...

A post on the progress of, “The Move Up North” Okay, things have been a little crazy up here.

--Friday was the move-in day; my mom drove up separately to send me off. I spent most of the day buying stuff I forgot to pack, or that I didn’t know I needed. I had lunch with my mom and my cousin at a Fresh-Mex restaurant. After we had our fill of sweet-pork burritos she dropped me off and I was left to fend for myself in the dark cruel world without my mommy monster. I finished up some shopping, made my bed—and then The New Kid called—he was up visiting Salt Lake before he was dropped off at BYU. We walked around Temple Square, took some tours, and flirted with the sister missionaries (total hotties.)

Friday night I watched Saved! It’s the story set at a Christian high school, where the main character’s (Mary) boyfriend (Dean) tells her he is gay. The plot goes forward telling the tale of hypocrisy, high school life, and for me, what being a Christian is all about. After the movie I tried to sleep on one of those horrible dorm room mattresses, you know the ones: Extremely springy, yet overly firm, not to mention covered in plastic so it sounded like I was sleeping on a diaper.

I woke up earlier than expected, 9 AM. Disgusting if you ask me. I blame it mostly on the bed, I can usually sleep at least until 11 AM on days I don’t need to do anything. After trying to get back to sleep, taking a ridiculously long shower, I called my cousin and we went to the cafeteria for an early lunch. I envied the food sitting underneath the heat lamps, wishing that I, too, could be kept at a toasty 93* instead of the 30 something of Salt Lake. The choice was between a ham and cheese toast, or battered halibut. I chose to abstain from said Battered Halibut because the fish wasn’t really at 93* like the thermometer said, but was actually at a temperature that closely reflected that of the chilly outside. I had a cup of water, with some French fries instead.

Today I met with my new bishop; I don’t know how to take him yet. He seems genuine but a bit stiff and rough around the edges. He told me today that the mission isn’t the end all, and then quickly added “You must have felt uncomfortable when they were talking about their mission stories during Elders Quorum. But there are consequences to our actions.”

“I am myself. That is not enough…
My ribs show. What have I eaten?
Lies and smiles.”
Sylvia Plath—chopped and mutilated by yours truly.

PS I think I spotted a lesbian today. The first thing she told me after she saw me, "My brother said never to trust a guy who looks like they take more time to get ready than you do." Seconds after she cracked a joke about flirting with a girl.