Being an English Major and Fireflies

So nothing huge lately. The biggest thing to talk about is New York. I've gotten used to the idea of being here. I like the area; it is beautiful. Right now things here are green, not yellow like in California; and not as hot, although it is more humid. Things for me have gotten into a routine. After waking up, I facebook and check my email (therefore that is the best time to inform me of things 48 hours in advance) and start "acting" like an English major, as Dr. Snyder of BYU's English department would say--basically meaning I read, write, and analyze, though I don't write analysis of what I read; I write novels (literally). Then it varies depending on the day.
So I have found some way to entertain me throughout the day. What I found really cool this week was on Monday night my parents led me and my siblings on a walk through a "forest" path near our house. It was dark, so we could only see dark shapes to tell where the trees were, but there were fireflies. It was fun to see. I have only seen fireflies when I was little and lived in Missouri, but even then, I don't remember them, my parents have only told me stories. But it got even cooler. For those of you who have seen the movie The Sorcerer's Apprentice you will have hear the song "Secrets" by OneRepublic during the scene with the plasma cage. As I walked back to the house, still along the path, the song came on my MP3 player, which was cool as the lightning bugs flickered across our path.
That's all that is new here. I do miss California--the people were wonderful and I miss the beach and the predictable weather. I also miss Utah--the people I met there were so much fun to be around and it was never boring; there was always an adventure waiting to happen. But Western New York is a good place to be too and I am glad that I could get an opportunity to see this coast of the country. Until next time.

Summer Reflections

I know I didn't post for a good six months, but blogging doesn't rank high on my list when compared with hanging out with my roommates. So here is what has happened: 
1) Spent another amazing semester with Kiley, Claire, and Charlotte doing crazy things--wars with our friends upstairs, more yelling out the window, and having Charlotte pretend to be engaged. We also did normal things (so that people don't think that we are totally crazy). We played frisbee, did homework, went on dates, and had rough times.

2) Moved out of the apartment--that was a semisad day. It meant saying good bye to three people who I had come to regard as sisters over the last nine/ten months. It was almost like we had the same personality at the end of the year; not quite because we were all different people, but we all were willing to do crazy things. But moving out also meant getting to go home to my family's "new" house in New York.

3) Entertaining myself in New York--First, I feel that I must dispell a question that many people have been asking me since I arrived in New York: "How do I like the state?" That question can't be answered easily. I do like the nature that is everywhere. Trees and forests are parts of the city and there is a swamp ten minutes away to the north and a waterfall ten minutes away to the south. I am close to the Sacred Grove and love that we can drive to Niagra Falls. But I miss the people I knew in California, the beaches, and the predictable weather. I also miss how the sun would come up through Provo Canyon in Utah and the way that everyone in the apartement complex in my area liked to do activities together. Anyways, enough sad comparisons. Mostly I entertain myself by watching TV and writing in one of the books that I always seem to be working on.

4) Saying good bye as guys leave for missions--this will be the last one because this is what is most pertinent today. I'm happy that the guys are willing and worthy to dedicate two years of their lives to the Lord. *Collin Morris: he grew up with me and was like my brother. He went to Brazil. *Hailame Fisi'iahi: he was one of my brother's best friends and super nice. He also went to Brazil. *Dallin McBride: he was in my apartment complex and super funny; he always knew how to make me smile. He's in Korea. *Connor Barham: he lived in my apartment complex and became one of my closest guy friends. He's going to Washington. *Owen Carroll: he was Connor's roommate and one of the nicest and most cultured guys I think I have ever met. He's going to Ukraine. *Ty Higley: he was one of the guys from building twelve in my apartment complex. He was super nice and kind of competitive. He's going to Brazil. *Brandon Sonnefeld: He's my cousin. He is always willing to listen and make things better. He's also going to Brazil. These are just a few of the guys who became really good friends of mine who are leaving. So go preach the gospel and help others feel the Spirit and maybe there will be a time when we will meet again, whether in this life or the life to come, and reminisce about the fun we have had.

That about wraps up the last six months. I should try to post more often, but we'll see what happens.

Bethanie

People, People Everywhere

So I know I haven't posted for a long while, but that's really because I haven't had time, but I figured I should start postuing again regularly, so here is where I start. College! So I attend BYU, but that is not the biggest thing right now, recently my family moved to Buffalo New York, so this post is going to be all about the people I've met that are important.

First, my roommates, Kiley, Claire, and Charlotte. We are a crazy group. We sing out the windows, spy on people, marry chairs, and add every funny thing said to our quote wall. We regularly quote Kid HIstory and Julian Smith as well as anything on our quote wall. There are so many good memories from girls night on the same night as the first real snowfall to making dinners every week for an apartment of guys.

Next, people in my ward. My ward is amazing. They are so fun and don't think we're crazy for the things we do (well, at least most of the people in our ward who know us). I have made so many friends in my ward and it feels like everyone is amazingly talented in their own way...from music to art, sports to personality, there is always something that makes the people in my ward super fun to be around.

Then there is classes. I can't help. but think of Maggie, who I met in my writing class, but is also from my same stake in Buffalo. She has been a ton of fun in class and never failed to tell me what the Buffalo area was like.

Well, that about sums it up, I think. Of course I am still grateful for all the old friends I have, but I felt, especially with a lot of guys I know going on missions, that I should write about some of the people I met this semester at school.

Comments on the New School Year

So...I have not written in a while, but not a lot has gone on. the only major thing that has happened is that school is back in session. So far, the year has been good; my classes are fun and I know a lot of the other students and the teachers already. I am a junior so i have some challenging classes, but things are starting to settle down. I am still writing my books so i can become a true author. My parents are still somewhat skeptic about my goal, but they are no longer negative outloud. In fact, my dad said sounds as though he thinks I could be successful.

A Farewell to Friends

Last day of school...so sad yet rocks at the same time. We have to say good bye to the senoirs, but we are one year closer to graduation. To all my senior friends, good bye, but remember to visit. Everyone have a great summer and I can't wait to see you again. For all of you who know my brother Peyton (who is currently serving a mission for our church in Quebec) here are some pictures and a movie of him. I can't wait till I can see everyone again. Hope to hear from a lot of people over the summer.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duH4bVvPwQM

2.www.missionsite.net/eldersonnefeld

3.http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/sredir?uname=kirklandward&target=ALBUM&id=5339549045881426817&authkey=Gv1sRgCLiTz-Pxu62NwwE&authkey=Gv1sRgCLiTz-Pxu62NwwE&invite=CPCUl7wP&feat=email

First Entry

This is the first entry of my personal blog. My other blog is all about school so it is really boring. My life is crazy right now because of the end of school. I am so glad that it is finally ending, but it is scary because I am going to be an upperclass man. I signed up for so many higher level classes and I am worried about my work load. This summer is going to be amazing. I am going to go to the beach a lot this summer, which is great because I always love a chance to work on my tan, no that I am super white, but I would like to be darker. I only have to get through two more days and tomorrow I don't really have any finals. I really don't want the year to end because that means all my senior friends will be leaving, but there are a few seniors I could do without such as a particularly annoying AP student who does not really know how to argue his point. He lost serval arguments against me in the last couple of weeks. I really should go, my chemistry final is on Thursday. See everyone on the flip side.
Bethanie