Laurel's Reviews:

Critics critique movies, I critique everything.

• So.. remember my last post when I said I wanted a car that didn't sound like it was going to blow up every time I started it? Well, lucky for me- cause I found another one! And it's allll mine, tomorrow! It's an '05 Dodge Neon. Super cute. It definitely spoke to me when I took it for a little spin, and I knew I had to buy it. I haven't had a lot of time to really know what it's like, but what I do know is it's cute, has low monthly payments, runs like a beast, insurance is cheap, AAAND it's not bright green. 5 stars.


• Fat Hair Thickening Creme- Okay this stuff is amazing. You're talking to the girl who has the thinnest hair known to man (that's a fact), and this stuff bumps it up like none other. It only works if you blow dry your hair after applying it. My hair has never been this voluptuous before, I kinda like it! Although, if you don't rub it in good enough, it gets real sticky. 4 stars.


• The song "Sweetness in Starlight" by Matt Wertz. Or just any song by him. He's a lyrical genius, and I'm pretty sure I have a crush on him. Definitely 5 stars.


• X-Men. So, I heard a lot of people didn't like it, but I went anyway. Can I tell you a little story first? Okay. So I'm driving around on a Saturday night, pretty bored because it's Idaho Falls, obviously not a lot to do. I drive past the movie theater and I think, "I kinda want to see a movie." I'm alone, I didn't want to call anyone at the last minute to come with me, so I just went by myself.. on a Saturday night.. and it was awesome. I don't need an entourage of people to look cool! I'm going on dates with myself more often! Anyway, I thought it was really good. Makes me wish like I was one of those chosen people with the ability to read minds and stuff. 4 stars. (along those same lines, Ryan Reynolds was super delicious in Green Lantern.)


• Last, but not least. I bit the bullet and got my hair cut. I really didn't want to, but I definitely needed a change or something. And my sister's in Beauty School so I get wicked awesome discounts. She put blonde highlights and cut my hair in an A-Line. 7 inches gone! Gasp! I don't really like it. 2 stars.
  
  
  
  Psych! 5 stars! I love it.

Eat your heart out, Victoria Beckam!

WANTED:

a cute pair of white jeans. (and a body to go with it.. )

tannish-yellow knee high boots.

tickets to see katy perry in july.

a new hairstyle.

a gym membership when i move to provo... (in less than two weeks!)

reebok zigtech gym shoes (preferably in the hot pink color)

this swimming suit.

and a car that doesn't sound like it's going to blow up. (thanks for taking such good care of it, sis..)

that's all.

oh wait. a job to pay for all of this.

50 things you didn't care to know.

sometimes i get bored, and when i get bored i usually blog. and when i have nothing to blog about, i make lists. of nothing that matters. so here it is; because i'm bored and i have nothing to blog about, 50 things you didn't care to know about me, that i shared anyway.

1. the fourth of july is my favorite holiday. probably has a lot to do with my upbringing in idaho falls.. holla!


2. i hate listening to a recording of my voice. do i really sound like that?!


3. purple and green together are my favorite colors. but i don't really like them separately.


4. judging my past blog posts, apparently i like making lists.


5. autumn is my favorite time of year


6. v-necks have the ability to make a guy 10x hotter. unless he has excessive chest hair, then it's just gross.


7. along those lines; glasses are very attractive on men.


8. also, tight jeans ( but not joe jonas tight)


9. and zac efron looking hair.


10. i don't like lima beans.


11. but i'm not a picky eater.


12. michael g. scott was and will always be my favorite tv character. ("that's what she said.." okay. that didn't apply.)


13. i'm very flexible. i feel like i should have been a gymnist or something.


14. blonde is my natural hair color, but you know what? brunette's have more fun.


15. two places i must visit before i die- venice & rio.


16. i like spanish.


17. yo no se porque, pero i can't stand reba mcentire.


18. i also like spanglish. :]


19. i'm addicted to playing freecell.


20. i hate the taste of coke and pepsi.


21. i prefer water, with a lemon if available.


22. yo amo comida mexicano! (i love mexican food)


23. the food network is pretty much the only thing i watch on tv.


24. jamba juice popsicles are so amazing. check them out at your local walmart supercenter. you'll be glad you did. seriously.


25. apparently i like talking about food.


26. i could spend a whole day at a bookstore without getting bored.


27. i love learning and studying about the gospel. there's so much to learn!


28. i love little kids and elderly people.


29. my favorite job was taking care of an old man with Alzheimer's. Good ole' Evan was the bomb.


30. but i know that being a mom will be the best job ever. [insert your aww's here]


31. i've recently been diagnosed with the bieber fever, and i'm totally okay with it.


32. i just like his music though.


33. and only when i'm working out.


34. i think rajon rondo is hot.


35. I used to think kyle korver was hot, but now i'm starting to realize that he looks like a dinosaur.


36. one time, while sitting courtside at a jazz game, i put my hand out for d-will to smack it, and he totally denied me. on national television. & everyone saw.


37. i can throw with both my right and left hand.


38. i like reading instructions in spanish and pretending that i understand every word.


39. i'm a terrible liar. which is pretty frustrating when i'm playing a game of b.s.


40. i love the smell of homemade bread.


41. i will always love the boybands of the 1990's. ie: nsync, backstreetboys, 5ive, lfo, o-town, 98 degrees. the goods.


42. i don't like to text. i'd rather talk on the phone or skype.


43. grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do.. when i have money.


44. i miss living in logan.


45. i'm not big into reality tv.


46. i hated high school


47. i love college


48. katy perry's california girls is my jam.. & i'm not even a cali girl.


49. pretty much anything katy perry is my jam, though.


50. my dream car? ohh just a range rover. hotttt.

i'm still bored..

Q's & A's

Question: Oh hey, Laurel. You've been home for almost a month, what have you been doing?

Answer: Ohh just a whole lot of nothing! Joking, but really. I've been on a bunch of dates, decided to venture off to Phoenix for a while, which is where I am now, and I'm thinking about moving to Provo, actually.

Question: PROVO?! I thought you hated that place?

Answer: You bring up a valid point. I did hate Provo. But after getting a little taste of it at the MTC, I've grown to love it.
Question: Interesting. So, what? Are you going to apply to BYU?

Answer: ¿Porque no? Mostly, my first priority would be to find a job, then school. I still have a year and a half left on my two year leave of absence that I applied for.
Question: So, what's the weather like in Phoenix?

Answer: Pretty much amazing. It's okay to be jealous that I was laying by the pool today, and that I'll probably do the same tomorrow.

Question: How are you feeling since you left the MTC? What are your thoughts?

Answer: I'm not going to lie, it's been pretty rough. Today was actually the day I would have arrived in Houston. I'm sad I won't be able to experience that kind of mission, but I can always be a missionary, and I know things will work out for me here. I am really excited for my district though, they're going to be amazing missionaries.
Question: Why haven't you posted any pictures of your district or companion yet?
Answer: Probably because I've been lazy. I'm kidding, stop judging.

Here they are:

My companion, Hermana Moser, and me.

My district. This picture explains us perfectly. I was always laughing, my companion was such a goof, Hermana Archbold is always smiling, Not sure what Hermana Mathews is doing, and the Elders are just dorks. I love them all.

A failed attempt at a jumping picture with my zone.

Change of Plans..

After many tears, fasting, and prayer, I ended up back at home. .... I'm still trying to cope with everything, and it's been really hard for me to leave the MTC, but I knew it was what I needed to do, here's why: My Third Week at the MTC- I woke up from a strange dream. I was at home greeting my older brother who just returned from his mission, which I thought was weird because I wouldn't get home for another 7 months after he got home. I thought when I woke up, maybe something is wrong with my family, that both of us would be home? I tried to ignore the feelings and thoughts that were going through my mind, because it was just dream. Well, it happened to be my preparation day so we all went to the Temple. During the whole duration of the Temple session, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was so worried about my family, and hoping that everything was alright. I sent my mom and email asking if anything was going on, and if everyone was safe, she responded the next day and told me everything was fine. So that was a relief, however I still had so many thoughts that came to mind like, "Why was I home before my brother?" and then another thought, "Do I need to be home?" And immediately after that thought came into my head I tried to get it out. I didn't even want to think about coming home, because I loved SO much what I was doing and where I was. Sure, it's hard. Sure, you have little communication from family and friends, but I loved every minute of it. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be learning in such an environment where you had no worldly influences around to distract you. You were completely dedicated to the work, and the Spirit there is incredible. So I ignored that thought. The next day I still felt so strange, so I got on my knees and prayed like I've never prayed before, asking, "Do I need to be home?" And I can't even describe to you the way I felt after I prayed. You read in the Scriptures how if you pray for something that is right you'll feel a burning in your bosom, something like that. Never in my life have I experienced that burning before, until then. I seriously felt like there was a fire going on inside of me. I was overwhelmed with peace, comfort, and warmth, rather than the confusion I was feeling before. It took a minute for me to register everything, and being the emotional wreck that I am, started to cry because I already knew what my answer was, and it wasn't what I wanted.. at all. I didn't want to jump into anything just then, so for the next week I fasted every other day, prayed more than I've ever prayed before, attended the temple every week, and did everything I could so that maybe I'd get a different answer. It never came. I talked to all of my leaders, teachers, and other missionaries in my zone. My Coordinating Sister shared with me experiences where she had three friends who all had promptings to go home, and everything worked out for them as they obeyed the prompting. They all soon found out why they were prompted to go home, and were so grateful they listened. She then told me that I needed to follow what I knew was right. My teachers told me the same thing. They trusted me, and knew that I didn't just want to go home because it was too hard or I missed my family and wanted to be home with them. They truly felt that the right thing for me to do was to trust in the Lord, and do whatever he asks. I talked to the District President, he talked to my parents, and trusted that I would make the right decision. To make a long story a little shorter, this whole process went on for about 3 weeks. I was able to talk with my parents on the phone, and they told me to wait it out until the end of the MTC, and see if anything would change. I agreed, mostly because I realllly wanted to stay, and I knew that's what my parents wanted me to do too. Although, I felt guilty knowing then that I needed to go home. But the next day I get a letter from my parents saying that they have been thinking, praying, and pondering about my situation and what I needed to do, and came to conclusion that if I knew exactly what I needed to do, I needed to do it. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and we don't always understand the 'why' at first, but you just have to put all of your trust in the Lord, that by obeying Him you will be blessed. So, when my parents got home from their vacation they came to pick me up. And here I am. Embarrassed to be home, mostly because I worry too much about what people think, and I know a lot of them will talk and make up their own assumptions of why I cam home. It's been so hard for me to cope with this. I've been through a lot of difficult trials in my life, but this one is by far the hardest. I've never wanted something so much, just to find out a month later that the Lord has different plans for me. I don't know what His plans are, but his ways are higher than mine. I put my complete trust in Him, and I know that He'll come through to bear me up. So, to sum this all up- I didn't come home because I was unworthy, selfish, lazy, or missed my family. I came home because I knew without a shadow of a doubt that it's what the Lord wanted me to do. Lessons Learned- We don't always understand the reason 'why' but I know that by following and trusting in the Lord, he will let us know why in His own due time. I've learned so much in the short 6 weeks I was in the MTC. I've learned the importance of reading and studying your scriptures every day. I've learned that prayer and fasting is so important. I've learned that I need to increase my faith in the Lord, and never to doubt. I've made so many life-long friends. Friends that I know will help me through thick and thin. I can't even begin to tell you how I've grown so much closer to the Lord this past month. It was an incredible learning experience for me, and I'm looking into the future with a bright attitude not knowing what I need to do yet, but knowing that everything will be just fine. D&C 6:36- Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not, fear not.

you say goodbye, and i say hello.

this is my last post for eighteen months!
as much as i hate goodbyes, i'm so excited to start this new chapter in my life.

my lovely sister will be updating my new blog with emails and pictures that i'll send from the field- you can view them at http://www.sisterlaurelalenarasmussen.blogspot.com/

also, if you have the desire to write me (which i hope is often!) here are my addresses:

MTC mailing address- (I'll be here until May 3rd)

Sister Laurel Alena Rasmussen

MTC Mailbox # 239

TX-HOUS 0503

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793

*If you go to DearElder.com find the select a mission arrow and click on Provo MTC and then click write a letter it's free- and they deliver it the next day. Pretty sweet!

Houston Mailing Address (from May 3rd 2011-September 2012)

Sister Laurel Alena Rasmussen

Texas Houston South Mission

4627 Austin Parkway

Sugar Land, TX 77479-2146

Email:

laurel.rasmussen@myldsmail.net

Have a wonderful year and a half, and I'll do the same!!

Houston, I hope you're ready for me!

reliving childhood mem's.

remember starlite skating??

remember how that was the coolest place to be??

remember how you would get the butterflies everytime they announced that the snowball skate was approaching??

and hoping that a cute boy would ask you to skate with him?? (but most of the time they ended up being creepy boys with sweaty hands)

well, i do. and i went back last weekend to relive those memories. but only because it was my niece's 10th birthday party. regardless, i had fun. and i want to go again. who's in!

My sister still has it goin on!

two weeks.

that's the mtc countdown.





and i {kind of} can't believe it.





but i'm so excited, like really.




and i won't be able to see any of you for a year & a half, which is okay because {a missionary is someone who leaves their family for 2 years (or 18 months) so others can be with theirs for eternity.}




& that makes it all worth it.

just one of those days..

Hopefully by tomorrow i'll 'be okay'

on the bright side- i learned how to post multiple youtube videos in one post.
(don't judge i'm technologically challenged.)

I can't think of a title.

[Seriously, blogger should make titles optional. I can never
think of anything clever to say. I just have a bunch of random thoughts put into
a blog post. But if I were to get engaged, or married, or just found out the
gender of my baby, or had my tonsils taken out, I could see where a title would
be appropriate.]

I have all my missionary stuff bought. (kind of)

My dad surprised me with my very own tomtom to take to houston! probably thought i'd get lost without it.. probably he's right.

I got all of my required shots.. my shoulders still hurt.

I was listening to Ingrid's take on "can't help falling in love with you"... love it, maybe even more than the original. my apologies, elvis.

I was super pleased with the john mayer pandora station today. especially when babyface and boys II men made an appearance. genius!

got me some new shoes for the mish. so comfortable without being too grandma, know what i mean?

I leave in three weeks and 6 days. my farewell is in 1 week and 3 days.

ellen is my favorite talk-show host.

I'm kind of addicted to planners. it feels so good to check off a task i've completed. i'll write down something like 'eat lunch' cause i'm almost 100 percent positive that it will get checked off, and i can feel like i've accomplished something in the day.

love this talk by president monson. goes along with the blogpost that i published the other day.

And last of the ramblings, I love this video. The future is bright, don't look back. A good message for anyone.