6 MONTHS!

That's right! Ken is at the 6 month mark! I can't believe it's been 6 months...it feels like he just left, yet it also feels like it's been FOREVER! The picture above is from over a year ago, the very first time we hung out outside of class. I can't even believe how fast this year has gone by!

Coming back to the more recent past, here's been my last few weeks or so:

At camp, we've done: Universal Studios, Olvera Street (almost like a Mexican version of Chinatown), 3D movie (Journey to the Center of the Earth), California Science Center, Aquarium of the Pacific (where I was brave enough to touch a shark and some stingrays!), and the L.A. Zoo. I was really excited for the zoo, but I had a bad combination of kids in my group that day, and they complained the entire day and didn't want to look at any of the animals--all they wanted to do was hurry through so they could get to the gift shop, which they spent 20 minutes in, then spent the last hour and a half playing cards near the entrance of the zoo. Olvera Street was one of my favorite days! The kids bought a ton of these confetti eggs (hollowed out
eggshells stuffed with confetti) and you crack them over people's heads. Being a counselor, I was a prime target--and it was a blast! I was covered in confetti, and I am still finding confetti in my first aid fanny pack! (yes, first aid fanny pack. We're required to have them with us at all times, and they are the biggest eyesores ever, we hate them. They were extremely useful though the couple weeks we kept having kids with bloody noses!). I saw these bracelets there that I liked, but I was too busy watching the kids to buy anything for myself. One boy in my group (that always says I'm his favorite counselor!) heard me say I liked those bracelets, and he bought me one! It was so sweet. I also always wear another bracelet, one made out of lanyard that one of the counselors, Lindsey, made for me. She's my Twilight buddy out here, me and Kim and Lindsey are going to get the 4th book at midnight this Friday! :) Also, I decided to walk to work a few times this past week (it's about a 20 min walk) just cause it's a good workout (as if chasing 40 kids around everyday isn't enough of a workout already, haha).

At church, Kim and I gave talks! Her family was out of town for it, so it was kind of weird standing up there giving a talk to a whole bunch of people who don't know who I am at all. My topic was "a living prophet". It was interesting because a couple of Kim's non-member friends came. Kim's topic ("love one another") was a little more transferable, but having a living prophet is one thing that really make out church different. It was cool cause one of her friends wanted to ask the missionaries questions afterwards, he took notes on our talks and everything. Also, after the meeting, I had a lot of people ask for quotes I used in my talk and someone even asked for a copy of my whole talk! Overall, I felt good about it, even if I was nervous (it was also my first non-youth talk!).

Other fun stuff I've done: I went and saw Batman with some people last weekend. It was AMAZING, I loved it. The one thing that really bothered me though was Maggie Gyllenhall. I thought she was terrible as Rachel. Never thought I'd miss Katie Holmes!

Today we went to Zuma Beach, and did pretty much nothing. I think my legs are the darkest they've ever been in my life now!

In other news, the Barlow family was out of town for a family reunion (except Kim) so we had the place to ourselves. They brought back Jacob (he's the one just older than Kim) and one of his roommates, so after our week of peace, the house is crowded again, but I love it.

I can't wait to see some of you again in a month! As much as I've enjoyed CA, I'm ready to get back to BYU and small-town livin!