Frustration!

A note to my roommate's stupid boyfriend:

1. Don't come over.
2. Don't spray your nasty cologne in my room.
3. My bedtime is eight o'clock, unless I stay up to talk to Tony. Either way, please leave by six .
4. Don't make-out with my roommate when I'm around.
5. It's not cool to take a nap in her bed while she's in class. You snore.
6. You're not as smart as you think you are.
7. Red roses in coke bottles aren't romantic.
8. She just called you adorkable. That's freaking hilarious.
9. Don't ask me how the wedding plans are going. I don't want to talk to you.
10. I'm not really as mean as I sound. You just frustrate me.

That's all...for now...

Unisex Names

So on Sunday, in Relief Society, they had us sit together in our visiting teaching districts. I was really excited because I finally had a companion and sisters to go visit and I wanted to meet them. Well...lucky me...my companion wasn't there and neither were the sisters I'm assigned to visit. So, today (Monday) I text my companion. Her name is Ganes. I said, "Hey! My name is Jeri Lin and I'm your visiting teaching companion. Just wanted to check in!" Next I prayed that she'd text me back...

A few hours later...

"Hey Jeri, I think you might have the wrong number...Maybe??"

"Is this Ganes?"

"Yep! But I think there might have been a mistake somewhere??? I'm actually guy and I'm normally a home teaching companion..."

"Oh wow. I'll let someone know. Sorry about that."

"Oh the joys of having a unique, unisex name..."


Poor Ganes...

My Family Blog

Tony and I started a family blog. Check it out at http://eternallybrown.blogspot.com/

In-laws

This past Friday I skipped class and jumped on a plane heading for Texas. Let's just say it was a wonderful weekend...

First thing I got when I flew into Dallas was a big hug and a kiss from my sweetheart. Next thing I did was meet my mother-in-law. I was really nervous about her but she's a sweet lady. She's fiesty, sure enough, but I think she and I will be really good friends. When we got to the house I met my father-in-law. He gave me a big hug. That's what I've always pictured in my head...a father-in-law who gives me big hugs.

We spent the weekend watching conference and talking and just getting to know each other. I got to be with my Tony, too. I needed that. Only a few more days until I get to see him again!!

One of my favorite memories was dinner Friday night. We're sitting there eating and chatting and all of a sudden his mom says, "You two are crazy!" She's right, I think. We're absolutely crazy.

Texas was beautiful. They thought I was funny when we walked out the front door and I said, "Wow! Trees!" They were kinda bummed when we didn't get to go on a bike ride Saturday evening because it began to rain. "It's not supposed to rain when Jeri Lin's here!" his mom said. "Yes it is!" was my retort. I love the rain.

So...most people have horror stories from when they met their in-laws for the first time. I don't. I couldn't have asked for better in-laws. I'm sad Whitney and Kemp (Tony's sister and brother-in-law) couldn't be there but I already know they're awesome too. I'm so lucky! Two spectacular families!!

EVER AFTER

Once upon a time there was a beautiful, young princess. She always dreamed that one day her prince would come and then, one day, he did! And they both lived happily ever after...

Yeah, yeah, yeah...but do fairy tales really come true?

I always dreamed that one day my prince would come. Sure...I had other dreams...go to college...be an EFY counselor...you know...things you do while the prince goes off on his mission...

I joked about going off to EFY this year and being older than everybody but the counselors. "I'm gonna go snitch myself a counselor" I'd say. "Yeah, right!" was what I was really thinkin. Counselors don't marry participants...that just doesn't happen...like EVER!

It's kinda crazy when I sit back and think about how I ended up in Nauvoo when I did. Nauvoo has always been one of my favorite places. Every year when it was time to sign up for EFY I thought about going to Nauvoo, but I always pushed the thought aside because of the extra cost. If I had gone earlier on I probably wouldn't have gone this year. It's kinda one of those once in a lifetime things. So, sign-up for EFY 2009 rolled around...I was going to go with one of my best friends here in Arizona. We were gonna have a blast. Well...I ditched her. Haha. I knew this would be my last chance and I was going to Nauvoo no matter what. And you know that Flinn scholarship? The one I wanted so bad? If I'd gotten it, I probably wouldn't have ended up in Nauvoo. I think their annual Flinn Scholar Retreat was that same week. Mom always told me there was a reason I didn't get it--that the Lord had something else in mind. I'm starting to believe that she was right...

So there I was, in Nauvoo, Illinois, one of the most beautiful places on earth. (I've told you all about it in a previous blog.) Anyways...Nauvoo is where I met my very best friend. People ask me, "Did you go weak in the knees when you saw him? Was it love at first sight?" Well...that's how it works in fairy tales, but no. Tony Brown just became one of my very best friends (later on I decided I wanted to make him my best friend forever). We spent hours just talking about this and that. He had so much knowledge. I could ask him a million questions about church history or gospel principles and he always had an answer. He taught me about the temple. That was important to me. And, yes, I had a crush on him, but I pushed it aside because he was my counselor and I was a participant. Besides, you can tell how he feels when he keeps saying, "I'm so sick of all these girls that are moving into the singles' ward. They're all like ten years younger than me!" So, we left EFY friends. Nothing more...

We kept in contact through facebook. He kinda threw me for a loop when he started saying things like, "If only you were five years older..." What the heck?! He admits that while I was at EFY I was too young, but now that I'm in college I'm not. "Wow! I grew up real fast" was my response. Some people don't like the idea that he's 29 and I'm 18. All I have to say is, "Get over it!" Sure it was a little weird at first, for both of us, but the more we got to know each other, the less we noticed the age difference. I'm happy. Nothing anybody says is going to change that. As far as he goes...give him a weird look and he'll just say, "Hey! Her mom's okay with it!"

He came to visit for a weekend. It was so great. We walked around the temple grounds on Saturday and then went to the D-backs game that night. He had a chance to meet my family and some of my friends. We celebrated his and Brooke's birthdays on Sunday. We talked very seriously about marriage that weekend. I'm not going to lie. I had a panic attack. Sure we had talked about it before, but this was for real now. Luckily, it didn't last long. We both got our answers and we've moved forward with no hesitation. 93 days!

So...back to the initial question. Do fairy tales come true? They do--there's no doubt about it--but they aren't always like the fairy tales you read about in books. I found my Prince Charming. He's taking me to the temple. He's going to be mine for time and all eternity. Ever after can't get any happier than that!

Tony

I guess a lot of you have heard about this guy named Tony Brown but you probably haven't seen him yet! Here's a picture (one of the only ones we took) from when he came to visit a couple weekends ago...

January 2nd! Save the date!

Yikes!!

Life's kinda crazy. I'm halfway through my first week of college. Yuck! Lots of reading. Lots of commuting. Good food. The roommate is growing on me. There's that handsome guy in Texas. Seventeen days. Don't know what else there is to say. Just lovin' life.

The DORM

I'm moved out! I'm on my own! I love it and I hate it...

EFY 2009-Nauvoo

This year was my last year at EFY. I'm old now, so the only way I could go again is if I go as a counselor. I'm not opposed to that idea. Actually, I really like that idea. Anyways...

This year I went to EFY in Nauvoo. It was the best week of my entire life. Not only because I met some amazing people and had a great time, but also because, in the words of my counselor, I had a spiritual overload.

We started out the day reading our scritures out in front of the temple. I just kept thinking, "Wow! The early saints probably did this very same thing" or "Brother Joseph walked these very streets." Every day was packed full with morningsides, classes, and fun.

On Wednesday we got to go to Old Nauvoo. We went to the brick yard, the blacksmith, the Smith family cemetery, etc. After that we got to do baptisms for the dead. I had done them in the Nauvoo temple before but I had forgot how beautiful it was. I was able to see the spiral staircase (beautiful) and the assembly hall (I could only look in from the door because you have to have the express permission of the First Presidency to enter). More important than the physical beauty, was the spiritual peace I felt inside. I love the temple.

After the temple we were able to go watch "Sunset on the Mississippi," a show put on by the missionaries. It was a lot of fun, complete with fiddlers and dancers and singers and such. I loved it. Directly following this show, Vocal Point, BYU's a capella group, put on their show. I fell in love. If you ever have the chance to go, GO!

Thursday was also a great day. We started out by going to the Nauvoo Cemetery. Here, there are literally hundreds of graves, mostly young children. It is a very sacred spot. It was a nice place to sit down and read D&C 137.

On the way from the cemetery to Carthage I read D&C 135, which is John Taylor's account of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. I loved Carthage. We got to watch a movie on Joseph Smith and then we toured the jail. I felt the Spirit very strongly while I was there.

Thursday was also the musical program and testimony meeting. I always love that night. I love hearing the testimonies of others. The youth of today are very strong.

Friday was a great last day for a great week. We split into young men and young women and had a meeting with the session director and got to see the Joseph Smith video in the Visitor's Center. After that we had the variety show, which is always fun. Our counselor Tony walked us down to the Red Brick Store for a root beer during free time. We had a blast. Friday night had a grand finale of THE DANCE. The best part was when Tony and I two-stepped. I hate how most guys these days don't really know how to dance. Tony did. :) After the dance we had one last fireside and a special testimony meeting with just our "family." I'm so glad I went to EFY in Nauvoo. My testimony was strengthened immensely. You can't put a price on a testimony.

P.S. I did mention my counselor Tony. I guess he wasn't "my" counselor. He was the guy counselor in our family, but Tony and I really hit it off. He is STUPENDOUS! He has great insights into the gospel and tons of stories from church history. I picked his brain all week. I think the rest of my group thought the two of us were crazy because we spent so much time talking, but when I find a friend as good as him, I don't take them for granted. :)

Florida

Well, it's been a few weeks, but I better tell you all about my trip to Florida. I had a blast, all things considered. I did want to kill the boys by the end of the week, but that was to be expected. I had a blast going to Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Blizzard Beach (a water park), and Cocoa Beach. Disneyland outrates Disneyworld any day, although I did enjoy the world showcase at Epcot, which you don't get at Disneyland...


We had tons of fun at the airport...as you can tell...

I love Cinderella's castle...

Yes, they were a little bit more than I could handle...this was the first day...

There's nothing better than a good crab shack...at least for these boys...

Getting sick on the teacups. Eating crumb cake in Germany. Tons of fun.

Summer

The word "summer" has a whole new meaning this "summer." I'm loving it, but this is different from every other summer I've had. I'm working a ton, which is good, and I love my job (most of the time). When I get home I try to take a quick nap, go to the gym, and/or accomplish something important. I've been going to YSA activities and institute and I love them both. I have so much fun. I can't wait to go to ASU where I'll be in a student ward and where institute is more than just the "fresh out of high school" kids, sprinkled with a few others.

All of the real fun stuff is happening at the end of the summer for me. On July 25 (two weeks from tomorrow!!!) my three besties and I, along with my mom and dad, will be off to the hot and humid state of Florida. We're doing Disneyworld, Universal Studios, the beach, shopping, the whole deal. I can't wait. It's going to be a blast.

Then, I have a week back in the office, BUT THEN...

I'm going to go to EFY in NAUVOO! I'm so excited because I love EFY and I love Nauvoo so it'll be like double goodness! I'm nervous about flying in by myself and all that, but it'll be good for me, at least that's what I'm telling myself.

The week after I get back, I MOVE OUT! Can you believe it? Classes start that next week. Sheesh! Summer sure has flown by.

Best Friend

Everyone needs that best friend who makes life just a little bit better, a little more exciting, a little bit happier. I love that best friend...

The GRAND CANYON

Looking back, I can't believe I was standing there at 4 o'clock in the morning actually EXCITED to GO HIKE A CANYON, but sure enough. There I am.




It was a beautiful day at the Canyon. We were a little worried about the rain, but it only rained at the top of both rims. Down in the Canyon was wonderful. It was probably 80 degrees instead of 100+. That was an answer to prayers. You can see how the clouds were sitting right down on top of the Canyon. If it was possible, it would have rained up!




There's a certain feeling you get when you're down there. It's gorgeous. You can't hear anything but the world around you. It really gives you a chance to stop and think about life...at least for a little while. At a certain point all you can think of is, "When is this ever going to end?!"


I love hiking, but I took it to the extreme this time. 21 miles in less than 11 hours! I wish I was kidding you. At one point my mom said, "Well, we're as sore as we're gonna get." She was very very wrong.

There were spots when I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I did. I'll never hike Rim to Rim again. At least that's what I say now. Time has a way of making you forget. Then again, I don't think I can forget not being able to get out of bed the next morning. The next two days were worse than the first when it comes to being stiff and sore.

Everything taken into account, I'm glad I did it. I had a great time. I accomplished something not many can say they've done. Go hike a canyon!

The big day!

GRADUATION! The day you think will never come! It came!

I was so bored the day of. I had nothing to do. Hayden and I played two games of Wii Boxing and he knocked me out both times. Haha! But, finally, it was time to get ready. That's when the nerves set in. I couldn't believe I was going to get up in front of 4,000 people and give a speech. Dad gave me a priesthood blessing and said countless prayers but I was sick to my stomach and crying. I ate three chocolate chip cookies and half of a Jamba Juice beforehand. Once I got to ASU I calmed down. I got up on stage and gave that speech and I wasn't the least bit nervous either! For those of you who couldn't make it, we're ordering a recording of it. We'll have to watch it some time.

Here are some pictures!

That's me! Really small, but that's me. At the podium giving a rockin' speech!

Me and my family, minus Teonna, Rocki, and their kids. They left after the speech because there's only so much the little ones can handle.

Me and Mom and Dad.

Me and some of my fellow goofy graduates, Trent, Summer, and Josh.

Me and my new best friend Tanner and Trent.

I'm done!

In a nutshell...

I guess it's about time I updated all y'all, so here goes...

I'm most likely going to be attending ASU this coming fall, even though I'm enrolled at NAU. The recruiters have been doing there best to get me there. They're offering a lot more money, and initially, that's what got me to even THINK about ASU but I think I can be happy there. I got into the honors college and their institute program is awesome. A lady in my ward said that she ran crying to the institute building almost every day because ASU was such a culture shock for her. I'll probably be the same way...

Graduation is THIS WEDNESDAY! I'm so excited to be done but I'm starting to get a little nervous about delivering my speech! There are going to be so many people there...

I have been called to be a SUNBEAM teacher. I'm super excited. Today was supposed to be my first day but I have to go to baccalaureate at the same time. I'm really excited to be out of young women. It was time. I was getting old...

Kristi and I went on a triple blind date last Friday. She came into town and I set her up with my best friend Trent. Trent set me up with a kid named Greg and he set my best friend BreAnna up with a kid named Tanner. We had a lot of fun. We played the longest game of UNO ever and went to dinner and then played crazy games like NINJA! Speaking of NINJA, that group of ours (minus Kristi) got together again last night for BreAnna's 18th birthday and we played NINJA in the bounce house with glow sticks. I have never laughed so hard in my entire life...

BreAnna is my best friend ever. It's kinda funny because I'm ridiculously shy when it comes to meeting new people. She took my shyness as me being a snob but somehow we got around that. She's not a member but she's been coming to church quite a bit and she's going to start talking to the missionaries after she visits her mom in Texas this summer. It's been amazing to watch her change over the past couple of months. It's cool to see how the influence of a few good Mormon kids can change someone's life...

Anyways, that's the latest in a nutshell. I love you!

The one and only...

Look! It's me...

...and I'm Valedictorian!

Yes. It's true. I'm the number one smart kid at school...officially! I'm really excited. All my hard work finally paid off.

I get to give a speech at graduation on May 20th. I would love to have all of you come support me. Love you guys...

Northern Arizona University

It's official!

I will be attending Northern Arizona University this coming fall. I had a lot of different options but I really feel good about NAU. I'll have to keep you up to date on everything that's going on...

Sad Day

I did not get the Flinn Scholarship. I'm sad, but I guess this means Heavenly Father has other plans for me. I'll just have to remember that He has a much better perspective than I do...

Our Family Outing

On Saturday we went for an hour long drive to see this store called Cabella's. It turned out to be really cool. We took a few pictures before our camera died...

The children wearing silly hats.

Me, Sydney, Leslie, Brooke, and Hayden...with a real dead elephant.

Keila with lion that's about to be eaten by the zebra.


Bryton with the moose since he loves moosen so much.

And yes, these were all real taxidermified animals that at one point in time walked the earth and these were just a few of our favorites. There are hundreds. Plus they have an aquarium. The fish are boring but the swimming turtles were my favorite. The shooting gallery was a lot of fun too. It was a nice family adventure.

English

This whole English thing is getting a little bit ridiculous. I'm glad I get to spend my spring break writing a paper that I'm not going to get an A on...

Senior Pictures

These are a few of my favorite senior pictures...

Class of 2009!

United Blood Services

On Thursday I decided I wanted to be a hero and donated blood. I did perfectly fine throughout the whole thing. I don't faint at the sight of blood. Fainting because I'm missing 2 liters of blood, though, is a completely different story. So, yes, I passed out after donating blood. I was still sitting, so that's a plus (it's better than falling 6' 5" onto my face like my friend did)...

You'd think that was the worst of it, but no. I felt kinda nauseous the rest of the afternoon. No fun. But it gets worse! On the way to my Flinn finalist dinner I regurgitated all of my orange juice. It was on my WHITE dress and in my hair and, much to my dad's dismay, all over the back seat of the truck. (Yes I'm seventeen years old but what did you expect me to do? We were on the freeway!) A quick trip to Safeway was all we could do. Oxiclean Instant Stain Remover, a brush, and some baby wipes plus the mouth wash my dad had in the truck and I was ready to go to my dinner...

I am NEVER donating blood EVER again.

Banishment

After a whole semester of dealing with Ms. Boule and her stupid English class, I decided to fight back. Never in my existence have I lost patience with a teacher to the point that I did with her. I wrote the essay I was asked to write but I threw a little bit of my opinion into it instead of regurgitating the junk she feeds us. I may have also said that her class was pointless...

She didn't like it that much. I got a D. I shouldn't have gotten a D. I still did the assignment and I did it well. This just proves that English is based off of the opinion of the teacher and nothing else. I also got a stern talking to in the hall. I had to explain to her that I hate her class and the only reason I'm taking it is so that I can be Valedictorian. She didn't like that either...

I guess that's the story behind my banishment to the hall. I sit there every day for the entire class doing an "alternate assignment." In other words I'm redoing seventh grade English. Vocab, reading logs, the whole deal. I don't really have a problem with it. If she thinks she's winning the battle, she's not. I can handle busy work, especially if I don't have to deal with her every day...

Bet you didn't know I could be such a pain, did you?

College

The $13,500 scholarship to Concordia isn't all it's cracked up to be. It doesn't even cover tuition! Stinkin' private universities...

So I guess that narrows things down to BYU or NAU. You all know by now that I want the Flinn SUPER BAD! If I get the Flinn there won't be any question as to where I go. Aside from Flinn, however, NAU looks better and better everyday. I don't remember if I've talked about Campbell Hall yet. It's an all girls' honors dorm (with single rooms, no less, which means having a room all to my lonesome!). The sticky situation I was in is that they require 15 college credits to live there, BUT...

The Honors Director, who I am starting to like very very much, pulled some strings, and they are going to let me live in Campbell. I still have to apply and go through an interview but just as a formality. I'm oober excited about that.

Concordia

Today I was offered admission to Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. I have also been accepted into their nursing program. I received the Premier Presidential Merit Scholarship which is valued at $13,500.

This means I've been accepted to four universities, three of which have offered me generous scholarships. I'm still hoping to get Flinn but if that doesn't work out, I'll have some choices to make...

BYU Scholarship

I got accepted to Brigham Young University and not only accepted but accepted with a full LDS tuition scholarship. That's a pretty big deal. Now all I have to do is talk myself into wanting to go there...

Just Catchin' Up

I haven't posted in a while so here's the latest on Jeri Lin:

1. Mom, Dad, and I are going up to Flagstaff on Monday. I get to meet with the director of the honors program at Northern Arizona University. They're going to try to get me to go to NAU and I'm going to try to get them to allow me to live in Campbell Hall--the all girls honors dorm. As of right now I'm not exactly eligible since I don't have 15 college credits...

2. 100 days until graduation! 40 days until my birthday! 25 days until my Flinn interview!

3. Tomorrow is the DUKE v UNC game. It's one of my favorite days of the entire year. I love basketball...

4. Mom and I are planning a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon two days after graduation. I am so excited. I love spending time with Mom and the beauty of the Grand Canyon makes it all that much better...

5. I finished reading Pride and Prejudice. Beautiful. I see a lot of myself in Elizabeth. Does that mean I'll get someone as wonderful as Mr. Darcy?

6. Economics is not easy and I don't recommend expressing your true opinion with a certain English teacher at DRHS.

I guess that's all. I'm busy. Loving life. Loving you!

Flinn Update

I am one of the 41 finalists for the Flinn Scholarship! Can you believe it?! I can hardly contain myself. For those of you who don't know what this means...

I have another 20 minute interview on March 7th. They choose 20 from the 41 finalists (initially 500 applicants) for the $50,000 scholarship. Happy day! Pray for me!

The Purpose of Daydreams

Life never turns out the way to think it will, the way to want it to, the way it's supposed to. Best friends forever never lasts. Peter Pan isn't going to take me away to Neverland any time soon. You don't get to bring your favorite teacher with you to next year. I probably won't marry a cowboy or live in a castle with so many rooms I would never get sick of exploring...

So then, I pose the question: What are the purpose of daydreams?

EFY

This summer will be my last chance to go to EFY as a participant. I want to make it the very best year. I love EFY. Every time I go the Spirit tells me that I'm supposed to be there. My testimony grows so much while I'm there. I learn more about who I am and how to be better. In this day and age you need all the strength you can get.

My goal this year is to go to the special edition in Nauvoo. I think it would be awesome but it costs more and I have to pay to get out there, but, as a friend reminded me, you can't put a price on gaining a testimony. We'll see what happens...

Next year I'll be a counselor. THAT is exciting!

Another Choice

Ms. Jeri Lin Shinkle:

Congratulations! With great pleasure I offer you admission to the University of Washington Seattle Class of 2013.

Another choice. I hate choices.