Russian Immigrant Rosie

I am a bad friend. On Friday, my dear friend Rosie turned 26. I knew it was her birthday and yet I forgot to call her. Then she called me on Sunday and I STILL forgot to tell her happy birthday. Dearest Rosie, I'm so sorry! Hopefully this post will make up a little for that.

Rosie was my very first roommate at UCSB. We shared a room in our apartment that was so small that it was affectionately named "The Dungeon Room". "The Palace Room" was probably three times the size of the dungeon room, yet Amber, Rosie and I always ended up hanging out in the little room. Rosie has become one of my closest friends. We shared so many things together in the two years we lived together. I wouldn't change those two years for anything. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect roommate. Rosie, I love you!

And now, a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.Our first bonding experience. Rosie took me surfing in the frigid water and then we went for ice cream.

Hike at the top of Lizard's Mouth before my first day of college.

Simply the best Cinderella I've ever seen. Our other roommate Kim made this costume with NO pattern.

What's over there Rosie??

This was a bridesmaid's dress that Amber had to wear. I think it was a size 16. We wanted to see if it could fit both of them and the answer is... yup. I think she should have worn it this way.


Showing off her many talents.

She always has the best Halloween costumes.


Rosie and her husband Jay. I think they had been dating a few months in this picture. Not sure though. They are the cutest married couple you've ever seen.

I had another picture that I really wanted to post that involved a coconut bra, but I don't think that Rosie would approve. Rosie, only because it's your birthday. It's a great picture though. Jay would like it.

Day 20 - Your favorite Christmas tradition

All right, I'm ready to jump back into this...

I know I've talked about it before, but reading A Christmas Carol every year is my absolute favorite thing we do every year.

I also love being in my parents' house every holiday season. My mom is always baking cinnamon rolls for someone, and I'm usually making batches of toffee to give away. I love to bake and make candy, especially at Christmas time.

This past Christmas, my sister Maren and I spent some time at my Grandma Hazen's house and learned how to make her famous caramel. She only makes it at Christmas time and it is sooooo good. It takes a couple hours of constant stirring, but it's definitely worth the time. It was fun to spend the time with my Grandma too.

I have a lot things that I love about Christmas time, but I think I just love spending time with my family.

Toms!

I love Toms. I got my first pair two years ago and have worn them to death. Literally. I think they're dead. My parents came into town last week for my recital and we did a little shopping and I got two new glorious pairs! Pomegranate Corduroy flats and Kenya Stripe wedges. I'm pretty stoked. I guess I need to throw out the old pair...

Survival

I realize I am behind in my 30 day challenge. I needed to take a hiatus for a little while. A lot has happened in the past week and a half, I needed some time to process it all.

Two and a half weeks ago, I found out a dear friend, Christine, who serves in the Young Womens with me was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed around the beginning of April after doctors found a tumor the size of a cantaloupe on her ovary. She had to have a full hysterectomy in order to remove most of the cancer. They got all that they could, and only about 5 mm was left in her body. As a single woman with no children, this was devastating for her. She was in the hospital for two weeks recovering before she was allowed to go home and get strong enough to go through chemo and radiation. I was told all of this information on Wednesday April 20. She went home on April 22 and we told all the girls in young women what was going on on Sunday. On Monday the 25th, a nurse came to her home to check up on her. Her vitals were so bad, that she had to be transported back to the hospital where doctors found that the cancer had spread to her liver and lungs. On Tuesday I received an email saying that if anyone wanted to come see her, they should do so quickly, as the doctors didn't know how much time she had left. All the young women found out about this and wanted to go see her, but it would have been too overwhelming for her. Instead, all the girls sent me a text and asked me to meet them for some frozen yogurt and hugs. Of course they were all devastated with the news of Christine's rapidly deteriorating condition, but it's amazing what a comfort the plan of salvation is. Christine passed away peacefully in the hospital on Wednesday April 27th. I was heartbroken at the news, but honestly I felt a little bit of relief simply because I knew that she didn't have to suffer anymore. She had completed her mission here on Earth and the Lord needed her elsewhere. Christine was 37 years old. She was such a wonderful spirit and she lit up every room she went in. She was obsessed with all things University of Texas related, and she loved princesses. She had quite the impressive collection of tiaras and princess gear. She had recently lost quite a bit of weight (80 pounds!) and was really trying to look for her eternal companion. All the young women decided that her "hot firefighter husband" was waiting for her in heaven. I totally agree with them.

On top of dealing with all that, I had my last two weeks of school ever and all the stress that goes along with that. Projects, presentations, comprehensive exams, my master's recital, and opera performances all made my to-do list very long. I didn't know how I would be able to do it, but I did it! My last day of school was yesterday and it feels wonderful to be done. My recital went really well! My parents as well as my in-laws were able to come for it which was really great. I was really happy with how it turned out. All that's left for me now is one last lesson on Monday and graduation on the 21st! Less than three weeks and I will once again be a citizen of Utah!