Yes I'm LDS But that doesnt mean I'm automatically a Republican...

So Im a registered independent in the state of Nevada... we're a swing state or something this year... what that has meant for me is constant calls from the Obama campaign, mailers from McCain and now even a visit today from Obamas supporters...
Now the calls are funny... because when someone calls our house and ask for Elspeth Kuta they get my Mum, who is not a US citzen and hence cannot vote... so she just waste their time... If I answer I say undecided and hang up... because yes even though the election is 2 and a half weeks away I'm still undecided on which of these two is the lesser evil.
The visit today was entertaining... I'd just finished my class work and was going to turn on the tv and relax before work... knock at the door and the first thing I notice is an Obama pin and being asked who I'm voting for... Undecided...
"is there anything we can clear up for you or anyway to persuade you towards obama." (because apparently on their list my name has a big persuade next to it)
"no thanks Im pretty good at finding out what I need to know on the internet."
"whats your biggest worry?"
"the Economy." (why even ask that, isn't that everyones biggest worry)
"where do you stand on the worlds view of america?"
"I'm a dual citzen I have a pretty unique view on that"
"do you have any problems with Obama's racial background?"
"uh no, race is never an issue for me."
I dont know how I got to it but I decided to turn on them and mention my mission for the LDS church to Hong Kong for the next 18 months and start talking about the church... so even though I had concerns now my biggest concern was what I'd be coming back to since I have student loans and such... thats when she goes Oh! that explains it... the people who just asked me if I had a problem with Obama's race are now classifying me as a republican supporter just because I'm LDS... huh figure that one out...
Maybe I'll vote for Ralph Nader... or that none of these canidates bubble is looking really tempting.

I Need to take a Holiday...

But not from Blogging apparently... It's been a while again... I guess breaking habits isn't so hard. But I do like to write stuff out it clears the mind...
I don't even know where to start. It's been a year since I left Hawaii and I still really wonder about that decision and how maybe I shouldn't have jumped ship like that... a lot of stuff wouldn't have happened and probably for the better... but I guess there is no sense in living in the past am I right? I think that's one of the biggest problems with me, i get to stuck on the "what Ifs". But wouldn't it be nice that I could have finished my degree April and already be gone on my mission and not had so many mental breakdowns and bronchitis!
But hey lets ignore the last crappy 8 months and concentrate on the fact that I'M FREAKING GOING TO HONG KONG ON A MISSION!!! I got my call Aug 21. So its been over a month since I've known... its flying by but at the same time going so slow. I wish it was December already and that mum and dad were dropping me off at the MTC and I was starting this already...
Right now my days are the same thing... I wake up, do school work, be bored out of my mind!, watch whatever is on the travel channel (hoping for things on Hong Kong), then I get ready for work, walk down the stupid hill at 245 and work from 3-11 at the casino, dying from second hand smoke and being way frustrated by pointless promotions, I then walk back up the hill, shower immediately to remove the smell of cancer sticks before I hurl and then try and wind down and go to sleep at a decent hour... my days off are even more depressing :P
But what can I do, I just have to keep killing time, saving money and getting these classes done so the I have a degree when I get home and need to get a job and start paying loans. Here's a goal I'm going to keep I'll only be here in Nevada a month at most, even if it means going to Minnesota... I just can't stay in this place any more... If my mission wasn't the light at the end of my tunnel I don't know what I'd be doing.
Have I mention how excited I am to be going, to finally be doing something truly worthwhile, to have an opportunity to share something so important to me that makes my life that much more sense with others. How excited for what is probably going to be the most challenging and rewarding year and a half of my life. The opportunity to be challenged to learn Cantonese, to experience another culture so in depth. I'm excited and I can't wait to go.
So yeah the year started on an interesting note and certainly had its lows and will be ending on a high.
Life is definitely not a walk in the park or that park is in serious need of repair.

Gratitude

It's that thanksgiving time of year again and what a great weekend!
First what I'm thankful for...
Family... of course... but in particular Jacob and Dad who are such great people... Im grateful for my dads guidance and my brothers example.
Blossom... she is just a cat but she sure does bring me a lot of joy.
New Niece... I don't know her name yet but I'm excited for Shanel and Quientin.
Lovely weddings... its so nice to see new couples so happy.
Wonderful Friends... they understand and are so supportive.

I am also grateful for the oppurtunity to make decisions for myself, that I am in control of my life, that I can do things that will make me happy. Right now if I can get everything sorted I am not coming back to Hawaii next semester and starting something new. I'm excited for the change and the oppurtunity. I am excited that this will give me more of an oppurtunity to be a influence in my family's life again. I'm just excited to be moving on somewhere...
Hawaii has been an experience... but I was ready to go a long time ago...

Back to blogging...

Awhile ago I denied public access to my blog... I'm not going to get into the reasons, but I feel confident enough right now to partially start sharing my thoughts again.

It's funny even though I put my blog into a coma, I have remained pretty active on the internet, email is still one of the main ways I communicate with friends who are far away, I have a facebook account but it seems to just be a way to keep updated on everyones status, I have a Bebo account as well, and that has been keeping me in mild contact with friends in NZ that I wasn't super close with. But I find that everything else I used to do was such a waste of time, yes I am trying very hard to eliminate the procrastinator in me. It's working well, and it's really helping me as a student... figures I have less then 6 months left as a student and I'm finally getting the hang of it.

So I have to get back to my school work... I don't know how often I will be posting again... But I like the idea of putting the ideas I think will benefit others down. oh thats a great idea! ha I know what this new blog is now!