This is new

Well hey everyone. Sorry, it has been a really busy week. I started classes and for most of the week if I wasn't in class I was either eating or in my dorm (doing mostly homework).

So, yeah, my classes are going pretty well, I like them well enough even though I have a lot of homework. The one day that I got my homework done pretty early, I spent the rest of my evening helping people with their homework. I really enjoy helping people...

So, yesterday was a blast. I did not spend very much of my day in my dorm, which was an achievement. I went on a Segway tour with my Uncle Erick and Aunt Kathi. It was a blast and the views were amazing. After that we went to lunch at Seven Brothers - I REALLY like their burgers, they are just so yummy. I also bought a one piece swimsuit that is pretty cute if I do say so myself, for a reasonable price.

I came back to campus, and went with my friend Anna to get ice cream. It was fun. We wanted to go to the beach, but it was dark and we were both really tired. We did eat dinner when we got back and  - surprise of all surprises - my other friend came and sat by us. He's cool.

Then even later, my roommate Maria asked if I wanted to go to the beach, and I said yes. It was a blast, so yeah, I have now done something somewhat rebellious. So, yeah, I really like it here.

The Last day with my Parents - and the first day of school

Hello Everyone! It has been a busy couple of days here in the beautiful Laie, Hawaii!

Sunday was the final day that my parents were here on the island with me. They decided they were going to go hiking with a friend and since it was the last day that I would see them in a very long time, I decided to forego church and go hiking with them. We learned multiple things on this day. 1 - hike in flip flops. it is wet where you 'hike'. 2 - wear a swimsuit because it is highly likely that wherever you are going is going to make you want to get wet. 3 - wear bug spray. or your legs will get eaten alive by mosquitoes. 4 - wear sunscreen, its a longer hike than you thought it would be.  Overall though, it was a lot of fun. The waterfall was pretty and I really wish I would have had my swimsuit. Once we were done,  Adam took us to North Shore Tacos. It was pretty good, I got sweet pork tacos. For someone that doesn't like stuff like that, I thought it was delicious. We went to Adam's house after so mom and dad could get into their church clothes for the devotional. 

The devotional was good... me and dad took a nap, but I heard the end. We went to the Laie temple visitors center and it was pretty. I got a blessing and it was very comforting. They came to dinner with me in the Cafeteria, and then they said goodbye. I got a little teary eyed, but I felt okay. I slept good, and watched a lot of Netflix before bed to relax me.

This morning I got up at like 7:15. I practically just killed time until 11. I went to my classes and they went just fine. I think that I am going to do okay. I got wifi on my laptop, so now I can use it during class. I met this guy and we talked at dinner. It was new to me.

So yeah, today was good.

Thanks for reading :)

~Jasmine

Last Day of Orientation

Well here it was folks, the last day of orientation. We had a breakfast at 8:30 and then we got together for a welcome and an intro program thingy. Once that was done, we had a program called Academic Realities, and it pretty much gave us a lot of information about what we have to do to get done with school in a good time frame. Once that was done I went and check my financial standing and got a job application for the PCC. We ate lunch and I came back to my room to eat.

At 12:30 ish I had a one stop student services where we learned about a lot of different things on campus. I got done with it pretty quick and was getting ready to go snorkeling with my parents. We bought snorkel gear - super cheap, and I get to keep a set. The place we went was super murky, so we didn't see a single thing in the water. It was quite fun though. 

We got done at the beach, and we came back to the house. Me and dad went swimming in the pool and it was really fun, much to my surprise. I think I am starting to actually like swimming, strange enough. We went to dinner at Seven Brothers (really good burgers!) with my dads friend from college and it was a fine time. We went back to the house and watched some TV then we all started to get really tired, so here I am. Back in my dorm.

My parents are leaving on Sunday night and I'm really not sure if I am really ready for them to leave yet. I am going to miss them so much, and I am really really starting to miss everyone at home.

Wish me the best of luck - school starts on Monday :)

~Jasmine

This is getting real!

So today was one heck of a full day! I got up really early and have gotten a lot of stuff done. When I got up (at 7 ish) I got dressed then went to breakfast. At 8:30 we were supposed to have a campus tour, but they all got pushed back, so we didn't go until after 9. It wasn't the most informative tour ever, but I learned a little and got a planner.

 Once we got done with that, we were going to go to the temple, but it just didn't work out. So my parents left campus and I went to make myself presentable. I went and got my mailbox (if anyone wants my address, just message me on Facebook or something and I'll let you know what it is) and then went and got my picture taken for my student ID that I get tomorrow. I met some people I met for lunch at noon then went to a New Student Orientation activity. Once that was done, we went to the PCC and got to experience it. It was super amazingly awesome and if anyone ever comes to Hawaii, totally go there (even though it is expensive, it is well worth it). 

My group was lucky because the NSO guy that was in charge of us works at the PCC as a tour guide, so we got the real thing. We learned about all the different islands and saw a bunch of shows from Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand. We got pretend tattoos with paint and they are really fun. The canoe ride was a bunch of fun, our guy pushing the boat was from Fiji and he had a wonderful sense of humor. 

My parents decided to go to the PCC today too, and in the evening they were going to go to the luau and show. Our tour got over at 5, and I wanted to go with them, so I did. The Luau was fun and I ate WAAAAYYY too much food. The show after," Ha: The Breath of Life" was so amazing. Back a while ago we saw a fire dancer at a Jet Blue party and we thought it was cool. Oh my heavens, they had like 20 fire dancers here - so  much more awesome!

So, yeah, today was fantastic. And seriously, anyone is totally welcome to come say hi if you're ever in Hawaii!

Love you all lots, and loving it here!

~Jasmine

Sharks! and Weirdness

Hello there!

Sorry I'm a night late, but I just didn't have internet last night to update this :)

Yesterday we went SHARK DIVING! We got up at the crack of dawn because we're on Utah time kind of and we ate breakfast. We had Froot Loops. We finally got ready and went up toward the North Shore to go see some sharks. We got there really early and went to a beach near the harbor. I got in the water a little bit and it was super duper warm and nice. Finally it was time to check in, and we headed over to the boat. The first thing we had to do was sign a waiver and pay for it. We did it and then sat down on the boat.  

The other people that were in our group were interesting. There were 3 couples (at least one were on their honeymoon) and 2 girls that the captain let go for free (we think that he was trying to impress them or something). Next we set out!

Our ride out was 15 minutes - 4 miles. It was fairly smooth and an easy ride. I really enjoyed it. Then we got to the cage. Just out in the middle of nowhere.The Captain said that it was 700 feet deep at the place we were at. Freaky! Well, they told us that there would be 2 groups with 20 minutes in the water each, so the sooner we got in, the better. Well, Dad hopped right in. I was a little nervous, but when I saw hi getting in I decided to go with him. 

I was not even prepared for how in awe I was. The second I got in, all of my nerves went away immediately. The I felt perfectly safe in the cage with 5 sharks and a barracuda around me. (well, the barracuda was scary, but the sharks were so awesome.) The sharks that were there are sandbar sharks and they weren't too large, but so amazingly graceful. It was also the shortest 20 minutes of my life! The captain told us that er had 5 minutes left and I didn't want to get out of the water.

We did get out, and the next group got in. Mom was part of it and she had some problems with her snorkel. She put it in the wrong way... We got a giggle out of that experience. She also had a good time, and was totally glad she went. 

So shark diving is totally something that I think everyone should do at least once in their lives. Seriously, consider it. 

After shark diving we came back to Laie to shower and then get lunch. We went to a place called L&L Drive In (or something like that). It was okay, nothing special except for the fact that it was Hawaiian Food, not American food. We were fed and much happier when we went to Pearl Harbor. We all got lost a little on the way, but made it eventually. The only thing we did was go to the USS Arizona Memorial. It was humbling, and really great. 

Once we got finished, we went shopping at Target for all the various things that I need for my dorm. It took a while and I also got a bike. Thanks Grandpa!

I got to my dorm and Mom helped me set up shop. It went okay, I have a lot of stuff... Well. eventually they went back to the house and I was left all alone. My roommates didn't show up. I just kept myself occupied and eventually went to bed.

One of the other girls came in at 2 AM. 

I slept pretty well, and I am still nervous for my parents to leave, but I have a feeling of peace. Also, reading the Book of Mormon really helps me. You should read it.

Enjoy your days :)

~Jasmine

Travel. Leg 2 to Hawaii

Hello everyone that cares enough to humor me! Today has been just about the longest day of my life. I got up really early (California time) and we ate breakfast at out hotel. Right after that we went to the airport to catch our flight to Hawaii! 

When we got to the airport, we got stopped for "random vehicle checking" all because Mom tried to take a picture of the LAX sign. It was pointless. When Grandpa R dropped us off, we were off. It was quite easy to get our bags checked and get through security. We had a little time to spare and I called Brendan and we talked for a short while.

We got on the flight and it was a large plane (much larger than I had ever been on). On the row I was on, the two people between me and the other seat got there really late because they were at the bar and didn't know that it was time to board until their names were called over the intercom. So they were fine, just a little late.

The flight went to take off and I wasn't nervous or anything, jut worried about what the heck I was going to do on a plane for almost 6 hours, not by a window. I read my book and they came along with drinks. I like Jet Blue better because they give you the whole can with your drink, not just a tiny little plastic cup with ice taking up most of it. It was fine though. The greatest thing with karma happened. The guy on the other end of my row got whiskey and ale. So, he had his cup all filled with alcohol - and the bottom of the cup cracked and spilled all over his seat and the lady next to his seat. I feel sorry for the lady, but it was kinda funny seeing the look on his face when it spilled. The flight attendant went and got new pads for the seats, and all was solved. Oh, also, the guy right next to me had quite a bit to drink and I could tell he had a little much. Not really bad, but he was really chatty.

We got a complimentary lunch on the plane and it consisted of yucky pasta, decent salad and a macadamia nut cookie with a little bucket of water. It wasn't the worst thing I had ever eaten - it just had practically no flavor. I was just hungry though, so I was good with whatever. One thing that surprised me was that with lunch came a free glass of wine (the lady behind my mom was so happy about that). People got so excited for it, and they were checking ID of the younger passengers. I settled for apple juice and it was just swell. By the way, I swear I was the last person (passenger) on the whole plane to get my lunch. It took forever! It was kind of okay though because I was running out of stuff to do.

Once lunch was over I decided to take a nap (like most of the rest of the plane). I probably slept for about half hour or so, which was fine because I was exhausted. When it was about an hour and 20 minutes till we got to Honolulu, I moved over tot he window seat so that I could watch us land. It was really fascinating, but it still hadn't sunk in that I was going to Hawaii. I got a little teary eyed that I wouldn't go back to Utah for quite a while. Especially missing Brendan,,,

We landed just great and our baggage claim was like on the other side of the island it seemed, it took quite a long time to get there.  All of my bags survived, and we went to get our rental car. They have shuttles here that take you to the car rental, and our darn shuttle just wouldn't stop unless we made ourselves a darn spectacle! Well we made it and got ourselves a car. We then started to make our way to the house and it took a while and was super pretty.The house is small and quaint, but Hawaii esque. Once we got here, we waited around for my Grandma and Jeff to get to the house. Once they were here My parents took me to check in to my dorm at BYU Hawaii. 

I am so glad that my parents didn't just put me on a plane and say "see ya". We got it figured out where my room is and stuff, and they left me to my own devices to get a little settled in. I started to put my things away, but then they came and I went with them to dinner. We went to a place called Seven Brothers and the hamburger I got was messy and delicious! We went to a SHAVE ice place and it was good - until I spilled it all over the table :/. 

I decided to stay at the house with my parents tonight because I don't have a pillow, fan or lamp to sleep with. Tomorrow night I get to stay there though, and then for a long while...

Well, that was my day. Tomorrow morning we are going diving with sharks and shopping for my stuff to live with.

Wish me luck because I an getting homesick already... When walked into my dorm and my parents said bye, I nearly passed out. I told them this was too much at one time. It really is. 

Leg 1 of the Journey to Hawaii

Today marked the first leg of my adventure. Today we flew out of Utah to California, where we hung out for the day before we go to Hawaii tomorrow. It has been a really exhausting day and I am ready to be done with it (its almost time to be done).

This morning started really early, for good reason. I was waiting fro Brendan to come over before he had to go to church, and I had to be packed because we were supposed to leave our house at 9:15. Let me tell you, being with Brendan for that short time made my day. I got to be around him and have his arms around me - I was perfectly content. We said goodbye again and the second I left his side, I broke down and cried for a good 10 minutes.

We flew out at like 11:30 ish and got here about 12:30 local time. My grandpa picked us up from the airport and we went to explore Los Angeles. We went to a place called Norms for lunch and it was pretty cheap and a ton of food. We went around some of Hollywood and then to a place, I don't remember the name, but you ordered cookies and they made cookie and ice cream sandwiches. It was really delicious :). 

We went to the Griffith Observatory and it was quite interesting. It had a pendulum and was all about the planets and stuff like that. People were parking like a mile away, and the walk there was all uphill just to look at the LA Basin. We got a good spot and the view was pretty cool, but not worth walking that far.

We were going to go to the beach after, but it was too late, so we came back to the hotel. Its kind of in a creepy part of town, but its a bed, so its okay. 

Well, tomorrow we fly to Hawaii. I am really nervous, and it is going to set in for reals that I am going to live 3000 miles away from everyone I know. It makes me sad, but I really want to go to school there and I know that that is what is right for me at this time. It may change, but for now, I know that is where I am supposed to be.

Wish me luck. I love you all and already miss you!

~Jasmine