sports camps.

   My FAVORITE job finally ended. Literally crying. I was so heart broken and upset when I left work for the last time. This Summer I worked at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah as a sports camp counselor along with 200 young adults my age. This job requires us to entertain the kids when they're not at practice and to escort them EVERYWHERE. Wake them up for breakfast, take them to practice, pick them up from practice, take them to dinner, take them back to practice or counselor time, and then nightly activities. Then at night we give a devotional and had lights out.

  Through this job I met some of the most amazing people. I met 90 girls who are all aspiring athletes and all trying to make it big. Their stories were inspirational and I've never learned so much from people in such a short amount of time. My girls looked up to me as their role model, and so it put a lot of pressure to be the best I could around them. These girls taught me it's ok to have fun in stressful situations, it's hard to be patient, and it's the biggest blessing to be their adopted mother for the week!

  I also met some counselors that CHANGED my life. I was really panicking about serving a mission and I just needed help and/or advice and the counselors had my back. I had just had surgery when I came into this job on my shoulder, and I couldn't do much. I was in a lot of pain, but they were there for me even when I didn't know who they were. From volleyball to field games to the dance to 7 peaks, these counselors are my FAVORITE people. None of us really knew each other before coming into this job, but I can honestly say I think I met some people that I will remember forever. They have helped me so much with mission prep, dating advice, school, and so much more, I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay them. I love those counselors so much.

   Sports camps was literally the BEST job I've ever had, and I can't even begin to describe how sad I am that this summer job is over. I truly was blessed with the best and loved every minute of it. (even when I had to go to the talent show 5 times in a row) I love the girls I had (even if they said they hated me one week) and I'll never forget this experience.

Boys.

   I know, the one thing us girls lovvvve to talk about. But I wanted to focus on something a little different. My whole life I have been taller than most boys my age until I got to college. Still, even in college, I'm probably taller than 50% of the young men here. This has made dating a difficult challenge as I would like to potentially marry someone taller than me. For my own self conscious reasons, I want to marry someone my height or taller.

   So what? What's the blog post for? Well despite the height challenge, it's been hard finding boys to date. I feel like a boys first impression of me is: intimidating. So, of course, they don't dare go for me. I am loud, and bigger than most girls, but I promise I don't bite. I've run into a lot of guys that are my "type" (I know it's horrible to have a type) but instantly I'm a "bro" to them and I'm friendzoned. I like to play sports and be outside a lot, so you think I'd get a lot of dates? Wrong. I am constantly searching for why I've never been the "hot girl" boys are always digging. Is it my breath? Is it the height? The sarcasm? The loudness? My hair? What?!
 
  I don't drown my face in make up, and nor will I ever. That's not me. I'm tired of boys expecting me to always look better than I should, when in fact, I think I look better with less make up. I'm tired of explaining that I don't have my ears pierced and that I never will because jewelry has never been my thing. The less I have to do to get ready the better my day goes. I'm tired of being asked, "is it hard to date being 6 ft tall?" as if it's not already obvious enough.

  Whenever I get introduced to other people (usually by boys) they introduce me as "This is Annie, she's super cool". Why am I super cool? Why aren't you dating me then? I've tried so hard to figure out this whole dating thing, but I'm out of luck. Keep in mind, these things were happening long before I announced I was serving a mission. Once I got my mission call I was pronounced dead in the dating world.

   Something I have noticed though is people need to get to know me. Yes, my first encounter with you I will probably be dead silent and super awkward. I have a couple guy friends from back home that would do anything for me. But I asked myself, why are my guy friends treating me so much better than boys in Provo? It's because they know me. If my dating experience was based off of all my first dates I'll probably be single forever. When a boy actually takes the time to get to know, rather than taking me on a first date and then being done, then I think I'll have "advanced" in the dating world.

   This blog post is all over the place and kind of me just rambling, but it's how I have felt in the past with dating. I'm not saying it's any boys fault that I'm not getting asked out on dates, this has just been my past experience with dating. xoxoxo

Called to Serve Him

Dear Sister Neilson,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Texas, Lubbock mission. You will report to the Provo MTC on October 26th. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

These were the words I read on Sunday night as I opened up my mission call. I was NOT expecting Texas at all, but never thought it would be so fitting. I knew that's where I needed to be. Also, I'm so excited to preach the gospel in the Spanish language! I know some from high school and just speaking it with friends, so I'm excited to further develop my language skills. I love this gospel so much and I can't wait to share it with the people of Texas!!!

Something cool that happened like 2 nights before I opened my call was really interesting. Friday night (the day I had gotten my call in the mail) I had a dream that I was going to get called to the Oklahoma/ Texas area Spanish speaking. I didn't really think much of it, but just thought it was funny. When I opened my call and then saw the mission map, I knew that's what my dream was. I couldn't even begin to describe that feeling. It just solidified that Lubbock is where I need to be!

I've already met a couple people going to my mission, and I think I know about 1-2 people already there. I've talked with RM's and they say that there's less than 10 hermanas (sisters) in the ENTIRE mission. This mission is the biggest in the United States. So no pressure, just got to teach all those Spanish people down there in the south! I will be biking on Thursdays, and will have a car on all the other days of the week. My mission goes from the bottom of Colorado, to the middle of New Mexico, to the border of MEXICO, to the left of Oklahoma. It's HUGE! My mission borders my best friend's mission (Quincy). So I thought that was pretty cool! Also, most of my mission is just fields and fields and farms. The city population of Lubbock is 220,000, and the county has about 280,000 residents total. In Orange County (where I grew up) the population is 3.1 million residents. So it will be quite a change!

I know this gospel is true and I can't wait to serve in Texas and New Mexico. I am so happy and thrilled to be going there, and I can't wait to meet all the people there and my future companions. I have loved every minute of this process and know that this is the true church and that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet. I know the Book of Mormon is true because I've read it myself and can testify of its power.

CARNIVALLLLL

  So in light of it being Summer now, carnival season has finally kicked off. Carnivals are one of my favorite things for 3 reasons; boys, weather, food. Well the first one is just self explanatory, boys are amazing things and usually happen to be around the carnival sights. Weather, mainly because it's warm all night and you can just wear whatever. And FOOD because carnival food is AMAZING. Especially the strawberries & cream.

  For our first carnival we went to the Orem City Carnival. This was probably the best out of the 2 we've been to yet. It was spread out pretty far from both parks and had a TON of rides. Me and my friends snapped a couple pictures along the way as well!

  The second carnival we went to was in Pleasant Grove. This is where the strawberries & cream comes in. This carnival was called "Strawberry Days" and featured Strawberries everywhere. They had numerous spots where strawberries & cream were being sold and other amazing food vendors. Although this one was quite smaller than the last carnival, we still got good food out of it.

  The latest event we went to was called the "Freedom Festival" at the Riverwood Shops in Provo. This was a Summer beach kick off party and it provided us with lots of good entertainment. We danced our hearts out on the stage and showed the 12 year olds up. Ending the night with seeing the movie "Finding Dory". That movie was a tear jerker...

  Summer has been amazing so far, and I can't wait to see what comes of the rest of it. I highly recommend going to these community events just because of the 3 things mentioned above. OH and the rides, those are pretty good too ;)

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission!

  These past 2 weeks have been an amazing journey for sure. I have come to a decision that has taken a lot of prayer, fasting, and support. My decision was to serve a mission. I'm an a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I have such a strong testimony that this gospel I'm a part of is the true gospel and that it only can lead to happiness. I was baptized when I was 8, and sealed to my family in the Newport Beach temple at the age of 12. I've grown up in this religion all my life, and I am so beyond happy with this religion.
  In October 2012 President Thomas S. Monson made an announcement that all worthy 18 year old boys and 19 girls would have the opportunity of serving a mission for our church. It used to be 19 year old boys and 21 one year old girls! When I heard this announcement I was so mad. This meant everyone was going to be leaving and that people were going to expect ME to serve a mission. I made it known to a lot of people that I would NOT be going and had NO intentions of going. I know what you're thinking, but just keep reading.
  Winter semester of my senior year of high school rolled around and all my friends were getting their mission calls. I informed everyone that I would not be going and that I would be here when they got back from their missions. All these girls in my grade were talking about how they were so excited to go on missions and they couldn't wait to work hard and wake up early and work work work. I didn't understand the hype.
  Graduation from high school then came, and I was leaving on a 15 day road trip across the United States with 80 seniors my age. It was a church/American history tour called Origination. On this trip about 90% of the boys had mission calls, and a couple girls had received theirs too. I realized while sitting on this bus that all my friends were going to be leaving in the next month or 2. I asked myself, "should I start praying if I should go?" I starting praying and soon after got my answer. We got to the first testimony meeting of the trip and I got up to share. I immediately knew from that moment that I needed to go. It wasn't anything I said that made me go, it was how I felt sharing what I believe with everyone else. The feeling was so overwhelming.
  As we kept going on this trip I had confirmation after confirmation saying I should go. We stopped at an amusement park on the way there called "Cedar Point". I went on one of the roller coasters at the end of this visit and ended up hurting my ear super bad. The next day when we were in Washington DC I was in immense pain when I woke up that morning. I was talking to my friend at breakfast and asking her what I should do. She insisted I get a blessing, and that it wouldn't hurt to get one. I was being stubborn, but then proceeded to ask Austin Hammond for a blessing. During the blessing I started crying, not because of the pain I was in, but because I got to see 3 young men use their priesthood authority to help me. All 3 young men had their mission calls and were already serving. I knew that this church was undeniably true.
  At the end of the trip we stopped at the Sacred Grove. The place where Joseph Smith had the first vision where Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father told him to not join any of the churches but to restore the gospel. I had 3 chapters left in the Book of Mormon when I got to this grove. I finished the Book of Mormon while sitting on a bench in the middle of the grove while rain fell. I was expecting an answer so strong just to hit me. It didn't. The only thing I felt was calmness. That was all I needed. I then proceeded to get back on the bus, and I told my friend, "I'm going on a mission".
  Fast forward to college and now, I went to submit my papers last Tuesday. But instead of everything going perfectly the Stake President informed me that I had some medical work that had not been reviewed. He said this could take up to 9 weeks for it to be all done. I was crying and felt so sad that I wouldn't be getting my call any time soon. The next morning I woke up to see I had a text from the Stake President. He said my medical forms were clear and that I could submit my papers on Tuesday!
  I am so excited to get my call and to see where I'll be serving. I know wherever I go is where the Lord wants me to go, and where I need to go. I'm so excited to preach to the people and to share MY testimony of this gospel. I can't wait for those hard days out in the field and those trying moments with my companion. I'm so excited to learn and edify my learning of the Book of Mormon. I know this church is true because I wouldn't be leaving friends, sodalicious, and boys if it wasn't. To learn more about what I believe, visit lds.org .

I'll Be There for You!

   A topic I feel like I've dealt with a lot recently is friends. No not the comical show on Netflix, but actual friends! I graduated high school one year ago, and I feel like the best friends I ever had made were from my senior graduating class. We would hang out and go get JCW's or Chick Fil A. Do something stupid, and then proceed to tell everyone what we did. We had backyard movies and razor rides up the canyon! Snoasis runs would be a must every Summer. Bridge jumping, movie theaters, and cafe rio were just some of our favorite things. My friends all started to get their mission calls around February and March of 2015. Most of them were to report in June, July, & August. I didn't think much of it, because it seemed so far away. I was just enjoying life and the end of school.

Shae

Tanner

Harrison & Clay

   Then June hit and every Sunday till August, I was at a farewell. The goodbyes killed me. I remember numerous nights calling Quincy or Bronson and just bawling at the fact that everyone was leaving. I felt alone because I was supposed to start my life without any friends with me. I didn't want to go to college because I knew I would have to make new friends, and basically start a new life. August came around and it was time for me to move out to Provo. I chose to be with all random roommates and to start my life over. The first month was pretty rough living there. Yes my roommates were amazing and yes I've been so blessed to have them in my life.

Kiersten, Riley, Brenley, Tori, Me, Kara (not pictured Marley)

   But the constant emails and letters I would get from my friends just broke my heart. They were having the time of their life out in Cambodia and Australia, while I was stuck in school barely passing my classes. Once I got to October I felt a lot of emotions. October 5th was my 18th birthday, and I had come to realize that I wasn't going to be spending it with any of my friends from High School. My 17th birthday was with all my friends as we made doughnuts and watched the classic "Napolean Dynamite". I cried the night before at the fact of how much my life had changed since my last birthday. My roommates were my life savers though. It didn't matter how many people had come to my birthday, it was the fact they put in effort to try and make it my best birthday, and it was. I had never felt such love from people I had just met. 

Sam

   Towards the end of October my best friend had left on his mission to Bolivia. I was a MESS. I was just getting to the end of the goodbyes, and then he left. I cried in my room for about a week and my roommates were doing all they could to cheer me up. I was so devastated but so excited for him as he was leaving on this adventure of his! 

Bronson

   I felt alone and empty, so soon after I drove up to Rexburg Idaho and spent some time with Quincy. We hung out all weekend and it was such a breath of fresh air. 

Quincy

   After that weekend I road back down to Provo, and things finally started to get better. I started being more social and going to more events. I knew I needed to stop being so depressed and I needed to get up and start making friends. Fall and Winter semester went great due to the overwhelming friendship I had acquired in Provo. I'm also SO grateful I had Cortney and Sam (my California best friends) here the whole time as well. I don't know how I would have gotten through college if it weren't for them. 

Charlee, Jacob, Robert, Brooke, Casey, Me, Tyler, Christian

Tori, Josh, Riley, Kara, Carson, Brenley, Kiersten, Justin, Ryan, Me

Catrina, Dad, William, Gregory, Lillee, Gracee, Charlotte, Eleanor, Tyler, Tahnee, Me, Tiersha

   Then came the time when everyone had to move out because Winter semester was over. It was emotional and sad saying bye (again) to all these amazing friends I had made, but it just meant new people were going to move in for Spring! I had a hard time adjusting to this because I had gotten so close with so many people already! Luckily everything did work out, and I'm very content with where I'm at right now. Yes, I still do miss my friends everyday and all our adventures. And yes, I want to hang out with them the second they get home. But I'm so grateful for this experience I'm having in Provo, and I'm so grateful for the love and friendship I've had throughout this past year of my life. 

James, Kiersten, Kara, Robby, Me

The Bachelorette

  It's that time of year again! The time where we woman and most men crowd around the TV at night to watch a "love fantasy" with lots of drama and lots of abs. Of course this season is the most dramatic season yet according to Chris Harrison, so why not watch, ya? Jojo Fletcher is from Dallas, TX and she was on last seasons 'Bachelor' with Ben Higgins being the bachelor. Unfortunately he didn't pick Jojo and decided upon Lauren Bushnell so here we are now! From heart throbs to drunks to freaks, here are my top choices for this season:

Alex: 26 years old and a US Marine (hunk)

Chase: 27 and a Sales Representative (I don't know why, but he's just amazing)

Jordan: 27 and a former Pro Football Player (first true kiss and heart throb)

Luke: 31 and a War Veteran (hunk 2.0)











Wells: 31 and a Radio DJ (romance is love language)

 I feel like all the above boys would be categorized into the "heart throb" category. My favorite is definitely Jordan. He (besides Will's pity kiss) got the first kiss on tonight's episode, and basically stole my heart, so he has my vote! Wells was also one I was keen on just because of the level of romance he has for Jojo already! Be still my beating heart!

  Another category I have a lot of the men in, is weirdos... From Santa Claus to half scottish half asian men, you're bound to have some of these on the Bachelorette.

Daniel: 31 and a Canadian. Now besides getting raging drunk on tonight's episode, he doesn't seem to be as bad of a guy, except for all that he can talk about is Canada....

Evan: 33 and a Erectile Dysfunctional Therapist, or in other words a male OBGYM. This guy was great and all, just a little old and weird career for my taste.











Jonathan: 29 and a Technical Sales Representative. Well his first mistake was walking out of the Limo in a Scottish kilt. And the proceeding to inform Jojo he's not Asian on the lower half of him.. OK then!

Nick B: 33 and a Electrical Engineer. This man dressed up as Santa Claus for Jojo. But contraire to past seasons, Nick did NOT take off the Santa costume and even wore it to the rose ceremony!











Chad: 28, a luxury real estate agent. UMMMM idk he's pretty aggressive !!!

 Overall the first episode of this seasons Bachelorette was a successful one. We met the men that could possibly be Jojo's husband, and we've met men that might be on America's most wanted list. All in all it was a great episode, and of course, there was drama. Never a dull moment with Chris Harrison and this show.