T-Bone Steaks, Homos, and *pop, goes my heart*

Ya know, I've never posted specifics about any of my friends on my blog. And I do have some awesome friends. The greatest friend lately has been my friend Chris! So I devote this post to him!

I am not sure how I met Christopher Bennett...but it was back when I was either a sophomore or junior in high school. He went to a different school in town, but was dating my neighbor. Somehow we started talking on MSN Messenger (back when that was the cool thing to do-now it's Facebook *cringes*) and became friends. We never dated or hung out much, but we talked to each other. My *thinks back* sophomore year in college (I think-or was it freshman?), we randomly had Physical Science together. Okay, it was my freshman year because I was living in ICKY Kays Hall! Need I remind you of that building?

Where I lived my first year. Eleventh floor! Ick! This building needs to be destroyed!

Well, Chris is a year ahead of me (just graduated from ASU this past semester-go Chris!) and I guess we hadn't kept in contact much between high school and the beginning of college. However, we ended up sitting by each other in class and pretty much texted the whole time about how bored we were! I think that that added to us not really understanding the class too well...so we had many study groups to cram before tests! One time we met at Cafe Bueno with some mutual friends and another time we met where Chris was working at the time. His Mom and I just ended up throwing pencils at him and picking on him. (He is SO fun to pick on!)

By putting our limited knowledge together (and by me trying to keep us on task), we both did well in the class. After and during that semester, we kept in close contact. The reason I remember that I was living in Kays Hall that semester is because...well, to put it bluntly, Chris has the gift of GAB! And I'd missed out on a lot of his life. So, we had many late night phone conversations. With the setup of my room, it was just one, big open area that my random roommate and I shared. Being the considerate person that I am, I would go sit in our miniscule closet and sit in my laundry basket when we talked late into the night. We still laugh and talk about that to this day. It was a cramped place! But we always had very meaningful conversations about life, our futures, and current situations. We were great friends!

As you can see, it was NOT a large basket! I was in some weird positions over the hours!

After that semester, I guess we kept in contact for awhile, but not too long. Life got in the way for both of us and circumstances didn't allow us to talk too much anymore. A few months ago, my sister came home and said, "Hey sis, I saw your friend Chris that used to be engaged to so-and-so at Wings to Go tonight!" It was really random. I would wonder about him and think about him all the time, but life was just...life, and it got in the way. That night, I found his number in my phone and sent him a message saying that my sister had seen him that night. He had a new phone and didn't have my number anymore, so he didn't know who I was. After he figured it out, we started talking nonstop! We had a few late nights updating each other on life.

That was a few months ago, and our friendship has been...interesting since then! We've both gone through some heartaches, had a few late night/early morning conversations when we have troubel sleeping, hung out in the ER, and have spent time actual "fun" time together!

St. Bernard's Medical Center...an evening in the ER!

The best story is the ER visit. So, during finals week, Chris began to have some sharp, stabbing pains in his chest. They would come at random times during the day and wouldn't last long. He'd tell me about them and neither of us could figure out what it was, since the attacks were random and he felt fine. So one day, I'm sitting at work and he tells me he's had another pain. Over the course of many text messages, I finally convinced him that he needed to go see the doctor. He was on campus and I was finishing up work around 2:30. I pretty much forced him (that's what he claims) to let me drive him to the Student Health Center on campus to be checked out. We walked in and waited for about a half hour until the doctor could see him. I waited another half hour in the waiting room studying my note cards for my upcoming final! When Chris came out, he informed me that we needed to go to the ER. I thought he was kidding. But his EKG was very abnormal and his heart rate was considered too low for someone of his size and level of activity. The doctor "strongly suggested" that he go to the ER. And there began our 3-hour ER visit.

I'd never been to the ER before. I don't ever want to go back. It's sad. And creepy, at times. However, as I said before, Chris felt fine (except for a few sharp pains here and there) and was his normal self. As funny as it sounds, we had a BLAST in the ER! We studied my notecards for hours until I knew the difference between a homonym, homophone, and homograph. We came up with funny ways to remember them. You don't want to know. But we now refer to them as the "three homos". I bet we annoyed people with our laughter and talking. But between them running tests, we were BORED! And HUNGRY! There was a beautiful male nurse that I got to stare at for about 5 minutes. Poor Chris is still bitter that he didn't have a "good looking" nurse to look at. The doctors could not conclude anything and told us that they didn't know what was causing the sharp pains. They said his EKG and heart rate at the hospital was normal, unlike the tests that were done a few hours prior. The doctor pretty much told us an abnormal EKG doesn't mean a thing. They said that there was a little fluid on his lung and gave him some pain killers and antibiotics. Around 7 or so, we were finally free! We met some of my girlfriends up to eat and then picked up antibiotics. It was a VERY interesting day! (By the way, the sharp pains are still occuring. Any medical opinions?)

We've gotten pretty close this past month. Both of us have gone through some tough stuff and have been there for each other. However, we've had some great times. Between hauling his dog in my little car around town, eating out, and watching movies with his hilarious family, we've been entertained! And whenever either of us get down, we have many inside jokes to refer to to bring us back up! (T-bone steaks, the 3 homos, and "pop, goes my heart"-from the movie Music and Lyrics)

I'm very grateful to have Chris as a best friend! As he says, we balance each other out at times. We're blatantly honest with each other and I feel like he's a brother to me. I hope we have many more exciting adventures together...just not in the ER this time?

Chris and his dog Nutters. I had to dig for this old (but still accurate) picture, but it's so cute! A great friend + the cuddliest dog EVER to watch a movie with=GREATNESS!!

Utah 2010!

Okay, so we all know how terrible I am at updating my blog. I don't lead an interesting life, people! BUT, after another rough semester of school (18 hours-all A's!), I treated myself to my annual trip to Orem, UT to spend time with my grandparents and visit others. Every year it gets better and better! 11 days wasn't enough. I think I need to be out there permanently. At least, that's what I've heard from a few birdies... ;-)

I was converted on my trip. Converted to loving the Utah Jazz!

The night that I arrived in Utah, the Jazz played the Lakers. I got a rundown of the team and what was going down right before the game. I didn't think I'd last the whole game (it was a three hour game and I'd been up since 4 a.m.), but it was so intense that I lasted! But we lost by one stinkin' point. My fellow Arkansans were happy, as was my Uncle Ken who now lives in Utah, but will not convert to be a Jazz fan. There was another game a few nights later in which the Jazz lost. But I had a blast watching the games and getting stressed out along with my grandparents!

Playing cards is a must in Utah. Continental Rummy. 1, 2, 3. Canadian Salad. Hand and Foot. Phase 10. Kings in a Corner. The list goes on! THIS, my friends, is where the process of my weight gain begins every summer. We sit around, play cards, and EAT. Grandma has way too much extra candy and nuts! But we have a blast. Especially when we play with other people! I'm quite the show off at Kings in a Corner.

A view from the Cascade golf course

Golf is also a must in Utah. I put a lot more on my post from last year about golf. We golfed about 4 times in the mountains and putted on the putting range alot. My golfing skills haven't improved much since last year-but I'm quite the putter! So one morning while we were golfing, it was quite chilly. Grandpa asked if I wanted to borrow his windbreaker in his golf bag. I accepted and threw it on without much thought until Grandpa asked me to put some golf balls in my "pouch" (I lose a LOT of golf balls). I noticed that I had a pouch! Therefore, I became a kangaroo on the course. The golf balls were my "babies". I named them all (by the brand of the ball). Sometimes I lost my babies (when I lost a golf ball), adopted babies (when I found a golf ball in the brush), and beat my babies (when I'd tee one off real hard). We had a little too much fun with it. Golfing with Grandpa is the BEST!

*Side note for those I babysit for-I'm different toward babies when I'm a human than when I'm a kangaroo. :)

The next best thing to golfing with Grandpa is ice cream! Grandpa and I...we're definitely related. Our minds think just alike. Sometimes, I think this irks Grandma! We L-O-V-E ice cream. In all forms. Especially any kind with chocolate. That's a double bonus. I don't even want to go through my journal and count the times we ate ice cream. At least once a day...if not more. We presented every case in the book to get our hands on some. And Grandma always let us win. :) Hot fudge sundaes from McDonald's were a favorite this trip!

For a lot of the trip, I hung out with the "older" crowd. Whether we were playing cards, eating out, celebrating a birthday, or playing BINGO, I was usually surrounded by older people. However, this worked to my advantage. Older people are so proud of your accomplishments-a big difference than your peers! And they all think you're "beautiful". And boy, do they crack me up.

The "Loser" Bingo table. Not for long-I brought them luck!

My two favorite couples are the Carslisles (Tom and Elaine) and the Dentons (Carlos and Joy). Tom and Elaine came over the first Tuesday I was there to play cards. I went to hang out with a friend right after they arrived but was able to spend a little time with them. Tom is the "quarter man". (Refer to older post for the whole story.) He gives out quarters for various occasions. Before they came over, Tom called me pretending to work for the census or something. He asked me three questions. 1) Was I a visitor in Utah? 2) Is Grandma Colleen as sweet as ever? 3) Does Grandpa Jay still talk to himself? I answered yesto all of the questions. Naturally, I assumed that I'd get a quarter when he came over. But he slapped a wad of money in my hand when he arrived and said I needed some "spending money". Him and Elaine are so sweet. Tom and my grandfather are quite a pair. When I got back from my outing, they were still playing cards. I laughed so hard that everything hurt when I went to bed. We also went to their BEAUTIFUL home one evening. Elaine fixed a wonderful soup and pizza. We snacked and played games all night. Finished with a wonderful coconut creme pie. They even gave me a goodie bag for my flight home (included food, a magazine, and a plane glider)! I love them so much!

Grandpa snapped the picture just as he said: "Get your hand off my granddaughter!" Thanks, Grandpa! Haha!

One of my friends that I visited served a mission out here in Jonesboro from late 2008-early 2009 (Willmore). My family got close to him and his companion (Elder Garrett). I got in touch with Willmore and was able to hang out with him a few times. It was fun to have someone close to my own age! I made him a scrapbook of his mission because his camera broke on his mission. I also brought some funny Arkansas t-shirts for him and his friend Chris-who will be coming out to Arkansas in July. We all had a blast! Garrett is still on his mission until late August. He spent Christmas Day 2008 with my family and he called his parents from my house. They called us about a week later to thank us for being so good to their son. They left us with their number and said to call if we were ever around. Well, I called! Brought some goodies for him when he gets home (a picture album and a nice bag of Arkansas memorabilia thanks to Sarah H)! I was planning on just dropping the bag by and saying hi to his parents, but they insisted on taking me out one night. We went to Los Hermanos (my favorite!) and talked, and talked, and talked! They are such great people. I spent some time at their home and they dropped me off at the Dentons' (where my grandparents were) and visited for awhile. I love those people and hope to see them again!

Brother Garrett, Sister Garrett, myself, and Gina (older sister)

Tom, Elaine, Grandpa, and Grandmda playing a game of Kings in a Corner. Intense moment.

Myself and Tom and Elaine.

The Dentons' are another family that is close to my heart. They have known my grandparents for YEARS! Back in the Cali days before Grandpa retired. Great people. And they are from Mississippi, so they can relate to the South! Every year I come, it happens to fall on Carlos' birthday. You'd have to know Carlos to appreciate this, but I make a BIG deal out of his birthday every year. Refer to last year's post and you will see that when we went to Los Hermanos to celebrate his birthday, I had the staff come and sing to him. They even put a sombrero on him because his name is Carlos. However, he has no Mexican blood in him! It was hysterical. He even got a free dessert that we all helped finish. He claims it embarassed him, yet he thanked me several times and brings it up often. Therefore, he LOVES the attention. And I love to give it. So this year, I decided I needed to up the ante a little. Carlos and Joy work at the MTC on Thursdays. My grandparents have access to their condo. Hmm...so what did I do? I dragged Grandpa to the Dollar Tree, spent nearly $20 on decorations (black balloons, black tablecloth, black plates, black napkins, black cutlery...see a theme?, a banner, a blank poster to fill, a black centerpiece with a helium balloon, streamers, and kazoos! His birthday dinner was scheduled for 5:00 at Magleby's in Springville, so we went a little early and decorated the condo. :) To make a long story short, everything turned out great and the birthday boy loved it! We had a very nice evening and had a wonderful cake/ice cream after dinner. I love them!

The dinner party at Magleby's

Myself and the birthday boy! (I had to buy another sombrero!)

The poster I made...priceless!

A few of the decorations.

Grandpa works in the Timpanogas temple on Wednesdays. So Grandma and I shopped! Grocery and clothing. It was great to spend girl time with her! She is such a great shopper-I need to learn some lessons from her! I even cooked her lunch (her first bowl of shells and cheese, haha)! My grandma is such a special lady. I'd better stop before I tear up...

I got to visit the Calvin family in Provo while I was out there! It was a very last minute thing and I am so grateful that they were so flexible and came to see me at such short notice! Katie Calvin was my Beehive advisor back when I was 12 or 13! We had some great times! We sure miss them in Jonesboro. We met them at The Creamery on BYU campus one afternoon. The visit was too short! We had so much to catch up on! Their kids are SO DARLING. I only really knew Emma, but it was good to get to see the other two that I read/see so much about on the blog! What a great family.

Myself and the Calvin family-cute!! Cannot keep that Spencer still! What sweethearts!

I love Utah. I can't describe my love for it. This trip was spectacular. I wouldnt' trade it for the world. I have only been home for less than a week and I miss my grandparents more than anything. They are perfection.

Myself and my Uncle Ken in Mapleton.

Myself and my dear grandparents.

Have to end with Grandpa in his "Chinese" mood. He and Tom like to "speak Chinese" to each other. Grandpa is saying "How you doing?!" with a scrap of my shirt around his head. Good times.

Quote from Ray (the evil twin of my Grandpa named Jay): "I'd rather be an enemy than an enema"! -while playing cards. Priceless.