called to serve

Let's just say it has been the LONGEST two weeks of my life since my papers were submitted to the Church headquarters. It was submitted the Friday before General Conference (i didn't know i could put my availability date earlier, but that probably wouldn't have made a difference anyways). This Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday went by so slow! I think I was just super excited and antsy all week leading up to the opening of my call. I seriously could not concentrate on any homework or studying. I would just sit in my chair or lay in my bed and think about where I would be going (basically, I didn't get any sleep). After my classes on Wednesday, I hurried home and checked the mail and sure enough it was in there! I was so giddy and I just wanted to tear it open. However, I used all my self control to not open it until 7 p.m.

We had dinner at Megan's house and then everyone started coming over. I feel so blessed to have such awesome friends and family! Thanks for coming and supporting me! I skyped my siblings, but not my parents because they were on vacation to China and Taiwan. Lucky ducks. My dad just told me to email him. Here is a clip of what went down.

Well everyone, I've been called to the Taiwan Taipei Mission speaking Mandarin. I report to the MTC on February 20, 2013!!! I couldn't be any happier! My whole family guessed I would be going there, so it wasn't a huge surprise. It was my first choice if I had to choose. I'm so lucky I get to go there and learn Chinese and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. My aunt lives in Taipei and she asked my dad if she could take me out to dinner every month. haha. I love her so much. I talked to my oldest niece Kaitlin (who I'm super close with, we are only 10 years apart) and she kept saying how much she was going to miss me and that we should get matching CTR rings before I leave. That almost made me cry, but really. I think leaving her will be the hardest for me, but we will write so it's all okay. 

ALSO, one of my best friends, Elder Braithwaite, is currently serving in Taipei right now. He doesn't get home until the end of June in 2013, so I will see him there. Crazy! It will be weird seeing him for the first time in almost 2 years and not be able to give him a hug. We will both be missionaries. Weird. 

Okay. . . so now for a little advertising. Since I will be leaving in February, I need to sell my contract for Winter semester. So if anyone who reads this blog knows anyone who is interested in buying my contract, please let me know!!! Here is a link for more information about it: http://provo.craigslist.org/roo/3350671636.html

live in the moment

September was definitely a month with ups and downs. Probably one of the best yet hardest months. I've met some pretty awesome people. I love my roommates and the drives up the canyon late at night. Something about those millions of stars just relaxes us when we feel stressed or sad. How can Heavenly Father not love all his children!? He created this beautiful world for us to live in. I've learned a lot about myself and how the Spirit works in my life. Even though those lessons can be hard to learn, I've noticed a common theme in my life recently and that is...

faith and trust in the Lord's timing. 

Every talk I've heard or read this past month and in General Conference has been about faith and trust. When I was talking to my bishop one day (who is truly an amazing person), all he kept saying was to have faith and trust. One of my favorite talks from this past General Conference was by President Uchtdorf. He pretty much nailed what I've been going through. He talked about enjoying the journey and not dwelling on the finish line. Basically, find joy in what you are going through now and just trust in the Lord's timing that everything else will work out according to His plan. We just need to have faith! I'm grateful for the experiences I had because now I have such a strong testimony of that. I love the feeling of peace the Spirit brings when you are unsure about the future. It's pretty great. 

It was fun to have my brother and my nephews come to Utah for conference. It was the boys' first time going to the conference center. We got to go to the Saturday morning session where President Monson unleashed the new changes happening with missionary work. Boys can now go at 18 and girls at 19. CRAZY. I loved how my nephews were so excited about serving a mission. I'm just a little jealous that these 19 year old girls get to go when I've been waiting patiently, but it's okay... the Lord's timing is key right? My brother and the boys were only here for that session, then they headed back to California. I wish they could have stayed longer, it was nice having family here. 

Two most handsome future missionaries!

highlights.

Just a few highlights from the past couple of days...
1. Hip hop class at ODC in San Francisco. Times like these I wish I lived in the city!
2. Dinner with most of the cousins in SF. It was so great to finally get us together and just catch up on life. I love my cousins!
3. My cousin's wedding. Loved having the family together and breaking it down on the dance floor!
4. Stargazing and saw a shooting star!
5. Last day of work. Bittersweet.
6. Had a farewell party for Rachel Tan and her family. I love them. She was my very first ballet teacher. I had a good time catching up with some ladies in the ward. I'm going to miss them. I like how all my LDS friends here are married and have children.
7. Lunch with Heathyr and Tamir at Sala Thai! Again...the only one single.
8. Hsiung family spur of the moment surprise visit.
9. HeyTell messages from Megan and Alyssa. Seriously the funniest messages I have ever heard. I even re-listened to them today when I was bored and needed a good laugh. I miss them so much!
10. BEST phone call from SISTER CAMILLE LEE! She is home from her mission. She served in Taiwan and her Chinese is profesh. It was really embarrassing to talk to her because I'm not so good in Chinese.

Just a few more days until I go back to Provo. Wow did summer fly by!!! I'm NOT ready to go back to school at all!!! But I am excited to see people!

food Q&A.

I randomly found this and thought it would be fun to fill it out since I just love food.


What is the best food on a hot summer day?
- cold fruit
What is the worst flavor of ice cream?
- cottoncandy? I'm not a big fan of ice cream in general.
What is your favorite condiment?
- bbq sauce...also, does salt count? 
What is the ideal comfort food?
- 72% dark chocolate
What is the most important meal of the day?
- breakfast of course!
What do you do for exercise?
- step aerobics, weights, running, p90x
What Olympic sport would you like to try?
- I've always wished I could be a gymnast.
What was the first thing you learned to cook?
- maybe fried rice
What is your favorite dessert?
- It's a tie between apple crisp and thai sweet rice with mango.
What is your favorite salty snack?
- Currently....KALE chips with sea salt!! I just made them and ate the whole pan. Soo addicting! 
What vegetable do you hate?
- cucumbers.
What is the worst physical pain you have ever been in?
- stomach pains from having too much dairy.
Who taught you to cook?
- my mom
What food would you starve without?
- kale smoothies
What restaurant do you love even though you know you shouldn't?
- Sala Thai, it's just too delicious! 
What goals do you have for your health?
- I guess just to try to eat healthy. More fruits and vegetables, no meat. 
What food makes you think of Christmas?

- coffee cake! the Melendi tradition! i love it!

What is your favorite fruit?

- Mango and papaya

What is your favorite vegetable?

- Some chinese leafy vegetable that I don't know how to write.

What is something sweet you crave?

- anything with dark chocolate and peanut butter! 

surreal.

I can't believe this is actually happening. The secret is out... I started my mission papers about 2 weeks ago. I wasn't going to tell anyone (and I don't really mind blogging about this because I'm pretty sure no one reads this) but I feel like the most random people know anyways and I don't remember ever saying anything to them about it (my parentals can't stop talking about it). It doesn't feel real at all. I still feel like a baby and not old enough to do this. I wish I could leave right now. I still have one more semester of school before I leave. My family, especially my brother, all wanted me to go on a mish, but don't worry, it was my decision in the end. I know it's kinda early to start them, but I wanted to be ready to submit them in September. Most of all, I CAN'T WAIT to find out where I'll be going!!!!

a must see

I think everyone should watch the documentary Food Matters. It is SO dang good and I loved it!

food obsession

If anyone knows me, they know that I LOVE food. It is huge in my life and family/culture. But I always try to eat healthy and make vegan desserts (it makes my stomach happier). I'm in a peanut butter, dark chocolate, and nuts phase right now. Also, i love drinking kale green smoothies for breakfast everyday. They are delicious and filling. Here are just a few of all the delicious foods i've eaten in California. Gotta love the Bay!

Oh, and I decided that I'm going vegetarian...or I guess I have been since the end of May. You probably think I am crazy, but ever since I stayed with my brother for like a month and a half, I never really ate any meat. It wasn't hard at all, in fact I never missed it or even thought about eating it. Both my brother and his wife are vegetarians. After watching clips of documentaries about what they put into and do to the animals and meat we eat (it's quite sickening and gross) and listening to what Alma and Rachel had to say about it, my cousin and I decided we didn't want to eat meat anymore. The bottom line is, it's much healthier. However, there is one thing I do miss eating...and that is potstickers! But there are some that don't have meat in them so all is well. :) I've been getting a lot of crap about going vegetarian from my mother....but we never seem to see eye to eye. Hopefully she will get over it and realize it is my decision. I mean my dad is practically vegetarian too so I don't see why she has a problem with it. Oh well...I still love her.