Hawaii cont.

Day 5: canoeing and surfing; boogie boarding; night hike




















Day 6: Diamond Head hike; sailing; int'l marketplace; bonfire on the beach;


Day 7: mopeds; fly to AZ

What's the Buzz

So my roommates put Jedi-braides in their hair last week (when you wrap friendship bracelet thread around a piece of your hair) and it was rubbing on their necks and giving them a weird reaction... so they cut them out a few days ago. I asked one if the wanted help and she replied "no, its pretty easy, you just cut a piece and it comes right off". Well yesterday she found that piece of hair is now about 3 inches shorter than the rest of her hair lol. no wonder it was so easy to get it out... But this triggered a memory from my youth, so come on a stroll down memory lane with me: when I was younger (maybe around 12 or 13?) I had some baby hair that wouldn't reach my pony tail... but it was a section in the middle of my neck and it was about two inches long and looked exactly like a china tail.. ya attractive i know. My sister Nicole is actually the one who noticed and pointed this fact out to me through fits of laughter and asking if I had cut it to be there. (pretty sure she also tried to convince me to braid it once...) So after some time of constant teasing from her, she had a genius idea. You see she had just cut her hair very short and so she shaved her neck so the line would be straight at the bottom... so she was like "why don't we just shave it off?" my reply? "ya ok" so she did. and she would just do it every time she did hers... (why i didn't just bobby pin it up? I have absolutely no idea....) but then she wasn't home one time and it was starting to get kind of long... so i decided to just do it myself in the double facing mirror in our jack and jill bathroom.... ya that went well. I went a little too high and was left with a buzzed circle at the base of my skull. real cute. that was the last day I shaved anything above my shoulders. And I am happy to report that since then that piece of baby hair has made a full recovery and is now the length of the rest of my hair and fits quite nicely into my ponytail.

A to Z about me

A
1- Available?: available for what?! (Mrs. Miller from Chipmunk Adventures!! eh, eh?!)
2- Age: 21 baby!
3- Annoyance: being late
4- Animal: no thanks.
B
5- Beer: nope
6- Birthday: Feb 20
7- Best Friend(s): I don't really have best friends, I like all of my friends a whole lot... either that or I have too many to name; but my sisters are definitely on the top of that list.
8- Body Part on [a guy/girl]: Strong jaw; shaved head... yeah baby!!!
9-Best feeling(s): Hugs!!!
10- Blind or Deaf: Deaf
11- Best weather: Spring! Shorts, Flip-Flops. Nothing is better
12- Been in Love: with food yes... but a boy? not yet.
13- Been on stage: yes; but I want to say mostly for church stuff... oh and there was our 8th grade talent show where we did the Newsies "King of NY" and rocked it!!!
14- Believe in Magic: what would you say if I told you I am a part time student at Hogwarts? ... and I may or may not be in Slytherin?
15- Believe in Santa: not since my mom put the presents labeled "from santa" under the tree about 2 weeks early. oops
C
16- Candy: Peanut M&Ms
17- Color: I love all the colors... except pink... ew.
18- Chocolate/Vanilla: vanilla
19- Chinese/Mexican: Mexican
20- Cake or pie: Cake!!
21- Continent to visit: Africa!!!!
22- Cheese: depends on what I'm eating it with, but I generally just get cheddar
D
23- Day or Night: both; just depends on what I want to do.
24- Dance in the rain?: oh ya! we actually got the rain dance down to an art when I worked at Achieve this summer!
E
25- Eyes: Blue
26- Everyone's got:... time?
27- Ever failed a class? nope!
F
Full name: Monique Stevens
28- First thoughts waking up: not yet...
29- Food: anytime of the day! even if i just finished eating... ya. its both a passion and a hobby.
G
30- Greatest Fears: tripping and chipping my tooth on something hard (ie a counter or stone step...) another is walking on icy sidewalks, esp up or downhill... in bad shoes.... (story of my life this winter.)
31- Goals: Run in a van marathon, go to a small village in Africa or S America and do service/humanitarian there, learn another language (maybe spanish)....
32- Gum: minty not fruity
33- Get along with your parents?: yes
34- Good luck charm: prayer.
H
35- Hair Color: Brown (but i've been in many a debate over it...)
36- Height: 5'7''
37- Happy?: Very
38- Holiday: Christmas!!!!
39-how do you want to die: happy
I
40- Ice Cream: pralines and carmel!!
41- Instrument: my favorites are the violin and the bagpipes... and I can play the chorus of "bad to the bone" on my harmonica :)
J
42- Jewelry: necklaces
43- job: physical therapy office
K
44- Kids: love them... nephew (and soon niece) are the best!!!!
45- Kickboxing or karate: niether, why can't we just love each other?! how about dancing and hugs?? (not at the same time though haha) oh i DO love wrestling though, esp deyer sheet wrestling... mummy bag wrestling also rocks.
46- Keep a journal?: not in the traditional sense...
L
47- Love: anything and everything about the lake. also love the outdoors: sports, camping, hiking, picnics, etc. I also LOVE people, old people, teens, babies, troubled youth, all of them!
48- Letter: Q
49- Laughed so hard you cried: yes. can't remember at what now though...
M
50- Milk flavor: skim. all the way.
51- Movies: chick flicks, action (BOURNE SERIES!!!!), comedy...
52- Motion sickness?: generally no
53- McD’s or BK: Is there really a difference?
N
54- Number: 17: soccer number
O
55- One wish: recources... make of that what you will. :)
P
56- Perfect Pizza: supreme! or chicken bbq... i love anything really.
57- Pepsi/Coke: don't like soda
Q
58- Quail: i believe its quailman... and yes i dig his outfit.
R
59- Reason to cry: uhhh last time i cried was over 2 years ago b/c i lost my research paper after as i was adding my last reference; it was due the next day; and it was my birthday.
60- Reality T.V.: no... i dont really watch tv... but i do enjoy project runway
61- Radio Station: in provo: 92.1 100.7 ... can't remember the others
62- Roll your tongue in a circle?: yesh
63- Ring size: depends on the finger.... but i guess about 6-7ish?
S
64- Song: Led Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven!!! Chris Brown's "Wall to Wall" Taylor Swifts' "Love Story"... really I could keep going all day.
65- Shoe size: 7 1/2 - 8
66- Salad Dressing: ranch... goes with anything and everything!
67- Sushi: yes
68- Slept outside: yes!! thats one of my favorite things to do!!!
69- Smoked?: never
70- Sing well?: uhhh
73- Sing In the shower?: generally not.
74- Strawberries/Blueberries: blueberries
T
75-Tattoos?: none
76- Time for bed: whenever... depends on if I'm doing anything and what time I have to get up the next morning...
77- Thunderstorms: like them, but love lightening storms!!!
U
78- Unpredictable: i like spontenaity
V
79- Vacation spot: lake powell!!! but i'd love to go to Zions, and someday scottland.
W
80- Weakness: my weakness is probably self-discipline
81- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: uhm... alicia?
82- Who makes you laugh the most: can't name just one.
83- Worst feeling: seeing a cop when you are speeding.
84- Wanted to be a model: not really.
85- Where do we go when we die?: that depends entirely upon you.
86- Worst Weather?: snow
X
87- X-Rays: i may or may not have x-ray vision... :)
88- Ex's: nope
Y
89-Year it is now: 2009
90-Yellow: Happy, fun, spontaneity, warm, summer....
Z
91- Zoo animal: king julian?
Z
LAST PERSON WHO…
92.You texted? John Thuet
93.You went to the mall with? Audrey Eells
94.You went to dinner with? Brent
95.You talked to on the phone? Mom and Dad
96.Made you laugh? Kevin
97.Hugged you? Dad
98.Said they loved you? Dad
99.Held your hand? uhhh ??
100.Spoke with online? stephen steele

25 Random Things About Me

1. I have two screws in my ankle from dislocating it and breaking my tibia and fibia in a soccer game when I was a freshman in high school.... but I got the goal :)

2. I absolutely love hugs, that's probably the fastest way to bring a smile to my face

3. I can do the worm

4. I have scoliosis...

5. My dream is to work in a small town or village in South America or Rural Africa.

6. I love dancing (especially hip hop, but country and 80's definitely have their place too).

7. The lake is probably my favorite place in the world!!! And my favorite thing to do! I love boating, skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, jetskiing... pretty much anything.

8. One of my toes is bent in such a way that it is tucked under all my other toes.

9. I can bring my arms from behind my back to the front while keeping my hands interlocked.. so I guess I'm "double jointed"?

10. I love to give massages -- I really want to be a massage therapist.

11. I want to cut bangs but am too scared to.

12. I love tie dye and bandannas.

13. No one really knows what color my hair is-- I've been described as having red hair, being blonde, etc... but I consider it brown.

14. I can play "Bad to the Bone" on the harmonica. (well the chorus anyway).

15. I like going grocery shopping -- it's slightly therapeutic for me.

16. I was in Canada over Canada Day once, and it was probably one of the best days of my life.

17. One of my fears is tripping and chipping my tooth on something like a counter or stone step.

18. I love old people.

19. I want a big family.

20. I am allergic to horses.

21. I think the last time I cried was my freshman year when my computer ate my ridiculously long research paper the day before it was due.. which also happened to be on my birthday.

22. I'm terrible at explaining things-- my opinion, something I learned in class, something I believe in, advice, etc. I really wish I were better at that.

23. I get something called "complicated migraines". (Highly entertaining stories, you can ask me about them later if you really want to know..)

24. One of my favorite quotes is "Be the change you want to see in the world"

25. I believe the snow is for visiting, playing in, and looking at... but not for living in.

Merry Christmas

Happy Fathers Day!

I just wanted to give a shout out to My dad for being an awesome father! He has always been such an amazing support to me throughout my whole life in everything I do from school to sports to jobs to photography, etc etc. He always worked so hard to support me and my sisters and mom physically and financially, he wanted us to be able to try out our strengths and discover things for ourselves and not be limited because of money or work, he wanted us to experience life and have fun doing it! But more than that he was always my emotional support and encouragement! He was always so busy, but he would always drop what he was doing at that moment and come in and talk to me and listen to what was going on in my life and offer whatever advice and insights he could, and I know that time he spent on me often came at a heavy price to him, such as another sleepless night getting the work done that he had set aside for me. He always knows what to say and makes me want to do my best and be better, but without ever making me feel like I'm not absolutely perfect right now. I love his testimony and knowledge of the gospel; I have seen the way it has changed his life and his quiet example of living his testimony has strengthened mine and blessed our family in so many ways! He is also one of the best story tellers I know! He is so personable and makes anytime a good time with his jokes and knack for adventure and getting lost. He has always been so good about taking us along on his adventures and teaching us to be hard working, self reliant, and to have fun doing whatever it is you are doing. I love our camping trips, hikes, climbing outings, target shooting sessions, etc etc.

Dad, thank you for everything!! I really don't know how to express how very much you mean to me and how much I love you and look up to you. You have taught me so much and are so much a reason of who I am today. Thank you!!

To the other father in our family, and my brother in law, Alma, I am so glad you are a part of our family!! You have added to its completeness, and I always have so much fun with you!!! You are an amazing person!! I learn so much from you everytime I am with you, you make me feel like I am the most important person in the world when you are with me. You remind me so much of my dad, you are quite the handyman, and I can always count on a fun time and some adventures when I'm with you, whether its flying a kite, going on a hike and sledding down a mountain, or just wrestling with a dryer sheet!! I love the way you love my sister and nephew, and the way you treat and interact with them. You are also a gospel stud! I love listening to you teach the gospel and lead discussions; you are going to be an amazing teacher!!! Thanks for being such a good brother and friend! You sure set the standard high for my future husband, but I wouldn't have it any other way, you are the greatest!!!

Visiting my home away from home

This weekend I got to go back up to Rexburg and spend a few days there with my fabulous sister and her husband and little boy. It went by way to fast of course, but I was still thankful for the little time I got to see and hang out with my best friends. We did some sweet kite flying on Friday, and the winds were blowing so crazy that the kite was dragging me around the field as I flew it. My favorite trick was I would hop and let the kite pull me, Alma said I got a good 8-10 feet. Even though I'm not as pro as Alma at flying kites (he can do some pretty wicked tricks) I still had lots of fun. That night we went to Alma and Nicole's friends' for an amazing dinner, and then played a game where you each have a piece of paper, and you write a sentence at the top; then you pass your paper to the left and then the next person illustrates your sentence. Then you fold over that person's sentence and pass it again, and the next person has to make up a sentence for your drawing!! It was hilarious!!! Its crazy how distorted the "story" would get. Saturday we had a delicious crepe breakfast then went to the park and fed the ducks. There were sooo many! and they surrounded the bench we were on, by less than a foot! Oh and there was one duck that was way skinny, and it sat up all straight, so the neck wasn't curved, but it was a straight line from the head to the tail.... really weird. Oh and instead of breaking off pieces of bead and throwing it to the ducks, if you throw the whole slice one duck will get it, and then the rest chase it around the park and take bites out of it! It is hilarious!!!! Much more entertaining than feeding them piece by piece. Well later that day we did some swimming, had another crazy delicious meal, and then made a fire in the pit outside and roasted apples, and played horseshoes-- Alma won, but only by a point! After we watched/quoted Matilda.. that movie is so funny! The principal totally makes the movie! Then Sunday we went to church, where Nicole played an amazing hymn medley on the piano (with only an hour notice) and later that night Alma taught an awesome lesson/discussion about the story in Mark 2 (You're going to be an awesome teacher Alm!!!) and we finished out the night with some brownies and ice cream and a few games of uno. Then Monday Nicole and I made some head bands, and then she took me to the airport, only to find my flight was 3 hrs delayed!! Luckily she waited there and so we went to the mall for a little while then got some lunch and had a picnic.. then I had to say goodbye. :( Luckily I will get to see them again in the end of August. It was so fun to see them, and Jagger is getting so big! Its fun to see him develop his personality, and his laugh is so funny!!! I love when he does his sign language too!! Thanks again guys for letting me come and stay with you for a few days and for taking such good care of me!! I always have an awesome time with you guys, and learn so much from you! I love that you are just good, genuine, and fun people who love each other and love/live the gospel. You are such examples to me, and you make me want to be better. Thanks for all the fun times and I love you so much and miss you already!!