Walk like a 'terp...Talk like a 'terp

You know how everyone asks if you feel any different on your birthday, any older? And of course you answer "no."
Well, today I feel different. ...no, you didn't forget my birthday. I passed the Utah State Novice test for American Sign Language interpreting!!!!! I'm pretty sure something changed inside of me today. I now walk like an interpreter.

Dear Anna:

Congratulations! You have been awarded the Novice Level Certificate! I commend you on your accomplishment. Your certificate, certification card, and other information will be sent separately.

Sincerely,

Mitch

Mitch Jensen, Director

Utah Interpreter Program

Dear Blog,

I am yet again "finding myself," and I love it! Just as relationships develop over time, I believe we must develop an understanding of ourselves--a relationship with ourselves, so to speak. We constantly change, and constantly need to reacquaint ourselves with who we are as individuals. I have learned more about myself through God this year than ever before, and I know I should be able to say that every year for the rest of my life. I am strong. I am competent. I have a burning testimony of my Savior and his gospel. I love talking. I'm often very prideful, but I wish so very much that I weren't. I love cooking. I love making others happy. I always strive to please those around me. I need attention. I think very little of myself most of the time, while simultaneously putting myself above others. I often worry about my future. I can't really picture myself finding love again. I love music. I love writing. I love the temple. I talk back when I shouldn't. I hold myself to an extraordinarily high standard. I feel pressured to achieve perfection. I make my bed every day. I love food. Dancing makings me very happy. Sign language tickles my insides and always makes me smile. I want to serve the Lord. I want to find an eternal best friend. I want to fix my daughters' hair (when I have them of course). I hate social games/manipulation/pettiness. I highly dislike television reporting while working three jobs and taking classes (even if this gets me into trouble with my professor...ugh!). I love my family so much. I want to have ducks again. I can't wait to go to Africa! I wish I had a car. I can't always decipher between right and wrong. I judge people harshly. I wish I could change a lot about myself. I have a definite liking for physicality with boys; but in spite of this attraction/desire I can't even allow myself to continually date an individual who doesn't meet standards (unlike roommates who think dating is for physicality). I can give my heart and soul in eternal commitment to my future husband. I wish I were a better writer. I'm grateful for my current roommates. I need to read the scriptures daily (as in: I need to do better at this). I allow Satan to work on me. Laughing causes me great joy. I hate working with arrogant people. Sometimes I think inappropriate things are very funny. I get confused with my own feelings. Crisp autumn air is one of my favorite things. I hate ice skating. Nuts make me gag. I hate being smothered by boys. I allow boys to validate me. I feel as though I have no real friends apart from those with which I am related. I wish I were funny. Often, I feel as though I fake being smart. Cleaning helps me feel good about myself. I'm always tired and hungry. I'm like an onion.

Life

I figured it all out--wasn't that hard, really. I have the next two years of my life planned out. Of course, things never go as planned, but it's a nice thought. Today was good.

Oh, and by the way, I've decided to post here occasionally...again. I've been avoiding the pictures below (Travis and I broke up...and I didn't want to make a choice about whether or not I should delete the posts...I guess ignoring the issue is the same as the "not" choice, but in my head they were different); and instead of writing here, I've written in my "real" journal for the past little while. But I think I can manage and do both. However, no commitments...

Up the Mountain

I hiked the "Y" for the first time this evening! The path was harder to climb than I expected. The exercise was good though, and so was the company.

The Sweet Aroma of His Collar Bone

So, technically I should be asleep right now--either that or working on my unfinished research paper, due tomorrow. But I couldn't suppress the long-time call of my abandoned blog.

I must say, I've been quite pleasantly distracted lately: who could resist the sweet aroma of his collar bone? I love running my nose up his soft cheek and down his strong shoulder in search of the source of such fragrance. I love him, really.

I'm also in love with life in general. Even the difficult classes I always find reasons to complain about, I love them too. My classes are pushing me to grow and learn. The sun is shining. I have two wonderful jobs during a time of economic uncertainty. I have a lovely bed, in a lovely room, a room all to my own. I'm starting a sign language interpreting program in three weeks, and counting. I love life.

Today Travis and I kissed in front of a large group of fifteen year old EFY campers. They squirmed and then applauded. Travis loved it; I searched for the sweet aroma of his collar bone.

What an Honor

Ok, I really don’t have the time or the energy to try and sound eloquent right now. Let me just say, today has been amazing. I received the Outstanding Broadcast Award, which declares me the top broadcast junior in the nation. Pretty dang cool. And I got money. Always dang cool. I also received a scholarship. Yay! Even more money! And I get to produce a thirty minute radio documentary. I just couldn’t believe the whole experience. I also got a set of the BYU P.E. clothing. They’re getting rid of the clothes and I got some! I know, dorky. But I was excited. And I turned in my huge English project—including my much worked on short story. That’s a relief. Maybe one day I’ll have the guts to post that story here. Probably not though.
Today I felt as light as air. And for the fourth time this week I couldn’t help but smile.
Too bad Travis didn't call. All well.

Oral History Transcript of Interview

Oral History Transcript of Interview
BYU Communications 301 (History and Philosophy of Journalism)

Anna: This is the Anita Louise Pritt Oral History Project, session number one with Anita on March 14th 2009. We’re interviewing over the phone. I am in the Classical 89 radio studio in Provo, and Anita is in her home in Duchesne, Utah.
Anna: Ok, like I said before it’s just about the media and kind of what you remember from growing up: what programs you remember, listening to the radio; that kind of thing.
Anita: Ok…let me see. (Joel come on.) I’ve got to think…about media that we had?
Anna: Yeah.
Anita: It was radio—it was radio only when I was little. So we listened to the news. I listened to stories—lot of stories. They had like, oh, Disney stories, and they had The Squeeking door, mysteries, Cream of Wheat Hour—those kind of things.

...full interview available upon request...

Five Minutes Peace

When I woke up this morning and saw the snow, I figured today would be bad. But when I realized all of the good oatmeal flavors were gone and I’d have to have plain, I knew it would be bad. When I tried to fix my hair and found that I was out of hairspray there was no turning back—I was headed down the tube.
Sum up of today:
-Forgot to take a lunch
-Felt ignored by “certain” people
-Failed a test
-Discovered I had a paper due…when everyone else was getting them back
-Got a new blister
Yeah, I know, I’m focusing on the bad stuff. I have a great life, I just had a bad day and I need to complain for a minute. I’m too tired to try right now and need a five minute break before I have to slap on a smile. All will be well; it’s just not right now. I’ll keep praying for peace.

I'm Uptight

I realized I'm just waiting for the day when I can let loose. I'm waiting for the stresses to be gone, tests to be over, and love to be found. I can't wait anymore.

I think I'll just take off to Cali and pick up surfing and be a professional superstar (correlation? -irrelevant :) ) . Anyone wanna come?

Great Weekend

I had an amazing weekend. I ran a 5k (again...Rachel and I are getting so good at running!). Then went on a date with William D. He’s been a friend of mine for almost a year now, and we’ve always gotten along really well. I don’t normally date guys younger than me because I find them to be terribly immature. However, William has always impressed me with his levelheadedness. We helped out with a service project for two hours: stuffing and sewing footballs and making games for an autistic children’s school. It was wonderful. Surprisingly, Will was even subtly flirtatious; and we had a great time. We were so into the projects that we missed our bus home and ended up wandering the Wilk and joining a game of 4-square! I haven’t played since 3rd grade! We caught a sneak peek of the Latin dancing in the ballroom and a quick game of foosball in the bowling alley. And always a favorite, we looked at the stars on our way back from the bus. It was great. When I got home, my roomies and I took off to a slumber party. I really had no intentions of sleeping over, but I was going to enjoy as much of the party as my tired body could. It too was awesome. I ate two pieces of pizza, a bowl of muddy buddies, a pack of gushers, and a bit of chocolate cake and worms in dirt. Girls were running around shooting guns and bows and arrows, dancing, and playing with the Unicorn!

Saturday was awesome too. I saw my first silent movie with live organ accompaniment! It was so neat! Good friends, good fun, and the 1920 version of "The Mark of Zorro."