The END is NIGH

Holy smokes! 2 weeks from Today is the start of finals week, yes FINALS! Where in the world did this semester go!?! I can't believe it's almost over! It's quite bitter sweet. I love school, but yes, i'm starting to get a little burned out, a break would be nice right about now.

But It's been an awesome semester! I love summer and i'm excited to go home and be with my family again.. but i'm going to miss all our adventures!

Summer means no more late night spontaneous drives to Globe to get a frosty from Wendy's, no more scavenger hunts - almost getting kicked out of Walmart, no more haircutting by moonlight. Goodbye mattress surfing, pranks, trips to the mountain, scootering to Burger King, tubing down the canal.. finding snakes, owls, squirrels, and beavers. Farewell Sunday Night game Nights, Disney Scene It competitions, chalk drawings, forts, waffle Saturday's, flying kites from the back of a truck, car chases, bonfires, haunted houses, kayking - and the many adventures that come with that. See ya later trips to the river,cramming in cars, awkward conversations, star gazing, craw dad fishing. No more girls nights where we sit and talk for hours and hours which leads to laughing for hours and hours. Goodbye to some of my favorite people who I don't know if i'll ever see again. Goodbye Thatcher.

But on the brighter side I can take a break from all the DRAMA, PMSing roommates and friends, and everyone thinking they can't get along with other people.

Oh so maybe I can welcome summer after all. It will be good, but I still don't really like thinking about it. haha. But now it's crack down time, 2 lab practicals, 2 quizzes, 5 tests, a few more homework assignements, 5 finals, and a whole heck of a lot of fun and stressful times and the semester will be over. Wow. I swear it just started.
But the end also means the beginning! Welcome family reunions, swimming, being with family, working, making money, Havasupai, baseball, free laundry, real food, Matthew, seeing Eric for the last time for 2 years. Maybe even the lakehouse, water skiing, and a cousins weekend!
So this semester has been good. Lots of good learning experiences, in many aspects, lots of good friends, lots of good fun, lots of good adventures, but HERE I COME SUMMER! Bittersweeet.

and the sickness came and went...

Once upon a time there was a day called Sunday, March 28, 2010. The day was a glorious one in the town of Thatcher, AZ. It was a beautiful day outside and church was awesome. I love fast Sundays! When the great day turned to evening, Cynthia's hometeachers, Dallin and Jonathon, came to my house to give a wonderful lesson. The first half, the only part I was really mentally there for, was good. But in the middle of it all some weird things started happening to me. I, all of the sudden, lost all energy, became really tired, got a massive headache, and had no idea what was going on around me. It was so weird because it all came on soo fast. After the lesson was done they left. I tried to get up to get some water.. but that didn't end too well. I got really dizzy, the whole room was spinning and there was black spots blurring my vision. So I just decided to lay back down. After a few more seconds, I still felt miserable. I kinda half whispered that I wanted a blessing. Kate and Cynthia got up and literally ran after Dallin and Jonathon to stop them. They came back and they gave me a blessing. It was probably one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. When it was done I didn't all the sudden feel great and wonderful, I still was half dead. But I was reassured that all would be well. I knew the words of the blessing came from Heavenly Father because some of the things that he said, Dallin had no idea I was going through. He did say I would get over the illness and my body would become stronger.. it just didn't happen right away. He also said something about getting up the next day refreshed and ready for what was coming. I had been stressed out because I had a lot of things coming up that I wasn't very prepared for. But Monday came and I was calm all day long. I used all the spare time I had to get ready for what was coming, and I wasn't stressed out. It was great. Plus. more that I will keep to myself. It was such a great experience. It is so awesome to know that I have a Father in Heaven who is so aware of me and all that I am going through, and through the Priesthood I can receive blessings from him. It's also such a blessing to know so many worthy pristhood holders who would come over in a heartbeat to give blessings. Everything is just so perfect and great.

Well ANYWAY (I tend to go in to more detail than I need to.. oh well.. i'm pretty sure there is only like 5 people tops who know about this thing). so Monday and Tuesday came and went. I didn't really do anything, I didn't really have any energy. It kinda wasn't that fun. Well then Wednesday afternoon I thought I started feeling a little better. A couple people were going to the canal and putting their feet in because the sun decided to shine a LOT that day. So I was sitting there, feeling the best I had all week. We went over to the other side, right by the bridge in the front of Goodman's and, just like before, all the sudden I just felt everything going down hill. I went and laid in the grass and watched as the whole world spun around me. Kate and April went to get me a waterbottle, but when they came back I couldn't even hold it up.. I had no grip. It was soo weird. So after a long time of me laying there we all decided I should go back to my apartment and lay down.. only it was kinda far away. So Jared picked me up, but all that movement and the headache mixed with the dizziness just made me nautious, so I got back down for a minute then both April and Jared helped/dragged me to my apartment. I felt helpless.. which is not a good feeling at all. I laid on my couch and was out. Which is weird for me. I slept for like 2 hours.. it was a weird sleep, I was kinda still awake because I could hear the things going on around me, but I was still completely out. I don't think I could have responded to someone if I wanted to. I woke up around 9 and felt extremely tired, yet better at the same time. Raegan gave me some Vitamin C pills and I was ordered to go to bed. I don't know what time I actually went to bed, but I think it might even have been before midnight! I woke up Thursday and felt stronger, I wasn't normal, but on a good route there. I felt better and better throughout the day and have been fine ever since. It was soo weird, let me tell you! I don't know what happened to me, it was all so strange. But it's ok.. because i'm better now!
Now looking back on it there were some funny things that happened... one morning I went to plug in my straightner and had to unplug something from the outlet. But either I just couldn't grip it, or I didn't have enough strength to get it out, or something, but Rachel had to do it for me. haha. Then one night I went over to Brenna's to get my keys from her while she was unpacking. She was setting a bag of clothes onto her bed, but she missed it, so she was trying to get it on, I tried to help her.. but did nothing because I absolutely had no strength in me. She was just all, "sheesh, didn't know my clothes were THAT heavy." haha. Good times!
But one thing I did learn was that I have the greatest friends in the world. They helped me out so much! They really did. I can't even tell you how many texts I got everyday from like 10 different people, asking how Iwas feeling and things like that. In those few days I heard things like.. "Wow, you look awful", "you really should see a doctor", "you have a fever", "You better not have mono, Woman!", "You better be in bed by ten tonight!", "Please get better soon", "I don’t want you to be sick anymore", "Hannah it’s not cold, something is wrong with you", "you look like you’re going to cry", and "You still look sick". Sometimes it got annoying and I wished they would stop telling me that.. haha. But really it was great to know that so many people cared and were interested. One thing I don't really like is people doing thigs for me, especially when it's because I can't do them myself. But everyone offered to help and do things for me all week. I just am surrounded by the greatest people! I love them all!
Now there you have it. The sickness that came and went.

Why do these things happen?!

You know how sometimes you just have the weirdest experiences? The stangest people...well not strange people, but random people just come into your life randomly? WELL WHY DO THESE THINGS HAPPEN!? Why do I meet the people I meet? Why do the things that happen to me happen? It's all so weird. Like really. I'm just scooting through my life, doing my own little things, and BAM someone comes into my life.. and then you get to know them.. and you talk to them. AND GUESS WHAT?! YOU LEARN FROM THEM. Not just a little either, like a LOT! You learn a lot! But it's not just like one or two people either.. it's A TON OF PEOPLE! Some people I still don't even know that well but I have learned great things from them. [Everyone that I meet here in Thatcher is here for the same reason, to go to school. We are all in about the same stage of life. But we all have WAY different lifes, pasts, and trials. It's so amazing to be around all these people. BECAUSE I LOVE THEM ALL! and they make me so happy, and have thins that I can learn from them] It's crazy! Then you just have the coolest, yet again, random, experiences and you learn sooooo much from them as well! [It's almost like I LOVE learning or something! :)]
Well. The other day I got to thinking about this because these little things keep happening to ME. Then it hit me.. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. Seriously. EVERYTHING! Every little bump or jump that happens to me, is for me to learn and grow! And want to know what else? I'M DOING IT! I'm learning and i'm growing! I know i'm off at school for a reason... you know, to get that thing we all like to call an education! Well. I'm learning a lot more than the things this school can teach me. and. I LOVE IT! But. There is still more learning for me to do! I definitely know that there is a plan that is just for me, that I am on this earth for a particular reason, and that I have help ALL around me. The lord, My family, my friends, strangers, Institute, Promptings from the spirit. Yes. They are all helping me become the person that I am and need to be. And maybe even hopefully I can help other people as well. I'm in love with this concept. It just makes me so happy!

Valentine.

Well Valentines Day was on Sunday. What a glorious holiday it is. It is this crazy holiday where everyone spends as much money as they have.. or don't have.. to express their love for someone. Well hello, how much more materialistic can we get?! Do we really need a holiday excuse to tell someone we love them? I find it a dumb holiday. But the conversation hearts that come with it are awesome and many hilarious situations come because of them, so maybe it's ok afterall. Well. This particular Valentines day was just a normal day in the life of Hannah Gunderson. It was a great day, even without a "valentine." Along came Wednesday (ya, 3 days late.. whoops) when I decided to stroll on over to the Post Office because I hadn't been there for a long time.. and the Post Office is a cool place. So I opened my box.. and.. WABAM. There was a TON of stuff in there. A lot of junk mail, a letter from the post office wanting my money to renew my box, Rachel got some checks she doens't needs, and I was quite suprised to find an envelope from my dear cousins in Cedar.. Rachel and Tara. Oh how I love them. and there was a KEY in there! Do you know what this means?!? PACKAGE!!! I was so stoked! So I got it out and found the box that belonged to my key and opened it up. There was a beautiful, festive package addressed to Hannah Gunderson and Rachel Hicks, from the one and only Kymber! (There was little rays of sunshine coming off of her name.). I got home and opened everything up. My dearest friend Kymber. I love you. There was a card for both of us and a box of CHOCOLATES. I love chocolate. But I love you more. You really made my day!!! Then I opened the envelope from Rachel and Tara. I love you guys too!! A whole hecka lot! They both wrote me a valentine letter and even water colored a beautiful picture just for me. I was in heaven that day. haha. But really. Besides the fact that the three of you made me feel guilty for not doing anything for anyone, it really meant a lot to get that from you guys. I definitely am surrounded by the greatest people in the world. (Well actually i'm not exactly "surrounded" by you guys, you live far away.. but you get the picture, right?) I am honored just knowing you guys. I LOVE YOU!! Thanks for the Valentines folks!

Let it Snow!! IN THATCHER!!

So. Mountains are beautful.. Well mostly everything in the great outdoors is beautiful. But especially mountains. It's also a true story that mountains with snow on them are even better. So 2 weeks ago we went up to Mount Graham to play in the snow before it melted (note the irony) We had a wonderful time sledding, tubing, crashing and all that jazz. (and that is another story on it's own)Well. This whole week has been all rainy and cold, and I have enjoyed it thoroughly.. for the most part (We found out Friday morning that we have a very leaky roof.. it was a great thing to wake up to). But with that has brought another heap of snow to Mount Graham. Now the ENTIRE mountain is covered in snow! Not just the tip like it was before. I'm in love.
(This is when we went 2 weeks ago)

WELL THEN On Saturday we were all chilling in our apartment with the door open. We looked outside and it looked as if there was rain falling into all the puddles that covered the ground.. but just the puddles.. the ground wasn't getting that wet. So naturally I went outside to investigate. There were people outside yelling IT'S SNOWING! Well that sure grabbedmy attention. So I leaned over the railing and looked up.. and what did I see? SNOW!! REAL SNOW WAS FALLING FROM THE SKY!!! It was the greatest moment ever. IT SNOWED IN THATCHER!! It only lasted about 3 minutes.. but for all the excitement we had you would have thought it was snowing for days! Later that afternoon the girls took a drive to take pictures of the snowy mountain. We ended up going as far up the mountain as we could (Which wasn't that far) before the roads were closed.

You Know You Are A Gunderson If...

*You look forward to going to Centerfield
*You plan a family reunion, and no matter when or where it is you ALWAYS get rained on
*Piling on a couch with 7 other people is normal
*You have explored all of Centerfield/Gunnison on a 4-wheeler
*You sometimes break out in random dance moves - to your own music
*The best part of summer is the 4th of July and Family Reunions
*It's in your blood to oppose the Utah Utes
*You can amuse yourself for hours by taking random pictures of each other
*Thanksiving Turkey bowl DOES NOT get cancelled, whether rain, snow, or shine
*Black Friday means Walmart and the Malt Shoppe
*You have tripled the Centerfield 1st ward
*Signs. Monumental. The end.
*You stay up all night talking about useless things
*You know all the words to Saturday's Warrior
*You're only penpals are cousins
*You know what a scripture scout is
*All you need is Uncle Dan to have the best fireworks show ever
*At Grandma's house, you can walk by the TV room and see 10 kids trying to work out with Trish
*Greg, Adam, Aubry, Jeremy, Matthew, Kyle, Rachel, Krista, Tara, Hannah, Eric, Jana, Ashley, Rachel, Malerie, Melanie, Cori, Kara, Mariah, Kent, Camilla, Rachelle, Kayla, Shane, Jacob, Heather, Alicia, Hyrum, Jarom, Jared, Zaiden, and Caitlin are you're favorite people!

Thatcher

Basically my life is awesome. It really is. I love EA! Every last minute of it.. Except maybe the 50 minutes I spend in chemistry 3 days a week.. but even that isn't THAT bad. Our nightly adventures are the best! We have done a great many things.. legal and not so legal. But we haven't been caught and that's all that matters right? I think we have gone to the desert or just to Parker's backyard 5 times in a week and a half to look at stars. They are so beautiful and there are so many of them it's insane! And there are shooting stars out the wazoo.. I almost can't even take it! I'm in love! On Tuesday night, well wednesday morning really, there was a meteor shower! It was awesome!! There were BRIGHT and when I say BRIGHT i mean BRIGHT BRIGHT purple, green, and yellow things flying across the sky.. now if that's not cool I don't know what is. But contrary to what others think, there is more to Thatcher than just the open sky. I love it here! I love the country! It is so beautiful... the cotton fields are amazing... especially at night..Now.. cotton hopping anyone?
On Friday night I had my first successful attempt at an all-nighter. I know, I know, I am growing up! It was really a lot of fun! Stranglely, I don't get tired at night anymore. I averaged less than 4 hours of sleep a night last week. But it was sooo worth it! But I do think it is starting to catch up with me now.. I'll work on that..
Then on Saturday we went to Cluff Ponds. That was swell. It was a really windy day though.. and that made the water quite cold. Jared and Mitchell jumped in first and they came out shivering and turning purple.. ya.. not so comforting. Then all the guys threw the girls into the water. I saw them throw Raegan in and it did not look comfortable. So when they ran after me I just jumped in.. and bam. It was cold! But after a few minutes you went numb so it didn't matter anymore. It was a rather enjoyable experience overall I would say.
Now that is nowhere close to everything that has happened this month. But this will have to suffice. Just believe me when I say MY LIFE IS THE GREATEST, EVER! k?