"Take a Chance, Don't Ever Look Back."

And the battle of the homesickness begins.

Okay, so. I've officially completed my first week of classes. It's Friday night - the roomies and I are about to have a little family movie night, no big deal. I am completely caught up on homework and a little ahead in fact (*ahem* If you didn't already know, I'm kind of awesome).

So, I got to my dorm room on Friday, got to meet the girls (who are all sweet hearts, hands down), and got all my crap moved in. That pretty much took all day. When evening came around, I said goodbye to Mom for eight months *tear* and then the four of us went to the Freshman Talent Show. I think we were all a little skeptical when it came to actually going to this. A talent show... really. BUT, it was actually alot of fun and there are some seriously skilled people here at BYU-I. Pretty sure the guy who beat-boxed is my hero. Someday I'll learn, I swear it.

Yeah, that was the talent show. It kinda started out as a dance, lights and all - it was pretty legit. When we got home, everyone was exhausted and we all passed out. Good times.

SO, next day was Saturday and basically orientation. First off I went to a morning seminar thing for my major. The president/head guy over my major's area (Health and Life Sciences) just happens to be a retired bull rider. Yep. And not a bad looking one at that, for an older guy. But that made my day.

Anyway, then I took a couple tours (yeah, a couple. I'm no good with direction, I needed all of them), met a bunch of people I will never remember, and then went to the start of the year dance. Let me just say, college dances... Um, go to them. Because they're amazing. Or at least that one was. The music was good, the guys were attractive, and we all left exhausted and covered in sweat. Lovely, I know.

Let's see, then was Sunday, which meant single's ward. That was just awkward - let's move on.

Classes started on Monday and I'll just be honest, I was a nervous wreck. I didn't know where I was going, I left everywhere at least a half hour early to get where I thought I needed to be. I got turned around on campus and forgot several of my text books, but HEY I made it to every class on time. Oh and hey, did I mention, my very first class here at BYU-I ever, was at 6:00 in the morning? Yeah, it was. Go me.

So then Tuesday was basically the same thing, more new classes, still figuring out my schedule. The exciting thing about Tuesdays though (and Thursdays) is that I have my livestock reproduction class which is actually 5 miles off campus at the college livestock center. Best part of this class? All of the cowboys are in it. No joke. There are like a hundred. Not really, but there are enough that I am completely satisfied. We're talking boots galore. *sigh* I love that class. Also, yesterday in class, we got to dissect a cow uterus, which was actually really interesting. Anyway, so that's that.

Along with classes, I finally can get my gym back on! The gym here is huge and has basically everything I could ever want in it. So I've been taking advantage of that and loving every endorphin-fueled minute. I'm going to be such a beast by the time summer break comes back around. Y'all aren't even going to be able to recognize me, I tell you what.

 This was after I took my military fitness test. At 6:00 in the morning. In the freezing cold. Frankly, I'm a little surprised I didn't kill over, but I'm also really proud of myself. I did good enough for me.

Anyway, this first week has been really good. There's been some definite low points and I'm really starting to feel homesick now. I miss Lazy Mountain. I miss Hatchers Pass. I miss my Butte. Basically I miss mountains. And there's a few people I kinda, sorta, really, freaking miss too, but yeah.

The lovely Meghan sent me this picture from the picnic tables at the base of Lazy. Looking at it makes me more homesick than I have ever been in my life. Gah, okay, I gotta look away or I'm going to cry or something. 

It's still weird thinking of myself as a college student. I've been here over a week and it's not quite completely sunk in. I still feel like such a kid. But I think I've got things under control here in Idaho. It's hard being here and most of the time I wish I was back in Alaska, but I know things will get easier and someone up there is keeping an eye on me. Love and miss you all. Peace out. :)