommates, suggested we watch some ALIAS! It's like she knows my soul already! I found Elo, and since I was bored being inside, I put on my super cute blazer and headed into town with my phone's GPS as my guide. First stop...Starbucks. I was going to get a hot chocolate...but then decided to go for the healthy choice of Orange Juice and some banana bread for my breakfast (at noonish...did i mention i hadn't eaten all morning?) After boosting my blood sugar and attacking my body with Vitamin C, I decided I must have some retail therapy because I work too much. I hit up H&M first. The closest thing to Europe I have in my life. Then I learned in Banana Republic that the colors for fashion are maroon and dark yellow. #learnsomethingneweveryday Elo joined my shopping excursion and we shopped all afternoon, until we had to go back to the house for the reunion. I changed from my skinny jeans to my pencil shirt and voilá, I was ready. #lowmaintenanceattimes We took the traks down to Murray and walked to the Mexican restaurant I made reservations at for all the hermanas to meet up before the reunion and eat. It was awesome to see everyone. Even Katie came up to see me, even though she didn't stay for the reunion. woohoo. The reunion was WEIRD! I couldn't handle seeing everyone in normal clothes and hugging each other. my brain was on overload. But it was nice to see my mission brothers and sisters. And of course my mission mom and dad, President and Sister Bunker. aka my heros. PBunk was in a baby blue sweater. it was great. he looked so un-intimidating. jajaja. Elo and I got to go home with Pam & Trey (the newly weds) after picking up Melissa. We drove and went to bed as soon as we got there. I was exhausted. too much socializing.

Saturday, the first day of Conference, BLEW MY MIND! First off, it was Pam & Trey, Bonnie (pam's sister), Elo, Melissa (a girl we taught in Cali who now is going to LDSBC) and me watching conference together. The prophet made an awesome announcement. LDS guys can now go on missions after they graduate high school at age 18. And girls can leave at 19 years old. Effective immediately. Do you know how many people are now eligible to go on missions now?!?!?! OH MY GOODNESS! We were all so excited. Emotions were running high. texts were being sent out. facebook statuses were being updated. trust me. in the mormon world, this is life changing. HUGE! Plus, telling that to 4 returned missionaries, one convert of these returned missionaries, and a girl who wrote all 4 missionaries while they were on the mission...it was a room of joy and excitement. The rest of the day was anticlimactic. Can you really top an announcement like that? No. But the rest of General Conference was amazing as usual. It's such a blessing to have a living prophet on the earth who is able to lead and guide Christ's church, and of course, the apostles are also equally inspiring. I am so grateful for the hand of God in directing their words and their actions. For lunch, we ate yummy pizza. YUM. After conference, we had girl time and watched Hairspray, and then went for Indian food. Melissa didn't like it too much. her chicken was green, which freaked her out.

Sunday was amazing. My fav talk was Elder Holland's talk. He gave this talk before but to missionaries, so this time it was a little different, but the message was the same. He spoke of if we love Christ, we will feed his sheep (John 21:17).  Sister Bunker shared this with us as missionaries a little before the end of my mission. I love how Elder Holland doesn't hold back. He speaks to the world as an apostle of God, and he doesn't sugar coat things.

He testifies, and the Holy Ghost confirms to me that what he's saying is true, as it does whenever the prophet and apostles of Jesus Christ speak. I think of the prophets of old, in the Bible, how grateful I am to them for writing down the words of God. I am grateful for the modern day revelation that goes on today and the knowledge I have that God spoke to his prophets of old and he speaks to his prophet on the earth today, Thomas S. Monson.

After conference, I caught a plane ride back to Kansas City. When I arrived back to Kansas City, I picked up my beautiful Jeep Liberty and was waiting in line to get out of the lot, when one of my jams came on. Taylor Swift's "We're Never Ever Getting Back Together". So of course, I was dancing in my seat. When it was my turn, the guy asked me, "what are you rocking out to?" I responded joyfully, "taylor swift". He looked at me and said "really?" "haha. yes. really." I recommended he do it too next time he was in the car. He laughed and let me go on, and i laughed at how silly i am sometimes.

funniest thing Sage IMed to me on Tuesday 9 October:

just so you know...if there were any more than two people to be friends with here...I would totes ditch you.

jk :)
(..maybe) my response:

how could you ever resist being my friend?!?!?!?! 

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

I was picked up at the airport Thursday night (Aug 30th) by my big bro. Best broseph ever! because it was pretty much midnight. He drove me home; when we arrived, we went straight to my lil sis' room, sat on her bed and just hung out for a while chatting because we haven't been together for months! It was then bedtime, so I went to my room...only to realize that I was not tired and so I watched Netflix! It was awesome, and then my mom snuck into my room before work and we got to chat it up! Coolest mom ever. Then Dad woke up shortly later and we hung out for a bit. Then we woke up my brother and sister and we rodetripped upto the BLUEBELL CREAMERY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best family trip. We drove up and had a tour. at the end of the tour you get as many samples as you want and then a GIANT cup of ice cream of the flavor of your choice. I highly recommend everyone going to check it out :)

I then got reunited with my good friend Netflix and we had a good time together watching, The Glades. Awesome. Until I fell asleep and ended up sleeping about 12 hours. I woke up. I looked at my watch to see it was 6 o'clock. I went out of my room and my parents were awake. I felt super disoriented and had to clarify if it was Friday night or Saturday morning. They told me it was Saturday morning. The jetlag is messing with my mind!

mom at work

Saturday was mom's day. we went to get mani/pedis. mom, me, and my brother went to get her a iPhone 4S. my mom officially has the coolest phone out of everyone in my family. truth.  we got sweets and partied it up. The entire day dad was at home bbq-ing. Athena and Jay showed up. It was so fun. Cool big sister alert! Jay and I got to cook together...aka...he cut up some sweet potatoes and i cut some veggies to saute. It was a great bonding experience. Then Jax and Davey showed up. The party was really getting started. Then stevie and sonja showed up with the kids! It was awesome cuz i hadn't actually seen the little one because she was born while i was on the mission. yay! it was an awesome family get-together. we seriously had too much fun. it should be illegal how much fun we had.  Everyone eventually left and mom, dad, saryah, and i decided to watch The Hunger Games! then Hollister decided to visit, so i left the movie to talk with her. it was sooo nice catching up. bffs are great.

 Sunday was relaxing. Church was lovely. The day was super relaxing. Monday was Labor Day and we got to party it up at home and I got to run some errands that I've been wanting to do since I got back to the states. Tuesday, I took mom to work and got to help with her classroom. it was so cute. my mom is adorable! I got a haircut before heading off to the airport and flying to Kansas City. (which is not in Kansas). I finally got to use my Nook, which was exciting. The guy who sat next to my on the airport was super bro. He was like a 40 year-old frat boy. He told me stories a lot of very interesting stories. I just smiled and nodded, feeling bad for his sad life choices. Nevertheless, he was entertaining. I then waited after getting my luggage for Lindsay's flight to get in. We met up and it was weird that we haven't been together for so long. We hoped on the bus to take us to the rental vehicles. We were told we might not get the Jeep Liberty because they needed to do some general maintenance. My response? Give me Liberty or give me Death! We got the Liberty, after having to wander around the lot clicking the key button trying to find the car. We started driving and had to stop shortly after because we were starving and Lindsay LOVES Wendy's. She got her food quickly but they had to make mine...then the guy forgot to give me my food. So I had to go and get it later. The guy felt bad and offered me a frosty, i said "make it two", so Lindsay and I got free Frosties. WIN! We got into Sedalia around 9pm. We went to Lindsay's place first...and there was no key for her to get in. I went to my place and there was no key box either. We went to the front office and no one was there. We called the number, left a message and then went to the Holiday Inn to have a place to sleep.  They were booked up for the night. We were about to go to a different hotel, but then the apartment manager called us back. Apologized. and promised someone will be there to let us into our place. We got in and I went to Walmart to get some hangers and stuff for breakfast tomorrow.

Wednesday and Thurdsay was full of LEAN and KANBAN training and afternoons were filled with going to Walmart for things we don't have, food, and watching cable. I haven't had cable since 2008! It's quite a treat! We also made a friend. Her name is Sage and she's a vegetarian and from St. Louis! I didn't make that up. So friday, we had a girls night into Columbia (where Mizzu is) to see Batman (because Lindsay still hadn't seen it) and have some dinner. It was a nice night out.

Slacklining = legendary

Saturday was a day to sleep in and the afternoon we went out with Sage and did some slacklining!!!!!! I only just heard about it when I was in Germany...and now people know about it in Missouri! Crazy. WE spend lots of time doing it and by the time we were over....I could get up on my own and take a step. It was magical. I felt so accomplished.

Sunday I went to the family ward in the morning and the single's branch. it was a long day but very uplifting. Tuesday was Taco Tuesday....so we went there for lunch. believe it or not, the crispy tacos were yummy. I was quite happy. Wednesday was not so great. I was feeling sick and nauseous all day. Kim from work told me I looked pale. I went home and went to bed early. I woke up to Lindsay calling saying she's been sick all morning, so she called us in sick and i proceeded to sleep for 14 hours straight. I do remember solving a murder mystery in my dreams. So even when I'm sick I'm productive. It's moments like this when I wish that I lived at home so someone to take care of me! So I cuddled in a blanket and watch a marathon of The Mentalist on TNT. Love cable. As long at I'm not standing up I don't feel too bad. i hate being sick. it's such a waste of time. My personal theory is that when i'm super busy, my body has no time to get sick, but as soon as life slows down, my body is catching up with me. Life in Missouri is definitely different than I'm used to. Putting a city girl in a small town. But it's nice to slow down for a little bit. I think the saddest part was on Sunday when a lady asked me if I was dating someone and I said no and she said, "well, you probably wont find anyone out here". Sad.

ps. i just had to order exercise shoes online because there is no where to get them around here and shoe shopping for running shoes on the weekend isn't my idea of fun. 

Prepping for Work

I just got back from New Zealand, and I've been getting ready for work this week.

Monday: Woke up after maybe 5 hours of sleep to see off Uncle John and Grandma. Due to the lack of sleep and stress of all the work paperwork I was doing, I was pretty crabby most of the day. Went shopping with James at West Oaks and The Galleria. He left me after about 2 hours. Best news: Express dress pants fit me like they were made for me. The funny part is: I have to wear the petites, so it makes me feel super dainty :)

Tuesday: Got to sleep 13 hours. Glorious. However, in the first 9 hours I was awake, I was shopping for about 7 of them. Spent the day at Katy Mills Mall. Had someone told me there was an Express there, I wouldn't have gone to West Oaks yesterday. Got a suit. Super classy. Shout out to Banana Republic because they are my work brand with Express. Other pants that fit me well. I just have to have mom hem the pants. They're too long. But it's okay. It is sooo hard to find pants that fit. True story. And I had a 50% of coupon for NY Company, but didn't find anything. Lame.

Wednesday: I was still shopping and making sure I had everything. I was soooo exhausted. I could barely move by the afternoon. We were going to go up to San Antonio, but it didn't work out because I still had so much to do and I was too tired to go to San Antonio. It was sad.

Thursday: more organizing. I'm doing a lot of donation boxes. It's kinda ridiculous how much crap I have. Even with all the boxes of stuff out of my room. It barely made a dent. I want to become a minimalist, but everything i have has a purpose. How can you choose?

Friday: It was Jamsie's birthday. We went to Coco's for brunch. It was soooo yummy. and it was nice to see my bro. Then I fell asleep on the way home, and continued to nap the entire day away. I was in intense denial about the whole moving thing. So instead, I went to Barnes and Noble to read a book. It was lovely. Then I locked myself inside the house because I was home alone for the night. Then when mom and dad did come home, mom was messing with the doorknob, so i thought someone was breaking in. I'm such a paranoid person!

Saturday: Woke up and went to CityCentre to have brunch with Nay. It was awesome!!! It's funny because we haven't seen each other in literally...years. But it was like no time had passed at all. It was awesome. I think it's because Nay is so chillax; she thinks its because we know so much about each other that it's hard to not get along. Lol. Then I went home and packed for hours. HOURS!!!! I showed mom and dad NZ pics and then went over to Hollister's and we painted toes and caught up. I went home to finish up some packing and the freak-out set in. Anxiety and Nerves. Bah humbug.

Hoy/Sunday: I barely slept last night. Woke up at 5:30. Sooo early. but mom took me to the airport. My freakout was still there but not so much. Got to Kansas City and met with Jon, one of my co-workers. we chatted the whole way to work and it was really nice. He's from Michigan and he's such a gentleman. It was cool cuz we had the same kind of questions, and we were both nervous. I'm glad that we just got along so i have a little friend. And he as a girlfriend and he just says the sweetest things about her. it was ADORABLE! Anyways, im sitting in my hotel.

First day of work tomorrow. Eep!!!

"Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

To be honest, my mind has been blown and my heart is full of awe and love. Really, I feel unworthy of how amazing my Heavenly Father has been to me. Seriously. I feel like he is just giving me things and giving me things and I think my friend, Ben, said it best when he quoted Malachi 3:10, when the Lord says, "Prove me now herewith...if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." At times, I feel uncomfortable when people give me gifts of compliments, so I don't know how to react right now. Let me explain...

1. I have been given this dream job, where I was told a few weeks ago that during the first year of employment, I would be sent to live in Missouri, Italy, Brazil, and China. I know, right? I'm still waiting for them to call me back and yell "Gottcha!" (Yes. Being offered a chance to travel the world is exciting, and I cannot wait for the many adventures that await. But I'm still looking forward to settling down in a year to more permanent location)
2. I went to visit my mission this past week. Words cannot describe how amazing that was. Literally. I'm not even going to try right now. All I can really verbalize is it was exactly what I needed and wanted. I love the people of Northern California. 
3. I got a call from my boss yesterday and he say, "Natasha, there is this great project going on and I want you to be a part of it. We're going to have to change your plan around. I want you to not go to Missouri right now, but go to the UK and the Czech Republic." It was a little funny, because I got an email from him earlier to call him when I have time, and my immediate thought was, "Oh no. What did I do?" Silly me. I didn't do anything. So when I heard the news, I was so excited; I couldn't believe it. So now, I'm going to be sent to England for a bit and then the Czech Republic and then to Missouri. Seria una fiesta.
4. I walked into institute 5 minutes late and sat down between two people I haven't really talked to before. Then I hear a girl behind me announce that she is from Sacramento, so I turned to say that I served in Woodland. When I turned around, the girl looked really familiar. I realized that I was looking at Jessica, a girl I knew when I was 16 for one week and have had of-and-on communication with over the past decade(ish). After class we just hugged and I was super excited. She invited me to go to lunch with her and her brother, and we just headed off into the sunset. (hyperbole. it was around 3pm.) So I went over to hang out with her for a few hours. It's amazing how after around 7-8 years of not seeing each other, it was as if no time had passed. It was a real life Alma and the sons of Mosiah experience. It was really to my astonishment, I met Jessica...and I did rejoice exceedinglye to see her, and what added more to my joy, she was still my sister in the Lord (see Alma 17:1-2). She's amazing and wonderful. We shared mission stories and life stories, and it was a great reunion.

Really. I feel so spoiled with how much the Lord is opening the windows of heaven and pouring out blessings. I am so happy right now, even if I still have 40 pages of textbook reading to do tonight, along with some PowerPoint slides I need to create and an essay to edit. I am so happy right now.