You know, I go to this church that does helping hands around the world and I think that's amazing. Sometimes, I even participate with them
That's cool. WHat kinds of projects have you worked on?
One year, I went to a city near my town that has a bit of a inner city part to it, and my friends and I went to go clean the city up. We even found a few dead cats. That was weird.
dead cats? That's cray. Where did you find them? just laying on the street?
no, most of them were in bags like people put it there on purpose. None of which were in trash cans though
I feel like you wouldn't have found them if they were in trash cans.
You're right. I also was working with this dude to clean up the city, and suddenly he starts talking to us more than he did before and says, "You know, this city is a good city. There are some parts that can be scary, but most of the people are really good. And do you know how I know that?"
What ? That's interesting. So you wrern't just with your firends?
yeah he then replies with "I'm the Mayer of this city. I know the people and they're good."
Wow! I haven't even met my mayer before. Have you?
haha yeah me neither. To be honest, I don't even know who the Mayer of my city is. I know my brothers have written to our state representatives before, and they probably know who the Mayer is, but I have no idea.
speaking of state representatives, are you voting in this year's election?
of course! I'm registered and everything! Are you?
yes. My dad made sure that I was reistered to vote. It's really important to exercise the power that's given to you by the gvernment.
I agree. I remember my senior year in high school, all the teachers were telling us to get registered so people would vote for the next election but I couldn't because I was not eighteen yet. People looked at me like I was crazy.
really? So does that mean you have a summer birthday then? You must hae been pretty young. I know some people who graduate at 19.
yeah. I guess I'm pretty young. People always assume that I'm younger than I am anyway, but I really am younger than most people in my grade. There were kids in my grade that were over a year older than I was.
That's crazy! Well I guess not really. Now I take classes with people that are decades older than me.
So true! I feel like age doesn't even matter in college. I saw a couple studying one time and they must have been  eighty years old.
eighty? I don't think I've seen that old yet. They must just be going to school for fun or something. THey're not going to start a new career from that.
Yeah, unless they plan on living for another eighty years.
haha probably not though.
well, you never know. Science is getting better and better these days. The average life span used to be about forty five, but now it's eighty something. At this rate, people will be living like Noah
I'm not sure that science could take us that far. But you're right. You never know.
Are you into the sciences?
Yeah I study chemistry. How about you?
I'm studying Biology. Well I'm in the biology department at least. So chemistry, what drew you to that?
I really like doing experiments nd mixing chemicals and stuff. I also like the people who are into chemistry. It kind of weeds out all the people that don't want to work hard.
So you must like going to school then. I know what you mean with the work hard thing though. There are some people that I have tutored that just want me to give them the answer.
I hate those kinds of people. If I was just going to do your homework, I could hve done it by myself along time ago.
Yeah I think the world of instant gratification had ruined people.
I agree. Life seemed better when I ws younger and everyone didn't have cell phones and we actually talked to eachother.
And when we went to our friend's house to ask if they could play?
And calling people to ask them out was normal. To their landline een.
And you had to get through the tough questioning of their sibling.
haha I never seemed to have a problem with that.
You must have been the charmer then.
Anyway, Biology, What made you get into that?
My siblings are all into chemistry, so I did not want to do that.
That's it? You just didn't want to be like your siblings?
Well I guess that's not the only reason, but it had a descent sized factor for it. I knew that I wanted to go into the sciences and not chemistry. Biology seemed to be the only option left, so I rolled with it even though I didn't love it when I took it in high school. I took a couple classes, LOVED it, and here we are, I'm still into Biology.
That's kind of interesting, I don't know that I've heard a story like that before. Arent there other sciences though? Like Physics and astrology and exersise science and food science?
Okay, exercise science and food science don't really count as a science. They're imposters per say. But yeah there's physics and astrology, but I knew I really wasn't into that. I thought about physics for a little bit, but decided against it. I think it's because I didn't want to be an engineer.
My dad is an engineer. He's pretty cool
I know, I like engineers, but I don't think I could be one myself.
okay, I see wht you men,
What's your favorite class you've taken at BYU?
Um I don't know. I took a jazz class that I really liked.
oh really? That sounds sweet. Are you into dancing> ?
Just a little bit I don't think I could get to the professional level, but I do it as a hobby. Do you dance?
I do, but not in the same way as Provo people do it. I do vintage swing dance, and that's not all that popular in Provo.
Oh tell me more. Maybe you should introduce it to everyone and they'll lov it.
Yeah maybe. I think I might work on that after my mission.
Where are you going on your mission?
I'm going to Norway.
wow, you cn see the midnight sun!
yeah I'm really excite about that. And hopefully I get to see the northern lights. I have a friend from Norway so maybe she'll help me find the best spot. Though that's not my main focus so if I don't get to see it, I can't even be mad.
yeah but it would be so awesome if you did. It would be such a shame if you spent that much time there and never even got to see it.
I know. I don't want to raise any false hopes though. I did the same thing before I got my call.
what do you mean?
I never put my mind to and thought about the places that I did wasn't to be called to and I didn't let my mind think about the places thatI didn't want to be called to. It helped accepting my call
When I got my call, it just seemed right. Like I felt like there was no where else I should go
I fell the same way. I feel like I have been called to the right place, and no matter what anyone else says, I know that there's something or someone waiting there for me and I truly have a reason to go.
That is really good that you're already content with the place you're going. There are people who take about half their mission befre they realize that and I think it hinders their progression as a missionary and as a teacher and representative of Christ.
Wow that's good advice. Thanks.
anytime so are you learning a new language?
Yes. I don't know any Norwegian. Well I do a little bit because I have been taking this class, but not enough to actually talk to people yet.
It will come with time. If you've learned a language before though, it's easier.
Oh yeah? That's good. I've learned some here and there but I can only confidently say that I'm fluent in one other language.
That's good that you've touch based with a coupe others. It really makes a difference.
I never really thought about that.
Did you do anything cool today?
Not too much. I just helped someone with their garden, and then I watched some television. It's kind of been a slow day.
I'v been in class all day. Thugh pretty interesting, I went to go volunteer for this chemistry thing, and I met this kid that was my neighbor ten years go! ago* What are the odds of that
Are they a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? Because if they are, the odds are a lot higher than if they were just your neighbor.
okay yeah, but still. They could have gone to any college and now they're here
You're right that's still pretty awesome. I've done that on campus a couple times, but not very many people that were my age. I meet a lot of the people that were my older sibling's friends, but I guess most of the kids my age didn't make it to BYU. Or, if they're guys, they might be on missions.
Yeah, I met a lot more people that I knew after my mission.
so what kind of volunteer work were you doing today
I was making liquid nitrogen icecream
interesting. how does that work?
Oh it's like regular icecream but better.
uh okay, that's not a very good description.
yeah I know haha the liquid nitrogen is used to bring down the temperature of the cream and basically freezes it. and then once that's done, it evaporates out so you're just left with the ice ram cream
that's awesome! I should have gone and tried some. Next time I'll hang out where the chemists hang out so I know when that's happening.
yeah. You really missed out because we were giving them away for free
was it to advertise some kind of event? Why were you giving it out for free?
Just promoting Ychem. You know, like BYUSA gives away free stuff. We weren't forcing pople to follow an instagram account or anything. Just letting them know we exist
That's probably a good idea. I didn't even know Ychem existed.
I don't think very many non chem majors or chem related majored people know about it.
well it sounds like a blast!
yeah i really is. I'm so lad I'm in it Are you in any clubs?
yeah kind of. It's more of a research group, but we do some fun things too.
you're totally a nerd.
I know. They're my best friends though, and I don't think that there are any better people around. I'm seriously lucky to find such great people that accept me I know it sounds like I'm a loser but I'm really not.
Oh I believe you. You You're a really interesting person.
Thanks. You are too. Have you carved a pumpkin yet?
No, I really haven't had time for that. Classes and homework and  work and midterms has really pulled me away from doing all that festive stuff. How about you?
No, I haven't either. I had plans to do it tonight with a friend, but I think I'm going to have to cancel. It's raining and I don't really have space to do it inside.
trash bags...
I know, but the truth is I haven't even bought a pumpkin yet.
oops
The rain though, You have to do a little dancing in the rain to have a little fun
I know, but it's really cold outside wait what? I'm not scared of the rain...
oh uhh, I don't know what I'm saying haha. I was talking to my mom and I know that we were talking about the rain haha. Sorry.
That's okay, What were you talking to your mom about.
I'm thinking of doing a new painting, and I need more supplies so I was talking my mom about it. Hopefully she buys it for me for Christmas.
oh are you a painter as well as a scientist?
Well kind of. I really like to paint, but I don't think that I'm that exceptional at it. Other people might disagree with me though.
What kinds of paintings do you do?
I used to do a lot of acrylic paintings, but right now, I don't have any of those paints, so I do water color paintings. I'm really into painting landscapes and the sky.
Isn't that what Bob Ross  painst? paints?
He does do a lot of landscapes, but he uses oil paints and I don't really paint with oil paints.
I've used oil pastels before, is that similar?/
Not quite. Oil pastels are more like a chalk, but they blend really well. It's like a mix between crayons and chalk. They're more permanent that chalk in a sense that they don't just blow away though.
Yeah that makes semse. I have used them before so you don't have to tell me what it is.
Oh yeah, sorry.
Don't mention it.
Anyway, Bob Ross uses oil paints so they stay wet for weeks. With oil paints, you can work on something, walk away, and still blend together colors that are already on the canvas. Acrylics dry fairly fast so you can't do that.
That's very interesting. Have you done any Bob Ross paintings before?
I haven't done any Bob Ross paintings specifically, but I have done this thing called Painting with Kevin.
what's that all about ?
It's basically the same thing as Bob Ross but a much younger guy. He does tutorials on youtube so I just kind of followed it. To this day, it's one of the best paintings that I have ever done.
Sounds awesome. Do you paint all the time?
I try when I can. I don't always have the time though. You know, school and family and other things take up a lot of time.
I see what you mean. Other than landscapes, what do you like to paint?
I really like doing birds in water color. I guess they don't have to be birds specifically, but animals are fun in water color.
What makes animals fin to paint ?
Animals have lots of vivid colors that kind of blend in in the middle. I don't really know what's enticing about it, but it really is. I also think the uncertainty of whether it's going to turn out okay until you're done makes it even better.
Really? You don't know until you're done whether or not it's good?
Painting is kind of weird that way. It looks bad, then you keep working on it, and you think it's getting even worse but somehow in the end, it turns out okay.
I don't think the paintings will "turn out okay" if I did thm. You must be special.
Maybe, but probably not.
what makes you say that?
I don't know. I know other people that are really good at painting and their work looks great from the very beginning. No matter what stage of the painting they're in, it all looks good.
Maybe your mind works a little differently. That doesn't mean that your process is bad or wrong.
I suppose you're right. My aunt actually told me to quit going to school for biology and go to art school.
That's a bold move. I heard a lot of artists live paycheck to paycheck.
That's why I'm still going to school for biology. Even then though, I think I can still take art classes, so I'm planning on doing that.
You're brave. I don't have enough talent to get an A in an art class.
I think that if you do take an art class, they'll teach you the fundamentals so that you can succeed. I've never been in an art class where they just reject you because you're not good enough at art,
I don't know. I just can't really risk my grades in classes I don't need to take.
I see what you're saying.
What is your favorite vacation that you have gone to?
One year my family went to Europa Park.
What's that all about? I'm assuming it's in Europe.
Yeah, it is an amusement park in Germany, It was really awesome because my family rode the train and busses up to the park. At the park, they have themed areas of the park where each area is a representation of the countries in Europe.
That's pretty awesome. I've done some public transit stuff in Utah, but only to go to and from the airport.
Yeah there's not too much in Utah. It's nothing compared to Europe's public transportation system.
So do you like to travel?
Yes. I love traveling. I don't do it as often as I can because it can get expensive, but I go when I can.
I like to travel too! My last trip was to Japan! Where was your last trip?
I actually just recently came back from visiting Chicago1 !
Chicago? I've never been there. What all did you see?
I was only there for two days, but I went to Millennium Park which basically, I think, is the biggest attraction in Chicago.
What is at Millenium Park?
There's the big bean. That one is pretty famous. It's like a reflective gigantic bean made out of metal. A lot of people like to take pictures.
That's cool. Do they take pictures of their reflection in the bean?
Yes. That's the one. I've seen a lot of people take pictures and post them on Instagram but I never knew that's what they were taking pictures of.
Now you know! I didn't know that either. Were you there with your family?
No, I was there mostly by myself. I was there with a friend for a little bit of the trip, but she couldn't stay with me all that log because she had to go to work.
Does she live in Chicago?
Yes she does. We parked at the Trump Towers. That was pretty sweet.
So I'm assuming that you're not a Trum hater?
No, I'm not. I don't think that he's all that bad of a president. He said he was going to drain the swamp, and that's what he's doing.
What d you mean by that?
All the swamp monsters are now coming out.
Haha what?
All the partisan workers who are there to better themselves in politics instead of helping their constituents are the swamp monsters. The ones who lie and cheat and they aren't really there for the people.
Those people are the worst.
Many of them have been trying to impeach Trump since before he took the seat in the Oval Office.
Yeah, I heard Rush say that it's one of the most important midterm election that he can remember.
I heard that too! I listen to him while I'm at work. Sometimes it can get really boring if you don't listen to the radio.
I don't have time to listen to the radio at work!
I'm actually blessed.
What kind of work do you do?
I am a maintenance worker. So I mow a lot of lawns and weed wack and sometimes I plant flowers and pull weeds too.
That sounds pretty cool.
Yeah it is. I'm the only girl who ever works my shift though.
Oh does that ever get boring, or do you ever get tired of it?
No, everyday is an adventure. I think I get more attention because I' a girl.
They're probably all hitting on you.
No, they definitely aren't. I think they see me more as a younger sister or eve na daughter rather than a potential girlfriend.
Yeah right I bet all the boys come to your door.
Not really. I think I look too young. No one takes me seriously.
Everything will change after your mission. It's like the old days where girls wouldn't take guys seriously unless they had the "celestial smile"
That's crazy though.
I know. Utah girls can be weird thugh. though.
They're probably weird everywhere. We just don't see dating life as much everywhere else.
Yeah maybe. So what do you think of guys who just go to the Wilkinson Student Center and just play the piano?
I think they're just trying to pick up girls. If I was going to just practice the piano. I would go to the Harris Fine Arts Center and practice in a practice room where no one hears my mistakes.
I feel you. It's kind of nice sometimes though.
I don't know. I have never really liked it, but maybe I'm just picky.
That might be why you still don't have a byfriend.
You've got a point there.
I'm sure there's lots of guys who want to date you.
I know there is, I think I just know that I'm not ready for marriage yet so I'm afraid of commitment.
Having a boyfriend doesn't mean that you necessarily are going to marry them though.
I know, but why waste time on someone you know you're not going to marry?
How would you know if you're going to marry them if you never date them?
You know after a few dates.
Do you ghost them after that?
No, usually I still stay friends with them but we usually stop texting for the most part. It's kind of a mutual agreement.
Are you sure the feeling is mutual? They probably still think you'er at least slightly interested.
I guess that's possible, but I hope not. I feel like I'm pretty up front about my feelings.
I guess you'll never know unless you ask the, them.
Do you have a garden?
I do not currently have a garden, but growing up, I always had one. Do you have a garden?
I do! I like to grow tomatoes, because they're really easy to grow. I used to have zucchini and pumpkins and sunflowers and cucumbers and even onions.
Wow, that's a fefty amount!
Yeah I guess. now I have Kale.
Do you eat a lot of kale?
I used to have a kale smoothie every day, but now I only eat it once in a while. I kind of miss it honestly.
Is it good? I know it's super healthy, but isn't it a bit bitter?
It is a little bit, but when you put in bananas, strawberries, and orange juice, it's not too bad. My sister likes to put int frozen peaches and sometimes ice-cream.
I love ice cream. Maybe if I put Kale into ice cream, then my ice cream intake will be healthier.
My sister prefers the kale chips to the kale smoothies. On a Kid's cooking show one time, a kid that doesn't like vegetables said that he loves kale chips. Maybe they taste just like potato chips.
I highly doubt that they taste like potatoes. I guess the oil content could be about the same.
I'm not really sure about the details of kale chips.
You have not made any before?
My sister has made lots of them, but I have never made them myself. I eat her chips though. They taste pretty good.
What a nice sister. You always mooch off of her.
That's not even true. I do so much for her so giving me some of the kale chips is the least she cold do for an amazing sister like me.
How humble of you. WHat kinds of thing do you do for her?
I helped her apply for college, I helped her sign up for college, and I even help her buy clothes sometimes. She really needs me.
What ever shall sh do when you leave on your mission?