We started this new thing at roommate prayer (OK, we started this new thing called roommate prayer if you want me to be honest). After we pray we go around the circle and say the best thing that happened to us that day. Yesterday mine went something like, "I talked to Taylor tonight!"
I chatted with good ol' TC last night for quite awhile. I would say I always adore him, but that would be a lie. Sometimes he drives me insane. But, last night, like most nights, I adored him.
I love how freely we can talk. I vaguely remember making the statement, "And that's why we're best friends." Ain't it true? We tell each other everything the other needs to hear (or doesn't want to hear), set goals for each other, and he makes me laugh.

I used to claim I would bail at the first sign of him backing off. No way, no how. Not anymore. I'll put up a fight now. That's what best friends would do. He told me.

Aren't they lucky?

Well, at least we are. And we're so glad our family is forever. Most days anyway.

Love you to the moon and back, Parentals.

Yesterday I got asked to hike 'R' mountain. But, that wasn't the end. We then went and got ice cream, played arcade games, and topped it off with a movie. Very fun, but oh...so. long. And, I was exhausted. Not to mention, all that kept playing through my head was all of the junk (and by junk I mean homework) I had to get done. Let's be honest: who really is pleasant after being with the same person for going on 12 hours and part of that spent hiking a mountain? Not me. But, everyone should be proud: at least I tried.
Anyway, I got home to a pleasant surprise: my roommates had bought me a DQ Blizzard. Fantastic. I hadn't eaten since the previous night. I was famished...and I don't use that word lightly.
While I was in the middle of enjoying some tuna on Townhouse crackers (pretty sure this combo is God's gift to the universe), the Sunday school president came by. The Sunday school president happens to be my dear friend Darren. Darren was looking for someone to sub today. Yeah...and he knew I was a sucker.
Quick phone call to Lancey Pance made my day. I love talking to my dad. First thing he said when he answered the phone, "I was just thinking about you." Mind you, he was thinking about who was going to eat his leftover shrimp from Cafe Sabor since I wasn't there. But, I'd had a long day and needed him...so, it made my day nonetheless. I informed him that I had to give the lesson, told him what chapters it was on, and could literally immediately hear the wheels in his head turning. Love, love him.
It went really smooth, much thanks to my padre. Someday, I'll grow up to be just like him. Someday my kids will be able to call me with random chapters in the Old Testament and I'll be able to tell them what they're on without even looking. Because, when I grow up...I want to be just like my dad.

I am taking 12 credits online this semester. Partly so I can get my office manager off my back for a semester, partly so my paychecks are pretty once again, and partly so I don't have to get annoyed with teachers or the kid sitting next to me that snaps his gum.
I guess I was wrong to assume that since it was online we wouldn't have to to do the ridiculous 'get to know you' junk...apparently that is inevitable. My professor asked us to post a blog on the discussion board introducing ourselves. Someone gag me.

I guess I should have looked at some of the others that were posted before I submitted mine. Now I'm the freak in the class.

Most sounded like this: "My name is Bob Jones. I'm from Utah, I'm an English Ed major and am almost done with school! I can't wait to meet all of you!!"

This was mine: "My name is Alyssa Harrison. I am from the best place on Earth--Preston, ID (obviously). I am the oldest of seven, and love every second of the chaos. Spontaneity runs my life. It's hard to say what I do for 'fun' because my fun happens in the moment. I love to laugh and I am a firm believer there is nothing better than a good friend, Taco Bell, tiger's blood snow cones (with cream of course), or Michael Jackson blaring from the stereo in a car with the windows down. All of those combined make a day comparable to heaven, I'm sure of it. I like playing almost any sport, although my hand/eye coordination doesn't allow for much talent. Writing is my outlet.
"I am majoring in English with and emphasis in Creative Writing. I work at a physician's office in Idaho Falls. I love to learn; so, although the major and occupation are not really related I learn a lot from both."
This nice blurb was not only twice as long as all the other posts, but the picture I decided to post was one of me sporting Taylor Clark's sunglasses-attempting to be thug. Yeah...
I think I am now labeled as the freak in the class.
So, I was dealing with this news when I went back later to see what others had commented on it. The first post I came to read, "What are you doing in this class, you dumb?!" Wow, a wee bit harsh, don't you think? They are supposed to teach kindness at the I. Then, I realized it was from Jessica who happens to randomly be in my class. But, the few minutes it took to have this click were miserable.

I guess that's just me, and people are going to have to deal with it. Including you, Jess...you dumb.

Since I went home last weekend, I thought I would grab some pictures off the computer. These are from Josh's baptism weekend.

This was what I walked into when I first got home: chaos. I love every second of it. Even Wyatt, Tanya, and Taylor made themselves right at home.

I obviously have a friend named Taylor Clark; I've talked about him a lot in recent posts. So, I wanted to make formal introductions.
Meet Taylor Clark:

This is our favorite past time: eating, of course. Taylor happens to be a phenomenal cook (much to my benefit).

Taylor headed home yesterday for the summer. I can't really blame him for ditching out on me...I mean, the kid is from Florida and has a lake literally in his backyard. Rexburg just got that much more pathetic.

I may not blame him, but that doesn't mean I hate it any less. Like I've said before, I really hate change. Taylor had become a pretty big constant in my life. Not to mention, he's become one of the best friends I could ask for, whether he's aware of it or not.
Judging from the picture below, you'd never be able to tell that we fight like brother and sister. You'd never be able to tell that we both drive each other insane, and know just how to make the other extremely irritated and annoyed. You also wouldn't be able to tell that all of the above had just transpired. Except...look really close, you can see my hands around my neck, protecting myself from death by strangulation.

Taylor turned 22 this last week. There was no way we were going to let this day slip by without celebration. Well, at least I was trying not to, but the little twerp kept doubting we even remembered his birthday. Oh, ye of little faith.
Anyway, because he kept doubting, he made it rather hard to plan a party...mostly because he kept making his own plans. So, we pulled a little something off, kind of last minuted, kind of simple. But, it surprised him, and hopefully made him feel loved: my mission accomplished.

This year was my first Easter I spent away from home. I never realize how many traditions my family has until I'm not there to help carry them out. So, I implement what I can.

April Fool's day was never over looked in our household growing up. We never did huge pranks, but every year Grandma calls and tells us her male dog, Riggy (named after the fact he has rigimortis in his early days, and didn't move...thus: Riggy), had puppies. She still calls and tells us this even though Riggy is dead. She thinks Dad still falls for it every year. Speaking of Dad, he always wakes us up with a supposed "Snow Day" and then laughs as we sleep in and are left scrambling to get ready for school on time.

I went as far as to open a call, with my family on the phone and friends gathered around. We had tracked down a packet from a girl in our ward that had just got her call, to make it seem legit. Yes, I am aware I will be struck by lightning for this. I deserve it.

We had a couple of videos, but they got deleted (there's a couple of suspects). Sorry boys, I couldn't help it, and then I couldn't stop it. Thanks for putting up with my torture. The feeling is mutual. :)

Meet Breanna. She's my roommate from California (the part no one knows about; she says it's closer to Reno, NV than anything-town population sign reads 35). Breanna is hilarious on so many levels.
One of my favorite things about Breanna is her lifelong dream to find a man who wears a billowing shirt.


Turns out, Breanna owns a billowing shirt. Go figure. Turns out Taylor Clark is awesome, and tried it on for her. At first he was a little lost on how he was supposed to act.

But, he got it down pretty quick. I got a good laugh out of it, and Breanna was happy beyond description. Thanks, Taylor. You pulled through yet again.

You know that split second in the morning when you wake up and everything is great? When your alarm clock goes off and for a bright, shining moment you've forgotten everything. That moment right before reality sets in?

Yeah, I love that feeling.

I had gone to bed in a pretty junky mood. Sometimes I get sick of being the girl that "will always be there." The one that CAN be plan 'B' and it'll turn out, because I'll pull through...just in case a date with another girl doesn't. Sure, I'll go through with the birthday plans like normal if your date falls through at the last second; I'll pull through. Especially because, it's so convenient for me to throw the party, as was the last month of planning and trying to come up with something to get for a present (even though it still turned out lame). So, yes, go on a date that night, not with me. I'll be ecstatic for you, because that's what I am supposed to do (as the friend that is). And, yes, I'll still throw a party afterwards. It's your birthday for heaven's sakes.

Wow, Alyssa. Ranting. To a blog. Pathetic, really pathetic.

For some reason this really threw me. I cried last night. Talk about pathetic! This is indeed what my life has come to. I have no idea why I was bawling. Probably a little bit of hormones, probably a lot the change factor (and the fact I have to say goodbye, for what could very possibly forever), probably my feelings were hurt. More than likely: I'm a girl. But, I cried. Like a baby, in front of my roomates, I cried.

So, this morning, I woke up to "She's Got It All" (my alarm had fallen on the floor, so it was halfway through the song by the time I got to it. Sorry, Tanya). For that split second everything was fine. It was a new day. Right before reality set in, everything was amazing.

As my good friend Brad Paisley would say, "Yeah, I live for little moments like that."

This is Michelle (and Jesus). This picture makes me terribly happy.

Michelle is one of the best friends a dramatic girl like me could ask for. There is no way to count the number of times I plopped down on her bedroom floor (even before we knew each other that well) needing to vent. She would listen calmly, she always says the exact thing you want to hear. Then, inevitably, she makes you laugh. And, everything is alright.

Twice. in two days, I've called Michelle near hysterics. She listens, listens, listens, takes my side, AND THEN tells me she loves talking to me.

Everyone needs a friend like Michelle Anne Yeates. If you don't have one, ask me. I may be willing to share her with you. But, just for a minute. I'll need her back.