spleeeurp.

^^that's the sound a phone makes when it drops into a toilet, in case you wondered.

Maybe it's me, but sometimes when I enter a bathroom stall, I imagine what would happen if I were to forget that my phone was residing in the back pocket of my jeans. Except on Wednesday. On Wednesday, I forgot to imagine what would happen. And instead, I witnessed what DID happen.

I heard a little splash, my eyes opened wide, and I realized (in horror) my iPhone was now dancing in the toilet bowl. With zero hesitation, I reached my hand into the bowl and retrieved my phone. Of course, this all happened within a mere second of hearing the initial splash.

Phew.

"I'm sure it's fine," I thought. There appeared to be no damage. The phone was working properly. I chuckled, wiped off the phone, and washed my hands. "Just the luck of a clumsy person," I said to myself.

Heeding the advice of family members, my phone is now nestled in a jar of rice. There are claims  — and friends have testified — that rice draws moisture from electronic devices. Even though it seemed to have zero problems, there is a chance that it could have a technical short. So, this will (hopefully) prevent that from happening. The internet suggests keeping it contained for 48-72 hours. 24 hours down, another 24 to go.

On one hand, it has been a break from Instagram, Twitter, and texting (though I have been on Facebook). And I know I will have to go 18 months without such social media interaction ... but that's 2 months away. Why start earlier than necessary?

I'll let you know the results. Here's hoping my iphone has a speedy and full recovery.

the sunshine state.

64 days until the big departure date. 

Guess how I'm spending approximately 25 days of it? 

Here. 

That's Orlando, Florida, by the way. 

And I'll be with some fine people (namely, my brother, sister-in-law, and adorable niece Charly). 

I think I might have to stop by Disney World while I'm there, and soak up plenty of sun. It's also on the list to visit this temple while I'm there. 

Florida, see you in 9 days.

xoxo. 

just my type.

...typography, that is.

I have been obsessed with typography (though I didn't know the technical name until a few years ago) since junior high. Surely you can imagine my excitement over the last two months of finding typographic prints relating to New York. 

I have an entire pinterest board dedicated to the cause -- and plan to invest in some of the maps and prints after my mission. Here are a few favorite finds:

Source: abduzeedo.com via Cheri on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Cheri on Pinterest

Source: seagull.wazala.com via Cheri on Pinterest

Source: deviantart.com via Cheri on Pinterest

Source: orkposters.com via Cheri on Pinterest

Source: tuttobenedesign.tumblr.com via Vince on Pinterest

So I'm a little obsessed. Yeah. But, I think it's justified. I'm getting more and more excited each day about this new adventure ... and starting to realize that I might have a lot to do before then. 68 days suddenly doesn't seem that far away. I've been looking at stationary too because I WILL be writing letters. Perhaps you'll see a post about that next week.

Until then,
Happy Friday! 

my life {in numbers}

^^This place already has my heart^^

What an unbelievably crazy past week it has been, but there are many things to look forward to in the coming weeks & months. Here is my life (in numbers):

2 roommates who see my crazy side ... and still love me, even with the constant movie quoter, singer, Instagrammer & baking addict that I am.
3 hours spent on campus this afternoon: giving 1 spontaneous campus tour to a potential student, and catching up with approximately 5 friends & 2 former professors.
5 days until I see my sister.
10 days until I receive my endowments from my favorite temple (in St. George, which was also the first operating temple).
22 days until Valentine's Day that I'll get to spend with my handsome man. **that's a joke. just seeing if you were reading. 
45 days (roughly) until I move home. I can't think about this one too much because I love Cedar City quite a bit & don't like to think about that phase of life being over.
48 days until this girl leaves for Russia.
59 days until another sister comes to town.
71 days until I'll say "see ya later" & embark on another journey for 18 months.
$9 for a book of stamps ... so I can write people while I'm on said adventure. Hint, hint.

Now, I know I shouldn't be living for what is to come. I should be embracing each day that I have until these things happen. But, being the A-type personality that I am, I like organization. And lists. And schedules. So, it's only natural that a countdown helps me sleep at night. I really am excited for all of the things that are ahead for me -- for the challenges, excitement, new friendships, etc.

In the meantime, I'll be Googling images of Brooklyn and Coney Island, falling in love with typographic New York prints (for my future home, obvi), getting my reality TV —The Bachelor and The Biggest Loser — and silly sitcom — Pretty Little Liars and Modern Family — fix with my roommates, eating pazookies late at night (shhh), going on long drives to look at pretty houses, enduring Insanity in the morning, and browsing online for comfortable, lasting mission shoes.

Sounds like a good life, right?

the waiting game.

Folks -- this week has been REAL. And it's only Tuesday. Real what? I don't know. It has been ... unexpected, challenging, surprising. I've been stretched, strengthened, uplifted, sore, uncertain.

Life has been different than expected lately. As you recall, I have a mission call to the NY NY South mission. I've had my call for 6 weeks and have another 11 left to wait. It seems that life loves making me wait, and wait, and wait. For answers, for missions, for jobs, for love, for good deals, etc. I'm learning patience, right? 

Anyway, the awkward timeframe of things has been evident in many cases -- housing, job searching, & relationships, specifically. I love Cedar City & I wasn't quite ready to leave it behind when I received my call at the first of December. So, I made the decision to stay here & experience something during this fantastic waiting period.

Let me tell you. It's been 2 weeks since I've been back and boy, it hasn't been a thing like I planned. But life is what happens when you don't make plans, right? (Or at least I've seen that quote cross-stitched on burlap or written on some chalkboard-painted thrift store frame on Pinterest). So, for now, I'll find joy while playing this waiting game.

Here are a few things coming to mind:

-I have a roommate who would be a fab personal trainer. She has taken it upon herself to help me in my quest to be more fit before the mish. So, yesterday we started our training with an hour at the school track. Our routine included running laps, lunges, stairs, and dumbbell workouts. Today, I attended a class that she is starting to teach. I was already sore before the class from yesterday, and I have a feeling tomorrow will be worse.
-My best(est) friend is on a mission in Brazil. We used to talk multiple times a day, so an email a week has been a difficult transition. I was especially missing her last week. Well, being the in tune angel that she is, she asked her sister to call me. I am grateful that she was listening to promptings when I needed a little uplifting.
-Reality TV is ridiculous, but it's a fun bonding time with my roommates, and I look forward to our weekly Bachelor sessions.
-I just made darn delicious muffins & my house smells good as a result. Win win.
-People say NYC is cold. And I'm sure it is. But, judging by recent weather in Cedar City (negative 24 degrees last night), I think I'll be fine. NYC was 43 degrees, FYI.
-My ward is the best. And it's part of the reason I wanted to stay here a little longer. We went ice skating for FHE at a rink located at my bishop's house. He's pretty cool -- and my dad's first cousin.

Sorry this post is long & lacking photos. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Here is a song you should listen to (I heard it on my Imagine Dragons Pandora station...and I love it, especially when working out - -> "My body tells me no, but I won't quit.")



xoxo,
Cheri

uncertainty.

spent the afternoon finding favorite quotes & making them into images on photoshop. 

this one, in particular, brought peace. 

journalism, dancing, and Justin Bieber

Blog post from tbirdnation

journalist.

Admit it, you hear the word and you think of some cynical writer whose job it is to unlock all the secrets of public figures.

No, that’s not what you thought of? Well, good. Oh, and what does Justin Bieber have to do with anything? We’ll get there.

I began the path to journalism long ago — 7 years ago, to be exact. I started out working for the “teen section” of The Standard Examiner. Three years and an internship later, I found myself working as a reporter for the University Journal. 

Fast forward two years (and a few months). I have had the experience of being a reporter, copy editor, Accent editor, and sometimes even played the role of my own photographer. I think my experiences here will definitely help me in the “real world” when I graduate.

Now, back to JB and other fun items of business.

Sometimes, during long layout days, we would take a break from editing and laying pages out to have dance parties.  And a few weeks ago, Justin Bieber even made an appearance at our editor’s birthday party.

And who doesn’t need Somebody to Love? peace & blessings.

i'm on a horse.

One of my favorite things about SUU is the variety of classes to take — from rock climbing and pickleball (yes, that’s a sport around here) to horsemanship and scuba diving, there are so many options.

This semester I’m in the horsemanship class and let me tell you, I’ve been on a horse two times in my entire life. I’m also 5’1″. So, a horse, as you can imagine, is quite big compared to me (as you can see in the picture).

It’s always a little intimidating. But, what better way to learn about horses than by going out, once a week, and riding them?

Horsemanship is a great class. We learn all the parts of a saddle and bridle and how to correctly ride a horse. I know it’s going to be one awesome semester. I’m so glad I have the chance to take some “fun” classes while I’m here!

Plus, who doesn’t love a good excuse to wear cowboy boots??

Communication Research

I have written for the tbirdnation blog for the last 1.5 years and in an effort to archive these posts, you might be seeing them pop up randomly on this blog. Just a heads up!

Hi again. I’m a communication major and two weeks ago I found out I’m graduating in April. I don’t know if I’m ready to enter the “real world” yet.

The mere thought of having a career immediately sets in my mind an image of a mid-thirties Cheri in a tweed pantsuit, sitting in a cubicle somewhere with glasses falling down my nose and hair pulled back in a bun. A bit dramatic, I know. Maybe I should have gone into acting.

Back to the point of this post — one of the required classes for all communication students is Communication Research. I’ve been dreading it, which is why I haven’t taken it in the previous four semesters. This semester was THE one. The time had come. The two years I’d been fearing had all led up to this point…this class… And guess what?

I don’t think I’ll hate it.

The teacher is funny and enthusiastic about research. It is almost....contagious? One of my favorite quotes thus far from Professor Stein is, “If you think research is boring, YOU’RE boring!”

That is key. Sure, I wouldn’t want to do a study about baseball players who eat their veggies and how it affects their game (cause I don’t care that much about sports), but if I can think of a research question regarding social media, I’m in!

I might not want to make research my lifelong addiction, but I will certainly be glad if I don’t want to pull my hair out because of it either (I’ll need it to pull back into a bun someday in the near future, right?).

So, take a class from Dr. Kevin Stein when you get a chance.

monday & 2013.

1 mid-morning email conversation with my best friend.

2 episodes of Gilmore Girls. 

3 institute classes.

4 photos in a photobooth with roommates.

That sums up my first Monday of 2013 in Cedar City. 

& it feels good to be back. 

the night we broke a record.

I have written for the tbirdnation blog for the last 1.5 years and in an effort to archive these posts, you might be seeing them pop up randomly on this blog. Just a heads up!

The first week of school is always accompanied by campus events each night. It’s awesome because there are multiple times my meals are taken care of during welcome back week.

On Wednesday night, 390 SUU students broke the world record of the largest group of people to blow a bubble at once.

There were a few stipulations that I didn’t know about before the event including:

• 2 prestigious community members had to witness the event
• the gum had to remain in a bubble for 30 seconds (that was the challenge for most of us students that caused us to try 3 times before being successful)

But, in the end, we reigned victorious. It’s kind of exciting to say I have broken a world record. I wonder if that looks good on a resume?

summer love in Spain.

Hello!

Let me start off this blog by telling you a little bit about me. I’m sure you’ll come to know me very well over the next few weeks and months. My name is Cheri and I’m a junior at SUU in Cedar City, Utah.

This summer I went to Granada, Spain with the Spanish study abroad program through SUU’s Global Engagement Center. It was an AMAZING experience. I didn’t experience a Spanish romance, but I did have a lovely time trying out new foods, enjoying a new culture, and meeting friends from all over the world. And I ate icecream almost everyday. There were vendors every few steps on the streets and I am an icecream addict!

Anyway, I took over 1,000 photos (I’m also a photo addict) but here are some of my favorite:

This was taken my last week in Spain. A friend from class and I went on a hike to a waterfall and we had to cross these crazy bridges (think Emperor’s New Groove). It was intense!
The view from the top of the hike. It was gorgeous!

One of our two group excursions was to Ronda — my favorite city by far. It was beautiful, full of history, and not too hot. Plus, it had an awesome bridge.

What you see behind our group is the famous Alhambra, a palace/fortress built in the 15th century. Gorgeous.

Finally, a few girls from the group and I enjoying a walk through a street in Granada. The markets were everywhere and were a great place to pick up souvenirs/meet interesting people.

Alright, talk to you next week!

Save the Last Dance for Me

I have written for the tbirdnation blog for the last 1.5 years and in an effort to archive these posts, you might be seeing them pop up randomly on this blog. Just a heads up!

Friday night the LDS Institute had a dance in the Heritage Center Lobby. It is always fun to switch up the venue for the dances, although they kind get kind of crowded. They even had a baked potato bar and a variety of brownies to snack on throughout the night.

Unlike Carly, I am not good at dancing; yet, I love to attempt (see my crazy face in the photo?). Do I make a fool of myself? You bet. But it’s all in the name of good fun. We jammed out to Kelly Clarkson, Journey’s classic “Don’t Stop Believin” (always a favorite), Cupid Shuffle, and even Rebecca Black’s “Friday” had an appearance. For some reason, even though that song had the title of “Worst Song Ever,” when it came on, many people yelled all the words while jumping up & down — myself included.

I even danced with (who I consider to be the tbirdnation “captain”) Sam! Obviously it was the bestdance of the night.

Anyway, now I hear my Spanish homework, Event Management final project, and sanity calling my name. Have a great Tuesday!

we have love.

Sometimes, when I'm at family parties, I think, "Man! My family is loud. And crazy."

But, this last Christmas break, most of my thoughts were, "Wow. I lucked out. What an amazing family!" And I thought, "How sad not everyone gets to be a part of this."

So, in honor of my wonderful, perfect normal, hilarious, silly, song-and-movie quoting family, here are some pictures from the holiday break.

{Sledding with siblings | family party with cousins | Les Mis and cupcakes with my sister | goofing off with my brother | playing cards with dad | mom with her voucher to see Les Mis | icecream date with the oldest niece | trying to get a picture with silly girls | lots of time spent with baby Lucy}

So, as you can tell, I'm pretty lucky when it comes to family. And, I was able to FaceTime with my two siblings who weren't here for Christmas. But, they'll both be visiting in the next month. Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon. 

How were your holidays?