Christmas with the Burts...

Some conversations heard in our home this morning:

After I open a straightner:
Me: I got a straightner!
Jeff: Like boys.
Me: I do!
Jeff: Then why do you need to go straight?
Michael: (who's ten) trust me from experience, guys like girls with curly hair
Dad: that's why he cuddles with me, my back hair is curly


When Michael tries on his Snuggie:
Michael: It doesn't fit!
Jeff: It's supposed to look like that
Michael (grumpy and on the verge of tears): It's just a blanket!

Valle de Imperial

I'm home for Christmas and I've never been very good at coming home; Cedar City is just too ... perfect. So in the spirit of Christmas I'd like to make a list of things I love about the valley:

-it's home, I know where to find things
-it's beautiful in the winter, I walked around all day in shorts and a t-shirt
-there really is something aesthetically pleasing about the green field against the blue sky
-can you say mexican food?
-really just mexicans in general. moving to cedar was a huge cultural shock, i'd never lived among massive amounts of white people. i love roaming the aisles of wal-mart and just listen to people speak spanish. i was so blessed to grow up in another culture
-michael spencer fisher burt- my little brother is the best! (and the rest of the family)
-target :)
- Abby May Smithers- who knew she'd be the only person from high school I kept in contact with besides KP? She's rock-tastic


that's it for now...maybe I'll think of more

It's been a long long love affair...

with Thunderbird basketball. It all started the first day I lived in Cedar back in August of 2006 when one of the first people I met was on the team. My love for basketball goes back to 6th grade but that's another story. My freshman year I made signs and was at every home game, even went when we played at the Y. Those were the days of Coach Evans, Stevie B, the BFG, and Justin Allen; how I miss those days. Then came Coach Reid, and all of my favorites left. It was a hard time, but I never stopped cheering. I still have signs, and the day I found my SUU basketball jersey at the DI was one of the best of my college life. Tonight I watched our team try their hardest and fight tooth and nail against the UNLV Rebels. We lost but I really was truly proud of them, they tried until the very end. I don't know what I'll do when I don't live here anymore. bah! GO T-BIRDS!

To explain where I come from...

Palm trees wave, are you listenin'?
In the pool, water's glistenin'
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Livin' in a desert wonderland.

Gone away is the blizzard,
Here to stay is the lizard,
A warm sunny day, we like it that way,
Livin' in a desert wonderland.

In the desert we will have a picnic,
Cactus, sand, rattlesnakes and sun.
Christmas dinner is an old tradition,
It's pinto beans and tacos by the ton.

Later on we'll perspire,
Temperatures rise even higher,
A warm sunny day, we like it that way,
Livin' in a desert wonderland.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

Tonight Payden, Heather, Brian and I went down to Tuachan and saw White Christmas. It was magical. Sure it wasn't perfect, but you could tell the kids had worked really hard, and honestly enjoyed it. It had an energy about it that sometimes the productions here at SUU loose due to the actors being burned out. For those of you who haven't seen the move, White Christmas, it's about these two men who are performers that go to Vermont to help their old Army General save his Inn. The Inn hasn't been getting any business because there's no snow and everyone wants to go skiing. In the end, when everything is resolved, it snows; of course! I loved this movie so much when I was little because I just wanted snow in El Centro so bad! I wanted a White Christmas. It's probably my favorite Christmas movie. Tonight as we were walking out of the theater is was snowing, in St George. Purely Magical!

End of Semester 7 with two papers left...

I'm two papers away from being done with my seventh semester of college. I sat at Applebees today with Katie Hill, Michelle Erb, and Shani; just reminiscing about the good old days in Juniper as freshman and laughing at how stupid we were. Yet I found myself wishing I was still that carefree; you were always surrounded by people to talk to, and fun to be had. It made me feel so old: I'm 22! I remember when I was a freshman thinking Gabe was so old and he was only 21! Where has the time gone? I only have two semesters left, and then what? There was a moment last week when I had the though "maybe EFY isn't where I'm supposed to be this summer." Talk about shaking my foundation! It was little though, like when I first knew I wasn't supposed to go on a mission. I've now learned not to ignore the little things. I started looking into internships for the summer and it feels good at the moment. We'll see where life takes me. I'm actually kind of excited about being home, and that's a first. There were some rough patches but I was surprised at how easy it was to be home at Thanksgiving. I love spending time with Jeff and Jen and they'll actually have some to give. Mike's always a hoot and as much as I don't want to admit it, my mom has some pretty intelligent advice every once in a while. And most importantly, it will be warm!!!! I'm excited to see Krystin and Portia. I want updates in Abby's life, and I'm in desperate need of a haircut. She does good work. I need to get out of Cedar and think about things from outside the box. Where will I find a job in a year? Will there be any jobs to find? AHHHH

Thanksgiving Goodness

On this day of turkey, pie, and family, I have a lot to think about. Not only is it Thanksgiving but it's also my mother's birthday. So to copy Anatasha Blakely, I shall make a list of things I am grateful for:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ- Sometimes I try to think where I would be without it and it scares me, it influences everything I do.

Michael Spencer Fisher Burt- My little brother's unending love for me is mind boggling. I try to think of my life and my family before he was born and it feels like it didn't even exist.

Southern Utah University- I really am truly blessed to to be able to receive a college education, and at a school that is perfect for me no less.

My roommates this year- They really are perfect' from the late night talks with Heather and Jordann, to the help that Carrie and Jalaire give me with my theater classes. It was divine inspiration that we live together.

Shandra Kay "GFR" Worthen- I don't think I could have gotten through the summer without her letters.

Kyle Gregory Harper- He's perfect for her and treats her like a princess, you couldn't ask for more for your GFR.

Especially For Youth- This summer program has many a stereotype attached to it, but it lead me to the gospel; which changed my life. After seven summers, I'm addicted. From a participant to a counselor to a building counselor, I love every single part of this program.

Danielle Josephson- She's always exactly what I need. She always keeps me in line and opens my eyes to new arenas of thought.

Modern Science- My lungs already suck, I don't know where they'd be without my asthma medication.

These are just a few things and now I shall go back to working on my Comm research final.